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
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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
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
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
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
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
Finding history in East Texas
Nacogdoches, Texas is the oldest community in the state. Around 1700, the Spanish began establishing missions in and around Nacogdoches to have a presence in the area and to bring Christianity to Native Americans. Naturally when you visit this East Texas city you expect to find several historic attractions and you won’t be disappointed. Two homes open for tour are
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,”
Plan your family vacation now
If you are thinking about your upcoming summer vacation, try to find a destination offering natural beauty, history and lots of fun activities. When my children were young, we went all over the United States. Below are a few of my favorite places that cater to children, parents and grandparents all rolled into one. Williamsburg Williamsburg, the 18th century capital