Wicked Travel, Anything But Ordinary - Fall 2015

Fall 2015

Wicked Anything But Ordinary!

travels

America's Best Fall Biking Getaways New England Easy to Find Waterfalls

From The Editors For many, Fall is the favorite time of year for travel.

Summer heat and pesky pollen is behind us and breezes have turned fresh and invigorating. This year it's perhaps time for a new way to explore the countryside... like discovering some of New Hampshire's dramatic easy-to-find waterfalls, pedaling through the vibrant landscape on a biking getaway, or taking the course to learn how to play Foot Golf. We'll help you plan future trips that are always spectacular in Fall, like food festivals in Italy and San Diego where kids Eat, Sleep and Play free every October.

And there's some good news on the travel front. Airline prices are down a bit due to the reduction in fuel prices (finally), and the number of cruise ships, airlines and hotels offering free Wifi is on the climb. One cell phone company, T-Mobile, is making travel easy with free data and texting in more than 145 countries. All great trends.

Happy Fall Traveling Everyone and thanks for sharing our magazine with your friends - Susan Kohlback and Linda

In This Issue 4 America's Best Fall Foliage Getaways 10 9 Easy-To-Find New England Waterfalls 16 Kids Eat Stay and Play Free in San Diego 18 Who's Cruising To Cuba in 2016?

24 Sip, Savor and Smile, Memorable Food Festivals in Italy 30 New Way For Families To Play Golf Together... Introducing Foot Golf 34 8 Ways To Find Honeymoon Magic In The Maldives 42 Peru For Families, An Experience You Won't Soon Forget 46 Discover Delray Sands Beach Hotel, Not Your Grandpa's Florida!

Images Sourced From Google Commons unless otherwise noted

America's Best Fall Biking Getaways

Cycling is fun at any time of year, but when Autumn brings a refreshing nip to the air and landscapes explode with fall colors, there’s no better time to hop on your bike and take in the splendor.

This fall season a number of wonderful properties across the U.S.A. have put together biking packages that make it easy and enjoyable to go off exploring the countryside on two wheels while being pampered at day’s end at a lovely Inn. Here’s a look at some of the best biking getaways for fall 2015.

Inn-to -Inn Bike Tour New Hampshire Lakes Region Casual bikers, avid cyclists and nature lovers of all stripes will love riding along the Northern Rail Trail in the Lake SunapeeDartmouth Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Completed in 2013, this 56-mile long, 13-feet wide, paved recreational path attracts biking enthusiasts from across the country. Riders discover covered bridges, quaint villages, lakes and streams, orchards, farms, mill sites and breathtaking scenery all along the way.

Your invited to bring your own bike or rent from Rhino Bike Works in Plymouth, NH and star each day at one of the 7 participating Bed and Breakfast Inns. With a hearty breakfast each morning and a cozy historic inn to welcome you each afternoon and evening, it’s the ideal way to ride through New England. Inns include Common Man Inn & Spa, Follansbee Inn where you can watch the sun set of Kezar Lake, luxurious Highland Lake Inn, Inn at Pleasant Lake with gourmet restaurant, historic Inn on Newfound Lake near Enfield Shaker Museum, and the Shaker Farm BnB. More information is available at LakesRegion.org.

Cape Cod Bike & Rail Trail, Brewster, MA

Cape Cod’s premier family beach resort, the Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, on the Cape’s quiet side (Rt 6A), has put together four customized bike itineraries for exploring Cape Cod’s bays, bogs, beaches and shops. The “Take A Bike” package is available from 8/23 – 10/31/15 and includes brand-new bike rentals for two and 15% savings. This is a great opportunity to glide along the 26-mile Cape Cod Bike & Rail Trail that is accessible right from the resort.

Explore Historic Newport, Rhode Island

The newly renovated Newport Marriott Hotel is offering charming Autumn biking getaways. They have partnered with Villy Custom Bikes to bring you a great biking getaway package that includes an overnight stay in a renovated guest room, use of 2 Villy bikes for a half day, use of iPhone photo lens to capture great pics of your adventure, biking maps of Newport and two refreshing post-ride cocktails at Skiff Bar. Rates start at $189 per night and are available from August 16 through November 27th

See and Be Seen Pedaling Through The Hamptons, Long Island, NY The Inn at Windmill Lane, one of the Hampton’s best secret hideaways, has partnered with Bowery Lane Bicycles to put together a great biking escape.

Hop on your bike and go for a 10 minute ride to the beach or tool around the chic towns of East Hampton and Amagansett. You’ll love their branded baskets for carrying a gourmet picnic along on your ride.

Rates in the luxury property start at $550 for fall dates.

Bike Across The Brooklyn Bridge, New York City Surely one of the top items on any serious biker’s bucket-list is to ride across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. Thanks to the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge and New York’s Citi Bike Share program it all becomes possible.

There are city bike docks located just a short walk from the Brooklyn Marriott so you can ride like a local through the colorful city. Rates in fall begin at $269 per night.

Cycle Through the Vineyards of Sonoma, California What could be more exciting than biking through the Sonoma countryside with a small group of biking enthusiasts, visiting vineyards and farms along the way.

Sonoma on a Bike (a newly formed high-end tour company) takes groups of just 12 guests on a luxury sixday tour of Sonoma County.

The tour includes Dry Creek, Alexander and Sonoma Valleys, Bodega Bay, Calley of the Moon, Sonoma Mountain and past the Russian River and famous Redwood trees, as you travel along the Pacific Coast. The tour includes wine tastings at celebrated wineries, meals at high-end restaurants using locally sourced ingredients, stops at local gardens and farms and elegant lodging each evening. Fall itineraries often witness a portion of the grape harvest as well. The biking tour is rated moderate with riders traveling 20-40 miles of surfaced roads each day.

9 Easy-To-Find New England Waterfalls . . . Spectatular !

Add Some Excitement To Your Fall Foliage Viewing - Go Find To A Waterfall !

The allure of seeing a cascading waterfall is universal, but it often requires hours of hiking to discover its pristine source.

And we often assume the most dramatic waterfalls are in tropical locals. Not so! In New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley, granite cliffs and glacier carved ravines produce an abundance of beautiful, easily accessible waterfalls just waiting for you to explore. Get out in the fresh mountain air and take a easy hike to one of New Hampshire's spectacular waterfalls.

Ringed by the White Mountain National Forest, Mt. Washington Valley makes a wonderful destination for discovering charming covered bridges and tumbling whitewater falls. This fall promises to be a good year for waterfall viewing and a huge winter snow melt and summer rains have kept the falls flowing.

Couple this with warmer than average daytime temperatures, and you have wonderful conditions for mountain hikes.

Follow us to discover 9 spectacular waterfalls in the Mt. Washington Valley that are easily accessible just off paved roads and in short distance from each other. Plan an unforgettable adventure to explore these cascading waterfalls and don’t miss the chance to see them in their full spring rushing glory!

Arethusa Falls, New Hampshire,

Arethusa Falls, Crawford Notch State Park Cascading over 175 feet, these are the highest single falls in New Hampshire and should be a must-see on your waterfall excursion. You also find the bonus of the Bemis Brook Falls, Fawn Pool and Coliseum Falls that can be seen nearby. Follow Route 302 west toward Bretton Woods to the the Crawford Notch State Park entrance. Turn onto a paved road just beyond the park on a short side-road below the railroad tracks. The trails starts on the left of the private road above the tracks. It’s about 1.3 miles to the falls and about 2 miles if you visit all four falls.

Glen Ellis Falls, Pinkham Notch on Route 16 Torrents of white water plunge 64 feet to the broad deep green pool basin (sorry no swimming). Take a few minutes to read the signs describing the geology and history of this area. Take Route 16 toward Pinkham Notch and turn off to falls 0.7 miles south of the notch. This is the parking area for the Glen Boulder and Wildcat Ridge Trails. Take the tunnel under the highway and turn right to reach the falls. Easy 0.2 walk.

Crystal Cascade, Pinkham Notch There are few places as iconic in Mt. Washington Valley as Tuckerman Ravine, especially in the spring. While adventurers climb the Tuckerman Ravine Trail seeking the last thrilling spring ski run, tamer thrill seekers should take a short detour off the trail to discover the dramatic two-tiered waterfall. A 60-foot wall of water drops from the top and then plunges 20-feet before ending at the river that makes a 90 degree turn at the bottom. Park at the AMC Pinkham Notch Camp and walk along the path on the left of the Trading Post (Tuckerman Ravine Trail). You’ll find the falls just 0.3 miles ahead.

Sabbaday Falls

Thompson Falls, Wildcat Ski Area These are a series of falls along the Thompson Brook with breathtaking views of Mt. Washington from the highest ledge. The lowest cascade crashes over a gigantic clam-shaped rock ledge. Take Route 16 to Wildcat Ski Area and take the “Way of the Wildcat” Nature Trail from the parking lot. The path to the falls is at the far end of the trail loop – an easy 0.7 mile walk

Sabbaday Falls, Kancamagus Highway, Conway These falls are some of the most popular in New Hampshire with three dramatic drops, pretty pools (not for swimming), and a pothole formed by swirling waters and sand. Take the Kancamagus Highway west from Conway, one of the prettiest drives in New England and very popular during fall foliage season. The Sabbaday Falls Picnic Area is about 3/5 of where Bear Notch Road join the Kanc. The falls are a short hike along a gravel path (handicapped accessible).

Flume Cascade & Silver Cascade, Crawford Notch These two falls are easily accessible and can be easily seen from your car. They are a mix of cascades and tall plunges that run down the southwestern side of Mount Jackson. In May and early spring they gush with snow melt waters and attract lots of photographers. The falls run under US 302 and eventually join the Saco River. You’ll find them on Route 302 just below the Crawford Notch Depot.

Ripley Falls and Kendron Flume, Route 302 West Picture a 100-foot beautiful sheet of whitewater flowing over a smooth rock wall and that’s what you will find at Ripley Falls. Kendron Flume is a narrow pass that pushes the fast moving snow-melt through a narrow shoot. Note – it is NOT safe to climb the face of the falls! Find the Arethusa-Ripley Falls trail off Route 302 at the Old Wiley House station. You’ll enjoy a visit to the Old Wiley House as well.

Jackson Falls, Crawford Notch Road Everyone who wants to dive into (chilly) clear waters from a cascading waterfall…this is your place! Very popular with locals and visitors alike, Jackson Falls are easily accessed a short distance from the town of Jackson. You’ll find picturesque soothing pools and small falls to cool off on a warm summer’s day. Spring waters make for wonderful photo ops and there’s even a nice picnic grove. From Route 16A in Jackson, take Carter Notch Road about 3/10 of a mile.

You’ll see the falls from Carter Notch Road and there are a few easy pull-off along side the falls.

Diana’s Bath, West Side Road, North Conway A favored full moon spot for romance, and just a short distance from North Conway Village, Diana’s Baths have also been known to attract skinny dippers on warm summer nights. Multiple small falls swish over granite boulders creating small falls and inviting pools making whirlpoollike swimming holes. Reach the baths by hiking about 1/2 mile following the well-marked trail.

Access the trail-head from West Side Road about 1/2 mile from where West Side Road turns toward Conway, NH.

Kids Eat, Stay & Play for Free in San Diego in October This Fall, San Diego may just be the cheapest place in America to take the family on vacation. San Diego turns into a utopia for family vacations during the month of October with their Kids Eat, Stay and Play For Free promotion. With each paying adult, during the month of October, a child gets to vacation for next to nothing.

What more encouragement do you need to plan a great family getaway to this popular seaside city?

At any time of year, San Diego attracts families with beautiful beaches and kid friendly activities, but during October, it really becomes simply irresistible.

More than 100 attractions, hotels and restaurants offer kids are fee opportunities. Here’s a look at some of the most popular offers:Kids Go Free at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park Kids Go, Eat and Play at Sea World San Diego Kids Sail Free on Hornblower Sightseeing Cruises Kids Ride Free at Belmont Park on Mission Beach Kids Go Free at Legoland California Resort Kids Go Free at San Diego Natural History Museum Family Stays are also discounted at 41 hotel properties, with many offering Kids Eat Free promotions as well. Here are some of the highest rated hotels that all offer Kids Eat Free in October: (One child eats free with each paying adult) Bahia Resort Hotel – rates from $119 Embassy Suites San Diego – rates from $119 Bay Club Hotel & Marina – rates from $129.99 Westin San Diego – rates from $135.15 Hilton San Diego Bay – rates from $179 Sheraton La Jolla Torrey Pines – rates from $132.05 Hard Rock Hotel San Diego – rates from $199 And to make this promotion even more entertaining for families, most of the attractions are offering outrageous spooky specials just in time for Halloween. Hands down….San Diego is the place for families to be in October!

Who's Cruising to Cuba in 2016?

The anticipation and excitement from American travelers wanting to be among the first to tour Cuba (after nearly 50 years) is almost palpable. With the recent thawing of relations between Cuba and the United States, travel companies are expecting increasing demand for tours to Cuba from the United States. And while a limited number of People-to-People land tours have been operating in the past two years, 2016 will be the first year that cruise lines enter the mix. Soon U.S. travelers will be able to board a ship in southern Florida and cruise to Cuba. We’ll take a look at which cruise ships are ready to introduce cruises to Cuba in 2016.

Havana Harbor

9 Companies Say, "We're Ready"!

Carnival Cruise Line - Fathom Cruises Carnival is getting things rolling with the first of the large-scale cruise line to receive approval to operate cruises to Cuba from southern Florida.

Carnival is launching a new “social impact� brand called Fathom, which will begin operating in May 2016. The Fathom brand of cruises will focus on social, cultural and humanitarian immersions in destinations that they visit. For Cuba, the 710 passenger, MV Adonia, (formerly with P&O Cruises) will operate one week tours from Miami. Visit Fathom.org for full information and to book your cruise, which are already available for sale from $2,990 ppdo.

Haimark Line United Cruise Lines, a Florida based cruise company has partnered with Haimark Line to bring the cruise ship Saint Laurent south for 9 night Cuba itineraries beginning in February, 2016. This upscale expedition cruise ship has just undergone a 3.5 million dollar renovation and hosts 210 passengers. Cruises will feature Cuba 360° – A Circumnavigation of the Cultures of Cuba, and will make stops in Havana, Maria La Gorda, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Santiago de Cuba, Parque National Alejandrop de Humbolt and Holgiun. Sailings all all inclusive of accommodations, meals on and off the ship, beverages, cultural exchange excursions and all gratuities, with prices starting at $4,599 plus port charges. Visit HaimarkLine.com for full details.

Pearl Seas Cruises The Pearl Seas luxury small ship line will begin 10 night/11 day sailings from southern Florida to Cuba in March 2016. The 210 passenger Pearl Mist features 100 over-sized luxury cabins, all with balconies and exceptional cuisine and service. Their Cuban Cultural Voyage will circle the island of Cuba making stops in 6 ports. ” From the historically significant capital city of Havana to the quaint mountainside villages complete with neoclassical style homes, passengers engage first hand with the local tradespeople, artists, musicians and historians to share your experiences and get their unique perspective into what makes Cuba so fascinating.” Visit PearlSeaCruises.com for full details.

MSC Curise Line MSC Cruises, an Italian Cruise Line, will bring their deluxe ship MSC Opera to homeport in Havana Cuba for the winter season, making them the first international cruise line to operate out of Cuba. It is hoped that they will be able to welcome passengers from the United States soon, but for now U.S. passengers would have to secure they own travel licenses and approvals, and be aware that at this point US currency is not accepted onboard. The line markets to Canada, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain for now.

Celestyal Cruises Greek cruise line, Celestyal Cruises (formerly Louis Cruise Line) brings a Greek flare to cruising and has been operating cruises to Cuba from it’s home-base in Jamaica for three years. The seven-day itineraries start at $1,529 ppdo. In the 2015-2016 season cruises will spend two days in Havana and visit Cienfuegos, Maria La Gorda, Santiago de Cuba and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Passengers can embark in either Cuba or Jamaica. Cruises feature lively musical performances, culinary excursions and outdoor adventures.

You can also experience a Celestyal Cruise in Cuba with well-known tour company Central Holidays who have recently announced an 8 Night cruise/tour itinerary starting at $2,999 ppdo with includes international air from Miami to Havana.

Pearl Mist

Luxury Yacht Cruises to Cuba Several small ship cruise companies have partnered with the deluxe 3 masted schooner, Panorama and Panorama II to bring an intimate private yacht experience to the Cuba. With 24 luxury cabins, 2 bars, topside sun deck, swimming platform, 2 lounges, library and all outward facing cabins with private bathrooms.

Cuba cruises can be booked through Adventure Smith Explorations, with itineraries beginning in December 2015 through April 2016. The 8 day itinerary visits 5 ports on western and southern shores of Cuba.

Rates from $4,799 ppdo include international air from Miami, meals, visa, medical insurance and shore transportation. Similar cruises aboard the M/S Panorama can be booked with Wilderness Travel (Outside Magazine’s Best Outfitter in the Word) and group travel specialists, International Specialty Travel – Group IST.

Private Yacht cruises from Key West to Cuba can be arranged by Academic Arrangements Abroad in New York. This educational tour company arranges for Florida-based luxury yachts by Paul Madden Associates Charter Yachts with escorted shore excursions while in Cuba.

After cross to Cuba, the yacht will spend three nights in Havana with visits to Ernest Hemingway’s home, private musical performances and walking tours. Academic Arrangements Abroad has been hosted thousands of Americans visiting Cuba since 1999 and is now the first company to offer Americans the chance to explore Cuba by private yacht with departures already in operation.

Ferries Are In The Works Several companies are seeking authorization to operate ferry service between Florida to Cuba. Most notable is United Caribbean Lines which is headed by top cruise professional, Bruce Nierenberg. Plans are in the works for European-style overnight ferry service from Miami and Tampa to Havana. The ships with cabins and hotel amenities will be able to accommodate 2,000 passengers. It’s expected that the ferries will depart Florida in late afternoon and arrive Havana the following morning. Passengers can head back the same day or plan a stay in Cuba (with proper visas and documentation of course). It is hoped that service will be begin in late fall 2015!

Sip, Savor, and Smile Discover the Memorable Food Fesitvals of Italy

Italy is one of my favourite places to visit in the world. But although I can enthuse for hours over its architecture and fascinating history, I have to secretly admit it’s really the food that keeps me coming back for more.

Italian food culture really is something special. It’s not just the simplicity of flavours and the pride in fresh ingredients that permeates the everyday eating experience here, but the relish with which these are served – food is not merely to feed the body, but the soul – and in particular the soul of the family and the community. Even in these fast food, global-busy days there is still a sense in Italy that real food is important to take time for.

Every Italian province and town has its own traditional delicacies and specialty produce.

One of the best ways to experience this regional diversity is to time your visit to coincide with ‘sagre’ – festivals held by locals to celebrate the harvests of certain foodstuffs.

Common celebrations around Italy include ones dedicated to mushrooms, local cheeses, pork, peaches or truffle – but whatever the taste, it is always embedded in tradition and folklore that binds food firmly to local identity.

Seafood Festival - Sagra del Pesce The biggest sagre are flamboyant affairs. In Camogli on the coast between Genoa and Portofino in Liguria, locals show their enthusiasm for seafood at the Sagra del Pesce (second Sunday of May) by cooking it in the world’s largest frying pan. The festival itself dates back to just after the Second World War when the majority of the town’s fishermen went out to sea and were greeted on return by their wives and a huge feast of fresh fish. Today the pan is set up in the Piazza del Colombo, and the feast is a fry-up of three tons of seafood over the course of the festival for the appreciative crowds.

Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Biano d’Alba – White Truffle Festival Other big productions include the Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba – the white truffle sagra in Piedmont that runs on weekends from October to mid-November and draws an international crowd of foodies to cheer for the famous pungent ingredient. Alongside the truffle market and fair, there is plenty of entertainment, including parades, concert nights, food stands, white truffle walks for tourists, a donkey race and the truffle world auction.

Romanesco Artichoke Festival One of my favourites of these bigger events is the Romanesco Artichoke Festival near Rome in Ladispoli, held in the second week of April. Originally set up in 1951 to popularise this bulbous (and apparently aphrodisiac) local vegetable, it’s now a huge event that draws the crowds. Visitors come for the food – including the succulent wedges of fried artichoke that are given out for free in the streets, the artichoke-themed menus in the local restaurants and artichoke cooking contests for chefs. All set to a carnival backdrop of music, jollity and an impressive artichoke sculpture competition in the town square.

Wine Festivals

Well-known sagre also include mildly Bacchanalian events celebrating the grape – especially in regions known for their D.O.C wines. Some of the most well-known include the Primavera del Prosecco across the regions of Veneto and Campania in spring and the Festa del vino a Montefiascone (Viterbo) in August, where visitors can visit local wine cellars and enjoy a parade to celebrate the creation of the most famous local wine Moscatello by a local abbott.

But if you want a more low-key experience, then it’s worth seeking out smaller, less wellknown ones. You won’t often find these food festivals advertised on the internet – these are homegrown celebrations that have sprung up organically over the years, and information travels by word of mouth.

For the lucky visitor who knows where to go, though – or stumbles across an unexpected sagre, they are a real treat. Smaller sagre may only run for a day, but they will generally be merry and relaxed affairs, sometimes with street entertainment or music, but always with plenty of food on

show, being prepared and of course eaten (special menus in local trattoria are popular at these kinds of events, and you’ll generally pay around 10-15 euros for a taste sensation worth boasting about – this will be your dine-out story for years to come).

Whether it’s gnocchi in Caserta, apricots in Sant’anastasia (Naples), ham and figs in Castel San Girogio (Salemo), porcini mushrooms in Avellino or mozzarella at the Fiordilatte Fiordifesta in Agerola (Campania) there is an endless bounty of delicious food throughout Italy and no shortage of energy to enjoy it. When in Rome…or indeed any other part of Italy – it’s really best to do as the locals do and just join in…

About The Author: Norman Peires is a South African by birth and a global traveller by nature. The former owner of a luxury travel company, he now lives in the UK and France and spends his time exploring new destinations and revisiting old favourites, blogging about them as he travels. A keen surfer and skiier, he is always interested in finding the next mountain or wave to scale. You can read more of his work at www. normanpeires.com, or tweet him at @NormanPeires….

Survive Italy Like A Local, 8 Tricks For A Better Trip 1.

Choose the right time to have your meals

Unless you’re hanging around a highly touristic zona, you should be aware that in Italy, restaurants are either full to the brim or completely empty. You see, Italians are very particular about their eating schedule and follow it religiously. That’s why if you’d like to have a genuine Italian lunch, visit your ristorante or trattoria around noon – that’s the best time to snatch free seats. The same goes for dinner – don’t expect restaurants to be open before seven or seven-thirty.

2.

Be aware of the Italian schedule

The knowledge of the Italian schedule is crucial not only when it comes to grabbing a bite at a local trattoria, but for every other thing you might want to do and won’t be able to because everyone, and I mean everyone, will be out having their lunch. Whether it’s a bank, an office or a service point located outside of touristic districts, you will find yourself in a ghost city – all shops closed and not too many cars on the otherwise busy streets. If everyone is munching on their pranzo, why shouldn’t you?

3.

Never, ever order a cappuccino after lunch or dinner

This is the single most common mistake that takes a tourist straight from being just another customer to the unwelcome land of the typical tourists, who think they can just stride in, have their meal and then transgress a rule that was in power ever since the first coffee beans arrived at the Venetian harbor. Be respectful of this long-standing tradition and just order an espresso or, if milk is absolutely indispensable, a short macchiato.

4.

If you can’t speak Italian, at least learn the gestures

Let’s set one thing straight – most Italians you’ll meet will be happy to help you (unless you’re in Florence, that is), but don’t expect them to speak English.

Instead of trying to master Italian – and believe me, it’s way more difficult than Spanish – try to master the Italian gestures and just go with the flow. Italians are excellent communicators and if you read (and mimic) their body language, you might even have a decent conversation. Just don’t ruin it by mentioning Berlusconi!

5.

Have cash ready anytime

This is a key aspect of visiting Italy that every tourist should be aware of. Italians just don’t like the plastic – be it a restaurant, a service point or a shop that isn’t part of a chain, you might find your card rejected, no matter the amount of the transaction. Just have some cash on you and you’ll see how easy it is to blend in with the crowd.

At the same time, be careful of pickpockets – they usually hang out at train stations or incredibly crowded touristic places.

6.

Expect your train to be late

It doesn’t matter if it’s the ultra-fast Freccia Rossa or the leisurely Regionale – it will either arrive late or depart late from the station.

This goes especially for mornings, when the amount of trains that pass through main stations in Italian metropolias clearly surpass the abilities of those stations to manage them. For maximum certainty when traveling by train, I suggest the private high-quality operator called Italo – it has great service, information point at every central station and a ticket machine which is unoccupied most of the time.

7.

Need anything, just go to the tabaccheria

If there’s something you need but have absolutely no idea where to get it, just got to a tabaccheria. You can buy here all kinds of tobacco products, but also stamps, lottery tickets, sweets and treats, drinks, transport passes, top-ups for your cell phone – you can even pay your bills there. There are not many things that a seasoned tabacchiere cannot do!

8.

Be patient

Finally, just be patient. What would be a simple formality in your home country, in Italy might grow into a bureaucratic task of enormous proportions. Just chill out, have an afternoon espresso with a sweet snack and look around – you’re in Italy!

This article was shared by Torri Myler who works as a project manager at http://www.bankopening.co.uk/

The New Way For Families To Golf Together .....

Introducing

Foot Golf

There’s a new trend on golf courses around the USA and it doesn’t come with high fees or expensive equipment. In fact, you probably have everything you’ll need to play FootGolf right at home. FootGolf is attracting attention as an ideal activity for families to get out in the sunshine and play together, and it makes a great activity while on a family vacation. What is FootGolf, you ask? Take a soccer ball and strategically kick it around a beautiful 18 hole golf course into specially designed 21 inch cups cut into the rough of the course.

Simple and fun!

Since the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994, the popularity of soccer in America has skyrocketed. This year it reached new heights as evidenced by the huge TV audience tuning in to watch the US Women’s Soccer Team win the FIFA Women’s World Cup championship. It’s estimated that nearly 25 million men, women and children in America play soccer on some level. So it’s time to get to know the American FootGolf League (AFGL).

The rules of play are very similar to golf, as is the dress code. Most players opt to wear some brightly colored argyle knee socks, nickers or shorts, polo shirt and scally (news-boy, Gatsby, ivy) cap. It’s very important to note that NO soccer cleats of any kind are allowed – indoor, smooth bottom soccer shoes are the way to go. An 18 hole round of FootGolf usually takes about 2 1/2 hours to complete.

The AFGL website is the hub to find all the rules of play and locate a golf course near you. With over 600 courses already participating, finding a nearby course shouldn’t be a problem for most Americans. In fact, the popular Ka’anapali Golf Courses in Maui have recently introduced FootGolf for play after 3:00 in the afternoon. Instead of greens fees of over $100, FootGolf players pay just $15 to walk the course or an additional $15 for a shared cart. Bring your own Size 5 soccer ball or rent one for $5 per round. There are even courses in Las Vegas!

FootGolf has also become a popular activity in Europe as well.

FootGolf courses can be found in England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary and Norway to name a few. So get out there with your whole family and have some inexpensive fun in an beautiful outdoor environment. But just watch out….. your kids my just beat you!

8 Ways To Find Honeymoon Magic In The Maldives

The Maldives have become a honeymooner’s paradise – pristine, exotic and stunningly beautiful.

They are the ideal place to celebrate life together with abundant sun, sand, water and tranquility. Add to this luxurious over-the-water bungalow resorts and you have a destination that attracts affluent honeymooners from around the globe.

But you can’t spend every waking hour sitting in a hammock by the beach, so here are 8 ways to add some magic to your exotic honeymoon in the Maldives.

Maldives Hilton

#1 Go Island Hopping

Maldives is a cluster of 1192 tiny coral islands spread across 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. There are innumerable picturesque lagoons to while away the hours. Many of the island resorts offer island hopping tours. Private Island hopping generally involves a ride in a Dhoni, the traditional local boat. The boat takes you on a scenic voyage. Enjoy snorkeling in the clear waters of Maldives, and walk on the sand bars, as tiny islands spread here and there. Cost: Full Day Island hopping – Average Price starts from $50 / per person (inclusive of lunch) #2 Take A Moon-lit Stroll on a Sea of Stars Bioluminescent Beach at Vaadhoo Island

There is a fairytale-like, dreamy beach at Maldives. In simple terms it can be described as ‘Tempting!’ It is one of the must to see places during your honeymoon! You may have seen beaches gleaming with sparkles in cartoons, but the sparkles at Vaadhoo Island are for real. At this magical place, the sea reflects the sky like a mirror and is quite wonderful to see! Vaadhoo Island is a sea of illuminating blue stars!

Cost: Average cost around $50 – $100 for boat ride to island. #3 Cool Down With An Undersea Couples Message

Maldives is also known for rejuvenating and nourishing massages. A couple’s massage is quite a special experience. As you explore the sand and water, unwind and enjoy the rejuvenating massage. Ask for a relaxing massage with virgin coconut oil native to Maldives. Also, you may request for a white sand massage to soothe your aches. For the ultimate experience, try the exotic luxury underwater spa at Huvafen Fushi Lime Spa. Cost: starts from $150 / 45 minutes

#4 Have Your Own Crusoe Experience The Gili Lankanfushi resort is one of of kind in Maldives and has become world famous. Your honeymoon is almost incomplete if you miss staying here at a Crusoe Residence. The elaborate individual overwater villas have a private sun deck, infinity pool opening to Indian Ocean, rooftop sundeck, and hammock swinging lazily over turquoise water. You have a private motor boat to explore the island.

Crusoe residence is a secluded heaven! Cost: Starts from $ 1355 / per person per night #5 Take a sunset cruise It definitely looks romantic to watch the sunset sitting over the shore!

The best places to watch the astounding sunset Anantara Kihavah, Dhiggiri Sunset Point and Alila Villa Hadahaa. You can request your resort to arrange a sunset cruise for you! Cost: Starts from $60 / person

#6 Enjoy A Private Island Dinner Nothing could be more romantic than igniting your love by having a private dinner at one palm island. Located at the Gili Lankan Fushi resort, you can have the most romantic dinner ever on One Palm Island. The tiny island has one single palm tree. Illuminated lanterns and candles, breezy climate, moonlight on the calm water, makes one palm island the best romantic place to dine!

#7 Have a Jules Verne Fantasy and Live Under the Sea Underwater romance is the specialty of Maldives. Book your stay at the Rangali Islands Resort to experience sleeping under the aqua sea.

Ithaa underwater aquarium restaurant, constructed at five meters below sea level hosts you for your romantic stay. Enjoy the delicacies of authentic Maldives cuisine along with continental cuisines watching the marine life. You will be served breakfast and champagne. Cost: $500 / per couple (incl of dinner and breakfast).

(Article shared by: Shahil Shah)

#8 Hop Abord a Submarine One of the not to miss activity for honeymooner is exploring the marine life in their world! Yes, don’t miss this submarine ride at Maldives. Whether you have experienced a submarine ride or not, Maldives is one of its kind. Gear up for some adrenaline rush! Get a new flavor of romance explored deep in the ocean! You will not forget this astounding experience. All resorts provide offer to book a submarine ride. Cost: $120 / per person and it takes around 3 hours for the underwater ride

Peru For Families....

An Experience You'll Remember For a Lifetime The high plains of Peru and Ecuador are rich both culturally and ecologically, and travelling there with your children is probably easier than you may think. It’s important to make a solid plan for the journey, and arrange activities and transportation ahead of time, but the result will be an unforgettable adventure for your family.

Here we share some of the best ways to marvel and learn in the land of the Inca:

Step back in time in Otavalo.

High in the mountains of Ecuador, the village of Otavalo is operating the same way it has for centuries. Populated mostly by indigenous, Quichua-speaking artisans, it is a wonderful place for kids to learn about another culture and to see the colorful local crafts at the famous market. Many travelers opt to take the trip by tour bus, and enjoy a stunning three-hour ride up the mountain.

At the market, children will love seeing the beaded jewelry, embroidered clothing, and unique knick-knacks colorfully displayed all around them. The people of Otavalo dress in traditional garb. There are also artisans working their crafts in public – people working at looms, grandmothers on low stools separating the wool, and even kids weaving baskets. Master weavers demonstrate how they make traditional items of clothes. You and your kids can take home a felt hat that was made right before your eyes.

Make chocolate! And learn it’s incredible story.

It won’t be hard to convince your kids to go to a chocolate factory. The ChocoMuseo in the Peruvian village of Ollantaytambo works to keep Central America’s chocolate traditions pure. Ollantaytambo is one of the only places where visitors can still explore streets and useable buildings built by the Inca. ChocoMuseo is only steps from the ancient ruins.

Ecuador is considered by many experts to have the best chocolate in the world. Kids can watch cocoa go from bean to chocolate bar on some of Ecuador’s hands-on chocolate plantation tours. And of course they can eat plenty of the final product.

See a Different Way of Life in Ibarra.

The beautiful Ecuadorian town of Ibarra is known as “the white city,” some say because of its stately colonial architecture, though history suggests it’s actually because the inhabitants used white limestone paste to fight the plague in the 1700s. Today, it’s famous for its fruit ice creams, and the fact that the main mode of transportation is still a horse-and-cart buggy. Kids will feel as though they’ve stepped into a history book seeing carts loaded up with people and potatoes, clipclopping down the narrow cobblestone streets.

Ibarra is an excellent place to stay as a base camp for a trip to Otavalo, as well as numerous Andean activities. Nearby Lago Yahuarcocha is known for its fresh water and the fish restaurants that surround it. To relax as a family, the Chachimbiro hot springs are just a 10-minute cab ride away. Local people claim that these naturally warm waters have healing properties.

Make Friends With An Alpaca Certain local farms can offer kids an opportunity to meet the alpaca, llama and vicuña indigenous to Peru. Most of the alpaca, however, are not kept on the farms but herded in a semi-wild state, roaming free on the mountainside before being rounded up and shorn. Their wool is considered the softest of the camelid fibers, and they are widely considered one of the cutest of the camelid species.

You will certainly see the wild alpaca while driving through the countryside, too, but to avoid a rash, do not pet these animals. Just enjoy the sight of them as they wander, anywhere from the terraced fields to ancient ruins, where they’re known to pop up.

Take a Hike in a Rain Forrest The future of our planet lies in the hands of our children, so take the time to introduce them to an endangered environment that needs protecting. In Ecuador and Peru they’ll have the chance to see humid cloud forests while they’re in the Andes. Cloud forests rely on the lowhanging fog in the mountaintops. The cloud forest trees look like they are literally in the clouds, and shade exotic flora and fauna, from colorful bromeliads and orchids to tree frogs and tropical birds.

(Article Shared by: Jena Hunt is a part-time traveler and freelance writer for Anywhere Travel.)

Discover Delray Sands Beach Re

esort . . . Not Your Grandpa's Florida!

If you covet the vibrant flare of Miami Beach, but crave miles of uncrowded beachfront and tony accommodation, then you need to drop everything and plan a getaway to the Delray Sands Resort, a chic boutique property in trendy Delray Beach, Florida.

This resort delivers the stylish appeal of Miami Beach at a fraction of the South Beach price tag. And Delray Beach delivers the cafe-society lifestyle savvy vacationers prize.

Make no mistake, this is NOT your Grandpa’s Florida

Drive along palm lined Route A1A, past stately gold-coast gated estates to find Delray Sands Resort perched right on the edge of Highland Beach in Delray Beach, Florida. The bones of this resort may be from a past generation, but the decor and vibe are decidedly new millennial chic.

We checked into our first floor oceanfront suite and walked right to the sliding glass doors, threw them open and walked out to an expansive patio – you could easily spend your whole vacation here watching the surf roll onto the sand (sigh). The decor had a relaxed elegance executed in shades of greens and blues. The suite included king bedroom, 2 full bathrooms, living room, modern kitchenette and generous patio.

Resort amenities include a nice swimming pool, large Jacuzzi pool looking out to the ocean, comfortable sitting areas with fire-pits for evening cocktails, and star of the resort – direct beach access steps away with beach chairs and umbrellas.

The resort’s restaurants are a stand out. Dine outside along the ocean’s edge on balmy days, or immerse yourself in the bubbly splendor of Latitudes Ocean Grill.

The bubble motif is whimsical, nautical and sophisticated all at the same time. Well done! We loved the fanciful bubble windows that capture your gaze at the pool bar. Food was exceptional morning, noon and evening. Their menu is eclectic with fresh seafood offerings as well as butcher selections and farm and field sides. The chef is clearly talented, with the Crab Crusted Florida Grouper making it onto our favorites list. Latitudes is a restaurant I would go out of my way to dine at again. This surely has to be one of the most romantic settings in all of Delray Beach. Service was friendly and precise.

And if you can pull yourself away from the resort, Delray Beach Village and Atlantic Avenue is just a short drive away. In the past few years Delray has gone through a rebirth of sorts and is now considered THE place to be on the southeast coast. The village is filled with trendy boutiques, art galleries, and an abundance of cafes, bistros and fine dining restaurants. Recently Rand McNally and USA Today named Delray Beach the “Most Fun Small Town in America� and we would have to agree. You would have to work hard not to have a good time in Delray!

Recently Rand McNally and USA Today named Delray Beach the “Most Fun Small Town in America” and we would have to agree. You would have to work hard not to have a good time in Delray!

What We're Reading....

Wine Trails, by Lonely Planet A differnt wine trail for every weekend of the year, well paint my face happy!

Say you're looking for a hobby in retirement? How about traveling the world from one scenic wine trail to another? Wine Trails by the folks at Lonely Planet is a terrific salute to great wine regions acorss the globe. This could well be your most prized guide for planning adventurous journeys and tempting getaways all year long.

Wine Trails covers over 20 countries with more than 300 wineries all presented in convenient 3 day itineraries. Make one of these wine trails the focus of your weekend getaway, or tuck a wine infused trail into your longer travel intinerary.

The book presents detailed itineraries, the whys of the region, cultural traditions, and suggestions for where to stay and what to eat with your bottle of newfound wine.

This book shoud be on every wine lover's shelf.

Mexico by Motorcycle...An Adventure Story And Guide, by William Kaliher This freespirited look at exploring Mexico on two wheels is for everyone who's ever dreamt of riding off into the sunset in search of life defining adventures.

Dust off your leathers and take a ride with William Kaliher as he reveals the secrets of life on the road in Mexico. More than a checklist of must and mustnot do's, William shares his sage advice and impressions as he tells the tales of 50 years of exploring dirt roads, sleepy villages and teeming cities south of the border.

Kaliher is a skilled writer who entertains with wonderflul descriptions of the landscape and the characters he meets on his journeys.

You'll be coasting right along with him on his 27 mile glide from mountain top to valley floor, and Kaliher's 25 Road Rules are indispensible for anyone driving in Mexico.

So whether you're heading south on a motorcycle in your pickup or luxury SUV, you'll find Mexico by Motorcycle to be an indispensible part of your trip preperation.

New England Pie is not your traditional Pie cookbook, (although it does have many great pie recipes) but rather an entertaining look at pie through the ages and the tradititons of eating pie that began with the earliest settlers in New England and flourished into a nation of pie baking customs that touch every kitchen in America today.

The author muses that if Marie Antionette had said let them eat pie, instead of cake, the crowds may have cheered her instead of lopping off her head.... Robert Cox brings readers through every month of the year and imparts great tales of pie making and traditions and how them began in America. From the lowly meat pies make with any ingredient available to the invention of the elegant Boston Cream Pie, readers will be fascinated to learn just as much about New England history and traditions as they do about proper pie making.

This would make a great holiday gift for your favorite cook/chef who loves nothing more than a nice big slice of pie!

From The Source cookbook series from Lonely Planet Just in time for holiday gift buying, Lonely Planet, the premier pulbishing house for travel books, brings us Italy From The Source and Thailand From the Source.

These coffee talble worthy cookbooks are filled with stunning photography and authentic regional recipes gathered from chefs and artisans who are devoted to the

From Green Chicken Curry via Bankok, to Osso Buco via Milan, the From the Source cookbooks take readers on a photographic sensory-rich journey through the respective countries. Along the way traditional recipes and culinary traditions are shared by locally renown chefs and artisans, always sharing tips and advice.

If you have a foodie or two on your holiday gift list, one or both of these books would be a treat to receive.

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