Northern Lights in Iceland - Travel Blog

If you haven’t heard, the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are experiencing a period of heightened activity known as the solar maximum. This means that the lights are viewable from locations south of the main auroral occurrence zone. Although the lights reached their peak period of activity in 2012/2013, according to the University of Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, which forecasts the aurora borealis, the maximum will stay at a heightened level for four or five years. So, those heading toward the arctic through 2016 or 2017 will have a greater chance of seeing the lights.

To see the northern lights during the “solar max,” you should keep the following in mind, according to the university: 

The best time of year to visit is during the early springtime when the probability for clear skies is twice as likely as in the fall. The ideal time is the two weeks around the new moon in March, but viewing is good from early January to late April.

The best time of day for viewing the northern lights is between the evening and morning civil twilights (when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon) on a clear or partly cloudy night. The lights are at their most intense between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Viewing is also best with little or no moonlight.

The Geophysical Institute operates the Aurora Forecast, where visitors can check to see solar activity for the time period when they will be traveling to one of the arctic regions.

Truffle Festivals in Italy - Travel Blog

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White truffles and red wine display from Piedmont with view of the vineyards and castle of Grinzane Cavour

Italy
October and November
This is an ANNUAL event.
 

October is a great month for Italian food festivals, especially mushrooms, chestnuts, chocolate, and truffles. On October weekends, you'll find fall food festivals and wine harvest celebrations all over Italy. Slow Food's big International Food Event is in October and World Pasta Day is the fourth Sunday in October

Going to a truffle fair is worthwhile even if you don't want to buy truffles. The scent of fresh truffles fills the air and there are locally made truffle dishes to try. There's often entertainment and concession stands selling local foods such as cheese, salami, honey, and wine.

Piedmont - Alba's white truffle fair and market, one of the best in Italy, takes place on weekends from early October through mid-November. Besides the truffle market and fair, there is lots of entertainment. Events start with a night of concerts and gastronomic stands and end with the truffle world auction and a white truffle walk for tourists.

Tuscany - San Miniato Truffle Fair, La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco, is held in the medieval hill town of San Miniato on the second, third and fourth weekends in November. 25% of Italy's white truffles are produced in this territory and November is the heart of truffle gathering season. There are food and craft stands and entertainment and restaurants will feature reasonably priced truffle menus. If you haven't had truffles, this is a great place to get an introduction.

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses - Travel Blog

If you’re clambering off a cruise ship, in town for a conference, or have a free day before the real action starts, Hop-On Hop-Off buses open cities like an oyster.

Let’s face it, if you are a first-time visitor or casual traveler, even “must-see” sights are unfamiliar. Hop-On Hop-Off buses beat most packaged tour options in price, flexibility and convenience. They really beat handing a taxi driver a fifty-dollar bill and trusting to his or her vaguely researched patter to convey a sense of the city.  Or a tour guide in a minivan, determinedly steering you to souvenir stands, eateries and arcades with not-so-hidden agendas. Besides, Hop-On Hop-Off buses are certainly cleaner, safer and less prone to unexpected complications.

Day Trips from Paris - Travel Blog

If you’re visiting Europe, the probability is high that Paris, along with London, Rome and Florence, are on your itinerary. And why not? They’re some of the most fascinating, historic and beautiful cities in the world!

But once you’ve seen the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, or the Colosseum and Michelangelo’s David, why not make time to explore some equally interesting and important destinations within easy reach of these famous cities?

You could either get lost in a big group on an organised tour, spend hours on public transportation, or you could rent a car with Auto Europe and explore off-the-beaten-path destinations on your own schedule. Here are my suggestions for the best day trips from Europe’s favorite cities.

Day Trips from Paris

If it’s your first visit to the romantic French capital, the palace and gardens of Versailles is the first destination to spring to mind when considering a day trip from Paris. This former seat of royal power was once home to the ill-fated Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. The palace, with its emblematic hall of mirrors, was recently renovated, while the gardens are always a pleasure to the eye.

Agatha Christie: Following in the Footsteps of the Queen of Crime Writers - Travel Blog

A special interest to readers circle or a murder mystery club!

Torquay is a wonderful place, spring or early summer the gardens and stately homes of Devon and Cornwall provides a fascinating backdrop for a literary tour.

The associations with the Queen of Crime Writers can be found all over the town.

Featuring in two of Agatha's novels, "The Imperial Hotel" in Torquay boasts probably one of the best settings in the world. Drinking coffee in this elegant hotel, it's east to imagine Miss Marple detecting the latest crime whilst taking in the view that stretches across to Paignton and Brigham.

The Grand Hotel on Torquay's seafront is where Agatha and Archie spent Christmas in 1914 - their honeymoon. The hotel has dedicated one of their stunning 'suites" to the greatest crime writer of all time. Across the road from the Grand Hotel lis Torquay Train Station. The newly married couple boarded the train to London for a sad farewell as Archie set off for war in France. It was on this platform, 76 years later in 1990 that Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple came face to face for the very first time.

Agatha was baptized at All Saints Church in Torquay and regularly attended Sunday services. Her father made a financial donation to the church and ensured Agatha was entered in the records as a founder member. During World War 1, Torquay Town Hall was a Red Cross Hospital where Agatha worked as a nurse. Her in depth knowledge of poisons was gained when she transferred to the Dispensary in 1915.

Roller skating on Princess Pier was one of the young Agatha's favorite pastimes. In Torquay Museum, Agatha is pictured skating in an ankle length skirt and large feathered hat, as was the fashion then.

Skating on the pier cost 2d and was a noisy and bumpy affair but enjoyable outdoor fund.

Agatha had a great love of music and attended many concerts at Torquay Pavilion. This elegant building was opened and it was here in 1913 where Agatha enjoyed a Wagerian concert with her future husband, Archie Christie.

Visiting Florence - Travel Blog

While visiting Florence earlier this year, we stopped at Caffe Rivoire. Wonderful food, and great views. We had such a wonderful time, we had to come back a second time!

Caffè Rivoire is on the corner of the Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali, the last building erected in Piazza della Signoria in 1871.

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Caffè Rivoire

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Caffè Rivoire - Inside

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Caffè Rivoire - Yum!

The Caffè Rivoire is located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.
Enrico Rivoire, Savoia royal family chocolatier, was from Turin and brought to Florence the tradition of the typical hot chocolate from his hometown.

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Florence was the capital of Italy between 1865 and 1871, so Enrico probably came here following the royal family and then founded his café in 1872.
Hot chocolate in Florence simply means Rivoire!

Today, this beautiful historical place is a must for Florentines and tourists who want to enjoy a pleasant stop in one of the most beautiful squares in the world.

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May Feature: The Star Tavern, One of London's Best Historical Pubs!

The Star Tavern has had its share of visitors – include  Peter O’Toole, Diana Dors and Alexander Korda.  It was built in the early 19th century.  It is noted for its role in one of the most notorious episodes in the 20th century England.  The grand upstairs room was supposedly where the Great Train Robbers hatched their plan to attack the Mail service in 1963.  Bruce Reynolds, the ringleader, would reportedly drive up from south-west London in an Aston Martin to flesh out the details of the heist.

A welcoming place with a good selection of Fuller’s beers.

The Star Tavern was where the century's biggest heist 'The Great Train Robbery' was planned and orchestrated. We didn't know that at the time, of course…

More About The Star Tavern's History

Reasons To Use A Travel Agent

We found this article insightful as to why you would want to utilize a Travel Specialist!

1.  You’ve Googled  “Hawaii Vacation,” and came up with 14.8 million responses.  Need a little help editing those choices?

2. Remember when you used that obscure but nick looking website to book your hotel, and when you arrived you found your room overlooking the hotels truck and service delivery area?

3. How many hours were you on hold with the airlines then your flight was cancelled due to a strike or snowstorm?

4. Did you really mean to spend your honeymoon at that resort  you found online whose one tiny pool was filled all day 12 screaming, pool peeing children?

5. Who knew that when you booked that villa in Tuscany it would be a small room with a kitchenette and NO AIR for your summer vacation?  Funny, it looked so inviting on your computer screen.

6. No one explained to you that in July, its winter time in Rio, and so you showed up there with nothing but T-shirts and swim wear.

7. How about showing up at the airport for your vacation only to be turned away by the air carrier because you did not have the proper identification to enter the country.

8. Yes, I guess that hotel you booked must have used a fish eye lens when they took a picture of the guest rooms that you saw on their website.

9. The tour Operator you booked did not mention to you that they were having financial problems and they can  not pay their suppliers or refund your money.

10. I suppose contacting your State Attorney General to help resolve the fact that the money you sent as deposit or full payment for your trip was never credited towards your vacation and this is the only route to take at this point.

WITH OUT A TRAVEL AGENT YOU ARE REALLY ON YOUR OWN!