The Ivan Mestrovic Gallery had not even made it to my “must-see” list on a recent visit to Croatia. But I am thrilled to have stumbled upon it. In the city of Split the dreamy, clear Adriatic Sea meets a palm tree-lined harbor. Across the city, patches of lush green trees stand out against the white buildings with red tiled roofs. Rugged mountains loom in the background as if to watch over and protect the peacefulness below.
Across the river, a visitor rings a large bell in memory of all those who suffered that day and throughout the war. Take a moment to strike the bell yourself in an otherwise quiet reflection, then travel further into the Peace Memorial Park to the Children’s Peace Memorial, where thousands of colorful paper cranes made by elementary students around the world are strung together as symbols for peace and remembrance.
So what happened to the “great little neighborhood restaurant”? Remember that favored place where you were sure to recognize a neighbor or two? Well, hidden away in the trendy Knox/Henderson area, within striking distance of the affluent neighborhoods of Highland Park, Turtle Creek, and Uptown, the upscale neighborhood restaurant survives.
If you are looking for good-value cruising in one of the most magical places in Europe, you’ll not find a more rewarding experience than an eight-day excursion on the Rhine River. It is a comfortable way to see the spectacular European countryside without having to “go it alone.” And, with multiple stops along the way, optional excursions are available to see the thatch-roofed villages of the Black Forest, sample local cuisine, or meander the cobbled streets on your own.
On a visit to England’s West Country, it’s easy to miss the village of Cheddar, tucked away at the foot of the Mendip Hills, 18 miles southwest of Bristol. But this picturesque gem, hidden deep in rural Somerset, is a trove of touristic treasure and well worth the effort of swinging off the main highway. Behind the village, cleaving into the Mendips, is the world-famous Cheddar Gorge — three miles of sheer limestone cliffs that soar 450 feet on either side of the snaking road. The Gorge was formed by meltwater floods over hundreds of thousands of years.
On this hidden gem of an island, 26 miles long and six miles wide, two Danish forts still point cannons toward the sea to thwart enemy attack, the spicy aroma of West Indian dishes tantalizes the taste buds, and fresh mangos and coconuts can be bought from local farmers’ trucks parked along narrow, mahogany-shaded roads. They’ll be happy to open your coconut with the swift slice of a sharp machete and offer a straw to draw out the sweet water, while the constant trade wind breeze provides relief from 85 degree heat. Unpack your clothes into the antique armoire of a European-style hotel, trade travel shoes for flip-flops, and allow the serenity of clear Caribbean water to wash your stress away. Then dress for dinner in one of many world class restaurants offering freshly-caught seafood and local Crucian dishes such as succulent kallaloo
At line’s end is the well-hidden but picturesque seaside town of North Berwick, which means “North barley farmstead” in Old English. Bordered by vibrant red and yellow flowers, the train’s platform is an easy 10-minute walk up a tarred path from the town’s old stone harbor.
Shops and restaurants are everywhere, but if all you want is something light and refreshing, there’s nothing better than shaved ice. Select a fruit-flavored syrup. Watch the street vendor fill a large cup past the rim with ice shaved from a giant block, and drizzle it with your flavor of choice and a thin stream of coconut milk. Grab a straw, a long plastic spoon, and some napkins, and find a shady spot to sit. For $2 you have a treat you can spoon, slurp, and once you get a little farther down, stir.
Want to take the family on a trip but not sure how to afford it? Planning a vacation is fun and it can also serve as a valuable lesson in personal finance, saving, and budgeting. The trip is the reward!
The bunch of mint thrust into my hands on arrival was welcome. You smell the tannery buried within the ancient medina of Fes before you see it. It is the oldest tannery in existence, dating from the 11th century, and little has changed in its operation over the years. Many travelers love to shop for locally crafted articles at their far-flung destinations, and leather products are often at the top of the list. Here you will not wonder at the provenance of your purchase.
