Back when roads were too dangerous, merchants shipped their goods to market up and down rivers. Robber baron castles like these were built to levy tolls.
Good guidebooks help make the sights meaningful-for the whole family. Researching and writing guidebooks is my main work. And to me, guidebooks are $20 tools for $3000 experiences. I've found that if you equip yourself with good information-whether in print or digital-and expect yourself to travel smart...you will. Guidebooks also recommend memorable places to spend the night-like Bacharach, and good places to eat, drink, and stay-like Hotel Kranenturm, which I booked by email with an email a month ago. This hotel was the Kranenturm-that means crane tower entropay casinos Canada. About 500 years ago riverboats, loaded down with kegs of wine, couldn't pass the rapids out here. So, with the help of cranes on this tower, they unloaded their ships, carried the kegs around, and continued their journey. And, in the sleepy villages along the river, you'll find Rhine wine is still the life blood of these communities. Wherever grapes are grown, vintners like Frau Bastian are eager to share the fruits of their labor. Her teaching aid: the wheel of fifteen family wines. And we're in for a tasty education. Using Frau Bastian's wheel is a convivial way to share opinions and gain knowledge. I've been tasting wine in Germany for years and there are three key words: trocken is dry, halb-trocken is half-dry, and süss is sweet. Yes, this is sweet. You can learn forever on the road. And all over Europe wine tasting is a fun way to meet fellow travelers and make friends-one of the most important travel skills. We're leaving the Rhineland for Bavaria. Europe is laced together by an efficient train system hard for most Americans to imagine. And with our Eurailpass, we've got free run of it. European railpasses come in many versions. While these are expensive, for certain itineraries, they can be a great value. Passes give you unlimited train travel through anywhere from one country to most of Europe. To cover this three-week, 2,000-mile trip, economically, we chose a train pass covering just the countries we're visiting. It gives us 10 rail travel days-to be used within a two-month window. Our destination today, Rothenburg, is pretty remote, so getting there requires two train changes. Again, if you're uncertain, ask for help. Conductors are happy to assist confused tourists. In Germany, connections are synchronized. Changing trains is often just a matter of checking the schedule, switching platforms, and hopping into an awaiting car. Rothenburg is Germany's medieval wonder town. Even with tourist crowds turning it into a half-timbered theme park in the summer, I love this place. While it can be packed with tour groups during the day, in the evening they're back in the big city and the town's all yours. Those who spend the night enjoy the medieval magic of this otherwise touristy place in relative peace. To stretch your sightseeing day and mix in some information at the same time, catch an evening tour. Rothenburg's Night Watchman's tour goes each evening at 8 o'clock and all's well. Germany's Romantic Road, the next leg of our journey, can't be done by train. It's best explored by rental car. We'll have this car for two days and drop it in Munich. You can arrange your car rental before leaving home. Prices vary dramatically from month to month, country to country, and from company to company. Shop around.
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With this chart, you'll also know where on the platform to wait, so when the train stops you're already positioned to step right onto your car. Be aware. Some trains pick up and drop cars as they go. Individual cars are marked: where they're going, 1st or 2nd class....icons indicate .this is a quiet car...smoking is never allowed. Once inside, little signs above each seat make it clear which seats are reserved and for which stretch of the route they're occupied.
Once you're settled, you'll spend a lot of time en route. Do what you can on the train to save time off the train...read, listen to audiophiles relating to your travels, write your journal or emails, eat, and sleep. Tablets are great for readers packing light. Meet people. Strike up conversations. Information boards announce the upcoming stop and key information about the ride. While cars come with a bag storage area, for peace of mind, I like to keep my bag in the rack above my seat. You'll pay 50% extra per kilometer to travel first class. First Class is cushier-generally three seats across, less crowded and occupied by people who figured it was worth paying the 50% extra for the added privacy and comfort. Second class comes with four seats across and more people. Today's trains are so comfortable in Europe, that the new second class feels as slick as the old first class. Trains have a mix of open seating and more private compartments. Nearly every train has both first and second class cars-each going precisely the same speed. If you're on a budget, second class is just fine. But we're traveling with railpasses-and they come in First Class-forced luxury. No more windmills. I think we're in Germany now but in today's Europe, it's hard to know when you've crossed a border. Today's goal: visit a great German city, cruise the most scenic hour of the Rhine River, and check into a hotel in my favorite medieval Rhine village. A full itinerary like this is perfectly doable when you use schedules smartly. Consider stop-overs along your route. While we're heading for the villages of the Rhine gorge, our fast train stops in Koln and it's worth popping out for a quick look. Checking the departure schedule I see there's a train every hour-we'll catch the 14:53 to Koblenz. Remember, schedules in Europe use the 24-hour clock: anything after 12, subtract 12 and add p.m. 14:53...14 minus 12... that's 2:53 pm..., that gives us about an hour to enjoy Koln. Let's go. When stopping to sightsee between hotels, I lock up my bag at the train station. Many stations have the standard, safe, coin-operated lockers: Some are getting pretty high tech-here's another example of automation: with a few coins and following the prompts, your bag gets taken away and safely stored who knows where. Literally just out the door of the station towers the majestic Koln cathedral...it's an awe-inspiring 500 feet high. Just steps away, an old Roman gate still stands reminding the modern city of its ancient heritage. And its main street-now a thriving pedestrian mall-gives a sense of the dynamism of Germany today. Back at the station, I check in with the "trains departing imminently" board. There's our train: 14:53, to Koblenz, track 7... and on time. After a short ride to Koblenz, we change to our last train...the milk run to our Rhine village...St. Goar. Europe's express trains-like the ones we caught this morning-make the big city leaps quickly. The little local trains-like this one-take it from there. We've reached Germany's castle country. Hulks of ruined castles standing high above spindly towns fill the romantic Rhine gorge with legends and history. The old town of St. Goar sits under the river's mightiest castle-Reinfels. The castle overlooks the town with a commanding view of the Rhine and all its traffic. St. Goar is the departure point for our Rhine cruise. Today, we're cruising just my favorite hour of the Rhine-which is from here to the town of Bacharach. The Rhine's always been busy with trade. There's always a button for English. Get comfortable using your credit card and following the prompts. OK, I've got my train ticket to the center. Most European airports have excellent train connections into town. From Schiphol, there's a train into Amsterdam every couple of minutes... and we're downtown in a snap. I find Europe's big iron and glass stations evocative and impressively user-friendly. Most are designed to help visitors get oriented quickly-and are in or near the town center. Tourist information offices are usually in the station-or, just out the front door.
As is typical in Europe, many of Amsterdam's buses and trams fan out from the train station. Public transit is so convenient; many Europeans never get around to owning a car. The tram drops us just a couple bridges from our hotel. My hotel is near the downtown action, but peacefully situated over-looking a canal-with bikes parked out front and plenty of character. I pay extra for the convenience of a central location. After checking in, I've got my key... and I'm set. Okay, now that we're settled in, our next challenge is over-coming jet-lag. Don't take a nap. Jet lag hates bright light, fresh air, and exercise. Get out and walk. I kick off my trips with a "welcome to Europe" stroll. Having changed money, we're ready to dive into the city. While credit cards are widely accepted, I find things just go better with hard cash and many merchants prefer cash. The Euro is the currency used throughout most of the Continent. Over 300 million Europeans have the same coins jangling in their pockets. Every corner of Europe comes with a unique flavor and cultural surprises. Small-is-beautiful Holland feels quintessentially Dutch. It's charming: with characteristic gables, delightful bridges, floating parties... and bikes everywhere. It's clever: check out the three-story bicycle garage. And it's occasionally shocking. Prepare for some differences: curbside urinals... Prostitutes who work like small business people-unionized, taxed, and regulated. And Coffeeshops that sell... marijuana. I've enjoyed how-especially when I venture out of my comfort zone-travel has changed my outlook. When other societies tackle problems differently than we do, I try to understand their reasoning. For decades now, the Dutch have found that the most pragmatic approach to marijuana use is to take the crime out of the equation and regulate it. With an open mind and a wide-eyed curiosity in your travels, you'll have more fun and you'll take home my favorite souvenir: a broader perspective. We're heading off on our swing through the best of Europe. Our first stop will be the Rhine and we'll be riding the rails. We're leaving from Amsterdam's central station. Be aware, many cities have more than one station-Paris and London must have five or six each. We're leaving from Amsterdam Centraal as opposed to Amsterdam Sloterdijk. Stations and tickets are clearly marked so, if you know to check, it's no big deal. Trains work the same all over Europe. Ticket windows handle your ticket and reservation needs. Be sure-when necessary-that your ticket or your railpass is validated before boarding. Ask for advice at the quick question info booth... or from uniformed conductors on the tracks Many express trains require an advance reservation. It's smart to ask. Every station has departure boards listing all the trains leaving from a station on a particular day. The big, constantly changing "trains departing imminently board" displays precisely what's happening in the next hour or so. Whatever the language, you'll always find the same columns: departure time, stops in route, destination, which track, and if it's late. For instance the 14:20 train heading through Heidelberg to Klagenfurt is leaving from track 12, and it's is five minutes late. Train composition charts on the platform show the order of cars starting with the engine-You'll see first class...the dining car...and second class. Hi. I'm Rick Steves — immersed in the wonders of Venice — and back for part two of our three-part travel skills special. This time, we're going beyond the sights, bringing you more practical tips to help make your European trip fun and hassle-free. Thanks for joining us winward casino South Africa.
The skills we'll cover in this episode: planning, packing, safety and-perhaps the most rewarding skill of all-connecting with locals. Today more people than ever are enjoying Europe. And it's lots of fun snapping photos of the predictable biggies and checking out the cultural icons. But you can go deeper than traditions put on display for tourists. A more intimate Europe survives. You find it best by becoming a temporary local. Drop in on a dog show. Join the village parade, make new friends where there are no postcards. In this three-part travel skills special, we start in the Netherlands, venture through Germany, dip into Italy, sweep through Switzerland and France before finishing in England. In this second episode we travel through the highlights of Northern Italy: Venice, Siena, and the Cinque Terre-my favorite stretch of the Riviera. For most people, Venice is a must-see destination. To be here, on this unique island, amid all this culture and history is truly a wonder. But, with its popularity, St. Mark's Square-in mid-day-can come with over-whelming crowds. It'll take an hour for these folks to get into the church. With so many people traveling these days, if you're not on the ball, crowds can be a real problem. To me, there are two kinds of travelers: those who waste valuable time waiting in long lines like this and smarter travelers who don't. Most lines you see-like this one at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence-are not people waiting to get in. They're waiting to buy tickets to get in but there are other ways to get tickets. For example, these people at the Louvre in Paris could avoid this notorious line if they simply bought the city museum pass (which lets you go directly through the turnstile). You can also make reservations-in places like Rome's Borghese Gallery-to get directly into crowded sights by phone or on the web. Or you can arrange your schedule to avoid crowds. The ancient Pantheon is mobbed through the day...but literally all yours early or late. Travel is fraught with cultural differences. Celebrate them ...it's fun...that's why we're here. Rick: Buongiorno. Hotel clerk: Buongiorno. Your birthday date, please. On forms, fill in the date European style: day...month...year. Hotel clerk: OK, here is your key. Second floor. Rick: Grazie. Hotel clerk: Prego. And over here the ground floor is the ground floor. So, what Europeans call the first floor is the American second floor...and their second floor is what we'd call the third. By the way...cute little European hotels...often without elevators. In order to travel well, you need to be engaged. Weights and other measurements throughout Europe use the metric system. Give it a try. Here's about half a kilo ...that's roughly a pound. All over Europe, produce-in this deli, cheese and meat-is sold in 100-gram increments-about a quarter pound-plenty for a hearty sandwich. Butcher: This is a kilogram. So, one kilo, hundred grams. Ten little one makes kilogram. Hundred grams, she looks like this. This is 100 grams. This is 100 grams. And this is 100 grams. Good enough to make one sandwich. And when they write their numbers, Europeans use commas and periods differently than we do. For example, one and a half kilos looks like this...and there's one thousand grams in a kilo. And you might as well write your numbers European style, too: cross your sevens because a one looks like this. And for temperatures they use Celsius rather than Fahrenheit-here's a memory aid: 28 C is the same as 82 F...pretty warm. During the Middle Ages, Venice was Europe's trading superpower, but today the big business is tourism. All over Europe-wherever there are tourists, you'll find tourist information offices. But be aware, while handy, their purpose is to help you spend money in their town. Many are privatized. Funded by hotels and big tour companies, they can be more interested in selling tickets and services than just giving information. Still, drop by to pick up a city map, learn about special events, and so on. When it comes to information, like anywhere, be a savvy consumer. You can explore Europe on your own or with a tour. Either way can be the right choice. Going on your own gives you flexibility, freedom, and you can connect more intimately with Europe. Many wish they could go on their own but are nervous about traveling independently. Equipped with good information and a determination to travel smart, you can be your own tour guide. Guidebooks-print or digital-are vital tools. There are guidebooks for everyone: shoppers, opera buffs, campers, seniors...even vegetarians. Invest in a guidebook that fits your style. But for many travelers a guided bus tour can also be a good choice. After thirty years of tour guiding experience, I've found that for the right person, choosing the right tour can reward that traveler with some of the best travel experiences possible. Good tours come with expert, passionate teachers for guides, small groups, and take full advantage of the economy and efficiency that can come with group travel. Tour guide: Our hotel is literally just down there. And five minutes that way is St. Mark's Square. Five minutes that way is the Rialto Bridge. If we were staying on the outside of town or some cruise ship, we could not be here. The benefits of being a small group are fantastic. We get to enjoy Venice as it should be enjoyed. OK, let's get to our hotel. Barbara, you're in room 214... Organizing the top sights into a smooth and stress free package, a tour provides good comfortable hotels, door-to-door bus service-except in Venice, of course-and an efficient sightseeing schedule at a fine price. But understand how standard tours make their money. The retail price is often too good to be true-designed just to get you on board. Most of their profit actually comes in Europe. For instance, here in Venice, your guide is sure to arrange an entertaining glass blowing demonstration. And it's always followed by a shopping opportunity. Guides are generally paid a token wage and make most of their income through tips, selling optional sightseeing tours, and kickbacks on your shopping. Seeing the great sights of Europe from a cruise ship is more popular than ever. Cruising is a huge and growing industry. Like the big bus tours, it can be efficient and economical-and the base cost is reasonable. Again, the serious profit is made elsewhere-in your drinking, gambling, shopping, and selling you the on-shore excursions. Each ship carries thousands of tourists effortlessly from famous port to famous port. Passengers have choices. You can spend shore time sightseeing in organized tour groups. Or you can explore on your own. There are clear options. For the independent traveler who takes advantage of a good guidebook, the ship can provide an efficient springboard for getting the most out of a series of quick one-day stops. Anywhere in Europe, you can stay in touch easily with the Internet. And, each year there are more good reasons to be empowered by on line tools, clever apps, and communication innovations. Internet access-often for free-is everywhere, from cafes to trains to hotels. Your various mobile devices are important travel tools. Before leaving home understand their limits, costs and abilities. It's time to say ciao to Venice and head for Tuscany. Our next stop: Siena. Siena is a stony wonderland...an architectural time-warp where pedestrians rule and the present feels like the past. Its main square, Il Campo, is enchanting. Five-hundred years ago, Italy was the center of humanism. Here, it's the city hall bell tower rather than the church spire that soars above the town. And today, the beloved square feels like a beach without sand. At the edge of Siena's medieval center, our hotel's garden is a fine place for reviewing some ideas on itinerary planning. Start your travel experience early by enjoying the planning stage. Talk to other travelers, choose books and movies with your trip in mind, nurture your travel dreams. Then develop a thoughtful itinerary in steps: Brainstorm a wish list of destinations, put them in a logical geographical order, then write down how many days you'd like to spend in each place and then tally it up. 32 days. And now you've got to fit it with your vacation time. I've got 21 days off, that means I'm going to have to do some serious cutting here...minimize redundancy...can't do both the Italian Riviera and the French Riviera. Keep a balance between big cities and small towns. This is heavy on big cities. I think I'll have to cut Rome. Greece takes too much time to get to. It'll have to be on the next trip. Rather than spending an entire day on the train I can save a day in my itinerary by flying or taking the overnight train, from Bavaria to Venice. I still have to cut one day. I'll have to tighten up on Paris, three days rather than four and I've got it-21 days. It fits. Now fine-tune your itinerary. Anticipate any closed days. For instance, in Paris most museums are closed on Tuesday. Take your trip to the next level by researching events you'll encounter along the way: concerts, sporting events, and festivals. Also, consider building in a few slack days...two days on the beach midway through the trip; that'll be very nice. One-night stops are hectic. Try for at least two nights per stop. And remember...open jaws-that's flying into one city and out of another city-that's very efficient. Finally, be realistic about how much you can cover. You'll always find places you can't get to. I really wanted to get to Greece, but squeezing it in would rush my entire trip. Assume you will return. Travel is freedom. It's rich with choices and exciting decisions. That's part of the appeal. Factor in your comfort level with doing things on the fly. Some people have a great trip with nothing planned at all. Others have a great trip by nailing down every detail before they leave home. I like to keep some flexibility in my itinerary-perhaps I'll fall in love with Siena and stay an extra day. Also, plan thoughtfully to get the best weather and the least crowds. The most grueling thing about travel over here is the heat and crowds of summer-especially in Italy. Check the weather charts. My rough rule of thumb: north of the Alps is like Seattle or Boston; south of the Alps is like Southern California or Florida. Certain traits best qualify you to become a Legal Assistant. Taking inventory of these efficiencies may help you determine whether a Legal Assisting job is best for you. Whether or not you already have these credentials, you’ll want to increase your skills in these areas. The article below is about five qualities of a great legal assistant. Essay help will write for you everything.
If you do not possess all of these credentials, do not fear that you are not cut out to be a Paralegal. Even though if there are any tasks listed here that you would absolutely hate to do on a daily basis, you might need to rethink your career path. Being skilled in the following areas would be helpful in finding fulfillment as a Legal Assistant. Skilled communicator You need both good oral and written communication skills. You may be responsible for correspondence with clients by phone, e-mail, and in person. As a representative of your law firm, your conversation skills reflect upon the entire office. Organized Are you skilled in managing various activities all at one time? You will be required to simultaneously conduct multiple tasks. Responsibilities must be worked in order of importance. Keeping case files orderly, filing court documents, and conducting research can compete for your attention to be most important for the day. Analytical thinker Deducing facts from research is a valuable skill. You would need to learn a program like West-law to study your cases. Then apply what you have investigated to a particular case’s set of facts and present your findings to the attorney. Detail-oriented It is especially important to be accurate with your work in a legal office. You need to be skilled in editing legal documents. A minor error can mean the loss of a case, and even your position. Ethical A high ethical standard is essential. Just as lawyers are bound to an ethics code, you must follow it as well. Show that you can follow through. Practice integrity in both privately and professionally. It is important to know what your personal strengths as well as any weaknesses are in order to determine what abilities to enhance. Emphasis your education toward learning those skills you does not yet have. Highlight the strengths you have in your resume when you look for a job. Above are the five qualities of a great legal assistant. Preparing for a vacation can be deceptively daunting. When the great idea to take a one-week vacation to the Caribbean hits, you immediately start planning everything out in your head; taking mental notes here and there of what needs to be done before the big trip – what needs to be booked, what needs to be packed, and what can be left at home. You’ve got this, right? Planning a vacation is easy-breezy! But before you know it, you’re at the week before vacation and it hits you like an uppercut from Mike Tyson: you’re not near as prepared as you thought you were. That’s when the panic begins. And that’s when you need to take a step back, take a deep breath and reevaluate your strategy.
Listed below are seven, often overlooked, tips to help you be more prepared when you lock the door to your home and take off for the airport. 1. Learn the laws. If you are going to visit a foreign country for the first time, you should read their laws concerning important things for you, for example, permission for online casino players. 2. Clean the house. While this might not be the most appealing tip, it’s a necessary one. Take out the trash, wash the dishes, dispose of any perishable items in the fridge and pantry, vacuum (or sweep) the floors, etc. When you get back from your vacation, you’re going to be absolutely spent. And the last thing you’re going to want to do is clean the house, or come home to a messy one. 3. Take care of the utilities It’s best to save this one for either the night before or day of the trip. Turn off the main water supply to the house, turn up the air conditioner (or down, depending on the time of year), and unplug all of your electrical appliances and devices. The two major benefits of doing this? You save money and your house is better protected against accidental damage. 4. Make arrangements for the pets With longer trips, you want to make sure your pets are well taken care of while you’re away. If you already have a trusted pet sitter, call her as soon as you can to make reservations for the dates you’ll be gone. If this is your first time leaving your pet with someone, do your research first. Ask neighbors for recommendations (or see if they’ll take care of the pet for you) or search online for reputable pet sitters. Rover.com is an excellent resource for finding available pet sitters in your area. You should know and make your own opinion on certain beliefs. What do you think?
Myth # 1 Time heals all wounds. This is not necessarily true. To avoid drowning, you must kick and hands out of the water surface. It is the same with your wounds. We must face them and look at everything in a different perspective: the past may explain this but should not define it. Stop looking at what happens in the mirror and start taking action . Because in all of us, there is a bit of bravery. Just look it up and move forward. Myth # 2 Be yourself . What people think should not influence your personality, of course. Stay strong, be yourself!. Be friendly but keep always the truth if you want us to respect your opinion. Myth # 3 Happiness is up to you. It comes first from you. If you are unable to live with yourself, you will seek constantly to fill the void inside of you with an external source. You only need one person to be happy: YOU. Anyone who tells you another thing is either: 1. A Guru who wants your money 2. A woman or a man who wants your money 3. a bank that wants your money. If you do not have money, they want something else ). Happiness (love) is a bonus , but not always necessary. Yes, friends contribute to happiness, but if you are not happy with yourself first, you are as dependent on external sources to be happy. What will become of you if they disappear? Interdependence, yes, addiction, no. Myth # 4 By comparison, they console themselves. "Each sheep in a herd looks like the other one ": this is a popular saying that wants to tell that some people because of their attitudes or their failures, their common mistakes disappear into the crowd. Each chromosome is different; but your personality and your attitude are similar to others. You are therefore different by default. No need to yell, tip dye your hair purple or do something crazy to distinguish yourself. Stop comparing yourself, work on your self. Myth # 5 Think before you act. When you think too much, you forget to live the present moment. The action takes place NOW, whether for eating, reading, chatting with a friend, play ping-pong ... Although sometimes is necessary to think carefully before doing something. Certainly, to invest money, better think. For the rest, let yourself go down the river. It is better to enjoy it slowly Myth # 6 Without friends, you are nothing.We need the help of others, this is normal, but keep asking help from others to solve problems is not rigth. You are stronger than you might think. Read also: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-journey-ahead/200804/time-heals-all-wounds-or-does-it https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-intelligent-divorce/201302/bad-memories-8-ways-detox-yourself http://www.independent.co.uk/news/11-ways-to-become-a-mentally-strong-person-a6776641.html http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/benefits-of-being-friendly-with-everyone-you-meet http://www.happify.com/hd/happiness-is-up-to-you-dalai-lama/ https://www.quora.com/How-can-you-learn-to-think-before-you-act-or-speak https://www.caresearch.com.au/caresearch/tabid/1095/Default.aspx http://lifehacker.com/top-10-ways-to-improve-your-communication-skills-1590488550 http://inspiyr.com/personal-growth-and-development/ http://www.positivityblog.com/where-should-i-start-with-my-personal-development/ |
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