Monthly Archives: July 2013

Bicycling in Wurzberg, Germany
Credit: Ron Stern, Magellan's Travel Contributor

The ideal time to bicycle is when the weather is cool vs. sweltering and the skies are clear, not showering. In most parts of Europe, that means fall as it’s the season for more predictable good weather.

Touring by bike is one of the most rewarding ways to see a country and meet its people. Pedaling through the countryside puts you in touch with the heart and soul of a place, freed from the crush of urban sightseeing. A well-planned bicycle tour is rewarding and exciting; a poorly-prepared bike tour can be equally full of misery and disaster.

If a European bike tour is on your bucket list, you can go it solo or take advantage of hundreds of cycling tour companies. Planning your own tour takes a fair amount of research and planning, but can be tailored to your individual tastes and agenda. It’s a good option if you have some familiarity with the terrain of the area you’ll be visiting.

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To some, lodging is merely a place to rest up for the remainder of the travel adventure. But if you’re seeking a hotel, motel or lodge that’s intended to be an integral part of the whole experience, you can’t miss these 10 unique stops in the Alps:

Switzerland:

Within walking distance of the central railway station and city airport shuttle terminal, Hilton Basel Hotel is convenient to the main shopping area and business district.

Just outside of Gstaad and German-owned, Steigenberger Gstaad-Saanen is known for its beautiful, mountain views.

Liechtenstein:

The Park Sonnenhof hotel is cozy and romantic, overlooking Vaduz, the Principality of Liechtenstein.

The Residence Hotel is also intimate but is entirely hip and modern.

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River cruises are fast becoming one of the most popular ways to tour. So says Cruise Lines International Association. Since 2008, the number of travelers cruising rivers has increased by 57 percent, and the Rhine River through Europe is among the most sought-after journeys.

The appeal of River cruise boats is the constant flow of contiguous parallel sights all along the river’s edge…on both sides of the cruise ship. River cruises offer an intimate look at life and views both port and starboard. The intimacy of the smaller ship, far smaller than ocean-going liners, allows the river cruise ship to pass through locks and under bridges that the bigger vessels can’t. The limited size means it’s important for guests to pack smart and keep luggage compact. This isn’t a problem when relying on travel accessories from Magellan’s wide selection of compact luggage and travel aids.

Port to port, a typical cruise along The Rhine, one of Europe’s longest and most legendary rivers, starts in the headwaters of the eastern Swiss Alps and includes a wealth of stops and daytrips along the way. Winding past Liechtenstein through Switzerland into Lake Constance where the borders of Switzerland, Germany and Austria converge, then onto the Swiss-German border, skirt the Black Forest, cross into Germany north of Strasbourg and wind through Mannheim, Mainz, Cologne, and Dusseldorf continuing west toward the Netherlands and its outlet to the North Sea near Rotterdam.

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TourSafe 22 Anti-Theft Carry-On bag

With baggage limitations that vary from airline to airline and change almost daily, packing for a trip is a real challenge. When you throw in local travel abroad, it can be downright daunting.

Veteran travelers know that packing smart hinges on a more-is-less approach. Travel writer and TV personality Rick Steves sets his limit at one 9" × 22" × 14" bag that will fit in most overhead bins and weighs no more than 20 pounds. Impossible, you say? Not if you follow some simple guidelines, think things through, and shop for travel-tested gear at Magellans.com.

Realize that unless you’re headed for a couple of weeks in the middle of the Amazon jungle or the Kalahari Desert, you don’t need to load up on consumables like soap, toothpaste, or cosmetics. They take up space, add unnecessary weight, and are easily bought at nearly any location overseas or the United States. It’s not like people in London or Tokyo or Fargo don’t bathe or wear lipstick. Take what you’ll require en route and immediately upon arriving at your destination; buy the rest when the need arises. Continue reading →

United Airlines inaugurated non-stop service from Denver to Tokyo using the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 10, cutting hours off the journey to Asia for travelers departing America’s heartland. Trips that used to take 16-18 hours have been cut to 12 or less from the Denver hub.

As nice as saving 4-5 hours may be, 12 hours on a plane is still a long, long time. That’s why experienced travelers know that an important part of their trip planning is a visit to Magellans.com.

Custom-designed for Magellan’s, the Getaway Wheeled Under-Seat Tote raises the bar for comfort and functionality. The stylish, yet rugged bag takes organization to a new level, particularly important on long overseas flights. It has a multitude of perfectly positioned pockets for easy access to all the things you’ll want during your flight including a padded iPad^® sleeve and zippered water bottle pockets. Getting on and off the plane is easy with the detachable shoulder strap, and moving through the terminal is a breeze thanks to the extra-long telescoping handle and rugged, yet quiet wheels. The roomy main compartment includes shoe pockets and room for enough clothing for a two-day trip, saving the cost and hassle of traveling with extra luggage. Continue reading →