USA HoneyJune

Right after our wedding in early June, we departed on the 6th of June for this 3-week honeymoon in the United States.  We went from the West Coast where we visited San Francisco and Los Angeles in California, Las Vegas in Nevada, and Grand Canyon in Arizona, to Florida in the southeast where we spent around a week in Miami and Orlando, and finally to the capital Washington and New York City in the East.  It was a wonderful journey, not only were we extra happy being newly wedded, we were also impressed by the diversity of this giant country that would give different surprises.  Among all those cities we both liked Las Vegas the most while we might want to use the word dislike for Washington for a particular reason.  Grand Canyon as part of the beautiful nature was my favorite too.

San Francisco

It’s a bit cool there in San Francisco in June, especially for us travelers coming from a hot region.  Since the Golden Gate Bridge was known as one of the most internationally recognized symbols of the city, we headed to the Fisherman’s Wharf, first of all, to purchase a ticket for Golden Gate Bay Cruise that cost 24 dollars per person.  We didn’t find the experience extraordinary as it’s simply a crowded boat with open seating, nor did the Bridge appear more impressive in close shot.  On the contrary, driving past the Bridge might be an alternative best option.  Back at Fisherman’s Wharf, we spent an afternoon at Pier 39, a shopping center and popular tourist attraction built on a pier located at the edge of the Wharf.  We were seated by the window in a seafood restaurant from which a bunch of sea lions resting on wooden platforms was clearly seen.  On the next day we toured around the city by hopping on and off tour buses.  Muir Woods National Monument was the last destination of our 3-day stay.  Also on this last day we rented a car and started a coastal journey towards Los Angeles.

 

Los Angeles

On the way between the two cities we didn’t see any big attractions, but several scenic viewpoints and nice clean beaches along the Pacific coast.  Upon arrival in L.A. the first destination was Beverly Hills, an affluent city as well as home to the shopping district Rodeo Drive.  We also visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame nearby.  Both were lively districts full of tourists engaged in sightseeing, shopping, watching street performances, etc.  On the 14^th we had lots of fun in Universal Studios, the last but best spot throughout our stay in California.  Simulation of earthquake and King Kong movie scene were one of my favorites.  This movie studio and theme park entertained visitors of all ages due to its great diversity.  We were glad we arrived and started the day at its opening time at 10:00, because we wouldn’t have been able to tour around the whole park before it closed.  On the next day we returned the car at the airport and departed for Las Vegas.

Las Vegas

Flying from LAX to LAS there was a transition from autumn to burning summer all of a sudden in one hour, regardless of proximity between California and Nevada.  Known as The Entertainment Capital of the World famous for its consolidated casino-hotels and associated entertainment, it’s not surprising to see slot machines everywhere right at the airport on the way to baggage claim.  We went on a shuttle that brought us to Bellagio Hotel, which was a perfect choice.  Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in our guest room we had a magnificent view of the center of this resort city.  What we loved most was the dynamic performance from the Fountains of Bellagio both in daytime and at night, and also the marvelous Cirque de l'Eau held in the theater of Bellagio.  We spent two full days on experiencing this internationally renowned city of gambling, shopping and fine dining.  

Grand Canyon

On the 16^th we were brought from Bellagio by a limousine to a Grand Canyon’s point of departure where we boarded a helicopter.  The whole thing was costly, but it proved worthwhile because there were the most stunning views on the way to the Canyon on the helicopter.  The package also included a short boat trip.  From the river we could see the Canyon in a different angle.  Everything was good, except that the free time allowed at the site was too limited.  We needed to be on time to catch the same helicopter that flew us back to Las Vegas.  All those times spent in Nevada were great, but it’s extremely hot.  You might need to be well equipped with sunglasses, hats, powerful sunscreens, shorts and vests for this trip.

Miami

On the 17^th we left West Coast for Florida.  After settling in a hotel in a renowned coastal resort city called Miami Beach, we spent the rest of this day at the nearby South Beach.  It’s a nice day lying on the fine sand and swimming in the clear water.  For the 18^th we’d booked a tour of a remote location called Key West mainly for underwater activities.  In the early morning we got on a tour bus that needed to detour around the area to pick up everyone.  That’s the problem of travelling in group.  Worst of all, it took 3.5 hours to reach the destination and another 3.5 to come back.  We passed most of the day on the bus, but only a very short time on the cruise ship that brought us to snorkel offshore in perfect clear water, and in the lively city center where there were Key West Museum of Art and History, various kinds of shops and restaurants.  Like lots of places in Florida, Key West is beautiful, but you might want a 2-night stay instead of a 1-day trip.  Also beware when you need to join any tour.  All those tours never specify travelling time to and from a destination.

Disney World

On the 19^th we flew from Miami to Orlando where shuttles were right there at the airport to pick up guests of Disney World Resorts.  We’d booked a 4-night stay in Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, which we would now be happy to recommend to others.  The rest of this first day we toured around Downtown Disney which was nothing inferior to those four theme parks.  From the 20^th to 22^nd we visited Epcot, Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  For us it’s more about sightseeing than entertainment.  Disney World is a wonderland for kids after all.  This Hollywood Studios was interesting, but not as much as the one in L.A.  We had very happy times in Orlando, except that it’s a bit too hot.

Washington

We went from Southeast up to East Coast where we landed in Washington, D.C., the capital of United States.  On the 24^th we went sightseeing in the city by means of subway.  U.S. Capitol, White House, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, etc. were all nice places to see.  This one of the largest metropolitan areas of the U.S. fell short of our expectations, however, as we saw the police going after a group of criminals right in front of us at a train platform.  We were shocked.  We were there for only two days.  Were similar scenes easily seen every two days in Washington?

New York

Last four days of our honeymoon we had lots of fun exploring New York City, the most populous city in the United States known for its status as a financial and cultural center, the largest gateway for immigration to the country, and also as a choice of destination for many foreign visitors.  Once again we travelled by means of subway.  Even though the subway system in New York was so old, it’s very well developed, extensive, and efficient.  I was just a little annoyed at one point when we needed to go out of the gate up to the ground and cross the street to take another line in the same station.  We went up the Empire State Building that overlooked Midtown Manhattan, walked around Wall Street, visited the Statue of Liberty, shopped at Times Square, strolled into Central Park, etc.  We also had some nice meals at Manhattan Chinatown, the biggest Chinatown I’d ever seen.  By the way, we were quite satisfied with our stay in Grand Hyatt New York, a quality hotel located just over Grand Central Station.

Santa Claus in Snowy Finland

No doubt it was such good fun to meet the Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle at the Santa Claus Village in Lapland especially for the Christmas holiday in December. We were also so excited sending friends and relatives greetings from the Santa Claus Main Post Office with the unique Arctic Circle postmark. Unless the trip is intended only for a festive occasion on which partying with friends and visiting the Santa are main goals, however, it might be a bad idea to go sightseeing in the beautiful Finland in extremely cold weather and during the period of shortest daylight in winter. Ease of transportation is a concern as well even for those travelling by car. Besides, smooth communication in English is not guaranteed as even staff working in Helsinki main train station are illiterate in English. Rovaniemi, Tampere, Hameenlinna, Turku, and Helsinki are all nice places to see.  Just make enough efforts to plan for your perfect trip before you set off!

France and the French-speaking Switzerland

Château de Chillon near Montreux, Switzerland

From the 24th of December to the 1st of 2010 I had a wonderful Christmas vacation with two of my French friends travelling from Paris to the French-speaking part of Switzerland, where we visited Geneva, Neuchâtel, Lausanne, and Montreux, from which we headed back to France and visited Évian-les-Bains, Annecy, Lyon, and Beaune on the way back to Paris. The route included a total of ten stops including the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte located 55km southeast of Paris. Since destinations were small cities, towns, and a castle, which were quite close to each other, time was adequate and we were in no rush throughout this 9-day journey. Even though daytime was shorter in winter, we had the azure sky enough for fun, and most important of all, pleasant moments passed as we spent the festive period together surrounded by Christmas trees and Christmas lights with all those beautiful places as backgrounds. I was so thankful for the kindness and company of my French hosts without whom neither would I be able to see places on this nice route by car, nor would I travel at ease in French-speaking places.

Geneva

Jet d’eau, Geneva, Switzerland

I landed in Paris on the 24th. As I had already seen quite much of the city in a previous trip, I didn’t plan to do lots of sightseeing there this time. I had a delicious homemade meal and a warm and peaceful Christmas Eve instead. The next morning we needed to depart early as it took almost 5 hours on the road before reaching Geneva. On arrival in the afternoon we lunched the first thing. All diners were enjoying fondue, a Swiss national dish of melted cheese served in a communal pot over a portable stove and eaten by dipping long-stemmed forks with bread into the cheese. I was the only one who opted for a dish of pasta. I could hardly stand the extremely heavy smell of cheese in the restaurant, but I did believe fondue was a perfect dish for cheese lovers. We then spent the rest of the day touring around the center of Geneva where there were Cathedral St-Pierre, Russian Orthodox Church, and other monuments. Jet d’Eau, one of the largest fountains in the world, was visible from the waterfront of Lake Geneva.  The sky turned dark quite early and we started to see pretty Christmas lights around the city.

Neuchâtel and Lausanne

Neuchâtel, Switzerland

On the 26th morning we departed for Neuchâtel, 1.5-hour drive northeast from Geneva. Although it’s a city as well as the capital of the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel on Lake Neuchâtel, it’s like a lovely little town. There was an area that I would call it an old town full of antique buildings. Maison des Halles, Fountain du Banneret, Hôtel du Peyrou and the alike were beautiful especially on a sunny day. We went up to the highest point that overlooked the city crowded with pretty houses alongside Lake Neuchâtel. In the afternoon we arrived in Lausanne, a city situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and 54-minute drive south from Neuchâtel. Lausanne is the fourth largest city of Switzerland and the smallest city in the world to have a rapid transit system of 28 stations. Besides, the city is located at the limit between the extensive wine-growing regions of Lavaux and la Côte. We simply went sightseeing by walking around. There were much less attractions than that in Geneva. Also, it’s getting cloudy and dark. We enjoyed a bit of window-shopping amid Christmas lights and festive decorations by the end of this Boxing Day.

Montreux

Château de Chillon near Montreux, Switzerland

On the 27th morning we headed to Montreux, a municipality located on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps and only 27-minute drive southeast from Lausanne. I would say it’ a quiet, peaceful town. From alongside the waterfront there was a breathtaking Southwest view over Lake Geneva. Weather was very nice this day, so we took quite a lot of pictures while walking around. Instead of taking a full brunch, we decided to take some Swiss sweets in a local café restaurant. I had a chocolate one which was sublime! Then I realized it’s an age-old café founded in Montreux in 1879 – Zurcher Montreux. As our taste buds got satisfied, we set off for Château de Chillon, an island castle located at the eastern end of Lake Geneva and 3km from Montreux. It took only 5 minutes to go there by car. The castle is listed as “Switzerland’s most visited historic monument”. If you plan to visit Montreux or anywhere in Southwest Switzerland, you definitely don’t want to miss this beautiful castle inside which there are four great halls, three courtyards, and a series of bedrooms open to public. Entry fee per adult is CHF12.

Évian-les-Bains and Annecy

Palais de l'Isle, Annecy, France

The first stop back in France was Évian-les-Bains or Évian, a renowned holiday resort and spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva in south-eastern France and only 45-minute drive west from Montreux. We settled in a local restaurant for a late lunch. There we had Évian mineral water, which makes up a part of the foundation of the economy. Obviously there were not many attractions, and so we left this town after the meal. It took almost 1.5 hour on the road to reach Annecy, a commune also in south-eastern France situated on the northern tip of Lake Annecy. The most remarkable site might be Palais de l’Isle, a castle built in 1132 in the center of the Thiou Canal. It was once the primary residence of the Lord of Annecy, and later the Count of Geneva’s administrative headquarters, then a courthouse, a mint, and finally a jail. This historical monument houses a local history museum nowadays. The site looked extraordinarily great at twilight. I would have taken some perfect pictures if I had a professional camera. Just before dark we got back in the car and departed for Lyon. What a long day!

Lyon and Beaune 

Inner City of Lyon, France

It took 1.5 hour to drive from Annecy to Lyon. It’s late when we arrived. We dined and then called it a day. On the 28th morning we went sightseeing in Lyon, a city as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in east-central France between Paris and Marseille well-known for its historical and architectural landmarks. I could see that it’s a nice city full of eye-catching constructions. Unfortunately, it’s a cloudy and rainy day or we would certainly have spent a nice day there. We did go up to the highest point that overlooked the city, but due to undesirable weather conditions the pictures I took were nothing compared to the panorama of the inner city of Lyon on a sunny day I could see on other websites. Instead of following the original plan of seeing Lyon for a whole day, we continued to head north towards Beaune, which wasn’t really on our itinerary. It took another 1.5 hour on the road before we lunched in a nice bar restaurant in Beaune. Since it’s still raining in the afternoon, we only toured around the comprehensive shopping area clustered around the central square with a focus on gourmet food, fashion, and wine.

Paris and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte 

Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, France

It should have taken less than 2 hours to head northwest from Beaune to Paris. Traffic jam was unavoidable, however, approaching the New Year. We arrived in Paris late on the 28th. The next day my hosts weren’t free, and so I toured around Paris alone to see places I hadn’t seen yet and then spent the rest of my day shopping in La Defense. The end of the day we had delicious homemade soup and pizza together. They were not only my kind hosts, but also brilliant chefs. In the evening of the 30th, with company of these two locals, I revisited some main attractions which I could feel safe visiting alone only in daytime during my previous trip to Paris in August 2009. I realized Paris was very beautiful both in daytime and at night. On the last day we visited Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a baroque French castle located 50-minute drive southeast from Paris. It’s a pity renovations were in progress in some parts of the property, but Christmas trees and decorations at the entrance front as well as in rooms inside the castle looked very nice. In the evening of the 31st, we spent the New Year Eve happily together and of course there was a tasty full meal.

Paris and Versailles

Paris, the capital as well as the largest city of France, has been renowned for its status as the world’s leading tourism destination. Being an unbeatable choice for vacation, and home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many international organizations, no doubt the city and its region will continue to thrive. Paris is such a colorful city where I needed to spend one full week to visit all main attractions. Interesting museums, remarkable monuments, gorgeous cathedrals, and all other antique architectures, etc. are countless. Ease of communication is not guaranteed, as I came across only one person capable of speaking English throughout the trip and that person worked at the information desk of Charles De Gaulle Airport. The city is tourist-friendly though, with the presence of a well-developed metro system; and because of proximity between attractions to which I decided to go on foot. Since I made this trip in August when daytime was the longest, and I was so lucky to have all days sunny, I took enough beautiful photos that showcase the beauty of Paris and Versailles.