Journeys and Adventures

With the way the economy is going, we are all trying to find a way to live life “below our means,” just the like The Single Frugalton who shares ideas on how to save money, advice on appreciating the small pleasures of life, and other tips on living frugally.  One of her favorite small pleasures is nature and she discovered that while visiting the German-heritage town of Fredricksburg, Texas–she shares info below.

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One of the best vacations I have ever taken by myself was when I visited Fredricksburg, Texas. Many years earlier I had first heard of the town, but had never been able to find someone to go with me. So, finally in June of 2005 I decided it was time to go.

   Fredricksburg is the county seat of Gillepsie County and is 70 miles west of Austin, Texas. It was originally settled by German immigrants. It’s German heritage still can be seen throughout the downtown shops and various museums.

What is there to do in Fredricksburg?

Antique store browsing! Ok, maybe some of you would actually want to buy some of the antiques, I personally enjoyed just browsing throughout the numerous antique stores and seeing the history.

   There also is a fabulous quilt store. They have every shape, size and kind of quilt that you can possibly imagine at fairly reasonable prices.

   Fredricksburg boasts several museums, such as the Pioneer Museum Complex which is actually two museums in one!

Admission:
Covers both museums, can be purchased at either site
Adults - $5
Students age 6 - 17 - $3
Age 5 & under – Free

   A few miles to the north of Fredricksburg, and you will find the Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park. They offer guided tours via bus, as well as walking tours of certain parts of the ranch. One section holds  the homes of President Johnson’s grandparents. Depending on what time of day you arrive, you may be able to see pioneers making a traditional meal.

   Your experience won’t be complete however, until you have a chance to visit Enchanted Rock National Park.  You can either go for just a few hours and hike to the top of Enchanted Rock and maybe even do some spelunking, or you can camp overnight.

Accommodations:

There are a great many possible options when choosing where to stay in Fredricksburg. I would like to share with you the place I stayed at, which I would highly recommend for either a single visitor or perhaps a couple looking for a romantic getaway. The Metzger Sunday House is a lovely one bedroom cottage with a fully equipped kitchen, and best of all, a front porch swing.

LOCATION - One block south of Main Street in Historic District
HOSTS - All to yourselves - no host on premises
SLEEPS - 2 Persons - Bedroom has queen-size bed
BATH - Bath has tub/shower
KITCHEN - Fully equipped kitchen, small range, microwave, refrigerator
BREAKFAST - Pastries and fixing for breakfast, coffee and teas, soft drink, & juice
PETS-NO SMOKING-Outside CHILDREN-Infants & Over 12
AMENITIES - Central heat/window air, TV, phone, range, microwave, refrigerator, porch, off street parking
$79.00*/1 or 2 persons/night (Friday/Saturday, Events & Holidays)
$68.00*/1 or 2 persons/night (Sunday-Thursday excluding Holidays & Event Weekends) *13% tax
TWO NIGHT MINIMUM ON EVENT WEEKENDS
Rooms: 1-2 persons, queen size bed
Rate Information: $79.00*/1 or 2 persons/night

If you ever have a chance to visit Fredricksburg, I hope you have a lovely time!

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Sounds like a great vacation!  Find out more about being single, frugal, and enjoying life.

Photo by hill.josh

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So far, this blog has helped travelers understand foreign culinary faux pas by testing you on your global dining etiquette and made sure that travelers don’t make the “worst cultural mistakes” (eating with your left hand in India, refusing a lei in Hawaii, and blowing your nose in public in Japan are just some of the offenses covered).

   Now, I’m going to make sure you don’t break the law and end up in jail or paying a hefty fine in some foreign countries, because, according to an article in Budget Travel, there are some weird foreign laws:

• You cannot use more than 25 pennies at one time in Canada.
• Masks are not allowed in public in Denmark.
• Water guns will be seized if used in Cambodia.
• Failing to flush a public toilet in Singapore could result in a fine.
• You could get a ticket in the Philippines for driving a scooter in sandals.

foreign laws that sometimes get visitors in trouble:

• You’ll pay a heavy fine if you try to bathe in a fountain in Italy.
• During Ramadan, between sunrise and sunset, it is a criminal offense to eat, drink, or smoke in public in the United Arab Emirates.
• In Yemen, the maximum punishment for attempting to import pork products is death.

   And, according to Snopes.com and its list of true and false stories about laws, in case you once saw it in e-mail, it is false that a hunting license is required to set a mousetrap in California.  J

   Check out the links above for more “interesting” foreign laws to protect yourself in the future.

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The Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida, USA is one the most popular unique accommodation choices—it’s been featured on “Good Morning America,” “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,” and countless other TV shows, magazines, and travel programs.  Any why not?  Anyone that wants a unique adventure will surely find it when they scuba dive down to their hotel room 21 feet under the surface of the ocean.

Location

   Jules’ Undersea Lodge is located at the bottom of the Emerald Lagoon in Key Largo, Florida, about a 90 minute drive from the Miami Airport.

   If guests are not a certified diver, the lodge does offer a special three-hour “resort course” to ensure that all guests can stay safely and legally.  (Interested guests can also become fully-certified through other offered classes).

Rooms

   The lodge includes two private bedrooms (8 by 10 feet) each with a double bed, single pull down berth, small refrigerator, sink, entertainment center with VCR/DVD combo, and a 42” viewing window into the sea.

   An 8 by 20 feet common room with a mini kitchen, dining area (with custom-made merman and mermaid tables—I’m not quite sure what that means!), and a sofa that pulls out to a bed for group bookings.

Rates

   The lodge offers two main packages for two visitors: the Jules package is $475 per person to check in at 1 p.m. and check-out at 10 a.m., the European package is $375 per person to check in at 3 p.m. and check-out at 9 a.m.  Reduced rates for groups of 4 or more people are also available.

   A special “mer-chef” dives down to make dinner and breakfast for guests.

Other Ways to Visit

   It is possible to simply visit the underwater lodge for lunch and sit underwater for a few hours and the lodge also offers a special wedding package for guests who want to tie the knot underwater.

Rules

   For safety reasons, there are several rules in place for the lodge including no alcohol and some restrictions on who can make the dive.  Be sure to read through the entire site.

Reservations

   Make reservations through e-mail or over the phone; of course, with only two rooms, you will need to be flexible with your dates.

This is the ninth post in a series on Unique Accommodations.  Find more unique hotel choices.