The newest addition to our “fun” series of travel guides has just arrived on amazon.com. We’re so proud of Bored in London – Awesome Experiences for the Repeat Visitor and can’t wait for our fans to check it out! From horseback riding in Hyde park to spending the night at the London Zoo, this book is jammed packed with all the info you need to make an ordinary visit into something truly special. It’s got a few surprises in it too, and boasts a fantastic shopping chapter. (It’s great for the first-time visitor to London as well.) We are happy to announce that all of our Bored In books are available in both ebook and paperback versions. Cheers! Dean & Andie

When we tell people about the newest book in our Bored In series, we always get the same reaction:  “How can anyone be bored in Florence?”  Even our contact at Amazon publishing said it.  But that’s okay because those in the know realize that this super-fun guide to Florence might have a snarky title but it’s about awesome experience for the repeat visitor. (It can also make a first-time visit there into something extra special.) Whether you’re going there all by yourself, with kids, going to get engaged, or are planning a honeymoon trip, YOU NEED THIS BOOK.  We think our chapter headings say it all:

 Try a Group Experience
   (View things differently as part of a pack)
Connect with Nature
   (Outdoor activities in and around Florence)
Learn Something New
   (And gain knowledge of the culture)
Search for Something
   (Hunting for Tuscan goodies is fun)
Have an Engrossing Individual Experience
   (Make it all about you)
Make Memories
   (Share delightful moments with loved ones)
Local Thrills and Chills
   (Some of Florence’s more hair-raising sights)
Be a Child Again
   (Places and activities to share with your kids)

If you’ve ever thought about rafting on the Arno River, or dining in a former Medici Palace, this is your guide book.   It’ll give you all the info at your fingertips. Unlike our Clued In series, it is available in a handy 5×8 inch travel sized paperback as well as in ebook format (which has all the web links and email addresses live and clickable.)

So don’t just go to the Uffizi Gallery again, or if you do, go with a fun group tour led by an expert that will bring it all to life! That’s what Bored in Florence is about.

Happy travels, Dean & Andie

For centuries, September has been the historic start of the so-called “social season.”  It was when important people and great families would return from their languid summer respites in the countryside and again take up residence in the city.  September was also the month for final fittings of new gowns and shoes which had been ordered up so that everyone would be decked out in the latest fashion. Carriages were readied, silver was polished, and the anticipation of who would be at the opera and who would get engaged was probably foremost on people’s minds.

Today’s world is more relaxed of course, but some of the traditions continue. Opera seasons in Europe and in the U.S. still begin during this time, and back-to-school is another version of it. And while folks no longer worry about whether they’ll be presented at court, they do start making more plans for upcoming performances, new restaurants, and other fun things to pursue as cities all over the world get back to business.

In this spirit, we have updated each of our City-Extras pages (through the menu above) with social-season stuff that you should definitely consider doing.  Grab your tickets quickly though because many of our mentions will end up selling out!

Happy travels, Dean & Andie

The newest guide in our super-fun Bored In travel series is now published. Exclusive to Amazon.com, Bored in Rome: Amazing Experiences for the Repeat Visitor follows in the footsteps of our recent Bored in Paris.  If you want to take your European trip to a higher level (or just make it even more fun) grab one of these fantastic guides. The inspiration and ideas in both of them are off the chain! Now only $2.99 for the ebook and $6.95 for the paperback. Ciao for now.

We are excited to introduce our new series of travel books, titled Bored In and can’t wait to share them with you. They are guaranteed to take your trip to the next level! Today Bored in Paris: Awesome Experiences for the Repeat Visitor makes its official debut on amazon.com. To view our covers for the whole series, click here or go to our Bored In page through the menu bar above. So fun!

Today we are announcing the arrival of our newest travel book, Clued In Edinburgh. If you’re headed there, you absolutely have to have this ebook loaded onto your smart phone. (If it’s your loved ones that are headed to Scotland this summer, make sure to get this incredible guide into their hot little hands. Trust us, they’ll be glad to have it.)  The capital of Scotland, glorious as it may be, is not easy– especially in August when the International Festival is is full swing.  During this time a bit of planning can go a really long way.  Whisky, anyone?  Slanjevar!

Grab one here now. 

     We are heartbroken to learn that this venerable icon of the city was engulfed in flames today, the 15th of April, 2019.  It is one of our favorite places in the world and a highlight of our Clued In Paris.  The fire started in a section of the cathedral that was undergoing intense, urgent renovation work that was to be completed in early 2020. Please join us in our prayers that the 800 year-old structure can be saved; its main, tallest spire and the entire roof has already collapsed and much of the interior art and historical artifacts are now at great risk.   -Dean Dalton and Andie Easton

We are thrilled to announce that our next “concise and opinionated” travel book will be Clued In Barcelona, debuting in December 2018! We are busy packing our bags and making those all-important dinner reservations for our October trip to Spain where we will finalize all the photography needed for this latest edition. We adore Barcelona, especially in October when the crowds (and the heat) have left. Here’s a first-look at our new cover featuring “Detective Otto.”

Olé everybody!  ~Dean & Andie

We hope you are! The glorious Regata Storica (historic regatta) may have its roots in the 13th century but you can still enjoy it today. On September 2, 2018 at 4pm, ornate boats and the Doge’s own golden bucintoro will start the festivities. The procession boasts fabulous 16th-century costumes, and afterward exciting boat races will take place culminating in the much-anticipated two-oar’d gondola race. You can see it all for free if you snag a spot along the edge of the Grand Canal between the University Ca’ Foscari and Palazzo Cavalli. If you really want to do things right, pay €60 for a seat on the floating awards stage by visiting VeneziaUnica.it.  The official schedule of events is listed below. In addition, you can see the race participants being blessed at the base of the Santa Maria della Salute church on the Thursday prior.

Happy travels, Dean and Andie

4pm –       Historical boats pageant

4.30pm – Twin-oared regatta of children’s boats

4.50pm – Young rowers twin-oared pupparini regatta

5.10pm – Women’s twin-oared mascarete regatta

5.30pm – Garda Lake bisse regatta

5.40pm – Six-oared Caroline regatta

6pm –      International universities boat challenge

6.10pm – Twin-oared gondolini regatta

It’s June and that means the start of the summer travel season in Europe. When visiting popular cities like Florence, it’s important to have some tricks up your sleeves like knowing which tiny spot has the best coffee, or knowing the location of a delicious restaurant that’s off the beaten track. So it is with evening entertainments, and Florence’s very best almost-secret speakeasy features the best mixology ever. Yes, we’re talking about our  favorite, The Mayday Club. And because it’s not outlandish, the crowds don’t know about it; it can be your secret place that not “everyone in town” is trying to beat a path to. It’s centrally located at via Dante Alighiere 16. What’s more, they’ve just announced their annual ten newly-inspired cocktails. (Note: The Mayday Club is closed during the month of August.)

See details and more photos on our Clued In Florence city-extra page, found through the menu above.  (If you’ll be in London instead, be sure to make reservations at Nightjar.)

Cheers and happy traveling! Dean and Andie