Tagged With "Wells, Maine"
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Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'
Iceland is a great destination, but it has limited tourist facilities. The population of the entire island is about 300,000 and there aren't all that many hotel or B&B choices in smaller places. I think the lack of infrastructure is the main problem. They certainly have the space and ability to handle more tourists, but need to develop services for them outside Reykjavik.
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Re: Trains in Cuba
Great question...and possibly not an easy clear answer. Cuba's trains have generally been in poor shape in recent years as older equipment has run down and spares not available. However, according to Mark Smith (The Man in Seat 61), that's changing with the arrival of a fleet of new Chinese-built locomotives. On his site ( Seat61.com ) he has an extensive update of recent changes in schedules, routes and locations (that's important because Havana's main station is closed for a 3-year...
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Re: Free Things to do in Phoenix, Arizona
Never knew there was so much free stuff to do in Phoenix. Seems like you could spent the better part of a week seeing and doing things without paying one admission fee. Thanks for sharing these, Samantha.
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Re: Crashing the geocache
Is there a main website that the geocache folks have set up? You could also ask over on Craig's list www.craigslist.com in the "community" section of where ever you want, or even where the kids are traveling to..... I would do some research, but Europeans are into travel alot, maybe they have done it more than the Americans ever had since they have been around longer? I hope this helps.....
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day: Jan. 16, 2014: Liverpool Victoria Gallery
Hello GarryRF, good post. Interesting to know there is more to see in Liverpool than The Beatles (it's okay, I'm a huge Beatles fan). I've always wanted to visit there, not only for Beatles sights, but I've heard it's had a revamp over the last few years and is now a tourist hot spot. Can you recommend a good time of the year to visit and how many days to see the main attractions?
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 15 2013: Indian Pipe at Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge
I find fungi strangely captivating. A nice collection of photos, PHeymont, thanks!
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo #6
OK. So we know it is Asian, and that it was built by colonizers/invaders from another country. Since the architecture is Asian, I think we can assume the invaders were, too. The problem then is the next term: "link them with a settlement of people from a third country." That seems to imply that the "third country" people are NOT across a border in their own land but are also in the invaded country, but living separately from the invaders. If I'm correct in guessing the bridge at upwards of...
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Re: Newgrange; Ireland’s ancient Passage Tomb
TravelandNature. You'd be surprised at how many people have been saved by that Church. "Regulars" from hundreds of years ago still attend services and Funerals. Next door to this Church is a Pub and folks come out to catch the last Bus at Mid-night. They often see 8 Nuns in white carrying a coffin through the main doors. Which are still closed - of course!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 8, 2013: Cologne, Germany
Thanks for the note, Pheymont. I saw the main BANK OF IRELAND building in Dublin a few days, which is windowless. All the window spaces were filled in with rock (in a tasteful manner). Seems the government decided to levy a window tax. The company responded in kind.
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Re: Is Pre-check or Global Entry worth it?
I think if you're a frequent business traveler, especially from a city with a busy airport and long TSA lines it makes sense. But for the average traveler who flies maybe every other month, it doesn't pay to go through yet another hassle. All the more so if you're main airport is smaller with a smooth TSA process.
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Re: Visit Canada! Kiss a Canadian
I think there are three main problems Canadian tourism faces. 1) The weather. Very limited season, unless you want to ski. 2) Expensive airfares. In the last 5 years, air fares went from being competitive to being very expensive -- overly taxed, I guess. And predictably, when you charge more for something you get less of that activity. 3) Heightened border security between Canadian and US border can cause long delays and has greatly reduced cross border crossings in the past 15 years. It's...
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Re: Venice's ban on huge cruise ships suspended
The only alternatives I can see are to build a new cruise port outside the lagoon. Chioggia might be too far, but perhaps just north of the main way into the lagoon, across the inlet from the Lido. That would provide land-based alternatives for other day trips from the boats, and could also be served by vaporetto-sized boats heading into Venice itself. Of course, I haven't consulted the folks who live there and run campgrounds there...
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Re: Cheapest airfare to Portugal and Spain
Can't speak too much about SEA-TAC strategies, but I'm sure you'll have to change planes at least once! Try to avoid any that change at London, because of the British Air Passenger Duty on the way home, and the huge hassle of Heathrow. I did a little random searching for next July, using an open-jaw plan: Fly to Lisbon, train to Porto, fly to Barcelona, fly home, and found fares around $1600 on offer. Lisbon is not that competitive a city, so one strategy would be to keep an eye out for...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo #297
Here's the last set of clues! Send your answer to TGSuggestions@gmail.com This first house was built for a wealthy commission merchant, that was modified many times. A neoclassical revival front porch with ionic columns and a circular pavilion was added to the main Italianate structure. Also, a carriage house was added made from bricks of the demolished house next door (mentioned in Friday’s clue). It is now listed as a Victorian Mansion on a list of historic registered places and landmarks.
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Re: Air Miles vs Low Fare Airline
This is sounding very promising, Rob. I can think of no reason to pay more money to pay with miles than for a ticket on Norwegian. I have enough miles to go around the world and only the first leg (or last, depending) is more expensive using miles. It makes no sense. So you were able to carry on your main bag plus a smaller one? I'm speaking of the limits for discounted coach tickets (aka "steerage").
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Re: More Art under Your Feet
Originally Posted by PHeymont: Those are not just beautiful, but functional in another way...if not as utility covers, then as guides for pedestrians. Do all the streets have them? The streets crossing the main street in Banff (Banff Ave) have them, although I don't believe all the streets in town have them. I expect they're just up on the main pedestrian areas of town. But I agree, they are nicely done.
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Re: Prague's Jewish Quarter: An Emotional and Educational Journey
Such places have a much deeper impact, even, than the actual lives lost. It is an example of what Alisdair Maclean called 'cultural erosion'. Places, activities, landmarks all lost to future generations from the memories of those gone. I remember discovering a small forgotten Jewish cemetery at Tokay, Hungary on the confluence of the Tisza and Bodrog rivers. Many locals had no knowledge of it a mere 300 metres (across the river) from the main street.
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Re: November 26, 2017: Ranakpur: The Most Delicate Jain Temple
You are absolutely right. Not only is Ranakpur a convenient stopping-off point between Jodhpur and Udaipur, it is also one of Rajasthan's gems. We spent several hours there last year exploring both the main temple and the adjoining one. There were a few other tourists there, but it seems that most tours bypass the site completely.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#259)
Our next puzzle clues show us the first aspects of what are the main reasons people visit this destination. Stay tuned....
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#219)
Here are a few more clues to help you along the road to discovery. The first shows the dominant tree-type in the neighborhood.... The other the main type of material used in the construction of our site of interest....
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 8, 2014: Onion Soup, Pied de Cochon
I think I'd have to take a knife and fork to that soup ! Looks delicious - how was it ? Did it have you searching for the antacid tabs ? I couldn't eat a main meal after tackling that soup.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 8, 2014: Onion Soup, Pied de Cochon
It was delicious. It's what I go there for, while my wife eats platters of shellfish. The broth is rich and sweet with caramelized onion, the cheese is excellent...and yes, it's not just spoonfood! And, as you suggest, soup of that kind IS a meal, not an appetizer! I had a salad with it, but no main.
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Re: How to Sleep in the Air
For the rest of us, in "main cabin," my best helpers are loose clothing, moderate liquids before and during, avoid getting sucked into inflight entertainment. And seek your best seat: I sleep best in right-hand window seats, others have different preferences.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct 21, 2014: Maltese Bread
My wife sometimes believes that my main photo subjects are bread, fruit and veg, and birds perched on statues, so it's nice to know someone else appreciates how beautiful bread is, and how easy it is to smell it and taste just by looking at a great picture like this!
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
The main clients of larger upscale hotels are business travelers, not mom and pop travelers. These are the same travelers that pay 10x what we pay to fly at the back of the plane for the privilege of a slightly larger seat and being able to get out 4 minutes before I do. Most don't care about wifi charges because their businesses pick them up. I think Marriott's action is a step in the right direction and they should be applauded for it. I've been a premier Marriott member for years so I get...
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Re: World's 10 Best Airports? Maybe...
Dulles airport was unique. A bus on "scissors" rose up to the planes exit door and we all walked into the carriage. It drove back to the main terminal, Then the announcement. Because of a backlog of passengers we would have to stay on the shuttle bus. We were packed in tight. Standing shoulder to shoulder. No seats. We stood in it for two and a half hours. Sweltering under a July sun. No AirCon. No water. We weren't allowed to open the doors "for security reasons". Temperatures soon rose...
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Re: London- multiple questions
I can only help with one of the questions...but GarryRF, one of the TG Gurus, lives in Liverpool and can certainly help with that part. For Stonehenge without a car, there are really two main options. There are a number of tour operators who run coach tours from London to the site; or you can take a train from London to Salisbury and take a bus from the station to the Stonehenge visitor center. The visitor center is new since I was there; it's about 10 minutes by shuttle from the stones...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 30, 2015: Spirit Island
I know what you mean. Maligne Lake is a beautiful area to see and the tour out to Spirit Island is certainly worth it. One of the most notable things about the lake is the colour of the water itself that is due to being glacier fed. Up there this past June and was treated to a young moose feeding along the water near the boat launch and then two young black bears dining along the cutline just off the main road. Chatted with a family from Washington DC and a young German couple. They were...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#85)
Glad to see some more guesses. The building shown in the hint is a theater, but that is not the the main focus of Gumbo's visit, although it is definitely cultural.
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Re: Euro airlines: Delays continue in compensation for delays
I'm going to take the contrary view. First, remember that the short clip above doesn't reflect the detailed regulations or the deliberations of the court. But remember the circumstance quoted “which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken,” Reasonable measures guarantee that crews are scheduled so that even if illness befalls the scheduled crew, it does not take over 3 hours to bring a replacement crew on line. Reasonable measures to avert mechanical...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#114)
Solving this week's puzzle has two parts: identify the city, and identify what's going on where Gumbo was in the main picture! It's Friday morning in New York, and here's the next clue. Look carefully...this is not just any church! (of course, what church is?)
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, September 25, 2015: Whitcombe village
It is so charming. These are the little gems in England that you need to get off the main roads to find. You never know what will be around the next corner or over the next rise. Thanks for the lovely photo.
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Re: Germans Reflect on Reunification
I was in Berlin on Saturday, the day of the 25th anniversary of reunification. There were tons of people in the city, as crowded as I've ever seen any major city. The main activities were in the Tiergarten, especially around the Brandenburg gate. By the time we made our way there, the police had closed down the area and were not allowing more people in because it was overcrowded. Still, everyone seemed well behaved and having a nice time. I think most Germans feel reunification was a good...
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Re: Northern Arizona: Sedona & Surrounds, Part 2
Arizona has many small historic and natural sites of interest like these, one of the reasons it's one of my favorite states to visit. Seems too many people are in a hurry to head to the Grand Canyon or to drive through the state to properly explore it. Thanks for bring back some great memories.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#306)
Here are the puzzle clues for Saturday. Some white structures on the property and a window on the main building.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#341)
Here are your next puzzle clues, which show the main feature of interest at this week's destination.
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Re: Homes of Leadville
Before its founding in 1793, Danville was a huge tobacco producer when no other crop would succeed except the “Bright Leaf” tobacco which made Danville tobacco one of the most sought after varieties and top tobacco producing areas in the world. Competing tycoons built many homes along Main Street trying to one up each other. As a result, Danville’s Millionaires’ Row of homes became a symbol of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the early United States. George G.
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Re: A new (better?) seat configuration?
I like the idea. My main concern would be about how this staggered seating might make it more difficult to get in and out of the rows. For example, the window seat might be a chore to get to and it might be difficult to evacuate the plane as quickly in an emergency. But if that works okay, I'd like to see this tried. Overall I like the idea.
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Re: Jan. 30, 2016: Houseboat, Marin County, CA
These sites all say "Sausalito". Best guess, Kappas Harbor or Waldo Point, where Hwy 101 meets Bridgeway, the main drag through Sausalito. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/525584218987357033/ http://www.panoramio.com/photo/65281312 https://laundryonsundaes.wordpress.com/tag/parks/
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Re: Mar. 17. 2016. Why did the Chicken cross the road ?
I see a promising future for a certain franchise in Key West. The main ingredient could be harvested from the streets. Could prove very profitable!
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Re: Visiting 170-year-old Hanford Mills
Like you, I like driving off the main highways and stopping to look and explore. This was a very cool discover, thanks Jonathan!
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rajasthantourism
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Re: Is a stopover in Iceland worthwhile
A lot of questions! Let me try a few answers... Absolutely I'd say stop in Iceland. Every place in the world is unique, but Iceland is more so, geographically, in climate, and in history. Half a week (or even a week) won't do more than scratch the surface, but you'll be able to visit incredible waterfalls, climb on glaciers, see evidence of recent volcanic activity, and realize that under it all is a huge pool of thermally heated water that provides over 70% of the nation's energy. If that...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, 13 Dec 2013: Sati Handprints - 15 Jodphur Queens left their handprints...
My main purpose in traveling is to see how things are done elsewhere. I try only observe and not overlay my personal opinion on what is there. After all, the point is to see and learn. Sometimes, as in this case, it can be hard to lay aside those personal feelings. The old custom does speak volumes about the importance to these people of tradition and structure in their lives. Thank you for the thought provoking photo.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
The main usefulness that I have found for these loyalty programs is not the tangible rewards. The staff just seems to be more attentive and accommodating when they see that I am a regular with their company. There have been times when the extra attention has made a big difference in an otherwise harried trip.
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Re: Hotel Rewards Programs. Worthwhile or not?
I'm a Holiday Inn Express or La Quinta member. On my most recent road trip, I did get upgraded at the HIE for being a member. The free nights are always great too and that's the main goal. I've used many La Quinta free nights when I do workshops out of town. With HIE, I usually use the points for a discounted rate in expensive areas, like Sonoma or Paso Robles - wherever a vineyard may be!
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Re: Need help planning Morocco trip
If you're passing through Europe and plan to go directly on to Marrakech, keep in mind that the low fare carriers more often than not use secondary airports which will add to your travel time if go straight on. For instance, if you fly into London's Heathrow airport a low fare airline will likely use either Luton or Stansted. I believe British Airways has flights from Heathrow so check on the variables and you may find that with time and costs involved to change airports a bit more expensive...
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Re: Wednesday Market, Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Thanks! The produce was great, indeed. The apartment was also fine; a nice bedroom and living room with kitchenette in a building I believe Is 18th century but modernized. Two flights up, with an air conditioner, washer, dryer and a view directly into the market, and across to the main church in town. It’s two steps off the boulevards, inside the old town. For anyone who’s interested, here’s a link: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/883140 . It's listed at 40€ a night.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, August 14, 2014: The CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario
Hi Travel Luver! Yes, I have walked on the transparent floor many years ago (pre-digital photography era, which reminds me that I need to get those slides transferred to digital). Unfortunately on this last trip to the CN Tower I did not have time to take the ride up to the observation deck. It probably goes without saying that if you are afraid of heights, the observation deck of the CN Tower may not be the attraction for you. Your adventure begins with a long but quick elevator ride to the...