Search results for 'history'

Join Collette on a journey through the beauty, history, and culture of Italy on the Rome and the Amalfi Coast tour. This tour is unique because it blends one of the world’s most iconic cities with the colorful and celebrated Italian coastline. Travelers can expect to marvel at Rome’s notable treasures during a panoramic tour featuring the Piazza Venezia, the Roman Forum, the Circus Maximus, the Colosseum and more. Then, explore the breathtaking scenery of the Amalfi Coast. 

Havana has been called a City of Porches. Located on the northern coast of the Big Island of Cuba, it is geographically on Latitude 23.14 North. This means the sun beats mercilessly upon its streets and squares. Why would any city be known for its’ porches?

Silk Road Treasure Tours is offering a series of two different educational group tours for 2015-2016.  These include: Following the Central Asia Silk Road (2015: June 2-19, July 10-27, August 14-31, September 18-October 4; 2016: June 2-19, August 4-21, September 15-October 2), and a Silk Road Study Tour to Uzbekistan (2015: June 3-12 and July 29-August 8; 2016: May 20-30, June 16-26, September 15-25).

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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. 

“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.”  

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 …

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.

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.

Here’s a great trivia question for you. What city is the Classic Car Capital of Canada? Give up? The answer is Chatham. Next question – what U.S. city is near Chatham? You guessed it – Detroit. So now I say, book a flight to Detroit, rent a car, drive 53 miles (don’t forget your passport) and book a room at the Retro Suites Hotel. 

Most of baby boomers are familiar with the history of Hong Kong, especially with the  July 1, 1997 new ruling principle for the Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. With this agreement, China allowed Hong Kong to remain autonomous, keeping their capitalist system and independent judiciary and rule of law – all separate from Mainland China's influence. Free trade and freedom of speech was to be tolerated though recently we have witness the students in the streets, objecting to the policy of China's approvals of politicians running for office in Hong Kong.

Discover the spirit of the American West when you travel to South Dakota. It’s a stunning area of the United States of America, and once you visit, you’ll understand why so many people flock here. 

If you travel west, take the Highway that’s the best… So go the lyrics of one of the most famous songs of bygone days. Well, that Highway, Route 66 really isn’t one of the most beautiful in the world. HIGHWAY 101, between San Francisco in the north, to Los Angeles in the south, is truly one of the world’s most scenic routes.

This is our summer for short regional trips. And we’ve found some delightful places quite close to home that are worthy of a visit.

 Newcastle (a city on the north bank of the River Tyne) and Gateshead (a town on the south bank) form a single, diverse and extremely vibrant world class destination united by seven bridges. Often overlooked as a destination, I recently traveled to this most amazing city which offers so much for the traveler who enjoys Roman architecture to Georgian masterpieces!  Come as we explore!

Set sail on a magnificent cruise that will take you to The Netherlands, Germany and France where you’ll drift by castles, fairytale landscapes, and quaint towns. Along the way, you’ll pause to experience the treasures that these two bodies of water offer.

Give my regards to Broadway, but let me stay on the Upper West Side! I try to find hotels for you in the Big Apple that won’t break the bank, and believe me, that’s hard to do. I have written about two other properties in New York City and now you can add this gem to your list.

It is a warm evening in Old Havana. You maybe had an early dinner, and are walking along the narrow streets of Old Havana, looking for one of the watering holes, to enjoy a refreshing Daiquiri, or Mojito, and listen to some live music played by a guitar trio… Or you are looking for a “paladar”, a private restaurant, for a late dinner, after a long day visiting museums or any other interesting place… 

You know it has to be close to Paradise, when one of America’s truly richest men at the time buys a part of Heaven on Earth and sets out to create Paradise.