May 14, 2012
A Trip to China - In the Eye of the Beholder
I am reluctant to recommend China as a travel destination. There are plenty of great places to see in Asia (Malaysia, Nepal, and Thailand spring to mind), but I don't consider China one of them. For the haven't-been-but-am-really-curious sorts, I would recommend reading a travel narrative about the country before booking a flight. Peter Hessler's Country Driving is probably a good choice. Rob Gifford's China Road is very balanced, which some people, for some reason, find important. Paul Theroux's Riding the Iron Rooster and Colin Thubron's Behind the Wall are excellent but dated (from the 1980s), yet still relevant. But if you've read those books and are still undeterred, and if I had to come up with a China itinerary, I'd come up with one that looks like the following.
To get a travel visa for China, your best option is Hong Kong. Hong Kong is fantastic, pulsing with energy, light, sound, and color. A trip up Victoria Peak is a must and the territory has a surprising amount of natural scenery. The New Territories, for instance, are quite striking and a good place to go if you're suffering from neon overload. From Hong Kong, travel by ferry to the former Portuguese enclave of Macau, where you can spend a day eating almond cookies and inspecting colonial buildings. Next, hop on the bus to Guangzhou, a monster of a metropolis. Be sure to visit its Qing Ping Market to discover why the Chinese say they eat anything with four legs except a table. Deep-fried starfish-kebab anyone?
Now that you've seen a big brassy Chinese city (and, with a handful of exceptions, they're all the same), make your way east by train through the limestone-knolled south. Scenic Yangshuo, a town in the countryside, is a decent spot, and Dali Old Town, in Yunnan Province, is touristy but pretty - but what you really want to do is get a travel permit for Tibet. You can do this in tiny Zhongdian in Yunnan province.
Lhasa won't disappoint. In fact, a jaunt around Tibet would likely be more rewarding than one around any other Chinese "province." Patrick French's Tibet, Tibet makes for good background reading. So does Ma Jian's Stick Out Your Tongue. The Potala Palace is unforgettable. So is the Barkhor, the neighborhood that houses the frenetic Jokhang Temple. A lot of Westerners hire a driver to take them to Nampsto Lake. Take into consideration altitude sickness.
Done marveling at the creamy zeniths and the yaks and nomads on the rooftop of the world, you can fly anywhere. I would fly to Bali, Indonesia, but if you're still not finished with China then I'd suggest a flight to China's most interesting city, Beijing.
What sets Beijing apart is that it still retains a sense of traditional culture. Nanjing is China's most handsome city and Shanghai is its biggest and brightest, but from a cultural perspective, neither compete with the capital. Yes, "Peking" is heavily polluted, heavily policed, and has heavy traffic, but it's easy to navigate, features fine restaurants, and is still culturally authentic - it has a traditional atmosphere which most municipal governments have bulldozed. There are the well-known attractions (Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace), but more engaging are the hutong or traditional alleys with their fortress-like courtyard homes and their portly, smudgy lanterns. Walking around the hutong on a bright winter's day, or at night, is like stepping back in time. You gain an understanding of how people live, much more enlightening than observing honking thoroughfares or inspecting one of the burg's dire museums. An exceptional guidebook is The Rough Guide to Beijing by Simon Lewis.
I suppose you'll want to go to the Great Wall. Everyone does. But there's no such thing as the Great Wall - it's just an idea, a myth; and the walls north of Beijing are probably younger than you are. But a visit still makes for a fun day trip, and the surrounding mountains are pleasant to gaze it. Don't go in for a tour that includes a trip to (Cousin Li's) Jade Factory or the Ming Tombs. There's nothing to see at the Ming Tombs. Just go to "the wall" (and back). To learn more about "the Great Wall," read John Man's The Great Wall.
My final China recommendation (and, yes, I realize I haven't included Jiuzhaigou Valley, Xian, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Qingdao, or a dozen other oft-touted spots) is Harbin during the Ice Festival. To my way of thinking, wandering around a sooty and frozen Chinese city filled with old Russian buildings and marked by the taint of industry is infinitely more stimulating - or at least genuine - than clicking pictures of the Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai's lights, or inert pandas behind bars in awful Chengdu. But I'm a bit different, not to mention biased. Living in Taiwan for a decade will do that to you.
Troy Parfitt is the author of Why China Will Never Rule the World.
Related: 10 tips for business travel in China - Xi'an travel plan
May 11, 2012
Seven Days in Taiwan
There's a lot of talk about China these days, but if you're interested in experiencing authentic Chinese culture in a free, friendly, and open society, Taiwan offers a superior alternative. The tiny island-nation is less expensive than Hong Kong or Singapore and much more interesting. It has heaps to see and do (and buy and eat) and visitors should come away with a lasting impression of Taiwanese friendliness. The Taiwanese have to be the most affable people in Asia.
Your Taiwan travels should start in the capital, Taipei, where you'll need two or three days. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the island's top tourist destination, is a decent place to begin. It has its own subway stop, and the subway system in Taipei is state-of-the-art. After inspecting the structure's whitewashed facade and cobalt-colored roof, you can pop inside to purchase Chiang Kai-shek playing cards, coffee mugs, lapel pins.... Besides traditional architecture, the landmark represents a sort of heaven for collectors of dictator memorabilia. From here, you can take a cab to the National Palace Museum and see the Forbidden City art that Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists transported to Taiwan "for safekeeping" during the Chinese Civil War. China's imperial treasures reside not in China, but in Taiwan's National Palace Museum.
The Shilin Night Market is intriguing, and likely the spot where Taiwanese suggest you go. It's crowded, raucous, chaotic, garish, grubby, and has plenty of unusual but tasty food. Shopping and eating are Taiwan's two unofficial national pastimes and at the Shilin Night Market you'll see long queues of people waiting to buy oyster omelets and the ever-popular stinky tofu. I suggest something a bit more conventional, such as fried dumplings or beef noodles. You might have to eat on your feet, so watch out for the zipping motor scooters. Once stuffed, you can purchase a Laughing Buddha alarm clock or a knock-off of a brand-name garment or accessory. The Taiwanese are firm believers in "copyleft."
The options in Taipei are endless. You can view the city from the air-conditioned deck of the Taipei 101-Building or trundle around the sordid and low Snake Alley. There are temples, hot springs, museums, electronics markets, zillions of shops and restaurants (seemingly), and Yangmingshan National Park, which offers an elevated and leafy respite along with some fresh air. Get a copy of Taiwan: The Bradt Travel Guide by Steven Crook to see what interests you.
After Taipei, I would recommend taking the train to Hualien on the east coast. From Hualien, you can visit the country's number-two tourist spot, the stunning but perilous Taroko Gorge National Park. Kenting National Park, at the southern tip of Taiwan, is also quite beautiful. It's fun to just rent a scooter and drive around. Sun Moon Lake, in the dead center of the island, is also worth a visit. In Tainan, a city in the south, there are temples, shrines, and religious activities, and once done comparing deities and joss-stick diameters you can take the bullet train back to Taipei.
In Taiwan, it's all about convenience. Getting around and finding accommodation is a cinch and you should be able to make out fine in English. No matter what you think about Taiwan, it's unlikely you'll think it is boring - or quiet.
Troy Parfitt is the author of Why China Will Never Rule the World.
May 10, 2012
10 Tips for the China Business Traveler
1. Read books. If you're going to go to China for business with any regularity, you've got to read about it, and that means moving beyond websites and The Wall Street Journal. The best book for businesspeople is Tim Clissold's Mr. China. However, business books about China are often the most shallow and sensationalistic China books available, so be careful when searching for one. Books that tell you about Chinese culture and the Chinese mindset are often more valuable to businesspeople than books about doing business. Read narratives - first-hand accounts -
not how-to books.
2. Don't speak Chinese. Westerners often try to memorize a few phrases thinking they'll make a good impression. But although you might learn how to say 'hello' and 'thank you,' it's unlikely you'll say them correctly because Chinese is tonal. Imagine a non-musician visiting Paul McCartney and thinking a good way to impress him is to play few bars of "Yesterday." Don't go there. Unless you're serious about learning Mandarin, speak in plain, non-idiomatic English.
3. Address people by their working title. It's not Mr. Chen; it's Vice-president Chen.
4. Don't bow, pat on the back, or hug. The Chinese do not bow and they consider a pat on the shoulder or back condescending, though most are probably aware back-patting is just a harmless, touchy-feely, Western bad habit. Public displays of affection are still rare in China and hugging could be taken to mean all kinds of things. Don't waste money on books about Chinese social etiquette. Just exercise decorum and common sense.
5. There is business card etiquette. When someone gives you a business card, hold it in front of you at chest level with both hands and read it, smilingly, out loud. "Assistant Manager Jim Zhang. Dunhua Heavy Equipment. Very good. Thank you very much." Then stick the card in your front pocket. Bring plenty of your own business cards.
6. Remember: what is said is not always what is meant. If the take-home message in Confucius' Analects is "obey" then in Sun Tzu's Art of War it is "deceive." It's difficult to know what's true and what isn't in the Chinese world. There is a lack of forthrightness that drives many Westerners crazy. Be cautious and if you think there's funny business, ask questions. Try to deal with someone you can trust.
7. Think like they do. It's easy to say, but difficult to do. Many long-term expatriates develop an alter ego, a Chinese identity complete with Chinese name. They learn to handle things the Chinese way when dealing with Chinese people and they revert to handling things the Western way when dealing with Westerners. It takes years to learn how to do this, how to shift back and forth between the two worlds, but if you read and are observant, you should gain some understanding about the all-important mindset, something you should strive toward.
8. Stay away from the baijiu and be careful of the boys' night out.Baijiu (literally: white liquor) is rice wine and it is powerful, paint-stripping stuff with the clean and refreshing taste of gasoline. You're probably going to be wined and dined, and although that could happen at an upscale hotel with a Western menu, it's most likely to occur at a Chinese restaurant with too many courses and too much booze. Have a glass, but then switch to something lighter. Terrible things happen with baijiu. Ambulances get called, consulates get telephoned.... Baijiu is bad news. In East Asia, business is often a boys' club and business deals and negotiations are sometimes marked by a visit to dubious karaoke or some other questionable establishment. This is a bizarre ritual you don't want to partake in. Businessmen bond with each other in seedy settings, but they also collect dirt on each other, ammunition - blackmail - to be used down the road if necessary. Don't compromise yourself. After a dinner and drinks, go back to your hotel or at least to a place where the word 'massage' isn't a euphemism.
9. Be careful what you say. Obviously, the last thing you want to do is offend someone. The problem is, in China, you could offend someone simply by raising a subject, cracking a joke, or relaying an anecdote. Don't talk politics and don't say anything that can be construed as denigrating. Your chain-smoking taxi driver couldn't read the Chinese address you handed him and mistook a sidewalk for the highway? Consider it a war story you can trade with another Westerner.
10. Don't project, set aside preconceptions, and observe. Neophytes are often shocked to discover much of what they've heard about China is wrong. The reason might be because they got their information from Westerners who never took the time to really think about China and obliterate a few of its associated misconceptions. One misconception is the idea that guanxi (connections) is an ultra-important component of Chinese culture. But it isn't. Rather, guanxi is an important part of any culture, especially in the developing world. But it can seem more important in China because Chinese people like to talk openly about advancement and making money, and to advance and make money it helps to know people. You hear the word guanxi a lot, hence its alleged magnitude. Connections is a simple idea blown up into a behemoth one.
Overemphasizing and exaggeration are responsible for the notion that China and everything about it is mystical or inscrutable, but very little about China is mystical or inscrutable. Anyone can figure it out - by reading, observing, and thinking. You don't have to become an old China hand to do business with the Chinese, but it helps to arm yourself with knowledge.
Troy Parfitt is the author of Why China Will Never Rule the World.
May 8, 2012
Happened across a farmers' market in the subway today - Cheongdam Station in Seoul
I had never seen this before although my wife insists today was the second time we went shopping in a farmers' market on a subway in Seoul. Naturally, I was too busy buying persimmon, fluffy rice sweets, and sweet potato to take pictures but I did find a few places where you can see what it is I'm talking about. KBS News has an entire article, the pictures I'm talking about are way down at the bottom. This Korean blog has some nice big pictures - just click the link and scroll down a little.
Here's a Korean language story about farmers taking their produce to the market. You'll eventually see them selling stuff in the station itself and then after that you will see the actual subway train market thing.
You can see another video of the market train here. It's all in Korean but just click the link and click play on the video.
Oh and if anyone wants to see for themselves you can check out Cheongdam Station on line 7 Tuesday to Thursday. I think they're open till about 7:00 although officially they say it's supposed to be 8:00. We think they open in the afternoon some time.
Speaking of Seoul's subway, I took a train during rush hour today for the first time in years and I remember why I hate it. I had about 7 flights of stairs to get up and the only escalator puts me on the wrong street so I usually run up the stairs as fast as I can to get a little mini-workout in.
This morning, there was a wall of people coming down the stairs. With the people coming down taking up the entire stairwell I hesitated for a moment before doing my usual sprint. I went along the right wall, where the arrows were on my side and figured the people who are walking against the arrow would just have to get out of my way.
Of course one middle-aged woman thought differently and we collided. She fell and I felt a little bad, but mostly I just felt frustrated. Do I really have to spend 5 minutes walking up the stairs in a crazy zigzag because people ignore all the nice little arrows?
And while we're talking about Seoul subway etiquette, check out #2 on the official Seoul subway etiquette page. I guess they meant to say no begging on the subway, but it comes across much more hilariously.
May 5, 2012
Bad publicity forces Spirit to do what is "just not fair"
Spirit Airlines has done a 180 in regards to the case of Jerry Meekins, a dying veteran who could not use his ticket. They went from this:
"Our reservations are non-refundable, which means we don't do refunds and we are not going to issue Mr. Meekins a refund."The airline also said that it offers low-cost travel insurance that covers a variety of unexpected circumstances and added, "It wouldn't be fair to bend the policy for one and not for all."
"We receive many requests for refunds every day for similar situations. It wouldn't be fair to bend policy for one and not all. We will not make customers who follow the rules pay for those who don't. It's just not fair."
To this:
At a time of ever-rising airfares, Spirit Airlines makes commercial air travel affordable for many Americans. A very important part of keeping our airfares reasonably priced is our refund policy.Now I have no problem with the CEO personally refunding airfare but I actually agree when Spirit says that they can't offer a refund for one guy who chose not to buy travel insurance without being unfair to all the other folks who bought tickets but decided not to buy travel insurance."Every day we seek to balance customer service with customers' demands for the lowest airfare possible. But sometimes we make mistakes.
"In my statements regarding Mr. Meekins' request for a refund, I failed to explain why our policy on refunds makes Spirit Airlines the only affordable choice for so many travelers, and I did not demonstrate the respect or the compassion that I should have, given his medical condition and his service to our country.
"Therefore I have decided to personally refund Mr. Meekins' airfare, and Spirit Airlines will make a $5,000 contribution, in his name, to the charity of his choice, Wounded Warriors.
"We have worked hard to build a great company that makes air travel affordable while making our employees proud and customers satisfied. All of us at Spirit Airlines extend our prayers and best wishes to Mr. Meekins.
What makes the Jerry Meekins case different? Well I'd like to say that it's because he's a veteran. So then Spirit should offer free insurance to all veterans who reserve tickets with them. Do you see that happening?
The next possibility is that his doctors thought it would be better if he didn't fly. Then again, most doctors will tell you that flying isn't good for you. For example, a chiropractor told my wife there was no way she could protect her bad back on a long flight.
But then again, this was a terminal case - not just a bad back. Maybe everyone who gets diagnosed with something life threatening should be able to get a refund? In this case, Mr. Meekins knew he had cancer but learned it was terminal after buying the ticket.
Or, we just have to face that the media coverage probably made Spirit cave this time, even though it hasn't seemed to stop them from making sexist and controversial ads. Chances are that what's right or what's fair had nothing to do with either decision.
And finally, why do Americans feel entitled to refunds when they don't buy travel insurance? I wonder if people in other countries feel the same way because I understand that travel insurance is a far more common investment in Europe than it is in America.
I've been called cold-hearted before (but I think I'm just misunderstood), but it seems to me that when you buy a ticket you should either buy the insurance or decide that you're willing to take a chance that something unforeseen will prevent you from traveling.
April 30, 2012
3 more Nepal trekking tips
Interesting how a few days ago I found my old notes about trekking in Nepal and then just recently one of my students decided to make trekking in Nepal the topic of her informative speech. She had three tips I want to share:
1. Bring chocolate and a sleeping bag. The chocolate is for energy because you'll be getting tired. The sleeping bag is for the lodges you'll be staying in - pretty spartan apparently.
2. Be wary when paying for transportation. No fixed price on taxis and buses means drivers will be overcharging you as often as they can.
3. Pay your porters more than your luggage is worth. Otherwise they may just run away with your stuff.
April 29, 2012
Stay in LA or somewhere nearby for a few nights?
So my wife and I fly from Seoul to LA with our two dogs. We were planning to buy a car and drive from LA to Florida but renewing my NYS driver's license online has proven to be difficult and no current license means no insurance, which means no new car.
So the new plan is to rest a few days and then fly out of LA. But should we stay in LA for those few days or somewhere nearby? This press release was timely:
Torrance, CA (April 23, 2012) -- According to a 2011 White Paper on California Tourism, California is the #1 destination in the United States and hosts over 18% of overseas travelers who come to the U.S. One city in Southern California which is vying for the attention of these tourists is Torrance, which offers 1.5 miles of shore front beach on the Pacific Ocean and 2,500 guest rooms with rates ranging from U.S. $79 to $209 per night based upon availability.
And while there are many Los Angeles County cities which are more well known -- including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Malibu -- and come with an equally illustrious price tag, Torrance is a down-to-earth Southern California town with easy access to the international airports, major attractions, Pacific Ocean, and more.
Located between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove on the Santa Monica Bay, Torrance Beach is a popular attraction for those who want to dip their toes in the Pacific Ocean. The safe, uncrowded beach environment is free of charge and is the start of The Strand, the 22-mile paved and lit beach path which heads up to Santa Monica and is perfect for walking, jogging, or bicycling. In the 1950s, there was a well-known beach club here which attracted many Hollywood celebrities looking to get away from it all, and this relaxing ambiance remains to this day.
Other popular attractions in Torrance include the Del Amo Fashion Center, which is one of the largest shopping malls in the U.S.; Old Town Torrance, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year; the Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve & Nature Center; the Southern California Live Steamers Miniature Railroad; the Toyota Automobile Museum; and much more. The city also affords easy access via the 405 and 100 freeways to the many notable attractions in and around Los Angeles and Orange County including Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.
Travelers can find hotels from budget to deluxe represented by all of the major brands including Best Western, Courtyard by Marriott, Days Inn, Doubletree by Hilton, Extended Stay America, Homestead Studio Suites, Marriott, Miyako, Ramada, Residence Inn by Marriott, Staybridge Suites, and Travelodge. The extensive range of facilities available varies by hotel but includes guest rooms, suites, and fully-equipped apartment-style suites with kitchens, plus amenities such as spas, indoor and outdoor pools, fitness centers, barbecue areas, fireplaces, kids programs, Jacuzzis, pet-friendly accommodations, complimentary breakfast and Internet access, and more. Rates at these properties range from from $79 to $249 based upon availability.
April 28, 2012
Book Review - Hidden Gardens of Paris
Book Review - Hidden Gardens of Paris: A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands of the City of Light by Susan Cahill and Photography by Marion Ranoux
The author, Susan Cahill, has published four travel books on Italy and Ireland, and spends a few months in Paris every year. She is editor of the Women and Fiction series and author of the novel, Earth Angels. Marion Ranoux, a native Parisienne, is an experienced freelance photographer and translator of Czech literature into French. Ranoux' splendid photography brings each garden to life by adding visual significance to the cultural and historical perspective of the author's narrative. The author has given us an inside look at hidden gardens, a view of the "Green Paris" that some visitors have yet to discover. She has included a helpful map with a numbered list of places to see from Ile de La Cite? through neighborhoods (quartiers) on the Left Bank including Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Montparnasse, and Latin Quarter to Montmartre, the Champs-Élysées, and Bastille on the Right Bank. She provides useful information on the Metro station, entrance location, and hours, as well as nearby attractions.
She has done an excellent job in describing over 40 hidden gardens in parks, in the squares with statues of famous people, and beside woodland paths, . The book explores the areas outside churches, palaces, and museums, avoiding the usual crowds and long lines at popular tourist attractions. Within these hidden gardens, we find tranquillity, a place to read, relax, and experience the "spiritual and sensual" in the beauty of flowers and trees. Each garden is an enchanting place to reflect upon the past and present, the heroes, lovers, artists, sculptors, and writers of Paris. We see children at play and riding carousels in the same gardens where violence and political rebellion once took place.
I have included brief excerpts from a few chapters in my review. Square du Vert Galant is located behind the statue of the gallant Henry IV on the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, as you arrive at the Ile de la Cité. Although Henry IV was known as an "obsessive lover," he was above all a peacemaker who declared "kindness and mercy the primary virtues of a prince." Pont Neuf is where the Bouquinistes, the typical booksellers in Paris, first placed their large, green boxes of books and artists' prints along the banks of the Seine.
On the Left Bank, you'll enter the Jardin des Plantes and through a tunnel to the Alpine Garden, where hundreds of flowers and plants from around the world are flourishing in this secluded garden. Within the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is the Square Boucicaut in honor of the founder of the well-known Bon Marché department store and his wife, a most generous philanthropist. This exotic garden of plants and trees is much like other squares in Paris where children are free to run and play, to explore, and to do almost anything.
The gardens around the Rodin Museum are formal and well designed with a variety of trees, flowers, and a pool. Amid the greenery are many of Rodin's sculptures - The Thinker, The Burghers of Calais, and the Gates of Hell.
In western Paris you'll find the Bois De Boulogne and the Parc de Bagatelle's Rose Garden. Roses were much loved by the mistresses of Louis XV and Napoleon's wife Josephine. Their wonderful colors and scent still symbolize Paris the romantic city. Surrounding the Bagatelle are the Bois or woodlands, written about in books and seen in movies as a meeting place for secret trysts and carriage rides. By day, it is a popular park filled with flowers, waterfalls, playgrounds, and a Shakespeare garden.
Montparnasse in the southern part features Jardin Atlantique, a most unusual rooftop garden, which opened in 1994 on one of the largest train stations in Paris. The landscape changes from a forest of trees to an area of sand dunes resembling the Atlantic coast of France. The different themes in the garden vary from maritime to a Room of Silence and Meditation and a Room of Moisture (waterfalls and fountains). Nearby is the Musée Jean Moulin, the great artist who lived and painted in Montparnasse.
Pére-Lachaise, the largest cemetery in Paris, is a garden paradise of 105 acres of 12,000 trees. Flowers surround the graves and monuments of 300,000 men and women who inspired a "cultural reverence" for gardens in science, philosophy, politics, and the arts. This is the final resting place for famous people such as Colette, Proust, Wilde, and Moliere, as well as memorials to the Résistants to the government and the most visited grave of Edith Piaf.
Susan Cahill has succeeded in bringing us to delightful, peaceful havens in a different, somewhat unconventional style as compared to the usual travel guides of lists and itineraries. She has written an entertaining and informative guidebook for anyone who loves travel, gardening, or history. Her list of sources is impressive, many of which she obtained from her favorite bookseller, Odile Hellier at the Village Voice on rue Princesse. I recommend this book as a great resource if you're visiting Paris for the first time or returning to explore the hidden gardens you may have missed in this great City of Light.
Publisher: St Martin's Press,10 April 2012. Retail: $19.99. Amazon: Paperback - $13.45, Kindle - $9.99
Sharon L Slayton
April 26, 2012
What do you do with old travel guide books?
Since I'm in the middle of moving, I find myself wondering which old stuff to keep and which old stuff to get rid of. Among my stuff I never think about using are a number of travel guides like Lonely Planet Italy and a Let's Go Italy - both purchased before my honeymoon in 2001. And there are lots of other books that aren't quite as old but are old enough that I'd think twice before using one of them again - if I ever even had the opportunity to use one of them again.
But sadly, I don't think I'm going back to Turkey or Japan any time soon. So should I throw these books in the garbage? Living in Korea, there aren't really a lot of charity thrift shops looking for English travel guides so I can't donate them easily.
Anyway, how long do you keep guide books around? Does anyone get rid of them as soon as they're done with the vacation they got the book for?
April 22, 2012
A Seven-Day itinerary for Atlantic City, New Jersey
Enjoy this guest travel plan from Nisha.
Atlantic City, the East Coast's gambling mecca, lies along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean on the New Jersey Shore. Nearby Jersey Shore beach resort towns include Beach Haven, Brigantine and Ocean City. While Atlantic City is famous for its multitude of casinos, visitors to this popular destination for both long vacations and short trips also enjoy shopping, fine dining and beach-going activities. If you're spending a week in Atlantic City, it's best to create an itinerary so you can choose beforehand from the multitude of experiences AC has to offer.
Day One
Atlantic City has almost a dozen casino resorts that combine luxury hotel accommodations with casino gambling halls. All the casino resorts include a number of restaurants, dining venues and bars. You'll find everything from fine dining to pizza places to coffee shops to nightclubs without every having to leave the building. On your first day in AC, you might want to familiarize yourself with your particular resort.
Bally's, for example, has 21 restaurants and six lounges, along with two pools, a multitude of shops and thousands of square feet set aside for conventions and meetings. That's all in addition to the casino gaming areas that made Bally's famous. The smaller Harrah's casino resort features the new addition of a luxurious tropical pool under a glass dome along with its other amenities.
Have breakfast at the coffee shop or cafe and then check out the gift shop and spa. Eat lunch at the pizza place or snack bar. Stroll outside to the boardwalk or deck by your hotel if the weather is nice. You can spend the afternoon at the casino, or have an early dinner in the hotel's finest restaurant before hitting the blackjack table. By the end of your first day, you should be familiar with the resort and ready to venture out to see the city's other sights.
Day Two
Take a day off from gambling and explore the town. Learn about the city at the Atlantic City Historical Museum. The museum near the Boardwalk is free and open from Monday through Friday.
Have lunch on the Boardwalk, and then head uptown to the famous Atlantic City Aquarium. Over a hundred species of exotic marine life are on display, such as sea turtles, live coral and sharks. Activities and events take place weekly, and the attached marina with boat rides, crafter's village, shopping and dining give you the opportunity for many hours of fun. After a tour of the aquarium, relax with a brew at the adjacent Back Bay Ale House.
Day Three
Venture farther out from your hotel and stroll up and down the Boardwalk, which is several miles long and packed with shopping, entertainment, dining and, of course, more casinos. You'll have dozens of opportunities to purchase AC-centric T-shirts, beach bags, hats and sports gear, as well as unique jewelry and other accessories. Have lunch in one of the dozens of eating establishments that line the walk after you pick up some souvenirs for the folks at home.
If you're there during the summer, head for the amusement park area at the Steel Pier for more excitement. This large family entertainment area will soon begin a major overhaul, including the planned addition of a roller coaster. Tickets are sold singly for a dollar, and in coupon books of 35, 80 and 200 at a discount. On Thursdays--wristband day--you can frolic through the rides and attractions all day with the purchase of a $40 wristband.
Day Four
You might want to spend the night gambling because your vacation is about halfway through, but the day can be filled with more opportunities to shop. The shopping complexes at the Boardwalk and nearby Marina District sell everything from designer purses to beachwear. There's something for everyone at shops in venues like The Walk, which houses Atlantic City's multiple outlet stores including Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger and Nautica; Central Square, with boutiques and small local shops; and the Pier Shops at Caesar's, with high-end designer stores such as Tiffany, Armani and Gucci where you can go after you hit the jackpot. The Quarter at Tropicana features exclusive specialty stores that include a wine shop, Godiva Chocolatiers, Brookstone and Swarovski.
Day Five
Take some quiet time away from the flashing lights and nonstop action of the casinos and Boardwalk in the Civil Rights Garden. The peaceful sculpture garden lies about a block from the Boardwalk. Stroll along the winding pathways lined with shrubs and flowers, and see the granite columns and sculptures inscribed with quotes and anecdotes from civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
Continue your break from the hustle and bustle by taking in a film at the IMAX at the Tropicana. The theatre runs Hollywood movies and documentaries, all in 3-D on giant screens. If you're there at the right time, you can score some tickets to The Comedy Stop to see nationally recognized standup comics like Lewis Black, Judy Tenuta and Ray Romano.
Day Six
Get out of town for a while and explore the Jersey Shore area around Atlantic City. Cross the bridge into Ocean City to lie on the beautiful beach for a while or to go kayaking or parasailing. Drive to Absecom and climb 240 steps to the top of its lighthouse, which has stood as a beacon to sailors since 1857.
Get some photos taken with Lucy the Elephant, the giant pachyderm in Margate that is included in the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks. Stop in Brigantine for a stroll on its beach, which is far more quiet and secluded than AC's and Ocean City's. Then dine on some delicious local seafood before heading back to AC.
Day Seven
Spend the morning packing to go home, then make sure you've taken pictures in all the spots you want to remember. The distinctive entrances of some of the casinos, such as the Trump Taj Mahal and Caesar's, make good spots for fun vacation photos you can reminisce over for years to come.
Enjoy your favorite restaurant at the resort one last time for lunch. Hit any shops you might have missed and pick up some last-minute souvenirs before you head home.
The author
My name is Nisha I work as the editor for http://www.holiday365.co.uk/ - I have been representing the business for the last 2 years now.
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