Vickie Kelber 

From some of our travels I have learned what it can be like to experience illness on a trip, how to negotiate various needs, and what to do to try to stay healthy while preparing for unforeseen events.

In Germany, a pharmacy is called an apotheke. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

Back in the 90s, just after the “Iron Curtain” came down, we visited Prague and my husband became very ill. All afternoon, I urged him to go to a doctor, but you know men! Finally, at 2:00AM he broke down and wanted to see one. We were staying in an apartment and our contact person was not available so we were on our own in finding assistance. In a guide book, I had read about a hospital once used by Soviet dignitaries; supposedly English was spoken there. I called but knew we were in trouble when I asked the person who answered the phone if she spoke English and she replied, “go ahead and speak your French”. After much discourse with a physician who spoke only a few words of English, he arrived at our apartment and I learned my first lesson; always carry a local language book. Fortunately, I had my Berlitz Czech phrasebook and was able to point at the symptoms. He gave my husband two shots, using a razor blade to open the glass vials of medicine and a prescription for what looked like charcoal tablets that I had to fill at a Soviet style pharmacy. He apologized that for the emergency visit he had to charge us $45 which included the car service he hired for transportation.

My husband has occasional sinus problems and doesn’t typically pack medication so I have learned how to deal with obtaining it in various countries. In Venice, there are English speaking physicians in every farmacía. In Spain, he had over the counter medicine with him but it ran out. I brought the packaging to a farmacia, where the pharmacist read the active ingredients and gave me the equivalent. In Russia, where it seems that bribery is greater than the GNP, he “tipped” a ship’s doctor for enough pills to get him through the land portion of our trip. In Mexico many medications are available without a prescription; when a throat infection struck, I asked the pharmacist for pastillas para la garganta (pills for the throat) and was given the appropriate antibiotic.

When we were younger, I never thought about illness and travel. I’d like to say that my concerns about it now are because I am older, wiser, and have more experience, but, the fact is, as we mature we are increasingly faced with the prospect of ailments. I hate to admit it, but now when traveling, I have become somewhat of a germaphobe and take precautions to help stay healthy, particularly when on a plane.

It has been reported that the water used on planes to make coffee or tea has been found to contain harmful bacteria and the temperatures used in brewing are not high enough to kill them. I always choose juice without ice.

I have one word for the seatback pocket on a plane – yuck! There can be all sorts of debris in there that I don’t even want to think about. I try to avoid storing anything there. I have a lightweight bag that I use to keep everything I think I might want on the plane and stash it under the seat. I also carry an extra plastic bag; if I do store something in the seatback pocket, I put it in the plastic bag first and then dispose of the bag when we land.

Tray tables and entertainment center buttons are another concern. I bring individually wrapped antibacterial wipes and wipe them down as soon as I am seated. When I first started using them, I thought it would bring strange looks from seat mates. I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, “what a good idea….I wish I had thought of that.”

Purell has become my new best friend. I use it frequently when traveling, not only on the plane but also when I am out and about, especially after I have touched anything like a handrail. I’ve been told by a flight attendant that many of them put it in their nostrils to help ward off germs. I know doctors recommend keeping one’s nose moist, not with antibacterial gel, but with a nose spray or gel. In the bathrooms, I try not to touch anything, using a paper towel to do things like lock the door and turn on the water.

It’s important to be prepared for minor medical problems and bring a small pharmacy with you. Fortunately, we’ve never needed it, but I always pack Immodium. Our pharmacy kit also contains aspirin, band aids,and Neosporin. I never forget travel tissue packs: they serve many purposes, from napkins, to toilet paper, to makeshift band-aids. Flip flops for the shower and walking about the hotel room are a must for this germaphobe. And I try to remember to turn down the spread before sitting on a bed.

Don’t assume the concierge at your hotel can always help. Research English speaking doctors before you leave on your trip or check with your credit card company; many have a phone number for travelers’ assistance which includes physician referrals.

Update your tetanus shots and if you are going any place exotic check with the CDC to see if there is an advisory for any additional vaccines. Their website http:// wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list. htm lists health advisories for various countries.

Farmacia.

Make sure to pack your medications in your carry on. It’s a good idea to keep them in the original containers. Not only will that avoid questions during security searches, it will also provide information if you have to refill. It’s helpful to pack a copy of your prescription and if traveling outside of the country, include the information sheet that accompanies your medication. This will assist a physician who may have to refill lost medication or who may have to prescribe something additional.

If you have special dietary restrictions, learn how to indicate your needs. If you can’t tolerate caffeine, learn to say decaf in the language of the country you are visiting. Cafe Hag is a worldwide brand like Sanka; I’ve always found most waiters know what I mean when I order it. For people with celiac disease, there is a website where you can print a card in the language(s) of the country(ies) you are visiting that will explain your dietary needs: http://www.celiactravel.com/cards/

The website http://www.selectwisely. com/ has cards for various food allergies, and medical conditions such as diabetes, penicillin allergy, lactose intolerance, asthma.

Finally, don’t forget medical insurance as Medicare and many other US insurances will not cover you if you travel outside of the country. I’ve written about this in a previous column. Check it out at http:// coastalbreezenews.com/2011/05/06/ odds-and-bobs/ for further information.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education. 

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Vickie Kelber 

vickieonmarco@gmail.com

Rainbow arcing across Narada Falls, Mt. Ranier National Park.

One could easily remain occupied for an entire week in Seattle, but there are some excursions from the core of the city that provide great opportunities as well.

The outlying neighborhoods of Fremont and Ballard, easily reachable by bus or car, are fun to explore.

An eclectic neighborhood whose residents refer to it as “the center of the universe”, Fremont is known for its unorthodox sculptures, funky shops, restaurants, and the Theo Chocolate Factory that offers tours. Two of the more amusing sculptures are the giant troll crushing a VW under the Aurora bridge and the statue of a group of people waiting for a train that never comes; locals often dress the people in various costumes.

Ballard is also known for its shops and restaurants, and worth a visit are the Hiram M. Chittendon Locks, botanical garden, and the Ballard Fish Ladder. People of all ages are fascinated as they watch pleasure and commercial boats negotiate the lock system. The locks help maintain the water level of Lakes Union and Washington and aid boats in moving from the lakes to Puget Sound while preventing the mixing of fresh and salt water. The fish ladder helps salmon make their way from the salty Puget Sound to inland freshwater. There is an underwater viewing gallery where the various types of salmon are visible. When we visited, Chinook salmon were prevalent. We also learned how to tell the difference between hatchery and wild salmon. In hatchery salmon, the adipose fin is clipped. This is a second smaller fin behind the predominant dorsal one. Wild salmon have the two fins; those from a hatchery have only one. Good to know if you ever go salmon fishing in Washington!

The Boeing Assembly plant is, by volume, the largest building in the world.

About a half hour car or tour bus ride from Seattle is the Boeing Assembly building which offers 90 minute tours from its Future of Flight Aviation Center. By volume, the plant is the largest building in the world. When we were there, the 787 had just been certified and we were able to see this innovative “Dreamliner” being assembled. Be advised that no cameras, cellphones, or pocket books are allowed on the tour and if handicap accessibility is required, notification should be made in advance.

Ferries are a way of life for many in the Seattle area. To experience a bit of that life, regular ferries operate to Bainbridge and Blake Islands. Without a car, one can visit downtown Winslow on Bainbridge Island with its shops, restaurants and three local winery outlets that offer tastings. During select weekends, with a car, the wineries throughout the island are open for tours. Tillicum Village, the Northwest Coast Indian Cultural Center and restaurant offering traditional salmon bakes, is located on Blake Island.

For a longer ferry experience, the larger of the San Juan Islands can be visited. These ferries leave from Anacortes, 85 miles north of Seattle. The Victoria Clipper also offers passage from Seattle waterfront to the San Juans, as well as whale watching cruises in that area.

Mirror image of Mt. Ranier in Reflection Lake, Mt. Ranier National Park. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

On clear days, Mt. Rainier, the highest peak in the Cascade mountain range, is visible from downtown Seattle. The most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states and actually a stratovolcano, Mt. Rainier about 90 miles from Seattle makes a good day or overnight trip. There are five entrances into Mt. Rainier National Park, although the Nisqually is the only one open all year round. Sunrise is the highest point in the park, offering incredible vistas on clear days. There is a visitor center at Sunrise with displays, naturalist led walks and programs, as well as telescopes. Paradise, so named because when its alpine meadows below the peak were first viewed by the daughter in law of early settler James Longmire, she exclaimed “this must be what Paradise is like”, is THE place to visit. The park’s main visitor center with an interpretive film and helpful rangers is located here, as is the National Park Inn and restaurant. Some excellent short and longer hikes including one to a waterfall and one to a glacier originate here.

We chose a crystal clear day to visit the park and the views were spectacular, somewhat reminiscent of our alpine adventures in Switzerland. The only downside was that the area had received record breaking snowfall the previous winter. Spring had been long in coming and the wildflowers, usually at their peak at the time we visited, were only starting to bloom. The fear was that they were so delayed many would not bloom at all as winter comes quickly to the Cascades.

Bainbridge Island is just a 35 minute ferry boat ride from downtown Seattle.

A somewhat shorter trip option with impressive views of the peak is a visit to Crystal Mountain ski resort where a gondola travels up 2500 feet; not only Mt. Rainier, but Mts. Adams, Hood, and St. Helens are visible on clear days. There is a restaurant at the summit. And, speaking of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. St. Helens National Park, two and a half hours south of Seattle, has viewing areas, hiking trails, and a visitor center.

Without a car? Gray Line and other tour companies offer day trips to Mt. Rainier National Park with time at Paradise to take a short hike or just enjoy the visitor center and restaurant. Gray Line also runs trips to Crystal Mountain and Mt. St. Helens.

Want to travel further afield? Explore the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park has mountains, forests, and coastline with unspoiled beaches and distances between areas can be long. Nearby native American reservations offer scheduled visits and events. The main visitor center is located in Port Angeles, 77 miles from Seattle.

The Olympic Peninsula gets about 140 inches of rain a year, so no visit would be complete without seeing the Hoh Rain Forest. A temperate rain forest, it’s huge trees, mosses, ferns, and thick air create a magical fairytale like environment. Summer has less rain but more bugs! Recently, interest in this area has increased as the Twilight book series is set in Forks, the starting point for access to Hoh. For fans of the series, the Chamber of Commerce offers setting information and there are organized Twilight tours.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor. 

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Calder’s “Eagle” in Olympic Sculpture Park makes an interesting photo frame for the Space Needle.

When people think of Seattle, they tend to think of gray skies and rain. In reality, the average rainfall is only about 37 inches a year, less than places like New York City or Atlanta and most of the rain comes in the winter months. In winter, there are at times endless days of clouds and drizzle. The secret of Seattle is that the summer months can be quite pleasant, with a string of sunny, warm days.

As Rome was built on a series of hills, so was Seattle and, as in many other cities, Seattle is neighborhood centric. Most guidebooks divide the city into its various neighborhoods.

Pike Place Market and the Waterfront are popular tourist areas. The oldest continuing market in the United States, Pike Place Market extends for 8 blocks on both sides of Pike Place. The multileveled buildings house produce, seafood, bakeries, unique shops, artisans and many dining opportunities from casual snack bars to sit down restaurants. In this preserved historic area, no chain stores are allowed except for the original Starbucks founded in 1971 on the corner of Pike St. and Pike Pl. Rachel the Pig, a large bronze piggy bank greets visitors; the money donated to Rachel is used for the Market Foundation’s various projects including a pre school and senior center. Behind Rachel is a visitor favorite; the Pike Place Fish Market, home of the singing fish throwers. When someone purchases a fish, the workers sing out as they throw it from one to another. There is usually a crowd of tourists surrounding the stall waiting for the show. The artisan stalls in the North Arcade are well worth visiting for unique gifts.

Chinatown in Seattle has been renamed the International District to reflect the diverse Asian cultures of this neighborhood.

From the market, one can descend on an elevator (or take the stairs), cross Western Ave. and Alaska Way to the waterfront. Immediately behind the market, on Pier 59 is the Seattle Aquarium. Walking south from the Aquarium eventually brings one to Pier 52 and the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Along the way are shops and restaurants, while Pier 57 extends out a short way into Puget sound. North from the aquarium are other restaurants, the Victoria Clipper embarkation point at Pier 69 and, eventually, the Olympic Sculpture Park. Run by the Seattle Art Museum, the park has more than 20 sculptures, including Calder’s “Eagle” which makes an interesting photo frame for the Space Needle.

From the sculpture park, it is a short walk up to Seattle Center and the Space Needle. The site of the 1961 World’s Fair (Remember Elvis Presley’s “It Happened at the World’s Fair”?), it is now home to a variety of museums and cultural opportunities. The Children’s Museum, Science Fiction Museum, and Pacific Science Center are here, as are Key Arena, McCaw Hall for ballet and opera, SIFF cinema, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. The music festival Bumbershoot is held here in early September. A fairly new attraction is the Experience Music Project (EMP). Seattle was the home of Jimi Hendrix and grunge music. Inspired by Microsoft’s Paul Allen’s interest in Hendrix and designed by Frank Gehry, EMP holds tens of thousands of pieces of music memorabilia. The International Fountain puts on its own sound and water show during the day, with sound and light shows in the evening. Finally, a visit to Seattle Center wouldn’t be complete without ascending the Space Needle for its panoramic views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, and Lakes Union and Washington. It is expensive ($18; $16 for seniors), but purchase of Go Seattle or Seattle City Pass cards provides discounted admission to Seattle’s top attractions including the Space Needle.

Some of the bountiful fresh seafood found at Pike Place Market.

From Seattle Center, it is easy to explore the neighborhoods of Queen Anne with its lovely homes and views of the Sound from Kerry Park or Belltown known for its restaurants and nightspots. Beware a walk up Highland Drive in Queen Anne is quite steep, but you do pass a restaurant that claims to have the “most visited breakfast in Seattle”!

An alternative from Seattle Center is to take the Monorail to Westlake Center. Also built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the monorail whisks its passengers down to the central retail section of the city. Here are major brand name stores and two malls, Westlake and Pacific Place. Pacific Place houses brand stores and a few restaurants while Westlake has more diverse shops including the Made in Washington store featuring Washington state products, a restaurant, and extensive food court.

From Westlake, the tunnel buses go to Pioneer Square and the International District.

Points of interest in the Pioneer Square area, so named because it was the site of the original city, include Occidental Park with its totem poles and Firefighter’s Memorial, Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper, historic Pioneer Square Park, and the Klondike Gold Rush Museum. Actually an indoor national park and free to the public, this museum features the role Seattle played in the Klondike gold rushes. I particularly enjoyed the story of John Nordstrom who sold his claim for $13,000 and started a local shoe store which evolved into the popular Nordstrom department stores of today. Adjacent to this area are Safeco and CenturyLink (formerly Qwest) Fields, home to the Mariners and Seahawks respectively.

Whimsical sculptures such as this giant flower pot are found throughout Seattle.

Pioneer Square evolves into the International District, a name changed from the original Chinatown to reflect the various Asian cultures here. In addition to the welcoming gate, Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Experience, and Hing Hay Park, this area is home to a variety of Asian restaurants and two interesting markets, Hau Hau, and the not to be missed Uwajimaya.

Art lovers have much to see in Seattle. There is an extensive public art program, much of it whimsical; my favorite was a giant bright red popsicle in Belltown! The Seattle Art Museum is a short walk from Pike’s Market, while the Seattle Asian Art Museum is further afield in beautiful Volunteer Park overlooking the city in the Capital Hill neighborhood.

Restaurant choices are plentiful in Seattle and fresh seafood abounds, especially wild salmon, halibut, and Dungeness crab. “Crab pots” are popular in some of the waterfront restaurants; they are like crab bakes in a pot. Even ethnic restaurants feature fresh seafood. We had an amazing seafood paella at Tango, near the Convention Center and a wonderful cioppino at the Pink Door Italian restaurant at Pike’s Market.

Deciphering the public bus transportation system in Seattle isn’t the easiest, but with the King County website trip planner, we were able to negotiate the city. There is a ride free area that encompasses most of the tourist spots from 6:00AM to 7:00PM. The tunnel buses (in the ride free area) are the best way to get from downtown to Pioneer Square or the International District. Taxis are plentiful, although it may be best to call for one rather than try to hail one; we found Yellow Taxi reliable.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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vickieonmarco@gmail.com

If you follow Rule #3, you will know in advance about special events such as the Holiday Bowl Parade in San Diego. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

Through the years, we have taken many trips during the holidays. When we worked, we enjoyed getting away for a few days between Christmas and New Years. Now retired, we like to visit other locations either just before or on Christmas to see how they celebrate their holidays. From these experiences, I’ve developed my personal six rules for holiday travel.

Rule #1. Use common sense. When planning the trip, avoid the high travel days by traveling a few days before or after Christmas or New Years. Airlines typically over book at the holidays, so make sure you get to the airport early. Arriving early also allows the airline time to re route you if winter weather is impeding any of your scheduled flights.

Rule #2. No matter how cold you think it is going to be, it will probably be colder. Yes, I expect this when we used to go on ski vacations; you know you are in trouble when they hand you a blanket as you get on the ski lift! However, I’ve encountered this in more moderate climates. During a trip to Charleston, SC, one holiday the city was experiencing “record breaking” (isn’t it always?) cold and all I had was a lined raincoat. Ever since that trip, I pack lots of layers and always include gloves.

Rule #3. Research special holiday events. Most cities have dedicated websites or pages that list holiday activities and events. Early research enables you to purchase tickets ahead of time and avoid being disappointed. Before going to Charleston, I discovered a special evening charity horse and carriage tour, only available at the holidays, that traveled on streets typically not open to such tours. Research about New Orleans revealed the dates for a Mardi Gras type parade and free concerts in St. Louis Cathedral. When we visited San Diego at Christmas time, I was able to purchase tickets for The Poinsettia Bowl as a surprise for my husband as well as grandstand seats for the Holiday Bowl Balloon Parade.

There are often special foods or meals that are available only at the holidays and knowing about them in advance alerts you to be on the lookout for them or to make reservations at participating restaurants. New Orleans offers distinctive Revellion menus. An old French holiday tradition, these are special multi course prix fixe dinners at participating restaurants.

Holiday markets are becoming increasingly popular as part of local holiday traditions. Advance research will alert you to dates and locations. Although I’ve dreamed of visiting Germany’s famed Christmas markets, the temperature that time of year has always dissuaded me. Happily, I have discovered that there are quite a few unique holiday markets that set up shop in New York City; they provide some consolation for missing those along the Rhine.

Many locations offer special holiday house tours. These may be a tour of a series of charming homes specially decorated for the holidays similar to the one offered in Savannah or just one historic home such as “Christmas at Historic Palm Cottage” right here in Naples.

Prior research about special events also helps in planning daily activities. Knowing about road closures or potential traffic jams can influence your itinerary.

Rule #4. Prepare for the unexpected. When planning a holiday trip to New Orleans one year, we booked a hotel that was attached to the Riverwalk Market Place. I thought it would be a convenient place to spend time should there be inclement weather or should it be too cold (see rule #2). Also, the adjacent boardwalk would provide a place for me to take my beloved morning walks. Unfortunately, two weeks before our trip, a freighter crashed into the Riverwalk, causing a portion of the mall and our hotel to collapse. Because engineers needed time to study the underlying structural damage, the ship was still in place when we arrived, supported by tug boats and none of the debris had been removed. The hotel was able to accommodate us in an attached tower with a bird’s eye view of the accident, but the mall and boardwalk remained closed.

I expect snow in ski locations. One Christmas time out west, however, there was so much snow that the roads were impassable and we were confined to our condo for 3 straight days. Thank goodness for canned soup!

Rule #5. Have back up plans. When visiting San Diego one December, I had followed Rule #3 (research) and knew that the zoo was open on Christmas. That is where we planned to spend the day; we would have Christmas “dinner” at one of its restaurants. But, I forgot about Rule #4 (the unexpected). With an average rainfall of less than 12 inches, it rains in San Diego only about 40 days a year. And, of course, Christmas day that year was one of them. Not only did it rain, it poured!

By then, it was too late to get reservations for Christmas dinner even at our hotel. Since I have watched the holiday film, “The Christmas Story” what seems like a thousand times, I knew that there would be a Chinese restaurant open somewhere in the city. This led me to……

Look for special house tours during the holidays. You need only travel to Naples to see scenes like this one at the Palm Cottage.

Rule #6. Use your smartphone (or similar device). I didn’t yet own a smartphone, but I did have an iPod Touch and the hotel had wifi. Not only was I able to find a Chinese restaurant that was open, I also found an arthouse movie theater that had a special showing of a limited release film we wanted to see. Consulting the city’s transportation website, we were able to find the holiday schedule for buses to get us from dinner to the theater.

Visiting other places during the holidays can bring much pleasure; try to remember my hard learned rules to enhance the experience.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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The Christmas House and Business Decorating Committee met recently at Sanitasole, hosted by Paula and Richard Robinson, for final preparations for the 15th Annual Decorating Contest.  Enthusiasm is building among Marco Island residents as they noted early decorations already displayed.

Marco Island has long been noted for the many outstanding Christmas decorated homes. In 2010, the contest included over 1700 homes and 125 businesses judged.  Residents and visitors alike increase their Christmas spirit by driving around the Island to see the innovative decorations.  The contest is operated by members of the committee; funded and supported financially by sponsors and committee members. The event sponsors are LCEC, the Marco Island Trolley, Centennial Bank and the Marco Island Florist.

Final Judging – Friday, December 16, 6:30 -10:30 PM

The top 10 homes are judged by the entire membership of the House Decorating Committee riding on the Marco Trolley – decorated for the evening by Marco Island Florist. Typically, there is a car caravan following the trolley so they get to see the 10 best homes in advance.

Contest Prizes

The night of the Finals, the top ten (10) receive a Finalist Plaque presented by the judging team from that area.  The winner of the House Contest receives a check for $250.00.  The House Winner and the Business Winner each receive the traditional Yard Sign and a Winners Plaque.

The addresses of the finalists and a mention of others “worth viewing” will be provided to the local media so “Christmas Revelers” may drive around Marco and view the wonderful decorations throughout the season.

Judges and Committee

The Committee Judges for the contest are:  Bob Boland, Carla and Mike Mickes, Donna and Jim Rohrbach, Nancy and Joe Carrington, Susan and Ken Kubat, Jeanne & Dave Rice, Ann & Dick Niess, Debbie and Marty Roddy, Jeanne & Dave Rice, Ann & Dick Niess, Paula & Richard Robinson, Dottie Wiener, Tricia Dorn, Liz and Bill Doyle, Ken and Diane Honecker, Jerry Swiacki, Linda Turner, and Diane Aruta and staff at Centennial Bank.

Contest Rules

Previous winners must wait 5 years before being eligible for winning again.  The 2010 winners were:  Home Winner:  Albino and Julia Martinez, 975 Leo Court; Business Winner: Marco Island Florist, 178 South Barfield,  owners; Joe and Nancy Carrington.

Former winners display their yard signs annually and continue to decorated their homes and businesses.

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A gift of SPF (sun protection factor) clothing would be useful for this woman in British Columbia.

With the holiday season fast approaching, are you wondering what you can buy for that family member or friend who likes to travel? Here are some ideas encompassing a wide price range.

For a big ticket item, nothing beats an iPad. iPads are the Swiss Army knives of travel.

Guide book, reading book, translator; use it to organize travel documents, research anything, check email, send photos, make phone calls with Skype or similar app, occupy down time by playing games, keep a journal. It works with WIFI or purchase a 3G version and a data plan and access the internet anywhere. A less costly alternative is an iPod Touch. It does many things an iPad is able to do when there is access to WIFI. Does your giftee already have an iPad? How about a bluetooth keyboard and case to make writing easier?

Luggage can be another big ticket item, but there are so many options and the choices are so personal it is difficult to make specific recommendations. There is even a suitcase that comes with its own folding seat: http://www.walkinbag.com. If purchasing luggage, make sure it is the lightest available in the style desired. For the person who always travels with a laptop, consider one of the TSA friendly cases that doesn’t require removal of the computer when going through security.

Small daypacks that double as carry ons are useful. I often use a Rick Steeve’s Civita daypack. It is lightweight and folds to a minimal size. It can fit under an airline seat so I use it for carry-on and then as a daypack during my trip. I also like folding nylon shopping bags that easily fit in my pocketbook. A toiletry/sundry bag makes a good gift. I prefer a bag with various compartments that can be opened and hung flat from the back of a door; it helps keep clutter to a minimum in hotel rooms.

A sturdy travel umbrella is always a useful gift; colorful ones make nice photographs.

There are various bags that assist with packing. Space bags maximize packing capacity. Giant zip lock bags that are available at Ace hardware organize clothing and protect it from moisture and any concern there might be about creepy crawly creatures. Zippered packing cubes, either solid or mesh, are great organizers.

A final note on luggage; for stocking stuffers, try brightly colored neon luggage tags or handle wraps to help identify one’s bags.

Another big ticket item is a camera, but, again, there are many choices and individual preferences. If someone is planning a tropical vacation, consider an underwater camera. For the camera enthusiast, one can never have enough high capacity SD cards or rechargeable batteries. A dual voltage battery charger is a useful accessory. A gift certificate for a photo book to show off all those lovely pictures is sure to be appreciated.

A watch with dual time zones is nice to have. The options range from inexpensive to luxury brands. For a traveling techie, a hub that can charge many devices at once is useful.

How about a pair of comfortable walking shoes (or gift certificate for a pair) for that traveler? Among the more popular brands are Mephisto, Ecco, Keen, Merrell, Rockport. Someone recently told me that she wore FitFlops all through Europe and they were very comfortable.

Women can never have enough handbags. There are some great ones specific to travel that have many security features including being slash proof. Popular brands are PacSafe, Safe Passage, and Vault Pro. I also like the Ameribag Healthy Back bag that helps distribute weight and reduces stress on shoulders.

iPads are the Swiss Army knives of travel and they provide a great way to back up or display your photos.

Wrinkle-free clothing can be a traveler’s best friend. Chicos Travelers line is great, and catalogs, such as Travel Smith or Magellan’s provide additional choices. A gift certificate avoids having to guess at size or taste. A colorful or neutral Pashmina or similar type of shawl can be used for warmth, as a blanket, or a coverup when visiting houses of worship. For someone who is sun sensitive, there are various clothing lines that provide SPF protection. Popular brands are Columbia, Solumbra, Solartex, SPF, and Coolibar.

For a person headed for a cruise or tropical locale, try a packable straw hat. Dry wick clothing makes a great gift for travel. It helps keep moisture away from the body which makes a person warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat. It also dries quickly if it has to be washed out.

Scottvest is a company that makes clothing specifically for travel. I particularly like their multipocketed jackets. When I wear one of mine, I often do not have to also carry a pocketbook. Many of the jackets have zip off sleeves that turn into vests. If you sign up for their daily deal email, you can eventually find whatever you want at 20% discount.

Security is important when traveling. Money belts come in a variety of styles. Some go around the waist, neck, leg, or arm. There are even stylish belts that feature zippered inside pockets. And, speaking of stylish, a leather passport carrier makes a nice gift.

Creature comfort is important when traveling. Very inexpensively, you can make an airplane survival kit for your favorite traveler. Include such things as Wisps which are dry toothbrushes available at local pharmacies, eye drops, nose spray or gel, antibacterial wipes, stain remover pads or sticks. Don’t forget a quart size plastic bag for any of the liquids or gels. Noise canceling headsets may be appreciated by some. They can block airplane sounds, as well as the noise of crying babies. If your traveler is so inclined, include an eye mask, earplugs, and/or travel pillow. Years ago, I found something called a “foot couch” that I love on long flights. It is an inflatable pillow that I use to elevate my feet. Consequently, my feet never swell and my legs never ache even on long flights. A silk travel blanket can be lightweight and take up little space.

A gift certificate for a photo book helps provide a cherished memory for the traveler.

I always hate putting anything in the seatpocket as you never know what debris from former travelers lurks at the bottom. Recently, I saw a seatback organizer in a travel catalog. It allows one to store incidental items such as a book, earphones, glasses outside of the seatpocket. What a great invention!

Finally, here are some miscellaneous ideas for the traveller: An attractive travel journal, a coffee table book of a favorite locale, a small flashlight, especially an LED, a small travel first aid kit. For an iPad or Kindle owner, an iTunes card or gift certificate for an ebook, a compact umbrella or one of the new umbrellas that claim to not blow inside out, language learning CDs, membership in AAA, membership in MedJet for emergency medical evacuations, or Divers Alert Network which provides emergency evacuation assistance even for non divers.

Happy shopping!

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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Muscovites love to place flowers at the statue of beloved clown, Yuri Nikulin, in Novodevichy Cemetery.

Moscow is a busy city where East meets West and hustle and bustle surround a scene that seems to have come from a fairy tale. Most of the wealth in Russia is concentrated in Moscow. The metro with its richly decorated stations is fast moving and crowded. Traffic is a problem. Grocery stores stay open 24 hours because, as a local guide explained, “we are used to shopping in the middle of the night because we work from 9 to 5 and then sit in traffic.”

The walled 68 acre Kremlin fortress combines religious structures with the seat of political power and the fantastic state treasury. The wall which dates to the 1400’s has 20 towers, through one of which tourists purchase tickets and enter. The Cathedral Square in the Kremlin is home to four imposing domed churches. All of them are worth visiting; the frescoes and iconostasis in the Annunciation Church should not be missed. The Armoury Palace Museum displays an impressive collection of treasures of the Tsars including works of goldsmiths, silversmiths, Fabergé eggs, and royal regalia such as thrones, crowns, carriages, and coronation gowns. Before we traveled to Russia, we watched a two part documentary on the history of the Tsars. That made our visit to this collection much more meaningful. The Diamond Fund displaying the imperial jewels requires an additional ticket.

The State Historical Museum on Red Square looks like something out of a Russian fairy tale. PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS

First inhabited in the second century BC, the Kremlin overlooks the Moskva River. Napoleon tried to blow it up after his occupation; fortunately rain limited the damage. Once the property of the Tsars, the golden double eagles, the royal symbol, atop the towers were replaced with stars by Stalin. The official residence of the president of the Russian Federation occupies one of the four palaces within this citadel. The Arsenal is surrounded by 800 canons, some of them taken from Napoleon. The Kremlin is not open to visitors on Thursdays.

Red Square, perhaps the most well known view of Moscow, is adjacent to the Kremlin. Here is the multicolored, fantastical 450 year old St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s mausoleum, the historical museum whose design seems out of the pages of a Russian fairy tale, and the GUM (“goom”) department store. Although called a department store, GUM is actually more of a mall within its medieval style facade. Its three stories encompass long passages, beautifully decorated and adorned with balconies, bridges, and sky lights. A visit to Red Square at night is magical, particularly with GUM lit up like a gingerbread house.

St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square is one of the most photographed churches in the world.

Near Red Square is the famed Bolshoi Theater and the infamous former KGB building known as the Lubyanka. The Bolshoi has been undergoing a six year restoration, its main stage reopened last month. Two metro stops away is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The original cathedral was destroyed by Stalin in 1931; he had plans to build a Palace of the Soviets in its place. The land, however, was determined to be too wet to support such a structure and the cathedral was rebuilt at a cost of many millions of dollars. Its location is very peaceful; a good place to get away from the crowds. There is a foot bridge from the cathedral over the Moskva River with a splendid view of the Kremlin and St. Basil’s.

The Novodevichy Convent and adjacent cemetery is another picturesque and peaceful place to visit, although it is a favorite of tour groups. The cemetery is the final resting place of many from Russia’s history including Khruschev, Yeltsin, Raisa Gorbachev, Chekhov, Gogol, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Rostropovich, and Stanislavski. Many tombstones have unique engravings or statues. The one for the well loved circus character, Yuri Nikulin is a favorite of visitors.

The glass skyscrapers of modern Moscow.

The major museums in Moscow are the Tretyakov Gallery with its collection of Russian Art and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. When we visited, the Pushkin had a special collection of Dior gowns and the paintings borrowed from museums all over the world that had inspired the creations. Both museums are closed on Mondays.

Sergeev Posad Monastery, founded in the 14th century and the seat of the Russian Orthodox church until closed by the Bolsheviks in 1920, is about two hours outside of Moscow, reachable by train or organized tour. A complex of churches and chapels, its centerpiece is the gold and blue with gold star domed Cathedral of the Assumption. Throughout the monastery are great frescoes and icons, as well as the church’s treasury.

The monastery is still active as a religious education center.

Many of the museums and churches do not allow photos. At others, where photos are permitted, there is an extra charge. At all museums, coats and backpacks must be checked. In active churches, it is customary to dress appropriately and for women to wear a head covering. I carried a sheer scarf rolled up in a small zip lock bag for church visits.

St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square is one of the most photographed churches in the world.

While souvenir stalls line the area around Red Square, the Old Arbat is a pedestrian street of shops, stalls, cafes, and street performers. For a wide selection of Russian souvenirs and the best prices, head out to Izmailovsky Vernisaszh on the grounds of a former Romanov Estate. It is best to visit on the weekends; don’t forget to bargain and remember the word, “skit-ka”, or discount. Adjacent to it is a Disneyesque entertainment complex called “Kremlin in Izmailova” which houses such attractions as vodka, toy, and costume museums as well as cafes and restaurants. Some of the former Romanov buildings, including a cathedral, have been preserved in the nearby Izmailovsky Park.

For a view of old Russia, along with a taste of the new, stop at Yeliseev’s food emporium near Pushkin Square on Tverskaya, Moscow’s “Fifth Avenue”. Housed in a former mansion, marble counters, paneled walls, and ornate chandeliers surround a wonderful selection of gourmet food; interesting edible souvenirs can be found here.

The drivers in Russia are notorious. Fortunately, at the busier intersections, there are underground passages. Some are just for crossing the street, while others connect with the metro and are a maze of storefronts and tunnels. If no underground passage is available, do as I learned to do in Rome; look for a local, align yourself with him/her, take a deep breath, and walk briskly.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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PHOTOS BY VICKIE KELBER/COASTAL BREEZE NEWS Faded photo labeled “Balboa” in an old album led to my trip to San Diego. The Naval Hospital is in the background.

On 11/11/11 at 10:15AM, I will be at the dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial in Veteran’s Park on Marco Island; I hope you will be there also. The VFW and a committee of residents worked diligently to raise funds to match the monies provided by the city to build this well deserved homage.

I would like to use this dedication as an opportunity to encourage travel to visit other US veterans memorials throughout the world whether it be the more recent World War II memorial in Washington DC, one of the many military museums throughout our country (check out http:// is.gd/cQUMO0 for a list), one of the American burial grounds overseas (see http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/index. php for locations), or paying homage to a veteran who was a friend or family member.

USS Midway serves as a museum of life aboard an aircraft carrier.

My father was a Marine in the Pacific theater during WWII. He served on the USS Hornet CV-8 as well as on Okinawa. CV-8 means the eighth aircraft carrier vessel built. I learned early that “once a Marine, always a Marine” as well as the true meaning of Semper Fi.

After he passed away, I wanted to visit a location that was important to him during his service. He trained in Parris Island and did some duty in Hingham, MA; neither appealed as the place to visit. I knew he spent some time in Hawaii because he used to tell a story about renting a bicycle, riding into the mountains, and finding beautiful wild orchids. Hawaii was alluring, but I didn’t know enough about his stay there to make a visit meaningful.

On board the Hornet, Dad celebrated his twenty first birthday by watching Doolittle’s Raiders take off for their historic raid on Tokyo. As part of Task Force 16, the Hornet participated in the Battle of Midway, Buin-Faisi-Tonolai strike, Guadalcanal campaign, and the fateful Battle of Santa Cruz Islands where the Hornet was attacked and sunk.

During that battle, Dad, a gunner on the ship, was injured; the gunners to the left and right of him were killed. As he was being transferred to the USS Mustin, one of the Hornet’s escort destroyers, via a bosun’s chair on a cable over the Pacific, someone yelled, “Here they (Japanese kamikaze) come, cut the cable.” Fortunately for him, they completed the transfer before cutting the cable.

He spent 14 months in hospitals in San Diego and New York recovering from his injuries and undergoing a series of surgeries. For a short time stateside he was assigned to Headquarters, Eastern Sea Frontier as an orderly to Admirals Andrews and Leary and then did public relations work promoting the sale of US Savings Bonds. When he finally recovered, albeit with a significant hearing loss, he returned overseas to Okinawa as a member of the Third Amphibious Corps.

Memorial to US aircraft carriers along the waterfront.

I couldn’t easily visit the sites of Task Force 16, and really wasn’t interested in traveling to Okinawa. Then I remembered a faded photo in an old album; it was Dad in uniform with the notation “Balboa” (San Diego), so I knew he had been there in better as well as worse times. So, San Diego was to be the location for me to pay my homage and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

On the waterfront in San Diego, near the old ship fleet landing where I know his ship had been at one point, is a “Greatest Generation” walk. Along it is a black granite obelisk Aircraft Carrier Memorial listing all of the US aircraft carriers, including the CV-8. A statue, “Homecoming” depicts a reunion of a sailor with his wife and child. Further along is a memorial to the Battle of Leyte and a tribute to Bob Hope and the military which are larger than life statues of Hope entertaining servicemen and women. The statues are arranged so that they invite interaction by the public.

“Unconditional Surrender” a sculpture based on a famous photo of VJ Day.

“Unconditional Surrender”, a 25 foot colored statue recreating the famous photo of a sailor embracing a nurse in Times Square on VJ Day was on loan to San Diego at the time and, behind it, the USS Midway. The ship, CV-41, the first commissioned after World War II, now operates as a museum. Although this was a Midway class ship and the Hornet was a Yorktown class, a visit to it allowed me to envision somewhat what life on an aircraft carrier must have been like. I laughed when I saw the term “geedunk” used. It is a Navy and Marine Corps slang for ice cream, sweets, or snacks and for the shipboard store selling these items. My father used to refer to our homemade ice cream sodas as “geedunks”. This was the first time I had seen it used elsewhere. I later learned that it was a term first used by the military in the Marines Leatherneck magazine in 1931.

The highlight of our trip was a visit to one of the buildings that had been the San Diego Naval Hospital at Inspiration Point, Balboa Park, in which my father received treatment when he first returned stateside. Today, it serves as an administrative building for the City of San Diego. The adjacent Chapel, however, has been turned into a Veterans Memorial Center. Sun streams through its beautiful stained glass windows lighting the memorabilia on exhibit. Surrounding the museum is a Veterans Memorial Garden, as well as Vietnam Peace Memorial and Purple Heart Monument.

When my father died, I mourned him for the man he was and the life he had led. Our trip to San Diego was bittersweet; I felt close to him and, though still sad about losing him, was somehow more at peace with it.

If you are interested in paying homage to veterans or a particular veteran while traveling, another good resource is the website, http://invsoa.homestead.com/cemeteries.html a site “dedicated to recognizing those cemeteries which are the last resting place for our nation’s veterans.” It lists national and overseas cemeteries, has a searchable name database which includes site locations for those buried in veterans’ cemeteries , and a searchable World War II Registry.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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Early May may not be the best time to book a Russian waterways cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow. We embarked on May 8th, but, unfortunately, spring was reportedly “ three weeks late” and our trip was impeded by ice. From the Neva River in St. Petersburg, we cruised to Ladoga Lake, the largest lake in Europe. Due to the still present ice on the lake, all ships were required to line up and wait for an ice breaker to escort them through as a convoy and we were not able to sail after dark. We cruised past miles of birch and other trees and I couldn’t help thinking that it must be beautiful in the fall.

We were on the MS Tolstoy which, built for high ranking Kremlin officials and visiting dignitaries, claims it is the “best” ship on the waterways in Russia. I’m sure that’s debatable. According to our tour director, the Tolstoy is better than other ships because there is more space, a pool (albeit small), pool bar, and the restaurant is superior. Our ship did not have an elevator; there are some that do.

If you are taking a Russian waterways cruise, you might want to consider upgrading your accommodations from a standard to a larger cabin. The extra space is worth it – especially if you are relegated to the ship for 2 full days as we were.  If you are in a smaller cabin and begin to feel claustrophobic, try sleeping facing the window with the inner drapes open.

Our ship’s staff was friendly and enjoyed the few words of Russian I had learned. I was thankful that except for breakfast there were no buffets. Lunch included two courses and dessert. Dinner was 3 courses, dessert, and a complimentary glass of wine. Foods from various parts of Central Asia and Eastern Europe were featured. There were 3 choices for the entree at lunch and dinner – meat, fish, or vegetarian. Coffee, tea, and “biscuits” (cookies) were always available. The food was good and certainly plentiful enough for us.

Due to the ice, we missed our first two days’ ports at Mandrogi and Kizhi Island. Those of you who have visited Mandrogi may take exception, but I don’t think we missed much. It is a small village built 20 years ago to present Russian handicrafts to tourists. Working craftsmen can be observed but the market displays items available at craft and souvenir markets all over Russia and, according to our tour director, at higher prices.

I was disappointed that our second stop at Kizhi Island, 224 miles northeast of St. Petersburg was cancelled. We missed the Church of the Transfiguration, a 22 domed structure constructed entirely of wood as well as the open air museum dedicated to preserving the culture and architecture of the area, including structures dating from the 14th century. But, alas, the ice surrounding Kizhi was 15 feet deep. My husband, however, thought that cruising through the ice was far more interesting than yet another church.

Our two days at sea were filled with typical cruise ship itinerary – Russian history, language, fairy tale, and handicrafts lessons, and, of course, high tea, blini and vodka tasting!

On our third day, we were able to dock in Goritsky in the “Russian North”. One third of the area is national forest and there are a number of lakes. Buses whisked us to Kirill-Belozersky Monastery, founded in the 1300s and one of the biggest in Russia. There is a museum featuring original icons and embroidery. Men painted the icons while women copied them with embroidery. After touring the summer resort town Kirillof, population 8,000, we returned to Goritsky, population 600 to explore it on our own and shop at the tourist market which featured handicrafts and fur products, some made from pelts from the local mink farm but not of the best quality. Walking about the town reminded us of Alaska and we could easily see Russia’s influence in the development of some areas of that state.

Yaroslavl, the 1001 year old city in “The Heart of Russia” with a population of 640,000 was our next stop. We had cruised south, so trees were beginning to turn green and early flowers were blooming. After visiting a 12th century monastery and the local produce and product market, we toured this once second largest city in Russia with its many unique churches and neo classical buildings. Noted for its lacquered painted boxes, some of the most beautiful ones in Russia are sold here. Yaroslavl is also the home of the first theater with performances in Russian rather than French. We learned that the gold on the domes of many of the churches in Russia signifies God, not opulence and green signifies eternal life. The interior of Church of Elijah the Prophet has elaborate frescos and icons.  The souvenir stalls at the monastery offered a variety of hand made objects of decent quality and fair prices.

Our last port was Uglich, a town on the Volga River of almost 39,000 founded in 937 known as “Little Switzerland” due to its local cheese and Chaika enamel watches. The approach to Uglich with the shimmering red, green, blue, and gold of its cathedral and churches among the spring greenery was quite beautiful. We went in groups of 12 for breakfast with a local family. Our hosts were very welcoming and served kasha (porridge), local bread, butter and cheese, blinis with home made jam and herbed tea from an antique samovar. Afterward, they coaxed us into dancing with rousing Russian folk music and bedecked us in colorful scarves.

Our local guide led us on a tour of the small city, with a stop in two churches to hear a local acapella group in one and view yet more beautiful icons in the other. The walk back to the ship brought us along “Temptation Alley”, lined with street vendors selling a wide assortment of handicrafts and souvenirs.

Back on board, as we approached Moscow, we passed many other cruise ships. There are various tour companies in the US who offer similar cruises, as well as groups from countries throughout Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. It was a harbinger of the activity that awaited us in Moscow.

The imperial waterways cruise was 860 miles long and took us through 10 bodies of water including the aforementioned largest lake in Europe, Europe’s longest river and longest manmade canal. Except for our stops and a few small towns, most of the trip’s scenery was miles and miles of forestland.

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The colorful mosaics of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood hint at the splendor to be found inside.

St. Petersburg, designed by Peter the Great to emulate a grand European city, has also been known as Petrograd and Leningrad. In 1991, by a majority vote of 52%, its name was returned to the original St. Petersburg. It served as the capital of Russia from 1713-1728 and 1732-1918. Although Peter studied in Amsterdam and used it as his model in fashioning his city, St. Petersburg’s 68 rivers and canals, 42 islands, and 300 bridges have earned it the nickname, “Venice of the North.”

Of great consequence in the city’s history was the siege of Leningrad. During World War II, known as the Great Patriotic War, the city was blockaded and attacked by the Nazis for 900 days. There was almost no electricity, water and heating and minimal food. More than 1 million civilians died from shells, starvation, or disease. One third of all of the homes were destroyed, as well as many of the palaces. Today, survival and triumph are celebrated on Victory Day, May 9th. For days before the holiday, the city is festooned with flags and banners. Military personnel pour into the city for the many ceremonies leading up to the big day.

After the war, emphasis was placed on restoring monuments and major palaces. As one tours the grand palaces, guides emphasize what is original and what has been restored. Extreme effort went into the restorations. For example, to ensure that the recreated silk was accurate, a research center was opened in Moscow. Original looms were located and the designs were copied from the furniture, drapes, and wall coverings that were preserved.

Because most money and efforts were placed on restoring the monuments and palaces after the siege, little was left for housing, so there was a grave shortage. When Kruschev came to power, his goal was for every family to have a home, and cheap, quick prefab apartments sprung up. A five story Soviet style building could be constructed in one month. In less than 5 years, 50 million people were provided housing and rent was about 5% of their income. These quick fixes were only supposed to last 20 years, but 50+ years later they are still evident. Through the years and with privatization better housing became available and reportedly about half the families in St. Petersburg own summer homes known as dachas.

Smolny Cathedral, part of a convent complex, in St. Petersbug.

In 1998, there was a severe financial crash in St. Petersburg. Recovery came only with the ascension of Vladimir Putin. A native of St. Petersburg, he visits frequently and has channeled many resources into restoring it to its previous grandeur. There is restoration going on all over the city. Tree lined pedestrian malls are being constructed, building facades restored. St. Petersburg seems on a path to grow stronger and more beautiful every year.

As in most large cities, there are some impressive churches. The must see is the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, so named because it was built on the location of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. It’s exterior mosaics and multicolor domes hint at the splendor to be found inside. St. Isaacs, the third largest domed cathedral in the world also has an interior worth exploring, while a climb up its colonnade offers an unparalleled view of the city. Brightly colored blue or yellow onion domed churches are found throughout the city. Among the finest are Smolny Cathedral and St. Catherine’s.

As part of his plan to build a Westernized city, Peter the Great decreed that cathedrals should have spires rather than domes and the Peter and Paul Cathedral, part of the Peter and Paul Fortress has a tall 40 foot golden spire topped by an angel holding a cross. The cathedral contains the tombs of the Romanovs, including Peter the Great, Catherine the Great and the remains of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia, and his family executed in 1918.

A small portion of The Hermitage, once the Tsar’s winter palace and now repository of one of the world’s greatest art collections.

The Hermitage, 1,000 rooms encompassing 4 buildings, is one of the great art museums of the world. The Winter Palace of the Tsars is the main building and worth visiting just to see this magnificent edifice. The complex can be overwhelming and it is amazing to think that only a small percent of the collection is on display. If visiting on your own, try to time it to arrive noonish, after the deluge of morning tour groups. The Russian Museum, housed in yet another of St. Petersburg’s grand palaces, has an impressive collection of Russian art.

Neoclassical palaces in the city tend to be yellow and light grey while baroque are usually blue, green, or pink. Peter the Great ordered that the nobility build their palaces with the facades facing the river, so a cruise of the canals and rivers is recommended. The tour boats are very low to the water because of the low clearance of the bridges. There is outside seating on the boats, but given that St. Petersburg receives about 24 inches of rain a year, you might find yourself confined to the inside and somewhat poorer visibility.

Nevsky Prospekt is St. Petersburg’s grand boulevard lined with historic buildings and former palaces including that of Count Stroganov. Yes, beef stroganoff is said to be named after his family. A lavish and interesting palace to tour is Yusopov’s along the embankment of the river off of Nevsky Prospekt; it is where Rasputin met his fateful end.

Two trips worth taking outside of the city are to Catherine Palace and Peterhof. Catherine Palace, 25 miles away, with its blue, white and gold exterior, was built by Tsarina Elizabeth. Despite its ornate, gilded interior, there were originally no bedrooms. Elizabeth feared conspirators so she didn’t want anyone to know where she slept. Twenty minutes before retiring, she would tell her servants in which room to set up her bed for the night. The amber room, decorated with tons of amber in various shades and designs is amazing.

One of Elizabeth’s many gowns on display in Catherine’s Palace, the summer residence of the Tsars. She reputedly never wore the same dress twice.

Peterhof was Peter the Great’s summer home on the Gulf of Finland. Patterned after Versailles, the grounds have 150 fountains all run by gravity so they could operate 24 hours a day without using a lot of power. Badly damaged during World War II, as was Catherine Palace, Peterhof is just about completely restored. A dramatic approach to Peterhof is by hydrofoil from docks near the Hermitage. The alternate bus trip takes you along a road that incredibly once contained some 500 grand houses and palaces. Almost all of them were destroyed during the war. Only one, Constantine Palace, was reconstructed by Putin; the president and foreign dignitaries use it when visiting St. Petersburg. In 1997 it was host to a G8 meeting.

The department store/mall, Gostiny Dvor, housed in what looks like a yellow palace on Nevsky Prospekt has a good choice of souvenirs on the ground floor. There is a souvenir market adjacent to the Church on Spilled Blood, but the one at the Peterhof generally had lower starting prices.

The restoration of St. Petersburg is an ongoing process. Everywhere there were hints of what is to come; tree lined pedestrian malls, more and more shops and restaurants opening. St. Petersburg is on track to bring increasing change and vibrancy and I look forward to visiting it again sometime in the future.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education. 

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Although we have traveled semi independently in other areas of Eastern Europe, we had never been to Russia. Perhaps growing up in the days of the Cold War still resonated and influenced our decision to book a tour, albeit one that gave us quite a bit of free time, rather than seeing the country independently. Having now spent a few days in both St. Petersburg and Moscow, there is no question in my mind that we would have felt very comfortable negotiating these cities on our own.

English is not readily spoken, but with a few words of Russian in my vocabulary, I found everyone willing to try to communicate. The transportation system of metro and trolley cars in St. Petersburg was easy to use, with metro stops in English as well as Cyrillic, the Russian alphabet. The Moscow metro was larger, with more lines and much busier. Stops, for the most part, were written only in Cyrillic but with a good map in my pocket as well as maps at all the stations and lists of all stops at each track, we easily found our way. Knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet was helpful. In both cities, it is best to arrange taxis through your hotel.

Young couple in St. Petersburg after saying “I do”.

In Russia, things can sometimes seem a bit more disorganized, yet other undertakings are quite ordered. Schedules and availabilities change often and are explained with a shrug and the comment, “this is Russia.” At many museums, only a certain number of people are let into a room at a time and then the room is cordoned off. It did enhance the viewing as we didn’t have to fight crowds around popular objects and it is probably good protection for the treasures.

I’ll write more about St. Petersburg and Moscow in future columns, but my impression of both was very favorable. The first Russian Tsar to visit Western Europe, Peter the Great, founded St. Petersburg some 300 years ago. His desire was for the city to mirror the style of the west and he even ordered Russians to dress in the European fashion. Although the revolutions, wars, and neglect of the 1900s were not kind to St. Petersburg, today Peter’s success is evident, as I felt as if I were in any other Western European city, albeit one that is quite imperial.

While St. Petersburg is opulent with a hint of old world elegance, Moscow is more “down to business”. It is an active, bustling city. Think Vienna/Paris vs New York. I even felt the difference in our hotels, although it might have been more to do with the corporate policies of the differing major chains than their locations. In St. Petersburg, we had free WIFI, complimentary computers available, and many amenities. In Moscow, one of the most expensive cities in the world, WIFI was $10 an hour or $30 a day and amenities minimal. St. Petersburg staff was all about being solicitous and making our stay as pleasant as possible; Moscow was more about business and what we could and could not do such as not being able to charge anything to our room. Even our luggage in Moscow fell prey to bureaucracy. It was delivered to our rooms two hours after our arrival. Our group had traveled from our cruise ship to the hotel by bus. There was a tight portico area in front of the hotel which was too narrow for the buses; previously a bus from this company had been damaged trying to squeeze into the small space. Instead, our bus driver would park only around the corner, just a few yards from the main entrance. The hotel, however, refused to send the bellmen out to the bus because it was their policy that baggage be unloaded at the main entrance. Finally, after what were many phone calls and threats from the cruise line, the bellmen were sent to the bus to retrieve the luggage.

Hungry for McDonalds? This one in Moscow is one of the largest in the world.

We traveled in early May and the weather was bone chilling in both cities with two days of rain. Although people commented that spring was late this year, our guide in St. Petersburg noted that the local saying about the weather is “nine months of anticipation; three months of disappointment.” In Moscow, our local guide said their wisdom was that Moscow had two seasons, “white winter and green winter.” Temperatures in summer, however, can be high, as is the humidity.

May 1 and 9 are huge holidays in Russia, May 1 being equivalent to our Labor Day while the 9th is Victory Day. During World War II, known as the Great Patriotic War, more than 20 million Russians, our Allies, died; it is said that there is no family who did not lose someone. Great homage is paid to veterans of this war and monuments and memorials are found throughout both cities as well as in smaller locations.

Colorful onion domed churches dot the Russian landscape.

Dining options range from fast food to fine dining and a wide range of international choices. All of the American fast food outlets are here. Russian fast food includes kiosks and chains that sell blinis, thin pancakes, with an assortment of fillings, pelmeni (dumplings), kebabs known as shashlyk, and stuffed baked potatoes. There seems to be a least one coffee shop on every block, as well as many small eateries specializing in sushi.

Soups including the well known borscht (beet soup) are popular, as are a variety of zakuski, or appetizers. You can spend hundreds of dollars at a first class restaurant such as Palkin in St. Petersburg or select from any of the many more reasonable small neighborhood restaurants featuring Russian, Italian, or Asian cuisine. Some of the local places are difficult to identify. Often signage is poor and all you can see is a door leading to a small foyer; the restaurant is downstairs.

Major department stores have excellent souvenir departments and fair prices. Souvenir markets seem to spring up wherever there are tourist stops. Better prices are available at some of the out of the way places and I’ll share them when I write about the individual cities. Bargaining is de rigueur at stalls and small shops. When a price is quoted to you, ask for a “skit-ka” or discount. Popular souvenirs include the ubiquitous nesting dolls known as matryoshkas, hand made chess boards, carved or painted lacquer boxes, painted wood bowls, colorful wool scarves, amber and other jewelry, replicas of Faberge Easter eggs, and modern icons. It is illegal to export antique icons and any icon leaving the country must have a certificate attesting to its age from the Ministry of Culture. People in our group were hesitant about buying even new icons, however, we passed through no inspection upon our departure from Russia; I don’t know what the reaction of the US customs would have been had we indicated an icon on our list of purchases.

Virtually every city and town in Russia has at least one memorial to the Great Patriotic War (World War II).

Despite the fate of religion under the Soviets, at times it seemed that the number of churches and monasteries rivaled Italy. Certainly both the exteriors and ornate interiors of many of them equaled if not exceeded any we have visited world wide.

I would happily return to Russia and if you haven’t been there yet, I would recommend it. We found its residents to be hospitable and helpful. We traveled about the city with no fear. Of course, you do have to take the normal precautions you would take in any city. I did hear of one man who was pick pocketed on a busy trolley. However, he was the epitome of tourist, wearing a track suit, white athletic shoes, and paid for his less than $1 ride by taking a wad of cash out of his pocket and ostentatiously waving it about. If you travel to Russia, do as we did and learn a little about the history before going; it made much of what we saw more meaningful. Netflix and other video outlets offer some excellent documentaries on the history of the Tsars as well as the Russian Revolution.

To visit Russia, you must have a Visa.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education. 

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WTC - once an iconic part of the New York skyline.

It’s been 10 years since the phrase “9/11” became a significant part of our lexicon. All of us remember where we were on Sept. 11, 2001 and have stories about that day. Our story involves travel…………

We were in Portugal on September 11, scheduled to return home early on the 12th. We had spent 2 wonderful weeks in an apartment in the charming UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra. Due to an early flight on the 12th, we booked a room in Lisbon for the night before. We checked in early as we wanted to spend time at the Oceanarium, Lisbon’s waterfront aquarium. After our visit there, my husband went back to the hotel while I continued to explore the city. When I returned to the hotel room, he greeted me with “We are not getting home tomorrow; the United States is under attack”. We watched CNN International speechless and in shock as we saw the Twin Towers destroyed by planes. It was indeed a surreal experience.

Although we were offered our apartment back in Sintra until we could fly home, we opted to stay in Lisbon; we wanted to be close to the airport and the British Airways office in the city. I went there each morning to see if there was a flight out; we were finally booked on a flight to London on the 17th, on to Miami on the 18th.

For three days subsequent to the attacks, we were unable to contact the United States. We needed to let our relatives know that we were OK and also wanted to check on a close friend whose son -in- law worked at the World Trade Center (fortuitously, his wife who is almost never sick didn’t feel well on the eleventh, and he stayed home to take her to the doctor). The phone lines were busy and internet contact was also not possible. A few times each day, I went to the Mailboxes Etc. store near our hotel to try to send and check email; nothing went through.

What a strange feeling to be outside of the United States during this tragedy and not know when we would be able to return home. Although we were inconvenienced for only a few days, I thought of and felt empathy for people all over the world and throughout history who, for a variety of reasons, have been unable to return to their homeland. While what we went through was nothing compared to the families of the victims on 9/11, it was frightening to be told “you can’t go home”.

The support we received from the Portuguese was very reassuring. We had many kindnesses extended to us including the journalist for an African Portuguese publication who came up to me at a metro station to express his sorrow and say, with hand to heart, “You are an American; I am an American; today we are all American”.

We spent our days in Lisbon staying close to the hotel. There was a Chinese restaurant a few doors away; we went there frequently, not really wanting to go far from our hotel sanctuary. One day we decided we had to get away from our constant vigil in front of the television and took a bus to the seaside village of Nazaré, where fish is still dried on racks in the open air along the beach.

Upon checking out of our hotel, the doorman expressed his sympathy and good wishes for the United States. Although our initial flight was aborted on takeoff, we finally did get to London only to find out that our flight to Miami the next day had been cancelled.

I cannot say enough good things about Virgin Air; although they had no partnership with British Air (BA), they honored our tickets and scheduled us on a flight the next day. Initially, through BA, we were to fly in and out of Heathrow airport, so we had booked a nearby hotel. Virgin flew out of Gatwick, so we had to leave at 5AM to take a taxi to Heathrow to then take a coach (bus) to Gatwick. Our driver on the coach made an announcement expressing his thoughts and prayers for any Americans on board; the same sentiment was expressed by many whom we spoke with while waiting at the airport.

On an emergency basis, Gatwick was allowing no carry on luggage. I had purchased two large pieces of pottery and had them in a flimsy zippered carry on bag. As the bag made its way on the luggage conveyer belt, I anticipated the breakage that would occur; an insignificant event at a time of such great loss. When I unpacked at home, surprisingly, one piece emerged unscathed. The other one was broken into many pieces. As I went to throw it away, I paused and decided to try to glue the shards back together. Although unusable, it now sits on a shelf above our kitchen cabinets; I like to think of it as a symbol of fortitude and resilience.

On our flight home, the captain on our Virgin Air flight noted when we entered New York airspace and asked the passengers to join him and the crew in two minutes of silence in memory of those lost on Sept. 11.

I grew up in a home that had an American flag flying in the front yard. As a disabled World War II vet, my father displayed a flag and Marine Corps symbol on his car. It was this experience in Portugal, however, that gave me a true appreciation of the freedom for which he and many others sacrificed. It has also given me, I hope, a better awareness of and feeling for others who do not have this precious freedom.

A more recent photo of the rebuilding at Ground Zero in New York City.

Travel has changed in the last 10 years; ask anyone who has endured a long security line at an airport or a TSA search. This enhanced security is certainly not new in other countries; I remember traveling in Europe in the 70s with armed guards at airports and my pocket book searched when entering public buildings. There are people in many countries who live with an imminent threat of terrorism on a daily basis.

It was certainly unnerving to be stranded outside of the United States and unable to return home. I wrote some of my thoughts in my travel journal during and right after this trip, and this is how I ended the entry: As a result of this experience and threats of further terrorism, are we afraid or unwilling to travel out of the United States? Right now, our only question is where we want to go next. It is the experiences afforded by travel that help us develop understanding of and appreciation for others; I hope it also affords others the opportunity to develop understanding of and appreciation for Americans.

In the words of St. Augustine: The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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When my husband and I travel, we enjoy bringing books with us that are set in the locale we are visiting. Often, they are classics that we enjoy re-reading. Twain’s Tramps Abroad and Trevanian’s The Eiger Sanction in Switzerland. Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra in Andalucia. In Italy, we plodded through Stone’s The Agony and the Ecstasy and I, Claudius once again and I enjoyed  Forster’s A Room with a View. Amsterdam brought us to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. The Gaudî Key by Martin and Carranza entertained us in Barcelona as we explored the famed architect’s creations.

Granada is the setting for detective books by PJ Brooke.

After we return, we like to read novels that take place in locations we have visited, particularly those that are especially evocative. We are both fans of mysteries and there are many authors who have developed entire series around detectives operating in specific international locales.

Our favorite is Donna Leon. Her novels are set in Venice and feature the intelligent and charming Commissario Guiseppe Brunetti and his wise wife, the professoressa Paola. In each of her 20 stories, Leon mentions many local landmarks and addresses by name and creates a good feel for the pace of Venice, as well as its sometimes quirky sense of justice. The fact that in the middle of an investigation, the commissario will frequently suggest that it is time to stop for “a coffee” has become a running joke for us, and, in fact, we stopped at his favorite local bar for a drink last time we were in Venice.

Edward Sklepowich has also written a series set in Venice featuring amateur detective Urbino MacIntyre. His style has been described as “Gothic”. I haven’t read his books yet, but three of them lie on my bookshelf to be read this summer. Next year, we will be returning to Italy and renting apartments in both Florence and on the Amalfi Coast. On my list to read between now and then are some by Iain Pears who has received good reviews for his Jonathan Argyll series featuring a British ex pat who serves as a member of the  Italian National Art Theft Squad. Although she is now deceased, I want to sample some of Magdalen Nabb’s police procedurals featuring Marshal Guarnaccia, a member of the Florence carabinieri (police). Andrea Camilleri’s Sicilian Commissario Montalbano series completes my “to read” list.

Sue Henry’s mysteries set in Alaska feature fictional Iditarod racer, Jessie Arnold. Photos by Vickie Kelber

When we traveled to Alaska, I discovered Sue Henry and her books set there featuring State Trooper Alex Jensen and sled dog racer, Jessie  Arnold. Easy reads, her books evoke the cold climate of the location. Other mystery writers who have created series that take place in Alaska include Dana Stabenow and her Aleut detective, Kate Shugak, and Elizabeth Quinn with another female character, wildlife inspector Dr. Lauren Maxwell. John Straley is a male author of mysteries set in Alaska featuring Sitka PI Cecil Younger.

Of course, I think everyone is familiar with Steig Larsson’s Millenium Trilogy starting with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and its heroine, Lisbeth Salander. His work is so popular that it is possible to book a tour in Stockholm that visits locations from his books. Want more Swedish procedurals? Try Henry Mankell and his detective, Kurt Wallender.

Another reader favorite is Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Detective Agency heroine Precious Ramotswe, Botswana, Africa. On the best seller list has been Martin Cruz Smith’s Arkady Renko series set in Moscow. An old favorite is the Parisian Maigret series by Georges Simenon who died in 1989.

PJ Brooke is actually a husband and wife team who have begun writing a detective series set in Granada. My husband enjoyed Blood Wedding; that is yet another title on my “to read” list! Seville, Spain is the locale for Robert Wilson’s Javier Falcon series, while Barcelona is home to Alicia Gimenez Bartlett’s detective, Petra Delicado.

And, speaking of that list, which must be pages and pages by now, Jeffrey Siger novels are on it. His crimes take place in Greece – both the mainland and some of the islands including Mykonos and Patmos. Mystery series that feature Amsterdam include those by Geert Mak and Janwillem van de Wetering.

Recently, I discovered Faithful Place  by Tana French which is set in and around Dublin and went back and read her two prior novels. A new one is due out in August. Yes, you guessed it, it’s already on my list.

Professoressa Paola Brunetti teachers at Ca Foscari in Dona Leon’s mystery series set in Venice.

In addition to Alaska as a favorite setting, there are many mystery series that feature various locations in the US. Here are just a few of them. Michele Scott writes Napa Valley mysteries complete with recipes and wine pairings. Perri O’ Shaughnessy, who is actually sisters whose books I enjoy, feature attorney Nina Reilly who lives in the Lake Tahoe area. Marcia Muller’s Sharon McCone operates out of San Francisco. Stephen White sets his books in Boulder, Colorado. Archer Mayor, an assistant medical examiner, writes about Joe Gunther, a detective in Brattleboro, VT. Dennis Lehane, who many are familiar with from his books that have been made into movies, has a series set in Mystic River and feature the characters, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro. The series was on hiatus for a while, but he published Moonlight Mile  last year. JA Jance has a number of series set in different locales; character Joanna Brady operates in Arizona, Ali Reynolds in Sedona, and JP Beaumont in Seattle. Fly fisherman, chief of police in Loon Lake, Wisconsin is the main character in Victoria Houston’s books. Nevada Barr, a national park ranger sets her Anna Pigeon books in parks in which she has worked.

There is almost no redeeming value in Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series set in Trenton, NJ except they make me laugh!!!! Another series that sounds like fun but I haven’t read (yet…I keep adding to that list!) is Rita Lakin’s Gladdy Gold books about a 75 year old and her gang of Ft. Lauderdale retirees. Hunter Maddy writes a lighthearted Passport to Peril Mystery Series in which “senior citizens” encounter intrigue as they travel the world; descriptions of the settings are woven into the books.

Commissario Guiseppe Brunetti, the hero of Donna Leon’s Venetian police procedurals operates out of this questura (police station).

Although he writes books of intrigue rather than technically a mystery series and writes about various international locations rather than one setting, I want to mention an author my husband enjoys, Daniel Silva. He first discovered Silva’s works in Portugal. Having completed the books we brought with us, we visited a bookstore in Lisbon that sold English books. The proprietor recommended Silva because “that is a Portuguese name”.

It is fairly easy to find books that feature a particular location. Just do a Google search for  books or mysteries set in wherever. There are numerous websites, some hosted by local libraries that contain such lists. If your local bookstore can’t get the book for you, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books a Million, and Borders have websites that offer books and ebooks. If you don’t mind gently used books, try Amazon or Thriftbooks which does not charge shipping. Online, your shopping is not limited to just the US. I once wanted a book called Vanilla Beans and Brodo  about life in the Tuscan hill town of Montalcino, Italy, a place where we had spent a month living on a vineyard. At the time, it was not available stateside, so I ordered it through Amazon.co.uk, Amazon’s outlet in the United Kingdom. It’s easy to learn about or relive a location through the joy of books.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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“There’s an app for that”.  Chances are that if it is something you want for travel, there IS an app for that. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of apps to assist with all facets of travel. Here are just a few of them based on good user reviews, including many that I have used. I have an iPhone and iPad, so all of these apps are from the iTunes store; android smartphones and pads probably have similar apps available.

HopStop helped us find our way from midtown Manhattan to South Street Seaport. Photos by Vickie Kelber

Driving anywhere whether it be to your destination or just the airport? I use my iPhone as my GPS with the app Maps that came with it,  Google maps, or Where.  Motion X GPS is an inexpensive live voice guide GPS. With OffMaps 2 you can download and store a city’s map which means you can access it offline. The GPS function  works on the downloaded maps.  Beat the Traffic gives information about traffic jams and road work with 2 hour predictions, as well as weather updates; INRIX is another traffic app. If you are so inclined, GasBook reports on gas prices in an area, while Gasbag shows gas stations in your area, along with current prices and an option to log your fuel usage.

When you park your car long term at Ft. Myers airport, the shuttle driver gives you a slip of paper with your parking section indicated; you may or may not find that reminder upon your return. With apps like Find My Car, Car Finder, or ParkBud enter your position when you park your car and find it easily when you return.

I use Trip It to keep track of all of my reservations and flight information. Auto Pilot does the same thing and syncs with Trip It.

At the airport, Gate Guru is a searchable airport guide for all major airports with maps, a list of amenities, and security wait time. iFly provides the same information plus ground transportation options and parking locations and rates. We’ve used it to research dining options at airports so we could decide whether to eat before or after going through security. Have a problem with your airline and want to know your rights? Rules to Know lists airline rules and options for most major US carriers. Live Flight Tracker tracks the real time flight status of any flight as does FlightTrack and FlightBoard.

Traveling by train? Try US Railroad Map for searchable train schedules.

There are numerous city and country guide apps available for download. Favorites are those from Lonely Planet which give very specific information on how to negotiate a city, NileGuide, and TripWolf which includes offline maps and an augmented reality viewer. CityWalks has good walking tours. There are various apps for our state and national parks that include maps, hiking suggestions, and tips.

With augmented reality (AR) apps, point your phone’s camera at a landmark and get internet based information about it, as well as information about nearby restaurants and other attractions. Wikitude, Google Goggles, Nearest Wiki, and the aforementioned TripWolf are the most commonly used AR apps.

Need a restaurant in the Trastevere section of Rome? There’s an app to help with that.

Heading to  Disney? A number of apps help you master the parks including Disney World MouseWait, Disney World iGuide, Disney World  Dining, and Disney World Maps.

Want to find a restaurant in a new city or even your own city? There are restaurant guide apps such as Yelp with user reviews and Urban Spoon with recommendations based on critic reviews. The aforementioned Where finds local restaurants. Not sure about a restaurant (or hotel)? Before booking, consult TripAdvisor for user reviews. Make your dining reservations through the searchable OpenTable app. Once at the restaurant, unsure about which wine to choose? Cor.kz has an extensive wine catalog; you can even scan a bottle’s bar code to find out more about it. Other wine information apps include WinePh.D. and Pocket Wine.

Have some free time and not sure what to do? Goby lists more than 300 categories of events, activities, and places to see in various areas. In New York City, TKTS app gives real time listings of show tickets available at the 3 TKTS discount booths in the city. Want to catch a movie? Flixster has local listings. No TV guide in your room?  Try iTV for listings.

Utah State Parks Field App provides information about Kodachrome State Park.

Utilizing public transportation is easy with the many apps available to assist. In New York, HopStop app had us easily zipping all over the city on subways and buses and when we needed a taxi, we knew what the charge should be ahead of time. We are looking forward to using HopStop for an upcoming trip to Seattle. AllSubway HD and MetrO provide subway maps for world wide locations.

Need help with currency or other conversions? ACTCurrency, M-Converter, Currency Convert, Xe, and Converter Plus all do simple conversions. Hi Converter converts not only money but also shoe and clothing sizes and has a tip calculator. Converter also converts units such as meters to miles, celsius to fahrenheit, grams to ounces/pounds. I use Units for conversions.

Need a restroom? SitOrSquat helps find public restrooms. Free WIFI Finder does just that.

Translation apps abound. Lonely Planet offers a series of phrasebooks. World Nomads has keywords and useful phrases for 25 languages. Shoreline Animation has a series of English to another language that says the phrase aloud with a native speaker, not a computer generated voice. Lingo  has cartoon like flashcards that, when tapped, say a word or phrase as well as demonstrating it. Lingo downloads and stores on your device; you don’t need an internet connection to use it. Google Translate says typed in words or phrases aloud, as does FreeTranslator. iTranslate uses voice recognition, so you only have to speak a word or phrase for a translation. icoon is a global picture dictionary to help communicate your needs. Word Lens is an amazing app. Use a phone’s built in video camera to capture a sign or word and it is instantly translated. To date, only Spanish to English and English to Spanish versions are available.

Use apps to keep in touch with friends and family. With Skype, free or inexpensive calls can be made when connected to the internet. Send instant postcards using photos snapped with  your phone’s camera and apps such as HazelMail, Postman, PhotoPostcard, go Postal, Sendit4Me, or Snapshop Postcard. Each postcard costs between $1-$2. SodaSnap uses a simple interface to email postcards at no charge.

There are some apps that serve as utilities when traveling. Flashlight and Mylight turn your device into a flashlight; I’ve used them to assist others in movie theaters or dark restaurants. Turn your phone into an alarm clock with Alarm Clock Free, Nightstand Central Free, Clock Pro Free, or iClock Free. I have a friend who uses the travel planner template from Numbers, the Apple spreadsheet program app, to list all her planned activities, construct a packing list, track reservations and contact numbers, and record purchases for customs declaration. Finally, Good Reader app stores PDFs on your device. I use it to store the PDF form of my camera manual so that it is always handy should I need to consult it.

No matter where you go or what your travel need, there’s probably an app for it.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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Amelia Island is diagonally opposite Marco Island, tucked away in the northeast corner of Florida, just below the Georgia border. Although locals consider “season” to be during the summer, it makes a nice spring or fall getaway or pleasant diversion on a leisurely trip north. It is about 20 minutes from Route 95, 30 minutes from the Jacksonville airport and there is a small municipal airport. It offers 13 miles of quartz beach, multiple activities, historical landmarks, and accommodations ranging from Victorian bed and breakfasts to world class resorts.

The Kingsley Plantation on Ft. George Island is a short drive from Amelia Island. Photos by Vickie Kelber

The island is 13 miles long and 2 miles wide, with the town of Fernandina Beach occupying about half of it. Quaint downtown Fernandina has historic main and side streets filled with shops, restaurants, and stately Victorian homes. The visitors center is housed in a 19th century railroad depot. The Florida House is the oldest surviving hotel in Florida, while Palace Saloon is Florida’s longest operating bar. The Museum of History, where you can learn that Amelia Island was inhabited by the Timucuan Indians possibly as early as 2000 BC and has been under the rule of 8 different flags, is housed in the former county jail. Local churches date to the 1800s. Horse drawn carriage tours of the historic core are available.

As you drive south on the island, with its Spanish moss covered tree canopy, you are reminded of the charm of Southern locales. There are park preserves at the north and south ends of the island and a marina for boaters with restaurants within walking distance. Egan’s Creek Greenway has walking and biking trails up to 2 miles long, while Amelia Island State Park has 200 acres of natural wilderness and, through the Kelly Seahorse Ranch, offers horseback riding on the beach.

The 1000 acre Ft. Clinch State Park features a well preserved fort that served both the north and south during the Civil War. Explore history through one of the the daily tours led by costumed reenactors or take a hike or bike ride on its 6 miles of trails. There are two campgrounds within the park, while anglers enjoy fishing from its pier or one of its jetties. Consult the park’s website for their active calendar of garrison, encampment, and other events staged by living historians. During the summer, there are candlelight tours.

The day’s catch at sunset along Amelia Island’s harbor.

The long beach and surrounding marsh lands provide seemingly endless opportunities. The largest sand dunes in Florida adorn the beach where shelling and looking for shark’s teeth is popular. Turtles nest along the beach in the summer; whale watching excursions occur November through March. View sunrise over the Atlantic and sunset on the Intracoastal harbor. Narrated sunset cruises offered by AI Rivers Cruises go around Cumberland Island, where you can often see its feral horses. Inland and deep sea fishing are popular as are both guided and on your own kayaking. There are 6 golf courses on the island.

There are two active community theaters on the island and a monthly art walk. Annual special events include a shrimp festival in May, fishing tournament in June, September’s blues festival followed by the Jazz festival in October, book and film festivals in February, and Councours d’Elegance for car aficionados in March. As part of the USTA Pro Circuit, the Omni Amelia Island Plantation hosts both the men’s and women’s futures tour, while, for something different, petanque enthusiasts hold an annual tournament where more than 100 teams compete. What is Petanque (pay-tonk)? It is a form of boules (sort of like bocci), started in France and becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Who knew?

Sunset on the harbor on Amelia Island.

Restaurants abound on Amelia offering French, Italian, American Bistro cuisine and many al fresco opportunities. One of our favorite Spanish restaurants, Espa?a, is in downtown Fernandina Beach. For something different, the Ritz Carlton offers a sumptuous Sunday brunch, while a new addition at Hoyt House Bed and Breakfast is high tea, reservations only. Many of the restaurants hold special events during Amelia’s assorted festivals. We enjoyed a wonderful jazz brunch at Joe Robucci’s Bistro, dining in their New Orleans inspired courtyard.

The major resorts, complete with a variety of types of accommodations, are the aforementioned Omni Amelia Island Plantation and Ritz Carlton both with spas and also Summer Beach Resort. Chain hotels, motels, condos, cottages, and charming bed and breakfast inns round out the lodging options.

The drive along the southern part of Amelia Island epitomizes Southern charm.

Fort George Island, Cumberland island, and Little and Big Talbot islands are short drives from Amelia Island. Fort George Island is home to Kingsley Plantation, where the waterfront main house, kitchen house, barn, and remains of original slave cabins date to the plantation era of the island. Tours are available on a limited basis, but interpretive information provides background on the plantation and its former owners, Zephaniah Kingsley and his wife, Anna, who had been purchased as a slave and freed in 1811. Cumberland Island National Seashore, in Georgia, is reachable only by boat. Little and Big Talbot islands are undeveloped, although there is camping on Little Talbot. Both are operated as Florida state parks, as is Fort George Island.

St. Augustine, about 50 miles away, is an easy day trip from Amelia Island. The picturesque drive along the coast on A1A from Ameila to Jacksonville Beach and south to Ponte Vedra or St. Augustine includes a crossing on the St. Johns River Ferry. Savannah, Georgia, at about 100 miles away is a somewhat longer day trip.

About a 7 hour car ride away, my husband and I are fortunate to have a friend who lives on Amelia Island. We look forward to our not as frequent as they should be visits not only to catch up with our friend, but also to explore a different time in history, discover new dining options, walk picturesque marshland trails and enjoy different coastal options.

Vickie is a former member of the Marco Island City Council and Artistic Director of the Marco Island Film Festival, and has been a volunteer for many island organizations. She is presently on the board of the Naples Mac Users Group. Prior to relocating to Marco, Vickie served as a school psychologist, Director of Special Services, and college instructor and also was a consultant to the New Jersey Department of Education.

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