Tom Hickinbotham submitted this photo taken in one of the Cinque Terre villages. Even though I’ve been to all the villages on many occasions, I cannot pinpoint the exact village location. Regardless, congratulations Tom! Your photo has been included in my 2014 Travel Planning Calendar which entitles you to a $100 discount off any 2014 McGuffin Tour to Europe.
Tom Hickinbotham – The Cinque Terre
In the past few months I’ve visited Paris on three occasions with three very diverse groups. With each visit, we stayed for three nights and packed in all the sights into two and a half days. Although it is possible to see Paris’ major sights in that short timeframe, I’ve come to the conclusion that it is not sufficient enough to “experience” the city.
Paris can be grueling even on the best of days. Walking to see the sights, climbing up and down subway stairs, standing in museums, fighting the crowds, and trying to pack two or three major activities into a ten hour day will wear out even the most avid traveler. Believe me, I’ve done it this summer with folks ranging from 13 to 80 years of age and all of them wanted to slow it down.
When in Paris, there is quite a list of “must-see/do” activities. A visit would not be complete without including: an ascent up the Eiffel Tower, visiting the Louvre Museum, a visit to the Notre Dame Cathedral and Latin Quarter, relaxing in a park such as the Tullieries or Luxembourg, cruising on the Seine River, going up to the Sacré Coeur and Montmartre, doing some shopping on the Champs-Élysées, experiencing a picnic on the Champs du Mars, and enjoying a couple of traditional fine dining experiences. That’s what I include on my tours, but there is so much more!
Consequently, on many of my 2014 tours I am going to extend the stay in Paris to four nights, provide more transportation options (such as the Hop-On-Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus) and limit the number of “must see/do” sights per day. Hopefully, this will allow individual time to slow down and experience Paris. I’d like to know what you think. If you want to make a comment, please leave your reply below.
Washcloths are an American icon, but they are not generally found in other parts of the world. I grew up using a washcloth (we called them washrags) to wash my face when taking a shower. I think I might have even used the same one for several days, however it has been so long ago I’m not sure. One thing I do remember is I quit using them when I started traveling to Europe because they were not available at any hotel back in those days.
It never fails, about a month before a tour is set to commence I begin getting questions about washcloths. Many of my travel partners have come up with clever solutions for this “problem.” If you have a suggestion, please share it in the comment section below.
Today we explore St. Nicholas Cathedral in Galway, Ireland. The Cathedral was constructed approximately fifty years ago and blends Roman and Gothic styles. Its architectural blend and the inclusion of American Red Wood and contemporary stain glass make it a unique European wonder. A stroll around Galway is not complete without a visit to this city landmark.
In Galway, the River Corrib is famous for its salmon ladders. I decided to stop and watch a few anglers try their luck at bringing in dinner. You never know what you'll stumble across when you take just a few moments to explore off the beaten path.
Here is this week’s “60 Seconds in Galway” feature:
