Month: May 2006

Categories
Florida USA

Here They Come: Travel to Florida in Hurricane Season.

The Fun Zone During Hurricane Season (Florida postcard)Oh boy, as of 1 June we get to start another hurricane season. As one who had a tree fall on her house in a Florida hurricane, I’d like to just take a pass, thanks.

Many visitors to the Sunshine State don’t seem to feel the same dread; they’re ready to take their chances and visit anyway.

As long as people are going to insist on coming, they might as well get some good info and links, right?

You can still catch the last two Star Wars Weekends at Disney-MGM Studios (and if you want to pretty much skip hurricane season, make reservations now for Halloween and Christmas at Disney.)

For more opinions and options, check out the Orlando Sentinel for a good rundown on the theme parks, area attractions and places to visit. The Miami Herald does a great job of laying out itineraries/hotels/eats for a variety of visitors such as “Princess Picky,” “Teen on the Scene” and “Abuela & the Twins.” Besides theme parks, there’s the “other Orlando” of International Drive activities and outlet malls.

Or, just escape Orlando altogether and head for Tampa/St. Pete; many say that the best all-around theme park (for little ones AND those who want to scream their heads off on rides) is Busch Gardens Tampa. I know that my family had a wonderful time there; plenty of rides at all levels for everyone (I lost count of how many times my daughter went on the SheiKra coaster, but I know I had to do it twice.) My young son loved the Rhino Rally and looking at the Budweiser Clydesdales.

Naturally, you can chuck it all and go to the beach — one of the best in the U.S. is near Tampa at Fort DeSoto Park. Aaahhh….

Want to see anything but theme parks and not really very beach-y? Head over to the northern part of the state, which is most “Southern,” the Florida Panhandle.

Whatever you do during hurricane season travel, keep that rental car gassed up, bring a backup evacuation plan/route (or two,) a flashlight and a small transistor radio to stay informed.

And when they say to “git,” you need to listen.

Categories
Trip Soundtracks USA

More Road Trippin’ Part II: Cross-Country Jaunt & More USA Trip Tunes.

I’ve made the southern route drive back and forth across the U.S. a few times; some of it is kinda dullsville (Deming, New Mexico anyone?) and other sections are great (Tennessee.)

A recent article in Budget Travel highlights a couple moving from Boston to Los Angeles driving through the southern U.S.; it gives some good ideas for things to see and do along the way in Louisville, Memphis, New Orleans, Austin and points west.

As a follow-up to my previous post on road trip ideas and U.S.-flavored tunes/music & musicians evocative of the U.S. to go with it, here is the playlist for the rest of the CDs that I burned:

American Music CD Four
1. Punahoa Special Led Kaapana
2. La Bamba Los Lobos
3. Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? Paula Cole
4. Jet Airliner Steve Miller Band
5. Walkin’ After Midnight Patsy Cline
6. Graceland Paul Simon
7. Hammer Song Peter, Paul and Mary
8. Wichita Lineman Dwight Yoakam
9. Fanfare for the Common Man Aaron Copland
10. Don’t Be Cruel Elvis Presley
11. 1999 Prince
12. Inner City Blues Marvin Gaye
13. Bye Bye Blackbird Carmen McRae
14. Brick House Commodores
15. The Entertainer Scott Joplin
16. Old Time Rock & Roll Bob Seger/Silver Bullet Band
17. Too Young to Go Steady John Coltrane Quartet
18. Ventura Highway America
19. Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen
20. The Kiss (Last of the Mohicans) Trevor Jones
American Music CD Five
1. Jolie Blond The Balfa Brothers
2. La Pistola Y El Corazon Los Lobos
3. Born to Run Bruce Springsteen
4. The Thrill is Gone B.B. King & Tracy Chapman
5. Cash on the Barrelhead Dolly Parton
6. All Along the Watchtower Michael Hedges
7. Bandera Willie Nelson
8. Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley
9. Lily of the West Joan Baez
10. Appalachian Spring 4th mv. Aaron Copland
11. Ramblin’ On My Mind Robert Johnson
12. Take the “A” Train Duke Ellington
13. Boy From Tupelo Emmylou Harris
14. Control Janet Jackson
15. Good Time Charlie’s Got The Blues Dwight Yoakam
16. Rock & Roll Band Boston
17. A Change is Gonna Come Aretha Franklin
18. Stardust Artie Shaw
19. Texas Flood Stevie Ray Vaughan
20 A Pirate Looks at Forty Jimmy Buffett
21. Maple Leaf Rag Scott Joplin
American Music CD Six
1. Zydeco Boogaloo Buckwheat Zydeco
2. One Time, One Night Los Lobos
3. Thunder Road Bruce Springsteen
4. Chicago Frank Sinatra
5. Big Ball’s In Cowtown Asleep at the Wheel
6. Streamlined Man Michael Hedges
7. Guitars, Cadillacs, etc. Dwight Yoakam
8. Do Right Woman – Do Right Man Aretha Franklin
9. “Buckaroo Holiday” from Rodeo Aaron Copland
10. Burning Love Elvis Presley
11. The Dance George Winston
12. Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan
13. The “In” Crowd Ramsey Lewis
14. Saturday in the Park Chicago
15. You’re My Funny Valentine Miles Davis
16. An American Band Grand Funk Railroad
17. Talkin’ About a Revolution Tracy Chapman
18. Viva Las Vegas ZZ Top
19. Just As I Am Willie Nelson
American Music CD Seven
1. Les Flammes d’Enfer Jo-El Sonnier
2. Oye Como Va Santana
3. Waltz Across Texas Emmylou Harris
4. American Pie Don McLean
5. Ain’t Nobody Chaka Khan
6. After the Goldrush Bob Taylor
7. What a Cryin’ Shame The Mavericks
8. I Loves You, Porgy Miles Davis
9. La Grange ZZ Top
10. Moonlight in Vermont Frank Sinatra
11. Corine, Corina Asleep At the Wheel
12. Rhapsody in Blue George Gershwin
13. Jessica Allman Brothers
14. Angel of the Morning The Pretenders
15. Life By The Drop Stevie Ray Vaughan

Categories
Tips

Where is the Toilet? Language Lesson Podcasts.

Just saw this article on the UK’s Guardian Unlimited site — free downloadable Spanish language podcasts for travelers.

Yes, it’s great that you learned how to order a cerveza during your Spring Break to Cancun, but with kids you mostly need to know how to find the bathroom in multiple languages.

Categories
Trip Soundtracks USA

More Road Trippin’ Ideas, Plus USA Travel Music.

Now, I know I’ve already had a recent post on road trip planning, but you know you can never have enough.

There are tips aplenty at Travel With Kids, and if you travel on some of the main US Interstate highways you can check out the sightseeing options here. I found this great site called TurnHere.com, with quirky video guides to many cities (great visuals for your kids.)

You know I think good eats are key….here are 10 highway exits with yummy food at the offramp. The International Herald Tribune takes the tough job of travel across the country eating only fast food (and somehow the author does not die in the attempt.)

But here’s the important stuff — music for the road. Some great options are listed here and here, and there’s always my current favorite Sirius satellite radio (Blues Channel 74, please) but let’s go further….

When I lived overseas, my daughter attended an International School. For a festival booth at her school, I made up 7 CDs of background music that I thought was evocative of everything about the U.S.; all of the different cultures and major immigrant groups and the open road. The set rapidly became my kid’s favorite for road trips, so I’d like to share it with you.

Here are the first 3 playlists; I’ll post the rest later this weekend once I finish ranting about Richard Petty and writing up NHRA drag racing articles.

(Sorry in advance for some strange formatting from the copy/paste.)

American Music CD One
1. Great Grampah’s Banjo Pura Fe’
2. Cuban Pete Tito Puente
3. Wouldn’t It Be Nice Beach Boys
4. Hound Dog Elvis Presley
5. America Simon & Garfunkel
6. Big Rock Candy Mountain Harry McClintock
7. Leaving on a Jet Plane Peter, Paul and Mary
8. Appalachian Spring 2nd mv. Aaron Copland
9. You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling Righteous Brothers
10. Georgia On My Mind Willie Nelson
11. Respect Aretha Franklin
12. The Beat Goes On Patricia Barber
13 For Once In My Life Dionne Farris
14. It Don’t Mean a Thing (…. That Swing) Duke Ellington
15. Fortunate Son Creedence Clearwater Revival
16. Summertime Miles Davis
17. Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd
18. Miami Will Smith
19. Dubuque George Winston
20. My Prerogative Bobby Brown
21. American Girl Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
22. Time of the Preacher Willie Nelson
23. Amazing Grace Dean Shostak

American Music CD Two
1. Go Hiroshima
2. La Feria de las Flores Flaco Jimenez
3. Sloop John B Beach Boys
4. Fly Like an Eagle Steve Miller Band
5. Homeward Bound Simon & Garfunkel
6. I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow The Soggy Bottom Boys
7. All Shook Up Elvis Presley
8. XXX’s & OOO’s (American Girl) Trisha Yearwood
9. Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright Peter, Paul and Mary
10. Music Madonna
11.“Hoe-Down” from Rodeo Aaron Copland
12. Unchained Melody Righteous Brothers
13. Wide Open Spaces Dixie Chicks
14. Red Headed Stranger Willie Nelson
15. I’m Every Woman Chaka Khan
16. Why Can’t This Be Love Van Halen
17. California Dreamin’ Mamas & Papas
18. Take (Another) Five Grover Washington, Jr.
19. What’s Going On Marvin Gaye
20. Miles Ahead Miles Davis
21. Jack and Diane John Mellencamp
22. Shenandoah Dean Shostak

American Music CD Three
1. Intro and Hi`ilawe Memories of Hawaii Calls
2. Sabor a Mi’ Los Lobos
3. God Only Knows Beach Boys
4. Take the Money & Run Steve Miller Band
5. American Tune Paul Simon
6. Love Shack B-52’s
7. The Last of the Mohicans Main Title by Trevor Jones
8. Jailhouse Rock Elvis Presley
9. I’ll Fly Away Alison Krauss, Gillian Welch
10. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough Diana Ross
11. Blowin’ in the Wind Peter, Paul and Mary
12. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) Marvin Gaye
13. Readin’, Rightin’ Route 23 Dwight Yoakam
14. Mexican Dance & Finale from “Billy the Kid” Aaron Copland
15. Let’s Go Crazy Prince
16. Couldn’t Stand the Weather Stevie Ray Vaughan
17. New York State of Mind Billy Joel
18. Midnight Rider Allman Brothers
19. Sweet Home Chicago Robert Johnson
20. Satin Doll Duke Ellington
21. Pink Houses John Mellencamp
22. The Claw Clint Black

Categories
Europe

More Ideas for Family Travel to Europe.

My link collection for travel with kids to Europe needs some thinning and distribution to an eagerly-waiting population of readers, so here goes a short link-fest:

Teresa Plowright over at About’s Travel With Kids has all the scoop on a great concept called Center Parcs. These are family-friendly “villages” around Europe that have play areas, pools, recreation options and lodging. Don’t be spooked by the language barrier; English is widely spoken at many of the parks. Check it out….

Want something a little less, umm, Parc-like? How about renting a place to stay on an island in the Mediterranean?  The folks at Untours have lots of “get local” ideas in their e-newsletter the Eurozine, and I bookmarked this one featuring vacation ideas in three island towns: Oia on Santorini, Greece, Hvar Town on Hvar, Croatia and Alghero on Sardinia, Italy. 

Wanna get quirky in Europe and see some unusual stuff?  Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald has a rundown on 10 “Weird and Wonderful” things to see in Europe. I vote for the reenactment of the Battle of Hastings of 1066 (always good to sneak history into your kids’ heads despite their best efforts to keep it out.)

How about some help from Budget Travel’s Trip Coach for a Girl Scout trio’s first trip to Europe? Take a look at some of the wallet-friendly ideas for London and Switzerland. 

Has your son or daughter been taking French classes?  Have them get hot doing some translation work for your trip to Paris; Gridskipper found a link to “Paris Eats Under 35 Euros” but the site’s in French.  Gotta translate for your supper; c’mon, you can do it if you’re hungry enough!

Finally, I’ve posted this before but it bears a repeat — “Europe Through the Back Door” guru Rick Steves has a great page of links for trip planning for Europe. Set aside, oh, a month or so to get through it all. 

Bon Voyage!

PS   This just in from the Chicago Tribune; a rundown on tourist cards/passes for museums, sights and transport in 4 major cities in Europe.

PPS  The UK’s Telegraph online gives a cautionary review of a British Center Parc; good info to know if planning to go to one.  

Categories
Uncategorized

The OC? Nah, San Diego is the Best of Southern California.

Some might disagree with me, but for family travel in the southern part of the Golden State, I vote for San Diego. 

There’s beach and surfer action, the world-class Balboa Park and Zoo, nautical fun at the waterfront Embarcadero, maybe a dip down into Mexico, the sweeping ocean view as you drive over the bridge to Coronado, primo weather all the time….how can you lose?  Grownups and older kids will enjoy the revitalized downtown Gaslamp Quarter and upscale, gorgeous places like La Jolla and Del Mar just up the coast.

For ideas on things to do with kids, check out this guide to the city from Smarter Travel, plus an itinerary for a San Diego getaway on James Trotta’s blog “Travel Plan Ideas.”  The Webby-winning folks over at GoCityKids have some tips as well. 

One thing to remember; I just assumed that since so much of surfer culture got its start in SOCAL (Southern California) oceans, the water must be nice and warm.  Um, nope. It’s a pretty bracing temperature, even at the height of Endless Summer.

Categories
Europe

Theme Parks in Europe

Kiddie Rides, Europapark, Germany (Scarborough photo)Update 3 June 2006: Great article about Europapark in the UK’s Telegraph online travel section.

I know that some would be horrified at the idea of going all the way to Europe only to end up in a theme park, and there’s some merit to that horror.

Such parks would not be toward the top of my list, either, but I’ve found that if the timing’s right they can be a lot of fun (and break up the “oh not another museum” monotony that I sometimes inflict on my family.)

During a visit to Colmar in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, we jumped over the border to Rust, Germany and Europapark.

It was absolutely immaculate, pretty imaginative, a good value for the money and it was nice to experience something other than Disney (except they did have an annoying mascot mouse; but then, I’m not big on mascots.)

EuroMaus at Europapark, Germany (Scarborough photo)I also enjoyed being one of many families, but not the usual obvious American tourist.

For thrills, the Silver Star coaster at Europapark literally left me pale. I’d rather get inverted than get dropped that far….

For those who travel with kids to Europe, this UK Times Online article gives a nice rundown of European parks that may be new to you.

If thrill rides and maximum speed are your thing, the Times investigates a new coaster in Britain plus what they consider to be the best theme parks in Britain.

This may be the antidote to “too much grown-up stuff” while visiting London (or you could just pack in some more Harry Potter sites instead.)British (for a moment) in the England section of Europapark (Scarborough photo)

Other links:

Categories
Tips

Teenage Travelers.

Sorry for the lack of family travel blog activity for the last day or so; I’ve been over at Fast Machines posting up NHRA drag racing articles about this past weekend’s race in Columbus, Ohio.

I thought that many of you might enjoy this article in the New York Times about travel with the “sullen set;” teenagers.  From my own experience I can confirm that it’s certainly a challenge, but I’ve also learned that it always seems to pay off once my teen appreciates the opportunities that she’s been given.

It may take a few weeks/months/years before the parent gets to see any of that appreciation, so be persistent and patient. 

There’s nothing like looking at a school textbook picture of a place and realizing that you’ve personally been there and have an understanding that your peers do not.

Categories
Europe

Take the Kids to Cologne/Koln, Germany

The Magnificent Kolner Dom.One of the recent articles at the UK’s Guardian Online made me nostalgic for a visit to the pleasant German city of Cologne/Koln (sorry, there should be an umlaut, or two dots, above the “o” in Koln but I’m not HTML-savvy enough to do it.)

However you spell it, we always enjoyed the chance to travel there as a family.

You’ll be seeing a lot of media travel articles about Germany in the next few weeks, since we’re getting in the fevered grip of World Cup 2006 this summer and they are the host country.

Stollwerck's Chocolate Soccer Ball-Making Machine (Scarborough photo)For kids, the highlight of a Cologne visit may be the Stollwerck chocolate factory.

The factory has a walk-through assembly line; we must have stood mesmerized for 10 minutes in front of the machine making hollow chocolate soccer balls (of course, they’re “footballs” in Europe.) There is also an exhibit about the making of chocolate, a cafe and naturally, a gift shop.

Stollwerck is an open and sunny place, right on the banks of the Rhine and within easy walking distance of the fabulous Kolner Dom cathedral.

The Dom is an awe-inspiring church, perhaps even more impressive than Notre Dame, if I may say so.

The dizzying height of the spires will give your neck a pretty good crick.

Making Chocolate-Dipped Biscuits/Cookies at Stollwerck (Scarborough photo)

There are Rhine (Rhein) River day cruises leaving from Koln as well.

Many of them run all the way down to the pretty, half-timbered town of Bacharach and the rock at Lorelei/Loreley, where legend says that sailors are so enamored with mysterious voices and singing that they run aground.

Consider a visit to this lovely city, whether you’re a World Cup fan or your kids are just hooligans. 🙂

Categories
Hawaii USA

Get Some Family Aloha When You Travel To Hawaii

Fun in Hawaii (Scarborough photo)For me, Hawaii is one of those few wonderful places that really lives up to its hype.

Now, I’m quite biased. My first Navy ship was based in Pearl Harbor; to celebrate my arrival to the islands, one of my shipmates took me to the Sheraton Waikiki’s famous banyan tree to drink a Mai Tai while the sun set on our Diamond Head view.

Wow.

I’ve returned with kids and continued to find that it’s a magical place. There are a ton of guidebooks that cover the islands much better than I can, but I do have some recent links that you might enjoy.

** As is my wont, I must lead off by overwhelming you with 101 Free (or inexpensive) things to do on Oahu. There are a ridiculous number of choices for visitors. I do recommend a luau (not free or particularly cheap) for atmosphere and succulent Kailua pig. As for poi….well, I did try it.

Also not cheap but worth it are surfing lessons if the kids are interested. My daughter still talks about the sunburnt, Mohawked “Coach Eddie” who got her up standing on a surfboard in one afternoon.

** Remember that there’s more to Oahu than Waikiki; check out the surfers at Banzai Pipeline and the laid-back North Shore. Kids love Matsumoto’s shave ice, or investigate Wendy Perrin’s recommendations.

** Follow the contemplative steps of early Hawaii visitor Mark Twain, particularly to the Big Island (volcanoes are very cool, no pun intended.)

** Maui is another fun and funky island to visit.

** Great news for travelers; it’s getting even easier to go from island to island. Airlines that specialize in inter-island transportation are adding routes and growing. If you don’t want to fly there is a new high-speed ferry to get you and the kids out and about.

Eat some nice juicy pineapple for me, will you?

No Respect for Del Monte Pineapples (Scarborough photo) Oahu Pineapple Ready to Pick (Scarborough photo)

Update 25 May 2006: Here’s a link just in on best places in the Hawaiian islands to enjoy water sports like bodysurfing and kayaking.

Update 30 Sept 2006: How about the New York Times, “36 Hours in Honolulu?”