Have Fun On Your Vacation At Astoria

Immerse yourself in one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in New York that caters to the middle class.  In Astoria, Queens, you can experience a variety of international cuisines for a price range that won’t break your budget.

Known primarily for its Greek traditional neighborhood, Astoria is also home to a number of other ethnic communities – Italian, Brazilian, Baltic, Irish, and Egyptians.  Of late, younger, hip crowds have also begun to move in to the middle class neighborhood, infusing fresh life into this quiet spot in Queens.

This is a great place to food-trip your way around a variety of international cuisines.  As many as five continents are represented among the different restaurants available in the area – and some would say they are far more authentic, and certainly not quite so expensive – as those served in the elegant restaurants in Manhattan.

And together with the food comes the culture, so shops and stores abound, selling a variety of interesting things – Greek groceries, vintage clothing, Eastern European meats, locally made accessories and clothing.  There’s no shortage of shopping opportunities while you’re there.

And if that isn’t enough, Astoria also offers one of the oldest of New York City beer gardens: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, which has been in operation since 1910.  There are other beer gardens that have since sprung up in the City, so you won’t be short on choices.  For a more beer-centered experience, there are even a number of burgeoning local breweries and home-brew equipment stores.

And finally, take a moment to enjoy the outdoors of Astoria’s neighborhood.  Astoria Park is a leafy, 60 acre park set on gently sloping hills with a good view of the East River.  There are playgrounds, running tracks, a skating park, and the City’s oldest and largest swimming pool.  And to further bolster the neighborhood’s unique diversity – there are a number of Green sculptures in Athens Square Park. 

There is plenty of music and dancing, too – whether you opt to join the locals in the Tuesday Greek Nights, or the Wednesday Italian Nights.  A visit to Astoria can be a relaxing and enjoyable outing for the entire family.

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Do Not Miss Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Your Visit to NYC

The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is located in the Main Building on Ellis Island – the former

immigration station complex.  Located in Upper New York Bay, Ellis Island is originally a part of what used to be known as the Oyster Islands – three islands that were not completely submerged during high tide (the other two are Liberty Island and Black Tom Island).  There was a rich source of oyster banks on these islands which have been a major food source since the original Lenape population until the next three centuries – until landfilling obliterated them.  The island itself was named for Samuel Ellis, who acquired the island sometime in the late 1700’s.

The original island itself was much smaller until it was expanded with land reclamation.  For a time, it also served as a federal arsenal of the War Department, a military post and the location of Fort Gibson, until eventually being turned to a federal immigration station.

It is estimated that some 12 million immigrants entered America through the doors of Ellis Island.  The Main Building as we know it today was constructed only after a fire of unknown origin destroyed the original wooden structures on the island – including all the immigration records dating back to 1855.  The Main Building was designed in the French Renaissance Revival Style by Edward Lippincott Tilton and William A. Boring, who also designed the Kitchen and Laundry Building, the Main Powerhouse, and the Main Hospital Building.  Due to the flood of immigrants, the island was subsequently expanded again with landfill, and additional structures built to accommodate the population. 

After 1924, Ellis Island was used as a detention and deportation station for German merchant mariners and enemy aliens – mostly Axis nationals.  It also served as a processing center for sick or wounded soldiers who were sent home, and as a Coast Guard training base.  Immigration processing continued, though the numbers only picked up again after the war.

The Immigration station closed in November 1954, and the buildings fell into disrepair until it was restored and reopened in 1990.  In 2015, it was officially renamed the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration, and features exhibits which tell the story of American immigration, including the Hearing Room, Peak Immigration Years, the Peopling of America, Restoring a Landmark, Silent Voices, Treasures from Home, and the Ellis Island Chronicles.  Audio tours are available, and the structures also include three theaters for films and live performances.

Outside, there is a Wall of Honor which contains a partial list of the immigrants who were processed on the island.  It is estimated that some half of America’s current population can trace their ancestry back to the immigrants who entered America through the doors of Ellis Island.  A visit to this museum can be for many not just a historical New York trip, but also a familial one.

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What to Do When in Great Britain?

 Sip on Welsh Craft Beer at Albion Ale House

If you are a beer lover, you are certainly in the right place, and one of our favourite places to sip on craft ales is in the quaint Welsh town of Conwy called Albion Ale House. This pub has been named as one of the world’s best bars by The Guardian, and it’s with good reason. The point of difference here is that all the beers served up are from local breweries so you’ll get to experience a true taste of Wales.

Walk Along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path

Since Great Britain is an island nation surrounded by water, it’s a really wonderful place to enjoy some breath taking coastal landscapes and breathe in the sea air. One of our favourite spots for doing this has to be the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in south Wales. The coastal path is 299km long so you’ll have to break it up into a number of days, but if you love walking, it’s well worth making the effort. Along the path, you’ll walk through quaint towns such as Tenby, Solva, and Newport.    

Visit the 14th Century Castle Linked to Macbeth

If historic architecture is what does it for you, you will have plenty to explore during your time in Scotland, and we think that one of the most special castles has to be Cawdor Castle. The castle is not only a beautiful piece of Scottish architecture, but it will resonate with bibliophiles as it has a connection with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth is made the Thane of Cawdor. The castle also has beautiful gardens, some of which date back to the 17th century.

Hike Helvellyn in the Lake District

If nothing makes you happier than strapping on your hiking boots, get yourself over to the Lake District in Cumbria where there is a landscape that abounds with various walks. One of the more challenging hikes in the area is up Helvellyn, which is the highest point of the Helvellyn range with an elevation of 950 metres. The most popular route of ascent is via Striding Edge, which takes around five and a half hours to complete. Needless to say, the views are breath taking.    

Indulge a Chocaholic at Cadbury World

When life fails you, chocolate is the answer, and when life is good to you, chocolate is the answer. This is why there is no bad day to visit Cadbury World in Birmingham. With 14 chocolate zones, there is lots to learn and endless ways to have fun. You can learn where cocoa beans come from and how chocolate is made, you can play in chocolate rain, and enjoy a 4D chocolate cinema experience.

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Tips for First Time Travellers in CA

Visit the Monarch Sanctuary of Pacific Grove

If you are a lover of wildlife and the natural world, there’s a good chance that you will have already heard of the Monarch butterfly, a North American butterfly that has to migrate south to survive the winter months. During those months, you can see the Monarchs in their thousands at Pacific Grove, which is now nicknamed Butterfly Town, USA. They cluster together on the pines and eucalyptus trees between the months of October and February.    

Sip on Wines at Castello di Amorosa

For wine lovers, a trip to Castello di Amorosa might just be the highlight of a stay in California. This is a castle meets winery that is located close to Calistoga. Although the castle was actually completed this century, it’s built in a traditional 13th century Tuscan style that makes it the most perfect place for at atmospheric glass of California wine. If you’re feeling especially luxurious, be sure to stick around for their gourmet lunch options.  

Learn Something New at the Exploratorium

Travelling with kids is rewarding but not always the easiest experience. If you find yourself in San Francisco and you are unsure how to the keep the kids happy, the Exploratorium could be just what you are looking for. Otherwise known as the Museum of Science, Art, and Human Perception, this museum has over 1000 interactive exhibits. Some of the more interesting exhibits enable you to hear with your jawbone instead of your ear, and watch a live cow’s eye dissection.    

Escape the Crowds at San Francisco’s China Beach

San Francisco is mostly associated with bars, partying, and its bohemian atmosphere, but not necessarily for its awesome beaches. But if you find yourself in San Francisco and in need of a beach day, there are some options open to you, and we happen to like China Beach very much. The beach has its name because it was used by Chinese fisherman who used the bay as a campsite, but these days it’s altogether more deserted, and a great place for a quiet swim.    

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Travelling with Kids in Canada

Go Salmon Fishing Along the Miramichi

If your idea of a perfect getaway involves sitting on the banks of a river with your fishing rod in the water, you are in luck because there are plenty of awesome fishing destinations all over the country. This is one of the premiere rivers in the whole world for finding large populations of Atlantic Wild Salmon. While some areas are private, there’s also plenty of public fishing pools where you can sit and fish all day to your heart’s content.    

Discover Local History at the Ramparts of Quebec City

Quebec City is a special place for a whole range of reasons, and not least because it’s North America’s one and only remaining fortified city, and it is possible to tour and explore these fortifications otherwise known as the Ramparts of Quebec City. As you walk along the ramparts, you will discover three centuries of history in this part of Quebec and you’ll have fantastic cityscapes of the whole city.

Say Hi to the Animals at Toronto Zoo

If you are an animal lover, deciding whether to visit a zoo or not can be difficult. Not all zoos have ethical practices, but the good news is that Toronto Zoo is dedicated to breeding endangered species such as the Blanding’s turtle. Toronto Zoo also happens to be the largest zoo in all of Canada, and with over 450 animal species inside the park, there’s no chance of getting bored. Some of the animals you’ll have the chance to see include Indian rhinos, Sumatran tigers, and a giant Pacific octopus.

Stroll Through the Gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park

Vancouver has always held the reputation of being Canada’s green city. And when you take a stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park you will understand why. This 130 acre park contains a floral conservatory, quarry gardens, an arboretum, a sculpture gardens, and some beautiful fountains and pavilions. It’s also located at one of the highest points of the city, so as you stroll you’ll have a great view of the rest of city and mountains in the distance.

Have a Bobsleigh Adventure in Canada Olympic Park

If you are the sporty type, you need to etch a trip to the Canada Olympic Park in Calgary on your Canada must visit list. This park is actually a place where professional athletes train for all kinds of winter sporting activities, but you don’t have to be a pro to make use of the facilities, many of which are also open to the public. One of the most thrilling activities you can enjoy is a bobsleigh ride, which involves being piloted around a course and experiencing speeds of 80km/hour. 



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Try Out New Things When in Canada

Take a Relaxing Sip in the Banff Hot Springs

The town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies is a place where people commonly go to enjoy adventure activities such as skiing, dog sledding, and skating. But if you feel like taking it easy, Banff also offers the perfect opportunity for relaxation with the Banff Hot Springs. While relaxing in the outdoor hot pool, it’s possible to relax your weary muscles and take in an incredible view of Mount Rundle at the same time.

Go Ice Skating in Nathan Phillips Square

Toronto is a city that is brimming full with public spaces, and Nathan Phillips Square is one of the main plazas in the city, located in front of Toronto City Hall. There are all kinds of public events here including concerts and markets, but we think the square is at its best in the winter months, when part of it gets transformed into a seasonal ice skating rink. It’s a wonderful festive activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Take a Pottery Class at the Gardiner Museum

If you are the kind of person who prefers to d things rather than walk around museums endlessly, the Gardiner Museum might just be the place to twist your arm. This ceramics museum does have an incredible display of international and historic ceramics work, but they also have pottery classes inside the museum if you fancy having a go on the potter’s wheel and seeing if you could become a master ceramicist.

Swim in the 30 Foot Hole of Lynn Canyon Park

Vancouver is one of the sunniest and warmest places in Canada, and in the summer months the city’s temperatures can ascend in rather an alarming way. Fortunately, there’s a wonderful way to cool down, and that’s by taking a plunge into the 30 foot hole of Lynn Canyon Park. Once inside the park, taking the trail will take you directly to the pool where you’ll find local people enjoy the clean and cool waters.

Stroll the Alleys of Kensington Market

When you hear “Kensington Market”, you could be forgiven for thinking that you would be visiting a market in the traditional sense, but Kensington Market is actually the name of a whole neighbourhood. With this said, the neighbourhood does have a bustling market feel with lots of quaint cafes and second hand shops, and so it’s a place to walk around at leisure, pass some quiet hours, and perhaps pick up something special.

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Discover What Else You Can Do In A Foreign Country Like Prague

Get Saucy at the Sex Machines Museum

Love sex? Love gadgets? Errr, then we are pretty sure that you’ll be head over heels for the Sex Machines Museum, the only museum in the world that is dedicated to sexual gadgetry. There are more than 200 devices located in the museum, including some items that are dated way back to the 16th century. You’ll be able to find shoes worn by ancient Greek prostitutes, iron corsets, dildos from centuries gone by, and lots more kinkiness besides. Leave the kids at home for this one, eh?    

Be Wowed by a Masterpiece of Cubist Design

The Czech Republic was one of the most important centres for the Cubist art movement in the world at the beginning of the 20th century, and this is evident when you spot the Cubist buildings on the streets of Prague. But there is no building in the Czech Cubist tradition that is quite as captivating as the House of the Black Madonna. The building was designed by Josef Gocar and it places Baroque design inside a Cubist context, so you have the best of both Czech design worlds.    

Enjoy Music With Your Drink at Bajkazyl

Bajkazyl is one of those local gems of Prague that you just wouldn’t know about unless a local person took you there. Fortunately, you have us to tell you what’s hot! This bar is right on the riverside and it manages the balance of being fun but tranquil at the same time really well. You can also rent bikes here, but the highlight has to be the live music shows that are staged outside by the river on most nights of the week.    

Say Hi to the Animals at Prague Zoo

If you are an animal lover, you probably often the face the dilemma of whether or not you should visit zoos. On the one hand, you want to see the animals, and on the other, you can’t always be sure if the animals are looked after adequately or not. Prague Zoo has been open since 1931, and its objectives were not to entertain, but to protect wildlife, advance zoology, and educate the public. Inside the zoo you can find red pandas, the endangered Chinese giant salamanders, Komodo dragons, and brown fur seals.    

Allow Your Jaw to Drop at the Klementinum Historic Complex

The Klementinum is a complex of buildings that was built in the mid 13th century, and that makes it the most historic building complex in the city’s Old Town. The series of beautiful baroque and rococo halls now mainly play host to the Czech National Library. Some buildings are closed but you are free to walk through the gardens and to tour the baroque library hall, which will surely make your jaw drop all the way to the floor.    

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