Viewing by month: July 2008
Greek Isles versus Elgin Marbles? No contest.
We had a lovely time in the British Isles. We saw some amazing art, went to some great pubs, met some friendly people, and brought home some beautiful examples of the British arts and crafts movement.All in all, it was a nice trip.
Which is the trouble. Because our last five or six trips have been spectacular. And this one merely nice -- and expensive.
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Dublin's best views from the Guinness Storehouse.
Please excuse our absence. We've moved and experienced some technical difficulties as a result. But all should be back to normal now. Thanks for your patience.By all accounts, Dublin is one of the European Union's great success stories. In barely more than a decade, Ireland -- and particularly Dublin -- has transformed itself from gloomy outpost to the economic powerhouse known as the "Celtic Tiger."
Today's Dublin is one of the most vibrant, culture-forward cities in Europe. And Aer Lingus has affordable fares from six U.S. gateways.
There aren't many must-sees in Dublin. Trinity College, Temple Bar, O'Connell Street, St. Stephen's Green, and the Chester Beatty Library are all worth the effort. But no trip to Dublin is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse.
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Roof gardens on both sides of the pond.
Not long ago, we posted an item about London's Kensington Roof Gardens. We had lunch there in June, and aside from the sticker shock brought on by $25 cocktails, we had a wonderful experience - Asian pear martinis, beautiful views of the city, and a delicious lunch.
During the summer, they offer barbecues - mostly fish and shellfish - at lunch and on weekend evenings for parties of ten or more. Next time you're in London, it's worth a splurge. Because the gardens are a popular venue for private functions, reservations are essential. You can make them at http://www.roofgardens.com/restaurant/booking
But you don't have to leave the country to enjoy an evening out under the stars.
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Getting to Southampton.
If you're taking a Northern European cruise this summer, chances are you'll be leaving from Southampton, a pleasant-enough port city 75 miles from London on England's southeast coast. Southampton has a great cruising history -- the Titanic sailed from here -- and today, it's the U.K.'s leading cruise port.Your cruise line will be happy to transfer you to the ship. And if you arrange your air or hotel through them, the transfer will be included -- for a price. But you'll overpay for the convenience, the hotel will be large and impersonal, and you'll be herded around in a group. Unless you pay for a private transfer, which will be several times the going rate.
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Carry-on Bags that aren't.
When we went to Great Britain recently, we decided that we didn't want to check our bags. So we limited ourselves to our American carry-on sized bags -- one Calvin Klein and one Swiss Army. Both bags are 22" x 9" x 14". They expand, but like good little soldiers, we kept them all zipped up.Before heading out, we checked the British Airways website, which says that you can carry on bags that are 22" x 17.5" x 9.85" -- not exactly the same size, but technically bigger than the American allowance.
To save time, we checked in online, and then headed to British Airways check-in to have our documents verified before going through security. We queued up and were promptly directed to the line for people wishing to check baggage. "No, no," we said. "We're carrying on our bags." "Not those bags," was the reply.
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