San Gimignano Tips!
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| Tower View |
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| Hey you. Ya you...no pics inside the church. |
which is also a must see!
Where's Walnuts?! is a backpacking show like no other. Follow me on my adventures.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
San Gimignano
which is also a must see!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Stargazing in New England
In dedication to my new show about New England travel (Beyond the Beans).
My first blog will entail a very important event occurring this weekend. Stargazing in New England is very tough. The amount of artificial light and pollution can make it quite difficult for viewing. So if you're all about some star gazing and your live in New England, here are some of the best spots to check out some stars.
West Dennis, Cape Cod (Scargo Tower): Located on the Cape, the Scargo Tower offers a unique view just outside of Boston. The tower was built in 1874 as an observatory and was
built at the highest point in the town.
Moosehead Lake, Maine: This one is a hike. Zipping up 95 and going West into the depths of Maine, you won't find much but small one lane roads and endless amounts of trees. Moosehead Lake is a great spot to observe some stars due to its isolation, but to get there is the challenge. You are looking at about a 6 or so hour drive from Boston.
White Mountains, New Hampshire:
This region is great. Go up 93 North for about
2 hours and you'll find the White Mountains Region. The trees are endless and the stars come out to play. Northern New Hampshire is best because of it denser population. While you're up there, don't forget to check ou the Franconia Notch too.
CHECK OUT MY NEW SHOW!
GO LIKE THE FB PAGE!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-the-Beans/207504182652329
My first blog will entail a very important event occurring this weekend. Stargazing in New England is very tough. The amount of artificial light and pollution can make it quite difficult for viewing. So if you're all about some star gazing and your live in New England, here are some of the best spots to check out some stars.
West Dennis, Cape Cod (Scargo Tower): Located on the Cape, the Scargo Tower offers a unique view just outside of Boston. The tower was built in 1874 as an observatory and wasbuilt at the highest point in the town.
Moosehead Lake, Maine: This one is a hike. Zipping up 95 and going West into the depths of Maine, you won't find much but small one lane roads and endless amounts of trees. Moosehead Lake is a great spot to observe some stars due to its isolation, but to get there is the challenge. You are looking at about a 6 or so hour drive from Boston.
White Mountains, New Hampshire:
This region is great. Go up 93 North for about
2 hours and you'll find the White Mountains Region. The trees are endless and the stars come out to play. Northern New Hampshire is best because of it denser population. While you're up there, don't forget to check ou the Franconia Notch too.
CHECK OUT MY NEW SHOW!
GO LIKE THE FB PAGE!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-the-Beans/207504182652329
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Beyond the Beans Promo
NEW SHOW ABOUT NEW ENGLAND TRAVEL!!!
like on FB!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beyond-the-Beans/207504182652329
Monday, October 10, 2011
FLORENCE ADVICE!
What to tell you. For starters, don't drive in. Don't do it.
Park at the Piazzo de Michelangelo.
It's free. Then take a taxi in, or
you can walk it, but its kind a hike.
PARK NEXT TO THIS GUY.---->>>>>
Most everything is in the center of the city. DON'T GO ON MONDAY. EVERYTHING
IS CLOSED. I made that mistake.
The Duomo was open, and the line was huge (but free).
The local flea market runs like 9am-2pm.
There's a fake David outside of
the Museo de Uffizi, if you can't get in the Academia to see the real one.
<----FAKE DAVID. FAKE LIL' DAVID.
Park at the Piazzo de Michelangelo.
It's free. Then take a taxi in, or
you can walk it, but its kind a hike.
PARK NEXT TO THIS GUY.---->>>>>
Most everything is in the center of the city. DON'T GO ON MONDAY. EVERYTHING
IS CLOSED. I made that mistake.
The Duomo was open, and the line was huge (but free).
The local flea market runs like 9am-2pm.
There's a fake David outside of
the Museo de Uffizi, if you can't get in the Academia to see the real one.
<----FAKE DAVID. FAKE LIL' DAVID.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
GUIDE TO BEING A GOOD GUIDE.
I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Yet. There's a couple dudes better than me (Frommer & Rick Stevens to name a few). I'm trying. I'm learning. So here's a couple tips to be a better guide.
1. Don't hide all your money in one place. Cause if someone gets it, that's it. Have a couple spots for some emergency money.
2.Don't you dare wear a fanny pack. DON'T YOU DARE.
3. Make several copies of your passport. I know its a pain. I know. Just do it.
4. Guidebooks. Here's my thoughts. The DK series is really my go to. Its easy to read, entertaining, and gives you the good stuff.
5. I love atlases and road maps. Do me a favor, if you can't read them...start now.
6. Use Triple AAA. Love'em. They have great cheap guidebooks and maps, which (some) are free if you're a member. Most places take the discount. It awesome. They help you plan trips.
7. Know how to use a stick shift (I don't, shut up.) Most countries drive on manuals and if you want an automative they are harder to get and more expensive.
8. Know some basics about different languages and different cultures. There are many quirky things out there that are very offensive. Last thing you wanna do is do something that pisses off
alot of people.
9. DON'T drink the water. Most places have clean water, most fountains are fine. They are. However, why risk it? Last things you wanna do is s*** your brains out on vacation. Just buy the bottle. You'll thank me later.
10. Airports: At this point, you know what you can carry. Don't be surprised or try and get by with 9 gallons of toothpaste. You look like a jackass. Just do what your told and stop wasting everyone's time.
KNOW HOW TO USE A BIDET? WATCH HERE....
2.Don't you dare wear a fanny pack. DON'T YOU DARE.
3. Make several copies of your passport. I know its a pain. I know. Just do it.
4. Guidebooks. Here's my thoughts. The DK series is really my go to. Its easy to read, entertaining, and gives you the good stuff.
5. I love atlases and road maps. Do me a favor, if you can't read them...start now.
6. Use Triple AAA. Love'em. They have great cheap guidebooks and maps, which (some) are free if you're a member. Most places take the discount. It awesome. They help you plan trips.
7. Know how to use a stick shift (I don't, shut up.) Most countries drive on manuals and if you want an automative they are harder to get and more expensive.
8. Know some basics about different languages and different cultures. There are many quirky things out there that are very offensive. Last thing you wanna do is do something that pisses off
alot of people.
9. DON'T drink the water. Most places have clean water, most fountains are fine. They are. However, why risk it? Last things you wanna do is s*** your brains out on vacation. Just buy the bottle. You'll thank me later.
10. Airports: At this point, you know what you can carry. Don't be surprised or try and get by with 9 gallons of toothpaste. You look like a jackass. Just do what your told and stop wasting everyone's time.
KNOW HOW TO USE A BIDET? WATCH HERE....
Saturday, October 1, 2011
DRIVING TIPS IN TUSCANY!
Normally I enjoy the lighter side of life, but this post is all business.
I'm serious. If you rent a car in the Tuscany region here are some
super important tips and tricks you'll need to know.
1. Don't drive into most major cities. Lucca, Florence, and Siena are all
walking towns. Park on the outskirts of town and walk/taxi it in. You DO NOT
want to even attempt to finagle the narrow streets. Some spots won't even let you
drive in or you're arrested (so there's that too).
2. The Auto Strada is your main highway (and also a toll road). Also, when you have to pay
the toll, put your ticket in first otherwise they charge you triple (that was fun). The super
strada is your secondary highway and the majority of the roads.
3. There are no exit numbers or exits. If looking for a direction, take the exit that says the a major city even though you make not end up going to that city. The major city provides the direction you need to go and along the way you will see small tiny signs for small towns.
4.When parking, there are 3 colors of the parking spots. WHITE: park for free. BLUE: Park but you want to pay the meter. YELLOW: they gonna tow yo ass.
5. They drive fast. Ride up your butt and don't use blinkers. Pay attention.
6. Drop off fees. If you pick up your car and drop off it off somewhere else they may crush you
heavily in drop of fees (like alot seriously).
7.You will get lost. Just don't freak out. Its a major adjustment. Please take plenty of maps,
large and small. On a scale of 1-10 its like a 12 on the difficulty scale. But I have faith in you. You can do it.
super important tips and tricks you'll need to know.
1. Don't drive into most major cities. Lucca, Florence, and Siena are all
walking towns. Park on the outskirts of town and walk/taxi it in. You DO NOT
want to even attempt to finagle the narrow streets. Some spots won't even let you
drive in or you're arrested (so there's that too).
2. The Auto Strada is your main highway (and also a toll road). Also, when you have to pay
the toll, put your ticket in first otherwise they charge you triple (that was fun). The super
strada is your secondary highway and the majority of the roads.
3. There are no exit numbers or exits. If looking for a direction, take the exit that says the a major city even though you make not end up going to that city. The major city provides the direction you need to go and along the way you will see small tiny signs for small towns.
5. They drive fast. Ride up your butt and don't use blinkers. Pay attention.
6. Drop off fees. If you pick up your car and drop off it off somewhere else they may crush you
heavily in drop of fees (like alot seriously).
7.You will get lost. Just don't freak out. Its a major adjustment. Please take plenty of maps,
large and small. On a scale of 1-10 its like a 12 on the difficulty scale. But I have faith in you. You can do it.
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