Part 2: Be a PeterGreenberg.com Contributor Contest

I take 2 or 3 major trips some years and many smaller ones. I find my “bucket list” never empty, in fact, fills up as each place makes me curious for another neighboring country or city. In the years I have traveled I have gleaned some great advice from people I have “travel admired”. One was a former employer who gave me such good advice, that I almost always use it. When arriving at a destination, or if you find yourself with some extra time enroute, walk ,if possible, to the local museums. This is especially fun in smaller towns. It is a great way to see what is important to the locals, the docents are very friendly and helpful with all sorts of “beyond the normal”tips. It has led me to some unexpectd adventures and friendships. The museums are usually free or inexpensive and it is a good way to center oneself before heading out to see the sights. And sometimes you see some really interesting art!

For my off-the-brochure destination, I would choose a river cruise on the Mekong River, starting on the Northern Thailand border, to combine with the visit to Thailand.  The one I want to do and would recommend, starts at Huay Xai, Laos and ends Luang Prabang.  Luang Say offers a reliable, affordable, two-day trip with an overnight stay in Pakbeng.  Cruising on Mekong entails amazing views of the life along the river, limestone cliffs, jungles, mountains, farmlands and even visits to places such as the Pak Ou Caves and the Royal Palace in Luang Prabang.  The trip is a perfect blend of relaxation and exploration.  I can’t wait to go!

I sent in a response last week but was never included in the comments, am just wondering why that happened. Thank you for your reply as I would very much like to be a part of the contest.

Hi Carol. Please try to resubmit to week 1 and we’ll include your submission now. And jump right in and answer this week’s question as well!!!

When people travel to London they go to see things like the palace, the London Eye, Big Ben and of course Harrod’s, but one thing they never add to their must see list when they plan a trip to London is the the Christmas Market in Hyde Park.  This “Winter Wonderland” springs to life every November and is filled with tons of amusement rides, games and of delicious foods from all corners of the globe.  My favorite part of the market?  Why the stand that sells white bratwurst of course!

Thanks, PGW, the same issue happened to me, as well …

While in Lisbon, no visit is complete without a visit to some of the city’s wonderfully eclectic markets. From tableware, local wines, produce, and a variety of organic products available at Mercearia Criativa to the colourful jumble of Feira da Ladra’s flea market located beside beautiful Botto Machado garden, you’ll be sure to remember your journey with an authentic Portuguese market souvenir.

That Franciscan Well microbrewery in Cork City, Ireland
is thriving in the shadow of Goliath Guinness is a miracle. And to suggest that
the plain and unassuming joint makes a better stout than the ubiquitous brew of
Ireland
might be sacrilegious. But ask any stalwart devotee of Shandon Stout and they’d
whole-heartedly agree that yes, Guinness is good, but Shandon is better.

Perhaps it’s human nature’s tendency to make us root for the
scrappy underdog that the craft brewery industry is booming in Ireland. Perhaps
it’s the fact that craft breweries, unlike their commercial beer cousins, keep
their libations free of additives, preservatives, and cheaper ingredients. No
matter the reason, it’s true that not only have independently owned breweries
survived, but they’re thriving, standing toe-to-toe with giant rivals armed
only with beers that some same are not only better…but better for you.

Franciscan Well is but one example. You’ll find no tourist
trinkets, perky salespeople, or tour schedules here. You might not find the
place at all, hidden as it is down a side street with only a small sign marking
the entrance to the small bar. But if you know a local, are a beer connoisseur,
or are otherwise in the know, then you will eventually stumble upon it.

If and when you do, don’t make the mistake my husband did
and ask to purchase a souvenir pint glass (you’ll be rebuffed). Don’t inquire
as to the brewery’s distribution and sales channels (right now they serve only
the pubs in Cork).
And don’t expect to pair your beer with a toasted sandwich or some Shepherd’s
Pie (they don’t have a menu and only serve food during special occasions).

Do saddle up to a local for some witty banter and insider
knowledge. Do take the time to tip the bartender and thank him for the
perfectly poured pint. And be sure to try some of the Shandon Stout and judge
for yourself if it stands up to the competition.

If you like hanging with hordes of tourists and drinking
mass-produced beer, then head to St. James Gate in Dublin,
the number one tourist attraction in all of Ireland, for a t-shirt and pint of mass-marketed
brew. But if you seek a more authentic experience, chilling out with a craft beer
inside a charmingly non-descript bar and warming up to friendly locals, then
Franciscan Well is the place for you, and well worth stepping off the tourist
map to find. 

Hanoi, Vietnam is somewhat known for its lakes and your guide will most assuredly point Hoan Kiem Lake because of  the pagoda, water puppet show, Red bridge and Turtle Tower.  However, because something most incredible about this lake will likely be mentioned either in passing or not at all,  its most spectacular attraction  may be overlooked by most tourists. To experience it, you have to get up and out at dawn!
Before jumping on the tour bus for the day, just before the sun rises, head to Hoan Kiem lake for exercise with the locals! Not only can you get a healthy start to your day but you will be treated to a little-known and delightful glimpse of Vietnamese culture and community spirit that you won’t quite see anywhere else in the country.   It will definitely be worth the one-eye open effort!

The perimeter of the lake is about a mile and as you stroll it, you can see the locals engaging in just about every exercise you can imagine—random aerobics classes, Tai Chi and other martial arts, jogging, weightlifting, body sculpting and most surprisingly competitive badminton like you have probably never seen up close and personal before! Badminton isn’t a sleepy, backyard pastime in Vietnam! Prepare to be amazed as you even witness some men and women competing with a racquet in either hand!  The badminton was certainly a high but couldn’t top the   group of people standing in a perfect circle giving each other percussion massage. After a massaging each other a few minutes, they changed direction and massaged the person on the other side!

Whether you join in, which is welcomed, or just observe this unique cultural phenomenon you will be treated to a real “off-the-brochure” experience. Oh and, be sure to top off the experience by taking a minute to watch the sun rise over the lake. It’s a sure thing of beauty.   

I am going to the Amazon and when I am there I will be so busy. Days will be spent hiking through the rainforest, collecting field samples of ornamental tropical fish for a research project, and helping sell local goods at a village trading session. If time permits, I might check out some of the medical tourism locations and get a massage.

Mexico appears to have a bit of an obsession and no I don’t mean of the skin-tight lycra and scary wrestling masks variety.  No, Mexico seems to have a passion for breaking Guinness World Records.

Did you know that they hold the record for the largest cheesecake ever baked, the largest cup of hot chocolate and the largest group make-out session?  341 participants helped secure the record for the largest tequila tasting event and Mexico City’s 215,000 square foot nativity set with 5,000 figures just clenched the record for, yes you guessed it, the world’s largest nativity set.

With all these world records being set, why not bypass the typical activities of relaxing on the beach, exploring ancient ruins and sipping margaritas and instead add “helped break a world record in Mexico” to your resume?

Sure it will take some organising but is there a more authentic way to experience Mexico than standing shoulder to shoulder with locals to help make the world’s largest taco (achieved in 2003, weighing 1,654 pounds) or dancing in the largest Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance (achieved in 2009 with 13,597 participants)?

Timisoara, Romania

Timisoara, Romania is known as the “Little Vienna” based on
its charming architecture that mimics the buildings of its northern muse,
Vienna, in Austria.   Timisoara (Timishwara as it is pronounced) is four
hours by car north of Bucharest and is a charming old circular shaped city of
around 300,000 inhabitants with the river Bega snaking through it.  Think old world European architecture, boat
tours, old city walls, cobblestone streets, museums, gingerbread churches,  parks hither thither, piazzas and river fronts
lined with outdoor terrace restaurants with their colorful umbrella tables.    Hot tip for Summer 2012:  the recently renovated area within the
ancient city walls called the Bastionul.

Not only can you pass innumerable hours indulging in the
delightful terraces, restaurants and happening nightclubs in this culturally
diverse and unabashed bacchanalian university town but also in Timisoara you
can pay a pittance for a day at a thermal spa. 
There are many of these swimming complexes cum thermal spas all through
the city.   Called “Strands” or Strandul in Romanian, they
take up whole city blocks and have Olympic size swimming pools, warm thermal
baths, little restaurants and bars together with a host of spa services.   Often
locals spend whole days together with a group of friends at these complexes
because of all the things to do coupled with how inexpensive it is.   Oh, and when you are there, pick up another
well known local secret:  the Romanian
skin care cosmetics.  Top quality and
often a small fraction of the price you pay for similar products in the rest of
Europe.

Of all the Strands in Timisoara, one of the most interesting
is the Strand at the UMT (Strandul UMT at Aleena Avrom Imbroane #56) just south
of the expansive urban green park called the Green Forest in the north of the
city.  At the Strand UMT it is
traditional to have a massage from one of a cadre of blind masseuses.  The art of massage has traditionally been
encouraged for blind people in Romania because it was thought that their sense
of touch was enhanced through their lack of sight.  And the locals will tell you that this is an
experience not to be missed.   And for a
pittance, that!!  I know this because one
of those locals is one of my best friends, Ruxie, who grew up in Timisoara and
is gushingly proud of this classically charming European city, delightfully old
fashioned yet infused with the vibrant energy of a new generation of multi-lingual  (English spoken!) and culturally hip young people.

Tulum – an Eco-Friendly Tourist Town,
Blessed by Nature

It’s easy to describe this strip at the
southern edge of the Mexican Riviera: paradise. Just 80 miles south
of Cancun, it’s a coastline of hidden coves, white-powder sand
beaches and gleaming aquamarine seas. Perfectly blue skies and green
coconut palms scattered on the beaches’ edge complete this
picture-perfect postcard.

Historically, the town of Tulum
attracted backpackers, throw-back hippies and nature-lovers who
wanted to enjoy an off-grid vacation. Today, Tulum is still more boho
than Cancun, with rustic restaurants and bars on the sand, yoga at
sunrise, and soothing massages on the beach. No high rises or condo
towers, (thanks to building restrictions), just rustic yet chic cafes
and coffee houses. Tiny retreats line the streets that lead to the
beach. They cater to those in search of intimate settings, solitude
and the desire to get closer to nature.

A huge coral reef, the largest in the
northern hemisphere, protects the shoreline from crashing waves and
dangerous undertows. It’s teeming with tropical fish — an
adventurer’s paradise for divers and snorkelers.

Ancient Mayan ruins, from a powerful
civilization long gone, are perched right on the coastal cliffs and
along the shoreline. Even more ruins are tucked away safely in the
rainforest, protected from the tropical storms and hurricanes that
pass by from time to time.

Inland and south of Tulum, the Sian
Ka’an biosphere covers more than 2 million acres of national parks
and reserves with lagoons, forests, pristine beaches, and an
intricate network of underground caves and cenotes. Flamingos,
tapirs, wild cats and dolphins call this their home. Seasonally, baby
sea turtles shuffle towards the water under a blanket of stars.

The complete opposite of its sister
city, Cancun, Tulum is following a different path to attract
tourists, with sustainable growth and tourism amenities aimed at the
eco-conscious traveler. There’s a lot of natural beauty to protect
here: stunning coral beaches, the world’s second-largest barrier
reef, thick tropical jungle, ancient Mayan ruins and a wealth of
wildlife.

For now and for years to come, Tulum
will truly remain a slice of protected paradise.  

Imagine taking a pony cart
ride through Ireland’s Gap of Dunloe, one of the most scenic places in all of County Kerry.
Four people fit in the cart, with the Pony Trap driver weaving cart and
sure-footed horse through this narrow mountain pass. You’ll meander
through Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, a
mountain range that encompasses the Ring of Kerry, skirt alongside some of the
five lakes within the Gap and marvel at the Purple Mountain Range, named for
its purple shale that sprinkles the mountain tops.

Under-the-Tuscan-Sun groupies may unite in their love for
the many walled cities of Tuscany. 
I can’t disagree that the likes of Lucca, Siena and San Casciano are
breathtaking.  But a true Tuscan
Adventure includes a stop at Tenuta Torciano. 

This historic residence, just 20 miles outside of the
rolling hills of San Gimignano, exudes Italian charm.  Owner Luigi Giachi, a thirteenth generation winemaker, captivates
visitors with his thick accent, humorous family stories and to-die-for food and
wine.  Come here and your trip to Tuscany
will be complete. 

Guests are served a lunch by cousin Giacomo, who doesn’t
just serve you, but taunts, as he describes the individual dishes of the
three-course meal.  Explaining with
care the importance of the selected ingredients, and the significance in
choosing the right combination of flavors, one’s tongue can’t help but
water.  No worries, the wine will
cure that.  Along with lunch,
guests taste 8 of the winery’s finest wines.  The wine, the lasagna, the truffle oil; it’s what you had in
mind when Tuscany called your name.

New York

Can you find the narrowest house in New York City? If you find yourself walking
through Greenwich Village, go to Bedford
Street near Seventh Avenue.
Look carefully because you will probably not see it the first time, it is less than 10 feet wide. I passed it twice before I found it. Please be
mindful and do not disturb the residents of this tiny house or neighborhood.

Palm Springs

If you find yourself in Palm Springs
with a gaggle of kids and need a break from the pool, drive over to The Living
Desert, a zoo that features exhibits of desert animals from Africa and North America.  See
an Arabian Wild Cat, a Striped Hyena, and a Cheetah! To experience the wildlife
without a fence be sure to attend the Wildlife Wonders Show in the amphitheater at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Mind the zookeepers’ instructions and sit in the back
row if you are scared.

One activity that would be neat to do in the Galapagos Islands that may not be on a brochure is a trip to the island of Floreana. Hiking on the island, you will see flamingos,  marine turtles (not the famous Galapagos tortoises), and some walls built by long ago pirates during the days of the whaling industry. The pirates hid their treasure there and used the walls as lookout points. A landmark called the “post office” is a barrel that whalers (or today, visitors)  put mail into for travelers in the following weeks to pick up and mail. My wife tried this, and it worked! A few weeks after her visit, her parents received a postcard that she had left in the barrel. Beautiful underwater life such as the White-banded Angelfish, sea turtles, starfish, and even a sea cucumber can also be seen when snorkeling around the “Corona del Diablo,” or the Crown of the Devil.

Excited to see someone include Chamonix on their 2012 bucket list last week! Chamonix was on my must see list when I backpacked through Europe in the 90′s. By mistake, I had left my passport in Geneva, crossed over into France and was practically escorted off the tour bus in the middle of no where because I hadn’t actually opted for the “tour.” Luckily, it was summer so trekking to get to the closest town was a pleasant and welcoming. Once I came to Les Praz, just north of Chamonix, I happened upon the “Flégere Lift” that takes you part way to Lac Blanc. That is how found myself at the edge of one of the most pristine, glacial lakes, embedded among amazing 360 views of the Chamonix Valley and the French Alps. Lac Blanc.

How to get to Lac Blanc without too much drama incident:

Once you arrive in Chamonix, (I’d recommend taking the train from Geneva straight to Chamonix and not the tour bus) instead of doing the obligatory cable car up to Aiguille du Midi, (touristy or not, it’s pretty cool though)- continue North out past Les Praz (near where the tour bus dropped me off!) grab the “Flégere Lift” to the first drop off. Once off the lift, you’ll have to hike the rest of the way up the mountain (about a 2.5 hour hike), not for the faint of heart! As you hike along the switchbacks, the amazing views of the valley, Aiguille Du Midi and Mont Blanc open up right before your eyes. 

When you finally cross over the last ridge you are rewarded by a breathtaking view of the clear, deep blue mountain lake that is Lac Blanc. Sit and lose yourself in the quiet beauty, admiring the glacier carved mountains across the valley and bathing in the rays beaming off the glacial lake. Then make your way back down the mountain, passing roaming chamois and wildflowers, grab a bottle of Bordeaux, a loaf of French bread and Camembert at the small nearby grocery, and head for one the chalets. You can find a reasonably priced room (off season) at one of the chalets nestled just at the base of the mountain. Sit in an open window of your room or go al fresco to relax and kick back in the fresh mountain air. Most tourists would make Chamonix their prime winter get away; However, I find summer less crowded, room rates very negotiable and the adventure of seeing what the summer day holds much more appealing.

~ Bon voyage!

Callie Householder . Producer 

Buenos Aires:
You’ve been visiting the amazing cemetery Recoleta for HOURS.  Who knew you would take so many photos of mausoleums?  They were all just so unique and breathtaking.  So different from what we’re used to here in the US, right?  It’s time for a well-deserved break.  Head out of the cemetery toward El Gran Gomero – that HUGE rubber tree that is held up by various supports.  Stop for some more photos but don’t dawdle there long for the best ice cream in the world awaits you.  Why is it the best ice cream?  It depends on who you ask; some say it is the high quality milk that is used, others say it is due to the influx of Italian immigrants to Argentina that have brought their gelato tradition and there are still others that say it is the best because many ice cream shops will deliver their ice cream right to your door.  But you?  You are just steps away from partaking in it’s deliciousness…so keep going.  On the corner of Avenida Pte. Manuel Quintana and Ayacucho you’ll find Un Altra Volta – an ice cream parlor very popular with the locals.  Go on in, even if you don’t speak Spanish you can manage your visit here with hand signals and gestures.  They’ll allow you to try as many flavors as you’d like.  And you’ll find some fantastic options…chocolate with rum soaked raisins, dulce de leche – a caramel like concoction that you HAVE to try and my personal favorite: mascarpone con frutas del bosque (mascarpone cheese with berries).  Cheese and ice cream?  Unless you’ve had mascarpone before you’ve probably already turned your nose up and decided to stick to your favorite flavor. Trust me.  This ice cream is like no ice cream you’ve ever had and once you taste it, you will crave it. You will wake up in the middle of the night with an urge to pack your bags and head south.  Believe me, it’s worth the flight.

To really get off the beaten track, might I recommend a 3 hour drive to the northwest and the city of Rosario.  Buenos Aires is beautiful and majestic and a definite must see.  But it is also filled with tourists and tourist traps like La Boca…where every bar/restaurant beckons you to come have lunch and watch the tango.  No really, they have people standing out front beckoning you to their establishment.  And that’s all fine and good, but let’s say you want something a little more low key.  With just over a million residents, Rosario is the third largest city in Argentina.  A visit here will have you feeling like a local in no time.  There is the awesome and massive National Flag Memorial which feels out of place in this small city.  The lights at night are fantastic.  Stop by the Paraná River and kayak around the city.  Visit Bulevar Oroño, a beautiful palm tree lined street, to see Santefesinos (residents of this province) gossiping and gregariously sharing stories with each other.  And most importantly, experience a siesta; when most of the city shuts down for a couple of hours in the afternoon just to rest and enjoy their family.  There is a calm and peace in cities that still practice the mediodia siesta.  It rubs off on you.  You’re no longer in a hurry to get to the next stop on the itinerary.  You just want to float in the tranquility that you find in Rosario. 

Hi Peter Greenberg crew!

Two days ago, I submitted an article: Tulum – an Eco-Friendly Tourist Town,
Blessed by Nature. As a comment right below it, I uploaded about 4 – 5 images that showed where we stayed. That comment has not shown up yet. Were the images too large? Did I upload too many? Please advise so I can adjust accordingly.
Thank you!
Linda C Hadfield

Off the brochure activity and not one of my recommendations? Well, I’m going to have to visit a working farm in India. I just happen to know of a family that I pray will welcome me and I can learn their ways and earn my keep. No cushy hotels, with room service for me. I prefer real life and real people.

Off-the-brochure activity I would do in London.

I would go to the Victoria and Albert Museum to schedule an appointment in the Print Room to view the original illustrations of Winnie the Pooh done by E.H. Shepard.  The V&A has ten boxes.  This is just one of many special things that London has to offer that won’t be found in Foder’s or Frommer’s.  If I were a travel contributor I could provide many other ideas as I have traveled to many locations based on scheduled events, interests, and things beyond the ordinary tourist stops.

I wish to treat my dear husband of 30+ years to a romance language country: Portugal. He studied languages in college and is brushing up his Portuguese. I wish to go there to experience a destination unspoiled by too many (ugly) tourists and a country that seems to have it all within in easy daytrips:  Castles, fishing villages, markets, an aquarium (!), medieval walks, cultural (art museums and “fado” music), quaint eateries, romantic vistas, Roman archeology (another husband’s favorite topic), river rides…..we could fill up weeks of adventures. We like the less-traveled parts of a country and want to chat with the locals to find their interests.

OK, this is cheating because Quebec is not on the list,however in Quebec everyone must try Gnome Hunting  

on the list Chicago – I would take my children Ice Skating on the top of the John Hancock Tower (only available select times of the year) and running at the Nature Preserves in the fall is a must do for any runner. 

I think the best off the brochure activity in any new city is to simply put your travel book down and wander the streets until you find a cafe or restaurant where a lot of locals are eating. When I was in Zurich a couple of years ago I stumbled upon a fondue restaurant that was to die for. If I had followed the book and gone to the places they suggest I never would have found that local hot spot. 

In Kilkenny, Ireland, in The Gap of Dunloe, you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery of this National Park, as well as the humor of the locals as they answer the ever-popular question, “why are the sheep spray-painted red?” In that lovely Irish lilt, they will tell you, “Well . . . that would be sheep vandalism; better know as living grafitti.”

 You have to go through Ecuador to get to the Galapagos Islands.  Go to the main town, Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.  (recommend land-based tour so you get to do both marine & land-based activities) Every evening, “Kioska” street closes off to vehicle traffic and all the local restaurants throw their tables & chairs out in the street.  Go to “Williams” restaurant for the best local seafood and cold beer.  Try the ceviche!

If you’re visiting New York City in the warmer months, why not head to a place you’d never expect to be so close to this large metropolis? Fire Island, New York! For a day or a weekend, Fire Island has much to offer.
Fire Island is just one and a half hours away by Long Island Rail Road and then a charming ferry ride to this barrier beach.
If you like dining and shopping, head to Ocean Beach, the largest community on this tiny two-block wide Island. The Palms is one of the newer and nicer hotels in this community.
If it’s quiet family time you’re looking for, take the ferry and day-trip to Fair Harbor. This community is full of kids (and celebrities), and there is a great playground and a bay beach just for them. It’s also home to one of Fire Island’s best restaurants, Le Dock, which is very child friendly and offers outdoor dining and a delicious dish of breaded and fried string beans that will get your kid eating their greens!
The community of Fire Island Pines experienced a terrible Fire in November of 2011, but you can help support the rebuilding of this great community by supporting some of it’s local businesses. Then take a stroll over to Cherry’s in Cherry Grove for a drink, and stay late for dancing!
Ocean Bay Park is home to Flynn’s and Schooners, two great party bars, and a short walk from Ocean Beach. Along the way, you can stop and marvel at how tame and how plentiful the wild deer are on Fire Island.
If nature is your thing, head to Sunken Forrest, a U.S. National Park, which contains a rare 300 year old maritime holly forest; the only one of it’s kind on The East Coast. You can stroll the1.5 mile board walk through freshwater bogs filled with a
variety of trees and shrubs, such as blueberry and red maples. Catch a glimpse of red fox and other wildlife. It’s a perfect place perfect for bird watchers. There is a visitor’s center and guided tours are available, as well as a snack bar. Take the Log Island Rail Road to Sayville and the ferry to Sailor’s Haven. Bring bottled water, sunscreen, and inspect repellent!

Central Vietnam host a network of over a 150 caves. These limestone caves are huge and wondrous to say the least. The Son Doong cave just discovered in 2009, is said to be the worlds largest cave measuring 262 feet wide throughout most of the passage, and features a 1.6 mile
long river and 230 feet stalagmites. For a couple of miles of the
passage, the cave measures 460 feet wide. Caving in Vietnam would be a adventurous off the brochure activity for certain.

When in Amsterdam, take a train ride to Alkmaar, a city half an hour north of Amsterdam from the Centraal Station. If you go there on a Friday morning in the summertime, you’ll see the cheese market auction. They’ve been selling huge rounds of cheese there for centuries, and it’s quite a sight, especially on a warm, clear day.

You can rent a bicycle there and tour the surrounding countryside. Since the land is as flat as a pannekoek (pancake), you shouldn’t get too tired unless you ride into the wind, as the wind comes directly from the North Sea. It’s quite an adventure to ride around on top of the dikes that keep the water from flooding the area. There are still lots of windmills rotating in the wind, and you may encounter pairs of swans or families of ducks along the canals.

Back in Amsterdam, don’t miss out on one of the great local sandwich shops in town-van Dobben. It’s off of Rembrandtplein, on the small street just behind the tram tracks -Norte Reguliersdwarsstraat 6-7-9.  There, you can order the most amazing broodjes (sandwiches). My favorites are paaling (eel), croquettes, roast beef, and a plain Gouda and butter broodje. I usually make more than one trip to this shop during a visit to the Netherlands, since one can only eat so many broodjes at a sitting.

Since the Dutch speak better English than almost any other non-English speaking country, you can ask for directions or explanations from just about anyone in the city and get a precise answer.

If you are going to check the Grand Canyon off your list this year, why not make it a road trip and check out the lesser-known Painted Desert and Petrified Forest on the same trip for some additional visual delight. And while you are there, I would highly recommend stopping off for lunch at the Apple Dumplin’ restaurant in Chambers, Arizona. This restaurant is a Southwestern gem and the Indian Taco, made with Navajo Fry Bread is a true treat. One of the benefits of traveling for me is the opportunity to explore the local culinary specialties. No Mickey D’s, or any other chain restaurants for that matter, for me while traveling. If you will be traveling through the Southwest this year, please have an Indian taco for me. 

Portland. City of the quirky, the kooky, and the charming. Spend a Saturday in Powells City of Books (it’s an entire city block and one of the worlds largest) browsing billions of bundles of books, then head down to waterfront park for the Saturday market and stroll through hundreds of handmade arts and crafts booths. Want something really off the wall? try taking a tour of Wilhelm’s Memorial Funeral Home, with over 5 miles of corridors, this creepy mausoleum is sure to give you the heebie-jeebies, the creeps, and/or the jeepers-creepers.

In Barcelona, try to find the cat park. There is an enclosed park near the Ramblas that is only for cats. No people allowed.

In Ecuador, venture over to the jungle-border city of Puyo and find your way to the Amazanga community, a short open-air bus ride outside of town.  They are an indigenous family working to preserve their native jungle environment. You can visit their community and learn about traditional herbal medicines and healing, stay in one of their thatched-roof huts and be their guest to explore their culture and way of life.  They will lead you on a beautiful jungle trek through the acres of land they have been buying up to preserve, a large part with help from a brilliant web 2.0 fundraising drive. 

For Tokyo, I’d recommend the Meguro Parasite Museum.  

One of our favorite off-the brochure activities happened by accident in Amman Jordan.  We were able to get into the Amman Citadel ten minutes before closing.  The city is illuminated and there was nobody else up there at that hour of the evening.  It was quiet and lovely as we walked around the Hill, and yet the city lights were aglow.  After we were kicked out of the Citadel, we wondered down into the old city and stumbled across the Habibah cafe.  
We knew we had found a special spot as the line was out the door, and only men seemed to be allowed in to purchase this local delicacy called Knafeh.  The pictures of my daughters peering over the glass looking at the dessert surrounded by a sea of locals made our first night in Amman quite an adventure.  Not to mention what a treat it was for our children to have this sweet dessert Knafeh before we had even had dinner!  

In Palau I would like to see the Giant Clam, but most of all I am always interested in the commerce of a destination. I always try to go to shoppes, supermarkets, roadside stands to see what people buy, especially foods. I enquire about what the country produces or exports as well as trying to experience life as the native people do. I once asked a cab driver in Panama to take me to a place where the workers go to eat. I was offered a huge fish with some vegetables which was much more than I could eat but very authentic.

An off-the-brochure activity to do in New York? How about learning how to be an acrobat? You can learn how to use the trapeze high above New York City.  You can “fly through the air with the greatest of ease” and see much of New York from a unique angle.  

An off-the-brochure activity to do in New York? How about learning how to be an acrobat? You can learn how to use the trapeze high above New York City.  You can “fly through the air with the greatest of ease” and see much of New York from a unique angle.  

Off the brochure activity I did in Mexico (Cancun):  Day trip to Isla Mujeres. 

Took the ferry from Punta Juarez.  Used local bus to travel around the island as it passed within walking distance of most of the major attractions.  Had lunch on the beach at Picus Cocteleria.  After the return ferry ride, hung out at Playa Las Tortugas, a public beach adjacent the ferry dock.  A live band was playing in the open air restauant.  It was a very chill ending to a very steamy April day.

We were in Paris last spring and the weather was beautiful. Instead of spending our time indoors in museums, we took a walking photography lesson with a local photographer. Not only did we get some great tips on using our new camera, we also saw neighborhoods we would never have found without someone local showing us the way. We had such a good time, learned how the French feel about their cuisine and the treatment they receive in their cafes. We got a little history lesson, learned about the cost of living in Paris, heard why Paris was behind the times and why it was an innovative city in other aspects.  This was the most informative tour we’ve ever had the pleasure to participate in. We were able to go at our own pace, meet someone I would welcome into my own home and get some fantastic pictures!

I would like to go to Yellowstone and show my two children all the geysers and mudpots that I remember so well from my childhood.  I’d like to show them the beauty of the National Park system and how even though we have traveled to many places all over the world, that the USA has some treasures of it’s own.