Staycation – Taking a Holiday at Home!
July 31, 2009
Why would you want to holiday at home? We’re all into travel and adventure! But with the world economy the way it’s been lately, you might find that your budget just won’t take a big international trip. In the U.S., the press has even come up with a new word for this – “staycation” instead of overseas holiday.
You still need a break from work, so you can find fun and adventure close to home. Plan something a little less ambitious this year and save money to get back out into the world next year.
I don’t know about you, but there really are quite a few fun things to do close to where we live; we just don’t take the time to do them. At the same time, when we visit friends in other states or countries, we find that they take us to fun and interesting spots, but they say they never go because it’s so close to home.
So why not play tourist in your own backyard – holiday at home when your budget needs a little rest.
When we travel, we love to try foods that are new and different to us. Now think about it – there probably is a Vietnamese restaurant, or an Indian restaurant or a Mexican restaurant close to where you live. Have you ever been there?
How about French, Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Greek, Indonesian, the list goes on and on doesn’t it? Pick one and go try the food. A culinary holiday at home this year might have you planning a trip next year to a destination you hadn’t considered before.
If you have a large ethnic group living in your area, do they have festivals or celebrations carrying on traditions from home? Go to a Chinese New Year’s Parade or a Tet celebration. Is there a Greek festival with dancing? A Japanese Obon Festival? Scottish Games?
Are there historic sites near where you live that you just take for granted? Are there significant buildings you’ve never been in? If you live in Sydney, have you ever toured The Rocks or have you always said, “Oh, that’s just for tourists.” If you live in Melbourne, when last did you visit the National Gallery of Victoria?
Maybe you’ll have to make it a day trip, but there could be something close by that you would not think of missing if you were traveling to your area instead of living there. Holiday at home and see the history and significant sights near where you live.
How about museums you never go to. Is there an old train that gives rides? Little old towns that time forgot? Those are the kinds of places that visiting tourists seek out, the kinds of places YOU look for when you travel. Look for them at home.
Have you ever wanted to play golf in Scotland? Take golf lessons and polish up your golf game. Save the money this year, and by next year, maybe you’ll feel confident enough to try those links courses.
Ever wanted to trek in Nepal? Spend this year hiking in parks close to home then you’ll be in good shape and ready to tackle.
We don’t say to forgo a overseas holiday, but once in a while you might just find that a holiday at home will give you more information and money for travel in the future.
You still need a break from work, so you can find fun and adventure close to home. Plan something a little less ambitious this year and save money to get back out into the world next year.
I don’t know about you, but there really are quite a few fun things to do close to where we live; we just don’t take the time to do them. At the same time, when we visit friends in other states or countries, we find that they take us to fun and interesting spots, but they say they never go because it’s so close to home.
So why not play tourist in your own backyard – holiday at home when your budget needs a little rest.
When we travel, we love to try foods that are new and different to us. Now think about it – there probably is a Vietnamese restaurant, or an Indian restaurant or a Mexican restaurant close to where you live. Have you ever been there?
How about French, Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Greek, Indonesian, the list goes on and on doesn’t it? Pick one and go try the food. A culinary holiday at home this year might have you planning a trip next year to a destination you hadn’t considered before.
If you have a large ethnic group living in your area, do they have festivals or celebrations carrying on traditions from home? Go to a Chinese New Year’s Parade or a Tet celebration. Is there a Greek festival with dancing? A Japanese Obon Festival? Scottish Games?
Are there historic sites near where you live that you just take for granted? Are there significant buildings you’ve never been in? If you live in Sydney, have you ever toured The Rocks or have you always said, “Oh, that’s just for tourists.” If you live in Melbourne, when last did you visit the National Gallery of Victoria?
Maybe you’ll have to make it a day trip, but there could be something close by that you would not think of missing if you were traveling to your area instead of living there. Holiday at home and see the history and significant sights near where you live.
How about museums you never go to. Is there an old train that gives rides? Little old towns that time forgot? Those are the kinds of places that visiting tourists seek out, the kinds of places YOU look for when you travel. Look for them at home.
Have you ever wanted to play golf in Scotland? Take golf lessons and polish up your golf game. Save the money this year, and by next year, maybe you’ll feel confident enough to try those links courses.
Ever wanted to trek in Nepal? Spend this year hiking in parks close to home then you’ll be in good shape and ready to tackle.
We don’t say to forgo a overseas holiday, but once in a while you might just find that a holiday at home will give you more information and money for travel in the future.
A Sure Way To Get Your Qantas Gripes Heard
July 30, 2009
The Australian Frequent Flyer forum provides a unique sounding board for many members to vent their Qantas gripes. Read more
Grand Canyon in more than a 20 minutes!
July 29, 2009
The Grand Canyon is one of those places that you have to see in person. Pictures will never do it justice.
Descriptions will tell you that it is a great chasm carved over millennia, the Colorado River slicing away at the Colorado Plateau. People will tell you that it has awe-inspiring views. Holiday makers will tell you it’s a great place to hike or ride the rapids.
All of that is true but you have to see it! An amazing fact we heard from a ranger once is that a typical stay in the park lasts five to seven hours, and most visitors stay at the rim of the Grand Canyon for less than an hour. We’ve even heard less than 20 minutes! How can anyone do that?
I guess maybe many of those short term visitors take day trips from Las Vegas, maybe even have a stop at the Skywalk on the way. You can do that and say you’ve seen the Grand Canyon, but to really see it you need to savor it, take your time.
Sit and watch the way colors change from reds to purples during different times of the day. Watch the clouds cast ever changing shadows on the plateaus and pinnacles.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited area and the most accessible. It is open 365 days a year. It’s the South Rim that we will talk about here. Services and accommodations are available year round. Visitor services are only available on the North Rim from mid-May to mid-October.
Stay at one of the lodges in the National Park if you can. There are several to choose from, and they range from the historic El Tovar on the rim to more modern motel-like lodges. The rustic Bright Angel Lodge is also only a few feet from the rim.
You can easily walk around all day to explore and catch the free shuttles to different overlooks when you want to change the view. There are campgrounds available on the south rim.
Hike into the canyon. You can hike part way down the Bright Angel Trail for the day. An alternative is to hike part way down the South Kaibab Trail. Markers along the side of the trail tell you how many millions of years old the rocks around you are! Even a day hike below the rim is awe inspiring.
Reservations for wilderness permits are required for overnight camping stays inside the canyon. There are campgrounds available on the floor of the canyon with that reservation and back country permit. Permits are popular and should be applied for well in advance, though a small number of permits may be available once you arrive.
The Park Service says that persons arriving without permits may put their names on a waiting list for cancellations. You must pack your food in. There is some food available on the canyon floor at Phantom Ranch.
There are also overnight mule trips into the Canyon with stays at the Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging facility below the canyon rim, and it is run by the National Park Service. There are dormitory type rooms and rustic cabins. Food is also available at the canteen.
So go see the Grand Canyon in person, but spend more than 20 minutes! Spend a night or two and enjoy one of the world’s great natural wonders!
Descriptions will tell you that it is a great chasm carved over millennia, the Colorado River slicing away at the Colorado Plateau. People will tell you that it has awe-inspiring views. Holiday makers will tell you it’s a great place to hike or ride the rapids.
All of that is true but you have to see it! An amazing fact we heard from a ranger once is that a typical stay in the park lasts five to seven hours, and most visitors stay at the rim of the Grand Canyon for less than an hour. We’ve even heard less than 20 minutes! How can anyone do that?
I guess maybe many of those short term visitors take day trips from Las Vegas, maybe even have a stop at the Skywalk on the way. You can do that and say you’ve seen the Grand Canyon, but to really see it you need to savor it, take your time.
Sit and watch the way colors change from reds to purples during different times of the day. Watch the clouds cast ever changing shadows on the plateaus and pinnacles.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most visited area and the most accessible. It is open 365 days a year. It’s the South Rim that we will talk about here. Services and accommodations are available year round. Visitor services are only available on the North Rim from mid-May to mid-October.
Stay at one of the lodges in the National Park if you can. There are several to choose from, and they range from the historic El Tovar on the rim to more modern motel-like lodges. The rustic Bright Angel Lodge is also only a few feet from the rim.
You can easily walk around all day to explore and catch the free shuttles to different overlooks when you want to change the view. There are campgrounds available on the south rim.
Hike into the canyon. You can hike part way down the Bright Angel Trail for the day. An alternative is to hike part way down the South Kaibab Trail. Markers along the side of the trail tell you how many millions of years old the rocks around you are! Even a day hike below the rim is awe inspiring.
Reservations for wilderness permits are required for overnight camping stays inside the canyon. There are campgrounds available on the floor of the canyon with that reservation and back country permit. Permits are popular and should be applied for well in advance, though a small number of permits may be available once you arrive.
The Park Service says that persons arriving without permits may put their names on a waiting list for cancellations. You must pack your food in. There is some food available on the canyon floor at Phantom Ranch.
There are also overnight mule trips into the Canyon with stays at the Phantom Ranch. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging facility below the canyon rim, and it is run by the National Park Service. There are dormitory type rooms and rustic cabins. Food is also available at the canteen.
So go see the Grand Canyon in person, but spend more than 20 minutes! Spend a night or two and enjoy one of the world’s great natural wonders!
Getting Around Paris On Your Own
July 28, 2009
Isn’t it hard navigating Paris on your own? You’ve heard that they won’t speak anything but French, that the waiters are rude, and the shopkeepers are impolite. It’s really not true. Paris is a big city, and its citizens sometimes have that “big city attitude” People are hurried and may seem a bit brusque, but if you remember some of the simple rules of travel, you’ll do fine.
First thing you need to remember is to bring your sense of adventure and appreciate the differences. The French are more reserved than most Americans. They may not be as quick to smile at strangers, but with a little effort on your part you’ll find friendly, helpful Parisians.
Second, whenever you open your mouth, attempt to say a few words in French. Saying hello, please and thank you in French will go a long way. They will appreciate it. Try to say it with a French accent, you probably won’t succeed, but this will win you friends too. And they’ll probably ask if you would prefer to speak English.
OK, now that we’ve gotten you past your fear of people problems when navigating Paris, let’s talk about physically getting around.
First thing, be sure to bring good walking shoes. You will be doing lots of walking, with the sights and the atmosphere of Paris, you’ll be looking around thinking, “This is Paris… I’m here!”
But you don’t want to walk aimlessly, so let’s look at the geography of Paris. Many Paris locations are described as being either left-bank‚ or right bank. What does that mean? To get real basic… the River Seine cuts Paris pretty much in half. So the Left Bank is more or less to the south of the River Seine. (Look at a map of Paris, it’s mostly the bottom half.) The Right Bank is to the north of the river. (So, the top half of the map.. right?)
Old Paris hands will tell you, “Oh, I stayed in the 6th Arrondissement.” Or the 16th (a wealthy neighborhood on the Right Bank near the Bois de Boulogne) or the 1st (the center of Paris where the Louvre and Palais Royal are) or whatever.
The arrondissements are the districts that the city is divided into. There are 20 of them. You really don’t need to know them for navigating Paris. You’ll see them on addresses, and they are marked on maps, but you don’t need to know them to get around. Although you might want to find out which arrondissement you decide to stay in, so you can say to your friends, “Oh WE stayed in the 7th!” You would then have stayed near the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d’Orsay.
You’ll want to walk and walk, but to see more of the sights, you can’t walk everywhere. Take the Metro to the next neighborhood and start walking again. You’ll soon know where your landmarks are, and they will help you get your bearings.
You can also use the Paris bus system and taxis to get around or take a leisurely bateau on the Seine to see the sights. However you get around, you’ll soon find that navigating Paris isn’t hard.
First thing you need to remember is to bring your sense of adventure and appreciate the differences. The French are more reserved than most Americans. They may not be as quick to smile at strangers, but with a little effort on your part you’ll find friendly, helpful Parisians.
Second, whenever you open your mouth, attempt to say a few words in French. Saying hello, please and thank you in French will go a long way. They will appreciate it. Try to say it with a French accent, you probably won’t succeed, but this will win you friends too. And they’ll probably ask if you would prefer to speak English.
OK, now that we’ve gotten you past your fear of people problems when navigating Paris, let’s talk about physically getting around.
First thing, be sure to bring good walking shoes. You will be doing lots of walking, with the sights and the atmosphere of Paris, you’ll be looking around thinking, “This is Paris… I’m here!”
But you don’t want to walk aimlessly, so let’s look at the geography of Paris. Many Paris locations are described as being either left-bank‚ or right bank. What does that mean? To get real basic… the River Seine cuts Paris pretty much in half. So the Left Bank is more or less to the south of the River Seine. (Look at a map of Paris, it’s mostly the bottom half.) The Right Bank is to the north of the river. (So, the top half of the map.. right?)
Old Paris hands will tell you, “Oh, I stayed in the 6th Arrondissement.” Or the 16th (a wealthy neighborhood on the Right Bank near the Bois de Boulogne) or the 1st (the center of Paris where the Louvre and Palais Royal are) or whatever.
The arrondissements are the districts that the city is divided into. There are 20 of them. You really don’t need to know them for navigating Paris. You’ll see them on addresses, and they are marked on maps, but you don’t need to know them to get around. Although you might want to find out which arrondissement you decide to stay in, so you can say to your friends, “Oh WE stayed in the 7th!” You would then have stayed near the Eiffel Tower and the Musee d’Orsay.
You’ll want to walk and walk, but to see more of the sights, you can’t walk everywhere. Take the Metro to the next neighborhood and start walking again. You’ll soon know where your landmarks are, and they will help you get your bearings.
You can also use the Paris bus system and taxis to get around or take a leisurely bateau on the Seine to see the sights. However you get around, you’ll soon find that navigating Paris isn’t hard.
See Venice In Just A Day Or Two
July 27, 2009
Many people try to see Venice in a day. Time and money are often short when you’re traveling, so you want to get to as many places as you can. You really shouldn’t see Venice just in daylight, a day and a night maybe. Or two nights and a day.
Venice really is a small town. You can walk right across it from the train depot to St. Mark’s Square in less than an hour, but that would be if you were just walking and not looking, and what you really want to do is stroll and SEE Venice – La Serenissima herself is the main attraction.
The first time we went to Venice, we arrived by train at night and stayed near the train station. As soon as we settled in, we hit the street and started walking. To see Venice by street light is magical. Narrow winding streets, Blue and red stripped “barber poles” holding boats and gondolas on the canals. Little arching bridges to cross.
Don’t worry too much about your direction or getting lost. Follow those signs that say “Per Rialto” or “Per St. Mark’s” (Per Rialto means the direction for Rialto Bridge etc). All of the day trippers have gone home in the evening, and the narrow streets are all yours and so romantic!
Do what we did and wander all the way to St. Mark’s Square. If you don’t want to spring for an expensive drink at one of the cafes on the square, buy a gelato on a side street, then stand in the square and enjoy the dueling orchestras playing sentimental old favorites.
In the morning, try to see St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. You probably won’t have time to go up the Campanile for the view with only a day.
Stroll the streets, shopping along the way. There are lots of wonderful expensive things to buy in Venice, but there are some affordable Italian fashions too and what better, easily packable souvenir could you ask for than some flamboyant Italian creation?
Find a table at one of the restaurants along the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge for lunch. Yes, it’s touristy, it has been touristy for centuries, so you are in good company.
In the afternoon try to sample some of the art at the Church of the Frari or the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Or if you’re interested in the history of Venice, you could venture into the Museo Correr. If you want to see one of the grand palazzi that line the Grand Canal, see the Ca’ Rezzonico, the museum of 19th century Venice.
When you get all the way to one end of Venice, take a vaporetto to the other end. You’ll never tire of seeing Venice from the water, watching all those palazzi glide by. It takes on a different look in the morning, in the afternoon, at night.
Choose a romantic canal-side restaurant for dinner, or a wonderful little trattoria down an alley. Take a gondola ride before or after dinner. Who cares if it’s touristy? Your gondolier will sing for you, tell you where Marco Polo lived and you’ll love it.
Go to a concert in the evening – there are chamber orchestras all over vying for your money. Or just go back to St. Mark’s square and listen to those dueling orchestras again.
Two nights and a day will let you see Venice in the short time you have and by having one or two nights there, you’ll be able to savor it with fewer crowds.
Venice really is a small town. You can walk right across it from the train depot to St. Mark’s Square in less than an hour, but that would be if you were just walking and not looking, and what you really want to do is stroll and SEE Venice – La Serenissima herself is the main attraction.
The first time we went to Venice, we arrived by train at night and stayed near the train station. As soon as we settled in, we hit the street and started walking. To see Venice by street light is magical. Narrow winding streets, Blue and red stripped “barber poles” holding boats and gondolas on the canals. Little arching bridges to cross.
Don’t worry too much about your direction or getting lost. Follow those signs that say “Per Rialto” or “Per St. Mark’s” (Per Rialto means the direction for Rialto Bridge etc). All of the day trippers have gone home in the evening, and the narrow streets are all yours and so romantic!
Do what we did and wander all the way to St. Mark’s Square. If you don’t want to spring for an expensive drink at one of the cafes on the square, buy a gelato on a side street, then stand in the square and enjoy the dueling orchestras playing sentimental old favorites.
In the morning, try to see St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. You probably won’t have time to go up the Campanile for the view with only a day.
Stroll the streets, shopping along the way. There are lots of wonderful expensive things to buy in Venice, but there are some affordable Italian fashions too and what better, easily packable souvenir could you ask for than some flamboyant Italian creation?
Find a table at one of the restaurants along the Grand Canal with a view of the Rialto Bridge for lunch. Yes, it’s touristy, it has been touristy for centuries, so you are in good company.
In the afternoon try to sample some of the art at the Church of the Frari or the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Or if you’re interested in the history of Venice, you could venture into the Museo Correr. If you want to see one of the grand palazzi that line the Grand Canal, see the Ca’ Rezzonico, the museum of 19th century Venice.
When you get all the way to one end of Venice, take a vaporetto to the other end. You’ll never tire of seeing Venice from the water, watching all those palazzi glide by. It takes on a different look in the morning, in the afternoon, at night.
Choose a romantic canal-side restaurant for dinner, or a wonderful little trattoria down an alley. Take a gondola ride before or after dinner. Who cares if it’s touristy? Your gondolier will sing for you, tell you where Marco Polo lived and you’ll love it.
Go to a concert in the evening – there are chamber orchestras all over vying for your money. Or just go back to St. Mark’s square and listen to those dueling orchestras again.
Two nights and a day will let you see Venice in the short time you have and by having one or two nights there, you’ll be able to savor it with fewer crowds.
Exploring National Parks In The USA
July 24, 2009
A loop through some of the western National Parks of America makes a great driving trip. If you’re interested in seeing just how big the American West is, this is one way to do it. If you want to see natural wonders… here they are. If you like hiking… there are hikes galore.
You will need about a week to drive a representative loop through Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The actual starting point for the loop listed in most guides is Las Vegas. For the loop through the western National Parks we’re describing here, you will be driving about 1,690 km.
You can fly directly to Las Vegas from many cities in the U.S. You probably will want to spend a day or two in Las Vegas to gamble, see some shows, or just satisfy your curiosity about “Sin City”, so allow time for that too.
The first stop on this drive is Zion National Park. It is a deep canyon carved by the innocuous looking Virgin River. There’s a great hike up this river into a slot canyon called “The Narrows Hike”, and the canyon does narrow to only about 10 meters across in places. You will spend 60% of your time IN the river as the canyon walls soar above you.
If you’re not up for that strenuous hike, there are other hikes that let you see much of what the park has to offer. Scenic drives let you see some sights by car. There is a Lodge in the park and more accommodations are available outside the park. Campgrounds are available.
Bryce Canyon National Park is your next stop. It’s a small National Park, but some visitors come away saying this was their favorite park. It’s famous for its colorful spire-shaped “hoodoos”. A hike into the canyon will make you feel you’ve entered a fairy wonderland. This park has a Lodge in the Park and good lodging nearby. Two campgrounds are near the visitor center.
The drive to Capitol Reef National Park follows along Route 12 and is very pretty. The main feature in this park is the formation known as the “Waterpocket Fold”, an ancient wrinkle in the earth’s crust. No lodging is available in the Park. Find some motels about 20-25 km from the park entrance. Some camping is available in the park.
You can pass though Natural Bridges National Monument. A scenic drive will take you to overlooks to view each of the three bridges that were formed by meandering streams. Allow a couple of hours for this. Lodging is about 60 km away. There is a small campground available.
You might want to make it a long day of driving and get to Monument Valley Tribal Park. This huge valley has those iconic wild-west sandstone formations that you’ve seen in the movies. “The Mittens” are the most photographed, but there are other pinnacles and arches, bluffs and buttes.
You can get guided tours from Navajo tour operators. There are accommodations in the area; the only one in the Tribal Park is the new hotel called The View. Bring your camera.
We’re saving the most famous of the western National Parks for last. The Grand Canyon. Clearly this is one western National Park that you must see. There is accommodation and camping available in the park and many options nearby with shuttles into the Park itself.
This is such a popular destination that driving is restricted in the park in some areas. Parking can be a nightmare, so just use the shuttles.
Another day of driving will have you back at Las Vegas. By driving this loop instead of staying in town, you will have kept Las Vegas from getting too much of your money, and you’ll be far richer in experiences of the Western National Parks.
You will need about a week to drive a representative loop through Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The actual starting point for the loop listed in most guides is Las Vegas. For the loop through the western National Parks we’re describing here, you will be driving about 1,690 km.
You can fly directly to Las Vegas from many cities in the U.S. You probably will want to spend a day or two in Las Vegas to gamble, see some shows, or just satisfy your curiosity about “Sin City”, so allow time for that too.
The first stop on this drive is Zion National Park. It is a deep canyon carved by the innocuous looking Virgin River. There’s a great hike up this river into a slot canyon called “The Narrows Hike”, and the canyon does narrow to only about 10 meters across in places. You will spend 60% of your time IN the river as the canyon walls soar above you.
If you’re not up for that strenuous hike, there are other hikes that let you see much of what the park has to offer. Scenic drives let you see some sights by car. There is a Lodge in the park and more accommodations are available outside the park. Campgrounds are available.
Bryce Canyon National Park is your next stop. It’s a small National Park, but some visitors come away saying this was their favorite park. It’s famous for its colorful spire-shaped “hoodoos”. A hike into the canyon will make you feel you’ve entered a fairy wonderland. This park has a Lodge in the Park and good lodging nearby. Two campgrounds are near the visitor center.
The drive to Capitol Reef National Park follows along Route 12 and is very pretty. The main feature in this park is the formation known as the “Waterpocket Fold”, an ancient wrinkle in the earth’s crust. No lodging is available in the Park. Find some motels about 20-25 km from the park entrance. Some camping is available in the park.
You can pass though Natural Bridges National Monument. A scenic drive will take you to overlooks to view each of the three bridges that were formed by meandering streams. Allow a couple of hours for this. Lodging is about 60 km away. There is a small campground available.
You might want to make it a long day of driving and get to Monument Valley Tribal Park. This huge valley has those iconic wild-west sandstone formations that you’ve seen in the movies. “The Mittens” are the most photographed, but there are other pinnacles and arches, bluffs and buttes.
You can get guided tours from Navajo tour operators. There are accommodations in the area; the only one in the Tribal Park is the new hotel called The View. Bring your camera.
We’re saving the most famous of the western National Parks for last. The Grand Canyon. Clearly this is one western National Park that you must see. There is accommodation and camping available in the park and many options nearby with shuttles into the Park itself.
This is such a popular destination that driving is restricted in the park in some areas. Parking can be a nightmare, so just use the shuttles.
Another day of driving will have you back at Las Vegas. By driving this loop instead of staying in town, you will have kept Las Vegas from getting too much of your money, and you’ll be far richer in experiences of the Western National Parks.
Achieving Qantas Gold Status
July 23, 2009
One member is on the very cusp of achieving the coveted gold status, however Qantas have already posted out a silver card prematurely.
The Charming Italian Cinque Terre
July 23, 2009
The Cinque Terre isn’t exactly a secret corner of Italy any more, but it’s been discovered because it’s such a charming area to visit. There are five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterossa.
It does a little more effort to get there than to some other areas of Italy. There are different ways to visit these coastal charmers. You can take the train to the middle of each village or you can drive to the area. Of course, if you drive, you must leave your car at a car park high above each village and hike down to it.
There are some hotels and many rooms for rent in houses. You can arrange for accommodations once you are there, but it could involve hiking into more than one village. Better to arrange your accommodations ahead.
The attraction of the Cinque Terre is the pretty villages themselves. Pastel colored houses jostle each other for space on the steep slopes and spill down to the sea. Narrow streets and alleys twist and turn at unexpected angles. Small fishing boats sit on the streets where you would expect cars to be.
Any one of the towns is a great place to stay. They are all traditional fishing villages, but there are terraces above and around each village filled with vineyards, and olive and lemon groves.
Enjoy some local food and wine. There is a white wine grown in the terraced vineyards called Cinque Terre. Pair it with anchovies which are a local specialty or with a pasta dish topped with pesto.
This area is the birthplace of pesto, and it doesn’t get any better. Top your meal off with another local specialty – dessert wine called Sciacchetra.
There is a popular hike that links the five villages called the Sentiero Azzurro (the Blue Path). It is a shore-hugging path that runs for 11 km from the southern most village of Riomaggiore to the northern most, Monterossa. You can do this in a day if you are in good shape. The best time to go is in the spring when it isn’t too hot.
If you don’t want to hike between all of them, you can do shorter hikes. Consider the Via dell’ Amore (Lovers’ Way) between Romaggiore and Manorola. It is the easiest stretch of the trail. You can easily make it both ways in an easy morning of hiking. There is a nominal fee charged to walk this part of the trail. This section is paved, and the the fee helps with maintenance.
You can hike between just two or three of the towns and take the train back to your starting point or catch one of the ferries that run from village to village in the spring and summer. If you don’t want to hike at all, take the ferry from one end to the other to enjoy the view. The ferries stop at all but Corniglia since Corniglia sits high above the sea.
Whether you drive to one, hike to all five or view them from the sea, you’ll come away from the lively villages of the Cinque Terre with a smile on your face.
It does a little more effort to get there than to some other areas of Italy. There are different ways to visit these coastal charmers. You can take the train to the middle of each village or you can drive to the area. Of course, if you drive, you must leave your car at a car park high above each village and hike down to it.
There are some hotels and many rooms for rent in houses. You can arrange for accommodations once you are there, but it could involve hiking into more than one village. Better to arrange your accommodations ahead.
The attraction of the Cinque Terre is the pretty villages themselves. Pastel colored houses jostle each other for space on the steep slopes and spill down to the sea. Narrow streets and alleys twist and turn at unexpected angles. Small fishing boats sit on the streets where you would expect cars to be.
Any one of the towns is a great place to stay. They are all traditional fishing villages, but there are terraces above and around each village filled with vineyards, and olive and lemon groves.
Enjoy some local food and wine. There is a white wine grown in the terraced vineyards called Cinque Terre. Pair it with anchovies which are a local specialty or with a pasta dish topped with pesto.
This area is the birthplace of pesto, and it doesn’t get any better. Top your meal off with another local specialty – dessert wine called Sciacchetra.
There is a popular hike that links the five villages called the Sentiero Azzurro (the Blue Path). It is a shore-hugging path that runs for 11 km from the southern most village of Riomaggiore to the northern most, Monterossa. You can do this in a day if you are in good shape. The best time to go is in the spring when it isn’t too hot.
If you don’t want to hike between all of them, you can do shorter hikes. Consider the Via dell’ Amore (Lovers’ Way) between Romaggiore and Manorola. It is the easiest stretch of the trail. You can easily make it both ways in an easy morning of hiking. There is a nominal fee charged to walk this part of the trail. This section is paved, and the the fee helps with maintenance.
You can hike between just two or three of the towns and take the train back to your starting point or catch one of the ferries that run from village to village in the spring and summer. If you don’t want to hike at all, take the ferry from one end to the other to enjoy the view. The ferries stop at all but Corniglia since Corniglia sits high above the sea.
Whether you drive to one, hike to all five or view them from the sea, you’ll come away from the lively villages of the Cinque Terre with a smile on your face.
Enjoy Tapas While Visiting Spain
July 22, 2009
You keep hearing that a trip to Spain isn’t complete without trying tapas. OK. But do you really know what they are? What if you get up your nerve to wander into a bar, and you find that there is no such thing on the menu?
Tapas are small, appetizer size portions of almost anything. They can be a small plate of ham and cheese, or tiny sandwiches, or a plate of olives, a small skewer of pickled vegetables or seafood or… the list goes on and on. Some bars will serve one small tapa for free with your drink, but most bars charge for them.
Many bars only list raciones on the menu. These are larger portions. You might want the larger portion if two or more of you are sharing the appetizers, but you can always ask for tapas size or even a 1/2 racion (media-racion) or for a portion somewhere in between. Some bars don’t serve anything smaller than a racion, but it’s worth asking. You’ll run into these especially in the tourist areas.
If you wander into a bar and you see half a dozen or a dozen different types of food under glass on the bar, it’ll be easy. Choose a couple, order a small glass of wine or beer and enjoy. You’ll be charged accordingly when you ask for the bill. The first time we did this, we were unsure of the price, so we asked for the bill after a beer and a couple of tasty choices – the bill was so reasonable that we stayed and enjoyed more.
You’ll find that there are different prices depending on where you choose to eat and drink. If you stand or sit at the bar, you’ll get the best price. Sitting at a table will cost you a little more, and if you eat out on the plaza for the view, you’ll pay the most. So sitting outside on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid having a racion of Serrano ham and cheese will be the most expensive way to go, but it could be worth it.
On the other hand, if you want to get a little more intimate with Spanish life, find a little bar on a back street, stand at the bar and take in the swirl of life around you. A smattering of Spanish will definitely come in handy for this!
Don’t necessarily go looking for a particular bar that you’ve read about. The small snacks that they offer change all the time. Just find a bar that looks lively and that you’ll be comfortable in. Sometimes you can order a small sampler plate. This isn’t how the locals do it, but it might make it easier your first time or two.
Some tourists talk about hopping from bar to bar in the evening. It’s fun to do that, but you’ll find Spaniards enjoying these small plates of appetizers any time of the day. Going to the local bars is part of the social scene to meet friends. Tapas are part of this scene.
Remember that in Spain, dinner is eaten late at night. Spaniards love their tapas, however they generally don’t eat them in place of a meal. But if you’re not up for dinner at 9, 10 or 11 at night, you can certainly make a meal of them.
Buen provecho!
Tapas are small, appetizer size portions of almost anything. They can be a small plate of ham and cheese, or tiny sandwiches, or a plate of olives, a small skewer of pickled vegetables or seafood or… the list goes on and on. Some bars will serve one small tapa for free with your drink, but most bars charge for them.
Many bars only list raciones on the menu. These are larger portions. You might want the larger portion if two or more of you are sharing the appetizers, but you can always ask for tapas size or even a 1/2 racion (media-racion) or for a portion somewhere in between. Some bars don’t serve anything smaller than a racion, but it’s worth asking. You’ll run into these especially in the tourist areas.
If you wander into a bar and you see half a dozen or a dozen different types of food under glass on the bar, it’ll be easy. Choose a couple, order a small glass of wine or beer and enjoy. You’ll be charged accordingly when you ask for the bill. The first time we did this, we were unsure of the price, so we asked for the bill after a beer and a couple of tasty choices – the bill was so reasonable that we stayed and enjoyed more.
You’ll find that there are different prices depending on where you choose to eat and drink. If you stand or sit at the bar, you’ll get the best price. Sitting at a table will cost you a little more, and if you eat out on the plaza for the view, you’ll pay the most. So sitting outside on the Plaza Mayor in Madrid having a racion of Serrano ham and cheese will be the most expensive way to go, but it could be worth it.
On the other hand, if you want to get a little more intimate with Spanish life, find a little bar on a back street, stand at the bar and take in the swirl of life around you. A smattering of Spanish will definitely come in handy for this!
Don’t necessarily go looking for a particular bar that you’ve read about. The small snacks that they offer change all the time. Just find a bar that looks lively and that you’ll be comfortable in. Sometimes you can order a small sampler plate. This isn’t how the locals do it, but it might make it easier your first time or two.
Some tourists talk about hopping from bar to bar in the evening. It’s fun to do that, but you’ll find Spaniards enjoying these small plates of appetizers any time of the day. Going to the local bars is part of the social scene to meet friends. Tapas are part of this scene.
Remember that in Spain, dinner is eaten late at night. Spaniards love their tapas, however they generally don’t eat them in place of a meal. But if you’re not up for dinner at 9, 10 or 11 at night, you can certainly make a meal of them.
Buen provecho!
Discover Spain’s Great Small Cities
July 21, 2009
Touring near Madrid you can discover some of the great small cities of Spain. Segovia, Avila, and Toledo are all nearby Madrid and offer wonderful holiday opportunities.
You can visit these cities on day trips, but to really soak them in, consider renting a car and driving. This loop can take four to five days depending on how long you linger. Combine it with a visit to Madrid, and you have a great holiday!
We don’t recommend driving in the city, but getting a rental car in town and driving out is pretty straightforward.
The sprawling complex of the El Escorial Palace is worth a stop. This combination monastery and palace is about an hour drive from the capital. There are furnished rooms to visit, and a great library to see, but the highlight of this complex is seeing the final resting place of four centuries of Spanish Kings and Queens, the Royal Pantheon. You can make this a mid-day stop, see the palace, have lunch in town or at the Palace cafe, then continue on to Segovia.
Segovia is fifty miles from Madrid. This town perches on a hill and represents a couple of eras of Spanish history with both a fairy tale castle and a Roman aqueduct. The town was started by the Romans. What is left of the aqueduct is 2,500 feet long and 100 feet high. It’s double arches anchor one end of the town. Have a dinner of suckling pig (cochinillo asado) in a restaurant next to the arches of the aqueduct.
Stroll the narrow, mostly pedestrian streets to the other end of town to see the Alcazar castle. It looks like a fairy tale castle because it burned in 1862, and it was rebuilt in this exuberant style. There are historic furnishings inside and a great view of town from the tower.
Segovia is well worth spending a night. Just be aware, it can be crowded on weekends. Parking is scarce, so make sure to secure parking along with your hotel.
Avila is a city which could be overlooked, but if you’re into city walls, you shouldn’t miss it. The walls are intact, complete with 90 towers. It dates back to the 11th century. The city was the birthplace of Saint Teresa and is an important pilgrimage site. Once you’ve seen the museum and the Convento de Santa Teresa, head for the city walls. The lively section of town is just outside the main gates. Sit and have tapas and enjoy the view.
Now head for Toledo which is about an hour south of Madrid. This former capital of Spain sits on a hill, surrounded by it’s city walls and the Tagus River. It has retained its medieval charm with city walls and winding streets and lots of hills. It’s a fun city to wander and get lost in.
See the Cathedral and the Iglesia de Santo Tome where El Greco’s painting El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz is on view. Discover more of El Greco all over the little city. Wandering will uncover bits of Toledo’s Roman, Moorish and Jewish history as well.
To complete your tour, find a Parador to stay in for one more night before you return your car. Paradores are historic buildings that the government has converted to hotels.
Siguenza Paradore of El Cid fame is a castle turned into a hotel and is about an hour outside of Madrid. From here it’s easy to get back to the airport and catch your flight home.
You can visit these cities on day trips, but to really soak them in, consider renting a car and driving. This loop can take four to five days depending on how long you linger. Combine it with a visit to Madrid, and you have a great holiday!
We don’t recommend driving in the city, but getting a rental car in town and driving out is pretty straightforward.
The sprawling complex of the El Escorial Palace is worth a stop. This combination monastery and palace is about an hour drive from the capital. There are furnished rooms to visit, and a great library to see, but the highlight of this complex is seeing the final resting place of four centuries of Spanish Kings and Queens, the Royal Pantheon. You can make this a mid-day stop, see the palace, have lunch in town or at the Palace cafe, then continue on to Segovia.
Segovia is fifty miles from Madrid. This town perches on a hill and represents a couple of eras of Spanish history with both a fairy tale castle and a Roman aqueduct. The town was started by the Romans. What is left of the aqueduct is 2,500 feet long and 100 feet high. It’s double arches anchor one end of the town. Have a dinner of suckling pig (cochinillo asado) in a restaurant next to the arches of the aqueduct.
Stroll the narrow, mostly pedestrian streets to the other end of town to see the Alcazar castle. It looks like a fairy tale castle because it burned in 1862, and it was rebuilt in this exuberant style. There are historic furnishings inside and a great view of town from the tower.
Segovia is well worth spending a night. Just be aware, it can be crowded on weekends. Parking is scarce, so make sure to secure parking along with your hotel.
Avila is a city which could be overlooked, but if you’re into city walls, you shouldn’t miss it. The walls are intact, complete with 90 towers. It dates back to the 11th century. The city was the birthplace of Saint Teresa and is an important pilgrimage site. Once you’ve seen the museum and the Convento de Santa Teresa, head for the city walls. The lively section of town is just outside the main gates. Sit and have tapas and enjoy the view.
Now head for Toledo which is about an hour south of Madrid. This former capital of Spain sits on a hill, surrounded by it’s city walls and the Tagus River. It has retained its medieval charm with city walls and winding streets and lots of hills. It’s a fun city to wander and get lost in.
See the Cathedral and the Iglesia de Santo Tome where El Greco’s painting El Entierro del Conde de Orgaz is on view. Discover more of El Greco all over the little city. Wandering will uncover bits of Toledo’s Roman, Moorish and Jewish history as well.
To complete your tour, find a Parador to stay in for one more night before you return your car. Paradores are historic buildings that the government has converted to hotels.
Siguenza Paradore of El Cid fame is a castle turned into a hotel and is about an hour outside of Madrid. From here it’s easy to get back to the airport and catch your flight home.
