The Sound of Salzburg Austria
The hills are alive in Salzburg Austria.
The hills are indeed alive in Salzburg and even if you’ve never seen the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, you’ll still benefit from the musical education.
Sound of Music Tours
When planning our recent trip to Salzburg, booking a theme tour was not a “to-do” item on our list, let alone a theme tour for a film that was released in 1965. I also must admit that I was unaware that the musical tale of the Trapp family was a true story, not that knowing this detail would have changed my mind about booking one of the many film tours available. However, one of the things I dearly love about travel is finding myself in the state of mind to “go with the flow,” which opens me up to more spontaneous experiences, and this is where our trip to Austria took a musical turn.
Much to my surprise and delight, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a delay in both the starting and ending dates for the annual Christmas markets throughout Austria, which means that many of them were still operational during our visit in late December and early January. It was while investigating a glass tree ornament stall that I happened to meet a fellow American killing time while waiting for new years eve festivities to begin, he revealed himself to be an ex-pat who had been living there for several years and made his living giving Sound of Music tours. It was still a couple of hours before midnight, and he graciously offered to help us pass the time by giving us the portion of his multi-hour tour which covered the area of town we were currently in.
To make a very long story somewhat shorter, we took him up on his offer and then decided to take the remaining portion of his tour a couple of days later. He had generously offered not to charge us, but we decided to pay him anyway given the extensively detailed nature and level of effort he invested into his program. We learned more information about this film/family than I may ever know about anything else on earth.
Comparing Trapp Family Tours
As mentioned above, I didn’t bother to research the differences in the many Sound of Music tours offered in Salzburg, but if you decide to go, you’ll find no shortage of these themed tours available to book. However, once you’re there, you'll probably notice that most of these tour groups all look the same, and they all occur by the busload, generally go to the same places, and all seem to focus exclusively on film facts and less on the real Trapp family story as it related to the film.
The tour we took was not one that you’ll probably find on the major tourism planning sites but is absolutely the one you should consider if you’re seeking a tour for either film fan or pop-culture reasons. My husband couldn’t remember if he had seen the film or not, but was fascinated by the factual elements of the family experience as it related to the war. You also see portions of the city that you probably would never notice or even take the trouble to go see, but that ultimately added to that coveted “off the beaten path” experience that all travelers crave but few achieve.
If you’re willing to invest in an education that doesn't require a student loan and that you wont regret in ten years, you should take a look at TrappFamilyBikeTours.com.
Hollywood Magic Meets Reality
I would be doing both you and John (the tour operator… he’s a hoot) a disservice by going into the nuts and bolts of what you’ll see on the tour, but suffice it to say that Hollywood magic and artistic license took HUGE liberties with the Trapp family story. One example I’ll give is that the Trapp family home (in the film) is a combination of multiple homes located in Salzburg as well as a set built on a sound stage in Hollywood. John, however, showed us not only the filming locations for pivotal parts of the film but also actual locations pertinent to the family. He went into great detail to separate fact from film fiction, which made for a very enriching experience.
If you’ve visited Salzburg and taken one of these theme tours, or have any specific questions, feel free to place them in the comments.
Historic Scottish Woolmill
Some Good Lookin’ Wool
As a follow-up to my post about the working sheepdogs of Leault farm and the sheep that live and are sheared there, here’s a post about the next step in the farm to product lifecycle of wool.
Knockando Wool Mill
Tucked away in the Highlands, this historical working wool mill was a delightful way to spend a few hours and finally answered some of the pesky questions (I’ve never asked) about how yarn is made. Complete with machinery in operation since the time of Queen Victoria, you’ll see and learn about what happens to wool from arrival from the farm to neatly tagged and folded in the gift-shop and many of their products are for sale online!
The Tour
A top-notch crew of volunteer tour guides conducts scheduled visits to the mill for a very reasonable rate and you can schedule and pay through the website.
In case you’re wondering, we purchased the pile of products in the last photo, two scarves, and a blanket. Fortunately for us, they shipped them for us so we didn’t have to figure out how to fit them in our luggage.
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The Working Sheepdogs of Scotland
Dogs With Jobs
Chances are good that you’ve probably seen a video or three on YouTube of border collies magically directing a herd of sheep into some sort of Christmas themed shape on a hillside somewhere, but I wanted to see them in person. After a brief google search, I was in contact with Leault Working Sheepdogs, a working sheep farm about an hour and a half from Inverness Scotland.
A family-run operation, I was more than happy to pay the small ticket price they requested to attend a demonstration of the dogs at work, a sheep being sheared, and getting to meet both a newly born lamb and some very new puppies. Information not known before our arrival, however, is that there are no bathrooms on-site and in the event of rain you can expect to get wet!
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Two Days in Denver
A Domestic Covid19 Vacation Idea
Pandemic fatigue is a very real thing and while unnecessary travel, while cases are spiking around the country, is not something I would recommend at the moment, planning a little getaway when things are a little more in hand might be just what the doctor ordered for addressing the stay at home blues.
Two Days In The Mile High City
Having not spent much time in downtown Denver in the past I was surprised to find that the downtown core is undergoing efforts at revitalizing itself. With a variety of creative little boutiques and bars, the amount of fun things to do is on the rise, making the need for a car to take you to the suburbs less and less necessary.
Le Meridian Hotel Downtown Denver
Once again utilizing our Marriot rewards, we parked ourselves in the well-located Le Meridian Hotel. With the majority of our time spent walking around downtown, we did make time to visit the rooftop bar at the hotel itself.
A Downtown Walkabout
On our second and only full-day visiting the city, we walked extensively and explored wherever our feet would take us. We grabbed brunch at this quaint historical cafe, walked by the museum of modern art, and poked around inside of union station.
The Dairy Block
The most surprising gem we stumbled upon during our time about town was The Dairy Block. Creative use of space, the project is a collection of mini restaurants, boutiques, bars, and bakeries all owned and operated by a collective investment group.
Heading Home
Our experience in the Denver Airport was great, well distanced, and made my husband and I feel safe as we traveled back home to the safety of our bubble.
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Holiday Taste of Travel
International Holiday Food At Home
Here we are, December of 2020 and the pandemic is still raging with many months still ahead of us before vaccination of the masses occurs. While some opted to cancel plans for Thanksgiving, Christmas is a much more difficult pill to swallow, so if you’re one of us that is attempting to plan for an adapted holiday, read on.
Pre-Pandemic Holiday Plans
In the Autumn of 2019, my husband and I naively hatched a plan to skip Christmas stateside and instead venture off to the land from which it came. Germany, during December, is supposed to be what holiday dreams are made of and we (along with my mother-in-law) were set on capturing some of that magic for ourselves (in the context of how long this past year has been, it feels like we were just “kids” back then).
Alas, as the months went by and winter became spring, COVID19 became a reality and so did the logistical nightmare of attempting international travel. Not yet aware of the duration of the waking nightmare that has been the pandemic, we scaled back our travel aspirations for a much more modest trip to visit family in the southwest, however, that too was nixed as the months drew on and cases continued to rise.
Pandemic Holiday Comfort
One of my motivations for visiting Germany is to reconnect with my German heritage, being just a fourth-generation American, but with no tradition handed down due to German American sentiment at the time at which my family immigrated. I had grand plans to visiting German Christmas Markets and packing my bags with the traditional decor to fill my home for years to come, but that too will have to wait. Instead, I’ve turned my attention to making some traditional European holiday treats and Germany is at the top of my list!
Meet The Christstollen
I’ve seen these loaves of bread during the holidays, identifiable by their powder sugar-coated crusts, but never knew what they were until I started researching iconic German holiday foods. The Christollen comes in an array of flavors and traditionally varies from region to region across Germany. I, however, have set my sights on perfecting the variety that comes from Dresden because it's filled with dried berries, candied citrus peels, and almonds soaked in rum, as well as marzipan and again coated in the iconic powdered sugar.
I failed royally at documenting the process of making my first batch of this tasty treat, but because of the amount of time it took, start to finish, it was 11:30 PM and I was just trying to get to bed. Having failed to take a picture of the finished product before I had packaged up three of my four loaves, having already cut into the one remaining (you know, to check for poison like any self-respecting baker would do), I hope you'll forgive the after the fact nature of the photo I'm using for this post.
P.S. It was delicious.
Lessons Learned
It can take longer than stated on the recipe, so allow for more time.
The directions in the recipe I followed were confusing concerning incorporating the marzipan, so when in doubt, study the photos!
One batch is intended to divide in half, but if you quarter it, you get great mini loaves that are ideal as gifts!
To try the recipe I used (I will use it again) follow this link.
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Scottish Highland Distilleries
Share With The Angels
Brown liquor is as varied as the people that drink them and when visiting a part of the world that’s known for something as popular as Scotch Whiskey, you owe it to yourself to devote at least a little bit of time to exploring it in its motherland.
Distillery Tours
Not a scotch lover myself, I do enjoy bourbon whiskey and am 100% on board with learning how to appreciate something other than my regular and more familiar go-to’s. That said, do yourself a favor the next time you’re in Scotland and visit at LEAST one but more like two or three distilleries and experience the variety of scotch being produced there.
With that in mind, we would have loved to have visited more than what we did but only had time for one full tour, but we visited four of them and either did tastings or just visited the gift shops and onsite museums.
Oban Distillery
Nestled within the seaside community of Oban in county Argyle on the west coast of Scotland, this distillery is convenient to visit if you plan to venture over the Inner Hebrides islands because Oban is one of the primary ferry port towns.
Be sure to reserve your tour in advance if that’s what you want to do, we didn’t and were only able to visit the showroom.
Tobermory Distillery
This little distillery was my favorite scotch experience because of the quaint setting. The village of Tobermory is located on the northern tip of the island of Mull, which will require you to take a ferry from Oban, but the extra effort is well worth it (for more on the Isle of Mull, click HERE). Bonus, the scotch made at this distillery (called LeDaig) is not available in the United States, so take the opportunity to try something new!
Glen Ord Distillery
Moving further north into the Highlands is the Glen Ord Distillery best known for making Singleton Scotch. We chose to do a proper tour here and we had a wonderful experience! I would definitely recommend booking this tour in advance.
Glenlivet Distillery
For our final “wee” dash of scotch exploration, we paid a visit to the tasting room for Glenlivet because it’s a favorite of my father-in-law. Probably the most elaborate showroom of all the distilleries we visited, you can even get a meal in their onsite cafe. There’s a large amount of merchandise and bottles available to purchase here, so did a little Christmas shopping while there.
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A Mental Escape To The Chateau
The Mental Escape We All Need
If there’s anything that most people can agree on these days it’s that we’ve all watched a LOT of television since being stuck in our homes due to the pandemic. With that in mind, if you’re like me and have already burned through all of the more obvious candidates for bingeing, you may need suggestions for that infamous “show hole.”
Image from IMDB
The Premis
Featuring retired Lt. Col. Dick Strawbridge, his wife Angel Adoree, and their two small children, trade-in their two-bed apartment in Essex for a dilapidated 19th-century French chateau. Watch as they utilize a limited budget to renovate 45 rooms, improve twelve acres of land and a medieval moat, as they attempt to create a beautiful venue for weddings and events.
Why you’ll LOVE it
I’m totally biased having also gotten married just a few short miles from the location of this particular chateau (check it out HERE), but this program is not only set in a dreamy landscape, but it’s also full of possibility that is sorely lacking in our lives at the moment. A bonus for me is that Dick is hilarious and Angel has me feeling the itch to make stuff that I have business attempting to stuff inside my small condo. The moral of the story is that if you need a mental break and are already caught up on The Great British Bake Off, check out this show. I watch it on the Peacock App (it’s free), but it’s also available on YouTube, I’m putting the first episode for you to sample in this post
You can also follow a long on Facebook for more details!
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GlenCoe And Epic Scottish Views
Cinematic Magic
You may not realize it, but you’ve probably seen this famous glen more times than you can count. Braveheart, Skyfall, Rob Roy, and Monty Python And The Holy Grail, just to name a few, all contain footage of this epic landscape.
The result of a glacier and volcanic activity, GlenCoe (a UNESCO world heritage site) is breathtaking and coupled with the Scottish “Right To Roam” laws, a hiker’s dream. We, however, did not have nearly as much time as could have easily been spent walking through this beautiful place, but we were not left in want. We parked our car and explored the trails near the Three Sisters, overlooked by Ben Nevis.
A Dark Past
Like most places in Scotland, GlenCoe was also the site of terrible violence. In the late 1600s, 30 members of the MacDonald clan were murdered in their sleep by members of the Campbell clan whom they had been hosting as their guests. It’s a fascinating and tragic story and you can learn more about it here.
Not to be missed!
If you find that your time in this area is a little stretched and you don’t have time to hike around this area, I would urge you to at least take a beyond scenic drive through it, I took several of these photos out of the window of our moving car!
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On Horseback In The Highlands
Scottish Pony Power
Perhaps sightseeing by horseback is something that is more easily equated with a visit to a more “Americana” locale, but it’s a unique way to view the rugged terrain of the Scottish Highlands as well!
Finding an outfit that offered pony trekking in the area that would make sense for our itinerary was a bit of a challenge and while it still required us to drive an hour into the middle of nowhere to a place called “Cougie,” the experience at “Highland Trekking & Trail Riding” was well worth the trouble. We learned more about the modern culture of the Highlands from our guide than from any other resource on our trip. Information such as that in the northeastern part of the highlands often gets several feet of snow at a time during the winter months, which I never would have guessed.
Our trail guide and one of the owners, Ian.
But There’s More…
We also learned just how seriously the Scotts take climate change, which might sound like an odd subject for a trail ride, but we saw it first hand and were fortunate to have someone there that could explain it to us.
As our merry band of pony riders entered a large treeless meadow (and when I say “treeless,” I mean full on Fern Gully land rape status), I had to ask what had happened to all of the foliage. Ian explained that before starting the pony trekking business just a few years earlier, he had worked as a second-generation logger in that very area. He went on to say that while the landscape appeared to be in a bleak state, it was done for a very good reason because over many decades as timber had been cut down and replanted, the natural ecosystem had been heavily impacted by the introduction of non-native tree varieties and wildlife. To combat the shift in the Scottish ecosystem, the Scottish government decided to rip off the band-aide (so to speak) and remove everything non-native at all at once and allow only native plants and wildlife to return to the area.
‘There’s History In Them There Hills’
Another amazing story we heard as we crisscrossed the hills, was that our guide (Ian) had stumbled across an old sword in the peat moss, a claymore to be more precise. Doing some detective work, he discovered that a skirmish during the Jacobite uprising had fought in that area and was most likely left hidden in the spot where it had fallen sometime around 1745. He donated to the local historical society, but I would have had difficulty not keeping such an amazing artifact.
“Whoa Nelly…”
An unplanned excitement during our ride occurred while riding through a moor (for an explanation of this please follow the link), which was very uneven land pocked full of shallow holes and piles of peat. Toward the front of pony pack was my mother in-law, a very accomplished western style horsewoman. Unbeknownst to her, one of these shallow but wide holes suprised both her and her pony (Spyder was his name), but Spyder rose to the occasion (literally) and decided to leap over it. Sadly my mother in-law was not as prepared as Spyder was and she breathlessly toppled right off! You might think that such an event would raise a ruccus, but Ian, our faithful but seemingly unconcerned trail guide, simply shouted from the back of the group in his thick scottish accent, “ya’ll right there girlie?”
The good news is that yes, she was just fine, and had landed on a soft and spongy mound of peat moss… natures cushion.
Home Is Where The Barn Is
Bumped pride and all, we greatly enjoyed our ride in the Highlands and our time with Ian. I can’t speak for what image comes to mind when you think of Scottish Highlander, but for me, Ian was very much it. Loud, hilarious, full of stories, and a beard that still holds a wee bit of a grudge against England.
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Emily in Paris - She Should Have Stayed Home
A Netflix Review
As a self-proclaimed Francophile and fan of the series “Sex in the City,” I was elated at the announcement and release of the Netflix series Emily in Paris. Saddled with the dull-drums of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, a need for mental transportation to “other” places and distraction from the consistently negative atmosphere of the world at the moment, a visually romantic and lighthearted binge session seemed like just what the streaming doctor ordered.
All Cliche no Charm
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of romanticizing many of the historic cities of Europe by choosing to only engage with the historical aspects of the cities and culture. I want to be Audrey Hepburn in 1950's Rome, and I want to sip wine in Paris with Ernest Hemingway in the 1920s. Another reviewer of this show, stated that “Americans only want to see the Paris of 100 years ago,” and to a great extent, I agree with that sentiment and can find somewhat of a parallel in my hometown of Kansas City.
Not known for being a city of light or romance, however, Kansas City was once a hub for the cattle trade and the resulting reputation of making good barbecue, but while the cattle industry has long since left, the reputation remains. I don’t even enjoy barbecue but still must converse about it with anyone visiting the city or that I meet elsewhere after the name of the city is mentioned and I can only imagine what it must be like for a Parisian?! Anyway, I digress…
While I do have some similar criticisms of the Sex in The City series, some of the obvious story issues such as how Carrie was able to somehow fund a Manhattan lifestyle on the income of a singular weekly newspaper column, are even more glaring in the Emily in Paris series. For example, the seemingly overnight popularity and growth of her Instagram account, or the fact that this early-career person always seems to have the edge on everyone else around her. I don’t know if it was an attempt at personifying American superiority, French indifference, or what, but in my experience, if some 24 years old was continuously making me look inferior at work by touting that they had a masters degree while only having had a year or two of experience, I’d be pretty annoyed too. “Fresh perspective” is one thing, but the savior of an entire company by way of occasional Instagram posts is ludicrous.
Setting aside how I feel about the career/finance issues that have long been noticed in a variety of other successful shows such as Friends, there’s also the issue of fashion and romantic entanglement. Unlike Sex and the City, whose characters were still impossibly chic, managed to have signature styles (for the most part) just a half step between timeless and fashion-forward. Carrie being the exception, the other three characters dressed in a manner semi-reflective of both their career field as well as their level of success within it. However, Emily appears to be dressed like some sort of indulged teenager that is entirely indifferent to either the environment she is in or the message that her outfit sends. For someone that claims to be so “in the know” about what subtle messaging does for a brand, I can only assume by the way her outfits scream “petulant American teenager,” that she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Then there are the many many romances. This show (and many other shows and films like it) makes it appear that impossibly handsome Frenchmen are literally on every street corner just waiting to bump into some ridiculous American girl who has just had her heartbroken. Gag me. These characters range in their most glaring of flaws, but at the heart of it, each is entirely devoid of any meaningful personality or at the very least the desire to cast an actor capable of portraying imaginary substance. Good, Bad, or whatever, every romantic interest in this series is nothing more than just a pretty face.
My Scorecard
In conclusion, yes, I did watch the entire season of a show that I knew I hated by halfway through the first episode. Yes, the scenery, colors, conversational cadence, and predictably excellent quality of a Netflix production, was addicting. However, while some of the supporting characters may have been mildly interesting it doesn’t change the fact that the central character is a paper doll and her main love interest is devoid of any real sense of self. No matter how pretty the color of the lipstick, when on a pig, nothing will make it cuter. I give this show a solid “D” grade.
Normandy Coast Vlog Tour
History Comes Alive in Normandy
It may feel like a movie set more than a real place but I assure you that it’s like no other place you’ve been before!
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W Hotel Aspen - A Review
“A Little Place Called Aspen…” Part Two
If you read my previous post about our stay in Aspen (available HERE), this is the second installment and official review of our stay at the W Hotel in Aspen Village.
The W Hotel
I think a dream job for my husband and I both would be to visit and stay at hotels, at least hotels that put forth as much care and attention to detail as what Marriott does. From the moment we pulled up our car out front we were greeted with helpful, smiling staff, that volunteered information to questions that they knew to anticipate me asking, they make everything easy. Once inside the door, the front desk staff offered us chilled champagne and assistance with our luggage, and helped ease our transition from being “in transit” to “being on vacation.”
The Room
An advantage to loyalty member programs is the fact that when you hit certain milestones you receive hotel perks when available. In the case of this particular stay we were upgraded to a room with a “partial mountain view,” which in reality was just a peekaboo view above the roof line of the neighboring building, but sometimes can be a substantial improvement.
Outdoor Spaces
The reason for staying at the W Hotel is the combination of the rooftop and the physical proximity of the hotel to Aspen Village. The hotel offers two lovely rooftop common spaces, one offering pool/ hot tub and bar, and the other offering a more serene breakfast and cocktail environment. We made great use of the hot tub and ate breakfast in the fresh morning air each day of our stay and if afternoon treats are more your style, you’ll love the super cute little ice cream stand out front!
In conclusion
Aspen is a must and if you’ve got points, I recommend the W for quality and location but would still be open to staying elsewhere on future trips back.
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The Jacobite Train Goes To Hogwarts
A Roundtrip Thrill Ride
I know you’ve been waiting on the edge of your seat for my much-teased post about my ride on the Jacobite train, and the wait is finally over!
Fort William
Made famous as in the Harry Potter films as the train that carries all of the young wizarding students from the magical Platform 9 3/4 in Kingscross station in London to Hogwarts, the Hogwarts Express is a beautiful steam train that travels between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands. Operating only part of the year and just twice daily, getting a ticket on the Jacobite train can be difficult considering that the two seated cars train has a very limited number of seats.
While planning our trip to Scotland this was one of the very first activities I looked into after purchasing our flights, which wasn’t a moment too soon. Three months before the date that would make sense for us to ride this train, there were not three seats (together or separate) available round-trip in either first or second class.
Something to keep in mind is that the cars which you would have seen in the films are the first-class cars, and while the second class is charming and nice, the first-class is what my fellow Potter-Heads are going to want.
However, determined to chase down every possible option, I discovered that a more modern commuter train also shares the same tracks as the Jacobite, so I was able to book three one way tickets on the Jacobite and three one way tickets on the modern train (this was also a massive cost-saver).
Something else to know when you arrive at Fort William station is that parking is a bit of a nightmare so be sure to arrive early enough to allow time to wait for a parking spot.
All Aboard!
As I mentioned above, there are just two cars with seating and three kinds of seating between them. Also mentioned above is that the seating shown in the Harry Potter films is what is only available in the first-class cars, and the two first-class cars owned by the rail company do differ slightly meaning that the actual car used in the movie might not be the one you get to ride in. However, you’ve got a 50/50 chance, and no matter what it’s going to feel special because some of the details shown in the film were digitally added and were never part of the train, to begin with.
First-Class on The Jacobite Train
In the first-class car, there are private cabins such as what Harry and his friends traveled in on the train, while the other two kinds of seating options are beautiful armchairs with tables and include tea service. This option comes as a non-facing and facing option (you can look into the face from sitting across from you, or not).
Second-Class On The Jacobite Train
As was the case in first-class, there are a couple of different seating options in the second car. There are seats that face forward, and there are seats that face each other. We purchased tickets that face each other with a table. Before you feel too disappointed about not being in first-class, you should know that the second-class car is still a historical car but has been retrofitted with modern seats and tables. Additionally, you still get the option to purchase tea and snacks prior to your ride, or from the concessions counter.
Other Things To Know About the Jacobite Train
Bathrooms
This was something that I never found an answer to prior to our ride, but yes, there is a bathroom between the cars, which they both lock and unlock during certain stretches of the journey.
Merchandise
There are exactly three cars in addition to the Engine and Coal car that make up the Jacobite train, the first of these additional three being the First-Class car, followed by the Second-Class car, and then the gift and concessions car. The gift stand sells both Harry-Potter merchandise and themed candies, but they also sell a limited selection of Jacobite Train collectors merchandise.
The Train Route
Taking off from Fort William, the Jacobite makes one stop at Glenfinnan Station before terminating at the end of the line in Mallaig.
Glenfinnan Station
Probably about 20 minutes is the approximate amount of time you’ll spend at this historical station. It’s just a small little place, but a great time to stretch your legs and take some pictures.
Glenfinnan Viaduct Photography
Beautiful by any observer but extra special for Harry Potter fans, the Glenfinnan viaduct is part of the iconic journey to Hogwarts, getting a photo is coveted and can be achieved with preparation. Here are the questions I had before I attempted to get the photo, as well as the answers that no one could give me.
Q. I want to be able to take a picture of the front of the train while going over the viaduct, so what side of the car should I be sitting on?
A. Technically you’ll want to be facing south, but the reality is that it’s not possible to choose your seats in advance and be able to know which way the car will be oriented, so don’t prioritize this.
Q. What point on the train gives you the best angle for taking the best picture?
A. Because the train will be on a curve, the further away from the engine you get, the better and more apparent that “bend” will be. The first-class car is closest to the engine, but taking a picture from the first-class car will be the least ideal. I took my photo from the space between the first and second class cars, and while I didn’t have to compete for window space at the crucial moment, the vantage point would have been much better from the back of the second class car, or the window space between the second-class car and the next further back car.
Q. When should I be ready to take the picture?
I couldn’t get any information about when the viaduct would come into play during our ride, so I stood at the designated spot that I staked out for nearly an hour before we arrived at the viaduct. Sit down, enjoy your ride, and after about 30-40 min, go find your spot to take your photo. The viaduct is a large clear area and you’ll see it coming. Also, everyone is going to be sticking their phones out the window to snap a pic at the key moment, but it takes long enough to go over the viaduct to allow for several shots to be taken and then allow others to take theirs…. share the space to cut down on the number of other phones you see in your pictures. Also, you’ll go over the viaduct right before you stop at the Glenfinnan station when heading west.
What To Do In Mallaig
First of all, there’s very little to do here and you’ll need to be prepared to kill some time before you make your return trip to Fort William. There’s a small art gallery that we enjoyed but spent WAY more time in than we would have done if there had been other things to do, but as was the case at the time, the alternatives where a small grocery store, an itty bitty Harry Potter themed alley shop called Hagrids hut (or something like that), an outdoor outfitter shop, coffee shop, and one small lunch place right by the train station. Visit all of those places and you’ll probably still be watching the clock until it’s time to get back on the train.
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Top 10 Reasons To Visit Vietnam
My Highlights From Vietnam
We visited in early January, so the weather had both an impact on the activities we were able to do, as well as our enjoyment of those activities.
#1 - Street Food Tour
There’s no shortage of street food tours available on TripAdvisor and Viator, and there’s no need to spend more than $40 per person (on the VERY high side) to have an amazing experience. For more about our experience in Hanoi, click HERE.
#2 - Hoa Lo Prison
Part of going to a place like Vietnam is learning about not just the history of the country, but also the impact that our country has played on it. A visit to Hoa Lo prison is covered in another post HERE.
#3 Dong Xuan Market - Hanoi
Dong Xuan Market is housed within a four-story Soviet-style building on the northern edge of Hanoi Old Quarter. If you discover that you may not have packed a sweater or a pair of shorts, you’ll have no shortage of options here!
#4 Egg Coffee
Trust me, you want to try this odd beverage while you’re here!
#5 Location
A great advantage of Hanoi is lower humidity than what you’ll find in the south, but when flying into Hanoi you’re also very well poised for multiple side trips to either the coast or to the mountains! We so badly wanted to visit Sapa but the weather was not ideal in January.
#6 Ha Long Bay
Just a few short hours by bus or private car from Hanoi, Ha Long Bay is a beautiful UNESCO site that you don’t want to miss! Read more about our experience HERE.
#7 Custom Tailoring
If you find yourself in central Vietnam with at least three days available to you, you should get some custom clothes made! Read more about my experience HERE.
Aspen Summer Break
“A Little Place Called Aspen”
In this episode of “I have to get out of town but can’t go overseas because of COVID,” we’re visiting the crown jewel of Colorado luxury destinations, a little place called Aspen.
Taking just a week away to visit Colorado, we spent three nights and four days in what is my new favorite Colorado summer destination, but here are a few things you should know.
Getting There
There are a few different ways that you can get to Aspen, however the most obvious is to fly directly into Aspen, or to fly into Denver and then drive the rest of the way… I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a nice view while in the car? A less obvious alternative is horseback, but that might have been preferable to what happened to us.
We chose to fly into Denver, rent a car, and then drive the brief 3.5 hours west to Aspen. It was an easy drive, scenic, and validated our choice to save on flight cost by going into Denver rather than Aspen. That was at least until it was time to go back to Denver, in which case the Colorado wildfires and a couple of jack-knifed tractor-trailers forced the closure of I-70, sending us way out of our way with a nearly nine-hour drive.
The moral of the story, cheaper isn’t always better, so drive Colorado at your own risk.
Stay
We’re big fans of utilizing hotel loyalty programs and with multiple Marriott concept hotels to choose from, we opted to stay at the W Aspen. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the location was perfectly walkable to everything in Aspen Village, and the amenities were excellent. I’ll share more about our experience at the W in another post.
Another hotel option that landed on our radar once we arrived, however, was the Hotel Jerome. While we did not see any of the rooms at this historical hotel, the lobby was next level. We did get drinks and some bites at the outdoor dining concept for the hotel.
Experience
With just three days in the Aspen area, I had to make an effort not to overschedule us as I’m known to do, so I wanted to pick a singular activity that would be memorable and fun for both of us. I chose Stand-up Paddle-boarding (SUP) at North Star Nature Preserve just outside of town. That said, due to a drought in Colorado, the water is very low, and use is somewhat restricted, but we still very much enjoyed the experience!
Shop
Hello, vacation! I’ll be the first to admit that Aspen is not what I would consider being a “budget” destination, although you can be frugal. Part of what I loved about Aspen was the high-end shopping experience that I don’t have back home, so you might say that window shopping is a favored leisure activity for me. That said, there are a variety of stores and if you look hard enough you might still find some solid gold nugget deals. I purchased a vintage suede jacket that I found at an antique store, and also splurged a little bit and got a custom Stetson hat from Kemo Sabe.
Eat
Come hungry and leave happy by taking advantage of the diverse food scene in Aspen. Since we're not made of money and in the interest of being frugal, we utilized a daily dining credit at our hotel which we used for breakfasts in exchange for declining housekeeping service, this saved us about $50 per day.
For lunches, we mainly stuck to budget-friendly sandwich shops and gastropubs, but what would a vacation be without the occasional spendy evening out? Not frugal by any measure, but worth every penny, we did treat ourselves at a French Pan-American restaurant called Betula. With a romantic/modern vibe, Betula is a great option for special occasions or date nights and is the perfect option for dinner or dessert and a nightcap, I highly recommend it!
Tips & Summary
Of the things I wish had known or done differently concerning the planning of our weekend getaway to this destination, I present you with the following list:
Don’t be cheap - Fly into the Aspen airport and save yourself time and potential driving headaches
Don’t rent a car - You do not need a car if staying in Aspen village and parking is both limited and expensive (particularly during the winter ski season)
Leave your nice high heels at home ladies - The brick roads and walkways will murder the material and caps of your more delicate spiked heels
Expect to pay 20% or more for everything, because it’s Aspen
Give yourself time to relax and take in the scene - Aspen was made for people watching so give yourself time to get bored of sitting at sidewalk cafes or in the hot tub while taking in the mountain views!
Questions or comments? Leave me a note below!
Paris And The Loire Valley Vlog
France Is For Friends
Spend a few days in Paris with friends and family before heading south to the Loire Valley for a backyard wedding!
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note below!
A Weekend Escape To Springfield
Vacation Close To Home
When you don’t have a ton of time or can’t afford to go very far, consider a weekend in exotic southwest Missouri, more specifically, Springfield Missouri.
Where To Stay
Hands down the Vandivort is the place to stay for a great change of pace! For a full review of the Vandivort Hotel, see my other post HERE.
Where To Eat
One of the best parts of vacationing is eating at new places and Springfield has a fantastic mix of startups, established eateries, and everything in between.
Starting with breakfast, here are two great options worth checking out that fall on different ends of the ambiance spectrum.
Gailey’s Breakfast Cafe
Located downtown and across the street from the Vandivort, Gailey’s has traditional breakfast foods served up in a classic Americana diner, the coffee is good and biscuits are warm, but you might want to call ahead as the wait for a table can get pretty long.
2. Tea Bar & Bites
This place is as cute as a button and is tucked away in the charming Raintree neighborhood (not far from downtown by car). Despite a limited rotating menu, this place will NOT disappoint, but get there early as seating is limited and the pastry items sell out fast!
3. Rountree
Located at the intersection of Pickwick Avenue and Cherry Street is a collection of eateries and taverns so tasty that you may find yourself going back day after day. With at least eight different places to choose from, this is a great option for anyone wanting a variety of different things to eat ranging from kimchi fries to kombucha.
4. The Cow’s Pajamas
This mobile frozen treat vendor is cute as a button, and while they do move around, we paid them a visit at the Route 66 Food Truck Park which was definitely worth a stop on its own!
5. Cafe Cusco
This delightfully colorful Peruvian inspired eatery will have you feeling like you’re a jet setter!
What To-Do
Having been built since I finished college, I’d never taken the time to visit the Wonders of Wildlife on any of my return visits to Springfield, but this being more of a mini-vacation made it feel like the time to go.
In Closing
There are a thousand other little things I could suggest, but at the end of the day, I have to bring this post to a close. With this in mind please feel free to ask questions in the comments below or shoot me an email!
Granada Spain Vlog
Take An Alhambra Tour
It’s a long video, but it’s the next best thing to actually going yourself!
Oban The Gateway To The Isles
Tour Argyll and Spend Time By The Sea
If you’re planning to do a semi thorough tour of the Highlands, a visit to the county of Argyle should be on your list for several reasons.
An Itinerary
We chose to rent a car and drive from Edinburgh to Oban and make a few roadsides stops along the way, but we didn’t anticipate the slowness of the roads in comparison with the more direct interstate system that we have in the United States. Knowing what I know now, here is what I would suggest as a better alternative:
Pick up your rental car in Edinburgh first thing in the morning
Stop at Helix Park and check out the Kelpies
Stop in Stirling and tour Stirling Castle (which closes in the late afternoon)
Drive through The Trossachs National Park and catch a glimpse of Loch Lomond
Then call it quits for the day and hunker down in a nice little B&B for the night
Continue the journey the next morning and make your first stop at Inveraray Castle and take a tour of the home still occupied by the Duke and Duchess of Argyll
Complete the remaining distance to Oban during the daylight and in time for dinner (things close early there).
Plan to use Oban as a base for island hopping, and be sure to book your island ferry tours WELL in advance of your arrival. The only island we were able to book standby tickets for was the Isle of Mull, but we waited until the day before we wanted to go, to attempt booking the tickets. I recommend that you look into visiting:
Mull
Iona
Staffa
Where To Stay
There is no shortage of B&B’s or other small hotels here, but you’ll not find much in the way of larger chains. However, the Oban Bay Hotel is part of a small, local chain of hotels, and is ideally located on the water’s edge. Dripping with Victorian charm, the hotel common areas had been recently renovated to a very comfortable and charming standard, while other areas of the hotel were still closed (as of the time that we stayed in May of 2019) for renovation. That said, while we were very excited that they offered a small number of family-style rooms that were a lifesaver on our budget, the room was very basic, the carpet was threadbare, and the water in the shower was either ice cold or melt your face off hot. I would suspect that room renovation was probably on the “to-do” list for them and if so, would stay here again.
What To Do in Oban
As mentioned previously, there’s not a whole lot to do here, and most of the shops were very touristy. However the town is not without charm, and we never did take advantage of two of its main attractions. The most famous being McCaig’s Tower, an unfinished project resembling a Roman Colosseum. The second attraction, which we didn’t even realize was there until we were about to leave, was Dunollie Castle, which is a castle ruin overlooking the water and is open to the public.
We did, however, pay a visit to the Oban Distillery, which is both interesting and relatively unique among the plethora of distilleries in Scotland.
The Show Must Go On
Our time in Oban marked the half-way point of our time in Scotland, so there’s lots more to come as we continue our journey north, up the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.
Questions or Comments? Leave me a note below.
A Little SoHo in SoMo
The Vandivort Hotel Does Springfield Proud
Whatever you might think about southwest Missouri or towns like it, first-class boutique hotels probably don’t factor into your opinion, that might need to change.
With many folks making heavy revisions to their summer travel plans such as replacing a trip to Greece with something closer to home, now is the time to take a look at cities that have largely flown below the travel seekers radar. Springfield Missouri, home of Missouri State University, the birthplace of the comedic geniuses behind the viral “Instagram Husbands” video, and headquarters of Bass Pro is also home to a first-class boutique hotel called the “Vandivort.”
Boutique or Bust
2020 has been a year of disappointment and much anxiety for a lot of folks and even if illness or other financial concerns haven’t factored into your daily life, the general stress of changing regulations, social limitations and political upheaval has us all feeling a need to escape our everyday routine. If you also had your summer plans dashed by COVID19, it's still possible to take a break and get out of the house, in a place you might not have previously considered.
My husband and I love to travel and typically it's to places like Paris and New York, but sometimes a night in a nice hotel is just what the doctor ordered to scratch that "travel itch.” Just a short three-hour drive from Kansas City is the third-largest city in Missouri and what I would argue is the best boutique hotel in the state.
My Hotel Review
An issue I have with many hotels is that often the lobbies and common areas are beautiful and welcoming, but then you enter your room (queue the wah-wah trombones). Generic carpet, generic wall art, bed linens that feel like they are intended to last for the long haul, and is entirely devoid of the charm seen at the hotel entrance.
The Vandivort is different, it’s been thoughtfully appointed from top to bottom and from the inside out. The flooring and lighting fixtures are designer quality, and the decoration is carefully curated. Two buildings make up the entirety of the hotel, the original building which houses “The Order,” the in-house restaurant, the main lobby, and a series of bathrooms that have a surprising life of their own.
The second building referred to as “V2,” is a new construction building that was built to the same level of charm and high-quality finish of the original and historical main hotel. The bonus space in V2 is a beautiful rooftop cocktail bar known as “Vantage.”
Having stayed three times at the Vandivort, twice in the original building, and once at V2, I’ve had the opportunity to experience three different kinds of rooms from different price points. I can say without hesitation that regardless of the room, you’ll receive a quality room with first-rate amenities. The one thing worth noting, which is in no way a criticism of the hotel, is that the location of the hotel is in the heart of downtown Springfield and is near nightlife, so be prepared for a moderate amount of noise depending on the night you stay.
Vantage Rooftop Lounge
#Vandivortbathroomselfie
As I mentioned above, the restrooms located in the main hotel lobby have something special worth mentioning. Intended or not, these individual bathroom pods have PERFECT selfie lighting which has morphed into a “must do” when visiting the Vandivort!
Big City Dreams
Don’t get me wrong, I love coming to Springfield and reconnecting with my college days, but the Vandivort is a higher class experience than what you’ll find anywhere else in Springfield. So, if you’re itching to go to New York but don’t have the time or budget to get that far, try a visit to Springfield! Stay tuned for my post about suggested things to do during your stay.