- March 1st: Explore Cincinnati’s Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove
- March 2nd: Enjoy some fruit wine at Bardwell Winery
- March 3rd: Spend time hiking the Olentangy River Trail North
- March 4th: Attend a special exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum
- March 5th: View period architecture at The Castle in Marietta
- March 6th: Order lunch at Mike and Rosy’s Deli
- March 7th: Book a nigh at the historic Simon Kenton Inn
- March 8th: Hike Columbus’ first Metro Park, Blacklick Woods
- March 9th: Choose between beer or wine at Plum Run Winery
- March 10th: Stop by Father John’s Brewery for a craft beer
- March 11th: Read about the Kitchen-Aid Store Museum in Greenville, now closed
- March 12th: Take in the view of Cincinnati’s Skyline from Devou Park
- March 13th: Eat lunch at Culp’s Cafe
- March 14th: Stop by Hartman Rock Center
- March 15th: Try delicious Amish cooking at Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant
- March 16th: Escape the Cincinnati Traffic and Enjoy Eden Park
- March 17th: Wander the halls and grounds of Chateau La Roche
- March 18th: Make your own Wine at Grape & Granary
- March 19th: Hike Glacier Ridge MetroPark
- March 20th: Feast on donuts at Stan the Donut Man
- March 21th: Learn more about Springfield, Ohio: The City at the End of the Road
- March 22nd: Check out a great Ohio Winery: Old Schoolhouse Winery
- March 23rd: Grab a delicious BBQ sandwich at Rudy’s BBQ
- March 24th: Satisfy your Sweet Tooth at Fluff Bakery
- March 25th: Select one of Moerlein Christian Brewery‘s Timeless Ales
- March 26th: Order a glass of one of A.R. Winery‘s specialty wines
- March 27th: Sit down to a home cooked meal at Malabar Farm Restaurant
- March 28th: Stroll the quaint town of Historic Dublin, Ohio
- March 29th: Enjoy Bread Made with the Flour from Bear’s Mill
- March 30th: Find the old cabin at Fort Hill State Park
Author: cbillias
Exploring London on the Hop On/Hop Off Bus
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” – Samuel Johnson
Wellington Arch
The sky was overcast and the Hop On/Hop Off bus was scheduled to arrive at the stop in about ten minutes. I would have hardly noticed the young guy in his mid-twenties, except that I could hear the heavy metal music coming through his ear buds. Dressed for the cold weather, he wore black boots, dark skinny jeans and a NorthFace Bubble jacket to match. We were the only two waiting at the stop when the double decker pulled up to the curb.
I boarded the bus, selected a map and headset, taking the stairs to the upper floor. I felt the hipster close on my heels and noticed plenty of bucket seats available as I reached the top of the staircase. Finding the perfect row with an unobstructed view, I prepared myself for the ride, adjusting my headset in preparation for the self-guided tour. As the bus pulled away from the pavement near Trafalgar Square, I heard the mystery man’s voice welcome us aboard the bus, introducing himself as our tour guide, Bobby.
Passing by Hyde Park, Bobby explained that this beautiful piece of land was once the property of Westminster Abbey. Stocked with wild boar, deer and bull, King Henry the VIII acquired the land and converted it into his private hunting ground in 1536.
Several landmarks within Hyde Park are worth a visit, including the Wellington Arch. This beautiful monument was commissioned by King George IV in the 1820s and is located at Hyde Park Corner. Visitors can reach the first floor of the arch to learn more about its history and proceed to the fourth level for spectacular views of London’s skyline.
Statue of Achilles at The Royal Park’s Hyde Park
Stretching from Westminster to Kensington, Hyde Park was opened to the public by King Charles I in the early 1600s. Over the years, the lineage of royal families had made many updates and improvements, including a lighted byway, an artificial lake, several statues and a memorial fountain to the late Princess Diana.
The Achilles statue was the first to be erected in Hyde Park in 1822. Commissioned by the Ladies of England, an upper class society in London, its purpose was to commemorate the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley. Reaching a height of eighteen feet, the monument caused quite a controversy when the nude statue was unveiled. With such a reaction, the fig leaf was added shortly after the bronze was installed.
Children rode bikes along the paved path while maintenance workers took advantage of the beautiful weather for a bit of yard work. Pedestrians, bundled up in warm coats with mittens and hats explored the afternoon away from the city, enjoying the fountains, monuments and the colors of early spring.
Hyde Park seemed to stretch for miles as we passed the Joy of Life fountain. In the 1860s, this area, known as Park Lane, was once a Victorian sunken garden, a popular site for locals and guests. Our guide explained that the beautiful bronze Huxley-Jones water feature dates back to 1963, replacing the previous Boy and Dolphin Fountain. The whimsical fount of children playing in the pool sits amidst 60,000 daffodils that bloom in the beauty of springtime.
Within minutes, the bus reached a gorgeous, gated entrance which could only be described as befitting of British royalty. In the distance, the Victoria Memorial stood guard to the entrance of Buckingham Palace and its surrounding gardens. The memorial, made of marble and gilt bronze, was built to commemorate the rule of Queen Victoria. The statuesque monument was designed by Thomas Brock and was unveiled to the public in 1909.
Our tour continued passing the Palace of Westminster before crossing the bridge towards the northern part of the city. The sun was struggling to shine through the cloudy sky, but the cold temperatures continued to rise on this brisk, blustery day, providing much needed warmth for the double decker bus.
The Palace of Westminster dominated the banks of the River Thames and has been the governmental seat of Houses of Parliament (the Lords and the Commons) for over 500 years. The large, gorgeous neo-Gothic structure was once the home of the royal family until a fire in 1834 forced the family to move their home to nearby Whitehall Palace. Westminster Hall and Jewel Tower, dating back to 1097, are what remain of the original palace after the fire.
There is no doubt that Big Ben is the superstar of the Houses of Parliament. Located at the north end of the grand structure, the famous bell resides in the clock tower standing 316 feet tall. While the five bells of the Westminster Chimes strike every fifteen minutes, Big Ben continues its loyal keeping of time, tolling upon the hour.
Royal Courts of Justice
Seeming more like a castle or a cathedral, the Royal Courts of Justice reviews civil matters such as divorce, civil liabilities and libel. Built in the late 1880’s, the sprawling, Victorian Gothic contains one thousand rooms. Standing at the center of this magnificent architectural masterpiece, I admired the spires, rounded turrets and stained glass rosette, attempting to count the number of windows, both great and small. The public are permitted to enter the courtrooms to observe the civil hearings, while criminal cases are decided at the Old Bailey, a short walk east of the Royal Courts.
I have fond memories as a child watching my great grandmother enjoy a cup of Twinings tea. Sarah Hodgson came to the United States from Manchester, England aboard the Caronia in 1921. I enjoyed hearing about her life as a child and loved sharing in her afternoon tea rituals. I was able to hop off at the nearby stop for a visit to Twinings on Strand. It was a memorable experience and an homage to my great grandmother.
The cheery entrance into the Twinings store on Strand reminded me of Christmas with its colorful bulbs flanking the simple, white Romanesque columns on each side. Gorgeous mahogany doors were an added element of elegance to the store made famous for selling some of the best teas in the world. Twinings dates back to 1706 when it was first called the Golden Lion and a long list of poets, writers and artists have graced through its doors.
The overwhelming, sensational scent of tea drew me in and I was captivated by the store’s regal interior. A stunning variety of teas were displayed upon the dark wooded shelves such as Breakfast Blend, Chamomile and the famous Earl Grey tea. I left Twinings with a few souvenirs and a memory I would cherish for a lifetime.
Fleet Street Sculpture
With shopping bags in tow, I came across this most spectacular, sinister dragon, standing upright on Fleet Street. Lurking between the divide of the City of London and Westminster, this Temple Bar Memorial dates back to 1880, replacing the former archway that was designed by architect Christopher Wren.
Many playwrights, publishers and authors began their careers here on Fleet Street after the city’s first printing press was introduced in the late 15th century. With the increase of publishing, large newspapers set up shop here until the late 1980s, when many of them closed and relocated outside of the city proper.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral was my first glimpse of London when, as a young girl, I awoke early to watch the televised wedding ceremony of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. I remember the train of Lady Diana’s gorgeous gown as she slowly walked down the aisle to recite her marriage vows. Not only was it the wedding of the century, Americans were introduced to the British monarchy, architecture and the belief that fairytales can come true.
The original St. Paul’s Cathedral dates back to 604 AD, but it is Christopher Wren’s English baroque architectural masterpiece built after the Great Fire of London that draws thousands of visitors each year. St. Paul’s impressive triple-built dome is one of the largest in the world, second only to that of St. Peter’s in Rome.
I couldn’t wait to enter St. Paul’s Cathedral and looked forward to the scenic view from its dome. With a total of 528 stairs to reach the top, I was happy to learn that there were three galleries to explore along the way. Within minutes, I had miraculously reached the halfway mark of my journey looking down at the parquet flooring and circular starburst from the Whispering Gallery. With the power of acoustics, even a whisper is said to carry from one side of the dome to the other.
A shorter trek of stairs leads to a platform on the dome’s exterior for a view of the city referred to as the Stone Gallery, but it’s the tight, winding black staircase that reaches an additional outdoor viewing arena with spectacular 365 degree views of the city of London. Referred to as the Golden Gallery, this is the highest point of the dome reaching 365 feet in height.
The wind begins to pick up making it the perfect time to exit the viewing area and make the descent back down to the nave. A group of schoolchildren are gathered under the dome, so I slip out of the exit and wait for the next Hop On/Hop Off bus to transport me back to the north side of the Thames.
I was surprised at how quickly the red double decker bus arrived on Whitehead Street. Earlier that morning I had referenced Rick Steve’s City Walk of Westminster before the Horse Guards had arrived at their post. The horses stand on each side of the arch which leads to the Household Cavalry of the Queen. I had strolled through the courtyard prior to the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at 11 AM, deciding instead to complete the walk and tour London on the Hop On/Hop Off bus. I was determined to wake early the next morning for the ceremony in all of its pomp and circumstance as the bus arrived to the stop where I first hopped on.
What is your favorite way to explore London? Walking or by bus? I would love to hear about your London favorites and recommendations for places to stay, eat and visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. I have provided the contact information for the British sites I explored on my bus ride. Many thanks for reading about my beautiful day of touring London and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Hyde Park
London W2 ZUH, UK
Buckingham Palace
Westminster, London, SW1A 1AA UK
Phone: +44 303 123 7300
- Admission Fee (Royal Day Out): £45.00 for adults (17 – 59); £24.50 for children ages 6 -16; children five and under are free; Seniors (60+) are £40.00
- Hours: Open July to September: Open from 9:30AM to 5:15PM
- Amenities: Access to 19 State Rooms, special exhibits, multimedia guide in nine languages; walkthrough of the gardens, royal stables and carriages, local guides
- Scenic View: Beautiful gardens and gorgeous staterooms
- Length of Visit: 5 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for walking. According to the site, re-admission is free for a year should you treat your ticket as a donation.
Palace of Westminster
Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA UK
Phone: + 44 20 7219 3000
- Admission (Houses of Parliament Audio Tour): £18.50 for adults (17 – 59); £7
- Hours: Open Wednesday to Friday between December 21 to January 4, 2019 and every Saturday until May 25, 2019
- Amenities: Audio tour in 9 languages; access to the Commons Chamber and the Lords Chamber, following footsteps of the Queen at the State Opening and visit Westminster Hall which is over 1000 years old.
- Length of Visit: 1 – 1.5 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Royal Courts of Justice
Strand, London, WC2A 2LL, UK
Excursion booked through Strawberry Tours:
- Admission Fee: £12
- Hours: 9AM to 4PM
- Length of Visit: 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: The Royal Courts of Justice only deal with civil issues. Additional attractions inside and outside of the court include the Bear Gardens, the Painted Room, the Crypt, the Great Hall, and the sculpture/costume room. Visitors are only permitted to sit in the final two rows of the court room. Dress conservatively and avoid wearing jeans, t-shirts or any revealing clothing, You must bow your head to the judge when both entering and leaving the court room. Do not enter any rooms marked as “In Camera,” “In Private,” or any other rooms with clouded-out windows.
Twinings
216 Strand, London, WC2R 1AP, UK
Phone: +44 207 353 3511
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD, UK
Phone: +44 20 7246 8350
- Admission Fee: £18.00 for adults (19 – 59); £8 for children ages 6 -17; children five and under are free; Seniors (60+) are £16.00
- Hours: Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, last admission at 4 for sightseeing and 4:15 for the galleries;
- Amenities: multimedia guides and guided tours; dome accessibility
- Scenic View: Amazing views from the gallery and the dome
- Length of Visit: 2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for walking, especially if you enter the dome; photography is limited and not permitted inside of the Cathedral.
Horse Guards
Whitehall, London, SW1A 2AX, UK
Where to Stay:
The Clarence
53 Whitehall
London, SW1A 2HP, UK
Telephone: +44 20 7930 4808
Where to Eat:
Boyd’s Grill & Wine Bar
8 Northumberland Avenue
London, WC2N 5BY, UK
Telephone: + 44 20 7808 3344
The restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and I started out with the Heritage Tomato Salad of buffalo mozzarella, tomato powder and basil oil. For my entree, I could not pass up the Beer Battered Fish with triple cooked chips, crushed peas and tartar sauce. Malt vinegar was provided at the table.
What to Eat:
- Fish and Chips – fried fish and French fries
- Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding – usually eaten from noon to five on Sundays
- Full English Breakfast – includes eggs, sausages, potatoes, mushrooms, blood pudding, tomatoes and toast
- Pie and Mash – typically a simple steak and kidney pie or pork pies, this is a classic British comfort food served with mashed potatoes and gravy
- Bangers and Mash – which is sausage served with mashed potatoes and gravy
- Cockles – a small type of clam
- Eton Mess – a dessert made of merengue, cream and strawberries
- Sticky Toffee Pudding – a moist sponge cake baked with dates or raisins and smothered in toffee sauce served with custard or ice cream
- Afternoon tea – with teacakes, scones, jam and clotted cream as well as champagne and tea
- Beef Wellington – filet steak covered with pate and wrapped in puff pastry
Where to Drink:
Eclipse Bar
158 Old Brompton Road
South Kensington, London, SW5 0BA England
Telephone: +44 20 7259 2577
What to Read:
- The Light Over London, by Julia Kelly
- London: The Biography, by Peter Ackroyd
- The Five, by Hallie Rubenhold
- London: A Travel Guide Through Time, by Dr. Matthew Green
- The Diaries of Samuel Pepys
Photo Guide to London:
- Inside the Natural History Museum
- Oxford Street and Regent Street – lovely street photos
- Neal’s Yard – colorful surroundings
- Notting Hill and Ladbroke Square- upscale architecture
- Portobello Street and Hillgate Place – pastel colored flats
- Leadenhall Market
- Peggy Porschen Cakes
- Coppa Club
- Churchill Arms Pub
- Tower Bridge
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- Millennium Bridge
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
Cincinnati’s Purple People Bridge
It was an overcast day when I decided to make the twenty minute drive down to Cincinnati to explore the downtown and bridges. I had already walked the Roebling Bridge and wanted to check out the “Purple People Bridge.”
Also known as the Newport Southbank Bridge, this stretch of iron connects Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky. Initially named the L&N (Louisville & Nashville) Railroad Bridge, it was the city’s first railroad bridge opening in 1872. My favorite location to admire this beloved structure is from Yeatman’s Cove where the northside of the bridge pier originates.
One of three railway bridges, it was also traveled by pedestrians. Spanning 2,670 feet, this is the “longest connector of its kind in the country that links two states.” Remodeled in 2006, the railway as removed and the bridge was strictly a pedestrian walkway.
In 2001, the L&N Bridge was closed for automobiles and pedestrians. Spending $4 million dollars, the bridge was refurbished and reopened in 2003. Some of my favorite photos of Cincinnati have been taken from the Purple People Bridge.
While there are plenty of photos prohibiting locks on the fence and bridge rails, it has become a popular trend to commemorate a couple’s love for each other.
The bridge was named a National Historic Landmark in 2001 and is available for receptions, weddings, parties, dinners and charitable events. Spectacular views of the Cincinnati and Newport skylines await as I take the 20-minute walk from one side to the next. With so much history and a noted popular location with outdoor enthusiasts, the Newport Southbank Bridge is on the top of the list for visitors to explore. And should you become lost, ask a local to point you towards the Purple People Bridge. Rest assured, you won’t be able to miss it.
Have you strolled or biked over the Purple People Bridge? Were you traveling from Cincinnati to Newport or vice versa? I would love to hear what you thought about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my stroll over the Purple People Bridge and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Cincinnati’s Purple People Bridge
Downtown Cincinnati, OH
Where to Stay:
AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at the Banks
135 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 744 9900
Where to Eat:
Moerlein Lager House, Microbrewery and Restaurant
115 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: 513 421 2337
I ordered the Chef’s Charcuterie and the Fried Pickles as I enjoyed a flight of beers.
What to Read:
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Babbitt, by Sinclair Lewis
- Back Street, by Fannie Hurst
- The Frontiersmen, by Allan W. Eckert
- Beloved, by Toni Morrison
- Cincinnati, by Lee Davis Willoughby
- Queen City Jazz, by Kathleen Ann Goonan
- The Cincinnati Red Stalkings, by Troy Soos
- The Jazz Bird, by Craig Holden
- Dead Witch Walking, by Kim Harrison
- No Police Like Holmes, by Dan Andriacco
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
Exploring World Civilizations at the British Museum
I was overwhelmed with excitement as I entered each of the rooms at the British Museum. I have never before seen so much history represented in one place. Unprepared for the amazing relics and archaeological objects spanning thousands of years, I was excited for the opportunity to glimpse into the lives and cultures of so many ancient civilizations. Established in 1753, the British Museum is the oldest public museum in the world and in my opinion, one of the most fascinating.
Credited as the first “archeologist”, Roman Queen Helena’s pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the 4th century AD was focused on preserving the sites and relics relating to biblical accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. It was her desire to protect the Christian items and locations so that others could visit them in the future.
Today, museums such as the British Museum, house spectacular finds through archaeological digs and private collections that span thousands, even millions of years. Covering the rise and fall of some of the most powerful civilizations such as Egypt, Assyria, Greece and Rome, these insights explain their religious, political and societal beliefs. From artwork to architecture and skeletons to sarcophagus, visitors have the ability to understand how these societies evolved over many generations.
Ancient Egypt:
The mummies are one of the most popular exhibits among visitors and are located in rooms 61 – 66 upstairs. On display are some of the various instruments used by embalmers to preserve the bodies before they were entombed. This floor also houses Coptic art, fancy jewelry and one of my favorite statues, the bronze cat with the gold nose ring.
Entering through the main entrance and arriving into the Grand Court, the Egyptian Exhibit is located to the left of the Reading Room in Room 3. Displays of large, colossal statues and Egyptian sculptures dominate the space dating from 3000 BC. One of the most historically significant finds in all of ancient history is the Rosetta Stone.
One of the most visited objects in the British Museum, along with the mummies, is the Rosetta Stone. Unearthed in the Egyptian desert in 1799, the Stone was used by Francois Champollion, a French scholar, to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. This black slab of rock included three inscriptions in three different languages (Classical Greek and the two forms of ancient Egyptian) which assisted in the decoding of the Egyptian pictographs. Their biggest breakthrough was when it was discovered that the name of ruler Ptolemy V appeared on the sixth line of the stone. The Rosetta Stone dates back to 196 BC, made in honor of the coronation of Ptolemy. Large stones, such as this one, would have been displayed in temples all across Egypt and there are another seventeen quite similar that have since been discovered.
Not far from the Rosetta Stone (about 20 steps), is the Limestone False Door and Architrave of Ptahshepses dating back to 2400 BC. The door as well as the lintel are inscribed with hieroglyphics which tell the life story of a man named Ptahshepses. False doors were similar to our grave markings today, yet they were used as a ceremonial entrance into the room in which the mummified deceased was buried with his belongings. The purpose of the door was to allow the soul to come and go as it pleased but also used to keep out grave robbers from removing the earthly possessions of the dead.
Towering over the Ancient Egypt complex on the main floor, I easily spotted the Colossal Statue of Ramesses II in the distance. Ramesses took the throne in 1279 BC and reigned for 66 years. Known for his building accomplishments erecting temples, tombs, palaces and a large number of statues of himself, it is debated that he may have been the King of Egypt during the Exodus of Moses.
Weighing in at twenty tons, the full size sculpture stood 8 – 9 feet high. It was the largest Egyptian sculptures the British had ever seen and only the upper half of Ramesses statue is displayed at the British Museum. The statue dates back to approximately 1250 BC and was found in the Ramesseum, the pharaoh’s mortuary temple in Thebes. This memorial complex was built so that Ramesses could be worshiped as a god for many years after his death.
Exiting the Egyptian Room through the door facing the back of the Ramesses statue, there is a set of stairs that leads up to the mummies, coffins and one of the most fascinating displays I had ever seen, the human remains of the Gebelein Man (nicknamed Ginger due to a tuft of reddish hair) a naturally preserved body.
The body was discovered in 1856 in the desert of Egypt in a grave covered by stones. A combination of elements contributed to the preservation of the human tissue to include the hot sand naturally dehydrating and protecting the body and the additional layer of grave stones may have kept animals away. Scientists estimate Ginger to have died 5400 years ago, long before the pyramids were erected. He was found buried with bowls, beads and a flint blade next to his arm.
New technology has brought additional information to light about the death of Ginger. With digital imagery, it was determined that Ginger was “certainly murdered” and “his injuries suggest he was the victim of a deliberate, violent killing….consistent with a stab wound”. Additional information states that he was between the ages of 18 and 21 and was “stabbed by a blade of copper or flint at least five inches long.”
Ancient Assyria
Assyria, known today as modern-day Iraq, was a power-house civilization of the Middle East. Making their way as conquerors and traders, this Semitic culture expanded their dominion in a fierce ruthless manner terrorizing their neighbors from 900 – 600 BC. Some of the most beautiful artwork comes from the Assyrians on display at the British Museum.
Backtracking back to the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Gallery in Room 6, there are Two Winged Lions with Human Heads dating back to 870 BC. Found guarding the Assyrian palace of Ashurnasirpal II at Nimrud was called the Lamassu, the god of protection which defended the king from evil spirits. What makes this statue interesting is that it has 5 legs. The small marks between the loins of the Lamassu is cuneiform writing.
Passing through the Two Winged Lion entrance, turn right into Room 7, a narrow red hallway leading into a room with brown stoned panels. The beautifully detailed reliefs would have been painted and varnished, displayed in the throne room of Ashurnasirpal II’s palace. These intricately carved panels tell the story of Ashurnasirpal’s victories and hail him as the greatest king of the world.
Known to be ruthless in battle, the Assyrians carried their brutality into their leisurely activities as depicted in a set of reliefs in Room 10 labeled the Royal Lion Hunt. The impressive artwork depicts the horses and dogs preparing for the hunt while lions await unknowingly until the lions are killed by arrows. Lion hunts were the sport of kings and when wild lions were not available, staged hunts were arranged with animals bred for the fight. One of the reliefs shows King Ashurbanipal riding in a chariot participating in the hunt. Soon after the king’s death, the civilization of Assyria is overthrown by the Babylonians in 613 BC.
In Room 55, an extraordinary artifact is on display. Dating between 1500 – 500 BC it is identified as the “Flood Tablet”, which was found in King Ashurbanipal’s library. While many people are familiar with the story of Noah and the Great Flood, according to this writing, a similar story to the biblical account is referred to as the “Epic of Gilgamesh”. The gods planned to destroy the world with a flood, so Ut-napshti built a large boat to save his family and every type of animal. Of course the finding of this documentation in the late 1800’s caused quite a scandal due to the similarity between the Gilgamesh and Noah accounts.
Ancient Greece:
Visiting Greece last summer, a trip to the Acropolis was one of the highlights of my travels. I remember standing at the bottom stair leading up towards the Propylaea. This Panathenaic Way led to the Parthenon, the temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and victory. Inside, there once stood a colossal statue of her likeness made of gold and ivory, while the exterior was just as extravagant, with columns and colorful relief carvings.
Today, the ninety-two reliefs, known as the Elgin Marbles, are on display at the British Museum. These metopes, carved out of stone, depict war and battle scenes in elaborate detail. Some of them represent mythological conflict, while others portray actual battles. While many visitors stroll the exhibit to view the fifth century artwork, many are also intrigued by the political controversy that surrounds the display…should these ancient artifacts stay in London or should they be returned to Greece?
Ancient Rome:
The Romans embraced many gods from various cultures and celebrated an assortment of beliefs. From Persia, they adopted the worship of Mithras, or Mithraism which involved a number of initiations and rituals. The Mysteries of Mithras lasted in Rome between the first and fourth centuries so there is limited knowledge about the religion. It was so secretive that there were underground temples. What remains of this faith are several marble sculptures portraying the god Mithras, including the Statue of Mithras on display at the British Museum.
Dating somewhere around the 2nd century, the beautifully carved stone shows Mithras performing the ritual slaughtering of a bull. Wearing a Phyrgian cap and trousers, his attire depicts the fashion of the east. The bull’s blood was said to have had cleansing properties, which would explain the dog and snake licking the blood, while the scorpion is shown attacking the bull’s testicles.
The detail of this sculpture, the flowing skirt and cape, and the folds in the shirt are exquisite. The sculptor is unknown, but it is one of the most fascinating pieces of Roman art in the museum.
The British Museum collection includes additional artifacts from other cultures around the world. For example, the North American Otter Pipe, found in Ohio dates back to 200 BC – AD 100 or the Shang bronzes from 15=00 BC. There are modern plaques from Africa, Mayan statues, and the Lewis Chessman found on an Isle in Scotland. Even the Great Court and Reading Room are both impressive and historical.
Have you had the opportunity to visit the British Museum? What was your most fascinating memory of your visit? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Want to know where to go, eat and stay in London? Check out more of my recommendations below for a magical experience in London! Many thanks for exploring the British Museum through my post and wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
The British Museum
Great Russell Street
Bloomsbury, London WC1B 3DG, UK
Telephone: +44 20 7323 8000
- Admission Fee: There is no fee for visiting the British Museum
- Hours: Open daily from 10AM to 5:30PM and open until 8:30PM on Fridays
- Amenities: scheduled tours, audio guides are provided in 10 languages, special exhibitions, restaurant, cafes, shops
- Scenic View: Photograph the glass ceiling of the round reading room designed by Sidney Smirke
- Length of Visit: At least 2 – 3 hours to see the highlights
- Tips for Your Visit: Wear comfortable shoes for walking, pick up a map of the venue for planning your visit.
Where to Stay:
The Montague on the Gardens
15 Montague Street
London WC1B 5BJ, UK
Telephone: +44 20 7637 1001
Where to Eat:
Afternoon Tea at The Montague on the Gardens
15 Montague Street
London WC1B 5BJ, UK
Telephone: +44 20 7612 8416
On my first visit, I happened upon the Safari Themed afternoon tea which included an African-themed menu. I enjoyed a selection of finger sandwiches of African-spiced chicken and apricot, scones baked fresh with Devonshire clotted creme, a giraffe macaron with toasted coconut mouse, banana meringue and a wide variety of teas to include traditional, flavored, aromatic, fruit and green teas. I couldn’t pass up the Leopard Cocktail made with Amarula cream liquor, decorated with leopard spots and a paw print.
On Sunday, I returned for the Free Flowing Champagne garnished with fresh strawberries. From 2 to 6, I could enjoy as much champagne as my heart desired along with a wonderful selection of scones, pastries, sandwiches and cakes.
What to Eat:
- Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in Piccadilly
- Bangers and Mash at Mother Mash in Soho
- Beef Welington at Simpsons on the Strand
- Cockles, a type of clam, are best tried at Borough Market
- Crumpets, similar to English Muffins should be ordered at Ask for Janice in Farringdon
- Eton Mess is an amazing British dessert made of crushed meringue, cream ans strawberries at the National Cafe at the National Gallery
- Fish & Chips at Poppies Camden in London
- Full English Breakfast, which also includes blood pudding (a blood sausage) at The Ivy
- Pie and Mash at the Windmill Mayfair
- Pimm’s Cup, a gin-based drink made with ginger ale or lemon lime soda, fruit and mint is the official drink of Wimbledon and is best ordered at Lido Cafe Bar in Hyde Park
- Scones at Gail’s Bakery
- Scotch Egg is a dish that includes a hard boiled egg wrpeed in sausage meet, breaded and then fried; Try this at Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon in Piccadilly
- Shepard’s Pie is on the menu at The Ivy Restaurant
- Sticky Toffee Pudding at the Queens Arms in Kensington
- Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding in Nottinghill at The Windsor Castle
- Toad in the Hole, a pastry filled with sausage at Bistro Union
- Victoria Sponge is a vanilla sponge cake filled with jam and whipped cream at the Wallace Collection Museum
What to Read:
- A Parcel for Anna Browne by Miranda Dickinson
- A Week in December by Sebastian Faulks
- Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes
- Act Like It by Lucy Parker
- Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
- London: The Novel by Edward Rutherford
- My Best Friend’s Girl by Dorothy Kroomson
- Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Photo Guide to London:
- The Lobby of the British Museum
- Covent Garden Market
- St. Paul Cathedral from the Restaurant Madison at One New Change, Millenium Bridge or Paternoster Square
- Summerset House, especially during the Christmas holiday
- The houses of Notting Hill
- The architecture of Pancras Renaissance Hotel
- Saturday market at Portobello
- For amazing views, photos from the Coppa Club, close to Tower Bridge
- The lovely pink cafe in London, Peggy Porschen
- Panorama of London from Sky Garden Rooftop
- Street art in Shoreditch
- Leadenhall Market looks like Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley
- South Bank for photos of the Thames
- Panoramic Views of London from the London Eye
- Saint Aymes Cafe for lovely feminine photos
Things to Do in Ohio in the Month of February
As we start to leave winter behind and begin to see spring around the corner, here are some ideas for exploring Ohio in the month of February:
- February 1st: Tour the Spangler Candy Factory to Learn About Dum-Dum Suckers
- February 2nd: Enjoy a Girl’s Night Out at Hafle Winery
- February 3rd: Explore Fort Ancient Earthworks
- February 4th: Learn About the Piatt Family at the Piatt Castles
- February 5th: Pharaoh Exhibit at the Cleveland Art Museum
- February 6th: Hike Hocking Hills’ Famous Cedar Falls
- February 7th: Relax in the Tasting Room at Powell Village Craft Winery
- February 8th: Explore one of Cincinnati’s Neighborhoods: Mt. Adams
- February 9th: Spot Deer in the Springtime at Sharon Woods
- February 10th: Attend a Historical Exhibit at Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
- February 11th: Participate in a Wine Tasting at Ferrante Winery
- February 12th: Inniswood: The Hike
- February 13th: Sampling Some Redneck Love at Kennedy Vineyard
- February 14th: Indulge in Authentic Italian Food in Cleveland’s Little Italy
- February 15th: Visit an Authentic Prison at Ohio State Reformatory and Learn About Its History
- February 16th: Enjoy a wine or beer tasting at BIERmarkt in Cincinnati
- February 17th: Capture the View at Buzzardroost Rock
- February 18th: Play all day at Sarah’s Vineyard
- February 19th: Order Gourmet Hot Dogs at O’Betty’s in Athens
- February 20th: Catching Up with Friends at Cecil and Lime Cafe
- February 21st: Hike the Extraordinary Southeast Ohio at Cantwell Cliffs
- February 22nd: A Sunday Drive through Marietta
- February 23rd: Savor Delicious Cupcakes at Abby Girl Sweets
- February 24th: Find albino squirrels at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
- February 25th: Sit Back and Relax at Leisure Time Winery
- February 26th: Put Your Skates on at NTPRD Chiller
- February 27th: Grab a Brew at Mother Stewart’s
- February 28th: Feast on Delicious Sub Sandwiches from Catanzaro’s in Springfield
Bucket List for the World (Excluding the United States and Canada)
Worldwide Bucket List
EUROPE: Great Britain and Ireland
England
- Cambridge University
- Chester
- Land’s End
- Padstow and St. Mawes
- Chatsworth House
- Dartmoor
- Exmoor
- Glyndebourne Festival
- The Cotswolds
- Cunard’s Cruise Liners
- Winchester Cathedral
- Osbourne House
- Canterbury Cathedral
- Leeds Castle
- Sissinghurst Castle Garden
- The Lake District
- London
- Hadrian’s Wall
- The International Antique and Collectors Fair
- Blenheim Palace
- Ludlow
- Bath
- Wells Cathedral
- Stratford-Upon-Avon
- Warwick Castle
- Salisbury Cathedral
- Stonehenge
- Stourhead Garden
- Castle Howard
- York Minster
Scotland
- Balmoral Hotel and the Royal Scotsman
- Edinburgh Castle and Festivals
- Mackintosh’s Glasgow
- The Castle Trail
- The Hebrides
- Argyll Highlands
- Highland Games
- Loch Ness
- The Malt Whisky Trail
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
- Orkney Islands
- Scottish Golf
Wales
- Hay-On-Wye
- The Castles of North Wales
- International Musical Eisteddfod
- Llyn Peninsula
- Snowdonia National Park
- Dylan Thomas Country
- Wye Valley
- St. Davids Cathedral
Ireland
- The Coast of Clare
- Ireland’s Temples of Golf
- Cork Jazz Festival and Blarney Castle
- Culinary Cork
- Wild Donegal
- Edible Dublin
- Historical Dublin
- Literary Dublin
- Pubs and St. Patrick’s Festival
- Aran Islands
- Connemara
- Galway
- Dingle Peninsula
- The Ring of Kerry
- Horse Country
- Adare
- Ashford Castle
- The Boyne Valley
- Yeats Country
- Waterford Crystal and Waterford Castle
- Wexford Opera Festival
- The Gardens of Wicklow
- Belfast’s Moment
- The Causeway Coast
- The Kingdom of Mourne
Western Europe: Austria
- Alberg Region and Kitzbuhel
- Austria’s Music Festivals
- Grossglockner Road and Hallstat
- Old Graz
- Salzburg: Baroque and Modern
- Vienna
- The Wachau Valley
Western Europe: Belgium
- The Rubens Trail
- Beer in Belgium
- Bruges
- Belgian Chocolate
- Belgian Frites
- La Grand Place
- A Showcase of Art Nouveau
- Ghent
- Liege
Western Europe: France
- Strasbourg and the Alsace Wine Road
- Biarritz and the Pays Basque
- Bordeax
- Dordogne
- Les Pres d’Eugenie
- Brittany’s Emerald Coast
- Belle-Ile, Ile de Re and Ile de Porquerolles
- Burgundy
- Champagne
- Les Calanches
- Impressionist Normandy
- Mont St-Michel
- Normandy’s D-Day Beaches
- Paris – post coming soon!
- Albi
- Carcassonne
- Nancy
- Lourdes
- Loire Valley
- Aix-en Provence
- Arles adn Les Alpilles
- Avignon
- The Camargue
- Cannes
- The French Riviera – post coming soon!
- The Luberon
- Old Marseilles and Cassis
- Moustiers and les Gorges du Verdon
- St-Paul-de-Vence and Vence
- Vieux Nice
- Beaujolais and the Rhone Valley
- The French Alps
- Lac D’Annecy
- Lyon’s Food Scene
Western Europe: Germany
- Baden-Baden and the Black Forest
- Heidelberg’s Castle
- Bamberg
- Christkindlmarkt
- Germany’s Beer Culture
- Lake Constance and the Alpine Road
- Munich’s Pinakotheks and the Deutsches Museum
- Regensburg
- The Romantic Road and the Neuschwanstein Castle
- Berlin’s Museum Scene
- Berlin’s (Re)Defining Architecture
- Mitte
- Sans Souci
- Cologne’s Cathedral
- The Rhine Valley
- Dresden’s Altstadt
- Quedlinburg
- Lubeck
- Sylt
- Weimer
Greece
- The Acropolis – post coming soon
- Athens’s Museums
- The Acropolis Museum – post coming soon
- Hydra and Spetses
- Delphi
- Crete – post coming soon
- Mykonos and Delos – post coming soon
- Naxos and Paros
- Santorini
- Sifnos
- Patmos
- Rhodes and Simi
- Mount Athos
- The Mani Peninsula
- Monemvassia
- Nafplion and Nearby Classical Sites
- Meteora
Cyprus
- Cyprus’s Painted Churches
Italy
- Alberobello and the Salento Peninsula
- The Sassi of Matera
- The Amalfi Coast – post coming soon
- Capri and Ischia
- Naples – post coming soon
- Naples’s Antiquities
- The Quadrilatero
- Piazza del Duomo
- Ravenna
- Friuli
- Rome – posts coming soon
- Cinque Terre – post coming soon
- The Italian Riviera
- The Italian Lakes
- Palazzo Ducale and Palazzo Te
- The Last Supper and Other Works of Leonardo da Vinci
- On and Around Piazza del Duomo
- Urbino and Pesaro
- Pantelleria
- Le Langhe
- Sardinia
- Aeolian Islands
- The Gems of Palermo
- Sicily’s Greek Temples
- Taormina and Mt. Etna
- The Dolomite Drive and Cortina D’Ampezzo
- Florence
- The Hill Towns of Tuscany
- Lucca and Pisa
- Maremma
- Siena
- Assisi and Gubbio
- Il Duomo
- Perugia
- Courmayeur and Mont Blanc
- Venice – more posts coming soon!
- Verona
Western Europe: Luxembourg
- Luxembourg City
Western Europe: Malta
- Valletta
Western Europe: Monaco – post coming soon
Western Europe: Netherlands
- Amsterdam
- De Hoge Veluwe National Park
- Delft
- The European Fine Arts Fair
- Het Mauritshuis
- Zeeland
Western Europe: Portugal
- Estremoz and Marvao
- Evora
- Bussaco Forest
- Obidos
- Bairro Alfama
- Great Museums of Three Collections
- Sintra
- Madeira
- Porto and the Douro Valley
Western Europe: Spain
- La Mazquita
- The Alhambra
- Jerez de la Frontera
- Ruta de los Pueblos Blancos
- Seville
- Balearic Islands
- Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
- Rioja
- San Sebastian and Basque Country
- The Caves of Altamira adn Santeillana del Mar
- Picos de Euoropa
- Cuenca
- Avila
- Leon
- Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor
- Ciutat Vella
- Gaudi and La Sagrada Familia – post coming soon
- Parc de Montjuic – post coming soon
- Costa Brava
- Caceres
- El Camino de Santiago and Santiago de Compostela
- Madrid
- Valencia
Western Europe: Switzerland
- The Alps’ Most Scenic Train Trips
- Basel: Art City
- Gstaad
- High-Country Hiking
- Davos-Klosters
- St. Moritz and the Engadine Valley
- Lucerne Riviera
- Lugano
- Verbier
- Zermatt and Saas-Fee
- Montreux Jazz Festival
- Zurich’s Artbeat
Eastern Europe: Croatia
- Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast – post coming soon
- Istria
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
Eastern Europe: Czech Republic
- Cesky Krumlov
- Karlovy Vary
- Kutna Hora
- Czech Beer
- Old Town Square
- Prague’s Castle District
- Borderlands of Southern Moravia
- Olomouc
Eastern Europe: Estonia
- Saaremaa Island
- Old Tallinn
Eastern Europe: Georgia
- Vardzia
- Old Tbilisi
Eastern Europe: Hungary
- Budapest’s Traditional Thermal Baths
- Castle Hill
- Gundel and Gerbeaud
- The Danube Bend
- Lake Balaton
- Pecs
Eastern Europe: Latvia
- Old Riga
- Gauja Valley
Eastern Europe: Lithuania
- The Curonian Spit
- Old Vilnius
Eastern Europe: Montenegro
- Bay of Kotor – post coming soon
- The Budvia Riviera and Sveti Stefan
Eastern Europe: Poland
- Auschwitz
- Rynek Glowny
- Wawel Hill
- Showcases on Chopin
- Zakopane
Eastern Europe: Romania
- Maramures
- The Painted Monasteries of Southern Bucovina
- Southern Transylvania
Eastern Europe: Russia
- Kamchatka Peninsula
- The Bolshoi Theater
- The Kremlin and Red Square
- The Tretyakov and the Moscow Metro
- Waterways of the Czars
- Novgorod
- The White Nights Festival
- The Winter Palace and the Hermitage
- Catherine Palace and Pavlovsk Palace
- Peterhof
- Yekaterinburg and the Ural Mountains
- The Trans-Siberian Express and Lake Baikal
- Bratislava’s Old Town
Eastern Europe: Slovenia
- Bled and the Julian Alps
- Ljubljana’s Old Town and Castle
- The Caves of the Karst Plateau
Eastern Europe: Ukraine
- Kiev Caves Monastery
- The Historic Center of Lviv
SCANDANAVIA
AFRICA
Egypt
- Alexandria – post coming soon
- Islamic Cairo – post coming soon
- Museum of Egyptian Antiquities – post coming soon
- The Pyramids of Egypt – post coming soon
- Luxor and a Nile Cruise – post coming soon
South Africa
- Cape Town – post coming soon
THE MIDDLE EAST
Israel – posts coming soon
- Caesarea – post coming soon
- The Galilee – post coming soon
- Historic Jerusalem – post coming soon
- West Bank – post coming soon
- Masada – post coming soon
- The Dead Sea – post coming soon
Jordan
- King’s Highway
- Petra – post coming soon
ASIA
China
- Beijing – post coming soon
Turkey
- Ephesus – post coming soon
- Istanbul – post coming soon
Indonesia
- Beaches of Bali
- Ubud
AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
LATIN AMERICA
Mexico
Belize
Costa Rica
- Arenal Volcano
- Manuel Antonio National Park
Honduras
THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS, THE BAHAMAS AND BERMUDA
- Antigua
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Cayman Islands
- Jamaica
- Puerto Rico
- Old San Juan
- St. Kitts
- St. Lucia
- The Pitons
Bucket List: United States
Alabama
- Alabama Barbecue
- Bellingrath Gardens
- Civil Rights Trail
- The Highlands Bar and Grill
- Mentone
- Mobile Bay’s Eastern Shore
- US Space and Rocket Center
Arkansas
- Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival
- Buffalo National River
- The Crater of Diamonds
- Eureka Springs
- Hot Springs
- Mcclard’s Bar-B-Q
- The White River
Alaska
- The Alyeska Resort
- The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
- Denali
- Driving the Alaska Highway
- Gates of the Arctic and Noatak
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Helicopter Glacier Treks
- Hiking the Chilkoot Trail
- The Iditarod
- The Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound
- Kodiak Island and the Katmai Coast
- Nome
- The Northern Lights
- The Pribilof Islands
- Sailing the Inside Passage
- Sitka
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park
Arizona
- The Boulders
- Canyon de Chelly
- Canyon Ranch and Miraval
- Cochise County
- Enchantment Resort
- Flagstaff
- Grand Canyon
- Heard Museum
- Hopi Reservation
- Lake Powell
- Monument Valley
- Navajo Reservation
- The Phoenician
- Prescott
- Sedona and the Red Rock Country
- Taliesin West
- Tubac
- Tucson and Tanque Verde
- Valley of the Sun
- Wickenburg
California
- Alcatraz Island
- Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo
- Berkeley and Chez Panisse
- Beverly Hills
- California’s Gold Country
- California Mission Trail
- California White Water
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Death Valley National Park
- Disney and Disney’s California Adventure
- Esalan, Tassajara and the Ashram
- The Festival of the Arts
- French Laundry
- Golden Door and Cal-A-Vie
- Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge
- Graveyards of the Stars
- Hearst Castle
- Hollywood
- Hot Springs of Northern California
- Hotel Del Coronado
- La Jolla
- Downtown Los Angeles
- LA’s Culinary Classics
- LA’s Diva Hotels
- LA’s Culinary Standouts
- The Museums of LA
- Mendocino
- Monterey Peninsula
- Mount Shasta
- Napa Valley
- Ojai
- Palm Springs
- Pasadena and Tournament of Roses
- Pebble Beach
- PCH and Big Sur
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Redwood National and State Forest
- The Queen Mary
- Sunset Boulevard
- Santa Monica and Venice
- San Francisco’s Art Museums
- San Francisco’s Best Asian Restaurants
- San Francisco’s Finest Restaurants
- San Francisco’s Great Neighborhoods
- San Francisco’s Iconic Buildings and Sites*
- San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Catalina Island
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Ynez Valley
- Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Park
- Skiing Northern California
- Sonoma County
- Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Valley and Camp Curry
Colorado
- Aspen
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nation
- Breckenridge – post coming soon!
- The Broadmoor
- The Colorado Ranch Experience
- Continental Divide Trail
- Crested Butte
- Denver’s Cultural Scene
- Durango
- Glenwood Springs
- Gold Circle Towns
- Great American Beer Festival
- Great Sand Dunes
- Mesa Verde
- Million Dollar Highway
- Pikes Peak
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Steamboat Springs
- Telluride
- Vail – post coming soon!
Connecticut
- Chester & East Haddam’s Gillette Castle – post coming soon for Chester!
- Connecticut’s Art Trail
- Connecticut’s Gold Coast
- Connecticut’s Quiet Corner
- Connecticut’s Seafood Institutions
- Essex
- Fairfield County (Ridgefield)
- Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun
- Litchfield Hills
- The Mark Twain House and Museum
- Mystic Seaport and Stonington
- New Haven Dining
- The Wadsworth Atheneum
- Washington and New Preston
- Yale University
Delaware
- The Du Pont Legacy
- Lewes
- Newcastle
- Winterthur Museum
Florida
- Amelia Island
- Art Basel Miami Beach
- Baseball Spring Training
- The Biltmore Hotel
- The Breakers
- Calle Ocho
- The Daytona International Speedway
- Everglades National Park
- Florida’s Natural Springs
- Joe’s Stone Crab
- Kennedy Space Center
- Key West
- Little Palm Island Resort and Spa
- The Miami Hipster Hotel Trail
- Mount Dora
- Naples
- Norman’s
- The Orange Bowl
- Palm Beach
- Sanibel and Captiva Island
- The Salvador Dali Museum
- St. Augustine
- South Beach
- Swimming with Manatees
- Universal Studios and SeaWorld
- The Upper and Middle Keys – post coming soon!
- Villa Vizcaya
- Walt Disney World
- The Wolfsonian
Georgia
- The Antebellum Trail
- The Appalachian Trail
- The Georgia Aquarium and Downtown Draws
- Athens and AthFest
- Midtown Atlanta
- Atlanta’s Great Neighborhood Restaurants
- Sweet Auburn and Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District
- Augusta and the Masters Golf Tournament
- Big Pig Jig & Georgia Barbecue
- Callaway Gardens
- Chicamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
- Cumberland Island
- Dahlonega
- The Golden Isles
- Helen
- Howard Finster’s Paradise Gardens
- Little St. Simon’s Island
- Macon and the Cherry Blossom Festival
- Plantation Country
- Savannah’s Best Eateries
- Savannah’s Historic District
- Savannah’s Romantic Inns
- Stone Mountain
- Tybee Island
Hawaii
- Diamond Head
- Fond Memories of Hawaii*
- Hanalei and Princeville Resort
- Hanauma Bay
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Hilo Farmer’s Market
- Historic Honolulu
- Honolulu for Foodies
- Honolulu’s Chinatown
- Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary
- Historic Kailua-Kona
- Kauai by Helicopter
- Twilight at Kalahuipua’a
- Kapalua Resort
- Kealakekua Bay
- The Lodge at Ko’ele and Lanai City
- Kona Coast
- Kona’s Coffee Belt
- Luau at Kona Village Resort
- Lahaina
- Old Lahaina Luau
- The Lanai Coast
- The Mauna Kea Summit
- Mauna Kea Resort
- Merrie Monarch Hula Festival
- Molokini
- The Friendly Isle of Molokai
- Mo’okini Luakini Heiau
- The Na Pali Coast
- North Shore Surfing
- Parker Ranch
- Pearl Harbor
- Po’ipu Beach
- Polynesian Cultural Center
- Puako Petroglyph Archaeology District
- Pu’uhonua o Honaunau
- Waikiki Beach
- The Golf Resorts of Wailea and Makena
- Waimea Canyon and Waimea Town
- Waipi’o Valley
Idaho
- City of Rocks
- Craters of the Moon
- Hell’s Canyon
- Henry’s Fork Lodge
- Lake Coeur D’Alene
- MaryJane Farms
- Middle Fork of the Salmon River
- National Oldtime Fiddler’s Contest and Festival
- Northwest Passage National Scenic Byway
- Salmon River Scenic Byway
- San Inazio de Loyola Basque Festival
- Sandpoint and The Schweitzer Ski Area
- The Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area
- Sun Valley and Ketchum
- Teton Ridge Ranch
- Wallace and The Silver Valley
Illinois
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Arun’s
- Chicago
- Chicago Architecture
- Chicago’s Comedy Scene
- Chicago-Style Pizza
- Chicago’s Magnificent Mile
- Chicago’s Millennium Park
- Chicago’s Museum Campus
- Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio
- Galena
- Music in Grant Park
- Lincoln Historic Sites
- Lincoln Presidential Library
- Nauvoo
- Ravinia Festival
- Shawnee National Forest
- Starved Rock State Park
- Superdawg
- Taste of Chicago
- Wrigley Field
Indiana
- Columbus
- Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
- Madison
- Nashville and Story
- New Harmony
- Parke County
- Shipshewana
- Wolf’s Bar-B-Q
- Yoder Popcorn Shoppe
Iowa
- Amana Colonies
- The Bridges of Madison County
- The Effigy Mounds
- On Grant Wood’s Trail
- Iowa State Fair
- Living History Farms
- The Loess Hills
- The Raj
- The Villages of Van Buren
Kansas
- Atomic Oz on the Kansas Prairie
- Lawrence
- The Niobrara Chalk
- Tallgrass Prairie Reserve
Kentucky
- Berea
- Bluegrass Country
- The Bourbon Trail
- Country Music Highway
- Cumberland Gap and Daniel Boone
- Harrodsburg and Beaumont Inn
- The Humana Festival of New American Plays
- Kentucky Derby
- Land Between the Lakes and Paducah
- The Land of Colonial Sanders
- The Lincoln Trail
- Louisville Cuisine
- Old Louisville
- Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
- Mammoth Cave and National Corvette Museum
- Owensboro and Henderson
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Louisiana
- Acadian Cultural Center and Vermilionville
- Eunice
- The French Quarter, New Orleans – post coming soon!
- The Garden District – post coming soon!
- Honey Island Swamp Tours
- Mardi Gras
- Natchitoches
- New Iberia
- New Orleans Music Scene
- New Orleans Northside
- New Orleans Restaurant Scene
- New Orleans Romantic Hotels
- Plantation Country
- St. Francisville
- St. Martinville and Breaux Bridge
Maine
- Acadia National Park
- Blue Hill
- The Kennebunks
- LL Bean
- The Lighthouse Trail
- Maine Canoe Country
- Maine Lobster Festival
- Monhegan Island
- Moosehead Lake
- Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park
- Ogunquit
- The Towns of Penobscot Bay
- Red Eat’s
- Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village
- Sailing the Maine Windjammers
- SugarLoaf
- WoodenBoat School
Maryland
- Annapolis
- Assateague Island
- Antietam Battlefield
- Baltimore Museum of Art
- Crisfield and Smith and Tangier Island
- Garrett County
- The Horse Scene
- Inner Harbor
- Obrycki’s and Faidley’s
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards
- Historic St. Mary’s
- Talbot County
Massachusetts
- Beacon Hill
- Boston Harborfest
- The Boston Marathon
- Boston’s North End
- Brimfield and Sturbridge
- Cape Ann
- Cape Cod National Seashore
- Fenway Park
- The Freedom Trail
- Hancock Shaker Village
- Harvard Square
- The “Inland Newport”
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Lexington and Concord
- Lowell
- Martha’s Vineyard
- MASS MoCA
- Along the Mohawk Trail
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Nantucket
- Nirvana in the Berkshires
- Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation
- Provincetown
- The Public Garden
- Salem
Michigan
- Ann Arbor Street Art Fair
- Automaker’s Mansions
- The Charles H. Wright Museum
- Detroit Institute of the Arts
- Detroit’s Auto Museums
- Frederik Meijer Gardens
- The Dutch Community of Holland, Tulip Time
- Holocaust Memorial Center
- Isle Royale National Park
- Keweenaw Copper Mining Heritage
- Leelanau Peninsula
- Little Traverse Bay
- Mackinac Island
- Marshall
- Michigan’s Golden Triangle
- Motown Museum
- Pictured Rocks
- Saugatuck
- Soo Locks – post coming soon!
- Shipwreck Coast
- Traverse City
Minnesota
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- Brainerd Lakes
- Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion
- Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
- The Gunflint Trail and the Superior National Forest
- The Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center
- Mall of America
- The North Shore
- Red Wing and River Bluffs
- St. Croix River Valley
- Voyageurs National Park
- Winter Carnival
Mississippi
- The Blues Highway
- Eudora Welty House
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Holly Springs
- Mal’s St. Paddy’s Parade
- Natchez
- The Natchez Trace
- Oxford
- Vicksburg National Military Park
Missouri
- 18th and Vine
- Anheuser-Busch
- Branson
- City Museum
- Forest Park
- The Great River Road
- Hannibal
- Kansas City Cuisine
- Independence
- Missouri Wine Country
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
- St. Charles and the Katy Trail
- St. Joseph
- St. Louis Arch
Montana
- Beartooth Scenic Byway
- Big Hole Country and the Complete Fly Fisher
- Big Mountain Sky Resort
- Big Sky
- The Bob Marshall Wilderness and Pine Butte Guest Ranch
- Chico Hot Springs
- C. M. Russell Museum
- Flathead Lake
- Glacier National Park
- Last Chance Gulch
- Little Bighorn Battlefield
- Miles City Bucking Horse Sale
- Montana Festival of the Book
- Museum of the Rockies
- Race to the Sky
- Triple Creek Ranch
Nebraska
- The Annual Crane Migration
- Literary Pilgrimage to Cather Country
- Henry Doorly Zoo
- The Niobrara River
- Omaha Steaks
- The Panhandle
- The Sandhills of Nebraska
Nevada
- Bellagio, Wynne, Caesar’s Palace, Mirage, Las Vegas
- Cirque du Soleil
- Cowboy Culture
- Dining in Las Vegas
- Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Lake Las Vegas
- Lake Tahoe
- Las Vegas Culture
- The Las Vegas Strip
- Reno
New Hampshire
- Canterbury Shaker Village
- The Currier Museum
- Maple Country
- The Great North Woods
- Hanover
- Jackson
- Lake Sunapee
- The Lakes Region
- The Monadnock Region
- Portsmouth
- The Robert Frost Trail
- The White Mountains
New Jersey
- Atlantic City Then and Now
- Cape May
- Duke Farms
- The Jersey Shore
- Classic North Joisey Diners
- Princeton
- Rutt’s Hut
- The Ryland Inn
- Spring Lake
- Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School
- The Woolverton Inn
New Mexico
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
- Aztec
- Carlsbad Caverns
- Chaco Culture National Historic Park
- Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
- Gallup
- Georgia O’Keefe Trail
- Hot Springs and Spas
- Indian Pueblos of New Mexico
- Las Vegas
- Los Alamos
- Roswell
- Route 66
- Markets of Santa Fe
- Santa Fe Opera
- Santa Fe’s Southwest Cuisine
- Silver City
- Taos
- Taos Ski Valley
- The Very Large Array and Lightning Field
- White Sands National Monument
New York
- The Adirondacks
- The Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden
- Buffalo Wings
- The Catskills
- Central Park
- Chautaqua institution
- The Cloisters & Wave Hill
- Columbus Circle
- Cooperstown
- Corning Museum of Glass
- The Culinary Institute of America
- Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 (QM2)
- The Erie Canal
- FDR’s Springwood
- Finger Lakes
- The Hamptons
- Hudson Valley
- Hudson Valley Art Trail
- Great Estates of the Hudson Valley
- Lake George
- Lilydale
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Mohonk Mountain House
- Monks of New Skete
- Montauk
- A New York Christmas
- Historic Downtown New York City
- New York’s MoMA, the Whitney and More
- New York’s Museum Mile
- NY Architectural Landmarks
- New York’s Best Pizza
- New York’s Best Tables
- New York’s Brooklyn Bridge
- New York’s Empire State Building
- New York’s Greenwich Village
- New York’s Harlam and Upper Manhattan
- New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall
- New York’s The Lower East Side
- New York’s Premier Hotels
- New York’s Prospect Park and The Brooklyn Botanical Garden
- New York’s Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- New York’s Times Square
- New York’s World Trade Center Memorial
- New York’s Yankee Stadium
- North Fork
- Rhinebeck
- Saratoga Springs
- Stone Barns
- Thousand Islands
- US Military Academy
North Carolina
- Asheville
- The Biltmore
- The Cape Fear Coast
- Chapel Hill
- Duke University
- Fearrington House Inn
- The Grove Park Inn
- High Country Ramble
- Magnolia Grill
- Music in the Mountains
- Nantahala National Forest
- North Carolina BBQ
- Old Salem
- Outer Banks – post coming soon!
- Pinehurst
- Pisgah National Forest
- Roanoke Island
- The Reynolda Mile
- Seagrove
- Wilmington
North Dakota
- Birding Drives Dakota
- The Fargo Kiwanis Pancake Karnival
- Fort Mandan and the Lewis and Clark Trail
- International Peace Garden
- Little Missouri National Grassland
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- The United Tribes International Powwow
Ohio
- Cincinnati Chili – post coming soon!
- Cincinnati Flower Show and Cincinnati May Festival
- Cleveland Museum of Art and The Botanical Garden – post coming soon!
- Hocking Hills – post coming soon!
- Holden Arboretum – post coming soon!
- Lake Erie Islands – post coming soon!
- Marietta
- National Museum of the US Air Force – post coming soon!
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Ohio’s Amish Country – post coming soon!
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
- Serpent Mound – post coming soon!
- Twins Days
Oklahoma
- Bartlesville
- Cattlemen’s Restaurant and City Stockyards
- Gilcrease Museum
- Guthrie
- Marland Estate Mansion
- National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
- Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Oregon
- Astoria
- Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
- Bend and Mount Bachelor
- Canon Beach
- The Columbia River Gorge
- Crater Lake National Park
- Jacksonville and the Britt Festivals
- John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
- Mount Hood
- Oregon Brewers Festival
- The Oregon Coast
- Oregon Country Fair
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival
- Pendleton Round-Up
- Portland’s Public Gardens
- The Rogue River
- Salishan Spa and Golf Resort
- Steens Mountain and Malheur National Park
- Willamette Valley
Pennsylvania
- Adamstown’s Antique Mile
- The Andy Warhol Museum
- The Army-Navy Game
- The Barnes Foundation
- Bethlehem
- D. G. Yuengling and Sons
- Fallingwater
- Franklin Court and the Betsy Ross House
- The Franklin Institute Science Museum
- Gettysburg National Military Park – post coming soon!
- Hershey
- Independence National Historical Park
- Longwood Gardens
- New Hope and Buck’s County
- Pennsylvania Dutch Country
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art and The Rodin Museum
- Philadelphia’s Restaurant Row
- Philly Food
- Pittsburgh’s Steel Heritage – post coming soon!
- Primanti Brothers – post coming soon!
- Ricketts Glen State Park
- Roadside America
- Valley Forge
Rhode Island
- Al Forno
- Block Island
- Cliff Walk and the High Life
- International Tennis Hall of Fame
- JVC Jazz Festival
- May Breakfasts
- Newport Mansions
- RISD Museum of Art
- The Rose Island Lighthouse
- The Summer Regattas
- WaterFire
South Carolina
- Beaufort & The Low Country
- The Heart of Charleston
- Charleston’s Historic Homes and Gardens of Charleston
- Charleston’s Lowcountry Cuisine
- Charleston’s Plantations of the Ashley River
- The Romantic Inns of Charleston
- Charleston’s Spoleto Festival
- Georgetown
- Kiawah Island
- Pawleys Island
- South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country
South Dakota
- Badlands National Park
- The Corn Palace
- Custer State Park
- Deadwood
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Country
- Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
- Wall Drug Store
Tennessee
- Belle Meade Plantation
- Blackberry Farm
- Chattanooga and Rock City
- Dollywood
- Franklin
- Graceland
- The Great Smoky Mountains
- The Hermitage
- Memphis Barbecue
- Memphis’ Beale Street – post coming soon!
- Memphis’ Music Museum
- The Memphis Music Scene
- Nashville Food
- National Civil Rights Museum – post coming soon!
- National Storytelling Festival
- Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration
- Tennessee Whiskey Trail
Texas
- The Alamo and The Missions Trail
- Austin’s Live Music Scene
- Bandera
- Big Bend National Park
- Cafe Annie
- Central Texas Barbecue
- Cibolo Creek Ranch
- Cowtown’s Cultural District
- The Dallas Art District
- Dallas’ Sixth Floor Museum
- Deluxe Hotels of Dallas
- Fredericksburg
- Galveston
- The Great Texas Birding Trail
- Gruene
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – post coming soon!
- Houston’s Art Museums
- Jefferson and Caddo Lake
- Kerrville Fold Festival
- Lake Austin Spa Resort
- Marfa
- The Mountains of West Texas
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park
- Riverwalk
- Round Top Antiques Fair
- San Antonio’s Hispanic Heritage
- Space Center Houston
- Spamara and the Austin Festival Subculture
- The State Fair of Texas
- Stockyards National Historic District
- South Texas Gulf Coast
- Texas Comfort Food
- Texas Hill Country
Utah
- Alta and Snowbird
- Arches National Park – post coming soon!
- Bluff and the San Juan River
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park
- Mexican Hat and Cedar Mesa
- Moab and Red Rock Country
- Park City Skiing– post coming soon!
- Spiral Jetty
- St. George
- Sundance
- Temple Square – post coming soon!
- Zion National Park
Vermont
- Burlington
- The Catamount Trail
- Grafton
- Jay Peak Resort
- Killington
- The Long Trail
- Mad River Valley
- Manchester
- Naulakha
- Northeast Kingdom
- Okemo Mountain Resort
- The Orvis Company
- Route 100
- Shelburne Farms
- Statton Mountain Resort
- Stowe
- Twin Farms
- Vermont Maple Festival
- Woodstock
Virginia
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Blue Ridge Parkway
- Charlottesville
- Colonial Williamsburg
- The Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail
- The Eastern Shore and Chincoteague
- Fredericksburg
- The Homestead
- Hunt Country
- James River Plantations
- Jamestown and Yorktown
- Lexington
- Manassas and Appomattox
- Monticello
- Mount Vernon
- Old Town Alexandria
- Historic Richmond
- The Inn at Little Washington
- Shenandoah Valley
- Staunton
- The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
- Virginia Highlands Festival
Washington
- Bellingham and Mount Baker
- La Conner and the Skagit Valley
- Leavenworth
- Long Beach Peninsula
- The Methow Valley
- Mount Ranier National Park
- The Makah Museum
- The Museum of Glass
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Pike Place Market
- Port Townsend
- Salish Lodge and Spa
- The San Juan Islands
- Seattle Center
- Seattle’s Coffee Culture
- Seattle’s Seafood Restaurants
- Semiahmoo Resort
- Tillicum Village
- Walla Walla
- Whidbey island
- Woodinville Wineries and the Herb Farm
Washington DC
- Historic Georgetown
- The Hirshhorn Museum and Phillips Collection
- Holocaust Museum
- The International Spy Museum and The Newseum
- The Library of Congress
- The National Air and Space Museum
- The National Archives
- The National Gallery of Art
- The National Mall
- The National Museum of American History
- The National Museum of Natural History
- The National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Zoo
- The Smithsonian and Beyond
- The Supreme Court
- The United States Capitol
- Washington’s Art Museum
- The White House
West Virginia
- Berkeley Springs
- Bridge Day Festival
- Cass Scenic Railroad
- The Greenbrier
- Harper’s Ferry
- Highland Scenic Highway
- Lewisburg
- Monongahela National Forest
- Mountain Stage
- Mountain State Art and Craft Fair
- Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights
- Rafting the New and the Gauley Rivers
- Snowshoe Mountain Resort
- The Vandalia Gathering
Wisconsin
- American Birkebeiner
- The American Club
- The Apostle Islands
- Canoe Bay
- Cheese Country
- Circus World Museum
- Door County
- The Dane County Farmer’s Market
- The Driftless Area
- EAA AirVenture
- Lake Geneva
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Milwaukee Festivals
- Milwaukee’s Beer Heritage
- Taliesin
- The Upper Mississippi Bluffs
- Wisconsin’s North Woods
- Wisconsin Dells
Wyoming
- Bighorn Mountains and the Medicine Wheel
- Bighorn River Canyon
- Bitterroot Dude Ranch
- Cheyenne Frontier Days
- Cody
- Devil’s Tower
- Grand Teton National Park
- Jackson
- Saratoga
- Sheridan
- Skiing Jackson Hole
- South Pass City
- Wind River Country
- Yellowstone National Park
Featured Ohio Winery: Markko Vineyard
Conneaut is about as far northeast as one could possibly drive in the state of Ohio. It is also home to one of the oldest wineries, so I set out to spend a weekend in Ashtabula and Lake County to visit as many wineries as possible.
As I approached Markko Vineyard, and after driving around in circles for a half an hour, I finally called for directions. I began to see acres of vineyards surrounding me and felt comfortable that I would arrive at any moment. As I drove up the gravel driveway, I felt as though I was entering a secret society, tucked away in the Sherwood Forest, hidden by tall oaks and maples, welcomed by stone pillars.
I began my tasting with the 2013 Reserve Chardonnay. Described as “typical Linda elegance, fruit finesse”, a bottle sells for $36 per bottle. I noted that this wine was a little acidic, but smooth. The 2012 Reserve Chardonnay was a bit smoother and I preferred it over the 2013.
My final tastings included the Pinot Noir 2012 Reserve which is “fruity with a hint of currant with a crisp, nice finish.” I enjoyed the body of this wine as it did not feel weighty but light. I continued with the Pinot Noir wines, a 2013 Reserve, “light red, fruity, medium body balanced”. I enjoyed the earthy, fruity finish of this wine which sells for $30 a bottle.
There were several wines available to include Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Cabernet Sauvignons, a Johannisburg Riesling, non-vintage wines and a dry Champagne.
Excelsior is a 1993 Champagne Brut made from “Riesling sekt for majestic celebrations in both red and white.”
The 1999 Late Harvest Select Reserve Chardonnay sounded lovely, “rich floral honey, unctuous “like Ice Wine”, selling for $75 per bottle.
More recent vintages of Markko’s Chardonnay begin in 2009 described as having a refreshing finish, smoky pears, while the 2010 provided spice, citrus and a bright finish. They were selling their 2012 Select Reserve Chardonnay for $36 a bottle described as “pear, melon, light opulence, complex finish that will grow with age.
Markko Vineyard also produced several Cabernet Sauvignon selections starting with its 2012 Reserve with cherry berries and restrained long elegance and their 2012 Select Reserve with dark fruits and a delicate complexity. These wines are priced at $33, $36 and $39 per bottle respectively. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon reserve was described as “dark berries, garden glory lingers”.
The 2009 Johannesburg Riesling was described as light fruit, dry, hint of pine, selling for $27 per bottle.
In addition to the two Pinot Noirs I had sampled, the vineyard also sold a 2009 Majestic Reserve for $27 per bottle with “currant flavors, spices, sandlewood and almond, finesse suspended.”
Producing a line of non-vintage wine under the name “Covered Bridge”, the estate provides an $18 Riesling, a Chardonnay for $21, the Picnic White for $18 and a $12 wine named Picnic Red.
Arnie Esterer planted his vineyard in 1968 making Markko one of the oldest wineries in the state of Ohio. The wines on this estate are some of the best I have ever sampled. Arnie takes pride in the science of making wine and works each year in perfecting his craft.
To compliment your wine tasting or to order with a bottle to enjoy on their patio, Markko Vineyard also provides cheeses from Mayfield Road Creamery and their own Gouda and Camembert.
Directions:
- Off of Interstate 90, take exit 235 (route 193) north ½ mile to the first stop light, Main Street. Turn right (east) on Main Street for approximately 3 miles; You will be close when the road turns to gravel. Take first driveway on left (north side) back into the woods.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Markko Vineyard? What was your favorite wine? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my wonderful experience at Markko Vineyard and wishing you many Happy Travels! Cheers!
What to See and What to Do:
Markko Vineyard
4500 S Ridge Road W
Conneaut, OH 44030
Telephone: 440 593 3197
Because the winery hours of operation are seasonal, please reference the winery’s website prior to visiting the winery.
Where to Stay:
Holiday Inn Express Ashtabula – Geneva
1831 Austinburg Road
Austinburg, OH 44010
Telephone: 440 275 2020
Where to Eat:
Biscotti’s Restaurant
186 Park Avenue
Conneaut, OH 44030
Telephone: 440 593 6766
Serving Italian cuisine, I ordered the Medallions Gorgonzola Alfredo to try their homemade Alfredo sauce, so rich and delicious.
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
Shepherd’s Field and the Announcement of the Great Shepherd
Beautiful music soared from the modest stone basilica ahead as we paused for a moment to hear what sounded like the singing of a multitude of angels. Approaching the Chapel of the Angels with its tent-shaped architecture, Mark Ziese, our guide and archaeologist explained that the acoustics of this church augments sound and magically creates an angelic resonance.
We had arrived in the small town of Beit Sahur. Considered since ancient times as the place where a multitude of angels announced the birth of the Messiah, the chapel, decorated with a bronze angel, was built in 1954 to commemorate the miraculous event.
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And the Angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:8-10).
The Chapel of the Angels was designed by Antonio Barluzzi and built near a monastery as well as the ruins of a 4th century subterranean church which is associated with St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. The structure is dodecagonal (12 sides) in shape with five apses, reminiscent of the nomadic tents of the shepherds.
My favorite feature of the Franciscan church is the gorgeous white dome made of concrete and glass that illuminates the interior as if a divine star was shining from above. Beautifully carved angels circle the dome reminding me of the multitude of hosts proclaiming the birth of the Christ Child. In Latin, the angels’ tidings of great joy appears in large gold lettering around the circumference of the dome and there is an altar beneath the high domed ceiling.
Three painted murals depict the annunciation of the angels, the shepherds and their flock and the Christ Child in the manger. After taking a few moments to examine the detailed murals, we stood around the altar and sang “Silent Night”. The robust harmonies of the hymn were intense, passionate and full of emotion. Believer or not, the moment was enough to move anyone to tears, but as a believer, I felt a spiritual sense of connection, not only to the place, but with the remarkable brothers and sisters surrounding me. It was one of those events during my trip where I “felt in my bones that I was something much larger and was present in the moment as it unfolded before me”, what we referred to on our trip as a thin moment.
As we exited the chapel, we were led to the location where the excavations of an early century Byzantine church and monastery were taking place. Nearby, we spread out among a seating area which was a cave turned chapel with rough hewn stone walls. Overlooking the Shepherd’s Field we noticed a series of limestone caves. We were provided a few moments to read Luke’s account of the annunciation from the Bible and to imagine ourselves as shepherds in the fields below and how we would have reacted to a multitude of angels appearing in this place.
The original 4th century church was mentioned by pilgrim Egeria stating “A big garden is there now, protected by a neat wall all around and there is also a very splendid cave with an altar.” While the church has long since been destroyed, it was thought to have been the burial place of three shepherds and the lower church used by the Greek Orthodox until 1955.
During the 1972 excavations, archaeologists found an oil press, grottoes and burial niches within a vault. In addition, a Byzantine monastery was identified as well as a bakery, cisterns for storing water, courtyards and rooms with mosaics.
Have you ever wondered why God would choose to announce the coming of the Messiah to a group of lowly shepherds in the fields? When you realize that the Jews considered shepherds as some of the most despised, there is such irony in the angelic annunciation of the King of Kings. Yet, the birth of Jesus was also not a royal event, but a lowly, humble occurrence that has been the reason for the season throughout ages for some and has been the most significant event that has forever changed the lives of others.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
If you have visited the Shepherd’s Field in Bethlehem or have a question about my visit, I would love to hear from you if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for your support in reading my blog post and I wish you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
The Shepherd’s Field of the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land
Beit Sahour
Bethlehem, State of Palestine
Telephone: 02 2773135 (Greek Orthodox Site);
02 2772413 (Franciscan Site)
- Admission Fee: No admission fee to enter the church, however, contact the Greek Orthodox or Franciscan church for additional tours and services that may require reservation or additional cost.
- Hours: Greek Orthodox site: daily 8-11:30am, 2-5pm; Franciscan site: daily 8-noon, 2-6pm; Call ahead to ensure entry.
- Amenities: Chapel Services; access to the archaeological site
- Scenic View: Views of the Shepherd’s Field
- Length of Visit: 1-2 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Dress appropriately for visiting a church with knees and shoulders covered. Respect other visitors as they may provide devotionals at the site. Call ahead to ensure entry.
Where to Stay:
Mount David Hotel
Manger Street
Bethlehem, Palestine
Telephone: +972 2 2766511
Where to Eat:
The Tent Restaurant
Shepherd’s Valley Village
Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Palestine
Telephone: +972 2 2773875
Try the local cuisine (shawarma and falafel) in an outdoor setting, or under a tent during winter.
What to Eat:
- Kubbeh is similar to falafal in that it is served in a ball but made with meat and spices then deep fried.
- Manqusheh is similar to pizza made with flatbread topped with olive oil and spice (usually za’atar which is similar to thyme)
- Ka’ak is a large pretzel like pastry that is usually eaten at breakfast time. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are readily available at bakeries and roadside stalls.
- Potato swirls are similar to french fries, cut and deep fried.
- Qatayef is a pancake-style dessert stuffed with cheese, nuts or sugar and spices and are popular during the Ramadan holiday
- Kunafeh is a pastry similar to baklava covered in syrup and cheese
What to Read:
- The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola
- Song of Bethlehem, by Teresa Prins Wood
- The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar
Photo Guide for Bethlehem:
- The star which marks the supposed location where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity
- The Bethlehem Market for colorful merchandise, stalls and restaurants.
- The Wall which is a barrier that separates Bethlehem from Israel which is colorfully decorated with murals
Disclosure: Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.
The Nativity Scene: Note the dog and the young boy
The Nativity Scene with the Angels Above
The Shepherd’s Fountain
The Shepherd’s Field
Limestone Caves in Shepherd’s Field
Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity
In celebration of Christmas, I am excited to share my experience of visiting Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. The opportunity for me to take a pilgrimage to Israel, was not only an incredible education in history, but most important, a spiritual journey. For centuries, this land has been the center of three religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, but I was most interested in exploring the Christian sites and walking where Jesus had walked.
On the corner of Manger Street is the location of Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, representing three places of worship for the Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic faiths. While not much is known about this site archeologically, the cathedral was built over the alleged cave where Jesus was born (Luke 2:1 – 20). The first shrine was built by Constantine in the 4th century and later rebuilt by Justinian. The focal point of what may be the oldest complete (having not been destroyed by the Romans) church in the world, is the Grotto of the Nativity where a star has been placed at the site of Jesus’ birth in a cave.
The church, with its simple stone hewn exterior, resembles a fortress. We entered by stooping through the four foot door, the “Door of Humility”, which was intentionally lowered to prevent looters from entering with their carts. On this site there are actually three churches and this doorway leads into the Greek Orthodox monastery. The doorway opened up to the main Basilica of the Nativity where five aisles were partitioned by forty-four beautiful Corinthian red limestone columns adorned with figures of the saints. Mosaics covered the walls leading to an apse at the end of the long hall where the sanctuary is located and scaffolding was propped up against the wall where an ongoing restoration project was taking place.
While very little remains of Constantine’s basilica, our guide opened a trap door covered with flagstones to expose a portion of the original mosaic flooring. Dating back to the 4th century AD, this extraordinary discovery provides visitors a look into the historical site that was determined by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, to be the original cave as the place where the Christ Child was born.
While there have been several reconstructive changes to The Church of the Nativity, the structure that remains today is Justinian’s 6th century renovation. We continued our exploration of the church walking towards the east end where the raised chancel was located. Beneath the open ceiling with exposed wooden rafters and gorgeous sanctuary lamps, we are surrounded by scaffolding and evidence of a $15 million restoration to be completed in 2018. A stairway to the right of the iconostasis (the carved screen in front of the altar) lead down into the Grotto of the Nativity.
The Grotto is a system of caves beneath the Church of the Nativity. Under the main altar is the cave considered to be the location where Jesus is said to have been born.
The Altar of the Nativity represents the exact spot where Jesus was born and is indicated by a 14-pointed silver star set into the marble floor, which is said to either represent the 14 stations of the cross or the 14 generations cited in the book of Matthew. Fifteen silver lamps represent the three Christian religions of the Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian Apostolic churches. The Roman Catholics maintain the section of the Grotto designated as the “Grotto of the Manger” marking the location where Mary laid Jesus in the manger and an altar is located directly opposite the manger site. Greek Orthodox and Armenian churches maintain the Altar of the Nativity. For centuries, religious pilgrims have knelt before the silver star in worship of the Christ Child.
Before entering the Church of St. Catherine, there is a beautiful bas-relief of the Tree of Jesse. Measuring 12 by 13 feet, it was presented to the church by Pope Benedict XVI during his 2009 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This beautiful carving represents the genealogy of Jesus beginning from the patriarch Abraham through Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.
The Gothic Revival style church on the opposite side of the Greek Orthodox chapel is the Roman Catholic church dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. Each year, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem holds its Midnight Mass here on Christmas Eve. Within the grotto, several early century chapels remain and can be accessed from the Roman Catholic Church of St Catherine’s.
The Chapel of St. Joseph commemorates the appearance of an angel to Joseph, ordering him to leave Bethlehem for Egypt as documented in Matthew 2:13. “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
The Chapel of the Innocents memorializes the diabolical plan of Herod to kill innocent children when he thought there was threat to his position as King of Israel. This story is outlined in the Gospel of Matthew, Matthew 2:16 – 18: When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet of Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31: 15)
Saint Jerome is known for his translation of the Bible into Latin, referred to as the Vulgate. In the year 388, Jerome arrived in Bethlehem and spent the rest of his life in the cave where Jesus was born. During this time, he completed his Biblical translations and wrote several commentaries on Scripture.
Originally buried in the caves of Bethlehem in 420AD, Saint Jerome’s remains were eventually transferred to the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where he had lived and eventually became a Christian. Disciples of Saint Jerome, Paula, Eustochium and Eusebius of Cremona are also thought to have been buried in these caves.
After exploring the underground caves, our tour guide brought up back up through the church and exited out into the courtyard. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site escaped the destruction of the Persians in 614 AD, not because it was a pilgrimage site, but that the commander noticed the Three Magi wearing Persian Zoroastrian priestly clothes and ordered it to be spared. I thought about the miraculous survival of the Church of the Nativity as it had escaped damage from major earthquakes, fires, the Roman destruction and neglect over so many years. God had surely spared this church.
So while Christians all over the world are celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25th, the church that commemorates His birth still has 13 days to wait for the Orthodox observance and a further 12 days for the Armenian Christmas. I wouldn’t mind celebrating twice.
Have you had the opportunity to explore the Church of the Nativity? What were your thoughts about your visit? I would love to hear about your time spent in Bethlehem if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my unforgettable journeys throughout Israel and wishing you many Happy Travels, a Merry Christmas and an exciting 2019!
What to See and What to Do:
The Church of the Nativity
Manger Street at Manger Square
Bethlehem, Palestine
Telephone: +972 2 2742440
- Admission Fee: No charge unless you decide to hire a guide.
- Hours: Apr-Sep 6.30am-7.30pm, Oct-Mar 5.30am-5pm (grotto closed Sunday morning)
- Amenities: Historical and religious sites.
- Scenic View: The Grotto of the Nativity, the additional grottoes connected to the Church of St. Catherine, the courtyard.
- Length of Visit: 2 – 3 hours
- Tips for Your Visit: Arrive early in the day or later in the afternoon. Expect a long queue to see the Grotto of the Nativity. Be aware that shoulders and knees must be covered. There are additional grottoes off of the Church of St. Catherine and expect waits to enter the underground passage as well. Be prepared for large tour groups as well that enter the church with guides. Unless you have thoroughly researched the site, it is best to hire a guide.
Where to Stay:
Mount David Hotel
Manger Street
Bethlehem, Palestine
Telephone: +972 2 2766511
Where to Eat:
The Tent Restaurant
Shepherd’s Valley Village
Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Palestine
Telephone: +972 2 2773875
Try the local cuisine (schawarma and falafel) in an outdoor setting, or under a tent during winter.
What to Eat:
- Kubbeh is similar to falafal in that it is served in a ball but made with meat and spices then deep fried.
- Manqusheh is similar to pizza made with flatbread topped with olive oil and spice (usually za’atar which is similar to thyme)
- Ka’ak is a large pretzel like pastry that is usually eaten at breakfast time. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, they are readily available at bakeries and roadside stalls.
- Potato swirls are similar to french fries, cut and deep fried.
- Qatayef is a pancake-style dessert stuffed with cheese, nuts or sugar and spices and are popular during the Ramadan holiday
- Kunafeh is a pastry similar to baklava covered in syrup and cheese
What to Read:
- The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola
- Song of Bethlehem, by Teresa Prins Wood
- The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi by Michael R. Molnar
Photo Guide for Bethlehem:
- The star which marks the supposed location where Jesus was born at the Church of the Nativity
- The Bethlehem Market for colorful merchandise, stalls and restaurants.
- The Wall which is a barrier that separates Bethlehem from Israel which is colorfully decorated with murals
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