COVID-19, the ensuing pandemic, variants, and travel restrictions have caused many Christmas Markets to shut down in Bavaria, and temporarily halt tourism in Austria. In this episode, I’ll bring a live report from MUNICH, FRANKFURT, and STRASBOURG, all festival holiday destinations.
Christmas Markets usually abound during the first weeks of December. These outdoor markets feature unique decorations, beautifully handcrafted arts, and endless opportunities to sample some great food and countless varieties of glüwein, punch, and spiced drinks, served piping hot in souvenir mugs. In this episode, I’ll share my live, on-the-ground, and real-time experience at Christmas Markets during the last few days.
——————–Contents of this video————————–
00:00 – Slide Show introduction and Exploring Europe theme music
2:04 – Introduction to TTT – Christmas Time in Munich, Frankfurt, and Strasbourg
3:21 – Exploring Munich at Christmas Time without Christmas Markets
8:48 – Exploring Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets
17:49 – Exploring Strasbourg Christmas Markets
22:56 – David’s Tour promo for his tours to Europe
2:58 – Video Wrap up 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
Tonight’s episode marks show number 53, and the beginning of SEASON 2 of TRAVEL TALK TUESDAY.
I began TTT a year ago as a means to drag myself out of the doldrums that COVID-19 and the pandemic had imposed on travel and my life. As we turned the page from 2020 to recovery 2021, no one knew what was around the corner. Fortunately, we did get to travel a bit this year. Tonight, I’ll take you down memory lane with a short look at the highlights of my travels and of my adventures on Travel Talk Tuesday.
We’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit too with a preview of quaint towns and charming markets during the holiday season. Bratwurst and Glüwein are on the menu and I’ll share my recipe for the hot mulled wine.
This video is enhanced with CHAPTERS to assist in finding and honing into the content. Scroll through the red timeline at the bottom of the video.
——————–Contents of this video————————–
00:00 – Introduction to TTT – Celebrating Season 2
2:48 – Croatia Adriatic Cruise
5:35 – Northern Ireland and the Giants Causeway
6:16 – Cooking Pizza with David
9:10 – Podere Marcampo Wine Tasting and Tour
14:37 – Taste of Ireland Tour Highlights
26:54 – Barcelona
30:04 – Glühwein Recipe
35:27 – Naples Italy walking tour
42:36 – David and Charlotte’s Decembers Travels
44:50 – Twelve Days Of Christmas Travel Deals 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
The Amalfi Coast is hugged by a narrow road perched high above the crystal-clear Bay of Salarno. Rugged mountains plunge steeply into the sea. Every river that falls into the sea is flanked by a picture-perfect pastel village. In this episode, we will visit the villages of Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello. I hired a driver/guide for the day to help me learn about the drive, the towns, and the sea.
I’ll also be cooking up my homemade pizza recipe.
Three friends join me to discuss traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This video is enhanced with CHAPTERS to assist in finding and honing into the content. Scroll through the red timeline at the bottom of the video.
——————–Contents of this video————————–
00:00 – Introduction to TTT – The Amalfi Coast
1:37 – Ravello walking tour
1:50 – Pompeii entrance gate – Porta Marina
6:16 – Cooking Pizza with David
10:34 – Travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
11:17 – Guest Kent Giles – Travel to Italy during COVID-19 pandemic
24:58 – Guest Nancy Snow – Travel in the USA during the pandemic
31:48 – Guest Ramona McGee – Mississippi River Cruising
38:03 – Amalfi town walk
41:42 – Cruising the Amalfi coast line
43:20 – Ravello town walk
45:38 – 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
Pompeii was a thriving Roman city of 20,000 people in 79 AD. Then, on August 24, Mount Vesuvius erupted, spewing molten lava and ash 3 miles into the air. Within hours, the ash settled on the city and covered it thirty feet deep. The hot ash killed many people and buried the town for 1700 years! Excavation began in the mid-1700s, and today, we have a pristine look back at ancient Pompeii.
During almost every episode of TTT, David prepares and shares one if his favorite recipes. Tonight, Flat Bread Pizza is on the menu.
This video is enhanced with CHAPTERS to assist in finding and honing into the content. Scroll through the red timeline at the bottom of the video.
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00:00 – Introduction to TTT – Pompeii Scavi
1:16 – Getting to Pompeii on the Circumvesuviana Train
1:50 – Pompeii entrance gate – Porta Marina
5:23 – The forum and basilica
7:43 – Basilica, the Palace of Justice
11:14 – Temple of Jupiter and mont Vesuvius
12:29. Fresco of Vesuvius before the 29 AD eruption
13:25 – The Grainery and plaster casts
15:59 – What is David during tonight
16:41 – Pompeii streets and fast food joints
18:23 – CAVE CANUM, beware of the dog
20:44 – House of the faun
21:58 – The Battle of Alexander mosaic
23:02 – The mill and bakery
23:51 – Theatre
25:09 – Brothal – Lupanare
26:50 – Pompeii Scavi wrap up
27:22 – Flatbread pizza Recipe
33:04 – Nation Archeological Museum in Naples
37:04 – The Secret Room
39:39 – Episode 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
I call Sorrento the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. Perched high on a bluff above the Bay of Naples, it is home to about 16,000 residents. Most of these folks work in tourism, but you’ll find a good many farmers scattered along the hills and valleys, too. The town itself is medieval and pedestrian-friendly. Cobbled crooked lanes branch off the main drag, Corso Italia, and always are worth a wander to see what is around the next corner. Merchants ply their wares consisting of all varieties of lemon products, wine, olive oil, leather, hand-made crafts, and more. The main square, Piazza Tasso, is filled with open-air cafes spilling into the streets. All in all, Sorrento is an excellent place to hang your hat for a few days!
This video is enhanced with CHAPTERS to assist in finding and honing into the content. Scroll through the red timeline at the bottom of the video.
——————–Contents of this video————————–
00:00 – Introduction to TTT – Sorrento, Italy
02:08 – Chicken Marsala Recipe
08:12 – Flatbread Pizza
08:41 – Sorrento Art Hotel Gran Paradiso
12:39 – Piazza Tasso, Sorrento River
17:10 – Sorrento Cathedral and In-Laid wood
20:24 – Corso Italia stroll
22:11 – Saint Anthony of Sorrento
26:12 – Saint Francisco Church Sorrento
26:39 – Marina Piccolo Sorrento
27:14 – Piazza Tasso 28:22 – Sorrento Food and wine
34:23 – A Day on the Farm in the hills above Sorrento 37:57 – Outro 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
Ischia is an island located in the Bay of Naples. It is covered with mountains, lush green forests, and many thermal hot springs. In fact, most visitors to this island come to hike the mountains and relax in the thermal baths. This island of 60,000 people has six major towns, all scattered around the island’s perimeter. It is about six miles, east to west, and four miles, north to south. About 18 square miles. I recently spent four days here, exploring the island and checking it out for a new tour destination. I’ll definitely be back!
This video is enhanced with CHAPTERS to assist in finding and honing into the content. Scroll through the red timeline at the bottom of the video.
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00:00 00:26 – Introduction to Ischia
01:38 – Map of Every Town in Europe – Itchy Feet Cartoon
05:04 – Polpette (Italian Meatball) Recipe
15:13 – David’s Antipasti tonight
16:33 – Ischia overview
17:01 – Ischia Map
18:35 – Getting to Ischia
19:58 – Hotel Pergola – Lacco Ameno
21:36 Cassamiccola
21:46 – Forio
23:52 – Lacco Ameno
26:56 – Forio hotel Tritone
28:20 – Hotel La Pergola
29:09 – Ischia Town
30:10 – Barano
30:23 – San Angelo
34:11 – OUTRO Closing thoughts
34:52 – Ferry to Naples
35:30 – Shoving off for my next adventure!
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
