News and Tips #23 - Friday, March 27, 2015

In this issue:

-Building Connections and Understanding - Medium
-Europe's 8 Most Picturesque Towns | Fodor's
-How to Cruise Economically - Tips For Stretching and Protecting - Your Cruise Vacation
-This is The Perfect U. S. Road Trip According to Scientists - The Bold Italic - San Francisco
-Top 10 Greenest Cities in the World - EcoWatch
-5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica | Travel Lifestyle of Your Dreams
-Awesome Alternative Accommodation Options in NYC

Building Connections and Understanding - Medium

When people speak of travel as a "force for good", what can it look like from the standpoint of the effect that travel has to break down fears and stereotypes? What sort of benefits - in terms of greater understanding, empathy and connection - can the act of travel bring to the world?
Read more...


Europe's 8 Most Picturesque Towns | Fodor's

From the islands of the Mediterranean to the peaks of the Alps, Europe's postcard-perfect towns continue to inspire travelers with distance architecture preserved from 1,000 years ago. Filled with plenty of charm. many of these treasured areas contain historic ruins, cobblestone streets, and ancient churches to explore. While they may be flocked with tourists during the day, staying overnight in the area can inhance your travel experience...
Read more...


How to Cruise Economically - Tips For Stretching and Protecting - Your Cruise Vacation

Economic cycles come and go. Cruise lines and travel vendors are offering deals. How can a smart traveler take leverage the current market?

Work with a travel professional. The amount of information available about cruise vacations can be overwhelming and confusing to anyone who doesn't work in the industry. Travel professionals are trained to understand your preferences, then sort through all the options to find the best cruise for you and...
Read more...


This the The Perfect U. S. Road Trip According to Scientists - The Bold Italic - San Francisco

When most people dream of using their vacation days, they fantasize about European castle tours or Caribbean cruises or African safaris - really anything outside of the United States (except maybe Hawaii). But for the most of us who want to burn rubber on the good ol' Interstate System...
Read more...


Top 10 Greenest Cities in the World - EcoWatch

This week, Dual CitizenLLC came out with the 4th edition of the Global Green Economy Index, an in-depth look at how 60 countries and 70 cities are doing in developing more environmentally friendly economies, in actual performance and in how experts perceive their performance. We already took a look at the top ten countries - Scandinavia, take a bow! Now we're going to check out the world's ten greenest and most sustainable cities. Scandinavia, an encore!
Read more...


5 Reasons to Visit Antarctica | Travel Lifestyle of Your Dreams

Without doubt it's the toughest, more expensive and furthest away continent to tick off your ever expanding bucket list but with all that, Antarctica comes with a special kind of beauty.

The icy continent was my seventh and last continent, so it had big expectations to live up to. I had dreamed of Antarctica ever since browsing Chimu Adventure's website and discovering it was possible to visit as a tourist, but I always thought it would be too pricey for a backpacker to accomplish, now I know that's not the case. If any of you follow my Facebook fan page, you'll see that...
Read more...


Awesome Alternative Accommodation Options in NYC

New York City is hands-down one of our favourite destinations in the world.

We love the melting pot of cultures, the Broadway shows, the long walks through Central Park. We love the energy and the noise and the diversity. We love lots of things about NYC - but one thing we certainly dislike is the steep price at hotels.

We're all for paying a bit more for stylish and unique accommodation, but unfortunately, extra dollars don't always equate to extra quality. In 2013 the average room rate was $230 a night. That'll put quite the dent in your travel fund if you want to visit for two weeks like we recently did over Christmas and New Years.
Read more...

News and Tips #19 - Saturday, March 14, 2015

Saturday, March 14, 2015

In this issue:
-6 Ways to Humiliate Yourself in Europe | SmarterTravel
-7 Most Unforgettable Things to Do in Dubai
-Top 10 Most Unhealthy Things You Can Do on an Airplane - Answers.com
-8 of Dublin's best pubs to drink Guinness - A Luxury Travel Blog
-Outbound App: The Social Network For Travellers - The Expat Magazine
-Going French ... in Canada! Montreal & Quebec City - Flirting with the Globe
-Where To Travel This Year, According To Your Astrological Sign

6 Ways to Humiliate Yourself in Europe | SmarterTravel

The consequences of looking like a tourist in a foreign place can range from serious (becoming a target for theft and scams) to humorous (awkwardness, frustration, public embarrassment). Here are a few of the most blatant ways that your lack of familiarity with local culture in Europe can bring you public shame and humiliation, plus advice on keeping it cool while abroad.
Read more...

7 Most Unforgettable Things to Do In Dubai

While traveling to Dubai, one can easily tire of all the high profile and expensive tourist attractions. When thinking of what to do it is good to remember that the best of a place can sometimes be free too. The fun and free things in Dubai have been enlisted below.
Read more...






Top 10 Most Unhealthy Things You Can Do on an Airplane - Answers.com

Eat a Big Meal

The altitude of an airplane can affect the digestive process. It's best to avoid big meals before a flight and rely on light meals, like a salad or sandwich. Carry light snacks such as fruit or vegetable sticks to eat during the flight if you're feeling peckish.
Read more...





8 of Dublin's best pubs to drink Guinness - A Luxury Travel Blog

You can't possibly visit Dublin without sampling at least one pint of Guinness. Apart from the embarrassment of having to admit this to the family back home, you know it's good for you - at least that's what I was told when I was growing up in Dublin! It was normal to understand from a young age, that there were good, bad, and great pints of Guinness available, and the trick was to know what was what, from an early age...
Read more...




Outbound App: The Social Network For Travellers - The Expat Magazine

We had finally the opportunity to test the new app Outbound, released just a few days ago. I can say I was quite excited to give it a try as finally we can have a sort of social network dedicated only to travellers. (I'm personally not a big fan of Facebook)
Read more...


Going French... in Canada! Montreal & Quebec City - Flirting with the Globe

Despite living in Wisconsin for 23 years, I have never spent time in a Canadian city. My husband went to law school in Vermont, so he was quite familiar with crossing the [border]. Since we had a long weekend for the 4th of July this year, we decided to head north. (I realize traveling to Canada on America's birthday seems rather unpatriotic, but we have to utilize those vacation days!) I found a great flight special from Atlanta to Montreal...
Read more...


Where to Travel This Year, According to Your Astrological Sign

Like me, you may have made a habit of checking your weekly (or daily) horoscope. Sure, it's fun to see when Mercury is in retrograde, or when you should ask for a raise, or exactly how you should approach a sticky situation with a friend of family member. But if you truly identify with your sign (mine is Sagittarius, the traveler - appropriate!,
Read more...

News and Tips #13 - Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

In this issue:
-RIP, Leonard Nimoy: 10 Things Mr. Spock Taught Us About Travel
-Sleeping on Planes - IndependentTraveler.com
-Everything You Need to Know About Smartphones For Travel | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
-17 Signs You're Becoming A Traveler & You Love It - Tripoto
-Travel Tips For Retirees | The Daily Meal
-5 Epic Day Trips to Take in Europe | U.S. News Travel
-Planning an Alaska cruise? Use these money-saving tips!
-5 of the world's best bars with a view - A Luxury Travel Blog


RIP, Leonard Nimoy: 10 Things Mr. Spock Taught Us About Travel

When I found out Leonard Nimoy "Spock" had died, I was in a car rental office at LAX (despite how deliciously ironic it would have been, the rental agency was not Enterprise), where a reservation mixup had me in a state of early meltdown. I was this close to going full Klingon on the poor rental agent when I had a thought that often pops into my head in such situations: "What would Spock do?" I then got my Spock on: I calmed down and resolved the situation logically...
Read more...


Sleeping on Planes | IndependentTraveler.com

Not enough legroom. People climbing over you. Noise from movies and video games and screaming children. Sunlight pouring in your neighbor's window at 35, 000 feet. With all the distractions and hassles of air travel, what doesn't make it tough to sleep on planes?...
Read more...





Everything You Need to Know About Smartphones For Travel | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

As a travel tech writer, I get asked about using smartphones when we travel. The minute we head overseas with our phones, we're hit with a confusing mess of technical jargon, expensive roaming agreements, conflicting advice and non-working gear. Trying to discuss the nuances of GSM frequency bands or iPhone unlock codes with a mobile....
Read more...


17 Signs You're Becoming A Traveler & You Love It - Tripoto

Happiness lies in the space of novelty. As it lingers on the inception of a newly formed idea that can never go back to its older dimensions. Similarly, traveling in a wanderer's life is the fulcrum of happiness. Those who vociferously learn to break the lexicon barriers and challenge the transience of life, which is the ultimate existential downer of all time, lives with a mammoth attempt to lives a new life every day.
Read more...

Travel Tips For Retirees

Many have dreams of getting out and seeing the world once they retire. However, traveling at an older age might not be what you dreamed it would be. Do not let some bumps in the travel road get in the way of a retirement trip...
Read more...


5 Epic Day Trips to Take in Europe| U.S. News Travel

Planning a trip to Europe is much more of an undertaking than say, planning a beach vacation. First of all, you'll need to get a passport if you don't already have one. Once you do, you'll have to make peace with the high price of international flights and hotels. Meanwhile, you'll need to settle the gritty details before you arrive...
Read more...


Planning an Alaska cruise? Use these money-saving tips!

With snow-capped mountains, pristine fjords, miles of emerald forests, eagles flying overhead and glaciers that thunderously calve into the sea, Alaska is one of the top cruise destinations in the world.
A summertime cruise in the calm waters of the Inside Passage takes you into the United States "Last Frontier". It's a must-do cruise - one very different from a fun-in-the-sun Caribbean sailing.
Read more...



5 of the world's best bars with a view - A Luxury Travel Blog

No matter where you are in the world, there's nothing quite like enjoying a good ol' thirst quencher. Whether you fancy knocking back a pint of ice-cold beer or sipping on an expertly mixed martini, you won't be able to resist our pick of the world's best bars, all of which boast spectacular views. From the finest rooftop bars to underwater spectacles, there's no shortage of places for you to enjoy a cheeky tipple.
Read more...

News and Tips #6 - Valentine's Edition - February 14, 2015

February 14, 2015
Valentine's Day Edition

In this issue:
1. Bite into the best cruises for chocolate lovers
2. Find romance in Venice: Aman Canal Grande (and beyond) - Smith Travel Blog
3. Dos and Don'ts on La Saint-Valentin in France - Comme une francaise (video)
4. 10 Most Romantic Cities in Europe - The Tourist of Life
5. Valentine's Day proposals - Will you marry me? - WestJet (video)
6. Top Spots for Romance this Valentine's Day - Johnny Jet

Bite into the best cruises for chocolate - USA Today

Chocolate lovers may have their appetites satisfied on cruise ships - whether their tastes run to rich truffles, melting cakes of 'loaded' chocolate drinks.

Many lines offer you a nighttime chocolate on your pillow and feature chocolate desserts nightly on dining room menus.  If you want more you can pre-order a round of chocolate strawberries delivered to you cabin (a nice romantic gesture).
Read more...

Find romance in Venice: Aman Canal Grande (and beyond) - Smith Travel Blog

Want to impress your beloved? We mean squeals of delight, adoring looks, maybe even a few delight tears? To get the desired effect whisk them away to Aman Canal Grande in Venice (George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's jaw-dropping wedding venue) and then to some of Venice's most romantic spots.  Housed in a 16th-century palazzo, this poised Venetian escape epitomizes La Serenissima's seductive charms...
Read more...


Dos and Don'ts on La Saint-Valentin in France - Comme une francaise  -  (video)




10 Most Romantic Cities in Europe - The Tourist Life

My idea of a romantic city is small, cosy, lots of music, lots of places to eat romantically, to be able to wander and be amazed and to find the peace you can't find at home.  It was hard to create this list as Europe has so many romantic cities that measured up to this criteria.  But after a couple of hours I finally figured it out.  Here is my top 10 of romantic cities in Europe.
Read more...



Valentine's Day proposals - Will you marry me? WestJet (video)




Top Spots for Romance This Valentine's Day - Johnny Jet

Bring on the romance! While couples are getting close today on Valentine's Day, they are apparently getting closer in New York and Cancun.
There's a new survey out by Allianz Global Assistance ranking the U.S. Valentine's Day destinations with New York stealing the number one spot followed by Las Vegas and Chicago, respectively.  Other U.S. destinations ranking in the top 10 were San Francisco, Seattle,...

Read more

Europe's Best Destinations 2015 - The Top 10

As a follow up to the post earlier today announcing the winner of Europe's Best Destination 2015, here are the top 10.

1. Bordeaux, France

2. Lisbon, Portugal

3. Athens, Greece

4. Valetta, Malta

5. Riga, Latvia

6. Zagreb, Croatia

7. Ljubljana, Slovenia

8. Innsbruck, Austria

9. Milan, Italy

10. Brussels, Belgium

The Results are In - Europe's Best Destination 2015

The other day I posted the link to a reader survey to identify Europe's Best Destination 2015.  The voting has finished and the results are in.

The winner is:

Congratulations to Bordeaux!

Europe's Best Destination 2015 - Vote

Have your say in naming Europe's Best Destination 2015.

Vote for the best European destination 2015

Contest closes February 10, 2015

The Ski trails less travelled

Whistler, BC

Sometimes the runs of Jay are no longer challenging?  The apres-ski of Whistler is becoming common place?  Tahoe is too crowded?

Looking for something a little different?  A little more out of the way?  Places with awesome scenery?

Belle Plagne, France

Look no further....Consider the seven ski resorts of this article from Lonely Planet....Off the beaten piste: 7 far-flung European ski resorts 

Flight to Europe $144! And other deals.... (Jan. 12/15)

In the effort to find good travel deals to Europe here are a few current ones.

The $144 airfare on Norwegian Airlines in incredible.

Check out the other deals too.  Five amazing travel deals to Europe including a 144 flight. Really.

Christmas Markets - 27 of Europe's Best Christmas Markets

Salzburg Christmas Market

Helping you get your fix of Christmas Markets, this blog lists 27 of the best markets in Europe.

27 of Europe's Best Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets V - European Highlights

One way to get into the spirit of the season is to go to a Christmas Market.  The sights, sounds and smells of a market evoke thoughts of a Dickens' or old world Christmas.  A European tradition, they began in the 1400s in Germany.

For the last several weeks you have had the opportunity to read about Christmas Markets in North America.  As a final writing about markets for this year, here is a brief tour some of the highly recommended markets in Europe.

Nuremberg - The Nuremberg Christmas Market or Christkindlesmarkt is held from November 28 to December 24.  It is one of the largest German Christmas markets, and it is among the best known in the world.  Enjoy the sights and sounds of the market in the central square and streets surrounding it.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Copenhagen - Tivoli Gardens is the setting for the Copenhagen Christmas Market.  The market allows you to experience some of the traditions of a Scandinavian Christmas.  As well as the Market, there are so many other events in the garden.  The Market runs from Novenber 15 to January 4.

Tivoli Christmas Market

Budapest - The Christmas Market in Budapest is set up in Vorosmarty Square from November 28 to December 31 (closed December 25 and 26).  Over 100 wooden pavilions display Christmas decorations, crafts, and one-of-a-kind gifts.  Treat yourself to Hungarian treats and snacks as you stroll, and enjoy performances by children, and adults featuring choirs, dance, bands and orchestras.  A giant Advent Calendar is set up on the facade of a building facing onto the square and each day of Advent a new window is opened.

Budapest Christmas Market

Vienna - Vienna, home of the waltz, also hosts many Christmas Markets.  From November 15 to December 24 the Weiner Christkindlmarkt is on the square in front of City Hall.  The area surrounding City Hall is decorated for the season, along with pony rides, displays of scenes from fairy tales, and an opportunity to ride the Christkindl Express.

Vienna Christmas Market

For other Christmas Markets in Vienna - The Many Christmas Markets of Vienna

Dresden - Dresden's Christmas Market is Germany's oldest Christmas Market tracing its history back to 1434.  It is known locally as the Streitzelmarkt.  "Streitzel" refers to the name of the well known Christmas cake of the area the "stollen".  The Stollen Fest occurs on the second Sunday of Advent  A giant stollen is carried into the town square, cut and given out to visitors at the market.  Over 200 stalls display many items including arts and crafts unique to the region.  The market is open from November 27 to December 24.

Dresden Christmas Market (Streitzelmarkt)

Prague - The Christmas Market in the Old Town Square of Prague is considered the prettiest and the busiest in the city.  This market is open from November 29 to January 1.  Stalls are set up with traditional Czech foods such as barbecued pork, beer and mulled wine.  Others sell arts and crafts and other gift ideas.  Two highlights of the market are a manger scene with live animals for children to stroke, and a huge, real Christmas tree that dominates the square.

Prague Christmas Market

Strasbourg - Strasbourg is often referred to as the Capital of Christmas.  Its Christmas Market is the oldest in France dating back to 1570 and maintains many of the traditions.  The Market is located in front of Strasbourg Cathedral and runs from November 28 to December 31.  The market has over 300 stalls (chalets) selling foods and arts and crafts.  Other areas of the city also have markets for Christmas.  In all of the choices, at least one should appeal to you and to your senses.

Strasbourg Christmas Market

Munich - In the capital of Bavaria, Munich's Christmas Market gives you a Bavarian Christmas experience.  While there are many markets in the city, the traditional one in Marienplatz is the most well-known.  The town hall behind the square helps to give the market a fairy tale setting.  Stalls are set up to sell arts and crafts, and, foods and drink of the Bavarian region.  The Market is open from November 27 - December 24.  As well, nearby at Theresienwiese (the site of Oktoberfest) is another market (November 25 - December 31), the Tollwood Winter Festival.  Stalls display arts and crafts and foods with a more international flavour.  As well there are live shows and entertainment.

Munich Christmas Market

Tollwood Winter Festival

Salzburg - The Christmas Market in Salzburg, the city of Mozart, is open from November 14 - December 26.  The Market is set up around the cathedral and in the shadows of the Hohensalzburg Fortress.  Stalls selling foods and gift items are set up.  As might be expected in Salzburg music is a prominent feature of this market.   There are concerts by local choirs and  children's choirs.  Turmblasen, a brass concert is held in the square every Saturday evening.

Salzburg Christmas Market

One way to visit a number of Christmas Markets is by taking a river cruise.  There are a number of European river cruises in November and December.  Experience the romance of the Rhine, Danube, Main, or Seine, relaxing as you go.  Enjoy the scenery of the castle-lined rivers.  Visit cities along the way decorated for Christmas and go to their Christmas Markets.

Uniworld has three holiday market cruises:
 - Nuremberg to Frankfurt on the Main River;
 - Basel to Cologne on the Rhine;
 - Passau to Budapest on the Danube;
 - and Paris to Paris on the Seine;
 plus other holiday cruises.
Uniworld Christmas Market Cruises

Check out rivercruise.com for an overview of many cruises that are available during the Christmas Market season.

http://www.rivercruise.com/christmas_markets.cfm

http://www.vikingrivercruisescanada.com/holiday-cruises/2014/index.html

http://www.amawaterways.com/christmas-markets