Bellagio

This is Bellagio Italy as seen across the inlet. Does it look like Las Vegas to you?

London: Helpful Hints for First Time Visitors

A walk through Kensington Garden along the path dedicated to Princess Dianna.

Some hints for first time visitors to London:

1) We speak the same language (almost) but do not expect London to be just like the United States only older. It is not. If you want hamburger go to Los Angeles. If you want to have Shepherd's Beef Pie head over to Rathburn Street in Soho.

2) You cannot see it all. Make a list and prioritize it. The British Museum is wonderful. You can give it a morning and then walk down to Trafalgar and visit the National Gallery. With lunch and tea that will take a day. While you are there, you will be close to the Theatres, so have a nice dinner and catch a play. "The Mousetrap" it is still playing at St. Martins.

3) The Hop On Hop Off Bus is great. Take it all the way around the circles without getting off as a great introduction. Make sure it has a live narration not a recording. It includes a boat tour on the Thames. Good overview.

4) Do not miss the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. Hint about the Tower: it opens at 10 so get there at 9:45 a.m. and get your tickets. Get in line and when it opens go directly across to the Crown Jewels. You will not have to wait. Then work your way back to the front gate.

5) Do not go shopping on Oxford Street - there are the same shops in other, less crowded places, but if you have time visit Harrods Department Store and especially see the food court.

6) My favorite museum is the Victoria and Albert. It is a nice place to have lunch, as well. Easy bus ride out there. In fact, always take the bus. You will see more than on the Underground.

7) If you are a reader make sure you visit Kings Cross Station for Harry Potter and then walk down to the house of Charles Dickens ( they are close).

8) A worthwhile adventure is to take the bus to the Albert Memorial and walk the trail through Kensington Gardens. These were once the Royal hunting grounds. You can catch a bus back on the other side.
9) If you have flown into New York and taken the cab to a hotel in near Central Park, you will be surprised at how far out (and how long it takes) to go from Heathrow to a hotel near the University of London. Give yourself time. { There is a fast train that goes from LHR to Paddington Station and then you can take a cab reasonably to most places in the center. You can also take the Piccadilly Line on the Underground  into the city for far less money. If you carry lots of luggage, forget the Underground.}
10) Stick with the South African wines if you are a wine drinker. It is a bargain. Otherwise, remember that beer and whiskey are the drugs of choice in England (although gin is very popular too).



JULY 2015 - Visit Normandy

I do a vast amount of research before a trip. I do not plan so much as educated myself. Then when I go I let it just happen. It is on person's style and not for everyone.

Rental Cars

Having driven in Ireland, England, Scotland, Italy, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland (plus U.S., Mexico and Canada) I would rate Ireland highest on the nerves level. They charge big time for rental insurance and know you are going to hit a hedge row. Italy comes in second because even the smaller towns have restricted zones and one way streets that will cost you big time if you break the law - and they will track you down through the rental the company. Easiest is Canada for someone from U.S., but get a bigger car than I did last time. Finally, nothing beats driving through the Italian Alps and surviving.

Ireland

Canada The Italian Alps

Dingle Harbor, Ireland

View of Dingle Harbor and Atlantic Ocean - MM

 

How'd you like to spend Monday morning walking that coastline instead of going to work?

 

During our hike we saw the local dolphin who lives in the harbor and took the advice of the local Chief of Police as to where to go to catch the best views. It was a nice morning stroll while our clothes were washed and folded by a local day laundry. Then it was off to a pub for lunch.

Trinity College Chapel, Dublin - Sunday is church day

 

Beautiful chapel in a beautiful college in a beautiful county.

Many famous folks graduated from Trinity like:

 Jonathan Swift, George Berkeley, Edmund Burke, Oliver Goldsmith, William Molyneux,

William Congreve, Edward Hincks, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett

Let's talk airports

     The second thing you need to consider after which airline is how you are going to do in the airport. Some of them are user friendly and others are not. Calgary  (YYC) in Alberta, Canada is beautiful and easy to get around. It has nice shops and places to eat. It is not a bad place for a layover.
     Portland International (PDX) is a favorite. It is easy to fly in and out of and easy to pick someone up.
     My least favorites are Chicago O'Hare, Sea-Tac, LAX and Newark.
     On my okay list are the Air France Terminal (just the AF Terminal) in Paris, Denver, New Orleans, San Jose, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco and John Wayne (Orange County).
     I like Atlanta, but not many agree.
     The best small airport I've been in was probably Verona, Italy.
     The toughest to get around is, in my opinion, Dublin, although I have not been there since they opened the new terminal.
     JFK is huge, but if you only have to deal with a single domestic terminal it is better.
     Boston Logan is not bad inside, but tough to get to downtown in rush hour. The new tunnel should help.
     Much debated is Heathrow in London, but every time I have been there is was just fine. But, it could just be that I was in (or actually near) London.
     The only one I consider a little unnerving is Lindbergh in San Diego where it feels like you take off straight up.
     It is true that Leonardo da Vinci (FCO) is way too far outside of Rome.
     There are a couple of others, but in general, the airport can make a big difference in the pleasure or pain of your flight.