Table of Contents
To small-scale farmers and their families, for considering humane
treatment of animals, soil health, and organic and biodynamic practices
that prolong our planet.
Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change
that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
Miriam Beard
Acknowledgments
I am unendingly grateful to all the people who have helped me with this book, and to the beautiful Northern California wine country for inspiring me. Id especially like to thank Daniel Ling for his love and support throughout this process; Julia and Ilsa for their contributions; and the small-business owners who have dedicated themselves to making positive impacts on their community.
The GrassRoutes Story
Like cracking open a dusty geode, travel has revealed to me the many facets of the world, allowing me to compare my known surroundings with the previously unexplored. No other activity has had quite the same impact, offering a unique experience of both commonalities and differences in the quilt of humanity.
After each journey my reality was challenged with new ways of thinking and acting, and I found I had new interests and an altogether different perspective. The most important souvenir I brought home wasnt tangibleit was a more open mind.
I became a detective of sorts, unearthing cultures and becoming familiar with local customs by seeking out nontraditional attractions and cities off the beaten path. Wherever I was, the locals gave me the chance to have unique experiences rather than manufactured ones. When I returned home I kept up the habit, discovering a wealth of intrigue in my own country. Whether trekking across another continent or walking a few blocks to a nearby neighborhood, no matter what my pocketbook dictated, I always managed to find new cultural gems.
GrassRoutes was born out of my growing collection of ideas and inspirations drawn from my journeys. I made up my mind to promote world citizenship, but search as I might, I found no vehicle that expressed my ideas about travel, so I decided to create one.
The concept evolved from a bundle of notes collected on the road. Since I have always viewed cities as whole entities, I didnt want my guides to be divided into chapters covering specific neighborhoods. Also, chowing down on some messy barbecue doesnt equate with dining on braised rabbit, so I chose not to organize the guides simply by activity. GrassRoutes guides had to be designed around the mood of the traveler and the timing.
But organization wasnt the only thing I wanted to do differently. GrassRoutes, true to its name, champions local businesses and their corresponding contributions to the greater good of the community. Restaurants that serve sustainably grown produce share these pages with shops that showcase works by local artists. Wildlife preserves are in the mix with amusements that use energy-saving techniques. Volunteer listings give visitors the opportunity to interact with residents while giving back. Being conscientious about society and environment is a recipe for peace: this is one message I hope to convey.
Another is that travel can fit a limited budget. GrassRoutes is more than a guide to a citys attractionsit is a reaffirmation that authentic cultural experiences are not out of reach for anyone.
As you enjoy your travels, you can be satisfied knowing that you are a conscientious consumer. With such a bounty of local businesses dedicated to the spirit of positive change, it is becoming easier to support such a philosophy. Each listing in every GrassRoutes guide meets this standard in one aspect or another. So while you are venturing out into the world and meeting real people in new places, your dollars are staying in the community.
In this spirit, I bring you GrassRoutes guides, created to benefit readers and communities. I hope you will try something new, even if you thought it was not possible. All you need to have a genuine cultural escapade is an inquiring mind, a detectives spirit, and the desire to get acquainted with the world around you.
Read more about the GrassRoutes philosophy: www.grassroutestravel.com/story.
Urban Eco-Travel Tips
To help you prepare for your adventure, here are some tips that I have compiled over my years of world travel.
Trip Planning
Dont overplan. Pick dates that make sense, and make the fewest reservations you can get away with to take into consideration factors of time, exhaustion, and exploration.
Before embarking on a trip, tell as many people as will listen where you are going, and get their feedback and tips. Have the same talkative approach when you get to your destination so you can meet locals and learn their favorite spots.
Look at books and magazines featuring the culture and history of the area before embarking on your trip, and keep a well-organized travel guide and a clear map with you while you are exploring.
Time Allotment
When picking dates, consider what kind of trip you want to have. One game plan is to spread out your time between different sights as a good introduction to an area. Another is spending prolonged time in one or two cities to truly get to know them. Either way, in my experience it is good to slow down the tempo of travel enough to smell the proverbial roses.
Reservations
Be sure to reserve a hotel for at least the first night so you have somewhere to go when you get off the plane. Even if you prefer to travel on a whim, I recommend starting on day twoafter you get your bearings.
Before you book a room, try to get an idea of your destination first, so you can place yourself in the area that most interests you. If your entire vacation will be spent in the same area, I suggest staying in the same centrally located hotel the whole time so you avoid having to carry your stuff around. After all, you probably didnt travel to see different hotels, but to see the city itself!
Whenever you do book a hotel, make sure you know its cancellation policy.
In general, dont reserve many transit engagements. That way, if you want to extend your stay in a given spot, you can do that without too many trials and tribulations. Local transit arrangements are usually easy to book without much advance notice.
Restaurants tend to have widely varying policies on reservations, so check ahead to see whether your dream meal requires one. Or forgo the reservations: when you get to your destination, look around and act on a whim, or best of all, get the locals advice. It is hard to get a good sense of a restaurant from its web site.
Be sure to reserve tickets for any special events youd like to attend.
Packing
Pack light, but anticipate a variety of activities. I like to have a good pair of pants that can match with different shirts. I also bring one dressier outfit and a bathing suit.
Bring more than enough underwear, but wear clothing that can keep its shape for two or three days of use, especially pants or skirts. Youll be meeting and interacting with new people every day, so no one will know you wore the same outfit two days in a row.
