Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit the country of Scotland! Scotland is one of the prettiest countries in
Europe and I’ve made several trips to Scotland over the years. As you
know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and
the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things
you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Scotland vacation.
It’s an older video, but you can’t beat that view
Hate
#1: Prices in Scotland
Scotland is expensive. Whether it’s food,
public transportation, accommodation, and Scotland attractions, they are all
expensive. Add in a poor exchange rate for the US and it becomes even more
expensive to visit Scotland. When planning your Scotland itinerary, make sure
you are budgeting to account for the higher prices as well as the fluctuating
exchange rate. (Scotland uses the Pound Sterling, not the Euro, although the
values are usually fairly close.)
Most shops in Scotland close after 6:00, so if
you want to go shopping after 6:00, you’re pretty much out of luck. I ripped my
pants in the evening and had to wait until the next day to buy a new pair.
Don’t count on shopping in Scotland in the evening! In fact, if you visit the
smaller villages of Scotland, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything open
other than a local pub or restaurant.
A road trip around Scotland is an incredible family experience
Hate
#3: Scotland Accommodation
It can be really difficult to find decent,
affordable accommodation in Scotland. The good places that aren’t outrageously
expensive will book up months in advance, so you have to plan far ahead if you
want to save money. As soon as you have mapped out your Scotland itinerary,
your first step should be to secure your Scotland accommodation.
Hate
#4: Public Transportation in Scotland
Many of the best things to see in Scotland are
scattered throughout the countryside and they are not easy to reach using
public transportation. Trains pretty much go to the major cities, leaving you
with expensive buses and infrequent service. If you really want to see
Scotland, you need to rent a car and drive yourself.
Hate
#5: Scotland Weather
Like England and Ireland, the weather in
Scotland isn’t that great. If you visit Scotland in the winter, it’s gray and
rainy with very few hours of daylight. Summers have a lot of daylight, but it’s
still gray and rainy quite a bit. Always be prepared for rain in Scotland, no
matter which season you decide to visit. If you find yourself enjoying a warm,
sunny day in Scotland, consider yourself lucky!
The people of Scotland are so nice and you’ll
have some of the best service in Europe when you visit Scotland. From the
bartenders to the police officers, everyone is super friendly and helpful.
Scotland is known for warmth and hospitality, which is a big draw for over two
million travelers per year who make trips to Scotland.
Edinburgh rocks for so many reasons
Love
#2: Scottish Castles
One of the coolest things to see in Scotland are the castles. They are
seemingly everywhere and come in all shapes and sizes. It is estimated that
Scotland at one time had over 2,000 castles, many of which are now ruins. The
oldest standing castle in Scotland is the Aberdour Castle, which dates back to
the early 13th century. The most photographed castle in Scotland is the scenic
Eilean Donan Castle, which sits on a small island surrounded by water and
mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Scotland.
Love
#3: Scottish Countryside
Scotland is such a beautiful country, with
mountains and lakes in every direction. Rolling green hills, fields of heather
and the aforementioned castles and castle ruins seem to sprout from each hill.
Some of the best places to visit in Scotland include the Isle of Skye, Orkney
Islands, Shetland Islands, Scotland’s Highest Mountain (Ben Nevis) and many
lakes, including the famous Loch Ness.
Love #4: Scottish Whisky
Apart from the natural beauty of Scotland, some of my favorite places to visit in Scotland are the whisky distillery tour. Even if you don’t drink whisky or Scotch, a distillery tour is a great educational experience where you can learn about the official drink of Scotland. You can learn the difference between Scotch and Whisky and sample some of this quintessential Scottish booze. There are over 100 whisky distilleries in Scotland, so you won’t have to go far to find a tour!
Love
#5: Outdoor Adventure in Scotland
If you love to be outside, you’ll love
Scotland. There are great hiking trails all over the country, including two
famous long-distance trails: Rob Roy Way at 128 kilometers and the West
Highland Way at 154 kilometers. Scotland is a premier hiking destination. If
golf is more your speed, Scotland is where golf was invented. There are over
500 golf courses in Scotland, including the famous St. Andrews course.
Yes, you can ride the Harry Potter train… in Scotland!
Scotland
is amazing, it’s just so beautiful and totally worth the trip. The “hates” are
really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit
Scotland. Want more tips for planning a trip to the United Kingdom? Check out
these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit Dublin, Ireland! It’s a fantastic city with so many things to see in
Dublin Ireland. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare
travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So
these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your
Dublin vacation.
Yeah, this was not a high quality Dublin video… You should just read the blog instead
Hate
#1: Dublin Weather
Sometimes you get lucky with warm days and
sunny skies, but generally, the weather in Dublin is gray and rainy. When you
are planning a trip to Dublin, you should be prepared for rain at any time of
the year. Much like London or Seattle, the weather is moderate year-round, so
while you won’t have hot summers, you also won’t have freezing cold winters.
Ireland is expensive and since Dublin is the
largest city in Ireland, prices are at a premium. It’s possible to find budget
accommodation in Dublin, but eating out in Dublin is expensive and many Dublin
attractions are also expensive. Luckily, flights to Dublin are usually pretty
cheap so you can save money getting to and from Dublin.
Irish food just isn’t that great. Since Dublin
gets so many tourists, the food is even worse than in other parts of Ireland.
So, not only is eating out in Dublin expensive, it’s not the best culinary
experience. Irish food can be filling and hearty and some items like Shephard’s
Pie, are pretty good, but Dublin is not a foodie destination.
Hate
#4: Dublin Party Scene
If you’re coming to Dublin for nightlife,
you’re going to love it. But, if you’re traveling with your family, it’s one of
the things you won’t like about Dublin. Dublin is a party city, so on the
weekends, you’ll see a lot of locals and tourists getting drunk and rowdy. The
area around Temple Bar especially can be a bit rowdy.
Yes it is tourity, but still a fun place to stop by and have pint
Hate
#5: Driving in Dublin
Driving in Dublin is insane. I always
recommend renting a car to explore the Irish countryside, but I do not
recommend driving around Dublin. Leave your car at the hotel and take a taxi or
bus to get around Dublin. Parking is impossible and expensive, and the roads
are very confusing unless you live there. If you can, try to stay in a central
location where you can just walk to the best Dublin attractions.
Love
#1: People of Dublin
People in Dublin, and everywhere in Ireland,
are so great. They are super friendly and helpful and they also have a great
sense of humor and don’t take themselves too seriously like some other European
cultures. Irish culture is one of the best cultures to experience while
traveling.
Love
#2: Dublin Nightlife
Whether it’s a love or hate depends on your travel style, but if you like to go out and enjoy live music and good Irish beer, then you will love the Dublin nightlife. It’s really a fun city with a ton of interesting nightlife, from smaller pubs to nightclubs. In fact, one of the most famous Dublin attractions is Temple Bar, a famous pub in a neighborhood lined with busy pubs. Though expect to see quite a fair share of other tourists at Temple Bar if you do go there.
Love
#3: Safety in Dublin
Crime in Dublin is pretty low so you don’t
have to worry too much about your safety as you travel around Dublin. There
aren’t lots of pickpockets or muggings, which is a relief compared to some
other European capital cities. It is a city with over one million people, so
always use your common sense and be alert, but Dublin is one of the safer
capital cities in Europe, for tourists.
It isn’t always raining in Dublin
Love
#4: Sights in Dublin
There are a ton of cool things to see in
Dublin. From historic churches like Christchurch or St. Patrick’s Cathedral,
Trinity College and the Book of Kells. One of my favorite things to do in
Ireland is to tour the Guinness Storehouse. There’s the Dublin Castle, the
Jameson Distillery, Phoenix Park and so much more. Then there are the day trips
from Dublin: the Wicklow Mountains and Cliffs of Moher are two of the more
popular ones.
Love
#5: Atmosphere in Dublin
Dublin is a chill, laidback city. The
residents all seem pretty happy and this translates to a great atmosphere for
visitors. Having friendly, helpful residents helps with the nice atmosphere of
Dublin and is a reason travelers love Dublin so much.
Dublin
is really fantastic, and for a city of over one million people, it’s such a
friendly, laid-back town and a great place to kick off your Ireland vacation.
The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason
not to visit Dublin. Want more tips for planning a Dublin vacation? Check out
these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit the country of Ireland! Ireland has some of the best tourism infrastructure in the world; they speak English, albeit with a heavy accent, it’s easy to get around and there are plenty of accommodation options. Trips to Ireland make a great first-time international trip for travelers looking to branch out from domestic travel.
So much to love and a few things to not like so much about Ireland.
As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the best and the worst things you’ll experienceon your Ireland vacation.
Hate #1: Ireland Weather
Sometimes you get lucky with warm days and
sunny skies, but generally, the weather in Ireland is dark and damp. When you
are planning a trip to Ireland, you should be prepared for rain at any time of
the year. All that lush green countryside that earns Ireland the “Emerald Isle”
nickname does not come from sunny days! On the plus side, winter in Ireland is
not that cold and you’ll only have to deal with rain instead of snow.
Hate #2: Dublin Pub Tourism
Ireland’s pub culture is one of the things we love about visiting Ireland, but there does seem to be a heavy influx of drunk tourists to Dublin. Thanks to cheap flights, it’s a popular spot for bachelor parties, and things can get a bit rowdy. It’s more annoying than dangerous, so just keep your wits about you if you’re out late at night.
Hate
#3: Prices in Ireland
Ireland is expensive. The B&B’s aren’t overly expensive, but eating out and shopping in Ireland can be pricy. Ireland is more expensive than Britain, Germany, France or Spain, so make sure you are looking at prices ahead of time and budgeting accordingly. The good news is that you can often get great flight deals to Ireland, so there’s a chance to save money on your Ireland vacation. As flights become more expensive, you might have to shop around, be flexible with your dates or travel in the off-season to get those cheap flights to Ireland.
Dublin is especially expensive, so we recommend a quick visit to Dublin before moving on to explore the rest of the island. It will definitely be the most expensive part of your Ireland trip.
Hate
#4: Public Transportation in Ireland
If you’ve traveled around other countries of
Europe and are used to taking trains into small towns and villages, you will be
disappointed in the options for public transportation in Ireland. The trains
and buses don’t have the widest service area, and some hard to reach places may
have service, but it’s very infrequent. When you do use public transportation
in Ireland, it’s expensive. It’s often cheaper to rent a car, and you’ll have
more flexibility in your Ireland itinerary that way.
Hate
#5: Driving in Ireland
Driving in Ireland is the best way to see the
country, but many travelers are nervous about driving on the left. It can be
nerve-wracking, especially considering most cars are manual transmission and
you’re now on the right side of the car. Add in narrow, winding lanes and
roundabouts and you’ve got your work cut out for you. Once you get used to it,
it’s not so bad, but it’s definitely something to think about.
You’ll soon forget all of the “hates” when you
get a glimpse of the scenery in Ireland. It’s green, with rolling hills,
seaside cliffs, neolithic structures, medieval ruins, castles and so much more.
There’s a reason Ireland is so popular with travelers; there are just so many
great things to see in Ireland.
Everyone I’ve ever met in Ireland is awesome.
They are funny, friendly and sarcastic. From the taxi drivers to the service
staff, the people of Ireland make it a destination you want to return to. They
are super helpful, so you never have to worry about asking for help.
If you’re lucky, they might even teach you some new words!
Love
#3: Irish Villages
Ireland is full of quaint Irish villages. If
you are planning a road trip through Ireland, make sure you leave time in your
itinerary to stop in these small towns and hang out at the local pub to meet
some locals. Irish cities like Dublin and Galway are cool, but the “real
Ireland” is in the small villages you pass through along the way.
Love #4: Irish Pubs & Food
The pub culture in Ireland is fantastic. Seeing the live music is one of the best parts of visiting Ireland. The local pub is the meeting place for friends and families, so you can bring your kids to the pub, too (just not late night).
We used to include Irish food as one of the worst parts of visiting Ireland, but it’s changed so much for the better! Ireland went through a foodie revolution and now you can get really good Irish food or international food all over the country. As one of our fans said, “History robbed Ireland of a culinary tradition, but the emerging food scene is really exciting.”
Just know the portion sizes tend to be on the larger side, so you might want to split entrees if you’re with a group.
The Eats of Ireland
Some of the traditional Irish foods you have to try include:
The seafood, like mussels, oysters, prawns, and salmon, is fresh and fantastic! Smoked salmon is one of Jocelyn’s favorite foods in Ireland!
Fish and Chips are a must in Ireland, whether you get them on the street from a chippy, or in a pub. They will taste so much better than the fish and chips you’ve had in the States.
Lamb is also popular in Ireland. The lamb shanks are so good!
Of course, potatoes are a staple in Ireland. They come in many forms, like fries, baked potatoes or mashed potatoes. Boxty is a popular potato dish, and it is similar to a potato pancake or dumpling.
If you see a Chinese takeaway, try ordering a Spice Bag. It’s got chips, chicken, veggies and spices. It’s a must!
For breakfast, the oatmeal or porridge is really good, especially if you add Irish Whiskey and cream. A “Full Irish” is a full Irish breakfast, which includes eggs, bacon, sausage, white pudding, black pudding, hash browns, grilled tomatoes, and baked beans. It’s a lot of food!
Irish ham is also another staple and a delicious main dish to order. You can get it on its own or baked into pies.
Shepherd’s Pie is served in pretty much every pub and is one of our favorite things to eat on a cold Irish day. It usually includes ground lamb and vegetables baked with a mashed potato crust. Cottage pie is the same thing but with beef instead of lamb.
The dairy products in Ireland are delicious! If you’ve had Irish butter, then you know how good that is. But it’s more than butter – all of the dairy products in Ireland, including the cream caramels, are so tasty!
Most bread in Ireland is soda bread rather than yeast bread. It’s quite dense and makes a great toast with your Irish butter spread on top.
Of course, we can’t talk about Irish food without mentioning the great beverages in Ireland! Even if you are used to drinking Irish beer like Guinness or Smithwick’s back home, it tastes so much better when you’re in Ireland! The Irish Whiskey is amazing, too, and every place seems to have its own version. The Whiskey Trail is a fun way to plan out your Ireland itinerary!
Love
#5: Ireland Accommodation
The best places to stay in Ireland are Bed
& Breakfasts, not hotels. Outside of the main cities, there aren’t major
hotels in Ireland, so B&B’s are the accommodation of choice. It’s a
quintessential part of any Ireland vacation. You are staying in someone’s home,
and you get a huge Irish breakfast. Having breakfast with your B&B host is
also the best way to get insider tips for your Ireland vacation. Just remember,
you’re staying in their home, so if you are arriving late, it’s a good idea to
phone ahead and let them know when to expect you.
Bonus Love #6: Ireland Tourist Traps
In many destinations, the tourist traps would fall into the “worst” category, but in Ireland, the tourist traps are actually worth visiting. As long as you know you’re visiting a tourist trap and are prepared to deal with the crowds.
Temple Bar in Dublin is the most famous pub in Ireland and definitely falls into the category of “tourist trap you must visit.”
Likewise, Belfast has the Crown Bar, which is also a really cool pub that’s popular with tourists.
The Titanic Museum in Belfast is also a tourist trap, but it’s worth visiting just to see the architecture of the building. Don’t skip it, but be prepared to be surrounded by crowds of tourists.
Giant’s Causeway is not a tourist trap, but paying for parking is. There’s a big parking lot and a visitor’s center that you have to pay for, but you can park for free at the train station and just walk right up to Giant’s Causeway.
Paying to see the Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher are another beautiful natural attraction in Ireland, and you should definitely see them, but paying to see the natural beauty makes it feel like a tourist trap. (If it’s a cloudy day, don’t bother as you won’t be able to see much.)
The Guinness Storehouse is a bit of a tourist trap, as you can have Guinness throughout the country. The view from the top is worth visiting, but you’re not really getting “free” Guinness.
There are a lot of popular photo spots in Ireland that feel like a tourist trap in that you just go and snap a photo and move on. The Spire and Molly Malone statues in Dublin, and the Salmon sculpture in Belfast are a few examples. If you’re in the area, you may as well get a photo, too!
The Book of Kells at Trinity College is a cool experience, but the book itself is just a book on display.
Game of Thrones tours are a bit overdone. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the show, I would opt for another, more varied tour.
The town of Killarney has become a tourist trap with all of the tour buses that stop there before touring the Ring of Kerry. So the restaurants and hotels are more expensive and really geared towards the bus tour crowds.
Ireland
is really fantastic, and if you haven’t traveled internationally, it’s the
perfect first-time trip overseas. I have really enjoyed all of our trips to
Ireland. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a
reason not to visit Ireland. Want more tips for planning a trip to Ireland?
Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit London, England! There are so many cool places to visit in London and the
sightseeing in London is fantastic! As you know, here at Wolters World,
we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new
travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five
things you’ll hate about your London vacation.
Hate
#1: London Weather
The weather in London kind of sucks. It rains
a lot and it can be quite chilly, even in the middle of summer. That said, it’s
pretty temperate year-round, so while the summers aren’t very warm, the winters
aren’t very cold. Expect gray, rainy days any time of year in London. Always
have a rain jacket or umbrella so the weather doesn’t put a damper on any of
your planned activities in London.
Hate
#2: Prices in London
London is very expensive. London sightseeing,
accommodation, and restaurants will all put a big dent in your travel budget.
Some places to visit in London, like the
Tower of London, Westminster Cathedral and Madame Tussaud’s are each over $30
or $40 for one adult admission. For a family of four, you could easily spend
$150 on one London attraction. You can find discounts and deals if you look in
advance, and some of the best places to visit in London are free, but this
won’t be an inexpensive vacation no matter where you cut corners.
This is a love/hate because the Tube is great,
but there are lots of transportation issues in London. Trains always seem to be
delayed, and lots of trains don’t run on Sundays. Don’t book an early morning
Sunday flight and expect to take the train to the airport. The Tube is also
expensive like everything else in London. It’s still cheaper than taking a taxi
around, but your Tube tickets can add up quickly. Do some research online
before you go to see if a multi-day pass or the Oyster Card will be a better
option for your London vacation.
London is really an international city, so you
don’t get as much of a British feel as you might expect. Yes, there are key
British historical spots in London, but it’s a huge city and quite a cultural
melting pot. This is also a love/hate because you can get great international
cuisine in London. However, you won’t get the quaint British village pub
experience until you go outside of the city.
Hate
#5: Look Right First!
Safety is an issue for tourists who aren’t
used to cars driving on the left. Whether you are driving or walking the
streets, make sure you are looking right before crossing or staying on the left
while driving. I’ve seen people get hurt by not looking in the right direction
when crossing the street.
Love
#1: London Museums
Whether you are visiting palaces, the Hampton
Court, the British Museum or any other of the museums in London, you can easily
fill a months’ vacation just with museums of London. A lot of the public
museums in London are free, so that helps balance out the high price of your
London vacation. Before you go, research your desired activities in London and
see if a sightseeing card will be a good option for you. These often combine
multiple attractions into one ticket price, with a discount over purchasing
individual admission tickets.
Love
#2: British Traditions
Seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham
Palace is one of the coolest things to do in London. And you can still find the
red telephone booths around the city. There are still some cool spots where you
can see and experience traditional British customs in London, even though it
has become a huge international city.
Love
#3: International Culture of London
As I said, this is a love and hate because if
you are expecting a quaint English town, you’ll be disappointed. However, as an
international melting pot of cultures, London is amazing! Over 30% of London’s
population is foreign-born, meaning you can experience so many different
cultures and cuisines in London. It’s really a unique experience to see all the
cultures in one big city.
Love
#4: Food in London
Although I often make fun of English food,
that’s not the case in London. With so many international cultures living in
London, it’s possible to get amazing food from all over the world. London has
over 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Some of the best restaurants in London
serve Italian, French, Indian, and Chinese food. Going to traditional pubs for
a pint is also a great London experience.
Love
#5: Tourist Infrastructure in London
As a tourist, London is amazingly easy to
visit. The Tube goes everywhere, you can book tours for anything. The police
are super helpful and the whole city is very organized, making it very easy to
get around and plan your trip. When people ask me where to go for their first
trip overseas, I often suggest London because it’s easy (if not expensive) to
travel in London. It’s also easy to reach from the United States, so it’s
possible to get cheap flights to London.
Look! I visited London skinny once!
London
is really fantastic and there’s a reason they get so many tourists every year.
The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason
not to visit London. Want more tips for traveling in England? Check out these
other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit the country of England! England is a great place to visit and I often recommend
England for a first-time international trip. As you know, here at Wolters
World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a
new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five
things you’ll hate on your England vacation.
Hate
#1: Weather in England
The weather in England is not great. It does
rain a lot and it never really gets hot. Even in June, you will need an extra
layer of clothing and a waterproof layer. It doesn’t get super cold in the winter,
but it also doesn’t get super hot in the summer. The best time to visit England
is in the summer when you have the smallest chance of rain. However, you should
always be prepared for rain in England or it can really put a damper on your
trip.
Hate #2:
Public Transportation in England
You’ll probably use public transportation
quite a bit to get around England, but it can be frustrating. Train tickets are
very expensive; sometimes it’s actually cheaper to fly from London to York or
from London to Edinburgh than it is to purchase a train ticket. There are also
a lot of delays in the train system, so make sure you build some extra time
into your England vacation to account for train delays.
Family road trip through England is a wonderful experience
Hate
#3: Tourist Safety in England
They drive on the left in England, which
inherently poses some safety issues for tourists. Whether you are driving or
just crossing the street, you have to constantly remind yourself that they
drive on the left. It’s very common for a tourist to look the wrong way and
then step out in front of a car. You just have to be vigilant about paying
attention and when driving in England, it helps to have a passenger keeping an
eye out for you as well.
London is very expensive. Once you get outside
of London, prices are a bit better but still higher than some other countries.
Your vacation money will go twice as far in Portugal or Spain than in England.
It’s totally worth visiting, just be prepared to budget a little more for your
England vacation. Once you’re there, search out free things to do in England,
like the British Museum. The best way to save money in England is to get out of
London as quickly as possible.
Hate
#5: Great Expectations of English Culture
In the US, our impression of English culture
is based on movies and TV. We probably watch too much Downton Abbey, so we tend
to expect English people to be very refined. England is great, and the people
are great, but they aren’t all prim and proper like you might expect. Just like
any culture, English people run the gamut of personalities. There are definite
safety issues in England and English people can get rowdy, especially when it
comes to football and rugby matches. Don’t assume everything is safe and serene
like a TV show.
Love
#1: English Culture & Customs
Some of the things I love most about England
are the “English-isms.” From the rituals of Changing of the Guard to the
British sense of humor, the people of England are fantastic. Even in the
service industry, they are so helpful and friendly. It’s really cool to
experience the chippies serving fish and chips, seeing corner pubs everywhere,
and pretty much every English stereotype you would expect comes to life in
England. This is even more evident when you get out of London into some of the
English villages.
Bath is way more than just a day trip from London
Love
#2: England Outside of London
There is so much more to see in England
outside of London. London is great, but you wouldn’t say New York represents
all of America any more than London is representative of all of England. You
really have to rent a car and get out into the small districts and villages.
The English countryside is beautiful, and there are quaint English villages all
over the country. And then you have other cities you can visit, like Liverpool
or Manchester. England even has beach destinations in the south! When planning
your England vacation, make sure you build in some time outside of London so
you can experience the “real England.”
England has a really good tourist infrastructure.
Although it’s expensive and there can be delays, the buses and trains go pretty
much everywhere. They make it really easy to get around, even to some of the
smallest English villages. If you aren’t comfortable driving in England, it
doesn’t mean you are stuck in London or that you have to join a group tour of
England. While I recommend renting a car for maximum flexibility, it is
possible to explore England by public transportation.
Love
#4: Service in England
England has the best service in Europe. The
service in England is very professional and helpful. It’s the closest you’ll
find to American service overseas. If you get lost, you can pop into pretty
much any shop and they’ll gladly help you find your way. English people, in
general, are super helpful, and the service industry is no exception.
Love
#5: English Pubs
You can’t visit England without at least one
trip to the local pub for fish and chips. The English pub atmosphere is totally
unique, especially in smaller English villages where it’s the local gathering
place for families and friends. Nothing will make you feel more English than
having a warm pint of beer with fish and chips in a local pub.
Just love jolly old England
England
is really great, and if you haven’t traveled internationally, it’s the perfect
first-time trip overseas. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up
on rather than a reason not to visit England. Want more tips for traveling in
the United Kingdom? Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit San Marino, a micro-nation surrounded by Italy!
The Republic of San Marino is a beautiful place, with mountains
on one side and the sea on the other side.
As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with
the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the
five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit San
Marino.
Hate
#1: Getting to San Marino
If you’re coming to San Marino from Rome,
there’s no direct train. You have to take a train to Rimini and then a bus up
to San Marino. The bus takes a winding mountain road and if you are prone to
motion sickness, beware. Several people on our bus got sick during the trip
from Rimini to San Marino. The challenge in reaching it keeps San Marino
tourism well controlled.
Hate
#2: Summer Tourists
Rimini is a popular beach destination and in
the summer, busloads of tourists come to San Marino for day trips. It can get
really crowded, so if you are visiting in the summer, try to come early in the
morning or stay later in the evening to avoid the day trip crowds at most San
Marino attractions. Low season is a great time to visit San Marino because you
can really enjoy the city without crowds.
Small yet mighty worth visiting
Hate
#3: Uphill Hikes of San Marino
San Marino is built into the mountains and
it’s a very hilly city, so there’s a lot of uphill walking. The parking lots
are often lower down and then you have to hike uphill for the towers and the
views. If you have limited mobility, it can be difficult to get around. Be
prepared for a lot of uphill walking in San Marino.
When you visit San Marino, you probably expect
to find some cool, authentic shops in such a historic place, but the shopping
in San Marino is not great. You’ll find a lot of shops selling guns and
crossbows, perfume and watches. During the high season, the shopkeepers will
stand in the street and try to get you to come in and buy something. It’s not
the quaint shopping experience you might expect.
Service in San Marino isn’t quite up to the
high standards of Italy and surrounding regions. It’s not necessarily bad, but
it’s not as friendly and outgoing. It’s definitely more of a tourist atmosphere,
where they want to get you in and out quickly.
Even my mother-in-law loved it, so it has to be good! 😉
Love
#1: Views from San Marino
The hilltop location means San Marino has
spectacular views in every direction. You can look down at Rimini and the
Adriatic Sea, or look up to the surrounding mountains. Everywhere you look,
there’s another amazing view. You really feel like you’re in a different time
and place than other parts of Italy and Mediterranean Europe.
Love
#2: Fortresses of San Marino
The city walls and fortresses around San
Marino give it a unique feel and really give you a sense of the history of this
country. There are 11th-century and
13th-century fortresses, and you feel like you are walking around in medieval
times. There are also tons of cool churches and cathedrals as you would expect
from this region of Europe.
Love
#3: Offbeat Museums of San Marino
Micronations love to have museums on the silly
side and San Marino is no exception. In addition to the usual history and art
museums, they have a museum of old weapons, a museum of new weapons, a car
museum, the Museum of Curiosity and a wax museum. The museums aren’t expensive,
so it’s fun to visit a few of the more offbeat San Marino attractions.
Love
#4: Venturing Outside San Marino
There are eight other cities in the small country
of San Marino, and there are outdoor adventures to be had as well. You can take
a day trip to the beaches at Rimini or go see the ancient Byzantine churches of
Ravenna. San Marino is surrounded by hills and mountains so there are tons of
hiking opportunities as well.
Love
#5: Evening Solitude in San Marino
Since most travelers visit San Marino on a day
trip, if you choose to stay over, you’ll practically have the town to yourself
at night. The streets get pretty quiet after the day-trippers go home and then
you really feel like you’re back in medieval times with quiet streets and no
tourists or tour buses. It’s easy to find affordable San Marino accommodation,
so I highly recommend staying the night.
The boys were not such big fans of the hills in San Marino
San
Marino is a really cool little micro-nation that’s well worth a visit if you
find yourself along the Adriatic Coast of Italy. If you can’t tell, the “hates”
aren’t really “hates” at all, just a few
things to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit San Marino.
Want more tips for traveling in Mediterranean Europe? Check out these other
blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit Lucca, Italy! Lucca is a
beautiful walled city in Tuscany, Italy. As you know, here at Wolters World, we
like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel
destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things
you’ll hate about the Tuscan city of Lucca.
Hate
#1: Getting to Lucca
As a smaller Tuscan city, Lucca is not on any
of the main train lines, so it’s not the easiest town to arrive in. From
Florence, you take a regional train that is about one hour and 40 minutes, and
there isn’t generally good luggage storage on these regional trains. Try to
come in the middle of the day so you can avoid the commuters. From Pisa, it’s
an easy 25-minute train. (Spoiler alert: this helps keeps the crowds down, so
it’s totally worth the extra effort!)
My favorite picture of Jocelyn traveling and it was in Lucca
Hate
#2: Getting Around Lucca
As a walled Tuscan village, Lucca is full of
narrow, winding lanes. This makes Lucca very special, but when you’ve just
arrived from the train and you’re trying to find your accommodation, it can be
frustrating to find your way around Lucca. It’s hard to find a good map of
Lucca. Wandering around Lucca is great; trying to find a specific address in
Lucca is not so great, especially if you did not pack lightly!
For many years, Lucca was talked about as a
“hidden gem” Tuscan village, so more and more people found out about it and
started to come to Lucca. While it’s still nowhere near the popular destination
that Florence and Pisa are, Lucca is no longer a hidden gem. It’s definitely on
the radar of travelers these days. It’s an especially popular day trip
destination and summer days can feel crowded as you walk around the Old Town.
Hate
#4: Bicycles
Lucca is the bicycle capital of Italy. You can
rent bikes and explore the town, which is great. However, if you are walking
around Lucca, the bikes are speeding around and it will feel like they’re
trying to kill you. You really have to be careful as you walk around town,
whether you’re crossing the street or walking on the city walls. The locals are
pretty adept at dodging tourists, but you really have to look out for the other
tourists who have rented bicycles for the day!
Hate
#5: Choosing a Lucca Restaurant
While Lucca isn’t really a hidden gem anymore,
the service industry hasn’t caught up to overcharging tourists for mediocre
food like some other cities we won’t mention. This means you can still get
really good food at affordable prices so you will have a hard time deciding
between all of the authentic Tuscan restaurants in Lucca. It’s a tough problem
to have, no?
It is so romantic that even my parents held hands… and they have been married 50 years!
Love
#1: Lucca City Walls
Lucca has some substantially large walls
around town. These aren’t skinny walls where you can walk two abreast; the
walls here are very wide. There are about three miles of walls surrounding the
old town of Lucca. You can walk on the walls and you’ll see locals jogging or
cycling on the walls. Spending time on the city walls of Lucca gives you
amazing views of the town. We love to pick up picnic supplies and have a picnic
lunch up on the walls of Lucca.
Love
#2: Prices in Lucca
Lucca is a very affordable travel
destination. If you’ve been to Florence,
you have probably had sticker shock at some of the prices. Comparatively, Lucca
is very reasonably priced, which makes it an excellent base for exploring
Tuscany. Hotels in Lucca and restaurants in Lucca are all very reasonably
priced and it’s not hard to find something that suits your taste and budget.
When you go out to eat in Lucca, you’ll find
the typical Tuscan dishes, but the Lucchese put their own twist on Tuscan
cuisine. My personal favorite is a polpette, a regional specialty that looks
like a smashed meatball. They come in different flavors, but you can buy them
easily at the butcher. There are lots of fun little snacks you can buy in
Lucca.
Love
#4: Wandering Lucca at Night
Most travelers visit Lucca on a day trip, so
if you spend the night and walk around at night, you get to enjoy the streets
with very few people. The cathedrals and beautiful buildings are all lit up at
night and you really feel like you’re in Tuscany.
Love
#5: Atmosphere in Lucca
In other parts of Tuscany, you can feel
overrun by tourists and overwhelmed by options. Lucca is much more laid-back
and you don’t see the big tour groups that go to Florence or Pisa. This lets
you enjoy all of the things to do in Lucca at a leisurely pace, with time to
soak in the atmosphere from a sidewalk cafe.
Lucca really is a great city for all ages
If you
are wondering where to stay in Tuscany where you can just kick back, relax and
take in the culture, Lucca is the place I recommend. Obviously, these hates are
quite a stretch and not really anything to hate at all. I can’t recommend Lucca
highly enough as a home base for your Tuscany vacation. Want more tips for
traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit Milan, Italy! Milan is
the fashion and industrial capital of Italy and one of the major fashion
capitals of the world. As you know, here
at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of
visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love,
and the five things you’ll hate on your Milan vacation.
Hate
#1: Overrated for Italy
While Milan has some sights and museums, it’s
not the “Roman Empire” Italy that some visitors might expect. Milan is such a
famous city and everyone wants to include it on a tour of Italy, but it’s a bit
overrated in comparison to other regions of Italy. I always recommend Rome,
Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and Cinque Terre before recommending Milan
to first-time visitors to Italy. Milan does make a good base for Northern
Italy, but seeing all of the Milan attractions will not fill up a full week of
activity.
Hate
#2: Seeing DaVinci’s “Last Supper”
Seeing the famous painting isn’t a “hate,” but
if you want to see it, you have to make reservations well in advance. Your
entry ticket is timed and you get 15 minutes to view the painting. You enter
through a series of sealed doors, so access to this major Milan attraction is
highly controlled.
You haven’t seen a mall until you have seen the Galeria “mall” in Milan
Hate
#3: Milan Prices
Milan is a bit more expensive than other
cities in Italy. Prices are the highest in the inner circle of Milan, where
most of the tourist attractions are located. Talk to locals to find out where
good and affordable restaurants are. On the positive side, Milan hotels are
plentiful and affordable, unless you are coming during Fashion Week.
Hate
#4: Milan Traffic
Whether you are driving or just trying to
cross the street, dealing with Milan traffic is frustrating and scary
sometimes. The streets are chaotic, so I recommend using public transportation
or taxis to get around Milan. When walking around Milan, make sure you only
cross the street when you have the green light, and after establishing eye
contact with approaching cars. Make sure you stay inside the designated
crosswalk. If you are outside of the crosswalk and are hit by a car, you are at
fault and liable for any costs.
Hate
#5: Aggressive Beggars & Sellers
A lot of people in Milan will try to sell you
things or just ask you for money. A common one is putting a bracelet on you,
claiming it’s a gift, then asking for money. If you are a tourist, they aren’t
easily dismissed, so you have to be firm, say “no grazie” and keep walking.
Every once in a while you might run into particularly aggressive beggars and
you have to be very firm and forceful with them.
I call it the Milan Trifecta: La Scala, the
Galleria, and il Duomo. La Scala is actually Teatro Alla Scala, the
18th-century opera house. The Galleria is the original shopping mall. Built in
the 19th century, it’s the oldest shopping mall in Italy. For good luck, find
the bull’s balls and spin around on them three times. Milan’s Duomo is amazing.
You can go up on the roof (pay extra for the elevator) and see the amazing
architecture up close, as well as phenomenal views of Milan.
Love
#2: Seeing DaVinci’s “Last Supper”
Once you get through the red tape of
reservations, seeing Da Vinci’s Last Supper is one of the best things to do in
Milan. To see this masterpiece in person is really amazing; it takes up an
entire wall and you get to hear the story behind it and how it’s survived all
these years. No photos are allowed inside, so you have to see it for yourself.
Love
#3: Fashion Week in Milan
I’m not a fashionista, but even I enjoyed
visiting Milan during Fashion Week. My wife and friends love Fashion Week for
window shopping and real shopping opportunities. The Quadrilatero d’Oro has
some of the best, most upscale shopping in Milan.
While Milan may not fill up a week’s worth of
activities, it’s a great base for day trips in the region. Lake Como is a cool
little town on a beautiful lake, where you can see how the rich and famous vacation.
You can reach Lake Como from Milan in about an hour by train. You can get to
Genoa in about 90 minutes from Milan. Even Cinque Terre is a day trip option;
it’s a bit far at three hours, but it’s doable if you are up for a long day
trip from Milan.
Love
#5: Panzerotti
Even if you just have a short train layover in Milan, make sure you visit Luini’s for Panzerotti. Think of it like a fried calzone; it’s amazing. There may be a line, but it’s totally worth it! Every time I come to Milan, I get a Panzerotti at Luini’s at least once. No they are not originally from Milan, but you won’t care because they are that good.
If you go to the top of the Duomo you may need to leave your bag with your friends down below
Milan is
a fun city, especially if you like fashion and it’s a good home base for
exploring the northern Lombardy region. If you can’t tell, the “hates” aren’t
really “hates” at all, just a few things
to keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a Milan vacation. Want
more tips for traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit Venice, Italy! Venice is
one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and a must-see for every world
traveler. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with
the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the
five things travelers love, and the five things they hate about trips to
Venice.
Hate
#1: Tourist Crowds in Venice
Venice only has about 60,000 permanent
residents, yet they receive over 20 million tourists each year. Cruise ships
bring over 30,000 passengers per day to Venice in the peak season, on top of an
estimated 400,000 day-trip visitors in the peak month of August. The major
Venice attractions, like the Rialto Bridge or the Piazza San Marco, are always
packed. You will feel like a sardine squeezed in with all the other tourists.
Overtourism is such a problem in Venice that the city is taking steps to
restrict tourism in 2019.
Hate
#2: Italian Food in Venice
Italy is world-renowned for amazing cuisine,
but it can be hard to find in Venice. Because of the over-tourism in Venice,
most of the food you will find is mass-produced, overpriced food made for
tourists, not local Italians. If you go a little off the tourist path, you
might find some good Italian food in Venice, but just remember Venice is not a
foodie destination. You’re here for the sights, and you can get great Italian
food in the next town you visit.
This was about 30 seconds before I asked Jocelyn to Marry me… she said yes strangely enough.
Hate
#3: Flooding in Venice
Venice is sinking and ocean levels are rising,
so flooding in Venice is inevitable. Flooding in Venice is most likely to
happen between October and January, so if you’re planning to visit Venice in
the winter to avoid some of the crowds, be aware the floods are a good
possibility. Flooding can actually happen any time of year, and the city will
put up wooden platforms for visitors to walk on above the floodwaters.
It’s expensive to stay in Venice. Many people
stay in surrounding towns and visit Venice on a day trip because it’s so
expensive to stay at the Venice hotels. It is significantly cheaper to stay off
the island and commute in, but if you do stay overnight in Venice, you’ll get
to enjoy some of the sights after most of the tourists have left for the day.
Seeing Venice is so much better than the pictures… for the good and the bad
Hate
#5: Navigating Venice
It’s very easy to get lost in Venice.
Sometimes, getting lost is the best way to explore a city and find hidden gems
tucked away, but if you’re trying to meet someone or find a specific
destination, you can easily get lost and have a hard time finding your way back
to the main areas.
Love
#1: Getting Lost in Venice
If you have time to wander, getting lost in
Venice is one of the best things you can do. Wandering the back alleys and
narrow streets and canals is an amazing experience. You can find a hidden
piazza not filled with tourists, relax at a cafe and enjoy the atmosphere of
Venice.
One of the best things to see in Venice is the
Piazza San Marco, with the Basilica San Marco and the Bell Tower and the
Palace. It’s so cool to just hang out there and take it all in, watching the
pigeons and the people. A visit to Piazza San Marco is a quintessential Venice
experience.
Love
#3: Venice Transportation
The gondolas of Venice are world-famous and
it’s a fun thing to do in Venice, although quite expensive. Even if you don’t
splurge on a gondola ride in Venice, the fact that everyone travels by water is
such a fun, unique experience. The Vaporetto boats are basically water buses
that are part of the Venice public transportation system. There are also water
taxis you can hire to get around Venice.
Love
#4: Getting Off the Tourist Path in Venice
Although Venice is famously over-crowded, it’s
still possible to find your own little pocket of Venice to explore. Most
tourists in Venice are day-trip visitors, either from the cruise ships or
visiting from nearby towns, so they will focus heavily on the main things to
see in Venice. Once you’ve seen the highlights, you can get off the beaten path
and explore some of the hidden corners of Venice.
Love
#5: Atmosphere of Venice
Despite the crowds, Venice is still a city of
romance and ambiance. The atmosphere in Venice is totally unique with museums,
attractions and of course, the canals. All of this combines to make Venice one
of the top ten cities in Europe for travelers.
When you get the gondola prices you may just want to walk
Venice
really is an amazing city and although it’s crowded, there’s a good reason for
that because it’s such a unique experience. The “hates” aren’t really “hates”
at all, just a few things to keep a
head’s up on rather than a reason not to visit Venice. Want more tips for
traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts:
Hey there, fellow
travelers! Today, we visit Rome, Italy! Rome is one
of my favorite cities in Europe, I would move there in a heartbeat! As you
know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and
the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things
you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate on your Rome vacation.
Hate
#1: Tourist Crowds
Rome is such a popular travel destination,
that it’s pretty much swamped with tourists all the time. Whether you want to
visit the Colosseum, the Villa Borghesi or any other major Rome attractions,
plan to wait in line or book advance tickets. You can also try to arrive at
each attraction first thing in the morning and you’ll avoid some of the
afternoon tour groups. Along with crowds of tourists, you’ll get the usual
tourist traps: touristy restaurants, tacky souvenir shops, and tourist scams.
Don’t forget to throw that coin in Trevi Fountain so you can come back!
Hate
#2: Rome Accommodation Prices
Finding affordable Rome accommodation is
nearly impossible. Plan to spend at least 100 Euros per night on a room, but
for just a little bit more, you can get a nicer room with a better location.
There are a few hostel options, but in general, Rome accommodation is expensive
compared to other similar cities. With so many tourists who visit Rome, there
is no shortage of demand, so they are able to charge more for a hotel in Rome.
Along with tourist crowds, you can expect long
lines at many Rome attractions. Especially if you want to visit the Colosseum
or the Vatican Museum. If you don’t book your ticket in advance, or join an
early admission tour group, plan to spend several hours waiting in line at
these two attractions. We have seen lines over a kilometer long at the Vatican.
The crowds and lines make it really hard to “wing it” in Rome, so you really
need to sit down and map out a plan for your trip to Rome.
Hate
#4: Pickpockets & Thieves in Rome
Another downside of visiting such a popular
tourist destination is that there are also many pickpockets targeting tourists.
You need to be very aware of your surroundings at all times, but especially so
in the train stations, on a crowded Metro car or bus. It’s not just
pickpockets, but there are bag snatchers and bag slashers as well. They make
anti-theft bags that are harder to cut through if you are worried. Money belts
are also a good idea. We have several videos and posts about tourist scams and
how to avoid being pickpocketed so you can be better prepared.
There are very few public toilets in Rome and
when you do find one, they are pretty nasty. Sometimes, it’s even just a hole
in the ground! So, keep this in mind throughout the day and try to use the
restroom at the hotel, restaurant or museum before hitting the streets and
walking around. Especially if you are visiting Rome with kids!
We even loved Rome when we were young… er 😉
Love
#1: Rome Attractions
There’s a reason Rome is so popular. There are
so many things to see in Rome. There’s the Colosseum, the Vatican, the Forum,
plus dozens of museums and churches that you’ll want to visit. The art,
architecture, and atmosphere of Rome make it one of the most popular cities in
Europe for travelers.
Love
#2: Compactness of Rome Attractions
Although Rome is a large city, most of the
main attractions are concentrated in a small area, so it’s easy to get around.
There are just two Metro lines, but they go to pretty much all of the sights
you will during your Rome trip. It’s also really easy to see everything on foot
if you aren’t limited by mobility. Everything is very walkable in Rome.
Love
#3: Rome Accommodation Availability
Although it’s not always easy to find cheap
hotels in Rome, it’s pretty easy to find available hotels in Rome. Hotel rooms
are plentiful since there are so many visitors throughout the year. With so
many hotels in Rome, it’s never difficult to find a room. There are agencies at
the train station that will help you find a room upon your arrival in Rome.
Availability is a big issue in smaller cities like Florence or Siena, but it’s
not a problem in Rome.
Love
#4: Restaurants in Rome
What’s nice about eating out in Rome is that
you don’t have to go far to find affordable, authentic Italian food in Rome.
Avoid the restaurants closest to the main tourist attractions, as they will be
overpriced and not as good. Go just one or two blocks from the main square, and
you’ll find amazing food for a great price.
Love
#5: Quiet Pockets of Rome
Once you get away from the Colosseum or the
Vatican, it’s easy to find a quiet spot to enjoy Rome. We love to find a local
park where our kids can run, watch soccer games and just enjoy the local
atmosphere. There are so many small neighborhoods and back streets of Rome to
enjoy, and it’s really easy to get away from those crowds of tourists.
The Best & Worst of Rome
Rome
really is an amazing city and a must-see destination for anyone who appreciates
art, architecture, and atmosphere. If you can’t tell, the “hates” aren’t really
“hates” at all, just a few things to
keep a head’s up on rather than a reason not to take a Rome vacation. Want more
tips for traveling in Italy? Check out these other blog posts:
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