Ever stumbled upon the perfect café, sequestered deep in the quietest corner of a buzzing city, and just had to share the secret? Ever wanted to be part of that secret? Travelistas Lynn Lau and Abby Bender combine their journalism and travel experiences to bring readers Notes From A Café: Travel stories from the deep end, a refreshing cure to the usual stodgy travel resources. Notes From A Café revolves around the love of travel, with articles covering countries from Belgium to Norway to Malaysia, along with tips and resources to fellow travelers interested in the non-touristy side of exploring the world.
Celebrating the joie de vivre of traipsing the globe, Lynn and Abby feature their stories and secrets under headings such as "Voyage Vignettes" (focusing on the thick and thin of personal travel accounts), "Foreign Foibles" (cultural gaffes and taboos), "Travel Tips" (a grab-bag of information and suggestions for travelers), and "Roaming Reviews" (frank guides on true must-see's and definite stay-away-from's).
A random selection of our articles:
I’m a carry-on girl. They say experience makes one wiser, and when it comes to getting on and off a plane in a flash, I’ve wisened up more than I care to remember. No more wrestling with huge, ungainly suitcases to and from the airport, thank you very much. I did that for at least two overseas ventures, and I’ve learned my lesson! Nowadays, no matter what distance or length of vacation time, all I bring is what I can carry with me onto the plane.
Yes, that’s right—just a wheelie and a tote bag. I jump in and I jump off, not needing to check in extra luggage, and bypassing fellow passengers who’re still waiting at the baggage carousel. No more anxiety over delayed or lost luggage! It means being able to get out of the airport faster. It means savoring my trip from the start.
It also means—if I’m returning to the States from time abroad—not having to wait in the stuffy, crowded carousel section after already having put up with the teeming throng at Immigration. Believe me, the latter is enough of an endurance trial. It doesn’t need assistance.
» Read the rest of All Aboard! The Goodness of Carry-on ...
Choosing where to sleep is perhaps the most important question you must answer when traveling (outside of choosing where you’re traveling, that is). And, at a certain point, every study abroad student or young traveler asks herself: Should I stay at a hostel or a hotel?
Like other soul-searching questions such as what is happiness? or to be or not to be? or should I eat that last piece of chocolate cake?, choosing between a hostel and a hotel is something only you can decide for yourself. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a little help in making that decision.
So, oh weary travelers! Sharpen your pencils and get ready to take our very first Notes From A Café test and discover where you should lay your little head on your next trip overseas.
» Read the rest of Hotel or Hostel? ...
If I could keep but one memory of the Abbey of Pontlevoy, it would be this:
» Read the rest of Elysium Fields ...
I stepped off the train into a Christmas card. Or as my fellow passengers on the train to Siegen would say, “eine Weihnachtskarte,” or that’s what they would have said, were they not glaring into the feather-light snowflakes tumbling out of the dusk and frosting the quay.
Before I had boarded the train for my Christmas vacation (Weihnachtsferien) in Germany, Tobi had informed me that while there would be snow in Siegenland, it always fell steadily, never too quickly, and always in an amount that was manageable. How very German, I thought, for in my mind, Germans and Germany were the epitome of the engineering philosophy, marvels in regimentation, beer, and leiderhosen.
And, also, Christmas. After all, most of the beloved aspects of an American Christmas – Christmas trees, Saint Nick, and the Christmas Pickle (well, beloved in my family, at least) – originated in Germany. When Tobi had recommended that I spend my Christmas abroad with his family, I agreed immediately. Seeing as my bloodline is almost half German, I thought it only fitting.
From Paris to Köln on the TGV, and then from Köln to Siegen, I imagined the welcome that would await me once I arrived in the land of my ancestors: Tobi waving merrily as the train pulled in to a station frosted in a picture-perfect dusting of snow while a brass band played Stille Nacht in the background.
The snow was definitely there to greet me, but not Tobi. I clutched my duffel bag and tried to look coolly Parisian while all around me rose, not the sound of Franz Gruber’s famous melody, but the buzz of the rich, buttercream-thick, absolutely incomprehensible German language. Fortunately, Tobi appeared almost immediately, his father in tow.
“It has snowed about a foot,” Tobi said, bundling me into the VW. “All the highways were blocked. It is a crisis.”
» Read the rest of Weihnachten nach Siegen ...
It looks as if Ryanair will be taking it’s low-cost, no-frills, minimal-enjoyment airlines to the transatlantic skies.
On April 12, CEO Michael O’Leary pledged to launch low-cost shuttle service from the UK to six different Stateside destinations. (Read a press release somewhat relating to the announcement here [and please note the missed space in the headline], or go here for a more in-depth overview.)
Hey, I’m all for low fares. But I must wonder … would it be more comfortable for me to grab a seat on Ryanair’s big puddle-jumping sardine can, or should I just sneak into the baggage hold during my next overseas flight?
Want more information about this topic? Visit Buzzfeed’s page about this news flash. While you’re there, take a look at what article tops the list …