Tagged With "weekend breaks"
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Re: November 24, 2016: Enger Tower, Duluth, Minnesota
Hi Garry I never thought of counting the number of steps to the top of Enger Tower for I was too preoccupied with the beautiful scenery; However, thanks to your question I did some internet investigating and discovered that apparently there are 105 steps you must walk to get to the top of Enger Tower (therefore 210 steps in total to get up and down the tower). You really don't need to be an Olympian to get to the top of Enger Tower. Although the number of steps sounds like a lot, and the...
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Re: April 15, 2020: Around Brera, Milan
A great display of Milan's Artistic talent. Looks good for a City Break !
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Re: Now an airline charge for NOT flying!
If you do call the airline to cancel your return ticket you get no refund. They will probably sell your seat for more than your two-way ticket cost. If you try to reschedule your return for another day they will charge full price with no discount for being polite and doing the right thing. So you just walk away and find another airline. The Philosophy of W.C. Fields. "Never give a sucker an even break"
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Re: A visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello
PHeymont, I never try to judge historic figures through the prism of modern values. Remember in the 18th century slavery was a global institution -- absolutely every country in the world had slaves. And being from Virginia, he knew the southern states wouldn't join northern colonies in forming a new country without slavery being allowed, so I don't think he thought it was time to fight that fight. I think he valued the formation of the new country above all else -- risking his life to do so...
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Re: The Beautiful Pools and Geysers of Yellowstone National Park
Hi PHeymont, Andre and DrFumblefinger, Just back from a winter break and glad to see many of you also like the brilliant colors associated with the geysers, pools and hot springs in Yellowstone! As of how the mesmerizing colors are formed, I know no more than my friend DrFumblefinger (thanks Karl for the explanation). I only know that was those incredible heat-loving thermophiles that somehow survived and produced those amazing nature wonders.
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Re: Shipping Container as Your Next Hotel Room or Apartment ?!
I'm a big fan of the industrial esthetic in design. I'm trying to get a handle on the "sleeping around" part, the hotel. It sounds as if, although I can't find exact wording to that effect, they move the rooms from one location to another periodically, calling it "pop-up". If that's the case, I'm not sure I see a purpose unless they can't afford to produce more and are encouraging guests to think of it as a benefit. The website also says they're taking a break so maybe that, too, is a...
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Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers
AAA seems to choose their contracted towing services very well. I have always had good luck with them. I used the coverage when I had a break down with a rental car in a small town. The rental car company suggested that I call AAA for towing to their office in a nearby larger town to exchange the car. The rental car company had a contract with the same towing company that was under contract to AAA in that area. So that was very easy. If the tow goes over the 200 miles, they charge something...
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Re: Do traveling Brits hate kids?
Getting a 25 hour flight can be a painless experience with the correct preparation. Music, books and magazines. But taking a young child who screams with inner ear pressure problems is a nightmare and no one gets to sleep. So you arrive with no sleep for maybe 36 hours. Of course we love kids as much as anyone. I've been on an American flight to Hawaii where all the other passengers were kids on spring break. That flight should have carried a health warning. They behaved like animals. Yes...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 26, 2015: Breakfast on the Okavango Delta
Breakfast was great, Mac, but you can't beat the view! Fortunately no large carnivores found us while we were enjoying this break.
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Re: AirBerlin Black Friday: $499 to Europe R/T!
It's a fantastic deal! Milan is a budget airline hub too so you can go to a lot Europe for not much more. Time to buy those spring break tickets
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo, #46
I'll break the ice with a thought...the wooden floor and fittings and the colors make me think of Mexico...
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Re: Portland Bill Revisited: Pictures from a small island
A little surprising not to find at least one surfer wanting to ride into that nice soft sandy beach, but maybe the waves don't "break" just right. Have the British never seen the epic movie "Riding Giants" (about those surfers who ride the monstrous 10 meter waves)? Nor a single wind-sailer out their either.
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Re: Channel ferries: more than a nostalgia trip
The buses ,like Megabus ,sometimes use the ferries as well and it's a great way to break up a bus trip. They make you disembark the bus for safety reasons while the ferry is moving and you can watch the view and get something to eat.
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Re: Ryanair's 5-year plan: Trans-atlantic for 10£
Can't happen fast enough for me! The more budget airlines to break into the trans-Atlantic market,the better for the consumer.
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Re: Airfares have remained flat for 20+ years
I'm with 90% on that survey. Domestic Airline prices did rise steadily from 2009 to 2014 (even adjusting for inflation) according to the DOT. I do think we've had a price break this year because of the steep drop in oil prices. I'm not surprised most customers feel like they are paying more because of what they are getting now. Planes are packed, there's less seat space and a whole array of fees. http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/airfares/national/chart
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Re: Wadsworth Atheneum - Hartford CT
Nice! We've also enjoyed the Wadsworth...which makes a nice break in a trip between NY and Boston, as well. It's also hosted some interesting temporary exhibits that have made it worth a trip of its own.
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Re: Qantas fills the seats on longest flight
On the flights I have made from the UK to Sydney Australia I was pleased to have a break in Kuala Lumpur or Bahrain. Stretch the legs while my blood was still circulating - then have a jog on the machines before retiring back to reading books.
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Re: A weekend...I don't know where...
Surprises can be fun, but I enjoy researching a destination before I get there. Still, I can see the appeal of the idea to a lot of people.
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Re: A weekend...I don't know where...
Rob, I thought of you when I first found this...it sounds like you and me: Anything to be on the road, hardly matters where!
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Re: A weekend...I don't know where...
The cost seems pretty reasonable too. It is a good idea because it exposes you to cities that you wouldn't of picked on your own. Sometimes those cities end up being your favorites. I think TG's destination page is like that too. I now want to go so many places that were not remotely on my radar.
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Re: Luggage to withstand airline handling
I have two favorite suitcases I use when needing checked luggage. Both have similar construction, having a hard base and sides, but a soft expandable top. Hence, they combine the protection of a hard suitcase for the most part, but offer the advantage of being somewhat expandable. I wrap delicate purchases in laundry or a jacket, place near the hard base of the bag and without exception nothing has broken in transit (so far). One bag is also an Eagle Creek bag and the other is made by...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, October 24, 2015: Poppies -- Weeping Window at Woodhorn
We southern North Americans are not that unfamiliar with the poppies, although perhaps the younger ones...in my childhood and on, they were annually a tradition carried on by the American Legion. Actually, a little research tells me that the tradition started with them in 1921, and then spread to UK and Commonwealth! Here's the text of the poem, written by John McRae, a Canadian soldier and physician: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place;...
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Re: Chinese jetmaker beats out Boeing for order
It will be interesting to see if they can really break into that market! So far, there have been repeated delays on the C919, and the prototype is not yet completed to make its first flight. On the other hand, they have booked 500 orders from Chinese regional airlines, and now have their first foreign customer. Incidentally, COMAC had an interesting partner in developing the specifications for the plane: Ryanair. Ryanair isn't committed to buy anything, but they did help COMAC understand...
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Re: Are airline alliances costing you $$$ on flights to Europe?
Basically Norwegian Air told us the same thing and it's true. If the public supports Norwegian and other airlines that attempt to break the alliances trans-Atlantic hold, lower prices will follow. https://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/norwegian-air-1
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Re: Ultra budget, NewLeaf Travel, offering bargain Canadian airfares
I can remember this story so many times from the past 50 years - here in the UK. A new air service provider comes along with hopes of knocking the stuffing out of the "Big Boys". Then, always at the last minute - the most costly time - somebody throws a spanner in the works. Hoping to break the back - or bank - of the new kid on the block.. Dirty tricks again. And it wont be the last. And you never find out who started the fight. http://www.independent.co.uk/n...s-dirty-1478010.html
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Re: Megabus Expands to Mississippi
The good thing about Megabus is they don't make a lot of stops. Several rides just took one half hour break for lunch and nothing else.Like my Jacksonville Atlanta rt. One suggestion about Megabus is,bring a jacket onboard.Every time I've ridden the bus it is freezing,
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Re: The Sunshine Skyway Bridge – The Creepy and the Miraculous
Originally Posted by PHeymont: Fascinating mix! Thanks for the interesting story and pictures. I'm curious...is there any sort of pullout at the high point to stop and take pictures? The view must be amazing. Thank you! There are pull-offs on the bridge for break-downs. If you pull over at the top for any reason be assured that the authorities will be all over you - and quickly (this is from experience hehe). The views are spectacular from up top!
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Re: How I have changed since my career break – and how you could too
How long was your career break?
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Re: How I have changed since my career break – and how you could too
Originally Posted by DrFumblefinger: How long was your career break? 4 months. I wanted to go for longer but I sort of... um... left my sweetheart back home.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 31, 2014: Saguaro National Park, Arizona
You would enjoy it, DrY! It is a great spring break destination to visit with the kids. Nice weather -- not too hot -- with great scenery and lots of things to do. We can talk about it offline sometime.
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Gallery: Signs of Waikiki
There's a lot you can tell about a city simply by looking at small things, like its signage or public art. Every place has unique and interesting shops and landmarks that add to its personality. I've posted several...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 20th, 2014: Playa Del Carmen. Mexico
You'll often find you've made a new friend in Mexico. Maybe leave a few crumbs on your sun lounger. Or a bag of goodies worth climbing into. But these guys love to catch the sun on your towel. Gives them a break from burning their...
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The Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset
Almost unsure whether this constitutes a Travel Gumbo "travel" post, I press ahead with my submission and await rapped knuckles from the Senior Gurus! But, first I will bring the big guns to bear with the help of Brad Pitt and his Sherman tank from...
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Verona: More than Romeo & Juliet
Verona from the hills, looking toward St. Anastasia and the Ponte Pietra My visit to Verona last summer was almost an accident—but a lucky one. It wasn’t on the original plan for our three weeks in Northern Italy, but online...
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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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Is it for real? Airpnp rents toilet time!
Perhaps the most bizarre travel/service startup I've ever seen, Airpnp (will Airbnb's lawyers show up soon?) is advertising on its web site that you can rent a pee break or a freshen-up in private homes, offices, and more, for fees ranging from $1 to...
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Six Reasons Why Lisbon Made Me Nostalgic for San Francisco
A feeling of déjà vu washed over me when we landed in Lisbon and set out on foot to explore the city for the first time. As the days passed, I finally figured out what it was. Lisbon totally reminded me of San Francisco...
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Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier?
Canadian Bombardier is trying to break into the narrow-body passenger jet market controlled by Boeing and Airbus . Their CS100 is scheduled to be released in the second half of this year and t heir longer CS300 is to follow six months...
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Will Social Media Change Spring Break?
The Nikki Beach hotel on the island of Phucket in Southern Thailand faced severe criticism when posting the above photo on their Facebook page showing a baby elephant near a pool with party goers and one riding on top. Read more:...
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Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, May 8, 2015: Portland Bill lighthouse at dusk
On the isle of Portland in Dorset, England, the tip of the isle 'Portland Bill' and nearby Chesil Beach are the graveyards of many vessels that failed to reach Weymouth or Portland Roads. The Portland Race is caused by the meeting of the tides between...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, March 4, 2015: Breakfast Time
I was out at Pioneer Acres, an annual farming show in central Alberta, when I came across this little guy in the field. He was just taking a breakfast break and I could't resist trying to get as close as I could for a picture. He...
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Historic Route 66 (pt 2) - Needles CA to Flagstaff AZ
Leaving Needles CA, I drove a route that is a MUST DRIVE if you are the kind of person that loves road trips. The main portion of my day was spent on the longest continuous stretch of the original Route 66 that is still in place - From Topock AZ to...
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Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#76)
It seems Gumbo has become quite a churchgoer. Puzzle #75 took him to a cathedral in Spain, where sharp-eyed Gumboites spotted him. But he's off again, and while this building is clearly a church, it's also clearly not the usual kind, the...
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Shroud of Turin is Back on Public Display
Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons: Shroud of Turin Over a million people have signed up to see the Turin...
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Fort Barrancas Has it All: Cannons, Gun Turrets,Tunnels and Great Views
Fort Barrancas is located within the Naval Air Station in Pensacola. You have to show your drivers license, or other ID, to enter the base. It sits on the barranca ,or bluff, overlooking the entrance to Pensacola Bay. This National Historic Landmark...
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Inflight products can be a lucky break for small suppliers
If you've wondered about the mints, chocolates, food specialties and more that pop up on airline menus and amenity kits—sometimes brands you've never heard of—it's not necessarily because the airline's going with the lowest bidder. As this...
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Carnival Celebrations in Trinidad & Tobago
Carnival is an annual celebration of life found in many countries around the world. It first originated as a pagan festival in ancient Egypt which was subsequently celebrated by the Greeks and then the Romans. Carnival was later adopted by the Roman...
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American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, Amarillo, TX
Samantha explores this museum dedicated to a favorite American breed, and shares the excitement with us.
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Strasbourg: Self-service tour of Alsatian food
PHeymont tries something new: A self-service gourmet food tour, organized by the Strasbourg Office de Tourisme.