Search results for 'san francisco'

Yeeeeehaw!

Austin, Texas-    What can you say about a town that has a Nightclub sign stating: “3 Floors, 2 Patios, Fireplace, COME DRINK”, and another on a deserted parking lot wall proclaiming, “Music saved my Black-Hearted Soul”? The latter was adorned with a graphic of Joan Jett – she of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts fame (the maiden faire who starred in oh-so-many of my adolescent, late-night fantasies).

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is the most popular gateway to Japan, but in reality, it is not in Tokyo at all.  It is a 60-minute express train ride (80-90 minute bus ride) outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. If you are stuck by Narita Airport, because of a long flight connection, there is still lots to do.  Sakura City is a twenty-minute taxi or train ride (JR or Keisei lines) from Narita Airport.  Overflowing in history, it is renowned for its well restored former samurai residences and the National Museum of Japanese History, whose exhibits reveal the story of Japan from archaeological discoveries to modern times. From an artistic perspective, Sakura boasts two distinctive art museums: Sakura City Museum of Art and Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art.  The former was previously the Sakura City branch of Kawasaki Bank and its entrance way is a prefectural cultural property. It displays work by local artists from Sakura and Chiba's Boso Peninsula. The latter museum is heralded for its rich collection of European masters, including: Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Chagall, Picasso and Braque, as well as 20^th Century Japanese sensei, such as Korin Ogata. 

Want to combine luxury for both you and your pet? Bardessono in Yountville, California is the place for you and your best friend. In fact for the one-time pet cleaning fee of $150 you can have up to two pets stay with you in your room.

The taiko drums reverberated with deep, steady tones, as the monks on either side of the altar pounded them with consistent strokes of their long, wooden bachi (taiko drum sticks). We removed our shoes and found spaces to kneel amongst the other parishioners on the crimson carpet. It was morning outside, but the interior altar was dark and candlelit, with an array of large reflective and intricately decorated golden ornaments dangling from the ceiling. The taiko drumming monks continued, while other monks chanted and shook golden bells. The head priest, also chanting, added sticks to a fast growing fire that he had created as a symbol of peace and purification. The flames, that seemed to understand his esoteric commands, were part of a ritual that is intended to deliver the wishes of the people to Buddha. The pilgrims pray for safety, luck, and prosperity in their lives, and in conjunction with this, at the end of the ceremony, everyone brings his or her purse or satchel to the priest to be waved over the smoke. This supposedly enhances the future value of the bags' contents.

Explore Croatia and the countries of the Adriatic. This is a “must-see” region filled with ancient cities, medieval architecture, unique cultures, rolling hills and stunning coastal scenery.

Remember the beach during the 60’s & 70’s?Simple and  unhurried, colorful snack shacks, and a day of family fun. It’s all still here in Canada!

The ancient city of Jericho, or Tell es-Sultan, where you will learn about the perennial spring that supported this city for centuries and provided the much needed irrigation system for the land as well as to quench the thirst for travelers.

Cornwall, the westernmost tip of England is famed for its natural beauty, ancient tin mines, gorgeous beaches, beautifully rugged coastline and for perfecting what was arguably the world’s first fast-food delicacy – the Cornish pasty.

Lerner and Lowe captured the Magic of Ascot so brilliantly in the sequence for “My Fair Lady.” Cecil Beaton captured the Magic of the importance of Dress, Style, Fashion and Decorum for the Opening Day.  Beaton had a sea of "color" from black to white.  Reality is a rain bowed hue of every color on earth, blending and clashing in exuberant fashion. Gentlemen are required to be attired in Morning Dress - either pearl grey with matching hat, or Black coat, grey trousers and black hat. Military are uniformed and beribboned, ethnic dress is worn by some.

One of the world's most beautiful Cities, and one which seems to be in constant fear of just floating away on the flood tides.

This is such a beautiful place to visit. You can fall in love with the quiet and the breathtaking views of the deep blue sea. You can bring some exciting books to read while staring at the sea.  There is also an exciting nightlife here if that is what you desire.

The beauty of the southern Andes unfolds as you travel from Argentina to Chile, all the while enjoying the local wine and cuisine.

Did you ever get your kicks on Route 66? If you’re a Baby Boomer, you are bound to have traveled this iconic road at some point in your life. Taking summer vacations with your family in the car somewhere between Chicago and Los Angeles – this road, which first opened in 1926, started what we soon began to know as the summer road trip. Route 66 was one of the original highways in our U.S. system.

Venice is the most magical, mysterious city I’ve ever visited. It has to be in as close to in its original condition as any city in the world. It consists of a series of over 100 islands built upon centuries ago. It allows you to wander where you want without hearing the sound of any motorized vehicle. That’s right-no motorized vehicles. Think about it. 

Since ancient times, Korea has been famous for its ceramics. In fact, while many travelers visit Japan for its pottery, they often overlook the reality that Japanese ceramics, which spread north through Japan via its southern island of Kyushu, was actually “introduced” from Korea. Honestly, “introduced” is too mild a term. When the Japanese invaded Korea during the 16^th Century, they abducted the great Korean potters and forced them to work in Japan. One Korean potter taken to Japan at this time was referred as “the god of pottery.” Korea's great Ri Sam-pyeong, known in Japan as Kanegae Sampei, actually established the world famous pottery village in Arita, Japan, near Fukuoka City. Yi was originally from the Geum River Basin in Korea. As recently as 1990, a memorial was set up at the entrance to Donghaksa Buddhist Temple in Gongju, South Korea, with the inscription paid for by the people of Arita, Japan. 

Blondee tells us about great places to eat at scenic Lake Como in Italy.

Discover the striking landscapes and coastal wonders of Scandinavia as you travel through Sweden, Norway and Denmark. 

Susie and Beau have new friends in South Florida - Miss Roxie, a blond tea cup Yorkie and her long time companion Miss April Kirkwood. They are bringing new insights to the Pet Patrol.

MYKONOS – is just possibly THE most famous of all the Greek Islands. And a well-deserved honor - as well as being Party Central for the country...

One of the famed Cyclades Islands, Mykonos's fame and notoriety goes back hundreds of years. A war ground between so many differing factions, Mykonos reflects the grandeur of its history, as well as the excitement and modernity of being one of Europe's top tourist island destinations.

I have some German in my heritage so I love to visit authentic German restaurants wherever I may be. This is really fun to find this family history right in the town of Akeley.

The Badlands is leftover volcanic terrain, strange and beautiful, but most inhospitable. There’s hardly a living thing out here except rattlesnakes and prairie dogs. But it’s a wonderful place to tour and camp on your way to South Dakota’s Black Hills.

In August of 1950, two curious teenagers were hunting for Native American artifacts after they had finished their chores and noticed cold air rushing out of a tiny opening, which was causing leaves to rustle on a tree 15 feet away.  They dug their way in and discovered a magical world within, what is now Cub Run Cave.

America's East Coast Riviera, that's how locals feel about the Hamptons.Then again, there are locals, and locals.  The real locals are the people of Long Island who live in the Hamptons year around.  The other "locals" are rich owners and renters who inhabit from May till September.  New Yorkers, for some strange reason, have come to regard summer as that time between Memorial Day (third Monday in May), and Labor Day, first Monday in September.  So, every piece of action is crammed into three oh so short, super-revved up months of summer.

I’m no an adrenalin junky, take me anywhere near a bungee jump and I’ll run a mile. But I do enjoy skiing and should you fancy a change from Colorado, and if maybe you’ve ticked off America’s five best resorts like Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Snowbird and Alta in Utah, then Europe has so much to offer.

A couple of years back, I headed for Switzerland, the beautiful, landlocked country boarding France and Italy formed from 26 regions known as cantons. My base for the week was the scenic, yet little-known mountain-top town of Nendaz in the Canton of Valais.

Nendaz lies at the heart of a popular ski region which markets itself as The Four Valleys, and from here you can access 95 lifts, over 100 pistes and two snow parks designed specifically for burgeoning snowboarders.  

What’s even better is that skiing from Nendaz, compared to the de rigueur neighbouring resorts of Verbier and Lausanne, will come in at a fraction of the cost.