We're in travel planning mode | I haven't spent a lot of time in the US, but as my American colleagues chat about their Memorial Day vacation plans, I realize how much more I need to explore! Some are excitedly sharing the (truly) bizarre attractions they'll see on their road trips, while others contemplate easy, breezy car-free escapes. Those who aren’t traveling (and plan to relax at home with a good book) are dreamily discussing their US summer vacations or (chill) music festival possibilities instead. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s go back and see where our travels have taken us since the last time I mailed you… Enjoy! – Sasha Brady, Digital Editor | | | Exploring cute little French villages | I got away to the French Alps and stayed a tiny little village called Talloires near Annecy on the banks of Lake Annecy. My days were spent hiking, cycling, plunging into the glacier-fed waters and exploring the pretty neighboring villages with their higgledy-piggledy timber-framed houses, artisan shops and markets. While that sounds like I was super active, most of my time was actually spent eating lots of cheese and bread and reading my books by the lake. Bliss. My tip: The greenway around Lake Annecy is one of France’s oldest and most beautiful cycling paths. It's mostly flat, so it's ideal for easygoing cycling holidays. – Sasha Brady, Digital Editor | | | Falling for my second-choice city | Truthfully, Barcelona was my second choice. I was in Dublin for a conference and wanted to take advantage of my geographic location for a quick vacation. The first destination fell through, and a friend suggested Barcelona. Boy, was she right! The Spanish city completely charmed me. We stayed at the lovely Hotel Praktik Garden in the L’Eixample neighborhood, were introduced to calçots (a type of green onion) on a fantastic food tour and got a pair of traditional Spanish espadrilles at La Manual Alpargatera. My tip: Walk! Even walking to the hotel at night feels safer as Barcelona embraces a late-night culture. – Alicia Johnson, Destination Editor | | | Munching my way through Milwaukee | I enjoyed a short break in Milwaukee where highlights included donuts from Cranky Al's, wings from Club Charlie's (IMO the best dry-rub wings in the city), breakfast at Uncle Wolfie's, bopping into shops like Mod Gen and Ursa and, of course, the views from the shores of Lake Michigan. My tip: The best time to visit is May/June. Coming out of winter, you can feel the collective excitement of being active outdoors. If the sun is out, everyone will be making an effort to spend time on a patio or rooftop. – Steven Price, Senior Engineer | | | My perfect Dublin itinerary | I visited the Lonely Planet Dublin office (for the same conference as Alicia) and decided to extend my trip for a few solo days. I stayed centrally at the Wren Urban Nest, a capsule hotel offering nightly live music and convenient access to fantastic dining spots like Uno Mas, Pickle and the Michelin-starred D’Olier Street. This area of the city is also close to Trinity College and Dublin Castle, which were great pit stops on my strolls, along with independent shops on Drury St, including Industry & Co, where I bought locally made gifts. My tip: I highly recommend travelers check out the National Archaeology Museum of Ireland. It offers free entry and showcases “the bog bodies,” human remains preserved since 400 BCE! – Lauren Sargent, Senior Product Manager | | | California dreamin' off-season | My wife and I took our kids on an off-season trip to Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and San Diego. In Joshua Tree, striking out early and hiking Hidden Valley before the crowds arrived was a highlight. The trail is easy enough for tiny legs, and the morning light did wonders on the surrounding rock formations. Our little engineers wouldn't let us leave San Diego without visiting LEGOLAND California, and it was a ton of fun – lots to do and surprisingly good food (ramen for lunch with Granny Smith apple fries for dessert). My tip: Don't miss Sherman's Deli and Bakery in Palm Springs for an excellent hot pastrami sandwich. – Alex Howard, Editorial Director | | | Flash sale: 25% off all books | Start planning your next adventure today.
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