I became fascinated with UNESCO World Heritage sites a few years ago when I realized the incredible diversity in the type of places and things on the list. Whenever I’m researching a new location, one of the first things I look for are the sites that are on the UNESCO list. While it’s not the be-all nor end-all of places that I’ll eventually visit, it helps me learn a lot about my eventual destination and get a feel for where I’m going. The island nation of New Zealand has three sites on the UNESCO list, just part of the reason that New Zealand is popular with visitors from the U.K., United States, and Australia. New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Island – The five southernmost island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island) are referred to as the New […]
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New York City Airport Transportation
If a visit to New York City is in your plans, you’ll enjoy today’s guest post outlining your options from getting into the city from the area’s three major airports. One method not mentioned, and I think worth exploring, in the train/subway connection. Do your homework and you’ll save time and money. —- Whether flying for business or leisure, planning transportation can often bet the most challenging part of a trip. Not only that, but if there is something that travelers typically forget to plan for, transportation and parking is often that one thing. Thus, many travelers have to settle for the most convenient transportation and parking options, which aren’t always the most economical. This couldn’t more so be the case than in NYC, which has multiple airports, including the big three, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark. As one of the […]
Read MoreLatino Culture on LA’s Olvera Street
Olvera Street, also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles. The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see. The street was originally a short lane called Wine Street. The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles. Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the area was eventually rehabilitated, closed off to vehicles, trees were planted, and a large wooden cross was put up at the south end of the street. Olvera Street officially opened on Easter Sunday 1930, and provided a place for Mexican American vendors to sell their goods […]
Read MoreAdventure & Luxury in the Galapagos
Adventure travel doesn’t have to mean roughing it, and there’s probably no better example than Galapagos cruises, which mash up education, adventure, and luxury into vacations of a lifetime. The Galapagos Islands are located about 525 miles west of [amazon_textlink asin=’1742207855′ text=’Ecuador’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’travelingwithmj-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8e8ec20e-3836-11e8-bd8d-395d4538e8e2′] and are a volcanic archipelago hovering around the equator. The islands are home to a national park, a whale sanctuary, and biological marine reserve, and are a part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Galapagos are home to about 23,000 people and far more wildlife species. There are 18 main islands offering a variety of experiences and leisure activity: swimming, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, and explore. This is also an amazing spot for photographers with postcard-perfect island scenes as well as unique native life. But a visit to the islands also offers far greater […]
Read MoreUNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam
For many Baby Boomers, a visit to Vietnam represents both a cultural exploration and a reconciliation of political beliefs from the 1960’s. It can be voyage of discovery, exploration of history, an answer to long unanswered questions, and the turning of a new page on a country deeply embedded in US history. One way to learn more about the country is a visit to one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many of which are included on Vietnam tours. There are four cultural and two natural sites on the list. Hue, in Central Vietnam, is the former capital of the country (until 1945), and is the cultural, intellectual, and spiritual center of Vietnam. The city is packed with pagodas, temples, citadel and royal tombs, or at least what remains of them, all blended into the incredible natural landscape. Here you’ll […]
Read MoreThe Floating White House in Jack London Square
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 fly, preferring to travel by ship or train, and the USS Potomac was outfitted to accommodate his mobility issues. It could cruise along at speeds of 10-13 knots, and FDR would often hold informal strategy meetings aboard, enjoying the privacy and seclusion the yacht provided. Visiting dignitaries were entertained on the yacht, and at least one of FDR’s famed radio broadcasts originated from on board. There were many “secret” meetings held aboard, only some of which have been made public, leaving us to speculate about […]
Read MoreThe States of Australia
Australia. Land of kangaroos, sheep stations, koala, boomerang, crocodile, wombat, dingo, shrimp on the barbie, sexy accents, and Waltzing Matilda. Now that we have the stereotypes out of the way, what can you really expect when you decide on a vacation to the land down under. Let’s be real clear – Australia is a huge country. Popping from Sydney to Brisbane is over 1,000, and to Perth is over 4,000 miles. So unless you have months to spend in the country, you’ll need to pick an area of the country to visit. One of the first things to consider if you’re thinking about tours to Australia is geography, and that starts with a good map and an understanding of the states, major territories, and what’s to see and do in each of them. New South Wales – This is Australia’s […]
Read MoreA Garden to End All Gardens: U.S. Botanic Garden
There are gardens, and then there are splendid gardens, and the latter is exactly what you’ll expect and get at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington DC. The name Botanic Garden is somewhat misleading, as this collection is more than just a garden — it’s a museum of living plants. The site is located on the National Mall, at the foot of the Capitol Building, and is comprised of the Conservatory, National Garden, and Bartholdi Park. The USBG dates back to 1816, with the concept of collecting, growing, and distributing plants from around the world that might contribute to the welfare of the American people. The idea started, and then sputtered, but eventually caught on after the Wilkes Expedition brought a collection of living plants from around the world back to Washington. Walking through the gardens, you’ll likely find some […]
Read MoreThe Louvre: A Love Affair With Art
The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, and most trips to Paris (at least first trips) include a visit to this famous spot located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement (map). The building, originally a palace, is now home to some of the world’s most famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo. The museum opened to the public in 1793, and since then the collections have grown to their current number of over 380,000. It’s not the largest art collection in the world, but most art historians agree that it is the finest. The main buildings of the Louvre look rather fortress-like with iron gates around it. The real treasure lie within the gates, much like it must have been when it was […]
Read MoreStanding Guard at 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 by the 1886 estate of Samuel J. Tilden, who bequeathed money to “establish and maintain a free library and reading room in the city of New York.” Although there were two other libraries in New York at that time, both were experiencing serious financial hardships. The trustee of Tilden’s estate saw the perfect opportunity to fulfill his vision, and the libraries were combined to form what became the New York Public Library. A number of years later, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated money to […]
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