Page 58 – A Brit and A Southerner

Dream Destinations – Yellowstone

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Apr 29, 2014

The end of the alphabet really throws out some weird and difficult letters but fortunately one of our Dream Destinations that we are really looking forward to visiting is Yellowstone National Park. Located primarily in the state of Wyoming, and stretching into the nearby states of Idaho and Montana, Yellowstone has been a cherished national park through USA since the late 19th Century.

Acclaimed as the most popular national park throughout USA and possibly throughout the world, Yellowstone captures visitors imagination with gorgeous scenery, amazing natural landmarks and a variety of attractions to experience and explore.

Here are some of the key reasons why we are excited about knocking the state of Wyoming off our list and experiencing Yellowstone National Park.

Old Faithful

The most famous of all landmarks in Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful geyser and for that very reason it is the most popular attraction for visitors to the park. If like us, you have never set foot inside this national park, Old Faithful is a must-see attraction just to see the geyser erupting. Despite not being the biggest or most frequent of the Yellowstone geyser family, it is still an extremely spectacular sight when you see this and for your reference it erupts on average every 91 minutes though this can vary either way.

Whilst experiencing Old Faithful, it is highly recommended to take some time to wander around some of the other boardwalks and trails within the Upper Basin to see other spectacular geysers and the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds these attractions.

Grand Canyon

If someone tells you that the Grand Canyon is located in Yellowstone National Park, don’t be confused with the spectacular Canyon located in Arizona but be aware that the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is equally as impressive on a much smaller scale. The Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon are one of the most photographed attractions throughout this national park and the views throughout the canyon are truly breathtaking and worthy of a visit.

Although there are numerous vantage points on either sides of the Canyon, it is highly recommended to take the time to experience both sides as you are given very different, unique perspectives on the geology of the area, plus you will get some awesome pictures for your efforts!

Yellowstone Lake

If you love relaxing by a lake and seeing snow capped mountains in the background, then Yellowstone Lake is the place just for you! Located at the highest altitude of any natural lake in the lower 48 states, Yellowstone Lake is a gorgeous hub for folks to take some time to recharge their batteries before exploring more of this expansive national park.

Not only can you spend time relaxing by the lake, but you can also explore some historic buildings in the close vicinity such as the Lake Yellowstone Hotel which is now on the National Register of Historic Places or the Lake Ranger Station which is now famous for having folks gather around a campfire in the evening.

Mammoth Hot Springs

The headquarters of Yellowstone National Park is Mammoth Hot Springs for many reasons including the fact it radiates such a gorgeous, spectacular display to visitors. It is stereotypical of Yellowstone in general and also features some of the oldest buildings in the park. The main attraction here are the thermal springs that are actually very different to any of the other springs or geysers throughout Yellowstone. There is a rapidly changing activity here that takes place, leaving many visitors confused over what they are actually seeing. Catch these springs on an off day and you may be left disappointed, but catch them at the right time and you will be left astounded at the impressive display.

Tower Fall

Image courtesy of Frank Kovalchek from Anchorage, Alaska, USA [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Aside from the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Grand Canyon, the most impressive waterfall throughout the park is Tower Fall. Towering at over 130 feet in height, it is a must see for anyone who loves waterfalls. It is also interesting to explore this fall in winter as it frequently freezes over leaving a unique resemblance of the ice age.

As with many of the other natural landmarks in Yellowstone, you can capture various views of Tower Fall including an overlook that is particularly impressive.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Dream Destinations – Xanthi Greece

Chris Boothman

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Apr 28, 2014

19

If you ever try to think of locations around the world that begin with the letter X, you will be hard pressed to think of many unless you are a real geography whiz or full-time seasoned traveler. Aside from several Chinese locations that I personally don’t classify as a Dream Destination, I recalled hearing about Xanthi, Greece which is located in the northeast region of the country.

Ok, so a little research on this place does not necessarily lead us to believe that Xanthi could be classified as a Dream Destination either but what it can do is open our opportunities to explore Greece in more detail which is of course falls into the category we are identifying here.

Here are a few reasons why Xanthi and Greece in general are such an attractive Dream Destination for travelers around the world.

Explore Xanthi

Image courtesy of Yiannis Papachatzakis (Author) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Ok so you decide that you want to at least check out the town of Xanthi before heading elsewhere. So what is there to see? Well, a few things that may spark your interest.

Whether you are interested in exploring old Greek style architecture or one of the various museums that are available, Xanthi certainly offers visitors enough to keep them occupied for a while.

Xanthi Natural Beauty

Image courtesy of Adamantios (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The first attraction that is about a hour away from Xanthi is Livaditis Waterfall which is a pretty spectacular natural landmark that is worth seeing. Why not take a safari trip up Mount Ipsario and then take in the beautiful waterfall which is the highest fall in the Balkans. You can also see a beautiful stone bridge among other landmarks in this region.

One point worth noting is that even though you can drive from Xanthi to relative close proximity to the waterfall, you better be prepared to put on your hiking boots and walk almost a hour deep into the forest. But of course this is all part of the exploration and just adds to the beauty as you wander through the unknown until you reach the magnificent sight!

Thessaloniki

Image courtesy of en:User:Salonica84 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

If you are willing to head further afield, located just around the Greek coast is the second largest city in Greece – Thessaloniki. There are plenty of historic landmarks here to keep you busy for a few days though the most famous is probably the White Tower of Thessaloniki.

The Thessaloniki seaside walk is a definite must-do for visitors especially if you are visiting in summer when you can grab an ice-cream from a local cafe and wander along taking in the beautiful seaside views.

Exploring the Greek Islands

Image courtesy of Takeaway at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons

One of the best attractions throughout Greece has to be exploring the Greek Islands. There are far too many to name but many of them are more famous than others such as Crete, Corfu, Rhodes and Santorini. Of course each and every one is very unique and offers gorgeous scenery, beautiful pristine beaches and plenty of landmarks worth experiencing.

If you plan on staying in the vicinity of Xanthi, your best island would be a beautiful gem called Thasos which is the northernmost of all the Greek islands and rarely covered by tourist guides. There are beautiful beaches all around Thasos which is one of the primary reasons for tourists to visit here but there are also many monasteries throughout the hills that are worth exploring.

Athens

Image courtesy of Francisco Anzola (Parthenon) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

A trip to Greece would not be the same without experiencing the capital city, Athens. All of the leading historical Greek landmarks are here including the Acropolis and Parthenon. A visit to one of the world’s oldest cities is crucial if you are able to fit this into your Greek schedule.

Athens also gives a good point of entry to many of the Greek islands, unlike Thessaloniki which is a little too far north to capture the majority of the islands.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Interview – SJ Begonja (Chasing the Donkey)

Interviews

Chris Boothman

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Apr 27, 2014

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Interview – SJ Begonja (Chasing the Donkey)

It’s always great meeting new folks from the travel world and today is no different as we would like to introduce Sarah Jane Begonja from her wonderfully acclaimed website, Chasing the Donkey focusing on travel around Croatia.

Please feel free to comment, ask questions and connect with SJ using her various social media fronts listed below.

We would like to give a special THANK YOU to Sarah Jane for taking time to interview with us!

Name: Sarah Jane Begonja (originally from Sydney, Australia now residing in Croatia)

Website: Chasing the Donkey

Social Media:

Facebook – https://facebook.com/chasingthedonkey
Twitter – https://twitter.com/chasethedonkey
Instagram – http://instagram.com/chasingthedonkey
Google+ – https://plus.google.com/+Chasingthedonkey/posts
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/chasethedonkey

What is your favorite aspect of traveling and if you are a travel blogger, why did you decide to create your website?

Travelling for us is a necessity as staying in place is far too boring and we get ants in our pants. Plus travel means new things to be discover. Both about the places in which we travel & within ourselves.

How many continents have you visited?

Four

How many countries have you visited?

21-30

What is your favorite destination in the world and why?

Picking one destination is far too hard. I tried and tried to narrow it down to just one, but as they all have some kind of special meaning or memories, I found it impossible.

I can narrow down a continent… that’d be Europe, as I love the history, churches, being able to cross boarders in your car.

If money/time was no object and you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you travel to and why?

The one big place I would love to get to would be Antarctica. I’d love to explore that area (on a ship….nothing too adventurous now) and marvel it all of it’s glory.

Which of the following gadgets do you take on your travels?

Laptop, Tablet, Phone and Camera

What is your preferred method of transport?

Car

Complete the following, “Everywhere I go, I visit….”

The best place to get coffee. I can’t live without my caffeine hit, and I get to people watch at the same time.

Here is your chance to sell yourself and your website! Tell us some more information about yourself, what your travel philosophies & future plans are and anything else that people may find interesting to read about…

I blog about Croatia. The food, the places to visit and my expat life here. Including our olive garden and plans to build our dream house.

I’ve been with my Croatian husband for 15 years, and we have a toddler, who we take with us on all of our travels. I am a 5th Generation Aussie, coming from Irish convict stock, yet people still want to know ‘yes, but where are your family from’…

Travelling for us used to be about us, now I want to show my son the world, and inspire him to seek our new adventures and never stop moving.

Dream Destinations – Washington State

Chris Boothman

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Apr 26, 2014

14

Whenever you hear the destination Washington, I would edge my bets that the majority of thoughts would lean to the capital of USA, Washington DC. But for our latest Dream Destination we want to investigate the other, much broader location – the state of Washington, located in the north west portion of USA.

Home to the beautiful city of Seattle and an abundance of natural beauty, Washington has a lot to offer visitors including the following which I have picked out to be imperative must-sees for anyone visiting this state. As we embark on our vision to achieve all 50 US states, this is one of the remaining states we have yet to explore and we are particularly excited about this one for the following reasons along with many more.

Seattle

Image courtesy of Daniel Schwen [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Of course the pinnacle of the state of Washington is Seattle for a myriad of reasons. The Emerald City as it is frequently referred to, primarily because it is locked among an abundance of greenery (of course the weather in Seattle is similar to the UK with the amount of rainfall which helps keep everything looking fresh and green!), has so much to offer from the infamous downtown market area to the Space Needle tower for the skyscraper and tall building enthusiasts.

I actually did a feature specifically on Seattle so you can read more about this here.

Olympic National Park

Image courtesy of Michael Gäbler [CC-BY-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

At the heart of Washington state is Olympic National Park which is stereotypical of the state as a whole with a variety of gorgeous yet very different ecosystems all within the confines of this national park.

One of the major difficulties for visitors is determining exactly which of these ecosystems they want to explore. Are you interested in subalpine and alpine forest where in winter you can hit the slopes to enhance your skiing skills? Or would you prefer to be more on the lowlands in close proximity to the cliffs of the Pacific shoreline? Whatever you preference, Olympic National Park is a place of iconic beauty that perfectly portrays the state of Washington.

Riverfront Park

Image courtesy of Mark Wagner (User:Carnildo) (Own work) [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Seattle is not the only metropolis in Washington that has plenty to offer locals and tourists. Spokane, Washington is home to a Riverfront Park which is a gorgeous spot to head to if you are looking for a relaxing getaway.

This 100 acre park is located in downtown Spokane along the Spokane River which also allows this park to feature a beautiful set of waterfalls that are always attractive landmarks to encourage visitors to check out the park.

Scenic Byways

Image courtesy of Adam Jones, Ph.D. (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Rather than specifically highlighting one road or byway to head to in Washington, I would highly recommend renting a car and driving around the state of Washington so that you can see how gorgeous this state really is. In addition to the national park and scenic coastline, there is an abundance of other natural phenomena that make this one of the most attractive states throughout USA.

Cascade Loop for example is one of the most beautiful and spectacular drives according to the National Geographic Traveler. For more details on all of the scenic byways in Washington, check out the official Washington state website.

Mt. St. Helens

Image courtesy of Tequask (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Washington State is home to the Cascade Mountain Range which hosts a series of dormant volcanoes. The most famous of these is undoubtedly Mt. St. Helens due to the dramatic volcanic explosion in 1980.

Today, there are a number of hiking trails along the foothills and sides of Mt. St. Helens along with a great visitor center that gives you the opportunity to learn in depth knowledge on both this volcano and volcanology in general.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Dream Destinations – Venice

Chris Boothman

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Apr 25, 2014

20

By now you will have noticed that we have a strong desire to explore Italy with some of our featured Dream Destination posts focusing on Pompeii and Rome. Keeping in this same tradition, our next location in this series is the romantic city of Venice.

I am sure we all associate this part of Italy with a romantic gondola ride down the Grand Canal but of course there is so much more to do in Venice and hopefully this will give you a few more ideas of attractions worth exploring when you plan your trip there.

Here are some of the top reasons we want to visit Venice.

Grand Canal

Image courtesy of nanosmile (Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim.) (please use this discussion page) (Own work) [CC-BY-2.0-de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons

Ok so I mentioned that Venice is the stereotypical city of romance especially when you see in all those movies the gondola rides drifting along the river but the reality is that not all of these trips along the Grand Canal are all that romantic. But one thing for sure is that taking a ride along the Grand Canal is quintessential Venice and is an iconic representation of this beautiful city.

Not only is this a must in terms of experiencing a true gondola, but this is actually one of the best methods of public transportation to get around the city and see some of the amazing attractions that Venice has to offer. The myriad of buildings and bridges that ooze architectural genius are all visible on a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, so I would urge anyone visiting Venice to take advantage of this great service.

Piazza San Marco

Image courtesy of Janmad (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice and is where all of the day to day business, relaxation and mingling takes place for locals and tourists. The piazza is lined with local cafes, shops and bistros along with a variety of museums that offer visitors with a perfect hangout spot. At the heart of the Piazza San Marco is the central focal point – St. Mark’s Basilica which was commissioned in the late 11th century.

Another interesting spectacle in this piazza is that it is a hub for pigeons which is great for capturing a great nature shot as they fly by the gorgeous architecture but of course it is also a problem for maintaining the square. Only recently has Venice passed a law where feeding the pigeons is prohibited and attempts have been made to control the pigeon population though with little success. So for now, it’s a case of nature and humans coinciding together and I personally think this just adds to the beauty of the Piazza San Marco.

Rialto Bridge

Image courtesy of Gary Houston (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

One of four bridges that cross the Grand Canal, the Rialto Bridge is the most popular of all due its gorgeous design that also makes this the most visited and photographed of all bridges throughout Venice.

The Rialto Bridge connects the districts of San Marco and San Polo and in the past this was a popular spot for local merchants whereas nowadays it is densely populated with tourists flocking to capture a perfect photograph from this iconic landmark!

Venetian Lagoon

Image courtesy of Piero d'Houin dit Inocybe (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons — Image courtesy of Piero d’Houin dit Inocybe (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Venetian Lagoon is an enclosed bay within the Adriatic Sea that Venice is part of. This lagoon comprises of a series of islands, the most popular being Murano which is linked by a series of bridges. These countless numbers of islands are all situated in close proximity but Murano along with Burano and Torcello are the most significant due to their beauty that portrays the Venetian lifestyle.

Murano in particular is famous for being the ‘Glass Island’ as one of the primary industries here is glass making that has taken place in this location for over 700 years.

Bridge of Sighs

Image courtesy of Sean William (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Another of the infamous bridges in Venice is the Bridge of Sighs which passes over the Rio di Palazzo. Connecting the New Prison to the Doge’s Palace, it was designed and constructed in 1600. The name derives from the thought that prisoners would give a last minute sigh as they took in the gorgeous views of Venice, before being taken down to their cells.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast – Hotel Review

Ohio

Chris Boothman

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Apr 25, 2014

3

Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast – Hotel Review

After staying at a variety of other hotel chains on our recent trips, we decided to return to our favorite chain – Embassy Suites during our road trip that took us through Cincinnati, Ohio.

We have recently made the decision to start pursuing our Hilton Honors (HHonors) points more effectively rather than using Priceline to get great deals, so there were various options available in the Cincinnati area but after our positive experience at other Embassy Suites we decided on the Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast location.

Location

Opting for the Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast in Blue Ash gave us a great location to visit the ‘Cincy’ region despite us only staying there overnight and leaving relatively early the following morning. Driving to Cincinnati from Indianapolis made this hotel easy to find as it is located just off both I-275 and I-71 if arriving from the north or south.

Driving south from this hotel, it is about 15 minutes to downtown Cincinnati so still a relatively good location if you are planning on exploring the heart of the city.

The Hotel

One of the unique characteristics of the Embassy Suites chain is in the design of the lobby and central area of the hotel. Of course each hotel is designed slightly differently to capture the true uniqueness but there is a generic similarity to all of them as they tend to adopt a very ‘rainforest’ type feel with streams, rocks and other architectural pieces focusing your attention especially during the Manager’s Special and buffet breakfast.

The Northeast Cincinnati location in Blue Ash is no different and offers a very relaxing atmosphere for visitors.

The Room

All Embassy Suites locations comprise of extremely spacious two room suites with living quarters and a bedroom. Added to this a gorgeous en suite bathroom and you have a perfect residence for a hotel room. This location certainly met our expectations and exceeded them in many respects with cleanliness, overall comfort and a bonus of two bottles of water in the refrigerator.

I know this may seem a little trivial but if you have read any of our other hotel reviews where some hotel chains make you pay for water and/or coffee, you will understand why this is beneficial.

Wifi was complimentary and high-speed connectivity was available which is always a pro for any hotel. Nowadays it’s expected but many still fail to deliver, so it’s nice to see that Embassy Suites are maintaining a high quality of coverage in this important amenity.

Manager’s Special and Breakfast

The Manager’s Special runs from 5:30 – 7:30PM at most Embassy Suites locations. Essentially this provides visitors with a free bar for the duration of this ‘happy hour’ though there are limited choices to what you can order. This hotel offered two different beers, one a local brew and the other being Molson. Neither Heather nor I had sampled either before so we opted for the Molson which we were not disappointed with.

One of the only disadvantages of being here during the Manager’s Special is that it can get very crowded as most folks staying at the hotel want to take advantage of this great incentive. With limited seating available, I would say that this is the one of the only downsides of our experience but with a variety of drinks and snacks available, it was certainly worth fighting for a seat.

Breakfast at Embassy Suites locations is another huge positive aspect of this hotel chain. However, this was unfortunately the most negative experience we had here because we were left a touch disappointed with the overall quality. The variety of options was excellent but the quality of food left a lot to be desired. The eggs were both cold and a little overcooked which I understand is sometimes difficult to prepare given hotels are producing them in bulk. Added to this the other hot options were slightly disappointing and I was already feeling a little disheartened which is unusual for me when I stay at Embassy Suites.

One positive aspect of this buffet which is a first at any Embassy Suites was the availability of chocolate milk which I am sure is a huge plus for families especially those with children who love to start their day with a glass of chocolate milk!

Summary and Details

Having stayed at numerous Embassy Suites locations throughout the US, I believe my expectations prior to visiting the Embassy Suites Cincinnati Northeast in Blue Ash were particularly high. Fortunately, this hotel didn’t disappoint despite a few hiccups with the breakfast.

Whenever you stay at a hotel and are preparing to write a hotel review, you will always look for the negative aspects and areas of improvement – I have to admit that with the Embassy Suites chain it is very difficult to find much in terms of negativity! I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the Cincinnati area.

Dates: Saturday, April 19, 2014 – Sunday, April 20, 2014 (1 Night)

Price: $109 per night

Dream Destinations – United Arab Emirates

Chris Boothman

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Apr 24, 2014

9

Dream Destinations – United Arab Emirates

One of the most beautiful countries on the Arabian Peninsula is the United Arab Emirates which is our next featured Dream Destination. Commonly referred to as just UAE, this nation is a rapidly increasing tourist destination despite having some very strict laws and regulations that visitors need to abide by. Home to the world’s tallest building and a gorgeous metropolis that is Dubai, UAE has plenty to offer and attracts global visitors at all times of the year.

Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons why UAE is such an attractive destination worth adding to your rapidly growing bucket list.

Burj Khalifa

Image courtesy of Leandro Neumann Ciuffo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Burj Dubai Uploaded by russavia) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The centerpiece of downtown Dubai and undoubtedly the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa is one attraction you cannot miss if you are planning a trip to UAE anytime soon. The Burj Khalifa also provides a hub for much more than stunning views of the surrounding Dubai area and skyline as it is home to a variety of luxury hotels and entertainment complexes.

Standing at over 2700 feet, this skyscraper is the ultimate in tall buildings. Whenever you compare this to other leading tall buildings around the world, for the most part it dwarfs all of them.

It’s interesting to know that the decision to build the Burj Khalifa was to garner more international recognition and essentially put Dubai on the global map – well, I think they have well and truly achieved this with the spectacular architectural design and aesthetic appearance of this skyscraper.

Palm Islands

Image courtesy of Commander Leroy Chiao (NASA website) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Palm Islands are two artificial islands in Dubai. This gorgeous archipelagos has a plethora of private beaches and establishments that make this a much sought after part of the Dubai landscape. The ruler of Dubai, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, has pursued development as a way to eliminate the emirate’s reliance on a declining oil supply but of course Dubai’s geographical location hinders their ability to do much in terms of expansion.

This unique palm shaped design of islands can be viewed from space and is yet another iconic symbol of UAE’s determination to become a more recognized nation throughout the world.

Jumeirah Mosque

Image courtesy of Leandro Neumann Ciuffo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Mesquita Jumeirah Uploaded by russavia) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai is a spectacular piece of architecture that is the only mosque throughout Dubai that is open to the public 6 days a week for 75 minutes.

Undoubtedly the Jumeirah Mosque plays a central role in Dubai’s cultural and religious lifestyle and stereotypes much of the way Dubai treats day to day life. Even though you are only able to access from a distance during certain times, it is clearly well worth trying to get a close up shot of this gorgeous architectural beauty.

Gold Souk

Image courtesy of Imre Solt [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Dubai is traditionally known for having cheap gold so of course many visitors to the region take advantage of the Gold Souk traditional market which is located in the heart of the city’s business district.

Even if you have no desire to purchase a piece of gold memorabilia, it really appears to be an interesting experience to walk through the market and see the dazzling sparkles of the Gold Souk phenomenon. One surprising aspect here is that bartering is well accepted so be sure to haggle for a bargain before committing to a final price.

Burj Al Arab

Image courtesy of Axilera at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons

Ever heard of a 7 star hotel accommodation? Ok well, it may be a stereotypical myth that the Burj Al Arab is 7 star quality but clearly there must be something at this gorgeous establishment that has so many people raving about it’s luxury qualities. There is honestly nothing else in terms of hotels that dominates the Dubai skyline quite like the Burj Al Arab.

With a fleet of Rolls-Royce vehicles outside the entrance to the hotel and proudly boasting as the tallest hotel in the world (yes that’s right, Dubai not only has the tallest building but also the tallest hotel), the Burj Al Arab is grandeur personified.

Rightly acclaimed as the most luxurious hotel in the world, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1100 and $9000 per night depending on the type of room or suite you prefer.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

A Tour of Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby

Chris Boothman

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Apr 23, 2014

12

A Tour of Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby

During our recent weekend road trip around the states of Indiana, Ohio and Louisville, one of the most attractive landmarks that I was really looking forward to visiting was Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby. Located in the heart of Kentucky, Churchill Downs plays host to the most famous horse race in the world and is well worth a visit even if you don’t follow horse racing around the world.

We arrived in Louisville on Easter Sunday and had the choice of visiting either the Kentucky Derby Museum or Louisville Slugger Museum. For me, there was no choice though I think Heather was a little intrigued by the Slugger Museum. After convincing her that we could do that on our next trip to Louisville, we made our way to Churchill Downs which is located right next to the very impressive Louisville Cardinals football and baseball stadiums.

Entrance to Churchill Downs

After parking in front of the entrance to Churchill Downs you will soon see how spectacular of an attraction this really is. The grand design of the Downs features a great plaza area which you can clearly see is a great area for folks to congregate prior to heading inside the grounds on Derby Day.

Stood in front of the main entrance is a spectacular memorial statue of Barbaro, winner of the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs was honored to be chosen as the final burial place for this historic horse and a bronze marker in the garden outside Gate 1 is in place to show the exact location where Barbaro’s ashes are scattered. It is a fitting tribute and what a great way to set the ambience as you walk through the Museum doors in preparation for exploring this historic site.

Kentucky Derby Museum Tour

The entrance fee to the Kentucky Derby Museum is $14 for adults, with discounted rates for seniors, youths and children. At first this may seem a little expensive but when you realize that you get a tour of Churchill Downs, a 360-degree “The Greatest Race” high-definition movie and two floors of exhibits inside the museum, you will soon know that this is a real bargain for a couple hours of excellent entertainment.

The order that you do the tour is entirely personal preference and will probably be determined by the time you get to the museum and whether a walking tour of the Downs is available. We just missed the 11:30AM walk so opted to visit the museum first. As you walk through the starting gates, you are immediately thrown into the Derby mood with a variety of exhibits that portray the history that makes the Kentucky Derby the ultimate horse race.

Some of the really cool attractions include the trophies of all Triple Crown horse races – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Cup and interactive features such as testing your Derby IQ and “Callers” which allows you to test your knowledge and expertise in calling this infamous race.

The most famous horse races throughout the world, whether it is the Kentucky Derby in USA or Grand National at Aintree in UK all have one thing in common – it’s a day for folks to really get dressed up and in particular for females to don their eccentric hats! The Derby Museum focuses on this with exhibits that highlight some of these most memorable hats along with accounts of individuals that look back on their experience at Churchill Downs.

Both floors offer a myriad of in-depth knowledge both of this historical race but also of the horses, jockeys and trainers that have all participated throughout the years. Walking up the stairs to the second floor you will see a variety of great quotes from famous names in the world of thoroughbred racing.

The Greatest Race

After completing both levels of the museum, visitors can enter the central auditorium to watch “The Greatest Race” which is a short, 15 minute film portraying the life and daily rituals of Derby Day. Everything from horses being prepared to the meticulous preparation that goes into setting up Churchill Downs on the day of the Kentucky Derby. You are lead through a story and encapsulated into the memories and feelings that everyone associated with the Derby have gone through.

The culmination of the film allows visitors a few minutes to explore the gift shop prior to heading on to the walking tour of Churchill Downs if like us, left this until the finale.

Walking Tour of Churchill Downs

We saved the best part of the overall experience until last when we were taken on a guided tour of Churchill Downs. Everything from walking past the Wagering Windows and Tip Sheet booths where the thousands of guest placed their bets on their desired winner, to the actual grounds of the racetrack is included in this tour.

Starting out the guide provides some basic history of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs but as you go deeper into the tour, they provide more details as to specific horses and inside information on why certain things are done (for example, why there are three extra stalls in the paddock for Derby horses to go down earlier in the day or even weeks prior to get used to the feeling of standing in the paddock in front of potentially thousands of visitors).

As you walk through the tunnel from the paddock on to the actual racetrack and turn around to see the spectacular grandstands, it really provides a memorable moment as you can imagine those jockeys preparing to ride the race of their life.

One thing that I was a little surprised about was the quality of the chairs that spectators are given to watch the Derby. They really look like they are the same chairs as were used at the inauguration in 1875.

Summary

What more can be said about this tour that hasn’t already been mentioned…well, this really is a truly awesome experience that was even better than I initially imagined! I would highly recommend anyone passing through the Kentucky area to check this out because you won’t be left disappointed.

For only $14, it is a real bargain that can’t be missed!

Dream Destinations – Thailand

Chris Boothman

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Apr 23, 2014

12

Even though Asia is not at the top of our priority list in terms of Dream Destinations, there are still various spots around the Asian continent that are particularly intriguing and Thailand is certainly one of them. Through my own personal ignorance and inability to enjoy Asian cuisine, I have never had any interest in visiting Asia until recently when I have learned much more about some of the amazing experiences that folks have in this part of the world.

Here are some of our key reasons for wanting to visit the country of Thailand.

Wat Arun

Whenever you visit Thailand you are in for a real treat in terms of exploring a variety of amazing Buddhist temples as there are over 32000 to choose from. One of the most iconic of all these temples is Wat Arun also known as the Temple of Dawn. The beautiful architecture used to design this temple derives from a central iconic representation of Mount Meru which is at the heart of the Buddhist religion.

Wat Arun is attractive to visitors not only because of this gorgeous design but also because of its location on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. The beautifully decorated spirals towering from the temple stand majestically over the water and proudly play a key focal point in Bangkok’s skyline.

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings located in the heart of Bangkok. This has been a royal residence in Thailand since the late 18th Century. Despite no longer being used as the official Thai royal residence, it is still frequently used for official events as it plays such a key role in Thailand’s royal regime.

It is currently partially open to the public as a museum and provides a great opportunity to see the grandeur among Thailand’s finest buildings.

Golden Buddha

If you are interested in seeing the world’s largest solid gold statue, head over to the Wat Traimit temple to see the Golden Buddha. It’s crazy to think that this statue was lost to the world for many years as it was hidden under a plaster cast and only when the plaster started crumbling off did people realize exactly what beauty was hidden underneath.

Standing at just under 10 feet tall and weighing in excess of 5 tonnes, the Golden Buddha is estimated to be worth in the region of $250 million so is clearly a prize possession for Thailand. I am not sure that they have much to fear about in terms of this being stolen given it’s weight and size!!

Ko Phi Phi

Ko Phi Phi is a small archipelago of islands in Southern Thailand and offers visitors a gorgeous, relaxing setting away from the Bangkok city lifestyle. Ko Phi Phi Don is the largest island of the group and is particularly popular among tourists along with other smaller islands for the beautiful golden beaches and snorkeling opportunities.

Chiang Mai

After taking a few days relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Ko Phi Phi, head north to the culturally diverse city of Chiang Mai. Located in Northern Thailnd, Chiang Mai is a cultural paradise for many reasons, none more so than the amazing shopping opportunities that are available to visitors.

Tourists could spend the majority of their time searching for great bargains at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. Remember that it is expected that you will barter and bargain for great deals here so be prepared with your game face on to haggle to pick up bargains.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Dream Destinations – South Africa

Chris Boothman

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Apr 22, 2014

19

Today’s feature was a really tough one to choose because there are so many gorgeous locations around the world that start with the letter ‘S’. After much debate and the fact we almost chose this Dream Destination as our honeymoon spot in 2012, we have opted for the amazing location that is South Africa.

Located in the heart of the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa provides an attractive hub to tourists from all around the world for many reasons though I sure the majority of us associate this country with taking safari trips into national parks. I think the main reason we opted for Australia as our honeymoon destination over South Africa was primarily because of our uncertainty and lack of knowledge (our own ignorance!) over the safety and health concerns related to this country.

After overcoming these fears and noticing some of the amazing attractions that South Africa has to offer, we are definitely ready to explore the wonderfully acclaimed Rainbow Nation. The following are some of the top reasons why you should take the time to plan a trip to South Africa.

Kruger National Park

Image courtesy of Kore (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

One of the largest national parks in Africa, Kruger National Park is an essential must-see location for anyone visiting South Africa who has a desire to see wild animals roaming around. This is the ultimate experience and one that we won’t want to miss out on when we head there. There are always great tours available from a variety of locations around South Africa and it is advisable to go and spend at least 2-3 days at Kruger so that you fully take advantage of this amazing experience.

Table Mountain

Image courtesy of Andreas Tusche (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Denoted as a Natural World Heritage site by UNESCO and also one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain is undoubtedly one of the most famous mountains not only in South Africa but also throughout the world. So how did this beat the likes of the Grand Canyon and Great Barrier Reef to achieve this global status? Whether it is because of it’s unique location overlooking Cape Town or whether it is because it is a perfect photographer’s dream, I will leave that for you to decide.

The reality is that if you are planning a trip to Cape Town in particular, it is only natural that you will want to hike some of Table Mountain’s trails or explore the wilderness that makes this the most prominent mountain on the African continent.

Cape of Good Hope

Image courtesy of By Matthias Kniese [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

For some reason I have a real attraction to locations that seem to feel like you are at the end of the world. Just take our experiences at Land’s End in England or the Monterey Peninsula in California and you will note why I am so intrigued by visiting the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Not only do feel like you experiencing the end of a country but also the whole of the African continent. Of course, the reality is you are experiencing neither but the awe inspiring views and scenery are worth the trip alone.

Many visitors from around the world are attracted to the Cape of Good Hope purely because of it’s maritime history and iconic position as a World Heritage site.

Apartheid Museum

Image courtesy of Annette Kurylo (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

South Africa has unfortunately had troubles in recent decades, none more so than the Apartheid system that saw so much segregation throughout the nation for almost 50 years. Located in Johannesburg, the Apartheid Museum depicts a chilling and deep story of this segregation but at the same time provides visitors with an excellent illustration of locals feelings and experiences.

The museum offers a brutal analysis of Apartheid, holding nothing back but despite this seeming to be a little disturbing for many visitors, it hides nothing and allows visitors to understand exactly why and how this impacted so many South Africans until Nelson Mandela’s regime changed their lives.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Image courtesy of Elsiebe Sequeira (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Acclaimed as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are located at the foot of Table Mountain so offer visitors to Cape Town the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

The beauty of Kirstenbosch is that not only does it offer a gorgeous plethora of floral variety within the botanical gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, but it is also part of a grand natural reserve that plays host to various species of animals and other plant life. The benefit of this is that it can be protected better and of course well-maintained.

***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***

Old Faithful

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone Lake

Mammoth Hot Springs

Tower Fall

Explore Xanthi

Xanthi Natural Beauty

Thessaloniki

Exploring the Greek Islands

Athens

Seattle

Olympic National Park

Riverfront Park

Scenic Byways

Mt. St. Helens

Grand Canal

Piazza San Marco

Rialto Bridge

Venetian Lagoon

Bridge of Sighs

Location

The Hotel

The Room

Manager’s Special and Breakfast

Summary and Details

Burj Khalifa

Palm Islands

Jumeirah Mosque

Gold Souk

Burj Al Arab

Entrance to Churchill Downs

Kentucky Derby Museum Tour

The Greatest Race

Walking Tour of Churchill Downs

Summary

Wat Arun

Grand Palace

Golden Buddha

Ko Phi Phi

Chiang Mai

Kruger National Park

Table Mountain

Cape of Good Hope

Apartheid Museum

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

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