T.S. Eliot

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There are many special places, off the beaten path, to roam, ramble, stay over and even reside that are best suited to people of an OtherWise mind and foot. They are beautiful, soulful, original, sometimes hard to get to, or unheard of even within the most travelled cities.

Hence, the name, WiseAcres.
We feel you should know about them, and we would like to hear from you, as well.

Tips & Markers

Come here for frequently updated tips and markers for wisetravel and wisetrekking in wiseacres. For a full-bodied experience of WiseAcres, look soon to membership in the OtherWise World.

Scotland
It looks small on the map, but it feels large when you're there. Many people don't make it up to Scotland from England. It's a shame, and also a blessing. Savvy Europeans, who love open spaces and authentic character rejuvenate there, while the less enterprising are hanging out on crowded beaches or in packed aisles somewhere.

A quintessential guidebook, written by an obviously well-informed and shoe-worn Scotsman is "Scotland the Best!- The Essential Guide, by Peter Irvine - not only author, but concert organizer in Scotland. This is a guidebook on how to write guidebooks, if you are willing to forego the pleasure of lots of alluring pictures. The writing is compact, ingeniously categorized and well-marked for finding stuff.

Consider categories like: "Great Cafes", "Seven Things to Do Before You Die", "Where to Buy Good Woolies", "Strolls, Walks, and Hikes", "Serious Walks", "Pubs with Good Live Music", "Great Hotels in Remote Locations", "Real Retreats" and so on.
A true OtherWiser. Bless him.

France
If you don't know that the geography of France is nearly as diverse as the US, but in size not much larger than the state of Texas - then now you do. If you didn't know that France is more than Paris, Normandy, Cote D'azur, watercolor books on Provence, Burgundy and Brittany, consider yourself informed. While the Champs Elysees, the Cathedral of Chartres and the famous hill towns of Provence are highly recommended - there is more for the sure-footed.

Get yourself on "Le Sentiers Grande Randonne" - the network of well-documented pilgrim and country paths that stretch in some cases right through entire country, linking farms, villages, mountains, and shepherds routes. I got my guides in France, but I need some time to dig up how to get them here in English. Don't wait for me. Excellent adventure and travel bookstores have them, and they are referred to in guidebooks for the alternative (otherWise) kind of traveler.

Consider a family and group adventure in France on the beaten, but off the paved path.