by Greyer on May 15, 2010
If I were to think back on my most memorable trips abroad what stands out most is good food and bad food. Let’s face it, on vacation we eat a lot. And we want the food to be the best we can get. Venice happens to be one of those cities that can be tricky when trying to find that memorable meal. While it is not fair to say that most restaurants are of poor quality, the overall census is that it lacks what most of Italy is famous for. The reason for this is that most waterfront restaurants are not for locals and do not expect much repeat business. Hotels on the other hand want repeat business and offer some of the finest meals in all of Italy. Check with your hotel restaurant for their menu when contemplating your dinner plans.
When out and about you can eat like the locals do for a truly tasty treat. Bacaro is similar to the Spanish Tapa. Small dishes served at the bar offer many unique and very tasty deliquesces. These are readily available throughout Venice and are very reasonably priced. The Bacaro is only truly enjoyed with a nice house wine.
If you are determined to try regular restaurants there are a few things that may hint to finding the perfect place. Always look at the menu first. If there are pictures on the menu then pass it up. Pictures on the menu mean it is strictly a tourist place. You will not find the quality and care you will at another stop. If you are able to find a restaurant that has a menu written solely in Italian with no pictures then you can be pretty sure that it is a local spot with repeat business.
The Italian meal is served in courses. You are not expected to eat all of the courses if you do not wish to have them. You can choose which courses you like. Traditionally it starts with an antipasto. Antipasto is not any specific food. It is simply an appetizer or starter. Next comes the Primo Piatto which is a small pasta dish. Next is the Secondo Piatto which is a meat or fish plate. This is most often served alone. You will not find a baked potato smothered in butter and sour cream next to a 40 ounce T-Bone. Up next is the Contorno. The Contorno is either a cold salad or vegetables. This can be any variety of vegetables. Try to go with the special as this is usually what is in season. My favorite and last course is the Dolce. This is the desert. Italian deserts are not to be missed. Always save room. After a big meal it is customary to have a liqueur. I have found more often than not it is brought to you without asking. It is assumed you will want one. Try the limoncello. This sweet citrus flavored drink will settle your stomach after a rich Italian meal. Simple tricks like this can make your trip to Venice filled with good memories.
by Greyer on May 15, 2010
Like many European cities, London is best seen by walking. You can always pop down the stairs of a tube station to get you to your next hot spot if you get tired. To truly get the London experience, walking is the travel mode of choice. Ultimately, no matter where you start from, you will end up at Buckingham Palace. With that in mind we will begin our journey there.
Emblazoned upon the impressively huge gate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s coat of arms shines in gold against the black iron. The shield is held on the right by the Lion of England and on the left the chained Unicorn of Scotland. Behind the gates royal guards march dressed in the well known red uniforms with shiny black boots and the tall fur covered hats. Aware only of their duty to guard the palace, these dedicated guards ignore the tourist taunts. Do not forget that these are real guards not tourist attractions. If attempts to get them to flinch, as seen in movies, get out of hand they will react with all the force their duty requires. It is best to let them go about their business and enjoy the sights. If you go in the autumn the royal family is away and the private staterooms are open to the public.
Across from Buckingham Palace is St James Park. It is the oldest of the royal parks complete with a lake filled with black swans and other rare birds. These water fowl are the personal property of the Queen. A leisurely stroll along the walkways offers an unobstructed view of the 828,000 square foot palace. Behind the palace there is England’s largest private garden. This is where the Queen hosts her annual garden parties. If you continue along St James Park walkways you will come to such famous sights as Churchill’s war rooms, an underground bunker from world war II where Winston Churchill ran the war. It takes about 90 minutes to see everything. On August 16th 1945 Churchill walked out of the map room and closed the door behind him. The room was left exactly as it was for you to see. Maps of the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns hang on the walls.
A short walk from the War Rooms you will come to number 10 Downing Street, arguably the most famous address in the world. Here is where the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom lives and works. Number 10, as it is colloquially known has over 100 rooms. The Prime Minister resides on the third floor.
No trip to London would be complete without a visit to the House of Parliament. Here stands one of the most notorious clock towers, Big Ben. Standing beneath Big Ben at noon is a sound you will remember fondly forever. Across the street from Parliament is Westminster Abbey. This Gothic wonder took ten years to build from 1546 to 1556. Entombed here are kings, queens and aristocrats such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Lord Byron. The Abbey is not only a tourist attraction but a place of worship and a host to Shakespearean theater.
No matter where you wander in London, history is at every turn. A walk through the city in any direction is sure to be a fulfilling experience for both young and old.
