Over the course of traveling, visiting with travel professionals, and getting tips from a variety of travelers I have compiled a whole bunch of information.
What was I going to do with it? Share with you, of course!
This valuable information will appear throughout the next several months. Some of it may be new to you. Some of it may be redundant.
You may even have better information. If so, please share it.
Have fun traveling…
San Francisco Cable Cars
By Wendy VanHatten
“If it pleases Providence to make a car run up and own a slit in the ground for many miles, and if for twopence-half penny I can ride in that car, why should I seek the reasons of the miracle?” Malcom E. Barker
Mention San Francisco to people and images come to mind of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Painted Ladies Victorian homes, Alcatraz…and the clanging of the cable cars. This tourist attraction and yet viable means of transportation came about due to a man witnessing a horrible accident on a typically damp summer day in 1869.
Andrew Smith Hallidie saw a horse drawn streetcar slide backwards on a damp cobblestone street, causing five horses to lose their lives. He knew he needed to do something about it. His father held the first patent in Great Britain for wire rope, and he used this technology in California’s gold country, in building a bridge in Sacramento, and in pulling heavy ore cars out of underground mines.
Using this technology, he devised a cable car system where giant wheels pull a wire cable through a trench embedded in a roadway. The cars attach to the cable and are pulled along. His first ride downhill, August 2, 1873, was alone as no one wanted to ride with him. Once he demonstrated their safety, cable cars dominated the city’s transit scene for more than 30 years.
Then came the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and they were almost extinguished.
In the 1890s there were eight active cable car companies, covering the city with 127 miles of track. Today, there is one combined line with 10.5 miles of track in three branches. Thirty-one cars, weighing six tons each, travel at a speed of 9.5 miles per hour up a 21 percent grade.
Whether this is your first time visiting San Francisco or if you want to enjoy the City by the Bay from an iconic landmark, hop aboard a cable car. Want some insider tips on best to enjoy your ride?
For the best views, you want to be on the side that faces the bay. For the Powell cars, that’s the east side. If the car is leaving downtown, you would want to be on the right side. If you’re at Fisherman’s Wharf, the left side. If you don’t know, ask the driver.
Exit off the car and wait for it to pass. Drivers always pay attention, but if something should happen, they can’t swerve to avoid you.
Cable cars are pretty good about staying on schedule. Unless, it’s raining. You might have a short wait in this case.
Wear a sweater. Even on a warm day, it can get cold on the cars. The warmest spots are on the inside. You won’t get the best views there, however.
Don’t let anything…purses, backpacks, kids…hang off the edge.
Hold on and watch your kids.
There are three different cable cars routes. The Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines start at the busy intersection of Powel and Market. They head toward Fisherman’s Wharf. These are the most popular as they climb some great hills, giving riders fantastic views. The California/Van Ness line starts at California and Market and goes to Van Ness. You get different views from each line, so if you have time…ride more than one.
Cable cars stop almost every block on California and Powell/Mason lines.
Cable cars are not handicap accessible.
If there are long lines, walk a few blocks to the next stop. The car will probably be full and you’ll have to stand, but the wait is shorter. Your call.
You are allowed, with a ticket, to get on a cable car at any stop along the route. It will stop for you.
Cable cars start operations about 6 am and run until about 12:30 at night. They usually run every 10 minutes and run all year.
Fun Facts: Cable cars are the only moving National Monument in the world. There have been two women in history who have served as a gripman.
IF YOU GO: Visit the Cable Car Museum at 1201 Mason Street. This free museum offers you a chance to see the inner workings below the street, to watch the gigantic wheels that pull the cable cars, watch the sheaves, which are the pulleys, and view an original car from Andrew Hallidie’s Clay Street Hill Railroad.
In 2017 La Cite du Vin welcomed 445,000 visitors. Impressive…
|
Following is some great information I received from Reviews.com
Auto insurance for foreign and domestic travel
For many people, auto insurance is a monthly expense that probably doesn’t get a second thought when the fee comes out of one’s account. But for travelers, the world of auto insurance can be very complex. Safe driving is key to a great trip, whether you’re traveling within your home country or internationally.
When traveling inside the U.S.
Auto insurance is absolutely essential for a domestic road trip. If you’re due for a policy update, be sure you’re covered in these basic areas, as outlined in Reviews.com’s guide to auto insurance.
Remember that price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing your insurer. Cheaper isn’t always better, and since the average driver gets in an accident once every 18 years (maybe 3 times in their life), being fully covered will save you money in the long run. For more information on finding a great policy, you can check out their full guide here: https://www.reviews.com/auto-insurance/
Driving through to Canada and Mexico
When crossing the border between the U.S. and Canada, an existing U.S. auto policy typically will cover your international travel, according to DMV.org. Always confirm your coverage before you leave for your trip to ensure you fulfill minimum coverage requirements.
When crossing the border between the U.S. and Mexico, an existing U.S. auto policy typically does not cover you. Most drivers will need to purchase temporary Mexican auto insurance to ensure they’re covered in the event of a collision and to avoid breaking insurance laws. You can read more about temporary auto insurance in Mexico here.
Renting Internationally
Overall, it’s important to make sure that you have auto insurance that fully covers you for whatever may happen in your travels. In the event of an accident, minimum coverage may mean that you’re still paying out-of-pocket costs for medical coverage or property damage. Typical U.S. auto insurers do not cover overseas travel. The only way to know is to ask your current insurer, who may be able to help coordinate coverage for you if you aren’t currently covered.
Check with your credit card company for additional coverage, as this is a benefit for many who book their car rental through their card. This is a great perk that comes with your card, but dive in deep before you rely solely on this coverage. Sometimes these policies only cover the car you’re in, but not other drivers hurt in the accident. Be sure to contact your credit provider for a full explanation of coverage. Nerdwallet has a great list of questions to ask to make this a successful and informative conversation.
Rental car companies typically offer insurance as part of your rental package. If you feel uncomfortable with the coverage (or lack thereof) from your current auto policy or insurance from your credit card provider, this may be a great way to go. The most important part here is to do your homework before you travel, as this is a big upsell for rental companies and you may truly not need it.
What are your thoughts? Have you had experiences with insurance?
National Geographic, America’s renowned magazine, has just published its choice of the 11 best museums in the world. With more than 3.5 million copies sold monthly and 20 million visitors to its website each month, it offers travel enthusiasts a selection of the world’s finest museums. La Cité du Vin ranks alongside London’s Design Museum and Tate Modern, the Museum of Tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
La Cité du Vin is a unique cultural facility located in Bordeaux, dedicated to wine as a cultural, universal and living heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world, through the ages and in all cultures. Visitors can purchase tickets at www.laciteduvin.com and at La Cité du Vin.
Recently, I read this on a post from Getty…
Effective January 15, 2018, passengers must remove the lithium-ion batteries from their smart luggage before checking in.
The batteries that make suitcases smart are a huge fire hazard.
High-tech suitcases that charge your phone, open at a single touch, and track your valuables may make traveling less anxiety-reducing (lost luggage worries, begone!), but they unleash a whole new risk for airlines, which is why American Airlines is imposing new rules on them.
Effective January 15, American Airlines won’t let passengers check their smart suitcases if the lithium-ion battery can’t be removed, the airline announced on Friday. “We’ve looked at the prevalence of these bags as they most likely are going to be a hot item, no pun intended, this holiday season,” a spokesperson for the airline told The New York Times. “Just make sure the battery is removable,” he continued. “If it’s not removable, we won’t be permitting it to fly in the cargo hold or in the cabin.”
After American’s announcement, Delta announced similar restrictions beginning on the same date. According to CNBC, United Airlines and Southwest are working on policies as well. The Federal Aviation Administration already bans spare lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage because the powerful energy source has the potential to overheat. The batteries particularly pose a high risk when luggage is stored in an aircraft’s cargo hold. Crew members are trained to put out fires in the main cabin with extinguishers and fire containment bags, but they are essentially powerless in reaching them in the hard-to-access luggage hold. If they aren’t checking their smart bag, passengers can leave the battery in the suitcase—but it still must be removable.
The new policy is related to current ones for laptops and hoverboards, which pose similar risks when checked. Passengers will have to remove the batteries with screwdrivers approved by TSA. Some high-tech suitcase manufacturers already include batteries that can be uninstalled, including Raden and Away. Raden’s battery is stored in a removable electronics pouch while Away includes a TSA-approved screwdriver in its products. The brand Bluesmart, however, does not allow its batteries to be removed, though according to its website, the batteries are installed to comply with industry regulations.
Check out these insider travel tips from professional and frequent travelers.
If you check your bags, take a photo as they are loaded onto the belt. It never
hurts to show the airline they were, indeed, loaded.
Check reviews of airlines before you purchase that “too good to be true” ticket. What, exactly are you getting for your money?
Always fly with a reusable water bottle. Many good flasks are available. Some even come with a filter…important and necessary on some trips.
Become a regular…wherever you are. Maybe it’s stopping for a glass of wine every day at 4:00 and talking to the bartender. Maybe it’s talking to the locals at the café or bar. Think of this as your new home. See who you meet.
Jet lag? One suggestion is to get some sun the moment you land. That and a cup of coffee… What do you do?
More later…
Have you seen The Faces?
Travel Trends in 2018…Any of These Appeal to You?
Are any of these ideas or trends on your travel list for 2018?
Apparently, women traveling together is going to be a big deal in 2018. At least that’s what I’ve been informed. Do you agree? If so…why and how? Last year the solo travel industry blossomed. Did you take a solo trip?
Cooking classes have always been popular. In 2018, they are becoming the thing to do. You learn to cook…then you eat. Sounds good to me.
Likewise, safaris have been a popular trip. Some areas in Africa are experiencing major water shortages and are cutting back on these trips. That leaves other areas picking up the slack. Some places could be more dangerous. Be sure to check before you go. Safety should be a concern wherever you go.
Fitness trips are quickly expanding and offering more options. No longer are just trekking trips offered. You now can cycle in the Alps, run marathons across the world, kayak the oceans, sail your own adventure, and more. Interested?
What are your travel trends for 2018?
Cheers!