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The 12th century ruins of the citadel in Visegrad inspire a certain degree of awe. The hills of northern Hungary spread out to the north toward Slovakia and west toward Austria. The Danube flows from the west and makes an abrupt turn south toward Budapest at the foot of the citadel. It is not difficult to see why Julius Caesar 2000 years ago chose to build a fortress on this very spot for the security of the province of Pannonia. Through the middle ages countless rulers, conquerors and despots built their own fortifications here to look down over the river that is an artery running through Hungary and indeed much of Europe. The fortress was a symbol of military might and a refuge in times of invasion, which, during Hungary's long and turbulent history, was a frequent occurrence. Today tourists speaking Hungarian, German, French and English fan out examining medieval ruins and gazing at the incredible panorama for a long time. A flag rustles in the wind, its red, white and green flowing magnificently above the countryside. The red star of Soviet occupation has long since been torn from its fabric forever.

I take many pictures; I find it very difficult to take any bad ones. I think to myself that Visegrad is one of many parts of Hungary that the traveler who thinks it only necessary to spend a week in the capital should see. The view is stunning, the air is thick with history and atop a neighboring hill sits a restaurant where they serve wild game and red wine for $10 a plate that one can consume while watching the shadows of clouds race across the green hills. I sit on the long wrap-around terrace of this restaurant drinking coffee while my girlfriend has a conversation in her native tongue with a close friend. The Hungarian language has no close relatives among European tongues. It has none of the guttural hardness of German, or the melody of French and Italian, nor is it nasal, like most Slavic languages. As a Finno-Uraltic language, distant cousin to Finnish and Estonian, it numbers among the 5% minority of European languages that do not have Indo-European roots. This linguistic disparity accounts in part for the fierce pride the Hungarians have in their uniqueness and longevity among European nations.

Hungary sits as an island between the Germanic and Latinate nations of the West and the Slavic nations of the East. Considered an Eastern European nation by outsiders, Hungary is, in fact a catholic country, not orthodox, having received its royal crown with trademark crooked cross from the Pope Sylvester during the 9th century AD. It has been perched between tectonic military, cultural and religious tides that have swept east and west over central Europe for millennia, yet somehow the Hungarians have managed to maintain their identity. Their manners are ever impeccable, declaring Jo napot! (good day) to strangers on the street or bringing wine, flowers and pastry to the houses of guests. Hungarian cuisine retains its age-old pastoral flavor centered on tender chunks of meat with rich sauces and of course paprika.

I think on this uniqueness as I sit and try to make out the few words that I know from the machine gun litany of vowels and consonants that my companions speak with such fluid ease. Nearby sits a group of young Russian tourists. They talk very loudly and smoke many cigarettes while telling stories that are apparently very funny. I wonder if it is difficult for them to feel at home in a country that they used to occupy. If it is, you could never tell from the great time they appear to be having.

Later we are very lucky to catch a fast river boat that will take us back to Budapest. We arrive just before the ferry is to cast off and the ticket vendor is very annoyed as she holds the boat for us and runs back to the ticket office to bring our tickets and the change for the large bill with which we paid. Soon we are sitting in the long squat cabin of the ferry while the banks of the Danube whiz past the window. The boat only holds 30 or so people but there is a bar and everyone is drinking something. Most people, including my companions drink Tokaji, the sweet dessert wine for which Hungary is quite famous. Families on holiday smile broadly and tell stories while looking out the window. The summer sun is beginning to set and it is a glorious day.

In just a half an hour we disembark on the banks of Pest. On the Buda side of the river to the west, the sun is setting over Buda castle, the immense palace built during the time of the Hapsburg occupation. Tourists mill about everywhere on the Duna Corso, choosing from among the many riverfront bistros to have a quiet outdoor dinner or haggling with old women peddling hand-embroidered tablecloths. While this is the Budapest of postcards and family photo albums, the sweeping vista of Gellert Hill, crowned by its statue of liberty, Castle Hill and of course, the Chain Bridge, is still one of great beauty. I have seen this view before and yet I am no less impressed with it. A short walk away in Vorosmarty Square a young gypsy plays Brahm's frenetic Hungarian Dance # 5 with glasses of water and a spoon. A large crowd gathers to listen. My girlfriend, a Hungarian, and therefore a tough sell, enjoys the performance so much that she sends me over to give the man 200 Forint for his effort. The square borders on Vaci street where countless shops sell traditional Hungarian wares: paprika in assorted dispensers of cloth, tin or porcelain, palinka in hand-painted bottles, and, of course, more table cloths embroidered with colorful flowers and red peppers that are the trademark of Hungarian crafts. We walk up and down for awhile, window shopping in a throng of people, where, for the only time during this trip I can hear a lot of English spoken with American accents. Eventually, all shopped-out, we decide to head back to our apartment.

After a week in Budapest I know the metro very well. It is my lucky gift to be able to negotiate the mass transit system of any major city in the world after only a short time. We travel on the yellow transit line, the oldest subway line in Europe, to the district in which we are staying. At every stop there is a distinctive jingle with which we cannot help but hum along. The terminal on the other end of the line is filled with people. These are people that tourists staying in a Holiday Inn might never see. They are workers returning home from their jobs dressed in smart business clothes or the stained rags of the plain laborer. They are the gypsies who inhabit these subterranean depots and sit on crates everyday socializing with one another and smoking cigarettes. They are the vendors who sell all manner of produce from wooden crates. You don't have to ask these vendors for organic food. Here it is all organic and when you bite into a paradiscom (tomato) you can taste the flavor of the black earth in which it was grown. There is a drug store that sells over-the-counter creams, soaps and shampoos with English labels on the front of the bottle and caution labels in Hungarian on the back.

The people leaving the metro walk to the tram stop nearby on Mexico road, or to their cars. While much of the architecture of Budapest is a stately Victorian, the cars that Hungarians drive belie the recent history of affliction and poverty. Trabants and Ladas, the fruits of communist mass production make the American standard of economy car, the Honda Civic or Geo Prism, appear mammoth by comparison. They are slow, smoky automobiles made of plastic or fiber glass. On the outskirts of the city more relics communism can be seen like the endless rows of prefabricated apartment buildings that line many streets like filing cabinets, examples of a utilitarian form of architecture that reminds me more of the housing projects on the upper east side in Manhattan than the elegant capital of a European nation.

Our apartment is on Nagy Lajos Kiraly Street and is located in a modest but fashionable neighborhood to the north of the city center. It is a prewar affair with high ceilings and huge floor-to-ceiling windows. We stay for free courtesy of a friend who lives here but has gone out of town for a few months. This convenience makes what is an already rather inexpensive trip even cheaper. Since the country joined the EU in 2004 prices are on the rise but aside from shopping and tourist conveniences, day to day living is still extremely affordable. My girlfriend, who grew up in Pest, always does the haggling however. If they hear one word of my New Jersey accent the price of anything we buy is liable to double without warning.

Near our apartment is the city park, a shady expanse with a zoo and amusement park. In the park also lies the Szechenyi thermal baths, a 19th century pleasure palace filled with Renaissance style halls in which one can bathe in the scalding waters that rise up from the many geothermal fissures beneath the city. In the large pools young European tourists with dread locks and facials piercings soak beside obese old Hungarian men who play chess on poolside tables. On the far side of the park through the impressive expanse of Hero's Square lies Andrassy Road, a tree lined boulevard stretching into the heart of the city that rivals the Champs Elysees in cosmopolitan flair. Stop at building 60 on this road and you will find a most unusual museum. This severe grey Victorian mansion was once the headquarters of the fascist Arrow Cross party, from which, at the behest of Hitler, members sought out party enemies for torture and murder. After the Soviet liberation, the KGB chose the very same building for the very same purpose. Its cellars were turned into a soundproofed prison for torture and execution while passersby on the street above had no clue as to what was going on inside. Today 60 Andrassy road exists as the Terror House, a monument and exhibit chronicling the horrors of Hungary's past, from World War I through the end of Soviet Occupation. The Terror House and its grim secrets form a stark contrast to the otherwise regal aspect of the Hungarian capital. This contrast is what makes Hungary not just a place worth visiting but an essential experience for anyone who wants to really know Europe.
This is my second trip to Hungary. I do come here for views of the Danube, Buda Castle, Hero's Square or the fantastical spires of the parliament building. But I also come here to see the relics of the iron curtain, the Ottoman occupation, the Roman ruins and the leftovers of other historical eras that have touched Hungary, eras that once only existed for me in books. I come to see a fertile land from which some of my ancestors came. I am drawn to the complexity of this nation. Such elegance is so often juxtaposed with squalor and it fascinates me. I come to wander through the chaos of the yearly Sziget Music Festival, a labyrinth of music, food, games, young people and really cool t-shirts that in everyway mirrors an American Phish show. I also come to sit down at the dinner table in a Hungarian home with friends and family and enjoy home cooking, warm hospitality and great conversation with a people who are thoughtful, proud and witty. Hungary is not under glass; it is no museum piece. It has flavors and sounds and smells and they are not always pleasant, but they are most certainly real. I come to Hungary mainly for this reality, a culture that you can touch and one that will touch you back.

-Rich Carriero

By Janie Blank

Do you like the arts? Do you like things a little out of the mainstream? Do you like a unique restaurant, one that is not a chain? Are you interested in an historic district with lots of charm? If you answered yes to these questions then you will probably enjoy a stroll through the Short North. The Short North is made up of the High Street commercial district, most commonly known as the Short North, and residential areas, Victorian Village and Italian Village.

The Short North is known as an arts district. It is connected to downtown by something known as the Cap. The Cap is actually shops and restaurants that are built over the highway between the Convention Center and the Short North. It has wide sidewalks and a Victorian facade that matches the historic train station arches that once stood in this place. It is lined with outdoor dining and flows into the shopping, art galleries and restaurants that make up this area.

A fixture in Columbus social life is Gallery Hop which takes place the first Saturday night of every month. The area comes alive with thousands of people who stroll along High Street, browse through shops looking at every type of art imaginable being shown in galleries, retail shops, hair salons and restaurants. It is definitely the place to see and be seen. The first Gallery Hop was in 1984 and now over twenty years later it is more popular than ever.. If you can plan your visit to Columbus around the first Saturday night of the month then you are guaranteed a fun evening. My daughters live in Chicago and always try and schedule their trip home for the first weekend of the month.

Some of the fun galleries are the Kathryn Gallery featuring a variety of wonderful painters, the Sherrie Gallery which has a lot of art ceramics and the Lindsay Gallery, which shows mostly self taught folk artists. Another favorite is ROY G BIV. See if you can figure out the name. Virtually every shop, restaurant and hair salon will be showing works for sale. One of the neighborhood favorites is a funky artist named Rick Borg who often parks his dilapidated old station wagon n a side street and sets up his colorful paintings done on old scraps of wood, cupboard doors and I even have one painted on a shutter! Don't let his casual demeanor fool you. He has a Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University.

The Short North features some great shopping as well. There are antique stores, consignment shops and vintage clothing. You can find fixtures and gifts at Loot and Wells Landing, a kitchen store called the Kitchen Sorcerer, a store full of kitschy fun things called Cowtown Art, and the Global Gallery that has items from all over the world. For books there is An Open Book. For Jewelry there is Alexanders or None Other Too. Paul Robinett is a popular place for hand poured candles that are shipped all over. PM Gallery has lots of small art items from glass balls to funky switch plates. PM is one of the oldest shops in the district.

If you come for Gallery Hop you will want to check out the restaurants and make your reservation well in advance. One of the oldest and a personal favorite is Rigsbys Cuisine Volatile. When it first came to town twenty years or so ago we called it California Cuisine. It was something new here. The owner is a chef and had trained in California and brought the open kitchen concept to Columbus. It is still a one-of- a-kind with brick walls and glass fronting the street and a classy bar. As a matter of fact all along High Street you will see the hip crowd gathered at wine bars. The Burgundy Room has great tapas, Hyde Park on the Cap is the in steak house and Lemon Grass and Lui Pon Xi feature upscale Asian cuisine. If you are looking for a more casual atmosphere you can go to Bettys Diner for meatloaf or the Happy Greek. Macs is a great bar with Pub food where you might find beef stew or Shepherds Pie on the blackboard.

As you might have guessed I have barely skimmed the surface on the wide variety of shops, galleries and restaurants that are in this remarkable area. If you have the time you might want to do additional research on your own. (www.theshortnorth.com/shops%20and%20galleries.htm)


Within the Short North are also two historic neighborhoods of gorgeous old world architecture. Victorian Village renovation is virtually complete. The centerpiece of Victorian Village is Goodale Park named after Dr. Lincoln Goodale. He donated 40 acres to the city around 1850 and it is thought to be one of the first public parks in the country. The man thoroughfare is Neil Avenue, a beautiful tree line street, part boulevard hat connects downtown Columbus to Ohio State University. The street is well over a mile of Victorian mansions the majority of which have been restored. If you are interested in architecture from this era, strolling the streets of Victorian Village should be on your list of things to do in Columbus (www.victorianvillage.org/page5088.cfm)

The other area is Italian Village and this centers around Fourth Street to the East of the Short North. There are still many houses in Italian Village being renovated and many good buys yet to be had. Many new buildings made to look like the architecture of the era are going up as well for those who do not want the work of maintaining hundred year old buildings. Italian Village centers around an historic church built in 1898 called St. John the Baptist and is the center of the Italian Festival held around Labor Day each Year. If you like good Italian food do not miss this festival!

A new development called Jeffrey Place is being built on a tract of land once occupied by the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company on Fourth Street. This development features condos and lofts and is a focal pint of the area. Kramer Place is also getting a lot of buzz. Barry Bolts has also developed some old commercial buildings for use both commercially and for residential. He has commissioned local artists named Curtis Goldstein and Michelle Attias to do an outdoor mural along the railway that is intriguing. Curtis has also done a full brick wall mural along High Street right in the center of the Short North that is a copy of a George Bellows painting, Cliff Dwellers. George Bellows was a Columbus native. (brickstreet-arts.org/info.htm). (For additional information on Italian Village try this site (shortnorth.com/ItalianVillageHistory.html).

The Short North packs a lot of fun and history into a small area. You cannot say you have been to Columbus if you have not been to the Short North.

Winter 2003; our wedding took place in December the same year. We were thinking of traveling to Europe but then Cuba suddenly popped up. It was a destination we both wanted to go and at that moment it seemed perfect since we had enough money to spend and no children to leave behind.

We went to several travel agencies but what we had on hand at the time was disappointing. They all offered three or four days at Havana and ten to twelve days at Varadero (a tourist beach resort). Besides that, the price we had to pay was huge. What we really wanted was to visit the whole island, which is quite big since you need two hours by plain to go from Havana to Santiago de Cuba. Another negative aspect was that we had to pay “all inclusive” for our stay in Varadero, and take extra journey trips from there which meant that we would pay a full day for a stay in Varadero but we would not be there. So, we decided to examine other options.

We bought a Cuba travelers’ guide from a bookshop and we started reading it. It seemed quite good because we could find anything we could ask for; hotels, maps, restaurants, advice on how to travel on the island, and other websites where we could find more information. It even had information about the culture, the food and the weather. Having in mind that we wanted to visit the whole country we designed a trip according to our taste. We visited the given websites and we communicated with Cuban agencies asking them prices for what we were looking for. They were very quick in responding to us with hotel names, prices and every little detail we asked them for. After checking all possibilities we decided to buy the air tickets from the travel agency in our country and the rest through the internet. By doing that we managed to organize a trip as we liked it and save almost 1/3 of the amount we should have paid if we booked everything from an agency.

The day of departure came. Our connecting flight was from Frankfurt. The trip was quite long and a bit tiring as it took us almost 14 hours to arrive in Havana. The minute we stepped food on the ground I felt quite strange. Funny thoughts came in my mind. I turned to my husband telling him “What happens if nobody shows up to pick us from hear?”, and we started laughing but before we commented further on that, we saw a lady coming towards us asking our names. She was sent by the travel agency to give us the first instructions and take us to the car that would drive us to the hotel in Havana.

It was an old 4 star hotel in the middle of the city called

Raquel Hotel

. The architecture was excellent, and the employees working there were very friendly. We had a small trouble with hot water since the boiler was broken, but fortunately it was fixed the next day of our arrival. The cuisine was fine, we had the chance to taste a delicious soup made of beat-root. Opposite that hotel there was a primary school. The children looked so beautiful in there school uniform, they reminded us of our life in school, laughing and playing all the time.

We stayed in Havana for three nights. We visited a lot of museums but unfortunately not all. The one that really impressed us was the “Museum of Revolution”. All the history of the Cuban revolution against Batista’s regime was there. We were informed, impressed, surprised, and above all happy because we had the chance to see how people really fight for there freedom…

Viniales is a destination that everybody must go when visiting Cuba. There, we were able to visit cigar plantations and buy original Cuban cigars in low prices. We visited also the cigar factory and we saw how they make them. There we found out that the different brand names given to them are not because of the maker but because of the different varieties of tobacco plants. During that trip we had the chance to visit the whole area of Viniales and buy some beautiful wooden figures and some others made of banana leaves. A factory making rum was another place we went. Men were very pleased they had the chance to buy fine rum. But the most exciting of all was

Tropicana Cabaret

, with an excellent music, excellent show and excellent service!!!

The next destination was Santiago de Cuba, the second biggest city in Cuba. The hotel was new and its location was outside the town. The view of the city at night was wonderful from the hotel, with all those lights shining like stars. There, we had the chance to make a tour of the city and visit

La Grande Piedra

. From there you could see the whole Santiago territory and the mountains of Sierra Maestra where the first revolution groups started the guerilla warfare. The hotel service was excellent. The dining room was large with everything you could ask for. Food, drinks and sweets were delicious!!

We visited Baracoa as well, a small town eight hours away from Santiago de Cuba, the 1st settlement that Christopher Columbus build on Cuba. The people there were very friendly, and we had the chance to dine in a small house that was renovated and converted to a restaurant. There was an exotic coast, scenery that can only been seen in movies.

Just visit it!!!

One of my favorite tour experiences in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is the extensive Schriver House Museum found on downtown Baltimore Street. I would definitely recommend this place to old-house enthusiasts, history lovers, and anyone who loves Victorian decor. After the transition from rundown old house to fantastic 19th century home was complete, the beauty and charm of Baltimore Street increased tenfold. Schriver House Museum, built in 1860 just before its owner George Washington Schriver went off to war, has been restored to look much as it did during the battle in 1863. For years, if you drove Baltimore Street, you would see an ugly green exterior with little care taken in preservation, but the house is now one of the most beautiful in town.

The first thing you will want to do is walk down the side path (to the left of the building) and see all the bullet and cannonball holes in the old brick walls. It really gives you a feeling of how old the house truly is and what it was a witness to. After entering, you will be given a guided tour (ours was a woman dressed in a Civil War-era gown) of all the stories in the house, from the cellar to the attic. Unfortunately, I was asked not to take photos, and I don't know if this rule is still in effect. You can, however, buy postcards that portray some of the rooms in the house. The cellar is a dismal place where barrels are stored, but you can also find George Schriver's saloon. He also operated a Ten Pin Alley on the premises. Bottles and tables sit much as they did over 140 years ago, as though Hettie Schriver and her daughters never returned after they fled the battle.

Three of the most striking restored rooms, at least in my opinion, were Sadie and Mollie's bedroom (the Schrivers' two girls, five and seven in 1863), Hettie's bedroom, and the expansive Victorian kitchen filled with all kinds of cooking ingredients and utensils. In the bedrooms you will see a hint of the modern, like familiar toys and games, mixed with other things you may not be so familiar with, such as the chamber pot under the bed! You may appreciate the beautiful dark wood furniture in George and Hettie's room, contrasting sharply with the polished wood floors. There are many other rooms you can see, like the sitting room, the parlor, and the work room. Outside a garden can be found. I have always appreciated the old-fashioned beauty of wallpaper in 19th century homes, and some of the decor chosen for the Schriver House's walls is certainly elegant.

You may get a creepy feeling when your guide takes you to the attic; dark and damp, it seems isolated from the rest of the house. It is a known fact that sharpshooters from the South took up residence here during the battle, sending death missiles to Union soldiers, and that at least one man probably died in the attic. Artifacts found in the attic attest to the sharpshooters' presence. You may find yourself glad to get out of this particular part of the house (unless you are a ghost-hunter or paranormal enthusiast, in which case it may be your favorite part). When you go back downstairs again, don't forget to view the display cases that house items found throughout the home. The Schriver House Museum gift shop is also worth a browse; there will be many gift ideas for you or someone else who loves history. Be sure to ask any questions you may have, either during your tour or at the ticket counter.

The George Washington Schriver House Museum is located at 309 Baltimore Street. Admission (in Sept 2006) is $4.75 for kids younger than 12, and $6.95 for adults. You can take a group to the Schriver House but special rules apply and you will have to visit their official website to check it out. Remember to find the pictures of George, Hettie, Mollie, and Sadie on the site, too; it's fascinating to see the people that actually lived in the house you will be touring. Sadly, you will also discover that George died in a prison camp during the war. Hettie later remarried and is buried in another state.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Misti Sandefur

It's almost time friends... the decorations are coming out of storage as everyone is preparing for Christmas. Personally, Christmas is my favorite holiday, because it's a time when we celebrate the birth of our savor, Jesus Christ. Christmas is also a time for families to gather and feast on turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies, and much more. Mmmm... my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

There's more to Christmas than gifts, decorations, untangling lights and family gatherings, it's also a time for you to have some blissful "family time." Pull your children and your hubby away from the video games and tell them it's "family time." Drag out the Christmas lights, make sure they work, and begin decorating your home for Christmas. As time ticks by, you might find yourself in the holiday spirit, so pop a Christmas CD into the stereo and sing along as you decorate.

Another activity you can enjoy with your family is crafts. How about sitting down together and making a beautiful Christmas wreath to add to your decor. Here's how you and your family can create that beautiful Christmas Wreath...

What you need:

One wire coat hanger
Several boxes of small sandwich bags (not the ziplock kind)
Scissors
Big red bow or red ribbon
Super glue

Directions:

1. Without taking apart or disturbing the hook (you'll need that to hang the project later), simply mold the triangular area of a wire coat hanger into a circle. Parents should probably do this so the younger children don't get any ideas or hurt themselves.

2. Cut down the sides of each sandwich bag so it turns into one long, wide strip (similar to a cheese slice after it has been opened). For the younger kids that can't use scissors, they can help by tearing down the sides of the sandwich bags if they're careful.

3. Tie each bag into any kind of knot onto the circular area of the hanger. Be sure to pull the knot tight, and have the ends on separate sides of the hanger. Also, make sure you keep the baggies close together -- push them together to fill in gaps as needed. You will need a ton of baggies (close to 200). The cheapest ones you can find are fine and still look just as nice.

4. Super glue one red bow at the top (centered). If you're really creative, you can use ribbon to make your own red bow for the top. Parents should super glue the bow so the younger children don't super glue themselves.

Once the project is completed, you will have a very cute Christmas reef that's ready to hang on any nail or doorknob. It will last for years!

When you're tired of being indoors, take the family outdoors and enjoy some of the festivities around the Western Kentucky area.

Have you ever worked through a maze on paper? Were you good at finding your way to the finish line? Opening September 16, test your maze skills off paper at the Corn Crop Human Maze event held every Saturday night... and Halloween night (5:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.).

At the Corn Crop Human Maze (beside Murray State University), you can attempt to find your way through six acres of 10 feet tall corn stalks that twists and turns for two miles. The occasion also includes activities, drawings and giveaways. For more information call 270-887-4290.

Beginning on September 29 Owensboro will celebrate fall with their fifth annual Pumpkin Fest. The town has loads of fun planned. There will be games for the children, a carnival, raffles, a motorcycle show, musical entertainment, pumpkin relay races, a challenge for scrapbookers and so much more. To find out more visit their Web site (http://www.owensboropumpkinfest.org).

The small community of Hazel, Kentucky will host its 17th Annual Hazel Day Celebration. The Hazel Day Celebration (http://www.hazelky.com/hazeldayrelease.htm) is held to commemorate their past and present. While there, you can view old photographs and memorabilia. Furthermore, there will be free horse and buggy rides, an open car show, an old-fashioned cakewalk, a washer pitching tournament, musical entertainment, pumpkin and face painting, train rides for the kids, a dunking booth, parade, quilt auction, antique tractor display, sorghum milling and a whole lot more!

The Aurora Country Festival takes places on the Kentucky Lake in Aurora. The festival starts on Friday, October 6 and ends on Sunday, October 8. Your family can enjoy sorghum squeezing, cooking, a talent contest, vendors, a parade (Saturday), a game of Bingo, free entertainment, country music, juried crafts, demonstrators and more. To find out more about this annual festival call 270-703-6060.

Gather the family for some good old-fashioned fun at Campfire Tales. Campfire Tales is held at the Nature Station in Western Kentucky. You and your family will gather around a fire to roast marshmallows and hear stories told by Letitia Usher. The hosts ask that you bring along a flashlight and blankets or lawn chairs so you'll be comfortable. Moreover, there's also a fee of $3/$4.50 per person. To make reservations call 270-924-2020.

For many years, Trigg County has been known for their country hams, and on Oct. 20 -22, 1977 they decided to hold their first annual Trigg County Country Ham Festival. Because the festival was successful, and has grown over the years, Trigg County continues to hold this annual event.

This year's Trigg County Country Ham Festival will commence October 13 and come to an end on October 15. You can enjoy a petting zoo, vendors, food, rides and much more. Oh yes, we can't forget the delicious ham. Therefore, before you leave be sure to sample the ham that the county is well-known for. For more information about the festival -- including the festival's history -- visit their Web site (http://www.hamfestival.com/).

On October 21 is the Little Spooky Spooks festival at Kenlake State Resort. Dress in your spookiest costume and head for Kenlake State Resort for some frightening family fun. There will be spooky animals, a storyteller spinning scary tales, candy and refreshments. In addition to all this, your family can also create a unique craft. Everyone is welcome!

Also on October 22 is the Haunted Hallway Trail at Kenlake. If you and your family are up for a scare, you may want to inquire about this event while at the Little Spooky Spooks festival. For additional information call 800-325-0143, or e-mail Kenlake@ky.gov.

What does fall bring to mind? Hayrides, of course! At the Nature Station in the Land Between the Lakes, you and your family can experience an old-fashioned fall hayride through the woods. Led by staff, the fall hayride will include activities, games and nature-viewing opportunities for all ages! The hayride takes place on November 11 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

Dress your family for the weather and head to the Nature Station. $2 per person; register at the front desk on that day. Trips will depart throughout the day.

On Halloween night, some churches in the Paducah area will be hosting safe events for families with children. Lone Oak First Baptist Church has a Family Fun Festival. Lone Oak will feature several inflatable games including "Adrenaline Rush," "Titanic Giant Slide" and "Moon Walk." There will also be a basketball shoot, football throw, "Mouse House" putt-putt golf, Duck Pond, Grab-a-Pumpkin, Hit Me in the Kisser, Face Painting, Pit of Doom, Ring Toss and etc. Candy, balloons, popcorn and soft drinks are all free. As usual, they will also have a "Trunk or Treat" with hot-rod cars, antique cars and decorated vehicles.

At Lone Oak Church of Christ there is a Community Trunk of Treats with over 200 car trunks for trick-or-treating. (Lone Oak will be getting a lot of candy.)

Halloween Safe Night for Kids at Mt. Zion Baptist Church features a "Flashlight" Trick-or-Treat. For those of you nearer to Mayfield, check out the Trace Creek Baptist Church in Mayfield. They will be hosting Fun Night and will be offering games with prizes, a dunking booth, hayride, puppet show and more. This is designed for children through the sixth grade, but games and activities will also be provided for the very young. Each child attending will receive plenty of candy! Costumes are welcome, but as this is for younger children, please don't dress as ghosts, goblins, witches or other scary costumes.

Get into the Christmas spirit at the Pennyrile Polar Express & Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting (free) event on December 9 -- 4:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. 15 minutes before the event ends the tree lighting will take place at the Founder's Square in Hopkinsville. For more than one hour, you and your family can enjoy stories, carriage rides, crafts, miniature trains and a whole lot more.
Location: E. Ninth Street between the L&N Depot and Founder's Square.

Mark your calendars for Christmas in the Park at Kenlake State Resort Park! Area homemaker groups will be decorating Christmas trees in the upper lobbies, Santa will pay a visit to the kids, and there will be crafts, pictures, cookies and punch. Call 270-474-2211 to find out more.
Date: Dec. 10, 2006.

At last, does your family get a feeling of excitement when they think about haunted houses? Then you should definitely mark your calendars for a couple of the haunted house adventures in the Western Kentucky area!

Scream Fest 2006 will be on October 6 - 8, 13 - 15, 20 - 22 and 27 - 31. The location is in Paducah at Talon Falls Haunted Screampark, and as the name implies, it is sure to leave you screaming! If you survive the Screampark and think you can handle more, try the Dead End Haunted House located on I-24, exit 7, west of highway 62, six miles on left. Watch for the skull sign! To visit both the Screampark and the Dead End Haunted House the ticket price will be $20, but bring a Pepsi can or flyer and you get a discount. Portions of the proceeds go to benefit the West Kentucky Crime Stoppers, Child Watch, and West Kentucky Community and Technical College Scholarship fund. This years theme: "Crypt of the Vampire" -- home of the un-dead.

For show times, pictures and other information visit the Scream Fest Web site (http://www.talonfalls.com).

Looking for a more original haunt with Ogres, Goblins and Killer Clowns? On Friday and Saturday nights starting in October, Oller's Oddities Circus of Monsters, located at the old Gold's Gym building near Kentucky Oaks in Paducah will give you that haunting amusement. Proceeds go to benefit Western Kentucky Easter Seals.

That brings to an end the fall fun that awaits you in the Western Kentucky area. Monday I will cover the Indiana area.

If there's an area you would like me to cover -- an area I've not done yet -- let me know the area by posting your comment and I'll cover it for you. If you'd rather not mention an area or events in the comment area, then you can send your request or event information to me via fax. My toll-free fax number is 866-653-9818. Be safe and enjoy the time with your family!

By Janie Blank

We have been yearning for a trip to Prague for years. Somehow other things seem to have taken its place until now. We are off to London to stay with friends for three weeks. During that time we are taking some short trips. One is to Prague. It is just for three nights but hopefully we can pack a lot of sightseeing into the time we have.

We plan to be there in mid-October. The first thing we learned is that high season extends through October. So no discounts there. I usually buy a Fodors to start and see what he recommends. One of our favorite finds is a small hotel in Paris that Fodors called the best buy in the eighth arrondissement back in 1995. Friends have told us hotels in Prague are expensive but you will make it up on the food. That being said there still are multiple price ranges. The key is figuring out what neighborhood you want to be in and working from there.

We booked our flight from London on EasyJet (www.easyjet.com). The fares are amazingly inexpensive when converted to US dollars (www.xe.com/ucc). EasyJet is British so everything is priced in pounds. We are flying roundtrip from London for $272 USD total for two of us. Like going from Columbus to Chicago. Because I liked the EasyJet website and found the ease in booking very user-friendly I decided to click on their book a hotel button and see what they had. They had only some of the same ones Fodor had but enough that you could get a feel for their rating system.

EasyJet has a pretty good map you can click on for location of the hotel. This worked fine if what I was looking at was within the small map in my Fodors. But if it was outside of that area I had no idea how close or far it might be. The main landmarks that most of the sites refer to is Wenceslas Square, however on the map it is written in Czech as Vaclavske Namesti. So of course it takes awhile to figure this out! A hotel will say, for example, that it is a fifteen minute walk from Wenceslas Square.

After referring to the maps in the Fodors and to EasyJet and other travel websites I got by Googling hotels in Prague I decided I still needed a better map. I am kind of a big picture person and need to see the entire area before I can then key in on the specific locations. I want to know where they are in relation to each other. I went to another bookstore and this time I also found a Fodors but it was entitled Pragues 25 Best. Although I am sure this will be very helpful for the short time we are spending there since it refers to 25 tourist attractions, the thing that sold me was that is has a big fold up map of the city.

Once I spread out the map and then compared it with the smaller maps offered for the location of each hotel I felt like I was in business! I was particularly enamored with a hotel called the Green Garden (http://hotelgreengarden.cz/index.htm). If you have time just click on this and listen and look at the intro. It will make you want to visit Prague if not the hotel. After looking at the map I was concerned that it was a little farther from the main tourist attractions and might be on a noisy, busy street. However, I plan to check it out while there for future reference. It was not named in Fodors but was an EasyJet choice.

Eventually, after reading the hotel section in the original Fodors Prague I got a feel for the various neighborhoods and narrowed my choice down to three: the Old City (Stare Mesto), the New City (Nove Mesto) and the Male Strana. Not sure how they translate this but my Latin background would make me think BAD City! Ha! However Fodor highly recommends this area as being quiet and on same side of the River as the Castle which is a must see. I took a close look at hotels that seemed nice but were under 100 pounds per night. Actually EasyJet does a nice job of pricing them for the length of the stay you entered including all fees and taxes so if it says you are paying 177 GBP (actually what we are paying and converts to $331 USD as of today's exchange rate) then you can convert that to USD and know that is your total cost. I like this a lot. We all know how that Hampton Inn for $89 a night turns out to be $117 with tax!

It is hard to say exactly how I made my final selection. All of the hotel rooms look stark with ugly bedspreads, even in the most expensive properties. So we are prepared for something fairly plain. One seemed to have trolley tracks in front so we were concerned about noise and we ruled that one out. Another looked really nice, but maybe a little close to a major intersection. The third was very close to the river as well as the Charles Bridge (this is called Karluv Most on the maps by the way), another big tourist attraction so we decided to go for it. It is on the Male Strana side but just a block from where they say restaurants line the river. The one we settled on was a City Partner hotel called Hotel Atos. I am completely unfamiliar with City Partner and probably could have done some additional research on this chain. I did look at some reviews from other websites and they all gave it a four out of five so I am hoping they are people with similar likes as mine! I assume it is like a Best Western or something. The negative to one persons review was the food included for breakfast is kind of cafeteria style. Although another liked it, so we will have to just experience that first hand. Since we hear food is good, plentiful and cheap we can always just find a little cafe if we do not care for the breakfast provided. Hopefully since we will be there at the end of the season things will have slowed down and all the school group and teachers will have departed and they will have more time and patience for us.

There seem to be hundreds of hotels so I am sure there is probably something fabulous I missed right next door. I guess we will know to make a recommendation to someone else!

By Misti Sandefur

Do you find yourself spending less time with the ones you love? Take a break and enjoy the company of your family, because you never know what tomorrow might bring.

By now you may be saying, "You're right, we should have more 'family time', but how? Where do we go, what can we do?" I'll answer that question for you, and from time-to-time I'll be your guide to events around the United States. In addition, I may also mention activities for indoor & outdoor fun, craft ideas, and anything else that I think will bring fun for your whole family.

I'll start the first "family time" article off with the fall events around the Southern Illinois area. Furthermore, this first article will list some fun activities you can enjoy with your family too. Let the fun and festivities begin!

Red, yellow and gold. The fall colors here in Southern Illinois have begun, and they can be as spectacular as any in the country are. With your family, get pleasure from the beauty nature brings our way. Together, take a walk in the woods and talk about all the colors around you. Pick up some leaves along the way, bring them home with you, and place them in a scrapbook or family album to cherish the memory you have just made together.

Scavenger hunts make for great indoor and outdoor fun; search fests for the entire family. Have everyone write down some items that can be found outside (or inside if the weather is bad). Put the name of each item into a hat. Shake the hat, and afterwards have everyone draw a piece of paper out of the hat. Make sure there is an even number in the hat so everyone has the same amount. For example, if there are four players, there should be twenty pieces of paper in the hat, thus leaving each player with five pieces of paper.

Once the hat is empty, give everyone a watch, set a time to meet back at the spot you're standing in, and have everyone search for the items written on their paper. Be sure they keep an eye on the time, because once the time is up, they must return to the meeting spot with the items they found. It will be a race to see who can collect the most items before time runs out.

The winner will be the person who found the most items. If more than one has the same number of items, break the tie by having someone name another item, and at that moment have those who tied go find the item. Whoever finds the item and returns to the meeting spot first will be the winner.

For many, fall is also a time to enjoy the festivals and events around the area. I've scoured the Internet, local papers and flyers of Southern Illinois and compiled a list of all the fun you can have on this vibrant fall season. If I missed something, it's not because I didn't look!

Do you and your family enjoy arcade games? Mark your calendars for the second annual Pinball and Arcade Supershow starting on September 29 (3:00 p.m.) and ending on September 30 (starts at 11:00 a.m.). With an entry fee of only $10, you can play all the pinball and/or video arcade machines you want. In addition, if you're really good at pinball you can participate in the pinball tournament.

The Pinball and Arcade Supershow takes place at the Herrin Civic Center. For more information phone 618-751-8458.

Carnival rides and games, hickory-smoked barbeque, a pet parade, games for the kids, karoke, food of all kinds, vendors, a motorcycle show and rides on the Shawnee Queen River Taxi are just a few of the many activities your family can enjoy at the annual Hardin County Fluorspar Festival!

The annual Fluorspar Festival is held on the first weekend in October every year. Just drive into Rosiclare Illinois and the festival is all up and down Main Street. I can assure you there's something for every member of your family to enjoy, and every year a parade brings the event to an end.

Grab the family and enjoy three days of Johnson County's Fall Festival! If you or a member of your family can sing well, you have to enter the karaoke contest. In addition to the karaoke contest, there will also be a parade, Mr. and Miss Pageant, carnival rides and much more.

The festival will be held in the Vienna City Park, and it begins on October 6 and ends October 8. For more information phone 618-658-2063.

If you love chili, wrestling, haunted hayrides, pancakes, cake walks, live bands, flea markets, petting zoos and exhibits, you should make a drive to Carrier Mills beginning October 6 for their Catskins Day celebration. The fun and entertainment will last for three days, and believe me when I say, "you'll have a BLAST!"

To obtain more information and a schedule of each day's events, pick up the phone and call 618-658-2063. You won't want to miss this event!

On Saturday, October 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., your family can take part in Anna's Leaf, Bark and Seed Hikes. On this hike, you and your family will discover the reason leaves change color, and you'll also learn how to identify trees as the leaves on them disappear. The hike through nature will take place at the Giant City State Park. This one can be educational for the children.

For more information, call 618-457-4836. One other thing, if you can't make it on October 7 another hike will take place on October 14 -- same time, same place.

Gather up the family on November 11 and head to Anna to honor our veterans. At 2:00 p.m. Anna will host their Veteran's Day Parade. The parade will start from the city park entrance on Davie Street, and from there it will follow through Main Street to Jefferson Street, and back to the park. For more information, call 618-833-5182. Don’t forget to grab sacks for the kids; they'll need them to catch any candy thrown toward them during the parade.

Also on Saturday, November 11, round up the gang and get an early start on your Christmas shopping! You and the family will enjoy shopping, as the Merchants' Christmas Open House gets underway. There will be Christmas music and decorations, baked goodies for everyone, and a whole lot of shopping in the stores of downtown Golconda.

Since the Merchants' Christmas Open House lasts all day, you can enjoy the Veteran's Day celebration in Anna and then head to Golconda after the parade.

Beginning Thursday, November 16, loads of fun will be waiting for you under the big tent! No, it's not the circus, it's much better! Yes, that's right, Golconda's annual Deer Festival; I can smell the barbeque and funnel cakes already!

All the fun and celebrations will begin with a community service on the evening (7:00 p.m.) of November 16. The community service brings gospel music sung by the community's choir.

On the second day, November 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m., you can enjoy the Baby Photo contest followed by the Little Mister and Miss Pope County Deer Festival Pageant. After the Little Mister and Miss Pageant, the Junior Mister and Miss Pageant will begin.

If you don't get your fill of pageants on November 17, return to the big tent on the 18th (7:00 p.m.) to see which young woman from Pope County High School is crowned Deer Queen.

Ending the festival will be the annual Deer Festival Street Parade. The parade will begin at 2:00 p.m., and afterward you can buy a pound or two of the best barbaque in town! Yum, yum, I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Honest, you just can't pass through Main Street in Golconda without stopping-in at the Annual Deer Festival. Lots of fun for the whole family! Load up, head for the "big tent," and enjoy barbeque, funnel cakes, corn dogs, entertainment, pageants, and a whole lot more!

Get into the holiday spirit and take the young 'ins to see Santa Clause and get candy on December 2. On this date, Metropolis will host their Christmas Parade. The parade will feature floats, bands, and yes, Santa Clause too.

If you would like to find out more about the Christmas Parade in Metropolis, phone 1-800-949-5740, or send an e-mail to deneal@verizon.net.

From 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 9 Golconda will start their annual Christmas House Tour. Participants will depart from the museum for a candlelight walk and Christmas caroling to the courtyard. At the courtyard, everyone will enjoy hot chocolate to warm their bones, cookies to satisfy their need for sweets, and a visit from good ole' Saint Nick. There will also be a bonfire to keep you warm. Call 618-683-9702 if you'd like additional information.

Would you and your family like to discover how the plants and animals living in the Shawnee National Forest adapt to the winter atmosphere? If, on December 9, you pay a visit to the Giant City State Park Visitor Center in Anna you will discover the facts as you take part in the Wonders of Winter Walk. The walk will take place at 1:00 p.m., and will last until 2:30 p.m.

Not only will you find out how the plants and animals adjust to the winter atmosphere, but you and your crew will also enjoy the scenic views of the Shawnee National Forest. Dress warm and have fun!

That concludes the fall festivities in the Southern Illinois area. Tomorrow I'll have even more fall fun you and your family can enjoy, and the events listed then will be in Western Kentucky.

If there's an area you would like me to cover -- an area I've not done yet -- let me know the area by posting your comment and I'll cover it for you. If you'd rather not mention an area or event in the comment area, then you can send your request or event information to me via fax. My toll-free fax number is 866-653-9818.

Don't forget, mark your calendars, and make your plans for the entire family. Until tomorrow, may God bless you and yours!

There's a ticklish irony knowing that my friend Cam lives in a city known as "the Holy City." Luckily for him, Charleston is so nicknamed for the numerous church steeples defining the skyline. He recently played tour guide and introduced me to his Charleston, South Carolina.

Our Saturday morning began with sipping coffee, catching up and planning the rest of the weekend at downtown's East Bay Coffee House. It seemed to be one of a few places open. Sitting in the oversized sofa tucked in the back by the bar, I felt like one of the artsy poets who perform during Monday Night Blues. A poetry reading begins at 8:00 p.m., followed by musicians at 9:00 p.m.

We then wandered through the historic City Market between North and South Market Streets. It was a little overwhelming taking everything in. Built in the late 1800s as a produce and meat market, these four brick stalls hold a mix of Charleston's finest handicrafts, baked goods and modern knickknacks. [Tip: Bring quarters for parking].

The area's most popular crafts are hand-woven, aromatic sweetgrass baskets. Weaving dates back to the 17th century when Western African slaves were introduced to South Carolina's Lowcountry. The baskets had functional uses then, but today, are art masterpieces. Women sit, weave and take the time to say "hello," in and around the market. The baskets' sweet, woody aroma was one of the best scents in Charleston!

We tasted a local treat called benne wafers from Market Street Munchies. These thin, crunchy cookies are sweet with a hint of saltiness. The benne seeds look and taste similar to sesame seeds and were introduced by West African slaves. The seeds are believed to harbor good luck to those who eat them.

Being a Saturday, the Charleston Farmer's Market was happening at Marion Square. This is the place to find farm-grown and organic fruits and vegetables, vibrant wildflowers, jewelry, handmade soaps, jellies, artwork and other crafts. The Farmer's Market is open every Saturday now through December 17, 2006. In 2007, it should begin again in April sometime.

Earrings, necklaces and rings made from shards of white and blue Chinese porcelain and set in sterling silver really caught my attention. The porcelain dates back to the Qing and Ming Dynasties (300 to 600 years ago). The artists, Fran Ridgell and Robert Clair, collectively called South East Creations, spent time in China and Japan and recently moved back to the Charleston area. Forty percent of the proceeds from the jewelry sales go to the Cambodian Academic Relief Project serving needy students and schools in Cambodia.

Despite the thick, sticky humidity on this September morning, we walked down historic streets gazing at mansions with amazingly lush mini-gardens. We crisscrossed over Church, Meeting and King Streets, seeing the transition from modern, high-end shops to classy antiques and art galleries. In the residential areas, tall oak trees arched and provided much appreciated shade. [Tip: Wear flat shoes, no heals. Some of Charleston's historic streets are cobbled and would be difficult to maneuver in stilettos].

Over on Archdale Street, the Unitarian Church in Charleston's Churchyard called us in. The canopied tree walkway looked invitingly cool. We were intrigued to see what was at the other end and found something like a secret garden, except it was a graveyard. Grass seemed a bit overgrown, but the walkways along the weathered headstones (dating back to at least the 1800s) are maintained. Pink and orange flowers peeked out of the tall grasses and a chorus of birds sang along with the organ playing in the church.

Rumbling tummies called us to the rolling surf of nearby Folly Beach. One of Cam's favorite spots - for lunch, dinner and evening - is 11 Center Street. The first floor has rows and rows of wine. I picked out an "okay" Oregon chardonnay from the cooler and took it upstairs for a bird's-eye-view of Folly Beach's main drag and the water. 11 Center Street serves a Tapas menu with Mediterranean-American flare. The coconut onion rings were tasty. Imported beers and microbrews are available, too.

Our evening plans were made with help from the area's free entertainment publication, the Charleston City Paper. Decisions, decisions. It was off to Theatre 99 to see the weekly Saturday performance of The Have Nots! Improv [Comedy] Jam. As we wandered along the waterfront killing time for the 8:00 p.m. show, gussied-up wedding parties left churches and starry-eyed newlyweds cuddled in the back of horse-drawn carriages.

If you've seen Drew Carey's television show, Whose Line Is It Anyway? then you understand improvisational comedy. Audience participation is a must and Cam being a born performer, volunteered to help the comedy troupe with a skit. Bottom line, funny stuff. [Tip: Bring cash; credit cards are not accepted; and don't be shy during the performance!].

A late-night, light meal and hookah pipe topped off the night at Cafe' Paradiso on South Market Street. We sat by the sidewalk eating a plate of fresh hummus, zippy tabouli and other Mediterranean treats while smoking a hookah pipe, rented from Cafe' Paradiso. A live band drew a crowd, as did the hookah. Passersby stopped and watched, thinking we were smoking something illegal, when in fact, we were smoking mint flavored tobacco. Cam invited the curious folks over, explained the pipe and offered tokes to everyone from young college students to gray-haired, sophisticated ladies.

Shrimp and grits was my Sunday morning breakfast at the St. John's Island Cafe', a little place we found on our way to the Charleston Tea Plantation. Cam enjoyed the seafood omelet and portions were generous. The Cafe' looked like a favorite among locals.

The Charleston Tea Plantation was the main reason for making the trip to the area. The drive down Maybank Highway is beautiful; huge oak trees dripping with Spanish moss canopy the road. Private plantation homes are on either side of the street, hidden at the end of long, winding driveways. Just when we thought we missed it, we'd spot signs giving us mileage updates.

Tours of the Charleston Tea Plantation began in January 2006 after three years of restoring the grounds. The tour is a brief trip through the factory, explaining how the tea leaves are harvested and how tea is "born." Interestingly, black, oolong and green teas are all derived from the same tea leaf. What makes it a specific type of tea is how long the leaves are oxygenated. Iced tea is served in the gift shop section, which of course, sells tea and tea-related souvenirs. Visitors cannot wander through the rows of tea bushes, but can get pretty close.

During my brief visit to Charleston, I didn't walk along on a ghost tour, visit the Slave Mart Museum or Boone Hall Plantation. Despite missing the typical tourist spots, I'm glad for experiencing the city through a local's eyes. Especially those of a friend. Besides, this leaves more to explore on a return visit.

- JA Huber

If someone mentions the city Orlando, it is likely that your mind becomes flooded with images of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the "Happiest Place on Earth" or perhaps E.T., Jaws, and Hollywood movie sets, but there is more to Orlando than just theme parks and animated characters, especially when it comes to Orlando nightlife. Whether you are looking for a jazz club to hear live blues performances, a comedy club to literally laugh your tail off, or a nightclub to dance the night away, Orlando has a vast array of options to choose from. Various nightspots are located throughout Orlando but the majority of them fall in four locations that include Downtown Orlando, Disney's Pleasure Island, Universal Studios City Walk, and International Drive. No matter where you are in Orlando, a fabulous experience awaits you at any nightspot and is usually only a twenty-minute drive away.

Club Paris
The notorious Hilton Hotels heiress herself, Paris Hilton, was involved in both the design and theme of this Downtown Orlando hotspot. Located in the heart of Downtown Orlando, Club Paris (http://www.clubparis.net) is decorated like that of a palace belonging to only the utmost royal princess. Decorated in carefully selected Italian decor, the signature crown that Paris Hilton is often seen sporting can be spotted throughout the club accented by the bright pink light that backs it. Hanging from the ceiling are crystal chandeliers that sparkle with a pink glow which undoubtedly give Club Paris a decadent and lavish feel. The club boasts over 22,000 feet of dance floors where patrons can dance the night away to the hottest tunes that are blaring from Club Paris's top-notch sound system. If guests would rather lounge around and chat it up with someone special, there are many plush and metallic looking couches of blue, green, pearl, purple, and of course pink located throughout the club. Club Paris is a multi-level club with an exclusive VIP area located on the second floor. If guests choose to go up to VIP, they can relax and party in the comfort of a bedroom like area that includes a private dance floor and personalized VIP cocktail areas, which overlook the main dance floor. On the first floor, guests can party the night away while dancing on the main floor, lounging around on various colored sofas, and sipping on cocktails from the bars located on the main floor. Throughout the week, Club Paris has special events that bring in large amounts of individuals. On Wednesday night, Club Paris hosts Latin Night and guests can salsa or just "shake their bon-bon" to the hottest Latin music in town. On Thursday night, it is ladies night and there are drink specials and of course it is no surprise that Club Paris draws in many of the hottest Orlando women and men. On Saturday night local radio station XL 106.7 hosts Club Paris where everyone parties the night away while dancing to the hottest tunes and dance music. The dress code consists of club wear and feel free to dress up as much as you'd luck. At Club Paris, dressing to kill is usually the motto most individuals go by. Whether you are looking to just dance and drink the night away or party it up the VIP way, Club Paris is the place to see and definitely be seen.

Chillers
Located near downtown Orlando, Chillers offers a nightclub like experience in a semi-causal and relaxed atmosphere. Known for its fabulous frozen drinks, Chillers offers drink specials and is open seven days a week. The multi-level club offers different kinds of music on each individual floor and with good drinks and great music, it is no wonder why Chillers draws in tons of Orlando locals. Chillers, which is open seven days a week, boasts a rooftop bar which is called Latitudes, along with various bars on the other different levels of the club. On Wednesday nights, Chillers offers drink specials which include dollar drinks and while the atmosphere is pretty laid back, guests can either opt to dress in jeans or club wear, whichever suits their preference. If you are looking to dance and mingle, Chillers offers great drinks and drink specials and various types of music throughout the club.

Howl At the Moon
Howl At the Moon (http://www.howlatthemoon.com) is located off of International Drive, the tourist strip of Orlando. Home of the famous "dueling pianos", Howl At the Moon, offers guests a dinner theatre-like experience that features live music and performances by only the best musicians and comedians. Guests are encouraged to sing along to the well-known tunes that blare from the pianos and believe me, after a few drinks you will be singing along with the rest of the crowd. The atmosphere consists of guests laughing as the entertainers play songs that just about everyone knows, while singing along as best they can. The atmosphere is intoxicating and you can't help but be sucked in and have fun. It is impossible not to. Throughout the evening, there are audience participation activities and the employees also come up to the main stage and perform routinely. There are various events through the week including two for one Tuesdays, Ladies night on Wednesday, and College Night on Thursdays. The dress code ranges from casual to dressy casual and with so much activity and fun in one building, it is no wonder why both locals and tourists are drawn to party the night away at Howl At the Moon. If you are out for a first date or perhaps looking to relax after a long day at a convention, Howl At the Moon is the place to be for fun, laughter, entertainment, mingling, and drinks.

Adobe Gilas at Pointe Orlando
Located off of International Drive at Pointe Orlando, Adobe Gilas offers a casual bar experience which features drink specials and live entertainment. Due to its location, guests can enjoy drinks on the second floor at Adobe Gilas or head downstairs to catch a flick at the Muvico Theatres. In addition, one can do some shopping at a variety of brand name stores and little boutiques that include Express, Armani Exchange, Foot Locker, Gray Fifth Avenue, Players Golf, Chico's, Everything But Water, the Sunglass Hut, and Victoria's Secret. If you are hungry, you can dine at Adobe Gilas, Johnny Rockets, The Capital Grill, or Hooters.

Matrix and the Metropolis at Pointe Orlando
Located on the top floor of Pointe Orlando, Matrix and the Metropolis are two local clubs located side by side which draw in both out of town visitors and the locals. A single cover charge covers admission into both clubs and between the two there is a variety of music including Techno, Top 100, 80's music, Reggae, and Euro trance, which is played by live deejays. In addition, the club boasts a multi million-dollar light show, which sets it apart from other Orlando nightclubs.

The Blue Martini
If you are looking for a nice restaurant and bar to go to, The Blue Martini, home of over twenty-five different martinis and located at the Mall of Millennia, is where you want to go. Guests can either spend their time in the VIP section or mingle on the outdoor patio or in the main room. The dress code is dressy so if you decide to head out to the Blue Martini, be ready to dress to impress. Various events are hosted throughout the week including Wednesdays' Ladies Night and Sunday's Reggae Night and on occasion, there will be performers who will perform live music for the guests.

Universal's City Walk
In a tourism driven town like Orlando, it is no surprise that the major theme parks that basically are the reason Orlando is on the map, have decided to stake a claim in the Orlando nightlife. Located within steps away from Universal's Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios, City Walk offers a variety of ways to enjoy your evening.

Pat O'Brien's at Universal City Walk
Known for their Hurricane drinks, Pat O'Brien's is a place where guests can enjoy authentic cuisine and live entertainment. Pat O'Brien's cuisine consists of a variety of Cajun specialties including jambalaya, catfish, and shrimp Creole. While dining or drinking, guests will undoubtedly be entertained and can sing along to "dueling piano" show that is performed throughout the evening.

Bob Marley: A Tribute to Freedom at Universal's City Walk
Located in the heart of Universal's City Walk, Bob Marley's celebrates the musical legend's career and life, providing guests with a unique experience and setting to enjoy his music and celebrate his life. Guests can dine on authentic Jamaican entrees, appetizers and desserts while either dancing the night away or watching live performances by reggae bands.

City Jazz and Bonkerz Comedy Club at Universal's City Walk
If you are looking for a musical experience that includes a little bit of jazz, funk, r&b, soul, and rock, then City Jazz is the place to be. Guests have the opportunity to sip cocktails and dance while listening to live jazz music performances. It doesn't end there. On Thursday and Sunday nights, City Jazz transforms into Bonkerz Comedy Club, a special comedy club that features nationally renowned comics. Guests will laugh the night away and may have the opportunity to be a guest participant in the show and on Sunday nights, guests can participate in comedy hypnosis if they dare. Guests must be eighteen or older.

The Groove at Universal's City Walk
Located in Universal's City Walk, The Groove is a nightclub where guests can go to drink, dance, and listen to hits ranging from the Top 100 to music from the 70's and 80's. The Groove features a multi-level club that consists of three VIP lounges, each with different themes where guests can go to relax and strike up a conversation with that special someone. Guests must be twenty-one years of age in order to come party at The Groove.

Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville at Universal's City Walk
If you are looking to hang out in a classic party atmosphere while sipping a margarita, Jimmy Buffet's is the place to be. Guests will enjoy live entertainment after 10 pm and can choose from a wide selection of specialty drinks from any one of the three bars that are inspired by some of Jimmy Buffet's songs. The names of the bars are the Volcano Bar, the Shark Bar, and the 12 Volt Bar.

The Red Coconut Club at Universal's City Walk
The Red Coconut Club, which is Universal City Walk's newest addition to Orlando nightlife, features signature martinis and a DJ spinning a variety of hits. On occasion, guests can enjoy live performances by selected bands. In order to be admitted into The Red Coconut Club guests must be twenty-one and older.


Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney
Now seeing that theme parks rule Orlando, it is no surprise that Disney has its own little form of nightlife located in Downtown Disney. Surrounded by themed restaurants including the Rainforest Cafe and Hard Rock Cafe, Pleasure Island houses all of the nightclubs ranging from dance clubs to comedy clubs. Guests can purchase a pass to a single club or opt for the pass that will get them into all of the clubs.

8 Trax at Pleasure Island
Located in Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island, guests can flash back a few decades and boogie the night away at 8 Trax while grooving to music hits of the 70's and 80's. Television monitors are located throughout the club and guests can watch the music videos while dancing to their favorite tunes.

Adventurer's Club at Pleasure Island
If guests are looking for a dinner theatre-like experience they will want to mosey on in to the Adventurers Club where they will encounter an interactive experience with an entertaining cast of characters. The setting takes place in a 1930's gentlemen's club and guests have the opportunity to participate in the club's events that include a welcome party, a talent show, the Maid's sing-a-long, and several others. The Adventure's Club serves mixed drinks, soft drinks and bottled beer, but does not serve any food items.

BET Soundstage Club at Pleasure Island
If hip-hop and R&B are the types of music you enjoy dancing to, then the BET Soundstage Club is where you will want to go. The two-story club plays the latest in R&B and hip-hop music, which is spun by a live DJ. Television screens are located throughout the club and they display live shots of guests throughout the room.

Mannequins Dance Palace at Pleasure Island
It's no wonder why the revolving dance floor distinguishes Mannequins from the other clubs at Pleasure Island. Guests can shake their groove thing to the latest in tech and trance music as the dance floor revolves. I have to say that getting on the dance floor is a breeze but getting off of it (especially if you've had a few cocktails and are in stilettos) can prove to be somewhat of a challenge. Guests must be twenty-one and older to go in Mannequins.

Rock 'N' Roll Beach Club at Pleasure Island
If you are looking for live music or just to hear some good rock 'n' roll songs of today and yesterday (or maybe even further back than that), the Rock 'N' Roll Beach Club is where you want to go. The three-story club doesn't limit itself to playing a set type of rock 'n' roll music so regardless of what kind of rock 'n' roll music you prefer, you're likely to hear it at the Rock 'N' Roll Beach Club.

Motion at Pleasure Island
Known for it's enormous screen located in the center of the club that displays the music videos of the songs that are blaring throughout the club, Motion tends to be the most crowded of the Pleasure Island clubs and on most nights, there is usually a waiting line to get in. While you may have to wait a little bit in line, the wait is well worth it. Motion plays the Top 40 music and throughout the night you'll usually hear an old party favorite. Guests can either go dance on the dance floor (which tends to get pretty crowded, especially after midnight) located on the first floor or head upstairs to lounge around on couches or sit down and study the dance floor, which can be easily seen from above.

The Comedy Warehouse at Pleasure Island
With stadium seating and a full bar, guests can enjoy cocktails while watching an improv comedy show. Red phones are located at the end of each row and guests may be called up by the comedians and then literally become a part of the comedy show. One thing is for sure, be ready to laugh like crazy if you head here!

While Orlando has clearly been put on the map due to the ever-expanding Disney World, the Orlando nightlife has quite a bit to offer as well. Whether you are looking to dance on a packed dance floor, attend a comedy show, or sing-a-long at a piano bar, Orlando has a lot to offer and with so many good choices, it is doubtful that you won't find something in the Orlando nightlife that you absolutely love.

If you're visiting Rehoboth Beach in Delaware or Ocean City in Maryland and want an attraction that doesn't involve a suntan, check out the DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum for a new kind of experience. Located at Fenwick Island in Delaware, the museum is home to pirate lore, shipwreck treasures, fantastic artifacts, and an expansive gift shop. This is the perfect place for an ocean lover or pirate enthusiast, whether you choose to visit for a field trip, a family vacation, or a stop-off on a bigger excursion. DiscoverSea offers group tours as well. The museum can be found at 708 Ocean Highway. Visitors should have very little trouble finding it; I have visited the museum twice as a sidetrip from Ocean City and was very glad I took the time to explore.

Another great aspect of DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum is that you don't have to pay to get in. You can browse the collection as long as you wish; of special interest are the glass cases that pay tribute to various shipwrecks along the East Coast. Spanish galleons such as the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a royal ship that sunk violently during a storm in 1622, are showcased. You may have never heard of some of the vessels whose artifacts are on display here, but two are on the celebrity list: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the hugely popular R.M.S. Titanic. One of the most tragic stories involves the ships of the 1715 fleet, almost all of which were destroyed in a twist of fate. I was particularly fascinated with the story of the Atocha; luckily, when I got back home and wanted to study it, I found that DiscoverSea's website was very informative as well and helped me continue my research.

Part of what makes DiscoverSea so interesting is its location; New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland are well known for their connection with shipwrecks and treasure. When you walk out the door of the museum you will find that the ocean is not far away, and you have the knowledge that some of the treasure you just read about could be buried in those waves. DiscoverSea's pirate exhibits aren't extensive, but if you like learning about swashbucklers you will find enough to satisfy you. If you place a coin in a machine in the museum's second story you can hear pirates singing a rowdy tune. Downstairs (at least a few years ago when I visited) a life-size pirate in full regalia sits in a glass case.

The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum's gift shop, known appropriately as Sea Shell City, is a huge store offering everything from ship models to hermit crabs. If you're going for a nautical theme you will probably be able to decorate your whole house here. The lighthouse collectibles and jewelry are of particular interest. Of course, you can buy sea shells (what good would an ocean-oriented gift shop be without sea shells?) and other shelled denizens of the ocean no longer inhabiting their former homes. The casual jewelry is very nice and features shell ornaments of various shapes and colors. One of my nicest ship models, the H.M.S. Bounty, was purchased at Sea Shell City. I can definitely vouch for the selection and only wish I could visit the store again.

If your visit to DiscoverSea and their gift shop has only heightened your interest in the sea, there are a few things you can do: First of all, find the Fenwick Island Lighthouse. Though the current white lighthouse was constructed in the mid-1800s, a lighthouse stood on this site throughout the 1700s as well. You can't climb to the top, but you can tour the exhibits inside the bottom of the lighthouse and walk around the grounds to appreciate its sheer size. You don't need to pay an admission to see Fenwick Island Lighthouse.

If you're staying in Ocean City, find out if you can take a metal detector out and maybe discover some "treasure" for yourself. Although the chances of finding a colonial ship's cache aren't terrific, it will enhance the ambiance of treasure-seeking. DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum actually lights a fire in the mind; before I visited I was more the type of person who would just sit on the balcony and stare at the water, but afterwards, I thought of pirates and ships and I actually looked over the ocean and wondered what was out there.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

The second in the series of great places to test your culinary palate while visiting the fair city of Cincinnati, Ohio.

There are several cities in the Unites States that are known for its pizzeria. Chicago, Illinois, New York, New York and the state of New Jersey all come to mind when one would like to find a great slice of pie. Nott too many people would think that Cincinnati, Ohio would be amongst one of the major cities where pizza is king. The next time that you are in Cincinnati, and you are crazing a calzone or a piece of pizza, I would suggest making a stop in at Mio's Pizzeria.

Mio's Pizzeria is located at the corner of Paxton and Isabella Ave in the quaint neighborhood of Hyde Park has several other locations through out Cincinnati.

Once you taste Mio's you will not want to go to another place for a slice of pie. This neighborhood pizzeria stands by its name. The small seating area (seats 18) is a great place for an after school snack or a pre date appetizer. A full menu boasts of anything from breadsticks to meat filled calzones. One thing that is unique to this neighborhood pizza joint is its authentic stuffed pizza. Mio's original crust is not lathered in oil like the larger chains. It's naturally, oven baked crust will keep you coming back for more.

This small, but popular operation has their employers doing it all. Taking delivery and walk up orders, along with preparing orders. Taking a brief glance over the well-illustrated menu, you can choose a small antipasto salad and, surpassing the pre-packaged selection of pizzas, you can choose a large (15") and select your own toppings to see how they handle variation. The server will accept 'off the menu' requests without blinking. If you like a lot of tomato sauce, this is not the place for you. Instead of being overshadowed by tomato sauce sprinkled with shanty toppings, the taste of a pie prepared here at Mio's is enhanced equally by the fresh tasting tomato sauce, hand chopped red onions and green olives, and thinly sliced portabella mushrooms. Piping hot and ready to eat, this pie is a prefect ending to a long Sunday afternoon of moving,

If you brought your children along for your trip to Cincinnati or hosting a Sunday football marathon? Mio's also has an easy to read kids menu and pre package catering packages printed on the back of the menu.

Mio's Pizzeria 3703 Paxton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45209 main (513) 531-4200
Monday - Thursday: 11 am - 10 pm Friday - Saturday: 11 am - 11 pm Sunday: 12 pm - 10 pm Cash - Visa - Master Card Non-Smoking Only


Staying just north of downtown Cincinnati? Wake up and grab a rich cup of java at Pleasant Perk Coffee in Pleasant Ridge.

Walking into the morning sunlit shop, the sun's glow will bounce off the dark red furniture, giving the inside a deep shine. The barista is buried behind the varied displays of pastries coffee posts and glistening appliances. Though located in a quaint northern suburb of the city, you can find an eclectic variety of people who give patronage to this small coffee shop. While waiting for your order, it would be no surprise to see either a jogger, esthetically clad in running shorts and Under Armor top, or a person on their way into the office, dressed as though on his way to an early Monday morning business meeting at Procter & Gamble's downtown office.

Not only does this small, but pleasantly roomy coffee shop boast its eclectic array of customers, the coffee also is varied.

Pleasant Perk is a great little shot to visit before you out of town business meeting.

6105 Montgomery Rd.Cincinnati, OH 45213(513) 531-4126Monday through Thursday: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Moving back Downtown, where you will most likely be staying when visiting the Queen city, you can find many different places to fill your tummy. When heading out for lunch have you ever had a craving for a mix of Thai and American cuisine? I did not think that you would, but if you ever did, you can stumble into Rise & Shine restaurant, located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.

Though this restaurant has traditional American breakfast and lunch menus all hours that it is open, this place also boasts of a Tai buffet from 11:30am to 1:30pm Monday through Fridays. It also includes a full menu of traditional Thai cuisine. This is great for the downtown worker who has little time for lunch but likes to pack a plate.

After being seated, you are handed the menus and find there are a plethora of choices for such a small operation. There is a complete Tai menu accompanied with a menu solely devoted to its western counterpart. Everything from steak and eggs to the traditional Tai curry are sparkled though out the menu. Bottoming out the list of selections are different types of French toast, pancake combinations, Thai vegetable dishes, traditional noodle dishes and breakfast combinations.


130 E. 6th St.Cincinnati, OH 45202(513) 421-33087 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.


Rise & Shine is a great place to get quick and easy Thai food when you are in a pinch, but if you ask anyone where the BEST place to get Thai food while you are visiting Cincinnati, 10 out of 10 people will say Teak Thai Restaurant.

Teak is located in the historic neighborhood of Mt. Adams and is un-arguably the best Thai restaurant in the Greater Cincinnati area.

The quant, semi crowded space over looking Cincinnati and The Steps of Cincinnati, is a welcomed changed to the strip-malled frenzy and other tourist traps that Cincinnati has to offer.

Seated outside, here were several pockets of urbanites that had also decided to forgo the indoor oriental decor for a traditional Cincinnati scenic view. Here, before you order your meal, you can waver back and forth from a tradition American drinks to an authentic Asian flare or finally opt for a glass of beer made in Thailand.

Teak's service is one of the best in the city. Even on busy nights, you never wait more than a few minutes for a table to open, and you never wait more than 20min (at the most) for a dine in order. Ordering the Holy Basil with Tofu at a spiciness level of 4 is a must if you are only in town for a few days. The rich spicy flavor was welcomed and even the tofu was full of flavor

To top it off, you get a fortune cookie at the end of the meal.


Monday - Friday: Lunch - 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM - Dinner - 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM, Saturday: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM, Sunday: 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM

1051 Saint Gregory St Cincinnati, OH 45202-1733(513)665-9800

So, again, the next time that you are in Cincinnati, do not bolster yourself in your hotel room and settle for that mundane hotel eatery. Get out and enjoy the different type of food that you can experience while in the city of Flying Pigs (no pun intended).

There are few things that you HAVE to do in life. Some would say those things are to die and pay taxes. Most of us know that dieing is inevitable and paying taxes is questionable. I go against the grain and say that in addition to meeting your maker, you also, in life, HAVE to have sex and eat not necessarily in that order)

Travel is somewhere near the top ten of that list as well. Let's combine the latter of the short list mentioned above with the joy of visiting other places to chronicle the some of the great places to 'get your grub on' while visiting Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Breakfast of Champions

It has been said many times over that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Mostly attributing to the fact that when you wake in the morning, it is indisputably the longest amount of spent without indulging in a meal. So when you are traveling, one must make sure that breakfast that you find will both satisfy your growling stomach and wake you up to get you started for the day. The combination of coffee with your morning chow is a great way to do this. This is one reason why coffee shops have expanded to serve much more than just your regular cup of java. Large coffee chains have added to their menus a different bevy of barista wares. This phenomenon has not been lost on the smaller, locally owned coffee corner stores. While in the Queen City, you should find your way downtown to Coffee Emporium, which is a perfect place to find the regular cup of Joe and more. For one thing, they roast their own coffee beans and have a mariade of coffee beans to choose from. They only have a select few that are readily available for the drink and go crowd, but you can wait a few minutes longer for whichever flavor you want.

If you are in town on a Saturday morning, it is one of the better times to go because you miss the sometime hurried bustle of the downtown crowd. Along with a Grande Carmel Latte, you can order a sausage, egg and cheese croissant. Again, something else that can not be found at that larger coffee stores (such as the one based in Seattle, Washington). Not only are the baristas very pleasant, the also know how to make a sandwich. Clad den with wireless internet access, if on a business trip, you can park yourself on the very comfortable couch and place your lap top atop of your lap to work on your business proposal and await your order. Stay awhile, relax with your cup of coffee and maybe you will run into one of Cincinnati's who's who. Coffee Emporium has another location in Hyde Park.

110 East Central ParkwayHistoric Over-the-RhineDowntown Cincinnatit: 513.651.5483Store HoursM-F 7a - 4p
A Touch of Paris

When looking for French cuisine in Cincinnati, there are a few different places one can frequent. Un-surprisingly there are all run by the famous Jean Robert, who has recently branched out and scudded across the Ohio River to quaint street of Greenup Ave to open the Greenup Cafe.

This cafe on Greenup Street in Covington, KY surprisingly brings a touch of Rue De Champs Elysee to this Northern Kentucky city. Its outdoor seating, few tables in the front and the side and a larger number in the back, was a perfect compliment to a Saturday morning of next to perfect weather.

You can walk inside the small service area where there were customers lined to by freshly made pasties on display, but most simply seats themselves, a great way to cut the tension and relax the customer.

Here you can ponder of a very limited but varied menu. If you make it here, you should try the Omlette Medley or buttermilk pancakes.

The Omelet medley is filled with mushrooms, tomatoes, gruyere cheese, asparagus and creme fiache, topped with parsley and accompanied by home-style potatoes, cut in quarters and seasoned with a slight spicy Cajon sprinkle.

308 Greenup St
Covington, KY

M-Sa
6am to 4:30

Far East In The Mid West

Staying just across the river in Covington, KY, if Asian cuisine is what you fancy, you can try a taste of Korean cuisine. Riverside Korean Restaurant, located just blocks from the Greenup Cafe on Madison Avenue, is so named because of its close proximity to the water of both the Ohio and Licking Rivers. This small and quaint restaurant is nestled in Covington's old downtown district. Opened limited hours during lunch and dinner (as are most restaurants in this area) a reservation is not necessary at dinnertime, but they are taken and highly encouraged.

Like many other Asian cultures, it is customary to serve dinner ban-chan, a number of small dishes that we would call appetizers. These are pictured in the white bowls. The ban-chan included kimchi, dried radish, cold kimchi, cooked yams and spinach, all delightfully seasoned with authentic Korean flavor.
Surprisingly, there are a number of selections for such a small and limited restaurant. Not too used to spicy food, if eating with a large group, you should decide that the consensus to order all of the dishes mildly hot, because they are meant to be shared.
I do have to say that there are a limited number of establishments that serve authentic Korean faire (I do believe there are only a handful in the entire Cincinnati area) but being a former Korean Linguist in the US Army and obtaining a degree in Korean Studies, after eating a meal here, I thought that I was once again in South Korea.
512 Madison AveCovington, KY 41011-1506 (859) 291-1484
Mon-Fri 11:30am- 2:00pm Fri-Sat 5:00pm-10:30pm Sat 12:00pm- 2:00pm Sun-Thu 5:00pm- 9:30pm
Korean is not the only Asian fair that you will find in Cincinnati. Thai food is also very prominent here as well. While in Cincinnati, you should venture to the new Thai place in the Kenwood neighborhood of Cincinnati called MeKong.

This newly opened eatery specializing in Thai cuisine is located on the south side of Kenwood on Montgomery road just past Kennedy Heights and Silverton. It is located in a very non descript strip mall on the side of the road. You would pass it if you were not looking for it. The all boothed (all lined one behind each other) dining area poses a tight fit if you want to have a business luncheon but is perfect for the late evening dinner before heading back to your hotel for the night.

So the next time that you are in Cincinnati, do not bolster yourself in your hotel room and settle for that mundane hotel eatery. Get out and enjoy the different type of food that you can experience while in the city of Flying Pigs (no pun intended).

The West Edmonton Mall is said to be one of the largest in North America. It boasts as many as 140,000 visitors on a busy day and many of these are from the United States. The West Edmonton Mall is located in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The city of Edmonton is located on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.
Home to about 937,845 people, Edmonton finds itself the sixth largest city in all of Canada. The city of Edmonton is also home to the West Edmonton Mall. This is a mall of gigantic proportions and features over 800 stores and other amazing things to do, but more about the mall a little later.

The city of Edmonton boasts many things to do and places to see besides the mall. The downtown area is famous (not to mention old). The City Market (the Rice Street Market, located at 97 Street and 102 Avenue ) is older than the city itself and a much visited place to get fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers. The Old Strathcona District is also a must see. It is an area of the city that was once the town of Strathcona and dates back to 1891 and features several buildings from this era. The area now entails many pubs, eateries and several fine shops. The city of Edmonton is also home to the Alberta legislatures (it is the provincial capital); the Odyssium (a space and science centre); The Edmonton Art Gallery; The Commonwealth Stadium (where the Edmonton Eskimos Football team plays. They play with the Canadian Football League); The Valley Zoo and the Provincial Museum of Alberta. The city of Edmonton boasts over 2,000 restaurants and offers much choice when dining out. The hotels in the city are top notch and offer all the comforts of home and even a few extras. There are plenty of things to do and see in downtown Edmonton.

A short skip and a hop away is the West Edmonton Mall. This mall is the largest in the world and is truly a sight to see. It offers over 800 shops from the usual that one would expect such as Claires and Sears and truly Canadian shops such as The Bay (formally known as the Hudsons Bay Company); Winners (a fashion must stop for men, women and children)and Tim Hortons (donuts and coffee) as well as funky stores such as April Cornell (clothes for women) to B Sweet (a candy store). The mall also features truly unique stores such as The Mounted Police Outpost (the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their symbols are the third most recognized in the world following right behind Coca Cola and Mickey Mouse!) and Pride of Kenya (a store that features African arts and other treasures). It is truly a unique place to shop!

Not only a paradise for any shopper, the West Edmonton mall offers so much more than shopping! Travel to the mall, but do not forget your bathing suits! The mall has an amusement park (Galaxyland Amusement Park) that has 25 rides to choose from, all indoors! The mall also has an indoor water park that has water slides and a wave pool! The indoor park also boasts a couple of mini golf courses, an ice skating rink (an official hockey sized rink that the Edmonton Oilers (NHL) occasionally practice on and the mall even has a marine centre that you do not want to miss either! There is also a lot to keep you busy if shopping is not your thing!

The West Edmonton Mall also is home to two fine hotels. One is the West Edmonton Mall Inn and The Fantasyland Hotel and true to its name, it is a fantasy land. This hotel offers rooms that revolve around a theme such as an African Safari or a as an Arabian for a night and with many eating establishments in the mall and in both hotels, you are sure never to go hungry.

If you are planning a trip to visit the largest mall in the world, keep in mind the temperatures of Edmonton. The city has snow from November until March and therefore has temperatures that reflect that. During the summer months, the city reaches a pleasant 20C (70 F) with lows at night in the teens. The winter is very cold, so if you visit during the winter season, you will want to make sure you take plenty of warm outer wear, along with a hat, scarf and mitts.

The city is a great place to visit and especially if you are a shopaholic, the mall should be first on your list!

Over the past few years, Cincinnati has been plagued with negative national publicity. The Cincinnati Riots of 2001 coupled with the multiple killings of African American youth have given a black eye to Cincinnati, especially its downtown area. Shortly after the Cincinnati Riots of 2001, many prominent African American celebrities and leaders canceled their engagements in Cincinnati in the name of a boycott. Some among the list of 'boycotter' were Bill Cosby (comedian and Cosby Show fame) and comedienne and Academy Award winner Whoppie Goldberg.

Things are starting to change here in Cincinnati so do not let the past negative press deter you from visiting the Queen City. While here not only can you take in either a Major League baseball game in Great American Ball Park, you can also walk a few city blocks and partake in the fervor frenzy of a National Football League football game in Paul Brown Stadium. Currently, Cincinnati's professional football team, the Cincinnati Bengals are well on hier way to recapturing the AFC Championships as they did in 1988, and on their way to another appearance at the Super Bowl.

Sports are not the only thing that Cincinnati has going for it. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is unabashedly positioned in between Cincinnati's two professional spots team's stadium. Located on The Banks of the Ohio River, you can meander through this state of the art museum and learn about Cincinnati's role as being the gateway and primary destination for African Americans as they escaped the horrid institution of slavery in the South.

This museum was one of Cincinnati's first instances in its pro-active stance to bring culture to this city. Other attractions, thought not permanent, that you could find here at Cincinnati are its annual MidPoint Music Festival, Oktoberfest Zinzinnati or you may be able to catch the high flying antiques of Cirque de Soleil.

This push towards cultural diversity is nothing new to the downtown area of Cincinnati. The 'Final Friday' (FF) event that has been taking place in the Pendleton neighborhood has been a staple of downtown living for at least the past two decades. Over the years this display of monthly exhibition of artesian expression has spread to other parts of downtown and Over-the-Rhine (OTR) areas to include the downtown business districts and Main Street. This event occurs (as you may know from the name) on the last Friday of every month, from 8pm to 10pm, where art gallery and shops in the downtown keep their doors open later than normal, seducing patrons with free wine and appetizers. I fell in love with this even my first year of college when the parent's of a high-school friend opened an art studio in this area and invited my to my first FF event.

The crowning jewel of Cincinnati and one of the most notable landmarks of downtown is Fountain Square where you will find the Tyler Davidson Fountain. A must see if you are visiting within 50 miles of the area or any area in Greater Cincinnati. Currently, The Square, as it is so affectionately called to those who were born and raised in the Queen City, has been under a major face lift. The last time that The Square was remodeled was in the 70's. Closed for the past several months, The Square is scheduled to re-open October 14, 2006, with a celebration that you should not miss if you are visiting the area. There are many hotels in the downtown area were you can stay to experience the re-opening celebration where the unveiling of the poem, 'I am Cincinnati' written for and read by native Cincinnatian and distinguished author Nikki Giovanni.

The weekend of the re-opening celebration of The Square is a perfect time to visit the city of Cincinnati and experience all of the uniqueness that this city has to offer. At the celebration, there will be performances by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Opera, in addition to the unveiling of the new and improved Tyler Davidson Fountain. Other attractions of this weekend will be performances by OK Go, a band that is mixed between indie, stadium and straight up rock. Nationally known Talib Kweli and the band Los Lobos will also e in attendance for performances.

There are few houses within the borough of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania that have as much history and folklore as the Jennie Wade House. Gettysburg is home to many old residences, but this small brick house is of particular interest. Built in the early-to-mid 1800s and only about twenty years old when the infamous Battle of Gettysburg occurred, the Jennie Wade House was actually known in 1863 as the McClellan and McClain House. On one side lived Catharine McClain and her children, on the other, Georgia and John Louis McClellan. After John went to war, their half of the house was occupied by Georgia and their baby son, who was born just before the battle.

Georgia's sister Jennie Wade, twenty, died in the house after a fatal bullet found its wayward mark. She was diligently baking for hungry soldiers at the time of the tragedy. Despite this dark history, the house is a fascinating place to visit. It is very easy to find; if you travel up Baltimore Street, one of the town's main thoroughfares, you will see the huge Holiday Inn Battlefield. Up on a hill next to the sprawling hotel, a small brick house perches. This is the Jennie Wade House. If you're fortunate enough to be staying at Holiday Inn it is only a short walk over. You can get tickets at the small gift shop adjoining the Baltimore Street home. At least when I took the tour, it was self-guided. Feel free to take your time and explore each room, looking for evidence of the past. If you love old houses as I do, it won't be any trouble to find something that will capture your imagination.

One thing you will be shown is the place where the actual bullet that took Jennie's life entered; it can still be seen in the old red door. The McClellan kitchen is one of most striking rooms in the house, with its period furniture and quaint Victorian wallpaper. Each room is decorated to look much as it did in 1863, and this only adds to the sense of history you get as you look around. When you visit the parlor you might wonder why there is a bed situated against the wall. Georgia McClellan had the bed placed downstairs to reduce the chances of anyone getting hit by shells from the battle. Notice the "talking soldier," one of the main attractions in the house's lower level. After seeing the downstairs of the McClellan side, you will trek upstairs (you might notice the creaky steps; it certainly adds to the ambiance). Upstairs is a series of bedrooms and small nooks and crannies.

One of the upstairs walls was a casualty of war, as can be seen by a gaping hole. Even the bedrooms are tastefully decorated. You can also visit the McClain side of the double home, including a small but elegant parlor. You are free to visit the cellar, but be warned; this is purported to be a haunted house, and for good reason. Not only was young Jennie killed upstairs, but her body was kept in the cellar for awhile before its initial burial. There are definitely "odd" feelings and happenings in this part of the house. Bursting out into sunlight again, you may want to find some photo angles and check out the rough brick texture that survived the Civil War. You will find evidence of more battle damage in the small holes that dot the masonry.

Outside the home in the front lawn, a statue of Jennie guards busy Baltimore Street. The Jennie Wade House is like a 19th century oasis in the middle of the very modern, 21st century traffic. It is obviously contrasted by the hotel and parking lot that it is sandwiched between. Interestingly enough, you can see one of the Union positions from the parking lot; Cemetery Hill's monuments are visible from the road. It is easy to see how dangerous it was to live in this location during July 1863. Found elsewhere on Baltimore Street is the huge red brick Evergreen Cemetery gatehouse. Jennie Wade, as well as her soldier sweetheart Jack Skelly, is buried in this cemetery which was begun in the 1850s, just before the battle. Her grave is topped by a likeness of her and an American flag honoring her sacrifice.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By J.L. Soto

As anyone who's visited or lived in New York City will tell you, there really is a ton of sights and things to do. Truth be told, depending on your taste, you can't possibly see or do everything within a two-week period let alone a standard vacation week or weekend excursion. All too often, after talking with someone who has visited the Big Apple, I find out there wasn't enough time to visit a particular place. These same people seem aghast when they find out about spots they passed up and instead went for the typical tourist traps. It seems as if places like Times Square or the Statue of Liberty suck up all the attention and visitors wind up leaving the city without experiencing all it has to offer. Part of that reason probably has to do with location or convenience. Seeing these spots sometimes requires going to the other boroughs and usually there isn't time or misperceptions keep visitors from taking the extra effort to venture out of their comfort zones.

These are just some places that in my opinion should be visited since I feel they're usually passed over and are worth the effort even though too many tourists pass up the chance to check them out. It may be useful for veteran visitors who are looking for something else to do besides fighting pedestrian traffic in Times Square. By no means is this a complete list nor will it cater to everyone's taste. Check out the official NYC websites which have more complete listings of attractions and interests that cover all kinds of interests.

Brooklyn Bridge: While San Francisco's Golden Gate gets all the hoopla as far as monumental bridges go, the one connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan is just as deserving of that fanfare. One of the earliest suspension bridges ever built, this bridge has panoramic views of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Many would just zip through the edifice while driving but visitors should try the pedestrian walkway that is usually laden with bikers and joggers. Don't worry there's plenty of space for gawking at the skyscrapers. It takes about an hour to cross by foot and it's free to boot. Then again there are walking tours that give visitors the full history lesson, etc. for a fee. For a different view of the bridge try one of the many boat or air tours. But visitors who go by foot will find that both ends of the bridge provide nearby walking access to places of interest like City Hall in Manhattan and the Fulton Mall in Brooklyn. To reach it by train, take the number 4 or 5 trains to the City Hall stop in Manhattan or in Brooklyn, the Borough Hall stop by the same trains as well as the 2 and 3 trains.

The Brooklyn Museum: This art museum often gets overlooked by museum patrons busy visiting the Met which is a shame. It's located on Eastern Parkway just behind the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and has an impressive collection of traditional and modern art, some temporary, some permanent. Visitors will even find art and artifacts dating back to ancient Egypt, Africa and Asia. Also on the first Saturday evening of the month, admission is free as a festive atmosphere takes over the place. Drinks and food are served as the museum becomes a unique place to mingle. It's very popular with the locals. In addition to the just-mentioned Garden, the museum is in walking distance to Prospect Park (with its own zoo and playgrounds), Grand Army Plaza (an elaborate arch dedicated to Civil War veterans that serves as an entranceway to the park), and downtown Brooklyn can be reached quickly from the museum through public transit. The number 2 and 3 trains have stops just outside the museum. The station is called Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum.

Central Park Zoo: First of all, the best zoo in the city is the Bronx Zoo. But that is an all-day affair that is worth the visit but unless there's time to spare go with the small zoo in Manhattan. Just inside Central Park and off Fifth Avenue between 63rd and 66th Streets, the zoo boasts more than 130 species of wildlife. Basically it's divided into three environmental areas and they are the Tropic Zone (with a recreated tropical rainforest complete with free-flying birds), Temperate Territory (featuring red pandas and macaques) and the Polar Zone. The last spot is home to one of the zoo's main attractions, the polar bears that delight many with their playful underwater antics. What probably makes them popular is that they are displayed so close to spectators and that sense of display is prevalent throughout the zoo making a visit to be a more intimate experience. Expect to spend a couple of hours or more if you have children. Take the M1-4 buses on Fifth Ave. to 64th St. or the N and R train to the Fifth Avenue station and walk four blocks to 64th St.

Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex: This 30-acre sports village is located on the historic Piers 59-61 between 17th and 23rd Streets in Manhattan facing the Hudson River. The waterfront center is perfect for sports fans who want a more hands-on experience aside from catching a major league game. Sports-related activities include bowling, golf, ice and roller skating, and there's a field house with facilities that allows youngsters and adults to play their favorite sports from soccer to baseball. If all these activities have you tired, there's a spa at the Complex to let you unwind and relax. But even if you're not a sports fan, there are shopping and dining venues options, a marina where boat and yacht tours are available, plus live bands play at the Piers during weekends. The M23 and M14 buses make direct stops at the northern and southern entrance of the Complex.

The Cloisters: New York is synonymous with world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the American Museum of Natural History. But this branch of the Met is hardly ever mentioned in brochures and that is a shame. Devoted to medieval art and architecture, the four-acre museum overlooks the Hudson in Fort Tryon Park, Manhattan. Featuring about five thousand art pieces dating back to A.D. 800, the museum's collection includes tapestries, manuscripts, metalworks, and stained glass pieces. Walking through the medieval-inspired rooms will take any visitor back in time to Europe. It's hard to think of another museum in the city quite like this one. To reach the Cloisters take the A train to 190th St. and walk north for ten minutes along Margaret Corbin Dr. or take the M4 bus to the last stop (Fort Tryon Park).

During a recent trip to the mall, my friend Jensen remarked that it's not easy to be fashionable in a city that isn't fashionable in any sense. "Halifax is not in touch with the rest of the planet," she commented. "This city has no idea what's in or out. I bet if you stopped most people on the street and asked them when New York fashion week is held, both for the spring/summer and fall/winter lines, very few people would know. It's too bad because this city has so much to offer in other areas. We need to become more cosmopolitan, more up on the trends. But fashion?" She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. "It's nada here."

With a knowing smile I responded with raised eyebrows, "Except for us of course?"

"But of course. That goes without saying." Her eyes lit up and her smile was mischievous. "You and I are Halifax's own fashion mavens. We care about fashion and we're not afraid to show it. We are an unheard of breed in this city my dear friend."

Her comments got me to thinking. Sure Halifax, being the capital city of Nova Scotia and also the most populated of the Atlantic provinces, is not exactly a thriving metropolis like Montreal or Toronto but let's face it, we are also considerably smaller. The greater Halifax area has approximately 100,000 people while Halifax and surrounding area is home to 400,000. As compared to the millions in Montreal or Toronto, I don't think we are doing too badly. Granted we're not a hotbed of fashion activity like New York City, Paris or Milan but we can hold our own all right.

Can't we?

Not everyone can be Carrie Bradshaw (and of course not everyone wants to be) but I do my best to be a stylish and "in the know" woman about town. I love to dress up and go out and like Carrie, shoes really are my best friend (or come in a pretty close second). Let's see what I have on the social agenda ... tonight it's a wine and cheese party and I've chosen a pair of soft black trousers, a sexy navy camisole, and a pair of dressy mules. A chic and classy look in my humble opinion. Of course there's a pair of gold hoop earrings, a gold bracelet, a spritz of ... oh what kind of cologne will it be tonight? I can't make up my mind, my vanity table is replete with choices. Oh yes I can now- Obsession by Calvin Klein it is going to be. It's my old standby, my can't-make-up-my-mind fragrance. And now what should I wear, my velvet jacket or that new dressy wrap I just bought? Decisions, decisions ...

Halifax may not have it's own fashion week twice a year but I'm doing my part to show others that fashion should (and most definitely can) be a priority in this city I have always loved. I'll let my friend Jensen be her cynical self and think as she wishes. But a city without its eye on fashion? I beg to differ!


Note- If you were stumped by Jensen's question at the beginning, here is the answer: New York City hosts fashion week twice a year. The fall shows are held the preceding winter in February while the spring shows are held the preceding late summer, in September. The actual dates vary from year to year. The shows are held in a place called Bryant Park which is located at 42nd and Sixth. Bryant Park is an eight-acre park that for the sake of the high profile galas, is converted into an area full of tents and lots of frantic fashion activity. Anybody who is anybody in the fashion world attends these events.

The closest fashion mecca to Halifax is to be found in central Canada, which is to be more exact, stylish Toronto, Ontario which is home to 4,682,897 people (according to a census done in 2001). Toronto is the largest city in Canada and is the fifth most populated city in North America after Mexico City, Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. The dates of October 16th to the 21st of this year are set aside for Toronto's fashion week when all fashion designers and self confessed fashionistas will be out in full swing enjoying the festivities. During this exciting week in Toronto the spring collection for 2007 will be unveiled.

Now aren't you glad you learned something new today?!

By Christina VanGinkel

From drinking water to being stranded in an airport, travel woes are varied. Knowing upfront what some of these things are that can go wrong, is often the best way to avoid such pitfalls in the first place.

Drinking Water No's

If you are traveling a few cities over, or across the globe, avoiding drinking any amount of beverages that are made from un-boiled or un-bottled water can help keep you feeling healthier than if you do. Water is necessary for life, yet it can also harbor disease and germs. Even going from drinking well water to city water, or vice versa, can be enough of a knock on our systems to leave us running to the bathroom every few minutes. If you are flying, stick with bottled water or beverages too. A glass of water from an airline could have potentially come from so many different sources, all depending on where that plane has recently been, it is just not worth the risk. It is important to drink water though, just make sure it is bottled or has been boiled. For long flights, be aware that you can dehydrate rather quickly, so using moisturizers for your skin along with drinking bottled beverages can help you feel overall healthier at the end of the flight.

Stuck in Traffic, Airports, Train Stations and More

Airports, bus or train stations, and even traffic, all have the potential to be backlogged. You might find yourself sitting in a terminal or stuck in traffic for hours longer than you ever imagined. Once, on a car trip to Colorado to visit family, my husband and I, along with two of our three children, ended up in a major backlog of traffic outside of Denver, when a car sheared off the back axels of a semi, and traffic in the area became a congested mess. Life Flight was called in, and the accident victims were soon on their way to help, but cleanup of the accident occurred only after investigators arrived on the scene. Nearly five hours passed before traffic was able to proceed anywhere close to a normal pace. Thankfully, as we were already in the midst of an extended car trip, we had snacks, games, and reading material. I am sure though that many of those around us in other vehicles were not as lucky. A lesson we learned from this was that even if you are taking a short jaunt, if it involves being on an expressway or freeway, where backing up, or turning around are not an option, then take along a few things to pass the time if any sort of lengthy delay should occur.

No room at the Inn

You never want to think about it, but it does occur. You arrive at your destination, and the person behind the counter looks at you and says they have no record of your reservation. Sure, you probably have your credit card that the reservation was reserved under, but by the time, they track it down via that information, a major sized headache can be settling in. Keep all reservation numbers on your person, and if any reservations were made over the phone write down who you talked to and when. While hotel staff is trying to figure it out, tell them you will wait in the bar or restaurant, and inform them that you expect them to pick up the tab while they figure it out, as they are the ones inconveniencing you. I do not suggest that you run up a huge bill, just that you keep comfortable while they straighten their error up.

Medical Information Musts

Be prepared for accidents or other medical emergencies. While no one wants to entertain the idea of being sick or hurt when on vacation, having with you all your medical cards and information on yourself and your travel companions can be a huge advantage. Make sure someone else in your group knows where the information is stored, and in the event, you are traveling alone, be sure to keep a card in your wallet or purse with all identifying information that a caregiver might need to provide you with the best medical attention they can. Insurance cards, allergy information, medication list etc., should all be with you at all times.

Summer vacations can be the high point of anyone's year. The long and warm summer nights, sipping margaritas on the beach with you loved one. If you are clad den with these miniature copies of yourself than there is no doubt that you would be enjoying the summer no sipping a martini, but frolicking in the surf with them. Conversely, if can also be the down fall of many families. There are far too many stories of family vacations that did everything but bring the siblings, parents and other kinfolk closer together. Can anyone remember the movie "National Lampoon's Summer Vacation"?

One of the most beautiful driving trips of the summer was taken by me as I left the Queen city of Cincinnati and drove 8 hours to the gracious isle of Mackinac. The drive took me through a few of Ohio and Michigan's greatest cities to the meeting place of the Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan. As stated, we start our trip at the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati Ohio. The Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium behind us, we never look back as we traveled up Interstate 75. We pass the United States' first zoo as we make our way to Dayton Ohio.

I have been to Dayton many times, mostly for the great sports bar called Roosters and the new and innovative gay dance club.... I had never been north of Dayton on interstate 75, It was strange, to say the least, to see how much farmland there is once you get past the city of Dayton. The deterioration of the roadway did not deter my fervor for traveling the open road and seeing the most of Ohio as I could. With two very sleepy friends in the back seat and an over excited one in the passenger seat. I trekked on.

Less then a few hours later (and a multitude of bathroom breaks along the way) we made it to Findley Ohio. You may not think that there is much in this central Ohio city, but Findley boasts being the Flag Capital of the world. What, pret ell, do you think that means? Well, but of course it means that this city has been charged with the patriotic tasks of producing Ol' Glory, the official flag of the United States. Along Interstate 75 you could see why this small city was called this. Everything from a sign stating its Flag name to a statue of a star spangled four legged animal graced the seen along the high way.

Traveling on, the two backseat passengers were wide awake and now graining my nerves, but I kept everything jovial. As we neared Toledo Ohio, the three riders-along were welcomed (I guess more because I had been driving non stop since 8am that morning). We worked our way around the Glass Capital of the world via two separate by-passes. I hindsight, I guess we could have drove straight through the city to see more of Ohio's northern sister city, but we stood steadfast with the Trip-Tick provided to us by AAA and we the recommended route.

Surprisingly, the trip through Michigan was very uneventful. If you call the beautiful wildlife, the picturesque forestry, the vibrant colors found in the landscape and the less than un-perfect lakes and other waterways found in that glorious state to be uneventful. The island of Mackinac and its bridge are the crowning jewels of this oven mitted shaped state. These two pieces of Michigan's land and history are so appropriately named because of their proximity near the northern most point of the state.

All in all, traveling the open highway of interstate 75 through the Buckeye state of Ohio and continuing through Michigan on a clear summer's day is a great way to see both of these majestique states. Make sure that you take your time and that you are not to rushed trying to get to your destination. Looking back on this trip I wish that I had heeded my words so that I could take in some of the sights and attractions that could be found on this trip. Well, there is always a next time. Where will you go on your next trip?

When you're thinking of historical destinations in Pennsylvania, the state capital of Harrisburg may not be your first thought. Surprisingly, there are quite a few history- and culture-related attractions in this city and it is a place to consider if you love traveling to the past. Due to its size and traffic level you may want to consider taking a bus or finding some other way to get around the city, but it is worth the trouble. Your first stop should be the capitol building. If you've never seen it, here's a quick description:

Like many government buildings in America, the capitol has a noticeable likeness to Roman building style. The impressive dome, white columns, and beautifully descriptive artwork take the visitor on a journey through history. If you are able to catch one of the tours offered, don't forget to look up when you reach the rotunda. The stunning ceiling decoration brings the cathedrals of Europe to mind. St. Peter's in Rome was used as a guide for this part of the building. You may not realize how big the rooms in the capitol truly are until you visit for yourself.

There are many sections of the capitol building to enjoy; you can view impressive architecture, take a brisk walk and admire the Italianate facade, or even work on your family tree at the archives. Don't forget your camera because few people realize how many awe-inspiring photos are possible. The town of Harrisburg dates from the late 1700s, but the capitol was constructed in the early years of the 20th century. Before it was built, the land belonged to the aptly-named John Harris. If you're traveling to Harrisburg's capitol building you will need to find out when tours can be taken and when the building is open to the public.

Another impressive historical attraction in Harrisburg is the National Civil War Museum. If you can't get enough of the American Civil War this place is definitely the perfect stop for you. One of the museum's most interesting facets can be found before you even go inside; it's called the Walk of Valor. Relatives of Civil War soldiers can buy a brick and inscribe it with their ancestor's name and other information they may have about the person. The brick is then placed in the walkway for all to see. The Civil War Museum has two levels, each crammed full of informational exhibits. Just some of the exhibits you will see include weaponry, causes of the war, music, battles, and the role of women during war times. Don't leave Harrisburg without stopping to admire this terrific museum.

Check out the State Museum, also located in Harrisburg, on North Street. This is a huge place that will tickle the imagination and is an especially great field-trip opportunity or a suggestion for those traveling with kids. Even children who have never shown any interest in history or culture will find it hard not to discover an exhibit that leaves an impression. Walk inside and prepare to learn everything you ever wanted to know about Pennsylvania history. Ancient Indian items, pottery, personal effects from long-gone decades - these things only scratch the surface of the exhibits that are offered. Also, don't forget to stop by the gift shop before leaving; you might tell yourself you're only shopping for the kids, but you may be surprised!

For a trip of Harrisburg that frees you from the obligation of navigating through traffic, take a calm cruise on the riverboat known The Pride of the Susquehanna. Not only will you see some wonderful views, but if you plan your trip just right you can even have your meal aboard ship. Cruises available to the general public are offered in the summer months (there are some during spring and autumn but you will have to check as the schedule is not as fixed as it is in the summer), but those wishing to rent the riverboat for a personal gathering will have to check a separate timetable. You can also eat some delicious goodies while you enjoy the view.

If you're in the area for more than a few days but are tired of noisy, crowded attractions in the downtown area, consider Fort Hunter Mansion. The house dates from the early 1800s and got its name from a military outpost. One of the best attractions the mansion has to offer is the elegant furnishings and colonial architecture you will see on your tour. An 1800s tavern is also located on the site; known as the Practical Farmer, it is a beautiful partial-brick structure that has been lovingly kept for centuries. You may be allowed to visit if you time your arrival right, but it is not a constant attraction and usually isn't open to the public.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

The spring has come to France, bit by bit, and I can tell now in the nights that there is warmth in the air and in the personalities that have also been frozen, in a way, throughout the unusual winter we have had here. I find myself with only 2 weeks left of my intensive French classes, and wonder what I will with the month of April, as I have only one class, and that for just 4 hours a week, which means five out of seven days I am ‘sans chose à faire’. But we will see, and I am sure there will be adventures to recount.

I am currently in France with Tony. He was set to arrive on Friday of last week, and I had been anxiously counting the days. When I called him last Thursday I was shocked to hear that one of his flights had been cancelled and he would arrive at the airport in Paris a half hour too late to catch his flight to Pau. He was rather upset that he would be stranded in Paris for more than 10 hours, because the final flight to Pau in the evening would not leave until 6. He does not speak any French, and he had been waiting an awfully long time to come and visit me. The prospect of yet another 10 hours in a stark, lonely airport in a foreign city were not appealing to him.

A long time ago, I learned that what is important in life is not how much money something costs, and what is important in life is not always what is the most logical and 'safe' thing to do. On Thursday night I hopped the night train to Paris and was waiting at CDG airport when Tony's flight arrived. I spend the night shivering on the bottom bunk of a tiny room as the train crept towards Paris.

You can travel between Pau and Paris on a regular train in 6 or 7 hours, perhaps 8, while the TGV takes just 5. However, when one buys a ticket on the night train, one knows it will take the NIGHT. At 9 PM I walked from my house to the train station, and at 11 I boarded the train and used my newly acquired French to ensure I had a place to sleep. The train did not arrive in Paris until 7 AM the following day.

The two people who shared my tiny couchette provided much of my entertainment for the evening. The man was obviously a musician, because he took up one of the top bunks, and his rather large guitar took up the other. He was also obviously a BROODING musician, because he spent the first two hours standing in the corridor watching the French night pass us by. The woman, who was a bit more talkative, perhaps was his REASON for brooding, because although I heard them talking to each other before they entered the room, and they LEFT the train together, they said nothing to each other for the entire journey. While he stood and watched she made some small talk with me before covering her face with her coat and keeping the exact same position for the next 7 hours.

I arrived in Paris with the brooding musician and his lady at about 7 AM. I had not slept a terribly large amount, but I was very excited to be there. Somehow I found my way on the RER, which is the regional train system in Paris, from Austerlitz station where I arrived, to the airport, where Tony did. I had not known much about CDG airport, because when I arrived in Paris I had followed the signs to the train station in the airport and had stayed in that place for 10 hours on my own. It had been easy enough to find, when I had arrived in France, back in January.

I had remembered the 10 hours I spent in the train station at CDG airport, underneath the large signs that announced each train that left and arrived, and I had remembered it well. It had really been my first impression of France, this time around. It had been cold, and it had been lonely, but I knew it would be different this time. The Thursday before Tony arrived I had thought to give him some simple instructions. "The word you are looking for is GARE" I told him, "Follow the signs from your gate to the GARE and meet me underneath the big signs that give arrivals and departures". And that is what he did.

We sat on the floor of the GARE for perhaps an hour, talking, exchanging stories and hugs that seemed to last a day. We had not seen each other in two months, and spent the first few moments remembering each others faces again, and laughing about our travel adventures. After we arranged for Tony's suitcase to travel the same route he would have travelled later that day, we decided to see as much of Paris as we possibly could before the train left for Pau. What does one see in Paris when one has only one day? We navigated the metro system and arrived, of course, at the Eiffel Tower. We didn’t have time to climb it, we had time only to stand underneath it and stare up at the people who HAD the time. We asked some strangers to take a few pictures of us there, in Paris, before we hailed a taxi to take us to Montparnasse station.

The taxi itself was wonderful. The seats were leather and cool black to match the coolness of the afternoon. The driver looked exactly like Kevin Spacey in a turtleneck sweater. He had jazz music playing on the radio, and although it was probably more expensive, he took us the long way to the station, which gave us both a view of the beautiful buildings and history that is Paris. I wished that I had studied Paris more in the three times I had been there, because although all of the buildings looked familiar to my eyes I wasn’t often able to answer Tony’s inquisitive “What’s that?”

From Montparnasse we rode the TGV back to Pau. The return trip for me, less than 20 hours after I had left my apartment, took only 5 hours to complete. The TGV travels about 160 miles an hour at top speed, and it is an amazing experience. Tony and I arrived back in Pau at around 9:30 and took another taxi to my apartment, which was much LESS romantic and much more practical than the one we had taken in Paris.

We have been having a wonderful time here in my town. On Saturday there was a USAC excursion to Basque County, and everyone was excited to meet this person I have been talking so much about. We saw a beautiful town in France, St Jean Peid de Port, and had our lunch at a French Cidery. The cidre was not very good, but the food WAS, and Tony's vegetarian meal was much better looking than mine tasted!

We ended our day at Biarritz, which is at the ocean. I think that I can say walking to the edge of the sea on Saturday was perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was a tiny bit cold, and we could see an amazing storm heading in our direction as we stood with France behind us and eternity before us. Our friends left behind, Tony and I walked to the furthest edge of the pier and wrapped our arms around each other as we gazed at the water. It was rough and cold and horribly wonderful as the spray hit us and matched the rain that we saw coming across the ocean like a velvet curtain you could just barely see through, being pulled across the water and tormenting the waves with its absolute smoothness. The salty air blew in our faces and we had a most private and beautiful romantic moment at the edge of the water.

We made it back to the bus just as the rain began to fall in earnest, and enjoyed the company of friends as we drove back to Pau. That evening I surprised and pleased myself by ordering a pizza on the telephone in French, and not only having the pizza arrive at my house, but having it be exactly what I had ordered. I was very proud of myself for accomplishing this task, and also very glad that Tony had no reason to tease me for screwing it up.

On Sunday, we travelled with friends to Lourdes. A small change in elevation unexpectedly threw us all into about an inch of snow as we stepped off of the platform. Lourdes is a beautiful place. A long time ago, at a Grotto in Lourdes, Bernadette saw the virgin Mary. Since that time, the waters that flow from the grotto have been said to be healing waters.

Tony and I marvelled at not only THIS amazing idea, but at the fact that while the grotto and church itself are very proper and beautiful and sacred, the streets on the WAY to the grotto are full of shops that sell things to capitalize on this idea. We stopped in a few of them, and bought ourselves plastic bottles shaped like Mary in which to bring water from the Grotto to our friends and family. The best part about this excursion, in my opinion, was that the plastic bottles look much more like Aunt Jemima from the syrup, rather than Mary from the Bible.

Liza Kollman
On Sunday night we visited one of my favorite restaurants in Pau, which is rather new. It is called The Mexico, and it is run by a man who once called Bloomington, Minnesota his home. When I first heard this I smiled and said "My mall is there!" When he moved to the US from Mexico, he was granted a type of citizenship, but when he married a French woman, the government would not let them both stay in Minnesota. So here he is, cooking us Mexican food, half a world away from home.

The week has flown by for us here in France. Last night we ate Crepes at the restaurant by the Chateau, and tonight we will cook for our friends. Tomorrow afternoon we will head to London for the weekend. I have booked us yet another hostel, and I know you will all be anxious to hear how that one works out. We will be sure to pay in cash, however, so don’t worry!

I have never lived in a place where one could hop a plane to London for the weekend. I didn't even realize how possible that was! Our flight cost each of us 60 euros. For any of you who want a conversion, well, you will have to figure it out for yourself, as I have found that in order to protect my mental health it is best to forget dollars even exist.

We flew Ryanair out of Pau on Friday afternoon. There is a flight from Pau to London every day, and one that returns as well. Ryanair was an experience in itself. The airline is extremely cheap but I felt very secure and safe. Of course, there is no drink or food service of any kind. They have a menu that you can pick up when you enter the plane, and if you wish, you can spend Euros or Pounds and buy yourself something to eat or drink.
It is very expensive, and not very good. The airline is also constantly selling you things. Flight attendants will come through the aisles offering perfume and jewelry, as well as scratch cards that you can only play in international airspace. It is most annoying, unless one has some headphones to keep themselves occupied.
At any rate, the flight lasted just over 2 hours, but because of the time difference we arrived in London just over an hour after we had left Pau. My friends and I then paid 12 pounds to take a bus to the center of London, where we could find an underground station and our hostel.

The 6 of us stayed at a place called the Dover Hostel and Bar in London. After what seemed like an hour checking in and signing forms and paying money, we were escorted to a simple but nice room with three sets of bunk beds and one window. We didn’t ask if the sheets had been changed, we just smiled and threw our bags on the bunks, assuming they had been. (I tried desperately NOT to think of the time a friend of mine, whose name I will not mention, got fleas from a hostel bed.....)
The hostel was actually very nice. The bathrooms were disgusting of course, and I made a snap judgment call that I would be cleaner if I spent the weekend WITHOUT showering. On Friday night we took the underground down to Piccadilly circus and stared at the lights before finding a great Mexican restaurant at which to eat in Leicester square.
On Saturday we did almost everything you could do for a day in London. We took a hop-on hop-off bus tour that let us stop at all of the places those of us who had never been to London should see. We saw the London Bridge and the Tower Bridge and took a walking tour that led is to Buckingham Palace in time for the changing of the guards. We went to the Tower of London, saw St Paul’s Cathedral, and ended our afternoon at Madame Trousseau’s wax museum. How much fun!

At first, I was a bit overcome by the whole operation. I had envisioned a museum with different characters standing in rows that you could take your picture with. However; it was not like this. The place was set up with many different rooms that one could walk through, and each room had a theme. The first room was by far the most interesting and also the strangest! It was set up like a club or a party in some large city. The statues were standing and sitting in various places around the area, and people were milling about with them, taking pictures and standing in groups talking. The lights were very low, and because of the set up, many times you didn’t know that someone was real until they moved, and when you gazed across the room and your eyes fell on a group of people, it might take you several moments to realize there were also FAKE people in that group. It was crazy!
However; I DID get my picture taken with lots of famous people! In the next room, I have pictures of myself being taught by Ghandi and, my personal favorite, mooning GW. (of course, its only a PANTOMIME moon, in case any of you (or members of the CIA attracted to this email because of the sudden mention of our president) were wondering).

After the museum, we visited a half price ticket booth and found tickets to the Reduced Shakespeare Company's "Complete Works of William Shakespeare - abridged" which was a VERY funny play. The three American and Canadian actors performed the plays of WS all at once, and in a very funny manner. The three actors were hilarious, and I laughed till I cried several times. And get this - they mentioned something that nearly all of you are familiar with! During one portion they said "Its time to take a break from reality, from John Thune and Jennifer Lopez" It took me several moments to realize what I had heard!
I think its amazing what a small world it is that I can go all the way to London and hear the name of that guy! John Thune, what an amazing thing to have heard so far from home. He is the senator who won over the head of Tom Dashcle, the Senate Minority Leader. I have often shaken my head at the stupidity of my home state, who gave up the power that was a Senate minority leader for a newcomer, no matter how his conservative views might line up with their own. However, that is for another email!
Also, during a part in the play which included the recitations of several elements of tragedies, one line was read that blew me away. The man looked out into the crowd and for a moment seemed to even catch my eye, as he proclaimed: "49 million idiots re-elect the VILLAGE idiot" and again I had to laugh until my sides hurt. Later that night we went to a discothèque and even later we returned to the hostel. The trip home on Sunday afternoon had us all quite tired.

It IS a small world; isn’t it? The comment about John Thune was only part of it! Earlier in the day, during our walking tour the guide was asking members of the group where they were from. Two ladies in the back shouted out "South Dakota!" and I shouted back "Hey! I'm from South Dakota!" It turns out that one was from Rapid and one from Sioux Falls. I wish I had had time to ask more, but the ladies disappeared from the group before I could find them to inquire as to why they were in London and figure out if we knew anyone in common. For I know that we would have! Isn’t that just how the world works?
You can be an ocean away from home and hear news of your own politics. You can be in a group of people looking at old statues and awaiting the Changing of the Guard and hear people shout that they are from your state. You can come halfway around the world and catch someone’s eye as they talk about the president in perhaps the same manner that you would have. The Earth might cover an awfully big expanse of space, but it is really very small when you think about it. The best part is that we never know. We never know who shares our views or who might be cousins with the neighbor up the road.
We never know when we will run into people who went to our school, or who took a random hike through our neighborhood. The best thing that we can do is keep our eyes and ears open for the coincidences that serve to show us that we are all related. We are all cousins, as my great grandmother used to tell my mom. And when we visit each other, no matter how far we go or what relatives we see, we are cousining. Sometimes we are even cousining when we don’t mean to.

By Simon Woodhouse

For many people, lying on a beach in the sun is all they want from a holiday. Perhaps throw in a bit of shopping, a few day trips, the chance to sample some local cuisine and they're happy. There's nothing wrong with that, each to his own. However, if you think one beach looks very much like the next, shopping is torture and coach trips to ancient ruins are too much like something you did at school, then perhaps you want a bit more adventure. Perhaps you want an adventure holiday.

Adventure doesn't have to mean danger, but adventure holidays and dangerous sports seem to go hand in hand. They also seem to take place in some of the most scenic locations around the world, which means at least you have something nice to look at whilst your waiting to jump/dive/zoom into whatever form of danger you've chosen. Here are four activities that might help to make an adventure holiday more adventurous.

Bungee jumping has been around for a while now, and though in its modern form it started in the late 70's, its roots go back much further than that. On the Polynesian island of Pentecost (part of the island group known as Vanuatu and formerly called the New Hembrides), young men perform a coming-of-age ritual that involves diving headfirst from an 80-foot tall platform made of bamboo. The only thing that stops these brave young souls from killing themselves is a liana vine tied to their ankles. In 1986, a canny New Zealand man set up the first commercial bungee jumping business, and started charging people for the privilege of throwing themselves off a bridge. South Africa now boasts the highest commercial bungee jump. This takes place from the Bloukrans Bridge, located on the border of the Eastern and Western Cape. Here you can plunge straight down for 700 feet, before the bungee cord twangs you back up again. And kudos to you if you do it.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and this saying is never more accurate than when applied to Bill Hamilton, a boat builder from New Zealand. Faced with the challenge of using a motorboat in very shallow rivers, he invented the jet boat, a craft that's driven forward without the use of a propeller. Not only can jet boats operate in really shallow water, but they're also very fast and extremely manoeuvrable. Taking this vehicle and putting it to good use, a company called Shotover Jet offer jet boat rides along the Shotover River in New Zealand. Marketed as 'thrill therapy', the ride specialises in blasting the boat through a narrow canyon of sheer rock walls. Skilled pilots take the boats to within touching distance of the rock, whilst at the same time performing 360 degree spins. Life jackets are mandatory, no video cameras are allowed (they tend to end up in the river) and pregnant women are strongly advised against riding.

Whilst you're in New Zealand, why not have a go at fly by wire? This is a cross between a ski resort chair lift and a propeller driven missile. Victims, I mean riders, are strapped face down into what looks like a small rocket with a large, enclosed propeller on the back. High overhead, a series of 1200-foot long cables span from one side of a steep edged valley to the other. A single cable hangs down from these and is attached to the middle of the missile. Then the horizontal wires are tightened, and the missile is lifted upward with the propeller going. The rider has control of a throttle and a steering bar, both of which are then used to hurtle the missile around the valley as it dangles from the overhead cables. Just how fast it goes is up to the rider, but it can reach speeds of over 100 mph, and pull three G. This whole set-up is the fastest tethered ride in the world, and also an experience unique to New Zealand.

Perhaps speed isn't your thing, but you still fancy a bit of danger. How about swimming with sharks, but not just any old shark, the heavyweight champion of teeth and fins - the Great White. This type of holiday has been running for a few years now, around Cape Town in South Africa. Though it's advertised as swimming with Great Whites, there is a cage involved, but you go in the cage, the cage goes in the water, and the shark's in the water. Depending on which operator you use, there's also a chance to swim with aquarium sharks, and scuba dive without a cage in the presence of such happy little fellows as the Tiger Shark and the Hammerhead. As far as the Great Whites are concerned, nothing is guaranteed, which means to say they may not show up on the day you're due to take the plunge. However, the tour operators know what they're doing, so seeing a shark of one sort or another is more than likely.

These are just a few adventure/dangerous sports that can help to make a vacation just that little bit more special. You could also try white-water rafting, tandem skydiving or eating food purchased from a street vender in New Delhi.

For some reason I have always been fascinated with the ancient civilizations of Mexico, South and Central America, without being sure what the difference was between the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas, and the lesser-known groups like the Olmecs and Toltecs. I find the Mexican pyramids to be just as graceful as their older Egyptian cousins, but more mysterious and, considering the violent rites the Aztecs were known for, much more ominous. For those who are traveling to South America, Central America, or Mexico and desire to know about the ancient people who once inhabited these places, this is a quick guide to pre-Columbian times.

The Aztecs. My personal favorite group to study, the Aztecs were a stunningly high-tech civilization in which bright colors were rampant and there was a stern sense of obedience to the gods of their culture. Unfortunately, according to their mythology, they took obedience to mean offering sacrifices to appease their forboding deities. The same people who mercilessly killed thousands to keep the favor of the gods were also competitive, perfecting games and outdoor activities similar to some of the games played today. They did not call themselves Aztecs; one of their names for themselves was "Mexica," leaving little doubt as to the origin of the country now known as Mexico. One of their cities was at Tenochtitlan which is currently Mexico City. Visitors who travel to this huge place and do a little exploring can see fascinating ruins.

The Incas. Another interesting ethnic group, the Incas, lived in a large area spreading over many countries in South America. One of the countries they are most associated with seems to be Peru. When studying ancient cultures it is always intriguing to find links between places that would seem to have had no connection at all. The Inca people believed in the supreme authority and holiness of their leader, whom they considered to have a bloodline from a deity. In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs were earthbound mediators with heavenly connections, and in Rome, emperors were sometimes deified after death. The Incas were skillful farmers able to turn barren land into a grower's paradise. If you travel to the famous ruins of Machu Piccu, you can see what is believed to be a famous Incan city.

The Toltecs. Considered to be the predecessors of the mighty Aztecs, the Toltecs were an older civilization and venerated by their descendants. One of their cities, Tula, is a mere shell of its former self but can be explored by those who love ruins of antiquity. You will find it is not very far from Mexico City. At Tula you can see an area where games were once played, religious sites, and ominous statuary. Sadly, there are few things remaining of this once-important Toltec empire. The Toltecs were on equal footing with farming and fighting, able to do both in a precise manner. Strangely enough, the Aztecs, who were so enamored of Toltec culture, dismantled important architecture for the gain of their own city.

The Maya. There is something mysterious about this culture; famous yet not completely understood, it is fascinating to the history and travel buff. If you are planning to visit Guatemala in Central America or our Southern neighbor of Mexico, you might be able to discover some Mayan ruins for yourself. So who were the Maya, exactly? If you study Mayan art and architecture, you may notice a cat-like animal appearing very frequently. This is the jaguar and was a sacred animal image to this particular culture. If you're stopping in Guatemala ask for directions to the ruins believed to be Tikal, a famous Mayan city. You will find a pyramid and other clues that help piece together Mayan history. The most fascinating Mayan ruin you can possibly visit is at Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatan; you will find a huge, beautiful pyramid soaring over the remnants of the court. In Spanish it is known as El Castillo, but another name for it is Kukulcan.

The Olmecs. Considered to be one of the oldest Mexican cultures, some of the Olmecs' greatest contributations were in statuary and art. Little is known about these people except that they were probably the oldest group in the country. Their religion has been lost, as well as most evidence of the empire, but enough is known to ensure their age and importance. Like the Aztecs, it is thought that some form of sacrifice may have been part of their worship. In Mexico at a place known as La Venta, some sparse ruins can be found; they are not big or grand like those of other cultures found nearby, but serve to show us a glimpse of the past.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

I have always been particularly fascinated with ancient cities of the Holy Land and surrounding places that I have never heard of and am not even sure they still exist. Corinth, Ephesus, Caesarea, Delphi, Laodicea, Thessalonica - even the names are interesting. New neighborhoods have probably sprung up around the former sites of many of these places, and perhaps some of these newer cities are now famous. Some settlements have since been reduced to haunting ruins. It is a mystery why many of these once-important names faded from history, but it is most likely that, when they lost their dominance within the network of ancient cities and their neighbors crumbled, it was undeemed unimportant to upkeep them. The cities explored below are located in the modern-day environs of Greece and Turkey, or at least nearby.

Antioch. This Biblical city once found in Asia Minor is one of the more well-known ancient places. One of the things you will probably want to see is St. Peter's Church; it doesn't have the huge dimensions or stunning exterior architecture, but yet its simple design makes it appealing. Its plain color and box-like shape seems to fade right into the ruins, and it is rumored that the building was once a cave. Don't expect to find a perfectly-preserved classical paradise, however; Antakya, a newer town, stands where the Antioch of the past once sprawled, and reconstruction is not given as much thought as in other old cities.

Corinth. Located in what is now collectively Greece but was a once of conglomeration of different "states," Corinth was an impressive power in its day and many different groups of people from across the Mediterranean made their home here in ancient times. This is one of the cities whose ancient area exists mainly in ruins; here you can see the Acrocorinth Gate that still retains its splendor, as well as stark white temple columns and an old road that, despite its crumbling state, gives us an excellent idea of the craftsmanship of the period. The wealthy status of Corinth came to an end in the 3rd century A.D. after a foreign attack. Visitors can view the white columns that so many cities once occupied by the Romans now sport.

Delphi. You may have heard of the oracle of Delphi, but this place should be famous for its scenery as well as its lore. From certain viewpoints it looks as if Delphi was carved out of the mountains, since the ruins of the old city are gathered around the base of soaring cliffs. The remains of the ruined settlement have left many clues, but have generally been left alone. If you make the journey to Delphi you will find, to name just a few, a temple and a theater belonging to centuries past. Considering its age, the ruins of the Temple of Apollo are in fairly good condition though much has long since crumbled. Here you will find an interesting place known as Castalia Spring. It was thought to be sacred by Delphi's inhabitants and is a place that stays fixed in the imagination.

Ephesus. Ephesus can be found in Turkey and was once known around the vicinity as a generally advantageous place to live. Although time has created many ruins, the city's historical places of interest can be toured and newer buildings such as churches have been added to the perimeter of the old city. One intriguing place you will find here is actually known as the Cave of the Seven Sleepers, which sounds like something out of an Arabian Nights tale. The stadium is particularly impressive.

Laodicea. Unfortunately, very little of Laodicea (a city in what is now Turkey) remains; even ruins are crumbling almost to the point of no recognition. A stadium and other notable places can be seen but leave much to the imagination. Laodicea was actually named specifically after a woman named Laodice, and was founded in the 200s B.C. A gate that must have once been very beautiful, known as the Triple-Arched Gateway, is now a few stones piled on top of one another, and even this threatens to fall. Laodicea lies in the Lycus Valley and no modern city is located over this site.

Thessalonica. The classical Thessalonica, begun in the 4th century B.C. by Macedonian royalty, is now a more modern Greek city that retains its original name of Thessaloniki. The old city remains in a few contrasted ruins, but has been conquered by the new; skyscrapers and roads have been constructed over the original settlement. Once and again places like the old forum will reveal themselves in the middle of projects or digs, giving a rare glimpse into the past. The modern city of Thessaloniki is one of the country's biggest, complete with a port, an impressive trade record, and a huge downtown that defies its ancient past.

Some other ancient cities located in the Holy Land or the Mediterranean are Pergamum, Caesarea, Petra, Seleucia, and Tarsus.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Simon Woodhouse

Situated on the outskirts of London, Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the world. It's also quite old, with the site having originally served as a base for William the Conqueror nearly a thousand years ago. Being made of wood, the structure William built has long since disappeared, but the strategic importance of the area wasn't lost on subsequent monarchs, many of who oversaw Windsor's numerous face-lifts and expansions.

In 1154, King Henry II built the first stone wall around the castle, part of which has survived, albeit very changed, until today. Being in such a strategic location - guarding the city of London from the west, the castle often came under attack. King Henry III repaired a substantial amount of damage in 1216, after the building had been besieged and assaulted by disgruntled English barons. Not long after this the Curfew Tower was built, a structure still visible today. For quite a while thereafter the castle didn't change very much, until in 1350 King Edward III indulged himself. He knocked down everything accept the Curfew Tower, and rebuilt from scratch. Twenty-four years later the job was done, at least for the time being.

St George's chapel, probably one of the most famous parts of the castle, has been rebuilt and subsequently fallen down again, many times over the years. In 1475, King Edward IV decided to really make a good job of it, and started a gothic style structure so grand it became more like a cathedral than a chapel. Though it fell to Henry VIII to finish the job fifty years later, it was well worth the effort, as the chapel turned out to be a magnificent building.

As different monarchs came and went, the castle's popularity changed too. Seen as a bleak, unwelcoming place by some kings and queens, it wasn't until 1660 and the reign of Charles II, that Windsor once again had a face-lift. The Palace of Versailles was also being built around this time, and some of Windsor's layout was modelled on the French palace. But following Charles II death, the castle fell out of favour once more and slipped into a state of disrepair. Then in 1804, George III needed somewhere to house himself, his wife and their thirteen children, so Windsor became a working castle once more. A few years, later George IV persuaded Parliament to give him 300,000 pounds, which he used to revamp Windsor in the most extensive building programme of the castle's long history.

Queen Victoria spent a lot of time at Windsor, and used her power and influence to have several public roads rerouted, thus allowing the castle grounds to be used exclusively by the royal family. The current Queen of England, Elizabeth II, uses Windsor as her principle weekend retreat. In 1992, fire severely damaged a large part of the castle, but all the destruction has since been repaired, the funds for which (thirty seven million pounds) came largely from the Queen's own pocket.

Today Windsor Castle is one of Britain's leading tourist attractions. Covering thirteen acres, the castle allows visitors to see where past and present monarchs live. The British Royal Family have always been lovers of fine art, and much of their collection can be seen in the State Apartments. Paintings hanging there include works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Canaletto, Gainsborough and a very famous triple portrait of Charles I by Sir Anthony van Dyck. A collection of armor is also on display there. Besides the artwork and the armor, the apartments are magnificent chambers within their own right. A palpable sense of majesty hangs in the air, reinforced by the sort of furniture and decor you'd expect to find in a royal palace. Sumptuous would probably be the best word to describe wants on show.

St George's Chapel is open to the public six days a week, but closed on Sundays for services to be held. Besides being a truly glorious structure inside and out, the chapel is also the last resting place of ten English monarchs, including Henry the VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour. The chapel is also the chapel of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest Order of Chivalry. Pomp and ceremony still play a part in everyday life at Windsor, with the Changing of the Guard taking place at 11am every day, accept on Sundays.

Besides the apartments and the chapel, the castle itself makes for an impressive spectacle, both from within its walls, and outside in the grounds. For an excellent photo opportunity, the Long Walk that leads up to the castle from the south is a must. Created as part of Charles II restoration work, the approach is three miles long and lined with Chestnut trees. The castle dominates the skyline at the end of the Long Walk, and this gives the visitor a truly impressive perspective of its grandness.

Even people not particularly interested in British history will still enjoy a visit to Windsor Castle. The atmosphere inside and out is one of majesty. It's almost as if the building's history is a tangible thing in its own right, something that can be felt as well as seen. And knowing just a fraction of the castle's past makes any visit that much more enjoyable.

Patong beach is the best place to be for sun seekers who love the sea the sand and pure surfing fun. Since it is the most famous beach in Phuket it is the central for all kinds of activities and nightlife making it the ideal place for those who want to party and play. The best time to be here is between November and February when the rainfall is the lowest and it is cooler.

The beach has a 3000m pearly coastline with waters that are a lovely blue shade. Once a fishing village is now a haven that welcomes all. The heat may be a little overwhelming so pace yourself, drink lots of water and just relax. During the day the beach is usually busy with all kinds of sea sports.

Speedboats can be rented for snorkeling in the small caves and beaches. Parasailing that is a five minutes parachute ride pulled by a speed boat would be quite exhilarating. The jet ski can be rented anywhere along the beach but be sure to agree on the price and check the vehicle. Small catamarans and wind surfers can also be rented for sailing and windsurfing.

Scuba diving lessons can be obtained easily as there are many dive shops giving lessons in all languages. Present divers can arrange for dives in much more remote place. The beaches are safe for swimming during November to March as it is calm and flat.

If you are bored of being a beach bum, you can hire a jeep and explore the island or take a local tour of Phang Nga and Phi Phi Island. There are also eco tours such as elephant trekking, canoeing and snorkeling.

There are a wide variety of attractions nearby Patong beach such as the Phuket Butterfly Farm and Insectarium Phuket Town. This consists of a large collection of insects, beetles and even includes a scorpion pit. Sea shell collectors can drop by the Phuket Sea Shell Museum which exhibits valuable collection of seashells that are rare and unusual. The world’s largest golden pearl can also be found here.

Thai Village is located by a tranquil lakeside setting which used to be an old tin mine. It offers entertainment during the day as the shows held display a sample of Thailand’s cultural life. There are sword fighting, bamboo fighting and Thai boxing also featured followed by Thai dances.

After the show the elephants than demonstrate the ways to handle a huge teak log, followed by the locals explaining on the methods of tin mining and rubber tapping. The village also consists of a restaurant, children’s playground and a handicraft shop.

For some action head to the Snake Farm where you can feel your adrenaline pumping as the snake handler kisses the cobra on the head. Vital information on snake bites are also explained during the show and finally don’t miss out the chance to squeeze a python.

Golfers can head to the Dino Park –Kata Village which is a miniature golf with a Jurassic Park theme. It is a 18 hole golf course and is well designed with dinosaurs, waterfall and an erupting volcano. There is a lot of sound lights and special effect. The best time to visit would be in the evening as the effects can be seen more clearly.

Kalim beach is a continuation of Patong beach with a rocky headland at the north. It is much quieter and more private suitable for those who want to get away from the busy Patong beach. During the low tide, a wide part of beach subdues revealing the coral reefs.

After all these activities a nice Thai massage or a trip to the spa would be soothing to the mind and body. Thai spas use natural ingredients in all their treatment and is something totally different compared tot he Western culture.

Patong becomes alive in the night as the shops and restaurant are usually open late through the night. There is a never-ending choices of bars, clubs, karaoke, lounges and cabarets. Shopping can be done in the street stalls, night markets where the price can be bargained for local handicrafts, clothes and jeweler.

Accommodations need to be selected wisely to ensure it is suitable. If visiting with family than ensure the hotel has a kids club or there is activities for the younger visitors like Absolute Sea Pearl and if visiting as a couple than the Aloha Villa will be more appropriate as it is only a 10 minutes walk to the sea.

Although Patong beach is a fun place to be, it is clear that planning the trip is vital to ensure the best experience can be achieved.


By Amelia Alfred

Whether you are going on a long trip far away from home or a weekend jaunt only an hour or two away, packing your toiletry products carefully is an absolute necessity. Nobody appreciates arriving at their destination for some long overdue rest and relaxation to discover that their shampoo has leaked out all over their favorite pair of pajamas or favorite shirt! Egad! Read on for some tips about how to make your next vacation as stress-free when it comes to packing your toiletries as possible.

Choosing the “Perfect” Toiletry Bag

Ask any woman and she will tell you that everything starts with the perfect toiletry bag. Shop carefully for the most appropriate one to suit your needs. Look for a case that is open and has plenty of clear pouches so your items are easily visible and by so doing, the items will be simpler to locate inside the case. Buy a toiletry case that wipes off easily, both inside and out, in the event that something does get spilled. Avoid bags with fabric lining if at all possible and make sure you purchase one that is water-resistant. If you spill something on a bag with fabric lining no matter how many times you wipe it or clean it, the scent of the product often remains permanently.

Keep Like Items Together

Keep like items together. In other words, keep your toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss in a separate pouch or compartment from your mascara, lipstick, eye shadow and blush. Buy a decent sized toiletry bag that can hold extras such as a pair of underwear, a pair of socks or pantyhose, a bathing, suit and so on. Toiletry bags that come with handles are the most convenient for traveling but double check to make sure that the zippers work properly because unzipped toiletries can spell disaster in the form of one big mess!

Trial Size Bottles are a Must

Pack trial size bottles where possible as they take up much less space then regular sized bottles of your favorite products. Another suggestion is to use the small plastic containers that 35 mm film comes in for small quantities of items. These tiny containers come in handy for a variety of purposes such as to hold hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antibiotic cream, sunscreen, hand lotion, earrings, rings, a few cotton balls, and so on.

Leave flip top containers, aerosol cans, and any big, bulky products that take up a great deal of room at home where they belong. If you decided to invest in small, clear plastic bottles for items such as shampoo, conditioner or hair gel, do not fill them anymore than two-thirds full to avoid overflow. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are flying. For an added precaution, wrap each bottle in a plastic grocery bag before packing. Be advised that hair gel travels better than mousse (due to the fact that mousse is under pressure). As well if you can go without a hair dryer then leave it at home, or else purchase ac travel sized one. A great majority of hotels and motels provide hair dryers for their customers in their rooms.

Invest in Pre-Moistened Cloths

Pre-moistened cloths are excellent to invest in for trips and these versatile items can double as makeup remover and cleanser. Make sure you save enough room in your toiletry bag for the pre-moistened cloths when you are doing your packing. Equally as good to use and often cheaper are ordinary baby wipes. If these are mild and gentle enough for a baby’s delicate bottom then they should most definitely be mild enough for your face!

Think Moisturizer

For moisturizer go with one for your trip that will provide adequate protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Choose a sun protection factor (abbreviated to SPF) of a minimum of 15 but preferably 30 for optimum protection. If you are very fair skinned and burn very easily you might even want to opt for a SPF of 45. Always pack your moisturizer in your toiletry bag and place the bag in your carry on luggage if you are flying. All of your essentials and “can’t live without” items must remain with you at all times during your travels.

What Would Travel be Without an Atomizer for Added Hydration?

An atomizer is a must for travel, especially if you are flying due to the fact that different altitudes and changes in air pressure can be rough on the skin. Make sure you pack an atomizer in your toiletry bag. An atomizer allows you to mist your face and neck with a spritz of fresh, clean water whenever you are feeling dry and in need of some extra hydration for your skin. One of the top choices for atomizers on the market is Evian and Evian comes in a variety of different sizes from the tiniest for travel to small, medium, large and in some cases, extra large. There are other companies as well that sell atomizers, many at lower prices than Evian, and some have a pleasant, light scent to them. To keep the rest of you feeling hydrated and energized you might want to include a small bottle of a scented body spray or spritz in your toiletry bag. Calgon’s “Take Me Away!” products by Coty make some very nice ones, with some of the invigorating scents including Hawaiian Ginger, Turquoise Seas, Tahitian Orchid, Morning Glory, Perfect Bliss and Tropical Dream.

The need to travel elicits different reactions in different people. For some people, thoughts of travel cause tremendous stress and anxiety as there is a concern about claustrophobia, air pressure, worries about forgetting to take medication at the prescribed times, concerns about making it to the airport or train station on time, jet lag, fear of forgetting something important at home and a multitude of other concerns. Let’s take a closer look at what stress is and ways that stress can be combated with the proper nutrients.

What is Stress?

Stress is a response that is geared towards protecting our well being, both inside and out. It is a necessary response as the body is constantly adjusting to changes in our moods and surroundings. We employ what is known as the “fight or flight response” when something (anything at all) threatens our existence in any way. This response has been part of the body’s response since the beginning of time. Adrenalin starts pumping as our body prepares to deal with the stressful situation we are presented with. The heart rate increases as does blood pressure and breathing becomes more rapid. We have engaged what is referred to as the “stress response” at this point in time.

What was described in the paragraph above is what is known as positive stress because our bodies are preparing themselves to react to a threat or a challenge put upon us. Positive stress is normal and inherent. On the other hand, negative stress is when a person feels that he or she is no longer able to cope with a life situation and the pressure has simply become too much to handle. All in all this breeds feelings of being out of control and extremely fearful for the outcome of what appears to be an impossible situation.

There is no such thing as a life free of stress. It would seem welcome but it is impossible. To live in this world is to feel the effects of stress. However too much stress in the wrong direction (i.e. negative stress) can cause serious health complications, in particular by disabling the overworked immune system. Research has shown that a very high percentage of sicknesses are in one way or another, related to the negative side of stress.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress leaves a trail of symptoms, some physical, others emotional, and still others, relationship oriented. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Physical Symptoms of Stress
There are many physical manifestations of stress. Some symptoms also spring from other physical illnesses while many can simply arise because of the stress. These symptoms include sleep disturbances, tension or migraine headaches, eating disorders, weight loss or gain, a host of stomach problems (such as acid stomach or upset stomach, gas, heartburn, cramps or irritable bowel syndrome), constipation or diarrhea, fatigue and hair loss. Other symptoms include neck, back or shoulder pain, muscle tension, irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, chest pain, sweaty palms, shortness of breath or the onset of asthma, cold hands or feet, jaw pain or periodontal disease, skin problems (such as eczema, hives, excessive itching, dry skin, psoriasis and tics), reproductive problems, inhibition of growth development (in children) and finally, a higher susceptibility to catching head colds, bronchitis, flu, and other respiratory related infections.

Emotional Symptoms of Stress
Many emotional indicators of stress can be as bad as physical symptoms. Sometimes they are worse as they can be more easily hidden and are sometimes more difficult to diagnose. Emotional responses to stress can wreak havoc in many areas of your life including family, friends, other personal relationships, and performance at work and/or school. These symptoms include high levels of anxiety and nervousness, moodiness and depression, frustration and a tendency towards irritability, butterflies in the stomach, phobia and substance abuse (alcohol or drugs). Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating on tasks, an inability to think and reason clearly, problems remembering simple things, inappropriate reactions to situations and feelings of one’s life spinning out of control.

Relational Symptoms of Stress
The delicate balance of many types of relationships is often upset when a person is struggling under a tremendous amount of stress. Family and personal relationships are sometimes pushed to the near breaking point and work situations often become problematic. These relationship oriented symptoms include a lack of interest in social activities, an argumentative state, conflicts erupting with employers and/or co-workers, domestic violence, overreactions to ordinary, everyday problems of life, job hopping and sometimes even incidences of road rage.

What Causes Stress to Occur?

Events and/or situations in and of themselves are not stressful; instead it is a person’s perception of them that triggers the stress response. Stress comes about when a person believes they are facing a threatening or tension-filled situation such as a job interview or a heart to heart talk with a parent, spouse or child. Stress also derives from situations that are perceived as difficult to handle or meet the challenges of, such as a first date. Generally the higher expectations you have for the outcome of an event, the higher level of stress you will experience. Learning not to over think or overanalyze a situation is a step in the right direction to eliminating a certain degree of the stress involved. Also sometimes lowering expectations is the healthier way to go. The sayings “Aim high!” or “Shoot for the stars!” cannot realistically be applied to all situations, especially when the expectations cause needless amounts of negative stress. No one needs an extra burden of stress as most people have enough all ready.

How Nutrients Fight Stress

High levels of stress deplete your body of nutrients a little at a time. Help combat this problem by eating a balanced diet. Below are examples of dietary sources that you should consume on a regular basis to help keep you healthy, feeling good and looking terrific!

Calcium

Studies have shown that calcium regulates heart rhythm and plays a key role in muscle and nerve function. Stress reduces the body’s ability to absorb calcium. To help alleviate this problem, try eating smaller, more frequent meals and cut back on caffeine to help boost absorption.

Sources
Dairy products, almonds, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, kidney beans, sardines and tofu

Magnesium

Walking hand in hand with calcium is magnesium. If you want to encourage restful sleep make sure to get enough magnesium. This mineral helps to relax your nerves and muscles. It has also been shown to ease migraine headaches, muscle tension, nausea and depression, all of which can occur as a result of stress.

Sources
Bananas, black beans, chard, figs, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, spinach, squash and walnuts

Complex Carbohydrates

The complex carbs found in whole grains boost energy and vitamin B6 levels. Vitamin B6 blocks disruptions to the immune system and triggers the release of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter serotonin.

Sources
Whole grains, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, legumes and oatmeal

Vitamin C

Potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and are packed with phytonutrients which fight free radical damage and are essential for a healthy, well functioning immune system. Something to keep in mind is that baked potato skins are loaded with dietary fiber, which helps the digestive tract run smoothly and also wards off stress-induced problems such as stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Sources
Potatoes (as previously mentioned), cabbage, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, strawberries and sweet peppers

Omega-3

This essential fatty acid promotes heart health and reduces blood pressure. It can combat fatigue, poor concentration and depression. It is important to bear in mind that moderation and variety reduces your risk of mercury intake from fish. Canned tuna has relatively low levels of mercury in it (“light” contains less mercury than “white” albacore tuna).

Sources
Tuna, salmon, halibut, herring, flax seeds, dark leafy green vegetables and nuts

Fats

Pure, uncooked plant oils are essential for heart health, hormone production, nerve impulses and energy. Insufficient fat in the body negatively affects the immune system and has been linked to anxiety, depression and mood disorders. It is important to note that oxidation from air or heat exposure alters the molecular structure of a fat. Therefore it is wise to toss out any oils that smell bitter or rancid. When in doubt, throw it out!

Sources
Beef, chicken, olives, eggs, avocadoes, canola and olive oil

There is nothing like a urinary tract infection to put the damper on an otherwise enjoyable traveling experience. If you are prone to urinary tract infections (also known simply as bladder infections) or if you are presently on vacation and have developed one, then before you head to the local clinic, emergency room or even pharmacy for over-the-counter relief, look no further than the refrigerator for a bottle of cranberry juice. Read on.

Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are one of the most common types of bacterial infections diagnosed in doctors’ offices across the United States every year. The only type of infections that are more common are respiratory infections (strep throat in particular). It is estimated that as many as “50 million cases of urinary tract infections” are treated on a yearly basis. Aside from antibiotics, there are other natural alternatives in the form of herbs that both serve to prevent as well as help treat urinary tract infections.

UTI Categories

UTI’s can be broken down into three categories- urethritis, cystitis and pyelonephritis. Urethritis is an infection of the urethra which is the canal that moves urine from the bladder. In men the urethra is also the genital duct. This form of a urinary tract infection is most often caused by viruses that are spread during sexual intercourse. Discomfort or pain is experienced with urethritis and it is sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation. Unfortunately cranberry juice as well as other herbs is not effective at preventing or treating this UTI because it is viral, not bacterial.

The next two categories of UTI’s can be helped by consuming cranberry juice because they are brought on by a bacterium known as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Cystitis is the most common of the three types and it is an infection that occurs in the bladder which is the storage unit for urine. Cystitis causes pain and/or discomfort in the abdominal area and sometimes a frequent need to urinate. The most serious type of the three is pyelonephritis. This is an infection that works its way up from the bladder to the kidneys and once there, the bacteria multiples. The most common symptoms of this UTI are chills, fever, severe back pain and nausea.

The Magic Touch of Cranberry

As far back as the 1840s research has looked at a link between urinary tract conditions and cranberries. Researchers in Germany discovered that a chemical known as hippuric acid was found in the urine of test subjects who ate cranberries on a regular basis. The research continued over the years and in the last decade it has focused on the unique ability of cranberries to prevent bacteria from clinging to the walls of the bladder. It was hypothesized that high levels of benzoic acid in cranberry juice made this possible.

Researchers at the Weber State University in Utah in 1994 ran a series of tests that yielded successful results in regards to the use of cranberries in fighting urinary tract infections. The results of their studies found that cranberry juice does inhibit the ability of E. coli bacteria to attach itself to both the walls of the bladder as well as its individual cells. The two components are believed to be fructose and a group of polymeric proanthocyanidins.


Cranberry Juice and Bacteria Formation

Both men’s and women’s bodies come equipped with natural ways to guard against UTI’s but these barriers are often not enough. The urethra of a man is up to ten inches long and is made with natural bends which helps prevent bacteria from entering the bladder. Unfortunately females are not so lucky. The perineum of a woman does its best to prevent bacteria from getting into the urethra but it is not always enough to prevent problems. As well the perineum can easily become irritated or damaged by way of intercourse, tight clothing, bubble baths and even rough or insufficient hygiene. Women are also at another disadvantage because their urethra are made straight and are only two inches long, making the entrance of bacteria so much easier.

An Ounce of Cranberry Prevention

Cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon) that is used in the prevention and/or treatment of UTI’s is generally taken in the form of cranberry juice but for those who don’t enjoy the taste, cranberry capsules can be purchased in the alternative medicine section of a grocery store or pharmacy.

Some doctors who diagnose acute cystitis will find it necessary to prescribe a dose of antibiotics but also strongly recommend to their patients one pill of a concentrated cranberry capsule two times a day for a month’s time to help further heal the bladder and prevent a second flare up of the infection. Short-term doses of all natural remedies such as goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis), queen of the meadow (Filipendula ulmaria) and thyme (Thymus spp.) are sometimes prescribed as an accompaniment to antibiotics or as an alternative.

To prevent the reoccurrence of an unpleasant bladder infection it is recommended that an individual drink a few glasses of cranberry juice a week or even as much as two to three glasses a day consistently. Most brands of cranberry juice or cranberry cocktails are made up of ten to twenty percent cranberry which is an effective amount to fight bacteria in the bladder. Cranberry juice has sugar in it so if the sugar content is a problem for you (especially if you are a diabetic) then consider buying sugar free cranberry juice which is available in most grocery stores. If cranberry juice is not to your liking then there is the option of cranberry capsules. Be aware that the capsules have a higher concentration of cranberry than does the juice.

Other Herbs that Fight UTI’s

Other herbs that help prevent and/or fight the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections include burdock, dill, and uva ursi.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is also sometimes referred to as Great Burdock and is part of the thistle family. The leaves, roots and seeds can all be consumed for help with a UTI. The root can be cooked and then eaten while the young leaves and raw stems can be added to salads and soups. Burdock Root is also rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, E and P but should be taken with caution by pregnant women.

Dill (Anethum graveolens) is a member of the Umbelliferae family and is a very popular herb in both parts of Europe as well as Scandinavia. It is very simple to grow and can grow up to a height of three feet. Both the leaves and seeds of the dill plant can be eaten. Add the herb to stews, casseroles, fish dishes, salads, potatoes, vegetables, soups, eggs, etc.

Uva Ursi (Arctoptaphylos uva-ursi) is a perennial herb that comes from Latin and stands for “bear’s grape.” Another name for uva ursi is bearberry. Uva ursi is a plant with pretty pink flowers that can grow up to approximately sixteen inches in height. The leaves of uva ursi need to be consumed in order to prevent bladder problems. This herb should not be consumed by anyone with a kidney disease nor in large quantities by anyone pregnant.

Ginger root has long been found to be effective in combating stomach problems such as indigestion, nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness and diarrhea. In fact since ancient times it has been used as an ingredient of herbal medicines in places such as Arabia, Asia and India. China has been reaping the benefits of ginger root for its dietary benefits for over 2,000 years.

The British medical journal Lancet reported that when it comes to motion sickness, ginger works much better at alleviating the negative effects than does the drug Dramamine. Recommended by researchers is that travelers consume approximately 1,500 mg of ginger half an hour before travel is undertaken. An alternative to the common ginger root often used in cooking is to drink a 12-ounce glass of ginger ale.

The ingredient in ginger that gives it its ability to heal stomach ailments is gingerol. When buying a ginger extract, make sure you buy the proper concentration, which is a standardized 11:1. Medical doctors recommend consuming approximately 1,000 mg of the extract. Gingerol works in tune with the gastrointestinal tract to calm and settle the stomach. There are no worries related to toxicity levels when it comes to gingerol on account of the fact that it in no way interacts with the functioning of the nervous system. While ginger is generally considered safe for the majority of people to use, those with a history of either gallstones or persistent heartburn should first speak to their doctor before beginning to take it.

If eating ginger snaps or drinking ginger tea is not to your liking there is another option for ginger consumption and that is to make use of essential oil of ginger. Inhaling ginger is not the best way to get your fill for digestive purposes but it is useful. Here is what you can do- fill a bowl with boiling water and then add to the water one drop of ginger per pint of water used. Cover your head with a towel and steam your face for up to five minutes, inhaling the aroma of the ginger while making sure to always keep your eyes closed.

Motion sickness is decreased tremendously by the administering of ginger. A study undertaken with 80 Danish novice sailors who were not yet acclimatized to the ill effects of the sea on the stomach yielded results that only one gram of ginger (powdered ginger in this case), was enough to decrease the incidence of vomiting and cold sweating. Not only that but nausea and dizziness were also reportedly lessened by the effects of ginger. It is highly recommended for those prone to motion sickness to take a form of ginger approximately 3-4 hours before travel commences in order for the body to adequately absorb it.

Forms of Ginger

The technical name for ginger root is Zingiber officinale and it is a natural spice that comes in a number of different forms. Ginger is available in a powdered form and this can be made into ginger tea much like a regular tea is made- simply add some ginger to a cup of hot water and then let it steep for a few minutes. Once the ginger and water have mixed together sufficiently you can enjoy a tasty and “stomach- happy” cup of tea. It is best to make ginger tea with approximately 1/8 of a teaspoon and if that is not strong enough for you, add more as required.

Dried ginger root can also be used to make tea but you may have to let it sit longer to get the taste you yearn for. Powdered ginger works wonders as a spice sprinkled lightly on casseroles, soups and other favorite dishes. Ginger can also be candied (or crystallized) and pickled for baking purposes and can easily be chewed for digestive relief. Some people believe it is good practice to chew the ginger for a few minutes and then leave it under their tongues to be quickly absorbed into the system and allow it to do its job. It does not take very long for ginger to work its magic.

For those who do not enjoy ingesting ginger in any of its other forms, it also comes in capsules and tablets, which are convenient, small and easy to take. However make sure to always read the directions on the side of the bottle before taking.

As previously mentioned, ginger comes by way of food and drink. Ginger snaps and ginger bread are not only delicious but digestively therapeutic as well. Ginger ale does not have a sharp sting like taste to it like other kinds of sodas sometimes do and ginger tea boosts a very pleasant scent.

Keep in mind ginger’s seasonal connection- during the cold months of winter it is excellent at fighting viruses that plague the digestive tract and in the summertime when traveling is at the top of so many people’s vacation plans, ginger both works to prevent and do away with that which we all dread, motion sickness. Ginger is also beneficial during the seasons of spring and autumn when allergies of many kinds often bring with them problems such as dizziness and vertigo. Ginger really can be described as a wonder drug, which cures what ails in regards to so many stomach disorders.

History/Description of Montreal

There are not too many places where you can find a place, totally surrounded by its own country which speaks a totally different language. Well, at least not anywhere in North America. One place that this phenomenon can be found is on the Isle of Montreal, Canada located in the Québec province. Though Canada is an English speaking country, Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris. Also known by the name “City of Saints” a great number of the street names that you will find in the city is named after saints. This reflects the city’s Roman Catholic history and origin. According to the 2001 census, the population of the city proper topped in at 1,584,590, but according to the 2006 population of the greater metropolitan area, it boasts a population of at 3,640,000 in 2005 making it the 15th largest city in North America and the 77th largest city in the world. Askmen.com was gracious enough to rank Montreal as the number one city to live in the world all account to the culture, architecture and history.

Its gay district

With as many people as mentioned above living in one city, there has got to be an area of the city that is strictly devoted to where gender benders reside and decide to play and there is. Montreal’s Gay Village can be found by trotting up rue Sainte-Cathrine Est or by hopping on the Metro and getting off at Beaudry Station. Rivaling the size of Chicago’s Boystown, Motreal’s Gay playground runs from rue Berri to rue De Lorimaier, roughly 2 miles of man-meat bonanza. I would suggest that if you want to take a trip to this northern isle, take it in the summer or when the weather is warmer. You will get the most bang for your buck, I promise.

Where to stay

Le houseboy

The population of the city’s residents and visitor makes it possible to have a number of hotels and hostels devoted to making your stay in the French speaking Mecca one that you are not soon to forget. When I was planning my travel to Montreal last, I was hard pressed (no pun intended) to find a place where I can let my proverbial ‘hair down’, with out causing too much of an uproar. I was lucky enough to happen upon a place where I could do just that. In fact, this humble aboard was created with the gay male’s mind in mind. On my last trip to Montreal was just a few years ago, but I stayed at Le Houseboy which is conveniently placed in the middle of Montreal’s throbbing gay life. This bed and breakfast for men is just one-minute’s walk from Saint-Catherine street the accompanying Beudry Merto station. Le Houseboy is smoke free and makes you feel at home with its comfortable decorated rooms and charming owners. While I visited, the two were had their wedding ceremony. Equipped with cable television and air conditioning you will have no problem easing yourself into the room while taking a break from the wares of the district.

Where to eat

I found that Montreal is not only home to one of the largest Gay district in North America, but it also boast over 4,000 restaurants where you can survey more tha 80 different international cuisine. Here are a few that have the perfect combination of male eye candy and succulent taste-bud seductions.

Bato Thaí1310 rue Saite Catherine EstMontréal, Québec514-524-6705

La Strega du Village1477 rue Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, Québec514-523-6000

Le Club Sandwich1578 rue Sainte Catherine OuestMontréal, Québec514-523-4678

Le Planéte1451 rue Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, Québec514-528-6953

Le Staff1278 Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, Québec514-522-7175

Café European (Complexe Bourbon)1560 rue Ste-Catherine EstMontréal, Québec514-523-4678

Where to play

As mentioned above in the beginning paragraphs of this article, Montreal has established itself as one of the largest conglomeration of gays and lesbian. This being said, it would not be much of an information rich article if I did not include some of the best places to play in the city.

Campus Bar1111 rue Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, QC514-526-3616

Circus After Hours915 rue Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, QC514-844-3626

Club Date1218 rue Sainte Catherine EstMontréal, QC514-521-1242Cocktail1669 rue Ste Catherine EstMontréal, QC

By Brandi M. Seals

5.) Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island is located in Michigan. It lies in the Straights of Mackinac that separates the Upper Peninsula from the Lower Peninsula. Visitors can take a ferry from Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula or St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula.

Mackinac Island is a 4.4 square mile island that features Victorian architecture is free of cars. Residents and visitors get around on foot, horse, carriage or bicycle. Take step back in time at Mackinac.

The island features a fort, several tourist shops that sell the best fudge ever, and the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel is a beautiful hotel that first opened in 1887 and features 385 rooms. Go there to be in the lap of luxury or take of exploring the many trails that traverse the island.

4.) Fiji
Fiji is officially known as the Republic of the Fiji Islands. It is located in the South Pacific near Vanuatu and Tonga. The country is made up of an archipelago of around 322 islands.

Fiji has become an excellent travel location. It features multiple resorts that treat guest with luxurious surroundings that meet their every need. In 2003, 430,800 tourists visited Fiji. Each year more people decided to head out to this paradise.

If your idea of a great time involves hours spend on a white sand beach next to clear blue water, Fiji is for you.

3.) Santorini
If beautiful sites are what you seek, Santorini is for you. This group of volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea sits southeast of mainland Greece. In the center of this circular island grouping is a giant beautiful lagoon. The lagoon is surrounded by sheer cliffs on three sides. At the top of the cliffs sit most of the Santorini population.

Visitors will love the views from the mountain tops but may not be as keen on the narrow roads that lead up the cliff. Visitors can opt to take a traditional donkey ride to the top or take a tram.

Santorini is crowded during the summer months. Its primary industry is tourism and they know how to do it right. Anyone staying at Santorini will be pleasantly pleased with the accommodations.

2.) Australia
The island country of Australia is huge. It covers 2,967,909 square miles(7,686,850 sq. km.). Australia is surrounded by the Southern Ocean to the south, the Pacific to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west.

Australia is full of one-of-a-kind animals, great zoos, and an world renowned opera house. However, Australia is much more well known for the Great Barrier Reef that lies just off the coast of Queensland.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. It is comprised of 3000 reefs and 900 islands. The reef stretches over 1600 miles and can be seen from space.

People from all around love to travel to Australia for the chance to scuba dive off the reef. Each year around two million visitors come to see the Great Barrier Reef.

1.) Antarctica
Antarctica is the southern most landmass and covers 5.5 million sq. miles. Most of Antarctica is covered by an ice sheet that is over a mile thick. However, the inhospitable environment of Antarctica has done little to keep visitors from venturing there.

Antarctica sits in the Southern Ocean (the ocean is also known as the Antarctic Ocean) and is located at the South Pole. It sits there far from any other land. South America is Antarctica's nearest neighbor but it is over 600 miles away. They are separated by the rough waters of Drake Passage.

Most of those who go to Antarctica are scientist there to study the pristine environment. However, since the 1960s there has been a real movement towards tourism. Visitors come down on cruise ships that may make landings on outlaying islands or on the peninsula that juts north from the mainland.

Deception Island is a popular port. It sits just north of the Antarctic Peninsula and is frequented by tourists that have heard tales of the heated water. Deception Island is an active volcano and features volcanically heated water. That means visitors can take a warm bath while penguins wander nearby on thick sheets of ice and snow.

The true icon of Maine may very well be the lobster, and you should know where to get it. Many, many restaurants around the state offer lobster in various forms but real Mainers know where to go when they want this delicacy -- and usually at a good price, too. I will outline here the top places for lobster, whether it be rolled, stewed, or steamed.

Steamed Lobster
There is simply no other place to go for a steamed lobster than Five Islands Lobster Company located in Georgetown. Five Islands is located at the very tip of a penninsula of land which juts into the harbor. Their prices are inexpensive and dining is al fresco. You will not find a fresher lobster, as the restaurant is essentially a summer lobster dock, and the lobsters are brough straight to the dock. A soft shell lobster will run you $6.50/lb and a hard shell 1 to 1.5 pound lobster is $10.50. This is served with butter. You can order fresh boiled baby red potatoes and corn on the side as well. The prices are all very reasonable, but the setting is priceless. You sit on a dock at picnic tables, surrounded by water and islands. Lobster trap buoys bob happily on the surface amidst the lobster boats. It is the most picturesque and ideally "Maine" place to enjoy a lobster. In addition to the steamed lobster, there is a food shack that serves haddock, sandwiches, french fries and that sort of fare, if you have a non-lobster eater in your midst. For dessert, there is an ice cream stand. The perfect afternoon!

Lobster Stew
Surprisingly, you have to travel inland for this delicacy. The very best lobster stew in the state is located at the aptly named Lobster Trap, which sits on the banks of the Kennebec River in Winslow, Maine. The broth is milky, but not too thick or creamy which can oftentimes overpower the taste of lobster. The stew is chock full of lobster meat and you certainly get your money's worth. Although it isn't located on the ocean, you can request outside seating and sit on the deck which overlooks the river. The menu includes many other seafood dishes as well as some other options, so everyone will find something tasty here. But above all, be sure to get the stew.

Lobster Roll
Okay, everybody in Maine knows about this place, and you should too. It doesn't look like much, but Red's Eats in Wiscassett is the busiest lobster shack in the state. At most hours of the day, an enormous line stands alongside the red shack, waiting for a taste of the most desirable lobster roll in the entire state. In a single lobster roll you will find an entire tail, at least two or three claws, and additional meat. Due to the high turnover, these rolls are probably the freshest you will find. They are still warm and the rolls are served with a side of drawn butter. These will run you around $13.95, but it is well worth the price since you are getting more than one whole lobster in the roll, already picked for you. You could order a "lazy man's lobster" which is commonly found in more upscale restaurants, and pay a much higher price and not receive as much meat. An added bonus of this location is that you get to sit outside on their deck, which overlooks the bridge and ocean which lead to Boothbay Harbor.

Fancy Lobster
If you are looking for a candlelit dinner opposed to a shorefront casual experience, the place to go is Street & Company in Portland. There is a lobster dish for two served here, which could easily serve three. It goes for around $38, but comes with more seafood than you can imagine, served in a huge pan straight from the kitchen. A lobster is split in half amidst marinara sauce, pasta, mussels, scallops, and other assorted seafoods. It is a true feast, and truly delicious.

Now you are prepared to take a lobster excursion covering much of the state of Maine. Enjoy the sights and sounds of Maine, but most of all, enjoy the flavor.

By Christina VanGinkel

If you find yourself in the Dickinson County area of Upper Michigan this fall, be sure to check their calendar of events for some must do fall activities. I found a copy through their website, dickinsonchamber.com, under tourism. Look to the left hand column and you will find the calendar right at the top. Some of the events you will discover include:

Leif Erickson Day Fall Festival

In Norway Michigan, come October, you will find the town in full regalia for the annual Leif Erickson Day Fall Festival. A celebration in honor of the country the town shares their name with; it has become the kickoff to various fall activities. You will find a fully stocked farmer's market where everything from apples to gourds can be had. Do not forget to pick up a few jack-o-lanterns and cornstalks too for all of your Halloween and Thanksgiving decorating you have yet to do. Hayrides, pony rides, and a petting zoo are available for the youngest visitors, a craft bazaar, including a variety of handcrafts from quilting to blacksmithing, and food to satisfy everyone no matter their age. Local stores use the event to kick off the upcoming holiday shopping frenzy by offering lots of merchandise at sale and clearance prices, and music fills the streets.

Fall Color Tours

The whole of the U.P. is known for its beautiful leaf color at various dates throughout the fall period, with Dickinson County a Mecca for anyone looking to enjoy them. By checking with uptravel.com before heading out, you will be able to pinpoint when the peak color change for each area is expected to arrive. This year, Dickinson County is expected to peak during the first week of October. Grab a picnic basket and blanket and head off for a drive down any stretch of country road, or along one of the many rivers or lakes. You will soon find yourself so entranced by nature in her full-fledged show of color, that any stresses or worries you started out the day with will soon be forgotten.

Hunting and Fishing

While not everyone enjoys the sports of hunting and fishing, many people do. A bit of warning for those who fit this category, a trip to the north woods of Dickinson County Michigan is a trek that once you make it; you will want to come back repeatedly. Lodging can be found from motels and bed and breakfasts, to campgrounds, and rental cabins, and almost every establishment from lodging to eateries caters to the outdoorsman. Hunting clothing is as acceptable in most restaurants as a business suit. The fall season is especially a good time to visit, with hunting seasons for game such as rabbit, a mixture of game birds, turkey, whitetail with bow an arrow, or black bear with aid of dogs or bait being open, and various species of fish legal for the catching. Check with the Michigan DNR for specifics on seasons, license requirements, age restrictions, etc.

Biking and Hiking

Dickinson County Michigan has numerous trails for biking and hiking. One such located in the southern part of the county is the Fumee Lake Natural Area. It offers trails in distances from 1.6 to 7.2 miles in length. A new bike trail 2.8 miles in length is newly completed. The trails wind around Fumee Lake and Little Fumee Lake and are also open in the winter months for cross-country skiing. Trails are groomed, and more information including maps and other trails in the Dickinson County area can be found at the dickinsonchamber.com website.

Craft Shows

Dickinson County Upper Michigan is home to many crafts people and artists. Because of this, art and craft shows are often held in locales from schools and malls, to riverfronts and ski resorts in the off-season. Any place that has the space available might be open to hosting a group of craters and artists. If you come across such an event, be sure to stop, as you never know what you might encounter, including stained glass, metalwork, potters, quilters, caricature artists, weavers, jewelry crafters, spinners, and more.

Dickinson County Michigan has a lot to offer to anyone looking for a Fall getaway. Whether for the weekend or a full-fledged vacation, there are activities in abundance.

One of my best travel adventures yet was a two week stay in Scotland and the Lake District of England. There are endless possibilities with a trip to these Celtic regions and it can be difficult to cram everything you want to do into such a short expanse of time. My journeys took me to the lower areas of Scotland. Someday, when I go again, I know I must make it to the Highlands, and so I recommend that if you have a desire to travel there, make that a priority. Also, as often as you can, take the train. This type of public transportation allows you to view the countryside in all of its hues of green and gray without the worries of driving and navigating yourself. European public transit is very affordable and easy to figure out. A few days spent in Edinburgh and Glascow are musts. These are relics in their own right, laden with beautiful old buildings intermingled by new shopping centers and fun pubs. Edinburgh and Glascow are also the places to go to get your fill of historic castles. Edinburgh is the site of the crown jewels and the place to be to see the changing of the guard. On my honor, one of the guards actually winked at my traveling companion through a steely guard face! Something to look for when you're there! Tiers of glamorous shopping line the downtowns of these larger cities, but also make you feel like you could be in New York or Chicago, much of the Scottish culture is lacking.

St. Andrews is a day trip you don't want to miss! Nestled on the coastline and frequently hidden beneath fog, it is an ancient town with loads of history and class. The first golf course is here and if you're a golf buff, this is a pilgrimage of sorts. Walk the coastline and overlook the sea wall while listening to one of many of the lone bagpipers positioned on a street corner serenading you eerily through your walk. These bagpipe players are always fully decked in traditional Scottish tartan kilts and hats and they don't seem to mind when you stand next to them to be photographed as they play. After a self-tour through town be sure to stop at some of the tourist shops in the downtown, stocked with somewhat cheesy Scottish memorabilia. If you have Scottish roots you can even find a shop that lets you research your clan's tartan and motto.

For a more rural and realistic taste of Scottish life, free from the quagmire of tourist traps, head to Moffat, a sweet little town tucked into the Scottish lowlands-- which are actually quite high. It is a gorgeous two hour drive from any of the major cities and gives you an experience that you really are in a foreign country, not just another big city. Quaint buildings lined with flowers, bake shops, friendly neighbors, parks, and misty afternoons make this town something to get attached to. The mountains surrounding Moffat are gorgeously green and fresh, and are speckled with sheep. From here you are only a few hours drive from the English Lake District, a famous area that is gorgeous and perfect for the day tripper or weekend excursion while you're in the area.

The Lake District is more touristy but is more focused on cute tea shops, chocolate/novelty shops, water and the great outdoors. Fields full of bleating Scottish sheep and Highland cows line the district and boat tours that bring you around the shimmering lakes are affordable and worth any price. Hiking onto the looming, lush green mountains is another outdoor option and enables a person to see amazing vistas and views.

While in Scotland, be sure to experience a pub. Pubs are so much different than the American bar. They are social hangouts for people of all ages but are not just for getting drunk, although this inevitably occurs. They are places to meet people and to fellowship, to dance a jig, to listen to live, local music, to play large games of trivia with people you've never met, and places to laugh and eat hearty, warm meals. While in Scotland myself, my friends and I took part in a pub-wide trivia pursuit match that ended with a victorious prize of a bottle of wine- not bad for being in a foreign country. The best part was, it was an experience that helped me meet people native to Scotland, savor their delicious accents and fine food, and it's what stands out in my mind above and beyond all of the tourist hot spots.

If you get a chance to go to Scotland, don’t delay, take the opportunity, and soak it up!

Are you a traveler who loves the thrill of the unknown? If you're the kind of person that likes to visit the miniscule dots on the map, you will probably be fascinated to know that there are countries many people have never heard of in their entire lives. These places may or may not be easy to get to depending on their location, but here are some travel destinations to make you think.

Burkina Faso. In this country located in West Africa, the main language spoken is French. Although you can access this place from other airlines in France and various countries, you won't be able to leave directly for Burkina Faso from America. Keep an eye out for the colorful costumes and historical architecture. You will need certain medical procedures such as protection against malaria and other diseases.

Cape Verde. This tiny conglomeration of islands can be found out in the Atlantic. Like many small unknown places, Cape Verde has beautiful scenery and many forgotten attractions. You will notice a distinctly European taste when you sample food and music. Check out the imposing volcano known as Mt. Fogo, and look for exotically bright fishing vessels in clear blue-green water that rival the bulk of the Caribbean. Don't be fooled by the Hispanic-sounding name of the country; more than one nation had a hand in making the place what it is today.

Comoros and Mayotte. Located in the Indian Ocean, this place has an amazing mix of rustic architecture, beautiful lakes, and beaches. You can get here from a variety of different places but leaving directly from the U.S.A. may be difficult. The Nouvelle Mosquee de Vendredi (French for "new mosque") is a mix of French culture and Arabic influence. Unfortunately, if you are a woman you won't be allowed inside, but you can still admire the building from a distance. Comoros and Mayotte is the place to go if you want to see natural beauty like you've never experienced before.

Djibouti. Doesn't this sound like a fun place to visit? If you've never heard anything about it, you might want to brush up on your French and Arabic, since those are the official tongues in this country. Djibouti can be found in Africa and borders the more common countries of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea. Although the workday is long and difficult, the people of this country are constantly surrounded by amazing things. Even the clothes they wear signify a love of beauty and art. The Bay of Ghoubbet with its striking views is a great place to remind yourself you're in another world.

Kiribati. Kiribati can be found in the Pacific; you can't even begin to imagine the endless sea and sky. Successive generations have had no desire to change their simple lifestyle, and there is little if any Old World influence. If you know where to go, you can even visit the intriguing Christmas Island while you visit. Coconut is a big thing here; trying coconut milk might endear you to the locals a little bit more.

Malawi. Also found in Africa, Malawi is located between Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. Some attractions to consider are Nyika National Park and Liwonde National Park, Lake Malawi, and basically anywhere you can see the quintessential African wildlife and scenery. For a fascinating side-trip, check out Malawi's "Nkhata Bay" (extra points for those who can pronounce it). Mt. Mulanje is another terrific destination. This is definitely one of the most beautiful regions in Africa, complete with waterfalls, soaring mountains, and visual stimulation you won't believe until you see it for yourself.

Togo. To go or not to go? It depends on what you're interested in. Togo is in Africa, actually located directly underneath Burkina Faso, and between Ghana and Benin. French is the official tongue of the country but although there are a few French influences seen here, it is pure Africa in many ways. Seeing women walking with huge loads perched above their heads is not unusual, and one of the prettiest sights is bound to be the picturesque Akloa Falls.

Tuvalu. You can find this group of islands in the South Pacific. Just about everything is ocean-oriented here, so if you love water sports you will be quite at home. You can keep on the lookout for remains of old sunken vessels, or dive underwater to find hidden sights. The capital of the island chain is the whimsically-named Funafuti, which even sounds like an interesting place. Find out how to do an indigenous dance, sample local wares, and lose yourself in Tuvalu's appeal.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

I have tried to start each of my weekday mornings with a leisurely thirty minute jaunt at Coffee Emporium on Central Parkway, but with the recent lack of available funds, it has been harder and harder who start my mornings with the jovial cup of Joe so when I do get a chance to go I do not want anything to disturb my morning.

While I am there, order the usual egg and cheese croissant and a large caramel latte (hold the whip cream) and I spend the thirty minutes people watching, proof reading writing created by others or ripping through the pages of my current read, entitled, Freedom In this Village. All this before I head out for a full day of hard labor.

Incidentally, this morning, I edited Chapter Four of the novel I am writing.

Anyway...

On my way to Coffee Emporium, driving, I crossed Liberty St. via Sycamore and at the intersection of Orchard and Sycamore streets, there was a man, who looked to be in his mid-thirties, violently waving down traffic that was moving south on Sycamore. The black S.U.V. just in front of me was hesitant to stop, but did so out of the kindness of their heart. Not passing the S.U.V., I waited to see if it was some sort of emergency. In reality, I was just being nosey. The man spoke to the driver through the passenger side window for only a few seconds and then the S.U.V. sped off, leaving the stranger in the middle of the intersection, thanking the driver with his middle finger.

Seeing this, I had no intention of stopping and was thanked in the same manner, along with the white station wagon that followed. What do people expect? Even if you are in dire need of help (which didn't seem to apply in this situation), it is less likely that a stranger is going to offer you a hand to repair a flat tire or offer his services to help jump your dead car battery if they have witnessed you offending a person that does not or can not stop and give assistance. I know that it is frustrating not to get help when you really need it, but clearly the person was not a downtowner, and may have not been aware of how to ask for help.

In a more rural setting, the average Joe may be more willing to stop for an up-turned thumb than most downtowners would be. There is not a common look for a person who resides downtown, but this stranger's worn baseball cap, faded blue jeans and confrontational demeanor told me that he "was not from around these here parts". I am sure this is why the stranger was more upset than he should have been, but that didn't persuade me to for go my morning escapade at Coffee Emporium.

When in Rome...

Living in a downtown environment has many benefits which is the reason it has drawn so many young professionals and empty nesters into its realm.

During the 1970’s, Downtown Cincinnati experienced and large exodus of its residents. From 1990 to 2000, population in the central business district declined nearly 17 percent from 3,838 to 3,189, according to a report from Downtown Cincinnati Inc. and U.S. Census data covering the same period shows that Cincinnati's population had dropped by more than 9 percent to 331,000.

The residents of downtown Cincinnati, along with help from the city’s government has mad great strides in attracting more people to live downtown, despite the Cincinnati’s Civil Unrest of 2001.

Want to find out more about living downtown or in Over-the Rhine? Try visiting the following Web sites ...

IRHINE
A nonprofit organization founded by Metaphor Studio creative director Ran Mullins in 2000, iRhine boasts links to developers, activities and all things Over-the-Rhine.

DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, INC.(513) 521-4440
Also a nonprofit organization, Downtown Cincinnati Inc. has a goal to "revitalize" via the dissemination of information about everything there is to do, see, experience and take part in around the Queen City.

INVEST IN NEIGHBORHOODS1821 Summit Road, Suite 108, Roselawn (513) 921-5502 Founded in 1982, this non-profit agency works with Cincinnati's 51 neighborhood community councils in hopes of assisting them with financial resources and "to promote self-sufficiency and leadership skills of the councils and their residents.

By Janie Blank


One of the best known areas in Columbus is German Village( www.german-village.com/thevillage/gvhistory.htm). Sometimes you will meet someone who visited Columbus for a business meeting a number of years back and they will mention the neighborhood. The streets are brick and the area is bounded by City Park on the West, Jaeger on the East, Livingston Avenue on the North and Blackberry Alley to the South. You can walk for blocks and blocks and see darling homes and gardens in pristine condition. The area was settled by German immigrants between 1840-1860 and brought their style of building brick homes quite close together to Columbus.

The German Village Society conducts an annual Haus and Garten Tour to raise money and it is a highlight of the year. The Village also hosts an annual garage sale that is heavily attended. People love to get a glimpse of the beauty that lies behind the garden gates. Another fun event is the Macon Alley Art Crawl. They close off Macon Alley and guests meander the alley for several blocks partaking of food and drinks along the way as the garages are loaded with artists and art for sale. The Village is known for being a home to many artists.

There are scattered shops and restaurants throughout the village. There are two very authentic German restaurants in the area, Schmidts and Juergens. Schmidts is on South Fifth Street and caters to the tourist crowd and is well known for its Bahama Mamas and gigantic Cream Puffs. They also have a separate gift shop. Juergens is at Fourth and Jackson and is a smaller establishment and owned by a lovely German lady, Rosemarie, who is always there to greet you. There is an authentic German bakerei on premise and the apple strudel is to die for. Juergens also contains a German delicatessen. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Monday, with a brunch on Sunday. It is also a gasthaus with two rooms. I highly recommend the Jaeger Schnitzel! If you have ever been to a small town in Germany you will find this authentic. Both Schmidts and Juergens have off-street parking, a rarity in the village.

There are a number of other restaurants as well, many quite upscale. These include Lindeys, Barcelona and G. Michaels. All three number themselves among the most popular in Columbus and feature lovely garden seating areas. Barcelona was voted the best alfresco dining a couple of years back. Barcelona is best known for its tapas. Lindeys is a Columbus staple when talking about where to dine in Columbus. All three have great chefs, bars that are the in place to be seen, and G Michaels and Barcelona are one of a kind with no other locations. Lindeys was as well until it duplicated the decor for a second location at Polaris shopping mall. Barcelona is located in the location that once housed a famous German Village landmark called Deibels, where the crowd sang along to German tunes accompanied by an accordion!

Other German Village popular restaurants include The Olde Mohawk on Mohawk street, the original Roosters (now a franchised chicken wings spot), and Planks, a casual bar and restaurant that has long been the hangout of the softball crowd. The Thurman Cafe on Thurman Avenue boasts the largest hamburger in town. Jimmy Vs at High and Whittier across from Planks has a great patio and delicious Greek food.

Katzingers Deli is at the entrance to German Village and known far and wide. They say the President usually stops there for a sandwich when in Columbus. Something unusual they do is have olive oil tastings. Coffee houses on Third street include the hometown favorite Cup O Joe, and a newer Starbucks across the street. There is another German bakerei on south Fifth Street that is only open from Thanksgiving until Christmas that makes the best homemade cookies I have ever had. Between that and Juergens I know I will never bake again!

Probably one of the most memorable stores in German Village is the Book Loft
(www.bookloft.com). This is also a place people who have been to Columbus will instantly recall. The Book Loft is actually two houses joined back to back running between Third Street and City Park. It is famous for its thirty-two rooms meandering up and down stairs and incredible selection. It is open every day from ten in the morning until eleven at night and midnight on weekends. They have sale tables outside that are usually great buys. A nice find is the downstairs card room where unusual greeting cards are just fifty cents each. You have to match them up with an envelope but it is a great place to stock up on clever cards different than the local Hallmark.

Helen Winnemores is a lovely gift shop that has been on Mohawk Street for over thirty years where one of a kind items can be found. The Hausfrau Haven is a fun gift and wine store on South Third Street. As mentioned earlier. Schmidts restaurant also has a gift shop. And a newer entry called Caterina has nice European gifts and housewares. German Village is not an area for clothes shopping, however, not even lederhosen!

The Village, as it is known, also is home to some trendy hair salons. German Village is so easy to get to and is convenient off of the highways as well as just a bridge away from downtown. But when you cross into this area you enter another place in time. The German Village Society has very strict requirement that must be met when doing a renovation within its borders. Thus the area has some of the finest examples of German architecture you will find anywhere.

A discussion of German Village, and its tree-lined brick streets would not be complete without mentioning Schiller Park. The park is over twenty-three acres in size with lovely walking paths, a lake, gardens and a shelter house. You often see people fishing in the lake while you are walking or jogging by. There is a lovely stage area and during the summer months Actors Summer Theatre performs Shakespeare in the park free of charge and crowds bring lawn chairs and picnics for an evening of entertainment.

Other than the Juergens Gasthaus there is currently just one Bed and Breakfast in German Village. There is a Best Western called the Clarmont bordering the Village and the Westin Great Southern Hotel is a few blocks away.

Regardless of where you stay, spend a day walking through German Village (http://germanvillage.com/grouptours.htm), exploring its charming streets, the park, the shops, the restaurants and the bakerei and you will not forget Columbus, Ohio.

By Simon Woodhouse

What's in a name? In the case of the city of Bath, quite a lot. As with lots of other historical cities, it's very difficult to know exactly when Bath first came into being. Myths and legends veil the place in an intriguing mystique. But despite this, it's easy to see where the name comes from. Bath is centred around the only thermal hot spring in the whole of the United Kingdom. One of the oldest legends regarding its origin talks about Prince Bladud, who around 893 BC was unfortunate enough to contract leprosy, and so be banished from his father's court. Living as a swineherd, the prince eked out a meagre living in marshes not far from the royal palace. Things went from bad to worse, when one day one of his pigs also caught leprosy. However, every cloud has a silver lining, and much to Bladud's surprise, the pig got better after wallowing in mud near the hot springs at the centre of the marsh. Prince Bladud followed the pigs example, and he too was cured. Later when he became king, he built a palace around the hot spring and called the place Aquae Sulis (Waters of the Sun). So that's one take on how Bath came into being.

Bath stayed as a Celtic shrine until the Romans arrived in 43 AD. A rather hygienic lot, and clever architects too, the Romans built an elaborate bathing complex around the hot springs. They also fortified the town, but then left again in the fourth century as the outer edges of the Roman Empire started to crumble. For much of the medieval period, Bath became rather neglected. In the later half of the sixteenth century however, interest in the city and its thermal springs brought in aristocratic types who wanted to partake of the waters. But things really took off in Georgian times (roughly 1714 to 1830), when Bath became very fashionable, and thus expanded with a glut of well laid out, well built Georgian townhouses.

Much of the Georgian architecture still dominates the city today, and also gives it a lot of character. The railways came to Bath in 1840, and made reaching the city from Bristol and London that much easier. The city is also served by the River Avon, and the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Getting into modern day Bath is probably easiest by train, and regular high-speed services link the city to London. As with older cities, cars don't have much of a place in central Bath, with both driving and parking a bit of a problem. But seeing as all the main attractions are within walking distance of the railway station, a car isn't really necessary.

There really is so much to see in Bath, it's difficult to know where to start. The Roman Baths are probably a must-see, after all, without them there wouldn't be a city in the first place. Bath Abbey is another popular visit. Not far from both of these is Pulteney Bridge, one of only three examples worldwide of a bridge with shops on it, the other two being the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, and the Ponte di Rialto in Venice. If you're in to Georgian architecture then The Circle and The Royal Crescent are definitely worth a look. Even if old buildings aren't your thing, you can't fail to be impressed by both of these. Tall townhouses form a complete circle in the first, and a crescent shape in the second, with one supposedly meant to represent the Sun and the other the Moon. The Pump Room is an excellent place to take traditional afternoon tea (a very British thing to do). You can also try a glass of the warm spa water here, but I wouldn't recommend it, as the stuff is foul. Bath has a total of twenty museums, though some of them are little more than very big gift shops, but the one connected to the baths is certainly worth a look.

As you walk around Bath you'll be following in the footsteps of Jane Austene (though she didn't like the city very much). Despite her aversion to the place, she did set two of her novels there - Northanger Abbey and Persuasion. William Herschel discovered the planet Uranus from his back garden in Bath in 1781. And part of Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers was also set in the city.

Though there's plenty to see and do in Bath, for me it's the atmosphere of the city that makes it such a nice place to visit. Tiny back alleys, all full of interesting little shops and welcoming eateries, make Bath the sort of place that's more interesting to discover without the aid of a guide book. There are also numerous parks to wander through, areas of open greenness and well-kept flowerbeds that are such a real pleasure to be in on a warm summer's afternoon.

Bath isn't one of those cities that has tried to combine old with new. Instead it has kept its character by preserving the old, and thus making it a place to get a real glimpse of England's past.

by Janie Blank

I have written some guides on shopping and staying in Chicago (www.travguides.com/2006/08/chicago-small-shops-on-michigan-avenue.html, www.travguides.com/2006/08/where-to-stay-for-shopping-in-chicago.html, www.travguides.com/2006/08/chicago-department-store-shopping-on.html) because Chicago is a great travel destination and a lot of people go there to shop. But I will bet a lot of you have not thought of taking a trip to Columbus, Ohio as a travel destination.

Columbus is a great city with a metropolitan area of almost one and a half million people located in the center of Ohio at the crossroads of Interstate 70 and Interstate 71. It is about equidistant between Chicago and New York City as well as half way between Cleveland and Cincinnati. The actual city limits of Columbus are larger than either of these two cities, making it the largest city, if not metropolitan area, in the state. The airport, Port Columbus (CMH), is conveniently located just fifteen minutes from downtown.

Columbus is the Capital City of Ohio with state government located here. The State House is a beautiful example of Greek Revival architecture with a fabulous cupola and rotunda. The building is made of limestone quarried from the Scioto River that runs through downtown. It is open to the public with a restaurant for lunch and a nice gift shop. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus,_Ohio). The map room features an inlaid stone map on the floor representing the eighty-eight Ohio counties. On the Third Street or East side of the Capitol square is an area called Veterans Plaza honoring the Ohio soldiers who have served in the various wars. Letters written home to loved ones during wartime were solicited from families and excerpts are etched on limestone walls at each end of the plaza. American flags flank the walls. The letters are very poignant so be forewarned that tears will flow. This is a great reminder of the sacrifice our veterans have made and is well worth the time. It has a lot of the same impact as the Viet Nam Wall in Washington, DC.

Columbus is a great sports city and is the home of The Ohio State University (Buckeyes), The Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), The Columbus Crew (MLS), and The Columbus Clippers (Triple A farm team for the New York Yankees). Columbus also has an Arena Football League team, the Destroyers.

Columbus is headquarters a number well known companies probably the best known being Wendys and The Limited. Other restaurant chains based in Columbus are White castle, Max & Ermas, Donatos Pizza & Bob Evans. Major businesses such as Cardinal Health and Nationwide Insurance are also based here. Well known research think tanks Batelle is based in Columbus as is Chemical Abstracts Service on whose lawn the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has performed its Picnic With the Pops series for over twenty years.

Columbus has some great neighborhoods for shopping, dining and architecture. The best known is German Village. This area just South of downtown began renovation in the 1960s and today is one of the premier examples of German architecture to be found in the United States. The area is populated with brick streets full of beautiful homes and gardens, restaurants and shops. (http://www.travguides.com/2006/09/german-village-columbus-ohio.html)

Directly North of downtown is the Short North. The Short North contains the neighborhoods of Victorian Village and Italian Village. Neil Avenue and Goodale Park contain blocks of renovated mansions and beautiful Victorian homes. Italian Village is still in the process of being renovated. The Short North is the home of numerous art galleries, shops and restaurants. For well over fifteen years the city flocks to the Short North on the first Saturday night of the month for Gallery Hop where galleries and shops hosting artists works open to the public often serving refreshments.

Within downtown is contained an area now called the Arena District because it contains the Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL Columbus Blue Jackets. This just a couple of blocks from the Columbus Convention Center and will soon be home to the Columbus Clippers new stadium. Both of these are located at the site of the old Columbus Penitentiary along the Scioto River. The arena district is full of nightlife, bars, and restaurants. It also is home to the historic North Market.

Columbus Shopping is outstanding. Columbus can boast a Nordstrom and a Crate and Barrel at its Easton Town Center. Those and just about every other store you can think of populate this first of its kind town center concept. For more details on Easton you can check out the website listed here. (http://www.travguides.com/2006/09/shopping-at-easton-town-center.html). In addition Columbus also has a more traditional mall on the citys north side called Polaris. Polaris Mall can boast a Saks Fifth Avenue, a Von Maur and The Great Indoors not found at any other Columbus Locations.

With Columbus shopping alone you will have enough to do to spend a week or a weekend. But if you are making a trip to Columbus, you might also want to consider visiting some of our other great area attractions such as The Columbus Zoo, (of Jack Hanna fame), COSI (our well-known center of science and industry), The Franklin Park Conservatory (home to an incredible Chihuly glass collection), and The Columbus Museum of Art.

Something else Columbus has that is totally unique is their Topiary Park that has a remarkable display of topiary that form the Georges Seurat painting A Sunday On The Island Of La Grande Jatte. When you enter the park, walk to the rise overlooking the topiaries and you will see a bronze picture of the actual painting that will help you to orient yourself and know what you are viewing as you tour the garden. It is located just a block from the art museum. The website offers a virtual tour that permits you to click on each piece of topiary in the landscape and blow it up for careful viewing. This is a living, growing painting and you will not want to miss it. Each years growth adds to the beauty. (www.topiarygarden.org/)

Columbus is also home to The Ohio State University, one of the two largest universities with over 50,000 students. The university is located just north of downtown. It was founded in 1870 and still has many original buildings surrounding it famous Oval. Other colleges and universities include Franklin University, Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD), and Columbus State Community College all located downtown. On the citys east side are Capital University and Ohio Dominican. Surrounding area colleges include Otterbein, Ohio Wesleyan, and Dennison.

Columbus is proud of its three historic theatres that have been meticulously renovated: the Ohio Theatre the Palace and the Great Southern. All are located just a few blocks apart with the Ohio located right n Capitol Square. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra is at home in the Ohio, Also on Capitol Square is the Riffe Theatre complex located in the Riffe State Office Tower. BalletMet, a professional ballet company, shares it performances between the Ohio and the Riffe, while Opera Columbus is at home in the Palace. Columbus also has a professional theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Company (CATCO) that performs in the Riffe.

Columbus has some of the finest restaurants in the Midwest. In addition to chain offerings, of which most every one is found in Columbus, the city has more unique restaurants than in almost any city its size. The neighborhoods mentioned above have dozens to choose from.

Columbus also has a large number of live music venues three of which can hold close to 20,000 concertgoers: Germain Ampitheatre, Nationwide and Schottenstein Arenas. Smaller concert are held at Veterans Memorial which hold about 3000 or the Ohio or Palace holding between 2000 and 3000. PromoWest Pavilion in the Arena District is now a popular live music site as in the Newport Music Hall near Ohio State campus.

Depending on your focus, Columbus is full of fine hotels. It is one of just a handful of cities with two Hyatt hotels, one a Hyatt Regency connected to the convention center and the other located on Capitol Square. In addition downtown Columbus has the Great Southern Westin Hotel, a Marriott Courtyard and the Columbus Renaissance, also a Marriott, a Doubletree, and a Holiday Inn Crown Plaza. Easton has a beautiful Hilton Hotel along with smaller chains located right at the town center. There are many hotels clustered at Port Columbus as well as an area north of the city called Crosswoods.

Regardless of driving or flying, shopping or site seeing, dining or enjoying the performing arts or taking in a sporting event, Columbus will not disappoint!

by Janie Blank

I have blogged about shopping in Chicago several times. No doubt it is one of the premier places to shop anywhere. But I thought I would acquaint you with one of the finest shopping locations in the Midwest, Easton Town Center. Easton is the brainchild of Les Wexner, founder of The Limited, Victoria Secret, Bath & Body Works and the like. As a matter of fact about one-third of most malls in America are populated by stores under the Limited banner, or those spun out like Abercrombie.

Wexner got the idea a number of years ago to create a different kind of shopping experience, the town center. Instead of building a mall, he built a town. At Easton, the first of these concepts, there is a town square with a wonderful computerized fountain for children to run through on a hot summer day. They even offer towels! The shops are located in small village style one after the other along streets surrounding the square. There is a large building with a glass roof reminiscent of a train station and houses a 30-screen multiplex theatre, Shadowbox Cabaret (shadowboxcabaret.com) which is live theatre, and a Funny Bone Comedy Club. There is a Max & Ermas, a Cup O Joe coffee shop and internet cafe, and Cheryls Cookies (all headquartered in Columbus). This main building has two parking garages underneath, one on each side for easy access. The parking is free. The streets have metered spaces but the fines go to charity. You can also valet park in front of the train station for $5. Additional valet parking is available at some of the better restaurants.

There are fine restaurants such as Bon Vie and the Ocean Club, restaurants unique to this location, and Brio, one that started at Easton and has since opened in other cities besides Columbus. There are also some fine chain representatives like The Cheesecake Factory, Smith & Wollensky, and McCormick & Schmick. There are twenty restaurants offering table service and numerous other fast food and delis. You will everything from seafood (Ocean Club) to steak (Smith & Wollensky), to Mexican (Abuelos) and Chinese (P.F. Chang) here, and a California Pizza Kitchen as well. There are three Starbucks in Easton Town Center! Easton is a preferred lunch destination in town for business and pleasure. Most take reservations even for lunch. Many of these also offer patio service. (www.eastontowncenter.com/maindirectories/restaurants/tableservice.cfm).

Shopping at Easton is some of the best anywhere. There are two anchor stores, Macys and Nordstrom. These are both free standing buildings that flank the town center. There is a fabulous two-story Barnes & Noble with a Starbucks cafe inside, a brand new Crate & Barrel, one of just a handful outside a major city, and a host of other fine specialty stores such as Smith & Hawken, Sur le Table, Williams-Sonoma, and The Container Store to barely scratch the surface.

For children there is Build-A-Bear, Pottery Barn Kids, an enormous McDonalds where you can sing karaoke and a Discovery Channel Store. Of course there is also just about every chain store catering to kids from Gap Kids to Limited Too.

Naturally there is one of every store under The Limited umbrella, and I beg you to find a major player without an Easton storefront. Why there are fourteen stores starting with an A and eighteen with a B! If you are looking for something special you can check out the list to see if it has a retail outlet at Easton. Chances are you will find it at Easton! (www.eastontowncenter.com/maindirectories/directory/stores.cfm)

If you want to take a look at the layout I suggest looking at the maps of Easton. (www.eastontowncenter.com/directionsmaps/eastonmaps.cfm). It is easy to get around in and, although parking can get crowded there are a number of free surface lots in addition to the main garages.

If you are considering Easton as a destination weekend there are three hotels right in the complex: A Hilton, a Marriott Courtyard and a Residence Inn. You can check this list for al area hotels. (www.eastontowncenter.com/hotels/index.cfm). Book early if you are thinking of coming on an Ohio state Football weekend in the Fall. Columbus also has some major conventions, so hotels fill quickly.

There are countless other things to do in Columbus and you might want to check them out while visiting the area but you can definitely make a trip of Easton Town Center alone. It is worth the trip!

I have traveled to many cities across the United States, including the nation's biggest cities like New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. I am personally from Tampa, which is quite large and impressive in its own right. But no other city that I have been to gets me like St. Augustine, Florida does.

The city is located about 4 ½ hours north of where I live and it's an easy weekend destination for me if I so desired. That is one of the things that make the city so enticing for me. I have a degree in history, so one of the main appeals of the city is its beauty and historic significance. You travel there; you travel almost back in time.

Founded by the Spanish in the 1500's, St. Augustine is the oldest permanent establishment in the United States. Much of the city still reflects its Spanish origins, too. You see the influence reflected in the architecture throughout the city. The city also boasts the oldest established mission in the United States, the Mission De Nombres, and it has the original Spanish fort still standing, the Castillo de San Marcos. All of these are absolutely beautiful and it's amazing to think, as you tour the fort, that you are actually walking on a part of history. Some of the city's streets are still cobblestone, something you don't find in many cities and they are all very narrow, as the layout of the city still reflects its original Spanish influence. If you love this type of history like I do, the city has many guided tours that take you to the attractions and give you the information behind them. You can visit the supposed Fountain of Youth, one of the country's oldest archaeological sites and the place where Ponce De Leon thought he discovered the secret for youthfulness.

Other attractions there really add to the city's mystique, like Ripley's Believe It or Not museum. I personally haven't been to this, but my understanding is that it houses a large collection of antiques and oddities that Mr. Robert Ripley acquired from his travels around the world. The city is also home to Flagler College. This exquisitely made college was the former Ponce de Leon hotel established by Henry Flagler, million dollar railroad tycoon in the late 1800's. Henry Flagler, actually, built up most of the city and created a haven for his rich socialite friends to visit in the winter time. His ambitious railroad project really helped to create a living boom in Florida, especially in the St. Augustine area, where he is still beloved for all his contributions to the area. He spared no expense to build his luxurious hotels. Flagler College, the former Ponce De Leon Hotel, has windows that were hand designed by Tiffany jewelry designers. The stain glass and domed buildings are breathtaking to view. The city is also located minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean. The beaches have fine, soft white sand and give visitors a wonderful day in the Florida sun.

St. Augustine's history also makes it a bit creepy. It is supposed to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States. Many lives were lost in the city from yellow fever epidemics and much blood was shed by the Spanish in nearby waters that is really isn't surprising the city has spectral residents. Ghosts of Spanish soldiers have been seen still standing post in the city, along with spirits of other residents who just loved the city too much to leave. Henry Flagler's ghost, in fact, is said to reside in Flagler College and occasionally, he makes himself seen to young and timid students.

Some even have left the school because of the fright! However, these spooks help bring visitors into the city; visitors who want something unconventional in a vacation spot. At night, when many other cities would be asleep, St. Augustine comes to life. Tourists can be seen walking through the city with guides dressed in period costumes, looking at historic buildings and hearing creepy BUT TRUE stories of the city's dark past. Others can be seen racing through the city in trolleys that look like they came straight from hell. Everyone is smiling and laughing, though. I have taken five different tours in the city and let me tell you, it's educational and completely entertaining. Many of the local college students earn extra income, especially the drama students, as tour and ghost guides. But these aren't always for the faint of heart. Strange stories and events have been recorded on tours and many parts of the city will give you crazy Goosebumps.

The cemeteries at night are very spooky and yours eyes begin to play tricks as the shadows dance around at night.
So, whether you're looking for beauty, history or frights, the city of St. Augustine has something to offer everyone. It is minutes away from some of the Florida's best beaches. It has quaint stores to shop in. The city is engulfed in history and still reflects many of its Spanish roots. And, it happens to be haunted. Visit the city, have a good fright and enjoy!

The city of Rome and its environs has two distinct sections; one contains the ancient ruins, the Roman Forum, triumphal arches, and remains of temples and homes. The other is a more religious enclave and is known as Vatican City. Vatican City is actually a country in its own right, located "right down the road" from the ruins of ancient Rome. Besides being the Catholic Church's seat of authority, Vatican City has a wealth of attractions to keep the anxious traveler busy for quite a few hours (or days, if you're lucky enough to have them!)

For those who want to take the less-traveled route, and those who have a sense of the bizarre, check out the Roman Necropolis. This eerie cemetery mixes the pomp and splendor of Vatican City with Rome's shadowy past. Be warned that sunlight-lovers will most likely not choose to spend their time here; the Necropolis is located underneath a very famous church known as St. Peter's though few people probably know exactly where this cemetery is. You will not be allowed to visit unless you make reservations for a tour early enough. You will find old tombs, ancient streets, and sculptures, and maybe some sensations you didn't plan.

When you "return" to the modern world and are already at St. Peter's Basilica, you will probably want to take advantage of your location and check out this place known around the world. The first thing you should do is have your camera handy; such beautiful places should always be captured on film (or memory card). Check out the basilica's official website to find out if it will open at the time of day you plan to visit. If you want to attend a special Mass, also find out if this can be done and when. Keep in mind that things like this are always heavily attended and you'll have to plan carefully.

There is a dress code at St. Peter's and you should check into this as well. Visitors can actually walk to the huge round "duomo" or dome at the top of St. Peter's, but be warned; there are over 300 steps. For those not particularly athletically-inclined, don't be afraid to make good use of the elevator. You can shop and eat here as well. A seperate ticket is needed to climb. If the panorama of the city doesn't entrance you, then surely the views inside the bottom part of the basilica will. Known for stunning architecture and artwork that surpasses anyone's wildest dreams, St. Peter's is a treat for anyone lucky enough to explore its halls.

Another famous Vatican City sight is the Sistine Chapel, known in Italian as Cappella Sistina. It was constructed in the 15th century and is the famous home of Michelangelo's ceiling masterpiece. As for the exterior, if you look carefully at certain walls and towers you will notice a strong resemblance to Roman and early Christian structures throughout Italy and the Holy Land; the plain color of these walls is alleviated by the bright decoration within. Again, you will need to discover when the chapel is open, if any special rules apply, and if any special events will be held at a particular time.

For a fascinating museum that rivals every learning experience in the world, stop by the Vatican Museum. Actually a collection of different museums, it is home to many artifacts from ancient cultures, religious history, and other great categories. The Vatican Museum is a huge complex, so keep in mind that you will need enough time to find all you want to see. You probably will not be able to see everything in one day (or in several) so decide what you want to see most. The Egyptian Museum, Etruscan Museum, Raphael's Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel rooms are some offshoots of the complex. The Etruscan Museum is particularly interesting because history shows that it may have been from the ancient Etruscan culture that the Roman Empire sprang.

St. Peter's Square is definitely worth a visit but it is almost always congested. The views of famous buildings and hallowed ground will make for some great memories, and cameras are always flashing here. Consider grabbing a bite to eat and finding a quiet (well, at least semi-quiet) part of the square to overlook St. Peter's while you relax). A map is helpful in determining what's where, and identifying each building you see.

Most people traveling to Vatican City would consider it a great honor to see Pope Benedict XVI in person. The Vatican website explains when speeches and appearances occur. Check out the details and find out if you will be visiting at a time when this is happening.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

There are few civilizations that have fired our minds quite like the glory of ancient Rome. At one time Roman legions controlled the bulk of the known world, and, were it not for being unable to control their own wealth and property, would have continued to add lands and peoples to their retinue. Like Egypt and Greece, the story of Rome defines who we are as a culture. Imagine how intriguing it would be to visit Rome and walk among the ruins, to see a few pillars contrasted against the sky and be able to imagine how they looked when they belonged to a grand temple. If you plan carefully, you can see just what the ancients did when you travel to Rome.

Whether walking or taking a tour, you'll find it hard to miss the famous (or perhaps infamous) Coliseum. It is the symbol and spirit of everything Rome, a remarkable piece of ancient architecture. One of its official names is the Flavian Amphitheater. In its heyday, the coliseum (or colosseum, depending on where you look) could seat thousands upon thousands of anxious fans waiting for the games. Now it is just a shell of its former self, but enough remains to show us the austere beauty of the Roman building style.

The Roman forum (Forum Romanum) is another great ancient site to propel you through time. With nondescript ruins and huge white columns surrounding the area, it is like stepping into a city of the dead and days long gone. Each ruin tells a story. The Forum was the administrative center of ancient Rome and a very important place for everyone ruled by the Empire. One of the old temples you will find here is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (Templum Antoni et Faustinae), constructed in the 100s A.D. Surprisingly, its stately exterior seems to be in good shape considering its age. The Arch of Titus, also found near the Roman Forum, is a popular tourist site and a beautiful architectural piece. Finished in 85 A.D., it looks today just as it would have in the days of its youth.

The Templum Vestae, or Temple of Vesta (a Roman goddess) exists only in ruins, but enough remains to show some of the original design. The white columns are beautifully constructed and add an air of broken beauty to the Forum. Some of the huge pillars that surround the Forum were once part of the Temple of Castor and Pollux (members of Roman mythology). Some of the others belong to the Basilica Julia, once a place of fellowship and high visitation by the Roman citizens. Another monument remaining intact is the Arch of Septimius Severus, built in the 200s A.D.

Outside the Roman Forum you will discover Trajan's Column from the 1st century A.D., the Arch of Constantine (which looks very similar to the Arches of Septimius Severus and Titus but has a very different story to tell), the Tiber River, and Palatine Hill. One of the most interesting sites on Palatine Hill is the House of Romulus, ruins revered since ancient times for their supposed connection to Rome's founder.

The Pyramid of Gaeus Cestius shows that Egypt obviously had an influence on the Roman Empire. Though not as old or venerable as the "actual" pyramids, it is very striking. The Pantheon is another famous Roman monument. Built and rebuilt in different time frames, this beautiful temple received its name from the Roman "pantheon" of gods. Visitors can stop by any day of the week, but times change slightly on Sunday and some holidays. It will not be open for certain holidays. You don't have to pay to explore, and there are some great picture opportunities. The Pantheon was dedicated as a church in Christian times; elegant walls and beautiful floors are just some of what you will get to see.

The Hippodrome, associated with Emperor Domitian, was the scene of many games enjoyed by Rome's wealthy and influential people. Although some think the area's purpose was a garden, this has never been proven (besides, the image of the games is so much more entrancing!). Visitors can stand on the grassy ruins and imagine chariots barreling towards one another thousands of years ago. Rome is not yet a modern city; it's a living, breathing artifact of the past. Those of us who love history can only hope these beautiful, haunting ruins will be preserved for many successive generations.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Simon Woodhouse

For those of you who might not know, New Zealand is a country spread across two islands. The more northerly land mass is known as the North Island, and the one below it is (you guessed it) the South Island. Both have spectacular scenery, but the South Island also has the Southern Alps, a mountain range that runs roughly north to south for a distance of 340 miles. Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak, sits right in the middle of the range and towers above everything else at a height of 12300 feet. It was here that Sir Edmund Hillary trained before becoming the first man to conquer Everest.

Though spectacular, the Southern Alps cut the South Island in half, and for along time left communities on the West Coast virtually isolated from the rest of New Zealand. Building railway lines was always tricky in the South Island, mostly because it has so many rivers, a large number of which are fed by glaciers high up in the Alps. As the railways grew in the South Island, they kept primarily to the lowlands on the East Coast. But over time more and more branch lines ventured inland. One of these headed up the valley of the Waimakariki River from Rolleston junction, to eventually reach the little town of Arthur's Pass, and so penetrate into the heart of the Southern Alps. But this still didn't quite link the East Coast with the West. For that to happen engineers had to bore through five and a quarter miles of solid rock, which was no mean feat in the early part of the twentieth century. The Otira Tunnel finally opened in August 1923 at a cost of over one million pounds, a huge sum of money back then. But it was worth it, because now there was a railway link from one side of the South Island to the other.

Using the line completed in 1923, the TranzAlpine Railway runs from Christchurch on the East Coast, to Greymouth on the West. The journey begins on the Pacific Ocean, and ends up overlooking the Tasman Sea. What comes in between is a trip of 140 miles, and a journey ranked amongst the most scenic railways in the world.

Christchurch makes a good starting point for the outing. The largest city on the South Island with a population of over 350,000, it is also called the most English city of all those in New Zealand. There are punts on the River Avon, a grand Anglican cathedral in the main city square and electric trams trundling around the streets. The TranzAlpine train leaves at 9am, and for the first part of the journey travels over the Canterbury Plains. This is farming country, with a flat patchwork of fields stretching out in all directions.

In the foothills of the Southern Alps, the train starts what will be a very long ascent. The hills and gorges here are known as the Staircase, and though progress feels slow, the scenery is more than enough to take your mind off the journey time. Tunnels and viaducts criss-cross the Staircase, and eventually lead into the Waimakariri Valley. This is a broad, wide-open expanse of land. And though the valley floor seems a little desolate, it is also undeniably beautiful. Snow-capped mountains provide a backdrop to the beech forests that line the valley.

The Waimakariri Valley in turn becomes the Bealey Valley, from where the train eventually enters the Arthur's Pass National Park. The park and the town it's named after, take their moniker from Arthur Dudley Dobson who surveyed the area in 1864. To start with no one took much notice of Arthur's work, until gold was found on the West Coast and the miners needed a way to get it to Christchurch. Though a difficult route, Arthur's Pass proved to be the easiest way across the Southern Alps.

Not long after leaving Arthur's Pass (the town), the TranzAlpine train enters the Otira Tunnel. Just over five miles later it re-emerges into the daylight, and heads along the Otira Valley. Gradually the mountains give way to lush rainforest, and the train passes by Lake Brunner.

The Grey River appears sometime afterward, and it's no surprise this waterway leads into the town of Greymouth. This is the heart of the West Coast, and was once the centre of a busy gold-mining industry. Though connected to the rest of the South Island by road and rail, the West Coast still has an almost frontiers type of feel to it.

Greymouth marks the end of the line for the TranzAlpine. After a wait of about an hour, the train departs for the return journey back to Christchurch. Four hours later it arrives on the east coast and the whole experience is over. Easily do-able in a day, the TranzAlpine excursion is a must for anyone visiting New Zealand. Not only does the train offer a chance to view some spectacular scenery, but it also gives the traveller an insight into life on both sides of the South Island.

If you travel within the southern reaches of the province of Ontario, you will come across the southernmost piece of Canada. It is located in the south-western part of Ontario and is on the same latitude as northern California (believe it or not!) The sandy stretch of land is on the north-western part of the lake and juts out into Lake Erie, located between Ontario and northern Ohio. The park which is named Point Pelee National Park is located 10 kilometres south of the town of Leamington, Ontario.

The land Point Pelee inhabits is only about 10,000 years old and has a sand and gravel base with some topsoil that supports the vegetation. A10 kilometre sand spit and forms this thin triangle of land. The land was discovered in 1882 by a young naturalist from London, Ontario named W.E. Saunders while looking for a place to duck hunt. The park was not declared a national park until 1918 by the Canadian government. Although Point Pelee National Park is one of the smallest provincial parks within Canada, it is one of the best parks in Canada for birdwatchers and butterfly watchers. It is commonly known as the Warblers Capital of Canada by these bird lovers and annually features approximately 350 different species of different birds that visit this site. Birds such as The Acadian Flycatcher, Carolina Wren and red bellied Woodpecker all pay visits to the area. These birds stop there for its lush vegetation during their migration south during the fall months and on their return home to Canadian air during the spring months. Butterflies can be found a plenty at the park during the warmer months. Though no butterflies are considered extinct in Canada, some species are on an endangered list that can be viewed while visiting the park. The park is the one of the best places in all of Canada to view the monarch migration to the south during the fall season.

The landscape of the park boasts many variations of textures and surfaces. It features marshes and wetlands and sandy areas. The nature and physical makeup of the landscape is always changing due to the lake currents and the winds. The park features over 700 flowering and non flowering verities of vegetation. There are 70 different species of trees alone in the park. From silver maples to red cedars to hop trees to bass wood, these trees can all be found in and around the park. Vegetation is another feature that the park has to offer. Over 700 species of flowering and non flowering plants can be found at Point Pelee and some of these plants only survive in this region of Canada. Cat tails and water lilies can be found in the marshy area; lime grass, beard grass and witch grass can be found among so many more wild growing vegetation that makes the park their home.

Not only can vegetation be found in Point Pelee, but a lot of wildlife make the park their home either during the summer months or all year round. No where else in Canada can be found so many types of reptiles and amphibians in one spot. The park boasts 27 species of reptiles and 20 species of amphibians. This area is also home to many types of insects that do not live anywhere else in Canada.

Point Pelee Provincial Park is famous for its landscape both wet and dry. The park offers guided hikes amongst its 12 km of hiking trails. These tours are offered both in English and French and take place during the day or in the evening. The Bike paths are well maintained in the park and there is a boardwalk over the marshy area that is a definite must see. The park offers camping facilities during the summer months. Canoes can be rented to view the park from the park's marshy areas which cover almost two thirds of the park and if you decide to visit during the winter, the park offers ice skating as well as cross country skiing trails and though the land is quite flat, these trails are good for the beginner. If you do not want to walk to the tip of Canada? You can ride transit. This is available during the summer months.

Point Pelee Provincial Park attracts 400,000 visitors each year. The park is open from April 1st until mid October (check ahead for winter activities), but the best time to visit the park is during the spring and autumn bird migrations. That is truly a sight to enjoy and remember!

By Brandi M. Seals

Charleston is a remarkable city for visitors. It ranked as the number 4 Best City in America by Travel and Leisure Magazine's 2006 World's Best Awards. The awards are based on readers' survey. This year, Charleston moved up the list from its number 6 slot earned last year when it was on the list of Best Cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Charleston is such a great city because it offers plenty of accommodations and is home to several great attractions that will have visitors fascinated during their entire trip. If you or someone you know will be heading to Charleston this year, be sure to check out one of these spectacular attractions.

Aiken-Rhett House
The Aiken-Rhett House stands as an intact urban villa that showcases life in antebellum Charleston. It was built in 1818 and expanded by Gov. and Mrs. William Aiken, Jr. in the 1830s and 1850s. The house has survived virtually unaltered since 1858. Many objects can still be found in the rooms for which they were purchased. Cost of admittance is $10.

The Aiken-Rhett House is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 2pm to 5 pm.
48 Elizabeth Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: 843-723-1159

Boone Hall Plantation
Boone Hall Plantation is a working plantation that reflects more than 300 years of Southern heritage. The home has been open to the public since 1959 and features gardens, slave cabins, and an oak-lined avenue.

Admission runs $14.50 for adults, $7 for children and $13 for seniors. Boone Hall Plantation is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm.
1235 Long Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Phone: 843-884-4371

Slave Mart Museum
This museum is one of several locations where slaves were sold in Charleston. It held its last auctions in 1863. Today presentations tell of the African- American experience in Charleston from their arrival in 1670 to the Civil Rights movement. Exhibits explore African-American culture, the middle passage, Caribbean influences on America, slavery, emancipation, reconstruction, arts, food, and civil rights.

The Slave Mart Museum is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm.
6 Chalmers St.
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-958-6467

South Carolina Aquarium
Explore what lurks in the depths of oceans, rivers and lakes at the South Carolina Aquarium. See moray eels, loggerhead turtles, river otters and much more.

Cost of attendance is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $8 for children, and free for those 2 and under. The aquarium is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm.
100 Aquarium Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: 843-577-FISH

Historic Charleston Battery
White Point Gardens, which is popularly known as Battery Park offers spectacular views of Fort Sumter, southern mansions and the Charleston Harbor. Giant oak trees are intermingled with displays of Civil War weapons, such as cannons. Visitors will have the opportunity to check out a Columbiad that was used to shell Fort Sumter in 1861 and seacoast mortars among other things.

During the early 1700s, the park was home to the gallows. Stede Bonnet, the "gentleman pirate" and several others were hanged here. By 1837, the land had a very different use. It was a public garden.
Murray Blvd and East Battery
Charleston, SC
Phone: 843-724-7327

Fort Sumter Tours
No trip to Charleston is complete without a stop at Fort Sumter National Monument. Here is where the Civil War began. Cruise on over to the island fort while you taking in the breathtakingly amazing views of Charleston and the Harbor.

Visitors can depart for Fort Sumter from Liberty Square in downtown Charleston, or in Mt. Pleasant at the Patriots Point Maritime Museum, the world's largest naval and maritime museum.

At Fort Sumter National Park, visitors will receive detailed information about Fort Sumter and its role in the Civil War. There is a museum and small gift shop for your convenience.

There is no fee for visitors arriving on the island by private boat. For the concession-operated ferry service, fees are currently $14 for adults, $12.50 for seniors and $8.00 for children 6 to 11. All those under 5 are free.

By Brandi M. Seals

Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia is like a city out of time. It is preserved by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a not-for-profit educational institution established in 1926 that work to preserve and maintain operation of the restored 18th- century Revolutionary capital of Virginia. But it also offers modern conveniences. The Colonial Williamsburg Company is a subsidiary of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and is responsible for the operation of more than 1,000 guest rooms, ten restaurants and 66,000 square feet of conference space in the city.

Colonial Williamsburg got its start after the failure of the first English settlement at Jamestown. Jamestown was settled in 1607 and was set up as the center of the Virginia Colony's government and commerce. Unfortunately, the swampy land was overrun with insects and these problems eventually drove the settlers to a place called Middle Plantation. It was later moved again five miles inland of Middle Plantation.

The name Middle Plantation did not seem prestigious enough for the center of commerce and government in the new world. So, it was later changed to Williamsburg in honor of William III, King of England.

Williamsburg thrived for years, reaching its height in the middle of the 18th Century. Prior to the American Revolution nearly 2,000 people called the city home. Williamsburg was central to the start of the Revolutionary War and even played a prominent role in the events leading up to the start of the war. However, as the Revolutionary War came to a close, Williamsburg's days as the center of government came to an end. The governor, Patrick Henry, moved the capitol to Richmond.

As a result, Williamsburg saw a declined. The population dwindled and the only institutions that remained were the College of William and Mary and the public hospital for the insane. The Williamsburg decline lasted through the Civil War, but was finally revived by the arrival of the railroad in 1880.

In the mid 1920's John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was inspired by the Reverend W.A.R Goodwin of The Bruton Parish Church. He decided to return Williamsburg to its former glory. The Governor's Palace was reconstructed as was the Raleigh Tavern. Colonial Williamsburg has since become the centerpiece of Virginia's Historic Triangle comprised of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.

Williamsburg celebrated its 300th anniversary in 1999. It was America's first planned city and now it serves as a theater of living history where merchants sell their products, craftspeople practice their trades and patriots discuss revolution.

Despite being a town that caters to the past, Williamsburg has been known to change. In fact, Colonial Williamsburg opened a new Williamsburg Lodge Conference Center this week

Colonial Williamsburg's Lodge Conference Center is now open for business. The brand-new conference center has 45,000 square feet of meeting space with 28 rooms that can be used for various functions.

Among the most notable rooms is the Virginia Room which overlooks Colonial Parkway and provides plenty of room. It is a 12,000-square-foot room. And, the one-of-a-kind Governor Jefferson Boardroom is nothing to snivel at. The boardroom is a very unique meeting space. It comes complete with cypress paneling preserved and restored from the original Lodge and Conference Center.

The Williamsburg Lodge Conference Center went under renovation in March of 2004, and the project is due to be 100% complete by the end of this year. When it is finished the Williamsburg Lodge Conference Center will have 323 guest rooms, a lounge and bar, plus a 205-seat restaurant that serves contemporary food that has been influenced by the South and Chesapeake areas.

The original Lodge opened in 1939 to provide accommodations for travelers. It is one of the original Colonial Williamsburg hotels and was constructed under the guidance of John D. Rockefeller Jr.

In addition to the new Lodge, there are various other things to see and do in Colonial Williamsburg. There are guided tours, theme parks, plantations, parks, wineries and much more. If you are planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY for more information on upcoming events and activities for visitors.

Colonial Williamsburg is centrally located east of Richmond and west of Newport News and approximately 150 miles south of Washington D.C.

Colonial Williamsburg is easy to get to. The city is just off of Interstate 64.

Many of us have reservations about flying these days, and we have every right to be wary. Security and the signs of the times have made it seem almost impossible to enjoy a vacation in which an airplane is involved. The travelers who don't explore the possibility of taking a cruise ship to the same exotic destinations don't know what they're missing. A cruise can be a more comforting option for many reasons: (1) It's safer (although all kinds of travel involve some risks at one point or another), (2) there are activities aboard ship until you actually reach your destination, and (3) you can actually eat and sleep in your beds and not have the back of your seat kicked by unruly children!

First you should decide where you want to go. Mediterranean and mainland European cruises are especially popular but are only some of the possibilities. Cruise sites will tell you all the places they stop during the trip. If you want to only go to one country they are visiting and not all, find out if you are allowed to stay aboard ship until the desired stops. You'll want to shop around and decide if you want to go full luxury or look for a more inexpensive cruise. Some cruises include buffets, entertainment, and other amenities; if you don't need all this, you can find something that better suits you. Next, you should check to make sure all of your ID and personal info is in ship shape. Contact any cruise lines you may be interested in and make sure you hear all the details, hidden charges, etc.

Decide what guidelines certain cruises have for young passengers. Do they accept children? If so, what ages? Are there any special fees? Will your children be provided with activities aboard ship? Will they need to wear certain attire? It's a lot easier to know these things ahead of time than to arrive and find out you have to pay extra to have your child accompany you. Some cruise lines will have special areas and entertainment just for teenagers and children, and adults have separate rooms and entertainment. Find out if there's a dress code; some of the fancier cruises may require certain dress at certain times. Again, if you want a more relaxed vacation and don't want to worry about this, keep searching. There will be a perfect choice for you.

Explore travel websites for coupons and discounts before choosing a cruise line. There's no need to pay full price if you can save a little here and there. Make sure you know in what way you will be paying and make sure any credit cards you might decide to utilize are ready to be used. Find pictures that show the ship, amenities, rooms, and a basic overview. Keep in mind that just because the rooms shown on the pictures may be huge, it doesn't mean every family will get an identical room. See if you are allowed to choose which part of the ship you'd like to stay on and what there is to see and do on that particular part.

All vacations are not built alike. One cruise line may have one thing you like but other things you could live without, or have everything you like except for one thing. This is a good time to know if your cruise can be personalized; some cruises will do this. You may be able to plan your own itinerary, eat in a restaurant without hundreds of other people, and run your own schedule. Decide exactly what you want; keep a list, and if you find a cruise that seems to be what you're looking for, make sure everything on your list can be checked off. If you're a parent, you can have each child tell you one or two things that they would really like their vacation to have; after all, they're part of the family too!

Keep in mind that even though you won't have to deal with airport security, you will still need to be prepared for security checks before entering the cruise ship of your choice. This may be a hassle but is all too necessary. Make sure not to pack anything that could be a problem in the future. Another thing to check on is exactly what information you need to have with you. Having your ID at an easy-to-grab place will grant you quicker admittance and allow you to begin the vacation of your dreams sooner.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

September is the traditional commencement of harvest festivals in Ohio and much of the Midwest USA, utilized for enjoyment and to show off the abundance of the labor of the fields. In addition to county fairs all through summer and into the fall, there are interesting and different celebrations in Ohio that focus on a single crop item such pumpkins, squash, popcorn, strawberries, apples, corn, tomatoes and many others. Harvest festivals include a number of joyous activities besides sampling foods, and this include barn dances, games, races of many kinds, and dozens of others. It is truly a time of celebration in Ohio after the hard work of the spring and summer crop and herd tending. Check out some of these fun events being held all over Ohio right now and throughout September, and get your share of the Ohio harvest! Here are a few of the Fall Festivals that I have enjoyed with friends in the recent past.

ALL MONTH

THE OHIO RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL in Harveysburg, OH
September 2 through October 22, 2006
Renaissance Park is between Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus
in Warren County on State Route 73, between highways I-71 and I-75
513-897-7000

Ohio has its largest event of this type in Harveysburg in Southwest Central Ohio. It provides a full 12 stages of continuous live entertainment for almost two months on the weekends Friday through Sunday. There are 7 food and beverage houses, and over 130 different fine arts and crafts shops in period-relevant tent booths and stalls. The swordmaking as well as the sword dancing and juggling is awesome! Costuming is the same tradition as the overall fair, and several period-themed weddings are held there yearly. One year, I saw a troop of Klingons enjoying food and drink in the beer house! Knights, knaves, story tellers, Robin Hood, giant roasted turkey legs, bread-bowl stews and soups, fine arts and crafts, a fun house, and even time-traveling Klingons abound in this authentic 30-acre large English village of 400 years ago. It is one of my favorite places to be.

Middfest International (Middletown)
Admission: Adults $5 for the weekend; Kids under 12 are Free
September 29 through October 1, 2006
Donham Plaza, Downtown, Middletown, Ohio
513-425-7707

The 26-year-old Middfest International began all the way back in 1981 and has steadily grown to entertain over 100,000 visitors a year. It is an educational and cultural festival. The mission of this event is to promote world understanding, friendship and peace, by showcasing a different country every year. This year in 2006, the theme will be the Indigenous Peoples for Middfest International's 25th Anniversary.

Beginning at the early preview Garden Party and Gala on September 29th, cut flowers and container arrangements of native plants will be on display. On into the weekend visitors can participate in Indigenous cooking demonstrations; drum and dance circle; films, conversation, genealogy and literature talks. Visitors may also choose to participate and explore interactive centers, exhibits in science, Youth Park, history and culture.

Middfest International was named on of the Top One Hundred Events in North America by the American Bus Association in 1985. In 2004, Middfest International was inducted into The Greater Cincinnati International Hall of Fame.

EARLY SEPTEMBER

Fredericktown Tomato Show (Fredericktown, Ohio)
September 6-9, 2006 Fredericktown, OH

The Fredericktown Tomato Show is a gala street fair put on by the local townspeople that features exhibits on tomato products and related activities, needlework, flower arrangements, arts and photography. The festival also has parades, rides, and a craft show. A plate auction is held, proceeds going into the pot to fund the annual celebration. Competitions held include a BigWheel Race, a Little Miss Tomato Contest (how about the Big Miss Tomato?), bathtub races, and the "dangerous" tomato toss. There is also the Five Mile run and a live show by the renowned Danger Brothers on the last day of the event, September 9, 2006. Go and have some fun!

The Famous Marion Popcorn Festival (Marion)
Free
September 7-10, 2006
Call 740-387-FEST

I love this festival and have been there many times, because I have friends living in Marion. It is billed as the largest popcorn festival in the world, attracting over 250,000 visitors a year. Because of that, the American Bus Association named it one of the Top 100 Events in North America. You have got to go to this celebration where the whole town turns out to greet you and show you a good time.

The free shows have included the bands REO Speedwagon, Gloria Estefan, Huey Lewis and the News, and The Neville Brothers. Then there is a parade, a bike tour, 5K run, a fine arts and crafts show, product booths, a Kiddie Korner and over 50 softball tournaments. It is quite a weekend! There are rides and activities for the family, and the Popcorn Museum with The Dunbar Concession Wagon used by Paul Newman in Central Park to promote his own brand of popcorn. And remember! The Ohio State Fair has the Butter cow, but Marion has Popcorn Sculptures.

OHIO RIVER STERNWHEEL FESTIVAL (Marietta)
Free
September 8-10, 2006
The Ohio River Levee, corner of Front and Greene Streets
1-800-288-2577

Sternwheeler boat races will fascinate you, as well as, fireworks and over 30 stern wheelers docked for the event. See them all! Music is continuous, from nationally-known entertainers and local celebrities. The event also has a wonderful car show, pageants of all kinds, singing, dancing, rock and jazz musicians and a friendly atmosphere. Tour this historic Ohio River town of Marietta to take in the history and meet the people.

Apple Fest (Sidney)
Free
September 8-10, 2006
937-492-9122 or 866-892-9122

This festival is held downtown in the NW Ohio town of Sidney, around the beautiful, historic Shelby County Court Square. Bring your camera. Featured in 2006 is a great Quilt Show, a Woodcarvers Show, Crafts Show, plenty of kid's activities, and a special area just for teens. Live entertainment includes a Swing Era Band and the very famous Ohio group of Phil Dirt and the Dozers Band. Also performing is the Ticket to Ride Beatles Tribute Band, and the Van Dells. A Laser Light show both Friday and Saturday nights will dazzle visitors. Buckeye Bash and Taste of Apple Fest are held on Saturday night. Apple Fest also features a Petting Zoo, the Farmers Market, and Apple-themed cuisine to please everyone. How many ways can YOU prepare an apple? Come and see.

The Buckeye Tree Festival (Utica)
Free
September 10, 2006
Ye Olde Mill at Velvet Ice Cream Company
11324 State Route 13 in Utica, OH 1-800-589-5000

The tree-focused fall festival is held in the Buckeye Tree Grove at Ye Olde Mill in Utica, Ohio. It commemorates Ohio's state tree and history with an 1800s theme of horse-drawn wagons, women in long skirts and bonnets, storytellers, Native Americans, and frontiersmen. There will be many buckeye wood carvers, traditional musicians, spinners, and weavers all demonstrating their talents. There is a special display of Native American Indian ceremony dancing, historical displays, a full pioneer village, a quilting bee, traditional foods, and a lot of fun.

Another Popcorn Festival (Beavercreek)
Free
Sept 9-10, 2006
937-427-5514

When you're done in Marion, just north of Columbus, drive on down to Beavercreek near Dayton for their popcorn. This event has also been named one of the Top-100 Events in North America, by the American Bus Association, so they must LOVE popcorn. There are popcorn sculptures, popcorn showers, and other popcorn experiences. There is a 300 -unit parade, with nationally acclaimed performers, topped off with a balloon rally. Go popcorn crazy!

MIDDLE SEPTEMBER

SCARECROW FESTIVAL (Washington Court House)
Free
September 15-17, 2006
740-636-2340

What fun! This is a street fair with a parade, live performances, food, and a Living Scarecrow contest. Throw together a costume and enter!

Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival (Urbana)
Free
Saturday September 16, 2006 from 10am to 10pm
Freshwater Farms of Ohio Just 1 mile north of Urbana at 2624 N US Hwy 68 (north of Springfield)
937-652-3701 or 800-634-7434

See Ohio's own Freshwater Shrimp Harvest on this shrimp farm. There is fresh shrimp from multiple Ohio farmers for sale on site, as well as several vendors who prepare fish and shrimp cuisine from Cajun to Asian and beer-battered to coconut-crusted. A local artist creates chalk murals ever year and visitors love them!. You will be awed by the Koi fish and other ornamental fish at this festival. The farm market here offers smoked trout products as well as other types of seafood products. The Trout Feeding Frenzy will entertain you, and your children will enjoy the Kids Wet Zone and other games. There is also a petting poo", a sturgeon pool where you can pet Ohio's largest native fish.

Preble County Pork Festival (Eaton)
Free
September 16-17, 2006
Preble County Fairgrounds in Eaton, Ohio
937-456-7273

This Fall Festival comes centers around hogs and features butchering and sausage-making demos, along with a parade, magic show, pork-related contests and other entertainment. Visitors will all the ways to prepare pork and see a brand new litter of little piglets. Of course, there have to be Pig Races! The people are friendly here and the price is right, so enjoy!


LATER SEPTEMBER

Germantown Pretzel Festival (Germantown)
Free
September 23-24, 2006: Saturday 9am-9pm and Sunday Noon-6pm
Veterans Memorial Park 937-859-8331

Visit this scenic town and its 26-year-old fall festival featuring handicrafts, food, and free live music and shows. The park is ADA handicapped-accessible, with sidewalks, and a historic railroad depot, caboose, a log cabin and a children's play area. There is free on-street parking.

Grape Jamboree (Geneva)
Free
Last full weekend each September
440-466-5262

Geneva is more of a resort style of community than the sites of some other festivals, and offers some different activities accordingly. The grape harvest is celebrated by these friendly, sophisticated folks by holding a traditional grape stomping contest! Maybe they will let you join in the fun. If not, there are two parades to watch. Visitors can taste grapes freshly squeezed and other products like jams and jellies, pastries, etc. Grapes can be served in a variety of ways with meats as well. There will be street dancing, booths and exhibits, a grape culinary contest, arts and crafts, and other experiences for families, couples and singles to love. Go Grape!

Ohio Pumpkin Festival (Barnesville)
Free
Last full weekend each September

This is not the Circleville Pumpkin Show held in October, but the one in Barnesville that is very enjoyable in its own right. This fall festival has many interesting events, including contests with hog calling, pumpkin rolling, who has the largest pumpkin, a pumpkin pie eating contest; and even banjo and fiddle contests. And please stay for the Giant Pumpkin Parade and the story tellers, a great antique car show, a fine quilt show, arts and crafts, a lot of good farm machinery, good music, and live shows.

Ohio Swiss Festival (Sugarcreek)
Free
September 29-30, 2006
330-852-4113

It's back to Sugarcreek for this one, where the city is called the "Little Switzerland of Ohio." Visitors will love Swiss music and authentic Swiss costumes worn by the locals and vendors at the booths. Swiss cheese is the focus of this fall festival and it is complemented with love polka bands, a band of alpine horn players, and a Swiss-themed parade. And if you want to see some traditional Swiss sports, try the Steinstossen with stone throwing and the Schwingfest of Swiss wrestling. Should be interesting and fun!

Bremen Oil Derrick Days (Bremen)
Free
Last full weekend in September
40 miles Southeast of Columbus on Rt. 664
740-569-2079 or 740-569-9232

Yes, there are really oil wells in Ohio and this is a very interesting type of fall festival. My friends in Bremen love it! The first day of this weekend festival starts off with the fun Opening Ceremonies and the annual crowning of Oil Derrick Days Queen and King, followed by Wolf Mode, which is a classic rock group. The following day there are features of the Grand Parade, Group Therapy Drums, the Teays River Cloggers dancers, live music shows and even and the Bremen Idol signing contest. The evening performance is by Lacy and Her Attitude Band (Country Band), followed by fireworks. The final day of festivities features the Cornerstone Pie and Cake Contest, Queens Parade, and performance by Michael Rose. Throughout the event, there are 50/50 drawings. The festival concludes with an Auction of old and new things. For children, there are kids corner with all types of games for kids, free drawings thoughout the festivities. In addition, there are plenty of arts and crafts for craft lovers.
Bring the kids and enjoy a few days with fun, foods and music.

Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati (Cincinnati)
Free
September 16-17, 2006
Cincinnati, Ohio 513-579-3187

Thirty years ago, this event began as a block party in Cincinnati, Ohio in the middle of its German heritage. It has since grown to become North America's largest single Oktoberfest, attracting 500,000 visitors annually. In addition, it is second in size only to the original Oktoberfest of Munich and has been endorsed by this German sister city's mayor.
Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati provides 80 booths to visitors for artisans and vendors, serving up authentic German food, beer, wine, soft drinks and souvenirs. Food vendors will serve up tasty delicacies from the homeland at appetizing prices. Major stages and tents feature all live entertainment from big bands to accordion players to German folk dancers performing throughout the weekend. For the kids, Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati offers amusement rides and interactive games.

Come to where you can see 87,542 metts, 80,500 brats, 64,000 sauerkraut balls, 56,250 sausages, 24,640 potato pancakes, 23,004 soft pretzels, 16,002 strudel, 3,600 lbs. Sauerkraut, 1,875 lbs. German potato salad, 702 lbs. Limburger cheese, 700 pigtails and 400 pickled pigs feet. You might even try some of them, as welooks looka t all the abundance of foods.
In 1994, the Crown Prince of Bavaria actually attended the Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati and helped the Fest to set a world record for the Worlds Largest Chicken Dance, with 48,000 participating in the dance. It was fun to dance and fun to see! Oktoberfest-Zinzinnati held the world record in the Guinness Book of Records, 1995-97 editions. On September 17, the event will host the World's Largest Chicken Dance and Hokey Pokey.

While at this Oktoberfest, you will want to visit many of Cincinnati's other attractions, including the downtown skywalk that is a wonderful enclosed walkway above the sidewalks, connecting offices and shops all through dowCincinnaticnnati. Here are some more sites to visit.

Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH , 45220; 513/281-SE00. Se their famous Nocturnal House and a statue tribute to the last passenger pigeon that ever lived. There are a lot of other fine exhibits, including Wings of the World, Jungle Trails, a new bird house and a tropical rainforest. Gorilla babies, Komodo Dragons, White Tigers and lots of great elephants! Open all year, so all 1-800-94-HIPPO or go tot http://www.cincyzoo.org/ for info.

Cincinnati Museum
1301 Western Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45203, 513/287-7000. The Cincinnati Museum includes the Cincinnati History Museum, the Cinergy Children's Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Science, the Robert D. Lindner Family OMNIMAX Theater and the Cincinnati Historical Society Library. That's a lot of museum! The Museum Center is located in Union Terminal, a renovated Art Deco train station terminal and National Historic Landmark. Go to http://www.cincymuseum.org/

Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45202; 513/721-5204. World-renowned collection of art from ancient to modern times, including Cincinnati Rookwood Pottery. Open Tuesday through Sunday with free guided tours daily. http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org/.

Kings Island
P.O. Box 901, Kings Island, OH , 45034; 513/754-5800. This Amusement Park has many weekend offerings during most of the fall and some of the winter as well as all summer. It is located on I-71 just 24 miles north of Cincinnati. The Midwest's largest and theme park has over 300 rides and attractions and a 30-acre water park, with hotels on the other side of I-71.. The12 roller coasters and nine delight all ages. I have seen Star Trek characters ice skating in some of the shows in the past, so call and find out what is playing now. 1-800-288-0808. http://www.pki.com/.

The Newport Aquarium
One Aquarium Way, Newport, KY, 41071; (606)261-7444. This fantastic one million gallon aquarium is on the banks of the famous Ohio River in Cincinnati, where there are several floating restaurants. Both fresh and salt water fish from around the world are in residence for your enjoyment and education. http://www.newportaquarium.com/.

Cincinnati Reds baseball
Great American Ball Park. http://www.cincinnatireds.com/. Great American Ball Park Tours takes you on a tour of the home of the Cincinnati Reds.
www.ncinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cin/ballpark/tours.jsp


Cincinnati Flying Pigs!
The Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon was FREE to all event participants in early May of 2006. It was the third-largest first-time marathon in the whole USA in May 2006. With participating athletes of all running abilities, this race is incredible. See it in 2007! I cannot believe how much they had going on there this year! -- Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10K, 5K, kid's races, educational clinics, parties, Flying Piglets and even a Diaper Dash, with additional events sponsoring the fight against asthma. While you are there next year, see the new foot bridge across to Kentucky. There are even water taxis.

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
644 Linn Street, Suite 626
Cincinnati, Ohio 45203
(513) 721-PIGS
Email: info@flyingpigmarathon.com

Ah, good ole summertime, the season of barbecues, bare skin, beaches and lots of hot fashions. No matter where you travel this summer ladies there are certain staples that every fashionista must remember to pack and do to completely enjoy the summer to it’s fullest. Make it a summer vacation to remember and enjoy with these summer essentials.

We begin with:

Flip-Flops
Flip-flops are fun, functional, cute and a great way to show off your summer pedicure. They look terrific with skirts, pants and shorts. Just a bit of advice though from someone who knows- they are NOT meant for walking great distances in- OUCH!

Tank Tops
Tank tops are cheap to buy and can be worn casual or dressed up. Wear a tank with shorts, jeans, capris or skirts. There are so many options and they come in tons of different colors and styles.

The Flirty Skirt
Summer skirts are very “in”. They come in many different styles, colors, materials, patterns, lengths and prices. They can easily be worn with different tops- try it with a tank, a halter or tee shirt. Many summer skirts are cut on the bias, which flatters all figures.

Halter Top or Dress
These are classics so they deserve their own category. They pay homage to the earlier, gentler days of summer. They flatter figures and are perfect under a light cardigan or blazer. Black is a classic color of choice as it is sophisticated, stylish and just plain looks fantastic but patterned halters are the rage as well. Go with what you like best and what suits your tastes.

Empire Dresses
Empire dresses look so lively that they’re an instant pick-me-up to your confidence and energy levels. Also they announce individuality with a capital I. Everyone does not wear them and that is definitely part of their appeal. Plus if you shop carefully and with a discerning eye you are guaranteed to find one that fits your figure perfectly!

The Summer Purse
Choose from straw, rattan, canvas, totes, clutches, colorful plastic beach bags and Kelly bags. Nothing says leisure and R and R like a breezy summer purse. The great thing is that they are very affordable so you can own as many different styles and colors as your heart desires! After all accessories are as important as the outfit. Mustn’t forget that!

Nail Polish (Fingernails and Toenails)
This one is the perfect tribute to the season. Go without polish the rest of the year but don’t you dare neglect to color up during the heat of summer. Go for splashy hot pink, racy red, brazen bronze and get those fingernails and toenails noticed. Or for a change, go white- try the French manicure. It is very clean looking not to mention ultra chic. A definite winner.

Slingbacks and Slides
These are not to be confused with flip-flops. They are much more classic and definitely carry an air of class and sophistication. Slingbacks (which you can start wearing as early as April) and slides (let it warm up a little and then haul them out from the back of your closet) are some of the most flattering and stylish footwear around. Match them up with your dressy outfits and you’re all set!

Esthetics
Shrug off the vestiges of a long, harsh winter by making an appointment with your friendly esthetician. You will feel better, look better and it will help you to enjoy your summer to its fullest. There is a reason why products such as Nair, Neet and waxing strips are sold. Ask any athlete. Electrolysis is expensive and time consuming but permanent if you want to go that route. Consider getting your eyebrows done too ladies. Once smoothed into the right arch, they perform a valuable face-framing function, which is particularly important when you’re wearing a minimal amount of makeup.

Capris
Capris are short summer pants that are so versatile. They come in many different lengths, whether they be capri pants, pedal pushers or clam diggers. These are a summer staple. They are lightweight and look great with almost everything. They are summery enough to wear to work with a blouse or to head to the beach with a tank top or halter. Plus when summer rains come calling, there are no heavy pant legs or hems to drag through puddles or to drag around period.

Sunglasses
A definite summer must-have. They come in all different brands, types, shades, colors and styles that you could own a variety of pairs. They are as cheap or as expensive as you want to go. Just make sure before buying a pair that they contain standard UV protection. An added plus of sunglasses is that they help ward off wrinkles and what woman wouldn’t be pleased with that?

The Toe Ring and the Ankle Bracelet
Okay so maybe neither one of these are absolute necessities but they are both hot, hot, hot for the summertime! An ankle bracelet has been a permanent fixture of mine every summer since I was 18. And if you can find a toe ring that fits comfortably then your sexy ratio will go up ten fold! Trust me!

The Visor or Hat
Don’t forget your head as you prepare for a day at the park, beach campsite or pool. Whether your preference is a visor or a hat they are both functional and fashionable when the sun is beating down. Visors fit on just about any head and hats come in a wide variety of materials, fabrics, colors and styles. While they are not acceptable at dinners or social engagements, they are perfectly okay at barbecues, beaches, patios and shopping. If your choice is a visor then go for a rattan one. It is more polished looking and will hold up well.

Hairpins & Accessories
This is an especially important one for ladies with long or shoulder length locks. There are many different varieties of hair accessories to jazz up your do, keep your hair out of your face and keep your neck cool. Bejeweled hairpins, clamps and barrettes, and that’s just the beginning. Experiment with different ones. Consider the many possibilities!

Lip Gloss
This is one of summer’s favorite makeup items. It has a lot to offer. It is light and dewy, it complements a tanned face and it plumps up even the thinnest of lips. There are so many varieties at so many prices that you can afford to try out as many colors as you like. Layer lip gloss over lipstick or wear it alone. It delivers a hint of color and that’s all you really need this time of year. Plus the wet look of gloss makes it very sexy and kissable looking! You don’t need lip liner like you do with lipstick and gloss can be applied without a mirror.

Bright Eyeshadow
Put those darker, smoky shades away for now, it’s time for the pearlized shadows of summer. In the makeup world summer nights call for more bolder and brighter colors. This is not the time to be shy makeup wise! Try one of the new hues available in green or blue. Experiment and find out what looks good on you. Applied properly and paired with a light swipe of mascara, the bright eyeshadows of summer take away the need for eyeliner.

Hair Highlights
No need to try to blend into the crowd this time of the year. Try something new! Go a little wacky and lighten up with some summer hair highlights. Highlights add volume to hair and who would say no to more volume?! They frame your face and throw a little more pizzazz into your summer look.

Floral Anything
Flowers, floral, they all speak of the carefree days of summer. Some women don’t like to even consider the floral motif in clothing. They believe it to be a fashion faux pas because of the fear that it will make their less than perfect figures look, well, even worse- it might enhance their hips, stomach, chest, arms or legs more than they want. But really now, nothing says breezy and summery like a great floral pattern. Besides it’s one of the only times of the year that you can look like a garden and get away with it. Try different designs and styles and find the one that makes you feel the most comfortable. Throw caution to the wind and indulge a little!

So now you’re ready to take on summer! Just one last thing, don’t forget the sunscreen before you head outdoors. I recommend one with 15 or 30 SPF. Nothing can kill a good time and ruin the summer season (or a fun filled summer vacation) like a painfully (ouch!) uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, sunburn. Relax, have fun and be safe.

Traveling is an amazing adventure, however after hours and hours and hours in the car. . . the hours can get long, and boring. Making a car trip interesting and entertaining can not only make the time pass more quickly, but it can keep you and your friends or family fresh and more able to enjoy the destination when you arrive. When my husband and I take long trips we pack entertainment bags with a variety of items that will chase away boredom blues while en route. These stimulate the senses, break up the monotony and keep you on speaking terms with your companions while in close quarters. Try a few of these ideas in your own entertainment kit on your next road trip.

-Conversation books: there are loads of inexpensive books available at bookstores jam-packed with random and versatile questions, all with the goal of illiciting creative conversations.

-Books on tape or cd: local libraries and Cracker Barrel stores allow checking out of books on tapes or cds that are extremely engaging. I confess to remaining in my car to finish a story even after reaching my final location!

-Games such as Trivial Pursuit, and other mind stretches strengthen your intellect while you move through the miles.

-Check out international/cultural music cds from the library and jive with your traveling buddies.

-Video games, books, are traditional standbys that melt minutes.

-Pack magazines that contain quizzes on a variety of topics that can be discussed and debated with fellow carmates.

-Include tasty, healthful snacks, as well as some treats that you might not usually have at home.

-Sleep is always tempting for me when I'm a travel passenger. A suitable blanket and pillow are necessary for comfort and real rest.

As you head out on the road for your next adventure, remember these tips for keeping the journey fun, memorable, and boredom-free! Happy travels!

Have a joyous journey!

By Simon Woodhouse

As far as long haul flights are concerned, going from the UK to New Zealand is a big one. If the two countries were any further apart they'd start getting closer together again. It's eleven thousand three hundred and ninety miles from London, England to Auckland, New Zealand (as the crow flies). Unfortunately, commercial airliners can't fly quite as directly as crows are alleged to be able to do, but they can go a little bit faster.

When you're sat in the travel agent booking your flight to the other side of the world, the anticipation and the excitement seems to have some sort of affect on your rational judgement. You look at the flight details put in front of you, and the idea of being onboard a plane for twenty-four hours somehow doesn't seem too bad. This is certainly how I felt when I booked my first flight from the UK to New Zealand. I was swept along on a wave of excitement that dulled my senses, and turned me into the equivalent of a child on Christmas morning sat in front of a mountain of unopened presents. This state of euphoria lasted right up until I arrived at Heathrow Airport.

Airports can be summed up in one word - queues. There are queues everywhere. Every step of the checking in process involves a queue. Whether it's getting your boarding card and handing your cases over at the airline desk, going through passport control, or waiting to get on the plane itself, there's always a line of people in front of you. My tip for dealing with this - try not to look at the queue when you're standing in it. Or if waiting a little while means you join a shorter queue, do that.

After I'd done the flight from the UK to New Zealand a couple of times, I realised one of the keys to coping depends on my state of mind. As I'm boarding the aircraft, I take a deep breath and tell myself if I want to get where I'm going, I've got no choice but to be on this plane. I resign myself to the fact it's not going to be the most comfortable experience, but it's my choice to be here. So that's the psychology of it, what about practical ways to make it a bit easier?

First of all I try to pick an airline that has decent in flight entertainment, this makes a big difference. Having a wide choice of movies to watch, even if it is via the tiny screen in the back of the seat in front of you, is definitely better than one big screen showing stuff you have no control over. What you can and cannot take onboard depends on the journey you're making. If there are no restrictions, books, magazines, electronic games and something to listen to are all good. Variety helps to break up the boredom, so take whatever you think will help pass the time. If you're travelling alone, try to gauge what sort of person it is you're sat beside before you strike up a conversation. Being trapped next to someone who loves the sound of their own voice can make it feel as though time is standing still. As a rule, I let them speak first, and if they don't then I leave it at that.

As I'm not much of a drinker anyway, I usually don't have anything alcoholic whilst I'm flying. Getting drunk on a plane might help while the hours away, but if you're on a really long haul flight, do you want to be dealing with a hangover at thirty thousand feet? Not my idea of fun. But I do drink lots of water. This serves two purposes, first off it stops me dehydrating, and secondly it forces me to get up and use the bathroom. Whether deep vein thrombosis is caused by long haul flights or not, I don't know, but I don't really want to take the chance, so walking about the cabin has to be good.

If your flight is split up into more than one leg (as they all are from the UK to New Zealand), make sure you take full advantage of the transfer airport. Have a shower, have a massage, wonder around all the shops, get something decent to eat, even engage in idle conversation with fellow travellers (this is alright in the airport, because if they turn out to be the bore from hell you can get up and walk off). All international airports have a whole host of facilities, and I suggest you use them, because once you're back on the plane there'll be no such luxuries.

Another thing you need to bear in mind is just how grotty you're going to feel when you finally arrive at your destination. If possible, always arrange to have someone meet you. It's not a good idea to get behind the wheel of a hire car after you've had hardly any sleep for twenty-four hours (believe me, I've done it and it's terrible). Add to that the fact that you might be in a foreign country, have little idea of how to get to where your staying, and may even have to drive on the opposite side of the road to what you're used to. Don't kid yourself that you'll be able to handle it - you won't.

As someone who's dealt with all the 'pleasures' of long haul flight, I'm curious to see if the experience will change when the new generation of super-jumbos come into service, of which the Airbus A380 is the first. According to some of the planes specifications, it's going to offer more legroom to everyone, even the economy passengers. If this turns out to be true, and the ticket price doesn't go up accordingly, it'll be a real bonus for the traveller on a budget (like me). But somehow I can't see it happening. I think what you'll get is not more room around the seats, but more seats.

What's really needed is some sort of Star Trek style transporter system, which can zap you from one side of the planet to the other instantaneously. But there's about as much chance of that happening as me being able to travel first class, or even in business. So I'm just going to have to grit my teeth, sit in my seat, and take some of my own advice.

By Brandi M. Seals

AAA has predicted a normal fall color season for Michigan due to information provided by the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service has projected a fall with below average precipitation throughout most of the Lower Peninsula. That means there will be more sunlight to help produce those fall colors Michigan is so well known for.

Above average temperatures are also supposed to be in the forecast for the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula. That combined with cooler evening temperatures could help generate good colors.

Beginning September 15, fall color watchers looking can call Travel Michigan at (888) 78-GREAT for color updates provided by AAA Michigan each Wednesday through October.

Michigan's vibrant natural color can be seen many ways. There are over millions of acres of forest land, two national shorelines, close to 100 state parks and recreation areas, several local parks, national forests and state forests in both peninsulas. However, one of the best ways to see the fall colors is to do a driving tour.

With the price of gas falling, it is anticipated that more than 1 million travelers will set out to see the state's gorgeous color display. See them along a driving tour. Try one of these routes and enjoy the colors, fresh air, and amazing sights:

1.) Alpena - Gaylord - Mio
Starting in Alpena, travelers will want to head southwest on M-65. Near Curran turn west on M-72. When you hit I-75 head north to Gaylord. Once there, continue east back to Alpena along M-32.

Along this route, travelers will see the Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse, Thunder Bay, the Island Park & Wildflower Sanctuary, Pigeon River Country State Forest (which is great for elk viewing), Otsego Lake State Park, Hartwick Pines State Park, Kirtland's Warbler and Jack Pine Wildlife Viewing, and a few cider mills.

The route is approximately 200 miles long and is best enjoyed from late September through Mid-October.

2.) Detroit - Algonac - Lake Orion - Port Huron
Starting in Detroit, head north on I-75 to 102. Head east on 102 to M-53 and continue north. Leave M-53 and head west to Rochester. Once there continue northwest up to Oxford. From Oxford head east to M-19. Once there, head north on M-19 to Emmett. In Emmett head east on I-69 to Port Huron, then head south on M-29. When M-29 meets I-94 head along the St. Clair shoreline back to Detroit.

Travelers will be impressed with the Lake St. Clair shoreline, Belle Isle Park, Algonac State Park, Bald Mountain Rec Area and the cider mills.

The route is approximately 195 miles and is the best in October.

3.) Grand Ledge - Hastings - Battle Creek - Eaton Rapids
Starting in Lansing, head south on M-99 to Albion. From there head west Marshall, then go northwest to Battle Creek. From the Battle Creek area, hop on M-89 and go over to M-43. M-43 can be taken all the way back to Lansing.

There is a lot to see along this route. As you enjoy the colors, think about visiting Fitzgerald Park and the Ledges, the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, Kellogg Forest, Fort Custer Rec Area and either the Whitehouse or Woldumar Nature Center.

This trip is approximately 150 miles and the best colors will be seen from mid to late October.

4.) Grand Rapids - Grand Haven - South Haven - Kalamazoo
From downtown Grand Rapids head south on Division Ave (it runs beside US-131). Take that down to M-43 near Plainwell then head west. Take M-43 to the Lake Michigan lakeshore near South Haven. Hope on I-196 north to Holland. Leaving I-196 head north on US-31. Once you hit Grand Haven, begin working your way back to Grand Rapids on I-96 east.

Drive along the spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline on part of this route. And, see the Grand Haven State Park, Holland State Park, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, the De Graaf Nature Center or Mt. Baldy Overlook. The route is also lined with several wineries and cider mills.

It is approximately 195 miles long and will have the best colors from early to late October.

5.) Menominee - Escanaba - Manistique
From Menominee set out heading northeast on M-35 to Escanaba. In Escanaba continue heading east on I-2. Take I-2 over to Manistique before turning around. On the way back consider leaving the main path to head town to Fayette State Park on US-183 or do a loop from Rapid River up and over to Perkins and back down to rejoin the route at Gladstone. You can also take a north route back from Escanaba. Continue on I-2 over to US-41 then head southwest on US-41 back to Menominee.

See the Lake Michigan shoreline from the Upper Peninsula. The route features the Menominee River Lighthouse, the Fayette State Park, the Indian River Lake State Park, and the Kitch-iti-kipi Spring. There also a few waterfalls along the way.

This route covers approximately 290 miles and will be the best from mid-September through early October.

Deep in the region known as Andalusia is one of Spain's most popular tourist destinations, the city of Seville. It is certainly one of the most beautiful Spanish cities and artfully blends modern promenades and a lively social scene with ancient buildings, towering churches, and Hispanic architecture. Seville is said to have existed in Roman times and hasn't ceased to grow until the modern era. Luckily, many aspects of the past have remained. One of the things that makes Spain so special is the country's attention to historical preservation.

One of the first things you will probably see as you start puttering around this terrific city is the Gothic Cathedral (Catedral de Sevilla). Though its origins are from the 15th century, the church has been continually worked on, beautified, and added to since that time. One interesting tidbit: at one time a mosque stood where the cathedral now stands; for centuries Spain was ruled by Muslim Moors. Interestingly enough, a country once noted for tolerance in an era known as "la convivencia," became a ruthless persecutor of these Middle Eastern people throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.

At the cathedral you will see many things of note. The Catedral de Sevilla is dripping with exterior decor. A trip to the top will award you beautiful, breathtaking views of the old city, and the stained glass is exquisitely crafted. You can find Christopher Columbus's tomb here, although even historians disagree about his actual place of burial.

When you continue traveling through the city (and perhaps get your "land legs" back if you trekked to the top) you will find a huge gilded tower known as Giralda Tower. Built in the Middle Ages, it is of Moorish design. When your eyes travel up the monument you might notice little flourishing details, like arched windows and tiny decorative balconies. Even the bell tower, one of the newest additions, was added in the late 1500s - still over four hundred years ago.

For other religious attractions, you might want to stop by some of the old convents in the city (although you will have to find out if any of these places are open to the public). Even if visitors are not allowed inside, you can still get great pictures and learn some history. One of the beautiful whitewashed convents, livened with splashes of color here and there, is the Convento de Santa Paula (Convent of St. Paula). It was founded in the 1400s. One striking feature is its huge door, full of gild and Moorish design. The convent can be visited every day except Monday at appointed times. Other convents in the city include Santa Clara, Santa Ines, San Leandro, and San Clemente.

Of course, religious monuments are not all there is to see. The Middle Eastern-style Alcazar, a medieval mansion, was begun in the 1300s. At first glance you might think you're seeing a tourist attraction, but it's the real thing. The pointed towers and stone construction really are reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Like the famous Alhambra Palace in Granada, another Andalusian giant, the Alcazar has gardens, Moorish arches, and stunning architecture to offer. Beautiful artwork awaits in the Chapel of the Casa de la Contratacion. The brightly-colored tilework and gilded ceilings are certainly a feast for the eyes.

The Torre del Oro ("tower of gold") is another Moorish expression in the city (you will notice that many Spanish cities carry some memory of their Middle Eastern forebears). The simple rounded tower may not look like much, but it is chock-full of centuries of history. The intervention of Seville's citizens have kept the tower standing and in good shape. Torre del Oro was built in the medieval era and is one of Seville's most famous landmarks. You will probably find that the tower shows up in the background of many pictures, since it is a huge building that defines the city's skyline.

Want to get lost in Seville's characteristic narrow streets? There is something romantic about the whitewashed houses sandwiched together on opposite sides of a tiny lane, and the Barrio de Santa Cruz will not disappoint those who love solitude. (You may want to keep in mind, however, that you won't be the only one seeking solitude here, so try early morning or evening if you want some time to yourself). The old streets are beautiful and yet austere and create the exact mental picture many people have of Spain.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

By Jessica Takach

Some of the most beautiful sights in Hawaii can only be seen on foot. While I have given an entire trip recommendation on the Big Island of Hawaii, the aspect of island hikes should be given a bit more attention. How else could you stand in the middle of a not-so-ancient volcanic crater and gaze up at the steep walls to the Ohia ("oh-hee-ah") trees that garnish the distant edge of the crater? Or how else could you experience
protected bays full of colorful fish and reefs? Indeed, how else could you stand on the same shore that Captain Cook did many years before you and marvel at land that is essentially unchanged. Certainly not from the cabana at your oceanside resort, or on a Robert's of Hawaii Tour Bus. You've got to find the trails, tighten your laces, and hit the brush.

Okay it isn't as intense as it sounds--I am certainly no pinnacle of stamina myself. Some hikes can be very time consuming and not very (the view from the Kilauea Iki Trail)
rewarding in terms of the payoff: the view and the overall experience. The hikes I will focus on will not be terribly exhausting or long for the most part, but the experience and places they will take you will be well worth the wear on your sneakers.


HONOKA'A AREA
Waipio Valley
I discussed this hike in my Big Island travel guide, but it is worth repeating as probably one of the most beautiful look out spots on the island. This is also no walk in the park. It is more like an incredibly steep and muddy tumble down a cliffside and a few small streams, until you find yourself on one of the most beautiful and remote beaches. Considering it is 18 miles long and a 12 hour hike, I give you permission to take a vehicle down if this sounds like it is too much. You've got to see this place one way or another, and the trip by a 4x4 vehicle is very fun. Another option is by horse or carriage.

HILO AND SURROUNDING AREA
Lava Tree State Monument
This can be found on the Hilo side of the island, in the Puna district. This is quite a sight to see and is very easy walk. The living trees in the area are absolutely incredible, soaring hundreds of feet in the air. The "lava trees" are the trunks of trees that were encased in molten lava during an ancient lava flow. The trees have since disintigrated but the lava "trunks" remain. The walk is about a 0.7-mile loop and I don't think I would even consider this a "hike." It is a pleasant walk, but like I said, the payoff is in the experience so it is a worthy trip to make.

South Point
This trail is about 2 miles each way and takes you to the southernmost point of the United States, as well as a beautiful green sand beach. It is rumored to be a bit wild and windy, but the view is beautiful. Note: Do NOT swim here, despite the inviting location. The current can be very strong and is simply not safe.

Akaka Falls
This is a very easy hike to some of the most beautiful waterfalls. It is only 0.4 miles and you see Kahuna Falls as well as Akaka Falls, which is 442 feet of falling water. You also get to walk through some gorgeous thick rainforest and bamboo. This is certainly a "must see" because it is both easy and beautiful.

VOLCANO
Crater Rim Trail
This is a challenging 11-mile hike to say the least, so plan to spend the entire day on this trip. If you have asthma you may want to reconsider since you will travel through some sulfur fumes. But if you truly want to experience the Volcano area, this is the way to do it. You will be sweaty, sulfury, and tired but you will know what it is like to be in a crater.

Kilauea Iki Trail
For those who think the Crater Rim Trail is a bit more than they want to put into a day, this is the hike for you. You still get to experience standing in the middle of what was once a molten crater of lava without the ten hours of exhaustion. This hike takes about 3 or 4 hours and it isn't particularly strenuous until the very end. I would start out going towards the right and through the forest. You get a nice view of the entire crater as you walk along the rim. Once you get to the end of the crater, you gradually make your way down to its floor. It is really like you are on another planet when you finally reach the bottom of the crater. You then make your way directly across it, and then you have to scale the side of the crater to get back to the parking lot. This was the only part that I found difficult, but that could be because I was convinced to take a "short cut" straight up rather than along the zigzagging trails. Stay on the trails, otherwise you could end up at a dead end and very tired and not very excited to slide back down the muddy, root-entwined steep path. This is a good rule of thumb for ANY hike: stay on the trail. You will get where you're supposed to go, and you also won't damage any of the wildlife that you are trying to enjoy.

KONA SIDE
Captain Cook Monument
The Captain Cook Monument, a large white obelisk standing on the shore of the ocean, is only accessible by boat or by your own two feet. The trail is rather difficult to find, but ask someone in the area and they will be able to direct you. It used to be a 4x4 trail but make sure that the trail is still highly visible to you so that you can find your way back. If it is not clear, do not make the journey. If you are able to make it, you will find yourself most likely the only visitors of this protected bay. Bring your snorkel masks -- it costs between $70 - $100 to take the Fair Winds to this site to see this phenomenal snorkeling area! You may even see some sea turtles, as pictured to the right. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.

These are just a few of very many possible hikes on the Big Island of Hawaii. You will see much more on your own two feet than you will on an organized tour, I assure you. If it is your first trip to the island and you aren't very familiar yet, perhaps try a couple organized tours but also make sure you get out there on your own. You can only discover much of the natural beauty of this landscape on your own two feet.

By Brandi M. Seals

New York City is known for several things: Central Park, cutting edge shops and unique eateries. It is perhaps the eateries that stand out the most. There are few other cities in the United States where one can travel such a short distance and get authentic Italian, Spanish, and Russian dishes. Heck, pick any sort of food. Chances are you can find it in New York.

The next time you are in New York, try some of that one-of-a-kind food. While there are several different places to choose from, I recommend checking out the following places. Each one prides itself on their delicious and impressive food that is hard to find anywhere else.

Pommes Frites -
Pommes Frites is not your ordinary restaurant. In fact, it is not much of a restaurant. It is more like an indoor vendor that only sells fries; authentic Belgian fries that is.

Belgian fries are different from our traditional fries because the potatoes are fried twice. The first time in the oil cooks the fries, the second dip in makes them extra crisp and golden. Here in the United States, we usually just cook the fries once.

The words "pommes frites" mean fried potatoes, but these tasty treats are more than just fried potatoes. They are deliciously crisp fries that are served with a variety of sauces. There is more than just ketchup available. There are a whole list of unique sauces to choose from; like Irish curry, pesto mayo, parmesan peppercorn, and wasabi mayo among others.

While you might think these gourmet fries would cost an arm and a leg, they are quite reasonably priced. Regular size runs $4. A large is $6.25. And, the largest size, a double is $7.50.

Next time you are in New York stop by Pommes Frites. The shop is located at 123 2nd Ave. in New York City (between 7 and 8 Streets).

Serendipity -
Serendipity was made famous in the movie Serendipity. John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale's characters enjoy some chocolaty treats from Serendipity at the beginning of the movie. No one could forget how delicious and absolutely indulgent the dishes looked. Since then the eatery has been highly acclaimed by Oprah and several other stars.

The restaurant features usual entrees, but it is not at all common when it comes to their desserts and frozen drinks. The frrrozen hot chocolate is one of their best drinks. But, they also have a frozen espresso drink, strawberry supreme, and many, many more. What makes them so great is their large size and absolutely delicious taste.

If you do not want your treat to be a drink, consider trying the outrageous banana split. It runs $20 and is not for the faint of heart. In fact you better be hungry if you are going to try to eat this monster alone. Instead, split it with a friend. If you prefer pies and cakes, try the humble pie, big apple pie, or the chocolate blackout cake.

Serendipity is located at 225 East 60th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, in New York City.

Carnegie Delicatessen and Restaurant -
The Carnegie Deli opened in 1937 and is adjacent to Carnegie Hall. The deli is among the most visited restaurants in the city and was called the "most famous" deli in the United States by USA Today.

The Carnegie Deli offers turkey, corned beef, pastrami and other sandwiches. All of which come with at least a pound of meat. Many even have unique names or are inspired by celebrities. You may be wondering why the portions are so large. That is because it is the restauran's motto that "if you can finish your meal, we've done something wrong."

In addition, the deli is well known for their cheesecakes which come in several flavors. Most notable are the truffle tort cheesecake and the rugelach cheesecake topped with milk chocolate. The deli also carries traditional foods such as borscht and matzoh ball soup.

Carnegie Deli is located 854 Seventh Avenue, between 54th & 55th Streets. If you can't make it out to their New York location, perhaps you can enjoy them in Las Vegas. The deli opened a second location The Mirage Hotel and Casino in 2005.

Usually when we think of cruises, we think of luxurious ships that take us to the balmy Mediterranean or the hotspots of Rome, Paris, and London. Sadly, one of the most beautiful boat rides in Europe is usually overlooked. The Rhine River in Germany is an ancient history lover's paradise, a boater's dream, and a photographer's nirvana. As you glide along the Rhine you will see dozens of medieval castles perched either high on land or situated smack-dab in the middle of the river. If this sounds like the perfect vacation for you and you can't wait a minute longer to start planning, here are some do's and don'ts to remember as you embark upon this fantastic journey.

#1 "Do"

Do bring your camera and plenty of film. If you don't, you'll be forced to store all the terrific scenery in your mind and that can be hard to conjure up in the coming years. Take a camera case, extra batteries, a memory card if you have a digital, lens wipes, and film if it's a 35mm. Protect your camera from water damage. Check how many pictures can fit onto a memory card and don't plan to take more than that amount. If you have a 35mm camera, you might want to find a kiosk at a visitor center or gift shop that develops film. It this doesn't seem safe, you can always wait until you get back to have film developed, but there are too many possibilities of mishaps along the way in my opinion.

#2 "Do"

Do keep in mind that some of us aren't cut out for water travel, so if even gentle rides leave you feeling woozy, you'll want to bring medication and take special precautions. If you are sensitive to temperature changes see if the tour boat in question has a lower deck or an inside observation area. If you want to sit in a choice spot like the front row on the top deck, try to get there first (and find out if you need any special reservations). If you've never had any problems with seasickness or temperature changes, there's nothing to fear.

#3 "Do"

Do try to research a bit before traveling the Rhine River Valley. If you are like me and love history, you will want to know exactly what you are seeing. Since the tour guide will probably be unable to point out every castle's detailed history as you sail along, you might want to memorize some info beforehand. You may want to keep a list of each castle's information and a short description so you can match up the pictures when you get home.


And now for the don'ts . . . though no horrible tragedy will befall anyone who misses these rules of thumb, it's still a good idea to be prepared and read through certain precautions visitors should take.


#1 "Don't"

Don't think you can see everything in the Rhine River region in a day. Sure, a cruise can show you all or almost all of the castles, but then you would miss the often picturesque villages situated nearby, but not visible from the water. Try to find out what's in the area after you take your cruise and are back on dry land. There is more to this region than pretty scenery. Some castles offer other services, such as Castle Liebenstein, which now boasts dining and lodging. I am sure I speak for many travel enthuasiasts (and those of German ancestry) when I say there is nothing more romantic than spending a night in a medieval castle along the Rhine River.

#2 "Don't"

Don't leave without visiting at least one of the these castles in person. Germany's woodland and medieval scenery makes it one of the most quaint and beautiful European countries and every inch should be explored. Since this is impossible, research will again come in handy. Decide which villages have the most appeal. If you are cruising along and see a castle that is of particular interest to you, it will help to have a list that tells you if you can actually visit it. If you get excited about seeing a certain fortress and it isn't open to the public, it's a huge let-down.

#3 "Don't"

Don't pack for your cruise without being prepared. Weather in Germany is not known to be particularly warm and pleasant, and you will want to be bundled up, especially in the winter months. If you are planning to stand out on deck for hours, this is very important. Make sure your camera equipment and any other electronic devices are kept safe from ice, snow, water spray, or intense cold.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

Shoving my way around sweaty Afghan men and making my way to the customs counter at Kabul International Airport, I wondered what the hell I was doing there. Yes, it was by choice that I was spending my 10-day vacation in Kabul.

As I write this, and even during my March 2006 trip, the U.S. State Department warns U.S. citizens against traveling to Afghanistan. They warn that U.S. citizens continue to be kidnapping and assassination targets.

During my visit, I experienced nothing but kindness and curiosity from the Afghan people. It was because I was welcomed as a guest rather than seen as a disrespectful occupier. As a woman, I respected the Afghan culture by wearing conservative clothing such as loose fitting pants, keeping the area between my waist and knees covered with a sweater or coat and covering my hair with a scarf. I learned, "salam," for "hello," and "ta-shar-koor," for "thank you."

Years of war and poverty drape the Kabul streets. Bombed out buildings and utility poles riddled with bullet holes can be seen at every turn. Beggars - women in dingy blue burquas, children wearing clothing a size too small and men injured by landmines - canvas the street. Open sewers run parallel to the streets and trash is tossed in roadways for children to pick through.

So why would anyone want to visit? Curiosity led me there. I was reading Khaled Hosseini’s novel, "The Kite Runner," when I heard about Global Exchange's Reality Tours (www.globalexchange.org). The organization is a California-based human rights group. The book is about a boy who lived in a pre-Soviet Kabul and who returns as a man during the Taliban occupation.

The purpose behind Global Exchange's tours is to provide education, fun and positively influence the international community through travel. This particular trip focused on women making change in a post-Taliban society. It included meeting with government and non-government agencies as well as touring Kabul's tourist sites. This was the perfect trip for me - structure but freedom to mingle with the locals and experience the culture.

The Taliban reigned in terror between 1996 and 2001. During that time, women were required to be hidden and could not work. Girls could not attend school. In public, women needed to wear a burqa, a full-length covering hiding the body’s shape and face. [Note: Women are no longer required to wear burqas, but many still do]. Men could not shave. Artwork depicting human faces or animals, including photographs, were prohibited.

Fast forward to March 2006, about five years following the U.S-led invasion into Afghanistan. Twelve curious minds participated on this trip to Kabul. Global Exchange has an Afghan-based native organizing and coordinating logistics there.

The trip included meetings with organizations such as the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Afghan Human Rights Organization, Afghan National Gallery and other government officials. We met with a group that provides services to street working children (ASCHIANA) and several groups working to empower women financially and emotionally. These include Afghans4Tomorrow, focusing on educating girls and young women through building schools; PARWAZ, providing opportunities to build micro businesses; and Women for Women International: giving women vocational training.

Between meetings were visits to some of the attractions. Yes, tourists are returning to Kabul. In fact, the Afghanistan government has an active Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism that has been exhibiting at international tourism fairs. In 2005, Afghanistan’s Tourism Office estimated that 2,200 tourists visited the country.

The Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) Mine Museum was informative. On display were 51 different kinds of explosives made in more than 25 countries used in Afghanistan over the years. There was also an overview on what OMAR is doing to increase mine awareness among the Afghan people. Due to a high illiteracy rate, (the Ministry of Women's Affairs estimates an 86% illiteracy rate among Afghan women), the most effective education is training individuals to visit each village and educate as many people as possible. Also learned that all of the green flags I had seen in and around Kabul marked where civilians were killed in some violent way, such as by a suicide car bomb or knife.

The Afghan National Gallery re-opened in 2003 after it was closed during the Taliban. While in power, the Taliban destroyed anything with a human face or depicting animals. The gallery director, Sayed Abdul Fatah, realized precious artworks would be destroyed so he asked artists to paint landscape scenes in watercolor over the paintings, to save them. Those paintings not saved by the artists were destroyed, about 400 pieces. Today, the gallery contains a mix of artwork, primarily paintings, by Afghan artists and others donated by artists throughout the world. These are identified as "Foreigner" in the artist’s name field next to the painting's title.

The Kabul Museum is a historical museum comprised of statues and artifacts from pre-twentieth century Central Asia. Seventy percent of the original collection is gone, due to looting over the years and the rest destroyed by the Taliban. Following a two-year renovation, the museum is open and a few displays are available for viewing. Seeing the museum staff working on restoring pieces was interesting. On tables, chunks of the stone statues are pieced together and cemented. It's a long, tedious process, but these Museum caregivers are determined to restore what the Taliban smashed.

Across the street from the Kabul Museum is the Darulaman Palace. This magnificent mansion was probably glorious in its day. It was built in the 1920s by King Amanullah and royalty lived in it, then occupied by government agencies. But, like so many other buildings in Kabul, beginning in 1992, it fell victim to war. Today, it sits empty with bullet holes and bombed out sections. Pieces of the roof flap in the wind. A fence with loops of barbed wire circles the palace and photos can only be taken with permission of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) officials (which operates under the United Nations), who guard the facility.

Another must-see in Kabul is Babur Shah Gardens. Walking through the garden and seeing its lushness, it's difficult to believe this is in Kabul. The six-hectare, walled garden is a sanctuary. Rows of shrubs, trees and flowers were beginning to bloom. A tiny greenhouse was full of geraniums. The tomb of Babur Shah, king when the gardens were built in the 16th century, rests at the top of the hill. A small, white marble mosque, also built in the 16th century, sits below the tomb.

Not necessarily an attraction, but another must-do is visit the Kabul Beauty School and Oasis Salon. Following the incidents of September 11, 2001, Michigan hairdresser Debbie Rodriguez felt compelled to help with recovery efforts at Ground Zero. She worked alongside military personnel, who were later deployed to Afghanistan. She followed her newfound friends to Kabul, but they didn’t have use for a hairdresser. She did odd jobs to earn her keep but eventually, her friends realized she provided an invaluable service: a great haircut.

The Afghan hair salons were not familiar with cutting American hair, or that of other foreigners. Seeing a need, she and a few others put together the Kabul Beauty School. Women are trained a skill and upon graduation, receive a haircutting kit, all free.

Working in a beauty salon may seem frivolous, but consider this: the stylist receives cash tips so the husband, or other male figure in her life, does not know how much she brings home. She controls how much she gives her husband. Since Afghanistan is a male-dominated society, a woman cannot be controlled by a man when she has the financial upper-hand.

The stylists at the Oasis Salon are graduates of the Kabul Beauty School. Services available include haircutting, washing, pedicures and massages. Everyone is welcome except Afghan men. It’s believed that Afghan men gossip too much and they would ruin the reputation of the salon.

There is shopping in Kabul. A relaxed environment is the Women's Garden. Only women and children are permitted beyond these walls. Shops sell items from hand-made jewelry to dresses to undergarments. Some of the jewelry is made by women trying to gain financial independence through the non-profit called Women to Women International.

Women feel comfortable in the garden. Most of the burqa-wearing ladies shed them to show their smiling faces. This is where I met with many women and children wanting to practice English. They also wanted their photos taken. They didn't care that they didn't get to keep the photos, they wanted the honor of someone wanting their photos taken.

Another shopping area, and probably the most "touristy" is called Chicken Street. Everything can be found here: Afghan rugs, traditional dresses, beautiful jewelry and other trinkets. The bookseller of Kabul, the inspiration for the book of the same name, is in the vicinity of Chicken Street.

Be prepared for aggressive beggars. I had three "begging burqas" following me, repeating their limited English. One carried a baby with her. They took turns following me into different shops and at times, pulled and tugged at my sleeves.

There is a quiet shopping area by the Embassy of Iran (great wi-fi access, too). No beggars and the shopkeepers are patient. Fine garments created by high-end designer Sara Rahmani can be found at Sara Afghan. The average Afghan probably couldn’t afford one of her pieces, and neither could this American! Most are women's jackets and dresses made of fine silk.

Most signs are in English and merchants can speak enough English to get by. Always haggle with the shopkeeper and never accept the first offer. U.S. dollars are the preferred currency and are accepted in most restaurants, too.

There are a handful of restaurants in Kabul. I have to believe we ate at some of the finest ones: Shandiz-Kabol, Haji Baba, Marco Polo and Rose Restaurant. Meals were usually the same: lamb, rice, some cooked vegetables, yogurt and bottled water or canned soda. I stayed away from chicken products and non-cooked vegetables and ate only peeled fruit.

First-class hotels have made their way to Afghanistan. The Kabul Serena Hotel opened within the year, offering luxurious accommodations and services. There are multiple guesthouses fit for travelers, too. Our group stayed at a guesthouse managed by Afghans4Tomorrow, where breakfast and dinner were provided daily. Sleeping accommodations (and two bathrooms) were shared, yet comfortable. Bed linens and towels are provided, but I'd recommend bringing a sleeping bag and towel.

Electricity was shut off at night, which meant no hot water or heat. The upstairs bathroom was the warmest spot in the house, when the wood burning stove was lit. The stove provided hot water for creative bathing.

The guesthouse was fairly new, compared to the other houses in the neighborhood. Not far down the road, families lived in homes which were bombed out. Chickens ran around the mud floor of the living room. I woke up each morning to the Islamic call to prayer from the mosque down the road.

During the day, the streets of Kabul are crowded with overloaded cars and vans, honking horns at each other and disobeying the traffic cops. People randomly walked into traffic, hoping cars will stop for them. Sometimes the cars stopped, sometimes they didn't. With a high unemployment rate, I often wondered where people were going.

When night fell, the streets went quiet. It was rare to see another car on the road at 8 p.m. It seemed as though the only ones out were check-point officials.

Getting to Kabul was relatively easy. I flew on one of the two airlines servicing Kabul from Dubai, Ariana Afghan Airlines. Kam Air is the other carrier. Ariana is sometimes called, "Scari-ana," and the U.S. government prefers that their personnel do not fly the airline. I was a bit nervous at first, but Ariana safely delivered and returned me to Dubai and many contractors were on the flights. In fact, an international news crew were on the return flight.

It's a good idea to be up to date on Hepatitis A & B shots, along with Tetanus. It's also smart to take the doctor-prescribed antimalaria medicine and carry the antibiotic Cipro to ward off any diarrhea. I was careful with what I ate and kept hand sanitizer attached to my backpack. I didn't get sick.

The trip to Kabul was an informative, yet exhaustive one. I'm not sure if I would return to Afghanistan on my own, or if it's a smart thing to do for a solo, woman traveler. I usually felt safe during the time with my group and on my own. But the images and conversations with the Afghan people continue to haunt me. Somewhere down the road, I may be compelled to see how this country has changed.

-By JA Huber

By Simon Woodhouse

A bach, for those of you who don't know (and that included me before I moved to New Zealand) is a small, one or two bedroom holiday home. The word bach is a shortened version of bachelor. Back in the day, single men often used to go on prolonged hunting and fishing trips into the more rural parts of New Zealand. Whilst out in the bush they needed a retreat to return to each evening, something not too flash but enough to keep the rain off their heads, and thus the bach was born.

Over the years the role and location of the bach has changed. As the single man grew up, had a family, and spent less time out in the bush killing things for fun, he started to take the wife and the children to the bach for weekend breaks. As beach life is important to people in New Zealand, baches started to pop up all around the coast. Still built in the traditional fashion, which is typically a single-storey, wooden structure, with a large sun deck at the front and sliding doors to let in the sea air, the bach is perfectly suited to being right on the beach front. It's a place from where the children can spend hours doing whatever it is children do on beaches, and adults can kick back whilst making sure the offspring don't get up to anything they shouldn't.

The bach holiday is relatively cheap, convenient, and encourages the whole family to get out into the fresh air. And if Dad gets bored of sitting around doing nothing, he can always spend a couple of hours on little bits of DIY. This is where the real charm of the bach comes to the fore. Maintained by the owner, usually on a budget, baches have a homemade look about them. They're quaint, small, homely places filled with mismatching bits of furniture, second hand appliances, and anything that's too tatty to be kept at home but too good to throw away. But that just adds to the atmosphere. Baches aren't supposed to be five-star hotels. They're all about slowing down the pace of life, sitting on the deck, staring at the view, listening to the sound of the sea or the wind in the trees. Baches are best when they don't have a satellite dish, or a broadband Internet connection, or a home theatre system.

My first experience of life in New Zealand came in the form of a bach. I needed a cheap place to stay, but also somewhere within half an hours drive of Auckland (the largest city in NZ). At the same time I wanted to experience what I hoped would be a piece of New Zealand life off the beaten track. Before I left the UK I booked a bach in a small town called Stillwater, which is about thirty kilometres north of Auckland. The flight from England took approximately twenty-four hours, with a one-hour stopover in Hong Kong. When I arrived in New Zealand (bleary eyed from the flight) I hired a car at Auckland airport, and following directions provided by the owner of the bach, headed north.

Stillwater certainly turned out to be off the beaten track, with no shops and not even a public phone box. Access to the bach was via a driveway so steep I thought the hire car was going to give up. In typical, down to earth New Zealand fashion, I found the key to the front door hidden in the peg bag hanging from the washing line next to the carport. Exhausted after the flight, I went straight to bed and didn't really pay much attention to the bach or its surroundings. It wasn't until the next morning that I realised I'd made a good choice.

Stillwater sits at the mouth of the Weiti River, and it was a view of this waterway that greeted me as I stepped out onto the sun deck early next morning. After having been cramped up in a plane for twenty-four hours plus, looking down on the river and the yachts moored midstream seemed like gazing into paradise. A steep ridge on the other side of the water offered an unspoilt, tree-covered backdrop to the river. As I stood there, cup of tea in hand, I really didn't think there was a nicer place to be in the whole world. Since then I've been to quite a few of the small coastal towns around Auckland, and come to realise most baches offer an experience similar to what I encountered in Stillwater. It's all about the view, the tranquillity, the feeling of being far away from everything noisy and fast.

Since arriving in New Zealand I've not had a chance to take a proper holiday, but when I do, it'll be in a quiet, little bach somewhere well off the beaten track, and surrounded by trees and sand and sea and sunshine.

Visiting San Antonio (Texas)...

Every since someone I used to work with moved to San Antonio, I've wanted to go and visit this unique town. Whether on business or for pleasure, everyone I know who has ever visited San Antonio thoroughly enjoyed it.

From the historical Alamo, to the famed Riverwalk, from its many nearby golf courses to the shops and restaurants, there is something for everyone to do while in the area. In fact, you'll find you didn't have enough time to see it all and do it all. So, you'll just have to go back again.

First, some American history and the Alamo which is the Spanish word for cottonwood. It was originally named the Mision San Antonio de Valero and was home to missionaries and their converts for about 70 years. Building began at its current site in 1724, and, in 1793, Spanish officials distributed land from five missions and gave them to the remaining Indians. These residents continued to work in the fields which were now their own and became part of the San Antonio community. In the 1800's the Spaniards stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. It was called Alamo by the soldiers there- after their hometown Alamo de Parras, Coahuila.
The Alamo was home to the Royalists and the Revolutionaries during Mexico's long struggle for its independence. The military, first Spanish, Rebel and finally Mexican continued to occupy it until the Texas Revolution.

San Antonio and the Alamo were crucial to the Texas Revolution. In December of 1835, both the Texian and Tejano volunteers fought against Mexican troops stationed in the city. After several days of intense house-to-house fighting, General Marin Perfecto de C's and his soldiers surrendered. Victorious, the volunteers then occupied the Alamo -and strengthened its defenses beyond what had been done during the recent battle.

In February of the following year the arrival of General Santa Anna's army almost caught those at the Alamo by surprise. But the volunteers quickly prepared to defend the Alamo. They were able to hold out for 13 days against Santa Anna's army. On the eighth day of the siege, 32 volunteers arrived which brought the number of defenders to almost 200. Legend says with the possibility of more help fading, the Alamo commander made a line in the ground and asked each volunteer willing to continue fighting to step over it; all did with one exception. The volunteers, save one, were ready to pay with their lives if necessary instead of surrendering to General Santa Anna. Two members of the defenders were Davy Crockett, the famed frontiersman, and, the reknown knife fighter, James Bowie. The final assault began minutes before to sunrise on March 6, 1836. The columns of Mexican soldiers came out of the dark, heading for the Alamo's walls. The volunteers, with small arms fire and cannon, beat back attack after attack. However, the Mexican army climbed over the walls and rushed the compound, turning a captured cannon on the Long Barrack and the church, blasting open the barricaded doors. The defenders were then overwhelmed, and, by full sunrise, the battle was over and General Santa Anna himself entered the Alamo, enjoying his victory.

The exact facts about the siege of the Alamo is not completely known, but the battle has come to symbolize a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds - a site where man made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Thus, the Alamo is hallowed ground and is the Shrine of Texas Liberty. (For more information and visiting hours, go to thealamo.org.)


The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum is a lot of fun and it's only about 50 feet from the Alamo. You'll see exhibits showcasing 100+ years of Texas history. Play in the arcade and shoot in the shooting gallery. Check out the only Wax Museum of Texas History. Be sure to stop in their gift shop for some unique Texas souvenirs. (For more information, visit them at buckhornmuseum.com.

The Casa Navarro State Historical Park is very interesting. It showcases the furnished house, the home, and the store of Jose Antonio Navarro, a state legislator, who served under Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and, finally, the United States. He lived from 1795-1871. It depicts Texas' rich Mexican heritage. The exhibits are only open to the public a few days a week so check before you go. (Contact them at tpwd.tx.us/park/jose.)

If children are traveling with you, the Fiesta Farm is fun. It has a petting zoo, hay rides, pony rides and a large sand box. It has plenty of shade and a big barn that's warm on those chilly Texas days. However, it's only open to the public a couple of days a week, so check it out before you go. (Their website is fiestafarmLC.com.)

Aztec on the River is the Riverwalk's newest attraction. It's a movie house circa 1926, completely restored and with a Mighty Wurlitzer Organ as one of its main features. Every 90 minutes there is a complimentary million-dollar special effects show, a giant screen with surround sound and interesting shops and dining areas. (Visit aztecontheriver.com for more details.)

And, now! San Antonio's world famous, Riverwalk. This is the # 1 tourist destination in all of Texas! It's here where you'll want to spend quite a bit of time. You might even choose to stay at a hotel in the area. Although it's rich heritage started in the mid 1500's, the Riverwalk as we know it today, probably began in 1936 when a local businessmen's association held, "A Venetian Night," on the river, making it the first of many more parades to come to be held on the river. A few years later, local residents started pushing for development of the river area. But, it wasn't until 1941 before another significant event was held; on March 14 a night parade and river carnival took place. Finally, in 1945, funding was approved for extending the Riverwalk from the northern end of the loop all the way to the future Tropicano Hotel location. The following year floodwaters deluged downtown San Antonio but damage was minimized by the dam and bypass channel. In 1946 that the first dining spot in the river bend opened, the Casa Rio Restaurant. In the early 1950's the river was "straightened out" and more development began - the botanical garden was added in 1956. Park ranger service was added a year later and more people began to visit the area. The first hotel was in 1962, El Tropicano. At this time the area became known as Paseo del Rio and more shops and restaurants joined the original hotel.

Today, there are literally dozens of hotels, hundreds of eateries, bars, and spas, and boutique shops galore. There is a library, the convention center and the Civic Center Plaza. There are lots of special events and festivals held every year. In the next few months, there will be a "Ford Canoe Challenge" (90+ canoe teams compete in timed heats), an arts and craft show over Labor Day Week-end with another one, and the annual fall show, coming in October. The DOS EQUIS Pachanga del Rio occurs in mid September where visitors purchase tickets to sample culinary delights from over 20 Riverwalk establishments. And, every October brings the "Coffins on Parade," where Halloween themed boats with coffins will float down the river on a dark and spooky night. (This event is free to the public.) Late November brings the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony where over 100,000 twinkling lights form a fairylike canopy over the Riverwalk. These are just some of the events held every year.

In addition to special events, you'll want to take some time to shop and have a meal or two at the local eateries. I'd suggest a boat ride, provided by Rio San Antonio Cruises so you can see the entire Riverwalk and pick the places you'd like to go back to. There are three places on the river to buy tickets and the narrated trip takes about 30 - 35 minutes. There are also river taxi shuttles, and restaurants, which offer boat cruises with a meal included. There is also a special place to get married right on the Riverwalk itself. (For more information on all Riverwalk activities, go to sanantonioriverwalk.com)

The San Antonio Crowne Plaza Hotel is a AAA 4-Diamond hotel located right on the Riverwalk. There is a complete gym, swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool, business center, and a gift shop located on the premises. A pub with all the sports action, and an upscale restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Your small pet (under 30 pounds) is invited to join you during stay. There is a daily parking fee and a valet parking charge. There have plenty of banquet facilities for weddings and other special celebrations and meeting space available for conferences. (See their website at ichotelsgroup.com)

Another hotel on Riverwalk, is the Holiday Inn San Antonio. Its location is perfect for walking to many of the city sights - the Alamo, El Mercado, a large shopping mall, and other attractions. From its three-level restaurant, Windows on the River, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the Riverwalk. A room high up in the tower will offer wonderful views of the area. There is a pool, gym, game room, restaurant, lounge and a business center. Free high-speed internet access is available in all rooms and your furry friends may join you at this hotel. There is also a children's activity program. There is a daily parking fee here also. (Please ichotelsgroup.com for more information.)

The Yellow Rose is a charming Bed and Breakfast located in the King William District of downtown San Antonio. It's only two blocks away from the Riverwalk and a trolley stop. Each of their spacious rooms has a private entrances, porch, private bathroom, queen beds with feather toppers, cable TV and the normal hotel amenities. They have packages available with and without breakfast. (Check out their rates and various packages at ayellowrose.com.)

There are many other hotels, motels, and B & B's in San Antonio. They range from the very expensive to modest motels. There are also nearby campsites including a KOA camp on Gemble Road. This campground is located by a creek amid 40 acres of pecan trees. Only five miles from downtown, city buses will take you into the city itself. There are also city tours leaving right from this location.

If breakfast and/or brunch is your favorite meal, here are a couple of local spots to try out while you're there. Named the 2006 "Best Breakfast in San Antonio," is the Magnolia Pancake Haus on West Avenue. Reviewers say "it's an awesome spot for breakfast or lunch." Wait time on the weekends can reach up to an hour. El Mirador is in the King William District on S. St. Mary's Street. One of their favorite dishes with the locals is their fruit tacos which you'll find served with the Sunday brunch. Their soups are especially good, with Sopa Azteca being the most popular. . (Make reservations at 210-225-9444.)

For steak lovers, of course, there is Morton's of San Antonio, only a block from the Alamo. It doesn't get much better than Morton's. (For reservations, visit mortons.com.) Another very good choice is Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar on Basse Road. If you're really hungry, this is where you can get a 40-ounce Porterhouse steak. Veal, lamb, pork, fresh seafood and salads are also available. Be sure to check out their wine list - Wine Spectator recently (2006) honored them with 32 "Awards of Excellence." (Visit their website at flemingssteahouse.com.)
If you enjoy tea, head on over to the Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe and sample one of their 50+ varieties of tea. This rather quirky cafe serves granola bowls, French pastries, eggs benedict and strawberry topped English muffins. (Check out their hours by calling 210-212-4832.)

I've not mentioned all of the other activities in the area - golfing, water sports, hiking, whitewater rafting, visiting the Six Flags Theme Park, etc. You'll want to return again and again to this wonderful area.

Have a great trip!

By Simon Woodhouse

In recent years, New Zealand's profile as a holiday destination has definitely gone up a couple of notches. But when people think of NZ they usually picture mountain ranges, beautiful rolling countryside, and large swathes of unspoilt greenness. There certainly is that down here, and lots of it too, but there's also a modern metropolis in the form of Auckland.

Contemporary cityscapes might not have the grandiose atmosphere of places like London, Paris, and Rome, but nonetheless there is something appealing about a modern skyline. Auckland has this, but it also has something else breaking up the horizon - volcanic cones. These make excellent vantage points from which to view the city. Some of them, like One Tree Hill (name checked on U2's Joshua Tree album) and Mountain Eden are tourist attractions in their own right. For an even more spectacular view of Auckland and its surroundings, there's the observation deck on the Sky Tower. At three hundred and twenty eight metres, it's the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere and offers views of up to eighty kilometres in all directions. It's also good for bungy jumping (if you like that sort of thing).

Water plays a large part in the layout of Auckland, built as it is around the Waitemata Harbour. This deep-water port leads out to the Hauraki Gulf and another of Auckland's well-known landmarks. Rangitoto Island is the vent of a dormant volcano that only blew its top about six hundred years ago. Now covered by pohutukawa trees, the cone still has a very distinct volcanic shape and makes a really good photo opportunity at sunrise.

Beaches form a large part of life in Auckland, and there are twenty-eight dotted around the city. Mission Bay in the eastern suburbs is one of the most well known, from where you can look back over the harbour and watch the sun setting behind the distant Waitakere Ranges. Also on the eastern side of the city is the Auckland Domain, a large, well-tended park that houses the city's museum.

On the other side of the harbour, the North Shore offers a different perspective on the city. More volcanic cones dot the landscape here, and the one at North Head makes for a good spot to take in the harbour with the city skyline as a backdrop. The Harbour Bridge connects north and south (more bungy jumping here), but the water can also be crossed by ferry. Devonport, Takapuna, Brown's Bay, and Long Bay are just a few of the beaches on the North Shore. They're all gently sloping, sandy, and not a bad place to be at anytime of day.

Eating out in Auckland is nearly always an informal thing. The Viaduct Basin on the waterfront, and the suburb of Ponsonby further back inland, both have lots of street side cafes and restaurants. Going out for breakfast is a popular pastime in Auckland, and nearly all of the eateries cater for this time of day, as well as lunch and dinner. If shopping is important to you (can't see the appeal myself), then Queen Street in the city centre, or the district of Newmarket should keep you happy. But on the odd occasion when I feel inclined toward that sort of thing, I go to Victoria Park Market. Located in the shadow of the Sky Tower, but easy to spot by the forty-metre chimney that reaches up above it, the market is housed within what used to be a garbage-fuelled power station (don't worry, it stopped doing anything like that in 1981). Small knick-knack shops are the order of the day here, and it's a really good place to pick up souvenirs a lot cheaper than they are in Queen Street.

If you feel like getting out of the city, heading west is a good way to go. The Waitakere Ranges are a national park about thirty minutes drive from the Central Business District. The visitors centre here sits on a ridge that offers a view right the way back to the Sky Tower and Rangitoto. Relatively unspoilt, the ranges are covered by thick forest that leads all the way to the coast of the Tasman Sea. Surfing is big here. KareKare and Piha beaches provide big waves and spectacular scenery. The steep cliffs, big surf, and bracing wind make the west coast particularly appealing in the winter.

In a country known primarily for its natural scenery, it's easy to see Auckland as just an airport. Of course I might be a bit biased, after all I do live here, but I think the city has plenty to offer as a holiday destination in its own right, or failing that, it makes a great base from which to recover from a long haul flight, or prepare yourself for the trip home.

The Thousand Islands are a gem of a tourist district that is located between upstate New York and Southern Ontario, Canada. Formed many years ago floods after the ice age covered most of North America. The Thousand Islands are found in the heart of the St. Lawrence River and contain both small and larger islands that number over 1,000. The St Lawrence River at this point was so wide with so many islands, it was known as Lake of Thousand Islands many years ago when first discovered. These islands are found by visiting upstate New York or south eastern Ontario. Cities such as Kingston and Belleville in Ontario, Waddington and Massena, NY touch the St. Lawrence River and have boats tours available for everyone in order to view the islands in the river.

You can venture out on a one, one and a half, two and three hour tours to view the islands, it just depends on how much time and money you are willing to spend. Some tours will offer meals, some will not. These tours will show you such things as a tiny island with a cottage on it; the cottage that is in both the United States and Canada (found right in the middle of the dividing line between the two countries); Hart Island and Dark Island. These different tours are definitely worth the time and money.

Some tours will stop at Hart Island. This island is unique due to the castle that is built on it. Over six floors tall, complete with an indoor swimming pool and one hundred and twenty rooms, the castle was built by George Boldt for his bride, Louise. Work began on the castle in 1900 and much of the supplies to build the castle were brought over on the thick ice. Singer Castle is another must see. Located on Dark Island, the castle was built in 1905 by the Bourne Family and remained in their position until the late 1960s and though not as large as Boldt Castle, it is still something to see and experience. Both of these castles offer tours (for an extra fee) and the sightseeing boat tours will stop at them and allow you to get off for a time.

On the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands, boat tours can be accessed by through cities such as Gananoque, Belleville and Kingston. Gananoque is one of the major points of interest for the Thousand Islands and offers a lot to do and see. Along with boat tours, the town boasts many prime hotels and motels and if you are like me, SHOPPING! The town also offers a great charity casino that you can spend some time and perhaps some money at. Gananoque is also accessible from the United States via the Thousand Island Bridge.

Not only can you take boat tours, you can use your own boat. How about a day of fishing in and around the Thousand Islands? In the waters around the Islands you will find a wide variety of sports fish from large muskies to all sorts of panfish like crappies and perch. Marinas are positioned up and down the Canadian coastline in cities like Gananoque, Kingston and Belleville and offer ice, gas, charts and maps, groceries and anything else you will need for your boat trip. This area is also a great area to observe the large ships that may be carrying loads such as grain or iron ore that come through, making their way to ports east

Want to get away from the water for a day? Why not visit the train museum. The Smith Falls Railway Museum of Eastern Ontario is located in Smith Falls, Ontario and is just a short jaunt north of Gananoque. If you are visiting the Thousand Islands from the American side, you might also consider visiting the Stone Mills Agricultural Museum located in Stone Mills, NY

Located along the St. Lawrence is also a sky deck (in Kingston) that you can view the Islands from or spend a day visiting historic Fort Henry, a major fort during the War of 1812 or spend some time visiting the Hershey’s Visitor Centre and take home some tasty treats. Another treat you might consider is to visit the St. Lawrence Islands National Park. While the smallest of the Canadian national parks, it is definitely time well spent with its kayaking, canoeing and bike trails with in the park itself.

For something a little different, you might want to try a bike tour along the St. Lawrence River. These cities offer a 37 km trail that runs parallel to the 1000 Islands Parkway between Gananoque and Brockville and forms a section of the Waterfront Trail. This trail is free to ride and is enjoyed by many during the spring, summer and fall. Bike tours can be guided or self guided but a great way to see the country side.
No matter if you come for a day or a week, as the saying goes in and around the Thousand Islands is that there are always a thousand things to do while visiting the thousand islands!

By Brandi M. Seals

Tucked away in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains is the city of Asheville North Carolina. It is home to the University of North Carolina and several must-see attractions.

First and foremost on the list of things to see and do is America's largest home, the Biltmore. The Biltmore Estate was created by George Vanderbilt over a century ago as a retreat for his family and friends. Today anyone can explore Biltmore House. It is a 250-room chateau-inspired mansion filled with art and antiques.

Visitors to the estate pay one fee and can take a self-guided tour of the home, stroll through magnificent gardens designed by America's first landscape architect. They can taste wines at the 21-year-old winery or otherwise enjoy the forests, farmlands, and rivers located on the 8000 acre estate. For more information call 800-543-2961 or visit them online at Biltmore.com

After touring the Biltmore Estate why not take a scenic train ride? The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad (GSMR.com) provides year-round train rides through in the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests will cross valleys, go through tunnels and transverse river gorges. There are many wonderful excursions to choose from. Trains leave from Bryson and Dillsboro, which are approximately an hour west of Asheville. Call 1-800-872-4681 for more details.

Perhaps swing by Chimney Rock Park. The Park, located 25 miles southeast of Asheville, offers breathtaking 75-mile views, hiking trails for all ages, and a 404-foot waterfall. No visitor can resist going to the top of Chimney Rock. It is from here that that the amazing 75-mile views may be seen. Visitors can get to the top of Chimney Rock in about 20 minutes by taking the Outcroppings Trail. Or, they can take a 26-story elevator to the top in about 30 seconds

Chimney Rock Park also features Hickory Nut Falls. A.75-mile trail meant for a leisurely stroll leads up to falls. The trail is surrounded by a hardwood forests that includes rare wildflowers, birds and much more. Hickory Nut Falls showcases water tumbling down an amazing 404 foot drop.

Admission to the park runs $14 for adults and $6 for those 6 to 15. Children under 6 are admitted free. Call 828-625-9611 to set up your visit today.

Have a desire to swing high up in the sky? Stop by Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain features the Mile High Swinging Bridge. It was built in 1952 to give visitor's access to the breath-taking view the mountain's Linville Peak. The bridge is high though it is not actually a mile above the ground. The 228-foot suspension bridge spans an 80-foot chasm and sits above a mile in elevation.

The bridge is easy to access. It only requires climbing 50 steps to reach the Swinging Bridge. Grandfather Mountain is a recognized nature preserve with 12 miles hiking trails. It is open year-round and located at US 221 and the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville. Admission is $14 for adults and $6 for the 4-12 year-old crowd. Those under 4 are admitted free. Call 800-468-7325 for more details.

Near Grandfather Mountain, sits the Linville Caverns. Carved deep beneath Humpback Mountain, these caverns were created by nature. For centuries, slowly moving water has been the creating a maze of underground rooms and passages. Amazingly, the caverns were first discovered in the 1800's by men who were mystified by the sight of fish swimming out of the mountain. Admission to see this spectacular sight range from $4 for youngens to $6 for adults. Call 800-419-0540 for more information.

Those with a more morbid disposition may find it worth while to visit the Riverside Cemetery. The Asheville cemetery dates to 1885 and is the last resting place for more 13,000 people. Among those buried at Riverside Cemetery are authors Thomas Wolfe and O Henry.

Get a rush going down a natural 60-foot waterslide. More than 11,000 gallons of water rushes down the rocks every minute and empties into a six-foot-deep pool of cool mountain water. Sliding Rock is open all year but the bathrooms and changing rooms are only open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Lifeguards are also only on-duty during this short period. For admittance to Sliding Rock visitors must pay a nominal fee.

To get to Sliding Rock head north on US 276. Approximately 8 miles north of the US 276 and US 64 junction in Pisgah Forest you will see signs directing you to the Sliding Rock recreation area parking lot on the left

One of the most famous names in Germany's Christian history is undoubtedly Doctor Martin Luther. Whether he is a spiritual leader or just a person of interest to you, you may want to consider visiting Luther's homeland in Germany and seeing the places where the birth pangs of the Reformation occurred. Wittenberg is a beautiful old town, and one with many things to see and explore. For those who like history, architecture, famous people, or scenery (or all four), Wittenberg is definitely a great choice for the aspiring traveler.

One of your first stops should be Castle Church; this is the place where Martin Luther posted the famous paper known as the 95 Theses (edicts and belief systems he believed needed to be cleansed within the Catholic Church). The few people who could read the Latin of the day spread the word, and others began making copies on Germany's new printing presses and getting the message of the Reformation swiftly across the European front. Castle Church (known in German as Schlosskirche, which means Castle Church) is valued for more than the 95 Theses, of course. Its appearance is stunning, with its huge walls and high medieval towers. Rivaling many other churches in Europe for its architecture, the Castle Church is a great place to soak up the history of Wittenberg. You will probably read that the current church door is not the same one on which the Theses once hung; fire destroyed what may have been the most historic door in Europe, and it was replaced.

Check out the Rathaus; no, it's not a place where rats have a party, but rather a government construction that should not be missed when traveling in the region of Saxony-Anhalt. The stunning architectural elements make it one of the city's most beautiful buildings, but then again, most of Wittenberg's houses have a touch of beauty. Anywhere you walk in the main part of the city you should be able to find the tall, thin, many-storied houses that Germany is famous for. At times you may even find them in unique colors like coral or yellow. One particular word would describe Wittenberg very well: charming. If you are traveling in the square you will see a stately Martin Luther statue calming regarding the city. It seems fitting that he looks over the place he once called home. Philipp Melanchthon, Luther's colleague in Germany's troubled Reformation era, also stands over the square, immortalized in bronze statuary.

Since Martin Luther was an Augustinian monk before breaking from the monastery and trying to reform the Church, it seems eerily fitting that the home where he spent much of his married life was a former cloister. One of the first views you will see of the Black Cloister is of a gothic-looking building that in some places resembles a church, sporting many windows. The building has a severe yet graceful effect. It was constructed in the early 1500s but when the religious community went elsewhere, Martin Luther and his wife Katharina von Bora were allowed to take up residence in the building. Here they raised their children. You might want to take notes of certain odd little things you will see at Lutherhaus (or Lutherhalle, depending on where you look). For one thing, one of the towers has a small but gilded clock as a decoration. You will also notice oddly shaped windows and even dormer-style windows peeking out from the roof.

Another religious side-trip that should not be missed is the Stadtkirche. "Stadtkirche" is German for City Church. Its proper title is Marienskirche and it was named for St. Mary. Although the majority of the current structure is from the late 15th century, certain parts were built during the Middle Ages in the 1200s and 1300s; thus, there are no other buildings in Wittenberg that can claim such a long time span. The entrance to Stadtkirche is made of stone, soaring and ominous. Twin towers connect a middle span of stone where visitors enter Wittenberg's most historic church. Coincidentally, Martin Luther's favorite place to share his sermons was probably within these very walls. Inside the church you will find simple pews contrasted with huge vaulted archways, beautiful artwork, and probably many other visitors appreciating this chunk of Germany's history. Try to visit at a time when it doesn't seem there will be many people, so you can properly soak in the ambiance.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

Surrounded by the majestic mountains of Acadia National Park and the Atlantic Ocean, is the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. From the rocky coast and towering granite cliffs, Bar Harbor has welcomed tourists for over a century.

The road leading into Bar Harbor itself is stone walled and lined with trees. There is a wide selection of things to do and see. Dining, accommodations, and shopping exist for every price range.

Many attractions are very close to the town of Bar Harbor. The main part of Arcadia National Park, the Schoodic Peninsula, Campobello Island and the summer home of President Franklin Roosevelt are all with a short driving distance.

For many years this town was just a quiet resort. Today, it bustles with summer visitors, tourists coming to view the colorful fall foliage, and/or people coming to enjoy its spectacular winter wonderland.

Abundant, fresh seafood is a mainstay for the area's restaurants. Have an al fresco lunch or Sunday brunch under the Maine sun, enjoy a leisurely evening in a romantic restaurant after playing "tourist" for the day, or grab it on the run. The Downeast restaurant sign says it all - "Come on in and eat, or we'll both starve."

You won't be bored while you're there. In addition, to relaxing and shopping, there is whale watching, sailing, kayaking, hiking and biking. Or, enjoy a free tour and tastings at the Atlantic Brewing Company. It's built on a 10-acre estate going back to the 1870's. (Visit www.Atlanticbrewingcompany.com for more details.)

While you're there, visit the historic St. Saviour's Episcopal Parish. At noon every Wednesday, and Friday, and, on Sunday following the 10am service, tours are given of the church and its famous stained glass windows. The windows are Tiffany, English glass and Italian stone work. The tours are free but please call to register and confirm times. The local number is 288-4215.

The Abbe Museum is worth a visit. It's actually now two museums, one downtown and one in Acadia National Park. At both sites you'll find dynamic exhibitions and activities of the history and cultures of Maine's Native people the Wabanaki. Visit abbemuseum.org for more details.

Mid July is the time for their annual music festival which has been going on for over 40 years. Variety is key to this festival and every year, music is performed at a variety of local venues and you'll find a list of performances from opera to string quartets and everything in between. A performance might be held at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church, at the Blackwoods Campground Amphitheatre in the nearby Acadia National Park or the art-deco Criterion Theatre in downtown Bar Harbor. If you plan to go, make reservations way in advance. For more information, go to barharbormusicfestival.org

One of the best places to stay is the Bar Harbor Manor, nestled on two acres right in the heart of town. There are five historic homes and a hotel and they create a village within Bar Harbor. They have over 25 newly remodeled rooms and suites and many come with balconies, fireplaces, whirlpools and kitchens. The surrounding grounds have beautiful gardens and carefully groomed lawns. Their elegant parlor in the Main Inn acts as a meeting room for the guests. From here you're only a short walk away from the Atlantic Ocean, whale watching, shopping and dining. Check out their website at barharbormanor.com.

If you'd like to stay by the ocean, look no further than the Atlantic Oakes Resort, Mansion and Conference Center set on 14 acres of lush gardens and wide expanses of lawn. Here you'll enjoy incredible views of Maine's coastal area. This was once the estate of Sir Harry Oakes, a Klondike billionaire, and is only a mile from the entrance of Acadia National Park and only a few minutes from downtown Bar Harbor. This is also a beautiful site to get married and they can accommodate up to 300 guests. The resort offers tennis courts, both an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tub, a private fishing dock, and a fitness center. There are eight different hotel room buildings on the premises and a delicious seasonal buffet breakfast is offered every morning. Visit barharbor.com for details.

The Bar Harbor Inn & Spa also has an oceanfront location on Frenchwater Bay. Their luxury spa and gym is brand new, having been completed in the spring of 2006. In addition to three buildings, each with a variety of guest rooms, this private estate property is comprised of eight acres of colorful gardens and spacious lawn, plus a ½ mile walk shore path. You'll check in at the elegant lobby at the Main Inn which has several elegantly appointed rooms. There is also the Oceanfront Lodge and all rooms here have a private balcony overlooking the ocean. The rooms in the Newport Building have balconies or patios overlooking the grounds. All rooms' queen or king beds with jetted tubs in the bathroom. There is also a restaurant, the Reading Room, and a lounge on the premises.

The Primirose Inn is a charming B & B which was built in the 1870's. Guests here can enjoy a gourmet breakfast on the wraparound porch, or by the fire in cooler months. Their afternoon tea is just splendid. All rooms have air conditioning, private baths and TVs. If you rent on a weekly basis, breakfast is not included. For more information, visit primroseinn.com

There are many other motels, hotels, B & B's in the area as well as campgrounds. This is a popular tourist area so you'll need to make reservations well in advance of your stay.

Bon voyage!