by David McGuffin | Aug 9, 2007 | Uncategorized
We’ve found that August is the month for the Italians to take off work and go to the beach. Walking the streets of any of the Cinque Terre villages, you are more likely to hear Italian being spoken than English. Normally, when we visit the Cinque Terre it is in May or June when the streets are loaded with Americans out discover this little niche of bliss.
But, there is a trade off with traveling in August. Charlotte and I have found that we Americans are not always treated fairly at restaurants. Two nights ago we were checking out a new restaurant in Riomaggiore. It was one of those fancy places with huge plated glass windows and linen table clothes. The long story short is they served us poor wine, poor food, and cut Charlotte short on the desert by giving her a small portion that had been sitting out all day. The Italian couple at the next table was served the same house wine (only out of an unopened bottle), hot food and fresh desert. There definitely was an advantage to being from Italy at this restaurant! On top of all that, they stuck us with an outrageous bill! Needless to say I will not be taking a group there!
Last night we dined in the village of Cornelia. We returned to one of my favorite restaurants where I know the people and they know me. La Lamparna serves up some of the best seafood in the region. The experience here was in total contrast to the evening before in Riomaggiore.
Guess it pays to know where to eat.
-David
by David McGuffin | Aug 7, 2007 | Uncategorized
Normally, when I fly to Europe I am in the working and touring mode. That’s to say that upon arrival in Europe, I usually have to begin leading tours and showing people around. So to prepare for this I get my “body clock” ready at home by getting up at 4:00 a.m. and going to bed by 9:00 p.m. I do this for about four days before I depart. Then usually, when I get to Europe I am pretty much on schedule. However this vacation trip to the Cinque Terre is different.
Charlotte and I did not prepare before leaving for our trip. We both had been busy and by the time the day of out flight rolled around, all we could do was get up and get to the airport. We traveled from Jacksonville to Newark and then on to Milan. No problems with the flights, just a lot of flying. Once we arrived in Milan we took a train down to the Cinque Terre. That was another three hours added to the travel. So all in all, we traveled about 20 hours by plane and train to get to our destination. But being on vacation in the Cinque Terre means no agenda. There are no tours to lead, no place we have to be, and no schedule. Today we slept until noon!
As we were laying out at the beach yesterday, we began thinking of the “first day” experience for most of my tour groups. It usually involves hitting the ground running to see the sights. Normally we go all day and finally get back to the hotel after dark. In some respects this is a necessity because of all the sights and activities we have to pack in during the tour. But wouldn’t it be nice to start a tour in a place like the Cinque Terre where all you had to do for the first day or two was to chill out and enjoy the location?
What do you think?
by David McGuffin | Aug 3, 2007 | Uncategorized
I’ve been home here in the States for about a week. I’ve had to make some mental and physical adjustments. It may seem odd, but being on the road in Europe for sixty days has been very comfortable. Yes, I miss my family, home, pets, and bed…but that’s about it. The life style in Europe is just so much different than the USA. Don’t get me wrong, I love my county and I don’t want to live anywhere else, but Europe does have a certain charm. Each counrty is a different culture and has other ways of dealing with life.Let me give you a few examples:
- During the last few days (while at home) I’ve developed a pretty bad “cold” which I chalk up to me being constantly exposed to air conditioning. Europe does have air conditioning, but it is not like here. Air conditioning can be found in some shop, fine hotels, and restaurants. That’s about it! Outdoor cafes, bars, public places, theaters, train stations, etc. have no air conditioning. People have always lived without it and it is a way of life.
- In the past week, the farthest I’ve had to walk is about 50 yards to my mailbox. Driving (and owning a car) is not that common in Europe. I know some of you would beg to differ having been caught in the hectic traffic of Rome or Paris. But all in all, most Europeans use public transport, walk, or ride a bike. My tour members can attest to the fact to an average walking distance of about six miles a day.
- I have enjoyed iced tea, real Diet Coke, and home cooking here in the last week. Just being able to “drive” to the grocery store, pick up some food, and cook it on my own stove has been wonderful.
- I can still do without ice in my drink, butter on my bread, free refills, and chain restaurants.
- I like water with dinner and I like it with gas (bubbles, carbonated). Many people in Europe drink it this way too. Some believe it has special healing properties and even call it mineral water. Hey, maybe I should be drinking it to cure my cold.
- Fresh vegetables can be found at any market in Europe. If it is not fresh and in season, you can’t get it. We wanted to buy some corn on the cob for a cookout in Tuscany. No one had it…it wasn’t in season and therefore not in the markets. But the TOMATOES were to die for. My granddad used to grow tomatoes in his backyard and we always marveled their flavor. He must have had a little French or Italian in him because the tomatoes were wonderful everywhere we ate them.
I could keep rambling, but you might start telling me to move to Europe! My point is only to make a comparison. Life is different and each culture has something to share with the other. I just happen to be flexible enough to enjoy it all.
I head back to Italy tomorrow. Charlotte and I are taking a week’s vacation in Liguria. Although I don’t relish the idea of getting on a plane for nine hours, I am looking forward to chillin’ out in the Cinque Terre.
-David
by David McGuffin | Jul 4, 2007 | Uncategorized
Europe is full of economy and discount air carriers. Almost every major city has a reliable and affordable airline connecting it to other countries. Yesterday we flew up from Lisbon, Portugal to London on easyJet. easyJet links about 130 European destinations with cheap and reliable jet service. They have been in business for 11 years and have a fleet of 111 Airbus jets, all for which are 3 or less years old. Our flight yesterday took us about 3 hours and cost about $60 per person! This is unbeatable. Now-a-days it makes no sense to travel by rail or car. Fly instead!
You can find links to easyJet and other low cost airlines in our travel planning section at https://davidmcguffin.com
by David McGuffin | Jun 30, 2007 | Uncategorized
Yesterday my friends and I rode the train up from Rome to Venice. We have been blessed all summer with exceptional cool and pleasant weather. Stepping off the train in Venice proved to be no exception. Where usually I’d be greeted with humid, hot, and muggy sunshine, it was exceptionally clear and temps were in the low 70’s.
We are staying on the Lido de Jesolo, just a short 15 minute vaporetto ride from the hustle and bustle of San Marco. The Lido is quiet, cheap, and a pleasure. No crowds is certainly a plus.
I spent a few hours at my favorite cafe overlooking the Grand Canal. It is just off the Rialto Bridge and serves up the best drinks, snacks, and views in all of Venice.
Today I stopped for lunch at a little cafe that is way off the beaten path. Natalie and I shared the Antipasti Del Mare appetizer for a starter. I had Spaghetti con VOLGOLE (clams) which rivaled anything I’ve eaten in the Cinque Terre.
Venice can often be a tourist’s hot and muggy nightmare. Trying to pack in the major sights of San Marco, the Doges Palace, and a couple of museums in one day is insane. Stay the night in Venice and see the city without the tourist crowds.
Best Regards,
David
