Journey Around The Globe
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Cathedral Park and Historic St. John’s Bridge in Portland, Oregon
Cathedral Park and St. John’s Bridge, Oregon: As I am exploring Portland and its surroundings, I came across some pictures of Cathedral Park recently. And ofcourse, I had to pay a visit there. Weather has been pretty nice and warm past few days here. I drove about little more than half an hour to go to Cathedral Park and check out the historic St. John’s Bridge.
It was still little early in the morning, around 9 when I reached there. Some joggers, runners, and chatters were enjoying the park with no disturbance. Giant St. John’s Bridge left me in awe after looking at it. It’ a majestic steel-suspension bridge from 1929 with two tall Gothic towers. Willamette River runs underneath the bridge.
The park itself is located in the middle of a small neighborhood by River Willamette. It didn’t seem so big but was a perfect place to enjoy an early spring morning by myself.
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Oregon’s Highest Peak – Mt. Hood
HOOD, OREGON: Last week in Oregon was a blessing for us, I mean weather-wise. After few weeks of gloominess and cloudiness and fogginess, I was eagerly waiting for a bright and sunny day to go out with my family and have some outdoor fun. And finally there it was. It was kind of an instant decision to head towards Mt. Hood last Sunday. But hey, it’s February and you can’t let a gorgeous day get away like that.
The girls were excited about playing in the snow, my husband was excited to just get out of the house, and I was excited to put my new lens at work. Mt. Hood was THE place. We got ready, packed some sandwiches, filled up the car, and off to the highest peak in Oregon.
Yep, with more than 11,000 feet in elevation, Mt. Hood is the highest peak in Oregon and you don’t have to be that lucky to see its crowned and pointed peak from any corner of Portland and surroundings. That’s a gift we Oregonians enjoy everywhere we go, a glimpse of Mt. Hood from here and there. This is where the locals and tourists go for skiing, tobogganing, camping, hiking, and any other outdoor fun or winter sports.
Mt. Hood is about little more than 2 hours of drive from Portland. Enjoy the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway on your way. Make sure to check out this must-see site of nature when in Oregon, you won’t regret it.
Once you are there, explore different sites, like Timberline Lodge and Government Camp. We were at Timberline Lodge this time. This is a major ski area, winter sports center, and a very popular tourist destination in summer or winter.
The lodge here, Timberline Lodge, was built in the late 1930s and is a National Historic Landmark. You can rent or buy sports/winter gears, stay overnight and have nice meals all under this roof.
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Guest Post – 6 Reasons Why Venice Carnival is The Most Unique Festival in the World
Come February, dreamy Venice will shed off its winter blues and become one of the happiest cities in the world. The much awaited Venice Carnival which is by far the best festival in Venice is set to take place in early February and as usual, it promises to be an event that cannot be missed.
The Venice Carnival is all about letting go of you and abandoning all worries at play.You will be transported to whimsical, renaissance times with pompous costumes and gorgeous, handcrafted masks. The Venice Carnival showcases magnificently bespoke masks and costumes, all made especially for this occasion. The carnival has its roots in the Renaissance period and was originally started as a celebration of victory in a battle in the year 1162. Since then, this baroque celebration has added grace to the prestigious image of Venice. Looking for a reason to plan a trip to Venice during the carnival? We’ll give you 6!
1. Masks, Masks and more Masks!
Masks are a signature of the Venice Carnival and they also are the real showstopper. It is often difficult to spot a bare face in the crowd of gorgeous masks during the Carnival. Probably started as a rebellion against the rigid class hierarchies, masks came to be the center piece of the celebration. Take your pick from the grotesque Bauta, jeweled Columbina, the outlandish Medico dellapeste or the velvet Moretta ; Venetian Masks are a piece of art and mask markers hold a prominent position in Venetian society.
2. Be Part of a Real Life Zombie Walk
You read that right, you could star in your very own Walking Dead at the Venice Carnival. Only, instead of hunting for warm blood, you will be walking towards cold beers and Italian wine! ‘Zombies’ are taken from the Zattere area to Pescheria for an evening party where they can let their hair down and mingle with other zombies.
3. This is where All the Action is!
A variety of activities take place during the Carnival. La Biennale hosts some spell binding performances and activities for children. There are also a number of art exhibitions and sculpture displays that showcase artistes from around the world. The whole city lights up with festive cheer and the streets become a stage for fascinating dancers, actors, singers and also ordinary citizens who want to make most of otherwise forbidden liberties. If you prefer staying indoors, almost every hotel hosts a party or a performance during the festival, so there is no dearth of events to attend!
4. Feel like a part of a Fairytale in the Legendary Masked Ball
The highpoint of the Carnival is the Grand Masked Ball. Usually hosted in a resplendent palace, this masquerade ball is a sight to reckon, with exceptional costumes and intricate masks. From the grotesque to the gorgeous, people leave no stone unturned when it comes to making their costume the most unique one in the room. So get your creative juices flowing and pick out your best dancing shoes, this party is going to be ball of fun!
5. Experience the Flight of an Angel
As ridiculous as this might sound, you can actually witness an angel flying from a tower towards her Doge who holds a gift for her. Started in the 16th century as the ‘Flight of the Turk’, the event was eventually banned and reintroduced in 2001 with a minor celebrity who dresses as an angel and flies (more like zip-line’s) her way to her prince charming at Doge. The flight marks the beginning of festivities at the Carnival.
6. La FestaDelle Marie
Historically started as a tribute to the sumptuous dowry given to twelve young brides annually, La Festadelle Marie has now become a major event in the Venice carnival. 12 young women arechosen as the stars of this glittering parade that goes from San Pietro in Castelloto Piazza San Marco which is the epicenter of the carnival. A treat to the eyes, people flaunt their breathtaking costumes and masks and celebrate the spirit of the most fun festival in Europe.
Once in the grip of hedonism, the Carnival has since then taken a less aggressive demeanor and has become a celebration of the inimitable culture of Venice. It showcases an extraordinary city that has been a focal point of art and culture in Europe. To experience Venice in its true glory, a visit to the Venice Carnival is a must.
Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sofia2604/
Author Bio: Erica Brooks is a lover of traveling, languages, and cultures and a photo enthusiast. A constant mover, she has made it her mission to inspire people to travel, see and experience more of this awesome world.
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Old World Charm: Dubrovnik and Split
Croatia is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations. The mix of history, architecture, shops and cuisine will impress even the most hardened sightseers. If you’re on a cruise to the Adriatic, or even if you’re not, excursions to Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia’s two largest cities, should definitely form part of your bucket list.
Dubrovnik
As your liner sails towards the 12th century walled city of Dubrovnik you’ll discover one of the gems of the Adriatic on your cruise. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and those with a keen eye will spot reminders of Roman, Venetian and Byzantine rule at every turn.
Architectural highlights include Onofrio’s Fountain (part of the city’s medieval aqueduct system) as well as the world’s oldest pharmacy, established by Franciscan monks in the 14th century. You can also visit the city’s Franciscan Monastery, home to a statue of the Piéta carved in 1498, said to be one of the great examples of its kind.
Once you’ve seen the sights, it’s good to meander through Dubrovnik’s winding side streets as they’re full of shops, independent galleries and pretty restaurants. In the evening why not treat yourself to dinner at one of the city’s Michelin starred restaurants — though it’s likely you’ll have to book ahead.
Split
There are so many reasons to your leave your cruise and go exploring in Croatia’s second largest city, another UNESCO heritage site. The 4th century Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian is a must see — it’s thought to be the best-preserved example of a period imperial palace in the world.
For natural beauty, visitors can take a trip to Krka (pronounced ‘kur-ka’) one of the country’s seven national parks just outside the city. Woodland, lakes and waterfalls abound in this 100km wide area of unspoilt beauty.
For bargain hunters you’ll find lots of small shops in Split’s old town selling curiosities as well as more mainstream fare. Lacework, oil paintings and ceramics are good buys. But be sure to carry cash with you as there may be shops that don’t accept credit cards.
Thought Venice was nice? Your Adriatic cruise will be twice as satisfying with a visit to Dubrovnik or Split – or both! These cities offer a privileged glimpse into the past with all the modern comforts you’d expect from a fine cruise holiday.
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Guest Post – One Great Journey in Branson with the Whole Family
Giving quality time with the whole family is one of the best gifts people can give. With all the different technologies that are arising these days, making time with the family is a hard thing to do. It is why family members are having problems. Sometimes, this makes them live their lives with a broken family. Family is crucial that is why it’s best to spend some time with them. Best things to do with the whole family is to eat together for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Another is to spend a weekend getaway together, and one perfect destination is Branson.
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a small, unique and charming town in the region of Ozarks in Missouri specifically in the southwest part of it. Here in Branson, they are known for having the best views of different surroundings of beautiful mountains. This place has different wonderful sites to see and visit. That is why its primary industry that is growing in their economy is through tourism. Its population is growing, and so are the tourists that love to come and explore this amazing place. It has a vast area that has different tourism programs to accommodate various guests who are traveling here. The place doesn’t just have great views and sites to visit, but it has a friendly environment too that make tourists come back over and again.
Things to do in Branson
There are so many things to do in Branson especially with the whole family. There are different fancy hotels and beautiful cabins that they can stay in for their entire vacation.The Branson Hotel is one famous hotel that they can visit and stay. They provide the best services offered to their guests. The rooms are comfortable to settle in, and the food served are just one of a kind. Cabins at Grand Mountain is a great resort that has excellent cabins to accommodate tourists from all over the world. Mentioned above are some of the best hotels and cottages to visit together with the whole family.
Outdoor Adventures
Branson is a capital city for great entertainment shows that they promote to the tourists,but that doesn’t mean that outdoor enthusiasts cannot enjoy their stay here. It’s because there are so many places in Branson that are perfect for outdoor adventures.They can enjoy running, hiking, biking, fishing, camping and so many more outdoor activities to do in different famous parks in Branson.
The Branson Lakes Area is familiar with their beautiful lakes that tourists love to visit and go for canoeing and fishing. Ozark Park is a best place to visit and experience outdoor adventures with the whole family. There is an extensive golf course that family can play in. There are playgrounds and a swimming pool that kids can enjoy playing around and go swimming. Branson is simply the perfect destination for the whole family to visit and enjoy. Fun and laughter will be shared with the entire family will be experienced here in Branson.
Biography of the Author: April is an online publisher for The Cabins at Grand Mountain in Branson, MO. She often writes about camping, Midwest traveling, and log cabin experiences.
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Business Excellence Award 2020 for The Most Entertaining Personal Travel Blog – Pacific Northwest USA
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