Travel

Highlights of My Trip to Venice, Italy

I have been dreaming about visiting Venice for years. And our first trip there did not disappoint.

Everyone has heard of Venice because it is one of the most visited cities in the world. The entire city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Something intriguing and mysterious about this city when you just arrive. It feels like you are entering a different world.

This city crossed by the canals instead of roads with colorful palazzos sitting on the water’s edge is truly unique. And the mixture of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture leaves anyone wondering if this magical city is real at all. The entire city is one work of art. And nothing quite prepares you for its beauty.

Here are the highlights of my first trip to Venice.

A little bit of history:

At the beginning of the 6^th century, people came to live on the marshy islands of the Adriatic Sea blue lagoon to escape the hordes of Huns and other invaders. Later, this settlement built on swamps started to grow.

At the beginning of the 9^th century, the Republic of Venice was formed. It was called “The Most Serene Republic of Venice” to reflect the desire to focus on trade and avoid wars with invaders who were constantly creating chaos.

The city of Venice was built on huge wooden supports that were cut and brought from the mainland. Those wooden legs have stood under the water for many centuries and have been slowly calcified with the minerals from the sea. In the end, the wooden footings worked as the foundations for all buildings in the city of Venice.

St. Mark’s Square

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco in Italian) is one of the busiest squares in the city and the main tourist hub. The whole square looks enormous and usually crowded with tourists and all kinds of vendors during the day.

St. Mark’s Square is home to some of the stunning architectural attractions in Venice including St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, and Doge’s Palace.

Another great thing about St. Mark’s Square is that there is no traffic. This piazza may be the only large public square in Europe with no noise from cars, buses, and scooters. You can only hear the melodious sounds of the bell rings coming from the St. Mark’s Clocktower.

It is hard to miss this early Renaissance building located on the north side of St. Mark’s Square. The construction of both the tower and the clock dated to the 15^th century. The tower was placed where the clock could be visible from the waters of the lagoon and shows every one the wealth and glory of Venice. You can hear the bell ringing every hour.

We decided to stop for a drink at one of the glitzy cafes surrounding St. Mark’s Square. Even we paid double the normal price for the two Spritz Campari, we really enjoyed the moment of being part of Venetian life.

St. Mark’s Basilica

The St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) is the most famous church in Venice.

The church is considered one of the best surviving examples of Byzantine architecture with the construction completed in 1063.

The St. Mark’s Basilica is a real showpiece of St. Mark’s Square. The main façade is decorated with multicolored marble columns and sculptures of the griffons. These winged lions are a symbol of St. Mark. Over the centuries, the basilica’s opulent design and solid gold mosaics served as a symbol of Venetian wealth.

Touring the interior of the church is free but be prepared to wait in line to enter. The St. Mark’s Basilica opens at 9:30 a.m. and we arrived around 10 a.m. so the line was long and the wait time around 45 minutes.

As with all tourist attractions in Venice, I recommend booking tickets online, so you can skip the line.

St. Mark’s Campanile

The St. Mark’s Campanile towers high above St. Mark’s Square. It stands 323 feet high. It is easy to notice right away that this tower looks new compared to its surroundings. The tower had completely collapsed in 1902 and had to be rebuild.

You can climb on the top of the tower to get the best views of Venice. We skipped the climb even it is in an elevator and no stairs. But I saw many photos taken from the top and the views are really magnificent. From the top, you can have spectacular views of the whole St. Mark’s Square, the St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Venetian Lagoon, and nearby islands.

But I would recommend buying tickets online in advance to avoid long lines.

Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace is one of the most interesting landmarks in the city of Venice. It was built in 1340 in Venetian Gothic style. For centuries the palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice – the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice.

The government was made up of several councils. And the largest committee was created of the male members of every noble family in the city.

While it is a palace you can still buy the tickets and tour the Doge’s apartments.

Bridge of Sighs

We walked between the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Campanile toward the blue waters of the Venetian Lagoon and found ourselves on the Riva degli Schiavoni – the lagoon’s waterfront.

It was a warm sunny day, and the views of the lagoon were absolutely beautiful. We could see the dozens of gondolas bobbing in the water, as well as the San Giorgio Maggiore across the lagoon. Walking along this wide waterfront promenade we reached the Bridge of Sighs on the left. You cannot miss this famous landmark because there are always groups of tourists taking pictures.

The Bridge of Sighs is one of the enclosed bridges in Venice. It was built around 1600 out of white limestone, and you can see that it has windows with stone bars. The bridge was built to connect the new prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.

After it was built, the bridge became a symbol of Venice’s architectural beauty and a reminder of the cruelty of life. According to legend the name of the bridge comes from the sighs of prisoners who crossed this passageway on the way to their prison cells. Many prisoners who made their way across the bridge could have the last glimpse of Venice and its blue lagoon.

Rialto Bridge and Venice’s Grand Canal

Four bridges go across Venice’s Grand Canal. And out of all of them, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest and the most beautiful.

The first bridge was built around the 12th century. It was the only spot to cross the Grand Canal without boarding a boat. The current version of the Rialto Bridge dates to the late 16^th century. There are all kinds of shops lining both sides of this stone bridge. But the best part is to pause at the top of the bridge and enjoy the incredible views of the Grand Canal.

We walked across the Rialto Bridge and found the bustling Rialto Market. Originally it was built as a fish market in the 11^th century. Though parts of the market are filled with touristy stuff, this is still a local place where you can buy fresh produce and fish.

Gondolas and Vaporetto

The best way to explore Venice is from the water. And experiencing Venice’s canals is unforgettable. You can take a private (100 or 80 euro) or a group (60 euro) for 30 minutes gondola ride through the canals. Venice’s canals can be crowded, but we were traveling during the global pandemic times, so we didn’t see huge groups of tourists.

We didn’t book any gondola rides. Instead, we used Venice public transportation which is made up of boats. Taking a vaporetto or water bus is a great way to explore Venice from the water on a budget. We paid only 7.50 euros per person to get a ride along the Grand Canal which provides the same magnificent views of the city’s grand palaces.

Venice’s tiny streets and bridges

We walked towards the Ponte dell’ Accademia – one of the four bridges in Venice. This bridge was my favorite. We spent hours looking at the postcard-perfect view of the Grand Canal.

We liked to wander through many of the tiny pedestrian streets, alleyways, and bridges that make the real Venice. Unfortunately, many of the grand homes are boarded up and empty. Sometimes we noticed that the lower level already sits underwater.

Nevertheless, it is an amazing experience to get lost in Venice. You can find tiny dead-end bridges over the quiet canals that lead to hidden architectural gems. Small gardens grow in overhanging window boxes. And clothes drying lines span across the waterways.

If you want to learn more about Venice, I would recommend taking a 90-minutes walking tour. We have learned so much from our amazing guide about Venice’s history, art, and architecture.

Walking Tour with Get Your Guide

Final Thoughts

Before this trip, I had seen images of Venice in guidebooks, Instagram, and tourist brochures. But nothing had prepared me for its beauty. I fell in love with this city at first sight. Many times I just stopped in awe of its canal views, piazzas, and old palaces. The whole trip was a real treasure I will never forget.

Highlights of My Trip to Florence, Italy

by Maggie 6 Comments

I fell in love with the city of Florence on my first trip to Italy ten years ago. We spent only one day there, and it was not enough. This time I was so excited about spending 4 days in Florence before going to the Tuscany countryside – Castello Le Leccia – for my daughter’s wedding.

In this post, I wanted to share with you the highlights of my trip to the beautiful city of Florence.

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is an amazing city known as the heart of the Italian Renaissance. It is full of history, art, architecture, and delicious food. The city’s rich history is full of big names such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Dante Alighieri, and Filippo Brunelleschi.

On our first day, we head out to the Piazza Del Duomo (Cathedral Square) which is the focal point of Florence. This is the main tourist hub, and it is also home to some of the most stunning attractions in Florence including the Duomo, the Campanile, the Baptistery.

The Duomo

The best-known structure of this big plaza is the Florence cathedral – the Duomo. The official name is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of Flower (the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore) but everybody calls it “Duomo”.

The Duomo is the main church of Florence. The entire structure looks enormous and not only the great dome which was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. The construction began in 1296 and lasted for one hundred and forty years. The magnificent brick dome that covers the central space of the Duomo is considered the largest in Europe.

The Campanile

It is hard to miss another symbol of Florence – the Campanile. This magnificent tower is standing next to the Duomo, and it was designed by Giotto.

The three hundred feet high tower is one of the best showpieces of Florentine architecture and is often called ‘the Giotto’s Tower’. The façade was built in colorful green, pink, and white marble panels and it matches the façade of the Duomo.

If you want to go to the top of the tower to get the best panoramic view of the city and surrounding hills you have to be ready to climb 414 steps to reach the very top of the tower. There are no elevators! The climb is a workout. But you can go at a calm pace and make use of various terraces where you can stop, relax, and take pictures.

The Baptistery

Another impressive structure of the plaza is the Baptistery. The octagonal shape building stands across from the Duomo and the Giotto’s Tower.

The Baptistery is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to 1059. The exterior is very ornamental and decorated with Renaissance figures who were baptized here, including poet Dante Alighieri.

But the main attraction is the doors of the Baptistery. You can always see a big crowd of tourists trying to take pictures of the doors on all sides of the Baptistery. But I think the bronze doors portraying scenes from the New Testament draw the most attention. You cannot miss them.

The doors were created by Lorenzo Ghiberti. It took him 21 years to complete this project. These magnificent, gilded bronze doors consist of twenty-eight panels framed by ornamental foliage on both sides.

Palazzo Vecchio and statue of David

On our second day, we walked to the Piazza Della Signoria. It is one of the busiest and most popular squares in the city. The Palazzo Vecchio with a statue of David by Michelangelo is one of the main attractions.

The Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) is the town hall of Florence. This solid massive building with two rows of Gothic windows and one simple tower has a long history.

The construction started in 1299 and lasted for more than one hundred years. In the beginning, it was built for the magistrates of the city. Then in the 1540s Duke Cosimo de Medici moved to the Palazzo and decided to turn this place into his residence showing the security of Medici family power in Florence.

Italian sculptor Michelangelo Buonarotti was born in Tuscany. He is frequently associated with Florence for his relationship with the Medici family. The work of this great Renaissance artist can be still found in Florence – drawings, sculpture, paintings, and architecture.

One of Michelangelo’s most well-known works is a marble statue of David – a symbol of strength and youthful beauty. In 1504 it was installed next to the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio. In the late 19^th century the original statue of David was removed from the piazza and moved indoors to protect it from damage. Later on, the copy of David was placed in the same location.

If you want to see the original David, you need to visit the Museum of the Academia (Galleria dell’Accademia).

The Uffizi Gallery

The city of Florence is covered with fascinated museums, but the Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and famous museums in the world. Its name is associated with the work of great Renaissance artists – Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bellini, and many others.

The Uffizi Gallery has an incredible art and sculpture collection. When I travel, I like to go to the museums, but this time I skipped the Gallery because I visited it on my first trip to Florence. If you want to go, I would recommend to pre-buy your tickets so you can skip the waiting line.

Uffizi Gallery Entrance Tickets

studded door and marble sculptures-highlights of my trip to Florence

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge

You cannot visit Florence and not go and see the Ponte Vecchio bridge built in the 1300s. You have probably heard of it and seen many images. But it is something else when you are there and walk across its span.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a unique place with hundreds of shops hanging over the Arno River. This famous old bridge is described as Europe’s oldest arch bridge.

It was a beautiful day and I spent three hours exploring the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. I feel like I am going back in time except that the vendors are no longer the medieval butchers and merchants. Today, the tiny shops are selling souvenirs, jewelry, and art.

Palazzo Pitti

Most people rush through a courtyard in the center of Palazzo Pitti to get to the gorgeous Boboli Gardens. The sandy façade of this grand palace looks rather plain. But when you step inside you will be overwhelmed by the opulence of this monumental structure.

For many centuries, the powerful Medici, Lorraine, and Savoy families served as the Grand Dukes of Florence and used the Palazzo Pitti as their personal residence.

It all started with the wife of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici, who didn’t like living in the narrow Palazzo Vecchio and decided to buy the Palazzo Pitti and turned it into the family residence. The Medici had done many renovations, expanded the palace, and added the large courtyard where many lush celebrations took place.

The Boboli Gardens

We spent a few hours walking around the Boboli Gardens. The most famous gardens in Florence are spread out directly behind the Pitti Palace. Like everything else, it didn’t grow overnight. Its creation started in the 15^th century and span over 400 hundred years.

We enjoyed walking through the beautifully manicured gardens and landscapes. You can spend hours there away from the crowds and traffic. It was very peaceful. The gardens are filled with grottos, trails, pools, arched walkways, and magnificent marble statues.

Another interesting fact is the construction of the Vasari corridor. This long-arched walkway was built to connect the Pitti Palace with the Uffizi, church, and Palazzo Vecchio. It would allow the Medici family members to move around the city without facing the public.

Piazza della Repubblica

The Piazza was originally built as a site of the city forum. But today it is a big plaza lined up with elegant cafes and a merry-go-around. We spent many hours walking around and sampling a lot of gelatos.

St. Lorenzo Market

The Lorenzo market is a huge local market located next to the St. Lorenzo church. I was planning to book a food tour there but never did. Probably next time. But I spent hours exploring a market on my own. Fresh produce, local food and wine, olive oil, and vinegar.

At the end of the day, we walked to Piazza Michelangelo for the spectacular sunset over the city with the hills of Tuscany in the background. We had to climb lots of stairs, but we were not disappointed because the views were definitely worth it.

We did a lot of walking all 4 days. Florence is an incredibly amazing city and I want to go back again. If you are new to this unique city, I recommend booking a 90-Minute Walking Tour.

Florence – Walking Tour with Get Your Guide

roof top terrace with the view of Florence — **We had the best view of the city of Florence from our Airbnb roof terrace**

Have you been to Florence? What were your highlights?

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Retirement Travel Tips for Planning a Vacation

by Maggie Leave a Comment

ocean beach with red umbrellas - retirement travel tips

Traveling can be a major part of your lifestyle If you are part of the baby boomer generation. With the children grown and gone, these empty nesters have all the freedom to spend their time and money exploring the world.

We all know that traveling can be exciting, but it takes time and effort to set up your travel itinerary and organize a whole trip. Even though it does take time, but it is well worth it because it will ultimately save your precious time when you are actually there to explore.

Here are some helpful travel tips to consider before planning a vacation or going on a long-term trip:

Prepare your home before going away.

It might be hard to leave your house when you are going away on a short or long trip. But creating a list of tasks needed to prepare your home is one of the most important tips.

When you check off each task accomplished, you can head off on your adventure knowing that your home is safe.

Clean out the refrigerator and freezer and get rid of all perishable goods.
Empty and wash all trash bins.
Empty the dishwasher and leave it cracked open, so any additional water in the system will evaporate.
Set the thermostat to practical temperature. For our winter trips, we always set the thermostat to 55 degrees. It keeps the house well above freezing and prevents the pipes from bursting.
Make sure that the smoke detectors are working properly.
Turn off the water valves to toilets, sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine. This can prevent any damage from water leaks. We usually turn off the main water line into our house before we leave.
It is recommended to turn off the water heater. There is no reason in maintaining a hot tank of water for months when you are away traveling.
If you are leaving for a very long time, I would recommend unplugging all electronic devices.
Arrange with the local post office to have your mail is forwarded or held. Mail can be held for 30 days or less, and you can do it through USPS.com. Although, our small-town post office can hold mail for three months. Also, reserving a P.O. Box from a local post office can be a good idea as well. Even though we pay all our bills online, we still receive a lot of leaflets and flyers in our mailbox. When you are away on a long trip you do not want a bunch of letters hanging out of your mailbox, shouting to the world that you are not home.
If you are planning a long-term trip, try to put on hold your cable TV and internet. Not all cable TV and internet service providers will allow you to do that, but some will. So, if it is possible put your expensive services on hold.
I like to leave my house clean before I go on vacation even though it is the last thing you want to do in the middle of packing. That is why I always thank myself and feel happy when arriving back to a clean and uncluttered home.
The ideal way to leave your car is parked in a garage out of everyone’s eyes. We do not have a garage, so we have to leave our cars parked in our driveway. Another tip is to disconnect the car battery to prevent drainage.
It is important to have trusted neighbors or hire a house sitter. When we travel, we leave a set of house and car keys with our trusted neighbors. We feel grateful to have good neighbors who help to keep our home safe while we are away.

Benefits of using travel apps.

There are apps for almost everything these days and it includes traveling. The rise of websites gives us direct access to hotel and airline booking.

But let’s face it – vacation planning can be overwhelming. You can spend hours browsing hundreds of travel websites and blogs researching destinations, accommodations, available flights, tours, and activities. You can go back and forth multiple times before ultimately choosing one.

But if you want to spend more time enjoying your trip and less time planning, you should consider using travel apps.

Even you do not use apps in your daily life, consider taking advantage of many helpful apps when you start preparing for your travels.

person holding a smartphone - retirement travel apps

If you are looking for a travel app to help to book your trip, Kayak is one of the best apps to make that part of travel easy. I prefer to use Kayak because it is a one-stop shopping app for browsing hundreds of websites for the best deals on hotels, flights, vacation package deals, and car rentals.

I like to use TripAdvisor while researching and reading reviews of restaurants, hotels, and destinations. The best part is you can make reservations directly from the app.

Yelp features reviews written by people who visited local eateries, cafes, diners, restaurants, etc. I even wrote several reviews and posted them on this website. If you are looking for a local flavor, this app might be your best bet.

Google Maps is one of the best driving directions apps available. You do not need to carry a printed map with you anymore. It might be not perfect, but it helps me to get around in places or towns I never visited before.

WhatsApp is one of my favorite apps to communicate with friends and family who live overseas. I use simple text messages, group chats, video chats, and phone calls to keep in touch with everyone when we travel. We can exchange photos and videos without SMS fees.

The Best Travel Apps from NomadicMatt

Benefits of using a travel agent.

The travel industry has changed over the last decade. These days many people prefer to plan their own trips because online booking makes it easy to book airline tickets, hotels, tours, or cruises without visiting a travel agency.

However, the traditional travel agencies have not entirely disappeared. Many have adapted to the modern era. And there are still some situations when you may want to work with a travel expert instead of doing it yourself.

Here are the top benefits of using a travel agent:

Travel agents are well-connected experts. They will do all the work for you if you do not like planning or have a complicated itinerary. If you are planning a big family vacation in another country, a travel agent can help to coordinate all the logistics. So, instead of spending hours on the computer searching for the best deals you will just pay the bill and show up at the airport.
Many travel agents specialize in a particular type of travel such as cruises, luxury tours, resorts, etc. Travel agents have established relationships with many travel companies. They can help you plan a trip that meets your budget and needs without wasting your time and money on the things you are not interested in at all.
Travel agents often have access to benefits that you might not be able to get on your own. Whether it is a hotel room upgrade without added expenses, better seats on the airplane, reservations to a popular tour, or event tickets, a travel agent can add some perks to your trip.
Using a travel agent can help you save time and money even you have to pay a fee for their services. Generally, all agents receive information about rates and discounts and access to promotions from the resorts, tour operators, cruise lines, and other travel industry providers that are not available to the public.
When you are working with a travel agent you can rely on her/his travel assistance if something goes wrong with your trip arrangements. You can call your travel agent if you need to rebook your flights or need assistance with the wrong hotel room or no scheduled transportation to a resort or a theme park.

Consider buying travel and medical insurance.

You do not have to be a frequent traveler to know that decent travel and medical insurance can save you time, money, and a lot of hassle.

We always buy travel insurance when we go on our overseas vacations.

But choosing travel insurance is not one size fits all process. You have to consider trip cancellation, medical emergencies, policy cost, exclusions, etc.

It is recommended to buy travel insurance within 15 days of making the first deposit on your trip, since buying early can qualify you for bonus coverages. You have to read through the insurance policies to understand what coverages are offered without an additional cost. Those bonus coverages may include:

Coverage for pre-existing medical conditions
Emergency medical insurance moved from secondary to primary
Additional accidental death coverage

The main thing to remember is that you must buy travel insurance coverage before it is needed.

Even though some travel medical plans are available for purchase after you have left, most plans with medical coverage are required to be purchased before departing. That means you cannot buy any medical coverage once you got sick and need medical help.

The same applies to all travel insurance coverage.

You do not need to be in perfect health to start traveling. But you need to be in good enough health to endure the stress of being on a road for a long-time. Therefore, if you have a chronic health issue, I recommend checking with your doctor before making long-term travel plans.

Keep in mind, that Medicare does not cover medical expenses happen outside of the US. That is why you will need to buy travel insurance to cover any medical emergency.

How to Find the Best Travel Insurance from NerdWallet

What to pack for long-term travels?

When packing for a long-term trip, the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip and the weather.

woman in boots with luggage bag - retirement travel tips

When I am preparing for a trip, I always start with a travel packing list, so I do not forget anything important. My general packing list includes:

Clothes – underwear, sleepwear, socks, T-shirts, a casual shirt, one pair of jeans, one pair of pants, shorts, a few dresses, swimsuits, a sweater, shoes, and sandals.
Accessories – a hat, sunglasses, an evening bag, a purse, a few belts, jewelry, and an umbrella.
Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, hairbrush, curling iron, sunscreen, makeup kit, medications, bandages, a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner.
Electronics – cell phone, universal plug adapter, laptop, and electronic chargers.
Documents – passport, copy of passport, emergency contacts, list of medications, a printed list of passwords, credit cards/ATM card, money/ cash.
Misc. items in my handbag – house keys, glasses, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, earplugs, headphones, a book.

We all know that the pandemic has changed the way we travel. Make sure that you have your vaccine passport (vaccination certificate) or negative Covid-19 test results in your handbag. Many airlines require one of these forms to proceed. And do not forget to have a face mask on you and to keep a few extra in your handbag or carry-on.

Safe and Happy Travels!

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What are your favorite tips when planning a vacation or a long-term trip?

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Our Getaway Weekend in Provincetown

by Maggie Leave a Comment

Old house with a garden - getaway weekend in Provincetown, MA — A beautiful old house with a garden in P-town

We love Provincetown (called P-town by locals) and visited this place on a few occasions. Instead of spending a week, we had only a getaway weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic. This summer on the Cape Cod was different. A lot of events and activities were canceled, and the towns were significantly less crowded than normal for the summer season.

Provincetown is a beautiful year-round and one of the most popular vacation destinations in New England.

It is located on the very tip of the Cape Cod and approximately 2.5 hours’ drive from Boston. But it will take longer to get there if you hit the road on Saturday afternoon instead of early morning. In high season, driving on Route 6 can be a traffic nightmare, but we were lucky, and the traffic was light. I think the coronavirus pandemic changed everyone’s lifestyle and how often people want to travel.

I love this small town. It has a unique blend of an old-fashioned fishing village and hip artsy community. When you walk around the town you can see its narrow streets are lined with charming old homes and little gardens around them. You will never be bored here because there is so much to do.

The National Historical Society has selected Provincetown as one of the top 12 historic places in the country.

The P-town has a big LGBTQ community and they have many parades and celebrations during the summer. But in the last two weeks of August, you will find mostly families with young kids, couples, and a group of friends walking Commercial Street.

In my opinion, there are 3 things to do in P-town if you are only heading there for a getaway weekend:

Visit the beaches
Shop and dine on Commercial Street
Take a scenic drive

ocean beach with harbor and sailing boats - getaway weekend in Provincetown, MA — Provincetown Harbor

This is how we spent our getaway weekend in Provincetown on the Cape:

Day 1. Stroll Commercial Street

We were not yet hungry for dinner, so we started our slow walk towards Commercial Street. As we strolled, we found ourselves in the Gallery District where many artists live and create. We popped in a couple of them and were delighted to see the quality of artwork displayed. Most of the artist’s inspiration comes from the timeless New England scenery – lighthouses, sailboats, dunes, and beaches.

Commercial Street is the main shopping street in town and full of quirky shops, unique art galleries, great restaurants, and cafes. It is considered one of the most vibrant and bustling streets, and you do not want to miss it.

people walking along street - getaway weekend in Provincetown — Commercial Street in P-town

We arrived and checked into the Eastwood timeshare resort. The resort is located at the edge of the town and a long walk to Commercial Street where all activities happen every night. The complex is old and dated, but space was more than sufficient for the getaway weekend. The receptionist pointed us to a short strip of a beach located 5 minutes’ walk from the resort. We checked it out but did not like it because the beach was covered with a thick layer of seaweeds.

There are plenty of touristy shops filled with T-shirts, beachwear, jewelry, glassware, and more. If you want to bring home some items to remind you of time spent in Provincetown stop at one of many souvenir shops for lobsters, seashells, starfish, or lighthouses.

Provincetown Harbor is another place to visit and just a short walk from Commercial Street. I like this place because it has great views of the ocean and the Pilgrim Monument. There is a mat leading down to the ocean for visitors who do not want to walk on the sand.

We did not climb the Pilgrim Monument because I was tired after our long drive to the Cape Cod through Boston on Saturday afternoon. But we came closer and took a few pictures. The Pilgrim Monument is a 252-foot tower in the center of P-town with 116 steps. It was built in 1907 to commemorate the arrival of the Mayflower in 1692. Thus, Provincetown was the Pilgrim’s first landing in the New World.

Pilgrim Monument in P-town. The view from the harbor

Day 2. Beach time

We like to spend time on the beach and P-town is well known for its long and sandy beaches. On day 2 we drove to the Herring Cove Beach in the morning. It took us less than 20 minutes to drive to this beach from our place. The parking there is $25.

There are two parking areas to the beach: one is on the right and another one is on the left. The one on the left looked larger. But we choose to park our car on the right because it was closer to the beach and ocean. The beach has several facilities such as restrooms, showers, and a vending machine stand. However, I did not see any lifeguards on duty.

The Herring Cove Beach is part of the National Seashore and it was named one of the America’s best All-Time Beaches by the courtesy of the Travel Channel. The sunsets are stunning here. This beach is the most popular in Provincetown because it lies on the bay, so the water is calm and warm.

And we were not disappointed. It was a perfect sunny day for sun tanning and swimming. We wore masks as we walked to the beach where you might be close to other people. But once on the beach, it was not hard to maintain at least 6 feet distance. Most of the beach-goers were thoughtful about social distancing.

Walking and swimming are my two favorite activities while staying on the beach. But I like to read a good book as well. The temperature was in the low 80’s and the sun was out. The water was calm and clear so you can see the fish swimming around you. We did not see any sharks even there were warning on the news. We relaxed and soaked up the last days of summer. I would say it was a perfect beach day.

Visit the beaches:

Herring Cove Beach
Race Point Beach

Day 3. Scenic drive

sand dunes around Provincetown — Sand dunes around P-town

While Provincetown is known for its vibrant downtown and artistic community, there are also amazing natural landscapes to explore. A great way to do that is to rent a bike at one of the rental bike shops. We did not rent a bike, but we saw people biking everywhere. There are tons of bike paths that take you through the pine forests, sandy dunes, ocean, and cranberry bogs. If you rent a bike it is easy to get to two popular beaches – Race Point Beach and Herring Cove Beach.

As I mentioned above, we did not rent a bike, because we decided to drive around to fully experience the beauty of this area. We took a relaxing ride along the spectacular Atlantic coast looking at the beautiful sand dunes of the Cape Cod. We found plenty of spots where you can pull over and take scenic photos.

Taking a guided Dune Tour is another way to experience the natural beauty of the Cape Cod National Seashore. It is considered one of the oldest attractions in Provincetown. The company Arts Dune Tours is family owned and operated since 1946. We took one of the daily tours a few years back and really liked it. Some of the dunes are 100-feet tall and simply gorgeous. We had a view of the legendary dune shacks where artists still go for inspiration and meditation.

Arts Dune Tours

Places to eat:

This summer, restaurants and cafes around Provincetown have adopted social distancing guidelines. I have noticed that some have expanded their outdoor area to provide additional seating, others adjusted their indoor seating to ensure the safety of their clients.

On the first night we had dinner at the Lobster Pot. We decided to go there because the reviews were great. However, the restaurant does not take dinner reservations only walk-ins. It was a Saturday night, so we put our names on the waiting list and walked around a one-and-a-half-hour before they texted us that our table is ready. You have to wear a mask walking inside the restaurant, but once seated at your table you do not need it.

I did not really like the ambiance of the place, but we were lucky to get a table on the upper floor outdoor terrace and the view to the harbor was spectacular. We did not order any appetizers and started with a few drinks. Then, I ordered the Portuguese fish from the dinner menu and Roman had the grilled halibut. The food was delicious.

321 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-0842

a plate with seafood — Portuguese Fish at Lobster Pot – linguica crusted cod stuffed with sauteed onions, celery and crackers, blended with shrimp, scallops and crabmeat, and baked in tomatoes and onions – delicious!

On Sunday evening many restaurants we wanted to go were closed. We stopped at the Squealing Pig restaurant which had decent food reviews, but I did not feel covid safe to eat there. Then, we walked across the street to the Patio American Grill & Cocktail Bar and they found a table for us on the patio.

The place looked stylish with comfortable cushioned bench seating. There is a plexiglass barrier between tables to keep customers safe during the pandemic. The restaurant is perfectly located on the Commercial street in downtown and a great spot for people-watching. You feel like you are in the middle of the action. The service was good and fast, but they limit your time being there. We were warned that we have only an hour-and-a-half to stay at the restaurant.

I had one of the popular hand-crafted cocktails and Roman had one draft beer. My black raspberry mojito was refreshing, and oysters were plump and fresh. We tried the linguini carbonara with lobster and streak frites au poivre. Everything was tasty.

328 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-4003

More places to eat:

The Mews – a very popular beachfront restaurant with a cozy upstairs lounge, bar, and coffee shop. Unfortunately, the restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.

429 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-1500

The Canteen – great location, the amazing view of downtown, good food reviews.

225 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-3800

Strangers & Saints – this restaurant looks unique with the charming gardens around the old but tastefully renovated house. We did not call in advance for the reservation and the place was full when we walked in. We will try to visit this place next time because it has great food reviews.

404 Commercial Street, phone: 508-487-1449

More places to visit:

Explore the Provincetown Museum.

Watch a sunset at gorgeous Race Point Beach and take photos of a lighthouse.

Hike or bike the Beech Forest Trail.

Go on a whale watching tour with Seasalt Charters.

Go on the sailboat tour with Dog Gone Sailing Charters.

Saying goodbye to P-town

Our getaway weekend in P-town came to an end. It was time to leave this unique and charming Cape Cod town. We did not want to leave before grabbing some delicious pastries from the Portuguese Bakery on Commercial Street. Then, we took Route 6 and drove home, back to reality.

Discover 7 Best Things to Do in Montreal

by Maggie 2 Comments

city view of Montreal from top of MontRoyal — City skyline view from the top of Mont-Royal

Montreal is one of my favorite cities in North America. We lived there for two short years but it always has a special place in my heart. It is unique, it is special, it is charming and it’s a heaven for foodies.

The city has a very European feel and called “Paris of Canada” for its love for festivals, street art, good food, and enjoying life to the hilt.

Even Montreal is a big and cosmopolitan city and yet it is made for people. In summer there are lots of green areas and small parks where residents can relax, walk around, ride a bike, or make a picnic.

People of Montreal definitely know how to have a good time. The streets are alive and buzzing with French and English conversations. It’s safe and you can walk around even late at night. People enjoy staying late dining out, partying or just simply cycling with the family through the streets.

There are several universities in Montreal with students from Canada, the United States, and Europe. All that just adds to the city’s vibe and its multicultural atmosphere.

In this post I want to share my experience of how to discover Montreal and 7 best things to do in this city:

1. Wander around Old Montreal & Old Port

St. Paul Street in Old Montreal, Canada — St. Paul Street – Old Montreal

Start your visit by exploring the oldest part of Montreal – Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal).

Walk along St. Paul Street for that old European charm. It’s a pure pleasure to walk the cobblestone streets dated back to the 17th century. The old limestone buildings bring a lot of flavor to this area. Don’t miss to stop at the unique place called Bonsecours Market or Marche Bonsecours for locals. If you go inside, you’ll find it an ideal place for shopping for gifts and souvenirs.

St. Paul Street & Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal — Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal

The most popular part of Old Montreal is the area called Old Port (Vieux-Port de Montreal). It was established around 1611 as a trading post among French fur traders who ventured into the wilderness of the region.

Today, the Old Port stretches 2 km along the shores of the St. Lawrence River and one of the most popular places with tourists and locals. The pedestrian street Place Jacques-Cartier comes to life especially during the summer months, when restaurant’s terraces stay open until very late, and when many street performers keep visitors entertained.

Place Jacques-Cartier is part of Old Montreal — Place Jacques-Cartier and City Hall of Montreal is part of Old Montreal

The Old Port was re-developed in the 1990s to make it more attractive to tourists and locals. According to the statistics, the impressive six million tourists visit this area each year. One of the best things you can do is to stroll along the riverfront on foot or cycling on the bike with Segway rentals available everywhere. Also, there is a giant IMAX theater and the Montreal Science Center.

Place Jackes-Cartier in Montreal in summer — We enjoyed visiting Place Jacques-Cartier during the summer months

There are so many events, festivals and shows happen in the Old Port. Each season brings something new and different to the calendar. But I want to mention the most popular events: the annual outdoor music festival, the famous Montreal’s Festival of Lights, the Matsuri Japan festival and in the winter Igloo fest which draws tens of thousands.

Old Port of Montreal is part of Boat tours on the St-Lawrence river

Montreal: Private Walking Tour with a Local

2. Notre-Dame Basilica

Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal — Notre-Dame Basilica – Old Montreal

Notre-Dame Basilica is one of Montreal’s oldest buildings and it’s a short walk from picturesque St. Paul Street. The Basilica was built in an impressive Gothic Revival style, standing 200 feet high.

This beautiful building is one of my favorites. I always feel overwhelmed by its architectural beauty and grand, colorful interiors. The deep blue ceiling is dotted with golden stars. The stained glass windows show scenes from the city’s religious history. Hundreds of rare wood carvings grace the interior. The whole interior is a blast of colors in blues, reds, silver, and azure.

If you want to get inside you have to pay an admission fee around $6.00, unless you want to attend a Catholic mass. Even Notre-Dame is a religious place, it has an active calendar for cultural events, with regular concerts and light shows being held throughout the year. It was also the setting of Celine Dion’s wedding to Rene Angelil.

3. Mary Queen of the World Cathedral

interior of Mary Queen Cathedral in Montreal — Beautifully ornate interiors of Mary Queen Cathedral

If you are like me and fascinated by the architecture, you should visit the magnificent Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. You can find this beautifully ornate church right in downtown Montreal.

The story behind its facade that the original building of Saint-Jacques Cathedral was burned to the ground in 1862. The new church was built in the same place and it was modeled after St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Mary Queen Cathedral is the third largest cathedral in Quebec.

Go inside and you will be fascinated with the paintings depicting early Montreal history. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy a few minutes of looking at the church baldachin covering the altar and the bishop’s mortuary chapel. Also, take note of the texts written in golden letters that decorate the inside of the cathedral.

**4. Mount Royal Park (Parc du Mont-Royal)**

People walking up the street in Montreal to get to Mont Royal — You can walk along the street to get to Mount Royal Park. It’s right in the heart of downtown Montreal. You cannot miss it.

I’m always a huge fan of looking at the city from above and Montreal has some great points to admire its beauty. One of the Mount Royal (Mont-Royal) is a small mountain in the middle of the city. Montreal’s spectacular Mount Royal Park offers one of the best views of the city below.

The park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted – an architect of New York’s Central Park and offers acres of green space and different outdoor activities in the middle of the bustling city. It’s one of the best getaways from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

I would recommend driving to the top of the mountain to see the entire city stretched out below or you may walk to the top through one of the many trails. However, you can climb on top of Mount Royal by using steep wooden stairs that start at the base of the park.

When you reach the top, you will find the beautiful observation place with a historical Smith House on the background. It was built in 1858 and considered the last standing example of rural architecture of that period.

**5. St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal (Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Montreal)**

St. Joseph Oratory wall murals — A mural of all nations is by the escalator that takes us to the main sanctuary of the Oratory

While in Montreal you might notice a big, green, round roof of the building standing tall in the city skyline. It belongs to St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal and the largest church in Canada.

The green dome of the Oratory was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and is the second highest in the world. The Basilica was built on the top of the hill with long rows of steps and amazing views of the city. The whole complex of landscape and architecture reminds me of the famous Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris.

There are a few interesting facts behind St. Joseph’s Oratory Basilica. According to the legend, “Brother Andre” was known to perform miraculous healing on the sick and injured. He built a small chapel on the slopes of Mont-Royal and dedicated it to Saint Joseph.

But with time it became very crowded and the demand for prayer space had grown. So, a larger church was built in 1917, and then expanded and completed in 1967. It hosts over 2 million visitors each year, many of whom come looking for healing.

If you want to explore the Basilica, visit a small original chapel, the gardens, the museum with religious and artistic exhibits. In summer I like to take a stroll through the basilica’s gardens. It showcases wide lawns and colorful flower beds.

**6. Jean-Talon Market (Marche Jean-Talon)**

Jean Talon market in Montreal — Jean-Talon Market has many stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables from local farms

One of the oldest public markets in Montreal is the Jean-Talon Market. It’s a heaven for foodies and one of my favorite places to visit on Sunday morning. The market is open throughout the year. Its busiest time in the summer and fall where up to 300 vendors from the city countryside come to display their fresh produce. No cars are allowed in the market streets over summer weekends. So, it will be easier to use public transportation, Uber or taxicab.

The market reminds me of a little village. Some merchants continue generations of market sellers. It’s very popular among locals and tourists. You can find all kinds of local fruits and vegetables, spices, oils, cheese, meat, fish and baked goods.

If you are at Jean-Talon Market don’t forget to visit the Premiere Moisson shop. Everyone loves it. It’s a bakery that makes bread, desserts, and sandwiches. It’s not a restaurant, but if you want to stop for a sandwich, dessert and coffee there is no better place. A very “French” experience. We love it. You can buy an amazing variety of pates, terrines and artisan bread.

Premiere Moisson Bakery display of tarts and cakes — My favorite part of Premiere Moisson bakery – all kinds of tarts and cakes

If you are looking to appreciate the flavors of Jean-Talon Market, you should consider the Food Tour Of Montreal’s Little Italy including the Jean-Talon Market:

A Foodie’s Tour of Little Italy

7. Shopping on St. Catherine Street

You cannot leave Montreal without visiting its main shopping hub – St. Catherine Street. This street is long and crosses the Montreal’s downtown from east to west. You can walk it for hours and find the local boutiques, high-end designers, chain department stores and small souvenir shops. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and bars along the street. In summer you can enjoy the drinks and meals outdoors while the street breaks into small and big patios on every corner.

People are walking along St Catherine in Montreal — St. Catherine Street is long and you can walk it for hours.

Keep walking towards St Catherine West until you find Place-des-Arts. Recently renovated and expanded this place is a major cultural venue of the city. The city hosts numerous festivals each year and the most famous one is Jazz Festival. The admission to many attractions is free, so more people can enjoy the festivities.

Food

brunch plate with omelette, potatoes, fruits — Montreal is big on brunches. We had brunch at one of the popular places where people wait in line to get seated

Montreal is famous for its excellent restaurants that serve national and ethnic food. If you are a tourist, it’s easy to find a decent place to eat within a walking distance. The city is full of French bistros, patisseries, pubs, hipster bars, and fancy restaurants. On a sunny afternoon, terraced cafes and outdoor restaurants are filled with locals and tourists lounging in groups.

I would recommend to take one of Montreal popular food tours if you want to taste the delicious diversity of this city:

Local Food Tours Montreal

Weather

I would recommend visiting Montreal between mid-June and mid-October while the weather is decent for traveling and enjoying the outdoor activities. Montreal has 4 seasons with the height of summer being warm, sunny and hot. Winter months are cold and long here with several large snowstorms with a foot or more of snow on the ground.

If you are trying to escape a cold day outside, you would be happy to learn that Montreal is home to the largest “underground city” in the world. It sounds scary, but the underground city is one of Canada’s busiest shopping areas. You can access the network of underground paths and tunnels from the street, subway stations, and even major hotels. It will directly connect you to shopping centers, office and public buildings, night clubs, a movie theater, and many cafes and restaurants.

Other places to visit:

**Museum of Fine Arts (Musee Des Beaux-Arts)**

Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal — Museum of Fine Arts in downtown Montreal. It’s too bad that the front facade was under renovation.

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is one of the prominent in the world and welcomes over 1 million visitors every year. It was founded in 1860 and made of three pavilions featuring the art from around the world.

**Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanique de Montreal)**

Montreal Botanical Gardens is considered one of the most important botanical gardens in the world. It dates to 1931 and has a 200-acre collection of gardens and greenhouses. Each garden has a theme and there are flowers and plants from all around the globe.

**Montreal Olympic Park (Parc Olympique)**

Parc Olympique was built for the 1976 Olympic Games. It cost over $1.4 billion to build but was not completed until the 1980s. It was the subject of much frustration for many Montreal residents. However, it is a popular tourist attraction and offers visitors to view exhibitions and participate in many types of activities.

Have fun visiting and discovering Montreal!

Have you been to Montreal? If yes, did you enjoy it? If not, would you like to visit it?