Adventures for Anyone

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

A Few More Strange Ideas for a Visit!

1. Supai Village is the location, and you won't find it on a lot of maps. This tiny village of 300 to 600 people is on the Havasupai Reservation. Where is it located? Down in the Grand Canyon. It's actually a side canyon that appears as a garden of Eden inside the canyon. There's a school, museum, clinic, hotel, campground, restaurant and a ton of gorgeous waterfalls down there. It's worth the 8 mile hike or horseback ride, but if you like, you can take a helicopter over the edge.

https://www.havasupaireservations.com/public/login

https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/havasupai.htm

https://wildlandtrekking.com/guide-to-visiting-havasu-falls/havasu-falls-reservations/

https://grcahistory.org/sites/beyond-park-boundaries/havasupai-reservation/

2. The American Dream Mall. This is the newest edition to the Meadowlands area of New Jersey. Welcome to East Rutherford, NJ and the mall that claims to be the largest mall of its size in this hemisphere. It claims to be bigger and have bigger attractions than both The Mall of America and The West Edmonton Mall. In edition to indoor amusement parks and waterparks, it has a super sized wheel on the side of the mall that rivals any eye around. It's said you have a great view of the New York City Skyline from the wheel. There are hundreds of stores and tons of activities that you can enjoy on your trip to see the Giants play. What a great perk for a trip to New Jersey! Good news. You can catch a train from the city for this one.

https://www.americandream.com/

https://www.northjersey.com/story/money/shopping/2023/06/20/american-dream-mall-nj-paradox-museum-open-july/70338856007/

https://www.americandream.com/transportation

https://www.skyviewsobservationwheels.com/rutherford-nj

3. The Village au Pied-du-Courant. What you say? This is one of the most visited summer destinations in Montreal. It's a giant beach party that runs for most of the summer underneath the Jacques Cartier Bridge. There's food, drink, entertainment and a great view of the weekend fireworks across the way at the local amusement park. It's a laid back place to hang out and it's open every night and weekends. A hidden gem in the middle of Montreal which is a fabulous spot anyway.

https://www.aupiedducourant.ca/

https://www.mtl.org/en/what-to-do/activities/village-au-pied-du-courant-montreal

https://ra.co/clubs/119685

4. James Bond World. That's right, James Bond World. In 1969 the world got its first look at the top of the Schilthorn Mountain in Switzerland. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" was an early James Bond film. It was also the only one starring George Lazenby as Bond and the only time James Bond ever got married. The basis for the Fembots in "Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery" Blowfeld's brainwashed dangerous damsels were kept in an Alpine Lodge in Switzerland. That lodge is the Piz Gloria Restaurant, a revolving restaurant on top of the Schilthorn. It's quite a gondola ride to get up there, but the views are amazing. The food is standard, but not bad. The latest addition about 10 years ago to this soaring Alpine attraction was the James Bond Museum underneath the restaurant. Called James Bond World, it's a lot of fun while hanging out on a high peak in the Alps of Switzerland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOLq5Rg9N-c

https://schilthorn.ch/15/en/Bond_World

https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/piz-gloria-schilthorn-switzerland

https://www.civitatis.com/en/stechelberg/schilthorn-cable-car-bond-world-thrill/

https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/destinations/lauterbrunnen/

5. The Walkway Over the Hudson. What to do with an old railroad bridge that crosses the Hudson River hundreds of feet in the air? Make it into one of the most popular State Parks in New York State. That's a tall order, no pun intended. The bridge is only different in that it's now cement and open during daylight hours year round for people to get out and get some amazing air with amazing views in Poughkeepsie, New York. There are no fees for walking across the Hudson. It's a great area to spend some time in with Hyde Park and all that goes with it just a few miles north. By the way, if you like, you can walk across the Mid Hudson Bridge as well.

https://walkway.org/?doing_wp_cron=1687379569.0653939247131347656250

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/178/details.aspx

https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/travel/article/5-things-to-know-Walkway-Over-Hudson-Poughkeepsie-17001978.php

https://dutchesstourism.com/town/poughkeepsie21?from=Home

https://www.hydeparkny.us/

There you have it. Some more ideas for something a bit off the beaten path. I love places like these which is why I visit so many of them. They're all good ways to add to a trip or take a little day trip. It depends on your needs. Be aware, Supai Village is work. This is more of an adventure unless you take the helicopter. I'll be putting up some more different kinds of adventures soon. For now, consider some of the less discussed ideas out there in the travel world. They can be great fun. Enjoy!

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Alert! The Topic is Vantage

The topic today is Vantage. Vantage is a luxury travel company that takes people on various types of guided tours around the world. I've known of this company for decades, so I was disturbed when I heard of some happenings concerning the company.

I've read articles about a class action lawsuit against the company. Reportedly, the company has been in dire straits for a while, with at least one of their river ships being held due to unpaid taxes in Germany. Reportedly, cruises have been cancelled, tourists have been stranded in foreign countries because of last minute cancellations. All of these things add up to a disaster for a travel company. Apparently the company is for sale by its current head of operations.

The thing I noticed is that the website is still working. From what I can tell, they've cancelled operations until August 2023. With boats being held for taxes, employees not being paid, trips being cancelled last minute, and lawsuits having been filed; I don't think I would put my trust in this situation.

I feel terrible, because Vantage has been around most of my life. They've been the company that many of my friends used several years ago. I just don't know what I think about all of this, but I thought you should all be aware of the ongoing problems.

Does this mean that you won't get your trip if you book a fall voyage on their website? I have no idea. The problems could be managed by that time. Remember, this is a longstanding company. Just keep an eye on the situation and learn all you can before booking.

https://www.vantagetravel.com/

https://www.travelagentcentral.com/your-business/report-vantage-deluxe-world-travel-ceases-operations

https://www.newsnationnow.com/travel/travelers-stranded-vacation-company-shuts-down/

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/06/12/business/why-would-anyone-want-buy-vantage-travel-there-are-some-good-reasons/

https://www.travelpulse.com/News/Tour-Operators/Travelers-Left-Stranded-Amid-Unexpected-Closure-of-Luxury-Travel-Company

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/finance/vantage-travels-ocean-explorer-ocean-odyssey-go-layup

Friday, June 9, 2023

Just a Quick Few Suggestions for Ideas on Travel

Just a few great thoughts on things to check out around the world.

1. Did you know that there are over 2,000 fountains in Rome? It's one of the most romantic cities in the world and known for its art and architecture dating back to literally Roman times. It's been a religious capital for thousands of years and still houses the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Vatican City. Knowing all that and now that there's all those fountains, well, make sure you spend enough time when you visit Rome. There's so much to see!

https://www.sightseeingtoursitaly.com/tips-articles/how-many-fountains-are-there-in-rome/

https://www.romeing.it/fountains-in-rome/

https://rome.us/squares-and-fountains/

https://www.italyrometour.com/rome-public-fountains-the-famous-nasoni/

https://www.getyourguide.com/s?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=6654175152&cq_con=112857791664&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=6654175152&adgroup_id=112857791664&target_id=aud-1393039795340%3Adsa-888479030280&loc_physical_ms=9003419&match_type=&ad_id=454590682713&keyword=&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=CjwKCAjwm4ukBhAuEiwA0zQxk7oGpQFClY3zNlncwd8mdNX-_b5Gbqgg2xIombS12AEPlHk6O79VlxoCaNUQAvD_BwE&q=Rome&et=446571

2. Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris is one of the oldest and most famous cemeteries you'll ever visit. Tucked away at Division 6, Rue de Repos in Paris. It's huge and old, with 70,000 burial plots. Such famous people as Moliere, Oscar Wilde, and Frederic Chopin are a few of the residents. However, in 1971 something drastically changed in this world famous cemetery when Jim Morrison was laid to rest there. Since that time, his grave has become a pilgrimage site to his fans. It is one of the most visited graves in the cemetery and shouldn't be missed while exploring Paris.

https://www.thewholeworldisaplayground.com/pere-lachaise-cemetery-paris-best-graves-to-visit/#:~:text=The%203%20Most%20Famous%20Graves,each%20of%20their%20burial%20places.

https://www.paristoolkit.com/whattodo/paris_cemeteries.htm

https://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/walks-in-paris/unusual-stroll-cemetery-pere-lachaise

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/fans-honor-jim-morrison-in-paris-50-years-after-his-death-1234977419/

3. If you aren't a beach person and want to have some adventurous fun in the Caribbean, might I suggest Rainforest Adventures? This is a chain developing and has adventures on Jamaica, St. Maarten, and St. Lucia so far. This is one that I took myself in St. Lucia and thoroughly enjoyed. It's a guided canopy tour on ziplines and a whole lot of fun. It's in the middle of the island in the rain forest, so scheduling a guided tour from your resort is probably the way to go. We took our rental car and drove and had a great time.

https://rainforestadventure.com/

https://www.instagram.com/rainforestadventuresslu/?hl=en

https://adventuretoursstlucia.com/

4. Did you know there's a Troll drive in Norway? Trollstigen, the land of trolls is part of one of the most scenic drives in Norway. You can chance it yourself or take a guided tour along the Golden Route through the country's best known mountain pass on roads that might give you the willies. What will you find? Trolls. Not joking. With a glass bottomed scenic overlook and some of the most jaw dropping scenery in the world, it's definitely a must see in Norway.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Alesund/Trollstigen-The-Land-Of-The-Trolls/d4312-75068P1

https://www.lifeinnorway.net/trollstigen-norway/

https://one-million-places.com/en/norway/andalsnes-trolls-the-panoramic-road-trollstigen

5. No matter how you look at it, Gibraltar has a built in fascinating tourist attraction in its airport. The tiny city state nation, a British Overseas Territory is home to the world famous Rock of Gibraltar at the confluence of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. What the tiny nation doesn't have is acreage. With the rock on one side and the city state on the other, the Gibraltar International Airport has to service the flying needs of the nation in between. So, if you're on your way to play with the Barbary Macaque Monkeys or see the giant rock fort; you'll need to land and take off at an airport considered one of the most dangerous airports in the world, because there's an intersection with a main road right on the runway. Happy landings on that one!

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryMagazine/DestinationsUK/History-of-Gibraltar/

https://gibraltar.com/en/travel/see-and-do/upper-rock-nature-reserve/gibraltar-monkeys.php

https://www.gibraltarairport.gi/

https://www.orangesmile.com/extreme/en/scariest-runways/gibraltar-airport.htm

So, I've got a start on some unusual things worth checking out around the world. I'm not adding a lot of information as I normally would, but I wanted to take time to start people wondering about some new things. I hope that you'll all enjoy checking into these concepts further. Remember, you can always look into booking a trip through Viator, Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Vacations to Go, and so many more. So, plan an adventure, because life is just too short and enjoy!

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Freebies for Your Beach Read Over Memorial Day 2023!

Freebies on Kindle! All three books will be available to become your favorite beach read for Memorial Day 2023! All three books are free from May 25th through May 29th 2023! Get your copy starting tomorrow! All wild rides! All nothing but action and great story! All female leads! All exotic and fascinating locations! Check it out on Kindle!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y17BJP8

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FH93JJX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9F1XPJV

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Terri-Dixon/author/B06Y1C2MS7

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

The Capital City of Soufriere...Former Capital

As I've said, most people who visit St. Lucia speed by a lot of the culture and history to visit the high points and then beat feet back to their cruise or resort. One of these cities that is sped through is Soufriere.

Soufriere is an iconic city. It was for a long time the capital of St. Lucia, losing it's title somewhere between 1967 and the date of independence, 1979. The word Soufriere is French for Sulfur Mine or place of sulfur, and it is aptly named.

Soufriere has a volcano. Hence, the reference to sulfur. We visited the drive in caldera, took the tour, and learned its history. I highly recommend this activity. If you like, you can do it on a day tour from your cruise ship or resort. The drive in caldera is rare and the only one in the Caribbean; maybe the world. For anyone visiting, it does smell like sulfur. I saw some people struggling with it and wondered what they came there for, but that's just me.

The guided tour of the volcano itself takes less than half an hour. They tell you all about the history, activity and explain how they monitor it today. They point out the one thing that you don't notice on your own; the size. It's huge! It's interesting stuff, especially if you've never visited a dormant, yet very much alive volcano.

Before you arrive at the tour of the caldera, there's baths. They are sulfury. They are mud baths with volcanic mud. They are thermal. They are fantastic. Especially if you have any aches and pains. Won't lie; didn't want to leave. There are also changing rooms, concessions if you like, and above the baths are a bunch of souvenir stands. The people are wonderful, and I recommend stopping to chat almost everywhere you go in St. Lucia, but particularly around Soufriere. They have all kinds of history to tell.

A couple of practical facts. Make sure you aren't too attached to the swimsuit you wear to these baths. They do leave grey or black coloring from the volcanic mud, and you may have to throw out your suits. Just a fact. I didn't have to, but my husband did. Big advice. Wear something black.. Also, this is another spot where I ran into people on the guided tour and saw what it was like for them. They barely had 15 minutes in the baths before the guides were herding them out so they could make it to their next destination. We, on the other hand, had no such constraints. We lounged in those baths for a while. We visited with a local chef and got some great ideas of where to eat. We didn't make it to our other destinations that day and came back another day to do those. We had the freedom to take our time and enjoy the activities.

There are a lot of tourist activities around Soufriere. There are some resorts there as well. Some of the first resorts in the country were opened in Soufriere. It did used to be the country's capital. But, one of the most overlooked things about Soufriere is the city itself. It's a beautiful old world somewhat colonial looking town with a great waterfront, authentic local restaurants and historic places to see.

We stopped at Petit Peak Restaurant twice on our trip. The food was local, wonderful, and we had an amazing view of the harbor and the Piton Peaks. After we ate, we went to see the main town square, walked along the city pier and the waterfront and stopped at the small town beach. The views were amazing. The people were so friendly. I learned a lot about Soufriere while in the city. We visited a pharmacy, because I needed some band aids. We did some shopping. We went to the grocery store. It's a great place; relaxing and bright and beautiful. If you like, there are apartment rentals as well. It's a great place to stay. Just know that it is a stop on a lot of boat and minivan tours. It's also a water taxi stop. There are many ways to get around and to and from Soufriere. This is a place that should be savored, not run through at top speed.

That being said, there are some extraordinarily famous peaks in Soufriere. The Pitons are known around the world. They are some of the highest peaks in the Caribbean and one of the best known landmarks in St. Lucia. You see them when you fly in. You can't miss them if you're anywhere near them. They are majestic and beautiful.

Hiking the Pitons is something that is part of the allure of the island. There are hikes up Gros Piton and Petit Piton. They are fairly difficult and not for the faint of heart. The hikes take a few hours, but the views from the top are so worth it. If the difficult hikes aren't for you, take the Tet Paul Nature Trail. Only about a half hour, with a bunch of steps; it also comes out to some amazing scenery.

Here's a tip. If you have the adventure of driving to Soufriere via Marigot Bay and Anse la Ray, you will find three things worth stopping for. In the middle of nowhere along the road, there's a chocolate factory, store and restaurant; "Cacoa St. Lucie." You can tour the factory, eat at the restaurant and buy amazing chocolates at the store. There's a restaurant called "The Beacon" which hangs off a cliff with an outstanding view of Soufriere. Great place to get a view of those Pitons. Not far from there is a stop at a viewpoint that also has an amazing view. The vendors at the viewpoint will not only sell you some great spicy banana ketchup, but they will help you pose for a great picture that makes it look as though you're touching the tops of the Pitons. It's a fun little stop along the way. An unfortunate fact is that "The Beacon Restaurant" runs on the cruise schedule and closes after lunch.

Soufriere is also known for some waterfalls. The Diamond Falls and Botanic Garden with Mineral Baths is one such spot. I learned a lot about the local flora and fauna. You can hire a guide at the entrance if you like, but we learned a lot on our own from the material around the garden. The flowers and plants were beautiful. Diamond Falls is beautiful, and unique in the coloring that it gets from the volcanic minerals in the water. It is a must see. You can see it on the guided tours, but once again, you may not have a lot of time there.

Another part of the Botanic Gardens is the mineral baths. They were built in the 1800's for French military people, and today are a part of the island's rich history. They are not thermal baths, but are reported to be good for what ails you. You can enter the baths via the gift shop by the waterfall.

Touraille Waterfall is just up the road from Diamond Falls and the Botanic Gardens, so I recommend doing both. Touraille is the falls you can jump into and enjoy the water in the heat of the day. They have changing rooms, concessions and souvenirs. It's a great stop, but I wouldn't drive all the way out to Soufriere just to go there. Combine it with other waterfalls or the botanic gardens. It's not an all day place. Also know that there are other waterfalls in the area. You can purchase a map of the area that has other waterfalls on it. You can also look online. Most of the others are at least a small hike and not roadside or in a public gardens.

Be aware that the activities around Soufriere aren't free. There are small fees to walk a trail, see a botanical garden, go to a bath, or see a waterfall. All in all, you will spend roughly half of what a day tour costs for activities and food. However, you make your schedule. I thought that was well worth it.

There are other things to do in the area of Soufriere that I didn't get to. They have several beautiful beaches. All beaches in St. Lucia are public, so you don't have to worry about access. There are several boat tours you can take from Soufriere, whether it's to sail, fish, or watch a sunset.

One of the premier experiences in the area is The Rabot Hotel, or Hotel Chocolat. Here you not only get to stay in a luxury resort, but you get to learn about plantation life and history in St. Lucia. They have chocolate and rum tastings, a program where you learn all about chocolate growing and even make your own chocolate bar. They will take you on tours in the area and to the city market to learn about farm products in the country. They have access to the Piton Hiking Trails as well. If you want to stay at a resort; there you go.

Soufriere is a place that will capture your heart. It has a feel of days gone by, but feels a bit modern too. It's the kind of place where you can go and relax, take your time and see all the wonderful things it has to offer. The sights are unforgettable. The sunsets are magical. The people are what make you want to be there the most, but the chocolate is good. I've never been anyplace like it, and if I get to go back to the magical island, I intend to spend some more time there. I didn't get to see everything I wanted to. Do I recommend that folks visit Soufriere? Undoubtedly. It's another important place to get off the timed tour and kick back and get to know it a little. You won't regret it. So, slow down. Take your time. Visit Soufriere and all of her amazing places and enjoy!

https://travel.usnews.com/Hotels/St_Lucia/n-soufriere/

https://lapetitpeak.restaurantsnapshot.com/

http://soufrierefoundation.org/discover/dining

https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/208638/where-to-eat-the-best-restaurants-in-soufriere-quarter

https://www.realsaintluciatours.com/soufriere-beach-park-hummingbird-beach-st-lucia.html

https://tworoamingsouls.com/best-beaches-in-soufriere-ultimate-guide/

https://www.thetetpaulnaturetrail.com/

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/st-lucia/soufriere/tet-paul-nature-trail?u=i

https://www.tetpaulnaturetrail.com/

https://www.petitpiton.com/

https://treehousestluciavillas.com/st-lucia-experiences?blogcategory=Gros+Piton

https://www.realsaintluciatours.com/st-lucia-pitons-hike-soufriere.html