Panama City Beach in the Florida panhandle is one of those places that remind you of a combination of other places, a blend of kitschy charm found in Myrtle Beach, Atlantic City and Key West. It’s a place unto its own, though, and one where you’ll soon find, by dialect and design, a place apart from what you might usually think of as the Sunshine State. South Florida, more a mindset than geographical location, is arguably from the middle of … [Read more...]
Village Life, Romania
Village Life was founded by Alexandra Vasiliu in 2011 and in part, focuses on connecting travelers in southern Romania with local families in a variety of small villages (much of Romania's population still lives in villages). Village Life has developed close relationships with residents in these particular villages and visitors will experience a slice of local life often not experienced during one's travels. Travelers are encouraged to … [Read more...]
Mardi Gras Traditions run Deep in Biloxi
While New Orleans gets all the press and publicity about Mardi Gras there's an equally fun party occurring in Biloxi Mississippi. It is rare to have a more collective community experience than a Mardi Gras parade and the city of Biloxi on Mississippi's Gulf Coast certainly knows how to create an annual enormous fun filled, safe and family friendly party. The dates for Mardi Gras vary every year; the main parade is always held on a Tuesday - … [Read more...]
The Faces of Mardi Gras – Biloxi, Mississippi
There is nothing like throwing thousands of beads to thousands of people. On the simplest level - Mardi Gras is all about the beads! I just returned from an International trip and headed to Biloxi Mississippi for their annual Mardi Gras parade. No rest for the weary! … [Read more...]
Cherokee Nation Salutes 150th Anniversary, Civil War
Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism 2011 season to salute the American Civil War's 150-year anniversary Civil War History Tour highlights the award-winning cultural tourism program's new season TULSA, Okla., (January 25, 2011) --- The Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism program is set to launch the 2011 season, which runs from March through October and features its four historically authentic cultural tours and a wide array of cultural … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Athletic Club
We recently stayed at the Los Angeles Athletic Club (a private membership only club but with hotel rooms available to the general public - the first private club in Los Angeles, founded 1880). We stay in a fair amount of National mid to higher end chain hotels and it is very refreshing to find a hotel such as this one with its uniqueness, elegance and history. As soon as we arrived we shot up to the rooftop for some relaxation with a cold one … [Read more...]
Yosemite – Mariposa
Mariposa was originally founded as a mining town and during the height of the gold rush had a much larger population than today which is currently under 2000 people. The town boasts a number of small family owned shops, galleries and restaurants as well as many items of historical significance. Mariposa County has one fast food restaurant and no stop lights. The one fast food restaurant is in the town of Mariposa and opened before a loophole … [Read more...]
Day 1 – New Orleans
Any trip to this part of Louisiana should start with a stay in New Orleans, specifically in the French Quarter. What better a place to call home for a few days than the Hotel Monteleone . This hotel dates from 1886, is still family owned and is located in the heart of New Orleans's French Quarter. It is definitely "the" hotel to stay at in this part of the city. In the mood for decadence and elegance - Hotel Monteleone serves this up by the … [Read more...]
Day 2 – New Orleans
Breakfast Cafe du Monde ,located at 800 Decatur Street, is an ideal location for breakfast. This is the original Cafe du Monde location - with a number of other branches mostly in and around New Orleans, as well as a large international presence exclusively in Japan. The cafe is located near the shores of the Mississippi River in the French Quarter this is where you come for French-style beignet pastries and coffee. You can drive here or … [Read more...]
Day 3 – Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville is a small town along the Mississippi River about 55 miles west of New Orleans. With friendly locals, quaint shops, galleries, two museums (Historical Donaldsonville Museum and the River Road African American Museum & Gallery), a historical district and good restaurants, one can easily spend a half day here. The nation's first African American mayor was elected to office in Donaldsonville in 1868, merely three years after the end … [Read more...]