Tag: travel coach

48 hours in NYC

On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, art, New York City, Travel, travelling, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Whenever we go to Europe, we try to book end the trip by spending a few days in NYC. Coming from the West Coast, it takes a whole day just to get to the East Coast and then we can pause and enjoy some time in New York before taking an overnight flight to get to wherever we are going. On this trip in June, we were flying into Milan, Italy before taking trains throughout Switzerland. What an adventure! Our ultimate goal of the trip was to see a Bruce Springsteen concert in Zurich but, before The Boss, there was lots to see and do in NYC even though we only had 48 hours. I’ve been to NYC countless times for business and vacation, so I’ll share some NYC travel tips with you below so you too can enjoy the journey!

ADMIRE ART:

Temporary art exhibits can usually be found in NYC-research events in advance at Time Out New York | New York Events and Things To Do All Year. You never know what might be happening! We saw two temporary art exhibits while we were there:

Warhol Art Exhibit at the Brant Foundation featured art that Peter Brant had been collecting since the 1960s. He became a friend of Andy Warhol and kept collecting his work. The exhibit we saw showcased more than 100 works of art spanning Warhol’s entire career. Set in the beautiful Brand Foundation gallery, there were familiar pieces and ones I had never seen before. It was very cool to see Warhol’s interpretation of the Last Supper and then go to Milan next and see the actual Last Supper.

Banksy Art Exhibit featured the artist’s works from a private collection of authenticated original pieces. Spanning years, Banksy was active in NYC going from an unknown disruptive street artist to a highly visible icon of the art world. We didn’t have time to track down the last Banksy art on the street in NYC. Next time!

We’ve been lucky enough to check out almost all the museums in NYC at one time or another. Here is a list to choose from the next time you visit:

Metropolitan Museum of Art aka The Met The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) My favorite places there are the Temple of Dendur and the multiple galleries filled with Monet and other impressionists.

Morgan Library The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, founded by Pierpont Morgan Libraries are my happy place and this mansion filled with books is a shrine to the written word from the Gutenberg Bible to Mozart’s scores to fabulous art.

Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) MoMA for lovers of all things modern and cool.

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History | New York City (amnh.org) for kids of all ages and history buffs. Night at the Museum movie fans-this is your place!

EXPERIENCE NATURE IN THE CITY:

Whether walking the paths or biking the lanes, you can cover miles all within the urban oasis that is Central Park. I can’t go to NYC without spending at least a few hours (or days) here. Between the natural beauty and the people watching, you will enjoy a respite here very much. Grab a picnic at the Whole Foods at Columbus Circle, wander the paths, use the park audio guide to explore, and enjoy seeing New Yorkers enjoying the great outdoors. Join a tai chi class if you are so inclined.

After taking in Central Park, wander downtown to Union Square and take in a Saturday farmer’s market. From fresh baked pastries, produce and artisan crafts, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Sip a latte on a park bench and do some more people watching!

TAKE IN A CONCERT:

Enjoy some music while you are in NYC. We were only there for 48 hours and managed to fit in two concerts:

Jazz at Lincoln Center has been on my “must do” list for awhile so I booked the tickets and we got to enjoy not only a fabulous jazz concert but we attended the preconcert lecture to learn more about jazz history. After going to Lincoln Center, it is the perfect time to swing by another NYC icon, the Russian Tea Room. Yes, it’s spendy and probably a one-time and done experience but live large and give it a try!

The Cutting Room: The Cutting Room – New York City (thecuttingroomnyc.com) has been around as a music institution in NYC with everyone from Lady Gaga to Billy Joel singing here. In it’s new location on 32nd Street, this club that is co-owned by Chris Noth (aka Mr. Big on Sex and the City), has a great vibe and serves great food, so you can eat and drink while you enjoy a show. One of our favorite artists, Griffin House, just happened to be playing a Sunday matinee when we were there, so we got to enjoy a concert before we ran off to the airport to catch our flight to Milan.

City Winery: https://citywinery.com/NewYork/Online/default.asp I’ve been to City Winery many times to see shows. Sip some good wine, eat and be merry while seeing great artists perform.

Carnegie Hall: https://www.carnegiehall.org/events Always something going on here and what a beautiful facility!

WHERE TO STAY:

I’ve stayed at many Marriott properties in NYC but this time I tried a new place: Manhattan Broadway Hotel – Residence Inn Manhattan/Central Park (marriott.com) at Broadway and 54th Street. Because I’m Premium Elite status, I used my status upgrades to get us a suite on the 63rd floor with views of the Hudson River AND the East River plus Central Park. Our corner room with floor to ceiling windows had a microwave, toaster, hot pot, coffee maker, dishwasher and refrigerator. With lots of room to spread out, we enjoyed our two nights there. Staying up that high isn’t for everyone but if you aren’t scared of heights, it did offer a stunning view. I usually like staying at Marriott properties that have member lounges and this one didn’t, but it did have a great breakfast buffet, which was free for us.

GETTING AROUND:

Flying into NYC? We arrived at JFK in the late evening so we opted to arrange in advance for a car service to be waiting to pick us up and whisk us into the city. I’ve used this service several times and found them to be dependable and reasonable https://www.dial7.com/airports.html (we paid $100 for JFK to Manhattan). You can also go to the taxi line and get a taxi for about the same price. Want to save money? You can take the AirTran from JFK to Jamaica Queens and from there take the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Madison station. The cost of a one-way ticket total will be less than $20 depending on the time of day.

To fly to Milan from NYC, we had to get to Newark airport. So, we took a taxi from our Manhattan hotel to Penn Station and told our driver to take us to the entrance where we could pick up the Newark Airport railway train. Now, Penn Station is not for everyone. You have to stand in a hall with thousands of people waiting to see which track # your train will be going out of (posted about 15 minutes before departure time) and then, when it is posted on the big screen, everyone makes a mad dash for that track. As there aren’t assigned seats, everyone has a stampede mentality, so you have to watch out and move fast. There are not always escalators which means you are dragging your suitcases up and down the stairs. It is not a situation for the weak or physically challenged. After you get on the train, it is only about 30 minutes to get to the station where you walk to the tram to go to the airport to your terminal. So, we spent about $31 for two tickets for the train/tram vs. $150 for a taxi/car service. If you have a tight budget and you are strong enough to withstand the journey, the train is the way to go. I plan to take a car service next time. If I can’t afford it, I won’t travel. We are getting older, and I just don’t want to relive that experience ever again. Thom and I couldn’t get seats together on the train and my seatmate stranger was eating sushi and drinking vegetable soup next to me. Never. Again.

In the city, we primarily walk and take subways to get around. The only full day we had on this trip, we walked over seven miles and that’s with taking a subway sometimes. Primarily we walked around the Greenwich Village area. Enjoy the journey!

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!

    Top Travel Apps

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Phone tips, Phone travel tips, Travel, travel apps, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, UncategorizedLeave a comment

    I use many different travel apps so that my adventures go smoothly. I thought I would share my favorites to help you too. I’ve included websites for many apps below so you can check them out and decide if they will work for you. Then, download the app to your mobile device to use while you are travelling. Embrace technology and enjoy the journey!

    PLANNING THE TRIP:

    OVERALL PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION

    OneNote–I use Microsoft OneNote, which is a digital note-taking app where I can jot down ideas, make to-do lists (my fav!), and more. OneNote is part of Microsoft 365 and you can sign in with your Microsoft account. Using OneNote, I can access my travel notes/files on my laptop AND my mobile device while travelling. I have a separate notebook for each trip. Within each notebook, I have sections/pages for every place, flights, hotels, etc. I will put in screenshots and download files for any tickets and travel confirmations. This way I can travel paperless, quickly pulling up anything up on my phone (even without Wi-Fi or cell service-which happens to me a lot!) that I might need while travelling. You can also share the OneNote with fellow travelers on your journey. That way you can collaborate on all the details!

    TripIt – Highest-rated trip planner and flight tracker is very popular. I tried TripIt out on our last two trips and it’s best feature is that when you book a flight, hotel, car, or other reservation, you can simply forward it to plans@tripit.com, and they automatically add it to your trip file. You can also add in other details yourself like tours you are taking, concerts, etc. I liked that you could click into a trip item and it shows the address and then you can click on the address and get mapping to get there. Try it!

    AIRLINES

    Once you know the place and the dates, you will want to start looking at airline prices. Tip: set up an alert (see apps below) to track how the prices are fluctuating. If you know you definitely want a particular airline, make sure you download their app and set up a search on that site. Hot tips: Book on a Sunday to save up to 15% on average according to Expedia data and book at least a month before domestic flights and six months before international travel to save 10% on average. Depart on a Wednesday to save up to 15% on average.

    Download the brand app-I fly Delta primarily so I have their app downloaded. They will notify me of any flight changes and push notifications to my phone about gate changes, boarding announcements, etc.

    General airline search for flights and pricing:

    Skyscanner: Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner

    Google: https://www.google.com/flights

    SeatGuru: Airline Seat Maps, Flights shopping and Flight information- Best Airplane Seats – SeatGuru (owned by Tripadvisor) Find out details on your airplane seats (do they recline, are they close to bathrooms,etc.) and book flights.

    TRANSPORTATION & 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 that 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-tram, 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.

    Citymapper – The Ultimate Transport App Citymapper 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 if it is available in the city/country you are visiting and your cell service works. Check here Uber Cities – Rides Around the World | Uber before you go and download the app. I’ve used Uber in many places around the world and sometimes it works like a charm and other times I’ve had to figure out a back-up plan (like bus or walking) when you just can’t get a driver to accept your ride.

    FREE NOW – Europe’s best mobility app. Available in 100+ cities (free-now.com) is handy because Uber not available in all countries. This app covers taxis, scooters, scooters and electric bicycles, or rent a car in sharing.

    Subways are a great way to get around town. Download the subway app for the city you are visiting to get all the information on fares, how to pay (tap to pay in NYC/Europe which you do with your smart watch, phone with Google Pay or Apple Pay or credit card). Want to know which stops are accessible with elevator in case you can’t do stairs? It should be on the app.

    TRAINS

    We have travelled by train and trams all over the UK, Italy, Switzerland and, in the Fall of 2023, we will be in France. Europe has far superior train systems than the US. Every country has their own train systems so too numerous to mention. Here are some aggregate sights to research train travel no matter what country you are going to be in:

    Book, search & compare trains, buses & flights (GoEuro) | Omio

    https://www.seat61.com/

    HOTELS

    Brand app-I stay in Marriotts (when not using Airbnb) if at all possible because I have Platinum Elite status and get all kinds of nice upgrades and late check-out. Download the hotel app where you are staying and make sure you are getting points for spending money there! We are on a trip to Switzerland right now and almost all of our hotel stays are free using points accrued from our trip last year to the UK.

    APARTMENTS

    We often stay in an Airbnb when we are in one place for more than a few days. I’ve written a separate blog post Top 5 Tips to Book an Airbnb you can check out. Download the Airbnb app on your phone and best of luck finding the perfect place to stay on your next adventure!

    TOURS

    Viator/TripAdvisor (same company-different sites) research everything there from hotels to tours to general things to do. You can read traveler reviews to determine if it seems like a good fit for you. This is my “go to” place when I start to research a location to visit.

    SEEING THE SIGHTS

    Audio Tours for Europe by Rick Steves-use for research and also while travelling vs. taking a tour-free! Download to your phone and bring your ear buds (don’t forget your power source to plug into when your battery dies).

    Homepage – Smartify: When you visit a museum, you scan the piece of art and hear all about it. Available on iOS, Android and mobile web-app. Smartify delivers tours, way-finding, object-recognition and much more. Super excited to try out this app again when we visit NYC and see exhibits of Warhol and Banksy.

    Bimble Your Favourite Places. Share & Get Place Recommendations to share the sights you see with others! Save travel places and easily refer for yourself and others. You can create a Bimple or discover Bimples from other people to get inspired.

    FOOD

    I don’t claim to be a foodie, but many people are so making reservations to eat while you are travelling is important. Research places before you go and make your reservations through one of the many apps that are available:

    Book the best restaurants nearby | OpenTable make your restaurant reservations in the US, UK, India, Australia and Mexico.

    Book the best restaurants in Europe | TheFork for your dining in Europe.

    Yelp is always a good resource to research restaurants and direct you to their website to see how to make reservations depending on where it is located.

    PACKING

    I only travel with a backpack and a carry-on. My motto is “never check a bag” so that you can arrive in your destination ready to go! Whether one week or a month, it’s only a carry-on for me. See my separate blog post on packing here Top 5 Travel Packing Tips – Travels with Melinda.

    Packr – Travel packing list app for each trip  is popular free travel packing list app for iPhone and iPad. Packr will organize your luggage and suitcase for each trip depending on weather and activities.

    TAKING THE TRIP:

    COMMUNICATING

    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 Please check it out!

    Google Translate-When you go to places where English is not spoken or menu/signs aren’t in English, Google Translate comes in very handy. It’s a free app that instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. We landed in Florence for our girls’ trip and the first restaurant we went to in the Oltrarno had no menus in English and no waiters who spoke English so we learned how to translate everything quickly so we could order. Of course, I still wound up with soup instead of the pasta I thought I ordered but everyone else did well!

    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!

    TRAVEL INSURANCE

    Check your medical insurance policy before you travel. You may not be covered when you are outside the US. If you are on Medicare, it doesn’t cover healthcare during international travel. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover certain emergencies if they occur outside the United States. Check out any travel insurance plans and compare before you buy. Here are a few sites to research:

    Travel Insurance Quotes Online – TravelSafe

    Buy Now | iTravelInsured Travel SE – IMG (imglobal.com)

    Travel Medical Insurance (betins.com)

    STAYING SAFE

    Travel Advisories (state.gov) Are there any travel advisories where you are travelling? Good to know before you go. To receive updated travel advisories and alerts while you are travelling, sign up at travel.state.gov/stayingconnected for one of the ways to stay alert. One of these ways is to sign up for the STEP Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (state.gov) which is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

    Official list of embassies from the U.S. Department of State (usembassy.gov)– good to have this list handy in case you are travelling and lose your passport or need assistance from the embassy.

    While you hope it doesn’t happen to you on a trip, it’s better to be prepared in case you lose or have stolen your wallet. Take a picture (and keep it in the cloud where you can access it if you have to with WiFi) of the contents of your wallet including:

    • Fronts and backs fo credit, debit, and insurance cards
    • Passport
    • Driver’s license

    Download a locator app for your phone in case it is stolen and know how to lock it so a thief can’t access your information.

    Most credit card companies and banks say they don’t need to be notified if you are travelling but my travel companions and I have all had our credit cards locked the first time we use them outside the US so I still try to reach out and alert them. Usually you can do this online.  My husband and I also keep one credit card and passport separate from other credit cards and driver’s license. That way if you get a pickpocket, they get one or the other. Also consider using hotel safe to keep one or the other. As long as you have a copy of your passport with you, you can keep your passport in the safe. Just don’t forget items that you stash in the safe!

    WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO GO

    Apps to download and use when you have to go NOW and you are out and about (on Android and iOS) I was in Central Park in NYC, pulled up my Flush app which uses your location to find the nearest public bathroom and quickly found the closest facility. Lifesaver!

    So many apps to help you enjoy the journey!

    Revisiting Sydney, Australia

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Australia, sydney, Uncategorized1 Comment

    As I started to plan my next trip to Australia and New Zealand, I realized I hadn’t ever written a blog post about the first time I visited Sydney, Australia a few years ago. Sydney was my first stop on a long business trip that took me from Sydney to Singapore to Tokyo-all fabulous and very different cities. I had a few days off in Sydney after the work was complete and I’ll try to recall all the fun things I did. My lasting impressions were of a clean and diverse city where the waterfront views were stunning, and the most amazing birds wandered the busy downtown streets and city parks.

    Taronga Zoo Sydney | Taronga Conservation Society Australia is perched on a hilltop across the harbor from the core Sydney downtown. This ferry ride was fast, easy and cheap, allowing me to admire the variety of boats up close in the harbor as we dodged them to arrive at our destination. Leaving the ferry, you have to take a gondola up the hill to the zoo, again providing amazing views of the harbor, Sydney Opera House and the downtown.

    Since experiencing the koalas was an absolute must do for me, I went straight to the gift shop to sign up for the Koala Encounter | Taronga Conservation Society Australia. You couldn’t book just a single ticket when I was there, so I paid for a group of three and invited the young couple standing behind me to join me for free. They accepted and off we went to commune with the koalas and learn all about their habitat. It was a sunny December day (summer there at that time!) so the animals were a little sleepy. I got up close and personal and they were just as cute as I thought they would be. I kissed a koala, and I liked it!

    The zoo is very spread out so wear your comfy shoes and be ready to get very close to the wildlife. One little park area that you could walk around and just be with the animals had kangaroos. Not a zoo employee in sight so they are very trusting of both the zoo tourists and the animals. Animals and human visitors are much more segregated in US zoos, so this was definitely a unique experience to see the animals so close up.

    Sydney Opera House | Home is another “must see” in Sydney. Famous for it’s “sails” architecture, I took the time for a The Sydney Opera House Tour for a behind the scenes look at this iconic landmark. I would highly recommend taking the tour as you will not only learn all about the history but also get to see all throughout the interior of the building. I regret that I wasn’t able to attend a performance while I was there, but I will definitely rectify that when we go back next year. Once you are done with the tour, spend some time hanging out on the promenade surrounding the Opera House and have a cocktail with a view!

    After work, my teammates and I would check out all the wonderful restaurants in Sydney. As it was summer, we would often sit outside on patios to enjoy the diverse and yummy offerings. There were places tucked away in alleyways lit up by overhead patio lights that were just charming. We visited a vinyl bar, Mojo Record Bar, where we ate, drank and bought vinyl while admiring the eclectic decorations. Of course, vinyl was on playing and it was a perfect night on the town in Sydney!

    We stayed downtown Sydney at the Hotel in Sydney, Australia | Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park (marriott.com). If you are a Marriott loyalist like me, you will appreciate their gorgeous lobby and the members lounge at this hotel. Within easy walking distance of all the shopping, cafes and also the harbor, this was the perfect location for my business/pleasure trip.

    Travel Souvenir Ideas

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Shopping, souvenirs, UncategorizedLeave a comment

    Who doesn’t love to bring home souvenirs both for yourself and others-but what to get??? Before every trip, I make a list of possible items to seek out to purchase while I am there. Depending on where I am going, I research what the place is known for (think Florence=leather) and who do I need to buy stuff for besides myself. If I’m going on a girls trip, I better be bringing home something good for my husband, which is usually vinyl because he collects it. Always, I need to bring home good gifts for the grandkids. I try to bring home unique Christmas gifts for the family. You get the idea!

    One new tradition that I started with our last trip to the UK, Paris and Italy was to send myself the most beautiful post card I could find from every place we went. When we got home, we had a great memory of our trip waiting for us and we ended up framing them.

    So, make a list of the who, what and where for your souvenir list and then do a little research. Looking for vinyl-go to Yelp in advance for the city you are going to and read the reviews/check store hours and put it on your agenda. Don’t wait till the last minute to get your list checked off as other priorities can come up during a trip and then you leave with regrets that you weren’t able to get what you wanted-it has happened to me several times and I learned. Below are some suggestions for you based on my travels.

    KIDS

    • Stuffed animals local to the area: I found a wild boar that roars in Florence-so unique! We have a shelf for the grandkids with all these animals for them to play with when they visit. Oh, the fun they’ve had enacting stories with the panda bear I got at the Great Wall in China taking on the koala and kangaroo from Australia. Hint-the bear wins.
    • Ducks for the bathtub: our prize collection of ducks from around the world for our grandkids range from Vincent Van Gogh duck from Paris (look for these at museums!) to Roman Soldier duck (Bath-from the Roman Baths there but there was also a specialty store that had so many to choose from!) to Queen Duck that we got in Liverpool on the day that she died. I hope that after our grandkids grow out of creating elaborate stories playing with them in the bathtub, we will store them until their kids are ready.
    • Placemats: We started this tradition when we were in Paris and placemats were easily found in many gift shops. When I got to Florence, I looked everywhere for them and finally found one. My sister took photos from our trip and had several placemats made for me too. I let the grandkids pick one every time they come over to eat (see picture below of placemats from our girls’ trip to Bath, England). This way we can talk about the places we’ve been and encourage a love of travel in them early on. Oh, the places you’ll go!

    CHRISTMAS GIFTS

    • Christmas tree ornaments: good for those who celebrate. My sister bought handblown ornaments for her entire office staff and had them shipped from the store in Bath. I love our NYC landmark building ornaments that we bought. Buy bubble wrap at a local stationary or postal store to carefully pack anything fragile.
    • Custom products: make all kinds of cool stuff with trip photos. For our girls’ trip, I took pictures from our trip and had them made into coasters and luggage tags for the ladies and myself. I use Shutterfly to create items like this but there are lots of online companies to pick from.

    ITEMS ANYONE WOULD LIKE

    • Food specialty items: think coffee beans (Hawaii) or tea bags (UK); Just remember that you will have to pack these items away in your checked bag or, if you are like me and only travel with a carry-on, they will have to be small to stay within liquid restrictions. Anything that smears is considered a liquid so that would include jams, honey, etc. in Europe.
    • Booze: buy what the locals drink-Scottish whiskey; Tuscany wine. Again, with liquid restrictions, you may want to see if the place will ship the booze home for you. I tried that with wine from a vineyard we visited in Tuscany and almost all the bottles made it but we did have one bottle break and shipping took two months.
    • Scarves: whether it’s designer (Milan) or handwoven (Ireland) both men AND women like scarves for fashion and to keep warm. No worries about the fit/size and super lightweight and easy to pack. Perfect gift!
    • Leather: eyeglass case, makeup case, handbag, bookmark, etc. We have purchased lots of items from the Florence Leather School because the students make the items there at the school and they offer free engraving.
    • Magnets: easy to find at any tourist store and so many people love these to post items on the fridge.

    STUFF I LIKE TO BUY

    • Pillow covers: My home is filled with pillows from everywhere in the world from China to Italy and all places in between. Many places sell the pillow cover, and you can get the pillow insert from Amazon when you return home. Easy to pack into a full carry-on, pillow covers can even be used to wrap and protect other souvenirs you buy like jewelry. We bought fabric at Liberty of London and Patti used it to make us pillow covers for Christmas presents since we couldn’t find any pillow covers to buy on our girls’ trip to London.
    • Kitchen towels: most places you can find kitchen towels. My favorites are from museums and Parliament gift stores (we have visited both the Scottish and UK Parliaments) They are light and won’t break and I use them every day in my kitchen.
    • Jewelry-I love to seek out unique jewelry pieces to bring home. They are easy to pack and every time I wear them, I have such fond memories of the trip. I have several jewelry artists that I’ve met on my travels and that I collect jewelry from now. It’s so special when you have seen the artist in action and then get to wear one of their pieces. Here are some favorites of mine:
    • Starbucks city mugs: I know, they are heavy and fragile and thus terrible items to pack, but I just love them and have collected them for years. From Moscow to Paris to Shanghai, I’ve got them and have wonderful memories of seeking them out wherever we are. On the last girls’ trip to London, we scored the original version of the London mug from a Starbucks we just happened to find when we got lost. This particular style with the raised images has been discontinued and run about $80 each on eBay so we all bought one and I drink my tea (also from the UK) in it. Next trip up is Milan in June. They have a Starbucks roaster fancy café so I’m hoping the mug selection is broad and that means I’ll be hauling it all over Italy/Switzerland for a few weeks before I return home, hopefully with it in one piece.
    • Local art: Walk the streets of Montmartre in Paris and you’ll find local artists sketching away and selling their art. We discovered a street artist in Florence who goes by the name Blub and then stumbled upon a limited edition print of Blub’s art in a local store. We were thrilled and bought a cardboard tube and had the studio roll it up for me to pack. It is now framed and hanging on our wall at home and is a fabulous reminder of our time spent hunting down Blub’s street art in the quaint streets of Florence.
    • Eyeglass frames: get the frames and bring home to get the lenses put in by your local optical place. I’ve had success with Costco. My frame collection is growing, and I now have two pairs from Florence and one from Tokyo.

    I hope you can find awesome souvenirs next time you travel that will remind you of your adventures. Enjoy the journey!

    Top 5 tips to book an Airbnb stay

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Airbnb, Europe, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized, vacation2 Comments

    Gazing out the window at the lively Montmartre cafes, I truly felt a part of the Parisian culture on a recent trip. This is one of the reasons I book an Airbnb for our stays that are a week or more. While I love my Marriott hotel stays, those work best for just a few days. An Airbnb is great for longer term stays and for groups like for our girls’ trips because we need more bathrooms and beds than a hotel room can provide. In Florence, we rented out an apartment in a villa (see top left pic below) where the family lived in one section, and we enjoyed three levels of living in a separate wing of the building. When my husband and I travel, often I will be working remote for a month or longer, so having strong Wi-Fi and a washer are necessary. I just booked our stay in an apartment in Strasbourg, France for a month, where I’ll be working remote during the week and taking day trips all over France on the weekends. My girls trip this year will be a stay in Paris on the Ile Saint-Louis Island in an amazing Airbnb with a water view. So much to look forward to!

    Doing research before booking your Airbnb is crucial to having a happy stay so please read my tips below before you hit that “reserve” button and enjoy your journey!

    1. Read the reviews. If there are complaints about noise and the beds being uncomfortable, look elsewhere. You need a good night’s sleep when you travel. If there are no reviews, don’t book it. The listing may be new and that’s the reason for zero reviews but let somebody else try it out first. The host should disclose any issues with the rental in the description (one posting I just read stated that “If you are 6-feet +, consider other bookings because one area of the ceiling has a clearance of 5’11”) but sometimes hosts aren’t so forthright so reviews are where you will discover the truth.
    2. Choose a Superhost if at all possible. They will care more about providing a clean, consistent experience because they want good reviews. If something is amiss, they will be more likely to make it right. We checked in to one apartment in London and the cleaners hadn’t shown up yet, so we had to drop our bags and leave once they did come. However, the host gave us a full night’s credit back to our Airbnb account which was absolutely the best outcome of a situation that can happen.
    3. Check out the neighborhood before you book. Some hosts provide the address up front, and others will only show a location in the general neighborhood “exact location provided after booking”. Either way, do your due diligence and investigate. We got a super deal on a place in Lisbon, Portugal but the neighborhood was a little rough, so we didn’t feel comfortable going out at night so now I go to Google maps and look at street view level to get a feel for the neighborhood before I book. Usually, the host will include details in “Getting around” section about what you can walk to like a market and public transportation nearby. Is accessibility an issue for you or members of your group? Is the neighborhood hilly or are there stairs to climb to the local market? All good thinks to know in advance.
    4. Consider the cancellation policy. Cancel policies vary by property so make sure you check. You will usually see for each listing either: “Free cancellation before (insert date)”, which is usually 30 days prior to start of reservation OR “Free cancellation for 48 hours”. Believe me, life can happen and with a restrictive cancel policy you will lose your entire payment. My husband had a heart attack, and we couldn’t go to NYC on a planned trip. Even after explaining the situation to the host, he refused to refund our money and he was within his rights to do so given that apartment’s published cancel policy. I was still upset, and, after that incident, I now refuse to book a place that doesn’t have a more lenient policy where I can get a 100% refund within 30 days of start of reservation.
    5. Check amenities and accessibility. I have stayed in Airbnbs all over Europe. Many places have steep stairs to not only get to the apartment but also within the unit. Elevators are as rare as air conditioning, dishwashers and dryers in many countries. If these are important to you, check to make sure the place you have picked to rent has them. Even small details like having a coffee pot for me are important. One place we rented had nothing but an electric kettle which is fine for tea. We had a lovely time shopping in the local neighborhood for a french press and coffee, leaving it all behind after our week’s stay so the next renter might enjoy it. If you will be working remote and need strong Wi-Fi, check the reviews to see if other renters have had any issues and check with the host. Where we stayed in London recently not only had 5 flights of stairs inside the unit but the Wi-Fi and cell coverage was weak and only worked in a few places inside the unit, which was just inconvenient for us. At our New Zealand cottage on the water, the host provided free use of kayaks and we had an amazing paddle around the bay. Our France rental this fall has use of bikes to get around the city which I am sure we will use on our month-long stay.

    I hope these tips help you book an amazing place. Safe travels!

    Top 5 Travel Packing Tips

    On By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, packing tips, Travel, travel hacks, travel tips, travelling, Uncategorized2 Comments

    I recommend you pack only a carry-on for whatever length of time you are travelling. Seriously, I went all over Europe last fall for 30+ days with only a carry-on. And this was a multi-purpose trip for me-I work remote, so I had to look business-like on virtual meetings and also had personal time off to enjoy sightseeing with my husband. If I can do it, so can you! Don’t be disappointed by lost baggage or sustain injuries caused by dragging around and lifting heavy luggage. If you follow my best practices, learned from travelling all over the world with only a carry-on, you will thank me. Enjoy the journey!

    Here we go: (downloadable travel checklist here Packing Checklist – Travels with Melinda)

    1. Pick a color palette and coordinate your outfits around it. I use black as the base and plan pops of color with scarves and jewelry. I envy people who can wear white shirts but mine just end up with stains so white is a no go for me.
    2. Try out the clothes in advance of the trip to see if they are comfortable and won’t wrinkle. When you wear them, are they comfortable and do they make you feel good? If so, take a picture to remember the look and put it in your packing list file. I’m a planner and start updating my basic packing list months in advance of any trip depending on where I am going and expected weather conditions.
    3. Lay out your 5 outfits (this is for any length of trip over 5 days) on the bed-tops, bottoms, underwear, socks, jewelry, scarves, etc. Then, see if you can mix and match them to create new looks. When you have your outfits picked, I recommend you roll all your items, sorting them into packing cubes by function, i.e., underwear/socks in one, tops in one, bottoms in another, etc. I use a hanging organizer for my jewelry and a hanging toiletries bag. Any clothing that is heavy or bulky won’t make the cut.
    4. Wash the chosen travel outfits in the sink and hang them to dry to test their worthiness before the trip. If they don’t dry overnight or dry but with terrible wrinkles, don’t pack them. That includes socks and underwear too. You may have the luxury of a washer at an ARBNB, but you probably won’t have a dryer at least in Europe and, if you’re at a hotel, you may be washing in the sink using handy laundry soap sheets that are easy to pack.
    5. Check the weather right before you go and adjust outfits as needed. Don’t need that umbrella and poncho? Great! Do need hat and gloves? Pack them. You don’t want to be cold, wet and miserable, so better to be prepared.

     More details on exact items I recommend for the best travel experience can be found on my website: Travel Essentials – Travels with Melinda.

    New York City-Top 10 Free Things to Do

    On By Travels with MelindaIn New York City, UncategorizedLeave a comment

    New York City is my favorite place in the world. I had the great fortune to live there for six months on a work assignment for Microsoft and have also travelled there extensively over many years for both business and pleasure. I even married a born and bred New Yorker! And while I’ve travelled all around the world, I still have yet to find a city that rivals NYC. Just walking around the various neighborhoods, eating $1 pizza and bagels from the street carts, strolling through Central Park and visiting many famous museums keeps me busy. Most of what I love to do in NYC is FREE! So, I’m going to share with you my favorite free things to do in NYC. Enjoy the journey!

    Central Park (Your Official Guide to Central Park I… | Central Park Conservancy (centralparknyc.org) is where real New Yorkers go to exercise and relax. Check out Belvedere castle, the turtle pond, and the great lawn. Wander around and take care not to get run over by the many bikes, roller bladers, horse carriages, etc. on the roads and pathways. It’s beautiful.

    NYC Public Library tour (https://www.nypl.org/events/tours/schwarzman) I love libraries in general, but the NYC main library is by far the best I’ve seen. I didn’t appreciate how special it was until I took the free tour that took us behind the scenes and throughout all the areas you wouldn’t normally see. My husband found out that the tour guide won’t tolerate talking in the library as he got “shushed” more than once. Especially now as libraries and censoring our books is a real issue, go to the NYC Public Library and celebrate this amazing institution of learning and culture.

    Little Island Park Home – Little Island is fairly new and located in Hudson River Park. It’s a great place to take a walk, enjoy the view of the Hudson and perhaps catch a concert if you’re lucky. Great pit stop when exploring the High Line and Chelsea neighborhoods-clean and plentiful public bathrooms!

    High Line Walk Home | The High Line Enjoy a stroll on this former NYC railroad line. Great for people watching AND exercise. Open daily from 7 am to 10 pm. Maybe you might even stumble upon some cool street music like the picture above in one of the local parks in the neighborhood. We even saw a grand piano one time being played in a park. Awesome random experiences like that happen all the time in NYC and is one of the many reasons I love this city so much.

    Grand Central terminal Grand Central Terminal – Be Transported Open since 1913, this terminal is not only a transportation hub but an iconic NYC landmark. One of Grand Central’s main attractions is the four-faced opal clock that sits in the center of the Main Concourse above the Information Booth. Grab a cocktail at The Campbell Bar, restored to its original grandeur on the balcony level or try the Oyster Bar, the oldest restaurant in the terminal. Cheers!

    Times SquareTimes Square NYC When in NYC, you have to at least walk through Times Square to gawk at the bright lights in the big city. Word of caution-don’t touch the many characters walking around-who knows the last time that costume was washed! If you take pictures with them, they expect to be paid. You’ve been warned. Look but don’t touch!

    Visit the TKTS booth here if you want to see a Broadway play that night and spend 30-50% less than the ticket price. Our jam was going to Broadway when we lived there and once a week we would line up and see whatever was available that night.

    Museums-below are the “free” details but always check on the museum website just before you go to make sure there haven’t been any changes! More details here: Free Museum Days or Pay What You Wish | NYC-ARTS Here are some of my NYC favorites:

    Metropolitan Museum of Art aka The Met The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) It is always “pay as you wish” so make a donation or walk in for free-up to you! When we lived in NYC, we got a membership and went at least once a week. My favorite rooms are the Temple of Dendur and the rooms that are exclusively Monets everywhere you look-heaven! Check out the Cloisters (part of the Met) north of the city. Worth the subway ride to get to.

    Morgan Library The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, founded by Pierpont Morgan free every Friday from 5-7 pm! Libraries are my happy place and this mansion filled with books is a shrine to the written word from the Gutenberg Bible to Mozart’s scores to fabulous art.

    Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) MoMA For NYC residents, the first Friday of every month from 4-8 pm is free but you still need to book tickets online-it gets busy! Children 16 and under are always free. MoMA offers one free admission to active members of the US military with valid ID as well as free admission for military families with dependent cards. Tickets are available at the Ticketing Desk.

    Governors Island Park is a 172-acre park in New York Harbor. A des­ti­na­tion for trans­for­ma­tive pub­lic art, unfor­get­table events, cul­tur­al and edu­ca­tion­al pro­gram­ming and recre­ation­al activ­i­ties for all ages-check the website Governors Island (en-US) (govisland.com) for more details on event programming. Wear comfortable shoes and go on a nice day to enjoy the island and the beautiful view of Manhattan.  We had the place to ourselves when we went as it is not a well-advertised tourist site. Hidden gem!

    Open 7 am to 6 pm daily. Free ferry ride to get there on Saturday/Sunday before noon. Nominal fee at other times-buy tickets online: PURCHASE TICKETS (govisland.com)

    Free, guided walking tours (not in the winter), departing from the Soissons Landing Welcome Center every Saturday and Sunday at 10:45am, 12:45pm, 2:45pm.

    Concerts in the park in the summer – it’s a party! If you are travelling in the summer to NYC, enjoy the free musical and theater concerts in the parks. Check the event calendar here: Free Summer Concerts : NYC Parks (nycgovparks.org) We’ve enjoyed so many shows-some were planned to attend and others we just stumbled upon when we were walking around the city. Plan ahead and pack a travel blanket so you have a place to sit.

    Neighborhood Walking Tours-Flatiron district When I lived in NYC, this was my neighborhood. From Madison Square Park where we would take our dog to the dog park to run wild with his pooch friends to gazing at the Flatiron Building to shopping at Fish Eddys, it was spectacular. Take a walking tour and find out the history of this magical place. Especially for architecture buffs, this 90-minute tour also include these landmarks: the New York Life Building, the MetLife Clock Tower, and the Appellate Courthouse. Tour is free but tip the guide! Every Sunday at 11 am, rain or shine. No RSVP or registration required.