It's time for a new definition. We have a definition for staycations where instead of leaving, you stay home and experience activities in your area. And we all know what a vacation is. Often we joke that we need a vacation after our vacation. Airplanes, trains, rental cars, hotels, airbnb's and the frustrations that come with travel even if you're landing on a beach with an umbrella-drink in your future for a week or two. If you're like me, it's usually the second to the last day that I get my bearings, can sleep through the night and finally acclimate. Then BAM! Pack to go home. But is it a vacation when you move into a French apartment and stay for 1-4 months? I don't think so and I am not a digital nomad, or an expat per se. I know the name of my favorite baker, the grocery clerk, and the serveur at my favorite bistro. So what am I doing? I am officially declaring it a slowcation. I'm not the first to use the term, but good luck finding it in a dictionary. It comes as no surprise that I like to slowcation. Now in my 60’s, I’ve got the time, resources, and energy to be able to get-about and travel on my own. I recognize how lucky I am. So, I go while I am still able-bodied. That means I get on a plane, pick a destination and move-in for more than a few weeks, preferably a month or more. The advantage of this - you can stay for a month often at the same cost of staying two weeks, (or find a long-term HomeExchange). You can plan quick weekend get-aways or day-trips to see what you want to see. You can relax when you need to because you are actually living in your new destination. Finding your favorite bakery, grocery, and restaurants actually makes life easier and relaxing. Spend that first week or two learning the public transport, figuring out routes and managing a foreign language. It keeps those brain synapses firing. And there's no rush, because you're here for a while. Over the past few years I have been on several slowcations working my way through France. From Nancy to Nice, I have spent over a month every time. I travel alone, but I always invite family and friends to join me along the way. That keeps things more exciting and all they have to do is catch a flight! Plus, I love planning itineraries. Currently I am in a small but spectacular rental in Nice on Mount Boron overlooking Nice's Bay of Angels to the airport, and on clear days, I can see all the way to Antibes. I have nightly sunsets and occassional rain. I kiddingly refer to it as my semester abroad because I am taking french classes 3 days a week. A bus stops right out front to take me to downtown or I can walk. On the other side of the street the bus takes me as far as Menton on the Italian border. For day trips, I can hop on a local train to take me anywhere I want to go. I even visited a friend in Paris for a few days just last week and came "home" to return to writing, and my Nicoise life. So I am recommending a slowcation if you are able. It's a great way to travel and I recommend it to anyone with the time or interest. À bientôt
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Germany by Bike, Why?You're not a biker? And you don't want to be part of a tour group? Why would you want to do this? I had the same questions when considering this Mosel biking idea. My sister, who admittedly is in much better shape than I, wanted an active adventure to precede a more sedentary planned Rhine River Cruise. My criteria were clear: flat, paved, easy with off-road scenery for the non-athlete. Logic dictated that we choose something in a country close to our point of departure, and a bit of research promised all the above if we chose a biking tour through the Mosel River Valley on the famed Bike Path. The Mosel river (Moselle in France) is the best known of the 13 German wine-growing regions and flows north joining the Rhine in Koblenz. We chose to bike the lower course as the river twists and turns its way along one of Germany's most beautiful river valleys. The region was cultivated by the Romans, and there is plenty of history and wine to explore along the way. Today, its hillsides are covered by steep terraced vineyards where some of the best Rieslings grow. Picturesque castle ruins sit on the hilltops above the charming wine villages along the riverside.
Built between 1928-30, Villa Tungendhat stands today as a perfect assimilation of the creative genius, craftsmanship and design aesthetic of the architect Mies Van der Rohe. Long before he left for Chicago, this man was given creative freedom to create a home using all his then modern bauhaus ideas. This Villa was the reason for my visit to Brno, Czech Republic. About 206 km southeast from Prague, this amazing property stands among other comparatively ordinary but lovely homes in a nice neighborhood in the hills above the City. And as with trains, planes and automobile's, I arrived late at the close of the day and the Director allowed me a private tour. As a former architecture student at Berkeley, I had written a paper on the Villa. I had written the director to make the visit. But to walk it without visitors, was a dream come true. The home feels as modern today, as it certainly must have then. From automated retracting glass windows, to walls of ebony wood and other precious materials, no detail was overlooked. Even the finishes on something as mundane as closet drawers, window coverings and use of linoleum for floors in the main space all serve to create a perfect union of form and function. And the furniture! Everyone knows I covet a Barcelona Chair. Designed for this home by Lilly Reich. The home implemented a steel load bearing structure allowing for open design, hot air heating and cooling system, electric windows, and a photocell at the entrance. This is unique today, but in 1928? A marvel. More Info: http://www.tugendhat.eu/en/villa-tugendhat/the-architect.html
HOTEL: We stayed in the K+K Hotel Picasso 4* Superior, Passeig de Picasso, 26-30 Ciutat Vella 08003 Barcelona. 3 nights ran @ $492 which was a great deal. Pluses: It's in the Borne District (quieter than Gotic with charm and convenience), easy to get to from the airport (it's right between Estacio de Franca train station and Arc de Triomf Line 1 metro stop), close to one of Barcelona’s best bars El Bar de l’Antic Teatre. It has a fantastic buffet breakfast ( important if you're an early riser and want more than coffee and a pastry. Why? Breakfasts aren't a big deal in Spain, and most cafes open after 10 am). The hotel is right across from the Parc de la Ciutadella, and easy walk to everything. The public rooms at the hotel are lovely, even a guitar for your use. Minuses: Don't expect big rooms, but great staff and public spaces make up for it. WHAT'S the WHAT: Restaurants: Lunch is between 1 and 4 pm. Dinner is between 8 pm and midnight.
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 Palau Musica in Barcelona Thanks to Norwegian Airlines I found some ridiculously cheap tickets from Oakland, California to Barcelona and out of Malaga for the return. Perfect. The plan was Spain from one coast to the other! I convinced my oldest son to join me. Here is an overview of the trip. For details on specific cities, click on the links below.
From Barcelona to Malaga hitting 3 separate parts of the coastline in 14 days. We rented a car on our last day in Barcelona and drove it to Granada. Then we took the bus to Malaga (An easy trip, buses depart every half hour). It gave us more flexibility in our travel, but was quite expensive compared to train or bus travel. Your choice! SIMPLIFIED ITINERARY BARCELONA 3 days Day Trip to Montserrat Option BILBAO 1 day MADRID 2 days TOLEDO 1 Day CORDOBA 1 day SEVILLE 2 days Ronda - Day Trip GRANADA 2 days MALAGA 2 days  The beauty of Krka National Park GO!
Go before they are on the €uro, or members in the EU and the prices skyrocket. Go while they have not burned out on tourists - who despite our best behavior, can wear down the most hospitable of hosts. To me, it has the best of Italy and Greece combined. Go, Go , Go. Croatia has got so many things going for it, I can't even begin to list them all.
Click the "Read more" link below to see full itinerary We drove from Barcelona to Bilbao via Pamplona. You could just as easily fly, but the road was easy and the views were beautiful. We rented a Hertz - Compact 4/5-Door Car Manual. and picked it up at Calle Viriat 45, Barcelona, It was $167 with $88 in additional comprehensive insurance. Barcelona to Pamplona took about 5 hours and we arrived @1 pm. We had lunch and a walkabout. We left Pamplona around 3 pm and arrived in Bilbao @ 5pm. The terrain changes dramatically when you head over the mountains into Bilbao. It is green and lush and beautiful. Down down you head into the City of Bilbao along The Nervión river (Basque: Nerbioi) which runs through the city of Bilbao into the Cantabrian Sea (Bay of Biscay). Click on any images to see larger full scale Turn on sound. The start features a singer we listened to in Dubrovnik. There is music in every city at night. The first waterfalls are in Krka National Park. Bring a suit ... you can take a refreshing dip. The second and much larger park is further North in Plitvice National Park. No swimming here. But worth the trek to this magical place. |
Who Goes There?I have circumnavigated the globe a few times. I don't do backpacks. And I don't like tour groups. Always ready for a fun adventure! ARTICLES
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