While riding in a gondola in Venice is one of the most common ways to see the city, it is also one of the most expensive. A ride on the traghetto, a sort of foot ferry on a gondola, is usually crowded and quick, leaving little time to see the city from the water. A ride on the vaporetto (water taxi) can be so crowded that you may not even be able to see the water from your standing spot. Although I think a trip to Venice should include all three of the above, on a hot summer day I’d suggest taking to the water on a motor boat. A motor boat will take you nearly everywhere that a gondola will. The faster pace may be a little less romantic, but the trade off is a little breeze on your […]
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Ljubljana Castle Blends History & Culture in Slovenia
If you’re a castle lover, Slovenia is the right place for a blend of history and culture in a country that’s still untainted by the tourist factor. First stop on your list will likely be the capital city’s Ljubljana Castle built in the 15th century. Located in the city of its namesake, the castle sits atop a hill with sweeping views of the city and the countryside and it’s the largest and most visited castle in the country. Not surprising. It’s free to enter the castle courtyard so even if you just want a good view and a cup of coffee or glass of wine at the top, you’ll be able to take in the atmosphere no cost. Guided tours take place daily from June to mid-September at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and are about an hour long. From […]
Read MoreItalian Vacation: Gondolas in Venice
Can there be a more iconic experience of Venice than a ride in a gondola? For centuries this flat-bottomed boat was the primary means of transportation and moving goods within the city Venice, but today they are primarily used for sightseeing by visitors, weddings and funerals, and the occasional regatta. So yes, riding on a gondola is a touristy thing to do – but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it out of hand. This quintessential experience can be relaxing, fun, and romantic. It will let you see the city from the water, and for a few minutes, let you imagine what the city was like in an earlier era. The cheapest way to ride a gondola is also the quickest. For about a dollar (depending on exchange rates) you can take a traghetto, a sort of foot ferry shuttling […]
Read More10 Fashion Tips to Help You Pack for a European Vacation
Travel and fashion can often be a difficult combination, especially when that travel is a 24 hour journey to one of the most fashionable countries in the world. At home it’s easy to throw on a pair of shorts and flip flops for bumming around during the day, and when you need to class it up a bit, you’ve got your whole closet right there waiting for you. But packing smart for an extended vacation means packing light, so it’s easy to let fashion fall by the wayside. While certain concessions need to be made for practicality’s sake, with a little bit of effort can help you blend in and look like a local and not a tourist. Here are a few of the fashion trends that I noticed in Italy this year, and which can easily be incorporated into […]
Read MoreSubversive Ways of Seeing London
Are you tired of doing the same thing day in, day out? Do your travel plans seem a bit routine? Have you gotten stuck in a rut? Today we have a guest post from travel writer Andrea Kirkby who is trying to convince us of ways to look at things differently while in London. —- I recently met up with a friend who has been living in West London for a while. After being there a month or so, he found that he was sticking to a rather regular pattern of commuting, rarely going out of his particular area and not seeing much of the city. Most of us get like that after a while, but he decided to do something about it. Every time he went to a meeting or to visit a friend, he decided to get off […]
Read MoreEurope 2011: Exploring Italy & Portugal
I’m back home from my shortened travels to Europe, with a few shopping souvenirs, lots of photos, fun experiences to talk about and write about for the coming year, and enthusiasm to get started planning next year’s trip. It might seem like visiting the same place every year could get boring, but in Italy that’s never the case. Our base of operations at La Montalla in Contignano (Tuscany) is a perfect spot to combine days of relaxation and days of exploration, both of which I need during extended travel. Here’s what was new this year: Portugal – Although original plans called for us to be here a week prior to heading to Italy, our rescheduled plans cut that way back. We stayed at a lovely flat in Estoril, just a few minute walk from the beach, and enjoyed time walking […]
Read MorePamplona’s Running of the Bulls
Each year, on July 6th, the San Fermin Festival kicks off in Pamplona, Spain. It’s a festival filled with tradition, one of them a crazy, adventurous, daring, and downright dangerous tradition. It’s the annual running of the bulls through the streets of the town. The running of the bulls originally started as a practical means to move the bulls from one part of the town to the other. Since those original days, it’s been romanticized in books and film – Ernest Hemingway said running with the bulls fueled his creativity – and now it’s become a tradition attracting visitors from around the world. The bulls run the half mile course every day of the fiesta at around 8 am, with six bulls and a hundred or so people, many of whom are alcohol-fueled. Runners wear white shirts with a traditional […]
Read MoreEnjoy a Long Weekend Getaway in the Algarve
My time in Portugal was abbreviated, but I managed to get a lot done in two days. However, one of the spots I was unable to get to (and it will have to stay on my to-see list along with the other sights I had to skip) is a visit to the Algarve, an area along Portugal’s southern coast. It’s about a 3 1/2 hour drive from Lisbon, or catch a quick flight, and is a popular choice for a long beach weekend (which is exactly how I planned to do it). The Algarve can also be reached by bus and train, and requires a bit of planning and good timing, but these options weren’t in my consideration. The three spots on my Algarve visit were to be Salema, Cape Sagres, and Lagos. Salema At the end of a small […]
Read MoreAdventurous Attractions in Malta
Travelers with an interest in history will have their hands full exploring the cities of Malta. This small Mediterranean island has an incredible number of cathedrals, palaces, and museums that are all worth your time. Yet off the beaten path, there are several other attractions that will reveal a different side of Malta’s history. The island also offers fascinating prehistoric sites. If you can tear yourself away from the golden beaches and oceanfront cafes, there are ancient caves and temples to explore too. Here are three unusual historic attractions in Malta, perfect to work into a 3 days in Malta itinerary. Ghar Dalam Caves Translated from Maltese as “cave of darkness” this site is where several discoveries were made about the island of Malta dating back to the ice age. In these caves, the remains of dwarf elephant and hippopotamus […]
Read MoreThe Powerscourt Estate: A Daytrip from Dublin
Many first time visitors to Dublin don’t know that the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – County Wicklow – is only 30 minutes south of the city center. No trip to Ireland would be complete without leaving the capital city to see the countryside that the Emerald Isle is so famous for. While there are many destinations worthy of a Dublin daytrip, one of my favorites is the Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow. Unlike other destinations outside of Dublin that are on the train line, you will need to rent a car or join a tour to visit Powerscourt. Reaching the estate in a rental car is half the fun – passing through quaint villages and following rickety old signs will give the daytrip an adventurous quality. The estate is famous for being home to the five-star Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and […]
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