23
May
2012

Couples Retreat, Is a Beach Vacation Your Choice? Quick Travel Tip#25b by Debbie Gerber

Deciding what kind of vacation is your best choice is most of your vacation enjoyment. The question answered in this Quick Travel Tip Video is if a Beach Vacation is your best choice for a couples vacation.

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime Version.

11
May
2012

Vacation Ideas for Couples in A Day Trip from Florence Part 2

Before you exit the train station at Pisa look for the sign in the front lobby that says Tobacchi. I would assume that this is just a tobacco shop, not so, they sell bus tickets here too. The ticket when I was there was 1€. Look to your right and across the street as you exit the station. Look for the building NH Cavalieri. This is the bus stop. The bus will have an electronic sigh that says Lam Rossa. The bus is yellow and has a red strip on the front bumper. Check with the driver before boarding and as for the Torre stop. You will see the Field of Miracles piazza and the Leaning Tower of Pisa through an arch just across from where the bus stops.

Get off the bus and go through the gates. It will open to the piazza where the Cathedral, Baptistery, and Leaning Tower of Pisa are..

The Baptistery is the first building. It is a cylinder shaped building almost as tall the Leaning Tower with a large dome topping it. The cathedral is the square looking building next to the Baptistery and then you can’t miss the Leaning tower of Pisa. The Memorial Cemetery is a short walk to the side of the Cathedral and along the main walkway are two museums and tourist souvenir shops lining the sidewalk. It is a busy place so don’t get separated. The funniest site is everyone trying to outdo  the other in a pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There are several standard poses one pose is to look as if they were holding up the tower, another one is to bend over so it appeared the tower is leaning on their back, and of course there is the one holding it up with one finger or pretending to try to push it back straight.

We first went to the museum bought our tickets. It is located straight ahead of where you entered and on your right. It is where there are many of the original drawing for the frescps that are famous. They are light drawing and were the pattern for the paintings. Visiting this museum before going to the other buildings was a good education and made the many paintings and frescos much more interesting.

In the Baptistery the Font is beautiful with a statue of St. John the Baptist rising above the font. They did a sound demonstration that reminded me of monks humming. The guide stood at the  side of the font and sang long tones. Each tone rung out and echoed out from under the dome and about the font.

If you can time it so that you are there for a sound demonstration it will be very memorable. I can still hear it quite impressive.

 

04
May
2012

Plan Ahead for Best Couples Vacations

“Plan you daily vacation agenda before setting out so that no one is disappointed that they didn’t get to do what they wanted.”

30
April
2012

Getaways for Couples – A Day Trip from Florence by Train Part 1

Going by train anywhere in Europe is easy and their transportation system is well organized. We traveled from Rome to Florence and then did day trips for Florence to Pisa and Siena. We were able to do both places in one day. It required that we got up early.

When you arrive at the train station they have electronic board with the information as to which platform you train will be on and what time it will leave.

We checked the board and the train was coming into the station so we jog to the platform…we got there just in time. We climbed on the train with no time to spare. One of our party was in a wheel chair? We found that in most of Italy’s preparation for handicap people without prior arrangements was sparse. If you have this need you may want to make prior arrangements or have someone with you that can help you with the chair while you get out of it for short periods of time to get off curbs and up stairs. You can reserve in advance for a first class train with a wheel chair lift.

In places that the wheelchair didn’t have access our friend would get up and walk up the stair or board the train. We didn’t know about 1st class.

For luggage there is usually a rack at the ends of each car and a shelf over the seats for smaller items. In the AV or fast trains offered a snack bar that had sandwiches and drinks in one of the cars. It was a bit pricy but that is what you would expect. On the AV or fast trains you will have a reserved seat. It help people be more friendly if you find and sit in that seat.

23
April
2012

Vacation Destinations for Couples – A Day Trip in Cache Valley Utah

I know that this is not the time of year to write this blog but I was going through my photos and decided that anytime was a good time to share a good travel destination. You may want to make plans ahead.

Despite the sometimes bitter cold about 50,000 people come to Hardware Ranch for a day trip. They come for family outings, research and dates. It is an outdoor winter activity so be sure to bundle up. Wear hats, gloves, scarves and a blanket will help keep you warm as you sit in the wagon.

The elk viewing wagon ride could be a sleigh ride. It depends on how much snow is on the ground. The number of elk wintering at Hardware Ranch is determined by the amount of snow on the ground and their ability to find food higher up in the mountains. The number can reach upwards of 600 if the conditions as right.

Did you know that the Rocky Mountain Elk that winter at Hardware Ranch are the Utah State Mammal? Getting up close to these massive animals is something you don’t get to do often. Going on this day trip is not only a mini vacation but a full out educational field trip.

The ride up the canyon is extraordinarily beautiful. If you are a camera buff or photographer allow extra time to stop along the way to take photos. There is a river that runs along the road, gorgeous mountain and if you’re lucky wildlife to photograph.

Open from mid December thru February.

Monday & Friday Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The last ride leaves at 4:30 p.m.

Go to the visitor center and buy your tickets before going to get in line for the wagon ride. The visitor center is up the hill and can be reached by walking or driving.

The Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area is a research and habitat area for many types of wildlife. The Visitors Center is educational for young and old alike. They have activities such as making native animal tracks in a sand bed, getting up close to taxidermied a elk and cougar, feel and see the furs of several animals native to the area, play educational games and answer trivia. They have people there to answer questions as well. The visitors center over looks where the wagon rides out to the elk herd. take place and if you have your binoculars you can see them from there.

There is no restaurant there but you could bring a picnic and eat it in the Visitor Center dining room. Bring something hot to drink as you will be chilled by the end of the ride and something hot is always welcome.

They even have an Elk Festival the week of the opening of Hardware Ranch. They have activities and storytelling.

If you fish, hunt, hike, off-road, or snowmobile check this area for year round activities.

No matter when you come the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area Elk Herd Wagon/Sleigh ride is sure to be a fun outing.