Philadelphia’s City Hal is a behemoth of a masonry complex and is an impressive part of the city’s skyline. Look closely, that’s a statue of William Penn on the top. The building is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
Read MoreCategory Archive: Destinations
UNESCO World Heritage Site: Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Visiting Tongariro National Park is relatively easy, with decent roads providing access, and while some visitors are attracted by the UNESCO designation alone, there is much more to hold the attention of visitors. Here are just a few reasons to visit Tongariro National Park. Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed for its mix of cultural and natural importance. The park, located on the North Island, is home to three active volcanos: Mt. Tongariro (for which the park was named, Mt. Ruapehu, and Mt. Ngauruhoe. Skiing and snow sports – Mt. Ruapehu is home to two ski areas, Whakapapa on the northern side and Turoa on the southwestern side. Whakapapa has 15 ski lifts and also offers accommodations. Turoa has 9 lifts with accommodation offered in nearby Ohakune. Skiing and […]
Read MorePostcard from Wildlife Safari
It’s a road trip weekend and a chance to enjoy the baking hot weather of southern Oregon. These three brown bears at Wildlife Safari (in Winston, Oregon), were trying to beat the heat with a bear-sized popsicle – a large block of ice with berries and other fruit frozen inside.
Read MorePostcard from Mt Fuji
In the pre-dawn glow, Mt Fuji peeks through the clouds. It’s waiting for me.
Read MoreRolling Along in Antwerp Belgium
I rolled into Antwerp by train, like many visitors to the city, arriving at the city’s ornate Central Station. I’d heard that the station was impressive, it makes the most beautiful list often enough, and the stone, iron, and glass architecture didn’t disappoint. I’ll let the architectural community argue over the appropriate style of the station, and I’ll just appreciate the dome and the turrets, the marble and the glass, and the gold. The Central Station was completed in 1905, and although it has been refurbished and expanded a couple different time, the station’s opulence has not been diminished. Today the station has four levels and 14 tracks that connect Antwerp with the rest of the country and the rest of Europe. Does it look somehow familiar? Perhaps you’ve seen the Sound of Music flash mob video Belgium is one […]
Read MoreMother Nature: A Fickle Photo Essay of Spring
Mother Nature can be a fickle friend, teasing us with sun and blooms one day and the next sending showers bordering on snow. As travelers, we learn to make the best of it, ducking into a museum in inclement times and walking in the park in better ones. Despite a Spring with weather all over the map (literally and figuratively), I still marvel at what Mother Nature has wrought. Ah, springtime! While in Dublin you confused me into thinking I was back home in Seattle. Overcast days, a spot of rain now and again, and a peek of blue sky. We layered up to walk around the cemeteries and ruins outside of Dublin. And when we finally got to the gardens at Powerscourt, we were rewarded with a bit of blue sky and a hint of sun. After Dublin it […]
Read MorePostcard from Roses
On rainy Seattle days, I enjoy thinking about how lovely the coast of Spain is. Roses, located on the north end of the Bay of Roses, is a great beach getaway spot. And the Hotel Vistabella, where I stayed, provides a lovely view of the sand and surf.
Read MoreFinding Time to Visit Britain
Time is relative, proved Albert Einstein, but it is also relevant as visitors to Greenwich, a district of south London, are quick to discover. This district has achieved significance importance for lending its name to the standard used to regulate time and set clocks around the world — Greenwich Mean Time. If you’ve ever tried tried to coordinate a business phone call with participants located around the globe, you’re probably familiar with using GMT to set the appointment time. A visit to the once small fishing village of Greenwich will likely include a visit to the Royal Observatory and the surrounding grounds which contain the Royal Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House. Collectively called the Royal Museums Greenwich, the area has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Observatory includes Flamsteed House, the original observatory dating back […]
Read MorePostcard from Berlin: Brandenburg Gate
Sightseeing in Berlin included a visit to the Brandenburg Gate, one of the most well-known landmarks in Germany. The gate represents some difficult times in German history, but came to symbolize freedom and the desire to unify Berlin when the Wall fell. Today it is a proud symbol of European unity and peace.
Read MoreSpring Fling: A Theme Park Weekend
Whether you’re contemplating a family weekend getaway, or perhaps just want to have kid-like fun yourself, there’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in theme parks for an introduction to spring travel. I had a chance to check that premise out on a recent extended family theme park getaway to Minneapolis. Minneapolis might not be the first city that comes to mind when you think about theme parks, but it has several offerings that make the city an attractive choice. Let’s take a look. Nickelodeon Universe Located in the Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States, Nickelodeon Universe covers seven acres in the middle of the mall, offering rides and attractions appropriate to all age levels. As you would expect, many of the rides feature top Nickelodeon characters such as SpongeBob Square Pants, Rugrats, and Dora the […]
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