South Africa is known for many activities most notably wine and safaris. However, in Cape Town, South Africa there are even more possibilities – some fantastic water experiences – particularly since the city sits near the exact spot where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet. Folks often head to Cape Town for some downtime after a wildlife safari, but how about an added adrenaline rush of a shark cage dive. After viewing the wildlife on safari, get up a little closer and try swimming with Jackass African penguins. Or for something a little less active, you can go whale watching from the shore or on a boat, giving you plenty of opportunities to admire the grace and beauty of the migrating Southern Right Whale. Feel the Adrenaline as you Shark Cage Diving This adrenalin rush of an adventure activity […]
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Ljubljana Castle Blends History & Culture in Slovenia
If you’re a castle lover, Slovenia is the right place for a blend of history and culture in a country that’s still untainted by the tourist factor. First stop on your list will likely be the capital city’s Ljubljana Castle built in the 15th century. Located in the city of its namesake, the castle sits atop a hill with sweeping views of the city and the countryside and it’s the largest and most visited castle in the country. Not surprising. It’s free to enter the castle courtyard so even if you just want a good view and a cup of coffee or glass of wine at the top, you’ll be able to take in the atmosphere no cost. Guided tours take place daily from June to mid-September at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and are about an hour long. From […]
Read MoreItalian Vacation: Gondolas in Venice
Can there be a more iconic experience of Venice than a ride in a gondola? For centuries this flat-bottomed boat was the primary means of transportation and moving goods within the city Venice, but today they are primarily used for sightseeing by visitors, weddings and funerals, and the occasional regatta. So yes, riding on a gondola is a touristy thing to do – but that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it out of hand. This quintessential experience can be relaxing, fun, and romantic. It will let you see the city from the water, and for a few minutes, let you imagine what the city was like in an earlier era. The cheapest way to ride a gondola is also the quickest. For about a dollar (depending on exchange rates) you can take a traghetto, a sort of foot ferry shuttling […]
Read MoreHollywood in Ohio with The Shawshank Trail
In 1982 Stephen King published a simple little novella titled Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It was part of a collection of stories and was hailed as a masterpiece. The novella was adapted for the big screen as The Shawshank Redemption and was a modest hit. . . at least until awards season rolled around when it received seven Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture. and catapulted into the stratosphere of top-watched movies. Many people, myself included, had never heard of the novella until the movie came out, but in the years since it’s release in 1994 Shawshank has achieved nearly cult status. The plot is a simple one: Young banker (Andy Dufresne played by Tim Robbins) is convicted, perhaps wrongfully so, for the murder of his wife and her lover. He is sentenced to two life sentences […]
Read MoreSmall Plates Delight at Julian Serrano at ARIA Las Vegas
Last fall I stayed at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and became a fan of the LEED certified property. While there, I saw the Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis!, spent an afternoon at the spa, and had many fine meals, one of which was at Julian Serrano, a Spanish restaurant. Julian Serrano offers classic Spanish fare that includes hot and cold tapas, paella, and a variety of seafood dishes. My first visit was as part of a large group attending Blog World Expo. Since then, however, I’ve been back quite a few times – both with friends and as a solo diner. The restaurant has an open floor plan, and is vibrant and noisy as guest pass, share, and talk about their choices. If you’re looking for a fun and lively meal, this is the place. […]
Read MoreSubversive Ways of Seeing London
Are you tired of doing the same thing day in, day out? Do your travel plans seem a bit routine? Have you gotten stuck in a rut? Today we have a guest post from travel writer Andrea Kirkby who is trying to convince us of ways to look at things differently while in London. —- I recently met up with a friend who has been living in West London for a while. After being there a month or so, he found that he was sticking to a rather regular pattern of commuting, rarely going out of his particular area and not seeing much of the city. Most of us get like that after a while, but he decided to do something about it. Every time he went to a meeting or to visit a friend, he decided to get off […]
Read MoreNorth Dakota Road Trip
Summer is the time of year for the classic road trip. Whether you pack up the family car, RV, or score a discount car rental, a road trip screams out to get away from the crowds and try something new. For me, a road trip would be to places that I haven’t been before, so let’s spin the map of the U.S. and see what we can come up with. How about North Dakota? It’s a state that I haven’t been to, somewhat obscure in the travel promotion department, and it just seems like the kind of place that would make for a good road trip or family vacation. Now, what’s there to do or see? According to North Dakota Tourism, I’ve been missing out on a lot, as the state is Legendary (their tourism slogan). Here are 10 reasons […]
Read MoreEurope 2011: Exploring Italy & Portugal
I’m back home from my shortened travels to Europe, with a few shopping souvenirs, lots of photos, fun experiences to talk about and write about for the coming year, and enthusiasm to get started planning next year’s trip. It might seem like visiting the same place every year could get boring, but in Italy that’s never the case. Our base of operations at La Montalla in Contignano (Tuscany) is a perfect spot to combine days of relaxation and days of exploration, both of which I need during extended travel. Here’s what was new this year: Portugal – Although original plans called for us to be here a week prior to heading to Italy, our rescheduled plans cut that way back. We stayed at a lovely flat in Estoril, just a few minute walk from the beach, and enjoyed time walking […]
Read MoreCelebrating Holidays Internationally
July 4th, 2011. In the United States it was a holiday celebrating the 235th anniversary of the country’s independence. Back home friends had get-togethers with family and friends. There were steaks, chicken, and burgers on the grill. There was time for a game of baseball, badminton, or maybe a little time to be out on the water. There was probably ice cream, watermelon, beer, and plenty of good natured fun. When it was finally dark, the fireworks came out – whether they were the safe and sane sparklers, the bigger fire power purchased on the reservation, or the even bigger powered community displays. The weather looked like it was fairly nice (and that’s a real blessing in Seattle right now) and I’m guessing it was a pretty good day all around. But here in Italy, July 4th, 2011 was simply […]
Read MorePamplona’s Running of the Bulls
Each year, on July 6th, the San Fermin Festival kicks off in Pamplona, Spain. It’s a festival filled with tradition, one of them a crazy, adventurous, daring, and downright dangerous tradition. It’s the annual running of the bulls through the streets of the town. The running of the bulls originally started as a practical means to move the bulls from one part of the town to the other. Since those original days, it’s been romanticized in books and film – Ernest Hemingway said running with the bulls fueled his creativity – and now it’s become a tradition attracting visitors from around the world. The bulls run the half mile course every day of the fiesta at around 8 am, with six bulls and a hundred or so people, many of whom are alcohol-fueled. Runners wear white shirts with a traditional […]
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