Mother’s Got A Dot Com

I would love to be able to go on a cruise some time. I’d be a very easy customer, mind you. As long as I’m fed and allowed to sit on deck with a book doing absolutely nothing, I think I’d be more than happy for a week or two or three… I might be coaxed into going ashore to feel the sand between my toes from time to time, and maybe soak in a little local atmosphere, but that’s about it.

Where to go? With my humble requirements, you might say it wouldn’t matter, and you might be right. I’ve traveled quite a bit in Southern Europe, and any of the Mediterranean Cruises would be a lovely way of seeing familiar sites.
As for other European Cruises, I think I’d opt for Northern Europe – maybe even Norway. This country is larger than it looks, and it’s got some of the most beautiful scenery known to man – especially along the coast. What better way to enjoy it than from the deck of an ocean liner with all the good things in life at your fingertips?
Ah – but the more exotic venues are tempting too. Cruises from New York will take you (or me, in this case…) to all four corners of the world, but the Caribbean does hold a certain fascination for me. Climate, people, food, scenery – it’s about as different from trusty old Norway as anything. That’s probably where I’m most likely to get my fill of sand between my toes, palm trees and drinks served in fruits…

The ships themselves are way beyond my imagination… They’ve got everything, they’re like floating cities and then some. Pools, jacuzzis, beauty salons, bars, bars, bars, lounges, restaurants, restaurants, spas, fitness centers, cinemas and so on and so forth – I sometimes wonder why they bother to dock at all…

It may not be something I’d choose to do every year (or several times a year, as my blogger friend Bee does), although there’s always a danger of being hooked, I’m sure!
Once in my lifetime though – I’d really, really love to experience a proper cruise on a proper cruise ship. I know the kids would absolutely adore it.
Oh – and if you think a cruise isn’t for kids – have a look at what’s on offer, and you might change your mind too!

Stating the obvious, you say?

Perhaps, but May 17. is our National Day, and the whole country is hoping for good weather, plenty of ice cream and happy children in parades…

Also, #1 Brat is in the midst of celebrating her graduation, and May 17. marks the end of that as well, with a parade that we’ll go and see.

If I manage to remember my camera tomorrow, there’ll be pictures…

Oh – what are we celebrating? Our independence. The day marks our independence from Denmark and the birth of our very own constitution, both of which happened in 1814. The independence didn’t really last, as Sweden took over, and we were coupled with them until June 7. 1905. Still, May 17. remains the day when Norways constitution was proclaimed, and is a symbolic day of celebration. Lodged in the middle of V Day (May 8.) and June 7., it’s a good day to celebrate both the constitution, the final independence in 1905 and the liberation in 1945…

My best summer vacation ever was a trip the whole family took to France a few years ago. We flew to Paris and rented a car there, then drove down south to see my father – and a bit of sunshine.
We got all the sunshine we needed, good food and family fun – what more do you need?

The next time we take the family abroad, we hope to take them all a bit further afield – at least somewhere sunny, with a nice hotel that caters to all age groups. We hope to find somewhere with a bit of history and culture too – we’re not your typical beach bums. When I say further afield, I don’t mean to be as adventurous as to book us all flights to India, but perhaps Greece, Spain or even Turkey…
I’d definitely get a pre-arranged package though – booking on the ‘net is fine when us two adults are traveling alone, but if we’re to take the whole gang off on a “proper holiday”, we’d want to be sure about everything.

At Dialaflight.com, you talk to an actual person, who’ll make sure you get exactly the holiday you want, whether it’s a weekend break, spa holiday or beach holiday.
Setting out on a trip that’s tailor-made for our family will be a new experience for all of us, and I’m certain we’ll all enjoy it. Yours truly will, anyway. It’ll be a nice change to not have to work everything out as we go along. I might even be getting a rest…

We’ve been invited out for a meal by sis and her hubby – she had her birthday 2 days ago, and since he had to work on the day, he decided we should make an evening of it on Saturday.

I believe we’re in for a treat, too… The restaurant is called Refsnes Gods (Gods means estate), and it’s famous in the area for its excellent service and gourmet kitchen.

The main building was built in 1767, and it’s also a renowned hotel.

I’ll be driving, so I’ll only be able to enjoy the food and not the wine (one of the brats will be sleeping rough in a cave tomorrow night, and we want to be available if something happens), but boy, will I enjoy the food… I’m not sure we’ll be up for the Grand menu (7 courses), but I’m confident we can get through 4 or 5…

When I was very young, I was sent off to the United States to visit my fathers uncle and aunt, and hopefully learn to speak English in the process.

They lived near a place called Wareham in Massachusetts, and that’s where I stayed, for the better part of 6 weeks – most of the time alone with my fathers aunt, who only spoke English. So I learned… She took me to all sorts of places and events in the area – we went to county fairs, amusement fairs, markets and museums, we visited beautiful little fishing villages, and she also took me to Boston.

Now – were I to tell you about things to do in Boston, I really don’t recall very much. I remember being told about the Boston Tea Party, and I remember going to see a musical – “Brigadoon”, which made a deep impression… I also remember a National History Museum.
Were I to go there now, I’d definitely check out the sightseeing tours and attractions thoroughly before I go. Back then, I had the benefit of a guide who had a vast knowledge of the city and the area. I’d love to see it all again, as well as all the places I missed then, and for that I’d need professional assistance!

Trusted Tours offer discounts on tickets to the best sightseeing tours and attractions in 23 cities across America.
Sign up for their Trusted Travels eNewsletter, and be entered to win a Handheld GPS system! Offer ends April 30th.
(I could use one of those for #1 Brat. I’m always amazed when she finds her way home…)

Oh – here are some Things to do in Las Vegas too…

A terribly late post this week, but I couldn’t resist posting a photo of the main “rosace” of the Cathedral in Strasbourg, France, the city where I spent most of my childhood.

All the windows are spectacular, but this one is in a league of its own…

More on the PhotoHunt

I sometimes miss France. The exhibits of the Chocolatiers in particular…

have a look at these Easter creations, by Chocolatier Patrick Roger, 108 bd St Germain, Paris…

A chocolate chicken coop and beautiful golden eggs/chickens…

No comment on the first one – only that it’s all chocolate – and sweet hedgehogs, complete with their plate of food.

Here’s the maestro himself!

Great Balls Of Fire…

A cannon from around 1700, in front of one of our fortresses – designed to keep the Swedes at bay!

Find out more about the PhotoHunt!

New York is one of the places on my to-visit list…

I’ve spent one night there, but I was 11, on my way to Massachusetts, and all I saw was traffic. If I ever get the chance again, the objective will be to see as many of the sights as possible, without exhausting myself completely. The answer – a city tour.

To get the most out of a New York Sightseeing experience, a Hop on – Hop off tour is a flexible way to get around everywhere, and you can hop off at the places that interest you, and hop on again when you’re ready for the rest.
City Sights NY offer guided tours from a fleet of new double decker buses and motor coaches. They also offer harbor cruises and helicopter rides. I’m not too bothered about helicopters, but I’d absolutely love seeing the city from the sea.
If you’ve got the energy and inclination, they also arrange day trips from New York City to Washington DC, Philadelphia and Amish Country, The Boston Freedom Trail and shopping trips to Woodbury Common Outlet Mall.

How I like to visit a city? I buy a map and a city guide, and spend a day or two looking around, feeling the atmosphere. I’ll then go on a city tour, either by coach or by boat (or both). The last few days will usually be spent off the beaten track, trying to locate the not-so-touristy side of the city I’m visiting.

The world is getting smaller – even traveling half way around the globe is affordable for the likes of me these days. You might see me in the Big Apple yet!

A while before Christmas, Hubby and I managed a trip alone to Paris. We enjoyed it so much that one of the first things Hubby said to the kids when we got home, was: “We must all go there some time”…

Although I agree with all my heart, I sometimes wonder if he’s had kids for as long as I have. “When are we going to Paris?” “Have you booked yet?” “Will it be this spring?” “I’m sure we’ll never go” – it goes on and on!

No one knows this (I’ve got 18 years of experience, you see…), but I’ve started to plan for it. I’ve found a nice litte hotel in a quiet little street on the Left Bank, and I’m now in the process of planning for things to see. 2 people can be impulsive, for 7 people (we’ll leave Miracle Boy at home), a little more planning is in order.

At Isango!, I’ve found lots of useful info about all the tourist attractions, and their offers of various Tours in Paris are very comprehensive. They offer tours with various themes – Paris By Night, Versailles and Monet’s garden, the dreaded Disneyland (probably unavoidable…), a perfume making workshop(!), various sight-seeing tours of the main attractions and monuments (saves a LOT of walking!), and all the shows at the Lido, Moulin Rouge and Paradis Latin, of course.

We’ll be skipping the shows, I think – #5 Brat is 5 years old, and we’ll have to plan the trip around her attention span and staying power – while catering for the teens as well. Wine tasting won’t be in the cards either… What we will do, is to take everybody on a Dinner Cruise on the Seine. The sight of Paris from the river, all bathed in lights, is something they’ll all enjoy, especially if combined with a nice meal on board! I might be able to get a “Da Vinci Code” tour in as well – I know the older kids would love that as much as I would…

For booking tours and attractions in advance, Isango! is certainly a place worth checking out, and not just for Paris. They have trivia and pertinent information, as well as activities offers for scores of popular destinations.