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BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON April 13, 2013

L is for London

LondonTJMorrisFlickr (450 x 338)

Photo courtesy of TJ Morris – flickr

“What? You’ve never been to London?” my world traveler friend Margaret exclaimed. “That’s not right. We have to change that.”

I like how she thinks.

ChangingoftheGuardsGabrielVillenaflickr (450 x 300)

Photo courtesy of Gabriel Villena – flickr

So how would I do London on a future visit? Apart from planning to visit the typical tourist sights, like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s  Cathedral and the Tate Gallery, I’d definitely take time out for afternoon tea.

For the epitome of elegance, could anything beat high tea at the Ritz?

Queen Mary Tea Shop (450 x 449)
I imagine sipping my tea of choice – black, green, white, or oolong – from an exquisite fine china teacup while enjoying small bites of delectable sandwich selections like cucumber with cream cheese, dill, and chives on caraway seed bread or Scottish smoked salmon with lemon butter on rye bread. Of course, I’d insist on an assortment of tea parties and cakes, and a glass of champagne to celebrate the day.

How would you like to celebrate afternoon tea in London, wanderboomers? Do you have a special place to recommend?

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Entertainment, London, Travel Experiences Tagged With: afternoon tea, black tea, Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guards, green tea, high tea, London, oolong tea, the Tate Gallery, the Tower of London, white tea

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON November 5, 2012

European Travel Tips from Rick Steves and Friends

I’m spending the day in Edmonds, Washington to attend a free European Travel Festival (“Teach-A-Thon”) hosted by travel expert Rick Steves and and his Europe Through the Back Door team to kick off their 2013 tour season. With 10 classes to choose from – ranging from Steves’ session on “Travel Skills” to “Packing Light & Right”, from “1000 Years of European Art & History” to country-specific information, here are a few travel tips I picked up along the way:

Rick Steves

To get off the beaten path and away from the tourist crowds . . .

  • Tour the most popular sights early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Then plan to spend the night.

Spice Market in Istanbul, photo by exfordy, courtesy of Flickr
  • Get into the markets. Buy something even if you’re not hungry. Talk to people.
  • Go to local sports events. You’ll learn local swear words (but be sure you’re wearing the right [team] colors).
  • Think of the cruise ships or buses as your base and then go off on your own. Be independent in the context of the big tour operators. Get out and stroll and meet people. Travel is about connecting with people.
  • “There are two IQs of European travelers: those who wait in line and those who don’t. If you’re waiting in lines, you’re screwing up.” For example, go to Versailles any day but Tuesday when the museums are closed because that’s when all the tourists head to Versailles.

Tourist Information Office in Hunstanton, photo by Ell Brown, courtesy of Flickr

To find out what your options are at your destination . . .

  • Look at TripAdvisor for sightseeing, tours and entertainment possibilities.
  • “The first place I stop is the Tourist Information Office no matter how well I know a town. I can find out what’s going on this week and get free passes.”
  • Guided tours sponsored by the local tourist office are always time and money well spent.
  • If you use a local tour guide, you’ll have much more value in your sightseeing trip. Prices can range from $200. for half a day in the most expensive cities like London to $100. a day with a car in less expensive countries like Poland.

Ramiro’s in Lisbon, Portugal, photo by crystalmartel, courtesy of Flickr

To be an adventurous eater while minimizing the risk  . . .

  • Always order a different dish from your travel partner and share.
  • Find places that specialize in local clients. You can tell if the menu’s handwritten in one language and not extensive which shows that it’s seasonal and changes daily.
  • Ask the people in the tourism office where they go for lunch.
  • Department store cafeterias or government subsidized cafeterias for workers are a relatively good bargain.
  • “Eat in a good restaurant but eat sparingly. Share small plates.” Have a salad and a glass of wine, tapas, or antipasto spreads.
  • Pick up food at a local market and have a picnic.

Passport and Luggage, photo by Sean MacEntee, courtesy of Flickr

On packing light . . .

  • “If there’s one thing you can take home that translates to travel happiness, it’s to pack light.”
  • You want to be mobile.
  • Only take carry on bags.

On accommodations . . .

  • “The more you spend, the higher the wall you build between you and what you came to see.”
  • When you stay in a B & B, you have a friend, and as a bonus, you get your own local mother. You don’t have to, but you can.
  • Smaller towns also have hostels, not just for younger travelers.

Euros, photo by patola, courtesy of Flickr

On money . . .

  • You will have more versatility if you get a credit card with a chip in it. Ask for one at your local bank.
  • Flights within Europe have come down in cost. Investigate pricing of air travel before taking the train or bus.
  • “Wear a money belt tucked inside your shirt for security.”

The bottom line . . .

“If you expect yourself to travel smart and you’re equipped with good information, you can travel like a pro.”

For travel writing advice from Rick Steves, be sure to check out my earlier post here.

What are your favorite travel tips, Wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Entertainment, Europe, Food & Dining, Hotels, Travel Tips Tagged With: antipasto, armchair traveling, B & B's, cafeteria, Europe Through the Back Door, European art and history, European Travel Festival, Euros, hostel, Istanbul, London, Luggage, off the beaten path, passport, Poland, Rick Steves, spice market, tapas, tour guide, tourism office, travel pro, TripAdvisor, Versailles

Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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