May 17, 2012

Family Fun at the Royal Ontario Museum

T-Rex Guarding at Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto

  Museum lovers who visit Toronto will want to get their history and culture fix at the Royal Ontario Museum with its engaging galleries of art, archaeology, and natural science from around the world.  With over 40 galleries spread out over four floors, the museums is just one more reasons that a visit to Ontario [...]

UNESCO Sites in Prague

Prague Old Town Square

Visiting UNESCO sites is a popular travel activity, and I always look up what sites might be in any area that I’m traveling to.   Whether it’s an appreciation for history, a love of natural beauty, or both, there’s a UNESCO site sure to appeal to most travelers.  While making summer travel plans, the city of [...]

History Lesson at Women’s Rights National Park

Women Right's National Park chapel

Turning on the news these days inundates us with struggles for democracy around the world.  Even here at home, there are reminders to be ever vigilant about our civil liberties and individual rights, and I cannot even imagine a life in which women couldn’t vote or didn’t  have individual freedoms.  But the history is not [...]

Baby Boomer Berlin

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin

As a student, I learned history by memorizing dates, place, battles, generals, and a host of other stuff that I just couldn’t relate to.  Traveling, however, has helped put history into perspective, a trait common with Baby Boomers, I believe, who learned history through rote memorization rather than through any experiential or emotional connection.  That’s [...]

Coral Reefs and Ancient History: Exploring Egypt

Red Sea Beach

Today I have a guest post about a fascinating part of the world, Egypt.  It offers so many things to see, do, and experience, it’s hard to know where to start.  Amanda starts with diving in the Red Sea. —- When vacationing in Egypt there are countless wonders to capture the imagination. From the natural [...]

Revolutionary History at Boston’s Old North Church

Old North Church Steeple

Students spends lots of time learning about the revolutionary history of the country, and some of the heroes from that era. I remember memorizing the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow describing the famous ride of Paul Revere: One if by land, and two if by sea; And I on the opposite shore will be, Ready [...]

The Floating White House in Jack London Square

USS Potomac, the Floating White House

The USS Potomac was used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt as his presidential yacht, and to this day it is affectionately referred to as the “floating White House.”  The ship was  a 165-foot Coast Guard cutter before it was commissioned by the US Navy in 1936 and put to its new purpose. FDR hated to [...]

Standing Guard at the New York Public Library

Lion guarding the New York Public Library

In a city that never sleeps, it’s nice to find a quiet oasis, and that’s just how I think of the New York Public Library.  On your next visit, take some time away from the sightseeing, shopping, and the frenzied pace of Manhattan and check out the library. The New York Public Library was founded [...]

Honolulu Pride: Military History in the Islands

arizonamemorialatpearlharbor.jpg

It’s easy to be c aught up in the sun, sand, and surf of Hawaii, but the islands are also rich in military history and sites.  Although it can be sobering and painful to think about, these military sites deserve a spot on any must-see list. Next time you’re on Oahu, take a beach break [...]

Visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas

TheAlamo.SanAntonioTexas.jpg

The San Antonio de Valero Mission was relocated three times, but after becoming the fortress known as The Alamo had only one location.  It can be seen today in that same location, a short distance from San Antonio’s River Walk. The mission turned fortress was the scene of several battles during the Texas Revolution including [...]