Destinations – Page 4 – Before I Kick it Travel

26 September 201910 May 2020

Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany: Visitor’s Guide

After spending time in Belgium and enjoying what I think is some of the best chocolate in the world, I was not expecting much from the Chocolate Museum in Cologne, Germany. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the museum and the chocolate and visited the museum twice to indulge in its treats. Founded by Hans Imhoff in 1993, the museum offers you a visual step by step guide on how they make Lindt chocolate.

There is a transparent chocolate factory. It starts with the path of the cocoa bean from the roasting machines to a wrapped chocolate bar. There is even a robot on the production line that will serve you a freshly made little bar of Lindt chocolate.

This is where magic is made!

The museum has an impressive chocolate fountain where you can grab a fresh taste of yummy chocolate. The fountain has the backdrop of the beautiful city and Europe’s longest and most important river, the Rhine.

It is a great place to take your kids. They can see how Lindt makes chocolate figures, such as Easter bunnies, elephants or Santa Clauses from liquid chocolate. They can also create a personalized chocolate bar from a combination of three types of chocolate and lots of ingredients.

There is also a historical section in the museum. It provides information on the first societies that experienced chocolate, the history of the chocolate drink, and the industrialization it took to manufacture large quantities of chocolate.

Visit the Chocolate Shop

While the museum is fantastic, my favorite part was enjoying delicious chocolate treats at the Chocolate Museum cafe, Chocolat Grand Café. They have beautiful cakes and chocolate pastries. You can enjoy them outside while sitting along the Rhine! I had a chocolate soufflé and a crepe with cherries and chocolate. Not on the same day of course! Do not forget to stop at the Chocolat – Premium Chocolaterie on your way out of the museum to buy freshly made chocolates, pastries, and gifts.

20 September 201925 May 2020

France – 10 Things to Consider Before Traveling

10 things to consider before traveling to France

France is a country has grown on me over time and after several trips. Now, it is one of my favorite places to visit. While Paris generally is the first destination of choice for tourists, it is those places outside of Paris with beautiful landscape, cute shops, small streets, and houses with old world character that have made me fall in love with France. Since it took me some time to feel comfortable in France, here are 10 things to consider before traveling to help you fall in love with the country quicker.

25 Tips For International Travel

Parlez vous anglais?

“Do you speak English? It is definitely a question you will be asked in France. If you are in Paris, the answer is likely to be yes or a little. However, outside of Paris, particularly in the countryside, the answer very well may be no. In some areas, not only do people not speak English, but essential signs may not be translated into English either. Google translate or a English-French phrase book will come handy during your travels.

Get outside of Paris

I know that when most people think about visiting France, Paris is their destination of choice. I understand why. Similar to New York City, it is a happening place that is full of culture, cuisine, and nightlife. However, I highly encourage you to get outside of Paris and see the other parts of France. I love the French Riviera and Normandy region. There is so much beauty in the country. Even a train ride from Paris to the Champagne region will give you a different perspective of this beautiful country.

Normandy: 10 Things To Know Before You Travel

Sunday is a day of rest

In France, as with may European cities, many shops, restaurants, and museums will close early or be closed all together on Sundays. It is something you should consider when planning your trip. You probably do want to waste an entire day not being able to do anything because the entire country is shut down. Separately, be mindful that many museums and fine dining restaurants are also closed on Monday.

Siesta time…

Okay, it is not called a siesta in France, but many shops and restaurants close down between 2-2:30pm and 6-7pm everyday. If you are like me and regularly skip lunch because you get caught up in sightseeing, it may be hard to fill your belly if you wait past 2pm. If that is the case, then pack snacks or buy a sandwich earlier in the day and save it for this time of the day.

Wow, it’s hot in here!

For some reason the regions outside of southern France, pretends like the hot summer weather does not exist in the rest of the country. Most hotels will have air conditioner, but do not be surprised if your Airbnb does not. Also, many shops and restaurant will not have air conditioning either. This is one of the most frustrating things about France for me. I know this may sound very American, but when it is 90 degrees, all I want is to eat a lovely meal without dying from the heat. It is probably one reason why the outside cafe is so popular in France. It generally feels nicer to sit outside.

Eating out, don’t be in a rush

The French love their food. Even more, they love taking their time enjoying their meals. If you plan to plant your bottom in a seat at a restaurant and enjoy any sort of beverage or meal, you should have patience. It can certainly take two hours to have a simple meal and several attempts to flag down your server to order of pay. Please do not think that it is because the French do not want to give good customer service. It is just that their priorities are different. First, the French generally do not live off of tips, so they are not looking to turn over tables quickly. Also, as I mentioned, they expect you to take a lot of time to enjoy your food and company.

Why is my meat so bloody?

We all have our preferences when it comes to the temperature of our red meat, and we expect the chef to prepare it correctly. However, the French have a different interpretation than Americans and it is possible you will not be satisfied with the bloodiness you are likely to encounter. There are generally 4-5 terms to describe meat temperatures in French: Blue (rare), Saignant (medium rare), à point (medium), cuit (medium well), and bien cuit (well done). No matter which one you order, they will all be slightly more undercooked than what you would normally expect in the US.

Coffee

Coffee in France is expensive and not always great. Granted, I generally think I have had decent cappuccinos and café au laits in Paris, but I only drank maybe one or two decent coffees my entire time during my recent trip to the Normandy region. It is generally watery and does not taste quite like coffee. For 3.5-4 Euros, you can get a tiny cup of cappuccino that really is only half full. Maybe they make poor coffee to draw you to France’s other great beverages, such as wine, champagne and calvados!

Dogs are welcome

Many restaurants in France allow dogs to dine with their owners. Generally there are no objections to dogs being with their owners outside, but you will often times see them indoors as well.

Watch your Step

Speaking of our furry best friends, I do not think it is mandatory to pick up dog poop off the sidewalks or the grass. In what I consider to be an extremely walkable country, it truly surprised me to see so much dog poop everywhere. Literally dogs go in the middle of a sidewalk, and the owners leave it there. Watch your step!

13 September 201913 August 2020

10 Travel Tips for Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium, is a very cute European city that is known for diplomacy, good food and a large variety of Belgium beer. There are so many interesting things you can do in a short amount of time. Before you plan your trip, take a look at my 10 travel tips for Brussels.

Vibrant City Center

There are many interesting neighborhoods in Brussels, but if you only have a short time to see the city, my travel tip is that you should focus on the city center. There are lots of restaurants and souvenir shops for you to indulge in. As a matter of fact, all of Belgium’s treats, including chocolate, Belgium style French fries, Belgian waffles, and beer are within walking distance of each other.

Get outside of Brussels

Brussels is one of the most lovely cities I have ever traveled to. However, if you have several days to spend in Belgium, you should definitely get outside of the city. I loved Bruges and Antwerp, but you should also consider traveling to Dinant and Ghent.

Enjoy Belgium’s treats

My favorite thing about Belgium is the food. The Belgian waffles and twice-fried frites (French fries) are must haves. For beer lovers, Belgium brews over 800 varieties of beer. As a chocolate lover, I must mention Belgian chocolate. It is a kind of unforgettable, melt in your mouth experience you should not pass up!

Visit the Museums

If you are into museums, do not overlook this travel tip. Belgium has some fantastic museums, and you should build in lots of time to visit them. One of my favorites is the Magritte Museum. It has the largest collections of works by the Brussels surrealist René Magritte.

Getting Around

I never thought I would have to offer this travel tip for Brussels since Belgium is an international country. But, you should know that it may be hard for you to get around if you do not have some French. I have done a lot of travel around Europe, and I think Belgium is one of the easiest places to get around. But that is in part because know some French. I rarely saw signs in English, and it took me a little longer to figure out where I was supposed to be. As in most European big cities, Brussels is completely walkable and public transportation is widely available.

Sundays are slow

A big travel tip for Brussels is that the city is sleepy on Sundays. As in most European countries, many things are closed on Sundays. Tourist shops and museums are generally open.

See Europe from Belgium

Belgium is a great central location to take day trips to several other European countries. In about 2 hours or less, you can take the train from Brussels to Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, or Luxemburg City.

Languages

The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French, and German. Some people also speak Flemish, which is rooted in Dutch. While most people speak some English, do not assume that everyone will be able to understand you. Learning a few words in French will go a long way.

SIM card, please…

Getting a SIM card for my cell phone was harder to find than expected. I was only able to find cards to recharge cell phone minutes at the airport and most convenient stores. It did not help that I arrived on a Sunday and for only one day. Since many shops are closed on Sundays, I was never able to purchase a SIM card.

Where is the Air Conditioner?

Imagine walking into an ice cream or coffee shop in the middle of august. All you want is some relief from the hot sun, but it is hotter and stuffier inside the shop than outside. Where is the air conditioner??? Well, during my latest trip to Brussels, it was in the upper 80s with no chance of rain. It was super hot and I found myself going from chocolate shop to chocolate shop to find some cool air…okay, and to buy more chocolate. If you are traveling to Brussels during the summer, be prepared for hot temperatures with little relief.

25 Tips for International Travel

26 August 201910 May 2020

Reviews: EgyptAir Coach and Business Class

The reviews on EgyptAir coach and business class are mixed at best, but are generally horrible. I have flown one round trip domestic flight and one short leg in business class on EgyptAir, which I think was enough for me to get a feel for the airline. All of my flights on this airline originated in Cairo. The Cairo Airport can be a little crowded and nuts. Please note that you must show your travel itinerary to security before they will allow you to enter the airport.

My first flight on EgyptAir was to Luxor, Egypt. Checking in was pretty easy and what you would expect out of any airline. Before you can enter into the gate area, security will scan your luggage. You must go through security again at the gate. I experienced this on both domestic and international flights, so you should give yourself plenty of time to make your flight.

For smaller, domestic flights, it is not clear if anyone is actually manning most of the gates and it is possible no one will announce when the flight is boarding. I only knew that my flight was boarding because people started standing up. I still do not know how they all figured it out. In the same spirit, it is also difficult to know if, when and for how long your flight will be delayed. On my return flight from Luxor to Cairo, we waited and waited. We watched the clock tick by as our boarding and departure times came and went. We did not get a single update from the staff or on the departure board.

Flying Coach

The aircrafts are between old, and very old and falling apart. The coach flights were short and sweet. We were served drinks and a pack of cookies, which is pretty standard for most domestic flights. The stewardesses are not known for their hospitality, but they were very nice on both legs of my trip.

Flying Business

I flew EgyptAir business class to Istanbul Turkey. The trip was less than three hours and the seats were what you would expect for a short haul flight. It was an old plane and the TV monitors were falling apart. However there was plenty of leg room. I am short, but it was till nice to be able to fully extend my legs. The seats laid back about half way. We received a pillow and blanket, but not travel kits.

Business Class from Egypt to Istanbul, Turkey

To be honest, the food was pretty horrible. The business class food looked and tasted like United Airlines’ economy class food on international flights, which I never eat because it is so bad. They serve it on real plates, but that’s the only thing good about it. Even worse, EgyptAir is a dry airline. They do not serve alcohol, but they will allow you to bring your own onto the plane. They will give you a glass and ice if you ask.

EgyptAir is known to cancel domestic and international flights with regularity and without notice. I only flew this airline because I had no other choice. If you must fly this airline, I recommend that you have a back up plan just in case you get stuck.

5 August 201910 May 2020

Top 10 Things to Do in Luxor

Luxor is a much quieter, smaller town compared to Cairo. However, it has some of the most well-preserved ancient ruins in the country. Many of the tombs still have colorful hieroglyphic writings, which is amazing considering that the writings are over 4 thousand years old. There are many things to see, so here are the top 10 things to do in Luxor.

1. Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings is located on the West Bank of the Nile and is where Egyptians built tombs into cut out rock for pharaohs and powerful nobles. There are 63 tombs and chambers in the valley and they are all located at different depths underground based on how long the person lived. The walls of the tombs tell stories of Egyptian mythology and funeral rituals. It is one of the highlights of Luxor.

2. Tomb of Merenptah

The tomb of Merenptah is located in the Valley of the Kings. He was the son of one of the greatest pharaohs of Egypt, Ramesses II. The pathway to the burial chamber extends 160 meters underground. On your walk underground, there are beautiful and interesting decorations and color stretching from the ceiling to the floors.

3. Tomb of Ramesses III

Located in the Valley of the Kings, the tomb of Ramesses III is one of the largest in the valley. His mummified body is not available for the public to see, but it apparently set the framework for Hollywood’s depiction of mummies.

4. Tomb of King Tutankhamun

The tomb of King Tutankhamun (known as King Tut) was built quickly because he died at age 19. Because of his early death, the walls are only painted instead of carved. As a result, some would say that the paint has not survived well over time. It still looked amazing to me. You must buy an extra ticket (about $5) to visit King Tut’s tomb, but you will be able to see his mummified body, which is really cool. You are not allowed to take photos in the tomb, even if you have a photo pass.

5. Tomb of Ramesses VI

His tomb is one of the largest in the Valley of the Kings. During his reign of only six years, he took on a large building program in Upper Egypt. His mummified body is now located in the Egyptian Museum.

6. Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is located near the Valley of the Kings. It is thought to be one of the “incomparable moments of ancient Egypt.” It has undergone quite a bit of restoration, but that does not take away from the interesting nature of the place. For architecture lovers, Hatshepsut’s temple is considered the closest Egypt came to classical architecture. Hatshepsut was the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically-confirmed female pharaoh.

7. Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temple dates from around 2055 BC to around 100 AD. It is one of the largest religious buildings ever constructed. The place is massive and it is a wonder how the Egyptians even built it. Egyptians celebrated the end of the annual agricultural cycle at Karnak and Luxor for twenty-seven days. During the festival, the people were giving over 11,000 loaves of bread and more than 385 jars of beer.

8. Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, who reigned in Egypt during Dynasty XVII. The name comes from Memnon who was know as a hero of the Trojan War. Floods from the Nile and a large earthquake in 27 BC did a lot of damage to the statues, but their large size still feels like they are the gateway to the city.

9. Medinet Habu (Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III)

The Medinet Habu is located on the West Bank of Luxor. Tourist rarely visit the temple, but it is worth the visit, since the walls still have a lot of detail. It is known as the best source of inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea People during Ramesses III’s reign.

10. The Temple of Luxor

The Temple of Luxor, also known as the southern sanctuary, is the site of the famous city of Thebes. It is unlike most of the other temple, since it is not dedicated to a god or specific king’s death. However, it may have been used to rejuvenate kingship. In front of the temple is the avenue of the Sphinxes, which ran all the way to the temples at Karnak. Visit the temple at night when it is all lit up and looks like it came right out of a Hollywood movie.

28 July 201910 May 2020

Egypt Travel Guide: Is Travel to Egypt Safe?

Egypt Travel Guide: Is travel safe in Egypt

Egypt is a desirable place to visit. There is a lot of history and beauty one can experience there. However, many people ask is travel to Egypt safe? Before you book plane tickets and tours, you should be aware of the current political and security environment.

Check out the US State Department travel site for more information.

Recent History

Cairo has experienced a lot of change. Long-time leader Hosin Mubarak was removed from power during the Arab Spring uprising in 2011. Recently, retired Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was elected president in May 2014. That was almost a year after he removed Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Morsi from office. Since then, crowds and protests can form quickly. Do not stick around if that happens. If you are traveling with a group, you should have a plan for if you get separated.

Current travel risks, warning

During my recent trip to Egypt, British Airways and Lufthansa canceled all flights to and from Cairo because of a security threat. The US Department of State in July 2019 released a travel warning. It advised travelers to exercise increased caution in Egypt due to terrorism. The Sinai Peninsula (with exception to travel to Sharm El Sheikh by air) and the Western desert are off limits due to terrorism. The Egyptian boarder is also off limits to travelers because it is a military zone.

General Safety

As with travel to any country, there is the potential for petty theft. However, street crime is not that common in Egypt. You should be smart and not take expensive jewelry or belongings. Make sure you carry small amounts of money and bills. I do not recommend taking any form of public transportation in Cairo as they are at risk of terrorist activity and crime. You should also keep a form of identification on you at all times. If you prefer not to carry your passport, make a copy of it and keep that with you.

Traveling as a woman in Egypt

You will almost certainly experience unwanted attention or be harassed by men during your trip. It may just be cat calling, whistling, or horn honking. However, it is also possible that someone one will try to grope you. However, it is rare for men to commit violent crime against women. Remember Egypt is a Muslim country. Dress conservatively. Do not wear shorts or short dresses. Cover your arms. T-Shirts are okay, but the longer the sleeve the better. Women do not have to cover their heads.

28 July 201910 May 2020

10 Tips Before Traveling to Egypt

Traveling to Egypt can be overwhelming. English is not widely spoken and unless you have grown up in the Middle East, it can be difficult to navigate the culture. Here are 10 tips before traveling to Egypt to help make your journey easy and allow you to enjoy everything the country has to offer.

Arriving in Egypt

Visas are required for Americans traveling to Egypt. It cost $25 for a single entry, 30-day visa, which you can obtain on arrival. You can also get a multiple entry visa for $60. Be mindful that Egyptian immigration officials have denied entry to travelers without explanation, however is rare. If you are arriving from Israel or Gaza, check out the US Department of State’s travel website for additional information.

Departing Egypt

Make sure you have a copy of your flight itinerary with you. You will have to show it to security before they allow you to enter the airport in Cairo.

Safety in Egypt

Crime in Egypt is actually quite low. Occasionally, travelers may have their purses or backpacks snatched off their arms by people riding by on motorbikes, but that is rare. The main concern is an increased risk of terrorism in Egypt, particularly in Cairo. For more information, read my post on is it safe to travel to Egypt in 2019?

Hire a tour guide

You can definitely get around Cairo via taxi, but I recommend that you join a tour group to visit the sites. You can also work through your hotel, but I can guarantee they will be way more expensive to provide the same or lesser experience. I used Emo Tours Egypt. They were very knowledgable and took great care of me during the tour. Egypt Tours also has great reviews. Without a tour guide, you may be subjected to harassment from the locals who want to show you around the city for pay. You may also be taken advantage of and scammed.

Checkpoints

There are checkpoints all over the city, so do not be worried the first time your driver gets stopped. They will generally ask the driver where you are going, how many people are in the vehicle, nationality, are there any VIPs, and your follow-on destination.

Public Restrooms

You generally have to pay a small fee, about 5-10 EGP, to enter public bathrooms. You may also want to keep a small amount of toilet paper with you. Be mindful that sometimes the toilet paper is located at the bathroom’s entrance rather than the in the stalls.

No PDA

You should remember that Egypt is a Muslim country. While there is a mix of religious and secular behavior, public displays of affection should still be avoided. It is a lot more common and customary to see to men greet each other with a kiss as a sign of friendship.

Dress

As I mentioned above, Egypt is a Muslim country, so conservative dress is appropriate. I did see a lot of men and women tourists wearing shorts and spaghetti strapped tops, but I do not recommend it. You will draw lots of attention from the locals and your goal should be to blend in, not stand out. Egypt is blazing hot during the summer, but I still recommend that you not wear shorts. Women should not wear low cut tops or short shorts. Women do not have to cover their heads.

Egypt is warm and hot!

I have been to Egypt twice. I traveled in February, when it was about 70-75 degrees and in July, when temperatures reached almost 120 in Luxor. Most of Egypt’s main attractions and “museums” are outdoors. Being outside for 10 or more hours a day in very hot weather can be rough on most people. I recommend that you pack a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water if you plan to travel to Egypt during the summer.

Be mindful of unlicensed tour guides

If you are wondering the sites in Egypt and it is clear that you are not part of a tour group, locals or uncertified tour guides, will try be helpful and show you around. It may seem like they are just helping you out of the goodness of their hearts and out of pride for their country, but they are looking to be paid. It could be as simple as pointing you in a direction. In Egypt, the art of asking for a tip is called Baksheesh

This also applies to people trying to assist with your luggage when you leave the airport or enter your hotel. If you let anyone take your baggage at any point, they will ask for a tip. There is nothing wrong with this if that is what you want to do. However, be aware that if you pull money out, you may soon have a crowd around you.

Cell phone access. It is worth it!

Taking an unlocked phone or one that will work on the Egyptian network will save you a lot of headache. Many Egyptians do not speak English, so simple things like getting in a cab and providing directions can be a challenge. Being able to use your phone to map out where you need to be or order an Uber, will make your trip much easier.

13 July 201917 May 2020

Thailand Food Tour: A Taste of Bangkok

My food tour in Thailand was the first time I had done this type of tour. Now, I try to do a food tour any time I travel to a new country. Thai cuisine is one of my favorite types of food. Food tours in Thailand give you the chance to find hidden gems. There is a huge culture scene in Thailand. It is and it is easy to find yummy food stalls sprinkled all over the country. But, it is harder to find the multi-generation mom and pop restaurants that serves the best food in Thailand. My tour was a four-hour walking tour, during which, I tried about ten Thai dishes at five restaurants. We mostly stopped at family owned restaurants that have been in business for between 30-80 years.

The food tour in Thailand was a great way to learn about Thai cuisine. All of the Thai dishes were either things I had never seen before in the US or a specialty of that restaurant. Many places were holes in the wall and did not necessarily look sanitary, but that did not matter. The food was some of the best I’ve ever tasted.

One of my favorite dishes during my food tour in Thailand was Khao Soi, which means “cut rice,” and is a national cuisine in Thailand, Burma, and Laos. It was mouth-watering and had the right about of heat for me, and I like it SPICY! I also had a fried chicken with shredded fried lemon grass and fried lime leaf on top.

During the food tour in Thailand, I tried papaya salad for the first time. I never expected to enjoy it, but I now order it anytime I go to a Thai restaurant in the US. The fire and heat coming from the salad made it a favorite of mine. I have since tried to make papaya salad at home many times.

Not sure what kind of food tour in Thailand you should choose? I booked the Historic Food Tour through Bangkok Food Tours, but you can also check out trip101 for a list of other popular tours.

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4 July 201910 May 2020

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: A visitor’s guide

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is so beautiful that I almost forgot that it is a place of worship. I am thankful that it is one of two mosques in the United Arab Emirates that is open to non-Muslims.

The mosque was commissioned by, and named after, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It took over 10 years (1996-2007) to construct and the Sheikh passed away before its completion.

Costing more than $500 million to build, the mosque is quite modern. The beautiful white and gold facade and colorful mosaic of marble flowers adorn the interior of the mosque.

The best time to visit is right before dark so you can see both sides of the mosque. In the daylight, the beautiful white mosque stands out against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi. At night, it is illuminated and displays a different kind of beauty. You can visit the mosque on your own or take a free tour that lasts about one hour. I recommend that you reserve tours in advance.

Remember that this is a place of worship. The dress code is strict and should be followed. Therefore, you should avoid wearing tight clothing and ankles, arms, and shoulders should be covered.

The mosque will provide an abaya to women not properly dressed. Women are required to cover their heads. Be prepared to remove your shoes before entering prayer rooms.

Hours:

Saturday – Thursday: 9am-10pm
Friday: Closed to tourists (open to worshippers) during morning prayers. Open to tourists at 4:30pm
Ramadan (dates change yearly): 9am-2pm, closed all day on Friday

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