Orlando is a city of theme parks, tourists, and is frequently plastic and sterile. One year it was named the angriest city in America – I guess that fake smile starts to grate after awhile. When you’re ready to take a break from the theme parks and angry mobs, chances are you’ll be looking for a restaurant that is nearby everything, has good food that’s fairly priced, and has an enjoyable atmosphere. And if you’re traveling with the family, you want something that’s kid friendly but offers up more than hot dogs and fries. In Orlando, one of the restaurants that may just fit this description is Tu Tu Tango, a concept chain restaurant with locations in several states and in Canada. The restaurants are all themed around Spain’s bohemian artist culture – it’s like being in an artist’s loft. […]
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In Photos: California State Capitol Building, Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city of California and home to its Capitol Building, a classical revival style patterned after the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. The Capitol Building and its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. At the center of the building is the rotunda, which divides the State Senate and Assembly into north and south wings. The rotunda is 128 feet tall, from the basement of the building to the height of its inner dome. The Rotunda serves as a ceremonial space, but also as the starting point for most visitors to the Capitol. In this area you can sign up for a tour, enjoy a look at some of the decorative murals and interior décor, or look up at the beautifully detailed ceiling. At the center of the rotund is Columbus’ […]
Read MoreThe Arc de Triomphe: The Triumph of Paris
Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world. It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars, and beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, the grave marked by the very first eternal flame. The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were not identified, in both WWI and WWII. The English translation of the inscription reads “Here lies a French soldier who died for his fatherland 1914-1918.” It’s said that this flame was the inspiration for an eternal flame being placed on the grave of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. The Arc de Triomphe stands about 165 feet tall, […]
Read MoreAirport Calm: Chicago O’Hare in the Early Morning
I spend an inordinate amount of times in airports. Some weeks it’s near daily. I have my favorites (Portland, San Jose, Vancouver BC) and those that I’d just as soon avoid (Atlanta, LAX, San Francisco). For most travelers, airports are a hot mess of crowds, frustration, and stress. I see it as an office environment. Much like the elevator that the office worker must be navigated to get to the cubicle, I see the airport as a means to an end, the route to my office – the airplane. During the day time, and the busy morning and evening bank of flights, the airport is a crazy place. But other times of day, the afternoon lull, the very early and late hours, and the middle of the night, you may find that you have it all to yourself. And that’s […]
Read MoreParty Down in Ibiza
Located in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Valencia, Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands (a regional governmental level in Spain) and is home to a port district that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But, let’s face it, what Ibiza is really known for is its party reputation – despite plenty of options for cultural and family travelers – so chances are that you’ll be doing plenty of partying during your Ibiza holidays. The nightlife is generally centered around Ibiza Town in the south, and Sant Antoni in the west. During the summer, the peak tourist season, top DJs and music producers head to Ibiza to make appearances at the clubs. Many of the prominent DJ’s have a performance circuit around the island, creating a way to present and try out new music. Music is generally electronic, […]
Read MoreForever Fiji
There is a mystique that surrounds the beautiful Fijian Islands. In Fiji you really are blessed with some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world, so in the end, it’s all about Lomani and Demeni, Fijian words meaning pampered, cherished and cared for. Although you have to travel many miles to travel to get there, the visitor will find a culture that couldn’t be more different than in the United States. There is something for everyone to explore with Fiji’s 333 islands dotting the Pacific Ocean like jewels. Deciding which island is the perfect one will probably be the hardest decision you will have to make, otherwise, you can sit back and relax. Tip: Try to visit at least three different islands to really get the Fijian experience. Let’s start with your arrival at the airport in Nadi. This […]
Read MoreHow to Get Married in Mexico
Destination wedding are on the rise, and brides and grooms (and their familiies) look for ways to combine a special destination with their special event, and often roll their honeymoon into that same destination as well. Mexico, despite going through some troubling times, still remains popular for destination weddings, probably because of its beautiful weather and resort. Regulations may vary between the Mexican states, so be certain to get current information from the place where you would like to have your ceremony. And, as with any large and expensive travel plans, you should strongly consider travel insurance. Here are some general things to know if you’d like to get married in Mexico. First off, decide if you want an official, legal wedding or merely a ceremonial one. A ceremonial one is every bit as lovely as a legal one, just […]
Read MoreCheese & More at Tillamook Cheese Factory
The month of October has been designated American Cheese Month, a celebration of North America’s delicious and diverse cheeses, and the farmers, cheese makers, retails, cheesemongers, and chefs who bring them to our tables. And last month I had a little preview of how to celebrate cheese month with a visit to the Tillamook Cheese Factory on the Oregon Coast. The climate in Tillamook is well suited for dairy farming, with a history dating back to the mid-1800s. By the end of that century, cheese maker Peter McIntosh created a cheddar cheese recipe that is still used today. Over the years, dairy-related production boomed, and in 1909 a farming co-op was established that became Tillamook. It’s still a co-op today, owned by the dairy farmers and families who start the whole process. Well, there are the cows to credit, too! […]
Read MoreExploring the White Villages of Andalucia
When travelers think of the Costa del Sol in Spain, the first thing to come to mind is often American-style resorts. What was once a quiet coastline of fishing villages has expanded rapidly, resulting into what many would call over development. Yet this isn’t the only side of Andalucia. Venture away from the coastline and into the hills and you will find the region’s famous white villages. Stunning from afar, impossibly perched up on hillsides, they are somehow even more fascinating when you finally reach them after a series of hairpin turns on two lane roads. All you will need to explore is a rental car, a basic map, and an appetite, and with so many options, it’s fascinating and affordable. Once you arrive in each of the following villages, explore on foot and find a restaurant or tapas bar […]
Read MorePhiladelphia Freedom: Visiting the Liberty Bell Center
With its historical significance and message of freedom, a visit to see the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia will be on most history buffs travel list. The Liberty Bell is one of the iconic symbols of the American Revolutions, and since then has served as a symbol of independence, freedom, and liberty. The bell was originally cast in London and designed to be used at the Pennsylvania State House. It cracked soon after its arrival in Philadelphia. Local craftsmen cast a new one and it was installed in the State House in 1753. Weighing a little over a ton, the bell rang many times as the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House. It tolled many public announcements, including the opening of the 1774 First Continental Congress and after the 1775 Battle of Lexington and Concord. But perhaps the Liberty Bell’s […]
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