Attractions
An honest take on things to do
Profile: Barbara Ann Weibel worked in corporate marketing and public relations for more than 20 years before leaving to pursue her true loves of travel, writing, and photography. In 2007 she strapped on a backpack and traveled solo around the world for six months, visiting 17 countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, the Pacific Rim, Africa, and Europe, blogging about her experiences along the way. These days, Barbara divides her time between her popular travel and life blog, Hole In The Donut, and writing freelance articles for a variety of traditional magazines and online entities. She travels six months each year and is currently writing a memoir about her extensive travels. Barbara’s Favorite Vacations: I prefer to travel without reservations or a concrete schedule, which allows me to take advantages of opportunities I would otherwise miss if I had to stick to an itinerary. Hostels are my favorite places to stay, because backpackers are an invaluable source of information about undiscovered destinations where I can have a “real” travel experience. I love Spain, New Zealand, Bali, and Italy, although Thailand remains my all-time favorite destination, and I found living with the Maasai in Tanzania to be an eye-opening experience that put me fully in touch with my gratitude.
Posts by: Barbara Weibel
Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, Key West, Florida
Nov 24, 2009; No CommentEvery afternoon, as if pulled by some invisible magnet, residents and visitors are drawn to Mallory Square at the northern terminus of Key West’s famous Duval Street to pay homage to the setting sun. It has been so for decades; Tennessee Williams... Read more »
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, Bass Harbor, Maine
Nov 20, 2009; No CommentSince 1858, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse in Maine has been guiding ships into Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay. At first glance, it hardly seems likely that its light could reach far enough to provide any help to mariners; from the front walkway, only the... Read more »
On the Trail of Florida’s Indian Heritage
Nov 17, 2009; No CommentaTrail of Florida's Indian Heritage When the Spanish arrived in the early 1500’s, it is estimated that up to 300,000 indigenous people occupied Florida. These Indian cultures were powerful chiefdom societies that built villages characterized... Read more »
Taste the Surreal at The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida
Nov 12, 2009; 1 CommentSalvador Dali, a leader of the Surrealist Movement, was most famous for the soft or melting watches featured in his paintings, jewelry designs, and even in glass artworks. Although he was lesser known for his preoccupation with science and religion, by... Read more »
Chicago’s Magnificent Mile 2009 Lights Festival
Nov 10, 2009; No CommentMagnificent Mile Lights Festival Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival began quite humbly 50 years ago, when Saks Fifth Avenue sold its traditional metal Christmas decorations and strung tiny white Italian lights on the branches of the elm... Read more »
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, Florida
Nov 05, 2009; No CommentBok Carillon Bell Tower The animals at Bok Tower Gardens are fearless. Squirrels chuckle and scold guests who stroll the park’s winding paths. Mockingbirds serenade from low branches. Gigantic weaver spiders tense in the center of low-strung webs,... Read more »
Safety Harbor Museum, Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Nov 03, 2009; No CommentOn the morning of May 25, 1539, Hernando de Soto sailed into what is now Tampa Bay, Florida. On the shore where the town of Safety Harbor now stands he discovered natural mineral springs that were revered by the local Indians, perhaps leading him to name... Read more »
Winter Fine Arts Festival, Englewood, Florida
Oct 29, 2009; No CommentWith its plethora of lovely old restored homes and storefronts, historic Dearborn Street in Englewood, Florida is the site for dozens of special events throughout the year. One of the most popular, the Fine Arts Festival hosted by the Rotary Club of Englewood,... Read more »
Treatment Pools at Warm Springs, Georgia
Oct 27, 2009; No CommentNative American Creek and Iroquois warriors were probably the first to discover the mineral-rich spring waters in Warm Springs, Georgia. Believing they held special medicinal properties, sick and wounded members of the tribes traveled to the springs to... Read more »
Giant Olmec Head in Chicago
Oct 22, 2009; 1 CommentFrom a wide swath of lawn on the east side of Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, a giant carved head gazes out toward Lake Michigan. More than seven feet tall, Olmec Head #8 is a replica of one of the many amazing stone carvings done by... Read more »
