Blogs

Did you know that all National Parks are free on certain days during the year? For 2011 the dates are at this link: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

On top of Free Park Entry, many Gateway Community businesses offer extra discounts surrounding fee free dates, and other local special dates as well. You can see these specials here:  http://www.nationalparksonline.org/?page_id=33 

I love a good Inn. When I'm off taking a break, I really don't want to see staff coming and going, I just want a place to relax and get a good night's sleep. And not a kid in sight.

At the Sandpiper Inn, I did just that.  The Gulf was a stroll away--I could hear it from my bedroom window--and it was a quiet and peaceful place to relax and write.  There was a tiny pool, but the temps while I visited didn't merit a cool-off swim; The landscaping was beautiful and several places beckoned me to sit

Known for golden sandy beaches, mountainous emirate Fujairah is located on the East Coast of United Arab Emirates, on the Gulf of Oman which leads into the Indian Ocean.  Our destination was theFujairah Rotana Resort and Spa, a peaceful retreat shadowed by Hajjar Mountain Range.

www.stripedpot.com

Maine is well known for its lobster, lighthouses, mountains and Martha Stewart. A standout among these and many other State of Maine bright spots is our restaurant community. Maine's chefs and restaurateurs have developed a stellar reputation. Dining scene accolades started flowing in years ago and thankfully, buzz about Maine as a place for good food has not slowed. National newspapers and culinary publications have no shortage of positive things to say about our chefs, brewers, specialty food

www.greenhotels.gr Hotels are increasingly embracing green practices as a way to set themselves apart, so it only makes sense to see a portal emerge that aims to help eco-minded consumers find them. GreenHotels, in fact, serves not only as a portal and booking engine promoting eco-hotels in Greece, but it even scores those hotels on the “greenness” of their approach.

To be included in the GreenHotels network, hotels must have implemented operational systems and methods that are eco-oriented and t

Brigitte and Bacchus Culiary Adventures is hosting an exciting trip to Germany, Switzerland and France from April 10th -20th.

The focus is on local culture, food and wine with opportunity for shopping and hiking. This is a very small groups, only 4 spots left! For more info, please visit www.bacchus.ca.com

http://stripedpot.com/2011/01/22/glory-at-the-alamo-remembered-during-175th-anniversary/

Visit San Antonio to for  events commemorating the historic Battle of the Alamo.

There are several things that are expected when one lives in Maine and not necessarily in a good way. Take winter for example. We know it's going to be cold (this morning it was 2 whole degrees) and that snow will be involved at some point. In the last few days we've received a foot and are told to expect another major storm within the week.

Snow is so pretty to look at, especially the light fluffy stuff that has settled on the tall spruce and fir trees. This morning's bright blue sky makes the p

http://www.goingonadventures.com/2011/01/when-trouble-stalks-your-travel-plans.html?spref=gr#close=1

Trip insurance and planning ahead can prevent headaches when traveling

Tiger Woods will return to the site of the 2008 U. S. Open next week when he plays in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Hometown boy Phil Mickelson will also be there for the tournament that runs from Monday, January 24 through Sunday the 30th.

The Farmers Insurance Open was formerly known as the Buick Invitational.

Admission is free of charge on Monday. Savvy spectators will save time and money by purchasing tickets ahead of time on the tournament website. Tuesday tickets (

Here in Maine, we know alcohol. Of course the best known Maine alcohol would be "Allen's Coffee Brandy". Someone, somewhere, probably having to do with ice-drinking fishing, decided that Allen's goes well with milk, and the drink went viral.  Young men refer to the drink as LPR (liquid panty remover); all I know is what I've seen--too many years of whole milk and Allen's makes for a mighty large woman. Thus, the other name for milk and Allens (fat-ass-in-a-glass).

We also know potatoes, and ever

Adrenaline Tourism: Chasing the Thrill and the Markets

As we enter a new decade and step into a new age, it is becoming obvious that certain travel trends drive the emergence of new types of tourism or expand existing ones, and with them several destinations that are trying to catch up.

“Adrenaline tourism”, “thrillcation”, “extreme tourism”, “controlled edge tourism”, “danger tourism”, are just a few of the terms that incorporate the evergrowing need of the new generation of tourists that want to

The British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite all members and friends to a Workshop on “The secrets of low-cost online marketing” at the Hotel do Sado in Setubal on the 26th January.

Click to know more about this event:

Workshop – The secrets of Low Cost Marketing

Winter Sun Hot Spots – great getaways this winter With the golden beaches and warming sun easily accessible nowadays, it’s easy to travel anywhere to escape the cold British weather and head off to some welcoming sunshine. In fact, even more of us are expected to jet off this winter than ever before. But where are the warmest, hottest places at this time of year?

Well firstly, here are a few short haul ideas if you’re thinking about escaping to somewhere warm this winter...

With seven islands to c

As the winter season approaches where scenes of stranded cars and trucks and poor souls wrapped in more layers of clothing than an Inuit´s baby are played out day after day, does the question arise at some freezing “Aha!” point of why spend my life fighting mother Nature and her Winter Wrath?  After spending many seasons in what I knew as “Sunny California”, I had no idea that there was a place called the City of Eternal Spring, Well, I did know something about this town from the stories often t

From NMT Images

Untroubling Tunisia: Waiting for Travel and Democracy

The thirty or so countries that make up the Arab world are not known for enlightened or progressive  leadership.

But it was not always so.

In the Middle Ages when Europe was groping its way through the darkness in abysmal societies. Southern Spain, Andalusia,  was a beacon to the world.

Here, from 711 to 1492, under  Moorish/Muslim rule, Andalusia (from the Arabic Al Andalus) dazzled  with art, science, architecture and religious