The John Harris-Simon Cameron mansion is one of Harrisburg's most intriguing buildings.What do you get when you combine an over-the-top bathroom, a secret closet filled with forbidden liquor, and a monstrous mirror that's a bit too big for its britches? It's one of the most unusual historic homes in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and a hotbed for political history.
The John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion was built in 1766 by John Harris Junior. Harris was the son of the first European immigrant to the area and the family made their fortune in trade and industry. Harris was determined that his family have a substantial home that reflected their prestige and chose the location for both its prominence and its practical position above the flood line of the adjacent river. Sometimes in travel it all goes a bit sideways... When I was feeling a bit blah, I still found quiet, cozy things to do in Lake PlacidIf you've ever woke up feeling like you have a horrible hangover, yet you had nothing to drink the night before, then you know exactly how I felt on day two of my trip to the Adirondacks. There was the headache (without the fun of any red wine the previous day), there was the sore stomach (was this the universe getting back at me for eating both pasta carbonara AND tiramisu?) and then there was the unmistakable shake and sweat of a low grade fever. I was SICK. Sick in the land of outdoor adventure and Olympic legacies and super healthy people. SICK.
There was no way I could join in the fun as my friends toured wineries and set out on epic hikes. Time for a change in plans! Fortunately by the time I arrived in Lake Placid, I was feeling a tiny bit better and was able to make the best of a queasy situation. Here's how I spent my lazy visit finding things to do in Lake Placid that were lowkey. A week of travel in Adirondacks taught me some important lessons in sustainable travel.As a value focused traveler, how do you take your travel experiences to the next level without your spending habits following you there? There's an easy way to get incredible bang for your buck, no matter what your travel style may be, and that is through embracing sustainable travel.
Sustainable travel may conjure up visions of a bohemian nomad sleeping in a solar paneled yurt, chomping down on sprouts and kale. And some days that doesn't sound half bad! But you don't have to dress like a hippy or love the great outdoors to embrace sustainable travel and reap its many rewards. To me, it is simply supporting locations, activities, attractions, and businesses whose philosophies and practices balance ecological, economical, and community needs. Doing so doesn't cost you any more than non-sustainable travel. In fact, it might save you money! But you won't just be feeling the benefits in your wallet. You'll feel it in your heart as well, as sustainable travel makes marvelous memories. Here's how I made some of mine in the Adirondacks region of New York. We found a great place to stay just outside Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii.
Value travelers will be familiar with this struggle. Sometimes it feels like there aren't many options between the realm of luxury hotels and bare-bones campgrounds, especially if you're searching for a property that comes with a bit of character, as well as great value. But when Ryan and I were exploring one of the 'hottest' spots in Hawaii, we discovered an inn that's decidedly cool. Kilauea Lodge, in the village of Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island, is a beautiful property but that's not why we enjoyed it so much. We found some cool things here that you just don't discover every day.
I love the water and I couldn't wait to try submarine tours in Hawaii. But how would I feel about hanging out on the ocean floor - in a tube? It was time to take a trip with Atlantis Adventures Kona.Submarine tours in Hawaii have been on our travel bucket list for a long time. There's absolutely no way you can go to Hawaii and not explore the ocean! The water is lovely, the scenery is great - and what lies under the surface is even better! The snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii is fantastic. The Big Island is arguably less famous for underwater activities than the other islands but we have always enjoyed ourselves and have several beaches we call our favourites. There's great ocean experiences there - don't let anyone convince you otherwise!
But not everyone is comfortable in the water and fortunately there's a great alternative for those who prefer to keep dry while they explore the ocean depths. We did a submarine tour of the Kona harbour with Atlantis Adventure Kona Tours and we really enjoyed our experience. But what was it like stepping on board a submarine for the first time? And did the tour offer good value compared to other things to do in Kona? Read on to learn more about our adventures (from the anti-adventurist herself!) This amazing Michigan town is deserving of so much more than just a quick visit! There are so many things to do in Frankenmuth beyond the typical tour bus. Thousands of tour buses roll into Frankenmuth, Michigan every year - and for good reason. This charming town is packed with history and community spirit. Frankenmuth's German heritage is soaked into every business in town and their Oktoberfest has the distinction of being the only one in the world to operate with an official blessing from the original Oktoberfest in Munich.
But with so many visitors and so many tour buses in a town that thrives on a single theme, well, sometimes the suggested itineraries can be a bit repetitive. There are so many things to do in Frankenmuth that go beyond what you'd expect in a typical tour. There's more to this community than meets the eye and I hope you'll take the opportunity to visit some of my favourite spots. From live Maine lobster to the ultimate indulgence - a lobster roll crawl - coastal Maine is an incredible foodie destination.
Who says you can't eat like a prince and pay like a pauper - even in Maine, where lobster is king? The locals' favourite, the traditional New England lobster roll, is royally delicious - and immensely affordable. Live Maine lobster market prices are fair but lobster rolls are even more economical. For less than $20 (and sometimes as low as $10) you can enjoy a generous sandwich and tasty sides, all for a fraction of the cost of a boiled lobster dinner.
But while everyone in Maine loves lobster rolls, there's little consensus on what makes a great one. Everyone has a strong opinion about the bread, the sauce, and the flavors. I had to learn more for myself and so I set out on the inaugural "Lobster Roll Crawl" organized by the Cliff House Resort, one of my favourite places to stay in Maine. Updated in 2024! Is Kauai's Glass Beach as colourful as I imagined? There was only one way to find out.
There are tears of sadness, tears of joy, and then there's a kind of tears that are much harder to come by. "Mermaid Tears", better known as beach glass or sea glass, are gorgeous little gems of colour, tumbled into a soothing smoothness thanks to decades in the ocean, before surfacing on a beach to bask in the sun.
Prized by artists and jewelry markers, beautiful beach glass (or sea glass, if you will) also makes for a wonderful travel quest and souvenir. I've collected tiny pieces of it from all over the world, so when I heard about a remote beach on the Hawaiian island of Kauai that was absolutely covered in beach glass, I knew I had to see it for myself. I had to explore Glass Beach Kauai. Who needs the beach when you can have brownies? These are the best desserts in Daytona Beach.I love everything about seaside towns. Long walks at dawn with a creamy latte, combing the shore for beach glass. Sunny, salty afternoons with sand and surf and ice cream dripping off the cone. Balmy evenings spent curled up with a good book as the sun goes down, followed by delicious dinners with friends. This has been my routine all around the world, from growing up on the Nova Scotia coast, to studying in Ireland, to vacationing in Hawaii. And that pattern works splendidly in Daytona Beach too!
And there's no better compliment to an afternoon, a weekend, or an entire season by the seashore than delicious, indulgent, CHOCOLATE! Here's where you go to satisfy your sweet tooth and find the best desserts in Daytona Beach. |
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