Tagged With "Bibliotheque Nationale"
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Memphis, Tennessee 3) The rest of the city
There’s a lot more to Memphis than Graceland, although Graceland is by far the city’s most popular attraction (which I’ve previously discussed here ). A city of about 650,000, Memphis has a...
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Tupelo, Mississippi. Birthplace of the King of Rock 'n Roll
This is the first post in a short series on visiting Elvis Presley related sites. I've been a huge Elvis fan all my life and my love for the man's wonderful music has not abated in the 35+ years since he died. My brother (Ottoman) and I...
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The Sunshine Skyway Bridge – The Creepy and the Miraculous
If you follow Interstate 275 south through the city of St. Petersburg, Florida until you run out of land, you’ll be greeted by a gentle slope of road that seemingly rises from the waters of the Tampa Bay. This...
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The Magic Worlds of Sintra
On our third day in Portugal, we took the train to Sintra. Sintra is such a wonderful, beautiful little town. Even walking around Sintra felt magical—just look at the city hall building, or the charming little sidewalk! ...
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The Bear Blog
I had a hunch when Shelly and I were planning our 59 National Park in 59 weeks tour that wildlife would be center stage. I knew that the buffalo would roam in Yellowstone, that the tropical fish would dance...
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Arctic Birds on Migration: Saskatchewan
Many of the Arctic birds are large white birds such as geese and swans but also include smaller and different coloured sandpipers and other birds. Where is the best place to see these magnificent Arctic birds? The most...
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Erasmus Hall, Brooklyn, NY: Where Gumbo Was (#81)
As my fellow New Yorker Jonathan L recognized right away, Gumbo was at Erasmus Hall High School, the oldest public school in New York, and certainly one of the most beautiful. The exterior seen in the puzzle picture, in "Collegiate...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 28, 2013: Northern Pacific Depot Museum, Wallace, Idaho
Wallace is located in Idaho's panhandle near the Montana state line. It sprung to life during a silver mining boom in 1884. Within a few years Wallace was very prosperous and, with 2000 residents, the third largest town in the new...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 31, 2013: Byward Market, Ottawa, Ontario
Happy Halloween, everyone! Today's photo comes from Ottawa's Byward Market, an excellent Farmer's Market in Canada's National Capitol. The photo highlights a colorful display of pumpkins and squashes that were for sale, a typical...
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Saguenay Fjord — Deep and Long but not very Tall
I’d heard as a schoolboy that the Saguenay Fjord was one of the longest in the world. Years later someone told me the area around Tadoussac was pretty, sparsely developed and inviting. Given a spare day or...
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Ottawa – NOT the coldest Capital in the world!
Ottawa is a vibrant and charming small city — so pleasant that it’s hard to believe it’s home to soooo many politicians. Of the national capitals I've visited, Ottawa seems the most livable to me (ie. if...
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Quebec — A Walled European Fortress In America
Quebec, like New York, is both a city and a state (or rather, a province). It’s an island of French heritage and culture within our Anglo-North American continent. We combined this visit with stops in Montreal and...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec 20, 2013: Hot Horses - even horses need an ice cream sometimes....
Basking in the warmth of an unusually sunny and delightful English summer, there is nothing nicer, particularly if you are a hot horse, than being able to queue up for a cooling ice cream cone at the Winstones ice cream van parked up on Minchinhampton...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 10, 2013: Banff and the Bow River Valley
The Canadian Rockies are noted for their jagged peaks, many of which are snow-capped even in summer. Much of the natural beauty of the area has been saved by their incorporation in a series of national and provincial parks, including Banff National...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 22, 2013: Moab before the storm
Running as fast as they dare out on the old rutted highway from Cisco and heading fast for Moab, a warm hotel and dry clothes after a long day’s hard ride, two snorting Harley Davidson motorcycles cross onto the i91 and head towards the edge of...
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A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
I remember being in Wales several times and looking across the sea to the west, thinking that I needed to get to Ireland. Well I finally made it, completing this journey with my brother on our annual "getaway trip"! It was a trip we really...
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Walla, Walla: “So nice they named it twice!”
What’s a Walla Walla? It’s a Indian name meaning “many waters”. It’s also the name of a charming city in southeastern Washington; nestled close to the Columbia and Snake River valleys, and with a river of its...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov. 23, 2013: Sunset, Banff National Park, Alberta
(Sunset over Mt. Rundle and Canmore, Banff National Park) It's sweet to be in just the right place at just the right time! The Canadian Rockies are known for their beautiful rugged peaks, hanging glaciers, turquoise lakes and...
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Washington State’s Long Beach Peninsula
For most travelers, the southwestern corner of Washington state is easy to bypass. It lies well over an hour’s drive from the busy I-5 Interstate Freeway. The broad mouth of the Columbia River limits access from the Oregon...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Jan 24, 2014: Saddler at Bar U Ranch, Alberta
Nestling in the rolling plains leading to the foothills of the majestic Rocky Mountains beyond is the National Historic "Bar U Ranch". First established in 1881, today Bar U Ranch continues to be a living showpiece of the daily life and skills of...
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The North Cascades: a National Park and Scenic Highway
The North Cascades Highway (Washington SR-20) offers the northern most route across the Cascade range in Washington state, just south of the Canadian border. The eastern (and highest) part of the road is...
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Washington state's Wild Horses Monument & Gingko Petrified Forest
The Columbia River is one of the most interesting and beautiful geographic features of the Inland Northwest, from its headwaters in British Columbia to the dramatic Gorge just east of Portland, Oregon. When...
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Government Opens Up The Azores To Airline Competition
Easyjet and RyanAir announce flights to the Azores after Portugal’s national civil aviation institute informed them on October 31st that the government aimed to open up the market for flights between the mainland and the islands of...
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Columbia River Gorge, Where Gumbo Was #82
Gumbo was visiting the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, which straddles northern Oregon and southern Washington states. Specifically, Gumbo was enjoying the amazing view of the Gorge through the lobby window of the Skamania Lodge in...
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Colorado National Monument
While many of the units of the US National Park system are frequently visited and very busy, there are also a few less crowded places. Colorado National Monument (known to locals as " The Monument" ) falls into the latter category....
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Hope for Europe's small "flagship" airlines
In the face of competition from Gulf-based carriers and European budget carriers, it's been hard times for the familiar "national" airlines of Europe. Some, such as Sabena and Swissair have gone under, re-emerging in other forms; some, such as...
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ET, Call Home: A visit to the Arecibo Observatory
On our recent visit to Puerto Rico, we took an unplanned side trip to what might be called ET’s phone booth—a vast radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory that “listens” to space both for astronomical information and any...
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Travel to Where "Your Shadow Always Has Company"
Well, you can't actually visit the planet Kepler 16b; it's not even in our solar system. But graphic artists at the National Aeronautical and Space Agency (NASA) have made up dream travel posters for several "exoplanets" (planets that orbit other...
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The Living Desert Wildlife and Botanical Park, Palm Desert
Palm Desert's LIVING DESERT offers a place to see several desert ecosystems, as well as an interesting assortment of animals from the Americas and Africa.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 30, 2015: Mission Inn, Riverside
In many respects, Riverside, California, is a forgettable city -- one of dozens you drive by on the freeways of the sunny Southland. Besides its university, it does have one interesting landmark, known for its beautiful Spanish...
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Spring and Summer Festivals in Europe for 2015
Here is a nice list of Spring and Summer festivals in Europe for 2015. I love how Europeans celebrate and appreciate the good weather. I'm thinking about seeing the The National Midsummer Celebration in Finland in late June this year. Share with us...
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Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park, Hawaii Island, Hawaii
I love visiting the state of Hawaii. Although I have enjoyed all the Hawaiian islands I have visited (Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island), my favorite island would be Hawaii Island (aka the Big Island). The diversity of the Hawaii...
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San Juan's El Morro: Layers of Stone, Layers of History (Where Gumbo Was, #84)
El Morro, the giant fortification that's guarded San Juan Harbor for nearly 500 years, is the sight we saw before we saw it. Its image is everywhere when you do online research for a trip to Puerto Rico; its "garitas"—small domed...
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In wake of terror, EU considers airline security
Proposals in the EU Parliament calling for more information about airline passengers to be made available to national authorities are on the table; they would make the Passenger Name Record (PNR) of all passengers arriving and departing EU available....
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El Yunque: A visit to the rain forest
When we began planning a trip to Puerto Rico, and planning to include our 14-year-old granddaughter, we sent her some of the material we were gathering and asked her what her priorities were. She, and we, both had El Yunque right near the top of the...
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A summer trip to Valencia, Spain
Last Summer, in 2014, I went on an internship program in Valencia, Spain. My internship took place in a nice hotel near the center of the town and lasted 3 months. While I was there I could visit and enjoy many touristic points while also...
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Old City Hall, Toronto. Where Gumbo was #86
Gumbo was visiting the corner of Bay and Queen streets in Toronto, Canada -- specifically the Old City Hall. Congratulations to PortMoreby who correctly solved the problem and notified us by email! Jonathan L also...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 2, 2015: The Steelpan - National Instrument of Trinidad & Tobago
Carnival season 2015 is in full swing. To the world Carnival may be most popular in Brazil, but Trinidad and Tobago has a massive celebration that may just be second biggest. The Carnival season starts immediately after the...
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Road Trip, More Day 2: Point Cabrillo Light Station
Not quite recovered from the long drive the day before, and having just walked a couple of miles around the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden, had I realized the extent of the hike required to get to and from the the lighthouse at Point...
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Why You should visit Nevada's Valley of Fire
Tired of the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas? Had enough of the concrete canyons and smoked filled casinos of Sin City? Not sure if it's day or night (there are no clocks allowed in Vegas casinos)? Then you should do...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 1st, 2015: Cameron Falls, Waterton
Cameron Falls, Waterton The Cameron Falls are located in the townsite of Waterton Village. This serene cascade is well lit at night for viewers enjoying a peaceful evening stroll. These falls are also the site of the oldest rock in the...
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UKs First National Civil War Centre to Open With Huge Civil War Re-Enactment
Over 1,000 Civil War re-enactors and cannons from across the UK will be in Newark to help launch the National Civil War Center on May 3 and 4th . The museum recounts the 17th century clashes between King and Parliament . The museum...
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Boeing in SC: First 787-9 delivered, union election set
Two milestones for Boeing's plant in North Charleston, SC. This week the plant, which has been building the original 787-8, delivered its first stretch 787-9 version, and the International Association of Machinists, the union representing most Boeing...
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Road Trip, Day 4: Fort Mason, San Francisco
March 12, 2015 I drove south through Sonoma and Marin Counties, past the houseboats on the bay at Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge into San Francisco, and arrived earlier than the hostel’s official 3:00 check-in...
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Canada creating its first Urban National Park
While Canada has many beautiful and large national parks, almost all in pristine wilderness settings, there are no urban park units within the nation. Urban historic sites and the like -- yes, many, but no parks. In a change to the...
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Musée d'Orsay, Paris. Where Gumbo was #108
Gumbo was visiting one of Paris' greatest museums, the Musee d'Orsay. Congratulations to TravelGirlJenn who recognized it, with minimal clues! If any one else figured it out, they did not let us know. (One of the...
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The Cabins, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada (Where Gumbo Was #107)
This was a tough puzzle which eluded even our great TG travel sleuths. In the above quiz photo we see evidence of a constructed dwelling in a place of red-rock, but not much else. As Jonathan L pointed out, the image screams...
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Anyone Familiar with Croatia & Slovenia?
Hiya! My parents and I are heading to Croatia and Slovenia this summer (early September) by way of Italy and I'm trying to figure out the most fluid way for us to hit all of our destinations. Renting a car is a must; however, I would...
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National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta (Where Gumbo Was #109)
Exterior Albert Vecerka-Esto & The Freelon Group-HOK We had some good guesses for this week's Where in the World is TravelGumbo, but believe it or not, no one offered the correct guess. The National Center for Civil and Human Rights opened on Monday, June 23rd 2014 in Pemberton Place, adjacent to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola. This area is in Downtown Atlanta, just north of Centennial Olympic Park. The Center links the American Civil Rights...
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Sticky-fingered guests' favorite hotel "gifts"
Many travelers bring home souvenirs of the cities they've visited, and some bring home souvenirs of their hotels as well. And sometimes it's not the little shampoo bottles, either! Hotels.com, an Expedia subsidiary, recently surveyed 4700...