Two days until we leave for our Baltic Cruise - which means I'm frantically trying to pack and stuff everything in one bag!
In general, I'm sticking to the basics and trying to pack light. However, cruising adds on another dimension with formal wear. There will be two formal nights on the ship, and while we have the option to dress-down and dine outside of the main dining room on formal night, who doesn't like to get dressed up? It seems like occasions for dressing up are too few and far between these days. I'm actually looking forward to it, just need to make more room in the suitcase. Luckily, they rent tuxes on the ship, so the hubby will be renting his formal wear.
Great tips on packing for Europe from Rick Steves here.
What are your travel packing tips?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Inside Passage and Glacier Bay
Alaska, USA
I was sent to the great state of Alaska last week for a business trip and loved waking up every morning with the sun (4am) to see the beautiful mountains outside my hotel window. I stayed in picturesque, and small (30,000 people), Juneau, located on one arm of the Inside Passage.
This place is an absolute ghost town when the cruise ships aren't in port. I have to admit, it was nice to have the place all to myself once the cruise ships were gone for the day. Here's one of the ships (mine!).
The highlight of my trip though? A floatplane ride up the Taku River, over glaciers, to Taku Glacier Lodge. Even the vista from the floatplane and then on the ground at the lodge don't do justice to the sheer size of the glaciers. Some would trump any city skyline. The excursion was a quick 20 minute floatplane flight up the Taku River over the Juneau Ice Field and many glaciers to Taku Glacier Lodge. Once at the lodge, we had time to take in the scenery of the place before heading inside the lodge for a wonderful salmon lunch. The food here is amazing - highly recommend it. It was a great way to spend the afternoon and really understand what makes Alaska special.
For a bird's eye view of Juneau, be sure to take the Mt. Roberts Tramway for a great view of the city that lies below. You'll see snow capped mountains and get a great view of the Inside Passage.
Places to grab some food in Juneau:
Paradise Cafe, near the waterfront for organic, yummy treats, sandwiches and salads.
The Hangar on the Wharf, a Juneau favorite for its waterfront views and reliable pub food.
Heritage Coffee, a local Starbucks alternative.
Place to grab drinks:
Visit the iconic Red Dog Saloon with sawdust floor and red saloon doors at the entrance. Order the duck fart, don't ask, just trust me.
Date of Completion (Inside Passage): May 2010
*Still need to complete Glacier Bay!
I was sent to the great state of Alaska last week for a business trip and loved waking up every morning with the sun (4am) to see the beautiful mountains outside my hotel window. I stayed in picturesque, and small (30,000 people), Juneau, located on one arm of the Inside Passage.
This place is an absolute ghost town when the cruise ships aren't in port. I have to admit, it was nice to have the place all to myself once the cruise ships were gone for the day. Here's one of the ships (mine!).
Paradise Cafe, near the waterfront for organic, yummy treats, sandwiches and salads.
The Hangar on the Wharf, a Juneau favorite for its waterfront views and reliable pub food.
Heritage Coffee, a local Starbucks alternative.
Place to grab drinks:
Visit the iconic Red Dog Saloon with sawdust floor and red saloon doors at the entrance. Order the duck fart, don't ask, just trust me.
Date of Completion (Inside Passage): May 2010
*Still need to complete Glacier Bay!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Next on the Endangered List: Venetians
Interesting article on the flight of Venetians from Venice and how the city is expected to change in the coming years.
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/54494
http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/54494
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Different Point of View
Stockholm, Sweden
The countdown to the Baltic Cruise has begun! Over the next 25 days, I'll be writing about the ports we'll be visiting and our plans to cross off some of the 1,000 places. On June 6th, we'll be in Stockholm.
While in Stockholm, we plan to visit an Ice Bar, that doubles as a vodka tasting room (my friends know I can't pass up vodka). We will also be taking a tour of the city, like any normal tourist would, right? Nope. This tour won't be like most tours. It's a guided rooftop tour of the city, where we explore the city by rooftop, secured to safety harnesses from narrow rooftop track. Here's a great article on it from the National Geographic Traveler. I just hope my acrophobic husband enjoys it!
My 92-year-old grandfather's parents come from the 'old country' of Sweden. More than the fabulous tours, I'm excited to get a glimpse of the beautiful city of Stockholm and am looking forward to finally experiencing a little taste of where my great grandparents grew up. Eventually, I'll go back for a longer stay and hope to experience more of the country and visit extended family. I'll have to brush up on my very limited Swedish. "Tack så mycket" will only get me so far.
Date to be completed: June 2010
The countdown to the Baltic Cruise has begun! Over the next 25 days, I'll be writing about the ports we'll be visiting and our plans to cross off some of the 1,000 places. On June 6th, we'll be in Stockholm.
While in Stockholm, we plan to visit an Ice Bar, that doubles as a vodka tasting room (my friends know I can't pass up vodka). We will also be taking a tour of the city, like any normal tourist would, right? Nope. This tour won't be like most tours. It's a guided rooftop tour of the city, where we explore the city by rooftop, secured to safety harnesses from narrow rooftop track. Here's a great article on it from the National Geographic Traveler. I just hope my acrophobic husband enjoys it!
My 92-year-old grandfather's parents come from the 'old country' of Sweden. More than the fabulous tours, I'm excited to get a glimpse of the beautiful city of Stockholm and am looking forward to finally experiencing a little taste of where my great grandparents grew up. Eventually, I'll go back for a longer stay and hope to experience more of the country and visit extended family. I'll have to brush up on my very limited Swedish. "Tack så mycket" will only get me so far.
Date to be completed: June 2010
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