Adventures for Anyone

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

If There's One Thing You Never See All of In New England, It's Lighthouses!

I've lived in New England a long time, and there are so many beautiful places to visit that I can't count them all. We have hundreds of amazing waterfalls, hundreds of state parks, hundreds of historical sites, bridges of flowers, peaks to rise to, dunes, islands, and even a national park. The northeast is jammed with beauty, and there are several less inhabited areas, just in case the people who think it's all one big city need to hear it.

One of the greatest things about the northeast, meaning New York and all of New England, is that whatever you're into, someone will take you on a tour of it. You'll find boat tours, train tours, guided tours, walking tours, self guided tours, bus tours, and maps for the independent thinker. If you get online and look for a map of lighthouses of the Northeast, what you find might be overwhelming. The number of lighthouses out here is staggering. I've been looking at them for years, and I still haven't seen them all. That's a lot of lighthouses, because I travel a lot.

Lighthouses for a lot of us are those items that we decorate our bathrooms with. Some people decorate the whole house with shore themes. But, lighthouses are still used. They are historic, some dating back to the times of George Washington. Many were homes to the operators back in the day. Many sat on their own rock in a channel or other subsidiary body of water. Many were found on islands.

In the case of New England and the Northeast, there are thousands of islands. Not every island has a lighthouse, but the islands made the lights necessary. Boothbay Harbor, Maine has over three hundred islands. That's a lot of islands for one bay.

If you're a photographer like me, whether for pay or amateur, you'll love lighthouses. I promise. They're photogenic and a lot of fun to go and see. Tours are a great way to go with several of the Eastern lighthouses. A lot of them require a boat.

There are several tours that you can sign up for where a boat takes you to an island to see a lighthouse. There are several such tours along the coast and throughout Long Island Sound. Most of these tours run about $30 and you get a two or three hour tour of the lighthouse and island, as well as a nice boat ride. There are other tours that will take you on a long boat ride to view several lighthouses for close to the same price. Both styles are relaxing and fun. I've done a lot of these tours.

Then there's the drive by, as I call it. We have ferries in our area that go from Connecticut to Long Island. There are other such ferries throughout the northeast. These are transportation ferries that just happen to go by some of the more remote lighthouses. Many times the ferry captain will announce such lighthouses as you pass them, so you don't miss the sight.

Then, there's the lighthouses that aren't what they seem to be. In Saybrook Point, CT, the lighthouse is a hotel room. In Provincetown, MA, the tower was once used as a lighthouse centuries past, but is now a local museum and landmark. As we all know, The Statue of Liberty welcomes all to New York Harbor and the mouth of the Hudson River. A lighthouse? You can bet ships use it as a marker.

But, the bottom line is that the Northeast has a ton of lighthouses because of the rocky shores of both islands and land masses. Sometimes, there's just a shoal that's nothing but a pile of rocks that ships need to be aware of. The shore in the Northeast is dangerous, and ships, boats, and ferries need alerts for their safety.

Lighthouses are everywhere in the Northeast. There's one in the middle of the East River on Roosevelt Island. People still call them home, like Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine. No matter how old they get, a lot of them are still in use.

One thing that you'll find is that a lot of them are an outdoor visit. The most notable Northeastern lighthouse that you can still go inside of is Montauk Point, Long Island. They still have hours of visitation. There are some others. Sheffield is open, but you have to take a boat there. Pilgrim Tower is open, but hasn't been a lighthouse for many years. And so on. So, if you decide to spend the day looking at lighthouses; realize that you'll probably be spending your day outside.

Be aware that the tour you choose will be on a boat. That's standard practice for a lighthouse tour. There are some great ones out of Gloucester, MA, Boothbay and Portland, Maine, and New London, Connecticut. You will see multiple lighthouses and hear the most amazing stories.

The Dumpling Light just off the shore of New London at the east end of Long Island Sound, close to Fisher Island is one of my favorites. Supposedly, the designer of the Segway bought the island, built a replica of Stonehenge on it, got annoyed with the local officials, and declared the island its own country. I guess he minted some money and everything. Love the stories. The one thing they didn't tell us was whether or not it was still an operating lighthouse.

Some lighthouses, while still important, particularly to ferries that still traverse Long Island Sound, are private residences. The Orient Point Light has a disco ball hanging from the upper deck. There are also some lighthouses throughout New England that you can stay the night in. They're listed on Air B&B.

While the lighthouses, whether they're on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park in Maine, or a cliff along Cape Cod, or an island in Boston Harbor, are beautiful; they mostly still provide a service. The ones that you can visit, either inside or out, have hours. Many private owners allow people to come onto their property to see the beautiful historic buildings, so please respect that property. How would you like it if someone came along and trashed your yard?

All I can say is that if you like lighthouses, the Northeast has them. They're everywhere that there's water. We have rocks, islands, shoals, and harbors that can and will become dangerous if there's no warning for the boats and ships. It's still a hazard to this very day. So while the lighthouses are plentiful and beautiful; they are necessary.

The best part of going around to see them and photograph them is that it gives that road trip focus. Sometimes you need focus to guide you in your travels. I used to go and hike to waterfalls, but I think I saw most of them. It took me decades, but I did it. Now, I've turned to the majestic lighthouses to guide my road trips, even in these times of unrealistic gas prices. I enjoy the drive, the view, and the boat and ferry rides that take me there. It's a win win.

In a world where we're still trying to avoid crowds a bit due to Covid, making open air sights a great thing, take a tour and see some of the Northeast's greatest treasures. Visit some of the most majestic, historic, still operating buildings along the rocky shores of New England. Learn the stories, have an adventure and enjoy!

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Wednesday, June 8, 2022

A Quick Update on Travel in Eastern Europe....

Taking a bit of a pause today from the bucket lists to talk about something that's on every potential European traveler's mind. That war in Ukraine. Today I speak a bit from experience. I once traveled around Eastern Europe in 1991 in January. I found myself dealing with the start of the first land war in the Persian Gulf and all the havoc that wreaked with travel in Europe. I also landed in the middle of an uprising in Lithuania. It was an exciting trip. So, that being said, I must say that after Covid-19 and now Putin's temper tantrum; I'm concerned about tourism in these areas.

Tourism, as a genre, generates over a trillion dollars every year. We humans, like to explore and we are amazed at the history, natural beauty, and luxury that is waiting for us around the world. We love adventure, activity, sports, and festivals. Whatever the reason, humans travel.

The past couple of years have put a lot of what we were once used to in travel at great risk. Now, we have one of the most publicized wars of this century to deal with. We all have questions. Will it become a world war? Will they use nuclear weapons at some point? How long will it last? What will Russia do next if they win, or even worse, if they lose? Everyone is waiting, nervously, for answers to those questions and more.

But, in the world of the determined traveler whose had tons of covid vaccines and stayed home for a couple of years, there's only one real question for the potential European traveler. How close can I get to that war and still be safe as a traveler? This question may not apply to tourists, but we travelers are asking it every day.

Eastern Europe has long since been one of my loves, as has Russia, but that's out. Right now, no one is so much as flying over Russian or Ukrainian Airspace. Belarus and Moldova are being avoided like the plague as well. And who could blame us? We want an adventure, not a death trip.

One of the obvious problems with being a lover of Eastern European travel is that it butts right up against the war zone. Hungary, Romania, and Poland are getting a bunch of refugees as well, and that makes things tricky for travelers. Refugees need someplace to go, and who are we, the travelers, to tell them that we need their potential space for our vacation? Not cool.

These are tricky times. Even the radiation detectors at Chernobyl have been turned on. Everyone is bracing for the worst. But, these countries have a significant reliance on travel for their economies, and they don't want to lose out on that. Especially with a bunch of Ukrainian refugees to take care of. Also, how many years can we travelers be expected to leave such a remarkable part of the world off of our bucket lists?

Reality is that you can travel to many of these areas. While Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus, parts of Romania and Hungary are in the hot seat; many other Eastern European countries are making adjustments to protect travelers and keep their monies coming in from this industry.

Flying to countries such as Slovakia and Poland, amongst others is changing, but still happening. There are airlines that aren't making the trips, and there are airlines that we aren't supporting right now; taking a stand against Russia. Can you still fly to Warsaw? Yes. You can fly to Riga, Estonia if you wish. The people of the local areas are monitoring the conflict day and night to make certain that the areas foreign travelers visit are safe.

One thing that you might find when flying to Eastern Europe right now is a different flight pattern. This could also happen if you're flying to the Middle East or other Asian areas. Most long range cross continental flights go over the north pole. They normally fly over Russia, which encompasses 11 time zones, making it hard to miss. Now, airlines are planning different routes to avoid these air spaces and ensure patrons' safety. This may lead to higher ticket prices on top of the stupid fuel issues, and could make your flights longer. But, Emirates Airlines has been dealing with this kind of security issue for years, and their methods have been successful. Food for thought.

Had you planned to take a river or other cruise to the area? Well, Viking's Russian River Cruises are out, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost for cruise enthusiasts. All cruise lines that operate in that area are still offering cruises. There may be substitutions for dangerous ports of call, but they are still making great cruises. You can still take that river cruise, just not in Russia. You can still take that Baltic cruise, just not to St. Petersburg or Murmansk. Check the current itineraries and consult one of the companies specialists before committing to anything, but don't just be scared and go to Disney World.

Most tour companies are making substitutions and carrying on. They've already lost too much time already to the pandemic. And remember, their employees and company owners will be right on those tours and cruises with you. They don't want to die, so I wouldn't worry too much about your personal safety. This is a great time to take a tour rather than go it on your own. Let the company keep up on where it's safe to go. That way, you can just enjoy the trip.

Eastern Europe is normally beautiful. What's happening in Ukraine is deplorable at best. I stand with Ukraine. I traveled to Kyiv and other parts of the country years ago. It is home to some beautiful places, and more importantly, some beautiful people. They have a rich history, and I sincerely hope that this war ends with Ukraine in tact. It would be such a catastrophic loss to see the beauty and people of that great country ruined.

Why do I advocate checking into travel as close as Poland or Estonia during a war in Ukraine? Well, every country needs their tourism and travel monies. Most countries attribute lots of monies coming into the countries every year to travel and tourism. I believe that it only expands the catastrophe to cause more financial hardship to nearby countries. There are wars all over the globe. War happens, but Poland shouldn't suffer because their neighbor got invaded. Recent studies show that most areas are safe for travel at this point. Always check the State Department website or MMGY. MMGY has a division that monitors travel safety around the world.

I would say with Eastern Europe to work with a tour company or a cruise company. Make sure that your airline is avoiding Russian and Ukrainian airspace. You should take precautions. I also probably wouldn't use this time to take a three week trip. With the constant change due to war, I say spend a week or so and see some great stuff, and then go home. But, there are some wonderful countries full of wonderful people who are suffering right now because they are in the neighborhood of the world's most media covered war. Don't write them off as destinations. Do your research, see what precautions you should take, make secure plans and enjoy!

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https://europefly.com/en

https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=375655&label=msn-A5qC_J9MFtX9Cvl7LQKGug-16816573035:tikwd-17388461088:loc-190:neo:mte:lp44736:dec:qsbooking.com%20europe&utm_campaign=Booking%20Name&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=A5qC_J9MFtX9Cvl7LQKGug&msclkid=76477e5a7df21d04c1fb1cfab55a6e79

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans?cid=SEM|BNG|999|c_73113350_kwd-27093605165:loc-4086_77172117985131&utm_id=sem:NB-Search-Oceans-Europe&utm_content=VOC-US-BNG-NB-Core-Europe-Exact&msclkid=1d84e2a231d112c6807b8002f91a8c08&gclid=1d84e2a231d112c6807b8002f91a8c08&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-destinations/northern-europe-cruises?cid=PS_DIG_NA_NA_BIN_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA_NA&&msclkid=d18bcb0ad7571d537020a9aa1f9c956b&gclid=d18bcb0ad7571d537020a9aa1f9c956b&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.silversea.com/landing-why-silversea-4-1.html?CID=PS_M_BS_FT_US_PRO_GNL__BS_FT_USA_PRO_GEN_ALL_EXPAD_NWS4V1&?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NAM_genericsretargeting__non-location&utm_content=textad&&msclkid=537abcb0398c134dc730de10f1471495&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_US_Generic_General_Retargeting_ALL_est5114&utm_term=cruise%20vacations&utm_content=NB_General_PHM&gclid=CMT1xJGenvgCFVgNiAkdLZcGRg&gclsrc=ds

https://europe.cruises.com/promotion/europe-cruises.do?places=E&&msclkid=b8326b32b37318360f3b09927bb87688&gclid=b8326b32b37318360f3b09927bb87688&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://www.princess.com/learn/cruise-destinations/europe-cruises/

https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=126

https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/travel-safety-security

https://www.kensingtontours.com/travels/tours/eastern-europe?c3api=bing,1306219942914314,81638797638261&iv_=__iv_m_e_c_81638767843195_k_81638797638261_w_kwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086_g_1306219942914314_n_o_e__h_44736_ii_186_p_2_b_be_d_c_vi__&mkwid=-dc%7Cpcrid%7C81638767843195%7Cpkw%7Cbest%20eastern%20europe%20tours%7Cpmt%7Cbe%7Cslid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C1306219942914314%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086%7C&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BING-Europe-May%202018&utm_term=best%20eastern%20europe%20tours&utm_content=-dc%7Cpcrid%7C81638767843195%7Cpkw%7Cbest%20eastern%20europe%20tours%7Cpmt%7Cbe%7Cslid%7C%7Cpgrid%7C1306219942914314%7Cptaid%7Ckwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086%7C&pgrid=1306219942914314&ptaid=kwd-81638797638261:aud-806127176:loc-4086&msclkid=b9c6c87c033411af3576aadcca61c048

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/eastern-europe

https://www.tourradar.com/i/eastern-europe-sightseeing

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Jenn is taking us to Wawel Castle Complex and Krakow!

My friend Jenn has a healthy love of travel and always provides me with intriguing and interesting ideas for bucket list items for this blog. As luck would have it, she picked one that is of particular interest to me this time. Wawel Castle, Hill, Caves, Cathedral and the crazy dragon.

I loved all of southern Poland, and Krakow is one of the most fantastic cities I've ever visited. During WWII, Warsaw was all but burned to the ground. There were work camps and concentration camps, and death camps throughout Poland. Over the years, I've known some Polish folks who lived through it and they still had nightmares of everything they lived through as kids. We hear all about this history, and I'm happy that they're keeping the history alive instead of tearing it down as we do in America. I've always agreed that he who doesn't study history is doomed to repeat it. I've blogged about Auschwitz before, and I stand by my theory that everyone should go there once. It is a part of the history of Krakow, and therefore, a mention in this entry.

That being said, let's talk about all that is Wawel. Krakow is one of the most historic cities in all of Poland. There's old town, Jewish Quarter, and that amazing hill that tops out at 228 meters above sea level where you will find Wawel Castle and Cathedral.

First, let me say that people have lived here since the earliest of times, to the point that historians argue about exactly when people first settled the hill. Wawel Castle is a gigantic fortress filled with the Wawel Cathedral, numerous other chapels, Sandonierska Tower, royal residence and gardens, and Dragon's Den Cave.

The original castle and buildings were initiated by Sigismund the Old. The original complex was built during the 9th and 10th centuries. Over time the castle was inhabited by such leaders at Boledaus the Brave and later on Boledaus the III-the Great, Casimir the Restorer and later Casimir the Generous, and a Duke of Kuyavia Ladislaus the Short. Throughout the ages, leaders were crowned there, lived there, and were buried there. The complex has been a royal residence, fortress, military barracks and even a hospital.

Poland was once divvied up between Prussia, Russia, and Austria. The Austrians took over Krakow. Once Poland became an independent entity in 1918, they went about restoring the palace and grounds to their former glory. The military was reluctant to move out, but the government said that they needed the palace for then Emperor Franz Josef I. The palace and grounds have been government owned, restored and open to the public for decades now. The castle is part of the Polish identity. It means a lot to the people.

Archaeological restoration has been a big part of what's gone on at the complex. The tower holds some ancient ruins and they have been excavated and there is a museum on the grounds as well as living exhibits in the buildings. The cathedral is still a working cathedral and has been restored to its former glory. Not only is it open to the public during scheduled hours, you can go to mass if you like and are Catholic or with a Catholic as a guest.

Part of the archaeological research on the property was to exhume some tombs and study the monarchs remains. Not sure why, but this led to a myth the likes of when King Tutankhamen's tomb was opened. Shortly after, several people involved with the excavation, died of various illnesses. As with other excavations of tombs, it was eventually discovered that the culprit was a fungus from inside the ancient tombs. No real surprise when you think about it.

The Archbishop that advocated the excavation in the name of learning all about history that we can was Archbiship Karol Wojtyla. You might remember him by his strictly professional name, Pope John Paul II.

Visiting the castle is a great way to spend the day. Trust me on that one. You can tour the chapels, cathedral, castle, caves, gardens and enjoy the grounds outside the walls. You can even take a boat up and down the Vistula River from the docks just outside the mighty fortress.

The castle grounds and the hill itself have a commanding view of the town and all the surrounding area. The Rotunda of Sts. Felix and Adauctus or the Rotunda of the Blessed Virgin Mary; depending on which school of thought drives you, is an excellent place to get those sweeping scenic views of Krakow. You can see most things from that vantage point, so bring your camera.

In the living quarters of the complex is now the museums. There's the history museum, which tells as much as they can piece together of the history of the complex. There's also one of the best art museums in the country. Jacope del Sellaio, Felisjan Szczesny-Kowarski, Zygromunt Woliszewski and more. The works are amazing, and to be fair, they are not the same old Dutch Masters and such that you see in other parts of Europe. It's truly wonderful to see.

The fully restored castle and cathedral are also historic museums. Most of the rooms and areas have been fully restored to their glory days.

The tower is part exposed ruins, part museum, and part restored. The history of the tower is fantastic, so take time to read or listen or take a guide to learn about how it was a prison. There was a dungeon below for the commoners, and as you made your way up through the tower, the prisoners became more and more notable. Royal prisoners were kept in the very top of the tower like Rapunzel in the fairy tale.

Speaking of fairy tales and legends, I can't leave the story of the castle without telling the story of Prince Krak and his daughter Wanda. The city unofficially hails its name from these people. The story that they left behind is truly incredible.

Prince Krak, the Dragon Slayer is probably the city's largest of all larger than life legends. The tombs were rumored to be cursed, and that's pretty good. However, legend tells that a dragon once lived in the caves below the castle which have since been used as wells, taverns, and currently a tourist attraction. As in most medieval literature, the dragon eventually lost to Prince Krak and all that is left of him is the statue outside the entrance to the complex. I really got a kick out of the dragon story when I visited.

Wanda, Prince Krak's daughter was the tragedy of the time, however. She was designated to marry a German Nobleman, and really didn't want to. This prompted her to take a plunge into the Vistula and she was never heard from again. All of the stories surrounding the amazing long history of this castle and grounds can be learned from audio tours, guided tours, and guide books. They are all amazing, so don't visit this place without learning all the stories that go with it. It's the best part of the visit.

After you've spent a good deal of time at Wawel touring every part of the property and hearing all the fabulous legends, there's still one of the most amazing cities I've ever visited to see. Krakow was blessed to retain their ancient buildings during WWII. A lot of Poland faced some terrible losses of history as well as life.

Krakow has a large and well preserved old town, one of the largest central squares in all of Europe, a historic Jewish Quarter, and the area where Schindler's List was filmed. You can walk the historic streets used in the film and tour the factory where the story was lived and later brought back to life in film. Public transportation in Krakow is good, so getting around is easy. Churches and Cathedrals abound in Krakow and most are open to the public. This is a beautiful city, and worth a thousand pictures each worth a thousand words.

And finally, a couple of things that I just love in Krakow to mention for you, since if you go to see the castle, you should see the town. Wieliczka Salt Mine is a wonder that you can tour. There's remnants of an underground society from decades past in there. You can see a ballroom, restaurants, church, and sculptures all the way through on the tour.

One of the other places that I loved was Harris Piano Bar. This is right off the town square and a great place to hear music and hang out. Krakow is truly affordable, so you can take time to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.

So, Krakow is one of those amazing places that you don't really hear a lot about, but are glad when you do learn of it. I remember having to spend time in Krakow because there was an uprising in Lithuania and we couldn't stay in Russia. It wasn't part of the plan, but I'm so glad it became part of the plan. I had the time of my life. It's a beautiful city with wonderful people to meet, great food to eat, fabulous shopping, and one giant legend of a dragon.

So, forget anything you've ever heard about Poland, because none of it applies to Krakow. Come see the castle, the cathedral, the caves, the dragon and enjoy!

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en/the-history-of-the-royal-palace

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g274772-d276748-Wawel_Royal_Castle-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

https://www.musement.com/us/krakow/wawel-castle-v/?lid=43700065210447699&ds_s_kwgid=58700007269498464&ds_a_cid=744944839&ds_a_caid=14000532380&ds_a_agid=123001342937&ds_a_lid=kwd-305929765862&ds_e_adid&ds_e_matchtype=search&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=o&ds_url_v=2&idengine=700000002297667&idcampaign=71700000085711617&idadgroup=58700007269498464&nmkeyword=wawel%20castle&idkeyword=43700065210447699&msclkid=768ecbeb13b311dceb2da97c98d1b3e9&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=US_PL_KRAKOW_WAWEL%20CASTLE_SEA.GOOGLE.MUSE_MUL_mix&utm_term=wawel%20castle&utm_content=Poland_Krakow_Wawel%20Castle_mix&gclid=768ecbeb13b311dceb2da97c98d1b3e9&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en

https://wawel.krakow.pl/en/the-castle

https://www.poland.travel/en/discover/castles-palaces/wawel-royal-castle-in-krakow

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/wawel-castle/

https://krakowmonamour.com/wawel-castle/

https://www.thetravel.com/wawel-castle-the-worlds-first-world-heritage-site/

https://www.introducingkrakow.com/wawel-castle

https://visitkrakow.com/the-wawel-hill-castle/

https://wawel-castle-guest-rooms.hotelsofkrakow.net/en/#main