If you’re lucky enough to visit Rome, make time to visit St. Peter’s Basilica. Don’t worry — even if you’re not Catholic (or religious at all, for that matter), it is most definitely worth the time.We’re not, and we still marvel over the architecture and art. Pay attention to planning your stop, though, as crowds … Continue reading
So, you’ve decided where you’re going and started doing your research. Along the way, you’ve no doubt dog-eared pages, highlighted notable entries or bookmarked websites that caught your attention. Now it’s time to make sense of all those scraps of info … we’ll collect them in something we refer to as a “brain,” dubbed as … Continue reading
Read up on the public transportation systems available in the area you’re visiting before you get there — then use it. Learning the quirks of the system from the comfort of your own home can save you a great deal of trouble on your trip. Refer to message boards, guidebooks and good old Google to … Continue reading
I’m a research nerd. No, seriously, it’s actually in my job title (the word research, not nerd. At least, not officially). Although I spend my day telling others about the value of scientific studies, the actual techniques are certainly beyond my mental capabilities. But research for a trip? That, I can handle. As I mentioned … Continue reading
As I said before, serendipity plays a large role in trip planning. When Barry and I were preparing for our third trip to Spain (have I mentioned we love Spain?), we watched an episode of House Hunters International for inspiration. As it happened, we were trying to decide where to go after Barcelona but before … Continue reading
Many people dream of a European vacation, but get overwhelmed when it comes time to make the plans. Where to start? Why is it so complicated? I’m already so busy, and vacations are for relaxing, so why stress out over this? Maybe we’ll just go to the beach again … But wait! With the right … Continue reading
Waitstaff are goldmines for recommendations and tips. Make friends with every server you have! That being said, service will be slow – you will have to ask for your check, perhaps several times. I wish I had known this is not bad. You do not need to pack every piece of clothing you own, no matter … Continue reading
The Continental Cajuns 