Forward By Jennifer Rae

It might be cold outside this time of year, but Colonial Williamsburg is easy on the eye no matter what the temperature, especially as the town transitions gracefully from the day into night. Twinkle lights are everywhere, and a blanket of puffy white snow make the experience so picturesque.  As the townspeople and tourists bustle about, the story of 18th century America unfolds before them. 

Here are some beautiful photos and a great travel blog with tips on how to best experience the richness and the deep roots of such a significant part of our country.  Williamsburg is one of the first planned cities in America...the historical architecture that was carved into a now seeming untouched landscape from a time past, carriage rides and cobblestone walks, the food and the shopping...all that you experience will leave you with wonderful tales to tell those who are ready to listen. 

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The Governers Palace on Palace Green Street (Pixabay)

COLONIAL AND GREATER WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA 3 WAYS

by Samantha Brown

Learning by doing is way more fun than reading a book. That’s just one of the reasons why you should consider a trip to America’s historic triangle. The Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown settlements mark major events in the story of colonial America… and they are so close to one another that you can really explore all three in one fell swoop.

While people may think of Colonial Williamsburg as more of a school field trip locale, complete with actors in traditional garb, it’s important to remember what happened here remains so relevant today. For example, 2019 marks 400 years since enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, as well as the convening of the first General Assembly, which lay the foundation for a democratic, independent United States. There’s many incredible stories to be gleaned, even if you arrive skeptical, you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for the United States.

Here are three ways to explore Williamsburg.

Good for everyone to know:

• It’s actually free to explore the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, the largest living museum in the world. However, if you want to go into most of the buildings, partake in tours, take a carriage ride or watch artisans hone their craft, you’ll need a ticket.
• Make it extra easy on yourself by downloading the free Colonial Williamsburg mobile app. You may purchase admission tickets, reserve carriage rides, and gain access to coupons.
• There’s a lot going on in Williamsburg—be sure to check out their weekly schedule prior to heading there.
• And if you’re looking for things to do on the cheap, check out the Yorktown Trolley and Jamestown-Scotland Ferry. Rides on both are free.

History Buff

If you’re interested in American history, few places offer as much as Williamsburg. From the Governor’s Palace to the second-oldest university in the USA, you aren’t going to run out of things to do.

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From Samantha Brown's Places to Love Blog

With so many fantastic places to visit in Florida, it’s no surprise that most Americans make their way here at least once in their lives for a warm, sunny vacation! Crystal white beaches, bucket list worthy amusement parks, and all sorts of interesting history mean you could keep coming back and discover something new each time.

I’ve been down to Florida more times than I ca count, and I’ve always loved each trip. There’s a reason we’ve highlighted so many local destinations on “Places to Love!” Check below for some of my top picks.

Hurricane Ian 2022 Note: Did you know most of Florida bounced back rather quickly from Hurricane Ian? While news coverage would have you believe the entire state has been left in ruins, the only areas that really sustained significant damage were in the southwest. If you were thinking of escaping the winter for a Florida vacation this year, don’t worry about rescheduling. You’ll find many places barely had a scratch and are more than excited to welcome visitors once more.

Fantastic Places to Visit in Florida Right Now

Amelia Island

Less than an hour from Jacksonville, Amelia Island is an absolutely underrated family destination in northeast Florida. Ever since it was “discovered” by Jean Ribault while the Timucuan Indians were settled here in 1562, it’s been under control of the French, the Spanish (twice), the English, a group known as the Patriots, another group known as the Green Cross, a pirate claiming it for Mexico, the Confederacy, and, finally, the United States. Phew!

Be sure to visit Fort Clinch, which goes all the way back to 1736, and grab a drink at the Palace Saloon, Florida’s oldest bar. Enjoy the 13 miles of pristine beach and get on the water with Kayak Amelia. And if you’re traveling with any bird lovers, know that Amelia is the east gateway to the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Anna Maria Island

Slow down and step back in time at Anna Maria Island right at the southern tip of Tampa Bay. Everything about this place oozes with old Florida charm from the total lack of modern high rises to the preference for walking or biking instead of driving. Heck, if you don’t want to do too much exercise, they also offer up a free trolley to help you get around. Shop around cute boutiques or grab a long, leisurely lunch on the north side before soaking up the sun at a beach with sand so white, it looks like sugar. Really the only thing you want to make sure you’re on time for is the island’s famous sunsets.

Many call Anna Maria Florida’s best kept secret, so don’t say you heard about it from me!

Florida Keys

With one of the most scenic drives in America, the Florida Keys is the land of eternal vacation for good reason. All the way down at the southernmost point of Florida (and the continental United States), this is area is comprised of “keys,” aka small islands made from coral deposits. It’s the perfect place to plan a girls’ trip, a family trip, and even a romantic getaway. In fact, my husband and I booked our own honeymoon at Sunset Key Cottages back in the day.

While down here, take your time stopping off at the different islands to see what makes each so unique. Dine on authentic Cuban food, sample all sorts of key lime desserts (not just the pie), and be sure to learn about all the famous residents of the keys from Ernest Hemingway to Jimmy Buffet to President Truman to Judy Blume, who’s still living there today and owns a local bookstore, Books and Books. Don’t forget to make time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park while you’re here as well.

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NC Vacation Getaway Spotlight: Spend The Night in Jail

Vacations can be a lot of things. They can be one of the best times of the year, and they could sometimes take a turn for the worse. Jail is one of the last places that you want to end up while on vacation, but sometimes it happens. We were looking for an adventure recently on Airbnb. We like to take quirky off-the-beaten-path trips that are pretty much unforgettable. This became one of those times. We came across a listing for a bunk room in an old jail located in Marshall NC. We had never spent the night in jail, at least not together, so we decided to book it. And we are so glad we did!

The Old Marshall Jail is located right down the street from the Madison County Courthouse so that means that after court, some were escorted down the street in handcuffs to their new residence.

The list is grouped into five categories: Family, Adventure, Culture, Nature and, new for this year, Community – locations doing ground-breaking work in tourism.

UTAH: Utah's rugged landscapes invite adventurous outdoor recreation, such as paddle-boarding down the Colorado River in Moab, says National Geographic

By TED THORNHILL, MAILONLINE TRAVEL EDITOR

This annual ‘Best of the World’ inventory will ‘help you get a jump on planning for the year ahead’ and contains destinations - from the Scottish Highlands to Utah, and from a James Bond filming location in Italy to the Dodecanese Islands in Greece - that most inspired Nat Geo’s writers and editors this year.

The list is grouped into five categories: Family, Adventure, Culture, Nature and, new for this year, Community – locations doing ground-breaking work in eco-tourism.

‘” Best of the World’ is Nat Geo’s annual love letter to the most incredible places in the world, both near and far,’ said Nathan Lump, National Geographic’s Editor-in-Chief. ‘We couldn’t be prouder to shine a light on these 25 extraordinary places that most inspired us this year, and which we know will define travelers’ itineraries for years to come.’

National Geographic Senior Editor Amy Alipio added: ‘We took a deeper dive into places all over the globe that are providing experiences that are unique and beneficial for both locals and travelers: locations where visitors ultimately sustain and support - not damage - the destination’s environment and community. We also worked hard to provide lesser-known gems on the list, equally inspiring alternatives to destinations that have become overcrowded (think Choquequirao vs. Machu Picchu in Peru).’

Scroll down for a sneak peek at some of the locations that made the cut. 

AZORES: Dozens of waterfalls plunge down the green volcanic slopes of the Azores, including Ribeira Grande on Flores Island

DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE: A small white chapel perches on the peak of Mount Profitis Ilias on Karpathos, one of the lesser-known islands in Greece’s Dodecanese archipelago. 

 

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'Sacred' island: Positioned in the north of Greece's Dodecanese island group, Patmos is a major Christian pilgrimage site.

Here is the island where the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation which forms the closing pages of the New Testament and gives the Bible some of its most portentous descriptions. The cave where John wrote Revelation is actually lost to history, but tradition holds to a particular cave, where a church now exists. lf it wasn't for the sign reading "Cave of the Apocalypse" you wouldn't know you were entering the sacred grotto. The chapel, it's north side sealed by a rocky alcove, lies at the end of a series of corridors.  Inside, a silver miter rises over a fenced-off cleft where the biblical figure apparently laid his head to rest. A silver bracket surrounds the crack where he's said to have placed his hands to get up.

"And this is where God's voice came through and spoke to the saint," he adds, pointing to a fissure on the rock above.

 

'Sacred island'

The island is dominated by the fortress-like Monastery of St. John.--photo:John Malathronas

 

Two monks still live in cells above the cave today, but the main focus of religious activity in Patmos -- known as the "sacred island" -- is the monastery of St. John, an imposing citadel that looms over the island.

Established in 1088 by St. Christodoulos, a Greek monk, the monastery still contains original structures dating to the 11th century -- parts of the fortifications, the kitchen, some cells, the cistern and, most importantly, the church of St. John, which boasts some superb frescoes.

 

While the church is impressive, the monastery's museum and library are several notches more formidable.

Read the entire travel story here>>>>

'Our vision is to create a unique experience in tune with the unique significance of the lowest point on earth'. With manmade islands and jetties, new hotel plan set to transform Dead Sea tourism

By WND News Services

The expanded resort complex being built at the Dead Sea in Israel in September 2022 (Image courtesy: Moshe Safdie Architects)

 (TIMES OF ISRAEL) -- Israel’s plans to turn the lowest place on earth into one of the hottest tourist destinations on the planet will see the country taking inspiration from two places already drawing millions of visitors a year: the Maldives and Dubai.

Plans for a raft of new hotels along the Dead Sea will seek to revamp tourism in the region and remake the coastline, with a series of manmade islands, peninsulas and inlets — plus a tropical-style property featuring guest cottages perched on stilts in the sea — in the works to extend the coastline and put more tourists than ever right on the water.

Israeli officials see boosting Dead Sea tourism as key to reaching the goal of 10 million visitors a year by 2030. With the sea rapidly shrinking, leaving former beachside resorts miles from shore and turning the former coastline into a dangerous expanse of sinkholes, tourism efforts are focused on the massive evaporation ponds south of the Dead Sea, where most of the large hotels in the area are already located.

The hotels will be the first new ones in the area in some 30 years, according to Shimon Daniel, CEO of the Dead Sea Preservation Government Company, a Tourism Ministry clearinghouse for Dead Sea development.

Promoters say three islands are being built as part of the development, but published plans only show a single landform — still technically connected to land — that might be classified as one.

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It's famous for its glorious beaches, subtropical gardens and as one of the Royal Family’s favourite holiday spots. Now there’s another reason to visit the Isles of Scilly: to explore the night skies.

The inaugural Scilly Dark Skies Week has just been held on St Martin’s, the archipelago’s northernmost populated island. And it’s all about COSMOS – the Community Observatory St Martin’s – which opened in 2019.

It's not just a tribute to the islands' dark skies but to St Martin's locals, including the jeweller who fundraised by designing a telescope pendant, staff at the island's only hotel - the setting for fundraisers - and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, which provided a grant.

The archipelago's northernmost populated island has almost no light pollution and 120 residents, who refer to the narrow concrete path that stretches from the harbour to the northern tip as the motorway (although I only spot one car, owned by the hotel).  

In 2016 a gaggle of locals and passionate stargazers who'd been lugging their telescopes here for years decided to make their skies more accessible by constructing a community observatory. One was Mark Holmes, who'd received the British Astronomical Association's Sir Patrick Moore prize after setting up Cheshire's High Legh Community Observatory.

After three years of grant applications, logistical minefields and planning meetings - held in the only pub, where a constellation-like tangle of fairy lights dangles from wonky wooden beams – the observatory opened in 2019.

Stars, it seems, were always on the radar of COSMOS chair Val Thomas. 'I went to school here and stars were always part of my life. I remember seeing the Northern Lights as a child and knew about the Milky Way and when Venus was brightest. And my brother and uncle both went to sea, and learned to navigate using the stars.'

COSMOS, tucked behind the island's community centre, comprises two domes with two high-power telescopes, next to a tech-filled warm room lined with photos documenting the construction process. One shows the domes, fresh from the mainland, dumped unceremoniously on St Martin's tiny dockside.

I visit during COSMOS's inaugural Scilly Dark Skies Week. Events include talks about dark sky photography and guided walks around the island. And, of course, stargazing sessions.

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Jungfraujoch in Switzerland

Posted by switzerlandersing

MORE PICTURES HERE >>>>>

Video from Utah, New Hampshire, Colorado, and Vermont shows incredible colors on the trees and foliage across the United States

The Daily Mail/Travel

Less than two weeks into fall, nature is already revealing incredible colors and foliage linked to the season.

Recent drone footage shows that autumn has officially arrived across the United States, and has brought along with it some magnificent hues. 

The first video, taken by John Rowe for Storyful, shows autumnal hues of red, orange and yellow covering thousands of trees in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

The Balsams Resort, nestled right on the lake in the New England town, looks quaint as a camera flies overhead, displaying the miles of fall foliage ranging in color from dark green to bright red.  

READ MORE AND WATCH DRONE FOOTAGE HERE>>>>

What a lava-ly sight. The 262ft-long vessel can carry 12 passengers in one master cabin, three VIP cabins and four double cabins

Another focal feature is the heated counter-flow pool, which challenges guests to swim against a current to improve their fitness. Those who prefer to get into the deep blue sea can store water toys such as jet skis or scuba gear in the superyacht's tender garage, which connects to a swimming platform.

Post-swim, passengers can head to the aft deck, where they'll find day beds and a dining table under a glass awning, for an al fresco dinner. 

If they want to go for a spin in their helicopter, they can head to the helipad on the forward deck via a ‘hidden tunnel’ that goes through the master cabin.

As well as this secret passageway, the master cabin features a panoramic glass ceiling that invites owners to enjoy a ‘bit of star gazing in bed’. The superyacht, which can accommodate 12 guests in total, also features three ‘VIP cabins’ and four double cabins on the main deck. Angular windows and vaulted ceilings are statement features of the main living area - the ‘sky lounge’, which is described as a ‘special space to relax’. 

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Flight attendant reveals the filthiest spot, and it's not the toilet

By WND News Services

 

Illustrative image of an airplane.

(photo credit: PXHERE)

 

(JERUSALEM POST) -- What is the dirtiest place on an airplane?

According to flight attendant Brenda Orelus, the dirties place on an airplane is not the lavatory or the tray tables. It is the seat-back pockets.

IN a video that Orelus posted on TikTok she revealed to her more than 100,000 followers that the pockets are full of germs and are almost never cleaned.

“Did you know seat-back pockets are the dirtiest surface on the aircraft?” she says in her video. “They’re dirtier than the lavatories, they’re dirtier than the seat cushions and they’re dirtier than the tray tables.”

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• Mission NS-22 brings the total of people flown to space by Blue Origin to 31 since the first launch in July 2021

By SADIE WHITELOCKS FOR MAILONLINE 

A British-American adventurer has revealed what it was like travelling into suborbital space for the first time aboard Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket-capsule – and has unveiled exclusively to MailOnline Travel her incredible souvenir photos.

Vanessa O'Brien, 57, experienced the 'final frontier' this August and never-before-seen images show her floating around the capsule 65 miles up wearing blue nail polish that matches her spacesuit, with the Earth forming an eye-poppingly majestic background.

The investment banker, who swapped her city career to become an explorer 12 years ago and counts summiting Everest and K2 and reaching both poles among her achievements, told MailOnline Travel that the 10-minute 30-second trip was 'out of this world' - but that there was a rather uncomfortable moment as she re-entered the Earth's atmosphere to land.

Blue Origin's first crewed mission was on July 20, 2021, and O'Brien soon found out she had landed a seat on the sixth voyage. Pictured, her rocket launch in motion

Spaceflight company Blue Origin was founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos in 2020 and O'Brien was among thousands who signed up for a flight.

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Amtrak, the nation's cross-country railway system, is canceling all of its long-distance trains ahead of a planned freight workers' strike that threatens to significantly damage the US economy.

By MELISSA KOENIG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Amtrak has already announced that it would be canceling trips on several of its routes in preparation for the strike

The company is not involved in the ongoing labor dispute, but freight companies own almost all of its 21,000 route miles outside the Northeast Corridor, where it owns its own tracks.

Its announcement on Wednesday effectively cancels all planned trips, including those from Washington DC to Sanford, Florida, and the Silver Star from New York City to Miami. The only area that will not be affected by the train cancelations are those in the Northeast Corridor, between Boston and Washington DC.

Many artifacts will head to the New York State Museum in Albany.

By Zachary Kussin

The Greenwich Street Museum, which opened in 2006 nearby on Liberty Street, has struggled to stay afloat since the 2020 onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Two-thirds of our income revenue annually comes from our earned income from admissions,” Jennifer Adams-Webb, co-founder of the museum and the CEO of the September 11th Families’ Association, told The Post. “We were completely closed for six months in 2020. We had been averaging 300,000 visitors a year … and last year we had a total of 26,000 visitors, so it completely annihilated our earned income.”

A destination for education and for community support among survivors and family members of those who died on 9/11, the museum moved to its 92 Greenwich St. location in 2017. The first six months of 2022 saw roughly the same number of visitors as the entirety of 2021, but outstanding capital debt combined with still-low visitation required a difficult decision to be reached.

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The 9/11 Tribute Museum is being forced to close'

By Christian Infidel

For anyone who is still in denial that Islamic Supremacy is not only real in this country but also an extreme danger, think again. Not only is the Biden Regime getting ready to hand Iran absolutely every one of its demands in order to allow the United States to enter into another failed nuclear agreement, but this Regime is also doing so while ignoring the multiple assassination attempts that just took place on American soil. They are ignoring that Iran has already threatened to nuke New York City. They ignore that they will be lifting sanctions on the 15th Khordad Foundation, a foundation that just issued another bounty on President Trump this past week. I am wondering if there wasn’t another demand from the IRGC that we weren’t made aware of.

It seems strangely odd that while negotiating with a country that has been inflicting this much terror, threats, and illogical demands on us, it would also be announced that the 9/11 Tribte Museum in lower Manhattan, New York City will be closing its doors for good. A museum to memorialize the heroes and the more than 3,000 victims of the single most devastating attack by Islam in this country’s history. The 9/11 Tribute Museum that has stood for fifteen years and focuses on the passengers of the hijacked planes that fell victim to Islamic jihad 21 years ago, will be closing forever and is announced in the midst of Islamic jihad currently taking place on American soil. This Regime will stop at nothing, they will sacrifice anything and everything in their attempt to enter into a new nuclear deal with Iran.

READ MORE FROM CHRISTIAN INFIDEL>>>>>

'Unearth the Land of the Bible' 10-day tour offers role in excavating elements of biblical heritage

By WND News Services

 

Dina Avshalom-Gorni and Dr. Yehuda Guvrin in the ancient synagogue on Mary Magdaelene's possible birthplace unveiled in December 2021. (Courtesy University of Haifa and Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority)

 

 (ALL ISRAEL NEWS) -- A new unique tourism package invites Bible enthusiasts to take an active part in the historical story of the Jewish people by participating in archaeological excavations throughout Israel.

“Unearth the Land of the Bible” runs from April 17 to 27 next year, leading participants in the exploration of heritage and nature sites in the Holy Land and in archaeologist-led excavations at key locations. Tour participants will hear expert lectures on how the past resonates still, in modern Israel’s culture.

Ahead of their arrival in Israel, participants will be provided with virtual instructions on the critical work of uncovering and conserving significant historical findings.

The archaeology-focused tourism initiative is being spearheaded by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, Educational Opportunities Tours and Sar-El Tours, in partnership with Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. 

The tour will launch ahead of the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel and offer attendees an opportunity to enjoy the country’s Independence Day celebrations. 

READ MORE>>>>>

The world hasn’t seen commercial supersonic travel in nearly 20 years since the Concorde was retired in 2003, but all that is about to change with the development of a new, environmentally friendly airliner.

Meet Overture – the world’s fastest airliner that was developed by Denver-based Boom Supersonic.

With 26 million hours of designing and testing, Overture will run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as it flies at Mach 1.7 over the ocean, shuttling between 68-80 passengers up to nearly 5,000 miles.

The updated design features four engines that will keep weight and temperature balanced, which will also lower the size requirements of the wing-mounted engines.

Japan Airlines has also said it will buy the airliners and has pre-ordered 20.

In addition, Boom and the United States Air Force are currently developing custom Overture configurations for government transportation.

So, how long will it take to get to popular international destinations?

New York City to London:

• Current travel time: Approximately 7 hours
• Overture travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Los Angeles to Sydney:

• Current travel time: Approximately 15 hours
• Overture travel time: 8 hours

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Now THIS is going to be a new vacation HOT SPOT!

Heart-stopping video shows Wizz Air passenger jet skimming just yards over tourists' heads in 'lowest ever landing' at Greek island airport.

This is the heart-stopping moment a Wizz Air passenger jet skimmed just yards over tourists' heads as it came in land on a Greek island, in what some said was the lowest ever landing at the airport.

Dramatic footage of the landing was uploaded last week by a jet enthusiast who was positioned to watch planes touch down on Greece's Skiathos island.

The island's landing strip, built just yards from the sea, has become a draw for thrill-seeking tourists looking to capture spectacular landings. But even the seasoned plane spotters appeared shocked as the Airbus jet barrelled towards the tarmac and narrowly cleared the airport's perimeter fence.

The is the heart-stopping moment a Wizz Air passenger jet skimmed just yards over tourists' heads as it came in to land at a Greek airport

As the Wizz Air-operated Airbus A321neo approaches, it quickly became clear to spectators that the pilot was bringing it in at a low altitude, with one onlooker even moving out of the way

 

DAVID HOOKSTEAD SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR - DailyCaller.com

A flying hotel powered by nuclear energy called Sky Cruise will be able to house 5,000 guests if everything goes to plan, according to The New York Post.

The New York Post wrote the following in part about the proposed hotel:

The futuristic hybrid between a plane and hotel – which has 20 engines powered by nuclear fusion – is designed never to land.

Hashem Alghaili, who created the incredibly detailed mockup of the monster aircraft, says the nuclear-powered sky cruise “could be the future of transport”.

Designed to run 24/7, Alghaili even adds that running repairs would be carried out in-flight – a first in aviation.

And, when asked how many people it would take to fly this gigantic plane, he said: “All this technology and you still want pilots?

“I believe it will be fully autonomous”.

I can’t believe this even needs to be said, but this is a shockingly bad idea. It’s such a bad idea that it’s hard to believe it’s even real, but here we are.

CONTINUE READING "There Is A Nuclear-Powered Flying Hotel Being Developed | The Daily Caller"