Category Archives: Destination Review

Cruising, Destination Review, Estonia, Helsinki, Iceland, Kiel, Ship Review, St Petersburg

My Baltic Cruise

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Sylvia Keys is one of our most active and widely-traveled group members. In April 2019 she took a Baltic cruise on the MSC Meraviglia and visited Iceland, Copenhagen, Estonia,  St. Petersburg, Kiel and Helsinki.  Here is a journal of her journey.

Cruising to St Petersburg Russia turned out to be an unexpected pleasure. Two years ago, my Travel Dawgs and I discussed what our next adventure would be. Someone mentioned Russia. I had never thought of visiting that country. Fast forward to April 2019.

The Travel Dawgs planned a return trip to Morocco and Spain. Since we’d just been there six months prior, I didn’t want to return so soon, I decided to cruise SOLO to the Baltic Sea, which included….Russia.

I selected the MSC cruise line because I like their ports of call, their cabin sizes and I had MSC cruise points.

I was extremely apprehensive about cruising alone, however the Dawgs will never want to travel there (too cold), so this was my opportunity.

I have sailed the Caribbean solo before, and lived in Europe years ago, however I had never SAILED solo to Europe before.

This was my pre-cruise checklist:

  • Buy Baltic Sea cruise books to study and prepare myself. Done
  • Book Baltic cruise. Sailing on SUNDAY April 28th from Copenhagen Denmark, going to Helsinki Finland, Tallinn Estonia, Kiel Germany and ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA. Done
  • Book Scandinavia airline (SAS) the only airline which flies direct to Copenhagen. Seven-hour flight from IAD. Done
  • Buy cruise, air and medical insurance. Done
  • Updated the State Department STEP program, which alerts the State Department of international travel. Done
  • Ordered euros, rubles and kroners. The latter two countries don’t use euros or US dollars. Which turned out to be false. All those countries even took pesos! Done
  • Charged up my six mobile chargers and gathered all my gadgets and USB cords.
  • Brought my smart watch (which had all the time zones and times), my smartphone and my iPod.
  • I will not be solo. Done.
  • Packed appropriate (or so I thought) cold weather clothes. Done
  • Paid bills, packed meds. Done
  • I selected all my excursions and ship Wi-Fi. I had to be connected at all times.
  • Not to be obsessive, I also ordered land Wi-FI from my provider.

I also picked up the Apple package of wall plugs for over 20 countries….just in case. I was ready… or so I thought.

Monday, one week prior to SUNDAY flight, I get an email from SAS, welcoming me, to my much-anticipated flight on SUNDAY. Yay!

Tuesday, another email from SAS, which I didn’t read, however, I saw the words “if u want to rebook”. Why would I want to rebook? I didn’t pay any attention to the rest of the email, I just kept packing.

On Thursday, I get another email from SAS, which I did read, stating that the airline SAS pilots were going on strike…Saturday…. THE DAY BEFORE MY FLIGHT TO COPENHAGEN!

I was stunned. OMG …fast decisions had to be made. I did shed a tear or two, then thought of my options:

Cancel everything  or, MAKE THIS TRIP HAPPEN.

Right away. I called travel friends to get their advice and thoughts.

Some said take a chance and go to the airport anyway on Sunday; IN THE EVENT, the strike is over by then. Hmmm. I’m not a gambler.

Others said, cancel everything and rebook the cruise, sometime in the near future. Booooooo.

I decided to make this trip happen, until the Universe threw up another challenge to make me stop.

I called SAS and canceled flight to Copenhagen (no cancelation fee, thank you very much), but kept the return flight HOPING the strike would be over in one week. I’m guessing at this point.

Went online and found other airlines flying to Denmark albeit WITH LAYOVERS.

There were many flights, however in my opinion some of the layovers were too dicey for me.

I “lucked up” and found an Icelandair flight, leaving on FRIDAY (two days ahead of my initial reservation) and arriving In Copenhagen, on SATURDAY, a day before the cruise, with a two-hour layover in Iceland.

Iceland?   I. C. E. L. A. N. D. Iceland was never on my bucket list, never knew anyone who had been there or knew anyone from there. What the heck. The clock was ticking.

I bought a one-way ticket, two days before the new flight. Mo money, however the Universe was keeping me going. Two seats were left. Snatched one (please don’t be a middle seat).

I also had to book a hotel in Copenhagen. I booked a Marriott near the airport. I can’t do Airbnbs, too old school, plus I had some points with Marriott. Traveling solo. Have to be safe.

The flight from the East coast to Iceland is only six hours, nice. Ok. Let’s do this.

The light was superior. I met and talked with millennials from Scandinavia. Everyone was so nice and friendly. They also turned me onto a nice app, called BEEN, which tracks your travels. The adventure had begun.

We had a two-hour layover in Iceland, so I went straight to the gift stores.

Since I’m from Chicago, I thought I had seen winter clothes.

Oh my. The winter clothes were off the hook in Iceland. Survival clothes.

I bought, as gag gifts, wool gloves, sans tips, so you could text, as well as looooong wool scarves. Which, as it turned out saved me on the trip. I wore all of them.

The flight to Copenhagen took all of two hours. I landed in Copenhagen on a lovely Fall- like day, even though it was May.

 

The following are my reviews of my favorite ports of call for the most fascinating, educational, beautiful, insightful, friendly, awesome and yes stressful due to the strike, cruise I have ever taken. And I enjoyed every nanosecond of it.

BTW, the strike ended two days before my flight home. SAS had salmon and unlimited free drinks all the way back home. Great flight.

ICELAND (Keflavik International airport)

The airport was large with an abundance of stores and shops.

I found felted soap, which is a combined soap and washcloth. Upon returning home, Amazon has similar soaps!

COPENHAGEN DENMARK

WEATHER: 50 degrees. Clear skies. No wind.

I had booked a Marriott, and actually used the Apple converter plugs. Other travelers did not bring converters, so they had to have the Reception desk charge their gadgets. At one time I saw over 20 smartphones being charged.

Lol. I even thought about my BFTT family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I toured on a Hop on Hop off bus, which lasted four hours. A Japanese couple “adopted” me, and we toured all day together.

Copenhagen is a beautiful, upscale, cosmopolitan and diverse city, originally a Viking fishing village established in the 10th century.

What truly amazed me about Copenhagen was that every person has at least 1.5 bicycles.

Beautiful bicycles. You saw bicycles everywhere; there are dedicated bike lanes all over. Bikes were sitting at shopping malls, on streets, near the Metro stations…and NONE OF THEM HAD LOCKS ON THEM. To be clear, the Danes do not lock their bikes in Copenhagen. Think about that.

TALINN, ESTONIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEATHER: 40 degrees, grey skies, drizzle, then off and on downpours. Some ship passengers booked the bicycle excursions…we saw them fly by…and none looked happy with their decision.

Tallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It is on the northern coast of the country, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland in Harju County. From the 13th century until 1918 (and briefly during the Nazi occupation of Estonia from 1941 to 1944), the city was known as Reval. Tallinn occupies an area of 159.2 km (61.5 sq mi) and has a population of 434,562.I didn’t take any shore food photos in any of the ports, because the tours were so busy, there wasn’t time to eat. I only ate on the ship.

Tallinn has become a hub of technical inventions. The software for Skype and Angry Birds were developed here, said the tour guide. There are lots of parks and forests.

People commute to Finland for work. New mothers are paid for 1.5 years, and their jobs are kept for them. We even visited a medieval village with a McDonalds in the middle of it. Everyone was friendly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ST PETERSBURG RUSSIA

WEATHER: 75 degrees!!!My favorite port of call. I was expecting gray skies and grim people. It was gorgeous, historical, scenic and friendly.

Saint Petersburg is famous for its beautiful palaces, picturesque canals, singing bascule bridges. Golden fountains, famous paintings – and impressive cathedrals. Russia gets 30 days of sunshine a year. We lucked up. The weather was gorgeous.

I took two tours, one from 8am-12pm, and the other 1pm-5pm.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a beautiful city. Very well laid out. Everyone was speaking English and everyone was friendly.

 

 

 

 

 

I only saw one brown face, during my eight hours of touring, and I believe she was East Indian.

You don’t need a visa, IF you are on a cruise excursion, and you stayed with the group. If you don’t book a cruise excursion, you would have to have a Russian visa before sailing or you couldn’t get off the ship. When disembarking we were told if we lost our passports, we could not get back on the ship. The American Embassy is in Moscow.

Both tour guides told us that  there were pickpockets on the tourist paths, and warned us to  guard our belongings.

680 Rubles are worth $10. I had ordered $300 worth of Rubles, which made my pockets bulge. Lol

 

The tours were awesome. We visited castles, churches, parks, souvenir outlets, saw a parade and drove around St Petersburg for hours.

There are 65 waterways in St Pete’s, and about 20 of them have bridges that go up.

 

St Petes used to be called Petrograd, then Leningrad and now St Petersburg. There are hundreds of museums, a vodka museum, a bread museum etc. Seven million people live in St Petes.

We stayed on the tourist track, and thus everyone was smiling and happy and everyone spoke English. We visited the Cathedral of Saint Petersburg that had gold everywhere.

The remains of the Romanov family were buried in this cathedral in 1998, and the buried Romanovs were declared saints in the Russian Orthodox church. But two of the children’s remains were missing: Maria and Alexei.

While in the church, we heard a private hymn sung by the “famous” Russian priests. It was humbling and awesome. We were told not to film or audiotape the event. Some of us did. It was beautiful.

KIEL GERMANY

 

WEATHER: very cold, high 30s, it was grey and cloudy, then it rained and hailed.

Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 249,023 (2016).

There are 700 fishing companies here and lots of windmills, which supply electricity to the area.Its 23% forest, selling over 800,000 Christmas trees a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We visited the Plon castle, which was lovely. And to our lucky surprise, we saw a wedding party arrive in an old Model T Ford.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We stopped in a small village for 20 minutes of shopping, restroom stop and food. I asked a small restaurant for hot chocolate. They didn’t know what that was. I ended up having a nice hot cappuccino.

 

Helsinki FINLAND

WEATHER: 40 degrees, sun shining. No rain.

Helsinki is the capital and most populous city of Finland. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, it is the seat of the region of Uusimaa in southern Finland, and has a population of 650,058.

 

We arrived in Helsinki on May 1st, which was their day of celebration. There were lots of balloons and white hats.

 

 

 

May 1 is Labour Day in many countries, including Finland. However, the Finns also see it as a chance to celebrate the arrival of spring, and numerous festive student traditions are also associated with the date. In fact, just about everyone gets in on the action – May Day and the preceding evening represent the biggest party of the year. There were students with decorated outfits on, wearing white hats and balloons for sale, everywhere. The streets were packed with happy celebrations. There were no medieval structures in Helsinki.

MSC Cruise

The Meraviglia, one of the largest in the MSC fleet, carried 5000 passengers, 1500 support staff.  I cruised with  Russians, Italians, 10 Americans (2 brown), Canadians and Australians. The cabin was large with balcony, private elevator on our wing. I needed a balcony, so I wouldn’t feel isolated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My cabin was only one level down from food and pool. However given the temperature, I didn’t make much use of that pool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was one the best cruises, I’ve ever taken. Very beautiful and educational.

I would like to return to Russia, however, with friends so we could visit the side streets.

Destination Review, dining, Family Travel, Hawaii, Travel Tips, Trip Review, vacation, Waikiki

ENJOYING THE 50TH STATE

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Adrienne and I visited Honolulu last week for a few days. We’d visited Maui a few years ago and wanted to give Oahu a try. Great move on our part. I have found that no matter how much you research a destination; it takes putting feet on the ground to breathe it in and truly experience it.

The weather was beautiful when we arrived. We flew nonstop on a Delta 777 from San Francisco, which is a very comfortable airplane. Our flight was slightly less than 5 hours. Since we had rented a car, we took a shuttle from the airport to the rental car lot; it only took 10 minutes. Since we had a reservation the pickup process was quick and easy. Before long we were in our midsize car heading down H1 en route to Waikiki. The first thing that we noticed was the traffic. Honolulu is a busy city and we were in rush hour traffic.

Our resort was the Hilton Waikiki Beach and as we road along Kuhio Avenue we noticed the vibrant energy of the area. It was buzzing with activity and people – designer shops, restaurants, souvenir shops and of course throngs of tourists. After about an hour we finally arrived at our hotel. We were welcomed warmly by the hotel staff, and checked into our room. Once we deposited our luggage, we were off to explore this new destination.

Here are some of the things that we discovered about it:

GETTING AROUND – We rented a car so that we could see as much of the island as possible. That had its pluses and minuses. The first minus was the traffic. Honolulu is congested so there are lots of drivers – many of them tourists who are not familiar with the area. The second is that parking is in short supply and very expensive. Even our hotel charged a $35/night parking fee. It’s actually very easy to get around the city on public transportation and it is highly recommended. The Waikiki Trolley runs frequently, covers much of the city and there are six different lines to choose from. Taxis, Uber and Lyft are also available.

SHOPPING – The shopping was as good as any that we’ve seen during our world travels. One shopping center that we really enjoyed was the International Marketplace that features more than 100 retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue, Burberry, Swarovski, and Balenciaga. The Grand Lanai offers outdoor seating at seven signature restaurants. The history and culture of Waikiki are woven throughout with flowing water features, lush landscaping and a banyan tree that is 160 years old.

For affordable shopping, ABC Stores are everywhere, almost one per block. They are more than just convenience stores – think 7 Eleven on steroids. You can purchase daily essentials, beach items, groceries and even fine wines and spirits.

DINING – Eating in Waikiki is expensive, it’s not a place to eat on the cheap. However, there are some typical fast food spots and familiar places like Cheesecake Factory and Hard Rock Café. Dining choices are too numerous to list, but include restaurants like Eggs’n Things, Noi Thai Cuisine, Goma Tei Ramen and Tanaka of Tokyo. All of the hotels and resorts have a plethora of dining choices and all of the malls have great food courts.

While exploring other parts of the island like North Shore we discovered several food truck areas. Shrimp trucks are especially popular. We even saw several roadside vendors who sold pickled mangos. We plan to try them on our next visit.

ACTIVITIES & ATTRACTIONS – Honolulu has many festivals, parades and celebrations throughout the year. We had the chance to experience the Pan Pacific Festival. It’s  an annual three-day cultural celebration that features an eclectic assortment of cultural arts, crafts, food and stage performances in a variety of settings in and around Waikiki throughout the weekend.

There is one activity that is an absolute must-do. Be sure to take the time to watch a sunset. Hawaii has some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets.

Having a car was a plus since it allowed us to get out of the city and see much of the island – but we only scratched the surface. Some of the sites that we recommend are Diamond Head Crater, Halona Cove, Hanauma Bay Lookout, the Honolulu Museum of Art, Pearl Harbor, Foster Botanical Garden, Lolani Palace, the Polynesian Cultural Center, North Shore and the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

Oahu offers an amazing travel experience. It is rare to find a destination that offers beautiful weather, pristine beaches, jaw-dropping sunsets, designer shopping and gourmet dining. It is also very family-friendly. We plan to visit regularly to take in more of this island paradise.

Destination Review, dining, London, Travel Tips

LONDON – Things to Know Before You Go

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London is one of the world’s most-visited cities. It’s a 21st-century city whose history stretches all the way back to Roman times. This sprawling metropolis has so much to offer; including theater, food, history, art, literature, and fashion. It is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world encompassing more than 270 nationalities and 300 languages.        

If you’re planning a trip to the UK, here are a few practical things to know before you go:

PASSPORTS & VISAS – While some countries impose minimum passport validity for arriving passengers, the UK has no such requirement. If you’re an American or Canadian tourist, you’ll be able to travel visa-free throughout the UK, as long as you have a valid passport and your reason meets the immigration rules. For more details, visit these websites: ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk and gov.uk.

CLIMATE – The weather in Britain overall is temperate. In spring, from March to June, the climate is rainy and the average temperature is between 59 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. From mid-June to August, the climate is hot and humid with temperatures averaging 79 degrees Fahrenheit. In October the temperatures fall between 59-68 degrees and in December temperatures range from 35-48 degrees Fahrenheit.

MEDICAL TREATMENT – No inoculations are required to visit the UK. It is important to find out if your medical insurance covers you internationally. If not, it is wise to get adequate coverage before you go. If you’re taking prescribed drugs, carry a copy of your prescription, described by the generic name, along with a cover letter from your doctor, in case you need additional supplies.

MOBILE PHONES – The UK network uses the 900 or 1800 GSM system, so visitors from North America (where the system is 800 or 1900 MHz band) will need to get a tri-or quad-band set. Check with your service provider for details. It’s easier and cheaper to purchase a SIM card locally and top it up with credit.

INTERNET – Most cities in the UK offer some form of public access to the Internet. Some hotels include free WI-FI with reservations. Free WI-FI can also be found at libraries, pubs, cafes and museums.

TIME ZONE – There is only one time zone in Britain. In March the clocks change for Daylight Saving and revert back in October.

COMMUNICATION – The international dialing code is +44.

CURRENCY – Britain does not use the Euro, the British currency is the pound sterling (GBP). We prefer to exchange currency before we leave the U.S., but you can also do so at banks when you arrive. Many branches have 24-hour ATM facilities. ATM machines can also be found in some supermarkets, post offices, gas stations, train stations and London Underground stations. If you plan to use credit cards, be sure to notify your bank/credit card company that you will be traveling internationally. This will keep them from placing a temporary block on your credit card if fraud is suspected due to the change in location.

DINING – Along with the ethnic diversity, London offers a variety of dining experiences. There is much more than roast beef and Yorkshire puddings or fish and chips. Chicken tikka masala is also listed as a national dish. There are LOTS of restaurant choices – from Michelin Star restaurants to street eats.

My favorite dish was a bowl of Japanese noodles. Visiting the Food Halls at Harrods is a unique culinary experience – offering delicacies from around the globe. I was literally able to eat my way around the world.

Supermarkets are also a good option. We stayed in the Kensington district near a Waitrose market that sold really delicious hot and cold items.

ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT – The standard voltage is 230 AC, 50Hz. North Americans will need a square, three-pronged plug adapter/converter to use their appliances.

EMERGENCY – If you need police, ambulance or fire service, find a telephone and dial 999, and indicate which service you need.

TIPPING & SERVICE CHARGES – Tipping is not always appropriate. If you get exceptional service and want to show appreciation here’s a guide to customary practice:

Hotels: Most hotel bills include a service charge, usually 12.5%. When a service charge is not included in a hotel restaurant’s bill, it’s customary to tip 10%-15%.

Restaurants: Service charges are often included. If it is not, it is customary to leave a tip of 10%-15%. Some restaurants now include a suggested tip in the bill total.

Pubs and Bars: Tips are not expected, but are always appreciated.

Taxis: 10%-15% of the fare is customary, but it is acceptable to round up to the nearest pound.

Getting the most out of London definitely requires more than one visit. During our visit we did many of the top “touristy” activities; London Eye, Thames River cruise, Tower of London, watching the Changing of the Guard, shopping at Harrods; but felt like we barely experienced on all that there was to see and do. For example, Harrods is the largest department store in Europe occupies 5 acres, has 330 departments and covers 1.1 million square feet. We spent several hours there and didn’t nearly see enough. We look forward to going back to experience more of the diversity and excitement of that vibrant city.

 

China, Destination Review, dining, Travel Tips

Don’t Listen to What They Say, Go See

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All of us are different and we experience travel differently. While reading reviews, and listening to others’ advice is helpful when planning a trip, the only way to really experience a destination is to go see it for yourself. People are different, and their opinions vary widely. Here are a few of the opinions that I’ve heard about destinations:

THE FOOD IN ITALY IS BAD: Italy is comprised of many major cities – Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Genoa, Bologna, Palermo, Venice and Pisa are just a few. The cuisine varies by region. So it was hard for me to believe that ALL of the food was bad. As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, it is much more than pizza and spaghetti. We made a point of tasting food in in several cities, including Rome, Naples, Florence, Venice, Capri and Vernazza. We had one of our best meals ever, at a picturesque little restaurant in Positano while driving along the Amalfi coast. The limoncello on Capri was fresh and flavorsome. The olives in Monterosso were like none I’ve ever tasted anywhere else. The pasta dishes were excellent everywhere we went. And don’t even get me started on the gelato.

THE PEOPLE IN PARIS ARE RUDE: I was very concerned about being treated badly in the “City of Lights”, especially since we don’t speak French. But bonjour, Au revoir, merci and big smiles went a long way…. We have been twice and shopped at stores, eaten at cafes, visited museums, even ridden on public transportation. We didn’t find Parisians particularly rude – no more than any other city we’ve visited.

PEOPLE IN CHINA TREAT BLACK PEOPLE LIKE ATTRACTIONS: I’ve heard people say that Chinese people pointed, stared and tried to touch their hair….and other body parts. I’m not disputing them, just saying that we didn’t have that experience. We went to Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai in 2015 and again in 2016 (there’s so much to see that it takes more than one trip to experience it all). Some people were curious and even asked to take pictures with us, but it didn’t make us feel like “attractions”. Many of the people in the major cities were Chinese tourists who appeared to be from outlying areas and probably had not seen many black folks. But it wasn’t too intrusive. In Suzhou we even explored the neighborhoods near the Grand Canal and no one even paid us any attention. After a while I even asked some of them to take pictures with us. It was fun.

THERE’S NOTHING FOR BLACK PEOPLE IN EUROPE: We have a rich history in Europe that would take years to study. For example, in 711 the Moors from northern Africa invaded what is modern day Spain and Portugal. Their rule in the region lasted until 1492 with the 8-month siege of Granada. When we visited Granada (in southern Spain) we toured the magnificent Alhambra Palace and fortress complex. It was constructed in 889 and converted into a royal palace in 1333 by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. Moorish poets described it as “a pearl set in emeralds”. Touring those grounds was like walking back in history. We have visited several European countries and have seen black people everywhere we’ve gone. I met this young sister in Monaco. I don’t speak French and she didn’t speak English….but we managed to connect.

We’ve had some very positive travel experiences – and some negative ones too. No travel destination is perfect. But we never base our opinions on anyone else’s experiences. We prefer to draw our own conclusions.

Talk is cheap and everyone’s experience is different, so don’t listen to what they say, go see for yourself.

Destination Review, Trip Review, Ukraine

A Black Man Abroad

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Leroy Tyler is one of our youngest and most widely-traveled group members. He has visited more than 27 countries. After following his travel posts for quite I while I was curious to find out how he came to be such a globetrotter. Here’s what he told me.

“When I was a kid, around 8 or 9, my mother got me a kids encyclopedia. I read through it, and got to the geography section, and was instantly hooked on all the buildings and stuff I saw. I made it a mission to go see those places I read about when I got older. When my mother died in 2005, I made it even more of a personal mission to see those places she never made it to, along with the fact that it helped with the ongoing depression from losing her to cancer. The rest is history….”

His travels include trips to Iceland, Ireland, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, Czech republic, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, UAE, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Cambodia, China, and Canada.

Recently he traveled to Ukraine. The following is how it all went.

Everyone knows something about Chernobyl. Any disaster with such horrifying implications tends to leave a mark on history. But Chernobyl is different. It has struck a chord with us somehow, and has become the inspiration for countless media and art, allowing us to venture off into fantasy worlds.

This wasn’t a fantasy world. This place exists.

Are the depictions in pictures and media true to life? Something out of a post apocalyptic movie? See for yourself.

But first, you have to get there, and you can’t go at will. You need to book a tour.

I booked mine with SoloEast, the oldest tour company that provides tours to the exclusion zone.

Upon arrival at the meeting point, the Kozatskiy hotel, I was greeted by my guide Andrew Vasylievych. Once the rest of the group arrived, we departed for Chernobyl, which is about 2 hours from Kiev.

When we got there, we entered the first checkpoint, where they checked our passports and entrance tickets. Once confirmed, we were allowed to enter. Upon entry I noticed a TON of stray dogs.

Our first stop was a kindergarten. When we walked in, we could just feel the desolation of this place.

I’ve never seen anything like it. Children’s beds with toys left behind, books, dolls, and even Soviet newspapers, just sitting there for the past 32 years. While there, Andrew used his Geiger counter to test the radiation levels outside. Needless to say, the soil is STILL pretty contaminated.

After that, we were provided lunch, consisting of soup, bread, chicken, and salad. Lunch was included in the tour package.

After lunch we entered the 2nd checkpoint. From there, we went to the giant steel structure that houses reactor 4 (the one that exploded). The fog was intense.

Andrew showed us before and after photos of what the reactor looked like, as well as teaching us about the radioactive mass in the basement of the reactor, called the Elephants Foot. This is deemed the most radioactive spot on earth!

From the reactor, we entered the abandoned city of Pripyat, where we explored an abandoned cafeteria with stained glass windows still intact, an amusement park that NEVER got to open, a sports complex, and the infamous swimming pool. We didn’t get to visit the hospital because there was way too much ice on the stairs and railings. Safety is paramount in the exclusion zone.

Our final stop was to Chernobyl 2, a secret military base that houses the decommissioned Duga Radar.During the dying days of the Cold War, the Soviet Union built an early warning detection system to listen out for NATO and U.S. ballistic missiles. This was used for that. The fog added a creepiness to the scene. This thing is MASSIVE!

Upon exit of the exclusion zone, we had to go through radiation detectors to check our radiation levels, then we drove back to Kiev. That 12 hour day was packed with history, great photo opportunities, and an amazing guide.

I highly recommend that everyone visit Chernobyl with SoloEast. Andrew is a phenomenal guide, hysterical and knowledgeable. When you go, tell him I sent you.

If you’d like to see more of Leroy’s travels, follow him on Instagram @ablackmanabroad, or subscribe to his YouTube channel www.youtube.com/leroy30590.

 

 

Barcelona, Cruising, Destination Review, dining, Genoa, Group Travel, Lisbon, Marseille, Morocco, travel buddies, Trip Review, vacation

Cruising the Mediterranean

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Malaga….Marseille…Morocco…..these are just a few of the ports that Sylvia Keys and her friends visited during their recent Mediterranean cruise that  sailed from Lisbon, Portugal. The itinerary also included  Barcelona, Spain and Genoa, Italy.     

These ladies have been globetrotting together for some time and have been to Dubai, the ABC Islands, Australia and Fiji. They work in various professions and each brings her special skills and talents to the group. Sylvia is the group leader and researcher who finds the trips, studies the travel books and scopes out the best shopping deals wherever they go (like the Jade Market in Tokyo).  The financial analyst maps out the costs of each trip.  Several of the ladies work in the medical field and focus on keeping everyone healthy. One is a doctor who has loads of Marriott points (a great benefit to everyone).

They selected MSC, an Italian-owned cruise line because it offered an itinerary with the ports that they all wanted to visit.

Since the ship sailed from Lisbon, they spent time exploring the city and learning about its rich history. Before long it was time to board the ship and set sail on the MSC Preziosa.

As an  experienced cruiser, Sylvia provided good information about the Preziosa and their onboard experience. The other passengers were mostly from Russia, Eastern Europe, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Malaysia and Portugal. There were only ~10 other Americans onboard. There were only 18 Black people, all total. The ship was large and very well maintained.

The  cabins were comfortable with large showers and large balconies. They even cleaned the balcony doors several times when the ship was in port.

Customer service was excellent and Sylvia described the staff as FABULOUS. Most of them were from Madagascar, South Africa and the Caribbean; all spoke several languages.

Entertainment was different from other cruises they’d experienced – no musical or comedy shows – probably due to the fact that the passengers spoke so many different languages. Other onboard amenities were standard and included swimming pools, a casino, spa, hair salon and even a 4D movie theater.

Food was fresh and included fresh fish, Indian food and burgers.      As much as they enjoyed the shipboard experiences, the real fun began when they docked. Barcelona was the first port of call and they enjoyed its many sites, including La Sagrada Familia. Sylvia even remembered to send regards to our BFTT group.

In France they explored the port city of Marseille, gateway to the Provence region. Even though it rained some,  that did not dampen their spirits.

Then it was on to Genoa, one of Italy’s most underrated gems. One of the highlights of the trip (and there were many) was visiting Morocco. In Casablanca they shopped in the bazaar for about four hours, visiting vendors who sold herbs, textiles, rugs, Goyard items and other souvenirs. The bazaar can get pretty hectic, but they found someone who guided and protected them from the more aggressive vendors, and even helped them find ATMs and taxis.    The bazaar has ~400 kiosks, shops and stores. It really was the shopping experience of a lifetime.

It really sounds like these ladies had the trip of a lifetime. It must be great to have travel buddies that you can travel with regularly. If you’ve ever traveled with a group, you know that group dynamics can be “interesting”. But even with five different personalities and mindsets, these ladies seem to have it figured out. As a matter of fact they are already making plans for their 2019 trip.

 

China, Destination Review, dining, Family Travel, vacation, wineries

My Favorite Place

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My husband and I have been globetrotting for more than 30 years. In that time we have seen some breathtaking sights and had some amazing travel experiences. When people find out how much traveling we have done, they often ask, “What is your favorite travel destination?” We’ve had so many enjoyable experiences that it is difficult to pick just one. But after lots of thought and consideration, I’ve decided to answer that question. My favorite destination in the entire world is…..Istanbul, Turkey.

This bustling metropolis is one of the world’s most exciting cities. It is a kaleidoscope of culture, history, ancient architecture, modern urban energy, and fresh, delectable cuisine.

Experiences like watching the sun rise over the Bosphorus, shopping at the Grand Bazaar and hearing the call to prayer as we entered the Blue Mosque are indelibly etched into our travel memories. Yes, Istanbul is my favorite destination.

But wait….after our recent trip, I can’t possibly leave out Thailand.

The azure waters, balmy breezes and lush scenery of that tropical paradise are almost too beautiful to be believed. After a hair-raising speedboat ride we spent a perfect afternoon sailing around the islands and sunning ourselves on powdery white sand beaches.

Yes, that idyllic paradise has to be my very favorite travel destination.

But wait….when I think about azure waters and white sand beaches, I can’t possibly leave out another tropical destination….the island of Jamaica.

After viewing this beautiful beach in Montego Bay, it was easy to see why Stella got her groove back here. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the island. We’ve partied on the beach, climbed up Dunns River Falls and zip lined through the tree tops at high speed what a rush!

We’ve also eaten the most delicious jerk chicken, Jamaican patties and washed it all down with ice cold Red Stripe Beer…and of course, rum punch.So without a doubt, Jamaica is my favorite travel destination.

But wait…how can I forget about China? In 2015 we visited Beijing, Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

We were captivated by the architecture and history of this ancient country. In addition to the Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Lingering Garden we shopped and dined in the modern metropolis of Shanghai. We even toured jade, silk and pearl factories. The highlight of the visit had to be climbing the Great Wall of China. I expected it to be amazing, but the experience was beyond anything that I’d imagined. I’d hear other people describe going up on a gondola, so I was prepared to see breathtaking vistas. What I wasn’t prepared for was the actual climb. Our tour guide took us to Juyongguan Pass, a section of the wall where there was no gondola. So it was all about the climb….and those 2000 year old stone steps were no joke.

But it was well worth it – the views from the top were spectacular! The experience was even more special since we shared it as a family.

But wait? I can’t possibly forget about Spain. There is so much to see and do in this country that I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve been there. With cities like Barcelona, Valencia, Mallorca, Malaga, Vigo, La Coruna, Cartagena, Valencia, Marbella, Sitges and Puerto Banus it is impossible to see it all in one, or even two visits.

Barcelona is a city that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. Its edgy, urban energy reminded us of San Francisco with the restaurants, street performers, street art and designer shops. The Gothic Quarter is a winding maze of narrow alleys that open onto charming plazas where you can hear street musicians, watch flamenco dancers or just sit and people watch, while sipping sangria. There are also great destinations to visit outside of the city. Two of our favorites are the Penedes Wine region, home to the Freixenet Cava caves and several other world-class wineries. We also enjoyed visiting the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, nestled high on a mountain peak; it’s only an hour train ride from Barcelona and home of the famous Black Madonna.

Malaga is another one of our favorite destinations in Spain. It’s a port city on southern Spain’s Costa del Sol, near the continent of Africa, Morocco is only a 70-minute ferry ride away. We were particularly intrigued by evidence of Moorish history. We toured the Alcazaba, a hilltop citadel and the nearby Alhambra Palace, another fortress built in the 13th century.

We’ve always been fascinated by Moorish history and discovered that the Spanish occupation by the Moors began in 711 AD when an African army, under their leader Tariq ibn-Ziyad, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar from northern Africa and invaded the Iberian peninsula ‘Andalus’ (Spain under the Visigoths). So visiting this palace complex was like walking in the footsteps of those great warriors.

So that’s it…..Spain is my absolute favorite travel destination. Unless I overlook Italy….and I couldn’t possibly do that. From Rome, to Venice, to Florence to Capri, to the Cinque Terre, we’ve lived “la dolce vita” all over that country.

Although many of the famous sites (Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Trevi Fountain) are often overrun by tourists, they are still amazing to visit. Regardless of religious beliefs, the museums and St. Peter’s Basilica of Vatican City are simply awesome. During our most recent visit we got an inside tour of the Colosseum and actually got to see it from a gladiator’s perspective. Wow!

Whenever we visit Florence, we take a day trip to the Cinque Terre, 5 charming coastal villages accessible by boat or train.

Whether you choose to hike between the villages or take the train, the views are simply stunning!

Foodies, can we talk? Italy is hands down one of the world’s top culinary destinations. We’ve enjoyed delicious meals at small trattorias, fine dining restaurants and neighborhood cafeterias. There’s much more to Italian cuisine than gelato, pizza and pasta. But I’ll admit that I could actually eat my weight in pasta….and have done so on occasion.

No matter where you are in Italy, eating gelato daily is a must….

 

So that settles it, Italy is my favorite travel destination.

Who am I kidding? I can’t pick one single destination as my absolute favorite. Each place offers something special that is unique to that destination. So I’ll just plan to keep traveling around the world…..discovering new “favorites”.

Destination Review, Trip Review

10 Things to do in Barcelona

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Barcelona is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the world’s leading tourist, economic, and cultural centers. With a population of ~1.6 million people, it is an urban kaleidoscope of culture, entertainment, media, food, fashion and architecture. It also happens to be one of my favorite European cities. In the last 10 years I have visited it more than 6 times and each time have discovered something new to enjoy. As a cruise port, it is often visited by tourists. But whether you’re in town for a few hours or a few days, there is always plenty to see and do. Here are a few suggestions:

  1. Spend some time on Las Ramblas               Las Ramblas is a tree-lined pedestrian mall that is popular with both tourists and locals. It stretches for ~1 mile and both sides of the street are lined with shops, restaurants, tapas bars, and hotels. It is a perfect place to stroll, see and be seen – or just sip a little sangria.

2. Shop Around La Boqueria

La Boqueria is one of Europe’s oldest markets. Since 1217 it has been used to sell meat, fish and many other goods. Although it is a major tourist attraction, it is also frequented by local residents. It’s easy to find since it’s located right on Las Ramblas.

There are so many choices – fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, juices, baked goods, meat (including some of the best ham in the world)that it’s difficult to know where to begin. You can even purchase tapas to eat onsite at one of the many food counters. Everything is artfully displayed, so it is as visually stimulating as it is delicious. Prices are quite reasonable, so it’s a perfect place to eat on the cheap.

  1. Take the hop-on-hop-off bus

One of my favorite ways to explore a city is by hop-on-hop-off bus and Barcelona offers two companies to choose from; Bus Turistic and City Sightseeing. Both have 3 different lines, so they are the perfect (and affordable) way to tour the entire city. They run frequently, so you can get off and spend as much time as you like in any location. It’s easy to purchase tickets online ahead of time, or just get them on the bus.

  1. Get lost in the Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is the center of the city of old Barcelona. Located near Las Ramblas, it is one of the most fascinating areas of the city. It was built primarily in the late 19th and early 20th century, but some buildings date back to medieval times. The area is filled with charming narrow streets and alleyways that open onto plazas. It’s a perfect place to wander around and enjoy the many shops, eateries and even churches. On a recent visit our hotel room looked out onto the Church of Santa Anna, a medieval church dating back to 1300.

 

 

  1. Eat a sandwich at Conesa

Barcelona is known for it’s delicious tapas and they can be found everywhere. But there are also other dining choices. I’ve had some scrumptious kebobs at several eateries all over the city. On my most recent visit I discovered Conesa, a sandwich shop in the Gothic Quarter. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a hot, tasty pannini.

 

  1. Take a day trip to Montserrat

Montserrat is a multi-peaked rocky range located not far from the city, in Catalonia, Spain, so it is a good option for day trip. It is well known as the site of the Benedictine abbey, Santa Maria de Montserrat. Located high on a hill, it is impressive, and views of the valley are spectacular.

  1. Tour wineries in the Penedes Wine Region

Located less than an hour from Barcelona, this is another great option for a day trip – especially for wine lovers. It is one of Spain’s best wine-producing regions, particularly known for it’s Cava production. We spent a day touring the Jean Leon and Torres wineries and the Freixenet Cava caves.

At each winery we were greeted by a knowledgeable guide and each tour ended with plentiful wine tasting and tapas.

  1. Eat tapas – lots of tapas

Tapas are snacks or appetizers that are enjoyed in the early evening. Since dinner is usually served between 9 and 11pm, Spaniards often go “bar hopping” in the hours between finishing work and having dinner. They can be served hot or cold and can include bread, meat, cheese, shellfish, olives, and other delicious fried delicacies. I must confess, that after visiting several tapas bars and enjoying a few sangrias, I’m usually too full to eat a large dinner.

 

  1. Check out the street performers on Las Ramblas

The street performers on Las Ramblas are some of the most imaginative that I have ever seen. Their costumes can range from cute, to kitschy to downright scary.

If you want to take a picture of or with them you’re expected to leave a tip. Each one is unique and puts on a good show.

10. Visit La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona is famous for it’s architecture, the city is full of beautiful and imaginative buildings. One of its most famous architects is Antoni Gaudi. One of his most famous buildings is La Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic church. Construction began in 1882 and is still ongoing; with a projected completion date of 2026. It has been called the most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages. It is both ancient and futuristic. In a word, it is AMAZING.

Since it is such a popular tourist destination, it is often crowded and lines can be very long. I definitely recommend purchasing a guided tour with skip-the-line access.

These are just a few of the attractions available in this vibrant city, with the cool urban vibe. Whether you choose to take tours around the city, or just sit in a plaza and relax, it is