Yes, I’m going to Tokyo and I’m very excited about it. But I jumped to the end of the story before telling you about how this came to be, why it’s important to me, and how you can help make sure my trip is everything I want it to be. So let’s rewind just a little bit. . . . All Nippon Airways (ANA) is launching a new service between Seattle and Tokyo on July 25th, 2012. The daily flight departs Seattle at 1:15 pm and ten and a half hours later arrive at Narita at 3:45 pm (the next day). For visitors interested in traveling on to other cities within Japan, or making connections to other destinations in Asia, this arrival neatly coincides with outbound flights. The outbound flight leaves Tokyo at 5:25 pm and arrives in Seattle at […]
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Photo Friday: Art of St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice
No matter where you are in Venice, it seems like there’s an arrow pointing you to San Marco Piazza. And why not? Along with the gondolas on the Grand Canal, the piazza is one of the most popular spots in a city that’s full of popular spots. The Piazza fronts Saint Mark’s Basilica, a Catholic Cathedral and the most famous church in the city. It’s Byzantine architecture and grand design has been a symbol of the power and wealth of Venice for over 10 centuries. This photo is of the lower lower level of the Basilica, and is one of the arched portals that is surrounded by columns. The arch is above a set of bronze doors than open into the interior of the cathedral, where even more awe inducing art and architecture is found. The interior is probably best […]
Read MoreFREE Things to do in Little Rock, Arkansas
If you’re watching the budget, it’s no problem in Little Rock, Arkansas. The largest, and capital city of Arkansas, got its name from a small rock formation – la Petite Roche – that was once used as a landmark for traffic on the river. Today Little Rock offers a vast number of FREE activities that will keep you entertained for days and days. Take a look — History Learn about Civil Rights History with a visit to the circa 1927 Gothic-style Central High School, which received international attention during the Civil Rights Movement, and stop in at the museum in the restored service station across the street. The interactive exhibit “All the World is Watching Us” tells the story of the nine black students who made civil rights history when they entered Central High in September 1957. Location: 2125 Daisy […]
Read MorePhoto Friday: Wisteria on Capri
From Sorrento, a visit to the island of Capri is a short boat ride away, making it an easy day trip. In high season, reservations may be important, but otherwise just head down to Marina Grande, figure out your timing, and buy a ticket. The ticket will depend on the time of boat service and the current Euro exchange rate, but figure about $15-17 and allow 20-30 minutes transport time. Before you go to the island, though, learn how to correctly. It’s pronounced CAH-pree. The often heard cuh-PREE is a pair of pants. Locals will know what you’re talking about if you say it incorrectly, but what not try for a little authenticity. Once on the island, visitors typically either head off for a tour of the famous Blue Grotto, or take the funicular up to Capri Town. The town […]
Read MoreA Guide to Professional Sports in Toronto
You may not necessarily think of Toronto as a city with a rich sports culture, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! Toronto has had a sports team of some sort since the 1800s with the Granite Club, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club, the Argonaut Rowing Club, and the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club. The Toronto Argonauts football was established in 1873 and is still around today! Professional sports in Toronto continue to develop and change, depending on the popularity of the particular sport and the success of the franchise. Here’s a quick guide to professional sports in Toronto to bring you up to speed: Hockey – If Toronto is known for one thing, it is the Maple Leafs, the most financially successful sports franchise in the country. Toronto has hosted several international hockey […]
Read MorePoverty Point State Historic Site on UNESCO Nominee List
The U.S. Department of the Interior is nominating Poverty Point State Historic Site in northeast Louisiana for the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. The 3,500-year-old site is considered one of the most culturally significant American Indian sites in the U.S., and is already designated a National Historic Landmark, National Monument and Smithsonian Affiliate. Poverty Point is the largest, most complex U.S. archaeological site of its age. No other site in the country matched its size until 2,500 years later. In addition to its impressive size and design, the site is outstanding because of its widespread trade network. The site’s design is unlike any other site in the world, including a massive earthen complex, with five mounds (the largest in photo above), six concentric, C-shaped ridges and a large, flat plaza. Archaeologists believe Native Americans moved millions of basket-loads of […]
Read MoreRemembering Tuscany: Opening Wine Sent Home From Italy
You know how there are those moments when you get to re-live your travel experiences all over again? Well tonight is one of those nights for me. For the last few years that we’ve been in Italy, we’ve made a point to send a case (or two) of wine home. The process isn’t difficult, we head off to Montepulciano where we have a favorite wine shop, do a little tasting, select a nice combination of favorites and new discoveries, and let the shop take care of the packing, shipping, and customs part of things. We look for a combination of wines that we love, wines we cannot get at home, and choices that represent good value. It’s not a precise science or art, but I choose wines I like and that’s most important to me. Tonight I opened a bottle […]
Read MoreVisiting Malaga for August Fair
The Feria de Málaga, also known as the Feria de Agosto, is a long-standing tradition in the city of Malaga, located on Spain’s south coast. The name of the festival translates into Málaga Fair or August Fair, and is in honor of the incorporation of the city into the Crown of Castile by Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon on August 18, 1487. The first year the event was celebrated was 1491, starting with a simple procession and some bullfighting. It has since evolved into a 10 day party, still including the parade and the bullfighting, but now with fireworks, traditional music and dance, and of course, food and drinks. The Feria is distinctly divided into a day festival and night festival. La Feria de día runs in the city’s historic center from midday to about 7 […]
Read MoreDubai Mall Offers More Than Shopping
Sure there’s a lot of historical sites, intriguing architecture, refreshing beaches, and a panoply of culture in Dubai, but still, the primary tourism draw is centered around shopping. Dubai is the most populated of the United Arab Emirates (there are seven emirates) and is the emirate most focused on tourism. With over 70 shopping malls, as well as an impressive souk district, Dubai has rightly earned the moniker of the “Shopping Capital of the Middle East.” Your Dubai holidays will give you a chance to sample both modern and traditional types of shopping. For modern day shopping, the Dubai Mall has everything you could possibly want. It is the world’s largest shopping mall (based on total area) and attracts over a million visitors per week. That’s more people than visit any of the U.S. theme parks, Times Square, or Niagara […]
Read MoreKing Cake: Louisiana Mardi Gras Tradition
One of the rich traditions of the Mardi Gras season is the King Cake, and with only a couple day left until Fat Tuesday, bakeries are madly trying to fill the last orders before the Lenten season begins. The history of the King Cake dates back to the celebrations of Epiphany, the 12 days after Christmas. Epiphany is more widely celebrated in Europe than in the United States, but Louisiana adopted the King Cake and made it a part of its Mardi Gras traditions. The King Cake is served throughout the Carnival season – Epiphany, or 12th night, until Fat Tuesday, this year February 21st, 2011 – and is a part of this time of celebration, feasting and partying. During the Mardi Gras season, king cake parties are popular, and date back to the 18th century, but increasingly King Cakes […]
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