Posted: under Nice Place, Place to Go, Travel Tips, Vacations.
Boston stands proud as the birthplace of the American Revolution and the present day hotbed of art, education and culture. For baseball fans, the city offers a taste of Red Sox history at Fenway Park.
With so much to see and do, we set off early in an effort to reach Boston by 9 a.m. Our primary intention was to walk along Boston’s scenic harborwalk, which has been constructed to provide easy access to the Harbor and connect the waterfront neighborhoods. Some parts of it are still undergoing extension.
Sep 04 2009
Posted: under Nice Place, Place to Go, Travel Tips, Vacations.
spent my summers by the sea. Always, a beach, a dock and a longing to be out in a boat followed me each successive summer as I joined family and friends at our family vacation home in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard or later, the Jersey Shore.
My grandmother used to belong to the Chappaquiddick Beach Club, and one of the swell things about this club is the big dock that allowed members to come over to the club by small boat.
I sat on that dock for hours, watching with envy the Boston Whalers and other small motorcraft that zipped in and out, piloted by grinning young men or bikini-clad teen girls. Oh how I wanted to be in that driver’s seat.
Fast forward 35 years, and I’m waking up after spending the night on the bridge of a 42’ Krogen trawler yacht owned by the friends of a friend. When my pal Jack asked me if I’d like to rendezvous with Denny and Laraine and spend a few days on their boat off the coast of Chappaquiddick, it didn’t take me a second to say yes.
Sep 03 2009
Posted: under Nice Place, Place to Go, Travel Tips, Vacations.
Canada has always remained a mystery to me. It is rarely mentioned in politics, history or just in good old banter. Kind of like the quiet kid who sits in the back of the class that you suddenly find so alluring.
My Aunt invited me to stay with her at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal for a few days while she attended a convention. I figured this was a true opportunity to dig down as deep as I could to answer the question that has been haunting me: What is it with Canada?
I awoke bright and early to meet Claire-Marie Lavoie, a tour guide from the Infotouriste Centre who would be showing me around the best parts of the city via van.
Sep 02 2009
Posted: under Nice Place, Place to Go, Travel Tips, Vacations.
While visiting Port Douglas, Australia, you will realize the true meaning of heaven on earth. You will experience relaxation, like never before with the wonderfully breath taking rainforests and coral seas. Port Douglas is only an hours drive from Cairns airport. It originally came to be as a means to service the goldfields.
Port Douglas was named after the Queensland Premier, John Douglas, in 1877. Originally it was used to transport gold in exchange for supplies. Gold mining was Port Douglas’ sole source of wealth for many years. In later years silver, sugar can and red cedar also made it’s contribution to the Ports wealth. However in 1911 there was a decline in gold and silver mining, and the Port began to fade, until it was hit by a cyclone, which turned Port Douglas in a wonderful fishing village.
There are many ways for you to take a further look into the history of Port Douglas. The Mossman Sugar mill will give you a first hand experience of the sugar milling process, and the Cooktowns Discovery Festival, every June, shows a re-enactment of the settling of Lt. James Cook in 1770. The Cooktown festival is an elaborate celebration with authentic costumes, gala ball, fire works and bull riding.
There are a variety of Port Douglas accommodation, to suit the needs of all travelers. There are five start accommodations for those that are looking for luxurious hotels or private homes. For a modest price accommodation, Port Douglas offers condominiums, villas, motels and apartments. If you are someone looking for adventure you can stay at the rainforest lodges, or caravan parks.
Port Douglas is also an area where there is something for everyone. You can spend the day at Four Mile Beach and enjoying fishing snorkeling and swimming. Head down to Macrossan Street for an afternoon of shopping, dining and an evening of fun in the dark. There are also 12 nearby beaches that you can visit, in local towns.
If you are shopping for a decent palm cove accommodation at a great price, visit tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au. You will find the best palm cove hotels available for your stay.
Sep 01 2009
Posted: under Nice Place, Place to Go, Travel Tips, Vacations.
Ah, autumn is here – which brings to mind changing leaves, back-to-school sales, and…crab races. Yes, crab races.
Every year on Labor Day weekend, the seaside town of Crisfield, Maryland holds its Annual Hard Crab Derby and Fair. This quaint village of 2,800 on the Chesapeake Bay has a long tradition of catching – and racing – its seafood. The festival is a celebration of the town’s fishing heritage, particularly of the abundant (and delicious!) blue crabs that teem in the bay’s waters.
Here, you can watch a parade on Main Street, a boat docking contest, a crab picking contest, and the crowning of the beautiful Miss Crustacean. But the main attraction of the festival is its namesake “crab derby,” in which hundreds of crabs scramble down a chute to the finish line in a knock-down, drag-out race (okay, so the crabs aren’t even aware of the race). The bets – and the crowd’s enthusiasm – get intense. Afterward, nothing beats finishing off a fresh, all-you-can-eat crab platter while taking in views of the bay at the Side Street Seafood Market and Restaurant. If you’re hardy enough, you can top it off with a generous slice of Smith Island cake.
The best way to enjoy the festival is by renting a campsite in nearby Jane’s Island State Park, which boasts 3,100 acres of Eastern Maryland’s prettiest shoreline. When you need a break from the festivities, quiet beach hikes and kayak trails await you in the park. So grab some friends, a tent, and a healthy appetite for crab and you’ve got one shell of a Labor Day weekend.
Photo: kathyhaduch via Flickr
Aug 31 2009