tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17402450402616531502024-02-22T14:01:17.243-08:00Travel the Worldby Katherine and Romeo Belarmino
<br>A travel blog for the everyday working stiff.Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.comBlogger268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-27031787594347774862024-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:002024-01-22T09:00:00.131-08:00Two Nights in Gdańsk: Why You'll Want to Include Gdańsk in Your Poland Travel Itinerary<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CLzsOkpeViox_inQx4C1m_13Yilj2iwZC0x9XIggcZOzyyrsXgg-NYZLdsWZjC9TTRWFDoUyjna5pc9B9unY6O7144a9rv2Y3PAx0Tjfee330PqOzAvdjgWn9cb_z3rQBwAXMiTLNwJPpKbzcOm2JhXpqcKY869zoNGjeUFiAL_ZyATcr9o2F-AW2IFR/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(111).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Gdańsk Long Market" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CLzsOkpeViox_inQx4C1m_13Yilj2iwZC0x9XIggcZOzyyrsXgg-NYZLdsWZjC9TTRWFDoUyjna5pc9B9unY6O7144a9rv2Y3PAx0Tjfee330PqOzAvdjgWn9cb_z3rQBwAXMiTLNwJPpKbzcOm2JhXpqcKY869zoNGjeUFiAL_ZyATcr9o2F-AW2IFR/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(111).jpg" title="Gdańsk Long Market" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we were planning our Poland travel itinerary, we
debated whether to just include Warsaw and Krakow, or to add one more city. Gdańsk
seemed like the likely addition, but would it be worth it to include Gdańsk in
our Poland travel itinerary? The answer is an emphatic yes!</span></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a name='more'></a></span></span><p style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEokRkmoYKTbgrh3YPCJzNpiPJpZ1-d2S-rq-c0jOmpz9hz2Z2Qv3RJbZnR2UEMGwqz0uEZ0fiKpATFLlrMoeEXysbWXef-2YUeFuXYVZWoH2GEfYuKuF6cIWzdNSwPWxesFlzyDH1nyrFT2Y1lFpFtBAZ45aVBjhVEe9VnPdULkI3TrMJaztXkNaCMJBP/s4802/DSC08480.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Gdańsk" border="0" data-original-height="3201" data-original-width="4802" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEokRkmoYKTbgrh3YPCJzNpiPJpZ1-d2S-rq-c0jOmpz9hz2Z2Qv3RJbZnR2UEMGwqz0uEZ0fiKpATFLlrMoeEXysbWXef-2YUeFuXYVZWoH2GEfYuKuF6cIWzdNSwPWxesFlzyDH1nyrFT2Y1lFpFtBAZ45aVBjhVEe9VnPdULkI3TrMJaztXkNaCMJBP/w640-h426/DSC08480.jpg" title="Gdańsk" width="800" /></span></a></div><p style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gdańsk is a port city located on the Baltic coast, and the
historic city center is divided by picturesque canals. But Gdańsk is more than
just a pretty town. Gdańsk has been the center of multiple pivotal moments of
Poland’s history. Gdańsk should be included in your trip to Poland both because
it’s a beautiful city and because of how important it is to the country and its
history.</span></p><p></p><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">A little about Gdańsk’s importance in Poland’s history</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbty7O1mfhAkvx49O3ctlbeY9_hZC3jZDlPOAwIDeAynjkn5mKgYHHmqs7RFRVeENyFEaJ__DU2HS7ktpfJUaI6gXgVmMnMC4_RBf1aZPfZjmiS1no5A1zPjKZxASyfymRckbCQW1IV1nsFa0Gl0MrtiZ7oRCgN9Vck3QHxA_LLiZaeJ2Ro3SVo1ccdLL/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(102).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Ships and Crane" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbty7O1mfhAkvx49O3ctlbeY9_hZC3jZDlPOAwIDeAynjkn5mKgYHHmqs7RFRVeENyFEaJ__DU2HS7ktpfJUaI6gXgVmMnMC4_RBf1aZPfZjmiS1no5A1zPjKZxASyfymRckbCQW1IV1nsFa0Gl0MrtiZ7oRCgN9Vck3QHxA_LLiZaeJ2Ro3SVo1ccdLL/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(102).jpg" title="Gdańsk Ships and Crane" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><p></p></div><div>Gdańsk’s location on the Baltic Sea gave it access to Baltic
amber, which was important to Poland’s economy. The vast majority of the
world’s amber deposits are found nearby. Gdańsk has been a center of production
of amber products for centuries and Poland is currently the world leader in the
production of amber jewelry.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9jou53M4dPbPfcm0LFgEaBfycz4isNdi8k5ARphWO45HIApRNcfzc0LfK5rYd3f75Fu5C1NID4_cAVvHJVzeHVVuRcFiqeTA1Z0gCFKQRf1scliNMNNdSGfU80acaT0T09-OOf2wGGbWw8l_vzDblQcOSqB_28xvBbhMddiEC4IgOmMS2_2EyVOafDuk/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(148).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Royal Way and Neptune's Fountain" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9jou53M4dPbPfcm0LFgEaBfycz4isNdi8k5ARphWO45HIApRNcfzc0LfK5rYd3f75Fu5C1NID4_cAVvHJVzeHVVuRcFiqeTA1Z0gCFKQRf1scliNMNNdSGfU80acaT0T09-OOf2wGGbWw8l_vzDblQcOSqB_28xvBbhMddiEC4IgOmMS2_2EyVOafDuk/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(148).jpg" title="Gdańsk Royal Way and Neptune's Fountain" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><p></p></div><div>Gdańsk played an important role in World War II as it is a
deep-water port and was Poland’s only direct connection to the Baltic. At the
time, Gdańsk was a semi-autonomous city-state called Danzig where many Germans
lived. Gdańsk was one of the first targets when Germany invaded Poland. The
first battle of World War II was on the Westerplatte Peninsula of Gdańsk.</div></span><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQYicLghWo5GFzoKLiXTKJByGTLG0TxvXlGP6pbAZX4-jE1ZErl-gy9Qzk2EAXG_BJnsP882UdsRfPajpDcsz6y9YQhYJNOV1mu1jGTpFt1CuniVGsY2t58XiAjKIbT3cTxDtAwxIDCtUSTTXbTMV9s3scz_CWXHUULbWIgyOvrsmCPz_tyKEixTGwVGO/s4898/DSC08550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Post Office" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQYicLghWo5GFzoKLiXTKJByGTLG0TxvXlGP6pbAZX4-jE1ZErl-gy9Qzk2EAXG_BJnsP882UdsRfPajpDcsz6y9YQhYJNOV1mu1jGTpFt1CuniVGsY2t58XiAjKIbT3cTxDtAwxIDCtUSTTXbTMV9s3scz_CWXHUULbWIgyOvrsmCPz_tyKEixTGwVGO/w640-h426/DSC08550.jpg" title="Gdańsk Post Office" width="800" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Poland was ‘liberated’ by the Soviet Union at the end of
World War II and then was under Soviet control until 1989. The Solidarity
movement that started in Gdańsk’s shipyards in the 1980s played a crucial role
in bringing about the end of communist rule in Poland, which in turn
contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>What to do in Gdańsk</b></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi7pPnDz-gklKvHLpQpLi61d4diPlHELqXyVRkQPiiepOIvhBTCJpIItytLP8Anien9Tv3xR4tG3yVESA-r6SNn7nSNi6TgPG7YZWXlCKrYqq7oFs-sSsrNeESnnSRZURoWmZskX3Ebq9Pmpiiehr8ZKCAN_DwP5Ch4xmvbQtwuZB_xF7l3xVJYrAlLyi/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(85).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Crane" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi7pPnDz-gklKvHLpQpLi61d4diPlHELqXyVRkQPiiepOIvhBTCJpIItytLP8Anien9Tv3xR4tG3yVESA-r6SNn7nSNi6TgPG7YZWXlCKrYqq7oFs-sSsrNeESnnSRZURoWmZskX3Ebq9Pmpiiehr8ZKCAN_DwP5Ch4xmvbQtwuZB_xF7l3xVJYrAlLyi/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(85).jpg" title="Gdańsk Crane" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We arrived in Gdańsk by train from Warsaw, so we had the
afternoon to explore before heading to dinner. After checking into our hotel, we
walked along the water and viewed the <a href="https://nmm.pl/en/crane/"><b>Gdańsk
Crane</b></a>, which at the time was closed to the public for renovation. The
port crane, a large wooden structure between two brick towers, is medieval
technology built in the 15<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We continued on to the </span><a href="https://muzeum1939.pl/en/opening-hours/4340.html" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Museum of the Second
World War</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> which tells the story of the war that began in Gdańsk using
artifacts, design, storytelling, and archival footage. It can take two to three
hours to visit the museum and we highly recommend paying for the audio guide.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JXN8mBU3uS-sgU_lJYJW4ro09wm1O2u2J1Y2C0D7suJGFghMf2cvigu3ISjUt9FW37VP-GXITVVRXlM5h4GMstvvaXwdfuWzKPAI5grUEV8AoH7HTVJ9Tx1pN6OvTrude3KDLvyLynV5lpZ8PRXk9W2Y3uiY1GBAWtGNI32A2blmzLCZUiq55lfO9WkX/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(128)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Uphagen House" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JXN8mBU3uS-sgU_lJYJW4ro09wm1O2u2J1Y2C0D7suJGFghMf2cvigu3ISjUt9FW37VP-GXITVVRXlM5h4GMstvvaXwdfuWzKPAI5grUEV8AoH7HTVJ9Tx1pN6OvTrude3KDLvyLynV5lpZ8PRXk9W2Y3uiY1GBAWtGNI32A2blmzLCZUiq55lfO9WkX/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(128)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" title="Gdańsk Uphagen House" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The next day was our one full day in Gdańsk. Our first stop
was <a href="https://muzeumgdansk.pl/en/oddzialy-muzeum/uphagen-house/"><b>Uphagen
House</b></a>. The home was destroyed in World War II and is the only Gdańsk
mansion rebuilt as it was before 1945. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzYXbVkSEG3PcCwY9kc2JrHRrvE1rkPUsOVnnkZAGt4gD4FTr-XXZ-Pnkahl_ObPuKItqrXkSLFHxd0yhNNd-DMBB3n3zBMEAXHRZ9iqzTnalo0eVWKiwjMfPv9X8Ub4E-iNLt5X7XkNZ92RgpvnPpkBR2ToWJ1LJ-8IteexyyPQa-ctY2SDMFW0Z-g1x/s4898/DSC08564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Main Town Hall" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzYXbVkSEG3PcCwY9kc2JrHRrvE1rkPUsOVnnkZAGt4gD4FTr-XXZ-Pnkahl_ObPuKItqrXkSLFHxd0yhNNd-DMBB3n3zBMEAXHRZ9iqzTnalo0eVWKiwjMfPv9X8Ub4E-iNLt5X7XkNZ92RgpvnPpkBR2ToWJ1LJ-8IteexyyPQa-ctY2SDMFW0Z-g1x/w640-h426/DSC08564.jpg" title="Gdańsk Main Town Hall" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p></span></div>We continued along the <b>Royal Way</b> and stopped in the
old <b>Post Office</b> before visiting the <a href="https://muzeumgdansk.pl/oddzialy-muzeum/main-town-hall/?L=1"><b>Main Town
Hall</b></a>, which contains a Renaissance hall.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpWaTSzsXydmYhIuo9SJ_9mHqS-uUsKAHa48x9xGILxHsC2OmarRG4JJS8tl83Wv3UnsqjIy_n0ErjIyy-6r8wJUsQ4upbsK3F_79NisxDlzwSkpn04ywOQVG_LPBcmdk1ttLYxkWaIcWns7ffvEdbNBQ65hVf01ztvUTo4H4VvL3ydzifBQLEULPd1Xk/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(151)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Artus Court" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpWaTSzsXydmYhIuo9SJ_9mHqS-uUsKAHa48x9xGILxHsC2OmarRG4JJS8tl83Wv3UnsqjIy_n0ErjIyy-6r8wJUsQ4upbsK3F_79NisxDlzwSkpn04ywOQVG_LPBcmdk1ttLYxkWaIcWns7ffvEdbNBQ65hVf01ztvUTo4H4VvL3ydzifBQLEULPd1Xk/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(151)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" title="Gdańsk Artus Court" width="800" /></a></span></div><div><p></p></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://muzeumgdansk.pl/en/oddzialy-muzeum/artus-court/"><b>Artus Court</b></a>
is the only surviving original hall in Baltic Europe. A highlight here is the
largest tile stove in Europe, covered in 530 colorful tiles of kings, almost
all of which are original and survived World War II bombs.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP61Dr1eypippjIW66wVQRXh_6ZJwdRArdQuloFU1FPLOOmSeiBUKLej1IrhPf3h6_0P8grAVMOz7vLWdbJ0m3eCu68flkRkM-60-IbVYSwOTjp9HWngXOi7IaXDq0Exbo9j_leKQV5KNKwJITBoUW_-iUA4FdtzcnmahM10njwxbrK2rIpKx51N-0lLFI/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(166).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Mariacka Street" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP61Dr1eypippjIW66wVQRXh_6ZJwdRArdQuloFU1FPLOOmSeiBUKLej1IrhPf3h6_0P8grAVMOz7vLWdbJ0m3eCu68flkRkM-60-IbVYSwOTjp9HWngXOi7IaXDq0Exbo9j_leKQV5KNKwJITBoUW_-iUA4FdtzcnmahM10njwxbrK2rIpKx51N-0lLFI/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(166).jpg" title="Gdańsk Mariacka Street" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p></span></div>If you’re planning on purchasing amber while in Poland, <b>Mariacka
Street</b> is the best place to do so. Not only is Mariacka Street lined with
shops and workshops where artisans create and sell amber jewelry and art, it
also has beautiful architecture.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVj5hZzjAoEAzuWo148cHzaAFxF2Vj5JrLXsKEmKKJb8_cmKnToxx7JX6IjSHve6EqmdKCyQzKXAjSZeZF4a4A1-l8CT6h-9dbq5khWC3pppu8G6NdP5UGuBUMgxv6rBrAazkL39ajztSoSJtEc0RkqJPNEO5uqGjvbxQncxwhlPNb2WM-rrLqaIasDUL/s4898/DSC08606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk St. Mary's Church" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVj5hZzjAoEAzuWo148cHzaAFxF2Vj5JrLXsKEmKKJb8_cmKnToxx7JX6IjSHve6EqmdKCyQzKXAjSZeZF4a4A1-l8CT6h-9dbq5khWC3pppu8G6NdP5UGuBUMgxv6rBrAazkL39ajztSoSJtEc0RkqJPNEO5uqGjvbxQncxwhlPNb2WM-rrLqaIasDUL/w640-h426/DSC08606.jpg" title="Gdańsk St. Mary's Church" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p></span></div>After purchasing some amber gifts, we visited <a href="http://bazylikamariacka.gdansk.pl/bazylika/informacja-dla-turystow/"><b>St.
Mary’s Church</b></a><span>, the largest brick church in the world built from 1343 to
1502 by the Teutonic Knights.</span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WanBQtnYBo0AoaN50j7T2rf3T7bRbePeWASKD6rjTypdbD7xYkBsjFHyLvhTdiZ8TBW-Wz-mDiRE0_Ai6KAUy559wjAsQ23bIx_MpNBjRpFZZ-otHuXZvl7GhCEjzUZztrejlY5tONMRIKT13oHJ_LXUgtGSmxpqvpF0pjhYW90i229Q_iMl7VnJ-s0Z/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(173)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk St. Nicholas Church" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WanBQtnYBo0AoaN50j7T2rf3T7bRbePeWASKD6rjTypdbD7xYkBsjFHyLvhTdiZ8TBW-Wz-mDiRE0_Ai6KAUy559wjAsQ23bIx_MpNBjRpFZZ-otHuXZvl7GhCEjzUZztrejlY5tONMRIKT13oHJ_LXUgtGSmxpqvpF0pjhYW90i229Q_iMl7VnJ-s0Z/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(173)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" title="Gdańsk St. Nicholas Church" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p></span></div>We also visited <b>St. Nicholas Church</b>. This is the only
Gdańsk church to survive World War II, which it is believed is because St.
Nicholas is one of the cherished patron saints of Russian Orthodox.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We made a quick stop at the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Market Hall</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> because the
basement contains graves of medieval Dominican monks, which can be viewed over
a glass railing.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleDjk4NW3inRPO6YMpBVMA0lVFMgC943l4KyAGalyMF1kHxhM2L2Y5jnzz7hdS7xn_Bco9EjYe1q3wBAU388j0KfsegRjgXosBpa2v5zSd20JlPIxb6YE2GYwYBlNu1m7zqsByeo0KK8JNlyuRPMustVXv9V7LsDekBZIAGWq4uJs7Ua4uI5LHVfXLU6R/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(177).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk St. Bridget's Church" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleDjk4NW3inRPO6YMpBVMA0lVFMgC943l4KyAGalyMF1kHxhM2L2Y5jnzz7hdS7xn_Bco9EjYe1q3wBAU388j0KfsegRjgXosBpa2v5zSd20JlPIxb6YE2GYwYBlNu1m7zqsByeo0KK8JNlyuRPMustVXv9V7LsDekBZIAGWq4uJs7Ua4uI5LHVfXLU6R/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(177).jpg" title="Gdańsk St. Bridget's Church" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We visited two more churches that are close to each other. <b>St.
Catherine’s Church</b> is the oldest church in Gdańsk. <b>St. Bridget’s Church</b>
has an altar made entirely of amber.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjD0xlrO3fy_-dD9X4Kn8lPsJumbREMjJA5KszjFG_yvBrHhFrSAp2Wu7yYxIAfWfh3x4XTnt-TzmDUXPchTKERMtsjRkM93BoSRUUN6-DjWkMwq_NM9ZlUbn877d6g7oibSRWvE5x7OhV_-6y5LvfIPgMU-V2-tB-llLeOznpx2jXPclOMS2weaZJuIz/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(186).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Museum of Amber" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjD0xlrO3fy_-dD9X4Kn8lPsJumbREMjJA5KszjFG_yvBrHhFrSAp2Wu7yYxIAfWfh3x4XTnt-TzmDUXPchTKERMtsjRkM93BoSRUUN6-DjWkMwq_NM9ZlUbn877d6g7oibSRWvE5x7OhV_-6y5LvfIPgMU-V2-tB-llLeOznpx2jXPclOMS2weaZJuIz/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(186).jpg" title="Gdańsk Museum of Amber" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p>We visited the <a href="https://muzeumgdansk.pl/en/wizyta-w-muzeum-gdanska/departments/"><b>Museum
of Amber</b></a>, which is located within the Great Mill building. Here you can
learn about where amber comes from, see examples of amber with inclusions like
insects, and see jewelry and art created with amber. You can spend as little or
as much time as you want in this museum.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YA6l8Ib70XIBucczE_sW3KOXcOw9GTPIOtpM4KJRTCvj0WtTDaNYZ1cyWGFJgcW2EWT8jGO1ZjXgtfWEiQl0R24rQ5T6fNta7YMVsCxCSx2xOddZOnAh8r8-4VQM05U9D5xT0nZ-DKg016m0GUiWtaJ1D8DKZvCl2pzQayU4pE0n-1ZTQEt_7_nT9K2S/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(201).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk European Solidarity Center" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YA6l8Ib70XIBucczE_sW3KOXcOw9GTPIOtpM4KJRTCvj0WtTDaNYZ1cyWGFJgcW2EWT8jGO1ZjXgtfWEiQl0R24rQ5T6fNta7YMVsCxCSx2xOddZOnAh8r8-4VQM05U9D5xT0nZ-DKg016m0GUiWtaJ1D8DKZvCl2pzQayU4pE0n-1ZTQEt_7_nT9K2S/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(201).jpg" title="Gdańsk European Solidarity Center" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p>Our final stop was <b>Solidarity Square</b> and the <a href="https://ecs.gda.pl/en/"><b>European Solidarity Center</b></a>. Solidarity
Square contains the Monument of the Fallen Shipyard Workers, which commemorates
the bloodiest strike that took place in December 1970. The European Solidarity
Center is all about the end of communism and how the strike that started on
August 14, 1980 ended communism in Poland. Be sure to use the included audio
guide. There is an option to have a more condensed tour using the audio guide
if you want to complete your visit in an hour.</span><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Gdańsk restaurants</b></span> </span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98KOGejz2p-WSulx3u_efseSJzx85q_eb_bIFHgHRlmvrC0QsxzA6fb7BNKy0RUNzAKLQOdNJ3oTxqezQPOA_LCLQN_uUpTfUNvIdjak9_rVUnsSXOG-YRRNNdhJNTSiMIe6QvAohMpLRc3L3h5TUDcO4JnUgrWKqsJR0FwdOd2bpuWIRJAq6tZJKIJAe/s3617/IMG_3665.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Stagiewna Bar Mleczny" border="0" data-original-height="2713" data-original-width="3617" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98KOGejz2p-WSulx3u_efseSJzx85q_eb_bIFHgHRlmvrC0QsxzA6fb7BNKy0RUNzAKLQOdNJ3oTxqezQPOA_LCLQN_uUpTfUNvIdjak9_rVUnsSXOG-YRRNNdhJNTSiMIe6QvAohMpLRc3L3h5TUDcO4JnUgrWKqsJR0FwdOd2bpuWIRJAq6tZJKIJAe/w640-h480/IMG_3665.jpg" title="Gdańsk Stagiewna Bar Mleczny" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A trip to Poland should include lunch at a milk bar at least
once. Milk bars, or bar mleczny in Polish, are cafeteria-style restaurants from
the communist era. They were state-subsidized eateries that provided affordable
and simple meals. Some of these milk bars still exist in Poland and serve
hearty, traditional Polish dishes. In Gdańsk we ate lunch at <a href="https://www.barstagiewna.pl/"><b>Stagiewna Bar Mleczny</b></a>.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrgxDRG4teFiNbqCEV0yBMUUYngDK8ZW6ltTSP5g3ZARyh33GqfD3xNdx1d7BUgMtQgL5gHW_6JZXC4OjrKm9VQQnQTblBb05U1YnX2rfX1rJLz2zev3Fi85SRbzisHDcdWtq7Wl1-rU3ITiSpndAAzwgWooHm8OFdxCydyXFEdv_5bdWVf8i8wfZnQAh/s3958/IMG_3651.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Gdańsk Bowke" border="0" data-original-height="2968" data-original-width="3958" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrgxDRG4teFiNbqCEV0yBMUUYngDK8ZW6ltTSP5g3ZARyh33GqfD3xNdx1d7BUgMtQgL5gHW_6JZXC4OjrKm9VQQnQTblBb05U1YnX2rfX1rJLz2zev3Fi85SRbzisHDcdWtq7Wl1-rU3ITiSpndAAzwgWooHm8OFdxCydyXFEdv_5bdWVf8i8wfZnQAh/w640-h480/IMG_3651.jpg" title="Gdańsk Bowke" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">On our first night, we had dinner at <a href="http://www.gdanskibowke.com/"><b>Gdański Bowke</b></a>, which is a casual
restaurant on the waterfront serving simple and good meals and live music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAU36KrCFNLjp6PxlIGhlHjt-CX1JFK4FLqn-KgsoSKCEyrB1czE0CJbh4duIapBqaMla4DN2tG8Bv9h2CTqcvmPviNmUAALWXPHl7t885Q4_rJBDbWQC1dZgbStxUGzGzfV_omUlCAac20nU0-jSIEghxsBqHiaWOHHyL4vvLUTfsOhhi07MxzQpvLyJ/s4032/IMG_3670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Restauracja Goldwasser" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAU36KrCFNLjp6PxlIGhlHjt-CX1JFK4FLqn-KgsoSKCEyrB1czE0CJbh4duIapBqaMla4DN2tG8Bv9h2CTqcvmPviNmUAALWXPHl7t885Q4_rJBDbWQC1dZgbStxUGzGzfV_omUlCAac20nU0-jSIEghxsBqHiaWOHHyL4vvLUTfsOhhi07MxzQpvLyJ/w640-h480/IMG_3670.jpg" title="Gdansk Restauracja Goldwasser" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">On our second night, we had dinner at the fancier <a href="https://goldwasser.pl/"><b>Restauracja Goldwasser</b></a>, which has upper-floor seating overlooking the water.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><b>Where to stay in Gdańsk</b></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y_U_0zAfAIsVq2wqhG49e_VIS3IhrOOmIKe15SMvegH_GXrlU9zIbgjVKts262K9YPRPlhjPlXcRCyC36aVzVVIU2qljsgmbevLoaNwqTeFtVAaqWpoZ16xgm-DBnrja3DFFgqMmGvVmq1YH6M_BBWx7Dw23RZWjMJDsRrlF8Y8xdGANiljXjtM_ZANr/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(214).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Hotel Podewils" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1y_U_0zAfAIsVq2wqhG49e_VIS3IhrOOmIKe15SMvegH_GXrlU9zIbgjVKts262K9YPRPlhjPlXcRCyC36aVzVVIU2qljsgmbevLoaNwqTeFtVAaqWpoZ16xgm-DBnrja3DFFgqMmGvVmq1YH6M_BBWx7Dw23RZWjMJDsRrlF8Y8xdGANiljXjtM_ZANr/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(214).jpg" title="Gdańsk Hotel Podewils" width="800" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><p></p>For our two nights in Gdańsk, we loved our stay at the
historic <a href="https://www.podewils.pl/en/hotel-podewils-in-gdansk"><b>Hotel
Podewils</b></a>. The manor house was built in 1728 by stonemason Krzystof
Strzycki. We booked a premium deluxe room with views of the old town and
Motlawa River. The hotel also serves a lovely breakfast in the morning.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg780006-AkU6hM79Z8UgdESnF-0fkL_t1koWY9PcvEjkoKn-oP4iQtY_N2BjEDq-R5SJ4mVWJgy1Q0RGzfooSU1fTuOFWicm9FxCkK4QXBZ1KZZDT-_x3rfN8IFIRktXEUL_qw6F-G7k1NkrNnhk6d1sBJq0Y6Dhl5cNgj6183WdKSQp2OFa1zjD6wvaDH/s4898/DSC08465.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gdańsk Canal" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg780006-AkU6hM79Z8UgdESnF-0fkL_t1koWY9PcvEjkoKn-oP4iQtY_N2BjEDq-R5SJ4mVWJgy1Q0RGzfooSU1fTuOFWicm9FxCkK4QXBZ1KZZDT-_x3rfN8IFIRktXEUL_qw6F-G7k1NkrNnhk6d1sBJq0Y6Dhl5cNgj6183WdKSQp2OFa1zjD6wvaDH/w640-h426/DSC08465.jpg" title="Gdańsk Canal" width="800" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Carving out a full day and two nights to visit Gdańsk was
the right decision for our trip to Poland. Gdańsk feels small and intimate and
old world and yet is also the location of pivotal points in Poland’s history.
It is absolutely worth visiting Gdańsk.</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div>Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-37863261503781722332023-12-11T08:30:00.000-08:002023-12-11T08:30:00.123-08:00 How to Spend Two Days in Warsaw<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfpt9AjVVGQKjpVhZgFrogLn76tleI4A4cKNbz4D3TbyoOVAkrgY4huTb7XTEZ2dMefIWl3TEkTqGRlQ6V1y-lEQyKMF4NDA3yIlHnNKHnBg7IC1Ia0BCJ9YHdcuiAi0k5yjHypmFEZwT04Xau-Ua1y0by1PPnVQIaZEv8ekknvfNak0VUkBjp-ldL38f/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(60).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Warsaw Old Town and Royal Castle Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfpt9AjVVGQKjpVhZgFrogLn76tleI4A4cKNbz4D3TbyoOVAkrgY4huTb7XTEZ2dMefIWl3TEkTqGRlQ6V1y-lEQyKMF4NDA3yIlHnNKHnBg7IC1Ia0BCJ9YHdcuiAi0k5yjHypmFEZwT04Xau-Ua1y0by1PPnVQIaZEv8ekknvfNak0VUkBjp-ldL38f/w640-h427/KB%20Poland%20(60).jpg" title="Warsaw Old Town and Royal Castle Poland" width="800" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">Warsaw is the capital of Poland and its largest city. Warsaw
is the city we flew in and out of for our 13-day Poland vacation. We spent two
full days in Warsaw and it was the perfect amount of time to see and taste the
highlights of Warsaw.</span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Warsaw has a historic, old city feel even though 85% of
Warsaw’s historic center was destroyed in World War II. Unlike other European
cities that sustained damage throughout the war from various bombings, Warsaw
was deliberately destroyed by the Nazis as punishment for the Warsaw Uprising. Many
buildings were meticulously rebuilt, some with the help of paintings of Warsaw
from the 1700s by Venetian painter Bernardo Bellotto, the nephew of Canaletto
and often referred to as Canaletto. Replicas of Canaletto’s paintings are
scattered around Warsaw. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Recommended Itinerary for Two Days in Warsaw – Day One</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We started our first day in Warsaw with a stroll down
Warsaw’s </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Royal Route</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, a one-kilometer route that passes multiple
churches and palaces.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lWacmNKVyqPGjfjJGvisNod6m2u05KNEaIXql6cNeMttUgGyVvUzs5-75pMRefUu60seN7NbLksv__HcjCm9kuFbmdzUr9ABmCRWuWTCSDJadOvbTcyucggrIjeT-kyLQPgtX727cCEZcpAh1y_PUHbXz_6S1lJf3NWSTzJwJezUj-3YGLnb0yUZzddW/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Roman Catholic Church of the Visitants Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lWacmNKVyqPGjfjJGvisNod6m2u05KNEaIXql6cNeMttUgGyVvUzs5-75pMRefUu60seN7NbLksv__HcjCm9kuFbmdzUr9ABmCRWuWTCSDJadOvbTcyucggrIjeT-kyLQPgtX727cCEZcpAh1y_PUHbXz_6S1lJf3NWSTzJwJezUj-3YGLnb0yUZzddW/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(5).jpg" title="Roman Catholic Church of the Visitants Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Roman Catholic Church of the Visitants</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is the
only church in the area that survived World War II. Poland’s famous composer Frédéric
Chopin was an organist at this church briefly. Across the street is one of the
Canaletto painting replicas.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxhcFHqHpv206ARkvnhYqAI3rOsywAJZbSKm3WhH_Wlu3WJVRZtg6ClMzh5ubz4KCrMq0N_QNKs9avTXb64k_bww2Y-SfJCOjP3NNhEiqnPqQyQ1V9hPMDFHwSPYwNCgDViuO4YA-np-faxraNyP8fa6t8ZpOC2AtbGFEejZgyFh1Y_ek2SQCQt8MFZew/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Holy Cross Church Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxhcFHqHpv206ARkvnhYqAI3rOsywAJZbSKm3WhH_Wlu3WJVRZtg6ClMzh5ubz4KCrMq0N_QNKs9avTXb64k_bww2Y-SfJCOjP3NNhEiqnPqQyQ1V9hPMDFHwSPYwNCgDViuO4YA-np-faxraNyP8fa6t8ZpOC2AtbGFEejZgyFh1Y_ek2SQCQt8MFZew/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(6).jpg" title="Holy Cross Church Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Next is the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Holy Cross Church</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, where Chopin’s heart
is encased in one of the pillars inside. While Chopin died in Paris, he wanted
part of him to be buried in his home country. Outside of the church is a statue
of Jesus bearing his cross. This is one of the many buildings that were destroyed
but rebuilt in the same style with some help from a Canaletto painting.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLVYx2nCjONtwBdl4WIiIwqlwhjzIna2t9LKZ4Eg-5An0Aui65gmrbI8ijpKc_6OwdHUs7njOjASfVRaqi1sp6G0g_TE3cZuwJs7hq_TdQuYRyJ2hBSnS-QAmQo32QH4J5Yu9CkRdOnZ76TJBcAZKasK-c3GjpEsFlR7EEz-uD8o-OwcNbp6_tcUVWos6/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Copernicus Monument Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLVYx2nCjONtwBdl4WIiIwqlwhjzIna2t9LKZ4Eg-5An0Aui65gmrbI8ijpKc_6OwdHUs7njOjASfVRaqi1sp6G0g_TE3cZuwJs7hq_TdQuYRyJ2hBSnS-QAmQo32QH4J5Yu9CkRdOnZ76TJBcAZKasK-c3GjpEsFlR7EEz-uD8o-OwcNbp6_tcUVWos6/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(8).jpg" title="Copernicus Monument Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Another Polish celebrity is Nicolaus Copernicus, a
mathematician and astronomer. The </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Copernicus Monument</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is on the Royal
Route. Near the monument is another Canaletto painting replica and one of many
benches that play Chopin’s music with the push of a button.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdIz24JgunGdFLZTsagfY8Nv0oCF1bPmUbcW9gKzQPCusAm9172CK-S3Diej1w0LGrmJcBMQX1naEQpFe9-zBhFz0oqqgcaUmXZlrmowY8RujgpxFWuUs6Ib9NeqjN1Hic18HOyM_uvjBbqpGl1llRyfJKogH2aOwtfE26J_hiCzfmmpqL2EMVWZUuYDC/s4898/DSC08326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Palace of Culture and Science Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdIz24JgunGdFLZTsagfY8Nv0oCF1bPmUbcW9gKzQPCusAm9172CK-S3Diej1w0LGrmJcBMQX1naEQpFe9-zBhFz0oqqgcaUmXZlrmowY8RujgpxFWuUs6Ib9NeqjN1Hic18HOyM_uvjBbqpGl1llRyfJKogH2aOwtfE26J_hiCzfmmpqL2EMVWZUuYDC/w640-h426/DSC08326.jpg" title="Palace of Culture and Science Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We turned off of the Royal Route to walk over to the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Palace
of Culture and Science</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, which at one point was the tallest building between
Frankfurt and St. Petersburg. If you didn’t know, you might think the building
is old and historic. However, it was built in the 1950s as a ‘gift’ by Stalin
for Poland in an older style. It is free to enter the ground-floor lobby, which
feels like 1950s Soviet Union.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3CZ5MP03Hn_511M5_gvqrxIdXc7ODRWfG-JpIU_eoR0RIHxqekf4fQ4iXrX_xmK1EcoICKfWTO48Fud_uCEghuywQXEdQWR8CJpqP-hnydjwXV62EQGiP5xAHN-rq4Ys0tPEOvjZT-5piso0YGBgcTHYc7iyGqNbO4rK8WXZzORoRTtornSLtBNjKI9T/s4898/DSC08327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Zlotta 44 Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3CZ5MP03Hn_511M5_gvqrxIdXc7ODRWfG-JpIU_eoR0RIHxqekf4fQ4iXrX_xmK1EcoICKfWTO48Fud_uCEghuywQXEdQWR8CJpqP-hnydjwXV62EQGiP5xAHN-rq4Ys0tPEOvjZT-5piso0YGBgcTHYc7iyGqNbO4rK8WXZzORoRTtornSLtBNjKI9T/w640-h426/DSC08327.jpg" title="Zlotta 44 Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Nearby is </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Zlotta 44</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, a skyscraper designed by Daniel
Libeskind, the world-renowned architect who redeveloped the 9/11 site in New
York City. The shape of the building evokes an eagle, which is the symbol of
Poland.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Next, we walked to the </span><a href="https://www.mnw.art.pl/en/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>National
Museum of Warsaw</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> which has a wonderful collection of 19</span><sup style="font-family: trebuchet;">th</sup><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">
century Polish art that depicts daily life. There is also a collection of
Medieval Art with altarpieces from churches around Poland. The museum also
holds modern and postmodern Polish art.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKxCAFh_cN5sFgykFTwBD_q5GbUbjuDW0v5hW_9Id7WlqAwe1oHGjp8Je0KpfN0pSqfNeAD7GUqDg8kd124DxEFSqY6hj8hiTq0hfQUUcfa8dneQglkrZNzUhxNrUYwphAKo1yVG3Eg_jkpgAFULq3ROEK7xssTEZv0JusKJLzFAG447O9WZVnhKthy96/s4899/DSC08367.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Zapiekanka Eat Polska Food Tour Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKxCAFh_cN5sFgykFTwBD_q5GbUbjuDW0v5hW_9Id7WlqAwe1oHGjp8Je0KpfN0pSqfNeAD7GUqDg8kd124DxEFSqY6hj8hiTq0hfQUUcfa8dneQglkrZNzUhxNrUYwphAKo1yVG3Eg_jkpgAFULq3ROEK7xssTEZv0JusKJLzFAG447O9WZVnhKthy96/w640-h426/DSC08367.jpg" title="Zapiekanka Eat Polska Food Tour Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">After our museum visit, we joined an </span><a href="https://eatpolska.com/foodtour/warsaw/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Eat Polska</b></a><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"> food
tour</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> to get acquainted with Polish cuisine. Food tours are one of our
favorite things to do early on in a trip so we know what to look for and eat
through the rest of the vacation. On our food tour, we visited five different
places and ate lots of traditional dishes including bread spread with smalec
chased with a shot of vodka, two types of soup, zapiekanka, potato dumplings,
breaded porkchop, and a couple sweets. In addition to learning about Poland’s cuisine,
we learned about Poland’s food history and how it was impacted by its time
under Soviet rule.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Since we didn’t need any dinner after filling up with Polish
food on our food tour, we ended our day with a piano concert at </span><a href="https://bbwarsaw.com/en/chopin-salon-en/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Chopin Salon</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">. Chopin
Salon holds a concert every night featuring the music of Poland’s famous
composer. Each night features a different pianist. Sometimes the piano is
accompanied by another instrument or a singer. We were served a glass of wine
and a slice of apple pie to enjoy during the concert.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Recommended Itinerary for Two Days in Warsaw – Day Two</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our second full day in Warsaw was focused on Warsaw’s Old
Town, the resistance, and Jewish history.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW4YYJ5QHYB_aPgGIs1DjIjUY9weIIw_ZQGNpRDwZOU1BTsY_8GsgYtbeTGrq0k7asaOziw7jNuTOYabZdb7decoEYd5N18zeQOVc8APDkP264dg_LIZ0z3r9eju0oXNR3JF2eH_nX9kXd9nzHog5ytBP7TSIHl8wOdWPvTH2yk_t8TICcaD0xnhTXDn6/s4898/DSC08382.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="St. Anne’s Church Tower Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPW4YYJ5QHYB_aPgGIs1DjIjUY9weIIw_ZQGNpRDwZOU1BTsY_8GsgYtbeTGrq0k7asaOziw7jNuTOYabZdb7decoEYd5N18zeQOVc8APDkP264dg_LIZ0z3r9eju0oXNR3JF2eH_nX9kXd9nzHog5ytBP7TSIHl8wOdWPvTH2yk_t8TICcaD0xnhTXDn6/w640-h426/DSC08382.jpg" title="St. Anne’s Church Tower Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">St. Anne’s Church</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> has an altar that survived World
War II. Next door to the church is a tower that provides a view of Warsaw’s Old
Town after climbing 150 steps.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Yv7srtXHyirmNoJF-tyTSzPHpb03vwUcuPaEAcF8q9Ozw6igsl-DQPmOONF9R1tCWEC0GhOR3cOoZdd_hP5FKuQU8bF5V6VI_1-s0FB10uNaMcVwIpPgeAKN-QvhtebQvc0uuqcAGkpBlc_lRkH5u-rcwGbce5cCsTMKcvKvFF_2FoR9-v5PxhZlry0-/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(51)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Royal Castle Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Yv7srtXHyirmNoJF-tyTSzPHpb03vwUcuPaEAcF8q9Ozw6igsl-DQPmOONF9R1tCWEC0GhOR3cOoZdd_hP5FKuQU8bF5V6VI_1-s0FB10uNaMcVwIpPgeAKN-QvhtebQvc0uuqcAGkpBlc_lRkH5u-rcwGbce5cCsTMKcvKvFF_2FoR9-v5PxhZlry0-/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(51)-Enhanced-NR.jpg" title="Royal Castle Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The </span><a href="https://www.zamek-krolewski.pl/en" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Royal
Castle</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> on Castle Square was destroyed by the Nazis and carefully
restored decades later. Luckily much of what was in the castle was removed for
safekeeping before its destruction, so many of the furnishings seen in the
castle today are original.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgGxCf_G6ddDbVagG73whrMbJ3ZyiaSUiu8m1gKvCHO1SIbl6vqS2UeD7_T8-GY_BFmx0h61CQsntXB4iAtM0p1wsYclOmKMgoNcSWnP_fMeUmU9smCEBz-r1GSZPyXixBs5uIk-GBM2U90IEJLivM5Enn19FSMLU7aZvQ9ZVbwi_TYiUvGWo3JRiSRRb/s4899/DSC08416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="St. John's Cathedral Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMgGxCf_G6ddDbVagG73whrMbJ3ZyiaSUiu8m1gKvCHO1SIbl6vqS2UeD7_T8-GY_BFmx0h61CQsntXB4iAtM0p1wsYclOmKMgoNcSWnP_fMeUmU9smCEBz-r1GSZPyXixBs5uIk-GBM2U90IEJLivM5Enn19FSMLU7aZvQ9ZVbwi_TYiUvGWo3JRiSRRb/w640-h426/DSC08416.jpg" title="St. John's Cathedral Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">St. John’s Cathedral</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is the oldest church in Warsaw.
It was built in the 1300s. St. John’s Cathedral is also important because
Poland’s constitution was consecrated there in 1791. It was also a battleground
of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising where many were killed when a tank drove into the
church and exploded.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJk51q7N5t7Bq05x3NbUoWTngglJA-V-hoQ4UzgU5Fu1pF-NfkUc1IHjnc0YdV0UQX5rv82Ipjy0PHK0K3UQwzI-W0KPXtJHiYD5uFWTjNmfl5Gdnxzi0D5_4JztndUqKEVecoESOuLtH9S3CgGFt06zza3yxLWLABhu29KHPmc9WwJRu2PiP85jmjtiC/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(66).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Old Town Market Square Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJk51q7N5t7Bq05x3NbUoWTngglJA-V-hoQ4UzgU5Fu1pF-NfkUc1IHjnc0YdV0UQX5rv82Ipjy0PHK0K3UQwzI-W0KPXtJHiYD5uFWTjNmfl5Gdnxzi0D5_4JztndUqKEVecoESOuLtH9S3CgGFt06zza3yxLWLABhu29KHPmc9WwJRu2PiP85jmjtiC/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(66).jpg" title="Old Town Market Square Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We stopped for a lunch of pierogis and walked to </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Old Town
Market Square</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">. Not one single building remained of this square in 1945, and
it was rebuilt in 1956. The buildings were intentionally built to lean out to
recreate how the original buildings looked.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The </span><a href="https://muzeumwarszawy.pl/en/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Museum of
Warsaw</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is in Old Town Market Square. If you’re not a museum person, I
would recommend skipping this one. There is a lot of stuff to look at. However,
Romeo disagrees and is glad we visited the museum.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ9xZlfDQz5ORIfcdrkgAy6b5jDH3jnjdPGL9VCr4cN178Z10jmaDIVfOjFNT5Fg_C787PVq2gMBzU6rTb7ZPoO4cFAKKOEX7hs8IZb-jhM1j2FVPl9b_-gCQJ8pxyOnawhqlr08Z8uc8hXlqH2F3K6cuRHUeul_M0ZmyPMzOrXzZ33D8wPuho7y7AvyE/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(70).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Warsaw Uprising Monument Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQ9xZlfDQz5ORIfcdrkgAy6b5jDH3jnjdPGL9VCr4cN178Z10jmaDIVfOjFNT5Fg_C787PVq2gMBzU6rTb7ZPoO4cFAKKOEX7hs8IZb-jhM1j2FVPl9b_-gCQJ8pxyOnawhqlr08Z8uc8hXlqH2F3K6cuRHUeul_M0ZmyPMzOrXzZ33D8wPuho7y7AvyE/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(70).jpg" title="Warsaw Uprising Monument Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We left the Old Town and walked to the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Warsaw Uprising
Monument</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, which commemorates the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 where members of
the resistance attempted to end the Nazi occupation.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEJz3CtwqNduaPMNG6mDmfL5TMHh-8q6sPW7jVyQq0hiBk6IwzezHJe34ndFN1jXUTecuHoDcwcb6rCZA7y-WmXkd_enzRZCANxE4HICtIDMh7OyRknoe49ZfHRBTPmqXk28wrYPwQSFdBElVveTJPBhcJcgJlmyyQU_DilgU4A3z-msfce-71LqVaAEA/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(73).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Monument to the Ghetto Heroes Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEJz3CtwqNduaPMNG6mDmfL5TMHh-8q6sPW7jVyQq0hiBk6IwzezHJe34ndFN1jXUTecuHoDcwcb6rCZA7y-WmXkd_enzRZCANxE4HICtIDMh7OyRknoe49ZfHRBTPmqXk28wrYPwQSFdBElVveTJPBhcJcgJlmyyQU_DilgU4A3z-msfce-71LqVaAEA/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(73).jpg" title="Monument to the Ghetto Heroes Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">A short distance away is the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Monument to the Ghetto
Heroes</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, which commemorates the Jewish uprising. This uprising occurred the
year before the Warsaw Uprising in resistance to the Nazi order to liquidate
the Warsaw ghetto.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPzebReFsDlIQsjZn18Qsa3P1-0lwi73CozzUr4VMm8Vxw9rdo9kObdzlNnnH816pojPR4pKoGY1e4wQSIcX_UThYl2CUTVffQj5pIUdglbZGNHEZ6hcknmevgnTKo6EIeItl_W9CChUweAVs7Gmy0iSH0wdTIkzmMM_jamKy9WfQrtnUq1MExxuibU5F/s4898/DSC08447.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews Warsaw" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPzebReFsDlIQsjZn18Qsa3P1-0lwi73CozzUr4VMm8Vxw9rdo9kObdzlNnnH816pojPR4pKoGY1e4wQSIcX_UThYl2CUTVffQj5pIUdglbZGNHEZ6hcknmevgnTKo6EIeItl_W9CChUweAVs7Gmy0iSH0wdTIkzmMM_jamKy9WfQrtnUq1MExxuibU5F/w640-h426/DSC08447.jpg" title="POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews Warsaw" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The </span><a href="https://www.polin.pl/pl/podstawowe-informacje" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>POLIN
Museum of the History of Polish Jews</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is an excellent museum covering a
thousand years of Jewish history. We recommend renting the audio guide.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JLMDNoVmCLL5jnQPp1A-XYYg1goQcKs3afRUP383Qx6BwQjLMEqM6J7rB4OY6DCdDr0jpzgIWTDS5_jJhiytmbGUTXyOyKnKNcPd6lXa_-aGmD8VeOkwD98kZfUoL_y6MCivkPCvfqV4Fh2JUdpDq-4teDXgR9y_3KzmHNFskxvG12wIk3vhBsaukcYc/s4899/KB%20Poland%20(80).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Path of the Remembrance Bunker Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JLMDNoVmCLL5jnQPp1A-XYYg1goQcKs3afRUP383Qx6BwQjLMEqM6J7rB4OY6DCdDr0jpzgIWTDS5_jJhiytmbGUTXyOyKnKNcPd6lXa_-aGmD8VeOkwD98kZfUoL_y6MCivkPCvfqV4Fh2JUdpDq-4teDXgR9y_3KzmHNFskxvG12wIk3vhBsaukcYc/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(80).jpg" title="Path of the Remembrance Bunker Warsaw Poland" width="640" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Path of the Remembrance</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> is a series of three
black stone memorials to the heroes of the uprising and they lead to a bunker
where 100 organizers of the uprising hid and committed suicide when the Nazis
found them.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBax87Ehzou8fAjWWxmZi416hYJVUXknmNhWr4TSvTFclB9AqfwgDQmhh94vC1C6bH9XlLvUCL21PhDtVdLFMOQebSFbKBkPMTAUzHzELgq5plOJ82Eex3T8tn6Q_E3VL8YPItAxzwfrygboGKMNP70sSVb8wntSq0XjAqsDvY4ukZnQpKKEwe9ye2Z69/s4898/DSC08454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Umschlagplatz Monument Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBax87Ehzou8fAjWWxmZi416hYJVUXknmNhWr4TSvTFclB9AqfwgDQmhh94vC1C6bH9XlLvUCL21PhDtVdLFMOQebSFbKBkPMTAUzHzELgq5plOJ82Eex3T8tn6Q_E3VL8YPItAxzwfrygboGKMNP70sSVb8wntSq0XjAqsDvY4ukZnQpKKEwe9ye2Z69/w640-h426/DSC08454.jpg" title="Umschlagplatz Monument Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We walked over to the </span><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">Umschlagplatz Monument</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> which
marks the spot where Nazis brought Jewish families and loaded them onto trains headed
to Treblinka or Auschwitz.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We had already visited quite a few spots on our second day,
but we had just enough time to visit the </span><a href="https://www.1944.pl/en/article/the-warsaw-rising-museum,4516.html" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Warsaw
Uprising Museum</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">. This is the one place in our Warsaw two-day itinerary
that could not be reached by walking, so we took an Uber. The Warsaw Uprising
Museum celebrates the heroes of the uprising.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Recommended Restaurants in Warsaw</span></b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV2WqlcU_KyV94lcMQZe00uuFfygnY8J3wo-235H-b4tI17qnhdvwYqo_wggpT7OI9kBMchJvrkkDz-Q_mPtsZHVNoadVgby_x-ff-kw-26CPe7ihRNjHn4NRKfzBg1ScNa6Y7DlsPl8MJc1F0nltgPMOeIQ4Np_YnUxIpWm_cUB_Hn2G1oY5qtJB-vG_/s4032/IMG_3630.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="ELIXIR by Dom Wódki Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfV2WqlcU_KyV94lcMQZe00uuFfygnY8J3wo-235H-b4tI17qnhdvwYqo_wggpT7OI9kBMchJvrkkDz-Q_mPtsZHVNoadVgby_x-ff-kw-26CPe7ihRNjHn4NRKfzBg1ScNa6Y7DlsPl8MJc1F0nltgPMOeIQ4Np_YnUxIpWm_cUB_Hn2G1oY5qtJB-vG_/w640-h480/IMG_3630.jpg" title="ELIXIR by Dom Wódki Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.domwodki.pl/en/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>ELIXIR by Dom Wódki</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">
is a Michelin-rated restaurant and was our favorite in Warsaw. This restaurant
combines Poland’s iconic vodka with its regional dishes. Each dish on the menu
has two recommended vodka pairings, one to sip with the dish and one to enjoy
as a shot that works as a palate cleanser in preparation for the next dish.</span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCL3DboMjjhtIA_deaR4kqor1iWfpm05u9ZmAQ86njP2jw5WG7R3edESfh3TOn4-IT2waScpz-qeD84jw6JWDsud6p8Y56LOQoT7hE8z6sviG8EjYjVYY0cmpP0UehFJhEOU3arjmp4RZXHQF03WHbPGcgz4HiEQ_bRjeUfjGoPUehyXiqVeGadL7jHhK/s3663/IMG_3845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Stolica Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3663" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCL3DboMjjhtIA_deaR4kqor1iWfpm05u9ZmAQ86njP2jw5WG7R3edESfh3TOn4-IT2waScpz-qeD84jw6JWDsud6p8Y56LOQoT7hE8z6sviG8EjYjVYY0cmpP0UehFJhEOU3arjmp4RZXHQF03WHbPGcgz4HiEQ_bRjeUfjGoPUehyXiqVeGadL7jHhK/w640-h480/IMG_3845.jpg" title="Stolica Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.restauracjastolica.com/start-eng" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Stolica</b></a><b style="font-family: trebuchet;">
</b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">is in Warsaw’s Old Town and serves elevated interpretations of traditional
dishes. Dining here feels like enjoying an old-school fancy dining experience
at a price that’s quite affordable, especially for what you get. I had caviar,
duck, and the famous Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka. It was the perfect final meal of
our two weeks in Poland.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We visited </span><a href="https://kamandalwowska.pl/?lang=en" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Kamanda
Lwowska</b></a><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">on our food tour. This restaurant serves traditional
Polish food in the traditional Polish style served in traditional Polish
surroundings and is definitely worth a visit if you won’t already be visiting
it on a food tour.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We visited </span><a href="https://gosciniec.waw.pl/menu/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>GOŚCINIEC
Polskie Pierogi</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> for lunch when in Warsaw’s old town for pierogis. The
menu is full of pierogis of all different kinds. You can mix and match and have
them steamed or fried.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Recommended Hotels in Warsaw</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH9Y-IPvjU4mbaMWwFEOTbzcRbKW9tR-kwOh2ptkbTSxNBimUn64l97YmJ0B8gjoFzHCJpVVoMfh2CBOYnKkrnUpDGBvHrqy-1x3Cz01zOULGIcPPOo5AOhwiTyVeZDfR9w3hpo8xCQsas2ipwCMfD1Og13mH1bP4J-2CN-dkA0Y-RmLZjh1g4r6Ny0X_/s4898/KB%20Poland%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Hotel Bristol Poland Warsaw" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXH9Y-IPvjU4mbaMWwFEOTbzcRbKW9tR-kwOh2ptkbTSxNBimUn64l97YmJ0B8gjoFzHCJpVVoMfh2CBOYnKkrnUpDGBvHrqy-1x3Cz01zOULGIcPPOo5AOhwiTyVeZDfR9w3hpo8xCQsas2ipwCMfD1Og13mH1bP4J-2CN-dkA0Y-RmLZjh1g4r6Ny0X_/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(3).jpg" title="Hotel Bristol Poland Warsaw" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We stayed three nights at the </span><a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wawlc-hotel-bristol-a-luxury-collection-hotel-warsaw/overview/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Hotel
Bristol</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> and it was our favorite hotel in Poland. The Hotel Bristol is
a historic luxury hotel that originally opened in 1901. The hotel
miraculously survived being destroyed in World War II and was used by the Nazis
as a hotel during the war.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">The hotel’s central location was convenient for walking to
almost all of Warsaw’s points of interest and recommended restaurants. We
booked an executive king room that was spacious and very comfortable. The hotel
has two bars and two restaurants. During our stay we had drinks at Gin Bar
Lane’s and the Column Bar and breakfast at the Café Bristol.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">We arrived late in the evening, after many restaurants were
already closed, and were pleasantly surprised to learn that Hotel Bristol
offers room service, with a menu of Polish dishes. It was such a relief to be
able to have a good meal plus get our first taste of Poland’s flavorful soups.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodoXlyDK6Q_LIgcKUWic9fy_Ecqkum0mt9QUgM89jtOPbvqji44vvdn1zW5I5e1eIhtDGy85Mpy5W69qbsHHMfkJMZ9L7bgDxWILno1sUj_xLSzo_8YUYjcO5lLjAhbx9VQVGn6EM35GHa0XOY6WcsijO92OKkYN7Fl6FH92N_BWL0O8BDFREcMKWjybk/s4898/DSC09276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodoXlyDK6Q_LIgcKUWic9fy_Ecqkum0mt9QUgM89jtOPbvqji44vvdn1zW5I5e1eIhtDGy85Mpy5W69qbsHHMfkJMZ9L7bgDxWILno1sUj_xLSzo_8YUYjcO5lLjAhbx9VQVGn6EM35GHa0XOY6WcsijO92OKkYN7Fl6FH92N_BWL0O8BDFREcMKWjybk/w640-h426/DSC09276.jpg" title="Renaissance Warsaw Airport Hotel Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">We also stayed one night at the </span><a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/wawbr-renaissance-warsaw-airport-hotel/overview/" style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b>Renaissance
Warsaw Airport Hotel</b></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> because we had an early morning flight and
returned to Warsaw from Krakow the day before our flight home. The Renaissance
Warsaw Airport Hotel is extremely convenient for early morning flights because
it is literally across the street from the airport terminal. We stayed in a
standard king room and had a view of the tarmac, which is fun for fans of
airports and airplanes. We would not recommend staying here for more than one
night as it’s a 20- to 30-minute Uber ride or 45-minute to one-hour bus ride
into the city center.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">Both recommended Warsaw hotels are Marriott properties.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoI9mNe1DazUdEB5KR13Nnmc6A3aIHNjjK3LbV7na2HxUN_vtKIuT2AYl1qvjFp4XMKN9mnYDBgb9MbMj-7l5esOiaW74Uor51KJYiDtMdGAoe8pQPNUrk0Rv4iEO_NQAlbg_rOV_S_4b_rlx_VXVHvuK94RYytudNUcnMzzzhyYuNGU1KaJ86Co46ITc/s4670/KB%20Poland%20(58).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Castle Square Warsaw Poland" border="0" data-original-height="3113" data-original-width="4670" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoI9mNe1DazUdEB5KR13Nnmc6A3aIHNjjK3LbV7na2HxUN_vtKIuT2AYl1qvjFp4XMKN9mnYDBgb9MbMj-7l5esOiaW74Uor51KJYiDtMdGAoe8pQPNUrk0Rv4iEO_NQAlbg_rOV_S_4b_rlx_VXVHvuK94RYytudNUcnMzzzhyYuNGU1KaJ86Co46ITc/w640-h426/KB%20Poland%20(58).jpg" title="Castle Square Warsaw Poland" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;">Warsaw's resilience, cultural richness, and culinary
treasures make it a must-visit destination when planning a Poland vacation. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-84826062209421607332023-10-03T13:00:00.001-07:002023-12-09T23:42:21.831-08:00Mexico City in Three Days: Highlights and Must-See Sites for a Long Weekend<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidejx1yT8BDLvcfpcsgB54wKWCmfts2pqqi6oz7P5e6rzNwAWEvaYcxHwtEIk1k6WeR1G9b2uWLWLLLA2kpA8xIGaZHLn70TzSFMlc9DNz5WhGf06N3Pu3Z4xtQi6aEV05tsNWqj3CKmzgvr30JChxlX0VYafVYjo83VDmmdUnGjdumtUfdFLsZWHXFAUO/s4899/DSC06361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Mexico City History Center" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidejx1yT8BDLvcfpcsgB54wKWCmfts2pqqi6oz7P5e6rzNwAWEvaYcxHwtEIk1k6WeR1G9b2uWLWLLLA2kpA8xIGaZHLn70TzSFMlc9DNz5WhGf06N3Pu3Z4xtQi6aEV05tsNWqj3CKmzgvr30JChxlX0VYafVYjo83VDmmdUnGjdumtUfdFLsZWHXFAUO/w640-h427/DSC06361.jpg" title="Mexico City History Center" width="800" /></span></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Mexico City is a city bursting with culture, history, and an
endless array of culinary delights. Over the course of a long weekend with three full days, we immersed ourselves in the heart of this vibrant metropolis,
experiencing the canals of Xochimilco by kayak and trajinera, savoring Mexican
cuisine from street food to world-class restaurants, venturing to the iconic
Teotihuacan Pyramids, and wandering the historic center and charming Coyoacán neighborhood.</span></p><a name='more'></a><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Explore the Canals of Xochimilco, the Venice of Mexico</span></b></h2><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">One of the most unforgettable experiences during our Mexico
City adventure was our journey to the enchanting canals of Xochimilco, often
dubbed the "Venice of Mexico." This picturesque network of canals,
located just a short drive from the city center, is where Mexico City
originated.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScpyqjPRsiiQo_0IFt4LFOwwS6iP4JQKUQIXmWr8FNCZcb8prl6HNqiV_uLYSgFc7vv1HS-bozQnQjXV2Pmm2TJQos6UQthYz_gNzNs0FMah6VcfnD8zq90bAQQHJXy0EJxvJA72H9czXCWcQwqQHzdYEi3i2yDrd1RaFcd3JI7Fo8dO-cJ8SwohTKa_n/s4032/IMG_2222.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Kayak Xochimilco" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScpyqjPRsiiQo_0IFt4LFOwwS6iP4JQKUQIXmWr8FNCZcb8prl6HNqiV_uLYSgFc7vv1HS-bozQnQjXV2Pmm2TJQos6UQthYz_gNzNs0FMah6VcfnD8zq90bAQQHJXy0EJxvJA72H9czXCWcQwqQHzdYEi3i2yDrd1RaFcd3JI7Fo8dO-cJ8SwohTKa_n/w640-h480/IMG_2222.jpg" title="Kayak Xochimilco" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">For those seeking a serene start to the day, <a href="https://www.kayak33.com/" target="_blank">Kayak 33</a> offers guided kayak tours of
Xochimilco, including an option for a sunrise excursion. However, if, like me,
you're not a morning person, they also offer customizable private trips,
allowing you to experience the magic of Xochimilco on your own terms.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUj5HrG5DSakL_gEHvo9gOnCUmqMC5FMWX3J5mmPrZoPFinZL_dxZHxpgO8TiPRHIh-InMdm037DJQaKhmhhVfeL7m9UUSUe_2sJ2lQQKEbujBmTcSXr-Gn_19YVuOmYX_H9W949ujvX5BjtGNY_NL7horZbo4EQJ07GK3DKjrvt9MO5hHIYxBR37O6WJ/s1916/IMG_6192.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Xochimilco Canal" border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="1916" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUj5HrG5DSakL_gEHvo9gOnCUmqMC5FMWX3J5mmPrZoPFinZL_dxZHxpgO8TiPRHIh-InMdm037DJQaKhmhhVfeL7m9UUSUe_2sJ2lQQKEbujBmTcSXr-Gn_19YVuOmYX_H9W949ujvX5BjtGNY_NL7horZbo4EQJ07GK3DKjrvt9MO5hHIYxBR37O6WJ/w640-h480/IMG_6192.jpg" title="Xochimilco Canal" width="800" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Our adventure began when Kayak 33 picked us up from our
hotel so we had a leisurely morning start. As we kayaked along the glassy
canals, the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings enveloped us.</span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8IZt_Fyo5GRzmtd0oFCPE8Q_r3INQzLGhCNhtVQKxyvEHYlAIn6R5nhzOUpwxtNF5x8b8g-AAQwGISzM5YlqgD-Yj31nuegZPT3MeLMKALxs0uoKCX2ay8Dybsta70laI-P_LyvqZpkD6yHu1Z_15-Po86x4SMmRDzSEOuadsm0SWnGsNauTG4OzwLjb/s4898/DSC07012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Xochimilco Island of the Dolls" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8IZt_Fyo5GRzmtd0oFCPE8Q_r3INQzLGhCNhtVQKxyvEHYlAIn6R5nhzOUpwxtNF5x8b8g-AAQwGISzM5YlqgD-Yj31nuegZPT3MeLMKALxs0uoKCX2ay8Dybsta70laI-P_LyvqZpkD6yHu1Z_15-Po86x4SMmRDzSEOuadsm0SWnGsNauTG4OzwLjb/w640-h426/DSC07012.jpg" title="Xochimilco Island of the Dolls" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />Beauty turned into eerie when we stopped at the Island of
the Dolls. Legend has it that a man once inhabited this island, believing it to
be haunted by the spirit of a young girl who had tragically drowned. In an
effort to appease the restless spirit, he began hanging dolls in the trees and
buildings across the island. Over the years, the dolls have multiplied,
creating a haunting spectacle.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">As part of our customized private trip, Kayak 33 arranged for
a trajinera, a traditional wooden boat, to continue our journey through the
canals. The trajinera was adorned with a painted wooden banner customized for
our group, making us feel like honored guests.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Onboard, a talented chef prepared a sumptuous feast of
cochinita pibil sopes, garlic portobellos with melted cheese, tuna tostadas,
and refreshing hibiscus water, allowing us to savor the flavors of Mexico. There
was tequila to toast to this unforgettable experience.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvTjqCSbinU5_XLTmEjrUOsBuya6UzWqRYbgeofAlj3Momt99g8uK_naOwIqoXmaGfQMI4wfdm6Lpf0NUC7f-bS0E_rouycAZ248Xno5fMwBIPwIuRc2oSlc8CuHTi5lgppsWIoCOomfhOPrhkhh8AF1trd_KjfyQkwFmDTKdcNrYzgLYF_S8I9nlCz4q/s4625/DSC07024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Xochimilco Mariachi" border="0" data-original-height="3083" data-original-width="4625" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvTjqCSbinU5_XLTmEjrUOsBuya6UzWqRYbgeofAlj3Momt99g8uK_naOwIqoXmaGfQMI4wfdm6Lpf0NUC7f-bS0E_rouycAZ248Xno5fMwBIPwIuRc2oSlc8CuHTi5lgppsWIoCOomfhOPrhkhh8AF1trd_KjfyQkwFmDTKdcNrYzgLYF_S8I9nlCz4q/w640-h426/DSC07024.jpg" title="Xochimilco Mariachi" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />Our trajinera adventure included a mariachi ensemble that joined
us on the water, serenading us with traditional Mexican music.</span><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Sample Mexican Food from Street Food to World-Class Restaurants</span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Mexico City is a paradise for food enthusiasts, a place
where every corner teems with tantalizing flavors and mouthwatering dishes.
From inexpensive street food carts to prestigious establishments on <a href="https://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50" target="_blank">The World’s 50 Best Restaurants</a> list, this city's culinary landscape offers an unparalleled
feast for the tastebuds.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0OZ-cEvHn3QZAbJ8ByJzLnxsdKm2F7m_Hpo1K_UByg29Ttq8HZ7l-_Mgm27fwB4hmkVa9rFHgJoHhpDxl9Znh8hE9UxNdO-h7L-JA1MdqThUJUtrdRBJzfMs8LvZBd-1rxv0D7PZEw3QFbCvDak1bojjnVTIlA8-3d1G6_Gl8Haw_pGF5WuFNooYGwKR/s4899/DSC06983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Mexico City Juarez Neighborhood" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0OZ-cEvHn3QZAbJ8ByJzLnxsdKm2F7m_Hpo1K_UByg29Ttq8HZ7l-_Mgm27fwB4hmkVa9rFHgJoHhpDxl9Znh8hE9UxNdO-h7L-JA1MdqThUJUtrdRBJzfMs8LvZBd-1rxv0D7PZEw3QFbCvDak1bojjnVTIlA8-3d1G6_Gl8Haw_pGF5WuFNooYGwKR/w640-h426/DSC06983.jpg" title="Mexico City Juarez Neighborhood" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />To embark on our gastronomic adventure and sample the
diverse flavors of Mexico City, we chose to join a food tour organized by <a href="http://www.devoured.com.mx/" target="_blank">Devoured</a>, a Mexican women-owned company
that specializes in showcasing the city's culinary treasures. Our choice was
the "Juarez Highlights" food walk, a journey through the vibrant
Juarez neighborhood.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkqdBJuTkSI2PuSNm67RttitJfVQO1ukKhSA3jiVX6bcBUc5BYsrrx4WYeBYVMnbm_0hdQdhz3mYUw0nPtKC7qmCjXaxFwfa7sEfgmn2y1kl97_DbMg8Si5trtUAhuJmn07zHZC3HAGJH0zzKOe71NM_7vEiF7_1UrzkB-iXSkKbgD24V5SKwyM8iVFmQ/s4898/DSC06997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Devoured food tour - tlacoyos de frijol" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkqdBJuTkSI2PuSNm67RttitJfVQO1ukKhSA3jiVX6bcBUc5BYsrrx4WYeBYVMnbm_0hdQdhz3mYUw0nPtKC7qmCjXaxFwfa7sEfgmn2y1kl97_DbMg8Si5trtUAhuJmn07zHZC3HAGJH0zzKOe71NM_7vEiF7_1UrzkB-iXSkKbgD24V5SKwyM8iVFmQ/w640-h426/DSC06997.jpg" title="Devoured food tour - tlacoyos de frijol" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />Our culinary exploration kicked off at Tamales Madre, where
we were treated to a trio of tamales, each with unique and savory flavors</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Our next stop was Exquisitos Tacos de Mixiotes, where we
indulged in tacos filled with marinated meat that was cooked to perfection in
parchment wrapping.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2I0oUNJ7SsRasZP51BDter1C6-MPJDbziASFYiIy8yQLJpQMK1a96nzGfTLKFEN-0g-dV-WUARRwPRv6pzkNUgh2POjQENadFYPFE6rubTxGPp-3ooho24fW7KGe9WkntGwaFqA-xnFUxo7cY2iJlyjkNTJgXSbMKZ3BXqRaEwJjy8HN6riS4rTDIyOd/s4899/DSC06257.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="La Rifa Chocolatería" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2I0oUNJ7SsRasZP51BDter1C6-MPJDbziASFYiIy8yQLJpQMK1a96nzGfTLKFEN-0g-dV-WUARRwPRv6pzkNUgh2POjQENadFYPFE6rubTxGPp-3ooho24fW7KGe9WkntGwaFqA-xnFUxo7cY2iJlyjkNTJgXSbMKZ3BXqRaEwJjy8HN6riS4rTDIyOd/w640-h426/DSC06257.jpg" title="La Rifa Chocolatería" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />Taking a brief interlude from food, we visited La Rifa
Chocolatería, a delightful chocolate haven where we learned about the art of
chocolate-making and sampled chocolates sourced from small, sustainable
producers.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwJyJLLMkG_CQ7TKVYq20S82fkcvdy1rTQrELBbB9fT_9PmMwM1FGv1ynHiWxEJu3vj2KpJ82nysh-WG_ovfyDiOrKdwcixM8iMifIbufLKZybI9TLORMPdh3uRgeDI4rGw28o42nNNiiUM0lUyMZjjoh3UFIg6nJ5r55I4kSv6uDIs7goiYdF68ev4kK/s4898/DSC07000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Devoured food tour - burritos" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwJyJLLMkG_CQ7TKVYq20S82fkcvdy1rTQrELBbB9fT_9PmMwM1FGv1ynHiWxEJu3vj2KpJ82nysh-WG_ovfyDiOrKdwcixM8iMifIbufLKZybI9TLORMPdh3uRgeDI4rGw28o42nNNiiUM0lUyMZjjoh3UFIg6nJ5r55I4kSv6uDIs7goiYdF68ev4kK/w640-h426/DSC07000.jpg" title="Devoured food tour - burritos" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />Our culinary adventure continued as we savored birria tacos,
tlacoyos de frijol, seafood tostadas, and burritos from various street food
stands. </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We completed the food tour with a bowl of pozole and finally
ice cream at Joe Gelato, along with some very full tummies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj7FKC41RK0-hjCUQA45zoC2COKFUARb-RZ5aKUwPzFvfH_s4a0eHR7GBhOYJoDESXrSgCUfISiTu1pEykNjAthabXZs4FZ0JoMCu_MUOQDvKX-tYlxpRH_oL7Co1ZG1YfT3Nwf1m5Irkdc18Ymixr9T_AwI7amINHFjvU6brqKO7A4EVGvb9YT-krkLP/s4032/IMG_1706.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Carmela y Sal" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuj7FKC41RK0-hjCUQA45zoC2COKFUARb-RZ5aKUwPzFvfH_s4a0eHR7GBhOYJoDESXrSgCUfISiTu1pEykNjAthabXZs4FZ0JoMCu_MUOQDvKX-tYlxpRH_oL7Co1ZG1YfT3Nwf1m5Irkdc18Ymixr9T_AwI7amINHFjvU6brqKO7A4EVGvb9YT-krkLP/w640-h480/IMG_1706.jpg" title="Carmela y Sal" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />For an upscale dining experience, we spend an evening at <a href="https://www.carmelaysal.mx/" target="_blank">Carmela y Sal</a>, which is described as
serving “superb home cooking” by chef Gabriela Ruiz Lugo.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">For a dose of cultural entertainment, we visited Plaza
Garibaldi, a square famous for its roaming mariachi bands. We chose <a href="https://salontenampa.com/en/index.html" target="_blank">Salon Tenampa</a>, a historic
establishment that opened in 1925. Diners can eat indoors, surrounded by mariachi
music, or opt for an al fresco experience, where people-watching and live music
in the square complement your meal. </span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Travel back in time to the Teotihuacan Pyramids</span></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> </span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We took a historical expedition to the Plaza de las Tres
Culturas, the Teotihuacan Pyramids, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The pyramids are located about an hour away from the city center. To ensure an
easy trip, we arranged for a driver through our hotel, <a href="https://casadelaluz.mx/welcome" target="_blank">Casa De La Luz Hotel Boutique</a>.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIDGN4ypHSVc_BH6pLaJ52LdLzsQN-uM-B_pUtYxI8BnbJa8ATD1iUzkVtHn7fFXiC-mykv4kxTjBVGXFIDTN2MeeKx8c1TtG0eTQUJL9ve1nuPRU-yXWRtu3l4ez5BRLhXhYR3DJpv0AhWNud-BO0A6ahQkpoDyJNO5x2MFiQ87fmTh5y20n_98hsaWB/s4898/DSC06306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Moon" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIDGN4ypHSVc_BH6pLaJ52LdLzsQN-uM-B_pUtYxI8BnbJa8ATD1iUzkVtHn7fFXiC-mykv4kxTjBVGXFIDTN2MeeKx8c1TtG0eTQUJL9ve1nuPRU-yXWRtu3l4ez5BRLhXhYR3DJpv0AhWNud-BO0A6ahQkpoDyJNO5x2MFiQ87fmTh5y20n_98hsaWB/w640-h426/DSC06306.jpg" title="Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Moon" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />The highlight of our excursion was the Teotihuacan Pyramids,
a UNESCO World Heritage site. We walked along the Avenue of the Dead, which
goes from the Pyramid of the Moon to the Pyramid of the Sun and ends at the
Temple of Quetzalcoatl. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKCQ5ZmZRnVMk6S6iMyPEnE8RVZyPaWzizM1Fb58DXnxn5WDYwzL3EPAFPyjnE_qPDymUjNZ03ACE9EU9eUIzTCZDTcwCmoxFHbMl1Vw4U593SHpZN7ilDoPqlyGxEwEE82EXiIaLlVAN7Na9L5toGVfsXBfavv4KkJviOCfmAAB7POF_FQkMBh-gTDPi/s4898/DSC07053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKCQ5ZmZRnVMk6S6iMyPEnE8RVZyPaWzizM1Fb58DXnxn5WDYwzL3EPAFPyjnE_qPDymUjNZ03ACE9EU9eUIzTCZDTcwCmoxFHbMl1Vw4U593SHpZN7ilDoPqlyGxEwEE82EXiIaLlVAN7Na9L5toGVfsXBfavv4KkJviOCfmAAB7POF_FQkMBh-gTDPi/w640-h426/DSC07053.jpg" title="Teotihuacan Pyramid of the Sun" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />We were amazed at how these huge structures were built
more than two thousand years ago and tried to imagine what life was like in
this ancient city with over a hundred thousand people. Climbing the temple's
steep steps was quite a workout too.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmfxR1XW0QRaEkOzG_FQgOvNX6IlJFF95EjpPpt0pZKoIX-qSdwoQwC2tJmYr1T7VY5ncY6lbYRu16GkRXcdJgbQ22pJZHJ8V8jj8iRvPhJGKRB8AQijbD2FfdvUBmeNEwrgD7auVYM4Ql4TqVkd81QJCjCURJMrmHZ0nF8CVN3BT3KCROWnJdz11SCGy/s4435/DSC07030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Plaza de las Tres Culturas" border="0" data-original-height="2957" data-original-width="4435" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmfxR1XW0QRaEkOzG_FQgOvNX6IlJFF95EjpPpt0pZKoIX-qSdwoQwC2tJmYr1T7VY5ncY6lbYRu16GkRXcdJgbQ22pJZHJ8V8jj8iRvPhJGKRB8AQijbD2FfdvUBmeNEwrgD7auVYM4Ql4TqVkd81QJCjCURJMrmHZ0nF8CVN3BT3KCROWnJdz11SCGy/w640-h426/DSC07030.jpg" title="Plaza de las Tres Culturas" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />On the way to Teotihuacan, we made a quick stop at the Plaza
de las Tres Culturas, a place where Mexico’s history converges with pre-Columbian,
Spanish colonial, and modern.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoC6Sd99wEor0iJ9P7BTbVeOCqv695afBock8XHDDNZQ4Mzwm9sXWFDrlW6I_KYKsRWFtRxbpA3LOaalarsNsmPQBnV3o8G9xdTa9m2kaR90Nm3DMA3TzbGdiJ-1I4C9FUC56qRDwnA6VVn2axdLV4i3Ce6h6PVMv9-Js9k2cCg4dPCDxeqnyhG9B0Hi8/s4898/DSC06344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoC6Sd99wEor0iJ9P7BTbVeOCqv695afBock8XHDDNZQ4Mzwm9sXWFDrlW6I_KYKsRWFtRxbpA3LOaalarsNsmPQBnV3o8G9xdTa9m2kaR90Nm3DMA3TzbGdiJ-1I4C9FUC56qRDwnA6VVn2axdLV4i3Ce6h6PVMv9-Js9k2cCg4dPCDxeqnyhG9B0Hi8/w640-h426/DSC06344.jpg" title="Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />We also had the opportunity to visit the Basilica of Our
Lady of Guadalupe, a revered religious site for Catholics worldwide and visited
by millions each year.</span><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum and Explore the Coyoacán
Neighborhood</span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, is the
primary attraction in the Coyoacán neighborhood. This was Frida Kahlo's home
for a significant part of her life, shared with her husband, Diego Rivera, the
famed muralist. Inside, we explored their artwork and gained insights into
their complex relationship.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUr6ZL3esOiWVPeC7LjSRVkhvexCfiGb3sqCHOCovXhs83ywtNEkv8YQStIQf6DLnlrPowILnwnO97IoMxFtHd-TwmIP_JRUMPyCOMzdQerUYf54s4LWBANOK5_df7kXL8WHQO6MpQgc4N3URZ4uTPcKdTs59hiafUIdkJT5w4X0DXB-rmZQWe2PEE6U9/s4898/DSC06927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Frida Kahlo Museum kitchen" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUr6ZL3esOiWVPeC7LjSRVkhvexCfiGb3sqCHOCovXhs83ywtNEkv8YQStIQf6DLnlrPowILnwnO97IoMxFtHd-TwmIP_JRUMPyCOMzdQerUYf54s4LWBANOK5_df7kXL8WHQO6MpQgc4N3URZ4uTPcKdTs59hiafUIdkJT5w4X0DXB-rmZQWe2PEE6U9/w640-h426/DSC06927.jpg" title="Frida Kahlo Museum kitchen" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />The museum showcases how the couple lived, items they collected,
and some of Frida Kahlo’s wardrobe. We walked through the rooms where they lived
and painted, gaining a glimpse into their daily lives. The museum's narrative
also delved into Frida Kahlo's health struggles and resilience.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxVcaD-pJex9TAkxFxpP2QdCzOuoVL6BnAZRQS6MH-3DmQsRUJhpgdAs3de6Vnig1vg7qyW2m4UDlkXtFYLMzuCmXfbBsuOOD96lz-92r9wEInh7NW4KngC3-ea4jyZJAoQDZ0tR3zW81EwxY63PdlWRB5Iud8UY7d4LAmaBdgvWKNvKJSotiEehZd_Kb/s4898/DSC06217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Frida Kahlo Museum studio" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxVcaD-pJex9TAkxFxpP2QdCzOuoVL6BnAZRQS6MH-3DmQsRUJhpgdAs3de6Vnig1vg7qyW2m4UDlkXtFYLMzuCmXfbBsuOOD96lz-92r9wEInh7NW4KngC3-ea4jyZJAoQDZ0tR3zW81EwxY63PdlWRB5Iud8UY7d4LAmaBdgvWKNvKJSotiEehZd_Kb/w640-h426/DSC06217.jpg" title="Frida Kahlo Museum studio" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />After our museum visit, we wandered through the Coyoacán
neighborhood.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmSsgGRjurbUGueu7-YBznBykMSoT7tuPKsNxRmGsTaJdhVvizmhrlKEiCAUf3biNKGWrb724a5BcTyV3EPRE0NDIZ8f-vzrFKwS-LXVw8UDxU5irlXQIHjJ44wr7mS85Y8n0DV2XaKa3nkH-JPVDVEeOW5PHFtrOGHs3dajzdI68OycUGn3_SVTbrkdn/s4898/DSC06956.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Parroquia San Juan Bautista Coyoacán" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmSsgGRjurbUGueu7-YBznBykMSoT7tuPKsNxRmGsTaJdhVvizmhrlKEiCAUf3biNKGWrb724a5BcTyV3EPRE0NDIZ8f-vzrFKwS-LXVw8UDxU5irlXQIHjJ44wr7mS85Y8n0DV2XaKa3nkH-JPVDVEeOW5PHFtrOGHs3dajzdI68OycUGn3_SVTbrkdn/w640-h426/DSC06956.jpg" title="Parroquia San Juan Bautista Coyoacán" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />We visited the Parroquia San Juan Bautista Coyoacán, a 16th-century
church and former convent. Across the way is the Plaza Jardin Hidalgo and its
coyote fountain. Nearby, the Bazar Artesanal Mexicano offers a variety of
locally crafted art and gifts.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ay-wW5tTfVT-tfhlWyz1-gmqH2aWjYbNxqZ23oIN30GEEfkHoDYHflHT7DiZI73X1WO7r0i6wph41j3dJPk61_yRY9V2S6PHexfaMaCtjGkHruHEDZf9ExcGvYdxkQg7RtOZU89kuyBMzUlpz0E5r8RxUnXnKhGXzkH6Me4jk0xOz7M0zBRhyRBbM1mE/s4898/DSC06962.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Coyoacán fountain" border="0" data-original-height="3265" data-original-width="4898" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ay-wW5tTfVT-tfhlWyz1-gmqH2aWjYbNxqZ23oIN30GEEfkHoDYHflHT7DiZI73X1WO7r0i6wph41j3dJPk61_yRY9V2S6PHexfaMaCtjGkHruHEDZf9ExcGvYdxkQg7RtOZU89kuyBMzUlpz0E5r8RxUnXnKhGXzkH6Me4jk0xOz7M0zBRhyRBbM1mE/w640-h426/DSC06962.jpg" title="Coyoacán fountain" width="800" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br />We couldn't resist trying some churros at Churreria de
Coyoacán, a tasty treat for our neighborhood walk.</span><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Wander the Historic Center of Mexico City</span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We spent part of an afternoon exploring the historic center
of Mexico City. We began with a visit to the Metropolitan Cathedral, the first
cathedral built in the Americas. Next to the cathedral are the Templo Mayor
ruins, which offer a glimpse into the ancient Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. The
National Palace is home to Diego Rivera's murals depicting Mexico's history. The
Palacio de Bellas Artes is a beautiful cultural center showcasing art and architecture. </span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumBYgBp8dzPzM3cNy-f0P7HUJaXsiYSzNL8YRZC2SHba149FRfRihxvFQAdUXN4MRE0ntRin_2aulsUzXi6WXFy7vkMo15rTXWADP7h17ZSDnjJzE5vA0OnjcDHZ2QsP-qcwy_WM-oc2xL-48bhGYsJ2E89Jk52qQxEBIDItEMckEKsWatpdazmiuEZtY/s4899/DSC07074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><img alt="Palacio de Bellas Artes" border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="4899" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumBYgBp8dzPzM3cNy-f0P7HUJaXsiYSzNL8YRZC2SHba149FRfRihxvFQAdUXN4MRE0ntRin_2aulsUzXi6WXFy7vkMo15rTXWADP7h17ZSDnjJzE5vA0OnjcDHZ2QsP-qcwy_WM-oc2xL-48bhGYsJ2E89Jk52qQxEBIDItEMckEKsWatpdazmiuEZtY/w640-h426/DSC07074.jpg" title="Palacio de Bellas Artes" width="800" /></span></a></div><p></p>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Mexico City is an ideal destination for a long weekend getaway.
This huge city offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from exploring ancient
archaeological sites like Teotihuacan to floating along the canals of
Xochimilco. The city's historic center, culinary delights, and lively mariachi music
scene provide endless opportunities for discovery and enjoyment. With its diverse
attractions, Mexico City promises a memorable and culturally enriching escape,
even in just a few days.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></p>Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-77065537179284388372022-02-15T10:00:00.110-08:002023-12-09T22:50:39.995-08:00 4 Great Geothermal Spas for an Iceland Road Trip<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHg1_pBE3kp_15jsFSpm8S_B2LPR7Lva6NkfyYs7YlSMmL0Wi17it2nvy0jToFYIqfrXTI-wx_-UaSYqz-K776FhQYc_hcJ2x29_-07twZ7ddbKjin1BYjPQCKvnG30qXHOzBkA-gQMrJfT8lcfGOln3kojNNVp7FKu7ZRdTrtxcs6HqhiD2bqERjnw=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mývatn Nature Baths" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHg1_pBE3kp_15jsFSpm8S_B2LPR7Lva6NkfyYs7YlSMmL0Wi17it2nvy0jToFYIqfrXTI-wx_-UaSYqz-K776FhQYc_hcJ2x29_-07twZ7ddbKjin1BYjPQCKvnG30qXHOzBkA-gQMrJfT8lcfGOln3kojNNVp7FKu7ZRdTrtxcs6HqhiD2bqERjnw=s800" title="Mývatn Nature Baths Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Geothermal baths are an important part of Iceland’s culture.
Every town has its own public pool and it’s where Icelanders gather to relax
and socialize. If you’re looking for ways to experience Iceland’s culture, a
visit to one or more of Iceland’s geothermal pools or hot springs is a must. A
relaxing soak in a hot pool, preferably accompanied by a beautiful Icelandic view,
is also the perfect way to recover from jet lag or relax sore muscles after a
long hike. I got my best nights of sleep on the days we visited a geothermal
pool.</div></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">So what is a thermal pool, and why does Iceland have so many
of them? Iceland is the land of fire and ice, covered with both volcanoes and
glaciers. One of Iceland’s natural resources is geothermal water, which is used
to fill many of Iceland’s pools in addition to heating Iceland’s homes. Others
are filled with the hot water that is the byproduct of Iceland’s many
hydroelectric power plants.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">There are so many geothermal pools and hot springs to choose
from in Iceland, ranging from the very simple to very fancy, so the main
consideration really is which ones are convenient for your Iceland road trip
route. Here are the four geothermal pools we chose for our Iceland road trip.</span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Blue Lagoon</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmv-Qx_CpgaX6Bo0KI9Vnb9xes2baztA6UZIBfsPNEcT8GUstLDRKpUrt6WO1LZbvgq8ZW-VHQZA9i45BukyRJ2v5nhKoO2j-8sZ6YzmQ_fv4snByNE1nKRGLeLIZ5U5xat0u9VRu2yRCFe-pZnZyJxUxLKblnhEPSBsfAZBodNAoHvl7yWYv-gWq5SA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blue Lagoon" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmv-Qx_CpgaX6Bo0KI9Vnb9xes2baztA6UZIBfsPNEcT8GUstLDRKpUrt6WO1LZbvgq8ZW-VHQZA9i45BukyRJ2v5nhKoO2j-8sZ6YzmQ_fv4snByNE1nKRGLeLIZ5U5xat0u9VRu2yRCFe-pZnZyJxUxLKblnhEPSBsfAZBodNAoHvl7yWYv-gWq5SA=s800" title="Blue Lagoon Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa. If
you’ve seen pictures of a geothermal spa in Iceland, it was probably the Blue
Lagoon, with a view of a steaming expanse of flat blue waters surrounded by jagged
black lava rock and a woman languidly strolling down the ramp into the afore-mentioned
steaming waters (I’m guessing not on a cold, wintery day where languid outdoor strolling
in a tiny swimsuit is a terribly uncomfortable idea). The Blue Lagoon also gets
a pretty bad rap. The internet is riddled with articles that will tell you that
the Blue Lagoon is horribly touristy and vastly overrated.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We can certainly see how a visit to the Blue Lagoon could be
less than pleasant depending on the circumstances. A visit during summer, in
the middle of the day, when Iceland is teeming with tourists, could be quite
unpleasant if the pools are shoulder-to-shoulder tourists. This is not a
geothermal spa that is a gathering spot for lots of Iceland’s locals. Also, the
Blue Lagoon is one of the most expensive geothermal spas in Iceland. However, based
on our visit, we highly recommend a visit to the Blue Lagoon if the circumstances
are right.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We traveled to Iceland in the middle of September, a time of
year when it is still possible to drive around the island country but is at
the very tail-end of the typical tourist season. Our flight landed at 6:00 in
the morning on a Monday, which meant there would be hours to kill before we
were able to check in to our hotel. The Blue Lagoon is a short 20-minute drive
from Iceland’s Keflavik Airport and sort of on the way to Reykjavik, which was where
we were spending our first night. A visit to the Blue Lagoon directly from the
airport was the obvious choice. We made reservations for 9:00 in the morning, when
the Blue Lagoon opens, which means we were one of the first to arrive.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNRU7jLFLo3i_BMRsbg4E2b6O5bQxPjsSLsjNzRtuD0JgrGSaZ0ikugngeFWM41HYJ1sN8Z9CL1rVwr5JrR83KdI-s7Q1Y-rVAkM0xMO85fUGvEkK6THx5xAbh48LiOSnExirjEfAWfyoXPM8jrsRLbr6cZJvcr-_y3sj5lhclroSlePZN7U9uylz3wg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blue Lagoon lava field" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNRU7jLFLo3i_BMRsbg4E2b6O5bQxPjsSLsjNzRtuD0JgrGSaZ0ikugngeFWM41HYJ1sN8Z9CL1rVwr5JrR83KdI-s7Q1Y-rVAkM0xMO85fUGvEkK6THx5xAbh48LiOSnExirjEfAWfyoXPM8jrsRLbr6cZJvcr-_y3sj5lhclroSlePZN7U9uylz3wg=s800" title="Blue Lagoon lava field Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Blue Lagoon formed in the lava fields near the
Svartsengi Geothermal Resource Park, which makes the Blue Lagoon unique with its
blue water surrounded by black lava rock covered in green algae. The milky blue
water is due to the silica content, unique to the geothermal waters because of
the lava, and the main ingredient of the silica mud mask that’s included in the
admission price.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">We ended up spending almost two hours in the thermal waters
of the Blue Lagoon. We slowly wandered through the multiple areas of the Blue
Lagoon, which have varying water temperatures. We put on our silica mud mask at
the mask bar. We enjoyed our included beverage at the in-water bar (sparkling
water for Romeo, a nourishing smoothie for me). Most importantly, we relaxed
and let the healing waters loosen our travel-weary muscles, while also being out
in the sun to get some much-needed vitamin D to help with the jet lag.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">An important thing to remember about the Blue Lagoon, which
is different from Iceland’s other hot springs and geothermal spas, is that the
geothermal seawater’s high levels of silica do not do good things for long
hair. It is important to apply a lot of conditioner to your wet hair and tie it
up in a bun, without rinsing out the conditioner, before entering the water. I did this and had no
negative effects on my hair. It is also important to </span><a href="https://www.bluelagoon.com/" style="font-family: trebuchet;">pre-book your visit</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Krauma Geothermal Nature Baths</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFBVSfQrF_DxI3pEaufaMRSNsn66lsyVT61VGXSrrYVhJR1CP9JtSW7RzfouYDbMxF_wq-1U8owsWEg4vMLyvcQ5cZ8v1zgq-P66XeN9SPjQjE9sdsEy8_3TQguHi9qVbgbEAtquBCrwVGBmF-jSYX2J5p082V6ctdRg9fXduPKEN-Nq3CCx8B776WCQ=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Krauma Geothermal Natural Baths" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFBVSfQrF_DxI3pEaufaMRSNsn66lsyVT61VGXSrrYVhJR1CP9JtSW7RzfouYDbMxF_wq-1U8owsWEg4vMLyvcQ5cZ8v1zgq-P66XeN9SPjQjE9sdsEy8_3TQguHi9qVbgbEAtquBCrwVGBmF-jSYX2J5p082V6ctdRg9fXduPKEN-Nq3CCx8B776WCQ=s800" title="Krauma Geothermal Natural Baths Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Our next Iceland hot spring experience was Krauma, a natural
geothermal bath and spa located at Deildartunguhver, Europe’s largest and most
powerful hot spring. Krauma is just under an hour and a half drive from
Reykjavik and is near one of Iceland’s other natural tourist attractions,
Hraunfossar and Barnafoss waterfalls.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Krauma has five warm baths of varying degrees of heat and
one cold bath. The water is constantly replaced because of the flow of the hot
springs, so there are no extra chemicals in the water. We tried out all of the
warm baths and surprisingly were able to spend about two hours at this spa as
well. Our favorite bath was a shallow concave pool for reclining.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Krauma also has relaxation rooms, a steam bath, an infrared
cell, and a restaurant. It is recommended to </span><a href="https://www.krauma.is/en" style="font-family: trebuchet;">pre-book
your visit</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">, but isn’t required.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Mývatn Nature Baths</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk2yV6bCltZQxCqhoMAETZfj7OWb7siFuSie6g3FrWahHN5-mzQI9oypLCcqNxtnTABxaptsiMCbRbB3mzOKCtPGd2hN7zuX2QU5vEhr4uu6jb4Dt75parmyt1SiOxFUkpn13vJZbuVIDyf9etmljygyGVdH53UWBnIK--F30_T_P9p313u8WIN700Hg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mývatn" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk2yV6bCltZQxCqhoMAETZfj7OWb7siFuSie6g3FrWahHN5-mzQI9oypLCcqNxtnTABxaptsiMCbRbB3mzOKCtPGd2hN7zuX2QU5vEhr4uu6jb4Dt75parmyt1SiOxFUkpn13vJZbuVIDyf9etmljygyGVdH53UWBnIK--F30_T_P9p313u8WIN700Hg=s800" title="Mývatn Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We visited Mývatn Nature Baths as part of our road trip along
Iceland’s Ring Road. Mývatn is in the northern part of the island and is near many
outdoor attractions. The natural scenery surrounding the lagoon rivals the Blue
Lagoon. The man-made hot spring is supplied with water from the nearby National
Power Company. The geothermal water has a high sulfur content.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Mývatn Nature Baths also has two steam baths and a café. You
can also buy a beer/wine bracelet at reception when you check-in. It is
recommended to </span><a href="https://myvatnnaturebaths.is/" style="font-family: trebuchet;">pre-book your visit</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">,
but it isn’t required.</span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">ION Adventure Hotel</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6MInQnR8SM4g791qBZPTY9G9sqXAzoceHDC--KjH6fT1ZpInDWhHZ1n_M4y8x9CryZfSpGoL58fr2_4Q7CEMjROdwxmLWpkblZ6EnN0WIJuKBvuWTicDEGsywP5AC6rrRciWmemmFOOORdsTIFr8cAsHg1PsKXSx9juF0R4eAvNsfPkVMJjn4ijsvw=s1600" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="ION Adventure Hotel" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgw6MInQnR8SM4g791qBZPTY9G9sqXAzoceHDC--KjH6fT1ZpInDWhHZ1n_M4y8x9CryZfSpGoL58fr2_4Q7CEMjROdwxmLWpkblZ6EnN0WIJuKBvuWTicDEGsywP5AC6rrRciWmemmFOOORdsTIFr8cAsHg1PsKXSx9juF0R4eAvNsfPkVMJjn4ijsvw=s800" title="ION Adventure Hotel Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; text-align: left;">Photo courtesy </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Design Hotels™</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Our final geothermal bath experience was at our hotel, the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://www.designhotels.com/hotels/iceland/selfoss/ion-luxury-adventure-hotel/">ION Adventure Hotel</a><span>, for the
Golden Circle portion of our Iceland visit. The ION Adventure Hotel has a
natural spa with a sauna and outdoor hot pool. The hotel is on Mount Hengill, an
active volcano and geothermal energy source for the nearby Nesjavellir Geothermal
Power Station. While the ION Adventure Hotel’s hot pool can’t compete with the
other hot springs and geothermal baths we visited, it was convenient, free, and
just as effective in relaxing the muscles.</span></span></span><p></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: x-large;">Know before you go</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixE92IrD-LaVTdKIyG_c3R_0Cw7gNRejziVnc-wEc2pU0zF2WhocanPa-Kypy3PAIIifMYfQfgXaW0xUZr8IfMsPXoOSqyhhobnSHUL5CGuuhG_wVQ6wyT6NJz6WETlueZef_y-U9EUcpERB6UPscm7PWNWajT1ktK653TVtI9GnF5sekJnc50msXsdg=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Krauma" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixE92IrD-LaVTdKIyG_c3R_0Cw7gNRejziVnc-wEc2pU0zF2WhocanPa-Kypy3PAIIifMYfQfgXaW0xUZr8IfMsPXoOSqyhhobnSHUL5CGuuhG_wVQ6wyT6NJz6WETlueZef_y-U9EUcpERB6UPscm7PWNWajT1ktK653TVtI9GnF5sekJnc50msXsdg=s800" title="Krauma Iceland hot springs geothermal spas" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some things you need to know before visiting
Iceland’s hot springs and geothermal pools.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Prepare to shower naked in front of strangers. It is required
that all guests clean thoroughly before entering the geothermal pools, which
means you have to shower naked. Some spas have a few private showers, but most
showers are communal within the locker rooms, which are separated into men’s
locker rooms and women’s locker rooms.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">Lockers are included in the price, and you carry your key
with you, so you can lock your personal belongings up while enjoying the baths.
However, towels are not always included in the price. Do rent a towel if one
isn’t included. Don’t bother with renting a bathrobe. Leave everything in your
locker, including your towel and shoes. You’re spending all your time in the
water and moving around between pools, so having your towel and shoes with you
is more of a nuisance. Also plan on leaving brass or silver jewelry in your
locker, as it could be damaged or discolored by the water.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;">The locker rooms have body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. There
are also hair dryers. Remember to bring your hairbrush, deodorant, and a hair
tie if you want to put your hair up. Not all spas provide plastic bags for wet
bathing suits, so bring one of those. </span></p></div>Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-12952967456316436172019-10-02T09:00:00.000-07:002019-10-02T09:00:06.677-07:00Win a Dream Trip for Two to Los Cabos<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="https://lnk2.io/wHTZYs9">Apple Vacations and Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISvQeY7usaug_xKnx4WSi7TLhlztIxrZCLKAxyk0lRL9QAXS1Ea3Z9PaZhAIhUar_MZJmSfc2hbTp6Mpfnb9lbLE4k3Ph7I5wf7xuJR9SmECIBfMAhLUOlkbqMvnPozlnJan1jnfJCsq3/s1600/DRELC_EXT_Main_Pool_Panoramic_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dream Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISvQeY7usaug_xKnx4WSi7TLhlztIxrZCLKAxyk0lRL9QAXS1Ea3Z9PaZhAIhUar_MZJmSfc2hbTp6Mpfnb9lbLE4k3Ph7I5wf7xuJR9SmECIBfMAhLUOlkbqMvnPozlnJan1jnfJCsq3/s800/DRELC_EXT_Main_Pool_Panoramic_1.jpg" title="Dream Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Are you not quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet? Perhaps the dream of a trip to Los Cabos Mexico will help! We are partnering with Apple Vacations to share the </span><a href="https://lnk2.io/wvXbBrK" rel="nofollow"><em>Unlimited-Luxury®</em> Dream Escape Sweepstakes</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> with our readers. One winner will receive a five-night trip for two adults to Mexico’s </span><a href="https://lnk2.io/wXGwjvz" rel="nofollow">Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa is located on the shores of the Sea of Cortez and features traditional, colonial Mexican design. Cabo San Lucas is 15 minutes away in one direction and San Jose del Cabo is 15 minutes away in the other direction. The resort is surrounded by the sea, two pools and eight championship golf courses, which create the views from the over-sized luxury suites’ private furnished balconies. One of the pools is family-friendly, with a waterslide and children’s area, while the other is a tranquil adults-only pool with personalized concierge services. Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa gives guests the experience of <em>Unlimited-Luxury®</em>, where everything is included, like limitless access to dining options without reservations required, unlimited top-shelf spirits, juices and soft drinks, 24-hour room and concierge services, pool and beach wait service, and daytime activities and live nightly entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Guests at Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa can experience a wide range of activities like golfing, open-water diving, snorkeling, and jet skiing. The nearby golf courses include Club Campestre San Jose Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and Cabo Real Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. For those looking for something to do on the resort property, activities include dance lessons, cooking and cocktail lessons, big-screen movies poolside, Pilates and yoga, and plenty more. The world-class spa spans almost 3,000 square feet and has oceanfront palapas, couple’s treatment rooms, and Pevonia® products.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dreams Los Cabos shares a beach with sea turtles that hatch from July through December, so guests can witness this unique event just steps away. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dreams Los Cabos also offers a number of excursions. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For example, guests can swim with sea lions at the UNESCO natural park and archipelago of Espiritu Santo. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the season from the end of December through the end of March, guests can go whale watching. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another option is joining a trip north to the colonial town of Todos Santos. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other excursions include ziplining, riding ATVs on the beach, and sport fishing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <em>Unlimited-Luxury®</em> Dream Escape Sweepstakes is being put on by </span><a href="https://lnk2.io/wwTwVvH" rel="nofollow">Apple Vacations</a><img height="1" src="https://lnk2.io/yPRrMSJ" style="display: none;" width="1" /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, a vacation company that’s been around since 1969. All-inclusive Apple Vacation trips include roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, in-resort roundtrip airport transfers, and the services of an in-resort Apple representative. These representatives have scheduled desk hours and provide welcome briefings in many locations. Apple Vacations guarantees best prices and promises that if you find a better deal, they will match it with their Instant Price Match.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <em>Unlimited-Luxury®</em> Dream Escape Sweepstakes runs September 17, 2019, through October 17, 2019. Travel must be booked by October 17, 2020, and completed by December 1, 2020.</span></div>
<img height="1" src="https://lnk2.io/yPRrMSJ" style="display: none;" width="1" />Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-47255898121179105052019-09-10T12:00:00.000-07:002019-09-10T12:00:17.984-07:005 Fun Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RpIx9_sbqNl_2QpdSTRsvXvdlvxoA_qZmyJvAWU30WAHvDtp90e4IIlkletAbbcprjCRbb_cgyRwEbcOKmtGX9MFPMJk36gE5a-g8y6GjR2szE5oEOkhxH5zyyPJE_6_zKhXs_sudfx5/s1600/IMG_3985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barteljorisstraat Haarlem Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RpIx9_sbqNl_2QpdSTRsvXvdlvxoA_qZmyJvAWU30WAHvDtp90e4IIlkletAbbcprjCRbb_cgyRwEbcOKmtGX9MFPMJk36gE5a-g8y6GjR2szE5oEOkhxH5zyyPJE_6_zKhXs_sudfx5/s800/IMG_3985.jpg" title="Barteljorisstraat Haarlem" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Netherlands is a pretty small country, about twice the size of New Jersey. Every year millions of travelers to the Netherlands stay only in Amsterdam. Some visit the Netherlands’ second largest city, Rotterdam. Smart travelers with enough time head outside of the biggest cities to visit some of the Netherlands’ unique </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">day trip </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">destinations which are easily reachable from Amsterdam and Rotterdam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KRpCk8zwkCzWcr8Q80ysN8CnyVpuHaUnD9nZO2xLDjqVqbwZSXr21pGgcbp-P2KeVkANf2dZIefgR1hHT-PguDDj2mx6kC0V-_KgXjhr8rG4N5FKAvr6qlMcyUdg2Uq2lbngqjQJHhnn/s1600/DSC03074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delft Canal Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-KRpCk8zwkCzWcr8Q80ysN8CnyVpuHaUnD9nZO2xLDjqVqbwZSXr21pGgcbp-P2KeVkANf2dZIefgR1hHT-PguDDj2mx6kC0V-_KgXjhr8rG4N5FKAvr6qlMcyUdg2Uq2lbngqjQJHhnn/s800/DSC03074.jpg" title="Delft Canal" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The Netherlands’ day trip options are varied, including villages, beach towns, cities, and windmills. Which Netherlands day trips you choose will depend on the time of year and the weather. During our winter vacation in the Netherlands, we chose Haarlem, Kinderdijk, Gouda, Delft, and The Hague as our day trip destinations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLUn1Rw9eB_I6Zaznkj0uWeQRyXtez8_Ko_1NVcOZTtrlbJIHBVIziTohFUbj1PunN6JSPO5YnnCkd-9ISkvISUfcenFox7M38rDJpU8T2yAQH7t0XJJPvXtcptDdNdw2_ClnY4YbDUG/s1600/IMG_3978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Grote Markt Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWLUn1Rw9eB_I6Zaznkj0uWeQRyXtez8_Ko_1NVcOZTtrlbJIHBVIziTohFUbj1PunN6JSPO5YnnCkd-9ISkvISUfcenFox7M38rDJpU8T2yAQH7t0XJJPvXtcptDdNdw2_ClnY4YbDUG/s800/IMG_3978.jpg" title="Haarlem Grote Markt" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haarlem is a medieval city approximately 12 miles west of Amsterdam. Haarlem has the charm of Amsterdam in a more compact and far less crowded package. There are many things to do in Haarlem, so it’s worth setting aside a full day to explore Haarlem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAjVoOo8zQc_IlNH2AZ7gOplZL8ZTQ_rJWZ6rqhWYhDLQz38skbXCujwFDrpNgxShs0mDMm2jMyl3eEdR3BhxYbxNgtbteFGBTmHwiGgGX5blBfpThUFS07wiQTLFyOJkFslNgBDqOgKi/s1600/DSC02779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Grote Kerk Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAjVoOo8zQc_IlNH2AZ7gOplZL8ZTQ_rJWZ6rqhWYhDLQz38skbXCujwFDrpNgxShs0mDMm2jMyl3eEdR3BhxYbxNgtbteFGBTmHwiGgGX5blBfpThUFS07wiQTLFyOJkFslNgBDqOgKi/s800/DSC02779.jpg" title="Haarlem Grote Kerk" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Haarlem day trip starts in <b>Grote Markt</b>, Haarlem’s main square. Centuries ago the square was used for gallows and jousting. Today it hosts festivals, concerts, and markets. The largest building along the square is the Gothic <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.bavo.nl/en/visit-the-bavo/">Grote Kerk</a></b></span>, a church built between 1370 and 1520. The church has Renaissance art, stained glass windows, and one of the finest organs in the world that was played by Mozart when he was ten years old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB3kLd05Va0PTIuqhSzkMf7wMTgMCNGdDELosFUeqZEVJC_4KWCmF5ekpb8dyPL2z6snHqex7oXq97AmNq9gPXot0pPXf24HQze2S-uOQMf_HSZbuWhWePcFwgFF0nDUDjI_eojMxgFIY/s1600/DSC02767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Corrie ten Boom House Hiding Place Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB3kLd05Va0PTIuqhSzkMf7wMTgMCNGdDELosFUeqZEVJC_4KWCmF5ekpb8dyPL2z6snHqex7oXq97AmNq9gPXot0pPXf24HQze2S-uOQMf_HSZbuWhWePcFwgFF0nDUDjI_eojMxgFIY/s800/DSC02767.jpg" title="Corrie ten Boom House Hiding Place" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most interesting place to visit in Haarlem is the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.corrietenboom.com/en/home">Corrie ten Boom House</a></b></span>. Corrie ten Boom was a Christian woman who was a leader in the Dutch resistance during World War II. She and her father and sister not only hid Jews and resistance workers in their own home in Haarlem, they also worked with a network of resistance workers to hide Jews around the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBMJ6vdtrJwPefJCogZ8cTcj5rmYIALweYSVtqEaobbqJTiVI4twr4M3dPmvOUQleiaZzt0yi6ZoIPx2pOlVgrfjXC8d_cDoQonMHA8_h6vFywXauownqBKsIJx_13y-iGIodfrsmrz-v/s1600/IMG_3988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Corrie ten Boom House Rooftop Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBMJ6vdtrJwPefJCogZ8cTcj5rmYIALweYSVtqEaobbqJTiVI4twr4M3dPmvOUQleiaZzt0yi6ZoIPx2pOlVgrfjXC8d_cDoQonMHA8_h6vFywXauownqBKsIJx_13y-iGIodfrsmrz-v/s800/IMG_3988.jpg" title="Corrie ten Boom House Rooftop" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors to the Corrie ten Boom House learn the story of the Ten Boom family while sitting in the family’s living room before touring the house where the family hid six people. Unlike the Anne Frank house, they didn’t live in a hidden annex. They lived in the house, sleeping in bedrooms and eating with the family, but there was a hidden space behind a brick wall of Corrie’s bedroom, reachable by a false back in the bottom of a cupboard, where they could run and hide in just over a minute. The only way they could go outside was by going up to the roof and crouching down behind the banister, out of sight from the neighbors, because you could never know who to trust.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6TuonavC4sbh50NS3L2Kw28o-x3Z2RSWtNTj7jUImQdy7ITWu4M2CvogHmgAZawRKYPQ69Hl4Dpf04wprKWYUzNBuynMZsoH-NOD8CYyho526sdgd8I0wVcxYg-uLNTAaEtlPvUq8Lwh/s1600/DSC02772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Corrie ten Boom House Signal Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6TuonavC4sbh50NS3L2Kw28o-x3Z2RSWtNTj7jUImQdy7ITWu4M2CvogHmgAZawRKYPQ69Hl4Dpf04wprKWYUzNBuynMZsoH-NOD8CYyho526sdgd8I0wVcxYg-uLNTAaEtlPvUq8Lwh/s800/DSC02772.jpg" title="Corrie ten Boom House Signal" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The family had a jewelry shop connected to the home, and Corrie ten Boom used a simple triangular plaque advertising watches to signal to those outside whether or not the house was safe to enter. In February 1944 the house was raided and the family arrested, as well as resistance workers who came to the house because the Gestapo put the signal back up. Corrie’s father died in prison and her sister died in Ravensbrück concentration camp, but Corrie survived, as did the six people who hid during the raid and were saved from the tiny hiding place a few days later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors to the Corrie ten Boom House should make reservations in advance. The house can only be visited on a tour, and tours are limited to 20 people. Morning tours require reservations while afternoon tours are on a first come, first served basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m2R4cd1fjtqW0iCIP9w8pbrc4AaMb-r4OfF3-r-ZA3vTSyoN-sUu4JMS9d67OrhYE0pCoaVPNPDU5npbidlfLb9t1tlMmtO8l54xo6cxEvkpZPkQoVv9bouQNyfTdCFxEaX1hwdEf3wU/s1600/DSC02795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Frans Hals Museum Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m2R4cd1fjtqW0iCIP9w8pbrc4AaMb-r4OfF3-r-ZA3vTSyoN-sUu4JMS9d67OrhYE0pCoaVPNPDU5npbidlfLb9t1tlMmtO8l54xo6cxEvkpZPkQoVv9bouQNyfTdCFxEaX1hwdEf3wU/s800/DSC02795.jpg" title="Haarlem Frans Hals Museum" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haarlem was the home of one of the Dutch masters, Frans Hals. The <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.franshalsmuseum.nl/en/">Frans Hals Museum</a></b></span> is housed in the poorhouse where he spent his final years and has the largest collection of paintings by Frans Halls. Frans Hals is known for his portraits, both individual and group portraits. He is known for being an impressionist before impressionism was a thing. His earlier portraits were very detailed and precise while his later portraits used broader, seemingly less careful strokes that gave the impression of what he was painting rather than the detail, yet his portraits looked exactly like who he was painting, with so much more life than some of the other portraits being painted at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For two hundred years after his death, his paintings were held in such poor esteem that they were sold for very small amounts of money. In the 1800s he gained popularity again and famous painters would copy his works to learn his techniques. The museum displays some of these copies next to the originals and the free audio guide shares stories of the artists who traveled around the world to see his art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDfG8h8bAmo0-Mtb6FGUzpXrH8dZwNkjam-ktbFcjqmXqxoMgMRK2ETM5Qz-8hmTv1M0OK1dUBwlYk_SOJ6ibq9DSb_5xIZVnMRMiLvsT0XOttwFSDgeQbLQ3VHB3nj1Vjkgl5l78yKnN/s1600/DSC02788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Hidden Gardens Hofjes Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDfG8h8bAmo0-Mtb6FGUzpXrH8dZwNkjam-ktbFcjqmXqxoMgMRK2ETM5Qz-8hmTv1M0OK1dUBwlYk_SOJ6ibq9DSb_5xIZVnMRMiLvsT0XOttwFSDgeQbLQ3VHB3nj1Vjkgl5l78yKnN/s800/DSC02788.jpg" title="Haarlem Hidden Gardens" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another unique thing to do in Haarlem is visiting the <b>hidden gardens</b>, or hofjes, of Haarlem. Haarlem has 21 hidden gardens, the oldest of which, Hofje van Bakenes, was created in 1395. The gardens were surrounded by almshouses where poor widowed or unmarried women lived, and the private gardens were a place for them to gather together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While a few of Haarlem’s hofjes are closed to the public, most of the hidden gardens can be visited during the day, except Sundays. There is a good <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.hofjesinhaarlem.nl/hofjes-in-haarlem/">website</a></span> that lists the locations of Haarlem’s hidden gardens, though you’ll need Google Translate if you don’t read Dutch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0ybh6gwDSskiLzKzxBC88fEQTMVNZHKTU7m1RVwN9XEFdGslUiUqlTYatP42NgM_swbaK6xOsCodk2NkJX3G8p6KjePfKlMAqo-MmIkaSScm1dshniqVwlX9DTgKxZruDaV2ML-WUA4w/s1600/IMG_4070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="De Jopenkerk Haarlem Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0ybh6gwDSskiLzKzxBC88fEQTMVNZHKTU7m1RVwN9XEFdGslUiUqlTYatP42NgM_swbaK6xOsCodk2NkJX3G8p6KjePfKlMAqo-MmIkaSScm1dshniqVwlX9DTgKxZruDaV2ML-WUA4w/s800/IMG_4070.jpg" title="De Jopenkerk" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet another unique thing to do in Haarlem is to visit <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.jopenkerk.nl/haarlem/en/">De Jopenkerk</a></b></span>, a Dutch brewery inside a former church. A visit to Jopen brewery is the perfect way to end a day trip to Haarlem since it is also a great restaurant for dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi1P1dJiQGmE-B9gRTmwsnYf7n7kTyz6t2DtAPdR1FeYG0h_AHW90HhDRoD85kq67NjE800Xy58i5MhwvTzvwNGeOhdHE3Vg-1Rd2sZDqLi4HSEpI8Q6AO9_JDlOuvaPgCgCBUh729r4Y/s1600/DSC02799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem at Night Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi1P1dJiQGmE-B9gRTmwsnYf7n7kTyz6t2DtAPdR1FeYG0h_AHW90HhDRoD85kq67NjE800Xy58i5MhwvTzvwNGeOhdHE3Vg-1Rd2sZDqLi4HSEpI8Q6AO9_JDlOuvaPgCgCBUh729r4Y/s800/DSC02799.jpg" title="Haarlem at Night" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other things to do on a day trip to Haarlem are to take a <b>canal cruise</b>, visit the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.teylersmuseum.nl/en">Teylers Museum</a></b></span>, and climb up the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="http://www.molenadriaan.nl/en/">Windmill De Adriaan</a></b></span>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlugHWAmV3LMya4RTqU2HhZkcnkUBEVPLSk4CiHxxqd5E7RN_SvKgpY4JKQOkWB11XV-UJy5sAVyRT6WTInkEaiUJcKPn_jcB-ciCf2o8ctritVthhxlysMY9crXySKxoArwySSgB0mWh/s1600/DSC02786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Haarlem Street Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlugHWAmV3LMya4RTqU2HhZkcnkUBEVPLSk4CiHxxqd5E7RN_SvKgpY4JKQOkWB11XV-UJy5sAVyRT6WTInkEaiUJcKPn_jcB-ciCf2o8ctritVthhxlysMY9crXySKxoArwySSgB0mWh/s800/DSC02786.jpg" title="Haarlem Street" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Haarlem is easily accessible by train or by bus. If visiting Haarlem on a day trip from Amsterdam, the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transport/amsterdam-region-travel-ticket">Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket</a></span> will get you there. Also, the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card">I amsterdam city card</a></span> provides free entrance to some of Haarlem’s museums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Kinderdijk</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gm2OwsNxOAMcjcCh4g4m9qOZnyQqk428hb90kInlgjYuGbIvY3AHl2LVPfpHmOug10wrbHg15C7UDXlued6laQde7q6Pyw-TgF4xVgZtd8m74UcgaLNN4dCcoMehtf0miekkkYPWKkwF/s1600/IMG_4303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kinderdijk Windmill Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gm2OwsNxOAMcjcCh4g4m9qOZnyQqk428hb90kInlgjYuGbIvY3AHl2LVPfpHmOug10wrbHg15C7UDXlued6laQde7q6Pyw-TgF4xVgZtd8m74UcgaLNN4dCcoMehtf0miekkkYPWKkwF/s800/IMG_4303.jpg" title="Kinderdijk Windmill" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A trip to the Netherlands isn’t complete without seeing windmills. There are windmills at some of the day trip destinations in this article, like Haarlem and Delft, but they don’t compare to the UNESCO World Heritage site of <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.kinderdijk.com/">Kinderdijk</a></span> with its 19 windmills built in the 1700s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNThHzsdii9ckXc14u9qWuvXR5MriDkF29G-uLvRKcExb1tAqlQL_TBsdPPMl-p7BxFJdIoOgonu9UlyJiXuG6Nj_7jWoEmEyzkBaUOCyo3wWr0B-o8IXlYCA4G9wVGmyEH7ON40WapCJ/s1600/IMG_4318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kinderdijk Windmills Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNThHzsdii9ckXc14u9qWuvXR5MriDkF29G-uLvRKcExb1tAqlQL_TBsdPPMl-p7BxFJdIoOgonu9UlyJiXuG6Nj_7jWoEmEyzkBaUOCyo3wWr0B-o8IXlYCA4G9wVGmyEH7ON40WapCJ/s800/IMG_4318.jpg" title="Kinderdijk Windmills" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A thousand years ago this area of Alblasserwaard was a peat bog, which meant lots of fertile soil, but not a lot of dry ground to build on. Eventually, the solution to the problem was discovered, windmills. The windmills were used to both pump extra water out and bring water back in when levels got too low, as that could cause the ground to sink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiXtCgTUeRtrPd9uVLfl44OeN3AjIl5CZYmG5Qe5jsSkxEm3w8C3km4GAOAw7Oid7PO9-yzrky2k55WY4t-_vwLIHioOYoqAGXkeeME3z4jMLlhxKPVsRsPbIsv3bDCfWSKYgoi_lciTB/s1600/IMG_4335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kinderdijk Windmills and Haystacks Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiXtCgTUeRtrPd9uVLfl44OeN3AjIl5CZYmG5Qe5jsSkxEm3w8C3km4GAOAw7Oid7PO9-yzrky2k55WY4t-_vwLIHioOYoqAGXkeeME3z4jMLlhxKPVsRsPbIsv3bDCfWSKYgoi_lciTB/s800/IMG_4335.jpg" title="Kinderdijk Windmills and Haystacks" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors to Kinderdijk can see the visitor center, which is a modern pump station and has an informative movie about the windmills. There are also two windmills open to visitors. It is interesting to see how families used to live in these windmills and learn how they would communicate with each other to protect the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIIFqtvTI7sOjiUTI0O1uzYxY3D75h3bq6tkViGemQfp6K-hs8PUWoJEuwiI2O_V_YxDWEwbUMdeiFp4r1zgY3UT4ekORftu3itltJh3mqCE6Q943C8ZkWb4im77iVFGuy1UVHrfFpij5/s1600/IMG_4362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kinderdijk Windmills Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIIFqtvTI7sOjiUTI0O1uzYxY3D75h3bq6tkViGemQfp6K-hs8PUWoJEuwiI2O_V_YxDWEwbUMdeiFp4r1zgY3UT4ekORftu3itltJh3mqCE6Q943C8ZkWb4im77iVFGuy1UVHrfFpij5/s800/IMG_4362.jpg" title="Kinderdijk Windmills" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kinderdijk is most easily reached from Rotterdam. While Kinderdijk can be reached by a combination of train and bus, the best way to get to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam is by <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.kinderdijk.com/plan/directions-address/waterbus/">waterbus</a></span>. During high season the waterbus goes directly to Kinderdijk, while in the winter months there is a transfer to the Driehoeksveer ferry in Ridderkerk. Waterbus and ferry tickets are payable by cash. It is possible to buy a combined ticket on the waterbus that includes transportation and entrance into Kinderdijk, but you may not want to do that if using the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://shop.rotterdam.info/en/rotterdamwelcomecard/">Rotterdam Welcome Card</a></span>, which gives a 25% discount off of admission to Kinderdijk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD11JvzIYDngLlbtwrcSYK0tIMiTa1wj1R42ED8YtD7tLBPUmEo685Cs5sQPlc8UlwogF-XpQdwsYPfDe6GTcZTHi9PwwrwJh6Kuab4RYtyaecsZQcwG88k9rBqvASvVm0POn_BmkGHq7/s1600/DSC02917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gouda Canal Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMD11JvzIYDngLlbtwrcSYK0tIMiTa1wj1R42ED8YtD7tLBPUmEo685Cs5sQPlc8UlwogF-XpQdwsYPfDe6GTcZTHi9PwwrwJh6Kuab4RYtyaecsZQcwG88k9rBqvASvVm0POn_BmkGHq7/s800/DSC02917.jpg" title="Gouda Canal" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are big cheese lovers so we couldn’t pass up the possibility of taking a day trip to Gouda, a town known for its namesake cheese. Plus Gouda is a very cute town. One thing to know before heading out on a day trip to Gouda – Gouda is not pronounced goo-da. The correct pronunciation is gow-da, with a very guttural “g.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczn7sZV0HCE7TtwEj8CovcHmqXyy7Y51vtOcd3az1_seFAj9I1PW4WXLV1VPAiaO-9Pa4SmpMUuMUB1_CbL4uyccc5p1ChiRGuGEFKq5xLg54Gm4jYQVGTNyYv4bQ6XVGfGW9L3QhwC6f/s1600/DSC00805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gouda Cheese Museum Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczn7sZV0HCE7TtwEj8CovcHmqXyy7Y51vtOcd3az1_seFAj9I1PW4WXLV1VPAiaO-9Pa4SmpMUuMUB1_CbL4uyccc5p1ChiRGuGEFKq5xLg54Gm4jYQVGTNyYv4bQ6XVGfGW9L3QhwC6f/s800/DSC00805.jpg" title="Gouda Cheese Museum" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first place to visit when in Gouda is the<b> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.goudsewaag.nl/nl/de-waag/het-museum">Gouda Cheese Museum</a></span></b> housed in the original weighing house constructed in 1668. This is where all Gouda cheese was weighed and taxed before being sold in the market. In the museum, visitors learn about what makes Gouda cheese special. One reason is the peat in the ground makes the grass better and the milk fatter. Another reason is the 1:3 shape of the Gouda cheese disks helps the cheese ripen evenly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The museum also features a few other items unique to Gouda including the long skinny curved Dutch clay pipes and candles. Candles are such a thing in Gouda that Gouda has an annual event, Gouda by Kaarslicht, a tradition where all buildings on Gouda’s main square are lit with candlelight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Outside of the weighing house is Gouda’s huge market square, <b>Plaza Markt</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN-bPn2PN9ysbFAkqW-ZXvzqXB4M94KN60VXW5hk00aGWf13XHwKPdjBODlPDjOfpBtGrggPjpmByqXBJYKcj2mkWpGJ8jGS_zj3h2LeV4sRTNqb2jqUCT9egqhSoKx8kvcUHCrDqvKX/s1600/DSC00834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gouda Sint-Janskerk Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN-bPn2PN9ysbFAkqW-ZXvzqXB4M94KN60VXW5hk00aGWf13XHwKPdjBODlPDjOfpBtGrggPjpmByqXBJYKcj2mkWpGJ8jGS_zj3h2LeV4sRTNqb2jqUCT9egqhSoKx8kvcUHCrDqvKX/s800/DSC00834.jpg" title="Gouda Sint-Janskerk" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just outside Gouda’s market square is <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="http://www.sintjan.com/">Sint-Janskerk</a></b></span>. The current church was built in the mid-1500s and is named for John the Baptist, the patron saint of Gouda. Sint-Janskerk is the longest church in the Netherlands and is famous for its stained glass windows. Visitors to the church can use an audio guide to learn more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh30T_kjqjuz7ZsK_R-zkyHzRWbXepYmYWimqKUEZo5thbNLv6qZc6-4kkteQZ9lCBwpqos9fsSYCl4kuZdjirBWgeYNvNQK6Ln2u2Pvf7kSyKGEdXRATGEMkgGW-O9FJA1G8g8sbrxt9/s1600/DSC00858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gouda Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh30T_kjqjuz7ZsK_R-zkyHzRWbXepYmYWimqKUEZo5thbNLv6qZc6-4kkteQZ9lCBwpqos9fsSYCl4kuZdjirBWgeYNvNQK6Ln2u2Pvf7kSyKGEdXRATGEMkgGW-O9FJA1G8g8sbrxt9/s800/DSC00858.jpg" title="Gouda" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gouda is a very short train ride from Rotterdam and is reachable by train from Amsterdam as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vfc9kPLgJ-UZJk5qfV0IA2pGFeD6Bd4Sx3xQhbYs7i_Q7LiNV8D1rBBNcH7jbrpn7UnxAUDyQvtjbyXo-mJ-Y7jx6f4srr5QZpi5BY-5OjnPIF3HGDpOS8WlHpTpCd2b62dq6ZXIBFwi/s1600/DSC03084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delft City Hall Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vfc9kPLgJ-UZJk5qfV0IA2pGFeD6Bd4Sx3xQhbYs7i_Q7LiNV8D1rBBNcH7jbrpn7UnxAUDyQvtjbyXo-mJ-Y7jx6f4srr5QZpi5BY-5OjnPIF3HGDpOS8WlHpTpCd2b62dq6ZXIBFwi/s800/DSC03084.jpg" title="Delft City Hall" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Delft is another town in the Netherlands with lots of pretty canals and architecture. It is also famous for Delft Blue earthenware. Chinese porcelain was very popular in the Netherlands, so when the import of porcelain from China declined because of civil wars in China, Dutch potteries started developing their own versions of the blue and white porcelain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzBiJes76mwr4R0sAnz1zKNKh5KV2ZIYj6Az021WkQemFFqyTIJ7NDcqMrHdSYrRkm7uJ5fsfg_XKlTU7Cq_Kwkj8xrhslu73wF5TLEnag0v9-_qY3AbsQAv-MxAHHkL_pxsLAwZEsaI9/s1600/DSC03039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Royal Delft Experience Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzBiJes76mwr4R0sAnz1zKNKh5KV2ZIYj6Az021WkQemFFqyTIJ7NDcqMrHdSYrRkm7uJ5fsfg_XKlTU7Cq_Kwkj8xrhslu73wF5TLEnag0v9-_qY3AbsQAv-MxAHHkL_pxsLAwZEsaI9/s800/DSC03039.jpg" title="Royal Delft Experience" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Royal Delft is the only Delftware factory left today from the 32 that were started in the 1600s. At the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.royaldelft.com/en_gb/">Royal Delft Experience</a></b></span> visitors can learn more about the history and production process of Royal Delftware including watching painters paint the delicate patterns, viewing historic Delftware, and visiting the factory floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivecNJmBkIX3OlTb8-yGH5G8JWYaPUJbRDH5hNkm-QXm6Q5Q5Gqx5DL7D2XF9VgGDhJWs-2fCdc2fa9NOy47NO0e3Pstz3cK9U9eB-ZH_-B3UrtUxMOGmybHd4i1-CnXsF6WxqFiN_GNTD/s1600/DSC03057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Museum Paul Teter van Elven Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivecNJmBkIX3OlTb8-yGH5G8JWYaPUJbRDH5hNkm-QXm6Q5Q5Gqx5DL7D2XF9VgGDhJWs-2fCdc2fa9NOy47NO0e3Pstz3cK9U9eB-ZH_-B3UrtUxMOGmybHd4i1-CnXsF6WxqFiN_GNTD/s800/DSC03057.jpg" title="Museum Paul Teter van Elven" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of Delft’s canal houses is open to the public as the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="http://tetar.nl/?lang=en">Museum Paul Teter van Elven</a></b></span>. This was the home of Paul Tetar van Elvan, a painter and teacher at the Polytechnical School in Delft. He was skilled at copying famous works of art and customers would commission him to paint a copy of a painting. He was also a collector of porcelain and earthenware. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXNrnxl9tXLhnUn-ieev7V0Sayq6WhEcEiWLstMNzZMjfJ7MUoWKs-LAGCsBF7z5nmfgA9h7hBX9Q1wl2LdDCiJYtRhpu88bsXqu9RWzYfgtZus9s6H5HgUgPXKgS2tWQA1SGnEgtFe28/s1600/DSC00985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delft Nieuwe Kerk Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXNrnxl9tXLhnUn-ieev7V0Sayq6WhEcEiWLstMNzZMjfJ7MUoWKs-LAGCsBF7z5nmfgA9h7hBX9Q1wl2LdDCiJYtRhpu88bsXqu9RWzYfgtZus9s6H5HgUgPXKgS2tWQA1SGnEgtFe28/s800/DSC00985.jpg" title="Delft Nieuwe Kerk" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other sites to see in Delft are the Oude Kerk (Old Church), Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), City Hall, and the Oostpoort (Eastern Gate). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqDqA45S-JgfDeZoX9fuCPB1W6Y6E58mJrZeD3a6OykmVHI9njxANKYFOAwtOh-6W-FQg08ft2K7XRydGE5rpHMu602jcirNGKsSsqlRwwc_NrE1IqjpyxRnAHYXUdOHrvzi0u7yjx_1g/s1600/DSC00981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delft Canal Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqDqA45S-JgfDeZoX9fuCPB1W6Y6E58mJrZeD3a6OykmVHI9njxANKYFOAwtOh-6W-FQg08ft2K7XRydGE5rpHMu602jcirNGKsSsqlRwwc_NrE1IqjpyxRnAHYXUdOHrvzi0u7yjx_1g/s800/DSC00981.jpg" title="Delft Canal" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Delft can be reached by train or bus from Rotterdam and Amsterdam. We visited Delft on a day trip from Rotterdam that also included The Hague as Delft is between the two cities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The Hague</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s2N6k2zwlKt0oVy64J-lGq-RonpuDEyG0VdJvWEhoH4UfY030TPVsYhOw1cEEcEi4mXAkSCQJx4iFSDPqgo9nXyoTYRYdVM8qM92jZxd0mINjHtFBs8agGYEvQVTJTNfIsm5mVPFM9gz/s1600/DSC00951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hague Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0s2N6k2zwlKt0oVy64J-lGq-RonpuDEyG0VdJvWEhoH4UfY030TPVsYhOw1cEEcEi4mXAkSCQJx4iFSDPqgo9nXyoTYRYdVM8qM92jZxd0mINjHtFBs8agGYEvQVTJTNfIsm5mVPFM9gz/s800/DSC00951.jpg" title="The Hague" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, The Hague is the seat of the Netherlands’ government. That made me imagine it would be a modern city, but The Hague is actually a very charming old-world city. It is also located on the coast of the North Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0siu7lD2pLZKRN-upFEw2Jxjni5SW8G-bUg1L4H5A0nSQepSkVha8EqCORWvVvpjjctPtnHnB6eydJUSeiqodeqcnPs78ucGZXNhc6haF6EWguagsLwwduSG8kAuDOnitjna99RpjkiY/s1600/DSC03022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hague Mauritshuis Girl with the Pearl Earring Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0siu7lD2pLZKRN-upFEw2Jxjni5SW8G-bUg1L4H5A0nSQepSkVha8EqCORWvVvpjjctPtnHnB6eydJUSeiqodeqcnPs78ucGZXNhc6haF6EWguagsLwwduSG8kAuDOnitjna99RpjkiY/s800/DSC03022.jpg" title="The Hague Mauritshuis Girl with the Pearl Earring" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We created a combined day trip to The Hague and Delft, so we didn’t have a full day to spend in The Hague. The focus of our time in The Hague was <span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><a href="https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/">Mauritshuis</a></b></span>. Mauritshuis is a very important museum with 800 works of 17<sup>th</sup> and 18<sup>th</sup> century art. The museum’s most famous work is <i>Girl with the Pearl Earring</i> by Vermeer. There are also works of art by Rembrandt, Rubens, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Be sure to download the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/visit/plan-your-visit/mauritshuis-tour/">Mauritshuis app</a></span> before leaving home and bring your headphones so you can learn about the highlights of the museum and any other work of art that piques your interest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vanGomsCSlyCpTypxgkFg3hFeOCknaLANqqcbt6bLozJIoTuEjuc5aLgloXQBPz7tx6O7-BzBxyHI5KTihopD0-Tf81G_QcmTtW6wyNv6hPUYn1Bu9SHWOMl1FwDLhyphenhyphenTGB1fxeTFVfRc/s1600/DSC03023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Hague Hofvijver Netherlands Day Trips from Amsterdam or Rotterdam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vanGomsCSlyCpTypxgkFg3hFeOCknaLANqqcbt6bLozJIoTuEjuc5aLgloXQBPz7tx6O7-BzBxyHI5KTihopD0-Tf81G_QcmTtW6wyNv6hPUYn1Bu9SHWOMl1FwDLhyphenhyphenTGB1fxeTFVfRc/s800/DSC03023.jpg" title="The Hague Hofvijver" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A day trip to The Hague is easily made from Rotterdam. The Rotterdam metro line E goes all the way to The Hague in about 30 minutes, and the trip is free with the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://shop.rotterdam.info/en/rotterdamwelcomecard/">Rotterdam Welcome Card</a></span>. The Hague can also be reached by train from both Rotterdam and Amsterdam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/amsterdam/garden-hotel/">Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink">, <a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/rotterdam/parkhotel-rotterdam/">Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink">,</span> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/">Amsterdam Marketing</a></span>, and <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.rotterdam.info/">Rotterdam Partners</a></span> for hosting our trip to the Netherlands and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own. This article may contain affiliate links.</span></i><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-82387049901150073342019-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:002019-08-27T12:00:06.176-07:00Switzerland’s Summers Have Gone to the (St. Bernard) Dogs!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRbuQreKWkYux8VNLJY0lbWjb9xp3dBBexPs9mgSh2uxUQwJ2D815ZblCye6EysAqapfcurKnpiFV82749yDwwm2s4DWepkwmpTmulgdBAWdERs6ABA0b1W9B3Ttme2pAzVWO9nGozpoy/s1600/DSC01214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Bernard Dogs Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRbuQreKWkYux8VNLJY0lbWjb9xp3dBBexPs9mgSh2uxUQwJ2D815ZblCye6EysAqapfcurKnpiFV82749yDwwm2s4DWepkwmpTmulgdBAWdERs6ABA0b1W9B3Ttme2pAzVWO9nGozpoy/s800/DSC01214.jpg" title="St. Bernard Dogs" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are
usually spring and fall travelers, but when we learned that hiking with
Switzerland’s St. Bernard dogs is an activity that’s only available in summer,
a summer Switzerland vacation was booked immediately.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyad376E_gjF2YgBskegO5CoJtqMPBf7-SpTMCIf8BNYCZERedTp3OHkzIyZYoG3bDHXgC_gdeGMTD7O9cA5R1RdDFX-DIeaAerw6sFshGX9z9SJId1yzBuG-Q5BSpx2RmDyS30WMM4OJi/s1600/DSC01302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saint Bernard Pass Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyad376E_gjF2YgBskegO5CoJtqMPBf7-SpTMCIf8BNYCZERedTp3OHkzIyZYoG3bDHXgC_gdeGMTD7O9cA5R1RdDFX-DIeaAerw6sFshGX9z9SJId1yzBuG-Q5BSpx2RmDyS30WMM4OJi/s800/DSC01302.jpg" title="Saint Bernard Pass" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of
course, visitors to Martigny, Switzerland can hang out with St. Bernard dogs at
any time of the year, but there is just a short two-month window when visitors
to the area can take a one-and-a-half-hour hike in the mountains of the Great
St. Bernard Pass accompanied by the Barry Foundation’s St. Bernard dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://fondation-barry.ch/EN/passwanderungen-mit-bernhardinern" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hikes on the pass with the Saint Bernards</a> are available two times a day in July and
August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtTSWy76LtCHNEVxQARcsDqa6dFCV5Y-2VgJswWfTmhE7WuGA2L_Yqyoul_4NToRE4KjR_TjuJBep5tOIuOT-GpJOp-uRXkqNdDPfrbTRkYZr08LctJTCQVfcGWWIHtZCsnatH3QxQ5Fi/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hikes on the Pass with the Saint Bernards Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtTSWy76LtCHNEVxQARcsDqa6dFCV5Y-2VgJswWfTmhE7WuGA2L_Yqyoul_4NToRE4KjR_TjuJBep5tOIuOT-GpJOp-uRXkqNdDPfrbTRkYZr08LctJTCQVfcGWWIHtZCsnatH3QxQ5Fi/s800/IMG_1290.jpg" title="Hikes on the Pass with the Saint Bernards" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The St.
Bernard Pass hike is a beautiful summertime hike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not a difficult hike, though there are
some uphill portions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The views of the
lake and hospice are pretty, and there’s a surprise mountain lake at the top
that the dogs love to play in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaX7uQh-IwhGvrzDup_j3dcYtL0dGedF019vIoxZrePE-55u4ePA_3F1pvYRXI5d4sIgF083wjb6T5phvBvPCuAAYP3xieZ3sLNKp1SN9v7tSfgWR2wksG7R3OP2x00ElC4ulU-7bN1x7/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Bernard in Lake Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaX7uQh-IwhGvrzDup_j3dcYtL0dGedF019vIoxZrePE-55u4ePA_3F1pvYRXI5d4sIgF083wjb6T5phvBvPCuAAYP3xieZ3sLNKp1SN9v7tSfgWR2wksG7R3OP2x00ElC4ulU-7bN1x7/s800/IMG_1370.jpg" title="St. Bernard in Lake" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St.
Bernard dogs originated here in Switzerland’s Great St. Bernard Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pass is one of the stops along the
historic Via Francigena pilgrim route, a 1,700-kilometer trail from Canterbury
to Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cardinal of Canterbury
traveled to Rome for a cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote in
great detail about every leg of his journey, which is how the trail became a
pilgrim route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/stU-HNQ6GPI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="532" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/stU-HNQ6GPI?feature=player_embedded&rel=0" width="760"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
Great St. Bernard Hospice, located at 2,469 meters, was founded in the 11<sup>th</sup>
century to house travelers and pilgrims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The hospice was built using stones from a Roman temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The priests of the hospice kept St. Bernard
mountain dogs starting in the mid-17<sup>th</sup> century to guard and protect
visitors to the hospice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
accompanied travelers and worked as search and rescue dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone had to be sent out every day in each
direction to see if anyone was coming, and then guide them to the hospice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once telephone lines were brought in in the
1960s that service ended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh7Hpq0ilr4hRtTWVZyce-k9OyPvtbZZaNa-KGbru3vrSHxi79_VKhc2W-xoy3Lfby62QVCsrKinuST0RCf29kWPk0QbzgPmjEQ2Ys8mhWSNVdIvTDvAlBawyOqsJlwlFwHFORC5_PNUN/s1600/DSC01354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Great St. Bernard Hospice Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOh7Hpq0ilr4hRtTWVZyce-k9OyPvtbZZaNa-KGbru3vrSHxi79_VKhc2W-xoy3Lfby62QVCsrKinuST0RCf29kWPk0QbzgPmjEQ2Ys8mhWSNVdIvTDvAlBawyOqsJlwlFwHFORC5_PNUN/s800/DSC01354.jpg" title="Great St. Bernard Hospice" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is
a small building on the property that used to be a macabre tourist
destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building was used to
hold unidentified hypothermia victims which over time became mummified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, the building was completely
enclosed by stone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ysu1XBTYvOCsT8fJZIDaGCfLb6lqFkVoUIzBEf-YtcZj_FriqYSGlMBxqlH-u0JeobtRDIim9IzccPduzWGlQZzQbfucXFqf9d1vYeN8ptbZrkX0qGp8AatkEwavfWzxDB5FkxI5laqn/s1600/DSC01296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Bernard Pass Hike Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ysu1XBTYvOCsT8fJZIDaGCfLb6lqFkVoUIzBEf-YtcZj_FriqYSGlMBxqlH-u0JeobtRDIim9IzccPduzWGlQZzQbfucXFqf9d1vYeN8ptbZrkX0qGp8AatkEwavfWzxDB5FkxI5laqn/s800/DSC01296.jpg" title="St. Bernard Pass Hike" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In
addition to hiking with the St. Bernard dogs, visitors to the St. Bernard Pass
can tour the hospice and grounds and learn more about the history in the small
museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s also a nice walk around
the lake and the ability to cross the border into Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6d8ZputPHSX97X5ZoJQ0ujbcXqLu3hYlO93BuphvFGpT-OZuAeSLBJlpKgs4iUSNMu8ff5tDq3-x8jsbuxOL-Nc4R5Is_1gE3aYoFMWOHtlDA_KLP35kNmUvbOhbIKhgDIW1t0CDniFX/s1600/DSC01452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Barryland Puppy Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6d8ZputPHSX97X5ZoJQ0ujbcXqLu3hYlO93BuphvFGpT-OZuAeSLBJlpKgs4iUSNMu8ff5tDq3-x8jsbuxOL-Nc4R5Is_1gE3aYoFMWOHtlDA_KLP35kNmUvbOhbIKhgDIW1t0CDniFX/s800/DSC01452.jpg" title="Barryland Puppy" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If
hiking with St. Bernards isn’t enough dog time, or if visiting the region
outside of that two-month window, visitors can also visit <a href="https://www.barryland.ch/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barryland</a> within the city of
Martigny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barryland breeds Saint Bernard
dogs here, so there are dogs of all ages throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barryland is a cute place to learn about the
history and legends of the St. Bernard dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Visitors can watch the dogs play, sleep and eat, and can even set up a
photo session with some of the dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s an area for kids to play, and the restaurant is a good place for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZtdJGE3S3X5WmQGDmmjbiAtlNr9HykQLkgLmfWGqiZ5z1oS8bZqUyR3ClS1u8IEWwLlGzt3IxTL7X_0DBUuDdQaYiZ8ZMA6AYslpx7gd4LkmWKqjYOLCBqTQ06mUEK9xvGHHJ-BhKRAF/s1600/DSC01421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amphitheater Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZtdJGE3S3X5WmQGDmmjbiAtlNr9HykQLkgLmfWGqiZ5z1oS8bZqUyR3ClS1u8IEWwLlGzt3IxTL7X_0DBUuDdQaYiZ8ZMA6AYslpx7gd4LkmWKqjYOLCBqTQ06mUEK9xvGHHJ-BhKRAF/s800/DSC01421.jpg" title="Martigny Amphitheater" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There
are more things to do in Martigny than just see St. Bernard dogs, though that
would have been enough for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
instance, just next door to Barryland is an old Roman amphitheater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to being able to walk into the
center of the amphitheater, there is an easy trail that circles the perimeter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4KOEeDel8TOMeIJhEofclqEgnkrGVe13G5dlOfh0X0wEl5Py7n45GEtfWKeyZxLhBWp9uyFqGIM2cc-x4P7k1xq1Qv42Q1wRKwF_NmTUa0nY6pku3W34uvkzbr-ADp9lQurpyRc5JatV/s1600/IMG_1513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4KOEeDel8TOMeIJhEofclqEgnkrGVe13G5dlOfh0X0wEl5Py7n45GEtfWKeyZxLhBWp9uyFqGIM2cc-x4P7k1xq1Qv42Q1wRKwF_NmTUa0nY6pku3W34uvkzbr-ADp9lQurpyRc5JatV/s800/IMG_1513.jpg" title="Martigny" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Martigny
is also known for its art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leonard
Gianadda has donated a lot of art to the city that he loves through the
Fondation Pierre Gianadda, created in memory of his younger brother Pierre who
was killed in an airplane accident in 1976.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are sculptures in every roundabout and there’s an art museum and a
sculpture garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s also a car
museum with the largest collection of Swiss cars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just a
few miles outside of Martigny is the <a href="http://www.saint-maurice.ch/tourism/abbey-87.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Royal Abbey of St-Maurice</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was another stop along
the Via Francigena pilgrim path, in the opposite direction from Martigny than
the Great St. Bernard Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqauSj0gN_dNhSyc6xqyPuCOL3W4a3UvqhrKMZui-wI7A86SGxv5pzuImhE4dDgnHUNHMf46kvuFT-tGaXwVgFt_9cHTcmLcsdzrU-LU77wkNnNpwWt19s7XZI1o-sezlQn6BKXQKE-ZGI/s1600/DSC01381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqauSj0gN_dNhSyc6xqyPuCOL3W4a3UvqhrKMZui-wI7A86SGxv5pzuImhE4dDgnHUNHMf46kvuFT-tGaXwVgFt_9cHTcmLcsdzrU-LU77wkNnNpwWt19s7XZI1o-sezlQn6BKXQKE-ZGI/s800/DSC01381.jpg" title="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
story of the Abbey is that a group of Egyptian Christians serving in the Roman
army, under the command of Mauritius, were stationed there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Roman emperor ordered the Christians out
of town because he thought they were dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mauritius and his soldiers declared they wouldn’t persecute Christians,
so instead, they became martyrs and later saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saint Maurice is the patron saint of the
Vatican’s Swiss Guard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzsPLhGZRBC6suu9rIhlkMIu-1sMhnOZeeJ6thJi3IDr3MLOg1rMRm1KUG4cCTPdGHUusxTkn-xkZcVhQtWV7Y1_biBrPcNKz3GcBVYapKglCdYOrPZ6VSZyzKyvIuU5SIOPj-F6iVitS/s1600/DSC01409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice Courtyard Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzsPLhGZRBC6suu9rIhlkMIu-1sMhnOZeeJ6thJi3IDr3MLOg1rMRm1KUG4cCTPdGHUusxTkn-xkZcVhQtWV7Y1_biBrPcNKz3GcBVYapKglCdYOrPZ6VSZyzKyvIuU5SIOPj-F6iVitS/s800/DSC01409.jpg" title="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice Courtyard" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We
received a special tour of the abbey led by the Rector who has clearly put his
all into this abbey. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were told that the Royal Abbey of St-Maurice is the most ancient abbey without interruption, having been in operation for 15 centuries.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even though the
abbey is so old, the Rector takes great pride in the modernizations he has
helped create, like the kid-friendly audio guide, the modern and informative
museum, and one of our favorites, the automated front door carved with the
names of religious leaders of the past from all countries and all religions.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkzFJnybDtcjqBOXg4ir23q698KiSP6mLzMXFYPU0S4UTArvaHqi9rdQdTH04ERYx40YlBFqNqnnOJ1YD5QUbaMHGsjGzo63M20FjK4FblbsuezWGyqo_a1soLF8PXE8__uRV4mUsVlOl/s1600/IMG_1533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice Archaeological Excavation Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkzFJnybDtcjqBOXg4ir23q698KiSP6mLzMXFYPU0S4UTArvaHqi9rdQdTH04ERYx40YlBFqNqnnOJ1YD5QUbaMHGsjGzo63M20FjK4FblbsuezWGyqo_a1soLF8PXE8__uRV4mUsVlOl/s800/IMG_1533.jpg" title="Royal Abbey of St-Maurice Archaeological Excavation" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The
abbey is perched under a sheer rock face, built that way for protection from
people, but not necessarily the best protection from nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rockfall in 1942 allowed archaeologists to
undertake a major dig, leaving a massive archaeological excavation of the
foundations of the earlier churches that can be viewed by visitors today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wh0wweqxgq5JiPsS6B7KiJDsy30UXUaCf13eH9LkhemLZx_bjyw7KBmGkvf8gW_Xtr_UXt-3dF8RCm9morstap5JygIcqlh4SK6ycSJGdUx8Yi4RNNDig0Bek1TL_iUef6EJR99Qscfe/s1600/DSC01169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moulin Semblanet Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Wh0wweqxgq5JiPsS6B7KiJDsy30UXUaCf13eH9LkhemLZx_bjyw7KBmGkvf8gW_Xtr_UXt-3dF8RCm9morstap5JygIcqlh4SK6ycSJGdUx8Yi4RNNDig0Bek1TL_iUef6EJR99Qscfe/s800/DSC01169.jpg" title="Moulin Semblanet" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of
Martigny’s unique restaurants is the <a href="https://www.moulinsemblanet.ch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Moulin Semblanet</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food is delicious and
the menu is full of local specialties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what makes the restaurant even more interesting is that it is housed
in an old mill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s been a mill in
Martigny since at least the 14<sup>th</sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mill still operates and some of the
parts, including the leather belts, are original from 1880.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1uJaGzOHIDPtW-SrABjtnX2sKFkQzRbVGh5rkD888MVN6sRaQbiMPDh9rNlVDOtdY7GD2LemKOBcDMt2AIKQMr5RJgHnx-kVwzqE9OdavBGzWCYba6NRh6xEfyabHSEHHoeJbQ-f53nk/s1600/DSC01181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="mARTigny Boutique Hotel Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1uJaGzOHIDPtW-SrABjtnX2sKFkQzRbVGh5rkD888MVN6sRaQbiMPDh9rNlVDOtdY7GD2LemKOBcDMt2AIKQMr5RJgHnx-kVwzqE9OdavBGzWCYba6NRh6xEfyabHSEHHoeJbQ-f53nk/s800/DSC01181.jpg" title="mARTigny Boutique Hotel" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Keeping
with Martigny’s art theme, we stayed at the <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/ch/martigny-boutique.en.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mARTigny Boutique Hotel</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotel is a
boutique hotel with 52 rooms and a restaurant that combines traditional Swiss
with Peruvian cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something else
that makes the hotel stand out is that it provides jobs to people with
disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEqDNl5vbTy23pim-BSm42WFBXq8wNNV8cgdN8VnMel9LnGjUqXjkxtWMt7OuL7g_7Bt8AsasnB_tj1b0Q24wHYkEfRbGMhm5tnZexJ1mS51buocLgenVoaPftplA9RQ5ewc8v02GO_qO/s1600/IMG_1250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Bernard Express Things to Do Martigny Switzerland" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEqDNl5vbTy23pim-BSm42WFBXq8wNNV8cgdN8VnMel9LnGjUqXjkxtWMt7OuL7g_7Bt8AsasnB_tj1b0Q24wHYkEfRbGMhm5tnZexJ1mS51buocLgenVoaPftplA9RQ5ewc8v02GO_qO/s800/IMG_1250.jpg" title="St. Bernard Express" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Getting
to the Grand St. Bernard Pass is easy using <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2018/10/5-reasons-you-want-swiss-travel-pass.html" target="_blank">Switzerland’s public transportation system and the Swiss Travel Pass</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A train travels from Martigny to Sembrancher,
where a train transfer continues on to Orsieres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Orsières a bus, the St. Bernard Express,
travels up the mountains to the Grand St. Bernard Hospice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thank you to <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.valais.ch/en/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valais Wallis Promotion</a></span>, <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Switzerland Tourism</a></span>,
<a href="http://www.martigny.com/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Office de Tourisme Martigny</a> and <a href="https://fondation-barry.ch/EN/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barryland</a> for hosting our time in Martigny
and making this article possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
always, all opinions are our own. This article may contain affiliate links.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aixDkJtfFtO7qATnKKneu11tJ2T6ViEc2LGRy2Wsi8YeQaeR5d3VAex0zVJUN54NMLyuynbI-33ScKqAAnkbceETNiPP1wpc6nDv385Q6DGoMLiUyv76GzIvzZ-Fngt2ChzYGrNy9g-u/s1600/Hiking+Switzerland%2527s+St.+Bernard+Pass.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1aixDkJtfFtO7qATnKKneu11tJ2T6ViEc2LGRy2Wsi8YeQaeR5d3VAex0zVJUN54NMLyuynbI-33ScKqAAnkbceETNiPP1wpc6nDv385Q6DGoMLiUyv76GzIvzZ-Fngt2ChzYGrNy9g-u/s400/Hiking+Switzerland%2527s+St.+Bernard+Pass.png" width="266" /></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-89561377201527057392019-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:002019-01-09T09:00:07.989-08:0010 Things to Do in Rotterdam<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-ZQa4UmLJZGRAHvcanX68J0QD3P2fOZ41UwF8zPsKRnumqepz97k7xz9xFq-6kcJQxqhlBLLqf9MoLM2x3mG0y7lVGOdQnTrMGKFNUzZGWK4ENEbRrPbeu_dsomwl1bIaeqjgwXheBQk/s1600/DSC02981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delfshaven Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-ZQa4UmLJZGRAHvcanX68J0QD3P2fOZ41UwF8zPsKRnumqepz97k7xz9xFq-6kcJQxqhlBLLqf9MoLM2x3mG0y7lVGOdQnTrMGKFNUzZGWK4ENEbRrPbeu_dsomwl1bIaeqjgwXheBQk/s800/DSC02981.jpg" title="Delfshaven" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Netherlands’ second largest city, Rotterdam, is very different from its largest city, Amsterdam. While Amsterdam is old-world architecture, Rotterdam is a very modern city. The reason for that is because, except for a small handful of buildings, the city of Rotterdam was obliterated in less than 15 minutes by a World War II bombing campaign. Rather than trying to rebuild in its old style, the people of Rotterdam decided to show their resiliency by using the devastation as an opportunity to start over with innovative and creative architecture. The result is that the things to do in Rotterdam are an interesting mix of old and new.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Cube Houses</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rotterdam’s <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://kubuswoning.nl/en" target="_blank">Cube Houses</a></span> are a good example of Rotterdam’s unique architecture. The Cube Houses were designed in the 1980s by Piet Blom. They create a village that is supposed to be reminiscent of trees of a forest. The cubes are tilted so three sides face the ground and three sides face the sky. If you’re curious to see what one looks like inside, there is a show cube open to the public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Markthal</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rotterdam’s Markthal is quite a centerpiece of Rotterdam. The market hall is a huge horseshoe-shaped building with enormous windows at each end. Within the building is an indoor market, and the curving exteriors of the building contain luxury apartments. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The arched ceiling is covered in colorful artwork called the <i>Horn of Plenty</i>. In addition to being a food market, Markthal has restaurants, so it is a great place to visit for lunch or dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlv9QdU502ZkU-REed8eJk7wIuwPmzxNMScDcbjAVyd0jDOfyqurkvUqaNMLkwGHalxVK3obZdm_S6rttaNiQFSe-foeqQTpnThrPsV0b30pS8iVut6PRAyCYpTEdTzeiVusNugPOf4vD/s1600/DSC02852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oude Haven Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlv9QdU502ZkU-REed8eJk7wIuwPmzxNMScDcbjAVyd0jDOfyqurkvUqaNMLkwGHalxVK3obZdm_S6rttaNiQFSe-foeqQTpnThrPsV0b30pS8iVut6PRAyCYpTEdTzeiVusNugPOf4vD/s800/DSC02852.jpg" title="Oude Haven" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rotterdam’s Oude Haven, or old port, is part of the Maritime District. It has historic ships and is a popular place for restaurants and bars. Along Oude Haven is one of Rotterdam’s few remaining old buildings, “The White House.” The Witte Huis was built in 1898 in the Art Nouveau style and was Europe’s first skyscraper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Erasmus Bridge</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5scMk5amdr7uP5y6LX3XKiqXuc-SLp-AreBahNnIEUPR_MjnVrKP-JvwMWFRn1_YdSI6wSYByl02ZXbqpZaebWfq1GpXf2-4HZhuuvF103Le3Kt7XDPfnQOXF76mq8JKjXsnvLfRAddkE/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Erasmus Bridge Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5scMk5amdr7uP5y6LX3XKiqXuc-SLp-AreBahNnIEUPR_MjnVrKP-JvwMWFRn1_YdSI6wSYByl02ZXbqpZaebWfq1GpXf2-4HZhuuvF103Le3Kt7XDPfnQOXF76mq8JKjXsnvLfRAddkE/s800/IMG_4207.jpg" title="Erasmus Bridge" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Erasmus Bridge is a suspension bridge built in 1996 that crosses Nieuwe Maas River, linking the north and south of Rotterdam. The bridge can be crossed by both cars and pedestrians. We took a walk across the bridge to Hotel New York and then took a <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.rotterdam.info/locations/de-snelle-watertaxi/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">water taxi</a></span> back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Hotel New York</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBGnePtEKgf2sazsiR0GxAZgRqM09Sio4oJio-4u0bKp-TtWJt8EsRGic67MQ3vUvlA4wEAuW7veQzMDkcky-AV-ylHZ55iQUppjhrNGpgKyzMRiyjMqPzY9P1p6tW32qa7vP8ZiGiKn3/s1600/DSC02882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel New York Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBGnePtEKgf2sazsiR0GxAZgRqM09Sio4oJio-4u0bKp-TtWJt8EsRGic67MQ3vUvlA4wEAuW7veQzMDkcky-AV-ylHZ55iQUppjhrNGpgKyzMRiyjMqPzY9P1p6tW32qa7vP8ZiGiKn3/s800/DSC02882.jpg" title="Hotel New York" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://hotelnewyork.com/" target="_blank">Hotel New York</a></span> is another one of Rotterdam’s few remaining historic buildings. The building was erected in 1901 and was the location of the Holland America Line, where ships left for New York. Holland America Line’s head office moved to Seattle in 1977 and the building was opened as a hotel in 1993.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Delfshaven</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9KidiQAZ3zn4kaA2OxEPCgwvEQKMcdJB3fG0rvnRjjjza4FFmkKkPPacGbw670odyOksX5Sra9BP7aLzAH4g8jp0SNn7y3ecc3dSMfZdrXWqoz6mlYNzHdOiqpD9DQKWYZ_6fg892eqm/s1600/DSC02977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Delfshaven Pelgrimvaderskerk Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9KidiQAZ3zn4kaA2OxEPCgwvEQKMcdJB3fG0rvnRjjjza4FFmkKkPPacGbw670odyOksX5Sra9BP7aLzAH4g8jp0SNn7y3ecc3dSMfZdrXWqoz6mlYNzHdOiqpD9DQKWYZ_6fg892eqm/s800/DSC02977.jpg" title="Delfshaven Pelgrimvaderskerk" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Delfshaven marina is yet another one of the few pieces of Rotterdam that survived the 1940 bombing that leveled most of the city. For Americans this is a special place because the Pilgrim Fathers left for America in 1620 from the church, Pelgrimvaderskerk, built in 1417 and updated in 1761. The Pilgrims first sailed to England where they then boarded the Mayflower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEua8zsv5QKiGOmOmUQ0rrVgv5YlHap_m52zULGPkgjMMUr8JwwnFDkepDnD0Bc-1DZKvm6_oupHouDLdOfq0jcHbJ-GopAELyl8DngQ4X6tH1TIXwPONnCUo10fxBtLsCgbu8kx0qn5as/s1600/DSC00894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stadsbrouwerij de Pelgrim Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEua8zsv5QKiGOmOmUQ0rrVgv5YlHap_m52zULGPkgjMMUr8JwwnFDkepDnD0Bc-1DZKvm6_oupHouDLdOfq0jcHbJ-GopAELyl8DngQ4X6tH1TIXwPONnCUo10fxBtLsCgbu8kx0qn5as/s800/DSC00894.jpg" title="Stadsbrouwerij de Pelgrim" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Next door to the church is <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.pelgrimbier.nl/" target="_blank">Stadsbrouwerij de Pelgrim</a></span>, one of Rotterdam’s breweries. The building the brewery is in dates back to 1580 and used to be a city hall and a police station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Foodhallen</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc-7JoGYCPBkc7c6m1wT7KxGzDpGc_eQmEVJIOW_Z_y9emMBH24kyShtegy8qRwbodh-b3orResw7-oRZ6kr7Ymg3fmghTAkwXmZEngPKxigvdSdyNcBLZGyvuCwp1ji0yjQ2c4crFKjn/s1600/DSC03094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Foodhallen Bar Pulpo Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTc-7JoGYCPBkc7c6m1wT7KxGzDpGc_eQmEVJIOW_Z_y9emMBH24kyShtegy8qRwbodh-b3orResw7-oRZ6kr7Ymg3fmghTAkwXmZEngPKxigvdSdyNcBLZGyvuCwp1ji0yjQ2c4crFKjn/s800/DSC03094.jpg" title="Foodhallen Bar Pulpo" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It seems like the Netherlands is crazy for food halls. They are great places for travelers to eat because they’re affordable, they have lots of choices, the food is good, and the ambiance is fun and relaxed. Rotterdam’s <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://foodhallen.nl/rotterdam/" target="_blank">Foodhallen</a></span> had our favorite place to eat in Rotterdam, <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BAR-PULPO-2121914928045981/" target="_blank">Bar Pulpo</a></span>. Bar Pulpo serves seafood including oysters, octopus, and the most delicious prawns ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Fenix Food Factory</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg6f2GWQHIGZ8rXnpc1bhIskx-kYQ3JDBbBVuRDXFgdvEtb6QkMRQ0vSEPhD16E77Ix1OdsviyLXptgsShJm88zxVzS9o5x1HmaJB8r1RJlxNAxeO9WvC65353qRuoxnQuhrX9NG88DDW/s1600/DSC02997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fenix Food Factory Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwg6f2GWQHIGZ8rXnpc1bhIskx-kYQ3JDBbBVuRDXFgdvEtb6QkMRQ0vSEPhD16E77Ix1OdsviyLXptgsShJm88zxVzS9o5x1HmaJB8r1RJlxNAxeO9WvC65353qRuoxnQuhrX9NG88DDW/s800/DSC02997.jpg" title="Fenix Food Factory" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet another food hall in Rotterdam is the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.fenixfoodfactory.nl/en/about/" target="_blank">Fenix Food Factory</a></span>. The Fenix Food Factory is located in the Katendrecht neighborhood, which used to be Rotterdam’s Chinatown but is now a destination for food lovers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Outdoor Art</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhkYxsFcQ4SMhCmzGnKudXvuXVWvDLG7RIpaSMN47NeUtSfBTjY3USueCdIMJdFnQ_TQalVpBZy7CIpVkkNqFDY-xOhn7LoCaH7od1_zd_kizQIJ3Kf31eKgNoQdxhpt3O3XqqbQbXdQA/s1600/DSC02861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Erasmus Statue Rotterdam Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhkYxsFcQ4SMhCmzGnKudXvuXVWvDLG7RIpaSMN47NeUtSfBTjY3USueCdIMJdFnQ_TQalVpBZy7CIpVkkNqFDY-xOhn7LoCaH7od1_zd_kizQIJ3Kf31eKgNoQdxhpt3O3XqqbQbXdQA/s800/DSC02861.jpg" title="Erasmus Statue" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rotterdam has lots of outdoor art, both old and new. An example of Rotterdam’s old outdoor art is a statue of <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.biography.com/people/erasmus-21291705" target="_blank">Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam</a></span>, a very famous scholar. He defined the humanist movement and translated the New Testament to Greek, which created a theological revolution. The statue is located in one of Rotterdam’s parks, Grotekerkplein, in front of the Church of St. Lawrence, Rotterdam’s only surviving late Gothic building (built between 1449 and 1525).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some of Rotterdam’s new outdoor art is in the form of street art in the Witte de Withkwartier. Witte de Withstraat runs from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum. One is Love Birds, a mural by Tymon Ferenc de Laat and Robert Rost. Another is #makeithappen by Daan Botlek, a mural of characters climbing up a six-story building. This one is interactive and allows you to become part of the art. The <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://rewriters010.nl/en/" target="_blank">Rewriters010 app</a></span> guides visitors along an eight-kilometer route of 40 works of street art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We wouldn’t normally list a tourism office as a place to visit, but a short visit to the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.rotterdam.info/locations/rotterdam-tourist-information-coolsingel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel</a></span> location is worthwhile if you’re in the area. In addition to being a place to pick up a city map and the Rotterdam Welcome Card, it has the Rotterdam Discovery where visitors can see the before and after of the Rotterdam bombing, learn about Rotterdam’s history, and see the future plans for the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://shop.rotterdam.info/en/rotterdamwelcomecard/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rotterdam Welcome Card</a></span> is useful for getting around the city. While Rotterdam is walkable, Rotterdam’s things to do are spread out around the city and the walks are long. The Rotterdam Welcome Card works as a travel pass, providing unlimited travel on RET metros, trams, and busses. The card also provides discounts on some museums, attractions, and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/rotterdam/parkhotel-rotterdam/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam</a></span> is conveniently centrally located in the city of Rotterdam near Museumpark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stayed in one of the executive rooms on the higher floors of the hotel. Our room was a corner room with windows that curved across all walls. The buildings of Rotterdam are not terribly tall, but when looking outside while lying in bed, the skyline gives the impression of being much higher up, especially with the top of one of the museums looking more like the top of the Empire State Building and all of the cranes set up around the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the morning the restaurant serves the signature Bilderberg Breakfast with lots of variety like pancakes, pastries, eggs, sausages, yogurt, cereals, meats, cheeses, and more. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant is <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.thepark.nl/">The Park – Inspired by Erik Van Loo</a></span>. Erik Van Loo is a two Michelin star chef who led the concept of The Park restaurant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/rotterdam/parkhotel-rotterdam/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam</a></span> and <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://en.rotterdam.info/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rotterdam Partners</a></span> for hosting our trip to Rotterdam and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own. This article may contain affiliate links.</span></i><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-56111889316839432882019-01-02T09:00:00.000-08:002019-01-02T09:00:01.389-08:00Amsterdam Vacation: Things to Do and Neighborhoods to Visit<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGJNoFOLJ9yy_QmaDG4Nd2_LJ_phXqyYH08k-D8JGjmdEoGZaAvz3td216nDtsRU7hL8lt-jtbvq1GyhzllzCwVyA8xM0bYlDhCSZVuPj8BcucicBGXrpmyyY0CvvQ6TVb0_waqaY1CoB/s1600/IMG_3625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGJNoFOLJ9yy_QmaDG4Nd2_LJ_phXqyYH08k-D8JGjmdEoGZaAvz3td216nDtsRU7hL8lt-jtbvq1GyhzllzCwVyA8xM0bYlDhCSZVuPj8BcucicBGXrpmyyY0CvvQ6TVb0_waqaY1CoB/s800/IMG_3625.jpg" title="Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amsterdam is one of Europe’s most popular vacation spots. Based on </span><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/26/earth-media-top-travel-destinations-for-young-people.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">feedback from 100,000 millennials</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, Amsterdam came in number two for most popular travel destinations on earth. That’s not a huge surprise considering Amsterdam is a picturesque city of canals, architecture, world-famous museums, and more bicycles than people. It’s also very affordable. All of this also means Amsterdam is quite crowded, especially in the city center. Fortunately, the many things to do in Amsterdam include a number of places to visit in Amsterdam’s unique neighborhoods just outside of the city center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Oud-Zuid</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amsterdam’s Oud-Zuid neighborhood, just south of the city center, was our favorite neighborhood, which is a good thing since that’s where we stayed, at the <a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/amsterdam/garden-hotel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam</a> (more about the hotel later in the article).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgpTbIjQXGARLb-Rz4rEsKzHANOL-ChscRvcSicZZ4x2lfnYzjj_WH1bJYPj9BQupQHsRVodOQTV6bTeTj56VLjEAMAX_FjC2qKYhgds4j_RImRpdFKWI5S9v16uZYVDhCwxxuCtgTMNC/s1600/DSC02528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oud-Zuid Street Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgpTbIjQXGARLb-Rz4rEsKzHANOL-ChscRvcSicZZ4x2lfnYzjj_WH1bJYPj9BQupQHsRVodOQTV6bTeTj56VLjEAMAX_FjC2qKYhgds4j_RImRpdFKWI5S9v16uZYVDhCwxxuCtgTMNC/s800/DSC02528.jpg" title="Oud-Zuid Street" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Oud-Zuid neighborhood is one of the prettiest and wealthiest neighborhoods in Amsterdam, with wide streets lined with unique shops and some of Amsterdam’s best museums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_14wqn76xYH7sMMaY4g6l2iBMiAT3hyphenhyphenk715UbtvEFR4h95NBi6gvnL9oJMKOesy6vf6pWle4zatcw31bgFe2sO69d73SwS1OhGnpF32NPvIJazpFX4VPqQaatm96Eoz6PEbW0AeaEKDM/s1600/Self-Portrait+with+Grey+Felt+Hat+Vincent+van+Gogh+1887+Van+Gogh+Museum%252C+Amsterdam+%2528Vincent+van+Gogh+Foundation%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Van Gogh Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_14wqn76xYH7sMMaY4g6l2iBMiAT3hyphenhyphenk715UbtvEFR4h95NBi6gvnL9oJMKOesy6vf6pWle4zatcw31bgFe2sO69d73SwS1OhGnpF32NPvIJazpFX4VPqQaatm96Eoz6PEbW0AeaEKDM/s800/Self-Portrait+with+Grey+Felt+Hat+Vincent+van+Gogh+1887+Van+Gogh+Museum%252C+Amsterdam+%2528Vincent+van+Gogh+Foundation%2529.jpg" title="Van Gogh Museum" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat Vincent van Gogh 1887 Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Netherlands is famous for its artists. There are many important Dutch artists, including Van Gogh (pronounced more like vun-khokh by the Dutch). The <a href="https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">Van Gogh Museum</a>, located in the Oud-Zuid neighborhood, has the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh’s art in the world. Some of Van Gogh’s famous works that are in the museum include his self-portraits, The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, Irises, and The Bedroom. Romeo used to not be such a fan of Van Gogh, but our Amsterdam vacation was quite an art education and he’s now fascinated by how Van Gogh could create self-portraits that were clearly of Van Gogh, and yet were created with minimal broad brush strokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Van Gogh Museum is one of the busiest museums in Amsterdam. While entrance is free with an <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I amsterdam city card</a>, you’ll still need to book tickets online for a specific date and time. Pictures are not allowed in most of the museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en">Rijksmuseum</a> has been open to the public in its present place for over 200 years. The museum features antique objects, prints, drawings, photos, and of course paintings by the Dutch masters including Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Van Dyck, and Jan Steen. One of the highlights of the museum is Rembrandt’s <i>Night Watch Gallery</i>, a larger-than-life portrait of the civic guard. The gallery in which it is displayed was specially designed for the painting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Entrance to the Rijksmuseum is free with the I amsterdam city card. Download the <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/app/discover-the-rijksmuseum-through-the-app" target="_blank">Rijksmuseum mobile app</a> before leaving home and bring your earphones so you can use the app to tour the highlights and learn more about any piece in the museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Moco Museum</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://mocomuseum.com/" target="_blank">Moco Museum</a> is a boutique museum amongst the giants. Moco Museum is housed in an English country house style building designed by Eduard Cuypers, the cousin of the architect who designed the Rijksmuseum. Moco Museum houses modern and contemporary art, mostly Banksy. Other artists featured are Icy & Sot, the Banksy of Iran, and Roy Lichtenstein. Outside of the museum is the Moco Garden, a fanciful garden of sculptures like a huge gummy bear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Vondelpark</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9vfTA5cl7rUBdMIpEnFOGf9orgTLqQTIi2OWLyJg8iTn9qIzGjulWKhDwKjHpu7zYtO1Lu0tPBpe52Aq1IWt34o9isEqnXseDkw53r2za9iotapHMjcAbG73rhJ6eWjCcqFhxusvPglA/s1600/DSC02821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vondelpark Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9vfTA5cl7rUBdMIpEnFOGf9orgTLqQTIi2OWLyJg8iTn9qIzGjulWKhDwKjHpu7zYtO1Lu0tPBpe52Aq1IWt34o9isEqnXseDkw53r2za9iotapHMjcAbG73rhJ6eWjCcqFhxusvPglA/s800/DSC02821.jpg" title="Vondelpark" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vondelpark is to Amsterdam what Central Park is to New York City and is a relaxing place to visit during an Amsterdam vacation. Vondelpark is perfect for strolling, jogging, biking, skating, dog-walking, and whatever else strikes your fancy. Vondelpark first opened to the public in 1865. Because the park is constructed on muddy land, its ground level is constantly lowering, so the park has to go through a thorough renovation every 30 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">De Plantage</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f0_W7S2_BPmqiQpRONI6IVe-x2-FoDmOW7T6WCNNr__0-P4A5yLn6r-7c_LlnBxI9LA8TH-qKKXv3mbDl-FdvV1AsoPPiOMnfbiaFw0NWyPuohfA-no-hTsszl_NOLTMVUjlPMxKmVpC/s1600/DSC02634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="De Plantage Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f0_W7S2_BPmqiQpRONI6IVe-x2-FoDmOW7T6WCNNr__0-P4A5yLn6r-7c_LlnBxI9LA8TH-qKKXv3mbDl-FdvV1AsoPPiOMnfbiaFw0NWyPuohfA-no-hTsszl_NOLTMVUjlPMxKmVpC/s800/DSC02634.jpg" title="De Plantage" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amsterdam’s De Plantage neighborhood is just east of the city center. This area of Amsterdam has more green spaces and is home to the ARTIS Royal Zoo and Amsterdam’s botanical gardens. Rembrandt called the De Plantage neighborhood home. De Plantage is also the place to learn about Jewish wartime Amsterdam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Dutch Resistance Museum </b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC3KPF9qqn9BEcIGQbQLFGUNtYgoDzpgk7xPHCk2RAOQ3poT2T2I6UtGKrSZH8OSnFjkxd7Vhyphenhypheno5Y5VJhMWpVqEOoeVPnARhHrS_aLl5Km0ZHJBevla8PBxiA3rqQvItr0GGnOGRDWN-U/s1600/IMG_3670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dutch Resistance Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC3KPF9qqn9BEcIGQbQLFGUNtYgoDzpgk7xPHCk2RAOQ3poT2T2I6UtGKrSZH8OSnFjkxd7Vhyphenhypheno5Y5VJhMWpVqEOoeVPnARhHrS_aLl5Km0ZHJBevla8PBxiA3rqQvItr0GGnOGRDWN-U/s800/IMG_3670.jpg" title="Dutch Resistance Museum" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Netherlands surrendered to Nazi Germany in 1940 after Rotterdam was obliterated by bombing. The country remained under German occupation until May 1945. During those five years the Dutch resistance, mostly without violence, fought against the Nazis and hid 300,000 people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b7ctTKxTKpG0fDKpZcPc5ofh99gAqIbSmlxUm8kOIDuzQ3TVGy4ckkoGZFxB5N18S96TdcO9lL02Wd8tKmMNbOhkyQgdDGkDzNjcvQuNV3mcWBDCBXEDId4k6o75iVgwkOD1utHWjqyA/s1600/DSC02623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Map of Jews Dutch Resistance Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6b7ctTKxTKpG0fDKpZcPc5ofh99gAqIbSmlxUm8kOIDuzQ3TVGy4ckkoGZFxB5N18S96TdcO9lL02Wd8tKmMNbOhkyQgdDGkDzNjcvQuNV3mcWBDCBXEDId4k6o75iVgwkOD1utHWjqyA/s800/DSC02623.jpg" title="Map of Jews in Amsterdam" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.verzetsmuseum.org/museum/en/museum" target="_blank">Dutch Resistance Museum</a> walks visitors through the three choices the Dutch had: adjust, collaborate, or resist. It may seem like such an easy decision now in hindsight, but the Nazis had a subtle approach of slowly undermining official resistance in The Netherlands, so at first, the occupation didn’t seem so bad. There was even an economic boom at the start. In the beginning, many Dutch felt the best way was to adjust, and some even joined in the Nazi cause. Quotes from Dutch people include, “I was impressed that Hitler had turned a land with millions of unemployed into a prosperous country” and “What attracted me was the energy: the singing and marching, and that sense of belonging.” But as the war intensified and conditions deteriorated, more Dutch people started to resist in various ways including public protests, helping people go into hiding, smuggling ration coupons and destroying the Amsterdam Registry Office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Entrance into the Dutch Resistance Museum is free with the I amsterdam city card and all visitors can take advantage of the free audio guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">National Holocaust Museum</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3NXVA_pKgD3P_QClwld5P1M10EmgRDIxM0wXQkSyiatjmlSoynrJeaJ9fFa5D3q5iPIaK-J-d3B5b-qu97wiOQLAKqanTJKZiol34e2MEldMV_-6ieyfePqXFvErLxTV9_X3ntlE-khM/s1600/DSC02627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="National Holocaust Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3NXVA_pKgD3P_QClwld5P1M10EmgRDIxM0wXQkSyiatjmlSoynrJeaJ9fFa5D3q5iPIaK-J-d3B5b-qu97wiOQLAKqanTJKZiol34e2MEldMV_-6ieyfePqXFvErLxTV9_X3ntlE-khM/s800/DSC02627.jpg" title="National Holocaust Museum" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://jck.nl/en/location/national-holocaust-museum" target="_blank">National Holocaust Museum</a> is located in a building that was used by the Dutch resistance to smuggle 600 children out of captivity, using the outside tram stop as cover. The museum is a work in progress, hosting temporary exhibitions that tell the story of the Holocaust with stories from survivors and surviving objects about men, women, and children who did not make it to the other side of the Holocaust. In the basement is an installation by Willem Volkersz, <i>In Memoriam</i>, which commemorates student of the 1<sup>st</sup> Montessori School in Amsterdam who lost their lives during the Nazi occupation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Entrance into the National Holocaust Museum is free with the I amsterdam city card and one ticket provides entrance into the National Holocaust Memorial, Jewish Historical Museum, and Portuguese Synagogue as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">National Holocaust Memorial</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClp6C50QDVbcZBJCoVzDtvEhYktzFcR7Hp-RrEOlbukO8Z2lMfFQkoQGcorpuBZtxXSx4D1HNxXzXU10BL-auQtguUTBLTtfttdcDh6CbfelM-khYXapGRUC6w2JRa1SpVuCbo_ABAnUM/s1600/DSC02629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="National Holocaust Memorial Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiClp6C50QDVbcZBJCoVzDtvEhYktzFcR7Hp-RrEOlbukO8Z2lMfFQkoQGcorpuBZtxXSx4D1HNxXzXU10BL-auQtguUTBLTtfttdcDh6CbfelM-khYXapGRUC6w2JRa1SpVuCbo_ABAnUM/s800/DSC02629.jpg" title="National Holocaust Memorial" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://jck.nl/en/location/national-holocaust-memorial" target="_blank">National Holocaust Memorial</a>, across from the museum, used to be a theater. In 1941 it was turned into the Jewish Theatre by the Germans and was later used as a site of deportation of Jews to concentration and extermination camps. After the war, the theater fell into disrepair. In 1962 a monument was erected in memory of the Jewish victims. A Wall of Remembrance has been engraved with the surnames of the 104,000 murdered Jews from the Netherlands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Portuguese Synagogue</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPIi7pDBEIAtMP3jmF4_U4MTy88bLkCiD7Qsf90XjUMqHZOwwS4wIh2D0iWjghCt1bzRuCesmHu-xpk5gATFkHJTlyzvQOXH1XRIyecp9MkUDTDbY23AdDvjLaVBTE8tuJrknsbivSc_S/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Portuguese Synagogue Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPIi7pDBEIAtMP3jmF4_U4MTy88bLkCiD7Qsf90XjUMqHZOwwS4wIh2D0iWjghCt1bzRuCesmHu-xpk5gATFkHJTlyzvQOXH1XRIyecp9MkUDTDbY23AdDvjLaVBTE8tuJrknsbivSc_S/s800/IMG_3688.jpg" title="Portuguese Synagogue" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://jck.nl/en/location/portuguese-synagogue" target="_blank">Portuguese Synagogue</a> was built in 1675 and has its original interior. The synagogue is still lit by hundreds of candles. In addition to the synagogue, visitors can enter various rooms in the complex, such as the treasure chamber. The oldest functioning Jewish library in the world can also be seen here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Jewish Historical Museum</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6beXS1xsdVyUZV5RTJLoGzCmnz9UVtkpHhOAOP-J3OnmTWb5IRZq012i0ocV76Xocykw2AnvJOZ52m7mUyRC4wFWpGZbQ_UtOD8RXGE-p5KcnRulxqZy51ok0L_6wY7YzsSD75Y74EHL/s1600/IMG_3695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jewish Historical Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6beXS1xsdVyUZV5RTJLoGzCmnz9UVtkpHhOAOP-J3OnmTWb5IRZq012i0ocV76Xocykw2AnvJOZ52m7mUyRC4wFWpGZbQ_UtOD8RXGE-p5KcnRulxqZy51ok0L_6wY7YzsSD75Y74EHL/s800/IMG_3695.jpg" title="Jewish Historical Museum" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://jck.nl/en/location/jewish-historical-museum" target="_blank">Jewish Historical Museum</a> is housed within four synagogue buildings. Visitors learn about Dutch Jewish life past and present at the museum through paintings, films, and other items. The video displays are an interesting and interactive way to learn about Jewish holidays and traditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Rembrandt House Museum</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtrfiX7fz0YBdjVszUzDfQwVYHTQZBtCV99LQ9KPbG0plk166QsQb9pbNnf91OtTJ3J-fQ7x3g8b3SJ4jMRBFwSeNBZgPZKYsRCgPnnK-ypBFUtqMAehtK5ax153yatZmgC1DC1WInNmQ/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rembrandt House Museum Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtrfiX7fz0YBdjVszUzDfQwVYHTQZBtCV99LQ9KPbG0plk166QsQb9pbNnf91OtTJ3J-fQ7x3g8b3SJ4jMRBFwSeNBZgPZKYsRCgPnnK-ypBFUtqMAehtK5ax153yatZmgC1DC1WInNmQ/s800/IMG_3697.jpg" title="Rembrandt House Museum" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In addition to the Jewish Cultural Quarter, the De Plantage neighborhood has the <a href="https://www.rembrandthuis.nl/?lang=en" target="_blank">Rembrandt House Museum</a>. This is where the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt lived and worked. It was interesting to go through the rooms of the house and learn about Rembrandt’s life, how he became a famous portrait painter, how he filled his house with works of art by other artists, and how his extravagant lifestyle and the change in his clients’ tastes led to his bankruptcy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsRqSmz5TvpudD9W0GN-DUipl1-k6CF7GwWDeviSQN_o7cXZPTzZTyg2ve2WNAsXzznIw1gPzSsFvSKvd_Uy_Zj3SZQcQekV6nlnR2_22fSpcjq6tzSnapzzeH1T-SU95FsgX1vv_k_YF/s1600/DSC02643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rembrandt House Museum Etchings Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsRqSmz5TvpudD9W0GN-DUipl1-k6CF7GwWDeviSQN_o7cXZPTzZTyg2ve2WNAsXzznIw1gPzSsFvSKvd_Uy_Zj3SZQcQekV6nlnR2_22fSpcjq6tzSnapzzeH1T-SU95FsgX1vv_k_YF/s800/DSC02643.jpg" title="Etchings" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What we found the most interesting in the Rembrandt House Museum were the demonstrations about creating etchings and paint. We learned how Rembrandt’s apprentices created colored pigments by grinding rocks, mixing the powder with oil, and storing it in pig bladders. They had to learn to create the same color and the same consistency from natural ingredients. Some rocks and minerals were expensive and came from faraway places. Once a color was created, it might be applied to three or four paintings at once that were awaiting that specific color. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ea7XhGfeIQOQSPI_EAT18SfSausWz1EcO6ZkB-fRt_9gFGlS99r7lDNRAGpFhJSEZV7WIjuO1R2028Dx1cFU7DhFu03qQUB1twJ7JeeKlqKHTbsQOhAqLXmBrE2IW4RfrxAR7ms6Rxcs/s1600/DSC02644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rembrandt House Museum Paint Pigments Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ea7XhGfeIQOQSPI_EAT18SfSausWz1EcO6ZkB-fRt_9gFGlS99r7lDNRAGpFhJSEZV7WIjuO1R2028Dx1cFU7DhFu03qQUB1twJ7JeeKlqKHTbsQOhAqLXmBrE2IW4RfrxAR7ms6Rxcs/s800/DSC02644.jpg" title="Paint Pigments" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also learned how Rembrandt used leftover paint from his palettes to build up the sleeves of one of his most famous paintings, <i>The Jewish Bride</i>, to create texture before painting the more expensive paint over it, and how he layered different shades of red to create depth in the bride’s skirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Oud-West</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oud-West is a trendy neighborhood just west of the city center and above the Oud-Zuid neighborhood. The neighborhood is known for its shops and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Foodhallen</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9gSH3MktExBOn2fKF-THG82IizRkLYud8KM3_RlYzeUHduf5MwSOUkprifsaBqy4G_z-owVoHsM244x_Iepn34hmiGp7r0PAcjU6uNvaRBjz4XLiguKci3EHWSr8h22uElFKBBZKZ60/s1600/IMG_3752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Foodhallen Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_9gSH3MktExBOn2fKF-THG82IizRkLYud8KM3_RlYzeUHduf5MwSOUkprifsaBqy4G_z-owVoHsM244x_Iepn34hmiGp7r0PAcjU6uNvaRBjz4XLiguKci3EHWSr8h22uElFKBBZKZ60/s800/IMG_3752.jpg" title="Foodhallen" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://foodhallen.nl/foodhallen/" target="_blank">Foodhallen</a> is one of the star attractions of the Oud-West neighborhood. Foodhallen is a food market in a former train depot. There’s live music every Tuesday night and DJs Friday and Saturday nights. Food stands sell a variety of foods including tapas, tacos, dim sum, pitas, seafood, hamburgers, frozen yogurt, and more. Bars sell wine, beer, and cocktails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>De Pijp</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY7Dvgr0mw7smfG4YGufkhjdu8tX1l6UGS7o_gsNzhCGoCIuXVQ_X9n81wg9ooOxmG0dgSNLngAXjWVWqNwMDTd5NyG6b5QKMQuzbFn2pkY9Wc9QA5sN3uHUcbzW5KNzf16ACR2eb3LAj/s1600/DSC02748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heineken Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOY7Dvgr0mw7smfG4YGufkhjdu8tX1l6UGS7o_gsNzhCGoCIuXVQ_X9n81wg9ooOxmG0dgSNLngAXjWVWqNwMDTd5NyG6b5QKMQuzbFn2pkY9Wc9QA5sN3uHUcbzW5KNzf16ACR2eb3LAj/s800/DSC02748.jpg" title="Heineken" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The De Pijp neighborhood is below the city center just east of the Oud-Zuid neighborhood. De Pijp was a working-class neighborhood, attracting people from many countries to work at the Heineken brewery. It is still a multicultural neighborhood with lots of flavors and variety.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Heineken Experience</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBnstlI02m01gIuekXvIYfw2a0O0cStCIhoZhksbFRqoA2KaqE-eVFM69xO25ieKZkuxvsGPBHBREwX6PuK3JmY-9IacAFb3k6yA2Xw_cPatXRgxD5B1A5t80BbXjMOasK3G8B1mjp2MI/s1600/DSC02741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heineken Experience Bottles Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBnstlI02m01gIuekXvIYfw2a0O0cStCIhoZhksbFRqoA2KaqE-eVFM69xO25ieKZkuxvsGPBHBREwX6PuK3JmY-9IacAFb3k6yA2Xw_cPatXRgxD5B1A5t80BbXjMOasK3G8B1mjp2MI/s800/DSC02741.jpg" title="Heineken Experience Bottles" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.heineken.com/heineken-experience" target="_blank">Heineken Experience</a> is an interactive tour of the original Heineken brewery. Gerard Adriaan Heineken’s mother purchased the brewery for him and in 1873 the first Heineken beer was brewed after Dr. Elion, a student of Louis Pasteur, developed the Heineken yeast that is still used in today’s Heineken beers. Visitors learn the history of Heineken, take a peek into the stables of the Heineken horses, follow the path of beer from brew to bottle, and enjoy two Heineken beers at the Best ‘Dam Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors with an I amsterdam city card get 25% off the entrance fee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Albert Cuypmarkt</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://albertcuyp-markt.amsterdam/?lang=en" target="_blank">Albert Cuypmarkt</a> runs along Albert Cuypstraat. The street market, which has been operating since 1905, has 260 stalls and operates six days a week. The market sells international foods and ingredients, traditional foods, clothing, leather goods, jewelry, souvenirs, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">City Center</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amsterdam’s city center is where you’ll find the most canals and tall, narrow canal houses with gable hooks for moving items in and out. It’s also where you’ll see the most bikes, outside of the bicycle parking lot of the Central Station. In fact, around 6,000 bicycles are pulled out of Amsterdam’s canals every year. It’s also where many of the city’s smaller themed museums are located like the houseboat museum and Dutch costume museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Anne Frank House</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyTr4wPXkecN56Uj015qcRssYS0YHfjiSlmR96WA3CGBDeRk0HJGI4jbeqD3sHzIqM3DU6kQ9TxK2jIYuV_2t3cAMX30oNYBRWM3rEFqBC1lnETeIPU4E0S8_vCfvkO6oG5tKuJpDlj8a/s1600/DSC02593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Prinsengracht Canal Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyTr4wPXkecN56Uj015qcRssYS0YHfjiSlmR96WA3CGBDeRk0HJGI4jbeqD3sHzIqM3DU6kQ9TxK2jIYuV_2t3cAMX30oNYBRWM3rEFqBC1lnETeIPU4E0S8_vCfvkO6oG5tKuJpDlj8a/s800/DSC02593.jpg" title="Prinsengracht Canal" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The top thing to do in Amsterdam is a visit to the <a href="https://www.annefrank.org/en/" target="_blank">Anne Frank House</a>. If you haven’t read <i>Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl</i>, it’s worth reading before visiting the house and the secret annex, though the museum does a good job of telling the story briefly throughout the house. The self-guided tour visits the rooms of Anne’s father’s company, passes through the doorway hidden by a bookcase, and ends in the rooms of the secret annex where eight people, including the teenaged Anne Frank, hid for two years before they were discovered, arrested, and sent to concentration camps.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScBOsdrTj1MVMkEJlnLwgB2Fkwne0ACs-E7mFMAKOkV3_69VirlJ_-LVYqZEP5eAS8gr1ydlhMt4-FRp29VDaSPxSUfoQCvmMaW5pbfW1mMBWxroOjNV_NB4dCad4qVJSY7p0mncvbUc/s1600/Anne+Frank+House++Photographer+Cris+Toala+Olivares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Anne Frank House Secret Annex Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ScBOsdrTj1MVMkEJlnLwgB2Fkwne0ACs-E7mFMAKOkV3_69VirlJ_-LVYqZEP5eAS8gr1ydlhMt4-FRp29VDaSPxSUfoQCvmMaW5pbfW1mMBWxroOjNV_NB4dCad4qVJSY7p0mncvbUc/s800/Anne+Frank+House++Photographer+Cris+Toala+Olivares.jpg" title="Anne Frank House Secret Annex" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anne Frank House Photographer Cris Toala Olivares</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The I amsterdam city card does not cover the Anne Frank House. The house can only be visited with tickets purchased online for a specific date and time. Photos are not allowed anywhere inside the Anne Frank House.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Museum Van Loon</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because Amsterdam’s city center canal houses are so tall and skinny, it’s pretty hard to envision what the inside of one of them looks like. Luckily there are a few canal houses in Amsterdam that are open to the public. One of these is the <a href="https://www.museumvanloon.nl/" target="_blank">Museum Van Loon</a>. Willem van Loon was a co-founder of the East India Company VOC in 1602. The canal house, originally built in 1672, was purchased by the Van Loon family in 1884. The Van Loon family still lives in the upper floors of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When Amsterdam’s canal district was designed, canal houses were meant to have large decorative private gardens. These gardens are completely hidden from the street as they are situated between the house in the front and the coach house in the back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Nine Streets</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_hlgtPXr_R3fqogY7ugGNEd4mGaKF9tAcTQujqYihQI9qtWov1pjeHDOY6O-C1Lkhtc9FWg_O_wjlQt5LJRBTaSe1kaZMEZrHcO7jbUqaA7cMBaICKsG69LTigsNU7Lv5qLNYGUa41on/s1600/DSC02579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nine Streets Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_hlgtPXr_R3fqogY7ugGNEd4mGaKF9tAcTQujqYihQI9qtWov1pjeHDOY6O-C1Lkhtc9FWg_O_wjlQt5LJRBTaSe1kaZMEZrHcO7jbUqaA7cMBaICKsG69LTigsNU7Lv5qLNYGUa41on/s800/DSC02579.jpg" title="Nine Streets" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Nine Streets, or De Negen Straatjes, is a neighborhood within a neighborhood. It is called Nine Streets because it is created by three parallel streets between Raadhuisstraat and Leidsegracht broken up by the Herengract and Keizersgracht canals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.paleisamsterdam.nl/en/" target="_blank">Royal Palace Amsterdam</a> is the largest building from the Golden Age, originally built as Amsterdam’s town hall in the 17<sup>th</sup> century. The palace is open to visitors whenever there isn’t an official function happening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Red Light District</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of Amsterdam’s most famous attractions is the red light district where sex workers pose in red lighted windows for passerbys to see. There are over 80 brothels in Amsterdam’s city center with hundreds of windows. Photos of the women in the window are strictly prohibited.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Amsterdam’s City Center Restaurants</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrkdgHldcK5vy_TyEH3aKMIhm3JAK3-xrPHzW0qwOJmeopHTMOJP_fAgMlA8X3dYkeGpp3QYvJmikWvTU2FHlrlFLdli9VL2A9Ia_0ssxpLJ7ygG_ouZ7KqZc7wgwR-bMr5RjcmH-VZLW/s1600/DSC02618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Restaurant De Struisvogel Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrkdgHldcK5vy_TyEH3aKMIhm3JAK3-xrPHzW0qwOJmeopHTMOJP_fAgMlA8X3dYkeGpp3QYvJmikWvTU2FHlrlFLdli9VL2A9Ia_0ssxpLJ7ygG_ouZ7KqZc7wgwR-bMr5RjcmH-VZLW/s800/DSC02618.jpg" title="Restaurant De Struisvogel" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are plenty of restaurants, sandwich shops, coffee shops, and “coffee” shops to choose from in Amsterdam. We visited two restaurants in Amsterdam’s city center with great food that have stood the test of time. One is <a href="http://uk.restaurantdestruisvogel.nl/" target="_blank">Restaurant De Struisvogel</a>, a basement restaurant along the Keizersgracht canal. Restaurant De Struisvogel is an intimate restaurant, with 34 seats, that serves French-style food made with organic meat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTn8qRYumsMmL0FF3BkV-AA74pfE5cNjnOojjC-188Jp9fUSy9rqCs6JmfI2HxkSdJqUVCuDs10Dc2t9CKVFzCeNHzWkLlnrhGRhb3e_eCQbL-VnSGMPTgHfksOkrcQAtPNovrfwKoal1/s1600/DSC02755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tashi Deleg Rijsttafel Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTn8qRYumsMmL0FF3BkV-AA74pfE5cNjnOojjC-188Jp9fUSy9rqCs6JmfI2HxkSdJqUVCuDs10Dc2t9CKVFzCeNHzWkLlnrhGRhb3e_eCQbL-VnSGMPTgHfksOkrcQAtPNovrfwKoal1/s800/DSC02755.jpg" title="Tashi Deleg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other restaurant was <a href="http://tashideleg.nl/" target="_blank">Tashi Deleg</a>, a Tibetan and Indonesian restaurant in Amsterdam’s city center which serves rijsttafel. It is imperative to have a rijsttafel meal when in Amsterdam. Rijsttafel is a Dutch word that means rice table. It is a meal the Dutch colonies in Indonesia created in order to sample many dishes in one meal. While rijsttafel is typically Indonesian food, it is a Dutch concept. At Tashi Deleg you can order a rijsttafel of either Indonesian food or Tibetan food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Canal Cruise</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlnRRdhF2_N-Sl-5_ihVLIR0K4TtRDBwJ8c4Wfy1u5R6GicSk7wAXKK4medYuamQq5Jor2xX0a3UvoKEFaWQiov1M1-LyUyqcNKFoj5jaM7uw_eR9fswD3f173h5ZZuFsH74Nh35AOQ5C/s1600/DSC02706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Canal Cruise Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlnRRdhF2_N-Sl-5_ihVLIR0K4TtRDBwJ8c4Wfy1u5R6GicSk7wAXKK4medYuamQq5Jor2xX0a3UvoKEFaWQiov1M1-LyUyqcNKFoj5jaM7uw_eR9fswD3f173h5ZZuFsH74Nh35AOQ5C/s800/DSC02706.jpg" title="Canal Cruise" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A canal cruise through Amsterdam visits multiple neighborhoods in a short amount of time. The I amsterdam city card covers one free hour-long canal cruise with a choice of multiple companies with stops around the city. We chose the <a href="https://www.stromma.nl/en/amsterdam/sightseeing/canal-tours/hop-on-hop-off-boat/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6ozhBRC8ARIsAIh_VC0nFSK62H3knIM2QEGzhy9xwwyavcpLzfUvu8Su7zRO_TvBjtySNEoaAsWCEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Hop On – Hop Off Boat</a> canal cruise, which has a pickup point in front of the Rijksmuseum. The boat had a recorded tour in multiple languages, but we were lucky to have a captain that preferred to give us his own voiceover of the city which was far more interesting and entertaining. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhoAyaH6s_QDyJSiPuiU1_Rljw3-0G2HhfSM-U4nFIWAqiYRDWGn-kwJdwszrsbNv7G0YyzYQKOVWR-bwLV7wPo23XkS9gwI3vzJZAherMdAVfgkNDCPZXf2qXJq1fypXlx215k8s5m9g/s1600/DSC02688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crooked Houses Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhoAyaH6s_QDyJSiPuiU1_Rljw3-0G2HhfSM-U4nFIWAqiYRDWGn-kwJdwszrsbNv7G0YyzYQKOVWR-bwLV7wPo23XkS9gwI3vzJZAherMdAVfgkNDCPZXf2qXJq1fypXlx215k8s5m9g/s800/DSC02688.jpg" title="Crooked Houses" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He also went a little off course, causing our one-hour tour to really be more like two hours, but it was totally worth it. For instance, we passed by some pretty crooked houses. Some of Amsterdam’s houses look like they’re leaning forward. That’s on purpose so it’s easier to pull items up with the gable hooks without the items hitting the front of the building. But some of the crooked houses are actually leaning this way and that because the wood pylons stuck in the marshy land that Amsterdam is built on are decaying. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRn7O9u8cy8UdB9dgphHVW2ldCGPx5OCWMNdp2RfV3xv0RSBGmIBgjhdIDuO8seR28pX3V32dEiVkNsTWkaDJ4fLTM21aOUgSTjnJCwzCC_LYL2yqfO3tkenrCfpq9RzChnfjV19bIQus/s1600/DSC02521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam Executive Room View Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRn7O9u8cy8UdB9dgphHVW2ldCGPx5OCWMNdp2RfV3xv0RSBGmIBgjhdIDuO8seR28pX3V32dEiVkNsTWkaDJ4fLTM21aOUgSTjnJCwzCC_LYL2yqfO3tkenrCfpq9RzChnfjV19bIQus/s800/DSC02521.jpg" title="Executive Room View" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bilderberg is a Netherlands hotel group, with two hotels in Amsterdam. We stayed at the Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam in the affluent Oud-Zuid neighborhood, away from the congested city center but close enough to reach everything easily by foot or tram.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhmkswKWW82FtZJVBE7N5A2nF5_QzkGHuKmhnV7ykqEYEf6Mt_mA5Jj7VRkFgyVnKGGJIuI2qUNKOB3rdg0cPOVmXVk9v69wk47thbR8oEIuJOTl6RtnhTu6oNbhPxNgMVRP3F_HnIcUF/s1600/DSC02520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam Executive Room Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhmkswKWW82FtZJVBE7N5A2nF5_QzkGHuKmhnV7ykqEYEf6Mt_mA5Jj7VRkFgyVnKGGJIuI2qUNKOB3rdg0cPOVmXVk9v69wk47thbR8oEIuJOTl6RtnhTu6oNbhPxNgMVRP3F_HnIcUF/s800/DSC02520.jpg" title="Executive Room" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What we liked about the Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam was the unique mix of friendly, personable service at a hotel that is good both for business travelers and leisure travelers, all with an intimate atmosphere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m4822W1O4ANB6cJRtZbVoqL9A0P726ihy2lM9I9CQvVg4ml9MfJnjMUNeGgiwIyv_mzzGvzscFETAwPlwXU2dAkqC1-AgizumG_kZyUemsvEaBKu7458G3DrSrCr8IY8chQPXMrqelV9/s1600/IMG_6638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bilderberg Breakfast Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m4822W1O4ANB6cJRtZbVoqL9A0P726ihy2lM9I9CQvVg4ml9MfJnjMUNeGgiwIyv_mzzGvzscFETAwPlwXU2dAkqC1-AgizumG_kZyUemsvEaBKu7458G3DrSrCr8IY8chQPXMrqelV9/s800/IMG_6638.jpg" title="Bilderberg Breakfast" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also liked the Bilderberg Breakfast which helped us start every day with energy, especially important since it was winter. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, De Kersentuin Restaurant.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kKngEUwW221EGzPFiEYx5Bx1e_m2YZwVPvFNA18sUe-hg0ryhdaUD_G4TA4LYkyQK3cUWLSFb82ALrx2NPuzKUGleGbIa8jLqylxHkX2ti6iBMZk7Izpb3_akQmK3ONQZNs_zbuOOqZm/s1600/DSC02524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="De Kersentuin Bar Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-kKngEUwW221EGzPFiEYx5Bx1e_m2YZwVPvFNA18sUe-hg0ryhdaUD_G4TA4LYkyQK3cUWLSFb82ALrx2NPuzKUGleGbIa8jLqylxHkX2ti6iBMZk7Izpb3_akQmK3ONQZNs_zbuOOqZm/s800/DSC02524.jpg" title="De Kersentuin Bar" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The hotel also has a bar, De Kersentuin Bar, which serves apple pie in addition to cocktails. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8wCSuE0EDpDhy3OS2Q7jSwejMwb098sAoJbxgPliFJJIGj3n5dGFXMGXRNHKfAL5Ky-BADYIKrO-H-pgmrF-Jbvm8PNt-v1X9UnKpAMfLc7cDwUka_O8ZxQutU933KKGK5n57lFqBQQV/s1600/DSC02809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam Executive Floor Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8wCSuE0EDpDhy3OS2Q7jSwejMwb098sAoJbxgPliFJJIGj3n5dGFXMGXRNHKfAL5Ky-BADYIKrO-H-pgmrF-Jbvm8PNt-v1X9UnKpAMfLc7cDwUka_O8ZxQutU933KKGK5n57lFqBQQV/s800/DSC02809.jpg" title="Executive Floor" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stayed in an executive room on the top floor, a private floor reachable with the executive lift. Rooms on this floor have curved floor to ceiling windows, providing a somewhat panoramic view while maintaining privacy. Guests with executive rooms are also able to walk outside on a patio that wraps around the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Getting Around Amsterdam</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH8IDrAzFssvlLenVpKObtaY3LJgfwtq8nvidr46hdBELkRALsNydLAiHPNfxp9izSFrxshpPMj6AlQkcXb6wWl3GBEwxykMQm6J-EXco9IMR4uUOE8Ss5iyqkb9tn-88MxCqyOwzCZHj/s1600/DSC02662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I amsterdam city card Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDH8IDrAzFssvlLenVpKObtaY3LJgfwtq8nvidr46hdBELkRALsNydLAiHPNfxp9izSFrxshpPMj6AlQkcXb6wWl3GBEwxykMQm6J-EXco9IMR4uUOE8Ss5iyqkb9tn-88MxCqyOwzCZHj/s800/DSC02662.jpg" title="I amsterdam city card" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amsterdam is a very walkable city, but it’s also easy to get around by public transportation. Trams and buses crisscross the city. The <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/i-am/i-amsterdam-city-card" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I amsterdam city card</a> provides free entrance to most museums and tours and discounts to some museums, restaurants and shops. It also includes free access to all GVB bus, tram, and metro lines within Amsterdam. If you’re brave enough, it can also be used to get discounts on bicycle rentals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuggz2g9p3zyAZlPCFKJHSa0UX2mHzGBEJME2yKkBMLn-hiTDn3wfUuAO7oWe46hqn5fc2yJAUmZwxe24V49cfc-0t_jE2e4My-SQNdgpYRdxVCs8zOKKHEko6s7pr75SvcZxSe8y2PaV/s1600/DSC02564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bikes Along Canal Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuggz2g9p3zyAZlPCFKJHSa0UX2mHzGBEJME2yKkBMLn-hiTDn3wfUuAO7oWe46hqn5fc2yJAUmZwxe24V49cfc-0t_jE2e4My-SQNdgpYRdxVCs8zOKKHEko6s7pr75SvcZxSe8y2PaV/s800/DSC02564.jpg" title="Bikes Along Canal" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transport/amsterdam-region-travel-ticket" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket</a> is valid for one, two or three calendar days. The Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket can be used on all metro, tram, and bus lines operated by GVB, Connexxion, AllGo, and EBS, as well as NS trains in the Amsterdam area, including to and from the airport. With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, visitors can explore the areas surrounding Amsterdam, such as Haarlem, Old Holland, and Amsterdam’s castles and gardens. There are some helpful apps to plan routes and find schedules including the <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/plan-your-trip/practical-info/amsterdam-apps/gvb-app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GVB app</a> and <a href="https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/ns-on-your-mobile/ns-app.html" rel="" target="_blank">NS app</a>.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCvTqqU7E-eSYm_5r5KBgNm4uVFdCePG5acmrCsGl5lbyTOUsRVFX7s44bVYz19-F0Ld91VihsJxpycCpkIxzNIDvEIX3ONIb1BtV8PT9Ae_hBZ1oehaaVKTFafn5RS_XVlD1BbA2xKzT/s1600/DSC02577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amsterdam Gable Hook Things to Do Amsterdam Vacation" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCvTqqU7E-eSYm_5r5KBgNm4uVFdCePG5acmrCsGl5lbyTOUsRVFX7s44bVYz19-F0Ld91VihsJxpycCpkIxzNIDvEIX3ONIb1BtV8PT9Ae_hBZ1oehaaVKTFafn5RS_XVlD1BbA2xKzT/s800/DSC02577.jpg" title="Gable Hook" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the <a href="https://www.bilderberg.nl/en/amsterdam/garden-hotel/" target="_blank">Bilderberg Garden Hotel Amsterdam</a> and <a href="https://www.iamsterdam.com/" target="_blank">Amsterdam Marketing</a> for hosting our trip to Amsterdam and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own. This article may contain affiliate links.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ovO2X9pKCIrs4iavtqOaZkvJD4w5WIPzzfg-KH_dEr39PemZf24eajK_WrLvYR7r63gk1xkAYh6zrPPoHEix92Q9InUPaAV5cy3oHrMfSBwW2vNuCQZxzKWqji0ksiKavL7aAcRIHOQ/s1600/Amsterdam+Vacation+Things+to+Do.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel the World: Amsterdam has many things to do to include in a vacation itinerary, including plenty of things to do in Amsterdam's neighborhoods outside the city center." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3ovO2X9pKCIrs4iavtqOaZkvJD4w5WIPzzfg-KH_dEr39PemZf24eajK_WrLvYR7r63gk1xkAYh6zrPPoHEix92Q9InUPaAV5cy3oHrMfSBwW2vNuCQZxzKWqji0ksiKavL7aAcRIHOQ/s400/Amsterdam+Vacation+Things+to+Do.png" title="" width="266" /></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-9606363241666350442018-11-04T12:00:00.000-08:002018-11-04T12:00:07.260-08:00Volunteer in Kenya with Freedom Global, Make a Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPtrqEhvFhZhhEjN9XeFxj7JasTT8yp_9aOt80ztj6CmiKqekO45z7pGGhYtxMkKNcqRmcM2MqQw02YZpTxGSLxitSfuAZSKqpDZI1Mcv21eXssRKnrxyObMZL1gwHtIEPJW6o_w6IFoa/s1600/DSC00359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hauling Dirt to the Farm Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPtrqEhvFhZhhEjN9XeFxj7JasTT8yp_9aOt80ztj6CmiKqekO45z7pGGhYtxMkKNcqRmcM2MqQw02YZpTxGSLxitSfuAZSKqpDZI1Mcv21eXssRKnrxyObMZL1gwHtIEPJW6o_w6IFoa/s800/DSC00359.jpg" title="Hauling Dirt to the Farm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We’d always liked the idea of combining travel and volunteering. We’d talked about voluntourism. We’d thought about voluntourism. But we’d never actually done it. There are lots of excuses, like a lot of volunteer trips are weeks or months long, which is hard for people like us with limited vacation time, or we’d think about volunteering for a day or two during a trip, but then the schedule got too full. Then one day a friend was talking about an upcoming trip to Kenya, a trip that would be a week and a half, a trip that would be focused on volunteering. Oh, and a trip that could include a 24-hour safari. But that’s for another article. This article is about volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">About Freedom Global</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzUoD3w96q_zaH6n8OuXZF3BrPbioms_WGRR6bECsDrv1A_4D2xB86dqKrS1iPhrNCHthrIjlNyExhdm2Uetzon8noLDimJt4mIXS3vpKlWbjLCHqFQVCacCSapkHY2YgVNy-psxHqkY6/s1600/IMG_9695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Freedom Global and Uhuru Academy Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzUoD3w96q_zaH6n8OuXZF3BrPbioms_WGRR6bECsDrv1A_4D2xB86dqKrS1iPhrNCHthrIjlNyExhdm2Uetzon8noLDimJt4mIXS3vpKlWbjLCHqFQVCacCSapkHY2YgVNy-psxHqkY6/s800/IMG_9695.jpg" title="Freedom Global and Uhuru Academy" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First a little bit about <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://freedomglobal.org/">Freedom Global</a></span>. Freedom Global is a non-profit Christian organization based out of Durham, North Carolina. Freedom Global’s goal is to create a sustainable development model in Kenya that focuses on three things: business, education, and discipleship. They do this by supporting <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.uhurugirlsacademy.org/">Uhuru Girls Academy</a></span>, an all-girls’ high school which has both paying and scholarship students, a dairy farm, all proceeds from which go to Uhuru Girls Academy and someday will also hopefully provide work for some of the girls, and by providing discipleship through bible studies, chapel, GLOW clubs, and mentorship. Freedom Global sets up <a href="http://freedomglobal.org/get-involved-2/come-to-kenya/">service trips</a> to Limuru, a town 30 miles outside of Nairobi, three times a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtymmydc7tFKKBom-S7oyUXouV7zW9C-sZWSiMaBtnSuDWNxc2I1ss7oQ4IIE7d9-_XBtra-iItUp5U8wJb9aOXOMZZCySw185ibAzXAM59QtI3u9iKT4bZvx4LheKR2FbZSoPdqKYX3SZ/s1600/DSC00459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Group Photo at Uhuru Academy Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtymmydc7tFKKBom-S7oyUXouV7zW9C-sZWSiMaBtnSuDWNxc2I1ss7oQ4IIE7d9-_XBtra-iItUp5U8wJb9aOXOMZZCySw185ibAzXAM59QtI3u9iKT4bZvx4LheKR2FbZSoPdqKYX3SZ/s800/DSC00459.jpg" title="Group Photo at Uhuru Academy" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may be asking yourself if Freedom Global’s service trips are just for uber-religious Christians. The answer is no. Romeo and I do respect all religions and everyone’s religious beliefs, and in this travel blog, you will find information about and photos of churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples we’ve visited. But, while we both had religious upbringings, we aren’t what one would categorize as religious. So, before we signed up for one of Freedom Global’s volunteering opportunities in Kenya, we asked a few questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR27Wb8waMRmaPgWge0gjmIYSgC-yeTiPQl2ru11_y_Yn4fvA8IxmZzUJYxV69rLtotoYuUrlHJ4hyuAaH07awuV7GpOQyHEyBpXqFJLbz2zK-0FoBw9UBPgXcNv3b3dX92qO9MHtljAeR/s1600/DSC00149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Group Photo in Tea Field Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR27Wb8waMRmaPgWge0gjmIYSgC-yeTiPQl2ru11_y_Yn4fvA8IxmZzUJYxV69rLtotoYuUrlHJ4hyuAaH07awuV7GpOQyHEyBpXqFJLbz2zK-0FoBw9UBPgXcNv3b3dX92qO9MHtljAeR/s800/DSC00149.jpg" title="Group Photo in Tea Field" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We learned that many people who are not Christians have come on Freedom Global’s service trips because they are passionate about humanitarian aid, are fascinated by Africa, and want to join for those reasons. There are some activities that are religious, such as attending church on Sunday or joining a chapel service, which can be optional. Since most of the volunteers are looking for an opportunity to serve, and because Kenyans are far more vocal about faith than we are in the United States, there is a lot of discussion about spirituality and beliefs. But no one is trying to convert anyone and everyone is very respectful of where someone is spiritually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What to Expect when Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWm2vRDaFNV13-VUUhxRinF0uoJvc3QdFH57gf37Qy0CaSp-5E8Y98MVNn0V5Mx7kSlN-17XaAfRYbPnom2xKa6mohtzaXCdCI3Udsp_PoFoRXO15QFaDQOmHOR5tpZc9CktaSrTBQXFV/s1600/DSC00354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Farm Road Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWm2vRDaFNV13-VUUhxRinF0uoJvc3QdFH57gf37Qy0CaSp-5E8Y98MVNn0V5Mx7kSlN-17XaAfRYbPnom2xKa6mohtzaXCdCI3Udsp_PoFoRXO15QFaDQOmHOR5tpZc9CktaSrTBQXFV/s800/DSC00354.jpg" title="Farm Road" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So what is it like to volunteer in Kenya with Freedom Global? Well, it’s kind of life-changing. The point is for volunteers to serve the girls at the high school by creating relationships as well as providing physical labor at the farm. And we did. But truly, the experience we received as volunteers from being part of these girls’ lives for over a week, spending time with the local Freedom Global team and volunteers, and seeing the non-touristic side of Kenya was priceless. Here’s what to expect when volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Walk through the Tea Fields</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrvrZcQpHqSo29rI_q1nrO830upzlW_3dQv_h5nCXKOmN0rsEWdBRTkWWqhcXZ-lxziU7l0IqrXqhgRVIp_jj1Ml5sRmHbg4JUwHL4RgZJKJD2X4vUYPDjrdaPfHNFj9Cuhp6hPF91IaG/s1600/DSC00138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tea Field Road Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrvrZcQpHqSo29rI_q1nrO830upzlW_3dQv_h5nCXKOmN0rsEWdBRTkWWqhcXZ-lxziU7l0IqrXqhgRVIp_jj1Ml5sRmHbg4JUwHL4RgZJKJD2X4vUYPDjrdaPfHNFj9Cuhp6hPF91IaG/s800/DSC00138.jpg" title="Tea Field Road" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know Kenya is the third largest producer of tea in the world, outgrown only by China and India? Kenya grows a lot of tea, and it’s some of the best tea in the world. Because of its high elevation, Limuru is a tea producing area. In fact, Limuru is where tea was first introduced in Kenya in 1903 by the Caine brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iLzKp0F9KfKx-ZaMjE0zZNHCMKe1KfoYW1IwsQhnf3NjchdR3iFMhOto0GvH0TAxI0TQgxm188t9na7BBY6Kuvum1w-WQ_8N3APaG5Gd-5KUWOQtPN53MatCGi_XO8qgfntnbNLwi8mq/s1600/IMG_7054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Picking Tea Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0iLzKp0F9KfKx-ZaMjE0zZNHCMKe1KfoYW1IwsQhnf3NjchdR3iFMhOto0GvH0TAxI0TQgxm188t9na7BBY6Kuvum1w-WQ_8N3APaG5Gd-5KUWOQtPN53MatCGi_XO8qgfntnbNLwi8mq/s800/IMG_7054.jpg" title="Picking Tea" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On our first day in Kenya, our local hosts took us to walk through one of Limuru’s tea fields. We learned about how tea is handpicked and how each worker has their own designated plot of land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6ZyBPs1P3gq4IAxarLEPWIaEZN3Wg8Hv4le1R_ih1WQRPo74Mv8ipM__5G-0M5CJSBSVjdx3tcwcsgBUwef43MVQ0Cp1EKFx4bQYPrfBMhK3EQ5ygMjLUsDmMhERMqixDiOMZAXep1Gq/s1600/IMG_7074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Tea in Kenya Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6ZyBPs1P3gq4IAxarLEPWIaEZN3Wg8Hv4le1R_ih1WQRPo74Mv8ipM__5G-0M5CJSBSVjdx3tcwcsgBUwef43MVQ0Cp1EKFx4bQYPrfBMhK3EQ5ygMjLUsDmMhERMqixDiOMZAXep1Gq/s800/IMG_7074.jpg" title="First Tea in Kenya" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Within the tea field is a village where the tea field workers live. The village has its own school and medical center. As we walked through the village, children watched us curiously while they played. One boy was trundling a hoop along the grass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5EG6VahRB9u0n4iZbKXa4YQJTBFdxGP3qo_HP-9DrZF8fQi7veZZzJpVXI_fGXzpHkr82rraQl4Lf1SKSdU0fKAhReqkbMzC8re3kQ_9svP-awWKaV-g6PBqXsSdUo1yId2M-Qx7GnUE/s1600/DSC00139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lydia and Tea Village Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5EG6VahRB9u0n4iZbKXa4YQJTBFdxGP3qo_HP-9DrZF8fQi7veZZzJpVXI_fGXzpHkr82rraQl4Lf1SKSdU0fKAhReqkbMzC8re3kQ_9svP-awWKaV-g6PBqXsSdUo1yId2M-Qx7GnUE/s800/DSC00139.jpg" title="Lydia and Tea Village" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we continued through the village we learned that two of our Freedom Global hosts, Finance Director Francis Katiba Naita and Uhuru Academy Operations Manager Lydia Njoki Katiba, grew up in this village. They each showed us the homes they grew up in and which shaped their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvd0dzGXJvvp2SJxFUdSULbrniwDhTzLY-i-N954KGyh2QNzth6W-zrUoxzYx9qYEWhknM-X0ZdAru3xAjHL3hdH0aZx8dTkxBwxPhSPI7Jkze6_SMyHbpOTFUHhbJr0RsvS0plt3uGdA/s1600/IMG_7046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tea Field Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvd0dzGXJvvp2SJxFUdSULbrniwDhTzLY-i-N954KGyh2QNzth6W-zrUoxzYx9qYEWhknM-X0ZdAru3xAjHL3hdH0aZx8dTkxBwxPhSPI7Jkze6_SMyHbpOTFUHhbJr0RsvS0plt3uGdA/s800/IMG_7046.jpg" title="Tea Field" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With tea fields as our surroundings, Lydia, Francis, and Ruth, another one of our hosts, shared with us how Freedom Global started. After the 2007 presidential election, there were claims of vote rigging. The infighting of tribes began. The violence spread and families fled to displacement camps. Freedom Global started in 2008. They wanted to serve the people of Kenya and quickly realized that had to start with a way for the people to earn a living. They learned what the people of the area had done before the violence, which was farming, so started a farm. Then they started a school because the children needed an education in order to be successful adults. Then they added discipleship to provide hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Uhuru Girls Academy</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy2ixCbMFfpZcu-cDD95qYAjEK7teSrfu8DtHovP8qG-9MY6N_EDsK9c5QTee9uU6ujHGs0OL-Lmt3KaDlMB7T_v8Sk8PcgsgxjDHPvK-dKQAKiFACJrF2Nxa3glxgtaVL5-3gvcz-O05/s1600/DSC00183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Girls Academy Classroom Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy2ixCbMFfpZcu-cDD95qYAjEK7teSrfu8DtHovP8qG-9MY6N_EDsK9c5QTee9uU6ujHGs0OL-Lmt3KaDlMB7T_v8Sk8PcgsgxjDHPvK-dKQAKiFACJrF2Nxa3glxgtaVL5-3gvcz-O05/s800/DSC00183.jpg" title="Uhuru Girls Academy Classroom" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the afternoon of our first day, we visited the Uhuru Girls Academy for the first time. The students welcomed us with singing. We were then paired up with a student (Romeo and I were paired up with Eva and Naomi) who took each of us around the school on a short tour. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMUMOHorKKJbe71ROqBB5ukQpk2M6et2bPpdyJwTJbDNiA9ly63bx-6rlD7NlrJOoPdBh6srELwKVqH1Q9bPT9xFIh_CZw0BjUfLgFUERsr8kMp8oqJ1ZwNmLkBYCCKkFMztIKGD6IJw5/s1600/DSC00192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Making Chai Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMUMOHorKKJbe71ROqBB5ukQpk2M6et2bPpdyJwTJbDNiA9ly63bx-6rlD7NlrJOoPdBh6srELwKVqH1Q9bPT9xFIh_CZw0BjUfLgFUERsr8kMp8oqJ1ZwNmLkBYCCKkFMztIKGD6IJw5/s800/DSC00192.jpg" title="Making Chai " /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We visited the kitchen and learned how to make chai for 60 people. We then visited classrooms and received a presentation from each grade (forms one, two, three, and four) on school life in Kenya, including their daily schedule, their courses, and the tests they need to take. Subjects include math, English, Kiswahili, chemistry, biology, physics, history, Christian religious education, business studies, and physical education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk_ilS5MDSyymlDTU20HtpLkgK0FXr1MFAykIfVh2HWFINWgHbE1SxDQP0izNK22ydnOhU9aw5HnhnUoA_dDx0xBMJZaDoY_FQGD1X5Qh4BzzRPsU2sUKiXc5P1ncr5LXYZgCymQHGAA7/s1600/IMG_9140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Girls Academy Dorm Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk_ilS5MDSyymlDTU20HtpLkgK0FXr1MFAykIfVh2HWFINWgHbE1SxDQP0izNK22ydnOhU9aw5HnhnUoA_dDx0xBMJZaDoY_FQGD1X5Qh4BzzRPsU2sUKiXc5P1ncr5LXYZgCymQHGAA7/s800/IMG_9140.jpg" title="Uhuru Girls Academy Dorm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Uhuru Girls Academy is important because the number of secondary schools Kenya has is about one-quarter of the number of primary schools in the country, and secondary education is not provided by the government. Providing secondary education, especially to girls, can change lives. Girls’ secondary education improves the standard of living for their families and communities and also decreases the likelihood of early marriages and pregnancies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznaaucR4CSEb9jFe_fg-fJQ89avzJRISSc2ACUFib7IFNkA3znh1bg5TKMIOE9rISZs6hMGyCtqx08RvG2ioF_H0rllhLLoqLNmNohGYeVKk91bDwClGZqWyuEYRKTACW6ZV7vww8J4Bw/s1600/IMG_7375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chapel at Uhuru Academy Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznaaucR4CSEb9jFe_fg-fJQ89avzJRISSc2ACUFib7IFNkA3znh1bg5TKMIOE9rISZs6hMGyCtqx08RvG2ioF_H0rllhLLoqLNmNohGYeVKk91bDwClGZqWyuEYRKTACW6ZV7vww8J4Bw/s800/IMG_7375.jpg" title="Chapel at Uhuru Academy" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In case you’re wondering if Freedom Global is using the school to convert the girls to a certain Christian religion, it’s not like that. In Kenya, over 80% of the population is Christian and it is the law that religion has to be taught in all schools. That religion can be Christianity or Islam, but a religion must be taught. The Uhuru Girls Academy has a mix of students who go to Summit Church, a nondenominational church with Baptist beginnings, and students who go to a nearby Catholic church. There used to be a student, who has since graduated, who was Muslim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANjRkQiSpNb9KYK9SiPV3bjGwp9K083G4_kzIwRlLkGvnZCYwLyYE554khH_3-6PHVzt9q8h972IvIV01TEB3Ac4A855QnmLUVV-rXaafAbHuj8f537Y0MyNolUPzDrOWXkB2uiY6aqWq/s1600/IMG_9621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ropes Course Tire Run Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANjRkQiSpNb9KYK9SiPV3bjGwp9K083G4_kzIwRlLkGvnZCYwLyYE554khH_3-6PHVzt9q8h972IvIV01TEB3Ac4A855QnmLUVV-rXaafAbHuj8f537Y0MyNolUPzDrOWXkB2uiY6aqWq/s800/IMG_9621.jpg" title="Ropes Course Tire Run" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Near the end of our time in Kenya, we visited Uhuru Girls Academy one last time, this time for a fun ropes course. The girls were split up into teams and took turns racing through the ropes course, being timed along the away. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K5MkktpV1tIqu899xH1EpRiKHHoAbAE_mVns3tqKycjmMP16ALSkJ2oyqChbmOFqQpWmOXxTgq9ofJ9O10fYFwYJiceXdeRGK61y-CwDsHB4NnZa3BbqzuqBYEyKx0BR0iemvx0rjL8s/s1600/IMG_9618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ropes Course Ping Pong Travel Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-K5MkktpV1tIqu899xH1EpRiKHHoAbAE_mVns3tqKycjmMP16ALSkJ2oyqChbmOFqQpWmOXxTgq9ofJ9O10fYFwYJiceXdeRGK61y-CwDsHB4NnZa3BbqzuqBYEyKx0BR0iemvx0rjL8s/s800/IMG_9618.jpg" title="Ropes Course Ping Pong Travel" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They jogged through tires while holding a potato on a spoon, stacked tires, climbed up a hill on plastic with water pouring down just to turn around and slide down, filled cups with water a tiny cup at a time to make a ping pong ball travel, and stepped across tree stumps while holding a soccer ball between two people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fGUQziMRyMd_5N49-vTV5_XNBgQMq0JiZYfljxZ8wvLYBZdPMjjfIRGMSvpS_S1uLAqhLiZhGDpFfKnYxxle_dP5_U2vHtpw3fsD0ZQrKGic47ilZ_YtQa1RYK6T2LygPooeLtskx1A/s1600/IMG_9685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ropes Course Uphill Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1fGUQziMRyMd_5N49-vTV5_XNBgQMq0JiZYfljxZ8wvLYBZdPMjjfIRGMSvpS_S1uLAqhLiZhGDpFfKnYxxle_dP5_U2vHtpw3fsD0ZQrKGic47ilZ_YtQa1RYK6T2LygPooeLtskx1A/s800/IMG_9685.jpg" title="Ropes Course Uphill" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was fun to watch the girls have such a great time, and also to see the teamwork that emerged as they cheered each other on and helped each other out. Eva, the student I had been buddied up with at the beginning of the week, kept saying she didn’t want to do the ropes course and was sure the team with all of the sportive girls was going to win, yet her team ended up coming in first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3tg3xZRA5iX_HgBWlnq-EevvAg2ZyCJs8uCRfUBR_uE2QXnTvQQPxI2lpgrF5Q8IAFtC-xW2bLoZcQU3aTxMCqVQbzrrqoVC2MqUJ3_ouvLdZXQIujVVmj8bdH78M9ewB0PV3tlDDxSB/s1600/IMG_9677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ropes Course Crawl Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3tg3xZRA5iX_HgBWlnq-EevvAg2ZyCJs8uCRfUBR_uE2QXnTvQQPxI2lpgrF5Q8IAFtC-xW2bLoZcQU3aTxMCqVQbzrrqoVC2MqUJ3_ouvLdZXQIujVVmj8bdH78M9ewB0PV3tlDDxSB/s800/IMG_9677.jpg" title="Ropes Course Crawl" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Only two of the Kenya volunteer team decided to try the ropes course, me and Tom, our friend who invited us on the trip. We’re both a little competitive. Not so much teamwork happening in this instance! I lost, but it was a fun run. Getting extremely winded going up that hill (in our case without the water on, which made it much easier) reminded me that Limuru is a high-elevation town.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCjrJMyPYHMaIjNXpdMF8_M5_giM8tGU90xky4aW2mSV_sCrwIQxAYvIKU4G7Y6ZkEVty4RnmVQHlErAv4Zlmqr2RdzBu61XDolXG1dCmRY1-_1vY7Cx2kCik_J-JfNTQZqK9-sd_K80e/s1600/IMG_9616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ropes Course Tire Climb Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCjrJMyPYHMaIjNXpdMF8_M5_giM8tGU90xky4aW2mSV_sCrwIQxAYvIKU4G7Y6ZkEVty4RnmVQHlErAv4Zlmqr2RdzBu61XDolXG1dCmRY1-_1vY7Cx2kCik_J-JfNTQZqK9-sd_K80e/s800/IMG_9616.jpg" title="Ropes Course Tire Climb" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Romeo relinquished a camera to one of the students, Tabatha, a budding photographer who took portraits of many of the students and worked as his backup photographer for the ropes course competition (some of her photos are at the end of this article). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1p3z934-dAy4p27lVFEyb7EIw8Rjt4528MjcalistLxLsyRhfexAI3RwDeUar80MZA9l1sRNykNlooGfqcV_uytHSonLD8ts04jP6OXMLJv-AkmJS_Qik2CuD4I2tRI84ItYt7qOdNVt/s1600/IMG_9176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summit Church Tigoni Worship Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1p3z934-dAy4p27lVFEyb7EIw8Rjt4528MjcalistLxLsyRhfexAI3RwDeUar80MZA9l1sRNykNlooGfqcV_uytHSonLD8ts04jP6OXMLJv-AkmJS_Qik2CuD4I2tRI84ItYt7qOdNVt/s800/IMG_9176.jpg" title="Summit Church Tigoni Worship" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our second day in Kenya was Sunday, so we attended church services at the nearby Summit Church Tigoni. The church used to be in a tent, then the netal-sided building was built but it had dirt floors, and today it has tile floors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmxdaxV_WwfBogzO3AqSyUciW75_RrWlPEQ1oeY_-_ZbG_dZE9Dn6u-lvB5rWRvb6-oAjBwpWh9N_B1871AR2dCkfIqxmBDMsTQAjBhLjmChqJIFzOR87tfcRDYn3BZuw86uT5P2B9ftk/s1600/DSC00207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Summit Church Tigoni Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmxdaxV_WwfBogzO3AqSyUciW75_RrWlPEQ1oeY_-_ZbG_dZE9Dn6u-lvB5rWRvb6-oAjBwpWh9N_B1871AR2dCkfIqxmBDMsTQAjBhLjmChqJIFzOR87tfcRDYn3BZuw86uT5P2B9ftk/s800/DSC00207.jpg" title="Summit Church Tigoni" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Remembering my own teenage years attending church, I couldn’t help but peek around during services and notice the high school girls writing notes to each other, even during the prayers. But when the singing started, they were all in. Everyone sang their hearts out and danced like there was no tomorrow. It is clear that their faith is strong when they are singing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9DhnCfcXJcMmnC19WdCBHlJ9HVR_XCBdCBwrGoXikEWD00JjNlG_5lJlRnVvIdo8d6tV0Uu6EJLBcZ_hLgnydo60kUCftJElxX9Kt3B4wfZjugTnvnJNvOsoLubxm0asAsxzrIGjXZuN/s1600/IMG_9154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Neighborhood Children Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9DhnCfcXJcMmnC19WdCBHlJ9HVR_XCBdCBwrGoXikEWD00JjNlG_5lJlRnVvIdo8d6tV0Uu6EJLBcZ_hLgnydo60kUCftJElxX9Kt3B4wfZjugTnvnJNvOsoLubxm0asAsxzrIGjXZuN/s800/IMG_9154.jpg" title="Neighborhood Children" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Outside of the church is a valley with lots of trees and greenery. Standing outside after church, watching the little kids tromp around in the grass, we could hear singing from other church services filling the air. As we walked back to the guesthouse, we were among many walking on each side of the street, returning home from church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt52jU0TPzg9rZn11INpR-ikkB_kM0yOk8_LPdb0bW6lOLiBa-wKoiXB7X9pUP6n-dneh_L5U-3Uw8ezJdurj7Qu3jjAD5i5h6yKMlOFljfXwaSb0Zx3kYcDq3sCKCZqRGB2oTeZaSWU1/s1600/IMG_1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Group Photo at Esther's" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt52jU0TPzg9rZn11INpR-ikkB_kM0yOk8_LPdb0bW6lOLiBa-wKoiXB7X9pUP6n-dneh_L5U-3Uw8ezJdurj7Qu3jjAD5i5h6yKMlOFljfXwaSb0Zx3kYcDq3sCKCZqRGB2oTeZaSWU1/s800/IMG_1114.jpg" title="Group Photo at Esther's" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sunday afternoon we visited one of the scholarship students’ homes in Kenya’s Rift Valley. The point of the home visit is to see how a Kenyan family lives. We were told that in Kenya having guests visit is an honor. Even with that in mind, I felt a little uncomfortable imposing on the family. However, it was an excuse for the student, Esther, to go home for a visit, so that was certainly a plus. Since Uhuru Girls Academy is a boarding school, the girls don’t always get to see their families often, especially the girls whose families live far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9q0PajoXMArjFnoBl7Vbqk3iVyU3aMVBtPiKa5iZYAUYwck4npGMsx-1ycktoc-NJZ9hCKecaR_qrCz4zW4EnA0IVtqdo6AqVBp-iMU0P0mVdTXw_1wie-rwDImdtj9h-8Qu2jpiuoe/s1600/DSC00231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Potatoes and Chapatti Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE9q0PajoXMArjFnoBl7Vbqk3iVyU3aMVBtPiKa5iZYAUYwck4npGMsx-1ycktoc-NJZ9hCKecaR_qrCz4zW4EnA0IVtqdo6AqVBp-iMU0P0mVdTXw_1wie-rwDImdtj9h-8Qu2jpiuoe/s800/DSC00231.jpg" title="Sweet Potatoes and Chapatti" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On this visit we met Esther’s father Joseph and her brother Isaac. They fed us sweet potatoes, chai (of course), and chapatti, an unleavened flatbread that is a food staple. Joseph told us sweet potatoes were good luck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ4xXV4BSjtpB6Wc0ecrKaP97nkkE14Z1i7K5zWqZjamIKuN4uu95klP48FwH34o_TpFM7aSA_wjlLTzxWViXBD-oROqjeIgg-wV_Vt0Oyn18Zo3A8oLt27j0XIOBcv6xtG_oiuzNuNs1/s1600/IMG_9342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Village Children Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZ4xXV4BSjtpB6Wc0ecrKaP97nkkE14Z1i7K5zWqZjamIKuN4uu95klP48FwH34o_TpFM7aSA_wjlLTzxWViXBD-oROqjeIgg-wV_Vt0Oyn18Zo3A8oLt27j0XIOBcv6xtG_oiuzNuNs1/s800/IMG_9342.jpg" title="Village Children" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our visit, we learned a little more about the post-2007 election violence. Hundreds of thousands of families lost their land. The small village we were visiting was created when a group of displaced people put their money together and purchased the land. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesNfc1qTEExxRmUbTXJfY3m1y0a3-cGnrh7kc9iozphnVGc42cAqZ5XKT88Cw_oqfbGP55BOz-41bjRn8yJrj2cTnP5Vp-w5u4BVBsy_EXlfU2cirJTIj4fR15pJiDmnaP1YBZ1wwPo4L/s1600/DSC00294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Catherine and Esther Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesNfc1qTEExxRmUbTXJfY3m1y0a3-cGnrh7kc9iozphnVGc42cAqZ5XKT88Cw_oqfbGP55BOz-41bjRn8yJrj2cTnP5Vp-w5u4BVBsy_EXlfU2cirJTIj4fR15pJiDmnaP1YBZ1wwPo4L/s800/DSC00294.jpg" title="Catherine and Esther" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They divided the land amongst the families and pitched tents. Later on Habitat for Humanity came and built homes for each family. Esther’s home, a living room and two bedrooms, was the home built for them by Habitat for Humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc7VGBR7bhZvA8E7FuUztVI6B3REpl0QTvCJF6zCtQRWcGh22Iwnq1eQGHzv04ZE8dDinmRhBkacqGFEbrfFxj8b4Nf88WpQeeJs9loceLuqSweyiCrNXk1CMqBNj6u17b9A2wmGlv0td/s1600/DSC00987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Habitat for Humanity Home Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxc7VGBR7bhZvA8E7FuUztVI6B3REpl0QTvCJF6zCtQRWcGh22Iwnq1eQGHzv04ZE8dDinmRhBkacqGFEbrfFxj8b4Nf88WpQeeJs9loceLuqSweyiCrNXk1CMqBNj6u17b9A2wmGlv0td/s800/DSC00987.jpg" title="Habitat for Humanity Home" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Joseph has expanded the family home by building an unattached kitchen made with tin siding as well as a separate building with bedrooms for his children. The bathroom is an outhouse. There is no running water; water comes from large water tanks down the dirt road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqDmtFQQGm5NTQW1qxBHODOPH9sbNXYwdwv1NQRSBvJPIng7XK_VDJkfzetrhJh_REFiHP4pwV9xc7GBt0zwNJoE1NwEy-QDyNgKBQPb_-d37wmst6lWsp6qfmvrcMQSmHjpK4Px5H_JQ/s1600/DSC00275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqDmtFQQGm5NTQW1qxBHODOPH9sbNXYwdwv1NQRSBvJPIng7XK_VDJkfzetrhJh_REFiHP4pwV9xc7GBt0zwNJoE1NwEy-QDyNgKBQPb_-d37wmst6lWsp6qfmvrcMQSmHjpK4Px5H_JQ/s800/DSC00275.jpg" title="Gorge" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After our meal, Esther and Isaac took us on a walk through a small gorge behind their property. While we walked, enjoying the outdoors and the rainbows from the rain earlier in the day, we learned more about Kenyan life, including the engagement, dowry, and wedding traditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhm6m2KN_k_x2ygdpBAloS80AQOYB6-NgowtcNDe6OrOhyhxeC9-dikQj4e6CDm-vkPaQWiKPF1AjrwvIzHp_VzeZhUSoUOoLU1dfBdzibbi8eCkzdAYyrDbo8hVcNvse1nqqeeNWFFhq/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Katherine and Esther Chopping Vegetables Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhm6m2KN_k_x2ygdpBAloS80AQOYB6-NgowtcNDe6OrOhyhxeC9-dikQj4e6CDm-vkPaQWiKPF1AjrwvIzHp_VzeZhUSoUOoLU1dfBdzibbi8eCkzdAYyrDbo8hVcNvse1nqqeeNWFFhq/s800/IMG_1045.jpg" title="Katherine and Esther Chopping Vegetables" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This wasn’t our only home visit to Esther’s house. We had a second visit planned at the end of our time in Kenya. This time we brought gifts to thank the family for their incredibly kind and generous hospitality. We were told it was best to give things the family might need, like sugar, tea, flour, and rice, and to not spend too much money because we wouldn’t want to cause issues in the village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGoGetpgWa2w1fvnfTSFWTfvXIGrVdbXl3J0ZR3iFrquh03pW8Oe9zHZzeKQzjwBMrngfuJbsJS2doHbX8W9iyNT_KvnIz6_6wL3nASamOaVp483o1EdH5xGqby3k01iGbEfHZ3wCM1B/s1600/DSC00983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kenyan Kitchen Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGoGetpgWa2w1fvnfTSFWTfvXIGrVdbXl3J0ZR3iFrquh03pW8Oe9zHZzeKQzjwBMrngfuJbsJS2doHbX8W9iyNT_KvnIz6_6wL3nASamOaVp483o1EdH5xGqby3k01iGbEfHZ3wCM1B/s800/DSC00983.jpg" title="Kenyan Kitchen" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While I was worried we were intruding during the first visit, that feeling was completely gone with the second visit. We learned that Esther asked if she could make us a traditional dish for our second visit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZimglpzKkMpxXF8xzigHX8zbPqtgEdMasO0TU_hIdGUqAFKskbCSAlOsYfPJ4hQwWVdslwxQ4zCYYSU38nm6oYMotd-Q12qjCTuzIiWuo8NLOGh_IqyEkD2UQeR1hjfasoFyGvUj-h1-m/s1600/DSC00991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Esther's Lunch Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZimglpzKkMpxXF8xzigHX8zbPqtgEdMasO0TU_hIdGUqAFKskbCSAlOsYfPJ4hQwWVdslwxQ4zCYYSU38nm6oYMotd-Q12qjCTuzIiWuo8NLOGh_IqyEkD2UQeR1hjfasoFyGvUj-h1-m/s800/DSC00991.jpg" title="Esther's Lunch" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They had jobs for us to do on the second visit, to help plant in their garden. A couple of us also got to help Esther with the cooking. We assisted her with chopping vegetables and took turns fanning the flames of the fire on which the cooking pot sat. This is an experience I will never forget; so different from anything I’m used to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiZ1XjZ4x3rZ3dhCuyB_qI5-pFkvnpEc4U2d7lwB5EOaYEANsmsZ0-UPnytRFsV5dwEKzeCBzb27TtLwokZVV80gU84_wzz57HYalRjcWo6Rj7mvIybuEf1WWh6xiNUxoD1Lnh6oUu140/s1600/IMG_1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Village Children Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiZ1XjZ4x3rZ3dhCuyB_qI5-pFkvnpEc4U2d7lwB5EOaYEANsmsZ0-UPnytRFsV5dwEKzeCBzb27TtLwokZVV80gU84_wzz57HYalRjcWo6Rj7mvIybuEf1WWh6xiNUxoD1Lnh6oUu140/s800/IMG_1109.jpg" title="Village Children" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the gifts we gave to the family maybe wasn’t a true necessity. It was a soccer ball. We walked to the village’s soccer field, which doubles as a grazing space, and kicked the ball around (well, not me, but the others did). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTyEDy5q5ggn-AhJaqKRk_UIq4TgP4iiZQSFo-jUoLiMxfxq_YOuXHy1bpDbDH5V_HtAGSvZUPu-dJRQqD8fGRvyYuVN7lpEIG1bEA4lPa2hyphenhyphenI9fvbVhOJpNfLmWiC-h9ISNBslKteTYx/s1600/IMG_1062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Francis and Isaac Playing Soccer Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqTyEDy5q5ggn-AhJaqKRk_UIq4TgP4iiZQSFo-jUoLiMxfxq_YOuXHy1bpDbDH5V_HtAGSvZUPu-dJRQqD8fGRvyYuVN7lpEIG1bEA4lPa2hyphenhyphenI9fvbVhOJpNfLmWiC-h9ISNBslKteTYx/s800/IMG_1062.jpg" title="Francis and Isaac Playing Soccer" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s uncanny how news spreads. One by one the boys of the village casually strolled by, looking like they were going to pass, and then slowly veering onto the field, until there were probably 10 kids kicking around the soccer ball.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Working on the Farm</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CfjKskvDwwQh4LEwKlKBNcC2zaWd4FI1aVQ98ABtCZDcWrOYJztvZp8i2SLdu4B-MFAsSQZ3IOw7L81s0hob2tJafahTUkcJhB5lUu2nTpr34-HTNiS4a-DNVkFm9WaUJaH91Wcbb1NS/s1600/DSC00304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Freedom Global Farm Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CfjKskvDwwQh4LEwKlKBNcC2zaWd4FI1aVQ98ABtCZDcWrOYJztvZp8i2SLdu4B-MFAsSQZ3IOw7L81s0hob2tJafahTUkcJhB5lUu2nTpr34-HTNiS4a-DNVkFm9WaUJaH91Wcbb1NS/s800/DSC00304.jpg" title="Freedom Global Farm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our third and fourth days were hard labor. This is what I had been looking forward to the most, doing something useful and helpful for this great cause. Freedom Global started a dairy farm, all profits from which go to the Uhuru Girls Academy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53KYG3JoNjSHgLl3aML76RrqoX-DZm4DVkwTxNtzhlfxO-PXJmNQlmpqdwXQdvuB8jAumcAEoEKkU8nVpYfhq672akqDLhyBtShX8mv3YRTkp9FNKh6Nf-9W-h6cDwPF1za0_RQgeS4y7/s1600/DSC00338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sowing Corn Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53KYG3JoNjSHgLl3aML76RrqoX-DZm4DVkwTxNtzhlfxO-PXJmNQlmpqdwXQdvuB8jAumcAEoEKkU8nVpYfhq672akqDLhyBtShX8mv3YRTkp9FNKh6Nf-9W-h6cDwPF1za0_RQgeS4y7/s800/DSC00338.jpg" title="Sowing Corn" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The farm started as a vegetable farm. However, they weren’t making a profit and they had to drive into Nairobi to sell the produce. With the dairy farm, their cows produce 420 liters of milk a day, all of which they sell within a one-kilometer radius of the farm. The milk is sold raw and boiled before it is consumed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrHHqYY1Bx0OV77GroecRmD5wowERY7tBfiDe2iRAJ-KmJ24PVHL45knIs7cyO1Ru1PCy8kAiHqrL_zjeYlb1SsgcqC39IKP9YGYI09xBdq_i7G3_g0TDtrUeqKT5aLeppIUFybHgZ_od/s1600/DSC00336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grinding Corn Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrHHqYY1Bx0OV77GroecRmD5wowERY7tBfiDe2iRAJ-KmJ24PVHL45knIs7cyO1Ru1PCy8kAiHqrL_zjeYlb1SsgcqC39IKP9YGYI09xBdq_i7G3_g0TDtrUeqKT5aLeppIUFybHgZ_od/s800/DSC00336.jpg" title="Grinding Corn" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The farm now grows corn, alfalfa, and grass, all used to feed the cows. Our jobs were to sow the corn in newly turned fields, run corn and alfalfa through the grinder for feed, and pour cement for an extension to the building. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyqMpw89lttfE-GNrPwESEY1AN_nHEozUsjQlucm4kGSXr1fPedVPkdQPKfvDZQuExCXBHxlyExTIFJO2UMiGHV8Y6Ri3dvXdOph_SLTp0YzGZu48tM23JNTFc2rRNNIhb1W4lQN-VoFz/s1600/IMG_9394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sorting Beans Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyqMpw89lttfE-GNrPwESEY1AN_nHEozUsjQlucm4kGSXr1fPedVPkdQPKfvDZQuExCXBHxlyExTIFJO2UMiGHV8Y6Ri3dvXdOph_SLTp0YzGZu48tM23JNTFc2rRNNIhb1W4lQN-VoFz/s800/IMG_9394.jpg" title="Sorting Beans" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also had a chance to help sort kidney beans. None of us will look at a can of beans the same again. The regular farm workers could sort through beans fast, but we visitors took forever! Manual labor is what is used on the farm. Fields are turned over with picks, corn is sown by hand, and corn crops are cut by machetes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxcQ0eI8DbKw12FrPLdgUVacDAMHm_e2T4875Qz2WNXrupP7H_uHca_X0Vu6NfzoiXG5sTZraHpik0AK9CVG7EqyZQ0ghHsLj9n3R_AiB6gh0X2H6oCbSCkaDurz8Na1S4LMFa3MCHtiD/s1600/IMG_9353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baby Cow Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxcQ0eI8DbKw12FrPLdgUVacDAMHm_e2T4875Qz2WNXrupP7H_uHca_X0Vu6NfzoiXG5sTZraHpik0AK9CVG7EqyZQ0ghHsLj9n3R_AiB6gh0X2H6oCbSCkaDurz8Na1S4LMFa3MCHtiD/s800/IMG_9353.jpg" title="Baby Cow" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also got to check off a bucket list item at the dairy farm. I got to milk a cow! A cow named Obama. (They are non-discriminatory with naming and give the cows both traditionally male and female names.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUIUmhK4zGu3XRx7my4r1WsQdE1uJ9G5hwim1evT8IUXnIVOMyGHPoO_XwqrmE3wn7GJMwoWqoD1P3wI16-dgAwYTUbiSh0-rfMs0X-By6ZRwmXBCJIErONIVd7BHp4och0I1gv_fFUqr/s1600/DSC00385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelvin on the Farm Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUIUmhK4zGu3XRx7my4r1WsQdE1uJ9G5hwim1evT8IUXnIVOMyGHPoO_XwqrmE3wn7GJMwoWqoD1P3wI16-dgAwYTUbiSh0-rfMs0X-By6ZRwmXBCJIErONIVd7BHp4och0I1gv_fFUqr/s800/DSC00385.jpg" title="Kelvin on the Farm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Freedom Global is supported by donations, the goal is to be financially sustainable. The dairy farm allows Freedom Global to be over 50% financially sustainable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezQLYbuoIzMx8Ohwkq4g5d8_CwS4MkifftA8b3TnYur9Ta5K1S63J8FvbQQrbgIlP8uXXWGvbI9UJkYvEG9hf03CIFaDTlvmBn-BlXE2FsnLGhQuzxJwQ-7_0MEMDs3CzGs1CyDApkEUW/s1600/DSC00386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chai with Dairy Farm Milk Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezQLYbuoIzMx8Ohwkq4g5d8_CwS4MkifftA8b3TnYur9Ta5K1S63J8FvbQQrbgIlP8uXXWGvbI9UJkYvEG9hf03CIFaDTlvmBn-BlXE2FsnLGhQuzxJwQ-7_0MEMDs3CzGs1CyDApkEUW/s800/DSC00386.jpg" title="Chai with Dairy Farm Milk" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The dairy farm’s long-term plan is to increase the size of the farm and start making cheese, butter, and ghee, which will allow them to sell their product for double or triple the price. There is also hope that as the dairy farm grows, it may be able to provide jobs for some of the graduating students as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6g6D4k-hNPkpGENlMsSZu_g6UD3UsBEsD52rrJ_0eaPTjsA5lJ36yhI0dmGxw0cXIsc75sOUm9t8Vk2pSP-KfwYoCLdEHlxHtHcOzDhSHwKwonmywTeiNqZdp7kvQvbSPSElXVZkALb2/s1600/DSC00420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Academy Painted Kitchen Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6g6D4k-hNPkpGENlMsSZu_g6UD3UsBEsD52rrJ_0eaPTjsA5lJ36yhI0dmGxw0cXIsc75sOUm9t8Vk2pSP-KfwYoCLdEHlxHtHcOzDhSHwKwonmywTeiNqZdp7kvQvbSPSElXVZkALb2/s800/DSC00420.jpg" title="Uhuru Academy Painted Kitchen" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The second day on the farm some of us actually chose to volunteer at the school instead. That group, including Romeo, painted the kitchen – with paint brushes (no paint rollers). That group did an amazing job while food was being cooked and smoke filled the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cheshire Home for Disabled Girls</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmId24MdYy9-XvfwXEGtYlvweJbJjNcKBSXPTBL_obuH40Y-obgSva3D55jLvxBj2aLaoEVi9-4k0vqvsj1ShkZTa0fWe83vt82j5RovXKkjT3DM9seQAIoMdiEWdpqtClzBihqyhNd4G2/s1600/IMG_9429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Emily with the Cheshire Home Girls Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmId24MdYy9-XvfwXEGtYlvweJbJjNcKBSXPTBL_obuH40Y-obgSva3D55jLvxBj2aLaoEVi9-4k0vqvsj1ShkZTa0fWe83vt82j5RovXKkjT3DM9seQAIoMdiEWdpqtClzBihqyhNd4G2/s800/IMG_9429.jpg" title="Emily with the Cheshire Home Girls" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a day of working on the farm, we visited Cheshire Home, a school for girls with disabilities. Cheshire Home is affiliated with the Catholic Church. I was nervous about this visit too. How would we connect with these girls? Would it feel like we were making a spectacle out of them? We ended up loving this short visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaKAV0JCCQxUVThIAAL6IqxAr41T_SD6NE0flG-vX9ucMoW2AsRaxCRcs0G9sRHG1MHX6QKQr_GDTZsbowcIC9bSONJ2kBsgVO6-EUoVs5crquCm-em6mpTx26wdT_lmtoWtbYWX-DFcw/s1600/IMG_9448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grace Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaKAV0JCCQxUVThIAAL6IqxAr41T_SD6NE0flG-vX9ucMoW2AsRaxCRcs0G9sRHG1MHX6QKQr_GDTZsbowcIC9bSONJ2kBsgVO6-EUoVs5crquCm-em6mpTx26wdT_lmtoWtbYWX-DFcw/s800/IMG_9448.jpg" title="Grace" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All of the girls at Cheshire Home are disabled. Many of them are intellectually disabled, but disabilities also include mental health conditions, like bipolar depression. Many of the girls have living parents, but their parents couldn’t take care of them. These girls want to love and be loved. Sadly, 90% of them have experienced some sort of sexual abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATZK2zmnWYKFwTHG_xE4IwSd_6moxYyYwhn2oHgAvuVOj12EifwK183YGoZz0y2ofTInq6DMwFXsuu_u9hW-iAchT3tkyNKgqV6o_TYpTTt3vE1m7S-wcsA0i7m1_QbKbPGoqNKmVo_AQ/s1600/DSC00376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cheshire Home Resident Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATZK2zmnWYKFwTHG_xE4IwSd_6moxYyYwhn2oHgAvuVOj12EifwK183YGoZz0y2ofTInq6DMwFXsuu_u9hW-iAchT3tkyNKgqV6o_TYpTTt3vE1m7S-wcsA0i7m1_QbKbPGoqNKmVo_AQ/s800/DSC00376.jpg" title="Cheshire Home Resident" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At Cheshire Home, the girls are taught skills, like sewing, and create items that are sold to support them. This helps them have purpose and pride. When we visited, purses, jewelry, and clothing were displayed around the room, and some of the girls showed us what they had personally worked on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLJ5Lu_Lf1udFDEdhmslkNjCuyB-03G5aLrMrIkOjXJPw8EcXFEtK1hwdlBHFjEhujdo7xSRvBBWxI0nLfEEhlwJJww7YU_j22gw4LqKs8qLQujoAWRY-QKS-SKtIWwPVLKsRHRM62HHR/s1600/IMG_9479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Romeo with Cheshire Home Girls Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLJ5Lu_Lf1udFDEdhmslkNjCuyB-03G5aLrMrIkOjXJPw8EcXFEtK1hwdlBHFjEhujdo7xSRvBBWxI0nLfEEhlwJJww7YU_j22gw4LqKs8qLQujoAWRY-QKS-SKtIWwPVLKsRHRM62HHR/s800/IMG_9479.jpg" title="Romeo with Cheshire Home Girls" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our visit, we each spent time with one or two girls, either writing or coloring. It meant so much to them to have someone spend time with them, show interest in them, and care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Limuru Town</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7aX0mcwKRdIl-3JJxzhkaRXg9cgnKzd9PV9rR7RxH_yra40O-MAc34J0pmD8pArwKHmLWgXj1fBn2qZRP7b7dpQLJFhk2Z14k6DsigxMIrbpDHt7mSytVpr4SJG8lo5qIRJsJqUugiCS/s1600/IMG_9553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Limuru Market Crowds Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7aX0mcwKRdIl-3JJxzhkaRXg9cgnKzd9PV9rR7RxH_yra40O-MAc34J0pmD8pArwKHmLWgXj1fBn2qZRP7b7dpQLJFhk2Z14k6DsigxMIrbpDHt7mSytVpr4SJG8lo5qIRJsJqUugiCS/s800/IMG_9553.jpg" title="Limuru Market Crowds" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After our second day working on the farm, we headed into the town of Limuru to take in the sights and also to purchase our gifts for our second home visit to Esther’s house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSycRdzyZYktwlFhD-WfBUsbimJ2ZnKt9ftCVnSzEP_4p5kH6eDZzdSiyMwyGm1c8pkigcyeqU_7FVBa7KQriBmuBMOPDdrTTniqvJQhgd8w-0A4ucanf7TYN2GFjQN1_k95czHF2TEeD/s1600/DSC00402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelvin at Farming Tools Vendor Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSycRdzyZYktwlFhD-WfBUsbimJ2ZnKt9ftCVnSzEP_4p5kH6eDZzdSiyMwyGm1c8pkigcyeqU_7FVBa7KQriBmuBMOPDdrTTniqvJQhgd8w-0A4ucanf7TYN2GFjQN1_k95czHF2TEeD/s800/DSC00402.jpg" title="Kelvin at Farming Tools Vendor" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Downtown Limuru has wide unpaved streets, a handful of buildings a few stories tall, vendors lining the streets selling everything from farming tools to used shoes and clothing that comes from the United States. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGmAwoeGXVGnYSC49pHKJjZs7oEEc4ehLP1pgl42Ga0OXu3XtERKAwrgIcRZMggYsa6QWdZ6bYfjNq8gM26wTrHO1xaCHUfcPBDsq_FScQQBNzt3f6mH0_cHdT3wAPWyn6pBT6TWRdbjP/s1600/IMG_9561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Limuru Market Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGmAwoeGXVGnYSC49pHKJjZs7oEEc4ehLP1pgl42Ga0OXu3XtERKAwrgIcRZMggYsa6QWdZ6bYfjNq8gM26wTrHO1xaCHUfcPBDsq_FScQQBNzt3f6mH0_cHdT3wAPWyn6pBT6TWRdbjP/s800/IMG_9561.jpg" title="Limuru Market" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the middle of town is a huge market, a covered labyrinth of vegetables, beans, fruit, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXbGht9A1OyEolM6V3F5mpLdEE7-NJv4GsRVItlciEb8ncK-vcfkFkdN3CLIpruk3U7KTpQYF-0Tc7hWNITMSHrS4JuCkftq5R8wY3g-EtdJ72xizBbS8fCmXajjFEH-60F6iDiHOIjMW/s1600/IMG_9529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Limuru Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXbGht9A1OyEolM6V3F5mpLdEE7-NJv4GsRVItlciEb8ncK-vcfkFkdN3CLIpruk3U7KTpQYF-0Tc7hWNITMSHrS4JuCkftq5R8wY3g-EtdJ72xizBbS8fCmXajjFEH-60F6iDiHOIjMW/s800/IMG_9529.jpg" title="Limuru" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plenty of westerners come to Kenya, but they’re usually on safari. In a town like Limuru, there aren’t a lot of westerners. The adults watched us curiously. In the market, most vendors preferred not to have their picture taken. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIaXKDpBHSIuUAuoIGWT4FnPmdT5zrPn83U6EP5vQhSLs2HTgoptECp2Ng7cEAsCdAcLGbm9MRB3MQhbQFVlFyjGF0690qMCQMXZtz6TFnf38LwpTxhPIGOOX3LQDKnOFb_1-vUCv5z0h/s1600/IMG_9567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Limuru School Children Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIaXKDpBHSIuUAuoIGWT4FnPmdT5zrPn83U6EP5vQhSLs2HTgoptECp2Ng7cEAsCdAcLGbm9MRB3MQhbQFVlFyjGF0690qMCQMXZtz6TFnf38LwpTxhPIGOOX3LQDKnOFb_1-vUCv5z0h/s800/IMG_9567.jpg" title="Limuru School Children" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But the kids. The kids were very interested in us and very interested in cameras. They loved having their pictures taken and would even jostle for position to be in a photo. A school bus drove by and all the kids waved. A class full of kids on the sidewalk gave high-fives to us as we walked by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The Amali Team House</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY3ifRjdUI4H3-xjLe6Ax1gm4P6xwCVeS7sfbkw9oERvIvisNzTJFhmyiZl8vjowMVKBHLllvvT7jFdNKM5hAUPClET8T0QWhmtej_8s6Mxe93tK2DL7NCnpnWASmZb697yvtX2idhJ7b/s1600/DSC00174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amali Team House Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigY3ifRjdUI4H3-xjLe6Ax1gm4P6xwCVeS7sfbkw9oERvIvisNzTJFhmyiZl8vjowMVKBHLllvvT7jFdNKM5hAUPClET8T0QWhmtej_8s6Mxe93tK2DL7NCnpnWASmZb697yvtX2idhJ7b/s800/DSC00174.jpg" title="Amali Team House" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Freedom Global’s volunteers stay in the Amali team house run by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amalisafaris/">Amali Safaris</a>, an old British home. The guesthouse has five guest rooms with bunk beds. Men sleep in the room on the ground floor and women sleep in the rooms on the second floor. Remember our <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2018/01/abraham-hostels-israel-review.html">first hostel experience in Israel</a></span>, when I said I wouldn’t sleep in a shared room? Well, I was prepared to share a room on this trip, but somehow lucked out and got my own room (yay!). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpDJKnYdPg_hxZ12BEft3PAwNgV_4CWQiK871pZJ_S0kWeghw8zpFznXnAxfXoDqmiyTMR_mglXmttMRTesuR7Z9ze9qvQrA9qlFoLTqiyeba4exyClZJtYDXzAg_iRinln-oLD5P5RWR/s1600/DSC01067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amali Guest Room Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpDJKnYdPg_hxZ12BEft3PAwNgV_4CWQiK871pZJ_S0kWeghw8zpFznXnAxfXoDqmiyTMR_mglXmttMRTesuR7Z9ze9qvQrA9qlFoLTqiyeba4exyClZJtYDXzAg_iRinln-oLD5P5RWR/s800/DSC01067.jpg" title="Amali Guest Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, this shared room experience is far different from the hostel experience where you have to sleep on top of your possessions or lock them up, especially because it is a small group who you will be working, eating, and socializing with every day. But being the introvert I am, it was nice to have my own little place to unwind quietly at night. Each floor has a shared bathroom with a toilet and two shower stalls. Shower water is heated at the source (a lot more than some Kenyans have), so don’t expect a luxurious hot shower, but it was definitely enough to warm up and get clean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VfFCzGjuAqHuBV0swR8zYywCDQZryxvrSwVFx8C6esSYFikvy2fXgoLwrgkLEE7f0uzCRsrmfrABTkEB2hCqIULQBaHhmNXy9Z6LyK5irbVSXhwxRdnQiOEGYgSOku1f2AdZ4Amor_rP/s1600/DSC00419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Petty Making Tortillas Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VfFCzGjuAqHuBV0swR8zYywCDQZryxvrSwVFx8C6esSYFikvy2fXgoLwrgkLEE7f0uzCRsrmfrABTkEB2hCqIULQBaHhmNXy9Z6LyK5irbVSXhwxRdnQiOEGYgSOku1f2AdZ4Amor_rP/s800/DSC00419.jpg" title="Petty Making Tortillas" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dinner is provided every night at the guesthouse, lovingly prepared by the multi-talented Petty. Petty can, and wants to, make anything. One night she made taco night and made her own tortillas! Her guests are usually from America’s south, so she tries to make food to those tastes. Luckily for us, who like to experience local food, she made a few local dishes and one night made a complete Kenyan meal. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rGgm54VFMOTIhCUGXIJ52vZeQYvNLB78emiCjSZwtpYVDUzWkaaC8iCH1JMK4oc9u5mH3YdRLqpNm9kyHt1dlxOqMMA-6w-MIAwZf1jtUssUXqk7rEeSf4ApDxf4G468TNfIIBpFJVvt/s1600/DSC00364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lunch at Farm Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rGgm54VFMOTIhCUGXIJ52vZeQYvNLB78emiCjSZwtpYVDUzWkaaC8iCH1JMK4oc9u5mH3YdRLqpNm9kyHt1dlxOqMMA-6w-MIAwZf1jtUssUXqk7rEeSf4ApDxf4G468TNfIIBpFJVvt/s800/DSC00364.jpg" title="Lunch at Farm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were told ahead of time that food would be available in the guesthouse to make our own breakfasts and lunches, but it turned out that we were also provided lunch every day, even hot meals brought to the farm, so just needed to put together our breakfasts a few times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2KvVCM-tvaG0QAFbjL-Zg2Pv7t-yrWnnQtPiW7wkBkWVwykiZuHQCdv3ti6v2MG1ncQbRr3S0bTP5l1qc8XaEEIlP0fRhhIrNDzHDutWWh0z12nmuN5d8LWqUoxNLyGaVtoJHdBff9Mt/s1600/DSC00179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Amali Team House Dining Room Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2KvVCM-tvaG0QAFbjL-Zg2Pv7t-yrWnnQtPiW7wkBkWVwykiZuHQCdv3ti6v2MG1ncQbRr3S0bTP5l1qc8XaEEIlP0fRhhIrNDzHDutWWh0z12nmuN5d8LWqUoxNLyGaVtoJHdBff9Mt/s800/DSC00179.jpg" title="Amali Team House Dining Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The guesthouse is behind a gate that is closed at night. Outside those gates are some tiny makeshift shops selling various things. One of those shops sells handmade skirts and dresses, made with beautiful local fabrics, which can be made to order within 24-hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H8mEHZD3E_WraUsC_GUOhTczIs_LrbrMvyeq1-9YnxALGGnG2m8MPbA34Y6B-qqmypffz-y_-MA8OSM7aOAz2eUhZTaXzBk7rxLWz0jZCZGfFWyo-ObroyAVsAf6cKCfKltLLam9HuHb/s1600/IMG_9762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Academy Girls Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H8mEHZD3E_WraUsC_GUOhTczIs_LrbrMvyeq1-9YnxALGGnG2m8MPbA34Y6B-qqmypffz-y_-MA8OSM7aOAz2eUhZTaXzBk7rxLWz0jZCZGfFWyo-ObroyAVsAf6cKCfKltLLam9HuHb/s800/IMG_9762.jpg" title="Uhuru Academy Girls" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a volunteer trip to Kenya that includes manual labor, church attendance, visiting a school and homes, and possibly going on a safari, the packing list is a bit varied. For the manual labor portion, bring old work clothes (old jeans and t-shirts), work boots or rubber boots as it may be muddy, work gloves, a rain jacket, and a hat. Church clothes can be nice but not too fancy or formal. For the rest of the time, like visiting the school or town, the home visit, and hanging out at the team house, bring casual clothes like you wear at home. However, plan to dress modestly, meaning no shorts, skirts above the knee, or tank tops. If your trip will include a safari, you can bring shorts and tank tops for that portion and you should bring a small bag to bring just what you need on safari while leaving the rest at the team house. You should also bring mosquito repellant, anti-bacterial hand wipes, and a water bottle. For church and chapel, you’ll want to have a bible, and a bible app on your smartphone is the easiest way to accomplish that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are some medical considerations when planning a trip to Kenya. There is yellow fever in Kenya, so you’ll want to decide whether or not to get the yellow fever vaccine. It is optional for Americans. We personally chose not to get it because we traveled to Kenya in winter and Limuru is at a high elevation, so mosquitos were less likely. However, we did take malaria medicine and we pretreated all of our clothes with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ANQVZE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001ANQVZE&linkCode=as2&tag=travtheworl07-20&linkId=a2a88b6d44f2da91dcfd669160065ed4">Permethrin</a>, a long-lasting mosquito repellent, ahead of time. You will also want to get a travel insurance that covers emergency medical expenses and evacuation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You’ll need a visa to enter Kenya. You can get a single entry visa <a href="file:///C:/Users/Katherine/Documents/Blog/Blog%20Posts/ecitizen.go.ke">online</a>. Freedom Global will provide the information needed to fill out the visa application and a letter of invitation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJzEGBZZ-FeNJh6nd0JzZ78k7IwQThe61ffcDrZCqFhEmdM3tiPGk5eykWEFu0Y6YfajSML2G95juHMwu9BlTA3K4bcwl6ASW7Pakqqy_ctJH1FzMCNOp5Xm-d47vMoYMoopivsPLhbR6/s1600/IMG_7106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Academy Students Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJzEGBZZ-FeNJh6nd0JzZ78k7IwQThe61ffcDrZCqFhEmdM3tiPGk5eykWEFu0Y6YfajSML2G95juHMwu9BlTA3K4bcwl6ASW7Pakqqy_ctJH1FzMCNOp5Xm-d47vMoYMoopivsPLhbR6/s800/IMG_7106.jpg" title="Uhuru Academy Students" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In order to join one of Freedom Global’s volunteer trips to Kenya, a donation of a set amount must be made, which can either be paid directly by the volunteer or can be funded by donations in the name of the volunteer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gnskIy3EWnLA20qbN07LbADwyN0cMLOhtB3UOnavXr4uQ6aGEPVtk9bP2-u4KlaQubLJf-n6StoDQO8WAq_ey2v0UZ3uxyv9ngNh1AoObFSVWMwwsLlgRXDJsq_aFYe-PKcaM3SyWV5y/s1600/IMG_7096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Academy Students Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gnskIy3EWnLA20qbN07LbADwyN0cMLOhtB3UOnavXr4uQ6aGEPVtk9bP2-u4KlaQubLJf-n6StoDQO8WAq_ey2v0UZ3uxyv9ngNh1AoObFSVWMwwsLlgRXDJsq_aFYe-PKcaM3SyWV5y/s800/IMG_7096.jpg" title="Uhuru Academy Students" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For those that want to support Freedom Global and the Uhuru Girls Academy but don’t want to or can’t travel to Kenya to volunteer can still do so. Options include sponsoring a girl’s scholarship, donating to the farm, or giving a monthly donation. Freedom Global has another business, Freedom Artisans, a company that purchases and designs products in Kenya, made by Kenyans, to sell in the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILuqDYnb_Sn4qD5eci3EPSdXuN__GOXbghf3w1yBCURWGSy0Ql-gnNVZzv1OHQgtiFsUNspdE8J7eCy5pUOUsVJ8CsUSLuzWbiICRu0nEclWwQhzevT0goZ8WaZCAWXJm6ffJTk1qA13s/s1600/IMG_7127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Uhuru Academy Student Volunteering in Kenya with Freedom Global" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILuqDYnb_Sn4qD5eci3EPSdXuN__GOXbghf3w1yBCURWGSy0Ql-gnNVZzv1OHQgtiFsUNspdE8J7eCy5pUOUsVJ8CsUSLuzWbiICRu0nEclWwQhzevT0goZ8WaZCAWXJm6ffJTk1qA13s/s800/IMG_7127.jpg" title="Uhuru Academy Student" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For those, like me, who work for a corporation, remember to check to see if your company matches charitable donations. That’s always a great way to double your charitable contribution in a way you may not have been able to afford otherwise.</span><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-6855560310724014352018-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:002018-10-28T14:19:25.632-07:005 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rkZKmNQdHePRtE-ZOVA9nDaye9NiYEAk4MVl2SO4TWy7ysxybbb2aYVPlU3yMfxwkeq38rWEUuQ1CPNuUtEH3IQv28X1mEUbx8Xo4-ca1Zln7a1l9CNab8nkcAMrD4f2mUGg2vnVHHhA/s1600/DSC05502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Head out the Train Window 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rkZKmNQdHePRtE-ZOVA9nDaye9NiYEAk4MVl2SO4TWy7ysxybbb2aYVPlU3yMfxwkeq38rWEUuQ1CPNuUtEH3IQv28X1mEUbx8Xo4-ca1Zln7a1l9CNab8nkcAMrD4f2mUGg2vnVHHhA/s800/DSC05502.jpg" title="Head out the Train Window" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To drive or to take the train, that is the question. In Switzerland, the answer is to take the train! There is no place on earth that provides better train travel than Switzerland, and it is made so easy with the <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/swiss-travel-pass.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swiss Travel Pass</a>. If you’re not sure whether it’s worth getting a Swiss Travel Pass for your trip to Switzerland, here are five reasons why you'll want to get a Swiss Travel Pass.</span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Swiss Public Transportation is Punctual . . . Always</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s a reason Switzerland makes one of the most famous brands of timepieces in the world. Switzerland may be the most punctual country in the world, as illustrated by their public transportation. You can set your watch by Switzerland’s train system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9JhhYGm9LoQqUSzSF3EpczpnnacLQzvWbE9wQdtKzbf_OfFVYR0ODVkM6XDn-rQ2MZ11RkOoaNhTRAkNhY1I9woZguK7W8mNEHuLiveGBP42_J2sfpGVwAo8IcWMZUIyl8wUwFcNhMqf/s1600/DSC04701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Switzerland Tram 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9JhhYGm9LoQqUSzSF3EpczpnnacLQzvWbE9wQdtKzbf_OfFVYR0ODVkM6XDn-rQ2MZ11RkOoaNhTRAkNhY1I9woZguK7W8mNEHuLiveGBP42_J2sfpGVwAo8IcWMZUIyl8wUwFcNhMqf/s800/DSC04701.jpg" title="Switzerland Tram" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This means you can plan your transportation and know exactly when you need to arrive at the train station and when you’ll arrive at your destination. You don’t need to build in extra time for transferring between trains. If you only have six minutes to get from one train to the next, you can be sure you will have that six minutes, your train won’t be late, and the next train won’t leave early. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With a Swiss Travel Pass in hand, you won’t need to arrive at the station early to purchase a ticket. You can arrive with just enough time to get to the correct platform and hop on the train.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While we love road trips, travel is so much easier when someone else is driving. All we had to do was sit back and watch the scenery go by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKY3JKkDBZym8ftF2tJ3V9fKepK_RGPLLp6Ay2W_0Yfrkeyt8kviN9D-DzlnqVZ4200fG4GFLmPfWQHJYDvP-MAcVTArLOpKHedAWRvoQcpDN-zQ7CqpOi7EKQgMWFtZsRlfffVEWap4O/s1600/IMG_6098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Train Photos 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKY3JKkDBZym8ftF2tJ3V9fKepK_RGPLLp6Ay2W_0Yfrkeyt8kviN9D-DzlnqVZ4200fG4GFLmPfWQHJYDvP-MAcVTArLOpKHedAWRvoQcpDN-zQ7CqpOi7EKQgMWFtZsRlfffVEWap4O/s800/IMG_6098.jpg" title="Train Photos" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Train travel is relaxing, but you can also use the time to look at photos, draft a blog post (maybe that’s just me), post on social media, or text photos to your friends to make them jealous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You Can Go Anywhere by Train</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9522qHXqTx4p_zM63Cr7UaxkMXkHRrpWkkxERLPsLAKuV7DiaTOUjfEL43lxL6Nv67z2jnmkWUAB_omIY8I9wHyRJSmS0RBklhv3MPXYsROhZHF1UXN4spWnEMT0sdDYZl2uDL1xJ6je/s1600/DSC05929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gruyeres Train Station 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9522qHXqTx4p_zM63Cr7UaxkMXkHRrpWkkxERLPsLAKuV7DiaTOUjfEL43lxL6Nv67z2jnmkWUAB_omIY8I9wHyRJSmS0RBklhv3MPXYsROhZHF1UXN4spWnEMT0sdDYZl2uDL1xJ6je/s800/DSC05929.jpg" title="Gruyeres Train Station" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We’ve rented a car in other places we’ve traveled because the places we wanted to visit were too hard to get to without a car. In Switzerland, you can pretty much get anywhere by train. If the train doesn’t reach your destination, there will be a bus, also covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, that does.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Swiss Travel Pass Covers More Than Just Train Travel</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuBsFBB6nVNoVL90ld9c5SqrqsopeSjO1Q8v6ua4Kb4vOwhjZJmBRELdOK_vw8NPmGpXSf-jK-VveyR7itv5NRx07Zd5mjphah9ZoazZGsf7_Kg6XDtw8gKHo-fvMpnoBZzxlMLkgPeKV/s1600/IMG_6159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Geneva Paddle Boat 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuBsFBB6nVNoVL90ld9c5SqrqsopeSjO1Q8v6ua4Kb4vOwhjZJmBRELdOK_vw8NPmGpXSf-jK-VveyR7itv5NRx07Zd5mjphah9ZoazZGsf7_Kg6XDtw8gKHo-fvMpnoBZzxlMLkgPeKV/s800/IMG_6159.jpg" title="Lake Geneva Paddle Boat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Swiss Travel Pass not only covers train travel, it also includes travel by bus, tram, metro, boat, cogwheel train, funicular, gondola, and there’s probably a few other options I’m missing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbugSa9lzmg6jnx1mGBF7mfV7DlWUzYCBodpNpnc1qTfa4DLvTyPkTjGsN9TeI5m2Ak47-wmFqakNxMquYwBeV9OJje-daPuGlJDe2orVzkrpOe5R94dxaaQjwEMSqcyRaQNpnERXhlNfU/s1600/DSC04592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lucerne to Vitznau Boat 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbugSa9lzmg6jnx1mGBF7mfV7DlWUzYCBodpNpnc1qTfa4DLvTyPkTjGsN9TeI5m2Ak47-wmFqakNxMquYwBeV9OJje-daPuGlJDe2orVzkrpOe5R94dxaaQjwEMSqcyRaQNpnERXhlNfU/s800/DSC04592.jpg" title="Lucerne to Vitznau Boat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For instance, while we spent <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/09/two-days-in-lucerne-luzern.html" target="_blank">two days in Lucerne</a> we took a day trip to Mt. Rigi. First, we boarded a boat, then we hitched a ride on a cogwheel train, and then, after spending time on the mountain and hiking around, we descended on a gondola before boarding a boat again, all covered completely by the Swiss Travel Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8_QUY-Mqe4TBuhXsqhjCDaP_Ikj2bRNMvU-HNYBnVpGuwXptqZTqOV7SqfD_98rE6BEJlr5I_L79JjpdNFuYBHiQ2K8P0AUGxcjY0zYrIyqswdIR5get4Ek_6yEDLO5JGtCAKjfLTdsm/s1600/DSC04972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Interlaken to Thun Boat 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8_QUY-Mqe4TBuhXsqhjCDaP_Ikj2bRNMvU-HNYBnVpGuwXptqZTqOV7SqfD_98rE6BEJlr5I_L79JjpdNFuYBHiQ2K8P0AUGxcjY0zYrIyqswdIR5get4Ek_6yEDLO5JGtCAKjfLTdsm/s800/DSC04972.jpg" title="Interlaken to Thun Boat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2018/08/four-days-interlaken-swiss-alps.html" target="_blank">four days in Interlaken</a>, we took the train to Lauterbrunnen with the Swiss Travel Pass and then used it to take a gondola up to Murten. There was snow that day, so we didn’t go up much further, but there are actually a series of gondolas that zigzag up the mountain, stopping at various towns along the way, all covered by the Swiss Travel Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEpTqVK5_zWLDW237B-52tR8csMgKW9XyWCPVOP2fDmq9GKPvgtSp43GoKTWAGSmI5QrQXLV1P4W5XVHugEXAjFavYGv0kJbcAYSAsvoC0E6RZTqrMNTU2kuYWR1dl2jNYGh2QAVL9KTV/s1600/DSC05148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grindelwald Station 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEpTqVK5_zWLDW237B-52tR8csMgKW9XyWCPVOP2fDmq9GKPvgtSp43GoKTWAGSmI5QrQXLV1P4W5XVHugEXAjFavYGv0kJbcAYSAsvoC0E6RZTqrMNTU2kuYWR1dl2jNYGh2QAVL9KTV/s800/DSC05148.jpg" title="Grindelwald Station" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Swiss train system also offers scenic train trips, and the Swiss Travel Pass allows travel on those as well with just a small additional payment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuMBSdTbAriIIOsfF3xDmuCEDMfXIom-lwXXoPSLXs2UYKWoIUOS2uWiaQwtynALit_lxrL-9XKujvgiT0Oqe9WpygKa9XGx_wk_CdFidr55XVjzBi-wLa9YA7K30pCSzPKckxlPruqp0/s1600/IMG_5663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GoldenPass Panoramic Front Row 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuMBSdTbAriIIOsfF3xDmuCEDMfXIom-lwXXoPSLXs2UYKWoIUOS2uWiaQwtynALit_lxrL-9XKujvgiT0Oqe9WpygKa9XGx_wk_CdFidr55XVjzBi-wLa9YA7K30pCSzPKckxlPruqp0/s800/IMG_5663.jpg" title="GoldenPass Panoramic Front Row" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The best of these is the <a href="https://www.goldenpass.ch/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GoldenPass Panoramic</a> from Zweisimmen to Montreux. The GoldenPass Panoramic is, as its name suggests, a panoramic train. For only CHF 15 extra, you can book a VIP seat in the very first car of the train, and if you book far enough in advance, you can score first row seats, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wqKnoojzeMYZDE8aPn1fb3lOkblmM5Zw_pAEZRQ7ze6XogjbQDiyDHCAyFpUXIu6_UqB1KQVccplMUrZWBXeaAIcSqpOZdOTEsQcIvliJdtLQh8ZfqpBXMtFwzCkRGvyIuyCglvkfZPl/s1600/DSC05748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GoldenPass Panoramic 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wqKnoojzeMYZDE8aPn1fb3lOkblmM5Zw_pAEZRQ7ze6XogjbQDiyDHCAyFpUXIu6_UqB1KQVccplMUrZWBXeaAIcSqpOZdOTEsQcIvliJdtLQh8ZfqpBXMtFwzCkRGvyIuyCglvkfZPl/s800/DSC05748.jpg" title="GoldenPass Panoramic" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other scenic train trips in Switzerland are the Glacier Express, which travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz, and the Bernina Express, which travels from St. Moritz to Tirano. There’s also a chocolate train and a cheese train.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDVCmCgtMlRqMGJ0am8dDT_JJ8DzhKv2AXl8-XIpuRcB21xRiwwbezHDLwTazsjWENcXuoQ7luddARDzGB2Vnq_PlbMFLMH-k9M0IY38GlPzQn3wPQFgjQ14FwV-HhyQ3aAUYzgRqWxfl/s1600/DSC05744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GoldenPass Panoramic Front Row Food 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDVCmCgtMlRqMGJ0am8dDT_JJ8DzhKv2AXl8-XIpuRcB21xRiwwbezHDLwTazsjWENcXuoQ7luddARDzGB2Vnq_PlbMFLMH-k9M0IY38GlPzQn3wPQFgjQ14FwV-HhyQ3aAUYzgRqWxfl/s800/DSC05744.jpg" title="GoldenPass Panoramic Front Row Food" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Beyond transportation, the Swiss Travel Pass provides free admission to over 500 museums and discounts on mountain excursions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Swiss Travel Pass is Flexible and Can Include an Upgrade</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixedsvJ8AZHavPQKzDqADcb48XCX-vAigSNUaK4YO2_sESBP5azEHj2mpWkyb-cvIo8HnHrCLF0ltElV30wP4FyUHAXrHOSDfHwnyBTQR4SZDsHpxMkYkXktl595QylbsKjMy8CJnJmj53/s1600/IMG_4455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Class Train Car 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixedsvJ8AZHavPQKzDqADcb48XCX-vAigSNUaK4YO2_sESBP5azEHj2mpWkyb-cvIo8HnHrCLF0ltElV30wP4FyUHAXrHOSDfHwnyBTQR4SZDsHpxMkYkXktl595QylbsKjMy8CJnJmj53/s800/IMG_4455.jpg" title="First Class Train Car" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Swiss Travel Pass can be purchased to cover various lengths of time, including three, four, eight, and 15 days. There's also a choice between first class and second class. A tip for those traveling first class is that while the monitors when waiting for a train will tell you what sections the first class cars will be in, its even easier to keep your eyes open for the cars that have a yellow stripe, as those are the ones with first class seats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1YAe96sb0UYr-tAa4DR35Sr_Q82jv_j8YujGrreqlmAJ2rDa5GcRz3YNDKIzaClWcJZspSsEgj8jya93Gub5dn_wsu0uBt15wdZavITNlZmgLayLZXtCTwku27542Dly_8a0emDDwOpQ/s1600/DSC05764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="GoldenPass Panoramic Reserved Seat 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1YAe96sb0UYr-tAa4DR35Sr_Q82jv_j8YujGrreqlmAJ2rDa5GcRz3YNDKIzaClWcJZspSsEgj8jya93Gub5dn_wsu0uBt15wdZavITNlZmgLayLZXtCTwku27542Dly_8a0emDDwOpQ/s800/DSC05764.jpg" title="GoldanPass Panoramic Reserved Seat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because the Swiss Travel Pass covers a period of time rather than a certain number of trips, options are limitless. It is so easy to add on a trip somewhere that hadn’t been previously planned. You can take a short bus trip or take the metro back and forth twelve times and it doesn’t matter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWTG87kjRrXnV_NAbVPoJBWwq4ankLa3ys3mcra2Qjd9fwYvxnaWUa0WNqKQF849rwD7Nz6JIyXrmjLEfkJTs1VGru3Ot2GBuQWgUreq8UalvUybKADD2QoZ5ECyqMYxsvBWBkzcmULRf/s1600/DSC05947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First Class Seat 5 Reasons Why You'll Want the Swiss Travel Pass" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWTG87kjRrXnV_NAbVPoJBWwq4ankLa3ys3mcra2Qjd9fwYvxnaWUa0WNqKQF849rwD7Nz6JIyXrmjLEfkJTs1VGru3Ot2GBuQWgUreq8UalvUybKADD2QoZ5ECyqMYxsvBWBkzcmULRf/s800/DSC05947.jpg" title="First Class Seat" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>A note about traveling with a Swiss Travel Pass. </b>There is no need to show your Swiss Travel Pass before getting on a train. But a conductor will most likely come through the cars checking for tickets during your train trip. Every once in a while they ask to see a passport as well. When boarding a boat with a Swiss Travel Pass, you will be asked to show your pass upon boarding the boat, and you may also be asked to show it again when heading upstairs to the first class section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;">Thank you to </span></i><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="background: white; color: #608a4e; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #608a4e;">Switzerland Tourism</span></a></span></i></span><i><span style="background: white; line-height: 107%;"> for providing our Swiss Travel Passes and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.</span></i></span><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-31015315475224186462018-10-18T20:00:00.000-07:002018-10-20T00:43:05.243-07:005 Fun Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Et7MwKIHcgYSj7fHxcpqInmWMKXHlUu45h7JfiCVCdo03-x1ucI20X4vhMcUS5nW7mSn5lbTGvvfmoTV-Y7NvHnb7SoM28P1VMGwF9x44uY8awYbXy4-jQpbpUNzzENiQnzwM_OPo9Ho/s1600/DSC02147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saas-Fee Switzerland Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Et7MwKIHcgYSj7fHxcpqInmWMKXHlUu45h7JfiCVCdo03-x1ucI20X4vhMcUS5nW7mSn5lbTGvvfmoTV-Y7NvHnb7SoM28P1VMGwF9x44uY8awYbXy4-jQpbpUNzzENiQnzwM_OPo9Ho/s800/DSC02147.jpg" title="Saas-Fee Switzerland" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saas-Fee is a premier skiing village in the Valais region of Switzerland, so why were we traveling to Saas-Fee in summer? It wasn’t for the skiing, though Saas-Fee is unique because you can ski there year-round. While winter is Saas-Fee’s most popular season for </span><span class="" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">travelers</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, summer is less crowded and there are many fun things to do in Saas-Fee in summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saas-Fee is one of those little Swiss villages that is a tourist destination, yet doesn’t feel touristy. This is especially true in the summer. Because no cars are allowed, the streets are for people leisurely walking or biking, with only the occasional small electric vehicle used for deliveries or trash collection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_vXgo_XU_VAzNrd4L9d8LV6HwCnO78scIj3Q12MWVZyVkQKIbbrnHkbD5rlRq00n5Ur9UUmD8iszM2f-SuR38iw1lShDmL66fJIdW_9kYssT4re4zHrn2hZPIzeRVFltTsBV5jz0uV8a/s1600/DSC02097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Father Johann Josef Imseng Statue Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_vXgo_XU_VAzNrd4L9d8LV6HwCnO78scIj3Q12MWVZyVkQKIbbrnHkbD5rlRq00n5Ur9UUmD8iszM2f-SuR38iw1lShDmL66fJIdW_9kYssT4re4zHrn2hZPIzeRVFltTsBV5jz0uV8a/s800/DSC02097.jpg" title="Father Johann Josef Imseng Statute" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Saas-Fee used to be an agricultural village, and its past citizens weren’t all that excited by the idea of inviting travelers. But Father Johann Josef Imseng was passionate about the mountains and loved leading visitors to the mountain peaks. The first visitors to Saas-Fee stayed in the vicarage. Father Imseng knew that tourism would be a good source of income for the locals, so persuaded the farmers to open guest rooms in their houses. The first hotel was built in Saas-Fee in 1881. A road to Saas-Fee was finally built in 1951 and the first cable car systems were constructed. From there Saas-Fee’s winter sports tourism grew, and today Saas-Fee is a world-renowned resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnUaY4RYRx5NAx6fkCp4E9uSwCAlKIxi5faENW0mPCwikoinkDxMdn0KgbYzOMANVqkPmVk3w6EEZHBkuX5p8lA7Amr8OTenO1M9XZrC9nsnz7Kazfw9n_7xrFR8ZxZW00u1KgysQbTIe/s1600/IMG_3264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gemsweg Trail River Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnUaY4RYRx5NAx6fkCp4E9uSwCAlKIxi5faENW0mPCwikoinkDxMdn0KgbYzOMANVqkPmVk3w6EEZHBkuX5p8lA7Amr8OTenO1M9XZrC9nsnz7Kazfw9n_7xrFR8ZxZW00u1KgysQbTIe/s800/IMG_3264.jpg" title="Gemsweg Trail River" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, what are the fun things to do in Saas-Fee when it isn’t covered in snow? They include traversing a via ferrata, hiking, exploring the caverns of a glacier, riding a toboggan, and feeding marmots. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Traverse the Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJMJvIeWK2wJTEtfEMngWGgA9hKKf5XEMbJzUuwpBhrD4vJHGq70-eIOIRlqF37_iVy_UeaPvo-jFaz_m79q7pOPBUGZgH_YlwgCMyWVGnVxTQ5R9vg56fNB3048FB-yFmjV5aZdIQqgX/s1600/IMG_3109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Suspension Bridge Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJMJvIeWK2wJTEtfEMngWGgA9hKKf5XEMbJzUuwpBhrD4vJHGq70-eIOIRlqF37_iVy_UeaPvo-jFaz_m79q7pOPBUGZgH_YlwgCMyWVGnVxTQ5R9vg56fNB3048FB-yFmjV5aZdIQqgX/s800/IMG_3109.jpg" title="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Suspension Bridge" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most exciting thing to do in Saas-Fee is to embrace the adventure of the Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata. Via ferrata is Italian for iron path. Via ferratas are protected climbing routes found in the Alps and other places. A steel cable follows the route, fixed to the rock in intervals, so that climbers can constantly be safely secured. Climbing aids include iron pegs, iron rungs, wood planks, ladders, and suspended bridges. Via ferratas range in difficulty from easy to very difficult and can be done on one’s own or with a guide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAbjyUO2tEwWYCUNh5DZD377qQEaDJtmT5g48-l_drVrQGlCiRF3A9XuLLmc7U8g0M_J5PIt0H_nhi5BcTXBI3-2u5OQvGvHXSFRP5lvX0VeYkEe6SZQWXU0o5Yim5wdsLMWlghv2CPBT/s1600/IMG_3054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Fixed Cable Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAbjyUO2tEwWYCUNh5DZD377qQEaDJtmT5g48-l_drVrQGlCiRF3A9XuLLmc7U8g0M_J5PIt0H_nhi5BcTXBI3-2u5OQvGvHXSFRP5lvX0VeYkEe6SZQWXU0o5Yim5wdsLMWlghv2CPBT/s800/IMG_3054.jpg" title="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Fixed Cable" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata is on the easier side of the spectrum and can only be visited with a guide. Romeo is afraid of heights (or afraid of falling from great heights to be more accurate), so I didn’t know if I’d get him to go with me. But then I found the <a href="https://www.saasfeeguides.com/en_GB/activity/64504/alpine-canyon-adventure" target="_blank">Saas-Fee Guides’ video</a> which shows a child traversing the via ferrata, and there was no way he could say no then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rYJiLQmQTSyV5bp8CQGUUkE0Fj55ahhgX1hT9eix9MaQ5zcbHYDjgfOD7w6MzzZqYTgEMFi6mUQ67E116_Bhenbj_PFbohE0s2GrTu6IkUcoUpaJmaXidSzQXEVRtV7l1e-MukrbYZ6G/s1600/DSC02220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Iron Pegs Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rYJiLQmQTSyV5bp8CQGUUkE0Fj55ahhgX1hT9eix9MaQ5zcbHYDjgfOD7w6MzzZqYTgEMFi6mUQ67E116_Bhenbj_PFbohE0s2GrTu6IkUcoUpaJmaXidSzQXEVRtV7l1e-MukrbYZ6G/s800/DSC02220.jpg" title="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Iron Pegs" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The via ferrata is accessed through what’s kind of like a secret entrance. A tiny stone watchtower actually has stairs leading down from the inside into the gorge. From there the adventure begins. This particular via ferrata has canyons, caves, waterfalls, and a river.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A1L0FKWfXB7bTridg9Ds6qhB4JJ18gtXWVWFWpx_aQd-7F1qgMQ8xYVKagq60jqYUg96kulo2IMZ1SIbXzptayRvUR093zB1nXnV2HhbfOil519xFVKLFh0GTYHbWp7TyRdkpufZ4nPQ/s1600/DSC02226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata River Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2A1L0FKWfXB7bTridg9Ds6qhB4JJ18gtXWVWFWpx_aQd-7F1qgMQ8xYVKagq60jqYUg96kulo2IMZ1SIbXzptayRvUR093zB1nXnV2HhbfOil519xFVKLFh0GTYHbWp7TyRdkpufZ4nPQ/s800/DSC02226.jpg" title="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata River" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Probably the most nerve-wracking pieces are the long ladders, used as suspension bridges, which we slowly used to cross from one side of the gorge to the other, stepping carefully rung by rung. But even then it was easy to be distracted by the milky aqua water running below. There are also multiple zip lines, one of which leads into the mouth of a cave, a Tarzan swing, and a chance to repel from one of those crazy ladder suspension bridges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoKIlh-_ZgHtM-4uJ3uBDlCz-LpCmnJf8LxmafHbH05mx6auX73wQQ3IkfFw-Sl1iYi5-U0rnFZodTiJmZmdG9pQluxouMvIDZP29ZYUWKWVB7Rw_buiyQGVv4EmbJepIlVwxRUJVgC8c/s1600/DSC02252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Zip Line Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoKIlh-_ZgHtM-4uJ3uBDlCz-LpCmnJf8LxmafHbH05mx6auX73wQQ3IkfFw-Sl1iYi5-U0rnFZodTiJmZmdG9pQluxouMvIDZP29ZYUWKWVB7Rw_buiyQGVv4EmbJepIlVwxRUJVgC8c/s800/DSC02252.jpg" title="Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata Zip Line" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because we were always hooked to the safety cable, and because we were with an extremely knowledgeable guide, we always felt perfectly safe, and the trip was exhilarating. I had a smile on my face the entire time, and so did Rome. About halfway through, while negotiating some tricky footwork, he yelled out at me, “I’m okay with this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The great thing about the Gorge-Alpine Via Ferrata is that it can be explored in the summer and winter, though the winter version is shorter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Hike the Gemsweg</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Saas-Fee has numerous ski trails in winter, it also has numerous hiking trails in summer. One of the best hikes in Saas-Fee is the Gemsweg, also called the <a href="https://www.valais.ch/en/touren/hiking/hikes/chamois-trail-from-hannig-to-plattjen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chamois Trail</a> after the goat-antelopes that can be spotted in the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAdVzEUN8Z22DWccEHDu0QqdHPwo7NgV2MlEgjKZhzx79YoxHDSGwrwOSY_p6Ee0rVDAzQF1_1r6oEh6RO9wOQv-IfGIG9vcEcMYeKtLxnrpvY7kYkDoqrZH6lbVhHMqHyyJ88Q_iWjXU/s1600/DSC02335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saas-Fee Goat Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAdVzEUN8Z22DWccEHDu0QqdHPwo7NgV2MlEgjKZhzx79YoxHDSGwrwOSY_p6Ee0rVDAzQF1_1r6oEh6RO9wOQv-IfGIG9vcEcMYeKtLxnrpvY7kYkDoqrZH6lbVhHMqHyyJ88Q_iWjXU/s800/DSC02335.jpg" title="Saas-Fee Goat" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hiked from the Hannig gondola summit station to the Gletschergrotte before heading back down to Saas-Fee. The Gemsweg trail wraps its way around Saas-Fee, hugging the midpoint of the surrounding mountains. The trail crosses rivers and provides views of mountain peaks and glaciers above and the valley and village below. We encountered sheep, goats, and marmots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoN5x1IgcbibwTRIw2BUSu8n3DWMvZbruaVTWw5nD4R3MaoKkWWf2Tz5-a9UDol-lgLYHdtn2ZpnVjrdUWK2ETG4CwHN2ICrhWtGTb_CPn9l3qiYHP7ULeTsiCqLFRDp6WfjNOwVcaUsT/s1600/DSC02368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gletschergrotte Gemsweg Trail Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoN5x1IgcbibwTRIw2BUSu8n3DWMvZbruaVTWw5nD4R3MaoKkWWf2Tz5-a9UDol-lgLYHdtn2ZpnVjrdUWK2ETG4CwHN2ICrhWtGTb_CPn9l3qiYHP7ULeTsiCqLFRDp6WfjNOwVcaUsT/s800/DSC02368.jpg" title="Gletschergrotte Gemsweg Trail" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taking the four-mile trail in this direction meant most of the hike was flat or at a slight decline, though there were a few spots with a steep decline, and if you decide to visit the <a href="https://www.gletschergrotte.ch/" target="_blank">Gletschergrotte</a> restaurant, first built in 1931, before heading back into Saas-Fee, there will be a short but steep hike up to the restaurant. However, the prize is a glass of Valais wine and maybe some sort of Alpine cheese dish, so the ascent is worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37M1C0g-L4tDzmu72Y-2jPzbXYlmbfzzas9PtR296lsQ7-dyKf0vCIzbyEP3n_do4Xvugw94Vc_R7Yjvvho0j7sgm748bLMJDALXUClAxlhde1g_XQxSrwucb_qWsYdwionBPzk6uKguG/s1600/IMG_3152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gemsweg Trail Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37M1C0g-L4tDzmu72Y-2jPzbXYlmbfzzas9PtR296lsQ7-dyKf0vCIzbyEP3n_do4Xvugw94Vc_R7Yjvvho0j7sgm748bLMJDALXUClAxlhde1g_XQxSrwucb_qWsYdwionBPzk6uKguG/s800/IMG_3152.jpg" title="Gemsweg Trail" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For more of an adventure, instead of hiking back into Saas-Fee from Gletschergrotte, hikers can continue on to the Plattjen ridge, which will involve hiking uphill. The great thing about Swiss hiking trails is that they are very well-marked so you can choose your own adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Take a Trip to Mittelallalin</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UKUaq1WGuK-FvVQ_wVpSPlJyYuA5W0MODfcepkREGaSNaK27iWMD5pyqyIsIrGGF4TW3FxYedBxPS4rMNkkAwsSEpnfMDx9vfZIG4rJnvvZL-OnWhNQQL8udY1a6ZsI0bMZmsHI8YPoC/s1600/DSC02168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mittelallalin Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UKUaq1WGuK-FvVQ_wVpSPlJyYuA5W0MODfcepkREGaSNaK27iWMD5pyqyIsIrGGF4TW3FxYedBxPS4rMNkkAwsSEpnfMDx9vfZIG4rJnvvZL-OnWhNQQL8udY1a6ZsI0bMZmsHI8YPoC/s800/DSC02168.jpg" title="Mittelallalin" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mittelallalin is 3,500 meters above Saas-Fee and is accessible by the Metro Alpin, the highest underground train in the world. At the top is a winter playground, even in the middle of summer. This is where ski students come to ski year-round. But Mittelallalin isn’t just for skiing and snowboarding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOsdIL58DuMM-kZocZK9yu2UQPBsf3Pm5h8iJ-Mhor1n8FDgJM3frp_TDYX_AFuCKkeH6czChboNFmVcNX1zVX5tnz54VHtc42DAF9GayInV4zWCerJh5P2P2LSMUuV2PRttJv_GtD5uw/s1600/IMG_2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mittelallalin Ice Pavilion Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOsdIL58DuMM-kZocZK9yu2UQPBsf3Pm5h8iJ-Mhor1n8FDgJM3frp_TDYX_AFuCKkeH6czChboNFmVcNX1zVX5tnz54VHtc42DAF9GayInV4zWCerJh5P2P2LSMUuV2PRttJv_GtD5uw/s800/IMG_2908.jpg" title="Mittelallalin Ice Pavilion" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mittelallalin offers views of glaciers and peaks of the Italian and Swiss Alps. There’s the <a href="https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/mountains/activities-on-the-mountain/ice-pavilion/" target="_blank">Ice Pavilion</a>, the largest ice grotto in the world, which is inside the 2,000-year-old Fee Glacier. There’s also the world’s highest revolving restaurant and coffee bar, a great place for lunch. It takes about 50 minutes for the restaurant to make a full rotation. <a href="https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/mountains/activities-on-the-mountain/swiss-glacier-world/" target="_blank">Swiss Glacier World</a> is probably the highest playground in the world (the signs literally say “probably”). Swiss Glacier World has a zip line, tubing, a ropes course, and a ski-doo park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Feed Marmots</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJf0ulvIb3-hRvR9YDWsRg5FnrHCKUzMBuqgAjf_7d3VOnDW6E9I58AmJ47RFVJGT6rotFHieycYpOmgBnyG6ENP2M7Ai-7BFodqJn44sL_yWGMJnSSC9IV4FxEat2CFcmRk7rZNzOiM1/s1600/IMG_2837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Saas-Fee Marmot Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJf0ulvIb3-hRvR9YDWsRg5FnrHCKUzMBuqgAjf_7d3VOnDW6E9I58AmJ47RFVJGT6rotFHieycYpOmgBnyG6ENP2M7Ai-7BFodqJn44sL_yWGMJnSSC9IV4FxEat2CFcmRk7rZNzOiM1/s800/IMG_2837.jpg" title="Saas-Fee Marmot" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the funniest things to do in Saas-Fee that will probably bring the most smiles is feeding marmots. Marmots are in the large ground squirrel group (in the US marmots are commonly called woodchucks or groundhogs). Alpine marmots live in rocky, mountain areas and can be found throughout the Valais region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s a field in the southwest end of the village of Saas-Fee where some friendly marmots are happy to come out to visit in exchange for some carrots and peanuts. Someone at the <a href="https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saas-Fee tourist office</a>, across from the bus station, can tell you where they can currently be found. The Saas-Fee marmots are adorable and friendly, though also a little skittish. Once you’ve enticed them out for your treats, stay quiet and calm so they don’t get spooked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ride a Toboggan</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JrXCvLsairz-CLoF8ArnvyVgH0QVKfCZUDs4h_olPOGaf7RwTYkCWDIcEkGdwT1C3mvPn47IUyAWmK9sIlrHO4a9wao5IPOLLhQ-rE-3LyW2gMQYUEHarHFJm5OTGRxcfSOQ6_MEzTSa/s1600/IMG_3310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Feeblitz Toboggan Run Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JrXCvLsairz-CLoF8ArnvyVgH0QVKfCZUDs4h_olPOGaf7RwTYkCWDIcEkGdwT1C3mvPn47IUyAWmK9sIlrHO4a9wao5IPOLLhQ-rE-3LyW2gMQYUEHarHFJm5OTGRxcfSOQ6_MEzTSa/s800/IMG_3310.jpg" title="Feeblitz Toboggan Run" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ever since we saw a Rick Steves Switzerland episode where he rode on a summer toboggan, we’ve wanted to do the same. It looks so silly and yet so fun. We finally got the chance in Saas-Fee. If you’re not familiar with a toboggan, it’s kind of like Olympic bobsledding, but on a tiny little cart that hurtles down a winding rail. The <a href="https://www.feeblitz.ch/" target="_blank">Feeblitz toboggan run</a> has the steepest toboggan lift in the Alps and can reach speeds of 40 kilometers per hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Where to Stay in Saas-Fee</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD6tm1u3eE1DWvAyAcZVmw6G8bgWfCz3-X8nbZ048KuRw-fUFFTwle0hrW2Vtc67pwXYU57pOQ_2nj9itt9wFxqjjCnhcpX2HwTB6RxHoi0CnHPJ0dqFUdgTKtONZOvdEbQbp6EFTBJgm/s1600/IMG_3320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hotel Tenne Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmD6tm1u3eE1DWvAyAcZVmw6G8bgWfCz3-X8nbZ048KuRw-fUFFTwle0hrW2Vtc67pwXYU57pOQ_2nj9itt9wFxqjjCnhcpX2HwTB6RxHoi0CnHPJ0dqFUdgTKtONZOvdEbQbp6EFTBJgm/s800/IMG_3320.jpg" title="Hotel Tenne" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For our two days in Saas-Fee we stayed at the <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/ch/tenne-saas-fee.en.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel Tenne</a>, a family-run hotel. Hosts Richard and Emanuela Berchtold-Bumman are kind and gregarious. The hotel is located just a couple blocks from the bus stop, making it very easy to get to, even with luggage. A couple blocks up is probably the best restaurant in Saas-Fee, and a couple blocks down is a sausage shop and a cheese shop, both good places to buy souvenirs to bring home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hotel Tenne has its own restaurant and bar, complete with large outside patio. A buffet breakfast is laid out for hotel guests every morning. The bar is open for a glass of one of the Valais region’s unique wines after a day in the outdoors, and sometimes there’s a live band playing traditional Swiss tunes for additional entertainment. In the lawn is a sort of miniature golf billiards game made of tables with a hole at the end and obstacles separating the ball from the hole. The ball is hit with something similar to a billiards cue.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Where to Eat in Saas-Fee</b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Essstube</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjhbnC4tGM0_Zgu9BLIYJC6R_EDQGUJ-tFKSF_QRFqJuPwtO_grFCB85A7BrbI2aZlrOLMuYLMXjGlbiyhAWmIVPzLE1j092nBWjoq_hB4q-U2WUrBXbkbtADEOywhuukv1cUZ-vXfldz/s1600/DSC02107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Essstube Bread Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjhbnC4tGM0_Zgu9BLIYJC6R_EDQGUJ-tFKSF_QRFqJuPwtO_grFCB85A7BrbI2aZlrOLMuYLMXjGlbiyhAWmIVPzLE1j092nBWjoq_hB4q-U2WUrBXbkbtADEOywhuukv1cUZ-vXfldz/s800/DSC02107.jpg" title="Essstube Bread" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our favorite restaurant in Saas-Fee was <a href="https://www.hotelmarmotte.ch/en/essstube.html" target="_blank">Essstube</a>, a short walk from Hotel Tenne. The restaurant has a fun, eclectic interior, and they clearly pay a lot of attention to the food. While we figured out what to order, we received a wood tray with slices of fresh bread, good olive oil, cherry tomatoes fresh from a garden, herbed butter, and a tiny bowl of salt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe1ePNBkRdjpMpsCsLren5XasIrGZerY3E-yX8Hjt0End4rHtOrM_Gn-cMyR62di5AO5DUB4Pdt0P5f1p2iKdLCdaMTdhdZ84JjkEP5Axajv2njTZtMz3zfM-v59wirPpJH0m140769-j/s1600/DSC02110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Essstube Steak Things to Do in Saas-Fee Switzerland in Summer" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe1ePNBkRdjpMpsCsLren5XasIrGZerY3E-yX8Hjt0End4rHtOrM_Gn-cMyR62di5AO5DUB4Pdt0P5f1p2iKdLCdaMTdhdZ84JjkEP5Axajv2njTZtMz3zfM-v59wirPpJH0m140769-j/s800/DSC02110.jpg" title="Essstube Steak" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dinner can be as homey or fancy as you want it. Romeo ordered the schnitzel while I ordered the steak topped with foie gras and cognac-truffle sauce. Both came with a jar of roasted seasonal vegetables spilling out, a soupçon of salted popcorn, and a potato chip branded with the name of the restaurant. Dessert was an unusual black pepper sorbet with a raspberry coulis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Zur Mühle</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another great restaurant in Saas-Fee is <a href="https://www.zurmuehle-saas-fee.ch/restaurant.html" target="_blank">Zur Mühle</a>, a cute bovine-themed restaurant with cow-print curtains, cow bells hanging from the ceiling, and a mesmerizing wooden sculpture of a bearded face on the outside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Zur Mühle serves market-fresh and seasonal products. They are known for their fondues, rösti, and beef dishes. Beef dishes are made with Eringer beef. Eringer cows are one of the smallest cattle breeds. The females are known for being aggressive and are used in cow fights in the Valais region. Eringer cows spend most of their time outside in the Alps grazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the summer months, overnight visitors to Saas-Fee get a <a href="https://www.saas-fee.ch/en/saas-valley/about-the-resort/citizens-pass/citizens-pass-summer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Citizen’s Pass</a>, which provides access to all Saas-Fee’s mountain railways and cableways except for the Metro Alpin. Having a Citizen’s Pass also provides the opportunity to purchase the Metro Plus Ticket to use the Metro Alpin without restrictions and includes admission to the ice pavilion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>How to Get to Saas-Fee</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">While most places in Switzerland are easily accessible by train, Saas-Fee was the only village we visited in the Valais Matterhorn region that required a bus ride. The transfer from the train at the Visp station to the 511 bus is easy, and the bus has a place for luggage below. Note that the bus stop for the 511 to Saas-Fee is at the very east end of the Visp train station. Travel on both the train and bus are covered by the </span><a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/swiss-travel-pass.html" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Swiss Travel Pass</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to <a href="https://www.valais.ch/en/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Valais Wallis Promotion</a>, <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Switzerland Tourism</a>, and <a href="https://www.saas-fee.ch/en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Saastal Tourismus</a> for hosting our time in Saas-Fee and making this article possible. As always, all opinions are our own. </span></i><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">This article contains
affiliate links. If you purchase through them it costs you nothing
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-72788711126620479612018-08-26T08:00:00.000-07:002018-08-26T08:00:04.617-07:00What to Do With a Long Layover in London<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nine-hour layover. Those words can strike dread in any traveler’s heart. Unless that is, that long layover is in London. Then, all of a sudden, those words are full of opportunity. We’re not strangers to the long layover. We used a long layover to tour <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2016/05/munich-in-a-day-long-layover.html" target="_blank">Munich in a day</a>, and another <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2016/06/munich-airport-long-layover.html" target="_blank">long layover at the Munich airport</a> (which included a spa visit and a brewery visit). Given the distance between Heathrow and the city of London, we didn’t get to do as much as we did with seven hours in Munich, but we were still able to have a very nice morning wandering around London on a self-guided tour, taking photos, and seeing a couple things we hadn’t seen when we were in London for <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2013/06/finding-my-soul-mate-again.html" target="_blank">our honeymoon</a> 14 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To set expectations, our flight landed at 6:20 a.m. Our first photo wasn’t taken until 8:45 a.m. Yes, it took almost two-and-a-half hours to transfer from our arriving terminal to our departing terminal, go through passport control, use the restroom, store our luggage at <a href="https://www.heathrow.com/airport-guide/terminal-facilities-and-services/left-baggage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Excess Baggage Company</a>, purchase our <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/ways-to-pay/travelcards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">London Travelcards</a>, and travel on the Tube to our first destination. For our flight departing at 3:25 p.m., we caught the Tube back to Heathrow around 12:30 p.m., so our London long layover of nine hours really only afforded us four hours in the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St. Paul’s Cathedral</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our first London long layover self-guided tour stop was <a href="https://www.stpauls.co.uk/visits" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">St. Paul’s Cathedral</a>. St. Paul’s Cathedral is situated at the highest point of London, and there has been a Cathedral on this same spot for over 1,400 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The current Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was built between 1675 and 1710 after the prior Cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since our layover was on a Sunday, we couldn’t enter the cathedral, otherwise, we would have tried to climb to the top for the view. So instead we took in the views of the outside while sipping coffee and nibbling on a chocolate croissant from a local café. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A unique view of St. Paul’s Cathedral can be seen from 1 New Change, a shopping center with smoked glass windows that reflect the Cathedral. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another of Sir Christopher Wren’s creations can be seen across the way from St. Paul’s Cathedral. Temple Bar was the gateway to the city of London for 200 years. It was then moved and rebuilt as the entrance to a country estate. It wasn’t until November 10, 2004, that Temple Bar was returned to London at Paternoster Square.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Millennium Bridge</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian-only bridge which crosses the Thames, connecting St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe. The bridge opened to the public in 2000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shakespeare’s Globe</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiMqLd_O6oLQnkhMDJtxZ3kv-a1jbIxR6Wn55gUMKuh-ZIPUnjEAeVhp8FxvgAhGVV7u-VyDPFSa-ywdJgodUk8qEDbX9vkraBZBBau1r4lxGCx9om1he9W7XKQjl-zkjnnjppRM-Rise/s1600/DSC01086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Shakespeare's Globe What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGiMqLd_O6oLQnkhMDJtxZ3kv-a1jbIxR6Wn55gUMKuh-ZIPUnjEAeVhp8FxvgAhGVV7u-VyDPFSa-ywdJgodUk8qEDbX9vkraBZBBau1r4lxGCx9om1he9W7XKQjl-zkjnnjppRM-Rise/s800/DSC01086.jpg" title="Shakespeare's Globe" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Despite its name, Shakespeare never set foot in the current Shakespeare’s Globe, which opened in 1997. But it is a very good reconstruction of the Globe Theatre originally built in 1599.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clink Street</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiAUPGdDyQQusum7oOSImRsrpcsjqdpsIZThxmycrhbSz0c3-80DmFu25ulGtdV-lmI_-m774BqDmtjZ5GIglNLNhbxTlcChNiCyWlDj6k3cDNOtTAXz6KY7PqDwFauIdcd_RP8_MPGoi/s1600/DSC01087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Clink Street What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiAUPGdDyQQusum7oOSImRsrpcsjqdpsIZThxmycrhbSz0c3-80DmFu25ulGtdV-lmI_-m774BqDmtjZ5GIglNLNhbxTlcChNiCyWlDj6k3cDNOtTAXz6KY7PqDwFauIdcd_RP8_MPGoi/s800/DSC01087.jpg" title="Clink Street" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Clink Street connects Shakespeare’s Globe and Southwark Cathedral. Walking along the dark cobbled lane will transport you back to the London of long ago. The street gets its name from the prison, known as “The Clink,” that was attached to Winchester Palace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO_03OCsXwUj8TazTEnBvc_dgAJUTVmX38ShBUjwdPrx211a_qHDH760rT-KGOlPXdIzSxYEb2DKG1uQv-atPsJtbebXijK02SbqoILv1HlUwn6VCQ9OAkUyQ5YWddIv-zFw7b1JHWjEY/s1600/DSC01093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winchester Palace What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO_03OCsXwUj8TazTEnBvc_dgAJUTVmX38ShBUjwdPrx211a_qHDH760rT-KGOlPXdIzSxYEb2DKG1uQv-atPsJtbebXijK02SbqoILv1HlUwn6VCQ9OAkUyQ5YWddIv-zFw7b1JHWjEY/s800/DSC01093.jpg" title="Winchester Palace" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Along Clink Street are the ruins of Winchester Palace, the palace of the Bishops of Winchester. The palace was founded in the 12<sup>th</sup> century by Bishop Henry de Blois, the brother of King Stephen. It housed bishops visiting London on royal or administrative business and remained in use until the 17<sup>th</sup> century. It was later divided into warehouses and tenements. The only part of the palace that remains is the Great Hall and its rose window. The ruins were discovered in the 19<sup>th</sup> century and revealed in the 1980s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The Golden Hinde</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkwC_hlenNgMh13tNsJ_0SuwtfQMZ5G1ndkN6Tko3R__nJLoUR4xbGZSNWt2F1BhoCBbnNiQW_akXONsUhWbTbsfuxeuyrrkzEU-kO2Oy8Wg2gG7IuJhoOEG7bBqY8F5zuRu-hLAiz8I2/s1600/IMG_7734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Golden Hinde What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkwC_hlenNgMh13tNsJ_0SuwtfQMZ5G1ndkN6Tko3R__nJLoUR4xbGZSNWt2F1BhoCBbnNiQW_akXONsUhWbTbsfuxeuyrrkzEU-kO2Oy8Wg2gG7IuJhoOEG7bBqY8F5zuRu-hLAiz8I2/s800/IMG_7734.jpg" title="The Golden Hinde" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At the end of Clink Street we were surprised to see a ship. <a href="https://www.goldenhinde.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Golden Hinde</a> is a full-scale reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake’s sailing galleon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Southwark Cathedral</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vJbmcfbJwCMPahKJSTSXhrU05XTL2CjuWzkJ83zAegLpOGdbuuagp84_k67pHrg2loDBTMMmamDUKSQ7WH4kqnSdtW0ETSvtHfy6hktCmaAC9RXrgQJq97Iuwpz60AvfOOYRprc1KhkR/s1600/DSC01094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Southwark Cathedral What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8vJbmcfbJwCMPahKJSTSXhrU05XTL2CjuWzkJ83zAegLpOGdbuuagp84_k67pHrg2loDBTMMmamDUKSQ7WH4kqnSdtW0ETSvtHfy6hktCmaAC9RXrgQJq97Iuwpz60AvfOOYRprc1KhkR/s800/DSC01094.jpg" title="Southwark Cathedral" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Southwark Cathedral was built around 1220 and is the oldest gothic church in London. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The View from The Shard</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwOgDnOVpozuCfm5frZQM9lzLxdulqHJ7ml0sLPF6azQdxuUEBvd1xKBvy3k62Il8eOpcX54B23WgaqsTfZXKk_fxHOuQT0voUo-yJX8JCuE39a3gboYAOB-xA6k-wI59H2iDbLmRFCJ/s1600/DSC01109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Shard London Bridge What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpwOgDnOVpozuCfm5frZQM9lzLxdulqHJ7ml0sLPF6azQdxuUEBvd1xKBvy3k62Il8eOpcX54B23WgaqsTfZXKk_fxHOuQT0voUo-yJX8JCuE39a3gboYAOB-xA6k-wI59H2iDbLmRFCJ/s800/DSC01109.jpg" title="The Shard London Bridge" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While most of the sites we visited during our London long layover didn’t cost us a thing, the opposite was true for <a href="https://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The View from The Shard</a>, which opened to the public in February 2013.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuAQgwfthEMgyj9rEhZMwQoYXI4pp5D4cPtScvlsPbG6plrvo-4rzdeldzX526xdt3uYCCpYi7QeNMdGf_Kh1b8OqzbvEkLuDi_bnp0jfzz8gK9V1H2H9NvhQwdHzjLMWSFRxDEatirPP/s1600/DSC01101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Shard View Tower of London What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuAQgwfthEMgyj9rEhZMwQoYXI4pp5D4cPtScvlsPbG6plrvo-4rzdeldzX526xdt3uYCCpYi7QeNMdGf_Kh1b8OqzbvEkLuDi_bnp0jfzz8gK9V1H2H9NvhQwdHzjLMWSFRxDEatirPP/s800/DSC01101.jpg" title="The Shard View Tower of London" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The View from The Shard provides the highest viewing gallery in London and visitors can see all of London’s points of interest including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ8rmwM_1Lv_oME3n_UCKBETGijI4hBdf_TA5kch3g3b19gBAYKfl9Z4TrrcChdyYfKbJcvxGSB2Lsyapn5TdDKwqZpOGR3gstUCeGPA73QqEBXfPvkfYWpYKMYtC_SL2i4LRSGFX06V5/s1600/DSC01098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Shard View What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ8rmwM_1Lv_oME3n_UCKBETGijI4hBdf_TA5kch3g3b19gBAYKfl9Z4TrrcChdyYfKbJcvxGSB2Lsyapn5TdDKwqZpOGR3gstUCeGPA73QqEBXfPvkfYWpYKMYtC_SL2i4LRSGFX06V5/s800/DSC01098.jpg" title="The Shard View" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Shard is Western Europe’s tallest building. It is 800 feet tall and provides 360-degree views of the city. The sky deck is located on level 72 and the observation deck is on level 69. The elevator transports visitors 68 floors in sixty seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOUkDm_nF_zVWgrn_a717TOY-3x_2f2KCBpoEh8EOIbROQI-Zcg-UX_y2WRON4u49Fo9lUa1IEwEaI7KsRlQY0v-wwLNZTwAPSckhbdB_3oZwQrHPu7CqVEbsZhNxZkGW8jtrU8HtMMFn/s1600/IMG_1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Shard Moet & Chandon Champagne Bar What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOUkDm_nF_zVWgrn_a717TOY-3x_2f2KCBpoEh8EOIbROQI-Zcg-UX_y2WRON4u49Fo9lUa1IEwEaI7KsRlQY0v-wwLNZTwAPSckhbdB_3oZwQrHPu7CqVEbsZhNxZkGW8jtrU8HtMMFn/s800/IMG_1185.jpg" title="The Shard Moet & Chandon Champagne Bar" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Admission is pretty pricey so you may be tempted to spend more time here to get your money’s worth. If you do, The View from The Shard offers Europe’s highest Moët & Chandon Champagne bar. However, if you’re visiting London on a long layover, you’ll want to take in the views and move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>St. Dunstan in the East</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDci3QHdCFToP5EKz9-3QIWy-ytCmKogqsMK0Xc7mN8aZpp2eFiYYM1UY3trd8kr1ocNbfOA3uJFf-hH6H4_-ja-iAJPTs5ti-0QMzJhtGl18Nh6di2jz1oXYGa7QVTYVlkua4LqaQ-lK/s1600/DSC01114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Dunstan in the East What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDci3QHdCFToP5EKz9-3QIWy-ytCmKogqsMK0Xc7mN8aZpp2eFiYYM1UY3trd8kr1ocNbfOA3uJFf-hH6H4_-ja-iAJPTs5ti-0QMzJhtGl18Nh6di2jz1oXYGa7QVTYVlkua4LqaQ-lK/s800/DSC01114.jpg" title="St. Dunstan in the East" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We crossed the Thames again, this time using London Bridge. After a short walk along the water, we came to St. Dunstan in the East, the first church built in Saxon times.</span><br/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUJDZrbWsFHOC28qdZvn0qdswAneF3e846k-5QGLLxI5XN2d3CrZTdyJmdDbCewW2ZFTivKpCJMFTWDjxHb0uaVx_aKKq0uOpm7onYKVJCacKnWLnUW_OlJIKD74p-EHGpBferqpx-lHr/s1600/IMG_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Dunstan in the East Tower What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUJDZrbWsFHOC28qdZvn0qdswAneF3e846k-5QGLLxI5XN2d3CrZTdyJmdDbCewW2ZFTivKpCJMFTWDjxHb0uaVx_aKKq0uOpm7onYKVJCacKnWLnUW_OlJIKD74p-EHGpBferqpx-lHr/s800/IMG_1200.jpg" title="St. Dunstan in the East Tower" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The church was restored by St. Dunstan in 950 AD, and it was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire. Only the tower of that church survives as the church suffered severe damage caused by World War II bombings. The ruins of the church were turned into a garden which opened to the public in 1967.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Leadenhall Market</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Leadenhall Market</a> is a very picturesque piece of architecture. Leadenhall Market has existed in some form since the 1<sup>st</sup> century. In the 1300s, the Manor of Leadenhall was a meeting place for poulterers and cheesemongers. By the 1400s it was the best place in London to buy meat, game, poultry, and fish. As with practically everything else in London, the market was partially destroyed in the Great Fire but was quickly rebuilt. In 1881 the structure was replaced with a wrought iron and glass structure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Royal Exchange was built in 1566 as a center for trading stocks. A hundred years later, additional floors were added for retail businesses, making it an early shopping mall. The Royal Exchange was destroyed in the Great Fire, was rebuilt, but was destroyed by fire again almost 200 years later. The current building was opened in 1844. It is now a shopping and dining destination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Across the street from the Royal Exchange is the Bank of England, which, at over 300 years old, is one of the oldest banks in the world. When I hear the name Bank of England, all I can think about is the scene in <i>Mary Poppins</i> when Michael creates a run on the Bank of England when he is overheard saying they wouldn’t give him back his money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDbZ1aLEmcbMe9v0xHy6XU_OUZQpOH9KmzK8F8djhloDig7eIRpaTd-JNK63D4zA1dH30uSPfCoDTEsqlU-Z_QB2us5HJSlU5wTCWnurCRfdisIxP-oa4MVhUQtqUW_6BxfU0SJ3Nj5Y7/s1600/DSC01133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Neal's Yard What to Do With a Long Layover in London" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDbZ1aLEmcbMe9v0xHy6XU_OUZQpOH9KmzK8F8djhloDig7eIRpaTd-JNK63D4zA1dH30uSPfCoDTEsqlU-Z_QB2us5HJSlU5wTCWnurCRfdisIxP-oa4MVhUQtqUW_6BxfU0SJ3Nj5Y7/s800/DSC01133.jpg" title="Neal's Yard" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We hopped on the Tube and headed to Covent Garden, mostly to catch a glimpse of Neal’s Yard, a colorful alley and courtyard, and to have a meat pie from <a href="https://www.batterseapiestation.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Battersea Pie Shop</a>. Also in Covent Garden is St. Paul’s Church, which is where Henry Higgins first encounters Eliza Doolittle in <i>My Fair Lady</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are so many things to do in London, and a layover, even a long one, does not provide enough time to do them. But visitors can take in a lot of London’s sites, at least from the outside, on a long layover with a strategically planned self-guided tour.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-50209470420051794362018-08-12T12:00:00.000-07:002018-08-12T12:00:14.386-07:00Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KWL_S-Uh8Bgs3JFAEpP1S_hB-0ta0Xs9MAUP9-3iPfhQkitzLjdUGmf8DNUuz5zQyrIPy0QbQ3tbtfFUJkqNIX9yszhytCOl1tNwQS2yxNCjvpqou6T0z1zjQHN_GydE4fCeHVodISBF/s1600/DSC05121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lauterbrunnen Valley Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KWL_S-Uh8Bgs3JFAEpP1S_hB-0ta0Xs9MAUP9-3iPfhQkitzLjdUGmf8DNUuz5zQyrIPy0QbQ3tbtfFUJkqNIX9yszhytCOl1tNwQS2yxNCjvpqou6T0z1zjQHN_GydE4fCeHVodISBF/s800/DSC05121.jpg" title="Lauterbrunnen Valley" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">While we ended up spending a number of days in Switzerland’s cities, we wanted to spend plenty of time soaking in Switzerland’s nature, specifically the Swiss Alps and the Berner Obereland region. To do so we spent four nights in Interlaken, giving us four-and-a-half days in the Swiss Alps. We used Interlaken as a jumping off point for a number of day-trips to places like Thun, Jungfraujoch, Lake Spiez, Lauterbrunnen, and Gimmelwald. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Swiss Alps</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jungfraujoch</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSICeu76GuoqejAf3j5yx9JQ77RzZEB-BMUrlphKmURhyphenhyphenKIQntT-KYLu-RuGAQjhBJt3P9f7fieDaVI1N3nrTwk2099eOMjdQHdfVIrI8ZeEOzmsJjSlrZM8oOU88ephvj4Y8fzZuwdflz/s1600/IMG_4760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Jungfrau Glacier Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSICeu76GuoqejAf3j5yx9JQ77RzZEB-BMUrlphKmURhyphenhyphenKIQntT-KYLu-RuGAQjhBJt3P9f7fieDaVI1N3nrTwk2099eOMjdQHdfVIrI8ZeEOzmsJjSlrZM8oOU88ephvj4Y8fzZuwdflz/s800/IMG_4760.jpg" title="Jungfrau Glacier" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Jungfrau is one of Switzerland’s famous mountain peaks, at 13,642 feet, in the Bernese Alps, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1912, construction was completed on the Jungfrau Railway and it has been transporting passengers through a 4.4-mile-long tunnel through the Eiger and Mönch peaks ever since. <a href="https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/jungfraujoch-top-of-europe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jungfraujoch</a>, also known as the Top of Europe, is 11,333 feet above sea level and is Europe’s highest-altitude railway station. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCZEwEETHZ_cRCivXQfJKaYyggAN819CRSB15fsXZivwu-0TJCvC1k7_xfDrVmyxdM7HnoFi9WcpLHre7zttuF2UVE_zGv0z2-TK6wEKfPiuv79r73bgAmRyd4R9W2PQM6IEUYGi9eN8K/s1600/IMG_3946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Eismeer Jungfraujoch Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCZEwEETHZ_cRCivXQfJKaYyggAN819CRSB15fsXZivwu-0TJCvC1k7_xfDrVmyxdM7HnoFi9WcpLHre7zttuF2UVE_zGv0z2-TK6wEKfPiuv79r73bgAmRyd4R9W2PQM6IEUYGi9eN8K/s800/IMG_3946.jpg" title="Eismeer" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Travelers make the trip up to Jungfraujoch for the spectacular views of the surrounding Swiss Alps. But the viewing platform isn’t the only thing to visit during a day’s visit to Jungfraujoch. Alpine Sensation showcases the development of tourism in the Swiss Alps and the railway’s history. Eismeer is a five minute stop on the way up to Jungfraujoch which provides a glimpse of the sea of ice outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkyQ6UninBcw4Lha4Tq302XE3sHYzDcTIP7KmnSrI7ckWePyupsTBhnISsoZNo_YZy6J-0VztuSJvCyQzK-Afkkjr7j2S2eXyclIfQsBuwP29X7v6iK8FotDzB62Wk9zBPXYu74PFIrZH/s1600/DSC05202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Ice Palace Sculptures Jungfraujoch Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkyQ6UninBcw4Lha4Tq302XE3sHYzDcTIP7KmnSrI7ckWePyupsTBhnISsoZNo_YZy6J-0VztuSJvCyQzK-Afkkjr7j2S2eXyclIfQsBuwP29X7v6iK8FotDzB62Wk9zBPXYu74PFIrZH/s800/DSC05202.jpg" title="Ice Palace Sculptures" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The Ice Palace is intriguing because these ice aisles and halls were created in the 1930s by mountain guides with picks and saws. Today the nooks and crannies are filled with works of ice art like penguins and bears. It is fun to try sliding on the icy floor, but don’t try to do anything too silly, like moonwalk, or you could get hurt (true story). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictyx8XdVn9qx3Qm7IgBTcwsz-yivxlfw7-LEF_2VqKktRzkTuPZsN0i3nx9Orp0A3D6eikUy3CQS5MsEnx7devHTwEMAuhpmmiNC9ZmDrjz3Zdg5GVbBcEXqmZnAsNncRqyO92eLmNqNW/s1600/IMG_4776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Mönchsjochhütte Jungfraujoch Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictyx8XdVn9qx3Qm7IgBTcwsz-yivxlfw7-LEF_2VqKktRzkTuPZsN0i3nx9Orp0A3D6eikUy3CQS5MsEnx7devHTwEMAuhpmmiNC9ZmDrjz3Zdg5GVbBcEXqmZnAsNncRqyO92eLmNqNW/s800/IMG_4776.jpg" title="Mönchsjochhütte" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">In case you visit on a cloudy day, the indoor Jungfrau Panorama provides a 360-degree panorama experience of the mountains. Chocolate lovers will want to stop into the Lindt Swiss Chocolate Heaven. If the weather is good, visitors can walk a footpath for 45 minutes to Mönchsjochhütte, the highest-altitude serviced hut in Switzerland. The Snow Fun Park allows visitors to play in the snow, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and snow tubing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F3mQbFOhIKUxBkDY5PJR4hTQL_kuJqEsXlt6F2LACplj0XBm6hEN-VCEfZYwYfh2HFxF9zqIb_fZLMOx4hNZB6ZrRs8FuTpBIy2WIjTAmXFM0Ih5I4Mvw0xNa1Ci5GjuxGyONId7Wv63/s1600/IMG_4773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Sphinx Observatory Jungfraujoch Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F3mQbFOhIKUxBkDY5PJR4hTQL_kuJqEsXlt6F2LACplj0XBm6hEN-VCEfZYwYfh2HFxF9zqIb_fZLMOx4hNZB6ZrRs8FuTpBIy2WIjTAmXFM0Ih5I4Mvw0xNa1Ci5GjuxGyONId7Wv63/s800/IMG_4773.jpg" title="Sphinx Observatory" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">An ultrafast elevator that travels 108 meters in 25 seconds take visitors to the Sphinx Observatory, an international research station with the best views, and hot chocolate or a cognac. For the active and adventurous, the Aletsch Glacier Hike is a two-day hike across the ice of the largest glacier in Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkAnEgBJAjFAxvWI8YMeK7bAiIXOZYJMwXzvJE0R9U_Zb06BxYTvWGeBPbeoLqunZXGKoanE1V-mvoDBtimfPa5wm6rFul3JrQ1enXL_Mo5Fut0FgPN0tgG2TlefyMK2fN9fW6YvZKnOO/s1600/IMG_3982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Ice Palace Jungfraujoch Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkAnEgBJAjFAxvWI8YMeK7bAiIXOZYJMwXzvJE0R9U_Zb06BxYTvWGeBPbeoLqunZXGKoanE1V-mvoDBtimfPa5wm6rFul3JrQ1enXL_Mo5Fut0FgPN0tgG2TlefyMK2fN9fW6YvZKnOO/s800/IMG_3982.jpg" title="Ice Palace" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/swiss-travel-pass.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swiss Travel Pass</a> provides free travel from Interlaken Ost to Wengen and then 25% off from Wengen to Jungfraujoch. The Jungfrau Travel Pass allows for an unlimited number of trips in the Jungfrau Region and a discounted ticket to Jungfraujoch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lauterbrunnen</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJn1s5OmKLb14ZtrN3F6ZAZIY1IW2E40K1-WRwAjIPODBJkyqo2h27x_v-pHIBvesfNgq_6OYbebwD17JuCehl6ZdpvN6e4m8BWVWGqNzkRbnnbnToPwQifteFq0p4kDi9WBjcKnkrlmu/s1600/DSC05680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lauterbrunnen Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJn1s5OmKLb14ZtrN3F6ZAZIY1IW2E40K1-WRwAjIPODBJkyqo2h27x_v-pHIBvesfNgq_6OYbebwD17JuCehl6ZdpvN6e4m8BWVWGqNzkRbnnbnToPwQifteFq0p4kDi9WBjcKnkrlmu/s800/DSC05680.jpg" title="Lauterbrunnen" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Lauterbrunnen may be one of those most idyllic places in the world. I think it has something to do with the incredibly tall, sharply steep cliff faces with waterfalls cascading over their edges, the water seemingly disappearing on impact. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4M440INfdVnFUlt0pJECg_pKMetWOJqaIWC4Dsz7fpnZQuzHzHAHCMsOnwoLsWX7YW0q5dBVzFmOuDgSthbm-C6dtFBmE8beLPsuxjOf-Z0YV7P-A810dzPVnlc46QjwiyPu9Rpy5vcD/s1600/IMG_5586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lauterbrunnen Walk Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4M440INfdVnFUlt0pJECg_pKMetWOJqaIWC4Dsz7fpnZQuzHzHAHCMsOnwoLsWX7YW0q5dBVzFmOuDgSthbm-C6dtFBmE8beLPsuxjOf-Z0YV7P-A810dzPVnlc46QjwiyPu9Rpy5vcD/s800/IMG_5586.jpg" title="Lauterbrunnen Walk" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The impossible expanse of green, trapped clouds, and clanging of cowbells in the air helps too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMbk9MDLE4ODm5qrLCUiuZFseiKHhZj-UL-RpSCiVR09jib0F0J57-q3RMcKCu9Fpi7AhFfFH1rZb6zY2-QzdjwFhsUpJVOjPKkXaxsEsOxxMpIRDyqqt2Hl6Bgne8rsUTxxgvkYbfzqe/s1600/DSC05674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Trümmelbach Falls Lauterbrunnen Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMbk9MDLE4ODm5qrLCUiuZFseiKHhZj-UL-RpSCiVR09jib0F0J57-q3RMcKCu9Fpi7AhFfFH1rZb6zY2-QzdjwFhsUpJVOjPKkXaxsEsOxxMpIRDyqqt2Hl6Bgne8rsUTxxgvkYbfzqe/s800/DSC05674.jpg" title="Trümmelbach Falls" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Strolling through Lauterbrunnen valley is a perfect afternoon pastime. The roundtrip walk from Lauterbrunnen to Trümmelbach Falls and back is about four miles along a paved farm road (not the main road). The views are glorious along the entire walk, and there are a few points of interest to stop at along the way, like Staubbach Falls and Buchenbachfall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwJfubauhUT20vgLUhpmp0tVU62fz6512CDZpDr_aoHMo7GBO6soHT_GlSpyyb15NaZqLkWiCoEWt2kT6gvN-sMeMsedNKr2CMkTqTIdaTHQXu7ri3W1Q-KB9zbJSlGVUHbG8Bno4yE83/s1600/DSC05270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lauterbrunnen Alp Cheese Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwJfubauhUT20vgLUhpmp0tVU62fz6512CDZpDr_aoHMo7GBO6soHT_GlSpyyb15NaZqLkWiCoEWt2kT6gvN-sMeMsedNKr2CMkTqTIdaTHQXu7ri3W1Q-KB9zbJSlGVUHbG8Bno4yE83/s800/DSC05270.jpg" title="Alp Cheese" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">This is the land of cows and dairy farms, and I will always remember the aroma of cheese being made that wafted through the valley. Even better, some of the dairy farms have a table or refrigerator along the walk with cheese and an honor system. Our favorite Switzerland souvenir was Alp cheese we purchased this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJpU4Kq4v6ZnLMOwe1JP-qz_P_cF_MEx072_84X6PPe1EuOpYIhB9_VCm9_1g0AzgbTPSJLowhpo38_hG0ThIN7sBIezZu3NBMpUIydgyr33DgZ9BClJazjoRo5UmMB2f0be3wxPahDLh/s1600/IMG_4950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lauterbrunnen Town Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJpU4Kq4v6ZnLMOwe1JP-qz_P_cF_MEx072_84X6PPe1EuOpYIhB9_VCm9_1g0AzgbTPSJLowhpo38_hG0ThIN7sBIezZu3NBMpUIydgyr33DgZ9BClJazjoRo5UmMB2f0be3wxPahDLh/s800/IMG_4950.jpg" title="Lauterbrunnen Town" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Before embarking on a long walk through the Lauterbrunnen valley, it’s a good idea to fuel up with some traditional Switzerland food like rösti or fondue. </span><a href="https://www.weidstuebli.swiss/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Restaurant Weidstübli Lauterbrunnen</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> in the Camping Jungfrau Holiday Park is an excellent choice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gimmelwald</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH0Ncxg_8xM4JzNudCy1Pib9d61WQzzFVoimpP5UEn-kkGuhll0KlQLFdRMJh8XlugsgB3DnrLMjmffAe1UN724edHYxlyoD6kg0aUbMa06uWRp-Vif4MfTYurwqugR7G-coEP16ydwfC/s1600/DSC05599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gimmelwald Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGH0Ncxg_8xM4JzNudCy1Pib9d61WQzzFVoimpP5UEn-kkGuhll0KlQLFdRMJh8XlugsgB3DnrLMjmffAe1UN724edHYxlyoD6kg0aUbMa06uWRp-Vif4MfTYurwqugR7G-coEP16ydwfC/s800/DSC05599.jpg" title="Gimmelwald" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">At the south end of the Lauterbrunnen Valley is a series of cable cars that zigzag up the mountain, stopping at little towns along the way. The first town is Gimmelwald. There’s not much to do in Gimmelwald, but we found it fascinating to walk along the winding lanes and imagine what life must be like up there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHPEn2Y-Cxu6aBqwDkxSGK-lrG_sNuRxFHlxZ8JW-tbXrSTr64ow0kboCWTwGx-oM0R7H6naR9fTf98TpKfSSCgtsgcrRMuyWbD96Q6ShEyJC3egyUUdqVR4Rat8xIHzUx6XRVDydbcfz/s1600/DSC05615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gimmelwald Cat Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHPEn2Y-Cxu6aBqwDkxSGK-lrG_sNuRxFHlxZ8JW-tbXrSTr64ow0kboCWTwGx-oM0R7H6naR9fTf98TpKfSSCgtsgcrRMuyWbD96Q6ShEyJC3egyUUdqVR4Rat8xIHzUx6XRVDydbcfz/s800/DSC05615.jpg" title="Gimmelwald Cat" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The views from Gimmelwald are entrancing, and you’ll also encounter cats, horses, and cows. A water trough on the side of the street is the town’s historic water supply. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP9dvA0MPD8MOTWG8B9ePFQTxtPCtpq8e6pUiYmqkFoSYsjoAv-MMVYgY9VtIG74sveIDMtid5zU2AyxzPq26jH_OQ03oNz5wXeHVyI8W2DSAfaERCVbR2qFX1G4s5usNBaDNppP6BzEz/s1600/IMG_4077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gimmelwald Cheese Hut Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP9dvA0MPD8MOTWG8B9ePFQTxtPCtpq8e6pUiYmqkFoSYsjoAv-MMVYgY9VtIG74sveIDMtid5zU2AyxzPq26jH_OQ03oNz5wXeHVyI8W2DSAfaERCVbR2qFX1G4s5usNBaDNppP6BzEz/s800/IMG_4077.jpg" title="Gimmelwald Cheese Hut" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">But our favorite site in Gimmelwald was that of the cute cheese hut where cheese is produced. This was our favorite site because right across the road from the cheese hut is a house with a self-service honor system refrigerator full of delectable Alp cheese.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_0n7ajqDikr8U1yy65vwEU1Da20ZA5m79_UMxZPyWYIySPyEUYFJdC3FmYruJJ-B0_vRN82gf1ecNC0yUA3ckM3l_IcqM1TW9rRqV5pm4ZtrCY3eiSEkMOP2XgMehcyjDcZn2Dyh71w6/s1600/DSC05526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gimmelwald Cowbells Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_0n7ajqDikr8U1yy65vwEU1Da20ZA5m79_UMxZPyWYIySPyEUYFJdC3FmYruJJ-B0_vRN82gf1ecNC0yUA3ckM3l_IcqM1TW9rRqV5pm4ZtrCY3eiSEkMOP2XgMehcyjDcZn2Dyh71w6/s800/DSC05526.jpg" title="Cowbells" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you continue up the cable car system you can visit the town of Murren and </span><a href="https://www.schilthorn.ch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Schilthorn Piz Gloria</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> at the top of the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Trips along Two Lakes</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Interlaken’s name is very literal as it is literally situated between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. This opens multiple opportunities for </span><a href="https://www.bls.ch/en/fahren/unterwegs-mit/schiff" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">boat travel</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> to unique and varied destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thun</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thun Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlGHFKYZ7hj66BjriHD6DnZMomJvt0g0Mu3DvTF2obRBDPFdD-o223k41xI5XrbhgTRrH8PVoJENMt0_n1rVQ9pPe8ZU1mmQDKa5igTHUf3hZpCbNdvm-frZH-1tkFsUkYdKzbgZmAZ9O/s800/DSC05006.jpg" title="Thun" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">A trip from Interlaken to Thun is as much about the trip as the destination. It is a leisurely two-hour boat ride along Lake Thun. With our first class Swiss Travel Passes, we had access to the upstairs restaurant where we had a wonderful lunch of fish and chips and cured meats and cheeses while taking in the views, as our table was at a window at the front of the boat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9PIQDnnW7gh-iD_B_Y1E6T9NyM4Pz0KFxEtVGoGFMP0Ipji0APWJtIMRfPNTkq4SFY7Bt3IPKP3hlC7QIyaamP9E2Fmw-KnK50xQsNMxbPDunZgREs2IVicu3kF-e3gns62VKV0p4CPY/s1600/DSC04997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Thun River Surfing Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9PIQDnnW7gh-iD_B_Y1E6T9NyM4Pz0KFxEtVGoGFMP0Ipji0APWJtIMRfPNTkq4SFY7Bt3IPKP3hlC7QIyaamP9E2Fmw-KnK50xQsNMxbPDunZgREs2IVicu3kF-e3gns62VKV0p4CPY/s800/DSC04997.jpg" title="Thun River Surfing" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Once we arrived in Thun, we spent a few hours strolling around the town and visiting Thun Castle. During our stroll, we encountered Thun river surfing near the Aerefeldstrasse station on the waves created by the Scherzlig lock. This is actually one of two river surfing spots in Thun, and the easier one. The more difficult Thun river surfing spot is at the mill lock. Surfers attach a rope to a hook on the covered wooden bridge, Obere Schleuse, let the surge of the water move them away from the bridge, and then let go and surf for as long as they can. The wave forms because of a hole in the underground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDtncd5Nx_BdnzYqmmC7kDuRHnF_59H34PqmnRkPfP-CFOX93rAQL3-GN7Jjy-Gf29L8nIO6vJkT12kPccinGg10Ri7A58wAk8FsP9QjzKUh83RWeLp7wf1OVab27x8qX7HWFZmtU1xMZ/s1600/IMG_4646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Thun Hill Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDtncd5Nx_BdnzYqmmC7kDuRHnF_59H34PqmnRkPfP-CFOX93rAQL3-GN7Jjy-Gf29L8nIO6vJkT12kPccinGg10Ri7A58wAk8FsP9QjzKUh83RWeLp7wf1OVab27x8qX7HWFZmtU1xMZ/s800/IMG_4646.jpg" title="Thun Hill" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">At the top of a hill, reached by a long covered staircase, are Thun’s city church, Stadtkirche Thun, and </span><a href="http://www.schlossthun.ch/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Thun Castle</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">. Thun castle has never been lived in by a royal family. The tower was built around 1200. The fortress was used as the mayor’s office and residence until 1798. The castle has some interesting things to see, including Swiss travel souvenirs from previous decades. The castle also provides some lovely views of Thun. Entrance to the castle is free with the Swiss Travel Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Giessbach Falls</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP0OEpIU6_SHizzqqthv6NuyA32WaJxXMTPzZZNAKNcm7nA56OcXoUiqqPDWU-9hEebc2zmssXj485BLi3k7g1SBJ6vcZobc023ZQCvVKc68C5Q4svB-V2op0Ce69H270Z1KRV5nrrKuN/s1600/DSC05314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Giessbach Falls Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP0OEpIU6_SHizzqqthv6NuyA32WaJxXMTPzZZNAKNcm7nA56OcXoUiqqPDWU-9hEebc2zmssXj485BLi3k7g1SBJ6vcZobc023ZQCvVKc68C5Q4svB-V2op0Ce69H270Z1KRV5nrrKuN/s800/DSC05314.jpg" title="Giessbach Falls" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">At the opposite end of Interlaken is Lake Brienz, which also has some pretty destinations easily reachable by boat. One of these is Giessbach Falls. Giessbach drops 500 meters, cascading over 14 different falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJurXvzFKp0BlQ8imIt6Ks0j4BUVPtfK4kvo_C0dw9zs4mo4ou7SXHYRTNAZUKQavH9h333qh4XlcVKQtkVk2UXCVqOOTs3fRflJDWgKO3Enevx2u6zC0ZoYwS6h0IT-38-80cybn0DSVg/s1600/IMG_5109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Giessbach Funicular Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJurXvzFKp0BlQ8imIt6Ks0j4BUVPtfK4kvo_C0dw9zs4mo4ou7SXHYRTNAZUKQavH9h333qh4XlcVKQtkVk2UXCVqOOTs3fRflJDWgKO3Enevx2u6zC0ZoYwS6h0IT-38-80cybn0DSVg/s800/IMG_5109.jpg" title="Giessbach Funicular" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Getting to the falls is a bit of an adventure. When the boat from Interlaken drops passengers off, they have two choices: hike up the hill to the historic Grand Hotel Giessbach, built in the late 1800s, or ride up the hill in Europe’s oldest funicular. The funicular was completed in 1879. It ascends 104 meters during the four-minute ride that travels 345 meters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw79Ko99I28lOT3VjrdWNwxDMsxcHjhmYbGeQQ2kcpSXepTiK4Gd43S_xRd1cFZqu1DfpL3bN1fPzLbm8iouc1uDDdkgSUjMGqRBqlpvjVdFNFBnjiiw_xOeSeiI6fDYn3D0E1rcJbnqzo/s1600/IMG_5141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Giessbach Falls Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw79Ko99I28lOT3VjrdWNwxDMsxcHjhmYbGeQQ2kcpSXepTiK4Gd43S_xRd1cFZqu1DfpL3bN1fPzLbm8iouc1uDDdkgSUjMGqRBqlpvjVdFNFBnjiiw_xOeSeiI6fDYn3D0E1rcJbnqzo/s800/IMG_5141.jpg" title="Giessbach Falls" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Once at the Grand Hotel Giessbach, there’s still a little hike to the falls, and you can decide how high along the falls you want to hike. If there’s enough time, we suggest walking back to the pier rather than taking the funicular back down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Iseltwald</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft4nNQlR2W6TAdt3V2RU_shrqh_I3sx0yQXGjCa1oXwkIshRum7zaKO0DHNzXW4EkHRHamFXxHmqjiJ-xlr4O_VwvvHzVVFcANa-tPogIRdZkar_cbfm4ZJJxOTREvS2en8C5yOxs69l2/s1600/DSC05401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Iseltwald Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft4nNQlR2W6TAdt3V2RU_shrqh_I3sx0yQXGjCa1oXwkIshRum7zaKO0DHNzXW4EkHRHamFXxHmqjiJ-xlr4O_VwvvHzVVFcANa-tPogIRdZkar_cbfm4ZJJxOTREvS2en8C5yOxs69l2/s800/DSC05401.jpg" title="Iseltwald" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On our way back to Interlaken from Giessbach Falls, we stopped at Iseltwald, a tiny lakefront town that’s been around since at least the 12<sup>th</sup> century. It’s even got a castle on a peninsula, which is now used as a rehabilitation center. The </span><a href="http://www.strandhotel.ch/154/en/our-restaurants" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Strandhotel</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a nice place to stop in for a lunch of lake fish and chips.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Interlaken</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepPZ5hlGFX9ThZXs5KUwc2ujl2C16BzLxDvweL1KzxODUOLU_9EzMJAxkLfCWhBy_PwSr8knww1-YafIxroUxIwmTu_-tP3pp5QvXhyMqNjMqtbKUKQkfwZsAdCJgCVsZ_s5rQBnZYJOa/s1600/DJI_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Interlaken Drone Aerial View Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepPZ5hlGFX9ThZXs5KUwc2ujl2C16BzLxDvweL1KzxODUOLU_9EzMJAxkLfCWhBy_PwSr8knww1-YafIxroUxIwmTu_-tP3pp5QvXhyMqNjMqtbKUKQkfwZsAdCJgCVsZ_s5rQBnZYJOa/s800/DJI_0033.jpg" title="Interlaken Drone Aerial View" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Why did we choose Interlaken as our home base? We were in Switzerland in April (for our birthdays), which actually isn’t the optimal time to visit the Swiss Alps because it isn’t really winter anymore but it isn’t really summer yet either. Snow activities are mostly finished, summer activities haven’t started, trails are muddy from melting snow, and a number of places are closed as owners take the opportunity to take holidays of their own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivH_PeYOp0Odcv4O2etyTs3zownVblKphb0y6AxLjts8ij7_WuMe446lRHVkt4jj4A-9dDwBuFvLgsnmdSgWVuMSTHOu58n1MeYPH_R1z-uWOHl0nk4kDUU9gZBzUf7DKTZirqIWW4e5TZ/s1600/DSC05460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Interlaken Evening Walk Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivH_PeYOp0Odcv4O2etyTs3zownVblKphb0y6AxLjts8ij7_WuMe446lRHVkt4jj4A-9dDwBuFvLgsnmdSgWVuMSTHOu58n1MeYPH_R1z-uWOHl0nk4kDUU9gZBzUf7DKTZirqIWW4e5TZ/s800/DSC05460.jpg" title="Interlaken Evening Walk" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">However, this didn’t hamper us in the least and in a way we got to enjoy both seasons in one trip. But it did influence our choice of staying in Interlaken because it is a bigger town, meaning more open lodging and eating options, and it is lower in elevation, meaning more moderate weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6BRamRB3SlRUzo9h6kYkyuLlBFlOLwMpPzA98gDGCTvedjnO6TfLY643JBOJ8OG9msXBsFDu9dOA3Um53Z5egma8UQtMRax737uUu0MZlnttuxfRXg-YBtxhTwOTxfP2NwAr2MjCVnMI/s1600/IMG_4492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Interlaken Skydiving Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6BRamRB3SlRUzo9h6kYkyuLlBFlOLwMpPzA98gDGCTvedjnO6TfLY643JBOJ8OG9msXBsFDu9dOA3Um53Z5egma8UQtMRax737uUu0MZlnttuxfRXg-YBtxhTwOTxfP2NwAr2MjCVnMI/s800/IMG_4492.jpg" title="Interlaken Skydiving " /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">If you’ve already done a little research about Interlaken, you may have read some not so favorable things. It is true that Interlaken is geared towards tourists with tons of shops selling expensive watches and other Swiss products. I wasn’t thrilled with the Hooters, sex shop, and casino, though the casino is well-hidden and the sex shop can be easily overlooked. There are tons of tourists. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQGL9ubIX4EbNjy6QDQvfo85DYkn6iPKPlW_odzODyZuwSemCLk2i6HCVSR4D1so5KGWPY2VSB587GN7Hr2eQRrEozEUPh9Ue3fiQtNFxXPDTICqB0QciFDrjOtuu9gQEX5BLqrgS3wOm/s1600/DSC05476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Interlaken Evening Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQGL9ubIX4EbNjy6QDQvfo85DYkn6iPKPlW_odzODyZuwSemCLk2i6HCVSR4D1so5KGWPY2VSB587GN7Hr2eQRrEozEUPh9Ue3fiQtNFxXPDTICqB0QciFDrjOtuu9gQEX5BLqrgS3wOm/s800/DSC05476.jpg" title="Interlaken Evening" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">While Interlaken meets the definition of touristy, it was quiet at night, there are good restaurants with regional food in spite of the Hooters, and it is a beautiful town, especially when you turn off of the main drag and walk farther in along the side streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I9Rwjcktstwa9HCGELHjl3fWV1cwyx1xMk7TKcoR3LRqHafMzw5XiAHZiOOgSN-gQZCjcgfDUQfIpM83kgN0n4gcgpDlq0_ly_G5wlihj78UiMCqXKK-7TaTH7l_XmnFkRTseBDZxUXC/s1600/IMG_5276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Harder Kulm Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4I9Rwjcktstwa9HCGELHjl3fWV1cwyx1xMk7TKcoR3LRqHafMzw5XiAHZiOOgSN-gQZCjcgfDUQfIpM83kgN0n4gcgpDlq0_ly_G5wlihj78UiMCqXKK-7TaTH7l_XmnFkRTseBDZxUXC/s800/IMG_5276.jpg" title="Harder Kulm" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">One of the best things to do in Interlaken is to take the cable car up Interlaken’s mountain, Harder Kulm. The Two-Lake Footbridge 1,322 meters above Interlaken provides views of Interlaken, Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, Lake Thun, and Lake Brienz. At the top is also the Panorama Restaurant Harder Kulm serving food, drinks, and more of the view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hotel Interlaken</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf6vH1qDQfxVBH1zro1sXfUprE4ix2DRFUwUgXSwFShrtlxGQ01bro7QaqE87igj-_vIKk1IxIyPSF3XffoQxlNKsRG-Ik0e8letqlej6k_bx1o7SVEwQu4jCSbLoTwMrgvR1NorAnKRN/s1600/DJI_0036+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel Interlaken Drone Aerial View Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf6vH1qDQfxVBH1zro1sXfUprE4ix2DRFUwUgXSwFShrtlxGQ01bro7QaqE87igj-_vIKk1IxIyPSF3XffoQxlNKsRG-Ik0e8letqlej6k_bx1o7SVEwQu4jCSbLoTwMrgvR1NorAnKRN/s800/DJI_0036+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Hotel Interlaken Drone Aerial View" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We spent our four days in Interlaken at the <a href="https://www.booking.com/hotel/ch/interlaken.en.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel Interlaken</a>, located on the east side of town within walkable distance of the Interlaken-Ost train station, even with luggage. While it was a bit of a longer stroll to the west side of town where most of the restaurants we enjoyed were located, we liked the Hotel Interlaken’s location because it was near enough to everything, but outside of the most touristed section of Interlaken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItzxBFAASbuo9XCYlWyNOvfQ0Mj85Dii5RCiP_7qdrF3fyQxNFKoEa3BcE48LbxkgNnFiZnpQqyL1rU4pPuj_EbjOetvVR-mXdPZzlV_5bZadrzaJaCE23zNpVskJPirztNdcbM0a8J44/s1600/DSC05285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel Interlaken Lobby Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItzxBFAASbuo9XCYlWyNOvfQ0Mj85Dii5RCiP_7qdrF3fyQxNFKoEa3BcE48LbxkgNnFiZnpQqyL1rU4pPuj_EbjOetvVR-mXdPZzlV_5bZadrzaJaCE23zNpVskJPirztNdcbM0a8J44/s800/DSC05285.jpg" title="Hotel Interlaken Lobby" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">We also liked that Hotel Interlaken is a historic hotel which has been providing hospitality since 1491. Some of the original walls are preserved in the lobby, bar, and restaurant. The hotel has had some famous historic visitors too, including Lord Byron.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht39GyUwHTecaQ8gWFhgbp9KcxYNAAc__PM_P1ANfzXxFkR2lWR1SdT3D8OgkLx68PHSE7_6waRBeJVSilnuyMcJYOqQhmsfWmsumNb9moS7WhrDMRLQVGoUiCglnI0Gyo_h5IsykQGraE/s1600/DSC05083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel Interlaken Room Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht39GyUwHTecaQ8gWFhgbp9KcxYNAAc__PM_P1ANfzXxFkR2lWR1SdT3D8OgkLx68PHSE7_6waRBeJVSilnuyMcJYOqQhmsfWmsumNb9moS7WhrDMRLQVGoUiCglnI0Gyo_h5IsykQGraE/s800/DSC05083.jpg" title="Hotel Interlaken Room" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">While Interlaken isn’t technically in the Swiss Alps, staying at the Hotel Interlaken feels like staying in a Swiss mountain chalet with the blonde wood-paneled walls and richly dark upholstery. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefnRAjzEJwU36lYG9TIsvgDYSdpl8dIZQqsFlmgs33vNk-3oRSLDQveqPNsQuDNOM0DDwwqnCCsQEWmkPJwKCERoABYVlFxPjFDCkeTePjymWEUZvy9oXNlmLt2w8FnYlwH1S-cM-m5M/s1600/IMG_5030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel Interlaken Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnefnRAjzEJwU36lYG9TIsvgDYSdpl8dIZQqsFlmgs33vNk-3oRSLDQveqPNsQuDNOM0DDwwqnCCsQEWmkPJwKCERoABYVlFxPjFDCkeTePjymWEUZvy9oXNlmLt2w8FnYlwH1S-cM-m5M/s800/IMG_5030.jpg" title="Hotel Interlaken" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">Our balcony looked over the hotel’s Japanese garden and had a pretty view whether it was sunny and clear or if white snow was drifting to the ground (and we experienced both).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interlaken Restaurants</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-GKz8CgDOduy_ODfXaPpf5RV5lkJru1HmH7NRW9JPacYvNU84skgvnFODmiZlJFbLqY_UefVryPBGWo48Gp-Mpqt-SEyxTwGGYjrUTN4GLKdmKnewsLftmICRaCqhXskMa0aHDoA1jhN/s1600/DSC05715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Restaurant Taverne Hotel Interlaken Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-GKz8CgDOduy_ODfXaPpf5RV5lkJru1HmH7NRW9JPacYvNU84skgvnFODmiZlJFbLqY_UefVryPBGWo48Gp-Mpqt-SEyxTwGGYjrUTN4GLKdmKnewsLftmICRaCqhXskMa0aHDoA1jhN/s800/DSC05715.jpg" title="Restaurant Taverne" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Hotel Interlaken has a very convenient restaurant, </span><a href="https://hotelinterlaken.ch/gastronomy/?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Restaurant Taverne</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">. But the restaurant is more than convenient, it is delicious. Restaurant Taverne serves modern Swiss cuisine and offers both a four-course and ala carte menu. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX5sZ-wFFK_IgECkbdtNgO0y33qk3zIs0otFeB-ZyLRcrKf7ap4IQ8T2TNaR986dWxxpZr2rMxVsLT_CMXwNgVCDRKD1uEkqyqKiKvfMhtrywSjnqrAhG0wcPMZDCiS2TbzTZoJV4ATYi/s1600/IMG_5300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Restaurant Stadthaus Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX5sZ-wFFK_IgECkbdtNgO0y33qk3zIs0otFeB-ZyLRcrKf7ap4IQ8T2TNaR986dWxxpZr2rMxVsLT_CMXwNgVCDRKD1uEkqyqKiKvfMhtrywSjnqrAhG0wcPMZDCiS2TbzTZoJV4ATYi/s800/IMG_5300.jpg" title="Restaurant Stadthaus" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We stumbled upon what must be one of the best restaurants in Interlaken, </span><a href="http://restaurantstadthaus.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Restaurant Stadthaus</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> in the Stadthaus Unterseen. The restaurant serves alpine classics, Switzerland wines, and regional beers. An example of Restaurant Stadthaus’ dishes is the Grindelwaldner Käseschnitte with melted cheese, bacon, fried egg, and Welsh rarebit on bread.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xDFdElLnDYv6dNn-XVZ6zknrDGLuycvpNQ6U9FGA2xKsMT3zG6kVp52W19P6mdJtGd0W9ZlPQxZn6n5yizN0lY7xJRawbp-nT2-XBuXHOkdio-9LWp55NZ_txvkJ5vjZU6f4Wu-0I4St/s1600/DSC05082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cafe Restaurant Schuh Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xDFdElLnDYv6dNn-XVZ6zknrDGLuycvpNQ6U9FGA2xKsMT3zG6kVp52W19P6mdJtGd0W9ZlPQxZn6n5yizN0lY7xJRawbp-nT2-XBuXHOkdio-9LWp55NZ_txvkJ5vjZU6f4Wu-0I4St/s800/DSC05082.jpg" title="Cafe Restaurant Schuh" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For an afternoon treat, step into the Grand </span><a href="http://www.schuh-interlaken.ch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Café Restaurant Schuh</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> for a fancy hot coffee and a chocolate. The Schuh has been around for over a hundred years, with a few different owners, and is known for its confectionery and chocolates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">For some casual Swiss fair and craft beers from Switzerland and around the world, head to </span><a href="https://www.huesi-interlaken.ch/index.php/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Hüsi Bierhaus</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQeO3rPryjKIBYWXpUPD36fIESFRsLVDYFe4_xvtHRUGl6cPsqK0MBZvcUVofzNw03Ej6_1YirBbeZNbRjhgpu8P_ZiFsLz5EpoBoWBxCsB8r4U6cTR-2cYC8DC_mBkFVf0fVCiAIVggJ/s1600/DSC05063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Thun Ellevated Street Four Days in Interlaken and the Swiss Alps" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQeO3rPryjKIBYWXpUPD36fIESFRsLVDYFe4_xvtHRUGl6cPsqK0MBZvcUVofzNw03Ej6_1YirBbeZNbRjhgpu8P_ZiFsLz5EpoBoWBxCsB8r4U6cTR-2cYC8DC_mBkFVf0fVCiAIVggJ/s800/DSC05063.jpg" title="Thun Ellevated Street" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you to </span></i><a href="http://www.interlaken.ch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt;">Interlaken Tourism</span></i></a><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, </span></i><a href="http://www.hotelinterlaken.ch/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hotel Interlaken</span></i></a><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">, and </span></i><a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i><span style="background: white; color: #608a4e; font-size: 12.0pt;">Switzerland Tourism</span></i></a><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"> for hosting our trip and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them it costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards this website and bringing you more travel stories.</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBlid42IIyymfvBnkNu8NMg89ksewePZ5esv9vqlnoqNLUdQfF5yEmhZQ_bt91KUYnSt1E9dEwlRK3-b-8IsEqGxwe_BAwm4E0A9mb4nm8MpOq91MMaLMbynAZtCG_wqlNRUjfqPhxIH0/s1600/4+Days+Interlaken+%2526+Swiss+Alps.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Travel the World: What to do with four days in Switzerland's Interlaken and the Swiss Alps." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBlid42IIyymfvBnkNu8NMg89ksewePZ5esv9vqlnoqNLUdQfF5yEmhZQ_bt91KUYnSt1E9dEwlRK3-b-8IsEqGxwe_BAwm4E0A9mb4nm8MpOq91MMaLMbynAZtCG_wqlNRUjfqPhxIH0/s400/4+Days+Interlaken+%2526+Swiss+Alps.png" title="" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-22582056465489531412018-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:002018-07-22T22:48:48.537-07:0010 Amazing Things to Do in La Paz Mexico<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI16hlcBFxd3sHrLam86kYhpGQw9hkgY2Qw_qE5dBo7e7Qpu3AeYOLXN1Xxv0llEoZmc6LCNdXkzEbVK6nAEFIGCg4XiTjnlARp12hpVvzhJkYMH8BQ70hB6lfe_PlDkh28pSp05RTi3Qn/s1600/IMG_4613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sea Lion Face Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI16hlcBFxd3sHrLam86kYhpGQw9hkgY2Qw_qE5dBo7e7Qpu3AeYOLXN1Xxv0llEoZmc6LCNdXkzEbVK6nAEFIGCg4XiTjnlARp12hpVvzhJkYMH8BQ70hB6lfe_PlDkh28pSp05RTi3Qn/s800/IMG_4613.jpg" title="Sea Lion Face" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you think travel to Mexico is not for you, visit La Paz, Mexico. La Paz has everything that’s great about Mexico. The food is delicious, the seafood is plentiful, the culture is present, and the nature is mind-blowing. La Paz is safe and clean, and it’s a place where real people live and enjoy life, rather than a place where there are more tourists than locals. There are also some pretty amazing things to do in La Paz, like swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling with sea lions, kayaking along one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, waking up to exotic birds soaring in the air and dolphins swimming in the water, and throwing down oysters, chocolate clams, and lobster.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QxhrX2kRRZz-mwUmO7ERLDH7ICb4IaxlQUB0Zdr5YgCtkl-R1iZ-CQVIWmtOR5zaZZMmqQ2KhxrloVXOMq9o9zix6JyPg142McTUnmsjkNrPaR2s8jvadj-dlMWmSiFqRU28GcJaaItl/s1600/DSC09714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Whale Shark Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QxhrX2kRRZz-mwUmO7ERLDH7ICb4IaxlQUB0Zdr5YgCtkl-R1iZ-CQVIWmtOR5zaZZMmqQ2KhxrloVXOMq9o9zix6JyPg142McTUnmsjkNrPaR2s8jvadj-dlMWmSiFqRU28GcJaaItl/s800/DSC09714.jpg" title="Whale Shark" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The primary reason we chose La Paz, Mexico as our vacation destination was because one of the most popular things to do in La Paz is swim with whale sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish on earth and during La Paz’s whale shark season, October through April, they can be found along the El Mogote peninsula (also the location of the <a href="https://www.casago.com/la-paz/vacation-rentals/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paraiso del Mar Resort</a> where we stayed) feeding on plankton. Whale Sharks can be as long as 40 feet and weigh over 20 tons. They have enormous mouths, but no teeth, and are filter feeders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These magnificent creatures are very protected and can only be visited with an authorized company. We booked our whale shark swim with <a href="http://www.cortezclub.com/whale-sharks/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cortez Club</a>. The boat trip from The Cortez Club to El Mogote peninsula does not take very long at all. Only a few boats at a time can enter the area where whale sharks are found, and only one boat’s passengers at a time can go in the water with the whale sharks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the boat cut through the water, our guide stood at the bow of the boat, Superman-style, searching for whale sharks. We were in La Paz near the end of whale shark season, so I began to worry we might not find one. But we did eventually come upon one, which we shared with a couple other boats.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We sat on the edge of the boat in our wetsuits, flippers hovered above the water, goggles on and snorkels in. Our guide had explained that as soon as it was our turn to swim with the whale shark, we had to jump in the water immediately and follow his directions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As soon as it was our turn, in we jumped and kicked as fast as we could. The water, which can be very clear, was exceptionally murky because there had been a windstorm a couple days before. As we swam as quickly as possible in green, cloudy water, from seemingly nowhere a broad blue back with white polka dots appeared directly below us. We couldn’t even see from one end of the whale shark to another it was so huge (check out our video to see what its like swimming above a whale shark). We swam along with it for what felt like just a few seconds when it was time to get back in the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We jumped in maybe four or five more times, each time waiting wide-eyed with anticipation on the edge of the boat, and then frantically jumping in and swimming, each time being surprised by this massive beast appearing from nowhere. The experience was awe-inspiring. Our guide gets to do this all the time, and you could tell it never gets old for him and it gives him great joy to be able to share the experience with others. The last swim was the best. Our guide held me by the elbow and propelled me alongside the whale shark, which at first went fast but then all of a sudden slowed down, allowing us a little more time to swim alongside before we ended our pursuit. Swimming with whale sharks was by far our favorite thing to do in La Paz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T0DSCH8k0i_b_zZ7FGBJZm0MNPuxyevLykyuN3XCLEN-heteaBsVEwTECLCUI1YOtx5bX66WnoluWVg7rK3P-nuEFPxxvVQixGxLDiY11cppyTtK_eUwU9hHf-GlJ2Uf1ETI73R8gzLF/s1600/IMG_4612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sea Lion Bubbles Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0T0DSCH8k0i_b_zZ7FGBJZm0MNPuxyevLykyuN3XCLEN-heteaBsVEwTECLCUI1YOtx5bX66WnoluWVg7rK3P-nuEFPxxvVQixGxLDiY11cppyTtK_eUwU9hHf-GlJ2Uf1ETI73R8gzLF/s800/IMG_4612.jpg" title="Sea Lion Bubbles" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another fun thing to do in La Paz Mexico is snorkel with sea lions. <a href="http://www.cortezclub.com/snorkeling/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cortez Club</a> offers a combo of their whale shark and sea lion trips, so we decided to do both. </span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn8EFkZNCkrLvnjvnOLx13oGC8KeNmAnlIsW-j5-GzXwsyjI_vsI0nu3CwtPjJKXJ2QOQhmxsnBizZcVdGx-kU_0mSKiHL1UXFGMeSoWkfuizmhih1yE1HuJQIr_qzfzSHFmlmbLDoGTt/s1600/DSC09627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sea LIons on the Rocks Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrn8EFkZNCkrLvnjvnOLx13oGC8KeNmAnlIsW-j5-GzXwsyjI_vsI0nu3CwtPjJKXJ2QOQhmxsnBizZcVdGx-kU_0mSKiHL1UXFGMeSoWkfuizmhih1yE1HuJQIr_qzfzSHFmlmbLDoGTt/s800/DSC09627.jpg" title="Sea Lions on the Rocks" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">La Paz has two main breeding colonies of sea lions. The larger one is at the northern tip of Espiritu Santo Island, which is where we snorkeled and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and we also visited the second one at the San Rafaelito Lighthouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvMH6BqZd-2kXNHV0eSJIsOeC_r1Hw8cDZq902hx1V9uQCDYnfaDSBzHz14hHHMOSSmlZIzzdkPL762Upp_-qYSbfwnVN3Vdy6jYJUCGq-1oQVsT-kj-HocrnQYW_t8MXJkz2J_mavpaV/s1600/IMG_4560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pair of Sea Lions Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyvMH6BqZd-2kXNHV0eSJIsOeC_r1Hw8cDZq902hx1V9uQCDYnfaDSBzHz14hHHMOSSmlZIzzdkPL762Upp_-qYSbfwnVN3Vdy6jYJUCGq-1oQVsT-kj-HocrnQYW_t8MXJkz2J_mavpaV/s800/IMG_4560.jpg" title="Pair of Sea Lions" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The sea lions are friendly to humans and may come to play. They are attracted by bright colors and bubbles. The Cortez Club also offers scuba diving trips to Espiritu Santo Island, and we had some scuba divers gliding in the water below us, but the sea lions seem to prefer snorkelers. If you hold your arm out, they’ll come and bump your fist, but don’t wiggle your fingers or they might nibble at them. They also see bubbles as encouragement to play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wsd_4XxKrIUQV6YJDIx56LEunyQeJZGHFcKnM7VWXzHxTblEqKgiLLuoBDI9-M-ckWZ_2VUiFqK_yedF9mAkJFbFGWoojYxqrQ9FijKWtIVlwKxDXQaH1gdbvqvBk620PKC_JuVU9QsJ/s1600/IMG_4535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sergeant Major Fish Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wsd_4XxKrIUQV6YJDIx56LEunyQeJZGHFcKnM7VWXzHxTblEqKgiLLuoBDI9-M-ckWZ_2VUiFqK_yedF9mAkJFbFGWoojYxqrQ9FijKWtIVlwKxDXQaH1gdbvqvBk620PKC_JuVU9QsJ/s800/IMG_4535.jpg" title="Sergeant Major Fish" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI0PmDaJSiadexy0Buf7pQn__qf0fryNbh-F6RbnUujo9SQM3wwUdQklPtCYkRL2hoxy5bgsz9bVetrH8_AItCQdgEuFUK_r9r790kV9WmwyRsQeFk4DCyLTZeXX5tc11eG-Ct88AUdC8/s1600/IMG_4578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Snorkeling Espiritu Santo Island Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqI0PmDaJSiadexy0Buf7pQn__qf0fryNbh-F6RbnUujo9SQM3wwUdQklPtCYkRL2hoxy5bgsz9bVetrH8_AItCQdgEuFUK_r9r790kV9WmwyRsQeFk4DCyLTZeXX5tc11eG-Ct88AUdC8/s800/IMG_4578.jpg" title="Snorkeling Espiritu Santo Island" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuXNYKveqNzR6uKtxmkrvz6jOgb5OapWhgY81fYykzj4e8qDTEoVSaBzNsV469XCN7HAg49Uu6boIl-vOfmuTrlSx4ARw6NFOZidoZS8NLh48LZugfU_J6aoVMe0IGkWBU4i6IU3DB9ni/s1600/IMG_4595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Santo Espiritu Island Reef Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuXNYKveqNzR6uKtxmkrvz6jOgb5OapWhgY81fYykzj4e8qDTEoVSaBzNsV469XCN7HAg49Uu6boIl-vOfmuTrlSx4ARw6NFOZidoZS8NLh48LZugfU_J6aoVMe0IGkWBU4i6IU3DB9ni/s800/IMG_4595.jpg" title="Santo Espiritu Island Reef" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sea lions aren’t the only animals we saw on The Cortez Club’s sea lion snorkeling trip. We also saw a small pod of dolphins and we visited the breeding ground for the Magnificent Frigate, a huge almost Jurassic looking bird with a forked tail that can fly for two months straight without touching down on land or water. Another remarkable sight was that of manta rays flying out of the water from all directions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Kayak along Balandra Beach to Mushroom Rock</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14SnpjNT9YKfEA2YSO2QbhOpju67UaVKpjkVqCLfHc8s_TNk4j1gOSD3jg_vNSDYWKjY1UBK3wU6AS9-FIEdTSovclQUJFnbtPn9Mu8IPhQ3HT-Hj_D4-2-Tc80g4fStroQHP-Q4FQJfr/s1600/DSC09748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Balandra Beach Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14SnpjNT9YKfEA2YSO2QbhOpju67UaVKpjkVqCLfHc8s_TNk4j1gOSD3jg_vNSDYWKjY1UBK3wU6AS9-FIEdTSovclQUJFnbtPn9Mu8IPhQ3HT-Hj_D4-2-Tc80g4fStroQHP-Q4FQJfr/s800/DSC09748.jpg" title="Balandra Beach" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">They say that unless you’ve seen Mushroom Rock, you haven’t been to La Paz. Mushroom Rock, or Hongo de Balandra, is the symbol of La Paz. It is found at the end of Balandra Beach, perhaps the most beautiful beach in Mexico. The sand is white, the water is turquoise, and the small protected lagoon is so shallow you can walk to the other side without the water hitting your knees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFztGuukyVIKp9n-GMITkP795php0zgIF_LasHS7G8eVJJT0oFOjqwim68ldbbo69Hi1r7KHp414s3GltsZvdHugjJMzjyYSOltoCrKNlDsOI6sneFEC1RE-rSw2YE8VWwHJikaTqSGMX/s1600/DSC09754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mushroom Rock Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFztGuukyVIKp9n-GMITkP795php0zgIF_LasHS7G8eVJJT0oFOjqwim68ldbbo69Hi1r7KHp414s3GltsZvdHugjJMzjyYSOltoCrKNlDsOI6sneFEC1RE-rSw2YE8VWwHJikaTqSGMX/s800/DSC09754.jpg" title="Mushroom Rock" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our sea lion snorkeling trip we passed Balandra Beach and our guide mentioned there was a mangrove forest which could be reached by kayak. When we arrived at Balandra Beach, I was excited to see that there were kayaks and paddle boards available to rent. It was a bit breezy for paddle boarding, so I rented a kayak for 90 minutes and kayaked to Mushroom Rock and back into the mangroves. It is such an unusual sight to see mangroves, and then 10 feet away cactus growing along the shore near blue waters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcuLr0K9MiE79wBl3ChVz7YCssWRzcjDaIlUBxxE0HoZBs6UL8UZjo9hA4cAb87DdtbMMgLqgBnOskrgWT2__FsURhd2fgF3S92pDMPLxD8BYMUnFsYqQQ5P_ZgT9KPFkzPLrHo8b9Onn/s1600/DSC09763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kayaking Balandra Beach Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcuLr0K9MiE79wBl3ChVz7YCssWRzcjDaIlUBxxE0HoZBs6UL8UZjo9hA4cAb87DdtbMMgLqgBnOskrgWT2__FsURhd2fgF3S92pDMPLxD8BYMUnFsYqQQ5P_ZgT9KPFkzPLrHo8b9Onn/s800/DSC09763.jpg" title="Kayaking Balandra Beach" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were pleasantly surprised by how pristinely clean Balandra Beach was. We were also surprised by the lack of the hard sell, which was true for all of La Paz. We’re used to visiting Mexican destinations where we are constantly being approached to buy something and no isn’t accepted as an answer. There were items for sale in the parking lot, but the sellers weren’t harassing beach-goers in any way. The group renting kayaks were sitting at a table waiting for people to come to them. A man came up to me asking if I wanted empanadas and when I said no, he simply walked on to the next person on the beach, at which point I realized a kind of did want an empanada. It was such a different experience, I forgot to try to barter on the rental price for the kayak, but the girl told me to take it out for an hour and a half instead of the hour she had originally quoted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just a mile up the road from Balandra Beach is Tecolote Beach. Tecolote Beach wasn’t as pretty, but it did have restaurants and bars along the sand, so some visitors may want to spend some time there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Explore La Paz and Walk the Malecón</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMzrtPQhWfWY9MkJgmtuhbeIPuho70O3F7JMCojIA2n1hLfPw6Wy67mEixEcxWLuQFTJ9i1ownTvba5B9WhQZizEzj1j0TnflHU_AzAUdnY2oYuZzzzpTpXV0JMSL3wBt7f-YX_IHtkR/s1600/DSC00109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Paz Sign Malecon Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMzrtPQhWfWY9MkJgmtuhbeIPuho70O3F7JMCojIA2n1hLfPw6Wy67mEixEcxWLuQFTJ9i1ownTvba5B9WhQZizEzj1j0TnflHU_AzAUdnY2oYuZzzzpTpXV0JMSL3wBt7f-YX_IHtkR/s800/DSC00109.jpg" title="La Paz Sign" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The main sites of La Paz’s zona central can be visited on a short walking tour starting at the Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de La Paz Airapí. La Paz’s mission was established in 1720. It was the seventh California mission, but it wasn’t very successful, so it was abandoned in 1748 and the inhabitants of the mission moved south to Todos Santos. Across the street from the mission is a small garden square, Jardin Velasco.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8wiZKTJMi1iQsiPJlkBmsO_Z8WqiOXkFisvxdeyfwt8Sy8ZNcRHOum-rkMEYHUfcSU3hyphenhyphencRbeZ9vX-ab4MiAjyP-t26IhNAXhRNELzm88MkwRUivodQ6zGFUw3avownH-o0uYIvT26mc/s1600/DSC00093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Paz Mission Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8wiZKTJMi1iQsiPJlkBmsO_Z8WqiOXkFisvxdeyfwt8Sy8ZNcRHOum-rkMEYHUfcSU3hyphenhyphencRbeZ9vX-ab4MiAjyP-t26IhNAXhRNELzm88MkwRUivodQ6zGFUw3avownH-o0uYIvT26mc/s800/DSC00093.jpg" title="La Paz Mission" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few blocks down the hill, towards the water, is the <a href="https://www.museodelaballena.org/" target="_blank">Museo de la Ballena</a>, a museum dedicated to whales. The entrance fee includes a private guide. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqzu6cUFuLrM05Yi94bHMvoL3a5WtOOqinAgK5RR8jeDrphi7e8O_w85RhIE01AsouL1LOC9bHGwZPilJcvpLE68CZYqgkP6BEOy8oLp5i0q-KFkLHegxtZ-9LvSEb1on_jvnVpm05zQu/s1600/DSC00117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Malecon Oyster Sculpture Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqzu6cUFuLrM05Yi94bHMvoL3a5WtOOqinAgK5RR8jeDrphi7e8O_w85RhIE01AsouL1LOC9bHGwZPilJcvpLE68CZYqgkP6BEOy8oLp5i0q-KFkLHegxtZ-9LvSEb1on_jvnVpm05zQu/s800/DSC00117.jpg" title="Malecon Oyster Sculpture" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Malecón is La Paz’s waterfront walkway that is enjoyed by locals both day and night. During the day the residents of La Paz can be seen walking, jogging, running, biking, and walking their dogs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFiK3Z8GC98gK9Qy8iF7KqmcsSL9s56sHeiHjIaIQFIAMIHrlD1epAnycdXC3vF4HldipcPjw4w1tIyOLGUmrnlpRCGvHHr4GHrmqTKZ0077zVNRxLCnGamROF-LJZKOL_Fsr3KaLAIIx/s1600/IMG_6786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Malecon Shell Sculpture Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFiK3Z8GC98gK9Qy8iF7KqmcsSL9s56sHeiHjIaIQFIAMIHrlD1epAnycdXC3vF4HldipcPjw4w1tIyOLGUmrnlpRCGvHHr4GHrmqTKZ0077zVNRxLCnGamROF-LJZKOL_Fsr3KaLAIIx/s800/IMG_6786.jpg" title="Malecon Shell Sculpture" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At night the Malecón fills up with folks taking an evening stroll or dining at one of the many waterfront restaurants. The Malecón offers three miles of sea and sunset views dotted with 12 bronze sculptures along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stay at Paraiso del Mar Resort</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UaEQYi8IR1O7c5wMU7w-e_SO9KzN1VykRpZd6z6HtagMVHzyTgJdVnArOVwduqH49rwbNWjwwi3XDqpSTmtaIyve57rs9mxuI60ZxCrNjc-1Cjk13Q0INQ1zCPn1mW36K1IihYyMPD3q/s1600/DJI_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Aerial View Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UaEQYi8IR1O7c5wMU7w-e_SO9KzN1VykRpZd6z6HtagMVHzyTgJdVnArOVwduqH49rwbNWjwwi3XDqpSTmtaIyve57rs9mxuI60ZxCrNjc-1Cjk13Q0INQ1zCPn1mW36K1IihYyMPD3q/s800/DJI_0047.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Aerial View" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Paraiso del Mar Resort is not a hotel. Rather, it is a resort of privately owned condominiums and casitas, some of which are offered as vacation rentals. Our La Paz vacation rental was booked through <a href="https://www.casago.com/la-paz/vacation-rentals/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CasaGo</a>, which manages approximately 20 properties at Paraiso del Mar Resort. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetD3AOvq-lwbSoLZss680gAt1_R4cI1JQuuVVWMNmeUgPFfwN4e03VVp2Ke0tWq8fZwKaLDR_-1a3tporU3-V26zjwCJpFZeFPvJOFghdHDNTp9X9cBvj516ceLA4qIemp7GPs3DalEz6/s1600/IMG_6692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso Del Mar Resort Beach Boardwalk" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetD3AOvq-lwbSoLZss680gAt1_R4cI1JQuuVVWMNmeUgPFfwN4e03VVp2Ke0tWq8fZwKaLDR_-1a3tporU3-V26zjwCJpFZeFPvJOFghdHDNTp9X9cBvj516ceLA4qIemp7GPs3DalEz6/s800/IMG_6692.jpg" title="Paraiso Del Mar Resort Beach Boardwalk" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because Paraiso del Mar Resort is at the tip of El Mogote peninsula, it feels like it is on its own little island. It is a beautiful property with a golf course, a pool, and a pool bar that serves food. There are kayaks and paddle boards which are free for residents and renters to use, and there are miles of secluded beach to stroll along. We didn’t see any whale sharks from our condo, though it is possible to encounter them while kayaking or paddle boarding, but we did see some dolphins from our patio. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz5k36CsqWCL215Q0Lq2NdhP1WTgztC3meQcWEeSn20CAfVxvfAyLPdgQOVyQ_-naPdTpAqG2KB8EvUkbvCdaDTfdoOspfZ5HolXt_ZM54PZKrb6dNwEqGSDJ5lVtMsX0aLUXdWGGOcwN/s1600/DSC09977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magnificent Frigate Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz5k36CsqWCL215Q0Lq2NdhP1WTgztC3meQcWEeSn20CAfVxvfAyLPdgQOVyQ_-naPdTpAqG2KB8EvUkbvCdaDTfdoOspfZ5HolXt_ZM54PZKrb6dNwEqGSDJ5lVtMsX0aLUXdWGGOcwN/s800/DSC09977.jpg" title="Magnificent Frigate" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also saw many exotic birds, including the Magnificent Frigates which seemed to enjoy soaring over the property like kites when the wind picks up. The resort, and all of La Paz, is a bird-lover's paradise. Birders will want to visit the <a href="http://birdsofthemogote.com/" target="_blank">Birds of the Mogote website</a> to see the birds they can expect to spot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWePYOEiOSnAY8VNiaYVcxUvxX1EqPq5QYQkyzJ7q6vfHKD1Zrbxq8ziFp9iGGmdyVR6IRAI0QQgTzrM2X0Tn-ExmhUeUR1PVYWOJLDoQA4HX9HCga9sZaGvAf3kSUPMqfQleSzwigc3d/s1600/DSC09964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Beach View Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWePYOEiOSnAY8VNiaYVcxUvxX1EqPq5QYQkyzJ7q6vfHKD1Zrbxq8ziFp9iGGmdyVR6IRAI0QQgTzrM2X0Tn-ExmhUeUR1PVYWOJLDoQA4HX9HCga9sZaGvAf3kSUPMqfQleSzwigc3d/s800/DSC09964.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Beach View" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0uL4LFUnPjzWtQF9QUgy3Z2OLngsuDGziE-NUyEgyr62bELANj5zZJNIhvcWe-65yqcTP3ZunJ3YMseZ9E2Ty2E8o_hzB3d9UWL_NQLoSh8UjBX8z77A3uexxZiEiv5PPMQUPnDl3eWW/s1600/DSC09966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Condo Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0uL4LFUnPjzWtQF9QUgy3Z2OLngsuDGziE-NUyEgyr62bELANj5zZJNIhvcWe-65yqcTP3ZunJ3YMseZ9E2Ty2E8o_hzB3d9UWL_NQLoSh8UjBX8z77A3uexxZiEiv5PPMQUPnDl3eWW/s800/DSC09966.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Condo" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HsBe2-TH4sK3SD448sa1A1dHXLyiwHtnXEPskTTkskEmUTWHwtcb6gP3rQSiefDinay38GEv4XdUZiDDJb5FdCS7o8ezMpF4GLJrbZQ6eubLCQdZqYAVWDrPe_IGkKx_EqB4xAvy6KlI/s1600/DSC09965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Bedroom Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HsBe2-TH4sK3SD448sa1A1dHXLyiwHtnXEPskTTkskEmUTWHwtcb6gP3rQSiefDinay38GEv4XdUZiDDJb5FdCS7o8ezMpF4GLJrbZQ6eubLCQdZqYAVWDrPe_IGkKx_EqB4xAvy6KlI/s800/DSC09965.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Bedroom" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stayed in one </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">of </span>CasaGo’s<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> bes</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t units, </span><a href="https://www.casago.com/la-paz/property/paraiso-del-mar-resort/pdm-a102/" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">A102</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, a two-bedroom, three-bathroom, ground-floor unit with a patio and gorgeous views of the property and the Sea of Cortez. The unit also has a full kitchen and a laundry room. The kitchen was equipped with everything one would need to cook any meal they wanted, and we were happy to find an unopened multi-gallon water jug to provide us with drinking water for our entire stay. There were some additional nice touches like DVDs, guidebooks, and bug spray.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5KRl0o1cN_RojF-meCXNaQdq5wBrrmipn_4JtRx2NvyZXKVJAiVYE7NF3FVgwfmgifbJYJDj55-Sav9o7TJfadcN0t_Fu3LLnKFWvSQZs1p6b4saYmEZttJx0rfSVXIw-IsPPZT5LFlH/s1600/IMG_6642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Shuttle Boat Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5KRl0o1cN_RojF-meCXNaQdq5wBrrmipn_4JtRx2NvyZXKVJAiVYE7NF3FVgwfmgifbJYJDj55-Sav9o7TJfadcN0t_Fu3LLnKFWvSQZs1p6b4saYmEZttJx0rfSVXIw-IsPPZT5LFlH/s800/IMG_6642.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Shuttle Boat" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The one concern I had about staying at Paraiso del Mar Resort is that it is on El Mogote peninsula, which means it is really only reachable by boat, which sounded like it could be inconvenient. The HOA provides a shuttle boat to and from the Marina Cortez which runs every half hour throughout the day. This turned out to be quite convenient. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigo_YoqPSvGA1QwP2kVNaTT_aYze5fXPalchHQ5txE1wkh4SyQIqIj49ndtQIwwDurcPHm7qz5wZPZEkiG8ZRlmw5DD_SdbGi-A6RChwgAT_UdoRk_WvWWx2OxrXl1CtSTyAgzKzd1-O8o/s1600/DSC00088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Bikes Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigo_YoqPSvGA1QwP2kVNaTT_aYze5fXPalchHQ5txE1wkh4SyQIqIj49ndtQIwwDurcPHm7qz5wZPZEkiG8ZRlmw5DD_SdbGi-A6RChwgAT_UdoRk_WvWWx2OxrXl1CtSTyAgzKzd1-O8o/s800/DSC00088.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Bikes" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The vacation rentals are about a mile away from the shuttle boat dock, but you can either call for the shuttle van to drive you to the dock, or you can ride one of the resort’s free bicycles. We ended up biking to the dock whenever we were headed out, but taking the shuttle van when we returned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq6d9_nNRCfuVoIEnJhm8UHWhUGw3Cp298J9jZHi9zgc4PootrLnjniiK0SLEJDfze-d9UIeaarbtDzSa9yviMep3290et88pBEZziot6HU5sdHsWbzTw1_7X0wnMyWu2EZ83_c4q_d3r/s1600/DSC09972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq6d9_nNRCfuVoIEnJhm8UHWhUGw3Cp298J9jZHi9zgc4PootrLnjniiK0SLEJDfze-d9UIeaarbtDzSa9yviMep3290et88pBEZziot6HU5sdHsWbzTw1_7X0wnMyWu2EZ83_c4q_d3r/s800/DSC09972.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5T2TSn-zu7SPsxbF3bdsfNK3oQnlupyf03XLgzwYiwUNDNWeVUGypC8y_9VsO5IyQ42-vAaSjzTNQOGIgQps5G1C7ZPi6LJP9RHa1eEZ2bYRFgVCvbif5UVKBkKmFw792gBE8Fvz3KpC/s1600/DSC09974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Resort Pool Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5T2TSn-zu7SPsxbF3bdsfNK3oQnlupyf03XLgzwYiwUNDNWeVUGypC8y_9VsO5IyQ42-vAaSjzTNQOGIgQps5G1C7ZPi6LJP9RHa1eEZ2bYRFgVCvbif5UVKBkKmFw792gBE8Fvz3KpC/s800/DSC09974.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Resort Pool" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of the people we met at the resort were owners. They were all super friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed Paraiso del Mar Resort’s laidback, relaxing vibe and were happy that the pool and bar weren’t a huge party scene. While La Paz felt like a very safe town, anyone concerned about safety will feel even safer at Paraiso del Mar Resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Road Trip to Todos Santos</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJpNLQ-VugaQnaQ7-41X7k3HGox0gnV-RNSd-wJZbS63qetrYI-0pLSlvamjhalLTEIQhF3Dh1cbmOUyC9RJmiZxuk1mb5299s1qht6fFL_Jn4iV2vkyR488-mnEb04FigeQ-zsn0YKms/s1600/DSC00021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todos Santos Mosaic Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJpNLQ-VugaQnaQ7-41X7k3HGox0gnV-RNSd-wJZbS63qetrYI-0pLSlvamjhalLTEIQhF3Dh1cbmOUyC9RJmiZxuk1mb5299s1qht6fFL_Jn4iV2vkyR488-mnEb04FigeQ-zsn0YKms/s800/DSC00021.jpg" title="Todos Santos Mosaic" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just 50 miles south of La Paz is another unique Mexican town sometimes referred to as “Pueblo Magico” or “Magical Town.” Founded in 1733, Todos Santos is filled with picturesque colonial architecture which is being preserved and converted into hotels, art galleries, and restaurants. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l5Gpseoeso0EYoH13MBMNwXmNiC2Hn8x329Z0jcUWNuJndVvQKRS25Ycf8gVjqIp_o5j2kKeDibWJUzpO7Jj5AGaDRLbrpUYlbk1lNm3kv79hjr_5CK54eYjLFTZHgPiMJaMltlSuCcT/s1600/DSC00012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todos Santos Crafts Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-l5Gpseoeso0EYoH13MBMNwXmNiC2Hn8x329Z0jcUWNuJndVvQKRS25Ycf8gVjqIp_o5j2kKeDibWJUzpO7Jj5AGaDRLbrpUYlbk1lNm3kv79hjr_5CK54eYjLFTZHgPiMJaMltlSuCcT/s800/DSC00012.jpg" title="Todos Santos Crafts" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Many visitors come to Todos Santos to see the legendary <a href="http://www.hotelcaliforniabaja.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel California</a>. While you will hear verses of the Eagles’ <i>Hotel California</i> drifting out of many a doorway in this area of Baja, the song was not in any way inspired by the Hotel California in Todos Santos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl1LD-rOmUJOoqOiAzJHNYE4BO3037EZslcbTI7S-SqM7heUDeH7jnweJk-aF7n9PBucF_cDZa-Wces5Fa2j3J5xrVVY8zG4_jFf_GkMKGRyr-3XIYazKtxDxW_3ca-e6nEzzrrblAQxC/s1600/DSC00014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todos Santos Mission Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl1LD-rOmUJOoqOiAzJHNYE4BO3037EZslcbTI7S-SqM7heUDeH7jnweJk-aF7n9PBucF_cDZa-Wces5Fa2j3J5xrVVY8zG4_jFf_GkMKGRyr-3XIYazKtxDxW_3ca-e6nEzzrrblAQxC/s800/DSC00014.jpg" title="Todos Santos Mission" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In addition to the architecture, Todos Santos has historic sites like the Mission of Santa Rosa de Todos Santos, built in 1733 to support the mission in La Paz. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJAXy4Az55RkF_8u_5VeTdlpW0fR8JBp_bbiyPYE-ADc8hJbI9kvuXhSTuXW-HPFgFXRp7kCXfXL-nxO3G2BPvb-XH22NDMmlCu35aqeByskFJDTnuMmLk6Ihcu7UZbQDxNZSz5w4_g9p/s1600/IMG_6748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Todos Santos Art Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJAXy4Az55RkF_8u_5VeTdlpW0fR8JBp_bbiyPYE-ADc8hJbI9kvuXhSTuXW-HPFgFXRp7kCXfXL-nxO3G2BPvb-XH22NDMmlCu35aqeByskFJDTnuMmLk6Ihcu7UZbQDxNZSz5w4_g9p/s800/IMG_6748.jpg" title="Todos Santos Art" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, what will take the most time of a day trip to Todos Santos is visiting the plethora of artist studios, galleries, and shops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvjJ0BuXPVLm400IuakPSsxoWMnsnOH4-yZd4SVqyCGrXJSawm4xcEvtp-Piy7sa5ZGu-kI8cuje0nVehCYx_E0U5ERnUWTUEpJRx3DtK9g1xzvqs6jFrSzADjzWms36zzjCowcCjoykf/s1600/IMG_6722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jazamango Restaurante Todos Santos Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkvjJ0BuXPVLm400IuakPSsxoWMnsnOH4-yZd4SVqyCGrXJSawm4xcEvtp-Piy7sa5ZGu-kI8cuje0nVehCYx_E0U5ERnUWTUEpJRx3DtK9g1xzvqs6jFrSzADjzWms36zzjCowcCjoykf/s800/IMG_6722.jpg" title="Jazamango Restaurante" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Todos Santos has another art form for visitors, the art of good food as envisioned by Javier Plascencia. Mexican Chef Javier Plascencia is well known in Tijuana, San Diego, and the Valle de Guadalupe. Now he has a restaurant in Todos Santos, <a href="http://jazamango.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jazamango Restaurante</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pacxdwpffMEoV9x7oM4T3I-lNzRlYKBxArYD3oEyR8WLmt1X_bb7CrPyWeshZwSJ-9oo4MvhmTOq09e5TBM6FoXgkMHpOhU4n10xRDxr-rMWbZ0rk3PQkUDuU6WU6NpPN57Y3T2SL-A7/s1600/IMG_6712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Jazamango Octopus Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pacxdwpffMEoV9x7oM4T3I-lNzRlYKBxArYD3oEyR8WLmt1X_bb7CrPyWeshZwSJ-9oo4MvhmTOq09e5TBM6FoXgkMHpOhU4n10xRDxr-rMWbZ0rk3PQkUDuU6WU6NpPN57Y3T2SL-A7/s800/IMG_6712.jpg" title="Jazamango Octopus" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Jazamango serves Plascencia’s unique spin on Baja cuisine using local products and organic ingredients, including those that come from the gardens that surround the restaurant. The menu changes depending on what’s fresh, but it can include items like octopus with beets, heirloom tomato, burrata and strawberry salad, and, of course, chocolate clams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related: <a href="https://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2013/10/baja-california-mexico-club-tengo-hambre.html" target="_blank">Baja California Mexico Food Tour with Club Tengo Hambre</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPESzCvB_4vZ4bPGSrpVOivVKuieXLJB54z9TSYSzsJj9UIQPK50ObEo_W3cktm944ScWHMuKdda7_-K2Yzxa58wTaUWmOkU2kXd1sXzfS_vWrQOLbbgjGt79i1GriS-msZVk6eY0F4Zwq/s1600/DSC00037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paleteria y Neveria La Paloma Todos Santos Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPESzCvB_4vZ4bPGSrpVOivVKuieXLJB54z9TSYSzsJj9UIQPK50ObEo_W3cktm944ScWHMuKdda7_-K2Yzxa58wTaUWmOkU2kXd1sXzfS_vWrQOLbbgjGt79i1GriS-msZVk6eY0F4Zwq/s800/DSC00037.jpg" title="Paleteria y Neveria La Paloma" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While Jazamango does serve dessert, we chose to save our dessert appetites for a frozen treat from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Paleteria-y-Neveria-La-Paloma-1250637195056153/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paleteria y Neveria La Paloma</a>. This fun find serves homemade ice creams of many flavors, including some unusual ones like avocado, basil, corn, and the like. My palate was delighted by a scoop of berry and cheese.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Side Trip to El Triunfo</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHC31b7ua_tBUtRHmqkl42LFllpMzvxsN1IWkUYYBnt01fejct0HGDHx6I8wNEHcp3HNrC4VlrX6Rh3oSk8WAdqJVYJnte-W6xDnEwPZqyNlD_NaMYR6LMwg_mFSNE_xDhPmmyHX6V615/s1600/DSC00066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Triunfo Street Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHC31b7ua_tBUtRHmqkl42LFllpMzvxsN1IWkUYYBnt01fejct0HGDHx6I8wNEHcp3HNrC4VlrX6Rh3oSk8WAdqJVYJnte-W6xDnEwPZqyNlD_NaMYR6LMwg_mFSNE_xDhPmmyHX6V615/s800/DSC00066.jpg" title="El Triunfo Street" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Midway between La Paz and Todos Santos is El Triunfo. Silver and gold were discovered nearby in 1862 and El Triunfo became a mining town and the largest city in Baja California Sur with over 10,000 miners. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT-yi8nd8wcZBrcI3bXd2P_sB_64oQ5T7RYy0Y2HDrht5veIqN97dhoXtzj-0lK1veqdfOqltpfSnbjEJyDjVeJnUOzyHo172DqHZAzOp4DBZTHT4sGq7jnhyphenhyphenBALGzMRhCVLPO3JRwtT8/s1600/DSC00072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Triunfo Smokestack Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT-yi8nd8wcZBrcI3bXd2P_sB_64oQ5T7RYy0Y2HDrht5veIqN97dhoXtzj-0lK1veqdfOqltpfSnbjEJyDjVeJnUOzyHo172DqHZAzOp4DBZTHT4sGq7jnhyphenhyphenBALGzMRhCVLPO3JRwtT8/s800/DSC00072.jpg" title="El Triunfo Smokestack" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The icon of El Triunfo is the 35-meter tall smokestack which was designed by Gustav Eiffel (of the Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE0sveKCtlfsagoYaWyL_rtcHPV5WCGSLpJj6fiar8wWUoTKYd-BsNuQkPeHsYLyFQESA7F9fc5S7cSMQ2Kj-0eAbN5BtmgpKQXBgAkuqqLD_KxFtXCU9MexewTNExn7Z9i7sVjNGWtaI/s1600/DSC00073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Triunfo Church Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE0sveKCtlfsagoYaWyL_rtcHPV5WCGSLpJj6fiar8wWUoTKYd-BsNuQkPeHsYLyFQESA7F9fc5S7cSMQ2Kj-0eAbN5BtmgpKQXBgAkuqqLD_KxFtXCU9MexewTNExn7Z9i7sVjNGWtaI/s800/DSC00073.jpg" title="El Triunfo Church" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">El Triunfo is now a sleepy town with only a few hundred inhabitants. El Triunfo is worth a quick stop to see Eiffel’s smokestack and the restored colonial buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Stop for a Cup of Coffee at Baja Beans </b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3fFC2H9zgTqmxKN6LNzYeNGiR5VcyHdSRFJ-fd5RyNPlvMYIPgUgBKni6RDjs2YC837gG57E9M3Xywyfi_JUM5hPFGke3aN7RbG6kcfsq_qLOjkmjoNJ54FBKI4pPzBxNRjjQHeVulev/s1600/DSC09990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Baja Beans Pescadero Todos Santos Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3fFC2H9zgTqmxKN6LNzYeNGiR5VcyHdSRFJ-fd5RyNPlvMYIPgUgBKni6RDjs2YC837gG57E9M3Xywyfi_JUM5hPFGke3aN7RbG6kcfsq_qLOjkmjoNJ54FBKI4pPzBxNRjjQHeVulev/s800/DSC09990.jpg" title="Baja Beans" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When reading about Todos Santos, I saw mention of the famous Todos Santos beans or Baja beans. At first, I assumed the reference was to a local bean recipe I had to try, but I soon discovered these were actually coffee beans. <a href="https://www.bajabeanscoffee.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baja Beans Coffee</a> serves the best coffee in town made from the organic coffee beans grown in Mexico’s Veracruz Mountains, which are roasted in small batches onsite at the shop in Pescadero, just south of Todos Santos. The coffee was so delicious, we ended up buying a bag which they kindly ground for us so we could have coffee the rest of our mornings in our La Paz vacation rental. We just had coffee, but Baja Beans also serves breakfast. On Sundays, the coffee shop hosts a Farmer’s Market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Surf or Relax at Cerritos Beach</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH9Kdi1LSBxRgLXFLbRj7IaluhF5CFTLrS6WNoCFAWGBUNV8rJEFvtpu26yA1eeKb1Qe9AyJzu8ZRwekjCC7czGw8QOsUiCqWEBd3RiZgH28YphWapHhM5c1w27-y0CjRaiPnXZgAd_l-/s1600/DSC00045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cerritos Beach Surfing Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDH9Kdi1LSBxRgLXFLbRj7IaluhF5CFTLrS6WNoCFAWGBUNV8rJEFvtpu26yA1eeKb1Qe9AyJzu8ZRwekjCC7czGw8QOsUiCqWEBd3RiZgH28YphWapHhM5c1w27-y0CjRaiPnXZgAd_l-/s800/DSC00045.jpg" title="Cerritos Beach Surfing" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A popular beach near Todos Santos is Playa Los Cerritos, reachable at the end of a long dirt road. If you want to surf, there are stands dotting the beach renting surfboards and offering surf lessons. If you want to relax, there are massage tables and masseuses ready and willing to provide an outdoor massage with an ocean view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Eat all the Food</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUO2maJmtGPeyutTF3C5MbedLVpifkuM4wue458WtyI_XEuX6mYE3iy1A1OAHAc6scyWwqPgdhpt_vwJp87HUVADqInUJqCDmHkDFT30gt6ts7BYIKyFQlf93HwPeGnkDFwRfCS_qJZ_e/s1600/IMG_6641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Anzuelo Cocina del Mar Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUO2maJmtGPeyutTF3C5MbedLVpifkuM4wue458WtyI_XEuX6mYE3iy1A1OAHAc6scyWwqPgdhpt_vwJp87HUVADqInUJqCDmHkDFT30gt6ts7BYIKyFQlf93HwPeGnkDFwRfCS_qJZ_e/s800/IMG_6641.jpg" title="Anzuelo Cocina del Mar" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course, Mexican food is delicious, and adding a proliferation of seafood makes it out of this world. La Paz has many great restaurants to choose from, most with food at affordable prices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF5BNVl8DAVVRFtkXlaKkeyFCfkc2Ju3ulmhpK0DoKhw1lHgfa6nRiaMPYZkytv8nFjXwsroEdrn7qvckyTYtCaEwKfJ2PTHDf7DeB8ru32z0XvTPWzBBnbgO0cBSKwDSH7W9Ax0MuSXj/s1600/DSC09735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chocolate Clams Anzuelo Cocina del Mar Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDF5BNVl8DAVVRFtkXlaKkeyFCfkc2Ju3ulmhpK0DoKhw1lHgfa6nRiaMPYZkytv8nFjXwsroEdrn7qvckyTYtCaEwKfJ2PTHDf7DeB8ru32z0XvTPWzBBnbgO0cBSKwDSH7W9Ax0MuSXj/s800/DSC09735.jpg" title="Chocolate Clams" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A very convenient restaurant for guests of Paraiso del Mar Resort is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnzueloCocinaDelMar/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Anzuelo Cocina del Mar</a> because of its location at the Marina Cortez, right next to the pier where the boat shuttle picks up and drops off. The restaurant juts out over the water and has views from every angle. What’s more, it has unique seafood dishes on the menu including baked chocolate clams with cheese, shrimp, and octopus mixed in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxNj9iLBAJxxOGjyBFwOojAH1Dzu3SbJS8bt3RI_K1tH99z8geGSOpNnEPZzzhv_FLAemj_C92uRdQIGa3SMKNdwpens2RivT3Ymp3g5xxcCyse9ug3rNyNXllKBbPFQ6jhfxwqxM-E09/s1600/DSC00078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oysters Bismark Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxNj9iLBAJxxOGjyBFwOojAH1Dzu3SbJS8bt3RI_K1tH99z8geGSOpNnEPZzzhv_FLAemj_C92uRdQIGa3SMKNdwpens2RivT3Ymp3g5xxcCyse9ug3rNyNXllKBbPFQ6jhfxwqxM-E09/s800/DSC00078.jpg" title="Oysters" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For dining along the Malecón, we chose <a href="https://www.restaurantesbismark.com/index" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bismark</a>, a casual seafood restaurant serving whole fish, fish tacos, seafood stuffed peppers, chocolate clams, lobster, and more since 1968.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcKAqkfjvUZlBsNXHI8egBCIZT0WV1twVThHk9FqwPJ_6o8m3zbJohvaJkpUgGit5aHA9xy_PBVDiq_y7c-GzEFiD1XfCafGbazwnVZIOs6qift9JFATEcpzljPMHADNdjXs1y0Ur75Aa/s1600/DSC00105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pechuga con Crema de Zarzamora Restaurante La Esquina del Chef Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcKAqkfjvUZlBsNXHI8egBCIZT0WV1twVThHk9FqwPJ_6o8m3zbJohvaJkpUgGit5aHA9xy_PBVDiq_y7c-GzEFiD1XfCafGbazwnVZIOs6qift9JFATEcpzljPMHADNdjXs1y0Ur75Aa/s800/DSC00105.jpg" title="Pechuga con Crema de Zarzamora" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of our favorite finds in La Paz was a restaurant we found on Google Maps. Restaurante La Esquina del Chef is halfway between the mission and the Malecón and is open for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is a casual spot with seating between two buildings which they have artfully decorated and painted to feel like a cozy outdoor patio. Lunch is a set menu of the soup of the day, sweet iced tea, a choice of three proteins and three sauces that can be interchangeable, and a dessert. The sauces are flavorful and inventive. For example, I had the pechuga con crema de zarzamora, chicken with a blackberry cream sauce served on a bed of pasta and salad on the side. And all of this is 85 pesos ($4) per person. The daily menu is published on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/laesquinadelcheff/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh291PC98gTmFRjNrAFzRXN8QHGWVGcoaX6FLC0G0pj9s3pCq6Z3fjQnw3jYT4V2ucAvwok9RcIiNr8mseZKheYmeXlcJHH5YEF0RMP1k1NubUPaAsjSPr_EGhhhNSuOeUAAYTKvQLkEKH/s1600/DSC09983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seafood Soup Paraiso del Mar Resort Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh291PC98gTmFRjNrAFzRXN8QHGWVGcoaX6FLC0G0pj9s3pCq6Z3fjQnw3jYT4V2ucAvwok9RcIiNr8mseZKheYmeXlcJHH5YEF0RMP1k1NubUPaAsjSPr_EGhhhNSuOeUAAYTKvQLkEKH/s800/DSC09983.jpg" title="Seafood Soup" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://nimrestaurante.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NIM Restaurante</a> is one of La Paz’s fine dining restaurants. Menu items are made with fresh ingredients and many have international influences. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sorstisrestaurante/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sorstis Restaurante</a> is another fine dining restaurant serving Mediterranean food. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/asadero.ranchoviejo/?rf=212552612152126" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Asadero Rancho Viejo</a> is popular for traditional Mexican food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Golf the Paraiso del Mar Golf Club</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZOBhpSpyCAufFWyZ3sNUZ0zoKvyUKvWxqzmi-Pqp8c1c79mWXmHm6DbGJXAulNUp-Dmfjn5jVo7No7xe0zc7RIjpvssyO8r2BKIC1Sr-xcug3UpZxaDHv1pgtXJUP8Abf_qUq0HFUi0Z/s1600/IMG_6846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paraiso del Mar Golf Club Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZOBhpSpyCAufFWyZ3sNUZ0zoKvyUKvWxqzmi-Pqp8c1c79mWXmHm6DbGJXAulNUp-Dmfjn5jVo7No7xe0zc7RIjpvssyO8r2BKIC1Sr-xcug3UpZxaDHv1pgtXJUP8Abf_qUq0HFUi0Z/s800/IMG_6846.jpg" title="Paraiso del Mar Golf Club" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Paraiso del Mar Resort has its own golf course on the peninsula, the <a href="https://www.mogotegolflapaz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paraiso del Mar Golf Club</a>. The Paraiso Del Mar Golf Club has the feel of a private club. It is surrounded by water and each tee has a completely different look from the last. With 18 holes at just over 7,000 yards, it's challenging in the best way; you can be a little off-target but still have a chance at a decent score. The fairways were in fantastic condition. The greens were well framed as most were a bit elevated, and there was a gentle breeze all day. Birds were feeding from the water features found on nearly every hole and there were many little critters running about. For resort guests, getting to the golf course is easy as you can take one of the resort bikes for a short ride to the course or call for the shuttle. Golfing the Paraiso del Mar Golf Club is the perfect morning pastime if you have an early afternoon flight home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ubuKedOxu5Y7nxSy3rOvHPQl56L4gq1NQCaQrsyipAbA3PczjD531BxXEFfqNay60FrAOzrQZSovF7pK0HoY1gdUghNZ6kPb_tor2sYC_tTOCjavcUrf_1smKMUpI4GWLcfRoFhaW-S4/s1600/DSC00091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Paz Shore Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ubuKedOxu5Y7nxSy3rOvHPQl56L4gq1NQCaQrsyipAbA3PczjD531BxXEFfqNay60FrAOzrQZSovF7pK0HoY1gdUghNZ6kPb_tor2sYC_tTOCjavcUrf_1smKMUpI4GWLcfRoFhaW-S4/s800/DSC00091.jpg" title="La Paz Shore" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We flew to La Paz with <a href="https://www.volaris.com/">Volaris</a>, which offers a short non-stop flight from Tijuana. Volaris also offers flights from U.S. cities in California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and others. If your local airport doesn’t have an easy flight to La Paz, another option is to fly into the Los Cabos airport and drive two hours north up to La Paz.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The La Paz airport is a short drive from the center of town. Taxis to and from the airport are inexpensive, approximately $15 each way. As we were leaving the airport building, in between baggage claim and the baggage scan, there was a taxi counter where we could pay for our taxi and know what the fare would be up front. This was an easy way to get a taxi and ensure a fair price. We walked out of the terminal with our taxi receipt in hand and jumped into the first taxi in line. Our taxi driver was very friendly and gave us his phone number so we could arrange our return to the airport at the end of our trip, for the same price. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once in La Paz, it is easy to walk around the town and tour companies provide pickup and drop-off service. We did end up renting a car with Hertz for two of our three days so we could take a road trip to Todos Santos and visit Balandra Beach. The Hertz office is conveniently located across the street from Marina Cortez and we were able to park our car on the street overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>A Note about Safety</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVamS6E739WDU8CyfgwGB1Axco3_ftGjTgfk7LVX5eR5LqAFSKHglIqsfcZtl_ByHJ2NS5xg6IPtWW3GrnKj5dI0AzUU_dhdZoxJAqIuhn7I1y1Oe-aC05-lH7JVLk0qMIyVKSlM1V6o82/s1600/IMG_6691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Paz Sunset Things to Do in La Paz Mexico" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVamS6E739WDU8CyfgwGB1Axco3_ftGjTgfk7LVX5eR5LqAFSKHglIqsfcZtl_ByHJ2NS5xg6IPtWW3GrnKj5dI0AzUU_dhdZoxJAqIuhn7I1y1Oe-aC05-lH7JVLk0qMIyVKSlM1V6o82/s800/IMG_6691.jpg" title="La Paz Sunset" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the most common questions we get when we talk about visiting a Mexican destination is, “Is it safe?” La Paz felt very safe to us. Paraiso del Mar Resort felt extra safe since the only easy way to reach it is on a shuttle boat. But the La Paz zona central also felt safe. We never felt uneasy when walking around at night, and there was a local police and Federales presence. We were also told that it was very safe to leave our rental car parked on the street along the Malecón at night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, many of the residents are government workers and La Paz doesn’t have the poverty that is unfortunately often seen in Mexico cities. The Malecón was always in use by locals, morning, day, and night, strolling, jogging, dog walking, and biking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We also felt safe on the day we took a road trip, which involved driving an hour-and-a-half away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We did have one incident at the tail-end of our trip. It didn’t make us feel unsafe in any way, but it was a reminder that we were still indeed in Mexico. We were driving along the Malecón and didn’t see a stop sign. We were pulled over by a cop standing on the sidewalk clearly looking for people to pull over. The thing is, everyone was driving through the stop sign because it was hard to see, but we were the only ones pulled over. It seems quite likely that the cop was looking for rental cars. He took Rome’s license and told us the police station was closed, so we’d have to come to the station in the morning to pay the fine and retrieve the license. While Rome argued that we were leaving the next day and pointed out the cars that continued to drive right through the stop sign as we were pulled over, I finally asked how much the ticket was, at which point the cop shielded his hand from the view of other police on the sidewalk and held out three fingers, indicating 300 pesos. I pulled out a 500 peso bill and, of course, he replied that he didn’t have change. I said keep the change and we were on our way, with Rome’s license in our possession. When we told the story to our taxi driver on the way back to the airport, he told us that for the most part the cops were good, but there were still a few crooked ones, and relayed a story about his niece visiting and having a similar situation, but he found the cop the next day and made him give back the money. It was our one disappointment from our trip to La Paz and we wish we could say there is zero corruption, but it was a small price to pay on our otherwise amazing trip to La Paz, and does give us a funny story to tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to <a href="https://www.casago.com/la-paz/vacation-rentals/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CasaGo</a>, </i><a href="https://www.volaris.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Volaris</i></a><i>, <a href="http://www.cortezclub.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Cortez Club</a>, </i><a href="https://www.crossborderxpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Cross Border Xpress</i></a><i>, and <a href="https://www.mogotegolflapaz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paraiso del Mar Golf Club</a> for hosting our trip and making this article possible. As always, all opinions are our own.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmib4fWexOmSL-Xp6Yy0lHNF0YJpuSVoQeyX0v1oQdaG78SOCG3YhTzdp8_-K29QIex-XcjDs8T8VQ_5Zd20aFoGhObwo403XbF3TDuv7fBu0AXJkOo7Xr6sA3Yq63PJuc6lk_dRRejt6/s1600/10+Amazing+Things+to+Do+in+La+Paz+Mexico.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel the World: Amazing things to do in La Paz Mexico including swimming with whale sharks, snorkeling with sea lions, and exploring La Paz and nearby Todos Santos and El Triunfo." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmib4fWexOmSL-Xp6Yy0lHNF0YJpuSVoQeyX0v1oQdaG78SOCG3YhTzdp8_-K29QIex-XcjDs8T8VQ_5Zd20aFoGhObwo403XbF3TDuv7fBu0AXJkOo7Xr6sA3Yq63PJuc6lk_dRRejt6/s400/10+Amazing+Things+to+Do+in+La+Paz+Mexico.png" title="" width="266" /></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-1096175929080508612018-05-06T09:00:00.000-07:002018-05-06T09:00:16.698-07:00Say Yes to Crossing the Border for a Flight from Tijuana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-ZlytpsMNQxGCPPcx4rtRzXsqyKL4qXY074AfZmmAFI6w7dmshVf36ROPu7GHV-ANvMLmmGLrGXZ_IrDgl_99wSRW61FniAMhE-ciQmOTe4pkAPj2NmHeEfmUZHe1fT3OzTxacVPdX1s/s1600/IMG_6615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cross Border Xpress US Entrance Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-ZlytpsMNQxGCPPcx4rtRzXsqyKL4qXY074AfZmmAFI6w7dmshVf36ROPu7GHV-ANvMLmmGLrGXZ_IrDgl_99wSRW61FniAMhE-ciQmOTe4pkAPj2NmHeEfmUZHe1fT3OzTxacVPdX1s/s800/IMG_6615.jpg" title="Cross Border Xpress US Entrance" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Living in San Diego, we have a very convenient international airport which has a pretty good flight selection. We also have LAX, which sometimes has better prices and non-stop flights that we don’t have, including flights to our neighbor to the south, Mexico. But San Diegans, and Southern Californians, have another choice -- the Tijuana Airport. It may sound difficult to cross an international border to catch a flight, but, surprisingly, it is super easy with the Tijuana airport bridge, the Cross Border Xpress, and possibly faster than flying out of the San Diego airport. And, with airlines like Volaris, there’s a whole world of destinations available with super low airfares, many of which are reachable with a non-stop flight.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was a lot of buzz when the CBX Tijuana airport bridge was being built. Before that, flying out of the Tijuana airport for San Diegans would have been a game of Russian roulette, dependent on the amount of time the border crossing would take, plus there would be taxi fare once the border was crossed. Even more concerning was how long it would take to come back across the border into the United States. For a reasonable price, CBX was going to provide a quick and easy enclosed skywalk bridge over the US-Mexican border straight into the Tijuana airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_JtQ9jgVa2BMoXHDrw1PZq68Oi_qiAEFAflozhLO6EStbCNomXkrcdMIWC16829gJNWBSRYoXi1BwV5UFb4ZtMZx_LdXqRM3nZqu4zXqjl8pV58iZ_i1P1NlJKSlgb4L-MfDD59xMzW_/s1600/IMG_6624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cross Border Xpress Passage Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_JtQ9jgVa2BMoXHDrw1PZq68Oi_qiAEFAflozhLO6EStbCNomXkrcdMIWC16829gJNWBSRYoXi1BwV5UFb4ZtMZx_LdXqRM3nZqu4zXqjl8pV58iZ_i1P1NlJKSlgb4L-MfDD59xMzW_/s800/IMG_6624.jpg" title="Cross Border Xpress Passage" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The CBX airport border crossing has now been open for two years, but some are still too nervous to take the leap and cross the Tijuana airport bridge to fly out of the Tijuana airport. Is it really a time-saver? Could it actually take a really long time just to cross before even getting to the airport and checking bags and going through security?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When researching flights for our trip to La Paz, Mexico, I found that flights out of San Diego were not only expensive, they also had two or three stops, meaning a whole lot of travel time to travel a relatively short distance. But when I checked into fights out of Tijuana with Volaris Airlines, I found flights for half the price, and non-stop too. The Volaris non-stop flight from Tijuana to La Paz is just under two hours, a huge time savings compared to the flights with layovers or the option of flying to Cabo and then driving for two hours. It was time to try flying out of the Tijuana airport.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmhZaGYrO0cNZdE92wsGg-zz57Or6HzZ0XBXm_CKdCxGPVk8d9LI8QnUhi6-p5JUZ7crkVvVcp5fxuL022_PMwuWDyfhDNR0oY6VEbLiBhY6DgAZlC_UWApIbB664AebvqrdVMOV887R1/s1600/DSC09955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cross Border Xpress Crossing Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmhZaGYrO0cNZdE92wsGg-zz57Or6HzZ0XBXm_CKdCxGPVk8d9LI8QnUhi6-p5JUZ7crkVvVcp5fxuL022_PMwuWDyfhDNR0oY6VEbLiBhY6DgAZlC_UWApIbB664AebvqrdVMOV887R1/s800/DSC09955.jpg" title="Cross Border Xpress Crossing" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first test was the commute to the airport. We live 10 miles south of downtown San Diego. The commute to the San Diego airport is about 20 minutes. But as soon as you get off the freeway, there is usually a backup of traffic to the airport, and it can get pretty crowded when someone is dropping you off at one of the terminals, and there’s usually a security person telling you to move if you stop for more than 30 seconds. Don’t get me wrong, I love our airport and it’s one of the easier ones. Driving to the CBX border crossing was a breeze. Once off the freeway the roads are a little bumpier and the worse for wear, but there was no traffic and when we arrived at the drop-off and pick-up zone, it was easy to pull up to the curb and we didn’t have to rush to get all our stuff out of the car. So far so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are a few different ways to purchase CBX tickets. CBX tickets can be purchased at the CBX crossing. When purchasing airfare through Volaris, they can also be purchased through the airline at the same time as air tickets. The easiest and cheapest way is to purchase them ahead of time through the CBX <a href="https://www.crossborderxpress.net/TicketPurchase/BuyingTicket" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jZdlOy4scDzAYyBM5FNGpux1i0-JJ-5FsYfK9MzRVJLpsaUpDBrCV3ps5wZ8Wwc87N01agTv2BZkwG9UXZJ8OZVUZTJ2sC4NCfOoM_1CxICPvDO6ZKnDrdgZeGewFbfYwydf0PniPYlJ/s1600/DSC09953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Immigration Form Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jZdlOy4scDzAYyBM5FNGpux1i0-JJ-5FsYfK9MzRVJLpsaUpDBrCV3ps5wZ8Wwc87N01agTv2BZkwG9UXZJ8OZVUZTJ2sC4NCfOoM_1CxICPvDO6ZKnDrdgZeGewFbfYwydf0PniPYlJ/s800/DSC09953.jpg" title="Immigration Form" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The steps for crossing the Tijuana airport bridge are quick and easy. Upon entering the building, we filled out our immigration forms. You can save even more time by filling them out and printing them out ahead of time <a href="https://www.mexicotouristcard.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">online</a>. With those in hand, along with our passports, Volaris airline tickets, and CBX tickets, we entered the CBX crossing and took the walk across the border via the CBX sky bridge. A total of 30 minutes passed from filling out the immigration forms to arriving at the gate for our flight. During that short 30 minutes, we crossed the Tijuana airport bridge, checked our luggage in the Tijuana airport at the Volaris desk, and passed through security. We also used the restroom and stopped a few times to take pictures. That is probably commensurate to the amount of time it would take at the San Diego airport from getting in the baggage drop line to arriving at the gate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_uEqOR42E5-wDnKtFBmTQT_trnhXSwEV_PTVC__ei61fRoC6iSzEOgzLLlWtzE0JbBQz9lmQCw1dKnqOhmPcixFMHzt0MXFw5QPWMJlCKdlaP-f4wGIvWHVwX-I-Zv4fAHfssEiQMTV5/s1600/DSC09956.jpg" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Cross Border Xpress Sky Bridge Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_uEqOR42E5-wDnKtFBmTQT_trnhXSwEV_PTVC__ei61fRoC6iSzEOgzLLlWtzE0JbBQz9lmQCw1dKnqOhmPcixFMHzt0MXFw5QPWMJlCKdlaP-f4wGIvWHVwX-I-Zv4fAHfssEiQMTV5/s800/DSC09956.jpg" title="Cross Border Xpress Sky Bridge" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There were more benefits of flying out of the Tijuana airport. There was no wait to go through security, we didn’t have to take our shoes off, and we didn’t have to take out all of our electronics. Thank goodness, because we had two bags filled with multiple cameras, lenses, a drone, and tablets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The return was even faster, and that’s the real test since we had to pass through customs. Based on my text messages with my sister, exactly 23 minutes passed between when I texted her that we had landed (and we were still on the plane waiting for it to empty) to when I texted her that we were at the Cross Border Xpress curb. 23 minutes to deplane, pick-up luggage at baggage claim, cross the Tijuana airport bridge back into the United States, and pass through customs. It is doubtful that it would have been that quick at the San Diego airport. It would never be that quick at LAX.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JiDtgpUqDePRMByjgi9CgOL6HyVImnsJ7lVzCud2gN6Zxip_OmrErvQQidMTsA7-PMxkep8dHY3J5i5v5q3X6P5BjjWYlemLtpFjoppv6GCW6jMhrmlj6XJ02m0biFL1xH9vZoy7xlyy/s1600/DSC09957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Volaris Display Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JiDtgpUqDePRMByjgi9CgOL6HyVImnsJ7lVzCud2gN6Zxip_OmrErvQQidMTsA7-PMxkep8dHY3J5i5v5q3X6P5BjjWYlemLtpFjoppv6GCW6jMhrmlj6XJ02m0biFL1xH9vZoy7xlyy/s800/DSC09957.jpg" title="Volaris Display" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Speed and ease is one reason to fly from the Tijuana airport. Another is price. Volaris is one of the airlines that flies from the Tijuana airport. Volaris is a discount airline which services approximately 40 destinations in Mexico and also flies out of some airports in the United States, including LAX. Because Volaris targets people who have never flown before and can only gain their business if their flights are cheaper than bus fare, Volaris offers very reasonable airfares. Volaris’ fares have actually decreased as time has passed because their focus is making travel possible for more people. They also have five hubs in Mexico: Tijuana, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Cancun, so not all connections have to go through Mexico City.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtMNvxYsjF8KwYGtCiWruOau7AwKW2GSGratVS3dIYMzyR4XnpdyILkhcIIfpAF04ffCFBTczWh9tFPi7IJC53bFY-mqt_QfvxYa3I9TeR1E658XVfporp_j0tWNgeABL6jwL-rLTJRuc/s1600/IMG_6038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Volaris Airplane Interior Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtMNvxYsjF8KwYGtCiWruOau7AwKW2GSGratVS3dIYMzyR4XnpdyILkhcIIfpAF04ffCFBTczWh9tFPi7IJC53bFY-mqt_QfvxYa3I9TeR1E658XVfporp_j0tWNgeABL6jwL-rLTJRuc/s800/IMG_6038.jpg" title="Volaris Airplane Interior" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As Volaris is a discount airline, it comes with discount airline features. Choosing seats ahead of time costs extra. So does carryon and checked luggage. However, if you pay for a heavier carryon, it also means you’ll get on the plane earlier. Legroom is minimal, which is fine for shorter flights, but cross your fingers the person in front of you doesn’t decide to recline. There are some seats with extra legroom available for an additional cost. During our two-hour flight, cups of water were distributed while other drinks and food were available for purchase. Our flight had no onboard entertainment. These are the sacrifices one makes in exchange for deeply discounted airfares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QikGNZUhAbirbm5naiGRSULbZYfHH6l2Xi3Rd5Y_0VR3RHSfcD1o5lz7dUIHxN_XYA_sJ52s6jGIhDBBGr-1kuzmNpYCNq-HGkM-Nep6zNkSv44EXoBK7o7MjF0pTJcE1lIBnY_RxDvm/s1600/IMG_6633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Volaris Airplane Exterior Tijuana Airport Bridge and Volaris" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QikGNZUhAbirbm5naiGRSULbZYfHH6l2Xi3Rd5Y_0VR3RHSfcD1o5lz7dUIHxN_XYA_sJ52s6jGIhDBBGr-1kuzmNpYCNq-HGkM-Nep6zNkSv44EXoBK7o7MjF0pTJcE1lIBnY_RxDvm/s800/IMG_6633.jpg" title="Volaris Airplane Exterior" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Volaris has a monthly subscription program called v.club which provides lower fares, exclusive promotions, and last-minute deals. Volaris also holds a contest every year to name planes after customers, and those customers get free flights for a year for themselves and one companion. Volaris recently signed a codeshare agreement with Frontier Airlines, which means they’ll be able to provide even more routes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Volaris isn’t the only airline flying from the Tijuana airport. The airport is also serviced by Aeromexico, Hainan Airlines which provides non-stop flights to China, and Calafia Airlines which has nonstop flights to Loreto. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just in case you’re planning a Tijuana taco run, passengers crossing the Tijuana airport bridge can leave the airport before an outbound flight, but they can’t leave the Tijuana airport after a return flight if crossing via the Cross Border Xpress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We received a lot of questions about flying from the Tijuana airport both before and after our trip because people are very curious and interested, but also a little unsure. We were unsure at first too, but after our first experience of using the Cross Border Xpress to fly out of the Tijuana airport with Volaris, we are sure we will be doing it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to <a href="https://www.volaris.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Volaris</a> and the <a href="https://www.crossborderxpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cross Border Xpress</a> for hosting our flights and crossings and making this article possible. As always, all opinions are our own.</span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMARo4ynzIzNxSNLwiReglMqD1Tg2Ge-CdikWelvvCNxFs9JSYBqgb1Ev-FiVxr6-tHv_jdej7pKXKN2qEZ9KqSY_sGvdFvuBSD0pPNMaq7jbVNbdTr40EKJlV54pKkvTn5MaZR07Hw605/s1600/Flying+from+the+Tijuana+Airport+and+the+Cross+Border+Xpress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Travel the World: Using the Cross Border Xpress Tijuana airport bridge to fly from the Tijuana airport with Volaris can be a huge time and money saver for San Diego and Southern California." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMARo4ynzIzNxSNLwiReglMqD1Tg2Ge-CdikWelvvCNxFs9JSYBqgb1Ev-FiVxr6-tHv_jdej7pKXKN2qEZ9KqSY_sGvdFvuBSD0pPNMaq7jbVNbdTr40EKJlV54pKkvTn5MaZR07Hw605/s400/Flying+from+the+Tijuana+Airport+and+the+Cross+Border+Xpress.png" title="" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-23934920543272761192018-04-02T09:00:00.000-07:002018-04-02T09:00:26.102-07:005 Fun Things to Do In and Around St. Petersburg Clearwater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqt5tGwEe1zKeCabcpBN0VY0TRwb02_ZvPm9aK-4DJ_40IUFsUzoEkiy3l32rFV9wtoatyaKRaDLR6W0-7lv5KzopyQsYSP94W2eMPSfc3Bvnty-lWvNFG6_-tmSrFSO67dLzdBSK024p/s1600/DSC07366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Don Cesar Things to Do in St. Petersburg Clearwater" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqt5tGwEe1zKeCabcpBN0VY0TRwb02_ZvPm9aK-4DJ_40IUFsUzoEkiy3l32rFV9wtoatyaKRaDLR6W0-7lv5KzopyQsYSP94W2eMPSfc3Bvnty-lWvNFG6_-tmSrFSO67dLzdBSK024p/s800/DSC07366.jpg" title="The Don Cesar" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I visited St. Petersburg Clearwater, it was on a business trip, so there wasn’t much time for sightseeing. However, there was a little bit of time to enjoy some of the fun things to do in and around the St. Petersburg Clearwater area, just enough to make me interested in more.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Look for Manatees</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ09m2ZWUncXFbZuZG9K2XitzzCZcoGVdIdGQtHZ0N2B82s9Lnj1KdFI0SRtCO1W6FewZYuMAh7Wz4ut52DFlUMWppuurhNM7mHnGhoBDpCpRD792SanqbJEOa-Wi7L0NDj9fGylHAT5w/s1600/DSC07343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Homosassa Springs Manatee Things to Do in St. Petersburg Clearwater" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ09m2ZWUncXFbZuZG9K2XitzzCZcoGVdIdGQtHZ0N2B82s9Lnj1KdFI0SRtCO1W6FewZYuMAh7Wz4ut52DFlUMWppuurhNM7mHnGhoBDpCpRD792SanqbJEOa-Wi7L0NDj9fGylHAT5w/s800/DSC07343.jpg" title="Homosassa Springs Manatee" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Did you know that manatees, also known as the sea cow, are most closely related to elephants? Florida is home to West Indian manatees that can be spotted in a number of places, including Fort De Soto Park at the tip of St. Petersburg. If you have difficulty finding manatees, head north from St. Petersburg Clearwater to <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs">Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park</a>. Here visitors can find manatees every day of the year in the park’s underwater observatory, along with other native Florida wildlife. Because the park is also connected to the river, it is also possible to see wild manatee from the park’s observation pavilion. Since the water is so clear, it is far easier to see the wild manatees than it is at Fort De Soto Park, where you can really only see them when they surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Paddle Board through the Mangroves</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v6TOedGHc34R_P9IQS_zdkfEjPZlKilq_abf943dzUUaoWxwOqFogAnxBwJU7jL9mhqpBXR2PAK_7MppB9ijy407ypMxuoQ2DhSP0XSN5JRT1GBKLWrH85o_Nb-dCFQkFcjdfCkLni9y/s1600/GOPR0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paddle Boarding Fort De Soto Park Things to Do in St. Petersburg Clearwater" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v6TOedGHc34R_P9IQS_zdkfEjPZlKilq_abf943dzUUaoWxwOqFogAnxBwJU7jL9mhqpBXR2PAK_7MppB9ijy407ypMxuoQ2DhSP0XSN5JRT1GBKLWrH85o_Nb-dCFQkFcjdfCkLni9y/s800/GOPR0639.jpg" title="Paddle Boarding Fort De Soto Park" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was lucky enough to spot manatees twice during my short time in St. Petersburg Clearwater, and the first time was while paddle boarding in <a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm">Fort De Soto Park</a>. Even if the water is a little rough in other places, many times you can still find calm water for paddle boarding in Fort De Soto Park. Such was the case during my visit, and a few friends and I went paddle boarding with <a href="https://www.supescapessports.com/">SUP Escapes</a>. The park, which is made up of five interconnected keys, has wetlands, mangroves, and 328 species of birds. We saw lots of birds, fish that jumped out of the water, and even a small hammerhead shark. At the very end of our paddle, we were lucky enough to have a manatee swim by. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stay at the Legendary Pink Palace of St. Pete Beach</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJzH-MWRb6GO7HTZ6lBivGl8uKi7pd-OFyOUpwlHILEvJVS09R2PGZAZ9tc2XrAZpO6Pvu_qSxRVUY67C5t6GaDP7S-mfzJk0DTsv1Ri84JWsEKQfD6LoCgzE73WOT0MFO24OE5u8x_q7/s1600/DSC07330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Don Cesar Things to Do in St. Petersburg Clearwater" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJzH-MWRb6GO7HTZ6lBivGl8uKi7pd-OFyOUpwlHILEvJVS09R2PGZAZ9tc2XrAZpO6Pvu_qSxRVUY67C5t6GaDP7S-mfzJk0DTsv1Ri84JWsEKQfD6LoCgzE73WOT0MFO24OE5u8x_q7/s800/DSC07330.jpg" title="Pink Palace Band" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While my hometown of San Diego has the iconic Hotel Del Coronado, St. Pete Beach has <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/loews-don-cesar.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA">The Don Cesar</a>, also known as the Pink Palace. The Don Cesar opened in 1928 and was visited by celebrities including F. Scott Fitzgerald. During World War II the hotel was used as a hospital and later was converted into the VA Regional Office. The Don Cesar was refurbished and re-opened in the 70s as a full-service resort and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Pink Palace is right on St. Pete Beach and offers a full calendar of activities for its guests. These include providing complimentary kayaks and paddle boards every morning for two hours, beach yoga, and more. There are restaurants, bars, and Spa Oceana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/paladin27/3889170025/in/photolist-6VK5fj-6VF7in-6VK6Qj-6VK6ub-6VKfeC-6VF1KB-6VF9QD-6VKcgj-6VKbCC-6VF55e-6VF43x-6VF3K6-6VEZy2-6VK8oU-6VF38n-6VK7kq-6VKemG-6VF6PT-6VF6nZ-6VKeUJ-6VK9oY-6VK4Xy-6VK67U-6VEZmM/" style="text-align: justify;">Paladin27</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" style="text-align: justify;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since St. Petersburg Clearwater is surrounded by </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">water</span>,<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> while visiting one wants to find as many ways as possible to enjoy the water. One of the fun things to do in St. Petersburg Clearwater on the water is to take a sunset cruise. </span><a href="http://www.starlitecruises.com/cruises/evening-yacht-cruise-st-pete-beach.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">StarLite Cruises</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> offers a sunset cruise and evening dining experience aboard the Starlite Sapphire with a restaurant-style menu. I was very surprised by how good the dinner was. Two of the menu's favorites can be enjoyed with the Surf & Turf, a combination of the chateaubriand and the stuffed shrimp. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eat a Bowlful of Seafood</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOifdvYmjdgs3J1XJWPA9T_lPyjFHmxxP3pPMdt7ZPjRC3xi3frsDdAqxreE2lspWSQQceeElf_fldvF9OLO9JD6QA-fObXh6cx_-hHTpEOwuieKoik7QHIQmkDF2GphPtMUHLRt9fJe5/s1600/DSC07360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peck's Famous Crabs Peck's Old Port Cove Things to Do in St. Petersburg Clearwater" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOifdvYmjdgs3J1XJWPA9T_lPyjFHmxxP3pPMdt7ZPjRC3xi3frsDdAqxreE2lspWSQQceeElf_fldvF9OLO9JD6QA-fObXh6cx_-hHTpEOwuieKoik7QHIQmkDF2GphPtMUHLRt9fJe5/s800/DSC07360.jpg" title="Peck's Famous Crabs" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On our way back to St. Petersburg Clearwater from Homosassa Springs, we stopped at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Pecks-Old-Port-Cove-117475071600867/">Peck’s Old Port Cove</a> for a dinner of seafood and had an incredible dinner of Peck’s Famous Crabs, one dozen garlic sautéed blue crabs. Peck’s Old Port Cove is a bit out of the way, in Ozello Keys, but is worth the trip, especially after spending the day at Homosassa Springs. The restaurant used to be owned by Aunt Myrtle Clifton who installed bar stools in her house in the 1940s to serve beer to servicemen who came in via the nearby airstrip. She sold it to Calvin Peck in the 1980s, and it has been expanded since then. The restaurant has a blue crab farm, thus Peck’s famous crabs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This article contains affiliate links. If you book or purchase through them, we earn a small commission which helps support this website so we can bring you more travel stories and inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-85795418085398639692018-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:002018-03-19T08:00:27.212-07:00The Ultimate 3-Day Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmlAzv9dDvdaI16R87JTWFEuGpVOeWGjASr7nND5o3XPaP3ovCOlUFwPsfxedlQSU4vNhpyvjVruGnR8125ZdjOnz8YS1baC3EUvtk8FmRAvzDtamryn40GY3eid08u0iR9SyR02B2Ph/s1600/IMG_8632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Racetrack Playa 3-Day Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mmlAzv9dDvdaI16R87JTWFEuGpVOeWGjASr7nND5o3XPaP3ovCOlUFwPsfxedlQSU4vNhpyvjVruGnR8125ZdjOnz8YS1baC3EUvtk8FmRAvzDtamryn40GY3eid08u0iR9SyR02B2Ph/s800/IMG_8632.jpg" title="Racetrack Playa " /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Death Valley is the largest U.S. National Park within the contiguous United States. Death Valley is located in eastern California and has valleys, mountains, canyons, salt flats, sand dunes, and oases. Death Valley also has almost 1,000 miles of paved and dirt roads, so is a multi-day road trip within itself. There are so many outdoor adventures to be had in Death Valley. Here are some of the best things to do in Death Valley to put together a full three-day road trip itinerary, including some off-road exploration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Death Valley Attractions</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Badwater Basin</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0c4PsTRlpfQ3zRB_R10oW_sZbzt41GhMNx7OHMmOteHx3jJ-poECWV9Ko3zmdh2xVWHpoGxF63sVR0v9jD3d7qzv0w7Kd-fVptXg_M4LDwtJ5ClFBDBc_8qKsfKdNQb80YezPhODLM_f/s1600/DSC07482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Badwater Basin Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0c4PsTRlpfQ3zRB_R10oW_sZbzt41GhMNx7OHMmOteHx3jJ-poECWV9Ko3zmdh2xVWHpoGxF63sVR0v9jD3d7qzv0w7Kd-fVptXg_M4LDwtJ5ClFBDBc_8qKsfKdNQb80YezPhODLM_f/s800/DSC07482.jpg" title="Badwater Basin" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America, at 282 feet below sea level. The Badwater Basin salt flats cover almost 200 square miles. Salt flats occur when there is an enclosed basin that doesn’t drain to the sea, a source of salts, and an arid climate where more evaporation than precipitation occurs. A thin upper crust of salt forms over a mud layer below and salt crystals form along the cracks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Devils Golf Course</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjK06tEX_XuA_2SHj15ZgL1W8RUpkdET7JTbv6ungPsV5Z8_W56tEVD3I_7A7JMHwUJbzqKopYWkC8WpyFcc1zTDR8cx6JDUNke__s3n5qSBMakU6ZXaw2q1PUce5eROh_8CruUtSDT9o/s1600/DSC07490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Devils Golf Course Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjK06tEX_XuA_2SHj15ZgL1W8RUpkdET7JTbv6ungPsV5Z8_W56tEVD3I_7A7JMHwUJbzqKopYWkC8WpyFcc1zTDR8cx6JDUNke__s3n5qSBMakU6ZXaw2q1PUce5eROh_8CruUtSDT9o/s800/DSC07490.jpg" title="Devils Golf Course" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Devils Golf Course isn’t a real golf course (see further down for information about Death Valley’s golf course). It got its name from a line in the 1934 National Park Service guide book which said, “Only the devil could play golf” there. The jagged landscape is created by crystallized salt formations created by ancient salt lakes, wind, and rain. When it’s warm, the expansion and contraction of the salt pinnacles create metallic cracking sounds. The drive out to Devils Golf Course is along a dirt road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Natural Bridge Canyon</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHuPdJxg72RoFCfam4kkH02F5LTc_kN_UsODxF15R0WGWbb2fnMcuczsw_vIAQqir8jO-YvH43T0oQ4OizCq_K0LI8ZigKJPgKTWOl4_Ecf8u6tqHSZeMbxaW1rtWqq3xoWYdaw0bl-ky/s1600/DSC07519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Natural Bridge Canyon Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHuPdJxg72RoFCfam4kkH02F5LTc_kN_UsODxF15R0WGWbb2fnMcuczsw_vIAQqir8jO-YvH43T0oQ4OizCq_K0LI8ZigKJPgKTWOl4_Ecf8u6tqHSZeMbxaW1rtWqq3xoWYdaw0bl-ky/s800/DSC07519.jpg" title="Natural Bridge Canyon" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Natural Bridge Canyon was carved by a stream. A fin of rock formed by a sharp bend in the stream eventually had a hole punched into it by pounding floods, creating the 35-foot thick and 35-foot high natural bridge that connects the walls of the canyons. The natural bridge is found about one-third of a mile into the hike, but beyond that there are some other interesting geological formations like dripping mud that looks like wax, hanging canyons, and dry waterfalls. The drive up to National Bridge Canyon is a pretty bumpy dirt road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNkmMbcuGNWs8OOe7o_l2FcDpfenZ6tPQh_CYerOlC5OMZ_RjTVhiC0Pk0ALBpgLXSvbKvqvBphdWsn5Ba201gvA7cF-OtnmdsAqsr7HOXFqakCntOVJJqeIiYKNypDHwGQP8pLTGdcQX/s1600/DSC07438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNkmMbcuGNWs8OOe7o_l2FcDpfenZ6tPQh_CYerOlC5OMZ_RjTVhiC0Pk0ALBpgLXSvbKvqvBphdWsn5Ba201gvA7cF-OtnmdsAqsr7HOXFqakCntOVJJqeIiYKNypDHwGQP8pLTGdcQX/s800/DSC07438.jpg" title="Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Death Valley National Park has five sand dunes: Mesquite Flat Dunes, Eureka Dunes, Saline Valley Dunes, Panamint Dunes, and Ibex Dunes. Eureka Dunes are the tallest in California, but Mesquite Flat Dunes are the best known and easiest to get to in the park. Mesquite Flat Dunes are even easy to visit at night for astrophotography. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N7lew4zQ_zDLo4E0B_z0UsiveUO0yCNbdCp1yRoPfUFDjeezW2IxuL0bJViz_T2Lfhh_I6g5qrsCRtKu8chzRb0nE38bgeeWkS-_dSDsICpkgN3aSXwZDADdy5T3VvWOMUhre5aI3_pR/s1600/DSC07527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Artist's Drive Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N7lew4zQ_zDLo4E0B_z0UsiveUO0yCNbdCp1yRoPfUFDjeezW2IxuL0bJViz_T2Lfhh_I6g5qrsCRtKu8chzRb0nE38bgeeWkS-_dSDsICpkgN3aSXwZDADdy5T3VvWOMUhre5aI3_pR/s800/DSC07527.jpg" title="Artist's Drive" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Artist’s Drive is a nine-mile paved road that winds through multi-colored volcanic and sedimentary badlands. This is an especially nice drive for those that can’t take some of Death Valley National Park’s off-roading trails. There are a few stops along the way, including the colorful artist’s palette. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx90WxxeGGpa_aLOijOkMwxbKrJzv_zifsGVpRSb7HJXqf9Es0m7Z_ECG7Tv15XwkwFgi8OcWkpTeoOgBqJqmbw0LWBw_8EteIJNVwHGetGfNB3Xvr6Nn0NTyunGhiCXLgTUtKBBsmuSfI/s1600/IMG_8537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Salt Creek Trail Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx90WxxeGGpa_aLOijOkMwxbKrJzv_zifsGVpRSb7HJXqf9Es0m7Z_ECG7Tv15XwkwFgi8OcWkpTeoOgBqJqmbw0LWBw_8EteIJNVwHGetGfNB3Xvr6Nn0NTyunGhiCXLgTUtKBBsmuSfI/s800/IMG_8537.jpg" title="Salt Creek Trail" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Salt Creek is a desert oasis situated more than 200 feet below sea level. Salt Creek is the home of the rare Salt Creek Pupfish which thrives in the salty water. A quarter-mile boardwalk follows along the creek to create Salt Creek Trail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dT2rw6I4IsIsm7GNj1HlqyeLyuYenz8zoiDsMxnTEPocoF856vY0vPkoKnsb_R0I86zVyn-nplsaybU_jVEhunWrfPClDu6zhH9-_GfvC4RNqoaJrK7pvFlmPp8m02RVryYQFDtH4HyO/s1600/DSC07417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Keane Wonder Mine Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dT2rw6I4IsIsm7GNj1HlqyeLyuYenz8zoiDsMxnTEPocoF856vY0vPkoKnsb_R0I86zVyn-nplsaybU_jVEhunWrfPClDu6zhH9-_GfvC4RNqoaJrK7pvFlmPp8m02RVryYQFDtH4HyO/s800/DSC07417.jpg" title="Keane Wonder Mine" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Keane Wonder Mine was one of the few profitable mines in Death Valley. The mine was discovered by Jack Keane and Domingo Etcharren in 1904 and it produced over a million dollars in gold from 1904 to 1917. It is one of the best examples of a mine in the national park. A unique feature of the mine is an aerial tramway used to carry gold ore from the mine to the mill. Kean Wonder Mine only recently reopened in November 2017 after having been closed to the public since 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Zabriskie Point</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWKh6-3FcNbWWNpYGFb0p9R_XcI6kxkxiZ9yumfC3pNshp_EFPYzyH1Q73Zs-QugzWJ61SqrRl-Z935kni_qc_emeObYTFppBjVCZCY2gqpqG6LLOTjsB8q2_8piRYl864yTIm5ILEfZv/s1600/DSC07553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Zabriskie Point Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWKh6-3FcNbWWNpYGFb0p9R_XcI6kxkxiZ9yumfC3pNshp_EFPYzyH1Q73Zs-QugzWJ61SqrRl-Z935kni_qc_emeObYTFppBjVCZCY2gqpqG6LLOTjsB8q2_8piRYl864yTIm5ILEfZv/s800/DSC07553.jpg" title="Zabriskie Point" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Zabriskie Point is a favorite spot for sunrises and sunsets because of how the badlands capture and reflect the golden and reddish hues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ubehebe Crater</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMTLzRFYh7PtvFtH-ZBl7hRMsMcANtzsfscuIPGHT_OV5N9_qVQMN75ZbY2WP-5g7hHWv6l5xPeNf-WSr_wQXoFixkdIuUzUUO8dJRW_19Id-rhgkTz6kGsR4ZlincBNRwttYkD-CQubu/s1600/DSC07574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ubehebe Crater Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMTLzRFYh7PtvFtH-ZBl7hRMsMcANtzsfscuIPGHT_OV5N9_qVQMN75ZbY2WP-5g7hHWv6l5xPeNf-WSr_wQXoFixkdIuUzUUO8dJRW_19Id-rhgkTz6kGsR4ZlincBNRwttYkD-CQubu/s800/DSC07574.jpg" title="Ubehebe Crater" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ubehebe Crater is a half-mile across and 500 feet deep. The crater was created by a massive explosion that occurred around 2,000 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Furnace Creek Golf Course</b></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnBD1fpgWV59vCqgPM7CrOV66VgrDyX68AhIvOqopjugD_5oyEmjKH1P7fWfLokNFISgCX5BJAucizq3vBfM04ADQCXqc6z1jICEQjNi0KQJOWU0mJ4MOvtAIa7Um2YvKbrfqiOCYUKf2/s1600/IMG_6207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Furnace Creek Golf Course Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnBD1fpgWV59vCqgPM7CrOV66VgrDyX68AhIvOqopjugD_5oyEmjKH1P7fWfLokNFISgCX5BJAucizq3vBfM04ADQCXqc6z1jICEQjNi0KQJOWU0mJ4MOvtAIa7Um2YvKbrfqiOCYUKf2/s800/IMG_6207.jpg" title="Furnace Creek Golf Course" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.oasisatdeathvalley.com/furnace-creek-golf-course/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Furnace Creek Golf Course</a> isn’t one of Death Valley’s natural outdoor attractions, but it is a pretty cool outdoor attraction nonetheless. Furnace Creek Golf Course is the lowest elevation golf course in the world, at 214 feet below sea level. The greens are covered with a fine layer of crusty salt, easily mistaken at first for sand. It’s surprising that grass can grow here at all. The 19<sup>th</sup> Hole Bar & Grill has a drive-through ramp for golf carts, a fun and unusual feature for a golf course. Because Furnace Creek Golf Course appears in guidebooks as a unique destination because of it being the lowest elevation golf course in the world, people from all over the world come here to play a round of golf . . . even if they’ve never played golf before in their life. We literally overheard a guest ask a golf shop employee if the ball goes on top of the tee. But if you can get out on the course before the novice golfers, it’s a fun round of golf. Beware that at such a low elevation, the golf ball doesn’t go as far. The golf course is pretty flat, but it’s completely surrounded by mountains, and surprisingly there are some water features as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Death Valley Off-Road Adventures</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Racetrack Playa</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGh09piJtfPIyc1-lx8m36rvYezq71wCgTEUItRWvKgwMIIidJsDdrQ4vBhfGPccpuPLJjXODN4lVqUbLHTayPDbpJzXHHDkWr_DVpOkWlI8-iNt0M4_wbbFg-E2e8jv5wdROyVSPVxHC/s1600/DSC07591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Racetrack Playa Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGh09piJtfPIyc1-lx8m36rvYezq71wCgTEUItRWvKgwMIIidJsDdrQ4vBhfGPccpuPLJjXODN4lVqUbLHTayPDbpJzXHHDkWr_DVpOkWlI8-iNt0M4_wbbFg-E2e8jv5wdROyVSPVxHC/s800/DSC07591.jpg" title="Racetrack Playa" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the most fascinating spots in Death Valley is Racetrack Playa, a dry lakebed dotted with random rocks with trails that stretch behind them. The tracks prove that the rocks move, but how was a mystery until very recently. Scientists discovered through monitoring the rocks that when there is enough rain, the playa becomes a shallow lake. In the winter, the surface freezes into a sheet of floating ice. The ice sheets break in the morning and breezes push the floating ice sheets along with their embedded rocks. When the ice melts and the water evaporates, the rocks are left in their new locations until this happens again, perhaps years later. The trip out to Racetrack Playa is a pretty hairy 27-mile rough dirt road with jagged rocks. A high-clearance vehicle with heavy-duty tires is necessary to make the two-and-a-half hour drive out to the playa.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Titus Canyon</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBtwTtoY5bBFJJOQIxyHDS27KslmPfDmU9GKpzWvS5pipvEguiBK79Ups-6bM8xxQi1eCatMGVz5_WCqhINyRy2SokQLZlOR0saOmap6WWyDCnBqB77Xt85Kl6Edk9hj-XnvekPa0kLdz/s1600/DSC07408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Titus Canyon Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBtwTtoY5bBFJJOQIxyHDS27KslmPfDmU9GKpzWvS5pipvEguiBK79Ups-6bM8xxQi1eCatMGVz5_WCqhINyRy2SokQLZlOR0saOmap6WWyDCnBqB77Xt85Kl6Edk9hj-XnvekPa0kLdz/s800/DSC07408.jpg" title="Titus Canyon" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Titus Canyon is the most popular back-country road in Death Valley National Park, and it’s easy to see why. This off-road drive has everything: a ghost town, petroglyphs, mountain views, and a drive through winding canyon narrows. The drive is one way, from east to west, is 27 miles long, and takes a leisurely two to three hours. The last three miles are two-way and can be handled by a standard vehicle. The entrance is on Nevada Highway 374, two miles east of the National Park boundary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfT_gn84vKJKfrucyKOfW_JVHQOYAthCZ_7JWGWDAx7vzdAjiMSffKVSNfwWVGcJPfpKh6TqH-cq56F7OFp88UdqXFpRbOeP2pnlruFXa7XKsb31DpqKsTd1gOfFhRp6cKCtScCO6mKIZ/s1600/IMG_6148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Leadfield Ghost Town Titus Canyon Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfT_gn84vKJKfrucyKOfW_JVHQOYAthCZ_7JWGWDAx7vzdAjiMSffKVSNfwWVGcJPfpKh6TqH-cq56F7OFp88UdqXFpRbOeP2pnlruFXa7XKsb31DpqKsTd1gOfFhRp6cKCtScCO6mKIZ/s800/IMG_6148.jpg" title="Leadfield Ghost Town" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The ghost town of Leadfield was a mining boom town. It was one of the shortest-lived mining towns founded primarily on false advertising. 300 people arrived in 1926, and the town was empty by February 1927. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXeU6QGF29zsSjKnDxgwFHkAZmBjueDk44Ky6V49QfrOvRu1ArXHry1ppRiffvadacxvwYeNsles8EXNW8-IpOKhuiotJj3uVKEMPOmOYHb_cewsrsy4DjfmFe_IDJW_eh_7F7zrbXcC9/s1600/IMG_8445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Klare Springs Petroglyphs Titus Canyon Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXeU6QGF29zsSjKnDxgwFHkAZmBjueDk44Ky6V49QfrOvRu1ArXHry1ppRiffvadacxvwYeNsles8EXNW8-IpOKhuiotJj3uVKEMPOmOYHb_cewsrsy4DjfmFe_IDJW_eh_7F7zrbXcC9/s800/IMG_8445.jpg" title="Klare Springs Petroglyphs" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Klare Spring produces 20 gallons of water a minute which creates a small wetland that bighorn sheep frequent. The Native Americans also spent time here hunting bighorn and creating petroglyphs in the rocks. Sadly, today the rocks contain both ancient and modern petroglyphs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Twenty Mule Team Canyon</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-QZ5NlPTsD1Pz8fZQV-30ZNkNd__Zr1dRrxgnqDAAz8zUEPrCwup-wrMUVco3PL9H2WDjN_KXHeZ5kzIztz4mEWil72won9PQ7VVQkehBDYgG_ruodQtBehx9uE6KMDctRVhBVa1-RI/s1600/DSC07537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Twenty Mule Team Canyon Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggu-QZ5NlPTsD1Pz8fZQV-30ZNkNd__Zr1dRrxgnqDAAz8zUEPrCwup-wrMUVco3PL9H2WDjN_KXHeZ5kzIztz4mEWil72won9PQ7VVQkehBDYgG_ruodQtBehx9uE6KMDctRVhBVa1-RI/s800/DSC07537.jpg" title="Twenty Mule Team Canyon" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Twenty Mule Team Canyon is a relatively short (less than 3-mile) unpaved road winding through badlands. The name comes from the Twenty Mule Teams which pulled huge wagons carrying borax from Harmony Borax Works to the railroad 165 miles away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What to Drive Off-Roading in Death Valley</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While many of Death Valley’s sites can be seen with any kind of vehicle, Death Valley’s off-road adventures really require a vehicle that’s up to the challenge. Even Devils Golf Course is reached by a dirt road, though that one can be driven by a standard vehicle. But the road to Natural Bridge Canyon and the off-road drives of Titus Canyon, Twenty Mule Team Canyon, and Racetrack Playa should really be driven in a high-clearance off-road capable vehicle. That’s not to say that you won’t see a regular car on those roads, but the likelihood of an issue, like a blown tire, is a risk I wouldn’t want to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For our trip to Death Valley, we got a chance to test drive the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum AWD. I was so thankful to have such a capable vehicle for our off-road drives through Death Valley. Driving off-road on rocky, washboard, pot-holed dirt roads can be nerve-racking, but we had a high sense of security in the Highlander. For off-roading, the features that made us feel safe were the high clearance, the tires that could hold up to sharp rocks, and the all-wheel drive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We drove from San Diego to Death Valley, and even once there we were driving a lot of miles as Death Valley National Park is so huge, so it was fantastic having the hybrid feature which means we could drive a long time before having to fill up with gas. The interior is also very roomy, with three rows of seats if you have lots of passengers. Or, if going on a road trip with two people, two dogs, and all of the luggage that such a family requires, the last row of seats folds down, providing plenty of room for luggage, camera equipment, a dog pen, a dog buggy, a cooler, and a set of golf clubs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not that these features helped with the off-roading, but it didn’t hurt that the 2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum AWD also had a pretty luxurious interior with features like super soft leather, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, hands-free entry, and Toyota’s birds-eye view. One feature I particularly enjoyed which was useful for a road trip was the in-dash shelf. It helped me keep my phone, our itinerary, my camera lens cap, charging cord, GoPro, and whatever else I needed easily and quickly accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Death Valley Pass</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxVm_2tfIDcDrt9jBgRsJ_xa-nA740Ts39rocnvHdlGQeb-318futAFQWFp6-tMIq7J0JsCzh4gfyVq_rBa0y19lEPnK7XchhBpOQDuiixGEbu_QBWt6YN3p1A8TaVyc8EO-FPOIGNFs_/s1600/DSC07422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Death Valley Road Trip Itinerary" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxVm_2tfIDcDrt9jBgRsJ_xa-nA740Ts39rocnvHdlGQeb-318futAFQWFp6-tMIq7J0JsCzh4gfyVq_rBa0y19lEPnK7XchhBpOQDuiixGEbu_QBWt6YN3p1A8TaVyc8EO-FPOIGNFs_/s800/DSC07422.jpg" title="Death Valley" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors to Death Valley must purchase a permit. The vehicle entrance fee ($25 at time of writing) allows all people traveling in a vehicle with a permit to enter and leave the park as many times as they wish during a 7-day period. There are ranger stations and kiosks in a number of places throughout the park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Death Valley Weather</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s a reason why Death Valley has the word death in its name. Death Valley gets deathly hot in the summer. Death Valley has the dubious honor of being the hottest place on earth and having the world record for the highest air temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit. 120 degrees in the summer isn’t unusual. The best months to visit are November through March, though April and October can be tolerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to </i><a href="https://www.toyota.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Toyota</i></a><i> for letting us test drive the </i><a href="https://www.toyota.com/highlanderhybrid/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>2018 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited Platinum AWD</i></a></span><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> for our Death Valley road trip. As always, all opinions are our own. This article may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards running this website and bringing you more travel stories.</span></i><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-62684424235036874992018-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:002018-10-20T00:25:45.195-07:00Lausanne Things to Do Plus Lake Geneva Day Trips<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Lake Geneva is the Swiss Riviera and part of French Switzerland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels very different from other parts of Switzerland, what with everyone speaking French, and Lausanne feels very metropolitan and fashionable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost like visiting more than one country, yet you’re still in Switzerland with all of its benefits, like the delicious food and the ridiculously efficient transportation system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lausanne has many things to do, making it a great place to both visit and use as a jumping off point for Lake Geneva day trips to places like Gruyeres, Chateaux de Chillon, Chaplin’s World, and a walk through wine country.</span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Things to Do in Lausanne</span></b></h2>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Olympic Museum </span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlWbyMnGtHA7do3mfY6zn_0V-YgHlCXnivmvRUExjFUFR17VyoD_p2V8C-MTyRMU5WRQqdmrS1DQ3xow2uvOqWPquwg4CdsBQ2_Bdz_GxTducP3BkbM-9T3uJ3OBdog9gg1oE42Vut1GC/s1600/IMG_5837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="The Olympic Museum Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJlWbyMnGtHA7do3mfY6zn_0V-YgHlCXnivmvRUExjFUFR17VyoD_p2V8C-MTyRMU5WRQqdmrS1DQ3xow2uvOqWPquwg4CdsBQ2_Bdz_GxTducP3BkbM-9T3uJ3OBdog9gg1oE42Vut1GC/s800/IMG_5837.jpg" title="The Olympic Museum" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Lausanne is also known as the Olympic Capital as it has been the home of the International Olympic Committee since 1915.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happened during the First World War, and the reason was Switzerland’s neutrality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.olympic.org/museum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Olympic Museum</a> is all things Olympics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside there are Olympics inspired statues, a track, and a high jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside are displays of Olympics memorabilia through the decades, including the very first Olympic flag and previous Olympic torches and medals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re sure to find something of your favorite Olympic sport or Olympic athlete in the museum. <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Admission to the Olympic Museum and Park is included with the </span><a href="https://www.sbb.ch/en/leisure-holidays/travel-in-switzerland/international-guests/swiss-travel-pass.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Swiss Travel Pass</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Quai D’Ouchy</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmze8m5cjSbhHpvbmF40GuGUkyIUuMgPtG60lLtCiH050baO2ddvYZI2F2WzBgx2MF5YpWwRLoB5q_f1Dwc7XY23pF2mSEjNE9P5Sa-rTTT8nh2St3A93qytbAPZ6V_HH3XJTWxbvbNdSf/s1600/DSC05958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Quai D'Ouchy Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmze8m5cjSbhHpvbmF40GuGUkyIUuMgPtG60lLtCiH050baO2ddvYZI2F2WzBgx2MF5YpWwRLoB5q_f1Dwc7XY23pF2mSEjNE9P5Sa-rTTT8nh2St3A93qytbAPZ6V_HH3XJTWxbvbNdSf/s800/DSC05958.jpg" title="Quai D'Ouchy" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The Ouchy section of Lausanne is on the shore of Lake Geneva and has a nice walkway along the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vendors set up shop along the walkway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lausanne Cathedral</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB0DFCU9DZFigZq5uzqvdAV7_xnolCssbXmhz-PcJzbzy3mRbp5QVqivRHWbBo50YE2-VPEvkJgAnEfwf8WUrrSEmj33aKG3F630ogecKjJwMy8cWq3t8Isv0vs_hP4orpb_6iNEUdYhy/s1600/DSC06149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lausanne Cathedral Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiB0DFCU9DZFigZq5uzqvdAV7_xnolCssbXmhz-PcJzbzy3mRbp5QVqivRHWbBo50YE2-VPEvkJgAnEfwf8WUrrSEmj33aKG3F630ogecKjJwMy8cWq3t8Isv0vs_hP4orpb_6iNEUdYhy/s800/DSC06149.jpg" title="Lausanne Cathedral" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Lausanne Cathedral is the largest church in all of Switzerland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the church used to be ornate, when it was turned into a Protestant church all of its icons were removed and its stained-glass was broken and replaced by plain glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some colorful windows now that were added in the 20<sup>th</sup> century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Self-Guided Walking Tour</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp6Za8RMAUuKZCv3riFRly3-0rkxs951aFlcXbbnn2R8Cz551_Kf3pmcl7_bERpHJh2jIpBJBI5CGzFhnB4s9BA_Hn0Ajdou977J3by-3YQMbDW_VibME4brK9AFD3haQ7VutqEXmINzl/s1600/DSC06157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="City Center Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp6Za8RMAUuKZCv3riFRly3-0rkxs951aFlcXbbnn2R8Cz551_Kf3pmcl7_bERpHJh2jIpBJBI5CGzFhnB4s9BA_Hn0Ajdou977J3by-3YQMbDW_VibME4brK9AFD3haQ7VutqEXmINzl/s800/DSC06157.jpg" title="City Center" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The city center of Lausanne features a number of old buildings and plazas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A self-guided walking tour can include the Place St. Francois with its church, Pont Bessieres, Lausanne Castle, which isn’t open to the public but has a terrace with a view, the Esplanade de la Cathedrale, the Place de la Palud, and Place de la Rippone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLAnEILaKbRI89Aen7oawRWQVL6pucqotieE7K1lxWzMYCctlsREnYsarjjzB-3YddQmbbfBmwYwTBrNcrPDQm7t8Cfn3MatB2zhwY-N3SvU1PsDViGeoxOu_AMI4Xm8Vvj5pIpIPpMDc/s1600/DSC06159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="De L'Autre Code Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLAnEILaKbRI89Aen7oawRWQVL6pucqotieE7K1lxWzMYCctlsREnYsarjjzB-3YddQmbbfBmwYwTBrNcrPDQm7t8Cfn3MatB2zhwY-N3SvU1PsDViGeoxOu_AMI4Xm8Vvj5pIpIPpMDc/s800/DSC06159.jpg" title="De L'Autre Cote" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The perfect way to cap off a walking tour of Lausanne is with a beer at <a href="http://www.ac-beerhouse.ch/" target="_blank">De L’Autre Cote</a> located a block behind Lausanne Cathedral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you time it right, you can be sitting back, sipping a beer, and listening to the church bells chime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lake Geneva Day Trips</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our travels through Switzerland, whenever there was a chance to take a day trip involving a train or a boat ride, we jumped on the chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a number of things to do in Lake Geneva that are a short day trip (or less) from Lausanne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gruyeres</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQdMw0evIwmmsXPY9Cb2AIb4n-4a3L76ag6cL4XpNagHVtcTEDLczmrwFbeaiTt1u1R_rfFIirz6H8s7zque756irdMwIXRlfWCF21rw2nRRLQMObRmB9Y6EDA1Msk6t1n0kxcoOa69FQ/s1600/DSC05914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Gruyeres Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQdMw0evIwmmsXPY9Cb2AIb4n-4a3L76ag6cL4XpNagHVtcTEDLczmrwFbeaiTt1u1R_rfFIirz6H8s7zque756irdMwIXRlfWCF21rw2nRRLQMObRmB9Y6EDA1Msk6t1n0kxcoOa69FQ/s800/DSC05914.jpg" title="Gruyeres" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The train trip from Lausanne to Gruyeres is just over an hour, and Gruyeres offers a good half-day worth of activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTqAWpFPich-HkCCxdS54Nak0oJo2WBmMswij5eJjT-4fv9SGH8mOC0Omu8QH2qmjxFCcZI5WQKFsb9_PfvAOivRR2RkhLk9P80VBhr504BVdAqQv1e-M3k11liZcKDIkFSs8rN3YOdn4/s1600/IMG_6057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="La Maison du Gruyere Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTqAWpFPich-HkCCxdS54Nak0oJo2WBmMswij5eJjT-4fv9SGH8mOC0Omu8QH2qmjxFCcZI5WQKFsb9_PfvAOivRR2RkhLk9P80VBhr504BVdAqQv1e-M3k11liZcKDIkFSs8rN3YOdn4/s800/IMG_6057.jpg" title="La Maison du Gruyere" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />First and foremost is <a href="https://www.lamaisondugruyere.ch/homepage-en/" target="_blank">La Maison du Gruyere</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you probably already guessed, Gruyeres is the home of gruyere cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At La Maison du Gruyere, visitors can observe multiple steps of the cheese-making process, including the addition of the rennet, cutting the curd, checking consistency, filling the moulds, and removing the cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best time to visit in order to see the most of these processes is around 9:00 a.m., but we also found 2:00 p.m. to be a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An admission ticket includes a packet of cheeses aged six, eight, and 10 months to taste while visiting the museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieC_5Hd-WzxXfh0t0k1yJdjwoo4iiKeT5ltCqt5S5b_HYQe-byR0uM_yWdCW3WTPT6pHUYXTdoYWqoi9-of6_53uhiItZt45PlIWwvhCY3D6WMzPWz4jRWtWRCij-q6IzbCHrN8L11gCq/s1600/DSC05880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Chateau de Gruyeres Garden Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieC_5Hd-WzxXfh0t0k1yJdjwoo4iiKeT5ltCqt5S5b_HYQe-byR0uM_yWdCW3WTPT6pHUYXTdoYWqoi9-of6_53uhiItZt45PlIWwvhCY3D6WMzPWz4jRWtWRCij-q6IzbCHrN8L11gCq/s800/DSC05880.jpg" title="Chateau de Gruyeres Garden" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />At the top of town is the <a href="https://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/en" target="_blank">Chateau de Gruyeres</a>, Gruyeres’ castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1631213032/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1631213032&linkCode=as2&tag=travtheworl07-20&linkId=f7b347b567a1a8a187d02339e199eda0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rick Steves</a> doesn’t recommend touring the castle and calls it a “ho-hum interior,” but we actually enjoyed our visit to the Chateau de Gruyeres, thought the rooms were beautifully appointed, and entrance is included with the Swiss Travel Pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to castle rooms to explore, there is a trail circumnavigating the castle walls and a pretty garden and maze within the walls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEar3t5Uq0lt6u_1n8sIgVMCZxtzQcGA_2FIDGU7S2KnnH1ADdLi7Yxq5WVkclegA5if46jb1tzsAMLksvVLgRudGw_RoLNR3h-_Cvd22IPILC5qPjgafMnatIenGGJmBVhFIT3VjxiL8/s1600/DSC05906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Tibet Museum Gruyeres Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEar3t5Uq0lt6u_1n8sIgVMCZxtzQcGA_2FIDGU7S2KnnH1ADdLi7Yxq5WVkclegA5if46jb1tzsAMLksvVLgRudGw_RoLNR3h-_Cvd22IPILC5qPjgafMnatIenGGJmBVhFIT3VjxiL8/s800/DSC05906.jpg" title="Tibet Museum" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />A small but interesting museum within the town of Gruyeres is the <a href="http://www.tibetmuseum.info/e/English.html" target="_blank">Tibet Museum</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tibetan treasures are beautifully displayed in an old church, which is quite a juxtaposition of eastern and western religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Admission is included with the Swiss Travel Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ql-mzL4Qx1F1Etzrtzgui1Z6FdX6vGnYQqXf3VikZqMj66wt98ycCorBI2PDZjhBqlHIK9WiyzUz-p0sWiSdEFqpOkteZZ1taWLKwtU3feQlMJ8NZ3nGAH-C4A57qCBIGsFeBAIHRVR/s1600/IMG_6023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Museum HR Giger Gruyeres Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93ql-mzL4Qx1F1Etzrtzgui1Z6FdX6vGnYQqXf3VikZqMj66wt98ycCorBI2PDZjhBqlHIK9WiyzUz-p0sWiSdEFqpOkteZZ1taWLKwtU3feQlMJ8NZ3nGAH-C4A57qCBIGsFeBAIHRVR/s800/IMG_6023.jpg" title="Museum HR Giger" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />If you’re a fan of the artist HR Giger, or of his movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alien</i>, you’ll definitely want to visit the <a href="http://www.hrgigermuseum.com/index2.php" target="_blank">Museum HR Giger</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is odd and fascinating and disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not really my cup of tea, but was interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For even more HR Giger, the <a href="http://www.hrgiger.com/barmuseum.htm" target="_blank">HR Giger Bar</a> is across the street and features skeletal ceilings and bar stools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chaplin’s World</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr1nkokORY1plSYPp3mf_x3dlhCWj4TtvyAP8IouC_H7VEUKHROFC7IurAHMbsu9adKeqwH_Lu60hyuO2HL3fTW686xMIhmeqabxQzMxI2Z6tnDbCHccNvOgB56GIRD5ZW_8ge3ZXSrLY/s1600/DSC06082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Chaplin's World Corsier-sur-Vevey Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVr1nkokORY1plSYPp3mf_x3dlhCWj4TtvyAP8IouC_H7VEUKHROFC7IurAHMbsu9adKeqwH_Lu60hyuO2HL3fTW686xMIhmeqabxQzMxI2Z6tnDbCHccNvOgB56GIRD5ZW_8ge3ZXSrLY/s800/DSC06082.jpg" title="Chaplin's World" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />One of the coolest places we visited in Switzerland was <a href="https://www.chaplinsworld.com/en" target="_blank">Chaplin’s World</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charlie Chaplin, a silent film era icon, spent the last 24 years of his life in Switzerland in his home in Corsier-sur-Vevey with his wife Oona and their eight children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Visitors can walk through the rooms of his home, where he spent some of the happiest years of his life, and stroll through the gardens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YEuAJKcj2PjjrV6J1s75L-XFCttJPH57zT9PYf4w0oTG-c-6Nytry2qk0TmlqwT_7udIu8oLx691zKLdHD9eYxss8Np16UR56XXPLyXsFBfuTq-2BRQMMAjsu2KujtQOS8ZC1rJ_6UGI/s1600/DSC06067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Chaplin's World Studio Corsier-sur-Vevey Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YEuAJKcj2PjjrV6J1s75L-XFCttJPH57zT9PYf4w0oTG-c-6Nytry2qk0TmlqwT_7udIu8oLx691zKLdHD9eYxss8Np16UR56XXPLyXsFBfuTq-2BRQMMAjsu2KujtQOS8ZC1rJ_6UGI/s800/DSC06067.jpg" title="Chaplin's World Studio" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />In the same building as the shop is a movie theater which shows a short movie about Charlie Chaplin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this is far more than a movie and should not be missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the movie, the screen rises, opening the way to a world of Chaplin in the form of a studio filled with interactive sets from many of his films.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We probably spent more time in this area of Chaplin’s World than his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know Charlie Chaplin acted in, wrote, directed, edited, composed the music for, produced, and distributed his own films?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUuafBob_PzRefBTPEzYCebP04NlwXvbUnNDlUuXHR5b7hntmaF_lQJRQsOFmOzB9z6AzgPQL-ku8PoHRzFpZt0YI_LEiBFzs9ArsjwBt0v9jsjKVbgUSgoiOko9HyBsoEDsAoDUgmfqb/s1600/IMG_6283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Chaplin's World House Corsier-sur-Vevey Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUuafBob_PzRefBTPEzYCebP04NlwXvbUnNDlUuXHR5b7hntmaF_lQJRQsOFmOzB9z6AzgPQL-ku8PoHRzFpZt0YI_LEiBFzs9ArsjwBt0v9jsjKVbgUSgoiOko9HyBsoEDsAoDUgmfqb/s800/IMG_6283.jpg" title="Chaplin's World House" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I am a Charlie Chaplin fan, but even those not familiar with his work will enjoy a visit to Chaplin’s World.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Romeo has never seen a Chaplin film (something I really need to fix), and our visit to Chaplin’s World was one of his favorite things we did in Switzerland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVviICXcyzP8lhOoO9Q44pQicXp6jXFuvHFzAuD8kz5lEqTg1aBbKAZEspnqgUTjBU1_wkBQBj3MPl_iBu1nh-Z5gGwIOQvuDdPqQPCs5dqsn0DLnG4jisD3q4z4dlftZEiqi_hlvxZ_V/s1600/IMG_6144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Chateaux de Chillon Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVviICXcyzP8lhOoO9Q44pQicXp6jXFuvHFzAuD8kz5lEqTg1aBbKAZEspnqgUTjBU1_wkBQBj3MPl_iBu1nh-Z5gGwIOQvuDdPqQPCs5dqsn0DLnG4jisD3q4z4dlftZEiqi_hlvxZ_V/s800/IMG_6144.jpg" title="Chateaux de Chillon" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />After spending much of the day in Gruyeres, we still had some free time, so from Lausanne we traveled to the <a href="https://www.chillon.ch/en/" target="_blank">Chateaux de Chillon</a> aboard the Vevey, a historic paddle steamer built in 1907.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chillon Castle was first built in the 12<sup>th</sup> century, but has had add-on construction and alterations through the centuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both entrance to the castle and travel on Lake Geneva’s paddle steamers are included with the Swiss Travel Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Terraced Vineyard Walk</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUtx3N9__O5Y6DvSIPabuSvJQQMcUhEuPPEO7F0eEuggae7iXykoq-bT07e4xuXvnTCum-XZnYlEliqg5qttv8SW-X9uqeigKKnWjv2MlCzfMb2AZgfdA-DRN00p3DN6_uQge4EA3jIko/s1600/DJI_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Terraced Vineyards Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUtx3N9__O5Y6DvSIPabuSvJQQMcUhEuPPEO7F0eEuggae7iXykoq-bT07e4xuXvnTCum-XZnYlEliqg5qttv8SW-X9uqeigKKnWjv2MlCzfMb2AZgfdA-DRN00p3DN6_uQge4EA3jIko/s800/DJI_0064.jpg" title="Terraced Vineyards" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />When we first arrived in Lausanne by train, we were struck by the beauty of the terraced vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva, even if it was early spring and the vines were just starting to show green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up having some extra free time, so we added a walk through Lake Geneva’s terraced vineyards to our itinerary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, this was easy to do with the <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/city-guide-apps/city-guide-lausanne-app.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">City Guide Lausanne App</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The app provides suggested tours, and we chose to add the Lavaux (Lutry) tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas5cFg7WQrnYFQLVmUbc2c0rFB86p6j0utG5DHfRzd8miq8YhUJ0E3fjweQwxNkr4wK_NL_Z9sEcXEAFNFOuZnCEotr948_1cDuWGvlCqGdJ4BUrM7tl3BIrPl0BPrtPmR7apvmIWPCgC/s1600/IMG_6376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Lutry Lake Geneva Day Trips" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas5cFg7WQrnYFQLVmUbc2c0rFB86p6j0utG5DHfRzd8miq8YhUJ0E3fjweQwxNkr4wK_NL_Z9sEcXEAFNFOuZnCEotr948_1cDuWGvlCqGdJ4BUrM7tl3BIrPl0BPrtPmR7apvmIWPCgC/s800/IMG_6376.jpg" title="Lutry" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />From Lausanne, we took the trail to the Grandvaux station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The app provides turn-by-turn details for the two-hour, mostly flat and downhill walk, with a GPS enabled map so you can’t get lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The app provides information about points of interest along the way, such as ancient stone walls, monorails used for the grape harvest, and winemakers’ houses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walk ends at Lutry station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to Stay in Lausanne</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikECTU8wZsF-OAPYd78If_vGhv0FIhdl_IdsZ3AAmid8SzdaY_uuxIe3JqQoFIoYX4Mh2zSySoD3AZPqCPZGlW-C4rxqELKAiNKXYanIzCDFc5dIt81R4QftYq5NTzqIKhTbkC6nTcw080/s1600/DSC06023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel de la Paix Lausanne Balcony Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikECTU8wZsF-OAPYd78If_vGhv0FIhdl_IdsZ3AAmid8SzdaY_uuxIe3JqQoFIoYX4Mh2zSySoD3AZPqCPZGlW-C4rxqELKAiNKXYanIzCDFc5dIt81R4QftYq5NTzqIKhTbkC6nTcw080/s800/DSC06023.jpg" title="Hotel de la Paix Lausanne Balcony" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />There are two main areas to stay in Lausanne, the old town and the Ouchy district on the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We chose the old town and stayed at the gorgeous <a href="http://www.hoteldelapaix.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel de la Paix Lausanne</a>, a historic hotel which opened in 1910.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in the old town, at Hotel de la Paix Lausanne it is possible to have a clear view of Lake Geneva. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />Hotel de la Paix Lausanne has both standard rooms and suites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to enjoy the extra extravagance of one of the gorgeous suites with a living room area and dining table, a king bed, a ceramic room heater, and a balcony that stretched the length of the suite with a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Knowing that not everyone wants to shell out for such an extravagant room (though $400 a night is awfully reasonable for such a room), we sneaked a peek into the regular rooms and found that, while not as large, they were also very nice and some also have balconies with beautiful views.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG3Z2dvmIqZejux7cNW6Zb4gnjQakNZ2K8bAER-aid8DKWWpVbwmiY3JTv0q1RcSVL7YQYBWIkoy84hmimV-w13MSgebd2D42JLxTW94idkdaSMaJl6VixSJOoN3s_oTHHDOD20DsNUje/s1600/DSC05776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Hotel de la Paix Lausanne Suite Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG3Z2dvmIqZejux7cNW6Zb4gnjQakNZ2K8bAER-aid8DKWWpVbwmiY3JTv0q1RcSVL7YQYBWIkoy84hmimV-w13MSgebd2D42JLxTW94idkdaSMaJl6VixSJOoN3s_oTHHDOD20DsNUje/s800/DSC05776.jpg" title="Hotel de la Paix Lausanne Suite" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />The hotel provides quite a breakfast spread for guests every morning in the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The La Paix Restaurant also serves dinner every evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bar de la Paix has a sunny terrace, and Le Benjamin Bistro & Bar provides light fare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hotel de la Paix Lausanne is a short walk from the Bessieres metro station, which also connects with the train station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hotel provides guests with a card providing free access to public transportation within the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If arriving by metro, head up the elevator, and then walk down the hill of Rue Caroline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If flying out from Geneva, the train from Lausanne goes directly to the airport and takes less than an hour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqillCTj3soe0dJ04wwR9nAM8U2eqapD_tMf4PG29xjNhRobxQK1lpBvK-XG2lrR18sfUpJ-2mKBifNZzmNeq__54jgNXdpzWJSMGzb1GESq-ZQr45aoKfeYzvLmUbSeCjYpLerufesTq/s1600/DSC05815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Anne-Sophie Pic Restaurant Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqillCTj3soe0dJ04wwR9nAM8U2eqapD_tMf4PG29xjNhRobxQK1lpBvK-XG2lrR18sfUpJ-2mKBifNZzmNeq__54jgNXdpzWJSMGzb1GESq-ZQr45aoKfeYzvLmUbSeCjYpLerufesTq/s800/DSC05815.jpg" title="Anne-Sophie Pic Restaurant" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />It’s not every day you get the chance to dine at a two Michelin star restaurant headed by a three star Michelin chef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://www.brp.ch/en/restaurants-bars/anne-sophie-pic/the-restaurant/" target="_blank">Anne-Sophie Pic</a> in Lausanne’s Beau-Rivage Palace is such a restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The menu offers prix fix options as well as ala carte items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A warning, the menus for men have prices while the menus for women do not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIm8m3yVN02JIpPORF0bnoCIf8-m8xaq32NAnn48yGUN9619gzZN2X_3Qo9dK7vaCfmxAoBDAJhYr4CsxZwd6Wu4fpxEGV4Kg7YlYRObbQfFOqs9Hoq_oMKJmJCKlD-_K9KxaP1FztYSW/s1600/DSC05817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Anne-Sophie Pic Berlingot Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIm8m3yVN02JIpPORF0bnoCIf8-m8xaq32NAnn48yGUN9619gzZN2X_3Qo9dK7vaCfmxAoBDAJhYr4CsxZwd6Wu4fpxEGV4Kg7YlYRObbQfFOqs9Hoq_oMKJmJCKlD-_K9KxaP1FztYSW/s800/DSC05817.jpg" title="Anne-Sophie Pic Berlingot" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />We opted for the prix fixe menu which included what can best be described as a fondue soup dumpling in a smoked green asparagus broth; surprising and delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This dish, the berlingot, is one of Anne-Sophie Pic’s signature dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meal was finished off with a selection of fresh and aged cheeses, chosen from a cart loaded with smelly, melty, moldy, fantabulous cheeses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzyXy4X-szgtUh6JYKT9jg5CSf7qjH6QLipfWTt0F7kIkp7sxHe4G663Oiwsw2o6slCaQwcWEEalg9StvhC5t7tmz2CZLs3T64AgP4W9jTJvezi4P9q9jSghEiRwqg4GSnuY8tZRMMu7P/s1600/DSC05809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Beau-Rivage Palace Bar Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzyXy4X-szgtUh6JYKT9jg5CSf7qjH6QLipfWTt0F7kIkp7sxHe4G663Oiwsw2o6slCaQwcWEEalg9StvhC5t7tmz2CZLs3T64AgP4W9jTJvezi4P9q9jSghEiRwqg4GSnuY8tZRMMu7P/s800/DSC05809.jpg" title="Beau-Rivage Palace Bar" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />It’s worth arriving early to have a pre-dinner cocktail at Beau-Rivage Palace’s bar, simply named Bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cocktails are quite inventive and the atmosphere is retro-chic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pinte Besson</span></b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hqFFjkRP9WOa3uJ3vuO7l3hpQipOeRUEO4gJ2RHAIHgw_61Pa0NOAdUsH4i1ABIb0exe8Mw5Qduh50fC9hwou5165mrES7xfGs969izB4tqqMBShSKdU8bkM5TMguxFl72evUGM1f8WD/s1600/DSC06166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Pinte Besson Rosti and Raclette Lausanne Things to Do" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1hqFFjkRP9WOa3uJ3vuO7l3hpQipOeRUEO4gJ2RHAIHgw_61Pa0NOAdUsH4i1ABIb0exe8Mw5Qduh50fC9hwou5165mrES7xfGs969izB4tqqMBShSKdU8bkM5TMguxFl72evUGM1f8WD/s800/DSC06166.jpg" title="Pinte Besson Rosti and Raclette" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pinte-besson.com/fr/" target="_blank">Pinte Besson</a> is the oldest pub in Lausanne, having opened in 1780.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes complete with a squeaking, sticking door, a groaning dumbwaiter, and tiny stairs some use their hands to crawl up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the building is so old and made of wood, fondue is not served upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, rosti, raclette, and meringue with gruyere cream are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cafe-romand.ch/" target="_blank">Café Romand</a> is a no-nonsense brewery and pub that opened in 1951 and serves Swiss classics in oak furniture and woodwork surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to <a href="http://www.hoteldelapaix.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel de la Paix Lausanne</a> and <a href="https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Switzerland Tourism</a> for hosting our trip and making this post possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, all opinions are our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article contains affiliate links.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you purchase through them it costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards this website and bringing you more travel stories.</span></i><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-34222714341764620052018-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:002018-01-22T08:00:43.011-08:00A First Time Hostel Experience with Israel’s Abraham Hostels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never say never. That has always been one of my mantras. And yet, there was one thing I said I would never do. I said I would never, ever, ever stay in a hostel. Hostels are for solo travelers, super budget travelers, backpackers, and kids in their late teens or early twenties, right? We don’t fit into any of those categories. The thought of sharing a room with strangers and sleeping in a bunk bed frankly makes my skin crawl. However, when we spoke to Abraham Tours and they offered to host us both on their tours and in their hostels, how could we say no? Thus started our first time ever staying in a hostel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There was one condition. That condition was that we would stay in private rooms for the duration of the trip. We might be willing to try something new, but we weren’t willing to completely alter our travel style. That condition wasn’t a problem as all of Abraham Hostels’ locations offer private rooms in addition to the traditional shared rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Israel is expensive, so even if you’re not normally a hostel traveler, a private room at one of Abraham Hostels’ locations might be the perfect option if you want to travel on a budget. Plus, one of Abraham Hostels’ slogans is, “Abraham, the first backpacker,” so it seems fitting to stay at a backpacker’s hostel in Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuKv0mNImL1Zmy5X_sFrSXnoaDtkfxFVLCBjlh6bHqq6TOnbzY4e0Ww0FlGKGk31eSJv-KOGHHDn4NMR3ITuTvDdnezxiq0e4HEpS8iim2YoFkxJD9POntTHrUVb5wpvKLHdL40aAjz4U/s1600/DSC02750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv TV Room Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuKv0mNImL1Zmy5X_sFrSXnoaDtkfxFVLCBjlh6bHqq6TOnbzY4e0Ww0FlGKGk31eSJv-KOGHHDn4NMR3ITuTvDdnezxiq0e4HEpS8iim2YoFkxJD9POntTHrUVb5wpvKLHdL40aAjz4U/s800/DSC02750.jpg" title="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv TV Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our very first hostel experience was at <a href="https://abrahamhostels.com/tel-aviv/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv</a> for two nights, the newest of Abraham Hostels’ offerings. We’d been traveling for almost 24 hours when we arrived, so it was quite a relief when we walked through the door and found that our room was big, clean, and quite comfortable. It’s a hostel, so we weren’t expecting anything too fancy. The room was sparsely decorated and lacked the amenities of a hotel like shampoo or a hairdryer. But what it did have was comfortable beds (two twins pushed together), nightstands, a desk, a wardrobe, and a whole lot of space both in the room and in the bathroom. If you don’t bring your own hairdryer, there’s one at the front desk you can borrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagQ2Ka1Pw244OtbqvFAdNJ8Ic-CDTY2ipbtalZmRYvIRJAJH2KRgEFzKwd0P-_Krh7-c1T3D79Ydil1gYiyx9VYX3YfVymFN33SNta4tW6z8N7oJhJ4imgCo2vLSZK9TNbhOvXA8y-3XP/s1600/DSC02898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv Lounge Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagQ2Ka1Pw244OtbqvFAdNJ8Ic-CDTY2ipbtalZmRYvIRJAJH2KRgEFzKwd0P-_Krh7-c1T3D79Ydil1gYiyx9VYX3YfVymFN33SNta4tW6z8N7oJhJ4imgCo2vLSZK9TNbhOvXA8y-3XP/s800/DSC02898.jpg" title="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv Lounge" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv also has some nice public spaces. The rooftop provides a great view of the city as well cozy seating areas. That’s also where you’ll find the laundry facilities. The other main common area is the lounge/dining room. Here is where everyone gathers for breakfast or a drink at happy hour. There are refrigerators for people who want to buy and prepare their own food. There’s a bar with local Israeli beers. There are hammocks and couches for relaxing. In addition, there are TV rooms if you want to catch up on the news, though we never saw those in use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VCHpNQdhU1We-ZETpkCDf9T5E25b79ODPX5CohJfLskYuUHBaMBI3yzLnzWifph_HoqYrLDLDi7zARvwMtfS7aXJFfhG6Jw-6QxZWXOdK03L9U8BrkbsrtlTOMJUi5Bvp24HJdUWTcPC/s1600/DSC02744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv Room Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VCHpNQdhU1We-ZETpkCDf9T5E25b79ODPX5CohJfLskYuUHBaMBI3yzLnzWifph_HoqYrLDLDi7zARvwMtfS7aXJFfhG6Jw-6QxZWXOdK03L9U8BrkbsrtlTOMJUi5Bvp24HJdUWTcPC/s800/DSC02744.JPG" title="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Something we always look for when choosing a hotel is location, and Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv is in a great location near Rothschild Boulevard. We were able to walk from the hostel to wherever we wanted to visit, both attractions during the day and restaurants at night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWfSerBsUFfXfJrLAxiEs9WB7dgQYZKH4_urPkkACx4UAMwKA4yLFofdL0FSFWkljxxowvBiWseoteg5pR7tLplk1eHn83IYZSvHj2Br0PCOKQ_peV0DInfwRzLCMye3ZhMc4pRCNhmhR/s1600/DSC02746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv Rooftop Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWfSerBsUFfXfJrLAxiEs9WB7dgQYZKH4_urPkkACx4UAMwKA4yLFofdL0FSFWkljxxowvBiWseoteg5pR7tLplk1eHn83IYZSvHj2Br0PCOKQ_peV0DInfwRzLCMye3ZhMc4pRCNhmhR/s800/DSC02746.jpg" title="Abraham Hotels Tel Aviv Rooftop" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Because Tel Aviv is Israel’s business center, Abraham Hostels recently announced <a href="http://www.abrahambusiness.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Business</a> to accommodate business travelers. Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv now offers co-working spaces and meeting rooms in addition to the comfortable rooms, daily events, transportation, and tours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related: <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/06/what-to-do-one-day-in-tel-aviv-yafo.html" target="_blank">What to Do With One Day in Tel Aviv-Yafo</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Fauzi Azar Inn</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD_9U12EJp2kPpRpdV-WuSsO-aWm0XohJ81H26HZhzrEtysbI3nM-em4_FFbh_9-kuf_FaWwGn7H44MZfd5FJbtTDLGS5752jPwzHDiIafPh3ZR9anAEiTVUzqnO1GLw0lbcQYNEY9Lvn/s1600/IMG_3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fauzi Azar Inn Abraham Hostels Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYD_9U12EJp2kPpRpdV-WuSsO-aWm0XohJ81H26HZhzrEtysbI3nM-em4_FFbh_9-kuf_FaWwGn7H44MZfd5FJbtTDLGS5752jPwzHDiIafPh3ZR9anAEiTVUzqnO1GLw0lbcQYNEY9Lvn/s800/IMG_3266.jpg" title="Fauzi Azar Inn" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If it weren’t for the fact that there are shared rooms, <a href="https://abrahamhostels.com/nazareth/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fauzi Azar Inn</a> wouldn’t even seem like a hostel. Fauzi Azar Inn, located in the center of Nazareth, is a guesthouse inside a 200-year-old Arab mansion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXfM5tRzsMkVa1G3W7spwzHOlGL7gO75zAOhmfn5SKcNQYDVKwRgdF9n4xgiJbCmcPlxNEMwvdrTK1lalyH97Dxs1n6xUBlzTgX7ad_wfhrlWZerMSDHFc2pdtH-SHZPMFLiPiKEZTCJR/s1600/IMG_3263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fauzi Azar Inn Lounge Abraham Hostels Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXfM5tRzsMkVa1G3W7spwzHOlGL7gO75zAOhmfn5SKcNQYDVKwRgdF9n4xgiJbCmcPlxNEMwvdrTK1lalyH97Dxs1n6xUBlzTgX7ad_wfhrlWZerMSDHFc2pdtH-SHZPMFLiPiKEZTCJR/s800/IMG_3263.jpg" title="Fauzi Azar Inn Lounge" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The 15 rooms include typical hostel dorm rooms and private rooms, some with <i>en suite</i> bathrooms and others with shared bathrooms. The public spaces are absolutely gorgeous. There is an inner courtyard with stone walls, greenery, and an ancient fountain. The lounge upstairs has arched windows, marble floors, and a high painted ceiling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTubAoTOn1fB8uQFyRZYXiZIFL8hMT1n85geqL4ngJcz6XsjVAw5PtkgZmGwg0FhtciHlf8WQ8iQ71gBVRtvtS56l85S94iHUKP0KIgEJAnKHvFdVyy_z6EqkVJQcohcVxXraKq0cieMCx/s1600/DSC02938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fauzi Azar Inn Courtyard Abraham Hostels Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTubAoTOn1fB8uQFyRZYXiZIFL8hMT1n85geqL4ngJcz6XsjVAw5PtkgZmGwg0FhtciHlf8WQ8iQ71gBVRtvtS56l85S94iHUKP0KIgEJAnKHvFdVyy_z6EqkVJQcohcVxXraKq0cieMCx/s800/DSC02938.jpg" title="Fauzi Azar Inn Courtyard" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fauzi Azar Inn is the first of the hostels of Abraham Hostels. When owner Maoz Inon, now one of Abraham Hostels’ partners, first opened the guesthouse, people thought he was crazy as the tourist market in Nazareth was pretty much non-existent. But Fauzi Azar Inn helped revitalize Nazareth, and now there are many hostels in the city. Abraham Hostels is hoping to have the same success in the Arab town of Jizr az-Zarqa with <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/il/zarqa-bay-juha-s-guesthouse.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Juha’s Guesthouse</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related: <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/06/jisr-az-zarqa-israel-abraham-tours.html" target="_blank">A Tale of an Arab Village, ER Visit, and Israeli Kindness</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DNiQGGj2XYyUkk36F-lS5vZ5LLBGiJ4inai6rGkqQEiJ6zsAqZGJVUWTpMDBSsHk62-DUzxEYxjmdnC_Ep9iqRBqN4TPhGMvuFCyAyN2co654hCoY3ZC4IPOfQ-c1_Cg2modwBWAzvUN/s1600/IMG_0441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fauzi Azar Inn Traditional Cooking Workshop Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DNiQGGj2XYyUkk36F-lS5vZ5LLBGiJ4inai6rGkqQEiJ6zsAqZGJVUWTpMDBSsHk62-DUzxEYxjmdnC_Ep9iqRBqN4TPhGMvuFCyAyN2co654hCoY3ZC4IPOfQ-c1_Cg2modwBWAzvUN/s800/IMG_0441.jpg" title="Fauzi Azar Inn Traditional Cooking Workshop" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In addition to exploring Nazareth, Fauzi Azar Inn is a good place to stay in order to visit other parts of Galilee. Abraham Tours offers a number of tours from Nazareth including the Sea of Galilee and Golan Heights, Haifa, Acre and Rosh Hanikra, and the Jesus Trail. The guesthouse also offers a Traditional Cooking Workshop where guests gather together and learn to prepare Maqluba, a traditional Arab dish made with chicken, rice, vegetables, and local spices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Abraham Hostel Jerusalem</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglFxv5yAi3lVFLFdjOYbklF_PDZ7JOqlXAZstSIt7ekej86njsvB8DrAFcmLKwsOfAClDqsanJrRRAD6z1oga-en1Zg-41QFko_Ae65q9JHU9cGOj_b5N7lrqmdxw2od529MhpNRQ0erw/s1600/DSC03478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglFxv5yAi3lVFLFdjOYbklF_PDZ7JOqlXAZstSIt7ekej86njsvB8DrAFcmLKwsOfAClDqsanJrRRAD6z1oga-en1Zg-41QFko_Ae65q9JHU9cGOj_b5N7lrqmdxw2od529MhpNRQ0erw/s800/DSC03478.jpg" title="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://abrahamhostels.com/jerusalem/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Hostels Jerusalem</a> has been around a lot longer than Abraham Hostels Tel Aviv and it does show in the rooms. The private rooms are much smaller. The bathroom is split into two tiny rooms, one with a toilet and miniature sink and the other with a shower stall and sink. Our room showed some signs of wear as a lot of repair work was done in the bathroom and the heater sounded like it was on its last legs (which I reported so hopefully it will be fixed for the next guests). However, the room was still comfortable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLBIjv5KQfDROWK62sT1lX8pVIaLEhCycsPF4YAevlIcJyAyJ-tR4nPvU09yaKN4qafbGtIlI9OhMavT-f_zYBe_-rbtImacr0LXV-9omT6RL4qPM027dOFFHDHO0V-sjJ2FwbR9l2rIY/s1600/DSC03750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem Room Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLBIjv5KQfDROWK62sT1lX8pVIaLEhCycsPF4YAevlIcJyAyJ-tR4nPvU09yaKN4qafbGtIlI9OhMavT-f_zYBe_-rbtImacr0LXV-9omT6RL4qPM027dOFFHDHO0V-sjJ2FwbR9l2rIY/s800/DSC03750.jpg" title="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We enjoyed hanging out in Abraham Hostels Jerusalem’s lounge and bar, sipping on Israeli beers, talking, looking through our photos, and listening to guests play the piano.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ92RRykltpf7HUnzS5xkYOmlpwKl9tOIMPvJSuSJJGXEg1CuPv7FHWOdaUxK8_Cig2qwrLJjbhkiDD3GAPZtwNSMO46khOEsNcpSm2cZOopgefgTS4rpiDuxTESIepNWuxlQudGQsbYCS/s1600/DSC03754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem Lounge Review" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ92RRykltpf7HUnzS5xkYOmlpwKl9tOIMPvJSuSJJGXEg1CuPv7FHWOdaUxK8_Cig2qwrLJjbhkiDD3GAPZtwNSMO46khOEsNcpSm2cZOopgefgTS4rpiDuxTESIepNWuxlQudGQsbYCS/s800/DSC03754.jpg" title="Abraham Hostels Jerusalem Lounge" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The hostel is also very well situated, close to public transportation and within walking distance of lots of restaurants. There are also a number of tours offered from Jerusalem including Masada, Ein Gedi, and the Dead Sea, Hebron, Bethlehem, plus two-day trips to Jordan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related: <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/03/half-day-tour-bethlehem-jesus-banksy.html" target="_blank">Baby Jesus and Banksy: A Half-Day Tour of Bethlehem</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The People</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In addition to the affordability, a huge appeal of a hostel is the ability to get to know other travelers. This is especially important for solo travelers, a few of which we befriended on our trip through Israel with Abraham Tours. We had so much fun exploring Israel and Jordan with our new friends, and have even kept in touch with some of them. Because Israel is such a unique, conflicted place, spending time with other travelers is an especially welcome addition to a trip to Israel because you can get different perspectives on the experience in the moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, have we converted to hostel travelers, throwing away our spinner luggage in preference for a heavily loaded backpack? No. But we will consider staying in a hostel again, as long as we have a private room of course. We certainly have more open minds to the hostel experience and won’t overlook a potential accommodation possibility just because it is a hostel. Our very first hostel experience was a good one and we can without reservation recommend staying at Abraham Hostels to other travelers who are either looking to travel to Israel on a budget or want to meet some fun travel buddies. It just goes to show, never say never.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white;">Thank you to </span></i><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><a href="https://abrahamtours.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Tours</a></i></span><i><span style="background: white;"> and </span></i><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><a href="https://abrahamhostels.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abraham Hostels</a></i></span><i><span style="background: white;"> for hosting our trip to Israel and making this post possible. As always all opinions are our own. This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them it costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards running this website and bringing you more travel stories.</span></i></span></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-87378111352925282952018-01-14T09:00:00.000-08:002018-02-18T12:05:29.550-08:00The Best Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPIJxSrw4MOrn6wm8AuPS7V9POIA9PQ3uny-28A7ceLFTv5uYHlv0kHLZ04azsb2JGf7K881LYgty5NGJIxfxe99QA_kM95kQaIQ0d56kKO2sRogeKUsLeE_Zyv1yLdBR6w5jJNOH-gPG/s1600/DSC07221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moosehead Lake Fall Foliage Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPIJxSrw4MOrn6wm8AuPS7V9POIA9PQ3uny-28A7ceLFTv5uYHlv0kHLZ04azsb2JGf7K881LYgty5NGJIxfxe99QA_kM95kQaIQ0d56kKO2sRogeKUsLeE_Zyv1yLdBR6w5jJNOH-gPG/s800/DSC07221.jpg" title="Moosehead Lake Fall Foliage" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We visited Moosehead Lake in Maine for two main reasons: hiking and fall foliage. But these aren’t the only things to do in Moosehead Lake, and fall isn’t the only season to visit. There are a number of great things to do in Moosehead Lake, most involving the great outdoors, and many can be done in any season.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The main reason we traveled to Maine’s Moosehead Lake region was to complete part of the <a href="https://mooseheadpinnaclepursuit.com/" target="_blank">Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit</a>. The Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit is a hiking challenge to peak six mountains in the area: Mount Kineo, Borestone Mountain, Big Moose Mountain, Number Four Mountain, Whitecap Mountain, and Eagle Rock. These hikes are challenging, but completely doable, and they offer stellar views as a reward. We were able to accomplish three of the six during our long-weekend visit and hope to return to finish the rest someday. For an extra challenge, hike these peaks in winter to collect the Winter or Winter Ultra badge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related: <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/10/maine-hiking-moosehead-pinnacle-pursuit.html" target="_blank">Maine’s Hiking Challenge: Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit</a><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moose and Wildlife Safari</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKIA4ZDbRm_QiNKJ3AUDhZy_NXD8gZM4Pvm7e9YArANUhZTKLm-ruMXEc7XMJDd7DQEzbCtYZ9FxDDDZcz0LQNQsHdW2Tzmfwto5Ex5wbr8UW6fVMWxNjR4EXBt1JzHavChnUv2iugnpv/s1600/IMG_8016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moose Lone Wolf Guiding Services Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKIA4ZDbRm_QiNKJ3AUDhZy_NXD8gZM4Pvm7e9YArANUhZTKLm-ruMXEc7XMJDd7DQEzbCtYZ9FxDDDZcz0LQNQsHdW2Tzmfwto5Ex5wbr8UW6fVMWxNjR4EXBt1JzHavChnUv2iugnpv/s800/IMG_8016.jpg" title="Moose" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can’t go to Moosehead Lake without looking for moose. Moose is literally in its name! Any time of the year is a good time of year to look for moose. There are over 70,000 moose in the state of Maine, so there’s a pretty good chance of seeing one. June brings the most street sightings of moose. However, you have to be super careful driving at night because moose are so tall, you can’t see a headlight reflection from their eyes. You are more likely to have moose in the water sightings in the summer because that helps keep away the mosquitos and black flies. In the winter, it’s easier to see the moose because the trees are bare. There are no Christmas trees grown in the area because the moose eat the new growth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJwY57Zn4xr8ojeNBrwtSwTSL80Ce68Tp1y8SyXiell2ecZSEPAa0Z0Fl40jgEvjyTJnUGdzcZ_i3ixF92i9AfyLclTIvRJWk-r1V-Plb3sy3wyoNQw-jRUMb4XzH_vL9P9OnlwDJJBE/s1600/IMG_8057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beaver Lone Wolf Guiding Services Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEJwY57Zn4xr8ojeNBrwtSwTSL80Ce68Tp1y8SyXiell2ecZSEPAa0Z0Fl40jgEvjyTJnUGdzcZ_i3ixF92i9AfyLclTIvRJWk-r1V-Plb3sy3wyoNQw-jRUMb4XzH_vL9P9OnlwDJJBE/s800/IMG_8057.jpg" title="Beaver" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The best way to ensure a moose sighting is to hire a moose guide. There are two types of mouse tours, the kind with multiple people in a van and the kind with a private guide. We suggest the second option. Driving in a smaller vehicle means following more backroads, and having a private guide means looking more places for moose rather than following a set itinerary. Now, we did hear good things about a group tour from some other travelers we met, who didn’t see moose but had fun canoeing on the lake. But with Ashley of <a href="http://www.lonewolfguidingservices.com/moose--wildlife-safari.html" target="_blank">Lone Wolf Guiding Services</a>, we saw two adult female moose, one baby moose, and a beaver. Plus we learned about moose and the area and had a lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fall Foliage</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRtNO7fcwG_8SYYqm0okqbluIyijsn5ZQyDL5GNS4gLtPN86ZLeS_n8GuXWYHC2M7wK_g2YAJLFOaqzsFeGXWL0y80NhwsXlRmRi3j4_rHwW8hzh1ei6dZZPJnjHZGHQF2PmqnRKsR0Nd/s1600/DSC07079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fall Colors Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRtNO7fcwG_8SYYqm0okqbluIyijsn5ZQyDL5GNS4gLtPN86ZLeS_n8GuXWYHC2M7wK_g2YAJLFOaqzsFeGXWL0y80NhwsXlRmRi3j4_rHwW8hzh1ei6dZZPJnjHZGHQF2PmqnRKsR0Nd/s800/DSC07079.jpg" title="Fall Colors" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you don’t live in New England, Moosehead Lake will fulfill all of your fall foliage fantasies. While fall is an entire season, there is a very brief window of time when the autumn leaves are the most colorful, blazing mixture of red, orange, yellow, and purple. Arrive too early and there’s a lot of green mixed in with those colors. Arrive too late and the leaves are a drab brown, hanging on by a thread before they flutter to the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moosehead Lake’s peak fall foliage typically occurs around October 6-11, right around Columbus Day. Maine provides a current fall foliage report on their <a href="http://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/index.shtml" target="_blank">website</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKVAh_Bbv8aJdnjO3xqhseamzvUAfhBPOEu2Sg8k1fy7p17dBj_Tj1lFWgrAC4mv8lhPW-BFSPdMV0gtDlF62LeMT_hyShi2msf1-SpmyAdeoq8KTaN7BlD_FNzkZdyeOEzzZIKqwW1y7/s1600/IMG_7886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="B-52 Crash Site Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKVAh_Bbv8aJdnjO3xqhseamzvUAfhBPOEu2Sg8k1fy7p17dBj_Tj1lFWgrAC4mv8lhPW-BFSPdMV0gtDlF62LeMT_hyShi2msf1-SpmyAdeoq8KTaN7BlD_FNzkZdyeOEzzZIKqwW1y7/s800/IMG_7886.jpg" title="B-52 Crash Site" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On January 24, 1963, nine crewmembers of the 99<sup>th</sup> Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command, flew a B-52C Stratofortress on a training mission. As the bomber passed near Elephant Mountain, turbulence became so bad the vertical stabilizer separated from the aircraft. Three of the nine were able to eject and only Captain Gerald J. Adler, the navigator, and Lieutenant Colonel Dante Bulli, the pilot, survived. After spending twenty hours in negative 20-degree temperatures, Captain Adler was evacuated with severe frostbite. He survived the ejection without the parachute opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXO3w9CMe-5FqZwCcuzawrS9VGM0IqAlXWhzFH1rwW22ve8BS_FPnExMmpBXi0MOm-ewzQo2wdyG9w8g2aV-81e-b9z9LO91tAqzzyyHaSNCnwTLB60nJRwsyEQ2wgnXl8NaApgnZDZv/s1600/DSC07053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="B-52 Crash Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXO3w9CMe-5FqZwCcuzawrS9VGM0IqAlXWhzFH1rwW22ve8BS_FPnExMmpBXi0MOm-ewzQo2wdyG9w8g2aV-81e-b9z9LO91tAqzzyyHaSNCnwTLB60nJRwsyEQ2wgnXl8NaApgnZDZv/s800/DSC07053.jpg" title="B-52 Crash" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two of the ejection seats are on display at the Center for Moosehead History in Greenville. The rest of the wreckage is strewn across the forest floor at the site of the crash, reached by a short hike along a trail from the road. It is rather horrifying when you see in person how far spread the wreckage is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spotted Cat Winery</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb9WhhQ0ETCE-s55uwtscSfhzrFhF_uXMEEtnkObp8CM7V1ISNW69TN8DYkv43JidnPfQaSUGbsIiiJ9dbARuWXfmaGzIqKq6cm1xKpQpAJ6bFtGD2kXF16sycBWMzM1oMawWL_VQ6oC/s1600/IMG_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spotted Cat Winery Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb9WhhQ0ETCE-s55uwtscSfhzrFhF_uXMEEtnkObp8CM7V1ISNW69TN8DYkv43JidnPfQaSUGbsIiiJ9dbARuWXfmaGzIqKq6cm1xKpQpAJ6bFtGD2kXF16sycBWMzM1oMawWL_VQ6oC/s800/IMG_5596.jpg" title="Spotted Cat Winery" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the way out to the B-52 crash site, we made a short pit stop at the <a href="http://www.spottedcatwinery.com/" target="_blank">Spotted Cat Winery</a>. You might be surprised to hear there is a winery in the Moosehead Lake region of Maine, but this is not your standard winery. Alan and Denise decided to do something a little different. Their wine isn’t made solely with grapes. The Spotted Cat Winery’s natural, organic, hand-crafted wines use fruit, berries, and wine grapes, most of which they grow themselves. Their wines include Wild Maine Blueberry and Kokadjolais. The winery is named for the cat, Aphrodite, but the dog chose to meet us instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB8NKPid1NdOeio22clqnta7ObubzOlnJoIr1jD0s1HVZJFysguDrxv23LHNZ-u_MYTl4PSXhZpa3QJRa0J2F0Tz9decVUBbBUcmn055qeh1UgcY7LydLU_o0MhXuuNilvX0AKiXCwhJH/s1600/IMG_5578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kamp Kamp Moosehead Lake Indian Store Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB8NKPid1NdOeio22clqnta7ObubzOlnJoIr1jD0s1HVZJFysguDrxv23LHNZ-u_MYTl4PSXhZpa3QJRa0J2F0Tz9decVUBbBUcmn055qeh1UgcY7LydLU_o0MhXuuNilvX0AKiXCwhJH/s800/IMG_5578.jpg" title="Kamp Kamp Moosehead Lake Indian Store" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greenville is a small town with a population under 2,000, so it doesn’t take too long to explore. There are some cute stores, like <a href="http://kampkamp.com/" target="_blank">Kamp Kamp Moosehead Lake Indian Store</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Mud-Puddle-Mercantile-100573019984336/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mud Puddle Mercantile</a>. You can grab an ice cream at the Dairy Bar, and you can learn more about the region at the <a href="https://mooseheadhistory.org/the-center-for-moosehead-history/" target="_blank">Center for Moosehead History</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgEbh3LsRM1XcofAjg9wjhJgHU9nwJ_Ggkd2xjThcNPbPz2C-29SlojJFLMljugOG2uP-bew6KR1g8GJdK9sb8zvVRds7yr6xxrqJ9dgjona3kUZ3h4CTkFnTf32lmmF-N-y4RoCgioDi/s1600/DSC07095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kokadjo First Roach Pond Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgEbh3LsRM1XcofAjg9wjhJgHU9nwJ_Ggkd2xjThcNPbPz2C-29SlojJFLMljugOG2uP-bew6KR1g8GJdK9sb8zvVRds7yr6xxrqJ9dgjona3kUZ3h4CTkFnTf32lmmF-N-y4RoCgioDi/s800/DSC07095.jpg" title="Kokadjo First Roach Pond" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kokadjo is a tiny town in the Moosehead Lake region, population not many. Seriously, that’s what it says on the sign. This is a picturesque spot on the shore of First Roach Pond, not the most flattering of names for such an attractive body of water, with views of Number Four Mountain, part of the Moosehead Pinnacle Pursuit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaW8KsEm28mNC0zEjW3hLd8-4MeQAtRijBA2Je7Ru3Ip7wy4IpmQCtWEjucVco0J9OfTXRXmWg04hdyHqnpRrBMZ6t7S1gHDrOheL5ki8wpNrxgAoYomgdBKag78wDuuWaYeBtLDfZbOb/s1600/DSC07070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lily Bay State Park Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaW8KsEm28mNC0zEjW3hLd8-4MeQAtRijBA2Je7Ru3Ip7wy4IpmQCtWEjucVco0J9OfTXRXmWg04hdyHqnpRrBMZ6t7S1gHDrOheL5ki8wpNrxgAoYomgdBKag78wDuuWaYeBtLDfZbOb/s800/DSC07070.jpg" title="Lily Bay State Park" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lily Bay State Park is a pretty piece of protected land on the east side of Moosehead Lake. Lily Bay State Park can be a good bet for moose sightings, especially in the summer when moose head into the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>ATV</b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrq1O42UT2IaUZYQMzXgbxursDgScJ_jMYaPCBCaeXEhhCrJabL7ixTth5_dsZrq9_iOII0IJktkvxTxLGQ5pvOKprBFgjG5zJt7uYB6aw83nprMWuqt12vDqB1osFXnduq7qDdu4bX1m/s1600/DSC07089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Backroad Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrq1O42UT2IaUZYQMzXgbxursDgScJ_jMYaPCBCaeXEhhCrJabL7ixTth5_dsZrq9_iOII0IJktkvxTxLGQ5pvOKprBFgjG5zJt7uYB6aw83nprMWuqt12vDqB1osFXnduq7qDdu4bX1m/s800/DSC07089.jpg" title="Backroad" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greenville is surrounded by undeveloped forest with trails that are perfect for ATVs. <a href="http://www.maineoutfitter.com/rentals/rentals.html" target="_blank">Northwest Outfitters</a> provides ATV rentals as well as guided tours. We met a couple who had rented ATVs and they said it was the most fun activity they had done in the area. They took the ATVs out on their own and were given trail advice for their trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qmtKI4OQaGb73BNPGZoME-ZbPsTvvEYK81qeB9O8gNSoeJOlzhaq8Fw0u6X7dLs9HoEpYC-LMxn-DXm41_q7Ot5bvIkJmSMvnqkUzoORoKeLu5-Xlt3zn6UvguwoSHkvMPXcI1KZsS-a/s1600/IMG_7865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moosehead Lake Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qmtKI4OQaGb73BNPGZoME-ZbPsTvvEYK81qeB9O8gNSoeJOlzhaq8Fw0u6X7dLs9HoEpYC-LMxn-DXm41_q7Ot5bvIkJmSMvnqkUzoORoKeLu5-Xlt3zn6UvguwoSHkvMPXcI1KZsS-a/s800/IMG_7865.jpg" title="Moosehead Lake" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moosehead Lake is the largest lake in the state of Maine. Depending on the weather and the calmness of the water, Moosehead Lake can be a great place for kayaking or paddle boarding. Canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and even fishing equipment can be rented at <a href="http://www.maineoutfitter.com/rentals/rentals.html" target="_blank">Northwest Outfitters</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcdaUFxS3UJhXXm4nMsRI2kX9FqAudHoLqSFNbfO2mT43JMJXE3ELtWI9-p7n99sLQ_PQ5fSPs_2qjiZhudqvtbPW2S-VXZbWP0gVpFMqc_P19FRCHyRuA1MvjmSl2T7T_2t3xhaZCWB2/s1600/DSC06987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seaplane Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcdaUFxS3UJhXXm4nMsRI2kX9FqAudHoLqSFNbfO2mT43JMJXE3ELtWI9-p7n99sLQ_PQ5fSPs_2qjiZhudqvtbPW2S-VXZbWP0gVpFMqc_P19FRCHyRuA1MvjmSl2T7T_2t3xhaZCWB2/s800/DSC06987.jpg" title="Seaplane" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We saw a number of seaplanes on Moosehead Lake and learned that visitors can take seaplane tours. Taking a seaplane tour would be a thrilling way to view the mountains and lakes from the sky. A couple companies that offer seaplane tours in Greenville are <a href="http://www.jacksairservice.com/J.A.S./Welcome.html" target="_blank">Jack’s Air Service</a> and <a href="https://curriersflyingservice.com/" target="_blank">Currier’s Flying Service</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Steamboat <i>Katahdin</i></b></span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMzVXn0iOL268Ytmsjif6KeS125VRAk6TDVpm8Gkgqrc2CsV7mSVkgaBZzejZCHSnfFyZjiVykfzhLHRswPjgdq5ZtjkUeH1dRq6tjmOb5zokWPV0XF7dJAKjiJdTmPaQHV9kHaQ4eVsl/s1600/DSC06992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Katahdin Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMzVXn0iOL268Ytmsjif6KeS125VRAk6TDVpm8Gkgqrc2CsV7mSVkgaBZzejZCHSnfFyZjiVykfzhLHRswPjgdq5ZtjkUeH1dRq6tjmOb5zokWPV0XF7dJAKjiJdTmPaQHV9kHaQ4eVsl/s800/DSC06992.jpg" title="Katahdin" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From June through Columbus Day weekend, visitors to Moosehead Lake can take a steamboat trip along the lake aboard the <i><a href="https://www.katahdincruises.com/" target="_blank">Katahdin</a></i>. The <i>Katahdin</i> steamboat was built in 1914. The three-hour cruise leaves from Greenville and goes out to the widest part of Moosehead Lake, north of Sugar Island. During the cruise, passengers are provided with a narration of the region’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWEEIsW01hrSj2ZQgblLmVha4xX9RYGqwJ662MUGZ1NSpRUg9JmorCdCQGtlTeELL5E4WeGxmBgn-cmNxDk_tzOHwSOWCsJPL-f7BDPWTRbsIvrxBflRrrnbiv9gn7He5mUI0BIwPUsPs/s1600/DJI_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mount Kineo Golf Course Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWEEIsW01hrSj2ZQgblLmVha4xX9RYGqwJ662MUGZ1NSpRUg9JmorCdCQGtlTeELL5E4WeGxmBgn-cmNxDk_tzOHwSOWCsJPL-f7BDPWTRbsIvrxBflRrrnbiv9gn7He5mUI0BIwPUsPs/s800/DJI_0100.jpg" title="Mount Kineo Golf Course" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, technically, I peaked three mountains while Rome only peaked two. That’s because when the Mount Kineo shuttle landed and we started walking through the <a href="http://www.mooseheadlakegolf.com/" target="_blank">Mount Kineo Golf Course</a>, I could tell Rome really wished he could play golf instead. Secretly, I rather liked the idea of taking the hiking trail at my own pace, so I told him to stay and play if he wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4Hqwr008FwH0-CuZV6PzWpc81KybStLQaGP4Qzjm8GnzOEKkt-EkEZkCS-PtJeSrxBPedOz3w_x8D3WCEeyFsES5E6M0tOFegG-4Wm0DEw5eY89DHHkTqommxg2IUAyFCZQJJd8sLVvA/s1600/IMG_7954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mount Kineo Golf Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4Hqwr008FwH0-CuZV6PzWpc81KybStLQaGP4Qzjm8GnzOEKkt-EkEZkCS-PtJeSrxBPedOz3w_x8D3WCEeyFsES5E6M0tOFegG-4Wm0DEw5eY89DHHkTqommxg2IUAyFCZQJJd8sLVvA/s800/IMG_7954.jpg" title="Mount Kineo Golf" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mount Kineo Golf Course is believed to be the second oldest golf course in New England, having been built in the 1800s. The layout is easy, straightforward, with no surprises lurking around the corner. The golf course is filled with beautiful tree-lined fairways, especially during peak fall foliage, with Mount Kineo looming above. The tall trees seemed tiny compared to the wall of stone behind them. Goldilocks would have loved the greens, not too big, not too small, just the right size. The course is surrounded by water as it is on a tiny peninsula in Moosehead Lake. The easiest way to get to the golf course is by taking the short shuttle boat ride across the lake. The shuttle runs from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greenville Maine Restaurants</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-Ll8rt1_-jTIQZZP1v52cfxCYcDesvGfaImWYfELY-NtztL4b83YAgAdOSP3y10IBZt-OIPtug42sRqX3c4toeIry9ER72B52XoVZoQhlrLCkUhXDTXCIeCj9V1sQD_MbtdAKc5T4efF/s1600/IMG_7867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kelly's Landing Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-Ll8rt1_-jTIQZZP1v52cfxCYcDesvGfaImWYfELY-NtztL4b83YAgAdOSP3y10IBZt-OIPtug42sRqX3c4toeIry9ER72B52XoVZoQhlrLCkUhXDTXCIeCj9V1sQD_MbtdAKc5T4efF/s800/IMG_7867.jpg" title="Kelly's Landing" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.kellysatmoosehead.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Kelly’s Landing</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> has the best view of any restaurant in Greenville because of its location right on Moosehead Lake. This was where I planned on having a lobster roll, but the waitress warned us it just wasn’t going to be the same as one on Maine’s coast so, based on her excellent suggestion, we went for the scallops instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY_ImgV4KfujSIyj2dPWyUouHi-bbkwvmkPu6aKiZw_Be6kl-YKGNo2xt775fVbtWcxXIx95sVv4qD3F8Ao6q6QZgpVxO-2YHfD4ZstTZJyGppEnTOh3bXp0GvSif9cQPDAZ-9QwaQBng/s1600/DSC07125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stress Free Moose Pub Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkY_ImgV4KfujSIyj2dPWyUouHi-bbkwvmkPu6aKiZw_Be6kl-YKGNo2xt775fVbtWcxXIx95sVv4qD3F8Ao6q6QZgpVxO-2YHfD4ZstTZJyGppEnTOh3bXp0GvSif9cQPDAZ-9QwaQBng/s800/DSC07125.jpg" title="Stress Free Moose Pub" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A fun and relaxing place for dinner and a drink is the <a href="https://stressfreemoose.com/" target="_blank">Stress Free Moose Pub</a>. If it’s too loud downstairs, there’s a quieter upstairs dining area, plus an upstairs outdoor patio, which gets used even if it’s cold outside. The beer menu has a number of local brews and the food is pretty good too. Haddock is a popular menu item in Greenville, and the Stress Free Moose Pub’s baked stuffed haddock is a good choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkP3vjwCs0fpn10mMn5p-x2d7LWfYjVnCvJryqmlCXj5yqnn4RsMCkiMxgsW-qWr01yLKX92yjHoeRgFXZSxul2PCyhC3_Z5dgt_m9rxed64xS3Ewgifz9M8UeKEgSx0nnYNc_B3c8wCF/s1600/DSC06995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Auntie M's Restaurant Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkP3vjwCs0fpn10mMn5p-x2d7LWfYjVnCvJryqmlCXj5yqnn4RsMCkiMxgsW-qWr01yLKX92yjHoeRgFXZSxul2PCyhC3_Z5dgt_m9rxed64xS3Ewgifz9M8UeKEgSx0nnYNc_B3c8wCF/s800/DSC06995.jpg" title="Auntie M's Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Auntie M’s Restaurant is a popular diner-type restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. Auntie M’s is also a good place to get a souvenir t-shirt in bright orange if you’re worried about not having brought an orange shirt or cap during moose hunting season.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the number one sandwich in Greenville, head over to Jamo’s Pizza for a Dagwood. The pita bread is made fresh daily and it comes in veggie, ham, turkey, roast beef, chicken salad, tuna, or chicken teriyaki, all with cheese, pickles, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, mayo, oil, and mustard. The pizza is also good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A couple other restaurants we didn’t get to try but heard good things about are Flatlanders, which specializes in broasted (pressure fried) chicken, and Rod-N-Reel Café. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicAemCRcpbrQfLsWlEz9GhElp9c5FxhHa4_r4NgJwANyIomPx_fZFPcWDRbKgbzER2spmP5ndnqIUiMe1QvSswjfJgFx8qCulX_YzR6H8UyyUbZvs_z_zca049m4JFWulP-z8DSec4FAo/s1600/DSC07325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Lakeshore House Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicAemCRcpbrQfLsWlEz9GhElp9c5FxhHa4_r4NgJwANyIomPx_fZFPcWDRbKgbzER2spmP5ndnqIUiMe1QvSswjfJgFx8qCulX_YzR6H8UyyUbZvs_z_zca049m4JFWulP-z8DSec4FAo/s800/DSC07325.jpg" title="The Lakeshore House" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One night we took a short drive to the nearby town of Monson, on Lake Hebron, for dinner. <a href="http://www.thelakeshorehouse.com/" target="_blank">The Lakeshore House</a> is a restaurant in what looks like a house that was built in the 1800s. They call themselves a pub, but they have a unique menu which includes items like escargot and local scallops, plus local beer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greenville Maine Hotel</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L0uNsaXyTeQbcqjkfvLpG-RBKHxeEAY_iwJnRiXLU-gfL6MoY24El36OwIECt3eea5RXBhqNyftYdfgm2PIGQu23mnBV8BtZG_2wfuyl2KtCXyYcBvS1Ov0d61zVbLDV_hSkHu0sQufd/s1600/DSC06966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moose Mountain Inn Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L0uNsaXyTeQbcqjkfvLpG-RBKHxeEAY_iwJnRiXLU-gfL6MoY24El36OwIECt3eea5RXBhqNyftYdfgm2PIGQu23mnBV8BtZG_2wfuyl2KtCXyYcBvS1Ov0d61zVbLDV_hSkHu0sQufd/s800/DSC06966.jpg" title="Moose Mountain Inn" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We stayed at the cozy <a href="http://www.moosemountaininn.com/" target="_blank">Moose Mountain Inn</a>, with its patchwork quilts and wood paneled walls, located just outside of the main town of Greenville. It was clearly a popular spot to stay because when we ran into other travelers in town, it turned out that they were also staying at the Inn. The location of Moose Mountain Inn is convenient as it is a short drive into town for meals and it’s also close to a few hiking trails.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">How to Get to Moosehead Lake</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nbED0YPCw_esE_s-9qrufJ9xyFV5gBJxFrK6F7iJOEmG5ufQzGLmR7L4oaHuqbtX0TbIdX_iq0lkEH6VtSaOT4xp0IrGQmpXBug405UN3-UVWWpgW2cU_XyAXgsymYurJ3xOrVmZV_y/s1600/IMG_5643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Moosehead Lake Fall Foliage Things to Do in Moosehead Lake Maine" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nbED0YPCw_esE_s-9qrufJ9xyFV5gBJxFrK6F7iJOEmG5ufQzGLmR7L4oaHuqbtX0TbIdX_iq0lkEH6VtSaOT4xp0IrGQmpXBug405UN3-UVWWpgW2cU_XyAXgsymYurJ3xOrVmZV_y/s800/IMG_5643.jpg" title="Moosehead Lake Fall Foliage" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Moosehead Lake is an hour and 40-minute drive north from the Bangor International Airport. Rental car agencies are inside the airport and the cars are just across the street. We arrived in the evening and rental car rates were much more expensive from the rental agencies that stayed open later, so we spent the night at the <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/bangor-308-godfrey-boulevard.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Four Points by Sheraton – Bangor Airport</a>, which is also just across the street.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bangor International Airport is an interesting airport because it is a diversion destination. It is the first major American airport for flights approaching the United States from the east, so is used to handle hundreds of unscheduled landings (for fuel, weather, medical emergencies, unruly passengers, maintenance, or security reasons) every year. Just in our one night at the Four Points by Sheraton, we saw a female traveler from a diverted flight being loaded into an ambulance. The airport is also the first stop for many returning troops. <a href="http://www.flybangor.com/troop-greeters" target="_blank">The Maine Troop Greeters of Bangor, Maine</a> have greeted thousands of flights with over a million service members and hundreds of military dogs.</span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></i> <i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to <a href="http://izea.it/a68q9qx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Visit Maine</a> for hosting our trip to Moosehead Lake and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own. </span></i><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif;"><i>This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them it costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards this website and bringing you more travel stories.</i></span><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-37748227748791513702018-01-07T09:00:00.000-08:002018-01-07T20:13:38.156-08:00Did You Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x2jZkjUhL-HnMEeS9lgq_tPeDsgxU6OzljPYQhKHekg-_gNxud0pROdCAa729RaT8ujRm_wYQtaVExLjil_F1rJ7s95GbcZdKstDsLdiIfcVBX5JwsYwUP6DkUwQk1SLIZpf_IIs_LeD/s1600/DSC07798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Living Room Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5x2jZkjUhL-HnMEeS9lgq_tPeDsgxU6OzljPYQhKHekg-_gNxud0pROdCAa729RaT8ujRm_wYQtaVExLjil_F1rJ7s95GbcZdKstDsLdiIfcVBX5JwsYwUP6DkUwQk1SLIZpf_IIs_LeD/s800/DSC07798.jpg" title="Viking Sun Living Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most people think of river cruises when they hear the Viking Cruises name. Did you know Viking has ocean cruises too? Viking only recently, in 2015, joined the ocean cruise ranks with the </span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Viking Star</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, yet they are on track to be the largest small-ship ocean cruise line by 2019 and already one-third of their revenue comes from their ocean cruises. Viking has been named the world’s #1 ocean cruise line by </span><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/large-ocean-cruise-ships#viking-cruises" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Travel + Leisure</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?Category=Overall&sort=small" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cruise Critic</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. What is the secret of their success? They know who their customer is and they do everything to make sure that customer gets the best experience possible. Viking has reinvented ocean cruising. Here are three reasons to choose </span><a href="https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans?utm_id=sem:Brand-Search-Oceans-Viking&gclid=CjwKCAiAhMLSBRBJEiwAlFrsTnb1s2iGSIPjtH0hVzUH4BX54u_QRbCrDDy9Xi1GgrfrUHhqPfEwuhoClA8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CLG_nIfvxNgCFUtifgodvlQBdA" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Viking Ocean Cruises</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> for your next ocean cruise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2016/01/viking-river-cruises-review.html" target="_blank">Review: What It’s Like to Cruise with Viking River Cruises</a></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Viking Ocean Cruises’ Ships are Comfortable and Elegant</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48xC00RrbqKOV-8SK8KGJ-C0V8UfKpSWKKArTDWQakL4gnjhncb_UOcj1ZkT-62b7DYsO792l2S75E9nW8ldCgekjfv3uAyUyhSzCGaRWKgx9gFUXaDr4QmYKKWtTQdGk-LVFs5Z5swFE/s1600/DSC07794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Atrium Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48xC00RrbqKOV-8SK8KGJ-C0V8UfKpSWKKArTDWQakL4gnjhncb_UOcj1ZkT-62b7DYsO792l2S75E9nW8ldCgekjfv3uAyUyhSzCGaRWKgx9gFUXaDr4QmYKKWtTQdGk-LVFs5Z5swFE/s800/DSC07794.jpg" title="Viking Sun Atrium" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As soon as you board one of Viking’s ocean cruise ships, which are all exactly the same, you can see the difference between Viking and other cruise companies. You aren’t surrounded by gold and mirrors and crystal chandeliers. The Viking Living Room, as it is called, is understated elegance; a wood staircase wider yet reminiscent of those in their river cruise ships, a slideshow of photographs taken by their resident photographer from Viking’s destinations around the world, and multiple levels with lots of wood, leather railings, and the minimalism of Scandinavian design.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nYGktfZUc9Mdrk_hjFSGehA1o_N5w7eeWimOazG_RgHdOXgXf1NW1GrGKfKw3GUbeMQDyr_771l9R-onNMMOD44kajby5DG9OXcIK2ovIRlyQrJcS0iFk4j-Oh7K7iULml7tSJK0wZdG/s1600/DSC07828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Main Pool Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7nYGktfZUc9Mdrk_hjFSGehA1o_N5w7eeWimOazG_RgHdOXgXf1NW1GrGKfKw3GUbeMQDyr_771l9R-onNMMOD44kajby5DG9OXcIK2ovIRlyQrJcS0iFk4j-Oh7K7iULml7tSJK0wZdG/s800/DSC07828.jpg" title="Viking Sun Main Pool" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are lots of public spaces around the ship perfect for quiet relaxation. At the top of the ship are a sports deck, pool with lounge chairs, outdoor seating areas, and the Wintergarden where afternoon tea is served. Scattered around the ship are cozy seating areas, some with shelves of books nearby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLq_l4qe5RxGiPQ_RusNLCa7T4Klr_v6qXO7VAV2v5VGiJETF7P8fpHQQfw_dK91DPeUulLPvOqpxF280zdpJdiF-lX5Xfjg2xFlGEyyhN6AE3MsiLb_4yT69G1PvgXmTg9mNdiaj_OLW/s1600/DSC07790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLq_l4qe5RxGiPQ_RusNLCa7T4Klr_v6qXO7VAV2v5VGiJETF7P8fpHQQfw_dK91DPeUulLPvOqpxF280zdpJdiF-lX5Xfjg2xFlGEyyhN6AE3MsiLb_4yT69G1PvgXmTg9mNdiaj_OLW/s800/DSC07790.jpg" title="Viking Sun" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All staterooms on the ship have a veranda and are quite similar to the rooms on Viking’s river cruise ships. No interior rooms or tiny porthole windows. Bathrooms are small, providing just enough room to be comfortable, but not taking away room from where it’s important and not wasting space. Just like the Viking river ships, the bathroom floors are heated, one of my personal favorite features.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are some things you won’t find on Viking’s ocean cruise ships: casinos, children under 18, umbrella drinks, photographers hawking photos, art auctions, formal nights, and smoking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Viking Ocean Cruises Provides Experiences</span></b></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Viking’s focus is not keeping guests on the ship to spend money, but rather providing them with amazing travel experiences. Because of this focus, their ocean ships are small, holding only 930 guests. Because of the ships’ smaller size, they can sometimes dock rather than having to shuttle passengers by boat. When only one day is spent in a destination, the ship arrives very early in the morning so guests have more time on land. They also sometimes overnight at a destination, allowing even more time on land. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Viking Ocean Cruises destinations include the Baltic, northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, Central America, and South America. They even have an epic <i>World Cruise</i>, the first of which sailed out of Los Angeles on January 5, 2018. The 930 guests onboard the <i>Viking Sun</i> will spend 120 days visiting 27 countries. Some of those guests boarded 21 days earlier and visited destinations in Central America. Viking also has itineraries for a mix of both river and ocean, the best of both worlds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k657PcIUt1YRXpFxtc32d1ckuZz4DW19ceRidnC-OdVfI-n8DVObp3P2PzdcxSX1RuU-gwurJbK8Xowa5zW_G_YEYKy_kyKDx5-KLVpm-6HepaygDANTY_IbtTousmBHb2Y5qxjhBEHI/s1600/DSC07821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun The Kitchen Table Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5k657PcIUt1YRXpFxtc32d1ckuZz4DW19ceRidnC-OdVfI-n8DVObp3P2PzdcxSX1RuU-gwurJbK8Xowa5zW_G_YEYKy_kyKDx5-KLVpm-6HepaygDANTY_IbtTousmBHb2Y5qxjhBEHI/s800/DSC07821.jpg" title="Viking Sun The Kitchen Table" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even on the ship, Viking provides experiences. Local music and lectures about destinations are offered. The restaurants offer both standard fare and local specialties. There is also an excursion offered that visits a local market where passengers can sample new things and ask questions, and then return to the ship in the evening to have a meal prepared with what they discovered at the market.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Viking Ocean Cruises Offers a Truly All-Inclusive Package</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_69IjJnQRwJ39Fizu3se11pYw-3i4iPtCr0Qlr05EHeMyYcjOMxbmAUPVZbimy1Ori5W5C0XQ7BQMjFMtg6WExbZ1sk1VTEKQwf7fiZy4dlWrCciYdWLgOUh9TAlZVwjROWrEOcVuq1L/s1600/DSC07829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Explorer's Lounge Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_69IjJnQRwJ39Fizu3se11pYw-3i4iPtCr0Qlr05EHeMyYcjOMxbmAUPVZbimy1Ori5W5C0XQ7BQMjFMtg6WExbZ1sk1VTEKQwf7fiZy4dlWrCciYdWLgOUh9TAlZVwjROWrEOcVuq1L/s800/DSC07829.jpg" title="Viking Sun Explorer's Lounge" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the things founder and Chairman Torstein Hagen hates is that cruise companies fleece their passengers once onboard. He believes that cruises should be all-inclusive with no hidden surprises. Viking’s ocean cruises include in the price one free shore excursion in every port; unlimited Wi-Fi; spa access; beer, wine, and soft drinks at meals; specialty coffees and teas; port taxes and fees; alternative dining (including the Chef’s Table); 24-hour room service; ground transfers with purchase of airfare; and free laundry machines. Not included are extra excursions, liquor and premium wines, and tips.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE5Yp8h-ktsQCxep-ANi-GInrjyYtbWvAun7ktB-EcZacVAizTTFsGBnusbICESoLv58trWMLYd8QDpR3pSIx45RqGtZ_7eWkgdheLphxURAIs3jXIa5TIw2KRci4mdSnEcl2HBPniyCX/s1600/DSC07852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chairman's Choice Poached Norwegian Salmon Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE5Yp8h-ktsQCxep-ANi-GInrjyYtbWvAun7ktB-EcZacVAizTTFsGBnusbICESoLv58trWMLYd8QDpR3pSIx45RqGtZ_7eWkgdheLphxURAIs3jXIa5TIw2KRci4mdSnEcl2HBPniyCX/s800/DSC07852.jpg" title="Chairman's Choice Poached Norwegian Salmon" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dining at any of the ships' restaurants is included in the price, just some require a reservation. This even includes the Chef’s Table. One thing I noticed on the Viking ocean ship that is different from the river ships is that there are a number of two-person tables in the restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhBLTIz_yxlWYWEOnO1DjYVBraCZht_zTqeE_TQ8Q6vyEmPlxXK6Ap5xQj3ZkvBGAPgObjHdwv4S_-k2vHOKihwlcNnSOeW5gb33c7UER7AVgRCmLqlp7gAX4U_c04zSyf_uw_tbZywMj/s1600/DSC07815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Viking Sun Nordic Spa Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhBLTIz_yxlWYWEOnO1DjYVBraCZht_zTqeE_TQ8Q6vyEmPlxXK6Ap5xQj3ZkvBGAPgObjHdwv4S_-k2vHOKihwlcNnSOeW5gb33c7UER7AVgRCmLqlp7gAX4U_c04zSyf_uw_tbZywMj/s800/DSC07815.jpg" title="Viking Sun Nordic Spa" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While there is a charge for spa treatments, all passengers can use the Nordic spa and workout facilities for free. The Nordic spa includes a pool with a water vapor fireplace, a steam room, a sauna, a snow grotto, a polar plunge pool, and even one of those showers where you pull on a rope and a bucket tips over, dumping freezing cold water over you, the quintessential Nordic experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazOrOl1HaeaLgKsYXDGzSEAkDNl_grgr3RsgmFJd9LVKfJHQdusWLJvuKVW6caHHJ7czP_LJtNIl7QirCGoFmhvkJLioQX2urQYgsxrN-yHqmAHPcLeivZPIrd0v1WJQtI9pozlNqeBst/s1600/DSC07835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Torstein and Karine Hagen Did you Know? 3 Reasons to Choose Viking Ocean Cruises" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjazOrOl1HaeaLgKsYXDGzSEAkDNl_grgr3RsgmFJd9LVKfJHQdusWLJvuKVW6caHHJ7czP_LJtNIl7QirCGoFmhvkJLioQX2urQYgsxrN-yHqmAHPcLeivZPIrd0v1WJQtI9pozlNqeBst/s800/DSC07835.jpg" title="Torstein and Karine Hagen" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One more note about Viking Cruises, not specific to its ocean cruises. Viking is a family business. Torstein Hagen founded the company 20 years ago, and his daughter Karine Hagen, SVP, will one day head the business. The importance of family can be glimpsed in Mamsen's, the ship's Norwegian deli named after Torstein's mother and serving her recipes on replicas of her dishes. They care about their 2,000,000+ customers, and they care about their 6,000+ employees, and they want to be the best company they can be for both groups. The plan is to always stick to their high standards and provide the best experiences on oceans, rivers, and land for decades to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So now you know.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-36113560972725702402017-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:002018-02-18T12:06:13.621-08:00Top Things to Do with Two Days in Hanoi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWao7VU5jmjTYiXeE2PZUKJmMpj0QB5oBEbpkxAXkSzuQ6wicy7rhh7Hks0Q_qD2d7dqnfcoNN2hVcH7ojRfM7Jz4S3_34wwMoZ-W4NMxH7lhW8jgwXU1uBsXydTyS7JnTe9SOV5L3FhD/s1600/DSC00279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Old Quarter Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWao7VU5jmjTYiXeE2PZUKJmMpj0QB5oBEbpkxAXkSzuQ6wicy7rhh7Hks0Q_qD2d7dqnfcoNN2hVcH7ojRfM7Jz4S3_34wwMoZ-W4NMxH7lhW8jgwXU1uBsXydTyS7JnTe9SOV5L3FhD/s800/DSC00279.JPG" title="Old Quarter" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city, located in northern Vietnam. Hanoi is frenetic and has a reputation for its crazy traffic, mostly made up of motorbikes. It’s also known for its French architecture and mouthwatering variety of Vietnamese street food. On our Magnificent Mekong tour with Viking R</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">iver Cruises, we </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">had 48 hours in Vietnam. Even with that short amount of time, we were able to fit in a lot of the best things to do in Hanoi, including viewing Ho Chi Minh, visiting Hoa Lo Prison and a few temples, and eating a lot of delicious food, all while successfully dodging motorbikes, or riding on the back of one.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZA-22K0zwJqFvYCJd3_UAp35GvBs1m0mDbQpGtkns6EqcCys0liPjKkClBEXgI6dbb-hLK3BlVJpzQfL477t0yT4K6LCCRIZh5f1t8jWvI8ilPxBNhd8ImhSk1rEqrztBCDu43kmEq50/s1600/IMG_0893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZA-22K0zwJqFvYCJd3_UAp35GvBs1m0mDbQpGtkns6EqcCys0liPjKkClBEXgI6dbb-hLK3BlVJpzQfL477t0yT4K6LCCRIZh5f1t8jWvI8ilPxBNhd8ImhSk1rEqrztBCDu43kmEq50/s800/IMG_0893.jpg" title="Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We could have visited Ho Chi Minh’s palace area and mausoleum with the Viking River Cruises’ included tour. However, they were visiting in the afternoon, after the mausoleum closes. While that does mean it was far less crowded when our fellow passengers visited, I really wanted to go inside Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, so we had to visit on our own. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum reminded me a lot of the <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2013/12/beijing-tiananmen-square-mao-memorial.html" target="_blank">Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in Beijing, China</a>. Ho Chi Minh actually asked to be cremated, but this much-revered leader of communist Vietnam was embalmed and put on display in a colossal marble mausoleum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There is a huge line, but it goes pretty fast. In fact, we visited the mausoleum and the rest of the presidential palace area in two hours and 45 minutes. When in line, be sure to hold on to your place; pushy tourists will try to cut in front of you if you’re not paying attention. No cameras or large bags are allowed in the mausoleum, so we had to leave ours at the stand on one side, and they were available at the other side when we emerged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Inside the mausoleum, four guards stand in a sunken well around Ho Chi Minh, who lays frail, pale, and waxy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0phddJlaBzu3DUQMH5EGEYvqPtDC5hx3HRLFNdZnEKYBPTFkjHtM01pu-KjS1bq8Z5Yp7KkTJ-84sPrFGNYUwE1xEnymw8-oiZcY2Qn7j-JT744VsH3SjBdDqJexX7OCVJSZd9ueYB8oi/s1600/DSC00412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ho Cho Minh Museum Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0phddJlaBzu3DUQMH5EGEYvqPtDC5hx3HRLFNdZnEKYBPTFkjHtM01pu-KjS1bq8Z5Yp7KkTJ-84sPrFGNYUwE1xEnymw8-oiZcY2Qn7j-JT744VsH3SjBdDqJexX7OCVJSZd9ueYB8oi/s800/DSC00412.jpg" title="Ho Chi Minh Museum" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Since we were leaving Hanoi with our Viking River Cruises tour at noon, we had to make sure we made the most of our time. We took a taxi from the hotel, which was a good call because the taxi took us directly to where we needed to get in line, and told us exactly where to go. The complex is huge and, looking at the map, where he took us was nowhere near where I thought we would need to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXqYnwG4iiOLmAPQi45Daz84gcFFd-hI27d1HUahoKUZsQKYJpEJAeoRgGRHx4l0sIpeoVGti32mgHVRcHXZC5TSgXb1_P06BbiS0IYaJDGO3Gjrp5GJavIq6TkU-7Xlyngphspj1LyrS/s1600/DSC00394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXqYnwG4iiOLmAPQi45Daz84gcFFd-hI27d1HUahoKUZsQKYJpEJAeoRgGRHx4l0sIpeoVGti32mgHVRcHXZC5TSgXb1_P06BbiS0IYaJDGO3Gjrp5GJavIq6TkU-7Xlyngphspj1LyrS/s800/DSC00394.jpg" title="Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Located in the same complex that holds the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is Ho Chi Minh’s Vestige in the Presidential Palace Area. The most imposing structure in this area is the large yellow Presidential Palace, which is not open to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q5hTW4mzlg8oOLtGTdNrfJf8zYwRS9SaxVCz6FtW3zbreu09Ka80FGGGk4SFpUc7r4qeNXV4fI9MeJmhjFW9d6vJxMvOfwqibvbNSGsPEykQCTUYwHu7iYaUt31eJLcWYE-xnR9q9T5Y/s1600/IMG_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ho Chi Minh Stilt House Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Q5hTW4mzlg8oOLtGTdNrfJf8zYwRS9SaxVCz6FtW3zbreu09Ka80FGGGk4SFpUc7r4qeNXV4fI9MeJmhjFW9d6vJxMvOfwqibvbNSGsPEykQCTUYwHu7iYaUt31eJLcWYE-xnR9q9T5Y/s800/IMG_0866.jpg" title="Ho Chi Minh Stilt House" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other places of interest in the presidential palace area include the flower trellis where Ho Chi Minh received guests, the meeting room where Ho Chi Minh chaired meetings and received guests, a garage of cars used to serve Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh’s humble stilt house in which he lived occasionally from 1958 to 1969, the one pillar pagoda built by Emperor Ly Thai Tong in the 2nd century, and Ho Chi Minh Museum which showcases his life with photos and official documents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutwy35z7-c3mgomkp6TeCp9-ELq6rfU81jMiopSdqiXeK6pDopWKNFiVB72FsKeBQodn12Ia3y_o7ma9SGH1o2QU_xySlggH-xVZ1VXFLJUAoTvSCTNSHiqEp8oVuW65FSf0yuRQDWp6/s1600/DSC00253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hoa Lo Prison Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYutwy35z7-c3mgomkp6TeCp9-ELq6rfU81jMiopSdqiXeK6pDopWKNFiVB72FsKeBQodn12Ia3y_o7ma9SGH1o2QU_xySlggH-xVZ1VXFLJUAoTvSCTNSHiqEp8oVuW65FSf0yuRQDWp6/s800/DSC00253.JPG" title="Hoa Lo Prison" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Hoa Lo Prison Historical Relic is what remains of the Hoa Lo Prison, built by the French Colonialists in 1896 to imprison Vietnamese revolutionary fighters. Most of the exhibits of the prison are dedicated to this time in history, showing the inhumane conditions in which prisoners were held, shackled to cement floors, beaten, and tortured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlETV0gj93neKH_bOYvIA63xxxH4xCeIGLWVhqVKTvatkxXXbfsRB2fWWKH105OShqvee7x73EalSX1ULmkbRHZRbCdXNi_LBdAYM_SbELqSMvRoPwvSTfHCN9CRsg_InmPQo_DQguhm_P/s1600/DSC00264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hoa Lo Prison French Colonial Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlETV0gj93neKH_bOYvIA63xxxH4xCeIGLWVhqVKTvatkxXXbfsRB2fWWKH105OShqvee7x73EalSX1ULmkbRHZRbCdXNi_LBdAYM_SbELqSMvRoPwvSTfHCN9CRsg_InmPQo_DQguhm_P/s800/DSC00264.JPG" title="Hoa Lo Prison French Colonial" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, most travelers know the Hoa Lo Prison by a different name, the Hanoi Hilton. This name comes from the time the prison was used to hold American pilots who had been shot down during a bombing raid of North Vietnam. Perhaps the most well-known of these prisoners of war is Senator John McCain. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD4gyq1vlYHAgEJvL47R7ptVOkytUvyvkYeed1wlknjSevRdyB98mCAt9QHk1Ycb_uGbvrfBTnGX2ElP076f0DVr4YDwVxWVu9td0Afn-t26pFiee1r4O3bFgyBYliT41DMISgYykWFbM/s1600/DSC00269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Hilton Christmas Drawing Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGD4gyq1vlYHAgEJvL47R7ptVOkytUvyvkYeed1wlknjSevRdyB98mCAt9QHk1Ycb_uGbvrfBTnGX2ElP076f0DVr4YDwVxWVu9td0Afn-t26pFiee1r4O3bFgyBYliT41DMISgYykWFbM/s800/DSC00269.JPG" title="Hanoi Hilton Christmas Drawing" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The name Hanoi Hilton came about because it was said the prisoners of war were treated as if they were staying in a resort. While we know that isn’t quite true, it is an idea that still seems to be sold to visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1KX5Iersd3qw8mV1n3B21O-nlLTDhoCcjgNtzSEdmemxJrVduuT9IXtxhvtwkislEaFynguB_RYaMo_1YeEdDrNlC3QXg54XcmpvArn7BLo2FmLKsDu-B9UHxVFm15cRLz21v3jaejB4/s1600/IMG_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Street Market Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1KX5Iersd3qw8mV1n3B21O-nlLTDhoCcjgNtzSEdmemxJrVduuT9IXtxhvtwkislEaFynguB_RYaMo_1YeEdDrNlC3QXg54XcmpvArn7BLo2FmLKsDu-B9UHxVFm15cRLz21v3jaejB4/s800/IMG_0558.JPG" title="Street Market" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While we were walking from our hotel to the Temple of Literature, we stumbled upon an outdoor market. The benefits of walking through the market were twofold as we were able to avoid some of the crazy Hanoi traffic by walking through this mostly pedestrian section and also because we got to look at some of the local fruits, vegetables, and flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVmy5hAehMe9azpDJxWFd2CmXCrWT6Vr0a0SdeX4xFtyNre9pcGsJ-_6L5ovJsP0w8WzF0VQ4khcYP225GszZGSyhwtf71rpcSaSR75QaFaMLdH-Pc1wxH3Kt3wIayOGyLZPlzw2RZ6ZU/s1600/DSC00099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Temple of Literature Tablets Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVmy5hAehMe9azpDJxWFd2CmXCrWT6Vr0a0SdeX4xFtyNre9pcGsJ-_6L5ovJsP0w8WzF0VQ4khcYP225GszZGSyhwtf71rpcSaSR75QaFaMLdH-Pc1wxH3Kt3wIayOGyLZPlzw2RZ6ZU/s800/DSC00099.JPG" title="Temple of Literature Tablets" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Temple of Literature is over 1,000 years old and is dedicated to Confucian scholars and sages and was used as a university. In addition to temples, there are statues of turtles with tablets standing on their backs listing names of doctors. There are statues of birds on turtle backs and Buddha figures. Exhibits portray the history of Confucian education in Vietnam. It is a place of peace and quiet in the middle of bustling city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wVHa9ty1qwelA-W1bzhjIh_Lujr1opkqFuyT2qk3vyEt60fwGRhJiGaSuoCG41UG6kouhdErGenF4XAVkdrf34dMHzA2SI-I6qKJG0-vPeZc5CzHwWH1lpzYGrzRU1BPdSjcN460XTQi/s1600/IMG_2805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Back Ma Temple Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wVHa9ty1qwelA-W1bzhjIh_Lujr1opkqFuyT2qk3vyEt60fwGRhJiGaSuoCG41UG6kouhdErGenF4XAVkdrf34dMHzA2SI-I6qKJG0-vPeZc5CzHwWH1lpzYGrzRU1BPdSjcN460XTQi/s800/IMG_2805.jpg" title="Bach Ma Temple" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bach Ma Temple is a small temple in the heart of the Old Quarter and is said to be the oldest temple in Hanoi. Its small size means it is crammed with statues, ornamentation, flowers, offerings of fruit and beer, and, when we were there, a white cat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Traditional House at 87 Ma May</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrKKrPe86wI_cnGzHGKINnjyIJvUmypECSGDjxKeDhHA0SFlrutJ8629aTOwfmKpHKfh33_gg9iN_LEwpLGcFrdY7qaJQ2VWGw5Zjf7pQsl5uWqAB-xOxg6GyR1g7CBR7i3SMMGFiJTau/s1600/IMG_2807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Traditional House at 87 Ma May Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrKKrPe86wI_cnGzHGKINnjyIJvUmypECSGDjxKeDhHA0SFlrutJ8629aTOwfmKpHKfh33_gg9iN_LEwpLGcFrdY7qaJQ2VWGw5Zjf7pQsl5uWqAB-xOxg6GyR1g7CBR7i3SMMGFiJTau/s800/IMG_2807.jpg" title="Traditional House at 87 Ma May" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another interesting site in Hanoi’s Old Quarter is the Traditional House (also called Memorial House and Ancient House), which is a traditional merchant’s house built at the end of the 19th century. The house is filled with traditional furniture and has rooms situated around two inner courtyards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha9hAOQTy6woEW2DHnPfUy6axkRIZeV2T8saEFnrcI9Xlq4N3SqW5Cw4Cbdv8ybqpNfZN0UH1DaswFfm5ws_CoXV08kTTjwVTyoOkischNTLkYUZ1QO3sanrkxNVKYgTHz12hzz-7DAm9/s1600/IMG_2808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Traditional House Kitchen Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgha9hAOQTy6woEW2DHnPfUy6axkRIZeV2T8saEFnrcI9Xlq4N3SqW5Cw4Cbdv8ybqpNfZN0UH1DaswFfm5ws_CoXV08kTTjwVTyoOkischNTLkYUZ1QO3sanrkxNVKYgTHz12hzz-7DAm9/s800/IMG_2808.jpg" title="Traditional House Kitchen" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The type of architecture is sometimes referred to as a “tube-house” because of its narrow façade and succession of courtyards and buildings. The courtyards allow for good ventilation and natural light. The house was the first to be so well restored in the Old Quarter and was recognized as a Vietnamese National Heritage in 2004.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Food Tours</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7W6zeTzpT2MAlT2Pyi59f4ByJzcJQ0Q5lCl_LA_ho5jf7x9q3r9_x7NnZw7yAKQzKf12oJ59FjgJpvCdTMcmZo4dhhRXfHQeH8r6fvvmhcFtBqfU7iV0u18G-Rs1rakfA0Q8icyW6wYk/s1600/IMG_2763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Street Food Tour Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7W6zeTzpT2MAlT2Pyi59f4ByJzcJQ0Q5lCl_LA_ho5jf7x9q3r9_x7NnZw7yAKQzKf12oJ59FjgJpvCdTMcmZo4dhhRXfHQeH8r6fvvmhcFtBqfU7iV0u18G-Rs1rakfA0Q8icyW6wYk/s800/IMG_2763.JPG" title="Hanoi Street Food Tour" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of our favorite things to do when we travel is experience as much local food as possible. We worried we might not have many chances to do so while traveling with Viking River Cruises (though we ended up having more chances than we imagined) so we booked not just one, but two food tours with <a href="https://hanoistreetfoodtours.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hanoi Street Food Tours</a>. Through these two tours, we not only had some of the best Vietnamese food of all our time in Vietnam, we also received quite an education in <a href="http://www.katherinebelarmino.com/2017/11/traditional-vietnamese-food.html" target="_blank">traditional Vietnamese foods</a> and got a little sightseeing in as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH0CcLMOG7gwphqaFuRI9A2qAV93gGBGanoWeSAXJkGSNvqEUeIva4Tpjx_vFuz7B_Q7tMRKuLEIBvjadLl7RYY6PQ7CAVfUvz3alqVB5mN9QKcmb5H5td8oa6eKxVe7H5dEKpEBxmSAk/s1600/DSC00214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Seafood Restaurant Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoH0CcLMOG7gwphqaFuRI9A2qAV93gGBGanoWeSAXJkGSNvqEUeIva4Tpjx_vFuz7B_Q7tMRKuLEIBvjadLl7RYY6PQ7CAVfUvz3alqVB5mN9QKcmb5H5td8oa6eKxVe7H5dEKpEBxmSAk/s800/DSC00214.JPG" title="Seafood Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first food tour we took was the Seafood Tour by Night. I didn’t realize before we started researching food tours that seafood is such a big deal in Vietnam. On this tour we stopped at one place for a non-seafood appetizer then went to a seafood restaurant where we sat on short stools at tables on the sidewalk and had our fill of crabs, shrimp, clams, and cockles. We topped off the evening with a sweet treat, egg coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0htzjSh9u_7iyq_jpIkGJlRp3MohwDFRbb1n-qUASXjxOTzgu9yTadosRxOsBB2zAhXbWibDIBuJgtc67K4B0fzShuPx_JaB-_5FpB3TDADbj7pblLL9IEgCco4tXa50gh85EAD45Sh5Z/s1600/DSC00300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pho Stand Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0htzjSh9u_7iyq_jpIkGJlRp3MohwDFRbb1n-qUASXjxOTzgu9yTadosRxOsBB2zAhXbWibDIBuJgtc67K4B0fzShuPx_JaB-_5FpB3TDADbj7pblLL9IEgCco4tXa50gh85EAD45Sh5Z/s800/DSC00300.JPG" title="Pho Stand" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The second food tour with Duc Ivan of Hanoi Street Food Tours was the Hanoi Street Food Tour, which combined stops at multiple hole-in-the-wall restaurants around the Old Quarter, each specializing in one regional dish, with visits to a handful of historical sites and a walking tour of the Old Quarter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv_qsniQ9nMZjj-DPoAGNPONPcD-QzpY7BifT3cJ6qfiovCjeU2lgLhXc8rfRIjWu71uzVKydlH03p-dyG1Xopgmu30DFRDE5kGhEwBAbvZu0FcocZBjMXNHlb3QN2duzQZCg7uzCuXQ4/s1600/DSC00160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hoan Kiem Lake Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv_qsniQ9nMZjj-DPoAGNPONPcD-QzpY7BifT3cJ6qfiovCjeU2lgLhXc8rfRIjWu71uzVKydlH03p-dyG1Xopgmu30DFRDE5kGhEwBAbvZu0FcocZBjMXNHlb3QN2duzQZCg7uzCuXQ4/s800/DSC00160.JPG" title="Hoan Kiem Lake" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are a few bodies of water in Hanoi. One of those, Hoan Kiem Lake (Hồ Hoàn Kiếm), separates the French Quarter from the Old Quarter. The English meaning of the lake’s name is Lake of the Restored Sword. The legend is that the blade of a sword was fished out of water and made its way to Emperor Le Loi. Le Loi found the sword hilt separately. With the two combined, he was victorious in many battles. Later on, after the Chinese accepted Vietnam as independent, Le Loi was approached by a great turtle while boating on the lake in Hanoi. The turtle asked him to return the sword to the Dragon King. Le Loi immediately dropped the sword into the water and the turtle descended into the deep with the sword in his mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the lake is an island with a temple, the Temple of Jade Mountain, which is connected to the shore by a red bridge, Huc Bridge. Also in the middle of the lake is Turtle Tower. At night, all of these structures are lit and the lake is surrounded by the lights of Hanoi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM8r206-b8q5Gk0VNYKpWG2ik8viDZmIXaf08Qi8mx9GPbVtOuQcs6l987i17Wr3x8zRWA618cMz-tYpA9-u5Ed_h2yU9-fR99Y9XDaDxxZiBb2VlI857HDQLuwUMQd3pcOAa-AwiB0HC/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Temple of Jade Mountain Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSM8r206-b8q5Gk0VNYKpWG2ik8viDZmIXaf08Qi8mx9GPbVtOuQcs6l987i17Wr3x8zRWA618cMz-tYpA9-u5Ed_h2yU9-fR99Y9XDaDxxZiBb2VlI857HDQLuwUMQd3pcOAa-AwiB0HC/s800/IMG_0283.jpg" title="Temple of Jade Mountain" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During the day you can cross the Huc Bridge onto Hoan Kiem Lake’s island and visit the Temple of Jade Mountain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjd34n3NdDYcEFt-4qsQ0VhF4jculoeBx8tl0mQIEXKPGONwfUzjv0Z2S5WtBifZn295RoKezmOOeM5oSqZPu6dYd0tcOYd5bT2pDIgYCpKDOds82mHCWkfDZyNAoldOzVok5kxEtUqHq/s1600/DSC00175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="St. Joseph's Cathedral Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjd34n3NdDYcEFt-4qsQ0VhF4jculoeBx8tl0mQIEXKPGONwfUzjv0Z2S5WtBifZn295RoKezmOOeM5oSqZPu6dYd0tcOYd5bT2pDIgYCpKDOds82mHCWkfDZyNAoldOzVok5kxEtUqHq/s800/DSC00175.JPG" title="St. Joseph's Cathedral" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St. Joseph’s Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Hanoi. The church is located in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and was built in 1886 in a style to resemble Notre Dame in Paris. At night the area in front of the church is a gathering place for young people. The church is also a favorite spot for wedding photos for couples of all faiths. The cathedral is especially pretty during the Christmas season when it is decorated to the hilt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Ride on the Back of a Motorbike</h2>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Riding on the back of a motorbike was not an adventure we had planned. In fact, I purposefully avoided planning such a thing. However, when Duc Ivan, our food tour guide, asked on our second tour with him if we would like to ride on the back of his motorbike and get a real taste of Hanoi life, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. So off we went, three adults on one motorbike, no helmets, weaving our way through Hanoi’s crazy traffic. It was thrilling and one of my favorite memories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another way to have the motorbike experience is to use the Uber of Vietnam, <a href="https://www.grab.com/vn/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grab</a>. With the assistance of an app, the company provides GrabTaxi, GrabCar, GrabBike, and GrabExpress. We saw the green-jacketed GrabBike guys all over Hanoi waiting to give someone a lift on the back of their motorbike.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEPOykmg36boZKQRq22yh7KWaNHAafNg1vk8cdKZz0HBnOB32zGbRB5fPtSTd6oArwqUM8ktelzEnnyXouIjmitqSay7rpGnfpaWh2jlpEypw1WrJZn9rtuJboSM0FqZJRDC58SlT5Km5/s1600/IMG_2778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dong Xuan Market Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEPOykmg36boZKQRq22yh7KWaNHAafNg1vk8cdKZz0HBnOB32zGbRB5fPtSTd6oArwqUM8ktelzEnnyXouIjmitqSay7rpGnfpaWh2jlpEypw1WrJZn9rtuJboSM0FqZJRDC58SlT5Km5/s800/IMG_2778.JPG" title="Dong Xuan Market" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you love shopping, a trip to Đồng Xuân Market is an absolute must. This market was originally built by the French in 1889, but was renovated in the 1990s after a fire almost destroyed the market. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4JgrMauG1Xi2aEW39qSgDBTdCvuNVL0xGt4KibJ8OatqQvP1MoeT_kpxFxmQ-O8Ah77bllgu4fJMFPRgfd1uvUSTYCmzgnpeBwC1Cfgv4PzrmWECGC8Tea3pSpU0Rs9YXwNf2sE2a8wY/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dried Mushrooms Dong Xuan Market Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4JgrMauG1Xi2aEW39qSgDBTdCvuNVL0xGt4KibJ8OatqQvP1MoeT_kpxFxmQ-O8Ah77bllgu4fJMFPRgfd1uvUSTYCmzgnpeBwC1Cfgv4PzrmWECGC8Tea3pSpU0Rs9YXwNf2sE2a8wY/s800/IMG_2788.JPG" title="Dried Mushrooms" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Inside the market is multiple floors of wholesale goods for sale. You can pretty much by anything at Đồng Xuân Market including clothing, purses, dishes, luggage, shoes, dried goods, seafood and anything else your heart might desire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Every day at 5:00 p.m., the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi provides a </span><a href="http://www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/extra-services-facilities/path-of-history/" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Path of History</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> tour of the old wing of the hotel. The highlight of the tour is the hotel’s bunker/bomb shelter. But there is more to the tour than that. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsa9L-Qhz6lW0JHJbdQWUJFGduqyMivCR79-wJDFhzn_D230_b-z0I86lidWHAUMNssWCaMJfD5m0t2n4ez-UtJxoC-nOWKqDIJoAg7BTOIhSyYVFQeqI7l0piLJnZB1tvFHCjCtFXhEt/s1600/DSC00245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Bomb Shelter Manholes Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsa9L-Qhz6lW0JHJbdQWUJFGduqyMivCR79-wJDFhzn_D230_b-z0I86lidWHAUMNssWCaMJfD5m0t2n4ez-UtJxoC-nOWKqDIJoAg7BTOIhSyYVFQeqI7l0piLJnZB1tvFHCjCtFXhEt/s800/DSC00245.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Bomb Shelter Manholes" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tour starts with a little history of the century-old hotel and a look at some of the old china and silverware used. There is also an old issue of <i>Life</i> magazine with a photo on the cover that was the first photo to come out of north Vietnam by a foreign journalist. The photo shows the small bomb shelters that lined the sidewalk outside of the hotel. While the hotel has a bunker many feet below the ground’s surface where VIPs would be sheltered, the hotel staff and the common people did not have that luxury. Along the sidewalk were little more than manholes just deep enough for a person to crouch inside and block the top with a cover. It didn’t seem possible that these close to the surface, tiny, cramped spaces would provide any real protection. They still exist, but now there are trees planted in them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wjHBMNymOXKne2_VdHnMXlnf-8rMRkWoA475iQ26PzSwsRttOLmtV0ix-6MXy2kqAne1laWsbtEojRecNvIX4llpFpNcDylMkQKt_yQBwNwisY-aMGWKUVKeyczvfSGZ9P-TGmQ1J9PV/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Pool Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wjHBMNymOXKne2_VdHnMXlnf-8rMRkWoA475iQ26PzSwsRttOLmtV0ix-6MXy2kqAne1laWsbtEojRecNvIX4llpFpNcDylMkQKt_yQBwNwisY-aMGWKUVKeyczvfSGZ9P-TGmQ1J9PV/s800/IMG_0204.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Pool" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The tour then continues down the hallway where there are a number of photographs of important and famous people that have stayed at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. While hearing the stories of the various VIP guests, it was interesting to get a glimpse into how the people of Vietnam view America’s involvement in the war. In Hanoi, which was part of North Vietnam fighting for communism, against South Vietnam with whom America fought to achieve democracy, celebrities like Joan Baez and Jane Fonda are thought of well. Joan Baez stayed at the hotel and wrote a song while there, <i>Where is My Son</i>, highlighting the pain and sorrow the citizens of Hanoi experienced during the war. Jane Fonda, also known as Hanoi Jane, was in the hotel’s bomb shelter during a raid and spoke out against the war. We didn’t hear any animosity towards Americans for their involvement in the war. Rather, we heard how people who fought in the war, like John McCain, have come back to Hanoi recently to visit and express their goodwill. When we later visited the south of Vietnam, we also felt no animosity, but there it seemed more like the people were grateful America had joined them in the war, but perhaps a little wistful for what might have been if America had not withdrawn so early, as some believe the south would have won if America had stayed in the war a little longer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfDx-wQFnIn17m-yUyFCZZ9MAa3gHQ-7dJeqgP3Ejl28x5s15yQAccVDHHuOCqPE0hJdpPRWEqz6lo2ZYdjCXjo2r1LLfIRtaItOJ0EAwdS5CWb1sPbiLYX8R1pSO7Pcq8mx_apLz7UN/s1600/DSC00157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Bomb Shelter Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBfDx-wQFnIn17m-yUyFCZZ9MAa3gHQ-7dJeqgP3Ejl28x5s15yQAccVDHHuOCqPE0hJdpPRWEqz6lo2ZYdjCXjo2r1LLfIRtaItOJ0EAwdS5CWb1sPbiLYX8R1pSO7Pcq8mx_apLz7UN/s800/DSC00157.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Bomb Shelter" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our final stop on the tour was the bunker, where we descended the steep staircase and donned hard hats to protect us from the low cement ceilings. Rather than being one big room, the bunker is divided into many small, narrow rooms. This provided extra stability and support, as well as the hope that if one room failed, the others might still stand. In the final room we visited in the bunker, we listened to Joan Baez sing <i>Where is My Son</i>. We ascended the stairs and were provided with a warm, spiced hibiscus beverage at the conclusion of the tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This tour is exclusively for guests. If you can’t join the tour, you can still walk around the lobby and ground floor hallway of the original wing to view the old photos and other items on display. Then head outside to the front left corner of the outdoor Bamboo Bar where you will see a stairway leading below ground. If the gate is unlocked, you may be able to go downstairs and view the bunker on your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Other Points of Interest</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPIrqkMT5WCzpsqxbJpm5uV70_A2NkVKszEYM-weVsNnd04siOMeVUcR2-5yMBnwUc5QCTNfUkVXT6JEb5DVitwFT9QH73nLfnUyVGMtdJxKO8r1bQNa4vRycNz_R2pFLJWqLu5K7ZBcj/s1600/DSC00278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Opera House Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPIrqkMT5WCzpsqxbJpm5uV70_A2NkVKszEYM-weVsNnd04siOMeVUcR2-5yMBnwUc5QCTNfUkVXT6JEb5DVitwFT9QH73nLfnUyVGMtdJxKO8r1bQNa4vRycNz_R2pFLJWqLu5K7ZBcj/s800/DSC00278.JPG" title="Hanoi Opera House" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are a few other points of interest in Hanoi that we didn’t have time to visit. These include the <a href="http://www.vme.org.vn/home/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vietnam Museum of Ethnology</a>, the <a href="http://www.hanoioperahouse.org.vn/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hanoi Opera House</a>, and the famous <a href="http://thanglongwaterpuppet.org/en/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre</a> show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Information for Viking River Cruises Guests</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9YyzT8sagb6Tx6duiDHFeg95dobrzVOHYLdmbySfGfS2ixzHNiqMwMkSJVffZKHt3Ls4J3_s726Ea5Fr05fBir20i72TegHzhLgtkvlcyuMO8W7xtN5tmY5AjVxPDF1HwfSqTKc-LSlg/s1600/DSC00133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Train Tracks Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9YyzT8sagb6Tx6duiDHFeg95dobrzVOHYLdmbySfGfS2ixzHNiqMwMkSJVffZKHt3Ls4J3_s726Ea5Fr05fBir20i72TegHzhLgtkvlcyuMO8W7xtN5tmY5AjVxPDF1HwfSqTKc-LSlg/s800/DSC00133.JPG" title="Hanoi Train Tracks" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While in Hanoi, we explored the city on our own. While Viking puts together phenomenal tours that hit most of the points of interests that travelers will want to see, plus provides historical information that you may not learn otherwise, when we are in a big city, we prefer to see it on our own. Also, we were most interested in starting our time in Vietnam with an education on traditional Vietnamese food, which conflicted with the Viking tour schedule, and we preferred to see Hanoi by walking and the occasional taxi and motorbike ride, rather than getting from place to place by tour bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrg91dW-JJ79OZdbaNnizKbhLD9YxbG4rQkgxYY6bX1G6JzvN-YzhN3gHhqeSHqeoSqEzrOjJbJVShUDl3ymJBaIioC1NZHf-o0f2zVDkc_Nb5hDNnSCJceHhd8C1-DyeuS0jPvKcJORJ/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Temple of Literature Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrg91dW-JJ79OZdbaNnizKbhLD9YxbG4rQkgxYY6bX1G6JzvN-YzhN3gHhqeSHqeoSqEzrOjJbJVShUDl3ymJBaIioC1NZHf-o0f2zVDkc_Nb5hDNnSCJceHhd8C1-DyeuS0jPvKcJORJ/s800/IMG_0577.JPG" title="Temple of Literature" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">However, if you are traveling with Viking and want to join the tours, they see many of the places we describe above with a couple exceptions and a couple extras. The Viking tours of Hanoi include the Museum of Ethnology, Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Palace Complex, Hoa Lo Prison, and an electric car tour of the Old Quarter. All of these tours are guided, meaning you will get more information about each site than if you visit on your own. Also, if joining the tour, all entrance fees are covered, while if you visit sites on your own, you will have to pay your own entrance. Entrance fees are usually only a dollar or two. As mentioned above, the Viking tour does miss entering the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum as their visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex is in the afternoon, after the mausoleum has closed, when it is far less crowded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HqCB5BWhaQC6ENBi6MoiJ21mHkgIU_kzFOS-t2DNKF0vPJxaWIj6D0vowzBhGgPW_uG-m4BDiuzkkIrwH9GjszNyoxqqwdAWc3ZuYSB74ZkxQHShpDNTxnlq_UclwWiL7hU94yVlq1wq/s1600/DSC00393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HqCB5BWhaQC6ENBi6MoiJ21mHkgIU_kzFOS-t2DNKF0vPJxaWIj6D0vowzBhGgPW_uG-m4BDiuzkkIrwH9GjszNyoxqqwdAWc3ZuYSB74ZkxQHShpDNTxnlq_UclwWiL7hU94yVlq1wq/s800/DSC00393.jpg" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the best hotels in Hanoi is the <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/vn/sofitelmetropole.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi</a>, a 5-star hotel with a long history. We were traveling with Viking River Cruises and this was the hotel we all stayed in. Since we did the Ha Long Bay extension, we stayed at the Sofitel Legend Metropole for a total of three nights, one night before heading to Ha Long Bay and two nights afterward, when we explored Hanoi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn5i8Ch5QAGz2B-6-oU4q1r9UtuTsiAAz2cMJeXW96LHCq5WYV4ozZUmOT5LTgJ8JDWURvXWoUxdvxtxhcCMjEkbd6cYFy7HuVjQuwEDvMZs1UakdGaaBx3oO2yqgZPHPgLoPcQEaf1Vv/s1600/DSC00083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Room Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidn5i8Ch5QAGz2B-6-oU4q1r9UtuTsiAAz2cMJeXW96LHCq5WYV4ozZUmOT5LTgJ8JDWURvXWoUxdvxtxhcCMjEkbd6cYFy7HuVjQuwEDvMZs1UakdGaaBx3oO2yqgZPHPgLoPcQEaf1Vv/s800/DSC00083.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Room" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is located in Hanoi’s French Quarter close to the Opera House. Its architecture is distinctly French Colonial and the hotel has been around for over 100 years, having been built in 1901. It has always been THE place to stay in Hanoi, having had countless dignitaries and celebrities as guests like Joan Baez, Jane Fonda, and Bill Clinton, just to name a few. It is one of the top three hotels in Southeast Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTuQo-7nwcqJlyCF0u63B3h3gzGW1iFTmUQ9JYCwSZVaXCARS22SBctt4hPsg7u0tsAHYZpfxK2b0z0F0N5srlEt_pJKNiyfRiuQPTgrloHPhnt8g7_1YHWrWPCh7DdrBkKfoKuIybS2V/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at Night Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTuQo-7nwcqJlyCF0u63B3h3gzGW1iFTmUQ9JYCwSZVaXCARS22SBctt4hPsg7u0tsAHYZpfxK2b0z0F0N5srlEt_pJKNiyfRiuQPTgrloHPhnt8g7_1YHWrWPCh7DdrBkKfoKuIybS2V/s800/IMG_0629.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi at Night" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are two parts to the hotel, the original hotel and the newer opera wing, which is where we slept. The two wings surround a courtyard which holds the pool and the outdoor Bamboo Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1m-5dxbsIXqZhb8fLkwAY6FwH94Gq1Bdi7NFoexAfU1mUul-BEO7uQPjEggJ9ey7a0JhIkzqr3z4rm9YkcRk6lSWjiYd13WHzIME5uqDFoVlkCoU8XD4wznea7rYlqY_rv8_UY4yPBC2/s1600/DSC09792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Breakfast Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1m-5dxbsIXqZhb8fLkwAY6FwH94Gq1Bdi7NFoexAfU1mUul-BEO7uQPjEggJ9ey7a0JhIkzqr3z4rm9YkcRk6lSWjiYd13WHzIME5uqDFoVlkCoU8XD4wznea7rYlqY_rv8_UY4yPBC2/s800/DSC09792.JPG" title="Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Breakfast" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While all of the hotels in which we stayed during our Viking Mekong trip were excellent, this was probably my favorite one of the bunch. Perhaps it was because the big spacious room with its comfy bed and its spectacular view of the courtyard, decorated with a huge Christmas tree made entirely of nón lá (the traditional Vietnamese conical hat), all of which greeted us at 2:00 in the morning after two flights had been delayed, one of which we caught only because of a Christmas miracle, negating what had seemed to be the inevitable overnight in the Seoul airport. Or maybe it was the amazing breakfast buffet which allowed us to start our trip immediately with Vietnamese food, a breakfast of phở, bánh cuốn, and tropical fruit (Western options were also available).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorRfzr-anka7tWo4kkeStyfTMeidGPdBaoBCJbwXrPKmjhAsERTz_xiQ-_VSgk-zCQ4fDjL6QDg1JNyhKzpNaPPa2j3G_0izKiD_FHQlpynwahIrG-J0DEUeoZRSNc0aKJ8MGlb8vynYV/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Motorbikes Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorRfzr-anka7tWo4kkeStyfTMeidGPdBaoBCJbwXrPKmjhAsERTz_xiQ-_VSgk-zCQ4fDjL6QDg1JNyhKzpNaPPa2j3G_0izKiD_FHQlpynwahIrG-J0DEUeoZRSNc0aKJ8MGlb8vynYV/s800/IMG_0276.JPG" title="Hanoi Motorbikes" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most valuable lesson one must learn if exploring Hanoi by foot is how to cross the street. Because practically everyone drives a motorbike and hardly anyone drives a car, there are myriads of motorbikes everywhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBzArbJvw4bsWwjUV1uFLXT-6_uEtRq3zJ32xMziW_d5MXv9gfA8JJ4CYE2jwdzj8uzCFvPWtQzw7kHj8VS25LYcu5DmIZXvvdQ-7amAYiSlsTr2fA1xqtYVuME-Lz7WNBtOEFkE6bm2b/s1600/DSC00272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Motorbikes on Sidewalks Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBzArbJvw4bsWwjUV1uFLXT-6_uEtRq3zJ32xMziW_d5MXv9gfA8JJ4CYE2jwdzj8uzCFvPWtQzw7kHj8VS25LYcu5DmIZXvvdQ-7amAYiSlsTr2fA1xqtYVuME-Lz7WNBtOEFkE6bm2b/s800/DSC00272.JPG" title="Motorbikes on Sidewalks" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not only are the streets filled with motorbikes, the sidewalks are filled with them. Sidewalks are first and foremost for parking motorbikes. Sidewalks are also for driving motorbikes more frequently than you’d imagine. Sidewalks are also for serving food and selling goods. Sidewalks are even for playing badminton. Sidewalks are also for walking, but that’s more of an afterthought. So, when you’re walking on the sidewalk, always be on the lookout for a motorbike coming from in front of you, from behind you, from an alley, or even from a doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KqGBX2cKirhhpWt2AF-NRJFm81y38N8P120PXTPkaBef_d8WGPzDyUst11hyphenhyphenBX89q4VHnGvyU-ADLr3B8fETGyQWj61VTCQGVdzJGQbwgPUNRYtE_EF8XAcp_HIcpMB4NxXYvDeI79zr/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Motorbikes with Santa Balloons Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KqGBX2cKirhhpWt2AF-NRJFm81y38N8P120PXTPkaBef_d8WGPzDyUst11hyphenhyphenBX89q4VHnGvyU-ADLr3B8fETGyQWj61VTCQGVdzJGQbwgPUNRYtE_EF8XAcp_HIcpMB4NxXYvDeI79zr/s800/IMG_0619.JPG" title="Motorbikes with Santa Balloons" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Getting back to crossing the street, the street is a sea of motorbikes. Traffic lights are a mere suggestion, as are traffic directions. Therefore, even if you are crossing a street at an intersection with a green light, that is no guarantee there will not be a hundred motorbikes coming at you. They will still be turning right without stopping. They will be turning left without stopping. They may be coming straight through their red light without stopping. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVNBlYztCiT_SV2ePpfwdifn4ANc3B6HTLRFu4UU1oXTLLGHZgHQolg8rUBRKZuxU7j-Um0c9sTnd2TVm8-e5_k_F-apW4mADZvNcPiBcihObrtsYKx1BSNbvKalAUluKyVOSV84gt9th/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hanoi Traffic Things to Do in Hanoi Vietnam" border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVNBlYztCiT_SV2ePpfwdifn4ANc3B6HTLRFu4UU1oXTLLGHZgHQolg8rUBRKZuxU7j-Um0c9sTnd2TVm8-e5_k_F-apW4mADZvNcPiBcihObrtsYKx1BSNbvKalAUluKyVOSV84gt9th/s800/IMG_4916.JPG" title="Hanoi Traffic" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The key to crossing the street in Hanoi without getting maimed or killed is to commit, go slow, and go at one speed without stopping. Actions that will get you hit are running and stopping. Motorbike drivers see you crossing the street. They are actually very skilled in watching everything going on around them as they are also contending with motorbikes driving in front of them, behind them, and around them. When they see you walking, they gage your speed and calculate whether to drive in front of or behind you. Therefore, if they calculate that they can drive behind you and you stop, you will get hit. If they calculate that they can drive in front of you and you speed up or start running, you will get hit. Crossing the street in Hanoi is quite an art and very interesting to watch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to </i><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Viking River Cruises</i></a><i> for hosting us on their </i><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/asia/magnificent-mekong/2017-hanoi-hochiminh/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Magnificent Mekong</i></a><i> tour through Vietnam and Cambodia and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them it costs you nothing extra and we earn a small commission which goes towards this website and bringing you more travel stories.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhLUghXq8HjbYgNR7iCUqqdehtYbBSYYmbq4qNw6oT9Y-OlwzoFMSEfBc6oJ1OTSnknFB5qLH2Cks9rr0pnnNVXJCZxwOuMr5QIdRULG5xoqDUhYaxsM-xcBp5AgTAUOb7SwOFXL-pGU3/s1600/Top+Things+to+do+in+Hanoi+Vietnam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel the World: Top things to do in Hanoi Vietnam in two days." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhLUghXq8HjbYgNR7iCUqqdehtYbBSYYmbq4qNw6oT9Y-OlwzoFMSEfBc6oJ1OTSnknFB5qLH2Cks9rr0pnnNVXJCZxwOuMr5QIdRULG5xoqDUhYaxsM-xcBp5AgTAUOb7SwOFXL-pGU3/s400/Top+Things+to+do+in+Hanoi+Vietnam.png" title="" width="266" /></a></div>
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-75849984375940349182017-11-13T07:00:00.000-08:002019-07-20T21:55:08.132-07:0010 Fun Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco Mexico<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ydp6Kf7TobXYZfQer_Q-Fbejv9FioCLpDVht_MvHmb1kZxf6vGMz28ocvRHofFc4Y5iLEVRnI83YEIL9FG_T3iMgVpZA2KUZ4EMGhFFViX-RvzsHQB5mDaPMCD9WGz02JxaOaXHUruA0/s1600/DSC06787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puerto Peñasco Sign Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Ydp6Kf7TobXYZfQer_Q-Fbejv9FioCLpDVht_MvHmb1kZxf6vGMz28ocvRHofFc4Y5iLEVRnI83YEIL9FG_T3iMgVpZA2KUZ4EMGhFFViX-RvzsHQB5mDaPMCD9WGz02JxaOaXHUruA0/s800/DSC06787.jpg" title="Puerto Peñasco Sign" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Puerto Peñasco was a Mexican seaside destination of which we were completely unaware, which is a shame since it’s a relatively short 5.5-hour drive from our home in San Diego. Puerto Peñasco has many names, including Rocky Point and Arizona’s beach, because of its close proximity to the Arizona border. Puerto Peñasco turned out to be the perfect Mexico beach resort vacation spot for us. While there are the typical clubs for drinking and dancing and off-color souvenirs being sold on the streets, there are also a lot of fun things to do in Puerto Peñasco for families and couples looking to have a fun or relaxing time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQtuux4MrOcMGvNHA-XOsrP5FtVpfFieg5OdRURVLEbks0nxPrYnnmHpONvRhTzMBK_iMt4S2LD3JKpcJ7UFONo2GasJGt0Asctr-MK5ZqhhfwRno7udsdIudkC6jVoZbe9T2D_dBlyF4/s1600/DSC06846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQtuux4MrOcMGvNHA-XOsrP5FtVpfFieg5OdRURVLEbks0nxPrYnnmHpONvRhTzMBK_iMt4S2LD3JKpcJ7UFONo2GasJGt0Asctr-MK5ZqhhfwRno7udsdIudkC6jVoZbe9T2D_dBlyF4/s800/DSC06846.jpg" title="El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez may be the biggest draw of Puerto Peñasco, but another impressive site in Puerto Peñasco is <a href="http://elpinacate.conanp.gob.mx/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve</a>, which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. The reserve has the highest concentration of maar volcanic craters in the world. It is also the largest active dune field in North America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTVjSsfMVHMe-d_oTIahj_wNMqwmRYKQCQsMHdGBRhmdoZpdZxB5LWB3fd8O6Q87ncz52Q5fmDUnJs-o0im49xNfRf35EOJ6LklW9luNobLs8NZU50-5-f4QS6GGuwEQsOfqPkxLHJ8Po/s1600/IMG_7815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cerro Colorado Crater Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTVjSsfMVHMe-d_oTIahj_wNMqwmRYKQCQsMHdGBRhmdoZpdZxB5LWB3fd8O6Q87ncz52Q5fmDUnJs-o0im49xNfRf35EOJ6LklW9luNobLs8NZU50-5-f4QS6GGuwEQsOfqPkxLHJ8Po/s800/IMG_7815.jpg" title="Cerro Colorado Crater" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visitors can follow a scenic loop drive around the park which will visit some of the main points of interest including El Elegante Crater and Cerro Colorado Crater. The biosphere also has diverse plants and wildlife. A visit to the park takes approximately three hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhZQDuRSIw2_vC9l_JmW8smLjsgTr1YBLggk786ANj9VLFMI_Y5dfZwLV2yJGVfCSA1UJlGg5iFirhpplFnDbIUgsDGze6_0GDLtMVTjQfoUh6DG65CZGAtXQmprcD8COJJHorURv05XU/s1600/DSC06795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhZQDuRSIw2_vC9l_JmW8smLjsgTr1YBLggk786ANj9VLFMI_Y5dfZwLV2yJGVfCSA1UJlGg5iFirhpplFnDbIUgsDGze6_0GDLtMVTjQfoUh6DG65CZGAtXQmprcD8COJJHorURv05XU/s800/DSC06795.jpg" title="Puerto Peñasco" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Malecon is the main street along the water that offers restaurants and shopping. This is also where you can find one of the Puerto Peñasco signs. There are some interesting sites just off the main street as well, like old architecture and graffiti art.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A popular mode of transportation in Puerto Peñasco is ATVs. People are driving them everywhere. Not only can they be driven on the streets, there are also some fun off-roading areas within town. We got ours from Javie’s ATV Rentals, C. Plutarco Elias Calles Etre 14 y 15, cell (638) 109-8555 or (638) 107-8086.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwH42WL9TDEtxmtQtjkM4vHY_ynUtX7PZn0Y-3RjOuZhyphenhyphenfkLU3K-cuC86yV2ju_ZGJtjXYGXvB039OJGzgJfSGrqCH-jCCb8cfRce9doeuulCM7H5RVJqwl3rIyaN8tgH2XeOqbfmOypoX/s1600/GOPR0593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paddleboarding Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwH42WL9TDEtxmtQtjkM4vHY_ynUtX7PZn0Y-3RjOuZhyphenhyphenfkLU3K-cuC86yV2ju_ZGJtjXYGXvB039OJGzgJfSGrqCH-jCCb8cfRce9doeuulCM7H5RVJqwl3rIyaN8tgH2XeOqbfmOypoX/s800/GOPR0593.jpg" title="Paddleboarding" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Photo courtesy Elaine Masters (<a href="https://www.tripwellness.com/beach-getaway-where-puerto-penasco-mexico/" target="_blank">Puerto Peñasco Beach Getaway</a>)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With so much water around Puerto Peñasco, there are many opportunities for water sports, including snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. It’s possible to rent equipment right on the beach. We visited Puerto Peñasco on a particularly windy weekend, so we took advantage of the calmer water surrounding The Club at Laguna del Mar to kayak and paddleboard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://lagunadelmar.com.mx/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Club at Laguna Del Mar</a> is a newer golf course. Most of the holes are guarded by salt water lagoons or the Sea of Cortez. Wildlife is everywhere so it’s easy to get distracted. There were only nine holes available at the time Romeo played, but there will soon be 18. The Club at Laguna Del Mar is a Jack Nicklaus signature course, a title that isn’t easily earned. The fairways are in immaculate condition and the greens are lush and roll true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UeK3kRsORyGNPZ9D8qqPwFaIMVt1Ftwhdn1Q2gN3rFrziVC8NXlk0arB3MEkjEKnaVUIBu8N07mqEJO7F24RndMjCTtpWo_VWH83-iPrpj9a-SfDXRmu3N5zIc_zK5pR49P8iyYxJqqE/s1600/IMG_7825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nicklaus Design Course at Puerto Peñasco Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UeK3kRsORyGNPZ9D8qqPwFaIMVt1Ftwhdn1Q2gN3rFrziVC8NXlk0arB3MEkjEKnaVUIBu8N07mqEJO7F24RndMjCTtpWo_VWH83-iPrpj9a-SfDXRmu3N5zIc_zK5pR49P8iyYxJqqE/s800/IMG_7825.jpg" title="Nicklaus Design Course at Puerto Peñasco" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Two other golf courses in Puerto Peñasco are <a href="http://laspalomasresort.net/eng/the-links/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Links at Las Palomas Golf Club</a> and the <a href="https://www.vidanta.com/web/puerto-penasco/golf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicklaus Design Course at Puerto Peñasco</a>, which is located at the Verdana Puerto Peñasco resort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0dXChaLA9mprZ_vHfRVewQEXpfvjyv826OKAUaLLzFM3QWh-IVfP-BfrFCIO2a644oPdexpAG4G7y3Bg4ZXxOMcX8zGwO1KCIK9-wNdKrXQyvzOkcaVtRT9KXXZmPMtuTORmrOtbZwNk/s1600/IMG_7666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Agua de Coco Mexican Jazz Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0dXChaLA9mprZ_vHfRVewQEXpfvjyv826OKAUaLLzFM3QWh-IVfP-BfrFCIO2a644oPdexpAG4G7y3Bg4ZXxOMcX8zGwO1KCIK9-wNdKrXQyvzOkcaVtRT9KXXZmPMtuTORmrOtbZwNk/s800/IMG_7666.jpg" title="Agua de Coco" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While in Puerto Peñasco I discovered a new enjoyable genre of music, Mexican Jazz. We first discovered the Puerto Peñasco band <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eventos.aguadecoco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Agua de Coco</a> at El Tapeo Wine Bar. We found them again at Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort’s restaurant Citron for Jazz n’ Wine Romantic Fridays, except performing with a female lead singer under the name <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AvrilYLosVatosJazz/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Avril y Los Vatos Jazz</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvRmHhsKlaSSwsEYaEX9NbGW-9bjfsSLNMDACn7MhrBVDLdlTBXTQlV29GaJXVrfsZRxkYAli5tUmMGJr55WLGya4gYMSkw9_VKDiET-q4moy6JDthOUJbrCJTY-G-gWo8a-zPaA0LHGR/s1600/DSC06751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tequila Factory Tasting Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvRmHhsKlaSSwsEYaEX9NbGW-9bjfsSLNMDACn7MhrBVDLdlTBXTQlV29GaJXVrfsZRxkYAli5tUmMGJr55WLGya4gYMSkw9_VKDiET-q4moy6JDthOUJbrCJTY-G-gWo8a-zPaA0LHGR/s800/DSC06751.jpg" title="Tequila Factory Tasting" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Puerto Peñasco is in the Mexican state of Sonora, which isn’t one of the five states that can legally call their agave alcohol tequila. So the <a href="http://www.tequilafactory.mx/about/#TequilaFactory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tequila Factory</a> in Puerto Peñasco isn’t distilling tequila onsite, but there is plenty of tequila tasting. The Tequila Factory’s tequila is made in small batches with no chemicals and 100% blue agave. There are six different tequilas to taste, blanco, reposado, anejo, triple distilled, antiguo, and gold, plus a selection of flavored tequilas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU73j3jD9LTqaVUQVXeJJk2xoVsP_LZEEQd2lH19am3zFaZNy8PSAEdX5AWOau5eUivKJLMz4ONP24XT3sFaXYdrrTgh4LLex-xV6mE9nODZYmE-oZINASuj88SI8RzU9mQUJXTS-8ZSI/s1600/DSC06695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Señorita Rita Catamaran Sunset Cruise Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU73j3jD9LTqaVUQVXeJJk2xoVsP_LZEEQd2lH19am3zFaZNy8PSAEdX5AWOau5eUivKJLMz4ONP24XT3sFaXYdrrTgh4LLex-xV6mE9nODZYmE-oZINASuj88SI8RzU9mQUJXTS-8ZSI/s800/DSC06695.jpg" title="Señorita Rita Catamaran Sunset Cruise" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Puerto Peñasco is known for its sunsets, and those sunsets can be enjoyed from the sea aboard the <a href="https://www.rockypointsunsetcruise.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Señorita Rita catamaran</a>. A sunset cruise on the Sea of Cortez is even better while sipping on a margarita or a mai tai and, if you’re lucky, you may see some dolphins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eat Delicious Food and Drink Fancy Mexican Cocktails</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNBKhVmaUlRRMFVursq3H6vdftU_yl_Ip9nDzoMVCitv-f9zMDV2f2d1MwMobl5PcE9MqHQVZuNByujx4tzGafqAlm3qtKXsbNBP_8iCzb9avubjD8m0Iplx6ZD3aPgjbduZwysp7ios8/s1600/IMG_7619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Casa del Capitan View Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNBKhVmaUlRRMFVursq3H6vdftU_yl_Ip9nDzoMVCitv-f9zMDV2f2d1MwMobl5PcE9MqHQVZuNByujx4tzGafqAlm3qtKXsbNBP_8iCzb9avubjD8m0Iplx6ZD3aPgjbduZwysp7ios8/s800/IMG_7619.jpg" title="La Casa del Capitan View" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Practically everybody loves Mexican food, don’t they? In Puerto Peñasco, with its location right on the Sea of Cortez, there is also a lot of incredible seafood. There were even a number of food trucks selling seafood on the side of the road.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPmcpvZCnpdDypNf-d0hW5rFghyphenhyphenj-koIeFM675UGtAD15VDvx1xYNTuosbGWh6oQ9fvbL8Hmn7-nSsacCntnGZkL_9j3uqgSCECBo59D80Y0-sjrIDYgh-L1uh5YkYCNdhdQULxczaOOa/s1600/DSC06677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Casa del Capitan Food Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPmcpvZCnpdDypNf-d0hW5rFghyphenhyphenj-koIeFM675UGtAD15VDvx1xYNTuosbGWh6oQ9fvbL8Hmn7-nSsacCntnGZkL_9j3uqgSCECBo59D80Y0-sjrIDYgh-L1uh5YkYCNdhdQULxczaOOa/s800/DSC06677.jpg" title="La Casa del Capitan Food" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our first introduction to Puerto Peñasco’s restaurants was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lacasadelcapitan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">La Casa del Capitan</a>, high on a hill overlooking the impossibly turquoise waters of the sea. Our favorite dish there was the salpicón de marisco, a ceviche-like dish with calamari, sea snail, cucumber, tomato, and celery. But the bacon-wrapped shrimp were pretty good too.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB3Y6ko3rSJpekv2g1OF-3VaIXnzjr9_xTXTRLU2zvbAlQPtCSpim9rfJTHY1yeOPKpPFuvH7Ma8CsKgEBeSV6ifawnig7pwiyfsVmcD_WxJnIyxUddIX4XEWHU227QPtIEjWilQ4VKLO/s1600/DSC06763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Oktopus Restaurant Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIB3Y6ko3rSJpekv2g1OF-3VaIXnzjr9_xTXTRLU2zvbAlQPtCSpim9rfJTHY1yeOPKpPFuvH7Ma8CsKgEBeSV6ifawnig7pwiyfsVmcD_WxJnIyxUddIX4XEWHU227QPtIEjWilQ4VKLO/s800/DSC06763.jpg" title="El Oktopus Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My favorite meal was at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElOktopus/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Oktopus</a>, which was surprising because it is a restaurant right on the Malecon overlooking the sea. Sometimes restaurants like that don’t worry too much about the quality of their food. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWhqNgG9TX9PLYtbtBkViDc1-Uiz4HLYnu0bYn-CGdG3s4j-5O4MCAf1oGZKJWK0EpsTftbBy1C_BkPdxhiqpKbNrvqX_tDp6w_Pmc_suFSMQ-5j0NUnPxXsX3kxa1RTwrQDlJ_2l51AJ/s1600/DSC06770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Oktopus Octopus and Crab Salad Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWhqNgG9TX9PLYtbtBkViDc1-Uiz4HLYnu0bYn-CGdG3s4j-5O4MCAf1oGZKJWK0EpsTftbBy1C_BkPdxhiqpKbNrvqX_tDp6w_Pmc_suFSMQ-5j0NUnPxXsX3kxa1RTwrQDlJ_2l51AJ/s800/DSC06770.jpg" title="El Oktopus Octopus and Crab Salad" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Such was not the case with El Oktopus. Our meal included items like tacos, firecracker shrimp, tuna tostadas, and my favorite, octopus and crab salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjTANNqkTg3cfzJzL_tkLmBCrcuPKeMaYFALH4GG9MTjJnVC5BPYZpg9AFP2rAvpHqvFla-xMJxHn1u2UmkZyJv4yh7tHtYcjSonPU7-Y1Q4Etsfj4ZEuB7-cSRXrSXHdcsUpMsBDp4GY/s1600/DSC06709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Tapeo Wine Bar Seafood Paella Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjTANNqkTg3cfzJzL_tkLmBCrcuPKeMaYFALH4GG9MTjJnVC5BPYZpg9AFP2rAvpHqvFla-xMJxHn1u2UmkZyJv4yh7tHtYcjSonPU7-Y1Q4Etsfj4ZEuB7-cSRXrSXHdcsUpMsBDp4GY/s800/DSC06709.jpg" title="El Tapeo Wine Bar Seafood Paella" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another fine Puerto Peñasco restaurant is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ElTapeoWineBarPenasco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Tapeo Wine Bar</a>. El Tapeo serves wine and tapas, but their specialty is seafood paella, which was Romeo’s favorite meal. El Tapeo has a large outdoor seating area and features live music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlnECwc-8cTNVwvDEkl0xfM0WOM42bZNakfI5LCGW3puGsdfudsvvF6-t6KMhFD2y3oz26YDk-4sZVad_fIoQjehsuQ_xtsOcU4KI_dtJDLmbFojP-hxwyTszw7pgs4Yi516gYEbMOuC5/s1600/IMG_5330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Citron Fine Cuisine Tortilla Soup Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlnECwc-8cTNVwvDEkl0xfM0WOM42bZNakfI5LCGW3puGsdfudsvvF6-t6KMhFD2y3oz26YDk-4sZVad_fIoQjehsuQ_xtsOcU4KI_dtJDLmbFojP-hxwyTszw7pgs4Yi516gYEbMOuC5/s800/IMG_5330.jpg" title="Citron Fine Cuisine Tortilla Soup" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort has two restaurants, <a href="http://laspalomasresort.net/eng/dining/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">La Maria Bistro & Fine Cuisine and Citron Fine Cuisine</a>. We ate breakfast each morning at La Maria Bistro, and we ate dinner one night at Citron. At Citron, we had some very good tortilla soup and a surprisingly amazing vegetarian lasagna. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjLc7iJgDIlnaHFVxWs6k1ZLajLQfZd7F3ZHzKT0sPaqh-4MdzLqJrkF-aXIDpFCeGSWhbDOnvvVGXDwkHfHuiNUXF-hMfbKtULTy0wm1gocSvlsNO-8bCkoEYzD7UVIC4tcs7ckGOug8/s1600/DSC06808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Thrifty Ice Cream Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjLc7iJgDIlnaHFVxWs6k1ZLajLQfZd7F3ZHzKT0sPaqh-4MdzLqJrkF-aXIDpFCeGSWhbDOnvvVGXDwkHfHuiNUXF-hMfbKtULTy0wm1gocSvlsNO-8bCkoEYzD7UVIC4tcs7ckGOug8/s800/DSC06808.jpg" title="Thrifty Ice Cream" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Surprisingly, Puerto Peñasco is filled with ice cream. There seemed to be a Thrifty Ice Cream around every corner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf6exDTjYwhC1n-eZJ8vSi3Ab3aZMMyys7kgGwedB-BvdAz-UcmIj8Sm1C__INKlv4_IuECQ4e9YiT90RJjGh6u9saMK3zaORav1DyPKoltxoI7GDJ7jX1mKS8aKA6at5ukO7Lw2LpSXJ/s1600/DSC06753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fried Ice Cream Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBf6exDTjYwhC1n-eZJ8vSi3Ab3aZMMyys7kgGwedB-BvdAz-UcmIj8Sm1C__INKlv4_IuECQ4e9YiT90RJjGh6u9saMK3zaORav1DyPKoltxoI7GDJ7jX1mKS8aKA6at5ukO7Lw2LpSXJ/s800/DSC06753.jpg" title="Fried Ice Cream" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another ice cream treat to indulge in is fried ice cream, which is sold just outside of the Tequila Factory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO2qQKAi2Fa2wHBq3SjR6qclifkhZD0mFn-vtYiCmPQlkBuMEUn_B7f8Fye47MIdAOsqmeGy8z3RGE_hTJ0OM_dV5JpQUivHkI2F_KP-ShNJWia82tqwOBmk00ljJB-NNxixaRss3ZtCh/s1600/DSC06772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="El Oktopus Michelada Cubana Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyO2qQKAi2Fa2wHBq3SjR6qclifkhZD0mFn-vtYiCmPQlkBuMEUn_B7f8Fye47MIdAOsqmeGy8z3RGE_hTJ0OM_dV5JpQUivHkI2F_KP-ShNJWia82tqwOBmk00ljJB-NNxixaRss3ZtCh/s800/DSC06772.jpg" title="El Oktopus Michelada Cubana" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was first introduced to the michelada on a trip to Cabo. It’s such a simple cocktail, yet with complex flavors, and it comes in a number of variations. Previously, I’ve preferred it with just beer, lime juice, and a salt rim. The most common michelada recipe includes beer, lime juice, tomato juice, and a sauce, like Worcestershire sauce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS6wpskiG8jxmkpCfIKtNV9Q7AWHw4kZfo4LyfLP1kpzUmH0PtTA0NVwMMVUrf6RzktA3x2hFZDSZvXzwHVUSBqgwhg62yu2FU6DKkVQHu85n83UxVDVx9tj-IEL-4gu7lz8npwlIMBNG/s1600/DSC06676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="La Casa del Capitan Michelada Cubana Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzS6wpskiG8jxmkpCfIKtNV9Q7AWHw4kZfo4LyfLP1kpzUmH0PtTA0NVwMMVUrf6RzktA3x2hFZDSZvXzwHVUSBqgwhg62yu2FU6DKkVQHu85n83UxVDVx9tj-IEL-4gu7lz8npwlIMBNG/s800/DSC06676.jpg" title="La Casa del Capitan Michelada Cubana" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While in Puerto Peñasco I was introduced to a new version, the Michelada Cubana. This version is different because it excludes tomato juice and includes Maggi sauce, a rich sauce that makes the michelada more of a brown color. This Mexican cocktail was so delicious, we decided to try to find <a href="https://www.withlovepaperandwine.com/latinamerica/best-michelada-puerto-penasco-mexico" rel="" target="_blank">the best Michelada Cubana in Puerto Peñasco</a> and decided the best was at La Casa del Capitan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnwX6SqPbUK_jiQ_mLaT__KKA0iqnkrF4UZWXunDW9x7KjgnWR2mbc8ZptPTfQO5usziDmMTpCNOAv_UsXWvrUYsdmTVeaYyzABBWfObqjRQyOH3F_glnS2xmEbMmCfv4a6yVqDPdTKpO/s1600/DSC06886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sangria Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnwX6SqPbUK_jiQ_mLaT__KKA0iqnkrF4UZWXunDW9x7KjgnWR2mbc8ZptPTfQO5usziDmMTpCNOAv_UsXWvrUYsdmTVeaYyzABBWfObqjRQyOH3F_glnS2xmEbMmCfv4a6yVqDPdTKpO/s800/DSC06886.jpg" title="Sangria" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another fun Mexican cocktail which was in abundance in Puerto Peñasco was Mexican sangria. Sangria is an alcoholic beverage of Spanish and Portuguese origin, made with wine, fruit, fruit juice, and sometimes brandy. The sangria we had in Puerto Peñasco was a little different because it was floated on a generous portion of lemon-lime soda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr-v5sJhSA9oPpVkvflzh_cgH55bFLscDsoKZ7-rv1kbksy54LW0MMbKw225yl53YGH_z8xEkLFJi5HCdCXuSnCZ7tvPoHTj-1sgooyNt9tQwJcvcOwqJpGFDM-O8qS6sPWIJ38VEExhZ/s1600/DSC06923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Margaritas Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr-v5sJhSA9oPpVkvflzh_cgH55bFLscDsoKZ7-rv1kbksy54LW0MMbKw225yl53YGH_z8xEkLFJi5HCdCXuSnCZ7tvPoHTj-1sgooyNt9tQwJcvcOwqJpGFDM-O8qS6sPWIJ38VEExhZ/s800/DSC06923.jpg" title="Margaritas" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Of course, the quintessential Mexican cocktail is the margarita, and those can be found all over Puerto Peñasco in many flavors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stay at One of the Rocky Point Mexico Hotels</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ak1QD0jOdT_HET1R3YUDuchWugBNIzpWP2l3nmIcqRqsjAXysoYnGnsEZbOx-6_olu6krZHRaDOfHUKoZeeS1Gjx3QcGMvOIBN8l4kYhNKH_94C0LacC6ZPX-71B_nodBNrcS0_pvVT/s1600/IMG_7837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rocky Point Sunset Things to Do in Puerto Peñasco" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0ak1QD0jOdT_HET1R3YUDuchWugBNIzpWP2l3nmIcqRqsjAXysoYnGnsEZbOx-6_olu6krZHRaDOfHUKoZeeS1Gjx3QcGMvOIBN8l4kYhNKH_94C0LacC6ZPX-71B_nodBNrcS0_pvVT/s800/IMG_7837.jpg" title="Rocky Point Sunset" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our stay in Puerto Peñasco, we visited a handful of <a href="http://www.booking.com/searchresults.html?city=-1690414&aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rocky Point hotels</a>, but we stayed at Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort, which was our very favorite hotel in Rocky Point. Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort is actually a complex of over 800 privately owned and individually decorated condominiums, all with a view of the Sea of Cortez.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBDHEC7x9o6Y-9ZAF1XS5MeWWsH5Lj1fIdR6qjd8oMJ_zvI2of9YKSYQCi4rh9ZxG7PTgPy7CC8i-wBMy9z1_0E7HQvXPnUbrTrLqg-inwRVx6M-jaVMdTjAtM8inZvn51hPXRWRtetCw/s1600/DSC06680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort Rocky Point Mexico Hotels" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBDHEC7x9o6Y-9ZAF1XS5MeWWsH5Lj1fIdR6qjd8oMJ_zvI2of9YKSYQCi4rh9ZxG7PTgPy7CC8i-wBMy9z1_0E7HQvXPnUbrTrLqg-inwRVx6M-jaVMdTjAtM8inZvn51hPXRWRtetCw/s800/DSC06680.jpg" title="Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The rooms are large and comfortable, equipped with living room, kitchen, and laundry room, as well as large balconies looking over the pool and out to the sea. What we really appreciated was that it was a family and couples friendly hotel where people have a good time but don’t get too wild, loud, and crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0JnS6RdbSZiiGiJLNHKDcP2IaFq-l0ZnA4qbcui_GfsN2kYAhTahtE5_LpgCtCZY9NcCtXJhI4RNalcUROGZtMNY2GLZPVYOcpMHCbh_P85B1jedyMRJljp0Q0Ym-3h0w4hpEDqSQ6g7/s1600/IMG_5289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort Condominium Rocky Point Mexico Hotels" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0JnS6RdbSZiiGiJLNHKDcP2IaFq-l0ZnA4qbcui_GfsN2kYAhTahtE5_LpgCtCZY9NcCtXJhI4RNalcUROGZtMNY2GLZPVYOcpMHCbh_P85B1jedyMRJljp0Q0Ym-3h0w4hpEDqSQ6g7/s800/IMG_5289.jpg" title="Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort Condominium" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort’s long list of amenities includes an 18-hole golf course, two full-service restaurants, an infinity-edge pool, a swim-up bar, a lazy river, a heated whirlpool, a boutique, a spa, a fitness center, and direct access to the beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For travelers arriving by car, Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort provides protected parking. For those traveling without transportation, the hotel has their own taxi service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHY36lvGhEOQAmCHnwjgQZ0C3uiV3hnlSGpBalL-ZnLnSnP5-OJACBFPoPqmKRVnqt07oIKrpqZub4oKmNEAjPTJth0KuMOyF1OrNH4pOU1TR5KVSiCFEZQriGmgdjG3ctwZHMx3nuuRn/s1600/DSC06893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Peñasco del Sol Hotel and Conference Center Rocky Point Mexico Hotels" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHY36lvGhEOQAmCHnwjgQZ0C3uiV3hnlSGpBalL-ZnLnSnP5-OJACBFPoPqmKRVnqt07oIKrpqZub4oKmNEAjPTJth0KuMOyF1OrNH4pOU1TR5KVSiCFEZQriGmgdjG3ctwZHMx3nuuRn/s800/DSC06893.jpg" title="Peñasco del Sol Hotel and Conference Center" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another Rocky Point hotel option is <a href="http://www.booking.com/hotel/mx/penasco-del-sol.html?aid=819322&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peñasco del Sol Hotel and Conference Center</a>. While also a nice hotel, it felt more like a place for younger travelers to party. Peñasco del Sol has a bar in the lobby with live music, restaurant, pool, sand volleyball court, and access to the beach. The beach by the hotel is also a place to shop as there are vendors selling food and trinkets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJUfLc74z20efwmMpyM3KSZwkQ3oN966ht44ACgs4AXSsNgMTyiAX1mThYnJo_uGKYhkyGjOV82MmOrRTu4JXqEB9_4JjuWOW9U94tmZzwvpSZT9KBhNv4h3pMcrUKbMDScqM5V-bntLR/s1600/DSC06791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dream Weaver Inn Rocky Point Mexico Hotels" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJUfLc74z20efwmMpyM3KSZwkQ3oN966ht44ACgs4AXSsNgMTyiAX1mThYnJo_uGKYhkyGjOV82MmOrRTu4JXqEB9_4JjuWOW9U94tmZzwvpSZT9KBhNv4h3pMcrUKbMDScqM5V-bntLR/s800/DSC06791.jpg" title="Dream Weaver Inn" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a boutique hotel experience, we discovered the Dream Weaver Inn just a couple blocks up from the Malecon. This privately owned hotel has seven rooms with lots of character and outdoor patio areas with views of the sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Note about Rocky Point Mexico Safety</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We live in San Diego, near the Mexican border and Tijuana, so safety in Mexico is a frequent topic of conversation. I remember many years back on a road-trip through Arizona we skipped going to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument because the guidebook said that area near the Mexican border wasn’t the safest. So while we drove past the cactus, crossed the border, and drove through the Mexican desert to get to Puerto Peñasco in our van with hired driver and group of travel writers, I kept asking myself if I would feel comfortable driving ourselves. The answer is, I would. If we drove ourselves, I would rather stay at a hotel with parking rather than in the middle of town, and we probably wouldn’t go wandering around the middle of town late at night, but there was no time during our visit to Puerto Peñasco that we felt unsafe. In fact, I would feel safer driving our own car there than over our border (there are some crazy drivers in Tijuana!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you to the <a href="http://cometorockypoint.com/puerto-penasco-sonora/">Puerto Peñasco Convention & Visitors Bureau</a> for hosting our visit and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.</span></i><br />
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Katherine Belarminohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00089374131733088265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740245040261653150.post-86923446204593494352017-11-05T09:00:00.000-08:002017-11-07T19:58:45.751-08:00Traditional Vietnamese Food: 15 Dishes to Try in Vietnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqSEp9dEKJutnIyIaLnGE3_FXl2xQ1pItxRTG4s4-PGwUaEVjfi_GmufUNHcsmjUbtEkA1-j3M-mYafp-eD6M8mCIFk-rv8qjIOFk1HJvgtQ5DqSfMRMNOmv_FltnJ5GMR8tmHP4Jea_g/s1600/DSC00289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Mì Bread Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqSEp9dEKJutnIyIaLnGE3_FXl2xQ1pItxRTG4s4-PGwUaEVjfi_GmufUNHcsmjUbtEkA1-j3M-mYafp-eD6M8mCIFk-rv8qjIOFk1HJvgtQ5DqSfMRMNOmv_FltnJ5GMR8tmHP4Jea_g/s800/DSC00289.JPG" title="Bánh Mì Bread" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are so many things to be excited about when traveling to Vietnam, but one of the things we were really looking forward to was trying Vietnamese cuisine. We were traveling with </span><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Viking River Cruises</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> on their </span><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/asia/magnificent-mekong/2017-hanoi-hochiminh/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Magnificent Mekong</a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> river cruise trip, so we weren’t sure how many opportunities we would have to eat traditional Vietnamese food. We actually had a number of occasions to try Vietnamese dishes, but one of the best decisions we made was to spend some time taking two street food tours in Hanoi with Duc Ivan, owner of <span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;"><a href="https://hanoistreetfoodtours.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hanoi Street Food Tours</a></span>.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8zdANm8YSvMC7LgMYMwVWHTC3S4y7B6YAVjj_aYyvilujLkZUijaYTONK5RE29XWx96rLnBjgT80XPnIiwVVbvoEAMCybqEcYFR5IUSCqHXMsbpveyn5kpAogEAtinnUvYeP1vlysgU5/s1600/DSC02559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fish Soup Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir8zdANm8YSvMC7LgMYMwVWHTC3S4y7B6YAVjj_aYyvilujLkZUijaYTONK5RE29XWx96rLnBjgT80XPnIiwVVbvoEAMCybqEcYFR5IUSCqHXMsbpveyn5kpAogEAtinnUvYeP1vlysgU5/s800/DSC02559.jpg" title="Fish Soup" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">We learned from Duc that in order to try the best of a certain Vietnamese dish, you should visit one of those hole-in-the-wall restaurants that only serve that one dish. So while you can get Vietnamese </span>phở many places, the best phở is going to be at a place that only makes phở. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22oG9xEX5dQ9q8J_uiSg8nSteYnG_c_mDKwFhbsXmXeRFodJX6TAXpVB83q8djNXx_5FksEtPaNWRNOqp13GapWfZfw-YoYHK4IemLBJSjiSoZCO6CFpUrCgBKzHYzxPUGwwhhs7-VQis/s1600/IMG_0827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22oG9xEX5dQ9q8J_uiSg8nSteYnG_c_mDKwFhbsXmXeRFodJX6TAXpVB83q8djNXx_5FksEtPaNWRNOqp13GapWfZfw-YoYHK4IemLBJSjiSoZCO6CFpUrCgBKzHYzxPUGwwhhs7-VQis/s800/IMG_0827.jpg" title="Traditional Vietnamese Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finding the right places could be a little tricky for travelers, so we were happy to have Duc take us to some of the best Vietnamese food places Hanoi has to offer. It also helps to have someone that speaks the language help navigate the maze of streets filled with tiny eateries with short tables and plastic stools. But we were able to find a few things on our own too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHF0b_VDPEbXv6C9Bww5_hFvn2UXryIgxYDH48h785jC8uwnuY2JZDLZYuoID9RHDK2RBjS2Y2PfOzFu4N5psMTaIdw6XMvvBsyhgV-YrQvSapihnbJpFkNPl6OCuv_64TnOa-S06xaD/s1600/IMG_0833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Xèo Restaurant Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHF0b_VDPEbXv6C9Bww5_hFvn2UXryIgxYDH48h785jC8uwnuY2JZDLZYuoID9RHDK2RBjS2Y2PfOzFu4N5psMTaIdw6XMvvBsyhgV-YrQvSapihnbJpFkNPl6OCuv_64TnOa-S06xaD/s800/IMG_0833.jpg" title="Bánh Xèo Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="MsoHyperlink">We loved that these restaurants usually had the name of the dish they made as the name of the restaurant. These places don’t have a kitchen in the back, they’ve got a woman at the entrance, squatting on a short stool, cooking the food in plain sight to lure hungry customers in (plus its cooler by the door and the smoke and steam can get out).</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Phở (Noodle Soup)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aaZZ_mYAgwHT5uCb9SnlAzChe6DNf-Sz8BsRTmwG9kWhSvbHvbx2o8-vJ2LF9FdT9Vxbb92QeZvIXWJiP8w3EDdbl0Hxyo3XgrZ8TMRbAX4z6XIis55h3nB8maRzB_TJ9YHW29CnO_zU/s1600/DSC00299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phở Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aaZZ_mYAgwHT5uCb9SnlAzChe6DNf-Sz8BsRTmwG9kWhSvbHvbx2o8-vJ2LF9FdT9Vxbb92QeZvIXWJiP8w3EDdbl0Hxyo3XgrZ8TMRbAX4z6XIis55h3nB8maRzB_TJ9YHW29CnO_zU/s800/DSC00299.JPG" title="Phở" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnz5TSWPnwUGqsTn-3bOkd0QM-KO7Rc467taQWKsZzwYA40DFp4lilLu7hmLvXIwrwBpbpxlUEDKtBLwXsM7Dta8ZrIZsOh-G5Lk2VzyH3l3XTGNtNL0lQBWNWNwuQLIJPQJURaiEWuc3/s1600/DSC00300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Phở Restaurant Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnz5TSWPnwUGqsTn-3bOkd0QM-KO7Rc467taQWKsZzwYA40DFp4lilLu7hmLvXIwrwBpbpxlUEDKtBLwXsM7Dta8ZrIZsOh-G5Lk2VzyH3l3XTGNtNL0lQBWNWNwuQLIJPQJURaiEWuc3/s800/DSC00300.JPG" title="Phở Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If there is one Vietnamese dish that everybody knows, it is phở. But before you order phở, you should know how to say phở. It is not pronounced foe. It is not even pronounced fu. Phở is actually almost a two syllable word. Its pronounced fu-u, and the beginning and end of the word are said at the same tone while dropping a tone in the middle. Phở is a Vietnamese noodle soup that can be made with either chicken or beef. Also, phở is most commonly eaten for breakfast, so many hotels serve it in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try phở: Bún Thang, 33 Hàng Hòm, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMplmffWQbh8z6yQf7AGgIdFqQAamyJJZruw1tnjUBPyzTCv12zg3Fzk38kfQ3WtU6bIftpw6QlMFpLrMHVRPhzbwaJdbaH-KSefM_NSdp6i3idzX2rflG7tb-K82qgf_jT48UIWL4IhyphenhyphenQ/s1600/DSC02564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Mì Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMplmffWQbh8z6yQf7AGgIdFqQAamyJJZruw1tnjUBPyzTCv12zg3Fzk38kfQ3WtU6bIftpw6QlMFpLrMHVRPhzbwaJdbaH-KSefM_NSdp6i3idzX2rflG7tb-K82qgf_jT48UIWL4IhyphenhyphenQ/s800/DSC02564.jpg" title="Bánh Mì" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While bánh mì is typically the term used to describe the Vietnamese sandwich, the term bánh mì is actually the name of the bread and literally translates to mean wheat bread. This bread is the French baguette, the extremely flaky and crunchy bread introduced to Vietnam by the French during the colonial period. Bánh mì can be filled with meat such as pork belly, grilled pork, or grilled chicken, accompanied by vegetables both fresh and pickled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDYD61aZCKn2BCEDpVeDrrF5W0XYOhEmrkXx6cZ4U8h944o-SMsV4gpi7Mo-yJQ70GE3hSPvt9_qMr_6tSJCi6TiKZJjnJ_J-0oDOAQpdP4RYNVdCNlnEUrtHxTjdns6SVUPy4UO6MSTr/s1600/DSC00167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Cuốn Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDYD61aZCKn2BCEDpVeDrrF5W0XYOhEmrkXx6cZ4U8h944o-SMsV4gpi7Mo-yJQ70GE3hSPvt9_qMr_6tSJCi6TiKZJjnJ_J-0oDOAQpdP4RYNVdCNlnEUrtHxTjdns6SVUPy4UO6MSTr/s800/DSC00167.JPG" title="Bánh Cuốn" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGrpr6iCR8WkuVgaisvOb7cAmqWMWnjB8N_9IGBmtT8djiojaYhJ9saA3UkzZU5p4NjDnNT3CPv5tCVOpYGLqURvr0vEl4jzrVdoHKegVBa1n0_RHgYlxszlWcPoczaFAX3JShjMzCmAo/s1600/IMG_0652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Cuốn Restaurant Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGrpr6iCR8WkuVgaisvOb7cAmqWMWnjB8N_9IGBmtT8djiojaYhJ9saA3UkzZU5p4NjDnNT3CPv5tCVOpYGLqURvr0vEl4jzrVdoHKegVBa1n0_RHgYlxszlWcPoczaFAX3JShjMzCmAo/s800/IMG_0652.JPG" title="Bánh Cuốn Restaurant" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bánh cuốn is a popular dish in Northern Vietnam which we were even able to try in a couple of our hotels. Bánh cuốn must be eaten fresh and hot. It isn’t just delicious to eat, it is also fun to watch being made. Bánh cuốn starts with the most delicate of wrappings made by steaming a thin layer of fermented rice batter. The sheet is expertly lifted and rolled off of a cloth stretched over a pot of boiling water and then filled with minced pork and mushrooms. The roll is then topped with fried shallots and cilantro and dipped in a vinegary sauce to which pickled garlic, hot sauce, and kumquat juice can be added.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bánh cuốn: Bánh Cuốn Nóng, 14B Bảo Khánh, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTL1ICqik1sVmXbe0N9rjkC4SRuvB1_vsQYPxWYFE3r78czE8DajddqMEJ1sMkG9BvEIz9TnRSrmxGXds6lJsnEiSfWILaEvNTf2NzvBz6W1qlKBXVSLTM7cFai0J6VLcw7GWFRGGbV9bf/s1600/DSC00282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bún Chả Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTL1ICqik1sVmXbe0N9rjkC4SRuvB1_vsQYPxWYFE3r78czE8DajddqMEJ1sMkG9BvEIz9TnRSrmxGXds6lJsnEiSfWILaEvNTf2NzvBz6W1qlKBXVSLTM7cFai0J6VLcw7GWFRGGbV9bf/s800/DSC00282.JPG" title="Bún Chả" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My favorite Vietnamese dish was bún chả, a barbecue pork noodle soup. Bún chả starts with barbecue pork, both slices of pork and pork patties. The pork is served with rice vermicelli, both of which are put into a bowl of “soup” of vinegar, sugar, and lime. The version we had also had green papaya, garlic, yellow peppers, and black pepper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bún chả: Bún Chả Que Tre, 27 Đào Duy Từ, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNV3AnI9BSQNRGP4VcmrODqb68MYFJMPiST7xQZ9eFSleRv2NZPvPYKlUO95fWk6H-MOaCMeGZd6EUuKm503kdbMuiSNky5FZc7V2d4NFGPEIJdpvwGcMQhPF2msLadAlumqI3QknSLt7/s1600/DSC00291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Gối, Nem Cua Bể, and Bánh Tôm Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNV3AnI9BSQNRGP4VcmrODqb68MYFJMPiST7xQZ9eFSleRv2NZPvPYKlUO95fWk6H-MOaCMeGZd6EUuKm503kdbMuiSNky5FZc7V2d4NFGPEIJdpvwGcMQhPF2msLadAlumqI3QknSLt7/s800/DSC00291.JPG" title="Bánh Gối, Nem Cua Bể, Bánh Tôm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bánh gối is one of Vietnam’s deep-fried treats that is perfect for a cold winter’s day. Don’t think Vietnam has cold days? Well, we agree, but the people of Vietnam think it gets pretty cold when the temperature falls below 80 degrees. They even wear scarves, gloves, and knit caps! Whether or not you think it’s cold, Vietnamese pillow cakes are a crunchy delight filled with minced mushrooms and pork. Quán Gốc Đa in Hanoi near St. Joseph’s Cathedral specializes in pillow cake. It’s a favorite with tourists, but it is the place to go for pillow cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bánh gối: Quán Gốc Đa, 52 Lý Quốc Sư, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wrongly assumed that fried spring rolls were an American version and that fresh spring rolls are what is eaten in Vietnam. Quite the opposite, fried spring rolls are abundant while we fresh spring rolls didn’t seem to be quite as common. Quán Gốc Đa in Hanoi has another fried specialty, and that is the crab fried spring roll. Fried spring rolls are delicious, but the addition of crab takes this version over the top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try nem cua bể: Quán Gốc Đa, 52 Lý Quốc Sư, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yet another fried treat we tried at Quán Gốc Đa was shrimp cakes. These were simple fried cakes topped with a whole shrimp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bánh tôm: Quán Gốc Đa, 52 Lý Quốc Sư, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMqZ3U6vmEaHc78fIDGzK-xTwhYUC7LcF80cujAHeBAYTtz2DD0EUJPGPEAW0n-ZejsekzL_JBPtKHq7w2M4jPn09YbjKf5Y8JP3MvoRvCh3HrZyMg4LYOT5toXOmfKiHaO5T_s8qKcQN/s1600/IMG_0831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bánh Xèo Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMqZ3U6vmEaHc78fIDGzK-xTwhYUC7LcF80cujAHeBAYTtz2DD0EUJPGPEAW0n-ZejsekzL_JBPtKHq7w2M4jPn09YbjKf5Y8JP3MvoRvCh3HrZyMg4LYOT5toXOmfKiHaO5T_s8qKcQN/s800/IMG_0831.jpg" title="Bánh Xèo" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bánh xèo is a sizzling rice flour cake, topped with green onion and bean sprouts, which is fried in a lightly oiled pan until crispy, then folded in half and chopped into large pieces. But there’s more. Bánh xèo is eaten by taking a translucent piece of rice paper, topping it with green herbs and a piece of the fried cake, which is then rolled tightly before being dipped in sauce and eaten. Wrapping these is an art form, kind of like rolling a tight cigar, and I was fascinated watching a girl on her lunch break deftly constructing her rolls with the help of her chopsticks.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bánh xèo: Bánh Xèo, Nem Cuốn, Quẩy Nóng, 22 Hang Bo, Hanoi, Vietnam<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQLaPZyAwQXwoKlQBqJJezStEBPfsj56EY4aSJcJPQyl_awtL2YjLRsoLG_RrnBNroqrnE9kkLYhCoE3AIVflqrope-uN-XiCF3ivx5NWH3rHkpIkKnLC77PsEIl78Rk_-p9pd2THTgzD/s1600/DSC00369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bún Bò Nam Bộ Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQLaPZyAwQXwoKlQBqJJezStEBPfsj56EY4aSJcJPQyl_awtL2YjLRsoLG_RrnBNroqrnE9kkLYhCoE3AIVflqrope-uN-XiCF3ivx5NWH3rHkpIkKnLC77PsEIl78Rk_-p9pd2THTgzD/s800/DSC00369.jpg" title="Bún Bò Nam Bộ" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was surprised by how many times I heard the word vermicelli, something I always associate with Italian, in describing Vietnamese dishes. Bún bò nam bộ starts with beef marinated in sugar, fish sauce, and seasonings, which is quickly cooked upon ordering and combined with vermicelli noodles and vegetables along with a tangy sauce of fish sauce, sugar, lemon, and chili. The mixture is topped with items such as fried shallots, roasted peanuts, and bean sprouts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bún bò nam bộ: <a href="http://www.bunbonambo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bún Bò Nam Bộ Restaurant</a>, 67 Hang Dieu, Hanoi, Vietnam<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Seafood</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5a9LRJL7XA_FfwA7ab-EZCIzOWwtKKHe-oh_W2XXZockCSSbb2E77zt7x-WcqUiEgaNeQDmyGLPC36loZbqaQk1EEEWmg79-yLfBiSChlqoHFIt1h9Jc-KtDCRU8Hr1DRn8DE0U9I6Cf/s1600/DSC00210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Crab Seafood Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5a9LRJL7XA_FfwA7ab-EZCIzOWwtKKHe-oh_W2XXZockCSSbb2E77zt7x-WcqUiEgaNeQDmyGLPC36loZbqaQk1EEEWmg79-yLfBiSChlqoHFIt1h9Jc-KtDCRU8Hr1DRn8DE0U9I6Cf/s800/DSC00210.JPG" title="Crab" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Obviously, seafood is not unique to Vietnam, but I didn’t realize until I started doing some research that seafood is a thing in Vietnam. It shouldn’t have been a surprise since so much of the country of Vietnam is South China Sea shoreline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yso5RJAkZODx781NvQHlZNcAFXYZk7rv2w3sIoxn5KIO0D3DP0y89PWjCWCfayr5YevXYl0D4oqnzzg6wm-2MQScs-BnCC7USbpkZm6H7XvlWkqh-Ka1gFwS-IH-I_nW0Rgp_f2kCeic/s1600/DSC00197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cockles Seafood Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Yso5RJAkZODx781NvQHlZNcAFXYZk7rv2w3sIoxn5KIO0D3DP0y89PWjCWCfayr5YevXYl0D4oqnzzg6wm-2MQScs-BnCC7USbpkZm6H7XvlWkqh-Ka1gFwS-IH-I_nW0Rgp_f2kCeic/s800/DSC00197.JPG" title="Cockles" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bklxd4YRmc6VvDOyYUCy54IEYED8B52ylEZ0o774NLT9cwvlLRQlvET1kbG35nCvKds99vJFnGUpLw3v_TLyOxyY7Fi9bdibOZkiSn7EdHOHTGXSK98XW4XmwhX3I6eVbS2dMLcl-4Yn/s1600/DSC00198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Claims with Lemongrass Seafood Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bklxd4YRmc6VvDOyYUCy54IEYED8B52ylEZ0o774NLT9cwvlLRQlvET1kbG35nCvKds99vJFnGUpLw3v_TLyOxyY7Fi9bdibOZkiSn7EdHOHTGXSK98XW4XmwhX3I6eVbS2dMLcl-4Yn/s800/DSC00198.JPG" title="Clams with Lemongrass" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-70rOg4nxCmc7nQbZElovXJPC7uQf_ZJgBDADeDjmM7xnwIGV5V2iPAZLh-A_PepXJBxD4FxBLSTKXNeRvNeUzdbuqfga-GQhnJU7fPssa2Ceofmf4gPGh0LEY_5X7np7N19b6-f1VwwV/s1600/DSC00207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oysters Baked with Peanuts Seafood Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-70rOg4nxCmc7nQbZElovXJPC7uQf_ZJgBDADeDjmM7xnwIGV5V2iPAZLh-A_PepXJBxD4FxBLSTKXNeRvNeUzdbuqfga-GQhnJU7fPssa2Ceofmf4gPGh0LEY_5X7np7N19b6-f1VwwV/s800/DSC00207.JPG" title="Oysters Baked with Peanuts" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">During our food tour with <a href="https://hanoistreetfoodtours.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hanoi Street Food Tours</a> we feasted on clams with lemongrass; cockles; oysters baked with peanuts; sweet shrimp fileted, filled with onions, and grilled over the coals on a barbecue on the sidewalk; steamed ocean crab; and rice vermicelli with bean sprouts and crab. For a dipping sauce, we used a simple combination of salt, kumquat juice, and red chilies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoEjp4h-4EuyRgSKRCtvi5Q8AktmDSVkM3VaSC4ostywdd26fOkLx4YDULiqG079vpmwZ6jgzlkVDeJfAM-_uauKnk-RVxVMxUZSX1ZFwTaaZifen9k8eb5Ipdt78RmSCEyqwAiQxRJ7q/s1600/DSC00214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grilled Shrimp Seafood Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoEjp4h-4EuyRgSKRCtvi5Q8AktmDSVkM3VaSC4ostywdd26fOkLx4YDULiqG079vpmwZ6jgzlkVDeJfAM-_uauKnk-RVxVMxUZSX1ZFwTaaZifen9k8eb5Ipdt78RmSCEyqwAiQxRJ7q/s800/DSC00214.JPG" title="Grilled Shrimp" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After our seafood feast, our guide showed us how to get the seafood smell off our hands by washing our hands in a tub of water and tea leaves. During other parts of our trip, we also had stuffed crab and tilapia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try Vietnamese seafood: Hải Sản Phương Uyên, 39 Hàng Lược, Hanoi, Vietnam.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNPJbF_9-9UWleFQ72XL6vlgRN-5FG-1FflA2qT2DDvRNVDw-W9BoyyME1dSF7aWjQZlHIUwWSZnWlZh93ANtgAM1Cx1_OnEHW5tHvyiiNQIEx9ytgl4tFVwPkp-Ca8NkCMvTbAck83he/s1600/DSC00186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Raw Herbs Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNPJbF_9-9UWleFQ72XL6vlgRN-5FG-1FflA2qT2DDvRNVDw-W9BoyyME1dSF7aWjQZlHIUwWSZnWlZh93ANtgAM1Cx1_OnEHW5tHvyiiNQIEx9ytgl4tFVwPkp-Ca8NkCMvTbAck83he/s800/DSC00186.JPG" title="Raw Herbs" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Something else I wasn’t expecting about traditional Vietnamese food was the abundance of fresh herbs, not used in cooking which I did expect, but used as a fresh side dish. At many of the restaurants we visited on our food tour with <a href="https://hanoistreetfoodtours.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hanoi Street Food Tours</a> we were provided with baskets of fresh herbs to accompany our ordered food. Just a few examples of the fresh herbs you’ll find in Vietnam are cilantro, Vietnamese mint, purple perilla, and sawtooth herb (ngò gai).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cà Phê Trứng (Egg Coffee)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc1f1yAu9eLQ9lwoelu7nHgwbzT1oKgJCyYLeoBYYLssc7v8wWl7baa_dThE-zK7rfsL_LjXdJib6h47dQOx7g81_0EdsyxB5gKR06Jzbkmkx1KR2tjDRx73KiGa6ZQCSMGUExnkuQ1_e/s1600/DSC00233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cà Phê Trứng Egg Coffee Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOc1f1yAu9eLQ9lwoelu7nHgwbzT1oKgJCyYLeoBYYLssc7v8wWl7baa_dThE-zK7rfsL_LjXdJib6h47dQOx7g81_0EdsyxB5gKR06Jzbkmkx1KR2tjDRx73KiGa6ZQCSMGUExnkuQ1_e/s800/DSC00233.JPG" title="Cà Phê Trứng Egg Coffee" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Vietnamese egg coffee was first invented in the mid-1900s by Nguyen Giang when he was a bartender at Hanoi’s Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel and whisked an egg into coffee because milk was scarce during the French War. In 1946 he opened <a href="http://www.giangcafehanoi.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Giang Café</a>, which to this day is the best place to try egg coffee. The primary ingredients of egg coffee are egg yolk, Vietnamese coffee powder, and sweetened condensed milk. Giang Café’s website also mentions butter and cheese. The coffee is brewed in a small cup and then the rest of the ingredients are whisked in. The cup is served in a bowl of hot water to maintain the temperature. Egg coffee can also be ordered on ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try egg coffee: Giang Cafe, 39 Nguyen Huu Huan Street, Hanoi, Vietnam<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bingsu Thập Cẩm (Shaved Ice Dessert)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PI0aJZuC8h_iFwq2SjfVt5cyLxNjBpXXk9UOCYgF0r7QojU_1d0e7t2KwqlhDN46uPtnQcLyRe4NpoJa3FQ4O_e1a-DafEaguG7cWOWUYSYd9UZVfEnBkFbcGlhS1DjHvCD0PinJOh9s/s1600/DSC00372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bingsu Thập Cẩm Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PI0aJZuC8h_iFwq2SjfVt5cyLxNjBpXXk9UOCYgF0r7QojU_1d0e7t2KwqlhDN46uPtnQcLyRe4NpoJa3FQ4O_e1a-DafEaguG7cWOWUYSYd9UZVfEnBkFbcGlhS1DjHvCD0PinJOh9s/s800/DSC00372.jpg" title="Bingsu Thập Cẩm" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For a sweet treat on a warm day (warm for us but clearly not so for the locals since they were in long sleeves and puffy jackets), we had a refreshing dessert of shaved ice topped with sweetened condensed milk, mango, papaya, dragon fruit, and lychee. After stuffing ourselves with so many Vietnamese dishes, bingsu thập cẩm was a nice palate cleanser that wasn’t too filling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try bingsu thập cẩm: Hoa Quả Dầm Hoa Béo, 17 Tô Tịch, Hanoi, Vietnam<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu (Rainbow Dessert)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53WE8MOr2WCP9ZNkRnY5ZqGgDCjjM6TbIhOA2R0eu28-hJtjnpOXcixnSJQN_aCEhTEhMN1QpL0RHpqajVIj3ASydrWU98pyAHNWTU6tQK11cGUbOb6ytZhpcIssLbPX2h4k5lAC-ZE80/s1600/DSC02135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu Bag Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53WE8MOr2WCP9ZNkRnY5ZqGgDCjjM6TbIhOA2R0eu28-hJtjnpOXcixnSJQN_aCEhTEhMN1QpL0RHpqajVIj3ASydrWU98pyAHNWTU6tQK11cGUbOb6ytZhpcIssLbPX2h4k5lAC-ZE80/s800/DSC02135.jpg" title="Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu Bag" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vdQCzzNrTjfxtpgINnuywMOcPLNUHSZk9BCDdrmwFddLhcnEZbr8oQ9tOZQAzf4DRgKLQp7zloIfS0PZbBFL_AbIZ1AuvtCWINJNEZGEmnkU8IG5K2xdGdLaboCfkIcrMi-284cVpRjn/s1600/IMG_5040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vdQCzzNrTjfxtpgINnuywMOcPLNUHSZk9BCDdrmwFddLhcnEZbr8oQ9tOZQAzf4DRgKLQp7zloIfS0PZbBFL_AbIZ1AuvtCWINJNEZGEmnkU8IG5K2xdGdLaboCfkIcrMi-284cVpRjn/s800/IMG_5040.jpg" title="Chè Sương Sa Hạt Lựu" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While strolling through Sa Đéc’s market I noticed trays of knotted plastic bags bulging with creamy white liquid and colorful bits of jelly. I learned that they were dessert soups called chè, which are made with coconut milk and a variety of ingredients. I chose the chè sương sa hạt lựu, a colorful mixture of agar jelly, mung bean paste, tapioca and water chestnut faux pomegranate seeds, and coconut milk. It’s eaten with a spoon after pouring over ice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where to try chè sương sa hạt lựu: Sa Đéc Market, Vietnam<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kẹo Lạc (Peanut Brittle)</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDacJ3sMHT5AZRQf9JjMjTC-abdLXTj6uxYC0DAkhX68BJAiSIsmulVNzwD-hweFDUw76nKuIhJMCu0kDfw5KeBg5EvHgfZnbdEPgpw-Bb3cGbvzS90iATltySkVWkFA_F6bfZMwr6mn1j/s1600/DSC02203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kẹo Lạc Peanut Brittle Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDacJ3sMHT5AZRQf9JjMjTC-abdLXTj6uxYC0DAkhX68BJAiSIsmulVNzwD-hweFDUw76nKuIhJMCu0kDfw5KeBg5EvHgfZnbdEPgpw-Bb3cGbvzS90iATltySkVWkFA_F6bfZMwr6mn1j/s800/DSC02203.jpg" title="Kẹo Lạc Peanut Brittle" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have always loved peanut brittle and Asian countries make this sweet crunchy treat. While in Cai Be we took a tour of a place that makes rice paper and candy. Vietnamese peanut brittle can be found in many shops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bonus - Vietnamese Beer</span></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuvVfwUXR4ltFHsqM9o1T6_s-vutK9wELWkBiE_1AFQ4wg0lrdiXHBjJ9tny9ZQR5DiXcu4A2wNPyOGmZQRn5kkDdBoyKlsdKSJ6ZV34k6T2hftfCOMGOqvIGdaDOBZi0KTy-VzuiwZyg/s1600/DSC00193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beer Traditional Vietnamese Food" border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimuvVfwUXR4ltFHsqM9o1T6_s-vutK9wELWkBiE_1AFQ4wg0lrdiXHBjJ9tny9ZQR5DiXcu4A2wNPyOGmZQRn5kkDdBoyKlsdKSJ6ZV34k6T2hftfCOMGOqvIGdaDOBZi0KTy-VzuiwZyg/s800/DSC00193.JPG" title="Beer" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not a traditional Vietnamese dish, but beer is a popular alcoholic beverage in Vietnam. Vietnamese beer is light and fresh, usually a lager. Vietnamese beers aren’t exceptionally flavorful, rather they are perfect for hot days or as an accompaniment to flavorful Vietnamese food. Some popular Vietnamese beers are 333, Bia Ha Noi, and Bia Saigon Special. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The best Vietnamese beer experience is having some fresh from the tap, possibly brought to the table in a plastic bo<span style="background-color: white;">ttle. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Vietnamese equivalent </span>to<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> saying cheers over a glass of beer is một, hai, ba, vô (one, two, three cheers), or simply vô. In the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">south </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the word for cheers sounds like saying yo, while in the north the last word is dzô and the pronunciation sounds more like </span>djo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to </i><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Viking River Cruises</i></a><i> for hosting us on their </i><a href="http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/asia/magnificent-mekong/2017-hanoi-hochiminh/index.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><i>Magnificent Mekong</i></a><i> tour through Vietnam and Cambodia and making this post possible. As always, all opinions are our own.</i></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRCf1VBtawqu6iCZu3HsuKccipri6p-dH3CjrUhsRS7v6kfl0PldpdaCOHr0w3WE_EWyV6UsSutgmS-zYyIIbznwTK1D1zv2T8PozNrrP9jYK5LsLEAtdBdZuJeMmAMejDJ-hzYlqisMd/s1600/Traditional+Vietnamese+Food.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel the World: 15 Vietnamese dishes, treats, and drinks to try when traveling in Vietnam." border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCRCf1VBtawqu6iCZu3HsuKccipri6p-dH3CjrUhsRS7v6kfl0PldpdaCOHr0w3WE_EWyV6UsSutgmS-zYyIIbznwTK1D1zv2T8PozNrrP9jYK5LsLEAtdBdZuJeMmAMejDJ-hzYlqisMd/s400/Traditional+Vietnamese+Food.png" title="" width="266" /></a></div>
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