2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers
2022 has been a busy year of travel. Whether it was feeling a sense of urgency to see the world again after the lockdown of Covid or simply opportunities that arose, we hit the road – and the skies – with determination this year.
The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Travelers has been divided into three sections – a general travel section, a foodie travel section, and a technology section.
Read MoreBogota, the capital of Colombia, has a long and rich history dating back to the pre-Columbian era. Founded by the Muisca people in the late 15th century, the Spanish conquered the city in the 16th century. Over the decades (and centuries), Bogota became a center of trade and culture under Spanish rule and eventually became the capital of Colombia in 1777. Bogota’s history is as varied as it is long, and one of the best places to learn about the country’s history, culture, and people, is in the city’s many museums. Visiting these Bogota museums is an opportunity to view art and ancient artifacts from one of the most important cities in Latin America. If you’re uncertain where to start, here’s a round-up of Bogota’s best museums. It’s a representative group in size, diversity, and niches. Well-known museums made the […]
Read MoreThe Heathman Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Kirkland on the east side of Lake Washington and boasts that it’s the only boutique hotel in Kirkland. Just a couple of blocks from the lake, in fact, conveniently located in the city and a short walk from Marina Park, local shops, and galleries. While the hotel is within easy walking distance to lots of locations, complimentary bicycles are available to guests. It expands your options if you don’t want to spend all your time driving, it’s a fitness option that’s also fun. There is a fully equipped gym if you want a more regimented fitness routine. Free Wi-Fi makes the hotel attractive for both business and leisure travelers. Who Stays at the Heathman Hotel? The Heathman Hotel caters to a large variety of guest types, ranging from solo businessmen […]
Read MoreElba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago and the third-largest in Italy (behind Sardinia and Sicily). With its beautiful beaches and clear blue water, it is a popular getaway for beach lovers, especially during the summer months, but Isola d’elba offers much more. From hiking, swimming, and watersports, to history and museums to great food and drink, you can find a great mix of experiences whether you’re looking to explore Elba, relax, or do both. Here’s what you need to know to plan a getaway to Elba. The History of Elba Island Understanding the island’s history is the first step in discovering Elba. Elba was first inhabited by Ligures Ilvates, a tribe that lived on the land that is modern-day Italy. Since the early tribes, Elba has been occupied by the Romans, Germans, Italians, Spain, British, and French. That’s […]
Read MoreDublin has been home to some of the most influential writers in history, many of whom have helped shape the literary world as we know it today. Iconic novelists such as James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Bram Stoker once called this Irish capital home. Literary Dublin was also home to Samuel Beckett, known for his theatrical work, and poet William Butler Yates, one of the most prominent figures in 20th-century literature. Dublin is, unsurprisingly, full of literary attractions, from world-renowned museums to former literary hangouts tucked away in the backstreets. Green with Envy On my recent trip to Dublin, part of a paid partnership with Globus Journeys, I had the opportunity to learn and experience literary Dublin as part of their Choice Touring program. Choice Touring has been designed to provide a general group framework, and within that, options […]
Read MoreMilwaukee is a vibrant city with abundant attractions. I’ve written about the quirky Bobblehead Museum and the impressive niche-specific Harley Davidson Museum (and there are plenty of fans who considered those bikes works of art). Today I’m tackling something more suited for the culture readers, taking a look at Milwaukee art museums. I think you’ll find it represents some of the best in the midwest. In these art museums, you’ll find some of the most famous works of art, including works from Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall. If modern art is more your thing, there is no lacking. And if American decorative arts or Haitian art or German expressionism are your jam, you’ll find a museum collection that speaks to your special interests. But where do you find these pieces? What does each museum have to offer? This […]
Read MoreWashington State is the second largest wine-producing state in the United States. With over 1,000 wineries and over 80 varieties of wine from Washington State AVAs, wine production has become a multi-billion dollar business in the state. Wine is big business in Washington State. Since we finished building our wine cellar during the stay-at-home pandemic time, we’ve been visiting local wineries to perfect our tasting skills (there is some science and art to the process), get to know local wineries that we’ve overlooked, and make some purchases for our cellar. You’ll be seeing more winery and wine reviews coming up, both wineries in Washington State as well as those we’ve discovered in our travels. Pour a glass of your favorite, and learn more about Bacovino Winery in Tukwila, Washington. Why We Chose to Visit Bacovino Sometimes we have great reasons […]
Read MoreThe recently opened Astra Hotel Seattle is part of the Marriot Group’s Tribute Collection. Centrally located in the South Lake Union neighborhood, the new hotel is conveniently near Seattle’s major attractions – the Space Needle, Seattle Center campus, Lake Union, and the Amazon Spheres. This technologically progressive Seattle hotel boasts an array of smart features and functions, fitting in perfectly with the tech hub in which it is located. With state-of-the-art amenities and a convenient location with comfortable rooms, the Astra Hotel has set a high bar for a downtown stay. Who Stays at the Astra Hotel in Seattle? The eclectic clientele ranges from business travelers and young professionals to families. Meeting and event space is plentiful, attracting the tech-set who will find the range of tech-enabled meeting spaces attractive. The abstract art is enticing and the retina displays are […]
Read MoreThe Rhine is one of the largest rivers in Europe, connecting six countries from its source in Switzerland to the North Sea. It was the main trading hub for many of the towns and cities that connected to it, creating thriving, wealthy economies along the river. As a result, communities along the Rhine are often an example of stunning architecture and historical landmarks. A river cruise on the Rhine is a relaxing way to explore historical sites, taking in the sights in a slow-paced relaxing way. That was why we chose the Dutch Sites and Belgian Delights itinerary on Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours. Our particular sailing had an extra day at Floriade, the once-every-decade eco-horticulture expo. That’s not on the schedule for future sailings. The itinerary is now called Windmills, Tulips, and Belgian Delights, but still shows off some […]
Read MoreYou may be thinking to yourself, surely there’s some confusion here – Jordanian wine? That can’t be true! Well, this is one hundred percent true – there are, in fact, wineries in Jordan. And they are actively producing wine today. Jordan is famously known for Petra, the ancient archaeological site located in the southwestern region of the country. Near Petra, more than 80 ancient wine presses were found believed to date to Nabatean times. I visited Jordan as part of a paid partnership project with Globus Journeys. Saying yes to the Jordan Escape tour was easy-peasy. I had previously toured with Globus on their California Dream’: Northern California by Design tour and was impressed. I loved their attention to detail, the quality of their itineraries and guides, and the enjoyable environment they created among group members. This tour maintained the high quality I have come […]
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