December 20, 2010

Dresden, Germany: Porcelain Collection at The Zwinger; things to do

Porcelain Collection at The Zwinger


ceramics display at The Zwinger in Dresden, Germany
ceramics display at The Zwinger in Dresden, Germany


The Porcelain Collection at The Zwinger is the largest collection of ceramics in the world. Displays include many fine pieces produced by Dresden’s porcelain factories since the first was founded in 1708. An extensive collection of Meissen includes exquisite hand-painted birds, including Jaybirds and Wax Wings, and many displays are set against windows through which you can additionally view the palace grounds outside. Chinese and Japanese pieces are also in the collection. A Glockenspiel above the entrance features a carillon with 40 Meissen porcelain bells that survived the World War II bombing raids.



More things to do in Dresden.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

December 17, 2010

Leipzig, Germany: The Asisi Panometer; things to do

The Asisi Panometer  

Richard-Lehmann-Strasse 114, +49 (0)341 35 55 34-0. Tu-F 9-7, Sat-Sun 10-8. E10.


Created by artist Yadegar Asisi, this innovative 360-degree panorama exhibition known as The Asisi Panometeris tucked inside a 19th-century cylindrical gas storage building and is the world’s largest. The picture measures approximately 88½-feet/27 meters high and more than 328 feet/100 meters long. Previous themes have been “Mt. Everest” and “Ancient Rome.” The current “Amazonia” includes colorful scenes in Brazil’s rainforest that transform from day through night. When the exhibition ends, one ton of canvas comes down from the walls and is burned. According to Asisi, “It is gone like a theater piece or a concert.”



More things to do in Leipzig.

More things to do in nearby Dresden.

December 11, 2010

Christmas markets around the world

Here are some fabulous Christmas markets to dream about visiting.  

(article removed at source)



Photo depicts Dresden; by LH DD Wifö/Wikimedia Commons.



December 8, 2010

Palm Springs, California: Palm Springs Follies (CLOSED); things to do

Palm Springs Follies  CLOSED  Next time you're in Palm Springs check out this revue in which all the performers are age 55 and older.  Read all about it.  




More things to do in Palm Springs.

Travel articles to inspire and help you plan trips.



December 3, 2010

Berlin, Germany: Quchnia; restaurant review

Quchnia  

Markgrafenstrasse 35, in the Gendarmenmarkt, 030-206 09 286.

coffee service at Quchnia in Berlin, Germany
coffee service at Quchnia in Berlin, Germany


Relax in the cozy Quchnia coffeehouse in comfy leather chairs with a view of the Deutscher Dom right across the street. It also has a menu of hot chocolates—choose your candy bar flavor (perhaps cashew-caramel) and then just drop it in frothy hot milk and stir.




image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 30, 2010

Berlin, Germany: Reichstag/Parliament House; things to do

Reichstag/Parliament House 

+49 (0)30 22 62 99 33. Daily 8am-midnight; last admission at 10pm. Free.

circular stairway inside Reichstag/Parliament House in Berlin, Germany
circular stairway inside Reichstag/Parliament House in Berlin, Germany


When this seat of the German parliament burned in 1933, it was used as a excuse by Hitler’s troops to begin arresting enemies of the government. (It was built in 1893.) The Reichstag/Parliament House was also bombed during World War II. Rebuilt and topped with a new glass dome, the building is once again the seat of parliament. As you walk the winding ramp up to the top of the Reichstag's dome, you'll enjoy a panoramic view of Berlin. The transparency of the glass symbolizes the transparency of the German state--when I visited, on a very cold October day, the windows were almost completely covered in frost at 9am. Michael Jackson had a big concert here on June 19, 1988, and Christo and Jeanne-Claude did a “Wrapped Reichstag Project for Berlin” in July 1995. To avoid the very long line, make a reservation in the roof-garden restaurant where views sweep from the dining room out over what used to be known as East Berlin.

NOTE:  This building is currently closed to visitors due to tightened security related to terrorist threats.  



image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 24, 2010

Munich, Germany: Marienplatz/glockenspiel/carillon; things to do

Marienplatz  

In Altstadt/Old Town. 

This historic, scenic square is a pedestrian-only zone in Munich’s heart. It is what Times Square is to NYC.

●A 43-bell glockenspiel/carillon--the fourth-largest carillon in Europe—is in the clock tower of the large and spectacularly ornate Neues Rathaus/New Town Hall. It features brightly painted mechanical figures that re-enact famous events in the city's history; at 11am, noon, and 5pm. You can climb the steps of the Town Hall (or take an elevator) for a panoramic view of Munich.






More things to do in Munich.


video c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 22, 2010

See Las Vegas accommodations before you book

See Las Vegas accommodations before you book


Planning a trip to Vegas?  Check out the rooms around town before plunking down your money.  (article removed at source)

The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada



More things to do in Las Vegas.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers  

November 20, 2010

Light a virtual candle and travel to Israel

Light a virtual candle and travel to Israel

To mark the upcoming Chanukah holiday, which begins on the evening of December 1, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is relaunching its Chanukah website, where you can log on and light virtual candles for each night of the eight-day holiday known as the "Festival of Lights."

With each candle you light, you will be able to access more information about travel to Israel.  At the end of the holiday, site visitors who have lit all eight candles will be entered to win a free trip to Israel aboard EL AL Israel Airlines, to experience the country's many areas of cultural, religious and historical interest for themselves.  (offer out of date)





November 17, 2010

Munich, Germany: Deutsches Museum; things to do

Deutsches Museum/German Museum 

Museumsinsel 1. Daily 9-5. €8.50, 6-15 €3.

exterior of Deutsches Museum/German Museum in Munich, Germany
exterior of Deutsches Museum/German Museum in Munich, Germany


Occupying an island in the Isar River, the Deutsches Museum/German Museum opened in 1925 and remains one of the world’s most important showcases of science and technology. Munich’s largest museum and the world's largest museum of technology and science, it features a diverse collection of both hands-on and historical exhibits. Of special interest are the full-size ships, power machinery, and collection of giant printing presses. A model railway is currently closed. A roof-top sundial garden provides great views, and a popular electricity demonstration occurs at 11am and includes ear-splitting sounds.



More things to do in Munich.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 15, 2010

Palau: Jellyfish Lake; things to do

Jellyfish Lake in Palau


In a stunning daily migration, five million jellyfish glide across the surface of Palau’s Jellyfish Lake to follow the eastward-streaming morning sun and the westward-streaming afternoon sun. Then, at night, the jellyfish sink down 45 feet to absorb nutrient-rich bacteria, which the algae in their bodies require to survive.





November 13, 2010

Munich, Germany: Airbrau; restaurant review

Airbrau


When I flew Lufthansa non-stop home from Munich to San Francisco a few weeks ago, I was so glad that I was smart enough to have one last good-bye Pilsner—those German beers are THE BEST--at the Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport (it even has an open-air beer garden with heater lamps!) This is the worlds’ first and only airport brewery, and among the menu items is the very odd Hang Man’s Lunch: 1 glass of tap water, 1 bread roll, 1 cigarette—95 cents. But who would order that when they can instead have some tasty German sausages and a Pilsner?

Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport in Germany
Airbräu brewery at the Munich Airport in Germany



More things to do in Munich.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 10, 2010

Dresden, Germany: Zwinger; things to do

Zwinger  

Theaterplatz 1, 0351/49142000

architectural detail of the Zwinger in Dresden, Germany
architectural detail of the Zwinger in Dresden, Germany


Dresden’s most famous building, this magnificent fortress from the Middle Ages was originally designed as an orangery and setting for court festivities. It is considered the most perfect example of Late Baroque architecture and now contains several museums. Modeled after Versailles, it was built by Augustus the Strong in 1719 (a huge copy of his spectacular gold crown is a landmark atop one of the fortress’s walls, known as the Crown Gate). Damage caused by the 1945 British air raid during World War II was devastating, but all has been beautifully restored.  It now is home to the Zwinger museum with its Old Masters Picture Gallery and a Porcelain Collection.



More things to do in Dresden.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 8, 2010

London, England: The Montague on the Gardens; hotel review

15 Montague St., WC1B 5BJ, l 011-44-020-7637-1001; www.montaguehotel.com. 4 stars. 88 rooms, 11 suites. Sauna.

Located in Bloomsbury right across the street from the British Museum, the elegant luxury Montague on the Gardens hotel backs on a large shared garden with Bedford Place. Rooms are beautifully decorated, and a proper afternoon tea is served in the Lounge. Plaid and chintz fabrics mix with antiques and fine finishes for a very posh ambiance.



More London hotels.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


image courtesy of hotel

November 5, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: McMenamins North Bank; restaurant review

McMenamins North Bank  

22 Club Rd., off Coburg Rd., (541) 343-5622.   M-Thur, 11-11, F-Sat to midnight, Sun 12-11.  No reservations outside. 

river-side patio at McMenamins North Bank pub in Eugene, Oregon
river-side patio at McMenamins North Bank pub in Eugene, Oregon


This popular spot overlooking a serene stretch of the Willamette River offers tiered inside seating as well as an outside deck with a river view (this point in the Willamette River was the Skinner's Ferry crossing 150 years ago). Classic ales served at McMenamins North Bank include raspberry-tinged Ruby, medium-bodied Hammerhead, and dark, strong Terminator Stout, while pub fare features burgers made with hormone-free Country Natural Beef, a barbecue pork or wild salmon sandwich, and halibut fish & chips.





image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

November 1, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Burgerville USA #18; restaurant review

909 SW 1st Ave., (503) 266-2568.

Just look for the helicopter to find the local link in the Burgerville USA fast food chain that uses natural local products--beef, fruit, and real Tillamook cheese and dairy. The milkshakes are thick and feature some special flavors that change with the season, fries and burgers are decent, and halibut fish and chipsare a nice surprise. This particular location is one of the "older models."



October 29, 2010

Dresden, Germany: Frauenkirche/Church of Our Ladies; things to do

Frauenkirche/Church of Our Ladies  

M-F 10-12 & 1-6; services on Sun at 11 & 6.

Located in the heart of the Old Town, this 18th-century sandstone church with magnificent Baroque dome was completely destroyed in World War II. The Frauenkirche/Church of Our Ladies has been rebuilt exactly as it was, using more than 100,000 of its original stones. The peace bell rings daily at noon in invitation to pause for just a moment and pray for peace.


See a performance:




video c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

October 27, 2010

Lafayette, Oregon: Schoolhouse Antique Mall; things to do

Lafayette Schoolhouse Mall  

748 Hwy. 99W, in Lafayette, 5 mi. E of McMinnville, (503) 864-2720; . Daily 10-5.

interior of Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Lafayette, Oregon
interior of Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Lafayette, Oregon


Claiming to have the largest collection of antiques in Oregon, this repurposed 1912 three-story schoolhouse displays all manner of antiques in eight former classrooms. The Schoolhouse Antique Mall is air conditioned, carries only old items, and has particularly nice china.

 


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 
updated 11-18-17

October 25, 2010

October 22, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: The Original Pancake House; restaurant review

The Original Pancake House  

782 E Broadway/Hilyard St., (541) 343-7523. Daily 6am-2pm; $-$$.

Dutch Baby pancake at The Original Pancake House in Eugene, Oregon
Dutch Baby pancake at The Original Pancake House in Eugene, Oregon


The OPH started in the 1950s in Portland, Oregon. It is now franchised, but each location uses only the finest ingredients, including 93 score butter, hardwheat unbleached flour, and housegrown sourdough yeast. Specialties at The Original Pancake House include Danish cherry crepes, an apple pancake, a Dutch baby, and incredible, satisfying, chewy, plate-size 49er flap jacks--my favorite.

October 21, 2010

McMinnville, Oregon: Evergreen Aviation Museum & Space Museum; things to do

Evergreen Aviation Museum & Space Museum 

500 NE Captain Michael  King Smith Way, 3½ mi. SE of McMinnville, (503) 434-4180. Daily 9-5. $20, 65+ $19, 5-16 $18; with IMAX +$9-$11. Guided tours daily at 11am & 1:30pm. No pets. Free parking.

exterior of Evergreen Aviation Museum & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon
exterior of Evergreen Aviation Museum & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon


The ever-expanding Evergreen Aviation Museum & Space Museum complex is in one gigantic building. This is where you’ll see the immense Spruce Goose, also known as the Howard Hughes Flying Boat Nearly six times bigger than any other plane in 1947, she is made of wood and was flown only once. No wonder she had trouble staying up--her eight engines are equivalent in power to just one 747 engine! Recycled airplane seats are scattered throughout this building, for resting and watching videos. Across the way in another immense building, the Space Museum displays the Mercury 10 capsule, a Titan II SLV Missile, and a sleek Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird. And in yet another huge building is an IMAX theater. A new Wings & Waves Water Park structure, with a 747 now perched startlingly upon its roof, is scheduled to open with wave pools and water slides in summer 2011. Two cafes serve lunch fare. The Farm Store and Tasting Rooms (Daily 11-5. Tasting $5, applied to wine purchase.) feature Evergreen Vineyards Spruce Goose Oregon wine and juice, plus exclusive hazelnut products.

October 18, 2010

McMinnville, Oregon: Golden Valley Brewery & Restaurant; restaurant review

980 NE 4th St., (503) 472-2739

Ceilings are high in the Golden Valley Brewery & Restaurant, and the woodsy Old World-feeling includes plenty of roomy booths. The extensive menu lists sandwiches galore (don’t miss the delicious barbecued pork simmered in Red Thistle Ale sauce) as well as noteworthy beer-battered onion rings and a moist Irish Stout gingerbread. Salads, housemade soups, pastas, schnitzels, sausages, burgers, and steaks are also options (beef comes from the owner’s Angus Springs Ranch). Beers are brewed on site, and Red Thistle Ale is a personal favorite.






More things to do in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.

image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

October 1, 2010

Lafayette, Oregon: Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey; things to do

9200 NE Abbey Rd., in Lafayette, 800-294-0105, 503-852-0107. Book shop: Daily 9-5. Lodging: $35-$75/night donation; includes 3 meals/day; age 16+.

From this bucolic estate in rural Oregon wine country, monks dedicated to a vow of silence make an old-fashioned date-nut cake and a fruitcake that is soaked in brandy for 3 months. Visitors to Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey can browse the book shop, hike miles of trails, or spend the night in a lake-side guest house.



More things to do in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.


image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 29, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: King Estate winery; things to do + restaurant review

King Estate winery 

80854 Territorial Rd, SW of town, 800-884-4441, 541-942-9874. Tasting daily 11-5; tours on the hour, noon-5pm.

wine tasting on the deck at King Estate winery in Eugene, Oregon
wine tasting on the deck at King Estate winery in Eugene, Oregon


Reached by a drive through scenic farmland, this gated hilltop French-style chateau is approached via a spectacular uphill drive past grounds planted with Mirabelle plum trees and grape vines. The area is reminiscent of England’s Lake Country to such an extent that if I were dropped here blindfolded and asked where I was, I would reply, “On Beatrix Potter’s farm.” The King Estate winery uses organic and sustainable farming, has published several wine varietal cookbooks, and is well-known for its Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir—both of which may be tasted at no fee.

The Restaurant and Wine Bar at King Estate 

541-685-5189. L-D daily, Sat-SunBr; $-$$. Reservations required for indoor seating; outdoor seating is first-come, first-served.
The menu at The Restaurant and Wine Bar at King Estate incorporates estate and locally grown organic ingredients that complement King Estate wines. In good weather, the expansive outdoor patio, with its views of the surrounding forested hills dotted with small farms, is the venue of choice, though the interior is stellar, too, and features a cozy fireplace. Appetizers might include Oregon Dungeness crab cakes or a plate of Pacific Northwest artisan cheeses, while lunch choices might be an excellent burger with pommes frites and housemade ketchup, a very tasty sandwich of pulled pork that has simmered in barbecue sauce for hours, or a refined grilled hanger steak with crispy fingerling potatoes. Well-priced wine flights are the perfect accompaniment.

September 27, 2010

Eugene, Oregon: Cascades Raptor Center; things to do

Cascades Raptor Center  

32275 Fox Hollow Rd., (541) 485-1320. 10 Tu-Sun 10-6, Apr-Oct; handler talks, Sat & Sun at 12 & 2 p.m. $7, teens/seniors $6, under 12-$4. 

vulture at the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon
vulture at the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene, Oregon


Located on the outskirts of town in a bucolic rural area at the eastern base of Spencer Butte, the 3-acre Cascades Raptor Center site is home to a collection of rustic, well-maintained enclosures set along gravel trails dotted with tall trees (there are some hilly spots). The cages hold permanent unreleasable birds of prey—including eagles, vultures, and owls. The focus is on northwest birds that are found at some time of year in Oregon. In fact, this facility has the most diverse collection of native raptors on the West Coast (it currently has 60 permanent resident birds of 33 species). A hospital area is off limits. More than 200 birds are received here each year, and it costs around $35,000 per year for food, so donations are always welcome. Informative handler talks and demonstrations take place in an open-air pavilion, and demonstrations are presented regularly in another enclosure.

Just across the street, the Ridgeline Trail offers both hiking and mountain biking.





image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 24, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Canby Ferry; things to do

Canby Ferry  

Holly St./Mountain Rd., on Hwy. 99E, (503) 650-3030. Daily 6:45-9:15. $2/car.

Canby Ferry in Canby, Oregon
Canby Ferry in Canby, Oregon


The Canby Ferry is one of only three operating car ferries left in Oregon. From Canby, the ferry has crossed the Willamette River to Wilsonville since 1914. To experience it, in Canby take a left on Holly and follow the signs several miles out to the electrical-powered car ferry (the historic cable-drawn M. J. Lee was replaced by a new ferry in 1996). The updated ferry holds only six cars at a time, so sometimes there is a short wait (it only takes a few minutes to cross the river). On the other side, continue driving on the scenic country road until you reach Highway 205, then head back to I-5. From here it is only about 10 miles into Portland.



image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 22, 2010

Canby, Oregon: Swan Island Dahlias; things to do

Swan Island Dahlias  

995 NW 22nd Ave., (800) 410-6540, (503) 266-7711. 10 M-Sat 9-4:30, Sun 10-3, Aug-Sept only.

flower fields at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon
flower fields at Swan Island Dahlias in Canby, Oregon


Family owned since 1927, Swan Island Dahlias is America's largest dahlia grower. New and exclusive varieties are hybridized each year at this farm, which currently grows over 40 acres and features more than 350 varieties of dahlias. You won't find a better selection of dahlia bulbs (tubers) anywhere. Picnic tables.

An annual Dahlia Festival is held in late August.




image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

September 19, 2010

Hamburg, Germany: Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg; things to do

Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg


Two German brothers got a little carried away with their train set and now have an amazing computer-controlled layout with more than 800 trains in Hamburg, Germany.  It is the largest model railroad in the world.






September 15, 2010

Germany-Munich-Oktoberfest: Oktoberfest hint

Oktoberfest hint


One of the things I discovered as I prepared for my visit to Oktoberfest this year is that a lot of important planning information doesn't seem to surface until it is too late. For instance, you really must make lodging arrangements in Munich about three months in advance.

exterior of Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany
exterior of Festzelt tent at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany



September 13, 2010

London, England: The Portland Hotel; hotel review


The Portland Hotel  

31-32 Bedford Place, in Bloomsbury, +44 (0) 20 7580 7088. 18 rooms. Weekend rates include continental breakfast.

This beautifully restored Georgian townhouse has large rooms—some with high ceilings and decorative molding, and some in the back with large windows overlooking the Duke of Bedford’s former garden (it is a backyard running the length of Bedford Place and shared with Montague Street).

The sophisticated decor at The Portland Hotel falls somewhere between contemporary style and old-fashioned English chintz. I liked the “fitted kitchenette” in a closet, and most especially its tea cabinet equipped with a hot water kettle and tea bags. Our dramatic oversized bathroom had the same tall ceiling as the bedroom plus another window looking out to the yard, a large soaking tub and shower, and a shiny black marble floor in which I could actually see my reflection.

Breakfast is taken a few doors down the street in a sister hotel, The Clarendon. Guests can relax with a drink in the bar lounge there, too, or just sit in a private back garden.



More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel

September 1, 2010

Picture-perfect Paris

Picture-perfect Paris


This very high-resolution panoramic image of Paris is so sharp that you could print a 20,000-square-foot poster and still not see any pixels!



More photo galleries.

More Paris.

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August 30, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand: See a Thai fight dance at Aksra Theatre; things to do

See a Thai fight dance at Aksra Theatre in Bangkok


These Thai fight dancers are part of a troupe of puppeteers who perform Thai classical puppetry at the Aksra Theatre in Bangkok.







August 27, 2010

Istanbul, Turkey: ice cream guy

Ice cream guy in Istanbul, Turkey


This Istanbul ice cream guy has a flair for fun and magic.






August 23, 2010

August 22, 2010

London, England: The Stafford London; hotel review

St. James’s Place, SW1A 1NJ, +44 (0) 20-7493 0111, US 800-525-4800 or 800-448-8355. Restaurant; bar.

Situated on the site that once held the home of Sir Christopher Wren, who is known for designing St. Paul’s Cathedral, this tasteful small hotel is located on a tranquil cul de sac in an exclusive residential section of town. Understatedly elegant, The Stafford London, by Kempinski spoils guests with marble bathrooms featuring deep tubs equipped with full-size soaps. My favorite amenity was the soft, fluffy terry cloth slippers that greeted me on my pillow at turndown instead of a chocolate. The hotel’s celebrated, cozy American Bar is decorated with an eclectic collection of ties, baseball caps, and other items that travelers have purposely left behind. Its head barman, Charles, claims to have exported the first dry martini to the U.S.



More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel
updated August 25, 2023


August 13, 2010

London, England: The Langham, London; hotel review

1 Portland Pl., (44) 20 7636 1000.

Located in the West End, just a block from the upscale, curved shopping strip known as Regent Street and not far from Regents Park and the London Zoo, The Langham London hotel was established in 1865. It was London’s first grand hotel. It was also the first hotel in town to have hot and cold running water in every bathroom, and the first hotel in the world to have hydraulic passenger lifts (or “ascending rooms,” as elevators were once called here). Featured in many Sherlock Holmes sagas, it was closed after a bomb attack during World War II. Reopened in 1991, it has been restored to its original splendor. Rooms are posh, pale, and thoroughly modern, with all-marble bathrooms. An expansive breakfast is included and presented buffet-style in a magnificent room with its own name--Memories of the Empire.


More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel
updated Aug. 25, 2023


August 9, 2010

Farmington, New Mexico: Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast; hotel review

Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast  

(505) 326-2461. No pets. No smoking. Children 12+.


Situated in a cliff 280 feet above the La Plata River, Kokopelli's Cave Bed and Breakfast is 70 feet underground in an excavated cave. The guest cave is reached by trekking down a sloping path punctuated with steps carved into stone, then descending a three-rung ladder into your "digs" (you need to be in good physical shape). It comes complete with a kitchen, a waterfall shower, a flagstone-lined hot tub, and a spectacular view. Should you want an airing, Mesa Verde is nearby.



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image courtesy of attraction 

August 2, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand: Temple of Reclining Buddha; things to do

Temple of Reclining Buddha in Bangkok

in Wat Pho Temple, on Maharaj Rd., next to Grand Palace.

The massive gold-plated “Reclining Buddha” here has 108 good luck inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Visitors can purchase a bowl of coins to drop into 108 bigger bowls lined up along one side of the Buddha. They symbolize the 108 concerns of Buddha, and participants strive to concentrate on Buddha and his teachings and being thankful as they drop in their coins.






July 27, 2010

The Best Frequent Flier Programs for Infrequent Fliers


The Best Frequent Flier Programs for Infrequent Fliers

Unless you're a road warrior, it'll take you years to build up enough miles just by flying to get a free ticket. Here are the best ways for the little guy to earn and spend miles. Read more . . .


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

July 24, 2010

London, England: 47 Park Street; hotel review

47 Park Street  

In Mayfair, +44 (0)20 7491 7282.

exterior of 47 Park Street hotel in London, England
exterior of 47 Park Street hotel in London, England


Decidedly upscale, this small Edwardian-style luxury apartment collection is part of the Marriott Grand Residence Club, but it is possible to rent by the night. 47 Park Street is just a few blocks from Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner and the shops on bustling Oxford Street. My spacious, tastefully decorated, comfortably appointed lodging was blessedly quiet (the windows are triple glazed), and the elegant gray marble bathroom was hidden behind a false wardrobe door and filled with amenities--terry cloth slippers, emery boards, nail brushes, and Molton Brown aromatherapy essence for the bathtub.



More London hotels.

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image c2010 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

July 19, 2010

London, England: The Ridgemount Hotel; hotel review

65-67 Gower St., Bloomsbury, London WC1E 6HJ; +44 (0) 20 7636 1141, and +44 (0) 20 7580 7060.

Located just across the street from where women’s suffrage pioneer Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett lived and died (in 1929) at #2 Gower, and from where the first anaesthetic was administered in England in 1846 at #52, the simple Ridgemount Private Hotel operates within in a 1700s Georgian town house and offers rooms with and without baths. On my second trip to London, when my budget was weak but my bladder was still strong, we opted for the cheapest room in the house, sans bath. Note that Gower Street is a noisy thoroughfare and that building restrictions forbid double-glazing the windows. Request a quiet room in back.



More London hotels.

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image courtesy of hotel
updated Aug. 25, 2023

July 16, 2010

Phuket, Thailand: Phang Nga Bay; things to do

Phang Nga Bay in Phuket

60 mi. NE of Phuket.

Hopelessly scenic Phang Nga Bay in the Andaman Sea has 160 rock islands and the water hovers at 75 degrees. An astonishing site and one of the most beautiful spots in Thailand, it is best seen by speedboat. The area is featured in the 1974 James Bond film, “The Man with the Golden Gun.”
  





July 14, 2010

London, England: Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel; hotel review

9-13 Bloomsbury Street, + 44 (0)20 7636 5601, US toll-free 800-333-3333. 4 stars. 175 rooms.

Featuring a thoroughly modern interior, the  spiffy Radisson Edwardian Bloomsbury Street Hotel is located in the same area as The Kingsley, adjacent to the British Museum.



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image courtesy of hotel 
updated Aug. 25, 2023

July 10, 2010

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Pom Ton Payorm food market; things to do

Pom Ton Payorm food market in Chiang Mai


The small Pom Ton Payorm market bustles from early morning.






July 7, 2010

London, England: Thistle Holburn, The Kingsley; hotel review

Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SD; 0871 376 9006 /+44 845 305 8306.

Built in 1898, the gorgeous red-brick  Kingsley by Thistle hotel was originally named for Charles Kingsley, the author of  some popular English children’s books.  It is in a prime location just a few blocks from The British Museum and Covent Garden.  Bloomsbury has always attracted writer residents and visitors, and the hotel can claim that E.M. Forester slept here in 1902.  Though I remember fondly staying here in a room equipped with a canopy bed and decorated with wallpaper and chintzes in a lovely theme of pale yellow and English blue, the hotel has been refurbished into more contemporary style.  But some rooms still have a view of the ancient roof of The Parish Church of St. Georges Bloomsbury (located just next door, it was built in the early 1700s by a former pupil and assistant of Sir Christopher Wren). One of my favorite amenities was the room’s tea tray, stocked with Scottish chocolate chip shortbread and Cadbury’s hot chocolate.



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image courtesy of hotel
updated August 25, 2023

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