Page 34 – A Brit and A Southerner

How to Travel Europe by Train in Two Awesome Weeks

Travel Tips

-

May 2, 2016

How to Travel Europe by Train in Two Awesome Weeks

Breathtaking panoramic scenes of rural beauty combined with historic cities are examples of what makes Europe such a popular destination for travelers. We love exploring Europe not only because of these reasons but also because everything is so closely packed together. Low-cost airlines or adventurous road trips are great options to get around but in our opinion, the best way is to travel Europe by train. What better way to do this than by using an awesome Eurail Pass.

If you have followed our travels over the last few years, you will know that we are huge proponents of the Eurail Pass. We have been fortunate to previously explore Europe by train using the Eurail Select Pass to explore Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Our latest adventures saw us get a little more ambitious and courtesy of winning two Eurail Global Passes at TBEX Europe 2015, we were able to plot an itinerary a little more extensive than before.

We want to share our hectic yet amazing journey through Europe where we spent two weeks exploring some of the most beautiful destinations in the world (at least in our opinion).

Eurail Global Pass

With access to 28 countries around Europe, the Eurail Global Pass is the most extensive of all passes available. If you have flexibility and time, this is definitely the right pass for you. Be sure to check Eurail’s website at the time of booking for the latest prices and options available.

These prices are for adults though options are available for youths (Under 25). Second class tickets are also available for purchase but we strongly recommend ‘First Class’ as you have the luxury and freedom of selecting any available seats in either class. We will share more of our experiences later on ‘First Class luxury’!

Pass Duration	1st Class
5 Days Within 1 Month	$528
7 Days Within 1 Month	$643
10 Days Within 2 Months	$793
15 Days Within 2 Months	$1039
15 Days Continuous	$673
22 Days Continuous	$868
1 Month Continuous	$1065
2 Months Continuous	$1501
3 Months Continuous	$1851

**Prices updated as of March 12, 2016 (subject to change)

I personally think the best value is in those passes with 10 or 15 days. If you have no time constraints, then the one-month continuous pass is an amazing option because you have way more flexibility and time to spend in each country. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to spend so much time so check out our itinerary below using the 15 days within 2 months pass (First Class).

If you need more convincing that the Eurail Global Pass or any of the available passes is right for you, check out our overall review of why exploring Europe by train is the only option you should be considering.

Intense and Amazing European Itinerary

As we headed across the pond prior to Christmas 2015, we had every intention of seeing as much of Europe as possible using our Eurail Passes.

Proposed Itinerary

Our flight was booked into Stockholm, Sweden so that was definitely going to be our starting point prior to Christmas. We planned on spending at least 24 hours in Stockholm to explore the city and then head on the train to Copenhagen. Flights from Stockholm back to England were expensive but we found a couple of cheaper options out of Copenhagen.

After spending Christmas with my family, we had flights booked back to Berlin and from there the adventure would start.

Actual Itinerary

To give you a better idea of the dates and time spent in each location here is exact itinerary by date along with the European cities we discovered along the way.

Date	Location
December 20	Stockholm
December 21	Stockholm
December 22	Copenhagen and Manchester
December 22 – 27	United Kingdom
December 27	Manchester, Hannover, and Berlin
December 28	Berlin and Dresden
December 29	Dresden and Prague
December 30	Prague and Vienna
December 31	Vienna, Bratislava, and Budapest
January 1	Budapest
January 2	Innsbruck and Zurich
January 3	Lucerne and Interlaken
January 4	Strasbourg and Luxembourg City
January 5	Luxembourg City and Brussels
January 6	Brussels and Amsterdam
January 7	Amsterdam

Armed with our handy Eurail app on our iPad and an old-fashioned map, we were ready to go!

Our planned route was pretty accurate though we did have to make a few changes en route, particularly from Budapest to Zagreb which we had to cancel given the trains no longer cross the border due to the migrant crisis in this part of Europe. We only found this out two hours into our train journey, so we had to hop off the train at the next available spot and head back to Budapest.

The town of Simontornya in the heart of Hungary was where we stopped for almost two hours in a train station that reminded me out of a scene of Hostel or other Eastern European based movie. We finally arrived back in Budapest and despite losing two nights accommodation in Zagreb and Ljubljana, we decided to change our itinerary and head to Zurich and spend some more time in the Swiss Alps.

We want to give you a brief step by step guide on our route and some information on things to do, where to stay etc. in each of the locations we experienced.

Stockholm

Our first visit to Sweden was the perfect way to start our amazing trip around Europe. From strolling around the historic Gamla Stan (Old Town) neighborhood to the modern design of SkyView, we had a great time exploring Stockholm.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Gamla Stan
Vasa Museum
The Royal Palace
Stockholm City Hall
SkyView Observatory

Check out our review of spending 24 hours in Stockholm that provides more details on several of these attractions along with some other useful hints and tips about the city.

Hotel Recommendation

Scandic Grand Central Hotel
Address – Kungsgatan 70, 111 20 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone – +46 8 512 520 00

Check out our review of the Scandic Grand Central Hotel which is situated in a perfect location to explore many of the above-recommended attractions.

Berlin

Flying into Germany after spending Christmas with my family in England saw us arrive in Hannover and then take the two-hour train journey to Berlin. We spent the night and the majority of the next day in the German capital, exploring many of the leading attractions including the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Berlin Wall
Brandenburg Gate
Reichstag
Checkpoint Charlie
Berlin Cathedral

Experiencing Berlin in a day is optimistic, slightly crazy but a whole bunch of fun! You can check out what we did in the German capital before boarding an early evening train to the city of Dresden, which was one of the cities devastated by bombings in World War II.

Hotel Recommendation

Ramada Berlin Alexanderplatz
Address – Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 32, 10178 Berlin, Germany
Phone – +49 30 30104110

The Ramada Berlin Alexanderplatz hotel is a perfect location especially if you are visiting Germany at Christmas. Directly across from Christmas markets and Hofbräu Alexanderplatz, there is plenty to see in this part of Berlin before heading on the M or S-Bahn to explore all the above attractions plus much more.

Prague

A short two-hour train journey from Dresden saw us visit the beautiful city of Prague. This was our first time in the Czech Republic and we immediately fell in love with the beauty here. Gorgeous architecture, cheap but delicious cuisine and a city that just inspires you to walk around and explore.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Charles Bridge
Old Town Square
Prague Astronomical Clock
Prague Castle
Wenceslas Square

24 hours in Prague may seem ambitious but once you arrive in the Czech capital you will understand how you can explore quite a lot of the city in such a short amount of time. If history and mouthwatering Trdelnik intrigues you, Prague is the city to visit!

This was one of our favorite spots on our European adventure, so we are excited to return here in the near future to explore more and of course, take advantage of the food here.

Hotel Recommendation

Jurys Inn Prague
Address – Sokolovská 204/11, 186 00 Praha 8, Czech Republic
Phone – +420 226 222 600

This hotel is in a perfect location directly across from the Florenc subway station which offers easy access to the main railway station in Prague. It is also a short 10-minute walk from the ‘old town’ where you can experience many of the above attractions.

Vienna

The Austrian capital of Vienna was next on our list and a journey of just over 4 hours from Prague offered us plenty of time to admire the gorgeous Czech and Austrian scenery, while also providing time to reflect on the experiences we had to date.

Traveling by train is comfortable and offers better opportunities to catch up on editing pictures, writing blog posts etc. Travel bloggers out there will understand.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Hofburg Palace
Mozart’s House
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Belvedere Palace
Peterskirche

If you only have a short time to spend in Austria, then perhaps our 24 hours in Vienna guide will be the perfect companion for you. We enjoyed our time in the Austrian capital and even in a short timeframe, we were able to explore a plethora of gorgeous landmarks iconic to this part of Europe.

Hotel Recommendation

Hotel Imlauer Wien
Address – Rotensterngasse 10, 1020 Wien, Austria
Phone – +43 1 211400

Bratislava

The beautiful Slovakian capital was next on our list of must-see cities around Europe. I am not going to lie, leaving Vienna on the short train journey to Bratislava was a little nerve wracking given that we had no idea what to expect.

A few hours later and we quickly found out that this is one city you just have to explore with an open mind and don’t let the train station cloud your judgment!

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Michael’s Gate
The Blue Church
Devin Castle
Bratislava Castle
Grassalkovich Palace

If you are visiting Slovakia for the first time, we strongly encourage you to take the free Bratislava walking tour that is available. Our tour guide Andrea was incredible and we can highly recommend this to anyone in the region. Learn about the history and culture of Bratislava plus understand why the portrayed stereotype in movies such as Eurotrip are far from the truth.

Hotel Recommendation

Marrol’s Boutique Hotel Bratislava
Address – Tobrucká 6953/4, 811 02 Bratislava 1 staré mesto, Slovakia
Phone – +421 2/577 846 00

Budapest

We arrived in Budapest on New Year’s Eve and this is definitely a great way to bring in the New Year! Staying at the Hilton in the heart of the city, we enjoyed a relaxing evening before heading out on New Year’s Day and exploring the city. With locals recovering from the night before, we were able to stroll around Budapest and enjoy the beauty within this city.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Chain Bridge
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Vajdahunyad Castle
Fisherman’s Bastion
Hungarian Parliament

Check out our guide to exploring Budapest in one day if you want more information on some of our favorite attractions around the Hungarian capital.

Hotel Recommendations

Hilton Budapest City
Address – Budapest, Váci út 1-3, 1062 Hungary
Phone – +36 1 288 5500

Eurostars Budapest Center
Address – Budapest, Kossuth Lajos u. 7-9, 1053 Hungary
Phone – +36 1 328 5200

We ended up staying two nights in Budapest after our mishap attempting to travel by train to Zagreb, only to find out that the border was closed. Both hotels are in a great location for accessing much of Budapest.

Zurich

Following the decision to return to Budapest, we decided to completely change our itinerary and head to Zurich early rather than visiting Zagreb, Ljubljana and Venice (we will have to save that for another trip). The train journey through Innsbruck and the Austrian Alps was gorgeous and although this was our longest trip, it was one of the most enjoyable given that we were able to eat lunch while appreciating the gorgeous scenery around us.

This was our second visit to Zurich and we have found that this city is a great hub for exploring other parts of Switzerland.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Cruise on Lake Zurich
St Peter’s Church
Swiss National Museum
Üetliberg
Grossmünster

Our review on our top recommended things to do in Zurich will certainly highlight some of our favorite spots but just spending time in this part of Switzerland will make you want to return sooner rather than later.

Hotel Recommendation

Hilton Zurich Airport
Address – Hohenbühlstrasse 10, 8152 Opfikon-Glattbrugg, Switzerland
Phone – +41 44 828 50 50

Luxembourg City

One of the lesser known parts of Europe is the small nation of Luxembourg. Located in the shadows of both France and Germany, this nation is well worth visiting for many of the following reasons.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Casemates du Bock
Grand Ducal Palace
La Passerelle Viaduct
Monument of National Solidarity
Luxembourg American Cemetery

If you are looking for recommendations on what to do in Luxembourg City, be sure to check out our review that will hopefully inspire you to add this to your itinerary. We visited Luxembourg City en route from Strasbourg to Brussels and it is the perfect stop-off before heading into Belgium.

Hotel Recommendation

Best Western Hotel International
Address – 20-22 Place de la Gare, 1616 Luxembourg
Phone – +352 48 59 11

Brussels

As we headed into our final few days exploring Europe, we took time to visit the beautiful city of Brussels despite the mass security concerns surrounding this city following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

We have heard a lot of negative comments made about Brussels, not only regarding the security here, but also because it is portrayed as a very underwhelming city. We both personally disagree with these comments and had an enjoyable experience exploring the Belgian capital. Don’t forget to sample one (or more) of the delicious Belgian waffles…irresistable doesn’t begin to describe how good they are.

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Manneken Pis
Grand Place
St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral
Royal Palace
Belgian Center for Comic Strip Art

The best way to explore all of these attractions is to take a free Brussels walking tour.

Hotel Recommendation

Hilton Brussels City
Address – Place Charles Rogier 20, 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone – +32 2 203 31 25

Amsterdam

Our European Eurail adventure culminated in what we believe to be the best possible city, Amsterdam. Two weeks after embarking on the second part of our journey from Berlin, we arrived in Amsterdam ready to explore the perfectly dubbed ‘Venice of the North’.

The canals, bicycles and quirky architecture made us immediately fall in love with the city and that was before sampling a fine glass of Heineken!

5 Attractions Worth Visiting

Rijksmuseum
Anne Frank House
Red Light District
Begijnhof
Heineken Experience

An Amsterdam walking tour by Sandemans is a great way to learn about the history, culture and perhaps a little controversy. By the time you end the tour, you will be ready to head over to the local brewery and take the Heineken brewery tour.

Hotel Recommendation

Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Amsterdam – NDSM Wharf
Address – NDSM-Plein 28, 1033 WB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Phone – +31 20 722 0666

Summary

To travel Europe by train is clearly an awesome way to explore a lot in a short amount of time. We visited 13 different countries, many of which we only spent 24 hours there, but it was enough to give a brief insight into what was on offer there.

I can’t emphasize enough the convenience and benefits of purchasing a Eurail Pass and just heading out with an open-mind and experiencing the full potential of the European rail system. Other countries would do well to take note of this awesome system.

How to Enjoy a Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

New York

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 28, 2016

10

How to Enjoy a Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

Think about iconic landmarks in New York City and many of you may mention the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building or of course, Brooklyn Bridge. This gorgeous piece of architecture is one of the most important pieces of New York history and along with the infamous Manhattan skyline, is one one of the most photographed attractions in the Big Apple. Having visited New York City on several occasions and only experiencing the visual sight of the Brooklyn Bridge from a distance, during our recent trip we decided to change this. To take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most popular attractions and it is with good reason.

Brief History

The Brookyln Bridge dates back to the late 19th century. Construction initially started in 1870 before completion in 1883 led to the grand opening. President Chester A. Arthur walked across the bridge to the echoes of cannons being fired in celebration of this grand piece of architectural brilliance.

The Brooklyn Bridge is actually a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge and is one of the oldest bridges in USA for either style of construction. From airplanes being flown under this bridge in the early 20th-century to suicide attempts, Brooklyn Bridge has played a notable role in American history. As with many iconic New York City landmarks, this bridge has been the focal point of several terrorist attempts.

How to Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge

When figuring out which is the best way to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, you first need to determine whether you want to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan or vice-versa. We opted for the latter approach as we spent the morning wandering around Lower Manhattan, taking in the gorgeous views of the Brooklyn Bridge before making the decision to take the historic walk across the East River.

We made a huge mistake as we started exploring the Lower Manhattan district because after heading down Wall Street from our hotel near the World Trade Center site, we started walking along the East River promenade.

The views are spectacular and as you approach the Brooklyn Bridge you can really appreciate the fine technologies that went into the design of this bridge.

However, there is one huge problem. You have no way of accessing the bridge from here and all you can do is peer up almost 280 feet to the bridge. I strongly encourage you to visit the East River Promenade, even if it means taking quite a detour away from the Brooklyn Bridge entrance, because to stroll along this part of the river is relaxing and offers some pretty cool views of Brooklyn.

Ready to head back inland and cross the bridge? The pedestrian entrance is near City Hall New York and if you are planning to take the subway from another part of New York City here, head on the 4,5,6 line to the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall stop. Alternatives are available as you can see from the map below but the arrow shows the general vicinity where the pedestrian entrances are located.

If you are heading to the entrance from the East River Promenade, follow directions for Pace University and it is about a half mile walk back inland from the river until you reach City Hall.

An Example of Beautiful Architecture

Whether you decide to take a self-guided walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or perhaps you are inspired to take one of the free guided tours offered by companies like Free Tours by Foot, we encourage you to take your time walking over the bridge that spans just over a mile long.

The dedicated pedestrian walkway on the Brooklyn Bridge above the traffic below makes this an intriguing crossing but also those with a fear of heights should probably be a little wary before attempting to cross.

Take time crossing the bridge to appreciate the history surrounding this design. The different levels for traffic and pedestrians is an intriguing design in itself, but combine this with the age of this construction and you begin to really appreciate the quality behind this architectural masterpiece.

Selfies and Love Locks – Yes or No?

The journey from one side to the other will generally take around a hour given that you will want to spend some time capturing those memorable photographs.

Take a selfie or two with the iconic skyline as a backdrop but we encourage you to NOT take a padlock with you hoping to leave a token of your love on the bridge. Yes, people do it but I certainly do not condone this.

Paris is a popular spot for love locks but when you see the large collection on the Brooklyn Bridge, you will realize that this is popular among visitors despite the potential damage they are causing.

Create your own memories crossing the Brooklyn Bridge and take as many pictures as you want…but don’t allow your desire to follow the masses of tourists and damage this historical attraction.

What to do in Brooklyn?

After completing your crossing of one of the world’s most iconic bridges, give yourself a pat on the back! Seriously though, if you are walking from Manhattan to Brooklyn you have now arrived in the borough of Brooklyn and I am sure raring to see what there is to explore here.

We took the stairway down to Brooklyn Heights from the bridge and immediately saw a myriad of dining, drinking and sightseeing options. If you have time to spend here along with the Dumbo neighborhood, I strongly encourage you to do so.

Unfortunately we took this walk on our final day in New York City so had very little time to experience anything. We took a stroll through Whitman Park which honors the great poet, Walt Whitman who was a native New Yorker, before heading back across the East River on the subway.

We had every intention of walking back across after taking some time to explore the Dumbo neighborhood but our schedule just didn’t allow time for this.

Summary

If you are looking for a moment away from the hustle and bustle of New York City, take some time to stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the breathtaking views of Manhattan.

This was an incredibly relaxing experience taking a leisurely stroll because despite the large number of visitors doing the exact same thing, you can easily take your time and relax on the benches overlooking the East River and spectacular New York City skyline.

We would also encourage you to allocate some time (unlike us) to explore the Brooklyn district. Hopefully on our next trip to the Big Apple, we will take the same walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and spend more time exploring Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights.

An InLinkz Link-up

How to Spend an Awesome Weekend in Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 25, 2016

3

How to Spend an Awesome Weekend in Oklahoma City

When you think about cities around the USA, I am sure that many of you are thinking about New York City, Boston, Chicago or Los Angeles. However, what about Oklahoma City? It’s time to change the stereotype of cities like Oklahoma City (OKC) being in the middle of nowhere and help them get on the radar because it truly is a beautiful city. Spending a weekend in Oklahoma City will certainly help sway your opinion (if you previously had one) or at least hopefully persuade you that the capital of Oklahoma is well worth visiting if you are road tripping along I-40.

Where is Oklahoma City?

Located a little over 3 hours from Dallas, Oklahoma City is a perfect location for a weekend getaway for many people that live in nearby states. Fort Smith, Arkansas is under 3 hours away and Wichita, Kansas is a little over 2 hours away.

As you drive along I-40 or I-35 through the heart of Oklahoma’s western landscape (keep your eyes peeled as you may see a cowboy on the horizon…ok, ok enough of that stereotype!) and approach Oklahoma City, you are welcomed with the breathtaking sight of the skyline primarily highlighted with the towering Devon Tower that stands at 844 feet.

Where to Stay in Oklahoma City?

We immediately felt at home when we arrived in Oklahoma City and it certainly helped that we stayed at the gorgeous Ambassador Hotel in the Midtown district of the city. The art-deco inspired architecture that is apparent throughout the interior and exterior of this hotel is one of the main reasons why we would encourage you to stay here.

It is one of the more upscale hotels in the OKC area, but you can certainly find reasonably priced rooms for under $150 per night which is definitely money well spent if you want a relaxing hotel in a booming neighborhood with delicious dining options and bars within short walking distance.

You can read a full review of our experience at the Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City but if you want our recommendation, then this is the place to stay!

Address

Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection
1200 N Walker Ave,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405) 600-6200
Website: http://www.ambassadorhotelcollection.com/oklahomacity

What to do in Oklahoma City?

So you have found a great hotel to stay and now it’s time to start preparing your itinerary for a weekend in Oklahoma City. Where do you even begin? What are your interests? How much time will you need? All these are questions that need to be answered but don’t worry, hopefully, this guide will give you a few useful hints and tips that will get you started.

Based on our experiences in OKC, we want to break this down into four main categories.

Sports – Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma City Energy, Boathouse District.
Arts & Culture – The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Myriad Botanical Gardens, The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
Neighborhoods – Paseo Arts District, Midtown, Automobile Alley, Bricktown et al.
Cuisine – Iguana Mexican Grill, Waffle Champion, Pie Junkie, Pops 66 Soda Ranch.

If you love adventure, sports, history, art, culture, cuisine, beer or anything else related to any of these domains…Oklahoma City has you covered! We enjoyed a combination of all these in just 48 hours exploring the city and you can too.

Sports

When we started researching things to do in Oklahoma City, I immediately headed over to the CVB website and clicked on Sports because wherever we go we love to experience the local action.

We take our sports pretty seriously here in OKC.

When I read the above quote on the website…I was immediately sold! Let’s take a look at the local teams we experienced.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Since 2008, Oklahoma City has been the proud hosts of the Thunder, the NBA team that was formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics.

With the likes of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are one of the top teams in the NBA so when we were given the opportunity to experience them play the Utah Jazz at the Chesapeake Energy Arena…well, we didn’t need to be asked twice!

The gorgeous arena located in the heart of downtown OKC can hold just over 18,000 noisy Thunder fans and first-hand experience of these folks certainly emphasizes the word ‘noisy’.

I can’t imagine any opposing team enjoys a visit to the Thunder’s home court but as first-time spectators, we were simply enjoying the raucous crowd lifting their team to a resounding 113-91 victory over a struggling Jazz team.

Oklahoma City Energy

If NBA basketball doesn’t spark your interest, perhaps watching the local OKC Energy FC team will intrigue you. Playing in the third tier of professional soccer in the States, the Energy ply their trade at Taft Stadium, home of various high schools throughout the city.

The USL (United Soccer League) may not have the quality of the Barclays Premier League, La Liga or even Major League Soccer, but what it does have is an entertainment level that makes this a worthwhile experience while in OKC.

From tailgating prior to kick-off to watching a local skydiving team provide the match ball, our experience watching the Energy FC team was memorable for all the right reasons.

Be social (use the #UseYourEnergy hashtag), be vociferous in supporting the Energy and most importantly, have a great time!

Unfortunately, our visit to Taft Stadium ended with a sour taste as they succumbed to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. Regardless of the result, we had a great time and look forward to a return visit to cheer on the Energy!

Boathouse District

If you love extreme adventure thrills, then head over to the new Boathouse District where you can experience an amazing zip line across the Oklahoma River or perhaps head downstream on a kayak.

The center will be a state-of-the-art aquatic adventure facility – one of only a few in the world

An impressive new feature that is opening in May 2016 is the whitewater rafting and kayaking center known as RIVERSPORT Rapids.

Even if extreme adventure is not your thing, taking a stroll by the river is a relaxing experience while watching adventurous folks do their thing in this relatively new part of OKC’s downtown neighborhood.

Arts & Culture

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Located outside of downtown OKC, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers visitors to the area an opportunity to learn all about this ‘cowboy’ stereotype associated with Oklahoma.

Heading to this museum, I have to admit I was a little skeptical because I had visions in mind of a large barn with horses running around outside and a few artifacts depicting Buffalo Bill and other iconic legends of western heritage.

I am so happy to say that I was so wrong! This experience is anything but the stereotype you may imagine, rather it offers a legitimate historical perspective on how society lived in recent decades in the heart of the American West.

In fact, the museum is home to the world’s largest collection of rodeo photographs and even barbed wire! I never imagined learning about the various types of barbed wire could actually be pretty interesting. You better experience it to believe it.

Both inside and outside the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a cool experience.

Outside you can learn about Buffalo Bill himself along with marvel over the perfectly manicured gardens and water features that make this a relaxing environment to stroll around.

Oklahoma City Museum of Art

If you love art, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art will entice you through its doors and provide an exhilarating experience as you are taken back through history with a number of gorgeous works and brought forward to modern day artists and their intricate compositions.

We were fortunate to experience this museum when the Chihuly exhibit was taking place on the third floor and this in itself is worth the admission fee alone.

For those of you unfamiliar with Chihuly, the glass works that he produces are breathtaking masterpieces and some of these on display are incredible to imagine how they were sculpted.

Myriad Botanical Gardens

Who would have thought that downtown Oklahoma City would be home to a gorgeous botanical garden? I know I was surprised to hear that directly opposite the tallest skyscraper in Oklahoma is the Myriad Botanical Gardens. The 17-acre botanical garden is an interactive, urban area of green space.

A lake, various tiers of densely populated landscaped areas and of course, the focal point – Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, are the main highlights here. We visited on Easter Sunday which gave us free admission to Crystal Bridge though I have to admit we were both a little disappointed by the overall experience.

The greenhouse effect that is apparent inside this conservatory enables a myriad of tropical plants to grow here but I was just a little overwhelmed with the amount of plant life visible here.

However, we can certainly see the attraction here to young children who would learn valuable information on plant habitats and the associated processes behind the development of various species.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

We wanted to save the best until last! April 19, 1995 was just a normal day in Oklahoma City. At least that was the case until 9:01AM that morning, until the tragic event of a bomb exploding at the Murrah Federal Building.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum stands on the location where this bomb exploded and provides a chronological experience for visitors to follow exactly how the events unfolded.

I have experienced a couple of poignant museums before such as the National September 11 Memorial in New York City, but this experience was something far more emotional than anything else.

Whether it was the vivid images or the audio effects provided to visitors, it was a distressing and emotional experience walking through the museum but one that we both valued and can recommend to anyone visiting Oklahoma City.

This museum and memorial are also an awesome experience at night as the lights illuminate the reflecting pool with the Oklahoma City skyline in the background.

Neighborhoods

Oklahoma City is a plethora of diverse neighborhoods with each one being unique and offering an eclectic mix of attractions that make them worth visiting. Automobile Alley is an intriguing part of downtown OKC as it was the former location of car dealerships that have since been transformed into bars, restaurants and boutique establishments.

The beauty of Oklahoma City is that many of these neighborhoods and located within walking distance, or a short drive away, so be sure to get on your walking boots and explore these parts of the city.

We walked to the Bricktown neighborhood which is typified by the gorgeous canal that winds through the district and offers a water taxi ride that is a really cool way to experience this district. Our tour guide shared some tips on restaurants and bars around this part of OKC, along with a few history lessons on the bronze statues that represent the Oklahoma Land Run participants of 1889.

If you are looking for a little Spanish extravagance, head over to the Paseo Arts district and experience the vibrant colors of the architecture. You won’t need to head to Barcelona to see Gaudi inspired work when you can wander around this community and visit art galleries and restaurants in the Paseo district of OKC.

These are just a couple of examples of neighborhoods that you can spend some time exploring. Be sure to check out our post focused on highlighting some of the best neighborhoods in Oklahoma City that you won’t want to miss.

Cuisine

Arriving in Oklahoma City, we were both ready to experience some local cuisine. But what is the local food in Oklahoma that we all associate with the Sooner state? Whether it’s Tex-Mex cuisine, BBQ or just any food that is deep-fried, we were ready to sample all of it.

We don’t want to share all our secrets just yet but if you are looking for some authentic Mexican cuisine, head over to the Midtown district and try Iguana Mexican Grill. The queso and guacamole are delicious!

If you are an early riser and particularly if you are staying at our recommended hotel, perhaps Waffle Champion is the perfect option…if you have a sweet tooth, please trust us when we say you won’t regret it.

And then there is Pops 66 Soda Ranch. Two locations, the original in Arcadia, OK located north of Oklahoma City and a newer store that recently opened in the Nichols Hills neighborhood. Both have over 700 bottled sodas to choose from and the food will have you salivating as you walk through the door.

But that’s not all folks…there are plenty other options to choose from, so be sure to check out our post on our recommended best places to eat in Oklahoma City.

Summary

As you can see, there is A LOT to do in Oklahoma City and perhaps spending only a weekend here isn’t enough time to fully experience everything this booming city has to offer. We managed to experience everything listed above in a little over 48 hours. Yes, we are exhausted and yes, you need to have a plan before heading to OKC if you want to accomplish everything but we just want to encourage you to give this city a chance.

Regardless of how much time you allocate to spending here, you can certainly see a lot of cool attractions, museums and other experiences that will have a positive impact on your opinion of Oklahoma City. In fact, you will be pleasantly surprised at just how beautiful a city OKC really is.

Best Neighborhoods in Oklahoma City You Need to Know About

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 21, 2016

7

Best Neighborhoods in Oklahoma City You Need to Know About

Exploring any city is more than just visiting the top tourist attractions instead, it is about getting off the beaten path and visiting some of the hidden neighborhoods and districts that typify the local culture. This is exactly why we decided to visit some of the best neighborhoods in Oklahoma City during our recent visit and explore an eclectic mix of diverse districts that reflect both old and new cultures within the Sooner State.

Welcome to the Sooner State!

We want to share a guide to some of the neighborhoods (or districts as they are commonly referred to in Oklahoma City) that you won’t want to miss and perhaps give you a few hidden ‘local tips’ on the best spots to visit within these areas of the city.

Before getting into the local hotspots that make Oklahoma City such an intriguing city to visit, ask yourself if any of the following interests you.

If you love culture…Oklahoma City is the place to be!
If you love arts…Oklahoma City is the place to be!
If you love adventure…Oklahoma City is the place to be!
If you love fine cuisine…Oklahoma City is the place to be!
If you love a combination of all the above…that’s right you guessed it, Oklahoma City is the place to be!

Sounds like OKC is a pretty booming city…well they don’t call it “Boomer Sooner” for nothing!

Rather than focusing on all the neighborhoods (we want to save some for a return trip to OKC!), we decided to focus our attention on six of Oklahoma City’s trendiest and most colorful districts. This may seem like a lot but several of these are fairly small and located close to each other but don’t let that dissuade you from visiting because they offer plenty to keep you interested.

Automobile Alley

What better place to start our review of Oklahoma City neighborhoods than the revolutionized Automobile Alley.

What was once the roaring district for car dealerships has been transformed into a location that is home to many of the best dining spots, bars, and boutique establishments.

Revitalized. Revamped. And really cool.

When we heard about how this part of OKC had been renovated, we had to check it out for ourselves. True to their word, it’s very apparent that car dealerships and even a gas station were prevalent here, yet today they have been completely transformed into a fresh part of the city that attracts visitors and locals alike.

Yet the best aspect of Automobile Alley is that despite the transformation, much of the original architecture has remained in place and just strolling along the sidewalk and glancing up at the historic buildings, you can pick out the old Buick showroom among many others.

It’s not often that a city revitalizes an area in such a way so this is a pretty cool aspect of OKC that you just have to experience for yourselves!

Why not grab a beer or sit down for lunch while taking in the intricate details of the architecture and how they have been converted into today’s culture for the district to continue thriving.

Perhaps you would prefer to wait until darkness sets to explore Automobile Alley and why not, because the neon lights that light up the Oklahoma City night sky make this an incredibly beautiful neighborhood to visit.

Our Top Tips

Known locally as ‘The little taco stand by the railroad tracks’, Iguana Mexican Grill is a great dining option for authentic Tex-Mex cuisine.
Alternatively, if you prefer to sample the local pizza joint that is renowned for having some of the best pizza in OKC, head over to Hideaway Pizza on Broadway.

Bricktown District

The Bricktown District was once the warehouse district of Oklahoma City but today it has been transformed into a prosperous area for entertainment and dining.

The heart of Bricktown is a mile long canal that visitors can travel along by hopping on the Bricktown Water Taxi.

We had a great experience exploring the Bricktown district. Walking along the infamous Mickey Mantle Drive in front of the Chickasaw Bricktown ballpark, we enjoyed taking in the gorgeous architecture and contemplating which of the various restaurants and bars we wanted to sample.

We strongly recommend taking the Water Taxi, which for only $10.50 for an all-day pass is a relaxing way to explore the district.

But perhaps a better way to explore is to take the path that weaves along the edge of the canal, under the various bridges and ends close to the interstate.

This is a great way to capture those perfect pictures while also enjoying the rich history that surrounds this neighborhood.

The Centennial Land Run Monument features 45 participants of the iconic ‘land run’ commemorating the opening of Indian land in Oklahoma territory.

The lone figure at the very end represents a lone sooner waiting with his horse in the distance.

Our Top Tips

If you want a moment of fame, why not visit Kevin Durant’s restaurant to enjoy some local southern comfort food (chicken, burgers, catfish etc.)
Take the Bricktown Water Taxi and listen to stories about all of the items that have been found at the bottom of the canal…you may be surprised at what people actually lose!

Paseo Arts District

If you love Spanish-inspired architecture, you will love the vibrant colors and intricate designs of the buildings throughout the Paseo Arts district.

We visited this neighborhood and were pleasantly surprised to find a relatively quiet part of Oklahoma City, away from the hustle and bustle of the lively bars and restaurants in Bricktown for example.

The quietness here should take nothing away from the beauty because this small neighborhood offers a variety of great restaurants, cool local boutique shops, a coffee house and of course, art galleries.

For the Gaudi aficionados out there, this is the perfect neighborhood to spend some time relaxing while appreciating the beauty surrounding you.

We stumbled across several cute looking stores with bicycles outside and I could just imagine hopping on a two-wheeled companion and exploring the Paseo Arts district.

Take a moment to enjoy your surroundings and think about the history of this neighborhood that dates back to 1929 as this was the first shopping district developed north of downtown OKC.

Our Top Tips

As you walking around the Paseo Arts district, be sure to check out all the art here. You don’t even need to visit an art gallery here to begin appreciating the Spanish revival architecture surrounding you.
Go inside some of the local stores such as Craig’s Curious Emporium and check out the local products. From scented candles to delicately inscribed tea towels, there will be something here that will leave you with a reminder of your experience in the Paseo Arts district.

Midtown District

We found that Midtown Oklahoma City was a perfect spot to stay as it was a centralized focal point to explore the rest of the city. Whether you are ready to hop in a Cadillac Escalade offered as complimentary service while staying at the Ambassador Hotel in Midtown, or perhaps just take a stroll around the neighborhood to explore, you will find that this district is within a short distance of many others.

But don’t think that Midtown doesn’t have plenty to offer, in fact, that is far from the truth! This is the ultimate spot for local dining establishments and generally where many locals frequent to enjoy local cuisine or an evening drink. European style restaurants and pubs such as the Irish pub McNellie’s or the German beer hall, Fassler Hall are located in the heart of Midtown.

Or perhaps you prefer to head over to the open-air beer garden reflecting the true German and French influence here at Bleu Garten.

For local cuisine, Waffle Champion is the place to go for a sweet or savory option at breakfast (or late night snack on many evenings). Packard’s New American Kitchen offers a plethora of delicious looking dishes though the prices are a little higher than other options within the area (they do say that you get what you pay for!).

Our Top Tips

Experience one (or more) of the 350+ brews available at McNellie’s Irish Pub in Midtown while sampling stereotypical Irish cuisine at affordable prices.
Treat yourselves at Packard’s New American Kitchen while sitting on the rooftop and appreciating the stunning views across Oklahoma City.

Plaza District

The Plaza district is a relatively new neighborhood in Oklahoma City that we only stumbled across because of a recommendation to visit a spot selling the best pies in the city. Pie Junkie is a popular spot because of the delicious pies but we were excited to see that there is much more to the Plaza district than just a hotbed for pie slices.

Located at Northwest 16th Street, this neighborhood is home to a diverse variety of art galleries, boutique specialty stores, and awesome local restaurants.

It’s not surprising to hear that over $15 million has been spent to renovate this neighborhood and hopefully this trendy area of OKC will continue to develop as it really is a great hang-out district.

Our Top Tips

The Mule is a locally owned restaurant and is one of the top picks in the Plaza district. The Okie Poutine is a popular choice here, offering an Oklahoma version of the Canadian delicacy.
Looking for some Oklahoma apparel or other products local to the area while exploring OKC? Head to Tree and Leaf Clothing for authentic Oklahoma-based items. Visit here before heading next door to Pie Junkie for a slice of Drunken Turtle pie!

Boathouse District

After spending time learning about Oklahoma’s western heritage, appreciating the European influence in the architecture of the Paseo district and indulging in fine cuisine across all of the city’s diverse neighborhoods, you will be ready for a little adventure.

There is no better neighborhood to let your hair down and enjoy a little action than the Boathouse district.

Home to a multi-million dollar project that has revolutionized this area of OKC, the Boathouse district offers a variety of world-class adventure activities for all the family to enjoy.

I will openly admit that we didn’t participate in this outdoor recreation but we did take a walk by the Oklahoma River and watch those folks with a little more adventure in their veins participate in what to us appeared to be death-defying activities.

From zip-lining across the Oklahoma River to the world’s tallest adventure course, the adrenalin junkies out there will love the Boathouse district.

Kayaking downstream is also available but perhaps the really adventurous visitors are waiting for the brand-new white-water rafting venue to open in May 2016. Oklahoma City will be home to one of only a few state-of-the-art aquatic adventure facilities around the world.

Our Top Tips

The Boathouse District is not necessarily for everyone but we recommend checking it out even if you are just taking a stroll along the river. It is conveniently located near Bass Pro Shops and the Bricktown area, with both being within walking distance if you prefer to leave your car behind.
A pleasure cruise on board an Oklahoma River Cruiser is available here and this takes you on a seven-mile journey along the river past the infamous Stockyards District (check out Cattlemen’s Steakhouse if you visit this part of OKC).

Summary

With so many distinctive neighborhoods to explore in Oklahoma City, it’s difficult to know where to begin. Hopefully, we have shared a nice blend of culture, cuisine, and adventure here and we look forward to visiting the heart of Oklahoma again in the near future to experience more of what this city has to offer.

What is your favorite part of Oklahoma City?

Why Lucerne to Interlaken by Train Is the Best Experience?

Switzerland

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 18, 2016

19

Why Lucerne to Interlaken by Train Is the Best Experience?

We have been incredibly fortunate to explore much of Europe by train over the last couple of years. Thanks to the amazing Eurail passes, we have traveled through various countries, each with unique characteristics and gorgeous scenery worth experiencing. But despite all of our travels, there is one train journey in particular that continues to stand out in our mind as our favorite. Lucerne to Interlaken by train is by far the most breathtaking journey we have experienced to date.

Zurich Day Trip

European train travel is in itself an amazing experience, regardless of the journey you are taking. There are many benefits to exploring Europe by train but when you have the opportunity to see spectacular panoramic scenery such as that available on the trip from Lucerne to Interlaken…well it’s an absolute no-brainer and definitely something you should consider next time you are visiting Switzerland.

To add a little more incentive to this journey, both of these Swiss towns are beautiful and offer iconic reflections on the Swiss culture.

I also want to mention that our journey from Lucerne to Interlaken was a day trip from Zurich which is yet another reason why this is an epic adventure you won’t want to miss. A short one hour train ride from Zurich saw us arrive in Lucerne by mid-morning.

Our plan was to spend a couple of hours here before heading to Interlaken. Let’s start by taking a look at Lucerne where our journey started.

Things to do in Lucerne

Arriving at Lucerne’s Central Station, we were ready to head and explore this beautiful town sitting on the edge of Lake Lucerne. If you only have a couple of hours to spend here, we recommend donning your walking boots and start exploring.

Here are some of the top attractions worth experiencing in Lucerne before heading on to your next stop:

Explore Lake Lucerne
Mount Pilatus
Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge)
Musegg Mauer
Church of St. Leodegar

We urge you to read our post focused on the top things to do in Lucerne if you are interested in spending several hours, or even longer in this beautiful Swiss town. Even in the short time that we spent in Lucerne, we immediately noticed how this was one of the most relaxing destinations throughout Europe.

Imagine relaxing by Lake Lucerne overlooking the gorgeous harbor…it’s enough to make your heart skip a beat and know that this is a spot you will want to revisit time and time again!

The Golden Pass – Lucerne to Interlaken By Train

After spending several hours exploring the stunning views around Lucerne, you may be forgiven for thinking that your afternoon heading into the Swiss Alps couldn’t get any better. Don’t worry, it does get better… A LOT BETTER.

Welcome to the Golden Pass! They don’t call it this without good reason and as you depart Lucerne aboard the panoramic train you soon begin to realize that this is going to be a pretty special journey.

If you have more time, we strongly encourage you to take the Golden Pass line all the way from Lucerne to Interlaken and then on to Zweisimmen or Montreux.

For a little over two hours, you are taken deep into the Swiss Alps aboard a train offering panoramic cars where you can experience the breathtaking scenery from all angles. The journey takes you through steep alpine landscapes across the Brünig Pass that links Central Switzerland with the Bernese Oberland.

Using rack railways to overcome the incredibly steep gradients, the Golden Pass weaves through alpine towns such as Alpnachstad, Giswil, Meiringen and Brienz.

The beauty of this journey is that you are quickly able to experience a myriad of landscapes that typify the Swiss culture. The huge contrasts between city life in Lucerne to the small town quirkiness in the heart of the Swiss Alps is evident in the short 2 1/2 hour train journey to Interlaken.

You can’t help by marvel over the landscapes on either side of the rail car. The difficulty is picking which side to look out of, but fortunately, traveling as a couple we were able to capture the best of both worlds.

I really don’t think words or pictures can do the scenery justice, it’s just one of those journeys you have to take in order to fully appreciate how stunning Switzerland’s landscapes really are.

Passing by Lake Brienz is one of the most rewarding scenes on this journey. Take a moment to paint this picture in your mind. The perfect image of fishing boats docked at the harbor with the sunlight glistening on the surface of the lake, accompanied by the majestic Swiss peaks of Jungfrau among others providing a perfect backdrop.

As the Golden Pass line slowly weaves along the edge of Lake Brienz’s banks, you are left with lifelong memories before the train pulls into the Alpine town of Interlaken.

Things to do in Interlaken

By the time you arrive in Interlaken, you could be forgiven for being exhausted at the amount of natural beauty you have experienced throughout the day. Grab some coffee or whatever you need to boost your energy levels and get ready to explore the gorgeous town of Interlaken.

A wide variety of attractions and activities are available in the small town of Interlaken though perhaps the most famous attraction here is the challenging ski slopes that surround this mountain town. As we strolled around this beautiful town, it’s difficult to avoid visitors holding their skis getting ready to head on the slopes.

The Höheweg promenade is the heart of Interlaken, linking the urban center of Interlaken West to the less active Interlaken East. Both locations have stations and we chose to walk from one to the other to fully explore everything available here.

Here are a couple of things you should consider experiencing while in Interlaken:

Höheweg Promenade
Interlaken Castle
Garden of Friendship
Riverside Walk
Roman Catholic Church on Schlossstrasse
Covered Bridge across the River Aare

Summary

After exploring Interlaken, be prepared to take some time to reflect on your amazing day in Switzerland. We took a number of amazing day trips while in Europe but Zurich to Lucerne to Interlaken (and back) was certainly up there with the very best. This trip had everything from breathtaking scenery to quaint gift shops encouraging us to spend our last Swiss Francs.

The Golden Pass is an epic rail line that inspires this form of transportation. If you are hesitant about purchasing a Eurail pass, simply take a look at our pictures passing through the Swiss Alps. If these don’t convince you, then I am afraid nothing will!

5 Things to Do in Lucerne That Should Not Be Missed

Switzerland

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 14, 2016

17

5 Things to Do in Lucerne That Should Not Be Missed

Nestled in the heart of Switzerland on the banks of a lake is the beautiful city of Lucerne. If you are not familiar with this part of central Switzerland, hopefully after reading this article you be will ready to head there because this is one of the most breathtaking cities throughout Europe. Focusing on some of the top things to do in Lucerne, we want to inspire visitors to the Swiss nation to take some time to explore this part of the country.

Location

Lucerne is an easily accessible city from many of the main hubs in Switzerland. During our recent visit, we were based in Zurich and Lucerne could be reached in a little over 45 minutes. This is a perfect city to experience for a few hours before heading on to explore other parts of Switzerland.

Conveniently located on the Golden Pass line which allows visitors to take a scenic, panoramic train through the Swiss Alps to Interlaken and beyond, Lucerne is certainly a spot you should consider visiting before heading into the mountains.

Whether you arrive in Lucerne by train or by car, you will soon realize that the heart of this city is by Lake Lucerne and the surrounding neighborhoods. The central station is located by the lake and after arriving here we were immediately able to start exploring some of Lucerne’s most iconic landmarks. Let’s take a look at the top things to do in Lucerne.

Kapellbrücke

If you are visiting Lucerne for the first time, you will likely want to visit the iconic Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) that crosses the Reuss River in the heart of the city. The bridge dates back to 1333 when it was originally constructed and over 600 years later in 1993 it was destroyed by fire. The following year it was rebuilt and today we see a reconstruction of the original wooden footbridge that crosses the river.

The Kapellbrücke is iconic for many reasons, none more so than the unique paintings on the interior of the covered bridge. Many of these paintings were of course destroyed during the fire, but 30 of the original 158 paintings were fully restored and are on display today.

Depicting local, historic scenes from Lucerne, these paintings are an integral part of the bridge and as visitors cross today, they are able to not only appreciate the present day beauty surrounding this city but also gain a better understanding of the history here.

Another of the iconic features of this bridge is the 140 feet tall Wasserturm (water tower). The octagonal shape of this tower is quirky and although you may assume that this is a water tower in the usual sense, this is in fact named this way because it stands in the river.

There have been many uses of this tower including a prison and torture house but today it is closed to the public aside from a gift shop that is located at the base of the tower along the covered walkway.

The Chapel Bridge is one of the first landmarks that you see after leaving the central station in Lucerne, so taking a stroll across here will lead you into the medieval quarters of the city where you can begin exploring more of the city’s iconic attractions.

We encourage you to take some time to learn about Lucerne’s history while standing on the bridge, plus take a moment to peer out into Lake Lucerne and take in the awe-inspiring views (don’t worry though, if you miss this opportunity, the views later in your self-guided tour will be even more spectacular!)

Lake Lucerne

Leaving the Chapel Bridge, you are presented with the stunning views across Lake Lucerne. Encircled by the Swiss Alps, this lake offers unequivocally beautiful panoramas both from the banks by the city of Lucerne and of course for those fortunate to take a cruise around the lake.

The length of time you spend in the city will determine whether you can take one of these scenic cruises. Boat cruises aboard one of the five historic paddle wheel steamers offer an amazing opportunity for visitors to relax on this gorgeous lake. However, just taking a leisurely stroll along the banks of the lake was a wonderful experience.

Glancing over to the sunlight shimmering across the surface of Lake Lucerne while peering up to the majestic Alpine peaks in the background make this the ideal spot to relax before continuing to explore Lucerne’s Old Town.

The graceful elegance of swans gliding across the lake enhance the beauty here and it’s no surprise to see these images scattered across paintings and postcards as you later explore gift shops around Lucerne.

Museggmauer

Lucerne’s Old Town neighborhood is typified by gorgeous medieval architecture and narrow streets leading to the historic Museggmauer (Musegg Wall). Located at the summit of the Old Town overlooking the city, Lake Lucerne and beyond, this area is part of the rampart walls built in 1386.

Much of this medieval wall is still intact over 600 years later and today four towers are still open to the public (Schirmer, Zyt, Wacht, and Männli).

The real beauty about exploring this part of Lucerne, aside from the obvious history, is to appreciate the stunning views across the city. When you think about picture perfect scenes, the views from the summit are exactly that.

The hike to the top takes about 15 minutes through the aforementioned quaint cobblestone streets but we can attest that it is well worth the effort. Everything about this part of Lucerne is the epitome of charm and whether you are a history buff or simply an avid explorer, you can’t help but appreciate everything visible here.

Another interesting fact for the historians out there, the oldest city clock dating back to 1535 is located inside the Zyt tower and is set to chime every hour, the difference being it chimes one minute before any other clock in the city.

Church of St. Leodegar

After leaving the medieval ramparts of Lucerne, the relatively more modern Church of St. Leodegar stands proudly at the base of the Old Town in close proximity to Lake Lucerne. When I say ‘modern’, I am referencing an era dating back to the mid-17th century.

St. Leodegar was founded in the mid-8th century, part of the monastery which in turn founded Lucerne (Myswitzerland.com)

The history of the St. Leodegar legacy dates further back than this to the 8th century when the monastery here actually founded the city of Lucerne.

The ornate details of this church’s architecture make this a spectacular construction and certainly a landmark worth visiting while exploring the rest of the city. This church is also known as the Hof Church to locals within the area.

Lucerne Rathaus

The Lucerne Town Hall is another intriguing piece of architecture inspired by the Italian Rennaissance era and well worth visiting. The gorgeous clock tower is a feature that stands out among Lucerne’s Old Town neighborhood but the history of the ‘Rathaus’ dates back to the early 17th-century.

Designed by Anton Isenmann, the Town Hall is used today as a marketplace in the arcades and above this level is a concert hall.

Summary

We spent just a few hours exploring Lucerne but even in this short amount of time we quickly fell in love with this city. The breathtaking scenery, the relaxing atmosphere throughout the Old Town and the rich history inside the ramparts make this a Swiss destination that we can’t wait to revisit in the near future.

Not only is this a city worth exploring but with so many rail connections to other parts of Switzerland, it may be well worth considering using Lucerne as a hub to explore the rest of the country. We can assure you that you could do a lot worse that choosing this gorgeous city on the banks of Lake Lucerne!

An InLinkz Link-up

Where Are the Best Places to Eat in Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 11, 2016

5

Where Are the Best Places to Eat in Oklahoma City?

Any time you start thinking about food, do you start salivating at the thought of all those delicious dishes waiting to be devoured? We do too! It’s hard to imagine any city not having some great local spots to dine and sample fine cuisine but frequently they are not always the easiest to find. But it’s these local establishments that we were interested in finding during our recent trip to Oklahoma, so we now want to share our guide to the best places to eat in Oklahoma City. The only caveat for restaurants to make their way on our list is that they were NOT a mass chain establishment.

Amidst all of the chain restaurants that frequent major cities, local establishments are all too often fighting a losing battle against these global chains that have little interest in meeting customers needs aside from creating food en masse and having a pretty standard menu that you expect to find anywhere. From home cooked cuisine to fresh ingredients used in the creation of a dish…these are all aspects of local restaurants that we love to experience when visiting a new city.

Let’s take a look at what we now consider as the best places to eat in Oklahoma City. This is by no means a definitive list, rather it is a collection of restaurants (bars and diners included also) that we either sampled through first-hand experience or at least considered based on recommendations from others.

When you only spend 48 hours in a city, there is only so much that you can sample but we certainly left OKC feeling pretty full of amazing food!

Waffle Champion

If you have a sweet tooth or love the idea of starting your day with an appetizing selection of delicious waffles, Waffle Champion in Midtown Oklahoma City is surely the spot for you. Be prepared to wait in line, especially if you are visiting Waffle Champion on the weekend. We waited for about 30 minutes before ordering and being seated inside the restaurant.

When Mayer Hawthorne spoke the following words, he really emphasized the importance of having a good breakfast to keep your energy levels high to enjoy the day ahead.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I definitely have a hearty breakfast before I do anything.

A word of caution before visiting Waffle Champion if you are thinking the above quote is applicable to you. This trendy restaurant may have the exact opposite effect you are hoping for, because the dessert waffles are not necessarily the healthiest options on the menu.

For those of you that don’t have a sweet tooth, don’t worry because there are plenty of savory options available at Waffle Champion. Check out the menu and I am sure there will be something that intrigues you.

Local, handcrafted sodas are also available for purchase as are a variety of beers and wines.

We opted for the S’mores Waffle and Grandma’s Apple Pie Waffle and both were delectable.

The S’mores dish was served with chocolate ganache, house made marshmallow and graham cracker crumble on top of the buttermilk waffle (Belgian ‘Liege’ style waffles are also available for those that want extra sweetness).

The Grandma’s Apple Pie waffle included cinnamon baked apple, vanilla bean ice cream, bourbon caramel and graham cracker crumble. Just thinking about both these options is enough to justify a trip back to OKC!.

After having the ultimate waffle experience in Brussels, we didn’t think it could get any better than that. But visiting Waffle Champion was certainly a pretty good way of realizing that we don’t have to travel all the way to Belgium to experience a delicious array of waffle dishes.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Tuesday to Sunday (7:00AM to 2:00PM)*Also open from 7PM to 2AM on certain nights (call ahead for details)

Address
1212 N. Walker #100,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405)525-9235

Website
Waffle Champion

Iguana Mexican Grill

Our first night in Oklahoma City saw us visit the wonderfully named ‘Iguana Mexican Grill’. I love Mexican cuisine, whether it is because I am relatively new to this type of food given that England really doesn’t have many Mexican restaurants or perhaps just because the flavors are awesome. When our gracious hosts for the night recommended Iguana, we were both excited about trying out this menu.

Oklahoma is famous for having a myriad of Tex-Mex options but this restaurant was very different from anything we have experienced before.

I am sure you are all familiar with the sub-standard Mexican restaurants that have items on their menu that are pretty comparable everywhere, but Iguana’s menu was completely different.

A refreshing selection of entrées in addition to a wide variety of alcoholic beverages that are a perfect accompaniment to both your main meal and of course, the stereotypical appetizers of guacamole, queso, and salsa.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Tuesday to Thursday (11:00AM to 10:00PM); Friday and Saturday (11:00AM to 11:00PM); Sunday and Monday (11:00AM to 9:00PM)

Address
9 NW 9th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tel: (405)606-7172

Website
Iguana Mexican Grill

Pops 66 Soda Ranch

Looking for a local diner that is iconic to Oklahoma? Look no further than Pops 66 Soda Ranch which is famous for being home to over 700 uniquely bottled sodas. There are two locations in the vicinity of Oklahoma City but both of them are close enough to justify visiting.

The original location in Arcadia, OK is iconic because of the modern looking gas station located along historic Route 66. A giant neon sign in the shape of a soda bottle stands at 66 feet tall and is a perfect reflection of Pops 66 culture.

If you are driving around the area at night, this provides a spectacular attraction for visitors and well worth visiting.

Inside the diner is where you can begin picking your sodas from the large selection available. Where do you even begin? Well, that depends on personal preference.

We tweeted Pops 66 and they provided us with a handy guide of their top 25 best-sellers, but honestly you probably can’t go wrong with any of the options.

The windows at both locations are full of perfectly aligned bottles and visitors are advised to leave these intact and head for the coolers to grab a selection of sodas.

Drinks from all around the world are available for purchase here so if you have stumbled across a soda while on your travels, you may well find this here at Pops 66.

A second Pops 66 location has opened in Nichols Hills and we actually visited this first to sample the fine cuisine.

I have to admit that we were slightly disappointed by the food but this takes nothing away from the overall experience (after eating Waffle Champion for breakfast, I don’t think either of us was hungry enough to justify the food at Pops 66).

Useful Information

Opening Times
Nichols Hills – 7:00AM to 9:00PM Daily
Arcadia – 6:00AM to 10:00PM Daily

Address
Nichols Hills
6447 Avondale Drive,
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Tel: (405)446-8767

Arcadia
660 W. Highway 66,
Arcadia, OK 73007
Tel: (405)928-7677

Website
Pops 66 Soda Ranch

Pie Junkie

I didn’t realize that visiting a place just to eat a slice of pie would have been quite as appealing until we experienced Pie Junkie in the Plaza District of OKC. The beauty of Pie Junkie is that you can visit here at any time of the day, and let’s be honest folks, eating a slice of pie is appropriate anytime! At least, that was our justification as we headed here late afternoon and sampled what I have to admit was some of the finest slices of pie.

Here is the problem though when you head to Pie Junkie. What pie do you choose? There is a wide selection to choose from and all of them look delicious.

Whether you have a real sweet tooth and want to sample the S’mores pie or perhaps something a little less sweet like the buttermilk pie, there will be something here that will intrigue you.

We opted for the Drunken Turtle and Buttermilk pies. I am not a fan of pecans so I was a little hesitant with the turtle pie, but I soon realized that I made a great choice.

Heather was a huge fan of the buttermilk so we had a nice combination of Pie Junkie’s unique creations.

If you want the best selection of pies, we strongly urge you to visit Pie Junkie earlier in the day because they go pretty quickly and you may be left with only a couple of options to choose from.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Tuesday to Thursday (10:00AM to 7:00PM); Friday (10:00AM to 9:00PM); Saturday (10:00AM to 7:00PM); Closed on Sunday and Monday

Address
1711 NW 16th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Tel: (405)605-8767

Website
Pie Junkie

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

One of the most popular locations in Oklahoma City for good reason in Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. If you are interested in dining at a restaurant where legendary western stars such as John Wayne have dined, this is the spot for you. Located in the historic Stockyard district of Oklahoma City, this is a perfect spot to experience all of Oklahoma’s local western folklore.

It may not be the most luxurious restaurant in terms of decor but in terms of history and fine cuisine, you would be hard-pressed to find a better alternative in the OKC region.

A smoke-filled room and a lucky roll of the dice were all it took to move a little diner from cowtown obscurity to annals of western folklore.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse is of course not only famous for their history and traditional western atmosphere but also for their delicious steaks and other menu options. We wanted to experience this restaurant and it was on our to-do list but after already sampling so much fine cuisine, we didn’t have the appetite to justify a visit here. But it is undoubtedly the first place we will visit when we return to OKC next.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Sunday to Thursday (6:00AM to 10:00PM); Friday and Saturday (6:00AM to Midnight)

Address
1309 S. Agnew,
Oklahoma City, OK 73108
Tel: (405)236-0416

Website
Cattlemen’s Steakhouse

Iron Star Urban BBQ

Oklahoma City and BBQ go hand in hand so it’s no surprise to hear that there are plenty of attractive BBQ options in the various neighborhoods across the city. If you need one recommendation, Iron Star Urban BBQ is a popular restaurant worth visiting.

Dating back to 2002 when Iron Star first opened their doors, it quickly became recognized for the gorgeous decor on the interior of the restaurant. Wood floors and brick walls provide a perfect setting for visitors to reflect on western history while sampling the traditional dishes associated with typical smokehouse flavors.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Monday (11:00AM to 9:00PM); Tuesday to Thursday (11:00AM to 9:30PM); Friday and Saturday (11:00AM to 10:30PM); Sunday (11:00AM to 9:00PM)

Address
3700 N. Shartel,
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Tel: (405)524-5925

Website
Iron Star Urban BBQ

Kitchen 324

Renowned as offering only the freshest ingredients in town, Kitchen 324 is another viable option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Located in a building in downtown OKC that was formerly home to an aviation business, Kitchen 324 is housed in one of the most famous buildings across the city.

Whether you want to start the day with a delicious looking maple french cruller or perhaps wait until lunch and sample a handcrafted sandwich, Kitchen 324 is a great choice if you want an authentic experience with the finest local ingredients.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Monday to Sunday (7:00AM to 9:00PM)

Address
324 N. Robinson,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Tel: (405)763-5911

Website
Kitchen 324

Tucker’s Onion Burger

You may not associate Oklahoma with being famous for burgers, but when you reference ‘onion burger’ among OKC natives, they will immediately know what you are referring to.

The Oklahoma Onion Burger has achieved cult status

Tucker’s Onion Burger is proud to have this iconic meat product as their primary menu option. The onion burger capital of the world is actually in nearby El Reno, OK but the history of this burger actually dates back to the Great Depression in the 1920s when the combination of beef and onions made this a necessity in locals everyday lives.

There are three different locations around Oklahoma City but given that this is local to the city, we felt it was appropriate to include this in the list. I am not a huge fan of onions so I am not sure what to think about this but given the positive recommendations on Tucker’s, I think it would be difficult to keep avoiding this restaurant on future visits to OKC.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Monday to Sunday (11:00AM to 9:00PM)

Address
324 N.W. 23rd Street,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405)609-2333

5740 N. Classen Blvd., Suite 3
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
Tel: (405)286-3331

15001 N. May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73134
Tel: (405)254-5555

Website
Tucker’s Onion Burgers

Bleu Garten

Oklahoma City is home to a really cool open-air venue that houses a variety of gourmet food trucks which makes for a great experience to sample local cuisine. With alcoholic beverages available for purchase, this is the perfect spot to spend a couple of hours relaxing in the afternoon before heading out and exploring the rest of downtown OKC.

I love the concept of this “gourmet food truck garden”. The name itself is derived from both the French and German languages. The German beer garden experience is something that is continuing to grow in the United States and Bleu Garten is definitely one of the best experiences that we have encountered around the country.

If you visit Bleu Garten’s website, you can check the daily schedule to find your favorite food trucks and when they will be located on-site. If you are visiting for the first time like we did, it’s cool to sample a little bit of everything while taking in the vibrant ambiance throughout the venue.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Tuesday to Thursday (4:00PM to Midnight); Friday and Saturday (11:00AM to 2:00AM); Sunday (11:00AM to 9:00PM)

Address
301 NW 10th St,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405)763-5911

Website
Bleu Garten

McNellie’s

A short walk from the Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City is an Irish pub by the name of McNellie’s. Offering over 300 beers and a variety of stereotypical Irish cuisine, this is a great spot worth visiting if you are interested in sampling an atmosphere typical of a bar in the Emerald Isle.

Although we didn’t eat here, looking at the menu offered reasonably priced cuisine which is great to see for a location in the heart of a downtown metropolis. The original McNellie’s opened in Tulsa, OK back in 2004 with Oklahoma City’s pub opening their doors in 2008. This is a great environment for all the family and we look forward to sampling Irish cuisine on a future visit to Oklahoma City.

Useful Information

Opening Times
Monday to Sunday (11:00AM to 2:00AM)

Address
1100 Classen Drive,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405)601-7468

Website
McNellie’s

Summary

Are you convinced now that Oklahoma City is a thriving hotbed for dining options? Even though we only spent a short time here, we were able to experience several of these and the rest are just on our list for the next time we visit OKC. Whether you want local cuisine, a sweet treat or just a relaxing atmosphere, Oklahoma City has a plethora of options waiting to entice you through their doors.

Which of these restaurants are you most excited about experiencing? If you have visited OKC before, what other restaurants would you include on this list?

A Review of Guided Walking Tours Around the World

Travel Tips

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 7, 2016

14

A Review of Guided Walking Tours Around the World

If you are visiting a city or destination for the first time, the likelihood is that you will want to get out and start exploring. Questions such as “Where to go first?” “Which neighborhoods are safe?” and “How to maximize our time in a city?” are likely to be going through your mind as you plan a visit to your chosen location. Guided walking tours are the best way to achieve this and we are happy to share some of our experiences taking such tours along with a few of our travel blogging friends who shared their opinions on the pros and cons of each type of tour.

In our minds, the best way to see any location is on foot because not only can you experience the main attractions, but you can also stumble across some hidden gems that perhaps you wouldn’t if you simply used public transportation (or drove your own car).

All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.

Do you agree with Friedrich Nietzsche’s comments above about walking? If so, keep reading because we want to share experiences of walking tours around the world.

What is a Walking Tour?

A walking tour will frequently have a designated start and end point, at least if you take the guided tour option. But are they all good value for money? That really depends on the type of tour that you take, how much you are willing to pay, and of course, the experiences encountered during the tour itself.

There are a couple of different types of walking tours that you can take around a city, regardless of the location. The ‘major’ global cities will generally offer a variety of all three tours that I am going to share with you, but others may be limited to just one or two. We have been fortunate to experience all three though this particular post focuses solely on the guided tour version.

Self-Guided Tour

The most obvious tour is one that you conduct yourselves, the self-guided tour. The key benefits of this is that there are no time constraints, more flexibility and it’s generally free.

A caveat here is that there are now self-guided walking tour apps available in many cities that connect to your phone’s GPS capability and provide information on landmarks you are walking by. There may be a cost associated with these types of apps. Alternatively, if you are an old-school traveler, perhaps you want to purchase a guidebook or map to give details on your proposed itinerary around a city.

Drawbacks of a self-guided tour are that you are limited to the amount of knowledge and information you will gain from the tour, in addition to potentially not knowing the types of neighborhoods you are walking around.

Free Guided Tour

A popular, relatively new attraction especially in Europe is the ‘free walking tour’ which is a great new philosophy that we personally love, having had some great experiences during our recent journey around some of Europe’s most historic cities.

The justification behind this is that your tour guide will provide you with an informative tour of their city and only when the tour has finished do you as the consumer get to determine how much value you place on the tour.

It’s essentially a tip-based system. This inspires the guides to provide better tours because they ‘should’ be compensated accordingly.

Admission Based Guided Tour

The ‘old-school’ approach to guided tours may still be the most popular, where you purchase tickets ahead of time to take a tour led by an experienced guided (or so you hope). The problem with this type of tour is that you are simply hoping for a great experience, rather than the innovative tip-based system.

We recently experienced two such guided tours in New York City though we were fortunate to have these included in the New York Pass so didn’t have to pay the $35 per person charge. Costs can vary depending on the type and length of tour but this is by far the most common around the world.

Let’s take a look at some experiences taking guided walking tours around the world.

Amsterdam Walking Tour

Tour Company – Sandemans New Amsterdam Tours
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Visiting Amsterdam for the first time, a walking tour of the city is a great way to experience everything iconic about the Dutch capital. From watching the thousands of bicycles fly past you to the canals that weave in and out of the city, we felt extremely fortunate to take the free walking tour offered by Sandemans.

Sandemans is certainly becoming the market leader throughout Europe in offering these tip-based free tours. Their tour guides are an absolute credit, as their knowledge and energy ensure their tips are well-deserved. Our tour guide took us through the controversial Red Light District before experiencing some of the finest architecture around the city and of course, listening to a few stories about the ‘coffee shop’ industry in Amsterdam.

We strongly recommend this tour which finished at the iconic Anne Frank house and if you are fortunate enough to have Katjalisa as your tour guide, well you are in for a great experience!

Check out our post reviewing the ‘epic yet controversial’ Amsterdam walking tour.

Belgrade Walking Tour

Tour Company – Go2Serbia
Tour Cost – Approximately 20 Euro

We didn’t realize how disoriented we were going to feel when we arrived in Belgrade: the Serbian Cyrillic alphabet rendered us practically helpless. We would have been entirely overwhelmed if it weren’t for our pre-arranged walking tour of the city highlights with Go2Serbia. A strategic military and political crossroads through the centuries, Belgrade’s past and present came alive.

Our personable guide, Demir, escorted us from the ancient fortress of Kalemegdan through the Bohemian neighborhood of Skalardija and back to the bustling city center. Along the way, we gained a new perspective on Belgrade and Serbia alike.

This tour was part of a promotional package from the Belgrade Art Hotel, but a similar one would cost about 20 Euro.

Thanks to Betsy Wuebker from Passing Thru for sharing her experiences while visiting Belgrade.

Berlin Walking Tour

Tour Company – Insider Tour Berlin
Tour Cost – 12 Euros

Berlin, oh the wonderful and unique Berlin. Home to the infamous wall and full of history, Berlin was a city that certainly opened my eyes. The Third Reich walking tour exposed myself as a young 21-year-old to the atrocities that occurred in World War II along with the heroics of many people.

Starting at the Reichstag, now a meeting place for German parliament but previously set on fire back in 1933 under circumstances not entirely known, we snaked our way on a 3.5-hour walking tour through this glorious city.

Taking in the history and many sites, which included the Jewish Memorial, the site of Hitler’s bunker, Topographie of Terrors and many more, we concluded our tour at the famous Checkpoint Charlie.

The information given by the tour guide and the stories told are what made this tour. I experienced this as part of my ‘finding myself’ group tour of Europe I did as a backpacker. Priced at only 12 Euros, this is well worth the admission fee!

Thanks to Lauren from The Traveller’s Guide By #ljojlo for sharing her experiences while visiting Berlin.

Boston Walking Tour

Tour Company – Free Tours By Foot
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Free Tours By Foot is a historic journey into Boston’s past on a budget. While the center of this region is tiny, it’s packed with tales of war, protest and how America came to be. Joining one of these daily tours at 10:30 am sharp, we were led by our guide, dressed for the time period of the topic and guided around to the city’s most significant sites.

Cruising past the site of the Boston Massacre, through the burial grounds of Samuel Adams and Paul Revere and to the Old State House, we learned more about America’s history than I ever remember learning in the history books.

Our guide was entertaining and knowledgeable, we got some exercise and fresh air and left with a complimentary coupon for a discounted bowl of Chowda at a nearby restaurant too.

Although the tour is free, tips are appreciated!

Thanks to Shannon Ullman from Lives Abroad for sharing her experiences while visiting Boston.

Bratislava Walking Tour

Tour Company – Be Free Tours
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Cities like Bratislava in Eastern Europe are frequently under scrutiny because of the misrepresentations and stereotypes associated with movies such as Eurotrip. We headed to Slovakia for the first time a little apprehensive but ready to experience the real Bratislava.

Thanks to our amazing free tour of the city, exploring the historic Old Town and experiencing a number of iconic attractions there, our opinion has certainly changed and we urge you to do the same.

Check out our post reviewing the free walking tour in Bratislava and perhaps you will be inclined to change your opinion, rather than listening to the stories on Eurotrip and Hostel!

Brussels Walking Tour

Tour Company – Sandemans New Brussels Tours
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Brussels has come under a lot of scrutiny over the last few months due to the security alerts caused by the recent terrorist attacks in Paris. However, our recent visit to the Belgian capital should hopefully inspire you to explore this part of Europe.

We took an entertaining and informative free walking tour of Brussels, courtesy of Sandemans and learned a lot about what makes this such an attractive city for tourists and locals alike.

From the best Belgian waffle spots to the gorgeous architecture in and around Grand Place in the heart of the city, we quickly realized that Brussels should be on your European itinerary rather than being concerned about the security risks.

Check out our post reviewing the free walking tour in Brussels and why a trip to the Belgian capital should not be feared.

Bucharest Walking Tour

Tour Company – Walkabout Free Tours
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Anytime I visit a new city I always check into free walking tours. And last year when I found myself in Romania’s capital city of Bucharest, I stumbled upon a tour with Walkabout free tours. We met in front of the clock in Unirii Square Park and the group was compact with around seven of us. Our guide was a local and very friendly and knowledgeable on Romania and specifically Bucharest’s history.

From tales of Vlad the Impaler to its communist past we were taken through Bucharest’s city centre from the Palace of the Parliament to Stavropoleos Convent and around old town, ending in University Square. Our guide gave us tips on places to visit and bars and restaurants to drink and dine at. She had such passion for history, her country and pointed out everything from the large to the smallest of details.

The tour lasted approximately two hours and covered a lot, from the expected to the unforeseen treasures, and at its end, I gladly tipped her for sharing her amazing city with me.

Thanks to Stephanie Mayo from The World As I See It for sharing her experiences while visiting Bucharest.

New York Walking Tour

Tour Company – NewYorkTour1
Tour Cost – $35 (Free with New York Pass)

New York City is a myriad of adventures waiting to be uncovered. What better way to experience all of this than by taking a walking tour around one of many districts and neighborhoods in the Big Apple. NewYorkTour1 offer a variety of these tours including two that we recently experienced including a Broadway and Times Square tour, in addition to SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown.

Regardless of your preferences, New York City is a melting pot of cultures that are reflected throughout these tours. It is a great way to learn some hidden details from a local, in fact the two tours we took were actually led by Broadway theatre performers.

Check out our post reviewing New York City walking tours and during your next visit to the ‘City That Never Sleeps’, maybe you will consider experiencing one or more of these!

Paris Walking Tour

Tour Company – Discover Walks
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

We went on a Paris Night walking tour with Discover Walks, which is led by a local person who knows the city well. We were led be Eva, a young French woman who is passionate about her city.

We started at the Louvre. Eva told us that Parisians do not like change at all and were horrified when the President of the time, François Mitterrand had the pyramids constructed in 1984. They found it an abomination that a modern construction would be juxtaposed with the history and heritage of the Louvre Museum.

We crossed the river Seine where the Eiffel Tower was illuminated, and where a beacon arcs across it during the evening. We were fortunate to be at the Eiffel Tower during the sparkle show. It really is a magical experience!

From the Pont des Arts Bridge where the controversial love locks are now being removed, we could also see the D’Orsay Museum and Notre-Dame. The people of Paris detest the love locks, claiming it started after a Sex and the City scene.

We then went into the very vibrant 6th arrondissement of Saint-Germain des pres. Eva chatted the whole way about how they do have a good work-life balance in Paris, with the emphasis on life, not work.

This is a free tour though of course, tips are always welcome!

Thanks to Paula and Gordon from Contented Traveller for sharing their experiences exploring Paris.

Penang Walking Tour

Tour Company – George Town World Heritage Inc.
Tour Cost – 20 Ringgit (Less thank $5)

In Penang, Malaysia, the George Town World Heritage Inc. is the designated gatekeeper of historic George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the ways they promote the town’s legacy is by offering affordable guided tours and walks to the public and to schools.

The Traditional Trades Discovery Walk is a two-hour informative walk through the heart of multicultural George Town, focusing on traditional trades which are still very much alive today.

This fascinating tour is offered every second Saturday of each month. The registration fee is 20-ringgit per person and limited to a maximum of 20 people. For history and culture buffs, it’s not-to-be-missed.

Thanks to Vanessa Workman from The Island Drum for sharing her experiences while visiting Penang.

Prague Walking Tour

Tour Company – Sandemans New Prague Tours
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

The walking tour I took in Prague stands out for being the only tour I’ve ever done while it was snowing. Not that this decreased the size of the group (well, it was free), or the enthusiasm of our wonderful guide, a local Prague student who was able to share her stories about growing up in the city. The snowy conditions meant the streets were quiet, apart from the very noisy snow ploughs that we occasionally passed, making it impossible to hear the guide.

Yes, the group was a touch large and, yes, we got the sales pitch for the paying tours (we took the paying Castle Tower the next day), but we covered a lot of Prague, learnt a lot about the city, and discovered which places we wanted to return to for a more in-depth visit.

Plus, by ourselves, we probably would have retreated to a snug café and not seen much at all!

Thanks to Shandos Cleaver from Travelnuity for sharing her experiences while visiting the beautiful city of Prague.

Rome Walking Tour

Tour Company – LivItaly
Tour Cost – 99 Euros

Imagine being transported back in time to when gladiators and beasts waged battle on the ground level of the Roman Colosseum. Today, you can tour the ancient wonder as a spectator (looking at the Colosseum floor from above) or as a participant (and visit the underground level). The latter is more interesting—especially if you have already done the regular tour—and the special tour is more fun when taken as part of a small group rather than a large tour.

I experienced that fun scenario with the Colosseum Underground & Ancient Rome tour with LivItaly. Our tour guide, Rachel, is a passionate lifetime student of history and all things Rome and her stories evoked vivid imagery of ancient times.

The tour later proceeds to the 3rd level of the Colosseum (also not part of the regular tour) and then visits Palatine Hill, the Forum, and the historic center of Rome.

The standard cost is 99 Euros but students, teens, and children have discounted rates and (McCool Tip!) watch for Groupon deals.

Thanks to Charles McCool from McCool Travel for sharing his experiences while visiting Rome.

Stockholm Walking Tour

Tour Company – Stockholm Free Tour
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

Stockholm is one of the greatest cities in the world. It was voted the first European Green Capital in 2009 and has only become better since then.

As always, make sure that the Stockholm free walking tour is first on your agenda, so you know what to do for the rest of your stay. There are two tours to take, one exploring the “new” (300-year-old) town at 10 AM (10:30 in winter), and the second in Old Town (Gamla Stan) at 1 PM. They both start outside the Gamla Stan station.

Anastasia, one of the tour guides, does a great job leading the tour and giving the history and facts about the city.

Thanks to Skye Class from Skye Travels for sharing his experiences exploring Stockholm.

Warsaw Walking Tour

Tour Company – FreeWalkingTour.com
Tour Cost – Free Guided Tour (Tip Based)

The FreeWalkingTour.com tour around Warsaw’s Old City provided a great insight into the history of Poland. Be sure to join the right tour group as there is no shortage of tours starting at Sigismund’s column in the heart of the old city.

My highlight of the World Heritage Site was the Royal Castle, which was rebuilt as was much of the area after the World War II destruction. The building is massive, and while you only get a glimpse of the building on the tour it really helped me understand the magnitude of destruction the Poles went through.

While the tour was free, I happily tipped 5 Euros with the guide giving us so much information and even getting us engaged by testing us on things she mentioned at various sites (we were horrible).

Thanks to Jub Bryant from Tiki Touring Kiwi for sharing his experiences while visiting Warsaw.

Summary

Guided walking tours are definitely a great way to experience a new city, especially if you only plan on staying there for a short time. Not only do you get to explore the top landmarks and attractions there but you frequently are shown a few hidden gems along the way, perhaps your tour guides favorite spot to dine or enjoy a relaxing drink before taking time to explore the rest of the city outside of the tour.

We would like to thank all of our friends for collaborating together and sharing this awesome collection of walking tours around the world. We hope you have picked up a little information here for a future visit to your favorite city and we certainly look forward to taking more of these tours.

An InLinkz Link-up

Why the Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City Is Amazing?

Oklahoma

Chris Boothman

-

Apr 4, 2016

13

Why the Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City Is Amazing?

The Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City is a boutique establishment that offers visitors an incredible experience while being situated in the perfect location to explore the rest of the city. During our recent visit to the Oklahoma capital, we were fortunate to stay at the Ambassador Hotel for three nights and experience everything this beautiful hotel had to offer.

When you research this hotel, you may be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be an option way out of your price range because everything here suggests that this will be a high-dollar option. However, you will be pleasantly surprised to see that the Ambassador Hotel is an affordable option in the Midtown district of Oklahoma City.

We want to share our review of this hotel and perhaps inspire you to consider booking this hotel during your next visit to Oklahoma City.

Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City Information

The Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City is part of the Autograph Collection by the Marriott hotel group. This collection specializes in providing a luxury experience for guests in a sophisticated yet contemporary style. The hotel in Oklahoma City epitomizes this style and as you approach the hotel, you notice the exterior that oozes historic elegance.

The philosophy adopted by the four different Ambassador Hotels (OKC, Wichita, Tulsa and Kansas City) is as follows:

Experience our refined style of hospitality, where a devotion to the guest experience is a signature of every stay.

I think this eloquently portrays the experience that guests have when they stay at one of the Ambassador hotels. We can certainly attest to this following our time in Oklahoma City.

Every time we left the hotel and arrived back, we would be greeted by one or more of the concierge staff. Whether it was just a pleasant “Good Morning”, or asking us if we needed anything, this was immediately a different experience to what you would normally expect from a standard chain hotel. But of course, the Ambassador Hotel is anything but a standard chain accommodation!

Address

1200 N. Walker Avenue,
Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Tel: (405) 600-6200

Website

Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City

Hotel Amenities

Luxury Chauffeur Service

If you read our recent post on the best neighborhoods in Oklahoma City, you will know that the Midtown district is a booming area with delicious local cuisine options. The Ambassador Hotel is located perfectly in the heart of this district and provides easy walking access to a myriad of other neighborhoods such as Automobile Alley and Bricktown.

If you want to visit another part of the city outside of your walking distance, don’t worry because the hotel offers an amazing complimentary service in a luxurious Cadillac Escalade to any location within a three-mile radius of the hotel. It’s like having your own personal chauffeur for a few days.

Fine Dining

A sophisticated, cosmopolitan style hotel wouldn’t be the same without dining options to match the overall feel of the establishment. The Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City certainly doesn’t disappoint in this department with two awesome options to grab some delicious looking cuisine or grab a drink to wind down after a long day.

The Viceroy Grille is a full-service restaurant located on the first floor of the hotel, offering a plethora of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

This restaurant combines a casual atmosphere with upscale cuisine created by head chef, Leonard Novak. If you prefer room service, the Viceroy Grill offers a full menu also.

Meanwhile, if you want the ultimate experience while staying at the Ambassador Hotel, head to the seventh floor to visit the awesome rooftop bar. When you combine stunning panoramic views across Oklahoma City with a full bar service, this is a pretty cool setting to relax while enjoying your favorite drink.

The O-Bar offers some of the best views of downtown Oklahoma City and you choose to sit either inside by the large glass windows or head outside on the patio to enjoy the evident beauty.

Relax or Be Active

Whether you want to relax in one of the contemporary style chairs in the quiet lobby area or perhaps head to the gym for a few miles on the treadmill, this hotel offers both options to meet your needs.

An outdoor swimming pool is also available during the summer months along with a patio area with relaxing lawn chairs.

I love the à la mode decor throughout the interior of the hotel. The finest details are meticulously evident through paintings, furniture, and ornaments that perfectly blend with the hotels style.

The Rooms

By now we have established that all the ‘add-ons’ and benefits associated with a hotel are top class at the Ambassador Hotel in OKC. But you are probably wondering about what we all associate as the main component of any hotel – the quality of the rooms!

After a smooth check-in process, we headed to the fourth floor and after walking along a gorgeous hallway we entered our room and immediately realized that we were in for a great experience.

The bedroom was spacious, fresh and decorated perfectly to match the prestigious style of the Autograph Collection by Marriott. We particularly enjoyed the pillow on the bed depicting a variety of cities from around the world.

I claimed that they knew travel bloggers were here but perhaps it was just a nice coincidence!

For those of you that need to get a little work done, the desk is accompanied with an extremely comfortable chair making a perfect workspace to follow-up on emails or catch up on social media.

The bathroom had an elegant appearance with a marble countertop combined with a glass enclosed walk-in shower. Although we didn’t spend too much time in our hotel room, it’s always nice to know that when you return to your room for the evening, you have a comfortable bed waiting for you and somewhere that you can relax.

Summary

After a relaxing experience staying at the Ambassador Hotel in Oklahoma City, we can certainly recommend this to anyone planning a trip here. The hotel’s location is one of the main reasons why this is such an attractive option for visitors in OKC.

From the rooftop O-Bar with stunning views across the city to the luxury Cadillac Escalade service, this hotel is certainly worth considering if you love boutique style accommodations.

Disclaimer – We would like to thank Visit Oklahoma City for hosting us on this trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post.

Visit Yankee Stadium – An Ultimate Behind the Scenes Guide

New York

Chris Boothman

-

Mar 31, 2016

9

Visit Yankee Stadium – An Ultimate Behind the Scenes Guide

The hallowed turf of Yankee Stadium has seen many legends over the years, so to have the opportunity to stand where the great Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle among others plied their trade is certainly an honor you should aspire to. If you plan to visit Yankee Stadium ‘off-season’, we highly recommend considering taking the behind the scenes guided tour of this iconic baseball stadium. Of course, attending a Yankees game would be the ultimate experience but we will have to wait a little longer for that bucket list item!

A Brief History

A visit to Yankee Stadium today will see you experience the newly constructed ballpark that replaced the original Yankee Stadium in 2009. Located a mere block away from the original, many of the original design features were moved to this new location. The roof of the new stadium features a replica of the gently curving frieze that was an iconic part of the original Yankee Stadium.

Although Yankee Stadium is primarily used by the New York Yankees, the recent formation of the New York City FC MLS team has seen them play their home matches at this venue. Concerts featuring artists such as Paul McCartney, Madonna, Jay-Z and Maroon 5 have graced the stage inside Yankee Stadium.

To play 18 years in Yankee Stadium is the best thing that could ever happen to a ballplayer – Mickey Mantle

It’s no surprise to hear the above words spoken by the great Mickey Mantle because, following our visit here, we immediately felt the passion and honor that surrounded this historic venue. Whether you are a New York Yankee fan or despise the pinstripe uniforms of this historic team, paying a visit to Yankee Stadium is something that everyone will enjoy and appreciate as you set foot inside this magnificent ballpark.

Visitor Information to Yankee Stadium

During our recent trip to New York City, we hopped on the subway and took the green 4 line from Fulton Street all the way to 161st street, stopping directly outside the legendary home of the New York Yankees.

The offseason is the best time to experience a behind the scenes tour, as tours are held almost daily at the ballpark between 11:00AM and 1:40PM (scheduled generally at 20 minute intervals).

Tickets can be purchased in three different ways:

New York Pass – Holders of the NY Pass gain FREE entry into this attraction. This was our preferred option as there is a lot of value in purchasing a New York Pass ahead of time. The Yankee Stadium was the first attraction on our two-day itinerary in New York.
Online – If you don’t have the NY Pass, I recommend purchasing your tickets online as you will save money! As of March 2, 2016, ticket prices bought online are Adults – $20; Children (Age 3-14) – $20.
Ticket Windows – If you choose to procrastinate, tickets can still be purchased at the ticket windows and are priced as follows: Adults – $25; Children (Age 3-14) – $23.

Even with the New York Pass, we were directed to the ticket windows to exchange them for valid tickets for the tour.

Babe Ruth Plaza

We only had to wait about 5 minutes for the next tour to start, but that did give us enough time to walk along ‘Babe Ruth Plaza’ and learn about the history of this Yankee legend through storyboards and porcelain images.

After taking a little time here to learn all about ‘The Great Bambino’, you will know why the original Yankee stadium was known as ‘The House that Ruth Built’.

We later learned more about this iconic figure in Yankee history while exploring Monument Park inside the stadium, but visiting Babe Ruth Plaza was certainly a great way to wet your appetite before embarking on the guided tour.

Yankees Museum

Legends of the baseball industry have all performed at Yankee Stadium, whether it was the original construction or the present-day location.

Our tour learning about these New York greats started in the best possible place, the New York Yankees museum located on the Main Level of the stadium.

Immediately leaving the elevator, we walked into a room steeped with rich history. The heart of the room is filled with two life-size statues of Don Larsen and Yogi Berra, symbolizing the first perfect game thrown in 1956.

Between these two statues is the iconic ‘Ball Wall’ which contains hundreds of ball autographed by some of the Yankees most important players, coaches, executives and other key figures.

The beauty about this wall is that they are organized in no particular order, so visitors to the museum can spend some time browsing around trying to find your favorite star. Yogi Berra, Babe Ruth, Mariano Rivera, Joe Girardi and many more Yankee names can be found here.

The rest of the museum focuses on the Yankees 27 championships that they have won dating back to their first success in 1923 up until the most recent win in 2009.

I was particularly impressed by the ring exhibit that promotes the team’s legacy by showing replicas of all 26 winnings rings, in addition to the 1 pocket watch that was given to the 1923 team. It’s cool to take a look at how ‘simple’ these rings were in past decades, and how distinctive and elaborate they have become in more recent years.

Monument Park

After leaving the museum, we headed downstairs and started our tour of the actual stadium. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and provided a lot of information about Yankee history while pointing out some of the key components in Yankee Stadium. If you are looking for a part of this venue that has more history than anywhere else, head down to Monument Park.

The Yankees have retired 18 numbers over previous generations and Monument Park is home to commemorating these iconic greats that have worn the pinstripe jerseys. As we entered this area, we immediately noticed these numbers on a large wall signifying individuals that wore the historic number.

One of the most interesting numbers here is 42. The great Jackie Robinson wore this number and although the league universally retired this number, there was no monument initially created at Yankee Stadium because another Yankee star was also wearing 42 – Mariano Rivera.

Once this great closer retired in 2013, the Yankees retired the number for Rivera and unveiled a bronze 42 for Robinson in Monument Park.

Our guide shared more information on Monument Park including how each different memorial and statue related to individuals in Yankee history.

Six granite monuments representing Yankee legends: Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle and Joe DiMaggio along with former manager Miller Huggins and owner George Steinbrenner. These are the highest honor in Monument Park and are offered as a posthumous memorial to these individuals.

Thirty-four plaques are scattered around the back wall signifying more great individuals in Yankee history though many of these are still alive. This was our favorite part of the tour because just standing here with so many legendary names around us provided a poignant yet inspiring feeling as we remembered those great players that have graced Yankee Stadium.

Walk on Yankee Stadium Field

The final attraction was probably the moment that everyone on the tour was waiting for. We had the opportunity to head down to the dirt and sit inside the Yankee dugout before heading on to the field and admiring the gorgeous venue that surrounded us.

Just taking a moment to close your eyes and imagine the thousands of Yankee fans cheering your name as you head out to hit a game-winning home run and make your way around the bases is certainly something that we could all strive for! But we will leave that to the pros that take center stage when they walk out at Yankee Stadium.

The tour provides visitors with the opportunity to have a professional photographer take your picture with the Yankee Stadium backdrop.

Whether you choose to create your own memories here or take a memento with you, this final experience walking on the field of the New York Yankees was a proud moment for all of us!

Summary

Ardent Red Sox and Cubs fans may consider Fenway Park and Wrigley Field to be the ultimate baseball venue, but Yankee Stadium is certainly up there with the most iconic of them all. Are you a baseball lover? Even if your response to this question is no, because we both fall into this category, you will have a wonderful time exploring Yankee Stadium.

Why not visit Yankee Stadium and take the informative, guided tour to gain the full experience behind the scenes? We had an amazing time exploring this gorgeous venue, but perhaps the real benefit for taking the time to take a trip to the Bronx is standing in locations where some of the sports greatest stars have walked.

An InLinkz Link-up