The U.S. Department of the Interior is nominating Poverty Point State Historic Site in northeast Louisiana for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. The 3,500-year-old site is considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the U.S., and is already designated a National Historic Landmark, National Monument and Smithsonian Affiliate. Poverty Point is the largest, most complex U.S. archaeological site of its age. No other site in the country matched its size until 2,500 years later. In addition to its impressive size and design, the site is outstanding because of its widespread trade network. The site’s design is unlike any other site in the world, including a massive earthen complex, with five mounds (the largest in photo above), six concentric, C-shaped ridges and a large, flat plaza. Archaeologists believe Native Americans moved millions of basket-loads of […]
Read MoreRemembering Tuscany: Opening Wine Sent Home From Italy
You know how there are those moments when you get to re-live your travel experiences all over again? Well tonight is one of those nights for me. For the last few years that we’ve been in Italy, we’ve made a point to send a case (or two) of wine home. The process isn’t difficult, we head off to Montepulciano where we have a favorite wine shop, do a little tasting, select a nice combination of favorites and new discoveries, and let the shop take care of the packing, shipping, and customs part of things. We look for a combination of wines that we love, wines we cannot get at home, and choices that represent good value. It’s not a precise science or art, but I choose wines I like and that’s most important to me. Tonight I opened a bottle […]
Read MoreVisiting Malaga for August Fair
The Feria de Málaga, also known as the Feria de Agosto, is a long-standing tradition in the city of Malaga, located on Spain’s south coast. The name of the festival translates into Málaga Fair or August Fair, and is in honor of the incorporation of the city into the Crown of Castile by Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon on August 18, 1487. The first year the event was celebrated was 1491, starting with a simple procession and some bullfighting. It has since evolved into a 10 day party, still including the parade and the bullfighting, but now with fireworks, traditional music and dance, and of course, food and drinks. The Feria is distinctly divided into a day festival and night festival. La Feria de día runs in the city’s historic center from midday to about 7 […]
Read MoreDubai Mall Offers More Than Shopping
Sure there’s a lot of historical sites, intriguing architecture, refreshing beaches, and a panoply of culture in Dubai, but still, the primary tourism draw is centered around shopping. Dubai is the most populated of the United Arab Emirates (there are seven emirates) and is the emirate most focused on tourism. With over 70 shopping malls, as well as an impressive souk district, Dubai has rightly earned the moniker of the “Shopping Capital of the Middle East.” Your Dubai holidays will give you a chance to sample both modern and traditional types of shopping. For modern day shopping, the Dubai Mall has everything you could possibly want. It is the world’s largest shopping mall (based on total area) and attracts over a million visitors per week. That’s more people than visit any of the U.S. theme parks, Times Square, or Niagara […]
Read MoreHotel Tipping Guide
In a perfect world, service industry employees would be paid what they’re worth, rather than having being relegated to a minimum wage (if that) and set to grovel for tips. Until that day arrives, the reality is that hotel service employees rely on travelers to supplement their income into becoming a living wage. This guide will help you decide who should get a tip at hotel, how much it should be, and how you can recognize and reward hotel employees who go above and beyond. Here are some hotel tipping situations you are likely to encounter when you’re traveling: Restaurants – 15% of bill before tax for good service, 20% for fabulous service or for accommodating special requests. If you are using a discount coupon, remember to tip on the amount of the bill pre-discount. With large groups, and in […]
Read MoreKing Cake: Louisiana Mardi Gras Tradition
One of the rich traditions of the Mardi Gras season is the King Cake, and with only a couple day left until Fat Tuesday, bakeries are madly trying to fill the last orders before the Lenten season begins. The history of the King Cake dates back to the celebrations of Epiphany, the 12 days after Christmas. Epiphany is more widely celebrated in Europe than in the United States, but Louisiana adopted the King Cake and made it a part of its Mardi Gras traditions. The King Cake is served throughout the Carnival season – Epiphany, or 12th night, until Fat Tuesday, this year February 21st, 2011 – and is a part of this time of celebration, feasting and partying. During the Mardi Gras season, king cake parties are popular, and date back to the 18th century, but increasingly King Cakes […]
Read MoreBalmoral: The Queen’s Scottish Residence
Located in the highlands of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Balmoral Castle is a large estate house best known as one of the residences of the Royal Family. It was originally purchased by Queen Victoria, who razed the home and rebuilt it from the ground up, and has been owned by successive monarchs since that time. The working estate covers about 49,000 acres, and has managed herds of deer, cattle, and ponies. With a mix of rugged topography and manicured gardens, it’s easy to understand why the Queen loves her highland holidays at Balmoral. Also on the estate: Birkhall, where Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall spend their summers, and Craigowan Lodge, where other royal friends and family stay. There are also six smaller cottages on the property that are available for rent. While your stay in your Scottish cottages […]
Read MoreKew Bridge Steam Museum: London’s Industrial History on Display
Fans of the offbeat, quirky museums and industrial history may enjoy London’s Kew Bridge Steam Museum, home to a collection of water pumping steam engines. While it may sound a bit dull at first thought, Victorian-era London produced some of the finest waterworks around, and it’s on display here. Located on the River Thames in west London, this quirky steam museum is easily accessible from most hotels and apartments in London. The steam museum is on the site of the original Kew Bridge Pumping Station which originally opened in 1838. Although the pump station expanded over the following few years, eventually the steam engines were retired from service. The final use of steam engines at the site was in 1958 – it was a demonstration only. The pumps weren’t eliminated completely, however, they were merely stored in the hopes that […]
Read MoreFamily Vacation in Wales
In springtime the Welsh countryside is surely one of the most beautiful in the world. There is a lush greenness unmatched anywhere in Europe and it’s very easy to see why the daffodil is the region’s official flower. They are everywhere, from the planted beds in suburban public parks to wild outcrops by the roadsides. Take a short hike through the hills and you’ll also see wild foxgloves, primroses, and dozens of other flowers in full bloom. There are crocuses in the open spaces and bluebells in the woods. Hiking is just one of the activities that bring visitors to Wales, and there are thousands of marked routes to choose from, ranging from gentle countryside meanders to full mountaineering experiences. The relatively gentle Brecon Beacons are perfect mountains for kids – a family with kids aged six or seven can […]
Read MoreKendal Museum in Cumbria
Kendal is a small town located in the Lakes District of Cumbria with a rich history that attracts tourists. Located on the River Kent, it was once known as Kirkby in Kendal, but now is referred to as simply Kendal. It’s historically been a popular spot for visitors in the Lakes District, both because of its setting and its history. If you’re planning a visit you can book Cumbrian cottages and settle in just like you were a local, then spend your days setting out exploring the area. One popular spot to visit in Kendal is the Kendal Museum. Founded in 1796, the Kendal Museum features collections covering a variety of topics with a focus on history, archaeology, geology, and nature. The museum is divided into galleries, each featuring impressive exhibitions. The Wainwright Gallery – Named after a former honorary […]
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