Oh to be a Mummer, now that New Year’s is almost here! This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun. I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds. (Kelly? Caroline? Anyone?) The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia. Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts. There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes and little gifts. Both events were filled with pageantry, enthusiasm, and more than a little bit of noise. Philadelphia got into the act in 1901 with the first official Mummers Parade. Unofficially large celebrations like this had been […]
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Back to Basics: How to Get Off the Plane & Not be Stressed
The best part about getting on the plane, is knowing that you’ll be getting off at your destination, and that you have loads of great times ahead of you. For many travelers, however, the landing and deplaning process can be just as confusing and challenging as the boarding process. Here’s the scoop on how the landing process works and some tips that will make it easy for you to get off the plane. Frequently flyers – pay attention, because you should take some of the suggestions to heart. Once the aircraft is on the ground and taxiing into the gate, most airlines allow you to use your cell phone. What you cannot do, however, is stand up and get it out of the overhead, or unbuckle your seat belt and get it out from beneath your set. If you’ll want […]
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Back to Basics: 10 Items to ALWAYS Pack in Your Carry On Luggage
Although I check my bags on occasion, I’m very vigilant in not packing certain types of things. Some things go in your checked luggage, some go in your carry ons, and depending on space, some things can go either way. It doesn’t seem like I should have to spell this out, but most every day that I fly someone mentions packing one of these items in their checked bagged. Usually, it doesn’t present a problem, but DON’T PACK THESE ITEMS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE! Itinerary. Keep a copy of your itinerary in your checked bag, but make sure that you have a copy with you as well. If your bag does go missing, you’ll need to know what reservations you have, confirmation numbers, phone numbers, etc. I keep my itinerary on my phone and computer as well, but have it […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: 8 Ways to Get to the Airport on Time
With all the rushing around during the holiday season, one place you won’t want to be rushing to is the airport. While you can get away with being fashionably late to your office or party or neighborhood gift exchange, airport counters and security lines are not that forgiving. This will be a busy travel season, despite the recession, and if you’re one of the ones who’ll be flying it’s time now to start planning on how you’ll be getting to the airport. As you’re making plans, remember to leave plenty of time to get to the airport, and make sure you take into account heavier traffic, less parking places, and longer security lines. Here are some options on how you can get to the airport. Pick one that is economical – both in price and in stress level! Drive yourself […]
Read MoreHauntings at Boston University
Haunting stories come out during Halloween time, and some interesting ones come from college campuses. Whether they’re reports of true paranormal activity, or merely urban legends, I’ll let you decide. Boston University students, both former and current, have had their share of haunting habitats, with two sites rumored to be sources of paranormal activity. Of course, this time of year the re-telling of these stories and legends circulate a little more widely! The Charlesgate Hotel (20 Myrtle Street, Beacon Hill area of Boston) was built in 1891, and since the beginning has been rumored to be a site for paranormal activity. Once a Boston University dormitory, and later a dorm for Emerson college, there were many reports filed by students who claimed the building was haunted during the 1970-90’s. Today, as the Charlesgate, an upscale residential property, the rumors seem […]
Read MoreBack to Basics: Return to Ground Level
If you’re leaving your hotel room a little bleary-eyed from too much partying the night before, you may not be seeing straight. Or maybe you’ve lost a contact, or forgotten your glasses. Or maybe you’re in a country where you don’t understand the floor numbering. Don’t worry! You can always get back to ground level, usually the location of the hotel lobby and front desk, by looking for the star sign. The star sign is universal elevator-speak for ground floor. And that piece of information can help keep you grounded. Photo credit: flickr _____________________________________
Read MoreDenver Botanic Gardens are Even Greener
About ten minutes east of downtown Denver are 23 acres of gardens and plants that will make you feel like your much further away from the concrete of the city. The Denver Botanic Gardens (1005 York Street, Denver) contain 45 gardens and over 32,000 plants. (I discovered the York Street gardens while on a shopping expedition; they are very near the Cherry Creek Mall.) The gardens represent a wide range of gardening styles and plant collections, covering diverse parts of the world. It’s an interesting blend or culture with flora and fauna. And, because this is the mile high city, there’s some focus on high altitude climate and how that can impact a garden. While it’s hard to believe that a botanical garden can be even “greener," Denver seems to have done it with the city’s first green roof. It’s […]
Read MoreKauai: The Garden Isle
Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaii Islands, and is the fourth largest of the islands, and is about a 100 miles from Oahu. Often referred to as the “Garden Isle,” Kauai is one of the wettest spot in the world, with an annual rainfall of 460 inches. I’m most familiar with the town of Lihue, on the southeast coast of Kauai. Most visitors, however, may be more familiar with Waimea, once the capital of the island, and the first place in Hawaii visited by Captain James Cook. While there’s still beaches and sand, the lushness of Kauai lends itself to lots of other outdoor activities. To learn more about Kauai, and all the other Hawaiian Islands, head over to The Hawaii Traveler, and read what Jody has to say about one of the top vacation spots in the […]
Read MoreTake a Venetian Gondola Ride in Las Vegas
No, it’s not Venice. It’s the Gondola ride at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Okay, it’s a little touristy, and it’s definitely NOT Venice, but it’s still a bit of romantic fun away from the flashing lights and noise of the casinos. You need to take a break from the fast paced action some time, and this isn’t a bad choice. The gondolas have been fashioned after authentic Venetian ones, each seating four, and operate rides both indoors and out. If your party doesn’t fill the gondola, you’ll likely be paired up with others. The indoor gondolas float their way through the Grand Canal Shoppes, beneath bridges, shops, and cafes that have been created to give the feel of Venice. The ride lasts about 15 minutes. The outdoor gondolas offer a more “authentic” feel (since you really are […]
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