May 8, 2009
Escape To The Smokies - Where Nature Meets Luxury
This travel itinerary was written by KC from the Swag Country Inn. This itinerary is a combination of things at the hotel and things around the hotel.
Maggie Valley and Waynesville
This far corner of Western NC is comprised of 546 scenic square miles of spectacular country, with beautiful Appalachian mountains and valleys dotting the landscape. Thirteen of its mountain peaks soar to elevations of at least 6,000 feet (more than any county east of the Mississippi River). These are the most ancient mountains in the world, including Cold Mountain, which inspired the best selling novel and movie.
A 46-mile stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway (called "America's Favorite Drive") runs along the southwestern border and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest (formerly part of George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate) are located in the northern section of the county.
The Swag Country Inn in Waynesville (50 minutes west of Asheville) literally sits in the backyard of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - The Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year - check out the events at www.greatsmokies75th.org. While the trails on the TN side of the Park will be congested, the Swag's entrance into the NC side of the Park is much less known and visited.
Four of North Carolina's six highest mountain ranges are visible from The Swag: the Great Smokies to the northwest, the Plott Balsams and Richland Balsams to the southwest and the Black Mountains to the east. The Divide Trail, traveled by settlers for 200 years and by the Cherokee for many hundred more, passes just behind the Inn.
The Swag's fourteen distinctive accommodations are furnished with early American rustic antiques; most rooms have wood burning fireplaces, steam showers, balconies and private saunas. The cabins and main lodge are built of 18th and 19th century old hand hewn logs and local field stone. Its rustic, yet sophisticated setting offers guests a high mountain meadow retreat, award-winning restaurant, world-class hiking trails, warm hospitality, and extraordinary comfort.
Day 1 - HIKE AND FEAST
Whether you are a casual walker or an expert hiker, The Swag will map out the ideal route to explore the pristine natural surroundings. Gourmet lunches are packed in backpacks, each guest has a personalized walking stick (a gift to take home) and after a hearty breakfast you can head up the steep but relatively short climb to the top of Hemphill Bald for 360 degree views. Or take a leisurely walk on The Swag's two and a half mile nature trail, or explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's extensive system of trails. If it's Wednesday, get an early start because you can't miss the gourmet picnics and barbecues served atop Gooseberry Knob, with jaw-dropping views and an incredible spread of food (fresh ingredients from The Swag's garden and local purveyors).
Day 2 - THE ELK AND LORE OF CATALOOCHEE VALLEY
Visit the elk and venture back in time to an 1800's farming community. Not far from The Swag is Cataloochee Valley, nestled among some of the most rugged mountains in the southeastern United States. Surrounded by 6000-foot peaks, this isolated, lush valley was the largest and most prosperous settlement in what is now the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Once known for its farms and orchards, today Cataloochee is one of the most picturesque areas of the park.
Elk: In 2001, elk were released in Cataloochee Valley as part of an experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park. The herd can be seen regularly in the fields of the valley, especially in the early morning and evening hours. Other wildlife commonly spotted include bear, deer, and turkeys.
Historic Structures: Step back in time when this was a thriving community. You can tour a school, churches, a barn, and several homes in the valley dating from the mid-1800's. Five historic buildings are located along the road in the valley. An additional four buildings can be reached if you're willing to walk a couple miles down the nearby Little Cataloochee Trail (a beautiful walk through the forest). The Self-guiding Auto Tour booklet provides brief histories of each structure.
www.nps.gov/grsm/
Day 3 - MEET THE CHEROKEE
The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a replica of a Cherokee Community of the 1750s. Through guided tours, visitors experience the everyday life and structure of Cherokee society. Cherokee artisans make traditional crafts just as they did 250 years ago. Buildings from the period include the seven-sided Council House and a variety of Cherokee cabins.
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is a museum with a difference. Several, actually. For one thing, it's not a museum where a 'we' group talks about a 'them' group. This is a Museum in which the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians present themselves and their history according to their own firsthand point of view. For another, it's a museum where some of the most modern technology, computer-generated imagery, and special effects are used to present some of the oldest technologies in existence, as embodied by the most extensive collection of Cherokee artifacts anywhere.
The Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual, Inc., is today the oldest and leading Native American Arts cooperative in the United States. The Cherokees practice of pottery, basket weaving, and tool-making go back ten thousand years. The Cherokees are still in touch with their ancient art and craft traditions. Browse the affordable arts and crafts of contemporary Cherokee masters. www.cherokee-nc.com
Day 4 - HIKE WITH A NATURALIST
Check out The Swag's special events calendar and save a day to hike with a naturalist who may also double as an historian, anthropologist or expert birder. The one thing these guides have in common is an in-depth knowledge of the flora, fauna, wildlife and history of the Smokies along the most scenic trails in the Park - just steps away from The Swag's porch. After the hike take a dip in The Swag's spring fed pond.
http://www.theswag.com/calendar.htm
Day 5 - NANTAHALA RAFTING & RAILROAD
Get up early, eat a hearty breakfast and head towards Bryson City. Combine Carolina Outfitters whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River, www.carolinaoutfitters.com, with a train tour from Bryson City, NC through the mountains, across Fontana Lake and to the scenic backcountry of the Nantahala River Gorge. Don't want to raft? With 53 miles of track, 2 tunnels and 25 bridges, the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, www.gsmr.com, offers a variety of excursions that explore the amazing landscape of Western North Carolina. With the romance and mystique of an era gone by, guests on-board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad will enjoy scenic train journeys across fertile valleys and through river gorges in a spectacular region near The Great Smoky Mountains.
April 10, 2009
Summer vacation taking shape: Costa Rica, LARPing, and NCL cruise
My semester ends on June 19th. I need some time for grading and I have to present a paper at a conference in Seoul July 3rd and 4th. Then I have to judge a speech contest July 17th and 18th.
Between July 19th and 26th I will fly to New York and spend a few days with family. On July 30th I check in at a hotel in Costa Rica (Arenal Volcano area). I may try out two different hotels around Arenal so I may end up in Costa Rica before July 30th.
August 2 I check in to Beacon Escazu, part of the K Hotels collection, which looks fantastic. August 5 I check out and fly back to New York.
August 7-9 I do some live action roleplaying in Pennsylvania. August 14-21 is an NCL cruise to Bermuda (my parents and sister & brother in law will be sailing with us). I am getting $500 off since I finally got my NCL credit card points. I will now dump the card because it's time to try a Royal Caribbean cruise I think.
August 21-23 is more live action roleplaying. This LARP is in Connecticut.
A few days after that I'll probably fly back to Seoul for the start of the fall semester (August 31). But before that I'll spend a night at New York's Crowne Plaza Manhattan to review this newly renovated property for you.
All in all, I'm very happy. I'll see family in New York and on the cruise. I'll see friends at the 2 LARPs. My wife and I will have some time to ourselves in a country we've never visited when we go to Costa Rica. It's a very nice combination of experiences. There's some luxury at the hotels, some roughing it at the LARP campgrounds, and some in-between on the cruise where we have an inside cabin.
What do you guys think about my choices?
March 28, 2009
7 Day European Vacation: London, Munich, Ingolstadt & Regensburg
A travel plan from Jamie. This is the first he's published on travel-plan-idea.com but hopefully not the last.
Seeing that I haven't had a proper vacation in quite a while, I decided to take advantage of the low fares to Europe that many airlines are offering ($500 - $700 round trip!) and immerse myself in some culture. The original plan was to pack as light as possible, with one carry on bag. To prepare for the trip, I ordered a new bag, specifically, the Eagle Creek Exploration Systems Tarmac Large Flight Bag. Seeing the words "large flight bag" I thought it would have been larger.
Needless to say, I think traveling for a week with one bag might have been a bit overambitious, but I think I can manage with the duffle and one brief case or messenger bag. Briefcases are perfect for storing those in-flight essentials - books, magazines, snacks, iPod, neck pillow, etc. They also can be easily-stowed under the seat in front of me.
So, back to planning this trip. Since I only have an allotted number of vacation days, I can't take a leisurely 3-week trip so I have to pack as much in to a week as I can. Going to London was a given, as I have a friend living there. Now, Germany was more of an after-thought. Turns out, I do have a friend living in Ingolstadt, which is about an hour outside of Munich and I got a $75 flight out of London. Here's my tentative travel itinerary.
Day 1-2 (April 23):
Arrive in London at 6:45 AM. Jump on the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station (£16.50 one way, which is about $25). I'll probably wander about the city for a while before heading over to my friends flat. I'm bringing a cell phone that I can use internationally. For my carrier, Sprint, it's going to cost me about $1.29 per minute, so I'll definitely be using this phone only for emergencies. I did learn that Sprint rents a couple of its international phones for about $40 a week. Not bad!
Once I figure out where to meet my friend, I'll jump on the tube, picking up a 3-day travel card for about $26. Once I get situated at my friends flat, we'll probably make it a low key evening with some drinks and dinner at a local pub.
Day 3 (April 24):
Assuming my friend can get off from work, the plan is to do some touristy things. Perhaps we'll hit up the Tate Modern Museum, do a London sightseeing tour on one of those double decker busses ($30), take in some views of the city in the London Eye Ferris wheel ($23) and maybe check out Shakespeare's Globe Theatre to see what's playing. The plan is to meet up with some friends that evening for drinks and karaoke.
Day 4 (April 25):
Shopping is a must in London, and while it's pricey, my trip to London wouldn't be complete without a Piccadilly Circus excursion. I'm going to stay away from the touristy gift shops and focus my attention on the quaint little boutiques and some of the bigger UK department stores. If the weather is nice, I'd like to spend the afternoon walking around St. James Park, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Tower Of London. That evening we might catch a show in the West End or just hit up another local pub.
Day 5 (April 26):
Flying out of London at 9:30 in the morning, arriving in Munich at around noon. My friend will hopefully meet me at the airport, after which we'll walk around Munich and maybe hit up a beer garden for lunch and refreshments. Maybe we'll stop by the Hofbräuhaus Brewery, which is always a good time. Later in the afternoon, my friend and I will board a train into Ingolstadt for between $25 - $30 one way.
Day 6 (April 27):
I'll be spending much of the day walking around Ingolstadt, a smallish city located along the Danube River in the center of Bavaria. About an hour outside of Munich by train, Ingolstadt is the birthplace of the fictional Frankenstein monster, as mentioned in Mary Shelley's novel. Another bit of history...the secret society known as the Illuminati was founded in Ingolstadt in the late 18th century. The Illuminati play a prominent role in Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code prequel, Angels & Demons, which is currently being made into a movie. Car manufacturer, Audi also has its headquarters located in Ingolstadt.
My friend mentioned wanting to visit Regensburg, also in Bavaria at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers. The first settlements in Regensburg date all the way back to the Stone Age and at one point, the city served as the German capital as well as the cultural center of Southern Germany. I've only ever been to Munich before, so visiting these two small towns will definitely be interesting and exciting.
Day 7 April 28
Unfortunately, most of my last day will be spent traveling. While I'm flying out of Munich, I have a 7 hour layover in London. Oh well. Another chance for me to get out into the city. This is going to be one fun trip. I can hardly wait!
March 1, 2009
Las Vegas travel plan: focus on food and free attractions
Here's a Las Vegas travel plan that focuses on eating well and seeing the top free attractions Sin City has to offer in only 2 days.
Day 1:
Brunch at Bellagio. Here you pay about $15/person for a buffet with a big selection and where everything tastes good.
After you’ve eaten, walk off those calories at the Fremont Street Expereince. Fremont street has stuffy casinos if that’s your thing. They have vendors if you’re a shopper. The huge LED canopy covering 5 blocks of Fremont Street does something special every hour on the hour.
Back to the strip and check out Circus Circus. Different acts perform each half hour from 11 a.m. to midnight. They only have about 60 seats and you can’t reserve one because it’s free. Normally 15 minutes before a show starts is fine to get a seat though.
Dinner can be expensive or very expensive.
Expensive: celebrate your first day in Vegas with a nice steak. Some say the best steakhouse value in Vegas is the Pullman Grille in the Main Street Station Casino downtown. They have a nice ambience with an old Pullman car inside the steakhouse that used to belong to Louisa May Alcott. They also have incredible food and reasonable prices.
Very expensive: If reasonable isn’t your thing, go for dinner at what some say is the best restaurant in America, Joel Robuchon's French place in the MGM Grand. The tasting menus are $385 each or $650 each…
After that you’ve got your casinos and nightclubs, your expensive shows, or Treasure Island hosts a free show, four performances nightly at 7, 8:30, 10, and 11:30pm.
Day 2:
Mon Ami Gabi in front of Paris - Get a table on the patio for lunch. Excellent food and great place to people watch. If you time it right you'll see the fountains at Bellagio during your meal.
If you want another brunch, try Bouchon for brunch in the Venetian hotel. It’s a Thomas Keller restaurant and it's excellent.
Now you need something to do. If you didn’t do Mon Ami Gabi, and still want to see the Fountains of Bellagio, the fountains dance to the music and light show every half hour Monday through Friday 3pm to 7pm; Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, Noon to 7pm; and every 15 minutes nightly between 8pm and Midnight. the Eiffel Tower of the Paris Las Vegas hotel has a nice view of the fountains.
After that, how about a Vegas-style nature walk? The MGM Grand’s lion habitat is open from 11am to 10pm. The Mirage has its white tiger habitat (by the Las Vegas Boulevard entrance). The volcano erupts at the top of each hour from 6pm to Midnight so you may want to come back later.
What you have to do at some point before leaving Vegas is see an Elvis show. I’m told that there’s a good free one in the Riviera Hotel but I can’t find confirmation on their website. This part of the travel plan could use some more research.
If you're looking for something different for dinner, there's a restaurant called Switch in the Wynn hotel. The ceiling and decor switch 3 times each hour. A little pricey for the food, but pretty cool.
A less expensive option = dinner at Burger Bar in Mandalay Place.
February 24, 2009
Planning a West Coast USA summer travel plan
Reader submitted question: I am planning to go the the west coast this July. I have been to NY, Philly, DC and Miami. Loved all the cities.
I want to see as much of the west coast as I can in about 15-20 days. What would you suggest? My initial idea was to go with # 1, but now I am thinking more of # 2 because of transportation (I will not rent a car - just bus or train, which doesn´t bother me that much.)
# 1: Las Vegas-Los Angeles-San Francisco-Seattle
# 2: San Francisco-Los Angeles-San Diego-Las Vegas/Phoenix(Grand Canyon)
Am I way off in my selections? Will it be too much? is 4-5 days too little in the different locations?
Are there any hidden gems on the west coast a danish guy needs to see?
Answer 1: I'd go with option 1 because San Fran is a must, Seattle is worth it but faaaaaaaaaaaaaaar from the others. LA you're going to want some time, it's all sprawl. Vegas is Vegas, don't spend a ton of time there ($$) but by all means go. If you want to know what Phoenix is like in July, go ahead and preheat your oven to about 350, and then open the door and stand there. When the heat rushes over you, envision desert and strip malls, and you are in Phoenix. The Grand Canyon is very nice, but also very boring.
I'd consider San Francisco to be far and away the best of that bunch, it's the only west coast city I really like. I'm extremely biased, and strongly prefer the East Coast with a few exceptions: San Fran, Chicago, New Orleans.
Answer 2: San Diego is one of the nicest cities I have ever been to, definately a better scene than Seattle. But honestly I'd do I'd do San Fran and Napa. Trying to do SF-LA-SD will tie you up too much driving. Make LA-SD another trip, where you can spend more time in each city. SF is my favorite US city, and if you like wine, Napa is great.
Answer 3: I'd go w/ #1. There is no better city than Seattle in the summer. It's sunny all the time and its right on the water and the mountains are right there too. That and San Fran will be phenomenal that time of year. The Southwest will be HOT but at least when you're in LA/SD there are beaches to go to. Spend as little time in Vegas as possible.
While the Grand Canyon is AMAZING (probably the coolest natural phenomenon ive ever seen), Phoenix blows and the canyon is way out of the way. Probably not worth the travel time. Stick to the coast and you'll have a great time.
Answer 4: I vote #1. The flight from San Fran to Seattle will be quite cheap but honestly, the drive is BEAUTIFUL. I would try to stop in the Red Wood Forest (amazing) and maybe Crater Lake although that might be a little bit out of your way if you're taking public transportation.
If you want to walk around, stay away from Southern Cal. San Fran is much easier to get around. Seattle doesn't have great public transportation but there are good places to walk around by the water.
Answer 5: I'd go Las Vegas-San Diego-Los Angeles-San Francisco-Seattle and spend a few days in each place. You could also spend two weeks in San Francisco. I think it depends on how each city appeals to you when you get there.
Answer 6: Heres how I would rank the cities you have and have not mentioned
1. San Fran
2. Seattle
3. San Diego
4. Portland
5. Vegas
6. Phoenix
Some things to keep in mind. There is a TON to do in Northern Cali, not just San Fran. There is Napa Valley and the rest of wine country, if you're into that at all. There's the Red Wood National Park in the very northern part of the state. There's Yosemite to the east. There's the beautiful coast. Basically you could spend a week+ easily in just the norther half of the state rushing around from site to site.
Answer 7: Regarding the parks, Grand Canyon is the best, but too far out of the way for you. It's a pain to get to even if you rent a car. I just don't think its quite worth all the travel time even though its the one place in the world where i literally stopped breathing when I first saw it.
In California, I'd definitely recommend Sequoia National Park. It's just as beautiful as Yosemite w/o the crowds. Lake Tahoe is incredible but a pricey. Death Valley is cool, but not as beautiful as Red Woods, Sequoia or Yosemite. Joshua Tree is awesome too in the southern part of the state. This is related.
February 9, 2009
Canada and upstate New York music festival summer travel plan
I found this old travel plan from when my wife and I drove around Canada and hit two music festivals: the Ottawa Jazz Festival and the Falcon Ridge Folk Fest.
This travel plan won’t work any longer. Kind of like this baseball travel plan there were events that have probably shifted around some. I post it because it’s an example of a fun vacation plan and could be adapted or give someone ideas for a current one. Also, I planned and took this trip way back (2003 maybe) so sometimes I refer to it when I’m blogging and now I can link to this thing so people know what I’m talking about.
Day 1 (July 16):
Drive to Niagara Falls. We paid $50/night at Backpackers International Hostel + Inn. I can’t remember having any complaints but a car helps – I don’t remember it being particularly close to the falls.
Day 2 (July 17):
Head to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Do touristy stuff like go to the observation platform where you get wet or go on the Maid of the Mists where you get wet.
Day 3 (July 18):
I’m sure we did a few things in Niagara Falls before heading to Chiefswood Tent & Trailer Park between Caledonia and Brantford where we paid $18 to set up a tent for the night. It’s near the 6 Nations Reservation, which I don’t remember being particularly fun. They had a visitor center that was kind of a small museum and a couple of shops, one selling art and one selling beads I think. I think we spent more time talking to our neighbors and relaxing at the campground.
Days 4-6 (July 19-21):
We drove to the Algonquin Eco Lodge where it was $410 for 3 nights. We drove to Ottawa (we passed Toronto but we had the bird flu scare back then so my wife was unwilling to go since Toronto was in the news a lot).
I was told that we took the most expensive road in the world. Apparently the Canadian government sold the road to a private company which then jacked up the tolls. I think the toll company took pictures of the cars and then sent the owner a bill or something. If you didn’t pay the government wouldn’t renew your license. It was all pretty outrageous but I believed the story – why wouldn’t I believe that a government was in bed with a private company gouging its citizens? But if you’re not Canadian they didn’t mail you a bill and my car had New Jersey or New York plates.
At the Eco Lodge I got to pump water for my showers. I got to pump water for my wife’s showers. They have a lake and a canoe so we took that out hoping to see beavers. My wife got lucky and saw some. I didn’t but I hear I came close (people on shore saw beavers splashing and stuff behind my canoe and were pretty shocked I didn’t notice the little guys). The Eco Lodge is about an hour from the main interstate going through Algonquin Park. On that road we saw a moose.
The trick is to stop whenever you see other cars stopped – chances are they stopped cause they saw something. That’s how we saw our moose. We did some hikes around Algonquin park and visited the logging museum.
And the Eco Lodge was the worst mosquito spot I have ever seen. Kind of like a horror movie where even though we reeked of OFF Deep Woods to the point where we had trouble breathing we still had big mosquitoes all over us and lots of itchy bites. Since the parking was a mile or so from the Eco Lodge (through the woods) we got lots of exposure to those mosquitoes. Then even more when we went outside to roast marshmallows or canoe on the lake. It was brutal.
Days 7-8 (July 22-23):
We drove from Algonquin Park to Ottawa. We paid 319 Canadian, about 250 USD back then for a Jazz Fest package that included a $50 dinner gift certificate and some tickets to the jazz fest one night. We thought Ottawa was great and we still listen to the Billy Bang CD we picked up after hearing him play at the Jazz Festival.
Days 9-11 (July 24-26):
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival happened to be between Ottawa and home. It was crazy hot but we were introduced to Tracy Grammar there. We had gone to see Arlo Guthrie I think but now we have more Tracy Grammar / Dave Carter albums than Arlo Guthrie ones. I was vegetarian back then and they had some really excellent vegan food there.
And when it was over we went home.
September 30, 2008
Back to Italy? 1 month in Bologna with a few trips planned
So speaking of nostalgia tourism, my wife and I miss Italy where we honeymooned in 2001. That time we stayed in Rome for 1 month and Assisi for 1 month (and then spent a week visiting Naples and Capri).
When we go back, we were thinking about taking a one month class in Bologna (it's nice to learn something and make friends) and then taking trips to nearby places like Florence, Milan, and Verona. Since we'd be flying in to Rome, we’d probably spend a few days there at the beginning or the end of our trip. We could also try to work in a trip to Assisi and Perugia since we spent a lot of time in those places on our honeymoon. I do have some unfinished business on Capri, but that might wait for inclusion in another travel plan.
We'd also like to go back to Venice. We never did a Gondola ride last time we were there (I was poor and cheap) but this time I might spring for a gondola unless the price in Euros shocks me more than the price in lira did back in 2001...
When we originally went to Italy for our honeymoon, we had been aiming to leave for at least Vienna and Prague. Perhaps we'll figure out a way to work them into this trip. Sometimes airlines let you fly into once city and out from another with no extra fees. I wouldn’t mind flying in to Rome and leaving from Prague or Vienna.
As for Bologna, I hear it's quite nice with excellent food and a small historic city center perfect for exploring on foot. Its location also makes it a nice base since it does have easy access to Florence, Milan, Verona, and Venice if we make it there.
Perugia is another possible base, and we did spend some time there on our honeymoon. However it’s not as far north as Bologna making any trip to Milan or Venice quite a bit longer.
Anyway, here's a list of stuff I aim to include in my future travel plan.
Rome:
The Vatican and Sistine Chapel – I must be the only idiot who spent a month in Rome and never saw the Vatican. I think I saw the outside one night, but I never actually got in. Then there's this insider tip.
Pizza Re: 7 years later, my wife still talks about her favorite pizza.
Via dei Serpenti: We lived on that street by the Coliseum for a month and wonder how it has changed.
Fontana di Trevi: What can I say?
The Spanish Steps: Back in 2001 hanging out on the steps at night was pretty cool. I wonder if I'll still feel the same way now that I'm about 25% older.
Ferrara restaurant in Piazza Trilussa in Trastevere: I heard that this place is kind of expensive, but it's a good modernized version of Italian food worth checking out.
Coffee: Sant'Eustachio by the Pantheon or Cafffe Camerino in Largo Argentina: I almost never drink coffee but sometimes I just feel like a cappucino in Italy.
Pizzeria Baffetto: Some claim this is the best pizza in Rome. I'd like to see if my wife likes it better than Pizza Re.
Florence:
Uffizi: How I went to Florence but didn't enter this famous museum is a mystery.
Cibreo (not the trattoria or theater, but the main restaurant): Said to be one of the best in Italy. Highly, highly, highly recommended. A little pricey, but the food is really special.
Milan:
La Scala: I want people to think I'm cultured – what could fool them more than honestly saying I saw an opera in La Scala?
Milano's Duomo: If you've ever seen a picture of this thing…
Verona:
Plaza delle Erbe: This is supposee to be the best place to begin exploring Verona as it's considered kind of the center and has some of the more famous buildings around it.
Casa di Giulietta: I could skip this one but maybe I want to brag about how cultured I am by saying I've been to Juliet's house.
Honestly after making these lists Verona doesn't excite me as much as it used to. I seem to remember really wanting to go there in 2001, possibly because I was newly married and had recently been president of the Hofstra University Shakespeare Club (which amazingly didn’t continue after I left the university) and it just seemed more romantic back then. Perhaps I’ll be replacing Verona with a weekend flight to Prague or something. I suppose in that case we'd be leaving from Milan. Milan is also a possible base, but I'm sure a month there is more expensive than a month in Bolgna. I suppose it's worth finding out how much more.
September 27, 2008
Beginning to write a Vegas travel plan
This interview with a college football player that grew up in Las Vegas got me thinking about a Las Vegas travel plan. However, I'm pretty sure that I only need a couple of days in Vegas and that some of the surrounding attractions would be even better for me so here is a rough draft of my Nevada, Grand Canyon, & Las Vegas travel plan.
Day 1:
Arrive in las Vegas. Check in to your hotel. These Las Vegas hotel discounts look helpful. I found a Mirage discount page and some MGM Grand Offers. I've heard good things about several Vegas hotels so it probably will come down to value.
For dinner, hit a buffet that is still a bargain. This article recommends a few, including Firelight Buffet at Sam's Town on Boulder Highway - they say the gambling at Sam's Club is a good value as well. I'm not really looking for a way to lose money, even if it is a little slower than other ways...
Day 2:
Red Rock Canyon. I don't know anything about it except that the kid who grew up there recommended it (the first article I linked to).
Day 3:
Stay in Vegas. We all know that my wife and I can't go on vacation without doing some serious shopping so today is the day. One of the two can't miss shopping options seems to be the Fashion Show mall across from the Venetian Hotel and Casino. 250 shops and restaurants, seven department stores, plus live runway shows Friday through Sunday.
The other would have to be the Las Vegas Outlet Center, half a mile south of the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip. Hard to pass up an outlet no matter where we are...
After shopping, take advantage of some free Vegas stuff like the Circus Circus show or the fountains at Bellagio.
Day 4:
I just heard that the Star Trek Experience closed up. so we need to do something else today.
I've heard about white tigers at the Mirage. Perhaps that and the Fremont Street experience would be a nice day. I remember a college professor who always railed against what he perceived as 'fakeness' at that included how in Vegas they have artificial night and day on Fremont Street. That's if I remember correctly, all I know for sure is that a Korean company designed the electronic system and my Korean wife would certainly get a kick out of seeing it, whatever they play up there.
Day 5:
Some of you may remember my sister asking about the Grand Canyon helicopter tour. She said it was worth it, so that's how I'd like to wrap things up - a helicopter tour / picnic Grand canyon experience. That night we could try a club or another free attraction or a live performance of whatever.
Any feedback for me? The trip is still far away, as in years away, but it's never too early to begin creaming / planning for a vacation...
September 11, 2008
Seattle and Aberdeen travel plan
I know it's been a while since I promised this. It's still not done but it may never be so here's what I have so far.
Day 1: Seattle
I’d make this day in Seattle my first day. If you don't feel like clicking the link it's Seattle Art Museum, Maximillian in Pike Place Market for lunch, back to Seattle Art Museum, out for coffee, back again...
If it's a Saturday, when you're done with art you might try the Seattle Museum of Mysteries. I've never been there but it sure sounds different, especially the ghost hunting tour on Saturdays at 5:00.
Day 2: Seattle
If you're a Nirvana travel fan, I happened to find this piece of trivia: Young St. Bridge which Kurt Cobain lived under for a while. He used some of that experience to write "Something in the Way".
Otherwise, I'd say Pike Place Market (watching them throw the fish around didn't do anything for me but some tourists seemed to love it. The first Starbucks is nearby (crazy crowded but the mugs seemed cheap compared to other Starbucks).
If you have any leg power left, you can head up to the Avenues for shopping (if it's OK to go shopping on vacation). 4th and 5th avenues were decent for shopping if I remember.
I'd do Wild Orchid for dinner. My wife and I loved that place including the lemon chicken satay, the sweet potato soup, the mango pork, and the other stuff we ate but can no longer remember. It's on 1401 3rd Ave and reservations are a good idea.
Day 3: Seattle
The Underground tour is interesting. There are some interesting shops around Pioneer Square as well.
Then you might head out to the Space Needle. I prefer to go up these types of things at night. Watching the sunset if you can time it right would probably be awesome. Nearby there are lots of choices including the Experience Music Project. I've never been but it looks interesting. It is fairly expensive and I'm told it's more for guitar lovers than anyone else.
For dinner, how about a Tom Douglas restaurant? My wife and I went to Etta's – no complaints. The food was interesting but not spectacular.
Day 4: Aberdeen
I've never been to Aberdeen so I'm pretty much guessing here. But this is what I would do. I'd start with Gray's Harbor Historical Seaport.
If the downtown shops and stuff looked interesting I’d go there next. If I were really bored maybe the Kurt Cobain walking tour: http://www.aberdeen-museum.org/kurt.htm - I don't think looking at his old house would be real interesting, but maybe someday I'll be bale to impress someone by saying I've seen it.
Day 5: Aberdeen
The Abderdeen Museum followed by some hiking in Olympic National Park sounds good to me. Here you will find "Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forest valleys, glacier-capped peaks and a stunning variety of plants and animals. Roads provide access to the outer edges of the park, but the heart of Olympic is wilderness; a primeval sanctuary for humans and wild creatures alike." Sign me up.
Portland is next, but I haven't had time to write that part of the itinerary yet. Stay tuned...
August 22, 2008
Alaska travel plan in progress - thinking out loud
The cruise to Alaska was a good introduction to the largest US state, but I realized that if you want to increase your chances of seeing the most interesting wildlife you need to stay in each place more than a few hours.
We did see a few whales while on the cruise ship, including one that was playing around for a good 15 minutes or so - slapping water with its tail, jumping, blowing water - basically putting on a great show. We also saw some eagles on some shore excursion. But there's a lot more we could have seen if we had spent more time on the land and less time on the boat.
So I figured I'd start working on a travel plan. Then I found this little tool and decided to check it out. If you just want to do some reading it's OK, but I didn't find it real helpful - I thought it was an interactive thing that could recommend a vacation itinerary based on my interests. I guess I'm on my own. Here's a rough draft, just a few ideas I'm working with:
1. Cruise the inside passage - this was very cool on the cruise ship. I'm sure a smaller ship that could get in closer would be even cooler.
2. Mendenhall Glacier hike - while we were on the Mendenhall Glacier River float shore excursion, the guide told us that his favorite thing in Alaska was hiking on the glacier because he knew some caves and other cool things. I'd like to go back there and skip the river float but explore the glacier.
3. Bear watching. We didn't see any bears but we saw signs and heard stories. My wife really wants to see some.
4. Wolf howls. One of my best experiences was listening to wolves howl in the Singapore Zoo Night Safari. Alaska has wolves. I'd love to see something like this live:
So those are the activities I need to include in the travel plan. Let's see if I can make an itinerary. Someone on youtube asked where the video was shot but that hasn't been answered. I haven't tracked down any good leads on wolf tourism in Alaska yet. Maybe my search engine skills are failing. I did find this: "Would you be interested in an adventure in Alaska? The International Wolf Center sure is! If you're serious about such a trip, please email Jess Edberg, Information Services Director at jedberg@wolf.org and let her know."
I guess I can't do too much planning until I know where the wolf tourism spots are. For bears, it seems like there are many options, possibly the best is Katmai National Park, the largest grizzly preserve in the world. It seems that fitting in a bear tour will be pretty easy as long as you go at the right time. I noticed in the cruise excursion book that there were bear tours starting in late July (our cruise was early July). I think that was in Juneau.
It seems that Katmai has no road access a flight from Anchorage is probably the way to go.
That means we'll probably be starting and ending the itinerary in Anchorage. Now there is a Wolf Song of Alaska in Anchorage but I'm not sure that they offer tours - I have sent them an email.
Anchorage is not close to the Inside Passage, so I may end up scrapping that part of the plan. However, it is possible to take cruises from Whittier (62 miles from Anchorage) to Vancouver that go through the Inside Passage. They seem to stop in Ketchikan, Skagway, and Juneau - 3 places my NCL cruise stopped. I could live without returning to those places, especially since I need more time in Juneau for the Mendenhall Glacier.
Clearly the big decision facing this travel plan is do we stick around the Anchorage area or do we also try to do Juneau and the Inside Passage? I'm not sure yet...
August 9, 2008
Travel plan for Santorini (Thira) - Greece
Day 1: We board the ferry in Piraeus at 7 am for a 7 to 8-hour mini-cruise to Santorini, once known as Kallisti “the most beautiful one” of the southern Cyclades. Fortunately, the hotel concierge in Athens has provided us with up to date information, as ferry schedules and prices can fluctuate almost daily. We pay 120 Euros round trip for a first class ticket and a cabin to relax in, rather than ride on deck. Another option is a high-speed catamaran, more money, but a trip in half the time. There are also several flights a day, about 50 minutes from Athens to Santorini - average airfare, 100 Euros one way.
We arrive at the port, and take the spacious cable car “teleferique” about 900 feet up to Fira, the largest and most touristy town on Santorini. For a time, donkeys were the main mode of transport for those who didn’t want to climb the 800 steps to the top. Donkey rides are still offered as a tourist attraction. There are numerous hotels, villas, and apartments in and around Fira, but our destination is the luxurious Chromata Suites Hotel, 10 minutes away in the small village of Imerovigli. We are impressed with the ultra-modern furnishings and our own private veranda overlooking the Aegean. In addition to an infinity poolside bar and restaurant, the Chromata has an exclusive first-class restaurant on the glass enclosed deck. We have dinner here by candlelight, enthralled with the spectacular view of the sea and the black volcanic islands from the highest spot on the rim of the caldera Rates for two - 240 Euros and up; children under 13 are not accepted for obvious safety reasons of the cliffside location. (Note: Many more modest accommodations are available at street level in Fira, on the beach, and in the nearby villages.)
Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, we explore some of the museums and archaeology in Fira. First stop at the Archaeological Museum of artifacts, frescoes and inscriptions from prehistoric to Roman and Hellenistic eras, and other items from excavations at Akrotiri, the ancient site of Minoan culture. Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 8:30 to 3, 2 Euros per person.
Next on our agenda is the Folklore Museum, one of the most interesting attractions in Fira. This is not a museum in the traditional sense, bur rather a recreation of a village with small shops and caves housing a winery, artisan workshops, art gallery, and archives of manuscripts and lithographs, as well as a garden area and small chapel. We found this delightful place well worth the 3 Euros for a guided tour. Hours: 10 to 2 pm, and 6 to10 pm, Daily.
We’ve spent the morning and part of the afternoon exploring the museums, so it’s time for a late lunch at the family owned taverna Stani. This is a casual place with a light and airy atmosphere, hanging plants, and colorful bric-a-brac. Lots to choose from on the menu of Mediterranean cuisine - we decide on the fava (split pea) appetizer and yemista, tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice and herbs.
After a leisurely lunch, we return to our hotel to relax by the pool before dinner tonight.
at Fanari, highly recommended for traditional Greek specialties and seafood. The menu is extensive, and our moussaka, keftedes or tomato balls, and wine are excellent choices. You’ll find the wine here is some of the best in the world because of Santorini’s favorable growing climate for vineyards.
Day 3: The weather is beautiful today with some breeze from the Aegean, and perfect for the boat ride and tour of the volcano. There is interesting information associated with the sleeping volcano, which first erupted around 1500 - 1600 BC. Many historians think this caused a gigantic tsunami and a collapse of the volcano that forms the present day caldera. This too may explain the final downfall of the highly advanced Minoan Crete civilization. Smaller eruptions occurred between 197 BC and 1950 AD, creating two islands, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. Our tour includes a swim in the hot springs and a 2-hour stop at the small island of Thirasia for lunch in the village of Manolas. Tour rates: 25 – 30 Euros p/p.
We return to Fira around 5 pm in time for a nap at our hotel after a day of hiking, sun, and sea. Tonight, we want to experience some of the nightlife in Fira and decide on Kira Thira, which has been in business for years. They offer a good selection of beverages, great jazz music, and congenial staff, a pleasant way to spend an evening.
Day 4: Over a leisurely breakfast, we discuss our plans for the day. It’s a tossup between a visit to Akrotiri or the village of Oia. Intrigued by the boat tour yesterday, we decide to catch the bus and visit Akrotiri. Known as the “Pompeii of Greece,” the archaeological site below the village has been well preserved with streets, houses, wall paintings, and other aspects of the Minoan culture. A small fishing boat takes us to Red Beach, where the sand is indeed reddish in color and different from the black volcanic sand of other beaches on Santorini. We have lunch at Mama Thira on the road to the lighthouse before returning to our hotel and a sunset dinner at the Blue Note Restaurant in Imerovigli.
Day 5: Today, we’ll take the 30-minute bus ride to Oia on the northern tip of the island, a picturesque, peaceful village of white walled, blue domed houses, art galleries, and boutiques. Before the earthquake of l956, Oia prospered in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with its merchant fleet trading across the Mediterranean. At one time, over 9,000 people lived here, but by 1980 there were only about 500 residents. One of the main attractions in Oia is the Maritime Museum. The Museum is housed in a 19th century sea captain’s mansion and features figureheads, models and photographs of old and new sailing vessels, seamen’s chests, and other memorabilia. Hours: 10 am – 2 pm, 5 – 8 pm, Daily except Tuesday. We have lunch at Kyprida next to the Museum, spend the rest of the afternoon in the village, and end our day in Oia watching the magnificent sunset from the castle of St. Nikolas. Arriving back at our hotel, we relax before dinner by the pool.
Day 6: Another glorious sunrise, breakfast, and time for some great shopping in the village. There are over 40 shops in Fira, many along Ypapantis “gold street.” Our first stop is at Meandros Gold, where the displays of 18K and 22K jewelry are irresistible. We also find some traditional Greek worry beads, Komboli, to take home as gifts for friends and family. On one of the narrowest streets, we discover Kisiris, a small shop with unique pottery, gifts, and art. While here, we learn the history of bouzouki, the traditional music of Greece. If you’re interested in ceramics, there’s a wonderful collection of porcelain puppets at Kalipso in the Fabrica shopping center in Fira.
After several hours of shopping, we have lunch at Classico, a café in the middle of town. Everywhere on Santorini we find amazing views, and this is no exception. From the balconies here, we can see the chapel of Aghios Minas, the volcano, and the endless blue of the sea. Classico is known for some of the best espresso on the island, and a good variety of light meals, sandwiches, and salads.
We take a taxi from our hotel and return to Akrotiri for dinner tonight at Villa Mathios, which we’ve heard a lot about and may well consider on our next visit to Santorini. This family-run establishment has very reasonable accommodations, good food, friendly service, and beautiful surroundings. It certainly was an excellent choice for our last evening before returning to Piraeus, an overnight stay in Athens, and our flight home. Rates: From 80 – 100 Euros/pp; 3 to 6 night packages from 340 Euros/pp, which include breakfast buffet and dinner, rental car, and ferry boat tickets to/from Piraeus.
Transportation: Rental cars, taxis, motor scooters, and buses are available. The buses run about every 30 minutes to the other villages, and may be crowded, but they are clean and certainly cheap enough at 1 to 2 Euros per person. Some hotels offer rental jeeps with accommodations.
Whether Santorini arose from the Lost City of Atlantis, as some believe, or not, it remains a fascinating place. Take a step back in time while you enjoy the exotic and romantic ambiance of this idyllic paradise.
by Sharon Slayton
July 16, 2008
Ireland: A Visit to the Land of Poets, Music, Legends, and Cheer
Here is a travel plan for Ireland from Sharon Slayton. Enjoy!
Day 1: We arrive at Shannon Airport, one of the 3 largest in Ireland, and a good starting point for our summer vacation in County Clare. Fortunately, there are a number of car rental agencies here to choose from for our drive to the coast.
We won’t spend much time in Shannon, but our itinerary does include an overnight stay at the fabulous Dromoland Castle, about 6 miles from the airport. The Castle, built in the 16th century, sits on a 400+ acre estate of herb and rose gardens by noted Versailles designer Andre Le Notre. Overlooking the Dromoland Lough, this luxury hotel was refurbished in the early 1960’s. The decor is exquisite with antique furnishings, oil paintings, chandeliers, and hand carved paneling throughout. There is no lack of modern amenities, however. Guests can enjoy a variety of activities during their stay including golf, fishing, horseback riding, archery, boating, swimming, and spa treatments. We indulge in an excellent, yet expensive, dinner from a menu of gourmet cuisine and an extensive wine list. Rates are high, as might be expected from this type of accommodation, at over $500 per room and up. We certainly recommend the Dromoland, however, for honeymooners, romanticists, or for anyone else, budget permitting.
Day 2: We pick up our rental car and head for our main destination, Doolin on the western coast of the Emerald Isle. A short but scenic drive, about an hour and a half, takes us past the ruins of 18th century farmhouses and thatch roof cottages through the picturesque Irish countryside to the quaint, small village of Doolin. Often regarded as the capital for traditional Irish music, Doolin is popular with surfers, hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, or people like us looking for something unique in vacation planning.
Among the several charming B&Bs here, we have chosen the Seaview House for its location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Allie River, and the Doolin countryside. Each of the four guest rooms is comfortably and nicely furnished, with multi-channel TV, and Wi-Fi available. The view from the sundeck is spectacular, and the rates are very reasonable at $40 to $70 per person, which includes breakfast. We highly recommend the Seaview.
Time for lunch in the village at the Stonecutters Kitchen, a family style restaurant with an extensive menu of everything from sandwiches and chowders to full course meals. After lunch, we stroll through the village, which has one main street, and wind up back at the Seaview to relax before dinner.
A glorious sunset and we’re ready for some evening entertainment at one of the three highly publicized pubs in Doolin – O’Connor’s, McGann’s, and McDermott’s – all offering great food and nightly live music sessions. Irish music and cheer are traditions and definitely not to be missed. We spend a delightful few hours at O’Connor’s, just a few hundred feet from the Seaview House.
Day 3: After a hearty Irish breakfast, we plan on spending most of the day exploring some of the Burren “rocky place” region of archaeological and botanical interest. The Trail through the Burren takes us past limestone underground caverns, burial sites, and ruins of Celtic forts. Located about two miles from Doolin are Aillwee Mountain and the Aillwee Caves. Hiking up the mountain, we see wild goats, peregrine falcons, and rare species of orchids and other flora. Tours through Aillwee Cave and the Bird of Prey Center are priced at $25/adults, $12/children. We end our tour with lunch in the Cave tearoom.
We have reservations for dinner tonight at the Ballinalacken Castle nearby, where the food is somewhat expensive, but well worth the price. The Castle is also another accommodation option in the area, with rates from $100 - $200 (breakfast and dinner usually included).
Day 4: Today, we are going to visit the Cliffs of Moher, a designated conservation site and a must-see attraction in the Doolin area. Five miles long and 800 feet high, this is the home of Ireland’s largest gathering of an estimated 30,000 species of sea birds, including the legendary Atlantic Puffins or sea parrots. For the avid bird watcher, this is a real treat where gulls, kestrels, and thousands of lesser-known varieties come to nest in spring and summer. This too might well have been the inspiration for Shelley’s “Ode to a Skylark,” as their delightful songs can be heard all year round. Other interesting sights along the Cliffs are O’Brien’s Tower and Hags Head, an unusual rock formation named after the witch from Irish folklore.
We take the ferry from Doolin’s pier for a one-hour cruise. The ferry sails two to three times a day from April to October, and a shorter tour to the three remaining Aran Islands is available. These islands are gradually eroding into the sea, but for now, the islanders still speak the Irish language, and continue to plant crops and fish along the shores to supplement the tourism income. Ph: (065) 7075949 for rates, booking, and sailing times.
We decide on dinner in Doolin at the Roadford House, where the reasonably priced menu includes Thai seafood, lamb, duck, and chicken. Accommodations at the Roadford range from $50 - $70/person, as well as self-catering packages.
Day 5: Our last full day in Doolin, and time to take more photos and do some shopping. Doolin Crafts Gallery has a great selection of sweaters, jewelry, pottery, leather, and unique Irish gifts. You can also stay for lunch here at their restaurant. Next door to O’Connor’s pub is O’Brien’s Crafts with a large selection of crystal, silk, clocks, and knitwear.
Our vacation would not be complete without indulging in fresh seafood, Doolin’s specialty. We have an early supper at Cullinan’s Restaurant in the village, and return to the Seaview to enjoy our last evening in Ireland.
Day 6: Regrettably, our all too short vacation has ended, and the drive back to Shannon seems much longer than we remembered. As we wait at the airport for our flight back home, we’re already planning our next visit to this fascinating country.
(Note: Summer weather in Ireland is unpredictable, but for the most part, sunny and mild. There are, of course, the occasional rain showers rolling in from the Atlantic, but these fail to dampen your enthusiasm. You’re sure to find a cheerful pub with a genial host, where you’ll enjoy a mug of Irish coffee or a pint of Guinness Stout, some lively music, and friendly conversation.)
June 18, 2008
Shore excursions for Alaskan cruise
I figured I'd better finish planning my July cruise to Alaska before finals hit (just gave my first ones today) - grading season is usually pretty busy...
The advice I got from my travel agent and from this blog's readers really helped me decide. This is the thought process I went through:
Juneau = I had heard about small boat excursions to the glacier - they go right up to the glacier apparently - but didn't know which one I was after:
Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer
Mendenhall Glacier River Float
I don't eat fish usually, but my wife really likes salmon sushi so maybe she will enjoy a salmon bake. We decided on Mendenhall and a late salmon bake. We're doing the river float instead of the motorcoach trip to Mendenhall because it seems cooler to be on a boat than a bus.
Skagway = I knew I wanted to do White Pass Railroad but there are a few different choices here. We ruled out panning for gold (though I have written about that kind of thing before) but haven't quite chosen which White Pass Railroad excursion to take.
Ketchikan = We decided on the Saxman Village tour for story telling, totem pole carvings, songs, etc. We had also considered the Misty Fjords, but apparently the mist can be so thick you don't see anything at times. I've always been interested in learning more about Native American culture, at least since I went to a sweat lodge in college. Reminds me of this old blog entry.
Victoria = We chose not to do one in Victoria. I think we'll just take the little ferry / boat around the harbor, get off at different stops and explore a little. The gardens are the big attraction here, but I've seen a few nice gardens and don't really feel a need to see another.
May 31, 2008
Connecticut's Quiet Corner travel plan: Family Weekend Itinerary
The Quiet Corner - Family Weekend Itinerary
Remember the previous Connecticut travel plan? Well here is number 2:
Accommodations: Nathan Hale Inn & Conference Center at UCONN, Storrs (www.nathanhaleinn.com). Indoor pool.
Nathan Fuller House B&B, Scotland (www.nathanfullerhouse.com) – B&B experience for the family. 1820 colonial on 5 beautiful acres offers “return to life’s simpler pleasures.”
Inn at Tonmar, Pomfret Center (tel. 860-974-1583) - Scenic hilltop inn welcomes families. Stonewalls, gardens, 18th century barn. Two rooms only.
Camping Options: Nickerson Park Family Campground, Chaplin (www.nickersonpark.com) – On the Natchaug River next to 12,000 acre Natchaug State Forest and offering trout fishing, tube floats down the river, hiking and mountain biking.
Charlie Brown Campground, Eastford (www.ctcampground.com) – On the Natchaug River, 30+ acres adjacent to the Natchaug State Forest. Miles of nature trails for horseback riding, biking, hiking and some of the best fishing in CT.
First Day: Depending on where you stay, Bakerwoods, Ashford (wwwv.visitbakerwoodsfarm.com) -- For smaller children, farm animals, themed Enchanted Forest, Gnome/ISpy walks in woods.
Lucky Strike Mining and Gemstone Panning Sluice, Moosup River, Oneco/Sterling (www.riverbendcampground.com) – Prospect your own gems, then rent canoes kayaks, paddle boats or aquacycles. One of the best canoeing rivers in Connecticut. This is also a campground
Learn, hike and explore on pristine wooded trails at Audubon Properties at Bafflin Sanctuary and Trail Wood, Pomfret (www.ctaudubon.org).
Lunch: Picnic on the banks of the Moosup River, or visit Scotland General Store, Scotland (tel. 860-450-1422)– Old-fashioned General Store offering lunch. Another option, Johnny’s Restaurant & Pizza, Moosup (tel. 860.564-3679) – Area favorite for 25 years.
Burgis Brook Alpacas, Canterbury (www.burgisbrookalpacas.com) – Delightful alpacas for the kids, accessories and yarn for mom.
Blue Slope Country Farm and Museum, Franklin (tel. 860-642-6413) – Museum of 18th to 20th century rural life. Dairy farm offers butter making, wagon rides, square dancing and over 200 years of historical farm equipment.
Dinner & a Movie Bidwell Tavern, Coventry (tel. 860-742-6978) – Step back into colonial times with hearty fare; chicken wings a specialty with a dozen flavors.
Mansfield Drive-In, Mansfield (www.mansfielddrivein.com) – Catch a double feature at one of the last drive-in theatres in the U.S. This site is also home to Eastern Connecticut’s largest flea market. Fun to explore, days. Check times.
Second Day
Breakfast Olympic Family Restaurant, Willimantic (tel. 860-450-0555) – Featuring 16 omelet choices and a great kids menu.
Bicycle sales at The Silver Bike Company, Putnam (www.thesilverbikeco.com) - they offer route suggestions to anyone) or take an organized trip through Cycle New England (www.cyclenewengland.com). Ride through relatively flat farmlands and small villages for most cycle-alone ages. Check availability of bikes with seats for smaller children.
Airline State Park Trail, Windham/Willimantic (South) - Abandoned NY-Boston railroad turned bike path with panoramic views. Go as far as Colchester and back. This is an auto free route.
Lunch: Cozy Corner Restaurant, Brooklyn (tel. 860-774-2629) – A favorite with locals. Homestyle cooking.
Creamery Brook Bison (tel. 860-779.0837) – Watch buffalo stampede from a wagon tour of the property. Butter and ice cream making.
Brighter Skies Balloon Co., Woodstock (www.brighterskies.com) – A ride they’ll never forget. This company can also offer packages with inns close by.
Dinner: Vanilla Bean Café, Pomfret (www.thevanillabeancafe.com) – Many Best’s By Connecticut Magazine including Best Outdoor Dining, Best Sandwiches and Best Vegetarian. Vanilla Bean cafe is home to the Vanilla Coke.
Third Day: Gertrude Chandler Warner Museum in Putnam (www.aspinockhs-putnam.org/warnermuseum.html) – Museum celebrating the author of the popular Boxcar Children Series. Located in a real boxcar.
Mashamoquet Brook State Park, Pomfret (www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325238) – Hike nature trails that include famous geological features General Israel Putnam’s Wolfden, Table Rock and Indian Chair.
Lunch: Stogey Hollow General Store & Restaurant, Eastford/Union (860-974-2889). Other option: Still River Café, Eastford (www.stillrivercafe.com) – 150 year-old barn on 27 acre farm. Acclaimed for using only local products on their menu, including ingredients they farm themselves. Tour the vegetable and herb gardens afterwards. Possibly better for older children.
Buell Farm, Eastford (www.buellsorchard.com) – Strawberry, blueberry, peach and apple picking. Cider making. Visit their site to see what’s in season.
Visit www.mysticcountry.com for more ideas or detail on any of the above locations.
May 16, 2008
Connecticut's Quiet Corner Historical Weekend Itinerary: Revolutionary War
If you remember the postcard I showed you a while back for Connecticut's Quiet Corner, I promised you some travel itineraries. Here is the first:
Accommodations: Victoria Crossing B&B, Lebanon (tel. 860.642.6998) – Near historic Lebanon Green.
Fitch House B&B, Mansfield (www.fitchhouse.com; tel. 860-456-0922) Built in 1836 by master builder-architect Edwin Fitch.
Daniel Rust House B&B, Coventry (tel. 860-742-0032) Built in 1713 and operated as the Bird-in-Hand tavern.
Day 1: (Revolutionary War)
Lebanon Green, Lebanon (www.LebanonCTHistSoc.org) (www.ConnecticutSAR.org) – One mile long Town Green known for its association with the people and events of the American Revolution. Site of the Revolutionary War Office, Governor Jonathan Trumbull House, the William Williams House. Major stop along the Washington-Rochambeau Trail when George Washington’s troops along with French allies marched from RI to Yorktown ,VA where they captured Cornwall’s British troops.
Lunch: Uncle D’s Log Cabin Restaurant, Lebanon (tel. 860.456.7663) – Menu includes “best ribs statewide” in a rural log cabin. Or, Scotland General Store, Scotland (tel. 860.450.1422) – Old-fashioned general store serving lunch.
Huntington Homestead, Scotland (www.huntingtonhomestead.org) – Birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. Many original architectural features intact. National Historic Landmark.
If you have time, D’Elia Antique Tool Museum, Scotland (www.deliatoolmuseum.com) – Over 1,000 hand woodworking planes from 1750-1790.
Dinner: Altnaveigh Inn & Restaurant, Storrs (www.altnaveighinn.com) – Country charm, elegant dining in a restored 1734 home.
Day 2: (Characters)
Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry – Site of Nathan Hale’s family home since 1740, though the existing house was completed in 1776, one year after the execution if CT’s hero who famously declared, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” In the beautiful surrounding Nathan Hale State Forest, (tel. 1.866.287.2757) hiking is encouraged, but there are no formal trails marked.
Strong-Porter House Museum, Coventry (tel. 860.742.1419) – 1730 farmhouse of Nathan Hale’s maternal ancestors. Includes carpenter’s shop and barn with exhibits.
Brick School House, Coventry (tel. 860-742-7474, only open Sunday, in-season.
Lunch: Bea’s Country Kitchen, Coventry (tel. 860-742-7255)
Kathy-John’s, Mansfield (860-429-0362)
Cozy Corner Restaurant, Brooklyn (tel. 860.774.2629), a local’s favorite!
Gurleyville Grist Mill, Mansfield (tel. 860-429-9023, only open Sunday, in-season) Offers a unique look at rural 19th-century gristmill technology and the only one of its kind in Connecticut.
Putnam Elms, Brooklyn (www.putnamelms.org) – Circa 1784 historical home of Col. Daniel Putnam and descendants. 200+ years of American history.
Visit www.mysticcountry.com for more ideas or detail on any of the above locations.
April 19, 2008
San Francisco / Napa travel itinerary work in progress
Reader submitted travel itinerary:
I settled on going to San Fran for 2 days then Napa for 2 days in mid-May. I am going with another couple (who enjoys eating almost as much as I do).
I am going to post my tentative itinerary, please let me know if it sounds good, I am missing anything and/or if it s doable...
I am staying at a hotel in Union Square in SF for the first two days. I arrive on Wed at around noonish. I have no plans for the first few hours. Late night, when the other couple arrives, the four of us plan on going to Zuni Cafe for some food and drinks. That is all for Wednesday and Wednesday night.
Thurs- We plan on waking up and doing an Alcatraz tour at 10am-ish until 1. After the tour, lunch in Chinatown. After doing tenative research, Great Eastern and R&G seem like good places... Are any better? Maybe House Of Nanking on Geary? One person said it was slipping. Another said it is a "low-budget looking place, but always packed with lines out on the sidewalk during peak hours and is great."
Thursday afternoon, do toursity things around Union Square then walk around the Pier area until dinner at Scoma's at the Wharf. Thursday late night we want to hit the town, what is a good area for bars/lounges and which ones in particular?
Friday morning- tour to Muir Woods and Sausalito from 9-2ish. Afterward, drive out to Napa where we are staying at the Cedar Gables Bed and Breakfast. Are there any must-stops along the way, and what is a good, scenic route to getting there? We have no current dinner plans or vineyard tours planned yet in Napa.
Saturday all day we want to do some sort of wine tours. Sunday morning, after the Breakfast part of the Bed and Breakfast, we are driving back to the SFO Airport and taking off for NJ.
Basically, I want to know what, if anything, I am not planning on doing, that I should. Any advice or recs regarding where I should lunch on Wed. in SF, a Chinatown lunch, Scoma's, winetasting in Napa or methods for doing so, restaurants in Napa or anything else would be much appreciated!
March 30, 2008
Panama travel plan
I recently had a few drinks with a hotel owner and as I was telling him about my site I realized how I've kind of gotten away from my original vision which was to share travel plans. So today I am happy to share a travel plan with everyone: this one. I outline the itinerary below but check the article for more about each destination.
Day 1: Panama City, Bristol Hotel, Alberto’s restaurant
Day 2: Caving Tour near Lake Bayano, back to Panama City, Casco Viejo and Restaurante Ego.
Day 3: Fly to the mountain town of Boquete, Hotel Panamonte, coffee plantation tour, spa.
Day 4: White water rafting on the Chiriqui River, strawberry farms of Volcan.
Day 5: Fly to Bocas del Toro, Tranquilo Bay resort.
Day 6: Snorkeling, sailing, or inshore fishing.
Day 7: Beach, Bocatown.
Day 8: Back to Panama City. Back Home.
February 16, 2008
Photography equipment for travelers and Silk Road tour itinerary
This is a follow up on my previous interview with Simon Foster about the Silk Road photography tour. Ewen Bell, the other tour operator has added some more details that might interest you:
James Trotta: What photography equipment should travelers bring (is a pocket size digital camera good enough)?
Ewen Bell: Yes a compact digital will do, but they will get the most from a Digital SLR. There are many advanced techniques people can learn quickly, when given the chance to be shown how and practice non-stop for two weeks! A regular Canon or Nikon DSLR will perform wonderfully, and when coupled with a standard lens and a wide-angle lens you have all you need. People tend to drift towards the fancy telephoto lenses, but unless you're shooting wildlife they're not very useful. A Nikon D40 with 18-55mm is good, or a Canon 40D with 18-55mm is also good. I like very wide angle, so a 10-24mm wide angle lens is a nice match here.
He also sent a long a more detailed itinerary of the tour:
Itinerary in Detail for Silk Road
Day 1 Xi'an
Theme: Get Closer
We'll meet in the hotel lobby at 6pm and then head out for a delicious dumpling banquet! We'll spend this first evening getting to know one another and discussing the objectives and structure of the tour. (D)
Day 2 Xi'an
Theme: Follow The Light
Today we'll head out onto the lively streets of Xi'an, walking through the artist's quarter and around the Ming dynasty city walls. The walk will also provide one-on-one time with the photographic instructor in order to assist you with any basic skills relating to SLR photography. (B)
Day 3 Xi'an
Theme: Still Life
Early this morning we'll visit a fascinating antiques market before heading to the incredible Terracotta Warriors. The visit is included as much for your interest as for photographic study but a telephoto lens of 150mm is still sufficient to take photos of the warriors. Later in the afternoon we explore the lively Muslim markets where we'll also dine and shoot further into the evening to capture the ambience. (BD)
Day 4 Jiayuguan
Today we'll take a short flight west to Jiayuguan and then have the remainder of the day free to relax and review our work. (BD)
Day 5 Jiayuguan
Theme: Landscapes
The stark ochre ramparts of the Ming dynasty Great Wall Fort afford commanding views over the surrounding desert to the mountains in the distance and we start the day here. Later we head into the desert to a crumbling outlying section of wall dramatically perched on the edge of a gorge. (B)
Day 6 Dunhuang
Theme: Colour and Light
We set off early for the long drive through the desert to Dunhuang. During the journey we'll have the chance to review our work, and then we'll have the rest of the day at leisure in this laid-back oasis town. (BLD)
Day 7 Dunhuang
Theme: Candles
This morning we'll explore the desert surrounding Dunhuang, including the huge dunes which border the town. After a free afternoon we'll meet for afternoon drinks on the terrace of our hotel, which is a great spot for the classic dune sunset. (B)
Day 8 Overnight Train
Theme: Digital Techniques
After a free morning we visit the stunning cave art at the Mogao Grottoes a short drive from Dunhuang. No photography is allowed inside the complex so we'll have the chance to rest our tired trigger fingers. We board an overnight train to Turpan. (B)
Day 9 Turpan
After a free morning we'll explore the outlying desert, taking in the fiery Flaming Mountains, a hidden valley oasis vineyard and the graceful domes of an 18th century mosque. (BD)
Day 10 Turpan
Theme: Portraiture
Today we'll visit the nearby ruins of an ancient desert settlement and have a chance to explore the dusty lanes which surround the town. The lanes are lined with grape trellises and are popular thoroughfares for farmers and their donkey carts. (B)
Day 11 Kashgar
Theme: Telling a Story
We drive to Urumqi to catch a flight to Kashgar, the quintessential Silk Road desert trading town. Its proximity to a host of other Central Asian countries lends the town a unique blend of cultures. Kazaks, Kyrgyz, Tajiks and Uighurs are all represented in the region and a stroll along one of Kashgar's bustling alleys will reveal market traders, traditional artisans and daily life. Our explorations are landmarked by mosques and beautifully carved gates. (BD)
Day 12 Lake Karakul
Today we'll make the long, steep drive along the Karakoram Highway from the desert to the 7000m plus mountains that border Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and northern India. We'll overnight in a simple Kyrgyz yurt on the edge of breathtaking Lake Karakul at 3600m. (BD)
Day 13 Kashgar
We'll rise early to enjoy the best of the light as it catches the ever-changing hues of the lake, backed by huge snowcapped mountains. After a simple breakfast and some time to explore the lake we'll wind our way back to Kashgar where we'll have a free afternoon. (B)
Day 14 Kashgar
Theme: Motion
Kashgar's Sunday Bazaar has to be seen to be believed and affords a kaleidoscope of people, produce and photographic potential. We spend the morning here and then the afternoon at the former site of the Sunday Bazaar, now a huge covered market selling trash and treasure, new and old. This evening we head out for a traditional Uighur banquet to celebrate the end of our Silk Road journey. (BD)
Day 15 Kashgar
The tour ends after breakfast. Hotel rooms are held until noon – please advise us well in advance if you require an extra night or two. (B)
November 25, 2007
US vacation plan: sluicing for gems with a few other diversions
Here's a US vacation plan for treasure hunters. It's been a while since I've written a vacation plan for you and I may not have time to do another one for a while with final exams and then my European vacation coming up. So here goes:
Hiddenite, NC
Go to the gift shop to buy our sluicing permits for Emerald Hallow mines. Expect a crowd and bring a book to identify the minerals you find. They don't have that information there so you should have an idea of what to look for. There are people there, but most visitors don't find them very knowledgeable or helpful.
At Hiddenite you get a mine and creeking permit. The mine at Hiddenite is an open pit. You will get very dirty on your first day, so many people think of Hiddenite as "authentic sluicing". Dishwashing gloves and wearing old clothes is a minimum.
The Red Roof Inn in Statesville is supposed to be well-kept.
Spruce Pine
You could stop at the Blue Ridge Mining Museum on the way here. Gem Mountain is very touristy. You won't get dirty unless you have an accident or something. You get someone who explains the prices of their buckets, starting at $15. Some more expensive buckets come with a free cut (people report finding gems worth cutting in these more expensive buckets).
Here there are displays with samples of minerals that you could use to identify your rocks. There was a very nice gift shop and the place is especially well suited for kids who will have fun finding gems but not get too dirty.
Little Switzerland
About 7 miles from Spruce Pine, in Little Switzerland, is Emerald Village museum, shops, and a mine. I've heard reports from people who have sluiced at this mine as well. One person found a "huge emerald" at the mine here. You won't get too dirty but there is a bit more dirt than Spruce Pine.
Biltmore Estates
Entry is $39 online or $45 at the estate. The Biltmore House can take 2 hours or even longer if you shell out another $8 for the audio tour. The Winery tour takes about 15 minutes, but you might want to take a little longer trying the 8 different wines included in the admission. To try the better wines it's $3 for a half glass or $7 for 3 half glasses.
The Days Inn Biltmore on the outskirts of Asheville is supposed to be nice and clean.
Franklin, NC
The Sheffield Mine outside of Franklin is $10 per person to sluice and you get 2 buckets of ore with that fee. Additional buckets are $2 or 2 for $3.
You have to pay attention to these buckets because there may not be anything in there. Well everyone finds something, but you could spend about 1 hour per bucket of native ore and not find anything good.
This place has a good reputation because the employees teach you what to look for and how to properly scrub and separate the stone.
Days Inn in Franklin is an older motel that gets decent reviews.
Pigeon Forge, TN
When you drive from Franklin to Pigeon Forge you pass Cherokee where there are all kinds of Native American shops. You may want to stop there. The Gem Stone Mine in Pigeon Forge is very touristy. You wont get dirty and you will get some nice stones. The cutting shop tells you what everything is but they are expensive.
The end.
Want more? You could then go to Nashville, on to Memphis, then Little Rock, then Crater of Diamonds State Park. Or do Chatanooga, Huntsville, Memphis, Little Rock, Crater of Diamonds.
November 10, 2007
Family ski vacation experience and & one person skis while the other goes to the spa travel plan
The title is a bit long but I decided to put these articles together anyway. The first is a family ski vacation experience with 10 people. The author says:
No family vacation is easy -- not even for an expert -- and ski trips are especially tough. All that gear to keep track of! All of those people to feed!The diary is not as detailed as the kind I would write (like my Punta Cana one) but it's still fairly interesting.Here's my diary of our not-even-close-to-perfect, but-still-lots-of-fun trip last season to Crested Butte Mountain Resort in southwest Colorado (www.skicb.com) where you can ski free until December 15
The second article could be very practical for someone who needs a vacation plan where one person skis and the other relaxes. It reminds me of the dual African vacation one reader submitted a while back but this one is in Canada so it should be easier (plus no one has to climb Mount Kilimanjaro like our brave reader did on his "vacation").
Anyway, this article contains a name that ought to be familiar to readers who have been here a while: Banff. One strength of the article is that it recommends specific spas and even treatments. And of course it suggests spas near popular ski areas.
October 16, 2007
Possible Fall vacation destinations: New England, Oregon, Jamaica
I wonder if anyone here is planning a fall vacation because I found several articles with some tips for your travel plans:
This article previews the fall issue of Town & Country Travel, which argues that Fall is the right time to vacation. The feature visiting Bora Bora, Mexico City, Nairobi, New England, and Northeastern Italy.
While Bora Bora would be great, a more realistic plan for most of us might be New England. I would include some city and some country, not unlike my summer trip to Boston and then on to Vermont.
If you need to hit the beach in the fall, Jamaica might be an option. The author talks about Jamaica but stayed in an all-inclusive. That's not bad, but it doesn't really qualify you to talk about the actualy country outside the resort in most cases. I know when I went to Punta Cana, I learned next to nothing about the Dominican Republic. Same thing when I went to Cebu actually even though on that trip we left the resort twice...
Another quick note on Jamaica: everyone I know prefers Aruba. I don't see it making any difference if you're staying on a resort the whole time but that's what I heard anyway.
And here's a very interesting article on Oregon. I've never been there but it's certainly on my list. I actually learned recently that an old friend moved to Bend, Oregon. They love it there and enthusiastically recommended I visit, noting that the outdoor activities were great and varied. Anyway, this article talks about variety too:
Inspired, this year we looked into Oregon and realized it's a Midwesterner's vacation paradise: in the northwest quadrant of the state, there are mountains (including a dormant volcano, Mount Hood), the Pacific Ocean, wine country and, of course, Portland. Another huge plus: a fraction of the crowds you'd get during a comparable California trip. What started out as a wine-trip idea quickly became a full-blown vacation plan, with a wine stop just one of many detours we'd take. Another bonus: All of these places were within a few hours' drive of each other -- about a tank and a half of gas in a Chevy Tahoe rental.Well that's about all I have to write but why not end with a discussion question? I haven't gotten a comment in over 2 days so I'm starting to feel a bit lonely...
Where are you going this fall?
October 1, 2007
California road trip: cities and nature
I was picking up a pretzel for my wife the other day (she was getting hungry while having her hair done) at the only gourmet pretzel / coffee place I know in Korea (near Sookmyung Women’s University).
I’ve been there several times, but the other day was the first time the owner spoke to me. Pretty soon he had out his Atlas and was showing me the routes of his North American road trips, which focused on National Parks. This Korean pretzel shop owner who has spent many months driving around the US and Canada inspired this California road trip that features California’s 3 National Parks and 3 most famous cities.
I think I see more than 3 on the map, but the pretzel store owner assured me there were only 3 national parks in California (46 in the 48 continental US states). Maybe someone reading this can clear that up for me?
Anyway, we start south and work our way up spending 3-5 days in each place. Now road trips are supposed to be somewhat spontaneous, but what can I do? I’m a planner. I like having reservations and itineraries all set up in advance.
San Diego
LA (2 hour drive from San Diego)
Joshua Tree National Park (3 hours from LA)
Death Valley National Park (5.5 hours from Joshua Tree – it didn’t look that far on the map!)
Yosemite National Park (4 hours from Death Valley)
San Francisco (3.5 hours from Yosemite)
This involves about 18 hours of driving and the route looks something like this. It takes a while to load but it seems to work so give it time.
Now this doesn’t include California’s most famous drive and tree, the 17 mile drive and lonely cypress. Perhaps we need to work that in somehow. And I would like to add something about what to do in each place – So far we have only the roughest of plans, not much of an itinerary really.
I was able to find these YouTube videos:
Joshua Tree:
Death Valley:
(I got bored around the 3 minute mark to be honest)
Yosemite:
(Lots of bears!)
September 2, 2007
My most expensive vacation since my honeymoon
I now have plane and hotel reservations for my trip to Europe this winter. The rough outline of our trip is:
12/20/2007 - 12/27/2007 in Munich. We go for the Christmas market and the museums. We may not have a Christmas tree in our hotel room, but I'm sure we'll find exchanging Christmas presents in Munich romantic enough to make up for that.
12/27/2007-01/03/2008 in Zurich. Paris seemed too expensive for a city that probably isn't having fireworks. Madeira, Portugal was suggested, but we were in the mood for something more like a city than a resort considering we recently came back from a resort in Punta Cana (Punta Cana and Madeira have some of the same brand resorts). Zurich has culture and fireworks.
1/03/2008 - 1/15/2008 in Madrid. Madrid is on my dream list so I need to spend some time there.
All this is costing some serious money - this will without a doubt be my most expensive vacation since my honeymoon... But I've been working hard, skipping Starbucks, and this is what I want to do with the money I've earned / saved.
August 25, 2007
Rambling about my European winter vacation
I know I still owe you a Spirit Airlines review. I'm going to put it off one more day and hope that I find my notes by tomorrow...
So instead let me ramble for a bit about my winter vacation plans. I may have already mentioned somewhere that we're going to Munich for the Christmas market (not to mention the museums and other things). We haven't quite decided where to go after that (for New Year's).
My first thought was Paris, but no one seems to know if they are doing fireworks or not. Apparently it's not an annual thing. I know I could still look forward to La Grande Parade de Paris on January 1st, but I'm not really crazy about parades.
I heard something about Monaco's International Circus Festival. I'm not even sure what that is yet but I have to figure out what I'm doing soon in order to book hotels so i should go look it up...
We plan to wrap up our winter vacation in Madrid. I just read that it gets pretty cold in Madrid in January and that maybe we should go further south, maybe to Seville. I think I'll brave the cold in Madrid. I don't think any weather will keep me from seeing Plaza di Cibeles.
So the rough plan is:
1 week in Munich (including Christmas)
1 week in Paris (including New Year)
1 week in Madrid
We actually have about 3 and a half weeks so we might try to do both Madrid and Seville.
Anyway, if you have comments or suggestions, especially about the best New Year's celebrations in Europe, please leave a comment.
May 20, 2007
Help plan a vacation for a loyal reader
I recently received a request from a reader who needs help planning a vacation. It's not that she hasn't tried or thought about it. She writes:
I have piles of magazines and I read your blog and the New York Times travel religiously but I am stumped. That's why I need direction. I have visited NYC several times...That's actually why my blog entries have been fairly short recently - I've been trying to some up with some ideas for this loyal reader who needs a little help.
Then I finally realized that I don't have to do it alone. I can enlist the help of my kind and knowledgable readers. Are you willing to be part of the process?
This female traveler is single and will be traveling alone. She is:
looking forward to a small adventure. I am fit and love to meander and wander [and wonder]. I would love to be part of something but yet not overly organized. The woods and green always energize me. My home is northeastern PA. and I am figuring on a budget of $1200. I am looking to travel during the week of July 8th to the 15th and thinking of 3-5 days. What do you think? I can drive or fly. James thanks so much for your time.The part that has me stumped is being part of something that's not too organized. The best idea I have so far is Ely Minnesota & the International Wolf Center there. I did a quick blog about the wolf center a while back as well as wolf howl canoe trips in Canada a very long time ago.
The Wolf Center has some group activities like their "Wolf Tracking Adventure":
Travel through the Superior National Forest trying to locate a wild radio-collared wolf, with telemetry equipment and old fashioned tracking – just like the researchers do! After an introduction to current tracking methods, we will travel into the field to look and listen for wolf signs.There are also "wolf communication" classes followed by treks into the forest to listen for one of my favorite sounds as well as the "wolf howl" where you howl to the resident wolf pack. I'm sure that sometimes the people howls interfere with your enjoyment of the wolf howls, but what can you do?
Well that's my idea. Like I said, I'm looking for you to be part of this effort and feed me some ideas for a $1200 vacation of 3-5 days between July 8 and 15. If you have an idea please leave us a comment.
April 24, 2007
Rome, Istanbul, Canary Islands travel plan
Warmer European travel spots like Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and the Canary Islands are popular tourist destinations for good reason. This travel plan will try to incorporate some popular and warm European destinations for the next time you need to escape the cold. This is not really a summer travel plan - places like Rome and Istanbul are a little too hot and too crowded in the summer - it's better to visit them some other time.
Travel days are left empty - fill them up of you can depending on when flights leave and arrive. Personally I prefer to stay in one place a while longer so this vacation plan, while written by me, is not one that I'd actually try. There's just too large a percentage of time taken up traveling between destinations.
Day 1: Rome
We fly into Rome because it has the biggest airport of the countries we'll be dealing with. Tonight you'll want to visit some of the famous piazzas and fountains. Piazza di Spagna is where a lot of expats hang out at night, some with guitars. Fontana di Trevi is a must-see as is Piazza Navona.
Day 2: Rome
You have to see the Vatican although I somehow spent 4 weeks in Rome without visiting it. Clearly, I could never go into enough detail here, but you want to see Piazza San Pietro, Basilica di San Pietro, the Vatican Museum, and the Sistine Chapel.
Day 3: Rome / Istanbul
Day 4: Istanbul
Visit Topkapi Palace (museum and harem). Get there when the harem opens at 9:30 Am and go there first - tours begin every half hour. (in the summer this place is so full of tour groups that you may not get one of the tours). You'll probably spend the rest of your day (at least until 5:00 when the palace closes) exploring the rest of Topkapi.
However, you want to save some time for the Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia, Sancta Sophia). The mosaic galleries close at 4:00 and the site itself closes at 4:30. It opens at 9:30 so you could always do this one first.
Day 5: Istanbul
Start with the Hippodrome and Blue Mosque since these are right next to each other. The Blue Mosque includes the Carpet Museum and Great Palace Mosaics Museum.
Then head to Kapali Carsi or the Grand Bazaar. Parts are quite touristy, but you can still find authentic shops that cater to Turkish people. Be wary of pick pockets and purse snatchers. The Bazaar closes at 6:30.
Day 6: Istanbul / Tenerife
Playa de las Americas, Los Christianos, Golf del Sur, Los Gigantes, Playa Paraiso, Las Caletillas, and quieter hotels in Puerto del la Cruz are popular spots for Tenerife holidays. Tourists mostly visit the south part of the island (this is the largest Canary island) while the north side allows you to see more local culture.
We'll go to the university town of La Laguna. Thanks to its historical city centre (with old churches and manor houses), it was named a World Heritage Site in 1999.
Day 7: Tenerife
Getting to Santa Cruz by bus or rental car is fairly easy. Enjoy the enormous futuristically Auditorio de Teneriffe on the ocean front which hosts regular concerts, operas, jazz shows and ballet performances.
Day 8: Tenerife / Lanzarote
Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca are popular spots for Lanzarote holidays.
We want to see Timanfaya National Park. Admission includes a narrated bus tour of this volcanic landscape.
Day 9: Lanzarote
Visit the black sand beaches in El Golfo on the west coast.
Day 10: Lanzarote / Rome
Get from Lanzarote to Rome and from Rome back to wherever home is.
March 11, 2007
Elizabethtown movie roadtrip: Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee
Having watched Elizabethtown, my wife and I might forget about the trip to Canada and do a US roadtrip instead. Here are a few places from the movie and then a few of my ideas thrown in.
Elizabethtown & Louisville, KY - If you go at the right time you could be in town for the Kentucky Derby. I'm not sure I like crowds or horse races enough to bother but Bluegrass Country would be nice. I can imagine driving down Old Farnkfort Pike or Paris Pike, visiting the Kentucky Horse Park north of Lexington, and eating dinner at the Beaumont Inn (in Harrodsburg, 30 miles southwest of Lexington), which is famous for its smoked ham dinners, biscuits, and corn pudding.
The hotel from the movie was the Brown Hotel which in downtown Louisville. Other than that I haven't given any thought to accommodations and honestly don't really care about staying in the Brown Hotel either.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas (big statue of Jesus and Dinosaur World) - Dinosaur World didn't look like much so I suppose this part of the trip is not too critical. The statue looked cool, but having taught at catholic University statues of religious figures are nothing new to me.
Memphis, TN - Now here there is some amazing tourist attractions. You've got Graceland. Then you've got a number of famous rib places. In fact, "Memphis's Rib Joints" gets its own entry in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die (so does Graceland, Kentucky's Bluegrass country, and a few other things you'll see here). Also, the Lorraine Motel where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., MLK, was shot is in Memphis, TN. I'd like to see the museum there.
I've heard that the 2nd largest farmer's market in the world was fabricated for the movie. If the information is correct, this can save roadtrippers a lot of time searching for something that can't be found. I wonder where the biggest and second biggest farmer's markets are anyway...
Here's what I'm thinking as far as directions are concerned. It looks like I'll leave from New York and drive southwest through Pennsylvania. It looks like I'll be too far west to visit Philadelphia on the way, but half the point of roadtripping is not to travel in a straight line. We did have a contest submission about some things further west (kids stuff in PA) but I don't know that any of those activities are getting me excited. We might pass through Harrisburg...
After leaving Pennsylvania but before reaching Kentucky, we could go south through Charelston, West Virginia or more west through Columbus, Ohio. Arkansas is west of Kentucky and I don't have a compelling reason to go that way so after Kentucky I would go down to Tennessee.
As I start working my way back north, I'd take a route further east, possibly along the coast. I haven't even started to think about which places to visit on the way back.
March 9, 2007
Fireworks in Montreal, Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer Railroad, Banff or Calgary
While trying to decide what to do for our summer vacation, my wife and I are considering a trip to Canada. We'd love to go to Copper Canyon in Mexico, but we're thinking it will be pretty hot down there so going North (or further south) makes more sense in terms of weather.
Anyway, there are a few great things to do in Canada so here's a preliminary vacation plan. This is still a work in progress and right now it is a bit flawed as it involves flying to Montreal, from Montreal to Vancouver, and then flying home from Calgary (with an option to go from Calgary to Montreal, back home). I haven't checked out these flights to see if there are one way tickets that make sense...
Day 1: Wednesday, July 11 2007 is a good day to arrive in Montreal because that night you can see some fireworks from Hong Kong, China's Pyromagic Productions Ltd. If you need to change the date but want to arrive on a day with fireworks, check out the schedule here. The link to buy tickets is broken and I'm not entirely sure why you need tickets since fireworks should be visible from a few places...
So day 1 consists of arriving in Montreal, checking into your hotel, getting dinner, and watching fireworks.
Hotel Nelligan (106 Saint Paul St. W., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1Z3, Canada) is somewhat expensive but comes highly recommended. It's very nice and conveniently located near Place D'Armes metro station.
Day 2 (July 12): In the morning, visit Montreal's oldest Catholic church, Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame). Don't miss the stained glass inside that depicts the history of Montreal.
Then it's time to visit Montreal's oldest art institution, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts). There are several excellent collections in one of Canada's finest museums including many works by Canadian artists.
That evening, take a stroll through Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal). You could also take a bike or a horse-drawn carriage. Enjoy narrow cobblestone streets in Montreal's Parisian-style historic district. It should be no trouble to find a restaurant and then later a sidewalk cafe. This area is featured in 1,000 Places to See before You Die and they recommend L'Express for a moderately priced dinner or Toque! for something more extravagant.
Day 3 (July 13): Fly to Vancouver. One attraction you want to see is the Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. It's open on the 13th of July (a Friday) but closed on Mondays and in winter.
Day 4 (July 15) and Day 5 (July 16): are spent on The Rocky Mountaineer. This train travels only in daylight and takes you from Vancouver to Banff (or you can take it to Calgary which is my choice because it should be easier to fly from Calgary). Highlights include Fraser Canyon, Spiral Tunnels, Stoney Creek Bridge, Hell's Gate (200 million gallons of water surge through a 110 foot gorge each minute), and Rogers Pass.
Day 6 (July 17): It's time to check out of your hotel, spend the day in Calgary and go home. I would go to Fort Calgary because I like a little history and forts are cool. Then I'd go to Calgary Tower for views of the city.
If you want to extend the vacation a bit you could go back to Montreal for more fireworks.
Optional Day 7 (July 18): Tonight is the night Fireworks Spectaculars Canada puts on their show for the Montreal Fireworks festival.
I might try to work in a couple of days in Toronto, as I've never been there, but for now, this itinerary is what I've got. Any comments or suggestions?
September 27, 2006
Short Connecticut travel plan: Essex & Hartford
As usual, I'm going to New York this winter to spend Christmas with my parents and other family. New York is great fun, but there's more to do in America and I need to experience more than one city. So after visiting the big Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center (which we do every year) or celebrating the end of our vegetarian days with a trip to a NYC steakhouse, this winter my wife and I will head to Essex and Hartford Connecticut, to visit two places featured in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.
First we'll drive from New York to Essex (120 miles north) where we'll stay at the Griswold Inn for two days. The Griswold Inn opened in 1776 and is a tourist attraction in itself. There's one room full of maritime memorabilia and the hotel is decorated for the Christmas holidays. We have to be there for Sunday morning's "Sunday Hunt breakfast" which was started during the War of 1812 when the British took over the hotel.
The town of Essex consists of wonderful examples of early colonial and federal architecture. We'll spend our time touring the town, admiring architecture and looking at antiques.
We'll then head 35 miles north to Hartford where we'll visit Mark Twain's Victorian style house also made up for Christmas. A guided tour will put the different things in Twain's old house in context before we head over to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Gothic cottage.
That's it, then it's back to New York. What do you think? Anyone know a restaurant in Hartford we need to experience or should we just eat anywhere?
September 6, 2006
Climbing Kilimanjaro: personal experience
You may remember Bill's excellent African safari vacation plan that included two separate plans, one for climbers and one for normal folk. By the way, there may (and I'm not positive) still be time to sign up for the Novemeber Mekong River cruise from Saigon to Siem Reap that benefits the Landmine Relief Fund.
Bill and his party of 12 just got back from the African Adventure, climbing Kilimanjaro and photo safari in Kenya. He has kindly written an article about his experiences.
I present to you an excellent article just awesome and inspiring to read, Climbing Kilimanjaro.
Climbing Kilimanjaro
It seemed like a good idea at the time
Palm Springs, Ca - August, 2006 - It sounded like it would be a lot of fun, when Jack called and said, “Let’s go to Africa next year and climb Kilimanjaro”. At 19,340 feet, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free standing mountain in the world, the tallest in Africa and one of the Seven Summits lusted after by climbers.
I’d known Jack for over 30 years, ever since we were in the Army together. At 58, he’d just finished his 60th marathon, had climbed a couple of mountains in the past and thought he knew what he was getting into. I on the other hand, while having run 11 marathons, was in reasonably decent shape for a 58 year businessman who had never climbed anything higher than a couple flights of stairs. I’d skied at 14,000 feet, but sliding down a mountain of snow is way different than climbing a mountain of jungle, desert, schree (think gravel pits), and boulders (we’ll talk about coming down later). I figured I’d better do some reading up on mountain climbing and figure out how we were going to get there and back without breaking the bank, my neck, leg, arm, back, or any other important body part.
Putting it all together
I’d been to Africa in 2002 and had traveled with Private Safaris, a company located in Nairobi, Kenya who specialized in customized trips. This had to be a real customized trip, because my wife said I wasn’t going to Africa by myself, and the only way she was climbing Kilimanjaro was if I carried her ashes to the top of the mountain. So I had to plan a trip that had some of us climbing while others went on photo safaris. Since Jack and I, and anyone else we could get to climb, didn’t want to miss out on the animals, I needed to plan a trip that included an additional photo safari after the climb, which takes 5 days.
And we had to do it all on the smallest budget we could manage.
We eventually had 12 people take part in our little adventure. 8 of us climbed Kilimanjaro, while my wife and 3 friends safaried. They then met up with us in Moshi, Tanzania after the climb and we all went to the Masai Mara for 3 days and saw some truly amazing sights. Private Safari put the whole trip together at an incredible price: $1,300 for the climb and safari in Kenya and $1,600 for the Tanzania and Kenya safari package. This included all hotels, transportation, English speaking guides and all our meals. We had to get to Nairobi on our own.
Kilimanjaro
Of the 8 of us who climbed, Jack and I were the oldest at 58. Michelle, Jack’s niece, taught 3rd grade and was the only woman. Jack’s son-in-law Scott, a veteran of Iraq, made the trip along with his brother Bryan, a grad student at Auburn. Adam, my godson, is in his 3rd year at Clemson, and he’s done a lot of dumb things with us over the years, much to his mother’s chagrin. Nate and Gabe rounded out the group. They’d done a lot of climbing, and I think they were the only ones who really knew what we were getting into.
It took us all day to drive from Nairobi to Moshi. The roads are not quite up to western standards. Actually they are barely roads at all; huge holes occasionally surrounded by asphalt were the norm. Scott, our war vet, slept the whole way. We figured since no one was shooting at us, to him, it must have been a pretty smooth ride.
The night before we started the climb we stayed at the Springland Hotel, a climbing lodge located in the middle of Moshi, about a kilometer from the local mosque. The first thing we had to do was weigh our gear. We each carried our own day pack that held our water, which we replenished daily, a jacket, cameras, batteries, and of course, our Ipods. The porters carried the rest of our stuff, which we had been told needed to fit in a medium sized duffel bag and weigh a max of 15 kilos (33 pounds). Except Adam, he brought a suitcase.
We started climbing late Friday morning. We met our guide, Frank Mtei, who Gabe soon named “Frank the Tank”, at the lodge. Our climbing crew, who all work for Frank, included 4 assistant guides, a cook and 16 porters. You don’t leave anything on the mountain (except your naivete); the porters carry all your gear, all their gear, and all the food. They carry down all the trash and hopefully none of the climbers. We bussed to Kilimanjaro National Park, signed in and started climbing. We started at 6,000 feet and climbed through a beautiful rain forest until we stopped for lunch in the early afternoon. Our box lunches consisted of a bottle of juice, a piece of chicken and a couple of rolls; carbs and some protein. We reached Mandara Hut, at 9,052 feet, late in the afternoon.
Each camp consists of a number of A frame huts, lit from solar powered lights with 4 beds per hut. We’d put out our sleeping bags and try and relax a bit after the climb. Card games became popular, as did the nightly rehash of nearly every Seinfeld episode ever made. We’d usually crash between 8 and 9 each night. A few of the group had a hard time sleeping at altitude. Those of us that took diamox, an anticonvulsant drug used to lessen the effects of altitude sickness, seemed to sleep the best. I woke up early the first night with a couple pairs of shoes, a shirt and a book on top of me. Seems I had slept all too well, and began snoring early in the morning. Adam, who fought altitude sickness a good part of the time, and never slept well, hit me with everything in reach. All to no avail. I snored on.
Toilets were either western style, except at Kibo, or a hole in the ground. And we had to supply our own toilet paper. Let’s say they were basic. Each night and each morning we’d get two bowls of warm water and a small bar of soap delivered to our hut. One bowl was for washing while the other was for rinsing. You didn’t want to be number 4 in line. But we all brought baby wipes. We may not have looked good, but we smelled like a baby’s (clean) butt.
Each camp has a central dining hall used by all the climbers. The cook for each group prepares the meals and you’re summoned as tables are available and your cook gets his time in the small kitchen. Dinners were simple but filling. The cooks concentrated again on a lot of carbs and a lot of sugars. There was always enough to eat, and we never felt rushed. Breakfast was a challenge for me. There are two things I detest: oatmeal and most of all, porridge. And each morning, bright and early, a great big pot of steaming hot porridge was dropped right in front of me. Unlike Oliver Twist, even if I was starving, I’d never ask for more. But I ate it…one bowl a day. Then I washed it down with lots of hot coffee, toast and eggs.
Day 2 we climbed out of the forest and through the moorland to Horombo Hut, at 12,408 feet. Some groups stay an extra day at Horombo to acclimate to the altitude. Frank the Tank thought it unnecessary. Since most people don’t sleep well at altitude he thinks the lack of sleep is more detrimental than the help you get from an extra day of acclimatization. Or maybe he just said that since we were doing the 5 day climb.
Horombo is above the clouds. With no moon and more stars than I’ve ever seen, it was quite a sight. We stayed outside late that night just to enjoy the show. The next morning we headed for Kibo, our base camp, and the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Kibo is 15,609 feet high and you reach it by crossing the Martian desert. At least that’s what Gabe thought it looked like. I didn’t get a chance to talk to Nate and Gabe a lot during the day. They were always a few hundred miles ahead of me on the trail. They were the ones who were ready. They were also the ones who were constantly encouraging and slapping the rest of us on the back.
We started to feel the effect of the altitude on the way to Kibo. You get winded quickly. You don’t just walk up the mountain, you pull yourself up with your hiking poles. Each night I felt like I’d done 200 sit ups; all from pulling myself up the mountain with those poles.
Kibo is different from the other camps. It’s a stark, working camp, not a resting camp. The mountain is right there staring you in the face, shrouded in clouds, cold and waiting. We reached Kibo around 1PM. No A frames here, just one long building with lots of rooms, 12 beds to a room. You don’t climb to the summit in the daytime. You rest and start your final push in the dead of night. A good thing too; if you saw the final climb in the daylight you’d run away screaming. You’re still far enough away at Kibo Camp, that the magnitude of the final climb isn’t apparent. They fed us stew at about 2PM and then we went to bed. Frank would wake us at 11:00.
I actually slept, but 11:00 came all too soon. We got up, layered up in thermals, overshirts, ski jackets, ski pants, gloves, and headlamps. Adam didn’t have a headlamp, so we duct taped two flashlights to his head.
The Summit
Poley poley, hakuna matatta: Slowly, slowly, no problems. That’s your mantra on Kili. We began our final climb at 11:50PM on Sunday night. Our first stop was Gilman’s point a mere 6 kilometers (3.75 miles) away. It took us an hour to climb the first 600 feet. Bryan, who couldn’t take diamox, had been having altitude problems for at least a day. Scott was sick, and Adam hadn’t started taking diamox until the day before, and the effects hadn’t kicked in yet. At 16,200 these trekkers knew they were holding the rest of us back and that they were not going to make the summit. With best wishes for the rest of us and pats on the back all around, they headed back to Kibo with one of our guides. While they may not have summitted, they’d climbed higher, at 16,200 feet, than any mountain in the continental United States. No mean feat, and something few others have ever done.
At 18,000 feet, after 3 ½ hours of climbing I just about packed it in. I couldn’t keep up with Jack, Michelle, Nate and Gabe. I collapsed against the side of the mountain and said “I gotta rest”. I struggled with every step to keep up with them to 18,500 feet and that was it, I didn’t think I could go another meter. I’ve hit the wall in marathons, and I’ve hit them hard. It didn’t compare; not even remotely close. Frank the Tank sent Daniel, another one of our guides back to take me wherever I wanted to go. That’s when Nate told me were at 18,500 feet, 500 short of the rim, Gilman’s Point.
500 feet. No way I could bail with only 500 feet to the rim. This was my only chance to climb Kili. I figured I could gut out another 500 feet. The others went ahead. That’s when Daniel and I got lost in the boulder field.
We were climbing in the pitch black of the African night. I had a headlamp that lit the ground right in front of me. Daniel had no light. He was following the path from my headlamp. All the other groups had passed us or were behind us. The path through the boulder field is hard to follow, even in the daylight. We took one wrong turn after another and pretty soon I could tell Daniel didn’t know where we were. 18,800 feet up Kilimanjaro, dead of night, no one around, and we were lost. I got worried. Daniel got up on a boulder. We were only about 5 yards off the trail. I rested and then we continued, poley, poley, up the mountain. At 5:30, with the sun just getting ready to come up over the western horizon Daniel said “We’re here. Gilman’s Point, congratulations.”
I’d made it. 18,750 feet. But the sign said “Point”, not “Summit”. I collapsed on the ground and went to get some water: frozen.
Daniel let me rest a few minutes and said “It’s an hour and a half to the summit. Do you want to try and make it.” Whether it was the adrenalin talking or what, I don’t know, but I jumped at the chance. I didn’t even give it a second thought. I don’t remember the 90 minute climb to the summit being that difficult. Halfway there I saw Frank, Michelle, Jack, Nate and Gabe on their way back down. They were sure I had bailed out and gone back to Kibo. They told me I made their day. That made mine.
At 7AM on Monday morning July 24 I made Uhuru Summit, 19,340 feet. Along with about 50 other climbers. I rested, got my camera out and found someone to take Daniel and my picture. Now I’m a big basketball fan. I’ve had season tickets to the LA Clippers for 17 years. I’d carried a 3 foot by 5 foot Clipper flag all the way to Uhuru and wasn’t going to miss this chance to make “Clipper history”. As I rolled out the flag I heard a voice from the back call out: “Clippers? I’m from Phoenix. We kicked your ass!” I looked at the guy and said “Yeah? Where’s your flag?”
The hike down was worse than the hike up.
We got back to Gilman and Daniel said 90 minutes to the bottom. It took me 3 ½ hours to get off that mountain. The schree field, really a million year old gravel pit, took out of my legs what little I had left. I fell 6 times. Now when you’re going straight down a 60 degree wall of gravel you fall backwards, and you don’t fall far. Daniel said I taught him some English words he’d never heard before. I encouraged him to be careful where he used them. Daniel held my elbow and walked me the last kilometer into camp. I’d never been so glad to finish anything in my life. I gave Daniel a big hug, thanked him profusely and headed for the dorm. For an hour; then we hiked 4 hours back to Horombo hut and rest.
We compared notes. Nate and Gabe thought the climb from Gilman to Uhuru was the hardest. Jack thought it was harder than a marathon. Michelle thought it was harder than childbirth.
We all got back down the mountain the next day and spent the afternoon either in the shower, in the pool or in bar. That night we had a celebratory dinner with Frank the Tank. I made sure Daniel was there. I gave him my gloves, of which he had none, my headlamp, my watch and an extra big tip.
We headed next to Kenya and the Masai Mara where we saw lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, more wildebeest than I knew existed, and met an amazing woman who teaches second grade. She has 71 students in her class. But that’s another story for another time.
Maybe next year we’ll go back and do it again.
Not.
July 17, 2006
Things to do driving between LA and San Francisco
Question: Im planning a family trip (wife two teenage daughters) to the west coast this summer. We know LA area pretty well. What things are recommended to do in San Francisco and on the way between LA and SF
Advice: In SF, hit the farmers' market early Saturday and load up on cheese, breads, pate, wine and fruit. Take the ferry to Angel Island, walk to the top of Mt. Livermore and enjoy your feast with a 360-degree view of the Bay.
Then take a cable car ride, go to Fisherman's Wharf (kind of touristy), go to Nob Hill, go over Golden Gate to Sausalito for some spectacular views of the SF skyline especially at dusk.
In the San Francisco Bay Area the Muir Woods is a must (just over the Golden Gate in Marin). Also, Sausalito (just over the bridge) is great. Go to the Muir woods early and go into Sausalito for lunch or brunch. Alcatraz is really cool.
At the Golden Gate Bridge, be sure to go to Fort Point just underneath the bridge on the SF side. The oldest stone fort west of the Mississippi is a great spot. Then take time to drive through the Presidio.
I don't like the SF Giants, but if you like baseball try to fit in a game at the ballpark. There are plenty of places to eat around it too.
If you are driving from LA to SF, I recommend the coast route 1 vs. 101 or I-5 through the valley. Great scenery the whole way and arguably one the most beautiful stretches of road in the country. A few notable highlights on the trip, Hearst Castle, Monterey/Carmel/Pacific Grove, and Big Sur - where time has stood still since 1967. Also, you could take a side trip to Ojai for a few winery tours too, although there are several wineries along the trip. If you have the chance, the Monterey Aquarium is very cool and they have some spectacular exhibits that are very informative.
Take the time to go through the Monterey Aquarium, then go south through Pacific Grove (and Point Lobos state park--it's free) and the amazing 17-mile drive past Pebble Beach and into Carmel. Walk around Carmel and have lunch or dinner. I'd skip Santa Cruz unless you want to take your kids to the Boardwalk (the amusement park)
Let me emphasize that in Cambria you have Hearst Castle. Also in Cambria get a motel room right on Moonstone beach and watch the sun do down in the Pacific Ocean with your family. Stop on HWY 1 (its the PCH in So Cal) at Elkhorn Slough (near Monterey) and rent some Kayaks and Kayak in the Slough and enjoy the Marine Wildlife up close. This is an incredible place that most travelers just drive by.
If you have time, just south of Half Moon Bay, is a private Beach called Martins Beach. Check it out. It costs $5 a carload of people. It is clean and beautiful. They shot scenes from the Robin Willams Movie "Bicentennial Man" there.
Be sure to leave plenty of time for the drive up the coast on the highway. It can be a slow go but the scenery is fantastic, one of the best drives in the. It would be a shame to feel pressed for time and not enjoy the sights. Be sure to stop at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo (just off the highway) for lunch.
We camp at Shaver Lake a mile up in the Sierras.. incredible place.. hurts your eyes, its so beautiful. Consider scheduling a trip to Lake Tahoe, which is only a 4-hour drive from the bay area. If you go to Tahoe try to stay on the north shore, like Kings Beach... South Lake is too commercial for me.
Another good side trip is Kings Canyon Park (Sequoia national Forest). This park is much like Yosemite, but less crowded. Its just an incredible place. Climb Moro Rock to the top of a Granite dome and get a view that goes for miles.
July 10, 2006
Corbett National Park India tours
I was recently doing some research for one of my hobbies, writing fantasy fiction stories. I wanted to include some of my favorite animals like the fishing cat and the mongoose and found a place in India that has both: Corbett National Park.
I thought it would be prudent and fun to do some research so I contacted a tour agency about Corbett National park tours. I'm not making any recommendations because I haven't used any of these companies yet or even shopped around - I've only contacted this one tour guide.
The following tour has been quoted at 380.00 per person including:
1. Accomodation (double)
2. All meals at Corbett
3. Breakfast at Nainital
4. Safaris as per the itinerary
5. Entry Fees into the national park
6. Natulaist at the time to safari
7. All the Transportation by exclusive car Delhi-delhi
8. All the taxes
Day 01: Delhi-Corbett National Park
Early morning drive from Delhi to Corbett National Park. On arrival check in at wildlife resort, after lunch we will take you for jeep safari tour into Jim Corbett Park.
Corbett Natiobal Park - The heavenly abode for adventure lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, Corbett National Park is set in the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas in Uttranchal. River rafting and elephant rides are the favorite activities of the tourists here across the 520 sq km of India's first national park along the bank of Ramganga river. It is also known for Sal tree as its main flora. It is named after the hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett, who suggested the conception of this wildlife sanctuary, Over 50 mammals, 600 birds and 25 reptile species have been spotted here but the highlight of course is the Indian
Tigers, Leopards and Gharials, the rare fish eating, long-nosed crocodiles. Evening free O/N stay at hotel.
Day 2: Corbett National Park ( Dikhala)
Early morning elephant safari through open grasslands and dense forests for wildlife viewing in the Corbett National Park. After breakfast, jeep safari to lakeside to see crocodiles. After lunch, day free to relax. Optional spending the day in a watchtower overlooking a water hole. Evening film shows on wildlife. Dinner and overnight stay at the park.
Day 3: Corbett National Park ( Dikhala)
Morning and afternoon Safari, O/n stay at hotel.
Day 4: Corbett National park-Nainital
Early morning drive to Bhuvankhal at sunrise. On arrival at Nainital, check in at hotel, Afternoon sightseeing tour,Evening enjoy the boat ride in Naini lake, O/N stay at hotel.
Nainital - Nainital in Uttaranchal has beautiful Naini lake and panoramic mountain scenery. Besides the hill resorts of Almora, Ranikhet and Kausani, Nainital has extended tourist attractions as MulwaTal to the east along with Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukachiatal and recreational activities such as canoeing and yachting.
Day 5 : Nainital-Delhi:
Morning Free in the afternoon drive back to Delhi.
I also plan to check on local accommodations and maybe arrange my own accommodations and try out several different treks. This gives me more control, but also requires more work including some work finding local tour guides while I'm there when I'd rather be spending my time concentrating on the nature (and the book).
June 28, 2006
Memphis to Portland American road trip
I recently received this road trip from Memphis to Portland. To me the absolute best part of this would be seeing some Native American culture, in this road trip the Navajo rain dances. If anyone has any information on staying on reservations or otherwise learning about Native American culture while traveling, please share!
I wish I could get the chance to road trip again. Heres what Id do:
Every American must see Graceland in Memphis. Its hysterical, weird, and great like know other place I know. Next, on to Santa Fe. Then head North out of Santa Fe 100 miles to the Four Corners of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. Go to Mesa Grande National Park. Then head west across northern Arizona to Monument Valley national park.
Keep going west across the Navaho lands to Black Mesa to witness the summer rain dances. Then keep west to Lake Powell at Page Arizona. Enjoy some of the greatest rainbow trout fishing in NA in the Colorado River south of Glen Canyon.
Follow the River south from Page through the road through the Vermillion Cliffs National Park until you get to the isolated North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is more beautiful and deeper than the South Rim with many less nutty tourists getting between you and the canyon for pictures.
Now go through the Hoover Dam to Vegas before turning west to California. Turn north when you get to California and skirt the Sierra Nevada Mountains and go through Yosemite National Park before turning West again through the Imperial Valley to reach San Francisco.
Then go North above Frisco and run up the coast which is magnificent this time of year as you get to Point Reyes. Montceito, and finally the Giant redwood forests of the Northern California coast. Go as far as Eureka California and see Mt Shasta. Hug the Mountains north through the Willamette River valley before reaching Portland Oregon.
June 9, 2006
Wine drinking European vacation
Here is a sports writer talking about all the wines he sampled on his European vacation. Not being a big wine man myself, I found this one only marginally interesting but I'm sure some of you readers appreciate the finer things in life (I prefer the cheap fruit wines I used to buy in college for 5 bucks a bottle). Here's the introduction to the sports writer's 3 week European wine drinking vacation:
The purpose of this three-week working vacation was to visit selected properties in Germany's Rheingau and Mosel and taste their wines, to do the same in Alsace, to sightsee in Bavaria, and Lindau Island on Lake Konstanz, and finally to enjoy a few days in the Dolomites in Italy's far north, an area we always seem to return to. We ended up in seven countries. How could this be possible?
May 30, 2006
Summarizing the last few summer vacations
#21 was a vacation in San Diego. Good detail here with restaurant recommendations. I love the itinerary full of museums but would personally prefer a little less shopping. Of course my wife would probably prefer more so maybe this travel plan strikes a good balance... The comments were positive, but not useful so not many points to be had there.
#22 was a good one. I love seeing off the beaten path vacations in places like Vietnam. I like the line about the heat and humidity hitting you like a bellyflop. Having been in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore I know that it does get hot down there. Another one with good restaurant detail (though not on every day of the trip), including a noodle place where President Clinton once ate. I thought that the directions for Day 3 (basically get directions from the front desk) sounded a little unhelpful, but I ahven't been asking for directions, and they would make travel plans quite long...
#23: Somehow I never knew that Seattle is the Emerald City, but I've always wanted to go. Here we find lots of restaurant, coffee shop, and even bakery recommendations. Price info would be helpful. I like the focus on museums and music.
#24, the final contest entry. Not the first travel plan we've seen for Washington D.C. - a very popular place (though I prefer going in the winter to beat the crowds). Anyway, another great vacation itinerary. We have some restaurant recommendations (but not for day 1). I'm not so sure about day 3, which starts with the Spy museum, then has a late lunch, then has an (optional) afternoon matinee. I guess if you get off to a llate start, but there's no need to make lunch too late since they spy museum is not exactly the National Gallery. You don't have to spend all day in there. I've never been to the zoo (day 6) but would like to see the pandas.
Well that's that. I'm going to go do the grades and make my final decisions. They'll be posted here in a couple of hours.
Summer vacations 16-20
Still doing general reviews before I do the real grading and select the winners. Here are the next 5:
We start with Spain: history & culture, the 16th submission. I've always wanted to go to Madrid, and while I've never heard of Santiago de Campostela but "granite alleyways, winding through a maze of 12th century streets" just sounds awesome. Good detail with hotels and places to eat recommended.
#17 was a vacation featuring Brazilian nature and culture. I love nature. Going from Salvador to a deserted beach and a small town on day 2, to Morro de Sao Paulo ond ay 3. Some great ideas here.
#18, the vacation to Jamaica, had lots of good insider tips. It sounds like you can eat the way locals eat (when they eat out) and the comments were helpful too. I really like this one and its authentic experiences.
#19 was another good one. This London & Amsterdam vacation was one of the shorter plans, but that seemed to work out well as the author provided great detail without turning it into a novel. Details on restaurants were nice since the places were close to the attractions, meal experiences were shared, and price information was given. I'm noticing a theme with European vacations tending to be fairly expensive. another one that'll be in the running for some prize money.
#20 was another vacation in Jamaica, a Jamaican road trip. I love road trips! This one has a heavy food focus; I think this great vacation would be terrible for anyone on a diet. Meals on the beach and waterfalls make this one another I'd like to go on.
Again, just great entries everywhere.
May 29, 2006
Refreshing my memory on travel plans 11-15
Happy Memorial Day (yes my blog's date is wrong but I'm on Korean time so it's Memorial Day for you even though mine technically ended an hour ago) to all American readers. I hope you don't see too much traffic or spend to much on gas!
Contest entry #11 was a long travel plan for England. I like getting information about what you need to do before leaving, like getting a Britrail Pass since they are not sold in England. From the airport, you get on a train and go directly to Oxford where it all starts (the Oxford morning is supposed to help you overcome jet lag). Then around England a bit staying in Bed & Breakfasts and saving London for the end. Sounds like a a great time.
Contest entry #12 brings us back to the US - Vegas, Diego, and the Grand Canyon. The idea here was great, but I think a few missing details will hurt the final grade (accommodation info, prices, meals transportation between destinations). Also, I'm not sure that doing Phoenix and Tuscon in one day will allow much time to enjoy either city.
Here I got a bit confused with my numbers and called this great vacation plan from Madrid to Malaga #14. From great museum recommendations in Madrid to specific dishes suggested throughout the trip (not in specific retaurants but based on the locale) this is another great vacation plan.
#15 was a vacation plan for Sweden. Gammel Stad, a medieval church village and an old euro-nordic city, just sounds perfect for me. On day 10 there's something about "summer festivals and outdoor concerts" and I'd really like to know what's on offer this summer! Hotel recommendations and information on eating would make great additions to this one.
Well I've got a tough choice to make in a couple of days. 5 prize winners will be getting 500, 250, 150, 50, and 50 US dollars. Getting the top 5 in order is going to be a difficult task!
May 27, 2006
Reviewing travel writing contest entries 6-10
This will be a refresher on summer vacation plan entries 6-10
Number 6 was a summer vacation in Grenada. This one starts off well with two possible hotels mentioned. The authors also do an excellent job listing expenses and providing options throughout the travel plan.
Number 7 brought back some childhood memories since I used to vacation in Hershey Park and go to Strasburg Railroad with my parents when I was younger. I also appreciate the concise writing style used here, more of an outline than an article. This one received a number of compliments, but not much meaty discussion.
Number 8 made me think of the future because I really want to go on an Alaskan cruise to see the glaciers. Hearing someone who has had the experience talk about the cruise experiences sure made me more confident about taking that Alaskan Cruise.
The 9th contest entry was a great trip to Europe with useful pointers like reserving tickets to Big Ben online 3 months in advance. All in all, 22 days in London, Paris, and Italy sounds pretty good to me! With a focus on art and food, you won't lack for cultural experiences. Since the Italy tour is an optional addition, this vacation was not too long to qualify for the contest.
The last one I'll look back at now is number 10, a Colorado vacation plan. This one received a lot of praise in the comments, but only a few comments provided genuine insight and generated real discussion. This one was designed for parents and teenagers traveling together and includes good family activities like the aerial tram on Day 1. The restaurant recommendations give this plan some good detail.
Again, I'm amazed at just how good the contest entrants are at writing vacation plans. Choosing only 5 winners and ranking them is going to be real difficult. Plus I have to do it soon!
May 25, 2006
5 summer vacation travel plans
I just wanted to think out loud about the first 5 entries to the writing contest. In a few days I'll be writing checks and making PayPal payments totaling 1,000 US dollars so I'm going to give this some serious thought. Here are my preliminary thoughts on the early entries.
The summer vacation writing contest got off to a good start with the Morocco vacation itinerary. The author, Robert Ward, took this trip and offers the kind of advice that can really help newbies in Morocco. For example, "From the Pension Dalila, you can arrange a $200, 4-day tour of the Moroccan interior, with everything but food included in the price. The first day, youll depart from Fs in a chartered taxi..." All in all, a very solid entry, and a few comments show some signs of discussion/experience sharing which helps.
The second vacation plan was a Western US baseball vacation itinerary starting on July 15th. I thought it was an excellent itinerary and I'm surprised there weren't more comments on this unique idea. Specific hotel recommendations would be helpful, but the author does advise to find roadside motels to save money and this is a viable option for people who don't need to plan every little detail. I emailed this one to my friends who like sports. Another very solid entry.
The third contest entry was kind of a his & her vacation plan for Mount Kilimanjaro and an African Safari. Like the second entry, this unique travel plan really caught my interest. The first few days there are two different vacations and then they meet up later. Why didn't my wife and I ever think of that?
The fourth contest entry was the first to Washington D.C. and the second US travel plan. This 5 day Washington D.C. itinerary was possibly the only one to include a pre-trip section. I thought this was a very nice addition and I'm sure that getting the tickets the author recommended in advance is a smart move. Personally I prefer Washington DC in the winter because the city seems so empty and there are no lines if you go when congress isn't in session. But I'm sure there's something to be said for going in summer when it's not too cold. What can I say, another great vacation. I see that determining the winners will be tough.
The fifth vacation itinerary was for 10 days in the Tampa Bay area. The vacationers were going May 20, 2006 - May 30, 2006 so they should be in Tampa now, Have fun and thanks for the great entry! One of my favorite things about this vacation is that there was some very meaningful discussion generated with many useful tips. Of all the contest entries, I think that so far this one has generated the highest quality discussion/comments.
Well that's only the first 5, but you can already see that determining winners is going to be very difficult. As a professor I can be a fairly ruthless grader, so I'll manage. Still you always hate to see some excellent efforts go unrewarded and some must in this contest.
It's not too late to leave your comments on any of these 5 travel itineraries.
May 13, 2006
New Zealand's West Coast vacation plan
This vacation plan from Frommer's starts off in Haast, a town on the Haast river, and a jet boat ride to where the San Andreas Fault line meets the Alpine Fault line.
Then off to Franz Josef time to do some hiking on warm glaciers where tourists can walk around in T-shirt and jeans. Then comes the drive from Franz Josef to Hokitika, voted one of the worlds top ten best drives by Lonely Planet thanks to the ocean views.
That drive takes you to Lake Brunner Lodge after traveling 22 kilometers on a dirt road, where you get gourmet meals and nature walks for 180.00/night (and up).
May 7, 2006
Yachting travel itinerary from Venice to Croatia
Aside from the fishing and having no idea how to yacht, this vacation plan seemed interesting.
Remember, you have only one week to submit entries to the 1,000 dollar travel writing contest. We have 15 or so entries so far and there are 5 prizes.
Here's an outline of the Venice to Croatia yachting travel plan I linked to above:
Day 1: Arrive in Venice.
Day 2: Rovinj and the beautiful palace of Tito.
Days 3 & 4: Pag Island: Cruise the interior waters between islands.
Day 5: Kornati Islands. Fish for bluefin tuna.
Day 6: Sibenik/Skradin Marina/Krka Falls. You will travel in the yacht up a windy river gorge with high cliffs on each side into a lake, where you will tie up at Skradin Marina. You can hire a tourist boat privately to take you up to Krka Falls and the monastery.
Day 7: Hvar Island.
Day 8: Brac. Bol has a fantastic beach. The medieval town of Korcula is gorgeous.
Day 9: Mljet Island. An island within the island has a monastery that you can visit by hired boat. Also features Karst caves, beautiful beaches, remains of Ilyrian castles, Roman ruins, a well-preserved part of an early Byzantine palace, and an early Christian basilica.
Day 10: Dubrovnik. Disembark.
April 16, 2006
Getting The Most Out Of Traveling Around The World
Hi everyone, I am Elmer, currently living in Hong Kong and an ocassional traveler. Having been to places like Germany, Japan and Indonesia, I will be posting some blogs on travel and tourism, hoping to share experiences and provide tips to travelers.
The first thing that comes to mind when traveling around the world much more than visa hassles or culture shock is the enormous costs it incurs. With the rising fuel prices and security taxes, flying seemed to appear more financially demanding means of transportation.
However, the emergence of low-cost airlines brought in more competition and improving world economy got prices in check. But for people who want to tour around the globe, the question remains the same: how to obtain the cheapest tickets for round the world flights?
The question that has to be answered first is "what are your preferred destinations?" One "round the world" package cost considerably cheaper than a string of individual one-way tickets, it makes it more sensible to determine your choice first. It surely depends on budget, but giving out your preferred location will give you an idea how much you need to spend, and there you can decide to take your plans further or scale it down.
Here are some tips to consider getting the chance to see the most out of the world's beautiful places at the least possible cost.
1. Start on a low season. Plan your trip to start on low seasons where airline companies want more seats be filled than earn profits so prices are relatively much lower. Thus, you have to avoid starting to travel on school vacations, Christmas or Thanksgiving.
2. Start on a low-cost city. Round the world ticket pricing scheme is based on where the trip will start so it will be good to begin the journey on a low-cost city like Bangkok, Hanoi or Jakarta.
3. Join a frequent flyer program. Round the world travels rack enormous mileage points can earn free rides on your next journey.
4. Book on the Internet. Many travel web sites offer special rates that are available only online. It saves time and answers to queries are often just a phone call away. Compare online rates with your local travel agents to validate such claim of cheaper offers.
5. Book early. The cheapest seats are offered long before the flight takes place. Ticket rates are computed based on season demand, competition, local activities and costs can be significantly higher than when they are purchased much earlier.
6. Consider local tour companies. Local tour groups designed to cater to domestic tourists offer fares that are cheaper than the ones especially packaged for international travelers.
7. Consider other costs. If a no-frills airliner lands at an airport located 30 miles from the city, ground transportation to your hotel could be expensive. Always think of costs other than plane fares when doing your travel plans.
Around the world travel is an exciting adventure as it gets you the chance to see attractions you'd otherwise see only on photographs. While it pays to see these wonderful sights, having a good research with a dose of the tips above would make the adventure more worth the money.
April 15, 2006
Hiking in India's Himalayas: Manali
This is not a summer vacation plan because summer is tourist season in Manali. It's better to go in April or September and October - the weather is usually nice and it's less hectic than during the summer. Most everything closes down in the winter, so if you want a true getaway, you might consider going in the winter (a few hotels stay open).
This will be a rough travel plan as I'm putting it together based on 2 stories, mostly one from Kscene magazine. It's not online yet, but when it is I'll add the link so you can read that story as well.
Fly to Delhi. You may need to spend a day or two here before you take your bus ride to Manali. This will build up your strength for the 500 rupee, 12 hour, 550 km bus ride that will take you from Delhi to Manali. If you're too cheap to go first class, 250 rupees on the mail run will take you 24 hours and you'll be amazingly uncomfartbale after the first 30 minutes. Spring for the extra 250 rupees! You can also fly to Bhunter (I have no information on the cost) and then take a 1.5 hour taxi ride for 1,000 ruees.
In Manali, you'll need a place to stay. There's no need to book ahead in the offseason but things are fairly crowded during the peak summer season. Expect to pay anywhere from 100 to 4,000 rupees/night (4,000 for the Holiday Inn). There's the main town: New Manali, and there's the Old Manali village 2-3 km away. From the spring until the summer, western tourists generally stay in the village while Indians generally stay in the town. It seems strange to westerners who have been there and they can't explain it. It's not like that in September and October.
In May, there are good opportunities for whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. The Mountaineering Institute in Manali has courses in skiing October is best, but some mountains are covered in snow even during summer), rock climbing and mountaineering.
Sadly, the wonderful nature is made somewhat less enjoyable by the drug culture. I'm told that the key is to avoid the "unsavory characters" and spend your time hiking, and playing chess with the locals in rooftop cafes. You won't be completely left alone but that's the best one can do to avoid the hassle. That's my Manali travel plan, by the way: hike, stroll around town, and drink chai in the rooftop cafes while talking to the locals.
You'll want to go to the hot sulphur springs at Vashisht, a small town 3 km away from Manali. In Vashist, check out the two stone temples with elaborate woodcarvings in the main square. My friend also recommends the Rahalla Falls, which are 16 km from Manali.
Eventually, you'll take the bus back to Delhi and fly home.
March 3, 2006
Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Inca trail
Diana Korte writes this Peru travel plan with the highlight being Machu Picchu. I've made a few changes and summarized the travel plan below:
Days 1 and 2: Fly into Lima and check out the museums and cathedrals.
Days 3 and 4: fly to Cusco, Peru's former Inca capital. Cusco (also Cuzco) is 11,000 feet high. The Monasterio Hotel there has piped-in oxygen in guest rooms to help travelers acclimate to the altitude. Cups of coca tea, an ancient herbal remedy, are more traditional than the piped-in oxygen. In Cusco, check out colonial churches, Inca monuments, and markets.
Day 5: The Orient-Express PeruRail train travels down to Machu Picchu at 8,000 feet. Enjoy the views on the way. The train sometimes stops where local women sell dolls, ponchos, alpaca blankets, rugs and other items to tourists who shop through open train windows.
The train arrives in Aguas Calientes, and then travelers walk 15 minutes through the marketplace and take a 30-minute bus ride to the entrance of the Machu Picchu Park.
Days 6 and 7: Enjoy Machu Picchu. The only hotel is Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, which accommodates 31 guests. Otherwise you go back to Cusco or stay in one of the lodges in the valley below.
If you have three extra days, hike the 26-mile Inca trail, considered one of the finest historical and cultural hikes in the world. Hikers can start at the beginning of the trail outside Cusco or take a train part of the way and then walk the rest.
If you have any travel expereinces to share, why not enter the 1,000 dollar 2006 Summer vacation travel writing contest? We want to hear your travel stories!
February 11, 2006
When to go and what to do on your African Safari
One dream of mine is to go on an African Safari so Ive been talking to Michael over at Africa dream safaris.com about planning it. Heres what he said about timing:
We recommend plannig safaris 3 to 18 months in advance depending upon the proposed month of travel. For example, the busiest times are around the holiday period (late December to early January) and summertime (June to September) and during these months we recommend to plan at least 12 months in advance. However, it's very ironic that these busy times have nothing to do with the best times for wildlife viewing. The highest concentration of animals in the Serengeti are always during the end of the green season (March, April and May), which is actually slow season in Tanzania. During these months only 3 - 6 months in advance is really needed to plan an optimal safari.Here's one possible safari vacation plan:
Day 1: Kilimanjaro
Day 2: Central Sernegeti, including Seronera valley. There are a number of lodges here and during July, August and December careful planning is important because of the crowds
Day 3: Eastern Serengeti. During the wet season (November through May - also called the green season) a day trip (or more) is highly recommended for every Safari itinerary. This area is the best place to see cheetahs and hyenas as they follow the Thomsons Gazelle migration.
Day 4: A different Central Serengeti experience
Day 5: Southern Serengeti. This is where the famous wildebeest migration can be seen (December to May) and the accompanying predators: lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.
Day 6: A different Eastern Serengeti experience.
Day 7: A different Southern Serengeti experience.
Days 8 and 9: Ngorongoro Crater. This world heritage site is home to black rhino, elephant, hippo, buffalo, eland, zebra, hartebeest, wildebeest, waterbuck, warthog, Grants gazelle and Thomsons gazelle, baboons and vervet monkeys, lion, cheetah, hyena, and jackal. Leopards, servals, bat eared foxes and ratels also reside in the Crater but are elusive.
Day 10: Lake Manyara. Famous for tree-climbing lions, you are actually more likely to see lions in trees in the Serengeti. Come here for the baboons and the jungle (very different from the rest of your safari).
Here's more information on African safari planning in April, and this is a neat little safari planner where you put in when you want to go and what you want to do and they give you a possible itinerary. Then you'll want to talk the experts I'm talking to. They are friendly and they know their safaris.
February 5, 2006
Bangkok and Koh Samui vacation plan
This travel plan will be flexible, so you could do Koh Samui first or Bangkok first. Personally I would do Koh Samui first so that I wouldn't have to worry about getting back to bangkok for the departing flight.
Since you'll probably be coming from Bangkok, it may be night time when you arrive. Dinner at Baan Chantra at the Le Meridien includes entertainment in the form of traditional Thai dance performances. Le Meridien is one of the Koh Samui hotels I recommended yesterday. If you are in Chaweng, you can have dinner at Three Monkeys, a Thai Seafood restaurant on the main street in Chaweng.Service can be slow, but the food is good. There is some sort of karaoke entertainment (certainly not for everyone).
Now many tourists in Koh Samui spend their days on the beach, get a massage in the early evening, eat dinner, and then start partying. Wealthier tourists will schedule a spa visit or two. You can do that (if you do remember that the famous Chaweng beach is the most crowded and touristy), but here are a couple of alternatives.
First full day in Koh Samui: The elephant trek is a pretty standard thing for tourists in Thailand. I've never done it, but most people choose to so here it is in the travel plan.
I've read that 30 minutes is enough because riding elephants is actually pretty rough and elephant steps really jolt you. Also, the 30 minute one drops you off closer to the waterfall for hiking.
Which brings us to... Hike up Namuang Waterfall, which is a good hike. It takes about an hour hike to get some good altitude. The path is difficult, through rocks, trees, and water. The waterfall isn't that spectacular, but the views are great.
Second full day in Koh Samui: Sea Kayaking at Ang Thong National Marine Park
Some hotels (like Le Meridien) can arrange this. The Le Meridien would be relatively private and more comfortable (in a speed boat). There are alos tour operators with guided kayaking tours of islands, sea caves, and lagoons. These guys are normally cheaper than going through the hotel. The boat won't be spectacular and it might be crowded. The islands will be crowded with people from other tour groups.
Third and fourth days in Koh Samui: Go to the beach, go to a spa, see the big Buddha at Wat Phra Yai. Wat Phra Yai is in the Northeast of Samui on route 4171 near the airport.
There are a ton of things to do in Bnagkok. I've only been there once so I rtainly can't tell you all of them. Also, I was only there for one day because my wife found the stray dogs to be very depressing. Going elsewhere in Thailand didn't help us avoid seeing stray dogs, however. Anyway, this shoud keep you busy for one day in Bangkok.
First, Take a trip to the Palace the morning of your first full day in Bangkok. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo are astounding, but dress well. My wife wasn't allowed in because her jeans had tears in them. They are fairly strict about letting people in. There are things you can borrow, but this takes time and makes you look funny.
Wat Phra Kaeo has the amazing Emerald Buddha. The guards a re pretty strict in there too. As I was getting up to leave I put my hat on. The guard tapped my head in a very stern manner (touching someone's head is a big insult in Thailand but I suppose I deserved it - plus I didn't realize I should have been insulted until I'd already left).
From there you can walk to Wat Pho. Now even here in two of the most famous tourist destinations in bangkok which are surrounded by guards, you must be very careful not to get scammed. When we were in Wat Pho, we asked a guard which way the palace was. The guard didn't answer, but the guy next to him did. He told us that the palace was closed because it was a Buddhits holiday and that we should go to a tourist information booth somewhere. He would be willing to take us. We had been warned about people telling you that famous attractions are closed and are pretty familiar with Buddhism, so we didn't fall for whatever that guy was pulling. We didn't get our directions either, but we did find the palace, which as I said is very very close to Wat Pho.
So after looking around Wat Pho, which features a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters high, go to the massage center which is attached to the temple (they run a week-long Thai massage course here that I would love to take with my wife at some point). I recomment the herbal massage where they take a hot cloth dipped in yellow liquid and incorporate that into a typically painful Thai massage.
That night, we took the Skytrain to a night market. I can't remember the stop, but any hotel or guidebook should be able to help you out there. Anyway, it was different. On the main street we bought a nice pair of sandles and went into a few nice stores on the street. But the real action is on the side streets off the main one. Almost as soon as we made the turn men started asking us if we wanted sex. My wife and I didn't, but we got lots of offers. If you go far enough down the side street, you see rows of prostitutes lining up outside. We found it to be rather depressing.
I don't remember any of the restaurants I ate in when I went to bangcock, so I have only one recommendation (you can certainly get many more from the guidebooks, but my wife and I end spending a lot of time looking for those places and it's ahrd to get someone who speaks English well enough to give you directions in Bnagkok unless you ask in a hotel (Most people disagree with me on this point, but anyway, when I was in Thailand I didn't meet many English speaking Thai people.
Anyway, here is one restaurant you can try: Eat Me (+66 02 238 0931) on 1/6 Soi Pipat 2, off Convent Road. This intimate restaurant/gallery offers a weekly menu of international food reasonably priced and served with a smile. The modern decor is classy and inviting, with changing photo exhibits on the walls. Butcher paper covers tables and is accompanied by sharp colored pencils, convenient if you are struck by an artistic thought while dining. For vegetarians, the pumpkin ravioli with tomato sauce (THB80) and the Grilled Eggplant Bocconcini Stack (THB250) are satisfying. Seafood lovers could go for the fried fish with chips (THB230) or the Grilled Trevally Fillet with Spinach and Seafood Sauce (THB250).
I don't recommend or remember the name of the hotel we stayed in, but I have heard good things about The Oriental Bangkok hotel (2-236-0400) on 48 Oriental Ave by the river. It is possible to get a room overlooking the river and people say the service is good. It's very pricey.
January 25, 2006
New Zealand's Chronicles of Narnia travel
Many scenes in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe were shot in New Zealand (some were shot in the Czech Republic, the US, and England). If you want your New Zealand travel plan to include places in the movie, here are a few ideas.
The White Witch's Camp: Auckland, New Zealand
An hour Northwest of Auckland, on New Zealands North Island, Woodhill Forest was transformed into the dreaded camp of the White Witch for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Things to do around Woodhill Forest include mountain biking, taking a trip around Auckland, or visiting the black sands of Muriwai beach.
The Great Battle: Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand
Flock Hill in the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand, is an area of twisted rocks and deep valleys. In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, this is where the great battle for Narnia took place. It will be possible to tour the area and it offers breathtaking scenery, especially beautiful lakes.
Aslan's Camp: Waitaki, South Island, New Zealand
In the Waitaki region of South Island, ancient Elephant Rocks protrude from the hillside. This area became the backdrop for Aslans camp in the movie. The historic town of Oamaru, with its colony of blue penguins and beautiful Victorian buildings, provides a great base for exploring the area.
Cair Paravel: Purakaunui Bay, South Island, New Zealand
You can't see the great castle in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (it was computer generated). it appeared on the spectacular cliffs of Purakaunui Bay. The area is pristine and it is worth taking a few days to explore the stunning nature in this coastal region.
January 8, 2006
A few days in Paris
You'll notice a few places in this Paris travel plan/vacation itinerary where activities can be added and you'll notice that most meals you're on your own. This gives you a chance to make some use of your guidebooks and do a little exploring. We're just trying to give you some ideas for your Parisian vacation.
Paris, Day 1
Check into your hotel. One posible hotel in Paris: Holiday Inn Paris Saint Germain Des Pres (1-4954-8700) on 92, rue De Vaugirard (1 block from Montparnasse) is said to have good prices, be in a nice neighborhood, and have a central location.
Depending on what time you arrive, you should have time to go for a walk and get some dinner. Going for a walk when it's still daylight will help you overcome jet lag.
Paris, Day 2
Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Climbing the 387 steps to the top of this masterpiece is well worth the effort for the spectacular view. Construction of the first great Gothic cathedral began in 1163 and was largely completed by 1212. The rebuilding of the two transept gates in 1270 marked its completion. The west face is adorned with three richly decorated doorways and crowned with two 69m towers. The cathedral is busy at the best of times; especially on Sundays, when much of the building is closed to visitors. Admission: cathedral is free, towers around EUR6.
Notes: Beautiful cathedral, go early in the day to avoid crowds and see the sunrise.
Musee d'Orsay
Built in what was originally a train station, the building itself is unique and interesting. The museum has an impressive art collection, which dates back to the early 19th century. It is however primarily known for its magnificent impressionist and neo-impressionist collection. The museum also strives to promote art by organizing festivals, special shows, exhibitions, conferences and concerts on a regular basis.
Notes: Great impressionist collection, a little less "touristy" than the Louvre
Grand Colbert (Le), 4, rue Vivienne
Phone: +33 1 4286 8788
This renowned, classic brasserie is housed in the Galerie Colbert. Sporting repainted friezes, fabulous gilding and fine Cafe de Paris-style lamps, this wonderful 1830s brasserie, now a listed building, looks as good as new. One of this fashionable district's most popular eateries, there's a constant buzz about the place and classic fare features on the menu: beef or fish dishes and choucroute. The fabulous seafood platter costs around EUR32.
Notes: Featured in Something's Gotta Give, recommended by Fodor's
Paris, Day 3
Cafe de Flore
Phone: +33 1 45 48 55 26
172, bld St-Germain
An historical landmark in Paris since 1890, this cafe was a favourite of many great 19th-century writers and artists. French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre always took his coffee and croissant on the terrace. These days you can drop in for a quick snack or glass of Champagne having shopped-till-you-dropped in the district's luxurious boutiques. The smart set that revels in the cafe's upmarket style ensure that its reputation lives on.
Notes: Fun cafe for cafe cremas and people watching, near the hotel.
Paris, Day 3
Eiffel Tower
Champ de Mars
Paris just wouldn't be Paris without the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair, at 300m it was then the world's tallest building. Not everyone was happy when it was first built; many considered it an eyesore and wanted it pulled down, but today it is one of the world's most visited monuments. The first and second floors can be reached using the stairs, and lifts take visitors to the magnificent view at the top. Admission (elevator to the top): EUR9.90 Adults; EUR5.30 Children under 12.
At night, after dinner, a cruise down the Seine will be a romantic choice.
Paris, Day 4
Musee du Louvre
Depending on when you leave, of course. The Musee du Louvre houses 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to the permanent collections.
Notes: Go early as the crowds get heavier and heavier.
December 25, 2005
Cambodia
Days 1-3: Most flights to Cambodia will land in Phnom Penh. You'll want to visit the Royal Palace during the day. The Palace grounds are opened to the public except when the King is in residence. The Silver Pagod with its Silver tiled floor is in the Palace grounds. Inside the Silver Pagoda is a solid gold Buddha encrusted with 9584 diamonds and weighing 90 kilos and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. The compound also houses Wat Phnom Mondap, containing Buddha's footprint.
The National Museum is near the Palace. On display inside are more than 5,000 works of art, ranging from the 7th to the 13th century. There are also lotus ponds where visitors can take a little break.
When you visit The Independence Monument, look from across the street. Getting too close is illegal. Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom and Wat Moha Montrei are other well-known tourist attractions.
Days 4-6: You don't want to miss Angkor Watt while you're in Cambodia. While this travel plan allows three days to visit the jungle temples, a previous discussion featured a longer trip to Angkor Watt.
Days 7-9: How about realxing on the beach? Sihanoukville has rooms starting at 5.00 and Sokkha Beach has the best sunset. You can hire a boat to take you to Koh Rong island. Koh Rong Samlem has 8 or 9 beaches including some very nice, sheltered beaches on the north side near Koh Kon. Rocky reefs around both islands harbor a variety of sea life in both shallow and deep water. Good for divers and snorkelers.
The best online information on Cambodia comes from Canby Publications.
December 15, 2005
Winter in Japan
A few cool things to do in Japan this Winter. This 12 day travel plan can be adjusted but it's a start:
Jan. 29 - Feb. 3 in Tokyo, Feb. 3 - Feb. 6 in Nagasaki (for the Lantern Festival), and Feb. 6-12 in Sapporo (for the Snow Festival)
Nagasaki Lantern Festival:
Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Sunday January 29th - Sunday February 12th, 2006
For two weeks, approximately 12,000 Chinese lanterns are displayed in the Shinchi Chinatown, Hamaichi and Kanko Dori arcades as well as other locations in downtown Nagasaki. Scores of large displays including "A Dragon and Phoenix," made of 10,000 pieces of Chinese pottery and a peacock-shaped display are exhibited in Minato Park and other areas, to the delight of visitors.
The 57th Sapporo Snow Festival:
Sapporo City, Hokkaido
February 6th - 12th, 2006
Hundreds of beautiful snow statues and ice sculptures will line Odori Park and other sites around the city for the annual snow festival.
June 24, 2005
Sausages of Germany Part 2 a travel plan for your appetite
If you haven't read the first part of our German suasage tour, you probably want to read that before reading this one. Here's part 2:
Its time to make your way back to Berlin on the second half of your sausage tour of Germany. The return trip to Berlin has the same range of tastes for the average traveler.
Stop 5. Making your way back to Berlin from the Rheinland area, the Bavarian district of Munich is a must for your sausage tour. The sausage specialty of Munich is the weibwurste, or the white sausage. This is usually served with mustard, pretzels, and the usual beer (in this case, the Weizenbier or wheat bear is commonly chosen). Germans usually eat the weibwurste meal for second breakfast, and it is suggested that tourists do the same. After all, the weibwurste easily expires, so its best to follow tradition and eat it before noon. Keep in mind that its unlikely for you to find the weibwurste elsewhere, so be sure to have a taste of it in Munich while you can.
Munich also plays host to the annual Oktoberfest, which is held every September. If you are also a fan of beer, then its best to plan your trip to coincide with the Oktoberfest. But if you wish to avoid the drunken crowds of tourists, then you should definitely avoid to pass by Munich during the Oktoberfest.
Stop 6. Just like Munich, Nuremberg can be found in the Bavarian area of Germany. Nuremberg is said to have the best bratwurst in this area, called the Frankische or Franconian bratwurst. Unlike the Thuringer bratwurst, the ones found in Nuremberg are white and smaller. The Franconian bratwurst is roasted and served two in a bread roll with mustard.
Nuremberg is also famous for having the best gingerbread in Germany. Known as lebkuchen, it is traditionally served during Christmas. The Nuremberg gingerbread cookies of the highest quality are called Elisenlebkuchen. You should definitely try these as well. These gingerbread cookies are exported all over the world, and some are even made in the shape of witch houses like the one mentioned in the fairytale Hansel and Gretel.
Stop 7. If you have time for more sweets, then feel free to make a stop at Dresden to buy some of their stollen, a cinnamon flavored fruitcake. Dresden is said to make the best stollen, which is sold at the Striezelmarkt Germanys oldest recorded Christmas market.
Its easy to take a train to Berlin from Dresden. If you wish to purchase sausages to take home with you, your best bet is to go to the KaDeWe Department Store in Berlin. It sells over 1,000 varieties of German cheeses and sausages, as well as hundreds of types of bread.
Be sure to arrive at the Berlin Tegel International Airport at least an hour and a half before your check-in time. Perhaps you should go on a vegetarian diet upon returning home for health reasons, of course. While its good to get a taste of the best food a culture has to offer, its also important to know when youve had too much.
This concludes the second part of a sausage tradition travel plan of Germany. Guten Appetit!
June 21, 2005
Sausages of Germany a travel plan for your appetite
As a vegetarian, you know I didn't write this German sausage tour. Here's a guest article by Celine Roque:
While most people travel to experience different sights and sounds, culinary fanatics tend to give special importance to the unique tastes offered by various countries. Germanys fascinating cuisine makes it no exception to travelers led by curious taste buds. Having over 1,500 types of sausages, each city is sure to have at least one specialty. This travel plan will allow you to explore Germanys famed sausage tradition while you go on your planned German sightseeing tour.
While youre on your German tour, your travelling options include local flights, trains, and buses. Germany has a wide range of local flights available, but the train system is equally efficient and expansive. If you wish to take the more affordable route, its best to ride trains throughout your tour. As for the bus system, the availability of the buses depends on the season. Since several private companies own the nationwide buses, transferring buses tend to be confusing.
Stop 1. Its a good way to start your German sausage tour in Berlin. Upon your arrival at the Tegel Airport, you can either take a bus or a taxi to your hotel. Buses going to the city of Berlin are stationed just outside the terminal just be sure to grab a copy of the city transport map at the airports information center. You may also take a cab, which may cost 15 to 20 Euro. German cab drivers often expect to be tipped, and its polite to give them around 10% of the fare.
Berlins most popular sausage is the currywurst. Currywurst is a pork sausage served with a special curry-tomato (or curry and catsup) sauce. This type of sausage is considered fast food and is available in most sausage stalls. While you can canvass for stalls to buy currywurst from, its best to get it from the people who have been making it for 70 years the Konopke Imbiss. Its a small take-away restaurant at the U-Bahnhof Eberswalder Strasse. The best part about the Imbiss is that it is open late at night, which makes it easy to visit if your flight arrives in the evening and youre ready to embark on your sausage tour. Most people say that currywurst is best served with fries and beer, and since Germany also produces top-quality beer, that makes for a delicious combination. Many people, including celebrities like Madonna and political figures like President George W. Bush, dont leave Berlin without trying their famous currywurst.
Stop 2. Take a train to Erfurt in Thuringen. Here you will find the Thuringian Bratwurst, a sausage wrapped in the thin lining of pork bowels. The bratwurst is roasted, and often bought from stalls. The best place to buy the bratwurst is on the Domplatz at the Cathedral Square, although you may get it from restaurants as well. The color of the bratwurst ranges from red to gray. It is best served with sauerkraut or vegetable soup. Thuringen is also famous for its cakes and pastries, so be sure to try one for dessert. One of their popular cakes, the Matschekuchen, is served with fruits and nuts.
Stop 3. Frankfurt-am-main is the hometown of the famous frankfurter pork sausage. Also known as the Frankfurter Wrstchen, this is said to be the origin of the common American hotdog (although there is a distinct difference in taste). Served with bread and mustard, it tastes best when accompanied by Apfelwein (a hard apple cider also known as ebbelwoi). The best Apfelwein comes from taverns in Sachsenhausen. It wouldnt be hard to find Apfelwein, since its popularity in Frankfurt-am-main surpasses even wine or beer. If you are a fan of German literature, feel free to visit the Goethehaus where Germans literary giant was born. It was said that he completed some of his greatest work in this old manor. To complete your Goethe experience, you may want to try eggs in Hessian green sauce. This is said to be Goethes favorite food. The Hessian green sauce is the most popular sauce in the Frankfurt-am-main and Hessen area, which makes it easy to find.
Stop 4. Its a short trip from Frankfurt-am-main to Rheinland, Rheinlands main sausage is the famous Blood Sausage or Blutwurst. The blutwurst could very well be the first sausage mentioned in history since the process of making it was mentioned in Homers epic poem, The Odyssey. Commonly, the blutwurst is made from congealed pig or cows blood, as well as meat and fat for filler. However, the town of Eschweiler in Rheinland offers traditional fried blutwurst made out of horsemeat. Another horsemeat specialty in Eschweiler is sauerbraten, which contains sweetening agents like juniper cloves or apple syrup.
This concludes the first half of a sausage tradition tour of Germany.
Angkor Watt (general research and tour itinerary)
I've been doing some preliminary research for a trip to Angkor Watt in Cambodia. The one warning that everyone gives is to stick to the paths because the area is heavily mined. I think it was Lonely Planet that said to releive yourself on the road instead of stepping off the road and into who knows what.
Another intersting thing is that you should bring passport photos because the visitor pass you need yo purchase will be a picture ID. Also tourists are supposed to have guides. Some sources say this is not enforced but that guides are good to have anyway since the temples are so spread out.
I did a search for tours; some backpackers hire teenagers to drive them around on scooters, but I'm not sure that's my thing. Naturally the tours are a bit pricey, although one company (I'm guessing Cambodian) seems to have reasonable rates. For example, this tour seems reasonable at 327.00 with standard accommodations up to 724.00 for deluxe accommodations (based on 2 people):
Day 1: Arrival Siem Reap (B-X-X)
Arrival Siem Reap International Airport, welcome by warm our guide and vehicle private and transfer to check-in hotel, in the morning start to visit Angkor Thom: the center of Bayon with 200faces, Baphoun, Terrace of Leper King, Phimeanakas, and Terrace of Elephant, then visit the famous of the Angkor Watt and climb up to admire the sunset tour at the Phnom Bakheng. Overnight hotel.Day 2: Siem Reap. (B-X-X)
In the morning, with guide professional and vehicle private to visit the Angkor-ian (9 century) of the group Rolous: Prasat Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei, come back to town, afternoon, visit small circuit: Takeo, Ta phrom, Chao saytevida, Thommanon, Banteay Kdei, etc, overnight hotel.Day 3: Siem Reap - Banteay Srey - Kbal Spean. (B-X-X)
Excursion with guide and air-con vehicle private 30km from siem Reap, visit Banteay Srei " Citadel of women ", dating back to the 10th century, built of pink granite and dedicated to Shiva. Continue to visit Kobal Spean " the river of one thousand lingas" and come back to visit to Banteay Samr temple and Prasat Kravan, overnight hotel.Day 4: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap / Prek Toal (B-X-X)
Excursion with guide and air-con vehicle private to visit on the Tonle Sap Lake and discover floating village and fish-men (village Vietnamese) and floating village at the Prek Toal (October - February), change the boat around 2hours to visit in the Tonle Sap and visit Ibises, cormorants, pelicans and adjuncts "from January to June" and return to visit Siem Reap market and visit Bo pagoda,Day 5: Siem Reap - Boeung Mealea - Phnom Kullen. (B-X-X)
Excursion to the Phnom Kullen (distance 40km from Siem Reap town) is every important of sacrifice for Cambodian people that situation on the top of the mountain, then continue to visit Beoung Mealea is the temple that surrounding by the forest and also very important as such as Angkor Watt,. Overnight hotel.Day 6: Siem Reap - departure (B-X-X)
In the morning visit handicraft and then transfer to International Airport Siem Reap before 2hours the plan departure.
May 18, 2005
Brazil Travel Plan Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon
A guest article from Celine Roque
It is well known that Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon forest are two of the most ideal vacation spots in Brazil. Here is a travel plan for tourists who are attracted to the wonders of Brazils culture, forests, music, and beaches.
Day 1-2
Arrival at the Rio de Janeiro-Galeo airport, which is also known as the Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. If you arrive early in the day, you can explore Rios beaches after you check in to your hotel. The best beaches in Rio are the famous Copacabana and the Ipanema. Admission is free for both beaches. If you are into surfing, its best to bring your board or rent one during your day at the beach. Nights in Rio are best spent in bars, especially those which have live jazz performers. There are several bars and restaurants next to the beaches, so you wont have to go far in order to enjoy Rios food and music. You also have the option to spend an extra day of relaxation by spending two days at the beach.
There is also an annual party known as the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, which takes place on the Friday before Ash Wednesday. This get-together has parades, colorful costumes, and a lot of samba. If you are interested in the Rio Carnival, you can schedule your visit to coincide with it. Expect the city to crowded with tourists.
Day 3
Take a bus or taxi to Corcovado Mountain. When you get there, you can ride a cog that goes through the Tijuca Forest, which is the largest urban forest in the globe. This ride will take you to the top of the Corcovado, where you will see the grand statue of Christ the Redeemer. Its best to bring a camera so that you can take pictures of Tijuca, the statue, and the view from the Corcovado summit. The afternoon can be spent in the Museum of Modern Art in Aterro do Flamengo. This museum houses more than 4,000 art pieces. The National Historic Museum is also worth noting, because it will allow you to familiarize yourself with Brazils rich history. Both museums have gift shops where you can purchase souvenirs.
Day 4
Switching from the calm waters of Rio de Janeiro to the wild currents of the Amazon River will surely make your stay in Brazil memorable. From Rio de Janeiro, take a flight to Manaus, where you will start your adventures in the Amazon Rainforest. Check into your hotel, and if time allows for it, you may also take a small tour of the city of Manaus. Notable sights include the Manaus Theater and Opera House, as well as the docks and municipal port market.
Day 5-7
The perfect way to tour the Amazon with a guide is by going through the services of the Amazonat Jungle Lodge. It is an eco lodge that allows tourists to explore the forest and rivers of the Amazon whether individually or by joining a tour group. Exploring the river should not be a problem, since there are several Amazon River cruises available. It is best to choose one that goes through the delta where the Rio Negro meets the Rio Solimones. Dolphin-spotting is also a common activity for tourists in the Amazon. It would also be ideal to stop by at least one of the many villages near the Amazon River.
Full-day forest trips and jungle treks are available for those who are wild at heart. Some tours even allow time for fishing piranha and catfish. Several guides are also available to teach you forest survival tips.
May 15, 2005
Central Portugal Travel Plan
This report starts off in Lisbon, including nightlife Bairro Alto and cafe life in The Chiado. Theres also the Oceanario (an oceanarium).
Then from Lisbon, travel to the World Heritage city of Evora. Then on to forest of Bucaco and the city of Coimbra.
The next stop is Figueira da Foz and a very big beach. According to the article it took 15 minutes to walk from the seafront to the water's edge and they even had kiosks halfway along for those gasping for drink or more suntan lotion.
Finally, visit the seaside resort of Estoril, which is classy and has a lovely beach.
May 11, 2005
Nepal and Tibet Travel Plan
Here is a travel plan for those who are interested in exploring the wonders of Nepal and Tibet, whether it is for their culture or their mountains.
Day 1-2 in Nepal
Arrival at the Kathmandu International Airport. It's best to spend your first night trying to get acquainted with local people and cuisine. You can reach most temples via bus or cab. However, if you plan to take a cab, it is advisable to hire one for the day - especially if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing. Visit the Pashupati Temple that pays homage to Shiva, as well as the Changu Narayan Temple that pays homage to Vishnu. Visiting these two temples will easily acquaint you with Buddhism.
Day 3 in Nepal
You can travel to Lumbini by bus, car, or air. Lumbini is the birthplace of Siddharta Gautama, who grew up to be the enlightened Buddha. Several monuments related to the Buddha are well preserved, including images of his family. The Maya Devi Temple is said to be the place where the Buddha was born, and it was therefore named after his mother. The Kapilvastu Museum is also very interesting, since it contains ruins of the old kingdom where the Buddha was growing up as Prince Siddharta.
Flying from Kathmandu to the Gongga Airport in Tibet will allow you to catch a bird's eye view of the Himalayan Mountains. The view is breathtakingly beautiful and this provides a suitable transition for tourists travelling between the two countries.
Usually, two or three days are enough for tourists to explore the wonders of Tibet. Those who are interested in trekking the Tibetan Himalayas opt for a longer stay.
Day 1-2 in Tibet
Upon arriving at the Gongga Airport, you may take a bus or cab to Lhasa City. One or two days is enough to explore its many temples and palaces. The most important monument for tourists is the Potala Palace, which is probably the grandest palace in all of Tibet. This palace has been the home of the Dalai Lamas since the seventeenth century. Both its beauty and history make it popular with foreigners, whether they are spiritual or not.
The Drepung and Sera Monasteries also attract tourists because of their historical and cultural significance. Both monasteries provide education for the young monks, as well as maintained as museums for religious artifacts. Statues and murals are some of the highlights, as well as scrolls and scriptures written with gold ink in the Tibetan script.
Day 3 in Tibet
Take a bus to Shigatse, which is the second largest city in Tibet. This city also serves as the seat for the Panchen Lama, whose influence in Tibetan Buddhism is second only to the Dalai Lama. Other than the Tashilhunpo Monastery and the other smaller monasteries in Shigatse, the snow-capped mountains serve as an important highlight to this city. There are several high peaks are around Shigatse, including Mount Everest. If you wish to spend some time hiking, there are several local guides available in Shigatse.
April 30, 2005
Northern France travel plan
Here's another interesting article by Mark Hart. This is a travel guide for a 14 day vacation to Northern France, a car was hired to travel between destinations.
Day 1.
Arrive in Calais via Ferry at the Port de Calais. Calais is situated on the Northern Coast, bordering Belgium. Calais has an 'English' feel to it and being English myself I didnt really feel like I was in a different country here. We arrived on a Saturday so spent the afternoon looking around a local market, Place d'Armes.
Day 2-3.
Drove South along the Belgium border to Strasbourg - some of the countryside you drive through is so beautiful, rolling green meadows and quaint little farmhouses were in plentiful supply. The journey took almost half the day so the evening was spent sampling the French
nightlife. There was much enjoyment as we hit the bars in the center of Strasbourg. There were also many restaurants, including La Maison Kammerzell, which overlooks a beautiful Cathedral, this is where I first sampled one of the local dishes, frogs legs - suprisingly they do actually taste like chicken! The next day we spent exploring the city, visiting local attractions, such as Rohan Palace and the pituresque Petite France Quarter.
Day 4.
Headed west to Troyes and the surrounding region. Troyes is a lively city trying to
rejuvenate itself to former glories. It does have a large student population so there is a 'young' vibe about the place. Venture a few miles outside of Troyes and you are into France's rural heartland. There are vineyards a plenty here, with much wine tasting to be done. The area also has beautiful landscapes which inspired many famous painters.
Day 5-8
Traveled North West to the capital of France, Paris. We spent 4 days here to have a little break from driving and to take in as much of Paris as we can. Paris is a huge, beautiful city, with many places to see and things to do. Points of interest that must be seen are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Panthon, Arc de Triomphe, Place des Vosges, Place St-Sulpice and not forgetting EuroDisney Paris!! All these will provide you with many photo opportunities and many happy memories.
Day 9-10
We headed southwest on the longest journey of the trip to the coastal town of La Rochelle.This is a beautiful town overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There is a beautiful harbour that has amazing views of the sea and the local landscape. I highly recommend going on the Horse-drawn tour - cant think of a better way to see the beauty of this town.
Day 11
A short drive north took us to the city of Nantes. Nantes is a fascinating city which mixes high-tech industry and modern tower blocks with Art Nouveau squares, canals and a lively medieval centre. Some of the best medieval buildings are situated in the Place du Change and Place St-Croix where you'll find chic bars and restaurants.
Day 12
Continued North to Brest. This is another coastal city where you will be able to find many watersport activities, such as windsurfing, kayaking, diving and a first-class sailing club. Brest also hosts the French Naval fleet and the port was full of warships and vessels. Brest acts as a good base for discovering the nearby pretty villages of Le Conquet and the offshore islands of Ile d'Ouessant.
Day 13
Drove East to the city of Boulonge, stopping at the famous Omaha beach on the way. Boulogne is Frances most important fishing port, and is also home to the largest sea life center in Europe, Nausica. If you like climbing up towers to get a fine view of a town, then try the 12th Century Beffroi, amazing views!
Day 14
Headed South once more to Paris, this time to take in a soccer match in the impressive Stade Francais, home of PSG. This ended a wonderful trip to France, that was enjoyed by the whole family, and a trip to the South of the country was planned for the next year.
April 28, 2005
Corfu and Albania travel plan
This is a week long travel guide to the Greek Island of Corfu and a short stop in nearby country Albania written by Mark Hart.
Day 1.
Arrive at Corfu airport on the outskirts of the Capital of the Island - Corfu Town (Kerkira). Before departing for our hotel in the Nothern town of Sidari we spent the afternoon chilling in the small narrow market streets of the Town. First thing we notice is how cheap everything is and how friendly the locals are.
Day 2.
Spend the day in Sidari. This is the town where we are staying and is surrounded by some excellent beaches. There are also lots of nice coastal walks you can do to see some absolutely amazing views. There are plenty of restaurants which provide live entertainment, Two worth visiting are 'The Three Pigs' and 'Sea Garden' - both had fantastic 'Greek' Nights well worth going to because we got a taste of the local culture.
Day 3.
There are organised trips from Sidari to Neighbouring country, Albania. A short trip on a boat saw is docking in Saranda. From here we went on a small trip to Butrint, and you really get a taste of life in Albania. The country has come through a very difficult period and only since 1990 has it been 'open' to tourists - it is now working hard to make a stable economy and improve its standard of living and has taken huge leaps forward.
Day 4
We hired a car and drove down to Corfu Town again as there was too much to see on Day 1. The town has been influenced by so many different countries and cultures and you can see the varying style of architecture as you move throughout the town. It has one main beach which was fairly busy but nice. There is also a beautiful dock area where you can just sit and watch the world go by.
Day 5.
Day 5 saw us driving down to Kavos - on the south coast of the island (you can drive the length of the island in just over an hour). Kavos is the 'party' town on the island and is full of younger holiday makers. Worth a visit if you are looking for a lively nightlife although the beaches are not as nice as elsewhere on the island.
Day 6.
We drove up to the area on the North-West of the island - known as 'Bella Vista' or 'Beautiful View'. And it really is a beautiful view. There is restaurant right at the top of the mountain with a balcony looking over the cliffs and sea and it truly is breathtaking. You simply cannot go to Corfu without seeing this view.
Day 7.
We ended the vacation by going on the Grand Island Tour. This was a coach trip around the island taking in all the local scenery and monuments, including mouse island and a tour round a very old monastery - it made for a very interesting day and was the perfect way to say Goodbye to the island.
April 26, 2005
Travel Guide to the Netherlands
Here's another guest article by Mark Hart. I hope you enjoy it.
Here is a travel guide from a 14 day family vacation to the Netherlands from a few years ago. Train, trams and cycles were mostly used for travel between destinations.
Day 1-3
Arrive in Amsterdam Airport Shiphol, proceed to hotel in the center of the Capital City, Amsterdam. Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and romantic Cities in Europe, it is a city of great diversity, has all the advantages of a big city: culture, history, entertainment, good transport - but is relatively small, quiet, and largely thanks to its canals, has a little road traffic. A must is to hire some bikes and travel round the city like the locals!
Day 4
Travel North to the City of Groningen, the largest 'Northern' City in the Netherlands. Groningen is a very pleasant city, with lots of bars and restaurants in the city center to satisfy anyones taste. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, Groningen is an excellent place to relax and unwind. Its also packed full of museums so you can take in a bit of the local history and culture while there.
Day 5-6
Head South to De Hoge Velue for a weekend of camping and cycling. De Hoge Velue is a spectacular place filled with forests, meadows, sand dunes and much more, including a museum packed with Van Gogh's work.The park has surprises and attractions around every corner, and is well worth the time to visit.
Day 7
Continue South to the City of Eindhoven. Eindhoven is a developing city packed full of things to do, and the guided tour is a must as it takes you around all the points of interest plus the beautiful surrounding area.
Day 8
Carry on South to the border of Germany/Belgium and the City of Maastricht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Packed full of old narrow cobbled streets and interesting architecture, you really feel a sense of history as you walk around the city. There is a wide variety of restaurants from Dutch, to French, to Indian and Irish so whatever takes your fancy you can get here.
Day 9
Back up North to the city of Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands. Utrecht is a very cosmopolitan city with lots of street cafes, its great fun relaxing with the locals in the cafes and just taking in the pleasant atmosphere that surrounds the city. Utrecht also has a sparkling nightlife. For those who like to go out, there are many cafs, discos and clubs.
Day 10-12
A short drive West brings us to Rotterdam. Three days are needed here as there is lots to see and do. Highly recommended is the Diergaarde Blijdorp, the extensive zoo that includes the impressive Oceanium, where visitors can walk through the huge shark tunnel surrounded by sharks and giant tortoise. There is also a beautiful Harbor that should not be missed. While here why not visit the Holland Casino for a night of high stakes fun. Again while here I suggest going on a city tour as it is the only way you are guaranteed not to miss any part of
this wonderful city.
Day 13
A further short drive will bring you to The Hague. The Hague is a beautiful city behind the dunes and is today still known as 'the largest village of Europe' It is full of History and Royalty, so this is the place to get a taste of all things Monarchy.
Day 14
Back to Amsterdam for a farewell to this wonderfull country. A trip on the famous canals and a look around the Artis Zoo is the perfect way to end what has been a fascinating vacation.
April 25, 2005
Travel Guide to 'The Capitol States'
This is a travel plan for a 14 day vacation to 'the Capitol States' in the US. With the help of my local travel agent this is what we came up with. A car will be hired to drive between each location. We will be travelling with someone studying American History, hence the educational theme for this vacation.
Day 1-3
Arrive in the historic City of Washington D.C. You will need at least 3 days to take in as much as possible, places to visit include The Lincoln Memorial, The White House, The Washington Monument, not to mention all the free museums. Evenings will hopefully be spent in trendy Georgetown - enjoying the many bars and restaurants.
Day 4-5
Drive to Baltimore in nearby Maryland. Again there is plenty to see and do in the City, Places of interest include Fells Point, which is like a 'mini England', Federal Hill for great views of the city and Mount Vernon, the cultural centre of the City. There is also a thriving nightlife in the Canton Area.
Day 6-7
A drive through the beautiful Virginian Country side to Charlottesville in the foothills of the awesome Blue Ridge Mountains. There are many vineyards that surround the city so there is much wine to be sampled!
Day 8-10
Explore the stunning Virginian countryside and the beautiful Shenandoah National Park and Blue Ridge Mountains that surround Roanoke. Walk along woodland trails up to the summit of some of Virginia's most picturesque mountains. There are lots of activities to do if you're feeling sporty: biking, boating, fishing and horse riding for starters! In the evening, enjoy the bars and restaurants of Roanoke's Farmers Market.
Day 11-12
Head off to Richmond. The Richmond Riverfront area has been regenerated which will provide you with much to explore, there are plenty of restaurants and shops, and a canal boat cruise looks tempting. There are more than 600 historic structures to look out for as well as the Black History Museum and Cultural Centre.
Day 13-14
The final destination is the colonial town of Williamsburg along the wonderfully scenic James River route. While here you can visit the famous theme park, Busch Gardens!
This article was written by Mark Hart. He'll be writing a few more articles fo us, so please check back often.
Learn how to pack because Travelling light is a virtue.
April 24, 2005
Portugal travel plan
Here's a guest article titled "Algarve/Lisbon Travel Guide". I found it interesting and you can use the author's personal experiences to plan your own trip to Portugal.
This is the travel plan of a recent seven day, family vacation to Portugal focusing on the Southern coast of the country known as the Algarve and the capital city, Lisbon.
Day 1.
Arrive at Faro Airport in the Southern, coastal City of Faro. We hired a car for the duration of the vacation, there are many places to hire a car in Portugal, although it is recommended to shop around a little as prices can vary. While in Faro we spent the afternoon looking around, there are many monuments and some beautiful beaches in the area which will keep all members of the family entertained, the locals were also very friendly. We then drove a short distance to our hotel and base for the vacation, Albufeira.
Day 2.
This was a 'chill out' day in Albufeira. There is plenty to do here, lots of shops selling anything from designer clothes to local hand made crafts, there is also no shortage of places to eat. What ever takes your fancy you are sure to find a restaurant that suits you. Albufeira also has a fairly lively nightlife so is also a good place to let your hair down.
Day 3.
Arguably the best day of the vacation was the visit to 'Zoo Marine' in nearby town Portimao. We spent the whole day there and is a place that people of all ages can enjoy. While there I highly recommend taking in the dolphin and Sealion shows, they were hugely entertaining - just be prepared to get wet if you sit at the front!
Day 4.
A coach trip to the Capital City of Portugal, Lisbon. Lisbon is a truly awe inspiring city, packed full of history and is a must visit. There is so much to see and do, shops, restaurants, museums and narrow medieval streets are all in abundance - make sure you go on the 'city tour' so you don't miss anything.
Day 5.
A trip to the beautiful Monchique mountains. With breathtaking views it is well worth a drive through, beatiful scenery and excellent mountainside restaurants where you can kick back and relax.
Day 6.
Time to take in what was thought to be the most Western point of civilisation until the dicovery of the Americas, the Town of Sagres. There seems to be sort of a 'mystique' around the town and has some amazing views - there are also excellent beaches in the area.
Day 7.
For the final day we visited the bustling city of Lagos. There are amazing hidden little beaches all up the coast of the Algarve but we found the best one here. We had a secluded beach all to ourselves for the whole morning - fantastic. Spent the afternoon in the lively town center where there is absolutely loads going on - watch out for the street entertainers - very amusing! We then headed back to Faro Airport to depart after a fantastic vacation.
April 19, 2005
Taiwan Travel Plan: Taipei, Chi-lung, Kaohsiung
Fly to Taipei, Taiwan, Collect your luggage, and head out. Take a city bus to your hotel. We stayed at the Hilton Hotel - Ceaser Park. It was about $300.00 A day. But there are some hotels depending where you are in Taipei that go as low as $100.00 a day.
Theres lots to do in Taipei, but the most popular attractions are probably the Buddhist Temples. There are different types of Buddhist temples around Taipei. Its customary to light an incense stick and stick it next to one of your favorite statues. We also saw a Buddhist ceremony, where they all came in to the center of the shrine and they sang.
When you finish sightseeing, get lunch and/or dinner in a buffet style restaurant. The prices are cheap, and the food is good. I dont remember any names but you can ask locals for good cuisine.
Depending on how much time you have, you can leave the city of Taipei and go to Chi-lung (a coastal city very close to Taipei). You can visit another restaurant and eat good seafood cuisine. In Chi-Lung, I dont quite remember the price of the food, but it was very cheap. I am assuming a maximum of $10.00. Thats cheap, seeing as how it is freshly caught from the sea. We ate tuna, clams (you could pick out your own clams), and mussels. They also had lobsters.
They do have some recreational activities at Chi-Lung, but we just stayed near the beach for 3 days soaking sun. We did take some time to visit the locals and shop around. We bought an Asian dress for only $2.00, and in the USA it was $69.00.
If you are not ready to go home, fly to Kaohsiung on the Southern tip of Taiwan. This place is good for tourism. We went to the Spring & Autumn Pavilion that represented the god of war. The scenery is magnificent.
Again, we asked a local for tips on the best restaurant in town (remember to ask several people and not just one). We also took a boat to the Penghu islands, where they had Ancient Temples and beaches. It was elegant, and we had planned to stay there for only a day, but we ended up staying for 3 days because of its beauty.
This guest article was written by an anonymous writer.
April 14, 2005
Italy trvel plan - Milan, Florence, Rome
Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. It is home to modern fashion and contemporary art. It is also a center for exploring ancient history. However, you dont have to be an artist or a history buff to appreciate the warm, inviting country that is Italy.
This travel plan covers three major cities, starting with Milan in the North, then moving down to Florence, and then down to Rome. You could always continue South to Naples (though people who are particularly sensitive to stray dogs may be too distracted to fully enjoy Naples).
This has been a guest article written by Celine B. Roque - I plan to publish more articles by Celine in the future, so please check back often.
1. Once you arrive at the Milan Malpensa Airport, you have the option of riding metered taxis, the Malpensa Express, or bus service to get to the heart of the city. Travel time varies depending on your means of transportation. Milan is best known for its high fashion and technological inclinations. Its a bustling Italian metropolis. But the museums and churches of Milan are also historically significant because they display the works of Michelangelo, Tintoretto, and Da Vinci. In the winter, the ski resorts of Milan become busy, which is no surprise because it is so close to the Italian Alps.
Unless they wish to explore Milan for its art history or go hiking in the mountains, most tourists feel satisfied spending only a day or two in Milan to fulfill their shopping needs.
2. Riding the train is the cheapest, most efficient way to get from Milan to Florence. Touring these two cities consecutively gives you a contrasting perspective while Milan is busy with the latest trends and fashion, Florence remembers history through its architecture and vast art collections. There are also several medieval-themed shops that allow you to get acquainted with old art, weapons, and other artifacts.
If youre a soccer fan, watching the Calcio Storico Soccer Games in June is the perfect event for you. The soccer players wear traditional 16th century costumes during the games, to commemorate the games played in those days. Also, dont forget to see Michelangelos David at the Academy of Fine Arts. The Piazza Michelangelo is the best place in Florence to watch the sunset, and you can enjoy a quiet dinner in any of the Italian trattorias nearby.
Most people enjoy their stay in Florence for 2-3 days, and 4 days if they make a quick detour to Pisa.
3. Whether you arrive in Rome via train or a local flight, your arrival at the city is definitely worth your trouble. There are a lot of sights worth visiting in Rome, from Vatican City, the center of Italys religious life, to the Roman Forum, the center of the ancient Roman Empire. Make sure you drop by the Pantheon, the Coliseum, and the Roman Baths for a real taste of the life in ancient Rome. Dont forget take lots of pictures!
April 11, 2005
Phillipines travel plan - Manila and Palawan
The Philippines is South East Asias hidden secret. With over 1,000 islands to explore, tourists will never run out of places to go. The landscape of the country is quite varied, with tall mountains, hills, and wide-open seas. This travel plan explores the islands in the Philippines best known for their beaches and scuba-diving spots. On the average, airfare from the US to the Philippines costs around $700-$1000. Hotel rates vary, depending on location.
1. Upon your arrival in Manila, check into a hotel preferably one close to the Manila Bay, so you can enjoy the beautiful sunset it is famous for. Along Manila Bay is Roxas Boulevard, where you can enjoy several restaurants and coffee shops as you watch the sunset. There are several tourist spots in Manila that allow you to familiarize yourself with Philippine history and culture. Among them are the walled city of Intramuros, the San Agustin Church and Museum, and The National Museum. If you want to view a collection of dioramas reenacting important periods in Philippine history, then The Ayala Museum in Makati City, a few miles away from Manila, is a good place to go.
2. A day or two is enough to explore the beauty of Manila. To explore the beautiful Philippine beaches, take a local flight to the province of Palawan. Palawan is famous for its white sand, five-star resorts, and pristine waters. The areas you should not miss are Puerto Princesa (the provincial capital) and El Nido, the home of several untouched and isolated islands with white sand beaches. It is ideal for tourists to spend 2-4 days in Palawan.
Alternate Route:
If youre willing to pay some extra money, you can charter a private plane from Manila to the Palawan island of Amanpulo the most expensive resort in the Philippines. The charter plane costs around $300 per adult passenger and half-price for children.
Amanpulo has its own private museums and galleries. Its paradise-like beauty was enjoyed by celebrities like Robert De Niro, Tom Cruise, and Claire Danes. Amanpulo wins several awards every year, such as The Gallivanters Guide #1 Best Beach Resort Worldwide. A little pricey for most people, but its very much worth it. Three days is enough for tourists to immerse themselves in Amanpulos paradise, but if you wish to stay longer and can afford it, you can be sure that the time and money is well worth it.
This has been a guest article written by Celine B. Roque - I plan to publish more articles by Celine in the future, so please check back often.
March 24, 2005
Norway travel plans
The official Norway tourism site has some good information on Norway travel plans. Unlike most official sites, this one takes on advertisers so there are links to commercail tour companies that are not exactly unbiased. Anyway it's a good place to read about travel plans in Norway. One of them was (some names may no display correctly depending on the fonts in your computer):
Top of the FjordsAlmost a week is required because here are sights galore! Historic Bergen. Narrow and winding roads to the Sognefjord, yet full of vistas. The old stone bridge north of Vadheim. Lake Jlster - try the local road south of the lake via the painter Astrup's home and make a detour to Fjrland. Vtedal framed by mountains.
Across the mountains to Nordfjord - remarkable views on both sides to Olden where the excursion to the Briksdalbreen glaciers, a branch of the Jostedalsbreen icefield, is a must. Past Europe's deepest lake, Hornindalsvatn, to Hellesylt with its magnificent waterfall and on the Geirangerfjord to Geiranger. Serpentine roads take you to the top of 1500 m high Mount Dalsnibba before you continue along the turbulent Otta river to Lom with its stave church and mountain museum.The Sognefjell Road through Jotunheimen climbing to 1440 m.a.s.l. Majestic Sognefjord and the Vikafjell Road to Voss with medieval church and ancient Mlstertun farmyard. Finally through the Bergsdalen Valley on a narrow, winding scenic road, followed by a motorway along the Srfjorden to Bergen.
On this tour, you travel through two national parks: Jostedalsbreen and Jotunheimen.
March 3, 2005
A weird around the world trip
This is a strange travel plan, but this is a travel plan web site so I should mention it. Laura Bly's around the world in 8 days travel plan seems a bit hectic for my tatses but she did it. Here's a preview:
Inspired by next month's 100th anniversary of Jules Verne's death, I leave at 6 a.m. Monday for a condensed, 21st century version of the travelholic classic Around the World in 80 Days. I'll be doing it in eight: Eight destinations in eight time zones, traveling through 24. A total of 19,393 air miles, 354 car miles and 213 train miles. A scheduled time of 44.7 hours on airplanes … in coach.For saner travel plans, visit my travel plans section and scroll down until you find something interesting.I'm determined my trip be more than a jetlagged blur of stale air, sore backs and long waits in soul-sucking airport lounges. Whether it's a pretzel with mustard and glimpse of The Gates in New York's Central Park, a camel ride near the Sphinx in Giza or a full-moon tour of the Taj Mahal in Agra (a nine- or 10-hour, roundtrip car ride from the New Delhi airport, much of it in the middle of the night), my goal is to capture a quintessential experience at each stopover - no matter how shallow or short.
February 28, 2005
Travel Plan Japan
Simon Calder from The Independent tells of his experiences on a travel plan in Japan. The plan seems to be Tokyo - Hakodate (on the island of Hokkaido) - Sapporo - Fuji-Yoshida* - Kobe - Kyoto in 7 days. The author claims it was stress free thanks to Japanese hospitality and bullet trains, but that seems too fast for me.
A practical tip from the author is to get a 7 day Japan Rail Pass while my own tip would be to read my flying section for reviews of JAL - my wife and I usually like flying with them and the prices are usually reasonable.
* The author didn't get much of a view from Fuji mountain, but a friend of mine said she saw the most beautiful sunrise imaginable from the peak (though reaching the peak for sunrise means hiking up the mountain in the dark. Dress warm and bring lights.
February 23, 2005
New Zealand travel plan generator
New Zealand.com has an interesting driving route generator. You select where you would like to go: All New Zealand, North Island, or South Island. Then how long your holiday is: 3-7 days, 8-13 days, or 14+ days.
A search for South Island and 8-13 days turned up two nice travel plans:
Christchurch – Fiordland – Christchurch (9 Days)
Start Christchurch / Finish Christchurch
Embark on a nine day journey that will fill your memory with mountain scenery and unusual eco experiences. Includes: Ashburton, Catlins , Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Lake Tekapo, Milford Sound, Mt Cook, Oamaru, Omarama, Queenstown, Stewart Island, Te Anau, Timaru, and Twizel.
Christchurch - Milford Sound - Christchurch (12 Days)
Start Christchurch / Finish Christchurch
Circle the South Island, beginning and ending in Christchurch. In twelve days you’ll gain a lifetime of amazing memories. Includes: Ashburton, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier, Greymouth, Haast, Hokitika, Kaikoura, Milford Sound, Nelson, Oamaru, Punakaiki, Queenstown, Te Anau, Timaru, Wanaka, and Westport.
February 5, 2005
European travel plan - Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary
I've been dying to get back to Europe ever since I left Italy. Here's a possible European vacation. Covering 6 cities in semi-Eastern Europe, I would like to find time to spend more time in each, but I've posted my personal minmums here. Travel between cities would be by train as they are rather close.
Three days in Krakow in Poland. Be sure to read the walking tours.
Two days in Wroclaw, which looks so beatiful in pictures.
Four days in Prague. The people I know who have been there call it the most beautiful city in Europe.
Three days in Vienna. I remember seeing some movie about an American man and French woman in Vienna and the setting was so much better than the movie...
Two days in Bratislava. For some reason all the web sites about Bratislava seem to be down at the moment so I can't check any of them.
Two days Budapest. I'm scared to schedule a long term stay here because I hear the pollution is bad. I suppose it would be no worse than Bangcock (I was OK there), but you never know until you get there.
Flights for this one might be tricky. Major cities like London and New York will have direct flights to Krakow. Others might have to fly into Warsaw which has gotten bad reviews from friends who have been there.
You might try reversing it and flying into Budapest or I suppose you could start anywhere in the chain - Prague - Vienna - Bratislava - Budapest - Krakow - Wroclaw would be fine. The train ride from Budapest to Krakow seems like it would be the longest so keep that in mind.
November 21, 2004
Singapore-Malaysia travel plan
A travel plan in progrees for next summer, one that should be good for my in-laws, my parents, my wife, and me.
1. Fly to Singapore. Check into the hotel. If it's early visit some of the cool temples. Get some dinner. Go to the Singapore Zoo night safari.
2. Take the bus to Kuala Lumpur. Sure there's lots more to do in Singapre, see an alternate beginning to the Singapre-Malysia travel plan below. Check into the hotel. Get some dinner.
3. Go to the Petronas Towers to get your free tickets. They will be for some time later in the day. Depending on how much time you have, this would be a good opportunity to visit a mosque or a museum and maybe get lunch. Go to the Petronas Towers. Go to one of the open markets. If you're buying fake Luis Vitton and Rolex, haggle. If you're tough you can get them down to nearly half price, although we never did get them to knock off 50% my wife had fun trying. Get some dinner. See a show (maybe a traditional dance). On the way back to the hotel you might want to get a coconut. They'll chop it open, pour the juice into a big plastic bag, shave some coconut into the bag, stick a straw in, and tie it up. It looks funny and I didn't like the taste, but at least I tried something new.
4. The next day you should go to the Gardens. There's a bird park which is expensive but good and a petting farm with some very fat deer. Walking around the gardens is relaxing if you're not too hot. You should finish well before 5:00 and have time to go to some more museums and mosques. Then you can go to the old train station which is very cool looking. You can also walk around the colonial district of downtown Kuala Lumpur.
5. Go to Langkawi. I've never been there but it should be better than Penang. Relax on the beach for a few days.
6. Go home.
Alternate:
1a: 1. Fly to Singapore. Check into the hotel. If its early, check out some of the cool temples. Get some dinner. Go shopping.
1b (day 2): On your second day in Singapore, go to the Singapore Zoo. Then go to the Singapore Zoo night safari. You can get a discounted ticket by going to both in the same day as long as you pay all at once.
1c (day 3): Go to Sentosa Island. The cable care ride is pretty good. Hit the beach, take the monorail, do NOT miss the aquarium (one of those tunnels where the fish are above you and on each side). Having lunch outside the acquarium can be exciting, not because the food is good, but because the Peacocks are pretty aggressive about getting some of your food. I could ahve passed on the Dolphin show, but it was pretty good. Just remember you'll be sitting in the sun and there's basically no shade anywhere.
2+. Same as above.
April 11, 2004
Vacation idea for Itlay
Sorry I haven't been posting much recently. I've been too busy with work to think about vacation!
But, here's a plan I came up with a while ago after my first trip to Italy. My wife and I went to Italy for our honeymoon and spent a month in Rome, a month in Assissi, and got to Perugia, Florence, Venice, Naples, and Capri.
Anyway I was thinking for next time either go to Sardignia for a month and study Italian and the cool ruins that are supposed to be there or:
4 days Rome, 1 day Pisa, 4 days Florence, 1 day Bologna, 1 day Modena, 3 days Milan, 3 days Venice, 1 day Rome (I hate rushing for flights) for a total of 18 days in Italy. Just beware the summer crowds (I went in September/November 2001 and it was crowded...)
March 1, 2004
Itinerary for a second visit to Korea
My wife and I recently finished showing my parents around Korea. My parents arrived Feb. 20 and left March 1. Our schedule was something like this:
2/20 - My parents arrived in the evening. We took them to our place and made them dinnner. Then we taught them how to play Go-Stop, a Korean card game.
2/21 - We went to Coex mall and Coex aquarium.
2/22 - We visited a vet in Pucheon who works for an animal rescue association, played with the stray dogs being taken care of, and went to Hyundai department store for some shopping.
2/23 - We flew to Cheju island, got settled into our room (the very mediocre Han Hwa resort), and had a pretty bad, overpriced meal in the hotel restaurant.
2/24 - We went to Sogwipo to visit Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, Wedolgae (a cliff with some intersting rock formations), the botanical gardens, and the Teddy Beear Museum, and then downtown for dinner and shopping.
2/25 - We went to Daepo Seashore (very cool uneven lava tubes), Jeju folk village, Michun cave (very disappointing), Sangumburi Crater, and Cheju city for dinner and shopping.
2/26 - We went to Oodo, an island with a black sand beach and a coral beach. Then we returned to Cheju to go to the very different shell museum. Then we flew to Chinju and had dinner.
2/27 and 2/28 - My parents have already done most of the tourist attractions in Chinju so we spent some time shopping in our favorite glasses store and playing Go-Stop.
2/29 - Back in Seoul we went to Duksoo Palace, Namdaemun market, and Seoul Tower (where we had a great view but some terrible food in one of the revolving restaurants).
3/1 - We dropped my parents off at the airport, came home, and took a nap.
January 7, 2004
2 travel plans: Australia vs. Thailand, Malaysia, + Singapore
My wife and I recently planned our february vacation. We had two main choices: Fly to Sydney and return from Melbourne (spending around 4 nights in each city with a train or bus ride between) OR Fly to Bangcock, from Bangcock to Kuala Lumpur, and home from Singapore (we'll have to take a train from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore).
Flights and hotels for each came to about $1,700 or since we live in Korea, 2,000,000 Korean won. We'll have to spend more on sight seeing and eating and we'll be paying the credit card bills for a while...
Anyway we decided to do the Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore vacation so here's the plan:
Fly to Bangcock.
2 nights in Bangcock. On the third day take a bus to Hua Hin (a friend said the train ride was really boring).
2 nights in Hua Hin. On the third day return to Bangcock.
1 night in Bangcock. Then fly to Kuala Lumpur.
3 nights in Kuala Lumpur. On the fourth day take a train to Singapore.
2 nights in Singapore. On the third day fly back to Seoul.
I'll let you know how it turns out!