Rick speaks to T&L

I can definitely agree that restaurants are crowded, just returned from a solo trip to the U.K. and definitely noticed this. Also, limited menus were still in effect in some places. If you’ve got your heart set on a dish, even if the menu is posted outside, you may find that some of it isn’t available once you sit down.

Steves said he is just thankful people are traveling again after the pandemic put many plans on hold. When it comes to peak summer travel, applying some smart fundamentals is key to an enjoyable trip.
"Be out early, be out late," Steves said. "Go to the less-famous places, and treat them like the famous places."

So, go places that aren’t in some Top 30 list, and savor them as if they were. That works. But the be out early and late part … is he saying get little sleep, or take a break in the afternoon, then still don’t sleep much at night? A twist on the familiar saying is, “Late to bed, and Early to rise, makes you so tired you can’t open your eyes.”

And unfortunately he recommended the Dutch Resistance Museum as an alternative to Anne Frank house, but it is closed from May-Dec. this year (I'm bummed about that, as I'll be there in June). But his point is taken I suppose - there's so much to see if you are willing and interested.

Cyn, I'm kinda thinking he meant to avoid the mass of humanity at high noon, be at attractions as soon as their doors open to beat the crowds. Late afternoon and into the evening the wave of humanity recedes so things aren't quite so thronged and the coast is clear, relatively.

And unfortunately he recommended the Dutch Resistance Museum as an alternative to Anne Frank house, but it is closed from May-Dec.

Oh, that's too bad. It was one of my favorite places to visit. Is it being renovated?

I 100% agree with the early and late part. And yes, this might mean a break mid-day. The Spanish are on to something with the siesta!

In my experience very little is crowded in the hour after opening. Blockbuster sights will be busy but not like they will be at 12-3. Smaller sights will be nearly empty. After sights close and into the later evening there are usually lots of people out and about but it’s more pleasant eating and strolling, less the mad rush from place to place. Commonly I’m out the door by 7AM doing a photo walk, hit a popular sight for a 9 or 10 AM opening, walk around, explore smaller things, shop, have lunch (in whatever order makes sense, is it a 12PM lunch country or a 2PM lunch?), then go back to my lodging for maybe 2 hours for a nap/rest/snack. Some days it’s a longer break, some there isn’t a break as much as an hour sitting in a cafe. Then sometimes a later sight at 5-ish, then dinner, drinks, after dark walk, gelato, in whatever order makes sense.