This week’s blogger round up, slightly later than usual, starts with some very useful tips for travelling well in Europe in the winter from Frugal First Class Travel, followed by a horrendous tale of dog sledding in Lapland from Sylvia at Finding Noon (not a destination on my wish-for list) and ends with a day trip to the Great Wall of China by Susan from Days on the Claise. Enjoy!
Europe in the winter – 6 tips to travel well
by Frugal First Class Travel, an Australian who loves to travel – especially in Europe – and who has gradually learned how to have a FirstClass trip on an economy budget, without missing out on anything!
In this, the third part in my series of traveling to Europe in the winter, I look at traveling safely and how to get the most out of your trip.
1. Dress warmly, but in layers
You will be outside a lot sightseeing and traveling from place to place. If you aren’t used to snow and ice, don’t underestimate how cold it can be and cold you will get. Also don’t underestimate how over-heated European interiors such as shops and museums can get. Dress in layers, starting with thermals and work your way outwards. See my previous post on dressing for Europe in the winter (complete with packing list) for more details. Read more
Itarod, here we come
by Finding Noon, an American living in Paris who appreciates fine art, good music, succulent food, and breath taking scenery
Our first morning we awoke, slightly disoriented but excited about the day ahead; we were going dog sledding!
Arriving at Husky & Co the chipper Hungarian guide told us to put on one of their ski suits.
“But I already have this quite swank, rather high tech ski suit on,” desisted Mr French, “is that really necessary?” Read more
A Day Trip to the Great Wall
by Susan from Days on the Claise, an Australian living in the south of the Loire Valley, writing about restoring an old house and the area and its history
On 11 December last year we were returning from Australia via China. Because we had a long wait between flights at Beijing we took a hotel (Air China provides a free hotel room if you know to ask). We had obtained a 72 hour transit permit when the plane landed for a couple of hours in Shanghai before continuing to Beijing and Simon had booked a guide and driver for the morning. Part of the Great Wall is about an hour from Beijing and our guide was confident he could get us there, spend an hour on the Wall, then get us to the airport in plenty of time to get through security (we’d checked our hold luggage all the way through and only had hand luggage with us). Read more
Thanks for the link. I’m happy to be contacted if anyone else wants to do this and they want further details.
Tips on a day trip to the Great Wall of China and travelling in Europe in winter and an hilarious account of dog sledding in Lapland http://www.aussieinfrance.com/2013/01/europe-in-the-winter-6-tips-to-travel-well-itarod-here-we-come-a-day-trip-to-the-great-wall/
Hi! I am planning a 3 week getaway starting somewhere after Christmas. I am fine with visiting lesser number of places. I would love to know the destinations in Europe which can be done in the winters too without getting much affected by the weather. And by that I mean, without loosing out on something really incredible.
Hi, you’d be best asking the question on the Frugal First Class Travel Blog as I don’t travel in winter very much myself.