Travel Talk Tuesday: March 15, 2022 – KZ Auschwitz- Nazi Death Camp (S2E13)

Travel Talk Tuesday: March 15, 2022 – KZ Auschwitz- Nazi Death Camp (S2E13)

Auschwitz opened in 1940 and was the largest of the Nazi concentration and death camps. Located in southern Poland, it evolved into a network of camps where Jewish people and other enemies of the Nazi state were exterminated, used as slave labor, and suffered through horrid medical experiments.

David visited this site in December 2021, and tonight tells his story of the chilling experience.

——————–Contents of this video————————– 

0:25 – Introduction to this episode of Travel Talk Tuesday

5:02 – Auschwitz I – Nazi Concentration & Death Camp tour

26:09 – Auschwitz II-Birkenau Death Camp tour

33:13 – Closing remarks and outro

 

There are a lot more of my Travel Talk Tuesday episodes in the archives. If you are looking for more information, videos, or advice about European travel, check here https://davidmcguffin.com/ttt

 

Travel Talk Tuesday: March 8, 2022 – War in Ukraine and Zakopane, Poland (S2E12)

Travel Talk Tuesday: March 8, 2022 – War in Ukraine and Zakopane, Poland (S2E12)

I’ll let you in on my sort-of secret find in Poland.   We were finishing up our dinner on our last night in Kraków and our waiter asked, “Where are you off to now?”  I replied, “I don’t know, what do you recommend?” She immediately said, “Go to Zakopane.”  This little resort town is the jumping-off point to the Tatras National Park which is loaded with outdoor activities in both winter and summer.  The town itself is filled with chalets, B&B’s, and cottages built in the Zakopane architecture style using lots of wooden logs, dormers, and steeply-pitched roofs.  In this episode, join me as I discover where to visit and what to do in town, during the winter.

——————–Contents of this video————————– 

0:25 – Introduction to this episode of Travel Talk Tuesday

3:4 – David’s geography on Ukraine, Russia, and the Baltic States

11:35 – Ireland drops all COVID-19 mandates, anyone may enter freely without testing or vaccine.

13:10 – Polish dining and food

17:02 -Zakopane, Poland

44:00- Closing remarks and outro

 

There are a lot more of my Travel Talk Tuesday episodes in the archives. If you are looking for more information, videos, or advice about European travel, check here https://davidmcguffin.com/ttt

 

Travel Talk Tuesday: March 1, 2022 – Melk & The Wachau Valley (Austria) (S2E11)

Travel Talk Tuesday: March 1, 2022 – Melk & The Wachau Valley (Austria) (S2E11)

Sitting on a hill, perched high above the Danube River is Melk Abbey.  This Baroque version of the abbey was completed in 1736 and is well worth a visit.  A school, monastery, church, and historic library fill its walls.  Below the Abbey, is the little village of Melk, where the locals go about their business in an easy-going manner, except when the cruise boats come to port and drop off two hundred tourists at a time.  Nearby, the Danube River meanders through the Wachau Valley, loaded with castles, vineyards, and charming villages.  Join David as he shares his experiences in this beautiful section of Austria. 

——————–Contents of this video————————– 

0:00 – Introduction to this episode of Travel Talk Tuesday

0:25 – Welcome Melk & Wachau Valley

0:56 – The Blue Danube, Melk, and the Wachau Valley

2:46 – Dürnstein

3:40 -David talks about the Travel and Adventure Show in Chicago, DC, and Boston

10:09 – Dürnstein

11:32 – Wachau DAC Wine

11:56 – Dürnstein Abbey and blue bell tower

12:38 – Dürnstein Castle and Richard the Lionhearted

13:28 – Cruising on the Danube with Viking, Ama, and Avalon

15:50 – Melk Abbey town

30:19 – Current COVID-19 Travel protocols 

31:10 – Chicken Scaloppini and Rösti

33:06 – David’s thoughts about the Ukraine and Russian invasion

 

There are a lot more of my Travel Talk Tuesday episodes in the archives. If you are looking for more information, videos, or advice about European travel, check here https://davidmcguffin.com/ttt

 

Travel Talk Tuesday: February 22, 2022- VAX-NO VAX-RECOVERED-Who can travel Where in 2022? (S2E10)

Travel Talk Tuesday: February 22, 2022- VAX-NO VAX-RECOVERED-Who can travel Where in 2022? (S2E10)

I was in Chicago, Il over the weekend selling our tours at the Travel and Adventure Show.  Consumer turn out was much better than expected and we talked, almost non-stop, with Chicagoans eager to get out of town, forget COVID-19, ditch the masks, and go to Europe.  I also presented a talk on the Destination Stage recapping what we did (in Europe) in 2021 and providing up-to-date information on the travel situation in Europe for 2022.  In this episode of TTT, I’ll let you know where you can travel in Europe right now in 2022.  What’s open, who can visit, and what are the requirements.

——————–Contents of this video————————– 

0:00 – Introduction to this episode of Travel Talk Tuesday

3:56 – Who is David McGuffin?

6:34 – What we do at David McGuffin’s Exploring Europe

9:09 – Travel Tips – Passports, Covid-19 Requirements, Masks?

13:57 -VAX-NO VAX-RECOVERED – What does it all mean?

16:22 – Who can travel Where in Europe in 2022?  VAX-NO VAX-RECOVERED

19:00 – Online Resources for specific travel, country-by-country

21:05 – US Citizen must have a Negative PCR or Antigen test to return to the USA

22:09 – COVID-19 Assisted Self Test kits and Testing Location in Europe

25:27 – What makes David McGuffin’s tours stand out from all the others?

30:21 – Use your Smart Phone and Purchase Comprehensive Travel Insurance

32:27 – Successful Tour Destinations in 2021 – Greece, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Poland, Czech, Switzerland, and Austria

40:09 – More travel Tips – Credit Cards, Cash, Pack Light, MoneyBelt, and more

45:03 – Outro and Closing Remarks

 

There are a lot more of my Travel Talk Tuesday episodes in the archives. If you are looking for more information, videos, or advice about European travel, check here https://davidmcguffin.com/ttt

 

VIRTUAL TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW

VIRTUAL TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE SHOW

VTAS-Booth-Screen-Shot

On October 21st, 2020, we will participate in the first-ever Virtual Travel & Adventure Show! This virtual event focuses specifically on European travel, featuring the top destinations, tour operators, and travel suppliers from around the world that specialize in travel to Europe. All of this is “virtual,” and it has been an adventure building out my booth in the last few weeks. I hope you drop by for a chat or a zoom meet-up. 

I’ll be speaking on the DESTINATION STAGE about my favorite destinations, travel tips, and tours for 2021 and 2022. This is pre-recorded and available to view during show hours (5:00 pm-10:00 pm).

I am also featured on the new OTT channel, TRAVELSHOWS.TV! Additionally, that other travel guy, Rick Steves, will be speaking as well.

Of course, it would be great if you’d sign up for one or two of my 2021 and 2022 tours to Europe. It only cost $25 to hold your seat, and it is totally refundable should you decide not to travel. 

As a bonus, I am offering a $100 discount on any tour booked during the Virtual Travel and Adventure Show and a $200 discount on any of my new Eastern Europe and Balkans tours. This is in addition to any other “alumni” discounts to which you are entitled. And by the way, this is the only time my complete tour line-up will be discounted in the foreseeable future. So signup for a tour. You have nothing to lose!

Finally, at 7:00 pm, I’ll be at my booth for a live zoom meeting discussing my new Eastern Europe and Balkans tours as well as chatting you up and answering questions. Get your favorite apertivo, and join me!

Since I consider you one of our VIP travel partners, I’d like to pass along this exclusive code that allows you free tickets to visit our virtual booth and experience the entire show. Follow this link and enter promo code: VTAS100DMEE on the ticket selection screen to unlock the free ticket option. 

I’m looking forward to seeing you next Wednesday, October 21st, at the Virtual Travel & Adventure Show focusing on Europe!

David McGuffin Explores Rome!

David McGuffin Explores Rome!

Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona

Since we cannot travel to Europe right now, I am bringing a bit of Europe to you. I yearn for the day when I can hop on a plane and fly to Europe, but, for now, I’ll have to settle for my memories. So, as much for me, as for you, I’ll share David’s Weekly Wanders in Europe.  

This week, David’s Weekly Wanders in Europe features a video,  David McGuffin Explores Rome! It is the first of several episodes chronicling the experiences and adventures on David’s Best of Italy Tour route. Along with his producer, Abby, and their travel companions, David visits the essential tourist sites in Rome, plus a few off-the-beaten-path destinations..

This video can also be found on my YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/PfQ-_AnpOfQ