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Even with only one day in , you can cover a lot of ground.

One day in isn’t nearly enough, but isn’t that the case for most cities? Don’t worry, spending one day in is better than not going there at all. You can actually see quite a few tourist attractions, even with only 24 hours in the city. In our case, we visited for the first time from a cruise ship. Our sailing aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam stopped for a day at the cruise port. This meant that we didn’t even have the opportunity to spend one day in – we actually only had about nine hours!

Whether you’re taking a day trip to , stopping in from a cruise ship, or you get to spend the night in the city, there are plenty of things to see and do there. With a short period of time, you won’t be an expert in the city by any stretch of the imagination, but you’ll get a good taste for it. I’m sure you’ll be left wanting more, just like we were.

I wasn’t even expecting to like as much as I did. I figured that I’d like the smaller towns in better than the bigger cities. However, was such a lovely surprise. The city was very quiet at the end of July, especially for the height of the tourist season. Perhaps many locals were on holidays at this time. Even if you visit during high season, don’t expect any major crowds. That can’t be said for most cities in Europe! Next, is such a clean city. I didn’t see any garbage around, and most properties and gardens were perfectly groomed.

The Best Things to Do in in a Day

Now, let’s get to all of the things to do in . If you’re looking for what to do in in a day, this is the article for you. Even though I’ll be writing from the perspective of someone traveling from a cruise ship, this can be applied to anyone visiting the city. Justin and I participated in one cruise ship excursion that you can easily book through the cruise ship. Otherwise, I’ll provide the details for you to plan this sort this tour activity independently.

In addition, I’ll write about attractions, ideas for coffee and lunch, sightseeing opportunities, and everything else that you can easily do within eight hours. Lastly, I’ll provide some alternative activities if you have 24 hours in (or 2 days in , or 3 days in ). These are the things we’d like to do when we return someday.

Take an Bike

If you only have one day in (and it’s your first time in the city), you’ll want to check out the best of the best. There won’t nearly be enough time for everything, but it’s a great opportunity to see the highlights and leave you longing to return. Justin and I embarked on an bike tour right from our cruise ship, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam. We booked the tour, “Biking in – 3 Hours.” Here’s the official tour description:

Bike along car-free paths, parks, hidden back streets and the fjord. Discover the major sites in a fun and relaxed manner. Enjoy stops for pictures. The guides reveal the stories behind the monuments, such as the medieval castle, the Royal Palace and the world famous Frogner Sculpture Park. Note: Minimum age is 12.

Not traveling from a cruise ship? Of course, you can still take a bike tour in . You can book the exact same bike tour in that we took on your own. You won’t need to bring anything on the tour, other than a rain jacket, proper footwear (regular running shoes will do), and your smartphone or DSLR camera to take photos at each stop. Your tour guide will provide you with a bicycle, fitted properly to your height, as well as a helmet, if you choose to wear one. Many of the bicycles have baskets in the back to store your belongings.

Here are the stops on our bike tour, which you’re welcome to visit on your own. I do recommend having a guide so you can learn about the history and present day happenings in . If biking is not your style, you should take a small group walking tour in , or even consider booking the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus to get around town.

Akershus Fortress

Our verandah cabin on the Nieuw Statendam faced the Akershus Fortress, so we had a perfect view of this structure right from the cruise ship. Once we met our tour guide at the dock, we walked through the Akershus Fortress (also known as Akershus Castle) on the way to the bike shop. Anyone can visit this historic site as it’s free and open to the public from 06:00 – 21:00 every day.

The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle built in 1299 under King Håkon V. It was a residence for the royal family, and it also protected them. The castle sits in a strategic spot high up on a hill, and it’s withstood a number of sieges over the years. Over time, the fortress was used as a military base, a prison, and today it is a museum. Feel free to wander around the castle grounds or visit the Fortress Visitor Centre to inquire about guided tours in the summer.

Christiania Torv

Christiania Torv is a historic city square in the old city center of . The square is most famous for its fountain with the statue of a hand pointing to the ground. This is the birthplace of modern . After a fire destroyed most of the city in 1624, the Danish-Norwegian King Christian IV rebuilt the city and named it after himself. The statue signifies that he pointed to this spot and declared that the new city would exist there.

When gained independence in 1814, the city of Christiania became its capital. In 1925, it was renamed back to . Today, this historic square is a wonderful gathering place with shops and patios. It wasn’t busy or bustling when we visited on a rainy weekday morning, but I can imagine that this town square is very popular on sunny weekends.

Rådhusplassen

Next, we rode our bikes to Rådhusplassen, a town square between City Hall and the fjord. It used to be a road, but it’s now a pedestrian zone and recreational space. You’ll find several classic sculptures in Rådhusplassen that were designed to contrast the modern buildings around it. There are also many flower beds and scenery of the waterfront to admire.

National Theatre

The National Theatre of , designed by architect Henrik Bull, has showcased stage productions and performances since 1899. There are statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, two famous Norwegian writers, on either side of its entrance. The theatre has featured Ibsen’s plays every year since its opening, and also hosts the International Ibsen Festival.

The Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slott)

At the end of Karl Johans Gate and on a hill overlooking the city, you’ll find the Royal Palace (known in Norwegian as Det Kongelige Slott or Slottet). It’s a very large and stately building surrounded by the Palace Park and the Palace Square out front. The palace was completed in 1849 and was the residence of King Charles III, the ruler of and Sweden. It is currently the official residence of the Norwegian monarch, HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja.

You can take public tours of the Royal Palace and there are guided tours in the summer. The palace is protected by Hans Majestet Kongens Garde (His Majesty The King’s Guard, or the Royal Guards). You can watch the changing of the guards ceremony daily at 1:30pm. We learned a little bit about the history of and its monarchy from our informative guide on our bike tour. While we didn’t go inside the palace this time around, I’d like to do that upon our return to in the future.

Frogner Park and Vigeland Sculptures

Frogner Park is most famous for its sculpture installation by Gustav Vigeland, and it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions. The Vigeland sculpture park is free and open to the public (24 hours a day, 365 days a year), and it tops the list of things to do in . Even if you only have one day in , you must make the trip to Frogner Park to see Vigeland’s statues and sculptures.

Vigeland Park is the largest sculpture park in the world where a single artist created every single work of art. Gustav Vigeland made over 200 bronze, granite and cast iron sculptures for this permanent art installation. He also designed the architectural layout of the park itself. The sculptures are naked human figures, depicting a variety of poses, emotions, and situations that range from realistic to completely surreal. Not only is it one of the top attractions, but it’s one of the most popular in all of . If you’re seeking what to do in , you won’t be disappointed by the Vigeland sculpture installation in Frogner Park.

When you enter Frogner Park, you’ll see bright and beautiful flower beds all around, including roses and other colorful flowering plants. When we visited at the end of July, the flowers were all in bloom. Then, you’ll discover Vigeland’s statues, his life’s work. If you’re looking for what to see in , this is one of the highlights of the city.

Vigeland Park: The Bridge

The Bridge at Vigeland Park has 58 bronze sculptures dating back to 1925-1933. These are some of the first sculptures mounted at the park back in the 1940s. There are women, men, and children of all ages, playing on energetic themes. “The Angry Boy” is one of the most famous statues within the park, and you’ll find him on the bridge.

Vigeland Sculpture Park: The Fountain

Beyond a rose garden, you’ll reach The Fountain, one of Vigeland’s earliest sculptures and a focal point of the park. In the middle, giant men hold a saucer as water cascades all around them. There are also people intertwined with trees, representing the relationship between humans and nature.

Vigeland Park: The Monolith

Next, you’ll reach another primary focus of Vigeland sculpture park, The Monolith. It’s at the highest point of the park, and it’s carved out of one solid stone block. It stands 17 meters tall and features 121 human figures intertwined and spiraling upwards. There are men, women, and children at the top. This sculpture could represent our longing for spirituality or a portrayal of resurrection.

Tjuvholmen & Aker Brygge

We rode our bikes through quiet city streets to the neighborhoods of Tjuvholmen and Aker Brygge. Our small group stopped first in Tjuvholmen, breezing past several art galleries and unique architectural spaces. You could spend all day in Tjuvholmen discovering art at the Astrup Fearnley Museet, the Tjuvholmen sculpture park, and even its parking garage (there’s a giant decoration of a foot stomping through the ceiling called “One foot in the grave”).

We stopped at the end of the pier where we learned that many locals like to swim in the waters there. In fact, we saw a man strip down to his swimsuit and dive in the water, even though it was a rainy and cool day. Our guide explained that the water is often much warmer than the air temperature.

Aker Brygge is a region by the waterfront with many restaurants stretching along a large boardwalk. You can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine on one of many patios with beautiful scenery all around. There’s always lots of activity in this space with many tourists and locals going for a stroll by the water.

Rådhuset (City Hall)

’s City Hall building was built in the stark, Brutalist architectural style. On December 10th each year, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is hosted at City Hall (December 10th is the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death).

Lunch and Coffee Options

At this point, our bike tour came to an end. After taking the tour, it remains my top choice for excursions from a cruise ship or otherwise. By riding bikes around the city, we were able to explore what to do in efficiently by covering a lot of ground. Also, the tour was only three hours long, which left us with lots of time to keep exploring. You can see a lot in in one day! I also recommend breaking up your activities with a meal in the middle. Take a bike ride in the morning, stop for lunch, and head back out in the afternoon before the cruise ship departs.

Back on the Ship

The most cost effective lunch option if you’re visiting on a cruise is to dine back on the ship. It’s all included in the cost of the cruise. Justin and I went back on board the Nieuw Statendam for a quick bite at the Lido Market. Everything tastes so fresh and delicious, and the meals are prepared to order before your eyes.

The Fragrance of the Heart

If you’re looking for dining options near the cruise port, my top choice is the vegetarian cafe, The Fragrance of the Heart. I stopped there for coffee, but wished that I had more room in my stomach for a meal or a dessert. There are many vegan and gluten-free options at The Fragrance of the Heart. The man working there was so nice and welcoming, and I was surprised to learn that he recently visited Toronto and Justin’s home city, Etobicoke. It’s a small world!

Exploring on Foot

For the rest of the afternoon, I set out to explore on foot. There are many attractions and sights near the cruise ship terminal. It’s easy to walk all over within a couple of hours. If there’s somewhere you’d like to visit that isn’t within walking distance, their public transit system and buses are quite good and easy to navigate. Here is some sightseeing and things to do in that you can see simply by walking around.

Karl Johans Gate

Karl Johans Gate is the main city street in , named after King Charles III John (King Charles XIV John in Sweden). The Royal Palace sits at one end of King Johans Gate, and there are many other attractions and shops all along this street. You can see unique fountains, buildings, Central Station, the National Theater building, and more. There are also many restaurants, clubs, bars, and cafes in this lively area of the city.

Palace Park (Slottsparken)

Since we only briefly stopped at the Royal Palace on our bike tour, I decided to walk back up to the Royal Palace to visit the Palace Park. If you visit around 1:30pm, you can watch the changing of the guards ceremony, too. The Palace Park is a very green area of the city. I also admired a public art installation within the park itself, too. If you’re a fan of sculptures and public art, you’ll love to visit as there are so many all over the city. Even with only one day in , I recommend exploring the Royal Palace and the Palace Park as much as you can.

Quiet Neighborhoods and City Streets

If you have the chance, wander down the quiet side streets in . Observe the intricate details on the colorful homes in local neighborhoods. There really weren’t any other people around in the middle of the day, and it felt very safe to me. We caught some glimpses of these houses and streets on our bike tour, but I wanted to wander down some more streets after walking through the Palace Park. It’s a great little detour if you have the chance.

Street Art at the Ship Terminal

I’m always on the lookout for street art on my travels. There’s actually quite a bit of street art and murals right at the cruise ship terminal. If you take a walk along the pier and keep walking by the water near the Akershus Fortress, you’ll see lots of colorful art on the walls and buildings. It’s nice that there’s such a great collection all in one place.

2 or 3 Days in ? Here are More Attractions

All of the activities, attractions, and tours that I listed above will surely keep you busy throughout your stay in , whether you have one day in or even only a handful of hours. If you have 2 days in or even 3 days in , there’s plenty more to see and do. Here are some things to do in if you have more time. They’re definitely on our list for when we return.

Viking Ship Museum

’s Viking Ship Museum contains well preserved Viking ships that date back to the 9th century. You can see some of the world’s best preserved Viking ships. These ships also served as parts of burial mounds for their wealthy owners. Uncovering these ships has revealed skeletons and artifacts from the past.

The Fram Museum

The Fram Museum displays the world’s strongest wooden vessel, the polar ship called Fram. Visitors can go on board the ship for a tour to its various rooms, including cabins and the engine room. It’s a great way to explore ’s history of polar explorers and expeditions.

Nobel Peace Center

The Noble Peace Center is a space dedicated to winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. There’s a permanent display with details of Peace Prize laureates’ work and lives. There are also several other rotating exhibitions revolving around themes of people, nature, war, and climate.

Holmenkollen Ski Museum

If you love everything relating to skiing, the Holmenkollen Ski Museum will top this list of things to do in . You can learn about 4000 years of skiing history through the museum’s exhibitions and displays. Beyond the ski museum, the main attraction here is the Holmenkollen ski jump tower.

University Botanical Garden

Part of the Natural History Museum of the University of , the Botanical Garden is a peaceful and beautiful space within the city. Since 1814, the Botanical Garden showcases plant diversity and conservation through several different garden displays and greenhouses. There’s the Rock Garden, the Herb Garden, the Aromatic Garden, The Arboretum, and even a Viking Garden.

Where to Stay in

While we didn’t spend the night in as we visited from a cruise ship, there are lots of excellent choices for accommodations near the city center. While staying at an Airbnb apartment is a great choice, I’d compare those prices to hotels in that might offer just as much bang for your buck. The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel offers a luxurious stay in an excellent location, just steps from Central Station. If you’re traveling on a budget, the Citybox provides a comfortable stay in a fantastic location (minus a few of the frills).

#Oslo #Norway #Travel #1Day #Itinerary #Cruise #Tour #Excursion #kt-info-box_58ab6b-7e #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;border-width:0px #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;}kt-info-box_58ab6b-7e #444;padding:0px #444;}kt-info-box_58ab6b-7e #ffffff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;border-width:0px #fff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;}</style>

A Norwegian fjords cruise is an amazing way to absorb the stunning scenery of .

What better way to see the captivating beauty of than by taking a Norwegian fjords cruise? Wake up to stunning and wondrous views each day from a new Norwegian town. Sail past towering mountains and rugged cliffs. Spot the tiny, colorful houses that dot the rocky mountains as you drift by. It’s truly a magical vacation that you need to take in your lifetime.

Justin and I embarked on the 7 day Viking Sagas cruise with Holland America Line. We sailed aboard their newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, from Amsterdam to four Norwegian port towns: Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. There were also two days at sea where we had the opportunity to relax and enjoy cruise ship living.

Reasons to Take a Norwegian Fjords

There are many advantages to taking a Norwegian fjords cruise over a land trip. First, it’s an easy way to travel from one place to the next. You fly into and out of the same airport (in our case, Amsterdam), board the ship with your belongings, and you don’t have to worry about transportation between cities. You spend each night in a comfortable room, waking up in a new place each day. And you’ll be able to unpack and get settled for the week. This is such a wonderful perk as we’re used to taking road trips where we essentially live out of our suitcases.

The views from this Holland America cruise are nothing short of spectacular. To fully appreciate the fjords, it’s best to view them from the middle of the water. You’ll be able to walk around the ship for 360 degree panoramic perspectives of the scenery all around you. There are ample opportunities for scenic fjord cruising. I also loved viewing each port or town from the vantage point of our balcony cabin (or from the top decks of the ship). It’s almost like having your own aerial view – no drone required!

In addition, having traveled through a couple of Scandinavian cities in the past (Copenhagen and Reykjavik, for example), we know that these countries are expensive. Dining out, spending the night, and most other costs of traveling in are not cheap. Sailing aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise helps keep the cost down. It isn’t necessary to dine off the cruise ship when all the meals on the ship are included in the price. Taking a coastal cruise is one of the most cost effective ways of traveling around the country.

When to Take a Coastal

The summer months are the best time to visit , with the chances of having the best weather. The Nieuw Statendam cruises around from May to September. There are also opportunities to extend your cruise to lengthier expeditions, like cruising to Iceland, exploring more countries on a Scandinavia cruise, and even crossing the Arctic Circle. Justin and I sailed at the end of July and into the beginning of August, which I’d consider to be the best time for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

Packing for the Weather

isn’t known for having stable weather, so expect a little bit of everything. We had days with bright sunshine and hot temperatures. We also had days of rain, wind, and seasonably cool temperatures. Expect everything, even all in one day. I recommend bringing a good mix of clothing: shorts and tank tops for the hot days, jeans and sweaters for the cooler ones. Pack everything from sunscreen to a rain jacket and umbrella.

Why Holland America Line for a ?

This was our first cruise with Holland America Line, and we absolutely recommend sailing with this cruise line for your upcoming holiday. We were both super impressed with the quality of service, the friendly and helpful staff, the level of care, the quality of the food, the comfort and cleanliness of our room, the on board entertainment, and the ports / destinations for the sailing. I’m so pleased to write such a glowing review of our vacation on the Nieuw Statendam. You’ll truly feel refreshed, invigorated, and enlightened after your cruise to .

It’s a total breeze to book and plan your Norwegian fjords cruise. You can book everything directly through the Holland America Line website. Book your cruise, your shore excursions, spa treatments or dinner reservations in advance. You can print your boarding passes and luggage tags in advance of your cruise. It’s easy to arrange transportation from the airport to the cruise ship ahead of time. Then, the check-in process is easy-peasy. Cruising is such a stress-free way to travel where you can choose to do as much or as little as you like.

Perhaps you’d like to wait to book some activities until you’re on board? That works, too. Once you’re on the ship, you’ll have access to a range of activities in the daily “When & Where” guide. These details also appear on your stateroom TV and you can even look them up on your smartphone. The Nieuw Statendam is a cruise ship that focuses on music and art. Out of all the cruises I’ve taken, this one has the best nightly entertainment that I’ve ever experienced. Justin and I spent every night at the Music Walk on deck 2. We floated between the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard, and B.B. King’s Blues Club where you could always hear live music all night long.

Ship Life on Nieuw Statendam

One of our favorite aspects of cruising is life on board the cruise ship. It’s like a little floating city, but it’s not really like any typical city I’ve visited. First, it’s common place to greet everyone as you pass one another down the hallway or have small chats on the elevator. It’s easy to get to know the cruise ship staff because you’ll chat to them everyday. You can make friends everywhere you go: on excursions, at the pool, and at the music venues.

The carpet in the elevator also reminds you what day it is!

Our Verandah Stateroom

Justin and I stayed in a Verandah Spa Stateroom on the Nieuw Statendam, cabin (category VQ). This balcony cabin features one queen sized bed (can be made up into two twin beds), a sitting area with a couch, a private verandah, a shower, and floor-to-ceiling windows. This room is located on the Panorama Deck (deck 10), which meant that our verandah had amazing views from high up on the ship.

The style of the room feels light and airy, and more open and spacious than our past cruise ship cabins. I love the lighter colored wooden furnishings and the shades of turquoise and lime throughout the room. It really presents a breezy vacation vibe. I highly recommend choosing a verandah room during a Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s possible to wake up and watch the scenic sailings through the fjords right from your own room. Order room service breakfast and you don’t even have to leave your cabin to dine and enjoy the brilliant scenery.

There are many modern amenities throughout the stateroom. First, we loved the big flat screen TV across from the bed with a video on-demand service. This not only beats the smaller TVs we’ve seen on other cruise ships, but we’ve never had this amount of new movies to watch from the comfort of our room before. It’s like having a mini Netflix, right in the room. If you have some downtime on a sea day or want to unwind at night, feel free to curl up in your cabin and catch up on some movies.

There are also plenty of outlets in the cabin, both North American and European. You’ll find USB ports above both bedside tables for your phones. We also found that the Wi-Fi was quite speedy from inside our cabin, more so than other public areas on the ship.

We were also super comfortable in our cabin each day and night. The signature Mariner’s Dream bed was the perfect place to drift off into sleep and allowed us to feel well rested upon waking each day. There’s also an in-room safe, a mini fridge, ice service, complimentary fresh fruit on request, a magnifying make-up mirror, a blow dryer, 100% Egyptian cotton towels, and a premium massage shower head.

The nightly turn down service each evening by our cabin steward was made extra special with a new origami towel animal each night. We loved the special touch of having a new animal on our bed when we came back from dinner and drinks each night. It was always a surprise to see which animal would appear. Our favorite was definitely the monkey, hanging out in the middle of the room on a clothes hanger!

Public Spaces on Nieuw Statendam

There are lots of public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, for various interests and activities. There are two swimming pools, a larger one in the middle of the ship and one at the back of the ship, as well as numerous hot tubs. The bigger mid-ship pool is beneath a retractable roof, which stays closed if the weather isn’t cooperating. You can take a dip in this pool if it’s raining or chilly outside, and the water is heated, too. You can even watch movies by the pool at night with popcorn and snacks. There are a variety of seating options near the pool like loungers, tables and chairs for dining, and even larger couches and chaise lounges that are totally appropriate for a midday snooze.

Nieuw Statendam has a bright and modern fitness center with loads of cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, yoga mats, and a separate room for spin classes. While we only managed to make it to the gym once, it was such an enjoyable experience. There are cycling machines with digital monitors offering virtual riding experiences, which almost makes you forget that you’re working out. The treadmills face directly out to the front of the ship, so you can absorb the soothing ocean views as you exercise. If you’d rather get your exercise outdoors, there’s an outdoor jogging track, outdoor exercise machines, and a basketball court.

This Nordic cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam has lots of bars and meeting spaces to gather with friends and loved ones. Meet over a drink while listening to a variety of music. There’s also a casino, on board shops, an art gallery, numerous dining venues, a full service spa and salon, and two coffee shops for your caffeine fix.

Entertainment Options

On sea days and at night on your Norwegian fjords cruise aboard Nieuw Statendam, you won’t have to worry about feeling bored. There are non-stop activities and entertainment throughout the cruise. However, it’s all up to you. If you feel like relaxing by the pool and reading a book, go for it!

We participated in a few of the entertainment options and activities on our Holland America cruise. One of our favorite things about cruising to on the Nieuw Statendam was the entertainment itself. In addition to performances and comedy shows in the theater, we spent most of our evenings at Nieuw Statendam’s Music Walk. There’s non-stop live music all night long.

In one space, there’s the Billboard Onboard bar and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. There’s a rock band that performs in the Rolling Stone bar, and there are a pair of dueling piano performers at Billboard. Each plays a set for about 45 minutes. When the band finishes playing at Rolling Stone, the music immediately starts up across the way at Billboard. When the pianists wrap up their set, the live music starts again at Rolling Stone.

And then there’s the band at B.B. King’s down the hallway. The musical act at B.B. Kings plays lots of pop hits, R&B, and blues music. In the band, there are vocalists, musicians on guitar, keys, drums, saxophone, and one of the most talented bassists we’ve ever seen. There’s a massive dance floor at B.B. King’s so you can shake what you’ve got.

On sea days, check the “When & Where” guide for daily activities. There are dance classes, ping pong tournaments, talks about history and nature, trivia and board games, and so much more. We took a tour of the kitchen one morning to gain insights into the behind-the-scenes operations in preparing the food on the cruise. Did you know that the average weekly consumption of melon on board totals a whopping 4000 lbs? And the total amount of fresh vegetables for the passengers on board for the week is 18,000 lbs? There are a lot of mouths to feed, and the kitchen staff runs a “tight ship” (pardon the pun!). There’s a huge focus on cleanliness, being quick and efficient, and following a set of protocols that even includes official guidelines on plating meals.

Another interesting activity for the wine fans on board is the intimate tasting and wine blending class, BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle. While Justin and I enjoy wine, we both like drinking beer a little bit more than wine. We headed to the European beer tasting at the Billboard Onboard one afternoon. We sampled a few different European beers in various styles and engaged in a small beer trivia session with the host.

Art on Nieuw Statendam

You won’t find the antiquated cruise ship art auction on Nieuw Statendam. Instead, the entire cruise ship acts like a floating art gallery. There’s a separate smaller art gallery on board, but the best art is spread throughout the ship. In every stairwell, you’ll find unique and impressive works of art that look straight out of a museum. When you get off the elevator, you’ll discover statues, sculptures, and other three dimensional art pieces in various styles.

The central atrium on Nieuw Statendam is an architectural marvel, too. With a dramatic sculpture at its center, the central atrium extends three floors up with winding staircases. At the top, there’s an impressive ceiling with changing colors and projections. You might see pastel colors, wispy clouds, or constellations up above when you’re wandering through the atrium.

Club Orange

Would you like to add a luxurious flair to your sailing? Club Orange is Holland America’s new exclusive program that offers an enhanced experience to your cruise. It’s a wonderful way to receive priority access, exclusive amenities, and escape the crowds during peak dining times.

Club Orange members can dine in the exclusive Club Orange dining room for breakfast and dinner. While it will feature the same menu as the dining room for dinner and the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast, there are some additional daily dishes added to the menu that you won’t find anywhere else.

Access to Club Orange also includes one of my favorite perks, priority check-in and disembarkation, as well as priority tender service (if your cruise uses tenders at the ports – ours did not). It’s a great feeling to skip the check-in line when you reach the cruise terminal. This really sped up the embarkation process and we were on the ship before we knew it. There are also lovely additional perks like a welcome glass of sparkling wine, premium bathrobes to use in the cabin, and a Club Orange tote bag.

The name pays homage to the rich Dutch heritage of Holland America Line as it’s the color of the Dutch Royal Family. For those booking the Neptune and Pinnacle suite categories, Club Orange is included in your sailing. For non-suite customers, Club Orange access is $50 per day, and both guests of the same stateroom are required to enroll. It must be purchased prior to sailing (you can’t upgrade once you’re on board).

Food on our to

On our Holland America cruise to , the food was top notch. Our dining experiences are different from the average cruise passenger as we both seek vegan and plant-based options on board. If you have a food allergy or follow a special diet, you don’t have to worry at all. You’ll find lots of delicious meals on board the Nieuw Statendam. The staff members will go above and beyond to ensure that you enjoy delicious and satisfying meals.

Vegan and Vegetarian Menu

When dining in the main dining room, you can request a vegan and vegetarian menu. You can order any dishes from this menu at any point in time throughout the cruise. There are appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees. Most of them are vegan, although there are a couple that are marked as vegetarian. In fact, there were so many options, we didn’t even have enough time to sample them all during our 7 day cruise. Some of my favorites included the Asian Noodle Soup, the Tempeh and Vegetable Kabob, and the Curried Cauliflower Steak. Justin really enjoyed the Grilled Portabella Mushroom with Zucchini Spaghetti.

There are also moments where some items on the regular dining menu are vegan or can easily be prepared vegan. There was a hearty tofu and coconut curry on the dining menu one night that was naturally plant-based. There’s also a few menu items at the Canaletto specialty Italian restaurant that are vegetarian and can be prepared vegan, like a tomato risotto dish. Some of the other specialty dining restaurants include the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Tamarind, and Nami Sushi.

Lido Market

The Lido Market on Nieuw Statendam is not your typical buffet – it’s so much better. You don’t need to worry about picking through stale food, food that’s been manhandled by other passengers, or food that’s not at a good temperature any longer. The Lido Market has several individual stations where you’ll find freshly prepared food for many different tastes. The food is all scooped and served onto plates by staff members behind the glass. This prevents cross contamination and improper food handling that can often lead to outbreaks of illnesses on board.

We adored the salad station the most. I know, that sounds so typical for a pair of vegans, right? Well, you just needed to point at all the different veggies, toppings, and dressings that you wanted in your salad, and the staff will whip it up in a big salad bowl for you. I also loved the Asian food station where they always had some veggie and tofu sushi available, as well as some sort of vegetable noodle stir fry. In the evening, you can have a stir fry made to order with the protein, vegetables, and sauces of your choosing. It’s easy to order a tofu and veggie stir fry, prepared right before your eyes.

Dive In (Fast Food)

Craving something a little more sinful? Dive In has lots of fast food options, including burgers, hot dogs, and fries. There’s always a veggie burger on the menu, too. We dove right in to burgers and fries on more than one occasion!

New York Pizza & Deli

The New York Pizza & Deli was one of our favorite food stops on our Nieuw Statendam cruise. You can customize your pizza however you like it. I always ordered a pizza without cheese (there isn’t any vegan cheese on the ship) and with lots of vegetables. You can also get bagels in the morning (there’s more variety here than anywhere else on the ship!) and snacks at night, like kettle chips and popcorn. You can eat your pizza in the dining space near the pizzeria or take it away in a box back to your room. I absolutely love how New York Deli & Pizza stays open until midnight. Late night pizza, anyone?

Room Service Breakfast

I think we must have ordered room service breakfast every single day on the ship, including disembarkation day. Every evening, there was a card left in our room by our room steward with the turn down service. You choose a half hour window as to when you’d like your breakfast to be delivered. There are a variety of options on the room service breakfast menu. And like magic, the food appears on a giant platter at your door each morning. Justin and I enjoyed breakfast on our balcony, as well as breakfast in bed. We didn’t have to get dressed or face any morning breakfast crowds.

For vegan options, we often ordered bagels and bread with peanut butter and jam, bowls of cereal with soy milk, veggie sausages, fresh melon, fresh banana, coffee and tea. Up in the Lido Market, there are a few more options, mostly hot items like potatoes and hash browns. It’s amazing how dining in our cabin was one of the highlights of our Norwegian fjords cruise. It’s one of those things that you certainly miss once you’re back at home and you need to make your own breakfast. Room service is also available 24 hours a day. The menu is on every stateroom TV.

Where to Find the Best Coffee on Nieuw Statendam

If you read this blog regularly, I’m sure you’ve gathered that I’m a self-proclaimed coffee addict. I tend to write a lot of coffee guides and I’ve shared tips on making your own coffee on the road. Sometimes cruise ship coffee isn’t that great. However, you have no worries at all finding a great cup of coffee on Holland America cruises. Coffee culture in Europe is real, and Holland America doesn’t want to disappoint, I’m sure!

If you’re looking for delicious coffee on Nieuw Statendam, there are two great spots to find it. One is the Grand Dutch Cafe on deck 3. This Dutch coffee shop offers more traditional brewed beverages made with HAL’s Rotterdam 1873 coffee beans, which you can also purchase to bring home. There are also a few sweet treats to pair with your coffee. You can also buy beer and alcoholic beverages at the Grand Dutch Cafe.

On deck 12, the Explorations Central & Cafe at the Crow’s Nest offers another wonderful coffee experience. You can also order Americanos and lattes here, as well as iced coffees, frappuccinos, and other frozen concoctions. Enjoy your coffee in this room with a view at the top and front of the ship.

As a bonus for those who don’t drink coffee but love tea, why not head to Classic Afternoon Tea? It happens each day on Nieuw Statendam in the dining room on deck 3 from 3:00pm-3:45pm.

Ports on our Norwegian Fjords

One of the main reasons to sail on a Norwegian fjords cruise is for the ports. This 7 day Viking Sagas cruise has an amazing selection of ports that surely won’t disappoint. We sailed from Amsterdam to Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm. While I’ll be writing about each individual experience in port, here’s a brief overview of each of our stops.

Cruising to from Amsterdam

Cruising from Amsterdam on this Norwegian fjords cruise allows us to reach several ports in one week. Amsterdam isn’t too far from . I loved having the sea days to relax, acting as book ends to the ports. While the days in each town and city can be jam packed with activities, it’s great to have some time to unwind on either side of that. Cruising out of Amsterdam also has its perks. For us, the flights aren’t too long from Toronto to Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a pretty accessible location for those living in Europe, too. There’s also the option of extending your stay by booking a hotel in Amsterdam and exploring Amsterdam for a while longer.

Oslo

Oslo is such a fascinating city to explore, and it’s the largest city we visited on our Norwegian fjords cruise. While it’s impossible to see everything in Oslo in a day, it’s definitely the kind of city that will leave you wanting more. Justin and I booked the shore excursion, “Biking in Oslo”, which was a 3 hour tour along car free paths, parks, the fjord, and hidden back streets. We had a very informative and fun tour guide. Our small group made several stops along the way, learning about the history of the city. There were lots of opportunities to take pictures. We even got to visit the famous Vigeland park with over 200 sculptures by artist, Gustav Vigeland.

I loved taking the three hour biking tour in the morning, which allowed time for us to stop back at the cruise ship for lunch. Then, there were a couple of hours left to explore Oslo on foot and wander around the city. Once you’re back on the ship, enjoy the scenery of the fjords as you sail away from Oslo and towards Kristiansand.

Kristiansand

In Kristiansand, we booked the shore excursion, “Lillesand: The Jewel of Sorlandet.” First, we boarded a bus for a scenic drive to the village of Lillesand where he had some free time to explore. Next, we transferred to a boat for a ride along the coastline for scenic views of tiny coastal communities. Unfortunately, it poured rain for our entire trip, but that’s just how it works sometimes!

Thankfully, it stopped raining in the afternoon, just in time to explore the town of Kristiansand. There are lots of things to do in Kristiansand, including wandering through historic sections of town and down by the wharf. I discovered rows of white historic homes, checked out the Kristiansand Cathedral, walked up and down the main shopping street, found some colorful street art, and even had a yummy oat milk latte at a cafe.

Stavanger

Justin and I didn’t take any excursions or tours in Stavanger as the town looked rather interesting on its own. Instead, we walked all over town, visiting Gamle Stavanger (largest surviving wooden house settlement in northern Europe), the Stavanger Cathedral, a beautiful pond and park, a quirky and colorful row of buildings with restaurants and shops, and an industrial area turned into a playground. There are also walls upon walls of street art and murals to discover here, too.

Flåm

Saving the best for last, our day in Flam was quite possibly our favorite of our entire cruise. Sailing into and out of Flåm was such a treat, as we soaked up the most spectacular scenery of the entire Norwegian fjords cruise. To reach Flåm, our ship sailed through the Sognefjord, the largest and deepest fjord in .

Flåm also happens to be home to one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys. If it’s your first time in this Norwegian village, don’t miss riding the Flåm Railway. The journey and the destination are equally as beautiful. Mountains, valleys, waterfalls – the beauty was never ending! At our first stop, we admired a massive waterfall (Kjosfossen), and then soaked up the sensational scenery at our final stop (Vatnahalsen).

.kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap {background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);padding:20px 20px 20px 20px;border-width:0px 0px 0px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover {border-color:rgba(238, 238, 238, 1);background:rgba(206, 249, 248, 1);} .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:10px 10px 10px 10px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-media-container {margin:0px 15px 0px 15px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-media {color:#444;background:transparent;border-color:#444444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color: 0px 0px 0px;margin:5px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-title {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-text {color:#444;} .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: 0px 0px 0px;padding:4px 8px 4px 8px;margin:10px 0px 10px 0px;} .kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap:hover .kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore {color: <div id="" class="wp-block-kadence-infobox"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-link-wrap kt-blocks-info-box-media-align-top kt-info-halign-center"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media-container"><div class="kt-blocks-info-box-media kt-info-media-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-container kt-info-icon-animate-none"><div class="kadence-info-box-icon-inner-container"><span style="display:block;justify-content:center;align-items:center" class="kt-info-svg-icon kt-info-svg-icon-fas_camera"><svg style="display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle" viewbox="0 0 512 512" height="80" width="80" fill="currentColor" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M512 144v288c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V144c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h88l12.3-32.9c7-18.7 24.9-31.1 44.9-31.1h125.5c20 0 37.9 12.4 44.9 31.1L376 96h88c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48zM376 288c0-66.2-53.8-120-120-120s-120 53.8-120 120 53.8 120 120 120 120-53.8 120-120zm-32 0c0 48.5-39.5 88-88 88s-88-39.5-88-88 39.5-88 88-88 88 39.5 88 88z"><div class="kt-infobox-textcontent"><h4 class="kt-blocks-info-box-title">Want to see more cruise photos?<p class="kt-blocks-info-box-text">Check out our entire travel photography album from our cruise to . You can also purchase prints, housewares and more from our photos. Click the ‘buy’ button by any picture!<div class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore-wrap"><a class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F&sref=rss">Learn More <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2FNieuw-Statendam-2019%2Fi-7hc5cBn%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//Nieuw-Statendam-2019/i-7hc5cBn/0/5d753bba/XL/P1420201-XL.jpg" alt="Nordic with Holland America Line - Sunsets - Norwegian Fjords "/> <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2FNieuw-Statendam-2019%2Fi-fTFt5WK%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//Nieuw-Statendam-2019/i-fTFt5WK/0/9e2a4d66/XL/P1420206-XL.jpg" alt="Scandinavia to - Brilliant sunsets - Norwegian Fjords "/> <h2>In Summary <p>It was our first trip to , and it certainly won’t be our last. Our visits to the ports were highly memorable, and we loved the comfort and hospitality of cruise ship living. Nieuw Statendam is the perfect home away from home, from the food to the entertainment. We are so glad that our first experience in was aboard a Norwegian fjords cruise with Holland America Line. <ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18667" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18667" class="wp-image-18667" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest3.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18666" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18666" class="wp-image-18666" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest2.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg" alt="Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider's Guide to a with Holland America Line data-id="18665" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18665" class="wp-image-18665" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/--Pinterest1.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /> <div class="kt-simple-box" style="background-color:rgba(232, 232, 232, 1); min-height:1px; padding-top:15px; padding-bottom:15px; padding-left:15px; padding-right:15px; "><div class="kt-simple-box-inner"> <center><strong>Did you find this post useful? Show your appreciation with a small tip! <div id="JPL01" class="quid-slider" align="center" quid-currency="CAD" quid-product-id="JPL01" quid-product-url="https://justinpluslauren.com/norwegian-fjords-cruise-nieuw-statendam/" quid-product-name="Justin Plus Lauren" quid-product-description="A Tip for Justin & Lauren" quid-text="Tip Us!" quid-text-paid="Thanks!" quid-amount="1"> <p><em>A huge thank you to Holland America Line for hosting us on this cruise. We always provide completely honest reviews, and we were in love with this cruise adventure. This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. <h4>Have you ever traveled to or taken a Norwegian fjords cruise? <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com/norwegian-fjords-cruise-nieuw-statendam/">Norwegian Fjords on the Nieuw Statendam: An Insider’s Guide to a with Holland America Line appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com">Justin Plus Lauren.

#Norway #Travel #Cruise #HollandAmerica #NieuwStatendam #Fjords #10035 #kt-info-box_a8ab9d-36 #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;border-width:0px #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;}kt-info-box_a8ab9d-36 #444;padding:0px #444;}kt-info-box_a8ab9d-36 #ffffff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;border-width:0px #fff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;}</style>#Fjords"

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Exploring ’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

This guest post is written by Michael Anderson.

Sian Ka’an is a protected biosphere reserve located along ’s Caribbean coast. The reserve spans over one thousand square miles and is home to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve was established as a protected region in 1986 and then subsequently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 due to its remarkable biodiversity.

Today, visitors can tour the reserve and witness this extraordinary ecosystem for themselves. In addition to the biodiversity, Sian Ka’an also contains some of the bluest waters in all of the Caribbean as most of the region is composed of wetlands and mangrove forests. Now that Sian Ka’an has been added your bucket list, let’s take a closer look at touring this impressive reserve.

Sian Ka’an Tours

The entrance to Sian Ka’an is located about two hours south of Cancun, one hour south of Playa del Carmen, and five minutes south of Tulum. The reserve basically begins where the town of Tulum ends. There are numerous tour companies that pick you up early in the morning, either from Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Then, you’ll be transported to the reserve.

If you’re looking for a recommendation for Sian Ka’an tours, I highly suggest booking with a company called Kan Tours. Aside from having fantastic reviews, they promote responsible tourism and conservation throughout all of their excursions. I went on three eco-friendly tours with this company, one of them being Sian Ka’an . All three were fantastic.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, you’ll hear a brief introduction before boarding a small boat. This boat will act as your home for the next couple of hours. This is where the adventure begins.

Sian Ka’an : Wildlife

Almost immediately after beginning your Sian Ka’an excursion, you’ll no doubt see numerous species of birds that encompass wide swaths of the reserve. Interestingly enough, one Sian Ka’an tour website claims that a whopping 379 species of birds have been identified in the reserve as of 2015. Another website is more modest with an estimate of 326 species.

Either way, it’s more birds than I could possibly name. Out of the diverse birds that I viewed during this tour, the Magnificent Frigatebird seemed to be the most common. And yes the word magnificent is actually a part of the bird’s name. Large flocks of this bird can be seen resting on and flying around Sian Ka’an’s numerous mangroves.

Aside from birds, you may also be privy to marine wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, crocodiles, and the endangered green sea turtle, just to name a few. I also saw a boa constrictor swimming in the water at one point. Although I didn’t personally witness any land-based mammals while visiting the reserve, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any. In fact, Sian Ka’an is home to diverse mammals such as pumas, jaguars, ocelots, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, possums, and tapirs.

After boating around the reserve and searching for wildlife, you’ll have the chance to snorkel in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. It’s the second largest coral reef in the entire world. You can jump into the water and snorkel alongside colorful fish or you can just hang out in the boat and relax.

Visiting Punta Allen

At this point the tour will take you to the small fishing village of Punta Allen, which is one of the only human settlements located within the reserve. Punta Allen is actually the largest human settlement in Sian Ka’an with a population of about 500 residents. The village is so small that it receives electricity from a single generator from 11AM to 2PM and from 7PM to 12AM every day.

Upon arriving in Punta Allen, you’ll be treated to a delicious meal of your choosing at a local restaurant (vegan options are available). After lunch, you can walk around the village’s sandy streets. Witness the laid-back Caribbean lifestyle that the locals are accustomed to. You may see children playing basketball at the local park or adults riding a bike across the village. Our group stopped at a small outdoor stand and ordered coffee from a foreigner. The proprietor relocated to Punta Allen some years back. She fell in love with the scenery and relaxed lifestyle after visiting the village for the first time. Maybe the tour will inspire you to move to Punta Allen, too!

After our leisurely afternoon in Punta Allen, we boarded the boat and began our return journey back to Tulum. On the way back, we reminisced about the tour and the diverse wildlife that we witnessed firsthand. In hindsight, touring Sian Ka’an was an incredibly unique and eye-opening experience. Aside from observing the incredible biodiversity within the reserve, we also learned a lot about sustainable tourism.

Conservation Issues Affecting ’s Caribbean Coast

From Cancun down to the Belizean border, ’s Caribbean coast has undergone rapid development in the last couple of decades. What was previously a region of unspoiled beaches and undisturbed forests is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. And while we can all appreciate the ability to flock to beautiful locations such as this, we must also be mindful of the environmental impacts that this level of tourism can bring upon any given region.

In ’s example, the most notable conservation issue being amplified by overtourism is the pollution of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This problem is known as coral bleaching and it can be attributed to both climate change and overtourism. Dramatic increases in tourism have led to an increase in untreated waste and agricultural runoff that can seep into and contaminate ’s barrier reef.

Another example of this pollution comes from improper use of sunscreen. Kan Tours, the eco-friendly tour company mentioned earlier, explicitly stated that you should wait upwards of thirty minutes after applying sunscreen before entering the ocean. The reason for this is that it takes sunscreen about thirty minutes to absorb into your skin. By ignoring this advice, the chemicals in your sunscreen may enter the water and pollute the second largest barrier reef in the world. While this may not seem like a big deal at an individual level, imagine millions of tourists making this same mistake every single year. You can also choose a coral reef friendly sunscreen that works just as effectively, but won’t damage our underwater ecosystems.

How to Visit Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

So, the underlying question is, can you visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve while still respecting the environment? The answer is yes. However, it’s important to be aware of your actions and to implement sustainable practices throughout your trip. This means booking Sian Ka’an excursions that are eco-friendly, reducing your levels of waste, and appreciating the diverse ecosystems that are so dependent on our collective conservation efforts.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael is the founder of Passport Explored, a blog that focuses on culture and adventure travel. His goal is to inspire people to step outside of their comfort zone and live without regrets. You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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The post Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve in : The Perfect Guide for an -Friendly Adventure appeared first on Justin Plus Lauren.

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How to Plan the Perfect Hens Night

Planning a proper hens night for your friend’s wedding can get quite problematic for people who haven’t done it before. But, it’s important that you start planning as early as possible for the party if you really want to make the night as special as possible. There are plenty of opportunities that you can take advantage of, so it’s recommended that you start planning at least a few weeks in advance. Here are a few things that you should know about planning a bachelorette party.

Have an Indoor Party

If you want to make the party more personal and special, you can invite a few of the bride’s closest friends over and have an indoor party. You can set up the décor in a spacious room and select a theme for the party as well. When it comes to having an indoor party, the key is to make sure that it doesn’t get boring. That’s why you should plan the games in advance and make sure that there’s plenty for everyone to do. Not only that, but you will also want to make arrangements for the food.

Go Bar Hopping

Another fantastic activity that you can take part in is to go bar hopping. Make a decision about different bars in the area and go ahead. There are plenty of hens party activities that you can partake in, but make sure you have a designated driver to take all of you around after a night of heavy drinking!

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Nothing beats fresh local produce!

As Canadians, I think we’re used to eating food that comes from across the globe. After all, our growing season is much shorter than other places due to the fact that we live through all four seasons. When I can get my hands on produce and food products that are grown close to home, I jump at the opportunity. It’s better for the environment, supports our local economy, and it just tastes better. Fresh local produce is the best, I’m sure you can agree.

Living in the city, it’s very easy to become disconnected from our food. We go to the grocery store and purchase whatever we need from the shelf. It might not be something that’s in season at home. It might not even be something that can be grown at home. Of course, there are many times where I’ll buy imported citrus fruits that just can’t be grown here. But, in the middle of the summer, I have access to fresh and local organic food in . Why buy berries or vegetables from across the globe when the best tasting ones are right in my own backyard?

Needless to say, when I visited the rural farming communities in Perth County, , I was excited to feel a little more connected with local food places. There’s so much fresh, local, and organic food in . You just need to know where to look. If you live anywhere near Perth County or you’d like to take a road trip there, I have the best places to visit for foodies. You’ll find an array of fresh local produce and locally produced food products.

McCully’s Hill Farm

McCully’s Hill Farm near St. Mary’s specializes in homemade preserves, maple products, prepared meals, baked goods, and garden fresh produce. Their retail outlet carries lots of delicious preserves and prepared goods made from locally grown ingredients. You’ll find yummy treats like pickles, various flavors of relish, maple mustard, salsa, various flavors of jams and jellies, and so much more. I love that there are so many maple flavored goods, even maple salsa!

Looking for fresh maple syrup in ? McCully’s Hill Farm uses traditional methods to collect their maple syrup, using the “tap and pail” method. They also use a wood-fired evaporator in their production of maple syrup, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. It’s not every day that you can buy maple syrup directly from the farmer. Go ahead and treat yourself! You’re not a true Canadian if you don’t eat maple syrup every day, right?

In addition to the farm and farm shop, McCully’s operates school tours for children, a fall harvest festival, and a maple syrup festival in the winter. It seems as though there’s always something fun and entertaining happening at McCully’s! It’s definitely one of my top picks for foodie places to visit in southern , especially if you’re planning a trip to Perth County.

Cowan’s Community Fresh

While some of the other stops on my tour of Perth County were farms and farm stores, Cowan’s Community Fresh is a more traditional grocery shop in Listowel, . This community grocery store focuses on farm to table prepared meals, organic whole foods, cooking tutorials, and more.

Cowan’s Community Fresh hosts their own CSA box delivery service. Each week, you’ll receive a box filled with fresh local produce from neighboring farms. The items within the box vary from week to week, as you’ll only receive fruits and vegetables that are in season. There’s also the option to personalize the box, so you can be a little more adventurous and try new foods, while leaving out the ones you know you don’t like.

Their grocery store is one of the best local food places where you’ll find a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are also lots of pantry items, and Cowan’s specializes in carrying lots of vegan and gluten-free foods. You simply must try the kombucha that’s on tap. Plus, they always have vegan prepared meals on hand. I loved how the employee was able to tell me exactly where each vegetable came from, down to the name of the farm. The only items not grown locally were the avocados, and the cashew cheese was made in British Columbia.

Oasis Farm Store

Oasis is truly an oasis for fresh local produce. I stopped by their farm store and took a small tour of the farm. I’m amazed by the vast array and variety of organic food in that I’d never see at the regular supermarket. Usually lots of the organic fruits and vegetables at the store are imported from the USA or beyond. Almost everything up for purchase at the Oasis Farm Store is grown on the property itself or sourced from nearby farms.

Here’s a sampling of some fruits and veggies that Oasis grows at their farm: greens, strawberries, asparagus, rhubarb, peas, beans, blueberries, beets, tomatoes, corn, carrots, potatoes, peppers, squash, pumpkins, broccoli, and cabbage. Everything is certified organic by EcoCert, and they do not use any chemical sprays or fertilizers on their products. Instead of spraying, they focus on fostering the health of the soil by using crop rotation, cover crops, mulch, and compost.

Almost all gardening at Oasis is done by hand by the whole family. This includes planting, weeding, mulching, and pest control. Oasis also has large greenhouses to extend the growing season. You can even purchase fresh local produce in the middle of the winter, thanks to the greenhouses.

food in doesn’t need to be overly expensive or difficult to find. Head straight to Oasis and you’ll be able to purchase the freshest, most local, nutritious organic food around. In the spring, there’s an annual seedling sale so you can grow your own organic veggies at home. I think I’m going to have to keep my eye on that event for next year!

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Farm Gates in Perth County

Did you know that there are over 50 listings of farm gate stores and pick your own experiences in Perth County? It’s a great way to meet the hardworking farmers of the region and enjoy fresh local produce straight from the farm.

Learn More

TNT Berries

TNT Berries is a sea buckthorn and blueberry farm where you can go blueberry picking in . Don’t feel like picking your own berries? You can also buy freshly picked ones, too. When I visited TNT Berries in mid-July, the blueberries weren’t quite ready yet. I sampled one or two fresh off the vine, and they were absolutely delicious. Nothing beats freshly picked berries.

While it varies year to year, the blueberries ripened towards the end of July this time around, lasting into August. The sea buckthorn berries ripen a little later in August. You can check the TNT Berries Facebook page for daily updates on when you can go blueberry picking in . TNT Berries also offers frozen berries outside of peak season. I had the chance to sample some frozen sea buckthorn berries. They’re a little tart, but actually quite good. I’d love to throw them into a smoothie. They’re orange when they’re ripe. The sea buckthorn berries I saw were still green because they weren’t quite ready to be picked.

Have you heard of sea buckthorn berries? They’re tasty little berries that are a little bit tart. They have high levels of vitamin C, antioxidants, 18 amino acids, omega 3-6-9 and 7, beta carotene, and over 190 phytonutrients! You can add them to smoothies, jams and jellies, or even as an extra flavor in your water bottle. I love that we can buy this super fruit berry so close to home in Perth County, .

Shakespeare Brewing Company

And yes, sampling the best from this food community includes beer, too! Shakespeare Brewing Company creates small batch beer from the village of Shakespeare, just outside of Stratford. The building was converted from an old school bus garage into a brewery, providing the perfect space to craft their specialty beers. You shouldn’t miss this craft brewery if you’re traveling through Perth County.

The Shakespeare Brewing Company is BrewON certified, meaning that their beer is brewed with 100% hops (as certified by the Hop Growers Assocation). This microbrewery aims to redefine the true meaning of local craft beer. By combining the local agricultural component ( grown barley and hops) and the support of other local small businesses, Shakespeare Brewing Company highlights the best of the region through the taste of their beer and events at the brewery.

For instance, they have a small produce stand out front on the weekend where you can also purchase local fresh food from nearby farmers. They also use fresh blueberries from TNT Berries (which is practically around the corner) for their Bumbling Bear blueberry wheat beer. Can’t get much more local than that!

Enjoy a flight at a few tables indoors or outside on their patio. You can also buy beer from the Shakespeare Brewing Company in cans, bottles or growlers. They also ship their beer within if you’re craving it, but can’t make it out to the brewery.

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You can buy prints, canvas art, housewares, and more of my photos. Click the “buy” button by any pic! <div class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore-wrap"><a class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F%2FPerth-County-2019%2F&sref=rss">Learn More <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F%2FPerth-County-2019%2Fi-GwJwfN3%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com///Perth-County-2019/i-GwJwfN3/0/e068ef70/XL/P1400461-XL.jpg" alt="Forest Motel in Stratford "/> <p>I hope that I’ve convinced you to make the <strong><a href="https://justinpluslauren.com/road-trip-from-toronto-to-perth-county/">road trip to Perth County, . 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The top things to do in on a day trip.

It was the final day of my Athos barge cruise on the Canal du Midi in the South of . We slowly sailed between tiny medieval towns, exploring each one along the way. These included Marseillan, Pézenas, Narbonne, Minerve, Capestang, and . Even if you only have a day, I’m going to outline all of the best things to do in during your stay.

Out of all the villages we visited, was the most famous, arguably the most noteworthy, and it was the busiest with tourists. After all, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its preserved and restored fortifications. My sister also let me know that is the name of a fun and popular board game that she’s played.

Visiting La Cite de

is actually quite large, consisting of the medieval village, the rest of the city down below the hill, some outlying areas, and even its own airport. I only visited La Cité de for the day, which is the old, medieval town up on the hill. If you’re going to visit for more than a day, I am sure you will have time to see the town down below, too. This travel guide will only go into detail about visiting La Cite de .

Even though La Cité de isn’t very big, there’s a surprising amount of things to do in . If you’re looking for precisely what to see in , you’ve come to the right place. I have five fantastic ideas of must see spots around the medieval old town. is one of the most special medieval towns in . Even though it’s going to be busier and more crowded than other lesser known spots, it’s definitely worth the trip. This is one of the South of destinations you’ll surely want to add to your bucket list.

Things to Do in : The Fortified Walls

If you’re looking for what to do in , you really can’t miss checking out its fortifications. After all, you must walk through the fortified walls to enter the old town center. However, I suggest that before you venture right into town, you take some time to walk along the fortified walls themselves.

A Brief History

Since the days of the Roman Empire, a fortified settlement has existed up on the hill where you’ll find present day . There’s 2500 years of history here. Over time, the city was occupied by Romans, Visigoths, Crusaders and Saracens, and it was once the largest fortress in . The citadel is encircled by double fortified walls about 3 kilometers in length. During the Crusade against the Albigenses in the 13th century, was captured by Simon de Montfort. He decided to construct the outer wall to strengthen its position.

After the town lost its military significance in the 1600s, ’s fortifications were abandoned. In 1849, the French government wanted to demolish the fortified walls, but there was a great opposition to this decision by the locals. Thankfully, the government changed their minds and decided to restore the walls.

Restorations of ’s Fortifications

The architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc started to renovate the ramparts around La Cite de . His work was met with some criticism as the restorations might not be that similar to the original structures. The pointed caps of the towers evoke architecture from northern and not those from the south of . Viollet-le-Duc wanted to completely restore each building for a feeling of completeness, although some believe that looks a little too “Disney-fied”.

Defenders of Viollet-le-Duc believe that he was only working with the knowledge he had at the time, and otherwise the buildings could have been lost completely. All in all, Viollet-le-Duc’s restorations only affect less than 20% of the monument. What do you think? I can personally see how the restorations look a little too “new” or not original, but I am certainly glad that we didn’t lose one of the most important medieval towns in .

Wandering the Walls

My first suggestion for what to see in ? Naturally, take a stroll between the ramparts. Don’t rush right into the old town. Take the time to admire the walls themselves. When you visit , enter through the Narbonne Gate and take a turn to your left rather than walking straight into town. There’s a large space where you can walk between the double fortifications. It’s different from other fortified walls that I’ve checked out in the past.

For example, Quebec City’s fortifications surround the old town and you can walk on top of the walls themselves. While the walls of aren’t designed for tourists to walk on, you can wander right between the walls, admiring the towers and stone walls themselves on either side of you. Wandering the walls is one of the top things to do in and shouldn’t be missed.

Explore Château Comtal, ’s Castle

If you’re wondering what to do in , don’t miss Chateau Comtal, the castle of . A trip to the castle is one of the top things to do in . There’s so much fascinating history to explore at the count’s castle. As a symbol of feudal and then royal power, the castle dominated the city and its surroundings.

The castle was constructed in the 1100s and improvements continued through to the 14th century. Additional buildings were added, stories were added to existing buildings, and the castle gained multiple functions. It was defensive (with its fortified walls), residential, housed the military, and was also a political center.

At the entrance of the castle, there’s a wide stone bridge, ending with a wooden drawbridge. There are also several towers lining the front entrance where guards could easily attack any foreign soldiers with bows and arrows or crossbows.

As you walk through the castle, you’ll notice courtyards, walkways, and incredible views of ’s lower town. There’s also an archaeological museum in the west wing of the castle for historic and beautiful objects from and the area.

No matter when you visit , the castle is going to be one of the busiest spots in town. A trip to the magnificent castle of the Counts of is one of the most important things to do in . I highly recommend that you buy a skip the line ticket in advance. It is not very expensive and it will save you lots of time. That way, you’ll be able to make the most of your day trips even if you have a limited amount of time in the village.

Visit the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus

Another main attraction is the St. Nazaire Basilica. The Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus is a national monument, constructed in the Gothic-Romanesque architectural styles. The original Visigothic church at the same site most likely dates to the 6th century, but no traces of it remain. Back in 1096, Pope Urban II visited the site and blessed the building materials for the construction of a new church. This cathedral was built between the 12th century and the late 13th century.

Don’t stop at the outside of the church without going inside. The most impressive features of the basilica are the glorious stained glass windows and the intricate carved decorations. The central stained glass window of the choir is one of the oldest in , from 1280.

Aside from several brilliant stained glass windows and sculptures, you can view the Siege Stone inside the church. It’s a 13th century relief that most likely illustrates a scene from the Albigensian Crusade. There are a couple of other artifacts in this same area: a large bell and an etched image of Simon de Montfort from his tomb.

Admire the Scenery from Various Vantage Points

As you take in the wondrous scenery from , you might feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Though some of the best views are from the castle, you can catch glimpses of lower town and beyond from various spot around town. You’ll see some great views as you wander around the ramparts at the edge of town. The cobblestone streets of are also rather postcard perfect, if you can manage to see them without too many crowds. Viewing the scenery of the medieval village and its surroundings was one of my favorite things to do in .

Stroll through Cobblestone Streets

As you wander through town, you might feel a little bit like Belle in Beauty and the Beast. The buildings are primarily from medieval times with Renaissance ornamentation. The best preserved building from the 13th and 14th centuries is the Inquisiton House at the corner of Rue du Four-Saint-Nazaire and Rue de la Porte-d’Aude.

Walking through town, you’ll also see houses with corbelled facades from the 16th and 17th centuries. These stand alongside facades from the late 19th and early 20th century. The restoration of the town impacted some of its inhabitants, as they wished to take part in the town’s revival. If you’d like to know more about the history, I recommend taking a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Naturally, there are lots of little shops and cafes dotted through the old town of . You can find lots of interesting gifts and goodies to bring home with you. I even managed to find a candy shop in town that had a whole shelf of vegan candies!

Where to Stay

Inside the Cite de , there are only a few hotels where you can spend the night. There are hotels that vary in price according to their amenities and overall fanciness. Here are a couple to check out:

Hotel de la Cité : This is a very luxurious hotel with spectacular views. It’s an upscale, five star hotel right in the heart of old town. There’s even an outdoor pool, a spa with a hot tub, and sophisticated rooms. This is my top choice for best hotel in , budget allowing, of course! Book your stay at the Hotel de la Cite or view additional reviews by fellow travelers.

Best Western Hotel Le Donjon: This is a middle of the road, three star hotel in the middle of Old Town. The hotel is located within three medieval buildings inside the old town walls. Book your stay at the Best Western or view more reviews by travelers who have spent the night.

La Demeure De La Cite: For a bed and breakfast experience inside the fortifications of , check out La Demeure De La Cite. It’s a cozy and welcoming place to spend the night. Plus, you’ll have the town to yourself when all the tourists leave from their day trips. Book your stay at La Demeure or read more reviews by fellow travelers.

Most other hotels are outside of the city walls, near the airport, or you can find them in lower town. Here is a full listing of hotels so you can compare. You can also find Airbnb rental listings in (sign up with my link if you haven’t used Airbnb before and you can receive $60 off your stay!)

Getting There

It’s easy to reach , even if you’re not sailing aboard a barge cruise. There are direct trains from to from many French towns, including Arles, Beziers, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Marseille, Narbonne, Toulouse, and others. Book your high speed train trip to quickly and easily online.

You can also fly to from many cities in . Once you reach , you can rent a car to get around the South of or compare car rental prices online. There are parking lots outside the wall city (no cars are allowed inside the old town).

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You can buy prints, canvas art, housewares, and more of my photos. Click the “buy” button by any pic! <div class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore-wrap"><a class="kt-blocks-info-box-learnmore" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F-2019%2F&sref=rss">Learn More <div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><a href="http://go.redirectingat.com/?id=125747X1586856&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelphotos.justinpluslauren.com%2F%2F-2019%2Fi-2pDFSFT%2Fbuy&sref=rss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com//-2019/i-2pDFSFT/0/0364b959/XL/P1380658-XL.jpg" alt="Things to do in - Day trips to "/> <p>Even though it can get a little crowded during shoulder and peak seasons, you definitely need to visit . Whether you’re booking day trips, spending the night, or visiting from a Canal du Midi barge cruise like I did, it’s worth the trip. There are so many things to do in , including the five activities that I listed above. Expand your trip to La Cite de by venturing to the lower town, the Canal du Midi, and beyond. <ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18607" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18607" class="wp-image-18607" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest3.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18606" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18606" class="wp-image-18606" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest2.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg" alt="5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day data-id="18605" data-link="https://justinpluslauren.com/?attachment_id=18605" class="wp-image-18605" srcset="https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1-200x300.jpg 200w, https://justinpluslauren.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/-Pinterest1.jpg 735w" sizes="(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /> <p style="text-align:center"> PIN one of the above images to Pinterest for future reference. Click the top left corner. <div class="kt-simple-box" style="background-color:rgba(232, 232, 232, 1); min-height:1px; padding-top:15px; padding-bottom:15px; padding-left:15px; padding-right:15px; "><div class="kt-simple-box-inner"> <center><strong>Did you find this post useful? Show your appreciation with a small tip! <div id="JPL01" class="quid-slider" align="center" quid-currency="CAD" quid-product-id="JPL01" quid-product-url="https://justinpluslauren.com/things-to-do-in-carcassonne-france/" quid-product-name="Justin Plus Lauren" quid-product-description="A Tip for Justin & Lauren" quid-text="Tip Us!" quid-text-paid="Thanks!" quid-amount="1"> <p><em>This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. <h4>Have you heard of or traveled there before? <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com/things-to-do-in-carcassonne-france/">5 Perfect Things to Do in : Explore the Spectacular La Cite de in a Day appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://justinpluslauren.com">Justin Plus Lauren.

#France #Carcassonne #Itinerary #DayTrip #TravelPlanning #Travel #Europe #OldTown #Medieval #kt-info-box_fa2edb-5a #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;border-width:0px #444;background:transparent;border-color:444444;}kt-info-box_fa2edb-5a #444;padding:0px #444;}kt-info-box_fa2edb-5a #ffffff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;border-width:0px #fff;background:6c8dab;border-color:ffffff;}</style>

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Sometimes you’ve just gotta get away from it all. Living in the city, you get used to the noise, the crowds, and the traffic. As much as I love cities, it’s a good idea to take a break from them, too. Well, if you live in and you’re looking for a road trip from Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, or any other city, I’ve got a plan for you. Head straight to Perth County, for a peaceful getaway where you certainly won’t have to deal with noise, crowds, or traffic.

Where is Perth County? A Perth County Map

Not to be confused with the town of Perth, , Perth County is a large land mass just west of Kitchener, Cambridge, and Guelph. It’s also north of Woodstock and London. If you’re planning a road trip from Toronto, Perth County is about 1 hour 30 minutes or 2 hours from the city, depending on where you’re headed.

Perth County has four townships or municipalities within it: North Perth, Perth East, Perth South, and West Perth. In this article, I’ll organize these places to visit in for the weekend under these four geographical categories to make your trip planning a little easier. Here’s a map to not only show you where Perth County is located, but also to provide the details of every stop I made on my trip.

Perth County: Perth East

At the heart of Perth East lies the village of Shakespeare, known as Perth County’s antique capital. While you’ll definitely want to hit up the shops in town, there are also opportunities to sample local produce, pints, and pristine nature.

Shakespeare Brewing Company

Who loves visiting local craft breweries? The village of Shakespeare is home to Shakespeare Brewing Company, owned by husband and wife team, Ayden and Katie. On their travels through Europe, the couple stayed at an old English farm with a microbrewery where Ayden learned how to brew beer. Before long, they started Shakespeare Brewing and the rest is history!

Staying true to the region, their beer is brewed with locally grown ingredients like barley and 100% grown hops. Shakespeare Brewing supports local agriculture, farmers, and small businesses, taking the concept of “locally made” to the next level.

Keeping with the Shakespearean theme, their craft beers are all named for animals and feature those animals wearing Olde English attire. The art on each tall boy can is quite visually stunning. While you should definitely take some cans home with you, I recommend sampling some freshly brewed beer on site. Ordering a flight is a great way to try a few beers to discover your favorites.

I tried the Reckless Rooster (an Pale Ale with a citrus hop aroma), the Bumbling Bear (a blueberry wheat beer) and a special one only available on tap, the Strawberry Vanilla beer. Ayden is always crafting new varieties, so there will always be rotating flavors to try every time you visit. My favorite of the three was the Bumbling Bear because I’m definitely a sucker for the fruity wheat beers.

Exploring the Village of Shakespeare

Though the village of Shakespeare is pretty small, it’s one of my new favorite places to go in . Its packed with unique shops with intriguing gifts and things for many interests. A stop in Shakespeare is worth the road trip from Toronto. Its main street has several diverse shops with a main focus on antiques. You can easily spend a couple of hours here browsing the shelves of enticing finds. Here are a few of the best shops in Shakespeare.

Harry Ten Shilling

Harry Ten Shilling is an adorable tea shop in the heart of Shakespeare. If you aren’t able to stay for afternoon tea, browse this store with several Instagrammable rooms and displays featuring local handicrafts, bath and body products, jewelry, gifts and more.

The British Touch

The British Touch features all things British, whether you’re seeking your gifts, tea, or your favorite grocery items that are only found in the UK. As we had recently visited Scotland this past year, I had a craving for some Irn Bru and couldn’t resist picking up a few cans of it!

Land and Ross Antiques

Land and Ross Antiques is packed with high quality antiques and treasures. They also specialize in custom furniture design and restoration. You’ll find many classic and rare items over a century old that will surely add a special flair to your home. Make sure to say hello to their adorable dog, too!

The Quilt Place

Are you into quilting or sewing? You won’t want to miss stopping by The Quilt Place! They have reams upon reams of fabric for every project, as well as hundreds of quilting books and patterns. Take a peek upstairs to see a few bedrooms adorned with beautiful quilts for extra inspiration. When making the road trip from Toronto to Perth County and Shakespeare, I’m certain that many quilting enthusiasts make an extra trip here as I haven’t seen a store quite like this one.

Shakespeare Conservation Area

After browsing the shops of Shakespeare, drive a minute up the road to the Shakespeare Conservation Area to soak up the sights and sounds of glorious nature. The Shakespeare Pond is a great spot for a picnic beneath its shaded pavilion or at a picnic table beside the water.

Then, take a stroll around the pond to go bird watching, get some exercise, or to simply snap a few photos. I managed to meet a couple of locals who were also having a picnic lunch. It was wonderful to engage in a great chat with them. After making the road trip from Toronto to the country, I thoroughly enjoyed this laid back approach to the day by taking stroll at the pond and leisurely chatting to area residents.

TIP: Be sure to bring your sunscreen and your bug repellent while going for a walk at the Shakespeare Conservation Area. It’s always a good idea to protect your skin from the sun and the bugs. Don’t forget to bring your refillable water bottle!

TNT Berries

TNT Berries is a sea buckthorn and blueberry farm where you’ll find the freshest and tastiest berries. They have a blueberry farm where you can pick your own berries when they’re in season (generally around mid-July to August). The blueberries were only starting to come into season when I visited. They tasted amazing right off the vine.

When I visited TNT Berries, the sea buckthorn berries were still green. When ripe, they turn a beautiful shade of orange. I recommend that you purchase some frozen berries from Nadia as they’re quite delicious when consumed frozen. When making the road trip from Toronto to the rural communities of Perth County, you’ll want to visit their farm gates and farm shops to sample farm fresh produce.

Organic Oasis

Organic Oasis is an organic farm and farm store, selling unique and locally produced goods. Owners Jessie and Adam Young come from a long line of farmers, and they continue to explore innovative farming methods for better yields. I went on a guided tour of the farm, including soaking up the breathtaking views from “Happy Hog Lookout.”

While the farm has animals like pigs and chickens, my main interest lies in their fruits and veggies, as I don’t consume animal products. They have large patches of land for fruits and vegetables in the summer, as well as large greenhouses to extend the growing season. There’s even flower gardens and spaces to encourage Monarch butterflies to survive and thrive.

The Organic Oasis farm store features locally grown produce straight from their farm, and it’s all 100% organic. You’ll notice signs and labels denoting the products and produce grown on site. There are a few things like avocados and citrus that can’t be grown in ; for the most part, everything comes directly from their farm or nearby local farms.

Where to Eat: Dave’s Diner in Sebringville

Dave’s Diner in Sebringville is a favorite restaurant among locals. I found a couple of items on the menu that were vegan and completely contrasted one another: a healthy garden salad and a big plate of French fries. It’s good to have a little bit of both healthy and not so healthy, right?

Regardless of what you order, you need to try their fries. They’re definitely some of the most delicious fries I’ve ever had! After chatting briefly with Dave, I discovered that he has a secret blend of spices that make those fries extra special. I asked if he could share his secret recipe with me, but he’s definitely keeping this one under wraps. You’ll have to head to Dave’s Diner to sample the fries and let me know what you think!

Perth County: North Perth

It’s time to swing up to North Perth for a taste of rural living in Perth County . North Perth has plenty of locally owned businesses in town, as well as a vibrant sense of community. Whether you take a stroll through town or take part in a local festival, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds as urban meets rural. When making the road trip from Toronto or other nearby cities to Perth County, Listowel is a fantastic destination for exploring a town steeped in rural traditions.

Goats on 86

Goats on 86. This one is wildly popular with anyone traveling through the area. Just search for the hashtag and you’ll see what I mean!

Goats on 86 allows a local family to share their love for their pet goats and alpacas with the community. The animals live in a very large yard by their home. You’re welcome to pay the goats and alpacas a visit anytime you like. There are dispensers with corn if you’d like to feed them; make sure you don’t feed them anything but this corn. Though you have to pay a small fee for the corn, the family donates that money to a local charity.

Yarn Factory Outlet store for all the knitters and crocheters in the crowd. As you walk away from the Yarn Factory Outlet shop, you’ll see a couple of walls with spectacular street art / murals to admire.

When I visited Listowel, it was right in time for the 163rd Listowel Agricultural Fair. There was a tractor parade rolling through town, a classic midway, and an agricultural hall with various ribbons assigned to talented members of the community. I wandered through the fair for a slice of country living. It was also super cute to overhear some local children discovering that they won a prize for an art or craft project.

Where to Eat: Cowan’s Community Fresh

Cowan’s Community Fresh in Listowel is an independent, small business focusing on local and organic whole foods. They support local farmers, growers and producers in Perth County and . This small grocery store is very vegan-friendly with many vegan grocery and pantry items. There’s always a vegan prepared salad or meal available on hand. I highly recommend trying the avocado salad, which comes with a side of cashew cheese as a topping. Yum!

Perth County: Perth South

Perth South has an assortment of activities and attractions. Looking for something sporty? Head to River Valley Golf (which also doubles as a snow tubing attraction in the winter). Looking for history and culture? The Stratford Perth Museum has rotating exhibits highlighting local celebrities and lifestyle. And there’s lots of locally produced food in this farming region, of course. If you’re thinking about southwestern day trips or weekend getaways, don’t miss these spots in Perth South.

McCully’s Hill Farm

McCully’s Hill Farm is a farm shop that I really wish that I had closer to home. They specialize in homemade preserves, maple products, baked goods, prepared meals, and garden fresh produce. I was thrilled to see a vast assortment of pickles, flavors of relish, unique types of jam, fresh salsa, maple mustard, and many more drool-worthy products.

After chatting with the owner, Dennis, I could see his passion for his market fresh farm operation, as well as creating innovative products for those living in the region. In addition to the farm and farm shop, McCully’s operates school tours for children, a fall harvest festival, and a maple syrup festival in the winter. It seems as though there’s always something fun and entertaining happening at McCully’s! It’s definitely one of my top picks for foodie places to visit in southern , especially if you’re planning a trip to Perth County.

The Stratford Perth Museum

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I arrived at the Stratford Perth Museum. As I pulled into the driveway, I noticed that the museum was situated inside a historic home with a massive extension attached to it. What treasures would I find inside the Stratford Perth Museum? As it turns out, this museum has a slice of local life that suits many interests and tastes, including music, the arts, local history, oddities, war history, and so much more.

What makes the Stratford Perth Museum so intriguing? Their exhibits are continually rotating so the museum always stays fresh. You can visit year after year, enjoying entirely new exhibitions. There’s really so much that Perth County has to offer, and the Stratford Perth Museum emphasizes new details and aspects of that local history time and time again. For instance, there are ongoing exhibits illustrating Stratford’s Shakespearean Festival, including artifacts, props and costumes. The region’s railway history and glimpses into Perth County from the early 1800s are also prominently featured.

However, Perth County is a very important place in terms of Canadian music history. Did you know that three prominent Canadian musicians from Stratford and Perth County performed at the Woodstock festival? This exhibit includes personal stories and memorabilia from one of the most memorable and important music festivals in history.

And then there’s the exhibit that has drawn thousands upon thousands of visitors to the Stratford Perth Museum from all over the world. Justin Bieber: Steps to Stardom highlights Bieber’s humble beginnings, busking on the steps of the local Avon Theater through his rise to fame. There are hundreds of items, many donated from Justin Bieber’s family or the Biebs himself, including awards, drum sets, clothing, shoes, and even library cards. And in case you were wondering, there are even opportunities for selfies!

Where to Eat: River Valley Golf

By summer, it’s a beautiful golf course. By winter, it’s a snow tubing adventure park. River Valley Golf certainly has all four seasons covered for fun things to do in Perth County. Even if you aren’t partaking in a round of golf, their restaurant has a great selection of appetizers, burgers, and sandwiches. I ordered a veggie burger with a side of fries that was super yummy.

Perth County: West Perth

In West Perth, I explored the town of Mitchell. It’s home to a bustling historic downtown with many shopping options, as well as natural attractions with many parks, trails, and wetlands. If you’re taking a road trip from Toronto and you love adorable towns, you won’t want to miss a stop in Mitchell.

Shop at Jillian’s

Jillian’s is an absolute gem of a home decor store in Perth County. People travel from all over to shop at this boutique, and I can see why they come from far and wide. Jillian’s is such a beautiful store with home furnishings and decorations that I haven’t seen anywhere else. They have dozens of various displays featuring their one of a kind items to suit all styles. From colorful cushions to artsy pots and planters, you’ll be sure to find that special something that would look right at home in your home. It’s one of the best places to go in for home decor.

West Perth Wetlands

After you take a little walk around downtown Mitchell, make your way to the West Perth Wetlands, also in Mitchell. These 65 acres are a total paradise for nature lovers, including hikers, walkers, photographers, and bird watchers. There are 3 rehabilitated ponds, 10km of walking trails, and over 4700 different kinds of plants. A portion of the trails are accessible for wheelchairs, scooters, and baby strollers, while other sections are a little bit more rugged. When you enter the wetlands from the parking lot, there’s a fabulous wooden viewing platform where you can soak up the beautiful surroundings.

Most importantly, this is a natural habitat for many species of bird species and wildlife. You can find over 200 different species of breeding and migratory birds at the West Perth Wetlands. If you’re lucky, you might be able to spot some of them! The stunning nature in Perth County is totally worth the road trip from Toronto, Hamilton, and other cities.

Where to Stay in Perth County

My top pick for where to stay in Perth County is the Forest Motel, just outside of Stratford. I had an incredible two nights’ stay. This motel is a destination in itself for its natural surroundings and amenities alone. It’s the best place to stay when you’re taking a road trip from Toronto to Perth County for the weekend, a few days, or longer.

At the Forest Motel, you’ll stay in a warm and cozy private room with an en suite bathroom, flat screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, fridge, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker. Breakfast is complimentary each morning, too.

Everyone who stays at the Forest Motel receives free access to the property and its activities, including 32 acres of forest and trails, a private lake with canoeing and kayaking (I even saw a blue heron while kayaking!), lakeside bonfires, BBQ grills, and snowshoeing in the winter. The staff are lovely and very welcoming, and you might also be welcomed by the resident swan family, too! If you’d like to meet the swans, they waddle up around 5:00pm each day for their dinner, and I was lucky enough to arrive just as they were quacking for their meal.

Be sure to book your stay at the Forest Motel for amazing service, a comfortable stay, and to take advantage of the complimentary outdoor adventures. I chatted with guests who return to this accommodation year after year for one of the best southern getaways. If you’re looking for places to visit in for the weekend, plan your trip to Perth County and be sure to stay at the Forest Motel. Be sure to read more reviews by fellow travelers.

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Check out my whole collection of pictures from Perth County . You can buy prints, canvas art, housewares, and more of my photos. Click the “buy” button by any pic!

Learn More

I hope that I’ve inspired you to take a road trip from Toronto, Hamilton, or any other spot in and beyond to this gem of a region. Not only will you breathe the fresh air and reap the benefits of a less populated area, but you’ll also find so many unique things to do in Perth County.

PIN one of the above images to Pinterest for future reference. Click the top left corner.

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Thank you so much to Perth County Tourism for hosting my stay. This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Have you visited any places in Perth County, ?

The post Road Trip from Toronto to Perth County: The Perfect Getaway for Small Towns and Beautiful Nature appeared first on Justin Plus Lauren.

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Required reading for instant wanderlust.

Have you traveled to ? I’ve yet to visit this alluring country. To be honest, I really don’t know much about , yet it’s always intrigued me. The entire country feels shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it’s because only opened itself up to mass tourism within my lifetime. Most people visit the big cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg, but the country itself is massive. There’s so much that lies beyond those major destinations.

Want to learn more about traveling in from those who have personally experienced the journey first hand? Enter Destination : A Ship and a Cat in the Tundra and Other Extraordinary Encounters. Authors Roberta Melchiorre and Fabio Bertino put their experiences into a collection of short stories. In this travel book, we gain insights into what it’s like to visit as an outsider. It’s enlightening, fascinating, funny, and captivating.

Personal Tales and Connections

One of the major aspects of Destination are the personal connections and recollections from traveling around the country. Some of the best travel stories come from the people we meet while we travel. Every short story centers around the authors’ encounters with the people of .

In The Beauty of Petersburg, the Italian travel companions, Melchiorre and Bertino reveal a story detailing the kindness of strangers. Their encounter with a boy named Andrey back in the early 90s demonstrates how the true beauty of Petersburg lies with its people. His kindness helps the traveling couple while making his life a little more difficult, and he asks for nothing in return.

In the story, A life on the Trans-Siberian Railway, we delve into the lives of a husband and wife working on the train. He works at night, and she works during the day. While they live together in a very small space on the train, their main encounters happen during their shift changes.

The whole life of Lyudmila and her companion is permanently linked to the Trans-Siberian Railway. He is from Moscow where from Yaroslavskiy Vokzal, one of the nine stations in town, depart the trains to East. She is from Novosibirsk, boasting the biggest and most im- posing station of the whole Siberia, more than 1,864 miles from the capital. Without the railway they would have probably never met.

Historical Context

In every short story in Destination , we gain some historical context about ’s mysterious and intriguing past. Having a basic knowledge of the history of a place or event helps us understand the present day lives of the people. I’m grateful that the authors made these historical connections to help connect the dots for those of us who might not have a great knowledge of n history.

For instance, A Dinner in Moscow, highlights a dinner party with Lilya Mihaylovna, an elderly n lady. We learn about her personal history in the context of a broader framework about Moscow and ’s past. It’s amazing what you can learn over a meal with a local.

The story, Visiting the Museum, illustrates a trip to the small museum of Komi culture in Vorkuta. It also details the harsh conditions of living so far to the north, with frequent closures due to the winter weather. While the snow and ice make Vorkuta nearly uninhabitable, the city also has a harsh past for its residents. From its forced labour camps in the 1930s to the internment of prisoners in the 1940s and 1950s, the only memorial that remains are small metal crosses without names, poking through the deep snow of the tundra.

My Favorite in Destination

It’s hard to choose a few favorite stories from Destination , but I was able to identify with a few of them. The first story, Towards Belarus, demonstrates the mishaps that can happen while traveling by train between countries. What seemed like an easy journey is never quite so easy. I felt like this story resonates with anyone who has traveled by train…or who has traveled at all. Nothing ever goes off without a hitch (at least, in my experiences it doesn’t). Something always goes a little askew. For Melchiorre and Bertino, this issue almost disrupted their entire trip from Warsaw to Brest, Belarus.

And naturally, I loved the story called A Cat in the Tundra (for regular readers of this blog, I’m sure you know how much I love cats!). The story isn’t so much about a cat as it is about living in a remote village in the Arctic tundra. It seems that the entire town of 25 residents welcomed the two travelers to their home. Social life in Seyda revolves around the main shop in town where a cat also happens to live.

Buy Destination

Destination is a fairly quick read at 140 pages, although I feel it’s a perfect length. You can pick it up, read a story or two before bed, and put it back down. Each story is self-contained, making it easy to pick up from where you left off with a new tale. This travel book is such a captivating read that you might not want to put it down until you finish the whole thing!

If you’re interested in books about , travel stories, or personal tales in general, definitely pick up a copy of Destination : A Ship and a Cat in the Tundra and Other Extraordinary Encounters. I was left with a greater knowledge about n people and their history, and I now want to pack my bags to experience this amazing country first hand.

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How to Find the Best Supplies for Your Friend’s Hens Night

When it comes to moving on from your single life, there’s really nothing quite as important as celebrating one last time with all the girls. Making sure that your bride-to-be has the best send-off is critically important, and things such as decorations, games, and even tableware can make all the difference in the world. However, while this is certainly going to be a fun and light-hearted event, you still want to make sure that the products you purchase for the party are of the highest quality. Here are a few tips you can keep in mind to help ensure you wind up with a night none of you will ever forget.

Wide Range of Games and Accessories

When it comes to finding the right supplier for your hens night supplies, one of the first things you’ll need to make sure of is that they are able to provide you with everything you need and more. When a company is really dedicated to their customers, they’ll do everything they can to make sure they have all the hens night activities and decorations that you could ever need to really make the party something special.

Clothes and Dress up

Another key factor will be whether or not they’re able to offer dress up options. Being able to differentiate your bride with fun hens night sashes will mean that everywhere you go, people will want to help you celebrate, which will make things even more special throughout the night.

Sending off one of your closest friends to get married can be one of the most exciting experiences, and throwing a great hens night will give all of you memories that will last a lifetime.

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