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The city of Cincinnati has lost much of its tourism economy in recent decades. Much of that loss is well-deserved. The city has done little to attract good tourists, and many people feel frightened there because of the number of panhandlers and the amount of crime. This loss of tourism may have caused many people to miss out on the wonderful parts of the city, however.

Cincinnati is home to some of the best museums in the nation. The Freedom Center, which opened in 2005, is home to a number of exhibits on the Underground Railroad and other parts of the civil rights movement. For the uninitiated, Cincinnati played a vital role in the movement of slaves in the antebellum era. The Ohio River served as the border between free and slave, and many slaves made Cincinnati their freedom destination. This museum has been hailed as one of the most comprehensive resources on civil rights history.

The Cincinnati Zoo consistently ranks among the best in the nation in league with the San Diego Zoo and other well-known animal habitats around the country. The Cincinnati Zoo has train rides, animal rides, and all of the excitement of a major zoo with some pretty neat animals as well. The Krohn Conservatory is a must-see on the list of Cincinnati attractions. This privately owned botanical garden has rooms representing each of the seven continents. Visitors can go into the rooms and see what plants live in Africa or Asia. The Conservatory curators work to provide interesting plant life that you will not find easily in other botanical gardens. The gardens also are home to rooms of bamboo, roses, and other interesting fauna. The best part about the conservatory is that admission is free! While a donation is suggested (and certainly deserved) a family can visit the conservatory for very little money.

While in Cincinnati, taking in a game is a real possibility. Whether it is a Bengals game, the Reds, or the University of Cincinnati basketball team, the Queen City has sports galore, and they are adding more. Two minor-league hockey teams call Cincinnati home in addition to a female football team and several other minor sports franchise. Getting out to see the games will allow you to spend time on the Cincinnati riverfront. While the Ohio River is not the most impressive you will see, it does cut a nice swatch through the city.

It must be said as well that you should venture over to the Kentucky side of Cincinnati if you are in town for a bit of fun and shopping. Technically called Newport, this little part of Cincinnati is quickly growing into the entertainment district of the city. Newport on the Levee is the massive entertainment complex and features a movie theater, retail stores, and a number of high-end restaurants and bars. During the day, families may enjoy the fun of Newport, but in the evenings, it is the happening spot for fun-loving couples and singles to party. The young professional crowd tends to spend a good bit of time in this part of Cincinnati.

Newport also is home to the Newport Aquarium, which has brought in a number of tourists since opening a few years ago. The aquarium features rooms with small tanks filled with various kinds of fish. When you get into the larger part of the aquarium, you will find yourself walking under shark-infested waters and coming face-to-face with other sea life. The aquarium staff holds various special exhibits and presentations throughout the year.

If you are in the Queen City during the spring or summer weekends, you should stop by Findlay Market. An outdoor market, Findlay offers more fresh produce (and at cheaper prices) than you could imagine. You also can get fresh-cut meats there. Plus you can purchase fine cheeses and ready-to-eat food. Local artisans and crafters also sell their wares, which range from beaded jewelry to paintings of the city.

So, the next time you are considering a place to go, check out Cincinnati. You may find that a jazz festival or another wonderful event is happening at just the right time for you to enjoy this city. Just remember to be careful on your visit.

In southeastern part of Asia, there is one traveling destination for wind and wave enthusiasts- Boracay. It is the underwater adventure found in the visayas region of the Philippines. What Boracay is diverse same as the diverse of people who came to visit area will not believe the different activities it can offer aside from swimming and aquatic experience. The following ideas can be your itinerary when you tour and relax in the most visited place in the Philippines.

In boat sailing, you can choose from so many options. Captain Joey the Red Pirate offers snorkeling equipment, even food preparation, sailing boat and the cruise. Dine in the Red Pirates chill out bar with an exotic concept of the bar itself. Relax with little bar can offer, music and purely the perfect scenery of nature. Another sailing vessel to be booked in Nigi nigi's Bar that provides 40-foot yacht Tamarind that has 3 different packages varying in time whose food inclusive to the fee. Sail from one island to another and discover underwater cave in Balinghai.

Souvenirs and one-stop shopping is also a hit in the island, wherein you can find Tiangge, an outdoor commercial stalls and vendors that will assist you. Almost everywhere, you will find souvenir shops from the local handmade to branded items that are affordable, hip and trendy. Find the bikini suit, underwater garments and sarong.

Site seeing of the flying bats at sunset is the main attraction when you get the boat ride into the north side of the island. Bats are part of the ecosystem that exist in Boracay including other endangered species that lives in the mountains and these are monkeys, turtles, birds and these fruit bats. Fruits bats totaled a thousand that slowly lessened due to commercialization and loss preservation. However, stunning sights of these undomesticated exotic bats are still breathtaking.

Afterwards, a boat ride going to Bolabog beach will untangled your love for butterflies for they offer a little garden. A little lesson on how the life cycle of the butterflies with the assistance of the accommodating couple that are pleased to tour you around. In addition, Bolabog beach is famous for its Kite boarding where the Ocean Republic provides equipment for kiting. Friendly people will assist you on getting started with kite boarding. It is a fun way to take outdoor activities and sweat under the sun or get the even gold tan. What is amazing with kite boarding is it releases that good energy and playfulness in you.

Another outdoor activity wherein you can watch or participate is the horse back riding at Boracay Horse riding stables. You can take horse riding in solo or with accompanied expert to help you all the way which opens from 6 in the morning till 6 pm. Only you will get to pay in dollars approximately 10$ for an hour ride, having it is quite an experience especially if you have not done this activity.

At the end of the day, after a tiring outdoor and heat of the sun a standby massage parlor will cater to rejuvenate your body. A spa is the most convenient for you. Many Filipino blind people get these jobs and a lot are satisfied to their service. Choose different services such as Swedish massage, shiatsu, and acupressure for a very reasonable price. It is most convenient if you get the massage in the evening since it can be very relaxing and the air is refreshing.

At night, chill out with the best bars in town, disco bars, and excellent food service. Boracay is always a place to be when you want to have fun either with group or with loved one. Bars are just around to give soulful, rnb, rap music and even comedy bars where you can have a good laugh. Summer place, Red pirate bar, Bombom bar and Bubble bar are bars you can choose from a long list of bars you can find in Boracay all giving the right night groove in whatever you want it; dancing, singing or just chilling out.

Boracay is also rich in terms of culture and tradition. They celebrate fiesta during the third week of January for Santo Nino- a feast for the holy infant Jesus. Almost all regions in visayas consider this feast and Cebu as an island close to Boracay also celebrate this feast. A spectacle of road parade showing musicians and beautiful muses of Boracay. A perfect time for picture taking to with the parade of street dancing commemorating the different tribes existing in the region.

Unlimited options and packages you can always choose from the hotels and inns where you can stay with very friendly people to assist you. Boracay is always alive with parties whether in nighttime or in daytime. Tourists take both sides of the world, partying and even experiencing water, sun and nature all in one.

Are you looking for somewhere special to relax and get that tan you've always dreamed of? Check out tropical Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's most famous city, for a trip you won't soon forget. If you're familiar with Portuguese, the language of Rio's founding fathers, you'll know that Rio de Janeiro translates to "January River." The settlement began in the mid-1560s, after Portuguese mariners chased earlier French colonists from the land. Much has happened since then.

If you're the outdoors type who thrives on adventure and perspiration, Sugar Loaf Mountain will probably be your first stop in the city. The view of the mountain from a distance will be enough to inspire you; as the modern city curls around the water, Sugar Loaf juts out seemingly to the sky, one huge pillar standing alone. There are picturesque trails and places to see the view as you walk below the peak. Don't forget to look for the little boats you will invariably see sprawled around the marina.

Anyone who has looked at pictures of Rio de Janeiro or visited personally has most likely seen the famous statue known as Cristo Redentor, or, in English, Christ the Redeemer. It is one of Rio's main attractions, attesting to the centuries-old presence of the Christian faith in the city. You should never visit without taking time to get up close and personal with Cristo Redentor. It rests on Corcovado Mountain and makes an awesome sight and a great photo opportunity. If you choose to journey to the top of the mountain, you will be awarded with the view of nearly everything Rio has to offer.

You've most likely heard of Copacabana, but did you know it's located in Rio de Janeiro? This is only one of many area beaches, but it is one of the most well-known. If you want a place to relax and enjoy terrific scenery, watersports, and the warmth of Brazil, Rio is the place to go. Some other beaches in or near the city include Ipanema, Prainha, and Barra da Tijuca. The beaches are not all the same; some will have amenities you are looking for, and others may not. Some will be crowded on the particular day you plan to visit, and others will have very few people. Choose carefully.

Is the museum scene more to your liking? Rio de Janeiro won't disappoint you. If you're interested in Brazil in general, try the National Museum and the National History Museum, known in the native tongue as Museu Historico Nacional. For art-lovers, you might want to consider Museu Internacional de Arte Naif, the Museum of Modern Art, and Chacara do Ceu Museum.

Children may not appreciate the museum scene so it's good to know that you can send them off to plenty of kid-friendly activities in the area while you get your fill of history and culture. Rio's beautiful Botanical Gardens are also of interest, and the local zoo is certainly one suggestion that might excite younger members of your family a little more.

Religious history is also a big part of Rio de Janeiro's past. To get a glimpse into a historical monastic community, consider Convento do Santo Antonio and Sao Bento Monastery. You will have to check websites to see if these places are currently open to the public and if so, what time visitors are allowed. Some churches you should visit include Church of Our Lady of the Glory of the Outeiro and Church of Our Lady of the Candelaria. The Chapel of Sao Jose is a beautiful colonial church constructed in the 17th century and seemingly out of place underneath modern skyscrapers.

There are also historical structures that are not connected to religion, such as the Palacio do Catete, which became the home of the presidency in the late 19th century. Its origins date back further, however; it was once a palace, and the rich, lavish interior attests to this fact. You can come inside and explore the grand rooms and artifacts. The building is tall and flat, with minimum ornamentation on the outside. Here and there you will find a little decorating whimsy, like wrought-iron accents and the eagle statue that perches above the front entrance.

Even with all the terrific beaches, historical spots, and places to eat and relax, Rio's best attraction is probably its natural beauty. From the regal, mysterious grandeur of Sugar Loaf Mountain to the stunning city views, Rio's scenery will stay in your mind forever. If you only have a little time in Rio de Janeiro, make sure to see the views quicker than anything else; attractions are fun, but the sights are truly amazing.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

My journey to Rome was not planned into my trip. As time wore down during stay on the Cote D'Azur I began thinking over my original plans. It was my original intention to take the train to Genoa and stay for a few days before heading north to Milan and then on to Switzerland. As I did research on these cities, however, I found that they were going to be very expensive and I was consistently going over budget. I also felt zero enthusiasm when I thought about my destinations. I also felt strongly that I could not, in good conscience, travel through Italy with visiting Rome. The morning of my departure I decided to take the train across the Italian border and find out how much a ticket to Rome would cost.

The first town across the Italian border in the Mediterranean is called Ventimiglia. I walked into a train station that was baking hot from the sun and looked like an outpost from the American Old West. After navigating, in my extremely limited Italian, the ticket machine, I soon discovered that the ticket to Rome would cost fifty euro. The train would leave in six hours for Genoa and then after a two hour lay over I would arrive in Rome at about five o'clock in the morning. I paid the money, waited as the machine printed out the tickets and then left the train station with six hours to kill.

Even though I was just one town across the French border, I was excited to be in Italy. I come from mixed ancestry, but since my father is 100 % Italian, I have always identified myself most with Italy. I was excited to see the native land of half of my ancestors and the birthplace of the modern world. Ventimiglia looked like a nice town. The town is surrounded by high hills that lead to the sea. Since Ventimiglia would be the last town I would be visiting on the Mediterranean I decided to head straight for the beach.

The sun shone down brightly and it was a hot day, especially with the full pack on my back. Still, I managed to lumber down to the beach. Once I made it to the shore I called my girlfriend to let her know where I would be for the next day or so. I was less than a mile from the French border and it was interesting to see my cell phone flash back and forth between Italian and French networks. The beach was sandy with large boulders. It was by and large deserted with no lifeguards and view visitors. I didn't care. I stripped down to my suit and dove head-first into the water and reveled in the warmth of the Mediterranean one last time. I was excited by the fact I was completely improvising my trip. I did not know how long I would be spending in Rome, where I would be staying or where I would head afterward. I didn't care. I was having fun.

After hanging out on the beach for a few hours, eating some fantastic home made Italian ice and reading for a few hours at the train station, I found myself on a train pulling out for Genoa. It was dusk and at every stop the train would linger long enough for many of the passengers to step outside and smoke cigarettes. I had very little cash on me but I managed to buy a sandwich from the lady with the snack trolley for a few euro. We arrived at the Genoa train station in the middle of the night. I wandered around the station, which was filled with drunks and the mentally ill. I stepped out into the night to have a look at Genoa. I didn't see much except for a few white apartment buildings. The air was redolent with the smells of a port city-fish, salt water and garbage. That was all I could discern of Genoa before I was back on another train heading for Rome.

The night was an inky black and I could make out nothing of the countryside passing by my window so I got some sleep. The compartment was rather cramped but I had it all to my self so I stretched out as much as I could to get some sleep. After a few hours the sun began to rise. It was early morning when I arrived in Rome. Again, I was completely winging this so I had no idea where I would be staying. I knew the address of the YHA building in Rome and after a few rambling subway and bus rides I arrived on their front door. I had to wait several hours for a room but there would be one available for two days, after that I needed to make other arrangements. That was fine with me, I just wanted to get in and get some sleep.

I stayed in Rome for eight days at the beginning of July 2005. I knew this much about the city when I got there. Rome was once the capital on the ancient world, commanding the land from Persia through North Africa in the South and from Great Britain across northern Europe into Germany and some of modern Eastern Europe. I read Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire as a teenager (1000 pages-a gift from my grandfather). I knew that the empire fell due, more or less, to its own prosperity. Peace time dulled the discipline of the formerly war like Romans and centuries of Empire crippled the sense of civic propriety which had been the pride of the old republic. Rome decayed for many centuries from corruption and neglect until the ever hostile nations of the north and east encroached on Roman territory and finally swept in and burnt the proud city.

I was also aware that Rome remained the heart and capital of the Italian people in principle until the unification movement made it a fact during the 19th century. Rome was the home of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican, which actually exists as the world's smallest sovereign nation with the pope as head of state thanks to an agreement between the church and Mussolini in 1929. I knew the major monuments that remained, places that I had to see: the Forum, the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the arch of Constantine. I also knew that in Rome some of the best cuisine, fashion and nightlife awaited me. The ancient capital is alive and well indeed, blending the timeless with contemporary and chic.

My first day in Rome I wandered the city with my jaw hanging wide open. It was early Sunday morning and church bells tolled constantly in this, the mother of all catholic cities. Everywhere, it seemed, the city was painted in pastel colors. The buildings are predominantly pale yellow, pink or off white. Although the architecture in the city literally spans millennia, the main style seems to be from the Renaissance. The climate is very hot and dry with an unbroken bright blue sky overhead as you would expect in the desert. Similarly the plants are all short narrow pines and shrubs. Contrasting the desert climate, however, are the fountains. Rome has more artesian fountains than any place on earth. It seems around every corner there is a lion's head with natural, fresh and cold water flowing out of its mouth. I know that I saved many euros in Rome just filling my water bottle up with the delicious and free spring water. Most of the streets were cobble stone worn shiny from constant use. Although I would divide my stay in Rome into many different aspects of the city to explore, everywhere I went I felt like I was immersed in Rome. The city is a neverending deluge of sensation.

On my first day I wandered into St. Peter's Square just as Pope Benedict was finished giving a morning mass. The square was filled with thousands of people. The enormous basilica, the square with its arcades and obelisk in the center were all very familiar to me from the proceedings of only a few months earlier when Pope John Paul II died and Pope Benedict XVI was elected. I had no idea then, when I watched those events unfold in New Jersey, that I would, in a matter of months, stand in that square. There were so many people drawn together by a common faith. The throng was a little scary at first but it took only a moment to see that these people were so happy to be worshipping together in Rome. There were many flags in the crowd from countries in Europe, Africa, Latin America and elsewhere in the world. Some people wore the garb of priests, nuns and monks. I was so impressed by what I saw that I called my catholic father in New York just to tell him where I was. I knew that I wanted to see the Vatican museums and the basilica itself, but I was tired from my journey and I decided to take it easy that day.

The next day, after a good night's sleep and a full breakfast, I was off to my first destination. I could not put it off a minute longer; I had to see the ancient Roman ruins in the Roman forum. I took the metro to the Colosseum metro station. It was early in the morning but there was already quite a crowd and I got in line to enter the ancient arena. The line moved swiftly and it was in the shade, away from the blistering heat so I did not mind. Soon I paid the admission charge and entered the Roman Colosseum. Up to that point in my travels I had been in buildings that dated back to the medieval era and I had seen the remains of Roman walls and the bases of houses. But never before had I entered an actual Roman building that was still intact, and a colossal one at that. After passing through the tunnels into the arena-just like one might at Giant's Stadium, I stood in the open light of the Colosseum. It is smaller than I had imagined it would be but the walls rose high around me and the places where formerly there were seats stood intact. I was amazed at the ancient craft that could have built this place. The Colosseum is, at its heart, made of a flat red brick held together with common mortar. It was originally covered with a finish of white stone which can still be seen on one side. As I walked around through the ruins I noticed names carved into the stone: millennia of graffiti. I was struck by how many millions of people over two thousand years had passed through these passage ways.

The Colosseum is named for the Colossus of Nero that originally stood on the grounds where the arena now stands. The emperor Vespasian commanded its erection in honor of his victories in Dacia. He chose the site because it was a region that had been confiscated by Nero for his private use. The Colosseum was continued through the reign of Titus until it was completed by Domitian. The Colosseum was the home to many different public spectacles throughout the long decline of the empire. Gladiators battled in the arena or fought large animals from through the world. The Colosseum could be waterproofed to have large sea battles. Contrary to popular belief, however, the Colosseum was not home to chariot races-it is much too small for that. After leaving the Colosseum I checked out the nearby triumphal Arch of Constantine.

The creation of triumphal arches was initiated by the Romans as a means of honoring their military victories throughout the ages. The arch of Constantine is in fantastic shape. It is covered with relief depictions of Constantine's great military triumphs during the 3rd and 4th centuries and his subsequent conversion to Christianity. Not far away I could see more arches and columns which served as the entrance to the Roman Forum.
The Forum is located between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The Forum was the unofficial heart of the city. The streets of the forum were always filled with people transacting business, petitioning politicians or celebrating triumphal celebrations. The forum was filled with enormous temples, theatres and meeting houses. Now the forum is a shadow of what it once was. Single columns stand where there were once majestic marble temples. There are many triumphal arches, the porticoes of some ancient buildings. The Curia, the ancient senate house, still stands in the forum, as does the temple of Julius Caesar. Brooding over the Forum stands the Imperial Palace on the Palatine Hill.

The Imperial Palace was built during the time of the Caesars. It sat overlooking the forum as a reminder of imperial power to a city that had been founded as a republic. The palace is in ruins like much of the forum but some of its walls still stand. Leaves of grass waving in the breeze spring up among the remaining mosaics of tile from the palace floors. The emperors enjoyed their own gladiator arenas and chariot race courses. In addition the walls of the palace overlooked the Circus Maximus. The Circus Maximus is not an impressive sight. The race course is now little more than a dirt oval track with a stand of trees in the middle. The night before I arrived in Rome the Live 8 festival was held in Rome in the Circus Maximus and crews of roadies were still dismantling the stages. Having wandered through the intense heat of the city for hours I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day.
After enjoying myself for a few days and finding accommodations in town near the enormous Termini train station I made my way back to the Vatican. The Vatican Museums are extremely popular with tourists. The lines form fast and go on for blocks so I made a point of being there very early. At eight o'clock precisely the door opened and I filed inside the world's smallest country.

The Vatican Museums house one of the most extensive collections of religious artwork. Some of the most famous Renaissance artworks ever made are housed on the grounds of the Vatican. After paying the admission fee I decided to beat the crowd and go straight to the Sistine Chapel. Conveniently the museum offers a route straight to the Chapel so that I would not have to see any of the other precious artworks until I was ready. After winding my way through a series of paths I found myself in the most famous chapel in the world.

The figures painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are alive. They look down from the ceiling and seem as if they contemplated jumping to the floor to stretch their well formed sinews. Each figure bore the fierceness of the old testaments pages. The fresco was stunning. My neck literally hurt as I stood there for I don't know how long looking up. I made a point of looking around the room as well. This is the place where they elect popes and burn the ballots with their famous white or black smoke. After a long while in that ethereal place, I moved on to the rest of the museum.

The Vatican Museum is divided into different historical eras. The Renaissance artworks of Michelangelo and Raphael grace the walls in the elegant palace rooms. I gazed for a long time at the School of Athens, Raphael's stylized depiction of great minds of the ancient world in an ancient villa debating the nature of the universe. My favorite galleries were the modern religious artwork. There were so many sculptures and paintings celebrating Christ. I enjoyed this section because I have seen many religious artworks and many modern artworks but I had never seen the colors and figures of modern art express the passionate emotions of religious artwork.

After leaving the museum I sat in a courtyard of the Vatican. I had a very interesting conversation with one of the guards about the Vatican. He told me all about the comings and goings of the city. The Vatican is really a sovereign nation. Its boundaries begin at the base of the stairs leading into the basilica and are bounded elsewhere by the high walls of the city. The Vatican has its own police force. The Swiss guards, while colorful, are mainly for show, the city actually has a much better equipped and more professional force. The Vatican also has its own shopping center and post office. The stores sell their own cigarettes with a Vatican City customs stamp. They are actually of higher quality than the cigarettes sold in the rest of the city. What a strange little world.

After my conversation with the guard I made my way through from the courtyard to St. Peter's Basilica. I found, to my surprise, many thousands of people gathered for a papal audience. I got to see his holiness sitting on his chair speaking to the people. I snapped some pictures for the folks back home and waited until the audience was over so that I could see the Basilica. My first stop was the series of papal crypts under the church. I saw the relics of St. Peter and the tombs of many popes. I lingered for a moment, as did most other people, before the tomb of John Paul II to pay my respects. While I have never been much of a religious person, I had enormous respect for the previous pope. He was an icon throughout my life so it felt right to pay my respects.

After leaving the crypts I entered the basilica. I have never seen a church of this magnitude anywhere in the world. It is simply enormous. The main nave towers hundreds of feet overhead while the dome-which you can see from almost anywhere in Rome-rises hundreds of feet beyond that. St. Peter's cavernous halls are filled with exquisite artwork. Frescoes, mosaics, paintings and sculpture abound in this titanic church. No piece of art in St. Peter's is more famous than Michelangelo's master work-The Pieta. Michelangelo's depiction of Mary's lament for the slain Christ is smaller than I had imagined it would be. It is disappointingly behind glass, making it very hard to photograph. The Pieta is the only artwork that the Renaissance master ever signed.

After leaving St. Peter's I sat at the base of a column in the square reflecting on all I had seen and writing in my journal. I tried to cherish every image and store it in my mind for a life time. Having seen the ancient Roman ruins and the Vatican, I felt at leisure to see the rest of the ancient city at a slow pace. I spent the 4th of July in Rome-my only holiday abroad. It was a melancholy feeling to be away from the states on one of the classically American holidays but I and many other tourists made the best of it by enjoying it together. I joined a pub crawl-the only one I would experience in Europe. The vast majority of my fellow crawlers were American and we went from bar to bar dancing and celebrating Independence Day until the small hours of the morning.

The rest of my week in Rome I spent taking my ease. My favorite place to hang out in Rome is the Pantheon. The Pantheon is by far the best preserved building in Rome. The temple was originally built by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Rome. The building was destroyed in the Great Fire of Rome during the 1st century A.D. but rebuilt under the emperor Hadrian. It has stood ever since and is the oldest building on earth with its original roof. The Pantheon's entrance portico is a popular place of gathering. The tall columns and high roof provide an airy and shady relief to the ubiquitous Roman sun. The interior of the temple is a dark and solemn place contrasted by one crucial detail. The circular hole at the apex of the domed ceiling allows some natural light into temple. During midday the sun enters the Pantheon as a solid column of light. The light is a pale gold that looks as though you could touch it. The effect is absolutely sublime.

From the Pantheon a dark stone path leads through a narrow corridor of shops and cafes leads to Trevi Fountain. The fountain was built during the 18th Century at the behest of Pope Clement XII on the spot on an historic fountain. The new Trevi fountain is one of the most breath taking baroque artworks ever made. Everyone gathers to throw coins over their shoulder into the fountain in hopes of returning to Rome. The fountain is a sprawling series of sculptures and boulders built into the side of a palace. The waters flow and spill in every direction. It is an extremely popular tourist destination so it is very important to watch out for the thieves that abound in Rome.

Later in the week I boarded a bus that took me to the outskirts of the city and dropped me off on the Appian Way. The Appian Way was the most important of Rome's ancient roads traversing Italy north to south. The road is still paved in cobble stones; the narrow road is lined with high walls and villas. There is no sidewalk, and considering the speeds at which a typical Italian drives, it is an adventurous walk. After a short walk down the most famous road of the ancient world, I soon arrived at the Church of San Sebastian. For a modest fee, a tour guide led me and a group of visitors into the Catacombs of San Sebastian. The Catacombs resemble a network of caves, though they were dug by human beings into the soft loam. The earthen walls are covered with symbols of the ancient Christians, who buried their dead in the network of tunnels. Saints Peter, Paul and Sebastian at one time or another were all buried in the earth of San Sebastian. There are also many ancient Roman family crypts with walls carved in marble and devotional statues that have remained in perfect preservation for over two thousand years.

The rest of my stay in Rome was spent relaxing, checking out museums and eating great meals. I read for much of the time that I was in Rome. I walked down the banks of Tiber and sat against the high walls of the river bank, which are decorated with murals depicting the she-wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus. The river is a sluggish, algae filled affair that has seeped through the city since time began. Another fantastic place to relax is the Villa Borghese, the enormous municipal park to the north of town. The park is filled with fountains, gazebos and gorgeous trees and flowers. The park borders the Piazza del Popolo, a huge circular plaza at the confluence of a few major Roman roads. In the center stands an obelisk from ancient Egypt, one of the many carried from the desert as a trophy celebrating Augustus' victory over Marc Antony and Cleopatra. There are countless such places in Rome-enough that you could spend months exploring it all.

Rivaling Paris, London, Madrid and New York, Rome is one of the most vibrant cities on earth. It is father of all western European cities and gave rise to modern Europe. The city is awash with ancient architecture, artwork and culture but still is the beating heart of modern Italy. The sun never seems to stop shining in Rome. The people are all tan, gorgeous and their accents sound like a singing voice. In Rome you can see precious treasures of the ancient world in the morning, lounge at an outdoor cafe by afternoon and dance all night at one of the many clubs. Although I had not planned to visit this imperial city, I will always treasure every minute that I spent in Rome.

Canada is a large and diverse area and there is so much to see and do in around the country and it is so underappreciated by both Canadians and Americans. Whether you come for a day, a week or a month or if you decide to pick up stakes and move here, there are a myriad of things to do and see and well, you will never get bored when you visit here!

1) The CN Tower. The CN tower was and still is the tallest free standing structure in the world. Built in the 1970s, it was a feat of engineering and still is today. Take the elevator to the top (the Sky Pod), you will truly be at the top of the world! Complete with 147 stories, in 1995, it was listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

2) Taking The Via Rail Through The Rocky Mountains. This picturesque mountain range is located in the western provinces of Canada. The mountains get their start in Saskatchewan and make their way to the coast. Via Rail runs from Toronto, Ontario to Winnipeg, Manitoba and from there, it runs all the way out to British Columbia. It is a sight that is unparallel in view and one that you will not soon forget.

3) Found right in the centre of the Rocky Mountains is a beautiful lake called Lake Louise. Found in Banff, Alberta, in the heart of the Rockies, this lake is designated a World Heritage Site by the UN. It is an amazing thing to see pretty much anytime of year. If you go during the winter, there are areas around there that you can go skiing at and well, if you go during the summer, there is much to do and see.

4) Stanley Park is the pride of Vancouver and the largest park in the city. Found on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, the park measures over 1,000 acres and size and offers a plethora of things to do for just about any age group. The park is surrounded by a walking, rollerblading and bicycle route that stretches over eight kilometres around the park and is known as the seawall. The park also boasts a farm for kids; an aquirum and a miniature railway along with the usual beaches and the like. It is something to see should you find yourself in Vancouver!

5) At the other side of the vast land known as Canada, you will find the Atlantic Ocean and along with that the infamous Cabot Trail. The trail is located in Nova Scotia and loops around Cape Breton. The trail is 298 kilometres long and loops through several small communities including a national park. On a clear day, from some of the higher elevations, you can see much and receive a great ocean view (the day we visited however, it was rainy and foggy, so you could not see much)

6) The Bruce Trail is one of the longest and oldest hiking trails in Canada. It is approximately eight hundred kilometres long and stretches from St. Catharines, Ontario on Lake Ontario all the way up north to Lake Hurron at Tobemorry, Ontario. As it runs through part of the city I live in, I have had the opportunity to hike part of it and it takes you past waterfalls and other gorgeous scenery and if you are a hiker, well this is a must!

7) The Parliament Buildings. The parliament buildings of Canada and is home to the federal government of Canada and are loosely modeled after the Parliament buildings in England. When you visit Ottawa, you can go see the buildings for free and see where important decisions that are made by government are made. If you are lucky, you can even get a peak at the senate and House of Commons while they are session.

8) The Quebec Winter Carnival is a must see if you are in Quebec City at the end of January for two and a half weeks, it is one of the largest carnivals in the world and certainly the largest winter one. Everything that you would associate with winter is available such as dog sled rides, night parades and snow and ice sculptures, but even more than this. There is even an ice hotel that you can stay in It is truly and experience!

9) The Calgary Stampede and Rodeo is held in Calgary, Alberta and features rodeos and chuck wagon rides and races and turns the whole city into a town from the old west. It is held during the month of July and runs for ten days that celebrate the way of life of a cowboy.

10) Algonquin Provincial Park is located in northern Ontario (about 210 kilometres north of Toronto, Ontario. The park features 7,725 square kilometres of forest, lakes and rivers and is a popular escape and a snapshot of the true Canadian wilderness. There are many lakes for kayaking and portaging along with areas for hiking, camping and fishing. It is the great Canadian outdoors at its very best!

Of course, this short list just skims the surface of the amount of beautiful sights, both man made and natural that Canada has to offer, that one should not miss when visiting Canada and since Canada has so much to offer, so why not think of Canada as your next holiday destination.

Few people would consider going to Paris without seeing at least four things: The Seine River, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre. They might even plan their whole trip around these fantastic destinations, but after they've seen all there is to see at these big places, travelers are fuzzy about what comes next.

There is certainly more to Paris than the hugely popular attractions, and you may be surprised to find that you enjoy the smaller, out-of-the-way places even more. Paris is crammed full of history; even the least history-oriented person will be shocked to learn how old it really is and how many centuries of strife and tragedy have passed through the city.

One such place that many travelers most likely miss is the Luxembourg Gardens. This is a great place to go to escape the hub-bub of the main city and marvel in our ancestors' creative genius. Look out for the sculpted trees, walkways, Roman-style architecture, and small enclaves of different kinds of flowers. You may even see a few potted palm trees, which seem to stick out in the City of Lights.

Besides the quaint gardens, you will also see Luxembourg Palace, constructed in the early 17th century and once the home of France's elite. The palace is a beautiful work of art, symmetrical and romantic. Even if kids don't appreciate the history and culture behind the palace, they are sure to love the bright colors and open-air experience of the gardens.

Paris' Latin Quarter is a great place to go if you like a crowded, homey atmosphere. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the variety of shops. To picture the Latin Quarter, think of a place like New York City, with tall white buildings standing shoulder to shoulder, seemingly flowing together like one big structure. Don't forget to look up as you stroll along this artsy walk; you may see the huge Notre Dame Cathedral looming overhead.

This is the section in which you will find the Musee d'Orsay, which may not be as famous as the Louvre but which will certainly not disappoint you. If you can think of any great artists with connections to France or the art world in general, chances are you will find their work here. The Musee d'Orsay might not be the best attraction for kids, so if you're traveling with children, you may want to have a backup plan.

If you like old churches, you will certainly find more than Notre Dame to satisfy your love of beauty and reverence. Paris' Sacre Coeur is a terrific destination for many reasons. It's nowhere near as old as the famous cathedral (Sacre Coeur was built in the 1800s) but it is special in different ways. The overall style is almost Middle Eastern, and its grand domes and peaks bring the Taj Mahal to mind. A tour through the church will amaze you. Take a moment to see the art, enjoy the views, and soak in Paris' religious history.

While you're in this section known as Montmartre, don't forget there are other things to do here as well. This is a great place to buy art, since it's a huge painter's haven. The rows of paintings and street vendors may very well be what most people think of when they ponder Paris. Also in this area, check out the windmill known as Moulin de la Galette; this is certainly an odd sight in the city.

The River Seine is one of Paris' biggest attractions, but it's more than a pretty face. It is part of the charm that makes Paris picturesque, so naturally you will want to take a cruise on the river. Remember to capture the terrific views you will see from the water. Paris' natural beauty is just as much an attraction as the vibrant streets and historic buildings you will see.

Paris is full of various quarters that hold streets of shops, restaurants, artist havens, churches, and many other ways to pass the time. Those who have only a few days to visit the City of Lights should choose wisely; by all means, if you have a very little amount of time in Paris, make sure to see "the greats" like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but if you've seen these things and want to really delve into the city of Paris, make sure to get the whole experience by exploring the little-known places as well.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

There are two fundamental reasons why Buenos Aires is so inviting to those who enjoy exploring on foot. First, it is a city which evolved as a cluster of almost self-contained villages; each with its own particular airs and ambience, and it is a place where the walk or "paseo" is woven into the fabric of everyday existence. Strolling through a particular quarter will give visitors more than a glimpse of barrio life.

Each "barrio's" main interests are highlighted: these include not only museums and monuments but the no less venerable shrines of pastries, wine and pasta.

The first stop is the city centre, the hub of hotels, steak houses and foreign exchange. The "Casa Rosada" (Government House) is the area's heart; nearby are the Congress Building, the Colon Opera House, and some of Buenos Aires' stateliest coffee houses, cinemas and bookstores, many of which are open all night.

The "barrio" of San Telmo is the city's Soho, a charming quarter where old architecture serves as a backdrop to post modern art and attitudes. It is a neighborhood of cobbled streets and crumbling villas, of tango and jazz clubs and "underground" theatre.

La Boca is the old port area, settled by Italian dock workers at the turn of the century, renowned for its pizza parlors and flashy cantinas. The corrugated tin houses painted in bright primary colors give the neighborhood a carnival atmosphere, but it is a residential neighborhood still strongly influenced by its Italian heritage.

In glittering contrast is "Barrio Norte", an elegant neighborhood built around a cemetery. This "barrio" of Parisian-style houses, boutiques and continental restaurants was built at the height of Argentina's Gilded Age, and retains a good measure of its aristocratic grandeur. Adjacent is Palermo the home of Italiante villas, parks, a turn-of-the-century racetrack and a world-class polo field.

The "Costanera" is the river coastline at the edge of the city. It is too long to walk the entire route; a pleasant way to see it is to spend a late morning strolling on the old-fashioned promenades, then taking a taxi to one of the riverside restaurants for lunch.

Suggested day or weekend trips from Buenos Aires include an excursion out to the villages and ranches of the "pampas", to the river delta at Tigre, or to neighboring Uruguay by river ferry.

City Centre
Inside every "porteno's" head is a picture of Buenos Aires which resembles the famous New Yorker drawing of Manhattan. Looming large in the foreground is his "barrio", his favourite cafe and the 24-hour "kiosko" (sweet shop) nearest his front door. On the horizon is Avenida General Paz, the city limit, beyond which are endless pampas and foreign countries. In the middle distance is El Centro, the city centre, where he spends a large amount of his spare time.

Buenos Aires is a city of fervent neighborhood loyalties, but the centre belongs to everyone. No matter what the "porteno's" political persuasion or economic situation, there are certain landmarks - the bright pink Government House, the gilded and crumbling Cafe Molino, the closet-sized book-stores on Corrientes - which he loves passionately. Never try to tell a porteno who is showing you around downtown that the landmarks do not belong to him personally, or that there are other citizens of Buenos Aires who love them equally. He will only smile at you in disbelief. He is not just pointing out buildings; he is telling you his version of the city's history, which is as vivid and as intimate as a wonderful, recurring dream.

The following walking-tour encompasses four important aspects of life in the city centre: politics, entertainment, cafes and shopping. Begin at the Plaza de Mayo, follow Avenida de Mayo to the Plaza de los dos Congresos, then double back down Corrientes and Lavalle to Florida, the main shopping promenade. The walk takes about two hours, but you should allow a bit more time for coffee and pastry in one of the old confiterias along the way. This tour also takes advantage of the flow of traffic. So if need be, you can take a taxi or "colectivo" up Avenida de Mayo and then back down Corrientes to Florida.

The Plaza de Mayo: Buenos Aires began with the Plaza de Mayo. Today it is a strikingly beautiful plaza with its tall palm trees, elaborate flower gardens and central monument, set off by the surrounding colonial buildings. The plaza has been and continues to be the pulsating centre of the country. Since its founding in 1580 as the "Plaza del Fuerte" (fortress) many of the most important historical events have had physical manifestations here.

The most eye-catching structure in the plaza is unquestionably the "Casa Rosada" (Pink House), the seat of the executive branch of the government. Flanking it is the Bank of the Argentine Nation, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the City Council and the "Cabildo" (Town Council).

Pink House: The Casa Rosada was originally a fortress overlooking what is now the Plaza Colon, but was at that time the river's edge. When the Indian attacks subsided, the plaza became "Plaza del Mercado", a marketplace and social centre. The name and role of the plaza changed again with the British invasions of 1806 and 1807, when it became the Plaza de la Victoria. Finally, following the declaration of independence, the plaza assumed its present name, in honor of the month of May, for it was in May 1810 when the city broke away from Spain and became an independent democracy.

The date also marks the first mass rally in the plaza, when crowds gathered to celebrate independence. Subsequently, Argentines have poured into the plaza to protest and celebrate most of the nation's important events. Political parties, governments (de facto and constitutional), and even trade unions and the Church, use the plaza to make addresses or appeals to the people, and to gather support for their various causes.

Salient events in the history of "Plaza de Mayo" include the 1945 workers' demonstration organized by Eva Peron to protect her husband's brief detention. Ten years later, the airforce bombed the plaza while thousands of Peron's supporters were rallying to defend his administration from the impending military coup. In 1982, Argentines flooded the plaza to applaud General Galtieri's invasion of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands. A few months later, they were back, this time threatening to kill the military ruler for having lied to the country about the possibilities of winning the war with the British. More recently, on Easter Sunday, the population responded to President Alfonsin's call to defend democracy with a turn-out of more than 300,000.

The mothers' vigil: but the most famous rallies have been those of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, whose Thursday afternoon protests, demanding information on the whereabouts of their "disappeared" children, and punishment of those responsible for the kidnappings, still go on today. Their presence in the plaza is perhaps the best illustration of the symbolism of rallying here. During the last years of the military regime, young people accompanying the mothers would chant at the menacing army and anti-demonstration units: "Cowards, this plaza belongs to the mothers..."

Leaders traditionally address the masses from the balconies of the Casa Rosada. This building was constructed on the foundations of earlier structures in 1894. Sixteen years earlier, President Sarmiento had chosen the site for the new Government House. There are several versions of why he had it painted pink, the most credible of which is that it was the only alternative to white in those days. The special tone was achieved by mixing beef fat, blood and lime. Some insist that Sarmiento chose pink to distinguish the building from the U.S. White House. Still others say that pink was selected as a compromise between two feuding parties whose colours were white and red.

There are many more you can see in Buenos Aires but I will talk about them later. One thing is sure; you will never feel bored in this city!!!

The state of Maine is known for its summer vacation lure. Visitors travel to Maine from all corners of the globe to take advantage of the mild summer temperatures, the fresh, clean, and unspoiled landscape, the uncrowded beaches, the thick woods, the many lakes, and all the summer outdoor recreation opportunities. But that is not all. There is of course the plethora of tourist attractions, including various lighthouses along the Maine coast, quaint, family-owned restaurants that serve fresh lobster right out of the Atlantic, and the many historic landmarks that show Maine's place in American and World history. But one of the lesser talked-about features found in the state of Maine are the large number of ice cream establishments that can be found in just about every small town. While Maine summers are mild, they still get hot temperatures in July and August, sometimes well into the 90s. Mainers like to keep cool in their above-ground swimming pools, the various swimming ponds and lakes, and at the local ice cream establishments. Following are a few favorite ice cream places in Maine.

Dairy Frost is a drive-up ice cream shack located in Brunswick, Maine, just across the street from the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Visitors park in the small parking lot and order their ice cream through a window. There is a huge variety of ice cream and ice cream related treats. From the more than thirty flavors of soft-serve to the many varieties of locally made Gifford's ice cream. Dairy Frost offers banana splits, malts, sundaes, and everything in between. Visitors will enjoy sitting on the lawn on picnic tables as they enjoy their cool, summer treat!

Just down the road from Dairy Frost is one of the world famous Cold Stone Creameries. New to the Brunswick area, Cold Stone has made a huge splash and is nearly as popular as the local establishments. Cold Stone offers its signature ice cream complete with a huge variety of toppings and mix-ins, and the staff entertains guests with singing and friendliness.

Just across the Androscoggin River in the small town of Topsham, is a Dairy Queen that has been in business for many years. Located on Main Street in Topsham, the old-fashioned, drive-up Dairy Queen only serves ice cream and related treats; no burgers or hot dogs at THIS Dairy Queen. A sign atop the roof claims that many years ago, Lyndon B. Johnson ate there; but visitors do not care. They love to order their blizzards and other treats to enjoy as they walk down the main street of town, or lounge on the picnic tables on the lawn behind the building.

More inland is the town of Wayne, Maine, just north of Maine's capitol city of Augusta. Wayne has a tiny walk-up ice cream shack called Tubby's, which serves its own delectable home-made ice cream to eager visitors. Tubby's makes all its ice cream from scratch, right on site, and uses only natural ingredients. Set just on the edge of a scenic pond, visitors will enjoy sitting on benches, strolling around the pond, or hanging their feet off the footbridge, as they enjoy their creamy treats.

Farther up the coast in beautiful Bar Harbor is Jordan Pond Ice Cream; some of the creamiest ice cream to be found on the planet. Here, visitors can walk inside to order, but there is no place to sit. After purchasing their decadent ice cream and perhaps a slice of homemade fudge, visitors will want to walk across the street to the scenic park just on the edge of the harbor. Some of the favorite flavors at Jordan Pond Ice Cream are the coconut and peach ice creams.

In the bustling shopping town of Freeport, Maine, there are several ice cream shops which will tempt visitors' taste buds, but one of the favorites lies just outside the front doors of the world famous L.L. Bean Outdoor Store. After tourists have shopped to their hearts content, they will want to step outside next to the waterfall and visit the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop. Known across American for having hilarious names for its ice cream, Ben & Jerry's in Freeport lives up to its famous name and offers decadent ice cream for everyone who passes through its doors.

While most visitors do not travel to Maine solely for its ice cream, they will definitely want to take advantage of these and other ice cream shops while traveling in the pine tree state. Bon Voyage!

Handbell Concerts Around the USA.

If you are a fan of handbells and handbell choirs, or if would like to find out more about this beautiful musical instrument, then you may want to attend any in a realm of special events to be held in the eastern part of the United States this Christmas Holiday Season.

Some of the major handbell events are listed here for your traveling information. Handbells have gathered increasing respect and appreciation in the last decade, moving form the church choir loft into the symphonic symphony house. Christmas is a great time to travel and enjoy concerts of many kinds, including handbells, with your friends and families. Visit some of the following venues for lasting Christmas memories.

St. John's Bells of Praise.
St. John's United Methodist Church in Springfield. Virginia

St. John's will present a concert for a fund-raising event on Sunday, December 17, in preparation for a musical mission trip to Taiwan at the end of 2006. This trip will spread the Gospel good news through music and promote handbell music throughout the nation of Taiwan. This is an exciting undertaking, so come and support this mission project and enjoy a tremendous concert at 4:30 p.m. at

St. John's UMC
5312 Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22151
703-256-6655

The Anacrusis Duet for Handbells and Harp presents a series of Pre-Concerts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra during the annual Boston Holiday Spectacular Concerts at

Joseph Myerhoff Symphony Hall
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore, Maryland
Fri. Dec. 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 16th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 17th at 2:00 p.m.
Wed. Dec. 20th at 2:00 p.m.
Thu. Dec. 21st at 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 23rd at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The exciting Pre-Concerts start one hour before the regularly scheduled concert begins.

Alpha 4 handbell group of Gaithersburg, MD
Contact Pamela Ion at cabinmom12@aol.com
Saturday, December 2, 2006: Urbana Library from 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Saturday, December 2, 2006: First Saturday Gallery Walk in Frederick from 6:00-9:00 p.m. On the corner of Patrick and Market Street

Saturday, December 9, 2006: Alpha 4 Duo will perform at the Frederick Library between 2:30-4:30 p.m. for the Museums by Candlelight.
Friday, December 15, 2006: Alpha 4 Duo will perform at the Oral and Immunology Branch of the National Institutes of Health from 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Other Alpha 4 handbell group dates for 2007 are the following:
Saturday, March 31, 2007: Alpha 4 will ring in the new museum season in Frederick at the Schifferstadt for Bell & History Day between 10:30 am & 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 31, 2007: Alpha 4 will continue to ring in the afternoon with patriotic selections at the C. Burr Artz Library.

Capital Ringers in the state of Delaware

Saturday, November 25- "Red Kettle Ring" for Salvation Army in Dover, Delaware.

There will be numerous handbell groups and choirs performing in the Kent County area to ring Christmas music at KMart for the Salvation Army from 10am-9pm. This whole day long event is organized by the Capital Ringers.

If you want to join in for an hour or two of ringing for this worthwhile humanitarian cause, please call 302.677.0187 for more information.

More Capital Ringers!

Saturday, December 2, 5:30-8:00
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby
Dover, Delaware

Friday, December 8, 6:30-9:00
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby
Dover, Delaware Chocolate Festival

Saturday, December 9, 5:30-8:00
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby
Dover, Delaware Chocolate Festival

Sunday, December 10, 1:00-3:30
Dover Downs Hotel Lobby
Dover, Delaware Chocolate Festival

Ring In Christmas! A Combined Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 17, 4:00pm
Christmas Concert at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
425 N. Dupont Hwy
Dover, Delaware
Capital Ringers, the Bells of St. Andrews, and the RAD Ringers in concert.
Suggested donation is $5 per person, $10 per family.2nd Annual Young

Young Musicians Workshop
Saturday, February 3, 8:30am -12 pm
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church
425 N. Dupont Hwy
Dover, Delaware.

This is an exciting half day long workshop for musical instruction and special activities for children in grades 2 through 8. Participants will learn how to ring handbells and choirchimes, how to play Boomwhackers, and how to enjoy rhythm games and movement activities, plus a lot more. For more information call 677-0187. The very reasonable workshop fee is 25 dollars for each student. This wonderful event is sponsored by the Capital Ringers.

Virginia Handbell Consort group December concerts

Friday, December 1, 7:30 PM
Mary T. Christian Auditorium
Thomas Nelson Community College
99 Thomas Nelson Drive
Hampton, VA 23670

Sunday, December 3, 4:00 PM
Bayside Presbyterian Church
1400 Ewell Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Monday, December 4, 7:30 PM
Concert with the Virginia Wesleyan College Choir
A part of the VWC Concert Series
1584 Wesleyan Drive
Norfolk, VA 23502

Friday, December 8, 7:00 PM
Concert with the Fort Monroe TRADOC Band
Fort Monroe Theater
Hampton, VA

Saturday, December 9, 2:00 PM
Concert with the Fort Monroe TRADOC Band
Fort Monroe Theater
Hampton, VA

Saturday, December 9, 7:00 PM
Reformation Lutheran Church
13100 Warwick Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23602

Sunday, December 10, 7:00 PM
Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church
6400 Newport Avenue
Norfolk, VA 23505

Saturday, December 16, 7:00 PM
Millfield Baptist Church
11225 Ivor Road
Ivor, VA 23866

Sunday, December 17, 5:00 PM
Old Donation Episcopal Church
4449 N. Witchduck Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Sunday, December 31
First Night Williamsburg 2007!
Downtown Williamsburg, VA

Tapestry handbell group Christmas schedule

30 November: Magnolia Manor
Concert at 10:00 a.m.
Contact person Millie Dixon, work, 357-073
2101 John Ross
Smithfield, VA 2343

07 December: Province Place
Concert 10:00 a.m.
Contact person Laurie Perron, work, 686-9100
Bon Secours Way
Portsmouth, VA 23703

14 December: Nansemond Point Rehabilitation and Retirement Community
200 West Constance Road
Suffolk, VA 23434
Concert:10:30 a.m.
Contact person Tamika Hammond, work, 539-8744

18 December: Monumental UMC Noonday Concert Series
450 Dinwiddie Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Concert 12:00 noon
Charm Peterman 757-766-8658

Mitchell Ringers of St. Matthews UMC
Annandale, VA
Friday, Dec. 8th at 7:30

Chesapeake Bronze handbell group

A Christmas Concert
Sunday, Dec. 10th at 4:00 PM
Huntingtown United Methodist Church
Huntingtown, MD
Joyce Terry 301-855-2461

Virginia Bronze handbell group

Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 3:00 PM
The Lyceum in Alexandria, VA

Friday, Dec. 29th at 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM
The Mormon Temple Festival of Lights
Kensington, MD

Mitchell Ringers of St. Matthews, UMC, Annandale, VA
Friday, Dec. 8th at 7:30 PM
Market Square Christmas Tree in Alexandria, VA
Nancy Cappel 703-978-3500

Wednesday, Dec. 13th at 7:00 and 8:00 PM
Mormon Temple Visitors Center, Kensington, MD
Nancy Cappel 703-978-3500


Senior Singers Chorale of Arlington and
The Polymnia Bells of Arlington

Saturday, Dec. 9th at 4:00 PM
Westover Baptist Church of Arlington, VA
Melodie Feather 703-283-2604

Monday, Dec.11th at 6:00 PM
Millennium Stage, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
Melodie Feather 703-283-2604

Celebration & Jubilee Ringers of St. Matthews UMC, Annandale, VA

Sunday, Dec. 10th at 2:00 PM
Market Square Christmas Tree in Alexandria, VA
Nancy Cappel 703-978-3500


Handbell concerts in Raleigh, NC

Friday, December 1, 2006
8:00 pm Concert
Dunn Center
Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Saturday, December 2, 2006
3:00 pm Concert
7:30 pm Concert
J.E. Broyhill Civic Center
Lenoir, North Carolina

Sunday, December 3, 2006
3:00 pm Concert
Carolina Theatre
Greensboro, North Carolina

Saturday, December 16, 2006
3:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 17, 2006
3:00 pm
Meymandi Concert Hall
Raleigh, North Carolina

Tickets for all events are available at the Progress Energy Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Early bird tickets are available for $10 directly through The Raleigh Ringers through December 1st.

Spring Festivals 2007
March 9-10, 2007
Ocean City, Maryland

April 20-21, 2007
Hampton, Virginia

Arnold Sherman will serve as Guest Conductor at both concerts and Zana Kizzee will be the Genesis Track Conductor.

Capital Area Young Ringers Festival
March 10, 2007
Edenton Street United Methodist Church
Raleigh, North Carolina
The Guest Conductor will be Tim Waugh.

Repertoire
Follow the Star - arranged by Martha Lynn Thompson, CGB 450
Kolyada - Tim Waugh, Jeffers Junior High School 9196
Proclamation - Kevin McChesney Jeffers Junior High School 9044
This is My Father's World - arranged by John Carter, Agape 1841

Although the Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner, family and friends are already scurrying to plan their Christmas get-away. Some my travel across the globe and visit their family in Italy and others my dread the cross-town drive to have dinner with their folks. Other's, like myself, have little options for family yuletide fun, so exotic destinations for the holidays is my rule of thumb. If you are in the same boat as myself and do not live in the mid west, I would suggest an unconventional winter holiday in the Queen city of Cincinnati, OH. Though not most people's first choice of a winter get away, I assure you that if you visit this city, you will have plenty of money left over to throw a great New Years Eve bash.

Cincinnati may be known for such holiday fares as the annual Thanksgiving Day Race, but did most of you know that you could actually ski here in the city of Flying Pigs? That's right. If ice skating is not your thing you should take I-275 just on the other side of the border to Indiana (though a different state, it is still considered the Greater Cincinnati area) and spend a weekend at Perfect North Slopes. The ten slopes that are geared towards everyone from beginner to advanced will keep the entire family entertained for the entire weekend. They even give ski and snow boarding lessons if you are a true novice.

Who said that amusement parks are only fun when it is warm outside? One of the largest amusement attractions in the Greater Cincinnati area does not limit itself to the warm summer months. Paramount's King Island located just a few miles north of Cincinnati in Kings, Ohio, this amusement park dazzle its patrons with a marinade of holiday scenes. All of these scenes and festivities are illuminated with thousands of white lights that cascade from the top of the multiple storied miniature Eiffel Tower down to the skating rink. Though this is not a free event, the twenty minute jaunt from downtown should not be a problem. Hey, you can even sing "Jingle Bells" all along the way there!

Kings Island is not the only place where a bevy of white holiday lights can been seen. While in Cincinnati for the holidays, make sure you travel to the oldest zoos in the country. At Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, you can take in the Festival of Lights where you can match your wonderment for animals with the wonderment of light.

Moving back a little closer to the heart of the city, we see that during the days following Thanksgiving and running all the way through the New Year, Fountain Square, located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, boast being a Mecca of Christmas cheer. Everything from a lit 3 story Christmas tree to the newly placed 2 story video screen atop of Macy's will certainly keep you entertained. I would suggest traveling to this downtown hot spot to partake in the holiday ritual of ice skating. This Rockefeller Square-esque skating ring attracts the young and old and is a great way to rock your winter blues away.

Fountain Square and the skating rink are not the only beauties to behold while you are trotting around the downtown Cincinnati area. By walking, just a few blocks sought of the magnificent square, the sprawling downtown vision opens up to a natural masterpiece of the Ohio River. The view is stunning of you partake on a cloudlessly sunny day, but if you want to experience e the true wonderment of the rushing river, you should wait until the night falls upon the city. The lights reflected from Covington, KY's (Cincinnati's southern neighbor) skyline off the Mighty Ohio is seen by few, but enjoyed by all.

As said in the beginning of this lament, when you think of places to vacation during the holiday season the first cities that come you mind may be Miami or Los Angeles. Though these cities are warm and a great get away from the cold Midwestern snowstorms, please do not forget about Cincinnati. Remember, it was Samuel Clemmons who wanted to be in Cincinnati if the world ends.

A trip to Ho Chin Minh City should learn these useful tips before traveling or planning to go to Vietnam.

1. Beware of taxi drivers. If you are staying in a hotel, I strongly suggest that you arrange for a hotel pickup at the airport. It is safer and sometimes even cheaper since some taxi drivers would not use their taxi meters and ask for an unreasonably high taxi fare. Did I also mention that hotel cars are more comfortable and more luxurious?

In case your hotel pickup did not arrive (which happened to me once), look for one of major taxi companies, like Vinataxi, stationed at the airport. Do not take the smaller fleets of taxis whose drivers coerce you to ride in their cabs. You will feel unsafe throughout the journey and end up paying at least two times more.

Traveling within the city is easier since taxis can be seen everywhere. However, you still have to carefully choose your taxi. Again, take the bigger taxi fleets to get you around the metropolis.

2. Learn to count in thousands. One American dollar is equal to 15000 Dong, which is how Vietnam 's local currency is called. This makes you literally a multimillionaire once you change your $200 to Dong! In addition, most of your retail transactions will be in thousands - you'll pay your cab driver in thousands, you'll pay your cup of coffee in thousands, you'll purchase your personal supplies in thousands, among others. If you're like me who is used to counting money in tens and hundreds, be prepared to go big time and count in higher multiples.

Luckily, the Vietnamese Dong usually come in denominations of 5000, 10000, and 50000 instead of 10, 100, and 500. While you need to count 30000 VND as you pay a street vendor, you'll have a strong head start with your 5000 and 10000 bills. Just imagine what it will be if you only have 50s and 100s.

3. Speak slowly, Mr and Ms. Like some countries in Asia , majority of Vietnamese people speak in their native language. For those people who can understand and speak English, you have to talk to them slowly. I have a general impression that Vietnamese are mild-mannered people so they expect other people to behave in the same way. They will speak to you slowly and often softly, so you have to respond slowly as well. Pay extra attention to their facial expressions too when you're talking. When they seem to be looking for someone or something else, you have to pause and check understanding. Most probably, they are already finding it hard to understand you.

You also address Vietnamese people with Mr or Ms followed by their surname. This may be quite formal for some cultures but that's just the way it is. People really would not find it offending if you fail to do this but when you're in a foreign country, it's best to follow what the locals do. People will address you as Mr and Ms too.

4. Your credit is good but they need cash. Unlike other developing nations, most business establishments in Ho Chi Minh only accept cash. I personally learned this lesson the hard way when I had to skip dinner for a couple of hours. I went shopping to a local market once and spent most of my cash buying local finds. I then chanced upon a nice restaurant afterwards. Feeling exhausted and hungry, I went inside. Knowing that my money may not be enough, I first asked a waitress if they accept credit cards. To my dismay, they don't and I ended up going back to the hotel for a late dinner. Well, I'm still happy I inquired first - I sure don't want to be in big trouble in another country.

All major hotels accept credit cards but anywhere else, better bring your cash.

5. Find the best buys at the local markets. Souvenirs from Vietnam are expertly crafted and aesthetically pleasing. The most common keepsake items include lacquer vases and plates, ceramic dolls, charcoal, watercolor, or oil paintings, and fabrics and handicrafts. Where to find them? Go to the nearest local market. The most popular in Ho Chi Minh is called Ben Tanh, where you can find the best bargains for local products. They are exactly the same as what you'll see in the department stores but they cost significantly less. The items are also somewhat unique to Vietnam , which make them perfect gifts for yourself and your loved ones.

Give these ideas a try and make your next trip to Vietnam a memorable one!

Vacations are meant to be soothing, relaxing and enjoyable and the last thing you need to do is to worry about your health while you are away. Not consuming enough water can signal dehydration and that is not good news for anyone. Are you aware that by the time you register thirst you have already reached the point of dehydration? It is true, you have. Preventing dehydration should always be a top health priority for everybody, young and old. Let us take a closer look at why drinking plenty of water while on vacation (and at home) is so essential for everyone.

Avoid local water

It is not smart to drink local water when on vacation in a lot of areas of the world. Contamination and airborne viruses are terribly common and some places are not known for cleanliness or excellent hygiene practices. When in doubt always drink bottled water. Some places will post signs warning people not to drink the water and it might be to your benefit to speak to the local residents in order to find out about the water situation. If it is precarious at best, proceed with utmost caution. Often the tourist bureau in a given area can be a source of helpful information as well.

Sometimes there is nothing wrong with drinking the water in a particular city, town, or village however the water is likely to have a strange or unusual taste for visitors and therefore could cause stomach cramps, diarrhea or vomiting which is sure to put a damper on your otherwise pleasurable trip. Also the water may contain elements that your system is not accustomed to. For this reason it is strongly recommended that tourists steer clear of the water all together when away from home. In restaurants if you want water, ask for bottled water and not a glass of tap water for your own protection. When visiting an area that is unfamiliar to you, you can never be too careful.

Is water vital for our bodies to remain healthy?

Water accounts for a large percentage of what makes each of us human. The human body is composed of 60 to 70 percent of water. Water is the main component of blood, lymph, sweat, urine and digestive juices. Blood is approximately 83 percent water, bone is 22 percent water and the brain is tremendous 74 percent water. Consuming adequate amounts of water produces energy, regulates body temperature, builds new cells, lubricates joints and eliminates waste.

Adequate hydration is one of the easiest, most cost effective and most overlooked ways to stay healthy. Water is essential for life. We can survive without food for two months or more but we can only survive for a few days without drinking water. Water is an absolute necessity to living a healthy lifestyle.

Every day we lose water naturally from breathing, sweating and waste elimination. We also lose water as a result of exercise as well as environmental conditions such as heat and humidity. Water losses are greater during the summer months due to the fact that perspiration, which is used to cool our bodies, evaporates faster in a hot environment. As it evaporates, our bodies produce more perspiration, using up more and more of the water that is housed in our bodies. Once the water level in our bodies has become depleted, we become overheated because our bodies are no longer able to cool themselves, as they should. A serious lack of water causes blood pressure to elevate thus causing the heart to malfunction and leading the kidneys to shut down. This is a very dangerous condition that left untreated, can prove fatal.

When you participate in sporting events on a trip or even if you go hiking or spend a great deal of time out in the sunshine, you should bring along plenty of water with you and drink it frequently. You are likely to suffer sunstroke or tiredness quicker if you become dehydrated while outside for long periods of time. Remember that even if the water in your bottle is no longer cold, it is still wet and your body is not picky about that!

Drink as much water as possible for health!

Forget spending your money on expensive creams or exfoliating agents for your skin. Instead the best thing you can do for a clear, healthy, radiant complexion is to drink plenty of water. And that is just the beginning of its many health benefits. Let us look closer at the rich benefits of becoming and remaining a water drinker.

Water is imperative for your body to digest and absorb vitamins and nutrients. It also detoxifies the liver and kidneys and carries away waste from the body. Water also plays an important role in the process of digestion. Fiber requires water to aid in proper digestive function. The saying, you cannot have one without the other applies in this case. They need each other. Good fiber can actually go bad when not accompanied by water. Constipation and extreme stomach discomfort can result. It is believed that water when it is pure and free of contaminants is as close to a wonder drug as anything can be.

Keep yourself well hydrated at all times

It cannot be emphasized enough-you have already reached the point of dehydration by the time you feel thirsty. Blood becomes thicker when dehydration occurs and the body has to work harder to help it circulate. As a result, the brain becomes less active, the body becomes tired and it is harder to concentrate on any task.

Everyone has a personal hydration level and it is not the same for everyone. Your personal hydration level depends on many factors including height, weight, age and sex. In order to determine yours, try this formula. Divide your weight in half and drink that many ounces of water per day. As an example, if you weigh 160 pounds, drink 80 ounces of water (about two and a half quarts or 10 eight-ounce glasses) every day.

A look at the many benefits of drinking up on a regular basis

Drinking plenty of purified water has many benefits- it increases mental and physical performance; removes toxins and wastes from the body; improves energy; helps with weight loss; reduces headaches and dizziness; helps to keep alkaline levels balanced in the body and it leads to the contracting of fewer colds and the flu becomes less common. Drinking water will also help in other ways. The additional fluoride added to our supply of drinking water provides extra strength and density to bones and teeth. Drinking plenty of water cushions joints (as previously mentioned) and protects tissues and organs, including the spinal cord, from damage and shock.

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, as water is a natural appetite suppressant. Fat cells become rubbery when the body is dehydrated and cannot be easily metabolized. What this means is that it is harder to lose weight when you do not drink enough water.

Water is healing and it has been found to be especially helpful for those people who suffer from kidney stones. Consuming at least eight glasses of water daily reduces the risk of stone formation as water dissolves calcium in the urine. Adequate hydration is also an effective way to prevent urinary tract infections in both sexes as water flushes impurities out of the system. Even a mild case of dehydration makes a person more susceptible to picking up viruses. Water helps the recovery process from illness and disease move more quickly.

When a body is well hydrated, drainage from allergies and colds does not stick and collect in the throat and lungs, and the cough is more productive in getting rid of the bad stuff. Surprising to some, even cold sores that appear on the lips are decreased by drinking water because the eruptions tend to favor dry areas on the body.

Remembering, or even getting into a habit of drinking enough water is not always an easy one to put into play but nor is the effort it takes to bounce back from even a mild case of dehydration. Coffee, tea and sodas containing caffeine are dehydrating so after consuming any of these drinks remember to drink a few extra glasses of water to make up for the diuretic effects.

As human beings we are naturally thirsty (in other words, dehydrated, there is that word again) when we first wake up in the morning. In order to assist the body in flushing out the toxins it has been processing while we slept, drink a decent sized glass of water first thing. Your body will thank you for it. Drink up and start reaping all the benefits that water brings. This goes for when you are at home, at work and away on vacation. Make drinking water as much a part of your daily routine as showering or brushing your teeth and before long it will become second nature to you.

Freeport, Maine is a quaint little town on the Atlantic coast, just twenty minutes north of Portland, Maine's largest city. Freeport is, like the name suggests, a port town, though the actual port is in the neighboring village of South Freeport, so it feels more like just a small town in the Maine woods. Freeport is perhaps best known for its shopping opportunities. With several major retail outlets on the small, charming main street of town, it looks and feels like a small town, but offers big city fashions and merchandise. The most popular of Freeport's outlets is the L.L. Bean flagship store, as well as its catalog outlet center and national headquarters. L.L. Bean draws shoppers from all over the East Coast, all over the country, and all over the world. And when the shoppers who come to Freeport have found all the items they were looking for, they usually will have worked up quite an appetite. True to form, Freeport provides for its guests and has a wonderful selection of restaurants from which to choose.

Jameson Tavern is just across a small side-street from the L.L. Bean Flagship store; it is tucked away in a charming old 19th century home that doubles as a cozy inn where travelers can stay with all the shopping right outside their front door. Jameson Tavern has its several dining rooms in each of the downstairs rooms of the inn, with the old living room, parlor, and dining room of the house serving its guests. Hard wood floors, lace curtains, and tastefully decorated tables with white table cloths and a formal wait staff makes Jameson a great place to go for supper after shopping, for a long, lazy lunch, or for a formal dinner celebration. The food is a combination of American traditional and of course, Maine seafood. Visitors will enjoy Jameson Tavern; it makes one feel like he is definitely in the heart of old New England.

Just a few buildings down from Jameson Tavern, on the same side of the main street is the Azure Cafe. The Azure Cafe is set in an old fashioned New England home, but the decor is tastefully modern. Outside in the front is a patio where diners can sit in the summer months. The menu at Azure Cafe is award winning and decadent. With a Mediterranean Italian cuisine, the Azure Cafe delights guests with its pastas, steaks, seafood, salads, antipasto, and poultry. The wine list is competitive and the dessert menu is unmatched. The clam chowder offered at the Azure Cafe has won several local awards; a feat not easy to accomplish in the state of Maine, where clam chowder can be found nearly everywhere.

The Broad Arrow Tavern is set in the historic Harraseeket Inn, at the top of the main street, and about two blocks from L.L. Bean. The Harraseeket is a luxury inn and the Broad Arrow Tavern fits that luxurious promise. At Broad Arrow, lunch and dinner is available, and the chefs use only organic and naturally raised foods. The beef is from the local Wolfe's Neck Farm where all the livestock is organically grown, and all the produce is grown locally, as is the seafood and milk. The goal of the Broad Arrow is to serve the finest meals possible, while buying only Maine products first. The Broad Arrow Tavern is also aesthetically pleasing, as it is decorated like an old hunting lodge with dark, wood-paneled walls, dark carpet and furnishings, and various wild game mounted on the walls and ceiling.

Freeport has many other fine restaurants that will delight even the most picky palate, including Conondrum's, Cricket's, China Rose, and the Mediterranean Grill; but Freeport also offers less expensive restaurants such as Friendly's, as well as several fast food establishments including McDonald's and Subway. Even these common chain restaurants are in keeping with Freeport's charming aesthetics; they are housed in New England style houses and fit right into the town's quaint decor. The next time you decide to take your family to the coast of Maine for a shopping trip, or even just a fall foliage drive, stop in Freeport when the clock says it's time for dinner. You will be glad you did.

Nice is a city painted in pastel colors. The sky is a pale blue swathed with soft clouds. The streets of the city are endless broad promenades of 17th and 18th century buildings painted in soft yellow, white and red. My hostel was a small and stuffy affair on the Rue Pertinax which is just off Jean Medecin. Jean Medicin is the main drag in Nice and leads right to the Mediterranean and the beautiful beaches of the Cote D'Azur. Nice is the heart of the Cote D'Azur, or the French Riviera, perhaps the most glamorous place on earth.

At nearly one million people Nice is a large city. It was founded by the same Ancient Greeks who founded Marseille and Nice has enjoyed much of the same history as a center of trade. Nice's proximity to Italy has naturally made the city very Italian in character. The colors and design of much of its architecture are similar to what might see in many Italian towns. The city is ringed with large hills. The port is seperated from the beaches and old town by a large headland. On the western side of the promontory is an enormous monument to the victims of the two world wars. The eastern portion of the city is a long, gently curved crescent shaped beach lined with boardwalk.

From Nice one can easily access some of the most famous French towns by rail. Ten miles west of Nice lie the beaches of Antibes, a city that has enjoyed a recent vogue in the game of musical chairs between the French and Italian towns of the Riviera as the most glamorous and popular with the rich and famous. Halfway between Antibes and Nice lies Cannes. Cannes is famous for two reasons. First and foremost Cannes is famous for the annual film festival held in the city which attracts the entire cinematic world. Secondly Cannes has soft white sand beaches, which contrast markedly with the large stone and gravel beaches of many other Riviera towns.

To the East of Nice is Principality of Monaco. Monaco is famous as one of the smallest countries on earth, smaller than Central Park. The principality is a fantasy playland for the rich and famous with more millionaries per square mile than any other place in the world. The tiny nation has its own casino, aquarium, beaches and luxury resort hotels. Sports cars prowl every winding corner and the sun shines down plentifully. Beyond Monaco is Menton and the Italian border with the resort town of San Remo beyond that. With so many beautiful places to see in such a short stretch of coast, Nice is an ideal base of operations.

Nice has many of the qualities of Marseille. It is an ancient seaside town that is quaint, antique and slightly grimy. A walk down Jean Medecin toward the shore reveals a diverse selection of stores and boutiques. The boulevard ends near a beautiful plaza filled with fountains. The beaches of Nice are plentiful but are covered with large stones and can be very uncomfortable to walk on. The water is warm like any place on the Mediterranean. The beach is studded with many beautiful beach clubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and casinos. Walking down the long boardwalk is like something out of a dream. Hundreds of young people hang out on the beach every night as the sun sets drinking wine, smoking cigarettes and playing music. The boardwalk is alight with activity as couples stroll along holding hands and people lean against the railing talking into all hours of the night. Nice is much like a postcard of Coney Island or the Jersey Shore at the turn of the century.

It is a different experience eating a French breakfast as opposed to an American or English breakfast. Each morning I would wake up and stroll to the corner cafe where they sold an incredible variety of pastries. Croissants filled with ham, cheese, tomatoes and vegetables and sweet rolls covered with different syrups. I would enjoy a cup of strong french coffee and a few of these delicious rolls as I planned out my days. Some of these took me straight to the beach where I would bask in the sun and swim for hours.

On my second day in Nice I visited a modern art museum. The Nice museum of modern art is filled with incredible exhibits of painting and sculpture by artists such as Yves Klein and Andy Warhol. There were many fantastic exhibits covering all mediums and in fantastic varieties of color. The exhibits extended to the roof of the museum which offered a panorama of the city in all directions. After visiting the museum I wandered the streets leading back to the shore. As the sun was setting I decided to grab dinner at a boardwalk bistro. The service at French restaurants always seems just a little bit better when you order in French and that night I enjoyed an exceptional meal of Salade Nicoise and Seafood Pasta. After dinner I sat smoking a cigarette, drinking coffee and looking out at the sea while I planned out my next day.

On my third day in Nice I made my way to the train station, which is an old and charming structure located conveniently close to my hostel. After a train ride of only five miles the train pulled into Cannes. Cannes is a cleaner and richer city than Nice. My first stop was to head straight to the beach. The sand was incredibly soft on my feet and blessedly cool-since it is white and powdery it does not absorb heat as well as most sand. Artists had created incredibly large and fantastic sculptures in the sand of castles and large smiling figures. The women who wandered onto that beach were some of the most breathtakingly beautiful women that I have ever seen. Mediterranean women are tall, lean and incredibly tanned. They are the mixture of many different European, Middle Eastern and African nationalities and they are all creatures of the sun.

After taking in the sights of Cannes I decided to wander around the town for a few hours before catching a train back to Nice. I wandered along the boardwalk, gazing at the white washed cupolas and balconies of Cannes' spectacular hotels and mansions. Everywhere there were advertisements for fashion designers and perfumes showing exorbitant clothing on perfect human forms. After a little searching I found the Cannes Film Festival convention center. As I looked at it I tried to imagine the city during time of the festival-filled with glamorous celebrities decked out in the height of fashion for one of the film industry's most prestigious nights. I took in lunch at a cafe and as it was another gorgeous day I sat outdoors enjoying a croque monsieur and coffee. After eating I pulled my journal from my bag and wrote for a while before making my way back to the train station.

I would spend three more days in Nice. During that time I would visit Monaco, which I will describe in a seperate article. For the other three days I relaxed in Nice, shopping, going to the beach and enjoying the seafood of the Cote D'Azur. My time in Nice was truly relaxing. I have never been to a place where you can drink wine on the beach as the sun sets and then wander onto the boardwalk for a light meal. If you feel like a little excitement there are clubs and bars everywhere or you can wander into a casino for some black jack and poker. The night air smells like the sea, wine and tobacco in a city that is the ultimate experience of the French Riviera. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this paradise but Italy was only a few miles away and I was extremely excited when I headed out of the hostel to catch a train to the Italian border and then on to Rome.

Magnificent scenery, relaxed and hospitable people, the sound of the samba in the streets, glorious beaches... It is all true!!! What is more, Rio de Janeiro is the biggest tropical city in the world, superimposing all the metropolitan conveniences and excitements onto a happy scene of noble palms and blinding white sand.

The population of Rio de Janeiro is over seven million and multiplying fast. More than two million live in shanty-towns that grow like mushrooms on the steep hillsides.

The beauties of Rio de Janeiro are legend, but you'd hardly know it on the way into town from the international airport. Do not let first impressions of the Northern Zone's heavy industry discourage you.

Central Rio is a busy mixture of historic buildings over-shadowed by high-rise office blocks. The district is graced with sweeping gardens and the man-made beaches that front Guanabara Bay. Tunnels through Rio's several hills link the centre with the alluring Southern Zone (Zona Sul). This is the oceanfront area where the tourists and Rio's "beautiful people" spend most of their time.

Sightseeing can be something of an ordeal under the tropical sun, so it is not advisable to wander aimlessly afoot. Decide where you want to go, and then take a taxi or bus. Taxis are plentiful and economical. The bus service is good and cheap, but you have to figure out the complicated routes. Also note that many bus stops are unmarked, though passengers and drivers always know which buses stop where. You will just have to ask for help.

Line 1 of the Metro (underground, subway) goes all the way from the northern suburb of Tijuca to Botafogo, the south-zone district where Rio's elegant yacht club is located.

The ferryboats from Praca XV de Novembro offer the cheapest sightseeing imaginable, or you can view the bay from a luxury tour boat. There are bus excursions but you could also hire a car and drive yourself, but taxis are more convenient for in-town travel.

With so much to see and do in Rio, do not try to cover it all too fast. When the going gets hot, it is time to follow Carioca custom and head for the beach.

"Pao de Acucar" (Sugar Loaf) is such a well-known landmark that some visitors are surprised to find it is not as tall as, say the Matterhorn or Mount Fuji. No one ever claimed it was any more than a dramatic rock standing guard over the entrance to Guanabara Bay. From its summit 1293 feet above sea level, you can read Rio like a map.

The only way to reach the top of Sugar Loaf is aboard a cable car which makes the journey in two stages. The trip begins at the "Estacao do Teleferico" near Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). All the buses marked "Urca" pass within a couple of blocks of the station. The first stage of the aerial itinerary takes you to the top of Morro da Urca, somewhat more the half as high as Sugar Loaf. At this way station, which also has good panoramas over Rio, there is a big restaurant, as well as shops and a curious little museum of mechanized marionettes. The next car leaves for the Sugar Loaf summit, where you get an airline pilot's view of Rio and Guanabara Bay. In fact, you are high above the runway of Santos Dumont airport. There are several "mirantes" (observation points) overlooking Rio, but none more dramatic than this one especially at sunset when the lights of the Marvelous City flicker on.

Overall travel time on the cable cars is only five or six minutes, with departures at least every 20 minutes and much more frequently during crowded periods. Delays rarely occur, though should there be a sudden storm, safety-conscious officials might temporarily suspend traffic, stranding passengers at all levels (but not in mid-air). A more likely problem: if there is a cloud within ten miles of Rio, it tends to sidle up to Sugar Loaf and spoil the view. Look carefully at the sky before you begin the cable-car adventure, lest you wind up contemplating a wall of mist and drizzle.

At 2,326 feet, "Corcovado", meaning Humpbacked Mountain, is nearly twice as high as Sugar Loaf. In modern times it has become equally symbolic of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), with arms outstretched over the bay, was inaugurated as a national monument in 1931. The reinforced concrete statue, designed by the French sculptor Paul Landowski, is 98 feet tall; a small chapel is built into the base of the monument. Since approximately ten different local, state and federal bureaus share responsibility for the site, maintenance problems are chronic.

You can take a sightseeing tour of Rio which includes Corcovado; the buses stop halfway up the mountain and transfer passengers to smaller vans for the circuitous drive to the parking area, from which it is still a vigorous hike up to the base of the statue, or you can take a taxi or drive yourself. The most enjoyable way to Corcovado is aboard the funicular which begins its ascent in Cosme Velho. All buses marked "Cosme Velho" stop within a few steps of the funicular terminal (Estrada de Ferro Corcovado, 513 Rua Cosme Velho). A Swiss cable railway replaces a line inaugurated by Emperor Pedro II in 1884. The trip takes about 20 minutes and passes through full-fledged jungle with brilliant flowering trees.

The view from the top of Corcovado is sensationally comprehensive - from the bay to the city centre to the sea. Conversely the statue, which is well lighted at night, may be seen from almost any place in Rio - a symbol more ubiquitous than the Empire State Building or the Eiffel Tower.

If clouds are clinging to Corcovado, you may be able to sneak in under the ceiling at another belvedere in the same area, the Mirante Dona Marta (1191 ft.) Luxuriant tropical plants surround the modern observation platforms, from which you have an excellent perspective on the spacious Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, a lagoon separated from the ocean by the communities of Ipanema and Leblon.

Corcovado and Dona Marta are within the Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Tijuca National Park), a precious wilderness inside Rio's city limits. Another belvedere in the same park is called Vista Chinesa (Chinese View), and the look-out point is occupied by a pagoda-like structure. This is not quite the flight of fancy it may seem. In the early 19th century Chinese immigrants established a tea plantation on this site.

I am sure you will enjoy visiting Rio de Janeiro. It is a trip you will never forget!!!

If you're considering traveling to Europe, you may not think of Portugal as one of your main destinations. Many of us just think of it as a tiny little country nestled against Spain and very similar to its larger counterpart, but sunny Portugal has much to offer as a tourist destination. Like Spain, it has a sense of age and a great wealth of history and culture. If you are planning to discover some of the country's main cities, the capital of Lisbon is always a great place to start.

If you love history and can't get enough of old fortresses and castles, you'll want to try Lisbon's old St. George's Castle, although its Portuguese name, Castelo de Sao Jorge, sounds so much more exotic. Surprisingly, the castle wasn't originally built by the Portuguese at all, but off and on by many groups of people including Moors of Muslim descent who once lived in this region. It has all the earmarks of a foreboding medieval castle; St. George's Castle is fascinating to visit and will make some great memories. If you're not a big fan of heights, the castle may not be the best choice for you due to its lofty location, but I highly recommend this stop for anyone visiting Lisbon.

Like every great European country, Lisbon has its own outstanding cathedral. Its huge walls reach to the sky, and although it doesn't have massive stained glass windows or high exterior archways like other gothic churches, don't let its simple appearance fool you. Once you walk inside you will learn about the historical events that make it so appealing. It was constructed in medieval times to accentuate Christian victory over previous Moorish rulers, and has probably changed very little since that time. St. Anthony himself is said to be interred inside the cathedral. Best of all, admission is free and you can wander around to your heart's content and see many fascinating artifacts.

There are churches and other religious buildings scattered throughout Lisbon, such as Santa Engracia. This beautiful Baroque church captures the imagination with its tales of ghostly interference and its elegant facade, and once you visit you will understand why it is called the National Pantheon. If you're lucky to be visiting on Saturday or Tuesday and need something to do after your tour of the church, you can drift around at the market.

If this isn't the kind of attraction you're looking for, prepare to explore museums, gardens, municipal buildings, and historic streets. One terrific vacation spot especially for families with children is the Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden. Children might not be thrilled about the "natural history" part, but they should love the gardens. There are various statues of explorers, kings, and other important people throughout the city that would make great poses for portraits, but then again, the entire city is photogenic.

If you're like me, Lisbon is the only Portuguese city you've ever really heard much about. The city of Braga may not be as well-known or studded with attractions as Lisbon, but it does have its worthwhile offerings. Braga's cathedral is more eye-catching than that of Lisbon, with high turrets, a bell tower, and a weathered appearance. It is most likely close to what most people probably envision when they think of a Hispanic church. Different parts were built in different centuries; part of the "se" (the cathedral) is from the 1400s, but the higher parts of the church were not added until the 1600s. From the side, the church isn't quite so impressive except for a wide, beautifully-sculpted door. Check the Braga Cathedral website to find out what times the church is open to the public.

For some unforgettable natural beauty, seek out Peneda Geres National Park (Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres) and prepare to see things you might not expect to find in Portugal. Beautiful hills surround tranquil waters; look out for the picturesque waterfall. If you love walking and being one with nature, you should definitely take time on your vacation for this national park.

Where is Coimbra? This city is another historic part of Portugal that few travelers ever hear of. If you take a look at the city from afar, you may be disappointed by the newer-looking buildings, but the skyline belies Coimbra's true age. In actuality it dates back centuries to the times of the Moors and for awhile it was Portugal's major city. Like much of Spain and Portugal in general, many of Coimbra's attractions are related to the development of the Catholic faith. Coimbra's religious structures include churches, monasteries, and convents that are all worth a visit if you have the time. Don't miss the historical significance and peacefulness of these places while traveling in Coimbra.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

by George Wood

You should search the net thoroughly in case you want cheap airfare to Hawaii. There are so many sites that offer discounted airfares. So you should check out these sites regularly in case you are looking for cheap airfare.

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You can also go to travel search engines like Sidestep. They have a huge database which contains information from travel web sites, airlines sites, and it also has information about car and room rentals. You can find all this and more from here.

You can also use sites like Yahoo or Google to find out about cheap airfare. You also become a member of some companies like AAA. Resort owners have extra benefit. There are resort websites where you can get to know all about traveling. You can also visit sites like Priceline, Hotline and eBay. You can also shop by bidding at various sites to get very best airfare price.

Okey, what you need to do if you can not find a cheap flight that is good for your Hawaii vacation? Well, one thing is to try flying to next airport close by. There is likely to be more like one airport within a couple of hours drive, so try find flights from that airport instead. It might take some extra time to get to the airport, but if it save you hundreds of dollars on your Hawaii airfare, its worth it.

There is also a program run by Priceline.com through which you can get cheap ticket for Hawaii. You are supposed to enter your date of travel, your destination city and how much you are willing to pay for the airfare. The site will then contact all the airlines and see if they get the ticket on the price quoted by you.

However these tickets cannot be refunded so whether you like the flight or not, you have to manage it. The rate will be of course the cheapest.

The coast of Maine is replete with quaint, cozy towns, and each of these towns is dotted with equally quaint and cozy restaurants. Visitors and locals alike enjoy the variety of cuisine along the Maine coast, from traditional Maine lobster to many different ethnic options in dining. The town of Brunswick, just thirty miles north of Portland, Maine, is among the larger towns on the coast and it has a large variety of restaurants from which to choose. Brunswick is home to Bowdoin College, the Brunswick Naval Air Station, the Maine State Music Theatre, and it is a crossroads for coastal tourism. Although still in the realm of quaint and cozy, Brunswick is a small town with many of the amenities of larger cities, including many interesting and tasty restaurants.

Joshua's Tavern was our introduction to the state of Maine, as it was the very first place we stopped upon entering the state, and we enjoyed lunch one late July day. While a summer rain poured down outside its windows, we sat in Joshua's Tavern and feasted on crabmeat rolls, fish and chips, and of course, succulent boiled Maine lobster. The staff is friendly, the ambiance quiet and cozy, and Joshua's sits right in the middle of town on the main street that runs through Brunswick. The lower level of Joshua's is a traditional pub with a bar, dart board, and heavy tables, while upstairs is a sunny luncheon room for airier dining. Joshua's Tavern is named after the Civil War hero, Joshua Chamberlain, and visitors can read about Chamberlain on the back of the menu.

Just down the main street from Joshua's Tavern is The Great Impasta. Mainers are known for their clipped, friendly accents that usually involve dropping the letter "R" from the ends of their words. The Great Impasta plays on this accent, but once anyone has dined at the tiny restaurant on the corner of Maine Street and Coastal Route One, they will forget the play on words and simply revel in the delicious food. The Great Impasta serves fine Italian cuisine that cannot be matched anywhere along the rest of the Midcoast; or anywhere in Maine, for that matter. The meal begins with a basket of Garlic Knots, which have to be tasted to be believed, and then follows the main dish which might be anything from Linguine, Fettucini, Lasagna, and Spaghetti, to a whole array of seafoods, poultry dishes, and vegetarian dishes. The desserts at The Great Impasta are made on the premises and are decadent displays of Tiramisu, Canoli, Spumoni, and a variety of cheesecakes. As if the food were not enough, The Great Impasta is set in a small, intimate building that makes visitors feel as though they have stepped into old Italy.

Taking a short drive away from the main part of downtown Brunswick, if visitors will drive a few miles down Bath Road toward the Naval Air Station, they will find an area called Cook's Corner. Just before Cook's Corner sits an old fashioned drive-in that looks like something out of the 1950s. This cute little drive-in is called Fat Boy's. Fat Boy's may have a less-than-appealing name, but the food is excellent and it is a fun place to go. Cars can park in the large parking lot at Fat Boy's and wait for a friendly waitress to come and take their order, or visitors can go inside the small drive-in and eat in an old-fashioned booth. The menu is chock full of tasty lunch and dinner items including burgers, hot dogs, onion rings, french fries, and BLTs; and of course there are the traditional Maine lobster and crab rolls, as well as fish and chips. With such tasty food, the menu is surprisingly inexpensive, and the staff at Fat Boy's is friendly and energetic. A visit to Brunswick would not be complete without a visit to Fat Boy's.

These are only a few of the wonderful restaurants in Brunswick, Maine. Visitors will also find the typical chain and fast food restaurants found elsewhere, such as McDonald's, Applebees, Friendly's, Subway, and Starbucks Coffee. Come to Brunswick, Maine and find fine dining and great food along with views that cannot be matched.

Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Holiday Travel Package

by Sami Fab

Your well-deserved vacation is near and you are thinking about making reservations. You have two basic choices:

Do you book different components of your holiday such as airline, hotel, and car rental separately or do you book the components as a package, all in one booking?

Depending on whether you have the time and the patience, you could book separately, which sometimes can lead to some savings. However, if you prefer to have everything ready and included in one price, then the package alternative is for you.

Holiday packages can be cheaper than other alternatives because the company selling the products has already negotiated substantial discounts, some of which are passed down to you, the consumer. The principle of packaged holidays is that places and seats are reserved in huge numbers, thus making an individual package relatively cheap.

In a sense it is good to know that all the reservations have taken place. An added bonus can be traveling with other like-minded people possibly leading to friendship. Also in case any difficulties arise, there is often a company representative who will be able to help you.

It is worth bearing in mind, the apparent ease and convenience that packages bring can have downsides too. This is how lower prices are achieved:

1. Your plane may depart late at night. Be prepared for this and it won't be too much of a disappointment. Alternatively if you have the choice to have a late night departure you should notice a lower price. If not, "ask" for the discount. You'll be amazed how often you get discounts by simply asking.

2. The allocated seats on the aircraft are sometimes in the middle (away from windows). This may be important if you are traveling with children. Make sure you carry plenty of suitable entertainment. Note that the in-flight movie may not be interesting for the children.

3. If there are several members in your party, you may not all be able to sit together. Again this is even more important if you have children with you.

4. Your hotel room may not offer the best view possible, nor may it be the quietest. Can you handle this? Ask before you book, find out the situation and take alternative action if necessary.

5. Packages are geared to suit groups, as opposed to individuals. They are not always flexible. Flexibility costs extra, quite a bit extra.

6. Cancellations usually involve a penalty or at least an administration charge, which can be more than you expect. Always "ask" before booking.

7. Extras such as upgrades and add-ons can attract a substantial premium.

8. You are stuck with other travelers in the group, whether you like them or not. There is always at least one annoying person in the group but then there are usually a few very interesting and likeable people too.

8. Popular packages are usually fully booked early. You may have to settle for an alternative.

9. Your airline may take an indirect route and a stopover may be on the cards. The right holiday packages can be fun and the majority of people using them are pleasantly surprised. Don't let the downsides to package holidays put you off.

Remember, there is no such thing as a 'perfect set-up'. Provided you go into it with reasonable understanding and an open mind, you're sure to have a great time.

by Julia Ramyalg

Can you imagine vacation in the Northern Cyprus without tasting traditional cuisine?
For every holidaymaker this means definitely an inseparable adventure as tasty Cypriot food represents a part of the unique culture.

North Cyprus is literally studded with restaurants from the authentic Cypriot cuisine, which offer very good value for money, to the fashionable restaurants like French, Chinese or Indian.

Lying on the crossroad of the three continents, the Turkish-Cypriot cuisine has been influenced by different cultures throughout history, owing most of its heritage to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Many dishes vary from region to region making North Cyprus a marvelous place to eat. The finest restaurants are, however, found in and around Kyrenia.

Over the years the culinary offerings in Northern Cyprus have grown as has the demand for their services. Not only the residents of the island required their services but also by the growing number of tourists that visit the island each year.

The first restaurants on the island were more local in nature and offered Cypriot dishes such as kebabs and mezes. The most famous of these restaurants are
located in the Kyrenia harbour area. It's a pleasure to enjoy a candlelight dinnerwhile gazing at the warm light illuminated Kyrenia castle. Between the breath taking scenery and the scrumptious cuisine it is hard to tell which casts the stronger spell on you.

As the international community on the island is continually growing there has been a push towards more family oriented restaurants, similar in nature to TGI Fridays and Steak Houses, "Stone Grill / Cafe Duka" to name a few have opened in and around Kyrenia.

Cafe Bars and English Pubs

There are lots of Cafe bars and English pubs across Northern Cyprus, like the rest of the Mediterranean islands the cafe bar culture is to be seen everywhere.
There is a great range of Cafe bars in and around Kyrenia Harbor that serve a good choice of beers and food. You can also find some great bars in the better
hotels, The Colony Hotel the Rocks Hotel and the Merrit Hotel to name a few also offer entertainment however they can be expensive, so please bear this in mind.

Some English bars worth mentioning are, Villa Swallow that is situated just two minutes walk from the Harbour, it offers a great selection of beers and superb home cooked English food, the Fireman's Fez Pub is handy to know as it serves good old fish and chips on a Friday evening and the Castle Pub in araoglanoglu which is only five minutes away is very convenient if you want to watch the live football.

The Santori Holiday Village is a great place for a night cap especially in the summer when there is a great atmosphere around the pool bar and restaurant.

The Escape beach offers both bars and Nightclub during the summer months. It is a great place for the latest in dance music and with its open air club next to the sea you could not ask for a better setting.

Restaurants

Niazis Restaurant

Niazis Restaurant has been serving good quality food, mainly kebabs and steaks, to locals and tourists for over 40 years. His now famous kebabs have stopped people needing a starter ever since day one, and with a wide selection of desserts to suit every taste, you really are spoiled for choice. Positioned in the heart of Kyrenia center, just 2 minutes walk from the harbor, you are also in the perfect position to seek out some late night entertainment. Open 7 days a week.

Pizza Garden

Pizza Garden is just a few miles to the west of Kyrenia and this is very popular restaurant that serves various foods throughout the day. Famous for their individual style & taste in a pizza and those delicious, thick chocolate/brandy milkshakes, you can sit and watch the best sunsets the island has to offer in this relaxed and tranquil location. Open 7 days a week, closed from November to March.

Carob

Rich in history and architecture, this delightful restaurant is situated right in the heart of Kyrenia harbor, with its old fishing boats and imposing backdrop of the ancient Kyrenia castle. There are 3 floors in total with the "roof top terrace" being the most popular place for diners to enjoy the amazing view on offer. The menu is extensive and there really is something to suit all tastes, so whilst in the Northern Cyprus the Carob is a must. Open 7 days a week.

The Ambiance

The Ambiance is opened by 2 of the most experienced and popular restaurateurs in the Northern and offers its diners something different from the average restaurant. Set right on the seas edge in the very popular village of Karaoglanoglu, you can relax and enjoy one of the most extensive menus on the island whilst listening to the waves gently splashing against the rocks. The evening is busy and the atmosphere is perfect, the day is laid backed with the chance to relax on loungers and soak up the rays, all in all, the perfect choice. Open 7 days a week, booking essential.

Altinkaya 1

Altinkaya 1 is just 5 miles west of Kyrenia city center on the Kyrenia-Lapta road. This is lovely fish restaurant which offers panoramic views and a friendly atmosphere, open 7 days a week.

Chinese House

Peking and Cantonese dishes served at Kyrenia's popular Chinese House situated just 1.5 km west of the city center. There are indoor and outdoor seating arrangements so you can enjoy the authentic dishes any time of the year. Closed on Sundays.

Efendis House

Efendis House is situated in the old Turkish quarter with a delightful courtyard garden and giant apricot tree. This old time restaurant has a small but delicious menu, the staff is all friendly and the atmosphere is perfect. Closed on Mondays. If you are looking for a good quality Indian restaurant, look no further. The location is both convenient and impressive and offers diners a wide choice of menu including authentic indian dishes, some French cuisine and an impressive choice of Italian. Something for everyone. And it's all about Jashans.

The Stone Grill

The Stone Grill offers a superb setting and benefiting from a innovative idea that you can cook your own dinner in front of you! The idea seemed strange at first but has quickly taken off with the full car park an indication of its success. Open 7 days a week

The Address

One of just a few restaurants that stay busy all through the year, and when you taste the food you will know exactly why. Whether it's on the terrace in the summer, or indoors in the winter, The Address always has a fantastic atmosphere. Closed on Tuesdays.

St Tropez

Looked upon as one of the superior restaurants in Northern Cyprus, and quite rightly so, St Tropez has built up a superb reputation over the years. With an excellent menu to suit all tastes, friendly and efficient staff, a separate 'cocktail bar' and a wine list to rival all others, St Tropez is perfect for that special evening out. Open 7 days a week.

When most people think about the area in Northern Virginia, if they know anything about it, they will automatically think of the Washington, D.C. area. Northern Virginia includes Arlington, Alexandria, and a whole array of towns stretching out in a large inverted "V" shape, up toward the state of Maryland, and west to the West Virginia border. But Northern Virginia is so much more than just an extension of Washington, D.C. Northern Virginia is scenic, historic, international, southern, and so much more.

Two of the larger cities in Northern Virginia are the aforementioned Arlington and Alexandria. Arlington actually used to be an official part of Washington, D.C., but the 26 square mile area of city was returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1846. Arlington sits just across the Potomac River from the nation's capital, and is home to the Arlington National Cemetery and of course, the Pentagon. While Arlington has many quaint, old neighborhoods with World War II era brick homes, it also boasts more office space than downtown Los Angeles.

Just to the southeast of Arlington is the city of Alexandria, where American history abounds. Fifty years older than the city of Washington, D.C., Alexandria was the place where George Washington drilled his troops for the revolutionary war. Now a bustling city with a carefully preserved historic "Old Town" area, Alexandria is a beautiful suburb of D.C. Just nine miles south of the main part of town is historic Mount Vernon, home of George and Martha Washington. Mount Vernon sits on the banks of the Potomac River and it gives visitors a glimpse into the life of our first president.

Farther northwest, many miles from the busy Washington, D.C. area is Harper's Ferry. Harper's Ferry is a small town situated on the banks of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the northernmost corner of Virginia, where the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia meet. Located at the bottom of the ravine created by the two rivers, it is thus tucked within the surrounding mountains. Historically, Harper's Ferry is best known for John Brown's raid on the Armory in 1859. Today, the town is a wonderful place to visit with its scenic views, historical past, and tourist attractions.

Just a few miles south of Harper's Ferry, near the town of Front Royal, visitors will discover the famous Skyline Drive which winds its way 105 miles down the Shenandoah range past the town of Waynesboro, to the tiny town of Afton. As part of the Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive is preserved and protected. There are no commercial areas and no homes or billboards; just a paved, well-maintained road that takes drivers through some of the most beautiful areas in Virginia. Wildlife abounds along Skyline Drive and there are many stopping points and overlooks along the way with amazing views of the Virginia Piedmont and the Shenandoah Valley. Hiking is popular along Skyline Drive and many of the hiking trails will access the famous Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail practically parallels Skyline Drive and through-hikers can often be seen at the local camping spots, as well as nearby stores and restaurants.

Not far down Skyline Drive, if one drives a bit east back toward highway 50, sits the town of Sperryville. While Sperryville holds no specific historical or touristy significance, it is a traditional Virginia mountain town that is off the beaten path. With nothing more than a restaurant or two, a large antique emporium, a few beautiful homes, and a small brook running through town, Sperryville is quiet and makes visitors feel as though they have traveled back through time into a simpler world.

Northern Virginia is nothing if not historic. All along Interstate 66, which runs from Arlington to Front Royal, there are several Civil War battlefields where visitors will find Civil War reenactments and historical tours. The town of Manassas is famous for the Manassas battlefield. There, visitors can walk around the battlefield and ponder the beauty of the area, while trying to imagine the place in the throes of war.

Lastly, a favorite activity in the Northern Virginia area is to spend time in or on the water. The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers offer canoeing and swimming in various parts, and there are many other rivers, streams and "runs" in the area where locals and tourists alike will enjoy cooling off during the hot summer days.

The next time you consider visiting the Washington, D.C. area, remember there is much to see and do just across the river in Northern Virginia.

If you plan on vacationing down south or in a location that is tropical, then you need to learn the facts about how best to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun so you will not suffer from a painful sunburn during your vacation and even worse, on a long term basis you will not fall victim to skin cancer. Let us take a closer look at how best to protect the skin.

Are you aware that some people run a higher risk of developing skin cancer then other people? Certain factors predispose an individual to be more susceptible to developing skin cancer in the future then others. The more risk factors you have, the higher risk category you are likely to fall into. What are these risk factors then? The risk factors include having a fair to light skin tone; skin cancer that runs in the family; a personal history of skin problems and/or skin cancer that you have suffered in the past; repeated exposure to the sun while at work or on a recreational basis; a past history of sunburns that took place in your childhood and/or throughout your teenage years; skin that easily develops freckles, turns red quickly and easily, skin that burns easily or becomes uncomfortable feeling while out in the sun; having either blue or green eyes; having naturally blonde or auburn colored hair; and finally, having certain kinds of moles on the skin not to mention having a large percentage of moles on the body.

Being smart about protecting your skin from future sun damage is crucial at any age and be aware that it only takes one serious sunburn to increase your chances of developing skin cancer by 50 percent. It is estimated that one out of every five individuals in Canada and the United States will develop some form of skin cancer throughout their lifetime. When you break it down this ends up being an estimated one million individuals each and every year.

It is strongly espoused by the medical community that 80 percent of skin damage (or maybe even as much as 90 percent) takes place before a person turns 18 to 20 years of age. It is also important to note that one bout of overexposure to the harmful rays of the sun can cause the skin to become red, painful and sunburned and it can then bubble and peel. A bad sunburn when you are an adolescent can increase your risk of developing skin cancer later in your life. Repeated exposure on a long term basis can serve to bring about premature aging of the skin, not to mention an overabundance of freckles, wrinkles, age spots, dilated blood vessels, skin cancer and skin that looks very unhealthy because it is leathery and terribly dry. Skin that becomes this way loses its soft, supple texture and its condition tends to deteriorate over time.

For all of the reasons given above, it is essential to always put on sunscreen when you are going outside and expect to be exposed to the burning rays of the sun, even if it is just for a short span of time. If you plan to be out for an extended period of time, take the sunscreen with you and reapply it often, particularly before and after swimming and if engaging in physical activity, reapply after perspiring. Be forewarned that no one thing you do will manage to completely block out the sun and you really do not want that anyway because the sun has its good side as well. The sun provides us with healthy does of vitamin D, which everyone requires for optimum health. Using your own common sense and being savvy about the sun is so important for the health of your skin both in the present but also thinking ahead to the future. Wearing sunscreen is a must for everyone from the youngest to the oldest and it is encouraged that you take the time to learn about SPF (sun protection factor) and which one is most relevant for you. But that is not all. Protect your skin further by wearing a hat when you are outside and always choose one with a good brim on it to shield the sun. Also wear a pair of sunglasses that specifically state that they block both UVA and UVB rays. It is strongly recommended that you wear a long sleeved shirt as well as long pants (or at least longish pants) when you are outside in the sun, no matter what you are doing, be it walking, gardening, biking, lounging in the yard, etc. Cotton or cotton blends are the most appropriate choices for summertime wear, as they are the most comfortable and lightweight of all fabrics. This material also allows the skin to breathe properly.

Sunscreens and How They Work to Protect the Skin From Burning

A sunscreen is a product that contains SPF (sun protection factor) that is at least 15 but also can be higher as in SPF 30 or SPF 45. Be aware that there is no one single product that is able to entirely block out the sun from reaching the skin and that is why it is still possible to tan your skin after applying SPF 15.The word sunblock is the general, basic term for the SPF products while the word sunscreen describes the ingredients that are contained within the product.

Sunscreens work by absorbing or reflecting the rays of the sun as they reach the skin. Sunscreens come in a variety of kinds such as creams, gels, lotions, sprays, ointments, wax sticks and the latest development is a pill. The higher the sun protection factor you choose, the better protected you will be from getting a painful sunburn. For those who do not know this, the scientific name for sunburn is erythema. Sunburns more commonly come about as a result of exposure to UVB rays as opposed to UVA rays.

To be as well protected as possible from acquiring damage to your skin from the sun it is wise to choose a sunscreen that is labeled as a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against and absorb the debilitating effects of both the UVA as well as the UVB rays. All sunscreens however are not made exactly the same therefore reading the labels on the sides of the products is essential in choosing the sunscreen that is appropriate for you. For example, besides broad-spectrum sunscreens there are sunscreens that only block UVB rays as well as physical sunscreens and blocks and chemical free sunscreens.

A Look at the Different Kinds of Sunscreens

The three main categories of sunscreens include the broad-spectrum sunscreens, the chemical sunscreens and the physical sunscreens. Let us take a brief look at all three kinds.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens are those that are composed of ingredients that make it possible to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. Be aware of the fact that unless a sunscreen specifically states that it is formulated for broad-spectrum sun protection then it does not contain both UVA as well as UVB sun absorbers. To be broad-spectrum it must shield an individual from both types of damaging rays. Look for the ingredients oxybenzone or avobenzone and mexoryl in a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

A chemical sunscreen contains a protective layer of ingredients that sufficiently work to absorb ultraviolet radiation. The way this type of sunscreen works is that when UV light is absorbed by the sunscreen applied to the skin, the energy of the sun is then quickly converted into a heat source that is easily dissipated.

Physical sunscreens work in a different manner from the other types of sunscreens as they serve to block and reflect the ultraviolet radiation from the sun as opposed to doing nothing but absorbing it. Physical sunscreens contain the ingredient titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

In trying to decide which sunscreen is best for you, keep in mind that the number one overall sunscreen is one that combines the ingredients of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with the winning attributes of a physical sunscreen.

A Closer Look at UVA and UVB Rays

What exactly are UVA ands UVB rays anyway? Let us find out.

The sun gives off both visible as well as invisible light (or energy) that is known as ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is broken down into two specific categories, that of UVA and UVB rays (or UVA and UVB wavelengths). UVA rays are the most damaging to the skin of the two kinds. UVA rays are the longest rays and they penetrate deeper into the layers of the skin then do UVB rays. The UVA rays of the sun damage the skin and are to blame for sagging of the skin, premature aging as well as wrinkles. The UVA rays are the rays that cause tanning on a short-term basis but be forewarned that there really is no such thing as a safe tan. The concept of such is a fallacy. UVA rays also cause the skin to burn and are believed to be potentially carcinogenic (in other words, they are believed to cause cancer). UVB rays on the other hand affect the outer layers of the skin and are shorter and stronger rays than are the UVA rays. For the most part the skin absorbs the majority of the UVB rays that it comes in contact with. UVB rays can bring about a sunburn and they also are responsible for producing melanin which helps to promote tanning of the skin. UVB rays have the ability to make the skin age prematurely while also damaging the DNA of the skin at the same time. For these reasons protecting your skin from both UVA and UVB rays is so important.

More and more research into UVB rays has shown that these rays are a contributing factor in the development of skin cancer, in particular in the case of malignant tumors such as basal cell carcinomas (the least serious form of skin cancer), squamous cell carcinomas and malignant skin melanoma (which is the most serious and deadly type of skin cancer). UVA rays from the sun are more dangerous than UVB rays because they outnumber UVB rays by 9 to 1 and also more of them readily reach the surface of the earth. UVB rays go through daily as well as seasonal alterations, however this is not the case with UVA rays.

Our skin is constantly exposed to the damaging effects of UVA radiation. As well the UVA rays penetrate much deeper into the skin, through the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis and into the dermis (which is the second layer of the skin). The dermis is often deemed as the true skin but damage here is more detrimental and problematic to the health of skin than it is anywhere else. The dermis of the skin goes through a continuous renewal process until an individual reaches the age of 28 years. Upon reaching this age, a person is deemed as having skin that is mature.

It often takes many years for skin damage to show itself on the outer surface of the skin. The dermis provides what is often believed to be the firm and youthful mattress for the skin. The skin is made up of a variety of elements including blood vessels, nerve endings, collagen, elastin and ground substances (which include glycol-amino-glycans and mucopolysaccharides). Too much exposure to the harmful UVA rays of the sun causes the collagen and elastin in the skin to crack and shrink. This in turn causes the layer of the skin to become smaller thereby making the epidermis droopy, saggy and wrinkly. The blood vessels in the area permanently become dilated and this causes the skin in the damaged region to often look flushed. The melanocyte cells that are left behind in the dermis area do one of two things in relation to the skin damage, which is they either die off all together and leave a white spot on the skin or they try to overcompensate for the cells that have died and leave a brown spot in its place.

By Derek Wilson

Welcome back to the second half of our Berlin Mitte tour. I hope lunch was to your satisfaction, wherever you went, and you have had enough time to take pictures of our current location at Checkpoint Charlie. As I mentioned just before we took our break, most Berliners avoid this exact part of town but for visitors to the city it is one of the most important sights to see. We begin the next stage of our tour by walking away from Friedrich Strasse and along Zimmer Strasse. At this point we can see one of the few parts of wall which still exists in a large chunk. It is around 12 feet high and made of concrete. The wall in itself would not have been too hard to scale but this was the final obstacle for escapers. This part of wall is the 'Western' wall, built only a metre or so in East German territory. Heading back towards the East was a death strip of up to 150 metres which contained guns, mines and search dogs until the 'Eastern' wall is reached. The decision to escape was not one to be taken lightly. Behind the remains of the wall is an excellent exhibition known as the Topography of Terror. This display was created in the rediscovered cellars of the Gestapo central office on Prince Albrecht Strasse. It was found by a group of archaeology students in 1985 and after a long haggle over money the exhibition you see now was created. Not only was there a dispute over cash but also many Berliners felt that there was nothing to be gained by creating this type of exhibition here. Many felt that their city was one of Hitler's first victims and that no one was remembering the many innocent Berliners that were killed not just by the Nazi regime but by the conquering Russians in the subsequent years of chaos before the Western and Eastern states were founded. That, quite frankly, is an absurd view to hold. While Berliners may not have pulled the trigger on any killings themselves the administration centre of the Nazi Reich was here. The terrors carried out by the SS and Gestapo would not have been possible without an immensely well coordinated by people in the background; for example the Reichsbahn clerks who processed all the one way tickets for Jews. The Jewish people transported by rail, incidentally, were forced to pay 4 pfennigs per rail kilometre for the dubious privilege of their journey. The exhibition on the upper half of the site focuses on the Nuremberg trials of German war criminals that took place after the war and has information in English as well as German. The lower section concentrates on the actions of the SS and English translation is available with a headset. Be warned though, some of the images are not suitable for youngsters.

We move on down the massive Wilhelm Strasse, heading back in the direction of Unter den Linden. This street was one of the most prominent in the Nazi times. The colossal building on the left was the Reich Air Ministry, the base of Luftwaffe minister Herman Goering. It was from here that he planned the blitzkriegs that devastated Poland and France but ultimately the Luftwaffe could not quite deliver for him, failing in crucial tasks over Britain and Russia. The building was hardly damaged in the war, remarkably for a construction this size. It is now the Finance Ministry. At the end of the building, at the junction with Leipziger Strasse is another scene of Berlin infamy. The mural on the wall of the ministry shows the ideal life in the workers paradise with manual labourers, farmers, housewives and intellectuals all pulling together. The reality of the 1953 demonstration is shown in the form of a picture facing the sky before the mural. On 17th June 1953 workers from the DDR gathered in this square to protest against a further rise in production targets with no corresponding improvement in pay or conditions. An incredible 100,000 people crammed in to protest and East German Premier Walter Ulbricht was getting nervous. Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration he sought permission to use the Russian tanks located in Berlin to crush the 'rebellion'. Officially around 400-500, although that number is believed to be higher in reality, were killed by Russian soldiers firing into the crowd and around 20 Russians were later executed by their military hierarchy for refusing to fire upon the unarmed civilians. The West commemorated this incident by naming the huge street leading from the Brandenburg Gate to Charlottenburg Strasse der 17. Juni. The watching Americans, only hundreds of metres away, felt that they could not interfere with events taking place in East German territory without sparking a major diplomatic incident and possibly war. This hesitation on both sides was evident throughout the cold war, no more so in the case of Peter Fuchs. He was the first to attempt to break out of East Berlin when the border has been closed in 1961. He was shot was border guards and lay bleeding in no mans land. Neither side was willing to risk going to fetch him and over a course of hours he bled to death. This incident caused both sides to sit down and arrange common sense principles to be used in the future. It was not thought of at the time but it was important to establish who could do what when one side had the Spree in their sector but the opposing bank was already part of the other country. Before moving on we can take a quick look down Leipziger Strasse to the large Potsdamer Platz square. In the 1920s this was one of the busiest public transport interchanges in Europe but the Berlin Wall cut right through the middle of it, leaving the once bustling platz a deserted waste ground. Today it is a haven for businesses and boasts the mighty Deutsche Bahn tower along with the spectacularly designed Sony Centre cinema and entertainment complex.

Walking along Wilhelm Strasse we need to take a quick duck under the flats on the left hand side of the road. We emerge at the other side looking at an unspectacular area which could be a quiet part of any city. There is a car park immediately in front of us and off to the right is play area for children. It is almost impossible to imagine - but please try - the monstrous Reich Chancellery stretching several blocks into the distance. This was Hitler's residence, his personal space, his meeting area and, as the end came, his whole world. Underneath the Chancellery and extending out to where we stand now was the Fuehrer Bunker where Hitler spent his last days with his soon to be wife, Eva Braun, and a handful of close aids. Shortly after his 56th birthday in April 1945, Hitler and Braun were actually married in the bunker. Previously Hitler had put off the subject of marriage by claiming that he was already married to the German people. As the German people, those in Berlin and the East, were forced to suffer the recriminations of the brutal Red Army brought upon them by Hitler's policies, Hitler was steadily losing his mind. His plans and processes became wilder and wilder and he made announcements based on 'facts' that actually had no basis in reality. His wedding was a brief affair, celebrated in private with a gathering of close contacts. It is rumoured that the main subject of conversation at the reception was the most efficient way of killing yourself when the Russians eventually arrived. By this point Germany, and Berlin, was on its knees begging for mercy. Hitler committed suicide long after defeat was inevitable after being persuaded that a retreat to Munich was not viable and a heroic defence of the capital was the honourable conclusion to the war. Subordinates attempted to burn his body to prevent it falling into the hands of the Russians but failed miserably. In fact, they would have needed industrial furnaces to succeed in their goal so their attempts with petrol and matches were doomed from the start. The Russians were very secretive about Hitler's body but the most feasible explanation - of many! - is that they took his body along with his personal dentist to identify it. After identification and cremation a period of years passed before the ashes were scattered near Magdeburg. There is no mention of the buildings which previously stood here and underneath here due to fears of it becoming a focal point for present day neo-nazis.

As we approach the end of our tour we come to what is now one of the most well known parts of Berlin. The memorial to the lost Jews of Europe consists of 2700 stone slabs on an undulating surface. It is possible to walk through the memorial, designed by American Jew Peter Eisenman, and one should experience a displacement and confusion symbolically similar to what was felt by the Jews in Germany in the build up to the Holocaust. The memorial was immensely controversial for number of reasons. Firstly it was asked why it was aimed only at the Jews who perished at the hands of the Nazis - Slavs, homosexuals, communists and gypsies, among others, were persecuted as well. Secondly the memorial is far from traditional and there is the concern that many people will eventually use it as a short cut or kids can play hide and seek here. Finally, in a city notorious for graffiti the stones are noted for being bare. Initially Eisenman wanted to accept the possibility of graffiti on the stones to allow Berliners to express their feeling towards the memorial. This was naturally risky in the extreme and eventually it was prevailed upon him to use an anti graffiti agent on the slabs. Even this was not without problems though as the company which produces the agent had previously manufactured poison for the Nazis. German history still runs deep and dark. My own personal view is that the memorial is an innovative and catchy design that is suitably thought provoking. Many disagree. There is an information centre under the exhibit that is free to enter but again, it is not suitable for everyone. Crossing the road we walk past the building sight for the new American Embassy and reach the world famous Brandenburg Gate. This gate dates from Prussian times when it was one of several toll points into the city. The monument on top contains the Goddess of Peace riding her chariot although even this was not immune to the Nazis - they placed a swastika in her hand when they were in power. Now the Goddess is restored to her original glory but she also resided in Paris for a while after Napoleon's victorious army looted her in the early 19th century. The Gate has five entry points with the large thoroughfare in the middle previously being deemed only suitable for Prussian royalty while the peasants had to pass through the sides. The Gate is not that big in terms of European monuments but is one of the classic images of Germany, particularly when it was lost to no man's land being right in the middle of the Berlin Wall security zone. Looking away from the Gate and to the West we can see all the way down Strasse 17. Juni as it stretches through the Tiergarten and into Charlottenburg. The imposing monument we can see is the Victory Column built in the celebrations following the expulsion of Napoleon and his army from Berlin.

We cross the road and head up to our final stop of the tour. The Reichstag, complete with it's new dome as designed by Norman Foster, is once more home to the German Parliament. The capital of the reunified Germany almost stayed in Bonn but a narrow parliamentary vote brought the hauptstadt status back to Berlin. A young Dutch communist who was later executed burnt down the Reichstag in 1933. This gave Hitler the excuse needed to suspend most human rights in Germany and the parliament voted itself out of existence by passing the Enabling Act - giving Hitler supreme power - shortly after. It is now of some consolation to Germans that Hitler never used the Reichstag building. On the rare occasions he needed parliament to convene it did so in the building of the Kroll Opera house opposite. This building was destroyed during the war. The Reichstag building was not used during the Second World War but it was a symbolic place for both the Germans and Russians. The Russians eventually took the building and hoisted the red flag over it but only after bloody room-to-room fighting. After the war the Reichstag was fairly redundant as it lay in the Western sector but the capital of Western Germany was in Bonn. It was used for occasional meetings but until reunification and it's face lift in 1990s it was a shadow of it's former self. Restored to it's former glory it is now one of the most popular tourist spots in Berlin - it is free to enter and the view from the glass dome gives a breathtaking view over the whole city.

So now our tour has come to an end. The hardened tourists can pick out what museums and attractions to look at while others will simply walk back to the Hauptbahnhof and continue on their way. The recent opening of the Hauptbahnhof was spoiled by a knife welding maniac who attacked people - no one was seriously hurt but it showed once again the Berlin is not without it's problems. The Berliners are a stuffy lot though and there is no doubting that they are an integral part of this great city. The city and the people will continue to develop; the future of the city will not be as bloody as the past but it will no doubt be just as exciting.

Jacksonville is one of Florida's most metropolitan cities, and for good reason. If you're traveling down the East Coast and want to stop at a place that has lots of do, this is the city for you. Despite its humble beginnings, this huge city is now one of many beautiful East Coast skylines. Try to drive through Jacksonville in the evening and see how beautiful these skyscrapers appear with lights reaching to the sky. Whether you're interested in modern luxury, exploring art, discovering history, or just sightseeing, you will find plenty to excite you.

First, a little bit of history: Perhaps thousands of years before the first European ever feasted his eyes on Florida's balmy shores, Indian tribes utilized the area now known as Jacksonville. They were later identified by their Spanish conquerors as Timucuans, although the exact origin of this name is unknown. In the 16th century, Florida's makeup changed forever when the French and Spanish parried violently for control of this region. Near Jacksonville, the French Protestants known as Huguenots planted a fort called Fort de la Caroline, after their King Charles. In 1565 they were destroyed by Spanish conquistadors, and Florida was won for Spain, but memories of the French occupation remain in Jacksonville, especially in Fort Caroline.

No, this isn't the original fort; it fell many years ago, probably due more to weather than human hands. The reconstruction is fascinating in its own right, however, and if you are planning to travel to St. Augustine, it is best to remember that a huge part of St. Augustine's history began right here at Fort Caroline. Of particular interest are the old cannons, fortifications, small interpretive museum, and nature paths.

In 1562, French explorers constructed a column to place upon the land and show their dominance in the area. The original column is long gone but the reconstruction reminds visitors of the bloody history of the area. To really feel the heartache of 1565, stop at the Spanish Pond, where it is rumored the Spanish conquistadors prepared to storm the fort. If you love walking or biking, check out Fort Caroline's trails for hours of pleasure.

Even if history isn't quite your thing, Jacksonville will certainly not disappoint you. If you want to relax and enjoy Florida's beauty, consider Westside Regional Park. Here you will find beautiful wooded trails, places for the kids to climb and explore, amazing animals, and much more. If you were hoping for a few more animals, don't leave without exploring Jacksonville Zoo. This is a great stop especially if you are traveling with children, because the variety of animals and scenery is well worth the visit.

Check out the area known as Savanna Blooms; it's a separate garden with relaxing views of palm trees and waterways. You will of course see some common animals at Jacksonville Zoo, such as owls, black bears, and snakes, but there are many more that you've probably never heard of, like the rock hyrax, lion-tailed macaque, white-faced whistling duck, and the rainbow lorikeet. Anyone who loves animals should come home with a much-expanded knowledge of the animal kingdom.

Do you love anything Southern? The Museum of Southern History should be right up your alley. Other Jacksonville museums include Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art, and Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. The Museum of Science and History is a wonderful teaching tool. One of its best features is the Planetarium; check out the official website to see when viewings and special shows will be held. Whether you're visiting with children or just have a powerful sense of curiosity, I'm willing to bet you won't leave Jacksonville's museums without much more knowledge than when you arrived.

If you like the water, don't forget to look for Jacksonville Beach. Some other beaches along Florida's East Coast include St. Augustine Beach, Vilano Beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach if one beach isn't to your liking. You're sure to find the perfect one for you. Find out what activities are allowed at each place, and get ready to pack the swimwear.

If you're worried about finding the perfect place to stay, fear not. Chains like Quality Inn, Days Inn and Holiday Inn are easy to find, as well as more elegant lodging such as Studio 6 Jacksonville Baymeadows, Wyndham Hotel and Hyatt Regency. There will certainly be a hotel, motel, or inn that fits your particular budget. If you are traveling with pets or with special circumstances, research lodging thoroughly before making reservations so there won't be any unpleasant surprises when you reach your long-awaited destination.

By Lacie R. Schaeffer

Planning a family vacation can be a fun time, imagining all the things the family will do together, planning to see special sights and events, and perhaps even combining the trip with a visit to see relatives. Everyone needs to get away now and then, and a family vacation can be the perfect way to do just that; yet when planning a vacation with children, sometimes the chaos and unpredictability of life with kids can leave us wondering if we might just be better of staying home. Long waits in the airport, long flights, and long car rides can be excruciating for parents if the little ones begin to act up. But do not despair. A little extra planning and investment can make your family vacation a special one for the entire family - even if you will be traveling a very long way. Consider the following survival kit when traveling with children, and your vacation will be much more pleasant.

1. Food. Regardless of where you are going, when you will be eating meals, and how long or short you have to travel, always bring along healthy snacks and bottled water for the children and the parents. Planes, trains and cars can be dehydrating with the heating and air conditioning systems running, and children will become thirsty and hungry. Avoid sugary juices and sodas, as these will only give the children a quick pick-me-up, but then leave them with a sugar low and feeling worse than before. Try to bring cheese and crackers, carrot sticks, apples, beef jerky, and only a few sweets. Encourage them to drink before they snack so they will not try to satisfy their thirst with food. Not only will the food help the children to feel better, it will help pass the time.

2. Games. There are so many travel games on the market today, this should not be a problem. Parents can visit any discount store, drug store, variety store, or dollar store and find an abundance of travel games for children. From playing cards to guessing games to miniature versions of popular board games, the children will have plenty to keep them entertained in the car. And when those games have lost their appeal, parents should remember back to their childhood and all the games we used to play that did not require anything to buy: I Spy, Twenty Questions, Find the Flag, etc. Challenge your kids to find things along the way on a road trip, and on a plane, look at maps together.

3. Books. Older children often find they can read on a plane or in a car, but little ones who cannot read will still enjoy looking at pictures, or the parents can read the books to the children. If reading in the car makes you feel ill, consider getting books on tape from your local library and let everyone listen to them in the car. You can also purchase headphones and tape or CD players for your children so they can all listen to different books of their own. This will be especially helpful if the children have summer reading they need to finish, or if they have been taken out of school for the vacation.

4. Portable DVD Player. This is getting a big more pricey, but if you are flying coast to coast or to another country, or driving for days on end, this item will help pass the time for the entire family. A portable DVD player will plug right into the cigarette lighter in your car, or give you more than a two hour battery life on a plane. This is not only great for small children, who can watch Disney videos and cartoons to pass the time, it can be great for teens who would rather be anywhere than stuck in a car with the family. If the DVD player is set up in the back seat of the car or van, parents can still listen to the movie and enjoy it as well.

5. Pillow and Blanket. Regardless of age, every child likes to have his own pillow or blanket on a long trip.

The next time you are planning a family vacation, consider these ideas and plan ahead. With a little planning, patience and ingenuity, you will have a family vacation you will never forget!

Part of a series for DC residents and visitors on getting out of the city and into the world.

Virginia. When you think of Virginia, what comes to mind? Rolling hills. Stately plantations. Red brick and white colonnades. You picture farm markets and rustic antiques, coffee shops and genteel universities, used book stores and museums. You imagine the slow life, time for food and time for friends, time for books (Jefferson said he couldn't live without them) and letters (Jefferson wrote nearly a dozen a day).

In other words, you imagine Charlottesville, VA, College Town USA, lifelong home to one of our nation's greatest men--and consummate weekend destination. History buffs, antique hunters, shoppers, hikers, and diners alike flock to this quaint moutain town by the millions each year, and even a brief weekend visit is enough to learn why. Charlottesville combines the best of every big city and every small town: vibrant culture, deep history, friendly atmosphere, and beautiful surroundings. And at a less-than-three-hour drive from downtown Washington, DC, Charlottesville lets you get away from it all without going too far.

The Estates

The main attractions of Charlottesville are historical, and rightfully so, as the Charlottesville area was home to three of the nation's founding fathers and early Presidents: Thomas Jefferson (3rd President and author of the Declaration of Independence), James Madison (4th President and author of the Constitution), and James Monroe (5th President and author of the Monroe Doctrine). What's more, the homes of each of these titans of American history have been preserved for posterity in meticulous detail. James Madison's Montpelier, located off of scenic State Route 20 between Fredericksburg and Charlottesville, offers stunning views of the distant Blue Ridge Mountains in addition to the standard education tours. All-inclusive admission to this famously elegant equestrian estate is $11 for adults, $6 for children, and discounts are available through AAA and the National Trust.

Monroe's estate at Ash Lawn-Highland, located just outside of Charlottesvile and minutes from Monticelo, offers a stark contrast to the grandeur of Montpelier and the architectural and technological wonder of Jefferson's adjacent plantation. Established at Jefferson's urging, Monroe's mountain retreat was originally known simply as "Highland," and today operates as a working farm and museum operated through the College of William and Mary, the shared alma mater of Jefferson and Monroe. Admission ranges from $5-9.

Of the three Charlottesville-area estates, however, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello is the undisputed gem. The only house in America to make it onto the UNESCO World Heritage List, Monticello is a neo-classical architectural wonder, a testament to the voracious curiosity of one of American history's greatest men. Monticello merits an entire afternoon, if not a day, to allow for enough time to hike the trail to the top of the mountain, explore the grounds, and read every last word of Monticello's enormously entertaining and well-researched exhibits. All-inclusive admission ranges from $6-14. Visit in late October or early November for spectacular fall foliage and a respite from the summer season crowds.

Thirsty visitors to Ash Lawn and Monticello might also stop by historical Michie Tavern, an authentic recreated tavern and general store offering a traditional full-service menu of traditional Southern fare. If you plan on touring the tavern, be sure to look up the President's Pass, which offers discounted admission to Ash Lawn-Highland, Monticello, and the Michie Tavern Museum.

The Town

Downtown Charlottesville is not without history itself, featuring a quaint Old Town area and the world-renowned University of Virginia, which was founded by Jefferson and is the Charlottesville area's second UNESCO World Heritage Site (visitors' information here.)

The jewel of Charlottesville, however, is its historic Downtown Mall, a pedestrian-only shopping zone that's home to scores of independent, locally-owned restaurants, businesses, and boutiques. The Mall, as it's known, is well worth a day: browse the half-dozen used and rare bookstores, eat in the iconic Hardware Store Restaurant, and engage in the favorite local pastime of hunting for antiques. After dark, the Mall turns into a nightlife hotspot, featuring numerous bars, brewpubs, and clubs, as well as concerts, movies, and plays. For more information, as well as a complete listing of restaurants, attractions, and events, visit the Charlottesville/Albemarle County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Verdict

Not only have the ladyfriend and I passed a wonderful weekend in Charlottesville and its environs, we're already looking forward to going back in the Spring--Charlottesville also makes a great base camp for exploring Shenandoah National Park. Bonus: Charlottesville and Monticello are gleefully dog-friendly, which made Kipper a very happy pup.

10/10. An Absolute Must.

By J.L. Soto

A mode of transportation that seems to be the odd man out in people's minds is the interstate passenger train. Of course, flying to a destination is much quicker, while a bus is the cheapest way to go and a car offers the ultimate freedom in traveling, but there is something about a train that the others don't have. It seems to offer the best parts of the other modes of travel and it's a shame they aren't as widely available as during their heyday.

The one company that comes to everyone's mind when talking about interstate travel is Amtrak. They offer services to most parts of the U.S. and Canada. Although the lines are not continuous they're great for someone who wants to get a traveling sample of various regions.

A line I've used a few times is the Regional which starts in Boston and ends in Newport News, VA (with a bus connection to Virginia Beach). I haven't taken it from end to end (which takes about twelve hours) but in sections and one plus about the route is the fact that this route goes through so many states in the Northeast corridor. Some of the major stops include New York's Penn Station, Philadelphia, Baltimore's BWIA (which connects to the airport via a free bus transfer), Washington, D.C.'s historic Union Station and Richmond's Staples Mill Road Station. A much longer route which runs from New York all the way down to Miami is the Silver Service/ Palmetto (takes about 28 hours). Another interesting north to south traveling option is the Auto Train. Here passengers can board the train at Lorton, VA (near D.C.) along with their car, SUV, motorcycle and even small boat and ride nonstop to Sanford, FL. Anyone wanting faster service along the corridor can take the expensive Acela Express trains. They run up to 150 mph, making limited stops from Boston to Washington, D.C. and the trip is supposed to take seven hours. But I've heard reports that the trains like any other get snarled up in track delays and the ones who usually wind up taking the Acela Express are business travelers.

The best part of taking the regular train for me is that it gave me the chance to relax and view the countryside outside the huge windows in comfortable seats. This isn't something that's normally experienced on a commercial airplane or on a cramped bus. In fact, the seats on the Amtrak train are so comfortable that I didn't have any problem taking a nap. They are larger than a plane's, are very cushy and have electrical outlets for laptops and other electronic devices.

There is a cafe car where you can buy snacks (though they're not cheap) and even relax for a bit. Some planes are now offering this option by the way. Being that there is ample storage space on the trains, it's very convenient to bring a sizable meal if you'd rather not use the cafe car. Also unlike planes, cell phone use is allowed but those wanting a silent ride can use a car where conversations are kept to a minimum and cell phone use is prohibited.

While quietly reflecting during the ride, it is fascinating to see how the environment outside the train changes. Starting from Penn Station and going into New Jersey, all that is seen are industrial zones, large office buildings and faraway views of small and large cities. These city views come and go and are visually arresting as you anticipate and are rewarded with the sight of well-known structures like the U.S. Capital.

As the train travels further south it becomes clear that you are going through actual country with dense forests that are laced here and there with small towns. An observant person will pick up on the minute changes in people and places. Billboards sell the familiar and the unknown. Not only is it beautiful but it is rather calming.

There are several stops on the route and usually the train only stays for a few minutes but in Union Station there can be a holdover for about an hour. This gave me the chance to disembark the train and explore the station, while getting a bite to eat and picking up a souvenir. Although you have to be careful, keep your ticket with you and be aware of the train's schedule. Check with the conductor about leaving the train during a holdover as rules may change.

The only snag is when the train is delayed in the middle of the track. This is very inconvenient especially if you consider that the ride takes several hours and any delay eats up more and more time. But with traveling the way it is, traffic headaches seem to be unavoidable at times no matter how you travel.

With over thirty routes to choose from, Amtrak's other long interstate routes are the California Zephyr (San Francisco, Denver and Chicago), Southwest Chief (Los Angeles, Albuquerque and Chicago), the Empire Builder (Chicago to Seattle and Portland, OR). From Chicago lines called the Cardinal and the Hoosier State connect to the Northeast, while others connect as far south as New Orleans and out west to the Pacific coast. Riding any of these routes help you realize how huge the nation is, whereas with a plane this feeling is lost. So if you have some time to spend, consider a train ride that will give you a chance to relax and enjoy a memorable intimate ride with an excellent view of the outside.

When our two oldest children were only six-years-old and nine-months-old, we had to make a move from California to Rhode Island, courtesy of the United States Navy. I might add that our third child was on the way, due just weeks after our youngest was to have her first birthday. Thankfully, the Navy gave us more than a month to make the trip. They packed up our belongings and gave us plenty of money with which to pay for gas and stay in hotels along the way. We decided that a fun way to begin our move across country was by making an initial stop in sunny Las Vegas. It was early October, and we knew we were heading toward cold temperatures and a long winter in New England. This could be sort of a last hurrah for us and our children as we basked in the sun and enjoyed the pool and the many attractions in Las Vegas. To top it off, my parents met us there, so not only did we have a bit of a mini-family reunion, my husband and I also got some much needed time alone while the grandparents baby-sat our children.

Las Vegas is primarily known as an adult playground with its casinos, bars, clubs, and nighttime shows; yet if they avoid these places, there are still plenty of things to do for families with small children. We decided to splurge and stay at the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

At the time, the Mirage was famous for the Siegfried and Roy show with its white tigers, as well as the Cirque de Soleil. We took our children to see both these shows and they were delighted. We also found the hotel to have several restaurants, many of which were kid-friendly, and a variety of shops, fountains, and other things to see. Each room in the hotel was brightly decorated with jungle animals, flowers, and other colorful objects on the bedspreads and curtains. But outside the hotel in the rear courtyard were an amazing array of pools, fountains, waterfalls, and palm trees. Tables, lounge chairs, and umbrellas were everywhere, as were small areas of perfectly groomed grass, and of course, flowers. There were flowers around every corner; tropical flowers such as birds-of-paradise, hibiscus, and gardenias. The color was almost overwhelming to the senses. We spent hours out under the umbrellas, playing in the pool, napping in the shade, basking in the sun. It seemed that every few moments or so, a waiter would come to see if we would like something to eat or drink. We ordered sandwiches, sodas, pina coladas and ice cream. We stayed in the sun until the end of the day, and then we visited the dolphin pools nearby where a dolphin had just given birth. We were able to stand and watch the mother dolphin as she swam with her baby.

During the day, when were were not walking along the strip, wondering in and out of the world famous hotels and casinos, we visited many of the stores, from major department stores to small specialty shops. We were amused that nearly every establishment, from the exclusive stores to fast food restaurants and convenience stores, all had slot machines. We made our way down the strip and found Circus Circus, where we ended up spending the remainder of our time. Circus Circus is a hotel and casino, but it also has an ongoing circus above the crowds below. There are trapeze artists, tight wire walkers, and clowns who perform antics for anyone who might be watching. There is a safety net between the gymnasts and the crowd below. On the second floor, which is open, so visitors can still watch the circus, children will find countless booths for playing games and winning stuffed toys and games. We found that unlike most of the fairs and game halls we had visited, Circus Circus wants its customers to win. Our six-year-old son won an armful of stuffed animals before our time that day was finished. When it was time to leave Las Vegas, our car was fuller than it had been upon leaving California!

All in all, Las Vegas can be a fun spot for children of any age!

Colorado Springs, Colorado is known as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Every year thousands upon thousands of tourists flock to the foothills of the Front Range of the Rockies to visit historic and scenic Colorado Springs; and every year, more and more people make the decision to stay in Colorado Springs permanently. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 by General William Palmer, whose statue stands grandly in a busy intersection downtown, and whose namesake is dotted all over the city and surrounding area. The small town was originally planned as an exclusive resort for the rich and famous. The more than 6,000 feet altitude as well as the dry, arid climate was appealing to wealthy travelers from the humid East Coast and Deep South of the United States.

Colorado Springs is probably known best for its view from just about anywhere in the city of the imposing Pikes Peak that towers more than 8000 feet above the city, putting it at more than 14,000 feet above sea level. Pikes Peak was first spotted by Zebulon Pike and thus received his name. It is a few miles west of the city and requires a day's climb to reach the summit, but Pikes Peak also has a highway that leads to the top of the mountain. Each year tourists hike, drive, and even mountain bike to the top of the Peak where they find a warm building with a coffee shop, gift shop, and restrooms. Pikes Peak also offers a cog railway ride to the top, complete with a tour guide and amazing views of the city and surrounding mountains. In 1893, Katherine Bates wrote her famous, "America the Beautiful" from the top of Pikes Peak. Anyone who has stood atop the mountain and looked the at miles upon miles of beauty will understand why.

There are countless things to do in Colorado Springs. Hugging the foot of Pikes Peak are Manitou Springs and Old Colorado City, which were once a spa and a saloon town, but now boast touristy shops, restaurants and museums. Seven falls, with its nighttime lighting and steep staircase to the top of the falls, is a spectacle for anyone, tourist or local. And of course, the world famous Garden of the Gods is in Colorado Springs. The red rocks that can be seen from many areas around town have been protected and preserved, and a beautiful park surrounds them, with a visitor center that gives information on how they were formed. The Garden of the Gods park has hiking trails, picnic areas and even trail rides. Also nearby, just north of town is the Air Force Academy complete with its unusual chapel and scenic grounds.

The city of Colorado Springs has many parks and walking paths along Monument Creek. With 360 days of sunshine each year, there is ample opportunity to do things out of doors. Even in the winter time, the weather in Colorado Springs is rather mild. Although the city might experience a winter blizzard one day, with temperatures in the teens or twenties, usually by the next day, the temperature rises again to the mid-fifties or sixties.

Restaurants and shopping in Colorado Springs are abundant. Specialty restaurants such as Michelle's Ice Cream Shop, Old Chicago Pizza and Senor Manuel's are some of the more popular local restaurants, but visitors can also find all other chain restaurants such as Applebee's and Olive Garden to McDonald's and Pizza Hut. Colorado Springs has several malls and shopping centers, as well as a bustling downtown shopping district with wide streets, scenic, flower-trimmed sidewalks, and beautiful Acacia Park in the center of it all. After browsing in Independent Records or have coffee at Starbucks, visitors will want to visit the popular Chinook Bookstore. Just a walk away is the beautiful and historic St. Mary's Cathedral and the Antler's Plaza Hotel, originally built by General William Palmer, himself.

Colorado Springs is a wonderful place to visit for adults and children alike. With a climate that is nearly perfect, abundant sunshine, plenty of things to do and views that cannot be beat, you might find that you are one of the ones who wants to stay forever.

Midcoast Maine is one of the most popular areas for Maine tourism, as it has the rocky coastline, the colorful foliage in the fall, and the Coastal Route One Highway is dotted with quaint, New England towns complete with steepled churches, sleepy main streets, and friendly people. One of the larger towns along Route One in Midcoast Maine is Brunswick. With a population of over 20,000, Brunswick is still small enough to be called a small town, but it is large enough to have all the amenities desired in a much larger city.

Home for many years of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick is one of the more transient towns in Maine. Consequently, with people from all over the United States, and all over the world, coming in and out of Brunswick every few years, the feel of the town has been a bit more metropolitan than other Maine towns of the same size and population. Just a block from the entrance to the Naval Air Station is Route 24, which is the gateway to several of the coastal islands including Bailey Island, Orr's Island, Great Island, Cundy's Harbor, and Harpswell. These lobster fishing villages have become popular tourist attractions, and with only one small highway leading to their beauty, the intersection in Brunswick which leads to these hot spots has grown into quite a large area. Known as Cook's Corner, the intersection, just off Coastal Route One, has developed almost into its own suburbia-type area. Complete with a small mall, a Wal-Mart, a Lowe's, and several restaurants and fast-food establishments, Cook's Corner is one of the busiest places in Brunswick. Yet Cook's Corner is only one area of Brunswick, and it does not dictate the general personality of the town.

Just a few miles down the road past the Naval Air Station is the main part of Brunswick, and the area that is, historically, what gives Brunswick its charm. The main street in downtown Brunswick is one of the widest main street in the United States, and it is dotted with shops and eclectic restaurants. At one end of the main street is the Androscoggin Mill, now converted into an office building with doctors offices, restaurants, and a weekend auction house. Just behind the Mill is the Androscoggin River and a quaint bridge leading to the town of Topsham. At the other end of the main street, about a mile away, is a beautiful, grassy park known as the Brunswick mall, complete with a gazebo, hot dog stands and a farmer's market in the summer, and an ice rink in the winter. Just past the edge of the mall is the historic First Parish Church where famed Civil War hero, Joshua Chamberlain went to church while attending Bowdoin College. Bowdoin College, itself, as well as Joshua Chamberlain's home is just across the next intersection. The main street in Brunswick also has several Greek Revival homes including the former home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, which is now a museum. Bowdoin College students can often be seen playing Frisbee on the mall or frequenting the many coffee shops along the main street. Locals enjoy sitting on the park benches, strolling the streets, or enjoying a beer at Joshua's Tavern.

Brunswick, Maine has many independent and chain hotels and motels, as well as a variety of Bed and Breakfast establishments, as well as the exclusive and historic Captain Daniel Stone Inn, on the edge of the river. Several nearby campgrounds are available up and down the coast. Just recently, a paved bicycle and jogging path was built along the edge of the river, where visitors can safely run, walk, bike, or skate for about two miles with the same views as those driving the Coastal Route One. On Memorial Day, the unofficial beginning of summer and the Maine tourist season, locals put on the largest Memorial Day Parade in Maine which starts in Topsham and marches across the bridge into Brunswick, ending just short of First Parish Church. The parade has participants from all over the Midcoast area, including merchants, school bands, and political and charity groups. People from all over the area turn out for the patriotic display, as well as the presentation on the Brunswick Mall afterward.

Brunswick, Maine is a wonderful place to visit; and if visitors decide to stay permanently, it is the perfect place to live.

The midcoast area of Maine has long been a favorite vacation spot for tourists up and down the East Coast of the United States, across the country, and even from around the world. Maine is known, affectionately, as Vacationland, and the midcoast area is partly why. Most visitors begin coming to Maine in the late spring when the many deciduous trees are beginning to bud, the forsythias bloom, and the tulips and daffodils begin to pop out of the still frosty ground. Summertime is the most popular time of year for vacationers, as Maine offers mild temperatures and plenty of fun things to do. Autumn is the most beautiful time to be in Maine, when the colors of the abundant maple trees are at their peak with red, gold, and orange hues. Midcoast Maine is one of the favorite places to go because it is easy to access, the towns are friendly and quaint, the drives scenic, and it is right on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Midcoast Maine includes the town of Freeport, just fifteen minutes north of Portland, and it extends all the way up the meandering coast, almost to Mount Desert Island, but not quite. Some of the more popular towns in the midcoast area, in addition to Freeport, are Brunswick, Bath, Wiscasset, Damariscotta, Rockland, Camden and Rockport. While each of these has its draw, all are charming and quaint in a way specific to Maine.

Freeport is known world-wide as the home of L.L. Bean, the famous catalog outlet that sells hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor clothing and equipment. L.L. Bean is open twenty-four hours a day, 365 days each year, so shoppers can come visit the flagship store when it suits them; even if they are only driving through Freeport in the middle of the night. Freeport also has many other outlet shops and a wide variety of ecletic restaurants.

Brunswick, just a few miles up Coastal Route One from Freeport, is the home of Bowdoin College and boasts the historic home of Civil War Hero, Joshua Chamberlain. Brunswick is one of the largest towns on the coast with movie theaters, several chain restaurants, a small mall, several shopping centers, and a large library. The downtown area of Brunswick is charming with the widest Main Street in America.

Bath is just north of Brunswick and is the home of Bath Iron Works, the ship builder and one of the largest employers in Maine. Bath is a quaint town with numerous historic homes and it sits on the banks of the Kennebec River.

Wiscasset, just ten miles north of Bath is known as the Prettiest Village in America, and the name fits. Wiscasset is home to many art galleries and sits on the banks of Sheepscot Bay. It is not a large town, but Wiscasset has a few wonderful restaurants and shops tourists will not want to miss.

Upon leaving Wiscasset, visitors to midcoast Maine will marvel at the drive across Sheepscot Bay on Coastal Route One. Fisherman and Clam diggers can often be seen in the shallow water, especially when the tide is out. The charming town of Damariscotta is not far away, complete with a cozy main street, cute little shops, and beautiful New England style, white-steepled churches. A short drive south from Damariscotta will take visitors to the famous Pemaquid Lighthouse.

But if one travels on up Coastal Route One, the next stops are Rockland, Camden and Rockport, all towns on the beautiful Penobscot Bay. Camden, especially, is quaint, beautiful, and world famous for its ties to the movie, Peyton Place. Camden has a small, round harbor filled with sail boats of all shapes and sizes, and small islands can be seen out in the distance in the large bay. Nearby is Mount Battie, where tourists can take a short drive to the top of one of the taller mountains in Maine for a spectacular view of the town of Camden, the coast, and the nearby islands.

Midcoast Maine is a vacationers dream whether in the spring, summer or fall, and the best way to see Maine is by car; that way visitors can go at their own pace, see the beauty of the state, and meet the people who make it all possible.

Eleven years ago my first trip into France was a fantastic voyage by air on a shuttle flight from London on a brilliant June day. I watched from my window seat as the soaring 737 cleared the British coast far above the blue water and white caps of the English Channel. As the plane flew over the Norman coast and made its way toward Paris I was enthralled by every view. A decade later I entered France for the second time in my life snoring heavily as the train from Barcelona crossed the border in the Pyrennees and stopped suddenly. I was awoken by two French customs officers asking for my passport. Apparently they found my snoozing quite amusing as I cleared the cobwebs from my head and handed them my rumpled blue passport. They glanced over the picture and then looked at my face before moving on without saying anything. When they left the train, it resumed its journey along the Mediterranean coast. I changed trains in Montpellier, crossing sunlit tracks with weeds growing up between the ties. After climbing into a crowded smoking car, I grabbed a window seat in a train that sped toward Marseille, my destination. Each stop along the journey was a name familiar in my memory. Arles, the sometime home of Vincent Van Gogh, Nimes, the home of the Maison Carrees. At last the train reached Marseille, where I disembarked.

Marseille has always held a strong place in my imagination. Marseille has held an integral place in history. It was beseiged by Julius Caesar during the Roman Civil War. Marseille is the setting for much of the Count of Monte Cristo, the city through which a flood of human beings passed in flight from the Nazis after the fall of Paris. Marseille is the second largest city in France and the largest port. I had been anticipating my stay in Marseille since my arrival in Europe.

I set out from the Saint-Charles train station perched atop a hill overlooking much of the town with a great deal of uncertainty. For the first time I entered a city without having booked a place to stay. My plan was to make my way to the old part of town, called Vieux Port, and find accomodations among the discount hotels. First I needed to find my way there. I borded a bus and after asking my way in broken French, I was able to get directions. I waited for the bus' final destination, which was immediately adjacent to the Marselle tourist information center. In the info center I obtained a list of hotels and proceeded to check out the prices and vacancies of all the one star hotels. I struck paydirt after an hour of searching when a vancancy opened up at the New Hotel Select, located near La Canabiere, the central boulevard which led downtown to the port. The hotel room was more expensive than I had planned but it was a private room, which was a nice change after a month with little to no privacy and it had a top of the line air conditioning unit, a blessed relief from the nonstop European heat and humidity.

After a shower and long nap in my room I set out at night for to get some dinner and a first glimpse at the Marseille night scene. As the sun set and dusk crept across the clear sky I came to the horseshoe shaped harbor of Vieux Port. The masts of hundreds of sailboats dotted the harbor. The northern end of the harbor is essentially the heart of the city. Two massive 17th century forts built from heavy stone by order of Louis XIV guard the mouth of the harbor. At night these forts are brilliantly lit and eye catching for anyone wandering around the port. On the western side of the harbor stand many of Marseilles most exclusive and beautiful hotels and mansions. The eastern shore, meanwhile, is home to many of the cities best bars, restuarants and clubs. Atop the hills of eastern Marseille also sits the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Gard, a brilliantly illuminated church which presides over the whole town. I wandered around to the eastern shore where I stopped to grab a cup of tea and a hookah of rasberry flavored tobacco at a wonderful arab tea house.

As I sat outside, enjoying the night air and drinking a cup of sweet arab tea in which I was surprised to find pine nuts, I struck up a conversation with a young Tunisian couple sitting next to me. I love to speak French, though I am not very good at it. I studied French for eight years in high school and college but lost much of my French vocabulary from lack of use. The couple were very much intrigued to find an American in France who could speak the language at all. I found that they were engaged and saving up money to be married. I told them that I had a girlfriend in the United States who was waiting for me to come home. They taught me the French word for girlfriend (copine), which I had not learned in class. They politely corrected my speech at times and advised me on some sights which they insisted I had to take in. When they finished their tea and left, I sat alone for some minutes smoking my hookah before paying my bill to find a cool place to hang out.

The first bar that I came to became a place that I would return night after night because I enjoyed it so much. It was an Irish Pub on the shores of the harbor in which they played an endless stream of American 80's pop hits. I soon found the French have a soft spot for Michael Jackson, whose music was played in heavy rotation. The bar was extremely popular with locals, with whom I was able to converse in loud broken French over the music. I stayed for a few hours and danced before returning home on foot, exhausted, to get a good night's sleep.

On the morrow my first stop was to the eastern outpost of the French fortresses that guard the harbor. In my research of Marseille I learned that the city is much older than most of France. The city was established by the ancient Greeks around 600 B.C. and was conquered by the ancient Romans, who referred to it as Massallia. The town enjoyed a rich history of trade with many European nations, a status which led to its incredibly diverse ethnic makeup and its prominence as the capital of Provence. The people of Marseille are fiercely independent and have never considered themselves as merely French subjects but rather as Marseillaise. For this reason, Louis XIV built his forts not only to guard the city against invasion but also as a symbol of royal power to the ever rebellious citizens. The forts command the harbor; their turrets offer a fantastic vantage point for viewing the harbor. As I looked out on the Mediterranean Sea I as impressed by the rocky coast which is dotted with islands, the most famous of which is the Isle D'If, site of the Chateau D'If, the prison immortalized by the Count of Monte Cristo.

After checking out the fort my next stop was to make the long climb to Notre Dame de la Gard. The streets wound up through a beautiful neighborhood of provencale shops and homes. As I reached the base of hill I marvelled at the long climb of stairs that led up to the cathedral. Notre Dame de la Gard sits at over 500 feet above the port and is the highest point in the city. Upon reaching the top I had to take several minutes to regain my breath. The cathedral was built during the 19th century in a byzantine style of architecture. Its bright white and grey striped exterior is a marked contrast to the dark gothic cathedrals which were predominant throughout my travels in Europe. The cathedral's main nave, chapels and crypt were very interesting and beautiful but the view from every spot on the hill was absolutely stunning. To the south the isles and Mediterranean Sea shone forth in the summer sun. To the west the city spread out below while the north and east were dominated by rugged hills. I took many pictures on the hill top which are the best photos that I took in Marseille. After my travels that day I was exhausted and took it easy the rest of that day, enjoying an early French dinner and a few hours barhopping.

On my last day in Marseille I woke early and immediately proceeded to the harbor where I bought a ferry ticket to Isle D'If and boarded the small ferry. The day was once again brilliant and I sat in the bow where I could enjoy the sea air. The ride took about 20 minutes during which I watched the small scrap of island grow larger and larger. As we approached for docking at last the size of the tower and walls of the prison were of menacing proportions. I have never seen Alcatraz but 5 minutes on Isle D'If made it abundantly clear to me that one of the chief torments of that island must have been its proximity to San Francisco. Marseille was so close. Notre Dame de la Gard was clearly visible in detail from the rocky coast of Isle D'If. Yet, much like Alcatraz, the rocks and treacherous seas surrounding the island would make any attempt to swim to the mainland a death sentence.

I entered the prison of the Chateau D'If, a squat fortress of sand stone built during the 16th century as a defence to the city. It was used chiefly as a deterrent and never had to fend off an actual attack. During the protestant reformation the island became a place to deposit religious and political prisoners, a use for which it earned its fame as a feared prison in French penal system. During the 19th century Alexandre Dumas made the island immortal as the setting for Edmund Dantes 14 year imprisonment. The hero famously escaped the prison by hiding in the burial sack of a dead prisoner that was thrown from the walls. Dantes is rescued from certain death by smugglers before going on to find his treasure and seeking his revenge.

Inside the sun baked fortress there are three tiers of cells. The upper story housed wealthier prisoners who payed for the luxury of larger cells and windows that looked out on the sea. Down below are smaller cells of more modest accommodations while below ground stand the dungeon cells which have no windows and are torturously small. After walking around the prison and looking at graffitti on its walls that span centuries I left the chateau to wander around the island. The rest of the island is home to dozens of species of seabirds. After an hour had passed I caught the ferry back to the mainland.

When the ferry docked I jumped out and decided to head straight for the beach. There are very few beaches in Marseille because the coast is so rocky. The beaches are located on the outskirts of town on the southeastern slopes of cliffs of the east side of the city. I walked through a very luxurious neighborhood where there were sumptuous hotels and mansions. The beaches were not crowded and the water was warm so I spent several hours getting sun and swimming. This was an incredibly relaxing finish to my sightseeing in Marseille.

That evening was my last in Marseille. I had purchased my train ticket to Nice and had booked accomodations at a hostel for the following day so I could leisurely wander the city with no worries. The streets were filled with people who wandered around Vieux Port browsing the wares of merchants and enjoying the summer night and sea breeze. A group of French tourists stopped me to ask where they could find a cool place to hang out and I was happy to point them towards the bars on the eastern shore of the harbor. That may have been one of my proudest moments in Europe, being mistaken by the French in one of their own cities as a local. While my stay in Marseille was short, it is indellibly imprinted in my memory as one of my favorite destinations.