Ready to shake the “tourist” label and go native on your next trip across the pond? These tips will have you rubbing elbows with residents in no time.
Tweak your itinerary
If your gameplan is to tick off every site mentioned in your guide book and simultaneously hang with locals in their natural habitat, you may have to re-prioritize. After all, many notable tourist attractions are only that – attractions for tourists. You won’t find …
A seven a.m. departure from Dover, a UK sea port, will have you across the English Channel in France’s Boulogne just over an hour later, giving us just sufficient time to freshen up, take in a coffee (and a patisserie) and plan our morning. This ferry service is run by LD Lines which delivers its passengers to the quay at the foot of Boulogne’s town centre in just over an hour (midweek crossings are cost …
Whether you’re an occasional wanderer or a travel obsessive, there will probably be days when your hotel room leaves you uninspired. Even the excitement of investigating bathroom freebies wears off after a while – well, just how many shower caps, sewing kits and mini soaps does one person need in their life? Luckily, the travel industry has responded to the weariness brought on by muted colour schemes, ill-fitting bath robes and identikit corridors, in the …
Like buying farm-fresh produce from roadside stands, tasting wines at wineries is the best way to get the straight scoop. It is a good way to expand your knowledge about wines and have some fun in the process. This is true whether you are touring wineries in your neighborhood or around the world.
Whether you want to research the best wines to serve with a chicken dinner or just have some fun, a wine tasting …
Just nine miles south of St. Vincent and the largest island of the Grenadines at seven square miles, Bequia (pronounced “BEK-way”) retains its age-old boat building, whaling and fishing traditions. Pretty and clean with colorful houses draped in bougainvillea and shaded by almond trees, Bequia offers good beaches, restaurants, bars and both affordable and upscale accommodations. It attracts an arty crowd of Europeans and yachties, the “cocktail cruisers” who add their own brio to the …
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m from the western United States. Or maybe it’s because of growing up in a throw-way generation of disposable everything and pre-fab houses, but here in Spain, and in Europe in general, I am impressed by what is ancient and still relevant. 1,000-year old buildings are no biggy for Europeans, but in my eyes they are wonders. How can they still be standing? And as is the case with many …
Fourth of July. Independence Day. July 4th. Whatever you call it, it is one of the few truly American holidays and the Brits are still a little miffed! While the big cities and metropolitan areas put on spectacular shows, the true taste of Americana lies in the small town celebrations that take place all across the country. You are never far from a bicycle parade, a baby-kissing politician, some fireworks, and the bright …
Most tourists believe that a trip to Hollywood guarantees a glimpse at some of Tinseltown’s biggest celebrities. The truth is that unless you know where to look, the only stars you will be gazing at will be the celestial ones in the night sky.
B-list and below stars often want to be photographed for publicity purposes and they show up at restaurants and clubs where they know the paparazzi will find them. A-list stars, such …
I know you. You would rather watch the History Channel than American Idol. Old copies of National Geographic are some of your best friends and occupy precious countertop and desk space in your home. You have seen Indiana Jones I and III (but not II) several times. You are not a tourist: you like to immerse yourself in the cultures you visit, to experience a destination from an insider’s point of view. You sometimes wish …
Rail travel in Europe is one of the most interesting ways of crisscrossing the continent. For many years, travelers have enjoyed the convenience of boarding the train and relaxing as the small villages, large cities, countryside, rivers, houses and castles rushed by in a blurred panorama besting any travelogue. Getting a good grip on the complexities of the European rail system, the Eurail Pass system and the options available will help to ensure that your …
From Samuel Beckett to James Joyce, there are few cities in the world that have produced so many outstanding writers as Dublin, Ireland. The Irish are known for their witty way with the English language and Irish writers have more than once been awarded accolades like the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature and the Man Booker Prize. In fact, there are a number of Irish authors widely misperceived as being English, including Oscar Wilde and …
1. There is no Airport train.
It is not a great start when you arrive at the airport, fresh off a flight, and find there is no train into the city. I mean what sort of a city doesn’t have a train to the airport? Especially when they like to host world events and cater to tourists’ needs. Well, Melbourne doesn’t. In recent years there has been the implementation of SkyBus, which will transport you …
To see and really know the Islands of Hawaii takes a minimum of six trips, one for each island. I for one would be willing to make that kind of commitment. But each island in Hawaii is a world of its own, and each deserves a leisurely pace, an opportunity to get to know it up close and personal. Far too many visitors to the islands make the mistake of trying to see and do …
St Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean basin with its breathtaking natural resources such as the emerald green covered Piton Mountains, dense bird- filled rainforests and mind blowing waterfalls. Most tourists end up in the northern area of the island near the capital city, Castries. Rodney Bay, Cap Estate and Gros Islet are home to some of the most sought after luxury resorts in the world, where celebrities are frequently …
