Fall is definitely in the air. The crisp breeze, the scent of fresh apple cider, and of course the brilliant reds, yellows golds and browns that remind us of days gone by. Normally we associate the changing colors of fall with New England, but there are many other places around the world where you can experience the colors of the season. Edinburgh, Scotland. If ever there’s a place that could give New England a run for it’s money for fall foliage, it’s Edinburgh, Scotland. Make sure that you get to Edinburgh Castle to survey the bright colors below. Or climb up the majestic Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill for a panoramic view of the city. If you don’t want to take the hike, the Royal Botanic Garden is a great place to see Scotland in all its fall glory. Douro Valley, Portugal. Douro Valley in Portugal will give you a different perspective on the changing colors of fall. As one of Portugal’s main wine regions, instead of trees the hillsides are covered in terraced vineyards that are brilliantly colored. Douro Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is the world’s oldest wine region, so while you’re there, take a tour (or two) of some of the wineries and sample some of the delicious wines. Bavarian Alps, Germany. Of course, fall in Germany is always associated with Oktoberfest, but don’t miss the spectacular autumn views of the surrounding countryside. In fact, the fall may be the best season to visit the Bavarian Alps. Take advantage of the cooler weather to hike Berchtesgaden and Lake Tegernsee to see the epic scenery. Or visit Neuschwanstein Castle in all its fall glory. Kyoto, Japan. Even though Japan is known for its cherry blossoms in the spring, the fall foliage in Kyoto may be more spectacular. Visit one of the many temples or Kyoto Botanical Gardens and drink in the crimson colors of the season. One of the best views may even be from the Togetsukyo Bridge, where you’ll see the hillsides filled with fall foliage. Nova Scotia, Canada. Drive down Highway 2 in Nova Scotia for the gorgeous fall scenery, including serene river views, quaint farmhouses and vivid red blueberry fields along with the usual colorful foliage. Spend some time in Kejimkujik National Park exploring the area on foot or by canoe. Enjoy the numerous fall festivals throughout the season, including pumpkin carving, harvest festivals and more. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Even in the United States, there are other places to see the beautiful colors of fall. Shenandoah National Park is one of them. Take a ride down the 105-mile long Skyline Drive to get your fill of bright orange, red and yellow leaves. Or head over to the eastern side of the park and drive along Blue Ridge Parkway which climbs several thousand feet up to Cherokee National Forest. Either way, you’ll be glad you did. Upstate New York. Visit the Adirondacks not only to see the fall colors but also experience the bounty of fall festivals in the area. Or drive to the Catskills to the famous “Five State Lookout” in East Windham where you can see the fall leaves in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut simultaneously. If you’re up for a hike, trek to the summit of Mount Utsayantha in the Catskills for a 360-degree view. Upper Peninsula Michigan. Known for its coastlines, the Upper Peninsula is just as beautiful in the fall. Drive cross the Mackinac Bridge and along the Keweenaw Peninsula towards Copper Harbor, where the views are spectacular.
These are just a few of the many place that you can go and see the vivid foliage we associate with autumn. Give Luxury Destinations Concierge a call at (805) 236-4437 to start planning your next vacation.
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Hawaii has always been one of the top vacation destinations, and the good news is that Hawaii will be lifting its quarantine restrictions soon. That means it’s time to think about your next vacation to the Hawaiian Islands.
There are 137 islands that make up the state of Hawaii, there are 4 that people remember the most: Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the island of Hawaii. Here are the top things to do on each of these islands: Kauai. Kauai is the fourth largest island, and truly earns it’s nickname of the “Garden Island”. Picturesque views, lush valleys, tropical rainforests and more form the backdrop for any trip to this island. There’s plenty to see here, including:
Oahu. Oahu, home of Hawaii’s capital Honolulu and most of its diverse population, is the third largest island. There is plenty to see and do on Oahu - here are just a few:
Maui. Maui is the second largest island in Hawaii and is nicknamed “The Valley Isle”. It has been voted the “Best Island in the US” by Conde Nast Traveler for readers for the last 20 years – and it’s no wonder. There is so much to do on Maui that it’s hard to narrow it down. Here’s what stands out:
The Island of Hawaii. Also known as the “Big Island”, the island of Hawaii is the largest island in Hawaii. In fact, it’s almost twice as big as all the other islands combined. Here are just a few things that you will want to see and do while on the Big Island:
Are you ready to start planning your trip to Hawaii? Give Luxury Destinations Concierge a call at (805) 236-4437. We’ll help you make the most of your island getaway. Raising a glass in a toast is an ancient tradition for celebrations around the world. Those traditions vary from country to country. Here are some of the most common toasts and their traditions from around the world:
Germany: Prost With Oktoberfest just around the corner, it seems appropriate to start in Germany. Obviously, Germans value a good drink, and it’s important to do it right. To properly toast in Germany, it’s crucial to make eye contact during the toast – otherwise you insult your fellow drinkers. It goes back to the middle ages when you never knew who your enemy was. If they poisoned your drink, they would keep an eye on the rim of the glass to make sure that none of your drink found its way into your glass. If, on the other hand, they met your gaze, that established camaraderie and trust between the parties. When drinking beer, the common toast is Prost, which simply means “cheers”. If you are drinking wine, Zum Wohl, which loosely translated means “to your health”. And don’t drink before everyone has a glass in hand. Japan: Kampai Japan’s drinking and toasting traditions are very formal. The toast of Kampai, or “bottoms up” is always first given by the most senior member of the family or business. Other things to keep in mind when drinking in Japan: your glass should be lower than those senior to you in position; never pour your own drink – always let someone else pour for you (and then return the favor); and if you are drinking sake, sip, don’t gulp. Also, if you are finished drinking, don’t pour drinks for anyone else – they’ll feel obligated to fill your glass again, and it’s bad manners not to drink again. Russia: Za Zdorovie In Russia, the typical toast is za zdorovie, which wishes good health to your hosts. The response to this is usually nu, poneslis (Here we go again). The weird thing about drinking in Russia is that shot glasses (for Vodka) should never be placed on the table. Instead, when you have finished your drink and the bottle is empty, place them under the table. The reason: After the Battle of Paris in 1814 during the Napoleonic Wars, Russian Cossacks noticed that the number of drinks people were charged for was calculated by the number of bottles left on the table in local restaurants. Supposedly they cleverly placed the bottles under the table to avoid the charges. Hungary: Egészségére Hungary’s toast of Egészségére simply means “to your health”. Just as in Germany and other European countries, make sure that you make eye contact with those around you. However, whatever you do, don’t clink glasses together when drinking beer. Apparently, back in 1849 at the end of the revolt against the Hapsburgs, 13 Hungarians were hanged by Austrian soldiers who drank beer and clinked glasses. From that time on, Hungarians swore not to clink glasses for 150 years – and even though we’re well past that, the tradition continues. Turkey: Serefinize Serefinize! Is the toast of the day in Turkey. The usual drink is raki, also known as Lion’s Milk, and is a combination of grapes and aniseed. When toasting, make sure that you clink the bottom of your glass – clinking the top implies that you are better than the others. If there is someone you want to remember, lightly tap your glass on the table. And, if you don’t like raki, order some anyway and pretend. Some may be offended if you drink something else. France: À Votre Santé Even though we associate great wine with France, the fact is that the French are polite and very restrained when it comes to drinking. The usual toast is À Votre Santé or simply Santé, which means “to your health”. Don’t fill your glass more than halfway – it’s considered vulgar to do otherwise. Instead, pour a little at a time (and often). And don’t cross arms with anyone when clinking glasses. Iceland: Skál Raise a glass of beer in Iceland and say Skál! This toast can have two meanings. The first, and a little less believable, is “skull” relates to Vikings who would use the skulls of people they killed to toast and drink mead. The more reasonable translation is “bowl”, from an ancient Nordic tradition where people would drink from an empty bowl as a way of honoring someone no longer with them. And, by the way, beer has only been legal since 1989. There was a 74-year prohibition of beer due to alcoholism. Other alcoholic drinks were initially banned in 1915 as well, but eventually lifted on everything but beer in 1935. Icelanders now celebrate Beer Day every March 1st. One of the pleasures of traveling is being able to enjoy the tastes and traditions of different cultures. As you can see, toasting with the locals can be rewarding – as long as you follow the local traditions. Are you ready to experience the drinks and foods of the world? Let Luxury Destinations Concierge help plan your next trip. Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. South America is one of the most diverse and fascinating continents in the world. Unless you’ve traveled throughout South America, there’s probably a lot you don’t know about the countries, peoples and cuisines of the area. Here are some unique facts about South America to pique your interest:
From an early age, we are all enthralled by the stories of kings and queens, knights and their quests and, of course, the palaces they live in. While the fairy tales may just be stories, the beauty and majesty of the castles around the world can still captivate our imaginations. The best part is that we can visit many of them.
Palace of Versailles, France. Topping the list of castles and palaces is the Palace of Versailles. Built in the 1600 by King Louis XIV, Versailles is the pinnacle of opulence. From the lush gardens to the famous Hall of Mirrors, there is nothing that comes close to the majesty on display at Versailles. When you visit, don’t miss the tours of the Royal Chapel and the Royal Opera, take a boat down the Grand Canal or just relax and soak in the scenery in the Orangery. Alhambra, Spain. Built in the 13th century above Granada, the palace at Alhambra uniquely features a combination of Moorish and European influences. The influence of these North African Muslims is seen in the architecture and the intricate carvings that feature Arabic writings and motifs. Plan on spending the day walking through the complex, visiting the Alcazaba fortress, the Nasrid palace, the Generalife ancient summer palace. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany. You’re not wrong to think this castle looks familiar. That’s because Walt Disney used it as inspiration for the castle at Disneyland. Built in the 19th century by Mad King Ludwig II of Bavaria as a tribute to the composer Richard Wagner, with inspiration from Byzantine churches (especially in the throne room), and Roman and Gothic architecture. Forbidden City, China. China’s Forbidden City is the world’s largest palace complex. The 180-acre walled city shielded its emperors from the public. The mortar for the walls is actually made of egg whites and glutinous rice – and has lasted for centuries. But the main attraction is the complex itself, consisting of nearly 1000 buildings, various gardens and ceremonial traditions. Topkapi Palace, Turkey. For nearly 400 years, Topkapi Palace was the home to rulers of the Ottoman Empire. At one point it housed over 5,000 people, including many concubines and eunuchs. Don’t miss the tour of the harem, which consists of over 400 rooms, halls, terraces and apartments that get more luxurious as you progress through the complex. Hawa Mahal, India. This unique palace in Jaipur, India, was built by King Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh for the women of the court so that they could get some fresh air and enjoy the view of the city’s bustling streets. The pink castle is built of sandstone, with overhanging windows on every floor to let in the breeze. It is also built to resemble Krishna’s crown, as the King was a devoted follower of Krishna. One thing that you’ll notice: even though there are 5 floors, there are no stairs. Ramps were used so that the women could be carried on litters called palanquins. Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia. As the home to the tsars of Russia from 1762 to 1917, the Winter Palace speaks to the opulent tastes of the Russian elite. The palace has one of the finest collections of artwork in Europe, including pieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Raphael. Windsor Castle, England. Windsor Castle is the only castle in England to be continuously inhabited by the Royal Family since the Middle Ages. It is also the largest inhabited castle in the world. William the Conqueror began building in 1070, and it has been added to and redesigned much over the years. In fact, Charles II updated the castle in an attempt to keep up with his cousin Louis XIV and his castle at Versailles. Are you ready to experience the castles of palaces of kings and queens? Let Luxury Destinations Concierge plan your royal trip. Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. When it comes to capitals around the world, we tend to go with the most popular or biggest city we can name. That theory holds true most of the time, but there are some country capitals that may surprise you. Here are 8 at the top of our list:
There’s a lot to learn about the United States, and most of it isn’t taught in history books. Here is the last installment of our look at some of the little-known state facts:
Ohio. The Ohio state flag is the only state flag that isn’t a rectangle. It’s believed that the designer may have been inspired by the shape of a pennant carried by the U.S. Cavalry. There’s also quite a bit of symbolism in the flag. The red circle represents the buckeye, while the white ring around it is an “O” for “Ohio.” The triangles are meant to symbolize the state’s hills and valleys. The 17 stars remind us that Ohio was the 17th state to join the Union in 1803 (although due to an oversight it wasn’t made “official” until 1953 – retroactively of course!). Oklahoma. Oklahoma is known as the Sooner state for good reason. In 1889, when the U.S. government had planned to open approximately 2 million acres of land for settlement, many people entered the land before the land’s run designated time. These people were dubbed “sooners.” In 1908, the year after Oklahoma officially became a state, the University of Oklahoma’s football team took “Sooners” as its nickname. The nickname became so popular that the state adopted it as its official nickname. Oregon. The world’s smallest park is located in Portland, Oregon. Mill Ends Park is a only 2-square feet, and was the creation of Oregon Journal columnist Dick Fagan. In 1948 he claimed to have spotted a leprechaun digging in that spot, and after running out of his office and catching it, made a wish for his very own park. Many years and several creative musings on the two-foot circle later, the city designated it an official park in 1976. It’s also considered the only leprechaun colony west of Ireland! Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is home to the first drive-in gas station in 1913. While there were many places to buy gas before this Gulf Oil station opened, it was the first one designed specifically to sell gas. And the rest is history. Rhode Island. The oldest tavern in the U.S. is the White Horse Tavern in Newport, Rhode Island, which originally opened its doors in 1673. At nearly 350 years old, the restaurant is still up and running today! South Carolina. Morgan Island, also known as Monkey Island, is an uninhabited island that is home to the only free-ranging colony of rhesus macaque monkeys in the United States. There are over 4,000 monkeys on the island. The original colony arrived in South Carolina via a Puerto Rico research facility in the 1970s, and has been used by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ever since. South Dakota. The Crazy Horse mountain carving now in progress will be the world’s largest sculpture (563′ high, 641′ long, carved in the round). It is the focal point of an educational and cultural memorial to and for the North American Indian. Tennessee. Tennessee hosts America’s longest-running radio show, The Grand Ole Opry. The show went on the air as the “WSM Barn Dance” in 1925. It was later deemed “The Grand Ole Opry” by show host George Hay, and it’s still on the air 95 years later. Texas. The King Ranch in South Texas is bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. It covers 1,289 square miles, versus Rhode Island which is only 1,212 square miles. There's also a windmill farm that's about seven times the size of Manhattan. Utah. We associate Kentucky Fried Chicken with Kentucky, but it was actually first sold in Utah! Utahans were the first to buy and get a taste of KFC. It was at the Harman Cafe in Salk Lake City that Colonel Sanders experienced his first success with the fried chicken recipe. Vermont. Vermont produces an average of 1.2 million gallons of maple syrup every year. That makes it the largest producer of maple syrup in the country. Virginia. The first woman-run bank in the U.S. started in Richmond, Virginia. Maggie Lena Walker was a successful African American businesswoman who chartered a bank, St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, in 1903. She was the bank’s first president and later chairman of the board of directors, providing black bank patrons a safe space to do business in the Jim Crow South. After a merger with two other banks, it survived as the oldest continuous black-run bank in the U.S. until 2009. Washington. Washington is the biggest producer of apples, raspberries, and sweet cherries in America. In fact, 6 out of 10 apples consumed in America are from Washington. West Virginia. The historic Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs has hosted more than half of all U.S. Presidents. During the Cold War, it was also the location of a secret bunker where Congress could operate for up to 40 days in the event of a nuclear strike – until the Washington Post exposed the facility in 1992. Wisconsin. Wisconsin prohibited the sale and use of margarine from 1895 to 1967 to protect its dairy industry. Although the ban has since been lifted, there are still some restrictions that remain on margarine. Today, it is still illegal for restaurants to serve their customers margarine in place of butter unless the customer requests for it. Wyoming. There are only two sets of escalators in the entire state of Wyoming. Both are located in the city of Casper, and no one is exactly sure of the reason behind the strange rarity. Outside of stairs, some think that it may be due to the cost effectiveness and efficiency of elevators. That wraps up our fact-finding mission across all 50 states! One thing is certain – the United States is truly unique from coast to coast! Thinking about planning a vacation? Luxury Destinations Concierge is happy to help! Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. The United States truly is a marvel, and each state has its own traditions, history and customs that make them stand out. Then again, there are some things that are downright strange. We continue our astonishing list of weird state facts:
Louisiana. Louisiana is home to the longest continuous bridge over a body of water in the world. The Second Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is nearly 24 miles long and connects the towns of Metairie (just outside New Orleans) and Mandeville. For eight of those miles, you can’t see land at all. Maine. There is a “desert” in Maine – a 40-acre parcel of land in Freeport, Maine that is all sand and silt. The Desert of Maine is the result of ancient glacier residue and over-farming the land which caused the soil to erode. You can actually camp in the desert, which is surrounded by the more recognizable coniferous forests. Maryland. Founded in 1727, the Maryland Gazette is the oldest continuously published newspaper still in existence in the U.S. In 1910, it merged with the newspaper The Capital and has been printed under that name ever since. Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, burritos are not legally sandwiches. In 2006, Panera Bread took Qdoba Mexican Grill to court over a leasing dispute in Worcester, MA. Panera’s lease stated that there couldn’t be another sandwich shop in the strip mall. After hearing both sides (and testimony from food experts), the judge ruled that a sandwich is made of two pieces of bread as opposed to the one tortilla needed to make a burrito. Michigan. Michigan is the only non-contiguous state in the lower 48. It is made up of two peninsulas, separated by the Straits of Mackinac. It also is the only state that borders four of the five Great Lakes, and has the longest shoreline in the U.S. outside of Alaska. Minnesota. In Minneapolis, you can get around downtown without ever going outside, thanks to the Minneapolis Skyway System. The covered pedestrian walkways connect buildings over 80 blocks of shops, restaurants, and other businesses so you can stay warm during the cold winter months. Mississippi. When you buy a pair of shoes, you can thank Mississippi for it. The first store to sell shoes in pairs was Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1884. Missouri. St. Louis hosted the 1904 Summer Olympics. It also happens to be the weirdest Olympics ever held. Only 12 countries participated, and the games lasted over five months due to some confusion with the St. Louis State Fair. The oddest event was the marathon. One runner was chased out of the marathon by a pack of dogs, while the "winner" hitched a ride on a car for most of the race. It was also the first time that gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Montana. Montana holds the record for the most dramatic temperature change to occur over a 24-hour period. In Loma, the temperature rose from -54˚F to 49˚F on January 15, 1972. Nebraska. This is for those who are still truly kids at heart: Kool-Aid was invented in Hastings, Nebraska, by Edwin Perkins in 1927, and the drink became the official state soft drink of Nebraska in 1998. There’s even an annual festival held there each August to honor the drink mix, called Kool-Aid Days. Nevada. There is a self-proclaimed independent country located in the heart of Nevada. Founded in 1977 by Kevin Baugh, the Republic of Molossia is known as a micronation — complete with its own currency, a postal service, space program, and president. It’s population is 34 (30 people and 4 dogs), and you can visit it between April and October. While you don’t technically need a passport to enter, you might want to bring it to get stamped. New Hampshire. For all those rebels who hate wearing seatbelts, you’ll be happy to know that New Hampshire is the only state that does not have a mandatory seat belt law. Even so, about 70% of adults still wear their seatbelts – though that is far below the national average of 90%. New Jersey. New Jersey is the only place in the United States where it is illegal to pump your own gas. The Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act and Regulations was established in 1949 to protect the public from fire hazards sometimes associated with pumping fuel and has not been taken off the books. New Mexico. Santa Fe is the nation’s highest capital. At 7,199 feet above sea level, it’s higher than Denver. Santa Fe is also the oldest state capital, dating back to 1610 – ten years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. New York. New York was the first state to require license plates on cars, starting in 1901. There was a catch, however. The plates were not issued by the state but were made by the owner and were required to have the owner's initials. Plates were made of leather, felt, or metal, and no two were alike. This was inefficient and by 1909 the state started issuing its own license plates. North Carolina. Pepsi was invented in New Bern, NC in 1893 by a drugstore clerk named Caleb Bradham. He originally named it “Brad’s Drink.” He was a doctor in training at the time and believed his syrupy concoction aided digestion. He re-named it “Pepsi-Cola” in 1898 after the word “dyspepsia.” North Dakota. The geographic center of North America is located in Rugby, North Dakota. It's marked by a rock obelisk, about 15 feet tall, flanked by poles flying the US and Canadian flags. They even changed the town seal to an outline of North America! Stay tuned for our last installment of little-known state facts, which are sure to amaze! Thinking about planning a vacation? Luxury Destinations Concierge is happy to help! Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. Each state has its own quirks. Whether it’s how they like their pizza or the most common pastime, each state has a uniqueness all its own. Then again, there are some things that are just downright weird. Here’s our first installment of little known facts – one for each state – that will amaze you.
Alabama. Ever wonder what happens to all the unclaimed luggage at airports? Turns out that it goes to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, the only retailer of lost baggage in the U.S. All domestic airlines send their unclaimed baggage here for resale – they process up to 7,000 pieces of luggage a day! Alaska. Things grow bigger and sweeter in Alaska! Due to the 20+ hours of sunlight during the summer, Alaska produce can grow abnormally large. In fact, Alaska holds several Guinness World Records for the size of their vegetables – a 138-pound cabbage, a 65-pound cantaloupe and a 2,051-pound pumpkin. Arizona. The last post office in the U.S. to deliver mail entirely by mule train is located in Supai, Arizona. Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, the mules make the 16-mile round trip into the Grand Canyon six days a week. Arkansas. The state is home to the largest diamonds ever found in the United States. The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas not only produced the 40.23 carat Uncle Sam diamond, it also allows visitors to keep whatever gems they may find! California. California is home to the highest and lowest points in the contiguous states. Mt. Whitney has its peak at 14,494 feet, and, less than 100 miles away, Death Valley bottoms out at 282 feet below sea level. Colorado. Aspen, Colorado has a law on the books that prohibits the launching of any kind of missile or projectile, which includes stones and – wait for it – snowballs! The idea behind the law was to protect local buildings from damage. Connecticut. One of Connecticut’s claims to fame is the invention of the hamburger. Turns out that in 1900, a patron at Louis’ Lunch asked if the meat they had ordered could be “to go”, and the owner, Louis Lassen put his “ground steak trimmings” between two pieces of bread and the hamburger sandwich was born! You can still visit Louis’ Lunch and partake in the 120-year-old tradition. Delaware. Delaware may be the 2nd smallest state in the Union, but it certainly has a lot of chickens. In fact, their chickens outnumber the humans 200-to-1! Florida. Brevard County added the area code 321 in 1999 as a nod to Kennedy Space Center — and the rocket launch countdown sequence that happened there. Georgia. The largest wild hog found ever discovered was found and killed in Alapaha, Georgia. Weighing in at 1,000 pounds and measuring 12 feet in length, the creature was nicknamed "Hogzilla". Hawaii. Hawaii loves canned Spam so much that they have an annual food festival – the Spam Jam – dedicated to it. If it’s not already obvious, Hawaii consumes more Spam than anywhere else in the U.S. – about 7 million cans annually! Idaho. Idaho’s has a lot of rivers and waterways. If you calculated the length of all of them together (over 107,000 miles), it would stretch across the U.S. 38 times. Illinois. Illinois is home to the pumpkin capital of the world. Why? Because the Libby’s plant in Morton, Illinois produces 82% of the worlds canned pumpkin. Indiana. In 1897 there was a bill introduced by the Indiana Legislature to round up the lengthy decimal value of pi (generally shortened to 3.14) to 3.2, after physician Edwin J. Goodwin discovered what he believed to be a new way of solving the old mathematical riddle of “squaring the circle,” which is impossible. Obviously, it never became law. Iowa. Since 1900, Britt, Iowa hosts the National Hobo Convention. In addition to other activities, a King and Queen are nominated and their portraits are immortalized. Kansas. Kansas has the distinction of being scientifically declared flatter than a pancake. Scientists bought a pancake from an IHOP and tested the topography against the flatness of the state. They measured “perfect flatness” on a scale of 1 with the IHOP pancake testing as 0.957 and Kansas scoring a 0.997. Kentucky. In 1799, the first commercial winery in the United States was established near Lexington, Kentucky. You can still enjoy wine produced by the winery (now named "First Vineyard.") It's even maintained by a descendant of the original shareholders of the winery. Next week we’ll indulge you with additional little-known state facts that will give you a different perspective on history and life in America. Thinking about planning a vacation? Luxury Destinations Concierge is happy to help! Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. Williamsburg, Virginia is recognized worldwide as the leading center for preserving and interpreting colonial history in America. The significance of Williamsburg is seen in its 300+ year old history: it’s the home of the College of William and Mary - the second oldest institution of higher learning in America; established the first American hospital dedicated to the treatment and care of mental illness; and served as George Washington’s assembling point for the siege of nearby Yorktown that won the American Revolution. Today, much of Williamsburg is dedicated to this rich tradition. Here’s our list of must-see stops on your trip to Williamsburg:
Colonial Williamsburg. At the top of your list should be a stop at Colonial Williamsburg. This 301-acre historic area is a living museum dedicated to preserving the life and times of the area during the 1700s when it was the capitol of Virginia. Explore the over 100 original and reconstructed buildings, interact with the costumed interpreters, and witness the daily reenactments of militia drills, political meetings, and daily activities of the city. Make sure you check the daily schedule for special tours and activities that may be of interest as they change regularly. Jamestown. Jamestown is the site of the first English colony in the Americas, and no trip to Williamsburg would be complete without visiting the Jamestown Settlement or Historic Jamestowne – both of which tell the history of the original English settlers to the area. Jamestown Settlement is a living museum that recreates the Jamestown Fort and the Powhatan Indian Village, both of which give you an interactive experience to how life during 1610-1614 would have been for the colonists and their relationship with the local Native American tribe. Down the street is Historic Jamestowne, the actual site of the original settlement. Here, you can explore the ruins and take part in one of the archaeological tours of the site to learn more about the history of the area. Jamestown Glasshouse. One of the original trades to come out of the new colony was glassmaking, which started as a money-making venture in the New World. Unfortunately, it didn’t bring in the expected profits, and tobacco became the big economic commodity for the area. Nevertheless, the ruins of the original glasshouse are still visible. Today, you can see the remains of the original glasshouse and its furnaces, and see exactly how glassmakers make their creations using the same techniques they used over 400 years ago in the reconstructed glasshouse. You can also purchase the wine glasses, pitchers, vases and other items made here in the gift shop. Great Hopes Plantation. When we think of plantations, we usually picture the sprawling estates of the rich landowners. While those existed in Williamsburg, most were middle-class farmers working their much smaller plantations. Great Hopes Plantation is a replica of one of these more common plantations. You’ll be able to interact with the interpreters and see what life was truly like on one of these small farms. Governor’s Palace. Originally built in 1722, the Governor’s Palace was the center of social activity for Williamsburg. It was built to portray the opulence and power of the British and its Royal Governor, and was home to the first 7 Royal Governors and 2 elected Governors of Virginia before being burned down in 1781. In 1934, it was carefully reconstructed and you can see the opulence of the period through its ballroom and other beautifully appointed rooms. Explore the recreated formal gardens, or visit the original outer buildings – including the kitchen – where you can watch demonstration of cooking, brewing beer or even making chocolate. Yorktown Battlefield. Come full circle in your visit to Williamsburg by visiting the last battlefield of the American Revolutionary War – Yorktown – and the end of British rule in this country. Start your visit by watching the orientation film and perusing the museum exhibits. Then, take your choice of either a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield or a guided walking tour of the battlefield and the town (or both!). You can also visit the Nelson House, which was British General Cornwallis’ headquarters, and the Moore House, where the actual negotiations for surrender took place in 1781. There is so much more to see and do in and around Williamsburg that is fun for the whole family, and Luxury Destinations Concierge can be your guide. Give us a call at (805) 236-4437. We’re ready to help you create a memorable experience! |
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