Travel Europe on your Own - Like a VIP!

     There are travelers, and then there are travelers....  While many enjoy the comfort and security of an organized tour group, there are probably just as many who would prefer the freedom to travel independently but......     

     And when it comes to Europe we think:   All the Culture - All the History - All the Food - All the Languages!  Usually that last one is what stumps most of us when think of travel in Europe.  MONOGRAMS has the answer!  MONOGRAMS is a unique way to travel:  You travel independently and upon arrival, you're greeted at the airport and whisked away to the hotel of your choice, your access to sites and museums are expedited, you're escorted to the train as your journey continues onward...and so on and so on for your following destinations!  They've created itineraries for independent minded travelers who want the freedom to explore on their own, but with that perfect touch of VIP service.  There are one city getaways, two city adventures and three and four city explorations - itineraries range from 3 to 13 days.  MONOGRAMS offers an exceptional value for money - and there is a range of budgets to suit all.  Here's a great example:  

Limerick, Killarney, Dublin & Belfast  10 days starting at $1662 per person (not including transatlantic airfare/Fall 2017). Your vacation includes 9 hotel nights, a local host in each city, breakfast daily, some sightseeing/guided tours, transportation between cities plus meet & greet on arrivals and transfers. 

     And as much as I have traveled, there have been times when I would have liked a little bit of help getting into museums (the lines!), or guiding us to the right train station and many times would have loved for someone greet me at the airport and drive me right to the hotel - hassle free! 

     So, if you've been hesitant to book an independent trip, hesitant to book a group tour, hesitate no more:  MONOGRAMS is for you!  There are plenty of choices from which to choose.

     Watch the video below - and realize this is how you want to travel!  I'll be waiting for your call to book your next MONOGRAMS vacation!

Camille Albarelle

Virtual Global Travel

www.VirtualGlobalTravel.com

Email

561-727-9666

Ever Dream of Living Abroad? Here's my story....

     It could be you're looking at Retirement, Relocation.....or you're just Ready to make a change in lifestyle.

     For years retirees have been flocking to Central America for the good weather, low cost of living and medical care.  After watching countless episodes of House Hunters International, I've cheered as young people (single, married, family and/or empty nesters) made the move to live abroad.  Whether it is for a year, a few years or a permanent move, the experience is enriching.  Many return back home, and quite possibly, just as many stay abroad embracing their "new" home.  As one who has tested the waters, one toe at a time, I can say it is exciting; exciting to learn a new culture, a new language, new recipes, a new way of looking at life.

     My first foray into living outside the continental US was St. Thomas in the USVI.  We bought a

St Thomas USVI

home there that needed renovating and furnishing.  I learned about shipping materials and furnishings by containers that arrived by sea from Miami; completing documents stateside, finalizing documents at the Customs Office in St Thomas.  And although I didn't need to learn a new language, I did have to learn to drive on the opposite side of the road!  Yes! on the other side of the road!!  The steering wheel is on the same side as it is here, but you drive on the other side - the reminder to stay on the "correct side" of the road was  "Keep your shoulder to the shoulder (of the road)".   With St. Thomas as a home base,  I travelled to Puerto Rico, St. Johns and to the BVIs.  Sometimes by plane, sometimes by boat and most often to St. Johns on a car barge!  And on St Johns I had to learn to wait for the free roaming donkeys to clear the road....I kid you not!

Antibes, France

     A few years after St. Thomas the next "toe in the water" went a little further - across the Atlantic to France!  It was always a bit of a dream "oh to live in France"....well, an opportunity presented itself and I wasn't passing it up.  Did I know French? No...I had only one semester of French 101 when in college - all those decades ago!  Did I know much about French culture?  Not really.  I did know that France had some great wines, cheeses, baked goods, fashion and perfumes.  But, I had a few lessons to learn, though: lunch is served/eaten/completed between 12noon and 2pm; yes, two hour lunches.  Everything closes down: shops, banks, offices etc. Only restaurants and cafes are open - that is when all of France eats lunch.  OK, easy lesson to learn.  Along the way there were a few other things to learned in order to assimilate into the culture and the lifestyle - and it was all worth it.  There is a reverence for family, food and friends.  Everyone has health care (quite excellent, rated #1 in the world), 5 weeks paid vacation to start and they take their work seriously (who wouldn't with such great benefits).  And as for living there, I was amazed at the costs:  car insurance was about $400 for the year (new car with great mileage of 62mpg), apartment insurance was a bit over $400 for the year.  Internet with voice-over-internet (free local and international calling) was $30 per month.  Food was also very very affordable; produce was abundant and great pride in marking items with country of origin, especially if it was produced, raised, made in France.  For almost 10 years, France was second "home"....I spent time there, but always came home to the USA for family and work.  What an incredible experience and so happy to have the opportunity.


     Want another idea? Consider Spain.  E-A-S-Y  That's all I can say about Spain.  First, English is

Valencia, Spain

widely spoken unless you go deep into the country and rural areas.  However, that being said, most young people speak English. Young people know that the world is getting smaller and smaller and movies, music and the internet have made it so.
Costs?  Unbelievable!  I've sourced out some costs:
Insurance? Car and apartment insurance are just over $700 total for both.
Health insurance? (including dental & eye care) about $2000 for the year - for the year for two!
Hi-Speed internet? $24 month.
Food?  If I thought France was very affordable, Spain is even more so!  Really!  (One would be hard pressed to spend over $10 on produce for the week whether at the giant supermarket or at the weekly market in town.
Dining out?  Weekdays a 4 course lunch (salad, starter, main, dessert including wine/beer/or bottled water, coffee, tax & tip) is about $10 (Sat & Sun it's just over $12!). (Always leave a little extra tip)
Service?  The Spanish have the lock on service.  They are helpful, courteous and friendly.

     Overall, there is a great opportunity to enjoy a very nice quality of life in quantity!  So just in case you're curious or tempted to see what housing prices are, here's the link (more options below): http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-Spain.html   Madrid is an international city and

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a young, hip international city.  So much to do, easy connections (via air or train) to all of Europe.
Weekends in Amsterdam?  Easy!  A getaway to Ireland?  Cheap!  Crave pasta?  Rome is so near!  Within an hour or two, you can be just about anywhere in western Europe.  Eastern Europe is a little over 3 hours and a gateway to whole other world!
            Think Prague!  Tallinn, Estonia   Riga, Latvia

There is so much to explore, taste and experience....put your toe in the water - 

you might be surprised how warm the water is!

Search to buy France properties: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/in-France.html
Search for rentals in France: https://www.french-property.com/find/rental/
Search for rentals in Spain:  https://www.justlanded.com/english/Spain/Housing-Rentals

Charming Nyack-On-The-Hudson, NY

Nyack, New York is a charming waterfront village on the Hudson River.  It is situated about an hour north of NYC on the westside of the river.  The first known inhabitants of Nyack were the Algonquin Indians that (it is speculated) traveled after the sale of the island of Manhattan to the western shore and eventually up river to what is now Nyack.  Next came the Dutch in the late 1600s.  The Dutch settlers primarily farmed but little by little Nyack's harbor became known and as such came new growth...by the mid 1800s manufacturing was dominant.  300 years after the Dutch settled and with the construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Nyack was about to experience an urban renewal that put it back on the map.  And NYC inhabitants are still relocating to the area much like the Algonquins!! Nyack's residents and shopkeepers have renovated, restored and re-purposed it's homes and storefronts into one of the most charming villages in the area.  Nyack has been, and is still, known as a haven for artists and "foodies" come to enjoy in the diversity of ethnic menus.  From fast foods to gourmet meals, there is something for everyone's palate.  There's also a weekly green market for those who would rather cook fresh from the farm to their table at home.  The village offers plenty of shopping: clothes, gifts, crafts, home furnishings and accessories, antiques, flowers and so much more!  And if you can still reach that inner child in you, come join Nyack's Halloween Parade!  Adults, like children, dress up and there are creative floats vying for prizes.
(You can do a search for Nyack Halloween Parade 2016 for great photos of the event)

I was there recently over the holiday weekend and walked the village from Main Street down and along Broadway...bright sun peeked between grey skies and the crisp fall weather made the stroll so very enjoyable.  The shops were filled with customers, their windows in full holiday display and the restaurants' tables were beautifully set for the evening meal.  What did I enjoyed most?  The friendly smiles!  Here are a few photos I took of Nyack....

BY THE WAY....
HOTEL:
If you find yourself in Rockland County and want to stay the weekend to enjoy as much of the area, treat yourself to the DoubleTree Hotel in Nanuet (Route 59).  Very comfortable, very clean, great service (a warm cookie upon checkin!) and it's centrally located with free parking.
Here's the link:  http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-nanuet-NYCNADT/index.html
There is a new hotel in Nyack called "Time"; I've not stayed nor visited, but did notice it's location near the NYS Thruway exit for Nyack. It's a stone's throw from the "West Gate Inn" famous for it's weekends of music and dancing; for years Tito Puente played there and believe his son carries on.  The holiday weekend had a tribute to Celia Cruz - bet the place was rockin''!!

DINING:
1.  I enjoyed a very good BBQ meal one evening in West Haverstraw, NY at Babe's Bar and Grill.  Great food, friendly service and well worth the visit (see their Facebook page or my Trip Advisor review for more info).  
2.  Another great dining stop was O Lar in Piermont, NY.  Tiny, tiny place serving up great pizzas and flatbreads with a nice selection of tapas to share.  Sangria was spot-on!
(Again see their Facebook page or my Trip Advisor review for more info.)
3.  My favorite for pizza is Turiello's in Nyack...it was a favorite when we lived there, and it is still oh-so-good today!  Here's their link: http://www.turiellospizza.com

Carcassonne, France

A few weeks ago I wrote about our trip along a portion of the Canal du Midi.  One of the highlights, and the reason for this particular segment of the trip, was a stop to the city of Carcassonne.  Carcassonne is divided into the "new" town and "Le Cite Medievale", the historical UNESCO site.  After an evening's stroll along the pedestrian-only newer part of town we prepared ourselves for the visit the next morning.
Originally we thought we'd walk up to the fortified "Cite", but after considering traffic, weather (warm temperatures) and the long steep incline, we opted for the city bus for 2 euros round trip.   The bus meandered through several streets and began its climb, curving around narrow lanes as we held our breath passing cars, trucks and vans - on two-way streets!  That part of the adventure over, we arrived to "Le Cite"....amazing with breathtaking views.  We walked and walked, stared into storefronts full of delectable sweets, perused menus, admired hand made items and marveled at it all as we walked the cobbled streets.  The ramparts protect the village within and then there is the castle.  The village has plenty of shops, a hotel or two and no shortage of places to eat.  We found a cute little place to eat with a hidden garden tucked behind a stone wall entrance and enjoyed the menu of the day.   During the earlier part of the day, we opted to take a tour of the castle and took as many pictures as I could to share.  The tour of the castle is not for everyone, it seemed as if the entire tour was up another set of steps - and not just little steps - steps with huge risers.  Not sure how the people of the Middle Ages (who were shorter than today's average) could climb those stairs, in full armor and/or carrying weapons!  But it was all worth it - the tour was well worth every step!
Should you ever find yourself in SW France, whether visiting by cruise ship, river boat or self-drive boating vacation, Carcassonne should be on your "must see" list.  There is a tremendous amount of history there - not just of military fortifications, but of religious persecution.  (Several years ago I read a really good book about the massacre at Beziers (near Carcassonne) and the Crusade against the Cathars - The Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.  The story line is terrific and goes between 1209 and 2005!)
Well, enjoy the visit to Carcassonne via my video of photos!

Camille

Canal du Midi, France: Self Drive Boating Holiday

On my long list of things to do, was a self drive boating holiday along the Canal du Midi in France.
We talked with our friends about doing this trip for years while we were both living in France.  Fast forward a few years later and one moves to Florida and another to Spain and we finally meet up and make the commitment to book the trip!  So glad we did!!
The Canal du Midi ambles from the Atlantic Ocean through SW France to the area just west of Marseille. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, the ride peaceful and the stops along the way fascinating.  We travelled mid-September from Castelnaudary to Trebes on a 7 day journey.  LeBoat was the boat hire company we used; there were plenty of itineraries to choose from as well as various boat sizes with different cabin configurations.  (Hint: take one with a bow-thruster!)  We had a 4 cabin, 3 bath boat for 2 couples; there was a last minute "upgrade" since the 3 cabin/3 bath boat we had reserved was not available.  The "upgrade" worked out very nicely with plenty of space.  LeBoat does a fine job at reception giving you plenty of information, guidance and a mechanic who goes over the boat's details as well as a quick spin about to get the feel of the boat.  Now the adventure begins.....
There are locks on the Canal du Midi....the elevation from the Atlantic down to the Mediterranean Sea drops; not wanting to "surf"our way down, there are a series of locks along the canal.  We needed two people to handle the lines on our boat, not counting the Captain or our navigator!  Each of the 4 had a job and the navigator was responsible to tell the captain when the next lock was approaching.  There really is no navigating as you are either traveling up or down the canal - but it was nice to have a navigator read the charts!
The first night we anchored out and had no power hookup...we ate by candlelight, under the stars, along a tree lined path and relaxed that we had made out way through our first lock - which was a triple lock!!  It was like a set of stairs as the water level was lowered at the first lock, then we glided into the second lock, water level lowered again and then slipping into the third lock for another water level drop before finally reaching the canal for a slow cruise to anchorage.
The trip was far, far better than expected, the scenery breathtaking and the stops along the way were amazing.  We had a great time with our friends; plenty of laughter, good fun and lots of French wine at the end of each day.
The second stop of our adventure was to Bram; according to our navigator it had water and electrical hookup.  Yeah!  What a delightful surprise!  The docking was easy & affordable but the star of the stop was the  waterfront restaurant "L'Ile aux Oiseaux" - the food was incredible!  The stop was so nice we stayed 2 nights and found our way into town for the weekly market.  It was a real treat, a nice reminder of the markets we frequented while living in France....and our French was okay....at least the vendors understood our orders for macarons, cheese and bread!
We departed in the early hours of the day to reach Carcassonne by mid afternoon.  So much history in Carcassonne and we wanted to be sure to visit the old medieval city rested and ready to walk.
The municipal marina provided us with water, electric and location right in the middle of the "new" town.  First evening we walked the "new" town, found a nice place to eat and walked a bit more before heading back to the boat for a bottle of wine topside. (This is a recurring event....)
I'll write about Carcassonne medieval city in another post.
We ended our trip in Trebes and once again LeBoat was fantastic at reception to finalize the return of the boat to them.  We stayed on board for one night there and enjoyed a great evening meal of tapas at  a delightful bistro "Les Vignes de Bacchus"; it was a wonderful way to finish what was a great, great trip along the Canal du Midi.
AuRevior, Adios....and enjoy the short but delightful video!
PS - Aside from France, there are other countries where LeBoat (Leboat.com)offers boating holidays.

Cochem, Germany....and the Mosel River

Every once in a while, I like to step back into a quieter time, enjoy a calmer pace and breathe fresh mountain air while taking in scenic river views.  Such was my last travel escape to Cochem, Germany.

Cochem is located on the Moselle River about 2 hours south of Cologne. (http://www.ferienland-cochem.de/nextshopcms/show.asp?lang=en&e1=52)  It is a charming town, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, river boats for day and/or evening cruising and slowly becoming a popular stop for river cruises. I noticed UniWorld River Cruise and Viking River Cruise ships docked there.  It's a great location for these extended cruises: the ship docks avery short distance to the village.  Of course, the Reichburg (or Cochem) Castle is a favorite tour for so many that visit, myself included.  But, what is most famous on the Moselle River (aside from the most quaint of towns and villages) is the wine.  Yes, the wine.  Not the stereotype wine I remember when I was first introduced to wine.  The wine culture here is top notch with a selection of red and white wines for every taste.  And because of the abundance of berries and fruits, there are flavored liqueurs to add a little panache to a sparkling or white wine.  I can assure you, that little extra zing of flavor in a glass of sparkling wine will make you smile!

I stayed at the Hieronimi Hotel (http://www.hotel-hieronimi.de/english/) a family run hotel with fantastic restaurant.  Breakfast was included in the room rate, in-room wi-fi was free as was the parking.  However, there is no elevator/lift....my room on the attic floor was absolutely charming, spacious and offered panoramic views from the wall of windows....however, it was 55 steps up!  I got a good work out to offset the wonderful breakfast served every morning.  The hotel is impeccable.  In addition to rooms and dining, the hotel offers wine tastings!  While I did not do the wine tasting at the hotel, I did sample some wine at the wine cellar the family owns and operates on the other side of the bridge.  The "cave" is truly a cave!  I was there several years ago and sampled so many wines, the trunk of the car was laden with wines - and I still have some today!  Really lovely wines....

The Moselle River is dotted with beautiful towns and villages on its banks.  With so many river boats offering day (or evening) cruises, how could I not?  I took a day trip down to Beilstein (http://www.beilstein-mosel.de/englisch/) and what a charming storybook village, complete with castle ruin.  Sitting down to a light lunch overlooking the river was the perfect way to relax....and the several flutes of Kir Moselle (sparkling wine with a dash of sour cherry liqueur) were the best medicine for whatever could have ailed me! ...ahhhh....

There was another day trip to Trier, Germany (http://www.trier-info.de/english/sights-in-trier).  About an hour's drive from Cochem, Trier was founded by the Romans in 16BC.  I enjoyed walking through the old town, staring into windows of the butcher shop (so many sausages!), and the farmer's market was just about closing down but not before I eyed bunches of the most beautiful grapes ever and only 2.50 euros (about $2.80) for just over a pound of them!  Lunch beckoned and it was a celebratory lunch for a friend at The Brasserie (http://www.brasserie-trier.de).  While the delicious meal was perfectly prepared and presented it was the dessert that I was most curious about: the World's Best Chocolate Pudding.  Now that's a bold statement...and it delivered!  Dark chocolate pudding with sour cherries at the bottom....O-M-G it was delicious.  And for me, they can make that claim until someone else makes a better one!  I did manage to see the Roman Gate (Porta Nigra) and it was impressive.  There are several other historical sites and plenty of museums in Trier, so it may require another visit in the future.

After several days of relaxing, dining and wining it was time to head home....here's a video of my visit to the Moselle River - hope you can make a similar visit someday soon!

Happy Travels,
Camille

Granda, Spain - The Alhambra

Sadly, it was a short one night stay in Granada but what a visit!  Beyond words, a visit to The Alhambra has to be on any traveler's list of "must-see".  The complex (yes, it's complex) was started in 899 as fortress, then abandoned and in the 13 century reconstruction began and in 1333 it became a royal palace for the Sultan of Granada.  After the Spanish Inquisition, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand received Christopher Columbus at the (Alhambra) Palace and endorsed his expedition.
That bit of history aside (there's lots of history there, but for you to read another time), the magic of The Alhambra is in the gardens and, of course, the palace.  I put together a short video of our visit there - and I will say, that photos do not do it justice.  You have to see it for yourself...

When you decide to visit Granada, specifically The Alhambra, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Tickets must be purchased on line, well in advance.  (http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/index.php/Home/1472+M5ba3513c9aa/0/) Admission to the grounds and palace are limited, there are a few types of ticket purchased, and the session can be for a morning (8a-2p) or afternoon (2p-8p).  We went the first week of June (2016) and it was h-o-t.  For my return visit, I would like to go anytime between April and mid May.
I did find a very convenient hotel (Alixares Hotel http://www.hotelalixares.com/en/).  The hotel offered a reduced rate at the parking lot (P2) for The Alhambra. The hotel and the parking lot (P2) were at the entrance to The Alhambra.  The rooms were simple, very very clean and quite reasonable for location.  The staff was helpful, restaurant offered a nice menu and the lobby bar was a perfect place to sit and sip while recounting the day's amazing tour.

Now, grab your sangria, put up your feet and enjoy an idyllic tour of The Alhambra, courtesy of me!

Sunny Southern Spain!

Spain, with it's miles of coastline boasts shores on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.  Along the "Costa Calida", on the Mediterranean Sea, the Calblanque National Park offers almost 6,000 acres of pristine beaches, hidden swimming and diving coves, hiking and biking trails as well as salt flats complete with flamingos!  The mountains, part arid, part evergreen, offer dramatic landscapes as sheer cliffs drop to the sea below.  There are long stretches of sandy beach as well as secluded coves. These coves, called "calas", can be sandy while others are rocky and the crystal clear waters provide an amazing view of mother nature's rock formations below the water's surface.  The park has no services but surprisingly offers a section with shaded parking!  Remember to pack a lunch, bring your blanket and umbrella  - then you'll be ready to sit back and watch (and listen) as the surf gently rolls in.

Cabo de Palos 

The town of Cabo de Palos sits at the edge of the Calblanque National Park and is known among other things, for diving.  The protected marine reserve is located between the Cabo de Palos light house and Isla Hormigas.  On any given day, several dive boats carry divers and snorkelers to explore the mystical, colorful world that lies below.  Of course, after a day at sea, whether diving, snorkeling or swimming, a good meal and a refreshing "cerveza" (beer) awaits at any one of the many restaurants, cafes or pubs that circle the fishing boat marina.  The marina is filled with working boats that belong to the local fisherman - the catch of the day is always fresh!

Chiringuito - Faro/Cabo de Palos

For those that prefer the land side of activities, there is a easy but absolutely beautiful walk from the fishing marina to the lighthouse and back.  The treat upon arrival to the lighthouse is the "chiringuito" - a beach bar.  So while not exactly on the beach, beachgoers can walk up for a chilled glass of wine, cold bottle of beer or ice cold water.  Food is minimal at best, although some larger ones do offer a menu. Fast, friendly and affordable - and we're taking on the challenge to visit as many "chiringuitos" as we can find!



Whether a day trip or short stay along the Costa Calida of Spain, a visit to the Calblaque National Park and Cabo de Palos should be on anyone's list of "to-do"!  The Spanish people are kind, warm and friendly.  Spanish food is delicious and fresh produce abounds.  Sangrias, "cervezas" and vinos are refreshing and the tapas are the tastiest - and prices won't break any budgets!!  All the more reason to put Spain on your travel radar today!

Spanish Wines - Ole'

Since spending time in Spain, one tends to do as the locals do and sip a glass of wine and watch the world go by....just like in France.  But what to drink?

Being new arrivals to Spain, the need to explore the the wines seems like an important task - because it is!  The only Spanish wines I knew were Freixenet Cava (sparking wine) and Rioja wines, from the NE section Spain.  However, Spain is large country and many areas produce wine:
Jerez (sherry), Rioja, Ribera de Duero, Jumilla and Rueda just some of the regions I've sampled so far.  With more than 70 wine producing regions, there's a whole lot of sampling that still needs to be done!

Rioja Wine - Some of these vines came from Bordeaux region of France (read the label on a bottle of Rioja wine from wine maker Marques de Riscal).  The Rioja wines are an excellent alternative to Bordeaux wines.  These are full bodied red wines and I absolutely love them!
Try:
Marques de Caceres, Campo Viejo, Juan Gil and Ramon Bilbao - all under $20 a bottle
For something I thought was a little lighter, I enjoyed the Marques de Riscal Proximo.

But red wine isn't the only wine made in the Rioja.   The region produces beautiful white Rioja wines, too.  Well worth trying these dry wines; served chilled, it is perfect for enjoying alone or with a meal.

And Rioja isn't the only region to make whites!  Countless other wine regions throughout Spain make delicious whites.  For example, the Verdejo grape from the Rueda region makes a great refreshing, dry white.  I rather much enjoy the whites from Rueda! Again, the cost for these are very easy on the wallet and very tasty on the palate!

Of course, many of us know the sparkling wine (Cava) Freixenet.  This winemaker makes several varieties of the "fizz" and they just keep getting better and better! There's Cordon Negro (Brut=dry),
Cordon Negro Rose' and Carta Nevada (Brut)....great sparkling wines to celebrate anything and everything!

Wines in Spain are rated as follows:
Classification:
DO covers about 70 regions
DOC only the two regions of Rioja and Priorat

Aging:
Vina de Mesa (table wine) and Vino de la Tierra (country wine)
Crianza - aged minimum of 2 years (with a minimum of 1 year in oak barrel)
Reserva - aged minimum of 3 years (with a minimum of 1 year in oak barrel)
Gran Reserva - aged 2 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle
Try:
The Campo Viejo Gran Reserva is about $22 a bottle
Muga Especial Reserva is about $35

Take a trip down the Spanish wine aisle of your local wine shop.  Our "Total Wine" shop carries a great selection of Spanish wines, so it makes it real easy to try new varieties and enjoy a lazy afternoon!  Hope you have the chance to try some of the suggestions!

Enjoy!

Woodstock.....not USA but UK!

During the summer I had the pleasure of meeting up with our mates in England.  Each year, our "hosts" pick a place for us to visit.  This year it was Oxford and the University of Oxford with an overnight at a B&B in Woodstock.

We started with our visit to Oxford - the University is the town!  It was mid-August and it was filled with thousands of students arriving before the fall semester.  The student population was very international - it was so cool to see all the different nationalities and hear all the different languages.  Their energy filled the streets as they went from bookstores and shops to cafes and fast food eateries.

As we entered various colleges and campuses, the history was amazing.  Oxford is the oldest university in the English speaking world and the second-oldest surviving university in the world!  (http://www.ox.ac.uk)  We walked through one particular lecture hall that reminded me of Harry Potter.

There is so much history there; the architecture is magnificent and over the centuries these buildings have seen more students that one can imagine and the alumni list is formidable.  The lawns, meticulously cared for, have these majestic trees offering shade for students: some sit with friends, others enjoy an afternoon snack while some are taking in a few minutes of quiet rest.

We walked and walked, turning down cobble-stone streets, narrow little lanes and passed along a waterway where a many were enjoying a day of punting. (http://www.oxfordpunting.co.uk)

Afterwards, we headed back for the short, but lovely, drive to Woodstock.  We arrived to our B&B, "The TownHouse" (http://www.woodstock-townhouse.com).  It was charming, spotlessly clean and the most gracious of hosts.  After a short rest and freshening up, we went to our friends room for a bottle of "fizz" (sparkling wine) as a start to the evening.  After that refreshing "fizz" we headed out to walk around tiny, but charming, Woodstock in search of a place for the evening meal.  We peered into windows, walked into adorable courtyards filled with colorful flowers, scanned posted menus all in search of dinner.  We took a turn onto a lane, and as it curved around, it seemed a bit quiet with all but one little restaurant that stood out: The Kings Head.  We looked at the menu, "looks good", checked out the bar, "seems busy", and figured we'll stop here and have a little glass of wine and decide where to eat.  Well, The Kings Head is a local place and one by one, the locals came over to say we had made a great choice for a meal.  Hmmmm, we hadn't decided yet..... But as our glasses went empty, and the place became busier at both bar and dining room, we thought we hit upon a good place!  And it was!  We had an incredible meal with great service and a very gracious host.

Next morning, our B&B hosts awaited our arrival to the table where a full English breakfast was cooked to order right in front of us!  They were a charming couple and it is no wonder that they had a full house!  They run an exceptionally nice B&B; much success to them.

After that hearty breakfast, we did a second visit to Oxford to visit the (free, but donations accepted) Ashmolean Museum (http://www.ashmolean.org).  We spent a few hours going through the various collections; well worth the visit.  Afterwards, we headed back to the car for a drive back to our friends' home.  We had an incredible time...check out the short video:

Hope you enjoyed this short visit!  Until next post, happy travels!

Delft and The Hague, the Netherlands EDIT VIDEO

After our last night aboard our Avalon River Cruise Ship, we departed for the nearby town of Delft.  We booked our hotel in the old town (http://www.museumhotels.nl/index.asp?taal=en) so walking to shops and restaurants would be a pleasant stroll over flower laden bridges and through charming winding lanes.  Delft is delightful!  Beautifully displayed storefront windows showcase baked goods, coffee and teas, housewares, pottery, cheese, ladies fashion and so much more.  The narrow canals, complete with quacking ducks and swans, even have a few tiny tour boats!  Some of the restaurants/cafes/pubs have outdoor dining on floating platforms!  We had the good fortune to catch a bright sunny afternoon perfect for a waterside lunch "al fresco".  That evening we had a spectacular dinner; afterwards we enjoyed a quiet stroll admiring the town illuminated by street lanterns and softly lit shop windows.
The next day we took a drive to The Hague...the name is synonymous with the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.  It is also the seat of Government for The Netherlands (even though Amsterdam is the capital).  While the city has its charming points, with the King's offices located in The Hague at Noordeinde Palace, I still prefer the quaint town of Delft.
Delft, I will be back!!
Tot Straks   ("See you soon" in Dutch) 

Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Holland)

Amsterdam is a city full of history.  We visited Amsterdam many years ago and had a great experience walking around the various parts of the city, enjoying great meals and excellent beers.  Our hotel (at that time the Jolly Carlton Hotel, now known as the NH Carlton Amsterdam) was very near the floating flower market so it was a daily routine to stroll and step aboard to enjoy the beautiful floral arrangements.  One evening we were enjoying a rather pleasant walk not paying attention to where we were going; we suddenly looked around and realized we had walked to a very wooded/forested area near a parkway.  We had no idea where we were, no how to pronounce the street name of our hotel.  Luckily in those days, your room key had the hotel name and address.  We showed it to one couple who, without speaking any of the same languages, walked us to the bus stop and waited for the bus with us to tell the bus driver where to let us off.  A little uneasy that we were lost, but grateful that strangers were kind enough to guide us.  A short bus ride later, we were directed to exit and walk straight ahead.  We walked a few blocks and found our hotel - "yeah" we said with a sigh of relief!  We had not realized that Amsterdam is a series of rings of land and canals and we must have zig-zagged away from the city center.  Anyway, all went well, because here I am 20 years later and writing about that experience as well as my most recent visit to Amsterdam!
Amsterdam was the port of disembarkation on our Avalon River Cruise this summer (2015).  The city was an overnight stop so there was a full day to enjoy Amsterdam's sights before disembarking the following morning.
As was for each port of call, a tour of Amsterdam was included - but this one was by water.  Gently bobbing in the canal, we passed under old stone bridges, photographed centuries old leaning houses with pretty shutters and were amazed at the hundreds of bicycles traversing the streets at any one moment and marveled at the sight of a parking lot just for bicycles.
It was a Monday morning and the streets were humming with cars, bikes, scooters and pedestrians; they were seamlessly intertwining as if a perfectly choreographed ballet.
After the canal tour, we walked for a few hours down twisty-turvy lanes, over bridges, through the main rail station (I love them!), along a section of waterfront and back to the ship to rest our tired feet.  We were happy to be off the organized mayhem that is today's Amsterdam city center....I guess if one lives there, you become one with the heartbeat and pulse of the city.  A morning's visit was more like a rapid out-of-synch heartbeat!
The city does provide opportunities for wonderful photos - here are mine!
Zo Lang   (So Long in Dutch)
Camille

Lorca, Spain

We decided that a day road trip was in order....but where to go?  One of our travel books had made nice mention of a town called Lorca, which wasn't too far of a drive.  And as it would happen, I was reading up on Spain's Paradores (see note below) and one just happen to be located in Lorca.  Lorca it  would be.   I'm a late starter (I've gotten used to Spanish time and culture) and after a relaxed morning coffee off we were to Lorca.  It was a pretty ride that climbed and curved along the foothills of the mountains all the while catching glimpses of the sparkling sea below.  We arrived to Lorca about 12:30pm, too early for lunch but just enough time to tour the castle.  The Parador of Lorca is a modern design 4-star spa hotel set into the rampart wall of the castle.  We parked the car and walked up towards the castle and parador.  We decided to walk right to the parador and check it out...it was lovely!  The views of the town below and mountains beyond were beautiful.  It had a calming "zen" sort of feeling.  The lobby reception area was like a new-build castle; the clean straight stone walls and floors, with soaring ceilings gave the area a regal feeling in a modern way.  We asked reception if the dining room was open for lunch, "yes", could non-guests make reservations, "yes" and so it was that dining reservations were made.  It was too early for lunch (it opens at 1:30pm) so we decided to take the castle tour.  The castle built between the 9th and 15th centuries and was a strategic point during the Spain's move to expel the Moors.  The castle features a tower that can be climbed to enjoy 360 degree views of the surrounding landscape.  The tower did suffer some earthquake damage in 2011 but restorative work has been completed.  The hand-held guide provided interesting facts and tidbits about the castle during the hour-plus tour.  By the time the tour was completed, we were in perfect time for lunch at just past 2pm.
We arrived back to the parador's dining room and were surprised to find we were the only ones! As we scanned over the menu, we talked and hoped that the hotel and dining room was not suffering from lack of guests.  Our ordered bottles of water and wine arrived to the table along with a "taster" from the kitchen - delicious!  When our beautifully presented appetizers arrived, I thought enough to photograph it...wish I had remembered to do the same as the main meal and dessert arrived!  Oh well....

The meal was absolutely wonderful and the service professional but warm.  To our amazement, as we looked around at some point during our meal, the dining room was filled and there was a convention group of about 100 making use of the outdoor dining!  We were thrilled to know business was bustling.
And as it is so often, we lingered over the meal and by the time lunch was over, the other museum we wanted to visit was closed until 4:30pm.  It was too long to wait around for the opening and then follow through with a tour, and since the clocks had already moved back (a week earlier in Europe) we preferred not to drive on unfamiliar roads under a night sky.  However, we will go back to Lorca to stay at the Parador, make good use of the spa facilities and visit the two museums dedicated to hand embroidered religious garments (Paso Blanco and Paso Azul) - guide books say it is well worth the visit.
In the meantime, here are a few of the photos of our day....

Paradores de Turismo de España is a chain of Spanish luxury hotels. It was founded by Alfonso XIII of Spain as a means to promote tourism in Spain, with the first opening in Gredos, Ávila, in 1928. A profitable state-run enterprise, the hotels are often in castles, palaces, fortresses, convents, monasteries and other historic buildings. The Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in the world, and one of the finest Spanish Paradors.
For more info on the Paradores:

http://www.parador.es/en

Driving the Along the Spanish Coast

Sometimes you just decide, in a moment's time, to take a drive, to a place you've never been but have heard about, that sounded interesting.....   Well, that was yesterday's adventure.

It was a spectacular day, the sky was blue as can be, with but a few clouds, and a warm gentle breeze.  It seemed a shame to just run morning errands and not take full advantage of such a glorious day.  So, with just a quick glance at a map on the phone, we headed off.  What could be so terrible?  If you get lost, pull over, order a cold beer or refreshing glass of white wine and savor a few tapas....You're in Spain!

Onto the highway for an adventureous drive to a new town to explore.  Spain's highways are in excellent condition with great signage - and beautiful scenery!  The mountains range from rolling hills that look like folds of fabric to sharp soaring white faced peaks; the drive had me looking at the mountains on one side and glancing down to the Mediterranean Sea on the other.  Nothing short of a great drive!

Arriving to the Puerto de Mazarron, we parked and walked along the paver promenade....or so we thought it was where were were supposed to be!  In fact, we stopped too soon and walked along a most beautiful, quiet stretch of beach with lovely seaside homes dotting the promenade.  Back in the car, it was getting close to lunch time in Spain (you eat when you're hungry, usually 2-4pm!).  In our mis-directed drive, we saw another little village that looked pretty so we went there....Bolnuevo.  It was a quiet tiny town - we drove through, stopped for an amazing photo (see below) and continued on a search for a place to eat.  Hmm, I remember another town, not too far that looked like a possibility.  This time, instead of the motorway, we took a local road...oh-my-goodness: we were driving up and over the mountains, curving and climbing and descending over and over again; seldom a car was seen.  It was unbelievable, what an amazing surprise.

Bolnuevo

Finally we did make it to our second spontaneous destination, Aguilas.  The promenade was humming!  Diners were making the most of the outdoor cafes and restaurants to enjoy the warm sun, gentle breeze and fantastic views over the wide (empty) beach and onto the sparkling sea.  We enjoyed a delightful lunch, with wine, for 10Euros each  ($12).  The view was mesmerizing and we sat there for quite a long time before we thought to get up and walk along the beach....

During the drive home, we couldn't believe what a fantastic day we had - and all on a spontaneous decision!  There is so much we've yet to explore in Spain, but we're going to give it one heck of a try!     I hope that some of my writings will inspire you to come visit Spain...it really is a most wonderful country and the greatest asset is her people!
Camille

Romans Invade Cartagena, Spain!

Cartagena, Spain..... lovely Spanish city on the Mediterranean coast blessed with countless days of sunshine, surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland, warm and friendly people, delicious cuisine that is always paired with refreshing wines or beers....and then the Romans invaded.

Yes, invaded, not just centuries ago but just 2 weeks ago!

The city of Cartagena every year re-enacts the arrival of the Romans, the marriage of Hannibal, the battle against the native Cartagineses and parades of victory.  I was lucky enough to have watched the parade, front row seats at a reserved table at a local Cervecerria Surena.  Friends and I had the best seats, watching the parade while sipping on either beers or wine.  It was unreal to be in 2015 but it could have been 209 BC!

The festivities go on for 10 days, various events taking place each day.  There are activities for children, performances by the local dance school, musicians filling the September air with wonderful melodies and the locals (from babies to grandparents) are in character: magnificent costumes from footwear to head gear, spears and whips, flowing capes and gowns and more.  Babies born during the year are "registered" in an elaborate ceremony where the baby is presented to the emperor as a new citizen of Rome.  The baby, carried by proud parents, accompanied by even more proud grandparents, is "thumbprinted" on a piece of parchment and then held high for the audience to see and the cheering  crowd welcomes its newest citizen.  Candy is then tossed into the audience - mind you, the children in the audience scramble for every piece!

Think how exciting it would be if one of the many cruise ships arrived to the port (right in town) and the passengers were able to experience this - it would be the best free shore excursion ever!!  Maybe next year, I'll see you there!

In the meantime, hard to imagine how elaborate this is, so here are a string of my videos and photos.

Camille

Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg was the midpoint of our cruise; it was a port stop to visit and for the ship to re-stock and do some housekeeping of sorts.  At this dock we were tethering up to one of the Scenic River Cruise ships.  We were watching from our balcony and greeted the passengers in their cabin as we approached them.  They were disappointed that they could not go any further on their trip because of the river's low water.  We mentioned that our cruise was moving forward: our Captain would either navigate very carefully or, the Avalon River Cruise had another ship on the other side of Regensburg; if we could not cruise on, then passengers aboard the two Avalon River ships would be bussed, switched and transferred.  Regardless, Avalon River Cruises had options to keep the passengers continuing on with the cruise one way or another.  (With so many Avalon ships cruising, it was a brilliant idea to swap ships should it be needed.)  Our Captain moved forward with our cruise.  We felt one or two instances where the ship gently kissed the river bed, but we safely, calmly and happily continued on.  The following day we passed the Avalon ship that we almost boarded and waved to our fellow travelers as they cruised towards their end destination of Budapest.  Thank you Avalon, that you Captain!

I took only a few photos of Regensburg, there was so much renovation and restoration work being done, it wasn't easy to navigate the streets and enjoy what charm the city had to offer.  While there was no tour needed for Regensburg, the cruise did provide (complimentary) for passengers to enjoy sausages and beer at one of the riverside establishments...we headed back to the ship to relax and enjoy a great lunch aboard prepared by our incredible chef.  The food was superb at each and every meal.  Thank you, chef!

Passau, Germany

Passau was an adorable town to visit; we arrived on a Sunday and, while many of the shops were closed, there was no shortage of restaurants and cafes to drop in and the grand church was open to visitors.    A short walking tour was offered and we joined the group for a little bit of Passau history.  Afterwards, some fellow passengers and I continued our walk to the pedestrian-only area, peering into shop windows then taking the time to sit at an outdoor cafe.  We ordered refreshments and watched the passersby; families with strollers, friends out for the day, couples possibly relaxing after a busy Saturday night.  But one older couple caught my eye:  She in her beautiful dirndl (typical southern German dress) and he in lederhosen.  No fanfare, no staring, just life and living as it should be.

The next day we were scheduled to be in Regensburg, but Mother Nature had other ideas....the river was low, and there was a chance we'd not move forward...but until the Captain and officials at Avalon Cruises made a decision, we'd dock overnight at a nearby village and enjoy another spectacular evening aboard.

With still no decision made the following morning, a trio of buses were brought to the ship for another day in Passau.  While some excursions were cancelled (and refunded), others we offered (at no expense).  We opted for another day in Passau; it was so nice to stroll and wanted another chance to explore the shops!  Upon arrival back at the ship, the decision to move forward and onward was made.

Here are my photos of Passau, Germany.

Melk, Austria

Melk, Austria, in the Wachau Valley, was a day stop during an Avalon Cruise along the Danube River.

As we were gently cruising the river, out of the trees appeared a vision:  An incredible abbey!
The architecture, the detail and the embellishments were absolutely beautiful - and that was just from the river!  We took the included excursion to visit the abbey - its exterior paled in comparison to the interior.  This Benedictine Abbey, a retreat for the monks (sworn to poverty and simple living), highlights all that the Baroque style is: ornate, ornate and more ornate.  Part of the abbey is a museum featuring relics, chalices and vestments.  The dining hall rivaled any great hall of the castles of the time, and the church was so rich in detail that it was difficult to appreciate every bit of it.  We were overwhelmed upon entering the library with over 2,000 manuscripts and approximately 85,000 printed books.  (No photos were permitted!) There was a wealth of information, of history contained in those two library rooms...
(The abbey began construction in 1089 and completed in 1746.)

The warm August sun made for a spectacular day as we walked the gardens before heading back to the ship for another relaxing afternoon cruise - and a wine tasting featuring locally made wines.  A local vinter would join the ship and introduce us to delicious red and white wines as well as a delicious apricot liqueurs!  Tonight's evening meal would feature a selection of fine Austrian wines.

Enjoy the short video of the Abbey tour!

Vienna, Austria

(Vienna, Austria was a stop during an Avalon River Cruise)
Vienna is one of Europe's cultural and historic cities.  The city is a mix of new and historical buildings with no shortage of bakeries and sweet shops or concert halls.  Because the pier was a distance to the city center, we were offered the option of a narrated bus tour or take the metro.  We took the bus....and it was nice having the narration as we made our way through some very lovely parts of the city.  The remainder of the time was ours to wander about and possibly enjoy some cake and coffee.  After some time of walking, we were back on the bus headed to the ship for a rest before tonight's optional excursion - a private concert!
We knew that during the months of July and August most concert and opera performance are closed for holiday.  However, we had a rare opportunity to enjoy a private concert in a small palace.  It was incredible!  We were expecting just an evening of music, but we were surprised with additional performances by 2 operas singers and 2 ballet dancers.  It was an amazing evening and an experience not to be forgotten....and as we boarded the ship, we were handed a gift: a CD featuring the evening's musical artists.  Class Act!
Here is a snapshot of Vienna:

Safe Travels!
Camille
www.VirtualGlobalTravel.com
www.VirtualGlobalLiving.blogspot.com

Bratislava, Slovakia

(Avalon River Cruise Port Stop)
Welcome to Bratislava, Slovakia!
We arrived and docked right in the center of town - amazing to step off and be right there!  There was a bus waiting to give us a city tour with guided narration.  We made our through narrow winding streets and upwards for a birdseye view of the city and the beautiful Danube River.  Along the way, there was a bit of slow pass by of the American Embassy - it was a mini White House, columns and all!  Further along, we stop at the palatial grounds for a lovely walk and photo ops of the beautiful scenery.
Once the bus brought us back to the ship, we had the option of walking on our own or continuing on with our guide.  Our guide was delightful, so we continued on and learned a little more about Bratislava.  As the walk ended, we strolled back to the ship.  Along the way, we smiled as locals were enjoying the beautiful afternoon sipping teas, enjoying refreshing beers or  cooling down with tempting ice creams.
Back on the ship, we indulged in a few cold drinks ourselves and agreed the day had been just perfect!  But it wasn't to end there - we were treated to an onboard performance by the all female group "Bratislava, Bratislava" - and what a knock out performance they gave!  What a fantastic welcome we received in Bratislava, Slovakia!

Here is a snapshot of Bratislava:

Happy Travels!
Camille
VirtualGlobalTravel.com
VirtualGlobalLiving.blogspot.com