Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com One could argue that Sicily is the main wine region of Italy. The island leads Tuscany and Piemonte in wine manufacturing and avoids stereotypes about southern wine. This microcosm of Italy is real. The weather of Sicilian combined with its regional differences from sea level to the elevations seen with… Continue reading A Winery In Marsala, Sicily
Entrance to the Town of Marsala As the fifth largest town in Sicily, Marsala is often attributed to its wonderful wines. Few realize that the town of Marsala is worthy of a visit. The gleaming marble covered streets of this charming town along with its stately baroque style buildings makes a friendly passeggiati (evening stroll)… Continue reading Marsala Sicily
During our time in Palermo, we decided to take a day trip to the Salt Pans in the Stagnone Reserve and the Mozia Island. We booked this tour via Viator. Our guide Michael was both a great driver and an informal guide. Salt Pans in the Stagnone Reserve Salt Pans of Stagnone Lagoon The Salt… Continue reading Salt Pans of Stagnone Reserve and Mozia Island
We are back again at visiting Europe. This time it is Sicily beginning in Palermo where we stayed in the city centre. Our first tour was of the famous opera house. We booked via GetYourGuide and then, added the backstage tour that includes going up to the rooftop. I highly recommend doing this additional tour… Continue reading A Visit to Palermo, Sicily
Our adventures in France had a stop in the small town of Vienne, France. Vienne is just about 20 minutes by train from the city center of Lyon. It is definitely worth visiting. The town sits along the Rhône river. Vienne is known for its importance during Roman times because of its location for river… Continue reading Exploring Vienne
Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com "Travel not for the destination, but for the joy of the journey" (Sir J. Fresco) Hello Fellow Travel Enthusiasts! I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Cheers to a healthy start to a better 2022! Bon Voyage! Dr. Nick
Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) Our viking river cruises ended in Lyon, France. One of my favorite parts of this city was the Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon), which is located at the foot of Fourvière Hill. This part of the city has colorful cascades, pedestrian streets, and the Les Traboules. The les Traboules are secret passageways… Continue reading A Visit to Lyon, France
Avignon, France a city conveniently situated along the Rhône river is another must see city during a trip to Provence. The city center is located within the ancient medieval stone ramparts. Once inside these medieval walls, you will find narrow passageways, and charming town squares. The famous Palais des Papes, and Pont d’Avignon, along with many other interesting… Continue reading A Visit to Medieval Avignon
A 2,000-year-old limestone quarry in the rugged Alpilles hills near Les Bau-de-Provence might not seem like a destination for artist, but think again. The original quarry closed in 1935 and has been used for such films as the 1960's “Testament of Orpheus”. In 1975 a man named Albert Plécy had the clever idea to use… Continue reading Quarries of Light
Les Baux de Provence was an added half-day excursion on our Lyon to Provence Viking River Cruise. This village is perched high on a hill in the Alpilles between Avignon and Arles. Les Baux de Provence is in a beautiful location and offers some gorgeous views from the top of this village. We wanted to… Continue reading A Visit to Les Baux-de-Provence
Photo by Ty on Pexels.com The Principality of Monaco (Principauté de Monaco) is located about 9 miles (15 km) west of Nice, France. The Italian border is just 5 miles (8km) to the east of Monaco. Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world, but you will be surprised of all the sites… Continue reading A Day Trip To Monaco
Train De L'Ardeche This was a chilly day, but we decided to join the planned excursion offered on our Viking River cruise along the Rhône River during our stop in Tournon. The Train de l’Ardèche is a steam train that travels along the Doux tributary and the scenery is beautiful, especially during the Autumn. The… Continue reading Train De l’Ardeche
As part of the Côte d’Azur, (French: “Coast of Azure”), Nice is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department on the French Riviera. Founded by the Greeks and later a retreat for European elite during the 19th-century, Nice is the third largest city in France. The city has also long attracted many artists and is a true… Continue reading Nice, France
Photo by OVAN on Pexels.com As you begin coming out of your COVID-19 hibernation, consider these tips to maximum space and order. You might even get an idea to decrease wrinkles... Roll your clothes Rolling clothes appears to have the benefit of less creasing and somehow tend to take up less space in times that… Continue reading Packing Hints & Tricks
Image: Courtesy of TSA's Facebook Page In deciding on the best face masks for travel, you should generally consider that the mask should keep you safe, secure, and comfortable. You should consider a face mask that is able to support your health during every leg of your journey; from check-in to baggage claim. The mask… Continue reading Best Face Masks for Travel
This past weekend we had time to spare and decided to explore the Reynolda House, which is the Museum of America Art located in Winston-Salem, NC. The Reynolda House was part of 27 land acquisition that the wife of Richard Joshua (R.J.) Reynolds, Katharine Reynolda began purchasing in 1906. This made up what was known… Continue reading Reynolda House Museum of American Art
Since 1895, the Jefferson Hotel has hosted at least 13 U.S. presidents, many international dignities, and a multitude of celebrities. This historic AAA Five Diamond award winning hotel is definitely worth visiting and if you wish, staying a night or more. The Lobby Thomas Jefferson Statue The lobby of the Jefferson Hotel known as the… Continue reading The Jefferson Hotel – Richmond, Va
Hillwood Museum and Gardens The Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Gardens as they are seen today were the vision of Marjorie Merriweather Post. One of the richest women of the 20th Century whose father founded the Postum Cereal Company (a.k.a., Post Cereal) and the company was passed down to her. The intent Marjorie was to leave… Continue reading Hillwood Museum and Gardens, Washington, DC
If you are interested in U.S. presidential history, a visit to Warm Springs, Georgia is a good choice. This small town is located about an hour from Atlanta. We visited this town spending one night here during a most recent long weekend drive. Warm Springs is nestled among the rolling hills and the naturally heated… Continue reading F. D. R. State Park – Warm Springs
Today marks the start of National Parks Week. Can you identify the national park in the image below?
Time to Refresh The WordPress gremlins have been busy. I recently found out that they were recking havoc on my blog site. I took this as an opportunity to do a yearly refresh of my blog: drnicktravels.com A perfect time to rethink logo, design, and links. More to coming as I continue to 'wash' the… Continue reading Blog Refreshed
Hello Fellow Travelers: Welcome 2021! The new administration of the United States has implemented new rules for traveling to the U.S. Please read below, which go into effect on January 26, 2021 travelers arriving in the U.S. must: Get tested for COVID-19 no more than 3 days before departing to the United States and show a negative… Continue reading New Year; New Travel Rules
I hope all of you had wonderful and safe holidays. We can now say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in 2021. I would like to wish you and yours a healthy, happy, and successful 2021. Happy New Year everyone!
Barcelona As international travel continues to remain on hold for us, I thought about exploring some of my past most memorial trips starting with Spain. Spain is one of my favorite countries to explore and will be planning future trips. I love to hear some ideas and please post to the comments area. La… Continue reading Barcelona to Alicante
Future of Travel November might just be the perfect time to consider booking travel for 2021 and beyond. Many companies are offering less strict cancelation policies or change in travel policies such as Intrepid Travel and Gate1. It just might be the best time to consider booking your future travel? In fact, many travel deals can be found… Continue reading Should I Book Future Travel Now?
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com The Hotel Housekeeper I was watching the ebb and flow of foot traffic during a recent trip when there was a knock at my hotel room door. It was the housekeeper wishing to do her morning ritual. I was not quite ready to head out for the day and kindly… Continue reading Please ‘Do Not Disturb’
The seemly never ending pandemic has allowed us to explore our own state and the beauty offered in the North Carolina mountains. You might be surprised that North Carolina boost some amazing waterfalls and opportunities to hike in the majestic Smokey Mount regions of the Tar Heel state. Some of these waterfalls offer the ability… Continue reading Waterfalls In North Carolina
It has been almost six months since our last travel experience that required our passports. The passport were renewed this year and now, I feel it will be a long time before we get to use them. The virus has not stopped my whole life, but eliminated the usual trips for holiday breaks and most… Continue reading I Long for Travel Again
A change in pace for the post this week. Can you identify the above photo including name of these falls and location. A hint is that these are located in the U.S. Please add your guesses into the comments area and thank you for participating.
We will travel again soon, but not too soon... Are you planning future trips or waiting for the tide to turn in a positive direction with this crazy pandemic? I too am one of those people who are apprehensive to travel. It is possible to explore the possibilities of future exploration of our wonderful planet.… Continue reading We Will Travel Again…soon
Courtesy of © 2020 BabyQuip Inc A New Rental Option: As you begin preparing for your next trip, you might consider a new rental service that is gaining ground in the rental equipment market. BabyQuip offers a way to rent baby equipment throughout U.S. and Canada and aims to improve the way families travel. The… Continue reading A New Rental Opportunity
The question of whether or not it is a good idea to fly in this time of a pandemic is a complicated one. Personally, I am not planning to fly now, but the process of what one considers in when to start traveling again should includes steps that minimize your and others risk. Fearing to… Continue reading Is Flying A Good Idea?
The Security Checkpoints The future of travel will look differently, especially travel by air. You can expect some significant changes to the security checkpoints. In response to COVID-19, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has unveiled several new procedures for passengers at U.S. airports. As you begin to take to the sky for your next vacation,… Continue reading TSA Changes Coming Soon…..
The Outer Banks of North Carolina As one of the most popular vacation destinations in North Carolina, The Outer Banks has much to offer. These chain of barrier island stretch some 200-miles offer some charming towns, numerous water sports options, beach activities, and so much more. A plethora of beaches, shipwreck diving sites and protected state… Continue reading Exploring The Outer Banks
Mansfield Plantation This 1,000 acre old rice plantation sits about 1.8 miles off the main road near the historic downtown of Georgetown, South Carolina. Now, a lovely bed and breakfast, Mansfield Plantation offers luxury comfort in a quiet and beautiful setting. During the first weekend of February, we visited this historic plantation that dates back to… Continue reading Mansfield Plantation – A Must Stay
I want to send a greeting to everyone wishing each of you and yours a very Happy Easter. Please stay healthy and safe...
A Brief Change in Focus As both domestic and international travel are essentially at a standstill, I would like to discuss our current pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus-2019 (nCoV-19 or COVID-19). I am sending positive thoughts for everyone to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic. This blog post will assist you in understanding… Continue reading Advice In Times of nCoV-19 (COVID-19)
A Love Letter To The USA~ Dear North Carolina, I am writing to say that I understand that we, all of us, have done things that we are not proud of. But with the passing of time we have learned to face this, and those of us who strive for goodness have done our best… Continue reading Dear North Carolina
Tipping in the US I once read about advice for tipping in the U.S. when Eater published "The No-Tipping Point." The article is a mix of funny and infuriating stories about people who defend why they don't tip their waiters and bartenders. The article gives a glimpse inside an entire subculture of diners who don't care… Continue reading Tipping Advice
Barcelona Barcelona has something for everyone. This city is steeped in authentic history including the Catalan culture. You will also find the wildly bizarre here. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own personality and plenty of secrets to discover. This is guide includes some of the most popular areas to explore during your time in… Continue reading A Visit To Barcelona
The beauty of living in a coastal community year around is the ability to enjoy a quiet walk along the beach. The weather during this most recent visit allowed for a warmer then usual day. I decided that a long walk along Carolina Beach on Pleasure Island was perfect to build up an appetite for… Continue reading A Quiet Walk….
2020 and Beyond Another year has passed and we are heading into a new decade that will hopefully be filled with many adventures small and large. Personally, I don't set any resolutions for each new year. I am where I want to be and thus, the point of looking back at another year with regret… Continue reading Happy New Year
The Empire State Building - New York The Empire State Building has been going through a $165 million renovation for a little more than four year. Now, in its third phase of this top-to-bottom reimagining of this icon building, the 102nd floor Observatory is open to the public. One of the features of this new observatory… Continue reading The New 102nd Observatory of The Empire State Building
Greek Salad (Horiatiki) During our visit to Greece, the greek salad became the main start to most of our evening meals. A delicious start just about any meal! What makes a traditional greek salad? The fresh ingredients of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and kalamata olives. Often seasoned with salt, oregano, topped with olive oil, and a splash… Continue reading Greek Salad
Santorini Santorini or Thira is part of the Cyclades Islands of Greece. It's one of the most beautiful islands to visit and stay during your next Greek holiday. We stayed in the village of Kamari at the oddly named Afroditi Venus Beach Hotel & Spa The hotel was ideally located within an easy walk to the… Continue reading A Visit to Santorini
Santorini Island The village of Oia on the Greek Island of Santorini is not a quiet village and some visitors consider a visit here a kind of a pilgrimage place. This is one of the most picturesque village on the island, despite the fact that is the most crowded. The sunset from Oia is the what draws the… Continue reading The Village of Oia Greece
Historic Yates Mill County Park Yates Mill is a fully restored, circa-1756 gristmill located in Raleigh, North Carolina. As the centerpiece of the Historic Yates Mill County Park in central Wake County, this is worth a visit to this National Register of Historic Places. Yates Mill is the only restored, operational automatic gristmill in North Carolina and one… Continue reading Historic Yates Mill
Horsetail Falls A visit to the Portland area would not be complete without an exploration of the Columbia River Gorge area. We took a local tour booked via Viator, which offers hotel pick-up from the downtown area. The first stop for the morning tour was Horsetail Falls. These beautiful falls just might look like a a… Continue reading Must-See Waterfalls Near Portland
A visit to Portland's International Rose Test Garden offers you the opportunity to enjoy speculator views downtown and Mount Hood. This is oldest official continuously operating public rose test garden in the United States. The garden features more than 10,000 roses with hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoying its sights and scents annually. First, by the… Continue reading Rose Garden of Portland
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