Search results for 'history'

Venezuela’s urban spirit can be discovered mainly from understanding Caracas, its capital city. Being the largest city in Venezuela, Caracas is known for being one of the most cosmopolitan and modern cities in South America. Nowhere else in the country will you find such an array of cultural activity, world-class museums or eclectic cuisine. Complementing these attractions is an agreeable sunny climate, often described as ‘eternal summer,’ and a natural exuberance that pleasantly contrasts with the urban fabric. 

The Chicago History Museum showcases the important events, people, and groups that have had an impact on the city’s character. It’s a great spot to get the feel of what makes Chicago special. You leave understanding why Chicago is a city of big ideas. 

Ireland is unique - traveling to just a city is not enough – I encourage you to explore the entire country!  It is an amazing and most beautiful place – full of traditions and legends.

Jerusalem is the sacred capital of Israel and one of several incredible biblical cities. Situated in the Judean Mountains, the city rests between the Mediterranean and Dead Sea. Jerusalem is divided into two cities, bringing together the best of both worlds. The new city is young and trendy while the old city thrives with history consisting of four diverse quarters: Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and holy to three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The beautiful architecture pays homage to ancient times, incorporating the very precious Jerusalem stone, a pale whitish-pink limestone. Buildings made with the Jerusalem stone are easily spotted and admired. 

The French Riviera explodes with famous cities, and places, restaurants and museums, choose one, choose them all. It's guaranteed you'll have an amazing time and come back again, and again, and again.

The Taj Mahal, temples and tigers – experience all the spice of India.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has a huge collection of the personal artifacts from almost all the Rock and Rollers you know and love. This includes the musical instruments, cars, vans, clothes, advertising, handwritten song lyrics, gold records, jewelry, and much, much more. 

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the third largest in the United Kingdom. It is situated on the River Clyde in the country's West Central Lowlands.  It won the UK’s City of Architecture & Design in 1999.

"When you're tired of London, you're tired of life," the great chronicler Dr. Johnson pronounced.

And I assure you, you can't be tired of London, a city more than 1,000 years old, it reflects its past, protects its past, and ceaselessly bounds towards its future.

Well, here's one for the guys and for the ladies who love their cars. The V8 Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany is located in the old former Stuttgart airport building near Meilenwerk, where classic cars are available for viewing or purchasing – this was the airport hangar from the 1920's. There is not much in the immediate vicinity, but it is right by the Autobahn and 10 minutes from town. The bottom line is to come to this location by car and  there is ample free parking at the hotel.

A visit to the Falls of the Ohio River evokes feelings of an ancient time. Three hundred and seventy-five million years ago it was a tropical sea! These falls are the only natural obstruction on the river between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s one of those places that make you think in terms of geologic time. You realize how short our time on Earth really is and yet how we all are connected to a past long ago. For Louisvillians, it is the reason we are here. People had to stop and portage around the falls. Many stayed to start businesses and families. 

Ah yes, it says Motel, not Hotel – remember those? This is one of the reasons I love visiting Cape Cod. I feel like that little girl in the back of the car with my pillow while Mom and Dad drove someplace wonderful for vacation. That's the feel throughout the Cape – be prepared to be transported back to the 60's – in a good way!

In our camp orientation package we were told not only of the activities and classes available at the camp, but also information about the attractions in the Marlboro vicinity. One of these attractions, Hogback Mountain, bore checking out, as the papers mentioned that it offered an incredible view.

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.

One of our great national treasures, Yellowstone National Park is wild and untamed place. And, as the Park Rangers are fond of telling tourists, this is also a place fraught with peril and danger. Wildlife in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, especially when spooked or provoked, and this element of risk adds an extra zing to your camping experience. 

In the heart of Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville is one of the largest Gingko trees in the state of Kentucky. On a recent visit, we wandered into its presence. All the leaves were a bright yellow. It was 2:00 in the afternoon on November 8^th so the light was hitting the tree at a sharp angle. The reflections off the surface of these usual shaped leaves filtered throughout the giant tree. This tree is the volume of a two-story house with about 3000 square feet. I was told that all Gingko trees shed their leaves on the same day. The gingko is a living fossil dating back 270 million years. The word Gingko is derived from the Japanese word ginkyo meaning “silver apricot”. The realization that this tree was 150 years old reminds us to think about all the history it had witnessed and that we are standing in a sacred place. 

If you are interested in a combination of Revolutionary and Civil War history, and are passing through rural Virginia, then Tappahannock, on the Rappahannock River is one of your destinations.  Being central to so many stories of America’s past, any road you take getting there will deepen your understanding of the ancestors we owe gratitude to for our modern way of life.  Throughout its history, the Rappahannock River has nurtured all of America’s inhabitants from Native Americans to native wildlife.

The Balearic Islands that lie to the east of mainland Spain often receive a bad press but, in many respects, it’s hard to know why.

Maybe it’s because of Ibiza’s infamy for being the late night party capital of Europe, or because areas of Menorca and Majorca (or more locally Mallorca) have sold their soul to high-rise package holiday firms catering for the ‘cheap and cheerful’ all-inclusive brigade.

But look deeper and, on the island of Majorca in particular, you will unearth many stunningly beautiful regions with graceful Moorish towns, marvellous beaches and sporting facilities that rival many of the world’s most exclusive resorts.

Avoiding all-night raves like the plague, I travelled to Palma, the historic capital city of Majorca which is the largest of the five Balearic Islands. A beautiful ancient fortified town, I arrived to play golf, try the tapas and taste some wonderful, locally produced red wines. I left, just longing for more.

Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world – from the many canals to world-famous museums, it should be at the top of the list for any traveler to Europe.  Its official name is Kingdom of the Netherlands which also has in control its overseas islands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.  Only the central part of the Netherlands is called “Holland.”

No trip to Germany would be complete without visiting the romantic city of Heidelberg. You should take 2-3 days and enjoy the sights. The nearest airport is Frankfurt which is about 45 miles away and well worth the side trip. Stop by the Rail Station or Tourist Information Office and purchase a Heidelberg Card. You can get a 2 day Pass for around 10 Euros which will include the Castle, 12 museums, public transportation, a walking tour of Old  Town, a City guide and additional discounts.

Steeped in history, Boston is the manifestation of America’s beginnings. It is also, albeit conversely, an allusion to its future. It is home to institutions on the cutting edge of technological and intellectual innovation. It is bursting at the seams with young, dynamic students from every corner of the globe – people who will one day lead the world. This unique mix of the charm of yesterday and the power of tomorrow is a delight to all who encounter The Bean. 

After visiting and making our purchases at the King Arthur Flour complex, Susie and I headed back south on I-91 to I-89 to head north toward Canada. Only a short way up the road we saw the signs that a Vermont Information Center was just ahead. We pulled into the rest stop so Susie and I could both answer the call of nature. We were amazed at what we found there.

Though Scotland and, more specifically, the Old Course at St Andrew’s lay claim to being the ‘home of links golf’ there are some who argue that the county of Kent, in the south east tip of England, boasts the widest variety of links golf to be found on the planet, let alone the British Isles.

The Kent region is known throughout Europe as the Garden of England for its rich history for growing fruit, vegetables and hops (for beer), but is now marketed to golfers as Kent’s Regal Golf Coast – and a right royal time you’ll have playing here.

Royal St George’s in Sandwich is, of course, world-famous for hosting The Open Championship on 14 occasions and lies immediately next to Prince’s Golf Club, another coastal gem of Kent.

Connoisseurs of links golf might contend, however, that the finest links of them all lies just two miles away in Deal where, even on a sunny day, Royal Cinque Ports offers one of the sternest tests of golf you are ever likely to find.

Your head starts singing on such mentions, and the first time you see Rome, you know you'll be back. Yes, of course, go to the Fontana di Trevi, and throw your coins in the fountain to guarantee your return. So many old traditions and customs, Rome is an amazing mix of the truly ancient mixed in with 21^st Century kids, technology, architecture - and it all works somehow.