This truck was a study in nostalgia itself.  Seen on a trip the equator, I couldn’t resist stopping to take the picture.

There wasn’t anything else around the truck. It was just pulled to the side of the road. In my mind, that’s why it made for a great travel photo. There’s nothing else in the way to demonstrate just what decade this photograph was taken. While it was technically taken in 2009, it could have been taken any time since the production of that vehicle. And we didn’t even have to go to an antique car show to get the shot!

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

Written by Emily Laurence Baker, this activity deck is designed with families in mind.

Expecting a book, I was surprised to find this title is actually a box of activity cards. Each one has a pictorial map on the back, and a written description of that site’s activities on the front.  My take? This is one of those products you pick up to let the kids have something to interact with and build the excitement for your various day trips.

You’ll definitely want to use your city map and guide book as your main tools. That being said, the kids will likely enjoy using them, so if you have the extra gear space they’ll make a nice addition to your list of trip tools. These activity decks are available for numerous international cities, so if your family travels frequently they might also be a fun tradition to start.  The London edition of City Walks with Kids is available on Amazon.

Photo Credit: Chronicle Books

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Of all the places my husband and I visited when we lived in Europe, one that has always remained foremost in my memory is Bolzano, Italy. Having always intended to write an article about the area, I recently dug out my file folder of brochures and notes and sat down to complete the task.

Bolzano offers virtually year-round enjoyment as a great place to stroll historical streets, explore castles, and take in some winter skiing along with the Christmas markets and more. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the natural surroundings are nearly indescribable in their beauty, or that the town itself appears to the visitor like a picture-perfect postcard of European delight.

It’s accessible by car, bus, train and air, making Bolzano, Italy a destination easily arrived at by travelers of all sorts. Those who enjoy the Germanic and Austrian influences of northern Italy will find it particularly appealing.

THINGS TO DO IN BOLZANO, ITALY

Archaeological Museum

This museum features numerous Roman artifacts in addition to the more than 5,000 year old world-famous ice man the locals refer to as “Frozen Fritz”. An entire section of the museum is devoted to this ice man, which features not only “Fritz” himself, but his belongs and other displays. For the Roman artifact section, visitors walk on a recreated rocky Roman road, complete with sound effects and magnified hands-on viewing displays for ancient coins. Kids dig it.

Walking Architectural Tour

The tourist office in Bolzano, Italy is excellent, and they provided us with a user-friendly brochure-style map featuring a recommended historical and cultural route to follow, along with detailed information about each stop on the route. Check out the numerous old churches with their detailed carvings, frescoes and other art. Most can be accessed for the entry fee of only a small donation.

Other Museums

In addition to the archaeological museum, Bolzano boasts a city museum, a museum of modern art, a mercantile museum and a museum of natural history. If you end up with an unexpected rain day on your trip, these would make a suitable entertainment alternative.

Bike Riding

Bolzano has a network of bicycle trails radiating out of the city through orchards, past picturesque vineyards and up into the mountains.  Keep it low key and simply tour a few wine cellars on lower ground, or go hog wild and bike up into the mountains. You can make this about romance, family fun or hard-core fitness travel. Your call.

Wine Tasting

A full one seventh of the city is devoted to grape vines, supplying nearly thirty (at the time of our last visit) local wineries. Make a full day of it, or work in one or two for each afternoon of your stay. Another fun way to go is to visit a winery to pick out a wine for that night’s dinner or later afternoon picnic.

Cable Car Cruising

Bolzano brings multiple options to the table for cable car fans, which can take you from the valley floor up into the surrounding scenic mountains in minutes.

Castles

There are more than four hundred castles in South Tyrol, with several being in Bolzano’s immediate area. These include Rafenstein, Maretsch and Sigmundskron castles, to name a few. Also of note are the frescoed Runkelstein Castle (also known as Castel Roncolo) and nearby Trostburg Castle. Castle Runkelstein also offers medieval-themed day activities designed with little people in mind, making this a great place for children to let their imagination run wild.

Enjoy the Arts

Bolzano has a long history of being involved in the arts. You’ll be able to enjoy year-round classical concerts by the Hayden Orchestra, live theater and cabaret performances, and numerous art galleries.

Family Farm Stays

Local family farm hotels make great lodging for people traveling with children, providing space to run and play as well as hay jumping, pony feeding and barefoot stream wading. Kiddos usually also get a kick out of the fact that the milk and eggs they eat come directly from the animals they get to see each morning. I think a night at one of these farms would be a particularly good idea for families after a day of museum and church touring.

Festivals

Numerous festivals and exhibitions occur throughout the year, offering fun for the whole family. When Mom and Dad are ready for a little time to themselves, these events usually offer a “Children’s Hotel”, where the kids can hang out and relax under supervision and make friends, participate in structured play activities and more. Rather accommodating, wouldn’t you say? I thought so, too.

Jump Off to Nearby Destinations

San Genesio is known for being a hiking and equestrian get away for Bolzano locals and tourists alike. Brisk walking or horseback riding through pastures, meadows and ancient forests make this an idyllic place to escape the hustle and bustle. It’s also another great day for the kids, particularly if you’re normally an urban-dwelling family that doesn’t go to the country often. The nearby Schlern region with its Seiser Alm Meadow (considered to be the largest alpine meadow in Europe), provides hiking trails in the summer and ski runs and sled paths in the winter.

From Bolzano south to the provincial border of Trentino – Alto Adige, you’ll find The Wine Road, a series of wine tasting opportunities that’s part of The Garden of South Tyrol. This part of the province features not only The Wine Road, but also Lake Kaltern, Trudner Horn Nature Preserve, the world’s largest apple forest and Bletterbach Gorge.

MONEY-SAVING TIPS

Photography-Oriented Walking Tour

Skip the souvenir shopping and enjoy the atmosphere and architecture the town has to offer. Bring your camera to record beautiful scenes and cultural snapshots. You can enjoy them in a digital frame later at home.

Extended Stay Visitor Passes

These were quite popular when we lived there, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say they are likely still part of the tourism office’s outreach program. Various specials were offered throughout the year. Discounts included such things as free entry to certain attractions, guided walking tours, reduced prices on ski passes and even fifteen percent off all purchases in San Genesio if you were staying for more than a couple of days.

Picnic Supplies

Every morning from Monday-Saturday, there was an open air market at Piazza delle Erbe. This was a great chance to purchase bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables for an afternoon picnic, saving splurge bucks for café coffee breaks and the occasional light snack. Families might choose to meander over to the children’s playground to enjoy a light repast after a morning of wandering the historic section.

Resources for Booking Ahead:

Lonely Planet Italy

Rail Europe – Italia Pass  

 Hotels.com

 Get great deals on Expedia.com!

We’ve been there as a couple, with our parents and accompanying friends with children.  So I feel comfortable recommending Bolzano, Italy as both a romantic getaway and family-friendly destination for relatives of all ages. For more information, check out the Bolzano tourism office.

Photo Credits: All Photos in this post are the property of Trek Hound

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.

11 Things to Do in Beautiful Bolzano, Italy has been submitted to Delicious Baby’s July 9, 2010 edition of Photo Friday.

You know how I love to brainstorm about ways to save money. Well tonight, I’ll be doing just that with the gals of the Army Wife Network. Read on for details.

Tonight, between 8:00 and 10:00 p.m., I’ll be interviewing live on various money-saving topics relating to military life such as keeping the costs of a deployment move under control, making the most of an overseas assignment and more. Some of the ideas you’ll likely recognize from the book I co-authored with some of the folks from Wise Bread. But we’ll also have new tips for those who haven’t had a chance to read it yet.

The show will also be available for later listening.

Catch you on the Army Wife Network!

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to spend time in any open air markets or traditional bazaars the country has to offer.

The old souk in Kuwait is just such a place. I lived there for a year, and it was always one of my favorite places to go. When I wasn’t looking for carpets or gold, I loved shopping for grocery items and specialty nuts. This image of three barrels filled with nuts and other dry goods exemplifies the type of bulk shopping deals I was able to find there.

Do you have a favorite image from the Middle East? What’s your favorite country in the region?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This woman sat alongside of one of the ancient towers at the archeological site of Sillustani, near Lake Titicaca in Peru.

It was a rather gray day when this photo was taken, so her orange dress and hot pink hat really stood out, making her a great photo opportunity.

Sillustani wasn’t a destination we had necessary picked out ahead of time to visit on our trip to Peru. However, we feel it is worth visiting for anyone who might be staying a couple of days in Puno, Peru.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This photo article has been submitted to the June 25, 2010 edition of Photo Friday, on DeliciousBaby.com.

This image is proof positive that you just can’t tell where your next photo opportunity will come from.

We were touring an archeological site and trying to get the best image of a stone statue, when we realized how close we had gotten to the edge of the park. At that point, we were actually standing along the edge of a row of houses that sat along one side of the site. One of them had a cute goldfish pond with these three stone elephants standing guard.

Not an ancient statue at all, these were simple concrete yard ornaments available for a song. The flowers and cascading water paired with the afternoon light however, to make this charming shot.  What’s your favorite unexpected travel photo?

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

Shot in Petra, this image of a friendly and curious donkey has always stuck with me as one of my favorites.

It was beautiful day, and we were getting ready to head up to the monastery to enjoy the view and sights along the way. Along came this particular donkey, decorated for a day of giving rides and ready to say hello. What a hoot.

Have you been to Petra? Are you a donkey photographing enthusiast? If you have a link to a similar travel photo, we’d love to see it!

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

This photo review was submitted to the June 18, 2010 edition of Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.com.

Taken in Thailand, this dragon is one I’ve seen in numerous other travel photos. Still, I couldn’t resist. He deserves to be photographed, don’t you think?

A friend of ours is completely enamored with dragons, so we were on the lookout for anything dragon related on our world tour. This particular dragon is so colorful and has such texture and depth, he just commanded our attention.

Got a favorite dragon pic? Share a link to it in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: Trek Hound

We all love dining out on vacation, but who has an unlimited budget?  Here’s how to spend less on your full-flavored vacation fare.

Lunch

Lunch is usually more affordable than dinner. Make the noon meal your splurge and grab an in-room snack for dinner.

Bring the Kids

Many restaurants offer free dining for young children. Research these ahead of time to save big.

Street Snacks

Stroll popular tourist areas to soak up culture and eat from cheap food stalls.

Dining out on vacation doesn’t have to break the bank. Use these tips to save big.

Photo Credit: Discover DuPage