If near BWI Airport, best crab cakes ever!

I was just at an Association of Retail Travel Agents board meeting held at a Baltimore-Washington International/BWI area hotel. One of the locals in the group steered us to G and M for our lunch break. Wow! Located in a strip mall, but enormous and nicely decorated inside. And truly, the best crab cakes ever. Eight ounces each of almost pure crab. The scallops also looked fabulous. Salads are huge. Extensive menu. They also ship nationwide. Enjoy!

G and M
804 N. Hammonds Ferry Road
Linthicum, MD
410/636-1777
www.gandmcrabcakes.com

Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London

Did you know that you can attend the nightly Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London free of charge? It's an event that takes place about 10 PM nightly...and has done so for over 700 years. You have to apply several months in advance for the limited number of places.

To quote from thelondontraveler.com: "Originally a very practical event, where the Tower was locked every evening, it is now a very private ceremony. The ceremony has in fact never been photographed. It takes just around five to ten minutes, and is really quite simple.

A Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) meets the Tower’s military guard, is escorted to the Tower Gates, where the Yeoman Warder locks the entrance. Upon return to the main part of the tower the party is challenged by yet another guard. Upon proper response, the party then goes to the central area of the tower where Last Post is played.

A small group of people are able to watch this ceremony each evening. You must apply in writing two to three months in advance, with all of the details of the people that would like to attend...

I can’t express just how fascinating experience seeing the Ceremony of the Keys was for me. It takes place just before 10pm, when that part of London is incredibly dark and quiet. Then seeing this ceremony take place in the same place with the same cobbled stone walk and castle walls that it has done for seven hundred years is just incredible. I highly, highly recommend it if you’re able to plan it ahead of time."

See http://bit.ly/fjWW41 for details.

Tour Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are now open to overseas visitors for 75 minute guided tours year-round on Saturdays. Hours are 9:15 A - 4:15 P. This is in addition to the annual 'Summer Opening" in August and September when Parliament is not in session. Ticket prices are 15 GBP for adults (10 GBP for those over age 60 and for students), 6 GBP for children -- or 37 GBP for a family. Pre- booked tickets are available by phoning 0844 847 1672 or through Ticketmaster, http://bit.ly/fLOq1T

Roman Assisi

A very interesting article from Rebecca Winke, writing for "Italy: Beyond the Obvious."

www.italybeyondtheobvious.com/2011/01/roman-assisi.html

If you lived in Italy instead...

Kind of a fun list of things that would be different for someone living in Italy instead of the US:

www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/IT?sms_ss=twitter&at_xt=4d3a1a38c12e10ba,0

How to Spot ATM Card Skimmers

I've never had a client fall prey to an ATM card skimmer while abroad, but Bootsnall has a fine article on how to recognize and avoid such.

http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/10-04/atm-skimmers-how-to-protect-yourself.html

Train Travel in Italy, from www.italylogue.com

Thanks to Jessica and Why Go Italy for this lovely tribute to travel travel in Italy.

http://bit.ly/gStTvv

Italy really did ban plastic bags as of January 1st

Shopkeepers in Italy have been banned from giving out plastic shopping bags to reduce "white pollution." Italians use about 20 billion of those plastic bags a year and they are non-biodegradable. The new law took effect January 1. Stores can only give out plastic bags till they run out.There have been similar restrictions on the bags in about 200 Italian communities but now the ban is nationwide. If you are travelling to Italy this year, pack a cloth shopping bag to carry around. (Association of Retail Travel Agents newsletter)

Smoking prohibitions in Spain as of January 1, 2011

From Jaunted.com newsletter: Warning to smokers: Don't light up in public places when traveling through Spain anymore. The country has enacted a ban on smoking in enclosed public spots, including restaurants and bars.

If you get caught puffing away, it will cost you; a first-time offense carries a $40 fine, and repeat offenders will have to cough up as much as $134,000 after the third strike. However, enclosed spots aren't the only places where where your pack of cigs and lighter are prohibited. You also can get slapped with a fine for smoking in some outdoor areas as well, including playgrounds and near hospitals.

This is a big change for the formerly haze-filled country, which was one of the few last remaining Western European nations to allow smoking in public places. Plus, according to the Christian Science Monitor, government officials estimate that 35 percent of residents above 16 are regular smokers

Buy Paris metro tickets on the other side

Did you know that if you're taking the EuroStar from London to Paris, you can buy Paris metro and RER tickets right at St. Pancras station before boarding? They are available in the departure lounge, and even on the train.