California is home to a wealth of Eden-like gardens. From former estates to public spaces, these botanical gardens offer stunning scenery and educational opportunities.
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Review: Cruising to Alaska on Holland America Westerdam
The MS Westerdam is a Vista Class ship that was was launched in 2003 and refurbished in 2017. Read a review of this Alaska itinerary.
Read MoreWashington Wine Tasting: Darby Winery, West Seattle
Darby Winery in West Seattle is a great urban spot for wine lovers. Located in the West Seattle junction, it’s an easy walk to much of the neighborhood, and if you’re coming from further away, the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge makes it an easy drive. The Darby Story The winery started in 2002 when Darby English, the founder, and head winemaker, began making wine in his basement. His goal was to make the best wine in the state using the best products and winemaking techniques. Three years later, he started producing wine for commercial sale. With less than 400 cases total, about half Syrah and half Viognier/Roussanne, the supply sold out extremely fast. One year later, Darby tripled his wine production to 1,200 cases in one year and opened a tasting room. Locals loved his wine then, and […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Heathman Hotel, Kirkland, Washington
The Heathman Hotel is located in the heart of downtown Kirkland on the east side of Lake Washington and boasts that it’s the only boutique hotel in Kirkland. Just a couple of blocks from the lake, in fact, conveniently located in the city and a short walk from Marina Park, local shops, and galleries. While the hotel is within easy walking distance to lots of locations, complimentary bicycles are available to guests. It expands your options if you don’t want to spend all your time driving, it’s a fitness option that’s also fun. There is a fully equipped gym if you want a more regimented fitness routine. Free Wi-Fi makes the hotel attractive for both business and leisure travelers. Who Stays at the Heathman Hotel? The Heathman Hotel caters to a large variety of guest types, ranging from solo businessmen […]
Read MoreMilwaukee: Art Museums For an Inspired Visit
Milwaukee is a vibrant city with abundant attractions. I’ve written about the quirky Bobblehead Museum and the impressive niche-specific Harley Davidson Museum (and there are plenty of fans who considered those bikes works of art). Today I’m tackling something more suited for the culture readers, taking a look at Milwaukee art museums. I think you’ll find it represents some of the best in the midwest. In these art museums, you’ll find some of the most famous works of art, including works from Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, and Marc Chagall. If modern art is more your thing, there is no lacking. And if American decorative arts or Haitian art or German expressionism are your jam, you’ll find a museum collection that speaks to your special interests. But where do you find these pieces? What does each museum have to offer? This […]
Read MoreREVIEW: Astra Hotel, Seattle
The recently opened Astra Hotel Seattle is part of the Marriot Group’s Tribute Collection. Centrally located in the South Lake Union neighborhood, the new hotel is conveniently near Seattle’s major attractions – the Space Needle, Seattle Center campus, Lake Union, and the Amazon Spheres. This technologically progressive Seattle hotel boasts an array of smart features and functions, fitting in perfectly with the tech hub in which it is located. With state-of-the-art amenities and a convenient location with comfortable rooms, the Astra Hotel has set a high bar for a downtown stay. Who Stays at the Astra Hotel in Seattle? The eclectic clientele ranges from business travelers and young professionals to families. Meeting and event space is plentiful, attracting the tech-set who will find the range of tech-enabled meeting spaces attractive. The abstract art is enticing and the retina displays are […]
Read MoreCelebrate World Whiskey Day
Take some grain, corn, rye or wheat will do, perhaps malted barley. Ferment in a still. Age in a wooden cask, oak works well, for various years. Then put into bottles. Voila – you have whisky. Or whiskey, if you prefer. As a general rule, it is spelled “whiskey”—with an e—in the United States and Ireland, and “whisky”—without an e—in Scotland, Japan, and Canada. An easy way to remember it is if the country has an “e” in it, so does whisk(e)y. A simple basic process is at the root of all whiskey making, from the rotgut in the backyard still to the smoothest Irish whiskey. However, the process of refining the smooth taste has evolved over generations and has often been passed from one master blender to another. Whiskey has become strictly regulated, with very specifically defined classes and types based […]
Read More20 Fascinating Museums in St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. and you can bet there are plenty of museums that highlight its fascinating and sometimes sketchy past. The historic downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and is where you’ll find most of the restaurants, attractions, and shopping. It combines European flair with a spectacular bayfront to create a walkable downtown that makes history a priority. The city boasts a number of impressive museums, including some fascinating niche collections. For a recent visit, I dug into some research on the museums in St. Augustine, was able to visit a few of them, and have the rest queued up for a return visit. If you’re visiting Florida and you’re keen to learn more about the country’s history, you’ll want to plan a visit to St. Augustine. And while you’re […]
Read MoreVisit Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage, California
The greater Palm Springs area has been a popular vacation spot for Hollywood movie stars and California’s elite society for decades, and it’s no surprise why. Its natural hot springs, 5-star resorts, 90+ golf courses in the surrounding area, and year-round sunny weather. This perfect vacation spot has evolved from a playground for the rich and famous into a year-round destination for everyone. But let’s take a little time to explore that old-world Palm Spring era with a stop at Sunnylands in Palm Springs. History of Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage Sunnylands is the former estate of Walter and Leonore Annenberg and was built as their winter retreat in Rancho Mirage, California. Walter and Leonore built a vacation home in the Palm Springs area, like many others, but they wanted their home to be more than just floors and walls. They […]
Read MoreA Nod of Approval for the National Bobblehead Museum & Hall of Fame
Bobbleheads are more than just toys, they have become collectibles, and are usually a type of figurine depicting a notable person or character. Sometimes they are created for publicity (as you often see for sports teams or sports figures), sometimes to honor an important person or celebrity (presidents or movie stars). The Milwaukee Bobblehead Museum and Hall of Fame holds the world’s largest collection of bobbleheads, and I couldn’t wait to visit on a recent trip to Milwaukee. The museum is also one of the quirkiest museums in the city, and that always holds appeal for me. Let’s start with the basics. What are Bobbleheads? Bobbleheads, nodders, or “yes men”, are a type of small action figure collectible item that is well known for, well, having a bobbly head. Usually, bobbleheads are designed so the head is much larger than […]
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