It’s a fine feeling to be a stranger at a big party and feel fully welcome. It’s an even better feeling when everybody at the party seems like they are having the time of their lives. And if the party goes on for 17 days straight, well, I guess that’s 17 days of good feelings—though you might want to nap now and then. In Stuttgart, Germany, they’ve been having a whale of a party for a mere 200 years or so. I was just at the 199th year, and … [Read more...]
Truly a Special Place, Chamonix in the French Alps
I have been fortunate to have visited France a number of times - but by far the trip that has stood out in my mind over the years was a trip to Chamonix in the summer with my brother as part of a longer trip backpacking through parts of Europe. Traveling on train from near Geneva to Chamonix is anywhere from 2 to 4 hours - we felt good because we had a Eurorail pass which covered most train travel within Europe for 30 days. But at the time we … [Read more...]
My Solo Adventure in the Mount Baker Wilderness
Many people associate Washington State with Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park. North of Seattle, however, is filled with wonderful mountain trails to entice any type of hiker or mountain enthusiast. As a former resident of the state, I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't get a chance to explore much of the trekking destinations in Washington. Luckily, on a trip to California for a travel conference that I attended as part of my social … [Read more...]
Is There Life Beyond Prague?
The short answer to that question is a resounding YES! For most of us, the Czech Republic begins and ends with the beautiful city of Prague. I recently had the amazing opportunity to visit three lovely towns in the Moravian region of Czech Republic: Brno, Kromeriz, and Telc.. In this article, I walk you through the highlights and explain why you should consider exploring beyond the well-trodden city of Prague. GETTING IN From … [Read more...]
After Hours at the Colosseum
"This is insanity—I'm a WWE wrestler. I go back to America tomorrow," barked the rough, beefy man in front of us. "Mi scuso, sir. The Colosseum is closed," the guard responded with little sympathy. The wrestler lumbered away, huffing and muttering to himself. We were next in line. My mom stepped up to the security guard hoping to convince him to admit us into the Colosseum, even though we had arrived two minutes past closing time. His … [Read more...]
Enoversity: The Best Wine Tasting Class in Chicago
Chicago is Bon Appetit's 2017 Restaurant City of the Year. While the magazine gives a list of multiple restaurants worth visiting, it makes no mention of cocktails or drinks. Perhaps it is because I live here and am spoiled by the great food, but I am always on the hunt for a well-priced wine or cocktail bar. For people like Dave who is trying to visit every winery in the world famous Napa Valley, finding a decent wine tasting is not a … [Read more...]
Adventure Travel in Quebec
“Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventure.” I admit I only know a little about Quebec, that francophone region located right in the heart of North America. I am aware that it is Canada’s second largest (and second-most populous) province. And that 90% of its population lives within just a couple of hours of the border with the United States. But what about the other 10%? Where and how do they live? What’s there to do beyond … [Read more...]
An Austrian Journey: Salzburg, the Alps and Hallstatt
When I think of the Alps, Switzerland most often comes to mind. This summer however, I trekked over the Austrian Alps and realized what a hidden gem this country is! Austria has it all, from amazing hut-to-hut trekking to musical Salzburg to the charming salt-mining village of Hallstatt, which is like stepping into a fairytale. DESTINATIONS Salzburg This city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the … [Read more...]
Chicago On A Budget: Money Saving Tips For A Vacation In The Windy City
Chicago is a big city, but there’s no need to spend big bucks to have a great vacation. This vibrant Midwestern city is a cultural center with over 60 museums, towering buildings, innovative parks brimming with public art and a 26-mile lakefront filled with recreational possibilities. Some attractions won’t cost you a single cent but for those that do charge admission, CityPASS offers a money-saving, time saving booklet that visitors on a budget … [Read more...]
Exploring Russia on a Viking River Cruise
This was my first river cruise with Viking Cruises, a trip I'd dreamt about for weeks! Russia, the world's largest country, takes up an eighth of the world's surface, borders 14 different countries, 12 oceans and seas and spans 11 time zones. Getting Ready to Cruise Through Russia Including start and end points St. Petersburg and Moscow, our cruise includes seven stops with optional offshore excursions, some included in the fare, others … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- …
- 193
- Next Page »