Trip Tip a Day

Tip of the day: Enjoy the outdoor cafe Yes, the outdoor sidewalk cafe is a European staple. It's not as if we don't have them here in America, but actually, it really is as if we don't have them here in America. So, enjoy your seat, the sites, the views, the fresh air, the shade perhaps, the waiter, the food, the people watching, and enjoy taking it all in - al fresco!

Tip of the day: Have something embroidered in Venice Choose your item and watch as she embroiders freehand The apron says "c ucino con Amore" with hearts A fun Venice memory for the 13 year old cook in our family from her Swiss Uncle Kurt

Tip of the day: Consider a leisurely bike ride wherever you go Here is the Avignon site for bicycle rental - Velopop! http://www.velopop.fr/

Tip of the day: Enjoy a fresh perspective Travel - always brings out my fresh perspective. Like these petals on flowers that look nothing like any other flower petal I've ever seen before. Fresh. Gotta love that.

Tip of the day: Visit Trevi Fountain in Roma It's a video-clip-on-the-blog experiment - Trevi Fountain still photographs, Trevi fountain video clip to capture the sound. Let's see if it works. Who is the King of the European fountain - Trevi perhaps?

Tip of the day: Try some pastilles My throat was a little scratchy this morning, so I sucked on a blackcurrant pastille (Cassis Pastilles) . They are a wonderful chewy consistency - nothing like the hard candy type of cough drop/throat lozenge we have here in the US. A few years ago, scratchy throats were going around a workshop I attended in Germany. My wonderful German roommate got me a box of Ricola Krauterpastillen (Blackcurrent Pastilles). They are so great for a sore throat. We have Ricola cough drops here in America, but no pastilles. Pity.

Tip of the day: Enjoy a cappuccino in Italy Here's a beautiful cappuccino from a cafe near the water in Cecina Mare, Italy. I love the cup, the saucer, the little spoon, the foam and the delicious taste. Ahh.

Tip of the day: Bring some earthly treasures home from your trip Many years ago, I visited the beach at Cecina Mare on the Mediterranean near Pisa in Italy. I collected these rocks from the beach and loved them, especially when they in water (as above in the photograph). The color comes alive, the bands of white run through the rocks, the colors and shapes are beautiful. After we moved from Ohio to Texas, I couldn't find the rocks. I thought they hadn't been packed up and were perhaps tossed while packing (and I blamed my husband). :-( For years I have dreamed about getting back to Cecina to collect some more rocks from the beach. Imagine my surprise when today, 13 years after moving to Texas, I found the little sack of rocks in my garage clean out. They were in a bag with all the letters and cards my husband wrote me when we were in different states for a year before we married. I hugged him and told him I was sorry today. My treasures have returned - two of them.

Tip of the day: Enjoy the view from a bridge over the Seine in Paris Day Night

Tip of the day: Be prepared to see lots of grafitti in Rome Rome has it's share of magical sights - Trevi fountain and the Coliseum are just two. But Rome has a big share of grafitti that leaves an impression. A shame, not sure. Something that captures your mind and your eye, yes.

Tip of the day: Enjoy another Paris fountain!

Tip of the day: Have a sandwich I was surprised to see pre-made delicious looking sandwiches on crusty yummy looking bread in Italy and France. Can you picture any beautiful display of pre-made sandwiches in America? Hmmm......I can't. Enjoy the European sandwich if you need a snack or lunch.

Tip of the day: Have good friends who bring you treats from Europe! My friend just returned from a 2 week European tour with chocolates for the gang. There were many choices, but when I saw the familiar lavender wrap on the Milka chocolate I chose it. And, lo and behold, Milka has come up with a resealable wrap. No foil on this chocolate. That's handy. My daughter is sick today, possibly early pneumonia. Tonight was the night to break out the chocolate and let one of the little squares melt on my tongue. Ahh.

Tip of the day: Apply for your passport EARLY! We just got back from the County Clerk's office where we applied for Passport books for our 2 younger children. You need the U.S. Passport book for Europe It's a pretty painless procedure at our County Clerk's office. If you stop by ahead of time, they'll give you detailed instructions and the application form. Then when you come back, it's a piece of cake. When I return I bring: -the application filled out ready to go (not signed!!!) -the original birth certificate (the State/City/County copy), -the child (must be present), -their natural father, my spouse (must be present), -$60 check to Dept. of State for each passport, -$35 cash for each passport for execution fee ($25) and photos ($10), -my driver's license. They told us today it would be a 4-6 week wait. We'll see. When a trip is even a glimmer in your eye, go ahead and apply for your passport. Then, when the time comes, you'll be ready to go.

Tip of the day: Enjoy the park by the river Aare in Berne The walk to the river The walk back from the river We passed by this clear pool on the way to the river. Nearby, were little (naked) children playing in the water and parents relaxing with their picnic lunch.

Tip of the day: Float the River Aare in Berne Switzerland Ever since my Swiss "brother" Kurt, told me about floating down the River Aare in the summer, I was determined to experience this. As a long time swimmer and current master's swimmer, I love the water. I even talked my daughter into accompanying me. Kurt acted as cameraman for us. In late July, you can see that we were the only (crazy) souls floating that day. The water was freezing. I don't even know what the temperature was, but it took your breath away upon entry. It was too cold for the Swiss to float, but for us "perhaps once in a lifetime Americans", we went for it. See our little heads coming down the River? The gorgeous blue of the water? I can't wait to go back and experience this again - maybe next time all the way to downtown Berne in August. Too fun. Your comments are welcome! I'd love to hear from you dear readers.

Tip of the day: Find the Medici Fountain at the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris The Jardin du Luxembourg is very large and very beautiful. Within it, you may find the Medici Fountain. It will feel a bit like a scavenger hunt, but a challenge is always fun. There's lots of history - but I'll leave that to you to discover!