Edinburgh, the capital city of [amazon_textlink asin=’1612389783′ text=’Scotland’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ca65b8ba-6a63-11e7-8485-e971cc4915d6′], is the second largest city in the country, making it a popular vacation spot for travelers from the U.K. and around the world. In fact, it’s the second most visited city in the UK for international travelers (no surprise that [amazon_textlink asin=’1631215612′ text=’London’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d9adec6b-6a63-11e7-8762-ad95567d7f04′] is first), and there are lots of reasons to visit Edinburgh. From the United States, you can reach Edinburgh direct from Newark (Continental) and Atlanta (Delta), along with many airlines that make connections. Another option is flying into Glasgow International Airport, about an hour away. Here 10 reasons to visit Edinburg for your next vacation. It’s a picturesque city. Located along the Firth of Forth (love that name!), Edinburgh sports a rugged coastline mixed with interesting architecture. There are plenty of […]
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Is a Vacation Rental Right for You
I’m not a traveler cut out for a location independent lifestyle. I love having a home to return to. A place to live and enjoy. My home is a wonderful place where I have creature comforts that allow me to live, dream, plan, and have fun. It’s a base of operations for the various parts of my life to come together to make me. . . me! It suits my personalities and needs, and at this point in my life, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve found that the desire to have a base of operations carries over into my travel style. While a traditional hotel might be great for a conference or a quick stay, more and more I’m leaning toward a home approach – somewhere with a little more room, privacy, and sufficient amenities that I […]
Read MoreUnited Kingdom is More than England
The couple sitting at the table next to me were engaged in a lively conversation and I couldn’t help but notice their delightful British accent. As travelers often do, we struck up a conversation, asking one another where we were from and how we were enjoying our travels. The couple indicated that they were from the UK, indicating a city that I was not familiar with. Following our discussion, and back in my hotel room, I realized that while I intellectually understood the UK to encompass England, Wales, Scotland, and part of Ireland, in reality when I heard UK I emotionally translated it to mean England. Adding to the potential confusion are the numerous Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man, for example) and the commonwealth countries (like Canada, my neighbor to the north) which are connected to the British Monarchy, but […]
Read MoreThe Famous & Exclusive Avenue des Champs-Élysées
If the thought of a beautiful bag, a decadent pair of heels, or the luxurious feel of the fabric of a finely crafted suit make you swoon, then an afternoon on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris may be your definition of heaven. The Champs-Élysées is not only one of the most recognized street names in Paris, but in the entire world, and is lined with luxury and specialty shops, theaters, cafes and restaurants. The street itself is a little over a mile and a quarter long, running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe in the 9th arrondissement. The name translates to “Elysian Fields” a reference to the “place of the blessed” in Greek mythology. With the prices you’ll see at most of these shops and cafes, you’ll need to be blessed, indeed, to make […]
Read MoreThe Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is Worth a Stop
The imposing cylindrical Castel Sant’Angelo, situated along the Tiber River in Rome, was built between 123 and 129 AD. It was first known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, serving as the resting grounds for the ashes of the Roman emperor. Ashes of Hadrian’s family, as well as subsequent emperors, joined him there. The tomb was ransacked during one of Rome’s less civilized periods, and the Castel Sant’Angelo was later used as a fortress (Popes hid out here), castle (connected to St. Peter’s Basilica by a covered corridor), and prison (executions were held in the interior square). Today it is the location of the National Museum’s collections of weapons, ceramics, furnishings, and Renaissance paintings, and is still a formidable presence on the Rome’s skyline. It’s worth stopping by to look at the architecture and history of the building, and the great […]
Read MoreThe Roman Coliseum: Birthplace of Civilization
Of all the wonderful things that I saw in Rome, and there were lots of impressive sights, the Coliseum was the highlight. It was my first glimpse of the city as I came up from the train station. I stood for a minute clearing my head and getting my bearings, and then I looked up. There was the Coliseum directly in front of me. I stood there, across the street from history, and it simply took my breath away. The Coliseum in Rome is the largest remaining monument of Imperial Rome, and is the top landmark in a city that’s full of landmarks. Built between AD 72-80, the Coliseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater and was the center of the city of Rome. It was the first and the largest (it covers about six acres) permanent amphitheater built in […]
Read MoreMake Mine Bordeaux
Bordeaux is city in the southwest part of France and boasts a million residents and probably just as many great bottles of wine. Bordeaux is one of the world’s major wine producers, dating back to the 8th century, and although the historic part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I think of the vines. I thought that Bordeaux wines were always red, but it turns out that’s not the case. Most of the wine produced there is red, (ranging from every day table wine to some pretty prestigious bottles), but there are also white, rosé and sparkling wines produced. I don’t order Bordeaux when I’m out for dinner, probably because I don’t speak French, and it can be a little intimidating to order a bottle of something that you can’t pronounce correctly. That was true when I […]
Read MoreIsola Madre, the Largest of the Borromeo Islands
Lake Maggiore, with its low key atmosphere, has an extensive network of ferry service around and across the lake. In fact, ferries have landing stages in nearly every town along the lake, making it quite easy to get most places by boat. In addition to the traditional (and slower) ferry, there is also hydrofoil service. Not only is it a faster boat, but it has more direct service, rather than stopping at all the smaller towns. The boats generally operate between 7 am – 8 pm, with a reduced schedule in the winter. Fares can be found on a chart, and have a scale based on where you want to go. Hydrofoils have a small surcharge. Our first full day at the Lake, we struck out fairly early for the Borromeo Islands. The Borromeo’s are three islands located in the […]
Read MoreJulia Child’s Paris
During the holiday season it seems like I watch lots of movies. Whether it’s catching up on television, renting videos, or indulging in pay-per-view, it’s an enjoyable way to spend some lazy winter days. Assuming you like the movie, of course. I like a variety of movies, but the ones at the top of my list are those that give me a sense of time and place. Movies that make me want to be where the movie is, and sometimes even when the movie takes place. Earlier this week I watched Julie & Julia, a great movie, and one that made me long for a return trip to Paris soon. Julie & Julia was written and directed by Nora Ephron, and stars Meryl Streep as the famous chef Julia Child and Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a young, and somewhat […]
Read MoreParis Museum Pass Helps Save on Admission Fees
Since I’m a big museum buff, I knew that I’d be spending a lot of time visiting museums while I was in Paris. As part of my pre-departure research, I prepared a pretty long list of museums that I’d like to visit, and while I knew that I would only be able to see a fraction of those on the list, I quickly realized that admission fees were going to add up right quick. Further research turned up the Paris Museum Pass, a multi-day, multi-admission pass, that would save both time and money. Since time was at a premium while I was there, the saving time part grabbed my attention. Museums in Paris are notorious for long lines, and the ability to bypass the line for immediate admission meant the potential for a big time saver. With only five days, […]
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