Is now really the best time for a vacation, or should you stay at home and take a “staycation”?Why it matters
People are stressed and burned out. Travel lifts you out of the drudgery of your daily routine and gives your brain a chance to reset. Leaving home can give you valuable perspective on your life and your problems.
You know what I say, “GO!!!!!”
More MW:
But it’s also true that some people simply do not have the money in their budget for travel. One of the things Americans are stressed out about is their financial well-being, and spending money on a trip may heighten that stress.The verdict
Take a modest mini-vacation where you leave home, even if it’s just a trip to the next town over for a night or two.
Having a trip on the calendar gives you something to look forward to, and it’s well-documented that spending money on experiences tends to make us happier in the long run than spending on objects.
“Financial stress often comes when we are not spending money on what is most important to us,” said Sean Pearson, a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial Services in Conshohocken, Pa., who focuses on the financial needs of the military and veterans.
Yes, I agree, a trip on the Calendar does give me something to look forward to. Being home most days, retired, and watching too much TV, a trip is always at the top of my list!
Reasons to hit the road: A change of scenery has been linked to enhanced happiness, according to a 2020 New York University study that followed people with GPS trackers and asked them to rate their moods. “The results showed that on days when people had more variability in their physical location — visiting more locations in a day and spending proportionately equitable time across these locations — they reported feeling more positive: ‘happy,’ ‘excited,’ ‘strong,’ ‘relaxed,’ and/or ‘attentive,’” the researchers wrote.
Travel to places we haven’t been before may also help give us “greater emotional agility, empathy and creativity,” wrote psychology professor Todd B. Kashdan with the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University. “By spending time in unfamiliar towns, cities, or countries, you become tolerant and even accepting of your own discomfort and more confident in your ability to navigate ambiguous situations,” he wrote in Harvard Business Review. Even though some of my trips are revisits to familiar places, I always try to add a new city or country. On my last trip, I visited Belgrade,Serbia, Montenegro, and the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia for the first time. My return visit to Paris centered on a new experience, the French Open Tennis Championships at Roland Garros. I was able to return to Athens for the third time, as well as utilize Frankfurt as my entry and departure point for the trip.
When we travel to familiar places, like Seattle, Las Vegas, the Central Coast, Monterey, Scottsdale, Washington, DC, Chicago, and Atlanta, we always try to add something new or different, even it is a place to eat. But not always. It gives us great pleasure to return to favorite wineries or restaurants.
But, whatever you decide, I say, go ahead and do it!!!!
Shopping can be exhausting, and nothing recharges you faster than a buttery pastry with a heavenly cup of coffee. Le Panier serves authentic French pâtisserie, fresh bread, and offerings like sandwiches and feuilletés, which are puff pastries with savory fillings like cheese, chicken, vegetables, or mushrooms. Don’t let long lines deter you — Le Panier is busy because it’s one of the best bakeries in Seattle.
Every offering at Le Panier is made using traditional French techniques, no surprise since their pastry chef and co-owner is French. Anything you try will be delicious, but Tripadvisor users rave about the croissants, with one noting that she loved the almond croissants so much that she practically gains weight just thinking about them. Indeed, choosing between chocolate, almond, raspberry, or the classic flaky butter croissant is the hardest part. Hey, maybe get some to go!
Even seasoned home bakers might flinch at the prospect of homemade croissants. The process is notoriously involved, and timing is critical. Getting fresh croissants from the oven at Le Panier might be the easy way out, but there’s no contest when the easy way out is that delicious. Having enjoyed French pastries all over the world, Le Panier is the BEST!!!!
And cheese:
Beecher’s has been selling delicious homemade cheese at Pike Place Market since 2003, and their signature award-winning Flagship cheese brings customers in droves. This cow’s milk cheddar is superb any way you slice it, but Beecher’s “World’s Best” mac and cheese make it shine. To put the cherry on the proverbial sundae, Beecher’s offers mac and cheese lovers options: The original mac and cheese is creamy perfection, but you can also get it with broccoli or smoked Flagship cheese. Try salmon-topped mac or order “Mariachi” mac and cheese with Anaheim chiles and vegetables if you want to kick it up a notch. They even make a gluten-free version to meet all dietary needs.
Of course, you can also try soup, paninis, grilled cheese, or buy ingredients for a cheese board while you’re there. Or, you know, buy a ton of cheese to take home. Beecher’s is always willing to share the cheesiest recipes for your own culinary desires, so having lunch while touring the market and making cheese-based yummies at home is a win-win.
And sausage:
Anyone that loves sausage needs to grab lunch at Uli’s Famous Sausage. Uli’s has been making fresh sausage every day for more than 40 years, and after one bite, you’ll know why Uli’s is a favorite at Pike Place Market. Reddit users on r/Seattle say that Uli’s sausages are “some bomb sausages,” and Facebook fans urge us to, “Grab a beer, order some food, and enjoy life a little bit” at Uli’s.
While you can get the sausage to cook at home and the deli counter offers plenty of options, dining in is perfect for a shopping break at the market. Uli’s offers a build-your-own sandwich or offers sausage on a bed of sauerkraut, so you get everything you like. First, choose which kind of sausage “floats your boat” — bratwurst, kielbasa, hot Italian, or chicken sausage (also, the apple chicken sausage, wow!) Add toppings like sauerkraut or onions, raw or grilled, if you want a sandwich. Top it off with Uli’s Famous curry ketchup, or stick with mayo, plain ketchup, or mustard — they serve yellow, Dijon, and stone ground. Round it out with crispy seasoned fries, and you have a classic Pike Place lunch.
You might think we visit Seattle just for the food. Well, you would be correct. We love the fresh seafood, bakeries, specialty shops, and the general northwest style of cuisine. It differs from California cuisine, since it is heartier, with larger portions.
I can’t think of a better city than Seattle as the very first UNESCO City of Literature. The unique and massive Seattle Public Library, itself an icon of literature, stands as a visible reminder of this city’s great literary reputation. They say the long, wet, dreary winters, and the abundance of coffee shops make it perfect for readers.
For starters, the four decades old Elliott Bay Bookstore attracts readers of all kinds. I love the name of their little cafe’ in the back, the Oddfellows Cafe’. Maybe it is staffed by a guy named Longfellow?
As you know, I love visiting libraries and bookstores around the world. My favorites are City Lights (San Francisco), Powell’s (Portland), and The Last Bookstore (Los Angeles).
For rare, and out of print cook books, head to the aptly named Book Larder. It even has a kitchen in the back! Every Monday, they host a lunch break cooking class.
So, where do techies go for books? How about Ada’s Technical Books? But not in a high tech setting, but an old world hipster style of techie madness. Events range from lock picking to female scientist meetups.
Seattleites love the sea, and sometimes the Old Man, right Ernie? For them, Sea Ocean Books rates high, particularly since their hours are by appointment or by chance!
Where do beatniks and the ultra cool people go for their poetry fix? None other than Open Books, Seattle’s go to place for poetry books and events. For example, you can find: The shelves are stocked with progressive local books like Tess Gallagher and Lawrence Matsuda’s collaborative Boogie Woogie CrissCross, a book of poetry based on their three-year long e-mail exchange while she was in Ireland and he was in Seattle.
Even touristy Pike Place Market has a bookstore, Left Bank Books. The place is described as an anarchist’s collective, with books on feminism, graphic novels, and the labor movement. And rather interestingly, they publish books written by prisoners.
One of my favorite bookstores is located at Uwajimaya grocery in the International District. Yes, most of the books are in Japanese, but that does not stop me from visiting Kinokuniya when we shop for Asian foods of all kinds. They have great T shirts, and art books for those of us who do not read Japanese.
My second most favorite is both a bookstore and a cartographer’s dream, Metsker Maps, near Pike Market. I have purchased maps for some of my trips, such as my Trans Siberian journey in 2014. They have the best collection of globes, maps, and travel books I have ever seen.
Believe it or not, Ripley, Amazon has a bookstore here. I have visited the branch in Walnut Creek. Because of popularity metrics, they have the type of books that you can read in three days, in either hard copy or Kindle. But they say it is worth a visit, just to see how the internal internet brain of book shoppers plays out in real life!
So, will I spend my days in a bookstore while in Seattle. It depends on the weather, my mood, and if I need a book! Go figure.
When we think of Seattle, we think of coffee, Microsoft, Pike Place Market, maybe even Nordstrom. But I also love Seattle for its great public library and book culture. I think I have visited the Seattle Public Library more than any out-of-town library in the world!!
Seattle is a UNESCO City of Literature, the second U.S. city to be given the honor. The Central Library is an institution that everyone—reader and non-reader—should have on their itinerary. It’s an 11-level glass-and-steel building that has the capacity to house over 1.5 million books. But that’s not the only reason Seattle is on this list.
The city has a civic poet. The program appoints a poet who engages with the community and serves as an ambassador for two years. The culturally-rich city has many centers for writers, including Hugo House, which provides free classes and workshops. In addition, Seattle hosts book readings, literary festivals, and author events. If you’re looking for a place to read that’s not a library, you’ll find book cafes and even book-themed pubs—check out Ada’s Technical Books & Cafe and Mr. Darcy’s Wine Bar.
Now you know why, in an analysis by Lawn Love, Seattle earned the second spot on the list of Best Cities for Book Lovers 2022.
Two of my favorite book stores were are Elliott Bay books, and the Kinokuniya Bookstore inside of the huge Uwajimaya Market in the International District. I also love the maps, and books at Metsker Maps on First Avenue, near Pike Market. And Uwajimaya Market is a true adventure on its own. I have found all kinds of unique food and gifts there over the years.
While I enjoy the obvious attractions MoPOP, Pike Place Market, and the coffee culture, I also enjoy a little shopping. The flagship Nordstrom store is downtown, and one of my favorite stops. Our friends Tanya and Michael have a great boutique for clothing, design and furniture not far from the Seattle Art Museum.
Oh, and I may go to a Mariners game, as the Red Sox are in town!
Much has changed in the past few years, covid notwithstanding. Homeless issues, the impact of high tech on housing prices and cost of living, and tumultuous political rancor seem to never subside. But through it all, we have visited Seattle on a regular basis since 1995, often three times a year until recently. This is our first visit since 2019, pre-pandemic.
But one highlight we can always count on is the coconut cream pie from Tom Douglas. It is probably our favorite pie in the entire world!!
Walking from downtown or Belltown to the International District is both great exercise, and a treasure hunt. Our destination is the famous Asian supermarket, Uwajimaya. It is probably my favorite place to visit in Seattle, more so than EMP (now called MoPop), Pike Market, the flagship Nordstrom store, or our friends’ Michael and Tanya’s boutique.
Written some time in the past:
Before you turn away in disgust at the title of my email, please keep reading a little more. After all, wedgie could be a wedge of lettuce, or a great piece of pie. And “waji” is the cute nickname for the most famous Pacific northwest area super duper market, called Uwajimaya. Easy for you to say?
The famous Uwajimaya is a high quality Asian supermarket with gift shop, and Japanese bookstore, all under one roof. They have been in business since 1928! And we visit EVERY time we are in Seattle, since it is so much fun. Note: there is a Waji take out stand in the Alaska Airlines terminal at Sea-Tac Airport.
From their company website: With over 400 employees, Uwajimaya is one of the largest Asian grocery retailers in the Pacific Northwest. Since 1928, Uwajimaya has evolved beyond providing basic grocery staples and become known as a tourist and destination store. Our reputation is built on being known as the information specialist on all things Asian and part of our mission is to educate the customer on all aspects of Asian culture. Uwajimaya’s pre-eminence among Asian stores comes from its use of modern technology, its emphasis on cleanliness and its adherence to its business philosophy.
Our mission is to be the premier destination to experience the richness of Asian culture and food. We strive to offer world-class quality and the widest variety of Asian foods. As an iconic, family owned business with deep roots in the Northwest’s Asian American community, we have a strong commitment to cultural sustainability and cross-cultural understanding across the Asian community and the community at large.
And their history is remarkable:
In 1928, Fujimatsu Moriguchi, a native of Yawatahama, Japan began business in Tacoma, Washington. Moriguchi sold homemade fishcakes and other Japanese staples like soy sauce and rice from the back of his truck to Japanese laborers working in logging and fishing camps in the Puget Sound area. Moriguchi named his business Uwajima-ya, after the town of Uwajima where he learned his trade (”ya” means “store” in Japanese). His wife, Sadako, operated the small Uwajimaya store near downtown Tacoma.
Moriguchi continued to operate in Tacoma until the outbreak of World War II. Shortly after the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942, Moriguchi, his wife Sadako and their children were sent to the Tule Lake Internment Camp in California. After the war, the Moriguchi family relocated to Seattle and re-opened Uwajimaya as a retail store and fish cake manufacturing company on South Main Street at the south end of what was once Seattle’s pre-war Nihon-machi, or Japantown — just blocks away from the current International District store location. Uwajimaya thus resumed its business in the Nikkei (Japanese American) community by providing Japanese food items while starting the import of food and gift items from Japan.
In 1962, Seattle hosted the World’s Fair and it was during this time that Uwajimaya blossomed. Uwajimaya began its outreach to non-Japanese clientele offering fine gift products, kitchenware, and delicacies from Japan for all. Although the World’s Fair venture was a great success, sadly Mr. Moriguchi passed away during that summer. Now under the management of Fujimatsu’s four sons, Uwajimaya continued to develop and expand its customer base by catering to the needs of the shopper, which now included second and third generation Asian Americans as well as non-Asians. This outreach included offering Asian cooking classes and expanding the product mix to include items from other Asian countries such as China, Korea, and the Philippines.
In 1970, Uwajimaya moved two blocks south to a new 20,000 square foot store at 6th Avenue South and South King Street, becoming the largest Japanese supermarket in the Pacific Northwest. Eight years later another 16,000 square feet was added, accommodating new meat and produce sections, a deli counter serving hot meals and take outs, an extensive fresh seafood market with live fish tanks, and a gift department featuring fine artwork, books, records, clothing, kitchenware, cosmetics, kimonos, and fabrics. The remodeled store also included a place for the already popular Uwajimaya Cooking School.
Uwajimaya opened its former Uwajimaya Bellevue location in 1978 to cater to the Seattle Eastside’s rapidly growing population. Twenty years later Uwajimaya opened its third location in the Portland, Oregon suburb of Beaverton.
In November 2000, the Seattle Uwajimaya store moved one block south to anchor the ambitious new Uwajimaya Village in the heart of Seattle’s Chinatown/International District where it remains today. The 66,000 square foot retail space includes Seattle Uwajimaya Asian Food and Gift Market, Kinokuniya Bookstore, Chase Bank, Salon Juno, Paris Miki Optical, Savvy Asian Cosmetics and a large Asian food court. Uwajimaya Village is also home to the Uwajimaya Village Apartments, a 176-unit apartment complex above the store.
Sadly, Sadako Moriguchi, pillar of Uwajimaya and the Moriguchi family passed in the summer of 2002, a few years after Uwajimaya Village was completed. Sadako’s passing was greatly mourned by the many customers and employees who had known the matriarch from her many hard working years.
In the summer of 2009, Uwajimaya opened its fourth location in Renton, Washington. And two years later, the Bellevue location relocated from NE 24th St. & Bel-Red Road to its current location at 120th Ave NE and NE 6th St.
Today Uwajimaya’s CEO is Tomoko Moriguchi-Matsuno. The company board of directors is led by Chairman, Tomio Moriguchi. Fifteen family members are active in day-to-day business and management of Uwajimaya. Besides its original retail business, Uwajimaya, Inc. has grown to include a food service and real estate development division. As the Moriguchi family celebrates Uwajimaya’s 86th Anniversary this year, they are thankful to all the customers, employees and vendors who have helped to support and grow the business over the years. Thank you!
Today, as we do on each of our visits, we walk from our downtown Seattle hotel to Uwajimaya, about 2.3 miles each way. We shop, trying to find items (other than fresh food) that we cannot find elsewhere. We usually buy some lunch from either the food court or the huge take out deli. And we manage to find some gift or novelty items to take home.
Uwaj is always a highlight of our trip. In fact, Uwaj might be my favorite place to shop! If you get up this way, I strongly suggest you visit, you will not regret it! It makes Aldi, TJ, or Costco look like kid’s play. The items are both unique and interesting.
The only area that does not measure up to typical Japanese standards would be the pastry and dessert items. But both hot and cold food of every size, shape and price are available from about 10am. The fresh seafood is always interesting, and I love the produce department. They even carry durian!! I have also found farm raised abalone, ultra high end Japanese whiskey, and gift items usually found only in Japan.
But we never leave without buying something, actually, many things. If you do not feel like walking, the Light Rail goes from downtown to a stop (International District) just a block away from the store! But the walk is mostly downhill, so go for it!
Having been here so many times, we always look for something new and different.
Okay, maybe you don’t consider dinner to be an “experience,” but this one definitely felt like it. Flintcreek Cattle Co uses pastured and grass-fed meat, from sustainable small-scale farms, and masterfully creates truly magnificent dishes. This is the restaurant for trying new dishes, particularly proteins like elk, venison, and others. While the restaurant certainly is an upscale experience, it’s still approachable for the average person, and the dining experience is relaxed and luxurious. Might be worth a try?
If you love crafting or taking creative classes, you definitely need to check out Mosstangle, a Snohomish wood-burning studio. “You learn a new, creative skill that seems impossible, but Crystal is a great teacher and encourages all the students to press into their inner artist,” says travel blogger Tabitha Bailar. “Burn PNW themed pictures into [the] wood and take home an ornament, wooden cutting board, or whatever else the classes offer.” Never heard of this before.
We have all been to Pike Market dozens of times. But a chef-guided food tour is a perfect way to learn about the market, the vendors, and of course, the food. You also get to skip the lines at famous foodie restaurants like Pike Place Chowder and learn about hidden gems like Indi Chocolate, a woman-owned bean-to-bar chocolate shop that makes the chocolate on-site. After the tour, stroll the market, and shop with a special 10% off coupon the chef will provide you.
For an active experience perfect for couples or groups of friends, axe throwing is both easily captivating, relatively affordable, and fairly simple to learn. Bring your snacks, closed-toed shoes, a charged phone (you definitely want to photograph this!), and a can-do attitude, because before it becomes fun, it can be a tad frustrating. Blade & Timber is the only axe-throwing establishment that is allowed to serve beer, cider, and spiked seltzer, but you are limited to two drinks. The coach will guide you through how to use and throw your axe safely, and after watching you practice, will leave you to enjoy your experience. Maybe if it is raining and there is nothing else to do?
Grab five of your friends (or your lover) and book yourself a Hot Tub Boat. Floating in Lake Union, this year-round activity combines hot tubs, boats, and parties in one memorable package. All you need is your snacks, a bathing suit, and a waterproof pouch for your phone, and you’re ready for an unforgettable float, no matter the weather. Hot Tub Boats has a shack where you can change, and then you’re just a few feet away from the boat, so you can hop right in without freezing. The boat itself has no captain, as it can easily be “driven” using the joystick, with a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour. Go ahead, after you!
Well, all of this is making me tired. I think I will head over for some of the best pizza ever at Serious Pie in Belltown.
Seattle has been dominated by high tech, with google, Amazon, and Microsoft. But they have a big drug and homeless problem, particularly downtown. It is not pretty, though not quite as bad as San Francisco, San Diego, or Washington, DC.
But we like walking the downtown areas, Belltown, downtown, and on out to the International District. Our favorite store is Uwajimaya, the huge Asian grocery store complex. And our friends’ boutique, The Finerie on 1006 Western, resides not far from the Art Museum and Library. Michael, Tanya and Theo have been friends for decades!!!
It will be very interesting to see how much of the city has come back to the new normal. San Francisco, at least in the downtown area, was practically a ghost town last summer, while the neighborhoods thrived. What might we expect here?
Wednesday (June 7) marked 50 years since a mystery man known widely as D.B. Cooper (“Dan Cooper” was the name he used for his one-way ticket) leapt from a Boeing 727’s rear stair door with $200,000 somewhere over Southwest Washington. It remains the only unsolved case of air piracy in U.S. history.
It was 106 years ago Seattle got its very first professional hockey team, the Seattle Metropolitans, an expansion team formed by the owners of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. The Mets would prove the first Seattle team to take home a national championship.
“Yesler’s Cookhouse, built in 1853 at the foot of Mill Street, was really the first restaurant in the little village of Seattle,” begins the book “Restaurants of Seattle 1853-1960.” Written by Mrs. Hattie Graham Horrocks, the publicly available PDF details restaurants as they opened and closed, describing them with varying levels of precision. Pulling from old menus, newspaper advertisements, and city directories for information, it shows off menus of 25-cent meals from 1882 and hotel dining rooms serving Olympia oyster stew for 50 cents in 1913.
Bon Marche’ was the Seattle-based chain sprung out of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. It anchored Northgate Mall and weathered the storms of downtown Seattle’s retail core before being rebranded as Macy’s in 2003. In 1929, the Bon Marché unveiled its nine-story flagship building in the heart of downtown Seattle. The chain was acquired by the parent company of Macy’s in the ’90s, and in 2003 it became the Bon Macy’s, then later just Macy’s. It closed in February 2020. Sad.
The Seattle Supersonics were Seattle’s first big winner, winning it all in 1979. We understand the team left town for beautiful Oklahoma City. The Sonics took their name from another defunct effort, Boeing’s answer to the Concord, the 2707 supersonic transport.
A man of where hijacker was believed to have jumped. (seattlepi.com file)
Lakeview Cemetery is nestled atop Capitol Hill, this burial ground was established in 1872 and now serves as the final resting place for numerous iconic American figures, and the founder of Nordstrom department store, John W. Nordstrom. Yet, one of the most popular plots remains that of Brandon and Bruce Lee, father and son martial artists and actors.
An iconic Seattle landmark for both locals and tourists alike is turning 114 years old today: Pike Place Market. One of the oldest continuously operated markets in the country, Pike Place Market has defined Seattle’s shopping experience for over a century now. The market was born in 1907 as the result of public outcry over high food prices as the city was seeing a staggering increase in population at the turn of the century.
With San Francisco’s downtown becoming a relative ghost town, what can we expect in the future for tourism?
In 2019, the United States had 79.4 million international visitors, a figure that plummeted to 19.2 million in 2020 as the pandemic hit and rose to just 22.1 million in 2021.
International visitors spent $239.4 billion in 2019, but just $81 billion in 2019, the Commerce Department said.
Before COVID, tourism supported 9.5 million U.S. jobs and generated $1.9 trillion in economic output.San Francisco was hit hard, but mostly downtown where tourists tend to stay. The neighborhoods thrived, while many businesses in the downtown area closed or downsized. My favorite Uniqlo store on Powell, near the cable car turntable is gone. In fact, during the pandemic, the cable cars were also garaged in the cable car barn.
The “National Travel and Tourism Strategy” sets a goal of 90 million international visitors by 2027 who will spend an estimated $279 billion annually, topping pre-pandemic levels, the department told Reuters.
“There are a lot of industries that are well past COVID – travel and tourism is not,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in an interview.Based on my last few trips to Europe, people in the EU and surrounding areas want to visit the US. But they view it as a cumbersome process, as well as expensive for airfare and hotels.
Other goals include promoting more diverse U.S. tourism experiences beyond coastal states, reducing tourism’s contributions to climate change and building a sector that is resilient to natural disasters, public health threats and the impacts of climate change.
One reason tourism fell so sharply was the United States lagged many other countries in lifting COVID border restrictions that barred much of the world from entering. The U.S. rules were not eased until November 2021.
The United States still requires foreign nationals to be vaccinated against COVID and nearly all international air passengers to test negative before travel. U.S. airlines say nearly all other countries they serve are not requiring testing. And yes, as of May 27, I needed a negative covid test to re-enter the US even though I am double boostered!!!
With the proverbial shoe on the other foot, the countries I visited last month, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, and France were overjoyed to have American tourists back. Why? Americans are the best tippers, friendlier than most other tourists, and willing to spend money to get out of their comfort zone. My Greek brothers often lament that the tour groups from certain countries rarely deviate from their hotel meals and guided bus trips. Americans love to explore, find interesting food, and unique retail items to take home.
Since you have been reading my emails over the years, you know how much we enjoy walking big cities, and interesting towns. There is no better way to discover the culture and beauty of a place, save for a walking tour by a local. But, since I am not a tour guy, exploring on my own, or with Mr. Mike is the best alternative.
What might some of those cities be? Over the years, some cities we have walked and explored: Bangkok, Hanoi, Santiago, Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, Vienna, Berlin, Sydney, Hong Kong, Cape Town, Seville, Lisboa, London, Athens, Istanbul, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Medellin, Montreal, Quito, Vancouver, Amsterdam, and lately, Dubrovnik, Split, Belgrade, and Frankfurt.
TravelAwaits has listed their nine most walkable cities.
Amsterdam Though this city is known for its bicycles, it is enjoyable to walk, use the tram, see the great museums, and shop in the eclectic sections of the city. After all, the four “C”s are big here: cycling, cheese, cafes and canals. No matter how many times I have visited, I am always open for a return visit!
Paris Though rather spread out, combining walking with the Metro works quite well. I have become a bit more tolerant of France, and can get around to the museums, favorite cafes, airport, train stations, and Roland Garros. For only 1.90 Euro each way, the Metro is a bargain compared to BART. When I first visited in 1971, de Gaulle was in his prime, and they hated Americans! Just beware of the dog poop, the French are too good to pick up their dog’s poop!!
Florence Though I never really walked this city, there is plenty to see on foot. Leonardo and the other Ninja turtles would be proud of you!
Rome Though I have not been to Rome in decades, it is a great walking city with a vibrant cafe culture. The bus system seemed to take us wherever we wanted, mostly. But it was a long time ago. Maybe I need to make a return visit?
London Now, I love walking this city, using the Underground, and exploring the various neighborhoods. My two weeks attending Wimbledon were great for exploring this city. And if you get lost, everyone speaks English! Sort of. I made so many friends during the fortnight. Maybe some enemies too? Furthermore, London has a large Asian population, with many good places to eat something other than pub food! Time to go back?
Edinburgh Though we did not walk it, I have wanted to return here for the famous Tattoo. Perhaps I have missed out on the best walking city in the world?
Vancouver Yes, this is a great walking city, with a great Metro system as well. Most neighborhoods are safe. Take the Hop On Hop Off Bus to get oriented, and you will be an expert city navigator. We tend to stay mostly on Robson, but there are many great neighborhoods here, including TWO Chinatowns. My Chinese friends tell me that Vancouver has the best Chinese food in the world!
Zurich Mostly a cute old city, with narrow streets and some hills. I have tons of stories about my time in Zurich, but you would probably not believe them anyway! And I had the best Grand Marnier souffle’ here, my fondest memory of Switzerland.
Venice Now, why would anyone walk here. First, it stinks, and second, it is much faster by boat!! They say the stench is not as bad, but I will never go back!
As you can read, they left off many cities in Asia, South America, and Africa.
My personal favorites: Bangkok, Hanoi, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Athens, and Istanbul. In the US, I prefer Chicago, Washington, DC, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Winespeed asks the question of whether you should dry your champagne glasses with a lint-free cloth. Here is her answer:
As a matter of fact, in order to maximize you Champagne’s effervescence, leaving a tiny bit of lint in your glass is paramount. As we all know, popping a Champagne cork reduces the tremendous pressure maintained in the thick bottle and releases the carbon dioxide dissolved in the wine. The gas molecules come suddenly out of solution and must collect together in order to form a bubble. Gerard Liger-Belair, a physicist (or “fizzisist”?) at the University of Reims and the world’s leading authority on bubbles, filmed Champagne using high-speed video and a microscope, and discovered that bubbles can form at a rate of 400 per second. Most bubbles form on imperfections or microscopic particles inside the glass, such as pieces of lint that floated into the glass or were left behind by a towel. Molecules of CO2 collect on the particle until together they become buoyant enough to detach and float to the surface as a single bubble. Another bubble of collected CO2 molecules then forms in its place, resulting in the telltale fine lines racing up through the wine. So for optimal effervescence, we recommend wiping Champagne and sparkling wine glasses with a clean, dry (but not lint-free) cloth before using them.
Interesting!
Totally on a different subject, one of my favorite chefs and restaurant owner, Cindy Pawlcyn of Mustard’s Grill in Yountville:
Chef Cindy Pawlcyn, a pioneer in the Napa Valley restaurant scene, lost 3800 cookbooks along with her home in the recent Glass Fire. Collected since she was a little girl, the international cache included rare first editions signed by Elizabeth David, Julia Child, and James Beard, as well as the only copy of her grandmother’s culinary notebook. Pawlcyn started cooking professionally in high school, and later turned Mustards Grill into one of the Napa Valley’s first destination-dining spots.
Do you think the English will celebrate Queen E’s Jubilee?
Ten percent of British are expected to drink a glass of English sparkling wine this weekend, June 2 to 5, to celebrate the Queen of England’s Platinum Jubilee (in honor of Her Majesty’s 70 years on the throne). The magazine Drinks Business reports that Londoners are expected to down 860 glasses of English sparkling every minute throughout the celebration. Less vinously chauvinistic, the Scots are predicted to celebrate with (considerably less expensive) Prosecco. I noticed big inventories of Proseccos while I was in Paris last month.
And what about the lowly corkscrew? The first written reference to a corkscrew appears in a 1681 English museum catalog that lists it as a “Steel Worme used for the drawing of Corks out of Bottles.” Most of those bottles probably contained beer or cider. Both sparklers required tight fitting corks driven deep into the neck of the bottle in order to keep the dissolved gas inside. While the exact date of the corkscrew’s invention is not known, it’s generally thought to have occurred between 1630 and 1675 in England. The tool took its inspiration from worms that were used for muzzle-loaded guns, muskets, and pistols.
From Tasting Table:
According to Decanter magazine, Champagne bottles can be stored upright for a month or two as long as the bottles are cool and undisturbed. Most wines that are intended for further aging and maturation in the bottle require they be positioned on their side to keep the corks moist. Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne indicates that every producer varies in their storage philosophy but suggests Champagne bottles have the advantage of containing an internal pressure due to the bubbles, which helps in preventing the corks from drying out.
Still, for longer storage and maturation in the bottle, store Champagne bottles on their sides just like the producers do in their underground cellars (via Rose Hill Cellars). Also, find a wine rack for your wine cellar that will accommodate the voluptuous shape of the Champagne bottle because most standard racks are made for a Bordeaux-style bottle that has straight, parallel sides.
For longer storage of Champagne, store your wines in a wine cellar or the coldest closet in your house. The optimal temperature range for Champagne is between 44 degrees and 50 degrees Fahrenheit with controlled humidity, per Decanter. Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne suggests humidity a bit lower than Wine Spectator, in the 60 to 70 F range. Few houses maintain this level of humidity, though, so look for a low-maintenance humidifier to augment the environment around your Champagne.
I try not to store any sparkling wines for champagne for more than 2 or 3 years. After all, there are reasons to celebrate!!
golfkat Travel Blog 