A trip to the islands isn’t complete without shopping at Hilo Hattie’s. Some people might call it touristy, but I think of it as one of the rituals of an island visit. During the 1950-60’s, Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a popular Hawaiian entertainer whose real name was Clarissa Haili. She was originally a teacher, but achieved fame as a singer and dancer, popularizing a comedic hula-style dancing. In 1963, a Hawaiian store opened for business, naming the store after the very popular Hilo Hattie. The store aims to provide one-stop shopping for Hawaiian goods and products and is the largest Hawaiian retailer and manufacturer of the same. In memory of the original Hilo Hattie, who passed away in 1979, the store gives scholarships to University of Hawaii students who are pursuing degrees in Hawaiian studies and music. Powered […]
Read MoreTravel to Argentina to Visit your Wine
If travel, just for the sake of travel, seems too decadent for you, how about this excuse: I have to pop down to Argentina to visit my vineyard and check on my wine. OK, I might be overstating things just a bit, but with the Algodon Wine Estates Barrel Ownership program you can combine your love of travel with your love of wine. Algodon Wine Estates is located in Mendoza, Argentina, an area known as the Napa Valley of South America, and home for production of some top wines. Now, you can get a barrel of your own. Purchase it solo, or get together a group of friends, then choose your grape or varietal preference: malbec, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, bonarda, or chardonnay. Here’s how it works — You choose your grape or varietal, and then choose a French or […]
Read MoreThe Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is Worth a Stop
The imposing cylindrical Castel Sant’Angelo, situated along the Tiber River in Rome, was built between 123 and 129 AD. It was first known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, serving as the resting grounds for the ashes of the Roman emperor. Ashes of Hadrian’s family, as well as subsequent emperors, joined him there. The tomb was ransacked during one of Rome’s less civilized periods, and the Castel Sant’Angelo was later used as a fortress (Popes hid out here), castle (connected to St. Peter’s Basilica by a covered corridor), and prison (executions were held in the interior square). Today it is the location of the National Museum’s collections of weapons, ceramics, furnishings, and Renaissance paintings, and is still a formidable presence on the Rome’s skyline. It’s worth stopping by to look at the architecture and history of the building, and the great […]
Read MoreUdvar-Hazy Center Near Dulles Airport
If you find yourself with spare time while waiting for your connection at Dulles Airport, consider getting off property for a few hours at the Steven F. Udvar- Hazy Center. A part of The Smithsonian Institute, the Center is a companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum (map), and is located near Washington Dulles International Airport (map). The two locations have the largest aviation and space collection in the world. Udvar-Hazy is the President and CEO of International Lease Finance Corp. (a major player in the commercial aircraft business), and the major donor to the Center. The name honors his efforts to the funding side of the Center in addition to his career in aviation. The facility is immense, and full of displays, large and small, famous and relatively unknown. Among the famous are: the Enola Gay, the SR-71 […]
Read MorePresident Warren G. Harding Home & Museum
Since it’s President’s Day, I thought a fitting theme for today’s post would be something about one of our Presidents. There were some obvious presidential choices, but never being one to make the obvious choice, I looked at some that might typically get overlooked. And that led me to President Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States. With a rousing speech from the front porch of his home in Marion, Ohio, Warren Gamaliel Harding launched his campaign for the presidency of the United States. Historians may argue that Harding was one of the least effective Presidents, but he was certainly an interesting and colorful man, who, right up to his death, led an administration filled with scandal. The Harding Home, located at 380 Mt Vernon Avenue in Marion, Ohio (map) has been restored to its original Victorian […]
Read MoreBook Review: Travel as a Political Act
The more you travel, the more you appreciate how much we have in common with the rest of the world. While superficially our differences might seem great, when you look beneath the surface, what most people want is to enjoy the love of family and friends, and to feel that their presence in this life has made a difference. In between those two ends, it’s about getting through day to day in a way that gives life meaning. Learning about people and cultures, especially those that are not like our own, helps us find a new world view – one in which we find an interconnectedness with others rather than a separateness. When that happens, travel is more about experiences and memories, than about great hotels and restaurants. Not that those latter things aren’t important, but when we travel with […]
Read MoreFinding Gold at Sutter’s Mill
There’s gold in them thar hills, and in 1848 one of those hills was located in Coloma, California on the bank of the American River. It was at this spot, while building a saw mill, that John Sutter and James Marshall found nuggets of gold. This discovery launched the California Gold Rush, and the great western expansion, turning the hills of California into a bustling community of prospectors seeking their fortune. In the early days of discovery, nuggets of gold could be picked up along the river bed. Picking up nuggets is pretty easy work, and those early visitors to the area made a good deal of easy money. After the nuggets were gone came the much harder and more dangerous work of mining for gold. Today, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park surrounds the location of the old Sutter’s […]
Read MoreREVIEW: Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs
If you’re looking for a romantic spot for Valentine’s Day, the newly re-opened Riviera Resort & Spa offers several options that are worthy of your consideration. The Palm Springs resort covers 24 acres, and was once the playground for the famous and infamous. Elvis Pressley and the Rat Pack spent time here, and back in the 60’s this was the largest and most famous of the Palm Springs resorts. Re-opened in 2009, the resort has a vibe reminiscent of its former glamour days. Sleek line, bold graphics, abstract details and vivid colors combine with retro furnishings and mirrored walls to make this a hip place to see and be seen. I love the improvements that have been made, and the efforts to restore the Riviera to its rightful place in hotel lore. You enter the resort through a bright […]
Read More20 Spots for Shopping Las Vegas-Style
Las Vegas is one of the most frequently visited cities in the United States, whether for business, a music or theater performance, dining, or recreational activity. It’s also one of the top cities for shopping, an activity becoming increasingly popular with travelers. In fact, Las Vegas is one of the top fashion cities in the world, meaning that you’ll find some good shopping spots in the city. When you get a break in your conference schedule, want to relax after a day full of meetings, or just want to get away from the hubbub that is often Las Vegas, here are 20 choices for your Las Vegas shopping pleasure: Appian Way at Caesars Palace – Quiet shopping arcade with a life-size replica of David. Bally’s Avenue Shoppes – Over 20 stores and boutiques at Bally’s Hotel. Bridge Avenue at California […]
Read MoreCelebrate Our Love Affair with the Car
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to chronicling the evolution of the car and exploring our love affair with them. The museum was founded by Robert E. and Margie Petersen in 1994, and was originally located within the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. It is now in its own permanent location along museum row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. You’ll find over 100 vehicles on display, covering topics that include the history of the automobile and its impact on popular culture globally as well as on Los Angeles. Here’s a little bit about what you’ll find at at the museum: The first floor is an interactive presentation of the history of the car and its impact and influence on our popular culture. The second floor has permanent […]
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