THE ISLAND OF HAWAI’I MANY VISITORS NEVER SEE
The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden Photo: Adobe Stock TIME OFF Spend your entire vacation on the beach and you’ll miss some notable attractions, says our correspondent. MARILYN JONES While many visitors come to Hawai’i just to relax at the resorts, sit on the sand, and swim, there’s much more worth experiencing on the state’s so-called Big Island. Here are half
NEED A BREAK FROM CIVILIZATION? HEAD FOR THESE UTAH DESTINATIONS
Enter Utah’s Zion National Park just after daybreak and you’ll likely see the sun turn the rockface gold as it inches above the horizon. Massive cliff walls tower above the roadway as it folds back on itself, climbing the mountainside. There are many ways to explore Zion and Utah’s other national parks—Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches. You can
Native American History in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to more than 20,000 Native Americans and a rich culture and history waiting to be experienced by travelers. Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Park covers more than 1,200 acres and contains at least 15 Native American mounds, which were both burial and ceremonial in purpose. The park’s
National Heisey Glass Museum Showcases Decorative Arts
Heisey is beautiful art glass. Produced between 1896 through 1957, homemakers loved its versatility, affordable price, and elegance it brought to their tables and homes. Made exclusively in Newark, Ohio, a museum was built and recently expanded to showcase its history and the many product lines by the Heisey Collectors of America, Inc. (HCA). The museum is also in Newark.
Buffalo Gap and Texas Heritage
Just south of Abilene, Texas, is the town of Buffalo Gap. The sleepy little community of fewer than 500 residents has an exciting history, a living history museum, and a restaurant that served several U.S. presidents. Buffalo favored this gap in the Callahan Divide. As a result, it became a preferred place for Native Americans. U.S. soldiers, hide hunters, and cattlemen
Women’s History Month
Mississippi Honors Distinguished Woman
If Mississippi is on your travel itinerary, you might want to stop at locations honoring a few of the state’s remarkable women. Corinth’s first female pharmacist, Camille Borroum Mitchell, is a pioneer in a man’s field. She practiced pharmacy for 67 years and is the current owner and operator of Mississippi’s oldest drugstore in operation today, Borroum’s Drug Store. Founded in 1865 by
“Secret” Guidebooks offer more of destinations
Anyone who travels wants to see a city’s famous attractions. However, “Secret” guidebooks offer another perspective by showing visitors places many locals might not realize are in their community. Written by local experts, the guides help locals, visitors, and armchair travelers find the unusual and unfamiliar in several cities featured in the series. These Jonglez Publishing gems start where other guidebooks leave
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge lets your imagination soar
It’s been 30 years since I last visited Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. A lot stayed the same, and a lot changed. I particularly enjoyed Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Located on the edge of the galaxy, between the Unknown Regions and Wild Space, there is a long-forgotten planet named Batuu. Batuu’s largest village is a settlement known as Black Spire
Book Review: “Abandoned Churches”
I often look at an abandoned home or business and wonder what it was like when people lived or shopped there. Jonglez Publishing has an entire series dedicated to these mysteries created by talented writers and photographers. The latest in the series is “Abandoned Churches, Unclaimed Places of Worship,” a haunting look at places of worship left by its congregation. Was it
Christmas Market Food, fun, and finds
I was fortunate to take a Danube Viking River Cruise before 2020 and have great memories of the experience. I just read where Christmas markets, filled with treasure, great food, mulled wine, and the ever-important souvenir mugs, are also all over the United Kingdom. Manchester, England, for example, offers several markets in the city. This year’s main event is in Piccadilly Gardens.
Bermuda Museum is filled with fascinating finds
I love history. Whenever I have the opportunity to visit a museum, I take advantage and sign up. On a recent cruise in Bermuda with Viking Ocean Cruises, I visited the National Museum of Bermuda. The Museum offers a fascinating look at 500 years of local history and culture. It is displayed in military buildings on the extensive grounds of the
Sailing with Viking Cruises during COVID-19
I recently returned from an eight-day cruise in Bermuda with Viking Ocean Cruises. Combining Bermuda and Viking protocol, I felt very safe traveling during this pandemic. Before arriving in Bermuda, I had to be fully vaccinated, fill out a health survey, take a COVID-19 test four days before travel, and complete a Bermuda Travel Authorization Application one to three days before
Fine Dining on the High Seas
Part of the fun of cruising with Viking Ocean Cruises is trying all the restaurants offered onboard. The Chef’s Table on Viking Orion is a set menu of gourmet food with a creative presentation. One of two specialty restaurants on Viking Orion, The Chef’s Table, is open only for dinner. They offer a variety of five-course set menus, which rotate
Maya Art and Treasure featured in San Antonio Exhibit
A culturally rich and diverse exhibition fills the San Antonio calendar as summer folds into fall. Recently discovered Maya artworks are on display at the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) for the first time with Nature, Power, and Maya Royals. The exhibition is of 34 paintings and objects found by the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) researchers in
An Austin Oasis
My granddaughter Ainsley and I were visiting my son in Austin, Texas, and even though it was a hot summer day, the three of us decided to visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This facility has many facets, including conservation, research, and education; our goal was to enjoy the flowers and garden designs. The Wildflower Center was founded by Lady
Frontiers North Adventures launches sustainable vehicle technology
Have you ever wanted to see a polar bear or beluga whale? I’ve been fortunate enough to have been able to travel to Churchill, Manitoba, in the winter and summer months to see both. And, oh, what a thrill. Frontiers North Adventures offers year-round adventures in Churchill, known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World.” Since I traveled with Frontiers
Looking for adventure? Exodus Travels Delivers
Travelers looking for an adventure trip often have in mind the places they’d like to go, but planning and booking trips can be outside many people’s comfort zone, dealing with unfamiliar places, suppliers, and much more. But there’s help at the hands of specialists who know the ropes, and it may be a worthwhile choice even for people used to
Memphis Train station makes beautiful hotel
In Memphis, Tennessee, on a recent trip, I had an interesting experience: A luxurious hotel that for most of its life had been a major railroad station. When I arrived at the Central Station Hotel, Curio by Hilton, in Downtown Memphis I wasn’t yet exactly sure if this was still a train station along with a hotel, but what I
Travel with Confidence and Heart
I don’t know about you, but I am so ready to start traveling the world again. Almost every day, I read about new countries opening up and the requirements to enter because of coronavirus. For this reason, I appreciate the extra information always supplied by the professionals at Exodus Travels. Exodus is committed to the safety of all travelers, leaders,
North Carolina Museum of Art is a Raleigh Treasure
The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a sprawling complex of galleries, gardens, and an outdoor theater. It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. The Museum’s permanent collection began in 1947 when the North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $1 million to purchase works of art, making North Carolina the first state in the nation to
Exodus Travels partners with African Wildlife Foundation
It’s certainly something to celebrate when a renowned conservation group joins an award-winning travel company to promote African experience excellence. Exodus Travels has partnered with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the primary advocate for protecting wildlife and wildlands as an essential part of a modern and prosperous Africa. AWF, founded in 1961, focuses on Africa’s unique conservation needs, and Exodus
Welcome to Malaysia
There are many reasons to visit Malaysia: cultural attractions, beautiful beaches and islands to explore, colorful festivals, fantastic cuisine, and exotic animals, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and pygmy elephants. Another reason I can highly recommend Malasia is its warm, friendly, and approachable people. Also, almost everyone speaks English. Because of this, Malaysia is easy to navigate. The official religion is Islam.
Staying at the top
Whenever I see a magazine listing top hotels, I peruse the list to see if I have stayed at any of them. For Travel & Leisure’s 500 top hotels, the list was derived from the 2020 World’s Best Awards survey results. On this list, I found three hotels where I had stayed: one in Turkey and two in South Africa. In Istanbul,
Discovering Edinburgh
Old Town is where Edinburgh began: Edinburgh Castle to the west, the Palace of Holyroodhouse to the east, and the Royal Mile connecting the two. Edinburgh Castle, the twelfth-century stronghold and favored residence of Scotland’s kings and queens, towers over the city. Although archaeological evidence suggests the first settlers were Bronze Age around 1000 BC, the site had developed into
Exploring Martin Creek Lake State Park, Texas
One thing is for sure. Not being able to explore the world this past year, I got to know my own neighborhood, so to speak. My daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter live in the small East Texas community of Tatum. It’s a half-hour drive from my home in Henderson. Every time I travel along Route 43, I pass the sign for
Finding fun where you live
For many of us this year has meant staying close to home. As a travel writer, I decided to get to know the communities close to me while I had the opportunity. One I enjoyed exploring was my own—Henderson, Texas. I moved to Henderson more than 10 years ago after I retired from my fulltime writing position. I wanted to
What to get the Traveler on your Gift List
I bought an ornament for my Christmas tree that says “2020, the year I stayed home.” I’m sure many of you found yourself in the same situation as did your family and friends. Staying close to home This year, as I offer ideas for the traveler on your gift list, I certainly kept 2020 in mind with a positive
Gladewater: An East Texas Gem
Like many travel writers, I am staying close to home this year. Fortunately for me, many of the communities in East Texas have a lot of reasons to visit; many offering excellent museums and fun shopping. Case in point — Gladewater. Gladewater Museum I start my tour at the Gladewater Museum located in a 1939 Art Deco building used over
Appalachian Outreach helping West Virginia’s poor
John Denver sang a beautiful ode to West Virginia with his hit Take me Home Country Roads: “Country roads, take me home to the place I belong. West Virginia, Mountain Mama, take me home, country roads.” West Virginia is a naturally beautiful state with a rich and interesting history. Once part of the state of Virginia, tourists travel here to
Book Your Bubble Travel Collection
If you’re like me, you miss travel – big time! One solution is traveling with your family and friends that you’ve been quarantined with. So how are you going to manage this family/friend-only trip? One company addressing the situation is G Adventure. They recently introduced “Book Your Bubble Collection” private group travel. Let me interject here that I have traveled
Visiting America’s Rose Garden
This summer day I decide to take my five-year-old granddaughter Ainsley to the American Rose Society Public Gardens, located just west of Shreveport, Louisiana. It’s only an hour’s drive from our East Texas homes. Ahead of our visit I read that the gardens exist to promote the culture, preservation and appreciation of the rose, and to improve its standard of
The historic battle between Portugal and Spain
I have no idea of the significance a tiny Portuguese village has in the history of this nation when I arrive on a tour bus with a 35 other passengers. I am sailing on the Douro River with Viking River Cruises. This day the shore excursion includes a visit to Castelo Rodrigo, a tiny medieval walled village. A visit here
Gloucester Cathedral: a Monument English History
Located between the Cotswolds and Wales, Gloucester is a great place to stay when exploring this area of the United Kingdom. Don’t just use the city as your base though, make sure and take the time to explore it. With a lovely pedestrian center, Beatrix Potter museum, Gloucester Docks and Roman ruins, it is an interesting destination in and of
Book offers a vivid view of theaters past
Matt Lambros does it again with a beautiful new “abandoned” coffee table book: “After the Final Curtain, America’s Abandoned Theaters.” What I appreciate about Lambros’ abandoned theater book is he shows the reader the haunting beauty of the past – long before today’s multiplex. Shredded curtains, torn seats, weeping plaster and grimy statues fill Lambros’ photographs. In this book, he
“Abandoned Asylums” presents a vivid view of mental institution history
Abandoned Asylums is a haunting coffee table book. Talented photographer and author Matt Van der Velde, along with a forward by Carla Yanni, paints a picture of the approach to caring for the mentally ill and “feeble minded” over the past 200 years. Yanni explains mental institution evolution and subsequent fall from grace while Van der Velde details each featured
Live Virtual Walking Tours Offered
A new collection of ‘Virtual Travel Experiences’ designed to keep travelers inspired are being offered by G Adventure even though travelers can’t come together right now. The first tour was offered April 21, but more tours designed to keep travelers engaged are being offered. Live virtual small group tours are the first of their kind. This is as close as
Time stands still in Pérouges, France
In the distance a church tower comes into focus, then earth-colored stone walls. This is Pérouges, a medieval village overlooking the Ain River valley. And this is the sight travelers have witnessed for more than 700 years. Past the church and through the high gate, the village opens up. Houses line the cobble stone streets, passageways lead to alleys, gardens
PLAN NOW. VISIT LATER. Lake Erie Shores & Islands
Like everywhere in America and many parts of the world, popular attractions, restaurants and hotels have empty parking lots. Like ghost towns, they sit empty because of COVID-19, social distancing and shelter in place. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can, for some, go back to work and travel for business and pleasure. Now is the perfect
Oklahoma City Attractions offer online fun
Many Oklahoma City attractions and organizations have temporarily closed due to COVID-19, but they’re still posting special experiences online for you and your family to enjoy at home until you can visit them again. Oklahoma City Zoo The animals of the OKC Zoo are missing us as much as we’re missing them, but you can take a live virtual safari daily
Finding Manitoba’s Big Five
By Marilyn Jones The Tundra Buggy is slowly moving along a rutted road originally created in the 1940s by the Canadian and US military. We’re on the lookout for polar bears. It’s not cold. There’s no snow on the ground. In this remote area near Churchill, Manitoba, the bears spend the summer. Although they are not as easy to find
Dreaming of Kentucky? Go on a virtual vacation
The Kentucky Department of Tourism released 11-video mini-series to help you plan your next Kentucky vacation to the Bluegrass State. The videos highlight the state’s beautiful nature, fascinating stories and cherished traditions. Available videos include: Kentucky in Focus with Elia Locardi: In this six-part series, renowned travel photographer Elia Locardi guides tours of Kentucky’s most iconic sites in episodes exploring
National Tile Museum offers a look at Portugal’s storied past
Lisbon is known for decorative ceramic tiles. On houses and apartment buildings, shops and restaurants, churches and theaters; they are everywhere creating a distinctive sense of place. It is fun to walk through the city and see the grand murals and individual geometric masterpieces. For anyone interested in this historic art form, a visit to the National Tile Museum is
East Texas Animal Park offers education and fun
On a beautiful winter’s day recently I experienced a little bit of Africa and other exotic locations in the rolling hills of East Texas. My destination was Cherokee Trace Wild Animal Park, just east of Jacksonville, a 300-acre preserve and drive-thru safari. “The safari as it is today was started in 2003. It is still owned by the same family,”
EXPLORING CLASSIC GREECE
By Marilyn Jones Many visitors to Greece vacation only on its islands, but the mainland has its own appeal. It is a place of antediluvian history, mythology, legend, and lore. Start in Athens, which is regarded as the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilization. Named for the goddess Athena, this welcoming modern city is at least 5,000