On the Trail of Dale Chihuly in Tacoma, Washington

Take a day to explore the works of Dale Chihuly in Tacoma on the Chihuly Glass Walking Tour and you wont be disappointed.

Most visitors to Seattle, Washington who want to see works by master glass artist Dale Chihuly would most likely visit the Chihuly Gardens at the base of the Space Needle. But just 30 minutes to the south in Tacoma, Washington, you can also see a diverse series of his permanent art glass installations set in a variety of very distinct environments.

This story won Finalist  – Destination Travel, Online Publication category in the 2017 North America Travel Journalists Association competition.

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A Day with Royals, Romans and Ruins – Visiting Historic Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor

On a recent visit to London, my husband and I took a whirlwind tour through time, experiencing 5000 years of British Isles history in one day as we went to Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor. Our tour took us to the prehistoric ruins of Stonehenge, the Roman baths in Bath, and the (relatively) modern royal residence of Windsor Castle. Continue reading “A Day with Royals, Romans and Ruins – Visiting Historic Stonehenge, Bath and Windsor”

A Day Trip to Hampton Court Palace – A Taste of Henry XVIII’s Tudor Court

History remembers England’s King Henry XVIII for his notorious excesses – excess wives, excesses in food and drink and excessing the Catholic church. At Hampton Court, Henry XVIII’s favorite residence, you can still see where he lived, loved and die. Continue reading “A Day Trip to Hampton Court Palace – A Taste of Henry XVIII’s Tudor Court”

Have only one day in London? Make It a Perfectly English Day!

I enjoy visiting London, and try to schedule a long stopover in between flights to other points in Europe if I can. Earlier this summer, I had one day in London as I was heading to central France to participate in a Crafty Retreats class.  For me, it was a perfectly English day in London.

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Photo Essay: Annecy – A Day in France’s Lovely Little “Venice of the North”

Don’t visit Annecy (pronounced Ansi) if you are looking for big cathedrals or museums filled with important art.  But if you are looking for a quiet, lovely, romantic spot to just relax and amble along cobbled streets past canals and pastel colored houses, all with lake and mountain views, then Annecy, France’s little “Venice of the North” is the place to go.

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Photo Essay: A Day in Fussen, Germany and Its Authentic Gothic Castle

The southern end of Germany’s Romantic Road, Fussen, Germany makes a nice home base when visiting the nearby Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles.  After a day of fantasy castle sightseeing, it was a pleasure to wander the colorful, quiet streets of the old town center and take in the historic sights and the colorful buildings. Continue reading “Photo Essay: A Day in Fussen, Germany and Its Authentic Gothic Castle”

Escape the Crowds With One Day in Munich at the Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens

A short tram ride from the hustle and bustle of Munich’s central train station takes you to the palatial summer residence of the Wittelsbach’s, Bavaria’s ruling family for over 700 years. Touring the palace and outbuildings is interesting, but strolling through the 500 acre wooded gardens makes it hard to believe that a city of 1.5 million residents surrounds this peaceful enclave. Consider visiting the Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens if you have one day in Munich and you are looking for something different to do.

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