Search results for 'chicago history museum'

Here’s a trivia question for you. What is the name and location of the last remaining hotel built and designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?

If you guessed the Historic Park Inn in Mason City, Iowa, you are correct! It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was opened to the public in 1910. The entire history of this hotel can be found on their website which is listed at the end of this article. It has recently undergone a $20 million renovation and is definitely worth making the trip to Iowa.

Glasgow, Scotland is a city rich in culture as described in my previous article featuring the top rated attractions when planning your trip. 

Today I wish to focus on perhaps the most influential and important museum in the world for those art lovers!  A trip to the Kelvingrove should remain top on your list along with the British Museum & the Louvre (Paris).  To be honest, I had not realized the wealth of collections ranging from the Impressionists to the famed Glasgow Boys who revolutionized Scottish painting – similar to the Pre-Raphaelites from the United Kingdom.  

This is the year of Diego and Frida.  A historic exhibition, with 70 of the most passionate works by these iconic Mexican artists, opened on March 15 at the Detroit Institute of Art.  On May 16, the first solo exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s work to be seen in New York City in 25 years will open at the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx.  The New York exhibition will be the first to focus exclusively on Kahlo's intense interest in the botanical world. The Detroit show is a wonderful introduction to Diego and Frida and their time spent in Detroit (1932-1933).  But there’s so much more …

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing”. This is the mantra of LEGO.  Yes, those famous LEGOs!  You probably played with them when you were a kid; then your kids played with them, and now, if you have grandchildren, they are playing with LEGOs too.  I love LEGOs. There is something so creative and personal about them. As Jorgen Vig Knundstop, Head of LEGO’s Corporate Management explained on YouTube: “There are many solutions to the same problem, and you have to imagine your own solution.”  

There is one road-trip so remote and obscure only the truly committed to getting lost have made the pilgrimage.  Yellowstone National Park provides a detailed planner (details here) for a wholesome family road trip across the heart of America, beginning in the backyard of the Wild West. All you have to do is pack the car. Start off the trip in the stunning South Dakota Badlands and end six days later in the majestic Yellowstone National Park located on the rustic northern corner of Wyoming on the boarder of Montana. And we know what you’re thinking: where the hell is South Dakota? That is precisely the point. 

Remember when… English food was considered abominable? Except for we English who loved it, didn’t know better, and it wasn’t until the advent of the early Chinese and Indian cafes that we knew any other cuisine or cooking.  But over the years, especially with the EU making crossing borders easy, the wonderful influx of young chefs from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, etc., has brought fine dining to an Art form in London and beyond.  Let’s take a look at some of the venerable restaurants in London, and it’s all about adapting tried and true establishments adapting to the “latest” trends

Experience the best of both worlds on this exciting cruise AND land tour! Enjoy the splendor of Holland and the Rhine Valley while relaxing on this picturesque waterway. Enjoy entertainment onboard and 3 meals daily, including unlimited wine and other beverages during lunch and dinner. Relax on the observation deck and watch the fairytale landscapes, vineyards, castles, and towns of Holland, Germany and France drift by. Explore Amsterdam, Cologne, Rudesheim, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle, Strasbourg and the open-air museum Zaanse Schans on included tours. Disembark your cruise and spend one night in lovely Strasbourg that features a fantastic farewell dinner in a historic restaurant in the heart of the city.

Join Ed "The Cuban Guy" as he shares the colorful culture, history and people of his native island. Cuba, here we come!

From the moment you land on an island, you feel it – the special uniqueness that belongs to Hawaii.  The islands are infused with the spirit of Aloha, and a heartfelt hospitality permeates the culture in this tropical paradise.  You’ll find the warmth of the people, the majestic beauty of the islands and the diverse experiences offer something for everyone.

Enjoy the best of London and Paris on an 8-day leisurely Collette tour! Two amazing cities. One tour. They’re incredibly iconic, and encompass a blend of historic spots and romantic sights. Discover the beauty and allure of both while checking out all of the top “must-see’s” that every visitor wants to experience. Your tour begins in London, a sophisticated metropolis featuring style, culture and history. Its bustling city streets are filled with colorful history, regal pageantry, beautiful gardens, celebrated monuments and grand theatres. Speaking of theaters, while there, you’ll enjoy a spectacular theatre performance, not to mention such iconic sights as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Big Ben. Then it’s on to Paris, “The City of Light”! When traveling there, you’ll cross the channel on the innovative high-speed Eurostar Train. Once there, experience the world-famous Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Champs-Elysées. These are just some of the amazing landmarks you will see while on a locally-guided tour. Paris is also known the world over as being a romantic city, and you’ll experience this firsthand when you dine at the Eiffel Tower and cruise the River Seine at night; romance, typified! Lastly, no trip to Paris would be complete without a thrilling dinner and cabaret show, and the Paradis Latin Cabaret is the best spot to make that happen.

There is a well-known saying, “Bagan is (the) spirit of (the) history of Myanmar” and to fully understand the importance and complexity of the Buddhist influence over Myanmar then you really should treat yourself to a hot air balloon flight over the ancient city of Bagan. Although not yet awarded a UNESCIO World Heritage listing, this area is home to the highest density of Buddhist architecture anywhere in the world and stretches across 42 square kilometers of the Irrawaddy plain. I had already spent two leisurely days exploring the area by electric moped, where I  was amazed by the craftsmanship of the builders dating back to the 11th and 13th centuries, however, I needed to experience a “birds eye view,” to really appreciate the historic and cultural wealth of this site.

History, culture, art and romance… just waiting to be discovered on this wonderful introduction to Italy, a country you are sure to fall in love with! You’ll embark on a Venetian adventure that includes St. Mark’s Square, the lively hub of the city's activity and events. Be whisked by high-speed train from Venice to Florence where you’ll see all the highlights of this amazing cultural hot spot. Enjoy a wine tasting and lunch set in the serene Tuscan countryside.  This is truly a wonderful journey across Italy, which encompasses the incredible sights and mouth watering food and drink; a once-in-a-lifetime excursion that will leave you with a heart full of memories.

To celebrate the 100^th birthday of Tennessee’s Statehood, Nashville built the 1897 Centennial and International Exposition. Many states and major industries built exhibits for the celebration. A full-scale replica of the Parthenon was the centerpiece and is the only remaining building. It sits in what is Nashville’s premiere urban park. It makes for a great afternoon walk, picnic, and time for reflection on the big thinkers and dreamers that made the Parthenon possible.

Immerse yourself in the magic of Myanmar. This fascinating country is home to endless natural beauty and impressive architecture. Its deep history is astounding, and its culture is captivating. Your tour begins in the quiet and colorful city of Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon. On your tour, you will spend 2 nights in Yangon, 1 night in Kalaw, 2 nights at the breathtaking Inle Lake, and then additional nights in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, and Bagan.

We recently spent the day in Jamestown, NY - the hometown of Lucille Ball. Our visit happened to be on Lucy’s birthday weekend, which is also the date for the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. 

From vibrant and history-filled Dublin, across rolling green hills to the dramatic coast, experience all of the charms of Ireland on this magical tour of the Emerald Isle. Live like royalty during an overnight stay on the grounds of a castle. Visit the new House of Waterford Crystal factory. See the Atlantic from the stunning 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Experience the world-famous beauty of the Ring of Kerry. Have coffee and scones at a working farm. See beautiful Killarney from your seat on an Irish jaunting car. Journey to historic Blarney Castle, lean back and kiss its famous stone!

I recently flew from Louisville Kentucky (my home) to New York City.  As an advocate for special needs individuals I looked carefully at the 2 very different airports I was traveling through.

As a boomer I was blessed with my father having been in the Air Force and we lived in Spain (Torrejon AFB outside Madrid) when I was in High School  What a perfect age to be exposed to other countries and cultures!  

From Six Mile Lake Provincial Park 

To Oastler Lake Provincial Park, Parry Sound

Scenic route driving distance:  148  KM 

I woke up early and chilled.  It got good and cold overnight, and feeling chilly is what woke me up.  I think I should have used both sleeping bags…but when I fell asleep it was not that cool.  Since I was already awake I decided to get up. It was still dark!  

Join us on an incredible journey to a land of unparalleled beauty – Scandinavia. Explore Norway’s breathtaking fjord region. In Denmark’s bohemian capital city of Copenhagen, enjoy a leisurely cruise through historic canals. Discover why Copenhagen is dubbed the gastro capital of Scandinavia and experience the ‘New Nordic Cuisine Movement’ at a local restaurant inspired by its founder.” Embrace the tranquillity of the Swedish countryside at family-run manor house before traveling to the cosmopolitan capital of Stockholm. Toast the end of a fabulous adventure that brings together Scandinavia’s natural wonders, history and culture at Fem Små Hus, a 17th-century restaurant the captures the flavor of a bygone era.

No one has ever explained to me why the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end when I listen to a choir in full voice, but, what I do know is that it’s a ‘good to be alive’ feeling all the same.

So, imagine combining the resounding sounds of 70 choirs of all ages and many nationalities with the magisterial natural beauty of Cornwall, the UK’s westernmost county. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? 

So best book your flights and tickets and head for the 2015 Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, where style, history and culture come together in the second largest city in Spain. It is also the tenth most visited city in the world. With this in mind, where should we stay you ask? I know just the place and it will take you to a time you know well.

Whenever a trip is being planned, there are usually many “wishes” to be fulfilled. One thing for sure is the desire to taste the most fantastic food in the most luxurious settings. Of course, there is fabulous street food, but we’re all about making reservations, dressing up, and enjoying a dining experience for a true foodie!

We’ll journey to many great restaurants in these travels, but let’s start with a couple of my favorites, in my ultimately most favorite place – the French Riviera.  And, we’ll start at the top of a mountain. COLUMBE D’OR in St. Paul de Vence is arguably one of the most famous restaurants in the world. It has appeared in numerous movies, and attracts Royalty, Presidents, Movie stars, and the global uber-rich out for an amazing experience. 

For the past 90 years the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC has been teaching the lost art of folk crafts in the picturesque mountains of western North Carolina. If you can make it by hand, you can make it here!