Travel Tips for Christmas, New Year's and Easter : 2008
Spending Christmas, New Year's, or Easter in Europe is a great way to become a temporary local - joining the church services, concerts, feasts, and gift shopping. What local traditions and special events have you enjoyed? Have you found that museums and other sights, restaurants, and stores are often closed at this time? Where are the best places to celebrate these holidays?
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Just wanted to say that after living in Montepulciano for three and a half months, what was the one book I saw every day, in the hands of tourists of different nations? At least three "Blue Bibles" made it past our appartment every day, even in October and November-- the end of tourist season! We all knew who had the "Blue Bible" and that if someone looked lost, you just point to their guide book and say "Rick Steves?" and they'll nod and you just point up the hill.
We used the books and tips to get around Spain and Italy. It is a great suppliment, but don't stick only to the "rules". Spend a few extra euros and have a good meal with your travel buddies. You'll remember tapas, not the bill.
And, if you go to little Montepulciano, don't forget to talk to the folks at Cantina Crociani-- they've been making the best Vino Nobile for years now.
Take your "Blue Bible" and reach for those European stars!
Ashley <email>
Marietta, GA USA Mon 12/08/2008
Edinburgh Festival Planning for next year
I listened to Rick Steve's radio show about Edinburgh, and they talk about how difficult it is to find accommodation during the festival. I would highly reccommend looking on websites such as www.gumtree.com for apartment ("flat") listings. A room in a flat for the duration of the festival is often no more, and sometimes less, expensive than a hotel. You also should have access to a kitchen - cooking meals is far cheaper than eating out! Also check out accommodation on the University of Edinburgh website. The advantage of this is you know what you'll get - it's clean, well maintained, etc but probably more pricey than renting elsewhere. If you go this route, I'd highly recommend Kincaid's Court if you can handle noise. It's literally 2 minutes walk from the Royal Mile and all the festival activity. If you want a more residential area, Marchmont Rd _+ surrounding is lovely. I lived on Spottiswoode Rd and had a head on view of the castle from my bedroom window. There's nothing like watching fireworks from your own bed!
Emma <email>
Edinburgh, UK Sun 09/07/2008
Stores open on Christmas
If you are out of town and need to find a store open on Christmas check out http://www.storesopenonchristmas.com - this was a Holiday save for me last year
Steve <email>
Oceanside, CA USA Sat 08/09/2008
Travel Tip
I've been on my first European holiday for two days now, but I've learned a couple tricks:
1. Don't give them pockets to pick. I decided to wear my yoga pants instead of jeans (easier to pack, less space). I also carry a day bag that has a cinch close instead of pockets and zippers.
2. Since I get cold easily, I'm wearing 2 jackets that zip up making my inside pocket harder to get to.
3. The only other thing that I've done is keep my trigger finger ready at all times. I keep my camera in my jacket pocket, but since I take so many pix (267 on the last battery charge) it's easy for me to keep one hand on it at all times.
4. This one is cheesy, but money in the bra works. I never got the money belt due to lack of planning. So I keep the big bucks in a credit card holder in my bra and my spending money for that day in a change purse in my bag.
Last note: I had a schedule for my holiday set, but once I made it to Brugge I know see why Rick likes it there so much. Peaceful, relaxing and blissfully slow paced. I like it here so much that I've changed my plan to include an extra day here!
Oh, I'm an American teaching in Germany, but I'm from Texas & Colorado.
Adrienne <email>
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse Germany Tue 02/12/2008