You could spend weeks in Venice without exhausting your options for museums to explore, churches to visit, and places for a delicious meal. But since your time visiting will likely be much more limited, here’s the Travel Savvy Gal “cheat sheet” for the essentials:
Things to Do
Rialto Bridge
It’s iconic. It is quite tall, so offers a great view of the Grand Canal. You’re decently likely to pass it anyway as you wander Venice, but in case not, seek it out at least once.
St. Mark’s Square
This is the piazza you see in many of the typical photographs of Venice. With several tourist attractions right on the square you’ll likely be here already. When you are, take some time in the square itself to appreciate its grandeur.
Exploring here will give you a solid insight into Venetian history and life.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! It’s worth reserving a ticket for the Doge’s Palace in advance, as you’ll have a much shorter queue to enter.
I of course recommend visiting for longer if you can, but if you only have one day in Venice, read more about how to spend One Day in Venice for tips about making the most of your limited time.
If you’re going to see one sight in Venice, this should be it. The decoration is a little over-the-top for my personal preference, but the church is just incredible.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Lines to enter the Basilica can be long, so reserve a time slot in advance on the “Reservations” section on the website linked above.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Be sure to go to the outdoor terraces for a lovely view of St. Mark’s Square.
There are more sections to this basilica than meets the eye, so it was a wonderful place to explore and see a variety of artwork and carved altars in different mediums.
Off the Beaten Path
Islands
As you know from my 10 Commandments for Visiting Venice, it’s definitely worth it to set aside the time to explore some of Venice’s islands beyond the main sections. If you do take a day to island-hop, the best meal I’ve had outside of Venice’s main areas was on the island of Murano – see the Best Bites section below.
While 2016 marked 500 years since the establishment of the Jewish Ghetto in Venice, Jewish life has existed in the city for even longer. The museum gives a good overview, and the tour of the ghetto is engaging and excellent.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Typical tour times may be altered for the Sabbath (from late Friday through Saturday) and on Jewish holidays, so verify availability in advance.
The tower requires advance booking, which you can do not far in advance at the ticket office on the other side of St. Mark’s Square. It’s a different perspective on the area, and has some great views of St. Mark’s (the Square and the Basilica) from the upper levels.
There is a massive art exhibition in odd-numbered years, with pavilions by country that contain some fairly progressive art. Most are located in the Giardini area, although there are pavilions all around the city. Even-numbered years have been focusing on architecture.
The art collection here is truly outstanding, and is situated with some lovely sculpture gardens and terraces on the Grand Canal. Worth a visit, although not typical to Venice per se.
A well-known fish restaurant, you can get a tasting menu of small plates to sample the variety of Venetian seafood, for a minimum of two people. It also has popular pasta and gnocchi specials daily that I’ve found to be quite delicious – be sure to ask your server about these as they’re not printed in the menu.
Some of the portion sizes are quite sizeable, so order accordingly or ask your server for recommendations. While large, the polenta with baccalà (salt cod) appetizer was exceptional.
Located on the island of Murano, there are a variety of typical Italian pastas, meat dishes, and pizzas on offer. I had a seafood carbonara here that I still dream about.
An institution for Venetian cuisine with a lot of local customers, a meal here can be a good value or extravagant, depending on what you order. Although known for its fish options, the standout dish on my recent visit was the fried liver and polenta.
Best Bites (for cicchetti, Venetian tapas)
My three favorite spots are listed below. Check out my cicchetti post for a thorough run-down of different spots for Venetian tapas, organized by neighborhood.
This spot is off-the-beaten path, but thankfully close to two main art attractions in Venice, so if you’re seeing art in the afternoon, you can pop in here afterward before heading back to other parts of the city. I like it for the old Venice feel coupled with interesting combinations of flavors on their cicchetti, like primosale cheese and radicchio, or less-seen but delicious ingredients for cicchetti, like truffle spread.
This long-time Venetian spot has solid cicchetti choices and a traditional atmosphere. There is a warmth and a buzz about the place that make it clear how cicchetti became a Venetian tradition.
Don’t let the location close to the train station fool you, this is a spot where locals congregate as well as some tourists. This osteria is down a very narrow alleyway so you may walk past the turn off the main street the first time like I did, but it is worth seeking out for the friendly staff and high-quality cicchetti ingredients.
I haven’t loved any of the gelato I’ve had in Venice, although I’ve tried many places. I’d recommend waiting to be in other parts of Italy to savor some frozen goodness, but if the craving hits in Venice, these are the best places I’ve tried:
How does one person become an expert on where to stay in Venice, Italy?
In this case, live in Milan for several years, under 3 hours by train from Venice, and visit often like I did!
Venice was so close to Milan that I visited often, sometimes even as part of a last-minute weekend plan. So when people ask me about where to stay in Venice, Italy, I have quite a few ideas from all of the great places I’ve stayed.
Amazingly, I never repeated a hotel or B&B stay in my many trips. Partly because it’s fun to explore new neighborhoods and get to know the city, and also because there was one trip with my parents when they visited, one as a solo traveler, another with friends, and so on.
Which is good news for you, because I have *personally stayed* at almost all of the places listed below. And can attest to what great jumping off points they are for exploring this magical city.
I don’t know that there is one singular best place to stay in Venice – either a specific hotel or neighborhood – but there are certainly are many best places to stay in Venice, Italy.
And let’s be real, this is life, not every experience was completely magical. So I’ve also included plenty of TRAVEL SAVVY TIPS and resources to help you avoid common pitfalls that come along with staying in Venice – so you can focus on enjoying this incredible city!
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
As you’ll see in your research, there is no one right or easy answer as to where to stay in Venice.
It may depend on:
Whether you are traveling solo or as a couple or in a group
Whether you are traveling with family or friends
If this is your first trip to Venice or a return visit
How many nights you’ll be staying
Are you overwhelmed yet?
I am all smiles strolling around Venice, Italy and the side canals
Not to worry, while the options are many, I think there are really some very basic things to keep in mind.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Most visitors when deciding where to stay in Venice will either want to be close to the train station OR close to the main tourist sights around St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco. → Decide which you’d prefer.
And it’s also important to keep in mind that Venice is not like other cities you’ve ever visited. For one, there are NO CARS.
So it helps to have some idea of what sights you’ll see on your visit, and how much walking you’d like to do to pick the best location to stay in Venice.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Regardless of where in Venice you stay, I always recommend staying close to a stop for the vaporetto, which is Venice’s metro system – by boat! It is a great way to get around the city and even to some of the islands you can’t reach by strolling across a bridge, like Murano and Burano.
Best Places to Stay in Venice, Italy
Now this is the part you’ve been waiting for – specific recommendations of places you can stay that are convenient, affordable (or maybe even a splurge!) and considered to be in a best location to stay in Venice
Best Places to Stay in Venice Close to St. Mark’s Square
If this is your first trip to Venice, let’s face it, you probably want to stay close to St. Mark’s Square, known in Italian as Piazza San Marco. That is where many iconic sights are located, and you’ll get to view them at all hours of the day as you explore.
While you’ll need to get yourself from the train or bus to your hotel (most likely by boat, of course!) once you have dropped off your luggage, Venice will be at your doorstep.
There is also a bus from the Marco Polo airport to Piazzale Roma (right by the train station and main vaporetto metro boat stops) that runs every 20-30 minutes and costs €8 one-way or €15 for a round-trip ticket.
Find the current bus timetable for the “Venice Marco Polo Airport – Venice Piazzale Roma (express service)” HERE
Just a few steps from here to get back to Locanda al Leon
Location:
3-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
3-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats) with a lot of available routes
Price:
$150/€130 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
I got lucky and was able to stay here last minute on a July visit and can attest that even though it is a gorgeous, historic building with a traditional Venetian feel, the A/C is modern and will combat the hottest day you might face in Venice. The staff is very hospitable and it really is a beautiful property. Plus, the hotel is in a great location, so it’s really great value for money.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! They also have some cheaper single rooms if you are a solo traveler.
View of Ponte all’Accademia, the bridge over the Grand Canal in Venice
Location:
10-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
4-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
2- minute walk to the Bridge of the Accademia/Ponte dell’Accademia (one of the few bridges that crosses the Grand Canal!)
Price:
$160/€140 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
With a 5.0 score on Trip Advisor with 500+ reviews, who doesn’t love this Bed & Breakfast? Although I have not been able to stay here yet, this is my top choice for my next visit to Venice. While an easy walk to St. Mark’s Square and the main tourist sites, it is also close to a bridge across the Grand Canal that gets less attention than Rialto Bridge, but is just as beautiful. Plus, some of my favorite Venice attractions are right across the bridge. The B&B is recently renovated and reviewers talk about the beautiful property, delicious breakfast, great service, and excellent recommendations around Venice from staff. This is in a quieter part of San Marco quarter, which is a plus for me as well.
Best Places to Stay in Venice Close to the Train Station
Train Station Santa Lucia in Venice Italy
The main train station in Venice, Stazione Santa Lucia, has the advantage of also being close to most of the various metro (vaporetto) lines, so it is an easy jumping off point, regardless of where you’d like to explore around Venice.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Be aware that a “hotel close to the Train Station” may also be over a bridge with a lot of stairs, so consider the exact location of your accommodation when deciding which luggage to use for your trip.
This is my favorite part of Venice to stay, because it is accessible to boats and exploring by foot, but is far away enough from the main tourist hub to have a more relaxed feel. You also have better food options nearby if you’re tired after a day of sightseeing and want to stay close by.
Location:
5-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station (over a tall bridge)
5-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$200-300/€190-270 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
This is one of the absolutely closest hotels you can find by the train station, which is your likely arrival point. It’s just a short walk from the station and over a bridge, with plenty of locals lined up to help you with your luggage (for a charge, of course). As for the hotel, it’s the only room I’ve stayed at in Venice with a view of the Grand Canal, so if you splurge for a canal view room you are in for a treat. When my parents visited we stayed here, and they were able to get a good deal through a travel agent back home. Plus, their rooftop bar, the Sky Lounge, is a luxurious spot to spend the evening sipping away as you look out over the water.
Location:
8-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station (over a bridge)
8-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$250-300/€230-280 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
Although I haven’t stayed here, this would be the ultimate splurge hotel in Venice, still with the convenience of the location close to the train station. Those who have been lucky enough to stay here rave about the service and note that staff members exceed expectations so everyone had excellent stays. Although close for getting around, it is also in a quieter neighborhood than the Hotel Carlton above.
Location:
10-minute walk from the Santa Lucia train station
20-minute walk to the St. Mark’s Square/Piazza San Marco
10-minute walk to the closest vaporetto stop (the Venice metro boats)
Price:
$110-160/€100-150 per night, approximately
Why I Liked It:
The word ca’ is a shortened version of casa, or house, and there is definitely a homey feel for this place. This was my favorite spot to stay as a solo traveler, and is more affordable than other spots due to having a shared bathroom for the single rooms. The property also has double, triple, and quadruple rooms with private bathrooms. The location is in easy walking distance to stop of my favorite cicchetti and restaurant spots, and also has been renovated since my last stay.
While there’s always the chance of scoring a great hotel or B&B deal, I find that for more than 2 people, an AirBNB is typically the cheapest and most convenient accommodation option – not just in Venice, but in all of Italy!
If you’ve never tried it before, click THIS LINK to get a $40 credit after your first AirBNB stay!
Before booking your AirBNB, definitely read reviews and make sure that other guests have had their stay go smoothly, as not all Venice AirBNB experiences are good ones. (For my one bad AirBNB experience in Venice, I ended up staying the rest of the weekend at the lovely Locanda al Leon – the first spot on this list – which completely redeemed the trip!)
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Pay extra attention to the availability of the host in case of a problem. Also check reviews to see if people met their host quickly or waited a long time, which happens more frequently with AirBNBs in Venice vs. other places.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! If you visit in summer, be sure that there was adequate A/C noted by other guests (and that the property has it in the first place!).
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! If you are arriving very early or late in the day, make sure there will be someone available at your arrival time.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Be sure to have the ability to call local phone numbers and/or be on a data signal to use apps to get in touch with the person you are meeting, if needed.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Of course, you may be surprised to learn that AirBNB can sometimes be more expensive than a hotel, so I always recommend checking your options so you can make an informed choice:
Tips on Where to Stay in Venice and Booking Strategies
For most visitors, the challenge is not where to stay in Venice, but how to get to your accommodation once you arrive in the city!
Since cars are not allowed in Venice, visitors basically arrive by bus or train (the stations for both are close to one another), and then make their way to a hotel or guesthouse on foot or by boat.
While some hotels offer shuttle service to arrive, I’ve always found my way on my own.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Whatever your plan, take into account how you will arrive and how far somewhere is from the train station when making your hotel booking.
When deciding on where to stay in Venice, you can quickly check details using the public transportation option on Google Maps – in Venice, it shows you boat routes!
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! Sometimes B&Bs are more expensive than hotels – and sometimes the reverse is true – so be sure to check for Venice accommodations with your dates inserted to compare prices and availability.
However you decide to book, be sure to consult the Travel Savvy Gal Checklist for Booking Accommodation to make sure there’s nothing you forget to check when you decide where to stay in Venice.
Once you’ve booked, wherever you’re staying will likely provide information on the best way to arrive, whether it is by foot or boat.
Actv metro boat (vaporetto) in Venice, Italy
BOAT OPTIONS
If you are figuring this out on your own, there are 2 main boat options:
Boat Taxi – this is different from the metro boat (vaporetto) and different from a gondola. Just like you can hail a car taxi on a city street, you can grab a boat taxi leaving the docks next to the train station.
Boat Metro (vaporetto) – Like in any other city, the public transportation option will be the cheapest. You can purchase vaporetto tickets from a machine in person when you arrive, or arrange it ahead of time as part of a Venice City Pass. There is also an app for your mobile phone: the AVM Venezia Official App.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP! No matter how you purchase your vaporetto ticket, be sure to validate the ticket by scanning it with the machine on the dock outside of the train station. They will come and check sometimes and you could be fined if you forget!
How many wine regions do you know that were founded as the result of a research paper?
From an unusually academic start, the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia was born. It all started with a 1966 paper by Dr. John Gladstone identifying the region as suitable for wine production (since it was similar to the Bordeaux region of France). Apparently that’s all it took for some enterprising Aussies to start planting grapes and making wine.
That is a pretty high density of the good stuff, making Margaret River one of the best Australian wine regions you could choose to visit to make the most of a wine trip in Australia. Plus, with surf beaches, rock climbing, and nature nearby, even the New York Times posed this question about Margaret River: “With Beaches, Wine, and Buzz, Is This Australia’s Next Hot Place?”
Margaret River is strategically located between two capes jutting out from Australia’s western coast, meaning sea breezes from the Indian Ocean keep the grapes in perfect growing conditions. And at approximately a three-hour drive from the city of Perth, it is close enough for a weekend trip.
While I hear most often that “Australia is far,” there are actually many parts of the world with direct flights to Perth, the nearest major city to Margaret River in Western Australia (WA).
Beside other Australian and New Zealand locales, you’ll find direct access to Perth from many major cities in Asia and the Middle East, such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. There are also direct flights from Johannesburg (South Africa), and as of recently, even a direct flight from London!
And there’s no better time to check out this incredible wine region.
The Basics of Australian Wine and Wine Tasting
For my first visit to the region, I had been living in Perth, Australia for almost a year and had a pretty good sense of the local wine varietals. But in case you’re less familiar, here is a bit about the types of wine you’ll see at the wineries:
White Blends
In addition to single grape varietals you likely already know, Australians love their wine blends. The blend you’ll see most commonly is of the sweeter Semillon grape with the more acidic Sauvignon Blanc. You may have tasted these two grapes together already in a Bordeaux white, but in Australia, you’ll basically see two variations:
SSB standing for Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, meaning that there is a higher percentage of Semillon in the blend.
SBS standing for Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, with a higher percentage of Sauvignon Blanc
As you might expect, the blend takes on more of the characteristics of the grape that is named first. Try lots of both and decide which you like best! (I prefer SSB.)
Shiraz
First off, spoiler – Shiraz and Syrah are exactly the same grape. But just because you know Syrah does not mean you’ll know Australian Shiraz though, only because of the many different ways it is produced. Even one Australian Shiraz to another can taste quite different, so keep an open mind and taste lots of these wines.
Red Blends
Of course you’ll see plenty of blends with Shiraz, like Cabernet Shiraz (blend with Cabernet Sauvignon) and Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre, known as a GSM blend found typically in the Rhone region of France. Interestingly, another popular blend I’ve only seen in Australia – Shiraz Viognier – with the red Shiraz grape blended with white Viognier.
And there are lots of other Cabernet blends beyond Cabernet Shiraz, although you’ll most typically see Cabernet Merlot, which is both fruity and bold.
Other Things to Know Before You Go
You’ll notice quickly in Australia that Australians (Aussies) have nicknames and abbreviations for just about everything! And wine is no exception. The shortened version you’re most likely to encounter is the Aussie nickname for Chardonnay which is the abbreviation ‘chardy’ (pronounced SHAR-dee).
Don’t bother looking for a winery’s ‘tasting room,’ as you won’t find it. Instead, seek out the ‘cellar door.’
And don’t be dissuaded by the predominance of screw-top bottles over corked wine bottles, as in Australia it is not related to the quality of the wine. Since beginning the switch to screw-top bottles around the year 2000, today around 99% of all Australian wine is bottled that way.
Now let’s get down to it – which wineries you should visit to sample some incredible Margaret River wines!
Best Wineries in Margaret River
With an area so well known for its premium wines, there are plenty of exceptional wineries that are worth a visit. All of those alphabetically listed below are wineries that I’ve visited and enjoyed enough to purchase wines – which for me is a high bar to clear!
Also, wine tasting in Australia is probably more laid back than winery visits you’ve had in other countries, with ‘cellar doors’ that are open typically every day of the week and welcoming anyone who is in the area to stop by.
All smiles exploring Margaret River wine country
Often tastings are offered for free or for a minimal fee, which will often be waived if you make any purchases during your visit. Private tastings or tours at a winery tend to be extra, and often require advance booking.
TIP! Even if you think you know a grape or a wine, it all tastes different in WA, so keep an open mind and try everything!
Varietals: Cabernet Merlot Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (GSM), Petit Verdot, Rosé, Shiraz Viognier, Verdelho, Zinfandel
Arimia Winery was a last-minute addition to my wine tasting itinerary based on a recommendation from nearby purveyor Gabriel Chocolate. You’ll see a lot of French style blends and grapes, taking advantage of Margaret River’s similarity to some parts of France. There is also a restaurant on-site which makes for a scenic and delicious meal overlooking the vineyard.
This is also possibly the spot where I bought the most wine:
This one of the oldest and also one of the best wineries in the Margaret River region, producing common grapes along with those less often seen in Australia, like Riesling. A third generation winery, Ashbrook celebrated its 40th vintage in 2018. There is great care taken with all the wine produced here, with grapes picked completely by hand, leading to a delicious final product.
This is one of my all-time favorite wineries from the region, and also one of the easiest to find represented at restaurants and wine stores outside of Australia. Which is not surprising since it holds the distinction as being one of the ‘founding five’ wineries of the region. Especially memorable wines include their SBS blend, the Cabernet Merlot Trinders blend, and the Zinfandel. Plus, the straight Cabernet Sauvignon makes for such perfect, smooth sips, it was my bottle of choice at a recent steakhouse dinner in the US.
Cape Naturaliste is one of the younger vineyards on this list, but one with consistent, quality wines. Even with the excellent quality, its wines are more affordable than some other wineries in the region, leading many of its vintages to sell out every year. Their SSB white blend is one of my favorites. The winery also aims to be in harmony with nature, hand picking grapes and applying bio-dynamic philosophies to preserving the local environment.
The fourth of the ‘founding five’ Margaret River wineries, Cullen opened the year after Cape Mentelle and has continued to evolve since then. Today it is Australian certified organic and bio-dynamic winery with fruit that is harvested by hand and an estate that is carbon-neutral and naturally powered. The wine is sophisticated and smooth, and comes in at a mix of price points, with some more affordable bottles and a few that are more exclusive – with a price to match.
One of the few Margaret River wineries that requires reservations, be sure to arrange with them in advance so you can sample their delicious wines. Offering a range of lines (at a range of price points), there are delicious wines to excite your palate, including a few sparkling ones. If you’re not sure which Aussie wine you fancy, Flying Fish Cove will help you figure it all out as you taste across their impressive varietals.
Varietals: Cabernet Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Fortified/ Late Harvest/ Muscat/ Port style dessert wines, Rosé, Shiraz
Gralyn Estate also dates from the first wave of wineries in the 1970s and today is a boutique winery known for its fine wine production. A specialty here that you don’t see at many other Margaret River wineries is the dessert wine portfolio, which ranges from late harvest wines to sweet fortified and port-style ones that I love. You may not make the splurge to buy a ton of bottles here, but it is definitely worth coming for a tasting.
I was on an organized tour my first day in Margaret River, and after not loving the first winery, the tour guide brought us here and it was exactly the type of winery I was looking for. In addition to the Aussie staples, it offers delicious bottles of Tempranillo, a Spanish grape that grows surprisingly well in Western Australia, and also beautiful whites like Riesling.
But the show-stopper for me is their Aquitane Blanc, the best SBS I have ever tasted. The blend hails from France, but with the Margaret River grapes and expert treatment by this winery, it has a je ne sais quoi that will stop you in your tracks as well.
I found this to be one of the most laid back and fun wineries for a visit, but still with incredibly high-quality wine. I like so many of the wines I can’t even pick a favorite – for me it is between their various red wines and red blends and the more delicate of their white wines, like Chardonnay and the SSB. Although the winery has only been around since the 1990s, it has been racking up awards and is renowned across Australia for the incredible wine it produces.
I keep talking about the ‘founding five’ wineries of Margaret River and this is THE ONE, the very first winery in the region. Like Leeuwin, there is also a restaurant and art gallery on site, and events that are hosted there. But of course the main attraction is the wine. It is spectacular, and I was pleasantly surprised to find some great value wines along with the pricier lines, with their red offerings as my favorites.
Voyager didn’t come onto the Margaret River wine scene until the late 1970s, but it has become one of the most established and recognizable wineries since then. Its Chenin Blanc is my favorite from the region and its other whites are some of my favorites as well.
Lunch at Voyager Estate
The on-site restaurant made for an excellent lunch when I visited, with scrumptious food beautifully displayed in a lovely space – and plenty of delicious wine to go with your meal.
Woodlands Wines became established in the Margaret River region in the early 1970s, right after the ‘founding five’ wineries. As you can see from the list above, it specializes in red wines and blends, using some of the less commonly found grapes in the region like Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Pinot Noir, making some fabulous wines.
While the reds are great and numerous, there is one white wine that is absolutely outstanding and memorable – the ‘Chloe’ Chardonnay. It is bright golden in color and an explosion of flavor that wows you and then lingers as it shifts to some of the more subtle notes of the wine. And since it is such a small production, your best bet to taste this outstanding wine is at the Woodlands Cellar Door. Followed by buying some to take home, of course!
Tips for Wine Tasting in Margaret River
There is certainly no shortage of incredible wineries in Margaret River. To make the most of your wine tasting trip, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
Australian ‘drink driving’ rules are strict.
Unlike other countries where you need to be suspected of a violation before you can be subject to a sobriety test, it is routine all over Australia to set up a road-block and take a breathalyzer (or ‘breathalyser’) test of every single driver on the road. WA is so serious about breathalyzers that once I even had to take one before going on the Tunnels Tour at the Fremantle Prison in Perth.
If you do decide to drive yourself, be responsible and exercise caution. You’ll see signs around a lot of the wineries asking, “Who is the skipper?” about a designated driver.
For those who don’t speak Australian, skipper = designated driver
So take a tour!
There are several reputable and well-regarded tour operators in Margaret River, who will both drive you around to wineries and recommend excellent spots based on what you like. Many tours book up quickly (especially on weekends) so make your arrangements in advance.
I went on an excellent tour with Top Drop Tours, where the driver/guide did an excellent job tailoring that day’s itinerary to my wine preferences.
This is a lesson I first learned wine tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys of California. Even besides meals, it is important to mix up mix all that wine tasting with getting food in your stomach. Two of the best places to do that in Margaret River:
Gabriel Chocolate is an award-winning chocolatier that sources cacao beans from around the world and produces a wide range of chocolates at their Margaret River factory. Get all your questions answered by the helpful staff and taste differently sourced chocolate from around the world side-by-side to get a great sense of each.
Olio Bello has been harvesting olives in the region since the 1990s and they are serious about the product they produce. Over a dozen of varieties of olives are grown, hand-picked, and cold-pressed, all right on their massive property. At their tasting room you can sample various olive oils and preserves.
Other food and activity purveyors are best located on the Margaret River regional map, helpfully marked with different icons based on whether it is a winery, art gallery, activity, and also specifying whether there is a restaurant attached for each.
There are plenty of outdoor adventures to take advantage of as well, from hiking to world-class surfing to rock climbing.
Me rock climbing right on the Indian Ocean coast in Margaret River
TIP! You’ll also be able to pick up hard copies of the map at various wineries and Margaret River attractions.
Including Australian truffle country.
The other thing you may not know about this part of Western Australia is that nearby you’ll find the most truffles of any other spot in the southern hemisphere! While you may associate truffles more typically with Italy (or France), there are actually truffles in several parts of Australia, although you’ll find the vast majority in one part of WA.
Truffle season lasts from late May until September, when you’ll have access to freshly harvested truffles to enjoy, although you can enjoy local truffle products all year long. And sometime in late June or early July – the exact timing varies from year to year – you’ll be able to enjoy the annual Truffle Kerfuffle, the local truffle festival located about a 90-minute drive from Margaret River.
And definitely stay over.
As you can see from the massive list of top wineries (which doesn’t include every spot I visited, just the best ones), I spent several days exploring the Margaret River region – and so should you! Most visitors stay either close to nature or in town. I liked staying in the town of Margaret River, with lots of restaurants in walking distance to not have to worry about driving after a day of wine tasting.
I had an exceptional few nights at the Rosewood Guesthouse, which went above and beyond to provide little touches throughout my stay. The elaborate breakfast is a great start to a day of wine tasting or outdoor activity, and there are complimentary refreshments available all day long, from tea and biscuits to complimentary port and sherry for a nightcap. The Rosewood Guesthouse will also coordinate any number of snacks, in-house massages, or tours for you, including the option of a private tour in the on-site, cream-colored 1956 Rolls Royce:
Sadly, when I visited, the Rolls Royce was all booked out for the weekend, but I still got to admire it!
This was not a sponsored accommodation of any kind, I just had a really fabulous stay at the Rosewood Guesthouse!
When I travel, I always like to read at least one book that is set in my destination. And since vacation is a time to relax, I also like reading some lighter reads – from romance to thrillers to laugh-out-loud memoirs. Maybe even take the distance from home and a clear mind to devour something interesting that is non-fiction.
This one sounds absolutely adorable. The son of the US president has a confrontation with the Prince of Wales, and then the fake friendship they portray (for damage control in the media) turns into love. If you like politics, or royals, or just enjoy reading about two people falling for each other despite difficult circumstances, this is the book to bring with you to the beach.
I had so much fun last summer reading the first book in this series, The Kiss Quotient, that I’m excited to have a follow-up novel to read so quickly. The main character in this book was a side character in the previous book, although the story line seems to be similar with unrequited love and family meddling woven together into a single story.
The plot is simple enough – a single mom escapes to the big city (without her kids) for the summer and finds a love interest that turns her world upside down and makes her reconsider her life choices. Even though it’s a pretty basic premise, good beach reads are always in order for summer – and this is one of my picks because of how hilarious the writing is supposed to be!
I am drawn to this book partly because its premise is interesting – what happens when an infertile woman accidentally meets (and intentionally befriends!) the woman who is her anonymous egg donor to have a baby. Also, I am admittedly drawn to read something with a title character named Lana – just like me! While the initial details of the book make it sound like a human interest story, the thriller aspect comes into play when the egg donor goes missing and Lana might have been the last person to see her before the mysterious disappearance.
A typical suburban couple with kids gets bored and then somehow decides the secret to keeping their marriage exciting is getting away with murder. Literally. I admittedly know very little about the book since I don’t want to ruin the suspense and surprise of reading it. But it sounds like a fun page-turner not unlike the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith that will definitely entertain.
Set in the great outdoors of northern Canada, the peace of the natural surroundings are disturbed when two college friends overhear an argument between a man and a woman and then later see . . . only the man, paddling alone on the river. Again, I’ve prevented myself from reading anything that might spoil the story for me, but it sounds like this one gets pretty real, since descriptions talk about desperate wilderness survival. Don’t read this one on a camping trip!
When comparisons are made to Agatha Christie, one of my favorite mystery authors, I know this book is for me. A high-powered, seemingly successful marriage ends when the main character shoots and kills her husband one night the moment she sees him. And then goes completely silent. The book details the criminal psychologist who works with this silent patient to try and unravel the mystery of why.
Although Syria is not featured prominently in the news most days, rebel activity and humanitarian issues continue. So picture the scene set by this Syrian author, imagining a man whose final wish is to be buried in the tumultuous Aleppo region in the family plot. Once the surviving children decide to honor their father’s last request, the story unfolds. I don’t know that I’ve read any books set in Syria, and am looking forward to learning a bit about it through this fictional story.
This book won’t even come out until August 2019, but after devouring the author’s previous novel The Tiger’s Wife, I couldn’t leave this pick off my summer reading list, as I hope to read it while it’s still summer. Obrecht’s novels are part-historical, part-magical in her gorgeous storytelling style, with details unfolding in a way that completely captivates me. I’m also eager to read a historical novel set in Arizona Territory in the late 1800s after my recent Scottsdale trip.
I am drawn to what sounds like a James Michener style fictional tale spanning three families and several generations in Zambia, and based on a historical autobiography of Percy M. Clark called The Autobiography of An Old Drifter. It’s quite an ambitious scope for a debut novel, and I can’t wait to be transported to another place and time following along.
Like Inland above, this novel is part historical fiction and part fantasy. Drinking a bottle of Beaujolais wine from 1954 transports a bunch of modern day apartment dwellers to Paris of the 1950s, where they soak up the culture of that period while trying to find a way back to 2017. While technically historical, this is exactly the kind of wine-fueled exploration and light reading that is ideal for summer getaways.
This sounds to me like the book version of a cross between the cult classic movie This is Spinal Tap and Almost Famous. Set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the book is about a journalist seeing the inside workings of a hugely successful band of the era, and I love this idea for what a different type of novel this is. Reid is also the author of the popular The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, so if you liked that, this summer reading book may be for you!
This debut short story collection explores issues of Chinese youth, in China and America, touching on other serious and cultural themes as well. I always find summertime to be great for short stories, because you can breeze through an entire single narrative in one afternoon.
If British humor – or should I say humour – is your thing, this summer read might be up your alley. Centered around a Jamaican British woman who breaks up with her long-time white boyfriend, there are more complex issues of race at play as you follow her string of bad decisions in the wake of the breakup. It sounds like somewhere between total fluff and a serious read.
This one is vaguely historical fiction, but only because Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis features prominently, and is mostly a regular tale with a famous character inserted. Other than Mrs. Onassis serving as one of the two main characters, this book really sounds like it is about the relationship between her as “The Editor” at publishing house and a budding author who is struggling to finish a manuscript about his dysfunctional family. Of course boundaries are blurred, and the editor and writer relationship becomes the story. I want to read this both for the historical aspect and the focus on books – which I obviously love!
I’ve been back living in the United States almost as long as I lived in Milan, but I am still feeling like a former expat adjusting and continue to miss Italy. So of course I was drawn to this memoir by the mention of Sicily in the title alone, not to mention the story beginning when the author experiences love at first sight encountering a professional chef on a street in Florence. Of course, nothing is ever simple when an Italian family is involved, and I can’t wait to follow along for this story.
I am not one to do any of the genetic tests out there, but plenty of others are. Even just in my circle of friends, I have heard stories of surprise relatives or unexpected paternity. I know just enough to know that this is a not uncommon phenomenon and there are even support groups on the internet for people who are struggling with these unearthed family secrets. What I didn’t realize is that there is a also a book detailing one person’s surprise discovery about her father and how she reconciles it with the person she thought she was.
I am fascinated by the premise of this one, talking about the inherent design bias of fields as vastly different as medicine and the automotive industry. I’m interested in reading it because it doesn’t sound like just a litany of complaints by women, but instead is a reasoned, intellectual look at the assumptions we take for granted in the everyday world.
Although this account was published in 2011, I only just heard of this book of how women in Liberia of different religious backgrounds banded together to lead a war-torn nation to peace. I love a feel-good story as part of my summer reading, and it’s even better when it’s true.
As a blogger, I keep hearing how important it is to have a focused niche where you are *the expert.* Which is all well and good for many people out there, but I really feel equally enamored about so many aspects of travel – adventure, culture, food, wine, expat life – and so I write about them all! I am hoping this book gives me a bit of validation, and am curious to see the flip side of Malcolm Gladwell’s argument in Outliers that 10,000 of hours of focused practice will lead you to mastery and success.
Obviously when I started looking into books to read on vacation this summer, I found quite a lot of amazing options to dive into. I can’t wait for summer travel – and summer reading – and hope you’ve found some great reading inspiration for the coming months as well.
Happy travels! And happy reading!
Lana
Any books on this list that you’re already reading and loving? What other books to read on vacation would you recommend for my summer reading? Let me know your summer reading recommendations below!
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I love road trips, both to watch the landscape change along the way and to have access to off-the-beaten-path locations, including following a tempting sign blindly and seeing where it takes you.
Past experiences on a road trip in Europe have taken me unexpectedly to giant castle complexes and fantastic wineries, and it’s those types of surprises that make it such a satisfying way to travel.
Winery at the end of a gravel road in France (found from following a road sign randomly)First random wine-tasting stop
If you’re lucky, you either have a car in Europe already or are visiting someone who does.
For everyone else, renting a car in Europe and having a smooth road-trip will involve some extra planning. But it is worth it for the flexibility that comes with having a vehicle, and trunk space for picking up souvenirs along the way.
Driving in a new place – especially in a foreign country where you may not speak the language – comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind for a successful road trip in Europe….
Before You Go on a Road Trip in Europe
Do you have the right documents to drive? In some places your home country license is sufficient. Sometimes you’ll need your regular driver’s license & a passport or identity card. And while it’s only required in some locations, it’s a good idea to invest in an International Driver’s License (IDL) before your trip. In the US, you can get an IDL through AAA up to six months in advance, or through the automobile association in your home country. If you’re planning on renting cars internationally quite often, there is also a 5-year IDL option (this is what I currently have).
My International Driver’s License (IDL)
Are there automatic cars available? Cars with a manual transmission are much more widely available and typically cheaper to rent, so if you drive a manual, you are all set. Otherwise, be sure that there is an automatic that you can guarantee for your the dates of your Europe road trip.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP!Also do your usual due diligence when renting a car: comparing costs between companies and car type, looking at extra driver and insurance fees, and experimenting with different pickup and drop-off locations to keep costs low.
Do you have a place to park the car at your destination? Free parking at hotels is more widely available in some European countries than others, and of course the closer you stay to a city center, the less likely you will have parking at your accommodation. Be sure you will have a private lot or public parking garage where you know you’ll be able to leave the vehicle. A road trip in Europe is much more enjoyable when you are not spending half your time circling your destination looking for a parking spot.
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP!Even if your hotel/AirBNB has parking available, sometimes you must reserve a spot in advance. Be sure to reserve parking ahead of time, if necessary.
Have you checked the driving times between the different stops on your road trip in Europe? No, really. This sounds obvious, but especially in Europe things may be close in kilometers/miles, but take several hours more driving time than you’d expect. Not all destinations are connected by highways and there are a lot of mountain ranges to contend with. I learned this lesson the hard way on a 2007 trip to Croatia and Slovenia, where my friend and I had to forgo an already-paid night in a hostel and take an overnight bus to not lose a day of vacation with the long driving time to our next stop. I usually plug two destinations into Google maps and see the time to arrive by car to plan out a Europe road trip. Please, please, please check driving times in advance!
TRAVEL SAVVY TIP!Depending on where you are traveling in Europe, in some cases your best bet is to road trip for part of the time, and take high-speed trains for part. In many places – especially in Western Europe – high-speed trains can be significantly faster than driving
How do you plan to navigate? Driving in Europe can be confusing! Signs here do not look like signs you may be familiar with. Sometimes at the split in a road here in Italy, there will be 10 signs on the left with the name of different destinations, and another 10 on the right. But if you don’t know which towns are the way you’re headed, the signs don’t help at all. I definitely recommend some type of navigation system for European driving – many rental companies offer the option of GPS at an additional cost, or if you are planning to get a data plan for your smart phone, you can navigate that way. Just be sure to have a plan in advance.
How crazy are the drivers where you’re going? Driving in Europe may involve many more vehicle types than you usually see on the road. In Milan and around Italy, I regularly have to maneuver between cars, trucks, buses, trams, bicycles, motorbikes and even tractors sometimes. And the crazier the drivers, the harder this becomes. I feel comfortable driving in Italy (which many expats here do not), although I wouldn’t drive in the city of Naples, notorious for its bad traffic that I’ve also witnessed as a pedestrian. Do a bit of research on where you’re going and what the driving is like there so you can be a prepared driver.
During Your Road Trip in Europe
What are the default speed limits in the countries you’ll be visiting? European countries each have their own set of default speed limits for different types of roads (residential/state road/highway). There is usually a single sign when you cross a border listing these numbers, and sometimes it won’t be displayed again. Since the speeds are defaults, they’re often not even posted periodically along the highway. Avoid speeding tickets by being aware – and following – the limits.
What do the different color signs mean? You would think that with much of Europe operating under open borders (the Schengen area), that the road systems would be aligned by now. But they’re not. In Italy, highways are indicated by green signs and more local roads are signed in blue. But as soon as you drive across the border into France, the colors swap – blue for French highways, green for local roads. Know what to look for wherever you’re driving.
What kind of toll systems are there where you’re going? Some countries have periodic highway tolls, others have you pick up a ticket that you pay once when you exit the highway system, and others use a single paid window decal called a vignette. For the highway tolls, have enough cash in the local currency to cover these as your credit card from home may not work if it doesn’t have both a chip and a PIN. Sometimes only one type of card works in each country, so try a few before giving up and paying cash.
A 2016 vignette for Switzerland
And a vignette is a sticker that you stick on the windshield of your car and covers all of the tolls for the country. Depending on where you rent, the rental car may already have a vignette, otherwise you must purchase one when you enter the country. I most often encounter the vignette for Switzerland, which is 40 Euros or 40 Swiss Francs (CHF) for a calendar year. Austria also has a vignette, which is good for 10 days, or you can get one for several months if you’re planning to stay longer.
What European road signs should I know? Some basic road signs that are present in Europe may be different from anything you’ve seen before at home. If you have a guidebook, there may be some pictures and explanations in a reference section. The one sign that I had to look up when I first starting driving often in Europe is a diamond-shaped sign with a yellow diamond surrounded by a white border. Normally in Europe at an unregulated intersection, the car to the right has priority. If you are travelling on a large enough road that you have the right-of-way, you’ll know this by seeing the yellow diamond sign, and you no longer have to yield to cars to your right on side streets.
Do you know your country abbreviations? When you are driving close to the border with other countries, the list of upcoming cities with their distance away may have a white circle with 1- or 2-letter country abbreviations if the destination is in another country, which are helpful to know as you navigate. Some of these are obvious: for example, A is Austria and B is Belgium, but what about CH? Some European abbreviations are based on the country’s name in the local language, so study up. Like CH (Confoederatio Helvetica) for Switzerland and D (Deutschland) for Germany. Check out the full listing of country abbreviations here.
Which side of the car has the gas/petrol tank & what type should you get? Some cars have a little arrow next to gas gauge, but it’s always a good idea to check ahead of time where the petrol tank is located. Also know whether the car takes diesel or regular gasoline so you can fill up with the correct product.
Are you ready for European traffic jams? If you’re a seasoned driver, you’ve probably suffered through a traffic jam or two (or a hundred). However, traffic backups can have a very different character in Europe. Sometimes there is a road that it is a single lane in each direction with no passing allowed, so if there is a slow vehicle up ahead, you can just be moving slowly for an extended time.
A traffic jam in Switzerland. Don’t worry, the car was in park when I snapped this picture.
But when there is an accident in my experience, traffic comes to a complete standstill, often for 1 hour or more. As in: the car is in park with the parking brake engaged, and if the weather is nice many people will be outside of their cars smoking or taking a stroll. (Inevitably these kind of traffic jams happen when there is no detour route, but if there is an option to drive around the backup, take it! Another argument in favor of having GPS available.) I’ve been stuck in traffic jams where all movement stops completely in Italy a few times, but also in Switzerland and Germany. Don’t be alarmed if this happens, but do be prepared to wait it out. And if you’re outside of your car during the standstill, don’t worry — everyone magically knows when the traffic will start moving again, no matter how far back you are.
Did you leave extra time for each of your driving sections? Even with the best preparation – and traffic aside – you still may get lost or take a wrong turn at some point. And missing one turn-off sometimes means going 20 km out of your way to the first point you can circle back, and another 20 km to get back to your starting point before continuing on the correct route (true story, this happened once driving in France). Or hopefully you’ll see something in the distance that catches your eye or see a sign for a local attraction, and will be able to take the time to veer off course and follow your nose to an adventure.
Wow, that’s a lot of things to think about!
Taking a Europe road trip that covers multiple countries is especially exciting for me since there are open borders in so many places. In fact, other than in Switzerland where they check your vignette when you enter and exit, and for some of the micro-nations not part of the Schengen area, you may not even realize you’re crossing an international border.
Sometimes I come home from a Europe road trip with *this much* wine
Overall, a road trip in Europe is hugely scenic and rewarding, although as you’ve read there are quite a few things you can do to prepare so you have a smooth driving experience and focus on enjoying the ride.
Have you ever taken a road trip in Europe? What was your favorite part of the experience? And what else did you wish you knew or had researched beforehand?
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What You Need to Know About Driving on the Autobahn
As a child, I had heard the legend of driving on the Autobahn, the German highway with no speed limit. It was one of those peculiarities of countries beyond the scope of my wildest dreams, where strange things happened and the rules weren’t quite the same as at home.
Of course, my vivid imagination painted a clear picture of this large oval raceway traversing the country, with six lanes in each direction and cars zooming past at racetrack speeds. Just like car races on TV!
As I grew into adulthood, honestly, my vision of what driving on the Autobahn must be like never actually changed much. I hadn’t visited Germany, and without planning a trip there, I never looked into what life was like in all that much detail. The Germany of my childhood years was caught up in images of Berlin, on the day the Wall fell. No highway image in sight.
And moving to Milan a little over three years ago, I didn’t think all that much about what driving in Germany would be like. At least, until my first summer road trip.
My First Experience Driving in Germany
As the car approached the German border from Luxembourg, to the west, headed toward Frankfurt, I wondered, What would it be like to finally be driving on the Autobahn? There are open borders across the Schengen zone in much of Europe, so it’s not immediately clear which moment I entered Germany, but the first thing I see on the highway is . . . a speed limit sign?!?
Confused? I certainly was. The Autobahn was supposed to be the highway with no rules, where you can drive as fast as you want and basically do what you like. Sums up pretty much all your childhood dreams about adulthood, right? (It certainly was how I always pictured getting older.)
Of course, the realities of driving in Germany on the Autobahn are just a bit different from the carefree dream, much like my illusions about what it’s like to be an adult. And the Germans sure have specific ways of doing things, even on the highway without a speed limit.
So what is it really like driving on the Autobahn??
Things You Need to Know About Driving on the Autobahn
The Autobahn isn’t one special highway with no speed limit, it’s just the German word for highway. Any highway in Germany is an autobahn.
Speed is not always unlimited, only on certain stretches marked by the appropriate sign (the one above!). This was really my initial shock of first driving on the autobahn. Yes, there are some pretty long sections depending on the highway that will have no limit, but there are also plenty of spots that will have a speed limit for quite a while. Of course, your best bet is to have driving stretches far away from the city to really get the full autobahn driving experience.
A lot of highways in Germany are what I would consider pretty regular roads through the countryside, with just two lanes in each direction. The first word that came to mind when driving on a German autobahn was dinky. The ‘highway’ wasn’t particularly impressive and certainly did not seem set up for driving at unlimited speeds, especially the ones that have only two lanes in each direction and no guardrail. Don’t get me wrong, highways in Germany are well-paved and a very smooth ride even at top speeds, but there is nothing futuristic or particularly modern-looking about it.
Even when the speed limit is unlimited for extended stretches, it still slows to 120 kilometers per hour (75miles/hour) at major interchanges along the way. Yes, now that I think about it, it makes complete sense that you would need to be going at a reasonable pace if you wanted any chance of making the exit to another highway without veering off the exit ramp. But this means that even if you have several straight hours driving on an autobahn, every time you cross another major road, you’ll be slowing down considerably. So it’s more of an ebb and flow of speeding along and ‘normal’ highway driving than a continuous racetrack atmosphere.
When you’re driving 250 km/h and have to suddenly slow to 120 km/h it feels like . . . coming to a complete stop. Again, one of those things that makes sense. Of course going from 120 or 130 km/h to 0 km/hr is not so different from the deceleration from 250 to 120. But I don’t think I ever expected shifting my speed *down to* 80 miles per hour would feel like standing still. But it does. And it’s such an interesting sensation.
If you’re speeding through the left lane and a car decides to jump out and pass the car ahead, you must slow down (sometimes very rapidly!) so you don’t have an accident. At least with upcoming interchanges, you get signs and a bit of a warning that you are about to undergo a major slowdown. You can prepare mentally, and perhaps start slowing down a bit early so the shift is not as jarring. When a car doesn’t look first – or doesn’t care – that you are hurtling through the left lane, and it just wants to pass the slightly slower car or truck ahead, it will jump out suddenly. And to avoid a collision, that leaves you scrambling to slow down as quickly as possible.
And even if an accident is not your fault, you can be held liable for at least some of the cost if you are going faster than typical autobahn defaults speeds of 120-130 km/h. Believe me, I had this little tidbit drilled into my head long before I ever got behind the wheel to drive on an unlimited speed section of an autobahn. One of the (fairly logical) consequences of the privilege of driving as fast as you’d like, is that it also comes with the responsibility of being a safe driver. So for an accident that might have been able to avoided had you been going normal highway speed, you may be culpable financially for the damages.
The experience driving in Germany at top speeds is exhilarating! For me, maxing out the car’s engine when I see that unlimited speed sign involves a complete shift in driving. I sit up in my seat for maximum visibility of the road, and start to feel the adrenaline rush that comes with the anticipation and watching the speedometer climb. I lean imperceptibly forward and feel a heightened sense of awareness as I try to watch cars in the lane to my right. I spend the entire time on edge so I can see when someone jumps in front of me the exact moment it happens, to give my reflexes that extra fraction of a second to react. I feel the energy and exhilaration of whizzing by other cars, hurtling toward my destination at twice the normal speed. And I blare the radio to something with a fast beat, mirroring the car’s cadence. Honestly, it feels like a scene out of a movie, and all my sense are heightened as the car propels itself at rocket speeds along the highway.
Being on a German autobahn doesn’t make you immune to traffic. Nothing is more depressing than driving on the autobahn at top speeds, and then having to slow down or stop for traffic. Yes folks, you read that right, sometimes you are stopped on the autobahn. I’ve been caught before in autobahn traffic jam in which I was at a complete stop for nearly an hour! The joy of driving on a highway with no speed limit gets a bit trampled on when you’re too stuck in traffic to be able to drive at all. Unfortunately this is the nature of traffic jams in Europe, and something to be prepared for on the autobahn. Traffic can also be less dramatic, and just involve slow sections with a high volume of cars on the road, in which case there is no room to go fast and you’re relegated to the flow of the road.
If it gets too hot in summer, speed is likely going to be limited. I know that summer is prime vacation time to visit Europe, so if that is when you’re planning your German holiday, that is also when you’re probably planning to try out autobahn driving for the first time. Some heatwaves over the past few summers had an impact I hadn’t previously considered – that extreme heat coupled with cars going at top speeds can cause some serious damage to the roadway. Sections of the autobahn buckled and cracked, and speed limits were reduced accordingly in both 2015 and 2016. If you’re planning a trip in summer, be aware that speed limits might be imposed in sections that normally have an unlimited speed, if the temperatures climb too high.
The view of the landscape is incredible. For a lot of German autobahn driving, you’re far outside any main cities and taking in views of the lush countryside, especially in spring and summer when everything is in bloom. At top speeds, it’s passing quite fast, but the nice part about the sections with a speed limit is that you actually get to see and appreciate Germany’s beauty. A lot more scenic than many other drives I’ve done.
And in the end, going so fast has a real impact on your petrol usage and gas mileage (kilometrage?), so most drivers don’t try to push their cars’ absolute limits when it comes to speed. Yes, if you are driving fast on the open road of a German autobahn, you probably won’t be the only one zooming along, but from what I’ve seen, most Germans seem to stick to a speed of around 150-160 km/h (90-100 mph) on the highway’s unlimited stretches. Faster than you’re typically allowed to go, but definitely a practical not-super-fast speed where you retain a lot of control and don’t have to make huge speed adjustments every time an interchange approaches.
In the end, I found that autobahn driving wasn’t all that different from any other highway driving I’ve done anywhere in the world.
With just a few differences of course when the speed becomes unlimited, especially if you choose on the open stretches to go as fast as your car will take you. And certainly, if driving at breakneck speeds puts abject panic in your heart, you could drive on the autobahn only a bit faster than the way you drive on highways at home. And not be too out of place.
What’s the fastest you’ve ever gone in a car? Have you driven on the German Autobahn before? Any other things that surprised you about driving in Germany? Or tips you’d give to someone driving on the Autobahn for the first time? Share away in the Comments below.
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In Italy, there is one correct way to do everything. Yes, you may think you have a better way, that the way things are done do not seem logical, or realize that it’s not how things are done at home.
None of that matters because you are talking about hundreds, if not thousands of years of history behind the ways of Italian life.
You won’t change them during your short stay, but you can embrace them.
Locals are likely to take one look at you and know you’re a tourist. So if you want to disregard everything below, go ahead – it’s your vacation and it is all about enjoying yourself.
BUT if you’d like to experience a slice of living as the Italians do, here are my top 10 ways to experience Italy like a local:
1. Consume a typical Italian breakfast of cappuccino and a brioche, or something else sweet to start the day. A brioche is a sweet pastry that looks like a croissant, but tastes neither like a croissant nor French brioche bread. It is a slightly different but equally delicious pastry, and can come plain (“empty”) or filled with marmalade, cream, chocolate, or other fruit/nut fillings.
2. Avoid cappuccino past mid morning, or around 10/10:30am. The acceptable post-lunch and dinner coffees are either an espresso or a caffè macchiato (espresso with a touch of foamed milk on top).
3. Have bottled water at each of your meals. Drinking tap water is just not done. Your decision is between acquanaturale (still water) and acqua frizzante or acqua gassata (both different ways of saying sparkling water).
4. Eat on an Italian schedule on the late side, especially for dinner. If you want to experience the dining scene in Italy like a local, adjust your schedule to match theirs. Many restaurants do not open until at least 7:30pm for dinner, but you won’t see Italians at that hour. Wait until 8:30pm or later to be eating with the Italians, and tide yourself over in the meantime by enjoying an aperitivo somewhere.
5. If you’re ready to leave a restaurant, request the check: il conto, per favore. They will almost never bring you the check unless you ask. It’s not considered bad service, just being polite. If you want to truly experience Italy like a local, take a cue from the natives, and linger for a long time, enjoying the company of those around you. And maybe even a digestivo, some grappa or limoncello to help you to digest smoothly.
6. Blow-dry your hair before venturing out. Italians do not leave the house with their hair wet. It is another one of those things that is just not done.
7. Save your flip flops for the seaside. Everything has its place. Flip flops (or thongs, for the Aussies) are beach shoes, and only city shoes are worn in the city. If you want to feel as if you’re blending in, this one is key!
8. Save your gym clothes for the gym, too. Unless someone is actually running for exercise, you almost never see anyone on the street in workout attire. Locals walk into the gym looking impeccable, work out, shower, blow-dry their hair, and exit also looking impeccable.*
9. Stick to what food combinations are recommended. The one correct way to do something extends to food as well. Usually there is one or a small few acceptable pasta shape and sauce combinations, and a seasonal or daily menu is always a good bet. If you’re not sure what is recommended, ask. The Italians want you to experience Italy like a local (they do think it’s the best way, after all!) so will be happy to guide you along.
10. Venturing to the market? Ask for advice at each stall to get the best product being offered (and don’t touch the produce yourself either). Market vendors are just as particular as other Italians. I’ve tried to buy a certain type of apple once and had it switched out for another when the person helping me found out I was using it to bake. Or buying porcini mushrooms, I had parsley thrown in the order automatically because obviously that is what I would need to cook the mushrooms with the proper flavors.
Remember that when locals try to steer you in a different direction, they have your best interests at heart and want you to get maximum enjoyment – it’s up to you to listen!
*this is the only item on this list I don’t follow regularly, but I sure look out of place on my brief walk to and from the gym.
Are there any questions about the Italian way of life that I haven’t answered yet? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below.
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Many of us have a bad habit of over-complicating things, and planning travel does not have to be one of them.
All you need is to “Just do it”:
1. Pick dates
2. Ask for the days off of work, if needed – although this could also be for a weekend trip outside of work hours, where the only person needed for the decision is YOU
3. Pick one or several locations you’d be interested in – the more flexible you are, the easier it is to definitely take a trip
4. Find the best/cheapest option and BOOK A FLIGHT!
***Congratulations*** now you’re traveling somewhere!!
All smiles on my Emirates Airline flightCheers to your next trip!
When I recently booked my flight to Denver, I was excited and posted on Facebook that I was “all set.” My sister, who I’ll be visiting, countered with a long list of things yet to be determined – where we’re skiing, where we’ll stay overnight by the slopes, and arranging my ski rental.
My perspective?
If I’ve booked the ticket, I’m going on the trip! The rest is just details.
Airplane landing in Bergen, Norway
Of course we’ll figure out where to ski and arrange a place to sleep. Ski rental spots abound. But I’m so excited to be traveling! And now that I’ve booked a flight, I will be =)
How much effort or research does it usually take you to book a trip? And at what point do you feel like you’re “set” for your travels?
With two flights booked this week, I was just tossing around another weekend trip with a friend. We’ve discussed going away somewhere for the weekend before, but have never gone anywhere.
Why not, you say? Well, we’ve never booked flights.
What will make the difference this time around – whether or not we book flights to actually go somewhere. Then, it’ll be a trip.
Exploring Angkor Wat in Cambodia
So, my challenge to YOU —
Forget about all of the reasons not to go.
Forget about the cost keeping you grounded. Depending on location, your time away can be cheaper than what you’d spend staying at home.
Forget about whether you have a travel buddy or not.
With or without a travel buddy, pick a day sometime in the next week, and book!
(If flights are very expensive where you are, or at the time you’re looking to travel, you’re not off the hook – find a good bus or train fare and lock it down.)
Train Travel in the US
Or use one of these excellent mailing lists or website features to help inspire you:
This is focused mostly on US departing cities, but offers a lot of information about international destinations as well, and is targeted to your preferred departure point.
This is a US-centric newsletter offering great deals on itineraries. Their motto is “Just because it’s a great fare doesn’t mean it’s a great deal” provides a bit of an insight into their philosophy. It’s very friendly to browse deals on their website as well.
Offers a free and premium version. If you’re planning to book one of the heavily discounted deals or mistake fares, paying for the premium version could be worth your time. Even with just the free version, you’ll get deals e-mailed and access to the private Facebook group.
Catching sunrise over Europe from a plane
Searching Online for Cheap Destinations or Itineraries
Kayak Explore
This is one of my all-time favorite website features. Not only can you compare fares on multiple airlines with lots of details specified, like flight time, budget, and number of stops, but you can also search without a specific destination in mind! To browse possible flight options, you can even zoom in on certain regions of the world and see which destinations fall within your budget anytime, or on a set of specific dates.
TIP! Not all discount airlines will have their fares appear on Kayak, so also check those websites directly for any discount airlines at your departure and arrival city before booking.
This site is similar to the Kayak Explore feature above, with the ability to customize your departure city and browse options anywhere in the world. Skiplagged specializes in heavily discounted fares you won’t see on other sites, although do be aware of any flight results using the controversial practice of a ‘hidden city’ flight, as airlines have begun to crack down on passengers who don’t fly all the legs of their itinerary.
City views in Perth, Australia
With a little flexibility on destination and dates, and some clever internet sleuthing, there is a trip out there in your budget and waiting for you.
You know what this means – no excuses!
So browse some possible options, and commit to booking that next flight in the week ahead.
You can do it.
Happy travels! Lana
Have you booked all your travel for this year yet? What obstacles usually keep you from booking a trip? Are there any other resources you find helpful for booking flights that I missed? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below!
And when you do book your next flight, keep me posted with where you’re heading!
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9 Top Belgium Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go!
My recent visit was not my first trip to Belgium, but I felt like there was so much that I had forgotten from previous visits. Belgium is a great country to visit, being both bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, and boasting some pretty wonderful cuisine and the drinks to wash it down.
In between strolling quaint cobblestone streets in medieval city centers, I couldn’t help but jot down some notes of those key things you’ll want to know before you go – after making countless mistakes myself of course!
So (in alphabetical order), here are my top Belgium Travel Tips, with things you should know before you go:
Beer
Beer in Belgium is stronger than you think. No, really! While the average Alcohol-By-Volume or ABV of beer is 4.5%, most Belgian beers are over that amount, many at double the alcohol content or more. On this list of top Belgian beers, every beer listed is over 4.5% and half of them clock in at 8% or higher. Keep track of how strong the beer is that you ordered so you don’t drink too much, too quickly (unless you want to, of course) – this isn’t like your beer drinking back home.
Bicycles
Much of central and northern Europe is filled with bicycles, and this is true of Belgium as well. Even if you live in a bike-friendly city, bike riding in Belgium is likely on a whole other scale. Watch out, as some cyclists pedal so fast that you may not hear them coming. And remember to look both ways everywhere as I almost got run over on my recent visit by a bicycle going the wrong way on a one-way street. Bike lanes sometimes look similar to sidewalks, so you might find yourself unwittingly strolling in a bike lane if you’re not paying attention as you walk – this is definitely a country to remain aware of your surroundings!
City Cards
If there’s a city in Belgium, there’s likely to be a combination city card you can purchase that will gain you access to multiple attractions, like churches and museums, and at a discount compared to paying for each. While I expected the Antwerp Card and Bruges Card and Brussels Card and Ghent Card, I was surprised to learn that even many small towns have a pass of their own.
Do take the time to research which sights are covered, how long the pass lasts, and the cost, to decide if it makes sense for you. For me on my recent trip to Belgium, the small-town Leuven Card was worth purchasing but in Ghent I wasn’t planning to go to enough of the museums listed, so it made more sense for me to buy my entries one at a time there.
TIP! Buy the card in advance if it includes any public transportation you’re planning to take, otherwise it’s usually available for purchase at any of the included tourist sites without an extra stop.
Closure Days
If you’ve done a bit of travel around Europe already, you may be familiar with many attractions and museums being closed on a Monday. Something I also noticed in Belgium this time around is that quite a lot of things are *also* closed on Wednesday. I spent my latest Wednesday in Belgium in Ghent, and lots of museums there were completely closed, from the City Museum to the Design Museum. Even the restaurant where I tried to eat lunch (and is usually open for lunch!) had no lunch service on a Wednesday.
TIP! A walking tour is always a great way to see a city on a day many attractions will be closed.
Languages
Belgium is a country made up of many language regions, so what language will be primarily spoken and visible on street and highway signs will depend on where you are exactly. The north of Belgium is primarily Flemish speaking (also known as Flemish Dutch), similar to what is spoken in the nearby Netherlands. The southern half is typically French speaking, and there are a few German-speaking regions in the far eastern section of the country.
While you don’t need to learn all those language to visit, it is always helpful to practice some key words and phrases in the language that will be where you plan to travel. Even some basic vocabulary to aid with street signs, or learning the words for ‘Entrance’ and ‘Exit’ can help your travel go more smoothly, especially if you will be driving in Belgium.
And the good news is, English is spoken (at least a little) nearly everywhere. Even in the smaller towns, most restaurants are likely to have an English menu. If you don’t see one displayed, just ask.
Luggage Lockers
Depending on your exact itinerary and travel plans, you may end up wanting to do some sightseeing with your luggage in tow, either when you first arrive or are departing, or are in between cities. Fortunately, many train stations across Belgium – even in smaller towns – will have lockers at your disposal. And for my first destination after arriving at Brussels airport and heading to the small town of Leuven, I was able to check ahead of time online to confirm that lockers would be available.
TIP! Have Euro coins handy, as my luggage locker cost 5 Euros for the day and did not accept bills or cards.
TIP! I had issues getting my locker to work at first – and nearly gave up! – so would recommend trying a different section of the lockers if you have trouble at first and also reading the instructions listed (even if they’re in Flemish and you have to translate on your phone). In the end I had to hold the door shut for 3 seconds before it automatically locked and put the prompt up on the screen for me to insert payment and get my receipt.
Restaurant Meals
Even separate from the typical Monday and Wednesday closures across Belgium (see ‘Closure Days’ section above), I encountered a lot of restaurants that were only open for dinner during the week and had no lunch service. As my previous Belgium travel was centered around weekends, this was definitely a surprise of my most recent visit. Be aware that you may be limited in your dining options, especially on day trips, if you don’t stay through dinnertime.
Transit Tickets
The transit system in Belgium is quite convenient, but is centered around making your purchase with a debit or credit card, and you may have trouble using the automated machines unless you have a card with a PIN. While PIN-based debit cards are standard for Europeans, if you don’t have a PIN on your credit card from elsewhere, try your debit card instead (assuming it has a PIN). Otherwise, build in extra time to find a staffed counter and wait in what will likely be a longer line to be able to pay in cash.
TIP! Any train trip that is to or from Brussels airport will be higher than usual because it includes a surcharge that is added to all trips that begin or end there. So keep this in mind to determine your most economical option when planning your itinerary.
Waffles
Yes, Belgians may be known for their waffles – but these may be harder to find than you’d expect! Across my Belgium visits, I had the easiest time finding fresh waffles made-to-order in Brussels. During the week especially, fresh waffles were harder to come by. So be on the lookout if you’re looking to sample some during your trip.
TIP! When in doubt, if you haven’t found fresh waffles elsewhere, you can usually get some at a stand at the train station.
TIP! I am partial to the Liege style waffle which is a thick dough covered in sugar that gets pressed in a waffle iron. If you’re getting a waffle fresh in Belgium, be sure to try this one!
Belgium has a wealth of amazing sights and architecture to explore, plus there’s all that world-famous beer and chocolate and waffles wherever you go. There are wonderful towns and cities to visit and I’d definitely make another return trip to check out more.
From the many cities and towns I’ve already been to in my travels, these tips are pretty universal, so will be helpful regardless of where in Belgium you plan your trip.
Happy travels!
Lana
Have you been to Belgium before? Is there any other advice you would give to someone who is planning a visit? Anything else you’d like to know before you book a Belgium trip? Share your best Belgium travel tips and ask away in the ‘Comments’ below!
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If you’re like me and love going out to a restaurant with a group of adventurous friends, because it means you get to sample even more different dishes, the thought of traveling solo may give you pause. How will you consume enough meals to taste all of the local dishes? What if there are multiple dishes you’d like to sample, but you’re just not hungry enough to order (and eat) them all?
As someone who both loves to eat and savors my time traveling solo, this issue has come up for me time and again. Over the last two decades or so, I have definitely honed what types of food I seek out when I’m on my own on the road, to maximize the number of different bites and how much local cuisine I get to experience. And fortunately, as solo travel has become more commonplace, I don’t get nearly the amount of looks or raised eyebrows as I used to when asking for a “table for one.”
How to Dine Solo, Your Own Way
“Oh no,” you’re thinking, “I just don’t feel comfortable eating at a restaurant by myself.” Don’t worry, that’s okay! Several of the options below involve street food or eating-on-the-go. And even at a proper restaurant, a lot of times there is a bar where you can sit and order food and socialize, or possibly a communal table where you may encounter others traveling solo or other friendly diners.
For those of you ready to dine solo at a restaurant for the first time, it can look like whatever you’re comfortable with. I’ve seen people reading a newspaper or a book as they eat alone, which for many eliminates what would otherwise be a socially awkward situation. Others spend it on their smart phone, reading, planning, or staying in touch with friends. Some solo diners sit back and quietly take in their surroundings. And others will just keep a deep focus on the food, slowly savoring each bite.
Personally, I tend to either be introspective, reflecting on my day or strategizing for the day ahead, or will go into people-watching mode. I’ll sit and quietly observe the diners around me inside the restaurant, pretending I am at an outdoor table at a cafe watching the passers-by. Occasionally, I’ll read – usually a long-form newspaper article or an article to learn more about a tourist attraction I already visited. And when the food comes, I do my best to channel my focus on truly enjoying the flavors as I eat. Do what works best for you!
Foods to Seek Out
To eat well during solo travel, my basic strategy is to cobble together a bunch of different bites on my own, by sampling the offerings of different street food vendors or enjoying small plates of food at a sit-down restaurant – in whatever combination feels right on a particular trip. Here’s what to look for:
Appetizers
I mention a lot of specific types of cuisine below, but in fact, any restaurant can be turned into your own customized version of small plates by simply ordering 2-3 starters or sides instead of a main dish. Just ask before you order, and most places will be happy to accommodate you. It can also be helpful to specify if you want your dishes to arrive all at once, or to be brought out one at a time.
Bakeries
Bakeries and pastry shops (or bakery sections in supermarkets) can offer a quick bite in the morning to leave room for a larger lunch. You can also get a taste of local life by sampling the baked good of choice, whether sweet or savory. Or get a bunch of smaller items to sample for lunch, as nibbles throughout the day, or snacks to consume while out hiking.
Breakfast or Brunch
You may not have thought of it this way before, but many breakfast or brunch options can really be several different types of food all on a single plate together: eggs, potatoes, vegetables, and a sauce. Even if breakfast is included with my accommodation, I will still sometimes go out somewhere for a more authentic first meal of the day, and a lot of countries have very local breakfast options that you won’t see anywhere else (check out this post on Singaporean breakfast for the details on one of my favorites). And many breakfasts can be ordered for take away if you don’t feel like dining alone.
Buffets
In general I’m not a huge buffet person, but when I’m on the road for a limited time, it can often be the most effective way to sample many different dishes of the local cuisine. Often hotels or hotel restaurants will serve food buffet-style, and you typically don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to partake. Do be sure to check ahead of time when buffet meals will be available, as in certain locales it will only be offered on 1 night each week (or only specifically feature local cuisine on a single night).
In my experience, there are a fair number of Indian restaurants all over the world that have lunch buffets or set menus available. When I am traveling solo and seeking out Indian food, I will also peruse a menu in advance to see if there is thali available, another option which is a built-in way to try lots of dishes. A thali is basically like a sampler platter and will include bread, rice, and a mix of other curries and dishes, all for a reasonable price. Usually a vegetarian and meat thali option will both be offered.
Set Menus
You’ll see a set menu option more often for lunch, with a choice of a few dishes for each course, sometimes including a beverage and/or dessert. Set menus offer a good value on price as well. One of my favorite places to take advantage of a set menu is in Liechtenstein, which otherwise can be a pricey place to dine out. Keep your eyes open starting in the late morning when these specials begin to be advertised, and find a spot that strikes your fancy or fits your budget.
Spanishrestaurants
I have one word for you: tapas! These small plates have become trendy in a lot of places outside of Spain, so in many countries you’ll be able to find a Spanish restaurant where the dishes come in small enough portions that you can pick out a few different ones and still have a reasonably sized meal for one. Of course this works in Spain as well, and is especially fun at a busy market stall. Plus, many tapas places I’ve visited – both in Spain and elsewhere – have a bar where you can sit and order dishes, which can be a more social experience for solo travellers.
Street Food
There are many cities renowned for their street food offerings, but even for most others, you can find delicious and inexpensive bites on the go. Street food lets you eat with your other senses first – hearing the sizzle of a piece of meat on a grill, smelling enticing aromas waft toward you, or seeing where the locals queue up for the best bites. I’ve had some of my best street food experiences in Asia (Bangkok & Chiang Mai in Thailand have possibly been my favorite spots – for being able to get small bites from a lot of different vendors). But if you keep your eyes open you’ll see street vendors in most cities you visit, and there are also a lot of places where Food Trucks are trendy and ever-present with many types of cuisines represented. Go ahead and sample whatever catches your eye. Or tempts one of your other senses.
Tasting Menus
On the opposite end of the budget spectrum, you can also get a fair bit of food variety on the high-end of dining, especially when there is a tasting or degustation menu available. And at several of these more fancy establishments, you’ll even have the option to sit at the bar or communal table, which can be a less intimidating experience for the solo diner. This can be true even at Michelin-starred places, like the satisfying tasting menu I recently enjoyed at Stockholm’s Ekstedt (sitting at a communal table where I met and chatted during the whole meal with another solo traveller!).
Or the very reasonably priced tasting menus I enjoyed on my own at Restaurant Bieberbau in Berlin and several restaurants around Malta.
This is another cuisine that naturally lends itself to having a lot of small dishes – called mezze – cobbled together to form a meal. Think grilled meats, falafel balls, hummus, babaganoush, and tabbouli in small portions that together can form a satisfying single meal with a whole lot of variety. Middle Eastern cuisines can also be well-suited to vegetarians, as many of the mezze are vegetable- or legume-based.
Vegetarian restaurants
Despite not having meat on the menu, vegetarian and vegan restaurants can offer some of the best variety of bites on a single plate. I usually encounter a mix of starches, proteins, and vegetables that can be mixed and matched for a single dish. Sometimes there are even small plates available. And although I’m not a vegetarian, some of my most recent memorable bites dining solo have been at vegetarian establishments.
Of course, there is no one right way to eat well while traveling solo. This list is really a starting point for you to venture out and figure out what types of cuisine and dining formats feel comfortable for you, and help you to maximize your time alone on the road. And of course, as you become a more and more seasoned solo traveler, use this list as inspiration for that food or restaurant to try next!
Do you notice yourself gravitating toward certain foods when you travel solo? What things have you found most helpful to keep in mind for eating well when you travel on your own? Any other advice or cuisines to add to the list? Share your tips below!
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