Tackling the Travel Show

I love a good travel show. I attended my first one a few years ago at New York City’s Javits Center, which takes place again this upcoming weekend (open to the public January 26-27). It was another one of my day trips from Philadelphia, this time with my husband and a friend of ours. We walked the easy mile or so from Penn Station to the Center taking in Manhattan as we went. The next day I couldn’t figure out why my arm was so sore. Finally, I realized it was the walk back to the station with the bags full of travel brochures and books that had done me in. Those same bags of materials I rifled through at home during the following weeks, with most ending up in the recycling bin. Now I know better. If I’m interested in a destination, I can always remember, write down or take a photo of the website/vendor and follow up later with an Internet search. Another tactic is to choose the leaflet over the 20-page guide.

Here are some other things I’ve learned from this and additional shows I have gone to in the Philadelphia area:

Get in for the lowest price possible

While these shows aren’t going to break your bank, why not save a few bucks on the entrance fee and use the money toward your next vacation or lunch/dinner after the show? If you are sure you’re going, buy your tickets online where they are generally discounted (watch out for a handling fee!) vs. at the door. Also, Google it. There may be another discount to be found if you spend a few minutes searching. And don’t think the show is going to sell out. Personally, I wait until closer to the date of the show before purchasing my tickets in case they need to discount more due to low attendance.

See if it’s worth your time

When I find out a travel show is coming, I visit their website and look at speakers, vendors, and other activities because who wants to waste a Saturday or Sunday on just an “ok” experience? I like to see if there are vendors from places I’ve never been or showcasing experiences I’ve never had that can give me more information on those topics.

Often there are speakers that interest me too. Arthur Frommer, Andrew McCarthy, Samantha Brown are a few that I’ve seen. Rick Steves was a featured speaker at one show. I had been watching him for years on PBS and have found him quite knowledgeable and entertaining, so it was a no-brainer that I wanted to attend the show. It’s a good thing he was there because otherwise I wasn’t impressed with the vendor list. A lot of the space was taken up by travel consolidators, or those vendors you see at a car or home show. It also was a smaller group of vendors, which meant we were done with the show earlier than expected.

Be friendly

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to just see booths for places I’ve never been too. I enjoy interacting with the folks behind the table because in most instances they are local to the places they are promoting, and they are proud to tell you about these destinations. Talk to them. It’s like going on a micro-trip. You could learn something new, even about a place you’ve been.

My husband especially loves to start these conversations. Once he talked to the person from Ocean City, MD about their airshow that we had been to the previous year. He and the gentleman at the booth ended up having such a great discussion, the man ended up giving my husband his card and told us to be his guest at the local car museum the next time we visited.

Another hint – showing interest or just being friendly could also land you that limited tchotchke that you saw a few others walking around the aisles holding.

Not buying? No problem.

I’ve never bought the “bargain price” trip on site. But it’s not in my make-up to be so impulsive or to not do some fact-checking when I get home. Generally, if something peaks my interest, these days I either take their flyer, which lists the special prices and gives a short description of the trip. At home I visit their website and do some comparison shopping. Make sure you check to see if taxes are included; if it’s a cruise are the port charges included or will they be added on to that best price ever? My advice is run away from any person who pitches too hard to you.

Be cautious – even after the show

Many booths will give you the opportunity to put your name in for prize drawings. And let’s face it, it’s a way to increase their mailing list. In the past I’ve seen people use those return address labels that you often get from non-profits. Of course, these days the form generally asks for an email address. If I really want more information or want to be put into a drawing, I normally just give my name and email address. And you can always set up an email address other than your main one for things like this. You can also unsubscribe from their emails if needed in the future. I rarely, if at all, give a phone number. When we did that a few years ago we had multiple calls telling us we were big winners and to call an 800#. We did some online research and learned this specific company had a habit of calling and wanting to sell you trips. Sorry, no big winners here!

What dreams are made of

Above all, allow the travel show to be a chance to learn more and dream about your next weekend getaway, family vacation, or that bucket list trip.  Who knows. Just one idea gleaned from it could lead to one of your greatest life experiences. Enjoy the show – wherever you go to it!

A Maine for All Seasons

Autumn

I first visited Maine with my family when I was about eight. I remember two things. First, while playing basketball at the campground, I made my first basket. Second, while every other member of my family was excited to order fresh lobster, I asked for a grilled cheese sandwich much to the chagrin of my mother. Thinking back, with all those mouths to feed, she should have been happy that I was a cheap date.

Almost two decades went by before my return trip to the state, and while I never became a great basketball player, I did become a lobster eater, and married a lobster fanatic. Known as “Vacationland”, Maine does hold a magic for me that brings me back each season, and generally to its East Coast. Do you want to visit before winter sets in? Here are my eastern Maine top five for the fall.

Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School

Just a 20-minute ride north from the New Hampshire-Maine state line, is the Stonewall Kitchen Company Store in York, Maine. I don’t remember when I first found Stonewall Kitchen, but I believe it was before you could buy their products online and definitely before you could find them in specialty food and kitchenware stores. I am obsessed with their products and I prefer driving the seven or so hours from Philadelphia to Maine, so I can purchase as little or as much from Stonewall Kitchen and easily transport it home.

I prefer a fall visit to the store because their outside decorations just put me in the spirit for apple picking, leaf peeping, and having something warm to drink. Speaking of which, Stonewall Kitchen has a café that is open for breakfast and lunch. I admit I have never eaten there, but it looks fabulous and has a cute outside seating area. If you’re at the store at the right time, you can view their production line in action through their Viewing Gallery windows. Oh, and did I mention you can sample so many of their products before you make your final decisions on what you want to purchase?

One of my fondest memories of visiting the company store was attending their cooking school with my mom. The two of us did a course around lunchtime that featured various appetizers. The apps were delicious enough that I recreated several of them at home with the recipes given to me at the end of the class. Courses vary daily with lunch and dinner menus offered on weekends. Current prices tend to range from $50-$65 per person.

Tips:

Book the class that’s right for your tastebuds. If I’m paying for the course, I want to eat what’s prepared. If you see a menu you like in the timeframe you’ll be there, make the reservation.

You won’t get your hands dirty. These classes are demonstration only, so no rolling out dough or chopping is necessary. If you want to be hands on, this isn’t the class for you.

Come hungry. The school really does feed you well, so no need to make additional lunch or dinner plans.

 The Maine Brew Bus

Travel another 45 minutes to an hour north and enter Portland. Portland is a great little city that we became so attached to during our many visits that we considered making it our retirement spot. While we may have moved on from that idea, for now, we still love to visit.

When my husband and I saw our New England cruise was taking us to Portland a few years back, I started researching something new to do while in port. That’s when I came across the Maine Brew Bus. And it’s just that, a small green bus with a welcoming driver/tour guide that takes you to local breweries and distilleries in the Portland area for three to five hours. Our tour stopped at several breweries, gave me my first taste of mead, which Maine Mead Works says is the oldest fermented beverage, and stopped at a distillery that allowed us some behind the scenes views before they were officially open for business. Our guide also gave us some history of Portland as we drove around the area.

Tips:

Don’t Drink and Drive. It must be said. Please be safe. This might be the tour for you if you are staying overnight in Portland or headed back to your cruise ship.

Try something new. And I don’t just mean the mead. Judging by their website, Maine Brew Bus has grown over the past few years and their schedule includes a variety of newer tours. Who knew birding and brews went together?

Wear closed-toes shoes. Yes, this seems like an odd requirement, but this tour isn’t a bar crawl. It does show you behind the scenes of many of these places. For safety reasons, closed-toe shoes are a requirement.

Wicked Walking Tours

What would autumn be without a little spooky fun via a ghost tour? That’s why Wicked Walking Tours in Portland made my top five for the fall. What I love about a ghost tour is it gets you into the historic area of the city (because that’s where the ghosts hang out!). It lets you have fun, makes you think “what if”, and sneaks some history into your brain. And it gets you some exercise as well!

What I remember from the tour is the explanation of how Commercial Street was created when landfill was put into the harbor. Perhaps bones were part of that landfill? (Insert Vincent Price laugh here.) And perhaps even more mysterious about the tour was how our tour guide had an uncanny ability to remember every person on the tour’s name and use it at some point that evening. As one who is lucky to remember a name two minutes later, it was impressive.

Tips:

It’s all about the footwear. The tour runs about 75 minutes and is about a half mile of total walking, but lots of standing on hard surfaces listening, so make your shoe choice about comfort, not fashion.

Use the facilities. Nothing ruins a walking tour more than mother nature calling you when you’re only half way through. I have been on a tour where they do have a bathroom break. I don’t recall this being one of them.

Believe. It doesn’t hurt you to keep your rational thoughts at bay during the tour. Sure, you don’t believe in any of this nonsense, but why not come with an open mind and just have fun?

Acadia National Park

Driving to Acadia National Park for me is like driving to Orlando or to visit my in-laws in Florida. You cross over the Georgia-Florida state line and begin to celebrate until you realize you still have hours to go. Acadia is a good three and a half hours from the Maine state line, but what you get from your visit is truly worth the extra time and gas. And in the fall, it’s at its most spectacular with its display of multi-colored leaves. As I write, Acadia is at high and moving into peak foliage time. The colors you find in the park are some of the best I’ve ever seen and make for great memories and photos.

What’s nice about Acadia is you can see it in multiple ways. We entered the park on Route 3, just above Bar Harbor, and drove much of Park Loop Road. The road covers 27 miles and is a scenic drive that lets you explore the mountains, forests and coastline from your vehicle. Must-sees for me include driving to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain in the Eastern United States, and Sand Beach, where I took way too many photos of Maine’s beautiful coastline. If you’re all about counting the lighthouses in Maine, don’t miss Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.

If exploring by foot is more your thing, there are multiple hiking trails. We hiked Pemetic Mountain and were rewarded with an incredible view of fall foliage at its finest. I also recall a snake slithering across my path on our way up the mountain. But don’t let that stop you from doing the hike. It was small and went on its merry way.

Tips:

Store your food properly if camping. What didn’t go on their merry way quickly enough for us were the raccoons that visited our campsite at Acadia’s Blackwoods Campground. And it was our own fault. Apparently, Oodles of Noodles kept in your tent are a favorite snack for these critters.

Check for current conditions. When I visited the National Park Services website, it noted construction happening along Route 3.

Visit before December. Most of Park Loop Road closes on December 1 and doesn’t open again until April.

Sun and Surf Restaurant

How about that? I made it through most of the blog post without mentioning lobster. Truth be told I was going to start off with a great lobster place, but it closes Columbus Day Weekend, so I’ll save that for spring.

The Sun and Surf Restaurant is located back down the coast in York, and was one of those places we just drove by many years ago, decided to try, and has become a part of our must-do’s when we visit Maine. They have lobster, yes, and a menu that non-seafood eaters can enjoy as well. This is a good thing as we normally go here the night before we leave Maine. By then my husband wants one last lobster while I have become a landlubber when it comes to food selection. What we like most about Sun and Surf is its location. It sits right on Long Sands Beach and you can see the Nubble Light House in the distance. Its location is so nice that every time we go to eat there I ask myself why we didn’t choose accommodations along Long Beach Avenue. Note to self for next time!

There is outside seating, but I don’t know that we’ve ever been to Sun and Surf when it’s been warm enough to take advantage of it. I’m ok with that because coming in the fall means it’s less crowded. We generally come right before or just after sunset, and the inside has quite a cozy feel to it, especially if the wind is whipping up outside.

Tips:

Hours. Sun and Surf is open daily in the fall, but only until 8pm, and 3pm on Sundays.

Take a walk. We always enjoy a pre- or post-meal walk along the sidewalk or on the beach itself when visiting.

Drive around town. We always enjoy the coastal drive and exploring this area on our way to the restaurant and back to our hotel.

Here’s hoping this inspires you to get to Maine this season and enjoy what Vacationland has to offer!

 

Giving Some Love-Love to the US Open

The end of August and early September means back to school time for many. For me, I start dreaming of tennis balls and whether I should attend this year’s US Open, which is in full swing (pun intended) in Flushing Meadows, NY.

My love of tennis began in late high school watching the likes of Boris Becker, Steffi Graf and Stefan Edberg. I don’t remember why, perhaps it was friends’ influences or maybe how close in age I was to them, but I loved it so much that Wimbledon was on my to-do list when I traveled to Europe in the summer of 1990. I remember watching Steffi Graf play an early round, being upset when my then-favorite player Anders Jarryd forfeited his match, and not wanting to give in my ticket when I left for it to be resold. I still have it as a keepsake.

Yet, it wasn’t until more than 20 years that I attended my first US Open, just a few hours from my house in the Philadelphia suburbs. Bizarre, I know, but I think it was that fear of driving through New York traffic to get there that deterred me from going. When my husband and a friend finally determined we were going to get there in 2012, my research showed me just how easy it would be.

 Scoring Tickets

Getting tickets to the US Open is a breeze especially since I waited until the age of the Internet for my first visit. Just go onto their site and look around. I prefer going earlier, including opening day, as there are more matches happening on more courts. If you have a budget, it is also the cheapest option as Ground Admission is available. This type of admission allows you first-come, first-served access to all courts except for Arthur Ashe Stadium. Just be sure to check out what your ticket gives you access to before you purchase it and realize that as you get closer to the finals, they will be more expensive, and you will have less choices.

Also keep in mind that there are two sessions each day. One begins at 11am, while the second at 7pm. As the Open goes on, the session times will lessen.

Philly to Flushing Meadows

Each time I’ve gone to the US Open I’ve chosen to attend the daytime session. I’ve both gone up and back to Philly in the same day, and stayed over in Manhattan, leaving my luggage at the hotel while attending the Open the next day.

By car. You can drive, though I never have. The address to plug into your GPS for parking is 126th Street and Shea Road, Corona, NY. You’ll see on the Open’s website to take the Grand Central Parkway Exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway Exit 13D.

By rail. If you’ve never taken the train to New York and you live in or around Philadelphia, just do it. This is my advice for the US Open or any other time of year. You can take Amtrak from Wilmington, Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, or Trenton, but often I take the cheaper alternative. Generally, I drive to Hamilton, NJ, about 50 minutes from my home south of the Philly airport, and hop on NJ Transit (NJT) for the rest of the ride into Manhattan. You can drive to Trenton, or take SEPTA Regional Rail to Trenton as well, but Hamilton is my preference to save some time and I like their parking. From there the ride is generally one to one and a half hours with a price of $16.25 each way for adults, and $7.35 for kids and seniors. While the ride is a little longer and not quite as nice on NJT, I find it a benefit to hop on a train when you want and not be stuck to the timed departure you have on Amtrak.

Once you arrive at Penn Station, there is one more leg of your journey to get to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Simply follow the signs to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). Look for the Port Washington Branch and get off at the Mets-Willets Point Station. It’s a 16-minute trip. Once you get off the train, go up the stairs and to the right and you will see the gates for the tennis center. That easy.

By bus. Greyhound, Megabus, all the usual suspects will take you to New York. They are cheaper, but with New York traffic, I find the train easier if I want to keep to a schedule. If you choose the bus, remember their drop off points are about a 5-10-minute walk to Penn Station if you are taking the LIRR to the Open. Since Greyhound lets you off at the Port Authority, you can also catch the subway. According to the US Open website, you can catch the 7 train from the terminal to Mets-Willets Point Station.

What to Bring

Make sure you have your tickets, of course. Mobile tickets are an option, so don’t use all your phone’s battery on the way to New York!

Sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses. When I’ve gone to the US Open, I’ve been warm to sweating. There are shady areas in the complex, including food areas, but apparently tennis and shade trees don’t tend to mix. You will be out in the sun unless you know just where to find shade, but I’ve only ever found it inside the larger courts. Make sure you’re drinking your water too!

I tend to have to delete apps after a while because of my phone’s storage, but from what I recall, the US Open has a great app, so be sure to download it.

It goes without saying to bring money/credit/debit card. There are plenty of food and drink options, and we never leave without a new shirt or hat for my husband.

A camera. Your phone is fine, but I’ve gotten some great photos at this event with my 35mm and its zoom lens.

Speaking of a camera, I used my camera for my full circle moment at the 2014 US Open. As my friend and I were trying to find some shade during an Andy Murray match, who did we run into but Boris Becker all these years later.

Trains Are Cool

Experiencing the Eurostar

During a recent conversation with my sister-in-law, she said her friend was trying to decide if she should travel from London to Paris by plane or train. I was asked for my opinion.

I remember decades ago hearing the first rumblings about a tunnel to be built under the English Channel that would connect England and France. It even had a cute name – the Chunnel (channel + tunnel). Opening in 1994, it took another 15 years for me to take my first ride on the Eurostar, but it was well worth the wait. In April, the Eurostar opened its newest route – London to Amsterdam – and it’s a ride I can’t wait to go back and try for myself.

Train vs. Plane

I know a flight can technically be shorter, and sometimes a cheaper option than the Eurostar, but there are enough other reasons that I tell people I prefer this train to a plane.

I have only allotted myself so much patience. As an East Coast American, who normally travels coach, getting to Europe has means I’ve already used most of my patience allowance for airplanes and airports getting to my destination, and I need to save the rest for the flight home. For instance, if you’re going in and out of London, Heathrow has additional security measures, which includes a second check of tickets and passports at your departure gate whether you are starting from or connecting through the airport. If you want to leave that area at any point, including using the restroom, you need to leave your passport with security.

Shorter lines. Of course, there is needed security to get through for the Eurostar as well. And you’ll need to do a quick trip through customs/border control too. In my experiences, the lines are much shorter for the train because you are dealing with passengers from just one or two trains at a time vs. thousands of passengers getting to their flights at the airports. Bonus! You can keep that drink you brought with you to the train station. No issues with taking liquids through train security.

Trains are more walkable. You may decide you want to stay in your seat to relax, look out the window at the quickly passing countryside, or use the free WIFI, but you have options. Walk to the café car to pick up a meal or snack, or just up and down the car where your seats are. And there’s no turbulence that can keep you buckled in the whole trip.

City Center to City Center. Leaving from London? You can catch the Eurostar at St. Pancras station,  which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. It really is a gorgeous station with plenty of shopping if that’s your thing. Hop on the train and in 2 hours and 16 minutes you could be arriving at the Gare du Nord in Paris, for instance, where you’re just about 2 miles from Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, etc. That’s better than spending more time in taxis or long train rides to and from the airport.

Choose your Adventure

Both times I’ve taken the Eurostar it’s been for a day trip. My husband and I start out early in the morning for a delicious morsel of a city on the Continent, while leaving our suitcases back in London. When we went to Paris, we booked a small package that came with a Metro card and ticket to a Seine River cruise. For last year’s day trip to Brussels we decided to book with one of the sightseeing bus tours to get an idea of a city neither of us had been to previously. We have fond memories of each trip, whether witnessing my husband’s first view of the Eiffel Tower as we walked along the Seine, or our visit to the European Union in Brussels. If a day trip seems too much for you, here are few thoughts on other itineraries:

Do an overnight. Still want to keep your main base in London? Or maybe you are staying in Brussels but want to visit London? Consider keeping your hotel room in your base city, as well as your heavier bags, and stay over in another city. It gives you a little more time to explore and there’s no need to rush back the next day.

Keep heading east. The Eurostar is at its core just another mode of transportation. But with a 2-bag allowance, and it’s speed, why not experience something new when traveling to your next destination?  Isn’t that what exploring is all about?

Go to Disney. Never having been to Disneyland Paris, I have no opinion on the park itself. But if it’s on your list, or you have kids with you, it seems easy to take the Eurostar from London to the park. We saw enough tired but happy kids getting off the train back in St. Pancras to know they made some good memories. And the Eurostar website states that kids under 4 travel for free.

Visit a few other cities. Looking for a few other places to explore? Lille, France and Rotterdam, Netherlands are also options for direct routes from London. With Rotterdam being close to a four-hour trip, you might consider at least an overnight.

Look for the Deals

The more I blog, the more you will see I save where I can when traveling. I paid a lot less for the train tickets to Brussels this time for a few reasons. Those include competition with cheap airline tickets and that the Eurostar being a decade older meant the novelty has somewhat worn off for the locals. Do your research, and if you do have room in your schedule, play with a few different dates to leave and/or come back on. I did that for Brussels and it was more than enough to pay for our city tour bus.

Some final tips

Remember your passport! As mentioned previously, you are going through security and that also includes a passport check. Don’t leave it at the hotel thinking there are no borders in Europe.

Check your time and your currency. Keep in mind that there is an hour time difference between London and the Continent. Also remember that Great Britain uses the pound while the countries the Eurostar connects you to use the Euro. For me, credit cards and ATMs are my first two choices.

Spotty WIFI. Free WIFI is great, but don’t be too dependent on it for any needs you have that day in your destination city. When I was last on the Eurostar the WIFI was spotty at best.

Research Amsterdam before you go. It isn’t direct back to London, so you will have to go through security/border in Brussels.

Watch out for strikes. It’s not unusual for worker strikes to develop and as I write this it looks like one in France could affect the Eurostar for the next few months. This isn’t something restricted to the rail system. In fact, my first ferry ride years ago from England to France ended up being from England to Belgium instead due to a ferry strike.

Most of all, enjoy the ride! The biggest mistake we made on our first Eurostar trip was getting a train out so early that we slept the whole way to Paris. For me, seeing the little reminders that I’ve entered a new country, such as changing languages on signs, just makes me anticipate the next stop more.

If you have a preference for train or plane, let me know! Would love to hear your thoughts!