Tag: travel blogger

Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Basel, Lake Lucerne, Lucerne, swiss, Switzerland, Travel, travel tips, travelling, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Basel was the perfect home base to explore Switzerland! We stayed in Basel for a week, so one day we decided we need to get up close and personal with the mountains. The biggest mountain nearby was in Lucerne. So off to Mt. Pilatus we went! We didn’t plan too far in advance because we wanted to check the weather to ensure that we would probably have clear views from the mountain, and it wouldn’t be socked in with clouds or rain. We left in the late morning and spent about two hours on top of the mountain and then came down to enjoy a walk around Lucerne and a lake cruise. The perfect day blending water and mountains in Switzerland!

First stop was the lovely information store in Basel’s Old Town. There, you can pick up all kinds of printed information on Switzerland attractions, buy cool souvenirs like a WickelFisch bag to float the river, postcards (and stamps), Swiss rubber duck (for our duck collection for the grandkids) and more. They will also help you plan your side trips and sell you the appropriate tickets. We got our gondola tickets so that once we got there, we would not be delayed or disappointed by long lines or sold-out tickets. The tickets for the gondolas and the bus were about $78 francs each. You can also take a longer route around Mt. Pilatus that includes the cog railway train and a boat segment on the lake to get to one side and then you take the gondolas back down. This journey would cost more and take the whole day. For more information on your options go here: PILATUS – Mountain adventures near the city | | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland

GETTING THERE

We took the tram by our hotel to get to the Basel train station to jump on a one-hour train ride to Lucerne. From there, we took the #1 bus for a short ride to the neighborhood where the gondola started. After walking uphill to the gondola, we quickly scanned our tickets and walked right on to a small (max 4 person) gondola. As we glided up the mountain, we passed by a Swiss chalet with roaming cows underneath us. With the windows on the gondola open, we could not only hear the cow bells but smell the cows. A truly immersive Swiss experience! We stayed on at the first stop along the way because our end goal was to go right to the top. You are required to get off at the second stop, however, because you change gondolas from the small one to a larger one that holds up to 50 people, where most of this trip is standing with very few seats available.

Many people got off the gondolas at the second stop because this is where there is a large playground, zipline, adventure park with climbing obstacles and the luge attraction. We had considered doing the luge but chose instead to spend our time exploring the mountain top. Another time!

ONCE YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF MT. PILATUS

Reaching the top, you enter a large visitor center with facilities, snacks, shops and information booths. We walked out and grabbed some deck chairs to soak up the views and the sun. We watched one courageous visitor lay out his equipment right below the observation deck we were on and take off hang gliding over the mountains. Up, up and away he soared which would seem terrifying, but he looked like he was having fun. Hope he made it down okay!

Speaking of adventures, another tourist had hauled up a huge alphorn and was entertaining the other tourists. He stopped my husband to take his picture playing on the narrow trail with views of the alps. I wonder if he was fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing his alphorn there. It reminded of when we were in Venice and a tourist taking a gondola was playing his sax as they toured the canals. Treasured memories of people living their best lives is one of the most awesome parts of travelling!

We took the “dragon trail” walk that starts from the visitor’s center. If you have children, make sure you share the story of the dragons with them before the visit-more info here: https://www.pilatus.ch/en/discover/dragon-trail/ Even if you don’t have children, this is an enjoyable walk in the tunnel with different views of the mountain through large holes in the mountain (the better for the dragons to enter into their lairs).

STAYING ON TOP OF MT. PILATUS

We were surprised to see that there is a hotel on the top of the mountain:  Pilatus Kulm Hotels – The overnight experience at 2132 m. above sea level | | Pilatus Bahnen Lucerne Switzerland Built in 1890 and completely renovated in 2010, it would be a dream to stay here on a clear night and see all the stars. Next trip! There is also a nice restaurant/bar with a patio so those who want to have a leisurely lunch with more variety than the food huts that are primarily sausage/hot dog sandwiches.

LUCERNE

After coming down the gondola, we hopped back on the local bus to take us to downtown Lucerne. The bus/train station is right in the heart of downtown and the lake. We checked out the historic wooden Chapel Bridge first, walking across to admire the interior art. Then we wandered the cobblestone streets to check out the architecture. Drawn to the water, Thom nixed the paddle boats so we took a leisurely one-hour lake cruise where we could sit inside the boat and not in the hot sun. To see Lake Lucerne, a boat ride is a must-it was very reasonably priced at $20 Francs a piece and there were refreshments to purchase on board. With commentary as we cruised, we saw several castles towering over the lake and heard some history. All very informative and making for a lovely day outing. Enjoy the journey!

Travel the World as a Pet Sitter!

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, pet sitting, Seattle, Seattle Neighborhoods, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Trusted Housesitter, Uncategorized2 Comments

We have started a new adventure as pet sitters! We have used the TrustedHousesitters app for many years to find pet sitters for our dogs when we travelled. Now we are at a new stage in our lives where we have an inhouse pet sitter (family member) and we can travel to sit for animals all over the world. This week we are in Seattle, specifically Upper Fremont, caring for Pepper, a cattle dog that picked me as her human the minute we met. What a face!

Cattle dogs are protective and like to herd so Pepper is always close at hand and has been my office buddy while I worked remote laying under or beside my desk. We take frequent breaks to walk around the lovely neighborhood and smell all the good stuff out there. Squirrel sightings provide lots of excitement and require a firm hand on the leash to prevent engagement. While I miss our dog, Thor, I am enjoying being a fur mom to a new dog if just for a week. I will miss Pepper when we leave and I’m sure she will miss the constant attention we lavish upon her.

Next week, we have our second pet sit lined up taking care of four small dogs and a flock of chickens about an hour away from our house in Idaho. Never have I ever taken care of chickens so this should be a fun learning experience. Typically, we plan to look after dogs but who knows-we may become expert chicken sitters!

Sound like a good gig? IT IS! How does it work and how much does it cost? Well, first you have to be a paid member of Trusted Housesitters (join here and get 25% off-annual pricing membership varies from $189+). Membership includes a free background check and, depending on the membership level you choose, it includes insurance coverage for both the homeowner and the pet sitter. Post personal references, pictures and details about why you want to pet sit. When we were picking our pet sitters, we reviewed all the applicants and looked for people who had favorable recommendations from their previous pet sits. We would then narrow it down by connecting with the two best applicants by virtual chat (Zoom) or by phone to get to know them better before making a final decision. We would typically get multiple applicants depending on the location-we got a lot more interest from applicants when we lived in a beautiful apartment in Seattle than in our house in Boise.

Both being the pet sitter and having a pet sitter come in to take care of your animals are free other than the annual Trusted Housesitter membership fee. What a deal! A hotel in Seattle for a week would have cost us $3,000 and our stay in a lovely home pet sitting for Pepper was free!

As a pet sitter looking for new gigs, you can put in a search alert for particular locations and dates. That’s how we got our latest gig in London. We were looking for a month+ visit in Europe in 2024 and had set up a search with those parameters. I was able to see the posting the day it went up online and jump in to apply. After a lovely Zoom call with the pet owners, we got picked to take care of Maisie the dog. We will love being in London again and getting to really soak up the culture by being there for an extended period of time. Walking a dog around the neighborhood is an excellent way to get to know locals and really take in the daily life in a different country. Pet sitting is the perfect way for us to travel the world. Enjoy the journey! (while pet sitting)

Travel Tips | Money Abroad

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, Travel tips-money, travelling, Uncategorized, vacation1 Comment

I’ve travelled all over the world and one important travel topic everyone always asks me about is how I handle money when I am abroad. I hope the tips I share below help you. Enjoy the journey!

Here are the most frequent questions I get and my answers:

Should I take cash? If so, how much and where do I get local currency before I travel?

  • Yes, you need a little local currency, but I mostly use credit cards.
  • Banks in other countries aren’t necessarily plentiful and aren’t open extended hours. In Italy, we had a hard time finding any open at all given they open late, take a long lunch and close early. They work to live not live to work!
  • Only use an ATM that is inside and part of a bank. Lots of fraud out there at those ATMs in convenience stores and out on the street. Plus, the opportunity for thieves to approach you are higher on the street than if you are in the locked bank ATM booth.
  • I have a local bank in the US that carries most currencies (and can order what they don’t have). I usually like to bring at least $100 in local currency to mostly use at local shops/farmer’s markets. In Italy, you can’t add a tip onto your bill so you need cash to tip. You also need cash to tip any tour guides. You will probably need local coins to use the public bathrooms. If you end up needing more cash while you are traveling, go to the bank ATM.
    • Customers with Bank of America checking and savings accounts can order foreign currency through Online Banking or the Mobile Banking App. Customers with credit cards only can order currency at a financial center. Exchange and Order Foreign Currency from Bank of America
    • I opened up a checking account with a debit card at a different bank (the one that has local currency) to avoid fees when I get US cash exchanged for other currencies and also because that way if the debit card is compromised while travelling, it doesn’t link to my main checking/savings account which is at another bank. Yes, I’m cautious! I keep a minimum balance in this account-just enough to get $100-200 more out when travelling and then I deposit more for the next trip.

What credit card(s) do you use?

  • I take two different credit cards.
  • I carry a VISA and an American Express. Both earn me points for more travel! Some places do not take AMEX, so you need to have another option. Make sure any credit card you travel with doesn’t charge you foreign transaction fees. Those fees can really add up.
  • My preferred way to pay is to use “tap to pay” with my smart watch that is set up with GooglePay with a VISA as the payment option. This works beautifully in most countries for use with public transportation (UK uses tap to pay for subways and buses) and cafes/shops. This way you are not pulling out a credit card that could possibly get left behind-it happens to all of us!
  • When travelling with my husband, he takes one VISA and one AMEX, and I take a different VISA and AMEX. That way if one of us gets our wallet stolen, we cancel the credit cards that the one person was travelling with and we still have the other person’s cards that are different accounts. Be prepared for the worst situation so it doesn’t spoil your vacation.

Do I need to call my credit card company before I travel?

  • Probably not but policies vary by company.
  • Often banks will tell you that they don’t need to be notified but my travel companions and I have all had issues with using credit cards being declined due to security concerns the first time we use them abroad. One of my credit card has the following notification on their site (search “travel notification” on your credit card site):
    • You no longer need to let us know when you travel. We monitor your accounts and will send automatic alerts if we detect suspicious activity. Should you need us while traveling, call the number on the back of your card anytime.
    • I would recommend you go to each of the credit card sites that you plan to use and just check what they say about “travel notifications”.

Now, you are ready to go have a great adventure and not worry about the logistics of spending money abroad. Cheers!

Travel Tips | Paris Public Transportation

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, France, Paris, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, travellingLeave a comment

There is SO much to see and do in Paris that you should put together a plan for your transportation needs BEFORE you arrive. Oh, and pack your most comfortable shoes because walking is the easiest way to get around Paris. What I love so much about seeing Paris by foot is that you never know what you may find around every corner-a musician, street art, or who knows?? Enjoy the journey!

For our Girls’ Trip 2023, I researched the easiest and most cost-effective ways to use public transportation to supplement our walking just so we don’t get shin splints on our first day! I average about 10 miles a day walking when I’m in Paris but unfortunately, I don’t get that level of exercise at home in Boise where we have to drive everywhere. We are in Paris for a full six days for our Girls’ Trip so, while we will no doubt walk ALOT, we will also want to use the excellent bus and Metro system to supplement getting around Paris. Surface traffic on the busy Paris streets is terrible as it is in most cities. Why waste time (and money!) being stuck in car traffic when there are cheaper and faster alternatives in the form of buses and Metros available all over Paris. I usually only use Uber as a last resort and getting taxis can be very difficult in Paris.

Two Public Transportation Payment Card Options to Consider:

NAVIGO DECOUVERTE CARD:

WHAT IS IT?

  • A multi-use public transportation card (like the Oyster card in London) that covers all of Metro Paris and can be used for unlimited use during a specific time frame on the Metro (subway), RER trains (including to the airport, Disneyland and Versailles), buses (great way to get around and see Paris quicker than taking a car because buses have their own designated street lanes), trams and even the Montmartre funicular unless you want to walk up the 300+ steps

WHO NEEDS IT?

  • Tourists who plan to use public transportation in Central Paris alot and don’t care about getting any discounts on local attractions (see Visite card below for that) 

WHERE DO I BUY?

  • Purchase the Navigo Decouverte card at any Metro, RER station or the airport at the Billets Paris et Ile-de-France train ticket window that normally sells tickets and passes
  • You have to provide a color headshot photo 3cm tall x 2.5cm wide (passport photo size) that goes on the card itself.
  • You have to choose a validity zone when you purchase it. To get around the center of Paris, the one for zones 1-2 is perfect.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

  • 30€ for a week pass which runs from Monday through Sunday plus 5€ fee (non-refundable) for the physical Navigo card itself (no children pricing)

HOW DO I USE IT?

  • At Metro and RER stations, hold the card against the purple reader zones on the turnstiles or barriers to open fare gates. Keep the card against the scan zone until you hear a sound indicating it has been read correctly to validate
  • As you enter a bus, you will see a Navigo reader machine to tap your card against in order to validate your ride.
  • Failure to validate your ticket every time you use it could result in a fine (I’ve seen 50€ fines!) by security officers who routinely check passengers for validated cards/tickets

FOR MORE INFO ON NAVIGO CARD GO HERE: Navigo monthly and weekly travel passes | RATP

VISITE CARD:

    WHAT IS IT?

    • A multi-use public transportation card that covers all of Metro Paris and can be used for unlimited use during a specific time frame on the Metro (subway), RER trains (including to the airport, Disneyland and Versailles), buses (great way to get around and see Paris), trams and even the Montmartre funicular
    • Purchase passes for different period of 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. It is valid from midnight on the first day and ends at midnight on the last day.

    WHO NEEDS IT?

    • Tourists who may only need public transportation for a day or two and would use discount on attractions that come with the card like for the Opera Garnier, sightseeing cruises on the Seine or a bus tour, etc.

    WHERE DO I BUY?

    • Purchase the Visite card at any Metro, RER station or the airport at the Billets Paris et Ile-de-France train ticket window that normally sells tickets and passes. After you buy it, you must write your first and last name on it along with the starting and ending dates of validity. No photo is needed.

    HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

    • Pricing is by day and by zone and ranges from 1 day in zones 1-3 for $15 US to 5 days in zones 1-5 for $74. Zones 1-3 will all you to travel around the city. Zones 4-5 will get you to Disneyland, Versailles and the airports.
    • There is children pricing with this pass. See online site for more details.

    HOW DO I USE IT?

    • At Metro and RER stations, hold the card against the purple reader zones on the turnstiles or barriers to open fare gates. Keep the card against the scan zone until you hear a sound indicating it has been read correctly to validate
    • As you enter a bus, you will see a reader machine to tap your card against in order to validate your ride. Failure to do so could result in a fine by security officers who routinely check passengers for validated cards or tickets

    FOR MORE INFO ON VISITE CARD GO HERE: Paris Visite travel pass | RATP

    Transportation apps

    • G7 for taxis-have used with some success
    • Uber-works pretty well in Paris
    • Paris Metro for subway
    • Citymapper to get around town-I use this app for walking guidance, but it does show other transportation options as well
    • Rome2Rio for transportation to show all options to get from Point A to Point B-my preferred app

    Helpful links below from RATP (Régie autonome des transports parisiens aka in English as Parisian Autonomous Transport Administration), which is the state-owned public transportation operator.

    RATP site Paris Public Transportation PDF maps:

    Top 10 Paris Travel Apps

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, France, Paris, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized, vacationLeave a comment

    I use many different travel apps to help my adventures go smoothly but, with our Girls’ Trip to Paris coming up quickly, I put together a specific list of the top travel apps that are “must haves” for us to use there. I thought I would share my favorites so you too can embrace technology and enjoy the journey!

    Of course, there are many apps out there that are super niche for Paris only but the apps I’ve decided to share are ones that I’ve used in Paris and found essential in the past. The websites for the apps below are included so you can check them out and decide if they will work for you. Then, if you determine you need these apps, download the app to your mobile device to use while you are travelling. Make sure you set up any profiles in advance so you are ready to use (for example, Uber will need payment info stored). Many people ask me about what to do with their phones while they are travelling abroad. There is so much information around this topic that I wrote a separate blog post here My Top Phone Tips for Traveling Abroad – Travels with Melinda.

    GETTING AROUND

    Rome2Rio: discover how to get anywhere is an app that I have used in many different European places and all across the US. My favorite app! You just input where you want to go from Point A to Point B and it searches any city, town, landmark, attraction or address across the globe with thousands of routes to easily get you from A to B. It gives you timetables and estimated pricing for all types of transportation-trams, bus, subway, train, taxi, etc. If you decide to walk, it tells you how long it will take and helps guide you around that way too. In planning a logical itinerary, this is the app I use most often.

    Citymapper – The Ultimate Transport App is a free public transit app with mapping that displays transport options, usually with live timing, between any two locations in a supported city.  Similar to Rome2Rio but very helpful for getting around by any means of transportation from e-scooters to walking to biking to subways. I like this app best for getting around by foot.

    Google Maps can be used to navigate around town. This is the app my husband likes best.

    Uber is great to get around and I have successfully used it in Paris (not the case in some European cities). Check here Uber Cities – Rides Around the World | Uber before you go to other countries to see if Uber is available. I’ve never used Bolt but it works in Paris too.

    RATP for the Paris Metro. This app has maps and train schedules plus it will notify you of delays. Having the app gives you free access to the RATP WiFi network.

    G7 Taxi to book a taxi for immediate pick-up or schedule a ride up to 14 days in advance. You can pay the driver via the app or when you take the ride. I’ve had better luck with Uber getting rides but I have this app too just in case.

    COMMUNICATING

    Google Translate instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. I’ve used this app mostly to translate menus.

    WhatsApp–I have found that some restaurants in Europe use this app instead of other apps to book reservations. Airbnb hosts may use this vs. text/call. You can also stay in touch with friends and family for free no matter where you are vs. using international phone service because WhatsApp uses Wi-Fi not phone data. If you don’t want to use your cell (usually $10 a day for international use) then just use WhatsApp. You can message, chat and video chat for free. Just make sure whomever you want to connect with back home also has the app and, of course, you will need to be connected to Wi-Fi to use it but it’s free!

    EATING

    The Fork app is for making reservations at restaurants. Availability is given in real time. You don’t need to make reservations for the cafes you will find on every block in Paris but for popular restaurants you may want to reserve in advance so not to be disappointed.

    USING THE FACILITIES

    Toilets of Paris app helps you find public toilettes, water closet or W.C. aka bathrooms/restrooms. This app is available on iOS and android and includes public bathrooms and those in restaurants, where you will probably need to buy at least a drink to use their facilities. Large hotels with lobby bathrooms are great places to go too.

    Now that you’re all set with the essential travel apps, take off to the City of Lights and have an amazing adventure!

    Planning for Paris-Girls’ Trip 2023 Part One

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, France, Girls Trip, Giverny, Left Bank, Moulin Rouge, Paris, Travel, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized1 Comment

    It’s time to finalize the details for our Girls’ Trip to Paris 2023! We visited London and Florence the past two years on our annual trip and had a blast. Now it’s time to take on the City of Lights. I’ve been to Paris several times, both on business trips and personal vacations, but Becky and Patti will be seeing Paris for the first time. How special! I get to lean in on all my past experiences and take them to all the truly magical places in Paris. I look forward to seeing Paris through their “first time” lens. I predict love at first sight. Come along on our journey!

    For each Girls’ Trip, I act as the trip planner and the first thing I want to know is what is the one “must see” for each person on the trip. Then, I can research those experiences and work our trip itinerary around them. Here are our three “must see” places for our trip to Paris:

    AN EVENING CABARET SHOW AT THE MOULIN ROUGE

    The Moulin Rouge, which translates to “Red Mill”, was built in 1889, the same year as the Eiffel Tower. It is situated below the Montmartre neighborhood in Pigalle. This famous cabaret show features elaborately dressed yet topless show girls. Admittedly this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s been around for over a hundred years so it’s legendary and we love all music and theater so this will be quite the experience!

    Show Details

    At the Moulin Rouge, shows run every day of the week and there are 2 shows every day:

    • 9 pm show with optional dinner starting at 7 pm (dinner show ticket holders will get the best seats)
    • 11 pm show only

    Plan to arrive early! These shows are usually sold out so arrive at the entrance one hour before the time of your show. Doors close ten minutes before the start of the show, and you won’t be allowed to enter if you arrive late. There is no refund policy for Moulin Rouge tickets so arrange your transportation and allow, as always, for the Paris traffic jams that are bad at all hours.

    Buy your Moulin Rouge tickets as soon as you book your travel dates. You never know when travel groups will suck up all the available tickets, as this show is always on their itineraries. You can buy direct from Moulin Rouge (Official Website) for tickets to all showtimes and options. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to buy the tickets there, you can also book through Viator:  Paris Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show with Champagne Only or Dinner 2023 (viator.com) but not all options like the 9 pm show are available on this site. Prices vary depending on the date/time you go but, when I was researching our tickets, they were as follows: $240 euros for the 7 pm Dinner+Show; $178 euros for the 9 pm Show Only; $133 euros for the 11 pm Show Only. I would say this is fairly on par pricing as compared with a Las Vegas or Broadway show.

    Getting there

    Of course, you can walk there or take the Metro aka subway. This is how I prefer to get around Paris during the day. However, you’ll be there in the evening and the Pigalle neighborhood is probably not the best place to wander around late at night. Known for being a tourist magnet, you can imagine that all kinds of folks would frequent here around showtimes to take advantage of people visiting Paris. I would recommend using an Uber, which works quite well in Paris. I have not had great luck with taxi apps in Paris working so, at least for me, taxis won’t be an option. If you do take the Metro, the closest station to Moulin Rouge is Blanche on Metro line 2.

    AFTERNOON WALK ON THE LEFT BANK

    The Left Bank is a special place best enjoyed in an afternoon walk about. First, grab some wine, cheese, fruit (figs if they are in season), sandwiches and a baguette-all at different small stores specializing in their product. Take your goodies to Luxembourg Gardens aka Jardin du Luxembourg for a picnic and people watching. There are benches and tables scattered throughout this beautiful park. Watch people sail model boats on the central pond, which served as an inspiration for a similar one in Central Park in NYC-another favorite place of mine. Then, find the Medici Fountain and take lots of pictures at this idyllic spot. Instagram worthy!

    It’s just a short walk fifteen-minute from Luxembourg Garden to Shakespeare & Co., THE bookstore to visit when in Paris. After grabbing a travel book and getting it officially stamped with their logo inside, it’s time for a cappuccino at the nearest café. Then, take a ten-minute walk from Shakespeare & Co. to the Pantheon (I’m a Midnight in Paris fan!) for a tour of this iconic monument and symbol of the French Revolution built in the 18th century. We’ll visit the crypt which houses the remains of Victor Hugo, Voltaire, and Marie Curie and climb up to the dome to see the panoramic views of the city.

    DAY TRIP TO MONET’S HOUSE IN GIVERNY

    As lovers of art and especially Monet, we will take the time to do a side trip from Paris to Giverny to walk the lily gardens, stroll through the artist’s house and studio, and immerse ourselves in all things Monet. I was there a few years ago and took the pictures above. It was like being in a Monet painting on this lovely day.

    We will wander the fields with haystacks and walk through the house and gardens. The lily ponds in person look exactly like Monet’s paintings-so surreal. Giverny sits at the confluence of the river Seine and the river Epte in the region of Normandy. While the big draw in Giverny is Monet’s garden and home, this village has existed since neolithic times and there is a church dating from the Middle Ages to explore as well as a Museum of Impressionism and plenty of cafes and shops.

    Buy tickets:

    Monet’s gardens are open every day including public holidays from 9.30 am to 6 pm from April 1st through November 1st. Buy timed entry tickets online at Claude Monet’s house in Giverny. They do have a great store there so bring a bag to carry home some souvenirs.

    How to get there:

    Giverny is 75KM (47 miles) from Paris and 4KM (2.5 miles) from the small town of Vernon where the train will stop coming from the Saint-Lazare Paris station. The fastest trains (don’t book a “local” with many stops) complete the journey in about an hour. Book your train ticket from Paris to Giverny here: Trainline : Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train Tickets (thetrainline.com). You could also take a bus or drive, but we will take the train ride to sit back, relax and see the French countryside. When Giverny is open, a shuttle bus will take you from the train station to Giverny’s parking lot. The round-trip costs 10 euros and only takes about 15 minutes. You can buy your ticket on board.

    If you really want to walk, it’s about 5KM or 3 miles and mostly flat following the tracks of an ancient railroad. Go down the Albufera street and cross the bridge over the Seine. At the roundabout ignore the signs for Giverny which are meant for cars. Go straight on, cross the first street “Route de Giverny” and take the pathway to your right just before the drugstore. Enjoy the journey!

    Top 10 travel tips for flying

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, airline best practices, flying, Indiana, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling1 Comment

    As I head out tomorrow on my 5:30 am (boarding at 4:50 am) flight, I am thinking to myself, “WTF WAS I THINKING!!!” It always seems like a good idea at the time you book, but these AM flights are killer even if they do get you from the West Coast to the East Coast before dark. I would just caution you to really think through your flight times as well as your layover times before you book. If you are going to arrive tired and cranky or have to run through a crowded airport to make a tight connection, maybe rethink your flight plans.

    If you haven’t already, download the airline app on your phone for whatever carrier you are flying on. Use the boarding pass on your app to get through security and onto the plane. Set up push notifications to your phone within the app for any change to your travel plans. Gates change, flights are delayed or cancelled, and you need to be the first to know. Heads up-more and more airports are not making overhead announcements so the notification on your phone from your airline might be your only warning. If you have a flight cancel or are delayed too long that you will miss connections, jump on the airline’s app immediately while walking to the customer service desk to rebook. If you are travelling with a companion, have them call the airlines customer service at the same time. You never know where you’ll get the fastest service, so you have to try several options simultaneously because everyone else on that delayed flight is also trying to reschedule. Below are my top 10 travel tips for flying, accumulated from personally travelling all over the world. Enjoy the journey!

    1. Try to get on the first flight out in the morning even if it means getting up early (but maybe not as early as I’m getting up tomorrow!). These flights are far less likely to cancel. Later flights are subject to weather issues and cascading flight cancels as delays cause flight crews to take breaks every 16 hours they work. Getting TSA Pre-check for US travel is worth the time and $78 expense. I would never consider travelling without it as I typically get through TSA much faster and without taking liquids out or shoes off. For frequent global trips, get Global Entry for $100 that includes TSA Pre-check. More info on these programs here: Official Trusted Traveler Program Website | Department of Homeland Security (dhs.gov)
    2. If you have a major event to attend like a wedding, funeral or perhaps a concert, try to arrive at least a day or two in advance to allow for flight delays/cancels. Delays happen! If they do, try to buy a day pass to one of the airline member lounges if you don’t already have a membership. They offer comfortable seating (and even beds at some airports-see pic above of Thom reclining at Delta club in Paris!) and free food/alcohol. I spend extra to have this luxury (look at those big seats in pic above!) because it makes delays and long connections bearable when travelling. Tomorrow, I have a 3-hour layover in Minneapolis, and I’ll be checking out the new Delta club that I hear is fabulous.
    3. When booking, allow for several hours between connections. You may think that the airlines sites are showing connections that are 30 minutes when you do searches so it must be alright but that is not the case. Especially at large, busy airports and those in other countries that may require you to go through customs, you need three hours minimum between flights. Really anywhere for both foreign and domestic flights, allow 90 minutes at least between connecting flights.
    4. Always check out carefully where you are sitting on the plane. Don’t be near the bathrooms or in seats that don’t recline. Speaking of awful seats-see pic above of weird wall that was in front of my husband’s seat instead of a video screen on the seat back in front of him. This wall wasn’t showing when on the map when seats were booked. On overnight flights, try to be halfway between bathrooms and galley so that it is quieter. If you need to get up frequently, get an aisle seat. Want to lean while you sleep, then get a window seat and hug the wall.
    5. Being drunk on a plane is a federal offense so don’t overdo it. Jet lag is bad enough but jet lag+hangover will negatively impact your trip. If another passenger gets drunk and rowdy, discretely go to the flight attendant and let them handle it-they are trained and will be better equipped than you are to take care of any situation.
    6. If flights are full and people have to get bumped (yes, it happens and it’s not fair if you have a ticket, but it happens), the first people to get bumped are those who paid for the tickets not directly from the airline site. So, for example, you book your ticket through a third-party site like Expedia vs. a person who bought through the Delta site, then you, as the Expedia customer, will probably be bumped. Even better, if you are a loyal frequent flyer on one airline and get status, you have the edge over others with no status. Be loyal! Sign up for the frequent flyer program at the airline you will use most often. For me, it’s Alaska for regional travel and Delta for everything else. As far as the low-cost carriers like Southwest, you get what you pay for. Southwest has had multiple systemwide issue failures causing travel havoc. Save up and fly on a better airline.
    7. Don’t bring stinky food to eat on the plane. Not only will those around you hate you but the flight attendants will too. Don’t be that person eating the taco or tuna fish or a hardboiled egg. Yuck! P.S. Also bring along Lysol wipes and thoroughly clean off your tray table and armrests-you know the plane crew doesn’t probably have time to do a good job on every single tray table for every flight. I have a vivid memory of seeing a mother bounce her baby (clad only in a diaper) on the tray table to get them to calm down. Think about that-the residue left behind from that bouncing diaper-clad bottom….and clean, clean, clean before touching your tray table.
    8. Drink water to stay hydrated. Don’t get ice in your water or drink. Various studies show ice can be contaminated with bacteria. I don’t chance it. Your choice.
    9. Bring noise cancelling headphones OR listen to the guy next to you snoring or telling you conspiracy theories or the baby crying for hours. Also, some airplane still use the headphones with jacks to watch free movies. Carry a spare pair just in case.
    10. Dress in layers to fly. I always wear pants (shorts on a plane are just stupid-sorry), a l/s top, jacket and scarf. BTW, keep your shoes on while you fly. Please for the love of God. Wear compression socks to increase circulation and reduce swelling in your legs and feet. P.S. That’s not water on the bathroom floor on the plane in case you take your shoes off and decide to use the facilities.

    I’m off to go to bed at 8 pm so that I can rise at 3 am and get to the airport for my unholy early morning flight tomorrow. The good news is that I probably won’t have a travel delay and I’ll get to Indianapolis for my family visit before it gets dark. I’m homeward bound to walk down memory lane.

    Singapore

    On By Travels with MelindaIn Girls Trip, Singapore, Uncategorized2 Comments

    Singapore is a world away from where I live in Boise, Idaho. Was is it worth the 20+ hours to fly there? You betcha! I’ve travelled all over the world and there is no place like Singapore. From the towering garden sculptures to the night zoo tour, it was an epic journey.

    After spending a few days working in Singapore at my company’s offices, I was joined by my friend Patti who flew in all the way from Indiana to enjoy this exotic locale with me. Together, on my days off, we explored all over Singapore taking a hop on, hop off bus first to get the lay of the land and absorb some history from the audio tour which is typically available on these types of buses.

    I love a big bustling city and Singapore is all that and more with the third highest population density in the world. Even with all those folks, it is the safest and cleanest city I’ve ever seen with a strict culture of picking up after yourself. As a major business hub in Asia, numerous languages are spoken and English is one of the four official languages that also include Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. So signs, menus, etc. are found in English making it an easy visit for a traveler from the US.

    What to see and do

    Marina Bay is a neighborhood that you could spend a whole day walking around but the “must do” is going up 56 levels to see the panoramic view from the Sands Skypark Observation Deck at the Marina Bay Sands hotel. Plan a trip around sunset and then walk over to the Gardens by the Bay for a cooler nighttime walk through the gardens or watch the light show set to music from across the bay at one of the restaurants on the water. Sands Skypark Observation Deck

    Gardens by the Bay is filled with flora and fauna but it’s famous for the towering sculptures that light up at night. Spanning 250 acres in the Central Region of Singapore, it has three waterfront gardens filled with over 1.5 million plants from around the world. It is free to just walk around the gardens but costs to enter the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest (indoor waterfall) or skywalk. Patti and I went at night after going to Sands Skypark and enjoyed the nightly lights show set to music. Gardens by the Bay

    Raffles is the historic hotel/bar established in 1819 as Singapore was just becoming a major trading post of the British Empire. At Long Bar, it is an energetic production by the bartenders to create their iconic drink, the Singapore Sling. First created in 1915 and widely known as the official cocktail of Singapore, this gin-based cocktail contains pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictine. Grenadine and cherry liqueur give it a pink hue. Patti and I both loved it and it went down way too fast especially given the price which was not low. But, when in Singapore, drink at least one Sling. Cheers! Long Bar – Raffles Singapore – Home of the Singapore Sling

    Singapore Zoo, set in a rainforest environment, is home to over 2,800 animals from over 300 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. Patti picked the guided open sided tram ride through the zoo at night as a “must do” adventure. Oh my-lions and tigers and bears roaming around in the dark. Truly a unique experience you would not get in the US. I kept watch for any aggressive animals that might hop onto the tram and eat us, but we survived and had a blast! Night Safari | Mandai Wildlife Reserve

    Botanic Gardens admission is free (fee for Orchid Gardens) so go early when it is cooler and enjoy a beautiful walk in nature. Take the SMRT to the Botanical Gardens and be prepared to walk a lot! Singapore Botanic Gardens | Homepage (nparks.gov.sg)

    Chinatown  Get a walking tour to learn all about the history of this area and then enjoy the food and shopping. Patti and I love foot massages so we decided to find the best authentic massages in Singapore and compare them to the ones we enjoyed in China. It was amazing and we laughed at the zest and vigor the masseuses had for inflicting torture upon our feet. We left refreshed and ready to walk the streets of Singapore. Chinatown Singapore: Rediscover Food, Heritage and Traditional Crafts.

    Food aka hawker stalls in Singapore are famous for their variety of cuisines under one roof. For someone like me who has a weak stomach and can’t eat a lot of foods, it’s not an essential visit but for most people, this is the highlight of their trip to Singapore.  Hawker Centres in Singapore – Visit Singapore Official Site

    Where to Stay

    We stayed at the Westin Hotel in Marina Bay Area of Singapore | The Westin Singapore (marriott.com). The water views from our room and the rooftop infinity pool were amazing. This is a luxury property from the hotel lobby bar to the business center to the lavish breakfast buffet. It is very centrally located and you can walk many places. The doorman will get you a taxi if you want to venture farther away. I highly recommend!

    Getting around

    The taxis are government backed and very inexpensive. In addition to taxis, there is SMRT Singapore Mass Rapid Transit to get around town. About Transitlink

    Prague

    On By Travels with MelindaIn Europe, Prague, Uncategorized1 Comment

    Prague is one of my favorite European cities. Friendly, beautiful, reasonable prices and a great walking city. What’s not to like?

    Prague is the capital and largest city in the Czech Republic. Built on the Vltava River, it has a rich political and cultural history with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture on display for your walking all over the city enjoyment. My favorite building is the “dancing house” aka “Ginger and Fred”, which must be seen to be appreciated for its quirkiness. Since 1992, the historic center of Prague has been a World Heritage UNESCO site and rightly so as there is art everywhere you look. For my money, Prague is a “must see” city to be included in any European adventure.

    There are many “sights” to see like Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter, and the really famous (thanks to SO many Instagram posts) Prague astronomical clock. While all those places plus ten major museums and numerous theaters, galleries and historical exhibits are worthy of your time, my favorite memory of Prague is pedaling around the Vltava River in one of the unique boats you can rent. See Prague from the water!

    We were able to spend two weeks in Prague during the late spring. I was on a work trip but added on a few vacation days too. As usual, my husband travelled with me on my business trips, taking beautiful photographs and exploring where we would go when I got off work. For the first part of our trip, we stayed out in the Prague suburbs at the Prague Courtyard Marriott and lived like a local. The public transportation is fantastic with cable cars running up and down into the city, so it was really convenient to get around. We strolled the neighborhood farmer’s market, had a picnic on the hill overlooking the city to view the sunset and saw some interesting sculpture-babies crawling up a building. Say what??? You just have to see it to believe it.

    Later, we moved into a gorgeous historic hotel in the heart of city center Prague and stayed at the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV Property (was a Marriott when I was there). The lobby was grand, and we enjoyed the one-of-a-kind stunning pool with a curved vaulted ceiling. I was surprised that Prague was considered such a young “party town” but we saw so many hen and stag parties all over. The hen parties are hilarious with the bride and bridesmaids dressed up and running around in a group. The stag boys seemed to enjoy the beer pedal carts and weed stores on every corner. Party down! Our jam is more a low-key experience, so we typically seek out coffee shops, small concerts wherever we go (churches are great venues!) and we even got to see a classic ballet, Swan Lake.

    We wandered by an office building and had a chance encounter with the Franz Kafka statue. The 42 moving panels form the face of a famous Czech writer Franz Kafka and is just one of many works of art found on the streets of Prague. Like many European cities on a river, crossing the Charles Bridge is a “must do” but be prepared for crowds and pickpockets. We went early in the day just to avoid the crush.

    Another famous sight to check out close to the Charles Bridge is the John Lennon wall. According to their website: Once a normal wall, it gained its significance during the communist regime and became a symbol of freedom, western culture and rebellion against the regime. The wall became a safe place for people to express their opinions and grievances. Among those, inspiring lyrics and positive messages would appear including John Lennon’s quote and The Beatles lines.

    One day while I was working, my husband strolled around Vojan gardens and found some peacocks hanging out. What a find! The pictures he took (above) of these beautiful creatures are astounding. While we didn’t have time to take an antique car ride around town, it seemed very popular and looked like fun. Check it out and let me know! We did find time to visit the Prague library because I love all things books, libraries and reading! Artist Matej Kren’s “Idiom” is a long-term art installation where hundreds of books are stacked in a cylindrical tower with mirrors placed at the bottom and the top to give the exhibit the illusion of being infinite. An opening on one side of the tower allows visitors to peek in so I got a photo!

    Another hidden gem we just wandered into was the Convent of Poor Clares and Franciscans in Old Town, which was founded in early 1200s. Now it’s a museum filled with amazing medieval art to enjoy and then walk the outside gardens filled with sculptures on the convent grounds. Old Town is filled with cafes and shops. I would dedicate a whole day just to this area to explore. In Prague, the beers are large and the food delicious.

    Of course, we had to do a little shopping. Thom predictably found the Happy Feet vinyl store in a quirky retail arcade featuring an upside-down horse hanging from the ceiling. Art everywhere! I prefer handmade jewelry and got a steel choker at an outdoor weekend market for about 10 euros that I still wear frequently. Stay away from the touristy stores and seek out more unique items to take home to remember your trips. Enjoy the journey!

    Paris-Sacre Coeur and Montmartre

    On By Travels with MelindaIn France, Paris, Uncategorized1 Comment

    One landmark that draws me back every time I visit Paris is the Sacre Coeur Basilica and the iconic Montmartre neighborhood that surrounds it. For a perfect day to begin your adventure in Paris, visit Sacre Coeur perched on top of Montmartre overlooking the entire city of Paris and beyond. Completed in 1914, Sacre Coeur is a Roman Catholic church that is free to visit and where religious masses are still held frequently. Inside and outside, it is stunning.

    From the fabulous stained glass and sculptures to the various crypts and chapels to explore, there is so much to see and appreciate but the centerpiece is the dome, which, according to Wikipedia, symbolises the celestial world, resting upon a rectangular space, symbolising the terrestrial world. The two are joined by massive columns, which represent the passage between the two worlds. If you don’t mind walking up a lot (300+) steps, you can climb the Dome for a spectacular view. Note: no elevator.

    Paris is made up of neighborhoods aka arrondissements. Montmartre is located on top of a large hill (430 feet hight) in the northern 18th arrondissement on the Right Bank of the Seine. This area is known for its artistic history and stunning views and was established as a historic district by the City of Paris in 1995. Start your visit at the Montmartre Museum Organisation d’évènement au Musée de Montmartre à Paris (museedemontmartre.fr), which is in the house where Pierre-Auguste Renoir once lived. Other famous artists such as Edgar Degas and Pablo Picasso lived and were inspired by this beautiful area. As you walk around Montmartre today, you can watch painting in action by the many artists with their easels set up on the streets. Perhaps a souvenir to take home and hang on your wall as a reminder of your wonderful trip? We’ve bought artwork before when we travel and love seeing it daily as a reminder of our journey. You can pick up a cardboard tube at local art supply stores to carry your treasure home safely.

    Plan to spend some quality time just wandering around Montmartre. Include a meal at a café in the main square Place du Tertre and walk Rue de l’Abreuvoir street, one of the oldest and prettiest streets in Paris. Walk by, take a picture, and stop for a meal or aperitif at legendary institutions like La Maison Rose and Le Consultat on rue Norvins, which has hosted famous artists such as Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec. Take in the sunset with the crowd at the Sacre Coeur steps and end with a cabaret show at Accueil – English | AU LAPIN AGILE (au-lapin-agile.com), Paris’s oldest bar/cabaret since 1860.

    Downhill (many steps!) from Montmartre and to the southwest is the Pigalle neighborhood, the home of the Moulin Rouge club. Even if you don’t spring for a night at the club (show with drinks and/or dinner), walk by and take some pictures of this iconic Paris institution. I haven’t made it to the Moulin Rouge show yet but am planning to include it on the Girls Trip 2023 agenda.

    GETTING AROUND SACRE COEUR AND MONTMARTRE

    After the Eiffel Tower, this is one of the most popular tourist destinations so plan your visit accordingly. Come at the end of the day for a stunning sunset view or early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Up to you!

    I didn’t take one but there are lots of walking tours of Montmartre: Montmartre Walking Tour: Paris’ Best Art, Culture and Food 2023 (viator.co. Maybe next trip!

    We’ve stayed at various ARBNBs in this area. Our latest stay was at a one bedroom  just downhill in a cozy nighborhood with lots of boulangeries, cafes, and shops. ARBNBs are very affordable compared to hotels in Paris-about $200 USD a night depending on when you go vs. a nice hotel costing $400+. Always look for a “super host” and lots of good reviews plus a great cancel policy before you book any ARBNB. These are ones I’ve stayed at and enjoyed:

    Charming 1 bedroom apartment in Montmartre – Apartments for Rent in Paris, Île-de-France, France – Airbnb

    MONTMARTRE – PARIS – Cocooning flat (airbnb.com)

    Sacre Coeur is accessible by bus or metro line 2 at Anvers station. Sacré-Cœur Basilica is open from 06:00 to 22:30 every day and the dome is accessible from 10:00 to 19:00.

    Montmartre is served by Métro, with Line 2 stations at Barbès–Rochechouart, Anvers, Pigalle and Blanche, Line 4 stations at Château Rouge and Barbès–Rochechouart, as well as Line 12 stations at Pigalle, Abbesses, Lamarck–Caulaincourt (one of the most photographed metro stations because of it’s iconic Parisian charm) and Jules Joffrin. It is also served by the Montmartre Funicular, operated by the RATP, ascends the hill from the south while the Montmartre bus circles the hill. (Wikipedia)