Category Archives: Budget Appeal
Princess Cruise Ships: What Makes Them Sparkle
We recently took a Princess cruise to the Mexican Riviera on the Grand Princess. This was our third sailing on the Grand since she was commissioned in 1998. You might wonder, after 20 years of service and tens of thousands of passengers, how does Princess keep her looking fresh and appealing to prospective guests. We …
Surrounded by the Spirit of Christmas in a Connecticut Castle
Prelude to Christmas At the turn of the 20th century, William Gillette was a renowned American actor and playwright. In 1914 he purchased a scenic 184-acre plot of land that overlooked the majestic Connecticut River in East Haddam, Connecticut. On a ridge at the site, Gillette constructed a magnificent hand-tooled stone castle where he hoped …
Discover the Legendary Powerscourt Estate and Gardens in County Wicklow, Ireland
Ireland is referred to as The Emerald Isle because of its seemingly endless expanses of verdant trees, deep woods, and rolling green hills. County Wicklow is called the Garden of Ireland, and 47 of the county’s best acres are home to the Powerscourt House and Gardens. A long and noble history The Powerscourt site was first settled in …
Monarchs to Visit Golden State
Thousands of radiant winged orange and black Monarch Butterflies will soon be en route to California from as far away as southern Canada. Lucky are those individuals who get a glimpse of these winged beauties as they make their way down and across the Golden State. Escaping from the coming northern winter, the butterflies’ planned destination …
When In Rome
One of our most beloved cities in all the world is beautiful and fascinating Rome, Italy. Join us on a brief pictorial excursion to the Roman Forum, a site within the larger city that is arguably the birthplace of modern civilization. There is much to see and learn in the Forum, and here is what …
A Visit to Québec and the Empress of Ireland: A Titanic Size Catastrophe Forgotten in History
Visiting Québec this summer? Consider a stop at the Canadian national historic landmark Pointe-au-Pére. It deserves a spot on your itinerary. Favoring all destinations that involve water, we were drawn to Pointe-au-Pére’s nautical attractions – the Empress of Ireland Pavilion, Pointe-au-Pére Lighthouse, and the HMCS Onondaga – a Royal Canadian Navy submarine. We were particularly moved …
ATLANTIS: A Submarine Adventure for the Entire Family
If you have never been in a submarine gliding silently and effortlessly along a coral wall teeming with marine life, you are in for a big treat. The US Coast Guard approved Atlantis XI is a 65-foot long battery-powered submersible specially designed for underwater sightseeing adventures in tropical waters –– and where better than the Cayman Islands …
How to Plan a Storybook “Christmas in Connecticut”
We originally researched and published this article in 2012, and it has proven to be a winter holiday favorite among our readers ever since. We believe there is magic in the air in the small towns of Connecticut at Christmas time. See if you agree. Here is our story: In 1945, Hollywood coined the phrase …
Ghosts Along the Danube in Budapest, Hungary
When we travel the world we come face to face with history, some grand, and some that we would wish away if we could. This article is about the great stain on European history referred to as the Holocaust. There are many recorded stories about Holocaust horrors, and you may not be familiar with this …
A National Scenic Wonder in Winter: The Magnificent Coast of Oregon
Much of the Oregon coast consists of miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches, which may be exactly what you are looking for if you seek total relaxation. However, if you crave excitement, check out the wild 40 miles of rocky shoreline that begins in the north at Waldport, Oregon and zigzags south along curvy Highway …
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