Running in Europe: 10 Races, 10 Countries
Posted July 30, 2009 , add a commentEditor’s Note: The following post is by Renato Losio, a freelance writer, (slow) long-distance runner, and the author of RunAbroad.com. Running a half-marathon in every European country and mastering the art of vagabonding are Renato’s short-term goals.
Do you like to run, but hate running? Maybe you’re tired of running few miles a day, monotonously, on a treadmill or around the block. Not any longer! Why not run over to Europe for a short race or a marathon? Seriously, you can do this without being a fanatical athlete. It’s easy: book a flight, leave the stopwatch at home, and choose one of the following 10 great races in Europe.
Most marathons and half-marathons have start dates from mid-September through mid-November.
Stockholm Half-Marathon
Stockholm Half-Marathon, Sweden
The 2009 Stockholm Half-Marathon starts September 29 in the center of Stockholm’s Old Town, at the Royal Palace, and finishes at the city park in Kungstr?dg?rden. An added bonus of running the race? You can see some of Stockholm’s most famous landmarks and buildings, like the Karlberg’s Castle and the Swedish Parliament.
Lucerne Marathon, Switzerland
The 2009 Lucerne Marathon is actually three races in one: a marathon, a half marathon and the bizarre schnuppermarathon (12.5km). They’re run in the heartland of Switzerland, in the beautiful city of Lucerne. Enjoy a relaxing weekend around the lake, visit the beautiful old town or add an extra day to visit Mount Rigi or the R?tli Meadow nearby. The start date is September 25.
Paris - Versailles: La Grande Classique, France
An unusual distance, the Paris - Versailles Grand Classic (September 27) is a 16-kilometer race from the centre of Paris to Versailles. From the Eiffel Tower to the Palace of Versailles: can you possibly find anything better? Non.
Amsterdam Marathon
Amsterdam Marathon, The Netherlands
The 2009 Amsterdam Marathon features over 20,000 runners from around Europe. This year’s start date is October 18. Runners will crowd the streets of the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, enjoying a superb sightseeing tour including the Vondelpark, the Maritime Museum and many miles of Amsterdam’s historic canals.
Race the Train, United Kingdom
Race the Train is a competition between runners and a steam train, on a 14-mile trail course. It’s a superbly themed race meant to challenge the Talyllyn Railway, a historic narrow-gauge railway and one of the great trains of Wales. It’s a must-do at least once for runners who like countryside scenery. It’s also a great race multi-terrain runners. Start date is August 15.
Brussels Marathon, Belgium
Brussels Marathon
The 2009 Brussels Marathon (October 4) covers the avenues and boulevards of historic Brussels, crossing the city’s most beautiful parks. The finishing line is at the spectacular Grand Place. The event features a marathon and half-marathon, and are the main running events Belgium.
K?ln Marathon, Germany
A lot of great beer after the race, and a pure party atmosphere, draws thousands of runners and locals celebrating in the streets on race day (October 4, this year). The K?ln Marathon takes place in the city centre of Cologne, the carnival centre of Germany. The start & finish lines are in the Cologne Deutz area, not far from the city’s famous cathedral.
Zagreb Marathon, Croatia
Zagreb’s marathon is a race far away from the crowds; in 2008 fewer than 1,000 runners joined the two races. Combine the marathon or the half-marathon with a week of relaxing in Croatia on the Dalmatian coast. Have some great food in Dolan market and visit the beautiful upper town. The start date is October 11.
Garda Trentino Half-Marathon
Garda Trentino Half-Marathon, Italy
On the Garda Trentino Half-Marathon you get to enjoy the best of Italy’s Lake Garda, not far from Milan. The race runs from Riva del Garda to Torbole, past the historical centre of Arco, a few miles along the Sarca river. Then you run down to the lake and back to the finish line. The 2009 start date is November 15.
Route du Vin, Luxembourg
The Route du Vin semi-marathon runs along the banks of the Moselle River on the German-Luxembourg border, where the valley is dominated by many small wine-making towns. One reason to come? Last year more than a thousand runners enjoyed a bottle of cr?mant Caves Gales after the half-marathon! The 2009 start date is September 27.
-Renato Losio
Reaching Greece by Sailing Slow From Italy
Posted July 22, 2009 , add a commentReaching Greece by Sailing Slow From Italy
Aphrodite and the skeletal remains of her love Temples were painted in neon and hung prominently on the broad beige wall across the lounge. These were just part of a series of paintings adorning the ferry’s restaurant lounges. All paid homage to ancient Greek art. They displayed the classics remixed, and acted as just a subtle reminder of where this boat was headed and why we should be happy we were on board.
The paintings were only one of the many beautiful and surprising details to be experienced aboard this ferry heading east to Greece. In my campout on the deck, I witnessed many of them - the inky night, the playful but skilled crew, the comfortably plush deck chairs, and the sound of gusting wind. This journey was the final leg of a long European adventure where I headquartered in Rome.
Greece, and a brief dip into Istanbul, was my final trip before heading home to the United States. I selected the ferry as my transportation for this holiday jaunt from Rome to Greece for two reasons. One, the practical reason, was my sincere anxiety about flying. The second, more imaginative reason was that the ferry offered the aroma of adventure and romance. The passage lasted just under a day. It was a mini-cruise, a brief reenactment of the Odyssey, and a popular plot development in Italian romantic comedies.
Since mid-morning I sat in the nearly empty lounge on the elegant upholstered sofas, pox marked by stray hot ashes, reading and nursing cappuccinos. I enjoyed the paintings, puttering waiters, and view of the expansive Mediterranean. Tranquility presided until noontime heightened the buzz in the ferry’s lounge. On the lunch menu: conversation and cigarettes.
As if called by a silent alarm, elderly men slipped out of their hiding places and congregated to settle in for a mid-day meal. With lit cigarettes, small tables merged with each other in an energetic possession of the restaurant. Puffing out clouds of dense smoke, men lifted chairs carefully over other’s heads to add them around tables and greeted latecomers with kisses and audible slaps on the back.
With the room in order, dominoes materialized. Clusters sunk into the game, cheering and jeering with their progress. Waiters stopped by to take note of who was winning. Intense with concentration, the games continued without stop. As soon as a round finished, a new game commenced. Pieces changed hands and new winners were revealed. The gaming tables created a current in the lounge, pulling stray men into a drifting loop around the domino matches.
Elsewhere in the restaurant, men leaned back in their chairs and spoke genially in Greek. They conversed with booming voices, hoping to be heard by their deaf friends over the din of two televisions broadcasting different Greek programming from opposite ends of the restaurant. Speaking, they shimmied and swayed to emphasize a point. Those who listened sat serenely with their hands folded atop plump bellies, occasionally offering a nod or a grunt as encouragement. Others, usually the oldest of a group, attentively followed the thread of conversation, swinging rosary beads absentmindedly in their wrinkled hands.
Waiters with firmly pressed black aprons waltzed between tables like honeybees over a flower field, delivering meals and endless little cups of strong black coffee. They chatted amiably with passengers, speaking without haste before going on to fetch a check or bring change.
At one table, a younger crowd feasted. They were truck drivers, regulars of this particular route, their trucks and cargo sitting below in the parking garage. It was a reunion of friends. Resting from hours of solitary driving, they treated each other to pitchers of frothy beer and ate freshly tossed greens and substantial sandwiches. Eating enthusiastically, they swapped stories and laughed heartily. When a waiter brought them their bill, they protested the fee a bit, but after realizing just how many pitchers they had finished off, pulled a thick wad of bills from their wallets and acquiesced with a chuckle.
As plate began to empty, a new face appeared. Switching off the televisions, the crewmember announced he would demonstrate safety procedures in case of emergency. Amid the hum of dominoes, smacking lips, clattering flatware, clacking prayer beads, and giggling waiters, he proceeded methodically through the presentation. Here is how we wear a life vest. Here is how we leave the boat. Follow the posted escape routes and take note of alarms.
Finished and having flipped the televisions back on, the crewmember slipped out with minimal acknowledgment. After his departure a new crowd began to arrive in the lounge. A few gray-haired women scooted into clusters of old men. Several families took their seats at cushioned booths. Little children pulled out decks of cards that they thumbed through and shuffled pointlessly. Games subdued, voices softened. Again, the scene of the ferry’s lounge shifted into something new, this time something more familial. I ordered a slice of chocolate cake and settled in to watch.
In Italy, the clean, glittering seaside town of Ancona sent us into winter waters after significant delay, but we had long ago abandoned the shallow, lacy waters of coastline. Sometime in the night the seawater morphed into a dense, gelatinous mass. Our mammoth iron tank of a boat inched along over the white-capped waves, held up like a fork in a wobbling plate of gray Jell-O. The windows framed sea and only sea. Deliberately, our ferry swam across undulating waters, cruising at a sluggish pace, but without great angst.
This ferry hardly provided the scene I imagined, rooted in frothy Italian films. In summertime, a steady stream of ferries and boats connect Italy to Greece, toting natives and foreigners to their sunny getaways on the Greek Isles. I envisioned each of them overflowing with sunbathers - sunbathers on the deck, sunbathers in the lifeboats — and smashing into one another because the sea is so crowded with boats. In the off-season, when I traveled, ferry service across this thin strip of the Mediterranean slims down to a few giant vessels occasionally cruising into select Greek ports. In the middle of December, the scenery was not beautiful exactly, but stunningly wind-whipped and stark. The passengers were not tourists or sunbathers, just plain folk headed home for the holidays, their company transforming this ferry into a movable Greek island.
photo by scrapygraphics on Flickr
Princess Cruises… 5 Important Points!
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The Princess Cruises offers all of the main facilities that Princess is noted for, plus some new innovations. These include the, fantastic shows each evening, dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and performing street entertainers. The larger cruise liners in the Princess Cruises fleet carry more than three thousand passengers, with a vast number of balcony staterooms and mini-suites. There will be a great experience while waking in the morning, go out to your private balcony and take in the fresh sea air. If you have few glasses of juices with you, you will definitely enjoy more. There are many things to consider before embarking on a Princess cruise adventure. First you need to be clear on what you want from this type of vacation so you can easily search for available trips and packages. 1. Destination is one of the first things to decide on before getting down to details. A Princess Cruise offers so many interesting destinations to choose from and the most popular ones are South America, Europe, Canada, New England, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, Panama Canal, Hawaii, Tahiti, South Pacific, Mexican Riviera, Alaska and World Cruise. 2. Duration is another factor that you need to decide on. There are short cruises that only run for five days. For first timers though, it is recommended that you choose a longer trip to maximize the activities that you can do. There are trips that last for 6 to 8 days, 9 to 15 days, and schedules for 16 days up too. For tour duration, most tours run for 3 to 4 to 6 days or more. Relative to this, you would also need to think about the travel sequence. You can choose to cruise first before the tour or the other way around. 3. Just like any other holiday trips, there are documents that need to be prepared when going on a Princess cruise. You need to have your travel certification, permits, visa/s or passports on hand to avoid any hitches during the trip. Your travel agency can further advise you on other essential documents that you should not forget to bring. 4. Are you combining your cruise with another travel itinerary? Or is it the only travel activity that you’re going to do? Whichever, it pays to learn about the embarkation ports so you can plan for other things including delays, land and air transfers and stopovers. Embarkation ports for these trips include Acapulco in Mexico, Athens in Greece, Bangkok in Thailand, Barbados, Beijing in China, Cape Town in South Africa, Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, Honolulu in Hawaii, London in England, Manaus in Brazil, New Orleans in Louisiana, Osaka in Japan, Quebec City in Quebec, Rome in Italy, San Juan in Puerto Rico, Seattle in Washington, Sydney in Australia, Venice in Italy, Anchorage in Alaska, Auckland in New Zealand, Barcelona in Spain, Buenos Aires in Argentina, Copenhagen in Denmark, Galveston in Texas and Lima in Peru among many others. 5. The fleet must be considered too. All princesses are magnificent ships but they offer different opportunities as far as amenities, activities and experiences to be had are concerned. Read the detailed description for each ship and make your choice.
Viva la Summer: Rome
Posted , add a commentEditor’s Note:This is the second installment of Viator’s Viva la Summer, a special series encouraging everybody to hit the road this summer and unleash their inner traveler. Each week we’re selecting a “Traveler of the Week” from a featured destination, which earns you bragging rights and a $50 Viator Gift Certificate. Happy summer travels! Last week’s destination? Las Vegas. Next week’s destination? London!
Haven’t heard of Viva la Summer? Here’s the deal - as part of Viator’s celebration of summer 2009, we’re pointing a spotlight at top summer destinations around the world. This week’s featured destination is Rome, Italy (see below for some of our favorite things to do in Rome).
The first order of business: we’re pleased to honor our Viva la Summer traveler of the week. This week it’s Mike and Natalie from the USA. They just submitted this photo taken on a Rome Segway tour outside the Roman Forum. We love the photo, we love the idea of roaming the streets of Rome on a Segway (terrible traffic in Rome? not on a Segway!!) and, yes, we do love their smiling faces. For being selected as Viator’s Viva la Summer traveler of the week, we’re sending Mike and Natalie a $50 Viator Gift Certificate.
Mike & Natalie on a Rome Segway tour
Viva la Summer, Viva Rome!
Rome is a year-round favorite among travelers, and Viator has more than 75 tours and things to do in Rome to help you make the most of a trip to Italy’s political and cultural capital. Here are some of our favorites:
- Vatican Tours - The Holy See, central authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and The Vatican City (home to the Pope since 1929) create the foundation of this cultural and religious mecca. With its popularity, an opportunity to gain entry before the public during the Vatican Museums Walking Tour including Sistine Chapel, Raphael’s Rooms and St Peter’s (8:10am departure only) is access nearly impossible to come by. Comments submitted by 1,300+ travelers illustrate why this experience sits at the top of Viator’s top-rated experiences list in Rome!
- A selection of additional special Vatican Skip-the-Line experiences include the Private Tour: Vatican Museums Walking Tour; St. Peter’s Basilica and Thrones of the Pope Tour; and Vatican Museums Tickets (for those who like to explore on their own). For those lucky enough to plan their vacation around one of the Vatican private viewings - this isn’t a skip-the-line experience but rather a special invitation to visit the Vatican behind-the-scenes, after hours.
- Ancient culture and history ooze from the cracks in the cobblestones throughout Rome. Suggestions for experiences that take travelers beyond the guidebook include the Rome by Night Tour and the Ancient Rome Half-Day Walking Tour. More off-the-beaten-path experiences in Rome include Skip the Line: Crypts and Roman Catacombs Small Group Walking Tour; Rome Angels and Demons Half-Day Tour (based on the Dan Brown novel and recent motion picture adaptation); Roman Gladiator School: Learn How to Become a Gladiator; and the Ghost and Mystery Walking Tour of Rome.
- It is easy to explore much Italy has to offer just beyond Rome’s borders on a day trip from Rome. Destinations and combinations easily explored from Rome include Florence; Capri; Naples and Pompeii; Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast; and Assisi and Orvieto. For longer excursions, Rome is a perfect point of departure for multi-day adventures including the 5-day Best of Italy Trip: Assisi, Siena, Florence, Padua, and Venice; the 3-Day Italy Trip: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri; and the 5-Day Italy Trip: Florence, Pisa and Venice.
-Viator Travel Team
Ten Top Tips For a Successful Villa Holiday
Posted July 15, 2009 , add a comment
Renting a holiday villa that you’ve never seen can be worrying, but if you take a few simple steps beforehand, you’ll find the property that suits your needs. COUNTRY If you’re the type of person who doesn’t take the sun very well, don’t book a holiday in Spain in August. If Greek food doesn’t agree with you, don’t go to Greece. If you detest the sound of car horns, stay away from Italy. I know this is a little simplistic, but the point is; have a little think about which country suits your needs best. SEASON Don’t be caught out by the seasons. Some hot countries can be pretty chilly in autumn and winter, especially if you’re up in the hills. On the other hand, some hot countries can be just too hot in the summer. Inland is usually hotter than the coast in summer and cooler in winter. Study the climate before you book. LOCATION The countryside sounds so peaceful and appealing, but if you’re stuck ten miles from the nearest grocery store, the novelty will soon wear off. Find out how many restaurants are nearby. Is the villa within walking distance of a bar, and if not, are you willing to go without alcohol or stump up for a taxi every time you fancy a couple of glasses of wine with your meal? Another thing to consider is the distance from the airport; do you really need a three hour journey after your flight, or doesn’t it bother you? DO YOU NEED TO HIRE A CAR? If the villa you decide upon isn’t on a bus route, then you’re going to need to hire a car. Take this into account when working out your finances for the holiday. If the villa is in a built up area, say by the beach and you intend spending your entire holiday on the beach, do you really need to hire a car? BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY WITH A REPUTABLE INTERNET WEBSITE By using a reputable company to source your villa, you are minimizing the chances of being let down. Good rental companies are keen to make sure that the properties on their books are what they say they are. Secure payment methods are another reason to use a good company. AIR CONDITIONING If you’re going to a hot country in summer, it could be a wise move to make sure that the villa of your choice is equipped with air conditioning. Many a holiday has been ruined through the lack of sleep. Most air conditioning units provide heat as well as cool air. It can be chilly in winter, so ask the question before you book. SWIMMING POOL Do you need a swimming pool? If you have small children and intend to keep them away from the water, book a villa without a pool? If the villa is on the beach, do you really need the use of a pool? Even in hot countries, the water temperature in winter can be a little to cool for comfort, so take this into consideration when booking. On the other hand, in summer, there’s nothing better than cooling down in the pool. PETS Not all property owners welcome pets, but some do. Check with the owner that the villa is pet friendly. A good website will have the facility to do this. NUMBER OF HOLIDAYMAKERS If you’re going as part of a group, make sure that you book a property that’s big enough to accommodate you all. It’s OK being on top of each other for day or two, but tempers will soon start to fray if you can’t spend a moment alone. ASK THE OWNER Before you commit yourself to a particular villa, contact the owner and ask questions. Most property owners will be delighted that you are showing an interest in their villa, and will help you all they can. A good website will make it easy for you to contact the owner, and clear up any uncertainties before you pay your deposit. Once you have done your homework and found the answers to your questions, you can book your holiday with peace of mind, in the knowledge that you have done all you can to ensure a memorable family holiday.