We are settling in Aviemore for several nights as a base to explore the Highlands. Okay, you had to ask! Where is Aviemore, and why would anyone want to stay there?
Actually, there are three reasons: (more…)
Well, I’m back.
The emergency kilt fitting went reasonably well, although the bagpipe lesson was more problematic.
For some reason there were lots of neighborhood dogs howling … or was that the neighbors screaming at me to stop strangling that cat?
Last time we were coming back from the island of Arran. We plan to arrive back at Glasgow Central train station at around 9:27 P.M. Hopefully, we’ll have enough time to pick up a car for an early morning departure but that might not be possible due to the really odd hours of rental car desks at the train station. (more…)
Traveling in the Black Forest, we had a great BMW – automatic – that we had rented from a private rental company.
Driving along, watching the scenery, suddenly, the car just s t o p p e d. Despite our best efforts, it refused to go and we had no idea what was wrong. We had gas, so that wasn’t it.
Since we weren’t near a town, we stood at the roadside, hoping someone would give us a lift. I lifted my thumb in the universal hitchhiker’s sign – and waited. (more…)
Scotland: Fall 2009
Well, it’s time to firm up the itinerary. This is undoubtedly the most subjective part of the entire trip planning process.
I want to see Bagpipe Bands – you want to see the symphony…
I want to see where Ben Franklin lived in London – you want to see where Bono has breakfast!
(Actually, you’ll be waiting a long time because Bono lives in Ireland!) (more…)
Scotland: Fall 2009
Last week, I came across a Web site that focuses on multi-stop itineraries for independent travelers. European Destinations www.europeandestinations.com lets you create your own trip or customize their suggested itineraries. As you add in hotels, car rentals, train passes, etc., the price of your trip upgrades so you know immediately what your costs are.
I tweaked my itinerary and then compared it to the hotel Web sites of those properties I selected as well as with www.hotels.com to see if the prices were in line, or even better.
What I found was the following ($1.46 = £1): (more…)
When I lived in Germany, I was trying for an authentic experience while living in a rural community near Stuttgart. My local market had an array of items, some of which I was familiar with, some not. But, sauerbraten had to be the quintessential German fare. I was so excited when I saw a vacuum packed pre-soured sauerbraten waiting for me! (Keep reading for recipe!) (more…)
Scotland: Fall 2009
Since last week, I have decided to cut back our trip from three to two weeks due to some timing issues that have come up. So, there needed to be some consolidation.
It was then that I began to wonder if it was any cheaper to find a company that could consolidate all of my independent travel needs. (more…)
Traveling in Germany with a friend, neither of us was fully conversant in the German language. So, it is no surprise that we saw a number of “Einbahnstrasse” signs and did not register what that meant. (more…)
Scotland – - Fall – - 2009
It’s been a week since my first installment of planning a trip to Scotland on my own. Have I come to my senses and handed it over to a travel agent yet? Have I scrapped the whole idea and decided to sit on my sofa the entire time talking to people at my office on the company provided cell phone?
Absolutely not!
Actually, I’ve been on line looking for a kilt to wear to one of the Whiskey Week dinners! (more…)
While living in Germany, I had occasion to rent a furnished corporate apartment. Notice, I said furnished. To me, that meant it was fully equipped. When all I found were two small towels in the closet, I assumed they were for the kitchen. It turned out that they were the towels for our bathing! (more…)
