Get into the sea! Everyone knows how I love to get in the Sea! As an avid diver, ocean conservationist, and animal lover, I can recommend some pretty amazing places! Life is always good when you are surrounded by water. If you are heading out on an adventure, picking the best destinations for your vacation needs to cater to both the inexperienced and experienced travelers in the group. When you think of the word adventure, do you consider it scaling up mountains, looking at new cultures, or heading into the sea? While we all have our own perception of what constitutes an “adventure”, heading into the sea to see animals always counts!
Take a Sensational Viking River Cruise and Enjoy one of Your Best Vacations Ever!
I have always wanted to take a Viking River Cruise, so I was thrilled when my blogger friend, Suzanne Stavert of Adventures of Empty Nesters, and I were invited to sail! I chose the ship and itinerary, Elegant Elbe, and prepared for an exciting and fun trip! I was not disappointed! And best of all, I learned so much along the way, and for me, that is one of the best things about travel.
The Elbe River is not as famous as the Rhine or the Danube, but I loved the itinerary which took us from Berlin, Germany to Prague, Czech Republic. I hadn’t been to Europe for 10 years, and it was so wonderful to experience places I had never been before. Our exploration of the cities of Germany and Czech Republic, all behind the Iron Curtain of the Cold War, was nothing short of a revelation. It was my first real look at how people lived in places controlled by the Soviet Union. Of course, the trip was full of beauty and wonder, too, incredible countryside, castles, palaces, vineyards and ancient town squares. However, a funny thing happened on this trip, we didn’t sail at all.
Yes, I know, it’s a river cruise, but the drought in Europe had lowered the Elbe River to a point where we could not sail. There was much disappointment, but Viking handled the situation with seamless hospitality. After staying a couple of nights in Berlin, we went to the Viking ship, the Beyla, docked in Wittenberg, Germany. I was bowled over by the elegance of the streamlined luxury ship. It was truly, truly a beautiful ship. Suzanne and I were fortunate to have tours of the bridge and the kitchens, and they were so clean, so perfectly appointed, it was amazing. Our stateroom had a balcony and was absolutely gorgeous! The dining room, lounges and bar were spotless and very luxurious. The food was delicious. We met so many new people, most of whom were dedicated Viking passengers, having sailed with Viking at least once, and most had gone on more than one trip. That is certainly a testimonial to the excellence of Viking Cruises.
After two nights on the Beyla, we switched to her sister ship, in Dresden, the Astrild. Actually, it wasn’t like changing boats at all, the ships were exactly the same, and Viking handled everything smoothly. The crew was different of course, but both crews were absolutely fantastic. Our program director, Benne Bennison, remained for the entire trip, and she was absolutely professional and very enjoyable to travel with. She did an amazing job with ninety people who were disappointed not to sail! After three nights on the Astrild, we went to Prague and a hotel there.
Comfortable Viking coaches took us to all the sights that had been originally planned, and so we had a fantastic time on our non-cruise cruise! I do hope to take a Viking Cruise that actually sails at some point, but hats off to Viking Cruises for making this trip absolutely wonderful! I cannot think of a single thing that wasn’t perfect. Every passenger enjoyed the trip, and planned to take another Viking Cruise. Thank you, thank you Viking River Cruises, for a marvelous experience! Take a Viking Cruise, y’all, and #traveltamstyle!
You’d enjoy reading more about the destinations, yes?
Why Haven’t You Visited Awesome Potsdam, Germany, Home of Frederick the Great??
THREE SUMMER EVENTS IN DALLAS!
Here are three upcoming summer events in Dallas. Dallas is a city that always has something exciting going on! Whether you’re a foodie, art lover, or fan of
community celebrations and live music, there’s an event happening in the area that will make your
summer all the more pleasant. From
margaritas to orchestra accompanied movies, there’s truly a bit of something for everybody to enjoy. For
an easy transportation rental that eliminates the need to find parking or navigate traffic, head over to Party Bus Dallas!
August 10
Marvel Universe Live
at American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Avenue
If you have a child that’s a fan of the the Marvel movies and comics, this is the perfect event to take them
to! This show is action packed to say the least. Over 25 Marvel characters will be in attendance including
Spider Man, Captain America, Black Widow, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. They have one quest to
defeat the Marvel villains! There will be face painting and a lot of fun merchandise being sold by
vendors. It will be a night to remember for all who attend!
August 11
Dallas Margarita Festival
at Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ
1950 Market Center Boulevard
The Dallas Margarita Festival is an extremely promising event for those who enjoy this tangy tequila
beverage. The ticket price comes with a margarita sampling card and voting chip. You’ll get to try over 15
margaritas from bars around the city, and vote for your favorite. A portion of the proceeds benefit charity,
so it’s a good event to support. There will be live music, raffles, food trucks, and of course, a ferris wheel!
August 31
Jurassic Park
at Meyerson Symphony Center
2301 Flora Street
This event celebrates the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park! You’ll be able to watch a screening of the
classic movie with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra playing the score. You’ve never experienced the
movie quite like this. If you miss the show on August 31, don’t worry, there is a second showing the
following day.
New York For Newbies: A First Timer’s Guide To The Big Apple
New York For Newbies: A First Timer’s Guide To The Big Apple
Visiting New York is one of the most popular places on travel wish lists and bucket lists. After all, the skyline is iconic and there are many famous sights to see and cultural activities to indulge in. It is a relative smorgasbord for tourists! The Big Apple can be a little intimidating for first time visitors because of its size, but luckily, even if you are a first-time visitor, you can have an amazing trip!
Getting your bearings
New York is a surprisingly simple place to get the hang of geographically. This is because it is split into just five districts, called boroughs. The first is Manhattan, probably the most famous, and the one that is located on the island in the Hudson. Then there are Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
With New York’s excellent subway and bus transport system, it shouldn’t be too tough to find your way around, even without a car. In fact, the roads in New York are known to be somewhat hair-raising, even for the most confident driver, so newbies visiting the city may wish to skip hiring a car for their first visit entirely.
Safety
Another surprise for first time visitors to the Big Apple is that New York is one of the safest cities in the world! Of course, there are still the usual risks that you will encounter in any big city, and one in particular to avoid are pickpockets. I know all about pickpockets, as I have been a victim of them twice! They are good at what they do, so watch your bags and do not leave zippers exposed!
Pickpockets in New York operate on the subway or in crowded spaces like in Time Square or where street performance is occurring. They often use a bait and switch scam which is when one person creates a scene and while someone else relieves you of your wallet, smartphone, and valuables. With this in mind it’s best to avoid keeping things in trouser or coat pockets, and instead, use a bag that is worn and accessible only to you. I’ve had people get into my backpack, so keep your stuff on your front!
Also, concerning safety, it’s always smart to not mark yourself out as a tourist or newbie as much as possible. What this means is that if you need directions, ask a storekeeper rather than a stranger on the street, or use your headphone for Google Maps.
Lastly, keep the guidebooks to a minimum, and carry minimal cash, who doesn’t take credit or debit cards these days?
Don’t miss sights and attractions
Which of New York’s famous sites and attractions you should visit on your first trip? There are plenty of choices!
Be sure to head to the center of the city where you will be able to marvel at the structure of Grand Central Station, take a walk in the famous Central Park, and head over to 5th Avenue for some high-end shopping.
Then there the famous Lady Liberty herself, a gift to America in 1886 by the French and located on Liberty Island in the Hudson River. The Statue of Liberty is an iconic attraction that all New York Visitors must see, and you can access the site via a ferry tour, although it is worth considering booking before the day you go, to avoid long queues.
If you are up for a bit of culture on your Big Apple Visit, then there’s nowhere better than the rather spectacular MOMA or Museum of Modern art on 53rd street in Manhattan. You can make it a triple whammy by taking a trip to the Metropolitian Museum of Art, on 5th Avenue and the Guggenheim, designed by Frank Lloyd-Wright, also on 5th Avenue on, as well!
Last of all, if you are looking for some high energy fun, why not head on over to the theatre district and take in a show like Anastasia on Broadway, now showing at the Broadhurst? Such musicals are known for their stunning costumes, and substantial production values, making them a very entertaining activity to partake in.
Alternatively, if you would rather be out and about why not take a walk around The Bustling street of Chinatown? There you can visit the very vintage Nom Wah Tea Parlor, or The Golden Unicorn, and treat yourself to an authentic chinese meal.
New York delicacies
Talking of food, it would be a crime to visit New York without partaking of some of the particular delicacies that are “street food”.First and foremost this means hot dogs, which are pretty much available on every street corner, especially in central New York. Although Crif Dogs and The Cannibal Beer & Butcher are rated among the best.
There are other places to eat as well as thehot dog carts, and particularly popular right now are the food markets, and the Heartland Brewery on 8th Avenue. Try the soft pretzels with cheese dip, pulled pork sandwich, or the pastrami egg rolls which are getting rave reviews!
Alternatively, if you fancy something with a little more kick then why not head on over to Los Tacos No. 1, on 9th Avenue? There is often a long line! Luckily it moves quickly and is a favorite with locals for tacos, tortillas, and carne asada. Yum!
Last of all, with a strong Jewish heritage, it’s no surprise that you will find some fantastic bagel joints and delis in the Big Apple as well. You probably won’t have time to try everything on the menu as they are so vast! Don’t worry though because a classic pastrami Reuben is always a good choice, as is cream cheese and lox. Just remember to ask for it ‘easy on the pickles’ if you’re not into gherkins! Plus, no one will spot you as a newbie if you start to master the local lingo!
A collaborative post! If you enjoyed this, check out:
http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/christmas-destinations/
and don’t forget to check out CITYPASS
11th Annual Georgetown Wine and Music Festival is Around the Corner!
Here comes Georgetown Wine and Music Festival! I had a ball last year attending the Georgetown Wine and Music Festival. This year the event will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2018 Noon to 7 p.m. Be sure to put it on your calendar!
Here is my post from last year’s festival, hoping this will prompt you to head to Georgetown! Just click YOU SHOULD EXPERIENCE GEORGETOWN AND THE WINE FESTIVAL!
Savoring Jakarta, also known as The Big Durian
Some people call it the Big Durian, others simply Jakarta, and if you are familiar with this specific fruit, you also understand that people are mainly divided into two groups. You either hate Jakarta or absolutely love it. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, and it’s substantial. With a population of over 10 million people, it is the largest urban area after Tokyo. Jakarta is a province with special capital region status, but most refer to it as a city. It is large, crowded and an assault on the senses for the unprepared. Just like the durian fruit, once you get past this, you might really enjoy it.
Jakarta is not only a vacation spot. Expats in Jakarta generally are employed in oil, gas, telecommunications, engineering, and education sectors. The process for getting a work permit and visa for Indonesia is often arduous; there are strict rules regarding giving employment to foreigners due to massive unemployment already present in Indonesia. If you are able to get a job, housing is relatively cheap, with apartments available for less than 200M Indonesian Rupiah (14K USD), see more here https://www.rumah.com/apartemen-dijual/di-area-jakarta-barat-idjk01/dibawah-200juta-rupiah.
Jakarta is a real melting pot with many communities and cultures and is the center of Indonesia when it comes to economy, culture, and politics. The primary religion in Indonesia is Islam, which is reflected in the architecture and cuisine. Jakarta has not necessarily been put in a favorable light over the last few years, and you might think it’s not a safe place to travel due to media overexposure of violent crimes. Violent crime is quite uncommon, most of the crimes are non-violent and involve pickpocketing and credit/debit card fraud. Another tip would be to be cautious before and during the Ramadan, with theft and pickpocketing spiking at this time. There is pressure of providing gifts for family members and obtaining money for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
The short of it is that you need to use common sense in protecting yourself and your belongings, as you would in any large urban destination. In that sense, Jakarta is no different than a Bangkok or a Ho Chi Minh City. Be sensible, and Jakarta is an excellent destination for your travels.
The nightlife in Jakarta is vibrant and unpretentious. With a wide variety of bars, clubs, and other late-night venues, it holds its own against the upmarket establishments in Singapore and the underground party scene in Bangkok. For most places there is not a strict door policy as you might expect in Singapore, giving it a relaxed and rebellious attitude. A few nightclubs to check out are Jenja, Immigrant, Dragonfly, Fable, and Blowfish.
Jakarta is also a great destination for music lovers without the desire to party till the early hours. The Big Durian also hosts entirely a few major music festivals such as Java Jazz, We The Fest and Djarkarta Warehouse Project, most of them carrying international names. If you are looking for something more local, check out Archipelago Festival. Also, in terms of art, Jakarta is making waves, with Art Stage Jakarta receiving critical acclaim in the last few years.
The food and drinks are as diverse as the cultural melting pot would suggest. There is truly no shortage of availability of something to eat or drink, with pretty much any budget covered. Food stalls can be found everywhere you turn and if street food is not your thing, you can see most international food franchises in Jakarta. Indonesian dishes might not immediately come to mind as favorite cuisine, but nasi goreng and rendang usually feature in most top foods lists. Going to a good restaurant will also be lighter on the wallet than Singapore or most Western cities.
And if you like shopping, you will be able to get your fix. Like most of Asia’s top cities, malls have been appearing everywhere. Jakarta is no difference with 173 malls, more than any other city in the world. The Jakarta malls are huge, comfortable, and filled with shops. If you want entertainment, most of them will also house a cinema. And as we were talking previously about food, don’t forget the food courts in these malls as well.
And if the hustle and bustle of Jakarta is a bit too much, just remember that paradise is only a few hours away. There are several flights a day to get from Jakarta to Bali, where you can unwind from the sensory overload of the Indonesian capital. And if Bali is too touristy for you, there is Lombok, which some call ‘the new Bali.’ Yogyakarta is your destination if you want to experience something authentic and majestic. It has numerous art galleries, museums, heritage structures and street art spots dot this friendly city. It is also home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Hindu temple of Prambanan and the Buddhist complex of Borobudur. If you want to embark on an adventure and are a nature lover, consider Flores. The island is known as the jumping-off point to the islands of Komodo and Rinca, which are home to Komodo dragons, the largest lizard species in the world. The dragons are pretty impressive, let me tell you! A real gem is Belitung, a little-known destination east of Sumatra. It is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and a rich underwater life. Given its low-key charm, it’s perfect for wanderers looking for a laid-back holiday amidst breathtaking views of the seas, capped by a beautiful sunset at the end of the day.
If you are moving to Jakarta or coming for a short stay, it is a destination with many treasures to uncover. And when you go, remember the Big Durian, it might be a bit much at first, but if you persist, you will love it.
collaborative post.
If you like this, you will enjoy:
http://tamtravels.wpengine.com/why-i-didnt-get-eaten-by-a-komodo-dragon/