Virtual Vacation with Guidester (Motif Media Group)

The Isle of Skye is Scotland's top bucket list destination. One thing about Skye that will leave a lasting impression on you is the scenery. Just driving around, you can see many of Skye’s most majestic geological features, such as the Quiraing and Cuillin.  But be sure to take your sturdiest of boots and explore these unique sights on foot for real rewards.

[01:13] Isle of Skye Overview-Where is it and what is there to see

• Hebrides
• Cuillin Hills
• Cairngorms National Park

[06:47] What's so important about the Isle of Skye

[08:52] The Must Sees

• Quiraing
• Dunvegan Castle
• Black Cuillins
• Fairy Pools
• Eilean Donan Castle

[14:42] Historical & Cultural Aspects

• Picts and Caledonians
• Clans
• Use of Mac
• Bonnie Prince Charlie
• Skye Boat Song
• Kilt

[21:51] Pop Culture Connection

• Jessica Brockmole’s ‘Letters from Skye'
• Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse'
• Outlander Television Program
• Highlander Movie

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #hebrides #Isleofskye #Highlander #VirginiaWoolf #Bonnieprincecharlie #Skyeboatsong #Cuillin Hills #CairngormsNationalPark #Quiraing #DunveganCastle #BlackCuillins #FairyPools #EileanDonanCastle

Season 1: Episode 11

When you mix culture, art, history, geography, flavors, cuisine, and people in everything you eat and drink, you get Paris! For all you food lovers out there who are going to Paris, you need to savor this episode. Get the culinary experience of a lifetime in Paris.

[01:43] Paris-Food Capital of the World

[02:52] Understanding the Language of the French Food Scene

• Bistro
• Brasserie
• Bouillon
• Boulangerie
• Patisserie

[07:36] The Ultimate-Michelin Star

[09:01] When to eat in Paris

[10:05] Finding a Nice Restaurant

[16:21] Be Respectful of the Culture-Know Some Phrases

[19:36]Bouillon Chartier

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 10

#Paris #France #Frenchcuisine #cuisine #bistro #brasserie #boulangerie #bouillon #patisserie #chef #cafe #wine #sidewalkcafe #Eiffeltower #Louvre #croissant #Bouillonchartier #culture #French #Language #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

Rome is a destination full of excitement, history, and culture. We delve into the basilicas of Rome, their cultural importance, historical significance, and architectural beauty.

[00:29] What is a basilica?

[02:09] Four Great Basilicas of Rome

• St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican
• The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls
• The Basilica of St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore)
• The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano).

[02:53] St. John's Lateran

[04:03] Santa Maria in Trastevere-get a little history

[10:26] St. Peter's Basilica

[13:19] St. Paul's Outside the Walls-scooter time

[15:14] St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore)

[17:24] Rome and the basilicas

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 5

#Rome #Vatican #Pope #Coliseum #StPetersBasilica #basilica #StPaul #PopeJohnPaul #PopeJohnPaulII #VaticanII #moped #scooter #Romanempire #Constantine #Caesar #emperor #cathedral #mosaics #VaticanCity #Pantheon #travel #Europe #vacation #traveleurope #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

Ancient volcanoes that are now lakes form the basis for unbelievable scenery and a great winemaking region near Rome. While Castelli Romani is also known for being the summer residence of the Pope, the region boasts quiet villages, festival celebrations, a moderate summer climate, and succulent strawberries.

[00:39] Overview of the area

• Location
• Topography
• How to get there

[04:45] Why the area is famous

• Strawberries
• Papal vacation home
• Cooler summer climate
• Villages and festivals

[08:32] Don't be fooled by the name Roman Castles

[09:45] What is there to do?

• Eat (check out this view), drink, be merry, and enjoy Italian culture and hospitality
• Nemi
• Wine festival: Borgo diVino

[23:06] A tour with Castelli Romani on the itinerary

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 18

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #Rome  #Vatican  #Pope  #wine  #CastelliRomani  #volacano  #papalsummerhome  #strawberries #BorgodiVino #Nemi

Rome is a destination full of excitement, history, and culture. There is so much to see in the eternal city where do you begin? Well, that's why there is Guidester! Jack Baumann relates what you can expect as an American tourist in Italy.

[01:10] Getting into Italy in a pandemic. What do you have to have and do?

[03:48] What do you do when your room reservations fall through? This is what Jack did.

• The Theater of Pompey
• Testaccio neighborhood-Velavevodetto

[11:19] Typical Italian Day

• Cafe
• Pantheon
• Piazza Navona

[13:20] Time for Lunch Interlude

[15:12] The Appian Way

• Catacombs of San Sebastiano

[20:24] Time for Dinner

• Don't forget the Aperitivo
• What time is dinner, I'm hungry!

[21:21] What's on the docket for tomorrow and the next several days?

• Coliseum
• Private tour of the Vatican
• Hadrian's Villa

[28:29] Exchange Rate

[31:06] Summing up the day/sites. DON"T MISS THE SUNSET at San Gianicolo!

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 4

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #Rome  #Vatican  #Pope  #Coliseum  #StPetersBasilica  #basilica  #StPaul  #PopeJohnPaul   #PopeJohnPaulII   #VaticanII   #moped   #scooter   #Romanempire   #Constantine   #Caesar   #emperor   #cathedral   #mosaics   #VaticanCity   #Pantheon #Hadriansvilla #PiazzaNavona #TheaterofPompey #Velavevodetto

Some of the most beautiful countryside is located in The Peak District, England's first national park. If you like to hike, are into photography, desire to experience village life in England, or just walk through the most gorgeous gardens in all of Europe, The Peak District is the place to be.

[00:36] English National Parks

• Peak District
• Lake District

[02:16] Peak District-Land of the Shires

• Derbyshire
• Yorkshire
• Staffordshire
• Cheshire
• History

[05:30] Peak District Topography

• Dark peak - Kinder Scout, Mam Tor
• White peak
• Southwest peak

[07:46] Where to stay in the Peak District

• Camp
• Stay in a village - Bakewell, Castleton
• Stay in a larger city - Sheffield, Chesterfield, Manchester, Liverpool

[09:45] Blue John Caverns

[11:37] Chatsworth

• Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
• Gardens

[14:35] Must see list for The Peak District

• Castleton
• Peveril Castle
• Heights of Abraham

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 8

#travel #Europe #vacation #traveleurope #England #PeakDistrict #NationalPark #Chatsworth #Bluejohn #mineral #savagegarden #heightsofabraham #prideandprejudice #Ashfordinthewater #Castleton #Bakewell #bakewelltart #bluejohncavern #Derby #Sheffield #PeverilCastle #LymePark #photography #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

Castles have fascinated visitors worldwide for their beauty, size, and history. We explore some history and aspects of British castles. While Jack names his top five castles in Britain in this episode, he has previously identified 11 of the most beautiful castles in Britain (four of which he discusses in this episode). Click on the word TRANSCRIPT to get a transcript of this podcast with an audio player at the bottom.

[00:46] Castles

[02:55] Windsor Castle

[05:02] Strategic Aspects of Castles and a Little History

[09:51] Characteristics (Parts) of Castles

[12:11] Postcards

[12:38] Castle Lighting

[14:32] Jack's Top Five Castles of Britain

• Arundel, more
• Windsor
• Caernarfon
• Hever, more
• Eilean Donan

[16:12] Arundel Castle

[21:23] Heating & AC-How do they do it?

[23:29] Castle For Sale by Owner?

[25:00] Size and Age of Castles in Britain

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 3

#Hever #EileanDonan #Caernarfon #Windsor #Arundel #royals #keep #bailey #curtainwall #moat #portcullis #turret #Wales #Scotland #NorthernIreland #England #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

For a different view of Europe, you might consider a river cruise. From Paris to Le Havre in Normandy and back is filled with unbelievable scenery, food, and history. Jack Baumann relates what you can expect on a river cruise in France.

[00:23] What do you see and expect on a river cruise from Paris to LeHavre?

[03:36] Food on the river cruise

[04:32] Stops on the river cruise

[07:38] Conflans-Sainte-Honorine

[07:59] Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh)

[08:46] Normandy-cows, climate, language

[11:26] Rouen (Richard the Lion-Hearted, Joan of Arc)

[13:39] Jumièges Abbey

[15:20] Le Havre (historic harbor)

[16:48] Arromanches

[22:51] Vernon (Old Mill)

[24:14] Paris

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 19

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #seineriver  #Normandy  #France  #joanofarc  #Paris  #lehavre  #vangogh  #cheese   #rouen    #omahabeach   #arromanches #vernonfrance # JumiègesAbbey QK3PicWy54Swoup3anJN

We take travel for granted in today's world. Way back in the day (a.k.a. The Ancient World), weekend getaways, day trips, and to a degree business trips did not even cross the minds of the people. Who did travel? Why did they travel? How did they travel? These are all questions that are answered in this episode.

[00:20] Introduction

[04:12] What did travel actually mean and who was traveling?

• wealthy elites
• merchant class
• common people (rare)
• military

[05:35] Importance of the Roman Road System

[07:57] Why did people travel?

• Diplomacy
• Trade
• Settling/Starting Disputes or Wars
• Pilgrimage

[12:29] Connection of Modern and Ancient Road Systems

[14:46] Example of Travel

[20:24] Insurance Coverage for Ancient Travel

[23:27] When did people travel?

[23:58] Where people traveled?

[25:57] Back-Up the Chariot: What's the Nitty Gritty on the Roads and the Sites Along the Way?

• Construction
• Funerary Guilds & Burial Mounds

[32:58] Final Thoughts

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #ancientworld #romans #romanroads #alexanderthegreat #caesar #Appianway #juliuscaesar #augustuscaesar #Alexandria #Carthage #London #Gibraltor #punicwars

Season 1: Episode 14

Get ready for a fun trip to Bern and discover why this should be on your list of destinations when you travel. View the Bern Virtual Vacation with Guidester while you listen or check it out later and don't watch it while you are driving! :) Click on the word TRANSCRIPT to get a transcript of this podcast with audio player at the bottom.

[00:46] Let's Get Started

[02:44] City Center

[04:36] Museums-one of the greatest and smartest

[07:09] Climate Expectations-Best Two Months to Go

[08:44] Famous People

[09:38] Take a Virtual Vacation

[10:00] Walkability

[11:55] Thinking of Switzerland I think of . . .

[13:43] Language Issues?

[17:40] Government in Switzerland

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 2

#Travel #Einstein #Chocolate #Museums #PaulKlee #fondue #raclette #bearpark #Zurich #Geneva #Alps #Europe #vacation #traveleurope #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

The Appian Way is the oldest road in Rome and one of the oldest continuously used roads in the entire world. What makes this road so special? What is the history that has captivated people for over 2500 years? Why is this one of Jack's favorite places to visit and eat dinner?

[00:43] The Pines of the Appian Way (music)

[02:33] All Roads Lead to Rome Especially this One!

• History
• Monuments
• Old Churches
• Catacombs of San Sebastian
• Cecilia Metella
• The Eternal City: imperium sine fine – an empire without end from Virgil's epic poem The Aeneid

[10:48] Dinner on the Appian Way

• Baci
• The 300 Year Old Villa
• Artifacts

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 16

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #Rome  #Vatican  #Pope  #Coliseum  #StPetersBasilica  #basilica     #Romanempire   #Constantine   #Caesar   #emperor   #cathedral      #Pantheon #Appianway #Romanroad #Villa #PinesoftheAppianWay #Respighi #Augustus #Romulus #Remus #romulusandremus #CeciliaMetella #sansebastiancatacombs

Istria is not a country but probably could be. It is part of three countries and offers a merging of cultures, food, history, language, and style. Michael Cross is our guest from Istria where his mother was born. He is part of the Italian Community of St. Louis and provides an understanding of the richness of this often-overlooked peninsula in the Adriatic Sea with a climate like San Diego.

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 12

#Istira #Italy #Croatia #Slovenia #Beaches #Pula #Rovinj #Trieste #AdriaticSea #Romanruins #Colosseum #Truffleoil #Muggia #Dalmatia #Vineyards #Venice #Italian #Croatian #Venice #Umag #Labin #Romans #Rovigno #Rovinj #Parenzo #Porec #Calamari #Bacalao #Fish #Pasta #Mediterranian #TreatyofParis #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

This isn't your Hot Springs, Arkansas thermal bath area. Budapest is known as the city spas as it boasts more hot springs and medicinal baths than any capital city in the world!

[02:46] Bath Crazy "Budapesht" not Budapest.

[05:39] The Skinny on Thermal Baths

• 120 Hot Springs
• Romans and the Turks

[09:10] These are spas, but this isn't a Vic Tanney Health Spa - it's much much better!

• Sparties
• Rooftop Communal Hot Tub
• Széchenyi Baths-18 pools, 15 of which are spring-fed thermal pools
• Gellért Baths-most photographed spa in Hungary
• Király Baths-officially the oldest, built in the second half of the 16th century
• Rudas Baths-Turkish dome and octagonal pool

[16:11] How to bath in a culturally correct way

• Shower, don't soak too long, shower, mineral baths, shower, sauna, shower, steam rooms, ice-cold pool, shower, do it again!

[22:15] Favorite Bath and the Cost $

[25:54] Family Friendly?

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 13

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #Turkishbaths #Hungary #Budapest #Mineralbaths #Rudasbaths #GellertBaths #SzéchenyiBaths #KirályBaths #Romans #hottubs #architecture #parisoftheeast #cityofspas #thermalbaths #aquatherapy #sauna #steamroom #Brahms #Hungariandances

Here is a basic itinerary that offers a mix of city, country, and culture. This is especially useful for the first-timer to Ireland as it covers the country’s most famous sights. If you don't have 10 days, then remember this. Go deep rather than broad.

[01:25] Perfect 10 days in Ireland defined

• Fly in; Dublin: Trinity College, Book of Kells, Guiness Storehouse, Christ Church Cathedral, Temple Bar)-2 days
• Kilkenny: Rock of Cashel-1 day
• Cork: Folk music (trad/diddley-eye), Blarney Castle, Jameson Distillery-2 days
• Killarney: Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, Dingle Peninsula, Cliffs of Moher in County Clare-2 days
• Galway City: Connemara National Park-2 days; Fly out

[06:03] Don't have 10 days - optional 3-5 days

• Dublin-2 days/Pick one area/Kilkenny-1 day

[06:57] Dublin

[08:01] Jack's Favorite

[12:20] Brief History of Ireland

[13:38] St. Patrick and the color blue

[15:24] An Important Symbol of Ireland/Not the Shamrock

[16:32] Breakaway of Northern Ireland from Ireland

[19:13] United Kingdom, Great Britain, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales

[21:38] What is the spoken language?

[24:18] Celtic Heritage

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 1

#Ireland #Shamrock #Travel #StPatrick #Dublin #Killarney #Trinity Kilkenny #Rock of Cashel #BlarneyCastle #Jameson #NorthernIreland #Wales #Scotland #Celtic #Travel #Europe #Vacation #travelEurope #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

Croatia is a gem of a country that provides breathtaking views, great food, fabulous beaches, and all around fun! There is much to see there but here are Croatia's Must Sees! Click on the word TRANSCRIPT to see a transcript of this podcast with audio player at the bottom.

[00:51] Geographic Location

[02:50] Natural Parks-Natural Beauty

[03:23] Split and Dubrovnik

[06:12] History of Croatia

[08:39] Croatian Islands

• Pag Island
• Hvar

[10:39] Language

[12:30] Tourism and Currency

[13:29] One or Two Places-Where to Go and Stay? 

• Zadar, the food, sea organ

[15:32] Wineries

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 4

#Zadar #SeaOrgan #PagIsland #Split #Dubrovnik #Island #English #Travel #Europe #Vacation #Traveleurope #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

The Rock. The name has been used in movies, as an actor's nickname, and even the destination as a logo for an insurance company. Gibraltar is the original rock in southern Spain and has a deep heritage and long-standing point of being a strategic location at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.

[01:47] Significance of Gibraltar

[03:40] Fortifications

[04:51] Thumbnail Sketch of the History-The Rock Changes Hands

[07:47] The town at the bottom of Gibraltar

[08:48] Climate

[09:51] The Barbary Macaque or Barbary Apes

[10:18] Sights to See

• Top via cable car
• Gibraltar Nature Reserve
• St. Michael's Cave
• Moorish Castle
• Mediterranean Steps

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 15

#travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide #Gibraltar #VacationEurope #British #monkeys #Spain #isthmus #mediterranean #BarbaryApes #stmichaelscave #moorishcastle #MediterraneanSteps #wwII

London is known for its many attractions: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and museums to name a few. Wouldn't you like to know about some hidden gems that will not only capture your attention and pocketbook but give you a sense you have had a private tour? Well, you've come to the right place to avoid the mistakes travelers make and find the hidden gems.

[02:02] Saint Dunstan in the East

[04:03] Temple Church

[06:05] Banqueting Hall

[07:48] Top of St. Paul's Cathedral

[08:59] Apsley House

[09:10] The National Gallery

[09:57] The National Portrait Gallery

[10:27] Queen's House & Tulip Staircase

[12:44] Little Venice

[13:50] Luggage Room

[15:13] Bishop Gate, Camden Town, Southwark, Borough Market

[17:26] Sky Pod Bar

[18:02] Hidden Gems for the Kids

[19:42] All Hallows Church - Southard Cathedral

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 9

#travel #Europe #vacation #traveleurope #boroughmarket #skypodbar #luggageroom #littlevenice #tulipstaircase #templechurch #banquetinghall #buckinghampalace #hiddengems #southwark #southardcathedral #apsleyhouse #piccadillycircus #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

Traveling again is going to require some extra thought, planning, and patience. This episode provides some thoughtful ideas about where and how to travel during the pandemic.

[00:40] Status of International Travel

• Mexico, Croatia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks and Caicos, and other Caribbean destinations

[02:52] Countries Open in Europe

•  Albania, Croatia, Malta, Iceland, Estonia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, UK

[08:16] Best Bets in Europe for the Summer/Early Fall

• UK, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, other mainland European countries
• Travel Insurance
• EU member websites
• State Department website

[12:24] Reduced Capacity

• Flight schedule changes

[15:26] Possibility of Snap Lockdowns

• Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 7

#Travel #Vacation #Europe #traveleurope #covid #covid-19 #pandemic #airlinechange #UK #Statedepartment #Unitedkingdom #Iceland #Spain #France #NorthMacedonia #Montenegro #Albania #Croatia #travelinsurance #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide

If you are traveling to Europe and throughout the European continent, Jack gives you some help on ways to get around to save you money, keep you safe, and not have your muscles hurt from all the luggage. After all you are there to have fun and relax!

[01:05] Air vs. Train Travel

• Ryanair
• EasyJet
• Rail Europe

[03:12] Public Transportation

[04:42] Renting a Car or Scooter

[06:33] Going from Country to Country - Changes Ahead

• Passports
• Schengen zone or Eurozone
• ETIAS

[07:33] The Metric System

• Driving on what side of the road? The steering wheel is where?
• The Chunnel

[10:59] Checking in at U.S. Embassy or Consulate

• The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

[11:58] Luggage, Packing, Safety, and Cell Phone

• Copy valuable documents
• Check weather
• Pickpockets
• Tech Stuff
• Universal adapter for charging cell phone
• Battery pack
• More safety

[19:00] Considerations when Traveling with Children

[20:49] Final Suggestions

Dream. Learn. Plan. Prepare. Go to Guidester/Virtual-Vacation

Season 1: Episode 6

#Chunnel #Europe #Paris #London #Rome #Greece #passport #consulate #Cellphone #Pickpockets #etias #Schengenzone #luggage #raileurope #travelsafety #packing #traveleurope #travel #vacation #travel #europe #vacation #traveleurope #travelguide #tourguide