Category Archives: Travel

Destination Travel: Captain Whidbey Inn In Washington, “Gateway To Beautiful, Rugged Wild”

From the Captain Whidbey website:

Captain Whidbey Inn Washington sceneryThe presence of the inn itself demands this kind of myth-making. Its hulking imperfections, hidden staircases and infinite doorways, narrow pathways and intricate stonework, call to mind an honest, handmade world, where times were slower and things made to last. Rumors of its past are worn proudly on its proverbial sleeve — stripped wood where there once was a second floor balcony, prominently displayed plaques of historic register, mismatched sediments of historic photos, the speckled outline of a dart board and creaking floorboards. The front door was originally the back door because most guests arrived by boat.

Since 1907, Captain Whidbey has been a locus of natural beauty, community gathering and quiet, exalted delight. A place where locals and visitors do things together — even if those things are simply eating, drinking, appreciating nature, looking out across the water, feeling alive, feeling grateful.

Captain Whidbey is the Unofficial Official Lodge of Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. The gateway to beautiful and rugged wild, Captain Whidbey fosters a sense of romance, a longing for adventure and a communion with the natural world.

To read more: https://www.captainwhidbey.com/

Top-Rated Resorts: “Sunset At The Palms – Jamaica” Is Eco-Friendly, All-Inclusive (And Affordable)

From the Sunset at the Palms website:

Sunset at the Palms Jamaica photos…one of the top all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica as selected by Trip Advisors Peoples Choice for 2018 and 2019. 

Sunset at the Palms was the first hotel in the world to receive certification for Environmentally Sustainable Tourism by the U.K.’s Green Globe. The resort also won the prestigious Governor General’s Award for overall architectural design as was recognized by TripAdvisor.com as one the “Top Ten Most Romantic Resorts in the Caribbean” in the 2018 Traveler’s Choice hotel list. In 2015, received the Trip Advisor Hall of Fame Award for earning the Award of Excellence five years running.

Website: https://www.thepalmsjamaica.com/

Outdoor Exhibitions: British Artist Bruce Munro’s “Field Of Light At Sensorio”, Paso Robles, CA

From a New York Times online article:

Jennifer Young and Ron Genauer at the installation.CreditJim McAuley for The New York TimesBut there is nothing quite like the mind-bending spectacle now on display at dusk in the hills of Paso Robles here, a popular wine destination. That is the witching hour when thousands of solar-powered glass orbs on stems, created by the artist Bruce Munro, enfold visitors in an earthbound aurora borealis of shifting hues.

Since it opened in May, “Field of Light at Sensorio” — the 60-year-old British artist’s largest such installation to date — has drawn thousands of tourists and become an Instagram phenomenon. The subtly changing patterns of this light safari, activated by a nebula of fiber-optic cables attached to hidden projectors, seem to inspire a cathedral-like awe among ticket-holders, who pay $19 to $30 for an evening stroll along 15 acres of illuminated walkways.

https://www.sensoriopaso.com/

To read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/15/arts/design/field-of-light-sensorio.html

Top Hotel Bars: “Everdene” At The Virgin Hotels San Francisco Has “Standout” Rooftop City Views

From a New York Times online article:

Everdene Bar San Francisco rooftop barA more recent addition to San Francisco’s rooftop bar scene is Everdene, a standout which opened this April atop the new Virgin Hotels San Francisco. Besides taking its name from the heroine of Thomas Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd,” Everdene has a lush, garden party vibe that feels far removed from the crowds below in SoMa. The drinks program consists of brightly colored, flora-heavy sippers (tequila-based “Her Majesty’s Pleasure,” with cucumbers and sugar snap peas, is an early favorite), courtesy of the lead bartender Tommy Quimby, another Trick Dog alum. 

To read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/14/travel/san-francisco-hotel-bar-cocktails.html

Top New Travel Videos: “Colored Frame” By Christophe Hamon Features Thailand

Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Christophe Hamon

Colored Frame short travel film by Christophe Hamon 2019.JPG

Music by: Olafur Arnalds (“Happiness Does Not Wait”)

Thailand is a wondrous kingdom, featuring Buddhist temples, exotic wildlife, and spectacular islands. Along with a fascinating history and a unique culture…

Colored Frame short travel film by Christophe Hamon 2019

Dreaming of crossing this land with my family and friends for 3 weeks. Our adventure took us by train – boat – car – foot (a little bit), overnight boats between the south and north.

Colored Frame short travel film by Christophe Hamon 2019

Website: https://www.facebook.com/Christophefilmmaker

Destinations: Walk The Streets, Parks And Palaces Of Beethoven’s Vienna

From a Wall Street Journal online article:

Beethoven's Vienna WalkBeethoven moved nearly 70 times while living in Vienna. Two of his former homes are open to the public, and many more are marked with commemorative plaques.

High above Vienna’s historic center, at the edge of the hilly Vienna Woods, the city’s Beethoven Museum, is housed in a onetime bakery complex dating back to the late Middle Ages, with an 18th-century annex containing a small apartment where Beethoven spent the summer of 1802. While living here, he composed his tragic “Tempest” piano sonata and began work on his 3rd Symphony, the “Eroica.”

Where to Binge on Beethoven in Vienna - Wall Street Journal Sept 2019

Theater an der Wien - Beethoven's ViennaLUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN is as Viennese as apple strudel. Though born in Bonn, Germany in 1770, he moved to the Austrian capital when he was in his early 20s, and then spent the rest of his 56 years changing the course of Western music from the city on the Danube. A quirky, cantankerous celebrity in his own time, he premiered his groundbreaking symphonies and concertos in Vienna’s grand palaces, escaped the summer heat in what are now its sleepy suburbs, and moved around between dozens of supposedly squalid apartments that sprawl across much of the city.

To read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/where-to-binge-on-beethoven-in-vienna-11568303745

Top Events: Open House Chicago 2019 Features Over 350 Sites Oct. 13-14

From the OpenHouseChicago.org website:

Open House Chicago 2019 sitesThe Chicago Architecture Center’s Open House Chicago (OHC) is the city’s annual architecture festival. For one weekend in October you can explore Chicago’s most iconic and unique architectural treasures. From mansions to sacred spaces, theaters to private clubs, hotels to secret rooms—OHC gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at many of the city’s great spaces that are rarely, if ever, open to the public.

OHC is a citywide event that includes more than 350 sites located in more than 38 neighborhoods. Sites reflect the cultural diversity and history of Chicago, as well as the unique character of each community. Locations include private clubs, residential spaces, offices, hotels, theaters, design/architecture studios, schools and places of worship as well as manufacturing, cultural and government facilities. This diverse selection of sites allows visitors to plan an itinerary according to their own specific interests. Browse the sites that have participated in OHC since 2015.

To read more: https://openhousechicago.org/

Top New Travel Videos: “Civilization – Timelapse /// Hyperlapse 4K” By Michael Shainblum (2019)

Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Michael Shainblum

Civilization Timelapse Hyperlapse 4K by Michael Shainblum 2019

City timelapses and hyperlapses from around the world. This is a collection of my favorite cityscape timelapses from over the years. The video is a mix of static shots, motion controlled timelapses and manual hyperlapse shots. I really hope you all enjoy the video and thanks so much for watching!

Civilization Timelapse Hyperlapse 4K by Michael Shainblum 2019

Places featured in the video:
Dubai UAE
New York City, New York
Los Angeles, California
San Francisco, California
Doha, Qatar
Singapore,
Shanghai, China
Hong Kong,
Venice, Italy
Cinque Terre, Italy
Seattle, Washington
and a castle in Scotland.

Civilization Timelapse Hyperlapse 4K by Michael Shainblum 2019

Website: http://www.shainblumphoto.com/

Top Travel Destinations: Hiking And Viewing The Fall Colors On Mackinac Island, Michigan

From a Michigan.org online article:

Mackinac-Island-Fall-ColorsThere are over 140 miles of trails and roads leading to great views on Mackinac Island. Stop by the Visitor’s Center to buy a map of the trails, significant points of interest and self-tours. Or visit a rental bike shop for a map, (though these have less detail). One of the most popular trails is the 8.2-mile road along the island’s perimeter. Typically there are bikers along this trail, but plenty of pedestrians also use it to see the beautiful shorelines. The road is not very hilly but it is long, so take your time to enjoy the views and be sure to stop occasionally to read about the history of the island. If you’d like to get deeper inland, there are several trails that lead to great views of the changing reds, yellows, and oranges as well as vantage points to see the beautiful shorelines. Stay aware of bikers and horses and be sure to stop at Sugar Loaf, Fort Mackinac, Skull Cave or Arch Rock for amazing views.

To read more: https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/pure-michigan-hiking-trails-see-brilliant-fall-colors

Top New Camper Trailers: The Opus OP 15′ Hybrid Caravan Is “Go Anywhere”

From a Curbed.com online review:

Opus OP 15′ Hybrid Caravan interiorThe trailer is set up for families thanks to a king-size bed on one side and twin bunk beds on the other. A full bathroom boasts a shower, sink, and chemical toilet, and bamboo shelving allows for plenty of storage space. A leatherette dining area provides a place to sit inside, and on-demand hot water, a heater, and built-in air conditioning come standard.

https://www.opuscamper.us/op15/

Opus has created their first full-size, hard-sided camper. Called the Opus OP 15, the new trailer blends off-road capabilities with amenities for a family. It’s also expandable, designed with a pop-up top for extra headroom in a way that’s similar to Safari Condo’s Alto R Series trailer. This means that while you’re towing the Opus OP 15, you have a low-roof, compact, 15-foot trailer. But once you get to camp you have plenty of room inside.

To read more: https://www.curbed.com/2019/9/9/20857187/rv-camper-travel-trailer-off-road-opus-op-15