The Royal Wedding isn’t the only royal excitement in London the spring, although it probably overshadows most. But there’s another magical story that comes to life this spring, and that’s the story of the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London. The Royal Menagerie was first established at the Tower of London in the early 1200s, making it one of the country’s oldest zoo. “Royal Beasts” offers visitors a chance to see these former residents through a display of modern sculpture, along with interactive and sensory displays. The displays will be housed in the north wall walk (recently restored) as well as the Brick Tower, opening for the first time. The Tower offers audio guides in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (Mandarin), providing English School in London students an opportunity to enjoy a […]
Read MoreCategory Archive: Europe
Sun & Sand on Mallorca
A popular Spanish holiday island in the the Mediterranean, Mallorca has a bit of a split personality. On one side are the secluded beach, challenging cycling trails, spectacular natural beauty for hiking and enjoying, challenging deep water rock climbing, and an environment that creates a haven for a variety of seabirds. On the other side, Mallorca appeals to the hip and trendy, with luxury resorts, marinas full of yachts and luxury sailing craft, top notch restaurants, and plenty of rocking nightlife and bars. So how does a visitor take advantage of the warm weather in Mallorca, and reconcile these two versions of the island into a wonderful vacation? There’s plenty to do on Mallorca, whether you’re young, hip, and ready to party, or are just looking for a relaxing beach getaway. Here’s some ideas on how to make Mallorca the […]
Read MoreBaby Boomer Berlin
As a student, I learned history by memorizing dates, place, battles, generals, and a host of other stuff that I just couldn’t relate to. Traveling, however, has helped put history into perspective, a trait common with Baby Boomers, I believe, who learned history through rote memorization rather than through any experiential or emotional connection. That’s why I believe that Baby Boomer travel to Berlin has become popular. This generation, defined as those born in the years after the end of World War II, are visiting the city that is symbolic of the end of the Cold War. Here are a five historical Berlin sites that should be of interest to Baby Boomers: Berlin Wall – This symbol, which for so many years represented the division in Germany, is crumbling, both from age and tourists. A section has been preserved as […]
Read MoreMy Love Affair with Italy
Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Was it love at first sight, or was it the kind of love that grows over time? Did you go through the ups and downs that all relationships seem to experience, or has it been nothing but smooth sailing? Do you still see the goodness behind the facade, or has your love faded over the years? When you see your love, whether it’s every single day or with extended absences, does it still make you smile, perhaps your heart skips a beat? And when you finally must part, do you start planning and counting the days until you are reunited once again? That’s how I feel about Italy. I forged a relationship with Italy rather late in life. I first knew her through family and friends who teased me with […]
Read MoreThe Beauty in Chamonix
Fans of sports, snow, and the outdoors love Chamonix for the famous resort at the base of Mont Blanc in the French Alps, home to the First Winter Olympic games in 1924. From snow sports, to natural beauty, to year-round mountaineering, to the nightlife in Chamonix, this is a place that gets under your skin and never lets you go. What can you expect when you visit? Snow Sports – Mont Blanc and skiing go hand-in-hand, and this is where you’ll find top-notch adrenalin junkies pushing themselves on some of the most challenging and thrilling ski slopes. Glacier skiing is also popular, and there are plenty of options for snowboarding. While the resort claims to have skiing for all ability levels, most of the runs are intermediate to advanced. Popular ski areas include: White Valley (glacier skiing), Brevent and la […]
Read MorePlanning for Travel to Italy
It’s time to start thinking about Italy again. Although that presumes that I’ve ever stopped thinking about it. With the new year fully underway, we’re beginning to sort through details, watch airfares, and think about how we want to spend our time there this year. It will be a shorter trip this year, probably only three weeks as compared with nearly a month last year. At least one of those weeks will be spent at our favorite spot in Tuscany, La Montalla. It’s currently covered with snow, but in the summer it is beautiful with the blooms, olive trees, and grapevines. I can nearly taste the pici pasta and pecorino cheese and I think about it. I love Italy for a variety of reasons, and the planning part brings it all back. Up for grabs is the remaining two weeks. […]
Read MoreREVIEW: Beyond the Pasta
When I think about Italy, which I often do, it’s not the attractions or the countryside that capture my attention. Oh sure, it’s beautiful and there are lots of incredible sights to see, but what really speaks to me is the food. In my opinion, what makes Italy so fascinating and appealing is its food, wine, and people. As I start planning my trip for this year, I’ve gotten together with friends to talk about what we want to see and do. In no time at all the conversation quickly turns to our favorites restaurants. The fabulous osso buco, the freshest tomatoes for the delicious bruschetta, the hand-rolled pici pasta, and the soft and creamy burrata. In fact, I’m already salivating for the delicious mushroom soup at Latte di Luna. Every time we get started talking about the delicious dishes, […]
Read MoreThe Wonder of Lisbon’s Pastéis de Belém
Anyone who has taken advantage of the tempting, cheap deals for Lisbon hotels and headed off for a getaway to the Portuguese capital, will know that Pastéis de Belém are something of an institution, and a gastronomic experience that is not to be missed. Also known as pastel de nata, these egg tart pastries were born in Lisbon but have been exported to all territories which have a Portuguese influence. They are called pastéis de Belém because it is believed that they were created by Catholic nuns at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (the Hieronymites Monastery) in the Belém district of Lisbon. Being located next to a sugar cane factory obviously aided the nuns but the liberalization movement of the 1820s saw the monasteries close down. By 1834, the laborers and clergy were expelled. In desperate need of work, some […]
Read More5 Less Visited European Destinations That are Worth the Trip
Today I have a guest post that going to push us onto a different path, the less traveled one, as we visit another side of Europe. —- Many of us, who have traveled Europe extensively, know the continent’s greatest and most popular resorts and have grown tired of the tourist traps and overcrowded summer seasons. With so many well established resorts available, it’s easy to overlook some of Europe’s most charming destinations that are just a bit off the beaten path. These are destinations that can offer the same level of services, better views and a guarantee that you will still have the best holiday ever, with a wide range of prices to suit every budget. All the great stuff, but without the melting pot of tourism. So open your hearts and minds and dare to explore Europe all over […]
Read MoreTop 10 Things To Do In London For A Wheelchair User
Today I have a guest post on a topic I know very little about – accessible travel. I take for granted getting up and down stairs, walking down narrow cobblestone streets, and making plans with very little thought. While not every traveler is as carefree with planning their vacation, accessibility is no longer the barrier to travel that it once was. Here’s what you can expect from accessible London —- Many of the tourist attractions in London are wheelchair friendly, although some are unfortunately entirely inaccessible. Here is a list of what I feel are the top ten wheelchair friendly things to do in London, but if you have something else in mind that does not appear on this list, just call ahead to check accessibility or to organize special assistance. Calling ahead is particularly important if you are travelling […]
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