Visitors from specific countries are permitted to travel to the United States for a period of up to 90 days (for business or pleasure travel) without having to get a Visa.  There are specific requirements for countries to get on the waiver list, including security requirements, and the countries are generally considered developed economies.  Individuals from visa waiver countries must apply for travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and meet a variety of additional requirements.

There are currently 35 Visa Waiver Countries:

Europe:  Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Asia:  Brunei, Japan, Singapore, South Korea

Oceania:  Australia, New Zealand

US visitors to those countries also are not required to have a visa, as part of reciprocity agreements, although Australia does require visitors to file an Electronic Travel Authority.

Visitors to the US can learn more about the Visa Waiver Program, its applicability and requirements from the Department of State.  Likewise, US residents wishing to travel abroad should also check regarding visa requirements for countries not on the wavier list.

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Lake Maggiore, with its low key atmosphere, has an extensive network of ferry service around and across the lake.  In fact, ferries have landing stages in nearly every town along the lake, making it quite easy to get most places by boat.  In addition to the traditional (and slower) ferry, there is also hydrofoil service.  Not only is it a faster boat, but it has more direct service, rather than stopping at all the smaller towns.  The boats generally operate between 7 am – 8 pm, with a reduced schedule in the winter.  Fares can be found on a chart, and have a scale based on where you want to go.  Hydrofoils have a small surcharge.

Our first full day at the Lake, we struck out fairly early for the Borromeo Islands.  The Borromeo’s are three islands located in the bay between Stresa and Pallanza.  Although collectively they are referred to as the Borromeo Islands, only to are actually Borromeo property.  Our first stop was Isola Madre, the largest of the islands.  Although Isola Madre is the largest island, it is much lest visited than the others.  It is reachable by the public ferries, which dock on the south side of the island, as well as by private tour boats, which dock at a private boat dock near the restaurant.

The description of the island refers to it as a “modest” villa with natural gardens, but that does a disservice to its beautiful grounds and setting.  After you get off the ferry, you head up some steps to a terrace level where you’ll find the ticket office.  After purchasing your ticket (Admission is 10 Euros, and you can purchase a joint ticket for admission to both Isola Madre and Isola Bella for 16.50 Euros), you can turn right to go directly into the grounds, or turn left for a short walk to the cafe and private boat dock.  When you get your tickets be sure to pick up the FREE map so that you can follow along and understand what you are seeing as you pass through the various gardens.

Walking through Isola Madre is like walking through the world by way of their gardens.  With nearly every type of growing climate represented on the island, the variety of plants range from the usual (olive trees, azaleas, wisteria, and camellia) to the exotic (African tropical flowers, hibiscus, Ginkgo biloba).  Walking along the gravel pathway propels you by fragrant citron and lemon trees, past rare plants and exotic flowers, and you gradually walk your way to the top of the island.

On the northern-ish side of the island is Piazzale dei Pappagalli, home to families of peacock, parrots, and pheasants.  Most roam free, so be careful where you walk.  While they aren’t tame, by any means, if you don’t move too quickly, you’ll find that they strut and preen about, ignoring your presence.  You can watch their mating dances, as they open their tail feathers.

Continuing on the walking path will eventually lead to the top of the island at the Borromeo family home.  In front of the home is the Loggia del Cashmir, a Cashmere Cypress that is over 200 years old, and the largest one in Europe.  The tree received some damage in a tornado (yes, a tornado hit this small island a number of years ago), and it is now bolstered with cables and lines.

At this point in our visit, it started to rain, so we made the logical choice to duck inside the villa and tour it during the downpour.

The villa was a 16th century palace, although it was never the primary residence of the Borromeo family.  It was more of a second home (or third, or fourth), and was finished with odds and ends taken from their other homes.  The home fell into disrepair and was closed up for some time, before restoration began.  It was eventually open to the public in 1978, with numerous of the Borromeo collections on display.  The Teatrini delle Marionette (puppet theater) was a hit with most of the visitors.  There were a fair number of evil puppets, along with scenes of hell and damnation.  I thought is seemed rather dark and ghoulish for a children’s theater.  But apparently, that’s just me.

Touring the villa can easily be done in half an hour or so, although we dawdled until the rain passed.  Walk out of the villa and down the steps to the Piazzale della Cappella, an outdoor water garden, that includes a pond with beautiful water lilies in vibrant colors of pink, white, red, and yellow.  Around the pond are hibiscus, coffee, mimosa and banana plants.  It’s busy with color, but tranquil in effect.

To the side of the pond is a small mortuary chapel, and to the other side is the requisite gift shop.  If it’s a nice day, take the time to enjoy the sun and sit for a bit.  It’s a nice spot to rest up before heading back to the ferry.

Isola Madre is definitely worth the visit.  It wasn’t crowded, even when it rained and people went inside, lines were short (even in summer), and you could walk and stop at your own speed.  I found that much of the time our group would just walk and look about, taking in the surroundings of both the gardens and the lake.  We stopped often to look at something closer, and to take LOTS of photos, and the pace seem natural and enjoyable.  We spent a couple of hours at Isola Madre, finding it a great way to ease into our first full day at Lake Maggiore.

Photo credit:  Mary Jo Manzanares

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  Where are you vacationing next?

A.  This is a question that every Flight Attendant loves to talk about, because there are usually so many places on our list of places to visit.

Here’s how my travel calendar is shaping up for the rest of the year:

• October will probably be a long weekend in southern California (most likely Palm Springs, but possibly San Diego instead).  I have vacation time coming the end of the month, so there may be time for another short trip somewhere close to home.
• In November I’m heading off for London for a week or so.  I’ll be taking in a couple days of WTM, and the rest of the time will be spent exploring, wandering the streets, visiting museums, going to the theater and shopping.  I’m very excited for this trip, so if you have a recommendation of a must-see (keeping in mind that I’ll only be there for a week), please leave a comment or send me an email.
• December will be about sticking close to home here in Seattle.  A few local hotels for a weekend, discovering some of the new restaurants around town, and finding all sorts of way to get into the holiday spirit.

Next year’s plans are still in various planning stages.  I’ve got three weeks for a Europe visit, that will mean one week back at La Montalla, with the rest of the time undecided.  I’m considering a return to Croatia, or maybe discovering something new in Turkey or Greece.  It seems a shame to be in that corner of the world, with so many interesting places, and not explore somewhere new.

I revise travel plans every time some new place or opportunity comes across my radar screen.  Remaining flexible, and open to change in plans, is part of what makes travel exciting and fun.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Slow Travel gives you an opportunity to connect to a place and its people, rather than racing through a bunch of cities.  It’s about experiencing culture and heritage, not just about finding the nearest fast food drive-thru.  In other words, take time to stop and smell the roses – or look at the sunflowers!

Slow down and take time to look at sunflowers in Italy

As part of the slowing down process, a number of cities banded together to create Cittaslow, and to set up and official Slow Cities charter and designation.  To get the designation, a city must have less than 50,000 residents and meet 55 criteria covering environmental policy, infrastructure, quality of urban fabric, encourage of local produce and products, hospitality and community, and awareness of the Slow City movement.  Applying cities are thoroughly vetted before being granted the designation, and are regularly checked to maintain compliance to standards.

There are more than 120 Slow Cities in 16 countries around the world.  Most can be found it Europe, with the majority located in Italy, but they are also found in Australia and South Korea.  Cowichan Bay in British Columbia is the first Slow City in North America.  It comes as no surprise that there aren’t any Slow Cities in the United States.  Maybe that will change soon.

What do you think of the slow city movement?  Could you slow your vacation down, seeing less but more in depth?  Or do you want to experience more when you travel?

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I started mapping out what was do-able from Milan, and would still allow us to get to Tuscany timely.  Given our time frame, we would need to stay in northern Italy.  There were lots of ideas floating around, but I knew we were missing something.  So I put the call out to my circle of experts via Twitter as well as using a couple of other media services.  I asked people what I should do and why.  Basically, I wanted to be persuaded about what I should see and do in northern Italy.

Lots of ideas came in, and I sifted through them all.  I looked at the transportation requirements (we eventually decided to rent a car in Milan), travel time, what there was to do (we were looking for a combination of relaxation and sightseeing, but there had to be good food around), as well as a chance for us to see things we had not yet seen.  I did a lot more research, because one way to help ensure your vacation is a great one, is to do your research before making your decision.

The commune of Maccagno is on the northeastern part of Lake Maggiore, Italy

Finally we decided to spend a few days at Lake Maggiore.

We chose Lake Maggiore because of it’s low-keyed, relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.  I liked getting away from Milan, and the high-fashion demands of the city.  Kicking back lake-side, strolling along the promenades, spending a little time on the lake, and recharging after nearly 24 hours of traveling, sounded absolutely perfect.  Plus, and this really weighted heavily in its favor, Lake Maggiore was partially in Italy and partially in Switzerland.  That meant I could easily make a trip across the border, checking off an additional country visit for the Century Club.

With the location decided, I continued to ask for information and recommendations about what to do and see.  A visit to the Borromeo Islands was on everyone’s list, so this went onto ours, too.   Other than a quick trip across the Swiss border, we left the rest of our time there unplanned.

How did it turn out?

Fabulous!

Check back for a report about our stay at Golfo Gabella, located right on the lake in the small town of Maccagno on the eastern side — and a mere five and a half miles from the Swiss border!

Photo credits:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

And I’m not talking about a vacation to go visit family – I’m talking about a real vacation – for everyone!

Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

I first tried the holiday vacation plan nearly 10 years ago, and while I don’t do it every year, it’s become an important part of mixing up my holiday celebrations.  It’s also done a lot to restore peace and balance in my life, something for which I am very thankful!  The vacations have occasionally occasionally included extended family members, sometimes not, and I’ve found that getting people out of their usual places and roles, can go a long way toward establishing new traditions and having fun.  You don’t have to do the same thing every single year!

In past years, I’ve celebrated Thanksgiving on a cruise (several times, including cruises to Mexico, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal) and in Hawaii.  This year’s plans haven’t been finalized yet, but since I’ll be in London earlier in November, this may be a stay-at-home year.

Need some inspiration to do a mind switch on a Thanksgiving vacation?  Why not suggest something different for this year?

Here’s a Thanksgiving travel package that I came across to get you started thinking outside the box:  Spend Thanksgiving, including a hearty dinner, at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.

Ashford Castle is located on 350 acres on the shores of Lough Corrib and the River Cong.  It’s surrounded by the lake, river, mountains, and lots of green.  The Castle has 83 guestrooms, and features an equestrian center, a falconry school (the first in Ireland), a 9-hole golf course, and fly fishing.  There are several dining rooms and bars on property.

For a Thanksgiving stay, you can take advantage of the Thanksgiving special which is a 3-night package that includes breakfast each morning, and a gourmet Irish-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Packages start at €375 (about $548) per person, and is offered for November 26 – 28th.

Don’t get me wrong – I love my family.  Sometimes, though, you have to break with the old to establish new, healthier, and more memorable family traditions.

Have you vacationed for Thanksgiving?  How did it work out?

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Ashford Castle

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Velvet Escape tackles the weighty topic of. . . refrigerator magnet.  I love them!  And now, I think I’ll start a collection of my own.

The Paris Traveler shares a whiff of the Paris exotic with information about how to get your very own custom French fragrance.  What a delightful, and practical memory of a great vacation.

Refreshing Italian gelato

The Trends explain about a sort of reverse pick-pocketing going on in London.  Instead of taking money out of your pocket, they’re putting it in.

Gail at Large has a great photo taken while going through the tunnel to Boston’s Logan airport.

The Venice Guide writes about a topic near and dear to my heart, Italian gelato.  While visiting Italy, it was not uncommon for me to eat it two or three times a day.  Now that I’m back at home, this post reminded me of just what I’m missing, and the photo doesn’t come close to doing it justice.

Vintage Seattle has photos from the 1962 Seattle’s World Fair.  It’s a little trip down memory lane.

Boston.com reports on a new hotel marketing trend – marketing to family travelers with upscale features and amenities for the kids.  Will it work for you?

The DC Traveler gives us a history lesson of the founding and development of the Smithsonian Institute.  It’s a whole lot more than just the castle.

My Marrakesh gives us a little fashion show Moroccan style.  You’ll always find great photos and style at this blog.

Las Vegas Sun reports on how Las Vegas luxury resorts are offering promotional bargains to fill the rooms, and wondering if it’s a good thing. Why aren’t these rates available when I need a room there?

The Buenos Aires Guide makes we want to visit the city even more.  See if this post convinces you as well.

Consumer Traveler offers suggestions for healthy and stress free travel.  Maybe some of these will work for you.

Photo credit: fortes @flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

These matchbooks were picked up at a little corner store in Cavtat, a town on a bay just south of Dubrovnik.  Matchbooks weren’t available for FREE restaurants or bars, they were sold in local shops.  They cost about 10 kuna, which is the equivalent to about two cents.

Do you have a matchbook that you’ve found in a drawer somewhere?  Or maybe you’ve picked one up in some recent travels?  I’d love to feature it in an upcoming Matchbook Monday.  All you need to do is take a photo and email it to me, including any odds and ends of details about where you got in and when. It’s getting harder and harder to find new matchbooks, so dig deep into your collection and help me out!

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I’ve gathered up some great weekend reads, so grab a cup of coffee, and settle in.  These posts are sure to make for great Sunday (or any day) reading:

Filipina Soul introduces us to the Ayala Museum which houses world-class collections based on the history of the Philippines.  Beautiful!

Notre Dame in Paris as viewed from the top of the Pantheon (c)Mary Jo Manzanares

Travel Writers News lists the best online travel resources.  I was aware of most of these, but picked up a few that I’ve now added to my list.  You’ll find this very helpful.

The Los Angeles Guide introduces to the mobile food vendors are the latest, hippest, dining experience to hit LA, grazing haven for foodies.

The Sydney Traveler tell us about the new iPhone app, FoodWatch NSW.  This Aussie app used the phone’s GPS to show which nearby restaurants have breached food safety standards, helping you avoid those dodgy spots.

iTravelNet has a great photo of Three Countries Corner in Basel, Switzerland.  This spot on the Rhine River is where Switzerland, Germany and France meet.

The London Traveler intrigued me with her post on the often overlooked Benjamin Franklin House.  I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the man who spent time at this house in London hoping to avoid a war between England and the Colonies.

Almost Fearless starts a great discussion on whether or not you should start a travel blog.  There’s plenty to ponder before you say yes, no, or maybe.

The Paris Traveler makes the list again this week with her post about vespa-ing around the city.  While I’m still a fan of the Metro, this could be quite a fun way to tool around for a day.

Gadling has me scratching my head with its post about a fold-up hotel room.  The Flexotel is a container type room that claims it can be unpacked and furnished in about 10 minutes.

The Venice Guide has a fun post about a high school where wine and students are encouraged to mix. The Venice, Italy, high school teaches students how to make wine, olive oil, and other specialty products produced from the farm.  Visitors can even buy the wine that students make.

IAG Blog takes apart the fine print of Jet Blue’s $599/one month of unlimited travel offer.  Read up on it to see if it’s a good deal for you.  Or for the ailing airline industry.

Happy reading!

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Whatever the reasons a post catches my eye, it makes me feel part of a very special group of people – travel bloggers.

Narrow street in Italy

Here are some great reads from this past week:

My Bella Vita explains her theory on how to learn Italian – an entire month without speaking anything but Italian.  Will it work?

Galley Gossip on Gadling is written by a flight attendant, and this explanation of non-revving, deadheading, positioning, and commuting, explains why you sometimes see flight attendants sitting in a seat, or being give a boarding priority.  Before you curse them out, read this post.

Travel Blog Exchange has a post by Dana on the best and safest hotel choices in Russia.  You don’t have to rough it in Russia.

The Paris Traveler explains where all the Parisiens go in August.  And why.  They definitely have a better attitude about vacationing than many of us do.

The Montreal Guide lets us in on one giant waterfight.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Gadling covers the story of Ryan Air CEO Michael O’Leary who says that passengers who are demanding anything more than the most basic of service should just go away.  Sounds like a company that has found their niche and has no intention of being anything more.

Nerds Eye View pens a wonderful travel essay from her recent road trip that took her through Montana.  Anyone who has passed through Big Sky country will relate to Pam’s feelings of being the tourist.

Those are my favorites for this week.  I’ll have another selection for you next Sunday.

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe