http://tripplanningguide.com Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:27:46 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [caption id="attachment_846" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Barcelona’s Palau Nacional"][/caption] Barcelona has an original style all its own. Most of Europe’s major design trends made their way here, were influenced by Catalonian sensibilities, and emerged distinctively different. Which makes shopping for antiques in Barcelona especially enjoyable. The treasures you find here ... http://tripplanningguide.com/barcelona%e2%80%99s-best-antique-shops/ [caption id="attachment_823" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Victoria Station"][/caption]Recently, we posted an article about how to travel by train in Great Britain. It’s a relaxing, affordable way to see the United Kingdom. And the scenery is great. The British rail network is extensive, serving virtually every corner of the British ... http://tripplanningguide.com/london-train-stations-part-one-victoria-station/ [caption id="attachment_813" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Roman Sunset"][/caption]To us, the best view of Rome is from a rooftop terrace at sunset. Like so many aspects of good living, Romans have perfected the concept. And there are more than a dozen fabulous roof bars in Rome where you can sip ... http://tripplanningguide.com/rome%e2%80%99s-best-roof-bars/ [caption id="attachment_804" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Tulip time in Holland"][/caption] European river cruises have a lot going for them – wonderful scenery, intimate experiences, and hassle-free shore excursions that don’t involve tenders or long bus rides. No wonder they’re gaining in popularity every year. One of the most enjoyable European river cruises is ... http://tripplanningguide.com/tulip-time-european-river-cruises-in-holland/ Back in the old days, when you were going somewhere, you went to a travel agency, and they arranged everything for you. They reserved your flights, hotels, and rental car with a Computerized Reservations System (CRS) like Sabre or Apollo. And when they were done, out popped a written itinerary ... http://tripplanningguide.com/trip-planning-basics-%e2%80%93-creating-an-itinerary/ [caption id="attachment_776" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The American River"][/caption] When most people think about river rafting trips, Colorado or Idaho immediately spring to mind. But California has some excellent river rafting and most of it’s not far from San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, or Sacramento. So if you’re visiting Northern California, why ... http://tripplanningguide.com/california-river-rafting-trips/ [caption id="attachment_769" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Harrods Food Hall"][/caption] If you’re like us, eating well is the best part of traveling. So in addition to all kinds of restaurants, we also include markets, specialty shops, and food stores in our itinerary. They’re great places to pick up souvenirs, buy ... http://tripplanningguide.com/the-best-food-stores-in-europe/ [caption id="attachment_764" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bottega Yountville"][/caption]California wine country produces a lot more than just grapes. Because of the mild climate, there are excellent local fruits and vegetables all year long. The nearness of the Pacific guarantees impeccably fresh seafood. And artisanal food purveyors are producing wonderful ... http://tripplanningguide.com/the-best-italian-restaurants-in-napa-and-sonoma/ [caption id="attachment_758" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Virgin Cross Country train"][/caption]Travel by train is one of the easiest and more enjoyable ways to explore Great Britain. As a rule, it’s less expensive than renting a car. And because Britain is so compact, you can usually get from one end to ... http://tripplanningguide.com/how-to-travel-by-train-in-great-britain/ [caption id="attachment_753" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Le Chateau at Disneyland Paris"][/caption]Based on all the backlash when it opened back in 1992, you’d think Eurodisney Paris would have closed down by now. But rechristened as Disneyland Paris Resort, it’s the top attraction in France, pulling in 50 million visitors a year. ... http://tripplanningguide.com/visiting-eurodisney-paris-and-walt-disney-studios/ [caption id="attachment_744" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Zucchini blossoms"][/caption]Rome is one of the most wonderful places in the world. Where else can you experience the grandeur of the ancient world, the splendor of the Renaissance, and la dolce vita 21st century style, all in the same day? It is a ... http://tripplanningguide.com/cooking-classes-in-rome/ [caption id="attachment_738" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Carpaccio from Drago Centro"][/caption]Unlike many American cities, Los Angeles never had a large Italian immigrant population. In fact, there’s no predominantly Italian neighborhood like San Francisco’s North Beach or the North End of Boston. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t terrific Italian restaurants in South ... http://tripplanningguide.com/the-best-italian-restaurants-in-los-angeles/ [caption id="attachment_686" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Free “P” Star in the Marais"][/caption]Shopping in Paris is a mixed blessing.  On the one hand, you’ll find beautiful, amazing things you will treasure forever.  On the other hand, the prices can be so high that they take the fun right out of it. No wonder Parisians ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hunting-for-bargains-in-paris-consignment-shops/ [caption id="attachment_680" align="alignleft" width="231" caption="Ferris Wheel on Santa Monica Pier"][/caption] No visit to Southern California is complete without a trip to the beach. Not only is Santa Monica Beach one of the best, it’s also one of the most fun. In fact, it was named one of the “10 Great Public ... http://tripplanningguide.com/why-santa-monica-beach-is-l-a-s-best/ [caption id="attachment_673" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Puerto Madero"][/caption]Buenos Aires was heavily influenced by the waves of immigrants who came from Italy in the 1860s and 1870s. The Portuguese that’s spoken here blends Spanish and Italian. In fact, you’ll hear “ciao” more often than “adios.” And Italian food is served ... http://tripplanningguide.com/the-best-italian-restaurants-in-buenos-aires/ [caption id="attachment_667" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Los Roques, Venezuela"][/caption] One of the world’s most challenging game fish, bonefish feed in tidal shoals called flats. Instead of taking a boat out to sea, most bonefishing is done by wading out onto the flats with a lightweight rod. Some times a shallow ... http://tripplanningguide.com/learn-to-catch-bonefish-on-fishing-trips-from-orvis/ [caption id="attachment_659" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Pierre Herme"][/caption]Pastries are one of the best parts of visiting Paris. If you’ve never had French pastries fresh from a patisserie, you have no idea what you’re missing. Although some of the best patisseries in Paris will now ship their goodies, nothing can compare ... http://tripplanningguide.com/paris%e2%80%99s-best-pastries-a-guide-to-the-top-patisseries/ [caption id="attachment_653" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="Treviso Italy"][/caption] Just 20 miles north of Venice, Treviso is a delightful town which has retained much of its medieval charm. Like its famous neighbor to the south, Treviso is laced together with a series of pretty canals and medieval arcades. But unlike in Venice, ... http://tripplanningguide.com/treviso-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_644" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Juan Les Pins Beach"][/caption] Located between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera, Juan-les-Pins (Juan of the pines) was first developed in the 1920s. By the 1930s, trend-setters like F. Scott Fitzgerald put Juan-les-Pins on the map, and today, it attracts pretty much everyone. The golden-sand beach ... http://tripplanningguide.com/juan-les-pins-hotels-and-inns/ [caption id="attachment_638" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Short Rib Pasta"][/caption]San Francisco is one of America’s best cities for dining. Restaurants here have a bounty of fresh seafood and local produce they use to create innovative menus that change with the seasons. And you’ll find local delicacies like Dungeness crab woven seamlessly ... http://tripplanningguide.com/best-italian-restaurants-in-san-francisco/ [caption id="attachment_632" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="St. Peter\'s Square"][/caption]A friend at work is going to travel to Italy for the first time and asked me for a little trip planning advice. It was harder than I thought it would be, because she only has ten days. And there are so many great ... http://tripplanningguide.com/travel-to-italy-where-to-go-on-your-first-trip/ [caption id="attachment_621" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Carnival Cruise Ship"][/caption] Last year, more than 14 million people took a cruise. Most of them were happy, well-fed, and had the time of their lives. But some were disappointed, disgruntled, and even down-right miserable. So when you’re finally ready to take the plunge and try ... http://tripplanningguide.com/cruise-ships-%e2%80%93-a-guide-to-help-first-time-cruisers-select-the-right-vessel/ In 2006, we flew in business class to Buenos Aires. It took forever to clear customs and immigration. And by the time we got to baggage claim, our travel bag was long gone. Although we recovered it quickly – someone had picked it up by mistake – spending our ... http://tripplanningguide.com/travel-bag-packing-tips-%e2%80%93-how-to-get-everything-you-need-in-a-carry-on-bag/ [caption id="attachment_608" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Basilica of Sant\' Apollinare Ravenna"][/caption]As an art history major, I’ve wanted to visit Ravenna since college. It’s a little off the beaten path, so it took me a while. But it was worth the wait. Ravenna has a fascinating history. At one time or ... http://tripplanningguide.com/ravenna-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_583" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel"][/caption] Banff is a wonderful destination. The natural beauty of Banff National Park is absolutely breathtaking. In fact, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the town is packed with good restaurants and cozy pubs. In summer, you can choose from hundreds ... http://tripplanningguide.com/banff-hotel-guide/ [caption id="attachment_573" align="alignleft" width="210" caption="The Liver Building"][/caption]Growing up as huge Beatles fans, we always thought Liverpool was just a working-class port town that everybody couldn’t wait to leave. So when we headed there in the summer of 2008, we weren’t expecting too much. There was a Gustav Klimt show ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hotels-in-liverpool-england/ [caption id="attachment_588" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Roman Coliseum "][/caption]Some of the best Italian restaurants in the world are in Rome. The cuisine of Rome is rich and rustic, with hearty meat dishes and terrific pastas. Two of the best known are Spaghetti alla Carbonara with pancetta, eggs, and Parmesan cheese, ... http://tripplanningguide.com/the-best-italian-restaurants-in-rome/ [caption id="attachment_535" align="alignleft" width="199" caption="Stavanger Old Town"][/caption] Being named the European Capital of Culture (ECC) has really helped to elevate some of Europe’s lesser-known destinations. In 2008, Liverpool, England shared the title with Stavanger, Norway, and both got a big boost in tourism. And many of Stavanger hotels were ... http://tripplanningguide.com/stavanger-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Pool at Le Parker Meridien"][/caption]Palm Springs has been a popular destination since the 1920s when the clear, desert air was thought to cure all sorts of maladies. It fell into disfavor in the 1970s, when its iconic mid-century architecture just looked tired and dated. ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hotels-in-palm-springs-for-enjoying-the-high-desert/ [caption id="attachment_541" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Trondheim"][/caption]Located on a beautiful fjord, Trondheim was founded in the 10th century by King Olaf I. The city served as Norway’s capital until the beginning of the 13th century. Today, it’s a vibrant university town and the 3rd largest city in Norway. ... http://tripplanningguide.com/trondheim-hotels-and-attractions/ With its shimmering lakes, green valleys, and towering peaks, England’s Lake District is one of the loveliest parts of the country. And some of the finest English manor houses are now hotels in the Lake District. There are several towns in the Lake District that you can use ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hotels-in-the-lake-district-of-england/ Times have been tough for hotels lately. Their occupancy has been way down. And when their occupancy rates are low, all their other revenue streams – food and beverages, spa services, etc. – suffer too. Most luxury hotels have big mortgages or management fees that are due every ... http://tripplanningguide.com/best-travel-websites-for-luxury-travel-deals/ [caption id="attachment_559" align="alignleft" width="201" caption="Restaurant on the ile Saint-Louis"][/caption]Dining out is one of the great pleasures of traveling in France. But Americans are often befuddled or irritated by what they consider to be bad service or rude treatment. With a better understanding of French culture and more realistic expectations, ... http://tripplanningguide.com/trip-planning-tips-for-dining-like-a-native-in-france/ [caption id="attachment_548" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Castle Nuovo"][/caption]Naples gets a bad rap. For years, travelers have been advised to avoid it because it’s dangerous, dirty, and a little rough around the edges. All of this is true, but it’s more or less true of many places that travelers happily enjoy. If ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hotels-in-naples-italy/ [caption id="attachment_554" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Trevi Fountain Rome"][/caption]One of the most captivating cities in the world, Rome’s top attractions span nearly 3,000 years of history. The forum, the pantheon, and the coliseum provide an up-close and personal look at the powerful ancient culture that shaped virtually every aspect of western ... http://tripplanningguide.com/top-trip-planning-tips-for-rome/ The right hotel can really make or break a vacation. So before we go on a trip, we do lots of research, both on and offline, to try to find the perfect places to stay. But sometimes, it seems like no matter how much trip planning ... http://tripplanningguide.com/trip-planning-tips-for-finding-the-perfect-hotel/ [caption id="attachment_430" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Kodak Theater"][/caption]If you’re expecting old-fashioned, movie-star glamour, Hollywood is likely to disappoint. Today’s Hollywood is more Target than Tiffany. But where else can you stroll along the Walk of Stars, admire Marilyn Monroe’s hand prints, and have your picture taken with Spiderman? The heart of ... http://tripplanningguide.com/hollywood-hotels-that-are-in-the-heart-of-the-action/ [caption id="attachment_425" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Eze to Cap-Ferrat"][/caption]Just seven miles from Nice, Eze was built in the 9th century. The spectacular hill-top location which made it an ideal defensive strong-hold in those days, makes it an ideal vacation retreat today. The views of the Cote d’Azur from here are ... http://tripplanningguide.com/eze-hotels-restaurants-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_440" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Eiffel Tower"][/caption]We adore Paris. Who doesn’t? And the great thing about going often is that once you’ve crossed all the major attractions off your must-see list, you can relax and discover all sorts of wonderful treats you may have missed while you high tailed ... http://tripplanningguide.com/top-ten-trip-planning-tips-for-paris/ Vacation rentals can make a getaway more affordable. But a house exchange can really slash your travel costs. By making your accommodations virtually free, home swapping can eliminate one of the biggest vacation expenses. Since many house swaps include the use of a family car, transportation ... http://tripplanningguide.com/house-exchange-basics-for-adventurous-travelers/ [caption id="attachment_449" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza"][/caption]With a lovely central plaza lined with antique and kitchen shops, restaurants, and inns, Healdsburg is one of the most charming towns in the Sonoma Valley. And with numerous tasting rooms on or near the plaza -- including Kendall-Jackson, Todd ... http://tripplanningguide.com/healdsburg-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_380" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Marrakech Villa"][/caption]Last year was a challenging one for airlines, hotels, and other traveler suppliers.  But 2009 was a big winner for one segment of the travel industry.  It will likely go down as the year of the vacation rental.   PR Newswire reported in July 2009 that ... http://tripplanningguide.com/is-a-vacation-rental-right-for-you/ [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Arles, France"][/caption]Arles has something for everyone.  Well-preserved ancient architecture, a rich artistic heritage, and plenty of charming restaurants and squares.   And Arles hotels make it easy to explore the compact city on foot. If the surrounding landscape looks familiar, it’s because it’s little changed since van ... http://tripplanningguide.com/arles-hotels-and-attractions/ One of the most charming towns in the Napa Valley, Yountville is named for George Calvert Yount who was the first to plant grapes in the valley.  There’s just one main street, and it’s only about six blocks long.  But there are several wonderful Yountville hotels.  And some of the ... http://tripplanningguide.com/yountville-hotels-restaurants-and-wineries/ [caption id="attachment_271" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Chateau Montelena, Calistoga California"][/caption]The northern Napa Valley town of Calistoga was named by Sam Brannan, who hoped the town would be the west coast equivalent of Saratoga Springs. It’s been a popular destination since the first mineral springs pools opened here in 1859. ... http://tripplanningguide.com/calistoga-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_326" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Castello Scaligero, Sirmione Italy"][/caption]One of the most charming resorts on Lake Garda, Sirmione is located on a narrow peninsula at the southern end of the lake. Connected with the mainland by a small bridge, Sirmione has winding cobbled streets, an imposing castle, tranquil gardens, and a ... http://tripplanningguide.com/sirmione-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_332" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Villa il Vittoriale, Lake Garda"][/caption]The largest of the Italian Lakes, Lake Garda forms part of the border between Lombardy to the west, Veneto to the east, and Trentino-Alto Adige to the north. The scenery surrounding the lake is quite varied, ranging from Alpine meadows backed by ... http://tripplanningguide.com/lake-garda-hotels-and-attractions/ [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Alghero"][/caption]Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda or Emerald Coast is a popular resort for Europe’s jet set.  Developed by the Aga Khan in the 1950s, it’s one of the most expensive destinations in the Mediterranean. But Alghero on the northwestern side of the island is a charming destination.  And Alghero ... http://tripplanningguide.com/alghero-hotels-on-sardinia%e2%80%99s-northwest-coast/ [caption id="attachment_355" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni"][/caption]A favorite summer getaway of well-heeled Italians and Europeans alike, Lake Como is just plain gorgeous.  The sparkling water is backed by snow-capped Alps and lined with luxurious villas and dreamy gardens.  The lake is shaped like an upside-down Y, and the town ... http://tripplanningguide.com/enjoy-stunning-lake-como-at-one-of-these-beautiful-bellagio-hotels/ [caption id="attachment_361" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Bergamo, Italy"][/caption]One of the most attractive cities in Lombardy, Bergamo is a brief train ride from Milan. Nestled in the hills of the Bergamese Alps, the medieval upper city, or Bergamo Alta, is reached by a funicular from the lower town. Bergamo is ... http://tripplanningguide.com/bergamo-hotels-that-make-it-easy-to-explore-the-charming-medieval-part-of-the-city/