BillNJ's VirtualTourist Home Page

Instead of Asia, I've made arrangements for a trip to Ireland in November. On this trip, I will visit Dublin, Derry, Downings (County Donegal), Letterkenny (County Donegal), and Galway. I have posted a notice for an informal VT meeting in Dublin on Wednesday November 4th. If anyone is interested and available for this event, please sign up to attend!

One of the things that I like most about Europe is the great public transportation. On my latest trip, I didn't rent a car. Instead, I took trains between cities -- and, inside the cities, I walked or took buses, trams, subways, and taxis. I especially liked the great Hauptbahnhof (central train station) in Cologne, Germany.

When I visit a new city, I like to stop in the tourist office. If the city offers a Welcome Card, I generally purchase it. I have found that most Welcome Cards include a free or discounted bus tour of the city -- which I enjoy because it provides a guided overview of the main sites. If a bus tour isn't available, I check to see whether there is any literature that helps provide an overview of the city and its main attractions. In Aachen, Germany, I purchased a small guidebook entitled "Charlemagne Guides You Through Aachen". This book helped organize and enrich my visit to this wonderful, historical city.

When I travel, I like to experience the local food and drink. When possible, I try to include photos and descriptions of meals in my VT pages. On my latest trip, I enjoyed currywurst on three different occasions in Germany. It is baffling to me why this delicious dish has not caught on in the States.

In my VT pages, I try to provide an overview of my destinations and experiences. I also sprinkle in some of my opinions and commentary. I hope my tips and photos are of some help to others who are planning a trip or just trying to learn more about the world. If you do check out any of my VT pages, please leave a comment to let me know what you think.