Packing Tips for Winter Travel

Posted on November 23, 2012 by David McGuffin

Fresh Snow in Schwangau

Charlotte and I are gearing up for a trip to Germany and Austria to visit a few European Christmas Markets. Traveling in the winter requires a little more thought in terms of packing, layering, and staying protected from the elements. However, with a little planning, one can pack light and efficiently while still being bundled and comfortable.

 

 

Before pulling all your winter clothes out of storage, here are some things to consider:

  • Prepare for the “worst” weather.
  • Remember that no matter how bad the weather gets, you’ll probably be out in it “touring.” You don’t want to travel halfway around the world just to stay in your hotel room when the weather turns bad.
  • Daylight hours are much shorter. Darkness brings cooler temperatures, dampness, and a chill in the air.
  • You’ll most likely run into some snow and ice. Depending on how recent the storm… roads, streets, and sideways may not be plowed. Plan to be flexible with your itinerary.
  • A sunny day in the snow is just as bright as being at the beach. Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses.  
  • Layered clothing makes more “travel” sense. Use the “wrap and peel” method to adapt to changing temperatures.
  • Don’t pack your “heavy winter coat” in your suitcase.  Instead, wear it onto your flight and stow it in the overhead bin.  This will save loads of space in your suitcase! 

 

CHARLOTTE’S WINTER PACKING LIST
Address specific questions to: charlotte@davidmcguffin.com.

• One Heavy Winter Coat – hip length of longer;
• Gloves;
• Earmuffs;
• Several scarves for fashion and warmth;
• At least one hat;
• Small travel Umbrella;
• Boots/shoes that are comfortable, well broken-in, and travel tested;
• Thermal socks;
• Five pairs of pants and/or jeans;
• Long-sleeved fashion tee shirts;
• Sweaters and Turtleneck shirts;
• “Cuddle-duds” (long underwear) from JC Penney;
• Underwear and bras for the trip’s duration.
 
DAVID’S WINTER PACKING LIST
Address specific questions to: david@davidmcguffin.com.

• Hip-length wool “pea” coat;
• Gloves;
• Earmuffs;
• Several scarves for fashion and warmth;
• At least one hat;
• Small travel Umbrella;
• One pair water-proof Gortex boots that are comfortable, well broken-in, and travel tested;
• three pair of light-weight, moisture-wicking socks;
• two pairs of pants and/or jeans;
• Four moisture wicking long-sleeved tee shirts;
• Four long-sleeved cotton button-down shirts;
• Two lightweight cashmere sweaters;
• Four pairs of underwear;
• One pair of lightweight silk “long-johns.”

Even with these “massive” packing lists, we still manage to travel with a carry-on sized suitcase and one addition “personal” piece of luggage. I generally bring along my Exploring Europe drawstring backpack. Charlotte, on the other hand, adds a “Vera Bradley” duffle to her collection. Packing in this manner helps us remain “mobile” in the airports, on the planes, on the bus, on public transportation, and all over those cobbled streets and narrow staircases of Europe.

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MORE HINTS WHEN FRAMING PHOTOS by Dave Davis

Posted on October 4, 2012 by David McGuffin

Pitlochry, Scotland

When taking a photo where there is a primary subject, the primary subject should often occupy the central 60-80% of the total image with a little (10-15 percent) on the left, on the right, on the top and on the bottom.    Keep the primary subject in that central area and the photograph will appear to be balanced and instantly signal to the viewer where attention is to be drawn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bushmill Distillery, Northern Ireland

Do not try to force too much into the image.  If you have a lot you “must” capture, take a wide angle of everything then do a series of quality pictures of the highlights.   (Recall the previous hints of putting them in a sequence of left to right, and of the wide angle shot followed by medium distance followed by close ups.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the other hand, do not allow the primary subject to become too small by leaving too large of a border.    There is not usually much value in showing extra sky or ground when you have a primary subject being the reason you want to keep for your memories

Boldly fill the central three-quarters of the total image.

Aran Islands pub with a Muiredach’s Cross in the foreground

 

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HINTS WHEN FRAMING PHOTOS by Dave Davis

Posted on September 7, 2012 by David McGuffin
Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me. He is an avid photographer and always seems to come up with some good photos. Recently, he provided some handy hints on photography and archiving the digital images. In the next few day, Dave is going to share some of his hints.
 
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Now for a few other hints .  .  .

When taking a sequence of pictures that, for instance, a series of pictures scanning the horizon, I find it more natural to display the images arranged from left to right of how they exist. 

When taking a wide angle picture and then various zoom or close up shots, I find it more natural to show the wide angle first and then zero in on the close ups.

Notre Dame: Wide Angle View

 

Notre Dame: Medium View

 

 

Notre Dame: Close-Up

When taking pictures of a type of object (flower, animal, sculpture work, streetscape scene, etc.) that occurs intermittently through the visited place, I find it better to re-organize the pictures to groups of the same type of object.    Put all the streetscape images together, put all the flowers together, put all the dog pictures together, etc.  

Then you might cull down the photo set for that visited place to the best handful of each type of shot.   Three, four, five, or six is often okay, but soon the person you may be sharing your vacation pictures with is beginning to wonder if the dog pictures are ever going to end.   (Now imagine being invited over to old George’s house to see his 400 random pictures of fall foliage along the Blue Ridge!   Oh, I think I am feeling a little sick.  I better go home!!)  

There will be some exceptions, but most people will find these hints as a better way to create a good photo collection as their own keepsake, or to share with others.

-Dave Davis

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Venice: My Top Dining Choices

Posted on September 2, 2012 by David McGuffin

Murano - A quiet lunch

Finding a suitable and quality dining spot in Venice has always been a challenge for me. There are countless restaurants, bars, and finger food joints, but I have not run across anything that just makes me want to go to Venice to dine. I think the problem is that Venice is a tourist’s town and many of the restaurants along the “tourist path” put out an “ok” product knowing that most of their customers will never return to eat again in Venice.

However, there are a few “gems” I have discovered in my 30+ years of visiting Venice. Here are my top picks:

 

 

 

 

 

Bar Pizzeria Accademia Foscarini

ACCADEMIA FOSCARINI BAR AND PIZZERIA –

Over the years, I have dined here alone and with group of 30 or more. The staff has always been fast and friendly. The view is amazing! The food is inexpensive, fresh, and tasty.

THE STAFF: Roberto and the two other guys are always friendly and swift with their service. The place is always busy; consequently, they do try to turn the tables over. However, I’ve never been rushed or hurried. The “Italian dining rule” applies, purchase a drink and a meal and you have the table for as long as you like, within reason.

THE VIEW: The canal-side outdoor “dining room” is situated on the Grand Canal.  The view cannot get any better than this! In most cases, there are huge umbrellas offer refuge from the sun and elements. The actual bar and kitchen is housed in a small building nearby where they have a few bar stools and a table, mostly for the locals.

THE FOOD: Accademia Foscarini is a great place for lunch or a light dinner. I’ve only ordered pizza, although there are a couple of other menu items. The pizzas are traditional, thin crust, coming with an assortment of meat and vegetables. The prices range from € 7- 10. One pizza is plenty for one person. I usually get the mushroom (con funghi) because I am a sucker for that cheese and mushroom combination.

THE LOCATION: It is a 15-minute walk from the Rialto Bridge or Piazza San Marco. This outdoor pizzeria is situated at the foot of the Accademia Bridge on the “Accademia” side of the Grand Canal. Walk to the top of the bridge, look toward the lagoon and Piazza San Marco. Pizzeria Foscarini is on the Grand Canal to your right. Look for the outdoor seating and huge umbrellas.

Naranzaria

 

NARANZARIA - Go for drinks and a view… not necessarily the food.

This place is also located on the Grand Canal. While the food is just “ok,” the ambiance, vino, and munchies are pretty darn good. The only way I have found to make this place a memorable event is to arrive by 4:00 p.m.or so, have a few glasses of their pretty good (yet pricy) vino, and enjoy the parade of boats on the Grand Canal. Don’t leave… later; ask for some olives or small finger food to accompany your drink.

 

 

 

 

 PIAZZA SAN MARCO - only after sunset.

Piazza San Marco

Situated in the heart of Venice, St. Mark’s Square is surrounded by luxurious shops, famous cafes, a medieval church, and an important palace. It is no wonder you’ll find every tourist looking up, jaw ajar, and camera in hand. By day, it is crowded with tourists, pigeons, and vendors… all out to get their share of the Piazza. However, stay awhile; let the sunset, the tourists leave, and the orchestras tune-up. Then, the piazza becomes your own magical outdoor living room filled with the romance only Venice can provide.

For an evening of dueling orchestras- For the price of a drink (about €8) you can have a comfortable seat and table for the entire evening on the piazza. Grab a table, the waiter will bring a menu, place your order, and enjoy the dueling orchestras. It’s pricey, but you can’t have this experience anywhere else in the world.

 

NEAR PIAZZA SAN MARCO -  

Remember, you’ll find very few restaurants in Venice that are a value. However, Le Chat Qui Rit does offer fast service, relatively good food, moderate air conditioning, and a pleasant dining environment. This is a buffet-type restaurant where you’ll enter the queue, get a tray, bread, and silverware, then slide along a counter filled with antipasti, salads, grilled food, and baked dishes. There is plenty to choose from! Despite it “French” name, it is Italian. Most of the food will be given a quick warm-up in a microwave, but don’t let that worry you. I have taken countless groups to eat here and all have enjoyed the food, ambiance, and experience. By the way, there are no prices posted and with each addition to your tray, the costs add up. I suggest figuring 4-6 euro per antipasti and side dish and 10 euro for a main. There is a full menu and prices at http://www.chatquirit.it. Additionally, I’ve heard the pizza is good, although I’ve never tried it myself. Getting to the restaurant, like many places in Venice, is difficult to describe. There is a map and directions on their website.

 

IL TROVATORE

 Ristorante Il Trovatore is tucked in on a small street just behind the Doges Palace and San Marco. The food is above average for Venice tourist restaurants and the prices are fair. The downside is that many student tour groups come here to eat fast, cheap, and not-so-authentic dinners. Therefore, I suggest dining here after the lunch rush or after the tour group dinner rush (8:30 p.m. or later). The reward is good local food, even good tourist food, professional service, and fair prices.

Directions, menus, and prices can be found at their website>

http://www.ristorantetrovatore.com/en/home.htm

Buon Appitito!

There is a lot more to Venice than meets the eye. I’ll let you in on a few of my secrets in my next post.

 

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ORGANIZING YOUR TOUR PHOTOS – by Dave Davis

Posted on August 31, 2012 by David McGuffin
Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me. He is an avid photographer and always seems to come up with some good photos. Recently, he provided some handy hints on photography and archiving the digital images. In the next few day, Dave is going to share some of his hints.
 
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CAMERA - CONNECTOR - LAPTOP

One fall we traveled with another couple up the Blue Ridge Parkway.   George had just bought a new camera as a gift for his wife.   He quickly commandeered the camera for his own use and proceeded to take 5-10 shots of the view from EVERY pull off along the way!   We would drive to the next overlook and George would jump out and start taking pictures – left or right, close-up or far away.   Whatever caught his eye.   This was back in the day of film cameras and he paid a pile of money to get the rolls developed.    He was so excited to get the prints back but after looking at 10 or 15 pictures he realized he had made some major mistakes.   What he had hoped would be a fine documentation of the great fall scenery along all the pull-offs on the Blue Ridge ended up being a collection of over 400 random pictures that all started to look alike.  They, as a collection, became meaningless.     

 

 

Digital cameras make the process of organizing your pictures quite easy and would have solved some of George’s mistakes.    When one cuts away all the bells and whistles of digital cameras, their most basic functions are to take the picture, save the pictures and assign a number in the order in which it was taken.    

Additionally, digital cameras are generally very easy and quick to download, only requiring hitting of a couple buttons or plugging them in to your laptop, or other device.   I try to download my pictures each evening and keep the digital copies in a separate file from that stored in the camera.   At the same time, I usually do a quick editing job and delete unwanted pictures from the copy collection.   Some cameras have the ability to organize on their memory chip.  That is fine, but if your camera dies or goes missing during a trip, all the pictures you have taken might be lost.

When downloading my photos (or files) most systems allow you to “tag” or label the images/files.    I simply use an “a” for the pictures taken the first day, “b” for the pictures taken on the second day, and so on.  My individual photos will be then identified as “a001, a002, a003 .  .  .”   Downloading usually only takes a minute or so to complete, and with it being done, I feel much better about having a remotely stored back up copy of my photos.

Usually I wait until I return home to do the final organizing of my photo collection.   Often it becomes a better collection if I re-arrange the order in which they appear.   For instance, you might not take the introduction/identification picture of a visited place at the very beginning of the visit.   Renaming the photo file is a very simple task on the computer.   Just type in a new number/name and you are done!   The renamed picture will automatically move into alphabetical/numerical order in the set.    

-Dave Davis

Jump to Dave’s next article with more photo tips and tricks.

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Venice, Italy

Posted on August 26, 2012 by David McGuffin

Piazza San Marco

In the summer months, VENICE can be gruling.  Hot, steamy, crowded with tourists, and very little air conditioning often makes me want to get through the tourist sights and then seek refuge.  Located on the Adriatic Sea, in a lagoon loaded with marshy islands, it is no wonder Venice is either hot, humid, or wet and soggy.  However, even with all that, I love the place.    Belgium has its “Venice of the North” and France has its “little Venices” in Colmar and Strasbourg, yet nothing can compare the the real deal.  Napolean once call the  Piazza San Marco the “drawing room of Europe,”  and it is no wonder thousands flock to it each day to see (and maybe experience) it’s charm.

In the next few weeks, I’d like to introduce you to “my” Venice.  I’ll include all the “biggies” such as the Basicila San Marco, the Doges Palace, the Rialto Bridge, Accademia,  and others.  But, what I really want to do is show you Venice, not as a tourist sight, but as a destination to be savored and experienced.

A Little History…

Venice is a tourist attraction in itself.  Even if there were no museums, no churches, and no entertainment the lagoon-locked city would attract tourists just for its character.  Founded more than thirteen hundred years ago, the collection of boggy islands became a refuge for local tribes fleeing the invading Franks. Protected by marshlands and several kilometers of water, it provided safety and peace of mind to those who inhabited the area.

Settlers eventually began driving piling into the bog to provide support for buildings.  The marshland was transformed from a swamp to an island built of pilings and wood, canals served as the streets, and boats served as carriages.  In A.D. 811 a Doge (from the Latin dux meaning leader) was elected and Venice was on its way to becoming a world power.  In 828 the relics of Saint Mark were brought from Alexandria and he became the town’s patron saint.

Several councils designed to limit the Doges’ power supervised the role of the Doge.  The Grand Council developed the laws; the Senate was responsible for foreign affairs, the economy, and the military; and the Council of Ten was responsible for security.  The Council of Ten maintained a network of secret police and informants, which, created an air of mistrust but ensured control of the city.

The Middle Ages saw Venice rise to become a world power.  Being strategically located on an important trade route between the Middle East and Europe, Venice seized the opportunity to regulate trade and shipping routes.  In effect, the Venetians became the “middlemen” between the economies of the East and West. Cargo of precious spices, silk, and jewels all passed through Venice and merchants became very rich.

By 1450 Venice was at its zenith, being both a political and religious power in Italy. Venice maintained its independence from the Pope, the Holy Roman Empire, and kingdoms to the north by maintaining a powerful army and navy, as well as forming alliances with neighboring kingdoms.  The late 15th century saw the discovery of the Americas and new trade routes.  Consequentially, a decrease in trade through Venice led to a slow decline of the Republic.  Finally, in 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte entered and abolished Venice’s constitution and dissolved the Republic. Later Napoleon ceded the city to Austria.  It was not until 1866 that Venice and the Venato were united with Italy.

Since the early 1800’s Venice’s population has dwindled.  Once commanding the attention of worldwide trade, now Venice delights in being an enchanting destination and on the must-see list of tourists worldwide. Today it’s the home to about 65,000 people living in the old city center.  Recent decades have seen the young people leave for a bigger and more active life in the cities of Italy.  Many have forsaken their traditional family ties, leaving an older generation to live out their lives in Venice. Just a few blocks off the San Marco and Rialto tourist route, visitors can find local neighborhoods filled with laundry flapping in the breeze, women chatting from their windows high above the alleys, and gentlemen visiting at the local square.  Most visitors to Venice miss this intimate look into the city’s culture. Don’t let it pass you by, get out and explore!

(A couple of my favorite dining spots are coming up in the next post).

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TOUR PHOTOS – By Dave Davis

Posted on August 11, 2012 by David McGuffin
Dave Davis is a friend who has traveled on several tours with me.  He is an avid photographer and always seems to come up with some good photos.  Recently, he provided some handy hints on photography and archiving the digital images.  In the next few day, Dave is going to share some of his hints.
 
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Aren’t photographs a terrific way to refresh your memory of people, places, events and things?   And now with greater technology, it has never been so easy to produce a great photographic collection to memorialize a touring vacation.    I am going to share a few approaches that I have developed over the years that might just help make your photo collection more valuable to you.   It is really easy.   Just let your photo collection tell the story.

I often start a collection with the photos showing the trip location/destination and primary people.  Sometimes I use the tour brochure that led me to select the trip.   Sometimes I use a map or a picture of the destination airport or famous landmark that identifies the place.

A Signpost IDENTIFIES THE SUBJECT

 

On a recent tour I started my collection with a picture of David McGuffin, wearing his official tour shirt with bold letters displaying “IRELAND SCOTLAND” and with the backdrop being the Hogwart Express viaduct memorialized in the Harry Potter stories.    I followed that with a picture of myself, my wife and our niece in front of the rock formation at Giants Causeway, and that was followed by a map of Scotland.  With just three pictures I have opened the story and set the stage.

Tee Shirt and Tour Leader IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT

From there my collections are pretty much day by day. I often take a picture of a map of where the day would be spent, and sometimes one of his handouts that told more of the location. It is so helpful to my aging brain cells to have the city names (or sites) pop out from the map and be further detailed in the handouts. Then the pictures follow through the day.

When we arrive at a city, cathedral, castle, or other site, I take pictures that identify the subject. It could just be the entrance sign, or anything else that tells where we are at. Display boards at the site are often good to use for identification and more detailed information of what is being visited. Then it’s the fun shots of whatever there is to see, but the long term important thing is that the picture collection itself will present where that pictures are taken.

Information Signage used to focus on location

I find that it adds to the collection to not limit myself to taking pictures of the special places visited but also the more seemingly mundane things. Take a picture of the bus, inside (with passengers) and outside with the driver. Take a picture of the motel front, lobby and grounds. Take a picture of your room. Take a picture of the restaurant name, its inside, the food/drink as it is being presented, fellow diners from the tour and even the waiter. And you musts take pictures of some the “unique” European bathrooms! I don’t know if it is legal to do so, but I have also taken pictures of the money used in different countries.

Following these tips will make your collection more meaningful to you and to anyone you share it with.

-Dave Davis

 Jump to Dave’s second article: “Organizing Your Tour Photos”

 

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The NEW appearance of DAVID MCGUFFIN.COM

Posted on August 6, 2012 by David McGuffin

David in Ireland (Blackhead, Co. Clare) June 2012

I’ve dedicated the last seven days (aboout 70 hours) to improving the appearance and appeal of my web presence. I am a self-taught web builder, but over the years, I’ve pick up a lot relating to website design and content. So, now that I am at the end of my allocated time, I’ve decided to roll out the new web appearance a few pages at a time. So, if you get a chance, take a look at http://davidmcguffin.com and let me know what you think!

P.S. you may need to refresh your browser with CTL-F5.

-David

 

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Hints on Tipping in the United Kingdom

Posted on June 21, 2012 by David McGuffin

cash for tipsRecently, while traveling in The UK, I decided to take an informal survey on tipping/gratuity customs in the 21st century. My research is based on interviews with restaurant and pub patrons as well as the wait staff, bartenders, and pub owners. To get a perspective on the entire UK, I surveyed folks in London, Bristol, Bath (England) and Edinburgh, Oban, and St. Andrews (Scotland). The results were quite a surprise and have prompted me to modify the information I give to my tour members. Here is how it all stacks up:

A tip is not really expected at pubs or restaurants. If you feel the service has been exceptional, then a small tip will certainly be appreciated.

Personally, I tip about 10% in restaurants. Nothing when having a drink in the pubs.

I’ve not done the research in Northern Ireland, but will have an opportunity in a few weeks.

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HINTS on TIPPING in IRELAND

Posted on June 20, 2012 by David McGuffin

cash for tipsIRELAND has changed a lot in the last fifteen years. Recently, while traveling in Ireland, I decided to take an informal survey on tipping/gratuity customs in the 21st century. My research is based on interviews with restaurant and pub patrons as well as the wait staff, bartenders, and pub owners.  To get a perspective on the entire Republic/Country, I surveyed folks in Dublin, Dingle, Doolin, and Galway. The results were quite a surprise and have prompted me to modify the information I give to my tour members. Here is how it all stacks up:

The “old Irish people” never tip.  They count their pennies to the tee.

Modern and younger Irish people (under 35 years), usually tip when ordering food.  Seldom when just have “the drink.”

City Pubs – If you are simply served a drink by the guy/gal behind the bar – no tip is expected.

Country Pubs – If it is not busy and the bartender “chats you up” (strikes up a conversation), then leave a 15% tip with each drink or at the end of your drinking session. If the bartender is the proprietor, then no gratuity is expected, however it does not hurt to offer to buy him/her a drink.

Restaurants and Pubs that serve food – A 15% tip is standard for good service. Up to 20% if exceptional service and extra “chatting up.”

To wrap it all up, restaurant and pub staff are more and more giving good service and hope for the tip. My advice is do the right thing and chip in to help the sluggish Irish economy.

Posted in Culture & Customs | 4 Comments