Tagged With "Routhierville Covered Bridge"
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Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Wow, this is turning into a real education!! I checked with my uncle and yes, I can fly Chicago to Manchester and return from either London or Paris to Chicago. The ticket is free to him and he said he would cover any fees as a "graduation gift to me" (he's a pretty cool dude!), but I don't want to burden him with a heavy departure fee, so maybe Paris would be the way to go. I'd like to leave about Friday, May 9th and return 4 weeks later, June 6th. A few days later and returning a few days...
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Re: Minneapolis in the winter
Hi Theodore! I am a Mall of America fan. You can easily spend an entire weekend (or many evenings) at the Mall of America. First of all, the mall is very easy to get to by train from downtown (CICAK did a wonderful job explaining that), and fares are quite cheap (fares go for about $1.75 to $2.25 one way depending on what time of day you ride). As CICAK also mentioned, there is something for everybody at the mall. If you just want to find a warm dry place to walk and people watch, I believe...
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Re: Doctor List for Traveling
SueZee, wherever you travel in the world your hotel will find you a suitable doctor who will speak enough English for your needs - just like Dr.F says - and Italy will have plenty. Don't bother with lists as they will always be out of date by the time you might want to use them, plus it will no doubt not list a great doc that the hotel knows is just around the corner! At the worst the hotel will have an English speaking staff member sit with you to help translate. Conversely, I do think that...
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Re: Is trip cancellation insurance really worth it?
My elderly mother bought it when she went on a cruise. For her, it made sense because her health is not so good. She might have had to cancel and did not want to lose her deposit. The policy that she bought was specifically for trip cancellation but did not cover health issues or other unexpected issues during the trip. That policy would have covered a deposit refund but not all of them do. There are lots of different types of trip insurance so one has to ask lots of questions. As it turns...
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Re: Bye Bye Sky-High Rental Car Fees
Thanks, that was a good article. I got some ideas from it! I always get confused about whether I need to take insurance from the rental and it's always sky-high. I have some credit cards that say they cover it, but I hadn't realized that a lot of time my own car insurance would cover me with the rental. Boy, have we wasted a bunch! The other idea I liked there was taking pictures of the car before you leave their office so you can show them if they try to say you scratched up the car. Feels...
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Re: Fabulous fountain show at the Bellagio, Las Vegas
There's a few families of Ducks live in that water. They take cover before the light and fountains start the show. But how do they know ?
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Re: Air Miles vs Low Fare Airline
We flew Norwegian in May, Orlando-Oslo and were really impressed. The 787 made such a difference and we arrived feeling fresh. The moister air, bigger windows and lighting made a world of difference in how we felt post trip. We brought a decent sized carry-on and personal bag each for free too. As far other extra fees, we didn't pay any. They charge for food or drinks, but we just bought those at the airport. And I think they also charge for blankets, but we brought jackets to cover with and...
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Re: Passau: Small City, Big Past
We first heard the Three Rivers bit from our cruise director, who pointed out that we would be able, as we sailed downstream, to see different colors in the water as they merged. So, when I spotted the manhole cover, I was already alert to the idea... And yes, Marilyn: I've never been a cruise fan, but this was different, and we'll do another eventually.
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Re: Bumped up to Business on Turkish Airlines
On my last London - San Francisco flight I was in my Sunday best clothes and managed to score 2 First Class seats. I asked the Flight Attendant why are we having smoked salmon sandwiches with afternoon tea. We've already had salmon for lunch. He replied : "Someone has made an awful mistake putting salmon on the Menu twice on one flight. Ask for a complaints form - then ask for half your money back" " On what I paid " - I told him - " half my money back wouldn't cover the cost of the sandwiches"
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
And let us not forget the dreaded "resort fees". Defined as meaning anything the hotel wants it to mean. And charged whether we use the facilities it's said to cover, or not. Look in the dictionary for the definition of "chicken shit" and you'll find "resort fees". If everyone must pay it, it should rightly be included in the room rate. Even my favorite, AirBnB, makes options available for hosts - cleaning fee, security deposit, a charge for more than 1 person and even possibilities for...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, May 3, 2014: Metropole Hotel, Hanoi
That's an interesting link, GarryRF, because Sri Lankans tend to be pretty mellow about most things. Still, being disrespectful (or perceived as disrespectful) to Buddha is frowned on and not tolerated by the Sinhalese majority. As many know, it is considered very disrespectful to show too much skin in a Buddhist temple or shrine (no bare shoulders or legs). You won't be allowed admittance to the shrine unless you cover yourself. I believe this woman offended these customs. But this POD is...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#85)
Let's get some more guesses - Here is a hint and another view: While this canopy does cover a place where many people are sitting, waiting and enjoying an afternoon, it has nothing to do with travel.
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
50 years ago this area of Liverpool UK was underwater twice a day. Every tide. And storms would cause the land to flood half a mile inland. So this area is now a man made construction. Sand hills cover the solid foundation. Marrem grass has roots that bind the sand together. And it works. Copied off the Netherlands where much of the land is below sea level all year.
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Re: Do Airlines offer the Best Loyalty Rewards Programs?
A very interesting interview...and one of the points that comes clear from it is the one I've always made: What are you looking for? He gives examples, for instance, of how younger people may want low-cost rewards (dinner, say) that they can get immediately. Others may be mainly interested in the free wifi, lounges and upgrades some hotels offer. And others, like I, who seldom stay in hotels (Airbnb, thank you!) are interested mainly in convertibility to air travel. For those in my...
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Re: A Complete Guide to Buy Travel Insurance for your upcoming vacations
Just to add a personal note to these recommendations. I traveled for years without travel insurance, thinking that I could cover or recover lost reservations, luggage, etc. but friends' experiences made me realize that the medical and evacuation coverage is the real key. And then, a few years later we had an unexpected three-week hospitalization in Europe that ended with a medevac flight back to the U.S. The hospital bill was over $30,000 (much less than it would have been at home), and half...
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Re: The Lure of the Abandoned
Looks very interesting. The cover photo, in particular, caught my attention. I have since discovered that it is the Castello di Sammezzano near Florence. It is now firmly on my list. I have also ordered a copy of the book - ask for your commission. :-)
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Re: Has anyone used their Enhanced Drivers License to travel to Canada or Mexico?
Most of the people I know who have this license are those who don't want to travel internationally and who live near the Canada-US border. There are a number of town literally split by the border and people migrate across daily to visit friends or work. I think these licenses are intended for them. Same for the Mexico USA border. If you travel internationally and have a passport, no point paying extra for the license for most folks. Passports have become more sophisticated and if you read...
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Re: Road Trip: The Movies and the Cars
Originally Posted by Dan Carter: So: I'm down to a bunch of questions. How real are the movie cars (obviously not talking about Batmobiles)? What's with the T-Bird? There is a lot of variation in how "real" cars are in movies. it depends on what the car must survive during filming and, sometimes, who is driving. In the James Bond flick "You Only Live Twice" Sean Connery drives a Toyota 2000 GT convertible. there were only 2 2000GT convertibles built, both for the movie. the primary reason...
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Re: Name Your Favorite Restaurants for Atmosphere, Past or Present
One of the most memorable places I ever ate at was a small taco joint in La Paz, Mexico. Sorry, but I don't remember its name. I was on a guided whale watching/kayaking trip and would NEVER have gone in except for our guide saying it was safe to do so. The outside was dingy, dirty, poorly kept -- signals for dysentery if I'd ever seen them (but apparently expected -- make it nice and the vandals will deface it). The inside was clean and simple, but the food was absolutely outstanding!
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
Wow! Thanks for this fascinating contribution, Lestertheinvestor. I was exhausted just from reading the directions for applying for the visa. It is quite obvious that Saudi Arabia doesn't want infidels visiting them. A few questions you might know the answer to: 1) Is the process stream-lined for a Muslim wanting to go to Mecca, and what kind of proof do they need to have that they're a Muslim? 2) Do you have any rough idea how many hours you spent on this process? Ball-park guess would do.
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
1) The process is easier for a Muslim who is going on a hajj. However, unless you are native born, you must present a document from the Imam of your mosque documenting your status as a Muslim in good standing. For a Caucasian woman who is a converted Muslim, you must still get permission from your husband or a male relative, along with the letter from the mosque to allow you to make the hajj. 2) Between my wife and I (she actually presented our documents each time to the consulate in Los...
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, December 26, 2014: Postcards from Morocco - the camel rider
I agree with Dr F, Mac, this should be on the cover of National Geographic!
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Re: Vineyards, Burgundy, France
Thanks for that extra info, PM. But 10 pounds would just cover the water, bottle of wine and wheel of cheese I'd be carrying to sustain me on the journey. But Lite is definitely the way to go if at all possible. I look forward to reading the next piece! I may yet pick your brains again about these journeys....which genuinely appeal to me.
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Re: Wallace, Idaho: From mining town to "Center of the Universe"
Wish I'd had THAT manhole cover for the blog we had here on Gumbo! And you got my heart with the bus...same model was my school bus at Fort Leavenworth in the 50s...
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Re: The Day Japan Shook
I've noticed a lot more info out now in Japan on what to do if there's an Earthquake. From the Official Tokyo Handy Guide to schools promoting duck and cover.
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 9, 2015: "Teddy Bear" Cholla
When you see a group of them at a distance in the "Cholla Cactus Garden" (Joshua Tree National Park), they're a memorable site. With their arms outstretched, these cacti seem rather fuzzy, almost soft, and hence the name "teddy...
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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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Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Just found this website and I hope you guys can help me out. I'm finishing my Masters (Architecture) this spring and have a job lined up starting July 1. The job has little holiday time (2 weeks first 2 years), so I want to make a trip to...
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Visiting Western Greenland. Part II – Western Greenland on Foot!
Part I covered three Greenlandic towns I have visited but my real passion is being out in West Greenland’s wilderness. So this part is about what it has to offer those willing to get out there on foot and under canvas! I...
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Road Trip, Day 1: City of Ten Thousand Buddhas and The Skunk
Gateway to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas March 9, 2015 In the late ‘80s, I lived in L.A. for a couple of years. My S.O. knew lots of cool L.A. stuff. One of those was something he’d read that...
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Viewing the Northern Lights: Tips and Techniques
When you see the Northern Lights for the first time, they seem unreal. Almost magical, maybe even scary to some. The Aurora Borealis is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena you can observe and well worth a journey to the northern parts of the...
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Marriott enters the Travel Magazine business
In a change to its usual consumer outreach, Marriott corp, one of the world's largest hoteliers, will begin publishing an online travel magazine. Marriott sees it as a way to expand it's brand and, hopefully, attract new guests to...
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Solo Travel: Four unexpected essentials
I like to think of myself as an international badass seasoned solo traveller. It is my preferred way to see the world. For me, there is nothing more cathartic than knowing I can survive without anyone — knowing that my own company is enough....
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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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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, April 6, 2015: Turtle Watching in Trinidad
I've been all over the world but never turtle watching in my own country. That was until last weekend when I got to get up close and personal and experience this natural wonder. The main nesting season for sea turtles in Trinidad and...
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Las Vegas -- last stop of the Elvis tour
This post marks the end of our journey to see sites related to Elvis Presley's life. So far we've visited Elvis' birth home in Tupelo , his mansion, Graceland , its car museum , and we've toured Memphis ...
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A Place of Fairy Tales & Magic – The Biltmore Estate
By JP Chartier NUZZLED SNUGLY, DEEP WITHIN THE PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST AND ENCIRCLED BY MOUNTAINS THAT BREATHE BLUE SMOKE IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS PLACE OF FAIRY TALES AND MAGIC. The opulent and somewhat imposing French Renaissance,...
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Magnolia Plantation: Beautiful but Complicated
This story started out simple: A visit to a beautiful riverside plantation, renowned for its centuries-old formal gardens. But the past is usually not so simple, and in this instance involves not only the ugly story of the slavery that made...
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In-flight refueling for airliners? Worth a look!
It's long been routine for heavy bombers and other military aircraft, and researchers are now looking at the possibility of in-flight refueling for passenger liners. Pluses cited are the ability to cover greater distances without having to haul huge...
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Death Valley National Park
Death Valley is one of the most desolate place I have been. Others include central Greenland and the Dead Sea. Death Valley is the lowest place in the western hemisphere at 282 feet (86 metres) below sea level. The Dead Sea in Israel is 1,370...
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Capella Palatina, Palermo, Sicily (Where Gumbo Was, #102)
I've visited dozens of wonderful churches in my life, some vaste and grand like St. Paul's in Rome or Westminister Abbey in London, others smaller and with a more intimate feel. As a rule, I'm partially to smaller chapels and...
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TravelGumbo Blogger HistoryDigger Wins National Travel Journalism Award
We at TravelGumbo are incredibly proud and pleased to announce that Whitney Stewart, HistoryDigger on Gumbo, has won a Bronze Award from the North American Travel Journalists Association for the 8-part series Finding Reiner, which ran in 2014....
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Artful exhibits lined up for Italy's museums
Four outstanding exhibitions that highlight the fall art season in Italy, along with many others.
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Museums of Buffalo and Corning, New York
At the end of Jonathan L's recent trip along the Erie Canal, he found time to take in a selection of upstate museums, and he shares them here.
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Journey into the past: Prague's Lobkowicz Palace
While on a cruise expedition, Marilyn Jones has the chance to see the past through the life and home of a noble family.
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A Tale of Two Cathedrals - Palermo Italy
Palermo, Sicily has two beautiful cathedrals, less than three miles apart. Jonathan L explores them both and explains their history.
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Svartisdal, Norway, Part 2
Bob Cranwell continues his tale of visits to the Svartisdal region in Norway, and some of the potential perils of hiking around this beautiful piece of geography.
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Food Tours in Sicily: Palermo
Palermo and Catania are only hours apart—who knew they could be such food rivals?