As much as I might try to ignore it, here in Seattle the weather is starting to feel more like fall than summer. Seattle usually has great Indian summer weather, but once we hit winter it’s definitely the time to start thinking about getting out of town. If your get-out-of-town preference leans toward the island sun and sand, give a thought to heading east (instead of west) and visit the islands in the Caribbean. While much of the news of the recent past has surrounded the post-hurricane plight of Haiti, the other side of that same island (Hispaniola) remains a beautiful, unspoiled tropical paradise and is home to the Dominican Republic. That’s right, Hispaniola is two countries on one island, and while travelers may not be as familiar with the Dominican Republic as they are with Haiti, it is the […]
Read MoreStanding Guard at the New York Public Library
In a city that never sleeps, it’s nice to find a quiet oasis, and that’s just how I think of the New York Public Library. On your next visit, take some time away from the sightseeing, shopping, and the frenzied pace of Manhattan and check out the library. The New York Public Library was founded by the 1886 estate of Samuel J. Tilden, who bequeathed money to “establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York.” Although there were two other libraries in New York at that time, both were experiencing serious financial hardships. The trustee of Tilden’s estate saw the perfect opportunity to fulfill his vision, and the libraries were combined to form what became the New York Public Library. A number of years later, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated money to […]
Read More10 Vacation Planning Tips for Exotic Destinations
Exotic travel destinations don’t have to be merely a dream vacation. With in depth research, and lots of planning, a visit to a Gorilla forest camp can be just as simple as a trip to the islands. The devil is in the details, as they say, so pay attention to the details that can make the trip a simple one. Here are some things to consider: Where do you want to go? Exotic destinations can be found on any continent, it merely depends on your definition of exotic. Start with a long list of everywhere that interests you, and maybe a few briefs notes about why you’d like to go there, and narrow it down from there. What time of year do you want to travel? Pay attention to rainy and dry seasons to make sure that your interests coincide […]
Read MoreUse the Convention & Visitors Bureau for Travel Planning
The difference between good and great is often in the little details, and with travel that means the research that starts before you ever leave home. Whether it’s for a general overview, specific planning, or maybe just for some inspirational travel ideas, a little travel research can help make your trip great. When your planning a vacation or business trip, where do you go for your travel research? This blog, I hope! But where else do you start looking for the information you’ll need to make decisions about things to do and see? One often overlooked FREE source of travel information is the Convention & Visitors Bureau. Often related to tourism bureaus, boards, and commissions, CVB’s are a good resource for information on larger cities. Larger is a matter of interpretation these days, as more and more small cities have […]
Read MoreLondon Bridge in London & Lake Havasu
Do you remember singing this as a child: London Bridge is falling down, Falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady. I sure do. But when I sang it, I had no idea what London Bridge was really all about or where it was – other than London, I mean.. So what’s the real scoop? London Bridge crosses over the River Thames connecting London and Southwark. This is city central, with lots of London hotels and attractions nearby, and is a busy spot in the city. Although London Bridge is often confused with the Tower Bridge, it is actually located between the Tower and the Cannon Street Railway Bridge. London Bridge has actually been a succession of bridges, with many incarnations occupying the same space and the same name. In the mid 1960’s, the then […]
Read MoreLas Vegas Weekend: Monte Carlo Resort & Casino
I recently had the opportunity to stay at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino and was curious to see how it had fared since my last stay some 10+ years ago. It was a mixed bag, like any hotel stay, so I’ll break it down into easy to understand categories. The Good: Great location at the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip (map) offers easy access to everything that’s going on in the area. A monorail moves you back and forth between the Monte Carlo and the Bellagio (map), meaning you have great access to all the hotels, casinos, and shopping on that side of the strip. Beautiful exterior facade, even more so when lit up at night. Affordable prices with lots of package deals currently being offered that can bring the price of a room to under $60 […]
Read MoreHonolulu Pride: Military History in the Islands
It’s easy to be caught up in the sun, sand, and surf of Hawaii, but the islands are also rich in military history and sites. Although it can be sobering and painful to think about, these military sites deserve a spot on any must-see list. Next time you’re on Oahu, take a beach break and work some of these spots into your schedule: Pearl Harbor: This site is administered by the National Park System, and in my book is the must-see historical site on the island. It’s an easy drive from Waikiki, about 45 minutes, and is also served by public transportation. If you’d prefer a tour, it’s a stop on many of them. The tour includes a brief video, followed by a boat ride to the Arizona Memorial. Like most visitors to the site, I was profoundly touched and […]
Read MoreCoit Tower Adds Art-Deco to San Francisco Skyline
In San Francisco’s Pioneer Park (map), atop Telegraph Hill (map), stands the 210-foot tall, art deco, Coit Tower. The tower was built in 1933 with funds donated by Lillie Hitchcock Coit. Folklore claims that the tower was designed to look like a fire hose nozzle, and was a tribute to the firefighters of the 1906 earthquake fire. Although this version is disputed, and it’s not clear if it’s true or merely urban folklore, the story is widely retold and is consistent with the general quirkiness of the donor. Today, Coit Tower has become as much a part of the San Francisco landscape as the Golden Gate Bridge (map) or the Transamerica Pyramid (map), and is one of the recognizable pieces of architecture in the San Francisco skyline. It went through a major restoration in 1984, and remains one of popular […]
Read MoreGerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States, and when he in 2006, politicians from both parties lauded the legacy left by the man who was elected to Congress from the State of Michigan, and while he served as both Vice President and eventually President, he was elected to neither position. He will likely be best known for pardoning former President Richard Nixon, for which he was eventually awarded the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award. Ford, like all Presidents, amassed volumes of “stuff” during his term of office, even though he spent less time in the White House than many other Presidents. Presidential “stuff” takes on a life of its own, resulting in volumes and volumes of documents, schedules, casual notes, and even scraps of paper. All these items are collected, cataloged and filed away. […]
Read More10 Essentials to Pack for Your Beach Vacation
Beach vacations are a popular choice, whether you’re flying to an exotic location or hitting the shore close to home. But you can’t just head out to the beach — it can actually be one of the vacation destinations that is complicated to pack for. Here are 10 items that I consider essential for a beach vacation: Swim suit and cover up – whether you’ll be walking to the beach from your hotel room or out the door of your cabin, a swimsuit is the essential item of beach clothing. You’ll also want a cover up for walking through a hotel lobby, or when it’s time to cut back on your sun exposure. If you’ll be at the beach for more than a day or two consider packing additional swimsuits. Sunscreen – it seems like this is a no brainer, […]
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