Explore. Dream. Discover.
60 Second Geography – New York City
11 months ago
by lori
in General information
New York City is the largest city in the United States and has a population of over eight million, which, as people continue to flock to New York City, is likely to grow even larger. This is Broadway, this is Wall Street, this is a city of history and legends, and who wouldn’t want to visit it at least once -even if it is just to say they’d been there. Top things to see and do: Empire Stat Building, Statute of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, United Nations Headquarters, Intrepid Air and Space Museum, Rockefeller Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art & Yankee Stadium.
60 Second Geography
Garden of the Gods Park
Colorado Springs, CO
Garden of the Gods is a wonderful place to check out the unique rock formations in the area. The park contains numerous trails for hiking and walking for all ages and abilities. You will also find opportunities for picnicking, mountain biking and horseback riding plus great views of Pike’s Peak. One of the most popular trails, named Perkins, has been paved in an effort to combat the erosion of the park’s central garden caused by its numerous visitors. Visitors receive frequent reminders to watch out for rattlesnakes in the hot days of summer.
Since the park was given to the City of Colorado Springs, millions of people have visited. With almost 1,320 acres, 1.5 miles of paved trails, 15 miles of additional trails that take you through the park to get up close looks at its beauty. If you have the time, and have a high clearance vehicle, you may want to head up Rampart Range Road, located just east of Balanced Rock, it will take you above the park and show you the city of Colorado Springs in the background of the Garden. The Garden of the Gods Park is a registered National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
I’ve posted more photos from our visit on our Facebook page click here Garden of the Gods photos
Aria Hotel
Prague, Czech Republic
Hotel review March 2011
We recently visited Prague for 3 nights; and stayed at the Aria Hotel located in Lesser Town at Trziste 9, Prague. This hotel far exceeded our expectations so I thought I would share a little bit about the property.
This is a boutique hotel that has 24 rooms and 24 suites. It has a music theme, artists celebrated by the hotel range from Dvorak to Elvis, Mozart to Billie Holiday. They have a music library complete with Music Director that has a PhD in Musicology, she is also available to provide advice on current Prague activities. The attention to detail wherever you turn is fantastic – original art, sculptures, indoor fountain, afternoon tea & snacks, fruit and fresh flowers.
We arranged our airport transfers through the hotel and our pick up was waiting for us upon arrival. After receiving our key, which was a small treble clef music note with a magnet the size of a US dime on one side (very unique and handy), we got a personal hotel overview/tour with explanation about the property amenities and a welcome beverage & nibbles. We arrived at 11am and our room the Handel Suite #409 was ready.
I think what impressed me most about the room is how thoughtfully appointed it was. It had every amenity imaginable. Plenty of storage space for personal belongings, robes, slippers, Molton Brown products, IPod docking station (I forgot to mention at check in we received a IPod loaded with over 500 songs), computer with internet access to check email easily (complementary). The stereo sound system was fantastic; it was connected to the docking station and the television. I’m a seasoned traveler and this room was by far one of the nicest, it was easy to get comfortable quickly.
The hotel has a roof top terrace and the view is amazing. During the summer months they serve dinner there which I can only imagine to be a wonderful experience. The entire staff was extremely helpful and courteous.
The location in Lesser Town was perfect for us, a 2 minute walk to St Nicholas Cathedral and short distance to Old Town Square and the Prague Castle complex. There is a park close by with paths that lead to the Strahov Monastery to enjoy gorgeous views of the city. The Aria Hotel is an outstanding place to stay with excellent service and location. If Prague is on your travel list, this is definitely a hotel to consider.
See all my photos of the Aria Hotel posted on our Facebook Fan page.
A visit to Isla Mujeres Mexico
On a recent visit to Cancun we visited Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres, (the Island of Women) is located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun. Isla Mujeres is 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. The downtown area (Centro) of Isla is just four by six blocks. Historically, Isla Mujeres is a fishing village and though it is now thoroughly discovered by tourists it still retains its charm and tranquil atmosphere.
We departed the hotel zone from the Embarcadero Playa Linda located near the Observation Tower. The round trip tickets were $15USD per person, we left at 10:00 am. When you arrived at Isla Mujeres there are lots of people offering taxis, tours or rental vehicles. No rental cars on the island, just golf carts, scooters & bicycles. We rented a golf cart for the day with Rentadora Caribe; their office is across the street from the ferry terminal. The golf cart full day rental was $45USD, driver’s license and a signature on their rental agreement was required. Next stop, Zama Beach & Lounge located about 20 minutes east of the ferry terminal. 
Zama Beach is a fantastic place to soak up the sunshine, truly a hidden gem on Isla Mujeres. The amenities are outstanding – restaurant, bar, wait staff, music, toilets, showers, lockers, lounge chairs, umbrellas, massage cabana and the Caribbean sea – just add sunscreen, towel & a good book – the perfect day. more phtots of Zama Beach Lounge
We left Zama Beach around 3:30pm and headed to the eastern most part of the Island. There is a lighthouse and sculpture garden. The views are spectacular. It was time to head back along the Northern coast to return the golf cart. We boarded the 4:30pm ferry back to Cancun. It was a really fun day; we really enjoyed visiting Isla Mujeres & can’t wait to return. click here for more photos
Day 3 & 4 on the Disney Dream
Disney’s Earmarked Conference
Magical Preview Cruise
January 25-26, 2011
Day 3
Our conference session was 8:00am-11:00am today. We were treated to a special performance by Jodi Benson, who is best known for providing both the speaking and the singing voices of Disney’s Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequels. She told us about how she got the role as Ariel and her special relationship with the Disney family. We were treated to her singing many familiar songs and her finale “Part Of Your World” ~ fantastic.
Disney Dream at Castaway Cay
Today we arrived at Castaway Cay so we were eager to go see all the new things that have been added since we were here last in 2009. But first it was my turn to ride the AquaDuck! I rode it three times! It’s really fun but ends way too soon. Every time I rode it the line was half way up the stairs to the takeoff landing a 8-10 minute wait. I’m sure the lines will be long for this when the ship is at capacity, if you are at the beginning of the queue, the sign says it’s a 20 minute wait. The raft holds two people but you can go it alone if you prefer.
Now off to Castaway Cay. We wanted to check out some of the new additions to the island, Spring-A-Leak splash area, Pelican Plunge water slides and Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure. Also the new private Beach Cabanas. They have 17 Cabanas on the family beaches and 4 at Serenity Bay the exclusive adult only beach. Also new at Serenity Bay are four Message Cabanas.
We had lunch at Serenity Bay BBQ, the Cajun Mahi Mahi is our favorite, we never miss it when we come to Castaway Cay ~ delicious! It was time to head back to the ship way too soon. More photos of Castaway Cay
Royal Palace Restaurant
Our dining room for dinner was at the Royal Palace. Inspired by classic Disney fairy tales, the restaurant is located right off the lobby on deck 3. Snow White & Ariel were walking around telling everyone to have a good evening. Bag pull for disembarkation was at 10:30 pm so we headed back to our stateroom. Day 4 Our breakfast was scheduled at 8:00 am back at the Royal Palace. After breakfast we disembarked the ship into to baggage claim area, collected our bags then cleared customs and boarded our motor coach to return us to the Orlando airport. Finding your bags is really easy; Disney does a great job with this process. We were at the airport around 10:00 am, since our flight didn’t leave until 7:30 pm – we decided to check our bags and rent a car for the day for something to do.
I’m grateful that I was able to be a part of this year’s Earmarked Conference on the Disney Dream. It was a once in a lifetime event.
Day 2 on the Disney Dream
Disney’s Earmarked Conference
Magical Preview Cruise
January 24, 2011
I attended conference sessions from 8:00 am-Noon then we had lunch at Cabanas. Cabanas is the casual inside/outside restaurant with a California boardwalk feel. I love the way they roll up silverware in a cloth napkin and have a pile of them on each table – great alternative from having to collect your silverware at the drink station. After lunch we went on the Stateroom Tour. The first stop was the Deluxe Inside (category 10) complete with magical porthole with real time views. Then a Deluxe Family Oceanview (category 8). Next the Concierge 1 bedroom Suite with verandah (category T), Concierge Family Oceanview with Verandah and the Roy O. Disney Suite which is a Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Category R). Photos of the stateroom tour is posted on our Facebook Fan page.
Next, the AquaDuck, the first ever water coaster at sea. It’s a 765 foot long blast that propels up, down, around and off the side of the ship and back, through the forward funnel and into river rapids. Tim rode it twice and said it was a blast.
wine tasting at Meridian lounge
At 2:30pm we attended a wine tasting in the Meridian Lounge on deck 12, aft. We sampled 4 wines and the Tattinger champagne that was made especially for the Disney Dream. The Meridian Lounge is an adult only lounge near the restaurants Palo and Remy. There is also a cigar bar nearby.
We had a 6:20 pm dinner reservation at Remy, the adult only restaurant featuring French inspired cuisine. They only serve 96 meals per night at Remy, it was truly a unique and once in a lifetime dining experience for us. We were greeted by the Executive Chef, escorted to our table and introduced to our server. A signature Tattinger champagne cocktail was prepared at our tableside. The menu is by two-star Michelin chef Arnaud Lallement, and AAA Five Diamonds chef Scott Hunnel. The two chefs have created two different tasting menus — one each — called Saveur (meaning “flavor,” created by Lallement) and Goût (meaning “taste,” created by Hunnel). We chose the Goût menu which consisted of Smoked Bison, Lobster, Wild loup de mer (Sea Bass), Australian Wagyu (beef), a cheese course and Vanilla Poached Pear for dessert. The experience lasted 3 ½ hours.
Vanilla Poached Pear dessert at Remy's
After dinner we walked around Deck 11 where they were preparing for the Pirates In The Caribbean show and fireworks. It was a busy day of learning about, exploring and enjoying this beautiful new ship, the Disney Dream.
Magical Preview Cruise on the Disney Dream
Sailing on the Disney Dream
Disney’s Earmarked Conference
January 23-26, 2011
I decided to timeline our first day.
Day 1 January 23, 2011
9:58 am – we are on our way to Port Canaveral. After a quick ID check we boarded our Disney Cruise Line motor coach. Fingers crossed our bags will follow; they were still in our room at the Contemporary Resort when we left.
11:28 am – arrived at Port Canaveral and passed through the security check point and were cleared to enter the check in area. The process was very well organized, it took about 35 minutes. They board the ship according to group numbers, we were assigned number 18. Groups 2-4 were being called when we began our wait.
12:44 pm – Group 18 was called and we entered the entry gangway. Each person has their cruise card scanned then they take you welcome aboard photo. When you enter the ship your group is announced to the applause and cheers from the Dream’s cast gathered in the atrium. A cast member greeted us and gave us a brief overview of where lunch was being served and that our stateroom would be ready at 1:30 pm. When I entered the atrium I was awestruck. It is absolutely magnificent.
We headed to the D Lounge to see about dining reservations for Remy, one of the specialty restaurants. After a short wait I was able to secure a spot for Monday evening. Next stop, deck 6, stateroom 6560.
2:00 pm – General Session at the Walt Disney Theater.
3:45 pm – Mandatory lifeboat drill. No need to take your lifejacket, just your cruise card. The card is scanned when you arrive.
4:30 pm – Sail Away party at the pool deck stage.
Spent the time before dinner exploring the ship.
8:30 pm – Dinner at Animators Palate. Animators Palate dining room features a special interactive experience with Crush and other animated friends. Animator’s Palate video
Waverley Abbey ruins
0We have visited the Waverley Abbey a few times because it’s close to home and a great way to enjoy a stroll on a beautiful day. The Waverley Abbey was the first Cistercian abbey in England, founded in 1128 by William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester. It is situated in Farnham, Surrey and about 7 miles from our house in Fleet. The ruins of Waverley Abbey are managed today by English Heritage. A noteworthy piece of the ruins is the undercroft of the lay brothers’ refectory. A section of 13th century vaulting still exists, supported by slender columns with circular capitals. There is a photo of the lay brothers’ refectory in my photo album, the very last picture.
Winchester Cathedral
Tim & I went to the 9:30am Mattins service at Winchester Cathedral on Sunday November 10, 2010. It was a short 45 minute drive from Fleet. Most of the service was sung beautifully by the choir. It is free to attend services but they do charge admission during visitor opening times. Admission in 6 GBP per adult, children under 16: free. They also offer an audio tour (3GBP) and several different guided tours (Cathedral, Tower & Crypt).
Winchester Cathedral is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Winchester, which is part of the Church of England. The Cathedral has its origins in the 7th century, when a Christian Church was first built on this site. The foundations of the current Cathedral were laid in 1079 of stone brought from the Isle of Wight and timber from one of Hampshire’s oak forests. Most of the building has been restored, with only the crypt and transepts surviving. The tomb of Jane Austen, who lodged in nearby College Street, always attracts a lot of visitors. Another interesting thing you will see here is the tile pavement in the retrochoir (dating from 1260-80) is the largest surviving spread of medieval decorated floor tiles within a building in England.
Photos of Winchester Cathedral and a walk through town are on the Silver Star Travel Facebook fanpage.
An afternoon in Brighton, East Sussex
Royal Pavilion
On Saturday October 30, we drove 90 minutes to Brighton in East Sussex. The downtown was busy with activity; it offered great shopping and many places to eat. We stopped at Iguanas, a Latin American restaurant on Jubilee Street for lunch. Our next stop was the Royal Pavilion.
Built for the Prince Regent, later King George IV, in stages between 1787 and 1823, the Royal Pavilion is remarkable for its exotic oriental appearance both inside and out. This magnificent royal pleasure palace was revered by fashionable Regency society and is still a distinctive landmark for vibrant Brighton today. The Royal Pavilion is home to some of the finest collections and examples of the chinoiserie style in Britain. Admission costs for the Royal Pavilion; 9.50 GBP per adult, includes an audio tour that is very informative.
After the Royal Pavilion tour we walked to the Brighton Pier. The Pier first opened in 1899. The wars interfered with development and, as with most seaside piers; a section of the middle was removed to discourage enemy landings. At 1,722 ft long and acknowledged as the finest pier ever built, Brighton Pier now offers style of tradition balanced with the pace and excitement of today. Many pieces of history remain on the pier including some of the original kiosks, signal cannon from the Old Chain Pier and filigree ironwork arches that graced the original structure.
Despite the chilly temperature & scattered rain showers we had a fun afternoon exploring Brighton. For me, the only bummer was the outrageous parking fee to park in a parking garage downtown, 25GBP/40USD for four hours, ouch. We are finding out that paying for parking in the UK is just the way it is, we just have to get used to it.
To see more photos of our visit to Brighton the Silver Star Travel Facebook page.
Royal Pavilion
Brighton Pier