Travel Tips: Swiss Trains & Underground France
- Jody Holman
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
Originally published in 2024 and reviewed in September 2026. The original Discovery Dispatch is preserved below; italicized notes provide current information on travel tips where dates, availability or logistics have changed.
Greetings, Globetrotters and Armchair Adventurers!
While Mother Nature has been conducting Fall displays of colors (and cold), I have been orchestrating safari symphonies in Africa, Highland harmonies in Scotland, and D-Day ballads in Normandy. (Yes, my browser history looks like National Geographic met History Channel for coffee!)
This past month, I have been in the safari planning zone, choosing between luxury lodges in Africa, from elevated treehouses where you can wave good morning to giraffes, to mobile camps that follow the Great Migration (think: glamping meets National Geographic). I know, I know, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it.
On other continents, I have been plotting paths through Scotland's misty mountains. With help from my personal explorations last year, I have uncovered some gems : whisky distilleries that aren't in the guidebooks (shhh!), Castles where you can actually lay your head (crown not included), Hidden lochs that'll make Nessie jealous.
I have also been crafting journeys in Normandy that blend the profound with the delicious (because let's be honest, French cuisine is its own historical monument). From private guides who bring D-Day to life, to charming Norman villages where time forgot to tick, these aren't just trips – they are time machines with really good cheese.
Crafting these journeys and living vicariously brings me such joy, though I must share a dash of real talk: these past couple of years have taught me that sometimes life has other plans. Several meticulously planned trips had to take a rain check due to unexpected life events... and let me tell you about travel insurance…. Worth. Its. Weight. In. Gold. (Speaking of which, I'm always here to help navigate those insurance waters, because your journey should be unforgettable, and unshakeable!)
Travel is like a good Scottish whisky – best enjoyed with preparation, appreciation, and occasionally, a splash of spontaneity. Whether you're ready to book your next great adventure or just starting to dream, I'm here to turn those dreams into itineraries that work in real life. So here's to blue skies, tailwinds, and adventures that make your heart soar.
Keep wandering and wondering,
Your Travel Architect, Jody
📘 Travel Tips & TreasuresUpdated September 2026: Online renewal remains available to eligible adults seeking routine service. Requirements are more specific than originally stated, so confirm eligibility and apply through the official U.S. State Department website. Passport Perks: Welcome to the Digital Age! Uncle Sam has finally entered the 21st century! U.S. citizens can now renew their passports online. No more awkward photos at the drugstore or standing in post office lines! Visit here to join the digital revolution. Just remember: your current passport must be in relatively good condition and issued within the last 15 years. |
🍷 Wine Tip: Beaujolais Nouveau Is Coming! Mark your calendars for November 21st, French wine enthusiasts! The 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau makes its grand entrance at exactly 12:01 AM on the third Thursday of November, just in time for your Thanksgiving table. Made exclusively from Gamay grapes in granite-rich Beaujolais soils, this young wine gets its signature fruity punch (think bananas, strawberries, and yes, bubblegum!) from carbonic maceration, where whole grapes ferment under CO2 before crushing. While some wine snobs might scoff at its youth (just 6-8 weeks from grape to glass!), top producers like Georges Duboeuf, Jean Foillard, and Dominique Piron create delightfully charming versions best enjoyed slightly chilled within six months of release. |
🗺️ History Buff’s Corner: France's Hidden (Underground) TreasuresSpeaking of wine, let's go underground! The Ardèche's Aven d'Orgnac cave isn't just a geological wonder – it's a wine cellar with serious bragging rights. Imagine tasting wine 50 meters below ground among millennia-old stalactites! But France's subterranean secrets don't stop there. Don't miss the Caves of Roquefort (yes, where the cheese ages), the champagne cellars of Reims, and the haunting Catacombs of Paris. It's like France has a whole other country underneath! For more on Aven d’Orgnac, read about the Ardeche
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Art Alert: 📸Paris Photo at the Grand PalaisCalling fellow photography fans! The world's largest international art fair dedicated to photography returns to the newly restored Grand Palais this November. The 27th edition promises to be extra special in this architectural marvel. Think of it as Fashion Week for photography – but you don't have to worry about fitting into sample sizes! |
Family Adventures: Swiss Bliss by Rail 🚂 Want to hear your kids say "wow" instead of "are we there yet"? Switzerland's panoramic trains are your answer. The Glacier Express and Bernina Express offer jaw-dropping views that'll have everyone forgetting their devices exist. And don't overlook the funiculars, and gondolas, and boat rides! Pro travel tip: Book your family on the Chocolate Train from Montreux to the Cailler-Nestlé factory. Because nothing says "best parent ever" like combining trains and chocolate! |
Art Alert: 📸Paris Photo at the Grand PalaisUpdated September 2026: The 29th edition of Paris Photo will take place at the Grand Palais from November 12–15, 2026. Calling fellow photography fans! The world's largest international art fair dedicated to photography returns to the newly restored Grand Palais this November. The 27th edition promises to be extra special in this architectural marvel. Think of it as Fashion Week for photography – but you don't have to worry about fitting into sample sizes! |
Stays & Strays
Hotel Hightlight
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Isle of Eriska hotel exterior Coastal Scottish landscape The small charms of Scotland
Isle of Eriska hotel and nearby coast and cottage. Copyright Holman Potography 2024
The Isle of Eriska HotelUpdated September 2026: The Isle of Eriska remains open as a five-star private-island hotel and spa. Preferred-partner amenities can change and will be confirmed at the time of booking. Imagine a realm where time tiptoes softly, and every whispering breeze carries the promise of enchantment—welcome to the Isle of Eriska Hotel. Perched on a private island adrift in the ethereal mists of the Scottish Highlands, this splendid sanctuary weaves luxury into the very fabric of its landscape. Here, rolling hills, shimmering waters, and ancient woodlands create a backdrop for opulent indulgence and serene escapades for families and romantics alike. Perks when booked through Viewfinder Travel:
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Destination Spotlight
Powder Paradise: Telluride, CO
Mixx atelier on the main street in Telluride Housewares in Mixx Atelier Telluride town under the mountains
Mixx Atelier in Telluride and beautiful housewares for sale along the main street of Telluride. Copyright Holman Photography 2024
For those who prefer their winters with a side of adrenaline,Telluride is your ticket to powder paradise. Where else can you ski world-class slopes in the morning, dine in a converted bank vault at lunch, and catch live music in a historic opera house by night?
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