Tag Archives: Travel

Winter Wildlife: A River Otter Survives In Upper Peninsula Of Michigan

It takes a special breed of animal to handle the Michigan winter–and the river otter is better prepared than most. But preparation is half the battle–and it starts with a roll in the snow to keep its fur coat insulated. The waters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan freeze over fast in winter–and river otters need to work just as fast to keep holes open in the ice. If they close, the otters lose access to fish. From America’s Wild Seasons: https://bit.ly/3pikNyY

The Upper Peninsula is a forested region in Michigan bordering 3 of the Great Lakes and extending outward from Wisconsin. It’s connected to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula by the roughly 5-miles-long Mackinac Bridge, which spans the Straits of Mackinac. Sandwiched between the 2 peninsulas is Mackinac Island, a car-free vacation destination with the iconic 1887 Grand Hotel and the Victorian-era Fort Mackinac. 

Poetic Short Films: ‘NELLA MIA CITTÀ (In my city)’ – A Tribute To Venice (Video)

Filmed, Edited and Directed by: Milton Kam

NELLA MIA CITTÀ (In my city) is my visual ode to Venice. The film observes the lagoon city and its residents during the relative scarcity of tourists in its streets. From the lustre of its famous spots to the anonymity of its quiet alleys, Venice feels as if ‘the future did not come,’ to borrow a line from the poem, which the film is based on.

Nella mia città is written by Anna Toscano and was taken from her book Doso la polvere, Milan, La Vita Felice, 2012

With music by Federico Toffano (cello), Liesl Odenweller (soprano), and Ivano Zanenghi (lute).

IN MY CITY by Anna Toscano

The future does not exist
the future does not come
in my city:
however long my step is
however much you have the favor of the wind
the number 2 does not go more than 22 km per hour.
How to get beyond the past
how not to look back
(at this speed)
with your neck always at three quarters:
time stops in piazzale Roma
so we live entangled
in the stories of peoples.
We stand, happy,
in a rearview mirror.

Aerial Views: ‘Nice – On The French Riviera’ (4K Video)

Nice, capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera, sits on the pebbly shores of the Baie des Anges. Founded by the Greeks and later a retreat for 19th-century European elite, the city has also long attracted artists. Former resident Henri Matisse is honored with a career-spanning collection of paintings at Musée Matisse. Musée Marc Chagall features some of its namesake’s major religious works. 

Walks: ‘Tiber Island’ In Rome, Italy (4K UHD Video)

The Tiber Island is the only island in the part of the Tiber which runs through Rome. Tiber Island is located in the southern bend of the Tiber. The island is boat-shaped, approximately 270 metres long and 67 metres wide, and has been connected with bridges to both sides of the river since antiquity.

Video timeline: 0:00​ – [Brief Intro] 1:40​ – [Tiber Island walk begins] 1:50​ – [Fabricius Bridge – Oldest bridge in Rome of 62 a.C.] 4:00​ – [Via di Ponte Quattro Capi] 4:28​ – [S.Bartolomeo all’Isola Square] 5:16​ – [View of Cestio Bridge] 5:46​ – [St.John Hospital on the right] 8:00​ – [Walking around the island] 15:41​ – [The roman marble shape of the Boat that famously was used to bring Asclepius’ statue to the island – it’s still visible the symbol of the snake around the ship mast] 17:37​ – [Southern bank of the island]

Inside Views: The ‘Louvre Museum’ Masterpieces Undergo Renovation

After months of closure since the beginning of the health crisis and only a reopening for a few short months between two confinements last summer, the #Louvre​ lost 72% of attendance by 2020. But despite the absence of visitors, the heart of the #museum​ has not completely stopped beating. The Louvre is even taking advantage of this period to carry out #renovations​.

Aerial Views: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Australia (4K)

The Gold Coast is a metropolitan region south of Brisbane on Australia’s east coast. It’s famed for its long sandy beaches, surfing spots and elaborate system of inland canals and waterways. It’s also home to theme parks such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild. Inland, hiking trails crisscross Lamington National Park’s mountain ridges and valleys, home to rare birds and rainforest.

Island Home Tours: Turtle Cove In Turks And Caicos

Lizard Lounge is a rare gem to come to market on a pristine and tranquil stretch of beach in the beautiful Turtle Cove neighborhood of Providenciales known as “Coconut Road.”

Newly completed in 2019, this stunning and classical Caribbean villa is designed by COAST architects and has been thoughtfully executed to a high-level based on a family-friendly vision for a luxury island living. Situated on the western end of world-famous Grace Bay beach, the gorgeous design evokes Caribbean laid back elegance at its finest with its coral stone exterior and blue shutters set against a backdrop of white sands and turquoise sea, peppered by coral heads just off the beach. Taking advantage of a grandfathered footprint to maximize proximity to the calm northern beach, the home also sits proud of its neighbors on both sides, guaranteeing that views will remain unobstructed over the long term. The 5-bedroom home, with 5 en-suites and 2 half baths, spans approximately 6,550 of covered sq. ft., and a total of 8,500 sq. ft. of finished areas. Enjoy long walks on Grace Bay beach, a short walk to a collection of restaurants and activities at nearby Turtle Cove with its boutique marina facilities, and exceptional snorkeling directly off the front deck of this idyllic beachfront home.

Nature: ‘Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge’, Valentine, Nebraska

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska and includes 19,131 acres. The refuge borders the Niobrara National Scenic River on the west and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sunday Walks: Along The Seine River In Paris (Video)

Filmed: February 14, 2021

The river Seine flows right through the heart of Paris bordering 10 of the 20 arrondisements. It was no accident that the city evolved around this gigantic avenue for commerce and transportation, or that the early Parisi tribes on the river’s island were attacked and overthrown by the Romans. This early coup took place on what was later to become some very prime real estate. At that time the river was called by it’s Latin name: Sequana. The river is still the chief commercial waterway and half of the water used in Paris still comes form the Seine. Don’t think about that when you look at the sick green water flowing under the bridge, or when your waiter brings you a glass of tap water.

Top Hikes: ‘Colorado National Monument’

Colorado National Monument is home for cool hikes and amazing views. It’s located in western Colorado near the town of Grand Junction. Join a friend and I as we hike to Independence Rock. Afterwards we’ll take in the rim overlooks that give spectacular views into the canyon. Visited on September 30, 2020.

Colorado National Monument is a National Park Service unit near the city of Grand Junction, Colorado. Sheer-walled canyons cut deep into sandstone and granite–gneiss–schist rock formations. This is an area of desert land high on the Colorado Plateau, with pinyon and juniper forests on the plateau.