Hit the Road Travel Blog

Where do you want to go today?

2014-04-10T14:58:00.001-04:00

Chicago, Illinois

John Hancock Observatory
Art Institute of Chicago
Shedd Aquarium
Navy Pier
Chicago Botanic Garden during summer and early fall
Chicago (overview)
Downtown Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo

Cleveland and Cleveland Zoo

Australian Adventure at Cleveland Zoo
African Savanna at Cleveland Zoo

Places to visit in and around Cleveland, a general starting point, for specific places look below
Vermilion, a 'New England' town on Lake Erie
Kelleys Island and Marblehead Lighthouse, a wonderful summer getaway
Northern Trek in the Spring
Rain Forest at Cleveland Zoo
Click here to read more

Ohio

Stan Hywet Hall: An Old English Style Mansion in Akron
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio
Akron Zoo: There is only one inch between you and the tiger
Legends of the Wild
Tiger Valley
Asian Trail
Click here to read more

Midwest

Chicago, Illinois
Cathedral of Saint Paul and State Capitol in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Cowles Conservatory, Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Big Boy Steam Locomotive in Kenefick Park
Omaha Botanical Gardens
First ever pedestrian bridge to connect 2 states
Click here to read more

Northeast

Washington, D.C.: So Many Things to See, So Little Time
In New York City for 20 Hours
Niagara Falls, New York
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The City of Many Bridges
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia: The Birthplace of America
Click here to read more

Southeast

Key West
Sanibel Island
Disney World in Orlando
Shells of Honeymoon Island
Saint Petersburg
Clearwater
Miami Beach
South Beach
Click here to read more

West

Seaport Village in Downtown San Diego, California
Balboa Park, San Diego, California
San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, San Diego, California
Coronado, San Diego County, California
Downtown Seattle
Pike Place Public Market
Waterfront in Seattle
Click here to read more

Europe

Sofia, Bulgaria
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
Frescoes in the main church of Rila Monastery
Tsarevets stronghold in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Monument of Founders of Second Bulgarian Empire in Veliko Tarnovo
Samovodska Charshiya Street in Old Town of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Click here to read more

Linie Aquavit - famous Norwegian alcoholic beverage

2013-04-22T08:47:00.000-04:00

From Deutsche Welle:

A famous Norwegian alcoholic beverage has to go on a four month journey around the world before it can be served. The schnapps which is made from potatoes has to cross the Equator twice before it earns the name Linie Aquavit. "Some journeys change you forever", is the company's slogan.

Romania's Transylvania region - Deutsche Welle video

2013-03-26T11:30:00.000-04:00

Romania's Transylvania region is best known as the home of Count Dracula. Remote and unspoiled, the Cindrel mountains are ideal for hiking, while the Mediaeval village of Biertan is home to a 15th century church that is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tips for Visiting Sacramento (video)

2013-03-20T09:00:00.000-04:00

Located in the Central Valley, Sacramento is a beautiful city that has something to offer everyone. In this About.com video, learn the best time to travel to this city, and its historic venues.

Johann Sebastian Bach and the three key places central to his life and work: Eisenach, Köthen and Leipzig

2013-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the greatest composers in classical music history. His works continue to move and inspire people all over the world. We introduce you to three key places that were central to his life and work: Eisenach, Köthen and Leipzig.

Bremen - Discover Germany video

2013-03-18T10:30:00.000-04:00

David Miqueri and Teresita Olmedo encounter the Town Musicians of Bremen, explore the old Schnoor district and taste traditional sailor's food.

Snow at UChicago (video)

2013-03-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

UChicago's campus looks beautiful year-round, but there's something about a new snowfall that makes it especially enchanting.

SnowChicago - YouTube http://bit.ly/16yTCD3

Tips for Visiting Paris - About.com videos

2013-03-16T10:00:00.000-04:00

Tips for Visiting Notre Dame - YouTube http://bit.ly/16yTbsA

Tips for Visiting the Sacre Coeur - YouTube http://bit.ly/16yTbbZ

Travel playlists from About.com (videos)

2013-03-15T09:00:00.000-04:00

California Dreaming - YouTube http://bit.ly/Y6i2Am

Visit Portugal | Travel Tips - YouTube http://bit.ly/Y6i4Z5

Frequent Flyer | Air Travel Tips - YouTube http://bit.ly/YV2fkp

"The world's English mania" - TED video

2013-03-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

Jay Walker explains why two billion people around the world are trying to learn English.

English is a mandatory subject in Chinese schools from third grade. "The world's second language" offers opportunity to solve common problems.

Annual shark migration in south Florida (video)

2013-03-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

Sharks at Spring Break! Alistair Dove of the Georgia Aquarium talks about the annual shark migration in south Florida - apparently they are harmless. CNN video:

Eros Ramazzotti | Euromaxx dossier - Deutsche Welle video

2013-03-12T10:30:00.000-04:00

The star Italian pop singer reveals some of his inner thoughts in this edition of Euromaxx dossier.

New Bulgarian house built with only 3 traditional materials: stone, wood, clay

2013-03-12T10:00:00.000-04:00

Euromaxx visits a house designed by architect Stefan Dobrev in Bulgaria. Made out of natural materials, Dobrev creates a luxurious yet simple living space that blends in well with the surrounding Rhodope mountains.

Bulgarian Mountains HD videos

2013-03-11T09:30:00.000-04:00

This Is My Bulgaria:

Photography by Maya Karkalicheva © 2008 - 2012
http://www.mayaeye.com
http://www.facebook.com/mayaeye

Bulgarian Mountains HD:

"5 minute Sofia" video project

2013-03-10T10:00:00.000-04:00

YouTube channel for 5 minute Sofia: http://www.youtube.com/user/5minutesSofia

From Bulgarian:

5 минути София - Спасяването на българските евреи. Според плана на Гестапо първата група евреи от България трябва да бъде депортирана през март 1943 г. В прецизната организация на нацистите не са предвидени действията на няколко смели мъже, подкрепени от цялото българско общество. Спасяването на 40 000 български евреи е един от големите триумфи на толерантността и цивилизованото мислене, които историята помни.

More videos: 5 минути София - Жълтите павета - YouTube http://bit.ly/Ww0tLN

5 minute Sofia: Boyana Church

2013-03-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

From Bulgarian:

5 минути София - Севастократор Калоян

В пределите на Втората българска държава градът става известен като „един от най-славните и забележителни градове в европейските предели". По време на Второто българско царство се създава книжовна школа. Тук се кръстосвали и пътищата на монаси и книжовници.Севастократор става ктитор на един от най-големите шедьоври на средновековна България - Боянската черква.

YouTube channel for 5 minute Sofia: http://www.youtube.com/user/5minutesSofia

5 minute Sofia: Name of the city

2013-03-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

From Bulgarian:

5 минути София - Името на града.

Сердика, Улпия Сердика, Средец, Триадица, София. Дали днешната Българска столица е кръстена на църквата „Св. София" построена на най-високото място в стария град, или на светата мъченица София и трите и дъщери Вяра, Надежда и Любов, умрели за Христовата вяра, или всички те носят името на едно велико нещо?

YouTube channel for 5 minute Sofia: http://www.youtube.com/user/5minutesSofia

5 minute Sofia: Constantine the Great (video)

2013-03-07T08:30:00.000-05:00

5 minute Sofia: Constantine the Great

From Bulgarian:

5 минути София - Константин Велики

„Сердика е моят Рим!" Така възкликва римският император Константин Велики, онемял пред красивия град. Сердика достига голям разцвет по време на неговото управление, след като римската империя се разделя на Източна и Западна. Тук на това място се е разпростирало светилището на много почитаните в Сердика богове на здравето и медицината - Асклепий и Хигия. Построена е Арената на София.

YouTube channel for 5 minute Sofia: http://www.youtube.com/user/5minutesSofia

The Bible: Behind the Scenes

2013-03-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

Taking a trip to Plovdiv | Euromaxx city (video)

2013-03-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It dates back more than eight thousand years. It was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2004.

The business of art reproduction - Deutsche Welle video

2013-03-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Déjà Vu - Art, Artifice and Avarice: In the aftermath of the banking crisis more and more investors are putting their money in paintings or sculptures. They regard fine art as a safe haven for their savings. But opting for the art market is almost as unpredictable as gambling on the stock market. The challenge is compounded by a flood of excellent forgeries. It takes an expert eye to distinguish the original from the fake. There is also a huge market for legitimate copies and high-quality prints for those who cannot afford the real thing. Déjà Vu Art, Artifice and Avarice paints its own picture of the business of reproduction.

Schiller Park

2013-03-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

The suburb of Schiller Park was featured in Chicago Tribune in February 2013.

"The village, tucked between O'Hare International Airport's runways and county forest preserves, feels more urban than suburban with its bungalows and trains-planes-and-automobiles bustle. The low-flying aircraft are a trade-off for affordable home prices and a quick commute to employers surrounding O'Hare.

The melting pot of nearly 12,000 residents is home to a dwindling number of Italians and Germans and a growing population of residents with Bulgarian, Mexican and Polish roots."

References:

Schiller Park close to the airport, far from suburbia - chicagotribune http://trib.in/12k2lK1

Oettinger - Germany's Top-Selling Beer Brand (video)

2013-03-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Günther Kollmar, head of the Oettinger Brewery, breaks all the beer industry's rules; he doesn't advertise his products, doesn't do deals with restaurants and bars and has his beer delivered by his own company. That cuts costs. And it's helped him turn a small Bavarian brewery into the maker of Germany's largest and best-selling (discount) beer brand.

Potsdam - Discover Germany video

2013-02-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Potsdam - With a Tourist from South Africa | Discover Germany:

The Sheep and The People of North Ronaldsay Island (video)

2013-02-11T11:55:00.000-05:00

From Deutsche Welle:

The natives of North Ronaldsay were always a bit unusual. Until the 19th century they still spoke a dialect of Old Norse, a language that had already died out on the neighboring islands.

About 600 people once lived on North Ronaldsay. Nowadays the number of inhabitants is tiny. Life on the northernmost of the Orkney Islands was just too harsh on the human population. The native breed of sheep, however, which feed mainly on marine algae, could now become a lucrative source of income. But new farmers are having a hard time finding land while native residents are loath to give up their property.

The mayor of the island hopes to recruit immigrants from populous countries such as China and India to keep the local aging population from disappearing.

This may not be such an exotic idea. For example, the overpopulation and the exorbitant housing prices of Hong Kong are pushing the local people to their limits. Population density of 200,000 on one square kilometer, and a family of 4 in a single room with one bed surely make for difficult living conditions. Watch the related video below:

Life in a megacity comes at a high premium. In Hong Kong, the costs of living have exploded in recent years, making life almost unlivable for 1 in 6.