Having emerged as one of Europe’s greatest destinations, Prague is attracting many visitors to its charming streets and interesting atmosphere each year.
Chock full of cathedrals, museums, church domes and bridges, the architecture in Prague is thought to be some of the best found in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why. The city has become a very popular destination in Central Europe, thanks to its wide range of activities and attractions.
In fact, the city centre of Prague has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city is now home to around 1.2 million people. The city is also largely considered a “walkable” destination, where visitors don’t have to rely too much on other forms of transportation. But as there is so much to see and do in Prague, visitors may want to take a longer stop in the city than originally planned. One of the most popular sites is Prague Castle, which rises above the city and is considered one of the biggest ancient castles in the world.
The city is divided into an Old Town and New Town, with plenty of interesting attractions on each side. The Old Town boasts a number of historic buildings including the Astronomical Clock, theTown Hall and the old Estate Theatre. The New Town is home to Wenceslas Square, which is a centre for many shops, stalls and restaurants. What’s more, the National Museum, parks and arcades can also be found on the New Town side of Prague.
Charles Bridge is also a draw in the city, as it stretches across the river and is considered one of Prague’s most beautiful attractions. The bridge is very busy during the day, where visitors can find tradesman and entertainment.
Those looking for a museum to learn more about the history of Prague and the Czech Republic won’t be disappointed: the Czech National Museum, Prague City Gallery and Czech Museum of Fine Arts are all located in Prague. And, if you are looking for something a little bit different then there are night boat tours, jazz theatres and performances to enjoy.
While Prague is considered an old destination, the city does boast many modern amenities. In addition to old architecture and accommodation, there are also a wide range of modern places to spend the night, such as serviced apartments Prague, for example.
As you can see, when on a trip to Prague there are opportunities to experience what the old and the new have to offer this historical city.
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Paul McIndoe writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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While many Colorado visitors enjoy the state’s Alpine skiing and other mountain activities, only a lucky few have discovered the area’s Wine tourism. And yet Colorado is home to over 70 wineries and the highest altitude vineyards in the U.S. Trips to this wine region are usually one or two day jaunts, and combine easily with any Colorado itinerary. It can be a welcome respite from skiing or mountain biking, a slower paced end to any frenetic trip. Most of the wineries are family friendly, so don’t be afraid to bring the kids. Like the rest of Colorado, wine country is fairly laid back and unstuffy.
A visit to wine country is an indulgence of the senses. Savor complex flavors at a spring barrel tasting. Smell the bouquet and aroma of a Colorado Pinot Noir. Taste fresh Palisade peaches or Colorado rack of lamb at a food and wine pairing. See historic Victorian towns at cherry blossom time. Stay at quaint boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. All of this can be enjoyed while surrounded by amazing scenery, ranging from red rock mesas to snow covered mountains.
Colorado’s fledgling wine industry has exploded in the last 20 years. The high desert farming town of Palisade witnessed both the birth and rebirth of the state’s vineyards.
The first recorded wine production in Colorado was 1899. It was Colorado Governor George A. Crawford, the founder of Grand Junction in 1881, who first saw the Grand Valley’s potential for grape production. Crawford planted 60 acres of wine grapes and other fruit on Rapid Creek above Palisade.
Places to Visit
Palisade to Grand Junction The wineries are clustered in the town of Palisade and on Orchard Mesa. After your tour, follow Interstate 70 along the Colorado River from Palisade to the foot of the spectacular Colorado National Monument just west of Grand Junction.
Delta, Montrose, Paonia & Hotchkiss Follow US 92 west along the Gunnison River. Turn north on US 65 and stop at the wineries along Surface Creek, on the south slope of Grand Mesa , the largest flattop mountain in the world. Or, travel along the North Fork of the Gunnison River on US 92 east out of Delta and then US 133. This will take you to Hotchkiss and Paonia, where you will find yourself in the West Elks AVA.
What to Do
Tour the wineries and sample the vintages in a casual atmosphere complemented by mountain or desert scenery. The free tours and tastings are laid back, informative and family friendly. Colorado’s Wine Country offers many complex reds and whites for serious wine lovers. Most of these little wine towns also tend orchards, so many wineries produce an assortment of fruit and dessert wines. There are a wide variety of sweet wines and blushes to satisfy even the most inveterate sweet tooth. Please note, not every vineyard offers a tasting room, while some open by appointment only.
Wine Tasting
Basics of Wine Tasting
- Horizontal tasting — lineup of wines made at the same place or from the same grape.
- Vertical tasting — compares different vintages of the same wine.
- Blind tastings— where the variety of grape and the vintage are concealed.
- Wine tastings range from light wines to dark.
- Tasting flight — Refers to a selection of wines, usually between three and eight glasses, but sometimes as many as fifty, presented for the purpose of sampling and comparison.
Don’t just drink wine; look, smell, taste, savor, learn and enjoy. Tasting wines is an adventure that will grow your appreciation for both wines and winemakers. Depending on the size of the winery, you may need to pay in hard cash. In theory, you can pay by credit card, but the option is usually unavailable. Colorado’s Wine Country is also home to many meaderies, microbreweries and hard liquor distillers.
Wine Tourism Offers Information on complete travel guides of world’s top wine destinations, wine tasting, wine
history.
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A Traveler Special Feature by Bev Isla
The sunlight dims behind our narrow red, white and blue paddle banca as the looming darkness ahead draws nearer. The smell of wet seaweed washes ashore from the ocean and the sounds of water dripping from amongst the cave ceiling surrounds us. The ambiance fills with curiosity as our group submerges into the unknown environment of the intertwining rocky tunnels within. At 8.2 kilometers, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines is the longest navigable underground river in the world. Nominated as one of the World’s Seven Wonders, this river flows underneath a magnificent limestone mountain landscape that exits directly into the South China Sea. However, this cave system only allow boat tours access to the first 4 km before turning back due to low rock ceilings. According to the guide, it was in 1971 that Americans first explored this cave.
As our banca with outriggers crawls further in, the only light available comes from one large flashlight held by the person sitting in front – in this case, me. I hold the flashlight and my camera with my foot resting on the boat’s edge. Perhaps having control of the light and my camera for evidence (just in case) would keep my restlessness down. Tour boats resemble that of narrow canoes but the side edges are close to the water’s surface level. How easy it looks for the boats to submerge in water. Our guide navigates from the back of the boat as other tour boats glide past going the opposite direction. Its a good sign to see them coming back with smiles.
The low light conditions makes photography difficult. However, limited light sources also prevent large mosquitos (larger than I’ve ever before seen) from becoming too much of a nuisance. The brownish green waters’ depth lies between 10 to 29 feet deep, depending on the tides. In fact, the lower portions of the river is subject to tidal influences. During high tide periods, parts of the cave is actually underwater. The highest point in the entire cave is a 65 ft tall domed amphitheater above ground level which is never underwater. Our guide recommends against swimming in the area as it is too dark and potentially hazardous – a suggestion I will definitely not test.
Above us parts of the rock ceilings boast hundreds of bats, too dark and too far up to see in detail. A few fly near the top but threaten no harm. The bats also do not react to the sound of loud voices. I discover this fact when I excitedly point out “ Look! Those are bats up there!” Their glowing eyes can be seen if you watch carefully. It can be a mesmerizing yet anxious and eerie moment to see creatures not common in city-life. As far as the guides are concerned, there are no crocodiles or sharks dwelling in the cave area. If there are other life forms living here, it probably would not be visible to visitors.
As the boat glices smoothly in the water, our guide describes the major rock formations passing by: “Just ahead to the right is a whitish smooth rock that resembles a woman.” Unique rock formations and boulders such as stalactites, stalagmites and large chambers align the cave walls. Sharp rock pillars also hang from overhead. The cave wall where rock meets water also exhibit marble-like material while others display a smooth lumpy texture. The flashlight holder must be quick at following the guides’ instructions of where to point in order for the shapes to be seen. Luckily, I heard no complaints from the back of our boat about my flashlight operations.
Smaller tunnel pathways and black hallow recesses lead deeper into the cave where visitors would have to duck should they choose to continue. It is at this point where our tour guide slows the canoe to turn around due to low ceilings, sharp twists and turns. To further proceed to the inner depths of the niches and tunnels before flowing out into the sea may require more skilled scuba divers. Although curiosity of the mystical environment beyond our turning point irk the group, the point of sunlight upon return bring about some relief.
Visitors can be assured lifejackets and hard hats are provided. Professional tour guides are very knowledgeable of the cave area and know exactly what and where everything is without the need for flashlights. Using mosquito repellent is recommended. The general registration fee to enter the park is 30 PHP (approx. $0.65 US). Visitors will need to obtain entry permits from the Park Information and Booking Office or Visitors Center at the Park itself. Cave entrance fees are 200 PHP (approx $4.25 US dollars) for individuals ages 21-60, 100 PHP for those ages 17-21, 75 PHP (approx. $2.13 US) for 13-16 year olds, and 50 PHP for 6-12 year olds. For those that want commercial videos, 3000 PHP (approx $63.00 US) is the fee. Hours of operation begin at 8:30 am with 4:30 accomodating the last tour due to tide influences.
Photo credits: Bev Isla and iStockPhoto
Information:
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the most unspoiled natural beauty of the Philippines. It boasts a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation as it contains some of the most important forests in Asia. Considered a National Geological Monument, the global significance of the park is also inscribed in the World Heritage list.
For more details, go to www.puerto-undergroundriver.com
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Office
No. 11 National Highway, Junction 1
Brgy. San Miguel, Puerto Princesa City 5300, Palawan, Philippines
Tel: (048) 433-2409
Email: reservation [at] puerto-undergroundriver.com
Getting there:
Bahile is 81 KM (2 hours) from Puerto Princesa. Jeepneys or aircon shuttle vans can be taken. After registering at the park entrance, a 15 min pumpboat ride or 1 and a half hour hike then leads you to the underground river.
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Most people experience New Zealand via a combination of a roundtrip flight and vehicle rental, driving around their destination to see the area. This is a most effective approach where flexibility is key and time isn’t a constraint. But to see a vast region like New Zealand in a limited timeframe, there is no easier nor more enjoyable method than combining road and rail.
One of the down sides of rail travel in New Zealand is it does not hit all of the tourist destinations, such as the Bay of Islands or Queenstown. But for those who arrive into Auckland and would like to relax while enjoying New Zealand’s North Island before jumping into a campervan and exploring the South Island, rail is the perfect mode of travel. New Zealand’s rail routes provide some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. The trip may include sightings of whales, dolphins, and seals, and will certainly include rugged rocks, mountains, ocean, riverbeds, farmland … breathtaking natural beauty everywhere. Be sure to remember your camera!
Rail stops on ‘The Overland Connection’ route from Auckland to Christchurch include Hamilton, National Park, Ohakune, Palmerston North, and Wellington in the North Island. The two islands are connected between Wellington and Picton via ferry, which is a great way to change up the scenery; the ride lasts about three hours. (Journey between the rail station and the ferry is included via free shuttle.) The ferries feature refreshments or full meals, a children’s play area, and plenty of deck space to enjoy the scenery and meet other travelers, amongst other amenities. The crossing includes about an hours voyage through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. Following the Interislander ferry crossing the train passes through Blenheim and Kaikoura before arriving in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island.
“Hop on, hop off” rail passes can be purchased via the publicly-owned Tranz Scenic rail network, so it is not necessary to pre-determine your schedule although that is an option; you can “take it as it comes” and decide on the cuff how long you’d like to spend in each destination. Trains are modern and comfortable with central heating and air conditioning and include a selection of meals, snacks, and beverages for sale. Peak season trains operate seven days a week from December through April (except Christmas Day) and off-peak run three days per week.
It is possible to take a train from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains westward to the alpine township of Arthurs Pass before descending through lush beech rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth, but that’s as far as the railway goes. So it makes much more sense to hire a campervan for this part of the journey as you can then push on down the West Coast and explore the magnificent Southern Alps and their glaciers at your leisure. The beautiful Haast Pass then takes you back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. From here you can go on to explore Fiordland (famous for the iconic Milford Sound), Southland, Stewart Island, and all the way up the east coast through Otago via Dunedin back to Christchurch.
However you decide to enjoy your New Zealand adventure it’s sure to be a memorable experience that will have you coming back for more!
Why not rent a campervan in Christchurch and tour New Zealand’s South Island for yourself? New Zealand has an extensive network of holiday parks in all major tourist centres, and in most towns, where you can park up your rental campervan while you go explore.
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A Traveler Special Feature by By Kat Sunlove and Layne Winklebleck
Costa Rica, a land of verdant rain forests and pristine beaches, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a prime retirement option for the tired-of-the-rat-race crowd. But as its popularity has soared so has its real estate, especially in those areas most favored by retirees, primarily the Guanacaste province in the northwestern prong of the country. Because of its notably drier climate, many ex-pats began buying land and building homes there some years back, when property was quite affordable, even bargain by U.S. standards. Now, a decade or more into the migration, it is hard to find a well-built 3-bedroom, 2-bath house in the Guanacaste region for under $400K. These days you can buy a mansion in California for that kind of money!
But if you head the other direction out of the capital of San Jose, east and south across the busy central plateau, past historical Cartago and Paraiso, only an hour and a half from the airport, you will find the Orosi Valley, an emerald jewel of hillside coffee plantations, traditional pueblos graced with historical churches, rushing rivers and vistas of banana trees and friendly Ticos (as locals call themselves), largely undiscovered by visitors or investors. My husband Layne and I have spent some time exploring Costa Rica in our search for the perfect retirement locale. We’ve decided the Orosi Valley may just be it!
As you head downhill on the well-paved highway from Paraiso, the view suddenly opens onto a lush tropical basin with the wild Aguacaliente River rushing through it, surrounded by slopes of deep green coffee fields, punctuated with an occasional brightly painted cinderblock house halfway up the slope. Located only 25 miles southeast of the capital of San Jose, the village of Orosi and other small towns perched on the rise of the fertile mountainsides all around beckon recession-weary Americans with affordable and unspoiled land, incredible views, abundant willing local workers and all the services required for a comfortable retirement or just a frugal tropical holiday. With year-round temperatures in the 70’s, Orosi Valley makes an attractive alternative to the humidity and heat of the tourist-weary beach towns.
Here in the eastern end of the central highland, land is still priced to suit a budget and local construction resources are top-notch. On a recent visit to Costa Rica, my husband and I befriended a tall, transplanted Texan contractor-cum-realtor who can sell you a quarter acre of view land for $25K and build you a gorgeous, seriously engineered 1600 sq. ft. home for about $70K. Gregarious Stephen Riley and his charming wife Nancy own Paradise Peak Realty in Orosi and after 15 years, the pair knows the area like locals. In an all-day real estate outing with Steve and our buyer’s agent Jean-Pierre Pfleger, we visited properties from the river-frontage parcels near Steve’s own 50-acre garden paradise through Sanchiri with it’s magnificent mirador, or lookout point, along the length of Lake Cachi, where sacks of crawfish can be had during the season for a pittance and on through the town of Cachi, one of many small communities that border the lake. We finished our tour in downtown Orosi where we viewed several Tico houses, including an attractive handicapped accessible home on the main street, featuring a central patio bursting with fruit trees. The whole town of Orosi, in fact, seems unusually wheelchair-friendly for a Central American nation, offering periodic metal crossing points over the mandatory rain gutter running between street and sidewalk.
We wondered how the deteriorating economic climate had affected property and construction costs in Orosi so we recently contacted Steve with those questions. According to him, the Valley economy is booming with new migrants from the U.S. and elsewhere coming at the rate of about two a month. He said construction costs had dropped slightly but so far, Orosi continues to enjoy a strong real estate market. Surrounded by tourist attractions such as Lankaster Gardens, home to hundreds of the orchid varieties native to Costa Rica and Tapanti National Park where hikers trek to visit 300-foot high Salto Falls and watch the abundant wildlife, Orosi is positioned for strong growth in coming years. Layne and I hope to be among those contented ex-pats nibbling on Steve’s fantastic Strawberry Cake and homemade brew at the monthly party he hosts for locals and transplants alike!
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Featured Article
By Cherie Thiessen
In the old days we knew it as Lord Jim Resort, a collection of chalets and cottages on a pretty part of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, picturesquely named Halfmoon Bay. We would drop in for a decent meal overlooking the sea, or sometimes we would sail there from Vancouver Island and tie up for a few days of R & R after the frequently adventurous Georgia Strait crossing in our 23’ Crown sailboat.
But that was then and this is now, and Lord Jim is now Rockwater Secret Cove Resort, the hottest romantic getaway on the coast, with 67 weddings on the books this year according to President, Kevin Toth. Toth, who was 17 years with the Fairmont Hotel Chain, is telling us how he was influenced by African Safari properties when he started looking at the resort and trying to decide what he could do with the undeveloped, gorgeous strip of oceanfront property to the left of the main buildings and marina. He wanted a development with a low environmental impact but it had to be classy, effective, and luxurious. He started thinking tents.
So we started looking and found a circus tent design we liked, then found a local tent manufacturer and explained what we were after. He delivered. Everything was built by hand, and when we started developing that section of the property we didn’t use any machinery. We had a goal to cut down as few trees as possible. Each tent site was personally inspected and chosen. We then put in 2400’ of boardwalk to link them all together.
Now if you’re thinking tents can’t possibly be luxurious or romantic, you don’t know the Serengeti. Or Okavango Delta. Start picturing luxurious carpets, marble floors, four posters, spacious bathrooms and every imaginable luxury.
But we were out to discover what a resort had to do to qualify as romantic. The 13 tent house suites spaced along a boardwalk connecting to the main lodge, and curling through the arbutus-studded canopy was inspired. It definitely qualified for an “R” rating. Oceanfront views accompanied by the sound of surf never do any harm either. The extensive, covered, and largely private decks with comfortable furnishings, which enable lovers to come out, cuddle up and get some fresh air are also a nice cozy touch. We checked off fine linens, the king sized bed facing the ocean, the fluffy bathrobes, the fireplace, shoji screen the radiant floor heating and the amazing hydro therapy tub for two that massaged with water jets while bombarding us with flashing colored lights. Well, that got three checks actually. Finally, we approved of the book selection, the tea and coffee makers and the mini refrigerator. The final check was when I opened the refrigerator and yes – there it was – a container of real cream instead of that plastic dried stuff.
So far this place was measuring up in every little detail. Even the fact that tents don’t hold in the heat too well didn’t harm this romantic survey in the least because if you’re snuggling up together, a little cold can be a good thing.
But we were still not finished. Another touch is the hand carved gongs at the pathway to every tent, located far enough away to keep visitors at a respectful distance until you’re ready for them.
So what else defines romantic? Wine, roses and oysters, no doubt. So we head to the intimate, dreamy dining room and find it warmly lit. Rockwater has lucked out in its chef, Ben Andrew, who tosses off dishes like West Coast Bouillabaisse, Pacific Albacore Tuna, seared, with crème fraiche, and crisp capers, or Qualicum Bay Scallop Ceviche with preserved lime and scallions. We consider ourselves crème brule experts, and his classic creation was the finest. The wine selections were extensive and we were happy to see a good selection of wines by the glass, something many restaurants still overlook. We had no intention of falling off the boardwalk when the night was still young.
And aren’t spas considered seductive? More checks then. The resort’s spa has had a special presence on the Sunshine Coast well before the tents wove their magic here. Clients have been able to walk along a boardwalk to a massage room without walls and enjoy a variety of relaxing treatments while listening to the gulls and the waves chasing each other just feet away. Now double that and make it a couple’s massage, and you have more accolades.
Was there anything where it lost points? Well, while walls have ears, tent walls have hearing aides – sound is magnified. We were too shy to put this to the test, but if you are worried, may I suggest you ask for the waterfront tents located closest to the sea down their own private staircase? There’s a good chance the melodious sea might cover whatever sounds of delight issue from your Arabian Nights’ paradise.
Finally, the icing on the bridal cake, really, is our discovery that Rockwater actually employs someone whose job description is an elopement coordinator!
It’s time to go. We knew it had to happen. It’s hard enough to kiss romance goodbye, but after thirty years of marriage, good food is even harder to leave behind. For us, as possibly for you, there was solace in knowing that Spence on the Coast wasn’t too far away. This enterprising gourmet chef, who also has his own TV show, has opened a popular restaurant in nearby Sechelt, so where is it written that you have to leave the Sunshine Coast today? You’ve come this far, take another night and visit Spence, and then if you’re not ready to say goodbye to these incredible ocean views, book yourself in at Peter and Norma Bond’s nearby Bed and Breakfast, At the Shore.
The older you (and your marriage) get, the more you come to realize that romance needs to be wooed. So, if it’s missing in your life these days, go on out, find it, experience it, and drag it home.
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The city of Manchester is perhaps best known for its versatile music scene, comprised of everything from indie rock to dance and house music. It’s no surprise as to why: with so many successful music artists either having emerged or gaining significant influence from Manchester, the city certainly has a great deal of talent to boast.
While it’s easy to associate Manchester’s cultural scene with its musical offerings, music isn’t the city’s only impressive artistic feature. The northern English city is also brimming with galleries, art exhibitions, museums and more, inviting locals and visitors alike to enjoy a range of the cultural splendours.
Among the city’s most popular museums and galleries are the Lowry, the People’s History Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, and the Manchester Art Gallery. Moreover, it’s simple to find out what’s on at any of Manchester’s museums and galleries with a simple search on the web or by visiting a tourist information centre.
The Manchester Art Gallery, for instance, is currently hosting an event – called ‘Ten Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the Royal Collection’ – which has been on since February 14, 2009 and runs until May 4, 2009. The exhibition, which is in celebration of the Prince of Wales’ 60th birthday, is said to be showcasing some of the Royal Collection’s finest pieces by the Renaissance master, Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519).
Visitors can view works ranging from a sketch of a human skull and profile drawings of various individuals, to a map and drawing of an arsenal. The Royal Collection contains the world’s most important drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, and the ten drawings are said to be among the collections greatest and rarest treasures. Most of the drawings have never been on permanent display due to their exceptionally delicate nature.
Those who are watching their wallets while travelling to Manchester needn’t worry. The exhibit at the Manchester Gallery is free, as are various other museums and galleries – so visitors can look forward to an enriching cultural experience minus all the money-spending. Moreover, visitors can find a range of relatively inexpensive hotels, enabling an all-over cost-conscious trip without a compromise on experience.
But regardless of the time of year you choose to take your flights to Manchester, you are sure to find an artistic offering that is of interest to you; whether it is at the Manchester Gallery or one of the many galleries available.
The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
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Amsterdam is an exciting and rather unique travel destination because it is a place that appeals to a wide variety of travelers. If you like culture and history then Amsterdam is a wonderful travel destination as you can visit attractions such as the Vincent van Gogh museum, the Anne Frank House and the Rijksmuseum. If you are on a stag or just looking for lots of fun then Amsterdam is also a great city to visit as you can visit one of the infamous Dutch coffee shops, the red light district or perhaps one of the spectacular dance clubs.
Millions of tourists from all over the world visit Amsterdam each year and many people just keep on coming back as they can’t seem to get enough of the Dutch capital. This article provides visitors with a great overview of some of the most popular tourist attractions of Amsterdam.
Anne Frank House
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who wrote a diary whilst hiding in the attic of a building in Amsterdam during the 2nd World War. She was captured and sent to a concentration camp together with her sister and father. Her father, Otto Frank, was the only one to have survived the camps. The diary was found and later published by her father and it became one of the most sold books in history. The Anne Frank House museum is located in the actual building in which Anne Frank hid during the war. If you are visiting Amsterdam with your children then be sure to take them to the Anne Frank house as it is an important part of world history. The opening hours vary depending on the time of year so please check in advance. Tickets for adults cost 8.50 Euro and tickets for children cost 4 Euro.
Van Gogh Museum
Vincent van Gogh is one of the most famous Dutch painters of all times. The Vincent van Gogh museum houses the largest collection of paintings and drawings by this Dutch master. There are over two hundred paintings at the Van Gogh Museum as well as nearly six hundred drawings and a large selection of personal artifacts. The Van Gogh Museum is located in the Amsterdam Museum Quarter and is located only a few minutes’ walk from the Rijksmuseum. This popular Amsterdam tourist attraction is open daily for visitors from 10:00 until 18:00.
Red Light District
The Netherlands is known as one of the most liberal countries in the world which is why it should come as no surprise that Amsterdam has a giant red light district which is filled with many coffee shops, erotic stores and ladies of ill repute. Nearly every tourist that visits Amsterdam will at some time go for a walk through this famous Amsterdam landmark. It is rather safe to walk there so please do not fear as it is just as any other part of Amsterdam.
James is travel consultant living on Phuket and is working on a number of projects. If you are looking for information about Phuket then be sure to visit his Phuket guide which includes an excellent section with Phuket apartment information.
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By P.K. Wink
Hawking, a hunting sport from distant antiquity with a history going back some 4000 years, is alive and well thanks to dedicated aficionados like Steve Robello and Mark Duval. These two local falconers periodically give public demonstrations sponsored by the American River Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing natural habitats where wildlife can flourish, at the Gold Discovery Park, located along historic Highway 49 in Coloma, Californa. No actual hunting went on during the recent lecture and demonstration since permitted hunting areas and legal seasons for hawking are tightly controlled by law. But the wide-ranging talk and exhibition stirred visions of old English barons hunting wild game with predator hawks, falcons and even eagles.
Raptors were a status symbol in ancient times dating from at least 1700 B.C., as shown on bas-relief in Assyria, continuing on through the 15th century. During their heyday, there were harsh penalties for disturbing nests or poaching falcons as the birds were quite valuable; such protective policies marked the beginning of modern-day rules on conservation. According to our lecturer, the advent of more efficient weaponry, i.e., firearms, in the 1400’s almost overnight ended the popularity of raptors and made their use as hunters less widespread.
Today there are some 3000 licensed falconers in the U.S. who have taken classes, undergone testing through state Fish and Game Departments, found a sponsor, completed a two-year Apprenticeship, upgraded to General level and after five years, finally achieved status as Masters. The conservation efforts of these experts have rescued species such as the Peregrine Falcon from endangered status.
As part of ongoing historical activities at Coloma, site of the 1848 gold discovery by James Marshall at Sutter’s Mill, the American River Conservancy offers a number of programs throughout the year. Living history events, sponsored by the Gold Discovery Park Association, occur around holidays and always on Gold Discovery Day, January 24th. The park museum was recently renovated and makes a worthwhile hour-long visit. Its vivid historical displays include an authentic stagecoach, period costumes, photographs and well-used gold mining tools. The adjacent gift shop offers gold jewelry, books, toys and period dress patterns.
Following the falconry lecture, two gleaming golden brown raptors were released into the sky as a highlight of the event. These were Harris Hawks, known as “wolves of the sky” because unlike most hawks that hunt in solitary, the Harris hunts in packs, working in tandem to capture their prey then sharing the kill.
Freed from their perches, away the two birds went, tethers dangling, flying low and banking purposefully one direction and the other, oblivious to legal hunting areas or seasons. They paused in nearby treetops, hungrily scanning the terrain for unwary ground squirrels or other appetizing morsels. The intimidating pair was lured back with treats of gory meat-bundles before they had a chance to snag any unsuspecting critters. In fact, we learned those sharp-toothed clawed critters could be hazardous for the hawks, who risk injury to their legs in attacking such well-armed prey. In open fields during legal hunting seasons, the birds prefer gentler fare of rabbit, duck, quail or grouse.
“Are they sort of pets? Do they like you?” someone asked Mark.
“Oh no,” he laughed. “If they could hold me down, they would eat me.”
Perhaps so and the caution was sufficient to restrain any effort at petting the beautiful, yet sinister-looking creatures. But the brief flight by these “wolves of the sky” was enough to make the pulse race and the breath quicken from the sheer primitive bloodlust of it. The thrill of watching those powerful wings and the cold, hungry look in raptor eyes brought a distant world of hunting into sharp relief.
Year-Round Acitvities at Gold Discovery Park
- Melodrama at the Olde Coloma Theater. Five different shows are presented from mid-May through late December. This is one of only three theaters in the state that allows audience members to interact with the cast by cheering the heroine and booing the villain.
- American River Music Festival in September, held at nearby Henningsen-Lotus Park, features a day of rafting and music, naturalist-led hikes and music, musicians teaching in schools, and of course a wide range of performers on the main stage and in many smaller ones in local campgrounds.
- American River Acoustic Music Camp in August is a learning opportunity open to individuals and families.
- Coloma Gold Rush Live, which takes place in October, is full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp demonstrate history.
- Christmas in Coloma offers an old-fashioned Christmas celebration each December, with period crafts, music, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th-century children’s games, and wreath making, highlighted by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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By Roy Barnes
Kentucky is to bourbon what the Napa Valley is to wine. Savoring a number of bourbons and bourbon-inspired dishes here really left some positive impressions in me full of ambience. Just like wine experiences that travelers seek out in France or California, I recommend seeking out a Kentucky bourbon experience.
The Urban Bourbon Trail
Louisville is the gateway of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which extends about an 1.5 hour drive south and east from the city and contains several distilleries. Within Louisville, it’s called The Urban Bourbon Trail. It’s made up of eight drinking establishments that are required to serve between 50-150 different bourbons each. You can’t just call any whiskey bourbon, for it must meet certain federally mandated standards:
Made in the USA of at least 51 per cent corn; Distilled at less than 160 proof from fermented grain mash; Must be matured in new charred, white oak barrels at 125 proof or less; Only pure water can be added to the final product; Has to be bottled at 80 proof or more, and aged for at least 2 years.
The bourbons of Kentucky are renowned because the state sits on a limestone shelf, which filters the iron out of the water.
Bourbon Of A Time!
It was a late Saturday afternoon as some friends and I sauntered into the historic Brown Hotel in downtown Louisville. I was captivated by the interior motif of English Renaissance Adams Style (from the 1920’s) as well as by some cocktail style music gently emanating from a piano as natural light peered in through the high windows. We were seated in the Lobby Bar. I sampled some Maker’s Mark bourbon that had added to it some Godiva Dark, Frangelico, and cream for a “Bourbon Ball”. The ingredients in this cocktail really made the bourbon stand out.
From the bar, you can order a number of food items, including Rabbit Rillettes, Lobster “Mac and Cheese”, and even an Angus burger, with current prices ranging from $8-$16. This bourbon bar also serves a number of white and red wines, and cocktails. These range in price from $7-$14. The service is very fast and friendly.
And luckily for us, we were able to order menu items from the Brown’s exquisite English Grill restaurant in the next room (dinner entrees were priced from $18-$34, appetizers $7-$17). I had the best-tasting Crab Cakes of my existence that special evening, for they resonated with a smoke-fired taste thanks to the accompanying Corn Bourbon Sauce (made with Elijah Craig bourbon).
I walked around the historic bar and noticed some circa 1930’s menus, where a Christmas dinner cost only $1.75 and a New Year’s Eve dinner was only five bucks.
Gone Down Easy!
Even though it has a 57-foot long bar containing scores of orange-reddish back-lit bourbon bottles, we chose to savor some bourbon and bourbon cuisine in the outdoor dining area of Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge during a mild evening. I tried a shot 6 year old, 93 Proof bourbon known as Blanton’s, which was produced from a single barrel. Being the bourbon novice, I was told to swirl it around in my glass and then sniff it with my mouth open. The scent to my nostrils was one of being very caramelized as I drank it “neat” (or straight). The taste was really strong, though not quite fiery, but it went down smoothly!
This restaurant and bar has quite a litany of bourbons on the menu list, including some older than 20 years like Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve (23 years old and 95.6 Proof). It also offers flights (a sampling of a number of bourbons), subject to availability.
I was treated to some bourbon-inspired cuisine here that really enhanced the flavor of the food. For appetizers, you can’t go wrong with their irresistible Lobster “Corn Dogs” that come with a bourbon mustard. Appetizers range in price from $7-$18. For dinner, I enjoyed the very filling Bourbon Smoked Salmon Pasta, that came with some superior-tasting Orecchiette Pasta. Their dinner entrees ($26-$45) also include a Bourbon Braised Kobe Short Rib as well as several steak entrees like a yummy bourbon marinated sirloin, which I got to sample from one of my fellow diners. I sampled some perfectly sweet (but not rich) Vanilla Sweet Cream White Pie for dessert, whose prices are $8-$9.
Sampling Bourbon History
In the darkly lit building dating back to the 1870’s and a couple miles from downtown, I would have the chance to sample some real quality bourbon full of history at Bourbons Bistro.
I was served a glass of 20 year old, 90.4 Proof Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve bourbon. This is considered one of the best bourbons, coming from a bourbon maker that has spanned four generations dating back to the late 1800’s. Pappy Van Winkle’s is made with wheat instead of rye, which is supposed to make the bourbon smoother, sweeter, and age better.
This bourbon is beautifully colored, and after swirling it in the glass, I noticed a really fiery, lightly caramelic scent. Upon drinking it, my palate noticed a hot taste, but incredibly, it went down really smooth!
I savored a filling dinner that included a Shrimp Cocktail and a Baby Spinach Salad. Then I feasted on some delicious Pan Seared Lobster Cakes that came with a really tasty lemon-chiffon Hollandaise topping. Those dinner appetizers/salads range in price from $6-11, and also include such offerings as Steak Tartar and Fried Cornmeal Dusted Oysters. The entrees include a ribeye steak that’s accompanied with Bourbon Butter and a burger that’s “dressed” with an Apricot Bourbon Mustard plus many fish dishes like the one I had. These range in price from $11-$33.
Bourbons Bistro serves over 130 bourbons ranging in price from $5-$75 – my choice cost $20. Drinkers can sample some nine bourbon flights (which includes a “pick your own” one).
For more about a Kentucky bourbon experience, visit JustAddBourbon.com
Prices quoted and menu items are subject to change. Please drink responsibly.
Roy A. Barnes writes from southeastern Wyoming and has contributed many articles to The Traveler. He’s also had his writings published in such books as Voices of Autism, Holiday Writes, and Freckles to Wrinkles.
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