Weekend Travel Articles

While Wednesday might be the best day to receive those weekly deals newsletters from a gazillion of websites selling travel, Sunday is THE day to relax and enjoy reading the latest from US travel writers.

This past weekend, here are a few noteworthy articles:

Hey, neighbor - Nicole Cotroneo of the Washington Post spends the last part of her rather long Italy visit in a small village on the Amalfi Coast, Praiano. She goes native, walking up and down the insanely endless steps.

Sarah Wildman writes a short piece for the NY Times on Baruc Corazon shirts, manufactured in a hidden shop in Madrid's famed Plaza Mayor.

Take a look at a nifty slide show on Luxembourg, one of the two cities designated as the European Cultural Capital in 2007. But don't bother looking for pictures on Sibiu, Romania, the other city sharing the honor, because the NY Times writers do not investigate further.

Finally, if all your travel decisions go through your stomach (or your taste buds), you might want to check out this interesting piece on exotic culinary exploits in Istanbul and Vietnam. According to the author, more and more hotels are offering cooking classes for travelers in more and more destinations.

Biedermeier, the beauty of simplicity

If you are a big fan of Biedermeier, Vienna has the perfect exhibition for you at Albertina, one of the most important museums in the world. Albertina "is also the largest Hapsburg palace in the centre of the former K.K. Monarchy’s (royal and imperial monarchy) capital Vienna."

You might want to read up on the World of Biedermeier (as I previously posted), but the big fans are loaded with all the necessary documentation.

Tip of the hat to the Economist for the exhibition information. Oh, and if you want to buy the chair in the picture, go here.

The Clueless (American) Tourist

Some people like to blend in. Some like to stand out. If you belong to the former, then you might want to read this Frommer's forum discussion thread on How Not To Look Like A Tourist (in Italy).

If blending in is your thing, here a few ideas I gathered from there:
- don't be clueless/ don't leave your guard down in crowded areas
- do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket
- no matter how hard you try, locals will always be able to pick you as a foreigner
- avoid the baggy jeans/white sneaker/baseball cap combination - it screams 'I am American'
- did I say do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket?
- khaki pants/polo shirts are NOT exactly a fashion statement in Europe (and they are also a dead give-away)
- it's OK to have a guide/map handy - that's NOT the giveaway
- do NOT worry too much about blending in - people like tourists - generally speaking, no matter what they feel about the politics of the country of origin.
- if you're a man and really, really, really want to blend in, ask yourself: are you willing to wear TIGHT jeans/pants? Would that put a dent in your masculinity?
- if you're a woman and really, really, really want to blend in, ask yourself: are you willing to wear really TIGHT jeans/pants and high heels?
- oh, and remember: do NOT wear your fat wallet in your back pocket!

Economics as a Dismal Science

We always knew economics was a dismal science, but The Economist confirms it through its latest annual list of the World's Most Expensive Cities. The top honors go to...no, not Tokyo, not even London. It's Oslo, Norway.

[gasps, followed by What the..?-style questions]

While I am convinced their numbers are right (not sure what they actually picked as criteria for their rankings), I am convinced people will just shrug off the fact that 8/10 most expensive cities in the World are in Europe. One can always go cheap even in the most expensive of the cities.

To illustrate this point (and thumb their noses at The Economist), Gridskipper came out with a Cheap-O Guide to Oslo.

I'd say you could go on a 6-night joy ride that would include air from the US (or Canada), 3-night stays at budget hotels in Reykjavik and Oslo, and the flights to connect the two cities.

Just check it out here: Reykjavik and Oslo by Air from $945

Van Gogh Loses to Global Warming, Cruise Lovers Rejoice

(Actually, it was Hendrick Avercamp who immortalized Dutch ice-skaters in his paintings, but Van Gogh makes for a better title. )

According to the NY Times, there is an old ice-skating race in Netherlands, a veritable ice-ultra-marathon 125-mile long. Unfortunately, as you probably heard in Al Gore's Oscar-winning Inconvenient Truth, Polar Bears (to be found at higher latitudes than Holland) have an increasingly hard time finding ice for their Coca-Cola glasses, so there is no wonder this race has been indefinitely postponed until everyone drives hybrids (not exactly, but that would be rather cool.)

As with almost all negative news, there is a positive twist - River Cruisers are probably going to be able to enjoy their favorite travel ways all year round. And speaking of river cruises, how about this Tulips and Windmills 9-night river cruise starting at $277 per night (as a plus, it includes deeply discounted flights from North America.)

Looking for more river cruises? Go here for a list of best of Europe's river cruises (including air.)

Mykonos, Greece

As if you needed another reason to visit this Aegean island...but here it is just in case: celebrity-spotting. The NY Times tells us which destinations are great for such endeavours. For some reason, islands and private islands are high on the celebrity priority list.

NY Times article here.

While if you go to Mustique, a private island in the Caribbean, you might need to save up, Mykonos is more affordable. For example, you will pay little over $1,000 for a 7-night trip, including flights from NYC, 3 nights in Athens, and 3 nights on Mykonos.

Athens - Mykonos from $1,045 (including flights from/to Athens.)

Spain, gladiators, Romans

There is no doubt in my mind that Gladiator (the movie) helped rekindle America's infatuation with the glory of Roman Empire. Amid a flurry of books, Discovery channel shows, made-for-TV-movies, travel guides saw an opportunity as well.

While the obvious place to look for Roman artifacts/history/monuments is Italy, Frommer's wisely advises readers about a variety of places outside Italy, to include Turkey, Germany, Israel, and France. It makes perfect sense.

What doesn't make sense in my opinion is why they left out Spain, where one literally steps on Roman stones, aqueducts, roads almost everywhere. According to Wikipedia, we find out not only that Trajan, one of the most successful Roman Emperors, came from Hispania, but also that Spain was effectively under Roman rule for 7 centuries.

For example, check this Roman Route itinerary from EuropeanDestinations: Madrid - Seville - Merida - Trujillo - Ciudad Rodrigo - Zamora - Astorga - Burgos - Madrid.

Brussels is cheap

And now you have a good reason to go. So: if it's Tuesday... actually if it's March 2-4, 2007, it must be the Brussels Art Festival, or BRXL Bravo. (Special thanks to my source: a special Frommer's article on world events and festivals.)

It is probably too late too book a weekend stay in Brussels (at a decent price,) but if you happen to be there the weekend of 2-4 March, you might want to take advantage of the special 3-day pass that costs a mere 10 €, which will give you access to all 200 events taking place in Brussels. Here's more info about what to do in Belgium, if you are interested: Belgium Tourism Office.

Actually, I just checked, and I must swallow my words. It turns out that a 3-night stay, with flights leaving JFK at 7:20 pm, would only cost $564 per person, provided that you bring a (boy)(girl)friend/spouse. The source? European Destinations.

Check out this screen shot:

Portugal's Costa del Sol: Cascais

France has its famed Cote d'Azur. Spain has its Costa del Sol.

What makes Portugal's Costa del Sol slightly different is Cascais, once an exclusive high-end resort where the Spanish King went in exile from Franco's dictatorship. No longer exclusive nor outrageously expensive, according to the NY Times. A mere 20 minute drive from Lisbon, Cascais has apparently become a popular weekend destination for Lisboetas. And there is more to it. NY Times would not be NY Times without putting an art spin to this article - which seems to be the theme lately (see Geneva's Collection Privee.) Yes, there are some world-class art and art galleries.

So, if you want to go without paying an arm and a leg for King Juan Carlos' residence, try this fly-and-drive package: Costa do Sol - Cascais. You will pay $545 for round-trip flights (from the aforementioned NY City - air taxes not included,) hotel for 5 nights, and car rental for 6 days.

One more reason to visit Geneva

This is exactly the type of article I expect to find in the Travel section of the NY Times: an invitation to visit Geneva's Private Collection, where one can find:

an eccentric collection of vintage industrial-design furnishings and midcentury modern gems.

Does this make you get up, go to your computer, and book a transatlantic flight and a few nights in Geneva? Unless you are an enthusiast, probably not.

But here's something you can do: book a trip Paris - Geneva for 6 nights including international flights, 3 nights in each city, and inter-city high-speed train for only $865 from NYC.

Bon voyage!

Do you believe in hotel rankings?

Apparently, the NY Times does not, as it publishes a rather glamorous piece on Hotel de Rome, ranked on TripAdvisor.com #137 out of 400+ hotels in Berlin.

Quoth the writer:

For years, if you were a movie star or a head of state visiting Berlin, there was only one place to stay: the Hotel Adlon. That has changed with the October opening of the lavish Hotel de Rome housed in the former central bank of the old East Berlin.

To its credit, the hotel was open in October of 2006, so the score it received from 4 reviewers does not reflect reality (yet).

So don't forget to post your own opinions of the hotel after you visit Berlin.

Unconventional City Guides

I got to discover a rather unconventional city guide (Le Cool) due to a post in Gridskipper (which is a rather cool idea of urban travel blog done right).

According to the Le Cool website,

le cool magazine is a free, weekly magazine presenting a selection of concerts, djs, exhibitions, odd movies and other cultural events and happenings.

It's worth subscribing if you plan on traveling to any of the cities: Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Amsterdam, London, Istanbul, Milan, and Rome. You will not regret it.

Shop 'til you drop in exotic Europe

Charis Atlas Heelan of Frommer's posted this past Thursday a list of tips for shopping in exotic locations (Shanghai, Bangkok, Seoul, Hong Kong, but also Athens, and Istanbul.)

We find out that shopping in Euros is not necessarily scary if you know where to look in Athens, and that Turkey is, in addition to socks, a major clothing brand producer.

So if you are to heed Ms. Heelan's advice, go on a shopping spree in Athens and Istanbul. And here's the package to help you do it: Athens and Istanbul by Air - 6 nights from $745 - if you travel by the end of March.

Go to Prague!

So I was maybe a bit too rough on the editors at Fodor's Travel Wire for posting a too-expensive-for-my-taste deal. However, they redeemed themselves by recommending Aria in Prague, a new, musical-themed hotel (also ranked #13 in TripAdvisor.)

Good job! (Although I might have to ask why do you advertise a Valentine's Day package on Valentine's day?)

Regardless, let's say this promotion (€690 for 2 nights, breakfast, and a dinner) is still valid next Valentine's day. Google tells me

690 Euros = 896.79300 U.S. dollars

I would say: if you are going to fly to Prague, you have to spend at least 3 nights. But why not - if you are still in a romantic mood next year - go to Paris first, stay 3 nights, then continue on (by air) to Prague, stay 3 more nights. Here's to Paris and Prague by air for 6 nights from $589!

Romantic Venice

Another year, another Valentine's day, another month or so of marketing messages full of diamonds, flowers, chocolate, luxury. The idea is of course to impress your loved one by showering them with the most expensive gifts you can find, or they won't love you back (or so I understood.)

On a seemingly unrelated, yet-emailed-on-Feb-14 note, Fodor's Travel Wire "found" a good deal: a 3-night package at some upper class hotel in Venice for €1,450. While this might appeal to some, I am a big fan of good value for your money. (on a secondary note, the hotel is ranked 64 out of 358 on TripAdvisor; ouch.)

Luckily, our friends at EuropeanDestinations have somehow listened to some complaints regarding overnight train travel in Europe, and put together the ultimate romantic package: Paris and Venice by air. For $859 (plus taxes), you can fly into Paris, spend 3 nights, fly to Venice, stay 3 more nights, and then fly back to the US.

Call me a cheap-o, but that's how you impress your loved one: by saving them $1,000 on a trip to Europe.

However, if you have never traveled by train (in Europe,) you should at least try. The same city combination (plus one night on a train from Paris to Venice) is available for $819.

St Patrick's Day 2007

If you are thinking about traveling to Ireland for St Patrick's day this year, you might be cutting it close (target date: March 17), yet there is still some time left for planning a somewhat inexpensive trip.

And there is plenty of help when it comes to finding that Irish vacation you always wanted. For starters, Frommer's dutifully posted an article on how to find somewhat discounted air deals to Ireland, as well as some vacation packages from the big providers as well as from the somewhat Irish-oriented packagers such as CIE Tours, Sceptre Tours, Dooley Vacations, and Go-Today.

All in all, nothing but good advice from Frommer's. However, they somehow have left out the new kid on the block in terms of Europe packages: EuropeanDestinations.

On this green note, I am pleased to see the following self-drive packages that would satisfy your inner-most Irish desires (from farm houses to castles):

Live Like a Lord: 7 nights from $1,219 (incl. air + car rental)
A self drive through Ireland in Style. Spend your nights in medieval castles, ranging from the 11th century to the 18th century. Visit Dublin, Galway, Connemara, Clare and Limerick.

King and Kinsmen: 7 nights from $839 (incl. air + car rental)
Sample all facets of life in Ireland, with stays at a Farmhouse, a Bed & Breakfast, a castle and a hotel. Visit Dublin, Galway, Connemara, Limerick, Kerry and Kilkea.

Celtic Treasures: 7 nights from $2,149 (incl. air + car rental)
Now this is the luxury package Frommer's was looking for: stay in some of Europe's finest hotels, ranging from a stylish city center 5 star hotel to Ireland's oldest inhabited Castle. Visit Dublin, Galway, Cong, Connemara, County Clare, Kerry, and Kenmare or West Cork Region and the Midlands.

Georgian Farmhouse Tour of Ireland: 7 nights from $739 (incl. air + car rental)
How better to experience Ireland than by staying in stylish Georgian or other period/historic farmhouses, where history and the warm Irish welcome can be combined. Visit Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Cork and West Cork or Kerry, Ring of Kerry, Limerick or Tipperary and Kildare or Meath.

Go Green - Irish Travel Inspiration

Whatever draws you to Ireland (grass, cottages, castles, beer or magic) here are some beautiful pictures from The Guardian Unlimited (a UK publication) to get you motivated to book that one Irish trip you always wanted.


Cheers!

Just how far will your dollar go?

One of my favorite monthly articles on Frommers.com is the Global Price Index where the editors compare prices at different locations in the world. As one might expect, Mozambique is cheaper than Venice, but again Venice prices are reasonable when comparing them with Manhattan, NYC. According to the January 2007 article, you might want to skip Tahiti and go for Venice, after all.

A good place to start converting currency is this site (rates will vary on the streets of Venice, of course - just watch our for the commission).

Washington Post Travel Log

At last, The Washington Post embraced the new media and launched its own travel log with 8 professional contributors.

Looking forward to their first posts: read it here.

Nice - an excellent winter choice

The Financial Times (Weekend Travel section, Jan 12, 2007) reminds everyone why Nice is an amazing destination during winter and an excellent destination all year round. It turns out that due to its geographical location, Nice is well protected from any cold winds which makes neighboring Aix-en-Provence rather chilly.

Another reason to visit at any given time is the city's history, reflected in the city's Italian architecture, customs, and culture.

Some suggestions for possible itineraries including Nice:

Paris - Nice

London - Paris - Nice

Nice - Venice

For more similar pictures of Nice, feel free to visit Nice Tourism Board.

Burgundy wine and food

On the same mouth-watering food and drinks topic, Slate Magazine has an excellent article on Burgundy and Beaune: A Wine Lover in Burgundy. This is really fortunate, as European Destinations recently ran a promotion on its Paris and Beaune self-drive itinerary, 6 nights from $589.

The article does Burgundy justice and shies away from any hype currently surrounding Tuscany and Provence.

Here's a good way to plan your vacation to Burgundy - visit this page for suggestions.

At the same time, don't forget the other Burgundy package: Paris-Dijon (a self-drive itinerary).

Keep in mind though that probably your best option (if you are driving) is to pick up your car at the end of your stay in the French capital. Or better yet, take a train.

Eat Like a Local - Barcelona

Budget Travel Online, the online arm of the famed Budget Travel Magazine has come up with an article on the gourmet scene of Barcelona.

The structure of the article is similar to other travel guides or major newspapers that send out armies of travel writers attempting to dissect the local food scene.

Read the article here and enjoy your meal!

The best Vienna is Prague

"The best Vienna is Prague," says location manager for The Illusionist Jaroslav Vaculik, as quoted in the December 2006/January 2007 issue of Budget Travel Magazine. (For the record, The Illusionist was apparently filmed on location in Prague, yet it is set in Austria)

Ouch. He must be receiving lots of hate-mail, in German, nowadays.

How about if you could have the best of both worlds?

Here's to a great price for a 6-night train package combining both Prague and Vienna!
If you travel in the low season (i.e. January - March), you will pay roughly $645 (you might want to add your own taxes, depending on your departure airport).

When in London...

...do as London and UK restaurant guide Harden's tells you.

Not only they have provide reviews of restaurants, but they also are based in London, therefore the information is probably fresher than other guides.

On their site, you can search restaurants by cuisines or by features - so now you have no excuse for claiming that all British food is bland.

While researching your next trip to London, check out their top 10 London restaurants. You might be surprised to find out that French cuisine is making a come back, as chef Morgan Meunier can probably testify.

On the same note, here's a way to save for that fancy dinner in London: travel to London during the European low-season (January - March): Air + 5 nts = $539

The World of Biedermeier

While I clearly had no idea what it was about when I came upon the book World of Biedermeier, I must say I am now tempted to travel to Vienna, Berlin, and Potsdam, where the authors have thoroughly explored numerous castles and royal residences, baths, museum attics in their quest for the ultimate Biedermeier guide.

Their goal (beautifully accomplished) was to bring together everything Biedermeier - furniture, decorative ornaments, paintings, porcelain, crystal, and fabrics. The result was a 416-page reference book filled with astonishing detailed photographs.

After you check the book out, you might also embark upon a trip to Germany or Austria. And while you are there, why not splurge with a detour to Prague as well?

Here's a trip idea from EuropeanDestinations: Berlin-Prague-Vienna for 9 nights

Bringing Tuscany Home

There is no doubt in my mind that Frances Mayes has cornered the Tuscany market. She has become the de facto expert on Tuscany. Her 2004 book 'Bringing Tuscany Home - Sensuous Style from the Heart of Italy' strays away from the world of travel (sort of) and enters the wonderful and competitive realm of home decorations. Her spin is, of course, Tuscany.

Beautiful photographs make this book extremely appealing as a coffee table item, although recipes for Tuscan meals as well as descriptions of Tuscan elements of design abound.

While I don't think I can take more of Tuscany, this book is definitely worth reading if you are willing to intimately know your destination.

Berlin's Cultural Best

Jason Sheftell of Frommer's came up with some great deals related to Berlin in his 6 Nights of Berlin's Cultural Best for Under $750.

Whether you choose to stay in Berlin alone or visit a combination of cities in the area, you have plenty to choose from should you decide to go.

Here are some additions ideas:

Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin

Berlin - Prague - Vienna

Berlin - Dresden - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague

Amsterdam - Paris - Berlin - Prague

Paris - Berlin - Prague - Budapest

Gute Reise!

Chasing Architectural Wonders

If you are no longer content with Europe's beaten path (i.e. you politely yawn when people tell you how wonderful the Louvre is), why not look for the edgy, trendy in architectural design.

One of the most prestigious architectural prizes is the annual Royal Institute of British Architecture Stirling Prize. Not necessarily limited to the Ol' Continent, the winners and the runner-ups are usually from Europe. Surprised?

If you have any doubts in your mind, consider keep in mind that two of 2005 runner ups were two factories:

BMW Central Building, Leipzig, Germany - Zaha Hadid Architects

McLaren Technology Centre, Woking, Surrey - Foster and Partners

And if you want to visit the 2005 winner, why not go to Scotland - the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.

World's Most Expensive Restaurants (2006)

In case your budget allows it or you just want to impress your future spouse, Forbes.com came up with the 2006 list of world's most expensive restaurants (building on their 2005 article).

Paris: Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée - Dinner For One: $231

Rome: Alberto Ciarla - Dinner For One: $113

Munich: Acquarello - Dinner For One: $125

London: Gordon Ramsay - Dinner ForOne: $183

Madrid: El Amparo - Dinner For One: $70

Milan: Boeucc - Dinner For One: $62

As the French say, Bon Appetit!

Global Gourmet - Europe

Under rather sad circumstances, the NY Times published what was probably R.W.Apple's last submission to that publication.

The article, titled Global Gourmet, gives us the author's top 10 favorite restaurants in the world. Why weren't I surprised to see that 6 out of 10 restaurants were from Europe? Ahhh, the charms of the Old World! Please note the author's preference for smaller town restaurants in France, Italy, and Spain.

FLEURIE, France

SANT’AGATA SUI DUE GOLFI, Italy

SAN SEBASTIÁN, Spain

BRUSSELS, Belgium

LONDON, England

GOTHENBURG, Sweden

Enjoy!

Bucharest - now here's an idea

It was bound to happen sooner or later. While Prague and Budapest will probably remain Expat Central for a little longer, the interest is bound to shift East - to Romania and Bulgaria.

The NY Times opened the gate with a positive travel review of Bucharest, clearly stating the reason why the Romanian capital will most likely become the next Prague: cheaper & less crowded.



Here's a brief list of reasons to go:

- cheap
- good food
- cheap
- excellent performing art scene
- cheap
- revamped city skyline/infrastructure
- cheap
- did you know Bucharest used to be called Little Paris?
- cheap
- Byzantine churches
- and more...

Wide Angle: Travel ideas from another National Geographic book

I recently discovered Wide Angle - National Geographic Greatest Places. Beautiful photography (as always).

This book pretty much covers everything in the world. As far as Europe is concerned, it spans several chapters.

Since pictures (especially National Geographic ones) are worth more than a thousand words, I would not even attempt to describe the beauty of those places. However, if you could get a copy of the book (in stores or at your local library), you might get some new ideas for discovering Europe.

Central and Eastern Europe travel ideas:

- visit the gardens and palaces in St Petersburg, Russia

- go see the painted monasteries of Romania (featured: Moldovita)

- go people-watching in Austrian coffee shops - Salzburg, Austria

- watch kids at play in Istrian Peninsula, Croatia

- go for a ride in a horse-drawn wagon on a snowy day in Bavaria, Germany

- visit Europe's largest white pelican colony in Romania's Danube Delta - Lake Rosca, Romania

- enjoy scenic mountain views in alpine village Hallstatt, Austria

- visit Moscow's Red Square - Moscow, Russia

- discover turn-of-the-century beehives at the Ethnographic Museum in Roznov, Czech Republic

- discover simple life in rural Slovakia - Parnica, Slovakia

- visit the Liechtenstein Castle in Germany

- face history at splendid Church of the Resurrection (location where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated) - St Petersburg, Russia

- admire the scenery across The Caucasus Mountains in Russia (and find out why some people check the race box: Caucasian)

- discover The North Wall of Mount Triglav, rising 9,393 feet above the Vrata Valley, Slovenia (previously immortalized in one of Albrecht Altdorfer paintings)

- mingle with the locals in Bialowieza, Poland

- observe nomadic life style with gypsies in Buzescu, Romania

- have you ever considered visiting Dracula's Castle, in the region of Walachia, Romania (spooky) - actually the Bran Castle, near Brasov, Romania

Northern Europe travel ideas:

- how about swimming almost naked in the midst of winter - Blue Lagoon - Iceland ?

- spot perfect symmetry while visiting St Mary's Cathedral and the Georgian row houses surrounding it in Edinburgh, Scotland

- visit the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England

- go pub hopping in Ireland

- walk along the streets of Gamla Stan, the medieval center of Stockholm

- uncover centuries of histories at The Althing, where Iceland's leaders have met each year since 930 a.d. - Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

- Lake Bandak - Telemark, Norway

- discover stone burial chambers - Betws-y-Coed, Wales

- visit the local cemetery in Inverness, Scotland

- take your kids on a geography tour - walk along the brass strip marking Zero Longitude at Greenwich, England

- see how economic forces have altered once profitable working coal miles in Big Pit in Blaenavon,Wales (a popular museum)

- climb atop Ben Nevis, Scotland (highest mountain in Britain)

- visit London

- attend the Annual Braw Lads Gathering in Galashiels, Scotland

- visit Britain's largest Puffin Colony in St Kilda

- breathe history in Machynlleth, Wales

- admire the ancient tradition of burning fishing boats (to send the spirits of the dead to heaven) on Finland's Seurasaari Island

- visit the beautiful gardens of Hampton Court, Greater London, England

Western and Southern Europe travel ideas:

- running of the bulls - Pamplona, Spain

- ride a gondola in Venice, Italy

- go swimming in Lake Thun, Switzerland

- find out what happens when people don't buy laundry dryers - Genoa, Italy

- discover what inspired Claude Monet along France's Canal du Nivernais

- the architecture of Casa Mila, Barcelona, Spain

- more impressionist inspiration at Gervais Courtellemont, France

- relax with the locals in Place des Vosges, Paris, France

- take your kids white stork spotting in Spain

- visit the harbor of Honfleur, Normandy, France

- admire beautiful painted facades in Lisbon, Portugal

- how many tulips can you pick in Keukenhof, The Netherlands

- admire Switzerland's Bernese Alps

- attend a Basque Festival in Bayonne, Pyrenees-Atlantique Department, Aquitaine Region, France

- see Mount Etna, Sicily, Italy

- go shopping in Milan, Italy

- visit Tuscany, Italy

- find out why bulls are garlanded in Agia Paraskevi, Lesbos, Greece

- make your way up to a Basque Sheperd's cottage (looks challenging)

Budget Travel's Movie Quest 2006

Budget Travel Online wants people to submit and vote for the movies they found inspirational. They have done that in 2005, they want your suggestions in 2006. Slogan: "The 10 films that are inspiring us to travel--and how you can re-create the best moments yourself".

Since this is supposed to be an annual list from the movies released that particular year, I find the idea of proposing 10 movies a bit exaggerated. There are not many movies out there that would truly inspire us to travel.

Case in point, Match Point, which made the Budget Travel Movie Quest 2005 list. Aside from being captivating in a disturbing way, the movie did not entice me a bit to go visit London. But alas, I risk being unfair and unbalanced.

Here's their top 10 for 2005 - read and make up your own mind.

10. Sahara
9. Match Point
8. Grizzly Man
7. Everything is Illuminated
6. Duma
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
4. Brokeback Mountain
3. Memoirs of a Geisha
2. Pride & Prejudice
1. March of the Penguins

Also, if you so wish, submit your 2006 entries to this email.

Royal Gardens of Europe: From Grandeur to Privacy

The final chapter from the book Royal Gardens of Europe by George Plumptre is taking the reader from Big to Small, showing how the small and the private became - in time - the new beautiful.

The author recommends:

Fredensborg Palace - Lake Esrum, Denmark

Balchik - Balchik, Bulgaria

Castle of Mey - Caithness, Scotland

Laeken - Brussels, Belgium

Isola Bisentina - Lake Boselna, Italy (near Orvieto)

Highgrove - Gloucestershire, England

Enjoy your trips!

Royal Gardens of Europe: Great Restorations

Without a doubt, many of today's impressive royal gardends would not be on display without the tremendous work of restoring and preserving the centuries-old gardens.

Here are a few the author recommends:

Hampton Court - London, England (the supreme Royal Garden, as proclaimed by the author)

Het Loo - Apeldoorn, The Netherlands (garden completely destroyed, then completely restored)

Isola Bella - Lake Maggiore, Italy

Charlottenburg - Berlin, Germany ("considered by many the greatest braoque palace and garden composition")

Beloeil - Brussels, Belgium

Again, the book is Royal Gardens of Europe by George Plumptre.

Royal Gardens of Europe: Botanists and Plantsmen

It seems that horticulture was long a passion of the kings and queens of Europe, as their royal gardens often displayed exotic plants. Some of them actually became of international interest for the variety of plants, turning into veritable botanical gardens.

Le Park du Vasterival - Dieppe, France (Eastern Normandy)

Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew - London, England

Osborne House - Isle of Wight, England

Chateau de Belvedere - Brussels, Belgium

Royal Gardens of Europe: Royal Landscapes

What makes a Royal landscape....truly royal? Find out visiting the following:

Tsarskoye Selo (Pushking Palace during Soviet times) - St Petersburg, Russia

Konopiste - Prague, Czech Republic

Pavlovsk - St Petersburg, Russia

Wilanow - Warsaw, Poland


There are elements of landscape inspired from the English gardens and perfected in some exotic locations - Russia, Czech Republic, Poland.

Royal Gardens of Europe: The Age of Leisure

Mainly, a chapter on royal weekend escapes .

Aranjuez - Aranjuez, Spain (just south of Madrid)

Sanssouci - Potsdam, Germany (former residence of Prussian king Frederick the Great)

Drottingholm - Stockholm, Sweden

Schonbrunn - Vienna, Austria

La Quinta del Duque de Arco - Madrid, Spain

Schwetzingen - Mannheim, Germany

You have to read the book. I almost packed up tonight, these gardens are amazing!

Royal Gardens of Europe: Gardens for Display

Well, don't worry, I won't provide a detailed account of this chapter because I don't want to get sued, plus it's impossible for me to to speed read the fascinating details. I will let you discover them.

In good blogging, web 2.0 (insert cliche here) fashion, I will instead provide a list. (Listmania!!!)

Versailles - Versailles, France (just outside Paris).

Nymphenburg - Munich, Germany

Palacio de Queluz - Queluz, Portugal

Peterhof - St Petersburg, Russia

Palazzo Reale - Caserta, Italy (near Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast)


Ok, so you could swing a Queluz - Paris - Munich - Italy package, maybe. But you should probably break it into two or three trips. How about Lisbon - Paris and then Paris - Munich? I don't know - ask the experts at European Destinations...

Royal Gardens of Europe

So you know Europe by heart. You've been to Paris 10 times, shopped in London 20 times, and vacationed in Italy first as a kid with your parents, did the hostel thing in Spain during college, (re)discovered Venice with your sweetheart. You are pretty much tired of "touristy" Europe, but you are in love with the Old Continent. What to do, what to do?

How about looking for some inspiration? (No, I won't mention Tuscan, Sun, Under, The) .

Here's a book for you: George Plumptre's Royal Gardens of Europe. It is not your typical coffee table book (not as heavy, half page photos, lots of useful information).

How can this book help you? Let's take a look at the index: you can read more about Gardens For Display, The Age of Leisure, Royal Landscapes, Botanists & Plantsmen, Great Restorations, and From Grandeur to Privacy. Aside from the chapter on the people behind the great gardens of Europe, you can pretty much find sufficient information for your next 2-3 quarterly trips across the Atlantic.

Enjoy. Next, I will review the chapters individually.

Paris, by night

Or so would be the rough translation of the latest NY Times article on Paris: Paris, la nuit (ok, so we all know a bit of French, maybe). Elaine Sciolino (the chief of the Paris bureau of The Times) romantically explains why one should bother forgetting about jetlag and just go out and about the streets of Paris. (She is of course talking about the much safer centre-ville, and not about the incendiary banlieues). The reason is simple: "Inhibitions evaporate." Au revoir, New World puritanism. Bonjour (or rather, bonsoir) passionate (public) embraces. All poetic licenses and metaphors aside, she does make an excellent point: given the size, density, and popularity of Paris, it only makes sense to see the City of Lights by night.

Other interesting references in this article: movies. Elaine mentions Something’s Gotta Give, Everyone Says I Love You, and then proceeds to explain exactly how expensive and how elaborate the art of turning on the lights in Paris truly is. (no mention however of two not-so-glamourous movies La Haine and Banlieue-13, both dealing with the violence in the suburbs - and no mention is needed, as tourists probably have no business to conduct in those neighborhoods).

For more details, read the article here.

To embark upon an affordable vacation to Paris, go here and you could pay $509 for air + 5 nights this Thanksgiving, $555 for Christmas, $589 for New Year's. (air taxes not included, and of course do not expect 5 star hotels for these deals).

So you want to go to Italy - Tuscany

But of course you want to travel to Tuscany. Why shouldn't you? You've seen the movie, you've read the book, now all you have to to is pack up and go. You know everything. Right? Wrong. NY Times writer Mark Bittman seems to find some hidden culinary gems in a little Tuscan town called Lucca (read The Riches of Lucca from the NY Times Travel Section).

Regardless, now is the time to go, as the options for exploring Tuscany at your own leisure have increased exponentially with the addition of famed fly and drive packages:

Tuscany - Montecatini Terme

Tuscany - Pisa

Tuscany - Siena

Journey through Tuscany and Umbria

Highlights of Italy

Happy travels, everyone!

Trips that Will Change Your Life

Ever since Paul Coelho published the Alchemist (or even before that - but I am too young to remember), it was only a matter of time before Life-Meaning-Finding spilled into the travel sector.

I was not very surprised when I saw the NY Times Best-Seller: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Schultz. Well-written, even bought my own copy instead of getting at the local library. Obviously the author had gone to great lengths when researching the book (a little short on pictures, as any good book should be).

It appears it's OK to get inspired from previous works, as witnessed by one of the top 10 travel books on The Economist: Unforgettable Journeys to Take Before You Die by Steve Watkins and Clare Jones (Paperback - April 2006)

Ok, so maybe I should not be so rough on these guys - a simple search on Amazon.com yields a much earlier book, 100 Things to Do Before You Die: Travel Events You Just Can't Miss by Neil Teplica.

And, don't forget: Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die by Steve Davey and Marc Schlossman.

Alright, so I need to go to the library and get more books.

Book review: The Seasoned Traveler

The Seasoned Traveler by George Bauer
A Guide for Baby Boomers and Beyond

This book supposedly targets the senior crowd. I’d say this book could be written for just about anyone interested in travel. It does have some good older crowd tips, but I just think it’s a book designed to be the first to target the senior market.

Here are some good tips/websites.

Best Mature Traveler Websites:

www.adventuresabroad.com
www.50plusexpeditions.com
www.frommers.com
www.gct.com
www.smarterliving.com/senior
www.third.age.com/travel
www.travel.state.gov/olderamericans.html
www.vantagetravel.com
www.wiredseniors.com

What not to buy:

- all products made from sea turtles
- all ivory
- furs from spotted cats/marine mammals
- feathers/ feather products from wild birds
- live/stuffed birds from Australia, the Caribbean, several nations in Latin America
- most crocodile and cayman leather
- most coral

Voyages of Discovery

elderhostel
www.roadscholar.org
InterHostel
TraveLearn
Spiritual:
www.destinationseurope.com
EcoTouring
Garden Tours
Cooking/Eating Tours

The Author’s Favorite Places to Shop in Europe
Dublin
London
Brussels
Paris
Amsterdam
Rome
Prague
Vienna
Salzburg
Copenhagen

Why take volunteer vacations:
- caring for abused animals
- helping scientists with environmental research or other projects
- teaching English or other courses
- engaging in archaeological digs or restoring older structures
- helping at camps for special-needs children
- building infrastructure in impoverished communities
- constructing homes for the homeless
- providing health services in rural regions
- caring for orphaned or abandoned children
- helping a family farm continue to operate
- clearing trails into wilderness

Volunteer Vacations Providers

Earthwatch Institute
Global Ventures
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Sierra Club
American Hiking Society
Travel with a Challenge
www.li-feline.com
www.i-to-i.com
Volunteers for Peace: www.vfp.com
www.orangutan.com
Archaeological Institute of America: www.archaeological.org
www.amizade.org
www.ophanage-outreach.org
www.globalcitizens.org
www.oceanic-society.org
www.conservancy.bc.ca
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/volunteers
www.seniorcorps.org

Top places in America (by state) – not the subject of this blog

Top places in Canada – not the subject of this blog

Top Places in Mexico - not the subject of this blog

The author’s Top Places in Europe

Norwegian Fjords
Cote d'Azur
Yorkshire Dales
Tuscany
The Swiss Alps
Prague
Athens
Scottish Isles
Paris

One of the Author’s Trips to Europe - Six Countries in 16 days:

- London; Paris; Nice; Lucerne; Pisa; Rome; Sorrento; Naples; Florence; Venice; Salzburg; the Rhine

So you want to go to Spain - Girona

I got my hands on a rather nice and glossy magazine titled Top Girona, available also online. If you want to explore this area of Catalonia from Costa Brava to the Pyrenees, you should check it out.

While Girona is a city in itself, this magazine covers the entire area of Catalonia, marking some of the must-see sites such as the Botanical Garden Marimurta of Blanes, the terrace of Can Batlle in Calella de Palafrugell (a favorite hang-out place for local writer Javier Cercas), Hotel AC Palau de Bellavista, Restaurant La Cuina de Can Pipes, El Bulli restaurante, the social club "Golf Fontanals de Cerdanya," Rafael Maso's architecture,

Do not forget to try some of the local Saint John's Day Cake, the food in the county of Olot, the rope soled shoes of Cristina Castanera, or celebrate during the Procession of the Virgin del Carmen in L'Escala (and other towns on the Girona coast such as: Llanca, Roses, Palamos, Castello d'Empuries, Sant Feliu de Guixols, and Cadaques) .

Of course, you can make Girona part of a longer trip through Spain, either by train or by car:

Spanish Sepharad - Madrid, Cordoba, Barcelona and Girona with the Ave and Talgo trains.

Jewish Heritage - Barcelona, Girona, Cordoba, Toledo, Segovia and Madrid by rail and rent a car.

Road Trip in France

Joel Achenbach, one of my favorite writers at the Washington Post, went to France and decided to embark upon an American-style road trip (i.e. with no much planning involved). We find out why in his amusing article. Apparently his family did not appreciate his impromptu visit to the Loire Valley. He should have instead planned a train trip to either Blois, Orleans, or Tours.

Paris - Blois (Loire Valley)

Paris and Blois with the TER regional train.

Paris - Orleans (Loire Valley)

Paris and Orleans with the TER (regional) train.

Paris - Tours

Paris and Tours with the TGV train.

Had he known these train packages, he would have probably gone there by train, which we all know (and he admits) everyone at times is a much better way to travel to Europe.

Travel Books: A list from the Economist

Every now and then, The Economist publishes interesting book reviews or lists of top travel books. From the list published on April 6th, 2006, one can pick some interesting books pertaining to Europe. This means more book reviews for me...

1. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert.

4. 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. By Patricia Schultz

5. Unforgettable Journeys to Take Before You Die by Steve Watkins and Clare Jones (see a theme?)

6. A Year in the World: Journeys by a Passionate Traveller by Frances Mayesa> (hurray, the book I am reviewing right now!)

7. Rick Steves’ Italy 2006 by Rick Steves >(another book on Italy?)

8. Ghosts of Spain: Travels Through a Country’s Hidden Past by Giles Tremlett

10. The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt (one of my favorite writers - it's hard to surpass the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, but I will give him a chance)

As one can easily see (and easily imagine, one might add), Europe is THE preferred destination for millions of travelers each year. 7 books out of 10 on the top 10 best-selling travel books list. Even if one eliminates the 1,000 Places... and Unforgettable Journeys - which touch on many continents, you still have 5 out of 10 books on Europe.

Book review: Burgundy (A Year in the World)

I am continuing my journey in the wold, a journey guided by Frances Mayes. So after Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and Morocco (not covered here), the author is attempting to re-discover one of her favorite writers, Colette. Well, I must admit I had no idea who Colette was before reading this book, so at least I feel that I gained something, although the trip to Burgundy as described in the book lacks the depth of the first Andalucian chapter.

En bref, the author is taking us to Colette's childhook grounds and to the nearby towns, cities, and villages:

Auxerre
Autun
Vezelay
Burgundy
Beaune (wine town)
Saint Saveur
Dijon
Anjou

While planning your trip to France, check out new additions to the list of train packages in France vacations. Now you can travel to the South of France, Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley.

Celebrate (One People, Multiple Journeys)

Lonely Planet's recent release One People: many journeys rivals and it many ways outshines the now famous National Geographic pictorials. I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for some travel inspiration, plain art, or some heavy, glossy book to place on the coffee table.

One chapter I particularly enjoyed, although all of them are excellent: Celebrate. This chapter alone is probably the best to get you inspired for your next vacation.

Here are some suggestions for you, beautifully accompanied by excellent pictures:

• Venice, Italy: Carnevale di Venezia; next event: Sat, Feb 10 - Tue, Feb 20, 2007;
• Reykjavik, Iceland: The Winter Lights Festival; midwinter, annual event; 23-26 Feb (2006);
• Basel, Switzerland: Fasnacht (Mardi Gras); three-day annual event, the Monday after Mardi Gras;
• Lucerne, Switzerland: Fasnacht (Mardi Gras); three-day annual event, the Monday after Mardi Gras;
• Vilafranca del Penedes (in Catalonia, Spain); Grape Harvest Festival; Aug - Sep 2006 (annual);
• Hamar, Norway; The Gathering, one of the largest computer parties in the World;
• Dublin, Ireland; St Patrick's Day (THE St Patrick's Day Parade);
• Buñol (province of Valencia), Spain; La Tomatina - tomato fight!!!; annual event;

The chapter's only fault is that it's too short, and for a good reason; we need countless books to capture all of this World's annual festivals. The chapter does imply (on a rather poetic level) that celebration exists everywhere where people are: from football games in Europe to college graduation parties in Mexico.

Why are you still there??? GO! Europe is waiting.

Book review: Taormina chapter (A Year in the World)

I have to say that this chapter is lacking the depth and level of detail I saw even in Naples. Probably Frances Mayes is saving the majority of her notes for a different book. However, she does an excellent job at describing the appetizing cuisine of Southern Italy. In two consecutive letters written to her friend Steven, she goes into mouth-watering depictions of local cuisine, pasta, pastry, seafood, and wine. (Advice: do not read this chapter on an empty stomach).

We do find out that the sun is almighty in Sicily and it's probably influenced the locals throughout the history. There are signs of modernity, but everyone seems to be someone happy with being stuck in a distant past. She recommends Giuseppe di Lampedusa's The Leopard, a book that has also been made into an award-winning movie.

Bottom line: do not expect to plan your trip based on this chapter alone. It might be better for you to go to this Sicily page and plan your trip:

Naples - Taormina - Naples and Taormina in Sicily by train
Palermo - Taormina - Palermo and beautiful Taormina by train
Completely Sicilian - Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa and Taormina by Rail
Rome - Naples - Taormina - Palermo - Rome, Naples, Taormina and Palermo by rail

Enjoy!

Affordable Lisbon

It takes me longer than I thought to review all the articles in the Affordable Europe series of the NY Times. Today, it's Lisbon time! Quite in a timely manner, after finishing the chapter on Portugal from A Year in the World by Frances Mayes. Just like in the book, we find out about azulejos (the famed Portuguese tile) and fado (with the appropriate warning of not falling for the tourist traps). The book is more detailed than the article on food (quite appropriately). The article seems to think that the Pensãos (inns) are the best way to go about lodging.

I'd say: you haven't seen our list of affordable hotels in Lisbon:

Alif
Almirante
Altis Park
Avenida Park
Barcelona
Borges
Botanico
Le Meridien Park Atlantic
Metropole
Radisson Sas
Residencial Horizonte
Residencial Princesa
Residential Estoril
Suico Atlantico
VIP Berna

As always, you should probably be looking into combining Portugal with another country (Spain is the country of choice).

Buget Europe: Copenhagen

Continuing my review (and praise) or the Affordable Europe series in the NY Times, I just realized that I have unfairly remarked upon the absence of Stockholm from this review. As it seems, the editors did not treat Scandinavia unjustly and did feature Copenhagen, the Danish capital. While their choice is arguable (why go for Copenhagen and not for Stockholm? after all, IKEA sells better than Carlsberg), there are too many cities in Europe to be covered in this 16-city review.

If you read the article, you will find out that most top Copenhagen museums are now free of charge, and the new Copenhagen Opera House is much revered.

Also, you might want to consider the following hotels for your stay:

Avenue
Clarion
Comfort Esplanaden
First Skt Petri
Opera

If you are equally divided between Sweden and Denmark, consider this package Copenhagen - Stockholm combining both capitals.

Book review: Naples chapter from A Year in the World

As expected, I got a bit bogged down in Italy, following Frances Mayes' trip to Italy. She completely disagrees with previous writers of all genres and types (as well as some Italian stereotypes) who apparently have labeled Naples forever as a city of "bad people". Frances falls in love with the architecture, the Roman ruins, the scenery (Vesuvius is looming somewhere in the background), and even with the people. There is nothing wrong with Naples, she argues, if you are willing to ignore the maddening traffic that dissipates on Sundays.
Regardless, it's a short (a lot shorter than the previous depictions of Spain and Portugal), yet informative count of Naples.
She also recommends some books on this city:

The Gallery by John Horne Burns
Earthly Paradise by Colette
Bay of Noon by Shirley Hazzard

This should be enough to get you started with your preparations for your trip to Naples (or so we hope). Add to that a slice of pizza napolitana at your local Italian restaurant and you are good to go.

Also, don't forget to check out some trip ideas that would include Naples (or Napoli):

The Amalfi Coast (Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri and Sorrento with a rent a car)

Naples - Taormina

The Heel of Italy by Rail (Naples, Foggia, Lecce and Taranto by train)

Archeological Treasures of Southern Italy (Rome, Naples, Amalfi and Sorrento with a rent a car)

Rome - Naples - Taormina - Palermo

Venice - Florence - Rome - Naples

Prohibited items on a plane (updated)

In case you were wondering, this just in from the Department of Homeland Security: Full list of prohibited items

And a warning to go with that:

Bringing a prohibited item to a security checkpoint - even accidentally - is illegal.


That apparently does not prevent people from ignoring all warnings, signs, and news coverage.

Honeymoons in Paris and beyond

Honeymoons in Europe must include Paris, not only because it's my favorite city, but also because it's deemed to be one of the most romantic and romanticized cities in the world. One cannot go wrong with proposing in Paris, suggesting a Paris honeymoon, or even planning a romantic vacation to Paris.

While one could easily daydream about spending endless days in Paris, strolling along the Champs Elysees and eating croissants in a luxuriour parisian hotel, the truth is 10-14 days in Paris alone can prove a little too much (maybe). Then why not try an ultimate romantic trip to Europe, by combining Paris, a luxurious train ride, and another charming European capital or city.

Here are a few suggestions/ideas for romantic vacations in Europe:

Paris - Amsterdam
Paris - Venice
Paris - Rome
Paris - Barcelona
London - Paris
Paris - Geneva
Paris - Milan

As you can see, you could probably find a city combination for every couple out there, be it fashion lovers, ultimate romantics, museum goers, shoppers, spenders, on a budget, beach lovers, and so on. And remember that you will always have Paris (and the best part: you will be able to actually say it without having to lie or be too cheesy about it).

Lake Como vacation

Arguably, the Lakes in Northern Italy have been made famous by Hemingway's war novel "A Farewell to Arms," although they were quite popular in Italy prior to that date. As a piece of trivia, part of the movie " Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" was filmed in Lake Como, as a June NY Times article points out. French writer Stendhal also wrote, "What can one say of Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands...except to pity people who do not go mad over them."

So what are the towns/villages one should visit in the Lake District of Italy? Lake Como, Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore-Baveno, Lake Maggiore-Belgitare, Lake Maggiore-Stresa, and Riva de Garda.

We agree with the NY Times writer: the best way to see the famed Lake District in Italy is by renting a car, although there are railroad alternatives. Of course, traveling by train has its undeniable unique charm, but for today's multi-tasking traveler, renting a car presents multiple advantages.

whether you decide for car or train, it is up to you. The closest international airport is the city of Milan, where you can choose to spend a few nights as well.

Lake Como

Lake Garda

Lake Maggiore-Baveno

Lake Maggiore-Belgitare

Lake Maggiore-Stresa

Riva de Garda

Here are a few train packages to explore the area:

Lake Como - Milan

Lake Maggiore - Milan

Milan - Como - Venice

Bella Italia (Rome, Florence, Venice, Lake Como and Milan by Rail)

Completely Italian (Rome, Siena, Pisa, Florence, Verona, Venice, Lake Como and Milan)

And a few self-drive itineraries:

Northern Italy (Venice, Padova, Verona, Lake Como and Milan with a rent a car)

Journey Through Northern Italy and Venice (Venice, Ravenna, Bologna, Cremona, Como, Verona and Padova)

I guess it's time to pack for your trip to Northern Italy.

Should you be a paranoid tourist?

I know I am running the risk of receiving death threats from a certain ethnic group, but the NY Times said it first. Their article describes how unsuspecting tourists will at times pay a higher price or receive lower quality services/meals in Rome.

I would say one must be vigilant, but not to the point of being paranoid. I don't like it a bit, but I understand the (rather primitive and selfish) thinking of the locals - who would claim tourists deserve it. After all, we are invading their territory. Just be aware that this is going on, and you will be fine.

How scared should you be?

Not a good day, given the news from London.

Our two cents: it's all good news. After all, the security system in place has worked and a terrorist plot was averted.

Just remember: no liquids in your carry-ons. And for those of you in London - patience is advised.

The Department of Homeland Security has a press release posted on their site. You might want to read and heed.

From the text of the release:

Due to the nature of the threat revealed by this investigation, we are prohibiting any liquids, including beverages, hair gels, and lotions from being carried on the airplane. This determination will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. These changes will take effect at 4:00 AM local time across the country. Travelers should also anticipate additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints.

This is rather unfortunate, as they have just started to relax the carry-on rules.

Driving In Spain - what you really need to know

If you wish to see as much as possible in Spain having your own car is certainly the best method of transportation. If you are to drive a foreign registered car in Spain (unlikely, if you are coming from the United States) you must have with you, your passport, current driver’s license, valid insurance and vehicle registration documents. Vehicles should display a national identity plate. Otherwise, bring your license, rent a car, and drive on.

Spain has nearly 100,000 mi/160,000 km of roads. The roads in Spain vary from very poor to very good. The main connecting roads are generally excellent. You should give way to traffic from the right, especially at roundabouts.

Speed Limits
Speed limit on Motorway: 120 kph/74 mph
Speed limit in Towns: 50 kph/31 mph
Speed limit on Major roads: 100 kph/62 mph
Speed limit Residential area: 20 kph/12 mph

Be careful to stick to the speed limits as speed sensors are common throughout Spain, if you are over the speed limit, you may notice a traffic light at the edge of the town which automatically turns to red so that you must come to a stop before entering the town. If you encounter two red lights this means: no entry!

Rules of the Road
Traffic travels on the right and if a car approaches you and signals an intention to pass, you must turn on your right directional to signal that the road ahead is clear.

Gas
Gas stations are open from 8am to 8pm with some stations in major cities and on the highway open 24 hours.

Tolls
Spain's expressways, the "autopistas," are toll roads and are identified by the letter A.

Parking
"Blue zone" parking exists in Spanish cities. Marked by the sign, "Zona Azul," you may park for 2 hours and you must pay for the amount of time you plan on being parked.

Drinking and driving:
Don't do it. Over 0.05 per cent and you could face anything from a severe fine, withdrawal of your license, up to imprisonment.

Lights:
Dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

Some hints:

• The traffic-lights (semaforos) in Spain are more often than not, situated only at your stop line for the junction and so you can see when they change when you are in the front of the queue; there is a set of smaller lights on the support post.
• The Law for pedestrian crossings until recently is not as strict as in for example, the US where a driver is always at fault if the vehicle hits a pedestrian on the crossing. You must step onto the crossing, remembering to look LEFT, and show the palm of your hand to any approaching vehicles. Previously, they still did not have to stop, but a new Law involving penalty points means that the drivers can be penalized now for not stopping. Many tourists are injured, some killed each year, for only looking right when crossing the road.
• You may NOT overtake on the right (inside lanes) on the highways unless there is a slip road or another road indicated and you are taking it.
• Do not pull into the middle of the road to turn left if there is a solid line in the road. There are often special lanes for this, signposted cambio de sentido.
• Always wear seatbelts - it is compulsory in the front and back.
• Don’t drink and drive – the limits are very low and the penalties very high.
• As a general rule you may not park in Spain where the pavement is painted yellow or where no parking sign is displayed.
• Also the use of a mobile telephone whilst driving is now banned in Spain.

Useful terms when driving in Spain:

• Aparcamiento - Parking
• Ceda el Paso - Give Way
• Centro - Town center
• Comisaria - Police station
• Cuidado - Drive with care
• Desvío - Detour
• Dirrección Única - One-way street
• Obras - Roadworks
• Peligro - Danger
• Todas Direcciones - All directions
• tanque de gasolina - gas tank
• matrícula - license plate
• acumulador - battery
• radiador - radiator
• Todas direcciones - All directions
• Autopista - Motorway
• Despacio - Slow
• Prohibido el paso - Road Closed
• Mantenga su izquierda - Keep left
• Mantenga su derecha - keep right
• Prioridad a la izquierda - Priority to left
• Prioridad a la derecha - Priority to right
• Encienda sus luces - Switch on lights
• Salida - Motorway Exit

To enjoy some self-drive packages, remember to check out the following suggestions:

Madrid and the Heart of Spain
Madrid, Toledo, El Escorial, Segovia, Avila, Salamanca, Zamora, Leon and Burgos with rent a car.

Enchanting Andalucia
Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Toledo with a rent a car.

Rioja and the land of Castles
Madrid, Lerma, Burgos, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Logroño, La Rioja wine country, Medinacelli, and Siguenza with a rent a car.

The Way of Saint James
Madrid, Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, Leon, Lugo and Santiago de Compostela with a rent a car.

Dreamy Andalucia
Malaga, Granada, Cordoba, Seville and Ronda with a rent a car.

Magic Triangle
Toledo, Valencia, Barcelona, Zaragoza and Madrid with rent a car.

Northern Spain and the Green Coast
Barcelona, Zaragoza, San Sebastian, Guernica, Bilbao, Castro Urdiales, Santander, Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela with a rent a car.

Book Review: One Year in the World (Portugal chapter)

The second chapter of Frances Mayer's of 'Under the Tuscan Sun' fame 'A Year in the World' is dedicated exclusively to Portugal. Given Portugal's size (slightly smaller than Indiana), it is no wonder the author is rushing through this country a lot faster than through Andalucia (maybe a bit too rushed for my taste).

Nonetheless, I believe it to be a very good depiction of Portugal. And I think I am a rather objective observer, since the closest I ever got to Portugal was by visiting the Western Spanish province of Extremadura, without a doubt the sister region of Portugal's very own Estremadura.

In her quest for the meaning of saudade, fado (traditional Portuguese music), and açordas (bread soup), Frances Mayer starts in Lisbon, then goes on to marble city of Estremoz in the province of Alentejo, Evoramonte, Évora, Obidos, Coimbra, Guimaraes, and Lord Byron's very own adopted city of Sintra on Costa do Sol.

When it comes to lodging in Portugal, I agree with Frances Mayer: she loves pousadas (the equivalent of Spain's paradores - historical/rustic accommodation) . They are truly the best places to stay if you are willing to take the Portuguese plunge.

Also, it seems that France Mayer is a big fan of self-drive itineraries, which is probably the best way to experience a country, provided you have the time. Just remember most cars in Europe have standard transmission, are smaller (which is probably a bliss), and some European roads are particularly narrow.

So, if you are ready to see what Portugal, the country that brought to you Vasco da Gama, Brazil, Capo Verde, and port wine is all about, go ahead.

Packing tips for Europe

Actually, these are good for anywhere you want to travel. Budget Travel asked its readers to provide good packing tips for other travelers. If you want to get the best 5 tips on how to travel light, regardless of your destination or the number of companions, then you should read their winning tips. After you are done and if you still have time, don't forget to check out the runner-ups as well.

The Da Vinci Hype

The Washington Post got it right: it is a hype. Up until the release date of the movie, everywhere I turned (especially online) I could not escape the explosion of Da Vinci Code hype. That includes travel, of course.

So I was not surprised when European Destinations came up with its own 'A Da Vinci Code European Vacation', a 10-day customizable package starting in Edinburgh, continuing with London, Paris, and ending up in Rome. I even liked the original write-up:

You might be able to re-read Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” on your way to Europe, but you should set aside at least 10 days of travel if you are to follow the book’s characters in Edinburgh, London, Paris, and Rome.

Start in Edinburgh and work your way South and East, as you will save some time on your transatlantic flight in the critical first days of your trip, when you will need to adjust to Europe’s time.

Just outside Edinburgh, in the village of Roslin, you will get to visit the famous Rosslyn Chapel. While Edinburgh is not a large city, we recommend spending two nights here to allow your body to recover from jetlag and fatigue.

Your next stop will be London after a high-speed train ride aboard the Inter City Express. While in London, don’t forget to visit the Temple Church located in the Bloomsbury neighborhood close to the Temple station, St James’s Park (near St James’s Park station) and the Westminster Abbey (near Westminster Stop). After two nights of London, head for Paris aboard the modern EuroStar.

While in Paris, don’t forget to visit at a minimum the Louvre, the Champs Elysees, Bois de Boulogne, and Saint-Sulpice.

After two nights in the French capital, enjoy a different train ride aboard the comfortable and luxurious Artesia, which will take you on an overnight trip to Rome. Obviously, you would not want to miss out on Vatican City, the center of Catholic Faith. But you should also try to get out and visit the Gandolfo Castle.

Ahhh, you gotta love that hype. However: seriously, if you are interested, you should go.

Stockholm travels (museums for free)

While they have ignored this Scandinavian city during their April Budget Europe release, the NY Times thoughtfully published a travel article on Stockholm this past weekend. If you like IKEA, then you will like Stockholm, the thinking goes, but Denny Lee certainly offers you more reasons to like the Swedish capital. From 'Why Go Now' to 'How to Get Around', this article certainly rivals the more established city guides (although not nearly as detailed).

For those in the mood for a bit of Scandinavian exploration, Frommer's guide Europe by Rail promotes a 10-day Scandinavian Triangle: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm.

I can only offer you the first and the last points, because inter-country railway agreements make rail travel to Oslo less smooth than previously thought. The Scandinavian Triangle will be coming soon to a website near you. However, until then, enjoy the Scandinavian duo: Copenhagen - Stockholm by X2000 (the futuristic-named high-speed train).

Need a reason to travel? How about beer?

As if you needed a truly good reason to visit Prague and the Czech Republic, the NY Times came up with a nice piece on Czech beers and how to best experience them. As it turns out, there are more than 100 breweries in this country, yet the author focuses on the more famous and controversial Budvar in Ceske Budejovice and Pilsner Urquell in Plzen (find out here why).

Since (almost) everything in the Czech Republic is within driving or train riding distance, it is probably a good idea to first check into a hotel in Prague following my earlier advice on its best-selling properties, then follow the beer trail. Cheers, everyone! (or rather, Na zdraví!)

Travel Inspiration - Jewish Heritage in Spain

This was going to be a book review, but Jewish Roots in Spain by Koldo Chamorro is more of a pictorial than anything else. And the pictures in this book speak of the amazing Jewish heritage in Spain (or Sepharad, as they call Spain in Modern Hebrew).

Spain's history up to 1492 is a study in tolerance and peaceful coexistence of three different ethnic/religious groups: Muslims, Jews (Sephardim), and Christians. While various cities had either Muslim or Christian rulers, all three groups thrived under an almost paradisiacal harmony. The Jewish community in Spain was an important player in the country's politics and finances, regardless of its regional leaders. Sadly, Ferdinand and Isabella wanted a Catholic Spain and forced the Jewish community into a long exile.

They left behind a rich cultural heritage, visible today in the Jewish quarters (or Juderias) of cities like Toledo, Seville, Tarazona, Besalu, Cordoba, Segovia, Hervas, Tudela, Olite, Calatayud, Chelva, Montblanc, Albaracin, Xativa, Sagunto, Girona, Caceres, Daroca, Barcelona, Peniscola.
Do not miss Cordoba's Synagogue, Toledo's Sinagoga del Transito and Sinagoga de Santa Maria la Blanca, as well as Toledo's Sephardic Museum. An interesting piece of trivia: Toledo's famed house of El Greco was actually built and owned by Samuel Levi, treasurer to King Pedro I.

A vacation package following the Jewish Heritage theme is the 8-nighter Spanish Sepharad train package which takes you through Madrid, Cordoba, Girona, and Barcelona or the car and train package Jewish Heritage that adds Toledo to the previously mentioned route.

For a better understanding of Spain's Jewish community contribution to the World Heritage, let us not forget the great intellectual figures of yester-Sepharad: Yehuda Ha-Levi, Shlomo ibn Gabirol - poet born in Malaga, Samuel ibn Negrella, Abraham ibn Ezra, Dunash ibn Labrat, Hasdai ibn Shaprut, Isaac Abravenel, Nahmanides, Samuel Halevi, Abraham Zacut, and Maimonides.

Train travel in Spain

Since the previous post was a bit long, I reposted the list of train packages one can book in Spain. The list of trains is taken from RENFE website (Spanish only) - and the train routes are described on the respective pages (if you follow the link)

LIST OF TRAIN PACKAGES IN SPAIN

Packages with Alaris:
Madrid - Valencia - Barcelona

Packages with Altaria:
Madrid - Barcelona
Barcelona - Madrid - Lisbon
Lisbon - Madrid - Barcelona
Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Packages with Alvia coming soon

Packages with Arco coming soon

Packages with AVE:
Timeless Andalucian Journey
Madrid - Cordoba
Madrid - Seville
Madrid - Cordoba - Seville
Madrid - Seville - Granada
Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada
Spanish Sepharad
Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada - Barcelona

Packages with Diurno coming soon

Packages with Estrella:
Barcelona - Bilbao - Zaragoza and Pamplona
Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Packages with Euromed coming soon
Packages with Intercity coming soon

Packages with Talgo:
Madrid - Granada
Madrid - Bilbao
Paris - Madrid
Paris - Barcelona
Barcelona - Milan
Madrid - Granada - Barcelona
Spanish Sepharad
Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid
Paris - Barcelona - Milan

Packages with Talgo 200 coming soon

Packages with Trenhotel:
Madrid - Granada - Barcelona

Culture Shock and Spain trains

While Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - Spain (published October 2005, although the original edition dates 1993) is clearly a book for those willing to spend more than a week in Spain, but it does not hurt to browse through, especially if this is your first time outside the United States or the first time in Europe.

Since Spain is a Western-type country, the customs are not that different. But there are "the little differences" such as kissing your friend's cheeks when meeting (opposite sex only), dressing to the latest fashion, keeping your hands above the table while dining. The book if full of advice on everything from how to exchange greetings to what you need to know to start your own business. While customs take longer to change, I must question many of the specific references to the laws and bureaucracy of Spain. Since this book has been likely only updated from its previous issue, chances are that some of the laws have dramatically changed, as Spain became a more prosperous member of the European Union.

Case in point: I opened the book to the chapter on trains. The first statement is: In general, RENFE, the government-run railroad, is below par by European standards. The first high-speed train between Madrid and Seville made its debut just in time for the 1992 expo. I can see clearly that this section has not been properly amended. While traveling between Barcelona and Madrid will probably still require a night train ride (in a comfortable setting), the network of high-speed trains has bloomed in the rest of the country, brining Spain's network up to par.

For a better look at Spain's modern railroads, check out RENFE on the web (Spanish only).
Here is an impressive list of Alta Velocidad (high-speed train) and Larga Distancia (long-distance trains - or train hotels) from their website (I took the liberty to include some train packages that you can book for your traveling pleasure):

Alaris
Packages with Alaris:

• Madrid - Valencia - Barcelona

Altaria
Packages with Altaria:

• Madrid - Barcelona
• Barcelona - Madrid - Lisbon
• Lisbon - Madrid - Barcelona
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Alvia
Packages with Alvia coming soon

Arco
Packages with Arco coming soon

AVE
Packages with AVE:

• Timeless Andalucian Journey
• Madrid - Cordoba
• Madrid - Seville
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville
• Madrid - Seville - Granada
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada
• Spanish Sepharad
• Madrid - Cordoba - Seville - Granada - Barcelona

Diurno
Packages with Diurno coming soon

Estrella
Packages with Estrella:

• Barcelona - Bilbao - Zaragoza and Pamplona
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid

Euromed
Packages with Euromed coming soon

Intercity
Packages with Intercity coming soon

Talgo
Packages with Talgo:

• Madrid - Granada
• Madrid - Bilbao
• Paris - Madrid
• Paris - Barcelona
• Barcelona - Milan
• Madrid - Granada - Barcelona
• Spanish Sepharad
• Barcelona - San Sebastian - Zaragoza - Madrid
• Paris - Barcelona - Milan

Talgo 200
Packages with Talgo coming soon

Trenhotel
Packages with Trenhotel:

• Madrid - Granada - Barcelona

Enjoy!

Sizzling Hot Brussels (but is it affordable?)

Conde Nast Traveler (August 2006 issue) published a story on Brussels, "Europe's Hot New Capital". (sidenote: I could not link to the article on their website, because this magazine apparently did not embrace the newer business model of giving away free content against massive advertisement on their site). Alas, it's a pretty good story (with lots of good pictures), written and displayed in their characteristic style resembling more a fashion magazine than a travel publication. I did not see any references to prices that made the articles in NY Times Affordable Europe series so much more valuable. It may be that the story's focus was on the city itself and less on the money issue. Could it be that Brussels is not an affordable city? I really doubt it, but this does not explain why the NY Times writers did not include "Europe's Hot New Capital" in their series.

Regardless, here are a few good packages that would make Brussels a lot more affordable than both Conde Nast and the NY Times would make you believe.

London - Brussels
Brussels - Bruges - Paris
London - Paris - Brussels
Amsterdam - Brussels - Paris from $886 (with air from NYC)
Amsterdam - Brussels - Bruges - Paris

Book Review - One Year in the World (Andalucía chapter)

So I decided to take the travel book plunge. Fair enough.

The most preparation I have done for any trip was to read travel guides, not travel books. I still have to figure out if a travel book such as One Year in the World by Frances Mayes is targeting people who are about to travel abroad, people who have visited some of the places depicted in the book, or just people who enjoy this type of literature?

I definitely fall in the second category, as I was drawn to this book by the first chapter, on Andalucía. Since during my recent trip to Spain I spent quite a few days in this region, it only seemed fair to start reading it.

Here's the author's itinerary in beautiful Andalucía:
Seville
Italica (first Roman town to be settled in Spain)
Carmona
Ronda
Marbella and Puerto Banus
Antequera – Archidona
Granada (town of Frederico García Lorca and famed Alhambra)
Ubeda
Baeza
Córdoba

After reading this chapter, I wish I had planned my trip more thoroughly. However, Spain is so rich in history, that a 10-day trip is not enough to cover everything. One must focus, pick a theme. I find myself drawn more to the Roman and Moorish heritage of Spain - which means Andalucía and Extremadura would probably be worth exploring in detail. More on how to plan a trip to Spain>>>


I found the chapter extremely informative, and I certainly admire the author's attempt to catch the essence of Andalucía, no matter how hard it is to capture the soul of this region in writing. It made me instantaneously desire to revisit Spain. The second time around I will probably make time to visit the towns of Ronda, Italica, and Granada. The book convinced me.

Central Europe budget trips

The best way to experience Central Europe is by train, which happens to be my favorite way of travel in Europe. If you have never experienced other than Amtrak when it comes to train travel, getting around Europe by train might seem like a challenge (it is not). But I will write about train travel in Europe some other time.

So you want to travel to Central Europe (Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary). I recommend trains. Modern, fast, luxurious (if you choose to pay a bit extra), comfortable at night (if you have to travel at night), trains will make even an unlikely trip such as Paris - Berlin - Prague - Budapest possible. While you might want to set aside 10 nights for this particular trip (2 in each city, 2 on the train), this particular vacation would allow you to cut across Europe, while visiting 4 unique cities, 2 of them (Budapest and Prague) having only recently unleashed their potential.

Of course, a perennial favorite is the Prague - Vienna - Budapest package. Three particularly musical cities, with enough music and history to keep you busy for months.

For those short on time, two-city combinations might be the way to go:
Berlin - Prague; Prague - Vienna; Prague - Budapest.

The pride of New Europe - Prague

While the infamous "Old vs New Europe" remark is relatively new, expats of all colors have been tacitly gathering in Prague for the past decade, transforming this Czech Republic city into a vibrant European capital in its own right.

And for a good reason: at a fraction of the price, visitors can (still) enjoy Old Europe charm at New Europe prices. Although, when you think of it, everything in Europe is probably old, by American standards.

On a slightly different topic, I wish the NY Times published more articles on major European cities. After their April series that included Prague, I was left waiting for more. Regardless, Evan Rail, the author, correctly identifies Iris Praha as one of the best deals in town.

To that, I would add the following Prague best-selling hotels (once again, I must stress the importance of booking air + hotel together to enjoy real savings):

- Apollo
- Casa Marcello- Central Prague
- City Moran
- Golf
- Mucha
- Union Prague
- Waldstein

But what happens if you have 7-10 days to spend in Europe, want to visit Prague, but you don't want to stay for more than 2-3 days? For this, you might want to see my suggestions for Central European trips.

So you've never been to Spain...

...where do you start?

Spain is overwhelmingly rich in historic sites, having preserved quite well buildings/ruins/sites going as far back as the Romans and even before them.

Having said that, you will find everywhere a good mix of well maintained Roman, Jewish, Moorish, and Christian sites. It is purely amazing and you will need probably years to visit everything Spain has got to offer.

A good way to go about this is to divide and conquer - focus on the big cities, for example - Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, etc. Or take the Roman's Route for example. Or go for the Way of Saint James - which is a good way to revisit famed Christian sites and pilgrimage attractions. Visit the birth place of conquistadores in Trujillo. Or the castles spread all around the country.

It also depends on how much time you have. If you have less than a week and you have never been to Spain, focus on the big cities, and travel by fast train. If you have 10-14 days, it is worth picking a theme and renting a car to see everything at your own pace (see below my suggestions).

A good way to start is by reading the guides offered by http://www.frommers.com, http://www.lonelyplanet.com, etc. They are usually rather good at giving you a snapshot of everything Spain has to offer, although the amount of information can be a bit overwhelming.

Also try http://www.spain.info - the official Spain tourism website.

For prepackaged suggestions, go to the Spain page and look for the following themed-packages (they all get you to drive, which I think it's a better option if you have the luxury of time):

Northern Spain and the Green Coast;
Magic Triangle
The Way of Saint James;
Dreamy Andalucia;

Or for quick train packages - try any of the following combinations: Madrid - Seville - Cordoba - Granada - Barcelona, etc.


My personal experience: a 10 day trip including Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Merida, Trujillo, Caceres, Salamanca, Medina del Campo, Coca, Segovia, La Granja de San Ildefonso, Avila, and Toledo - which included a good mix of Roman, Moorish, Jewish, and Christian heritage. We also visited many castles and many past and present cultural centers (such as Salamanca). Trujillo was certainly impressive and we took the obligatory shot with Pizzaro.

Looking for tapas and other budget deals in Madrid

In April, the NY Times published a piece on Affordable Europe: Madrid. While not going to the length and depth of a regular Travel Guide, this article provides the reader (i.e., you) with some good tips on where to go, where to stay, etc. in the beautiful Spanish capital.

The author goes over two basic ways of dining in Madrid (or Spain, as a matter of fact) - one is eating tapas in a tapas bar, usually crowded and maybe full of smoke, and the other one is eating a nice meal in a restaurant. Words of advice when it comes to dining in a busy restaurant though: if the location is rather central and touristy, the food might be slightly undercooked, as the restaurant is trying to cycle as many people as they can.

As far as hotels are concerned, I must stress again the importance of booking an air+hotel package instead of booking hotels individually. Typically, you will save more than what you can do with typical air or hotel deals.

Here's a list of hotels of all categories that have proved serious best-sellers in the past:

- Asturias
- Carlton (very good value)
- Florida Norte
- Francisco I
- Gran Atlanta
- Gran Versalles
- Gran Via 65 Aparthotel
- Il Castillas
- Mirasierra Suites

The word is: budget, safe, and acceptable. Do not expect luxury and of course read prior reviews on Tripadvisor.

Paris - the city of lights

I wish I could write a post about Paris and its free museums, but this is not going to happen anytime soon, as the museum would probably get mobbed. Nevertheless, there are cheap finds in this city of tourists, even among hotels, according to NY Times article Affordable Europe: Paris by Elaine Sciolino. The article goes on to recommend some hidden gems of restaurants and hotels, as well as some well hidden and small museums for free. Read the whole article >>>.

Ms. Sciolino also warns us that budget hotels in Paris are pretty much "Damp in winter, stuffy in summer, dark all year round" (this has become my favorite quote).

As far as her hotel recommendation goes, the pick in the NY Times matches the positive reviews in tripadvisor. However, I would go on and recommend more than one budget hotel (with surprisingly fair reviews from travelers):

- Amarys Simart
- Anjou
- Aquarelle
- Beaugrenelle
- Bellevue
- Best Western Derby Alma- Eiffel Seine
- Paris 18
- Villa des Ambassadeurs

Of course, for extra peace of mind, do not expect luxury when all you are going is for budget. Budget hotels in large cities in Europe tend to have less space available to visitors than budget hotels in the US.

London Museums for free

Thanks again to the excellent material published online by the NY Times on Europe's top best selling cities, we find out that most museums in London are free, which is definitely a bliss, given the exchange rate USD - British Pound.

In fact, this makes otherwise expensive London rather attractive, assuming that you are there for its history and culture and not for its fashion and pubs. Regardless, we find out from the same article that one of the best budget-saver hotels is Kensington Close, a statement with which we agree but we would also like to recommend some other handpicked, budget hotels that are not roaming with London's own version of Cancun spring breakers:

- Oxford;
- Ambassadors Bayswater;
- Central Park;
- Henry the Eighth;

More budget hotels in London here.

Of course, we remain vehemently opposed to the idea of booking a hotel separately, especially if you are planning on combining London with other European cities. For more suggestions on packages that combine London with Paris and other major European cities, go to this page.

Do you need a travel agent?

Like all answers to life's major questions, it depends.

Chances are thay you probably won't need an agent if you are to book a flight from New York City to Los Angeles and spend less than a $1,000 on a weekend trip to Ocean City.

Things change when it comes to more complex trips or very expensive ones, where you might not feel comfortable charging the family credit card $12,000 over the Internet.

Fodor's Guides has a good online article discussing the merits of (still) having and using a travel agent for your travel plans.

I would say, you could pretty much anything you want online, to include booking a multi-city vacation to Europe, but you still need the comfort of being able to talk or contact a human being who would be able to guide you in the right direction.

Barcelona on a budget

Again, from the same excellent series published in the NY Times, Affordable Europe: Barcelona by Andrew Ferren will attempt to show you the best deals in Barcelona.
As far the cheap eats, best deals on cultural events, best things to do for free, and best money saving tips are concerned, Andrew Ferren is providing quite valuable information. However, when it comes to hotels,I must say that booking a hotel room without having the savings built into a package is not the most efficient way to go about traveling. Not to mention there are plenty of not-so-expensive hotel options in Barcelona.

See article on Barcelona in the NY Times.

Packages including Barcelona:
- Madrid - Barcelona;
- Paris - Barcelona;
- Barcelona - Milan;
- Madrid - Valencia - Barcelona;
- Madrid - Granada - Barcelona;
- Artistic Treasures of Spain;
- London - Paris - Barcelona;
- Barcelona - Madrid - Lisbon;
- Barcelona - Paris - Venice - Rome;

Amsterdam for less

In a fashion true to the spirit of Budget Travel Magazine and Frommer's editors - who pride themselves in offering trips for less than $100 per day, NY Times Travel writer Gisela Williams recommends some hotels in Amsterdam where one can stay for less than 100 euros a day. I find that rather steep for a budget suggestion. For example, a package for London - Paris - Amsterdam including 2 nights in each city and train connections goes for roughly $100 a day.
Of course, one might be tempted to book their flight separately, then book one of the two suggested hotels (none of which make my list of recommended budget hotels in Amsterdam). It makes me angry to know that some still believe they can get a better deal if they book each segment of their trip individually.

The article provides some good insights on what to do for free in a country where the US dollar might be struggling.

Read more on Amsterdam on a budget from the NY Times.

The best of Europe's cities

Unexpectedly for a daily newspaper, the New York Times has posted a remarkable list of budget suggestions for 16 major cities in Europe - Affordable Europe. What they failed to tell you, though, is that these cities are the top best-selling cities in Europe.

Unexpectedly, because I would expect such a large enterprise coming from one of the established travel guides.

French Riviera

When it comes to beaches and beach destinations, Europe is not on the obvious vacation list for most Americans, who prefer either their highly priced domestic beach spots or the convenient and affordable Mexico and Caribbean, only hours away by plane. Yet Europe has a few aces up its sleeve, from the beautiful Greek Isles and Spain's Ibiza and Mallorca to the French Riviera and the Dalmatian Coast.

This past Sunday, the New York Times has dedicated a long travel article to the French Riviera (or rather, NY Times contributor Seth Sherwood in his The Barefoot Riviera).

The author focuses on the not-so-glamorous, yet charming towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, Cagnes-sur-Mer - Côte d’Obscure, as he calls them. These towns are withing miles of glitzy Nice, which in turn is only a few hours by TGV from Paris, should you choose to venture past Paris while in France.

On this French Riviera note, EuropeanDestinations.com has a 6-night package Paris - Nice - allowing any traveler to spend three nights in Paris for a tour de force through its museums and cafes, and three nights in Nice (again, TGV proves to be a great travel resource). While in Nice, don't forget to rent a car and explore all these more unknown towns of the Riviera. You will discover plenty of places to write home about.

Eurotripper - what's this all about?

Well, we can say this is a blog about Europe or Europe travel. It does not matter. If we are to look for a goal for this blog - it's to simply introduce Europe to the American traveler, maybe in a way that it was not presented before (unless you bought a guide to every country in Europe from one of the companies publishing them: lonely planet, frommer's, etc. I have my favorites when it comes to guides, and I am sure everyone who has ever used at least one guide has their. Bottom line, every guide is pretty much written by a human being, edited by human beings, who inadvertently add their own bias or subjectivism to the pages you read. Bottom line, I only have a vague idea where this will take me or take its readers.

So why start a blog about Europe? For spamming purposes? After all, there are thousands of blogs to be started daily - just like there are thousands of users joining myspace at someone's invitation, without becoming engaged in the website. Let's just say that I want to promote one idea and one company - which I think is pretty good at customizing travel to Europe. So this is a word of caution - but I promise not to spam. Enjoy.