Nîmes is a medium-sized city in Southern France that lies within the Languedoc-Roussillon region. It is most known for its textile industry (the word “denim” comes from Nîmes), its Roman history (some wonderful Roman architecture survives here), its public gardens, and as being the final stop of the water carried by the 30-mile-long Pont du Gard aqueduct. Our visit to Nîmes happened to coincide with the annual Feria de Nîmes (or Feria de Pentecôte) that takes place during Pentecost. The Feria de Nîmes is one of the largest festivals in France and draws a lot of European visitors. If you visit during this festival, you may forget you’re in France and believe instead that you’ve somehow walked to Spain as you eat paella, sip sangria, and observe bullfighters and flamenco dancers in the street. We’ll give you some tips for visiting Nîmes, some special advice on the Feria de Nîmes,… Read the rest
Archives for October 2013
Burg Stahleck in Bacharach, Germany: A Castle Stay at Hostel Prices
Our first stay in a hostel was at Jugendherberge Burg Stahleck in Bacharach, Germany along the Rhine River. Not only was it our first hostel stay, it was also our first time sleeping in a castle! That’s right, Burg Stahleck is a 12th-century castle that has been converted into a hostel with over 150 beds. It sits on a hill overlooking the small picturesque German town of Bacharach along the Rhine River. The exterior is all castle, but the interior is all hostel. A castle stay at hostel prices, what could be wrong with that? If you are interested in a stay at Jugendherberge Burg Stahleck or just plan to stop by for a drink to take in the view, we’ll give you the details on how to find the castle, how to book a stay, and share our experiences of spending two nights at this castle hostel located in… Read the rest
Travel Research: How Much Travel Stress Do People Experience on Vacation?
Most people plan trips and take vacations to get away from the stress of home and work; however, very few people take travel stress into consideration. While traveling can indeed be an escape or break from the day-to-day routine, planning and taking a trip can also be quite stressful. Where should I go? How do I get a visa? Do I have enough vacation time at work? Do I want to dip into my savings to stay in a nice hotel or find a hostel? How am I going to manage public transportation? How are the children going to handle two weeks of traveling to new places? Can I survive a week in the car with my parents? Not to mention potential travel hiccups along the way such as bad weather, traffic jams, strikes, cancelled flights, language-related miscommunications, and illness. Some people can plan and take a trip with very… Read the rest
Hiking at Lands End in San Francisco
Hiking at Lands End is a great way to explore the rocky northwestern corner of San Francisco. Imagine that you are walking in a wooded area alongside the ocean with spectacular views around every corner—hiking at Lands End makes it easy to forget that you are actually within the bustling city of San Francisco. So far this is one of my favorite short hikes in the Bay area and provides one of my favorite views of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you stay on the main coastal trail at Lands End it is a very easy hike, but the main trail also connects with other local trails and offers several worthwhile detours for those who have more time and stamina. The trail hugs the coastline and offers views of the historic ruins of Sutro Baths, old shipwrecks, small rocky beaches, a war memorial, and wonderful views of the Golden Gate… Read the rest
Monkeying Around in the Alsace: A Visit to La Montagne des Singes in France
La Montagne des Singes, or “Monkey Mountain” in English, is a sanctuary for Barbary macaque monkeys in the Alsace region of France. There are over 200 monkeys in the 24 hectacre forested park that provides a place for both conservation and research of these monkeys. Barbary macaque monkeys are an endangered species native to the forested mountains of Morocco and Algeria (also same kind of monkeys roaming the Rock of Gibraltar), and have adapted well to the pines, firs, and oaks of the Vosges Mountains. During our recent trip to the Alsace region of France, Ethan got very excited when he found out there was a park full of monkeys nearby so we had to make a stop at the Montagne des Singes. If you’re interested in visiting, we’ll give you all the details about the park, provide some tips on making the most of your visit, and tell you… Read the rest
The McRib in Germany
Did you know that Germany happens to be the only country that serves the McDonald’s McRib sandwich year round? I bet that interesting fact about the McRib in Germany isn’t in your guidebook! For those of you who don’t know, a McRib consists of a boneless pork patty, barbecue sauce, onions, and pickles served on a long roll that was first introduced by McDonald’s in the 1980’s, but didn’t become part of the permanent menu. McRib sandwiches have a legendary cult following in the United States and the sandwich often appears suddenly on menus to then disappear again with similar gusto with no word on its return. There have been many “Farewell McRib” tours and even a “Save the McRib” campaign, but so far the McRib keeps coming back. For example, McDonald’s has recently announced that the McRib will be returning to many USA McDonald’s in November 2023 for a… Read the rest
Seine River Cruises in Paris: How to Choose the Best Seine Cruise Boat Tour
A Seine river cruise is a very popular way to see Paris, and one we always recommend to visitors to the city. These short river cruises allow you to take in many of the highlights of the city—the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, etc.—as you float along the Seine River. Many of Paris’s most famous and important buildings, bridges, and attractions can be seen from the river. The river viewpoint also allows you to gain some good insight into the city’s history, evolution, and architecture. In fact, the banks of the Seine in Paris were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. However, deciding on the right cruise may be difficult as there are several companies that provide similar tours along the Seine River. In this article, we’ll give you the details on the most popular sightseeing boat tours in the City of… Read the rest