Will and I found ourselves in Geneva for business, but decided to check out the city a little while we were there. I wasn’t really sure what to expect other than banks and high end watch stores and truthfully….that’s pretty much all there was! Geneva is right next to France, so the language and the food (which is delicious) are French. While there isn’t a lot to do, there are a few interesting places to visit.

Highlights:

-Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Europe and it borders both Switzerland and France. Its fountain, the Jet D’eau, is the tallest in the world, shooting a stream of water over 450 feet into the sky. Public transportation is free in Geneva when you stay in a city hotel and it includes the yellow water taxis that cross the lake. Longer trips to see bigger portions of the lake are available through several tour companies. Both locals and visitors tend to congregate around the lake to enjoy the view of the city and Mount Blanc and to feed the seabirds and swans that swim there.

-Even though the United Nations has had its European headquarters in Geneva since the late 1940s, Switzerland stayed neutral and acted only as an observer of their activities until joining as a full member in 2002. The Geneva office is the second largest, after New York, and tours are offered to the public at designated times on most days. Unfortunately, there were no tours during our visit but I enjoyed seeing the building and the powerful “Broken Chair” monument to land mine victims across the street.

-The European Organization for Nuclear Research, otherwise known as CERN, is the most famous science center in the world. Its main objective is to study atomic particles and it is best known to the public for the Large Hadron Collider operated there. The purpose of the LHC is to test and study the fundamentals of theoretical physics and further the understanding of space and time. They hope to recreate the Big Bang Theory of the Earth’s creation and deepen scientific knowledge of existence. Although most of the enormous facility is not open to the public, visitors can reserve tours in advance and/or visit the displays set up that explain how the LHC was built and how it works.

Geneva may not be a tourist mecca, but it is an important, international city. The sites I visited there are so unique that they make it special even if it’s not the most exciting place.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Geneva Links:
Geneva Official Site
United Nations Geneva
CERN

Will and I had airfare credits that we had to use over the summer and we wanted to go somewhere close, but out of the country so we chose Edinburgh. After booking, I was horrified to learn that August is festival month and the population effectively doubles for the celebrations. I was nervous because I hate crowds but, except for a bit of trouble finding a place to eat on Saturday night, it wasn’t an issue.

Highlights:

-Edinburgh Castle is unique because it is literally built into the city. It is the most famous and most popular attraction in Edinburgh and the line to get in has grown so large at times that it has set the record for the longest line in Europe! We bought our tickets online and visited right at opening. There was already a crowd but it was very manageable since the castle is so big. There is a ton to see at the site including a chapel, great halls and apartments and the crown jewels. There are also dungeons which I found the most interesting because they held Americans during the Revolutionary War who carved messages into the walls that are still visible.

-One of the most well known Scotsman is Sir Walter Scott, author of Rob Roy and Ivanhoe. The Scott Monument is a 200ft sandstone and marble tribute to him. Visitors can climb over 200 stairs to a viewing platform but, even if you decide not go up, the giant, Gothic sculpture is impossible to miss.

-I was pretty surprised to learn that Edinburgh has a volcano. It’s called Arthur’s Seat and it’s been extinct for hundreds of millions of years so there is no need to worry about an eruption. It is a very popular hiking trail and, while it’s fairly steep and challenging, you’ll be rewarded at the top with beautiful, panoramic views of the city. Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth, sits right at the base of the hill and is open to visitors as long as the Queen isn’t home.

-When most people think of Scotland, they picture the rolling highlands and crystal clear lakes. Edinburgh is quite far from the countryside so it’s not possible to see very much in a day trip but you can get a taste of it. We booked a tour with The Hairy Coo company that took us out to Forth Bridge, Stirling Castle, a couple of Lochs (lakes) and through parts of the Trossachs National Park. We also visited Doune Castle where many scenes from Monty Python and the Holy Grail were filmed. On the way back, we stopped to feed some hairy coos (highland cows), as they inspired the tour company’s name.

-It’s no secret that Will and I love wildlife, especially birds, so we had to check out the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. It takes about 90 minutes to get to North Berwick from Edinburgh by train with departures about once an hour. The Centre itself has a few small exhibits and wildlife cameras, but the main draw is it’s boat tours. We took the seabird Seafari rubber boat out to Bass Rock where we could observe the largest colony of gannets (seabirds) in the world. From far away, it looked like a giant, white rock but as we got closer, we realized it was covered with over 150,000 white gannets! It was an amazing sight! The types of birds you see on Bass Rock depends on the time of year you visit as different species nest and migrate at different times. Even though we visited in August, it was freezing cold and the water was very choppy. We were given special waterproof jackets and pants to wear over our clothes and we definitely needed them because the boat got drenched!

I was so impressed with Edinburgh! London and Dublin are typically more popular with tourists, but Edinburgh really is just as nice. Despite the cold and rainy weather, the people are cheerful, the food is great (although I found the vegetarian haggis a bit strange, I appreciated the effort!) and there was so much to see and do!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Edinburgh Links:
Edinburgh Official Site
Edinburgh Castle
Palace of Holyrood House
The Hairy Coo Tour Company
Scottish Seabird Centre

When Will was a little kid growing up in Westchester County, he often saw commercials with smiling families and couples enjoying their vacations in the Pocono Mountain region in Pennsylvania. He always wanted to go and, finally, we did!

Highlights:

-Our trip was especially inspired by a commercial for Mount Airy, the largest and most popular resort in the Poconos when it was built. Sadly, it fell into disrepair and went into foreclosure in 1999. Thanks to a new owner, it was completely remodelled as a casino hotel and reopened in 2007. We had to stay there! The rooms are standard for a mid-range hotel, but comfortable. The casino is small and smoky, but much nicer than I expected and it seemed like a lot of people were winning there. It tends to get crowded on the weekends. There are also several restaurants on the property and they are all pretty good. It seemed like one of the nicer places to stay in the Poconos.

-Between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains forming an area called the Delaware Water Gap. The Gap is important because it not only provides refuge to a variety of animals but it also accounts for 10% of the nation’s fresh water. Although there is a road that runs along the river, the thick tree coverage makes it difficult to see anything from the street so the best way to explore the area is by foot or boat. There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails in the Gap, including 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. One of the best sights is Dingmans Falls which is fairly easy to reach by a short trail and a wooden staircase with 240 steps. With a 130 foot drop, the waterfalls are beautiful, especially when a snowy winter has left them flowing full and strong!

-Dubbed the “Niagara of Pennsylvania”, Bushkill Falls has been one of the most popular attractions in the Poconos for over 100 years. It was discovered by Charles E. Peters in 1904 and is still privately owned and operated by his family. It consists of eight waterfalls and although the admission price is steep at $11/person, it grants you access to a large variety of extremely well maintained hiking trails. There is also a small but interesting museum on the property and several stores, food stands and additional attractions including mini golf and paddle boats. Whether you take the 15 minute or two hour hike around the falls, you won’t be disappointed.

-I’ve always wondered what it would be like in a coal mine, especially after the dramatic rescue of 33 miners in Chile last year. We decided to travel 40 minutes north of the Poconos to Scranton to find out at the Lackawanna Coal Mine. Tours are offered from April through November and last about an hour. It was really cool riding 300 feet underground in the little mine car. Once we got to the bottom, it was dark and cool. The temperature of the mine stays at 53 degrees Fahrenheit year round, so you need a warm sweater even in the summer. We learned all about the different mining methods through the years and the safety precautions followed to prevent injuries and death. The guide also told us about the different positions and responsibilities mine workers have. We even got a chance to see how dark the mine is without any lighting. It was a fascinating experience and I felt very fortunate that it was so easy for us to get back to the surface when it was over!

The Poconos may not be the premier destination it once was, but it is still very popular due to its close proximity to NYC and its beautiful scenery. It’s a bit kitschy, but that’s part of its charm and it is perfect for a peaceful few days away from the city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Poconos Links:
Poconos Official Site
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Delaware Water Gap
Bushkill Falls
Lackawanna Coal Mine

Monaco is a tiny country located on the French Riviera. In fact, it’s the second smallest country in the world after Vatican City. It’s well known around the world for sporting events, especially Formula One car racing, gambling and as the home of American actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier in 1956.

Highlights:

-Even though Monaco is small, it’s densely populated and busy. The Jardin Exotique is a peaceful escape from the congestion. The garden has thousands of plants, especially cactuses, which wind up and down a steep cliff. It’s high locale also offers spectacular views of the country.

-Unfortunately, the Monaco Cathedral was closed when Will and I visited but we were glad to get a glimpse from the outside. This is where Grace Kelly was married and also serves as her final resting place.

-Will and I love casinos so we expected the Casino de Monte Carlo to be a highlight on our trip, but we were actually disappointed. It costs 10 euros to get into the old part of the casino which is beautiful but, once you get inside, there isn’t much to do. There is a bar, a couple of roulette tables and about 20 slot machines….that’s it. For another 10 euros you get access to private gaming rooms but it looked like they were only playing poker in them so we didn’t bother. In the newer part of the casino, which is free, there are more slots and few tables but it is still tiny compared to Vegas or Atlantic city and it gets boring really fast.

-The coolest museum in Monaco is the Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection. During his life, Prince Rainier III amassed over 100 antique vehicles from sports cars to coaches to military models. He had always hoped to share his passion with the public and today his vision has been realized. It’s really a treat to see so many unique classic cars in one place.

I have to admit that Monaco didn’t quite live up to my expectations. I expected glamour but it’s actually very crowded and congested with tons of construction going on. Everything is very expensive and I’m not sure the value is there. It’s definitely a place to see, but I think there are much nicer places.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Monaco Links:
Monaco Official Site
Jardin Exotique
Casino de Monte Carlo
Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection

Will and I have always dreamed of visiting the French Riviera. You might imagine Nice with luxury yachts and glamorous people and I’m sure there is plenty of that during the summer, but on the cusp of spring it was just a beautiful, friendly seaside city.

Highlights:

-Like most cities in Europe, Nice has many pedestrian only areas to stroll. The city center is full of cafes and shops, especially on Avenue Jean Medecin. The Promenade des Anglais is the walkway along the Mediterranean Sea where locals jog and walk their dogs. It’s the most unique and special area in Nice and it’s beautiful to walk along, day or night.

-The main square in the city is the Place Massena and although its fountains and gardens are pretty, the best part of the area is the Ferris Wheel. There is no better way to see the whole city and the view from the top is awesome. There’s also a cool Merry go Round nearby for kids.

-Everyone knows about the Carnival parties in Rio and New Orleans, but Nice also has one of the biggest celebrations in the world. We didn’t know this or plan to be in the city for it but, because of bad weather, the last day of events ended up falling on our first day in Nice. Giant floats filled the streets and children dressed in costumes sang while a paper statue of a King was floated out into the Mediterranean and burned. At night there was a fireworks display and it was the best I have ever seen.

-I was excited to visit the Chagall Museum as Marc Chagall is one of my favorite artists and you don’t often see many of his works in one place. It’s small, but it’s a nice little collection and worth checking out.

This was my second trip to France and I really do love the country. The people were kind, the food was excellent (very Italian as Italy is close by) and the city has a ton of character. It may sound like a silly cliche to say that Nice has the perfect name, but it truly does because it is such a nice, nice city.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Nice Links:
Nice Official Site
Nice Carnival
Chagall Museum – French Only

There are few things more American than a Hershey’s chocolate bar and when I learned there was a town built around Hershey’s chocolate, I had to visit. I expected it to be a fun trip to a kitschy, dated, amusement park but Hershey is so much more than that.

Highlights:

-The Hotel Hershey was built in the 1930s and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. It’s expensive but it shouldn’t be missed even if you don’t spend the night. There’s a huge full service spa offering chocolate treatments, several excellent restaurants including the stunning Circular Dining Room, and some great gift shops. Outside, the grounds include beautiful gardens and a skating rink!

-Hersheypark was originally created for the employees of the Hershey’s Chocolate Factory but these days it’s a well loved family destination open to the public. It may not be as exciting as some of the bigger theme parks in the country, but it has its fair share of excellent roller coasters, including a wooden one from the 1940s. Other favorites are the old fashioned Carousel and the Kissing Tower, a rotating observation deck with Hershey Kiss windows. The park is most visited in the summer but it’s open for special events throughout the year.

-My favorite place in Hershey is Hershey’s Chocolate World because there are so many fun attractions there. The 3-D show is as cool as anything you’ll see in Disney, a ride shows you how Hershey candies are made and a chocolate tasting teaches you about the different varieties of chocolate that the company produces. There’s a huge store where you can buy clothes, souvenirs and plenty of candy and a food court offers many dining options including delicious Hershey’s baked goods and ice cream specialities.

-The newest attraction in Hershey is The Hershey Story a museum all about Milton Hershey, how he started the company and the legacy he left. Despite his success, it’s amazing to learn how many times Hershey failed during his life. His is truly a story of perseverance. I also loved discovering all the philanthropy efforts supported by the company, especially the Milton Hershey School for underprivileged kids. It made me want to go out and buy a candy bar to support the cause.

When I travel, I love relating places I visit to life today. Whether or not you like Hershey’s chocolate, there’s no arguing it’s place in American and world culture. The great thing about Hershey is that it’s not only historically significant but it’s also fun, luxurious and delicious! It’s perfect for families and couples of all ages and it can be as low key or as decadent as you like. There aren’t too many places that can please everyone, but Hershey is definitely one of them.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Hershey Links:
Hershey Official Site
Hotel Hershey
Hersheypark
Hershey’s Chocolate World
The Hershey Story

When I realized that Will and I would be flying into Asheville for our trip to visit the Great Smoky Mountains, I knew we had to make a stop at the Biltmore Estate. Built by the Vanderbilts in the late 1800s in the style of a French Chateau, it is the largest privately owned home in the United States.

Highlights:

-The crown jewel of the Biltmore Estate is the Biltmore House. With 250 rooms, its size alone is magnificent. The interior is incredibly well preserved and tells a story, not only about the Vanderbilts, but about life and technology during the period they lived there. The audio tour describes the history of each room and its furnishings. My favorites were the heated indoor pool and the gym, complete with state of the art exercise equipment.

-The grounds at the Biltmore, designed by Central Park creator Frederick Law Olmsted span over 8,000 acres and contain America’s first managed forest. Once you pass the manicured Walled Garden and the Conservatory, filled with a collection of palms and ferns, you easily forget you are walking through something man-made. The Bass Pond is particularly pretty and if you are visiting during the warmer months, you’ll be sure to spot some snapping turtles swimming along the surface.

-It’s a short drive from the house to Antler Hill Village, a newly developed section of the estate that opened earlier this year. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting at the Biltmore Winery, discover early farm life at the Barn, learn more about the Vanderbilts at the Legacy Museum, or just get a bite to eat at one of the Village restaurants.

-To get the full Biltmore experience, you have to spend a night at the beautiful Inn on Biltmore Estate. Overlooking the Smoky Mountains it’s the perfect place to rest after a long day of exploring. It’s also a great location to spot wildlife. We spotted a hawk on the roof and a newborn deer on the back lawn.

Here in the United States, we don’t have elaborate royal apartments or castles but we do have some beautiful houses built by successful entrepreneurs in early days of our country. They are snapshots of the ever evolving American dream. The Biltmore is the finest example of this and that is undoubtedly why it is one of the most visited historic attractions in the country.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Biltmore Links:
Biltmore Estate Official Site

Although I had been to Maine as a kid, it was only for camping in the remote areas. Will and I really wanted to check out a city, so we were off to Portland for a couple of days.

Highlights:

-All the action in Portland happens in the Old Port. There are quaint shops, bars, restaurants and waterfront activities. Most of Portland’s big hotels are in walking distance so it’s the perfect place to stroll. Don’t miss Beals gourmet ice cream, a local favorite for the past 15 years.

-Whenever I picture Maine, I see lighthouses and there are more than 60 of them along the state’s coastline. The Portland Head Light is the most popular because you can actually go inside of it. There is a museum, gift shop and a lovely trail along the water with plenty of stops for great pictures of the lighthouse from different angles. The area is surrounded by a large park so it’s not unusual to see people enjoying picnics and kite flying on a nice day.

-I definitely have a sweet tooth, so I had to visit Len Libby Candies, a chocolate shop that’s been serving up hand made treats since 1926. It’s also home to Lenny, the world’s only life-sized chocolate moose!

-If you are want to get a closer look at animals native to the state, the Maine Wildlife Park is the perfect place. Just 30 minutes from Portland, the park is home to over 30 different species that can no longer survive in the wild including black bears, moose and bald eagles.

-For the best shopping, make sure you head over to Freeport which is 20 minutes outside of Portland. It has over 200 outlet stores including the gigantic L.L. Bean Flagship Store which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!

Although Portland is the largest city in Maine, it still has a small town feel and all the New England charm you would expect to find in the state.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Portland Links:
Portland Official Site
Old Port
Portland Head Light
Len Libby Candies
Maine Wildlife Park
Freeport Official Site
L.L. Bean

I’ve always been fascinated with Texas. I’ve visited many other states in the south, but I knew Texas was different; different accent, different style, different attitude. It’s also the largest state in the U.S. after Alaska. With only a few days for our trip, deciding what part to visit was a tough decision for Will and me. We settled on San Antonio because it seemed to have so many interesting attractions, especially historical sites.

Highlights:

-In the 18th century, the Catholic church set up a series of mission complexes in San Antonio where Native Americans were fed, protected and educated in exchange for their conversion to Christianity. The first, and the most famous, was the Alamo. Today it is the most well known landmark in Texas because it was the location of a pivotal battle against Mexico for control of the state. On February 23, 1836 the Mexican army made a surprise attack on the Alamo and, though they were far outnumbered, the Americans famously defended the fortress for 13 days. Legend has it that the Colonel drew a line in the sand asking all the men willing to die for their country to step across it and all but one did. Although they were eventually defeated, the Alamo came to symbolize those that would lay down their lives to fight for America and memorialized by the famous phrase “Remember the Alamo”.

-In addition to the Alamo, there were four other missions in San Antonio: Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. Some have been better preserved than others, but all are worth visiting since they each offer a different view of early American life in Texas.

-One of the most unique places to visit in the city is the River Walk, a 2 1/2 mile paved pedestrian walkway that winds along the San Antonio River passing restaurants, shops and hotels. If you don’t feel like walking it, there are also boat rides that will take you on a tour or taxi you to various stops.

-Will and I have always loved exploring underground caves, so we were excited to check out the Natural Bridge Caverns. There are a lot of different tours offered, depending on the weather conditions. We took the Discovery Tour which lasts 75 minutes and takes you through the most popular areas. It was pretty spectacular and I really liked seeing the fried egg formations at the end of the tour because I had never seen them anywhere else.

I definitely think San Antonio is an underrated city and was really happy that we stayed there on our first visit to Texas. The people were so friendly and laid back and we never ran out of things to see and do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

San Antonio Links:
San Antonio Official Site
The Alamo
San Antonio Missions
River Walk
Natural Bridge Caverns