Air Patrol

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world – from the many canals to world-famous museums, it should be at the top of the list for any traveler to Europe.  Its official name is Kingdom of the Netherlands which also has in control its overseas islands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  Only the central part of the Netherlands is called “Holland.”

The Euro-economies may be experiencing a global meltdown, but one would never see this happening in the magnificent city of Barcelona, Spain! This colorful and cosmopolitan city, located on the Mediterranean coastline, is a must see for those interested in the world of art and architecture! From Piscasso to Gaudi, this is a travel destination not to be missed!

When we try to share our heritage with our grandchildren, many us can trace our roots to the enchanting land of Ireland.  Who doesn’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day or wear green!  I would encourage you to just plan a three week trip to Ireland, to truly engage this beautiful land, and meet these most friendly people.  40% of the population is under the age of 25!

Few places in the world are as romantic and private as Bellagio, a resort nestled in the hills of Lake Como.  Often referred to as “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio has world class hotels and restaurants that offer the perfect environment to relax and enjoy the stunning panoramic views – especially the Italian Alps.

As we begin in earnest to prepare for the upcoming Christmas Season, where else but in Europe will one experience the enchantment and traditions of the holidays!  Strolling through a Christmas Market is where the romance of the holiday will truly rekindle in you a sense of joy and peace!

Birmingham is Britain’s second-largest city, located northwest of London in the West Midlands region of Britain.  It was here that the Industrial Revolution began, thus placing Birmingham dead center as the “workshop of the world.” Here is where James Watt patented the steam engine!

As avid travelers, one thing we have in common, is our love in learning about different cultures.  We may not understand the language, but we do communicate through our gestures, eye contact and body language.

Cologne is one of the oldest large German cities and its name dates back to Roman times. The imperial governors of Rome resided here and soon the town grew into one of the most important trade and production centers in the Roman Empire. The Emperor Claudius's fourth wife Agrippina – Nero's mother – was born here.

Copenhagen is an elegant mixture of ancient castles and palaces along with eco-friendly modern architecture, advanced waterways and open spaces.  Danes refer to their country as the Green State and lead the world in green growth economy.  Their goal is to be independent of fossil fuels by 2050.

A visit to the Dead Sea should be top of your list when visiting Jordan or Israel.  When I lived in Jerusalem, often I would take a day to recoup and plan a “spa” day at the Dead Sea.  I was truly amazed to witness almost miraculous healing for various diseases such as psoriasis and cystic fibrosis.

Susie is always glad to hear from her canine friends, admirers, and boyfriends, both in the United States and abroad. She just received news from her German Shepherd buddy, Fritz, that there is a dog hotel at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany.  Of course Fritz, a bit on the fresh side, invited Susie to join him in one of the kennels at the hotel. Although Susie will pass on the opportunity for now, who knows what the future holds.

The origination of man’s creative spirit began in the East – but the gauntlet was passed onto the West – as we have seen throughout our European sojourns.  However, we are seeing the Phoenix rise from a humble beginning as a pearl-diving centre, to one of the fastest growing cities in the world!  What makes Dubai so remarkable is that such accomplishments have taken only thirty years!  This is a city constantly on the move that even the updated GPS systems cannot keep up with all the road changes!

Ireland is unique - traveling to just a city is not enough – I encourage you to explore the entire country!  It is an amazing and most beautiful place – full of traditions and legends.

Back in August when the first noted case of Ebola was discovered, all airlines were issued “to treat all fluids of any passenger as an infectious disease” as we have the  protective equipment on board and protocols to follow to protect passengers from further exposure to such harmful and potentially deadly substances. 

Edinburgh boasts a rich history which welcomes all who venture in to discover this unique world of ancient castles and magnificent architecture, combined with modern buildings and facades. Atmospheric cobbled streets, wonderful architecture, old facedes and wide avenues allow you to imagine yourself transported back in time. The Lothian’s is also steeped in fascinating history, filled with castles, stately homes and battle sites.

Glasgow, Scotland is a city rich in culture as described in my previous article featuring the top rated attractions when planning your trip. 

Today I wish to focus on perhaps the most influential and important museum in the world for those art lovers!  A trip to the Kelvingrove should remain top on your list along with the British Museum & the Louvre (Paris).  To be honest, I had not realized the wealth of collections ranging from the Impressionists to the famed Glasgow Boys who revolutionized Scottish painting – similar to the Pre-Raphaelites from the United Kingdom.  

Have you just had enough with crowded airports, long lines and the fear of what the TSA will do to you as you proceed through those beeper lines? WHEW! You survived with NO pat downs!

Important that we address a topic that our mother’s never thought would be necessary, for we all have been taught proper manners as children.  Perhaps we are beginning to see the beginning of what happens when manners are not a top priority of parents these days!

Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in North West England with a population of 510,700. Since 2001, population has grown by 20.8%, making it the fastest growing city in Britain. 

Geneva is a Swiss city located on the south shore of Lake Geneva.  Many of its’ 200,000 inhabitants are foreigners and also hosts numerous International Organizations, including UN headquarters, Red Cross and CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research – the world’s largest particle physics laboratory).  It is also a major international financial centre, known for privacy banking laws.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's West Central Lowlands.  It won the UK’s City of Architecture & Design in 1999.

O.K. you’ve taken the plunge and will be planning an international sojourn with your beloved grandchildren! You have dreams of creating lasting memories that will be life changing, right?

Well … if you follow these guidelines the answer is YES! I can vividly remember year after year my own little Madison would keep asking me, “Granny, when are we going to Paris?” I would have swept her up in my arms, and off we would go the moment she asked - but as an international flight attendant I was keenly aware of the challenges one faces when traveling with children.

I love Hamburg in the summer and even in the winter when it is ice cold!  It is a beautiful city, and I often just take the” hop on hop off bus” which guides you through the hidden hills and magnificent countryside, with breathtaking views overlooking the canals and famous city port. Truly, it should be called a sister city to Stockholm, Amsterdam and Bruges with its lattice of canals running throughout the city –hence its’ name – Venice of Northern Europe!