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Archive for the ‘Travel Attic’ Category
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
 The cities & seaside resort areas of the French Riviera are so unique, that I thought I would recap my visit, which was many years ago, but is still fresh in my mind.
The view of the Alps as you approach Nice is a treat as is the view of the seacoast prior to landing. Nice is actually a very unpretentious pleasant city that one feels at home in immediately. There are individual neighborhoods and if the signs weren’t in French, it could be anywhere USA. Along the Promenade Anglais, there are very expensive hotels and fabulous private homes. This is the avenue along the Mediterranean so it’s very prime real estate. Once you walk a few blocks into the town, it’s just a series of retailers and lots of great bakeries and restaurants. There is a Promenade within the city that offers more of the same but without cars, Just lots of French people and their dogs…
Monte Carlo is the most exclusive and wealthy of all. It’s quite beautiful and as clean as can be but I didn’t feel very comfortable there as the people are sooo rich, we regular folk just don’t fit in.
I was fortunate enough to have time to visit two famous villages. One is Eze, a medieval hilltop that juts out 1,491 ft. over the Mediterranean Sea and has narrow, winding lanes and hidden passageways. Amazing to see, charming and very pricey. There are a couple of hotels, restaurants, art studios and shops.
The other village is St Paul de Vence in Provence. It is also a hilltop village only it is, like Nice, a real place with real people. The shops are for the locals, not tourists and everything, even the fresh produce, looks like a picture postcard. Visit the sumptuous Colombe d’Or where the famous painters used to meet. This fascinating village attracts talented and discerning artists from around the world.
A lot of the other names that ring a bell are really nothing special. For instance, St. Tropez is world famous but it’s just a fishing village with small boats and locals dining outdoors. The rich tourists, as best as I can guess, aren’t actually staying there, or I just missed seeing them …
Definitely a wonderful experience.
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Tags: Art Studios, Colombe, eze, Famous Painters, france tour, France Travel, French People, French Riviera, Fresh In My Mind, Fresh Produce, Hidden Passageways, Hilltop Village, Juts, Mediterranean Sea, Nice and the French Riviera, nice france, nice things to do, Paul De Vence, Picture Postcard, Prime Real Estate, provence, Real People, Resort Areas, Seacoast, Seaside Resort, st paul de vence, St Tropez, things to see in nice, things to see in the french riviera, travel agency, Travel Attic, travel blog
Posted in France Travel, Travel Attic | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
 As an avid traveler, I would be remiss if I didn’t write about my choice for the Greatest city in the world, New York. The fact that I was born and raised there does color my thinking a bit but as any one who has ever been to the Big Apple knows –it IS the greatest.
Every American citizen owes it to him or herself to see New York (as well as our nations capital, but that’s another visit). The outer boroughs of Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island are where most the 8 million + citizens reside but we’re talking about Manhattan. My children were actually raised in Bergen County NJ but if you ask them, they are New Yorkers. That’s because they spent so much time in Manhattan as children seeing the sights, Broadway shows, etc. that it’s home to them.
Please find a way to get to New York in the Spring or the Fall (or around Christmas when Rockefeller Center has the giant tree, people are ice skating in the rink under it, and the department store windows are decorated for the holidays. There’s excitement in the air at Christmas.) If not, weatherwise Spring and Fall are perfect for touring:
Downtown – Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Wall Street, Chinatown, Little Italy.
Midtown – the aforementioned Rockefeller Center, St Patrick’s Cathedral, The Plaza Hotel and Grand Army Plaza right next to Central Park.
Further North on fabulous Fifth Avenue, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a must see. On Central Park West, there is the Museum of Natural History and the Planetarium not to mention the world famous Dakota Apartments.
Dine al fresco or in any restaurant you choose and the food will be amazing. No way mediocre restaurants survive in N.Y.
I forgot to mention that aside from the famous sights and skyscrapers the one thing that makes New York so special are New Yorkers!
Written by: Laura U
laura@atlastravelweb.com
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Tags: Al Fresco, American Citizen, Bergen County Nj, Brooklyn Queens, Central Park West, Dakota Apartments, Department Store Windows, Discover New York City, Ellis Island, Further North, Giant Tree, Grand Army Plaza, Little Italy, Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Museum Of Natural History, new york city, new york city hotel, new york city trip, new york city vacation pacakges, new york city vacation package, Outer Boroughs, Rockefeller Center, Skyscrapers, Spring And Fall, Statue Of Liberty, travel blog, Travel Deals
Posted in Travel Attic, Vacation Packages | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009
 One of our favorite cities in the US is Seattle. The views of Mt Rainier are spectacular as there is no real mountain range, just this one giant snow capped mountain in the distance. We did get to travel up the mountain and it was an invigorating summer hike. There is a wonderful island offering Indian folklore shows and a very fresh salmon dinner at a place called Tillicum Island. It’s a short very pleasant ferry ride away. Actually, though, as my husband and I are “foodies”, our favorite pastime when traveling is to look at local farmers markets etc.
In the US the Pike Place Market of Seattle is the best! This is the place with the “flying fish” which is a show by itself. Two of the fishmongers at this one particular vendor (very clever owner!) throw giant fish at each other while one is actually standing in the inevitable crowd. It’s the best show in town! I would love to live there just so I could shop at the market. There are so many tempting goodies and gorgeous fresh flower with the most vibrant colors I have ever seen. It’s like a dream. There was a brief scene in the movie Sleepless in Seattle where Tom Hanks meets his date at the market and also an outdoor shot with Rob Reiner. Seattle is a great destination for a long weekend and also a great place to begin an Alaska Cruise adventure.
Click here for a Seattle Citypass Card to save up to 51% off regular admission to Seattle’s six most popular attractions.
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Tags: pike place market seattle, seattle tour, seattle tours, things to do in seattle, things to see in seattle
Posted in Travel Attic, US Travel | No Comments »
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
Few vacations offer a greater value than a cruise+ vacation. You don’t have to worry about packing and unpacking, booking a hotel or wandering around an unfamiliar city in search of a restaurant or things to do. Cruises provide it all: meals, accommodations and entertainment. Sail into new ports of call while you sit back, relax and get pampered, all at an affordable price.
Compare the costs and benefits of a Cruise Vacation to those of a typical land vacation package.
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Make cruising your next vacation!
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Tags: Cruise, cruise advice, cruise information, cruise tips, Cruises, cruising, first time cruisers, whats included in a cruise
Posted in Cruises, Travel Attic | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 16th, 2009
My husband and I just returned from a river cruise which included Prague; a city in which I had little interest. Imagine my surprise to find a charming and colorful city with such varied history. We took over 80pictures in two days! Prague is divided by the Vltava River into Old Town and New Town. New Town is where the fabulous Hradcany – Castle Quarter – is located. The Castle and the surrounding town within its walls date back to the 16th Century. And that’s new town! The Castle Quarter is surrounded by what used to be a moat and the famous Charles Bridge (named for King Charles IV) leads to the Castle from the Old Town. It’s a pedestrian bridge which affords marvelous views of the Castle and the gothic Cathedral. Old Town, dating back to the 13th century, is home to the famous Astronomical Clock and city hall in the Old Town Square, and the historic Jewish Quarter and Old Jewish Cemetery. After our tour of the Castle and the Old Town Square, we took a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter which encompasses several synagogues that are now museums and one active Sephardic (Spanish) synagogue that is still in use. The Sephardic temple looked like the Alhambra in Granada. Just gorgeous. Prague’s Favorite Son is the author Franz Kafka and their favorite local product is beer. Lots of it.
My only regret is that we couldn’t capture a photo from the Castle hill showing the 1000 spires as it was too overcast. It really was a delightful visit.
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Tags: prague, prague review, prague things to do, prague things to see
Posted in River Cruises, Travel Attic | No Comments »
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Amidst the beauty of the Norman-style cottages, the apple cider mills and lovely picturesque stops like Honfleur and Deauville, there is a vast treasure of history to be studied by all ages. As a baby boomer for whom World War II is a history lesson , great black and white movies and songs of lost love, this visit to Normandy was a real eye opener.
At the Mulberry Musuem in Arramanches, one is taught things never learned in school. If not for a brilliant plan devised by Winston Churchill, the D Day Invasion could have proved even more sorrowful. Had we not been able to get supplies and tanks (to be placed on hugh concrete blocks) from England, surreptitiously delivered to the Omaha Beaches by night and underwater, all those brave men would have died in vain. Because those who survived were able to chase back the Germans and free Paris, the war was won by the Allies!
At the somber but beautiful American Military Cemetary, one can actually see the incredible heights the Allied Forces had to climb after surviving the beach landing. It was an extremely moving visit.
Please visit our France website for more on the packages that visit the Normandy Beaches.
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Tags: france tour, france tours, Normandy Beaches, normandy france, paris and the normandy beaches
Posted in France Travel, Paris, Travel Attic | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
The “Garden Isle” is the most beautiful, verdant island (in our humble opinion) and has its share of truly awesome sights. The Napili Coast, approachable by boat only, is spectacular. There is also the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon, which is seen by helicopter and affords views of pristine water falls and flora and fauna untouched by man ever. Poipu Beach on the South side of the island is picturesque and always sunny. However, our best memory of the island is the Fern Grotto cruise.
The Fern Grotto, a short trip of about 40-45 minutes on the Wailua River, is one of Kauai’s most beautiful and fun attractions. You are taken to a cave covered with ferns and other greenery as well as a gorgeous Hawaiin-style waterfall. Once, only the Kings of Hawaii were allowed to see this beauty. Now everybody can enjoy this delightful river cruise and the Grotto. For those old Elvis fans, there’s a scene in ‘Blue Hawaii’ actually filmed at the Grotto. You will be serenaded by music (including Hawaiian Wedding Song) while there and on the return trip, there is also a fun Hula lesson!
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Tags: hawaii, hawaii vacation package, hawaiian islands, kauai, travel attick, travel blog
Posted in Travel Attic, US Travel | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 31st, 2009
 Rio was, in its heyday, one of the most glamorous cities in the world. It’s still beautiful with Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches still shining and it will always have Corcovado Mountain, a rounded peak rising 2,300 ett from the bay below. Named one of the new 7 Wonders of the World, it is truly awesome. Located in the lush Tijuca Forest, you climb Corcovado Hill on an electrified train. It’s over 120 years old and slow but all the more exciting when you get to the top. Christ the Redeemer Statue, the symbol of Rio, is found by either climbing stairs, escalator or an elevator. The statue stands at 100 feet, arms outstretched, and one can see it from almost anywhere in the city. When looking down from Corcovado there are absolutely incredible views of Sugarloaf Mountain, the city itself, and the famous beaches. Due to their typical weather conditions, there is usually a cloud cover. This only adds to the mystique and beauty of Rio and makes for some great photos.
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Tags: brazil, brazil tour, brazil vacation, christ the reedemer, corcovado mountain, rio de janeiro, rio de janeiro vacation, South America Tour, south america tours
Posted in South America Tour, South America Travel, Travel Attic | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Sometimes great memories are closer to home. Texas has a lot to boast about but our favorite city is San Antonio. The winding Riverwalk (Paseo del Rio) is a fun place to people watch, eat great food and share a Giant Margarita (really!). It’s perfect for meandering along, taking a ride on the river with singing Mariachis and enjoying its very special ambiance. A tour of the Alamo (much smaller than one would imagine) is a must as is a visit to the adjacent Menger Hotel. The history of this famous landmark and Registered Historic Site is all over the Lobby. Signed notes from Theodore Roosevelt, both Ulysses Grant and Robert E Lee, Babe Ruth and more as well as photos. It’s truly a real step back in time.
There is also an Imax presentation about the Alamo that is worth seeing. Minutes away from the Alamo and the Riverwalk, you can also choose to visit Natural Bridge Caverns, Sea World or Six Flags so there’s fun for kids as well as adults.
Great long weekend destination!
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Tags: san antonio texas, san antonio texas thing to do, Travel Attic
Posted in Travel Attic | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
 Two valued members of our staff, who also happen to be married, and former owners of a travel agency share a passion for life, love and travel. As part of our Atlas Travel Blog, we are proud to introduce the “Travel Attic.” A couple’s account of their fondest memories from traveling the world.
VENICE, ITALY
We had been on the bus for about three hours, departing Florence after breakfast. The ride through the Po Valley is dull, nothing like the Apennines Mountains between Rome and Florence which are so ruggedly beautiful and so very Italian. As we neared Venice, we passed some train tracks and some ugly industrial sites. But then, the bus arrived at the terminal, we all disembarked and after turning the corner, there it was ñ The Grand Canal! Venice. Oh my. The view was breathtaking. We were really in Venice! The beautiful main train station was on the other side of the canal and there were water taxis, gondolas and glorious palazzos and hotels. To this day, that first glimpse of one of the world’s most exciting cities still makes us smile.
Call 1-800-942-3301 if you have questions about booking a Venice Vacation or visit Escorted Italy Tours
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Tags: Italy Tours, italy travel tour, itay tour, travel blog, venice tour, venice tour vacation, venice tours, venice travel
Posted in Italy Travel, Travel Attic | No Comments »
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