Tag: Travel

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Best of Small Bags

I’m starting a new feature on my blog…The Best Of.

These are items I have used, traveled with, reviewed, and experimented extensively with. You will get the good, the not-so-good, and the wow-how did I live without this review. It doesn’t mean you’ll love it or hate it. I’m giving my opinion.

Everything I review will have been used by me more than once…unless, of course, it’s a total waste.

First up…small bags.

 

I use a variety of small bags when packing. Some in my suitcase…some in my purse.

This one gets used for cords for my phone and tablet, adapters I need to plug my devices into European wall sockets, an extra camera battery, and an extra camera card.

This one was made by TeresaMade and I love it. You can find her bags on Etsy.

I’ll showcase more bags of various sizes in upcoming posts. I’ll even give some ideas for other small bags. Stay tuned.

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Is That a Horse on My Flight?

Support Animals on Airplanes

Miniature horses are now allowed on several airlines as service animals. These horses, when properly trained, assist with disabilities. Since they have excellent eyesight and can live 30 or more years, they often help those who are blind.

In addition, if someone has a dog or cat allergy…a miniature horse may be the solution.

The key word here is trained. They need to be professionally trained in order to qualify, say most airlines. And, they must qualify as a service animal. Not just a pet. As of yet, they also do not qualify as an emotional support animal. That category is for dogs and cats only.

Can you find out if a miniature horse will be on your flight? Not yet. You’ll only find that out during boarding.

So…if you see a small horse standing in the boarding area, you’ll know why!

 

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Old Mission San Luis Rey

Old Mission San Luis Rey

History: Missions in Alta California were established as a result of the threat of Russian fur trappers encroaching on the area. Spain learned land could be claimed inexpensively by establishing a mission, sending dedicated padres and supplies, and adding some soldiers for protection.

Mission San Luis Rey, 18th in this chain of missions throughout California, was founded in 1789 by Padre Fermin Francisco do Lasuen, successor to Padre Junipero Serra. He named it after St. Louis IX, King of France during the 13th century.

Between 1798 and 1832 Mission San Luis Rey became home to 3,000 Indians who helped care for 50,000 head of livestock. The Mission’s land was cultivated for grapes, oranges, olives, wheat, and corn. Self-sustaining, the Mission channeled water from the river to the north to irrigate its crops. Buildings were constructed using local materials of adobe, fired clay bricks, and wooden timbers. By 1830 the Mission was the largest building in California.

During the 1950s and 1960s the Friars uncovered the Soldiers’ Barracks and the Lavanderia. Today, restoration is ongoing.

Quadrangle: If you want to tour an important part of the Mission, sign up for a special tour to access the quadrangle. This area houses workshops, living quarters, a kitchen, an infirmary, a winery, and storage.

Pepper Tree: Also within this quadrangle is the oldest living Pepper Tree in California. The first pepper trees in Alta California were planted by Father Antonio Peyri, using seeds brought here in 1830 by a sailor from Peru. Even if you don’t take the special tour, you can still see this tree and the surrounding gardens through the original carriage arch.

Cemetery: The cemetery has been in continuous use since the Mission was founded. It is the oldest burial grounds in North San Diego County still in operation. With recent expansion it is possible for area residents of all faiths to be buried here. Check out the skull and crossbones above the entrance to the cemetery. This is typical of Franciscan cemeteries.

If you’re a television show watcher from the 1950s, you may recognize those gates. Walt Disney used them for the filming of several television episodes of ‘Zorro’ at San Luis Rey.

Architecture: While missions in California are recognizable by their architecture, sparkling white exteriors, and bell towers, Mission San Luis Rey is among the finest existing examples of Spanish-Colonial architecture in all of California.  It’s one of only two cruciform, or cross-shaped, churches ever built by the Spanish in the region. It is no wonder it’s a National Historic Landmark. The main walls of the church are 30 feet high and 5 feet thick with an adobe interior and baked brick exterior. Lime-based whitewash coats the walls. Its bell tower is an impressive 75 feet tall. Another unique feature here is the restored wooden dome. This is the only mission with a dome and cupola.

If You Go: Old Mission San Luis Rey is located at 4050 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA. For more information, www.sanluisrey.org.

 

 

 

 

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Travel Planning Suggestions

Here are a few ideas when planning your next trip…or your first trip. Have fun…

1 month out

  • Make sure you have the maps you will need; load some on your phone that can be used offline; possibly get paper ones
  • Double check your flight info; just an FYI
  • Call your bank and credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling and where you will be

2 weeks out

  • Check weather so you can pack accordingly; check for the next two weeks…as it may change drastically
  • Check medication refills and contact your physician if necessary
  • Take a free airport tour online
  • Download the My TSA app

1 week out

  • Print all confirmation emails; it doesn’t hurt to have both paper and electronic versions
  • Double check your electronic folder and update numbers and contacts as necessary
  • Take some pictures of your luggage and documents; store in a file on your phone
  • Print a list for your house or pet sitter
  • Print a letter to your home and car insurance company listing the name of the person taking care of your home
  • Print a letter for the vet, if you have a pet, allowing your pet sitter to bring your pet for treatment
  • Print a packing list

 

 

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Breakfast at Le Femme Boulanger

Breakfast at La Femme Boulanger

The Baker’s Wife…a wonderful breakfast in Nice. A basket heaped with multiple kinds of bread sat next to six jars of homemade jams. Of course, I had to sample them all. Orange and Grapefruit Marmalade, Fig Jam, Blueberry Preserves, Cherry Jam, Strawberry Preserves, and Apricot Jam…oh my.

If I was asked to pick a favorite, I’m quite sure I couldn’t. They were all that good.

And, this was before breakfast was brought to us. A fluffy, two egg omelet, fresh fruit, crispy bacon slices, and a grilled tomato graced the plate. But, it was hard not to lick out the jars which held the jams…just sayin’.

Located in the Golden Square in Nice, near the Promenade des Anglais.

 

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Cassis…the First Time

Cassis…you may know the word cassis as the French work for blackcurrant. That’s true. And, it’s a great taste.

High Above Cassis

However, it’s also the name of a delightful French fishing port complete with impossibly clear turquoise waters, dozens of boats, and yummy-looking pastel houses. Plenty of charm here, too. There’ s just no other way to describe it.

Driving down and down the steep, winding road, past rocky cliffs on one side and glimpses of blue water on the other, you eventually arrive on the edge of Cassis. Without knowing it, you’ve passed right by the centuries-old Chateau. And, yes those were grapevines on the steep rocky slopes. Then you see shimmering water in the distance. The Mediterranean Sea.

Park above the town. You really do not want to drive on the narrow, slightly uneven cobblestone streets where locals and tourists are wandering. Walking gives you the opportunity to experience Cassis the way it should be experienced. Slowly.

Friday, the day we were there, is market day. Even though the guide books said this market was smaller than others in Provence, we found it to be just as diverse and delicious as any others we had been to. We strolled through rows and rows of vendors, tented stalls, and smells so fantastic our mouths couldn’t stop watering.

I visited with a cheesemaker from Germany. In the south of France. Go figure. Another vendor, a woman selling olive wood spoons, knew where San Diego was. Her daughter goes to school there. Small world. Deeply hued, brightly colored bowls, plates, and platters grabbed my attention. The vendor and I talked…her using small amounts of English and me using broken French. We got along just fine.

Even though the cheeses, meats, olives, pottery, flowers, biscuits, baskets, cookies, pastries, and stacks of breads might have appeared to be the same as other street markets, they weren’t. Each village or town has their own unique specialties. Candied orange cookies begged to be eaten with a cup of espresso. Yummy morning treat. They are a specialty here.

Not crowded like its touristy neighbor, St. Tropez, Cassis is a popular place for both international and French tourists on holiday. Everyone takes time to sit at a sidewalk café and people watch. Doesn’t matter if you’re drinking your morning coffee or mid-morning rose wine. Finished? How about shopping for a chic sundress, a stylish straw hat, or colorful, flirty sandals? All of the above, please.

Another thing, not a lot of English is spoken here. Yet, everyone is friendly and regardless of your command of the French language, you don’t even realize you’ve been communicating with the shopkeeper or the couple at the table next to you.

Wine? Sure. This is one of France’s outstanding wine growing areas. In fact, it’s one of the first three French wine regions to be classed as an AOC by decree on May 15, 1936. In this area, 12 wine estates produce 1,000,000 bottles a year. That’s a lot of wine from those steep vineyards. You’ll find mostly white wines with some Roses.

If you’re here for more than a day, you have to take a boat trip to the Calanques. These rocky inlets are called the Fjordes of the Med. A series of rocky cliffs and bays have been formed in the limestone. This area has a unique eco-system with no soil. It has been protected since 2012. The best way to see it is by boat. Be sure to allow enough time…or stay another day.

At the end of the day…Cassis is a place we’ll come back to. Wandering the town, sampling local seafood and wines, watching people enjoying themselves, and relaxing with a view of the sparkling Med in front of us and rows of candy-colored buildings stacked up the cliffs behind us. Oh yeah. We’ll be back. Hold our table. Merci.

If You Go: Cassis is located east of Marseille in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur in southern France.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Food and Wine…Here We Come

 

Avignon Food and Wine Tour

Mention Avignon and many people know this is where the pope lived during the early 14th century. Hence the imposing Palais des Papes which dominates the skyline of Avignon.

I’ll save that for another article.

On our last visit, we signed up for an Avignon Food and Wine Tour. Why? We love discovering and finding local foods on our own. But, thinking this might be something to try…we signed up.

We were promised a unique experience with a local guide, taking us to local shops. That was right on.

Aurelie, our guide, is a local. She shops around the city daily. So, that’s where she took us. The oldest artisan baker in town, an award-winning master chocolate maker, wine sellers, coffee roasters, olive growers, the local, central market…all her favorites. Many are now our favorites, too. Her passion for food, wine, and Avignon were evident. She knew the locals and they knew her.

As we wandered through streets and down alleys, we learned and we ate. What better way to learn about and understand local foods and how they relate to the history of Avignon? This is definitely a unique way to sample a city.

First up, slightly warm, impossibly light, buttery, flaky croissants. In a park. Surrounded by roses in shades of pinks and yellows, ancient stone columns, chirping birds flitting about the branches. And, pigeons begging for a crumb. Any crumb. Sorry…none left.

Except for the pigeons, it was the perfect way to start the day. If only we had some coffee or espresso. Guess what? That was the next stop as we wove our way through the back streets of Avignon.

At Café du Bresil, in Avignon since 1976, rich, fragrant, coffee beckoned to us from several feet down the street. This is a tiny place. Coffee is their passion. Buying the right beans, roasting to achieve the desired taste, and grinding to fit your machine…all important to them. Tastes and aromas. They make you want to taste, smell, touch, and look. What do you get? The perfect combination. We hated to leave.

Until, that is, Aurelie told us the next stop was an artisan chocolate shop. Aline Gehant, the owner and chocolatier of Artisan Chocolatier en Provence, creates chocolates with a variety of flavors and tastes. Our mission that morning, if we chose to accept it, was to decide what each sample piece was infused with. Of course, we all chose to accept that mission.

First taste…definitely lavender. Not heavy perfumey lavender. Just a hint. But, noticeable. Next, an herb. Was it oregano? Or, was it thyme? Turns out it was thyme. Again, just a hint. Last…a hint of pistachio. Since she makes her chocolates by infusing the herbs and flavors, you taste that subtle flavor all the way through the piece of chocolate. Simply amazing. But, we had to leave. A bakery was calling to us.

More walking. Actually, strolling to our next stop. The oldest bakery in Avignon showcased delightful pastries in the window. Decisions. Decisions. How do we know which one to pick? Thankfully, Aurelie had already chosen for us. Sitting beneath huge, shady trees, these disappeared amid sighs of pleasure. No crumbs left here, either. But, it was time to move to our next stop. Wine.

Since Chateauneuf du Pape is the area’s most prestigious wine, guess what we sampled? The wine shop also poured several other samples for us while explaining where his wines come from. Tasty stop.

Now, more walking to our final destination. Lunch at Les Halles d’Avignon. Forty growers and tradesmen from around the area feature and sell their products, which represent the taste, quality, and freshness of the soil. What a sight.

Glistening, ruby red peppers sit next to shiny, amethyst-colored eggplants. Strawberries, so plump you think they might burst, beckon to be sampled. Fruits and vegetables of every color imaginable line stalls up and down the aisles.

Perfect, marbled filets waiting to be cut to your order, fresh liver resting in a pan, giant slabs of bacon, chickens, geese, quail…and more. Duck fat…jars of duck fat. Seafood showcased on ice. Whole fish, mouths open, along the edge. It was all so fresh, you didn’t detect any fishy smell.

Olives…so many olives. Cheeses you may not have heard of but can’t wait to try. Tapenades, pates, garlic spreads, pickles. Baguettes, long, thin, crusty on the outside and melt in your mouth in the middle.

What do you want? Again, we didn’t have to decide. Aurelie had everything arranged for our gourmet lunch. Including wine and dessert.

What a perfect ending to our food and wine tour.

Now, we were off to explore more of Avignon on our own.

Would we do this again? Of course. It was a different way to explore a city. It was long enough and covered enough different areas. That made it ideal. We were introduced to areas and vendors we might never have discovered on our own.

Plus, we had the perfect guide. She kept us moving, yet didn’t hurry us.

This was a great introduction to Avignon.

If You Go: More can be found about this tour at https://www.avignongourmetours.com/#home-2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Legoland Tips

LEGOLAND…

What promised to be a fun day exploring with grandkids…turned out to be just that. I mean, how can you not have a good time surrounded by giant Lego critters, Lego hands-on adventures, and a giant Lego Deathstar?

Although Legoland is primarily geared for families with kids ages 2 to 12, kids of most ages will enjoy something here. With over 60 rides, shows, and attractions, those alone can fill your day.

That doesn’t even cover the aquarium, the water park, wave park, and river.

Things I learned:

Go early. Even during off season, the popular rides and attractions fill up. If you have little ones, they may get tired after a couple of hours.

Head to the back of the park first. Rides at the front attract everyone’s attention as soon as they walk in. By going to the rides at the back, you’ll find less lines. Kids love almost all the rides. They’re happy to be riding or experiencing…not standing in line when they first get there.

Decide if there are rides you absolutely don’t want to miss. Scope them out and figure out the best time to go on them. You may have to wait, but there are things to watch while you’re standing in line.

Take breaks. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and have an ice cream cone or a snack. Chances are there’ll be a giant Lego figure close by the kids can sit on.

Let the kids wander. Keep an eye on them, but let them experience the park. There are so many Lego figures of all sizes to see. There are villages, lakes, Star Wars…absolutely everything Lego.

Let them build a Lego boat and float it down the ramp into the ‘pond’ below. Kids and adults…it’s for everyone.

Wear sunscreen. Even though there a plenty of trees, you are still outside for an entire day.

Check out the Lego hotels if you’re staying in the area.

Tired kids fell asleep on the way home. I’d say that was a good day at Legoland.

LEGOLAND is a registered trademark.

If You Go: Legoland is located at 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA. For more information https://www.legoland.com/california/legoland-hotel/legoland-resort-hotel/resort-overview.

 

 

 

 

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Your Luggage Isn’t There

According to the Department of Transportation, the vast majority of bags are reunited with their owners within hours. If your luggage isn’t on the carousel when you arrive, here are some steps to get you started.

Before you leave the airport, report your missing luggage to your airline’s customer service. If you took a connecting flight with multiple carriers, file a report with the airline that brought you to your final destination.

According to the Department of Transportation, you should insist on creating a report no matter what, even if the airline says your bag will be on the next flight. Before you leave the airport, ask for a copy of the report with a file reference number, and a follow-up phone number. Ask about delivery options.

Some carriers allow their employees to give you a cash advance at the airport for purchasing necessities, such as toiletries and a change of clothes. Others will reimburse you for these purchases later. When you report your lost luggage at the airport, ask the agent how your airline handles reimbursement for necessities. You are entitled to this compensation even if your bags are later returned.

International note: For bags that don’t show up after international flights, make a report with your airline as described above. After you receive a delayed bag, international regulations give you 21 days in which to submit a claim for reimbursement for necessities purchased in the interim.

After you’ve made a report, the airline will start tracing your bag. Most airlines will be able to deliver your bag within a day or two. If you receive no notice within a reasonable time after making your initial report at the airport, follow up with the airline by calling the phone number you received. Most carriers will also allow you to track the progress of your report online.

At a certain point, if an airline can’t locate your bag, its status will change from delayed to lost. For domestic flights, the amount of time varies by airline, though it shouldn’t be more than a few weeks. For international flights, luggage must be declared missing if it doesn’t show up within 21 days.

Once the bag is officially declared lost, you may begin the claims process for a lost bag. The exact claims process varies by airline. Regulations cap reimbursement at $3,500 per traveler for domestic flights and around $1,600 for most international flights.

Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, for example, allow customers to initiate a claim if their luggage isn’t located within five days. United Airlines allows customers to do so after three days.

As part of the claims process, you’ll fill out paperwork detailing the contents of the lost bags and their value. The airline will likely ask for sales receipts or other documentation to back up your estimates. The Department of Transportation cautions that if you don’t have these records, you can expect to negotiate with your airline.

Once your claim has been submitted, it can take an airline anywhere from four weeks to three months to reimburse you.

If you’re traveling with valuables, declare them before you fly. There are caps on reimbursement, and travelers with high-value luggage may want to declare and purchase excess valuation when checking their bags.

I know people who have never recovered their lost luggage…but it is rare. Bottom line…if you know what to do ahead of time, it may make your life easier when the baggage carousel stops, and you have no luggage. Maybe…

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Have You Been to a Parfumerie?

 

The appeal of perfume is that it is at once ephemeral and empowering…~ Mary Gaitskill

 

Traveling is experiencing. At least, it is for me.

So, when in Saint Remy de Provence I decided to make an appointment at a parfumerie. A new experience for me.

I thought maybe I would get an understanding of the process by watching a professional make perfume. But, it was much more than just sitting down while someone mixed up different scents. This was going to be a hands-on, nose-involved, one-on-one lesson in making my own perfume.

Jars, bottles, photos, coffee beans, and assorted mixing sticks were arranged on the bar in front of me. My own personal mini-lab.

Catherine, at Parfumerie Galimard, is schooled in the science of perfumery and has her credentials. She was my teacher for the afternoon.

Before we started, she explained what a base note is and how it differs from a heart note and from a head or top note. I also learned there’s a fragrant farm just 4 km from Grasse, in the south of France. Yes, a fragrant farm. For five consecutive generations one family has grown the May rose exclusively for the Channel No 5 scent. Yep. All 35 to 40 tons of May rose petals are processed for Channel.

Did you know that four tons of roses equals about 1,600,000 rose blossoms? And, that equals one kg of rose oil? No wonder some perfumes are expensive.

And, the town of Grasse. Jean de Galimard lived in Grasse in 1747, where he created Parfumerie Galimard. During this time, he supplied the court of Louis, King of France, with olive oil, and pomades and perfumes developed from his own formulas. These scents were used to enhance gloves of the fashionable crowd.

Today, those same processes and the natural resources of Grasse are still being used. Jasmine, rose, lavender, orange flower, and tuberose are some of the most widely used to obtain the rich scents necessary for quality perfumes.

“Okay, enough history.” Catherine told me. “You’re going to make your own scent. It will be based on your preferences. Are you ready to work?”

Are you kidding? Of course.

So, where did we start? Catherine told me to make a fine perfume, you need to start with the best raw materials. Just like they did in King Louis’ time. “You must know where these materials came from and how they are grown.”

Then, she said they need to be mixed correctly to achieve the scent you’re looking for.

To do this, parfumeurs use the olfactory pyramid. Ingredients in any perfume are organized on three levels, based on their evaporation rates.

First, are the top or head notes. These are light, fresh, and very volatile scents. They are the ones you first smell. But, they’re also the ones to evaporate first. They can be energetic and exciting, catching your attention and involving your senses. According to Catherine, you might even think this is the essences of this perfume. You probably get smells of lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot. Others like ginger, eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, sage and rosemary come through as well.

The next level is the middle or heart notes. These should be perceived immediately right after the head notes. They’re stronger and more sensual, awakening deep sensations. At times, they can even mask strong base notes. Smells like peach, rose, thrush, freesia, tuberose, chamomile, jasmine, green land, or oceans come through.

Last are the base notes. They’re the last ones to be perceived. They appear slower but evaporate gradually, lasting longer. These are the ones which give your perfume its personality. You might find scents like incense, patchouli, cedarwood, sandalwood, iris, heliotrope, vanilla, caramel, cocoa, coffee, mush, leather, and birch. They stabilize other scents and are often used for the relaxing and calming effect.

“Getting the right mix of top, heart, and base notes is what makes a great parfume. Each person smells those notes differently. Getting it the way you like makes your great parfume.

“When we’re finished, I will show you how to wear your new scent.” And, she did.

Now, time to start. Catherine took me through the process of smelling and mixing. She handed me the jar of coffee beans. “Smelling coffee beans in between scents cleanses those scents from your nose. Much like the process when you sniff different wines.” More smelling and mixing followed. It was a fun-filled, educational hour and a half.

I lost track of the number of combinations of top, heart, and base notes I smelled. She took me through a series of scents, telling me not to comment whether I liked it or not. More coffee beans to sniff. Then, I went back and smelled them again. By then, I did have preferences.

When we were finished, I had my own unique formula. My recipe. I walked away with my own bottle and an appreciation of what goes into making perfume. It’s a lot more complicated than I imagined.

By the way, they keep that formula on hand in case I want to re-order. Smart.

 

If You Go:

http://www.galimard.com/index.php/en/la-source-parfumee.html