Boston: Z is for Zzzzz

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is Z which will showcase relaxing spots in the city (Zzzzz).

Well, we did it - another A-Z challenge in the books! I've had such a great time sharing my love of Boston with you.

Boston: Y is for Yawkey Way

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is Y which will showcase Yawkey Way... or in other words, the site of Fenway Park.

Have you ever had one of those serendipitous moments - when two seemingly unrelated events come together in a beneficial way? This happened to me when brainstorming ideas for today's letter.

Boston: X is for eXercise

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is X which will showcase eXercise. A bit of a stretch, I know but... I really wanted to showcase the crew teams practicing on the Charles River and with a bit of creative imagination, this works.

I booked a Charles River Boat Cruise at 5:30 PM which proved to be the perfect time to see the crew teams, sailboats, and the sunset. 

Boston: W is for Walking Trails

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is W which will showcase Walking Trails.

While I'm sure there are several walking trails around Boston, given the number of green spaces and college campuses within the city limits, I knew I couldn't showcase Boston without talking about the Freedom Trail.

Boston: V is for Venetian Palace

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is V which will showcase a Venetian Palace.

I absolutely fell in love with Isabella Stewart Gardner - the woman and her museum. Someday I plan to research this mighty feminist who was most certainly ahead of her time. But for now, I will simply admire her love of the arts, her attention to detail, and her generosity to the people of Boston.

Boston: U is for Union Oyster House

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is U which will showcase the Union Oyster House.

While the building is over 250 years old, the restaurant has served loyal customers like Daniel Webster since 1826 - making it the oldest restaurant in Boston.

We managed to secure a table midweek during lunch hour, although I'm sure the dreary weather helped our luck. I understand waits of an hour or more can be typical.

Boston: T is for the "T"

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is T which will showcase Boston's subway system, otherwise known as the "T".

Interestingly, Boston was the first city to utilize underground tunnels for public transportation. The Tremont Street station opened in 1897 and is still in use today.

Boston: S is for Swan Boats

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is S which will showcase the Swan Boats.

My second full day in Boston I ventured across Longfellow Bridge, made my down Charles Street through Beacon Hill, and eventually ended up in the Public Garden. 

The lush trees, tranquil lake, and familiar laughter of young children brought back memories of Central Park in New York City. But I soon learned that the Public Garden is a space all its own.

Boston: R is for (Paul) Revere

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is R which will showcase (Paul) Revere.

As is most historical buildings in greater Boston, this famous Revolutionary War hero's home is located in the middle of a very modernized North End.

According to the official website, Paul Revere lived in this humble abode from 1770 to 1800. Throughout the 19th Century, the structure was home to a variety of individuals, commercial shops, and even a bank. In 1902, Revere's great-grandson purchased the home to ensure it would never be demolished. Since 1908 the home has been open to the public. 

Boston: Q is for Quincy Market

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is Q which will showcase Quincy Market.

While I enjoyed visiting this bustling area, I must confess... I still think of Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market as one and the same. The buildings are distinctly different, but together they represent a vibrant harbor area filled with shopping boutiques that cater to any and every tourist's need.

Boston: P is for Parks

Welcome to my third year participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. This year's theme is BOSTON.

Today's letter is P which will showcase the Parks.

While Boston is most definitely a cosmopolitan urban center, greenspaces abound. From the small neighborhood enclosure of Louisburg Square, to Frog Pond in Boston Commons, to the Duck Family statue in Boston Public Garden, there are luxurious respites for all to sit a spell, relax, and enjoy.

2018 A-Z Blogging Challenge: Theme Reveal

I'm excited to participate in my third Blogging A-Z Challenge!

Previous themes for this challenge included Paris (2016) and Journaling (2017). Both these themes coordinated with book topics I was writing at the time (and ultimately self-published). Since this writing strategy worked well in the past, I plan to implement it again this year.

So without further ado, my theme for 2018 is: BOSTON

Latest European Tour

2017 Group of 38 Travelers
Photo credit: D. Shiner

Last week I concluded my six-week series on how and why I lead student trips to Europe. I started the series about a month before I was to take my fourth tour: March 10-21, 2017.

Since I am (mostly) retired, this was probably the last time I will have the opportunity to introduce students to international travel. Of course, I would never refuse a request... but my contacts are dwindling, and perhaps it is time to pass the baton.

How I Nourish Myself While Traveling

Prior to the April Blogging Challenge, where I focused on Journaling A-Z, I wrote a six post series on Leading a Student Tour to Europe. This series coordinated with my fourth trip, where I took 38 students and adults on a whirlwind tour of London, Paris, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento. We traveled from March 10-21, 2017, and had a fantastic time!

This post will conclude that series and then segue into the highlights of each of the visited cities.

Worst Experiences Make the Best Stories

For the past month or so, I've shared my passion for introducing students to the world of international travel. I've discussed my primary role as Group Leader (keeping tabs on students, ensuring all are safe, and managing expectations), how to make the most of your travel time, and how to best utilize limited suitcase space.

This week I want to talk about inevitable unpleasantries.

How to Maximize Personal Item Space

Last week I discussed how to pack for a 12-day multi-city international trip in a single carryon. Not an easy feat, but entirely possible and quite liberating: no worries about lost luggage; no lifting heavy bags up several flights of stairs; no waiting in long lines at the baggage claim area.

This week I will share how I maximize the space in my personal item, and what I choose to carry with me on a daily basis.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring two items onto the plane for an international flight: a carryon, which will fit in the overhead compartment, and a personal item, which must fit under the seat in front of you.

While most travelers choose a backpack for their personal item, I must confess, I am not of that generation. I prefer to bring a book bag. One is not more "right" than the other ... it is entirely personal preference.

How to Pack for 12 Days in a Carry-On

The first time I led a multi-country tour, I cringed at the suggestion to pack for twelve days in a single carryon. Is that even possible?!

But the rationale was solid. What if your luggage is lost? By the time the airline locates the luggage, the tour has moved to a different city, and the chances of you reuniting with your suitcase is low.

Since I believe in leading by example... I vowed to give it a try.

How to Make the Most of Your Travel Time

These past two weeks I've focused on traveling with a tour group.

The good news/bad news about group travel is the pre-planned itinerary. For the most part, you are told when to wake up, when to eat, when to board the bus, and what you will see. All tours are pre-scheduled with a professional guide and tickets to major attractions are pre-purchased, which means you may avoid some long lines.

This is a lot of group activity. Fortunately, a bit of individual free time is typically scheduled in each city. This week I thought I would share a few of my travel tips to get the most out of those free-time hours.

Why I am a Group Leader

In last week's post I shared my excitement about leading my fourth group tour to Europe. I have help, of course, by teaming up with EF Tours, which specializes in organizing student trips to a variety of countries throughout the world.

This week I thought I would share why I do this.

Sure, I love to travel, but quite frankly, being a tour leader is not a personal vacation. I take the responsibility quite seriously, and then there's the inevitable interpersonal drama that takes place when traveling in close quarters, 24-hours a day, with a variety of personality types.

So what are the pros and cons of leading such a tour?

I'm not sure there are any cons, if you are truly invested in the experience ... but the responsibilities are worth noting.

Leading a Student Tour to Europe

In a few weeks I will be leading my fourth student tour to Europe.

Since this will most likely be my last such trip, I thought I would share my experiences - what I've learned as well as a few travel trips - with others who might consider such an endeavor.

I first had this idea in 2006 - the first year I taught British Literature. I knew I was unqualified (I majored in French and Political Science) and I felt completely inadequate. I reasoned if I visited the birthplace of the authors and their stories, the literature would come to life. And if this would be true for me, wouldn't it also be helpful for students?