G&M TravelPlanning

01/02/2023

Venice is a fascinating city. Here are a few examples, that are not the usual bucket list items, of things to see during your visit. I'm not recommending that you drop by any of these, I just want to use this article to show you some of what can find by getting off the beaten path. Our favorite way to discover new and interesting things is by using the tried and true method of wandering around. If you've never tried this before, Venice is the perfect place to start. It's a small island city and there are plenty direction signs, you can't get lost. Learn to get off the beaten path and discover your own hidden gems.

From typical Venetian bars to panoramic views of the Floating City, here are 10 unmissable Venice hidden gems to inspire your wanderlust

31/01/2023

The Louvre is not the only museum in Paris you should visit. Here are a few others that should also be on you list. And if you are a fan of Impressionist art, Musee d'Orsay should be at the top of your list.

Go check out the oldest museum in Paris!

27/01/2023

Paris is one of our favorite cities to visit. And following the advise in this article will probably help make your experience more enjoyable too.

Paris is a magical city, and it can be even more memorable when travelers know these things in advance.

20/11/2022

I enjoy traveling to Europe any time of the year. However if you're someone who doesn't like crowds, doesn't like cold weather and you want to go to a fascinating part of Europe in the winter, then Andalucia in southern Spain is for you. These are the major cities in Andalucia where you can see examples of Roman, Moorish and Spanish architecture and culture, which for the past 2000 years have shaped Spanish history.

It’s too hot in the summer, but in winter, it’s perfect!

17/11/2022

If you've never been to Rome, here's a good list of things you may want to see and do on your first trip to the city. I know 24 things doesn't sound like a lot, but if you really want to experience Rome, I suggest you review the list, then select AND prioritize what you really want to see based on your personal likes and dislikes. And always reserve some time for pleasant surprises. Remember, the city of Rome is a living museum that's over 2000 years old. So I'm sure you'll run across many sites that aren't on the list and you hadn't even considered, but you find them so interesting you'll want to spend some time seeing them.

Here's my list of the best things to do in Rome to help you plan your trip, save money, and enjoy this incredible European city!

15/11/2022

Should I go to Paris in the Winter? Absolutely!

Paris is as charming in the winter as it is the rest of the year. Here's everything to know about making the most of a Paris winter trip, from where to stay to all of the festive activities on offer.

27/10/2022

When we've visited Andalucia over the years, we've always stayed in or near Marbella. It's a great seaside resort city with excellent beaches and all of the amenities you could want, as well as an almost 2000 year old history. If you're visiting southern Spain, it's worth the time and effort to see Marbella.

If you are looking for things to do in Marbella to make the most of your beach vacation, you've come to the right place. We are rounding up the best

22/10/2022

Having something good to eat is one of the main things you want to do in Italy? And Italian pastries should be on the top of your list. Here are just a few you should try. Patricia Muñoz Delgado, keep an eye out for these.

Whether for breakfast or a snack, these Italian pastries are worth the trip to Italy. Check out this list of pastries from Italy

15/10/2022

Most people are familiar with Greece, Italy and Spain, which we've been to a few times and really enjoy. But there are other fascinating southern European countries that many of our friends say are worth visiting. Our grandson stopped at Split Croatia for a couple of days on his eastern Mediterranean "cruise" recently and he loved the place. So take a look at this article and see if these countries have any of the things that would check the boxes on your "I really like this stuff" list.

These countries in Southern Europe appeal the most to American travelers, but they should be on everyone's bucket list.

12/10/2022

Here's a view of Venice that I think will give you a better understanding of the layout of this fascinating island city. The main train station is at the top of island where the causeway that connects the city to the mainland ends. Piazza San Marco with St Mark's Cathedral and Doge's Palace is at the bottom of the island where you see the tall bell tower and large white buildings.

The city is an island. So don't worry about getting lost in Venice as you wander through what at times seem to be a labyrinth of narrow streets/walkways. Just keep in mind that you are on an island. If you run out of land, just turn around and go back the way you came. You will eventually come across signs that will direct you to one of the major sights which will help you get your bearings.

The good thing about seeing the city by just wandering around is that you will more than likely discover something unique, and very interesting to you, that you would not have seen by just sticking to the standard tourist sights.

Venice view from the sky...💕

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30/08/2021

When we're all able to travel to France again and want see see the French countryside, why stay in a hotel when you can stay in a place like this. Check the Gîtes de France web page for more locations similar to this one. We've stayed in some great B&Bs in France.

30/08/2021

If you have or are making travel plans for Europe, contact your travel agent regarding restrictions or rules that European countries seem to be changing by the minute.

European countries are moving to restrict entry for unvaccinated Americans, and to remove the USA from the "safe travel" list which allows...

21/08/2021

In addition to fantastic historic sites, London is also a great shopping city.

London is a fantastic shopping destination -- in fact, you could easily visit just for that purpose. It is also, in my opinion, one of the fashion capitals of

08/08/2021

Spain is filled with fascinating small towns and villages that date back to the Middle Ages. The easiest way to get to them is by car and I'm sure you'll find it is well worth the effort. Get off the beaten path and experience some of the feeling of medieval small town life. How often can you say you've done that?

Castles, cathedrals, bridges... the legacy of the Spanish Middle Ages is huge. Discover it through 17 of the most beautiful medieval villages in Spain.

02/08/2021

Just because it's not bacon and eggs, doesn't mean it's not breakfast. The Romans have some alternatives to our American breakfast that are great. Here's just a few of them. We like the pizza bianca stuffed with a few slices of the mortadella served at Antico Frono Roscioli near Campo de Fiori.

From the maritozzi to pizza bianca, here are Rome's top sweet and savory breakfast treats.

01/08/2021

The Musee Rodin is one of those fascinating but often overlooked museums in Paris. We found it on our first visit to Paris with our grandson Markus because seeing Rodin's sculpture "Burghers of Calais" was on his bucket list. He had seen images of it in one of his classes and became interested in the sculpture and the story it tells. We were glad he brought us here.

The museum is located in Hotel (private mansion) Biron which was Rodin's home when he died. The mansion and surrounding gardens are filled with his work (including The Thinker, The Kiss and many others) as well as his personal art collection. It's well worth the time to visit and it's included in the city’s Museum Pass.

Passez vos dimanches après-midi au musée !
Atelier dessin : suivez les conseils d'un artiste, apprenez ou perfectionnez vos techniques de dessin dans le jardin de sculptures, à l'ombre du sous-bois. Tous publics.
Points Paroles : profitez d'une médiation sous la forme de points-paroles, adaptée à tous les âges et thématisée, tout au long de l'après-midi.
Tous les dimanches jusqu'au 26 septembre.
☛ En savoir plus : https://www.musee-rodin.fr/musee/agenda/dimanches-au-musee-rodin
❗️ Avez-vous pensé au pass sanitaire ?

© Agence photographique du musée Rodin, Pauline Hisbacq

30/07/2021

One of the best things to do in Paris is find a good place to eat and have a fantastic meal. We have found that whether you choose an over the top place like La Tour d'Argent where they have been serving pressed duck for over a century (and each one has a certificate so they can tell you who had which duck and when) or a simple bistro, you will not be disappointed if you follow this simple rule: "Eat where the locals eat."

Where to eat in one of the world's culinary hot spots.

12/07/2021

Going to London? Get off the beaten tourist path, find a little pub full of locals and have a real London experience.

London ❤️

09/07/2021

Venice is very crowded, but it is still a magical place. Here are a few of the historic cafes you may want to visit while you're there. One caveat, we went to Harry's Bar, tried their Bellinis (their signature drink) and thought it was bland. However we did meet a lot of interesting people which made the experience of going to this historic bar worthwhile.

Visit Venice’s cafes for more than just a hot beverage.

02/07/2021

There's more to Spain than just small towns and castles. Madrid, the country's capital, is a modern metropolis that rivals any other capital city in the world. Here are just a few things you can do in Madrid.

Check out here more top things to live in Madrid!https://www.esmadrid.com/en/if-life-were-a-city-it-would-be-MadridA positive, uplifting piece about a city b...

01/07/2021

Here's some good news for those of you who want to travel to, one of our favorite destinations, Spain. It looks like more European countries are trying to make it easier for visitors to return. But, as usual, we recommend you do your home work before booking a ticket or making hotel reservations. Don't just take the information in any news article as gospel. Consult the country's official web pages, the U.S. Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and also your trusted/experienced travel agent to verify what you need and what can expect when you get to your destination.

Spain has lifted COVID-19 vaccination requirements for U.S. visitors, paving the way for all American tourists to visit the European country without testing or quarantining.

01/07/2021

When visiting the French countryside, B&Bs are great places in which to stay. We have used them often and have always enjoyed the experience. Here’s just one example of what you can find on sites like Gites de France.

28/06/2021

On our first trip to Paris about 20 years ago it was suggested by our B&B hostess that we go to Samaritaine department store instead of Galleries Lafayette to do our shopping because the prices were better. It's also located near Pont Neuf on the Seine which is close to many of the major attractions. She was right, the experience was outstanding. On our next visit to Paris we were disappointed to find that the store had closed. Well it's reopened and even though it has a new look, it still looks spectacular. Here's a quick tour of this historic department store in the heart of Paris. As you follow this tour guide around the store keep in mind that this is not a shopping mall, it's just one store. And by the way, it used to be bigger. They added an upscale hotel during the renovation into the existing building.

17/06/2021

One of the things we loved about Greece was the food. Here's just a sample of the dishes you can enjoy when you visit. The fruit, vegetables, seafood, meat and even the condiments were always fresh and well prepared. We don't remember having a bad meal. And for my Southern and Texas friends, if you're a little leery about trying any of the food shown here because you don't see anything familiar on this table, take a look at the dish on the bottom right corner of the picture. Yes, that's black eyed peas. Just start there, then venture out to other dishes and I'll bet you find something else you'll enjoy. We did.

Nothing is better than Greek food. See all the best Greek recipes here — 👉 https://bit.ly/2RF0znT

16/06/2021

Shopping in Milan can be a unique and fascinating experience if you do it in the Galleria Vittirio Emanuele ll near the Cathedral. Mercedes even found her favorite store, the Mercedes Benz store where you could buy a car and all of the accessories to go with it.

16/06/2021

Schwäbisch-Hall is a small to medium size town, population a little over 40,000, located near the industrial metropolis Stuttgart. It’s a prime example of the little gems you can find when get off the beaten tourist path and explore the countryside.

Beautiful view from the German state of Baden-Württemberg: across the Kocher river you see the half-timbered houses in the old town of Schwäbisch Hall. This small, picturesque city lies about 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of the state capital Stuttgart.

📍 Schwäbisch-Hall, Germany
📷 instagram.com/der_heimatfotograf

07/06/2021

An Horchateria like this one in Valencia makes and serves horchata, a popular Spanish drink. But, unlike Mexican style horchata which is made with rice, Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts and it tastes very different. It's not bad, but it is different.

When you travel overseas one of the things you need to be aware of is that same word you use for everyday things in the U.S. (or even Mexico) may not mean what you think they mean in a European country. For example; in Spain a tortilla is a frittata and there are three different words (depending of their size) for shrimp. In Italy "pepperoni" means bell peppers. In Germany a "wiener" is something from Vienna. So a Wiener Wurst is a Vienna sausage (what we would call a hot dog). And even in an English speaking city like London, there maybe the occasional misunderstanding. If you ask for the subway you will be directed to a walkway under a busy road. If you want a subway (a train that runs underground) ask for the Tube or the Underground.

Don't let any of this put you off from traveling. The odd misunderstanding can lead to some fun memories. Imagine our surprise the first time we ordered a pepperoni pizza in Italy and it had lots of bell peppers on it but no American style pepperoni. With the help of a simple translation guide, we made sure the next time we ordered pizza we got it with salame piccanti. We still laugh about our first dinner in Rome.

En Valencia... ¿Dónde sino?
www.mipueblo.es

05/06/2021

Mercedes and I like to visit the countryside when we travel. We stopped in the well preserved small (population 640) medieval town of Corvarrubias for lunch on our last trip to Spain. It’s known not only for its beautifully preserved buildings but also as the burial place of Princess Kristina of Norway who married the King of Castile in the 13th century. Get off the beaten path when you travel to discover unique and interesting things that create lasting memories. Check out the public “trash can” in the last picture.

03/06/2021

One of the things we like about traveling in trying new things to eat. In France, where it is said you can eat a different cheese everyday for a year without eating the same one twice, we’re always looking for a new cheese to try. Here are some popular cheese shops in Paris. Don’t worry if you can’t find one of these, Paris is full excellent shops specializing in cheese. Just look for the Fromagerie sign.

It’s been a while, but Paris is opening up to visitors again on June 9th! I wrote about some of the details in my recent newsletter (and some tips you might want to know if you plan to come) but …