My Journal will take you to places for experiences you won't believe! I've set up a page for each destination that contains sections that explore many of the special parts of our trip. As a dietitian, of course I chose a food theme. To me travel is like a great meal. Think about a fine banquet or a family feast. The sounds of the china tinkling as the table is set and the oven door being closed, the first sight of the table spread with luscious dishes, the smell and taste of the sumptuous foods and the warm feelings that sharing a meal invoke. I find that if I approach travel the same way, I have a more sensual experience that leaves me with palpable memories I can recall in a variety of ways. Read on to see what you'll find!
The Main Event
This is it! The section with something for everyone. Here you'll find a plethora of words and pictures to describe the beautiful sights and sounds we experienced and the feelings they evoked. Each description is accompanied by a slideshow. You can click the upper right hand corner and advance the slides by hand or click the upper left hand corner and the slides will advance automatically.
This is it! The section with something for everyone. Here you'll find a plethora of words and pictures to describe the beautiful sights and sounds we experienced and the feelings they evoked. Each description is accompanied by a slideshow. You can click the upper right hand corner and advance the slides by hand or click the upper left hand corner and the slides will advance automatically.
Culinary Delights
If you're a dietitian like me, or just love food (again like me), you'll want to scroll down to this section to see where and what we ate. Before going to Europe, I like to research the regional specialties of the places we will visit. While the food along the Alps is similar in some places, if you make it a point, you can find something that is local and authentic to each area.
If you're a dietitian like me, or just love food (again like me), you'll want to scroll down to this section to see where and what we ate. Before going to Europe, I like to research the regional specialties of the places we will visit. While the food along the Alps is similar in some places, if you make it a point, you can find something that is local and authentic to each area.
Delicious Moments
I'll share with you those moments that took my breath way or inspired a thoughtful moment. You know, those moments that Rick Steves calls "wow moments". For me, they are those moments when time stands still and nothing else matters. It's those moments that are forever etched in your mind's eye and that you always remember whenever you talk or think about your trip.
I'll share with you those moments that took my breath way or inspired a thoughtful moment. You know, those moments that Rick Steves calls "wow moments". For me, they are those moments when time stands still and nothing else matters. It's those moments that are forever etched in your mind's eye and that you always remember whenever you talk or think about your trip.
The Local Flavors
In this section, I'll tell you about the interesting people and experiences that we encountered on our trip. You'll see and hear about those true "through the backdoor" moments when we actually interacted with the locals or had some memorable observations of life in Europe.
In this section, I'll tell you about the interesting people and experiences that we encountered on our trip. You'll see and hear about those true "through the backdoor" moments when we actually interacted with the locals or had some memorable observations of life in Europe.
If You Go...
I include some tips that we found helpful at each destination, such as best times to go, best ways to get there and other things we found helpful. For now, I'd like to leave you with our pre-trip tips:
I include some tips that we found helpful at each destination, such as best times to go, best ways to get there and other things we found helpful. For now, I'd like to leave you with our pre-trip tips:
- If you are a late riser, try getting up around 6:00 or 6:30 a.m. each day the last month before you go. This will get you in the habit of rising earlier. There will be early mornings on the bus and you’ll want to get out early to catch the sights. You don’t want to sleep your vacation away!
- Try getting in decent physical shape. If you don’t have an exercise routine already, try taking a 30 minute walk several days a week. This will help increase your energy level and curb your appetite. Just be careful not to start an extreme exercise program before you go. A sprained ankle or sore muscles can leave you limping and spoil your trip.
- Try eating healthy the last month before you go. Eating too little or extreme dieting will sap your energy and make you tired all the time. Overeating will make you feel sluggish and undermine your exercise efforts. I try to lose a couple of pounds before I go through making good food choices and exercising. That way, I can grab a table and order a “Bratwurst auf Rolle und bier" without feeling guilty.
- Make a mental note of those foods that don’t normally agree with you. Remember that foods that you don't tolerate at home aren't any more likely to be tolerated in Europe. Heartburn, or those other “unpleasant” symptoms, can really spoil your trip. Use common sense. There are plenty of foods to enjoy!