Highlights - Unique Accommodations part 1. — Hever Castle

Staying in unique accommodations across Europe can be a highlight of your trip! England offers myriad choices for travelers to experience the country's rich history and culture. Options range from charming thatched cottages in the countryside and traditional pubs with guest rooms to converted castles in picturesque settings. So many choices!

One of my favorites is the special, distinct experience offered at Hever Castle & Gardens. Staying at the once childhood home of Anne Boleyn, I enjoyed discovering the grounds & gardens on my own outside of the public opening hours. Waking up in the beautifully-restored Astor Wing, it was only a short walk through the morning mist to find myself surrounded by the expansive gardens, completely alone and free to explore. Wandering around the castle grounds, it was easy to imagine all the history that happended right here so many years ago!

These unique stays such as that offered at Hever Castle often provide an intimate view of local heritage and culture, allowing guests to connect with the essence of England while also enjoying modern comforts. You even receive tickets for touring the interior of the castle included with your stay! Did I mention that the rooms at Hever Castle are pure luxury with beautiful amenities and upscale services ?

Hever Castle is one example of the special places that you can find across England and other countries in Europe for unique experiences and wonderful places to rest at night. Whether you have questions and want a consultation or wish for a personalized trip planning experience, I can help you create the trip you have been dreaming about with less stress and within your budget too! Click CONTACT ME to request a find out more.

Hever Castle - solitude after hours

Summer 2024 TRIP REPORT -

Back this month from a month-long holiday in Italy, France, Belgium & Switzerland … happy to share about some of the beautiful places I visited and pass on a few travel tips. Hoping you find inspiration and fuel for your own European adventure!

Looking for more information, many more travel tips & suggestions and help planning a trip of a lifetime?

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Flying over the Italian Alps .. TIP: use the flight tracker map to see your location (plus, offline google maps sometimes will show your location even on a plane) - from the window seat you may see some very cool places from the sky!

A trip to Europe from the USA will begin with a long-haul flight. This summer I saved time & money flying on Canadian airline, AirTransat, from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO).

FLIGHT BOOKING TIPS

• consider alternative airports (I suggest no more than a 4 hour driving radius) to find less expensive fares and nonstop options, especially if you live nearest to an big international hub where there is little competition

PACKING TIPS

• know the dimensions & weight limits for the airline & airfare class you booked - even so, be prepared for surprises. My carry on bag this time was not fitting in the sizer even though it meets the published dimensions (even with measuring the handle & wheels). I was lucky that the agent had already asked me to check the bag for free, avoiding the hefty checked bag fee at the airport.

• I always print off a “luggage itinerary” with my accommodation & contact details listed for the whole trip to place inside my luggage on the off chance it could help the airline return a delayed bag to me. Also as a precaution, it could be helpful to take a picture of your bag and the contents of your bag.

• Pack a small toiletry bag with a toothbrush/paste, hand sanitizer, face wipes, loiton, lip balm and face powder can help you freshen up during or after a long flight

PARKING

• Around Toronto Pearson there are options to park “off property” for very good prices, especially for a long term stay (I parked for a whole month). I used Skyway Park this time, parking in the lot less than 10 minutes from the airport and riding the shuttle to the terminal. There are several companies that offer this type of service.

AIRPORT TIPS

• pack snacks or a meal (sandwiches work very well) to avoid paying a high airport prices and/or standing in long lines (you can bring food through security but no liquids (at this time) including things like peanut butter

• bring an empty water bottle to fill on the air-side (after security) - Toronto has water bottle filling stations while Rome FCO has drinking water in the restrooms

• Read the airport website - I learned about a NEW service available at Toronto Pearson called YYZ Express. I signed up 72 hours in advance of my departure time to secure entry to the “fast track” line for the security checkpoint. I picked a time when I expected to arrive & entered within 15 minutes of the time selected to get through security - there was no line at all.

ON A LONG-HAUL FLIGHT

There are many travel tips you can find to help make a long-haul flight more comfortable and/or fight jet lag. You can choose what works for you. Here are a few that I like:

• I generally start any movie right away then after the meal service, I take melatonin, put on an eye mask and pop in my earbuds to listen to music so that I have every chance to get as much sleep as possible. Even if sleep doesn’t come, relaxing and resting as much as possible can be helpful.

NEW in Rome - Area Sacra di Largo Argentina is open for visits!

My favorite city ROME!! - and first stop on this trip. As a very popular destination, Rome often is a centerpiece for any trip to Italy!

I have visited Rome 13 times before this year’s trip - always I find more to explore and places that draw me back like an old friend. Rome never disappoints if you know how to beat the heat and the big crowds… I found many new things to discover. Here are some highlights of this year’s trip:

• The Sacred Area of Largo Argentina - this is a NEW opening of the Roman ruins that lay beneath the street level. These ruins have been one of my favorite places since my first visit in 2009. Up until recently, you could only view from the street looking down or from the cat sanctuary that is below the street on one side. This year, I visited the newly-opened exhibit area that allowed me to wander through the ruins on walkways and visit exhibits. I was not able to purchase online tickets (the site would not take my payment method) but it did not matter since tickets were available to purchase at the ticket office when the site opened. Very easy. Highly suggested.

• At the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, I joined the NEW Papal Basilica Dome Panoramic Tour. I bought my ticket online to reserve my place on this small guided tour that goes to the terrace and then the rooftop of the basilica. The tour was very good and the views are amazing! The basilica itself is also fantastic so go early to visit the interior as well. High recommend (book online in advance).

• Paola A Trastevere Bed & Breakfast - this charming little B&B is located on the main street in Trastevere near bus, tram and taxi transportation options. Plus, you can walk easily from here to many places in the historic centre. I choose to stay here for my 3rd time because of the location but also the cute, comfortable rooms and delicious breakfast. This accommodation is only one of the many in Rome that are great choices.

• Caffe Doria Roma - For a special occasion, I booked a table for Aperitivo at this cocktail lounge inside the courtyard of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj on Via del Corso. Check it out for a lovely experience!

• Hey Guey - There are many rooftop bars in Rome. This one is at the fancy Chapter Roma hotel and serves Mexican food and drink. Very fun and fantastic views!

• Likewise, there are even more choice when it comes to eating out. Try to look for local, non-touristy locations (avoid places near the main attractions, those with guy out front hawking for customers or places with menus translated into many language or with pictures of dishes).

• Di Vita Experience - one of my favorite things to do is a food experience with a real local. You get to sample so many tastes of the local dishes and learn about the culture & food - it’s also very fun! I love the Di Vita Experience in a small group with a personalized culinary experience. https://divitaexperience.com/

Favorite morning ritual in Paris - baguette from the corner bakery!

The second stop on this trip was France.

I visited many places including Beauvais, Paris, Versailles, the Loire Valley, Normandy, Dunkirk, Disneyland Paris, Grenoble and Nice on the Cote d’Azur. Covering a lot of ground in a few weeks required several train rides and 12 days of rental car road trips.

If you have questions about traveling in France, contact me.

Here are some pictures to show some very cool places that I recommend considering for a France itinerary:

Beauvais France - the cathedrale from 1225 AD has the highest Gothic choir in the world. As you can see in this photo, there is construction going on.... it's an amazing structure in a cute town with some interesting half-timbered buildings. Beauvais is an alternative entry point to Paris. It's airport is about an hour to Paris (by bus or from the town by train). 

The Palace of Versaille Gardens - I traveled by bus from nearby Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines train station to spend the whole day exploring the palace and vast gardens at Versailles. Returning by Uber was easy and quick. I discovered a very nice B&B Hotel (a chain of hotels that I saw in many other locations as well) next to the train station in the town of Montigny-le-Bretonneux.

Behind the wheel of my car hire, I drove from Versailles to the Loire Valley. I rented an apartment in the city of Tours which makes a good home base for visiting the chateaux, small towns and wineries. Tours is also a very interesting city with many restaurants. Highlights are Vouvray, so many wine tastings in the Loire Valley, Amboise and Royal Chateau of Amboise, the tiny village of Sache, and the Abbaye Royale du Fontevraud.

It was Bastille Day when I was in Tours. I was planning on seeing the fireworks that are usually fired off the island in the city. However, I found out that this year a huge drone show was planned instead at a big park outside of town. After looking into the transport logistics to get to/from with probable crowds and late at night, I decided that watching the special TV broadcast of the Bastille Day festivities wrapped up with the Olympic torch relay and a concern at Hotel de Ville in Paris on the French channel in my apartment was a better option. It was a fantastic show and super fireworks at the Eiffel Tower!

With a rental car, there is flexibility and freedom. I had planned to drive from the Loire Valley to the Normandy coast stopping in Le Mans for lunch. Based on my mood and my husband’s interests, I changed our plans to skip past the town of Le Mans and stop at the Caen Memorial Museum instead. Google Maps is your friend!

He loved the museum while I found it interesting enough. What I did learn is that this museum is a good introduction to a visit to Normandy. A couple of hours here and then it was a very short drive into the countryside to a very tiny town on the coast, Ver-Sur-Mer, where we spent three nights in a lovely B & B called Le Mas Normand. I highly suggest considering this place as a home base if you have a rental car for a visit to Normandy (if you don’t have a rental car, I suggest looking at the nearby beautiful town of Bayeux).

A few TIPS from Normandy:

• Renting a car gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace and discover places you may otherwise miss. We loved going to the new British Memorial in Ver-Sur-Mer at sunset to see the Standing with Giants installation. While some of the roads are very small, driving is pretty easy and the roads are not crowded. Parking also was easy to find.

• In Bayeux, consider the 3 in 1 ticket a the Bayeux Tapestry Museum (this museum is closing for an extended period of time soon so check online for opening information). This combo ticket includes both the Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the Museum of Art & History of Bayeux. Both of these little museums are very interesting and not crowded. We enjoyed both for a very small upcharge.

• All around Normandy there are farms that make the delicious Calvados, a brandy made from apples. Stop for a tasting or to buy some to take home!

ROAD TRIP to Belgium

Driving to Normandy to Bruges Belgium is an all day affair. To break up the long drive, I stopped at two locations to see both the seaside town of Etretat and Dunkirk near the France-Belgium border.

A few TIPS from a short stay in Belgium:

• I stayed in a very welcoming & cute guesthouse about 10 minutes outside of Bruges. With a car, it was nice to have a peaceful place to return to after a busy day in a busy town (Bruges is very popular and gets busy, especially in the afternoon). Very quickly outside of Bruges, you are in the countryside. Our guesthouse was next door to a few farms.

• Parking outside of the walls in Bruges is easy to find. Your accommodation host can give you tips or check for parking on Google Maps!

• There are many things to see & do in Bruges. It is a fun place to explore - I found many fun things to do spontaneously, even the silly frietmuseum (which I don’t recommend unless you want a little respite from serious sight-seeing - especially skip this one on a first visit to Bruges).

• We booked a timed-entry to the church museum to see Micheangelo’s Madonna & Child sculpture. While it was not busy (only 2 other people there in the morning), I would still book online if you want to see this masterpiece.

• A boat ride on the canals looks touristy (it is!) but it is very fun and beautiful. Plus, after walking all day, a ride around the canals is quite welcome. If one company looks like they have a very long line, look around to the ones nearby. They may have no line!

A Disney Break in France

Discoveryland @ Disneyland Paris

For Disney fans, visiting Disneyland Paris is definately something you might want to consider including in your Europe holiday, especially if you are traveling with children (or the young at heart!).

One day @ Disneyland Paris is enough to see & do plenty in both parks, Disneyland Park (like Magic Kingdom) and Walt Disney Studios.

Here are a few TIPS:

• Where to stay - if you want to splurge, staying at a Disney property is a nice choice. There are perks (early entry into the parks) and you can walk to the parks easily within 15-20 minutes from most of the hotels/resorts. If you have a car, the nearby Davy Crockett Ranch is also an option. Other choices in the area are plentiful, ranging from hotels to apartment rentals. Getting to the park from the surrounding area is easy either by bus, train or car. The bus station, train station and car park are adjacent to the park entrance.

• The 2 parks at Disneyland Paris are next to each other. You simply walk from one to the other within minutes. Disney Village is also a very short walk from the park entrances.

• Expect to pass through airport-like security to get into the entrance area for both the parks and Disney Village. In the morning the line is a bit longer. After the opening hours of the parks, the line is much shorter or non-existent.

• You can reach Disneyland Paris from Paris city centre in under an hour on an RER train making a day at the parks a do-able day trip. (The opposite journey for a day trip into Paris is also easy).

• Disney World fans will find some attractions are the same but even those (ex. It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion) have differences that make the experience new and fun. There are also attractions that will be totally new because they don’t exist in other parks.

Road trip to the French Alps

Home Base - Grenoble, France

@ Paris CDG airport, we picked up our 2 adult children. This is what luggage looks like for 4 people in a mid-size SUV (minus one delayed suitcase that did not make it to Paris) ... You may spot the fan that we bought to combat the summer heat. TIP - if it's too hot b/c of poor or no AC combined with a heat wave, don't hestitate to buy a fan (ours was about 20 euro at a Carrefour in France). We "donated" it to our last accommodation... money well-spent!

Stopping for lunch is a good idea on a road trip in France. There are many rest areas with services including pretty good cafes for some snacks and drinks. You can easily fill up the gas tank here too! However, when driving over 5 hours I like to stop in a little town and have a small visit with lunch in a local restaurant. With passengers in the car who can look up information on google maps, we find out that there are good restaurant options in a small town called Auxerre that is very close to the highway. Discovering a small hidden gem is always a treat - a park along a pretty river, a delicious lunch on a patio overlooking the river and a square with a fountain, walking through small streets with medieval buildings and visiting the cathedrale that sits on the hill overlooking the whole town. A couple hours of rest in this way makes a long road trip a memorable and pleasant experience!

Grenoble, France

I learned from our 3-night stay in Grenoble, a town nestled in between mountains in the French Alps that this area is well-worth a place on any itinerary in France. The beautiful scenery only adds to the charm of this town. There are so many things to see & do in this region. Sound interesting… consider including this area on your next trip to France!

Route Napolean to the Cote d’Azur

Home Based - Nice, France

The roads from Grenoble down through the mountains to the Meditterean Sea is a beautiful drive. In the summer, the traffic around Nice was heavy but not preventing travel to our destination. Dropping off a rental car at the Nice airport was a good choice … easy to find the parking garage with car rental returns, easy drop off at Europcar, short walk to the tram station to catch transport to our accommodation (Taxis are also readily available).

On our way to Nice, we enjoyed lunch in the town of Saint Paul de Vence. The first 2 photos below are views from this small village high up in the hills.

Nice, France

On the Cote d’Azur, Nice makes a good home base to explore the area. It is well-connected by train to other towns on the coast. However, we choose to stay in Nice for our 3-night stay. There is plenty to see & do right here in town. We also were here to experience the Paris 2024 Olympics - the USA vs. Zambia women’s football game was held here in the stadium north of Nice. Very fun game!

ACCOMMODATION TIP - consider staying close to the beach south of city centre. We enjoyed our apartment that was located by a tram stop to reach the city centre, stadium and airport very easily AND within a one-block walking distance to the beach. Easy to take a swim morning, noon and night! Also plenty of grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants here and easily within reach in city centre.

TRANSPORTATION TIP - buying a ticket for the tram or buses is simple with the ticket machine at the tram stops. You can get a day pass or single tickets easily to make getting around town a breeze!

Final Week in Italy & Switzerland

Bidding farewell to our adult children who travel on to Ireland, we travel for another week by train to Genoa Italy, to Lugano, Switzerland, a stop in Milano and back to Rome & Lido di Ostia, Italy before our month-long vacation comes to an end. This week was a typical week of 100 degree F heat wave … the theme to this weather is “take it easy” and enjoy the slower pace.

TIP for longer vacations: Build in some “down time” & flexibility into your itinerary. Take time to relax and just spend time to enjoy the places you are visiting at a slower pace.

• Adjust your itinerary to match your mood and also change up your plans if the weather doesn’t cooperate (ex. I had planned a day trip to Monaco by train from Nice. Since it was very hot and quite frankly we needed some rest, we chose to stay in Nice and explore in the morning and in the evenings, taking time to nap and stay indoors during the mid-day high heat.)

• Choose your locations at the end of your trip to give you opportunities to relax. We had a hotel by a lake with a beautiful pool in Swizterland. When the temps were unexpectedly at 100 degrees F, we enjoyed time in the afternoon by the pool for aperitivo hour instead of our planned hike up a mountain. Be willing and happy to pivot to make your experience happy and enjoyable.

• Splurge a little bit at the end of your trip for special or more luxury accommodations. Deals can be found to make this a bit more affordable. Choose a place by the sea or witth a pool. Maybe a spa day sounds good to you. You could stay just one night in a fancy hotel. Some comfort and relaxation to finish a long trip can be helpful as you prepare for a long travel day on your journey home.

• Back to Europe on a return trip? Was there a favorite accommodation or hotel that you loved in the past? Consider going there again… I love the little boutique hotel, Hotel Sirenetta in Lido di Ostia. I stay here either at the start or end of a holiday in Europe when I am flying in or out of Rome FCO airport, which is almost every year (by design). It’s on the sea and a very short distance from the airport. Close enough for dinner in Rome but across from the beach! Find a place you love? Take note to return again next time!

Thanks for reading this long trip report of my month of exploring and researching some great places in Europe while enjoying some holiday time with my family.

Contact Me to talk about your dreams for traveling in Europe. Let’s start with a FREE mini-travel coaching session. I am looking forward to helping you with all of your questions and ideas to begin building your vacation!

Way Off the Beaten Path…

Tourist “hot spots” (I’m looking at you Eiffel Tower, Sistine Chapel, London Eye, etc….) are popular for good reason - there are really cool places to visit, things to do and sights to see! However, just throw a dart at a map of Europe to find a magical place “off the beaten path” where amazing experiences without crowds and high prices are waiting for you. (Contact me here to learn more about how my travel services can help you save time and probably money while building a vacation of your dreams in Europe!)

In this blog post, I hope you find some inspiration to consider adding some less well-known, but fantastic places to your European trip itinerary (but don’t worry, please don’t hesitate to include those bucket-list popular “hot spots” you have been dreaming about … Contact me here for some helpful tips & tricks to make your experience great no matter where your dreams take you - you don’t have to miss out!)

Istrian Peninsula, Croatia (2008)

So many beautiful beaches and amazing villages to explore, including Pula with an incredible Roman amphitheatre to rival Rome’s Colosseum!

Kaprun, Austria (2011)

Among the Alps, we found so much to see & do, including trekking with llamas and parasailing off the top of a mountain!

Cremona, Italy (2013)

A beautiful small town famous for Stradivarius violin-making provides an excellent home base to explore the whole region by train.

Formia, Italy (2022)

The Mediterranean Sea is dotted with small towns where you will find lovely beaches and towns with all you need for a relaxing and interesting respite from the summer heat. Live like a local for a few days… you will be so happy !

Debrecen, Hungary (2009)

Near the eastern border, we found this special town a wonderful base to explore villages and countryside. We learned so much about this amazing country!

Vouvray, France (2019)

Le Gaimont B&B in this small town was a magical haven to return to each day after exploring the endless wonders of the Loire Valley including magnificent chateaux and vineyards that produce the most delicious Vouvray wine !

Alhama de Granada, Spain (2014)

We found this charming village in Southern Spain a fantastic base to explore the region, including the beaches, Alhambra palace and the surrounding countryside. We even found a lagoon filled with flamingo and a donkey sanctuary. This village was a great place to return for a relaxing evening in the town square. So many friendly people and great food !

FRANCE - Destination Spotlight

Dreaming of a holiday in France?

France is a pretty big country, in fact the largest in Western Europe. It is almost the size of Texas! So many choices of beautiful & exciting places to visit … here are only a few highlights, to start:

• Paris, the City of Light

• Normandy - beaches, history, countryside

• Loire Valley - castles, castles, castles

• South of France - the Meditterean Sea!

• The French Alps - soaring mountains & villages

• Alsace - wine, wine and cute villages

• and many more areas with wonderful towns, villages and cities across all of France!

Below I share some fond memories & lessons learned in my travels across France from 2006 to 2023. I hope you enjoy and find inspiration for your own French adventure. Thanks for reading!

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Paris celebrates Bastille Day (2023)

2024 is an exciting year for France - in less than 2 months, the Summer Olympic Games will take place in Paris and many other locations all over the country! From the beach volleyball venue setting up shop in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the equestrian events set among the grand Versailles Palace gardens, all the preparations sound amazing!

Our family is excited to be visiting France again this year, specifically our stay in Nice to see a women’s football game, USA vs. Zambia !!

First picture of me in Paris (2006)

France will always be special - Paris was the very first place in Europe I visited way back in 2006. I’ve returned over 10 times since then to explore this pretty big country (The largest in Western Europe. It’s just shy of being as big as Texas!). Here are just a few of the many wonderful memories I have of my time in France.

Favorite Memories in France (2006 - 2023)

• French Cuisine - from the bakeries to bistros to cute cafes, there are so many culinary delights to sample. A fan favorite in my family is the humble baguette… there is nothing like walking into a French bakery with the delicious aromas of freshly baked baguettes - a daily pilgrimage to the corner bakery is a lucky way to start each day!

  A tradition for me is to bring home (yes, to the USA) baguettes from a French bakery for my father. Surprisingly if you have a flight from France, you really can get a baguette from the bakery and bring it home in your backpack to eat the following day. They fare pretty well - you can actually fold them in half! My Dad doesn’t mind the travel wear - he says they taste great. He asks me every time I go to Europe if I’m flying home from France to bring him baguettes LOL!

• Canoe Trip in Dordogne- While visiting the medieval town of Sarlet-la-Canada in the southwest of France, a relaxing day was spent paddling down a river passing by cute towns and castles.

• Monet’s House & Garden in Giverny- several visits in both Spring and Summer leave me dreaming of a stroll through Monet’s flower gardens. Just magical & inspiring ! (Contact me for tips on visiting this busy place!)

• Normandy with my Dad - My first trip to Normandy was in 2011 with my father. He is like a walking guide book, knowing seemingly everything about all things. We visited beaches and towns. A special time!

• Sleeping on Mont Saint-Michel - My first visit to this mysterious and beautiful place was in 2006. It was the best decision to spend the night on the island at Le Mere Poulard.

• Alsace - Visiting this wine region with friends was a full-filled time. Even the Tour de France was in town one day in Mulhouse.

• Father’s Day @ the Louvre - A treasured memory of spending the entire day at the Louvre with my father in 2011. Changing our plans because of an injured hip, we found ourselves exploring every corner of this massive museum in Paris (they have free wheelchair loans at the museum and a great cafe for lunch).

  While I have many more memories of my travels in France with family and friends (and solo), I will leave it here to let you start your own dreaming. What French adventures do you want to take to make memories of your own? Or maybe you are inspired to reminisce on your own travels. What are your favorite memories in France?

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LESSONS LEARNED IN FRANCE

My first trip to France in 2006 taught me some very important travel lessons. Here are a few interesting ones:

• Hold Tight to your camera (today, your phone) - we watched a guy let this girl take a picture with his phone on a boat cruise. Yep, the camera is likely still today at the bottom of the Seine. That was in 2006 long before digital back up (ex. Google Photos) … ouch.

• Don’t underestimate driving distances

  Back in 2006, it was good ‘ole paper maps. It takes a long time to drive across France as we learned traveling by car from Mont Saint Michel down to the South of France and on to Italy. Now it’s easier to use Google Maps for an estimate (just round up to get a more realistic idea of drive times).

• Don’t be afraid to re-route and change your plans

  We arrived in the city of Marseilles to find a very crowded and confusing place. Without Google Maps, we found it difficult to find our accommodation. Not entirely pleased with the idea of staying in this big city, we decided to keep driving, leaving our accommodation behind. We drove along the coast until we found a very cute little town called Six-Four les Plages where we found a room right on the beach road. Here we spent our time on the beach, eating seafood and exploring the general area. It’s OK to choose to change your plan.

• Sometimes a Multi-city (or “open jaw”) Flight solution is best

  Being newbies to long haul travel, we booked roundtrip tickets to/from Paris CDG (a good airport IMO for a first Europe trip experience). What that ended up meaning for our trip was a very long drive from Germany back to the Paris airport - just to fly home! In hindsight, we could have maximized our travel time by taking a return flight from Frankfurt. It could have meant a little more $ for the flight and/or a one-way car rental fee, depending on the flight fares and car rental company, but it sure would have been worth it to spend that whole day doing anything else in Germany rather than driving across the countryside!

• Be careful in choosing accommodations near the airport

  While it is often a good choice to stay near the airport on your final night, especially before an early morning flight - this is not always the best option. We found our choice of staying at the Paris Hilton at the Paris CDG airport for our final night to be a mistake. We discovered that the Paris CDG airport is not near anything except the airport itself. Nothing to do but rest that evening. Plus, we didn’t have enough information to let us know in advance about the added fees (internet is so much better now than it was in 2005!)… parking was 30 euro! Breakfast was 32 euro per person ! Luckily we had enough time in the morning to drive our car out to the nearest town to go to a bakery for a delicious breakfast before our flight. Sometimes it may be a better experience to stay somewhere convenient for getting to the airport but somewhere that has interesting things to do the night before, restaurants, cafes, shops etc and has a comfortable place to rest your head at night.

Thank you for reading !!

Safe Travels,

Heidi

www.europe-with-heidi.com

Spring: Europe in Bloom

Gardens, parks and green spaces all over Europe are bursting with blooms in Spring! The weather becomes warmer and the air is sweet with the scent of flowers. The months of March, April and May are perfect for visiting Europe to experience the floral show!

Contact Me to learn more - Looking forward to helping you plan - is Spring 2025 the year to make your dreams come true?

Check out some pictures from some of my spring travels. Hopefully you enjoy and maybe you will be inspired to Think Spring!

The Gardens at Versailles Palace, France (April 2016)

Blooms in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, England (April 2016)

Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands (April 2014)

Poppies blooming among the ruins, Rome, Italy (April 2014)

Daffodils in St. James Park, London, England (April 2014)

Wisteria & Hydrangea in Positano, Italy (April 2018)

Tulips on Mont Saint-Michel, France (April 2022)

Tulips in Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France (April 2022)

Paris in Bloom, France (April 2022)

Tulips in Vigne du Close Monmatre (Vineyard in Paris) April 2022

La Foce Gardens, Tuscany, Italy (April 2023)

Tulips at a local farm in Murano, Venice (April 2023)

Wisteria blooms in Venice, Italy (April 2023)

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Thanks for reading ! Safe Travels !

Destination Spotlight - ITALY part 2.

Holy Week in Italy

Many religious holidays and festivals dot the calendar of Italian life. Of these special days, participating and observing the Holy Week leading up to Easter Sunday in Italy is among my favorite, inspiring experiences.

Across the Italian penninsula and in Sicily, the Holy Week - La Settimana Santa - is observed with church services, processions, and rituals. Traditional foods and local customs vary from town to town, but all over Italy there are celebrations and feasting. The celebrations on Easter Sunday lead into the holiday of La Pasquetta (little Easter) on Monday when Italians spend time with friends, often enjoying the spring weather with an picnic in a park or out in the countryside.

As today is Palm Sunday which marks the beginning of this most Holy Week, I recall my time during Holy Week in both Amalfi (April 2018) and Florence (April 2023) - some of my favorite memories of my travels in Italy!

Amalfi April 2018

Good Friday Processional in Amalfi

Back in 2018, this is what I had to say about our experience (from my Travel Ark 2.0 blog entry Friday March 30, 2018):

“Back in the square the preparations for the processional are happening. They are placing the barricades. We park ourselves in the square to get a good view. Waiting for about an hour, we are rewarded by front row places across from the steps coming down from the cathedral. The processional begins with silence while the crucified Christ is carried out of the cathedral and down the steps through the town. Men from the community dressed in religious hooded attire carried and followed the Christ. Younger boys followed behind. Next Jesus laying on the tomb was carried down the steps as the band at the top began to play a somber song. The whole community joined the choir singing. Behind the large effigy of Jesus on the tomb came Mary, mother of Jesus, following behind. The whole town was lit by torches, lighting had been turned off. The experience moved us to tears. We are so grateful to be here in Amalfi on this special day to give thanks to our Lord for his ultimate gift. Words just cannot describe.

The processional goes all through the town to deliver the crucified Christ to another church. Then Mary returns to the cathedral.”

Thinking back to this special evening witnessing this Good Friday processional brings back powerful, emotional memories.

Easter Sunday - April 1, 2018 @ Duomo di Amalfi

Sunshine greeted Easter Morning in Amafil 2018. We attended Easter service at the Duomo di Amalfi where we were welcomed as travelers along with so many people from all over the world. While most of the mass was said in Italian, the service was familiar and touched our hearts as we celebrated the resurrection - He is risen indeed!

Inside the Duomo di Amafi - Easter Mass

Florence April 2023

Last year, I was blessed to journey to Florence on our group holiday to take part in the festivities and celebratory mass on Easter Sunday at the Duomo.

Here is what I said at the time in my travel journal blog:

“Easter Sunday in Firenze is one of the most amazing experiences in this world. The spectacular fireworkds of the Scoppio del Carro and the beautiful mass inside the Duomo to celebrate this special day… There are no words. The religious tradition dates back to the middle ages … Fire sparked by ancient stones of the Holy Sepulchre brought back in the crusades have been used to blesss the city at Easter. In the 17th century, the Bridellone “cart” used still today was created to house pyrotechnics, lit by a flying dove on a wire from the high altar out the door of the Duromo. The cart is escorted in a parade pulled by white oxen. It all is spectacular. The fireworks go on for 10 minutes as the bells ring outside. The electricity in the church and the piazza is real. Afterwards, there is an Easter mass with the chior singing beautifully in this awesome building. To be here on Easter Sunday is very special. We feel grateful to participate.”

Waiting for Easter Sunday service to begin @ Duomo in Florence

Early Easter Morning Visit to the Duomo in Florence

The fireworks as seen from inside the Duomo

As I remember these special days, I am looking forward to visiting during Holy Week again. Interested in making your own holiday memories in Italy? Let’s talk about it.

Bouna Pasqua !

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Destination Spotlight - ITALY part 1.

In this series of blog posts, you will find information about places I love and, hopefully, inspiration to fuel your European travel dreams! Let’s begin with the sought-after location (and my personal favorite), Italy.

The very first picture of me in Italy (Summer 2006) - barely into the digital camera age & long before the advent of good smartphone cameras, please forgive the poor lighting !

Quite a while ago in 2006, I began my infatuation with Italy's beautiful landscape and culture. I was lucky to travel through Europe for three weeks with my husband, spending much of that time in Italy also with my brother and sister-in-law. We had the most magical time exploring northern Italy in Piedmont, parts of Liguria, Tuscany, and Venice. We traveled independently before the internet & Google started providing the many conveniences that simplify planning and traveling - we even used paper maps for navigation!

Since then, I have returned as often as possible (16 trips to Italy so far) to explore more places up and down the Italian peninsula and across the Messina Strait to the Island of Sicily. There is something about Italy that speaks to my soul and draws me back time and time again.

Let Italy entice you to include a visit on your European travels! You may discover that the Dolce Vita speaks to you. There are many good reasons why Italy is special and remember, all roads lead to Rome!

Italy is not a large country; it is only the 72nd largest in the world, with an area of about 117 square miles. About 60 million people call Italy home, many living in the country's bigger cities, including Roma, Milano, Napoli, and Torino. While these cities and others are exciting and beautiful places to visit, over 5000 other small towns and villages are also waiting to be explored. The choice is yours!

Getting around Italy is easy - whether you rent a car, hop on a train, catch a bus, take the metro or tram, use a taxi, hire a private driver, rideshare, or simply walk around in the city centers. You will have many affordable and convenient choices. You only need to decide in which direction you want to head!

PLACES in Italy I Love

ROME - Around Italy, certain places bring me peace and calm. The place that I love the most surprised me -  Rome! I initially visited Italy’s biggest and most famous city on my third trip to Italy in 2009.  This trip was also my very first solo adventure in Europe. Traveling alone, I discovered much and fell instantly in love with the Eternal City. Something about Rome felt to me like home. While this love for Rome is quite personal, I believe there is something unique to appreciate and experience for everyone. The key is to explore off the beaten path and discover the real Rome away from the frequented tourist sites. While tourists flock to the main sights to see (think the Vatican Museum, the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, etc.) for good reason, the whole of Rome cannot be summarized or understood by only these places. I suggest you see all the top sights on your wish list but also explore the other places in Rome where you can have a Roman experience away from the crowds and tourist traps. I would be happy to share more with you and connect you to locals who can make your time in Rome memorable and tailored to your desired experiences.

One of my favorite places in Rome, Largo di Torre Argentina where ancient Roman ruins of temples, Pompey’s Theatre and a cat sanctuary are below street level.

The Sea - Beautiful waters surround three sides of Italy. You will find the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas on the western coast, with stunning blue waters and sandy or rocky beaches. There are miles and miles and miles of Italian coast to explore - from the northern Italian Riveria to the famous Cinque Terre to the Tuscan coast and archipelago, from the Lazio beaches near Rome to the Bay of Naples in Campania and the Amalfi coast and down to Sicily - numerous choices exist on this wonderous stretch of coast. The eastern coast, flanked by the Adriatic Sea, is equally as welcoming for some time near the water.

In recent years, I have found myself looking forward to returning to a small town on the beach - technically part of the metropolitan area of Rome - Lido di Ostia. Not a fancy or pretentious beach resort town but a lived-in, local beach escape perfect for a relaxing stay at the start of a trip (a great place to get over jet lag) or a nice place to end a trip before the long-haul flight back home (close and convenient to the Rome FCO airport). Whatever the reason to visit, the beaches and town filled with shops, cafes, and beach restaurants - not to mention the world-class archeological site of Ostia Antica, easily accessible by train or taxi -  is a welcome addition to any Italian vacation itinerary—one of my favorite places for a relaxed swim and aperitivo on the beach.

Lido di Ostia - beach establishments are plentiful as are beach bar restaurants and a public, free beach too!

Aperol Spritz - always nice & refreshing!

Small towns & villages

Some of my other favorite places in Italy are small towns or villages far off the tourist path. Even locals sometimes wonder why these places have landed on my travel itinerary. Finding these little places to visit has rich rewards - not only in the lack of crowds but in the beautiful places to wander, people to meet, local food to taste, culture to experience, and more -  much more.

Pozzuoli - This port town is an example of one such gem. Located in the Campi Flegrei, near the Bay of Napoli, I have spent a few nights here as a home base to explore this area. It lies near the Parco Sommerso di Baia, where I had my eye on a snorkeling excursion amidst the sunken ancient Roman ruins. Neither my time in the beautiful water nor the days I spent exploring Pozzuoli disappointed me. This delightful town includes a Roman amphitheater from the 1st century AD (think Colloseum) and a fantastic Cathedral on top of the Rione Terra (underground Roman ruins of the city, including an ancient Roman temple). In addition to seeing some incredible sights, the shopping, local food, and culture in Pozzuoi were a special treat.

While I have special memories of so many other little towns & villages, I will save more for the next blog post in this series. Also, I look forward to sharing my experiences with many of you as we plan your memorable vacations!

Ruins of an ancient Roman public market in the town of Pozzuoli.

Me snorkeling (or trying to) above the underwater archeological park in Baia.

I hope this blog article has piqued or renewed your interest in traveling through Italy. What questions do you have? Contact me

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Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts. Safe and happy travels to you!!

Time to Travel

When is a good time to travel to Europe ?

Checking out the time @ Musee D’Orsay in Paris, France

The answer to this common question will be unique to your life situation and travel dreams. For everyone though, I always suggest to travel whenever you can … you may read about the “best time” to travel to various locations based on the high season vs low season, etc. However, I think that the best time is actually whenever it is possible in your life !

If you have flexibility to choose, great! If you are limited by life (ex. work or school schedule), then don’t let what others say is “best” give you pause - simply make the best of when your schedule allows for travel. You absolutely can have a great trip to Europe any time of year - you only need a bit of patience and careful planning to make choices that will create your “trip of a lifetime”!

There will always be factors you cannot control. One of them is the season or weather… It would be a shame to let these things hold you back!

Weather has been a factor in several of my trips to Europe. Heat waves are common in the summer months - I’ve sweated through my fair share of extreme heat above 100 F. The key to traveling is to expect that you will need to adapt to the weather.

Too hot outside ?

Plan to get out early in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temps. Go inside to hide from the sun during the mid-day - I love to return to my apartment for an afternoon nap and possibly a second shower before heading back out in late afternoon or evening to explore more when the temperatures drop a bit.

The degree of heat is relative to the location. Highs in near 90 F in Sicily? no one even seems to notice - very normal for summertime on this sunny island. However, in Scotland I’ve heard special announcements on the public service announcement systems in train stations to warn people to drink plenty of water and keep the elderly and pets indoors when the thermometer hit 89 F !

Sweaty Day ? Head to the nearest beach like here @ Lido di Ostia, Italy to beat the heat !

A cold snap ?

Unexpected weather sometimes calls for some shopping too! One trip to France in April was so unexpectedly chilly that I now have a warm hat, a scarf and gloves - these are souvenirs that give me a smile when I wear them at home. Who expects it to be snowing when you land in Paris in April ? Well, I didn’t.

Surprise Snow @ Paris CDG Airport

If you take these surprises in stride, the weather becomes part of your travel story instead of a problem. Colder than expected? You may have a warm jacket or hoodie to take home with you. Raining? You may bring home an umbrella from Europe.

PLANNING TIPS:

If you have a choice, there are some key factors that you have the flexibility to consider as you pick your trip timeframe:

• Season - weather, hours of sunshine, etc

• Location - some places are more popular with increased crowds at certain times of year while other places are “off the beaten path” and less crowded. There are so many options that are waiting to be discovered!

• Personal “Wish List” - don’t forget to honor your preferences even if this includes places that are “popular”. NOTE: I like to do some research into popular places. Many times these are popular for very good reason and are well-worth the effort to visit. There may be tricks to make a visit more pleasant during busy times. On the other hand, sometimes, places become popular but may let you down because they are over-hyped through social media or suffer from over-tourism. A little research can help you have an idea of what to expect and make an informed decision.

Locked into a specific timeframe ? You still will have choices, especially in your destinations. Making informed decisions can help make your trip fantastic!

Does a little (or a lot) of help in planning an amazing trip in Europe sound good ? Take advantage of my experiences with travelling in Europe. Read more about my services and contact me to get started!

Travel Services

Let the Adventure Begin!

After so many years of friends and family encouraging me to take my passion for travel and skills in organizing amazing trips out there and offer personal travel planning, it was time to make it happen. I am excited to offer a range of services to share my love of traveling Europe with others.

On many of my personal vacations I have kept a travel blog. I will give you the URL here and also post on my contact page… in case you would like to read the stories of some of my real life adventures. So many amazing adventures - We learn from every experience and enjoy each moment making memories.

Travel Ark 2.0 Blog

I look forward to meeting you to talk and plan your travel experiences.

So off we go… Let’s do this together !!

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