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What The Guide Books Don’t Tell You About Planning to Walk the Camino
So I got this cra cra idea to walk the Camino Santiago – a 500 mile trek across Spain after watching the movie, “The Way” starring Martin Sheen. I thought to myself, self.. you’ve been walking since you were what, 10 months old or so, how hard can it be to do the Spanish Schlep? So I started doing my research on Facebook and Google. The first thing I Googled was, “How much weight can I lose walking the Camino?” The answers were mixed. One man lost 30lbs, one woman gained 30lbs. So my hopes that this holy trail would be my holy grail of weight loss were dashed…. but…
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Mark Your Calendars: My Camino Starts in 10 Days
I haven't trained, I'm not sure about my shoes, my backpack is heavy and it hurts. I don't know where I'll be staying, don't know what I'll be eating, don't know where I'll be able to go when - you know - I gotta go, hell I don't even know where to put my water bottles on my backpack.
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My Biggest Fears for Walking the Camino
I watch one sappy movie with Martin Sheen and the next thing you know I’m telling anyone who will listen, “I’m going to walk the Camino!” But I've never told them this.
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Notre Dame: Stairway to Heaven(ly) Views of Paris
One of the most fun and most memorable things to do in the City of Lights, is to climb up to the top of Notre Dame to see the cathedral’s largest bell, its monstrous gargoyles and to be rewarded with one of the best views in all of Paris. Getting to “QuasimodoLand” demands climbing up 387 steps and no, there isn’t an elevator. You need to be fit; not like marathon runner-fit, but “kind of” fit. Kids and grannies can tackle this with no problem. There is a built-in break during the climb and since this is not a “guided tour,” you can set your own pace. You’ll start your climb in the North Tower…
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Tallinn: Kick ’em in the Baltics!
A popular day stop for the Baltic Cruises is Tallinn. Wait, what???!!! Tallinn what? Where and what is this place you call Tallinn? I get it. A lot of people (myself included) have never heard of Tallinn and you know what – that’s almost criminal. Tallinn was first recorded on a world map in 1154 and is now the largest city and capital of Estonia. It should be your next must-see destination. (See it here on a map) A medieval, walled-city, this place is full of history, charm and ghosts! Yep, ghosts. At its historical heart is Toompea, covered in ankle-twisting cobbled lanes, lined with medieval houses and surrounded by guard towers and Gothic spires. The old…
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Dreaming Of: Finland & Tallinn
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Copenhagen: A Fairy Tale Walking Tour
“But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.” ― Hans Christian Andersen, The Little Mermaid If you’re looking for something different to do and something that will engage, entertain and even educate the kids, take a walking tour of Copenhagen with Hans Christian Andersen. American Richard Karpen decked out in top hat and traditional long coat, guides you through the Old City in full character channeling Denmark’s beloved fairy tale author. Along the way “Hans” introduces you to Danish life and customs, pointing out architectural highlights all while bringing to life some of his most famous and beloved tales. “Hans” is enchanting, simply enchanting. His tales of history…
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Time to crash
Here’s the thing, sometimes despite your very best efforts, your very best planning, your very best threats – they reach their limit. The kids just pass out – zonkers like. Doesn’t matter to them that they’re in Venice – the most beautiful/most romantic/most scenic place on earth – they’re shattered. So let ’em rest, let ’em soak up the sun, let ’em catch some zzzzz’s. Grab a gelato, or a glass of wine and grab your camera! Give ’em their 40 winks and they’ll fine and so will you.
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Day Trip to Delos
Why go tilting at windmills??? According to Greek Mythology, Mykonos is where Hercules buried the Giants after a fierce battle. Another version – ‘cuz there’s always another version in Greeks Mythology – the island was named after Mykonos, son of the King of Delos who was the son of Apollo. If your Mediterranean cruise stops in Mykonos – get it out of your head that you have to spend the entire day on Mykonos, there’s real history, real adventure and real lions to see just a short boat ride away. Most likely your cruise will sail into Mykonos early in the morning and you’ll be in port until 4ish which is more than enough time to 1) Stroll the quaint port village, 2) Grab…
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Tallinn: Kick ’em in the Baltics!
