October 11, 2009
It’s already October, boy, time does fly when you’re having fun :) Let’s see what I can offer you in this edition. Halloween is coming up (31 October), so there is a Halloween tip/trip you can make. Of course, I’m giving you an update on the latest additions to my website, in case you haven’t had the chance to read up (shame on you...luckily you described to this newsletter to keep updated, smart move ;-)
If this isn’t the first time you’re receiving this newsletter, last month I gave you as a tip for September to visit the Oktoberfest in Munich. Well, a friend of mine did and she was so kind to share her Oktoberfest review and photos!
I’ve added Bruges to my website with tourist information and I’m working on pages about Lisbon (see more on that below at Description of a destination). And two of my Twitter pals wrote some great driving tips if you’re traveling in the UK and/or Ireland. Okay, now that you’re up to speed with the latest additions on my website, let’s see what the topics of this edition are:
- Things to Do: Destinations to visit in the month of OCT./NOV.
- Things to See: Description of a destination: Lisbon
- Things to Make: Crêpes
- Things to Know: Travel Updates: EU to end liquid ban?
- Fun Facts
- Tip of the Month
- Quote of the Month
Things to Do in October/November:
- HALLOWEEN Trips
Make a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It's a Halloween-themed special event held select dates in October and November in Magic Kingdom theme park.
During Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes. Even better, you can collect delicious candy as you trick-or-treat around Magic Kingdom theme park.
There is also a parade, Happy HalloWishes (a spectacular fireworks show where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky), special lighting, music and theming effects transforms special areas of Magic Kingdom theme park into happy haunted hollows.
The tone of the event is, well, "Not-So-Scary", and is appropriate for children of all ages. NOTE: Standard Magic Kingdom theme park admission tickets will not allow Guests to attend Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Source: Walt Disney World Resort website. Also for more information!
- BERLIN
This one is actually in November, on the 9th November. It’s the Festival of Freedom in Berlin to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
As part of the debate about the topic of twenty years since the Fall of the Berlin Wall, young people have the opportunity to design some 1000 dominos measuring 2.5 metres in height. The youths and their dominos will play an important role in the highlight of the event at the Brandenburg Gate: a large-scale performance with a symbolic fall of the Wall using a 'domino effect' at the Festival of Freedom.
The Festival of Freedom will begin with an open-air concert at Pariser Platz by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Daniel Barenboim. After the concert, the fall of the Berlin Wall will be symbolised by knocking over the designed dominos, which will be broadcast live.
Source: www.mauerfall09.de
Things to See
Visit Lisbon! Lisbon is a very nice city for a 3 or 4 days city break. It’s a city rich of culture, fine monuments, lovely squares, great shopping,... You can read more on how to get here, the accommodation I stayed at,... in my Lisbon Tourist Guide. And I also put together a slideshow of pictures to show you a few places to include on your trip.
Things to Make
Crêpes
What better to eat in the Fall when it turns cold than ‘crêpes’. Crêpes are very thin pancakes, that I like to eat as a snack in between. It has it origin in France.
Serves: 15 crêpes
INGREDIENTS
500 g (2 1/4 cups) flour, 500 ml (2 cups) milk and 3 eggs.
DIRECTIONS
Put the flour in a bowl, add the milk gradually while stirring to avoid lumps. Add the eggs and mix again. Your batter is ready! (Yes, it’s that easy ;-) But if you think it’s too thick or you want really thin crêpes, you can add more milk, while stirring.
Next, heat your pan with some butter in it (make sure it’s lightly greased all over the pan), pour your batter in and bake one side for one minute (well, until brown), then turn your crêpe and bake other side (also +/- one minute). This one is all ready to serve.
For your next crêpe repeat as explained before (putting butter in the pan, each time you bake a new crêpe. Otherwise the crêpes will stick to the pan!)
Toppings for on the crêpes: sugar, Nutella, Maple syrup, fresh fruit (like strawberries with whipped cream) … or with ice cream and chocolate sauce > yummy!
Things to Know: Travel Updates
EU to end airline ban on liquids in carry-on bags?
The European Union has similar rules currently in place to those in the U.S. when it comes to carrying liquids on board. But that will be changing.
The EU's top transportation official announced that once new security screening methods are implemented, passengers will be permitted to carry liquids on board without size requirements. No date was announced for these changes.
EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani told The Associated Press "he is 'resolved to get rid of these awkward and very uncomfortable' checks on passengers when new technology to screen for explosives becomes available."
--Rebecca Heslin
Source: Published in USA Today
Fun Facts
More Flemish phrases > In your hotel
Do you have any vacant rooms? Zijn er nog kamers vrij?
(zaiyn er nokh kaa-mers vray)
double room with double bed een twee persoonskamer met een twee persoonsbed
(uhn tvhay per-soans-kaa-mer met uhn tvhay per-soans beht)
twin room een kamer met twee bedden
(uhn kaa-mer met tvhay beth-en )
single room eenpersoons-kamer
(ayn-per-soans-kaa-mer)
room with a bath/shower kamer met bad/douche
(kaa-mer met baht/doosh)
I have a reservation. Ik heb gereserveerd.
(ik hehp ghuh-ray-sehr-veert)
Tip of the Month
If you’re visiting a country, make sure you know if you have to pay a departure tax. I had it once when I went to Fiji. Before I left, I had to pay a departure tax. Which I didn’t know about, and it’s not a nice surprise. I’m sure this destination isn’t the only one. I found this list on the internet: Country Specific Taxes, Countries from A – G and countries from H – Z.
You can also check with your travel agent or airline for this. If you know this in advance, you can keep that money already aside.
It’s been a pleasure writing this newsletter and I hope to see you all soon on my website for more new information! If you enjoyed reading this newsletter, spread the word to your friends! And if you want to be informed about the latest additions to my website, you can subscribe to my RSS or follow me on Twitter! @IsabellesTravel
Keep your eye out for the next edition next month. And I always end with the Quote of the month:
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard
Before I forget: For travelers around the world who want to express themselves by sharing a travel story, please feel free to send it to me through my contact page and maybe you'll end up in the next edition or on my website!
HAPPY TRAVELS,
Isabelle from Isabelle’s Travel Guide