How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Texarkana

Texarkana is actually two cities with the same name in neighboring states. The cities straddle the Texas-Arkansas border, less than 40 miles from the Louisiana border and about an hour southeast of Oklahoma. Centrally located along Interstate 30, the cities have a combined population of about 68,000, almost evenly split. No one is exactly sure how each city got its name, but it’s generally accepted that a railroad worker posted a sign reading TEX-ARK-ANA on a tree to identify where a town should be built. The name is a combination of the names Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Imagine if they had incorporated Oklahoma!

Texarkana is the perfect place for a weekend getaway, a place where you can stand in two states at the same time and dive into the area’s rich history. Here’s what to do when you visit.

The federal courthouse in Texarkana. — OurTexarkana.com

Visit The State Line Post Office & Federal Courthouse

Adding to the uniqueness of the area with two cities of the same name is the building that sits on the state line. The federal courthouse, which is also a United States post office, is located on State Line Avenue. A sign marks the border. To the west is Texas, while Arkansas is on the east side. The building is said to be the most-photographed courthouse in the country after the U.S. Supreme Court.

The courthouse area is also home to two unique sculptures — a sculpture of Jim Bowie on the Texas side and a memorial to soldiers of the Confederacy on the Arkansas side.

Take In A Show At The Historic Perot Theatre

Opened as the Saenger Theatre in 1924, this downtown theater was built in the Italian Renaissance style and included a stage, orchestra pit, and backstage area. Originally designed for live theater, it later became a movie house. Its name was changed to the Paramount, and the theater eventually faded into obscurity.

In the late 1970s, millionaire businessman and two-time presidential candidate Ross Perot and his sister Bette donated nearly $1 million to renovate the theater. Its name was changed to the Perot Theatre in honor of their parents, who were Texarkana natives.

Today, the theater, which is located on the Texas side of the border, hosts Broadway traveling shows and concerts. Visitors can take a behind-the-scenes tour of the theater and learn more about its past, including the era of segregation.

Tour A House That Resembles The Ace Of Clubs

Built to resemble the ace of clubs, the Draughon-Moore House has 22 sides as a result of three octagonal wings and a rectangular wing. Three families occupied the home from 1880 through 1985, when it was donated to Texarkana’s museum system.

Today, you can tour the house, taking in rooms preserved to reflect life in the home between 1880 and 1940. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places and also boasts a beautiful flower garden.

The Four States Auto Museum in Texarkana. — OurTexarkana.com

See The Classic Cars At The Four States Auto Museum

About 20 classic cars and other vehicles await you at the Four States Auto Museum. Open since 2004 in an old downtown storefront on the Arkansas side, the museum features a rotating exhibit of vintage automobiles, some dating back to the 1950s. The cars are replaced about every three months. As you stroll through the small museum, take in the vintage garage and gas station signs, as well as other road-trip memorabilia. The museum also hosts car shows throughout the year.

Check Out The Museum Of Regional History

Offering a look into the area’s history, from the Native Americans who originally called the area home to the area’s jazz roots and agriculture, the Museum of Regional History is located in the area’s oldest brick building. Opened in 1971, the Museum of Regional History is the Texarkana metro’s oldest museum. In addition to a collection showcasing the Caddo tribe’s jewelry and pottery, the museum celebrates the musical influences of jazz great Scott Joplin, a Texarkana native, as well as other musicians. Other exhibits cover the region’s agriculture and the Spanish and French explorations of the area.

Enjoy A Stroll In Spring Lake Park

Enjoy a walk along the nearly 2-mile-long walking trail at Spring Lake Park. The park is the star of Texarkana’s public park system, with a splash pad and playground for children. You can relax and cast your line in hope of snagging a fish or two in the lake, or maybe pack a basket and enjoy a picnic with the grandkids. During the spring and fall, the park hosts outdoor movies, so you can grab a lawn chair or lay down a blanket for an old-fashioned outing.

Make A Trip To President Clinton’s Birthplace

Less than 40 minutes northeast of Texarkana is the hometown of President Bill Clinton. Now maintained by the National Park Service, the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home is a two-story wood-frame house in Hope, Arkansas. The future president and his mother lived there with her parents following the death of Clinton’s biological father, William J. Blythe Jr. Clinton’s mother later married Roger Clinton and moved across town, and her son took his stepfather’s last name.

Period-appropriate furnishings, including Clinton’s cowboy-themed bed, are located throughout the house. A park ranger leads the guided tour, which includes a climb up a steep set of stairs.

Following your visit to the Clinton home, take a short walk around the downtown area, which includes a former railroad depot that now serves as a museum focused on President Clinton as well as other local celebrities, including actress Melinda Dillon (A Christmas Story), former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, and actress and singer Ketty Lester.

Where To Eat In Texarkana

Both sides of the border offer outstanding cuisine at an affordable price. Here are some of my favorite spots.

Hopkins Icehouse

Hopkins Icehouse is located in a former feed store. Area railroad workers used to keep their drinks cold in iceboxes in order to enjoy them after their shift. The Hopkins Icehouse maintains that corner bar sort of vibe, with eclectic decor, wooden floors, and a variety of wall and ceiling decorations, such as bicycles and old signs.

The food is impressive, and the portions are hearty. The classic American fare includes burgers, pizza, salads, and a variety of sandwiches, from chicken sandwiches to French dip sandwiches.

Reggie’s Burgers

Reggie’s Burgers opened in 2012 with the mission of creating a burger that everyone would enjoy. The Texas location operated as a single restaurant until the company added a second location on the Arkansas side.

The fresh certified Angus beef burgers are made to order with the toppings of your choice, such as cheese, pickles, grilled onions, and coleslaw. You can get a deep-fried hot dog with all the trimmings, if that’s your thing. A unique menu item is the bologna sandwich. This isn’t the sandwich your mom used to make; Reggie’s uses quality thick-cut bologna for the fried sandwich. Don’t forget a side of fresh French fries, and cap your meal off with a freshly baked pie.

Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que

Big Jake’s Bar-B-Que is a throwback to the days of the old TV westerns. While there are five locations throughout the Texarkana area, you’ll want to visit the original location on the Texas side, located inside a former Dairy Queen, for a truly unique experience. The walls are adorned with black-and-white photos of cowboys and sports teams and other memorabilia.

Jake’s combines great smoked meats — including ribs, brisket, and burnt ends — with outstanding sides, such as okra, coleslaw, baked beans, and mac and cheese, for a true Texas barbecue experience. Be sure to order one of the apple, cherry, or peach fried pies for dessert.

Where To Stay In Texarkana

National chain hotels have been popping up around town as Texarkana has grown in popularity, so it’s easy to find a clean, comfortable hotel at an affordable price. From the Hampton Inn and Suites on the Texas side to the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Texarkana East on the Arkansas side, the metro area is home to nearly 50 hotels.

Centrally located along major highways and Interstate 30, Texarkana offers an easy and affordable weekend getaway. With its unique location and history, it provides plenty of fun (and fried pies!) without big-city crowds and prices.

13 Tips For Finding The Perfect Travel Partner

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer Abroad (1894)

I’ve been traveling for more than 50 years. I’ve taken solo journeys as well as trips with my family and with friends. Over the past year, I’ve taken my first group tours. Several of my excursions have had transcendent moments; some had disastrous ones. That’s not only because of travel gone awry but also because of setting off with the wrong travel partner. On the other hand, a number of the loveliest moments I’ve had have been shared with a fellow traveler and have cemented a friendship for life.

Here are some tips on how to find the (nearly) perfect travel partner.

1. Accept The Fact That You’ll Never Find The Perfect Travel Partner

Sorry to disappoint, reader, but no pairing is perfect. The good news is that kindred spirits don’t have to fulfill every item on the checklist. Sometimes there is just an ineffable quality that draws people together, and even people with whom you may not have much in common can make great partners on the road.

And you never know what will and won’t work until you go on a shared journey. In the 1980s, I didn’t want to travel to Tibet alone, although I had dreamed of going there for years. So when a friend of a friend said that she wanted to go, we decided to travel together. The good news: My roommate was tough and could actually push me up hills. So while a partnership may not be perfect, there are some that have succeeded in ways I had never considered.

2. Know Yourself And Be Honest About Who You Are

I’ve found that there are people who can laugh off irritations and move on. I would love to be such a person, but that isn’t me. I take many things personally and am sometimes overly sensitive. On a recent trip, I traveled with an old friend who provided constant advice about how I could do things differently (i.e. better). I still love her, but the experience made me understand that we are not the best travel buddies.

The writer with two of her travel partners. — Barbara Winard

3. Realize That What Made A Good Partner When You Were Younger Might Have Changed

The way in which I travel has changed with age. I know that I am leaning toward slower travel and want to find someone who doesn’t have to see everything in the guidebook or paint the town into the wee hours. Perhaps I have become more set in my ways, also, but I still love to set off for places unknown.

4. Be British About It: Find Someone Who Knows How To Keep Calm And Carry On

Having a companion who soldiers through travel challenges is paramount. Stiff upper lips are surely preferable to a not-so-fine whine. And of course it helps immeasurably for both you and your travel mate to be flexible. The way that travel challenges ebb and flow may necessitate changing course often.

5. Find Someone Who Speaks The Language Of The Country You’re Visiting (Especially If You Don’t)

Even though traveling with a linguist may make it seemingly too easy to depend on another for basic needs, the benefits are immediate. I found that finding transportation, ordering food, getting directions, and keeping out of iffy areas in New Delhi was much easier because my travel partner spoke Hindi. We were both at sea in the south of India, but luckily English and body language got us through.

6. Find Someone Like You (Or Not Like You)

It’s nice to have balance in any relationship. An extrovert and an introvert are made for each other. I recently went on my first group tour (to Mount Rushmore), and my favorite travel buddy and I had not a thing in common except that we amused each other. For some journeys, that’s enough. However, I typically prefer to travel with someone who loves art museums (but doesn’t have to visit every single one).

7. Find Someone Independent

My first long trip to Europe in 1970 was a success largely because I was traveling with someone who agreed that it was healthy to split up every once in a while and meet again in a few days, a week, or several weeks. I stayed in southern Spain while she went to Morocco. We were always happy to see each other and catch up.

I also met a terrific travel companion on a ferry in Hong Kong 40 years ago. We started to chat and discovered that we were both flying to Bangkok the next day and were traveling solo. She invited me to share her hotel and we ended up traveling through Thailand together. I visited her a few years ago in California and we happily reminisced about our adventures.

8. Make Sure You Discuss Two Danger Zones: Schedules And Money

It will make you crazy to be with someone who is always late and for whom you’re always waiting. Or if you are a night owl and she is up at the crack of dawn. You must also find out before the trip if your potential partner has the same ideas about budget as you — and the money to afford what you both want to do. Also discuss how to pay for where you stay and eat. Will you split half and half, take turns paying, or add up totals each time you go to a restaurant or cafe? What can you live with?

9. Be Honest About Your Most Personal Habits

Do you snore? Does she? That may be a deal breaker unless you use noise-canceling headphones, which I find a pain to carry but a blessing in many situations. Does your travel mate need to FaceTime or chat on her iPhone to her friends back home all the time? That also may make you crazy. My husband has informed me that there are a few things that I do that make him crazy, so better look within, also.

10. Find Someone With A Sense Of Humor; It Will Make Travel A Joy

Sometimes anything that can go wrong on a trip will go wrong, and laughter may be the only recourse. There was the time in the ruins of Mahabalipuram in India when a small bird relieved itself on me while flying by. My partner waited for me to laugh first (the highest rung of partnership) then yelled “It’s good luck!” We laugh every time we remember it.

11. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate (But Brutal Honesty Has Its Limits)

Talking problems over may clear the air and enable you to continue a trip successfully, but you can never know how someone will take your efforts to say what you are feeling (especially if it includes criticism). And sometimes, even if you do communicate and share a common vision, your pairing just doesn’t work.

12. Know When To Break Up

Find someone with whom you can amicably split instead of suffering through a trip. The initial pain of moving on alone may be wrenching (or a relief), but things seem to look up when you don’t have the cloud of dissension around you. And, of course, if you find yourself uncomfortable talking to someone while planning a trip, follow your gut and try elsewhere.

13. Accept That Sometimes Solo Travel May Be The Right Path

In fact, if you know where you want to go and how and when you want to travel, and you don’t want to compromise your vision, going for it alone can sometimes be the better choice. I’ve traveled solo throughout my life and, while it may have different challenges, higher highs, and lower lows, solo travel has perhaps been the source of my most wondrous and memorable travel moments.

There are joys to be found when sharing an experience and joys when you are solo and don’t have to worry about what someone else thinks or expects. But if you manage to find someone with whom you are in tune — and with whom you can split the costs of the trip — then you’ve hit the jackpot.

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Where To Stay, Eat, And Play

Our visit to Grand Rapids was hosted by the Grand Rapids Convention & Visitors Bureau. All opinions expressed in this piece are strictly our own and are based on our experiences.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, was named one of the best places for older travelers to visit in 2020 by Expedia Travel Blog. Now is the time for travelers in their 50s and 60s to experience all that Grand Rapids has to offer. When we visited this bustling city, the second largest in Michigan, we discovered a wealth of things to do — and, of course, to eat and drink.

While Grand Rapids is rightfully lauded for its Ale Trail and its reputation as “Beer City USA,” art and culture are also a big deal here, and the city boasts lots of historic, architectural, and natural resources.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Grand Rapids. Here are just a few of the delights waiting for you when you’re ready to explore it, too.

The lobby of the Amway Grand Plaza. — Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris

Where To Stay

For a top-notch stay in the heart of everything, we loved the Amway Grand Plaza. Its beautiful lobby, comfy rooms, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, spa, and fitness room make it easy to enjoy leisure time there. It also happens to be a member of the Historic Hotels of America, having been constructed in 1913 and recognized as one of the finest historic hotels in the country.

Where To Eat

At every turn, Grand Rapids is full of wonderful places to eat. Here are a few of our favorites.

Cottage Bar

Try the fantastic Cottage Burger at the Cottage Bar. It’s served on a dark rye bun and topped with green olives, cheese, bacon, and a special hickory mayonnaise.

Martha’s Pizza

Martha’s Pizza, Nantucket Baking Company, and Martha’s Vineyard form a neighborhood corner of foodie delights. Martha’s pizzas boast unique ingredients. Try the Fairhaven, a veggie pie with fresh mushrooms, onions, red peppers, Kalamata olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Sit outside or grab a slice on the go.

Schnitz Deli

Schnitz Deli offers both traditional and unique sandwiches. From variations on the beloved Reuben to Italian hoagies and Philly cheesesteaks, Schnitz will satisfy your sandwich craving.

Macarons from Le Bon Macaron. — Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris

Cherry Street

A fun place to eat, drink, and stroll is Cherry Street. You’ll find plenty of unique boutiques, shops, and restaurants and bars.

We enjoyed the variety of choices on the menu at The Green Well. You can nosh on small bites or order a full meal. Brazilian, Indian, Cuban, German, Mediterranean, and vegetarian meals are all on the menu.

If you feel like a little something sweet, hop across the street to Le Bon Macaron for the delicious little French treats with unique flavors like cassis and yuzu as well as classic flavors.

A tasting at Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids. — Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris

Beer City Ale Trail

It’s fair to say that Grand Rapids is a beer lover’s dream. The Beer City Ale Trail features more than 80 breweries, including Brewery Vivant, which is housed in an old chapel on Cherry Street and makes delicious Begian-style brews. Founders Brewing Co. is another popular spot that offers a lively scene as well as great beer.

Grand Rapids Food Trail

If you like the idea of following a trail, there’s also a food trail for “biteseeing” your way through the city. It features dozens of restaurants and wonderful dishes for every taste.

Food Trucks

If you want to enjoy Grand Rapids like a local, be sure to check out some of the city’s wonderful food trucks. The trucks gather at numerous events. This is just one more way to dive into Grand Rapids’s food scene and have a great time.

Downtown Market Grand Rapids

To combine eating, shopping, sightseeing, and fun, head over to the Downtown Market Grand Rapids. You can experience restaurants, artisan food shops, cooking classes, rooftop greenhouses, and special events all in one place. Go hungry, and plan on a few hours to enjoy shopping, eating, and exploring what’s there. You might even find an event or class to attend.

The Meyer May House in the Heritage Hill neighborhood. — Michael Deemer / Shutterstock

What To Do

Visit Heritage Hill

Heritage Hill is one of the largest historic neighborhoods in the country. Architecture buffs will enjoy the many different styles of homes, including Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Greek Revival. There’s a Prairie-style house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Meyer May House, complete with original and reproduction furnishings. Tours of this and other homes and gardens are worth taking to explore this beautiful and historically significant district.

Frederik Meijer Gardens - Grand Rapids, MI, USA — Michael Deemer / Shutterstock.com

Admire The Art At The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Popular with visitors from around the world, the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is one of the most important sculpture and botanic venues in the country.

More than 200 sculptures grace the permanent collection and occupy the 158-acre main campus. Works by Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse, Edgar Degas, and Auguste Rodin intermingle with works by modern and emerging sculptors. Special exhibits have featured works by Pablo Picasso, Henry Moore, Ai Weiwei, and Claes Oldenberg.

The Meijer Gardens also houses Michigan’s largest tropical conservatory as well as indoor and outdoor gardens, nature trails, and a boardwalk.

Explore The Grand Rapids Public Museum

Founded in 1854, the Grand Rapids Public Museum is one of the oldest history museums in the nation. Collections include items as varied as beer paraphernalia, carpet sweepers, advertising, and American Civil War weapons. In addition to historic, cultural, and scientific items, the museum has a 1928 Spillman Carousel with a Wurlitzer Band Organ.

The building also houses the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium, which offers immersive shows with surround sound and advanced projection technology.

There’s plenty of variety to encourage exploration, supporting the museum’s recommendation to “be curious.”

Stop By Rosa Parks Circle

Set in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, this public plaza features a bronze statue by renowned artist Ed Dwight of a steadfast Rosa Parks standing in front of the iconic bus seat.

Rosa Parks Circle is a multipurpose park that gets a lot of use all year round. In the summer, there are concerts, festivals, and special events. Dancers will enjoy the events hosted by the Grand Rapids Original Swing Society. In the winter, the plaza is converted into an ice skating rink. Locals and visitors of all ages will enjoy a chance to glide across the ice.

Visit The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

Grand Rapids is home to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the presidential museum and burial site of President Gerald Ford and his wife, Betty Ford. President Ford was the first to separate the two major functions of presidential libraries. The library is located on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan, his alma mater. The museum is in Grand Rapids, his former congressional district.

The museum holds 20,000 artifacts from the president’s life and career. There is also a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, furnished as it was during his presidency. Special exhibits explore the 1976 Bicentennial and Mrs. Ford’s role, activities, and interests during her husband’s presidential term. History buffs will enjoy numerous other exhibits, including a holographic tour of the White House. You can learn what a day in the Oval Office was like and get the lowdown on Watergate through presentations, galleries, and a display of the burglary tools used for the break-in. There’s also a section of the Berlin Wall in the museum’s lobby.

Appreciate The Art

Grand Rapids is home to a huge community of art lovers. There are several museums and galleries beloved by the community.

The Grand Rapids Art Museum has collections that range from Renaissance art to modern art and holds many notable works by Andy Warhol and Richard Diebenkorn.

The Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts offers exhibitions, events, movies, and public art that encourage innovation, exploration, and dialogue around issues of community, freedom, artistic expression, and other topics of interest.

The Center Art Gallery is a large exhibition space featuring rotating exhibits, including major works on loan and art by locals, educators, and students.

The ultimate art experience in Grand Rapids is ArtPrize. This unique art competition and exhibition event takes place for more than two weeks every fall. It is free and open to the public, who can participate by viewing the entries, chatting with artists, and casting their votes. Anyone can submit their work, and there are prizes for jury-judged as well as popularly selected works.

The art is located around the city in all kinds of places, like galleries, restaurants, bars, museums, public parks, bridges, vacant storefronts, and office spaces. The goal of ArtPrize is to encourage just about everyone to explore the possibilities of art. This event attracts some 500,000 visitors, and we enjoyed exploring both the creative work and the many different venues at the same time.

16 Travel-Inspired Virtual Classes And Experiences To Check Out This Week

Last week, I was inspired by our VP Missy’s account of prepping for and enjoying an online cooking class with her husband and 7-year-old sons. She wrote about it in an email entitled “From Rome With Love: Take A Virtual Italian Cooking Class Without Leaving Your Kitchen,” which brings us to our first recommendation.

1. Nonna Live Cooking Classes

Italy

“We took a virtual Italian cooking class with Nonna Live,” Missy wrote. “Our instructor was in Italy, near Rome. We were in our kitchen in St. Louis, and while it was a bit tricky to ask questions, we can’t wait to do it again. Even my boys loved the results! We made gnocchi, but they also offer lasagna, fettuccine, ravioli, and cannelloni classes.”

I’ve been a sucker for gnocchi since I had my first plate of it at a bistro a few steps away from the Trevi Fountain. My husband and I also have all the ingredients we need to make gnocchi in our kitchen, so Nonna Live sounds like a good idea! That said, Missy told me Nonna sends along an Amazon shopping list in case you want to order the necessary ingredients for delivery.

Of course, with travel shut down and so many folks at home looking for new ways to connect, businesses and destinations large and small are making virtual classes and experiences available. Here are 15 more that have captured our attention and come recommended by travelers living all over the world.

2. &BEYOND’s WILDwatch Live Safaris

South Africa

A friend shared a link to luxury travel company &BEYOND’s livestreamed South African WILDwatch safaris a few weeks ago, and I followed them on Facebook and Instagram immediately. I have not been disappointed! In fact, the whole TravelAwaits team has enjoyed watching &BEYOND’s Facebook streams, which begin around 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Central African Time or midnight and 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Guides take viewers around their Ngala and Djuma private game reserves.

The team has enjoyed watching baby elephants playing in a watering hole, I was struck by the beauty of a lilac breasted roller (a bird I’d never heard of before), and this morning, there was a large male giraffe sighting on one of the livestreams. The clarity of the Facebook video is astonishing (and the guides’ South African accents and senses of humor are delightful). Note that &BEYOND’s Facebook and Instagram livestreams take place concurrently, but they stream different views.

You can learn more about &BEYOND’s free WILDwatch Live experiences here.

3. Live From Hualalai

Hawaii

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island is hosting a new series, Live From Hualalai, that invites folks to transport themselves to Hualalai for a few moments each week thanks to educational and interactive videos led by kumu (teachers), chefs, and entertainers who will share their crafts with viewers in real time. The series will run throughout April and May and aims to “bring Hualalai into the homes of ohana (family) around the world.”

Regional Director of Public Relations and Communications Morgan Suzuki shared the following Live From Hualalai schedule so you can plan accordingly:

Wednesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. HST: Erin Lee, Director of Landscaping, tours the resort’s herb garden and provides at-home gardening tips and tricks.
Tuesday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m. HST: Nicole Tachibana, marine biologist, hosts a fish circus at King’s Pond with the resort’s resident tropical fish.
Friday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. HST: Kalai Carey, executive assistant to the general manager, reads Limu the Blue Turtle, a Hawaiian keiki (children’s) book that teaches an important lesson about being true to yourself.
Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. HST: Ali’i Keanaaina and Kapu Hoapili, Cultural Center Mea Ho`okipa (hosts), play the ukulele and perform a hula in celebration of May Day.
Wednesday, May 6 at 12 p.m. HST: Executive chef Thomas Bellec hosts a cooking demonstration for salted local kanpachi from his home kitchen.
Wednesday, May 13 at 11 a.m. HST: Kelsey Makida, marine biologist, tours the resort’s on-site oyster pond at Punawai Lake.
Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. HST: Live sunset viewing off the coast of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

Follow the Four Seasons Hualalai on Facebook and/or Instagram to access the events.

4. Free Cooking Classes In The La Peetch Kitchen

France

Brittany Kulick of The Sweet Wanderlust told us, “La Peetch, Julia Child’s former vacation home in Provence, is offering free online cooking classes from inside her iconic pegboard kitchen. Past free classes included an EGGstravaganza for Easter and a lesson on how to use simple ingredients to make delicious meals.”

“A few years ago, I had the opportunity to stay at La Peetch for a week-long cooking class, where I learned how to flip an omelette, cook a whole fish, and cook recipe-free according to my tastebuds,” Brittany said. Now, she’s “enjoying the feeling of cooking in Provence while staying safe at home!”

La Peetch’s classes will be livestreamed on Facebook. The schedule can be accessed here.

5. Chile 360

Chile

Caitlin Martz of Turner Public Relations in Denver shared some suggestions of “amazing virtual travel experiences” in Chile, her favorite outdoor adventure destination. “While I can’t exactly leave my house and my neighborhood, it’s been a great escape to explore the vast open spaces like Torres del Paine and Atacama Desert, and there’s nothing like stargazing in the darkest skies in the world to make you feel humble.”

Her first recommendation: Chile 360, a free iPhone- and Android-compatible app that will allow you to “virtually explore wonders from the Torres del Paine National Park to the Atacama Desert to Easter Island, famed for archaeological sites such as nearly 900 monumental statues called moai.” Chile 360 invites you to “discover the wonders of a country that charms with its diverse geography and its lively people,” and it’s only a few clicks away.

6. European Southern Observatory Virtual Tours

Various Locations Worldwide

Caitlin reminded us that “Chile is home to some of the darkest skies on the planet, making it the home to a number of the world’s most imperative astronomical developments.” She pointed us to the free virtual tours of European Southern Observatory locations, which include the Llano de Chajnantor Observatory and the ESO Supernova Planetarium.

Caitlin said observing the stars has “been a great reminder to me that we’re all in this together, and we’ll get through it!” Inspired by Caitlin’s love of Chile? Read more on travel in Chile here.

6. SLR@Home

The Bahamas And Spain

Silver Linings Retreats, a London-based company founded by former British Royal Ballet dancer and personal trainer Chrissy Sundt, typically offers wellness programs at luxury resorts in the Bahamas and Spain. But as of April 9, Silver Linings has gone virtual. Thanks to teachable.com, Silver Linings’ newest initiative, SLR@Home, will allow people all over the world to participate in three- and five-day retreats from the comfort of their own homes, and at a fraction of the cost. The programs focus on yoga, high-energy movement classes, stretching, meditations, and workshops on mindful eating.

A portion of the retreat proceeds will benefit the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Note that the retreat activities are not live. Instead, they’re self-paced and can be done on your own time (with recommendations on best times of day to begin). You can learn more about Silver Lining’s “from the beach to your living room” programs here.

7. Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort

Thailand

If you’re interested in animals, the livestreams from Anantara’s Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand, might be the perfect virtual events for you. The resort livestreams twice daily as the rescued elephants eat, bathe, and play. TravelAwaits’ writer Melissa Klurman called her experience at Anantara, during which she had dinner with the elephants and stayed in a Jungle Bubble, an experience she’ll treasure for the rest of her life.

Read about her sleepover with elephants in Thailand’s Golden Triangle and like and follow the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant foundation on Facebook and/or Instagram to see the livestreams.

8. Duolingo Language Courses

30+ World Languages

Singer-songwriter Alissa Musto travels 11 months out of the year for work and has spent the majority of the year in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. She was supposed to be exploring Holland, Denmark, Russia, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, and Norway this spring as a guest entertainer for Holland America cruise lines and says she’s very fortunate to travel around the world with her music.

“For anyone who is passionate about traveling,” she told us, “I would highly recommend the Duolingo lanugage app. Even though my plans to visit the Netherlands have been canceled — I was planning on spending a few weeks there after my work assignment and celebrating my birthday with friends — I know that I will definitely visit one day and am looking forward to being able to go! However, in the meantime, I started learning Dutch on Duolingo and am able to read, write, and speak full sentences after only a few weeks. It’s making me even more excited about visiting Holland one day and will make the experience much better when I am able to go.”

Learn more about Duolingo and how to learn a language at home during your downtime here.

9. Interplanetary Art Club

Colorado Springs, Colorado

“America’s relaxation expert” Darrin Zeer invites people to participate in the Colorado Springs Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts’ Interplanetary Art Club every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Mountain Time. “Plenty of folks gather and create art from all over the world. So gather your art supplies and hangout with like-minded travelers.”

Smokebrush describes the event, which is hosted on Zoom, as a gathering “connecting artists of all kinds from their studios, homes, basements, and yards — from around the city and around the world!” The foundation also hosts yoga and live music events. See its calendar and find links to all the Zoom events here.

10. Greece From Home

Greece

Lohith Kumar of BlinkVisa recommends Greece From Home, a site that curates live YouTube broadcasts, virtual tours, and more to “offer people from all over the world meaningful content from Greece.” It’s a beautiful site hosted by the Greek Ministry of Tourism, the Greek National Tourism Organization, and Marketing Greece with the support of Google. Take a boat trip to Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, learn how to make tzatziki sauce, take a yoga class filmed in Amorgos, listen to Greek music, and more.

And, if you’re particularly captivated by Greek beaches, spend some time appreciating the nine best beaches in Greece, from the Athens Riviera to Vai Beach on Crete.

11. London Theater

London

Australian Amanda O’Brien has been living in London for over 16 years and is the writer behind The Boutique Adventurer blog. She told us that while “theater in its traditional form is no longer an option, several London theaters are now premiering new shows weekly on their YouTube channels or streaming services. The shows are then generally available for one week after that. And the best thing is that many of them are completely free!”

She said highlights are The National Theatre, which is showing Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, and One Man, Two Guvnors on its YouTube channel, and The Royal Shakespeare Company, which is making shows available via Marquee TV.

“Before the show, why not go and have a drink at the pub?” she asked. She told us The Staying Inn’s website currently features “12 minutes of pub ambiance footage and audio — glasses clinking, chat — and you can even play it on a loop. All for free!” Just linger on the page and the video will begin.

“As a travel blogger, being at home is a big transition!” Amanda told us. “I am using this time to exercise daily, do loads of home cooking, binge-watch Netflix, and find the best virtual travel experiences to satiate my travel appetite!”

“My favorite place to travel is Italy, and it is where I plan to go first when travel is again allowed,” she said.

12. National Museum Of Anthropology

Mexico City

Rick Wallace, founder and CEO of Tackle Village, told us “visiting museums and galleries is a key part of getting to know a country and its culture. I love traveling in Mexico, but that’s off the agenda at the moment.”

“To help keep this great country top of mind during this isolation period, I have been visiting the National Museum of Anthropology — Museu Nacional de Antropologia — in Mexico City by virtual means. A collaboration between Google and the museum means visitors can view almost 150 objects from this world-class museum online, including the jade mask of Mayan king Pakal the Great.” Your National Museum of Anthropology tour begins here.

The virtual tour of Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. — Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

13. Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Madrid, Spain

“In keeping with the hispanic theme,” Rick went on to suggest Madrid’s Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, which is also in what he called virtual tour mode. He told us, “The museum houses the second-largest private art collection in the world — after the British Royal Collection — and this is a great way to see masterpieces by Picasso, Dali, Rembrandt, and other giants of the art world online.”

This tour is 3D, so (on a PC or desktop computer) click and drag your mouse to look around, then select from the menu to navigate to different galleries.

14. iFit Global Workouts

Egypt And Elsewhere

If you’re feeling ready to move, and would be more motivated by doing so with the help of a guide and inspiration from stunning scenery, iFit’s Global Workouts could be worth checking out. The Egypt walking series, for example, is led by world-renowned Egyptologist Ramy Romany and consists of 14 distinct segments that take you to the Great Pyramids, Luxor Temple, and other sites. You can prop your smartphone on a treadmill, elliptical, or stair-stepper if you have one and manually adjust your speed and incline to match the workout. Or, if you have an iFit-enabled product, you can enjoy the automatic adjustments.

You can get a 30-day free iFit trial on your smartphone and that the app will be available for tablets soon. After the trial, iFit membership is $14.99 a month for individuals and $39.99 a month for a family plan.

Getting cooking advice from Velas Resorts. — Velas Resorts

15. Pantry-Inspired Cooking Advice From Velas Resorts

Mexico

In addition to its #BetterTogether campaign, which features crafting, exercise, and wellness tips, Velas Resorts’ 25 world-class chefs are working remotely to share recipes based on ingredients you already have in your kitchen through their What’s In Your Pantry? program. You can submit your ingredient list (or even a picture of your ingredients) here. The chefs will share recipes inspired by these submissions on Velas’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

16. California Dreaming Virtual Reality Meditations

California

Marian Gerlich of Placidi and Gerlich Communications told us, “I’ve traveled all my life for business and pleasure and discovered meditation a few years ago.” She’s spending more time meditating in isolation and has made a nice discovery: “a series of virtual reality travel meditations called California Dreaming that allow me to gaze at nature sites while meditating. There are seven 10-minute meditations hosted by yoga and meditation teachers Travis Eliot and Lauren Eckstrom. I love being able to meditate virtually in Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Big Sur, the beach, and elsewhere.” The California Dreaming series is available through Inner Dimension TV, a subscription platform.

“It’s a pleasure to meditate in destinations worldwide, especially while out in nature,” Marian said, “so it’s been stifling to just meditate at home. This series helps me expand my visual meditation field while lowering stress and easing anxiety.”

She told us an Inner Dimension subscription is $10 a month if paid annually or $15 per month if you pay monthly. “Since I’m also a yoga fan, I can also tap into the huge number of yoga programs offered on this site; there is something appropriate for every level.”

“As a traveler, my favorite destination is always the next place I plan to go,” Marian told us, “although I could return to Prague or Sicily tomorrow.” She had to cancel a trip to New Orleans with her book club and a three-week trip she had planned to Crete, Jerusalem, and Aman, Jordan. “My trip to Crete has now been reschedule to October — fingers crossed! And my book club is discussing new dates, although I expect it will be in 2021.” She said she’s still traveling virtually, and “daydreaming about travel daily!”

Tips For Enjoying Virtual Classes And Experiences

Participating in virtual classes and experiences can feel a bit awkward. You’ll have more fun if you keep these tips and distinctions in mind.

There are all kinds of virtual classes and experiences. Some are recorded ahead of time and available on demand. Others are livestreamed but not interactive, or allow you to type in questions (for example, on Facebook or Instagram) but not actually talk to the host or other participants. Then there are those that invite full participation, where you can talk to others and even share your own video. Classes and experiences hosted in real time tend to feel a bit more authentic, but they do necessitate marking your calendar and opening the right app or webpage on time.
This brings us to time zones. Virtual classes and experiences are being made available all over the world, and if you don’t pay attention to time zones, you might miss a live experience. Be sure to check on the time difference as soon as you know you want to participate in a virtual class or experience and mark your calendar accordingly.
Tech glitches happen. I participated in an amazing Zoom session led by author Sera Beak yesterday, but unfortunately she and her tech team were up against some unexpected issues. This meant participants had to spend a long time in the Zoom “waiting room.” I was glad I decided to wait it out, and Sera’s team did provide regular updates that let me know the event was still going to happen. If you’re confused about what’s going on, check websites, Facebook pages, and Instagram accounts, and, if you’ve registered for an event (note that not all events require registration), be sure to check all your email folders, including Promotions, Social, and even Spam, just in case an update’s come through that way.
Facebook and YouTube livestreams might be clearer than those hosted on Instagram. If I have the option (as in the case of &Beyond’s WILDwatch safaris), I typically opt for Facebook livestreams over those being hosted on Instagram. Likewise, odds are you’ll have a better experience on a laptop or desktop computer than on your smartphone. Depending on your tech setup, you can even hook your computer up to your big screen TV or open livestreaming apps or the internet on your television if you prefer a larger view.

Want more? Check out our roundup of 38 virtual tours and webcams you can enjoy from home any time.

Where To Find Incredible Views In Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa’s Mother City, has the distinct advantage of a superb natural setting. Not only is it surrounded by imposing mountains — some even in the city itself — but it also has a coastal location. Indeed, not that far from the city, the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet. Add to that not only one of the southernmost points of Africa, but also some great architecture from which to enjoy the surroundings, and you’ve got viewpoints galore.

But what makes a worthwhile view? Some viewpoints are designated by little signs on the main road, and others make themselves known, such as mountains or rooftop bars. Yet others, lower down, are more attractive for those who prefer beaches or other sights.

I found it quite difficult to narrow down my favorite views in Cape Town, but below you’ll find those that at the very least extracted a heavy sigh, a big smile, and an impressed “Oh, wow!” from me as I looked around. I hope you’ll agree.

Table Mountain

Let’s start with the most obvious. When in Cape Town — at least when in Cape Town for the first time — you can’t resist taking the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. The cable car itself turns 360 degrees during the ride, so unlike in other gondolas where there are a few great seats, here everybody gets to appreciate the amazing views.

Once you’re on the mountain, you can see Cape Town sprawling below you as well as the surrounding mountains and the ocean. It’s a great way of getting your bearings; Cape Town can sometimes feel a little disconnected because of the mountains and bays. From Table Mountain, you can see nearly everything.

Pro Tip: Book your cable car ticket online beforehand to skip the queue.

Views in Cape Town. — Alexcpt photography / Shutterstock.com

Den Anker

Second to the view from Table Mountain is the perfect view of Table Mountain.

I kid you not — I spent 3 hours sitting on the terrace of Den Anker, a Belgian cafe in the V&A Waterfront development, watching the clouds fall down the side of Table Mountain. It’s a magical phenomenon called orographic lift, with clouds being pushed over one side and seemingly falling down the other side of the mountain but never reaching past a certain level.

This terrace is the perfect spot to linger over a glass of chilled rose and try your hand at time-lapse photography.

Pro Tip: Look out for the seals frolicking in the harbor basin right in front of you. They often form clumps, all holding one fin out of the water.

The rooftop bar at The Silo in Cape Town. — The Silo

The Silo Rooftop

The Silo, a super-chic hotel in a reimagined old concrete grain silo, boasts a rooftop bar that — quite literally — tops all others. The views of the harbor, Cape Town, and the V&A Waterfront all the way to Robben Island are unbeatable.

While most of the hotel is off-limits to those who aren’t guests, you are allowed to enjoy the view over a drink and snacks here as long as you book ahead. Or you could really treat yourself and stay a night or two. The rooms and suites are exceptionally gorgeous, and each one is unique. Maybe a special treat for a special occasion?

Pro Tip: The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is in the same building.

Camps Bay

While the sunset views from the Silo Rooftop are amazing, for an even better sunset spot, head to Camps Bay. This suburb of Cape Town lies at the bottom of the Twelve Apostles, a mountain range headed by the impressive Lion’s Head mountain. Nestled alongside the sandy beach are plenty of restaurants and bars from which to enjoy a sunset dinner. With the mountains behind you and the sun sinking into the sea in front of you, you’re sure to get that utterly relaxing vacation feeling.

Pro Tip: Take an Uber for cheap and reliable transportation. You could also take Bus 107 from the city center, but be patient — it stops a lot along the way.

Cape Point

Cape Point, the tip of the Cape Peninsula, is really something special. You can reach it by hiking, or — rather easier on the knees — by funicular. You’ll need to climb additional steps to get to the lighthouse, from which the best views are to be had. The lighthouse was built too high to be of much use; it was frequently covered in clouds, so another one was built lower down.

From Cape Point, you can walk all the way to the Cape of Good Hope. Be sure to stop to snap a picture in front of the latitude marker.

Pro Tip: Ignore the baboons; they are cheeky and quite vicious. Instead, look out at the small rocky island off the coast — you’ll see seals bathing in the sunshine.

Chapman’s Peak Drive

A superb little road trip between Cape Town and False Bay is Chapman’s Peak Drive. Wedged between the ocean and the sheer mountain face, the road clings to the cliffs, and the views — for the passengers, not the driver — are simply spectacular. The ocean and the various bays open in front of you, and the thrill of the narrow road just adds to it. On a clear day, in season, you can even spot the odd whale, I have been told. It’s well worth hiring a car for a day.

Pro Tip: If you are only hiring a car for a day, then use this drive to get from Cape Town across the Cape Peninsula to Fish Hoek, Boulders Beach, and Cape Point.

Sir Lowry’s Pass

I saw the sign for Sir Lowry’s Pass from the main road between Cape Town and Hermanus, and I am so glad I stopped. You get plenty of great views across False Bay from the popular western side, where all the main attractions such as Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach, and Cape Point are located, but fewer from the quieter eastern side.

This mountain crossing on the eastern side lies several hundred meters above sea level, and the views across the bay and the land are breathtaking. When I visited, there was nobody else there (except the ubiquitous baboons), but it can get busy during peak season.

Pro Tip: Stop in Gordon’s Bay, a beautiful seaside town full of nice restaurants, for lunch.

Views of Cape town from Signal Hill. — Delpixel / Shutterstock

Signal Hill And Lion’s Head

This spread-out mountain, with its two ends forming a reclining lion, is a popular viewpoint, but it involves a bit of a trek. You can walk up Signal Hill or Lion’s Head. Both treks take roughly 90 minutes and involve a moderately strenuous incline, but the views across Cape Town and the bays are worth the effort.

If you take your time, the hike is perfectly achievable, even if you are not particularly fit. There are no facilities along the way, however, so you’ll need to remember to bring water and sun protection.

On Signal Hill, the Noon Gun goes off every day at 12 p.m. and can be heard across Cape Town.

Pro Tip: I have been warned by locals that, while Signal Hill is beautiful at sunset, it is not safe for tourists to be up there at night, so stick to a daytime visit.

For more on Cape Town, see this page.

How To Spend A Day In Auvers-Sur-Oise, France

Despite spending half of my childhood in Europe with an artist mother who loved sunflowers, I’d never heard of Auvers-sur-Oise, France, until 60 Minutes did a segment on it a few years ago.

With the heavy tick-tick-tick of a stopwatch kicking things off, the show’s Morley Safer wandered through the idyllic French town in connection with Van Gogh: The Life, a book that questions the generally accepted belief that the Dutch Post-Impressionist painter took his own life.

While the alternative version of the troubled artist’s demise was fascinating, I was absolutely mesmerized by the scenery. As the camera panned past the inspiration for more than 70 of van Gogh’s paintings — golden fields of wheat, darling French cottages surrounded by wildflowers, and the church topped with a clock — I decided right then and there that I would do whatever it took to visit Auvers-sur-Oise the next time I was in France.

Here’s what you need to know before planning a visit.

Rooftops of Auvers-sur-Oise, France. — Lisandro Luis Trarbach / Shutterstock

How To Get To Auvers-Sur-Oise

Home to just under 7,000 residents, Auvers-sur-Oise is located on the banks of the Oise River about an hour’s drive northwest of Paris. It’s an easy day trip from the City of Lights; you can get there by car by heading north on A115. Or, for about $10, you can get there by train in 1.5 hours.

If you visit Auvers-sur-Oise by car, you’ll likely end up parking in the first spot you find and walking around town, because the roads are very narrow and parking spaces are limited. After all, Auvers-sur-Oise is less of a tourist attraction and more of a village where French families go about their lives.

While there are rolling hills throughout the town, Auvers-sur-Oise is quite walkable. Some areas have cobblestone streets and sidewalks as well as stone stairs. While these walkways add to the charm of the French village, they can be a bit tricky to navigate if you’re not used to them. Be sure to wear sensible shoes like tennis shoes, flats, or sandals with straps rather than flip-flops. You’ll also want to be sure your shoes have adequate treads, since cobblestones can get slippery when wet.

What To Do In Auvers-Sur-Oise

Because the town is best known for inspiring 19th-century Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists like Cezanne, Pissarro, and van Gogh, it most appeals to art and history lovers. But it also provides a convenient respite from the hustle and bustle of Paris.

Here’s what to do during a visit.

The Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise. — Sage Scott

Visit The Auberge Ravoux

Start your day in Auvers-sur-Oise with a visit to the Auberge Ravoux. Located in the heart of town, this two-story stucco-and-wood inn is where Vincent van Gogh spent his final months. Now known as the Maison de Van Gogh, this French historic site features van Gogh’s table at the back of the dining room and is where the artist perished on July 29, 1890.

At the top of a small staircase is the small, empty, dimly lit room where the tormented artist spent his last summer on Earth. During his time in Auvers-sur-Oise, van Gogh completed 80 paintings in 70 days. But despite being recognized as one of the most famous and influential artists of his time, van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime. What an absolute tragedy!

Room number five at the Auberge Ravoux. — Sage Scott

Standing in room number five, where van Gogh spent his final days, is an emotional experience. As a longtime admirer of his work, I felt surrounded by both his genius and the heartbreaking disappointment and struggles that defined his life.

The Auvers-sur-Oise City Hall and a Van Gogh painting. — Sage Scott

Admire Van Gogh’s Inspiration

Starting at the Auberge Ravoux, explore the town of Auvers-sur-Oise to see the real-world buildings and landscapes that inspired the artist’s final works. Just across the street from the inn is the Mairie d’Auvers-sur-Oise (the Auvers-sur-Oise City Hall), which was painted by van Gogh in July of 1890. In more than 20 locations around town, large billboards of van Gogh’s works are prominently displayed in front of the scenes he painted.

Ile de France in Auvers, France. — Pack-Shot / Shutterstock

If you’re up for a 2-mile walking tour of the town, head west to the Chateau d’Auvers, where van Gogh captured the darkening silhouettes of two pear trees as the yellow sun started to slip below the horizon at the end of the day. And northeast of the Auberge Ravoux, be sure to stop by Ile de France, the church in Auvers that van Gogh captured in oil on canvas in June of 1890.

Stop At The Absinthe Museum

As you make your way east from the Chateau d’Auvers to the church, stop in at the Absinthe Museum to learn more about the green licorice-flavored drink that was all the rage among 19th-century painters, poets, and novelists like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allan Poe, and, of course, Vincent van Gogh.

See More Impressionist Works At The Musee Daubigny

The 17th-century Colombieres Manor just north of Auberge Ravoux is now home to the Musee Daubigny. The museum focuses primarily on the work of Charles-Francois Daubigny, who is considered the first Impressionist painter and who influenced other artists like Monet and Cezanne.

The statue of Van Gogh in Parc Van Gogh. — Pack-Shot / Shutterstock

Enjoy The Parc Van Gogh

Continuing to wander eastward to the church, be sure to stroll through the small Parc Van Gogh and check out the statue of van Gogh. With his easel strapped to his back and a paint box slung over his shoulder, this larger-than-life bronze version of the famous artist has a haunted expression that captures what his time in Auvers-sur-Oise must have been like.

Tombstones of Vincent and Theo Van Gogh. — Sage Scott

Pay Your Respects To Vincent And Theo Van Gogh

Before leaving this charming French hamlet on the Oise River, stop by the Cimetiere d’Auvers-sur-Oise where brothers Vincent and Theo van Gogh are buried next to each other under a blanket of English ivy.

Shops and restaurants in Auvers-sur-Oise. — Pack-Shot / Shutterstock

Where To Eat In Auvers-Sur-Oise

Whether you are in a big city like Paris or a charming village like Auvers-sur-Oise, it’s hard to find a bad meal in France. While any cafe or restaurant is sure to be delicious, here are a few places to consider when you visit Auvers-sur-Oise.

Auberge Ravoux

It’s hard to beat the history and ambience that surrounds you at the Auberge Ravoux. Enjoy a delicious lunch or sip a glass of wine in the Ravoux’s dining room.

Boulangerie Des Aunaies

You can’t spend time in France and not enjoy the bakeries. The delicious smells wafting from this bakery on the west side of town drew us in for more croissants and cakes than we probably needed.

Other Establishments In Auvers-Sur-Oise

There are several other well-regarded cafes, pizza parlors, and restaurants along the main thoroughfare (Rue du General de Gaulle) and down the side streets in Auvers-sur-Oise.

Where To Shop In Auvers-Sur-Oise

In many small European towns, the shopping is clustered in the city center, which in Auvers-sur-Oise is the area of town near the train station, Auberge Ravoux, and the churches. Because this French hamlet is off the beaten path, you won’t find streets laden with souvenir shops. However, there are nice books, postcards, prints, and other van Gogh collectibles available at the Auberge Ravoux and at other boutiques in town.

Where To Stay In Auvers-Sur-Oise

Since Auvers-sur-Oise is so small, there are limited accommodations in town. If you plan to explore the town for longer than a day, consider a bed and breakfast like La Maison du Lac, which sits on the edge of a lake near the Oise River.

The green fields of Auvers-sur-Oise that inspired Van Gogh. — Joao Paulo V Tinoco / Shutterstock

What To Know Before You Go

As with Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny, about an hour west of Auvers-sur-Oise, visiting in the spring, summer, or fall is best. While the scenic landscape changes with the seasons, the setting is most beautiful outside of the dead of winter.

Because a day in Auvers-sur-Oise is largely all about Vincent van Gogh, you might want to watch Vincent & Theo, a movie about the relationship between Vincent and his younger brother, before you go. Or read Van Gogh: The Life, the work by Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith that informed me of this charming village in the first place.