Parisians enjoying a beautiful fall day at the Jardins du Luxembourg
Destinations for Families and Travel-Newbies
Not having kids myself, I'm obviously no expert on the family aspect of traveling, so I'll leave it to my awesome readers who have kids to stop in and share their tips and experiences. I have, however, been to many destinations that struck me as just perfect for families or for those that may be new to overseas travel; laid back, low-stress destinations that would be great places to find your traveling legs before you take on some of the more challenging locations. Today I'm going to share a few of those places with you.
Destination: Salzburg, Austria
Austria is one of my favorite European countries to visit, and Salzburg and the surrounding area tops my list of great family destinations. From the medieval fortress that looms high over the city to the towering alps that surround the valley, Salzburg is a place for magnificent scenery, clean air, and quaint, quiet streets. And who can beat the fact that it was the setting for The Sound of Music? Watch the movie at home to prepare for your trip, then tour the locations when you get there. There are several organized tours that are offered, some of which can get quite boisterous and silly, with a whole busload of people singing the songs en route to each location.
For the adults, there are also excellent regional wines to be sampled, as well as several breweries (including one operated by Augustinian monks) and beer gardens. And since Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, musical performances abound. A concert up at the Festung is a one-of-a-kind experience; nothing beats listening to classical music in a great medieval hall. There are also several interesting destinations that make great day trips from Salburg, including the Eagle's Nest, which was Adolf Hitler's remote meeting place during WWII, and the salt mines in nearby Bavaria. Not to be missed is the charming town of Hallstatt, accessible only by boat and containing a fascinating ossuary, where due to the limited space in the churchyard, people were dug up after 10 years and their bones placed in the charnel house.
The view of Salzburg from the Festung Hohensalzburg
Fuel your love of all things morbid at the ossuary in Hallstatt, Austria
Copenhagen is another of my favorite European cities, and nothing sums it up better than the Danish concept of "hygge" (also written as huggelig). Though the word is translated as "coziness," it really means much more than that: it's the feeling of being in a welcoming environment with good friends, good food, and plenty of good cheer. Copenhagen is loaded with charming boutiques, snug coffee shops, and cobblestone-lined streets and alleys that bring this concept to life.
Families will enjoy visiting several nearby castles, such as Frederiksborg Palace and Helsingør Castle, the inspiration for Elsinore Castle in Hamlet. Nearby Roskilde has a magnificent cathedral as well as the outstanding Viking museum, where you can see several Viking longships that were recovered from a nearby fjord. Copenhagen, and actually all of Denmark, is also an excellent place to rent a bike and go exploring; with its bike-friendly streets and flat landscape, there's really no better way to get around than on a bike, and it's also a great way to experience something that is an integral part of Copenhagen culture.
Fall colors at Frederiskborg Palace; Hillerød, Denmark
Destination: Krakow, Poland
Krakow is a charming city, and one that is rich with history. Though stifled under Soviet oppression for decades, Krakow is now a vibrant and lively town, where the old town square is still the actual city center, rather than strictly a destination for tourists. Here among the grand buildings and shop-lined streets you'll see couples walking arm in arm, and groups of friends headed out for an evening of fun. Surrounding the heart of the city is the wooded Planty, a narrow green belt where the old city wall used to be. While in town, be sure to ask a local to tell you the story behind the bugler who plays from the tower of Saint Mary's church in the old town square.
Though the experience is sad beyond belief, a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is a must, if only to understand the scale and importance of what happened there. As most of the WWII generation grows old and passes on, it's a way for the rest of us to maintain our perspective on the horrors of war and the dangers of allowing prejudice to become policy. Though it's certainly not a "fun" activity, it's an enriching and a necessary one. I think many kids in the US could benefit by seeing something so haunting and so sobering. We have so very much that we take for granted here; Auschwitz is a monument to sadness and loss on a scale that's hard to imagine.
The Krakow old town square at night
Planning for Time Off
You already know from Part I of this series how I feel about people who use work as an excuse not to travel. Sure, you might be busy at work, and perhaps you're even quite an important person at your company. But unless you're the sole owner and operator of your business, your colleagues can hold down the fort for a few weeks while you take a vacation. But of course there are other aspects of taking time off, which I'll discuss here.
- Don't put off big things until the last minute. Make sure you've arranged for pet care, a house-sitter, and time off from work at least a couple months in advance.
- Make sure you've arranged your finances well in advance so that money is accessible. Find out about credit card fees and ATM charges for oversees transactions, and if need be get a new credit card and/or transfer money to a different account. Don't let your financial institution hold your money hostage while you're away. It's also a great idea to carry a backup credit and/or debit card, which should be kept locked in your luggage just in case your wallet ends up in the hands of a pickpocket.
- Plan for bill payment while you're gone so that you don't incur late fees. If you're going to have someone drop off a rent check or other payment for you, be sure to make arrangements for that in advance.
- Before you leave, shut off and unplug as many appliances and other electronic devices as you can. Shut off the water valve to your washing machine too; what could be worse than coming home to a burst pipe and a floor covered in water and mildew?
- If you're worried about the security of your house, consider leaving your most precious items with a friend or family member for safe keeping. Better still, have someone house sit for even more peace of mind.
A picturesque canal in Bruges, Belgium
Other Considerations for Planning a Trip
An important aspect of travel which many people fail to consider is, what type of traveler are you? Are you a planner, who prefers to have a strict itinerary, or are you seeking spontaneity? Would you rather spend quiet days perusing ancient libraries and museums, or is it nightlife you're after? Do you like big cities, quiet countrysides, the major tourist destinations, or the places no one's ever heard of? How you prefer to travel is especially important in determining who you want to do it with.
I often prefer to travel alone because I have a fairly haphazard approach, often changing flights and other arrangements along the way, or arriving in a city without first booking lodging (do NOT do this if you travel in the high season!). Many people aren't comfortable with traveling that way, and for myself I feel bogged down with having to adhere to a schedule. Don't be afraid to go it alone if you can't find anyone to go with you, or if you're not sure of a potential travel mate's compatibility with your style. And unless your traveling companion is just as committed to taking the trip as you are, there's a chance they may keep you waiting indefinitely and in some cases forever. I love the freedom and flexibility of traveling solo, and I find that I meet many more people that way.
Remember also that it's perfectly fine if it ISN'T your dream to travel; the important thing is to recognize it and be ok with it. You might be surprised to hear that Mark isn't a big traveler; for him a trip once in awhile is fine, but it's not something he's passionate about. It actually works out great for us because he takes care of my apartment and pets while I'm gone; he's happy to see me doing what I love and I can travel with greater peace of mind, knowing he's at home taking care of everything. So don't just travel because you feel like you ought to; if it's not your cup of tea then don't go, or consider just spending time exploring your local area instead.
Finally, here are a few other random things to consider:
- Many countries require that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date you're planning on departing, so make sure you allow plenty of time for a renewal if need be. On a similar note, find out about visa requirements far in advance. Always leave a copy of your passport at home, and take a couple extra copies with you to keep locked in your luggage or some other secure place.
- Vaccinations may be recommended depending on where you're going (typically jungle areas or third world countries), so be sure to find out.
- How far in advance you book your airfare and lodging depends on many factors: how locked in your schedule is, what time of year you're going, and whether you're using frequent flyer miles to book your airfare. I'd say 2-3 months in advance is sufficient unless you're doing something like going to Munich for Oktoberfest or to Rio De Janeiro for Carnivale. If you're planning your trip around a major festival or holiday, you'll probably need to book it at least 6 months in advance, especially your lodging.
- Always check the current TSA regulations to find out what can be carried on. Also check the rules for whatever country you're flying in and out of. For instance, Mexico requires that you're checked in and at the airport an hour before your flight, and they also do not accept boarding passes printed at home. Knowing the rules before you travel saves you a lot of stress later.
- Another great resource for American travelers (or travlers to the US) is the US Department of State website. There you'll find info on passports, visas, and all sorts of info on different countries.
I hope this series has inspired you and answered whatever questions you may have. Now let's talk travel! Stop in and comment, ask questions, share ideas for destinations or tell me where you're going next. I love talking travel even more than I love talking fashion!
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