Attractions

Bok 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, patiently awaiting prey. Even the resident swans swim right up, hoping to steal fish food pellets meant for giant carp thrashing in the pond. Somehow, the animals know they are protected here.

This exquisite garden was created by Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant and humanitarian who came to the U.S. at the age of six. In 1889, Bok became the editor of the Ladies Home Journal, a position he would hold for the next 30 years. During visits to his Florida winter home in the 1920’s, Bok witnessed the beauty and dramatic sunsets of Iron Mountain, the highest point in peninsular Florida. Awed by the tranquility of the area, he purchased the land and commissioned renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. to create a stunning garden that would become a haven for native birds, plants and wildlife. Bok worked closely with Olmstead through the design process and after giving his final stamp of approval, left to tour Europe. Seeing the carillon towers in his native Netherlands, he was inspired to build a carillon atop Iron Mountain within the sanctuary already being constructed. Read More »

Native 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 be healed. As the notoriety of the springs grew settlers were drawn to the area; eventually a resort was built at the site where the 88 degree water flowed from the hillside of Pine Mountain and pools were constructed to hold the waters. The resort became a popular summer retreat until the turn of the century, when both resort and town fell into decline.

Warm Springs pools were refurbished by the State of Georgia in 1994-95 for the 50th anniversary of FDR's death

The facilities languished for many years until Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited in 1924, hoping that the town’s naturally heated mineral springs would be an effective treatment for his polio-related paralysis. Swimming in the spring waters did not provide FDR with the miracle cure he hoped for, but it did bring Read More »

Sagrada Familia from afar

Towering over Barcelona, Antonin Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral, the Sagrada Familia, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.

Gaudi began work on the cathedral in 1882 and continued to supervise its construction throughout the remainder of his life, until 1926. Since then, various architects have worked on it, yet still, over 80 years later, it remains unfinished.

The cathedral is beautiful on its own, with ornately carved facades and soaring arches, but its long history and continued status as a work-in-progress make it all the more interesting. Those who visit and view it just from the outside will find it majestic, despite the ever-present construction cranes that stand parallel to its towers. But those who ride the lift to the top of one of the towers will have a much better view.

From here, you can not only take in a beautiful view of the city of  Barcelona laid out in front of you, you’ll also get an up-close look at the intricate details of the stone towers.  You can ride the lift back down, but walking down the narrow, twisty, turning staircase is a bit more fun. Along the way, you can also stop at several lookout areas for more views of the city and angles from which to gaze upon Gaudi’s wonder.

The Sagrada Familia is open from 9am to 6pm most days, with extended hours in the summer. Admission for adults is 11 Euros, with the ride in the lift an additional 2,50 Euros.

Photo credit: Katie Hammel

Ross Castle, County Killarney Photo by Jody Halsted www.havekidwilltravel.com

If your goal while in Ireland is to visit historic sites like Glendalough, the Hill of Tara, the Rock of Cashel and many others you’ll want to consider purchasing an OPW Heritage Card.

The Heritage Card allows unlimited “free” admission into the sites managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for one year.  (The only site managed by the OPW that does not accept the Heritage Card is Muckross House, Gardens & Farms.)

Over 100 sites participate in this program and the card easily “pays” for itself if you only visit a few sites.  For example (using adult prices):

The card has paid for itself in 4 visits.  OPW Heritage Cards are available individually or you can buy a family card which is good for “two adults and a reasonable number of children under 18″.

Card prices in euros (current as of October 2009):

• Adult    21
• Senior  16
• Child/ Student  8
• Family   55
• Children under age 6 are free

The Heritage Ireland website makes it easy to search OPW sites so you can decide, in advance, if the purchase of a Heritage Card is a wise decision.  You can search my region across the top of the web page or use their sitemap, which lists all OPW sites.

Purchasing an OPW Heritage Card is easy, too.  You can buy it at the first OPW Heritage Site you visit.  You can also get more information or purchase them at at the Dublin Tourism Office, Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 and at Tourist Offices in Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport, Limerick, Ennis and Adare.  You can also order cards and have them sent to you by using this form.

When my husband and I went on our first cruise, the only shore excursion that we instantly agreed upon was to see the Mayan Ruins at Tulum, Mexico.  Visiting this historical and cultural site was one of the highlights of our trip.

Tulum Ruins

Read More »

Lower Fort Garry

One of my favorite things to do as a parent is to take my children to places I enjoyed as a child.  If I’m lucky, I’ll enjoy it with them as much as I remembered.  One of these such places is Lower Fort Garry, north of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Located along the Red River, Lower Fort Garry is the oldest stone fur trading post still intact in North America.  Costumed interpreters make the Hudson’s Bay Company post come to life as they go about their day-to-day routines. Read More »

Cliffs Of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo by Jody Halsted, www.havekidwilltravel.com

There is a very simple reason the Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s top attraction – little can compare with their natural beauty.  I have visited the cliffs three times; every time has been different, every time I was awed by the views.

O'Brien's Tower, Cliffs of Moher Photo by Jody Halsted www.havekidwilltravel.com

O’Brien’s Tower was built in 1835 as a viewing spot for the tourists that came, even then, to view the majestic cliffs.  In past years the tower has been closed for safety. Repairs have recently been made and the tower is once again open to tourists.  Visitors may browse souvenirs in the tower shop on the ground floor and work by local artists on the first floor, or, for a small fee, access the viewing tower on the roof.

Since my first visit many upgrades have been made to access both the tower and other points on the cliffs.  Gone are the rutted paths (as seen in the photo at the left), replaced with smooth, handicapped accessible -though very steep – walkways and viewing platforms at various locations.

Read More »

The Amana Colonies may be one of Iowa’s best kept secrets.  Founded in 1855 by the Inspirationists, the six villages positioned a mile or two apart- and no more than an hour by ox cart- would go on to become on of the longest lived and largest communal societies in America.  In 1861 the village of Homestead (known today as the place Ashton Kutcher grew up) was added to give the communities access to the railroad.

The Amana Colonies are west of Iowa City, just off Interstate 80.  For a bit of “Amana Light” stop in Little Amana, just off the interstate.  Here you will find two great German restaurants, a gift shop filled with amazing Amana wines, fresh meats, woolens, woodworks and crafts, the Wasserbahn Waterpark at the Holiday Inn and an Iowa original restaurant: Maid Rite.

But to really enjoy the community of villages plan a weekend.

You will want to begin in Amana (the other villages are Middle Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana) as the visitor’s center is located in the center of the village.  Housed in an old corn crib and refinished by the amazing artists from the Amana Furniture and Clock Shop the exterior gives no indication of the beauty inside.  Here you can rent bikes to explore the colonies, book a room at one of the many B&Bs, find out about events, get maps and information.  You won’t get out of here easily; the staff are full of information and eager to share as much information as you’re willing to receive.  Before you leave be sure to climb to the top and view the village from the cupola. Read More »

Franklin Delano Roosevelt first visited Warm Springs, Georgia in 1924, hoping that the buoyant spring waters would cure the infantile paralysis that had struck him three years earlier. Although the mineral-laden water provided no medical miracle, FDR claimed that the 88-degree springs relaxed his atrophied muscles such that he had much better mobility after soaking for an hour. FDR became so enchanted with the area that he built a small vacation home on the side of Pine Mountain while running for president in 1932. Before long, locals were referring to the cabin as the “Little White House” and the name stuck.

FDR's Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia

Throughout his Presidency, FDR made many trips to the cottage, often speaking with neighbors to learn about their difficulties, especially during the Great Depression. New Deal policies such as the Rural Electrification Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, and Tennessee Valley Authority grew out of these conversations. Today the Little White House is one of Georgia’s most popular historic sites. Guests Read More »

We spend most of our lives above ground, but once in a while it’s fun to go below and find something interesting to do.  If you want to get below the surface, you won’t want to miss these places.

See a Garden: Forestiere Underground Gardens in Fresno, California.  An underground network of rooms, passageways, and patios, it was dug by hand by Baldassare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant.  He worked for 40 years in his spare time to create this home, which includes underground trees and plants.

Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno, CA

Read More »