Go Gothic – the new medieval gallery at the V&A

I remember the way I discovered one of London’s best Renaissance house fronts – a marvellous work of ornately carved half-timber that had survived the Great Fire of London, one of London’s greatest secrets. It was an amazing piece of architecture; a wooden version of one of the great Elizabethan country houses, with its huge windows and panelled curves. A golden tabernacle, you might think? Actually an earthenware water cistern made for Henry VII of England. Fantastic. And why was...

December 4th, 2009 | Andrea Kirkby | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: london museums, medieval, museums, top-feature, Victoria & Albert museum

Hunting treasure in North Georgia

Some of the people on your Christmas list call for something completely unique — generally not available at a mall. Something Georgia-made is also a great way to show your out-of-state friends what we have to offer here. Priscilla Wilson of The Gourd Place in Sautee Nacoochee (see map) creates one-of-a-kind items from nature, often associated with gourds. Since 9/11, Priscilla has been creating a specially-themed Christmas ornament every year. This year’s theme is “Sharing the Abundance,”...

December 3rd, 2009 | Linda Erbele | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Scenic & Short Trips, Shopping, top-feature

Eat in de Waag and Get a Free Lesson in History

The year is 1488. It’s evening. It’s half past nine. The sky has turned ink-blue. The night watchman turns the key in the lock and then brings it to the city hall for safekeeping. Saint Antonius Gate is locked and Amsterdam is safe for the night. However, Amsterdam expanded and at the beginning of the 17th century St Antonius Gate stood within the city walls. It was no longer used for defence, but the tower became a weighing house. Merchants liked its proximity to the Amstel river and...

December 2nd, 2009 | Marianne Crone | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: Food & Beverage, history, top-feature

History Behind Disney’s Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Ask any Disney Traveler who visits Walt Disney World through the holiday season, what was the most amazing thing they saw during their visit, and I bet the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be high on their list! The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights didn’t start out as a spectacle, in fact, it was simply the wish of a 6-year old girl, to have some lights on their Little Rock, Arkansas home. The hard working family had always enjoyed...

December 1st, 2009 | Jenni Ingersoll | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Disneys-Hollywood-Studios, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, top-feature, Walt Disney World Resort

Communicate! at the National Museum of Scotland

It’s time to Communicate! at the National Museum of Scotland: communication: the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information What Is It? I’d like to suggest a new collection for you to see next time you’re at the National Museum of Scotland here in Edinburgh. It’s the innovative and informative Communicate! Exhibit. Communication has been a core feature of human evolution. After all – what other species has developed such vast and innovative forms...

November 29th, 2009 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: exhibition, museum, top-feature

Mosque etiquette in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is home to the third-largest mosque in the world – an architectural marvel made of marble and gold that fits up to 40,000 worshippers. Regardless of your nationality or religion (or lack thereof), it’s possible to visit the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque (named after the late ruler of the United Arab Emirates), but there are a few things to keep in mind in terms of mosque etiquette. Abu Dhabi is the second-largest city in the UAE (after flashier Dubai), which is located on...

November 27th, 2009 | Vawn | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: Abu Dhabi, featuredarticle, Grand Mosque, mosque, mosque etiquette, top-feature, visiting mosques

Discover The Underground Wonderland of Kartchner Caverns

In 1974, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts were exploring the limestone hills at the eastern base of the Whetstone Mountains near Benson, Arizona looking for a cave no one had ever found and found it. Keeping the discovery a secret for four years, they later approached James and Lois Kartchner, the property owners, with a proposition to uncover the cavern. Overcoming more than 20 years of unforeseen challenges, the stunning limestone formations of Kartchner Caverns State Park opened to the public on November...

November 25th, 2009 | Heather Wright Schlichting | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: Arizona, Caverns, featuredarticle, Kartchner, top-feature, Tucson

Tasting the Bubbly at Mumm Napa Winery

It had been years since I had visited the Napa Valley, so when the opportunity came up to participate in a weekend press event there, I jumped at the opportunity. And let me tell you, if you haven’t been to Napa recently – it’s like you haven’t been there at all! First, however, a few logistics, most specifically, how to get to Napa. Welcome to Mumm Napa If you’re flying in, the obvious airport choices might seem like San Francisco (map) or Oakland (map) airports, and then make the drive...

November 23rd, 2009 | Mary Jo Manzanares | Read More | Comments: 3
Filed under: California, Champagne, Napa, top-feature, wine

10 Best Places in Vancouver To Do Your Christmas Shopping

It’s that’s time of year. The downtown shops are displaying Christmas decorations and there’s the sound of merry Christmas music in the air. Whether you’re visiting Vancouver, or a resident who wants new ideas of places to go for Christmas shopping, here’s a list of the ten best spots to shop. And all of them are easily accessible by public transit so you can avoid bringing your vehicle downtown if you wish. Right in the heart of downtown at the corner of Granville...

November 21st, 2009 | thevancouverguide | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: Attractions, entertainment, Family Friendly, Food & Beverage, Shopping, top-feature

Making the Miami – New Zealand Wine Connection

Is Miami a growing hub for the import and appreciation of beverages from around the world? In fact, the city has indeed become a key point on the national and global map for international wine consumption. As a crossroads between north and south, it’s not so surprising there is an expanding market here for varieties of wine from other parts of the Americas and Europe. (credit: Jane Watkins) Over the past seven years, Miami has also been home to the country’s leading wine trade...

November 19th, 2009 | themiamiguide | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: Events, Food & Beverage, top-feature

Muir Woods – The Real San Francisco Giants

One of the nation’s great national parks is actually a monument, the Muir Woods National Monument, located just 12 miles (19 km) north of San Francisco. Cross over the Golden Gate Bridge and enter a world of Giant Sequoia trees, preserved forest and nature that seems impossible to be located just a short drive from the bustling metropolis on the bay. The park was initially a 600-acre forest that had never been cut for lumber and purchased by a local Congressman, William Kent, who was interested...

November 18th, 2009 | Jon Rochetti | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: Muir Woods, National Park, nature, top-feature

Dining at the Long Table: The Irish Heather GastroPub.

If you want a unique dining experience, I highly recommend treating yourself and your friends to a night of dining at the Long Table Dining Series at the Irish Heather Gastro Pub. Located in the heart of historic Gastown, the Irish Heather has moved into their attractive new digs (across the street from where they were originally located) and, as before, they have maintained the unpretentious neighbourhood pub atmosphere, combined with fine dining at affordable prices. Besides the usual lunches...

November 17th, 2009 | thevancouverguide | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Attractions, Events, Food & Beverage, People, Restaurants & Bars, top-feature

Meandering Down U.S. 19/Magnolia Highway in Georgia and Florida

“Sometimes I get bored riding on the interstate,” says Melanie Grace, executive director, Americus-Sumter County Tourism Council. How many times have you said the exact say thing when traveling down what seems to be a never-ending road? Sometimes it’s good to detour off the main road, like the I-75 South stretch from Georgia to Florida and take U.S. 19/Magnolia Highway. Whether you begin your journey in Griffin, Ga., or Americus, Ga., (U.S. 19 ends on Tampa’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge ) you...