Hostel living

What does “hostel living” entail? It means that you will share a room with several other people … anything from 3 to 11 “strangers” … all ages, all shapes and sizes. Most of the time the dorms are mixed, although ladies can request a “ladies only” dorm . You will sleep in a bunk bed, [...]

The Czech Republic

Many years ago, a friend called me when he got back from a visit to Prague. He swooned about how beautiful the place was. My response? “Once you have visited the REAL Europe, talk to me!” (I was, of course, referring to Western Europe). When I eventually made my way to Prague, I was so [...]

The Netherlands

I have visited the Netherlands many times and enjoy every visit. It seems like I discover new things every time. Be it my South African background, but I really like the place. The FOOD. The PEOPLE. Just every thing. The Dutch are very hospitable people and their food incredible. A huge variety, well prepared and [...]

Italy

What can I say? Unparalleled beauty. Incredible food. HUGE country. Craziest drivers one will ever encounter. Visit Italy and be prepared to be homesick for a very, very long time once you get back. OK, let’s get the touristy stuff out of the way.
Venice … I suppose one has to visit this city. The old [...]

Croatia

NOTE OF INTEREST:
The former Yugoslavia, was split into seven countries (capital in parentheses): Bosnia & Herzegovina (Sarajevo); Croatia (Zagreb); Kosovo (Pristina); Macedonia (Skopje); Montenegro (Podgoria); Serbia (Belgrade) and Slovenia (Ljubjana).
A few years ago I was in my hostel in Budapest when the door opened and this young man, Dominic, walked in. We started talking … [...]

Austria

My favorite country in the whole world. Why? Simply because I have never experienced such beauty. Wherever one goes, one is always surrounded by mountainous greenery and sophisticated people. Austrians are well educated and traveled people. Friendly, for most part, and proud of their country. Austria is very similar to Virginia. Approximately the same size [...]

People are so different

1. Ethnocentricity is when people believe that their culture is superior to that of others. We, as Americans, are guilty of this. Nothing is as good as it is in the USA. “Back home” this, and “back home” that. Bottom line: cultures are different, but one is NOT superior to another. [...]

Planning your trip

The first question students ask me, is WHERE to go to. The answer is simple: Wherever you want to go. I do not have that answer. The internet enables one to research the whole world. One person may be interested in Asia, another in Africa, I luv Europe and I will concentrate on Europe. I [...]

I can’t afford it, it’s too expensive

Nothing ticks me off more than hearing the above. Traveling abroad does not have to be expensive, if one knows what to do. I spent a month in Europe during the 2009 summer. My TOTAL costs (excluding gifts) came to $3,300 … compare this to the $4,000 that a colleague spent on taking her family [...]

How pathetic airlines have become

Airlines, it does not matter which one, have absolutely NO CONCEPT OF MARKETING. These poor morons believe that travelers do not have other ways of getting to Europe. They may be right on this (on the other hand, one can always take a boat) but tourists can decide NOT to go. Rather than looking at [...]

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