Where-in-the-world-next

Lake Bled, Slovenia

2010-09-09T12:21:00.003-04:00

We spent 4 days at Lake Bled this summer and it was absolutely beautiful here. The lake is at the foot of the Julian Alps and has lots of things for visitors to do including a castle to visit, a summer toboggan to ride, dozens of restaurants to eat in and an island to visit by pletna (a gondola-like boat).

The Great Blizzard of 2010

2010-02-11T13:35:00.008-05:00

It all started a week ago on Wednesday. We got a few inches of snow. Then on Friday afternoon Blizzard part 1 began. From Friday through Saturday we got 30 inches of snow.

We shoveled at least 5 times before the plow came through and then had to dig our way out of the end of the driveway on Monday. Work was closed on Monday too for the first time in years.
Tuesday I worked from home because more snow was predicted - blizzard part 2. By bedtime on Tuesday we had about 4 more inches which we shoveled before going to bed. In the morning, work was closed again and we had about another 4 inches. We shoveled after breakfast twice because it was falling so fast that by the time we reached the end of the drive, it needed doing again.
This time it was really like a blizzard. The gusting winds were blowing the snow so hard, you could barely see to the end of the cul-de-sac. The plows were taken off the roads because it was too dangerous. Today I heard that 39 cars (20 people, including children) were stranded in their cars on the road and were being rescued today. That must have been frightening.

Today when we woke up, the sun came out and we didn't have too much more to shovel. Mostly it was just snow that blew into the driveway overnight. Midday the plow finally arrived and we have just finished digging out. We took a brief walk around the neighborhood. Despite the plow, the roads alternate between slush and solid, slippery ice. It is kind of warm (45 degrees) and every house has dripping icicles. It will be interesting to see what tomorrow brings.

T

The Christmas Trees of Washington

2009-12-31T10:12:00.007-05:00

Post Office Pavilion tree

Yesterday we took a visiting friend into the city to see Washington DC for the first time. Despite the cold weather we hit the highlights and were pleasantly surprised to see so many beautifully decorated Christmas trees around town. I was aware of the "National Christmas tree", but there were others at The Capitol, Union Station and the Post Office Pavilion. Here is sampling.

National Christmas Tree on the Elipse

The state tree for Virginia on the Elipse

The Capitol Christmas tree

The tree at Union Station

Better than the Washington Monument

2009-10-18T08:29:00.005-04:00

Old Post Office Pavilion

Next time you are in Washington DC and want to get an aerial view, head to the Old Post Office Pavilion instead of the Washington Monument. It has many advantages over the monument.

View of the Capitol from the Old Post Office Pavilion

First you will avoid the long lines if you come in summer. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes for the next elevator in the Post Office Pavilion and the line is indoors as well instead of out in the summer heat. Most of the time there is no line at all. It is open year round.

Second, the windows at the top are huge with fantastic views in all directions. The windows are open with wires (on 2 sides) to prevent jumpers and people dropping things out of the window, but you can easily photograph between the wires a the edges where the gaps are wider as I have done for these photos. Because the windows are big and open, there is no fighting to get up close to a window the size of a computer screen to see out like in the Monument. It is also cooler in the tower because the windows allow breezes in and because there are fewer people.

View of the Washington Monument from the Old Post Office Pavilion

Thirdly, from the tower you can get a photo of the Washington Monument! Not possible to do this when you are "in" the monument.

And finally, the monument is on the middle of the mall with no food or shopping or toilets close at hand. The Tower on the other hand is in the Pavilion which comes complete with a food hall, shopping, toilets and is only a short walk to both The White House and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Example of the windows with wires

Free in DC

2009-10-14T18:27:00.003-04:00

One of the great things about Washington DC is the number of attractions that you can visit for free. These photos are from the United States Botanic Gardens located next to the Capitol building in the heart of DC. There is lots to see, even for kids, and as a bonus, in the winter it is warm.

You can learn more about the gardens (opening hours, what plants they have, etc) here.

Carriage Museum in Leesburg

2009-10-08T17:56:00.001-04:00

I have visitors from Germany and this week we toured the Morven Park Estate in Leesburg, Virginia. The mansion has been under going renovation for several years, so this was the first time I was able to see the inside, but the renovation isn't yet completed. Included in the tour price was a visit to the Carriage Museum on the grounds. All of the carriages on display were collected by one woman, Viola Winmill who donated them for this museum. Above is one example.

And they're off................!

2009-09-18T21:40:00.002-04:00

Sunday we had a lovely time at the horse races in Charlestown, West Virginia. Just 45 minutes from Leesburg on a scenic road, it is a nice day trip when the weather is nice. There is also Slot Machine casino at the same location, but we just go for the horse racing.

We placed $2 bets on horses in 7 races and I won on 3 horses. I started with $20 and ended the evening with $14 so I had an entire afternoon of fun for a mere $6.

As you can see from the photo, the weather was wonderful.

Afterwards, my parents and my visiting Uncle Joe went inside the Casino to eat dinner at a buffet restaurant, but my husband, the vegetarian, didn't think he could get his money's worth from the buffet, so we left and ate on the way home.

For those who love slot machines, you can double your fun but playing the slots after the races.

Somewhere over the rainbow

2009-08-26T16:54:00.002-04:00

As I was driving to the grocery store the other night in Leesburg, a brilliant rainbow appeared. Not only was it bright, but it was a full arch as well. Everywhere I looked I saw people taking photos of it with cell phones. It really was a stop-in-your-tracks rainbow. By the time I finished shopping, the sun had set and it was gone.

Willow Creek is affordable and comfortable

2009-08-24T16:47:00.002-04:00

Had lunch at Clyde's Willow Creek in Ashburn yesterday and it was such a nice experience. This place is enormous with various rooms and we were seated in the "Barn" room. This was once a real barn that they saved and reconstructed on this site. My photo isn't great, but it does show you a bit of what it is like.

My food was delicious. And the prices were surprisingly affordable in such nice surroundings. Will definitely go back again.

Anticipation!

2009-06-21T16:53:00.002-04:00

It's red, firm and unblemished and almost ready to harvest! Yes, my first tomato of the season and the best one I've ever managed to grow. I only hope it tastes as good as it looks. Many, many thanks to Graham for being chief tomato waterer. I think he has earned the first bite!

Large tour group causes traffic jam on new overpass

2009-06-20T19:37:00.007-04:00

It was raining as I drove to the shopping mall today and it was also my first trip on the overpass on route 28. I was curious to see it as it just opened recently.

I wasn't expecting to get caught in a traffic jam caused by this group that were touring the new road.

It was quite a large group to be out sightseeing on a rainy Saturday morning. The tour guide must be quite good.

I had to wait through two traffic light cycles before I could continue on my way. Lucky for me, I always have my camera nearby.

Not the usual sights in Historic Leesburg

2009-06-01T21:06:00.006-04:00

On a beautiful sunny Saturday we strolled through Leesburg on a photo safari. We took lots of photos of historic houses, but we also encountered some not so expected sights as you can see from these photos.

Ok, this one isn't so unusual. What was unusual, for me, was how unblemished this rose was and how well the photo turned out.

Unusual houseguests

2009-05-20T16:48:00.003-04:00

Some unusual houseguests arrived last week and we have no idea how long they will be staying. A persistent pair of birds built a nest on our porch even though in the beginning I kept removing their nest-in-progress.

Eventually I gave up and let them build it and now their babies have hatched. They are brave birds to have their nest so visible in a 2-cat household, but somehow they seemed to know that Dexter and Delilah are not allowed out. Molly, the neighbor cat however, is not so restricted and has taken to camping out in the bushes nearby.

Mom and Dad bird also get stroppy when we go outside. If we are on the porch they fly away, but not too far and they squawk at us trying to make us go back inside.

Anybody have any ideas for names for these two new baby birds?

Beauty in my Backyard

2009-05-19T18:26:00.005-04:00

Bright sun, abundantly blooming flowers and a new camera - a wonderful combination! Here are some test shots of flowers in my garden with my new camera. Hope to have more to post soon. Just proves you don't have to wander across the globe to find treasures. Sometimes they are literally in your own backyard!

Wonderful Walk at Ida Lee Park

2009-05-10T15:58:00.008-04:00

After 11 straight days of rain, we were treated to a weekend of summer-hot temperatures and blue and sunny skies. We decided to make the most of this weather by going for a stroll around the perimeter of a nearby park, called Ida Lee.
Because of the rain, we were treated to lots of verdant views and the garden had lots of flowers in bloom.
We even sat on a bench in the garden and "crashed" a wedding that was happening next to the garden.

Except for a few damp patches (see Graham leaping one above), it was a wonderful walk with lots to look at from babbling brooks and butterflies to soccer games and the newly built swimming pool. And best of all , it was FREE!

A trip to Turkey without a passport

2009-04-30T19:47:00.003-04:00

Thanks to my friend Mehmet, we recently discovered a wonderful restaurant in Herndon (Virginia). TurCuisine is a little bit of Turkey in suburban Virginia. The menu is extensive and according to Mehmet, authentic. The prices were reasonable and everything we ordered was delectable.

The dish pictured above is a Turkish version of pizza spelled Pide (prounounced pee-dah). This vegetarian version is just one of many on the menu. The dough was excellent with just the right amount of chewyness and grease-free. The portions were large and we took home leftovers to be enjoyed later.

Anyone who likes or would like to try Turkish food would love it here. We went at lunchtime on a Saturday and it was uncrowded with a cafe feel with both indoor and outdoor seating. At night they have traditional Turkish entertainment such as belly dancers.

Check out their full menu on their website.

The two faces of Philly

2009-04-26T18:29:00.005-04:00

This past Saturday I took a daytrip with a friend to Philadelphia. We traveled by car to Washington DC's Union Station where we caught an Amtrak train to Philadelphia. The day was perfect weather-wise (perhaps a wee bit too hot) with a surprise heat wave. It was a tad cooler there than Washington however.

30th Street Station is west of the historic district it gives the city a split personality. As you can see from the photo above, parts of the city modern with soaring, glass and steel skyscrapers while others in the east are filled with redbrick colonial buildings, stone streets and many attractions designed to teach visitors about the town's historic residents from long ago.
It is a very walkable city, but in addition there are subways, trolleys, tour buses and horses with buggies to help deliver you to any part of town you wish to visit.
To see all the photos check out my photo album.

National Crime and Punishment Museum

2009-04-13T19:41:00.003-04:00

There is a new museum in Washington DC and it is fantastic. My only complaint is that is is NOT inexpensive. The National Crime and Punishment Museum opened in recent months and the crowds have not yet discovered it - at least not on the day we visited - which is a good thing from the visitor's point of view. There is lots to see and lots of hands-on activities such as safe-cracking, police line-ups, car chase simulators and more.

We had two young teens (boys) with us and we paid $5.00 for a "case book" in addition to the entry fee. This case book details a crime and directs you to find clues in each of the exhibit rooms as you travel throughout the museum. At least one clue was hard for us to find and helped to ensure we read lots of what was on display.

The museum is located on 7th street between E and F and not too far from the other expensive but good Spy Museum which on that same day had a queue running down the block. I've been there when it was crowded like that and it is no fun. If you can't access the hands-on stuff, or get close to things to read them, you are wasting your money.

Before 9/11 we used to take visitors to the FBI tour (which was free). This museum seems designed to replace and improve that experience and it does a good job, but at almost $18 a person it isn't for budget travelers - especially when we have dozens of free Smithsonian museums that won't kill your budget.

If you have a few extra dollars to spend and you've already seen the free museums, you won't be disappointed here.

Virginia has cherry blossoms too

2009-04-11T09:30:00.004-04:00

Every year thousands of visitors flock to Washington DC to see the famous Cherry Blossoms in bloom. We were in DC on Tuesday but it was a cold and windy day - too cold and windy to walk down to the end of town where the blossoms are located (around the tidal basin). I did take a snapshot from the top of the post office pavilion as you can see in the photo below, but days later in Virginia we had better weather and an up-close and personal view of equally spectacular blossoms practically in our own back yard.
Behind the Washington monument you can see water (the tidal basin) and the pink bits are the famous cherry blossoms.

How nice to see you!

2009-03-08T20:00:00.004-04:00

We took a long walk in Hillsboro Virginia today to make the most of our unexpectedly warm weather and our route took us along a long, dirt road with virtually no traffic. We encountered several interesting sights along the way including a old stone church built by freed slaves, an old red caboose parked in someone's yard, and the friendly goats you can see in this photo. There were several goats and some curly sheep in this field and every last one of them came running to to the fence to great us. They were so adorable.

A good day for a walk

2009-02-28T08:56:00.002-05:00

A wintery walk in Loudoun county. Just before this shot was taken, a squirrel darted into the hole near the top.

Mother Nature is confused!

2009-02-10T19:13:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday we had amazing weather here in northern Virginia. It was a balmy 67 degrees when we decided to go for a walk and explore a nearby neighborhood. As we strolled along coatless in the bright sun we happened upon a frozen lake. Ice is just not something you expect to see when the day is as warm and bright as Saturday was.

Our weather continues to imitate Spring, and it is supposed to continue at least until Friday. Then Old Man Winter comes back from his winter holiday.

An unexpected bonus to commuting

2009-02-02T18:13:00.002-05:00

This morning as I sat waiting for a long light to turn green on my way to work, I suddenly took note of my surroundings and the view outside my window. The dawn was just breaking giving the sky a deep, dusky blue hue against which a stark leafless tree was silhouetted. Lucky me, my camera was handy and I quickly snapped the moment just as the light turned green.

I'm ready for the big one please

2009-01-21T17:57:00.003-05:00

For the third time in as many weeks the weather predictors have told us to expect snow or a wintry mix. Everyone runs out and stocks up on milk, toilet paper and shovels and then nothing arrives. Monday we even had a visitor from Wales who enjoys shoveling snow and all we got was a dusting as you can see from this photo.

All it does is mess up traffic and make it more dangerous to drive to work in the dark on the icy roads. I am in the mood for a few feet of real, honest-to-goodness white stuff. The kind where work is canceled and you spend the day shoveling, playing board games, watching old movies and drinking hot chocolate. Sometimes you can even go sledding with the neighbors.

My husband drives a school bus and he informs me of the latest methods used by kids to induce the snow and cause a snow day. In my day we just wished and prayed. Today's kids go to bed with their pajamas on inside out and flush ice cubes down the toilet!

I think I need to go now and make some ice cubes.

Another Irish President

2009-01-15T12:46:00.003-05:00

In honor of my Irish roots and the inauguration on Tuesday here is a cute video about Barack Obama's Irishness. His Irish history is similar to mine in that some of my great grandparents also came from Ireland. The song is cute - hope you enjoy it.

It smells like Christmas in Leesburg

2008-12-24T10:45:00.005-05:00

It is Christmas Eve and the excitement of Christmas has arrived along with the wonderful smells of the delicious treats my husband is cooking this morning. He started with Devon Splits (rolls)

that will be for dinner tonight followed by a mince pie that looks good enough to be sold in a shop.

Yesterday I made a Slovenian nutbread called Potica that is a tradition in my family that will also be offered for dessert tonight.

Anyway, the baking is done and after a bit of cleaning up and some lunch we will be ready to start preparing for tonight's festivities.

A quaint and cozy corner of Germany

2008-12-18T17:54:00.002-05:00

I would venture to guess that not many American tourists have heard of Freudenburg.

Freudenburg is an adorable village with narrow streets and black and white half-timbered buildings. It isn't on the beaten path or on the list of most visited places so it is pleasantly uncrowded and not touristy. Just 15 minutes from Siegen (another nice town that most tourists have never heard of), it isn't difficult to find if you are driving. I visited both places recently and highly recommend a visit.

In summer, Freudenburg would be delightful to explore on foot, but winter had its own attractions. Because darkness fell early each day, and one day it snowed, my overall impression is of a chocolate-box village that twinkles and glows just like something you might see in a classic snow globe.

I stayed in the "Hotel zum Alten Flecken" and it was quaint, comfortable with beamed ceilings and yet full of modern conveniences such as excellently insulated windows and nice bathrooms. The only thing they could improve is to eliminate smoking in the restaurant. I wasn't home much in the evenings, but when I was there, the halls smelled of the cigarattes being smoked downstairs. They are aware of the problem because they often leave the front door open to help rid the hotel of this smoke. I think they could solve the problem easily, but becoming a non-smoking establishment.

Despite this, I enjoyed my stay immensely.

Sparkling Germany

2008-12-11T19:40:00.003-05:00

I just returned from a week exploring the Christmas Markets of Germany and I have to say I was very impressed and a little jealous that we don't have anything like this in America. The sights, smells and tastes of these markets are powerful and combine to transport one to a magic place. I have many stories and photos to share in upcoming blogs, but the photo above is one of my favorites because it reminds me so vividly of the sparkle of the markets and warm gold color represents the warm glow that the atmosphere creates despite the cold December temperatures.

The Mystery of Veterans' Park is solved

2008-11-18T19:13:00.004-05:00

(Winter blew in on the weekend and chased Fall out of town)

Where in the world is Veterans' park? We've been wondering where this elusive park is actually located and on Sunday we found it. We knew it was supposed to be adjacent to Balls Bluff Park, but we could never figure out where exactly. On Sunday, we turned left on the trail just outside the entrance to Balls Bluff park and the trail turned out to take us into Veterans' park.

There is no sign, but there are park property signs and the trail isn't on the Balls Bluff trail map.

The main trail through the park takes you through the woods and down to the Potomac river. When you reach the river (about a mile) you can see where there used to be a ferry at some point in the past. There is an island in the river at this point, so the distance between the shore where were were standing and the island is only about 75 yards.

We chose to make the route a circular. After admiring the river, turn around and go back a few feet on the trail until you see a green trail marker on your left. If you follow this green blazed trail you will end up a few miles later at the cemetery in Balls Bluff park. Exit the park and you will have completed the circle.

A message from Michele

2008-11-08T10:26:00.003-05:00

Back to Ottery St. Mary for an ancient custom

2008-11-06T18:40:00.002-05:00

A few days ago I blogged about a freak weather event in Ottery St Mary, Devon England. They had another event yesterday that wasn't so random. In fact it has happened there on November the 5th every year since approximately 1605!

Anyone can "play" but it involves running through the narrow lanes of the town, already crowded with onlookers, carrying a beer barrel that is lined with tar that has been set alight. The history is long and the rules extensive, right down to the source of the tar.

So far, I've only heard the stories from my husband and his family, some of whom live in Ottery, but one day I hope to be an onlooker. There is a good site however where you can see photos and read the rules and the history. It is called Ottery St Mary, Tar Barrels

Sometimes Home is really pretty

2008-11-01T11:21:00.002-04:00

I'm home today enjoying the wonderful colors of Autumn in Leesburg Virginia.

Today is not a good day to visit Ottery St. Mary

2008-10-30T17:55:00.005-04:00

We received a text message today from Graham's sister who lives in Ottery St Mary in the south of England telling us to check out the news coming out about Ottery. She is in London visiting her daughter, so she missed the event.

It didn't take us long to discover it was an amazing Freak Weather event. The town had torrential rain for 2 hours in the middle of the night accompanied by huge amounts of hail. The flood waters were 4 feet deep and the hail piled up to a foot deep. In fact, when you look at the photos, it looks like a foot of icy snow burying all the cars up to their fenders.

Two cars ended up in a stream, one wedged on top of the other which officials think might have made the flooding worse as they acted as a dam.

To read the official story, click here.

Also, check back on November 5th when I will blog about a special tradition from this town.

A crisp Autumn Day + Friendly Farms = Fantastic Fun

2008-10-19T19:00:00.006-04:00

My friend Vickie and I took a photo safari across Loudoun County, Virginia today. Our "big game" shots included 3-day old chicks, llamas, lazy dogs , goats, pigs and fell ponies. We also saw old log cabins, fresh fall flowers, pumpkins, dried flowers, and miles of gravel roads and colorful leaves.

At one farm we had tasty bratwurst sausages in a roll for our lunch and at another we attempted to PYO (pick your own) apples and roma tomatoes. The tomatoes were completely gone so we walked through the farm searching for apples. All the apple trees had piles of rotten, squashed apples that had fallen off the tree scattered underneath them, but none left on the trees themselves. It was disappointing, but not for long. The skies were bright blue and cloudless, birds were chirping and children laughing. The happiness was contagious.

So if you are in Virginia next October and the weather repeats itself, you will have a fantastic day out if you give the Loudoun Fall Farm Tour a try.

Don't forget to keep your batteries charged

2008-10-09T19:13:00.002-04:00

Lesson Learned at the Waterford Fair: Make sure your camera batteries are charged and ready BEFORE you leave for an event. The good news is that my camera is really good and the battery lasts for months on a single charge. The bad news is that eventually it does run out and it did this week just as I arrived at the Waterford Fare.

While the photos may be lacking, I did have a wonderful time. This fare is really special. The entire village is closed to traffic and is chock full of high quality crafters dressed in old fashioned costumes and selling their wares. Additionally, many of the historic houses are open for tours by their owners giving visitors an inside look at these wonderful old houses. There were also many different foods to eat and a book stall where you could buy a book and have it signed by the local author. I bought a mystery book by Ellen Crosby who signed it and chatted with me.

My only regret is that the craftsmen are very skilled and as a result their wares are very expensive. I saw lots that I loved, but little that I could afford.

If you are in Loudoun County the first week in October, I would highly recommend attending this wonderful fair for the chance to see inside the houses as well as for the village atmosphere that takes you back in time.

What's high and cold and beautiful?

2008-10-05T18:59:00.001-04:00

On our first trip to Austria in 2004 we started our visit in Salzburg and after a few days traveled to the south to stay in a Hiking Hotel (Wander Hotel). En route between these two places we had two extraordinary stops that we recommend to all of our friends.

The first is called "Eisriesenwelt". It is a visit to ice caves high up in a very high mountain. It isn't far from Salzburg, but requires a number of different transportation types to tour the caves. First you have to drive to the location. If you prefer to park at the bottom, you can catch a bus to ticket place. If you drive, you will have a 20 minute walk from the upper parking to the ticket booth. Either way, once you have your ticket, you need to ride a gondola (3 minute ride) up to 1575m (5,167 feet).

From this point, you need to walk on a packed stone path for another 20 minutes. It isn't too steep, but it is all uphill and even where there is a guard rail and roof to protect you from falling rock, they don't look strong enough to keep you from falling down the mountain should you trip. We stayed as far from the edge as we could.

Finally you have reached the mouth of the cave and you have climbed to 1671m (5,482 feet).

You have to be on a guided tour to go inside the caves and you should come dressed for cold weather even if it is the middle of summer. The temperatures inside are below freezing which is why the ice doesn't melt.

The tour itself is also a bit strenuous. It lasts 75 minutes and you will climb steps inside and go up another 135 metres while carrying a flame lantern. No photography is allowed so you won't be holding your camera, but you will want it with you for the beautiful views of the Salzach valley from the entrance and the trip to the entrance.

The photo above was taken while standing in the mouth of the cave. I was huffing and puffing to get here, but it was so worth it! The photo below shows how frighteningly insufficient the guard rail was on the walk up.

If you want to learn more or plan a visit, here is the website. It is now available in English:

Fall Farm Tour in Loudoun County

2008-09-24T16:52:00.004-04:00

Each spring and fall, Loudoun County (Virginia) organizes a self-guided farm tour. Farms in the county sign up to participate and open their farms to the public on the weekend. Usually they also lay on food, activities and special exhibits. People taking the tour can choose which farms to visit and make a day of driving through the backroads of the county visiting their chosen farms.

This year some country stores have been included and wineries as well. As long as the weather cooperates, it should be a fun outing for anyone looking for a day in the countryside. I plan to go with a friend and our cameras to get some good fall shots. Perhaps I will buy a pumpkin, taste some apple butter, pet a llama, sample some local cheese or sip some apple cider.

If you are interested, you can read more about it on the official website.

Tyrolean Dancing is tons of fun

2008-09-06T13:55:00.003-04:00

Any visit to the Tyrol region in Austria would not be complete without a Traditional Tyrolean Evening. On this year's trip we were excited to sign up for one that was scheduled for a Wednesday night in the village of Serfaus where we were staying for our hiking holiday. We had high hopes based on a prior experience in Innsbruck, but we were not disappointed. In fact, we were blown away by the Trachtengruppe Pfunds.

On our previous trip we saw a show on the outskirts of Innsbruck where we were very entertained with Schuplattler dancers, Alpen horns, and other traditional songs and entertainment. However, that show was on a grand scale with hundreds of tourists jammed into a huge room and the audience was hidden away in the dark.

The Trachtengruppe Pfunds show was in a nice venue (Saal via Claudia) in Serfaus, but the tables had room to move around and every seat had a great view. The dances the group performed were incredible. They were similar to other Schuplattler dances with the men in lederhosen, the women in dirndls, impossibly high leaps into the air and a backdrop of accordian music. This group, however, made it feel so authentic with real flame lanterns in the dance about the night, real axes and pine logs being chopped in time to the music in a log-cutters dance, and even real beer being drunk by the log-choppers.

And just to make sure that the audience had a great time, between these well choreographed dances, the dancers pulled audience members up onto the stage to dance with them. Everyone was included, young or old, big or small. Each dance was different and many were humorous such as when in the May Pole dance the audience member tried vainly to keep the pole erect while the dancers playfully pulled it this way and that.

By the end of the evening the entire audience was doing a conga line on the stage with the professional dancers and no one could keep from laughing and smiling including the performers.

Even though these performers must have done these shows hundreds of times, they looked and acted like they were having a grand time and it was all just one big, party from the old days. It didn't matter if you couldn't speak a word of German. The fun translated to any language.

My only regret is that I can't go and see the show again - at least until I can get myself back to Serfaus. Until then I will have to be content to watch and rewatch the small video we took which you can see here.

Carry on has a new meaning

2008-08-31T08:57:00.004-04:00

I learned this week that United airlines is no longer going to provide free meals on international flights beginning October 1st for people in coach class. We will be expected to "carry on" own food or buy food they will be selling on board.

I was caught off guard because I just purchased a ticket to Frankfurt for November and my printed itinerary/receipt says that a meal and a snack are included. It seems like that can't be legal to sell tickets that say they include meals and then later say they are no longer included, but at the same time I realized the impossibility of distinguishing which passengers bought their tickets before the change and which didn't at meal time. Perhaps they should refund the $9 meal fee they are now charging to any passenger who bought their ticket when meals were included. In my case, since my ticket was purchased with air miles, I am not really impacted, but for those who are I think they should give them a refund for the food.

The problem now is what to do about food on these long flights. My upcoming flight is 8 hours long. The airline food has never been all that appealing or tasty (with the occasional exception), but for free it was a good way to while away some of the hours. The price for a hot meal will be $9 each and a snack pack is $6. On my outbound flight is is feasible to think of making a packed lunch with sandwiches to take along, but the return flight will be much more difficult as I will be in Frankfurt airport overnight in a hotel room the night before the flight. I guess I will have to bite the bullet and pay for food, but I really dislike the idea.

There are additional considerations such as what is going to happen with drinks? We are not allowed to bring liquids through airport security so if drinks are also not provided (and I don't know if this is the case or not), I would be forced to buy 8 hours worth of liquids in the airport which would not be cheap.

If you have to pay for your meal, I would like to recommend that passengers be allowed to pre-order which meals we plan to buy so that we can be assured that one that meets our dietary needs will be available. This is especially true for vegetarians and people with allergies.

Travel is changing daily and I fully understand that United is trying to get creative to save money, but this one seems to be a bit over the top.

Hotel Barbara

2008-08-13T16:42:00.006-04:00

We have just returned from our vacation and future blog entries will be about the wonderful place in the Austrian Alps where were were, but today I want to write about the hotel we stayed in. Hotel Barbara, in Serfaus Austria is a fantastic hotel. We stayed 7 nights and couldn't believe how perfect the place was.

Although it looks traditional with stucco walls, timber roofs and balconies and light wooden furniture, it is completely modern and comfortable in its amenities. Our room was furnished with a traditional king size bed made of two twins secured together, a TV, a seating area with two chairs, excellent lighting and a desk. The view from the flower-covered balcony was a breathtaking outlook over the village against a backdrop of blue and green alps.

The bathroom was spacious, spotless and modern with lots of space for toilettries and the shower was strong with plenty of hot water every day.

Our room was 53 Euros per night (each) and this included all of our meals. The breakfast buffet included the usual eggs, bacon, fruits and cereals as well as the traditional Austria selection of cheeses, dried meats, yogurts and crusty rolls.

Also on the breakfast buffet was an area with chocolates, drinks and bags so that you could make yourself a lunch from the buffet to take on your daily hike.

Afternoons from 2pm to 5pm, the buffet area was stocked with coffee, tea and delicious homemade cakes. Every day we helped ourselves to cake and our favorite drink took them into the sunroom or out on the terrace to eat.

Later, at 6pm, the buffet area was again transformed into the salad buffet for our 4 course dinner. Dinner everynight included a starter (soup usually), salad made from the buffet, a main course, and dessert. At breakfast each morning we were provided the daily dinner menu with two entrees and asked to indicate which we wanted that night. The choices were always delicious and served elegantly. When both choices contained meat, they always offered options to my husband to make the dish vegetarian for him.

In the basement of the hotel was a airy, sunny (skylights) health area that included a solarium, steam room, sauna and exercise bike all available for no charge. For swimming we were given a pass to use the village heated pool for free.

The staff were helpful, friendly and cheerful everyday and went above and beyond to make our stay perfect and we can't imagine staying anywhere else when we return.

Magical Natural Bridge

2008-07-21T20:23:00.004-04:00

Hundreds of years ago a cavern in Virginia collapsed and the resulting remains became one of the many beauty spots in Virginia - Natural Bridge Virginia - a natural archway through a mountain. It is 215 feet tall and 90 feet wide.

An old Native American legend claims that the collapse happened like magic when they needed an escape route during an enemy attack.

This spot has been noted through the years by many travelers and explorers. In the 1700's George Washington carved his initials into the stone while he was there surveying the site. It was later included in a parcel of land purchased by Thomas Jefferson from the King of England for a mere 20 shillings. Interestingly, it has remained a privately owned attraction ever since.

Any visit to the bridge would be incomplete without seeing the bridge at night. In 1927, a light show that illuminates the bridge with accompanying music began. This show recreates the drama of the creation of the bridge which makes the bridge seem to come alive.

During the day, visitors can walk on one or more of the scenic walking trails including one that goes to Lace Falls. All of the trails will enchant the visitors with beautiful plants, flowers, birds and other natural sights.

Also on site is a living history village created by the Monacan Indian Nation of Virginia. Here you can step back 300 years to see how Native Americans lived in this region. Experience how they lived, fished, gardened, and built their canoes. You can even help with some of these tasks.

If you want to stay for more than one day, you can make a reservation at the hotel. This hotel was built by Thomas Jefferson in 1828. To learn more, visit the Natural Bridge Website.

2009 Travel Rules to USA change

2008-07-13T18:08:00.002-04:00

The USA is making an immigration change beginning August 1st that will affect every visitor from all 27 countries who participate in the visa waiver program. This means most Europeans traveling to the USA will be affected.

On the surface it sounds like a hassle, but after reading more about it, I think it will make traveling easier, at least for anyone with easy access to the internet.

The old system required these travelers to fill out a green form (I94) while on the plane to be handed in at immigration when the plane lands. If any problems were found and the person not allowed to enter the USA, they were returned to the country of origin on the next available flight. Not only did this mean that it was easy for people who should be turned away to slip in, it also meant that money had been wasted by the traveler.

The new system requires these travelers to log onto a new website and enter the same information electronically 3 days before travel. Any problems found will prevent the person from boarding the plane and they will be directed to a website where they can apply for a visa.

I think this could be a good thing. We sometimes have to wait a hour or more for our foreign visitors to get through immigration and customs. I think this process will go faster if all the travelers were approved for entry before they even got on the plane. Also some of our foreign visitors have worried on the flight over if they would have any problems with the immigration official's questions where they didn't speak English well. This would eliminate this worry and allow for a more relaxed flight. Even though there is no guarantee that you have to be allowed into the USA, ordinary citizens probably have little to worry about.

Another good feature, is that once you have registered, it is good for 2 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

The new system will be effective after January 12, 2009, but the website is expected to be live this August for those who want to register early at this website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

Victorian Seaside Charm

2008-07-07T19:29:00.003-04:00

The oldest Seaside resort in the USA is just a ferry ride from Ocean City Maryland and can be reached from Leesburg, Virginia in just 3.5 hours plus the ferry ride. Cape May was discovered and named by Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey (a Dutchman) in the pilgrim days of 1620. He named the peninsula after himself, but the spelling was later changed.

It first became a seaside resort back in the 1700's, today its most distinctive feature is the abundance of Victorian architecture throughout the town. The town's plethora of restored "Painted Ladies", as these grand Victorian houses are called, all have wide verandas, gingerbread trim, widows walks and copulas. They also are painted authentically with at least 4 colors of paint in Victorian colors.

Today many of these delightful houses are Bed and Breakfasts that attract thousands of visitors each year and in 1976 Cape May was officially declared a National Historic Landmark City. (1 of only 5 in the country).

Aside from strolling about the town admiring the Victorian houses, visitors can also visit the beach, climb to the top of a historic lighthouse (for amazing views), visit a living history museum, see the shipwreck of an experimental concrete ship.

Peace, tranquility and great crabcakes

2008-07-06T18:39:00.004-04:00

Smith Island is yet another place where you can step back in time that isn't too far from the Washington DC area. This island was settled back in the 1600's and because it has always been remote with access only by boat, the permanent residents' language did not evolve over time like it did on the mainland. As a result, they residents speak with a Elisabethen-like dialect. Today only 250 people live full-time on the island.

To visit this unique location, you must take a 45 minute ferry ride. Ferry's leave from Crisfield twice a day at 12:30pm and 5:00pm. On your trip over the ferry will also be carrying groceries and other supplies for the island. When you leave, your travelling companions will be soft shell crabs for the mainlanders. Ferries back to the mainland leave at 7:00am and 3:30pm daily.

Although there are no cars on the island, it is easy to get around the villages on the island by foot, but you can also rent bikes or golf carts near the dock in the village of Ewell. It is two miles between the villages of Ewell and Rhodes Point. To get to the third village, Tylerton, you will need to get one of the boat captains to take you there because it separated from the rest of the island by water.

Although you can visit the island just for the day, many are so enchanted by the peacefulness, the picturesque marshlands, and the abundance of birdlife such as pelicans, egrets, ibis and osprey that many opt to stay overnight in one of the handful of Bed and Breakfasts. While on the island you can learn about the island's history and traditions at the Smith Island Center.
And finally no visit would be complete with out sampling the delicious, fresh from the sea, sea food on offer such as crabcakes or one of the famous Smith Island cakes.

You can find out more to plan your visit on the Smith Island website.

Arlington National Cemetery

2008-07-01T07:06:00.007-04:00

At Arlington Cemetery, just over the Potomac river from Washington DC, you can either tour the cemetery on foot or you can ride the tram for $7.50 per person. We rode the tram and it proved to be the best choice for us. Because it was the last sight for us after a long day of sightseeing, we had only about a hour to see the cemetery, so the tram enabled us to see more. But the tram also comes with commentary so we learned a few facts too.

There are three stops where you can get off the tram and catch the next one to continue. These stops are the Kennedy Graves, The Tomb of the the Unknown Soldier, and the Custis House. At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier there is a changing of the guard ceremony every half hour that is very solemn and moving.
Even though these photos make it hard to believe, just minutes later the skies opened up and it rained. We were even happier we had chosen to take the tram as it kept us dry. The tram drivers were very informative and had great personalities. One of our drivers entertained us while we waited with a history quiz. Here is a sample question: Only 4 American presidents are NOT buried on American soil. Can you name them? The answer is below the photo of John F. Kennedy's grave and the Eternal Flame.
The 4 presidents not buried on American soil are the 4 who are still alive! Jimmy Carter, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

Drive to the Past in Waterford

2008-06-26T18:05:00.009-04:00

Just a few miles from Leesburg, Va is small but historic village called Waterford. There are no fancy restaurants, movie theaters, supermarkets or electronics stores found here. Instead this sleepy, village looks almost exactly as it did a hundred years ago. The only updates visible are in the modern cars parked along the streets.

Founded by the Janney family in 1733, it started as a quaker village. The Janney family's first project after building a grist mill to make their living was to build a Quaker Meetinghouse for their services. Over the years the town grew as more and more Quakers moved in and eventually non-Quakers also began settling there.

The majority of the buildings in the town were built in the years between 1800 and 1825. Today most of those buildings that were originally shops or businesses have been converted to dwellings. These early houses are build mostly of stone with later buildings made of wood.

The town is very small, just a few streets clustered near a stream, but it is also very steep with a series of very steep hills.

The town thrived for many years, but the civil war and later the railroad which by-passed Waterford slowly eroded it. This chain of events meant that the town was also virtually untouched by progress. Old buildings were not torn down to make room for new ones and as a result today the town is a perfect nugget of history in the middle of a county known for its rapid growth.

To see photos of some of the buildings of Waterford, click here.

Waterford is just a few miles outside of Leesburg Va.

Salem is for more than witches

2008-06-16T16:04:00.005-04:00

(Reenactment of a witch trial)

A good day trip from Boston is Salem, Massachusets. Located just 16 miles north of Boston, you can get there by car, train or even boat. The train takes about 30 minutes, but if the weather is nice, the Salem Ferry offers a 50 minute ride along the scenic coast which will add to the atmosphere.

There is more to see than just the Salem Witch Trial history, although these sights can be fun and interesting if a bit touristy. Some of the highlights including some witch related ones:
New England Pirate Museum
Discover the rich pirate history of the area including the lives of Blackbeard and Captain Kidd

House of the Seven Gables Take a guided tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (The House of the Seven Gables) and see the Nathaniel Hawthorne House, the Counting House, and the Colonial Revival Gardens.
Burying Point (1637)
This is the oldest cemetery in Salem. You can see the graves of a Mayflower pilgrim and witchcraft trial judge John Hathorne. Open dawn to dusk and there is no cost.
Chestnut Street
This historic landmark on one of the most architecturally great streets in America. Strolling down this street you will see a host of enormous historic houses. This is part of Salem's McIntire Historic District.
Peabody Essex Museum
200 Years of New England architecture and culture in one fascinating museum.
Custom House
The home of America's first millionaire and part of the Salem Maritime National Historic site.
Derby House
It is the oldest brick house in Salem and part of the Salem Maritime National Historic site.
Salem Strolls
Guided walking tours of Salem.
Salem Wax Museum
Touristy, but very compelling visual displays of history from 1626 through the terrifying Hysteria of 1692.
Salem Witch Museum
Learn the history behind the Salem Witch trials with multi-dimensional displays and narrations.
Lobstering & Lighthouse Cruise
Enjoy a narrated, 1 1/2 hour, harbor tour that visits Salem's historic lighthouses and islands.
Pickering Wharf
A quaint market from olden days that includes a harborside village of shops with 3 restaurants.

Boston on a budget is a blast

2008-06-14T19:13:00.007-04:00

(Our street - I think it is Cedar Lane Way)

In the summer of 2004 we spent days in Boston. Because we were in the process of buying a new house, we had a very tight travel budget, but we had one of the best trips despite this.

We wanted to stay somewhere with charm and history, but couldn't afford hotels in the historic section. Somehow we managed to find a studio apartment to rent right on the historic Beacon Hill. I think it was located on Cedar Lane Way which is really an alley just barely wide enough for a small car. Our "flat" was one floor up and had no external views, but was deliciously cozy inside with a full kitchen, hardwood floors, a fireplace, a sofa, TV and a queen sized bed. It was also air conditioned. I think it was student accommodation the rest of the year and it was sublet for summer visitors. We loved this place and every night we strolled around Beacon hill taking in the atmosphere. Plus we were able to save money on food because we had breakfast in our flat each day.
Boston is a great city for walking and we took advantage of this. You can follow the Freedom Trail around the city and see all the historical sights and there are plenty of green spaces too. We started with a double-decker bus tour around the city to get oriented and after that we walked everywhere which of course is free. And for the two day trips that we took to Plymouth and Salem, it was just under a mile to walk to South Station to catch the train.
Boston is a wonderful city to visit if you like history, charm but also want lots to see and do. You can try some of the local cuisine such as lobster, oysters, Boston Baked Beans, a clam bake or Samuel Adams beer or you skip tradition and have any cuisine from around the world. Boston has it all.
As a final treat, when you are on your way back to the airport to fly home, why not take the water taxi across Boston harbor instead of a regular taxi. Not only will you avoid the congestion and traffic, but you will be rewarded with a harbor view of the beautiful city sparkling in the sunlight disappearing in the distance. It was one of the highlights of our trip and cheaper than a taxi too.

Can you travel with no clothes?

2008-06-12T14:12:00.005-04:00

We knew it wouldn't be long. United has followed American's example and has now imposed fees for luggage on domestic flights in the USA. They have a phased in implementation that means that if you bought your ticket early enough, you might avoid the fees.

In a nutshell:

If you are flying outside of the US, Canada, Mexico and the Virgin Islands, you will have no fees for your first or second bag.
If you are flying to one of these places and you bought your ticket before February 4, 2008, you will also have no fees for your first or second bag.
For those who bought their ticket in window period from Feb 4 to June 12, 2008, your first bag is fee-free, but you have to pay the $25 for the second as previously announced as long as you travel before August 18th. After August 18th, the first bag will cost you $15.
For anyone who buys their ticket from tomorrow onward, it will be $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second.

I think I see a business opportunity: A shipping service for people to cheaply send their belongings to their destination so they can fly bagless. Or perhaps "rent-a-wardrobe" so you can just rent the clothes you need at your destination!

Paris for walkers

2008-06-10T18:11:00.004-04:00

(Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Paris, France)

In 2001 I wanted to visit Paris with my husband. He is not a city person however. His idea of a great vacation involves hiking in the mountains or biking through the countryside. When I mentioned Paris, he immediately envisioned honking horns, crowds, exhaust fumes, concrete everywhere and huge, expensive hotels and food.

I managed to convince him to go by promising that I would ensure we walked for miles every day, saw lots of green spaces, and minimized crowds. So what did he think after the trip was over? He loved Paris and claimed it was his favorite city we had visited. High praise from him. So how did I do it?

We stayed at The Hotel Mondia. Located on a very quiet side street, it was just one block from the Place de la Republique, a Metro hub station giving us access to every corner of Paris. Our room had a small wrought-iron balcony, floor to ceiling windows, a quaint, ornamental fireplace, and breakfast was included. I just checked their website and they now charge extra for breakfast, but it is only 6 Euros. We had room 504 and enjoyed it.

Next, I studied a book on Paris walks for weeks selecting walks that were interesting, unusual and included green spaces.

Our first walk was a 4.5 mile walk on Montmartre, a hilltop village with cobbled streets, caberets, the last remaining vineyard in Paris and artists. We started at the bottom and wound our way up to the top on stepped streets and hidden alleys. At the bottom we had the place to ourselves and were able to stop and admire what we were seeing. At the top it became more crowded, but the views of Paris were amazing.

Our second walk took us through Pere Lachaise cemetery, a village called Belleville, and on to the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. This amazing parc within the city limits is an outdoor paradise. It has mountains, a lake, caves, grottos, walking paths and playgrounds.

Another favorite 3-mile walk took us through Le Marais, the old Jewish quarter. There were so many good places to stop to eat along this walk that we made sure we did this one at lunch time.

Another day we did the typical tourist scene including Place de la Concorde, the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe. However, we ended the walk by avoiding the crowded Champs Elysees and wandered through neighboring streets which was very relaxing and interesting.

Step back in time by visiting Williamsburg, Virginia

2008-06-05T19:49:00.002-04:00

Williamsburg, Virginia is a must-see stop for anyone visiting Virginia. It is about 4 hours by car from my home in Leesburg, Virginia but it is well worth the drive.

Williamsburg was one of the earliest towns in Virginia. The first English settlers came in 1607, but obviously the native Americans were already here. In the 20th century the town was converted to a "living" museum. The historic section was restored to how it was in colonial times (17oo's).

The shops and buildings are staffed with costumed characters from the colonial era who will speak to you as if you are living in the 1700's. They will be cooking, working and acting exactly the way the colonials themselves would have. In the bakeshop you can buy a yummy slice of authentic gingerbread or on the courthouse steps you can witness a public speech or a open air trial. Walk into the home of a freed slave and ask her about her habits and cooking methods. She will be happy to show you around.

If you plan to be in town at dinner time, make advance reservations at one of the authentic colonial taverns and you will enjoy a colonial meal on pewter plates and perhaps you might be tempted to some ale in a pewter tankard.

After dinner, you can walk off your filling meal with a ghost tour or a candlelight evening tour to soak up a bit more history before you leave.

The next day, if you have had your fill of history, travel a few miles outside of town and visit Busch Gardens "The Old County" This amusement park is divided into regions designed to look and feel like you are visiting Germany, England, France, Canada and Italy. Between log flumes and roller coasters you can taste German bratwursts, French crepes and English fish and chips.

If amusement parks aren't your thing, or if they are but you have a 3rd day, Jamestown Settlement is right next door to Williamsburg. Here you can visit replicas of the three boats that Columbus sailed to America, visit an Native American teepee, and tour a replica of the first settlement compound at Jamestown.

These are just the highlights of the area. There is so much more to experience and Virginia Beach is not far away either. You could easily fill an entire week in this compact but rich part of the state.

Where the green grapes grow

2008-06-03T20:04:00.001-04:00

(click on the photo to see these grapes up close)

Last summer we vacationed along the Rhine river in Germany. We were based in Koblenz for a week which sits where the Rhine and Mosel rivers converge. Each day we took a day trip along one of the rivers to one of several towns right on the river. I longed to take one of the many boat cruises to either get to or return from one of these towns, but because the weather was rainy every day it wasn't worth the price. We would have been stuck inside behind the rain streaked windows and not seeing the sights in their true glory.

Instead we made use of the speedy and timely trains that travel up and down the rivers. Unlike the long distance trains I rode later in the second week of our trip, these trains were often nearly empty and we never had trouble getting a seat on the side overlooking the river.

It is quite an amazing sight as you travel along. On one side is the romantic Rhine river snaking its way through the countryside. On the other side are steep slopes covered in mile-after-mile of vineyards. The rows of vines so perfectly lined up and well tended they almost seemed too perfect to be real.

In Rüdesheim, where this photo was taken, we took the cable car up to the top of the hillside, a 15 minute ride. At the top we admired the views despite the fog and mist before following a nordic walking trail through a forest. From here we could see the famous Maus Tower in the middle of the river. Eventually we came out at the start of one of the winding concrete lanes that switch-backed through the vineyards, back toward the heart of the town. The rain had stopped by now and the lanes empty except for a few other hikers. It was a heavenly stroll back to town. The plump grapes were so tempting, but we couldn't bring ourselves to pluck one and taste it. Instead we satisfied ourselves with snapping this photo to remember them by.

Back in Rüdesheim, we found a rustic restaurant with wooden walls to eat our main meal. We were concerned at first about smokers, but although smoking was allowed, only one person smoked briefly. We were glad we stayed however, because Graham ordered the trout and later said it was the best trout he had ever eaten. High praise from Graham!

We spent the rest of our day exploring the narrow, twisting lanes and looking in shops. The much-hyped Drosselgasse was so disappointing. Advertised in all the guide books as touristy but lively with live bands, restaruants and a special atmosphere, we discovered a narrow, crowded lane filled with souvenir shops, no music and no atmosphere. Perhaps it livens up in the afternoon.

All the restaurants feature various Rhine wines and if you are a wine lover, you will have lots of sampling to keep you busy and happy. If you are a hiker as well, you will be doubly happy.

Rüdesheim is a wonderful place, even in less-than-perfect weather. On a fine day, I am sure it is magnificent.

Driving Rules in Germany and Austria

2008-06-01T12:22:00.001-04:00

In just 54 days we will be leaving for our holiday in Germany and Austria. As it has been 6 years since we last drove a car in these countries, I thought it might be a good time to refresh my knowledge of driving rules and differences.

First here are some of the basics:

You must pass on the left only. It is illegal to pass on the right on the Autobahn.

You must always move left to allow a faster car to get by unless both lanes are going under 60 kph (35 mph)

Unless you see a sign saying otherwise, the following speed rules apply:

In cities and towns the speed limit is 5o kph (31 mph)

Outside of urban areas the limit is 100 kph (62 mph)

Although there is not an official Autobahn limit, an advised limit is 130 kph (80 mph)

When fog reduces visibility to less than the maximum speed, the limit is 50 kph (31 mph)

When a bus is stopped at a bus stop with its hazard lights flashing, you may only at 7 km/h or less no matter which direction you are going.

Other rules

Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers
It is illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving

Parking rules - You cannot park:

Within 5 meters of an intersection

Blocking a driveway or entrance (including on the other side of the road)

Blocking another marked parking spot

Within 15 meters of a bus or streetcar stop marked with a green and yellow circular H sign.

Within 50 meters on either side of a RED AND WHITE Cross sign when outside of urban areas or within 5 meters when inside an urban area

On a priority road outside of urban areas

In front of a wheelchair ramp

Next to a traffic island or median

Next to another car (double-parking).

When you find a place you can legally park, remember these additional rules:

You must have a gap of at least 3 meters between your car and the middle of the road. This might necessitate parking partially on the sidewalk. Only do this if signs say it is permitted or other cars are doing it.
Always park on the right side of the road unless it is a one way street or the right side has rails.
Check for Parking fee machines. You may have to pay to get a ticket to display on the window.

If you need help:

To call the emergency services, dial 112.
To call the police, dial 110

Walking for Water

2008-05-31T11:13:00.001-04:00

Today we participated in an annual charity walk held at Morven Park in Leesburg every May. The walk was first started by a high school girl, Kristen Karinshak, who heard a woman from Burkina Faso speak at her school. This woman explained that this small west African country had very few wells or other water sources and the women there had to walk for 6 hours everyday to carry water home for drinking, cooking and washing. If they had the money to dig wells, they could eliminate this arduous daily task. This also meant that disease was ever present.

With the help of an adult sponsor, the girl and her friends organized a walk in 2004 to raise money to build a well. They raised enough to build 5 wells that first year. Since then this annual walk has raised enough money to build 15 wells.

Judging by the turnout today, they will have raised a good amount of money today for even more wells.

You can watch a video documentary about this cause here.

Pop over to the Vegesacker Hafenfest for a real treat

2008-05-30T19:14:00.001-04:00

If you are going to be in the North of Germany this weekend, you are in luck. This is the weekend for the annual Vegesacker Hafenfest in Bremen Nord. This 3 day fest is packed full of music, maritime attractions, food, fun and rides.

This year is the 29th year that the celebration has been held and the weather promises to be hot. There are three music stages, every kind of delicious food you can imagine and a port full of boats to interest everyone. There is even a football match on Saturday in the Vegesacker stadium for you footballers.

Some of the other fun things you will find are:

The largest ferris wheel in Bremen Nord (50 meters high)
A wine village
Boat tours on the Weser and Lesum rivers

Music shows on the three stages include groups such as Boogie Dolls, The Daltons, California Band, The Backbeats and for the children, Supabella

Because of the heat and the projected crowds (200,000 over the 3 days) you might want to get an early start. It started today, so there are only 2 days left.

If you can't make it this year, mark you calendar. It is always on the first weekend in June and there is always next year! And when you do go, make sure you stay long enough to see Bremen as well. It is a great historic town with lots to see and do.

To Pod or not to Pod

2008-05-26T19:58:00.001-04:00

While researching inexpensive places to stay in New York I stumbled upon an unusual hotel called The Pod Hotel. They have everything from bunk rooms for two people to "the townhouse" and prices start at $99 per night. The catch is that for that low price you have to share a bathroom. However, the higher priced rooms have private bathrooms and one each has a balcony. All the rooms are small, but tricked out with every necessity such as an in-room safe, dim-able lights, IPOD dock, LCD TV, free WiFi to surf the net, stylish furniture and climate control. All rooms have a closet and drawers.

The location looks good. It is at 230 E 51st St. and is less than a mile from Grand Central Station.

Prices are not much of a bargain unless you are willing to take one of the rooms with a shared bath. When I priced a queen room for a Friday night in August it was quoted as $269 plus taxes. If you could settle for a double room the price is $219 plus taxes. Hotels.com offered a King room at the Hilton on the same night for $239 and it included a dining area.

The concept is cool and it will definitely give you something to talk about when you get back home, but I wonder if it could be noisy? It will attract young people on a tight budget willing to share a bathroom in the smaller rooms and on the website they actually show a photo of some young people JUMPING on the bed. If you are looking for quiet and space, I'd pick the Hilton. If you are looking for cool and fun, The Pod may be just the thing for you.

Maybe The Pod would like to offer me a free night to check it out and report back! Well, I can dream can't I?

Cheaper to get to NYC than dinner and a movie.

2008-05-25T16:21:00.001-04:00

For my friends who love New York City (Regina!), today's tip is for you. It will help anyone who wants to see both New York and Washington DC. There is a new bus company that is offering luxury transport between these two cities are amazing prices.

The company, DC2NY, travels between the cities several times a day giving you flexibility. And despite the low prices, they promise luxury travel. My friend Martha has booked tickets and I will report back after her trip to let you know if this claim is true. The website promises clean restrooms, new comfortable buses, and free internet access on board.

The price is $40 per per person. This is a fraction of the price of an plane ticket, and the bus will drop you off in Manhattan. If you flew, you would also have to pay for a taxi from the airport. So this is an incredible bargain. If you buy a ticket you can change the dates up to 24 hours in advance, but if you miss the bus, you can't get your money back. There are no refunds. Still at $40, the risk is not great.

Luggage isn't a problem either. You can bring up to 3 bags (no more than 5o lbs each) that will be stored in the hold. I suggest however, that 3 pieces of luggage in NYC is 2 pieces too many! You won't want to lug all that luggage around the crowded streets.

Now, we just have to find a luxury place to stay in NYC that has bargain prices.

History Live and in Person

2008-05-24T17:37:00.001-04:00

Today we did a 5 mile hike in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where the Shenandoah River and the Potomac River converge. The first 3 miles of the hike were in the woods going up a mountainside in an area called Loudoun Heights. Eventually after walking along the top ridge, we came down again (my poor knees) until we reached RT 340.
We followed the bridge to the road into the actual town of Harpers Ferry. This town is a real town but it is also a restored historic village. Today, the first day of Memorial Day Weekend with splendid weather, the town was full of visitors including a large group from Asia.

There were lots of special reenactments going on also as you can see from this photo. It was a shame we couldn't stop to enjoy more of the special activities, but we still had 2 more miles to walk to complete our hike. At the edge of town, we crossed the Potomac river on a railway bridge and took the steps down to the C&O Canal path that runs alongside the river all the way to Washington DC. We just walked to the first bridge back across the river and back to our car. The walk, including a stop for picnic lunch along the way took about 4 hours.

Let's hope they don't lose the keys

2008-05-22T18:27:00.001-04:00

I'm still talking about London today. One of the best things about London is the history you can experience there. And my favorite place for soaking up history is The Tower of London. The photo above is of Tower Bridge. We were fortunate one year to be able to stay at the Guoman Hotel located next to this famous bridge. Just next to one end of the Bridge is the Tower of London so we were practically sleeping in the tower!

The Tower is dripping with history. It dates back to the 11th Century when William the Conqueror started construction of a fortress on the spot. Through the centuries many famous people have been imprisoned and usually executed in gruesome ways.

When you walk through the tower and grounds, especially when the weather is bright and sunny, it can feel really odd. The tower is very stately and beautiful and with dappled sunshine on the paths and birds chirping and children dashing about and laughing it feels so innocent and benign. However, the stories of the people who were imprisoned here are gruesome and spooky. You can learn about these prisoners right now by playing the Gaoler Game on the official website. I found it both entertaining and informative.

The Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower and you can view them when you visit although the lines can be long. If you have the time, they are worth seeing.

It is possible to get into the Tower for free (without having to be imprisoned!), but it will require some advance planning on your part. It is definitely worth the effort. For the past 700 years a Key Ceremony has been held every evening when the Tower is officially locked up for the night. This Ceremony is not just for tourists. It happens every night even if no one but the guards are present. During the ceremony you are actually locked inside the grounds of the Tower and at the end they will (if you are good) release you through a small wicket gate. You can get free tickets to this ceremony by writing to the Tower Warden. Click here for instructions for exactly how to request these tickets. Even though these tickets will get you in for free, you will only see a few outdoor parts of the Tower. If you really want to see the entire Tower and all of her gory glories, you will want to pay for a ticket earlier in the day to tour the entire place and come back later -- the ceremony takes place at 9:30pm -- for the ceremony.

To learn more about inexpensive things to do in London, visit my Inside London Webpage.

London on a budget

2008-05-18T13:17:00.001-04:00

The good news is that the exchange rate for the British pound dropped in recent weeks to $1.95 for ₤1.00. The bad news is that it that it takes $1.95 to buy ₤1.00! London is already a very expensive city, but with the current exchange rate, it is doubly expensive for Americans. Just last year I was moaning about the $1.75 exchange rate, and now everything will be almost 25% more expensive.

So why am I even bothering to go to London this year? Well the easy answer is that I have to, but that wouldn't be entirely true. My husband's family live in the south of England, and we do like to see his parents every year, but strictly speaking that doesn't mean we have to see London. We could stay at an airport hotel and fly out of the country without setting foot into London proper. We even discussed doing just that, but .... The fact is that I need my London fix if I am going to be that close. My husband used to claim that he hated London and each year spent a day (sometimes 2) there under duress. However, the last few years have been a different story. In my quest to see and do things I haven't seen and done before and to spend as little money as possible, we have had some quite enjoyable London adventures.

Knowing that we both love to walk, we always squeeze in at least one guided walk from London Walks (www.walks.com). No advance reservations are needed, the cost is a mere ₤6.00 and the guides are fantastic. Each walk has a special theme and they are not taxing to your feet as they don't cover great distances. Instead you are introduced to a particular neighborhood and your knowledgeable guide will give you a history lesson as well as filling your head with all sorts of interesting facts about the surroundings that you would never learn any other way.

As an example, on one walk the guide pointed out how the fan-light windows above the doors of the houses on the street were all unique in design. This was not something the average tourist would have even noticed. In fact the average tourist might have bypassed this lane completely. Our guide explained that these houses were built before houses were numbered. These unique window designs were how guests identified the house they were searching for and invitations would include a drawing of the design. The London Walks website gives details of the meeting points, themes and times for all their walks. Because there are no reservations, you can be flexible and change your plans as needed. But the price is good and the entertainment well worth the investment -- even with today's exchange rate.

I will continue this topic on my next post as I have other suggestions for bargains in London.

Fond Memories of Amsterdam - A step back in time

2008-05-15T15:58:00.001-04:00

My last post was about Alkmaar in Holland which was a day trip we took from Amsterdam. Writing that post made me nostalgic about Amsterdam; I really enjoyed my week in Amsterdam even though I spent the majority of those days without any luggage! Amsterdam is magical to me. We stayed in a wonderful B&B walking distance from the main train station, but still in a quiet street just one block from one of the thousands of canal streets. Every day we walked our feet off sightseeing only to set out again in the evenings. The canal streets are sandwiched between the two narrow lanes that make up the actual streets. Each time we set out to go to a restaurant or a sight we would pull out our map and pick an new route to take. Even when we ate at the same restaurant twice(the incredible Kantjil en de Tijger), we arrived on a different path. These virtually car-less streets were peaceful, calm and made us feel as if we were in another era. It was such a fabulous feeling to be able to traverse a capital city and yet be so far removed from traffic and hustle and bustle. Don't misunderstand me - Amsterdam does have traffic (on a few central arteries) and there can be crowds of people at major attractions, but the majority of the time you can easily imagine that you are in a quaint, remote village far away.

I did a lot of research for this trip and documented it all on my website. After we returned from the trip, I updated the web page to say what we liked and didn't like. If you want to know more about what to see and do in Amsterdam, go to my web Page

Alkmaar - Cheese anyone?

2008-05-11T16:03:00.001-04:00

One of my all time favorite day trips from Amsterdam was our trip to Alkmaar. We deliberately went on the Cheese Auction day even though we knew it was meant for tourists. The auction itself was not the highlight although it was impressive to see these enormous wheels of Dutch cheese filling the square. When we arrived and were walking through the town, we joined a parade or procession leading us to the town square with accordian music and towns people dressed in traditional costumes. In the square, after the auction, we watched an impressive magic show and visited the numerous vendors who had set up a market. Here we tried tiny Dutch doughnuts, watched wooden shoes being carved from solid blocks of wood, and saw cheeses being floated down river in a rowboat.

With all this cheese on display, we started to crave some. We found a stall where we could buy a small one, and then in the tourist center gift shop we bought a cheese knife. Later that day, back at our B&B we sampled the cheese along with some good bread provided in our kitchen. It was so delicious.

I also had some really good cheese at my friend's house in Bremen last summer. Regina, just this week, began her new blog: Bremen in Photos. You should check it out. She writes some in German and some in English and you will get to visit Bremen and other places she visits vicariously through her photos.

Exeter England and New US Bumping Rules

2008-05-04T13:20:00.001-04:00

Can you guess where this photo was taken? It is a statue on the grounds of Exeter Catherdral in Exeter, Devon in the South of England. It was taken on Christmas Eve in 2004. It gives a good idea of how special Exeter is. On sunny days (they have plenty) as well as foggy days, it is an interesting place to explore on foot. Narrow alleyways, great shops and quaint restaurants and tearooms in authentic Tudor buildings plus a soaring, majestic Cathedral right in the center.

If you are based in London, Exeter is an easy daytrip by train. The trip is 2 or 3 hours depending on the train you catch. More information can be found here.

News about Overbooked flights: When my husband flew to England recently, we were unable to select his seat on line with United, even though we were able to select seats for our flights this summer. The reason was that no seats were left. Needless to say, this had us worried. Afterall we had paid for seat and we were worried that he might get to the airport only to find out he was being bumped. To prevent this, we ensured he checked in over 3 hours early and he did get a seat.

In today's Washington Post travel section there is an item about the new rules for compensation in this situation. The article says that the airline will typically over a voucher as compensation, but you are entitled to demand cash and soon (after May 18th) the amount of cash is double what it is up to May 18th. If you are booked on a domestic flight but get bumped you will be entitled to a refund of the ticket price up to $400 if the new flight they put you on will have you arriving at your destination more than one but less than 2 hours late. If you will be more than 2 hours late, the maximum jumps to $800.

For international flights, the timings change. If the alternate flight provided will make your arrival 1 to 4 hours late, you can get up to $400. Since most international flights cost more than $400, I think it would usually be the full $400. If the new arrival time is more than 4 hours late, you will get $800. If you turn down the alternative flight, you get both a full refund and the $400 or $800 depending on the timing.

One last note: The airlines must ask for volunteers first. Volunteers are not entitled to these same benefits, but the airlines will probably sweeten the deals that they offer volunteers to avoid having to pay out these benefits to non-volunteers.

These rules do not apply to weather or mechanical failure delays. They only apply to bumped passengers due to overbooking.

Better Hope your Passport Photo is a Good One

2008-04-30T17:16:00.001-04:00

If you will be traveling through Heathrow anytime soon be prepared to have your face scanned. They are trying out a new security idea whereby travelers' will have their faces scanned and compared to their passport information. If a match is made, you can proceed without speaking to an immigration officer.

At first it will be set to err on the safe side meaning that frequently it won't find a match and you will be directed to a person like the current method. Once it proves to be reliable, I assume they will tweak the settings and hopefully it will speed up the lines at immigration especially at Heathrow.

I will be traveling in England in August so I will report back then and tell you about my experience. In the meantime you can read more about it here.

Yapta your way to Dingle

2008-04-28T19:35:00.002-04:00

This is a lonely road on the Dingle peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. We were walking on Ventry beach and were exploring the dunes when we discovered it. The west of Ireland is a magical place to visit. We enjoyed it so much that we have been talking about the possibility of moving there someday ever since we visited in 2005.

I have a travel hint today for anyone who may be desperately seeking a low airfare to Ireland or anywhere in the world. I discovered Yapta.com two months ago. It is free software that you download and use to track the flights you want to purchase or have already purchased. They track prices and tell you whether you should buy now or wait because prices might drop. In my case, I had already purchased my tickets direct from United. One evening I got an email that the price of my trip had dropped almost $200 per person. It gave United's telephone number and reminded me of my booking reference number and recommended I contact United and ask for vouchers for the difference. I was skeptical, but I did it and within 5 minutes a very nice customer service rep promised me my vouchers would arrive in several weeks. I haven't received them yet, but at the moment I am hopeful. Yapta has since informed me that prices have jumped to almost $200 more than I paid, so that also made me feel good.

It may not be perfect science, but every little bit helps in these days of soaring fuel and ticket prices.

Quintessentially English and Prehistoric All in One Place

2008-04-24T11:18:00.001-04:00

This is Lyme Regis at low tide viewed from "the cob." The Cob is man-made wall (originally made of beams and boulders ) that extends like a curved arm into the sea to protect the harbour. Built back in the 13th century, it was featured in the film "The French Lieutenant's Woman" with Meryl Steep in a famous stormy scene.

Lyme Regis is located on the border between Devon and Dorset in the south of England. It has existed as a seaside resort since the 18th century, but it has existed since the 8th century. Originally it was a site where monks extracted salt and later it was an active harbour. Since the 18th century it has transformed into an attractive and busy seaside resort.

In addition to the usual seaside attractions of swimming, boating and the like, Lyme is famous for its fossils. The coastline at Lyme and 6 miles in either direction is known around the world for its plethora of Jurassic fossils. This treasure trove was discovered in the early 1800's when a 12 year old girl found a dinosaur fossil.

The town itself is quintessentially English. If you come from somewhere else, you will find the type of English town you have read about in books. Narrow, bustling high street, seaside promenade, children playing with spades and buckets in the sand, and families enjoying ice creams and fish and chips while watching seagulls and sailboats in the harbour.

If you are interested in learning more, check out this link

Sunniest Place in England

2008-04-22T19:54:00.001-04:00

Question: Where can you find the most sunny days in all of England?
Answer: The Isle of Wight

This jewel of an island is not that well known outside of England, but I have visited many times and I have never run out of new discoveries. This diamond-shaped island is 66 miles around the coast and lies in the English Channel very close to the south coast of England. There are no bridges, so the only way on or off of the island is to take one of the car or passenger ferries. The the quaint island is peppered with thatch houses (see photo) and charming villages.

You can travel from Lymington, Portsmouth or Southampton on the mainland and depending on the route and whether it is a car ferry or not, the trip can take from 15 minutes (hovercraft) to an hour.

Most tourists opt to stay in one of the many seaside towns such as Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor, but I always stay with my In-Laws in the island's capital, Newport. If you are looking for lazy days on the beach with fish and chips, long coastal walks and arcades, you the beach towns are probably a good choice.

However, if you are like me and like variety in your vacation days, Newport is a better bet. Centrally located in the center of the island, it is a max 30 minute ride to any town or attraction on the island. Plus Newport has all the high street shops you would find on the mainland such as Boots, Marks and Spencers, BHS, Evans and more. In addition there are at least 3 or 4 grocery stores to choose from and a large bookstore.

The main bus station is also in Newport so even without a car you can explore the whole island. Don't miss the upcoming "Big Green Picnic" event that will be held in the center of Newport on May 24-25.

Walkers will find that the network of public footpaths that criss cross the island including the coastal footpath provide endless rambling opportunities.

If music is your thing, you won't want to miss the Isle of Wight Music Festival. This woodstock-like music fest was originally held back in the woodstock years, but has been resurrected in recent years to great reviews. This year it will be held on June 13-15th and tickets are almost gone.

If this has piqued your interest and you'd like to learn more, check out http://www.iwight.com/

Unusual Beach on South Coast of England

2008-04-21T17:39:00.001-04:00

The photo above was taken at Chessel Beach near Weymouth in the South of England. There is no swimming here and even if it was allowed, it would be a little uncomfortable on the feet as it is comprised entirely of this beautiful, multicolored shingle. The beach is unusual also in that it is not flat. It rises out of the sea in several climbing plateaus that resemble giant stairs. The stones are deep and unless you are wearing sandals or shoes, it is a bit like walking in quicksand and you will get a good workout if you give it a try.

If you'd like to visit Chessel Beach you can take a 3.5 hour train ride from London to Weymouth in Dorset. From there you will need to take a bus or taxi to the beach if you aren't planning to rent a car.

If you come this far south, you may be interested in making a nearby journey to the Isle of Wight my topic for my next post.

Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival

2008-04-19T20:37:00.001-04:00

It looks like I have a flower theme on this photo blog, but that is just a coincidence. I attended the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival today and so today I have a flower photo again. The festival is going on again tomorrow (April 20) and I highly recommend it. We had beautiful weather with lot of sun and the festival was very festive. There was music on the courthouse steps, lots of gorgeous flowers and plants, but also many booths with whimsical garden ornaments, hats, house signs and gardening tools. And should you get a bit hungry, you can choose from a wide variety of delectable temptations - not just the usual burgers and barbecue.

If you live in Leesburg or nearby, another great place to try is the Hamburg Döner Restaurant located in the old Mighty Midget next to Market Street Station. Although they serve food that you can find in Hamburg Germany, the Döner is really a Turkish dish. Either way, it is truly delicious and they have plenty of beer to wash it down with. If you are around on a Wednesday night and you speak a tiny bit of German you can also join up with my weekly Stammtisch group. We are a group of German learners who get together on Wednesdays to practice and we welcome anyone who wants to join in no matter how fluent or un-fluent you are. Native speakers are very welcome too if you don't mind our many mistakes!

Sunflowers in Bremen

2008-04-17T19:10:00.001-04:00

I'm back. Haven't blogged since I set this up because I had no idea what to blog about. Now I know. Welcome to Where in the world photo of the week. Each week (or more often if I have the time) I will post a photo from somewhere I've been.

Today's sunflowers were snapped in Bremen Germany. I was strolling through the Blumenmarkt with my friend Regina and they just looked so cheerful and sunny I couldn't resist them. Back at home, I printed this shot 8 x 10 and hung it in my cube. It brightens my day every day.

Whats up in Leesburg this week? This weekend is the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. If the weather holds out, it should be fertile ground (no pun intended) for lots of future photos.

2007-01-24T17:03:00.001-05:00

Hey, I am finally getting around to working on this blog. I have never blogged before. Spent all of the last holiday weekend planning and booking my trip to Germany and England next summer and I managed to snag a half-price airfare to England. I think United made a mistake and I happened to see it because this hard-to-believe price disappeared the very next day.

Debut

2006-12-12T17:05:00.001-05:00

Hello out there. I'm a newbie and this blog is an experiement. I love to travel and every year I plan a big trip somewhere in the world. Friends keep asking me to help them plan their trips because I am so good at finding the unusual things to do and filling the trips with lots of activity. I don't really have time to plan trips for others, but I thought I could share my research and plans as I go along. For 2007 the location is Germany and the south of England. So if you are also going to either place, you might find some helpful information in this blog in the coming months.