A resource for independent travelers
Olympic National Park and surroundings set the stage for a relaxing winter getaway. This year, that getaway is more affordable than ever. For November or December travel with the End 2010 with $20.10 Deal, visitors to the area can stay one night at Lake Quinault Lodge (pictured above) or Kalaloch Lodge for $99 and get [...]
I grew up in Ohio, which has a surprising number of summer amusements. My favorite, of course, was and is Cedar Point, home to some of the finest roller coasters in the world! As with most amusements, proximity is the best solution to money saving. There are options available that include or exclude parking, for [...]
What a great way to finish a great day in Maine! Because of the more rural nature of Maine, the skies are dark and the fireworks are brilliant as a result. We love our fireworks up here, and there are many displays planned throughout the summer. The State Fire Marshall has conveniently provided a listing [...]
This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Scribner’s Mill Preservation group. They pull out all the stops and it is a great historical event. The Back to the Past celebration is always the first weekend in August. The efforts of dozens of volunteers and exhibitors help make this a great experience for the [...]
Maine has a lot of outdoors for vacationers to enjoy. Parks abound. There is one National Park (Acadia), a piece of the White Mountain National Forest, and 31 or so parks managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks that charge fees. The Appalachian trail passes through or near several of these. Day passes are completely [...]
I grew up in Ashtabula, Ohio, next to a town park right on Lake Erie. On a recent visit home, my sister and I took several walks through this park, as one of its entrances is only a couple hundred feet from our mother’s front door. With the help of the Army Corps of Engineers, [...]
I went to Italy in 2000, a great year to be in Rome. The Sistine Chapel had just been restored; much of the sculpture in public had been given a facelift; the city was alive. So, What made the biggest impression on me? Besides the Sistine Chapel, that is… The Colosseum. The movie Gladiator was [...]
There is enough budget wise stuff to do in and around here to fill a day. Boutique window shopping, street performers, amazing food (or pack a lunch), and room for kids to leap and hop are just some of the attractions. Planning a trip to include Quincy Market (Faneuil Hall Marketplace)? Make it on a [...]
There is no one who comes to visit Maine for a week, a weekend or a summer that doesn’t aspire to see, at least, a moose. The intrepid wildlife seeker can find an alternative to driving the highways and byways in the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray, Maine. Open from April to Veteran’s Day, the [...]
This is a gem of a museum. It is the oldest art museum in Maine and is home to over 17,000 objects d’art. Found on the corner of High and Free Streets, and visible from Congress St., the PMA is conveniently located for access on a walking tour of Portland. In addition to rotating special [...]
When it comes to traveling to Boston from Maine or New Hampshire, one option stands head and shoulders above the others, in my humble opinion. That option is the highway coaches run by Concord Coach Lines. Concord’s routes all end at either South Station or Logan Airport. The price is reasonable — $25.00 same-day round [...]
The old-fashioned charm of a roomy, plush home town movie theatre with hundreds of seats is the stuff of nostalgia for a lot of people. Those theatres often have been restored and used for different purposes or have been replaced with sterile, non-descript multiplexes that are synonymous with cinema to at least one or two [...]
That’s right. I said it. Even when I go on adventure travel destinations, there are still a few basic items I need from the beauty supply store. Not only does the Sally’s chain come in handy for regular savings on overall health and beauty items, but it has a few goodies that fit my needs [...]
Picking up all the incidentals you need for a trip can result in a rather hefty shopping tab. Fortunately, there are several items you can pick up for cheap at your local Dollar Tree.
This view was photographed from a castle wall near Bolzano, Italy. There are many castles in the area, as well as wineries, farm stays, ecological experiences and cultural performances. The area is also a popular destination for ski holidays in the winter.
|
|
|
|
This Andean woman takes a break from selling her wares to socialize with tourists in Peru's Sacred Valley.
The ancient Nabatean city of Petra, Jordan provides a peek into ancient civilization and also into the local Bedouin culture, which values the social experience of drinking tea highly.
This stand of palm trees against a blue sky is located in Florida's Longboat Key, one of the islands of Sarasota. It's a popular getaway with tourists and Florida residents alike, when one wants a taste of forgotten Florida.
Exploring the world-famous archeological site of Machu Picchu takes some time. In order to make the most of your visit, it's best to arrive at Aguas Calientes an afternoon ahead of schedule and head up the mountain first thing the next morning.
This command module is part of the Saturn V rocket display at the Kennedy Space Center, which is a must-see exhibit if you only have one day at the KSC. The entire venue is right down the road from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, another fun family attraction on Florida's space coast.
This abandoned mosque in Israel lies along the shores of Lake Tiberius, otherwise known as the sea of Galilea. The view of the ancient stones and overgrown plants struck me as sort of an Indiana Jones image with a bit of Middle Eastern flair.
This resort cottage photograph was taken at the thermal hot springs resort of Papallacta, located in the mountains of Ecuador. The mist rising off of the thermal pools brings a bit of a mystical quality to the image.
