There are Grand Tour of Switzerland itineraries for tourists that want to drive the country as well.

Note:  This is a rail tour, and that is its emphasis.  While the itinerary does overnight in iconic cities, some couldn’t be explored due to the schedule.  Traveling in October also impacted city investigation as night fell sooner than in the summer months.

Switzerland formally recognizes four official national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.  While you can tell that the Swiss people are immensely proud of being Swiss, there is a noticeably different feel to each region.

I coordinated my travel through the Swiss Travel Centre. Guided tour options are available through other entities. 

Disclosure: I receive no compensation from the Swiss Travel Centre, or any of the rail lines mentioned. I have included links regarding the hotels, per the disclaimer at the top of my post.

Itinerary of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

The ticket for the tour is a set itinerary that allows you to travel from your base, or entry point, in Switzerland to Luzern or St Gallen, and then from that endpoint to your point of origin.  I list “Luzern or St Gallen” as you can determine the direction of travel from one of these endpoint cities.

The itinerary does have some specified departure times with reserved seats.  There are also some days where you choose your schedule based on your desires.

The tour includes your hotel stay in each city.  You can default to the selection driven by the tour company or select your desired hotel category (1 – 5 star).  This allows you to personalize your experience, as well as impact on the cost per person.

I’ll share cost considerations, further in this post.

Resources

There are two applications you should plan on using for the tour. 

SBB app

his app lets you see what trains are available for the days when you don’t have a reserved seat.  You pick your origin and destination and select the time you want to depart/arrive. The query will result in 5 options starting with your selected criteria.  You can also choose earlier and later options.

Train Tour app

The train tour app shows you each of the legs of the trip as well as points of interest on that day.  Turn on the location tracker on your phone for the app and it will notify you when you are approaching a point of interest on the train ride. It also allows you to capture virtual stamps for each city.

The Grand Train Ride passport booklet. 

The passport booklet is available at locations in each city, and indicated in the app, i.e., the Tourist office in the Zürich train station.  Like the train tour app, it gives some insight into each destination, and allows you to capture a physical stamp for each town.  It adds a little something to the trip and serves as a neat little souvenir.

Costs

In 2023, my tour was 2,728 CHF.  I did purchase upgrades to 4-star lodging, 1^st class rail, luggage service for 1 bag, and a 2-course meal on the Glacier Express. Taxes were an incremental fee of approximately 75 CHF.

2024 Tickets and lodging

The cost for the train ticket and lodging depends on the experience you want, driven primarily by your lodging choice.  The default offer includes a mix of 3- and 4-star hotels and is priced at 2,871 CHF for April 2024.  The spread runs from 1,214 CHF if you want to stay in 1-Star hotels, up to 4,533 CHF if you want to stay in 5-Star hotels for the trip.  The Travel Company coordinates the hotel, you have the choice of category, but I don’t believe you can select a specific hotel.   You can also upgrade to 1^st class cars for the rail for 205 CHF, otherwise they default to 2^nd class for most lines.

Breakfast is included in hotel fees.

Additional cost and services

City taxes – The city taxes are not included in your hotel fee and must be paid to the hotel.  For my itinerary, the most I paid was 10 CHF, but averaged around 5 CHF.

Meal on the Glacier Express – There is an option to prepay for a 2- or 3-course meal.  The 2-course is 42 CHF, and 49 CHF for the 3-course meal.

Luggage Service – This is an optional service for 160 CHF for 6 transfers of a 25 KG suitcase between hotels, add 160 CHF for each additional suitcase up to 960 CHF 6 bags.  Starting with the first morning the SBB will pick up your suitcase and deliver it to your next hotel by 6PM (7PM in Zermatt).   

Note:  I recommend considering the convenience of the luggage service.  Delivery was spot on for me, and I heard others complain about having to muscle their suitcases along the itinerary.

Half-Fare card – The half fare card is available to tourists to Switzerland.  For 120 CHF, it permits the bearer to have ½ fare on trains, museums, and mountain trains and gondolas.  This pays for itself if you do go on excursions to the mountains, i.e. Mount Pilatus, the Jungfrau, etc.

Itinerary

I chose to start in Luzern.  If you want to know what the other direction looks like, just turn the following upside down.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 1, Zürich-Luzern-Interlaken

Schedule: This day is at your discretion.  You will ride the Swiss rail to Luzern where you transfer to the Luzern-Interlaken Express.  Arrival in Interlaken is at Interlaken-Ost station.

Hotel: The Hey Hotel, Höheweg 7, 3800 Interlaken.  This 4-Star boutique hotel is in the center of the Altstadt, approximately a block from the Interlaken-West train station.  My travels were out of Interlaken Ost, but even that was an easy 15–20-minute walk.

Excursions: Interlaken has many options; I chose to take the train to the Schynige Platte. Plan on taking a minimum of 2 – 3 hours. The Harder Kulm, (2 – 3 hours), are Jungfrau Joch (5 – 8 hours) additional regional rail excursions from Interlaken that are well worth the journey.  For the outdoor lovers there are several hiking trails, and for adrenaline junkies, you can schedule the chance to go paragliding.  There are also opportunities for shopping at the many luxury and souvenir retailers or gambling at the Casino.

For a more detailed summary of Interlaken, check out my blog: here.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 2, Interlaken – Montreux

Schedule: Day two starts with a ride on the GoldenPass Express departing from Interlake-West.  This is a scheduled ride with a reserved seat. My reservation was on the 9:08 AM train, which got me into Montreux at 12:20PM.  There was a later schedule that leaves 2.08 PM, arriving at 5:20PM. 

Hotel: This night, I was at the beautiful grand hotel Eden Palace Du Lac, Rue du Théâtre 11,
1820 Montreux.  This 4-Star hotel is located along the lake.  It is conveniently located to restaurants, the Promenade, and the Casino Barriere Montreux.

Excursions: The Chateau de Chillon.  Stroll along the sculpture lined promenade along the lake through Montreux to The Chateau de Chillon. There are jazz bars and a free museum dedicated to the rock band Queen.  A statue of Freddie Mercury stands along the lake. The Montreux Jazz Festival is held each year, in late-June to mid-July. For wine aficionados, there is the Lauvaux vineyards, which is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tip! Hotel guests will receive a “Montreux Riviera Card”.  The “Montreux Riviera Card” is a tourist benefit that is financed through the city taxes. The card extends the following benefits: Free public transportation (bus/train/funicular), 50% discount on museums, and the Chateau, and 20% off boat trips and regional trains (2^nd class) tickets.

I will be posting a page on what to do in Montreux in the near future. Be sure to check back.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 3, Montreux – Visp – Zermatt

Schedule: The travel logistics are at your discretion.  You will ride the Swiss rail to Visp where you transfer to the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.  This narrow-gauge cog railway is the last leg up the valley to the Zermatt station.

Hotel: In Zermatt, I overnighted at the Wellness Hotel Alpenhof.  Matterstrasse 43, 3920 Zermatt.  This hotel is owned and operated by the Julen family.  The Julen’s are a large part of Zermatt’s community, owning a portfolio of restaurants and hotels.  The Alpenhof is a splendid hotel, mixing technology and modern comforts in a building that maintains a rustic feel.   The hotel is an easy 10-minute walk from the station, or you can take one of their shuttles.

Excursions: The Gorner glacier and the Monte Rosa peak.  Matterhorn Paradise.  Rothorn/Sunegga. Plenty of hiking trails.  In Zermatt, there is the Alpine Museum and Zermattlantis.  Zermatt also has a plethora of restaurants, and luxury shops in its quaint downtown.

For a more information Zermatt, check out my blog: here.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 4, Zermatt – St. Moritz

Schedule: Day 4 is a scheduled trip with a reserved seat on the Panoramic Glacier Express.   My reservation was on the 9:52 AM train, which got me into St. Moritz at 5:37PM.  There is also an earlier train the leaves at 8:52 AM, arriving at 4:37PM. 

The late arrival time didn’t permit sightseeing in St. Moritz. However, the train ride really was the focus of the day. The Glacier Express is referred to as the slowest express train in the world.  This 8-hour tour takes you over some amazing landscapes and bridges. For the rail aficionados, the construction of this line is something to appreciate.

Highlights: Landwasser Viaduct (Natural stone bridge measuring 466 feet long and 214 feet high), Disentis Monastery, the Oberalp Pass (6706 feet), The beautiful Rhine Gorge, Chur (Pronounced as “core”, and is Switzerland’s oldest city.

Hotel: In St. Moritz, I was at the Sport & Wellness Hotel San Gian.  Via San Gian 23, 7500 San Moritz.  This 4-Star hotel is in the Bad San Moritz, as opposed to the San Moritz Village, and is a 20-minute walk from the train station. The hotel accommodations are modern and is great for sports enthusiasts.  It is located near Gondolas for hiking and/or skiing.  The hotel doesn’t have a gym but is 50 meters from the Ovavera Spa Center.  This facility well equipped with fitness equipment, pool, etc.   You receive a wristband for access to the spa at check in.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 5, St. Moritz – Tirano, Italy – Lugano

Schedule: Day 5 is a scheduled trip with a reserved seat on the Bernina Express.   My reservation was on the 9:17 AM train to Tirano, Italy.  There is a 3 hour “layover” in Tirano before transferring to a bus coach that finishes the itinerary to Lugano.

The Bernina Express passes some of the most dramatic landscapes of the tour.  Passing mountain peaks covered in glacier floes, Alpine reservoir, rugged terrain above the tree line that transitions back to beautiful forests and lakes as you descend into Italy.

Personal comment: The bus coach is a step down in comfort from the train experience. There was also an accident on the 2-lane road around Lake Como that delayed our arrival. Travelers need to understand that there is a possibility of late arrival in Lugano due to traffic or other incidents.

Hotel: In Lugano, I stayed at the Hotel City Lugano, Via Giuseppi Vagutti 4, 6900 Lugano. This 4-Star hotel is classified as a Garni.  Garni hotels are a class of hotel that operates like a B&B. They are a hotel structure, and serve breakfast, but otherwise don’t have a restaurant on site.   The facilities are very good, and the staff are friendly, engaging, and helpful.

Highlights: Mountain peaks of Diavolezza, Piz Palü, and Piz Bernina. Morteratsch glacier. Lago Bianco, this reservoir marks the watershed between the Black Sea and the Adriatic. Alp Grüm (train stops here allowing for pictures). The Brusio viaduct (360-degree viaduct). 16^th Century Church of the Madonna in Tirano. Lake Como.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 6, Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern

Schedule: Day 4 is a scheduled trip with a reserved seat on the Gotthard Panorama Express.   My reservation was on the 9:18 AM train.  In Flüelen there is the option of a transition from train to boat for the last leg to Luzern.  While you can continue by train, I went onto the paddle-wheel boat “Uri”.  I ultimately arrived in Luzern around quart of 3 in the afternoon.

Hotel: Romantik Hotel Wilden Mann – Bahnhofstrasse 30, 6003 Luzern.  Comfortable accommodation. The most intriguing point of this hotel is its history.  While a hotel since 1860, the Wilden Mann originated over 500 years ago as a bar, then a tavern.  Convenient location to the rail station and the Altstadt.

Highlights: Bellinzona castles (Castlegrande, Montebello, and Sasso Corbaro), The Gotthard Tunnel (This 9.3-mile tunnel took 10 years to build and took the lives of 200 workers.  It opened the pathway for travel and trade through the Alps). Lake Luzern.  In Luzern: Chapel Bridge, Transportation Museum, mountain excursions: Tilus, Pilatus and Rigi.  I went up Mount Pilatus the next morning. 

I will be posting a page on what to do in Luzern in the near future. Be sure to check back.

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland: Day 7, Luzern – St Gallen

Schedule: Day 7 is a trip on the Voralpen Express.  This day’s schedule is on your own timeline. The logistics are dependent on when you want to leave Luzern or arrive in St. Gallen. 

Hotel: Sorrell Hotel City Weissenstein – Davidstrasse 21, 9000 St. Gallen.  The Hotel City Weissenstein is conveniently located to the train station and the Altstadt. The rooms in the hotel are surprisingly large and have a comfortable and modern feel.

Highlights:  In Luzern: Chapel Bridge, Transportation Museum, mountain excursions: Tilus, Pilatus and Rigi.  I used this morning for an excursion to Mount Pilatus.  Lakes Zug and Zurich, Rapperswil, rolling farmlands with alpine backdrops and the occasional castle.  In St Gallen: The Abbey District (UNESCO site), City-Lounge-Red Square, Textile Museum, Art and Culture Museums, and a lovely Altstadt.  The Altstadt has many buildings with ornately decorated box-bay windows.

Schedule: Day 8 This last day of the tour is on your own timeline.  The ticket takes you from St. Gallen to your final destination, i.e. Zurich Airport, by way of Schaffhausen.

Highlights:  Lake Constance, Schaffhausen castle, Rhine Falls (largest waterfalls in Europe).

I hope you found the tips I provided on the Grand Train Tour beneficial, and this post inspired you to investigate taking a train tour across Switzerland.

                                                                                                                                                Travel well! Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post Grand Train Tour of Switzerland appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Some quick history of Interlaken, Switzerland

The name “Interlaken” is derived from Latin, meaning “between the lakes,” and is aptly attributed to its location between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. 

The first documented settlements in the region date back to the 12^th century.

Interlaken’s reputation as a tourist destination started in the early 19^th century.  Travelers from across Europe were drawn to the amazing scenery of the Berner Oberland and the Jungfrau region.  The Jungfrau region includes the iconic mountain peaks of the Eiger, Mönch, and the Jungfrau. Interlaken is just a short train ride to the picturesque villages of Gimmelwald, Wengen and the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen valley.

With its proximity to the mountains, Interlaken became a hub for adventure tourists pursuing mountaineering, hiking, and skiing.  Today, there are year-round outdoor opportunities, including skiing, snowboarding, hiking, skydiving/paragliding, and water sports on lakes Brienz and Thun. Interlaken also offers the opportunity for gambling, and shopping for luxury goods.

The region is also a destination for movie producers, as the Jungfrau region is featured heavily in Bollywood movies, as well as Hollywood films such as Clint Eastwood’s “the Eiger Sanction”, and the James Bond thriller, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”.

Where to Stay in Interlaken, Switzerland

My tour set me up at The Hey Hotel, Höheweg 7, 3800 Interlaken.  This 4-Star boutique hotel is in the center of the Altstadt, approximately a block from the Interlaken West train station.  My arrival was from Interlaken Ost, but even that was an easy 15–20-minute walk.   

The Hey Hotel has its own restaurant, but there are plenty of other options to satisfy you preference of the day within walking distance.

Travel tip:  Finding a laundromat in Switzerland is kind of like playing a game of “Where’s Waldo?”.  There is a laundromat behind The Hey Hotel on Poststrasse.  A wash and dry for a load will run about 20 CHF.  Don’t worry about soap as the dosing is integrated with the washer.  They use environmentally friendly products.

Other options in Interlaken

Victoria Jungfrau Gand Hotel & Spa, Höheweg 41, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland

5-Star grand resort hotel in the heart of Interlaken.  Beautiful view of the Alps

Hotel Royal St Georges Interlaken MGallery Collection Interlaken Höheweg 139, 3800 Interlaken, Switzerland

4-star superior hotel is located 984 feet from the Harderbahn Funicular Railway

What to do in Interlaken, Switzerland

Explore Interlaken

I hadn’t been to Interlaken before.  Beyond the train stations, that is.  As such, I took the opportunity to explore the town of Interlaken itself.  The main street, Höheweg, is lined with shops, hotels and restaurants.  For the shoppers out there, Interlaken’s shops offer plenty of Swiss souvenirs, including chocolate, Swiss watches, and regional products.

Schynige Platte (Schynige Plateau)

The journey starts with a cog-wheeled train ride from the town of Winderswil.    Winderswil is only a 5-minute train ride from Interlaken Ost. 

The Schynige Platte is approximately an hour train ride from Interlaken Ost.  You switch trains in Winderswil and board the Schynige Platte cogwheel train.  The train(description).  At the top, there is a hotel and restaurant that hosts daily Alphorn presentations.  There is an Alpine Garden filled with plants indigenous to the alps and this altitude. 

If hiking is your thing, there are plenty of paths offering opportunities for breathtaking pictures of the surrounding mountains, the valley below. This is also a starting point, should you want to hike down to Gindlewald.

Fantastically, though it was a bit hazy, I was able to see the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau peaks, as well as look down into the Lauterbrunnen valley.

Cost:

The ticket is 71.20 CHF round trip from Interlaken Ost (October 2023).  The Swiss Half-fare card drops it down to 35.60 CHF.   Plan for 2- 3 hours for this excursion. Longer should you want to enjoy more time on the plateau or take a hike.

Other excursions from Interlaken, Switzerland

Visit Lauterbrunnen and the Jungfraujoch

I have visited the Jungfrau and Lauterbrunnen a couple of times over the past couple of years.  Coupled with the fact that I had limited time due to my itinerary, I didn’t make the trip to the Jungrau this time.  I recommend that if you do go to the Jungfrau, often referred to as the “Top of Europe”, that you go early in the morning.  It will be less crowded, but also give you the best chance for clear skies.  Clouds tend to build at the mountaintops as the day progresses.

The journey itself is an experience.  There are two ways to get to the junction of Kleine Scheidegg from Interlaken Ost.  First is taking the train to Grindelwald, where you will switch to a gondola to get further on the journey.  The second is taking the train to Lauterbrunnen where you will switch to a scenic cog-wheeled train ride that takes you up the mountain past the town of Wengen and through meadows and pristine forests.  From Kleine Scheidegg you complete the trek by ascending THROUGH the Eiger and Mönch mountains.  There are two stops along the path where they have carved windows out on to the Eis Gletscher (Ice Glacier) and one that looks out over the valley.

At the end of the journey is the Jungfraujoch station.  This station is at 11,332 feet (3,454 meters) and is the highest rail station in Europe.  Remember to pack a jacket as this is a world of year-round ice and snow. 

What to do on the Jungfrau

The Jungfrau complex offers several attractions.  There is the Ice Palace, an underground labyrinth carved into the glacier and filled with ice carvings.  There is a Lindt Chocolate shop if you need that sugar kick at the high altitude. You can also visit the highest café in Europe and look out the panoramic windows.  Don’t forget to take the elevator up to the Sphinx observatory for an even higher viewing perspective.  

Cost: 

The ticket is 213.80 CHF round trip from Interlaken Ost (October 2023).  The Swiss Half-fare card drops it down to 141.80 CHF.   Plan for a minimum of 5-1/2 hours, but this can be an all-day trip, depending on how long you spend at the top, and the travel path.  Tickets can be purchased via Viator.

Hike around the Lauterbrunnen valley

The spectacular Lauterbrunnen valley features 72 waterfalls, lush green meadows, and picturesque villages.  The valley is also renowned for being the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s middle earth.

Things to do if staying in Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is also a hub for adrenaline junkies. There are opportunities to go skydiving, or paragliding.  Companies offer the ability for inexperienced folks to tandem jump/fly with an instructor over the Interlaken valley.  The brochures look amazing.  Unfortunately, the Old Man in a Hat exceeds the weight limits .  This also gives me an excuse as I also have an aversion to heights

Gambling

While gambling isn’t my thing, Interlaken has a casino located in the heart of town.

Take a cruise on Lake Thun or Brienz

Cruising the lakes provides a picture-perfect opportunity to relax and appreciate the amazing surroundings.  The Swiss Half-Fare card can be leveraged to reduce the cost of the cruise.

Interlaken, Switzerland is a nice little city in the Berner Oberland to visit. Interlaken can also serve as a base camp for multiple experiences in the surrounding areas. 

                                                                                                                                Travel well!  Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post Interlaken, Switzerland appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Before I get into the list, I have to say that Scotland really surprised me with its culinary scene.  It is incredibly diverse.  Pick a cuisine, and I’m sure you can find it.  Food trucks to white tablecloth restaurants, Indian to Ramen.  Pizza, burgers, pub food, the list goes on. 

To the list!

If you are going to make a list of dishes to try in Scotland, you’ve got to start with:

Haggis

Looking up Haggis on the internet, or a cookbook, you will find it described as shredded sheep organs (lungs, kidney, and lungs), oatmeal, spices, fat, and broth boiled in a bag. Historically, this bag was made from the sheep’s stomach.  Despite this less than glamourous description, haggis is pretty tasty.  Scottish chefs are being creative for using haggis across the menu. 

Usually, if haggis is going to be on the menu, it will be in the signature dish of Haggis, neeps, and tatties.  This dish features haggis, turnips, and mashed potatoes.  It’s common to have this presented with a whiskey sauce and is quite good.  For those of you that like taking pictures of your dish at a restaurant, this dish is not the most photogenic.  Get past the appearance. 

But haggis isn’t just for tatties anymore.  We had haggis bon bons as an appetizer.  Haggis coated in a breading and deep fried, with a whiskey sauce to dip in.  Bacon wrapped chicken breast stuffed with haggis.  Again, both dishes were excellent and just an example of the creativity that Scottish chefs showing with diversifying haggis across the menu. 

One thing that I gotta try when I go back. Stopped at a café for a cup of coffee and saw a breakfast menu item of a toasted cheese, egg, and haggis sandwich.

Pies

Scottish pies are awesome.  In my book, the crust is the make or break and they have the crust down pat.  Now the fillings are based on your taste.  I could not bring myself to try a kidney pie, but steak and Guinness pie hit the mark.  Pies can be hot or cold, depending on your taste.  I even saw a macaroni and cheese pie at a deli in Aberfoyle.

Cullen Skink

This was something I was a bit reluctant to try as I am not a big seafood fan.  I have some things I like but am a bit reluctant to try new seafood dishes.  I am happy I took the risk.  Cullen skink is a wonderful soup, made with smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions in a cream soup base.  Now some may say differently, but I really felt this was New England Clam Chowder, substituting the clam with the Haddock. I really enjoyed it, and it warmed the soul on a grey and rainy day in Inverness.  

I doubt if they would take my suggestions seriously, but I think it would be great if we can get some Tabasco Sauce over there and make it a Creole-Cullen Skink.

Sausage rolls

Depending on here you get it, the form can be a long thin burrito, turnover, or empanada, or even looking like a McDonald’s apple pie. Regardless, the results are the same.  These little delicacies are da bomb!  Tasty flaky pastry crust stuffed with a mildly spiced hamburger, or hamburger/pork mix.   

Ok, I’m going to take some creative license in talking about Scottish “dishes” as I want to include a couple of beverages that carry national pride for the folks in Scotland.

IRN BRU

IRN BRU sounds like something you might find in Pittsburgh, but this beverage is 100% Scotland and is the best-selling soft drink in the country, surpassing Coke and Pepsi.  This soft drink has been made proudly in Scotland since 1901, based on a secret recipe.  If you asked me, what does it taste like?  I would answer that it’s kinda of hard to nail down.  To me it has the flavor of a mildly sweet orange soda, with some other flavors mixed in.  My daughter was more definitive in saying that it tasted like bubble gum.  Sounds like it may be like Scottish cilantro, in that it tastes differently dependent upon the individual.

Try it, make your own decision on the taste.

IRN BRU is a globally exported product. There are adjustments to the recipe to meet the standards of the importing country. As such, it may taste differently than what you would find in Scotland.

Whisky

How can you talk about anything that you eat or drink in Scotland without mentioning whisky. 

A person who appreciates a good single malt whisky, understands the complexity in the flavors from the regions and each distillery. An afficianado knows the impact that the barrels have on the Whisky, and the years spent in the loving care of their casks. He, or she, also knows that an angel’s blessing is bestowed with each dram. 

For those who have never tried Scotch whisky, rest assured that there is still hope.

To appreciate the impact that the whisky industry has on the country, According to Visitscotland.com:

“There are over 130 active whisky distilleries spread across Scotland, which are split into five whisky-producing regions; Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside.”

Some fun facts from the Scotch Whisky Association.

• In order to be named Scotch Whisky, the product can only be distilled in Scotland.
• There are 53 bottles of Scotch Whisky exported each second. And, if the bottles were lined up end to end, they would wrap around the world 11 times.
• In 2022, Scotch Whisky exports were 6.2 billion GBP, 77% of all Scottish food and drink exports, 26% in these categories of all UK.
• Scotch Whisky industry directly employs 11,000 people in Scotland and supports 82,000 jobs across the UK.   

To truly appreciate a country, you must experience its cuisine.  While there is so much more to sample from Scotland, I hope I’ve given you a list of dishes to try in Scotland to start with.  Until next time, Slainte!

                                                                                                                                Travel Well! Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                                                O.M.I.A.H.

The post Six dishes to try in Scotland appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Some quick info About St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the United States.  The first settlement was established on September 8,1565, by the Spanish Admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles. 

St. Augustine is located on the on the Atlantic side of the state. The town is 35 miles south of Jacksonville, and about 90 minutes to the northeast of the Orlando area.  St Augustine offers a respite for history lovers. Free from roller coasters, turkey legs, and the crowded mayhem of the theme parks. 

The Town of St. Augustine has changed national ownership six times in its history. The fortress has stood under the Spanish flag twice, the British flag, the Confederate flag, and the US flag twice. It had its final assimilation under the United States in 1862.  This small town of approximately 14,500 has made the most of its history. St. Augustine maintains its’ historical old town, with a mingling of some touristy kitsch. 

Where to Stay in St. Augustine

There are many B&B’s and hotels in the St. Augustine area.  We stayed at the Hilton Historic Bayfront Hotel, located at 32 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine

This Hilton is quite unique.  With only 72 rooms, it is the smallest Hilton in the world.  The Hilton hotel is located on the site of what used to be the Monson Hotel. The hotel ground feature two plaques commemorating Martin Luther King’s presence for protests on the site. These events helped set the wheels in motion for the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Another cool aspect of this hotel is that it doesn’t look like a typical multi-story hotel.  Being only two stories tall, the hotel frontage on Avinida Menedez Street looks like a series of Florida beach houses.

The hotel is conveniently located next to the Historic District and provides easy access to all attractions in the city. The hotel also has a beautiful view of the harbor at its doorstep.  

FYI: If you do breakfast at the Restaurant, Aviles, the Omelets are ample and not for the petite appetite. 

What to do in St Augustine in 2 days

Saint Augustine beaches are close by; however, I am focusing on the Historic district in this post. But to give them note, they are broad, sandy and next to the Atlantic Ocean.

The historic district of St Augustine is flat and very walkable.  If you decide to check out the architecture of the neighborhoods away from the touristic center, do watch your step. There are few, or very narrow, sidewalks in some of the neighborhoods, and the streets can be pitched and uneven.

If you’re into vacation kickback mode, or because it’s 90 degrees and you don’t want to be a bi-pedal sweat machine, there is also the Old Town Trolley Tours for $36.55/day.

Castillo de San Marcos.

This fortification on the shore of the harbor was built during the period of 1672-1695.  While the fort has changed hands 5 times in its history, it was never taken by force.  The Castillo de San Marcos was attacked and besieged several times in its’ history. However, all the changing of flags were the result of treaties addressing Florida as a whole. 

Admission to the Fort is $15 for visitors over the age of 16. Children under 15 are free but must be accompanied by an adult.  The Tickets are valid for 7 days.  The Castillo de San Marcos is operated by the US Parks Service. As such, you can access the fortress without additional charge if you have purchased a Parks Service Annual pass. The Annual pass is also sold on site for $80.  As a US Parks location, the Castillo recognizes other federal passes for free entrance, such as interagency Passes and the military.

The Fountain of Youth

The Fountain of Youth is located approximately 1 mile north of the old town on Magnolia Avenue. The fountain of Youth grounds is more than just a destination to pursue Ponce De Leon’s goal of immortality.  The location offers venues to learn about the history of the area. There is a live blacksmith demonstration, a native Indian village portrayal, and a cannon & cross bow demonstration. The site mangers are also aware of sensitivity to the environment and have included an elevated walkway into the waterway. The path includes markers that provide some insight into the local aquaculture. There is also a flock of Peacock roaming freely around the grounds that you can feed…they like peanuts (go figure).

Admission fees are $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for Senior, kids 6-12 are $9.95, and kids under 5 are free.

Old Town

Historic St. Augustine is about a mile long and 3 blocks wide and lined with bars, restaurants, shops, tourist attractions and historical venues. Some of the latter are kind of melded together.

The historical sites in the district include the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the USA, the colonial quarter, and the majestic Catholic Basilica de St Augustine. The list of museums includes the Lightner Musuem, the shipwreck museum, the medieval torture museum, and Potter’s Wax Museum. “Ripley’s Believe it or Not!” is not far away.

For those that want to get their shopping on, there are many opportunities to drop a dime or two. The shops range from exclusive boutiques to stores offering tourist memorabilia and t-shirts.  Pay attention as some of the street store fronts are actually an entrance to a galley. These extend back quite a way and may host another 10 – 20 shops and restaurants.  

For those that want to get their drink on, there are plenty of bars and the town has decent nightlife.  There is also the City Gates Spirits and St. Augustine distilleries and San Sebastian Winery.

Ghosts and Gravestone tours:

Now, a 450-year-old town is bound to have its stories of haunts. St. Augustine offers a journey through its own history of the macabre.  The tour is entertaining.  It starts out in a creepy antechamber filled with cobwebs, death masks and bookshelves. When the tour is ready, you leave on an equally decorated bus to take the nighttime tour through the town. The host tells stories of murdered widows, executed inmates, and innocents that suffered an accident. These poor souls have all have perished, but their presence is still seen in the town.  You’ll visit graveyards, Potter’s Wax Museum, and the Old Jail.

The 90-minute tour costs $32.59/person.

There are other walking tours and the Jailhouse after midnight if you want to pursue more engagement with the hereafter.

St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum www.staugustinelighthouse.org

Located about a mile from the old town on Anastasia Island is the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.  The museum provides a great history of the lighthouse operations and insight into the life of the operators.  Currently, there is also an exhibit covering the shrimp industry.  To paraphrase the old rap song “shrimpin’ ain’t easy”

Of course, the key attraction is the lighthouse.  The climb to the top of the 165-foot tower involves 219 steps up a spiral wrought iron staircase.  This little workout rewards you with a beautiful 360-degree view of the harbor and surrounding beaches.

Where to Eat in St. Augustine

There are plenty of restaurants ranging from white tablecloth to pizza by the slice.  The three I recommend are:

Meehan’s Irish Pub and Seafood House: 20 Avinida Menendez, St. Augustine.

Service was good, the food was great and traditional Irish fare.  The venue was like stepping into a wormhole to bar in Galway, Ireland.   Very popular location so you can expect a wait.  Dining available indoors and out.

Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille: 46 Avinida Menendez, St. Augustine.

Service was good. Offering seafood with a Cajun flair, as well as more typical Cajun dishes like red beans and rice.  Dining available indoors and out.

 Colombia Restaurant: 98 St. George St. St. Augustine FL

Traditional Spanish restaurant that is part chain that dates to 1905.  Restaurant offers an extensive bar menu, tapas and Spanish entrees.  Touts being on the list of “One of Florida’s Top Restaurants” since 1967.

That’s the Old Man’s take on a weekend in St. Augustine, FL. I hope I’ve given you some tips that you can use in planning your next vacation.  Until the next time…

                                                                                                         Travel Well!  Pursue Experiences

                                                                                                                        O.M.I.A.H.

The post Two days in St Augustine, Florida appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

I crafted this Oktoberfest itinerary last year to take a buddy of mine on a bucket list trip to the Oktoberfest. You can obviously play with the dates to align with events you want to experience at the Oktoberfest, such as the opening day Trachten Parade and ceremonies. 

For those who don’t know, “Trachten” is the traditional attire including the Dirndl and Lederhosen.

If you want some more detail on these cities, please read the blogs I posted previously on these cities. Links are provided after each section.

We bypassed the allure of driving on the Autobahn and selected the German rail pass, allowing travel on 5 days during a 30-day period. 

Disclaimer: This blog is intended to entertain and inform.  I will mention several restaurants and hotels that were leveraged for this trip.  The opinions presented herein are my own. 

Landing in Frankfurt

Frankfurt has a busy but easy to navigate airport and is the primary gateway to Germany.  The airport train station is in Terminal 1.  The local and S-Bahn trains going into Frankfurt can be accessed directly in the Terminal 1 Building.  For the Long distance and inter-city trains, you will need to go across the street.  Follow the signs for the Fernbahnhof.    

Oktoberfest Itinerary: One Day in Cologne

The first day in Europe can be a challenge for people as they adjust to the time zone difference, Our Oktoberfest itinerary began with a one day stop in Cologne. The train ride from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne Hauptbahnhof was just a little over an hour. 

Cologne is a great metropolitan city with a lot to experience.  But taking the first day of the trip to adjust to the time shift, Cologne provides a great cultural experience in its city center.  So, there is a lot to see without having to trapse all over the place.

Where to stay

–We stayed at the Hilton Cologne. The hotel is conveniently located around the block from the Hauptbahnhof and the cathedral square. The hotel is a nice facility. It had a solid offering in the gym of weights and aerobic equipment. There is an onsite restaurant and bar. Room was clean and comfortable.

There is a lot to see with a mile radius from the hotel. You can see quite a bit while taking a leisurely stroll.  Key points of interest include:

Cologne Cathedral.

The cathedral’s foundation stone was set in 1248. The construction of this gothic masterpiece lasted 632 years.  It is the 3^rd tallest church in the world.  The architecture of this Cathedral is truly breathtaking.  It is free to enter, but of course, accept donations for its upkeep.

Museum Ludwig

Entrance fee is 11 Euro for adults. The museum’s houses the largest collection of Picassos in Europe, and its collection includes Dali, Warhol and Roy Liechtenstein paintings.

Alter Markt

In the Alter Markt, you can find the Gross St. Martin Church, as well as a wide pedestrian zone lined with restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions.

Just taking a stroll. 

Walking along the river front is a great option to get the blood moving after a long time sitting on a flight and train ride.  There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to stop at as well to watch the ferries and barges move up and down the Rhine.

Food

While there is a wide array of restaurants in the city, I do recommend Früh am Dom. Besides being conveniently located to the Cathedral square, the food is excellent German comfort food and local cuisine.  Früh is also a brewer of Kölsch, the regional style of beer, that I probably spent too much time on in my blog on Cologne.

The link to my blog on Cologne is below:

An Afternoon in Cologne Germany – O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips (omiah-travelogandtips.com)

Oktoberfest itinerary – 3 days in Berlin

The train ride from Cologne to Berlin takes 4 hours.  I highly recommend making a reservation on the Deutsche Bahn website.  It cost about 11 Euro for the entire ride to Berlin.  Well worth the incremental cost to secure a seat.  Otherwise, you risk having to move seats several times during the trip or spending it in the dining car if you are lucky enough to find a seat there. 

Where to stay in Berlin

In Berlin we stayed at the Hilton Berlin on Mohrenstrasse.  It’s a bit of a trek to get there from the Hauptbahnhof, or an easy Uber/taxi ride if you want to spend the cash.   While not a direct train to the Hauptbahnhof, there is an S-Bahn station at its front door and is a great location for branching out into the city.  The hotel is located right across from the Deutscher Dom at the Gendarmenmarkt.   This was a nice facility with a decent gym, conference center and on-site restaurant and bar.  The room was very clean and comfortable. 

Berlin Day 1 –

Gendarmenmarkt

The Gendarmenmarkt is a square in the center of Berlin. It’s name was derived from the “Gens d’armes” regiment. The stables of the regiment were demolished by Friedrich the 2nd.  Today, the large public square is bookended by the Deutscher (German) Dom on one end, and the Französicher (French) Dom on the other, with the Konzerthaus in the middle.  

Reichstag

Seat of German Government, public can go up in the dome rotunda that offers a great view of the city, as well as a look into the main hall of the Reichstag.

Brandenburg Gate

Gate built between 1788 and 1791 on the order of King Frederick William II of Prussia.  The gate marks the beginning go the road from Berlin to Brandenburg. Brandenburg was the capital of the Margraviate of Brandenburg at the time. 

Memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe

The memorial was inaugurated on May 10, 2005.  The memorial took 10 months to construct at a cost of 25 million Euros.  The attached building of information contains the name of ~3 million Jews killed during the holocaust.

Führer’s bunker

The cite of the bunker is located at Hannah-Arendt Strasse and Gertrud-Kolmar Strasse.  There is a marker identifying the entrance to the bunker where Hitler took his life. 

Berlin Day 2

Museum Island

Museum complex built on an island in the river Spree.  Prussian kings ordered the construction of the complex. The construction lasted from 1830 – 1930. In the year 1999, the United Nations listed Berlin’s Museum Island among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Now, we only visited the Pergamon and Neues Museum, however the full complex consists of the following:

Altes Museum

Built in 1830

Neues Museum

Finished in 1859. Also known as the Egyptian Museum of Berlin.  Key artifact is the bust of Nefertiti.

Altes National Galerie

Finished in 1876 and houses an art gallery featuring 19^th century collection.   

Bode Museum

(Dedicated to Patrick Swayze’s character in Point Break…just kidding).  Opened in 1904, this museum houses a collection of Byzantine art.

Pergamon Museum

Constructed in 1939.  The museum houses many reconstructed buildings.  Two notable items of the collection in this museum are the Pergamon Alter, for which the museum is named, and the Ishtar Altar. And no, the Ishtar altar is where you worship the movie of the same name (The movie was awful).

Humboldt Forum

Located in the Berlin palace it opened in 2020 and houses the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and the Museum of Asian Art 

Berlin Cathedral

Evangelical Cathedral located on the Lustgarten on Museum Island.  Since its establishment, the cathedral has been a house of worship for Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed religions. Today it is a United church.  The cathedral was originally consecrated in the year 1454 as a Roman Catholic church, “St. Erasmus Chapel”.  The Cathedral also serves as a dynastic tomb, holding the royal tomb of the Hohenzollern dynasty.

Alexander Platz

Located in the Mitte section of Berlin. This immense square was named for Alexandar the Great. King Wilhem Fredrick III named it to commemorate the Tsar’s visit to the city.  When separated, this was the gem of the DDR to display this modern sophistication.  Point of interest

TV Tower

368-meter-tall TV tower with restaurant and viewing platform at the 208-meter level.  On a clear day you can see 26 miles away.  Ironically it was built to show the technological sophistication of the east, where religion was tamped down. When the sun hit the windows, the reflection formed a cross.

Urania World Clock

16-ton clock built in 1969 where the time of 148 major cities can be determined.

Berlin Day 3

Potsdamer Platz

This square has had its ebbs and flows over the decades.  The square was pretty much destroyed during WWII, but saw a rebound during the cold war. This recovery was interrupted by the 1961 uprising in East Germany, which resulted in the wall being built.  This effectively split the square in half and created a no-man’s land between the walls, separating east and west Berlin.  After the wall fell, a significant re-building effort took place. Companies such as Daimler-Benz, Sony and ABB Group invested billions of dollars to reconstruct the square.

Spy Museum

Opened in 2015, this attraction exhibits depicting the stories and tactics of espionage.

Checkpoint Charlie

This is a rather touristy spot, but is emblematic of the cold war, as this was crossing between the east and west.  Checkpoint Charlie has been a Berlin landmark used in many movies set in the cold war era.

Topography of Terror

A permanent exhibition built on the location of the main offices of Gestapo, SS and Reich Security Main Office. 

The Berlin Wall

Wall remnants exist along the Potsdamer Platz as well as brick inlays in the street to show the wall’s location.

Kufürstendamm

Aside from being a shopper’s mecca, the Ku-Damm is the site of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church. Allied bombings destroyed the church in 1943. The burned-out spire is all that remains of the original church. It stands today next to the church built on the site and consecrated in 1961.

Berlin Zoo

Opened in 1844, it covers 35 hectares (86.5 acres) and is located in the Tiergarten section of Berlin. It’s home for about 1,380 different species and over 20,000 animals.

For more detail on what to do in Berlin, check out my full blog on the city of Berlin.

Oktoberfest Itinerary – 2 Days in Nuremburg

Similar to the trip to Berlin, the train ride to Nuremburg takes about 4 hours. 

Where to stay

There are plenty of hotels near the Nuremburg Hauptbahnhof, but we stayed at the NH Collection Nuremberg City.  It is a nice hotel just a couple of blocks from the train station and the Konigstor gate into the walled Altstadt.

Nuremburg Day 1

Arrive in town. Check into the hotel, then head out to see the cites marking the city’s Nazi era history.

Nazi rally grounds

Location of 6 massive Nazi party rallies between 1933 and 1938.  The Zeppelin Field still stands as a memorial, though the city uses the area for part of their Grand Prix track.

Documentation Center

6 Euro Admission fee.   Museum dedicated to Nazi propaganda and atrocities.  There is a focus of the activities that particularly occurred in Nuremberg.  When we went in 2022, the Documentation Center was under renovation and a temporary exhibit was in place.

Day 2 –

Old town.

The city center is set behind its medieval wall.

Nuremberg castle

7 Euro Admission fee. This is truly the castle on the hill. The initial structure in this complex was built in the late 13^th century.  Served as an Imperial Castle of the Holy Roman Empire.  The castle was heavily damaged during WWII, and significant portions of the castle had to be rebuilt after the war.

Dürer House

6 Euro admission fee.  House of Albrecht Dürer, who many consider to be one of Germany’s greatest artists. Dürer worked in multiple media, including metal etchings, wood carvings and on canvas.

Craftsman Courtyard

Located after you pass through the Frauen Tor which is right across from the train station.  This former defensive courtyard is now home to a small complex of shops.  You can actually see craftsmen doing work, i.e. metalsmiths, bakers, doll makers, etc.  

Art bunker

9.50 Euro.  Tours the underground tunnel where the nazis and citizens of Nuremburg hid art and other treasures to protect them from damage during WWII bombings.

Schöner Brunnen (beautiful fountain)

19-meter high, 14^th century fountain and considered one of Nuremburg’s landmarks located near the town hall on the “historical mile”.

If you want to learn more about the city, please visit my page on Nuremburg

Oktoberfest itinerary – 4 Days in Munich

I’m going to list this section of the suggested Oktoberfest itinerary a bit differently as the primary purpose of an Oktoberfest itinerary is to make sure you attend that small beer themed soiree held on the Theresienwiese.  Instead of listing the day-to-day recommendation of what we did, I’m just going to present options for filling free time.  I do suggest breaking away from the Oktoberfest to see the beautiful city of Munich.

Where to Stay

Munich has a great selection of hotels ranging from 1 – 5 stars. The price for all of them will be at a premium during the Oktoberfest. If you are willing to be further away from the Theresienwiese, you can definitely get more hotel room for your money.

I stayed at the Hilton Munich City that is located in the Haidhausen district, near the Ost-Bahnhof. The hotel has direct access to the S-Bahn station. The direct access made it very easy to go into the city center. There are a number of S-Bahn lines that come through every few minutes to take to the city center.

Museums

Deutsches Museum

Formally named as the “Deutsches Museum von Meisterwerken der Wissenschaften und Technik”, translated as the German Museum of Masterpieces of Science and Technology.  Founded in 1903, the Deutsches Museum houses exhibits founded in technology and engineering.

Pinakothek Complex

Established in the year 1836. The Pinakotek complex consists of three galleries housing art from particular periods.  The entrance fees are 8 – 10 Euro depending on the museum:

Alte Pinakothek

Museum features artists from the 14^th – 18^th century

Neues Pinakothek

This museum houses Nineteenth Century Artists

Pinakothek der Moderne

This museum features a collection of Modern Art

Churches

Frauenkirche

Also called the Münchner Dom, or Munich Cathedral.  The Frauenkirche was consecrated in 1494. Its dual Onion dome towers is the symbol of the city of Munich.   The towers top out at 109 Meters.  The importance of the church as a symbol of Munich resulted in the city passing an ordinance that no building in the town center can exceed 99 Meters.  Thereby assuring that the Frauenkirche will be the tallest building in the Altstadt.

St, Kajatan

This church is also called the Theatiner Kirche. This Catholic church built between 1663 and 1690.  The St Kajetan’s exterior is done in the high Italian baroque style with a rococo façade.   

Asam Kirche

This beautiful church is officially named St. Johann Nepomuk.  The church is located in the Altstadt and was built in 1746. The church is more colloquially named after the Asam brothers who built the church.

St. Peter

Also called Alte Peter, this church is in the center of the Altstadt next to the Viktualen Markt.  Monks lived on this site in the eighth century, prior to the establishment of the city. The first church set on this site was established in 1368. Today, the church is a key structure in the Altstadt skyline. The 306-step climb to the viewing platform provides a lovely view of Munich and the Alps.

POI (Points of Interest, not the fish dish)

Viktualienmarkt

Farmers market held daily since 1807.  The Viktualienmarkt beer garden operator rotates the beer served between the 5 Bavarian brewers on a daily basis.

Nymphenberg palace

Baroque palace of the Wittelsbach family constructed between 1164 and 1675.   It’s a nice palace, just a bit out of the way.

Beer gardens

There are many beer gardens throughout Munich. My favorite gardens in the city center are the Chinesicher Turm in the Englisher Garten, the Augustiner Garten on Arnulfstrasse at the Viktualienmarkt

Englischer Garten

The largest city center park in Europe.  Attractions include the aforementioned beer garden, surfing at the river Inn sluice, plenty of trails, Japanese Tea house, Monopteros (Greek style temple on a hill) and on warm sunny days the park is full of sunbathers…clothed and nude.

For more detail, please check out my blog on the city of Munich.

The task of getting back to the Munich Airport is a breeze. Of course, you can take a taxi or uber. But there is an inexpensive express bus route that leaves frequently from the Hauptbahnhof, and the S1 and S8 trains are the rail alternatives.

If you want ideas for day trips out of Munich there are great options such as Salzburg Austria (which you can go to with the German Rail Pass), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Zugspitze), Neu Schwanstein, Dachau, the Wies Kirche and Oberammergau.

I hope this proposed Oktoberfest itinerary gives you some ideas to supplement your trip to Munich with some great places to visit and make the most of your trip to Germany.

Until next time!

                                                                                                                        Travel well.  Pursue experiences!

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

The post Oktoberfest itinerary appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

Now, I’ve seen many top 5 or top 10 list of tips for using the internet in planning a trip.  In many of these, the first thoughts that come to mind in using the internet for a trip include: rental cars, plane or trains tickets, hotels, etc.  My list is a bit more functional, and while may not be an epiphany for the reader, I’m hoping there are a few nuggets that you can leverage.  Or maybe give you a new perspective on how to leverage the web.

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for any website I mention in this post and all opinions are my own.

In no particular order of priority, here are my five atypical internet tips for travel.

Tip # 1 – Map applications

So, map applications…hmmm…what’s the possibility of creating a new buzz word if I call them mapplications?  Probably as likely as integrating Sheldon Cooper’s word “prevening” into the vernacular, but I digress.

Map applications are functional in almost every country and serve as a bit of a Swiss-army knife in that they have several uses.  (My personal favorite is Google maps, but don’t tell them that.)

The most obvious use of these apps and websites is the GPS functionality.  Seeing where a point of interest is located and finding the most effective route from point A to Point B are understood. 

The mapplications (subliminal reintroduction) can also play the role of your forward observer, or man on the ground. Zooming in on your map can show you everything that is around your original location, such as your hotel, or where you are at a given time.  You can find nearby restaurants, pharmacies, laundromats, bus/subway stations etc.  Once you find what you want…BOOM! The directions on how to get there from your base location can be immediately generated.

As you see below, the second image zooming in around the Hilton Berlin shows more detail of stores, restaurants, etc. The third image shows more as the zoom factor increases.

Courtesy of Google maps

Most applications also link to the appropriate business’ website.  This is great if you are looking for restaurants.  You can link to see the menu and cost to help decide where you want to put on the feedbag.  You also won’t be surprised by the potential cost.

Street view functionality is great as it allows you to scope out the neighborhood of your destination.  It can also be a great help in finding the storefront of the place to which you are going. That quaint little place may have an understated entrance that may be easy to walk past.

I’m not saying that this will supplant the front desk, or concierge for local advice, but its self-managed supplemental tool.

So…mapplications?  Yes? No?

Tip # 2 – Weather applications

This may be a no-brainier, but weather applications are crucial for knowing what to pack.  Additionally, they create an opportunity for creating a list of hip-pocket options for last-minute sites to visit.

Packing – Most of the time, you plan a trip for months in advance.  However, the clothes you put in the suitcase are really determined a few days before you leave.  Weather apps allow you to search the cities along your itinerary during your stay.  The variety of your wardrobe can dramatically depend on how diverse your itinerary may be, like a Norwegian cruise or hiking in the Alps or Rockies.  

Hip-Pocket Options – First off, I think I need to explain the reference of “hip-pocket”.  When I was in the Army, we used to refer to “hip-pocket” training.  These were training options that we would have available to take advantage of downtime.  In the context of vacation planning, this would be having a ready list of options to take advantage of in case your original plans get impacted. 

Weather applications can give you the foresight to look at your itinerary to show where you might need to look at inside museum days, as opposed to outdoor plans.  Always good to have some options in each town/stop to take advantage of a potentially disappointing situation. 

Tip 3 – City websites

I hate to rehash but I suggested this tip in my Blog on my Berlin trip.  When travelling to foreign cities, people always plan on the big touristy points of interest.  Don’t stop there!!   When planning your itinerary, check out the city website.  There is usually a calendar of events in the city to help supplement your experience.

There are always exhibitions, festivals, theatrical performances, concerts, etc. going on.  Remember that locals like to do stuff too!!  Do some research to see what’s happening.  You might just get lucky and find something to keep you from just hanging out in the hotel, rinsing out socks and watching CNN International. 

Tip 4 – Dining websites

When you travel in Europe, you may be surprised by the need for reservations at many restaurants.  This applies to dining establishments across the spectrum and not just to those you consider upscale, white tablecloth establishments. 

You’ll find that OpenTable.com is available in many European countries.  As in the US, it’s a good site for searching based on location and cuisine. 

As I mentioned above in the mapplications section, you can link to the restaurant website through those sites, and many provide the opportunity for you to make ressies from their pages.

Tip 5 – Search engines

Ok.  Unless you’re new to traveling, this may be a bit of a no-brainer as well.  Search engines are great tools for those open-ended questions about a location. Here are some suggested queries to enter in your favorite browser:

• What is there to do in ___?
• What is there for families to do in ___?
• Are there day tours in ___?

I can go on, but assume you get the idea.  Ask anything that pertains to, be it families, limited mobility, or disabilities, or even language?   As they say, the only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. 

It’s your trip.  Ask the questions that suit your situation and interests to make the most out of your experience.

Well, that’s my five atypical internet tips for travel planning.  I hope you found a nugget that you can take advantage of…including mapplications.

Until the next time…      

                                                                                                                        Travel well. Pursue Experiences

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H. 

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Original post

First off, I’m planning a trip to Scotland this summer.  In preparation for the trip, I’m doing my research and hit a blurb on the Electronic Travel Authorization, or UK ETA.  The UK ETA is under development and set for a 2024 implementation. I figured this topic warranted a quick blog to provide you all a heads up for the future.  The intention of this blog is just to inform and share what I have discovered.

Resources

 There are two websites I that I have found that set the baseline for the program. 

The first document that I found was the UK’s policy paper, posted on February 25, 2022.

Nationality and Borders Bill: Electronic Travel Authorisation factsheet – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

And the UK’s website on the roll out that provides a lot of information on the process and applicability.

ETA UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom

What does this mean?

The UK Electronic Travel Authorization is under development and planned for implementation by the end of 2024.  The ETA will be applicable to citizens from countries that have a Visa-Free Agreement with the UK. Travelers from these countries are currently exempt from visa requirements to visit, like the EU countries and the US.  There is a full list of countries that this applies to on that are listed the site.

Like the EU’s ETIAS, which I blogged previously, the UK ETA is a short-term travel authorization that will supplement your country’s Passport.  Its intention is to provide enhanced security by further vetting of people coming into the UK, and to generate revenue.

The websites indicate that there is still a lot to be defined. This includes the term of validity (though stated to be valid for at least two (2) years), when the application window will open, and the cost.  

UK ETA Application Process

The UK Government is designing the application process to be completely online, and it should be quick. The application process is expected to be completed within 2 – 3 days. The website indicates that all you will need to apply is a valid passport from your home country, intended date of travel, valid email, and a credit card.

I interpret that the “Date of travel” applies to the first time you plan to enter the UK after the ETA is implemented.  I don’t think they want you to tell them the dates of all the trips you plan to take over a 2-year period.  Heck.  If I could foretell the future, I’d leverage that gift for lottery ticket purchases.

I believe that “short-term” may vary country by country, as it defined by the travel rights granted to your passport today. 

For example, you can travel to the UK and stay for up to six months on a US Passport without having to pursue an additional Visa. Like the current passport, the visa will have the same rights: tourism, business travel, medical treatment, and short-term study.  It will also have the same limitation, such as you can’t find a job, can’t draw benefits, can’t enroll in long term study such as a degree program, can’t pretend to pick up the local accent, etc.    

Keep checking!

As with every program, keeping an eye on its implementation is important if you are planning a UK trip n 2024, or later. I recommend checking on the websites periodically to keep apprised of the UK ETA implementation timelines and requirements.

The UK government will release more information on this topic through the year.  I will update my blog when I find out more.  If you are planning trips to the UK in the future, I hope this blog and the resources I cited are helpful to you.  Until next time!

                                                                                                                        Travel Well! Pursue Experiences.

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

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The Bucket list Item:

Defining the bucket list Item is easy and why you started looking at the trip in the first place.   A bucket list item may be targeted, identifying a particular event. Such as going to Oktoberfest in Munich, attending the Scottish Tattoo in Edinburgh, or seeing the Eiffel Tower. The Bucket List item can also be very broad, such as: “Before I die, I want to go to Europe”. 

Beyond the “Bucket list item”:

If you have a specific event in mind, then you must ask the question; “Is that it?”.   If it’s as broad as “I want to go to Europe”, this discussion will help as well.

The real task in defining the destination includes asking yourself; “what else is there to do?”.  If this truly is a once in a lifetime trip, why limit it?  Take advantage of the opportunity to see/experience what you can in a destination that you may never get to again.

I close my posts with the phrase; “Travel Well.  Pursue Adventures” to stimulate thought about travel.  The reader will define for themselves what the phrase may mean.  In my mind, to truly “travel well” goes beyond just flying business class and staying in swanky hotels.  It involves pursuing new adventures in your travel opportunities.  Research the destination to see what else there is to see and do beyond what is in the travel guides that sparks your interest. 

For example: I’ve planned a bucket list trip for a buddy of mine.  His bucket list event is to go to the Oktoberfest. This is a great starting point.  But, what else?  We have discussed the things that are of interest for him. In the end, we expanded the itinerary to visit 4 cities: Cologne, Berlin, Nuremburg and Munich, over 10 days. Now, if the only thing you want to do is go to Oktoberfest, that’s fine.  That can be accommodated as an expensive long weekend and check the box.  However, it would waste an opportunity to leverage an expensive international flight. Why waste an opportunity to experience what else the destination has to offer? 

Do not over plan:

Prioritize your bucket list item and don’t consider all of your other plans to be set in stone.  Discovery is part of traveling, you’ve gotta allow yourself some degrees of freedom.  Things pop up that you want to take advantage of. You may just want to sit in a beer garden and chat. Play some cards. Or you may just want to sleep in. There are benefits in maintaining a rigid itinerary. However, it can also be a source of stress and frustration on a trip.  

Realize that plans can go sideways. A venue you want to visit is closed.  You missed a train, or there’s bad weather. It’s helpful to create a list of alternative activities to take advantage of in the situation where something falls through.

Beyond the POI’s

Everyone plans their vacation around key points of interest (POI’s) in a city or region. This might be the Oktoberfest, the Roman Coliseum, the Eiffel Tower, or the other historical sites.  But, what else is there to do?

I recommend leveraging the internet to search the city pages for your destination. The city tourism sites will list seasonal activities that are going on in the community.   Some examples include https://www.muenchen.de/int/en.html, if you are travelling to Munich for Oktoberfest. If you are traveling to Edinburgh, Scotland visit https://edinburgh.org/. The websites list the public calendar of events such as: cultural exhibitions, folk festivals, symphony in the park, theater presentations or rock concerts. 

In filling out our itinerary, I searched the Berlin website https://www.berlin.de/en/. I found that the British ska band, Madness, was in concert at the same time we visited the city.  And yes, we jumped on the tickets. I also fully acknowledge I am stuck in the 80’s and 90’s with a lot of my musical preferences. Similarly, in planning our Scotland trip this summer, I discovered that the Hollywood Vampires in Glasgow. Its a nice surprise for us and a unique opportunity to see the band as they are not touring in the US..

Leveraging these sites are not just a benefit for a self-planned tour but can also spice up a group tour.  Pretty much all of the tour providers include windows of “on your own” time in their itineraries. These allow for individual discovery of a respective city.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had a lot of fun doing some aimless city-center spelunking to see what I can find.  But, if you want to do more than just wander the town. Visit the city tourism site to see if there is an event not listed in your itinerary to attend while you are in town to fill out your experience.

Guided Tours:

Some folks look at the travel agencies that already have established itineraries that include the activity/destination you want. 

I have friends that absolutely love the ease of leveraging a travel/tour agency, which is great. In my view, leveraging an established tour is an easy way to address your bucket list item. But is also a mixed bag.

The pros: You get to the key activity you wanted. All the logistics, hotels, and some meals are pre-arranged. The budget is pretty much set. There are some included excursions, and a guide who is familiar with the route to provide additional insight and color. 

The cons: the full itinerary may not necessarily match what you want. It may include destinations you have no interest in. You lack the flexibility to fully own your time. For example; you may want to spend more time at the museum, but the tour group is leaving to go to see where some famous person ate a hoagie.

It’s your personal choice to leverage a guided tour or plan the full trip on your own.  I like to plan and own my trip. I do think that the itineraries that these companies put together are great resources for building a self-driven trip.

Day Tours:

Many of the big cities in Europe have tour companies that offer day tours to local points of interest.  These tours provide all the advantage of the multi-day tours and allow you to maintain the freedom for the remainder of your trip. The day tours provide the local guide, and transportation you would expect on a formal tour.  

TIP:  Make sure you check what is included in the tour fee.  Day tours don’t always provide the admission tickets to the places of interest that they take you to.

Prioritizing:

As I mentioned above, I recommend prioritizing the things you want to do and see. Everyone has their way of working this, and without getting too nerdy, I like to leverage a decision analysis process like what I use in my real job.  The goal here is to really make you think about what you want to do on the vacation and treat them like a requirement.  There are the “must visit” locations. Everything else falls along a continuum of prioritization.

My approach groups my list of additional Points of Interest (POI’s) in planning a bucket list trip on how much I really want to go. 

Identify the Must – This is the reason you are going.  To miss this is really a major disappointment and you want to schedule everything else around this. 

Want to see – These are the next tier of POI’s you schedule the trip around.  You plan the logistics, tickets, reservations etc.  If you don’t get there, you may be out some money, and it will be disappointing, but it’s not the failure of the trip.

Nice to see – This may be the largest grouping of POIs in your list.  These are places you identify and might try to visit.   Or these could be alternates of opportunity if one of your higher priority POI’s falls through.    For example, there are many Museums in Munich that are nice to see, but if you can’t get to visit all three museums in the Pinakotek complex, it’s no big deal.

Meh – These are the ones you flag as “If it’s on the way, and I have the time”. 

There are bloggers out there that put out lists of their “top 10 things to do in…”. Search via your favorite web search engine.

If you are traveling with others, involve them in the process of planning a bucket list trip.  They may suggest some destinations or activities that you hadn’t considered, or help eliminate less favorable options. Not everyone gets jazzed about going to Branson to see the world’s largest ball of twine, or Chicago’s big shiny bean. 

It’s a shame that so many things you want to do costs money.  Review your budget to help weed things out, after you have defined your POI’s.  Don’t go crazy and sacrifice the reason why you are going. Don’t sacrifice necessities, like eating food, because it may blow the budget.

I hope this has helped you think about planning a bucket list trip.  Like most toolboxes, you can pick out those that are beneficial and disregard the left-handed monkey-wrench. 

Until the next time:

                                                                                                                        Travel well.  Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

The post Planning a bucket list trip appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

As currency exchange is a necessity, you should understand the reality and the goal of the transaction.

The reality: someone is going to make money on your transaction. 

The goal: Minimize the amount of your cash that someone is going to keep just to change your home country’s cash into another country’s cash.

ATM’s and other full-service solutions have been developed around the world. As a result, there has been a decline in the use of traveler’s checks (cheques). While traveler’s checks offer security and a degree of convenience, they carry their own fees in their acquisition. Traveler’s checks will need to be converted to a local currency and may incur an additional exchange fee from a service provider.  The fee is either called out separately or bundled into the exchange rate. 

Let’s look at some pure currency exchange options, including: the ATM, full-service Bank, or exchange services companies.

ATM

The ATM has become an incredibly convenient way to access your money in different countries.  Networks have expanded to provide almost global reach.  It’s a painless process.  You request 100 Euros from your account, you get 100 Euros.  The Exchange rate is probably the cleanest you will see.  As a case in point, last month I was in Hamburg.  I went to an ATM and took out 100 Euro.  The exchange from my account was $100.13.  On September 8, 2022, one Euro was equal to $0.99314.  This means my currency exchange with my bank was within 1% of the end of day closing.

Your bank may have additional fees for foreign ATM fees and international exchange fees that you should be aware of.  The foreign ATM fee is the same fee that you would get hit with here in the US if you made a withdrawal from an ATM that is not on the bank’s primary registered network. 

ATM’s have a few limitations.  They are not everywhere.  If you are going to a remote chalet, or a small town, you may have a challenge finding them.  ATM’s have a daily limitation on the amount you can take out.  Another minor negative of leveraging the ATM as your sole cash strategy is the need hit the ATM before you go out.

Full-service bank

An obvious benefit of the full-service bank is that they usually have a network of ATMs for you to access your account. 

A full-service bank is a great resource to leverage for a currency exchange prior to heading out on your trip.  Your full-service bank will also buy back any unspent currency from your trip. They can also add the convenience of being able to put it straight back into your account, should you wish.  Most banks waive their administrative fees fro existing customers, depending on their account type. Banks also tend to be consistent in their fees in which they buy and sell the currency for their customers. 

In my recent trip to Germany, I took out over $1000 Euro, and came back from with a few hundred.  In both cases, the exchange was within 10% of the exchange rate for the day. 

Exchange service companies

There are exchange service companies located at the airport and train stations such as: Western Union, Interchange Currency Exchange, Travelex, etc.

I do need to point out that you can purchase currency online from these firms. Your funds can be sent to your home or scheduled for pickup at a convenient retail location along your itinerary.  There are some benefits as well. Online transactions may lock in the exchange rate for buy/sell transactions. You may be able to sell any residual funds from your trip at the same rate.

In-airport transactions are convenient but come with the worst exchange rates available.  For the currency exchange kiosk operator in an airport, you are the captive audience, as there are no alternatives.  As mentioned above, my bank bought my residual Euro at a rate with a 10% premium.  The currency exchange office in the Atlanta airport offered rate of 1.25 Euro per dollar…plus a $12.95 transaction fee. Not casting dispersions here but, in my mind the Covid mask that the representative was wearing morphed into a triangle, and suddenly was wearing a black cowboy hat…faintly hearing “reach for the sky”.  Obviously, I walked away and waited until I got home to conduct my transaction. 

If a provider service indicates that there are no fees for the transaction, review the rate. Fees may be bundled in an unfavorable exchange rate they are offering you.  The joy of the internet is that comparable information is at the tip of your finger. Quite literally, unless you ask Siri or Alexa.

Convenience comes with a cost, and lack of competition jacks that up.  It is also prudent to validate what rate they buy and sell the currency at.  If they charge you differently, they are being clear that they are maximizing their profit off you on both transactions for the currency exchange.   

In all fairness, the $12.95 fee can be waived is you have a AAA membership. 

Currency management for your trip

If you are planning a big international trip in the next year or two, consider your currency exchange requirements now. 

The US Dollar (USD) is currently better than parity with the Euro. This is an occurrence that has happened infrequently over the life of the Euro currency.  The British Pound is within 15% of parity.  For a currency that has run between 125% – 150%, it’s at a discount. The Japanese Yen is at a 40 year low against the USD. 

There is always the chance that the USD will continue to go up. However, the degree to which it could go up isn’t that substantial. It may also go the other direction in a recession, which is currently on the table. If you are a US traveler, today is a great opportunity to secure foreign currency for a future trip.  Not necessarily saying buy it all now, but perhaps it is time to consider an allocation. 

Cash advances and credit cards

I have touched on ways to get your own cash. But I also want to comment on accessing cash via credit card.  Quite simply, use cash advances from a credit card in emergency cases only.  Your credit card agreement explains their fees for cash advances. In all cases, as cash advance is given at their highest interest rate.  It’s better to just pay for everything with the card as opposed to taking out currency. 

I hope this has been helpful for you and gives some insight into the currency exchange process. The goal is to maximize your benefit, and not of the exchange service provider.

                                                                                                                        Travel Well.  Pursue Experiences

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.

The post Currency Exchange appeared first on O.M.I.A.H. Travelog and Tips.

On my recent trip to Hamburg, Germany, I was fortunate to be able to fly business class.  I booked through Delta.  Because of the routing options, I flew the Trans-Atlantic leg to Europe on Delta in their DeltaOne Cabin, with the return by way of their code share partner Virgin Atlantic in their Upper-Class cabin. So

Disclosure time!  I do have an affinity for Delta and I am Delta Gold Medallion status, and have flown Delta One a few times in the past.  This was my first experience on a Virgin flight.  All opinions presented herein are my own and I am not receiving any compensation for this post…though I am open to offers . 

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Cabin comparison

Delta’s cabin is set up in a 1-2-1 configuration, with the seats set in a standard, forward-facing, orientation.  There is with overhead storage available over all seats as storage by your feet is not really available, by design.    

Virgin’s cabin is set up in a 1-1-1 configuration.   The seats are set up in a diagonal, herringbone pattern facing the front of the plane.  The left, window side, and the middle row are oriented so that you are facing towards the right, and the right, window side is oriented so that you are facing the towards the left. As with Delta, there is overhead storage above the seats, without storage by your feet. I’ll explain this dynamic a bit more for Virgin when I compare the seats themselves

The plus for Delta in their configuration is that the window seat conveniently allows you to look out the window.  I wouldn’t say its necessarily a negative, but the aisles on the Delta flight were narrower in comparison to Virgin. The space for your bedding also is something you need to deal with, I recommend putting it in the overhead until you are ready to use it.

The Virgin configuration did provide a more spacious feeling in the cabin.  The bedding is actually behind your seat, so it is out of the way.   A true negative for the Virgin lay out is that the window seats are configured so that the window is behind you.  If you are like me, and enjoy looking out the window from time to time, the Virgin seat made this more inconvenient, and tested your upper body twisting capabilities.

Aesthetically, both cabins had an attractive appearance, but I do give the edge to Virgin for having a sleeker feel.

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Seat comparison – sitting

Now, I’m going to talk about comfort and space in the section.  Everyone is a different size and shape, so in the air of providing a frame of reference for my comments, I am disclosing some personal information.   Height 6’. Weight 240.  Waist 36”, and I’m little over 19” shoulder to shoulder.  As I tamp down my self-consciousness for this disclosure, I’ll move on.

The Delta seat is in a surrounded pod and the seat is only 20” wide per the Delta.com Website. Despite the pod, it felt spacious as there was a wider space around you while you are sitting up, and it does  while provide a sense of privacy in a personal space. While the seat itself it a bit plain, it was comfortable in the continuum of its reclining range and provided more than ample legroom as the integrated leg rest extended.

The Virgin seat, while very stylish, felt a bit claustrophobic. Despite being open and the seats are actually a bit wider than the Delta seat at 22”.  Odd, huh? The walls on both sides of your seat felt tight, with little lateral space.  This feeling seemed a bit more pronounced when you popped out the TV screen in front of you. The TV screen also required some manipulation with the tray table out. There is a fixed “footstool” that extends out into the aisle. The reclining action is really determined more by the back of the seat.

In the seated position, I give the edge to Delta. 

 Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Seat comparison – bed configuration

The Delta seat extends to a fully flat bed with just the touch of the button. The seat fully migrates from fully upright to flat without any other engagement.  Despite the ease of operation, for me it was uncomfortable to leverage in the bed configuration.  The foot-well is very tight. It allowed little movement for your feet, whether you are lying flat, or on your side.  Taking into considerations my size, the seat section where you plant your butt is ultimately where your shoulders rest. This area was also tight and constricted.  I actually slept better with the seat as a recliner…I guess I’m ready for retirement days in the living room.

The Virgin bed is interesting. The passenger has to get out of the chair and hold the button while the cushion flips into the flat bed configuration.  It’s kind of like an automatic futon.  It seemed a bit inconvenient to me.  Imagine you are in the recliner mode with the blanket over you and you start to doze off.  It would be easier to just hold the button to extend the recliner to the flat mode.  In the Virgin seat you have to actually have to stand up to flip the seat into the bed mode.  The transition is rather slow, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally holding that button down and being catapulted across the aircraft.  

Once the seat was flat, much like Delta, the shoulder area was cramped for me.  The flat bed extends so that the “bed” terminates with the footstool, which extends into the aisle. There isn’t any real protection around it beyond a short, 4’ wall.  There were times where my feet, or the footstool, was bumped as folks went up and down the aisle. 

Neither really had an advantage for me as a “bed”.  Your experience may differ.

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Seat comparison – Dining

Delta One has a more standard dining service on their flight. They offer a dinner service, snacks available during the flight, and a breakfast offering about an hour before landing.  The dinner selection was creative. It provided a more sophisticated beef, chicken and vegetarian offering than you would see in a lesser class of service.  I actually had the vegetarian dish, which was tasty.  (yes mom, I ate my veggies). Breakfast was an option of a frittata or a cold oatmeal.  I selected the oatmeal, much to my chagrin.  While I enjoy oatmeal, this was something I did not enjoy. The flavor was not good and it would be something I recommend that Delta reconsider as an offering. 

Virgin gets the nod here.  Their service was almost free style.  While they had a standard multi-course dinner service, they also had hot options available throughout the flight. This included a BBQ pork sandwich that was a form of torture until you ordered one.  The smell of the BBQ sauce absolutely filled the cabin. I swear it was made to force you to drool until you finally broke down and order one. I think the guy across the aisle from me had 4.  

In the dining category, I give the advantage to Virgin.

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Seat comparison – Service

I will state that this is a difficult category to compare as the flights were different in their tenor.  Going to Europe, people are trying to sleep, there isn’t a lot of activity.  While on the way to the US, everyone is trying to stay awake.  As such, I can’t say either one was better, but I’ll note a difference.

Both cabin crews were friendly, engaging and professional.  Kudos to both.  The Virgin team was definitely more energetic. They were moving around engaging guests. Service on the Virgin flight had the feel of being in a popular restaurant with great servers, as opposed to being on a flight. 

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: Entertainment

Both carriers had a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games to keep you entertained for the duration of the flight. 

Both had pop out screens.  I actually preferred the Delta configuration. The viewing distance from the seat was appropriate and the monitor didn’t feel like it was encroaching on you.  It felt more like you were watching a TV, versus watching a movie on a laptop.

Both had noise cancelling headphones that were comfortable to wear.

DeltaOne Vs. Upper Class: Amenity pack

Both airlines provide an amenity pack. The variance here is only in the brand provided. The amenity pack included: slippers/over-socks, bamboo toothbrush, toothpaste, lip balm, eye-masks, ear plugs, hand cream and a ballpoint pen.

Delta One Vs. Virgin’s Upper-Class: The clubs

Both airlines allow access to their lounges for business class travelers, as well as for their premium members. 

Unfortunately, I could not make it to the Virgin club lounge in London-Heathrow due to a tight connection. As such, I am unable to do a comparison between the facilities. I’m disappointed as I understand the Virgin Club is impressive.

Upper Class unique feature

The Upper-Class cabin does have a feature that DeltaOne does not.  That is the presence of a bar at the back of the cabin.  The bar existed, but it wasn’t really used, at least in the context of guests standing around it with a bartender.  On my flight at least, it was kind of a wasted space

The winner?  Overall, it’s a tie.

In the end, both airlines have nice business class offerings. Delta One provided a product that was more of a traditional business class feel. I thought alss provided a more comfortable seating option.  While Virgin’s offering really provided a more relaxed and energetic solution with a more engaging service team.  I enjoyed both flights and felt I received a premium experience.

The cost of a business class ticket on any airline is a substantial uplift in cost in comparison with even their premium coach offerings.  There is no denying that the allocation of your travel budget can be impacted significantly on the class of your flight. , which will have ramifications on your budget for the rest of the trip.  That said, if you do have the opportunity to fly in the business class on either of these airlines, be it for personal or travel for work, you will have a more enjoyable flight.

                                                                                                         Travel Well.  Pursue experiences.

                                                                                                                        O.M.I.A.H.

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I wanted to do a post on the topic of the need for tickets and reservations for the Oktoberfest. As I just got back, this is as good a time as any.

In the lead up to my trip, I followed a lot of the Oktoberfest oriented Facebook pages and saw a stream of questions on; “How do I get tickets to Oktoberfest and the tents?”, and “Do I need reservations?”   Let me try and address each in turn.

How do I get Oktoberfest tickets for the tents?

First and foremost, you need to understand that you do not need to purchase a ticket to access the Oktoberfest grounds on the Theresienwiese in Munich.  You will need to purchase tickets for the rides, and a 4 Euro access fee for the Oide Wiesen, if you go there.  (Do yourself a favor, spend the 4 Euros…GO!)

Do I need tickets for the Oktoberfest grounds?  Nope

Do I need a ticket to enter the tents?  Nope

If anyone is trying to sell you tickets for the fest, you should probably definitely raise a hairy eyebrow in scrutiny as it is probably a scam. 

Oktoberfest tickets: do I need reservations?

Let me respond to this question with a resounding; it depends.

First the scenario where you probably do need a reservation.

If you have a large group (8+) and want to go to the tents in the evening, then it is advisable to secure reservations. You have to purchase the tables through the tent proprietor.  The Oktoberfest website, www.oktoberfest.de has a list of all the tents, with links that offer descriptions and information for contacting the proprietor for reservations. 

Each tent owner begins offering reservations for the Oktoberfest at different times of the year.  You should begin checking availability between January and early May, depending on your preferred tent.

Reservations are usually for a table of 8-10 people, depending on the tent.  The cost for the reservation is dependent on the food you want to have with the group.  Minimally, the proprietor will set the base price to include a half chicken (cooked of course) and 2 liters of beer.  Of the sites I looked at, this base level ran a little less than 50 Euro.  Given this year’s average price for a liter of beer is 13.50 Euro, it’s not a significant uplift for the ressie.

Where you don’t need a reservation.

Get there early.  If you get to the tents early you should be able to secure a table fairly easily, regardless of the number of attendees in your group.  This is especially true during the work week; weekends might be a bit more challenging.  Please note that we saw folks lining up for the Hacker Pschorr tent on the first Friday morning at 9AM..doors open at 10A

You are a smaller group.   If you have a group of 2 -4, or flying solo, you should be able to join a table that has space.  Don’t be shy and ask if the seat is available.  If there is space at the table, folks are usually pretty willing to let you join them.

Non-reserved (or reserved later) tables – These do exist and are on a first come, first serve basis.  Some tents, like the Ambrustschützenzelt, hold a section for early day attendees that are reservation free until 3:30.  The Augustinerfestzelt puts the reservation times on the table.  If you see a table that doesn’t have a reservation for some time, feel free to sit down and order.  The servers will be happy to take care of you.

Standing tables – There are some tents, like the Hofbraü, that have a section of standing tables that are never reserved.  Later in the evening these do tend to become a bit of a mosh pit, but lots of fun. 

Smaller tents – Everyone loves the big tents, but don’t forget to check out the smaller tents as well.   Many of these are scattered on the side paths and on the periphery of the Wiesen, so they may require a bit if wandering around.    Personal discovery for me on this trip was the Wildstube.  This smaller tent is on the Altstadt side of the Wiesen.  They offer Augustiner beer and their menu is built off of game meats.  I had a Wildgulasch made from venison.  Ganz lecker!!  (Really tasty)

Pursuing available reserved seats.

Tours – There are tours offered online that give you a bit of a walking tour from the meeting place, (i.e. the Marienplatz, or the Hauptbahnhof.  Mixed plus and minus here.  Cost is higher per person, and you don’t get to choose your preferred tent.  That said, you get to meet some folks, and can get some more insight into Munich and Oktoberfest.

 Facebook – There are Facebook pages for Oktoberfest where folks will sell excess seats.  They may have bought a table for 10, but only 6 of their party will make it.  They’ll offer up for cost, or a bit of a profit.  Some of the communications I’ve seen involves setting up a meeting place to conduct the transaction, usually at the door the night of.  That said, use your discretion. 

This isn’t thoroughly exhaustive list of options, but I do hope this post provides some information of value for you.  This is the old man in a hat wishing you all the best if an Oktoberfest trip is in your future. “Prost!”

                                                                                                                        Travel well.  Pursue adventures

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H

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While governments are pushing electric vehicles (EV’s) as the future of transportation, they are not ready for prime time. They are expensive to purchase. Furthermore, the network of power generation and charging stations that will be necessary to support a wide distribution is not fully developed, and won’t be for several years. While EV’s may not be a viable solution today, companies in the travel and transportation industries are making investments to meet environmental targets and government regulations through the investment in more environmentally friendly fuels.

Governmental agencies are providing incentives to help the advance the development of green fuels in travel and transportation. These efforts are being facilitated in the form of credits, tax breaks, etc.  The US Department of energy explains the current portfolio of incentives on their website. 

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/renewable-sources/incentives.php

Air travel

Over the past several years, the airline industry had been increasing in the use of renewable distillate products.  In 2014, the US Department of Energy started efforts to develop renewables for use in military and commercial airlines. Within a year, many airlines, and logistics providers, committed to purchase, or even made investment in producers of renewable fuels.

Over the road

Tourists travelling in Europe are already experiencing a bit of progress in carbon reduction. Fuel companies in Europe and the US are currently being blending standard diesel with renewable diesel products.  While its not perfect, it is a step towards offsetting the carbon footprint for tour busses or rental cars.

The EU Renewable Energy Directive of 2009 established aggressive goals for renewables in the fuel used for vehicular transport. Despite their efforts, only twelve countries have achieved the target of 10% renewables in their fuels by 2020.  The next threshold is to meet 14% by 2030.  The Nordic countries are leading the way in meeting the targets. Finland has achieved ~15% in 2020, and both Norway and Sweden exceeding 30%.  While the remaining EU countries haven’t achieved the 2020 objective, they have all made progress from their 2005 levels.

As in the US, the EU has pushed to increase the use of EV’s. However, EV’s have yet to make a material splash in the broader portfolio of green fuels in travel and transportation.  The generation of electricity is still dependent upon existing technologies. According to the EEA website; “renewable electricity only constituted just over 3% of total energy used in transport in Norway in 2020”¹.  The distribution of e-Vehicles and hybrids will increase over the next decade. Norway, and the other EU countries, will continue making investments in renewable electricity generation and distribution technology in the coming years to meet future demand.

As we sit here in 2022, the big unknown will be the impact of the war in Ukraine.  The geopolitical upheaval could up impact how green the generation of electricity will be. Many EU countries are revaluating the use coal power plants just for the sustainment of society. The current infrastructure for the production and distribution of electricity is insufficient to support society’s current requirements. Countries in the EU and the US are facing a similar challenge. The existing infrastructure will have difficulties supporting the forecasted growth in EV’s until Countries make investment to enhancements the electrical grid

In the US, you have an increased presence of Ethanol in our gasoline as well. The flex-fuel blends have a range of 51 – 85% ethanol. Some providers offering an unleaded blend at 15% ethanol that works in the standard engine of vehicles built after 2001.

There is an increased use of renewable diesel product used in fuels for over-the road trucks and bus applications. State and federal government entities are heavily subsidizing renewable fuels, without which, the cost of these renewable diesel products would be almost double that of standard diesel.

Cities in the US have also embraced the pursuit of alternative fuels in vehicles used for municipal services and transportation.  For example, many city bus fleets, and even garbage trucks, have implemented Natural Gas for their primary fuel.

Cruise and ocean shipping

Many view the maritime industries as being a major contributors to pollution. However, the cruise and broader maritime industries have been making substantial investment over the last decade to mitigate their emissions, and meet the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations under their pollution treaty MARPOL. 

Many vessel owners installed scrubbers to their exhaust systems to reduce Sulphur-dioxide and other contaminants to meet the MARPOL 2020 standards.  You can liken this technology to the post combustion systems on your cars, similar to a catalytic converter, or diesel particulate filter.  The scrubbers allowed the continued use of lower cost heavy fuel oil. Other fleet owners approached the problem on the front end, by selecting fuels that contained fewer contaminants, such as marine diesel.  Marine diesel contains substantially lower impurities and satisfied the 2020 standards without the need of adding and after treatment, though at higher cost than the heavy fuel oil.

In the vein of continuous improvement, the maritime industry, to include cruise lines, freight shipping, and ferries, are looking to identify new fuels that will meet even more stringent environmental targets. The IMO states:

 “The initial GHG strategy envisages, in particular, a reduction in carbon intensity of international shipping (to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008); and that total annual GHG emissions from international shipping should be reduced by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008”²

In setting objectives for these targets, the IMO MEPC76 meeting established the Carbon Intensity Index (CII) for the industry.  This index is a complex algorithm that measures how efficiently a vessel moves its cargo.  It applies to all cargo ships, ferries, and cruise ships over 5000 gross tons. The definition of “cargo” is dependent on the type of vessel, so this definition ranges from bulk steel to families on a wedding destination cruise.

Every other year, the maritime industry holds the Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology (SMM) trade fair in Hamburg, Germany. The trade fair includes a day of panel discussions hosted by the global maritime environmental congress, or gmec. “gmec” has been an ongoing entity at SMM for more than a decade focused on environmental initiatives across the industry. The agenda for this year addresses the following topics:

• The outlooks of NGOs and the shipping industry on decarbonization progress and ambition
• The potential uses for nuclear energy in the maritime industry
• Hydrogen and shipping’s future energy mix
• Commercial challenges in navigating the zero-carbon transition
• Nurturing green shipping innovation

GREENER FUELS IN USE AND DEVELOPMENT

The travel and transportation industries are implementing, and investigating a portfolio of fuels to help mitigate their impact on the environment, a few of which I discuss in the following sections.

Green Diesel Alternatives:

The over the road trucking industry has been implementing renewable diesel and/or bio-diesel fuel products as a fuel in countries around the world.

In the maritime industry, there will be near term investment to migrate from the existing fuels to renewable, or bio-, diesels as an interim step.  These alternative will enable the vessel operators to make progress towards environmental goals without having to incur the significant expense of changing the vessel’s propulsion infrastructure. The vessel operators will continue to investigate other fuels as the renewable diesel products won’t meet the longer term targets. 

I found a great explanation of the difference between bio and renewable diesel fuels on the Veolia North America Blog:

“By utilizing agricultural byproducts, producers create a circular system whereby the waste from one process is put to productive use in another. Although they’re both derived from the same or similar feedstocks, these two fuels have two different production processes that produce two very different types of end products. 

• Biodiesel – Also known as fatty acid methyl ester or FAME, biodiesel is created through a method called transesterification. This process purifies the oils and fats which are then blended with petroleum diesel at a 5% to 20% ratio. 
• Renewable diesel or green diesel – Also known as hydrotreated vegetable oil or HVO, is produced using a method called hydrotreating, which involves hydrogenating triglycerides (fats) to remove metals and compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen.

Let’s use automobiles as an example to compare the difference to what this means. If you used biodiesel as automotive fuel, it would have both a short shelf life and could cause engine issues. If you used renewable diesel, however, you’d have a cleaner, higher quality fuel that runs more efficiently.”³

It is also important to note that just because you are using a renewable diesel, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is good for the environment. In the maritime industry, the CII index takes into consideration the feedstock used in a fuel to calculate its net impact. The company that burns the renewable diesel has to research and ensure that the harvesting of the feedstock for the fuel isn’t carbon intensive or facilitates deforestation. 

Natural gas:

Natural gas has been a fuel that has been expanding in its use for over-the-road transportation in recent years due to how cleanly it burns. Large vehicle fleet operators of buses, garbage trucks, etc. have made investments for new vehicles designed for natural gas operations, as well as making investment to retrofit existing vehicles.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):

Cruise line operators have added several new LNG powered cruise ships to their fleet, with more planned for deployment in the future.  While LNG is substantially cleaner than the petroleum-based products, it is not the perfect solution.  Companies continue to invest in research to discover and develop upstream green sources of natural gas.  Cruise lines are assessing their fuel impact on a “well to wake” basis. This approach takes the entire value chain of fuel production into consideration. The assessment encompasses the generation, transportation and on board utilization of the fuel. For example, a greener method of generation would be the methane capture from landfills. The industry continues to pursue studies for other means of generation such as e-LNG…or producing LNG from an electrolysis process. 

The maritime industry continues to work with its supply base to develop greener sources of natural gas production. Interestingly, there is no way to guarantee that a vessel would actually burn these molecules on their vessel. The natural gas industry leverages a network of pipelines to transport the product across the country from multiple injection points. Its distribution is to facilitate the use of natural gas in power generation, be that by industry or for use in our homes. As the product blends during its transportation, any “green” gas products injected in the network would mix in. As such, a company that buys the renewable or eLNG, may not directly burn the fuel. This product would supplant natural gas produced through fracking, or other extraction processes.

There is a concern about availability to grow natural gas as a fuel source in this space as current regulatory policies are curtailing investment in this space

Methanol:

Methanol is a long-established product with many applications.  Much like LNG, there are efforts to develop green and e-Methanol sources to “decarbonize” the generation of Methanol fur use as a maritime fuel.  While my focus is more around travel, the leading company driving the methanol evaluation is Maersk. Maersk is a global shipper of cargo and is responsible for 17% of the world’s global container shipping.  If you check out the Sustainability link on the Maersk website, there are many stories articulating their corporate strategy to aggressively pursue renewable and e-methanol as their fuel of choice in order to achieve their goal of being a carbon neutral operator. 

The upstream manufacturers of vessels are also taking steps to support these goals. Ship builders and engine manufacturers are building engine systems and retrofit packages, to accommodate Methanol as a standalone propulsion fuel and in dual fuel solutions with Marine Diesel. 

Much like any industry, providers in the travel and transportation industries will assess options to meet regulations, as well as to satisfy the demands of their customer base. Any decision associated with a technological change will depend on many factors, including: product price, product availability, cost of change, etc. Given the breadth and number of players in the maritime space, it will be interesting to see which product, or group of products, will become the standard to meet the industry’s environmental goals. 

In the short term, there are serious geopolitical issues that are impacting the implementation of greener fuels.  The war in Ukraine is driving European countries to reconsider their fuel usage. Countries in Europe are reconsidering their use of coal and petroleum distillates to generate energy for every day uses, such as warming their homes. This obviously impacts the ability of countries, particularly in the EU, to invest in developmental fuels at the expense of their current infrastructure.

The world’s sensibilities around the environment continue to evolve. The global market will continue to develop newer green fuels for use in travel and transportation. We should always travel this world with respect and consideration. But should also take comfort that today’s fuels allow us to travel by the most environmentally friendly means in recent history. 

Naturally, we should continue to be considerate of, and work to mitigate, our impact on the world. But we should also not let environmental concerns fully dissuade our decision to travel. There is too much to learn from each other through experiencing the wonders of the world around us and understanding the histories and cultures of our international family.

                                                                                                                        Travel well. Pursue adventure.

                                                                                                                                       O.M.I.A.H.          

Citations

¹https://www.eea.europa.eu/ims/use-of-renewable-energy-for

²https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-ships.aspx

³https://blog.veolianorthamerica.com/biodiesel-vs.-renewable-diesel-are-they-the-same

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