RSS Feed (xml)
By Rick Steves
Since the events of September 11, 2001, and the ongoing war with Iraq, our media has been filled with reports of Americans feeling jittery about travel.
But the travelers I talk to seem unfazed. While mindful that war is serious business, they continue to pursue their travel plans. Maybe it's just the kind of travelers we're dealing with, but our guidebooks and tours have never sold better. The fact is that more than 12 million Americans go to Europe every year, and for the last several years, not a single one has been killed by terrorists.
Terrorism is not a new consideration for Americans heading to Europe. In the 1970s, we worried about Italy's Red Brigades, Basque separatists, and the Irish Republican Army. In the '90s, we feared widespread retaliation for the first round of American bombs dropped on Baghdad. Then there were threats to Americans by Muslim extremists. Now there's potential fallout from the war in Iraq.
Here are some thoughts on keeping the risk in perspective and traveling safely:
Don't plan your trip thinking you can slip over there and back while there's a lull in the action. It's in your interest, psychologically, to plan your trip assuming there will be a terrorist event somewhere in the world sometime between now and your departure date. It will be all over the news, and your loved ones will leap into action trying to get you to cancel your trip.
Your loved ones' hearts are in the right place, but your trip's too important for sensationalism and hysteria to get in the way. The fact remains (according to the US State Department) that of the 200 million overseas trips made by Americans in the last 10 years, fewer than 90 Americans were killed by terrorists while traveling abroad. While the Iraq war has likely increased the risk of terrorist attacks on Americans, I believe that risk is no greater for an American in Milan or Paris than at home in Miami or Pittsburgh.
It's human nature to feel anxious about some things, even when our brains tell us it's unfounded. I know that 30,000 commercial planes take off and land safely in the United States every day, and entire years go by without a single fatality in the US airline industry. Even so, I'm still edgy on take-off. After 9/11, I was nervous in a stadium filled with 50,000 potential terrorism victims. But the twinges of anxiety haven't kept me, or most other folks, at home.
While many travelers may feel fine about their physical safety, many grumble about airport security headaches. Europe, the acknowledged world leader in quality security, has been on "orange alert" since the 1980s. Be grateful for and patient with security procedures. I also expect a 30-minute delay for extra security when I leave and enter the US (for which I am thankful). I use the extra time to meditate on the thought, "How has America's place in our world changed...and why?"
If you want to worry about something, worry about this: Each year, more than 10,000 Americans are shot to death in the United States by handguns (compared to fewer than 400 in Britain, France, or Germany).
Meanwhile, as America continues to be at odds with most of our planet on everything from birth control to bad regimes to oil to the environment, some people will put their travel dreams on hold and decide to stay home. That's OK. I'm still bringing home TV shows that they can watch from the safety of their living room sofas.
Most of us would rather enjoy the fun and wonders of Europe firsthand. Travel is a springboard for experiencing the beauty of our world, and this is a great time to dive in.
ricksteves.com/plan/tips/unrest.htm
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
A Little Wine, A Little Shopping!
By: Ralph and Lahni DeAmicis
Spending a day in Napa and Sonoma is a delight, especially for adults, but even in wine country it’s not just about the wine, there’s shopping too! After all, due to the nature of alcohol, there is a limit to how much wine you can taste. Not only do you want to stop before you have a hard time climbing back into the car but also, the taste buds become saturated after a while so that unless you cleanse them with water and food, all of the wines start to taste the same. Of course, due to differences in physiology, some people will want to keep tasting new wines after others have reached their saturation point. To make sure that the trip is interesting to everybody, pick wineries later in the day that combine good wines and great gift shops. Here are some favorites and why.
When you come to wine country via the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a group of wineries on Route 121 just north of where you turn off of Route 37. Our best recommendation these days is the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Every day their gift shop gets more interesting. For the moment, the wine tasting is complimentary and the attached Olive Oil Company, where you can sample the flavored oils, has their own gift shop too making this stop a winning combination. Make it the first stop on the way into the valleys or the last stop on the way back to the city.
Just to the north of Jacuzzi is Cornerstone Place (look for the gigantic blue lawn chairs directly opposite the entrance to Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves). Cornerstone’s combination of unique stores, fascinating galleries, playful gardens, food and wine tasting is also a great way to start or end any tour.
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery: They have, without a doubt, the best winery gift shop in Sonoma. Because they have been around for so long (the winery started in 1906) people often relate them to their previous incarnation as a ‘jug wine’ producer, however today they make excellent wines that are a great value, in part because they own so many vineyards, and have for so long. For the moment, their wine tastings are also complimentary and people always come out smiling. The historic Plaza is just minutes away, which is a wonderful place for shopping, filled with a wide variety of galleries, tasting rooms, clothing stores and specialty items.
Leaving the Plaza, head north up the Valley of the Moon where there are several wineries that we think have especially great gift shops. B.R. Cohn Winery has a wonderful collection of items and their olive oils are as good as their excellent wines. A little farther up the valley is Imagery Estate Winery where many of their products are based on the original art that they commissioned for their wine bottle labels. Chateau St. Jean Winery devotes a large part of their main tasting room to their gift shop with branded products with a wine and food tilt. Just past them is Landmark Winery which has a charming gift area that includes a tribute to their John Deere family tractors.
When you go up the Napa Valley, there are some wineries that really shine gift-wise. In the heart of Rutherford, Rubicon Estate is the most elegant gift shop in Napa; stylish, unique, and accompanied by great wines, a charming espresso bar and graceful seating outside that can accommodate the whole family. Plumpjack Winery, which is just off the Oakville Crossroad, naturally offers great wines, but it also has one of the most charming gift shops, in part because it's so comfortably close to the tasting bar. At the base of the Silverado Trail, Darioush offers unusual gifts with a Persian flair in a spectacular building that shouldn’t be missed.
Many times, late in the day, we have dropped shoppers of at the north end of St. Helena, close to the restaurant called simply ‘Market’ to enjoy the nice variety of shops. We’ll catch up with them at the south end of town in the parking lot of Sunshine Market, a great place to pick up that sparkling water for the road. Thanks to the wonders of mobile phones, one segment of the party can go shopping while the others continue their wine tasting. Everyone is happy! There are a number of good wineries close to St. Helena including Beringer, St. Clement and Merryvale, all of which have very nice gift shops.
For non-winery shopping, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, just north of St. Helena, and Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in downtown Napa (next to the Oxbow Market) both have spectacular, cooking related gift shops. Of course there is always The Premium Outlet Mall in Napa (take the First Street exit on Route 29.) This is especially popular with international visitors who can reconnect with their old friends named Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne (just to name a few.)
One of the most important goals on a tour is to find places that everyone in the group is going to enjoy. We make it a habit to ask our clients about themselves, so that we can connect the dots in the best way. Our client’s safety, comfort and enjoyment are our main concerns, and sometimes the thing that makes the best accompaniment to a day of wine tasting is a fabulous new pair of shoes.
About the AuthorRalph & Lahni DeAmicis, authors of the book ‘Your Day in Wine Country, Touring the Wineries of Napa and Sonoma’, also run a custom tour service, Amicis Tours, based in downtown Sonoma and can often be found driving clients around Wine Country and introducing them to a wide variety of wineries in both Sonoma and Napa. Discover a wealth of Wine Country information or contact them to schedule a tour via their web site at...
http://www.YourDayInWineCountry.com
Spending a day in Napa and Sonoma is a delight, especially for adults, but even in wine country it’s not just about the wine, there’s shopping too! After all, due to the nature of alcohol, there is a limit to how much wine you can taste. Not only do you want to stop before you have a hard time climbing back into the car but also, the taste buds become saturated after a while so that unless you cleanse them with water and food, all of the wines start to taste the same. Of course, due to differences in physiology, some people will want to keep tasting new wines after others have reached their saturation point. To make sure that the trip is interesting to everybody, pick wineries later in the day that combine good wines and great gift shops. Here are some favorites and why.
When you come to wine country via the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a group of wineries on Route 121 just north of where you turn off of Route 37. Our best recommendation these days is the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards. Every day their gift shop gets more interesting. For the moment, the wine tasting is complimentary and the attached Olive Oil Company, where you can sample the flavored oils, has their own gift shop too making this stop a winning combination. Make it the first stop on the way into the valleys or the last stop on the way back to the city.
Just to the north of Jacuzzi is Cornerstone Place (look for the gigantic blue lawn chairs directly opposite the entrance to Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves). Cornerstone’s combination of unique stores, fascinating galleries, playful gardens, food and wine tasting is also a great way to start or end any tour.
Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery: They have, without a doubt, the best winery gift shop in Sonoma. Because they have been around for so long (the winery started in 1906) people often relate them to their previous incarnation as a ‘jug wine’ producer, however today they make excellent wines that are a great value, in part because they own so many vineyards, and have for so long. For the moment, their wine tastings are also complimentary and people always come out smiling. The historic Plaza is just minutes away, which is a wonderful place for shopping, filled with a wide variety of galleries, tasting rooms, clothing stores and specialty items.
Leaving the Plaza, head north up the Valley of the Moon where there are several wineries that we think have especially great gift shops. B.R. Cohn Winery has a wonderful collection of items and their olive oils are as good as their excellent wines. A little farther up the valley is Imagery Estate Winery where many of their products are based on the original art that they commissioned for their wine bottle labels. Chateau St. Jean Winery devotes a large part of their main tasting room to their gift shop with branded products with a wine and food tilt. Just past them is Landmark Winery which has a charming gift area that includes a tribute to their John Deere family tractors.
When you go up the Napa Valley, there are some wineries that really shine gift-wise. In the heart of Rutherford, Rubicon Estate is the most elegant gift shop in Napa; stylish, unique, and accompanied by great wines, a charming espresso bar and graceful seating outside that can accommodate the whole family. Plumpjack Winery, which is just off the Oakville Crossroad, naturally offers great wines, but it also has one of the most charming gift shops, in part because it's so comfortably close to the tasting bar. At the base of the Silverado Trail, Darioush offers unusual gifts with a Persian flair in a spectacular building that shouldn’t be missed.
Many times, late in the day, we have dropped shoppers of at the north end of St. Helena, close to the restaurant called simply ‘Market’ to enjoy the nice variety of shops. We’ll catch up with them at the south end of town in the parking lot of Sunshine Market, a great place to pick up that sparkling water for the road. Thanks to the wonders of mobile phones, one segment of the party can go shopping while the others continue their wine tasting. Everyone is happy! There are a number of good wineries close to St. Helena including Beringer, St. Clement and Merryvale, all of which have very nice gift shops.
For non-winery shopping, the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, just north of St. Helena, and Copia, The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in downtown Napa (next to the Oxbow Market) both have spectacular, cooking related gift shops. Of course there is always The Premium Outlet Mall in Napa (take the First Street exit on Route 29.) This is especially popular with international visitors who can reconnect with their old friends named Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Ann Taylor and Liz Claiborne (just to name a few.)
One of the most important goals on a tour is to find places that everyone in the group is going to enjoy. We make it a habit to ask our clients about themselves, so that we can connect the dots in the best way. Our client’s safety, comfort and enjoyment are our main concerns, and sometimes the thing that makes the best accompaniment to a day of wine tasting is a fabulous new pair of shoes.
About the AuthorRalph & Lahni DeAmicis, authors of the book ‘Your Day in Wine Country, Touring the Wineries of Napa and Sonoma’, also run a custom tour service, Amicis Tours, based in downtown Sonoma and can often be found driving clients around Wine Country and introducing them to a wide variety of wineries in both Sonoma and Napa. Discover a wealth of Wine Country information or contact them to schedule a tour via their web site at...
http://www.YourDayInWineCountry.com
Ten Trips for Women Who Wander
Ten Trips for Women Who Wander By Amanda Coggin
Article courtesy of Divine Caroline
I did the solo travel thing for two years—handed in my corporate badge, and replaced it with a traveler’s backpack. I wove my way around Asia, and at the time, I didn’t meet as many solo women travelers as I did men. When I returned from living overseas, I lived in a new state and traveled months out of the year with my boyfriend for two more years. So in my thirty-four years, according to one application on my Facebook profile, I’ve seen over 20 percent of the world, and for that I feel lucky.
I feel lucky and proud because women are out there exploring the world more than ever. Traveling women have guts, incredible chutzpah, a higher earning power to take the trips they desire (or the wherewithal to make them happen regardless of income), and a need to find themselves. Charting a new territory in the world is the side trip to discovering who we really want to be, because mostly the world will reflect that back on to us while we’re out there.
With my own need to have purpose in my travels from here on out, and not just wander aimlessly from bar to internet café to beach and back to bungalow, I did some research to find ten great trips to soothe the souls of all types of wandering women. Now, if I just had that six weeks vacation a year to actually take them …
Gutsy Woman: Unleashed Adventures
While in India, I used my left hand to wipe. I figured there was enough waste to go around, so I stopped buying toilet paper, dipped my left hand in a water bucket, and then washed it thoroughly. And yes, my family still speaks to me. My next gutsy trip will most definitely be to Africa. I have dreams of drumming in Mali, climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting Kenyan villages, and enjoying vanilla in Madagascar. I just hope I can do it all in one trip. Unleashed Adventures goes to India and Kenya, as well as Easter Island, taking a small group of other phenomenal women to go with you.
Active Woman: Surf Goddess Retreats While on a secret surfing beach on the coast of Mexico, I watched my boyfriend at the time get out and try his board with a perfect point break. I was proud of him, but secretly jealous while I shot photos of his shit-eating grin from the shore. I think if I were to try surfing, it would have to be with other women, and some yoga to make sure my muscles bounced back from my expected falls.
Spiritual Woman: Journeys of the Spirit The idea of having a spiritual quest while I journey abroad appeals to me. I like the way Journeys of the Spirit organize their trips offered, not only by region, but also by month, and with each trip connected to a spiritual quest. I think I’m about due for learning about forgiveness while in Bhutan.
Outdoorsy Woman: Adventures in Good Company This company offers it all: hiking, canoeing, sea kayaking, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, and horseback riding, and some include two activities to help travelers like me who can easily get bored if I’m not experiencing something new. With a wide age range of women, I’m thinking touring in Bulgaria and hiking in Slovenia might be next to get a flag on my personal travel map.
Creative Woman: Artista One of the best trips I gave myself was a course in Oaxaca on how to teach photography and writing to children with the renowned photographer, Wendy Ewald. My next art trip needs to include another art form, like oil painting in Spain or watercolor in France. Artista trips are more about the art making than the destination, but think of it as art school in a week and you’ll finally have something to hang on those barren walls.
Solo Woman: Just Us Girls Travel When I was in Asia, I wanted to travel alone, just not right away. Just Us Girls Travel is like online dating but the hunt is for the perfect travel mate. What an invaluable service for travelers like me who have an arm’s length list of must and must nots for a travel partner. MUST be laid back and MUST NOT shop the whole time.
Single Woman Looking: Bikini Boot Camp and Olivia I’ve never met anyone while doing crunches, but maybe that would be different if I wore my bikini while pumping on my abs as the sweat glistens off my torso with a backdrop of white sand and crystal blue water. I’ve met men in stranger ways. My gay male friends are always going on cruises, and they come back with wild stories and new boyfriends. Olivia, a travel company for lesbians, is celebrating thirty-five years with a cruise around the Caribbean with Margaret Cho comedy show and a kick-off concert with k.d. lang. Now that’s a cruise I would book, regardless of sexual orientation.
Adventure Woman: Patagonia Expedition My personal bucket list includes a visit to Patagonia before the glaciers melt into the sea. Through Extremely Patagonia, women can take trips sea kayaking, trekking, glacier climbing, mountaineering, and packrafting in the company of other adventure nuts.
Biker Woman: Hug the Curve Okay, so ever since my mother threw me on the back of her moped at the age of six with my own helmet, I’ve wanted my own motorcycle. I keep saying that I’ll get my license, and then I chicken out. But to ride the open road with a bunch of other Thelmas and Louises just might push me toward buying my hot leather jacket.
Philanthropic Woman: Cross-Cultural Solutions My best moments in travel usually include chatting with a local or giving back in some capacity. It led me to Mother Teresa’s orphanage for girls in Calcutta for a morning and to my volunteer job teaching English in the slums of Bangkok. With Cross-Cultural Solutions, you work with local people to help them achieve programs already in place in their community. Now that’s a trip that keeps on giving.
I’d like to do each of these trips in my lifetime, maybe one a year, so that by the time I’m retired and ready to be a full-time traveler, I’ll already have a good start on reaching 100 percent on my Facebook travel application!
DivineCaroline.com, a website where traveling women like you can read and contribute stories, reviews, and forums. Please visit our vibrant community soon.
Tangodiva.com
Article courtesy of Divine Caroline
I did the solo travel thing for two years—handed in my corporate badge, and replaced it with a traveler’s backpack. I wove my way around Asia, and at the time, I didn’t meet as many solo women travelers as I did men. When I returned from living overseas, I lived in a new state and traveled months out of the year with my boyfriend for two more years. So in my thirty-four years, according to one application on my Facebook profile, I’ve seen over 20 percent of the world, and for that I feel lucky.
I feel lucky and proud because women are out there exploring the world more than ever. Traveling women have guts, incredible chutzpah, a higher earning power to take the trips they desire (or the wherewithal to make them happen regardless of income), and a need to find themselves. Charting a new territory in the world is the side trip to discovering who we really want to be, because mostly the world will reflect that back on to us while we’re out there.
With my own need to have purpose in my travels from here on out, and not just wander aimlessly from bar to internet café to beach and back to bungalow, I did some research to find ten great trips to soothe the souls of all types of wandering women. Now, if I just had that six weeks vacation a year to actually take them …
Gutsy Woman: Unleashed Adventures
While in India, I used my left hand to wipe. I figured there was enough waste to go around, so I stopped buying toilet paper, dipped my left hand in a water bucket, and then washed it thoroughly. And yes, my family still speaks to me. My next gutsy trip will most definitely be to Africa. I have dreams of drumming in Mali, climbing Kilimanjaro, visiting Kenyan villages, and enjoying vanilla in Madagascar. I just hope I can do it all in one trip. Unleashed Adventures goes to India and Kenya, as well as Easter Island, taking a small group of other phenomenal women to go with you.
Active Woman: Surf Goddess Retreats While on a secret surfing beach on the coast of Mexico, I watched my boyfriend at the time get out and try his board with a perfect point break. I was proud of him, but secretly jealous while I shot photos of his shit-eating grin from the shore. I think if I were to try surfing, it would have to be with other women, and some yoga to make sure my muscles bounced back from my expected falls.
Spiritual Woman: Journeys of the Spirit The idea of having a spiritual quest while I journey abroad appeals to me. I like the way Journeys of the Spirit organize their trips offered, not only by region, but also by month, and with each trip connected to a spiritual quest. I think I’m about due for learning about forgiveness while in Bhutan.
Outdoorsy Woman: Adventures in Good Company This company offers it all: hiking, canoeing, sea kayaking, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, and horseback riding, and some include two activities to help travelers like me who can easily get bored if I’m not experiencing something new. With a wide age range of women, I’m thinking touring in Bulgaria and hiking in Slovenia might be next to get a flag on my personal travel map.
Creative Woman: Artista One of the best trips I gave myself was a course in Oaxaca on how to teach photography and writing to children with the renowned photographer, Wendy Ewald. My next art trip needs to include another art form, like oil painting in Spain or watercolor in France. Artista trips are more about the art making than the destination, but think of it as art school in a week and you’ll finally have something to hang on those barren walls.
Solo Woman: Just Us Girls Travel When I was in Asia, I wanted to travel alone, just not right away. Just Us Girls Travel is like online dating but the hunt is for the perfect travel mate. What an invaluable service for travelers like me who have an arm’s length list of must and must nots for a travel partner. MUST be laid back and MUST NOT shop the whole time.
Single Woman Looking: Bikini Boot Camp and Olivia I’ve never met anyone while doing crunches, but maybe that would be different if I wore my bikini while pumping on my abs as the sweat glistens off my torso with a backdrop of white sand and crystal blue water. I’ve met men in stranger ways. My gay male friends are always going on cruises, and they come back with wild stories and new boyfriends. Olivia, a travel company for lesbians, is celebrating thirty-five years with a cruise around the Caribbean with Margaret Cho comedy show and a kick-off concert with k.d. lang. Now that’s a cruise I would book, regardless of sexual orientation.
Adventure Woman: Patagonia Expedition My personal bucket list includes a visit to Patagonia before the glaciers melt into the sea. Through Extremely Patagonia, women can take trips sea kayaking, trekking, glacier climbing, mountaineering, and packrafting in the company of other adventure nuts.
Biker Woman: Hug the Curve Okay, so ever since my mother threw me on the back of her moped at the age of six with my own helmet, I’ve wanted my own motorcycle. I keep saying that I’ll get my license, and then I chicken out. But to ride the open road with a bunch of other Thelmas and Louises just might push me toward buying my hot leather jacket.
Philanthropic Woman: Cross-Cultural Solutions My best moments in travel usually include chatting with a local or giving back in some capacity. It led me to Mother Teresa’s orphanage for girls in Calcutta for a morning and to my volunteer job teaching English in the slums of Bangkok. With Cross-Cultural Solutions, you work with local people to help them achieve programs already in place in their community. Now that’s a trip that keeps on giving.
I’d like to do each of these trips in my lifetime, maybe one a year, so that by the time I’m retired and ready to be a full-time traveler, I’ll already have a good start on reaching 100 percent on my Facebook travel application!
DivineCaroline.com, a website where traveling women like you can read and contribute stories, reviews, and forums. Please visit our vibrant community soon.
Tangodiva.com
Dawn in the Big City
Dawn in the Big City; it starts with the flashing yellow light of the garbage truck as it screeches to a halt in front of our building; Followed by the roll of the garage door below, and the sound of garbage cans being rolled around, lifted, dumped, and rolled back out again. Down goes the door and off goes the truck in a roar up the street. Silence usually follows, then slowly, the busses start to pass, about every ten minutes, straining up the street, and the traffic of early morning commuters starts the pulsating whoosh of traffic. An occasional click of hard shoes on pavement, muted voices talking on cell phones, and, on Fridays, the jangle of keys and the metallic clang of coins being emptied from parking meters complete the sequence of the city as it starts a new day...
It is different on Molokai -
The buzzing of insects dies away and the trade winds become but a barely perceptible brush of air across your face as the dark night grows deep. Throughout the night, all that is heard is an occasional throaty chirp, chirp, chirp, in rapid succession, from a bird, or insect or other exotic creature, I am not sure; Then silence, or sometimes the sound of something rustling in the brush just outside the screened-in porch that is now the bedroom.
Perhaps it is Natasha, our (rather large) guard spider who lives in the high beams of the ceiling above us, doing a perimeter check.
The green-numeraled digital alarm clock in the room is about seven or eight feet from the bed, so with my unaided vision, is completely worthless, other than perhaps as a nightlight when stumbling around in the middle of the night. In any case, I have no artificial clues; I only have to listen as nature magically unfolds deep night into a new dawn.
It starts with the cocka-doodle-doo of the rooster, a mile or so distant. If I were to stick my face in the clock to check the time, it would always be right around 4:00 in the morning - the first call in the cycle of a Molokai dawn.
For awhile, it is just the rooster and his intermittent call, the night remains still and dark. How the rooster knows that it is time, I do not understand.
Slowly, the air starts to fill with one, two, three, then many bird calls as the dark sky lightens just a little, the surrounding forest silhouetted in a silvery gray. A soft breeze picks up off the ocean, another hint of the approaching sun, bringing with it the cool fragrance of blossoms and salty sea.
As the first rays of the rising sun break over the ocean horizon, the air is alive with sight and sound and color and fragrance.
The start of a new day on Molokai, bright with the expectation of spring...
It is different on Molokai -
The buzzing of insects dies away and the trade winds become but a barely perceptible brush of air across your face as the dark night grows deep. Throughout the night, all that is heard is an occasional throaty chirp, chirp, chirp, in rapid succession, from a bird, or insect or other exotic creature, I am not sure; Then silence, or sometimes the sound of something rustling in the brush just outside the screened-in porch that is now the bedroom.
Perhaps it is Natasha, our (rather large) guard spider who lives in the high beams of the ceiling above us, doing a perimeter check.
The green-numeraled digital alarm clock in the room is about seven or eight feet from the bed, so with my unaided vision, is completely worthless, other than perhaps as a nightlight when stumbling around in the middle of the night. In any case, I have no artificial clues; I only have to listen as nature magically unfolds deep night into a new dawn.
It starts with the cocka-doodle-doo of the rooster, a mile or so distant. If I were to stick my face in the clock to check the time, it would always be right around 4:00 in the morning - the first call in the cycle of a Molokai dawn.
For awhile, it is just the rooster and his intermittent call, the night remains still and dark. How the rooster knows that it is time, I do not understand.
Slowly, the air starts to fill with one, two, three, then many bird calls as the dark sky lightens just a little, the surrounding forest silhouetted in a silvery gray. A soft breeze picks up off the ocean, another hint of the approaching sun, bringing with it the cool fragrance of blossoms and salty sea.
As the first rays of the rising sun break over the ocean horizon, the air is alive with sight and sound and color and fragrance.
The start of a new day on Molokai, bright with the expectation of spring...
Secret Treasures of Central Florida
Orlando is one of the top tourism destinations in the world. It features Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. People come from every continent to take in these famous theme parks, and especially to meet Big Mickey.
But there is another Orlando, a city full of unexpected smaller attractions, that you might want to take in when you want something a little different or just a break from the crowds at Disney World.
Kissimmee Rodeo. No, that's not a misprint. The rodeos of the west have come to the south-east – and they are just as much fun. Try this for something different.
Inland manatees. People often forget that Florida is more than just one big theme park and the host to spring brake excess. It is also home to many natural wonders. Blue Spring State Park is tucked in between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Although it is an inland park, they have 153 manatees this season, more than ever before.
Private Villa Rentals. You don't have to crowd the family into a cheap motel room in the Orlando region. Nowhere in North America are there so many private villas for rent (vacation home rentals). Look also for rental villas in Orlando.
Mystery Dinner. Half way between Orlando and Disney World, it's no mystery why this show packs a full house. This is your chance to participate in a real murder mystery
Farm animal adventure. Every child loves to pet animals. No, it does not replace Walt Disney World, but it might make a nice little break in the middle of the Disney excitement, and it is just a short distance south of the Disney park.
Ahoy there, Captain. Not just the manatees have found their way inland. There are pirates in Orlando, and they offer an interactive family dinner spectacle.
Riverboat Cruise. It's not the Mississippi, but the "Rivership Romance" cruises along the St. Johns River, providing a first-hand connection with Florida's rich, natural heritage. Dining and dancing accompany the natural beauty.
A taste of Chicago. Don't be surprised if you wind up eating with a gangster or two. Or if the police burst in on your dinner to make a bust. This is a living tribute to the legendary Gangland Chicago, and you are invited to participate in the action.
It's a pity that these gems hide in the shadow of Planet Earth's biggest theme park . You won't want to miss Walt Disney World, but take some time out to see what others have missed. Your friends back home will be impressed.
But there is another Orlando, a city full of unexpected smaller attractions, that you might want to take in when you want something a little different or just a break from the crowds at Disney World.
Kissimmee Rodeo. No, that's not a misprint. The rodeos of the west have come to the south-east – and they are just as much fun. Try this for something different.
Inland manatees. People often forget that Florida is more than just one big theme park and the host to spring brake excess. It is also home to many natural wonders. Blue Spring State Park is tucked in between Orlando and Daytona Beach. Although it is an inland park, they have 153 manatees this season, more than ever before.
Private Villa Rentals. You don't have to crowd the family into a cheap motel room in the Orlando region. Nowhere in North America are there so many private villas for rent (vacation home rentals). Look also for rental villas in Orlando.
Mystery Dinner. Half way between Orlando and Disney World, it's no mystery why this show packs a full house. This is your chance to participate in a real murder mystery
Farm animal adventure. Every child loves to pet animals. No, it does not replace Walt Disney World, but it might make a nice little break in the middle of the Disney excitement, and it is just a short distance south of the Disney park.
Ahoy there, Captain. Not just the manatees have found their way inland. There are pirates in Orlando, and they offer an interactive family dinner spectacle.
Riverboat Cruise. It's not the Mississippi, but the "Rivership Romance" cruises along the St. Johns River, providing a first-hand connection with Florida's rich, natural heritage. Dining and dancing accompany the natural beauty.
A taste of Chicago. Don't be surprised if you wind up eating with a gangster or two. Or if the police burst in on your dinner to make a bust. This is a living tribute to the legendary Gangland Chicago, and you are invited to participate in the action.
It's a pity that these gems hide in the shadow of Planet Earth's biggest theme park . You won't want to miss Walt Disney World, but take some time out to see what others have missed. Your friends back home will be impressed.
Friday, August 29, 2008
California Beaches Become Smoke-Free
Smoking is already prohibited in public bars, restaurants and places or work throughout Los Angeles, but the city council recently voted to ban cigarettes from its beaches. Councillor Jack Weiss, the original sponsor of the bill, sees the ban as a step forward for the tourism industry. "Our beaches are our most precious natural resources and it's good for LA if the world knows [they] are cleaner and more smoke free than ever before.
The more people around the world know about how much we do to provide a clean and healthy beach environment, the more tourists will want to visit ...
The more people around the world know about how much we do to provide a clean and healthy beach environment, the more tourists will want to visit ...
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Women Traveling Alone. Why Not?
Kristy, aged 32, had recently separated from her partner and needed to "get away". All her previous travels had been with a friend and traveling solo was real "out of comfort zone" stuff. Kristy did her research and made some pleasant, surprising discoveries.
Her first pleasant discovery was that many travel organizations now no longer charge a single supplement. Out of a selection, she chose Intrepid because it provided the kind of travel experiences that suited her. I met Kristy on an Intrepid tour based in Lucca, Italy and she was having a ball. She discovered that as a single traveler, it is so much easier to make new friends. Her initial fears had disappeared and she joined in the activities, including Italian cooking classes, cycle rides through the Tuscan hills and winery tours, with enthusiasm.
I was surprised at the number of single women in the group. Most were in the age range between 23 and 50 and all expressed initial fears of traveling alone. Then they discovered 2 huge advantages.
The first was personal freedom and the second, independence. The simple pleasures of YOU deciding where to go, where to eat and where to shop, cannot be beaten. If you want to stop for a while to watch the setting sun change the snow on the Matterhorn from white to gold, you do! If you want to enjoy the peace and silence of St Mark's Square, Venice in the early hours of the morning, you do!
As a professional travel writer, I frequently travel with my wife, but often we travel alone. It allows me to explore and discover cities and attractions that interest me. My wife Ros, has travel interests of her own. I have a particular interest in rail travel and on a recent visit to England, traveled to York to explore the famous railway museum. She has no interest in "old trains", so she spent the day in London, visiting museums, galleries and, surprise, surprise, shopping!
TRAVEL TIPS.
Lonely Planet offers the following tips for women travelers:
Try to speak a few words of the local language.
Avoid flights that arrive late at night.
Explore the area where you are staying thoroughly by daylight. It's important to have your bearings and know any parts to avoid.
If you're taking a taxi, only use registered or government run ones. If you don't know which they are, go to one of the upmarket hotel chains and get the staff to call one. Ask them how much you should expect to pay.
Spend a bit extra on a hotel in a decent area. The streets will be safer at night and there will be more security in the hotel.
If you get unwanted attention from men, don't say you'll meet them later to try and get rid of them. They will turn up. Say "no" politely and firmly.
Wear a wedding ring and say you've got seven kids, if anyone asks. Yes, you shouldn't have to, but sometimes it's the easiest way to fend off advances. { Note from Graeme: If you're only 23, make it two kids, but the message is the same!}
Footnote: When our Intrepid tour finished, Kristy, full of confidence, was off on further adventures. She had purchased a Eurail pass before she left home and was planning to explore Italy, France and Switzerland {staying in Youth Hostels} before traveling on Eurostar to London, then flying home.
She was already planning future trips. Her parting words: "I love walking and plan next year to go to New Zealand to take the Milford Sound and fiord walk."
Article Source: http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com
Traveling alone? Worried about your health in a foreign country? In his latest book, "Your Life Fitness", experienced travel and health writer, Graeme Lanham, outlines all you need to know about travel health. Visit www.intrepidtravel.com
Her first pleasant discovery was that many travel organizations now no longer charge a single supplement. Out of a selection, she chose Intrepid because it provided the kind of travel experiences that suited her. I met Kristy on an Intrepid tour based in Lucca, Italy and she was having a ball. She discovered that as a single traveler, it is so much easier to make new friends. Her initial fears had disappeared and she joined in the activities, including Italian cooking classes, cycle rides through the Tuscan hills and winery tours, with enthusiasm.
I was surprised at the number of single women in the group. Most were in the age range between 23 and 50 and all expressed initial fears of traveling alone. Then they discovered 2 huge advantages.
The first was personal freedom and the second, independence. The simple pleasures of YOU deciding where to go, where to eat and where to shop, cannot be beaten. If you want to stop for a while to watch the setting sun change the snow on the Matterhorn from white to gold, you do! If you want to enjoy the peace and silence of St Mark's Square, Venice in the early hours of the morning, you do!
As a professional travel writer, I frequently travel with my wife, but often we travel alone. It allows me to explore and discover cities and attractions that interest me. My wife Ros, has travel interests of her own. I have a particular interest in rail travel and on a recent visit to England, traveled to York to explore the famous railway museum. She has no interest in "old trains", so she spent the day in London, visiting museums, galleries and, surprise, surprise, shopping!
TRAVEL TIPS.
Lonely Planet offers the following tips for women travelers:
Try to speak a few words of the local language.
Avoid flights that arrive late at night.
Explore the area where you are staying thoroughly by daylight. It's important to have your bearings and know any parts to avoid.
If you're taking a taxi, only use registered or government run ones. If you don't know which they are, go to one of the upmarket hotel chains and get the staff to call one. Ask them how much you should expect to pay.
Spend a bit extra on a hotel in a decent area. The streets will be safer at night and there will be more security in the hotel.
If you get unwanted attention from men, don't say you'll meet them later to try and get rid of them. They will turn up. Say "no" politely and firmly.
Wear a wedding ring and say you've got seven kids, if anyone asks. Yes, you shouldn't have to, but sometimes it's the easiest way to fend off advances. { Note from Graeme: If you're only 23, make it two kids, but the message is the same!}
Footnote: When our Intrepid tour finished, Kristy, full of confidence, was off on further adventures. She had purchased a Eurail pass before she left home and was planning to explore Italy, France and Switzerland {staying in Youth Hostels} before traveling on Eurostar to London, then flying home.
She was already planning future trips. Her parting words: "I love walking and plan next year to go to New Zealand to take the Milford Sound and fiord walk."
Article Source: http://www.travelarticlesexpress.com
Traveling alone? Worried about your health in a foreign country? In his latest book, "Your Life Fitness", experienced travel and health writer, Graeme Lanham, outlines all you need to know about travel health. Visit www.intrepidtravel.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)