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 MoreCategory Archive: Destinations
Mother 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 […]
Read MorePostcard from Nickelodeon Universe
A theme park inside a mall? Yep, that’s just what you’ll get with Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. Located near the Minneapolis-St Paul airport, this was the first stop on my theme park getaway weekend.
Read MorePostcard from Fort Vancouver
Located in the southern part of Washington state, Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost for the Hudson Bay Company. Today it is part of the National Park System, with living history events and a world-class archaeology collection. In the blacksmith shop, a top-notch nail maker could make one in 12 seconds flat.
Read MoreA Shopper’s Guide to York: Best Vintage Offerings
The reasons why people head for York (England) are extremely diverse – after all, this beautiful city offers so much, including a rich heritage, medieval cobbled streets, ghost stories and of course, the towering basilica that is York Minster. But what about the shopping opportunities? Sure, it has its fair share of high street stores, but what if you want something a little different, a little retro? Spend a day in this superb city, have a look at some of the cheap hotels in York that are available, and explore some of the amazing vintage and retro-inspired shops on offer. The retro and vintage style has made a massive comeback over recent years, so it’s no wonder the volume of stores that cater to the attire have increased too. York provides its fair share of retro offerings – you just […]
Read MorePostcard from the Venetian, Las Vegas
Since I just got back from NMX in Las Vegas, I had to share a photo from that vibrant city. The Christmas display at the Venetian Resort was still up and it was spectacular.
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