Archives for March 2007

Country by country, what’s new in European travel for 2007

Posted on March 2, 2007 ·

Travelling to Europe this year, read Rick Steves‘ country by country travel update in the Seattle Times.

Florence deals with its floods of tourists and congested museums by requiring reservations to enter several of its top attractions. The easiest way to make reservations for the Uffizi Gallery (Renaissance art) and Accademia (Michelangelo’s David) is to have your hotelier do it for you; request this service when you book your room. Or you can call the frequently busy reservation line (from the United States, dial 011-39-055-294-883). Reservations (that you book on your own) are still required for the Brancacci Chapel (Masaccio’s frescoes) and recommended for the Chapel of the Magi within the Medici-Riccardi Palace. Good guidebooks come with the details.

If you find this article useful, I recommend his guidebooks for your next European vaction.

Filed Under: guidebooks, travel experience ·

Five things to see and do in Firenze (Florence), Italy

Posted on March 2, 2007 ·

Firenze is the cradle of the Renaissance, the humanist movement pushed back the dark veil of the middle ages and advanced society and science in an explosion of discovery. My five favourite Firenze sights and activities:

1. Michelangelo‘s David, simply the most magnificent sculpture I have ever seen but book ahead to avoid long lines at the Accademia Gallery.

2. Take your lover to the Ponte Vecchio and place a lock on the ironwork and then throw the key into the Arno River to seal your love.

3. Michelangelo‘s The Deposition, is believed to contain a self-portrait of the aging Master as Nicodemus. Michelangelo smashed it after fault in the marble caused a leg to break off. A servant sold the pieces and the buyer reconstructed this unfinished masterpiece.

4. Shop for an Italian leather jacket at the San Lorenzo Market or a exquisite gold necklace on the Ponte Vecchio.

5. Sit on the steps opposite the Uffizi Gallery and enjoy a gelato while the human experience unfolds in front of you.

Filed Under: Five Favs, travel experience ·

Travel Tech – These Keen Shoes are made for Walking

Posted on March 1, 2007 ·

Travel is good for the soul but your soles take a pounding as you wander the back streets of London or climb to the splendour of Machu Picchu. Modern workplaces are relatively sedentary and most travellers walk several more miles a day during a vacation than a normal working week. The comfortable shoes you wear to work can blister your feet and ruin your vacation.

After mangled feet almost ruined one trip, my wife researched walking shoes and finally settled on a pair of Keen shoes in a Mary Jane style. All leather uppers with a moulded sole and patented toe protection combined into a stylish pattern that became her shoe of choice all summer.

While taking this picture, Colleen heard another traveller explain to her son, ‘See there’s another woman taking a photo of her sore feet.’

Colleen quickly corrected her, ‘Actually I’m taking a photo because my feet do not hurt at all.’

Keen‘s range include running shoes, sandals and walking shoes in a range of styles that are both comfortable and attractive.

Filed Under: clothing, technology ·