http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com/2013/03/see-iceland-in-completely-different.html

Michael Clinton began his journey to globetrotter status in his teens and has been to 122 different countries, some of them multiple times. Currently he is the president, marketing and publishing director of Hearst Magazines, so he has lots of opportunities to further his travel experiences. This is his sixth book and it has garnered many great reviews from the travel community. A self-described “history buff and outdoorsy-type,” he brings a buoyant, enthusiastic quality to his writing that is interesting and uplifting.

The book is divided into lots of essays about places, experiences and topics like whether to travel alone or in a group and what to do if you leave something on a plane. One of my favorites is “Excuse Me, Have You Seen Indiana Jones?” where he reveals his hero worship of the adventurous archeological professor and the inspiration for a trip to Peru. Another is “Long Iceland Days” where he describes a beautiful country as well as a trip to the volcano and the puffin islands. Besides the super travel tips he sprinkles throughout his stories, there are tips from other World-Class Globetrotters after each essay.

www.icelandnaturally.com www.icelandreview.com

Michael Clinton photo credit:http://gotham-magazine.com/channels/personalities/insights/q-and-a-michael-clinton-talks-travel-savvy

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What does it mean to be GREEN?  It could mean the color of your skin, like Kermit the Frog.  It could mean that you don’t feel very well.  It could also mean that you are new at something, like riding a horse.  But my favorite green is when it means that you care about the earth and do things to help it.

Being GREEN means reusing or recycling things instead of throwing them out.  Maybe you have a table or a chair or some clothes that you are tired of and don’t want anymore.  Someone else might like to have them; they would be new and different to them.  Sometimes we collect plastic bottles, paper, glass jars and cans to recycle.  This means these materials can be made into new bottles, papers, jars and cans and filled up with new stuff.  At the Green Fair you can test how well you know what can be recycled and what can’t in our Recycling Games.  You can also make fantastic crafts with all kinds of things that usually get thrown out.

Being GREEN means planting trees, flowers and vegetables.  Plants are good for the air because they give off oxygen and that’s what we need to breathe.  Plants clean the air, in a way; they take in the bad air and give off good air.  You can get a lilac bush to plant at the Green Fair and visit the Master Gardeners booth to get some good ideas.

Most of us buy our clothes and food at the store.  You probably know that eggs come from chickens and milk comes from cows, but did you know some yarns come from animals too?  At the Green Fair you can see a live alpaca and a demonstration of how its fur can be made into cloth.

We hope you’ll be there on Saturday and bring your family!

The walking tour is still much more popular in Europe than the United States, but it’s a growing field with many tour operators to choose from. The Wayfarer’s started in 1984 as a small group of friends and family walking primarily in England. Today, they conduct tours to many other countries, as well as England where they offer a popular Downton Abbey tour. Classic Journeys, founded in 1995, offers destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and both North and South America. One of their specialties is the culinary tour, which includes cooking lessons as well as visits to markets, bakers and vineyards. Walking Adventures, International takes the traveler on an adventure that involves walking blended with motorcoach transportaion (as well as other forms) to get up close and personal with culture and history.  They offer a wide variety of destinations including all 50 states. This is just a very small sampling of what’s out there.

Of course there’s always the self-guided tour. If you have a specific area you want to explore, you can use maps and guide books to put together your own itinerary. Most of the popular travel guides like Fodor’s and Frommer’s include walking tours in their guides. The Travel Neighborhood has a great selection books from lots of different areas.  See below for just a few.

A walking tour brings you into such intimate contact with your surroundings, there’s no better way to really get to know a place than to explore it one step at a time. It’s been many years since my sister and I went on a nighttime walking tour of haunted places in Waterford, Ireland. But I still remember the smell of cold cement, the eeriness of the shadows and the hushed voices and nervous laughter of our companions.

Don’t let mountains of paper clutter up your home because you don’t want your sensitive information in the wrong hands. Shredding renders them indecipherable and unusable and all shredded paper is recycled.

In addition Asset LifeCycle will be here from 1:00 to 3:00 pm April 13. They are EPA certified and specialize in providing businesses with solutions to their information technology disposal requirements.

The following items will be accepted free of charge:

Servers, desktops, workstations, laptops, keyboards, printers, storage equipment, telephony, switches, routers, controllers, CD/DVD drives, hubs, modems, bar coders, labelers, peripherals, circuit boards, UPS, hand held devices, fax machines, scanners, cell phones, tape drives, copiers, accessories

*no CRT monitors or TVs accepted at this event

Why should we worry about e-waste? It’s the fastest growing waste, tripling the growth of other forms of waste each year. Computers and other e-waste account for more that 70% of lead and other heavy metals found in landfills.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2009:

• 438 million new consumer electronics were sold;
• 5 million tons of electronics were in storage;
• 2.37 million tons of electronics were ready for end-of-life management; and
• 25% of these tons were collected for recycling

Photographer and author Hugh Palmer has produced a lot of these books, sometimes as just photographer, sometimes as both author and photographer.  It’s easy to see why, when you look at the beautiful pictures throughout all his books.  In this one on Normandy, there’s a particularly gorgeous silhouette of Mont-Saint-Michel at dusk in colors of pink, gold, sienna and mauve. The island landmark was originally an 11^th century church and was also used as a prison before being restored.

Normandy is a region filled with striking architecture, rivers, towering cliffs and sandy beaches.  The reader is treated to panoramic views of the surroundings as well as close inside shots of medieval and Gothic churches.  You get an intimate look at the towns, just as if you were there, without all the work of arranging the trip.  Included are famous landmarks, such as Claude Monet’s Giverny and lesser known but still intriguing places as well.

The Most Beautiful Villages of Greece

I looked at one more Hugh Palmer book, this one on Greece, with author Mark Ottaway.  Another feast for the eyes, the book is divided into sections on the mainland and the islands.  Looking at the modern-day Greece it’s hard to connect it with ancient Greece of legends but as the author puts it, “the idea of Greece, the spirit of Greekness is one of the most durable in history.” The scenery is full of the soothing colors of white, azure, turquoises and sand accented by terra cotta roofs and lush green foliage.  One of my favorite photos is of an interesting stone tower framed by an arched window of another structure and set against the blue ocean.  Gorgeous!

 The Most Beautiful Country Towns of Provence

This one was photographed by Alex Ramsay and written by Helena Attlee. The opening paragraphs describe the region of Provence as having a distinctive character, different from anywhere else in France and you can definitely see this flavor in the photographs.  Even though there are the usual churches, chateaux and the narrow village streets, there are also things like the Roman amphitheater in Arles or the fountain commemorating the birth of Michel de Nostradame, known as Nostradamus, in Saint-Remy.  You can see many Italian influences and also some Mediterranean-style architecture.  I particularly liked the detail shots of some of the water spouts, whimsical faces and animals, in a city known for its fountains.  The panoramic shots of some of the towns with the late day sun coloring the buildings and water are very beautiful, too.

 The Most Beautiful Villages of New England

Photographed by Len Rubenstein and written by Tom Shachtman, this book chronicles the states of Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. I was especially  drawn to this title because my ancestors settled in Vermont and Massachusetts.  Here is the essence of America in the 18^th and 19^th centuries as seen in the architecture and settings.  There’s also gorgeous sunsets and seaside pictures so evocative you can smell the ocean air.  What I really liked was that next to photos of the many historic sites are photos of  modern-day Americans playing and working.  There’s even a section on Patriotic Festivals.

The Most Beautiful Villages and Towns of the Southwest

I also decided to check out some of the beautiful spots on the other side of the country.  Here is the American frontier–rugged, breathtaking scenery along with history and modern people living their lives.  This book is by photographer Nik Wheeler and author Joan Tapper.  Some of the highlights for me were a look at Bisbee, Arizona where author J.A. Jance set one of her mystery series  and ladies meeting in Prescott for lunch…in Victorian costume.  I also enjoyed familiar cities of Colorado where we’ve  vacationed often and the real Virginia City, Nevada where Ben Cartwright and his sons supposedly visited in the TV series “Bonanza.”

Each book finishes with a Traveler’s Guide with places to eat and stay.

More titles in the series…

The book highlights China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the United States. It gives an overview of each country’s approach to food followed by specific examples of dishes, restaurants to try and sometimes even recipes. For instance, there’s no such thing as just “Chinese food” in China. There are at least eight different regional cuisine styles each with their own distinct flavors. In Greece, lunch or dinner is usually the main meal and the people use the time to savor the food, catch up on the news and gossip, and in general, enjoy a sense of community. There’s no such thing as “fast food,” instead it’s an extended event to be lingered over.

The book is also filled with great photos and loving descriptions of the food. I like to eat as much as the next person and I tend to be kind of cnservative in my choices. But I must say some of these descriptions had me dreamy-eyed and salivating. What exactly does cream cheese laced with rose water taste like? There are also lists of festivals like the Battaglia delle Arance held during February and March up until Lent in Ivrea, Italy. This is where up to 3,500 people take part in the Battle of the Oranges and pelt one another with about 400,000kg of Sicilian oranges. Can you say food fight?

So if you are a consummate gourmet, like to immerse yourself in different cultures or just like to eat out, you gotta check out this book!

Photo credits:

http://beentheredonethat.in/?p=1222

http://athensgreece.ca/attractions/sidewalkcafes.html

http://www.faconnable.com

http://global-lab.org/mt/BBSpring08/2008/03/during_retreat.html

Downtown Branson

Anyone who’s been to Branson during the rest of the year knows that the traffic is frequently bumper-to-bumper, so it was nice to be able to easily drive where ever we wanted.  There were a lot of places closed but there were still shows available and plenty of restaurants to choose from.  Luckily the weather was mild so we had a great time.

Waxy O’Shea’s

The first day we headed to the Tangers Outlet stores to do some Christmas shopping and got some great bargains.  Then it was lunch at Waxy O’Shea’s Irish Pub in Branson Landing.  There was a beautiful Christmas tree in the plaza and decorations everywhere.  We took our time and browsed the shops in downtown Branson.  There was a different atmosphere than during the busy season, like small town folks preparing for the holiday.  We spend the rest of the evening lounging around the condo.

At the Butterfly Palace

The next day we visited the Butterfly Palace to see theWhite Flight.  We’ve visited there before, my granddaughter particularly likes it, and spend a good hour taking pictures of and watching the butterflies and birds and the small display of reptiles.  Usually there are many colorful butterflies but for the White Flight the butterflies were mostly white.  They were beautiful against the Christmas tree formed with red poinsettas for the holiday.

We had lunch at the Outback Pub (hmm, there’s a theme here) and then visited the Mount Pleasant Winery for tasting and stocking up for New Year’s.  Then we decided we needed a little exercise, so we opted for indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf at the Family Fun Factory.  It was interesting playing in the dark among the psychedelic inhabitants of the Enchanted Forest.

The Trail of Lights

That evening we went to the Trail of Lights, a seasonal attraction set up at the Shepherd of the Hills site.  It cost $12.00 per adult but it was worth it.  On the 2 1/2 mile drive you see many displays of lights and animatronic scenes ranging from a Victorian Christmas to religious themes to Santa’s workshop and even an outer space Christmas all accompanied by music.  We also got to go to the top of Inspiration Point and look out on the entire area.  This was followed up by free hot drinks at the gift shop

The Trail of Lights

On our last day we had breakfast at our favorite spot for overeating, the Grand Country Buffet.  Where else can you have a whole plate of bacon instead of just 3 strips?  Then we decided to meander home on two lane highways and saw many interesting small towns.  Even though we went to a place we’ve been many times, I was ready to face the rest of the season after a restful interlude.

I would definitely recommend fitting time for rest and relaxation during the holidays, even if you don’t think you can.  It got me through a rigorous schedule with my holiday spirit still in place!

Check out these books on Branson:

Since Bram Stoker never actually visited Romania, some say that his inspiration for Dracula’s castle was derived from the New Slains Castle in Cruden Bay near Aberdeen, where Stoker used to holiday. Old Slains Castle was torn down by King James VI to punish its owner, the Earl of Errol for taking part in a revolt of Catholic nobles. New Slains was built by the earl in 1598. It doesn’t seem to be a big tourist attraction, none of the newer guidebooks mention it, but if you drive up the coast north from Aberdeen, you will arrive at Cruden Bay where the ruined castle should be easy to spot. Aberdeen has many other attractions including the Malt Whisky Trail and Cruden Bay has a particularly nice golf course.

Whitby is the spot where Dracula supposedly lands in England. Another place that Stoker used to holiday, the book was partly written there. Once an important 12th century port, today it’s a popular coastal resort town of about 14,000. Be sure to visit the abbey ruins where part of the story is set. There’s also a great museum dedicated to another famous resident, Captain James Cook, credited with discovering Hawaii.

Dracula’s ultimate destination is London and the “teeming millions,” but many of the London places mentioned in the novel are fictious. However, you can take a Dracula tour complete with medieval banquet of which one of the highlights is a visit to Highgate Cemetery. You can also visit the Lyceum Theatre where Bram Stoker worked and go by No. 18 Leonard Terrace in Chelsea, Stoker’s former residence. Besides, you might find a few hundred other things to do in London too!

Portland is Maine’s largest city and boasts all of the cultural and entertainment opportunities of urban areas along with the lobsters, lighthouses and beaches you expect from the state. Frequently in the Top 10 best places to live, it also offers a lot of recreational opportunities.

Acadia National Park is the first national park established east of the Mississippi and is actually made up of a cluster of islands off the Maine coast. It welcomes about three million visitors a year to view the breathtaking scenery, hike the granite peaks, take a cruise,a bike or horse-carriage tour on historic roads or even whale-watch. Fall temperatures can range from the low 70′s during the day to freezing at night. Fall foliage is at its peak in mid-October.

For the history-lover, one superb destination is Bar Harbor. Once a playground for the rich and famous, it is still a big draw and now it’s a frequent stop for cruise ships. It was first settled in the 1760′s and became a popular vacation spot by the late 19th century. During a drought in 1947, a wildfire took out a good part of the town, including 67 mansions on Millionaire Row and over 10,000 acres of the Acadia National Park. But don’t worry, there is still plenty of historic architecture and great scenery to be viewed. Another notable area is the Kennebunks which first came to prominence as the summer residence of President George HW Bush. Originally colonized in the 1600′s it also features historic architecture and beautiful beachscapes.

If you’re an art-lover, a Maine vacation is perfect. Ogunquit has been a popular beachside town and art colony since the 1890′s. You’ll avoid the peak summer season crowds as you check out the elegant resort architecture, great restaurants, art galleries and museum. Be sure to take a walk on Marginal Way, the best way to see the area’s famous 3 1/2 mile white sand beach. Stop by Rockland and visit the William A. Farnsworth Art Museum to see their fantastic collecion of American impressionist art, along with Andrew and Betsy Wyeth’s personal art collection. You should also spend some time in Port Clyde, a picturesque lobstering village with scene’s that inspired Andrew Wyeth.

Nature-lovers will enjoy the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Wells, just north of Ogunquit. The refuge, named after the famed marine biologist and author, was established to preserve the salt-marsh ecosystem, a habitat for migratory birds. There are trails and areas for hunting, fishing and boating. Nearby is the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm, a 1600 acre research and education facility that includes a renovated historic salt marsh farm house that is a popular spot for weddings.

For more detailed information check out these items from the Travel Neighborhood:

Fodor’s Maine, Vermont & New Hampshire 2010

Maine (a Compass American guide) by Charles Calhoun

Maine – a Discoveries–America DVD

Coastal Maine (a Moon Handbook) by Hilary Nangle

50 Hikes in Southern and Coastal Maine by John Gibson

Off the Beaten Path  Maine by Tom Seymour

Discovering Old Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park by Ruth Ann Hill

Unfortunately, one of the founders, gave the impression that this was to be an elite festival by international artists for international visitors and that Edinburgh residents were only to provide hospitality. Not willing to be left out, the Edinburgh People’s Festival was created which eventually evolved into the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a very important part of the festival experience.

This year’s offerings at the International Festival include anything from Shakespeare to world premier operas like “In the Locked Room and Ghost Patrol” to a visual arts exhibit called “Speed of Light.” From the Fringe, there’s the highly-rated comedy of Susan Calman, a 2-man musical, “Secrets Hidden in the Beatles Rockband” and the Warriors of Goja, 20 Sikh martial arts masters in a show that “stunned the world.” Or travel the Royal Mile and join the pub-hoppers and street performances.

While I was researching, I had a lot of fun watching a DVD called Alternate Routes, Edinburgh. It follows a group of young travelers, ages 16 to 22, as they see the sights in Scotland, stay in a hostel and sample the Edinburgh Festival. You get to see some of the street performers and also learn the answer to that age-old question…What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt? (not for the faint at heart) While there was some occasional bad language, the kids were wonderfully enthusiastic about everything from the pubs to the highland scenery.

You also won’t want to miss historic spots like Edinburgh Castle, the High Kirk of St. Giles, the National Museum of Scotland and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where Queen Elizabeth stays when she’s in town. While it’s probably too late to catch any of the festivals this year, it’s not too early to start planning for next year. Check out Fodor’s Scotland 2012 for great information on places to eat and stay and just about everything else. They recommend booking accomodations at least 3 months in advance if you’re coming for the festivals.

For historical information, try Donald Campbell’s Edinburgh, a Cultural and Literary History. It has a great section on the history of the festivals. For a lyrical description of Edinburgh from 1879, try Edinburgh Picturesque Notes by Robert Louis Stevenson, a native son. We also have lots of DVDs of touring in Scotland. Or, check out Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus series set in Edinburgh, novels and DVDs.

Picture credits:

www.inclassicstyle.com

www.guardian.co.uk

www.simpson-glendevon.co.uk

www.gothereguide.com

www.discoverthetrip.com