Christmas On Easter Island?

Easter Island is a Polynesian island located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, it is known for the 887 monumental statues created by the Rapanui the early people of Easter Island and the statues are known as Moai. When most people think of Easter Island and the first thought is mystery and cannibalism. Story goes that Easter Island was forest of palms until the islanders deforested the island while erecting the statues this caused a major change onthe Island, it affected the construction of fishing vessels and therefore causing a an affect on fishing, birds also lost nesting sites. This left the islanders with chickens and rats as their main source of food and evidence shows that there was some cannibalism, and for many it is still a mystery how the islanders constructed so many large statues. One statue called Paro was almost 33 feet (10 meters) high and it weighed 82 tons.

There are people who live on the island and if the search is for a unique place to celebrate Christmas is your goal then Easter Island can offer that. Enjoying Christmas on Easter Island is a new experience to have, finding an open restaurant on the island can be a little bit of a challenge, but there is plenty of time to find something to eat before midnight mass which starts at 9:30 pm and seems most of the town people have a part in it. Easter Island offers a unique Christmas along with history and some mystery.

What Mysteries Island Have You Been To?

Thanksgiving Experiencing It Where It All Started

If you really want to celebrate Thanksgiving, experience it where it all started. Take a trip to Plymouth, Massachusetts and enjoy the celebrations and the many places to choose from for a Thanksgiving dinner. There are many things to enjoy in Plymouth during November; the parades, the food festivals, and touring the Mayflower II.

Before you head overto Plymouth look back and understand where Thanksgiving started. When most people think of Thanksgiving they think pilgrims and traditions. Even though that is all true, Thanksgiving goes back to August 1620 where the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower making its way across the Atlantic for Virginia. The Mayflower ended up reaching New England no one really knows how they ended up there, some people believe that maybe storms or navigation errors lead the Mayflower to what we know today as Plymouth. The pilgrims did try to explore parts of the Cape Cod but they had to deal with storms and some of the local Native Americans, these issues pushed them to keep sailing westward. They actually made it to Plymouth on December 21, 1620 after a rough trip it would have been extremely hard if not impossible for them to survive, but thanks to the help that came from the Wampanoag Tribe by sending Samoset and Tisquantum to help the Pilgrims they were able to survive. After all the planting of crops were done with the help of the Indians the Pilgrims finally had successful crops and in celebration they came together with the Wampanoag Tribe and had a fantastic feast. This has continued on and still brings people together to celebrate and be thankful for a meal shared between family, friends and strangers at a time of the year that reminds people to be thankful.

Do you know where the name Plymouth comes from?

Discovering France Off Season

The great thing about visiting France in November means of all the crowds are gone and there are times you feel as if you have France to yourself. The weather may not be as warm and sunny but there are still things to celebrate if you find yourself there in during this time of year. The third Thursday in the month of November is known as Beaujolais Nouveau, which translates to the year’s new wine. This means that it’s time to try the wine and have a feast. For those Americans who are in France for Thanksgiving you can still find some restaurants that will serve you up a Thanksgiving meal. You can find these restaurants if you pick up a FUSAC, a free magazine, reservations are a good idea to any of these places because they fill up quickly. By the end of November the Paris streets are filled with lights in preparation for Christmas, which is a beautiful to see. Don't miss The Eiffel tower is also is lit up at night and that too is a site to see.

You can also take a trip up to the French Alps for some skiing, even though peek season is February though March you can still get in some good skiing in November at some high altitudes. So... What hotel did Oscar Wilde die in?

The French Alps are those portions of the Alps mountain range which stand within France, located in the Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions. Mont Blanc or in Italian terms, Monte Bianco is located on the French-Italian border and the highest mountain in the Alps as well as the highest mountain in Europe west of Russia at 15,782 feet. The two most famous towns near Mont Blanc are Courmayeur in Aosta Valley, Italy, and Chamonix in Haute-Savoie, France—the site of the first Winter Olympics. A cable car ascends and crosses the mountain from Courmayeur to Chamonix which ownership of the summit has spurred many debates ever since the French Revolution.

Stress Free Holidays in Wine Tasting Country

Napa Valley is a great place to visit in November during the holidays if you are looking for a stress free getaway. You can enjoy walking through vineyards and wine tasting while learning how wine is made. A great winery to see is the Rubicon Estate Winery owned by filmmaker Francis Ford-Coppola. Coppola and his wife Eleanor purchased the property back in 1975 once known as the Niebaum’s Victorian home. Since then it has been renamed after its flagship wine Rubicon. The wine is organically grown on the property’s vineyards. The property is a must see even for those that are not looking to go wine tasting. Coppola has worked on restoring the property over the past 25 years, he has been purchasing all the vineyards that were once originally part of the estate. Make sure before you leave to stop by and see Coppola’s movie gallery where he displays some of his Oscar’s. Napa offers many things to do during the Thanksgiving holiday and most of it includes wine tasting, what a way to relax.

If you’re looking for some outdoor time you can visit Skyline Wilderness Park and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and biking. There is even camping available for those that want to really connect with the outdoors.

What's the name of the first California winery?

Yosemite in the Fall

Yosemite is a beautiful destination to visit during the fall even though most of the trees are evergreen. It is still a site to see and though it can get chilly between 31 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit this does not stop people from coming to Yosemite for Thanksgiving; in fact it is usually booked around that time. It’s a lovely time to visit and take some nice hikes. It’s definitely a place to go if you want to be cozy at night and enjoy the nice crisp days. Some things to do in the day are taking a walk to Bridaveil Fall and enjoy the amazing smell as you walk past oaks and Ponderosa pines. Depending on the weather you may or may not see much of the waterfalls but this is still a nice walk to take. This is also a time to do some Ice skating which many visitors have been doing since 1928 and is open seven days a week. There are many other trails to go out and explore.

If you don’t want to stop there and are looking for more of a hike make sure to visit California highest point Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney’s elevation is 14,505 feet (4,421 m). The west slope of Mount Whitney is part of the Sequoia National park. The summit is on the south end on the John Muir Trail, which connects with Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley.

So... What is your favorite experience in the Sierras?

London...Tales from the Past

If you find yourself in London during Halloween you need go on a Jack the Riper tour. The tour will start in London at Tower Hill tube station located on the District and Circle line. A good tour will take you back to where it started to avoid getting lost. You will hear the stories of the five women murdered in 1888 in London by a man that was never caught. The tour will take you to all the spots that the women were not only found, but also brutally murdered. It’s hard not to feel the energy from the past as you walk through the streets of London. London is filled with other tours that will scare you as well, try the Tower of London it is filled with many ghost stories of past murders.

The great thing about the United Kingdom is that there is a lot too see if you take a drive through the Wiltshire countryside you can stop and see Stonehenge. But if you want to find the highest point you will have to make your way to Scotland. Ben Nevis standing at 4,409 ft is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The 1883 Pony Track to the summit remains the simplest and most popular route of ascent and begins a mile outside of Fort William town center in the northern reaches of the island. Thanks to the zigzags, the path is not unusually steep apart and allegedly well-made and maintained throughout its length, but the loose scree, rocks and pebbles, especially on the path's upper reaches, can be hazardous and slippery. Be sure to stop by the Ben Nevis Distillery for some well deserved single malt whisky at the foot of the mountain, located by Victoria Bridge to the north of Fort William. Founded in 1825, it is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland and is a popular visitor attraction in Fort William.

So... In what part of the world have you experienced a mystery tour?

What’s Halloween without some Dracula?

Romania a perfect place to visit during the month of October if you want to be adventurous when celebrating your Halloween. The most popular place in Romania is Transylvania best known because of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Even though Bram Stoker never set foot in Romania he read about its history and the real Dracula, Vlad Tepes. His father was known as Dracul and Vlad known as Dracula meaning “Order of the Dragon”. Vlad gained a bad reputation with the Turks when they were are at war as he was protecting Wallachia a region in Romania. He was known to have impaled his enemy’s and installed fear in many. Story goes that he enjoyed eating his lunch while watching his victims die and enjoyed blood shed.

Bram Stroker created the Dracula we all know today and when visiting Romania you will find out that there is such a road as the Borgo pass and the Carpathian Mountains as in the book and movies. Although unlike the book when you go on the Borgo pass you will come across Hotel Dracula where some tourist like to spend the night. Although there is a castle many call Castle Dracula because Vlad was thought to have been held captive there, it is also know as Bran Castle. Bran Castle is located in Brasov Transylvania, and is open to the public fortours. This is a place to visit if you like history and hearing interesting stories.

For those wanting a little more adventure you can go for a hike in the Carpathian Mountains and also take a hike up to what is believed to be Dracula’s true castle which is mostly ruins and is known as Poenari Castle. It is located in a town by the name of Curtea de Arges and making your way to what’s left of the castle is a little bit of a hike. It is near the Arges River and between Wallachia and Transylvania. Once at the top you will have some beautiful views from there, but beware some believe that it is haunted and going there at night is not advised.

But why stop there? Why not see the Carpathian Mountains? The Carpathian Mountains are amazing. They span through Austria, The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania Montenegro, Serbia and northern Hungary. The largest area if the Carpathians is Romanian forming the eastern and southern boundaries. Its highest peaks are the Southern side, Moldoveanu at 8,346 feet and Negoiu at 8,316 feet. Wildlife to be careful with are lynx, brown bears and wolves. Romania is an amazing place to visit especially for those that hope to encounter the real Dracula on Halloween.

What's your favorite ghost story?

Salem Massachusetts - A Spooky Destination

Best known for the Salem witch trials between February 1692 and May 1693, the trials were held across what was then known as Salem Village. Over 150 people were accused and arrested for witchcraft. Fourteen were women and five were men that were persecuted and executed by hanging. But that is not the only reason Salem is a must see during Halloween.

One man was crushed to death for refusing to enter a plea during the witch trials his name was Giles Corey. This was later seen as mass hysteria, and still to this day attracts many people. This is one of the best times and fitting times to visit Salem.

Many people enjoy all the spooky events that go on for Halloween. You can find ghost tours that take you through Salem’s chilling cemeteries, as the tour guides tell you the history of the witch trials and a Victorian murder, and in some cases sharing personal ghost stories. But make sure to also visit the House of the Seven Gables, the many museums and the Pickering wharf while there. Salem is a beautiful destination with a lot of history, quaint Bed and Breakfast’s, shops and dining by the water.

If you are looking for a little adventure and detour off the beaten path, make your way to the highest natural point in Massachusetts at 3,489 feet. Located in the northwest corner of the state, Mt. Greylock is only a few hours drive from Salem and provides views of five states and the only taiga-boreal forest in the state. It also offers the iconic 93-foot-high lighthouse-like Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower. Bring your hiking shoes for the network of trails traversing the mountain including a section of the 2,179-mile Appalachian Trail. Mount Greylock State Reservation was created in 1898 as Massachusetts' first public land for the purpose of forest preservation. Massachusetts’s highest point would be a nice .

So... what was your spookiest destination?

Mount Rainier - Best route to the top?

Mount Rainier is a massive stratovolcano located 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle in the state of Washington, United States. It is the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States and the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 m).Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. Because of its large amount of glacial ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive lahars that would threaten the whole Puyallup River valley. "Mount Rainier" Wikipedia 27-Aug. 2011

So... What is the best route to the top?

Machu Picchu - Rank to the other Seven Wonders?

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

So... Where does it rank as one of the New Seven Wonders Of The World?

Taj Mahal

The Shah Jahan emperor of Mughal built the Taj Mahal for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal after she died giving birth to their 14^th child. He began the construction around 1632 and completed it around 1653, building one of the most beautiful mausoleums. It is believed that he later began construction of the black Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River. But all that is there is the foundation of what was to be Shah’s own tomb. Shah Jahan died before he could complete building the black Taj Mahal. Many people believe this to be only a myth.

Is the Black Taj Mahal Myth, Fact or Fiction?

Grand Canyon - Is the north or south rim the best?

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the first national parks in the United States. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent of preservation of the Grand Canyon area, and visited it on numerous occasions to hunt and enjoy the scenery. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and attains a depth of over a mile. Nearly two billion years of the Earth's geological history have been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut their channels through layer after layer of rock while the Colorado Plateau was uplifted. Recent evidence suggests the Colorado River established its course through the canyon at least 17 million years ago.

So... Is the north or south rim the best adventure to the bottom?