It’s that time of the year again, when waking up comes easy, sweaters are in, and people stay warm by the fireplace. Yes, the fall is here, and today is the first Monday I will arrive home to darkness. I shouldn’t complain however. Waking up and having it be sunny was nice, and there are much worse places to live as far as sunlight goes! If you’re looking to experience the most sunlight during the day, Try a vacation in Norway. In some locations during the summer, you can experience up to 23 days of consecutive sunlight! Get the suntan lotion!
When overseas, you have many options on where to spend your time. People spend years planning trips to just one location, so one thing you should remember is that you can’t see everything in one trip! Here are some of the locations in Italy you may want to make time for, along with some of the reasons why.
Rome
Going to Rome can be one of the most exhilarating experiences for history buffs. The city is one of the oldest in history, and the culture is unique to Europe. Locations like the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps are not only beautiful impressive structures to behold, but they are old as the day is long. The food one experiences in Rome is some of the finest in the world. Many restaurants share family recipes that have been handed down for generations. Even the street food is delicious! This city is well known for a reason, and one visit here and you will understand why millions visit each year.
Florence
Ever hear the term Florence Syndrome? It is the term people get from having their senses overwhelmed by beautiful art. It can cause light-headedness and fainting in some people, so if you’re a fan of beautiful buildings and art, you may want to bring a friend to catch you! The city welcomes all, and is home to sites such as the Santa Maria Novella, and Florence Cathedral (known as the Duomo). You can also find one of the World’s finest museums, the Uffizi Gallery.
Venice
Who can resist the open water canals in the city of Venice? Catch a ride in one of the chartered gondolas, or walk along the cities many pathways and bridges to get to such locations as the Santa Maria della Salute, the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge.
Milan
Milan is another Italian city that is just packed with art and culture. Sights like the Milan Cathedral and the Milan Fountain keep visitors coming back year after year. From watching a local soccer match, to spending time a day at one of the many museums, travel to Milan is something everyone will appreciate.
Wherever you decide to travel to Italy, or visit another part of Europe, you can be sure there is no shortage of sites, events and culture to take in!
This may come as a surprise, but few people realize that Copenhagen is one of Europe’s most up and coming cities! In fact, FDi magazine recently ranked Copenhagen at #4 on its list of the Top 50 European Cities of the Future just behind London, Paris and Berlin! What makes the city so attractive to nearly 3 million residents living in the Copenhagen area? Lets take a look…
Copenhagen is repeatedly recognized as having a high quality of life. It is one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities, which is obviously attractive. Much of the water that runs in the city is perfect for swimming and fishing, and over a million people ride bicycles to work each day! The city is packed with many beautiful parks of all sizes, and interestingly enough, many of the cities cemetery’s double as parks as well. It should come as no surprise that world leaders are meeting there this year to discuss climate change.
There is also much culture to be found in the city. Copenhagen is home to many world class museums. The National Museum and The National Gallery are just two examples of great places to see some of the worlds finest art, while the Cisternerne is a museum that is totally dedicated to the medium of glass art. If you’re looking for music, there is a brand new concert hall that opened up this year, and the Royal Danish Theater is home to some excellent performances. Most people probably don’t associate jazz with Copenhagen, but take a stroll into some of the nightclubs and bars throughout the city, and you will be singing a different tune. You will also find some of the finest dining in Europe when you travel to Copenhagen, as the city is home to 13 Michelin star restaurants. Of course, you can always find many local establishments serving delicious traditional Danish food, as well as the obligatory pint of Carlsberg Beer! All in all, Copenhagen may be the best kept secret in Europe. Don’t expect it to stay like that for long!
Next time you travel to Europe, be sure to spend some of your vacation in Denmark! You won’t be disappointed.
The air is getting crisper, the kids are back in school, and as much as we don’t want to admit it, it would appear that fall is upon us. Fall brings many things, football season, baseball playoffs, and of course delicious beer! A trip to the local spirit vendor reminded me of this 2 weeks ago, when I walked in and saw a giant display of Halloween and pumpkin ales in a giant display. I was aghast, as it was still the middle of August, but now that the weather has chilled just a tiny bit, I look forward to tasting some of the unique beer that comes out this time of year. Of course, aside from New England, I can think of at least one other place that may have a larger selection of locally crafted fall brews…
Oktoberfest has a somewhat misleading name. It actually takes place mostly in September and ends the first Sunday in October. So if you want to sample the special fall beers at their freshest, rub elbows with strangers, and enjoy some pretzels & bratwurst, that’s when you should go. It’s not too late to book your vacation to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest in style! Of course, if you have a rental car in Munich, be sure to hand the keys to a designated driver, or find a place to park it overnight!
This past week I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the beautiful city of Chicago. During my flight, I took the opportunity to think about some often overlooked elements of travel. Could the Sky Mall be the most read magazine in America? It’s like the impulse buy for travelers. I don’t think I’ve ever been jet lagged enough to actually buy anything from one though. Are there other people like me who find themselves buying things they should have brought in the first place? While in Chicago, I bought four shirts, deodorant, and a toothbrush.
Regardless of my lack of sleep induced ramblings, Chicago was a world class city with far too much to do and see in the short amount of time I was there. I would love a chance to go back! The food is amazing, the people are very nice if you need information, and the city is one of the cleanest I have ever been to. What’s your favorite American city to visit?
History
There is ancient history and culture everywhere you look in Italy. From the Colosseum to St. Peter’s Square, history is found around every turn. Museums in Italy are home to some of the worlds greatest works of art, by the world’s best artists. The cities themselves are also beautiful. Florence syndrome is an illness that occurs in some people when they are exposed to a large amount of beautiful art in the same place!
Food
Italians make some pretty decent food. Fans of pasta are happy when roaming the streets of cities, as there are fresh markets and local villas around every turn. Many have said that parmesan cheese is terrible until you’ve had it fresh in Italy. Of course, who could forget about delicious truffles found in the northern Mountains. Wherever you are, you are sure to find a healthy mix of local products and traditional Italian dishes cooked to perfection!
Wine
Italy produces almost as much wine as France, but if you ask any Italian you may hear differently. The wine in Italy is delicately balanced to go perfectly with the food. Just one sip and you may never want to leave. For more on Italian wine, check out this previous post! Landscape
The whole country is a peninsula so there are lots of them to be explored. Also, don’t forget about the mountains! The northern part of Italy borders Austria, France and Switzerland via the majestic Alps! Cruising the Almafi Coast with a rental car in Italy is just one of the great thrills of the countryside!
One thing is for sure, next time you travel to Italy, with a little research, there won’t be a dull moment!
Heading overseas this summer? If you’re heading to the south of France, chances are you won’t be disappointed. There is a lot going on, from guided tours of the old town, to brass band performances. Fans of art may be upset that the Picasso Museum is closed between June 15th through July 4th, however if you’re there in July, there is a wonderful Jazz festival that is one of the most popular events in the area. The Jazz à Juan festival is enjoyed by the performers and spectators alike. The performances are held beneath the pine trees that gave Juan-les-Pins its name. In its 49th year, it should be a great time for all. Antibes and Juan are popular for their beaches, which attract visitors and tourists from nearby Cannes. It would be hard not to have a great time, on your next vacation in France.
I never thought I would find a city with clean streets and an awesome music festival, but I just may have to take my next vacation in Copenhagen.
Recently voted the cleanest city in Europe in an online poll from trip adviser, Copenhagen is a city with much to offer. Filled with museums, theaters, and two of the world’s oldest amusement parks, there is truly never a dull moment if you know where to look. There are 13 Michelin star restaurants to choose from for your eating needs, as well as a plethora of many other delicious, less pricey places to dine.
Copenhagen also is known for hosting the famous Rosklide Festival. Every year since 1972 the best bands of the era play to thousands and thousands of fans. Over the years the festival has attracted the biggest names in music, including Bob Marley, the Talking Heads, U2, The Clash and Raidohead. This year should be no expectation as headlining acts include Coldplay, Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, the Pet Shop Boys, Slipknot, Kanye West and Lil Wayne. On side stages and separate areas, you can also hear one of the 151 acts scheduled for the weekend. This festival really does it proper, as they have tents you can rent if you don’t want to bring your own. They even offer access to hot showers if you are willing to pay up for one of the tents! It all takes place July 2nd through the 5th and you can get your tickets now.
Prague was once a hidden city, but over the past 10 years, Prague has become the 6th most visited city in Europe. That’s saying a lot for a city that was essentially off limits for Western travelers less than 50 years ago. Finding a place to stay in Prague isn’t a problem, as many old buildings were renovated once tourism started growing. Here’s a short list of some of what this amazing city has to offer.
Prague’s incredible mix of baroque, gothic and modern architecture makes wandering through the different regions of the city fun and exciting.
The national Museum is home to some of the finest exhibits in Europe, and there are many music and art festivals held annually.
The Prague Zoo was recently rated the 7th best zoo in the world by Forbes Traveler Magazine, and this comes as little surprise to those who have been there.
There is a giant functioning metronome that overlooks the city. It stands on a base that originally held a giant statue of Joseph Stalin.
Prague Castle is one of the biggest in the world, and is open to the public for tours.
If you are a fan of classical music, you may have heard of the Estates Theater. The Estates Theater in Prague stands out for several reasons. Built in the 18th century, the theater opened in 1783 and has hosted many famous composers and performers. The building is still in it’s original state, and measures have been taken to keep it as authentic as possible, so walking into the estates is like a trip into the past. Perhaps the theaters claim to fame, it is the only structure still standing where Mozart performed. If you have seen the movie Amadeus, you have seen the inside of this classical theater. It was at this historic venue where the opera Don Giovanni was first performed. The Estates still functions as a theater, and mostly puts on plays and operas that were Mozart originals.
All these attractions are easily accessible with a rental car in Prague. There are also many gems to be found outside the city, but that’s going to be another post!
I feel like every time I need to research a new location to write about, I want to travel there. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but next time I make it to Europe, I’m going to need at least three months to see and do all that I’ve been writing about recently. My latest travel interest is the city of Lisbon. Lisbon is a city of around a half a million people located on the western coast of Europe, where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s not hard to understand why anyone would want to travel there. The natural beauty of the city alone is enough to keep many coming back.
The architecture in Lisbon is legendary. Throughout the city you can find different examples of Roman, Gothic, Manueline, Baroque, and Traditional Portuguese buildings. Many people come to the city for this reason. There are several districts in Lisbon, each one offering something different than the other. For example the trendy Chiado District maintains examples of 18th century architecture, with its quaint sidewalk cafes and clubs. The western side of the city is home to Monasto Forrest Park, which is filled with large trees, fields and many kinds of animals. Lisbon’s opera house, the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, hosts a relatively active cultural agenda, mainly in autumn and winter. The Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga (National Museum of Ancient Art), is very popular and is known for housing some of the finest art in the world. Scenic oceanside towns are just a short drive away with a rental car in Portugal. Villages like Cascais, and Sesimbra, are nearby, while a trip south will bring you to the breathtaking Alentejo coastline.
Combine all that with the warm Mediterranean climate, and it sounds like a dream vacation to me! Questions, comments, concerns? Feel free to leave a comment.
