Friday, February 20, 2015

2015 SAN DIEGO TRAVEL & ADVENTURE SHOW

 SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
       Studies have shown that people like to plan their trips as much as take them. I know that I fall into that category which is probably why I love to go to travel shows. Especially, when one of the fastest growing Travel & Adventure Shows is being held nearby at the San Diego Convention Center.
      When you walk into a large center with over 140 exhibits surrounded by four stages featuring travel celebrities, exotic destinations, cooking demonstrations, and entertainers from around the world it can get a bit overwhelming. I quickly realized that seeing it all was impossible, so I needed to focus. I decided to concentrate on some of my favorite celebrity writers and travelers who were being featured on the main stage.
 
RICK STEVES - MAIN STAGE

       Rick Steeves was the first speaker of the day. The room was filled with hundreds of travel enthusiasts that were rewarded with his travel stories and advice from over 30 years of travel to Europe. He had slides on each side of the stage that helped to keep us interested for the one and one-half hour presentation. With his nationally televised travel shows and books, as well as the popular Rick Steve Tours, he still finds time to 
spend four months out of the year in Europe to stay current.      

       Among his many words of wisdom were the following:
--Personalize the trip by doing your research and picking out things that interest you. For example you can find a Museum of Bags & Purses in Amsterdam or ruined castles all over Europe that are free, but hard to find.
--Find out what's going on and go where the locals go. Enjoy leisurely evening strolls with them or attend their favorite sporting events.
-- His favorite place in Switzerland:  Appenzel Alps and their northernmost summit, Ebenalp.
Berlin is the most dynamic city in Europe right now.
--In his opinion there are two IQ s of European travelers: those who wait in lines, and those who don't. Travelers that read his books can learn how to avoid the lines and save precious time.
       I recommend his website: RickSteves.com. You can go there to read his latest travel news and most importantly to view one hundred free travel shows along with lectures and others classes. It also includes a great forum for answers to all of your travel questions.


      He also has free phone apps that can guide you on tours of many major cities. I found it interesting that his latest travel books assume that travelers in Europe are traA quote from his blog: “... each time I fly away, I know I’ll be collecting new friends and life-long memories wherever I venture...”
       Another favorite is writer and publisher Pauline Frommer. She is the daughter of Arthur Frommer, who at age 85 is famous for his book series which started out in the 1960s as Europe on $5 A Day. Pauline and Arthur still appear together on a nationally syndicated two-hour radio travel show which airs every Sunday from noon to 2pm. (You can also listen to it online.)
       They are also busy writing a new book series. Frommer's Easy Guide to New York City is currently a best-selling guide to the city.veling with a cell phone.


       A quote from his blog: “... each time I fly away, I know I’ll be collecting new friends and life-long memories wherever I venture...”
       Another favorite is writer and publisher Pauline Frommer. She is the daughter of Arthur Frommer, who at age 85 is famous for his book series which started out in the 1960s as Europe on $5 A Day. Pauline and Arthur still appear together on a nationally syndicated two-hour radio travel show which airs every Sunday from noon to 2pm. (You can also listen to it online.)
       They are also busy writing a new book series. Frommer's Easy Guide to New York City is currently a best-selling guide to the city.
       There are a number of significant things going on right now in the travel industry that make for some good near term opportunities. Probably most importantly the US dollars value has improved against most currencies. Also, there are some real deals on safaris to Africa (check out Smart Tours.com). Airbnb.com is providing good value on lodging and now booking more rooms than hotels are booking. River cruising is currently very popular—with few discounts. She also advises to visit Cuba now before it changes. The old vintage cars they have maintained will soon be replaced by new shiny cars that they can now be purchased on the free market.
      One of the hotspots for travel in 2015 recommended by Pauline Frommer is Belgium. They are commenorating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the 100th anniversary of WW I battles. In addition, Mons, Belgium, is celebrating as the joint capital of culture with over 300 events and a major VanGogh exhibition.
      Since most of us are doing our own bookings online these 
days, here are some suggested websites:
GIVERNEY GARDENS 
hotel tonight (an app not a website) Best time to check: 3 pm day of arrival
Insuremytrip.com (travel insurance)

       Most importantly go to Frommers.com for ideas on places to travel and the best deals around. Note that Pauline Frommer does not receive any kickbacks from the travel industry for her recommendations.
       Another informative and entertaining speaker is Josh Gates, who stars in the new travel channel program Expedition Unknown. The popular Thursday night show chronicles the adventures of Josh as he investigates mysteries and legends around the world. He is a believer in adventurous travel that knocks you out of your comfort zone because it affects you more and stays with you longer. He also loves to travel in Asia and recommends a visit to one of his favorite places, Cambodia.

       I'm headed to Europe in May—now I have to figure out how to add some adventure to the journey so I can remember it and become a techie so I can listen to Rick Steves while on the go. Then, of course, always remember my dad's advice: “Go while you can.”





Wednesday, February 11, 2015

CHRISTMAS IN ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

ADELAIDE ARCADE

      After spending a week each in Sydney and Melbourne, we arrive in Adelaide on December 23, just in time to celebrate Christmas with my nephew Bill. He is as vibrant and entertaining as ever and a great tour guide. It was decided that we would have Christmas Eve dinner together at our rented home, and Bill would host Christmas Day at his lovely new home in the Norwood section of Adelaide, which was about three miles away from us.
COTTAGE IN ADELAIDE
      The cottage we rented through airbnb.com was located on a quiet block of sandstone brick homes that were built in the late 1800s with colorful red sandstone. It was spacious and worked well for the week.
      A few blocks away was the 140 year-old Central Market, often referred to as the “Heart of Adelaide.” Anna and I rose early on Christmas Eve morning to head over to the crowded market with its eighty-plus colorful stalls and huge selection of local fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. We started the day with a cup of flat-white (something like a cappucinno or latte that the Aussies are very proud of) at one of the local cafes. Then we spent the entire morning peering at the stalls before getting serious about the final food choices for our special Christmas Eve dinner. Finally, we decided on a leg of lamb and rolled pork roast for the main course. This would be accompanied by Anna's spinach and strawberry salad, roasted asparagus and fresh breads. We couldn't decide on just one dessert so settled for a variety of irresistible cakes and cookies—the gluten-free decadent chocolate cake took first place.
ADELAIDE XMAS
      Preparing a meal for seven in a new kitchen with limited utensils and space was a bit of a challenge, but the meal was delicious. Most importantly we all fit around the table and had the privilege of a first Christmas dinner with a grandchild sitting proudly in her high chair. Thanks to secret Santa's and hundreds of nearby wineries there was no shortage of beverages to accompany the meal. It was truly a great and blessed Christmas “down-under” that we will remember forever.
NORWOOD
      Bill continued the celebration on Christmas Day when we joined him at his new Adelaide home in Norwood for a Swedish buffet (thanks to the local Ikea). Norwood is close to the city center and full of charming sandstone homes and churches from the 1800s—great for walking and biking. Add to that the convenience of Parade Avenue with its many restaurants, cafes, shops, and theaters, and it doesn't get much better.
      Adelaide, located in South Australia, is the fifth largest city in Australia. With a population of over one million it is surrounded by open spaces which include miles of beaches and wineries in the nearby hills. One could visit a new and unique winery every weekend for many years before running out of new places to go. With its park lands, squares, old architecture, museums and River Torrens meandering through, it is truly a very pleasant place to visit and live.

GLENELG BEACH

TORRENS RIVER

TORRENS RIVER ADELAIDE


FLAT WHITE ON PARADE AVENUE

VINEYARDS-SOUTH AUSTRALIA