Spotted By Locals

If you're interested in visiting a city and combing through it like a local, we found another great site you should check out, Spotted By Locals. It includes city blogs by handpicked guides and while featured cities mainly include European destinations, the list is growing. We also noticed a few "Best in Travel 2009" cities are representing...

Layover in Amsterdam

For some reason, planes love to layover in Amsterdam. And, if you happen to be like the gals I’ve talked to, chances are—layovers in Amsterdam are famous for this—it lasts a ridiculous eight hours. What are you supposed to do during that time? How about take two trips for the price of one! That’s right; this is no time to take a nap. Suck it up; grab a coffee and start walking boots!

Okay, so imagine your flight has landed into Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, where, after exiting customs you have the option to walk to your next gate or exit. Exit, then take the escalators and follow the signs to the airport’s train station. Stop here! Do not get on the train yet! If you’re like me, you’re going to want to drop off any extra luggage, coat or carry-on that you did not check. Remember, you’ve only got eight hours so you’ll want to ditch the dead weight. Take the corner elevator (opposite the train station) down to the basement where the lockers await. The lockers are pretty easy to maneuver, but make sure you have Euro coins on you. If not, there’s an attendant that can give you change.

Once you get to the train station, you’re going to be intimidated. There are so many trains to figure out and so little time. First, take a right upon your entrance to pick up a ticket at the ticket booth. Note: there are ticket machines you can use; however, I found these not to be as user-friendly as say the ones in Rome or London. Buy a roundtrip ticket to Amsterdam Central Station, as roundtrips are cheaper than one-ways (roundtrip will run you approximately between 6 – 7 Euros). You can also purchase tickets ahead of time at the Dutch Railways website, where tickets to Antwerp, Paris, Berlin and beyond are available (hmmm…perhaps forget about the layover all together and take the train to your next destination).

Your average journey to Amsterdam Central Station is 17 minutes (13 minutes at the train’s fastest). Once you make it out of the station you can meander through the old town, be surprised to learn about head shops, marijuana shops, sex shops, etc…Do not be deceived. Amsterdam is still famously known as an art city, with the Van Gogh Museum (as well as 37 other museums), the Anne Frank House, theaters and concert halls, the Haarlemmerstraat, clogs, Heineken and much, much more. Check out Amsterdam’s official website.

My favorite finds on this trip: old-school bicycles everywhere, clogs, flying over the Baltic Sea, realizing that every European city with canals north of Venice is referred to as, “Venice of the North.” And learning that the sunlight in Holland is unique and the reason behind why Dutch pastoral paintings are so remarkable. Oh, and no matter how friendly head shop owners are and no matter how “normal” they make using drugs seem, do not buy shrooms. You have to head back to the airport, remember? You do not want to be Bridget Jones on her trip to Thailand.

Climb in California

Thinking about California this summer, with its bright lights and sandy beaches? What better way to get in shape for the Los Angeles nightlife or surfing the waves than a full-day hike on Half Dome at Yosemite National Park? Half Dome—literally half of a mountain made out of granite— climbs almost 5,000 feet, and according to the National Park, that’s 8,800 feet above sea level. The hiking challenge is a full-day feat and summons the most physically fit to its summit.

The roundtrip hike can take anywhere from 14-16 hours, and, in case you’re in over your head (note, the air is a little thin up there), park rangers offer their assistance. If you think you’re one in the few thousands that can pull off the hike each year, then spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap, and High Sierra await you.

If you’re a normal person and prefer to stay below with the bears and snakes, 1,200 square miles of National Park grounds include sinuous paths weaving in and around valleys, waterfalls, and wildlife. Note: If you’re prone to car sickness, do not sit in the back seat. For more information on camping and lodging, climbing the dome, year-round activities, or things like “glaciers,” check out the Yosemite National Park Webpage. Otherwise, we recommend flying into Fresno Yosemite International Airport and driving an hour and a half to the park. More airports and driving directions can be found here.

Beautiful Bavaria: Alps, Castles and Palaces

You cannot head to Munich without visiting its beautiful alpine region, Bavaria. Waterfalls scrape along the mountains’ rough cliffs, while lush meadows inside its layers open to crystal blue and green lakes, and clouds soar through majestic peaks. If you’re not visualizing a romantic postcard picture in your head yet, then maybe you’ll also need a tour of King Ludwig II’s enchanting castles, Lake Koenigsee and the town of Berchtesgaden. Once the Kingdom of Bavaria, the people may still call themselves Bavarian, despite its location on the German-Austrian Border.

Bavaria is a perfect place for skiing or summering, and tourists will want to begin with a trek through Berchtesgaden National Park, just outside of Austria’s Salzburg. Hiking trails, kayaking and mountain biking are a few outdoor activities, and while we recommend taking a boat ride through Lake Koenigsee in the summer, you may be able to ice skate on it during the winter! Perhaps the work of glacial recessions, Lake Koenigsee and Berchtesgaden National Park provide an impressive landscape, as steep mountain gorges and endless skies seem to sweep on forever, with the lake’s reflecting waters. Depending on the season, you may also ski, white-water raft or fish. However, if you’re interested in a unique indoor activity, consider touring the Salt Mines in Obersalzburg. A train snakes inside the mysterious mountain range, where caverns and little lakes stream through the cool interior of the Alps, teaching guests how salt is made.

While in Obersalzburg, you’ll find the Eagle’s Nest, a chalet style retreat built for Adolph Hitler for his 50th birthday. Obersalzburg is often associated with the Nazi hierarchy (Hitler supposedly finished writing Mein Kampf here), with ruins of Berghof remaining. While the Bavarian government and U.S. Army destroyed Berghof (they did not want any monuments that would tribute Hitler’s reign) history-hungry travelers can still tour the Eagle’s Nest. It is buried in a mountain half a mile up, and while it can be difficult for transportation to get to because of its height, steep and slim driving trail, tours typically run from May through October depending on the weather. Reportedly Hitler actually spent very little time here, as he was afraid of heights.

Just below, you’ll find the medieval town of Berchtesgaden, a favorite vacation spot for King Ludwig II. Finally, if you’re inspired, we suggest making visits to Ludwig’s three most beautiful, peculiar and interesting castles of Bavaria:

Located in Southwestern Bavaria between Hohenschwangau and Fussen, Neuschwanstein Castle’s fairy tale like towers and 19th century style architecture make it the most famous and recognizable castle and Walt Disney’s inspiration for his Cinderella Castle.

Herrenchiemsee Palace, built on an island in Lake Chimesse, was meant to be Ludwig’s response to the Palace of Versailles, and features more than 20 staterooms, grand staircases and a Hall of Mirrors.

Our favorite, Linderhof Palace, is located just outside of Oberammergau, where the famous Passion Play is performed once every 10 years. Linderhof, Ludwig II’s smallest castle built in Rococo style, was originally inherited from his father, and became Ludwig II’s final resting place (he did not live to see its completion). While he was known for being more than a bit “mad,” his castles and palaces are so eclectic and entertaining, that after his death, they were opened to the paying public, in order to pay off his debt.

Other areas of interest as day trips from Munich include Dachau and Augsburg.