Quick Tip #10b Video of couple travel hotel amenities closets and the safe.

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The Costa Concordia cruise ship sinking was a terrible tragedy for the passengers, cruise line and could be for you too. Don’t go running for the mountains because the ocean now feels unsafe. The statistics show that cruise ship travel is still one of the safest modes of vacationing.

If you allow the images and stories from the media to activate your fear and over ride your good sense then you will never travel. You won’t be able to watch movies, TV, the news or read a newspaper without coming unglued about all types of vacation disasters.

I just watched “When Vacations Attack” yesterday. It was showing a fishing charter in Alaska that had an explosion in the engine room and sank. The people survived but just barely. I am planning on going on that very fishing trip in Alaska this summer. Even though I am a seasoned traveler it still unnerved me.

Show #10 Video of couple travel to Madurodam & Scheveningen Holland, Netherlands. This couples vacation show highlights sightseeing things to see and do in Madurodam and Scheveningen such as the yearly Sand Sculpture Festival the Scheveningen Beach and Boardwalk and the of course all of Holland in miniature.

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Airlines take miserable over luxury for $$$ unless you have the $$$. Over the years there have been many changes in the amenities and comfort provided by the airlines to its customers. Leg space in the main cabin has decreased. One the last fight I took to Africa from the USA felt so tight my short legs were still crowded. I felt sorry for anyone with long legs.

First class was almost looking worth the increase in cost. The first class patrons were in seats that laid back with fluffy blankets where they were comfortable for the long flight. They had meals, pillows, and snacks. But I had to remember I had a choice.

In the past ten years airlines started charging for food, scrunching the seats, charging for blankets and pillows, and making you decided if you can wear the same set of clothing for several days to avoid the fee for checking a bag.

Volendam Holland Netherlands is one of the places that we wanted to visit because my husband remembered going there about 30 years ago. He still remembered the very shop where he and some friends dressed up and had their photos taken in native costume with the harbor as the background.

Volendam is famous for a place that you can see people in native traditional dress and for its harbor bursting with boats. We found people dress in costume mostly only in the shopping area until on our way back to our parked car we were surrounded by locals getting ready for some type of celebration. Many were in native dress. There was a band, singers and drummers. We later found out that they were there for a funeral procession. It was a fascinating thing to be able to see. I will never forget the troupe of drummers.

The local traditional dress for the women is a high pointed lace bonnet, a black skirt, a stripped apron and of course wooden shoes. The men’s were kind of baggie shorter pants with big gold buttons at the waist. Usually they wear a double breasted jacket with gold buttons or shirt with a neck tie, sometimes competed with a pair of suspenders and of course….wooden shoes.  You will see this on most post cards that depict the Netherlands. Each province in Holland had its own unique traditional dress. You can even take a picture with bronze statue of a fisherman or fisherwoman.

The boats dance on the water as they are crowded together in the harbor overlooked by the distinctive architecture of the surrounding buildings. This is truly one of the beautiful places in Holland and in the world.

On the board walk you can find what I would deem the “weird to see in Holland.” It is very traditional for them. Something we were told you should try. I took one look and it was just too much for me. They eat a raw fish called “herring or Hollandse Nieuwe.” They hold the herring by the tail, slather the herring in onions and pickles, tip their head back and then swallow the fish. It must be an acquired taste!

A food that I loved in Volendam was the waffles you could buy at the street stands. They call them poffertjes. They are served as a dessert with every kind of topping that you can imagine. They are not like our pancakes. They are a delightful treat. You must try.

At every town we stopped in I think we sought out the Freetz or “Frites” and an Ice cream cone. These French fries are served in a paper cone with a mayonnaise dipping sauce that has a unique and distinct flavor.  It will ruin eating fries back in the USA as nothing quite equals that taste.

As you walk along the boardwalk at the top of the dyke it is a tourist’s jackpot. Restaurants are situated to overlook the view of the harbor that fishing families waiting for their loved ones to return have stared out over the water from this vantage point for centuries. You get a real feel for this fishing village as you relax and contemplate the view from a street restaurant.

You can’t miss the many souvenir shops interspersed between the restaurants and the bars. We found a lot of the souvenirs in Volendam that we brought home. They were priced right and had a wide selection. We even found the very photo shop that my husband had had his photos taken in.

Fun, unique and weird things to see and do in Volendam Holland:

• Take your picture with a bronze statue of a fisherman or fisherwoman.
• Visit the Volendams Museum to see traditional costumes, learn of fishing and cigar making, art, etc.
• Walk on a dyke.
• Eat herring or “Hollandse Nieuwe”
• Eat waffles or “poffertjes”
• Savoring a paper cone of Frites or “Freetz”
• Dress in traditional costumes and have you picture taken
• Take a boat tour of the region
• Have dinner or drink overlooking the harbor
• Shop for souvenirs