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Interview – Yeison and Samantha (MyTanFeet)

Chris Boothman
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Interview – Yeison and Samantha (MyTanFeet)

Our blogging friends, Yeison and Samantha over at MyTanFeet have graciously given their time to speak with us and help us learn a little more about her travel inspirations and their website!

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with Yeison and Samantha using their various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to both Yeison and Samantha for taking time to interview with us!

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Name: We are Yeison and Samantha, a couple living in Costa Rica. Samantha is originally from Washington in the United States and Yeison is from Costa Rica.

Website: MyTanFeet

Social Media: 

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

We love traveling because it’s something that we have done together since the beginning of our relationship. It was the only way for us to see each other since we were long distance internationally for 2 years and so every time we go on a trip, it reminds us of how lucky we are to be together and get to travel together.

We decided to create our blog first as an easy way for us to document our travels and to show Samantha’s friends and family what she has been doing in Costa Rica since she’s moved. It started off just as a fun personal journal but has since developed quite a bit.

How many continents have you visited? 

Two

How many countries have you visited? 

11-20

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

We absolutely loved the San Blas Islands in Panama. They were the most pristine islands we’d both ever seen and we loved the rural aspect of them. We like cities but appreciate the organic beauty of places more and the San Blas islands had some of the most clear water we’ve ever seen. Plus the history and culture of the islands is so incredibly amazing and really makes you think twice about modern life and how lucky we are to have simple things such as running water and electricity.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

We have had our eye on Antarctica for awhile. The climate is changing so rapidly and it is one of the places we want to see before it changes completely or even disappears. It seems like it can be a tough journey which is something we both want to experience and it’s one of those places that seem almost impossible to go see, but it can definitely be done.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Camera, Phone and Laptop

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Bicycle

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

The place where the local cab drivers eat. We both love food and have found that the best way to get a taste of the local cuisine is to go where cab drivers eat. Since they’re always eating out, they definitely know places that are cheap but good. We believe that trying the local food is one of the best ways to get to know the culture and to also mingle with locals.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

Through our experiences in long distance relationship and as a multi-racial couple, we have found that traveling is one of our biggest passions. The world is just so big and there are so many different cultures and people that we want to experience it all. We are lucky to live in a country that is very diversified and also in good location to other places.

Our blog is focused on Costa Rica right now since that is the country we live in. We just want to share information about how it is to live and travel here since there are so many misconceptions about the country. Besides providing information and insight on living in Costa Rica as an expat, Yeison provides his insight as a Costa Rican which is unique since all the Costa Rica blogs are by foreigners. We show you what it’s really like by someone who was born and grew up here.

We’re planning on staying in Costa Rica for awhile and then next year, go live in Taiwan since that is where Samantha is originally from. From there, explore Asia and then who knows! We just want to live a happy life and find a balance between work and pleasure. Our philosophy is just to experience as much as possible because we don’t want to have regrets when we are old that we didn’t see as much as we wanted to.

Using SEPTA to Get Around Philadelphia

Chris Boothman
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Using SEPTA to Get Around Philadelphia

Wouldn’t it be awesome if every city had a great public transportation system? Well, unfortunately this isn’t the case and when you live in Arkansas the idea of ‘public transportation’ is foreign to most folks. Our recent trip to Philadelphia saw us do things a little different than usual. When we go somewhere either for a weekend trip or longer, we will either stay downtown or use public transportation or if we stay outside of the center we rent a car to get around. However, this time we opted to do a combination of the two by staying at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel near Philadelphia Airport but opted against renting a car. This forced us into using Philadelphia’s SEPTA public transportation system and this was overall a pleasant, convenient experience.

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Ticket Options

The first item of note if you are flying into Philly is that you can pretty much get wherever you need to directly from the airport using the SEPTA system. You don’t pre-pay for your ticket; instead you pay the conductor onboard. If you are only traveling one way and don’t plan on using the system any more on the same day, a one way ticket will cost $8. However, for those of you like us and wanted a little more flexibility, we purchased the ‘One Day Independence Pass’ for $12, which provides access to all SEPTA networks (trains, buses, trams etc.). This is really a great deal even if you only use it a couple of times and given that we had to go to and from the airport twice each day, it was a more cost efficient option for us.

You need to have cash though in order to pay for your tickets onboard because that is the only payment option available!

SEPTA Network

As I mentioned, you can pretty much get wherever you need to in Philadelphia especially if your primary purpose is to see the key landmarks. You have a couple of options when you ride the Airport line (Blue line) into downtown Philadelphia. After passing Eastwick, University City and 30th Street, the next two stations are both feasible to get off and be in a good spot to start exploring.

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Suburban Station is within walking distance to both City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, also known as being famous for the ‘Rocky Steps’ and ‘Rocky Statue’. If you prefer to not walk, buses are frequently passing by and your Independence Pass will allow you to get onboard and take you closer to your chosen destination.

Market Street East Station is next on the Airport line and gives the perfect landing spot to explore Independence Mall (Independence Hall and Liberty Bell) and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

If you decide to take in a game to watch the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers or 76ers, you can take the Broad Street line (Orange line) and this will take you outside all three stadiums.

Be Safe Using Public Transportation

I think it’s worth noting as a word of caution as with any public transportation system that you should be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are traveling alone at night. Be confident, be aware and trust your gut instinct if you feel uncomfortable in a situation when using public transportation.

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At no point during our experience on the SEPTA system did we feel uncomfortable but it’s also worth nothing that we were together and also primarily used the main stations in downtown Philly.

I have used many public transportation networks and although I wouldn’t say Philadelphia’s SEPTA system is as good as New York City’s underground or London’s tube system, it is efficient and provides a great service to locals and visitors to the area.

What are your favorite public transport networks around the world and why?

What are your tips to be safe when using public transportation?

International Travel Extravaganza

Chris Boothman
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International Travel Extravaganza

Wouldn’t we all love to travel the world and go on a proverbial International Travel Extravaganza? There have been times that I have wondered what it would be like to just pack a bag and set off on a round the world, once in a lifetime, trip to see all the amazing sights that our planet has to offer. What would be on top of your bucket list if you were given this opportunity? Would you want to visit the Seven Wonders of the World? There are so many ideas and routes that you could take that probably not any one person would choose to pursue the same trip.

Whenever I graduated from the University of Manchester, I almost embarked on a global trip with a friend but for one reason or another our proposed journey fell through. Maybe we were too young at the time or maybe it would have been a life changing experience for both of us. I don’t know about then but what I do know is that realistically speaking I would love to travel to a variety of different countries, not only to cross them off my bucket list, but also to expand my cultural background and learn about how other folks live.

If you have read our bucket list, you will have noticed that one of our goals is to visit at least one nation in each of the seven continents. So how would I like to go about this? Well here are some countries and reasons behind each of the seven continents I would like to visit:

Europe

Europe

Europe is probably the easiest for me to start with as I am from the United Kingdom. I have travelled much of England and also several locations in both Wales and Scotland. Aside from that, my European travel is limited with only a solitary trip to Southern Spain (Benidorm to be exact) to speak of. There is so much more out there to experience and both Heather and I are intrigued by the opportunities that are out there. Heather has a desire to visit Paris, in particular the Eiffel Tower, so this is one of our ‘must visit’ places in the near future. I have always had a desire to visit the Scandinavian countries, though the cost of visiting these countries is high. Europe is much like the United States except the proximity of States is in turn how close countries are to each other. Taking a road trip around Europe or embarking on the Eurorail would be a great way to get around. Plenty of things to do, plenty of different cultures to experience and a myriad of options available in Europe!

North America

Yosemite

Since arriving in the US in 2006, I have been fortunate enough to travel to several of the states, though many are those that most tourists would probably never think of visiting. There are still a lot of different places I want to see in USA, in particular I am looking forward to our trip to San Francisco in July 2013 but also I have a desire to road trip around the North East. I think the close proximity of the North-Eastern states and the fact there are several major cities within close distance to each other is a major drawing point for me. Canada is another country that I would love to visit. We were considering here for the July 2013 trip but opted for CA instead. Hopefully we can visit north of the border sometime soon. The same could be said for Mexico as we were looking into all-inclusive resorts. Something just didn’t appeal about Mexico, though many who know me in the States would know that Mexican restaurants are at the top of my favorite cuisine here.

Oceania

Sydney

We were very fortunate to visit Australia in December 2012 for our belated honeymoon. We had a blast here but only spending 10 days was not sufficient to allow us to visit everywhere we wanted to see. I also have a strong desire to visit New Zealand and some of the lesser known islands such as Fiji and the Cook Islands. There is so much beauty in the Southern Hemisphere and this is a great place to get away especially at Christmas when you are experiencing the cold winters, just head south and you are back in summer climates!

Asia

Taj Mahal

The Far East is such an intriguing part of the world. I will be the first to admit that for the most part, the thought of traveling around Asia is not really my cup of tea and I have never had a particular desire to visit this part of the world. However, there is so much modern technology that is derived from the Asian markets, who in the right mind would not want to visit the likes of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand or even India. These are without doubt the emerging markets of the future and will help shape the economy of the world we live in today and into the next decades. I noticed earlier this week that flights from LA to Narita, Japan were as low as $650 round-trip and I was seriously tempted to looking into this! Hopefully we will venture out East at some point because I know it would be a great cultural experience for both of us. Everyone that I know who has visited Asia has loved their experiences there.

Africa

safari

Much of Africa is rarely among most peoples travel thoughts. South Africa is obviously one of the more popular destinations given its development as a nation and the fact that it’s location in proximity to the ocean but also nearby safaris make this appealing to tourists. Other nations throughout the continent are suffering from high levels of poverty, drought, famine and disease ridden plagues which make them very difficult to attract the levels of tourism which would undoubtedly bring in much needed income. Before we headed to Australia for our honeymoon, South Africa was one of our top destinations to visit and we would both still love to visit this country. Climbing to the summit of Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town would be great and then being able to take a safari into the wilderness is also an appealing thought. Northern Africa is also a great hub of tourism with the likes of Egypt, Morocco and Algeria’s proximity to Spain being major attractions for travelers.

South America

South America

Rio de Janeiro in 2014, the home of the football FIFA World Cup would be a great place to head to if you have never visited South America. Or you could wait a couple more years and visit this same city in 2016 when it hosts the Summer Olympics. Either way, Brazil is a thriving country that will be developing economically in the next few years with such huge events hosted there. Whenever we are browsing around Pinterest and those great images that people pin on their boards, there are always great sights in South America, whether it is the wonderfully named Iguazu Falls or the dangerous roads in Bolivia. There appears to be great opportunities here and hopefully one day we will be able to experience some of them.

Antarctica

penguins

There really isn’t much to say about this unknown gem of a continent except “how cool would it be to visit there some day!” One of those expensive cruises from South America would be great but realistically experiencing what it is like on this continent in New Zealand at the International Antarctica Institute may be our best option.

So is traveling to all the continents on your bucket list? 

If so, which countries in particular are you most excited about visiting and why?

Experiencing Science at The Franklin Institute

Chris Boothman
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Experiencing Science at The Franklin Institute

Understanding the concepts of science may not be something that we are all interested in, but I am convinced that we can all appreciate that technology and science have evolved over time. At the Franklin Institute Museum in Philadelphia, there is everything that any budding scientist could dream of. From electrical engineering to the human body, visitors are treated with an abundance of amazing displays, hands-on experiences and visual exhibitions.

Our initial intention was not to visit this museum, rather we were passing by en route to the Philadelphia Museum of Art when we decided to wander inside the museum and see what they had to offer. Immediately walking through the doors into the large entrance hall, you could see that this was going to be a cool experience. Ticket prices at first seem a little high but you have various options available to you dependent on how much time you have or what your interest are.

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During our visit, the main attraction was ‘One Day in Pompeii’ which was a special feature currently running. For $27.50 each, we received tickets to this special feature, the science museum and also our choice of an IMAX movie (we opted for the Ring of Fire). If you are only interested in visiting the museum, the price of $16 per person seems very reasonable.

The Science Museum

We spent the first couple of hours walking around the museum; this really brought back memories of my childhood going through science museums where you get that hands-on experience of using your body as a human conductor of electricity or walking through a human heart! One of the most interesting exhibits was a wall full of small antennas that lit up whenever you placed your cell phone in close proximity. I am not sure if this was fascinating because of how the radio waves clearly transmit or the potential harm cell phones are doing to us (Admittedly, I am not a proponent of this and believe that cell phones are relatively harmless unless you are on them 24/7).

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There are 3 floors to the museum and each has very different displays available. The first floor contains the Train Factory if locomotives interest you, a Planetarium to learn more about how our solar system works and Space Command which allows you to explore the farthest reaches of space without having to leave Earth! The second floor is where the main entrance is when you pass the Franklin Memorial. Exhibit galleries here feature the Electricity area, Giant Heart and Changing Earth (which is pretty cool as you can create your own weather forecast and replay the video!). Unfortunately some of the main attractions on the top floor were closed including the Sports Challenge but for those daring enough to ride the SkyBike, you could soar through the air above the Atrium.

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Before visiting the science museum, I would probably have associated this type of attraction with activities solely related to children. But I can now honestly say that anyone can enjoy this type of experience. There is something for everyone, of course there are activities catered for kids but many of the ‘hands-on’ challenges are probably more suited for adults. Interaction is always going to attract visitors and I think this is one of the main reasons why the Franklin Institute will continue to be successful.

IMAX

We have visited a few IMAX theatres before and really enjoyed them. Given the opportunity to see ‘The Ring of Fire’ (No, not Johnny Cash but the volcanic chain that surrounds the Pacific Rim), we were both really looking forward to this. Our show started at 2:15 and lasted 45 minutes. The theatre was one of the biggest I have seen before, though my only regret was that we sat on the front row that I believe took away from enhancing the overall experience.

Learning about how volcanic activity is still such a huge natural phenomenon was interesting. This was also a perfect prelude to our final attraction of the day which was ‘One Day in Pompeii’ as it gave us a little more information on what causes volcanoes to erupt around the world.

One Day in Pompeii

For those of you that don’t know the history of the ancient town of Pompeii under the ashes of Mount Vesuvius, this would have been a really great attraction. However, I was left a little disappointed especially given that we paid $11.50 each for this and it rather failed to live up to the hype and expectations given the advertisements for this.

On a positive note, learning about how the ancient Romans lived their daily lifestyle, ranging from architectural design of their living quarters to the food they consumed was interesting. The story continued culminating in a video showing a recreation of Vesuvius erupting and destroying Pompeii under 12 feet of ash. Only in the 18th Century was Pompeii rediscovered and to this day archaeologists are working on identifying remains and learning more about how the Romans lived and what actually happened on that tragic day in AD79.

Summary

Though you are probably not going to leave the Franklin Institute as the next Albert Einstein, you will certainly learn plenty to make you intrigued about the evolution of science. You can easily spend a full day here and it is great spot for the whole family to just learn and have fun. If you plan on visiting here for just a hour, it’s not worth paying the admission fee because you simply won’t have enough time to see everything. We spent about 4 hours here and didn’t see everything so be prepared to set aside at least half a day when in the Philadelphia region. Visit this attraction because you won’t regret it!

Have you visited the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia? 

Have you experienced other similar museums around the world?

Graceland to Beale Street in Memphis

Chris Boothman
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Graceland to Beale Street in Memphis

The home of Elvis, the Blues and Rock & Roll music, the Grizzlies, the Redbirds…. Where can all this be found? Memphis, Tennessee!! Living just 80 miles from Memphis, I have been fortunate enough to visit this city many times and I still enjoy making that trip across the Mississippi River to see something new in this exciting location.

Just with every city, there are certain spots that are more affluent than others and with this comes a diverse range of inhabitants and social cultures. Approaching Memphis from the West, you head across the river and you immediately have the option to take off the interstate and head downtown to the infamous Beale Street. Packed with countless bars, alcohol available for purchase along the middle of the street and late night clubs, this really is the heart of entertainment for Memphis folks and tourists alike.

In close proximity is the FedEx Forum, home of the NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Autozone Park is also within walking distance for anyone interested in taking in a Memphis Redbirds game who are the minor league affiliates of the St.Louis Cardinals.

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Parking is difficult throughout downtown Memphis and you can generally be expected to pay anywhere from $15-$20 for a couple of hours. I would advise parking in one of the secure parking garages rather than risking parking elsewhere. Another major landmark in Memphis, primarily because of its icon shape and location situated in the heart of the Memphis skyline is the Pyramid. This pyramid shaped structure is host to concerts and other activities but rumors are that a Bass Pro Shop will soon will be replacing this in the near future.

Probably one of the most famous landmarks in Memphis is Graceland, home of Elvis Presley. This iconic location has become very commercialized and a true tourist spot but for anyone in the Memphis area, this is much more to them given that it was the home of the rock and roll legend – ” The King”. There are various ticket options available including a basic tour around Graceland and others including a visit to museums and on board access to Elvis’ planes.

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Graceland is a must see for anyone in Memphis. The history here as you walk around the house listening to the guided commentary is immense and the way that all the rooms have been preserved is eye-catching. There are countless great photo opportunities but probably one of the best aspects of the whole tour is at the end whenever you are returned via the shuttle to the entrance as you are able to write your name and remarks on the wall protecting the grounds of Graceland.

The tricky part is actually finding a part of the wall that is open to write your name and message of remembrance but just reading the thousands of messages from people from all corners of the globe is certainly a memorable, worthwhile experience.

Positives

  • Graceland provides a great learning experience about how Elvis established Memphis as the home of rock and roll music. You can spend several hours here.
  • Beale Street is lively and full of youthful exuberance and although this may not be for everyone, the close proximity to other landmarks means there is plenty for all ages to see.

Negatives

  • Parking is very expensive downtown and even at Graceland.
  • Certain parts of Memphis are very culturally diverse which although not a negative on its own, can cause problems for tourists if they are unaware of the cultural differences and they find themselves in the wrong part of the city.

Interview – Syd Schulz (Nomadically Inclined)

Chris Boothman
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Our interviewing series with our friends from the travel blogging world continues with Syd Schulz from Nomadically Inclined who has generously given her time to speak with us and help us learn a little more about her travel inspirations and her wonderfully acclaimed website.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with Syd using her various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Syd for taking time to interview with us!

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Name: Syd Schulz

Website: Nomadically Inclined

Social Media: 

  • Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/nomadicallyinclinedblog
  • Twitter – https://twitter.com/itsinmysuitcase
  • Instagram – http://instagram.com/sydgschulz

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website? 

I like that moment when you find yourself in a new place and you start noticing all those little things that you had forgotten to pay attention to at home. Like, why are the license plates here so long and narrow? Or, why is that guy walking around with an umbrella when it’s not raining? Or, what the hell is bidet and can I wash my feet in it? Sometimes you have to observe the weirdness of the world in another culture before you can see it in your own.

Initially, I created a blog because I was studying abroad in Argentina and also, let’s face it, I’m a compulsive over-sharer. But then I kept running into people I hadn’t spoken to in years and they’d be like “oh hey I read your blog.” So it occurred to me that maybe I could be good at this. And, here I am.

How many continents have you visited? 

Three

How many countries have you visited? 

1-10

What is your favorite destination in the world and why? 

Ohh gosh, I couldn’t possibly pretend to know the answer to this question.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why? 

I would go to Iceland and pet Icelandic ponies. I would leave right now. I’ve been talking about doing this since I was 12. I had one of those books with pictures of different breeds of horses and Icelandic ponies were the fuzziest so I’ve been dreaming of Iceland ever since.

But no really, in all seriousness, I try to make money and time as little of an object as possible. Even if I had a lot of money, I don’t think I’d change my plans too much. I’m having too much fun as it is.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels? 

Laptop, Phone, Camera. JVC adixxion action cam and my mountain bike (not sure that counts as a gadget…)

What is your preferred method of transport? 

Depends on the destination but I always like a good roadtrip

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….” 

It would sound hopelessly cheesy to finish that sentence with “nature,” but I can’t see a way out of it. The first thing I do when I arrive in a new city is try to get out of it. I know, I know, sacrilege, but really, I am not a city person. I grew up in a town of 10,000 people and went to college in an even smaller one. Cities overwhelm me. Worse, they make my feet hurt. I look for small towns, mountains, open countryside and, more specifically, bike trails. Both my boyfriend Macky and I race mountain bikes seriously, so you will usually find us scouting out the local singletrack or hanging out in bike shops.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about… 

As for my travel philosophy, well, it’s not terribly well thought-out. I believe in slow travel, in being outside, in getting dirty and in taking the time to make real friends. I bristle at the term “local”–I think it tends to be used in a patronizing way towards the people we see as very different from us (and usually this has everything to do with social and racial factors…) No one makes a fuss about meeting the locals on their trip to California. That said, one of the great and beautiful paradoxes of traveling is meeting people who are different from you and then realizing they are not actually different at all.

I would need a book (or, perhaps a blog) to outline my future plans but I’ll try to get through the next six months. I graduate from college in Mid-December and then the boyfriend and I are heading to New Zealand. We’ll be there for a few months and then we go to Chile, where Macky will be racing the first Enduro World Series mountain bike race. After that, we’ll be in Peru racing Inca Avalanche, an absolutely ridiculous race that starts at 16,000 feet. We still have to work out some pesky details, like how we’re getting from New Zealand to South America, so if anyone has any advice on teleportation or stowing away on pirate ships, please feel free to get in touch.

Otherwise, if you like adventure and chaos, please check out my site Nomadically Inclined. I can promise ridiculous stories, gear reviews and occasional tips for nomadic living and outdoor thrills. And in the meantime, happy travels!

Four Points by Sheraton in Philadelphia – Hotel Review

Heather Boothman
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Four Points by Sheraton in Philadelphia – Hotel Review

On our recent weekend trip to Philadelphia, we opted to stay at the Four Points by Sheraton – Philadelphia Airport hotel. Using Priceline we picked up a great deal at only $58 per night plus taxes which for the location and brand name we were pretty happy with this.

If you are looking for a hotel in the Philadelphia area with convenience to public transportation, comfortable rooms, affordable price and great amenities, you won’t go wrong with staying at the Four Points by Sheraton location.

Location

Location wise this hotel is perfect if you are just passing through Philadelphia International airport with an overnight connection or early morning flight. Just a short 5-minute shuttle from the airport terminals, this hotel offers a free service that runs every 20 minutes taking passengers to and from the airport. One thing that we noticed was that the shuttle was a little less efficient than advertised.

I don’t want to give too much negative feedback on this because we were never waiting longer than 30-35 minutes, but in comparison to other hotel chains that we saw shuttles running much more frequently, maybe this is something that the Four Points by Sheraton in Philadelphia need to work on. However, in their defense their shuttle service runs in conjunction with the Sheraton Suites and Aloft hotels that are close by.

View Larger Map

If you are staying here to visit Philadelphia for the weekend like we did, you can still make this location work for you. You will save a lot in comparison with the downtown Philly hotels and although you have to catch the shuttle back to the airport each day and then hop on the SEPTA, it still works out better than paying exorbitant prices downtown!

four points by sheraton in philadelphia

Check-In Process

Check-in at the Four Points by Sheraton in Philadelphia was friendly and efficient, so we couldn’t ask for anything more than that. We later found out that they are helpful also because they provided information on the best way to get downtown (their suggestion confirmed our above thoughts on using the SEPTA public transportation system rather than taxi) and also they provided toothpaste which we failed to bring with us.

four points by sheraton in philadelphia

The Room

Our room was a good size with a king size bed and sufficient space for a relaxing chair by a large window overlooking the nearby hotels and interstate. That view may not sound overly appealing but with snow covered ground, it made for a good morning view! The room wasn’t in bad condition and honestly was a bargain for the price we paid.

However, had we paid full price which I believe is about $100+ per night, my review of this may be slightly different. One annoying aspect was the air conditioner which sounded like a plane taking off at the nearby International airport. Added to the fact we set this at 65 degrees yet it never got below 70 and it wasn’t ideal for our perfect room temperature.

four points by sheraton in philadelphia

The bathroom was small but offered everything you would expect. The shower had great water pressure which is always a positive and built in shower gel, shampoo and conditioner which is nice, especially if you are not a big fan of those travel size tubes hotels usually provide.

The daily room service to clean our room was sufficient yet you could tell they didn’t go overboard on cleaning everything which is a slight concern. Our bed was reasonably well made and at least we had fresh towels so in reality what more can you expect but the shower didn’t appear to have been touched and the bathroom floor was still in similar condition to the way we left it.

Amenities

Free wi-fi gets this hotel a big check mark for amenities and for the most part it was pretty fast (we found Sunday’s internet speed to be much better than Saturday). Downstairs is a bar and restaurant area, though we didn’t sample either so can’t comment on the overall quality of these.

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Details

Dates: Saturday, January 25, 2014 – Monday, January 27, 2014 (2 Nights)

Price: $58 (+tax) per night on Priceline; Regularly $91 (+tax)

Exploring Inside The Walls of York

Chris Boothman
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Exploring Inside The Walls of York

One of the most beautiful, historic locations throughout England has to be York. Steeped in heritage, this city has proved to be a focal point for many major political events. Let’s start by providing a little history about York without giving too much away and spoiling your own trip to this magnificent city. In 866 York was captured by the Vikings and for many years became a port for extensive Viking trading routes throughout northern Europe until they were later driven out! In 1068, the people of York rebelled and started to build the architecture that we see the remains of today. The first York Minster was created and development of medieval city walls which are still in existence to this very day were established to help defend the city from potential attacks.

So back to the present day and just having this brief knowledge gives you a sense of excitement as you approach York and enter the city centre. The first thing you will notice is the fact that much of York’s centre is still within those city walls! Driving through tunnels formed out of the city walls is unique, at least I have yet to visit another city that has these sort of features carved into their landscape. There are an abundance of attractions that you experience whilst in York, the problem is that if you are only visiting there for the day, you simply won’t have enough time to see everything. Here are just a few things you can see visit while inside the city walls of York.

York Minster

The dominant feature of York has to be the Minster, which still stands as one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Design and construction of York Minster began in the early 13th Century, with each wing being constructed over a period of time. Not only is the cathedral filled with history and grand architectural design but it’s place in the centre of York makes this an even more important structure. Even if exploring the interior of cathedrals is not your thing, I would certainly recommend checking out York Minster simply because of how archaic and beautifully constructed this place is. Stand outside those large wooden doors, close your eyes and think about what time would have been like back in the 13th Century or even earlier when the Vikings had control of this city.

Visiting this part of the country will certainly enhance your levels of British history even if your interest levels are not particularly high.

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York Castle Museum

Over the last nine centuries, a combination of castles, prisons, law courts and other affiliated buildings have sequentially come together to form York Castle. However, now we are left with just Clifford’s Tower sat on top of  a mound, stereotypically overlooking the city as a perfect spot to defend from potential attacks. Located just inside the medieval city wall remains, the tower is in close proximity to the Tower Castle Museum which provides tourists with a great experience in learning about the full depths of historic York.

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During our day trip to York, we opted to purchase the annual pass which allows visitors to experience both York Castle Museum and also Yorkshire Museum which is located nearby. If you plan on visiting York multiple times in a year, this is a really great deal because you could likely visit both museums and spend at least a half day in each of them and learn something new every time. Our visit to York Castle Museum was relatively quick, but it was still long enough to learn about life in a Victorian Street (Kirkgate) which was a really cool experience as inside the museum they have a street designed with Victorian shops either side of the cobbles. The museum is actually located inside the former prison walls and this is part of the tour to explore some of the original cells.

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Medieval City Walls

The miles of Roman walls that are still intact in York make this a must-see for any visitor. In fact, not only can you see them but you can walk up the steps and walk around the York City walls which is a great experience (though a word of caution, when they are wet they can get pretty slick and there is nothing in terms of barriers on one side so you should be cautious!). The original walls were built around 71 AD by the Romans and part of these foundations are still in place to form a section of the current day walls. The walls are punctuated by four main gatehouses or more commonly known as bars as their names suggest. These are all visible around the city, the most interesting being Micklegate Bar which is located at the southern side of York.

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There is not much more to say than the fact York is absolutely full of history and it’s somewhere you have to go and explore for yourself. The impressive aspect of York is how the city has developed in recent years yet has still maintained the heritage that is apparent throughout so many aspects of the city lifestyle and architecture. We had a really great time in York, our only regret is that we didn’t get to see as much as we wanted.

Have you visited York before?

The Birthplace of USA – Philadelphia

Chris Boothman
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31
The Birthplace of USA – Philadelphia

So when you think about old historical cities you are probably thinking about historical European cities or maybe ancient, Chinese/Indian regions but you are probably not thinking about Philadelphia as being up there with the leading locations around the world. Well, if you have an American background you are probably aware of why ‘Philly’ is such an important location in US history.

In the late 18th Century when America was still under the power of the sovereign British throne, members of the 13 original colonies embarked on a meeting place in Philadelphia and came to the decision that enough was enough and they wanted to have their independence. Cutting all ties in terms of control with the British Empire was going to be a long fought struggle but eventually on July 4, 1776 the United States of America were able to celebrate what is commonly known today as Independence Day.

Entering Philly today, you see a mixture of a remake and originality of the past two centuries of history present here. Here is a quick review of the top landmarks present in Philadelphia, PA, some of which are related to the topic of independence while others are more infamous for movie traits or other domains in society:

Independence Hall

This is where it all started! Independence Hall is the home of where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted.

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Walking around the guided tour which just as a sidenote requires you to get tickets (they are free by the way!) in the morning for an afternoon viewing, is a real treat and the experienced guides have plenty to talk about as they describe the rooms that you set foot in and recall how the likes of Adams, Jefferson and Washington sat in those infamous seats and discussed the nation’s future.

Liberty Bell

The bell tower steeple of Independence Hall was the original home of the Liberty Bell. It has since been moved to the Liberty Bell Center which sits just outside the grounds of Independence Hall. Walking through the location you are given detailed descriptions through wall displays and videos of the history behind the iconic bell. The final part of the self-guided tour of the Center is to actually stand beside the impressive structure.

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Professor Constance M. Greiff, in her book tracing the history of Independence National Historical Park, wrote of the Liberty Bell:

The Liberty Bell is the most venerated object in the park, a national icon. It is not as beautiful as some other things that were in Independence Hall in those momentous days two hundred years ago, and it is irreparably damaged. Perhaps that is part of its almost mystical appeal. Like our democracy it is fragile and imperfect, but it has weathered threats, and it has endured.

Philadelphia City Hall

Located in the heart of downtown Philly, City Hall is the nation’s largest municipal building that serves the Philly government. It is specifically situated in the exact geographical center of William Penn’s original 1682 plans for the city, now known as the intersections of Broad and Market Streets – Center Square.

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This impressive structure is at the pinnacles of the downtown area. With so much traffic moving around this area via public transportation and day to day activities, City Hall certainly does not go unnoticed to passing bystanders.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

You may be wondering how the Philadelphia Museum of Art gets on a list of such iconic landmarks. Well if you are interested in art you would probably know why right? Of course, it’s one of the largest museums of art in USA and it invites visitors from around the world to explore its renowned collections and acclaimed special exhibitions. And that’s the Museum of Art….or is that all it’s famous for??? If you have seen the picture above you may be wondering where you have seen these infamous steps before. Well they are at the heart of one of the most famous movies of all time – Rocky! To honor Rocky’s training regime up the steps, there is a statue of the legend himself at the bottom and this is certainly one of the major tourist attractions in the Philadelphia downtown area.

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As famous as the statue itself are the stairs leading to the East Entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, aka “The Rocky Steps.” Making the iconic trip up the steps is regarded as a symbol of perseverance and determination. So now you probably realize why the Museum of Art is included in this list of Philly landmarks.

Sports Stadiums

If you are a sports fanatic and are in the Philadelphia area, head down the Broad Street (orange) line on the subway and get off at the AT&T station because you will be close to all of Philly’s major league stadiums. If you are interested in MLB, you can catch the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Lincoln Financial Field is home to the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and the Wells Fargo Center is home to the 76ers. A great spot to catch some afternoon or evening entertainment because all three are within walking distance of each other.

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Even though I spent almost a week in Philadelphia primarily for a conference at the Pennslyvania Convention Center in downtown Philly, I had sufficient time to investigate all of the above landmarks and each one is definitely very impressive and worth visiting.

Best Western La Tour Notre Dame, Paris – Hotel Review

Chris Boothman
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7
Best Western La Tour Notre Dame, Paris – Hotel Review

One of the major issues when planning a trip to Paris, France is deciding where you want to stay. Fighting the high prices charged by the majority of leading hotels in the Paris region, it is tough to find somewhere that is reasonably priced yet still offers a great location. Well I honestly feel like we can offer this to you with the Best Western La Tour Notre Dame which we stayed at for 3 nights on our recent trip to Paris. Before you start having thoughts about the brand ‘Best Western’, I will openly admit that I voiced my concerns to Heather prior to our trip. However, I can now say that the stereotype that you may associate with Best Western in the United States is certainly not applicable to the Paris equivalent.

Located about 5 minutes from the Notre Dame Cathedral and in close proximity to the Saint Germain des Pres, this hotel offers a perfect spot to get out and enjoy the Parisian surroundings. If you are taking the metro/subway from either the airport or Gare du Nord train station as we did, your best option is to take the Blue line to St. Michel Notre-Dame and then follow the signs for Cluny La Sorbonne which will leave you on Boulevard Saint-Germain and less than a 5 minute walk to the Best Western La Tour Notre Dame.

Entering the hotel we were greeted by a pleasant hostess who was happy to speak in English. She provided information regarding breakfast, free wi-fi internet and indicated that if we had any questions she would be more than happy to help. The first thing you will notice about this hotel which may put you off a little is the size. It feels like a local establishment, almost like a Bed and Breakfast but honestly this is the Paris hotel scene in a nutshell. Paris is the complete opposite to major cities in the United States where everything is doing on a large scale. Paris prefers to have unique, authentic hotels that are not necessarily affiliated with chains (though you will notice the one we chose is a Best Western brand) but have the perfect location and make your stay very memorable.

Our first challenge was getting our bags to our rooms. We initially didn’t notice the small lift located by the reception desk so were forced to use the winding staircase to the third floor. I have to admit this wasn’t the most pleasant experience but at least it was only a one time occurrence. Opening the door we entered a pleasant room, yes it was small especially given what we are used to (the previous two nights we had stayed at a Westin in Chicago and Hilton in London) but very well-kept and ‘cute’. The biggest attraction that we immediately noticed was the windows that opened to a small balcony type structure overlooking the Parisian streets. It’s difficult to explain how this felt but you pretty much knew you were in Paris with this one aspect.

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The bathroom was another interesting part of this hotel. Spotlessly clean with every amenity you would expect, the main problem however was that given we are both tall individuals, the shower was going to cause a slight issue. The next couple of days was really an interesting experience taking the shower as we had to stand pretty much in one spot, with hardly any room to turn around and with our heads ducked down! But you know it’s one of those experiences that we all have to put ourselves in because you adapt without any problems.

I would say that our main issues over the three nights that we spent at this hotel were the room temperature and outside noise. We were constantly switching the thermostat on and off to try and find that perfect temperature. I don’t think it helped that we were still getting over the dreaded jet-lag but whenever we had the gorgeous windows open, we had to deal with the traffic outside which even at 4AM appeared to be as busy as 4PM!

The internet was great though we only used this on a couple of occasions. We didn’t sample the breakfast at this hotel so can’t comment but the pictures we saw indicate that this would have been a worthwhile expense. One added expense that you may not be aware of is the Paris city tax which is only 1 Euro per day, per person but it’s handy to have some change whenever you check out unless you want to potentially experience convenience charges on your credit card.

I would highly recommend the Best Western La Tour Notre Dame to anyone visiting the Paris downtown area. If you are visiting Paris for the first time and are interested in scoping out the ‘main’ tourist attractions, this is the hotel for you. You are within walking distance to pretty much everything including the Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum and even the Eiffel Tower is less than 2 miles away.

Details

Dates: Thursday, December 18, 2013 – Sunday, December 22, 2013 (3 Nights)

Price: $152 per night

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