Category Archives: UNESCO

Jersey, Guernsey, hidden gems in the Channel

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There’s a set of a dozen or so islands in the English Channel between England and France and Jersey and Guernsey are the largest. Jersey and Guernsey like the cows? Yes! The two smaller doe-eyed breeds did originate on the islands. The two islands have more than 90% of the entire population of the group as well as lovely scenery, history and culture. They retain their association with the United Kingdom, but they are not quite English and not quite French. But they are quite the nifty getaway and GetAway Travel is ready to get you there.

Resilient inhabitants survived occupation

Lighthouse, Jersey

 Visitors to the islands can get an idea of what the island residents had to go through because both islands, as well as several nearby smaller islands were actually the only part of British soil occupied by the Nazis during WWII. Great Britain made the decision to not defend the islands , because they feared a terrible loss of life, and occupants were offered a chance to evacuate to the mainland before the Germans invaded.

WWII Observation tower on Guernsey

Some did, many did not and they found themselves enduring forced labor to build underground tunnels and fortify existing areas for the Nazis.

You can explore the war tunnels and an underground German Hospital on Jersey. There are war-themed escape rooms in the tunnels and you can sit in the Garden of Reflection and reflect on the information you picked up in the tunnels, and the resiliency of the human spirit.

On Guernsey the German Occupation Museum has artifacts, machinery, vehicles, photos and videos dating back to WWII. The German Naval Headquarters

Guernsey embraces military roots

 Castle Cornet overlooks the harbor of St. Peter Port. While the castle is a museum in its own right, there are three other museums in the castle. Every day at noon, uniformed soldiers do a gun salute. Learn the history of the castle and its various inhabitants using reconstructions, replicas and models and original artifacts.

Castle Cornet, Guernsey

The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Regimental Museum details WWI skirmishes on the island with storyboards, but there are also original weapons, uniforms and medals. The Royal Guernsey Militia Regimental Museum tells the history of the militia formed to defend the island around 1331 with a collection of uniforms, weapons, standards, medals and trophies.

The 201 British Royal Air Force Squadron, the oldest of the RAF squadrons, was billeted on Guernsey. The 201 Squadron museum celebrates the history and exploits of the squadron.

The castle gardens, both ornamental and utilitarian, remain mostly intact.

St Peters Port, Guernsey

The Governor’s Garden is a formal 18th century garden which resembles a tapestry when viewed from above. All the plants were chosen for their ability to be cut and shaped. Sutler’s Garden was herbs and vegetables to feed the soldiers billeted at the castle. Lambert’s Garden was set up by Gen. Sir John Lambert who was actually a prison at the castle for 10 years. He grew medicinal and cooking herbs. Vegetables, fruit and some herbs were grown in the Master Gunner’s Garden which also housed chickens and rabbits.

Gardens, gin, cider and a author’s home

 Candie Gardens, in addition to offering great views of St. Peter Port, is a lovely late 19th century public flower garden with the oldest known heated glass houses in the British Isles. Enjoy the flowers, manicured lawn areas, fish ponds as well as the cafe and art gallery. Victor Hugo’s garden here has his favorite plants including some named after his friends like the Alexandre Dumas rose.

Candie Gardens

The gift shop has locally produced items including toys, candy, cards and souvenirs.

The Bella Luce Hotel is a boutique gin distillery. Owner Luke Wheadon uses traditional copper stills to make small batch artisanal gin uses local botanicals. Tours include tasting and a chance to make your own infused gin and take a bottle home.

Victor Hugo House – did you know this land is the property of France?

Both islands are enjoying a resurgence of their cider production. You can get a lesson on cider production and enjoy tastings of alcoholic, non-alcoholic and sparking ciders.

Victor Hugo House – interior

Hauteville House was the home of Victor Hugo for 15 years. Decorated by the author, the eclectic interior has been described as a symphony of colors, styles and textures. Hugo wrote Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea here.

The Little Chapel

Don’t skip a stop at the Little Chapel. The tiny picturesque chapel was built entirely by Brother Diodat in 1914 and every square inch is covered with pottery and tile.

 Exploring the shores, castles and sights of Jersey

 Take a day and relax on the golden sands of St. Brelade’s Bay on the southern shore of Jersey. With its gradual gradient into the sea and myriad of facilities along the beach it regularly wins awards for one of the best beaches in the United Kingdom.

St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey

On the East coast, Mont Orgueil Castle stands guard over Gorey Harbor. One of the finest medieval fortresses, it offers spectacular views of the area. While you use steps to get to this castle, Elizabeth Castle must be reached either by ferry or by walking during low tide.

Mont Orguel Castle

There are centuries of memorabilia and materials on display at Elizabeth Castle and the Regimental Museum of the royal Jersey Militia is here.

Every Sunday there is a reenactment of the 1781 Battle of Jersey.

If your visit to Jersey is anytime during May to September, visit the Jersey Lavender Farm. Learn about harvesting and distilling the flowers into oils and how they are made into different products. Enjoy the lovely gardens, visit the gift shop and have a spot of tea in the tea room.

Shopping, sipping and historical burial sites

 St. Helier, the capital of Jersey, has the Maritime Museum as well as the Jersey Museum and Art Gallery. It also has some fabulous shopping options from designer stores at the mall to smaller shops with unique items. From Monday thru Saturday you can shop at the outdoor market and score some great souvenir and gift items.

St Helier Harbor, Jersey

As a bonus, while you are walking the quaint streets, there’s some great public art installations to enjoy. Oh, another bonus, a great chocolate shop called The Chocolate Bar, has every chocolate creation you can imagine.

Taste wine, ciders and spirits at La Mare Wine Estate. Tours of the vineyard and winery take you through the process of creating fine wine from grape to bottle. You can also enjoy the estate’s homemade chocolate and fudge as well as Jersey Black Butter. The world-famous butter is a mixture of apples, cider, lemon, sugar, spices and licorice. The taste has been compared to a smoother version of mince pie filling.

La Hougue Bie

La Hougue Bie is an ancient burial mound and archeological site. It dates back 5,000 years which makes it older than the pyramids. The Neolithic grave passage is one of the oldest man made structures in the world.

Plémont Caves Jersey

The Plémont Caves is a series of sea caves underneath the cliffs of Plémont Bay that show up during low tide. Walking through the caves gives one a visual geographic history of the area. On the top of the cliffs are two giant wicker and steel puffin sculptures.

Do the channel islands sound like an attractive little getaway? Let GetAway Travel arrange your trip.

Guernsey Cow

Experience China on a river cruise

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China is a study in opposites, from the tallest mountain in the world to the largest plateau in the world; dedicated to innovation and growth and fiercely protective of family structure and hierarchy. A great way to experience a taste of this fascinating country is on a Yangtze River Cruise. The world’s third largest river touches a third of the country’s population If you are interested in discovering the mystery of China on a cruise, GetAway Travel can help with that!

Chongqing, Chengdu and Fengdu

 The Yangtze River starts its journey to China in the Tanggula Mountains in Tibet. The longest river in China, it is the third largest in the world behind the Nile and the Amazon rivers. A cruise on the Yangtze, which can go three days, six days or 10 days, is truly a trip that embraces history on the water. Cruises start in Yichang and go to Chongqing, or vice versa.

In Chongqing visit the Three Gorges Museum to get a preview of what building the world’s largest hydroelectric power station entailed. It gives you some insights into the marvel that produces energy, prevents flooding and makes for safe travel on the river.

Chongqing

Known as Little Hong Kong or the Mountain City, Chongqing has fabulous scenery and fascinating historical sites.

Three Natural Bridges – and here’s one of them

Three Natural Bridges, the largest natural bridge group in Asia is magnificent. If it looks somewhat familiar, it was featured in the Transformers 4 movie. The Dazu Rock Carvings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Religious cliff carvings were done here during the Tang to the Early Song dynasties. There are more than 102 places with carvings including 360 giant sculptures including Buddha statues that are more than a mile and a half high!

Get a different view of the Yangtze by taking the Yangtze River Cableway across the river and get your panda fix at the Chongqing Zoo. In addition to 12 pandas, there’s also 230 species of animals, birds and fish.

Giant Pandas

Speaking of pandas, you can take a high-speed train (217 mph) from Chongqing to Chengdu and spend some time at the Giant Panda Research Center. See giant pandas, red pandas and other endangered species such as swans and peacocks. Learn all about pandas and their history at the Giant Panda Museum and enjoy the panda art at the Panda Art Museum. There’s also outstanding works of art in the Chengdu Museum and ancient Chinese architecture is recreated in streetscapes.

Chengdu China historic district

Get something to eat in Chengdu, it is the capital of Sichuan province where the vastly popular Sichuan cuisine comes from. Due to the popularity of the food style, Chengdu is a UNESCO Gastronomy City.

Chengdu Sichuan hot pot

Fengdu is known as the Ghost City due to the vast array of demon-decorated temples and statues that depict what the Chinese people imagine hell is like. Fengdu is the Jade Emperor scenic area that includes 30 different styles of traditional architecture with 208 carved deity statues including the largest image of the Jade Emperor in the world.

Shibozhai red pagoda of Fengdu Ghost City

When the water level of the Yangtze rose due to dam construction, architectural and cultural artifacts were either recreated or relocated to Xianguanshan Park. The park features reproductions of historic and ancient residential buildings, courtyards, temples, gates, wood carvings and temples. There are regular performances of opera, acrobatics, rock music and puppet shows at the park.

Three Gorges Dam

Three Gorges Dam

 At a cost of $23 billion and a construction schedule that took 10 years, Three Gorges Dam is 687 feet high and almost 1 1/2 miles wide. It takes eight hours to go through the series of locks at the dam.

Qutang Gorge

Qutang Gorge is the first of the three gorges and the most dramatic. Two mountains, Red Passage and White Salt stand guard at the entrance to the gorge. The ancient city, White Emperor City, is at the entrance to the gorge. Future kings and poets supposedly travel here to be inspired by the views.

Wu Gorge

Wu Gorge or Witches Gorge, is the second gorge with sheer cliffs on each side that rise so high they sometimes block out the sun. Six peaks line the North side and six line the South side. The most famous peak is the Goddess Peak which is said to resemble a kneeling maiden.

Xiling Gorge

The deepest of the three gorges is Xiling Gorge. It is actually seven smaller gorges with interesting names like Military Books and Precious Sword based on ancient legends.

The dam is in the middle of Xiling Gorge. The dam has raised the level of the river to 574 feet above sea level.

About 1.5 million people needed to be relocated because of the dam and one of the relocation villages is across the river from Fengdu.

The dam is five times larger than the Hoover Dam and it generates 10 times more hydroelectric power.

Cruise goers through the gorges are treated to breathtaking landscape including the sheer cliffs, narrow river paths and dense forests. Many of the cruises also feature shore excursions which include cultural actives such as calligraphy and tai chi classes, mahjong lessons and lectures about traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

Tai Chi

A touch-off point for the cruises can be Shanghai which will be explored in a future post.

If a fascinating cruise along the Yangtze is on your bucket list, GetAway Travel will make that happen. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

 

On land or at sea: Amazing Australia

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The Land Down Under is the one of the only places in the world where two UNESCO World Heritage sites meet. It is home to the Great Barrier Reef as well as the Wet Tropics of Queensland, the oldest tropical rainforest on earth. If adventuring in two marvels of biodiversity are on your bucket list, the travel advisors at GetAway Travel are here for you! 

The Great Barrier Reef

 Queensland rainforest renowned for beauty 

 Wet Tropics of Queensland is 3,453 square miles of rainforest that is 80 million years older than the Amazon rainforest. It is one of the only places on earth where two World Heritage sites sit practically side-by-side. The Great Barrier Reef is visible from the rainforest. 

Rainforest in Queensland

The rainforest, renowned for its beauty and biodiversity, is home to 2,800 plant species and 380 of those are considered rare or threatened. There are 102 animal species that are also classified as rare or threatened. One-third of Australia’s mammals call the Wet Tropics home and of those, 13 can only be found in the rainforest. Forty percent of the country’s bird species, 58% of the butterfly species and 30% of Australia’s marsupial species are in the rainforest.  

Rainbow Lorikeet – Queensland

There are actually nine subregions in Wet Tropics with the regional star being the Daintree Rainforest. 

Curtis Falls, Queensland

The Daintree Rainforest covers the Northeast coast. It is criss-crossed by rivers and framed by the impressive Mossman Gorge. 

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway

Visitors can see the rainforest, including some of the more spectacular waterfalls, by taking the Kuranda Scenic Railway. Or, take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. It takes you across the rainforest from the Barron Gorge National Park. There are two stops, at Red Peak and Barron Falls. A viewing platform a short walk from the Barron Falls stop overlooks the gorge and spectacular falls. 

Barron falls as seen from the Kuranda railway

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Elegant, historic, quaint Madrid

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Madrid is one of the oldest and most beautiful of the European capital cities. A city of elegant boulevards, manicured and maintained parks and fabulous museums, Madrid is also one of the greenest cities in Europe. There are examples of great architecture everywhere and the taverns, restaurants and cafés offer cuisine from all regions of the country including vegan options. Travel advisors from GetAway Travel are ready to plan your trip so you can make memories in Madrid where Hemingway and Dali once walked. 

 Architecture and green space 

 There’s a rich range of architectural variety throughout the city. The pedestrian-friendly Plaza Mayor is an open area surrounded by gorgeous building facades each with a balcony or portico facing the square. More than 230 balconies jut out from the fronts of the buildings and there are stunning frescoes between the balconies. 

Plaza Major, Madrid

The Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple gifted to Spain in gratitude for the country’s help in restoring the temples of Abu Simpel in Southern Egypt. It was dedicated to the goddess Isis and the god Amun and rebuilt stone by stone in Madrid’s Cartel de la Montaña Park.  

Templo de Debod, Madrid

Inspired by the design of the Louvre, the Royal Palace in Madrid is the official residence of the King and Queen of Spain, although they don’t live there. It’s the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. Visitors to the city on the first Wednesday of the month can see the Solemn Changing of the Guard at the palace which includes a parade of horses and the Spanish Royal Guard. 

Royal Palace of Madrid – It is one of the few official seat of a Head of State that is open to the public. Almost 2 million visitors come every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world.

The city has the highest number of trees and green space per resident of any European city. Retiro Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 292-acre park is Madrid’s most famous park and was once reserved for Spanish royalty and aristocracy.  

Retiro Park, Madrid

Admire the manicured gardens, ornate fountains, statues of Spanish writers and heroes, cute gazebos, and open-air cafés. If La Roseleda Rose Garden is in bloom, the 4,000 roses are a stunning sight! 

Retiro Park, Madrid

Check out the Madrid Atocha, the first major rail station that opened in Madrid in 1851. In 1992 service at the original building was moved to an adjacent site and the old station with its fabulous architecture was repurposed into shops, cafés, a nightclub and a tropical garden. 

Madrid Atocha Station

 Museums feature the masters 

 Prada Museum has works by Goya, Veláquez, Zubarán and other Spanish masters. It has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Spanish paintings as well as by works by other European masters with an emphasis on Italian and Flemish artists. The Reina Sofia museum has collectionis from 20th century artists including works from the Surrealist and Cubist masters such as Salvador Dali and Picasso. Picasso’s huge anti-war masterpiece, Guernica hangs here. The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisca houses what were the private art collections of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisca and his son, Hans. There are about 1,000 paintings from some of the world’s most famous European and American artists from the 13th to the 20th century. 

Momument to Francisco Goya – He is considered the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

There’s the National Archeological Museum, the Railway Museum and the fascinatingly different Sweet Space. 

Picasso’s Guernica. It is one of his best-known works, regarded as the most moving and powerful anti-war painting ever created.

The Sweet Space features rooms created by modern artists with an emphasis on sweets as well as a shop that allows tasting. Who can resist cotton candy palm trees, a candy forest and an ice cream laboratory? 

 So many quaint places to see! 

We would be remiss from discussing art if there wasn’t a mention of flamenco. Referred to as a dance, it is actually a celebrated art form. Indeed, it is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage. The world’s first flamenco theatre is in Madrid. Catch a performance at a theatre, bar or restaurant. 

Take an evening or daytime Hemingway tour. You can explore some of the places mentioned in his books and see where he ate, wrote, drank and watched the bullfights while he covered the Spanish Civil War. One of his favorite places was La Venencia, a sherry bar that seems preserved from the era. 

Sopa de ajo – Soup with egg

El Sobrino de Botin is the world’s oldest continuous operation restaurant and the roast suckling pig there was one of Hemingway’s favorite dishes. He was also a fan of sopa de ajo which is an egg poached in chicken broth flavored with sherry and garlic. De Goya was a waiter here while he waited to get accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts. 

Spanish sherry and some snacks

Visitors to Madrid can get tastes of local dishes and pick their favorites by taking advantage of the tapas offered at bars and some bodegas.  

Wineries around Madrid offer tours and tastings, some of the most popular are Bodegas Y Viñedos Valleyglesias, Bodega Del Nero and Solera Bodegas. 

Cibeles fountain on the Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid

Is a visit to Madrid in your travel plans? GetAway Travel can help you plan a memorable adventure to this most fascinating city! Contact a travel advisor at: (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Visit the charming, historic heel of Italy

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Hands down, the Puglia region of Italy has the best beaches and you can get confirmation of that from locals, European tourists and American visitors. Puglia, also called Apulia, is in the southeastern tip of Italy or the heel of Italy’s boot. The Adriatic Sea is on the East, the Ionian Sea on the Southeast and the gulf of Taranto is on the South side. 

The area has been recognized as an undiscovered gem — think stunning coastlines, miles and miles of olive groves, vineyards, charming towns, historic villages with cone-shaped trullo houses and unique cuisine. The Puglia region produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil, about 300,000 tons a year.  

Bari, Italy

Two of the many areas of note in the region are Bari, the capital of the Puglia region and Matera, a city that truly makes you think you’ve stepped back into Biblical times. 

If you’d like to see Bari, Matera and Lecce, nicknamed the “Florence of the South” GetAway Travel can arrange your trip, or, check back with us for details on a trip planned for that area in 2023. 

 Bari: monuments and pasta 

 Bari is home to two important monuments, the Basilica di San Nicola, or the Church of St. Nicholas and Frederick II’s castle. It is a bustling harbor town with lovely beaches. The largest port on the Italian side of the Adriatic Sea, it gave Italians numerous access to shipping routes, second only to Naples. 

Beautiful tiled floor – Basilica di San Nicola, Bari

It is still a major ferry port. There are up to 15 ferry crossings a day including an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

Bari, Italy

The Church of St. Nicholas is thought to be the resting place of Santa Claus. Built in 1089 to house the remains of the saint, the church is a mixture of architecture styles. The remains of St. Nicholas of Myra were originally in Turkey, but they were moved to Bari when the Saracens attacked Myra in 1087. It is somewhat fitting his remains are in Bari because he is considered the patron saint of travelers, sailors and children. The church interior features beautiful artwork and mosaics. 

St Nicholas, Bari

The city’s main church is the Cathedral of San Sabino. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 1170 in a more Romanesque style. Take some time to study the front facade which is decorated with monsters and other imaginary creatures. 

View down the street – of Cathedral of San Sabino, Bari

The Castello Svevo was built by King Ruggero in the 12th Century, destroyed and rebuilt by Frederick II in 1233. It became a social hub in the Renaissance when Isabella of Aragon and her daughter, Bona Sforza lived there and hosted famous artists, writers and dignitaries. 

Castello Svevo, Bari

St. Nicholas Church and the cathedral are in the Old Town or Bari Vecchia area of Bari. It’s worth taking a walk through the winding streets in Old Town. You will come upon women practicing a craft perfected by their grandmothers and mothers — making orecchiette (little ears) pasta by hand. You can take a walking tour of the area or take a pasta making class. 

Making orecchiette pasta

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Stunning scenery and adventure await travelers to New Zealand

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If fabulous landscapes from mountains to beaches, as well as the opportunity to walk on a glacier and drink fine wine are on your bucket list, New Zealand is the place you want to be. For its size, the islands of New Zealand pack some big bang for your buck. Your travel advisors at GetAway Travel can package you up a vacation that involves adventure or sightseeing, or some of both! 

 A natural paradise 

Without question, New Zealand is recognized as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has scenery that takes your breath away, plenty to do and see for all ages, friendly people and, this might surprise you, some of the finest wine in the world. 

The temperate climate means you can go snow skiing one day and water skiing the next. You can go bungy jumping in Queenstown and zorbing in Rotorua (you’ve probably seen videos of this) which is rolling around the countryside in a large transparent ball. There’s geothermal marvels and glowworm caves, too! 

You can get an idea of how gorgeous the scenery is if you’ve seen “The Lord of the Rings” or any of the “Hobbit” movies. 

World’s largest Hobbit

The indigenous population, the Māori (Mau-ree) are naturally friendly and outgoing and love to share their culture and heritage. And, as we always say, be respectful of local culture and landmarks because you are a visitor and would expect the same if they were visiting you. 

Let’s hit some highlights 

 New Zealand is two islands, somewhat uncreatively known as North and South islands. Together they are about a 1,000 miles long and at the widest point, about 280 miles across. There are five million inhabitants on the islands. 

Auckland

Rotorua is famous for geothermal features and representations of the Māori culture. There are bubbling mud pools, boiling geysers, colored rock formations and the resorts feature hot springs bathing. The surrounding area is studded with Māori villages including Mitai, Whakarewarewa and Tamaki. They have cultural shows that feature traditional music and dance as well as hangi meals. Hangi cooking is cooking large meals in pit ovens using heated rocks. The meat and vegetables come out extremely tender and flavorful. 

Waitangi on the North Island is a major historical site. In 1840 the Māori chiefs signed a treaty with Britain giving it ruling power. There is a museum on the treaty grounds as well as a fascinating ornately carved marae (which is a Māori meeting house) and a ceremonial canoe. 

Hokianga Harbour is perfect for camping, dune boarding, dolphin watching and horseback riding. Coromandel Peninsula has hiking trails, some eclectic quaint towns and Cathedral Beach on the peninsula is thought by many to be one of the country’s most beautiful beaches. 

Tongariro National Park is a dual UNESCO site, certified for both its cultural and historic significance. It has three volcanic peaks, Mount Tongariro, Raupehu and Ngauruhoe. 

One of New Zealand’s premier wine producing regions, as well as its oldest, is Hawke’s Bay. More than 200 vineyards are clustered in this temperate area. It is famous for its sauvignon blanc wines, some have even said they are the best in the world! Napier in Hawke’s Bay has a large collection of Art Deco architecture buildings. 

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. The New Zealand Parliament Building is known as the “Beehive” due to its unique architecture and you can book a tour of the Weta Workshop. A film special effects company, it was founded by Peter Jackson, director of “The Lord of the Rings” and the “Hobbit” movies. Speaking of the Hobbit, if you are fond of the shire, Waikato is the place to go for a guided tour of the Hobbiton movie set. 

The Beehive, Wellington

Kaikoura is a great spot for whale and dolphin watching. If you visit Fiordland Park, nearby Anau has glowworm caves. 

Dusky Sound, Fjordland

Nelson is known for having the greatest number of sunshine hours per year in the country. There are numerous dining spots that highlight the area agriculture with farm-to-table cuisine as well as fine local wine. 

 Let’s eat… and drink! 

 Mutton is on the menu, but don’t pass up having lamb. Served roasted with vegetables or cooked in a hangi, it’s delicious. Vegemite and marmite — ok, not many people refer to yeast extract as tasty. Try it once. Marmite is a little sweeter than Vegemite. Put a thin layer on buttered toast and you can say you tried it. 

Hobbiton

Venison is also on the menu, but it’s not like your usual venison. The deer here are farm raised and the venison is not tough or gamey.  

New Zealand co-opted fish and chips from the Brits, but in New Zealand you can pick the type of fish you like. Speaking of seafood, it’s great here. Don’t pass up the abalone, Bluff Oysters or green lipped mussels. Chow down on a sausage sizzle which you can pick up at a street gazebo. It’s a sausage eaten on white bread with tomato sauce, mustard and fried onions. Likewise, mince pies can be purchased at the dairy store which is New Zealand speak for corner convenience store or at any gas station. Mince is the traditional filling, but there are lots more to choose from including vegetarian or vegan. 

Rail Station, Dunedin New Zealand

The wine is fabulous. There’s a drink you must try — Lemon & Paeroa, which is a carbonated lemon juice and mineral water drink. And there is craft beer aplenty. Local favorites include Garage Project, Parrot Dog and Heyday. Oh, there’s sweet things, too. Pavlova is like eating a meringue cloud with whipped cream and fruit, peanut slabs are candy bars with peanuts, pineapple lumps are chocolate lumps with a pineapple center and hokey pokey ice cream is vanilla ice cream with toffee bits. 

The Giants House, Akaroa

 New Zealand is starting to sound pretty interesting and like a great place for a vacation, right? Reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Copenhagen: One of the happiest places on earth

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Sure, there are some theme parks that contend they are the happiest places on earth, but Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, has scored consistently as the happiest city in the world on the World Happiness Report. 

Really, there is such a thing! 

 At GetAway Travel we’ve got Copenhagen included in one of our upcoming group trips. We can help you plan a trip to just Copenhagen, or any place else you might consider your happy place.  

 Come on, get happy 

Copenhagen

More than 400 cities in and around Europe are checked out as part of the World Happiness Report. The report’s focus is on the environment of a country — social, natural and urban. Through the respondents’ answers, it calculates happiness, well-being, sustainability and resilience. 

Finland is the happiest country, but Denmark is second with Copenhagen ranking as the happiest city. Danes celebrate what they call “hygge” which translates to comfort or coziness. How can you go wrong visiting a country that values comfort? It ranks high in the areas of health services, housing, utilities, social network, leisure activities, climate and personal safety.  Continue reading →