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Uffizi Museum, Florence, Italy

What a delicious treat this place was. I heard in peak tourist season aka summertime, the Uffizi draws thousands of people and the lines are so long it takes hours to get in (TGTG Tip: I was there in early October and waited approximately fifteen minutes). After hearing that fact, and viewing what I saw in the Uffizi, I felt the wait would have been worth it either way. I was lucky to have only waited for fifteen minutes, which I was more thankful for because it was chilly in October and I was still without a warmer jacket, but if you’re a true art lover, or just appreciate beautiful things, the Uffizi Museum is a must see while in Florence.

First of all, the paintings displayed inside (and it’s not even to full capacity) are remarkable. I didn’t take art history in college (I wish I had) but the art inside is not just for those who memorized artists’ names and what the rough texture of the Botticellis meant or whatever. The colors, the landscapes, the largeness of the canvases, and the tiniest of details some of the paintings demonstrated mesmerized me. Some of the lesser known artists had some of the best paintings and of course, I always love the unappreciated!

The gallery is located on the third floor. The couple I was with and I took our time looking at each room that was open to the public (some are periodically closed for restoration). The building itself is extremely old, built by Cosimo I in 1560 (I love Wikipedia) and its obvious antiqueness is stated throughout its architecture. There’s a lot of history within the museum walls of Italy and the Uffizi is just one of many you can go in and experience.

Uffizi Museum (gallery is on the 3rd floor!)
Loggiato degli Uffizi, 6
Florence
Tel: +39 055 2388651-652
Open: Tues-Sun, 8:15am-7pm
Tickets are around 6,50 euros (about $9.50 US)

Florence, Italy

Hands shaking, teeth chattering, mood weary, I arrived at The David Inn hostel in downtown Florence from the great Certaldo with the love of Italy still in tact. Unfortunately, Florence was my last stop while there and it meant one stop away from home; that was something weighing on my mind as I arrived. It should be stated I was severely tempted (while overseas) to sell my car, house, future first born . . . whatever, to make it up to northern Italy but it was not meant to be (at least not yet!!)

Back to Florence then. Hmmm . . . I’ll try not to be influenced by what others who’ve been there have said about it, particularly because no person can have the same experience while in any city, especially ones unknown to them.

A couple things right off: yes, the streets are overcrowded with tourists all cramming in together taking the same Statues, Florence Italypicture of the Duomo (the cathedral). Yes, litter covered these overcrowded streets with the tourists all cramming in together taking the same picture of the Duomo. And yes, there were gypsies panhandling money and ignoring the litter that covered the overcrowded streets with tourists, well, you get the point.

But here’s the thing about Florence: within these crowded streets, and tourists with extra cameras and gypsies begging for money, there are so many things that catch your eye – statues planted throughout the interspersed buildings, shops with numerous displays of their proud country’s soccer jerseys, painters painting the same things you just saw as you passed by – and so you can overlook the obstacles getting in your way of viewing a rather nice city.

Go to the Uffizi Museum, wander the streets until you find yourself intermingling with ancient hand-carved statues, or perhaps cross The Arno River Bridge and indulge in some cliché photographs overlooking the river’s edge, but no matter what, you’ll find yourself in Signoria Square on more than one occasion. Ignore the Gucci bag “salesmen” and maybe skive off into an Italian ice cream shop for a gelato treat. It’s not the only way to experience this constantly changing city, but in my opinion, it’s the easiest. If you catch yourself looking around, you might be Arno River, Florence Italydisappointed at the city’s lack of care. Stare straight ahead and march forward. Looking down only depressed me. I maintained a traveler’s eye and viewed Florence with a craned neck . . .

By far, Florence wasn’t my favorite city in Italy; however, the eccentricities of it remain enlightening enough to suggest taking a day trip if you’re in the other nearby towns of Tuscany.

Paris, France

A trip to Europe without visiting Paris, France is incomplete. This incredibly beautiful and culture-rich destination has something to offer every traveler, from backpackers on a budget to chic tourists looking for couture fashions…and everywhere in between. For my trip, I fell into the first category.

The Eiffel Tower in daylight, Paris, FranceI am lucky enough to have a relative who lives in Paris, my grandfather, so I got the local’s guide to this fabulous city, that I can now share with you! I stayed for 2 weeks, and let me tell you, I still didn’t get to see everything. I’ll get right into it…

Arriving in Paris can be filled with mixed emotions for the first time traveler, or even for the seasoned veteran. A culture shock can be expected because of the language, the customs (how many times do we kiss hello and goodbye?), the road rules, the hordes of tourists, and the amount of sites to check off your itinerary. Don’t be overwhelmed, just take them one at a time and be sure to enjoy each once you get to them. Don’t be thinking of how much time you can spend at one site before you have to leave to go to another. If you don’t get to everything, be happy you have something to come back and experience next time, don’t jam everything in and realize you really didn’t get to enjoy any of them when you’re finished. Like I said, 2 weeks wasn’t enough for me!

While on the plane to Paris, (direct from Phoenix on AirFrance), I made a list of the must see sites, that I absolutely had to get to. This included, of course:Notre Dame, Paris, France

(Blogs Coming Soon!)

I felt that if I got to see these sites, I would be satisfied with my Paris experience. I was right, to a certain extent. These sites are the backbone of Parisian culture and give you a fantastic idea of how Paris was in the past, and how it has progressed into the future. You feel as if you are in a fairytale as you walk around the vast halls of Versailles, or climb the steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower, or float down the Seine River on a boat tour where you’ll glance Notre Dame. While gazing at the Mona Lisa in The Louvre, you can’t help but feel lucky that you had this opportunity. All of these are unmissable, and unforgettable experiences in Paris, but…there is another side to this romantic city. That side consists of the more local culture and lesser-known tourist stops. The less busy, and more day-to-day life of Paris, that really lets you feel like you know what itCheese Store, Paris, France would be like to live there. For these experiences, you need to visit:

(Blogs Coming Soon!)

  • A Food/Produce Market and Shops
  • Cafes like Café de Flore
  • Isle de la Jatte, and other Seine River islands
  • Giverny & Monet’s House
  • A picnic in the park…any park!
  • Berthillon Ice Cream
  • Sainte-Chapelle
  • St-Germain-en-Laye
  • Mosque Tea Room
  • La Defence

Seeing all of Paris would take a lifetime, but highlighting your Parisian adventure with famous and lesser-known sites will give you a well-rounded picture of this magical destination. There’s always more to be seen, so plan on returning to Paris someday!

Now, click any of the above destinations for individual blogs on each. (Coming Soon!)

Interlaken, Switzerland Bungee Jump

Place: Simmental Valley in Interlaken, Switzerland
Time: Around 9:30pm
Went through: A place called Alpin Center located fifty feet from Balmers hostel
Cost: Around 280 francs!! (in 2006)
Event: I took a drink of crazy and bungee jumped off a swiss gondola.
Who with: A bunch of other people who drank a cup of crazy.

This video is short, sweet and too the point. There’s me (nearly drenched in rain) in a borrowed Balmers Hostel sweatshirt about to leap 80 feet over a swiss lake while looking down into a tiny boat where two people (more drenched in rain) wait to rope me in after a few bounces . . .

Note there’s an apology to my mother. The fact is, she told me in subtlety she didn’t want me to bungee jump. Her words I think were, “Don’t bungee jump.” So right before I leapt, my natural instincts were to tell her sorry and that I loved her. This was due to any extenuating circumstances where the girl who took the video had to mail it to my mother in Arizona with a letter stating: “I didn’t know your daughter’s name, but would have felt bad stealing her camera. So sorry for her death. Sincerely, the girl who saw her last.”

Then, I leapt. I leapt with all I had in me because I had to do it. The countdown ended and I was headed horizontal towards the horizon. Three milliseconds later, I was headed vertically to a very cold lake that was potentially my burial plot . . . instead, here I am alive and well writing about an adventure I took in Interlaken. And thankful a random girl didn’t have to write a letter to my mom :)

Finding the Right Backpack or Suitcase for Your Trip

Having a quality suitcase or backpack when you head out for your adventure will take a big stress off of your mind. Some things to remember when purchasing your luggage are:

1. The type: Backpack or suitcase. If you plan to be traveling to many different locations, and keeping your bags with you at all times, a backpack is the only way to go. Many times, streets aren’t equipped to handle rolling suitcases, and often there aren’t elevators or escalators to help with moving your stuff. By using a backpack, you can strap it on and become much more streamline while traveling from one place to the next. Keep in mind though, that there isn’t the option to roll it if your back starts to get tired. If you are heading straight to the airport, checking your bags, and then getting a taxi or hotel van to take you to your destination, then a regular suitcase should be just fine.

2. The size: Some travelers make it a rule that they will not pack more than they can keep with them at all times. This includes airplane flights. Keep in mind that you must check a bag that is over “carry-on” size. Also, every traveler tends to over pack (us included). To solve this problem…buy a smaller bag! This will limit the amount of stuff you can take with you, and it will help you slim down your packing to the bare necessities.

3. The price: It’s luggage. In our opinion, brand names and bells and whistles only go so far. Make sure you’re not duped into buying a suitcase or backpack just because “it’s the most expensive one, so it must be the best!” There are some brands that are known for quality, but overall, the backpack/suitcase you should get is the one that fits your needs.

4. The fit: When purchasing a backpack, make sure it is comfortable…there’s nothing worse than going on a trip only to find that the backpack you bought rubs in the wrong places, or doesn’t fit your body correctly. Some popular brands may be beloved by some travelers and loathed by others because of the different shape and fit of unique body types. Make sure to try on your bag before you buy it. Many backpack resellers have knowledgeable staff that can help with adjustments. Also make sure to stuff the bag for weight to see how it will fit once it is filled.

5. The store: Whether buying from a retail store or an online store, make sure of the company’s return and warranty policies. Since you can usually find better deals online, we suggest picking out your suitcase or backpack in a retail store where you can check the quality and fit, and then searching online with the brand and part number for a better deal.

Happy Travels!

Interlaken, Switzerland

I’m not Rick Steves. I’m not even going to get close to how much information his books provide about the cities he visits. But I can write something Mr. Steves doesn’t and that’s this - Interlaken, Switzerland changed my life forever.

It could have been the people I met while there, the delicious chocolate that encompasses every street corner and fat cell on my body, or the fact I bungee jumped over a Swiss lake off a tiny gondola . . . did I mention this place changed my life forever?!

This country deserves my complete respect and my week in Interlaken played out much like I was a character in a Lewis Carroll book. In fact, that’s how much respect I have for it. I’ll write a short story with chapters and everything . . . the title of my story: Calluses In Wonderland (okay, the one flaw is the blisters you get from walking!!)

Damn you Rick Steves, the blisters are somehow you’re fault :)

Chapter One: The hostel.

Balmers Herberge
Hauptstrasse, 23-25
Interlaken, BE 3800 Switzerland

cimg1907.JPGIt was a friend of a friend who introduced me to the idea of going to Interlaken and staying at Balmers Herbege. She’d gone there a couple years before and stated it was the most fun she’d ever had and I wanted my turn. Interlaken was the last city I’d actually planned on staying in as I was leaving everything else to spontaneity.

Balmers is the oldest private hostel in Switzerland and is celebrating 60 years of successful business. It is an ideal adventurous traveler location as it’s accessible to so many wonderful activities. The hostel is clean, fairly priced (around 22-28 francs) easy to get to from either Ost or West station, and a hotspot for meeting lots of fellow travelers looking for the same adventures.

The first thing I noticed was there weren’t any locks on the doors. Put your mind at ease: nothing I ever left in the room was disturbed, including my good ‘ole laptop. Like in every city, I always had my credit card, my passport, and a bit of cash securely tucked into my travel belt that I then tucked into my underwear (see Ali’s blog on Barcelona). But if you’re super paranoid about your I Love Swiss People t-shirt and dirty socks, there’s security lockers you can use.

Balmers is close to pretty much everything you’re going to need - restaurants (try My Little Thai right next door!), grocery stores (CO-OP) to use in the downstairs kitchen (bring some change!), bars (happy hour from 6-7pm @ Balmers), and of course, places to sign up for fun activities (you can use Balmers or walk the two blocks down to AlpSurf).

When I was there, WiFi was a thing of luxury and Balmers didn’t provide it. I believe it was a firm try to get people to get out and live. Which I and others certainly did. They have it now by the way, but don’t get carried away. Computers will be the last thing you’ll think of while in Switzerland. That takes me to the next chapter . . .

Chapter Two: The hikes.

cimg1935.JPGRick Steves. I hate to keep name dropping him, but he’s an incremental part of a lot of cities’ successes for getting more appreciation and visits. The question is though, can a quaint, humble village in the Alps remain “off the beaten path” after being featured in a television travel series and popular budget guidebooks?

This isn’t a yes or no answer. To me, the answer should be, it doesn’t matter. I kept picturing Mr. Steves hauling ass up the side of Gimmelwald and the more I did, the more it seemed important to share it with everyone. Hell, that’s what I’m doing. Every travel guide/book/website will tell you to ‘hike the Alps.’ I’m not demanding it, I’m not even suggesting it; I’m simply promoting it. Like a politician running for president, I’m campaigning for the Swiss Alps.

I’m not trying to be deceiving; the hikes are long, arduous, and certainly not all of them are climbable if you’re out of shape. But, bum knees, extra body fat, whatever. You’ve got to hike at least one mountain! As for me, I went on three. All different levels (although I didn’t know that at the time).

Sub chapter: Gimmelwald and Murren

Both of these towns are hikeable, even for the “non-hikers.” An option is to stop in Lauterbrunnen (a municipality that lies in Lauterbrunnen Valley, but is in the Interlaken district), which is beautiful as all Switzerland is, but I personally suggest continuing on to Gimmelwald. There isn’t any spot or walk you’re going to take that isn’t picturesque as the people take great pride and care of their country, but the entire point of being somewhere like Switzerland is to KEEP GOING!

cimg1837.JPGYou have to take a train from Lauterbrunnen to Stechelberg (sounds like I’m gargling) and an even smaller, slower train to Gimmelwald that seems expensive, but the reward benefits the purchaser more than a few Francs saved for an extra chocolate bar. Trust me, you’ll get back home to discover you have random foreign money from all over and then you’ll say: “Ah! I should have kept going up to Gimmelwald!” For example, I still have four pounds in my drawer at home that means two things: One, I hesitated and missed out on something in the UK like an ice cream treat or an extra bus ride, and two, in America, I’m a millionaire, due to the ridiculously high value of pound to dollar.

In Switzerland, the hikes are real hikes, but for the most part, I forgot I was hiking. The air is Outkast (so fresh and so clean) and if you’re like me, you’ll take forever to get to the top because every twenty feet is a “photo opportunity.” But if I’d lost my camera or dropped it in German beer (see my Munich blog), I’d remember these mountains. And I’ll remember with whom I shared such an incredible experience.

Chapter Three: The people.

cimg1820_2.JPGIt was the morning of August 21st and I was tired, but set my alarm so I wouldn’t miss breakfast (served until 10am @ Balmers). I accepted my free breakfast of juice, oatmeal or dry cereal (I love cereal), and either an orange or toast (carbs over fruit anyday). I was somewhat lonely after instant messaging Ali and not actually getting to hear her voice tell me a funny joke or laugh at one we retell over and over for a chuckle. But then I remembered where I was and then realized it was time to be brave again.

Target: two girls sitting at a table, eating the same breakie and speaking in (gasp!) English. Bingo. I gathered my almost empty tray and asked clear as day, “Is anyone sitting here?” The rest goes as follows:

Have a seat. Thanks. I’m Emily, this is Amanda. I’m Katie. Where you from Katie? Arizona. Sweet, I’m from New York. Me: I totally want to go there! (more people enter from upstairs). Emily: Oh these are our friends, Paul, Sarah, and Lucky. Me: You all traveling together? Amanda: Nah. Just Paul and Sarah, everyone else is on their own. We all met at happy hour last night, got pretty schnackered. Paul: Everyone up still for canyoning? Everyone: Yes! Paul: Katie, you in?

Sub chapter: Canyoning

Of course I was in. I didn’t even know what the hell canyoning was (taking pictures of canyons?) but I wasn’t about to lose these awesome new friends. And awesome is a dumb word that underwhelms how great these people turned out to be. Paul and sister Sarah from Tampa, Luciano aka Lucky the Italian, New Yorker Emily, and birthday girl Oregonian Amanda. Then the Phoenician Katie. We were the new millennium Euro Breakfast Club. They made it feel like I was home again, except none of us wanted to be home.

Interlaken became the standard I compared all other upcoming cities to, and my Breakfast Club still sets the bar when comparing new people I meet. They were that essential to my wanting to go on, try more things, visit more cities, and be more myself.

Some solo travelers like to remain solo and I get that. I myself was constantly in and out of wandering the cities I visited alone, and casually meeting great people at hostels.

But of course, I prefer the company of my best friend, fellow TGTG Ali because sharing something as beautiful as traveling around new cities can be best relived over a cup of coffee with someone who knows what it’s like to want to go back.

Chapter Four: Bungee Jumping.

cimg2142.JPGI went bungee jumping. Whether or not it was in me my whole life, who can say. I know I can’t. But at the time, in Interlaken, Switzerland, over a lake surrounded by Alps mountains and 200 alpine peaks of the Simmental valley, off a shaky gondola 450 feet above the water, in the cold and drizzling rain, staring into the distant fields where cows stood at a slant eating nature’s best grass, it was me.

I leapt for nobody else either, which is, if you decide to go, the best and only way to do it. It’s not for everybody. Neither is knitting or buying lottery tickets for that matter. I hate to knit, so it would anger me if someone was telling me, you have to knit, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. That was bungee jumping for me. It was something I can’t forget - it was scary for cripes sake - but was a jump I don’t regret taking.

My mom (who practically forbade me to bungee jump before I left) took the news fairly well. She said it must have been quite a leap - scary, heart wrenching, and terrifying in its own way. I told her so was marriage. So what? People do it. Some do it twice! For me, it was its own entity and I’ll forever treat it that way. An alien force I encountered and conquered and, although fond of its qualities, can bear not doing again.

Why am I telling you this? To promote bungee jumping? To say do something crazy while traveling? Not at all. My solemn vow while in Europe and is everyday is simply to be myself and try new things. Every second of every minute of every hour of every day for the rest of your life, be yourself and be open to new experiences. If it leads you to bungee jumping, all right. If it leads you to knitting, excellent.

If I try to explain it any further, I’ll bore both my readers, our site regulars, fellow TGTG Ali, and myself. I shared it to make a point and now that it’s out there, I feel happy to have shared it.

Swiss Recap:

TGTG Apology: If you need some extra warmth, buy a kickass Balmers hooded zip-up sweatshirt. I owe them one! I didn’t have a coat and the English hostel worker lent me her sweatshirt and when I came back late at night, she was gone. So sorry British lady, thanks for your kindness.

TGTG (Katie only) recommendation: If you aren’t afraid of heights and my story made yourself think, ‘I want it too!’ then go to Alpin Center and say, “I too want to jump over Stockhorn Lake!” I tried to explain it to you, but there’s really only one way to feel it. . .

TGTG Photo Op: Switzerland :)

TGTG Advice: Take your time.

Biergarten at the Chinese Pagoda, Munich, Germany

What better way to start the Munich three-day stop than going to get a beer at the Chinese Pagoda Biergarten!

First morning, I arrived stinky, tired, and thirsty. Paul and Sarah, who I met in Interlaken and met up with again here at Wombat’s hostel, were asleep and hungover from the night before. The cure then, dropping off my bags, refreshing my deodorant, and off for steins of beer.

The Biergarten at the Chinese Pagoda was cool because it was set in the middle of Englischer Garden and along the way, you see surfers riding the canal’s small current, tiny restaurants opening up and getting ready for the day (at 11am!), and people just living life.

The look and set up of this adorable biergarten was both pleasant and humble. Wooden green tables surround the bar making it highly accommodating to order, grab, pay, and sit down to immediately enjoy your purchase. You’ll find along the way many other biergartens and I’m certainly not telling anyone they must go to the Chinese Pagoda, but it’s part of the Munich experience to stop by some of the less famous biergartens (Hofbrauhaus being difficult to always find a seat) and benefit from a new experience.

TGTG Advice: Instead of a purse, buy a daypack. Paul and Sarah introduced me to the wonders of these smaller bags that look like tinier versions of backpacks. It’s easier to carry around your shoulder or in front of your chest and it’s less likely someone can snag it too!

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