Embedded Files
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys
POSTED JANUARY 10, 2020
With average January and February highs in the mid-70's and average lows in the high 60's, the Florida Keys are an excellent escape from the northern winter. The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West is not to be missed, nor is a ride on a glass-bottomed boat out of Key Largo. For a quieter time, enjoy a visit to the Key West Butterfly Museum and Conservatory and to the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. Below are some more suggestions from the Visit Florida website (link left) and Trip Savvy (link right).
With average January and February highs in the mid-70's and average lows in the high 60's, the Florida Keys are an excellent escape from the northern winter. The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West is not to be missed, nor is a ride on a glass-bottomed boat out of Key Largo. For a quieter time, enjoy a visit to the Key West Butterfly Museum and Conservatory and to the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. Below are some more suggestions from the Visit Florida website (link left) and Trip Savvy (link right).
The Grand Tour
The Grand Tour
POSTED FEBRUARY 14, 2020
Aided by the invention of the printing press in 1440, Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to lands north of the Alps, and interest in classical antiquity grew throughout Europe. The Age of Exploration commencing in the late 1400's along with the end of the Italian Wars and the Peace of Augsburg in the 1500's led to an increase in the desirability as well as the safety of travel by the end of the 16th century. The idea of travelling for the sake of curiosity and learning was a developing idea in the early 17th century.
Aided by the invention of the printing press in 1440, Renaissance ideas spread from Italy to lands north of the Alps, and interest in classical antiquity grew throughout Europe. The Age of Exploration commencing in the late 1400's along with the end of the Italian Wars and the Peace of Augsburg in the 1500's led to an increase in the desirability as well as the safety of travel by the end of the 16th century. The idea of travelling for the sake of curiosity and learning was a developing idea in the early 17th century.
A tour of the Continent thus became a coming-of-age ritual for many of England's well-to-do young men. (1) The Grand Tour usually lasted from two to four years and, in a sense, served as a graduate school for Oxford and Cambridge students. Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), the author of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", remarked that "According to the law of custom, and perhaps of reason, foreign travel completes the education of an English gentleman."
A tour of the Continent thus became a coming-of-age ritual for many of England's well-to-do young men. (1) The Grand Tour usually lasted from two to four years and, in a sense, served as a graduate school for Oxford and Cambridge students. Edward Gibbon (1737-1794), the author of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", remarked that "According to the law of custom, and perhaps of reason, foreign travel completes the education of an English gentleman."
Those taking the Grand Tour would visit sites of antiquity and culture, particularly in Italy, to gain a better understanding of art, culture, language, geography and history. Many would also use the trip to acquire artifacts. Indeed, the "study and collection of art became almost a non-optional engagement for Grand Tourists. Many returned home with bounties of paintings, antiques, and handmade items from various countries." (2)
Those taking the Grand Tour would visit sites of antiquity and culture, particularly in Italy, to gain a better understanding of art, culture, language, geography and history. Many would also use the trip to acquire artifacts. Indeed, the "study and collection of art became almost a non-optional engagement for Grand Tourists. Many returned home with bounties of paintings, antiques, and handmade items from various countries." (2)
The tradition continued until the early-1800's when the Napoleonic Wars made travel more difficult. But not before "three of the most famous English Romantic poets: George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron), Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats, would all visit Italy and the city of Rome would serve as a backdrop for significant personal events in the poets’ lives and as an inspiration for their poetry."(3) (See sidebar for link to a discussion of how their stays in Italy shaped their writing.)
The tradition continued until the early-1800's when the Napoleonic Wars made travel more difficult. But not before "three of the most famous English Romantic poets: George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron), Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats, would all visit Italy and the city of Rome would serve as a backdrop for significant personal events in the poets’ lives and as an inspiration for their poetry."(3) (See sidebar for link to a discussion of how their stays in Italy shaped their writing.)
So what was the tour like? What cities were considered "mandatory" stops? What did the "Grand Tourist" do when he (4) returned home?
So what was the tour like? What cities were considered "mandatory" stops? What did the "Grand Tourist" do when he (4) returned home?
As to what the Grand Tour was like, Wikipedia has this to say about a typical itinerary (5):
As to what the Grand Tour was like, Wikipedia has this to say about a typical itinerary (5):
Setting out from London, the tourist would cross the English Channel to Ostend in Belgium, or to Calais or Le Havre in France. From there the tourist, usually accompanied by a tutor and (if wealthy enough) a troop of servants, could rent or acquire a coach, or he could opt to make the trip by riverboat as far as the Alps, either travelling up the Seine to Paris, or up the Rhine to Basel.
Upon hiring a French-speaking guide, the tourist and his entourage would travel to Paris. There the traveller might undertake lessons in French, dancing, fencing, and riding. The appeal of Paris lay in the sophisticated language and manners of French high society, including courtly behavior and fashion. This served to polish the young man's manners in preparation for a leadership position at home, often in government or diplomacy.
From Paris he would typically sojourn in urban Switzerland, often in Geneva or Lausanne. From there the traveller would endure a difficult crossing over the Alps (such as at the Great St Bernard Pass), which required dismantling the carriage and larger luggage.
Once in Italy, the tourist would visit Turin (and sometimes Milan), then might spend a few months in Florence, where there was a considerable Anglo-Italian society accessible to travelling Englishmen and where the Uffizi Gallery brought together in one space the monuments of High Renaissance paintings and Roman sculpture, with side trips to Pisa, then move on to Padua, Bologna, and Venice. The British idea of Venice as the "locus of decadent Italianate allure" made it an epitome and cultural set piece of the Grand Tour.
From Venice the traveller went to Rome to study the ancient ruins and the masterpieces of painting, sculpture, and architecture of Rome's Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. Some travellers also visited Naples to study music, and (after the mid-18th century) to appreciate the recently discovered archaeological sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Later in the period, the more adventurous, especially if provided with a yacht, might attempt Sicily (the site of Greek ruins), Malta or even Greece itself.
From here the traveller traversed the Alps heading north to the German-speaking parts of Europe. The traveller might stop first in Innsbruck before visiting Vienna, Dresden, Berlin and Potsdam, with perhaps a period of study at the universities in Munich or Heidelberg. From there, travellers visited Holland and Flanders (with more gallery-going and art appreciation) before returning across the Channel to England.
The most important stops on the tour were Paris, Venice, Florence and, above all, Rome. The essential place to visit was Italy. "The British traveler Charles Thompson spoke for many Grand Tourists when in 1744 he described himself as 'being impatiently desirous of viewing a country so famous in history, which once gave laws to the world; which is at present the greatest school of music and painting, contains the noblest productions of statuary and architecture, and abounds with cabinets of rarities, and collections of all kinds of antiquities..' Within Italy, the great focus was Rome, whose ancient ruins and more recent achievements were shown to every Grand Tourist." (6)
The most important stops on the tour were Paris, Venice, Florence and, above all, Rome. The essential place to visit was Italy. "The British traveler Charles Thompson spoke for many Grand Tourists when in 1744 he described himself as 'being impatiently desirous of viewing a country so famous in history, which once gave laws to the world; which is at present the greatest school of music and painting, contains the noblest productions of statuary and architecture, and abounds with cabinets of rarities, and collections of all kinds of antiquities..' Within Italy, the great focus was Rome, whose ancient ruins and more recent achievements were shown to every Grand Tourist." (6)
After the Grand Tour, returning travellers often put their newfound knowledge and acquisitions to good use.
After the Grand Tour, returning travellers often put their newfound knowledge and acquisitions to good use.
"Since there were few museums anywhere in Europe before the close of the eighteenth century, Grand Tourists often saw paintings and sculptures by gaining admission to private collections, and many were eager to acquire examples of Greco-Roman and Italian art for their own collections. In England, where architecture was increasingly seen as an aristocratic pursuit, noblemen often applied what they learned from the villas of Palladio in the Veneto (sidebar and below) and the evocative ruins of Rome to their own country houses and gardens...
"The Grand Tour gave concrete form to northern Europeans’ ideas about the Greco-Roman world and helped foster Neoclassical ideals . The most ambitious tourists visited excavations at such sites as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Tivoli, and purchased antiquities to decorate their homes." (6)
The Grand Tour has been credited with spurring dramatic developments in British architecture and culture. The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars halted the Grand Tour and then in the nineteenth century, railroads forever changed the face of tourism and foreign travel. (2)
The Grand Tour has been credited with spurring dramatic developments in British architecture and culture. The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars halted the Grand Tour and then in the nineteenth century, railroads forever changed the face of tourism and foreign travel. (2)
The Italian Wars were a series of wars fought between 1494 and 1559 in Italy during the Renaissance. The Italian peninsula, economically advanced but politically divided among several states, became the main battleground for European supremacy. The conflicts involved the major powers of Italy and Europe. (7)
The Peace of Augsburg was a treaty between Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and the Protestant Schmalkaldic League, signed in September 1555 at the imperial city of Augsburg. It officially ended the religious struggle between the two groups and made the legal division of Christianity permanent within the Holy Roman Empire. (7)
John Locke's "Essay Concerning Human Understanding" (1690) argued that knowledge comes entirely from the external senses, that what one knows comes from the physical stimuli to which one has been exposed. Thus, one could "use up" the environment, taking from it all it offers, requiring a change of place. Travel, therefore, was necessary for one to develop the mind and expand knowledge of the world. (7)
William Beckford (1760-1844), recounted his Grand Tour (map below) in Dreams, Waking Thoughts, and Incidents. An avid collector, his collection was notable for its Italian Quattrocento paintings, Asian objets d'art and 18th-century French furniture and decorative arts. (7)
Andrea Palladio (1508 – 1580) was an Italian Renaissance architect active in the Venetian Republic. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, is widely considered to be one of the most influential individuals in the history of architecture. While he designed churches and palaces, he was best known for country houses and villas. (7)
Palladio's designs were especially appreciated in England but his influence extended as far as the United States. See photos below.
Palladio's Villa Cornaro (begun 1553)
Boyle and Kent 's Chiswick House - (completed 1729)
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello (1772)
Notes
(1) British travellers were far from alone on the roads of Europe. On the contrary, the grand tour was established as an ideal way to finish off the education of young men in countries such as Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. (Wikipedia)
(3) Discovering the Romantic Poets on our Grand Tour in Rome
(4) Although a few women managed to accompany their husbands on the Grand Tour, it was only after the mid-19th century that the Grand Tour became fashionable and considered as part of the upper-class women's education, as in E. M. Forster's novel A Room with a View.
(5) I've edited the entry slightly.
(6) Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
(7) Wikipedia
Castles of the Rhine
Castles of the Rhine
POSTED FEBRUARY 27, 2020
The Rhine River's headwaters are high in the Swiss Alps. From there, the Rhine flows north, eventually entering the North Sea in the Netherlands. Along the way, the river passes cities rich in European history - among them Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; and Worms, Mainz, and Köln in Germany. Köln, more commonly known by its French name Cologne, is a linguistic example "of the alternating roles of great rivers as arteries of political and cultural unification and as political and cultural boundary lines." (1) The Rhine has served as a transportation route since the time of the Romans and is enshrined in legends from German mythology.
The Rhine River's headwaters are high in the Swiss Alps. From there, the Rhine flows north, eventually entering the North Sea in the Netherlands. Along the way, the river passes cities rich in European history - among them Basel, Switzerland; Strasbourg, France; and Worms, Mainz, and Köln in Germany. Köln, more commonly known by its French name Cologne, is a linguistic example "of the alternating roles of great rivers as arteries of political and cultural unification and as political and cultural boundary lines." (1) The Rhine has served as a transportation route since the time of the Romans and is enshrined in legends from German mythology.
The middle Rhine (the section between the German cities of Bingen and Bonn) is the Rhine of legend and myth. Its steep rock precipices and numerous castles provide breathtaking vistas for travellers. (1) Culture Trip (link below left) fills us in on the history of the most scenic spots and Newsweek (link below right) tells us of "the precious few" of these castles that have been refurbished as hotels where travellers can "check in after spending their days traipsing through the medieval towns at the foot of the fortresses."
The middle Rhine (the section between the German cities of Bingen and Bonn) is the Rhine of legend and myth. Its steep rock precipices and numerous castles provide breathtaking vistas for travellers. (1) Culture Trip (link below left) fills us in on the history of the most scenic spots and Newsweek (link below right) tells us of "the precious few" of these castles that have been refurbished as hotels where travellers can "check in after spending their days traipsing through the medieval towns at the foot of the fortresses."
(1) Britannica
Where to go this spring
Where to go this spring
POSTED MARCH 10, 2020
US News & World Report (link below left) and Reader's Digest (link below right) have some suggestions on spring vacations. The US News list is international including many in the US. The Reader's Digest list is US only. Topping the US News list is London:
US News & World Report (link below left) and Reader's Digest (link below right) have some suggestions on spring vacations. The US News list is international including many in the US. The Reader's Digest list is US only. Topping the US News list is London:
"London is always crowded, so you might as well visit when the trees and plants within the city's many beautiful parks and gardens are evergreen and blooming. Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park, Kew Gardens and St James's Park (to name a few) will be unforgettably lush during spring. For a one-of-a-kind seasonal experience, get tickets to the incredibly eye-catching RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which takes place every May."
Reader's Digest's top suggestion is Washington, D.C.:
Reader's Digest's top suggestion is Washington, D.C.:
Every spring, Washington, D.C., is blanketed in pink when each of its thousands of cherry blossoms comes into bloom. To celebrate the event, attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from the last week in March to the second week in April. There, you can view the flowers up close, or participate in a number of festival events, such as the cherry blossom parade, the blossom kite festival, or the Pink Tie Party fundraiser. You’ll want to start your tours early, as the festival brings some 1.5 million visitors to the nation’s capital.
Virtual Travel
Virtual Travel
POSTED APRIL 1, 2020
With the pandemic eliminating travel for nearly everybody, many travel and news sites are providing information about virtual tours accessible from your computer. Travel + Leisure has several particularly good posts with links to the individual tours, most of which are excellent. Many of the tours make use of Google Maps Street View and are part of Google Arts & Culture. Several have audio and recommend headphones for the best experience. I tried the Uffizi Gallery on my cell phone, iPad and desktop. The bigger the screen, the better.
With the pandemic eliminating travel for nearly everybody, many travel and news sites are providing information about virtual tours accessible from your computer. Travel + Leisure has several particularly good posts with links to the individual tours, most of which are excellent. Many of the tours make use of Google Maps Street View and are part of Google Arts & Culture. Several have audio and recommend headphones for the best experience. I tried the Uffizi Gallery on my cell phone, iPad and desktop. The bigger the screen, the better.
Below are a few of these virtual tours. In the sidebar are links to the Travel + Leisure posts where you can find several dozen others. Also in the sidebar is a link to a Good Housekeeping post presenting "a Massive List of Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours."
Below are a few of these virtual tours. In the sidebar are links to the Travel + Leisure posts where you can find several dozen others. Also in the sidebar is a link to a Good Housekeeping post presenting "a Massive List of Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours."
Famous worldwide for its outstanding collections of ancient sculptures and paintings dating from the middle ages through the modern era, the Uffizi contains the greatest collection of Italian Renaissance painting in the world.
Take a trip back in time through the Hawai'ian rainforest, tour lava tubes and volcanic ocean cliffs, and fly over an active volcano.
The ancient city has intricate tunnels and water chambers, a pseudo-oasis. a number of incredible structures carved into stone, a 4,000-seat amphitheater and the El-Deir monastery .
From Travel + Leisure
From Travel + Leisure
Machu Picchu, Great Pyramid of Giza, Easter Island, Palace of Versailles, Petra Jordan, Taj Mahal, El Capitan, Easter Island, Edinburgh Castle and more.
British Museum, Uffizi Gallery, Guggenheim, Van Gogh Museum, and more.
Kenai Fjords, Hawai’i Volcanoes, Dry Tortugas, Carlsbad Caverns, and Bryce Canyon
From Good Housekeeping
From Good Housekeeping
A combination of virtual tours and online collections for 30 museums, zoos, aquariums and theme parks
Virtual Travel II - VR Apps
Virtual Travel II - VR Apps
POSTED APRIL 23, 2020
As the COVID-19 lockdown continues, travel writers and others have been raising some interesting questions. BBC's Toby Skinner says it's a time to "reflect on what it actually means to travel...and [ask] whether it’s possible to travel without, well, travelling." And, on Earth Day 2020, NatGeo wonders "Is virtual travel here to stay, even after the pandemic subsides?"
Gamers have been visiting virtual worlds and enjoying virtual realities for years. Online games even have real-time interactions with players from all over the world. But, as beautifully rendered and interactive as these gaming worlds are, they fall short of what one experiences in travel. Enter Virtual Reality headsets and apps. Still clearly not the real thing, VR travel, according to those who experience it, represents a step forward from the virtual gaming worlds and virtual tour sites.
VR travel apps can come in a couple of modes. One - similar to gaming - is for places and things you would never be able to visit and do. This is what Skinner writes about in his post for the BBC. He points to VR programs like Everest VR ("an hour-long recreation of an Everest climb – from incense ceremonies and kit run-throughs at Base Camp to crossing deep crevasses"), Blu ("swim with blue whales and entrancing blooms of jellyfish") and Mars 2030 ("drive a Mars Rover around 15 square miles of rocky Martian ochre"), Google's Expeditions app (VR tours of the International Space Station and the National Museum of Iraq) and BBC's Natural History Unit's "360-degree 3D videos including a solar eclipse from space and diving with giant manta rays in Mexico."
His colleague Lee Bacon, head of digital at the BBC’s Natural History Unit, notes “Even viewing nature digitally has been scientifically proven to help peoples’ mental wellbeing, which feels especially important right now." This is a good lead-in to a second mode of VR travel - to places that you might actually tour. After reminding us that for years "airlines, travel agencies, and tourism boards have used VR technology to market destinations to potential customers" NatGeo gives some examples where VR technology has been applied - Machu Picchu, the Galápagos Islands, the north coast of Vancouver, British Columbia - and some where it might be applied in the future, such as the cave paintings in the south of France, which are currently inaccessible to tourists. Lifewire's "7 Great Virtual Reality Travel Experiences" (link below right) include The Grand Canyon VR Experience, Realities ("VR travel app that allows users to explore scanned and modeled real-world environments...allowing for immersive rendering in virtual reality"), and VR Museum of Fine Art ("incredibly detailed scans of some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures").
Developments in the VR technology over the next several decades may get us to the point where virtual travel is almost like the real thing. For now, it is a substitute that cannot replace the serendipity, the total sense experience, and the reflective moments that travel provides.
Italy
Italy
POSTED MAY 4, 2020
The world's favorite tourist destination is still closed, but here are some great photos to get us ready for its reopening.
The world's favorite tourist destination is still closed, but here are some great photos to get us ready for its reopening.
Travel after coronavirus
Travel after coronavirus
POSTED MAY 18, 2020
International travel has come to a near standstill because of the coronavirus. The State Department has stopped processing all but emergency passport applications, and the Real ID requirements will be delayed until late 2021. The travel industry, airlines, and cruise lines have been devastated financially. When they do "come back," travel will be a very different experience. Until a vaccine is widely available and the virus contained, the changes to the way we travel will be radical. Besides the standard social distancing measures of face masks and six foot spacing, we may see flight attendants in full personal protective equipment, blood tests and sanitizer spray-downs before flights, robots cleaning airports, empty middle seats on planes, plexiglass separators on beaches, and operational changes from cruise and airlines to ensure that passengers are safe from the virus.
International travel has come to a near standstill because of the coronavirus. The State Department has stopped processing all but emergency passport applications, and the Real ID requirements will be delayed until late 2021. The travel industry, airlines, and cruise lines have been devastated financially. When they do "come back," travel will be a very different experience. Until a vaccine is widely available and the virus contained, the changes to the way we travel will be radical. Besides the standard social distancing measures of face masks and six foot spacing, we may see flight attendants in full personal protective equipment, blood tests and sanitizer spray-downs before flights, robots cleaning airports, empty middle seats on planes, plexiglass separators on beaches, and operational changes from cruise and airlines to ensure that passengers are safe from the virus.
BBC and Travel + Leisure magazine give their takes on future travel in links below left and right, respectively.
BBC and Travel + Leisure magazine give their takes on future travel in links below left and right, respectively.
Plans for reopening Europe for travel
Plans for reopening Europe for travel
POSTED JUNE 9, 2020
Europe is still in lockdown, but is slowly reopening. Some countries are making plans to allow international tourism again but in stages and with restrictions. Iceland, for example, is expected to open by June 15 but overseas visitors will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test and be declared negative to avoid a 14-day quarantine. Many other countries are even more restrictive. Germany is strictly prohibiting tourism at this time- they've even cancelled this year's Oktoberfest. Greece, on the other hand, plans a full return for tourists by July 1 - the country had a strict lockdown that’s believed to have prevented a severe COVID-19 outbreak, holding the deaths there to under 200. Below "The Points Guy" website provides the status of re-opening plans for European countries.
Europe is still in lockdown, but is slowly reopening. Some countries are making plans to allow international tourism again but in stages and with restrictions. Iceland, for example, is expected to open by June 15 but overseas visitors will be required to undergo a COVID-19 test and be declared negative to avoid a 14-day quarantine. Many other countries are even more restrictive. Germany is strictly prohibiting tourism at this time- they've even cancelled this year's Oktoberfest. Greece, on the other hand, plans a full return for tourists by July 1 - the country had a strict lockdown that’s believed to have prevented a severe COVID-19 outbreak, holding the deaths there to under 200. Below "The Points Guy" website provides the status of re-opening plans for European countries.
"Caveat viator": Before planning any travel in these times, consult local as well as State Department advisories.
"Caveat viator": Before planning any travel in these times, consult local as well as State Department advisories.
Best online virtual tours
Best online virtual tours
POSTED JUNE 24, 2020
It will be a while before international travel makes a comeback. In the meantime, here are links to a few of the best online virtual tours...
It will be a while before international travel makes a comeback. In the meantime, here are links to a few of the best online virtual tours...
WALKING TOUR OF THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA (~30 minutes)
WALKING TOUR OF THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA (~30 minutes)
Sit back and follow the videographer along a portion of the Great Wall. A YouTube video without commentary with some nice views of the nearby hills.
LONDON'S NATIONAL GALLERY
LONDON'S NATIONAL GALLERY
Take a virtual tour of 18 rooms at the National Gallery and get a closer look at over 300 paintings. Launched in 2011, this virtual tour is integrated with the collection information pages, so you can dive deeper into the paintings on view and learn more about the artists that painted them. It is one of three virtual tours that the National Gallery is offering.
You can also search the entire National Gallery collection of 2,600 paintings...includes key facts, a description of the painting, and options for downloading or purchase.
ICELAND
ICELAND
Panoramic views of hundreds of individual locations in Iceland and themed tours (e.g.. glaciers) visiting multiple locations
The world's most visited countries
The world's most visited countries
POSTED JULY 10, 2020
Far & Wide presents a pre-Covid listing of the countries most visited by tourists.
Far & Wide presents a pre-Covid listing of the countries most visited by tourists.
Take a guess at what country comes in at #1?
Take a guess at what country comes in at #1?
Hint: it's not Italy or the United States.
Hint: it's not Italy or the United States.
Besides giving the visitor numbers for each country, Far & Wide has some great images and picks a "must see" destination for each.
Besides giving the visitor numbers for each country, Far & Wide has some great images and picks a "must see" destination for each.
East Coast Road Trips
East Coast Road Trips
POSTED AUGUST 8, 2020
The East Coast with its "vast number of states, four distinct seasons, and incredible range of cultures" is a great place to take a road trip. Conde Nast Traveler (link below left) and Planetware (link below right) have put together lists of top-rated East Coast road trips.
The East Coast with its "vast number of states, four distinct seasons, and incredible range of cultures" is a great place to take a road trip. Conde Nast Traveler (link below left) and Planetware (link below right) have put together lists of top-rated East Coast road trips.
Planetware offers six itineraries including a two-week "See New England at its Best" and a two-to-three week "East Coast Road Trip to The Parks." Conde Nast offers ten suggestions including Cape Cod and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Planetware offers six itineraries including a two-week "See New England at its Best" and a two-to-three week "East Coast Road Trip to The Parks." Conde Nast offers ten suggestions including Cape Cod and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Traveling during Covid presents some unique challenges - including the recent "quarantine" restrictions being put in place by some states. Travel + Leisure has some tips about planning a road trip during this time, including:
Traveling during Covid presents some unique challenges - including the recent "quarantine" restrictions being put in place by some states. Travel + Leisure has some tips about planning a road trip during this time, including:
Traveling with family and friends limits contact with others, and those travel companions are likely to be the same individuals you’ve quarantined with over the past few months. If any of your passengers have had outside contact, however, it may be advisable to wear masks inside the vehicle. As an aside, experts caution against wearing a mask when driving alone because of a potential reduction in oxygen and possible lightheadedness.
In the era of coronavirus, avoiding public transportation, crowded waiting areas, and strangers is considered a safer way to go. For overnight stops, plan ahead, so you can choose a property by price as well as by published cleanliness standards. Hotels listed on AAA's guide offer clean, comfortable stays.
Useful info from the web:
Useful info from the web:
Malta
Malta
POSTED SEP 7, 2020
Fifty miles south of Sicily lies the island nation of Malta, an archipelago consisting of three inhabited and two uninhabited islands. With a population of about 515,000 in an area of 122 sq mi, Malta is the world's tenth smallest country in area (122 sq mi) and fourth most densely populated sovereign country (pop. 515,000). Like Sicily, Malta lies at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. As a result, Maltese society has been molded by centuries of foreign rule by various powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and British. [1] Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.
Fifty miles south of Sicily lies the island nation of Malta, an archipelago consisting of three inhabited and two uninhabited islands. With a population of about 515,000 in an area of 122 sq mi, Malta is the world's tenth smallest country in area (122 sq mi) and fourth most densely populated sovereign country (pop. 515,000). Like Sicily, Malta lies at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia. As a result, Maltese society has been molded by centuries of foreign rule by various powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and British. [1] Malta has two official languages: Maltese and English.
Renowned for its awe-inspiring coastal scenery, its beautiful beaches with their pristine waters, and its UNESCO-listed archaeological sites, Malta is reached by ferry from ports in Sicily. Its typical Mediterranean weather provides mild winters, with daily highs in the low 60's, and hot, dry summers - from May through September typically there are just four days of rain.
Renowned for its awe-inspiring coastal scenery, its beautiful beaches with their pristine waters, and its UNESCO-listed archaeological sites, Malta is reached by ferry from ports in Sicily. Its typical Mediterranean weather provides mild winters, with daily highs in the low 60's, and hot, dry summers - from May through September typically there are just four days of rain.
Planetware (link below left) and Lonely Planet (link below right) fill us in on some of the unique facts and top attractions.
Planetware (link below left) and Lonely Planet (link below right) fill us in on some of the unique facts and top attractions.
Valletta is the elegant capital of the Republic of Malta. The Knights of Malta created a capital on par with other great European capitals. Valletta's regular grid plan and orderly public squares reveal the knights' logical 16th-century urban planning. This easily toured small city that is bounded by two harbors: the Grand Harbor and Marsamxett Harbor. The heart of the city is Saint John's Co-Cathedral, a 16th-century church with a lavish interior and opulent gilded decor.
The Blue Grotto is approached by a winding road on a cliff high above the Mediterranean Sea. The spectacular coastal scenery provides an exciting introduction to the nature site. The breathtaking seaside scenery and limestone caves here are a picture of pure serenity. The water shines a brilliant blue in the sun. According to mythology, the Blue Grotto was home to the sirens (sea nymphs), who captivated sailors with their charms.
Gozo Island is the most idyllic destination of the Maltese Islands. With its quiet towns and pristine beaches, this little island is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing vacation for several days or even a weeklong stay.
Malta and Gozo’s astounding prehistoric sites were constructed by sophisticated-seeming temple builders, who also left miniature figurines and mammoth sculptures of ‘fat ladies’, which have survived millennia and are housed in Malta's fascinating museums.
The prehistoric Hagar Qim Temples are on Malta's south coast in a commanding position on a rocky plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Island of Filfla. Dating between 3600 BC to 3200 BC, the ancient site was buried under mounds of earth until its discovery in 1839.
[1] Brittanica
The world's most beautiful bridges
The world's most beautiful bridges
POSTED OCT 4, 2020
An imaginary journey around the world by way of 8 of the world's most beautiful bridges.
Crossing Brooklyn Bridge
Crossing Brooklyn Bridge
Walt Whitman wrote "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" in 1856. Construction started on the Brooklyn Bridge, which traversed the same route as the ferry, in 1869. Whitman (1809-1892) lived to see the opening in 1883. It was the first fixed crossing over the East River. The first travelers across the bridge were much like the ferry passengers - pedestrians and some horseless carriages. Pedestrians and cyclists still use the bridge in great numbers, and not only in coming and going to work: "The Brooklyn Bridge is as much a destination as it is a passageway, with hordes of tourists, vendors, and street performers flocking to the iconic bridge daily." (Architectural Digest)
It avails not, neither time or place—distance avails not;
I am with you, you men and women of a generation, or ever so many generations hence;
Just as you look on the numberless masts of ships, and the thick-stem'd pipes of steamboats, I look'd.
I too many and many a time cross'd the river, the sun half an hour high;
I watched the Twelfth-month sea-gulls—I saw them high in the air, floating with motionless wings, oscillating their bodies,
I saw how the glistening yellow lit up parts of their bodies, and left the rest in strong shadow,
I saw the slow-wheeling circles, and the gradual edging toward the south.
- from "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry"
The bridge over the lagoon
The bridge over the lagoon
Next we take a trip to South America to stop by one of the continent's smallest countries, Uruguay. With a population of just over 3 million, Uruguay has made a name for itself in the world of international soccer. The Uruguay national football team has won two FIFA World Cup titles in addition to a record 15 Copa América titles, making them one of the most successful teams in South America. The national team won the first edition of the tournament in 1930, and won it again in 1950.
Rafael Viñoly, one of Uruguay's most famous architects, designed the circular Laguna Garzón Bridge. The coastal lagoon that it crosses is in an ecologically protected area of southern Uruguay's Maldonado region. In years' past, the only way to get across the lagoon and venture along the ocean shore was via rafts. In 2015, this 663-foot ring road bridge opened, consisting of two semi-circular one-way sections that form a kind of lagoon within a lagoon. It has dedicated pedestrain lanes running along both the inner and outer part of the circle, allowing for some fantastic sightseeing.
The world's highest bridge
The world's highest bridge
Now, over to Europe to cross the world's highest bridge - the Millau Viaduct in southern France on the freeway from Paris to Montpelier. Completed in 2004, standing 270 meters over the Tarn River and more than 340 meters in height at the top of its highest mast, it is slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower. A cable-stayed road bridge, the Millau Viaduct Bridge was designed by engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster.
Two bridges steeped in history
Two bridges steeped in history
From France, we travel to Venice and Prague to cross the two oldest bridges on our journey - the Ponte di Rialto and the Charles Bridge.
"The Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) is the true heart of Venice. The current structure was built in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century. It remained the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854. The Rialto Bridge's 7.5-meter (24-foot) arch was designed to allow passage of galleys, and the massive structure was built on some 12,000 wooden pilings that still support the bridge more than 400 years later. The architect, Antonio da Ponte ("Anthony of the Bridge," appropriately enough), competed against such eminent designers as Michelangelo and Palladio for the contract." (Europe for Visitors)
The Charles Bridge is an historic bridge that crosses the Vltava (Moldau) river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century. Throughout its history, Charles Bridge has suffered several disasters and witnessed many historic events. Czech legend has it that construction began on Charles Bridge at 5:31am on 9 July 1357 with the first stone being laid by Charles IV himself. A believer in numerology, Charles felt that this specific time, which formed a palindrome (1357 9, 7 5:31), was a numerical bridge, and would imbue Charles Bridge with additional strength.
A futuristic bridge in a planned city
A futuristic bridge in a planned city
From the beautiful old bridges of Europe we go to the stunningly futuristic Seri Wawasan Bridge in Malaysia. It is one of the main bridges in the planned city of Putrajaya, the federal administration center 30 kilometers south of the capital of Kuala Lumpur. Planned as a garden city and a "smart" city, 38% of Putrajaya's area is reserved for green spaces in which the natural landscape is enhanced. Completed in 2003, the Seri Wawasan Bridge spans 168 meters across the Putrajaya Lake in Malaysia. The six lane suspension bridge uses a combination of cable backstays and structural steel tie backs. It also has pedestrian and bicycle lanes.
A wind and rain bridge
A wind and rain bridge
From Malaysia we travel north to China to visit the Chengyang “Wind and Rain” Bridge, one of the most famous and striking bridges in China. A wind and rain bridge is a covered corridor bridge with benches and pavilions to allow people to meet and rest shielded from the elements. The 211-foot bridge was constructed in 1916 to link local villages across the Linxi River and the wooden superstructure was built without the use of nails or rivets. In their place the workmen used tenons and dove-tailing for the many wooden pieces.
"Walking out onto the bridge, you can sit on the bench and appreciate the picturesque scenery. Looking far ahead, you will be intoxicated with what you see: the Linxi River meandering from the horizon; tea trees growing on the hills; local peasants working hard in the fields; and waterwheels turning, sending water cascading down the river." (Travel China Guide)
The bridge of the city by the bay
The bridge of the city by the bay
For our final leg, we cross the Pacific to the US west coast, where San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge welcomes us home. Crossing the strait of the Golden Gate from San Francisco's Presidio to the Marin headlands for 1.7 miles is the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. Once called "the bridge that couldn't be built," the span opened in 1937 after a four-year struggle against relentless winds, fog, rock and treacherous tides. Believed to be the most photographed bridge in the world, this landmark was named one of the seven civil engineering wonders of the United States by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994.
A final note: Bridge building is difficult and dangerous work. History.com reminds us of this by describing the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge during which eleven men died.
Construction commenced on January 5, 1933, with the excavation of 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt to establish the bridge’s 12-story-tall anchorages. The crew consisted of virtually anyone capable of withstanding the physical rigors of the job, as out-of-work cab drivers, farmers, clerks lined up for the chance to earn steady wages as ironworkers and cement mixers. The attempt to build what would be the first bridge support in the open ocean proved an immense challenge. As a 1,100-foot trestle extended off the San Francisco side, divers plunged to depths of 90 feet through strong currents to blast away rock and remove detonation debris. When the towers were completed in June 1935, the New Jersey-based John A. Roebling’s Sons Company was tapped to handle the on-site construction of the suspension cables. The Roebling engineers, who had also worked on the Brooklyn Bridge, had mastered a technique in which individual steel wires were banded together in spools and carried across the length of the bridge on spinning wheels. Given a year to complete the task, they instead finished in just over six months.
Images may be subject to copyright. Their inclusion is intended to be within the fair use doctrine of copyright law.
The wonders of Chile
The wonders of Chile
POSTED OCT 27, 2020
Chile, the long narrow nation on South America's Pacific Coast, is home to 4000 kilometers of coastline, world-class wineries, a lake district, the world's driest desert and an amazing array of natural wonders. From star-filled skies to otherworldly caves, Chile offers the traveler the adventure of a lifetime.
Chile, the long narrow nation on South America's Pacific Coast, is home to 4000 kilometers of coastline, world-class wineries, a lake district, the world's driest desert and an amazing array of natural wonders. From star-filled skies to otherworldly caves, Chile offers the traveler the adventure of a lifetime.
Atacama Desert
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert in northern Chile lies in the "rain shadow" of the Andes and is the driest desert in the world, averaging 1 mm rain per year with some locations never having recorded a rainfall. With its lack of precipitation, clear skies and low-to-zero light pollution, the desert is an astronomer's paradise. Home to more than 40% of the world's astronomical infrastructure, Chile has been called astronomy's world capital. (Photo below: Smithsonian Magazine)
Valle de la Luna
Valle de la Luna
Located in the middle of the Atacama Desert is the Valle de la Luna - known and named for its moonlike landscape of dunes, rugged mountains and distinctive rock formations. (Photo: Get Your Guide website)
The Wine Regions
The Wine Regions
Most of Chile’s wine is produced within just a few hours’ drive of the capital city of Santiago. Throughout the region, world-class vineyards offer wine tasting tours. The AFAR website describes the Colchagua Valley: "A lush region of valleys and rolling hills planted with roughly 50,000 acres of vines, where Mediterranean climes prevail, Chile’s Colchagua wine region unfolds roughly two hours south of Santiago, and has long served as a getaway for the city’s well-to-do—with the luxury lodging to match. Here, this new-world haven of immaculate vineyards, framed by forested mountains, has developed a stellar reputation in the wine world for its award-winning reds like cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot, malbec, and Chile's flagship varietal, carménère, as well as crisp whites like sauvignon blanc and chardonnay that are grown closer to the coast." Below: a vineyard in Colchagua Valley (National Geographic)
Beaches
Beaches
With 4000 kilometers of coast line and a Lake District, Chile has many beaches of incredible beauty. Below are two of the Chilean beaches on Culture Trip's Top 10 list.
Bahía Inglesa
Bahía Inglesa
"This place is perfect for people who want to relax, as well as those who want to engage in water sports, whether it’s sailing, surfing, windsurfing or kayaking. Once you’ve exhausted yourself, there’s no place more beautiful than here to bask in the sun on the shining white sand. " (Culture Trip)
Caleta Cóndor Beach
Caleta Cóndor Beach
"Hidden in the indigenous reserve of the Huilliche community is this extraordinarily beautiful beach, reached by trekking through the vast greenery. It’s usually deserted, and has a white sandy beach and azure waters; what more could you want?" (Culture Trip) Lonely Planet calls it "an impossibly gorgeous bay almost completely off the grid."
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is a 700 square mile national park with mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in southern Chilean Patagonia. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile has been a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve since 1978, known by locals as ‘El Fin del Mundo,’ or ‘the end of the world.’ There are 250 km (155 miles) of well-marked trails available to hike. Culture Trip has ten tips for hikers to help prepare before embarking on an adventure in this stunning park.
The Lake District
The Lake District
Temperate but rainy, Chile's Lake District, the "Switzerland of Chile", is famous for its spectacular scenery—deep blue mountain lakes, snow-capped volcanoes, and forests. It's also known as a spot for popular resorts, year-round recreation, and traditional folklore, handicrafts, and legends. "Chile's Lake District is aptly named. There are twelve major lakes in the district, with dozens more dotting the landscape. Between the lakes, there are rivers, waterfalls, forests, thermal hot springs, and the Andes, including six volcanos with Villarica being the highest at 9,341 feet and one of the most active volcanoes in Latin America." (Trip Savvy) Photo below: Etienne Jeanneret/Getty images
Two final adventures
Two final adventures
I'll close with two sights for those with even more adventurous spirits.
More than 2000 miles to the west of mainland Chile is Easter Island. In 1888, Chile annexed Easter Island, leasing much of the land for sheep raising. The Chilean government appointed a civilian governor for Easter Island in 1965, and the island's residents became full Chilean citizens. The island is renowned "for its nearly 900 giant stone statues that have been found in diverse locations around the island. Averaging 13 feet high, with a weight of 13 tons, these enormous stone busts–known as moai–were carved out of tuff (the light, porous rock formed by consolidated volcanic ash) and placed atop ceremonial stone platforms called ahus. It is still unknown precisely why these statues were constructed in such numbers and on such a scale, or how they were moved around the island." (history.com)
Cuevas de Marmol, the Marble Caves, are located in the Andes Mountains in the Patagonian region, bordering Lake General Carrera, a remote glacial lake that covers the border of Chile and Argentina. The lake was formed by a 6,000 year old calcium carbonate wave and its "cave wall is a reflection of the blue waters of the lake, which changes in intensity and color, depending on the water level and time of year. Impressively, the cave labyrinth is big enough for a small boat to slide into. Water has eroded marble to create cracks like cavities and marble caves. Located away from the highway, travelers can only access Cuevas de Marmol Cave by boat." (traveldigg.com)
Photo Below: Shutterstock/Bryan Busovicki
Below: one of numerous spectacular photos at traveldigg.com
New Zealand
New Zealand
POSTED NOVEMBER 8, 2020
Before its annexation by Great Britain in 1840, New Zealand was the largest country in Polynesia, a triangular area in the east-central Pacific Ocean comprising over 10,000 islands and extending from the Hawaiian Islands in the north to New Zealand in the southwest and Easter Island in the southeast. An independent nation since 1947, New Zealand has two main islands and several smaller ones. Its isolated location (1000 miles from Australia, its nearest neighbor) has given rise to unique vegetation and animal life - including the long-beaked flightless bird, the kiwi, the oft-used nickname for New Zealanders.
Before its annexation by Great Britain in 1840, New Zealand was the largest country in Polynesia, a triangular area in the east-central Pacific Ocean comprising over 10,000 islands and extending from the Hawaiian Islands in the north to New Zealand in the southwest and Easter Island in the southeast. An independent nation since 1947, New Zealand has two main islands and several smaller ones. Its isolated location (1000 miles from Australia, its nearest neighbor) has given rise to unique vegetation and animal life - including the long-beaked flightless bird, the kiwi, the oft-used nickname for New Zealanders.
The Bay of Islands on North Island contains 144 islands, many secluded bays and some great sandy beaches. This beautiful bay has an abundance of marine life including whales, penguins, dolphins and marlin. (Touropia)
Among the most accessible glaciers in the world, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers on South Island flow from some of the highest peaks in the Southern Alps to near sea level, where the gentle coastal climate makes it easy for visitors to explore them on foot. (Planetware)
Touropia (link below left) calls New Zealand an "otherworldly, photogenic and friendly country" which is "home to dense native forests, mountains, beaches, glaciers, thermal regions and fiords that have been well-preserved by the environmentally-conscious government and culture. New Zealand is a place where traditional Maori culture mixes with modernity in cosmopolitan cities, charming villages and vast expanses of untouched wilderness."
Touropia (link below left) calls New Zealand an "otherworldly, photogenic and friendly country" which is "home to dense native forests, mountains, beaches, glaciers, thermal regions and fiords that have been well-preserved by the environmentally-conscious government and culture. New Zealand is a place where traditional Maori culture mixes with modernity in cosmopolitan cities, charming villages and vast expanses of untouched wilderness."
Planetware (link below right) offers its own top tourist sites list and notes that "New Zealand is a breeze to travel around. Self-drive vacations are popular, and the country's diverse accommodations range from quaint bed-and-breakfast inns and eco-lodges to some of the world's most luxurious hotels."
Planetware (link below right) offers its own top tourist sites list and notes that "New Zealand is a breeze to travel around. Self-drive vacations are popular, and the country's diverse accommodations range from quaint bed-and-breakfast inns and eco-lodges to some of the world's most luxurious hotels."
The Islands of the Eastern Atlantic
The Islands of the Eastern Atlantic
POSTED NOVEMBER 23, 2020
Stories of islands in the Atlantic Ocean had been reported since classical antiquity. Utopian tales of the Fortunate Isles (or Isles of the Blest) were sung by poets like Homer and Horace. Plato articulated the legend of Atlantis. Ancient writers like Plutarch, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy testified to the real existence of the Canary Islands. [1]
Stories of islands in the Atlantic Ocean had been reported since classical antiquity. Utopian tales of the Fortunate Isles (or Isles of the Blest) were sung by poets like Homer and Horace. Plato articulated the legend of Atlantis. Ancient writers like Plutarch, Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy testified to the real existence of the Canary Islands. [1]
Today, the Canary's, the Madeira's and the Azores are favorite travel destinations in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Stepping stones for the European explorations since the 15th century, their breathtaking landscapes, sun-drenched beaches and natural wonders from crater lakes to sand dunes to subtropical forests make them great locations both for cruise ship stops and for longer stays.
Today, the Canary's, the Madeira's and the Azores are favorite travel destinations in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Stepping stones for the European explorations since the 15th century, their breathtaking landscapes, sun-drenched beaches and natural wonders from crater lakes to sand dunes to subtropical forests make them great locations both for cruise ship stops and for longer stays.
Discovery and Re-Discovery
The eastern Atlantic islands began to appear on maps of the 14th century.
The Canary Islands were found by the Italian-led and Portuguese-backed expedition of 1341. Three caravels (two- or three-masted sailing ships) charted a course around all seven islands and took note of even the tiniest islets: the Canary Islands were more or less accurately, on the map. [2]
Although not quite described in the 1341 report, Madeira and the Azores might nonetheless have been seen from a distance on the expedition's return via a long sailing arc (volta do mar) from the Canary islands.
The Madeira Islands were "officially" discovered in 1419 Bartolomeu Perestrelo and João Gonçalves Zarco decided to explore what the bank of clouds they could see from Porto Santo Island was hiding.
The exact date of the re-discovery of the Azores is not clear, though historical accounts indicate that the islands of Santa Maria and São Miguel were the first to be discovered by navigator Diogo de Silves around 1427. [1]
A few of the stunning sights...
A few of the stunning sights...
The crater lake of Sete Cidades (Azores)
The crater lake of Sete Cidades (Azores)
Canary Island Sand Dunes
Canary Island Sand Dunes
The Glass Walkway Cabo Girao Madeira
The Glass Walkway Cabo Girao Madeira
Best of the islands
Best of the islands
There is much to see and do on these beautiful islands. Links to a few excellent websites are below.
There is much to see and do on these beautiful islands. Links to a few excellent websites are below.
A guide to where to go, when to go, what to do, how to get there and where to stay. The guide is updated daily.
References: [1] Wikipedia [2] Lonely Planet
Best Beaches
Best Beaches
POSTED DECEMBER 9, 2020
While we await the pandemic's end and the return of normalcy, we might as well start planning for our next beach vacation. What makes for a "best beach"? The answer is a resounding "It depends." It depends on what you want in a beach vacation - seclusion, beautiful scenery, family-friendly, relaxing, exciting, pink sand, black sand, sugar white sand, gentle surf, surfer's surf, nearby, exotic, snorkeling... The options are endless, and the mostly subjective "best beach" lists seldom agree.
Here are links to three recent "best beach lists" - Harper's Bazaar, Trip Advisor's Traveler's Choice, and US News Travel. They give 70 unique recommendations.
Several beaches made it to more than one list. Below are images of a few of these.
Note: Images may be subject to copyright.
Railay Beach Thailand
Railay Beach Thailand
"Railay Beach is located in Thailand's Krabi province and abuts the Andaman Sea. The region is composed of four main beaches and is home to pillowy sand, crystal-clear water, staggering cliffs and lush jungles." - US News Travel
Maho Bay Beach, St. John Island U.S.V.I
Maho Bay Beach, St. John Island U.S.V.I
“Beautiful beach with clear water. Swam with a sea turtle and came ashore to sunbathe with an iguana.” - Trip Advisor review
Baio de Sancho, Brazil
Baio de Sancho, Brazil
"Located 200 miles off Brazil's coast on Fernando de Noronha island, Baia do Sancho is only accessible via boat or by hiking down a narrow staircase from surrounding cliffs making it secluded and virtually untouched." - Harper's Bazaar
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Sicily
Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Sicily
“...if you’re looking for a beautiful, small beach with no waves, warm crystal clear water, fish, soft white sand and a ton of sun on a small, friendly Italian island, THIS is the place!" - Trip Advisor review
Winter Wonderlands
Winter Wonderlands
POSTED DECEMBER 19, 2020
McAdenville North Carolina
McAdenville North Carolina
20 minutes outside Charlotte, McAdenville changes its name to Christmas Town, USA for December.
photo: Steve Rankin
Gornergrat, Switzerland
Gornergrat, Switzerland
Gornergrat railway station with the peak of the Matterhorn in the background
photo: backiee.com
Tromsø, Norway
Tromsø, Norway
The aurora borealis (Latin for "morning light coming from the north")
photo: Mu Yee Ting/Getty Images
Nuremburg, Germany
Nuremburg, Germany
The world-famous festival in Nuremburg is cancelled for the first time since WWII...Covid-19
photo: German Christmas
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