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#best restaurants near king street wharf
toursinsanfrancisco · 2 years
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Embark on the most effective of San Francisco - Traveling the Embarcadero
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Flanked by a rejuvenated midtown district and the San Francisco Bay, the Embarcadero (Spanish for "the location to begin") absolutely measures up to its name. Stretching from the junction of 2nd and King roads near the Bay Bridge and also AT&T Park to Pier 45 at Fisherman's Wharf, this beachfront street is a direct line to the very best of San Francisco. Shop hotel accommodations, sights, shopping, farmers' markets, home entertainment as well as beautiful food are within very easy reach of the Embarcadero. Whether you select to check out through a conventional wire auto ride, by car or on foot, bring your cam and your cravings san francisco private tours. Photo opportunities as well as cooking delights will certainly border you every which way around of San Francisco.
Deluxe Hotel Lodging Puts You in the Heart of the City
Whether taking a trip for company or satisfaction, sightseeing is easier in the midtown district of San Francisco with a deluxe hotel on the beachfront. Search the neighborhood destinations, after that go back to your space to save your treasures before navigating even more treasure-hunting or supper and a program.
The Highlights of the Embarcadero
As you make your method up the Embarcadero, you'll find many of San Francisco's favorite views:
Rincon Park - Cupid's Span
Virtually everybody has actually crooned along with famous vocalist Tony Bennett as his gold voice sang, "I left my heart in San Francisco." As a homage to that timeless, sculptors Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen erected Cupid's Span in Rincon Park in 2003. The bow, with its arrow implanted in the ground, neglects the San Francisco Bay.
Ferry Building Marketplace
This abundant industry bustles with a flurry of visitors daily searching for the freshest and most special food and various other rewards. Fishmongers offer regional selections of fish captured from the bay. Gourmet delicious chocolates, artisan cheeses, organic fruit and vegetables and other tasty deals with can also be located. Delight in lunch bayside at one of the lots of extraordinary dining establishments and cafes, then browse through the large selection of stores found out there or from the many local farmers' fruit and vegetables during the weekend's farmers' market. The Embarcadero The Embarcadero Center uses seasonal fun consisting of an ice skating rink from November till January plus year-round tourist attractions such as the Farmer's Market as well as the Embarcadero Center Cinema. The cinema is house to numerous prominent independent movies as well as ranks nationally among the most prestigious and also effective movie theaters. Fisherman's Wharf A very easy ride, compliments of the F Market trams, takes you to the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf. Go to Pier 39 where you'll twist via a typical boardwalk atmosphere full with video clip game, road performers as well as more. Not to be missed are the sea lions, who have their very own docks for dozing; stores loaded with keepsakes; family-oriented amusement as well as a variety of scrumptious food from street suppliers to fine dining. Boutique resort accommodations, sights, shopping, farmers' markets, home entertainment and also elegant food are within very easy reach of the Embarcadero. Photo possibilities and culinary delights will border you at every turn in this area of San Francisco. The bow, with its arrowhead dental implanted in the ground, overlooks the San Francisco Bay. Enjoy lunch bayside at one of the several extraordinary restaurants as well as coffee shops, then surf through the huge choice of shops located in the Market or from the numerous regional farmers' produce throughout the weekend's farmers' market. A very easy flight, compliments of the F Market trams, takes you to the world-famous Fisherman's Wharf.
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europeantravel1 · 3 years
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10 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam
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Best Day Trips from Amsterdam 
Amsterdam is arguably one of the best cities to visit in the world and it is a great place to visit museums, art, coffee shops and culture — but there is much more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam. Within an hour from Amsterdam, you can visit the tulip fields, windmills, and even climb up sand dunes and lie on the beach and work on your tan! The Netherlands is a relatively small country, so you can get to Utrecht in 30 minutes or even Belgium in 1.5 hours since the country is relatively small. Even traveling from the northernmost city in the Netherlands (Groningen) to the southernmost point (Maastricht) takes roughly two hours. The Netherlands has an excellent system of public transportation that allows travelers to travel anywhere in the country. The trains generally run on time and are modern and comfortable. The Dutch railway company NS has a website on which you can get train schedules. Holland is the world capital of cycling! There are over 32,000 kilometers of bike paths stretching out in all directions, letting you cycle from one city to another with ease if you wish. For nearby cities like Haarlem and Leiden, it is possible to bike from Amsterdam Centraal in an hour to these cities. With this list of the top day trips from Amsterdam, you can get away from Amsterdam and explore the rest of the Netherlands.  
Amsterdam Day Trips
In this list of day trips from Amsterdam, only places within a two-hour train ride from Amsterdam were included. It is possible to access all of these sights in one day by public transportation.  
Recommended Amsterdam Day Trips
1. Haarlem
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The short train ride to Haarlem makes it an ideal day trip from Amsterdam. Haarlem is often described as a smaller, more compact version of historical Amsterdam. Haarlem is less hectic than Amsterdam and offers a more authentic experience. It is essentially a suburb of Amsterdam so it is easy to get to. In fact if the hotel prices in Amsterdam are to high for you staying in Haarlem is a good alternative. Haarlem is seen as a quieter, gentler Amsterdam – which is in fact only 15 minutes away by train. Haarlem's Christmas market is quite possibly the top Christmas market in the Netherlands. The event is centered around the city’s Grote Markt (main square). On a regular Saturday, however, the square will have local stalls offering cheese, clothing, souvenirs, and more. There is a church located right near the square and a variety of bars and cafes. Throughout your stay, be sure to enjoy a boat ride along the canals, observe the authentic windmill located directly in the city, and finish the day at Jopenkerk, a church-turned-brewery. And, trust me the beer here is way better than the beer at the T'ij brewery in Amsterdam even though that one is located in a cool windmill.   2. Tulip Fields in Lisse and Keukenhorf, Netherlands
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Most tourists come to the Netherlands in the springtime to view the world-famous tulip fields. Lisse is the best place to see them. Just 40 minutes by train from Amsterdam, Lisse is an easy day trip from Amsterdam. The striking colors of the flowering tulip bulbs are a typical sight in Holland during the spring. The bright red, pink and yellow colors are overwhelmingly beautiful and are a must see, or should we say, a must experience! Keukenhof is situated in Lisse, and is one of the world's largest flower gardens. The park is home to over 800 beautiful tulip and flower arrangements. There are several attractions around the gardens, including a petting zoo, art installations, restaurants, and boat trips. Tourists do tend to overcrowd this area. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you purchase fast-track tickets that include transfers. You don’t have to go to Keukenhof to see the tulips; there are plenty of tulip fields scattered all over the Lisse province that are open to the public. We suggest renting bicycles and cycling around the fields to admire them. You can also take a tulip bicycle tour with a guide to see them.   3. Zaanse Schans
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The Netherlands isn’t complete without mentioning the iconic Dutch windmill and wooden clogs. The Dutch are known for their windmills, and the closest one to Amsterdam is Zaanse Schans, a town dating back to the 19th century. Looking around you at the Zaanse Schans, you will see nothing but history. Take a tour of the wooden windmills and try on traditional Dutch clogs and savour some Dutch cheese. Zaanse Schans is one of the very best places to visit in the Netherlands. The Zaanse Schans takes its name from an earthen sconce, a fortification from the Eighty Years’ War (the uprising against Spanish rule). From 1961 to 1974 old buildings from all over the Zaanstreek were relocated here from all over the Netherlands. Getting to Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam by bus can be accomplished in 30 minutes from Central Station.   4. Delft
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In the Netherlands there is no shortage of adorable towns, however, Delft stands out as my favorite. Delft is best known for its pottery, especially Delftware pottery! There is even a factory here that produces Delftware. Delft is not only known for the pottery, but also for its beautiful churches, charming boutiques, and cozy cafes. Delft is a popular tourist destination in the Netherlands, famous for its historical connections with the reigning House of Orange-Nassau, for its blue pottery, for being home to the painter Jan Vermeer, Vermeer is buried in the Old Church. Make sure you climb the clock tower for the best view in Delft. Delft is the perfect place to visit if you'd like to see beautiful Dutch architecture without the crowds that Amsterdam attracts.   5. The Hague (Den Haag) & Scheveningen Beach
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The Hague is located approximately one hour train ride away from Amsterdam and is the perfect day trip destination. The city is beautifully designed and the city has a sense of calm about it, even though it is surrounded by a large amount of activity. It is a city on the western coast of the Netherlands on the North Sea. It is famous as the place where war criminals are tried but it is much more than that. Koningsdag, or King's Day, is held annually on 27 April. It is traditionally celebrated with fairs and flea markets throughout the city. On this day, the color orange predominates at a festival (which sells orange cotton candy) and has scores of informal street markets. The Hague is also home to one of the finest beaches in the Netherlands called Scheveningen Beach. This beach is one of the most popular attractions to The Hague and is particularly popular with tourists and locals alike. The white sand beach stretches for miles and includes a Ferris wheel on its pier. 6. Alkmaar Cheese Market
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If you are eager to experience the world-famous cheese of the Netherlands, then you should visit Alkmaar. Alkmaar, not Gouda is the cheese capital of the Netherlands, and there are many cheese-related attractions for visitors to enjoy! Every Friday from March through September, there is a cheese market, which is particularly interesting to say the least. Alkmaar has many medieval buildings that are still intact, most notably the tall tower of the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, where many people from Alkmaar hold their wedding ceremony. This Dutch city is 30 minutes from Amsterdam by train and has more than just cheese. Visit the Dutch Cheese Museum or the National Beer Museum, while Belgium and Germany are more well known for beer, the beer scene in the Netherlands is very healthy.     7. Rotterdam Among the most popular cities near Amsterdam, Rotterdam is one. The reason for its popularity is that it is modern and different than any other state in the country. During World War II, the whole city was destroyed by bombs and rebuilt in a totally different style. Rotterdam is home to many fine examples of modern architecture, much of it inspired by the city's waterside setting, as well as a response to the devastation of WWII.
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This unique city can be reached by a fast train in just 45 minutes. This allows plenty of time for exploration. The most popular sites here include the famous cube houses, the Markthall (market hall) and the Erasmus Bridge. Nevertheless, a leisurely stroll through the streets and a discovery of the city is much more enjoyable.   8. Utrecht
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Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and has a fascinating history. This city is located only 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam and is among the most popular Amsterdam day trips. While most people think of Amsterdam when they think of the Netherlands. Utrecht is the lively, beating heart of Holland, an ancient university town built around the Dom Tower. Utrecht is known for its city center with wharf cellars along the canals housing cafes and terraces by the water. Utrecht is celebrated for its canals, which run through the center of the city. In addition to the unique design, the lower section of the canals is complemented by outdoor eating areas for restaurants during the warmer months. Besides the unique canals and restaurants, Utrecht is an amazing city to stroll around and explore. Upon exploring the city, you'll find that Utrecht is full of special places. For example, you can drink the best coffee in the city in the vibrant Voorstraat, find all your groceries in the multicultural Lombok and taste and feel the city's archaeological history at Castellum   9. Leiden
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Leiden is an old and historical city in the Netherlands that can be reached by train in 30 minutes from Amsterdam. It is best known for its historical significance as a university town and for its stunning old architecture dating back to the year 1575. It reminds me a lot of Leuven in Belgium or Heidelberg in Germany. It is the best place to explore museums, canals without tourists, restaurants, and coffee shops. Although Rembrandt spent much of his life in Amsterdam, he was born and raised in Leiden. In fact, he attended classes at the city’s university for some time before deciding to pursue a career as an artist. There are several tributes to Rembrandt around the city including a plaque on Weddesteeg that marks his birthplace. The Floating Christmas Market in Leiden is another favorite of Amsterdammers. This quaint market boasts more than 90 stalls that sell a variety of festive foods, warm drinks, and handcrafted items. You'll also find a floating ice rink, as well as a small stage where performances are performed round the clock. This yearly event has won multiple awards, including the “Best Christmas Market in Europe” in 2016.   10. Antwerp, Belgium
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Taking a day trip from Amsterdam does not necessarily mean remaining in the Netherlands. By crossing the border into Belgium, you will arrive in Antwerp in no time at all. It may seem impossible to travel from The Netherlands to Belgium in one day, but thanks to the high-speed Thalys train it is quite doable. Antwerp is an ancient center of medieval architecture and history, completely distinct from the Netherlands. Taking this day trip will provide you with a chance to explore another country, learn about a different history, and see a beautiful city nearby. The old city center is steeped in history. You will find it in ancient building-fronts on narrow streets or in the imposing Grand-Place. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is the only museum in the world to be classified as a Unesco World Heritage site. Belgian beers are world-famous, and Antwerp is an excellent place to improve your acquaintance with them. The De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery offers an ideal introduction to the world of beer. Het Pakhuis and Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie are other breweries where you can taste authentically brewed Belgian beer. One of the top-rated beer bars in the world, the Kulminator is located in Antwerp and there are a host of other good pubs.   Related Story: Amsterdam Red Light Area Bars   Read the full article
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fartoobusydancing · 6 years
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the best of (north) London for Wembley attendees (aka a list of green spaces and good pubs)
ok so i reckon a lot of people are coming to London to see Taylor at wembley so i thought I’d write down a few things you can do in North London that doesn’t include the usual tourist hotspots as they are easily googled :) And these places are all reasonably priced or free.
( @taylorswift i hear you’ve spent a lot of time in north London so perhaps we can swap suggestions ;)
In no particular order.............
Alexandra Palace aka ALLY PALLY
this place is always going to have a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my childhood. and features views such as this over London. 
Its got beautiful grounds, a boating lake and a DEER enclosure.
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also nearby in Muswell Hill, there is a Wetherspoons pub called The Mossy Well which is my favourite spoons. (Spoons is a chain of pubs that do reasonably priced drinks and is a UK staple of life. Especially in London because no one wants to pay £5.70 for a pint...)
(Ooh and opposite the Mossy Well theres a pizza restaurant called Franco Manca which is the best place ever.)
Hampstead Heath
this place is gorgeous, and if we’re lucky enough to get a good sunny weekend, you will find most of North London picknicking and drinking on the heath here. its huge so you can get there from many directions... just make sure your tube stop is near a sainsburys/tescos local so you can pick up snacks/beers. (P.s. don’t forget a bottle opener....like I always do...)
After the Heath you can go and explore Hampstead which has lots of nice places to eat and theres a pub there called King William IV which is pretty good and from what I remember not too pricey...
OR you can head the other way and go to Kentish Town (another place I love because its where I lived as a student). Theres a pub there called the Bull and Gate which is definitely not reasonably priced but is really beautiful on the inside, and if you go upstairs I am 99% sure Taylor filmed part of the End Game music video here. The kebab shop in the video is a few doors down. This is a picture of me there....I am knackered after work and the two pints have clearly gone to my head...
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While in Kentish Town you can walk down to Camden Town which has the famous market, which although very busy/touristy is really cool. The street food section is great and there’s another spoons there called the Ice Wharf. (I’m beginning to look obsessed with pubs...) 
From Camden you can walk through to Primrose Hill which is another popular place when the sun is out. Primrose Hill is extremely pretty and would be a lovely place to live, but you can sit in the park for free! And then walk into Regents Park which is lovely and has London Zoo inside it (not cheap...).
I could ramble on about London for ages, this isn’t by any means a complete list, but a few ideas. Feel free to message me and ask for stuff to do :) Not sure that anyone’s actually going to read this so thanks if you did ;)
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pfcanada · 5 years
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Past Toronto restaurants
Hello Tumblrverse, I have made rare appearances on this blog for the past few years but I will contribute more as I have lots to say. Mostly food-related but also about city-living, pop culture and life in general. Today, I take advantage that I stayed home nursing a cold to reminisce about my fair city's culinary history by remembering some of the defunct restaurants I had the priviledge of frequenting in my 25 years and a half in the 416, all of them, being now defunct. I do not know all the addresses but I well remember where they were, the types of food served, my station inlife at the time and specific food memories linked to people or activities.
If anyone has specific memories related to any of the places I will mention, feel free to chip in.
So here are my restaurant memories in no specific order, restaurants and food shops that were around between June 1994 to January 2020 and have closed for good.
Kapatos bakery - Danforth Avenue
The Tulip Steakhouse - Queen East, Leslieville Oliver's - Yonge and Eglinton
Max Bistro -Yonge and Lawrence
Spoon -King West
Fred's not here and The Red Tomato - King West
Milano- King West
Mistral -Yonge and Saint Clair
Blue Begonia -Rosedale
Didier- Mount Pleasant (amazing soufflé!)
Vines Wine Bar - Wellington street east (St Lawence Market area)
Penrose Fish and Chips - Mount Pleasant
Café des Artistes - Yorkville
Coffee Mill - Yorkville
Chubby Subby (submarine sandwiches like MIke's in Quebec) -Yorkville
Just Desserts (all locations)
Desserts Desserts - Yonge and Eglinton
Daily Planet - Yonge and Eglinton (became the Summit House in the late 90s)
Friendly Greek - Yonge and Eglinton
Matignon - Yorkville area, St Nicholas street Segovia (spanish) - St Nicholas street
Camarra's (famous pizzeria) - Dufferin south of Lawrence
Coleman's deli - Lawrence and Bathurst L'Europe (hungarian) - Bloor street west in the Annex
Csarda(hungarian) - Bloor street west in the Annex
Pan on the Danforth - Danforth Avenue, Greektown
Ouzeri - Danforth Avenue - Greektown
Mystery Pizza - Leslieville/Scarborough
Spot Coffee - Bremner Avenue
Crush Wine Bar - King West
Canary Restaurant - Cherry Street
Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar - St Lawrence Market Town and Country Buffet - Harbourfront Nataraj (Indian) - The Annex
Indian Rice Factory - Dupont Street
Agra (Indian) - North York
Lee Garden - Chinatown (there ued to be one in Yorkville as well)
Yitz's deli - Eglinton West
China House - Eglinton West
Hoo Wah Garden tavern - Dufferin near Castlefield
Sky Ranch (argentinian) - Dufferin and Roselawn
Arepa Café (venezuelan) - Queen West
Katz's deli - Yorkdale area
Eden Chinese Food (Gerrard street east)
Jaipur Grille - Yonge and Davisville
Ed's Warehouse -King West
Ed's Seafood - King West
Café Brussel - Broadview and Danforth, first on Broadview, then in a bigger location on Danforth, at a time the best mussels in Toronto The Host (indian) - Yorkville
Future Bakery - Yonge and St Clair
Senior's Steaks - Yonge and St Clair
His Majesty's Feast - Lakeshore
Barbara Caffé( my first butternut squash agnolotti ever) - Etobicoke
Lick's (my first exposure to "Gourmet" burgers) - all Toronto locations
Onassis Pizza (best homemade tzatziki ever) - Eglinton and Laird
Shopsy's - Front Street
Fisherman's Wharf Lghthouse - Financial District
Steamie's (hotdogs and smoked meat) - good but brief on Mount Pleasant Road
Ginsberg & Wong (deli and Canadian-Chinese) - Village by the Grange, near OCAD.
Lisa Marie - Queen West
Spacco - Yonge and Eglinton
The above list is made of restaurants I have been to and therefore, does nt include places I have not been to like Susur or Bistro 990. What are your Toronto memories of defunct restaurants?
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lovedaisyandeleanor · 5 years
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San Francisco!
Backstory:  Several years ago, we noticed (actually my Dad did) that Daisy’s left-arm was growing quite a bit larger than her right.  We brought her to her pediatrician and he referred us to some specialists here in Boise.  After going through an MRI, ultrasound and other tests - they deemed it a vascular malformation and recommended no further treatment. He did refer us to a few centers nationwide that further specialized in cases like this.
Fast forward 3 years later: we decided to take additional action (nothing seemed worse, but we just wanted to be SURE).  We ended up contacting specialists at UC San Francisco to look at Daisy’s arm, and with a 3-4 month lead time, they were able to schedule us for an appointment in July.  That made for the PERFECT quick getaway to a new city as part of a summer vacation.
We decided to leave Eleanor at home (they said to anticipate several hours at the hospital) and my parents were able to come out to play babysitter (+ dog-sitter and house sitter).  It also helped cut down costs (we didn’t have to buy an additional airplane ticket).   It ended up working really well, as she got some pretty rare 1-1 time with her Papa and Mama.
Day 1: a minor flight delay had us land in San Francisco a little later than planned, but we hit the ground running.  After taking an Uber and dropping our bags at our hotel, we headed out to wander Fisherman's Wharf for the afternoon/evening.  It was SUPER cold and windy (I had looked at the weather forecast ahead of time, but coming from 100-degree dry heat to high 60's was quite the shocker) so walking around helped keep us warm. I bought a multi-attraction punch card ahead of time that we used on our first attraction - a ferryboat tour across the bay!  We had some time to kill beforehand so we walked around in search of some yummy food.  Eating good seafood was on my trip agenda, and it proved harder than we thought to find a good restaurant.  They were either way too fancy, or too greasy-looking. We pretty much just ended up plopping down at the closest place and the food wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't bad.  We killed enough time until it was time to board our ferry cruise.
It was COLD and windy but we all had a great time - especially Daisy.  She really seemed to enjoy the little excursion.  We all had headsets that narrated the tour as we cruised around the bay.  I wasn't able to get tickets to visit Alcatraz (I didn't realize how much in advance you had to make reservations) but the cruise took us around Alcatraz Island, underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, past Ghiradelli Square and I'm sure more landmarks I can't remember :) It was a super fun way to check off several items off our list in a short time!
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We wandered around Fisherman's Wharf a bit more afterward, went through the gift shops and saw a few sea lions before calling it a day!  We splurged a bit on our hotel room, and the room was pretty nice.  A king-size bed and a full pullout sofa bed (that Daisy thought was pretty neat) was our home for the next few days :)  Darnell and I snuck across the street to Trader Joe's to grab us some snacks for the room and we settled in for the night!
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Day 2:  we slept in a little bit, but still got up to seize the day (considering we had such a short time in San Francisco, I didn't want to waste precious time) and were up and out of the hotel around 10 AM.  We headed to the California Academy of Sciences and it was super cool! Another attraction that was included in my punch card that sounded super unique to the area! It was pretty neat - there was a "real" rain forest, aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum all in one! So we were able to check a lot of our boxes with just one stop! The museum was huge, and we got tired before we wandered around the entire thing - but we enjoyed it.  Daisy loved the rain forest, the planetarium was a good place to sneak in a quick cat nap, and the aquarium was impressive.  Daisy's favorite part was getting to dissect an owl pellet - cool!
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After several hours we were wiped, so we grabbed an Uber back to the hotel and relaxed for a bit before walking to China town to find dinner! We had fun looking at all the cool unique shops, and wandering the fun streets.  Darnell did some quick research and was able to find a good Chinese restaurant that definitely did not disappoint!  Dim sum was another item on our list and it was super yummy. Daisy is a lover of all things fried rice, so she was satisfied :)
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Day 3: The big day (actually it wasn't really a big deal, but it was the reason for our trip!).  We headed out to the UCSF hospital campus - such a pretty area!  We got there early enough to grab coffee and a quick breakfast before checking in.  The entire process and appointment itself was pretty neat.  We met with one doctor who walked us through their process, and then an entire team of 12 doctors joined us in our exam room.  They did a couple exercises with Daisy, went over her results (they more accurately defined it as a venous malformation) and that the best course of action is just to monitor (not surgery).  It was the news we were hoping for/anticipating so that was a good thing!
We headed out to lunch at a super cool spot Darnell found on Yelp - the Old Clam House and it was SO GOOD. Like so, so good :) The restaurant has been around for over 100 years and had a really neat authentic vibe to it.  We got an order of mussels and crab and it did not disappoint.  Hands down it was the best meal of our trip!
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Our last big stop of our trip was a visit to the San Francisco Zoo.  I tried to pick activities that Daisy would like, that were also unique to the area.  It was a bit of a jaunt out to the Zoo (it was along the coastline) but it was mostly freeway driving so it didn't take much extra time. It was chilly but sunny (and we were well dressed) - the perfect day for the Zoo!  We enjoyed seeing the huge variety of animals that we don't normally get to see (the gorilla was super neat!) and spent a good few hours wandering around.
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Daisy and I both passed out in the back of the Uber on our way back to the hotel. We didn’t do much on our last night - Darnell and I snuck upstairs to the rooftop hotel bar called “The View” - and it was a pretty spectacular view! Daisy seemed content enough to hang out in the hotel room by herself watching TV. We were all pretty tired at this point, so a quiet night was nice.
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We left for home the next morning and got to the airport with plenty of time (so we didn’t have to stress) and it was PACKED. I have never seen a security line SO long (there were actually 3 different lines, all leading up to the next line).  I was super glad we got there with plenty of time to spare, otherwise, that would’ve been super stressful.
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Unfortunately, when we made it to our gate we were greeted with a delay (that always happens when you’re actually running on time).  We kept near the gate, and they kept pushing out the departure time.  It created a small domino effect (we would miss our connecting flight) and ended up waiting in SFO for close to 3 hours.  Coupled with our later flight out of the connecting airport (another 2 hours) it was a LONG day.
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BUT we finally made it home and Eleanor and the dogs (and my parents) were happy to see us.  Despite the reason for the trip, we had such a great time!  It was so fun to have true one-on-one time with Daisy - I hope it’s a trip she’ll remember for a long time (I know I will!) :) 
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vacationsoup · 5 years
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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/bristol-harbour-festival-19th-21st-july-2019/
Bristol Harbour Festival 19th - 21st July 2019
The Bristol Harbour Festival is back this weekend - Friday 19th July to Sunday 21st July.   Celebrating its 47th year, this free festival brings over 250,000 people together and is held annually to celebrate the city’s maritime heritage and the importance of Bristol’s docks and harbour.
Most of the activities are free, including live music, street performances, dance acts, interactive theatre, international circus acts, daredevil stunts and a variety of other live entertainments which are held on or near the waterfront of Bristol Harbour.
The outside venues include Queen Square, Lloyds Amphitheatre, Narrow Quay, Merchants, Quay, Hannover Quay, Millennium Square and Cathedral Walk, with seagoing vessels moored nearby. The liveliest part of the festival is quayside and the main attractions are entertainment designed to engage all the communities of Bristol, as well as entertain the thousands of visitors to the city.
Find your way around the Bristol Harbour Festival’s Performance Areas - Downloadable Map  See the program of events further down the page.
Market Locations
Narrow Quay,  Merchants Quay,  Queens Square and Hannover Quay
The City has hosted the festival since 1971, when it was started as part of an, ultimately successful, attempt to save the docks from being filled in.  In 2012, the festival attracted over 200,000 visitors, its highest ever attendance at that time, with the Irene and the Matthew being two of the tall ships in attendance that year.
The festival is held every year in July over a weekend and many of the bar and restaurants put on extra entertainment to keep visitors happy during the late evenings. In 2018 visitors were be able to watch for the first time, the Power8 rowing sprints battle it out on the water, as teams from eight cities compete to be the best.
The highlight of this year’s festival will be the arrival of three very special tall ships - The Etoile Molence, Irene and Iris.  Also Power8 Sprints will also be headlining with their 350 metre, high octane rowing action on the water.
More than 250 boats of varying shapes and sizes will be tied up at every available mooring along a four-mile stretch of the Harbourside, with familiar sights such as the SS Great Britain and the Matthew all set to appear.
There’s so much entertainment to keep you engaged, including music at the huge outdoor concert area “the Lloyds Amphitheatre”, top quality circus and street theatre acts from Circus Bijou.  Western Boat Show, showcasing all kinds of sailing boats and power boats, rowing competitions, general fun and games in the water, dedicated family areas, plus the Continental Food Market at Queens Square, a fantastic line-up from across France, Italy, Spain and Germany providing olives, cheese, crepes and more, an experience for the taste buds together with traditional gifts and crafts and lots of Harbourside fun for everyone.
Travel – Head for the City Centre, follow signs for Harbour Festival.  Further travel info Here.
Parking
There is plenty of parking and it is advised to arrive early to get as close as possible to the available Harbourside Parking.  You will also find parking within a short walking distance of the Harbour at the following places -
St Mary Redcliffe Car Park, NCP – Redcliffe Parade, NCP – Queens Charlotte Street, Trenchard Street Car Park, The Gallery Car Park, Nelson Street Car Park, College Street Car Park, Mardyke Wharf Car Park, Oldfield Place Car Park
  Program of Events
Saturday 20th July
Music - Amphitheatre – Music Stage
12.45 pm             Bristol Community Big Band
2.00 pm               The Hucklebuck – Blues Music
3.15 pm               Camo Clave – Cumbia Music
4.30 pm               Phantom Ensemble
5.45 pm               Matuki  - Afrobeat, reggae fusion
7.15 pm               Doreen Doreen – Marsh up Band
8.45 pm               Rod Smith RSD
Music - Brunel Stage at SS Great Britain
11.00 am             Framptoon Shantymen - All Male Choir
12.00 pm             Samba - Reggae drumming band
1.00 pm               Ceili - Traditional Irish/Celtic acoustic music
2.00 pm               Gentle Hooligans - Rock 'n ' roll fusion
3.00 pm               JI & The Rainbirds - Up beat feel-good folk
4.00 pm               Eden Root’s Reggae Band - Red hot Reggae
5.00 pm               The Bare Souls - Rock, blues, soul and funk fusion band
Music - Centre Stage at Cascade Steps
12.00 pm            The Great Sea Choir
12.50 pm            Rosina Keri - passionate dreamy pop
1.40 pm               The Harrisons - Blues, country and americana band
2.30 pm               Barnacle Buoys - Acapella sea shanty singers
3.25 pm               Julu Irvine & Heg Brignall - Folk duo
4.20 pm               Mireille Mathlener - Vocalist
5.15 pm               Laimu - Sultry vocals
Music - Dockside Stage at the Grove
2.00 pm               Punk Rock Aerobics
3.00 pm               Richard the Fourth - Neo soul and slow funk
3.30 pm               Hush Mozey - Miz of spa, punk and garage
4.30 pm               The Rupees - Hi energy rock band
5.30 pm               Sam Brockington - Fantastic vocal talented singer
6.30 pm               Farebrother - Indie rock quartet
7.30 pm               Joe Probert - Super cool soul
8.30 pm               Katy J Pearson - Catchy melodies
Dance and Entertainment at Millenium Square
11.45 am             Bollyred Dance Company
12.15 pm            Urban Cookie: Dance Zumba Gold
1.20 pm               Performance from Gerry’s Attic Dance Company
1.55 pm               Making Tracks Youth Music
2.55 pm               2 O’clock Beauty Queens
3.15 pm               Dance Extreme BS13/Storm
3.25 pm               Bristol Salsa Ladies Styling Team
3.30 pm               Subline Dance Troupe
3.40 pm               Rise Youth Dance
5.00 pm               Hype Dance
5.20 pm               Swing Dance Bristol and Swing Riot
Entertainment, Family Fun Activities, Music and Food at The Circus Playground - Queens Square
Continental Market Food - a selection of everything you will expect will be on offer
Bubbline – Fun with bubbles
A.P.E Project CIC – Mobile Adventure Playground
Sounds Right Phonics Bristol – Music, games, movement, bubbles and poms poms for little ones
Marky Jay – Compere & Street Theatre – Jokes, Juggling and puppets
Avon Valley Wildlife Park – Interact and discover more about small animals
Bristol Taiko – Traditional Japanese Drumming
Bocadcalupa Arts – Bee Garden
Avon Valley Wildlife Trust
Baby Racing
Cirocomedia – Youth Circus Showcase and Workshops
Giddy Kipper – Sloth Time
Tiny Little Clouds Theatre – How to Build a rainbow
Don’t Drop The Beat – Live Drumming and Juggling
Above & Beyond – Mini Flying Trapeze Rig
Dragonbird Theatre – Pyjama Island
Angie Mack – The Super Hooper Jula Hooping Street Show
Korri Aulakh – World Class Aerialist performances
Rob Lewis – Cello
Kat Lyons Storytelling and Spoken Word
King Edmunds Acrobatic Club
Angie Mack – Have a go Hula Hoop Workshops
Cathedral Walk – Spoken Word, Music and Performances
11.30 am             Poetry Machine – Performance
12.00 pm            South West Showcase - Performance
1.00 pm               Yoniverse Takeover - Performance
2.00 pm               Guest Artist – Joelle Taylor - Performance
2.30 pm               Poetry Machine – Performance, Family
2.50 pm               South West Showcash – Performance, Family
4.30 pm               Guest Artists – Rebecca Tantony and Dominie Hooper – Performance & Music
Bristol Harbour Festival - Sunday 20th July
Music - Amphitheatre – Music Stage
12.00 pm             Tan Teddy - Sharing Jamaican culture through song
1.10 pm               Nuala Honan - Folk music from Bristol based Australian singer-songwriter
2:20 pm               Amdodu Diagne & Yakar - Modern blues and funk
3:30 pm               Dizaeli - Jazz-tinged band
5:00 pm               Sheelanaig - Balkan swing, celtic music
Brunels Stage at SS Great Britain
11.00 am             South Wales Clarinet Choir
12.00 pm            North Somerset Samba - Reggae drumming band
1.00 pm               Bee Bakare - Soulful pop
2.00 pm               Zyla - Soul-infused funk
3.00 pm               Sol Feo - Rock, funk, grunge, metal and folk bended band
4.00 pm               Baraka - Afro beat dance band
Centre Stage at Cascade Steps
12.00 pm            Storm Force 10 - Shanty band
12.50 pm            Jodie Mellor - Singer
1.40 pm               Bristol Sea Slugs - Shanty, folk band
2.30 pm               Charlie Limm - Vocalist
3.25 pm               Jazz the Two of us - Jazz classics with a twist
4.20 pm               Maaike Siegerist - Swinging jazz and dark folk
5.15 pm               Sounds of Harlowe - Grunge soul collective
Dockside Stage at the Grove
1.00 pm               Gabriel Templar - Indie pop
2.00 pm               Luke Marshall Black - Vocalist
4.00 pm               RVBY - Quirky pop
5.00 pm               Agata - Vocalist
6.00 pm               Imprints - Gypsy, pirate, folk-rock band
Millennium Square – Bristol Dances
11.00 am             Diddi Dance
11.45 am             Dancin Tots
12.20 pm             Afon Sistema – Brazilian Dance in Bristol
1.10 pm               Mumtaz Dance Company – Bollywood Dance
1.25 pm               Original Spinners - Dance, Performance
1.40 pm               Untold Dance Theatre - Dance
2.00 pm               Cabaret and Drag Dance Show
3.10 pm               Funk Supreme
3.20 pm               Piloexcersize - Dance
4.20 pm               The Hills School of Irish Dance Performance and Workshop
5.00 pm               Celidh Dance with Mr Medler - Dance
Cathedral Walk – Spoken Word, Music and Performances
11.30 am             Poetry Machine - Performance
12.00 pm             South West Showcase – Performance & Music
1.00 pm               Guest Artist – Dizraeli – Performance & Music
1.30 pm               Poetry Machine – Family Performance
2.00 pm               The Urban Word Collective Takeover – Performance
3.00 pm               Guest Artist – Deanna Rodger - Performance
3.30 pm               Bath Spa University Poetry Showcase - Performance
3.45pm                South West Showcase - Performance
4.30 pm               Guest Artist – Toby Thomson – Family Performance
The Circus Playground – Queens Square
Entertainment, fun for the family, food and Music all day from – 11.00 am – 4.00 pm.
Avon Wildlife Trust, Avon Valley Adventure and Wildlife Park, Bubblina – Family entertainment with bubbles, Sound right phonics Bristol, Circomedia – Circus Workshops – Great Family Fun, Traditional Japanese Drumming, A.P.E Project CIC – Mobile Adventure Playground, Marky Jay – Street Theatre, Bocadalupa Arts – Bee Garden and much more.
Thanks for reading, we hope you enjoy the content - Whilst visiting Bristol you may also find the following useful
Family Owned Italian Restaraunt Bristol
Cuban Rum Bar and Restaraunt Bristol
St Nicholas Indoor Quirky Market
21 things to do in Bristol 
Looking for accommodation in Bristol - check availability HERE or email for more information.
0 notes
pikapepikachuu · 5 years
Text
Sydney Life
You dont need a pocket full of pennies to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer. Weve asked some fellow Sydney-based travel bloggers about their favourite things to do in Sydney that wont cost you a thing. Check them out below!
Tumblr media
Bradleys Head, Sydney Managing a website about hiking, its no surprise that my favorite free thing to do in Sydney is discovering new walking tracks. Hiking in Sydney is the best way to fully appreciate everything this beautiful city has to offer. Sydney has a very diverse landscape, so you can walk the beaches, the bush, the mountains and of course the magnificent Sydney Harbour.Whats great about Sydney Harbour is that it is home to countless walking tracks that take you past secluded beaches, beautiful parks, picturesque bays, old lighthouses and much more. And you can discover all these exciting places with the city literally only a stones throw away. Some parts of the Harbour also hold lots of relics from Sydneys military history. At Bradleys Head for example you can find a fortification complex that was built in the 19th century to protect New South Wales against invaders. And Goat Island, right in the middle of the Harbour, once served as a massive gunpowder store. So go ahead, dust off those hiking shoes and head outdoors to discover the goodness that Sydney has to offer, for free! Families visiting Sydney can find all sorts of economical activities. For younger kids visits to some of Sydneys truly amazing playgrounds are a must. Visit a playground by a beach and you have a great free fresh air day out. Great playground and beach combos can be found at Bondi, Bronte, Watsons Bay, Clifton Gardens, Balmoral, Collaroy and Mona Vale. Families with older children might enjoy snorkelling, free if you bring your own kit. Try Shelly Beach at Manly for vibrant sea life, rays, wobbegongs and even (harmless) juvenile dusky whaler sharks. Ocean swimming is another super healthy Sydney sport you can enjoy for free. Explore the many rock pools on the ocean beaches. Check out the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad if you are a confident sea swimmer. Dozens of swimmers enjoy their daily dip at 7am each morning. Meet at Manly SLSC and ask for a free pink cap. One of our favourite free things to do in Sydney is the Bondi to Bronte walk. This iconic cliff-top walk is 2.5km long and joins two of Sydneys most famous beaches. The views of the ocean and the coastal cliffs along the walk are stunning, making this a real Sydney must see. The walk takes us around 2 hours with two young kids in tow. Adults doing the walk without kids could easily do it in one and a half hours. There is also the option to continue the walk all the way to Coogee Beach, which is a further 3 kilometers. The walk is also a popular jogging route, and has a few workout stations dotted along the path. When doing the walk with kids, we usually stop off at Tamarama Beach or Park on the way for a rest and a snack, and end the walk by playing on the beach in Bronte. Bronte has a lovely park with a playground and plenty of nearby cafes, making it ideal for families.The Bondi to Bronte walk is absolutely stunning and one of the most popular places in Sydney for taking photos, so dont leave your camera behind! Sarah Shrapnel Love Swah If youre a culture vulture in the mood for some creative inspiration without breaking the bank, then Sydney is the place for you! This notoriously extensive city is home to a huge selection of budget-friendly art galleries showcasing artworks from emerging and prominent artists, many of which you can visit free of charge. Firstly head on down to the Museum of Contemporary Art to enjoy their impressive permanent collection. Not only does it feature an array of world class modern art from around the globe, this collection is also free! Another permanent collection worth checking out is at the Art Gallery of NSW which is filled with an eclectic range of Australian, Asian, Western and Pacific art works. A local favourite on the smaller end of the spectrum is White Rabbit Gallery situated in Chippendale, which houses one of the largest collection of modern Chinese art in the world.
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King Street, Newtown Exploring Street Art in Sydneys Inner West I love exploring the thriving street art culture in the inner Sydney suburb of Newtown. World class murals adorn walls on almost every corner here thanks in part to a local government initiatives aimed at reducing tagging by matching property owners with street artists. Newtown has always been colourful community, but the volume of work by local and international artists here makes it a perfect place for any street art lover to explore. Add to that some great small bars, cafes and several local craft breweries and you have plenty of great rest stops too. Check out Lennox Street Newtown if youre after a high reward to effort ratio with half a dozen full-scale murals in just 2 blocks. Alternatively make an afternoon of it, take the train to St Peters station and snake your way through the back lanes to a nondescript warehouse in the backstreets that is home to local brewery Young Henrys. This is the perfect spot to taste some really inspired local brews and reward yourself for all that walking! Sydneys own street art nirvana is only 10 minutes by train from the CBD. Tip Along the way pick up a lamington from Flower Drum on King Street or a great meat pie from Black Star Pastry, in Australia Street, Newtown! Nothing beats snorkelling in one of Sydneys stunning beaches on a scorching summer day. All you need is a snorkel and mask, and its easy to learn, even if youre new to the sport. Snorkelling is the best way to discover a new side of Sydney, and come face to face with incredible marine life, including rays, blue gropers, wobbegongs, seahorses, and a wide variety of colourful fish, kelp, and rocky reefs. Dont forget your GoPro! In the Eastern Suburbs, Gordons Bay (complete with underwater nature trail!), and Clovelly Beach are perfect places to get started. Clovelly offers easy beach access in a sheltered bay, making it the perfect spot for first-timers. Clovelly is also famous for its resident blue gropers, so keep your eyes peeled for these friendly fish. On Sydneys north, Shelly Beach, near Manly, is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and offers pristine blue waters teeming with marine life. Its also popular with divers.Wherever you end up, youre sure to have a fantastic time- snorkelling is one of the best free things to try in Sydney. Bring a friend, some sunscreen, and dive in! Tucked away in one of the myriad bays and inlets on the northside of Sydney Harbour is my favourite Sydney walk. Only a few kilometres long, you can stroll the entire path in less than an hour. The path follows the harbour shoreline beginning at Cremorne Point wharf and ending at Mosman Bay wharf, making it easy to get to by inner harbour ferry. Before you set out take a short detour through Cremorne Point Reserve for spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, or better yet, bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine. Dont miss Robertson Point Lighthouse, still a working lighthouse guiding boats safely past the point. You cant go inside but you can get quite close. Heading north from the reserve, the path winds past some of Sydneys most exclusive Federation mansions and million dollar water views. At Mosman Bay wharf either catch a ferry back to the city or retrace your steps as far as Hodgson Ave. Follow the street to join up with a parallel path on the east side of Cremorne Point for the best views of theSydneyOpera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge has to offer. Living in Sydney we are spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic natural attractions. One of my favourite free things to do in Sydney is walking the different parts of the The Coast Track in Royal National Park. The entire track is 26km-long and takes two days to complete but it doesnt have to be done all at once. You can easily do parts of the track as spectacular day hikes. The northern part of the track takes you from the village of Bundeena to Marley beach along one of the most beautiful stretches of Illawarra coastline. On top of the dramatic scenery, this walk also gives you the perfect chance to spot Humpback whales during their migration between April and December.The southern part of the coastal track takes you from Otford train station to Burning Palms beach via the Palm Jungle loop trail. This track has the best of all worlds: towering cliffs of the rugged coastline, eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies, beaches, grasslands and even a palm jungle! Attending a conference I discovered this self-made walking trail from North Sydney. Its a great way to watch the city wake and spring to life.Starting on Blues Point Road and passing the eclectic mixture clothing shops, restaurants and bars, walk to Henry Lawson Avenue.Wander alongside Blues Bay to the iconic Sails Restaurant at Lavender Bay. Stop and take in the views of the Harbour, The Bridge, Circular Quay and Opera House. Next, follow the laneway from Sails to E Cres Street veering right onto Bay View Street. Youll walk passed beautiful homes with Bay views. Continually hugging Lavender Bay, walk round to the left into King George Street taking the laneway to the right soon after.Stroll down the lane until Wendy Whiteleys Secret Garden. This marks the beginning of Peter Kingston Walkway. This will take you pass Luna Park and North Sydney Pool.Follow the signs up onto the Harbour Bridge. Explore the Rocks area at the end and walk through to the Quay and Opera House.If you do this walk early in the morning, when the sun is just rising over the harbour, you can enjoy your own private Rocky moment up the Opera House stairs! For more fun and free activities in Sydney, click here! ]]> http://www.sydney.com/sydney-life/feed
0 notes
zarafoodrecipe · 5 years
Text
Sydney Life
You dont need a pocket full of pennies to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer. Weve asked some fellow Sydney-based travel bloggers about their favourite things to do in Sydney that wont cost you a thing. Check them out below!
Tumblr media
Bradleys Head, Sydney Managing a website about hiking, its no surprise that my favorite free thing to do in Sydney is discovering new walking tracks. Hiking in Sydney is the best way to fully appreciate everything this beautiful city has to offer. Sydney has a very diverse landscape, so you can walk the beaches, the bush, the mountains and of course the magnificent Sydney Harbour.Whats great about Sydney Harbour is that it is home to countless walking tracks that take you past secluded beaches, beautiful parks, picturesque bays, old lighthouses and much more. And you can discover all these exciting places with the city literally only a stones throw away. Some parts of the Harbour also hold lots of relics from Sydneys military history. At Bradleys Head for example you can find a fortification complex that was built in the 19th century to protect New South Wales against invaders. And Goat Island, right in the middle of the Harbour, once served as a massive gunpowder store. So go ahead, dust off those hiking shoes and head outdoors to discover the goodness that Sydney has to offer, for free! Families visiting Sydney can find all sorts of economical activities. For younger kids visits to some of Sydneys truly amazing playgrounds are a must. Visit a playground by a beach and you have a great free fresh air day out. Great playground and beach combos can be found at Bondi, Bronte, Watsons Bay, Clifton Gardens, Balmoral, Collaroy and Mona Vale. Families with older children might enjoy snorkelling, free if you bring your own kit. Try Shelly Beach at Manly for vibrant sea life, rays, wobbegongs and even (harmless) juvenile dusky whaler sharks. Ocean swimming is another super healthy Sydney sport you can enjoy for free. Explore the many rock pools on the ocean beaches. Check out the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad if you are a confident sea swimmer. Dozens of swimmers enjoy their daily dip at 7am each morning. Meet at Manly SLSC and ask for a free pink cap. One of our favourite free things to do in Sydney is the Bondi to Bronte walk. This iconic cliff-top walk is 2.5km long and joins two of Sydneys most famous beaches. The views of the ocean and the coastal cliffs along the walk are stunning, making this a real Sydney must see. The walk takes us around 2 hours with two young kids in tow. Adults doing the walk without kids could easily do it in one and a half hours. There is also the option to continue the walk all the way to Coogee Beach, which is a further 3 kilometers. The walk is also a popular jogging route, and has a few workout stations dotted along the path. When doing the walk with kids, we usually stop off at Tamarama Beach or Park on the way for a rest and a snack, and end the walk by playing on the beach in Bronte. Bronte has a lovely park with a playground and plenty of nearby cafes, making it ideal for families.The Bondi to Bronte walk is absolutely stunning and one of the most popular places in Sydney for taking photos, so dont leave your camera behind! Sarah Shrapnel Love Swah If youre a culture vulture in the mood for some creative inspiration without breaking the bank, then Sydney is the place for you! This notoriously extensive city is home to a huge selection of budget-friendly art galleries showcasing artworks from emerging and prominent artists, many of which you can visit free of charge. Firstly head on down to the Museum of Contemporary Art to enjoy their impressive permanent collection. Not only does it feature an array of world class modern art from around the globe, this collection is also free! Another permanent collection worth checking out is at the Art Gallery of NSW which is filled with an eclectic range of Australian, Asian, Western and Pacific art works. A local favourite on the smaller end of the spectrum is White Rabbit Gallery situated in Chippendale, which houses one of the largest collection of modern Chinese art in the world.
Tumblr media
King Street, Newtown Exploring Street Art in Sydneys Inner West I love exploring the thriving street art culture in the inner Sydney suburb of Newtown. World class murals adorn walls on almost every corner here thanks in part to a local government initiatives aimed at reducing tagging by matching property owners with street artists. Newtown has always been colourful community, but the volume of work by local and international artists here makes it a perfect place for any street art lover to explore. Add to that some great small bars, cafes and several local craft breweries and you have plenty of great rest stops too. Check out Lennox Street Newtown if youre after a high reward to effort ratio with half a dozen full-scale murals in just 2 blocks. Alternatively make an afternoon of it, take the train to St Peters station and snake your way through the back lanes to a nondescript warehouse in the backstreets that is home to local brewery Young Henrys. This is the perfect spot to taste some really inspired local brews and reward yourself for all that walking! Sydneys own street art nirvana is only 10 minutes by train from the CBD. Tip Along the way pick up a lamington from Flower Drum on King Street or a great meat pie from Black Star Pastry, in Australia Street, Newtown! Nothing beats snorkelling in one of Sydneys stunning beaches on a scorching summer day. All you need is a snorkel and mask, and its easy to learn, even if youre new to the sport. Snorkelling is the best way to discover a new side of Sydney, and come face to face with incredible marine life, including rays, blue gropers, wobbegongs, seahorses, and a wide variety of colourful fish, kelp, and rocky reefs. Dont forget your GoPro! In the Eastern Suburbs, Gordons Bay (complete with underwater nature trail!), and Clovelly Beach are perfect places to get started. Clovelly offers easy beach access in a sheltered bay, making it the perfect spot for first-timers. Clovelly is also famous for its resident blue gropers, so keep your eyes peeled for these friendly fish. On Sydneys north, Shelly Beach, near Manly, is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and offers pristine blue waters teeming with marine life. Its also popular with divers.Wherever you end up, youre sure to have a fantastic time- snorkelling is one of the best free things to try in Sydney. Bring a friend, some sunscreen, and dive in! Tucked away in one of the myriad bays and inlets on the northside of Sydney Harbour is my favourite Sydney walk. Only a few kilometres long, you can stroll the entire path in less than an hour. The path follows the harbour shoreline beginning at Cremorne Point wharf and ending at Mosman Bay wharf, making it easy to get to by inner harbour ferry. Before you set out take a short detour through Cremorne Point Reserve for spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, or better yet, bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine. Dont miss Robertson Point Lighthouse, still a working lighthouse guiding boats safely past the point. You cant go inside but you can get quite close. Heading north from the reserve, the path winds past some of Sydneys most exclusive Federation mansions and million dollar water views. At Mosman Bay wharf either catch a ferry back to the city or retrace your steps as far as Hodgson Ave. Follow the street to join up with a parallel path on the east side of Cremorne Point for the best views of theSydneyOpera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge has to offer. Living in Sydney we are spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic natural attractions. One of my favourite free things to do in Sydney is walking the different parts of the The Coast Track in Royal National Park. The entire track is 26km-long and takes two days to complete but it doesnt have to be done all at once. You can easily do parts of the track as spectacular day hikes. The northern part of the track takes you from the village of Bundeena to Marley beach along one of the most beautiful stretches of Illawarra coastline. On top of the dramatic scenery, this walk also gives you the perfect chance to spot Humpback whales during their migration between April and December.The southern part of the coastal track takes you from Otford train station to Burning Palms beach via the Palm Jungle loop trail. This track has the best of all worlds: towering cliffs of the rugged coastline, eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies, beaches, grasslands and even a palm jungle! Attending a conference I discovered this self-made walking trail from North Sydney. Its a great way to watch the city wake and spring to life.Starting on Blues Point Road and passing the eclectic mixture clothing shops, restaurants and bars, walk to Henry Lawson Avenue.Wander alongside Blues Bay to the iconic Sails Restaurant at Lavender Bay. Stop and take in the views of the Harbour, The Bridge, Circular Quay and Opera House. Next, follow the laneway from Sails to E Cres Street veering right onto Bay View Street. Youll walk passed beautiful homes with Bay views. Continually hugging Lavender Bay, walk round to the left into King George Street taking the laneway to the right soon after.Stroll down the lane until Wendy Whiteleys Secret Garden. This marks the beginning of Peter Kingston Walkway. This will take you pass Luna Park and North Sydney Pool.Follow the signs up onto the Harbour Bridge. Explore the Rocks area at the end and walk through to the Quay and Opera House.If you do this walk early in the morning, when the sun is just rising over the harbour, you can enjoy your own private Rocky moment up the Opera House stairs! For more fun and free activities in Sydney, click here! ]]> http://www.sydney.com/sydney-life/feed
0 notes
Text
Sydney Life
You dont need a pocket full of pennies to enjoy all that Sydney has to offer. Weve asked some fellow Sydney-based travel bloggers about their favourite things to do in Sydney that wont cost you a thing. Check them out below!
Tumblr media
Bradleys Head, Sydney Managing a website about hiking, its no surprise that my favorite free thing to do in Sydney is discovering new walking tracks. Hiking in Sydney is the best way to fully appreciate everything this beautiful city has to offer. Sydney has a very diverse landscape, so you can walk the beaches, the bush, the mountains and of course the magnificent Sydney Harbour.Whats great about Sydney Harbour is that it is home to countless walking tracks that take you past secluded beaches, beautiful parks, picturesque bays, old lighthouses and much more. And you can discover all these exciting places with the city literally only a stones throw away. Some parts of the Harbour also hold lots of relics from Sydneys military history. At Bradleys Head for example you can find a fortification complex that was built in the 19th century to protect New South Wales against invaders. And Goat Island, right in the middle of the Harbour, once served as a massive gunpowder store. So go ahead, dust off those hiking shoes and head outdoors to discover the goodness that Sydney has to offer, for free! Families visiting Sydney can find all sorts of economical activities. For younger kids visits to some of Sydneys truly amazing playgrounds are a must. Visit a playground by a beach and you have a great free fresh air day out. Great playground and beach combos can be found at Bondi, Bronte, Watsons Bay, Clifton Gardens, Balmoral, Collaroy and Mona Vale. Families with older children might enjoy snorkelling, free if you bring your own kit. Try Shelly Beach at Manly for vibrant sea life, rays, wobbegongs and even (harmless) juvenile dusky whaler sharks. Ocean swimming is another super healthy Sydney sport you can enjoy for free. Explore the many rock pools on the ocean beaches. Check out the Bold and Beautiful Swim Squad if you are a confident sea swimmer. Dozens of swimmers enjoy their daily dip at 7am each morning. Meet at Manly SLSC and ask for a free pink cap. One of our favourite free things to do in Sydney is the Bondi to Bronte walk. This iconic cliff-top walk is 2.5km long and joins two of Sydneys most famous beaches. The views of the ocean and the coastal cliffs along the walk are stunning, making this a real Sydney must see. The walk takes us around 2 hours with two young kids in tow. Adults doing the walk without kids could easily do it in one and a half hours. There is also the option to continue the walk all the way to Coogee Beach, which is a further 3 kilometers. The walk is also a popular jogging route, and has a few workout stations dotted along the path. When doing the walk with kids, we usually stop off at Tamarama Beach or Park on the way for a rest and a snack, and end the walk by playing on the beach in Bronte. Bronte has a lovely park with a playground and plenty of nearby cafes, making it ideal for families.The Bondi to Bronte walk is absolutely stunning and one of the most popular places in Sydney for taking photos, so dont leave your camera behind! Sarah Shrapnel Love Swah If youre a culture vulture in the mood for some creative inspiration without breaking the bank, then Sydney is the place for you! This notoriously extensive city is home to a huge selection of budget-friendly art galleries showcasing artworks from emerging and prominent artists, many of which you can visit free of charge. Firstly head on down to the Museum of Contemporary Art to enjoy their impressive permanent collection. Not only does it feature an array of world class modern art from around the globe, this collection is also free! Another permanent collection worth checking out is at the Art Gallery of NSW which is filled with an eclectic range of Australian, Asian, Western and Pacific art works. A local favourite on the smaller end of the spectrum is White Rabbit Gallery situated in Chippendale, which houses one of the largest collection of modern Chinese art in the world.
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King Street, Newtown Exploring Street Art in Sydneys Inner West I love exploring the thriving street art culture in the inner Sydney suburb of Newtown. World class murals adorn walls on almost every corner here thanks in part to a local government initiatives aimed at reducing tagging by matching property owners with street artists. Newtown has always been colourful community, but the volume of work by local and international artists here makes it a perfect place for any street art lover to explore. Add to that some great small bars, cafes and several local craft breweries and you have plenty of great rest stops too. Check out Lennox Street Newtown if youre after a high reward to effort ratio with half a dozen full-scale murals in just 2 blocks. Alternatively make an afternoon of it, take the train to St Peters station and snake your way through the back lanes to a nondescript warehouse in the backstreets that is home to local brewery Young Henrys. This is the perfect spot to taste some really inspired local brews and reward yourself for all that walking! Sydneys own street art nirvana is only 10 minutes by train from the CBD. Tip Along the way pick up a lamington from Flower Drum on King Street or a great meat pie from Black Star Pastry, in Australia Street, Newtown! Nothing beats snorkelling in one of Sydneys stunning beaches on a scorching summer day. All you need is a snorkel and mask, and its easy to learn, even if youre new to the sport. Snorkelling is the best way to discover a new side of Sydney, and come face to face with incredible marine life, including rays, blue gropers, wobbegongs, seahorses, and a wide variety of colourful fish, kelp, and rocky reefs. Dont forget your GoPro! In the Eastern Suburbs, Gordons Bay (complete with underwater nature trail!), and Clovelly Beach are perfect places to get started. Clovelly offers easy beach access in a sheltered bay, making it the perfect spot for first-timers. Clovelly is also famous for its resident blue gropers, so keep your eyes peeled for these friendly fish. On Sydneys north, Shelly Beach, near Manly, is part of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, and offers pristine blue waters teeming with marine life. Its also popular with divers.Wherever you end up, youre sure to have a fantastic time- snorkelling is one of the best free things to try in Sydney. Bring a friend, some sunscreen, and dive in! Tucked away in one of the myriad bays and inlets on the northside of Sydney Harbour is my favourite Sydney walk. Only a few kilometres long, you can stroll the entire path in less than an hour. The path follows the harbour shoreline beginning at Cremorne Point wharf and ending at Mosman Bay wharf, making it easy to get to by inner harbour ferry. Before you set out take a short detour through Cremorne Point Reserve for spectacular views across Sydney Harbour, or better yet, bring a picnic and enjoy the sunshine. Dont miss Robertson Point Lighthouse, still a working lighthouse guiding boats safely past the point. You cant go inside but you can get quite close. Heading north from the reserve, the path winds past some of Sydneys most exclusive Federation mansions and million dollar water views. At Mosman Bay wharf either catch a ferry back to the city or retrace your steps as far as Hodgson Ave. Follow the street to join up with a parallel path on the east side of Cremorne Point for the best views of theSydneyOpera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge has to offer. Living in Sydney we are spoilt for choice when it comes to scenic natural attractions. One of my favourite free things to do in Sydney is walking the different parts of the The Coast Track in Royal National Park. The entire track is 26km-long and takes two days to complete but it doesnt have to be done all at once. You can easily do parts of the track as spectacular day hikes. The northern part of the track takes you from the village of Bundeena to Marley beach along one of the most beautiful stretches of Illawarra coastline. On top of the dramatic scenery, this walk also gives you the perfect chance to spot Humpback whales during their migration between April and December.The southern part of the coastal track takes you from Otford train station to Burning Palms beach via the Palm Jungle loop trail. This track has the best of all worlds: towering cliffs of the rugged coastline, eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies, beaches, grasslands and even a palm jungle! Attending a conference I discovered this self-made walking trail from North Sydney. Its a great way to watch the city wake and spring to life.Starting on Blues Point Road and passing the eclectic mixture clothing shops, restaurants and bars, walk to Henry Lawson Avenue.Wander alongside Blues Bay to the iconic Sails Restaurant at Lavender Bay. Stop and take in the views of the Harbour, The Bridge, Circular Quay and Opera House. Next, follow the laneway from Sails to E Cres Street veering right onto Bay View Street. Youll walk passed beautiful homes with Bay views. Continually hugging Lavender Bay, walk round to the left into King George Street taking the laneway to the right soon after.Stroll down the lane until Wendy Whiteleys Secret Garden. This marks the beginning of Peter Kingston Walkway. This will take you pass Luna Park and North Sydney Pool.Follow the signs up onto the Harbour Bridge. Explore the Rocks area at the end and walk through to the Quay and Opera House.If you do this walk early in the morning, when the sun is just rising over the harbour, you can enjoy your own private Rocky moment up the Opera House stairs! For more fun and free activities in Sydney, click here! ]]> http://www.sydney.com/sydney-life/feed
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New Post has been published on https://travelonlinetips.com/8-of-the-best-family-restaurants-and-cafes-in-cairns-and-port-douglas-2/
8 of the best family restaurants and cafes in Cairns and Port Douglas
The highlight reel from your family trip to the tropical end of Queensland may resemble a Disney box-office hit as you find Nemo on the Great Barrier Reef and swing through ancient rainforests like mini-Tarzans.
But you’ll need a separate foodie wish list (or your own genie in a lamp) to keep the family fuelled in between all the fun – and this list of family-friendly restaurants and cafes in Cairns and Port Douglas will be your best bet. 
Muddy’s Cafe, Cairns
In between all the splashing at Cairns’ free lagoon, grab your famished mermaids and mermen and dry off at Muddy’s Cafe (right next door to the baby water play area and fenced playground).
You won’t need to whip out King Triton’s staff to encourage the kids to finish their meals with choices like crispy chicken slider, cheeseburger slider, and dagwood dog and chips. Keep up the tropical vibes with a strawberry, watermelon, rockmelon and pineapple juice or a mango, berry, sorbet and pineapple juice smoothie.
Open: 7 days from 7am till 8pm. Where: 174 Esplanade, Cairns. Hot tip: While you’re at it, make a splash at these other swimming spots.
Wharf One, Cairns
You’ll get a lot more than the bare necessities for you and your jungle cubs at Wharf One.
Mornings are best started with Wharf One’s dirty monkey: a banana smoothie with a sneaky shot of coffee. The little people’s brekkie menu offers up boiled eggs and soldiers, poached eggs and baked beans on toast, organic banana and Nutella toastie or French toast with banana and natural honey.
Before heading back to the jungle, try a fancy babyccino with chocolate powder, sprinkles, marshmallow and a cookie.
Open: 7 days from 7am till 5pm. Where: Wharf Street, Cairns. Hot tip: Once you’ve had your fill, head to the Fig Tree playground less than a one-minute walk away.
Prawn Star, Cairns
Unlike the Lost Boys, there’s no need to imagine your food when you board the Prawn Star! Take in the salty air as you chow down on the freshest prawns, mud crabs, cooked bugs, oysters and sashimi in the comfort of a floating restaurant at the Cairns Marina.
If your Lost Boys (and girls) are still developing their sea legs, avoid the plank and make your order a takeaway. You’ll find loads of tables and grassed areas nearby to set up a picnic (and possibly a food fight).
Open: 7 days from 11am till 9pm. Where: Marlin Marina, E Finger, Berth 31, Pier Point Road, Cairns. Hot tip: Mums and dads can order a bargain $5 beer or wine to wash the seafood down.
Ellis Bar and Grill, Ellis Beach
The menu items at Ellis Beach Bar and Grill don’t need an ‘EAT ME’ stamp on them. Big Alices can start the day with the brekkie bowl with cauliflower rice, BBQ mushroom, kale, kimchi, poached egg, chilli jam and guacamole; while little Alices can order mini pancakes or ham and cheese toastie.
Lunch and dinner highlights include a crab and calamari burger or smoked BBQ beef brisket. Kids will be left with a cheeky Cheshire cat-sized grin after gulping down calamari rings, battered fish, chicken nuggets or cheeseburger with salad and chips on the side.
Even if you’re late for a very important date, make sure you leave enough time to wander through the palm trees along Ellis Beach. Alice would recommend it.
Open: 7 days from 8am till 8pm. Where: Lot 13 Captain Cook Highway, Ellis Beach. Hot tip: They flip free pancakes for kids each Saturday from 8am till 11:30am.
Paradise Palms, Kewarra Beach
Even the grumpy old Mr Fredrickson from Up would be happy (okay, maybe not happy, but he might avoid his usual frown) if his balloon travelling house made it to Paradise Palms rather than Paradise Falls.
Either go for crispy pizzas all ’round – they come in kids’ size too – or order classics like burgers, seafood basket, chicken parmigiana or pepper steak; then pavlova with passionfruit if you want your dessert to be inspired by your surroundings.
Eager Wilderness Explorers can wander around the play village complete with super-slippery slide and climbing frame, play on the mini soccer field, or discuss recent badge wins in the Queenslander-style cubby. There’s even a fenced mini-adventure playground for under fives right near the restaurant terrace.
Open: Monday to Thursday 7am till 5pm, Friday to Sunday 7am till 9pm. Where: Paradise Palms Drive, Kewarra Beach. Hot tip: They also offer gluten-free bases for their pizzas if you need to cater to sensitive tums.
The Beach Shack, Kewarra Beach
The heart of Te Fiti might be in Kewarra Beach, so there shouldn’t be any need to leave this island (we mean, beach) for a long time, especially when the crew at The Beach Shack stock their menus with delights for the whole family.
Wednesday’s menu is rammed with tapas and slurpy oysters, so get ready to say, “I’m going to love you in my belly!”
And just like Maui, the shapeshifting demigod, your little voyagers can get up to mischief in the sand while you sip cocktails and take in the beach vibes.
Open: Wednesday 5pm till 8:30pm, Friday 5pm till 9:30pm and Sunday 3pm till 8:30pm. Where: 80 Kewarra Street, Kewarra Beach Resort and Spa, Kewarra Beach. Hot tip: The Beach Shack is open from May to December. Like the rest of us, they don’t like their food soggy, so the Beach Shack is closed during the wet season from January until April.
2Fish, Port Douglas
Forget a spoonful of sugar and grab a bucket of tasty prawns at 2Fish, the practically perfect seafood restaurant. Their menu is spot on with underwater delights like bug tails, crab dumplings and salmon chowder. Fishy kids’ taste buds will be high fiving over the grilled or battered fish or calamari served with chips and salad.
Before their grub arrives, the kids can test their crafty skills and draw on the paper tablecloth or get amongst the activity bag fun (note: no need to raid your Mary Poppins’ sized bag for dinner distractions this time!).
Open: 7 days, lunch from midday and dinner from 5:30pm. Where: Shop 11, Coconut Grove Complex, 56 Macrossan St, Port Douglas. Hot tip: Mary’s spoonful of sugar serving suggestion may not be enough. Sweet-toothed friends may drool over their dessert menu, too.
Port Douglas Surf Club, Port Douglas
The chefs at the Port Douglas Surf Club may have had a little advice from our French furry friend and extraordinary chef, Remy. They’ve kept some old faithfuls on the menu, but they’ve also mixed it up with coral trout tacos, taro chips and salsa, steamed pork buns and tempura prawn sushi. 
Book a table on the big open deck and take in the Four Mile Beach views. Ahhhhh. The kids won’t need any encouragement to finish their meals as there’s an epic enclosed playground right next door to the restaurant.
Open: 7 days from midday till 8:30pm. Where: Corner of Mowbray and the Esplanade, Port Douglas. Hot tip: Walk off your meals along Four Mile Beach and grab some family holiday snaps along the palm tree-lined strip.
Want more ideas for kid-friendly food and babyccino options? Here’s a few to keep up your sleeve:
Waffle On, 64A Shields Street, Cairns | Pretty sure they’ll smell even better than Shrek’s mate Donkey’s waffles.
Gelocchio, 9/93 The Esplanade, Cairns | Just like Mr Geppetto remembers it.
Jaffle Head, 39 Lake Street, Cairns | The waft of melted cheese and precisely cooked toasty goodness would be enough to wake Sleeping Beauty herself.
Rusty’s Market, 57-89 Grafton Street, Cairns | Better known for their fresh fruit and veg and good value market cafe, Aladdin and Abu wouldn’t need to employ their 5-finger discount ways at Rusty’s.
Brewhaha Espresso Bar, 141 Barnard Drive, Mount Sheridan | The perfect spot for some hard-working dwarfs to caffeinate before a long day of work.
Apex Milk Bar, 24 Hoare Street, Manunda | One bite and you’ll be taken back to Radiator Springs where burgers and shakes are served with Flo-level smile and sass.
Mondo’s on the Waterfront, 34 The Esplanade, Cairns | You’ll be able to let it go with Mondo’s good vibes and marina locale.
Palm Cove Surf Club, 135 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove | Eat your chips before the seagulls from Nemo start swooping and squawking, “Mine! Mine! Mine!”
Before you cut loose in the tropics, ask the locals for their tips. Adventure Mumma is all over the best things to do with kids in Cairns.
And just in case you need more inspiration, here’s a round-up of the 20 best things to do with kids in Tropical North Queensland.
No holding back now. Where’s your go-to family restaurant or cafe in or around Cairns?
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torontotravelblog · 6 years
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Romantic Toronto
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01 of 10 Explore Chinatown and Toronto's Ethnic Neighborhoods
Toronto is one of the world's most multi-cultural cities, and the Chinese comprise one of its largest ethnic groups.
The vast Chinatown area, centered at Spadina and Dundas Street West, radiates out and encompasses Vietnamese, Korean, and Thai restaurants and businesses in addition to the many eateries that tempt visitors with Szechuan, Hunan, Mandarin, and Cantonese fare.
Every few years, on the grounds of Ontario Place, Toronto's Chinese heritage is celebrated with the colorful Chinese Lantern Festival, a gorgeous display of colorful lanterns that honor China's past and future.
In addition to the Chinese, Toronto has significant populations from Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, India, Greece, and many other nations. Each has developed its own section within ​the polyglot city, where that country's fare is available and visitors can hear languages other than English spoken.
Toronto is also one of the world's safest big cities, so visitors who take normal precautions need not be wary about exploring its varied ethnic neighborhoods on their own.
02 of 10 Sip Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Royal York
Toronto's landmark hotel located in the heart of downtown, the Fairmont Royal York offers an afternoon tea in its EPIC restaurant.
Comfortable banquettes, tables well spaced apart, accommodating waiters, and a selection of traditional finger sandwiches and pastries make this elegant and romantic ritual a sophisticated pleasure. Reservations are recommended.
03 of 10 Visit Castle Loma
Castle Loma, designed to resemble a medieval castle in residential Toronto, opened in 1914.
It was built by Canadian stockbroker and financier Sir Henry Pellatt at a cost of about $3.5 million. Containing just under 100 rooms, it was the largest private home in Canada at that time.
Like many grandiose structures, Castle Loma has stood through its share of triumph and tragedy. Sir Henry and his wife spent fewer than ten years living in Casa Loma before financial reverses forced them to abandon the property; the flamboyant Pellatt died virtually penniless.
For the past 70 years, Casa Loma has been open as a tourist attraction. They pay a fee to enter and can take a self-guided tour. Many simply explore the fragrant and colorful Casa Loma Gardens, in bloom from May through October.
Casa Loma can also be rented for weddings that range in size from 125 to 1,200 guests and it has an in-house caterer.
04 of 10 Browse Toronto's Markets
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Toronto's markets are where visitors go to savor a true taste of the city.
The two major Toronto markets are St. Lawrence Market and Kensington Market, and each has a distinct personality.
St. Lawrence Market, established in 1803, is a must-see for foodies visiting Toronto. Its main floor is filled with cheese shops, meat sellers, a fishmonger, bakeries, and delicacy purveyors. A peameal Canadian bacon sandwich or truffled mozzarella from this market will introduce your palate to new flavor sensations.
The lower level offers some ready-to-eat items and unique edible gifts, such as New Zealand honey and unusual jam flavors. Visitors may also find themselves taking away irresistible non-comestibles, such as handmade jewelry and original photographs. Find out more: St. Lawrence Market.
Kensington Market wakes up and stays up late. Vintage clothing shops, used furniture stores, multiple places to eat, art galleries and other bohemian passions comprise this multi-cultural community, which became a National Historic Site in 2006.
Kensington Market is also home to the Hot Box, a cannabis café, which is a safe environment where customers can smoke their own marijuana (it is not sold on the premises) and dine on vegan, vegetarian, and meat items such as Brain Melt grilled sandwiches and Chronic Quesadillas.
05 of 10 Try on the Bata Shoe Museum for Size
One way to know it's really love is when you can convince your other half to visit a place that doesn't seem like something he or she would be interested in. If your other half agrees, you're well on the road to enduring love, since you already know how to compromise. And if your other half goes with an open mind and ultimately finds the attraction as interesting as you do, bingo! You've got a keeper.
The Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto needs that kind of preface. It's not a typical museum. In fact, it may be the only shoe museum in the world. Three floors of shoes hold both the expected (Princess Diana's heels, Elvis' blue suede) as well as a truly fascinating array of footwear that dates back nearly as far as when man first stood upright and needed protection for his tender soles.
Wooden sandals from Egypt more than four centuries old... intricately beaded moccasins made by indigenous North American peoples... silver wedding sandals from India... reindeer-skin boots from Siberia... and embroidered silk shoes as tiny as baby booties worn by foot-bound Chinese women are all part of this fascinating collection.
If you love handicrafts and history, a visit to the fascinating Bata Shoe Museum will expose you to other cultures, countries, and times from the ground up.
06 of 10 Find Enlightenment at Toronto University
Founded in 1827 as King's College, the University of Toronto is a liberal arts school with more students, faculty, and courses than any other college in Canada.
Its venerable Gothic buildings and quads evoke the scholarly ambiance of the Cambridge and Oxford campuses in England.​
Whether strolling the grounds or arranging to have a wedding ceremony in one of the public spaces, couples will find the parklike property a worthwhile place to pause on a Toronto itinerary.
07 of 10 Toast Your Romance at Toronto's Distillery District
Another one of Toronto's National Historic sites, the Distillery District is a pedestrians-only, cobblestone area along the wharf that was once home to mills and breweries.
Today the Distillery District houses shops, restaurants, an exceptional bakery, performance spaces, galleries and artists' studios, and even a day spa.
08 of 10 Sail to Toronto's Islands
A number of tour boats ply the Lake Ontario harbor, and both lunch and dinner cruises can be booked.
But the best deal in town is the Toronto Island Ferry, which offers frequent service to the Toronto Islands, a recreational greenbelt a fifteen-minute sail from the mainland.
09 of 10 Sunbathe Nude on Toronto's Center Island
Another reason to worship summer in Toronto: Nude sunbathing is allowed at Hanlan's Point Nude Beach. Take the Toronto Island Ferry over, and keep your clothes on till you hit the beach.
10 of 10 Discover More of the Romantic Side of Toronto
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Romantic couples can find plenty more to see and do on a Toronto visit. Among the most popular:
Entertainment. Toronto is the entertainment capital of Canada, featuring Broadway-style musicals, renowned comedy and film festivals, and major concerts at the Molston Amphitheatre. 
Shopping. With nearly 300 stores, the indoor Eaton Centre is Toronto's largest shopping mall. We're big fans of Fruit & Passions items for the body and bath, located near the entrance. For upscale brands, browse the Hudson Bay Company across the street. Holt Renfrew is another important name in Toronto retail. It has three locations in the city.
Dining. Sophisticated palates have a wide choice of fine and ethnic restaurants to choose from. Able to splurge? Make reservations at Senses in the Soho Metropolitan Hotel, the gourmet Susur Lee, the exotic Sultan's Tent, and La Maquette, voted Toronto's most romantic restaurant. For breakfast, no place beats Cora's on Blue Jay Way.
Spa and Scenic Views. Good reasons to visit the Park Hyatt: For the couples treatment in the massage suite for two at the Stillwater Spa and for drinks at the hotel's rooftop lounge.
If you want to feel on top of the world, the CN Tower provides the most panoramic vistas.
This post “Romantic Toronto” was originally seen on trisavvy by Susan Breslow Sardone
Dr. Amauri Caversan - Toronto Naturopathic Doctor
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architectnews · 4 years
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Conran & Partners Architects London
Sir Terence Conran, Architects, Photos, Buildings, Restaurants, England, News, Designs
Conran & Partners Architects
Contemporary British Architecture Practice led by Sir Terence, London, UK
12 Sep 2020
Sir Terence Conran
Sir Terence Conran Dies
The British designer who revolutionised retail and decor, has died at the age of 88.
Sir Terence Orby Conran CH RDI FCSD was an English designer, restaurateur, retailer, and writer.
Born: 4 October 1931, Kingston upon Thames Died: 12 September 2020 Children: Jasper Conran, Sophie Conran, Sebastian Conran
Best known as the founder of Habitat, he brought modern style and simplicity to UK homes in the 1960s and later helped found the Design Museum.
Design Museum London design by Conran Roche: photo © Luke Hayes
Sir Terence Conran started his own design practice in 1956 with the Summa furniture range and designing a shop for Mary Quant.
In 1964, he opened the first Habitat shop in Chelsea, London, with his third wife Caroline Herbert, which grew into a large chain selling household goods and furniture in contemporary designs.
He established the architecture and planning consultancy Conran Roche with Fred Roche in 1980.
Key building projects include Michelin House (which he turned into the restaurant Bibendum) and the Bluebird Garage, both in Chelsea.
Bluebird Garage Cafe London – King’s Road restaurant in Chelsea by Conran: photograph © Nick Weall
Conran & Partners News
Conran & Partners News
7 Jan 2019 Conran and Partners wins planning approval for 100% affordable housing scheme in Chichester, Sussex, England, UK
Clarion Housing has secured planning approval for 37 new affordable homes in Fishbourne Road, Chichester.
The scheme – which has been designed by leading design practice Conran and Partners – brings forward an empty brownfield site close to Fishbourne Roman Palace to provide much needed new and affordable homes for Chichester.
Located on Fishbourne Road (East), the former office buildings on site have stood vacant since 2012. The proposals seek to revitalise the western end of Fishbourne Road (East) and introduce new homes into this existing residential area together with a large public open space.
Aerial view of the proposals on the brownfield site on the periphery of Chichester: image © Conran and Partners
The designs incorporate a varied mix of homes, from apartments through to large family houses for Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership, providing an opportunity for local people to get on the property ladder. The design has been carefully developed over a number of years by working closely with Chichester District Council and other key stakeholders to ensure that the proposals sensitively respond to the surrounding context.
Ranging from 2 to 3 storeys in height, the design offers a contemporary twist on traditional forms, drawing on materials from the local area such as tile, slate and brickwork with texture and variance. Elegant, generously proportioned windows are proposed to allow lots of natural light into the new homes whilst enabling overlooking and monitoring to the new shared surface street and public open space.
Over 600m2 of public open space has been incorporated into the design as part of a highly attractive and robust landscape solution.
Clarion expects to start on site in autumn 2019 for completion in 2021.
Liz Hills, Head of Development (New Projects), Clarion Housing says: “At Clarion we are driven by a desire to play a major part in addressing the country’s housing shortage. Over ten years we will invest £13bn in our development programme and plan to build 50,000 homes.
“We are pleased that the Council has given the green light to this scheme which will now enable us to deliver high-quality, much-needed affordable housing in Chichester.”
Lee Davies, Partner at Conran and Partners, adds: “We are delighted by the Council’s decision to approve this scheme which will provide the city with much-needed new housing. Our design approach, developed from a close consultation process, seeks to encourage a vibrant residential community in this part of Chichester.
15 Dec 2011 Lilian Baylis School – Housing, Lambeth, south London, UK image courtesy of lighting designers Lambeth Housing Conran and Partners has won an open competition to transform a historic Lambeth site into much-needed new homes in London. The architecture and design practice has been awarded the contract to develop more than three acres of prime inner London land by Henley Homes, one of the capital’s leading housing groups. Conran’s design team will be tasked with creating approximately 180 to 220 homes on the site of the former Lilian Baylis School in Lollard Street, using a mix of refurbishment, conversion and new build.
Leicester University College Hall Buildings Refurbishment, England 2008- Residential development
Cardiff Bay towers, Bay Pointe waterfront development, Wales 2008- proposed tallest building in Wales at 122m high outline planning permission Mar 2008 two towers – 33 & 28 storeys
Trinity Gardens, Trinity, north Edinburgh, Scotland 2007- Richard Murphy with CDA + Conran & Partners Residential development for Meyer Bergman real estate 246 apartments located behind stone boundary wall
Light House apartments, Church St, Manchester, England 2007
Conran & Partners Buildings
Designs, alphabetical:
Bluebird Garage – redevelopment, King’s Road, Chelsea, west London 1997 Design: Conran Roche photograph © Adrian Welch Bluebird Garage Bluebird Gastrodrome – Restaurant, Bar & Cafe / Sainsbury’s Supermarket. Former garage for the Bluebird Motor Company, reputedly the largest in Europe at the time.
Butlers Wharf, off Shad Thames, Bermondsey, southeast London 1874 original; 1987-89 redevelopment Design: Conran Roche photograph © Adrian Welch Grade II listed, 98 apartments
Design Museum, Shad Thames, Bermondsey, southeast London 1987-89 Design: Conran Roche photo © Luke Hayes Shad Thames Buildings White Modernist refurb of warehouse, £5.1m – much publicised on opening for its bold, contemporary design
London School of Economics – Student Residence, Gainsford St, Bermondsey, southeast London 1987-89 Design: Conran Roche £5.3m
Longman Headquarters, Harlow, Herts, England – Design: Conran Roche
Michelin House – redevelopment, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, southwest London 1987 Design: Conran Roche image © Nick Weall Michelin House Bibendum Restaurant; The Conran Shop; The Conran Oyster Bar; Paul Hamlyn Publishers, £9m
Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland CD Partnership ; completed by Keppie Architects Ocean Terminal including the Zinc Bar
Zinc Bar & Grill, Glasgow, Scotland Zinc Bar Glasgow
No. 1 Poultry, City of London James Stirling / Michael Wilford ; Restaurant architects : CDP, now Conran & Partners photograph © Nick Weall No. 1 Poultry restaurant, London
Salford Quays residential towers, England 2007 19 & 9 storey towers
More projects by this UK architects practice online soon
Location: 22 Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YU, England, UK
Design Practice Information
Office of Conran & Partners is led by Sir Terence Conran and was formerly called CDP – Conran Design Partnership. Architects studio based in Bermondsey, southeast London near Tower Bridge.
London Architects based in the British capital
Conran offices located at 22 Shad Thames, south east London
Sir Terence Orby Conran is a celebrated English designer, most famously associated withn the Habitat store, but latterly known also for a string of high-end restaurants in the capital.
About Conran and Partners
Conran and Partners is a collaborative design studio working across master planning, architecture and interior design, with projects throughout the UK and around the world.
With studios in the UK and Hong Kong, the Conran and Partners’ team is skilled in designing high quality proposals which demonstrate sensitive consideration for context and local planning constraints, particularly for community-driven mixed-use sites. The studio believes in working with local communities at the very early stages of a design to create neighbourhoods with integrity and longevity.
Conran and Partners’ other mixed-use schemes include Butler’s Wharf, Wornington Green/Portobello Square and Stadium Place, Walthamstow (all in London), and Anston House (Brighton and Hove). The practice’s continued transformation of a failing housing estate in Ealing (Green Man Lane) to deliver over 770 new homes, community facilities and a new school, has become a flagship project for the Police’s Secured by Design initiative, creating safer neighbourhoods through design innovation.
The practice’s design skills have been endorsed by over 50 design awards and commendations, including Civic Trust Awards and RIBA Awards for work in sensitive contexts.
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David Mellor Offices & Showroom, Shad Thames, southeast London 1988-91; later converted to Conran shop + offices Design: Michael Hopkins & Partners
Buildings / photos for the Conran & Partners architects page welcome
Website: www.conran.com
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charllieeldridge · 4 years
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15 Fun Things To Do in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Large enough to keep you busy for a week, but small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed — Halifax may just be the perfect sized capital city. With so many places to see and things to do in Halifax, you’ll want to give yourself some time here.
There are many must-visit places in Nova Scotia, and Halifax is definitely one of them!
Wander aimlessly down the picturesque streets, while stopping to sip on tasty craft beers and dine on scrumptious seafood. Relax in one of the many green spaces, or visit a museum to learn about the history of the city, and Nova Scotia as a whole.
Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll find it among the many things to do in Halifax. We spent 5 nights in the city and could’ve stayed much longer!
Don’t Miss The Video of Things To Do in Halifax
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If you’re wondering what to do in Halifax during your trip, read on for my 15 best recommendations. 
1. Walk the Waterfront
This picture-perfect spot is the prized possession of Halifax. The waterfront walkway is a pedestrian-only zone, making it a great place to get away from traffic.
Watch the locals fishing off the wharf, gawk at a docked superyacht, or pop in for some tasty snacks at the colourful outdoor food eatery — insider tip: try the beaver tails, poutine and locally made ice cream! And, don’t miss the Stubborn Goat beer garden.
This is a great place to walk any time of the day but is especially nice during the morning and around sunset. 
The Waterfront in Halifax is a great place to walk
2. Go To a Festival or Event (one of the best things to do in Halifax)
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Halifax, and attending one of the many events and festivals is one of them. Whether you’re a foodie, a sports fan, a music lover, or are into the arts, there’s an event for you in Halifax.
If you’re in the city in July, try to time your visit for the TD Halifax Jazz Festival. During the beginning of July, many venues around the city are turned into outdoor concerts.
We were lucky enough to visit on a night when American artist, Common and local artist, Shad were performing at the TD stage near the waterfront. What an incredible concert! 
This jazz festival is the largest in Atlantic Canada and keeps growing in popularity year by year. Tickets are affordable at around $45 CAD per concert, or you can buy a pass for the duration of the festival ($189 CAD).
Try to time your visit for the Halifax Jazz Festival!
Other events you don’t want to miss in Halifax:
The annual Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo (the world’s biggest yearly indoor show).
Ribfest which is around the end of June.
Pride Festival which is held in July.
Busker Festival in early August.
Seaport Beerfest in August. 
…and so many more.
3. Cross The Harbour to Dartmouth
There are numerous neighbourhoods in Halifax. If you have a chance, get out of the downtown area and check out some of the other parts of the city.
In particular, hop on a short 10-minute ferry ride ($2.50 return) from downtown Halifax across the harbour to Alderney in Dartmouth. 
Don’t miss the cool street art, fun craft beer bars, waterfront park, and the 3 km harbour walk trail. However, one of the best things to do in Dartmouth is to simply wander around and enjoy the quaint downtown vibes. 
Dartmouth has some nice street art
4. Eat Seafood
By far one of the best things to do in Halifax (and Nova Scotia as a whole) is to eat fresh seafood. This province is known for its abundance of lobster, scallops, and salmon and you can’t leave the city without dining on a tasty meal. 
There are numerous seafood restaurants in Halifax, but I recommend checking out the Bicycle Thief and sampling the lobster roll.
This is a great meal for lunch, as a snack or for dinner. Basically, chunks of rich lobster are tossed in a light mayonnaise, citrus, and herb sauce and placed in (and on top of) a grilled, buttery hot dog bun. Very tasty. 
Another must-eat meal is at The Five Fishermen. Go for a plate of lobster with a side of garlic butter for dipping and you won’t be disappointed.
For non-lobster lovers, you can always opt for a piping hot bowl of seafood or corn chowder or a fillet of salmon grilled to perfection. Plus, there’s always the classic fish n’ chips available! 
The lobster roll at Bicycle Thief is tasty
5. Hop On The Harbour Hopper (one of the more touristy things to do in Halifax)
Admittedly, at first glance, this vehicle looks pretty touristy. However, once you’re aboard, you realize just how informative and fun the ride is.
These LARC-V amphibious vehicles were used by the Americans during the Vietnam war to transport soldiers and supplies — they were able to carry 5 tons!
These days, unused vehicles have been sold to various countries to provide a unique tourism opportunity. Joining the Harbour Hopper tour is one of the top things to do in Halifax if you want to learn about the history, and enjoy a different vantage point of the city. 
The narrated tour takes you through the city’s streets to see some of the major sites and parks (including the Citadel), before converting itself into a boat and floating along the coastline!
This is Atlantic Canada’s most popular tour, so make sure you get your tickets early. 
The trip is only about 1 hour long, yet is very informative. Don’t forget your sunscreen, camera, and a jacket (it can be windy on the water). Click here to learn more about the Harbour Hopper and to purchase tickets online. 
View of Halifax from the Harbour Hopper
6. Go To The North Of Halifax
While many people focus on Downtown Halifax, the North End is a cool, trendy district that you don’t want to miss.
Home to an African Nova Scotian population, gentrification has crept in (as it does in so many cities worldwide), and these days the North End is now predominantly a university student area.
With gentrification, you’ll now find hip craft beer bars, fusion yoga and pilates classes, an up and coming restaurant scene, and cute boutique shops.
This is a hipster area for sure with many musicians, writers, and artists calling this place home. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the city’s second-oldest building, the Little Dutch Church.
Hopefully, new emerging businesses will be mindful of hiring locals from the community, or host events that welcome everyone.
During the Halifax Explosion (the largest man-made explosion in the world before the use of nuclear weapons), the North End was hit hard, with much of the area being flattened, and numerous lives lost. Don’t miss the Halifax Memorial Public Library which was built in memory of the victims.
Needless to say, the North End is a very interesting place.
Look for bus number 320, 52 or 7 to take you from Downtown to the North End. It’s a 45-minute walk or a 20-minute bus journey.
☞ SEE ALSO: Exploring Nova Scotia – Our Experience on Canada’s East Coast
7. Relax In a Park
While city life is great, sometimes it’s nice to chill out in a green space for a while. Luckily, there are many spots in Halifax where you can do just that. 
Visit the 16 acre Halifax Public Gardens, which is a very well-manicured green space. In fact, it’s the oldest Victorian Garden in North America. Apart from relaxing with a good book or a picnic, you can often find events in the park as well.
Nearby, you’ll find the Halifax Common (The Commons) which is the oldest urban park in all of Canada — it’s more of a sports and activities park. The Commons offers a baseball field, tennis courts, soccer field, and a skate park.
Finally, check out the large, 185 acre Point Pleasant Park which sits at the very southern tip of the Halifax Peninsula. This is a great spot to do some walking, cycling or running on one of the many gravel trails — with amazing ocean views! Bring a picnic and enjoy the afternoon.
Sunrise at Point Pleasant Park
8. Sample The Official Food of Halifax
Have you ever tried a Middle Eastern doner kebab, shawarma or a Greek gyro? The donair is similar to that, but with a Halifax twist.
In the 1970s after running a pizza joint, Greek brothers Peter and John Kamoulakos tried to get Haligonians interested in traditional gyros, but it fell short as the city wasn’t keen on the yogurt sauce or lamb meat. So, they put a spin on it and invented the donair.
Using Lebanese bread rather than Greek pita, beef and chicken instead of lamb, and creating a sauce from evaporated milk, garlic, parsley, vinegar, and sugar (as opposed to the yogurt-based one), the donair was born. Luckily, Haligonians took to this creation and the donair is now the official food of Halifax.
There are a few places to sample them. Johnny K’s is located on Pizza Corner which is a late-night hangout or try them at King Of Donair.
**Don’t tell any Haligonians this, but I prefer the yogurt sauce!
Eating a donair is one of the must-dos in Halifax!
9. Visit a Museum
With so much history in the city, make sure to check out one, or two, of the museums. Pier 21 is a museum showcasing immigration in Nova Scotia — both past and present.
From 1928 – 1971, nearly one million people arrived at the Halifax Seaport. At the museum, you can even search the database for your own ancestors!
During the high season, May 1 – October 31, The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is open 7 days a week from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Admission is $14.50 for adults. Click here for your tickets. 
Another must-visit is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which houses numerous artifacts, ships, and a collection of items found from the sunken Titanic.
In 1912 when the Titanic sunk, Halifax was the closest major port and played a huge role in the collection of bodies and wreckage.
One hundred and twenty-one victims of the sinking are buried at the Fairview Lawn Cemetery, while many of the artifacts recovered are in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. 
In the high season, May 1 – October 31, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is open 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, seven days a week, except for Tuesday when it’s open from 9:30 am – 8:00 pm. Adult tickets cost $9.55. 
*Insider tip: visit the museum on Tuesday from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm when admission is free. 
10. Try The Local Craft Beers
Halifax is making a name for itself in the craft beer scene. And, based on my personal research, I can say that sampling the beers on offer is one of the top things to do in Halifax! Whether you’re into hoppy IPA’s, heavy stouts, or light lagers, there’s a beer for you.
Garrisons brewing is located near the Pier 21 Immigration and the Seaport Farmer’s Market, making it a great pit stop during sightseeing.
If you’re into IPAs, I recommend the Propeller Galaxy IPA, a foggy, hoppy delight (try it at the Stubborn Goat beer garden). You can find Propeller Brewing Co. a few blocks north of the Citadel.
Don’t miss the Propeller beers!
Many of the other breweries are located in the trendy North End, or across the harbour in Dartmouth. 
Head to Battery Park in Dartmouth to sample the Belgian inspired beers at North Brewing Company, or the small-batch production at Nine Locks.
If you’re visiting the North End, check out Unfiltered Brewing, or the Good Robot Brewing Company — which offers a taproom, pub, and events.  
11. Visit The Farmer’s Market
The Seaport Farmer’s Market is the oldest, continuously running market in all of North America. Here you’ll find around 250 vendors selling a mix of produce, plants, homemade crafts, cheese, bread, jewelry, cooked meals, and more.
This is one of the best places to see in Halifax on the weekend. This is when the market will be at its liveliest — in the morning. And, keep in mind that many of the vendors appreciate it if you pay by cash.
12. Go On a Day Trip
Some of the best places to see in Nova Scotia are located just an hour or so from Halifax, making the city a great place to base yourself. And, since Nova Scotia is quite compact, getting around is a breeze.
There are lots of day trips from Halifax, here are a few suggestions:
1. Peggy’s Cove
This stunning community and lighthouse is just a 50-minute drive from Halifax. There are a few ways to get here, either by car, taxi or tour.
The drive takes you along the picturesque Lighthouse Route while stopping to enjoy the hidden bays and coves along the way. Either rent a car or join a day trip from Halifax to Peggy’s Cove. Another option is to join a tour that covers both Halifax and Peggy’s Cove.
The lovely community of Peggy’s Cove
2. Lunenburg
The UNESCO listed fishing town is a great place to visit. If you have time, spending the night is best, but many people choose to join day trips from Halifax to Lunenburg. It’s about an hour’s drive from Halifax. 
3. Mahone Bay
Known for its 3 picturesque churches, this town offers great restaurants, a craft beer brewery, and many specialty shops. It’s a little over an hour’s drive to reach Mahone Bay, making it another great day trip from Halifax. 
4. Wine Country
Further afield than the above 3 options, you’ll find the Annapolis Valley. Many day trips from Halifax head out to wine country on a longer tour — around 8 hours. Enjoy tastings at the wineries, a gourmet lunch, and visits to other nearby sites. Click here for details. 
13. Join The Free Walking Tour
Many cities around the world offer free walking tours, which are typically run by university students. One of the top things to do in Halifax is to join the walking tour.  
Starting at the top of the Citadel, you’ll meet up with your guide who will show you around the city. While walking and enjoying the sites, you’ll hear personal stories from the guides, and learn about history. Make sure you ask for their recommended restaurants and bars at the end — local advice is always the best. 
From June 1 – September 1, tours run twice a day at 10 am and 3 pm. While the tour is advertised as “free”, as with anywhere in the world, it’s based on donations/tips. Typically, $10 per person is the going rate, but feel free to pay what you think is fair. 
An aerial view of the Citadel
14. Watch Glass Blowing
If you’re wondering what to do in Halifax to spend a few minutes, head down to Nova Scotian Crystal and be mesmerized by the glass blowers there.
When we passed by this shop, we were immediately drawn in and ended up spending around 30 minutes just watching the whole process. 
Irish immigrants brought their European glass blowing techniques with them and passed them down to the next generation. This is the only place in Canada that makes hand-cut, mouth-blown crystal items.
The colourful melted glass is spun, blown, and molded into beautiful crystal glasses, bowls, office items, wedding gifts, sculptures and more. This is one of the most fascinating things to see in Halifax. 
15. Get Active
If running, walking or cycling aren’t your thing, you could always try your hand at bouldering. Located just a little bit north of the citadel, Seven Bays is a fairly new indoor bouldering gym/cafe. This is definitely a popular spot to visit in Halifax.
They offer climbing for all levels, and actually, since the walls are just 13ft high, when you’re done, you just jump down onto the thick padding or climb down the wall — no harnesses or ropes are used here. 
If climbing really isn’t your thing, their cafe is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and they offer vegan and vegetarian items on the menu as well. 
Where To Stay in Halifax
If you’re keen to do lots of sightseeing, your best base would be the Downtown area near the Waterfront. If trendy, hipster vibes are more your scene, then the North End might be more for you.
We stayed at the Westin Nova Scotian which is located right near the Waterfront, Pier 21, Seaport Farmer’s Market and Garrisons Brewing.
The newly renovated room was great and offered an amazing view of Georges Island and the Waterfront. The staff at this historic hotel are very friendly and helpful, there’s (paid) parking available, and you can dine at the onsite restaurant and bar. 
Now that’s a room with a view!
Plus, the hotel has a fitness center, pool, salon and spa, and the Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club is located in the lobby. We enjoyed our stay here (the huge breakfast buffet was delicious).
On our second visit to Halifax, we chose an Airbnb in one of the historic homes near the waterfront. Since we had been dining at restaurants for almost 3 weeks straight, we were looking forward to cooking a couple of meals for ourselves, which is a great perk of Airbnbs. Don’t forget your Airbnb coupon code.
To search for places to stay in Halifax on Booking.com, click here. 
Now You Know What To Do in Halifax!
Nick and I spent 5 days in the city and easily could have spent 10. With so many cool neighbourhoods to explore, restaurants to dine at, and craft beers to sample, you’ll never be bored here.
Visiting in the summer months will ensure you’ll be able to catch a festival (or 3), while the off-season means you’ll have the city and locals all to yourself. Enjoy the fun things to do in Halifax and let me know what I missed in the comments below. 
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A special thank you to Visit Nova Scotia for making this trip possible. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain our own. Some images in this post are courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
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wikitopx · 5 years
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The beautiful beaches and historic downtown of Galveston, less than an hour from Houston, make this a year-round destination for Texans and tourists.
For much of the 19th century, Galveston was the largest and wealthiest town in the state, and for a brief period, it was even the capital of the Republic of Texas. The splendor of the period can still be seen in the historic buildings and handsome mansions. In the heart of the city center, the Strand district preserves many original facades, now home to restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops.
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1. Galveston's Beaches
Turquoise water laps at the seemingly endless stretch of soft sand that fronts the ocean and draws crowds of people here from spring until fall. The Seawall runs for more than 10 miles along the beach, offering plenty of room to find your own patch of sand and space to play in the shallow and often calm water.
Several washroom facilities are located along here at various intervals, and behind the beach are restaurants, shops, and hotels. At the heart of the action along here is Pleasure Pier.
One of the most popular beaches, near the east end of the island, is Stewart Beach. At this family-friendly beach, you'll find showers and restrooms, chair and umbrella rentals, a children's playground, concessions, and a lifeguard.
If you are looking for more nature and activity, head west to Galveston Island State Park, where you can go walking along the boardwalks, kayaking through the bayou, and bird-watching on either the bay or ocean side.
2. The Strand Historic District
The Strand Historical Site in Galveston - also known simply as The Strand - is a National Historic Site composed mainly of Victorian buildings, many of which survived the 1900 hurricane. There are many restaurants, cafes, galleries, and antique shops, which is a pleasant place to visit, shop and eat.
The district stretches all the way to the busy jetty, with restored old warehouses and home to many of Galveston's most important tourist destinations. Also in this area, you'll find Pier 19, with the Museum and offshore rig Ocean Star, the nearby Texas Harbor Museum and dining places overlooking the water.
Be sure to stop at Pier 21 to watch The Great Storm, a 1900 storm movie that attacked Galveston and changed it forever.
The Strand is also home to an eclectic mix of retail and dining, from old-fashioned candy stores, like LA King's Confectionery, where you can watch taffy-making demonstrations, to more upscale restaurants, such as longtime Rudy and Paco, next to the 1894 Grand Opera House, or the more modern Vargas Cut and Catch on the street.
3. 1892 Bishop's Palace
Built as a private residence, the Bishop's Palace is often described as one of the most important Victorian castles in the United States. It was completed in 1893 after seven years of construction.
The grand interior displays elaborately carved woodwork, high ceilings, stained glass windows, fireplaces, and fine furnishings. Now a national historic site and museum, the house is open to tours.
Address: 1402 Broadway Street, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: https://ift.tt/1lQ55Ev
4. Moody Gardens and Aquarium Pyramid
Moody Gardens is a huge complex with things to do for the whole family. It can easily be an all-day outing, or you can target just one of the many attractions here and spend a few hours. The most outstanding feature is the three glass pyramids.
The main attraction for many is the Pyramid tour. This huge aquarium showcases the marine life of the Pacific, the Antarctic, the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea, and the Caribbean. Some of the highlights are the underwater tunnel, touch tanks, and the giant river otters and the penguins, both of which are part of the animal encounter programs.
The Rainforest Pyramid is home to flora and fauna from the tropics, including free-roaming monkeys and sloths, birds, and fish. A boardwalk at canopy level takes you right through the heart of the rainforest. The aptly named Discovery Pyramid focuses on science and offers a range of displays.
Afterward, head to Palm Beach waterpark with its white sands, freshwater lagoons, slides, lazy river, and replica paddle steamer. Also, check out the elaborate seasonal displays.
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: www.moodygardens.com
5. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
The most prominent feature along the Seawall is Pleasure Dock. Jutting out into the ocean like a carnival on stilts, the pier's roller coasters, and colorful structures can be seen from well off in the distance along the beachfront.
Opened in 2012, this 1,130-foot pier - built on the site of its predecessor, was destroyed by a typhoon in 1961 - boasts many exciting rides suitable for all ages, as well as games and activities, and a restaurant.
If you are visiting Galveston with kids, this is a fun way to spend some time. The Pleasure Pier is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and on weekends during the winter.
Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: www.pleasurepier.com
6. Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum
The Port of Galveston is home to many rigs and supply vessels, and with a nod to Galveston's important role in the Gulf of Mexico's bustling oil and gas industries, the Ocean Star Offshore Oil Rig and Museum offers a fascinating insight into the energy business.
Based on an actual oil rig - the Great Ocean Star, built-in 1969 - the museum displays many amazing exhibits. Highlights include a visit to the pipe deck, where some of the larger equipment needed to drill the rig's more than 200 wells is stored, along with interactive displays showing the process from exploration to extraction.
Address: 2002 Wharf Road, Galveston, Texas
Official site: www.oceanstaroec.com
7. Texas Seaport Museum and the Elissa
The Texas Seaport Museum is home to the tall ship Elissa, built-in 1877 and considered one of the finest restored historic vessels in the US. This lovely old ship still puts to sea regularly, and her fascinating story — including her rescue from the scrapyard — is told in the museum onshore.
Other highlights include a look at the history of the Port of Galveston, including the names of the more than 133,000 migrants who passed through. If you want to see more, drive over to nearby Seawolf Park for a peek at a WWII-era US Navy submarine and the USS Stewart, a destroyer from the same period.
Address: 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: https://ift.tt/2O1DQfY
8. The Bryan Museum
Housed in a fabulous historic building, which was once the Galveston Orphans Home, this museum showcases a diverse collection of art and artifacts from the American West, spanning more than 12,000 years.
The permanent collection relates to everything, from Native American history to the Spanish Colonial Age and Independence to Texas. The Texas Masters Gallery features the art of Texas-born artists, as well as people who walk through the area and photograph it on canvas.
Around the museum, you'll also find works by various artists, including pieces by Andy Warhol. iPads on displays help explain the pieces and their significance, but the best way to appreciate the collection and learn about history is to take a tour. If you are lucky, you may even see the founder, Mr. J.P. Bryan, who opened the Bryan Museum in 2015.
Address: 1315 21st Street, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: www.thebryanmuseum.org
9. Moody Mansion
Built-in 1895, the interior of the Victorian Moody Mansion features stained glass, custom carved woodwork, decorative tiles, and plasterwork, along with fine stencil work throughout.
The house also impresses with red bricks, unique architecture and countless arches, along with numerous antiques, photographs and intricate artwork. Guided tours through 20 rooms are available, and many special events and programs are also held here. Also of interest are the bases of meticulous maintenance.
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: www.moodymansion.org
10. The Grand 1894 Opera House
Another ancient architecture of Galveston is the Grand Theater of 1894, a restored Victoria Theater that is splendid and withstands many storms. It still hosts a full lineup of musical and theatrical performances, along with a selection of fun shows for kids of all ages.
On the wall inside the main entrance, a plaque shows the level of the high water mark from hurricane Ike, which swept through in 2008.
Address: 2020 Post Office Street, Galveston, Texas
Official Site: www.thegrand.com
More ideals for you: Top 10 things to do in Fort Worth
From : https://wikitopx.com/travel/top-10-things-to-do-in-galveston-704126.html
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lawfultruth · 6 years
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Top Ten: London          
Next week I will be publishing my annual Top Ten Stories in the World of D&O for 2018. For now, over the holidays, I am posting some alternative top ten lists. Last week, I published the list of the Top Ten Places That You Might Not Think of to Visit and the Top Ten Top Travel Destinations. In putting together both of my prior travel lists, I omitted a number of cities that are at the top of everyone’s own travel destination lists. In today’s post, I am going to focus on one of those particular destination cities, one of my favorite places on the planet, the great city of London.
  I am fortunate that business takes me to London pretty regularly. I have been able to explore the city pretty extensively, including a quite a number of places not on the usual tourist itineraries. As a result, my list of top places to visit in London, set out below, is admittedly quirky. Also, there are some big obvious omissions from my list. Nobody needs me to tell them that they should visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, St. Paul’s or the National Gallery. First time visitors should be sure to visit all of those places. By leaving these obvious sites off the list, I have left a little bit of room for some other suggestions. My list is set out below. Please note the bonus top ten list below the London list.
  10. Chelsea Physic Garden: The Chelsea Physic Garden, located on the Thames River opposite Battersea Park, is a botanical garden, full of medicinal, healthful, or useful plants. The interesting displays explain how the various plants have traditionally been used to treat a variety of ailments. In late spring, the fruit trees are full of blossoms. The Garden is compact and interesting. Be sure to take a guided tour or to hire the recorded tour.
  Chelsea Physic Garden
  The guide that led my tour during my visit to the Gardens in April, Mary, was very knowledgeable about all of the plants. Here she is telling the tour group about the many stories associated with the Mandrake plant. Some of the stories are appropriate for mature audiences only. It was one of the funniest stand-up routines I have ever heard in my entire life. But because she maintained her Very Proper British Lady tone throughout, no one even cracked a smile. The garden is really interesting. I highly recommend a visit.
  9. Regent’s Park/Primrose Hill: Regent’s Park is a huge green space in the center of London; just to the North, opposite the zoo, is Primrose Hill. On a sunny day these are great areas for exploring. From the top of Primrose Hill, you can see the skyline in the city and pick out many of the landmark buildings, including the old familiar sites like St. Paul’s Cathedral and newer places, like the Shard, the Walkie-Talkie, and the Gherkin.
  Primrose Hill
    A view of The City from Primrose Hill
  8. Church of St. Martin in the Fields: St. Martin’s is located on the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square. The church, built in the early 18th century, is an interesting attractive structure, but for passersby the more interesting thing to know is that there frequently are lunchtime concerts at the church, oftentimes free of charge. In addition, many evenings during the week there are candlelight concerts in the church as well. (The concern schedule is available on the church’s website.) Attending a concert at the church is one of the great civilized pleasures available right in the middle of the city.
  Church of St. Martin in the Fields
    7. Piccadilly: Fortnam & Mason/Hatchard’s: One of the great things to do in London is to walk along Piccadilly from Green Park to Piccadilly Circus. There are a lot of interesting stores, shops, cafés, and restaurants along the way, but the high points for me are Fortnam & Mason, the royal grocery emporium, and Hatchard’s, reportedly the oldest book store in London. Browse the terrific historical book section at Hatchard’s, and then go next door to Fortnam & Mason to have tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll in Green Park, just down the street.
  Inside Fortnam & Mason, decorated for Christmas
    Hatchard’s, on Piccadilly
  6. Notting Hill/ Portobello Road: Notting Hill is a great residential to the west of the city center. The main commercial thoroughfare in the neighborhood is Portobello Road. Portobello Road is lined with interesting shops, but even better than the shops themselves is the Portobello Road Market, which is held on Saturday mornings. At the market, vendors sell seemingly endless supplies of such indispensable items as buttons, boxing gloves, pocket watches, antique sewing machines, gas masks, and vintage computers. In addition there is also some other stuff that is kind of junky. The whole thing is great fun.
    5. Camden Town: Camden Town is distinctive neighborhood and shopping district. Camden also has a famous street market. At Camden Lock, on the Regent’s Canal (see below), there are a number of other markets, including in particular, Camden Lock Village and the Camden Stables Market. The market areas are full of small shops, stalls, and restaurants selling a wide variety of foods. The lively and colorful street scene in Camden is particularly interesting. Buy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés and watch the amazing array of people walking by.
  The interesting street scene in Camden Town
    Camden Lock
    4. Regent’s Canal: The Regent’s Canal runs through London north of the central city. The most interesting stretch is the section between Primrose Hill (described above), and Camden Lock. On a sunny day, it is a quiet pleasant place to stroll. Walking along the quiet canal, it is very hard to believe you are in the middle of a gigantic city like London. The best way to enjoy the canal is to start in Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill and to pick up the canal after enjoying the view from the top of Primrose Hill, and then to stroll along the canal to Camden. A terrific way to spend a sunny morning.
  Regent’s Canal between Primrose Hill and Camden Town
  3. Greenwich: Downriver from central London is the historic and atmospheric area of Greenwich. A visit to the Royal Observatory to see and to straddle the Greenwich Meridian is of course obligatory. From the top of the Observatory Hill there are great views back to Canary Wharf and up river to The City itself. The National Maritime Musuem is particularly interesting and then back along the river is the fantastically well preserved and interesting Cutty Sark. The best way to travel to Greenwich, if you are fortunate enough to be in London during one of the warmer months, the best way to travel to Greenwich is via the Thames River Service from Embankment piers.
  A view of the Greenwich Royal Hospital and of Canary Wharf, from the Greenwich Observatory
  2. Hampton Court: Upriver from London is the interesting and historical Hampton Court Palace. The palace was originally built by Cardinal Thomas Woollsey, a protégé of King Henry VIII. As Woolsey’s fortunate changed, he gave to palace to Henry to try to curry favor. (It didn’t work.) Henry transformed it into his principal royal residence. Many of the key events during Henry’s reign took place at the palace, making the palace tour particularly interesting. The palace gardens are fantastic (especially the rose garden). By far the best way to visit Hampton Court (at least during warm months) is to take the Thames River Service from Embankment Pier – traveling to Hampton Court via the river is one of the more enjoyable things to do in London during the summer months, well worth doing even apart from the added pleasure of visiting the palace.
  Hampton Court
    Hampton Court Rose Garden
    1. Green Park/St. James’s Park: In an earlier post, I named Green Park and St. James’s Park together in my list of top ten urban parks. The gardens in St. James’s park are beautiful and afford great views of Buckingham Palace and of the Horse Guards’ barracks. Green Park is crossed by numerous wide, shady walkways leading to Piccadilly and Hyde Park. A great place to walk anytime, but particularly on a sunny afternoon.
      The Horse Guards Barracks viewed from St. James’s Park
      Green Park
  A Picture Gallery: I travel with my camera at the ready. I know from long experience that getting a good picture is as much of a matter of luck as anything else. But because I keep my camera ready, I chance on some great pictures — or at least pictures that I like. Here is a gallery of some great pictures that I have been fortunate enough to take of animals. One more way to celebrate the joys of travel.
  A heron viewed from the Waters of Leath trail in Edinburgh
      A porcupine, photographed in the woods in Northern Michigan.
    American White Pelicans are migratory birds, so they get around. Just the same, this guy is seriously lost. I took this picture on the shores of Lake Michigan, hundreds of miles away from the birds’ usual flyway west of the Mississippi River
    A big woodchuck, in the Plains of Abraham historical park above Quebec City
    A freshwater turtle, on the shores of Lake Michigan
  A barnacle goose on a roof top in the Seurasaari outdoor cultural museum on an island near Helsinki
    A leopard frog, on the beach at Lake Michigan
  Turtles sunning themselves in a pond in the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid
  I believe these are Egyptian Geese, photographed along the Main River in Frankfurt
    An Easter Water Dragon, spotted in the Sydney Harbor National Park
  A really frightened looking hare, just before he took off for the bushes in a city park in Helsinki
    A couple of REALLY big spiders in the Sydney Harbor National Park. The larger one is about the size of my hand. BIG.
      A great blue heron in the sunshine at St. James’s Park
  A colorful pheasant, spotted in the underbrush on Suomenlinna island, in the Helsinki harbor
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Top Ten: London           syndicated from https://ronenkurzfeldweb.wordpress.com/
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Top Ten: London          
Next week I will be publishing my annual Top Ten Stories in the World of D&O for 2018. For now, over the holidays, I am posting some alternative top ten lists. Last week, I published the list of the Top Ten Places That You Might Not Think of to Visit and the Top Ten Top Travel Destinations. In putting together both of my prior travel lists, I omitted a number of cities that are at the top of everyone’s own travel destination lists. In today’s post, I am going to focus on one of those particular destination cities, one of my favorite places on the planet, the great city of London.
  I am fortunate that business takes me to London pretty regularly. I have been able to explore the city pretty extensively, including a quite a number of places not on the usual tourist itineraries. As a result, my list of top places to visit in London, set out below, is admittedly quirky. Also, there are some big obvious omissions from my list. Nobody needs me to tell them that they should visit the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, St. Paul’s or the National Gallery. First time visitors should be sure to visit all of those places. By leaving these obvious sites off the list, I have left a little bit of room for some other suggestions. My list is set out below. Please note the bonus top ten list below the London list.
  10. Chelsea Physic Garden: The Chelsea Physic Garden, located on the Thames River opposite Battersea Park, is a botanical garden, full of medicinal, healthful, or useful plants. The interesting displays explain how the various plants have traditionally been used to treat a variety of ailments. In late spring, the fruit trees are full of blossoms. The Garden is compact and interesting. Be sure to take a guided tour or to hire the recorded tour.
  Chelsea Physic Garden
  The guide that led my tour during my visit to the Gardens in April, Mary, was very knowledgeable about all of the plants. Here she is telling the tour group about the many stories associated with the Mandrake plant. Some of the stories are appropriate for mature audiences only. It was one of the funniest stand-up routines I have ever heard in my entire life. But because she maintained her Very Proper British Lady tone throughout, no one even cracked a smile. The garden is really interesting. I highly recommend a visit.
  9. Regent’s Park/Primrose Hill: Regent’s Park is a huge green space in the center of London; just to the North, opposite the zoo, is Primrose Hill. On a sunny day these are great areas for exploring. From the top of Primrose Hill, you can see the skyline in the city and pick out many of the landmark buildings, including the old familiar sites like St. Paul’s Cathedral and newer places, like the Shard, the Walkie-Talkie, and the Gherkin.
  Primrose Hill
    A view of The City from Primrose Hill
  8. Church of St. Martin in the Fields: St. Martin’s is located on the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square. The church, built in the early 18th century, is an interesting attractive structure, but for passersby the more interesting thing to know is that there frequently are lunchtime concerts at the church, oftentimes free of charge. In addition, many evenings during the week there are candlelight concerts in the church as well. (The concern schedule is available on the church’s website.) Attending a concert at the church is one of the great civilized pleasures available right in the middle of the city.
  Church of St. Martin in the Fields
    7. Piccadilly: Fortnam & Mason/Hatchard’s: One of the great things to do in London is to walk along Piccadilly from Green Park to Piccadilly Circus. There are a lot of interesting stores, shops, cafés, and restaurants along the way, but the high points for me are Fortnam & Mason, the royal grocery emporium, and Hatchard’s, reportedly the oldest book store in London. Browse the terrific historical book section at Hatchard’s, and then go next door to Fortnam & Mason to have tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Afterwards, enjoy a stroll in Green Park, just down the street.
  Inside Fortnam & Mason, decorated for Christmas
    Hatchard’s, on Piccadilly
  6. Notting Hill/ Portobello Road: Notting Hill is a great residential to the west of the city center. The main commercial thoroughfare in the neighborhood is Portobello Road. Portobello Road is lined with interesting shops, but even better than the shops themselves is the Portobello Road Market, which is held on Saturday mornings. At the market, vendors sell seemingly endless supplies of such indispensable items as buttons, boxing gloves, pocket watches, antique sewing machines, gas masks, and vintage computers. In addition there is also some other stuff that is kind of junky. The whole thing is great fun.
    5. Camden Town: Camden Town is distinctive neighborhood and shopping district. Camden also has a famous street market. At Camden Lock, on the Regent’s Canal (see below), there are a number of other markets, including in particular, Camden Lock Village and the Camden Stables Market. The market areas are full of small shops, stalls, and restaurants selling a wide variety of foods. The lively and colorful street scene in Camden is particularly interesting. Buy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés and watch the amazing array of people walking by.
  The interesting street scene in Camden Town
    Camden Lock
    4. Regent’s Canal: The Regent’s Canal runs through London north of the central city. The most interesting stretch is the section between Primrose Hill (described above), and Camden Lock. On a sunny day, it is a quiet pleasant place to stroll. Walking along the quiet canal, it is very hard to believe you are in the middle of a gigantic city like London. The best way to enjoy the canal is to start in Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill and to pick up the canal after enjoying the view from the top of Primrose Hill, and then to stroll along the canal to Camden. A terrific way to spend a sunny morning.
  Regent’s Canal between Primrose Hill and Camden Town
  3. Greenwich: Downriver from central London is the historic and atmospheric area of Greenwich. A visit to the Royal Observatory to see and to straddle the Greenwich Meridian is of course obligatory. From the top of the Observatory Hill there are great views back to Canary Wharf and up river to The City itself. The National Maritime Musuem is particularly interesting and then back along the river is the fantastically well preserved and interesting Cutty Sark. The best way to travel to Greenwich, if you are fortunate enough to be in London during one of the warmer months, the best way to travel to Greenwich is via the Thames River Service from Embankment piers.
  A view of the Greenwich Royal Hospital and of Canary Wharf, from the Greenwich Observatory
  2. Hampton Court: Upriver from London is the interesting and historical Hampton Court Palace. The palace was originally built by Cardinal Thomas Woollsey, a protégé of King Henry VIII. As Woolsey’s fortunate changed, he gave to palace to Henry to try to curry favor. (It didn’t work.) Henry transformed it into his principal royal residence. Many of the key events during Henry’s reign took place at the palace, making the palace tour particularly interesting. The palace gardens are fantastic (especially the rose garden). By far the best way to visit Hampton Court (at least during warm months) is to take the Thames River Service from Embankment Pier – traveling to Hampton Court via the river is one of the more enjoyable things to do in London during the summer months, well worth doing even apart from the added pleasure of visiting the palace.
  Hampton Court
    Hampton Court Rose Garden
    1. Green Park/St. James’s Park: In an earlier post, I named Green Park and St. James’s Park together in my list of top ten urban parks. The gardens in St. James’s park are beautiful and afford great views of Buckingham Palace and of the Horse Guards’ barracks. Green Park is crossed by numerous wide, shady walkways leading to Piccadilly and Hyde Park. A great place to walk anytime, but particularly on a sunny afternoon.
      The Horse Guards Barracks viewed from St. James’s Park
      Green Park
  A Picture Gallery: I travel with my camera at the ready. I know from long experience that getting a good picture is as much of a matter of luck as anything else. But because I keep my camera ready, I chance on some great pictures — or at least pictures that I like. Here is a gallery of some great pictures that I have been fortunate enough to take of animals. One more way to celebrate the joys of travel.
  A heron viewed from the Waters of Leath trail in Edinburgh
      A porcupine, photographed in the woods in Northern Michigan.
    American White Pelicans are migratory birds, so they get around. Just the same, this guy is seriously lost. I took this picture on the shores of Lake Michigan, hundreds of miles away from the birds’ usual flyway west of the Mississippi River
    A big woodchuck, in the Plains of Abraham historical park above Quebec City
    A freshwater turtle, on the shores of Lake Michigan
  A barnacle goose on a roof top in the Seurasaari outdoor cultural museum on an island near Helsinki
    A leopard frog, on the beach at Lake Michigan
  Turtles sunning themselves in a pond in the Parque del Buen Retiro in Madrid
  I believe these are Egyptian Geese, photographed along the Main River in Frankfurt
    An Easter Water Dragon, spotted in the Sydney Harbor National Park
  A really frightened looking hare, just before he took off for the bushes in a city park in Helsinki
    A couple of REALLY big spiders in the Sydney Harbor National Park. The larger one is about the size of my hand. BIG.
      A great blue heron in the sunshine at St. James’s Park
  A colorful pheasant, spotted in the underbrush on Suomenlinna island, in the Helsinki harbor
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Top Ten: London           published first on http://simonconsultancypage.tumblr.com/
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