A Traveler's List

While checking out cnn.com this afternoon (Michael Jackson breaking news), I stumbled upon an article about '10 Things Every Traveler Should Do'. A list and travel? Hello, I'm intrigued! While I don't necessarily agree with #9, you'll get a taste of a menu tailored to the locals at McDonald's in other countries. While traveling, in addition to an independent coffee shop, I always check out Starbucks to see what those outside of Seattle love about it.

Here are the ten things, but check out the full article HERE

1. Savor every moment of your first few hours

2. Embrace the prospect of being a tourist

3. Devour the hotel literature

4. Run an errand for a friend

5. Take in a performance or sporting event

6. Check out a bookstore

7. Ride a bus to the end of the line

8. Read the daily newspaper

9. Go to McDonald's

10. Get Lost

What's on your list?

Apostle Islands

Wisconsin, United States
I really didn’t expect much out of Wisconsin...there is actually a lot to it! During a recent trip to visit my in-laws in Chicago, my husband and I decided to stay a few extra days and make the trip to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In a remote section of northern Wisconsin on Lake Superior, it was a long drive from Chicago, but well worth it.

We stayed in Bayfield, Wisconsin, the gateway to the Apostle Islands. This small town of 600 or so is very quaint. Kayaking is the best way to experience the Apostle Islands up close and personal, and we did just that. We settled on a day long kayaking trip that took us along the shoreline of Lake Superior through the sea caves. While Lake Superior is by definition a lake, this body of water has ocean-like characteristics. It can sometimes be quite cold and unpredictable. Over millions of years of erosion, the waves of the lake have carved intricate caves in the sandstone. Going through the small networks of caves, you can hear the waves as they enter into small caverns and as the wave crashes, the entire cave booms with intensity. The reverberations of the booms can be felt down to your core. I was in awe of the beauty of the shoreline and scenery of the caves.

There are a number of small guest houses here and we spent our two nights at the Silvernail Guest House. The summer season doesn’t really begin until July, so during our May visit, we were the only guests lodging there. For dining options, there are a few, including Gruenke’s Inn (apparently JFK Jr. stayed here once) and the Old Rittenhouse Inn. The brunch at the Rittenhouse was exceptional, and you’ll consume this three-course gourmet breakfast that will leave you satisfied for the remainder of the day. Brunch is very well priced at just $12.50. Everything closes early in Bayfield, so be prepared. We were hunting for dessert around 9pm one evening and found Ethel’s at 250, that wrapped up dessert to go. A bonus: My husband was happy to find Schlitz in a bottle at Ethel’s, and they let him take that to-go as well.

We saw many photos of adventurers snowshoeing on the iced-over lake to explore the caves in the Winter. I’ll leave that one for next time.

If there in summer, a Wisconsin beer must-have: Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy (amazing!). Beer with a hint of lemonade, yes, kind of girlie, but the guys love it too.

Date of Completion: May 2009

Vienna

Vienna, Austria

I have been lucky enough to spend a collective month of my life in Austria. The first time, two glorious summer weeks and the second, two cold winter weeks over the Christmas and New Year holidays. I love this place. A family friend has a home in the Salzkammergut region and an apartment in Vienna. What a prime way to see the country, both city and rural life and learn about the country from a native Austrian. I was impressed by the picturesque mountains and countryside at every turn in the road.

A great place to start your Austrian journey would be Salzburg. Mirabell Park in Salzburg, while filled with many tourists, is picturesque with its many blooming flowers and fountains. While in Salzburg, you’ll also see many tributes to the ‘Sound of Music’. The movie is only well-known to Americans, and as such there are many English speaking tours that visit the ‘Sound of Music’ sites. I couldn’t bring myself to do a tour, but I did visit some of the sites within Salzburg as seen in the movie. In the winter, there is an ice skating rink in the town square and the holiday décor makes the city even more lively. Make sure you get an Original Mozartkugel, from the confectionary, Fürst. Yummy.

Summer was a primetime to visit the ice caves and scenic towns in the Salzkammergut. Ice Caves abound near this region, check out Dachstein. Be sure to bring your jacket – as the name implies, it’s well below 32 degrees in the ice caves. Near these ice caves, the quaint town of Hallstatt sits between the lake and high mountains. You can reach the city directly by car, or take the train, which stops on the other side of the lake from the town, and take a scenic boat ride over. Hallstatt, while scenic, and worth visiting for this alone, is also well known for its interesting display of former Hallstatt residents. Centuries ago, as the cemetery was overcrowded, the skulls of the deceased were transformed into artwork and are now in display. Another great summer outing is Hellbrunn. A former residence with trick fountains, it's perfect for those hot summer days and is an interesting example of the sense of humor from its time. Summer in Vienna means free opera and concert performances at the Rathausplatz (City Hall Plaza, yes, ironic). The plaza also features many local craft vendors and fine food stand fare, and wine spritzers. Summers in the city are amazing.

In December, the Rathausplatz is transformed into a Christkindlmarkt. The market features booths for Christmas decorations and gifts and serves up lots of Wassail. I wish you could buy hot spiced wine from street vendors in the US, but I have yet to see that. Needless to say, I was quite warm and happy walking around the cold streets of Vienna. The windows of the Rathaus are turned into an advent calendar, where a window lights up every night of December: the Wiener Adventzauber.

Museums and former royal residences are great stops during the cold winter months. One favorite in Vienna was Schloss Belvedere, a former royal residence. Interesting tidbit of history: The last resident here was Archduke Franz Ferdinand. His assassination in 1914 is said to have started World War I. While the gardens of Schloss Belvedere were covered in ice and snow, I could imagine how incredible it must be in the spring and summer. I even enjoyed walking the grounds in 20 degree weather, although watch out for slippery patches of ice! The building itself is quite impressive and not only has a number of interior attributes worth raving over, but has an impressive collection of Gustav Klimt works. Klimt is best known for his painting “The Kiss” and the piece is on display here. Later in his career, Klimt spent many summers painting landscapes in Salzkammergut, on Lake Attersee, just round the corner from my family friend’s home in Steinbach am Attersee. The best coffee and dessert to be had in Vienna was at Hotel Sacher. World famous – nothing beats viennesse coffee at Café Sacher Vienna.

Interesting to note: I witnessed many interesting Christmas traditions while in Austria. Austrians decorate their Christmas trees with sparklers. One would think it to be a fire hazard, but the trees are just fine, and the sparklers, for their 30 seconds of display, are beautiful.

Date of Completion: August 2000 and December 2002

Venice

Venice, Italy
Venice is a love-hate relationship. I’d always dreamed of seeing Venice, and while the architecture and allure of the canals didn’t disappoint, my experience with the Venetians was slightly different. The people of Venice weren’t all that friendly and let’s face it, a sinking city doesn’t smell like roses. However, the history and charm of Venice are not to be missed. The streets within the city of Venice are not marked well, and sometimes not marked at all, but the maze of the city is great for wandering and eventually, you’ll be able to find your way back home. The Gallerie dell’Accademia museum has some impressive paintings, some dating back to the 1300s, its well worth a stop. Two things not to miss: a Gondola ride and Piazza San Marco. While a gondola ride can be quite pricey, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and well worth the money. A friend and I split the cost of the gondola with a honeymooning Italian couple we met in line for a gondola. The Piazza is picturesque, just watch out for all the pigeons. On the cuisine front, nothing beats that first authentic Italian pizza, especially when consumed with fabulous red wine dining al fresco along the Grand Canal.

Disappointing: I wouldn’t recommend going in August. Venice was filled with tourists and a waiter mentioned to me during the visit “Sorry to be so rude, we’re just tired of tourists and ready for a vacation”.

Stay: Hotel Galleria, a great location right along the canal and next to the Ponte dell’Accademia. I stayed here with a friend, it included a morning European breakfast (coffee and pastries) and our room was right along the canal. We had the windows open in the morning, listening to the water taxis go by, was an absolutely amazing location.

Date of Completion: August 2000

The Oregon Coast

Oregon, United States

Having just returned from a camping trip along the Oregon Coast, it’s the perfect opportunity to write about another one of my favorite places. Again, growing up in Oregon, our visits to the Oregon Coast were frequent. I never appreciated the beauty of the Oregon Coast until I saw other coast lines. Not to say that there aren’t other beautiful coastlines out there, but the coast along Oregon is exceptional. In fact, the book describes it as ‘362 miles of perfection’. In my opinion, what makes it so exceptional is the variety. Beaches go for miles, craggy rocks jut out into the water, dramatic cliffs with picturesque lighthouses dot the coastline, and best of all, the Oregon Coast is still relatively underdeveloped.

Favorite Spots: Brookings along the Southern Oregon Coast for spectacular coastline, Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach for a glimpse of the beach from ‘Goonies’, Honeyman State Park near Florence for the sand dunes, and don’t miss Mo’s Chowder with locations all along the coast.

Side trips: Drive South on 101 from Brookings into the California Redwoods. Take a river trip up the Rogue River in Gold Beach, or drive to Grants Pass in the valley. Stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for yummy samples.

Where to stay: I vote for camping in one of the many state parks, but if you’re looking for luxury, Salishan Spa & Golf Resort is the place to go. The book recommends it as well; recently renovated it has a Pacific Northwest feel mixed with unpretentious luxury that doesn’t disappoint.

Date of Completion: Latest visit June, 2009

Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor

Salamanca, Spain

While my home is in Seattle, my heart will always be in Salamanca. While in college and post-college I spent time living in this city just two hours outside of Madrid. The city, a bustling college town, never disappoints with its beautiful sandstone architecture dating back almost 1,000 years and the many cafés and bars providing gathering places for students. What I loved most about living here were my daily walks through the heart of the city: The Plaza Mayor. Sunny days were spent sitting at a café sipping on a café con leche and watching the city pass before me at the Plaza Mayor. During the morning hours, older gentlemen stroll the Plaza, catching up on the weather and life. Afternoons are bustling with people enjoying a quick bite to eat or passing through on their way home to the afternoon siesta. The Plaza Mayor springs to life in the evenings while tapas are being served and evening bar hopping plans are being made.

Little known fact: Medallions of Spanish kings and heroes adorn the plaza. The medallion of Franco, the Spanish dictator who ruled for over three decades, is never free of vandalism. Although the dictator died in 1975, there is a deep-rooted disdain for Franco and his medallion is often covered in black spray paint or egg.

Other Salamanca Must Sees: Casa de las Conchas, Puente Romano, Las Catedrales, Nueva y Vieja. Be sure to find the frog at La Fachada, at the University.

Off the beaten path: Ciudad Rodrigo. An authentic bullfight without the tourists, Carnaval del Toro occurs once a year, around the time of Lent.

Date of Completion: Summer 2000; 2002-2003

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon, United States
My first of 1,000 places is dedicated to Crater Lake. Had my parents started tracking my progress as an infant, I’m sure this would have been the first place to cross off the list. Crater Lake, only two hours away from my hometown in Oregon, is one of my all-time favorite places. Here one could spend days upon days, just gazing out over the lake and taking in the awesome scenery. The deepest lake in the US also provides this vibrant electric blue water which is unlike any you’ve ever seen. On most trips to Crater Lake, I’ve always taken along someone who is seeing it for the first time. Upon first seeing the lake, the expression on their face is priceless. And they're speechless too.

The best time to see the lake: Any season on a clear day. Most visitors make the trek in summer, although I tend to prefer visiting on a clear winter day when the blue sky, bright white snow, and deep blue water come together in picture perfect harmony.

Favorite spot on the Rim: Near Crater Lake Lodge, the Garfield Peak trail, a great hike up to a lesser traveled viewpoint.

What I hope to do on my next visit: Hike down to the lake and enjoy a scenic boat ride (and maybe even take a little dip in the water!) for a new perspective on an old favorite.

Date of Completion: First visit unknown - at least a dozen visits since!

1,000 Places to See Before I Die

I started this quest about three years ago: to see and experience all 1,000 places listed in Patricia Schultz's 1,000 Places To See Before You Die book. I grew up in a small town in Southern Oregon with parents who encouraged me to explore, but family that had lived in the same small town for up to five generations. Upon graduating from high school, I remember having this desire to experience the world. Not just see places, but really experience a culture, see the local flavor of a destination, and share it with others. I've been slowly going through this book, trying to see as many places as possible, while still trying to hold down a job and pay a mortgage. The only thing I have to show for all this traveling is a book with check marks and yellow highlights throughout. I got to thinking, that there are probably many more out there like me, trusting this book with every flight booked and itinerary planned. While the book has some great recommendations, there isn't enough room to include it all. In this blog, I'll list out all 1,000 places and provide my opinion on the ones that I've visited, and add in recommendations of my own. Your job as the reader? Provide your opinion too! Agree or disagree with me, and provide your own recommendations on a place that I haven't yet been to. I do have quite a few left!