Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island has been a family favorite destination for decades, and it covers 3.8 square miles of land. The island has been a delightful and popular tourist attraction for travelers since the late 19^th century. The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Well known for its many rich cultural events and wonderful architecture. Another interesting fact about Mackinac Island is that it has a ban on almost all motor vehicles. It is the perfect place to stroll down Main Street listening to great music and eating their famous and delicious fudge. A morning horse-drawn carriage tour of Mackinac Island and the State Park is something you will certainly enjoy. You may also want to visit the Old Fort while you are here and discover its history and snap some great photos. Mackinac Island is a fantastic place to explore or unwind and relax.

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Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge

Photo: Mike Burton

In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee sits the Titanic museum. There you will find precious items and artifacts that once were aboard the famous ship RMS Titanic. The museum is built to half-scale, and looks similar to the ocean liner that sailed the Atlantic in 1912. The structure looks as if it is cutting through the sea as it collides with an iceberg. An iceberg was what caused the ship to unfortunately sink in the icy waters of the North Atlantic on April 14, 1912 at 11:40pm. As guests enter the museum, they are handed a boarding pass just like a passenger would over one hundred years ago on the maiden voyage. Once inside, you will have a chance to learn and explore what the Titanic was all about. You can easily spend two hours or more diving into the rich history, which is the RMS Titanic.

Answer in the comments. What do you think is the most interesting topic surrounding the Titanic?

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Travel Tips

The following are some tips and suggestions on what to pack and how to travel well. Choose the tips that work best for you, and you will be traveling a little lighter and little happier.

Camera

Don’t forget your camera charger. You will go through that battery quickly, especially if you are in a very beautiful scenic location.

Snacks

Your coach will make regular stops where you can get out, stretch your legs and buy snacks. But service station food can be expensive. Keep a selection of energy bars, fruit, nuts or sweets in your bag for when you get hungry.

Water

It’s important that you drink lots of water when traveling. This keeps you feeling tip-top and helps to prevent some of the problems that might be associated with sitting still for long periods of time. It’s important not to get dehydrated so make sure you always have a bottle handy.

Sleep

Photo: elitat

Get enough sleep. Know how much sleep you need to stay healthy (generally 7–8 hours per night). If going more than two nights with fewer than six hours' sleep, make it a priority to catch up if possible.

Packing

Pack as light as possible. Ask yourself “Do I really need this in my travels?” truth is there is little you really need when you traveling. Put everything you think you want to bring in a pile and slowly strip away things that aren't necessary. Some of the important things to pack: medications, vitamins, comfortable clothing and shoes, toiletries, sunglasses and camera.  

International Travels

Travel with only your passport and wallet in your pants pockets. This simplifies the airport experience because you will not have to dig everything out of your pockets every time you go through security. Bring a small amount of foreign currency to cover some unexpected expenses upon arrival to your destination. 

Answer in the comments. What would you suggest as a travel tip to others? 

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Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls remains one beautiful location for travelers to visit and snap some breathtaking photos. Made up of three waterfalls that are located on the international border between New York in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. From largest to smallest, the three are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls.

Photo: Bill Blevins

There are legends and tales of daring men and women who have braved the Falls in boats, on tightropes, and in barrels. Most visitors like to experience Niagara aboard the famous Maid of the Mist because this allows one to experience the base of the Falls. Many also enjoy the Journey Behind the Falls, where you don raincoats and ride down 125 feet by elevator to a spot just 25 feet above the level of the river. If you feel up for a bird’s eye view, you can see Niagara from the air on-board a helicopter. The power and spectacle of Niagara Falls is, quite frankly, unbelievable no matter how you look at it!  

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Statue of Liberty

On Ellis Island there stands a lady of liberty for those who look for opportunity in a new world, and this beacon has her torch held high to proudly symbolize the freedom of one nation. As many immigrants arrive in America, this Lady was and is there to greet them with a silent message of hope, freedom, and a chance for the American Dream. 

The Statue of Liberty has long been a symbol of hope to Americans and immigrants to this country. The Statue officially celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28, 1986. French sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi created the design of the statue. The French gave the Statue to the people of the United States in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty's symbolism has grown to include freedom and democracy. This statue is among the most visited monuments in the United States of America.

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Mount McKinley, Alaska

Mount McKinley (photo: Cecil Sanders)

Alaska is considered by most to be the final frontier in America, and has stunning views of landscapes that can take one’s breath away. The wildlife can be a delightful sight because you may see caribou, moose, and even a grizzly bear or two roaming around the these magnificent environments. Many visitors come to Alaska to enjoy recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking or just sightseeing. Alaska dazzles and inspires guests with all it has to offer, but one in particular, Denali National Park, has many excited.

Denali National Park is best know for Mount McKinley or Denali (Koyukon Athabaskan for "The High One"), which is the highest mountain in North America. “Denali, with 20,156 feet (6,144 meters) of prominence, is the third most prominent mountain in the world, with only Mount Everest and Aconcagua having more prominence” (1). It still gains 1 millimeter of height every year. The mountain grows by the convergence of the North American and Pacific Plates. The sight of this mountain and all its wonders will be something that you will not soon forget.

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References:

(1) about.com

National Parks

Experiencing a National Park and all its wonders is something that many people want to do in their lifetime. Seeing the untamed wilderness, as it was in centuries past, really brings joy to the visitors who travel to these magnificent parks. They want to see the natural beauty of America that has not only been protected for them and their children to enjoy but future generations as well.

Yellowstone National Park

Conservation is considered the main focus within these parks. “There is a common idea: the conservation of wild nature for posterity and as a symbol of national pride” (1). Having these parks protects not only natural areas but native wildlife as well. The first National Park created was in the United States of America, and its name is Yellowstone National Park (1872). “Hundreds of species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles have been documented, including several that are either endangered or threatened” (3). It is important to have these parks to conserve the natural order of the different ecosystems, which provides a healthy environment for the wildlife.

Having these park areas also provides the opportunity for visitors to engage in recreation. There are many recreational opportunities for visitors including sightseeing, camping, boating, fishing, and hiking. These are just some of the things that make Yellowstone and other National Parks great places to travel to and explore.

Answer in the comments.

Which of the National Parks would you enjoy visiting and why?

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References

(1) Europarc Federation (eds.) 2009, Living Parks, 100 Years of National Parks in Europe, Oekom Verlag, Munchen

(2) "History of the National Parks". Association of National Park Authorities. Retrieved 17 June 2013.

(3) "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Retrieved 2013-06-17.

Mark Twain House

There is a three-story mansion in Hartford, Connecticut that was home to a man by the name of Samuel Clemens, but you may know him by another name. Mark Twain, the author famous for works such as Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. The man who created such fantastic tales that fed our imaginations and breathed life into characters we all could relate to. Twain in fact created some famous works from the comforts of his home in Connecticut.

Mark Twain resided in this home for 17 years (1874-1891). The house contains bedrooms, nursery, playroom/classroom and more. The top floor included a billiards room and a writing desk. This is where Twain worked late into the nights writing and crafting his literary art. With the home’s beautiful Victorian Gothic architecture and rare Tiffany pieces, it has a charm and wonder about it. Today, the Mark Twain house is a popular museum that many visitors come to check out as they are traveling through Connecticut.

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Alpine – Bavarian Wonders

Just one glimpse of Neuschwanstein Castle can get your imagination running wild. It is as if you are leaving reality and stepping into a fairy tale world. Did you know that it inspired Walt Disney and the design of his theme park castle? From the architecture to the stunning view from the palace grounds, it is easy to see why this destination is one of the most visited and photographed locations in all of Europe.

Photo: Nicolas Sanchez

Neuschwanstein is located in Bavaria close to the town of Fussen. The castle was constructed in the 1800s, despite its medieval looking architecture and design. It belonged to King Ludwig II, and was being constructed as his personal retreat. Ludwig II wanted to build a magnificent palace to escape the pressures of public life. Ludwig desired his privacy, and wanted a place to get away from people in general. The irony is that shortly after Ludwig II’s death people were allowed to visit and tour the palace. Today just over one million visitors come to tour Neuschwanstein annually. They come to experience the wonders it has as if it was straight out of a fantasy story or fairy tale.

Answer in the comments. When you see it, what does Neuschwanstein Castle bring to mind?

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Amish Back Roads

Have you ever considered visiting Amish country? Christian Tours will get you there, and you will be traveling through the beautiful Amish back roads. Many of the Amish live in Pennsylvania today, and they speak Pennsylvania German (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch), and they are part of the pride of America. Amish history is something that has been woven into fabric of America from the very beginning. From the charming farmlands to the level of craftsmanship found in their furniture and quilts, the Amish take pride in their simple lifestyle.

Photo Credit: Mellonee Owenby

One example of Amish tradition would be a quilting bee. This would be considered a social gathering, where friends and family would socialize while working to complete their quilts in a timelier manner. There are also times when these gatherings turn into a competition, and this would be done to determine which individual or team could complete their quilt first. This is just one aspect of the Amish culture that people find interesting.

People in the world look at the Amish with interest because they wonder how they live in a separate community from modern society. They can only imagine what it must be like to give up modern convenience such as computers and automobiles. The Amish are known for plain clothes and their rejection of modern technology, so take a step back to a simpler time when people depended on a horse drawn buggy as a main means of transportation. Experience the beauty of the Amish countryside and all that it entails.

What do you find the most interesting about the Amish?

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