Travel by train in Europe is cheap and environmentally-friendly

As many travelers know, Swiss trains run like clock work. In fact, travel by rail in Europe is a much different experience than in the United States, for a variety of reasons. Eurail is finding itself in competition with low cost airlines for the European travel dollar. I interviewed a northern California couple about their recent European train trip for the Contra Costa Times and wrote about my train trip from Seville to Madrid, Spain.

Berlin to Budapest

“When I was 5 years old, my dad and I watched the trains go by in Northbrook, Ill.,” said Andy Schnur. “It was a moment I still remember.”

Madrid’s Penthouse Rooftop Night Club

There’s something special about traveling by train. Passengers take a step back in time to a more civilized form of transportation.

Lafayette’s Ellen and Andy Schnur traveled by Eurail with a first class pass for three weeks. The pair explored Berlin for its interesting architecture — the Jewish Memorial, Jewish Museum, Reichstag, Sony Center; Checkpoint Charlie museum and East Side Gallery.

“Because things are closer together in Europe, all the trains run on time,” added Andy Schnur.

They took the high speed, non-stop train from Nuremberg to Munich in about a hour, traveling at speeds of 150 mph. They planned the trip themselves starting in the north, selecting the cities with the shortest train trips.

“We traveled strictly by train or foot; all public transportation, said Schnur. “Driving in any city in Europe is a challenge.”

His favorite hotel was the Berlin Westin, with Salzburg’s Hotel Goldener Hirsch a close second.

“The Hirsch was very expensive and very old,” noted Andy. It’s also George Clooney’s hotel when he visits.

Ellen remembered the Berlin train station for its modern architecture and multiple level shopping malls. The charming old town of Nuremberg was a favorite with high end shopping and “the best gelato ever,” laughed Ellen.

Visit the Royal Palace in Madrid, Spain

Seville to Madrid by train

On a recent trip from Seville to Madrid, I traveled by train using the Eurail pass. I stayed in the Intercontinental Madrid,a lovely hotel in Spain within walking distance to boutique shopping. Fancy a palace stay, I recommend AC Palacio Retiro, a gorgeous five-star Grand Luxe hotel with Retiro park views. General Manager Fernado Bodelon will take care of you.

For the jetsetters, check out the penthouse inside the Midnight Rose at Plaza de Santa Ana. This hip hotel is part of the Gerber Group.

The private Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza on Paseo del prado is worthy of a morning, as is the Prado Museum and the new wing opened in 2007.

A visit to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without a stop to the Debod Temple or the Royal Palace with its African influenced ceilings. After a day of sightseeing, stop by the Taberna Alabardero for a tapas lunch. The restaurant Grupo Lezama also has Taberna del Alabardero locations in Washington, DC and Seattle, Washington. If you enjoy wine, have dinner at the Dominio de Antargu. You’ll be surrounded by an extensive collection of wines at this Bodega.

2009 Travel Trends

As 2008 comes to a close, I’d like to share what the experts at Luxury Travel Expo had to say about travel trends and hot places to visit in 2009.I wrote about the luxury traveler. I agree with the Hawaii Convention and Visitors Bureau that the luxury traveler is an avid vacationer. If the “On the Road with the Sun” pictures represent a typical Lamorinda resident, we are, indeed, an active group.

According to Luxury Travel Expo panelists, some of the top travel destinations for 2009 will be Greece, Spain, Ireland and Egypt. I’d like to fly Ireland’s Aer Lingus non-stop from SFO to Dublin.

Maybe we should add Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve to this list. Norway and Switzerland are on my wish list for 2009.

Closer to home, the Resort at Pelican Hill on the Newport Coast is getting rave reviews. Ocean-view suites on 504 acres with spa and golf … what’s not to like?

Where are you headed next year? Will the economy affect your travel plans? What are your top travel picks for 2009? I look forward to hearing from you.

Photo credit: Nancy D. Brown

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

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Here are some FAQs about the Passports with Purpose project. Remember – all entries must be in by December 29th at 11:59pm PST! Photo courtesy Heifer International.

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Alpine Meadows, California Snowboarding

When I wrote the Best Snowboarding Mountains post for Uptake.com I was sitting in front of my computer on a warm day in October, not a hint of snow in sight. Finally, the snow has appeared in Northern California. Boarders and skiers can actually hit the slopes and enjoy the white powder. Thank you Mother Nature!

The winter season has arrived; snowboarders are dusting off their boards, tightening their bindings and getting ready for another great season.

Flyboys, flygirls, freestylers, freeriders, carvers, call them what you like, they are all seeking one thing…the best place to snowboard. Whether you are looking for fresh snow, hard-packed powder or outrageous vertical drops, the following resorts each have something special to offer the snowboarder.

If you are a thrill seeker looking for a killer snowboarding trip, you have to check out some of the following places to board. These mountains are known for the best snow, best rides and best parties in and around the USA.

Check out our Top Ten List. Did your mountain make the cut?

photo credit Alpine Meadows

Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, California

photo credit www.snowboard-mag.com

Alpine Meadows has its own blog and is on Twitter. It’s also home to the famous Shreadows terrain park for the ultimate ride. The Shreadows has a jump, rail, a box line and its own lift just off the base lodge. Lift tickets range from $50 to $69 depending on half day passes or holiday dates. You can buy your tickets online here.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

photo credit www.whistlerbyowner.com

While it rests outside of the United States boundaries, Whistler’s Blackcomb is often called the the best ski and snowboarding resort in North America. Not only will it be the venue for the 2010 Olympics, the new 28 person Peak-to-Peak gondola willtransport riders from Whistler to Blackcomb without having to force them to the bottom base. If you’re going to go to Whistler consider taking a snow boarding tour and go freestyle. Whistler offers over 8000 acres of terrain and half pipes as well as tube park. A two day pass ranges from $125-$178 CAD and you can reserve your tickets online here.

Kirkwood, Lake Tahoe, California

photo credit www.familyskitrips.com

Sometimes considered the largest natural snowboard park in the United States, Kirkwood offers high altitude, open bowls, steep chutes, drops and lifts. It’s also a great place for spring skiing and working on the California tan. Kirkwood recently added two new lifts and revamped its terrain parks and halfpipe. You can purchase tickets online and avoid the lines when you get there. Check out their events calendar for more information.

Mammoth Mountain, Mammoth Lakes, CA

photo credit www.skidream.com

With the California sun shining almost 300 days a year, Mammoth offers a long ski and snowboarding season. Mammoth has two lodges you can board out of with a gondola ride that takes you to the top and back down to a great village with a few bars and a Starbucks. Tickets range in price, but are about $50-$70 and you get a discount if you buy mulitiple days at a time. Mammoth also has a snowboarding park and there is a blog where you can check out some pics.

Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend, Oregon

Located in central Oregon, 22 miles west of Bend, Mt. Bachelor has made a concentrated effort to attract snowboarders. It’s 400 foot Superpipe is among the best on the continent and they have just hired a new PipeCutter who will be cutting the pipe almost every night. The “Air Chamber” snowboarding run is a mile long and offers plenty of rails and booters for freestyle riders. Pricing for tickets can be found here.

Snowbird, Utah

photo credit www.snowboard-revolution.com

With500 inches of annual snowfall, Snowbirdoffers the highest altitude of any Utah resort. The Tram whisks snowboarders up 11,000 feet in about eight minutes. A great place to strap in an attack the double black diamond runs. This season Snowbird has added a Superpipe. It’s called Zaugg and is a Pipe Monster. Zaugg is scheduled to be cut three times per week and is supposed to provide an experience like no other. Check out Snowbird’s website for ticket information.

Mt. Hood, Mount Hood, Oregon

photo credit upload.wikimedia.org

Mount Hood Meadows is one of the few places offering year-round boarding. It’s also home to Meadows, the 500 foot long, eighteen-foot high, super pipe that received Transworld Boarding Top 10 pipe rating. Located just seventy miles from Portland, it’s easy to fly and drive to. There are six parks at Mt. Hood: Park Place, Rose City Park, The Zoo, Shipyard, Superpipe and Forest Park. There is also a blog for you to get even more information from. Tickets range from $50-$70.

Stowe Mountain Resort, Stowe, Vermont

photo credit www.concierge.com

If you can conquer boarding in the East, you can board anywhere. Those of you who have cut your teeth, or should I say carved your board, on the hard pack, sometimes icy slopes of New England’s Mt. Mansfield know what I mean. Stowe is less than an hour from Burlington so weekends tend to be busy and lift lines can be long. Stowe even has its own website for freestylers to get pictures and event information .Ticket information can be found on their website.

Sugarloaf, Maine

photo credit www.ccids.maine.edu

At 4,000 feet elevation, Sugarloaf is sometimes considered the best riders’ mountain in New England. If you like spring boarding, check out mid-April’s Reggae Weekend, one of the East’s largest snowboard parties. Sugarloaf’s newest park is called The YARD. It features three sets of jumps, new rails, a hip and more. Buying your tickets ahead of time will save you money and time at the mountain. You can go to their website for more ticket info.

Park City Mountain Resort, Park City, Utah

photo credit images.beijing-2008.org

Often found on the top ten family resorts list in North America, Park City averages 360 inches of snow each year and is snowboard friendly.The Eagle superpipe, with its 22 foot walls, hosts the World Superpipe Championships. Boarders have four parks to ride, including King’s Crown Superpark, Jonesy’s, the lighted PayDay Park and Pick ‘N Shovel Park. Park City is conveniently located about 45 miles from Salt Lake, so flying and driving is easy. Coming in to Park City you see the Olympic Park that was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There is a very cool Old Town to Park City and it’s a bit bigger than a town like Mammoth. Park City offers Fast Track tickets that get you in to express lanes. Check out their website for more ticket info.

Have a resort that you’d like me to check out? I look forward to hearing from you. Until then, think snow.