Photos- Top: A canal in Almere, Flevoland, The Netherlands
Middle: me climbing on a "Pi" sculpture near Lelystad, Flevoland Province, The Netherlands.
Bottom: The Barbican, London, United Kingdom

Travel trends- Colorguru's guide to travel in Europe.
Look up "Be traveler, not a tourist" on the web and you'll see hundred's of entries. That's a good thing! Planning and spending 3-1/2 weeks in The Netherlands and London (an American with dietary restrictions no less!) was amazing and life-changing. I've been to The Netherlands before and a few other European locales but this trip was very special.

1. Research, research, research. No matter if you are there for 3 days (I was in London for only 3 days) or 3 months, know what you want to do, where you want to go and read up on the local culture. Know a few words of the language, so get a simple phrase book.
   
2. Dress like a local. Forget the huge white sneakers or ugly beige walking shoes (the ones with the Velcro!), shorts, and t-shirts with dorky sayings, and no boxy cruise wear or you'll be the target of a crime. Most Americans dress too casually anyway. But avoid wearing high heels (clogs can be tricky as well) on cobblestones or brick streets, you'll twist your ankle.
   
3. Each day, pick only 1 or two main things you want to do. If you try to cram in every tourist attraction, you'll be disappointed since you'll be rushing everywhere. On your way to that special place, you will make great discoveries. And make sure you do what you really want to do, not what your friends tell you or the tourist guides tell you. So go to that big antique flea market in the main square instead of the Van Gogh museum if that's what floats your boat.
4. Do what the locals do. Ask the local shop owner where the best little lunch spot or cup of espresso is. Only relying on travel books means you'll often end up in places geared towards foreigners. Go into the local pubs, eat the local foods, get out there and mingle! Never, ever, Ever go to a chain restaurant you know from home. Remember why you are a traveler: to experience life in a new place.
   
5. Stay outside the beaten path. Stay at a hostel, boutique hotel, bed and breakfast, local independent hotel, friends, relatives, anything other than the Marriot/Hilton/Holiday Inn chain hotel. Otherwise you'll feel like you are still in Pittsburgh when you wake up. And the breakfasts are waaaay better.
   
6. Be humble and have an open mind. You are traveling to experience, not to complain that it's "not like at home" or my favorite pet peeve "It's not the best (insert food of choice here) I've ever had". Be mindful of local customs, lower your voice, and be gracious. Snobs are still snobs in any language.
7. Plan ahead. If you do have dietary restrictions like diabetes or food allergies, travel can still be awesome; it's what you make it. Stop focusing on food being the center of your trip and focus on culture. Pick a hotel with a kitchenette, find a grocery store and cook your own food. Find out where the health-food stores and grocers are, and pack a tote bag for shopping. Bring snacks with you, so have a backpack or satchel.
   
8. Avoid talking politics unless you are a radio talk show host. Doesn't matter who is the president either.
   
9. Lastly, pack light!! You will buy stuff. Two smaller suitcases are better than 1 giant one because of weight restrictions.

More travel photos, trends, and fun stuff coming soon!
Tot ziens,
reb