Posts Tagged ‘UK’

Best 2012 Destinations: National Geographic Finds Something for Everyone

Thursday, November 17th, 2011 by

If you are planning your next international trip, it will likely be a 2012 event. In anticipation, National Geographic Traveler magazine has tapped twenty destinations as Best of the World 2012. There’s something for everyone, and they all hold promise for improving mind, body and spirit for those who make the trip. You can visit the picture gallery online to be inspired. I took the liberty of classifying the destinations as a way to highlight and summarize the experiences that await you. It’s a terrific list.

Hitting Healthy Travel Blog Themes
Colombia–Ciudad Perdida:  Hiking
Greece–Kardamili:  Slow Tourism
Panama– Coiba National Park:  Eco-tourism
Peru –Lima:  Mistura food festival
Rwanda/Congo–Virunga:  Volcanoes
Sri Lanka– Nuwara Eliya:  New UNESCO World Heritage site

Rebirth
Germany—Dresden:  Historic city center rebuilt
Northern Ireland—Belfast:  Titanic quarter
United States—Pittsburgh: Sustainable design

Over the Top?
Croatia—Istria:  Romance
Oman—Muscat:  Luxury
Thailand—Koh Lipe:  Island paradise

Cultural Discoveries
Guatemala—Chichicastenango:  Mayan
Spain—Girona:  Catalan 

Rugged Outdoors
Iceland—Snaefellsnes Peninsula: Primeval
Mongolia—Hovsgol:  Recreational taiga
New Zealand—Rotorua:  Geothermal

Familiar But Special
Canada—Muskoka: Lake cottages
United Kingdom—London: Olympics
United States—Sonoma: More than wine

Have you visited any of these locations? Are there any destinations you would recommend?

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Bastille Day around the World

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 by

While Bastille Day is a decidedly French holiday, it is celebrated in many parts of the world.  According to Wikipedia, Belgium, Hungary, South Africa and the UK all have events scheduled.

Here in the United States, over 50 cities participate, and one can even see them listed on an interactive Bastille Day map.  My favorite, not to be too parochial, is the Eastern State Penitentiary Bastille Day Festival which took place last weekend.  A reenactment of the storming of the Bastille takes place with “dozens of French revolutionaries” playing their roles to the tee including dragging Marie Antoinette to the guillotine.  Of course, no one said it was historically accurate – for those of you a little short on your French history, the storming of the Bastille took place in 1789.  Louis XVI lost his head in January of 1793, but Marie kept it all together until October.

Eastern State Penitentiary and the Fairmount area of Philadelphia make a great backdrop for the celebration which ends with special French meals in the many local restaurants and bars.

Do you have any Bastille Day stories for us or unique, local ways it is celebrated in your neck of the woods?  We would love to hear about it, and, of course, stay safe and healthy while you are out “storming” – avoid too much cake and let the professionals handle the fireworks.

Photo by Ammar Abd Rabbo.

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