Explore the World - Become a Happy Traveler!

Trans-Canada-Highway - From Coast to Coast

2026-09-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

All photos by the Author

Vancouver Island - View from Sooke on the southern tip

7,000 kilometers criss-crossing the Canadian provinces from Nova-Scotia to British Columbia.

Travelers don’t need to prepare for this trip, and they don’t need maps or navigation help: The Trans-Canada Highway leads them from coast to coast. You can't get lost!

From St. John's in Newfoundland to Victoria on Vancouver Island. Hotels, motels, and restaurants/fast food stores are galore along this route.

The Trans-Canada Highway is Canada's longest national road. My tip: Don’t drive it in July or August, as it can be very hot in central Canada. I traveled it several times, either in April-May or in September-early October.

Here are some photo impressions:

16-kilometer-long bridge from Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia

Light Tower near Antigonish, Nova Scotia

Lobster Traps on a Wharf in New Brunswick

Old Montreal, Quebec

Patisserie in Bromont

Governor General's Rideau Hall Guard, Ottawa

Parliament in Ottawa

Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron Ontario

Niagara-on-the-Lake in Spring

CNN Tower Toronto

Algonquin Park Cottage

You Are in Bear Country!

Human Rights Museum Winnipeg

Heritage Buildings in Winnipeg

First Nations Casinos

Floatplanes

Endless Wheat Fields

Old Grain Elevators

Prairie Grass

Hockey Mascot and Grain Elevator

Barely any Canadians have seen their home country in its full length and traveled through several time zones. Let alone visiting the Northern Territories. What a pity that they fly to Europe or the Caribbean, but haven’t seen their own country.

Bentley, my large dog, traveled with me, lying comfortably in our van, and I stopped every hour, not driving more than 3 to 400 kilometers (250 miles on average) per day.

Big Skies in Alberta

Oil Towers

Native Reservations in Southern Alberta

Bog at the Waterton Ntl Park

Glacier Ntl. Park

Canadian Pacific Train

If you want to see more of the country, check out these side-routes:

Nova Scotia's South Shore, the route #132 along the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City and Montreal, the 1000 Islands where the river flows into the Lake Ontario, Winnipeg in Manitoba and Saskatoon in Sasketchawan, the Badlands around Drumheller and it’s Dinosaur Museum.

Visit Jasper and drive the Icefield Glacier Parkway along the border of Alberta and British Columbia, Kelowna, the city of wine and roses, and then Vancouver, one of the most beautiful Canadian cities, maybe with a short trip to Whistler. Don’t miss the western islands including Ucluelet and Tofino on the Pacific coast.

Lots of Vegetables and Fruit in BC

Kootenay Lake British Columbia

Small Town Feel in Greenwood, BC

Osoyoos Desert, BC

Native Winery in Osoyoos, BC

Rainbow over Vineyards

Roses of the Okanagan Valley

Okanagan Lake towards Vernon

Monument Kelowna Harbor

Kelowna Bear

Okanagan Wine

View over Kelowna and Lake Okanagan

Mount Robson, BC

Vancouver Island, View from Nanaimo

Vancouver City, English Bay in Spring

Vancouver Heritage Museum

Olympia city Whistler-Blackcomb

Take at least a couple of weeks to enjoy a wonderful trip, exploring marvelous Canada.

MUST-SEE: Art-Deco Festival in Brussels, March 14 to 29th

2026-03-02T10:04:00.000-08:00

If you like Art Deco, this event is one you cannot miss!

On the agenda are interior tours offering just shy of 19,200 entries, including 35 Art Nouveau buildings, 20 Art Deco buildings, 11 modernist buildings, 23 essentials that must be seen at least once in a lifetime, and 23 classics that form the building blocks of architectural heritage, 12 new additions that have never been featured before and 6 previously new additions from last year for those who missed them the first time.

A testament to the genius of the fathers of modern architecture in Belgium:

11 works by Victor Horta, 3 by Henry van de Velde, 2 by Octave van Rysselberghe, 2 by Michel Polak, 2 by Adrien Blomme, 2 by Louis-Herman De Koninck ...

But also works by Joseph Hoffmann, Gustave Strauven, Paul Saintenoy, Antoine Courtens, Jean-Baptiste Dewin, Joseph Diongre, the Brunfaut dynasty, Jacobs Father and Son, etc.

Many residential buildings: 26 houses, 13 mansions, 7 villas, 1 apartment building. And also 17 buildings serving other purposes: former shops, workshops, schools, places of worship, community centres, theatres, etc.

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Milano, Italy, December, in the Rain and Cold

2026-02-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

Arriving from sunny Bolzano in Southern Tirol, Milano, the perfect destination for a short week's visit, greeted me with cold weather and rain. From visits decades ago, I knew Milan only as a hot and sunny city. I made the best out of the weather and enjoyed good food, museum visits, and (window) shopping.

Unlike in other parts of the world, in Southern Europe, restaurant guests often sit outdoors - no matter how low the temperatures are. Often, heating devices and thick blankets are used to warm guests, and large umbrellas to keep the place dry.

Other favorites of mine were the countless pasticerias, gelaterias, and
chocolaterias. Indulging in their sweet dishes, cakes, cookies, and ice cream
in a quality unknown in North America, I had no other choice but to
stock up on calories : )

Pinoteca di Brera building

Also in Via Brera is a large outdoor market, offering lots of

custom jewellery and other decorative items!

The Gallery of Modern Art in Milan, known as GAM,

houses the largest municipal collection of works belonging to the 19th century.

GAM, Modern Art Gallery, Milan
Showing art that is more traditional than "modern".

But it is a museum well worth visiting

Housed in a beautiful villa, I spend hours in the GAM, and it didn't cost anything, as it is one of the many museums in Milano that are free on Wednesdays or Sundays.

Get a list from the tourist office or check the online guide here:

https://www.yesmilano.it/en/articles/free-museums-milano-definitive-guide

Il Duomo is just a ten-minute walk from the Brera area.

I had planned to take the elevator up to the incredible rooftop to appreciate the grandeur of the Duomo and to enjoy the view of Milan. But this time it was raining, and I had to postpone it to a future visit.

I went to the tourist information to grab the city's tram map.

The nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, an attractive shopping arcade, was the ideal place for a cappuccino and to admire the beautifully decorated store windows.

A perfect escape from the rain!

The Brera neighborhood is iconic and full of charm. My favorite place is

the Botanical Garden, hidden behind the Pinacoteca di Brera. Surprisingly,

quite a few flowers and bushes were still blooming on this mid-December day.

Brera, the artistic district, with its charming streets, has beautiful buildings.

These historical buildings usually enclose a quiet courtyard.

The area is quite attractive, with plenty of bars and restaurants.

Another posh area with one designer shop next to the other is the area

around Via Napoleone and its side streets. Window shopping at its finest for me!

A fantastic selection of Ballerinas in all colors. I could have

bought a dozen - if they hadn't been so expensive.

Via Napoleone with its posh stores

Quadrilatero della Moda is the fanciest neighborhood

Milano seems to be becoming green - at least on several high-rises.

Balconies and terraces are planted with trees and shrubs.

A public phone like in the good old days.

It might be historic soon,

but it works perfectly. I tried it out!

When I was tired after visiting museums, I just sat in a tram and enjoyed slow "sightseeing" rides through the city. I stopped where I saw something interesting. That's my favorite kind of exploring a city. However, I need to stress that Milano also has a great subway system.

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Flying versus Driving the Shinkansen in Japan

2025-12-28T03:02:00.000-08:00

No matter how tall you are, the ever-decreasing airplane leg room in economy class makes flying unpleasant — not only for tall passengers. I am only 5’3”, but I feel claustrophobic in airplanes. And if you have to place your small (hand) bag underneath the front seat, you are forced to sit pretty cramped during the whole flight.

There will be no room to stretch your legs. Walking around the plane is not an option on shorter flights as the aisles are often blocked by flight attendants pushing their carts or other passengers walking to or from the washrooms.

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Airports are often 20 miles or more from the city, which means sometimes an hour’s drive, either with an expensive taxi or even a more expensive airport parking fee. Add to this the hour or mostly hours waiting for security screening and the tedious boarding — the whole process is a nuisance! But there is a solution for these nasty flights:

What a relief, in Japan:
Board a Shinkansen, the high-speed “bullet train” and enjoy your trip.

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I liked especially:

Shinkansens are departing from downtown train stations
Relaxed boarding — no pushy fellow travellers
No waiting times and punctual departures
Entrances to the train cars are well-marked
Lots of space in the overhead for all your luggage
Japanese rail passengers are quietly traveling
Electrical outlets for your laptop & phone
WiFi worked well in almost all parts of Japan’s rail lines.
Cleaner and spacier washrooms than in airplanes
And if you travel “Gran Class”, you will be served lunch, drinks, dessert, and you will get a pair of slippers

See a short video about a First Class Luxury Shinkansen ride (Gran Class) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8hjTsjEGpQ

It was pleasant for me that Japanese people did not talk loudly on the phone or among themselves when using trains or buses. Returning to Europe and North America and using public transportation was quite a shock …

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Japan Railway Passes

I bought my (paper) tickets at JR (Japanese Railway) stations or offices and learned that it is cheaper for tourists to purchase tickets for 3 or 5 days (in my case) than it is for locals. They state: “Multi-day Japan Rail (JR) Passes offer special, potentially cheaper travel for tourists than locals pay. But you should plan many long-distance journeys to make it cost-effective.”

In my case, it made more sense to buy those instead of having one JR-Pass for 15 or 21 days. With these passes, I could have traveled as long and as many routes as I wanted. Theoretically, I could have used them almost around the clock. I bought my passes separately for the area I traveled. On the Southern island of Kyushu, the next one I bought was in Shikoku, and then one on Honshu, the main island.

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Buying the 15- or 21-day passes online before traveling to Japan (and picking them up there) makes sense only if you ride trains almost every day and plan to cover the whole country.

7-Day Pass: ¥50,000 (Ordinary) / ¥70,000 (Green Car / 1st Class)
14-Day Pass: ¥80,000 (Ordinary) / ¥110,000 (Green Car / 1st Class)
21-Day Pass: ¥100,000 (Ordinary) / ¥140,000 (Green Car / 1st Class)
Prices are for 2025
https://www.jrailpass.com/the-japan-rail-pass

You might choose between digital and paper tickets.

I timed my travels, using the JR-Pass in areas where I would only stop overnight or for a few hours in villages, beaches, or to visit a botanical garden. Then I would stay for several days in one city, for example, in Matsuyama, Kanazawa, Kagoshima, or Yokohama. From there, I made small day excursions, and at the end of my stay, I bought a new 3-day pass to take the Shinkansen for the next day's longer trips.

The JR-Pass can certainly be used for regular trains too, not only to ride the Shinkansen: local trains, JR buses and ferry services, as well as airport transfers (e.g. Tokyo Haneda to Tokyo Narita, or from Kansei to Osaka and Kyoto).

Shinkansen trains typically operate from around 6 AM to midnight, with the last trains leaving in the late evening. Check schedules to avoid being stranded, as there are no overnight Shinkansen services.

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In economy class, I never reserved a seat, even though it is FREE. For 1st class Shinkansen seats (Green Cars), it is mandatory. It is also highly recommended to book in advance, especially during peak travel periods. You can book at train stations, online (e.g., SmartEX), or via apps up to a year in advance.

It was amazing to see these futuristic-looking trains arriving at the train stations. They stop precisely in their positions. Once a bar opens, passengers stream out, and on the other side, passengers enter. The Shinkansen train departs exactly at the set time.

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In First class, an attendant hands you the menu from which you can choose your lunch. In the economy class, passengers may unwrap the dishes they bought at the train station, directly in stores, or from vending machines, located on many of the Shinkansen platforms.

“Why it’s Great for Tourists:

Exclusive to Foreigners: The JR Pass is specifically for international visitors, allowing unlimited rides on most JR trains (including Shinkansen) for a set period (3, 5, 7, 14, 21 days).
Cost Savings for Long Trips: It’s designed for extensive travel, covering expensive bullet trains and local lines, which quickly adds up with individual tickets.”

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For more than 60 Years

Japan is one of the very few countries in the world where these high-speed trains have been successfully in use for over 60 years.

The “bullet train” was invented and launched on October 1, 1964, with the opening of the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka, just before the Tokyo Olympics, revolutionizing rail travel as the world’s first high-speed rail system. The train can run up to 380 km/hour (236.12 mph). High-speed rail in other countries is barely comparable to Japan's Shinkansen routes.

Shinkansen trains are lighter than other high-speed rail rolling stock, which makes them more energy-efficient and doesn’t damage the rail track infrastructure as much. Maintenance is easier and cheaper.

Also, the Shinkansen Train system has a proven safety record, with no fatal accidents ever during the last 62 years.

On my long-term trip to Japan, I only flew once with ANA from Tokyo Haneda to Matsuyama. The rest of Japan, all the way down to the Southern tip, I used the Shinkansen and local trains.

This way, I saw many landscapes and cities, using this comfortable transportation. And I could stop and stay randomly somewhere, which would not have been possible with air travel.

I also enjoyed the pleasant, clean, and attractive train stations. It was a pleasure to browse through the lovely shops, cafes, and delicatessen stores. Japanese train stations stand out against those in other parts of the world. And they are the safest (I think) in the world.

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A Few Videos From People Who Show Their Train Ride on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlGQxvXpoQw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/T19thsGOSBs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG2Hy1zs5fg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0LXjUzp6Jc

Here is an Article from “Japan Guide” that Includes a Map of the Major Shinkansen Routes Plus Sightseeing Trips:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

The country has immense distances: it is more than 3,800 km long, and the four largest islands are wonderful to explore, in addition to the many small, unique islands that are often a different world altogether.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more about Japan and my trips there.

Photo: Wikipedia

A Must-See: Japan's Natural Treasures

2025-12-28T02:30:00.000-08:00

Traveling in Japan is a must for plant and garden lovers!
When traveling to a country, my interest is in the nature, landscapes, and plants growing there. During my long-term stay in Japan, I lived for weeks on a remote island, wandered along beautiful shores with crystal-clear waters, strolled through hundreds of orange and mandarin orchards, and tea plantations that covered the island.

I admired the amazing nature from Tokyo to Nagasaki on the southern tip of Japan, the gorges and waterfalls, erupting volcanoes, rice-fields and gardens, and cherished the wonderful forests of blue bamboo.

But I also visited the man-made famous “great gardens of Japan”.

They include Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, Koraku-en Garden in Okayama, and Sankei-en Garden in Yokohama. All of them are huge strolling gardens where you can walk for hours between lakes, rocks, moss, and large trees, such as maple or pines.

Admission to these lovely gardens is either pretty low or, for certain ages, free. Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa was also free on Saturday nights in October and November when the garden was lit with thousands of lights.

These famous gardens are more like beautifully maintained huge parks, and you can spend a whole day there. All of them have cafes, restaurants, and picnic places. If you want to avoid crowds, go early in the morning, as soon as the gardens open.

From late February to late April (depending on the area you are visiting), is the time when most trees and shrubs are blooming.

What I found missing — compared to botanical gardens we know in the west — were name tags for the trees, bushes, and (the few) flowers. If you want to learn more about these plants, you would have to take a photo and look it up on a Google plant search app.

Only the Sankeien Garden in Yokohama had tags on certain plants. This garden was also the one with the most flowers, compared to the others. Here, they also sell plants and are involved in breeding new Chrysanthemum varieties.

On top of the Sankeien Garden is a platform from where I could see Mount Fuji on this beautiful, clear, sunny day. An unexpected highlight!

The most “Classical Japanese” garden in my mind, however, I found at my hotel in the southern city of Kitakyushu. It is called “Art Hotel” and displays an enchanting garden surrounding the building with a variety of trees, small lakes, and rocks.

Having breakfast or tea and looking out through floor-to-ceiling glass walls into the garden was such a pleasure. I could have spent hours there.

Another Classical Japanese Garden surrounds the Adachi Museum of Art:

This garden has been ranked Japan’s finest for 22 consecutive years by the Journal of Japanese Gardening (also known as Sukiya Living Magazine). The Adachi Museum of Art Garden is located in Yasugi City, north-east of Hiroshima, near the Pacific coast.

The broad sandy expanse represents the sea or a pond. Brooms are used to depict ripples and whirlpools. Stones symbolize mountains or valleys, inviting us into a world of profound tranquillity and meditation.

Other places to enjoy beautiful plants and gardens are the surroundings of temples and shrines, or castles in Japan. They all have park-like vicinities.

https://www.sankeien.or.jp/around/course/course02/

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4200.html

History of Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenroku-en

https://okayama-korakuen.jp/section/english/

These are the most famous gardens, but there are many more to discover. Over 1,000 public gardens! If you are looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of cities. Traditional Japanese gardens are popular for their unique architectural designs and tranquil atmospheres.

Here is a long list of gardens that visitors can enjoy: https://kokorojapanstore.com/blogs/blogs/12-best-traditional-japanese-gardens-in-japan-you-should-visit-once-in-your-life

Best Gardens in Tokyo
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251016-a-zen-monks-guide-to-the-best-gardens-in-tokyo

The advice from a Japanese monk about visiting gardens:

“I often notice visitors chatting as they walk, and sometimes even eating on the move,” Masuno says. “I’d gently ask that you pause, keep voices low, and give the garden your full attention.” Travellers should limit their phone use, too. “People can become absorbed in taking photos for social media… It’s perfectly fine to take pictures — but only after you’ve really seen the place. Experience first; record later.”

If you want to read more about what to experience in Japan as a visitor, sign up. The next articles are: “Traveling on the High-speed Shinkansen”, “How I Ended up Accidentally in a Love Hotel”, “Bathing in Hot, Black Sand”, “Hot Springs and Onsens”, “Sweets, Sweets, and More Sweets in Japan”, “Beautiful Train Stations”, Posh Hotels for Low Prices”, and many others.

The 25 Best Things About Staying in Japan

2025-12-06T23:11:00.000-08:00

Culture shock is a friendly description of what I am experiencing right now. I just arrived in Europe from a trip that lasted from late September to this week in Japan.

When friends asked me what I loved so much in this country, I rattled off all the positive experiences I had there and what I am missing in Europe, but also in North America.

Besides the wonderful landscapes: beaches with crystal-clear water, mountains of all heights, blue bamboo forests, many volcanoes, often still active, waterfalls and gorges, countless castles, marvelous botanical gardens, and beautiful flowers that bloom into December, the list goes on and on…

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Here is What I Especially Loved:

People in Japan are polite and respectful to their customers. It started already at the airport in Vancouver when the ANA check-in counter staff greeted and bowed to the passengers waiting.

Japanese culture emphasizes harmony, respect, and group collectivism. There was quiet behaviour on planes, trains, and buses, avoiding loud public displays — tourists don’t seem to realize that.

Passengers on trains, trams, or buses are lining up properly and don’t skip lines. Japanese travellers ship their luggage by special, fast, and inexpensive carriers to their destination. In contrast, tourists haul their heavy suitcases (often two suitcases plus a backpack) into a small tram or bus, and block other travelers’ paths.

Onsens — Hot Springs

Haneda Airport in Tokyo, one of the best in the world, has a 24-hour public Onsen (hot springs) and a spa facility called Izumi Tenku no Yu, located on the 12th floor of the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand (Terminal 3), and is connected to the Haneda Airport Garden. It features natural hot spring baths (including a rooftop open-air bath with views of the airport and Tama River), saunas, and a restaurant.

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You don’t need to be a hotel guest to use the facility, which is supplied with natural Onsen water and offers showers, rental towels, and lounge wear. Plus, you can get a relaxing massage — lovely after a long flight!

I gained a couple of pounds, especially when traveling by train. The train stations are amazing! They look more like malls with dozens or hundreds of bakeries, confectioneries, and artistic dessert shops.

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The variety is amazing. Even in small train stations, you could often buy outstanding food and sweet treats.

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Throughout cities, fine food is everywhere! Even on the island, where I stayed for weeks, and where mostly only old farmers live, there was a cafe-restaurant that would fit in New York or Paris. Japan is a paradise for foodies!

At most restaurants and hotels in Japan, the service charge is already included, and tipping is not expected. In fact, offering a tip might make staff uncomfortable or confused, especially in more traditional or upscale places. However, I tried to tip every time I took a taxi, and the drivers were all pleased.

Comparing the Way-of-Life Between Japan and Western Countries

I liked that taxis were all super clean and had white covers over the seats. The taxi drivers were well-dressed and groomed, and respectful to passengers. They sometimes even spoke a couple of words in English or used their cell phone to translate.

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Entering a house or a hotel room, the Japanese take off their shoes and put on slippers. In hotel rooms, guests will always find brand-new sealed slippers at the entrance.

Most hotels also offer a bathrobe and slippers. Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, etc., are essentials in every hotel room. They also have tea kettles and often green tea, sugar, etc. One always feels like in a five-star hotel for the price of a two-star place. Hand showers are everywhere, in hotel rooms, or Onsens. Hotels are classier than in Europe or North America. Some of the best breakfast buffets I have ever seen were offered in hotels.

Friendly people helping with directions — especially women (if they speak English). Store employees often translate on phones.

Europe’s beautiful, medieval buildings are covered with graffiti — something you won’t barely ever see in Japan. No cigarette butts, dog poo, or garbage on the city streets - contrary to Europe and other parts of the world.

Japanese people are also not tattooed, unless they belong to a criminal gang.

Local Japanese people are honest. I forgot money on a table, a lady ran after me and handed it back. I also forgot several times to lock my bicycle, but no one stole it. I also left my camera in a taxi cab, and the driver brought it back to the hotel!

It is so relaxing to travel in a country where visitors and locals alike don’t constantly need to watch their belongings.

In Japan, it’s considered bad manners to blow your nose in public, especially in quiet places like trains, offices, classrooms, or elevators. Or god forbid, on a restaurant table! Many people also wear masks.

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People always carry an umbrella with them, for rain or shine. Often, you can borrow them or buy them for a small amount. There are lots of umbrella holders everywhere in the cities or on ferries.

In restaurants and coffee shops, you will find light boxes, often made of fabric, where guests can place their handbag or laptop while eating.

In Japan, you hand everything to other people, from gifts to business cards, to money with both hands, preferred on small trays.

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Japanese trains are fast and punctual; only once in three months did a train have a 3-minute delay. It prompted a lengthy apology, and the connecting train waited for the passengers. Train travel is easy, even if you don't speak Japanese (mostly marked in English too), and rather cheap, the same for trams in cities.

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There are so many trains throughout Japan that you barely ever need a car. The infrastructure throughout the whole country is exceptional. Ground markings for blind people are everywhere in the country. However, there are not many wide-door restrooms for the handicapped and wheelchair users. Otherwise, toilets are state-of-the-art, and most of the time the rims are heated.

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There were only four things I really didn’t like:

Few folks spoke English, even though they learn it for years in school. This happened mostly in the southern part of Japan. And strangely, even in some tourist information offices.
Many restaurants, ferries, and even saunas, or relaxation rooms in Onsens are equipped with TVs. The program is almost worse than in North America. Bring a headset with you to avoid the noise!
Stores in the South or rural areas, or small ferries, don’t accept credit cards. Bring enough cash.
During the Pacific War, Allied forces conducted air raids on Japan from 1942 to 1945, causing extensive destruction to the country’s cities and killing between 241,000 and 900,000 people. This might be the reason that modern cities often don’t have heritage buildings and are rebuilt in an unattractive way. Beautiful houses or restored castles are mostly found in villages.

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Banksy Exhibitions in Europe and the USA - A Genius Mind

2025-04-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

I was lucky while staying in Vancouver, Canada, one of the famous Banksy exhibitions took place. I could finally see some of his iconic paintings in person. Perhaps one of the world’s most well-known and celebrated graffiti artists, Banksy has produced an incredible number of works during his career. Here is some of his work that I photographed at this exhibition:

Banksy’s paintings have sparked thought-provoking conversations, challenged norms, and transcended the boundaries of conventional art. Banksy is a pseudonym of the British-based world-renowned street artist, political activist, and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation.
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Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humour with graffiti executed in a distinctive stencilling technique. His works of political and social commentary have appeared on streets, walls, and on bridges throughout the world.

His work grew out of the Bristol Underground Scene, which involved collaborations between artists and musicians. Banksy began as an artist at the age of 14. He was expelled from school and served time in prison for petty crime. According to Hattenstone, "anonymity is vital to him because graffiti is illegal".

The Mail on Sunday claimed in 2008 that Banksy is Robin Gunningham, born on 28 July 1974 in Yate, 12 miles (19 km) from Bristol. In 2016, a study by researchers found that the incidence of Banksy’s work created with the known movements of Rob Cunningham.

From Artilife.com:

“Banksy kicked off his career in the 1990s, and has managed to keep his identity under wraps in the decades since. t seems almost impossible that somebody so famous has managed to escape detection for so long, but according to his former agent Steve Lazarides, Banksy has used some very creative methods to stay anonymous.

Seeing as nobody knows who Banksy is, it begs the question: how exactly does he get paid? Like the majority of street artists, he doesn’t actually make any money from most of his work due to the fact that he paints onto walls rather than canvases.

A website dedicated to authenticating alleged Banksy pieces — is the only point of sale for his new work when it’s available, although new releases are extremely rare. In addition, Banksy has made money from other projects, including his best-selling book Wall and Piece, and the Oscar-nominated documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop.

Those who want to own one of his pieces will usually have no choice but to turn to the secondary market. Current estimates suggest there are only around 30,000 authentic prints in existence, all in understandably high demand.”

Banksy’s message is usually anti-war, anti-capitalist, or anti-establishment. Subjects often include apes, rats, policemen, soldiers, children, and the elderly.

More pictures from Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banksy/?hl=en

London, UK: The Art of Banksy in Soho has its final run closing on September 29, 2026.

The Art of Banksy in Soho, London, is the world's largest collection of original and authenticated privately owned artworks by the anonymous street artist. 100 Charing Cross Rd, London. https://artofbanksy.co.uk/

Barcelona, Spain: Ongoing evolving rotations featuring works by the artist are available daily at the Moco Museum Barcelona.

https://www.mocomuseum.com/barcelona/

Banksy Museum in Barcelona: Carrer de Trafalgar, 34, Barcelona

https://museobanksy.es/en/banksy-museum/practical-information/

Los Angeles: An upcoming notable addition featuring Banksy is the grand opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, which opens to the public on September 22, 2026 and incorporates his murals and visual storytelling into its permanent narrative art collection. There’s an entire Banksy gallery hiding atop the Lucas Museum. 3800 S Vermont Ave, Los Angeles. https://lucasmuseum.org/

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La Paz: All of Mexico’s History in One Museum

2025-02-25T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Anthropology and History Museum: Of the city’s museums, this is my favorite! If you are a history buff or spend your vacation in Baja California it is the go-to place to learn how Mexico evolved. From pre-historic times to Spanish colonialism to the modern State of Mexico - it is all displayed here.

The Museo Regional de Antropología e Historia is an engaging museum located at the corner of Altamirano and 5 de Mayo, just 6 blocks from the Malecon. It features well-researched exhibitions of La Paz and Baja Sur history, from the Paleolithic era to the time of the missions, covering the influence of the Spanish colonization and how it impacted the original inhabitants.

You will discover everything from the area's geological formation, and the history of Sea of Cortez pearls to the impact of the country's independence on the peninsula.

The historical center or downtown La Paz is the heart of the city, an area rescued by the government for its public buildings promoting art and culture. Close to the city center is the Regional Museum of Anthropology and History on Calle Ignacio Altamirano. You will find two modern buildings in a little plaza with beautiful desert plants.

The Museum’s Exhibitions:

The first is the Introductory Hall, which opens the way to the ancient cultures of this land.

The second is the Archaeology Room, which deals with the birth of the first cultures in the Baja California peninsula.

The Aztec Empire was the last great civilization prior to the arrival of the Spanish. They came into power in 1325 and ruled until 1521. In 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes conquered the Aztecs and Mexico became a Spanish colony.

The third Room displays the Rupestrian Painting, with reproductions and photographs of this type of manifestations of the ancient settlers in the region.

The next room is dedicated to the first European contacts in the peninsula, their discovery, the missions, the development of the Jesuit missionary enterprise, and the first civil towns that eventually gave shape to the regional society. The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict and political process, resulting in Mexico's independence from the Spanish Empire.
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Former U.S. president James K. Polk, also wanted Texas as part of the United States. Mexico considered the annexation of Texas as an act of war. In the fighting that followed, the U.S. military secured control of Mexico after a series of battles, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848.

The pact set a border between Texas and Mexico and ceded California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming to the United States. Their transfer to the U.S.'s control also cut the territorial size of Mexico in half.

Another museum room exhibits the passage of time of the great social movements: the Independence of Mexico, and the interventions, among which the one of 1947 stands out.

The next room contains the 20th century, the Porfiriato, the period of Porfirio Díaz's presidency of Mexico (1876–80; 1884–1911). It was an era of dictatorial rule accomplished through a combination of consensus and repression during which the country underwent extensive modernization - but political liberties were limited and the free press was muzzled.

What I liked best were the photos of Rock Art, ancient cave paintings quite similar to the ones found in France, a taxidermied mountain lion, and beautifully made exhibitions of Aztec villages.

The explanations are all in Spanish, but if you hold your phone up to a QR Code on the wall and click the link that opens, a page with an English translation will appear on your phone.

The museum is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is less than $5.

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El Triunfo: 3 Museums in a Former Mining Town

2025-02-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Home to only a few hundred residents, El Triunfo, or “The Triumph,” was once a thriving gold and silver mining town in Baja California Sur. Today, visitors explore a relic of the well-kept local history.

I personally like this small, charming town due to its beautiful flowers and palms, the lush vegetation on the surrounding hills, and its cobblestone roads. It is a town where I don’t have to wear my cowboy boots like in other sandy places in this mostly desert area.

Now about 350 people live in El Triunfo, but it once boasted a population of over 10.000 inhabitants. Mining began in the late 1700s and the mines and town shut down in 1926. Without jobs, the people quickly moved away and El Triunfo became a ghost town. The forced migration was hard on the people left behind but helped preserve the rich history of the area. The mineral-rich Baja peninsula still holds valuable resources and there is international pressure to resume mining.

The future is looking good for El Triunfo though, as the Mexican government is keen on boosting ecological and cultural tourism in favor of natural resource developments. The town is now registered as a "Pueblo Historico".

El Triunfo's Museos:

Museo Ruta De Plata

Also called the Silver Route Museum opened in 2017 and has become a focal point for visitors who want to learn more about El Triunfo, its mining history, and the mining history of Baja California Sur as a whole. It preserves and shows the mining history of the El Triunfo area. It is an interactive, bilingual, and bicultural museum. El Triunfo was once a flourishing gold and silver mining town. A small path leads up to the historic smoke chimneys and smelting ruins that still tower over El Triunfo.

The museum includes a video introduction, exhibits about the significant locations along BCS’ “Ruta de Plata” (including El Triunfo), shares oral history videos of residents who remember mining operations in the region and has a simulated mine entrance where you can get a sense of what the work of mining was actually like.

Besides the museum's historic main building is a pavilion filled with beautiful samples of precious stones from the El Triunfo mountains that were found by the miners.

Admission to the museum is 100 pesos (about US$5) per person and it’s open daily except Tuesdays.

Museo Del Vaquero De Las Californias

Also known as MUVACA, presents more than 300 years of history of the origins of the vaquero and ranchero culture in the Californias. This bilingual, bicultural, and multimedia museum is located in the historic town of El Triunfo, Baja California Sur.

Natives, miners, and missionaries weren’t the only ones in El Triunfo throughout time: like any good Wild Western destination, there were cowboys too. Ranching work dates back some 300 years in Baja California - long before the now Western US was settled - and adopted the Mexican way of ranching traditions.

Learn about cowboy traditions that are kept alive today by ranchero families living in the rugged mountains of Baja California Sur, Mexico. From Baja California Sur, vaquero families migrated north into what was known as Alta California, developing both the cities of San Francisco and Monterey. MUVACA brings this history to life as you explore the values, lifestyle, and identity of these people and their culture that still exists today.

ALTA CALIFORNIA was the name given in 1824 to a vast territory that belonged to Mexico and that included present-day California, Nevada, and Utah as well as parts of Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado. The first map above shows the United States of America and Mexico as they are today, including the area that was previously known as Alta California. The second map, from 1823, directly above, displays a close-up of both Alta and Baja California, as well as the state of Sonora.

A VAQUERO is a skilled livestock herder of a culture that evolved in Mexico from a methodology brought from Iberia. The vaquero is the foundation for what is known as a cowboy. A vaquero may sometimes be referred to as a RANCHERO, or a person working on a ranch in Latin America.

The Cowboy Museum of the Californias celebrates this in Baja California Sur. The museum is bilingual and has multimedia exhibits that introduce you to the founding vaquero families of the region, and how their traditions have been shaped by – and shaped in return – life in Baja California Sur.

Admission is 100 pesos (US$5) with a discount for locals (75 pesos) as well as seniors and students (60 pesos).

Museo De La Musica

This specialty museum caters to antique music instrument lovers. El Triunfo’s boom period brought a lot of culture to the area, including many musical instruments – some of which are preserved at the Museo De La Musica. It displays not only music instruments but also sheet music and stories about the people who owned and practiced on them.

The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday. Free admission.

Dining & Drinking in El Triunfo:

Caffe El Triunfo

This multi-level cafe and restaurant is in a lovingly restored building with courtyards, where pizza, bread, and pastries come fresh from the wood-fired brick oven. They also offer their delicious European-style breads, and sweet bakery items or coffee-to-go on an (always busy) counter, right when you enter the building.

Margery’s Tea Room

This place captures another slice of culture and brings it into the present – in this case, one you can live in. They don’t offer tea seatings daily (usually just on weekends and some special occasions). Keep an eye on their Facebook page to see if it overlaps with your trip – then don one of the hats they provide, sip with your pinky up, and imagine a time 100+ years ago when miner’s wives met in these rooms and drank tea from this china while enjoying the high life in El Triunfo.

Their FB site https://www.facebook.com/MargerysTeaRoom/ is in Spanish only, but with the help of a translation app you will find the information and latest news about events.

El Minero Restaurant & Wine Bar

Their menu features signature items such as fresh regional seafood, handmade sausages, artisanal cheeses, and their traditional paella, awarded in 2015 by the National Chamber of Restaurants and Spiced Food Industry. Enjoy lunch of dinner at a relaxing patio with a perfect view of a 19th-century long-standing chimney that takes you back to the golden age of El Triunfo. In El Minero's tiny cellar enjoy national and international wines and cocktails.

When you drive through the town during pitaya season, there are men standing on every corner with buckets of pitayas for sale. All you have to do is roll down your window, and you can buy a fresh bundle of white and red pitayas and even mangos.

Don’t miss a visit to the huge cathedral. The Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church is located in El Triunfo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It's a historic landmark and the first non-missionary church in the Baja.

Even though this is such a tiny town there is so much to see and do.

Although no hotels exist today, El Triunfo is having quite a renaissance.

Enjoy your trip to El Triunfo!

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Whales, Whale-Watching, and the Whale Museum

2025-02-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

Ever since I saw my first whales during an evening walk along the Saint Lawrence stream near Tadoussac, Quebec, whales fascinated me. I had driven friends from Europe to this small, but important town for whale watchers.

Hours before we had booked a tour for the next morning. But I wouldn’t participate in the boat ride out of fear of getting seasick in a small vessel.

However, I could enjoy the whales jumping in the river’s water in the evening silence - without entering a noisy and rocking boat. A local person told me the next day that this spectacle could be seen every night during morning dawn and evening dusk.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur

Twenty years later, on a sailboat during a sunset cruise around the impressive rocks of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, we were surrounded by eleven! Humpback Whales. They jumped, almost dolphin-like around the boat. The skipper was as surprised as we were. He mentioned the whale season is almost over in March.

Taking photos of these animals proved to be extremely difficult from the boat due to the waves and the movement of the whales. It seems to me they had fun jumping from one side of the boat to the other one.

The skipper stopped the boat to give us more time to watch the Humpback Whales. It seemed he enjoyed the spectacle as much as we did. It was already pitch-dark when we finally arrived at the Cabo harbor.

La Ventana

Spending time a couple of weeks every winter in La Ventana, Baja California Sur, between Cabo and La Paz, I can see whales at sunrise from my balcony with a binocular. La Ventana is a former fishing town on the Sea of Cortez, which is home to many types of whales, including blue whales, gray whales, whale sharks, and orcas.

Jacques Cousteau referred to the Sea of Cortez, separating Baja from the mainland, as “the world’s aquarium.” Containing almost 3,000 marine species, including 900 fish and a third of the world’s marine mammal species.

Types of Whales

Humpback Whales: They are migratory and visit the waters of Baja each winter and spring. Known to be very active and spry, they often delight with their acrobatic shows and lyrical songs. However, only males sing. They all sing the same song wherever they are in the world and the song gradually evolves and changes. Humpbacks are also known for being particularly acrobatic, leaping out of the water and slapping their huge fins and flukes.

Blue Whales: The upwelling currents around the islands, especially Cerralvo Island, in the Sea of Cortez provide nutrients for krill, which is blue whales' favorite food. It is the world's largest animal, reaching nearly 100 ft long and weighing 190 tons.

Gray whales: They are the most common whale in the Sea of Cortez, especially in the winter and spring and can grow to be 50 ft long and weigh 40 tons. Gray Whales are the only species that can easily enter shallow water.

Orcas: Also known as killer whales, these apex predators (top-level predators in a food chain that is not preyed upon by other predators) are black and white in color. You can see orcas in the Sea of Cortez, especially when there are mobulas (devil rays) around.

Fin Whales: They are the speediest whales in the world, swimming up to 25 miles per hour. in the Sea of Cortez you can witness a resident population of fin whales, thought to be a genetically isolated group.

Sperm Whales: The largest toothed whale, sperm whales dive to extraordinary depths and are known for fierce struggles with Architutheous, the giant squid. They hunt in the dark depths of the sea using echolocation, and following a deep dive, need to rest on the surface to re-oxygenate their blood. These whales are very distinctive on the surface with their “double blow”.

Minke Whales: At only about 25 feet long, minke whales are the smallest and one of the most abundant whale species worldwide. Seasonal visitors to the Sea of Cortez, they travel here to breed and birth from December through to April.

Whale Watching from La Paz, Baja California Sur

Whale watching regularly tops the bucket list for travelers. In La Paz, several whale-watching tours offer close encounters with the gentle sea giants, often combined with snorkeling and swimming, plus a lunch. It’s the lagoons on the Pacific coast that provide the most spectacular draw, as they fill up with thousands of grey whales each year – a species so friendly they regularly approach boats and introduce their enormous babies to the wide-eyed onlookers onboard.

Virtually every grey whale on Earth swims here to mate and give birth between February and March, clustering in sheltered lagoons. But this is no ordinary whale watching experience; the greys are known as “the friendly whale” and appear to see out boats to play with, meaning this is one of the most up close and personal whale encounters in the world.

Dozens of islands and islets lie scattered between La Paz and Loreto in the tranquil Sea of Cortez, and one of the best ways to explore them is in a kayak. Multi-day kayaking trips take you from island to rocky island, with the opportunity to stretch your legs by trekking across the dunes or cool off with a snorkel. Sea lions and pelicans frolic on the islands, while dolphins leap offshore.

Museo de la Ballena in La Paz

I finally made it this winter to the Whale Museum. Instead of waiting for a “Collectivo”, I walked the 8 blocks from the Malecon, but it also would have cost me only 80 cents, or 3 dollars with a taxi.

The friendly staff gave me a quick introduction in English about the artifacts, the whale skeletons, and the historical evolution of the whale species. Usually, there are Spanish tours, and English only at certain times and days. However, all the guides I met and asked questions spoke decent English.

The entire museum __ which can be fully explored within an hour or two __ includes five exhibition spaces with life-size models and skeletons of marine animals, educational videos and audio soundtracks, and information about marine life conservation. Some exhibits also show how dangerous sea mammals and turtles are living and how fishing nets and plastic debris endanger their lives.

A tourist favorite, the Whale Museum is busiest during the whale watching season, which runs typically from January to March. From Tuesday to Friday, especially in the mornings, it is quiet there, and you can ask the knowledgeable guides, mostly young marine biology students all your questions.

On this Expedia website are some spectacular and professional photos of the museum’s exhibits (way better than my own : )

https://www.expedia.com/Whale-Museum-La-Paz.d6269586.Vacation-Attraction?gallery-dialog=gallery-open

The partially open-air Museum’s hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Address: Antonio Navarro 855, Zona Central
entre Altamirano y Gómez

Be aware there are still articles on Google that show the former museum exhibition place on the Malecon! They moved a couple of years ago to Zone Central.

Website in Spanish: https://www.museodelaballena.org/

https://www.instagram.com/museodelaballena/

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Agua de Jamaica (Iced Hibiscus Tea)

2025-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

Do you like the blooms of your Hibiscus plant in the garden?

Did you know you can use these blooms to create a delicious and refreshing drink out of these flowers, once the pedals are tilting?

Traveling to Mexico or other Caribbean countries you will find this “Jamaica Tea” in almost every restaurant or cafe. What a difference in taste to the usual over-sweetened “iced tea” that is served in North America!

This hibiscus drink is served throughout Mexico. It is similar to a tart cranberry tea drink. You may add more or less sugar to your taste if you prefer. Hibiscus blooms are sold in Mexico’s Super-Mercados, but also in small corner stores in many forms and for low prices.

Hibiscus is high in antioxidants and offers many potential benefits. In particular, it may help promote weight loss, reduce the growth of bacteria and cancer cells, and support the health of the heart and liver.

Want to Make “Agua de Jamaica” at home?

6 cups water
2 cups dried hibiscus petals
1 cinnamon stick
1 pinch ground cloves
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch ground allspice
½ cup chopped piloncillo (Mexican brown sugar cones)
1 cup white sugar

100 gr = ca. 1.20 USD

Place 6 cups of water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in the hibiscus petals, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Reduce heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until the water has turned deep red, about 30 to 45 minutes.

Stir the chopped piloncillo into the hibiscus water until dissolved, then set aside to cool 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the warm liquid into a 1-gallon pitcher through a wire mesh strainer. Squeeze as much liquid from the petals as you can, then discard the petals. Stir in the white sugar until it is dissolved, then pour in enough cold water to fill the pitcher. Serve immediately or let it stand overnight for the best taste. If you can't find piloncillo, use brown sugar instead.

Hibiscus pairs well with things like lemon, mint, orange, and fresh berries. Since this drink is so bright and light, it partners nicely with most snacks, appetizers, or meals. Enjoy!

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La Ventana - a Hidden Gem on the Shores of the Sea of Cortez

2025-02-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

La Ventana is a small fishing village on the shore of La Ventana Bay, circa 45 minutes south of La Paz on the Eastern side of the Baja California peninsula in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. If you land in San Jose del Cabo take a shuttle or rent a car to drive HWY 1 in the east direction for less than two hours to reach La Ventana.

The village was founded in the early 1940s by the La Paz pearl diver Salome Leon. When pearl diving became unprofitable, Salome brought his family over the mountains from La Paz to La Ventana Bay to create the village. Many of his descendants continue to live, fish, and work in the village town.

La Ventana (English "The Window") is named for the 'window' to the Gulf of California between nearby Isla Cerralvo and Punta Arena. As the ultimate sports destination, La Ventana Mexico lures adventure seekers to its sandy shores with the promise of consistent offshore winds and waves.

While it’s only two hours away from the bustling, tequila-fueled resort strips in Cabo San Lucas, La Ventana feels authentic–a place with dusty, bumpy roads, framed by cacti and quiet beaches instead of mega-resorts, buffet lines, and drunken tourists.

La Ventana is the perfect example of "desert meets the ocean". Sun seekers, mountain bikers, surfers, SUP’ers, kayakers, kiteboarders, snorkelers, divers, and anglers load up their gear and head down to play in the surf, with a stunning backdrop of the Sea of Cortez and Jacques Cousteau Island.

Read More:

History of La Ventana

https://www.theventanaview.com/la-ventana-stories/a-brief-history-of-the-founding-of-la-ventana/

https://tendenciaelartedeviajar.com/2021/11/tendencia/don-salome-leon-lucero-el-famoso-buzo-perlero-de-la-ventana/

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New to Playing Pickleball?

2025-01-22T18:01:00.000-08:00

Enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Join the fastest-growing sport, and have fun playing pickleball. Pickleball may eventually become an Olympic sport. You don’t need to have played tennis or any racquet sports to excel at pickleball. Tennis pros of all ages and abilities are moving to pickleball. See this video “Pickleball Basics”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vk-c8TdC28&t=7s

Easy Pickleball Rules

Singles or doubles: Pickleball is played on a 20' x 44' court with a net. Paddles are made up of composite materials, which may include polymers, fiberglass, aluminum, and graphite. They are smaller than tennis racquets and larger than ping-pong paddles. The game is played with a plastic ball with holes, similar to a wiffleball.

Games are played to 11 points, and many of the rules are the opposite of those in tennis. These include only getting points when you (or your doubles partner) are serving, no second serve and the service return must bounce before being hit. Here is a video on how to avoid the Top 10 beginner pickleball mistakes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpDfcoJG-pQ

Pickleball Lingo:

Flapjack: For each serve and return of serve, players must allow the opponent's ball to bounce before they hit it. Those bouncing starters are called flapjacks, for some unknowable reason.

Dillball: An incoming ball that has bounced once, and is thus available for you to thwack.

The kitchen: A 7-foot zone on either side of the net, where you’re forbidden to hit the ball unless it has bounced first. This rule prevents smashes from the kitchen, which are dangerous at close quarters.

Dink shot: An annoying shot in which the ball is plinked from your kitchen into your opponent’s, with little hope of return.

Opa! After two bounce-hit sequences, players may shout “opa!” to signify that from now on it’s OK to hit a ball out of the air (unless you’re standing in the kitchen, in which case you need to review your pickleball rules).

Pickled: If you fail to score any points in a game, you have been pickled. But that will remind you: It’s time for cocktail hour with your new pickleball besties. Order a dirty martini, with pickle juice. See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTvPYdKZqO0

Winter Weather in Your Area? Go South to Play!

Many players from northern states, Canada, and Europe travel to Mexico, such as La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico.

The new pickleball courts are just 2 hours from Cabo airport (or 45 minutes from the La Paz airport). If you stay in La Ventana it is a quick drive or walk from the Tango Azul vacation apartments. The courts overlook the Sea of Cortez and are open to members and the public from October to April. Members only on Tuesday & Friday. Public drop-in Mon, Wed, Thur, Sat, and Sun. Drop-in Fee - 200 Pesos, cash only!

For more information go to:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Tango-Azul-Pickleball-Resort-100082970300231/

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https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/pickleball-tournaments-and-festivals-in.html

https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/pickleball-sport-equipment.html

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Pickleball Sports Equipment

2025-01-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

10 Things You Need to Bring to the Pickleball Court:

Tennies, skorts, balls, and paddles are just some of the things that will set you up for success in pickleball. See them all here:

https://parade.com/shopping/pickleball-equipment

Tips From DUPR.com, a Pickleball Rating Company:

Choosing the right paddle is essential to success on the court as it can greatly influence your game and confidence. DUPR.com recommends these paddles for beginners:

The Rally The Rally paddle by Rally Republic is ideal for new players looking for control and consistency on the court. Its lightweight design at 8.0 oz allows beginners to play longer with reduced fatigue, making it great for improving accuracy.

GAMMA Fusion Power Known for its widest-hitting surfaces, the GAMMA Fusion Power provides a generous sweet spot for better precision. Its mid-weight design supports beginners by offering a blend of versatility and power.

ACE Heart Paddle The ACE Heart paddle is crafted with new players in mind. It provides more power and precision with each shot. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, it helps build confidence.

‍Intermediate players often prefer paddles that deliver a balanced mix of control and power, offering flexibility for both defensive and offensive shots.

JOOLA Ben Johns 3S Featuring a carbon fiber surface, the JOOLA Ben Johns 3S enhances spin and durability, making it ideal for players looking to add precision and more aggressive shots to their game. Its mid-weight design (about 7.8 oz) provides a blend of power and finesse, perfect for advancing players.
HEAD Boom Team EX Paddle The HEAD Boom Team EX paddle is designed for intermediate players seeking a balance of control and power. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to handle and maneuver, while the graphite face ensures durability and a responsive feel. The paddle features a forgiving sweet spot, which helps improve consistency on off-center hits, making it ideal for players still refining their technique.
HEAD Boom Tour EX paddle The HEAD Boom Tour EX paddle is designed to provide excellent spin and control. Its ergonomic grip ensures comfort, making it ideal for players seeking to enhance their game with power, precision, and reliability on the court. This high-performance paddle is perfect for those looking to elevate their play to the next level.

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Before diving into the best paddle for each skill level, let’s review the main features to consider:

Grip Size: A proper grip size provides better control and reduces the risk of strain. Smaller grips offer more wrist flexibility for spin, while larger grips add stability.
Paddle Weight: Lighter paddles are ideal for precision and control, while heavier paddles provide power.
Paddle Shape: Some paddles offer wider sweet spots for forgiving shots, while others are designed to focus power, making them best for advanced players.

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Choosing the Right Pickleball Paddle Based on Skill Level

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For those just starting, pickleball can feel challenging enough without worrying about advanced paddle specifications. Beginner players benefit from paddles that prioritize control and forgiveness, helping them make consistent contact and learn the basics.

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Recommended Paddles for Beginners:

The Rally The Rally paddle by Rally Republic is ideal for new players looking for control and consistency on the court. Its lightweight design at 8.0 oz allows beginners to play longer with reduced fatigue, making it great for improving accuracy.
GAMMA Fusion Power Known for its widest-hitting surfaces, the GAMMA Fusion Power provides a generous sweet spot for better precision. Its mid-weight design supports beginners by offering a blend of versatility and power.
ACE Heart Paddle The ACE Heart paddle is crafted with new players in mind. It provides more power and precision with each shot. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, it helps build confidence.

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Recommended Paddles for Intermediate Players:

Intermediate players usually have a feel for their game style, allowing them to start experimenting with power and spin. They often prefer paddles that deliver a balanced mix of control and power, offering flexibility for both, defensive and offensive shots.

JOOLA Ben Johns 3S Featuring a carbon fiber surface, the JOOLA Ben Johns 3S enhances spin and durability, making it ideal for players looking to add precision and more aggressive shots to their game. Its mid-weight design (about 7.8 oz) provides a blend of power and finesse, perfect for advancing players.
HEAD Boom Team EX Paddle The HEAD Boom Team EX paddle is designed for intermediate players seeking a balance of control and power. Its lightweight construction makes it easy to handle and maneuver, while the graphite face ensures durability and a responsive feel. The paddle features a forgiving sweet spot, which helps improve consistency on off-center hits, making it ideal for players still refining their technique.
HEAD Boom Tour EX paddle The HEAD Boom Tour EX paddle is designed to provide excellent spin and control. Its ergonomic grip ensures comfort, making it ideal for players seeking to enhance their game with power, precision, and reliability on the court. This high-performance paddle is perfect for those looking to elevate their play to the next level.
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Recommended Paddles for Advanced Players:

JOOLA Vision CGS 16 For players who prioritize power, the JOOLA Vision CGS 16 delivers explosive shots. Its lightweight design with an elongated shape enhances reach, perfect for players who have mastered control and are ready to dominate on offense.
GAMMA Airbender 16 The GAMMA Airbender 16 offers unmatched customizability with its adjustable end cap weighting system and Zorbicon Shockbuster gel insert to reduce vibrations. Its design enhances maneuverability, maximizes spin and control, and provides the perfect balance of power, comfort, and precision.‍
ACE Club The ACE Club Paddle offers a perfect balance of power, control, and comfort. Its 8.1 oz weight design delivers maximum power without the added weight, while the comfortable grip reduces fatigue, ensuring reliable performance during extended play.

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Winter Weather in Your Area? Go South to Play!

Many players from northern states, Canada, and Europe travel to Mexico, such as La Ventana, Baja California, Mexico.

For more information go to:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Tango-Azul-Pickleball-Resort-100082970300231/

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https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/pickleball-tournaments-and-festivals-in.html

https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/new-to-playing-pickleball.html

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Photo Story Tango Azul Pickleball Courts

2025-01-22T10:19:00.000-08:00

Construction of the new Tango Azul Pickleball Courts in the La Ventana - El Sargento area - just 7 km off Highway 286 that leads to La Paz.

After years of planning, drawing, preparing the grounds, building, and finalizing 10 brand-new pickleball courts. The official grand opening for phase 2 took place in December 2024.

Barely anyone can imagine how much work this involved. Even a costly environmental study (Spanish, English, and with photos) was required. The Ministry of the Environment wanted every tree, bush, and cactus that grew on the place where the courts are now to be listed. A government inspector checked that no plant had been destroyed and instead moved to another part of the property.

But this was almost fun - compared to the struggles with some construction companies …

Now, it is one of the most beautiful Pickleball Courts available, that's for sure!

The location is amazing:

On a hill, with views over the Sea of Cortez and Cerralvo Island. Pickleball players - both members and non-members - praise the new Tango Azul Pickleball Courts.

Here are some Google reviews:

“Beautiful courts with a beautiful view and amazing people”
“Courts are very nice can't beat the Ocean view”
“Wonderful new pickleball courts with ample parking.
200 pesos gets you a day pass which allows you to play as long as your body can take it for the day.”
“Great courts, location, and people”
“Lovely place to play for the coming years! Amazing courts, service, and amenities”
“Awesome new courts!
Gorgeous setting and both recreational and competitive play”

Come and see yourself, and play in La Ventana!

For more information go to:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Tango-Azul-Pickleball-Resort-100082970300231/

https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/pickleball-tournaments-and-festivals-in.html

https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/new-to-playing-pickleball.html

https://a-happy-traveler.blogspot.com/2025/01/pickleball-sport-equipment.html

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Mexican Art in San José del Cabo, Baja California

2025-01-18T16:46:00.000-08:00

Plenty of art and culture: Two years ago I visited several Art Galleries in San Jose and was smitten by the fantastic creations of Mexican Artists. Last month, I came to San Jose again and discovered even more street art and many new additional galleries. These art galleries exhibit work mainly by local artists. There is even an Art Walk that takes place every Thursday!

Art District Art Walk:

From November to June in downtown San Jose del Cabo, galleries and shops stay open late on Thursday nights for Art Walk — it’s essentially a big block party with live music! But you can do your own art walk around town if you come on another day. Just wander around and stroll the picturesque streets. The San Jose del Cabo Art Walk takes place every Thursday evening from November to June. The event begins at 5 pm and ends at 9 pm. The best time to attend is from 6 pm to 8 pm when the galleries are most vibrant.

Here are Some Famous Galleries:

Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery

Situated on Alvaro Obregon, the main pedestrian thoroughfare on Art Walk nights, this contemporary art gallery features religious-themed paintings, prints, and sculptures. Guaderrama, a native of Chihuahua, is creating specialized software and hardware and applying them to his works of art. Ivan’s paintings, most with a religious or devotional theme, not only produce sounds when touched but also come alive with the use of a self-developed application for both iOS and Android technology. Paintings show hearts and angels and form a permanent composition of his work.

Frank Arnold Gallery

An abstract figurative painter and sculptor, Frank Arnold divides his time between Mexico City and a working studio, home, and gallery he designed on Calle Comonfort. The New York Times has described his spacious gallery as “one of the must-see sites in Los Cabos,” and with reason. Arnold’s expressive oil paintings, displayed in private and corporate collections, in galleries and museums throughout the U.S. and Mexico, depict abstract solitary figures that appear both personal and universal.

Patricia Mendoza Art Gallery

Located on a quiet side street within the Art District, this contemporary art gallery, presided over by the personable Ms. Mendoza, reflects her life-long passion for art. The gallery space was specifically created as a place where Mexican artists, both established and up-and-coming, could show their work. The gallery more than succeeds in expanding awareness of leading Mexican artists.

Tree Bark Art Gallery

This gallery, showcasing the Paper Amate of Pueblo, is my favored place! The Santos Salvador family of San Pablito, high in the mountains of Pueblo are recognized for their creative designs in paper amayte, the hand-hammered bark paper. The art of bark paper making was hidden from Spanish invaders by the Juju tribes and survived through the centuries because the spirits and gods cut from bark were, and is used by the Nuju in their spiritual work.

The paper made by the family has received national and international awards for its combination of delicate and imaginative cuttings. The paper is made from the bark of the Jonote Tree. The Nuju people cook the pulp to prepare it to receive the color from natural dyes of flowers, ash, earth, bark, and other plants.

The bark is laid out and hammered with a flat stone until the grids merge, creating sheets of solid paper and dried in the sun. In addition to the cut paper, the Santos Salvador family has developed several interesting methods of decorating the bark paper with paper patterns and textures by adding intricate beadwork and fine stitchery into the weaving - ancient skills that are still used by the Nuju women.

Recently, the Historic Center of San Jose del Cabo entered the program

“Magic Neighborhoods” of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, which

distinguishes emblematic places located in capital cities or points of the

interior of the country, reflecting the spirit and essence of a city.

Shop for Handicrafts in Town

Every block is filled to the brim with handicrafts. I literally could have bought everything! Some things you will see and want to buy are hand-woven straw bags, flowy beach cover-ups, Mexican-made textiles, wide-brimmed beach hats, and delicious Mexican honey and coffee.

Explore the Town of San Jose del Cabo

On my first-ever trip to Baja California, I didn’t even realize there was a small town close to the airport to explore! It’s recently gotten pretty trendy, with bohemian shops, artistic restaurants, a serious cocktail scene, and lots of colorful cafes and galleries. You’ll easily find lots of traditional Mexican charm over here. The beautiful San José Missionary Church, rebuilt in 1940, faces Plaza Mijares in the heart of the historic district.

Two Towns Have Cabo in the Name

These two towns couldn’t feel more different from each other despite being only 30 minutes apart! There’s San Jose del Cabo (the quieter of the two and way more cultural with its historic colonial buildings and art galleries), and Cabo San Lucas (known for its wild spring break nightclubs and beach activities). Being on the tip of the Baja California Sur, the area has easy access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.

Don’t only land or depart at San Jose airport. Rather spend a day or two in this lovely town, or choose it as your vacation spot. For those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere with plenty of art and culture, San Jose del Cabo is the perfect choice. The town also boasts several beautiful beaches. And It doesn’t hurt that there’s perfect weather 99% of the time!

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The Mildest Winters in Western Canada

2025-01-01T19:16:00.000-08:00

While frigid temperatures and snow are the winter weather rule in other parts of Canada, the Southwestern part of British Columbia - Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Metro Vancouver, and the Gulf Islands - barely sees frost or snow. During several winters I spent here, I only once had a snow day or better said: some snow hours. Then all the white stuff was gone.
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Last month I helped a friend on Vancouver Island to carry the Orange and Lemon bushes into the glass house. They were full of fruits, ready to be harvested. And in her garden, roses, hellebores, and heath flowers were thriving.

On a day trip via the ferry to Vancouver I discovered more blooming shrubs and flowers. Here, as on the islands, the grass is green all year round, and one can often hear mowers cutting the lawn in December or January.

The first Daffodils also pocked out of the soil, ready to bloom in a month.

Chicken in the middle of the City!

Despite the mild temperatures, rain occurs often, mostly in November, December, and January. Thank goodness the ski areas of Whistler and Big White can be reached in two or three hours.

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Booking Through Agencies versus Direct Booking

2024-11-28T18:25:00.001-08:00

It was already 7 pm and heavily snowing when our airplane landed. Living 200 kilometers away from Halifax, I had booked a room next to the airport. The regular bus to our town left the airport only once a day - in the morning at 11 am. To call friends to pick me up was not in my mind, at least I did not want to ask them on this snow day to drive 400 kilometers round trip.

It took about half an hour until the hotel shuttle bus arrived to pick up a group of seven travelers. However, the shuttle drove to a huge parking area where all others had their cars parked. One couple did not find their car and the driver patiently cruised around and around until these folks recognized their vehicle under a snow cover. Finally, almost two hours after landing, I checked in and got a room twenty meters from the reception.

Thin walls allowed me to be entertained beyond midnight by listening to arriving guests or phone calls from the receptionist… The short night ended at 4 am when calls by the receptionist (this time another one) woke me up.

I tried without success to continue sleeping. At 6 am I got up, walked over to their desk, and asked for the manager. He would arrive around 9 am I was told. “OK, then, when and where is breakfast?” “Sorry, but due to the pandemic, we cannot offer breakfast”. “What? Where can I get a cup of coffee and something to eat?” “The next place is a coffee shop at the airport”. At least I could catch the shuttle bus to be driven to and from the airport back to the hotel.

There I opened my laptop to use the time until the manager would arrive. But no luck, the Internet did not work. I packed my suitcase and got ready for departure, hoping that the Internet at the airport would work. In the meantime, the manager (or his junior assistant) arrived at his office, and I complained about my not-so-clean room, about the missing breakfast (which was included in the hotel fee), and about the loud noise that kept me from sleeping. I demanded a discount. The manager told me that he could only talk about it if I would have booked directly at their hotel (chain) - but not when booked through a third party. I would have to go through Booking, Priceline, Expedia, or wherever I paid for my hotel room. I was furious, but couldn’t do anything other than to write a one-star review for this hotel on Google. And I swore myself to never, ever book through an agency for flights, trains, rental cars, or hotel rooms.

As I am almost a full-time traveler, my resolutions, however, melted in the sun…

In Spring I traveled near Algonquin Park and in the late afternoon, I discovered an attractive hotel in a small town. I went in and inquired at the reception about a room and its price. A bit shocked about the answer, I gambled and offered a lower price “which I had seen on the Internet”.

The receptionist explained to me that I would have to order it online to get a price like this. “So, you mean I can pull out my laptop and order it online in front of you and get a lower price? Even though the agencies deduct you another 15-20%? Why don’t you just give me a lower price?” “No, that’s not possible” she explained, “due to directions she got from her manager”.

“OK, then please give me your password, and I’ll order online”. “No password needed, you can go directly to the Internet.” So I sat down and checked the agency's hotel prices. To my surprise, it was only ten dollars lower. But at the same time, I saw a bed & breakfast with lots of favorable reviews - and I booked a room there - without an agency. Thanks to the friendly but firm receptionist (or her managers) - they lost a potential customer…

Weeks later I prepared for another trip to Europe and to avoid traveling in trains or busses during the pandemic, I booked a rental car. Despite having paid in full for three weeks before through the agencies' website, I was forced to leave a deposit of 2,000 euros. When I returned the car I demanded my credit card payment back. No, they cannot give me the credit as I had booked with an agency. But I had given my credit card for the deposit in person at the Salzburg, Austria, rental company, and I wanted my deposit back from them! They assured me I would have the credit returned within 3 days by the agency.

Four months later I still did not have the money back on my credit card, despite dozens of emails, calls, and even a registered letter. I was bounced forth and back from the rental place to the agent and vice versa. I then went to the Internet and Social Media and posted the case to several consumer sites, to the Salzburg tourism office, and the city of Salzburg, as well as to authorities in Munich where the agency is located. I even sent the case to several daily papers in both cities. I am not sure who or what influenced the agency or the rental office, but finally, five months after the incident, I got my money back.

On another occasion, during a busy, long travel weekend, I even drove from hotel to hotel in person, but every room in the area was booked. Until my laptop showed me a hotel through Booking.com where one room was available. I drove to the place and when checking in, I showed them my loyalty membership card for their hotel chain. To my dismay, I learned that loyalty cards are not recognized once a guest books through Expedia, Priceline, or Booking.com and I could not get any points. Most hotel brand loyalty rewards programs don’t offer points on stays booked through third-party sites, I learned through my research. On top of this, when I checked the hotel’s website, I saw that a direct booking with the hotel would have saved me sixteen dollars.

Using hotel agencies, you will lose not only your points from hotel chains

but also all discounts for seniors, AARP, military, and membership points

from the AAA (US) or CAA (Canada).

Enough is enough! I am done with these agencies and will avoid any of them, and book hotel rooms, rental cars, flights, etc. directly - even if I pay a couple of dollars more. Some of the hotels are fed up with agencies and try to lure customers back with price-matching and other perks, such as a free breakfast. Other places are not so smart and lose not only money by paying agency fees but also by losing some customers who avoid places where customer service is bounced back to the booking agency.

The travel website Frommer’s stated in an article: “To get the best deal, you should always surf the Web for the best hotel price, right? Well, no, not anymore. Hotels are increasingly trying to sweeten the pot if you agree to book a room directly with them. To get the best deal, you should always surf the Web for the best hotel price, right? Well, no, not anymore. Hotels are increasingly trying to sweeten the pot and are fighting back with special rate discounts—so long as guests book directly with the hotel.”

“Hyatt Hotels Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), which includes Holiday Inn, Kimpton, Hotel Indigo began offering "Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club" discounts for its loyalty members as well. Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott also have similar 'Best Rate Guarantee' policies in place.”

Read more about direct booking vs booking agencies:
https://thepointsguy.com/news/why-no-hotel-points-ota

"Hotels were shelling out more for commissions, on top of reimbursing affiliated loyalty programs for points accrued by members during stays, causing a noticeable hit to profit earnings. Recognizing the need to minimize overhead expenses, hotels took various steps to control how customers make reservations. In addition to gradually cutting OTA commissions, hotels rolled out exclusive member rates and status perks to entice travelers to book directly. There were entire marketing campaigns launched around direct bookings. Likewise, hotel programs largely stopped awarding points for OTA bookings. After all, points aren’t free, but they’re often cheaper to award than paying an OTA a large commission. As a result of all of this, you’re still usually unable to earn hotel points when you book a hotel through an OTA."

Book Flights ONLY Directly!

After staying away from Booking.com and similar agencies for a couple of years, I fell into their trap again.

I booked a flight with ITA (formerly Alitalia) from Palermo, Sicily to Vienna at the online booking agency. The flight was split in two: first to Rome Fiumicino and from there to Vienna. I stopped in my tracks and only after I read their guarantee that they would help their customers should anything go wrong with these two flights I clicked on the order button.

Sure enough: The first flight, even though early in the morning, had a delay, and running through the huge airport, I did not reach the counter to get into the next flight to Vienna. The “hotline” of Booking.com didn’t answer my calls, the airline refused to help me, and I had no other choice than to book a new ticket from a travel agency at the airport for more than 450 Euros. However, I could not get a flight until the next afternoon, and the only one I could purchase was one to Budapest in Hungary, and then I purchased a bus ticket for another 50 Euros to Vienna. All this trouble because I had an important meeting in Austria. I came 15 minutes late to Vienna, but it worked out!

Contacting Booking.com after this horrible Journey and reminding them about their warranty, didn’t help, they refused and said I would have to contact the airline. ITA refused too and stated that one and a half hours flight delay doesn’t allow for a refund, a hotel room, or any other compensation.

Facit:

When the reservation relationship is between the guest and the hotel, car rental companies, or airline, it's clean and easy because there are only two parties involved: the customer and the business. When a third party (booking site) gets involved, this is when things can get messy.

https://www.triptease.com/blog/8-reasons-why-direct-bookings-matter-for-hotels/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/roadwarriorvoices/2015/06/03/why-you-should-book-your-stay-directly-with-the-hotel/83307734/

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Leavenworth, Bavarian City in the Cascade Mountains

2024-11-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I drove well after dark from Idaho towards Seattle, WA, when I felt

like seeing a fata morgana: A Bavarian village in the middle of nowhere - or better

said the Cascade mountains. Hotels, guesthouses, churches, beer halls, and homes were

brightly lit and the main road was decorated with lots of Christmas Trees.

Skiers arrived back from night skiing and mountain slopes were well-lit. It felt like being in an Alpine village, but sorry to be not able to stay as I had to find my booked hotel in Seattle.

I promised myself to return to this place as soon as I would come back to this area one day -

which was just last month.

Mining of gold and other metals in the nearby Blewett Pass area and the Red Mountain Mining District held promise in the early twentieth century but eventually declined. Lumbering in the area of Lake Wenatchee provided more reliable employment.

Logs were floated down the Wenatchee River to a sawmill the Lamb-Davis
Lumber Company from Iowa, built at Leavenworth in 1904. The town was incorporated in 1906.

The temporary boom resulting from mining, the railroad, fruit, and lumbering boosted Leavenworth’s population to 5,500, larger than Wenatchee at the time.

Along with the boom came the usual excesses -- saloons, gambling, and brothels.

During the early 1960s two men from Seattle who lived nearby, inspired the residents to revive Leavenworth as a tourist-themed town. The alpine setting suggested the perfect motif:
a Bavarian Village.

Theodore H. “Ted” Price and Robert F. “Bob” Rodgers had jobs that took them through Leavenworth regularly. They loved the river and the mountains and often returned to vacation in the area. Bob had been stationed in Bavaria after World War II and loved that mountainous state in southern Germany that had once been an independent kingdom.

After several years of heroic volunteerism and financial sacrifice by longtime residents and crucial outsiders alike, it became successful beyond their imagination, developing into Washington’s second most popular tourist destination, after Seattle.

Even a Starbucks has the Bavarian motto and paintings on its front wall.
The Fall Leaf Festival, Oktoberfest, the Village Lighting Festival, the Bavarian Ice Fest,

Mai-Fest, yodeling and accordion festivals, wine tastings, the Reindeer Farm, the
Nutcracker Museum and other events bring throngs of tourists to Leavenworth.

Leavenworths´ location, a comfortable two-hour drive from Seattle, is an advantage.

Even more compelling is its unsurpassed mountain scenery.

Leavenworth is also a popular destination for hiking, camping, and rafting.

On the Wenatchee River, Waterfront Park is a habitat for ospreys and eagles.

The village is a gateway to nearby ski areas and wineries.

Leavenworth had become a theme town based on Bavarian heritage.

Alpine-style buildings with restaurants serving German beer and food line Front Street.

Although a few Leavenworth residents could claim German descent,

it had to be based on something else: the beautiful alpine setting, so similar to that of

Bavarian towns such as Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, and Oberammergau.

On March 21, 1968, Leavenworth was one of 11 cities to receive an ¨All-American City Award¨ from Look Magazine and the National Municipal League. According to the Leavenworth Echo, Leavenworth “was honored for pulling itself out of a

serious economic slump”.

Read more about Leavenworth and visit soon!

Christmas is a beautiful time there!

https://www.leavenworthreindeer.com/

https://www.visitchelancounty.com/leavenworth

https://worldadventurists.com/leavenworth-christmas/

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/inspiration/travel/small-town-charm-leavenworth-christmas.html

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Southern Tyrol, Italy, in all its Fall Glory

2024-11-16T17:11:00.001-08:00

No other vacations were ever more relaxing than my visits to South Tyrol during Fall. Soaking up the sun before the approaching winter, hiking through colorful forests and vineyards, and enjoying the view of the beautiful surrounding mountains. In one sentence: Experiencing the golden autumn in this breathtaking landscape in Northern Italy is always a special gift for me.

Toerggelen

Last year, from late October to mid-November the sky over South Tyrol was azur-blue and the sun was shining all day long. After the “Toerggelen” tourists left at the end of October, it became easier to get a table at the many fantastic restaurants, dotting the area. "Toerggelen" means drinking (enormous amounts) of grape most (cider) and young wine. Törggelen refers to the "Torggl" (Latin torquere, to turn), i.e. the wooden wine press in the farmers’ cellars. It is one of the favorite traditions in South Tyrol and extremely popular with tourists.

My daily delight is the wonderful dishes that are served in this former Austrian province: home-made dumplings (filled with spinach, cheese, or ham), fresh mushrooms, ravioli, venison, lamb, ducks, and BBQ-roasted chestnuts. Some of these restaurants (Hof as they are called here) are five, six, or even seven hundred years old and for many generations in the families.
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South-Tyrol Wine Road

From Bolzano southwards, almost to Trento, lies the “Weinstrasse”, the South-Tyrol Wine Road, inviting hikers, bikers, and slow strollers to savor the beautiful landscape, the picturesque villages, and the hospitality of the locals. More than 800+ acres of vineyards encircle Bolzano, besides around the same amount of apple orchards.
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Kurtasch - Cortaccio

For years, I have been renting a room with a large balcony in a cozy, hidden guesthouse on top of the Kurtasch town. The owner, a now 80-year-old lady created a beautiful garden with palm trees, lemon bushes, and thousands of roses and other flowers that are still blooming in November. Most of the people in the area speak very well German, as Tirol belonged for centuries to Austria. Now many people speak additionally Italian as the area belongs now to Italy, but is an independent province.

So Much to See and Do

When you read the name Alto Adige, it means South Tyrol and the Bolzano area in Italian. No matter how the weather turns out - rain or shine (mostly shine as South Tyrol has an average of 300+ sun-shine days per year), there is so much to do, one just cannot get bored, even during a 6-8 weeks vacation.

From skiing in the mountains in Winter, paragliding or cycling in Spring, to swimming in summer, and hiking until the end of fall. The Mediterranean climate lets millions of apple trees bloom in early April - just like the cherry blooms in Japan.

Markets and Farm Stands

During summer and into late fall, farmers offer their (bio) products in markets and farm stands. Dozens of cable cars bring visitors up to the mountains in case they don’t hike up (like me). Several mountain pass roads allow you to drive up to the summits where almost always nice restaurants or coffee shops with lovely mountain views invite tourists and locals to relax on mountain tops.

Follow the footsteps of Empress Elisabeth “Sissy” who resided in the spa town of Meran/Merano
In the hay bath, a South Tyrolean mountain pine bath, or mineral water baths, people have been finding relaxation and relief from physical ailments for centuries. A great idea for cooler or non-sunny days!

History, Culture, and Architecture

Explore the cultural side in the many museums in South Tyrol. From a 5,000-year-old glacier mummy named Ötzi to the largest secular fresco cycle from the Middle Ages at Schloss Runkelstein castle in Bolzano/Bozen. From imposing castles and palaces on the Alto Adige Wine Road to hip architecture and contemporary masterpieces by star architects on the Kronplatz.

From the Alpine Romanesque Road in the Vinschgau valley to the Nature Park, visitor centers throughout the region. South Tyrol is rich in ancient, innovative, unique, and contrasting cultural treasures to discover.

Don’t miss visiting the home of Bolzano’s most famous resident in the Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: 5,300-year-old “Oetzi”. The mummy was found by two hikers on an icy mountainside in 1991. He is the oldest intact human ever found, a world sensation. The lonely death of Ötzi the Iceman on the glacier in the Ötztal Alps over 5,300 years ago still moves people today. Who ambushed him with a bow and arrow on that fateful summer day?

Visit Italy's Most Beautiful Villages:

Kastelruth - Castelrotto, Neumarkt - Egna, Glurns - Glorenza, Klausen - Chiusa, Sterzing - Vipiteno are by far some of the most beautiful towns in Italy. You can reach all these towns by bus or train.

Should you visit by car, extend your trips into the mountains and lakes around Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites. Seiser Alm, Lago di Carrezo-Karer See, Ritten pyramids, the Rose Garden mountains, Ortler (3,905 m high), Canazei, Wolkenstein, and Corvara, and even a road trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo and the Nature Park “Drei Zinnen” with the magnificent mountain peaks … These tours are all showing the fascinating landscapes of South Tyrol. No matter in which direction you drive or take a bus, stunning views are galore.

Reinhold Messner’s Six Mountain Museums in the Mountains of South Tyrol

These six museums by the famous mountaineer are on my bucket list to visit one day:

The MMM Corones was designed by star architect Zaha Hadid. It can be visited at the peak of the 2,265-meter-high Kronplatz near Bruneck.
The Ripa MMM museum at Brunico Castle is dedicated to the mountain peoples of the world. It aims to connect the mountain peoples of all over the world and to invite an exchange between the cultures.
The area of King Ortler - there is no more appropriate place for a museum dedicated to the topic "ice". It is completely underground, and visitors get a wonderful view of the eternal ice and the glaciers in an exhibition area.
"The Museum in the Clouds", as the MMM Dolomites at Monte Rite, is also called, is dedicated to the magic of the "pale mountains". It is located on the 2,181 m high Monte Rite, between Pieve di Cadore and Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Mask collections from five continents, an adventure library, a gallery with images of the Sacred Mountains of the World and a Tibetika collection, are just a few of the sights in the MMM Juval, the museum of Reinhold Messner, which is located in the medieval castle of Yuval.
The heart of the entire museum projects, the MMM Firmian, is located at Castle Sigmundskron near Bolzano and introduces you to the history and art of mountaineering.

Visit the Castles

In Bolzano, Castle Mareccio - Schloss Maretsch is an impressive sight. Surrounded by beautiful vineyards and framed by the mountains, it offers a stunning backdrop. The well-preserved walls and towers give a real sense of the history of the place. The peaceful setting and scenic views make it a lovely spot for a walk around the ground. The interior of the castle is for private use or public events reserved.

Half an hour from the city is the Sigmundskron Castle which houses the legendary climber’s Reinhold Messner Mountain Museum. The museum explores the relationship between man and mountain.

Climb up to the ancient ruins of Schloss Rafenstein to take in the view of Bolzano and the surrounding mountains.

Castel Roncolo - Schloss Runkelstein is accessible from the Talvera Promenade in the city center or the line 12 shuttle bus from Waltherplatz. An abundance of frescos graces its walls providing a view into medieval life.

Bolzano - Bozen

One of the busiest places in the city for locals and visitors alike - a feast to the senses - is the outdoor market on Piazza delle Erbe, next to the Laubengasse. These shade arcades allow for comfortable shopping during sunshine, rain, or snow. Another place to be is the Walter Vogelweide piazza with its gothic cathedral, enjoying to sit in one of the many inviting cafes and restaurants that frame the place.

The place is also home to the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in the middle of Europe. (Believe my opinion, I visited during my whole life all of them - from Vienna to Strassburg and from Cologne to Munich). Bolzano is the best one! A good time to visit is from Monday to Friday. On weekends are too many people showing up.

No matter where you go for coffee, sweets, or wine and tasty meals, you barely ever go wrong. My favored places are the Voegele restaurant and wine house, the Hopfen&Co, and the Cafe Thaler. For sweets, I recommend the Pasticceria Caffè Lintner or the Guglielmo's Café - just to name two of the many, many wonderful coffee houses in town. For an exceptional culinary dining experience in an art nouveau and palm setting, try the 5-star restaurant, Laurin.

The hotel in which the restaurant is placed reminds of the golden times when Empress Sissy stayed here.

I remember a stay there many years ago I marveled at the half dozen writing desks in the hotel lobby from bygone times when hotel guests wrote postcards to their loved ones at home instead of sending selfies.

If you would like to stay in a medieval building in the middle of Bolzano, choose the apartment hotel Cooper. I rented one, years ago, for a week, and liked it a lot. Current online reviews are second my opinion. They offer tasteful places in Meran and Obereggen too.

Botanical Garden in Meran

As the weather was so beautiful in early November, I decided to finally visit Meran’s botanical garden around Trautmannsdorff Castle. Somehow I never made it to visit in spring when millions of daffodils, tulips, and other spring bulbs come to live - even though Meran’s Botanical Garden is just thirty kilometers from Bolzano. Surprisingly, it seemed to be as colorful on this November day as it might have been in Spring. Hundreds of Chrysanthemums, Zinnias, Heide plants, and Coleus, just to name a few display their colors on the hill that is beneath the castle.

The gently meandering paths through the garden offer visitors the opportunity to explore plants from all over the world, across sunny terraces and past gurgling stream waters. South Tyrol has a tradition of fruit cultivation that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. Old local apple and pear varieties that have largely disappeared today grow in the orchards of the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle.

At the foot of the terraces is the romantic Water Lily Pond. A dense planting of irises, daylilies, and grasses encircles brightly colored water lilies. Lotus flowers rise up out of the water and a dense palm forest fringes the shore; in the spring, camellias and azaleas bloom amidst more than 200 palms. I could have spent a whole day in this marvelous place. Plan at least four hours! There are also daily garden tours in German at 11.00 a.m. or in Italian at 11.15 a.m. for only €7.00.

The Mediterranean climate and surrounding mountain landscape make the gardens a unique experience. Water, terraces, and stairs: European garden architecture at its best. The Botanical Garden of Trauttmansdorff Castle has been declared “one of the most beautiful botanic gardens of Italy” (2005) and is also considered to be one of the most amazing gardens in Europe. Furthermore, the Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle received the “International Garden of the Year Award” at the “Garden Tourism Conference 2013″ in Toronto, Canada.

Recent History - Tyrol, an autonomous region in Northern Italy

South Tyrol has been part of Italy for more than 100 years. Before that, the region south of the Brenner Pass had been part of a unified Tyrol—along with North and East Tyrol—for more than 500 years, as part of the Habsburg Empire. During World War I, the South Tyroleans fought alongside Austria-Hungary against the Italians.

Italy was actually an ally; it remained neutral when World War II broke out and switched sides in 1915.

In return, Rome was awarded territories after the war under the Treaty of Saint-Germain, including South Tyrol, where German was the predominant language.

Years of oppression followed, especially after the dictator Benito Mussolini seized power. The Italian fascists attempted to strip the South Tyroleans of their language and culture; surnames and place names were “Italianized.” But there was resistance. In so-called “catacomb schools,” children learned German, both spoken and written.

After the annexation of Austria by Hitler’s Germany,

Adolf Hitler turned his attention to South Tyrol. But not to “bring South Tyrol home”—Mussolini was, after all, his Steel Pact partner—but only to its German- and Ladin-speaking population.

In 1939, the far-right dictators struck a deal at the expense of the South Tyroleans: the “Option.” Those affected had to decide whether to move to the Nazi Reich—or to remain in their homeland, give up the German language, and submit to fascist Italianization. Entire families were torn apart as a result.

Even after the end of World War II, South Tyrol remained part of Italy and eventually became an autonomous province. But the road to that point was long, marked by assassination attempts and numerous negotiations. Today, delegations from all over the world come to study the South Tyrolean model—the coexistence of three recognized language groups. Economically, too, the region is in better shape than many other regions—especially compared to the rest of Italy.

And Austria? To this day, the Alpine Republic continues to play a protective role, safeguarding autonomy and the rights of minorities.

Botanical Gardens in Sicily

2024-11-13T17:57:00.000-08:00

One of the highlights of my recent visit to Sicily have been the botanical gardens in Catania and Taormina. The later is now a public garden and park.

The Catania Botanical Garden is one of the oldest in Italy and belongs to a large network of gardens throughout Italy, most of them run by universities.

Visitors can enter the main entrance from 9 am to 6 pm. (Mo - Fri, 9-13 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays) on Via Etnea. Entering the garden gives a beautiful view through an alley over to the University building. The first surprise for me was that no admission was charged. The garden belongs to and is used as a teaching facility for the "Dipartimento di Botanica" of the University of Catania.

Established in 1858 it has a remarkable collection of cacti from all over the world, and they are all catalogued in a very professional way. Some are growing in the soil in open-air beds, while others are in huge glass houses. There are also over 100 specimens of palms growing in the gardens, taken from their overseas natural habitats.

All in all, it is a wonderful little oasis of tropical plants and trees, peaceful and the quintessential cool place in town to relax on hot days. A perfect stop for nature lovers in Catania!

Public Gardens of Taormina

An hour north of Catania lies Taormina and on one of the most panoramic places in town, the villa and the gardens are a real green lung. It is populated by lush vegetation of palm trees, and a variety of other tall trees, cacti, and a large quantity of flowers, which in summer, make this place especially delightful. From here you also have a breathtaking view of the azure-color Ionian Sea and of Mount Etna.

The villa was originally inhabited by Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish noblewoman who left her country after having a relationship with the heir to the English throne, Edward VII. Arriving in Taormina in 1884, Lady Trevelyan married Mayor Prof. Salvatore Cacciola.

The garden became the property of the municipality starting in 1922, and inside, even today, you can admire particular constructions commissioned by Lady Trevelyan for ornamental purposes, called "Victorian follies".

The gardens are a worthwhile alternative to the often crowded central streets of Taormina during the tourist season. Their pathways are immersed among magnolias, hibiscus, and meticulously maintained bougainvillea shrubs.

Open from 09:00 to midnight in summer, and from 09:00 to 20:00 in winter. Free admission! If you are an early bird, come right at 9 am to have the large garden and the many benches to yourself.

And if you like to play tennis: there are three courts nearby. Playing tennis, surrounded by exotic palm trees, and colorful flowers and bougainvilleas, is possible from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Don't miss out on this lovely space!

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The Most Magnificent Buildings in Brussels

2024-09-12T16:57:00.000-07:00

THE most beautiful historic place in Brussels is the Grand Place. And the word Grand is an understatement for these magnificent guild-buildings. The Grand Place or Groote Markt is the central square of the City of Brussels. All over the world, it is known for its decorative and aesthetic wealth.
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It is surrounded by opulent baroque guildhalls of the former Guilds of Brussels and two larger edifices: the city's flamboyant Town Hall, and the neo-gothic King's House or Bread House building, containing the Brussels City Museum.

Fascinating Facades:

The gold, the colors, and the figures glow in the light of the rising and later the setting sun. The figures on top of the buildings and the gables display the symbols of the buildings´ former owners.

The globe and the compass were installed by the carpenters' and cooper's guild.
On the house of the river boatmen, the gable was shaped into a galleon, with fish-shaped sea gods below.
Not every guild can be identified from the symbolism of the roofs. For example, the bakers decorated their house with a following fama, the embodiment of gossip, presumably they were particularly fond of gossip.
The butchers, on the other hand, dedicated their gable to “Le Cygne”, even though swan meat is not exactly considered a profitable delicacy. Six guilds shared the “Maison des Ducs de Brabant”.
La brouette or the wheelbarrow is the name of the fat makers' house, one of the very few buildings on the Grand Place that survived the devastation of Louis 14th's troops in 1695 more or less unscathed.

The remaining guild houses all had to be rebuilt. The fire of the French troops had reduced the old wooden houses to rubble along with 4,000 other buildings. But the guilds were rich and quick builders. By 1700, just five years later, the new stone houses had already been completed in Italian baroque style, combined with a few decorative elements from the Flemish late Gothic period.

Today, banks, travel agencies, and airlines have rented the coveted office space. Only the brewers' guild house is still used by the old guild. The Grand Place has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every second year millions of flowers are arranged to build a wonderful flower carpet that covers the whole place.

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Midwest, USA, an Art Lovers Paradise

2024-09-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, in the middle of the United States, are a hotbed of the arts and have superb art museums? So many museums in these three States … You could spend a whole month to visit one every day.

New York City or Los Angeles maybe - but in these semi-rural areas? They might be known for hillbillies, extreme weather, frequent storms, rice and poultry production, or their rich folk music tradition. Yet still, they have countless art museums and galleries, many in Kansas City, and in Wichita but also in Bentonville in the southern part of the Arkansas state.

I visited several of these museums during the last ten years and I highly recommend them if you are in the area. Many of these museums are completely free. Their coffee shops and restaurants are often filled with art too and their menu is usually classy, healthy, organic, but affordable. Here is a quick list of some of these museums:

KANSAS CITY

Mark your calendar! On the First Friday of every month, thousands of residents and visitors fill the Crossroads Arts District in Kansas City to enjoy what has become the City’s most dynamic and popular event. Visit the exciting new Art Alleys between Baltimore and Wyandotte from 18^th Street to Southwest Blvd which are filled with Art Vendors and their individual artistic creations! Take the free KC Streetcar and avoid the parking hassle!
During the high season months of April through October, a participation fee is charged. No participation fee is charged from November to March.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO

This cultural jewel museum in Kansas City is home to more than 42,000 works of art, with a campus that includes the original Nelson-Atkins Building, the Bloch Building expansion that opened in 2007, and the Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. Works ranging from Caravaggio to Monet, alongside indigenous and modern pieces.

Explore the museum’s sculpture park, where the whimsical giant Shuttlecocks installations spark the imagination. The museum harmoniously integrates art with nature through its peaceful walking paths and reflective pools, fostering a space for both, artistic admiration and quiet reflection. Visit the Bloch Building for coffee, tea, and espresso drinks or the Rozzelle Court Restaurant which offers fast casual dining for lunch.

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City

The Belger Arts Center has staged over 70 large-scale exhibitions that represents the best in contemporary art. As the first contemporary art museum in the state, Kemper Museum has connected Midwest communities with the artists of our time since 1994.

The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art acknowledges it resides on the ancestral territory of the Osage, Kaw, and Otoe-Missouria, among other tribal nations forcibly moved to the region such as the Shawnee, Wyandot, Delaware, Potawatomi, Sac and Fox, and Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) nations.

Café Sebastienne serves a seasonal menu in two unique spaces: one in an intimate dining room with a floor-to-ceiling installation of more than 100 paintings by Frederick James Brown, and the other in a natural light-filled enclosed courtyard.

Belger Arts Center, Kansas City

It houses a fine art collection and also holds exhibitions of various art. The Belger Arts Center has staged over 70 large-scale exhibitions that represents some of the best in contemporary art. In addition to its exhibitions, the Belger Arts Center also houses the John and Maxine Belger´s Family Foundation collection. This collection includes more than 1,500 pieces of fine art, primarily from American artists of the late 20th century.

LITTLE ROCK

Urban travel to Little Rock, AR, includes a strong art scene - not only The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts but more than a dozen art galleries. Speaking of public art, there are plenty of sculptures to see around Little Rock and interactive maps have been created to help find them too. A highlight is Riverfront Park and the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. Many murals can be found in Little Rock that help bring a colorful flare to the city landscape. If you are interested in seeing them, there are self guided tours that have been created to help locate them.

The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts in Little Rock, AR

The Museum's history dates back more than 100 years. In 1914, a group of intrepid women formed the Fine Arts Club with a mission to bring the arts to Arkansas. The Fine Arts Club planted the seeds that were realized when the Museum of Fine Arts opened in downtown Little Rock's MacArthur Park in 1937. The AMFA Foundation offers 14,000 objects of permanent collection, compelling temporary exhibitions, lively theatre, and enriching courses.

This fall (2024) an exciting Art Nouveau show is presented.

BENTONVILLE

Bentonville is a small town that makes a big impression - especially in the arts. The beauty of the areas

natural surroundings and the proximity of museums, galleries, and entertainment inspire visitors to walk the city. Whether it is a sculpture in a gallery or a mural that stops you in your tracks, creativity pops up around every corner.

Crystal Bridges Museums in Bentonville

If you think Bentonville is the headquarter of Walmart only, you might be surprised that it is a hotbed of art, close to the Ozarks and rural America. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 13 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. The museum belongs to the leading art museums in the United States and bridges the power of art with the beauty of nature on 120-acres of Ozark Forest. Crystal Bridges is the only museum in Arkansas that’s also an arboretum.

Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton (a Walmart heiress), Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early America to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. Visit the Early American Art Gallery - The Art of Architecture, Near People on the Move Gallery and other exhibitions - also through audio.

The architecture of Crystal Bridges is as stunning and inspirational as the artwork housed inside it. The museum's glass-and-wood had been designed by architect Mosche Safdie. Crystal Bridges celebrates the visionary work of architects such as Safdie and Frank Lloyd Wright, whose buildings work in harmony with the natural environment.

Explore the architecture of Crystal Bridges, as well as that of Wright’s classic Usonian house on the museum grounds. Enjoy a docent-led tour of Wright's last brick prairie-style house. Self-guided tours are NOT permitted. Tour times and types vary by season. Finished in 1918, the house was one of the last Prairie-style projects (with a low roofline and sweeping horizontal aspects) that Wright completed, but it retains a contemporary feel.

In 2014 Crystal Bridges acquired the Bachman–Wilson House by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The New Jersey house was dismantled and relocated to Bentonville.

The museum's permanent collection features American art from the Colonial era to the contemporary period. All of the featured artists are United States citizens. Notable works include a Charles Willson Peale portrait of George Washington as well as paintings by George Bellows, Jasper Cropsey, Asher Durand, Josef Albers, Susan Catherine Moore Waters, Mary Cassatt, and many other artists.

Contemporary artworks shown are by Georgia O'Keefe, Thomas Eakins, Andy Warhol, Jasper Jones, Maxfield Parrish,

A Nighttime Experience Like No Other

This 2024 fall, roam a world outside time as acclaimed studio Klip Collective uses light, sound, and state-of-the-art projection mapping to transform acres of Ozark nature into a never-before-seen journey across time and space.

Designed exclusively for the museum’s North Forest, this outdoor, site-responsive experience features six immersive installations for you and your crew to explore. Backed by a custom soundtrack and open during the Ozarks’ most beautiful season, Time Loop truly offers an outdoor experience unlike any in Northwest Arkansas.

Art Hotel 21C Museum, Bentonville

Located on the northeast corner of the Bentonville town square and a short walk to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville is a 104-room boutique hotel, contemporary art museum and cultural center. With more than 12,000 square feet of exhibition space seamlessly integrated into all areas of the property, there are opportunities to discover art around every corner. Galleries are open daily and exhibitions rotate, so make plans to visit often. And please take advantage of regular cultural programming, too.

WICHITA

Explore Wichita's art scene: museums, vibrant murals, events like Riverfest, and interactive art experiences.

Wichita boasts a dynamic art scene with many art museums and galleries, like the Wichita Art Museum, The Ulrich Museum of Art at WSU, & MarkArts, which will spark your creativity. The city comes alive with art events year-round, from the spirited Riverfest to the diverse Autumn & Art at Bradley Fair. These gatherings not only celebrate local talent but also foster community spirit, making art accessible to everyone.

Wichita Art Museum

Located west of downtown Wichita in the Museums on the River District, WAM boasts an outstanding collection of American art, with works by Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Mary Cassatt among others. With a permanent collection of over 10,000 artworks, featuring icons like Cassatt, Homer, and Hopper, alongside Pre-Columbian and contemporary glass art by Dale Chihuly - the essence of American artistic heritage. Coupled with our ever-changing traveling exhibitions, there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

The Wichita Art Museum is surrounded by an Art Garden with lush plantings–more than 100 new trees, nearly 600 shrubs, and more than 20,000 perennials and grasses–with 13 outdoor sculptures gracing the garden meld art and nature, urban leisure, and aesthetic enjoyment.

Mid-America Fine Arts, Wichita

Not really a museum - but more an art gallery, Mid-America Fine Arts in Wichita, KS. It began in 1973 by Les and Courtney Ruthven. With increasing knowledge of artists and the art market, they found and acquired more pieces by major American artists at regional auctions. This was first done for their private collection but they soon discovered they had more art than could be displayed. In 1973, they became art dealers, and Mid-America Fine Arts was begun.

Artworks include among others American artists Lloyd Foltz, John Edward Costigan, Arthur W. Hall, Herschel C. Logan, William J. Dickerson, Ted Hawkins, and many others.

IF YOU VISIT:

The Arkansas Museum Of Fine Arts

501 E 9th St

Open Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm / 8 pm

Museum Admission is Free

https://arkmfa.org/

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO

4525 Oak Street

Sat-Mon | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Tue-Wed | CLOSED

Thur-Fri | 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Museum Admission is Free

https://www.nelson-atkins.org/

Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, in Kansas City, MO

4420 Warwick Blvd

Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, Thursday to 9 pm

Museum Admission is Free

https://www.kemperart.org/

Belger Arts Center in Kansas City, MO

2100 Walnut Street

Wed-Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Museum Admission is Free

https://belgerarts.org/

Wichita Art Museum

1400 Museum Blvd

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10 am – 5 pm.

Friday Nights: Open until 9 pm

Museum Admission is Free

https://wam.org/

Mid-America Fine Arts, Wichita, KS

2601 E Central Ave

Weekdays: 8:00 – 2:00

Weekends: Closed

https://midamericafinearts.com/

Crystal Bridges Museums in Bentonville

600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR

Mon | Wed 11 am—6 pm

Thur | Fri 11 am—8 pm

Sat | Sun 10 am—6 pm

Tue Closed

Crystal Bridges trails and the extended grounds open daily from sunrise to sunset.

https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/space-makers/

https://crystalbridges.org/calendar/drop-in-tour-big-picture-tour-art-architecture-nature/

Art Hotel 21C Museum, Bentonville

200 NE A Street

https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/bentonville/

Art Museums are not the only interesting places you will find in Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas: A myriad of galleries, history, aviation, science, music, sport, native, and other specialty museums can be found here. Not to mention the wonderful foliage in fall. A perfect vacation from September to November!

Grossglockner Nationalpark: The Moelltal

2024-07-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Many skiers know the Moelltaler Gletscher (Glacier) as a fantastic Ski area south of the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria. But as beautiful as the snowed-in Moelltal is in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall are at least as attractive for visitors!

If you come from or drive towards the Grossglockner Summit (3,798 meters), hold your horses, stop the car and take a long walk through the flower-blooming meadows and inhale the aromatic mountain air.

Watch the mountain farmers working in high-elevation farm areas mowing the hay with sickles and filling their hay stakes to let it dry for winter storage. The cows cannot graze fresh food in winter and need to be fed with this hay.

Visit the Putzenhof, a wonderful restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food - in fair weather served in their garden under huge shade-spending trees. But that´s not all: the large building houses the gold-digging museum. The area was once famous for its precious metal and gold has been traditionally mined here in the valley and its surroundings.

Homes, churches, and even a small castle give the appearance a homey and cozy feeling due to the liberal use of wood, overhanging roofs, and window boxes filled with colorful flowers.

Visitors can even make a road trip on a steep, narrow winding road up to an Alm (meadows in the mountains) from where they can discover the mountain tip of the Grossglockner (Glockner Blick), walking over meadows where cows are grazing. There is also a guesthouse where visitors can stay overnight, and have a typical Austrian meal. The view towards the mountain peaks is stunning!

Come and enjoy this beautiful Moell Valley any time of the year, smell the roses and the fresh hay, and admire the lovely mountain buildings and the snow-covered peaks. Visit waterfalls, white-water streams, the gold-mining museum, and drive up to the high-mountain meadows (or even better walk). This valley has the best of an old-fashioned ¨Sommerfrische¨.

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Downtown Milan, Italy: Museum and Botanical Garden in Brera

2024-04-29T03:49:00.000-07:00

How to find a quiet and natural oasis in the middle of an Italian metropolis.

Behind the southern facade of the Brera Palazzo, the Botanical Garden is a romantic oasis of greenery among the buildings in downtown Milan. Located in the heart of the city, ca. 400 meters from the Scala, or 600 meters from the Duomo. It is an oasis of tranquility and beauty. Start seeing beautiful medieval art by Italian painters from the 15-hundreds, in the Palace, the Pinacoteca di Brera, before entering the Botanical Garden to admire nature´s art and beauty.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the wealth of flora and discover

the fascinating history of plants from around the world. This tranquil

garden was established in 1774 with flowerbeds, ponds, and an
arboretum with centuries-old trees.

These large trees, often growing in unusual locations or

between flowerbeds, including two 2-and-a-half-centuries-old

Ginkgo bilobas, the garden's patriarchs and symbols.

The Brera Botanical Garden is open to the public throughout

the year and admission is free. Address: Via Ancona Angolo Via San Marco,

Milano MI Brera. Open daily from noon to 2:30 and from 7 pm to 10:00 pm

There are two entrances: via Brera 28 passing through the corridors of the

Academy and via private F.lli Gabba 10

How to reach the garden:

By tube: MM3 (Montenapoleone), MM2 (Lanza), MM1 (Cairoli)

By tram or bus: 1, 2, 4, 12, 14, 61, 94

The Garden can be reached from Milano Centrale Railway Station

(3 stops on the yellow MM3 line), from Milano P.ta Garibaldi Railway Station

(1 stop on the green MM2 line), from Milano Cadorna Railway Station

(1 stop on the red MM1 line).

Discover the vintage charm of Brera, with its galleries, antique stores,

and flower-decked balconies. Besides historic architecture such as Brera Palace,

stop by the ¨Eataly¨ food market.

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