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Current Features

Jewish Dresden: The Old (Cemetery) and the New (Synagogue)

by Neala Schwartzberg. Unlike some of the other German cities, Dresden is not known for its Jewish sites, but there are two Jewish places that are definitely worth a visit, the New Synagogue, and the old cemetery. And, of course, Dresden is certainly a gorgeously baroque city that is one of the highlights of Europe. Read more...

Bath, England: The Romans loved it, and so did Jane Austen

by Patrice Raplee. A thin veil of mist rises from the rooftop pool, as bathers blissfully soak in the warm, natural thermal spring waters. After a relaxing immersion, the bathers indulge in a spa experience where hot stone messages, soothing aromas and heavenly water lily flotation treatments start the day at the beautiful Thermae Bath Spa in England. Read more...

The Treasures of Dresden

by Neala Schwartzberg. The baroque heart of Saxony still beats, the art still amazes, and the architecture still takes one's breath away Read more...

San Diego: Perfect Anytime of Year

by Bobbie Green. When the snow is piled high in the rest of the country, the mild year-round weather in the Southern California city of San Diego is a big draw to tourist. When triple digits hit the deserts this cooler coastal town lures desert dwellers to a get-away vacation. Read more...

North Carolina's Coastal Gem: Beaufort Southern Outer Banks

by Suzanne Wright. The Southern Outer Banks comprise 85 miles of natural barrier coastline studded by quiet beaches and banked by maritime forests. Fifty-six miles are protected Cape Lookout National Seashore; the famous black and white harlequin-patterned lighthouse is the region's most photographed icon. Also famous are the wild horses -— more than 100 of them —- that roam along the length and width of Shackleford Banks Island. Read more...

Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Football and More

by Robert Painter. If you walk around town, talk with the local folks, do a little shopping or maybe stop for a cup of coffee somewhere your first impression may be that Tuscaloosa and the University of Alabama are one and the same. I might be inclined to agree except that I recently had the opportunity to spend a few days in this lovely little city and discovered that there is a lot more to Tuscaloosa than memories of Bear Bryant. Read more...

Sweet Fuh Days: Barbados Annual Crop Over Festival

by Suzanne Wright. Bajans, also known as Barbadians, are fiercely proud of Crop Over, which they say is “sweet fuh days,” in local parlance, and of their island that they liken to a "little England," because of its well-oiled infrastructure (and, yes, the island is quite civilized, even a bit prim and proper).

A celebration of music, masquerade, art and food, Crop Over is known across the world to revelers who hopscotch from Trinidad's Carnival, New Orleans' Mardi Gras or Rio de Janiero's Carnival. Bajans insist this festival means more than the others. Read more...

Nottingham England Castle, Robin Hood, and more

by Patrice Raplee. Amid the Lace Market's curving paved streets and lovely Georgian architecture, stands a stone-columned building with a sinister past, a past that is couched in justice, yet sees crimes more heinous and shocking than the theft of a few shillings worth of dry goods. It is here on the front steps of Nottingham's County Gaol that the "Bloody Code" was carried out with the horror of grisly public hangings. Read more...

Traveling I-95: Guide to Enjoying Interstate Travel

by Barbara Barnes No matter where your quest for America’s offbeat treasures takes you, an interstate highway will probably get you there. That leg of the journey is your chance to listen to tunes or daydream. But wait – there’s more going on along that road than you might think. Read more...

Verde Valley: From ancient peoples to modern art

by Neala Schwartzberg. The Verde Valley is mostly famous for the city at its upper reaches - Sedona, but the Valley offers unusual off-the-beaten-path places that are well worth a trip. Read more...

Accra, Ghana: An unusual destination

by Bernard Pollack and Danielle Nierenberg. In October 2009 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia we began a journey to visit nearly every country in Africa. At each stop we are meeting with farmers, community organizers, labor activists/leaders, unions, non-governmental organization (NGOs), the funding and donor communities, and local press. Once in a while we manage to step back and enjoy local food, cultures, and even nightlife. Read more...

Sleeping Green: Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia offers LEED certified eco-friendly luxury

by Neala Schwartzberg. Boutique, sophisticated (and unfussy) luxury that is also true eco-friendly green marks the Hotel Palomar in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse neighborhood. Read more...

Fengjing: Shanghai's Water Town

by Neala Schwartzberg. Fengjing, now almost a part of greater Shanghai is a living example of the water towns of China. Fengjing has an old historic area that is being renovated, in keeping with the policy of trying to replace old housing with the same style and design in the historic districts. But it is clearly a living town and one that provides a unique glimpse at a way of life that is not easy to find in an increasingly urbanized modern world. Read more...

Shanghai's Yu Gardens and The French Concession

by Neala Schwartzberg. Yu Gardens (also called Yuyuan Gardens) is known for its spectacular classical beauty, and for uniquely Chinese Old Town bazaar that is adjacent. While the area known as the French Concession has colonial history, European feel combined with traditional Chinese sensibilities. Read more...

Suzhou, China: Classic gardens, silk, and more

by Neala Schwartzberg. Suzhou, another of the Marco Polo cities, is famous for its outstanding gardens (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site), silk factory (and shopping opportunity), ancient cultural streets, a theater in high tech Time Square, the lovely Lake Jin Ji. Add to that opera and artisan museum, Suzhou has much that will make you want to pack a bag. Read more...

Touring the Battlefields of France: Orleans - City of Jeanne d'Arc

by Robert Mueller. The Gallic village of Orléans sat along the banks of the picturesque Loire River when it was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. It became the seat of later kingdoms and wealthy because it possessed one of the few bridges across the river. The medieval city’s name became forever linked to that of French heroine, Jeanne d’Arc when she lifted an English siege during the Hundred Years War in 1429. The relationship has remained strong over the past 580 years and Orléans holds a Jeanne d’Arc fête every May with a local girl selected to portray Jeanne in a dramatization of her ride into the besieged city. Read more...

French Battlefield Cities: Verdun and the battle of World War I

by Robert Mueller. No military engagement in the history of mankind was as intense, as brutal, of such duration, or as devastating as what occurred in 1916 east of the French city of Verdun. In the pleasant hills and once village-dotted fields of Lorraine, enormous armies, supported by the industrial might of the two adversaries, clashed over small strongpoints, massive fortifications, and literally miles of trench lines for nine months – only to achieve stalemate and the most horrendous casualty totals of that dreadful war. Read more...

Battlefield City: Exploring Ypres, Belgium and World War I

by Robert Mueller. Ypres (Ieper in the local Flemish dialect) has long been a popular destination for English tourists interested in visiting First World War battlefields. The city is well suited to serving their needs with hotels, restaurants, and shops all with English-speaking staff. But the past saw the most horrific trench warfare culminating in the Battle of Passchendaele only 7.5 miles to the northwest. Read more...

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This Just In...

Looking for past press releases?

We've archived them at Press Release Archives

Leavenworth Crush Festival: Get Some Juice Between Your Toes The Leavenworth Crush Festival is a celebration of the harvest and kickoff to the creation of fine wines to come. Dozens of Washington wineries will bring out their best and provide guests with an array of varietals and blends. Read more at Leavenworth Grape Crush

Missouri Botanical Garden - Annual Japanese Festival - Labor Day Weekend The Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual celebration of Japanese sights, sounds and traditions returns to St. Louis on Labor Day weekend. Read more at Come to the Botanical Garden for the Japanese Festival

Maison Jean Cocteau Now Open to the Public Purchased in 1947 with Jean Marais, Jean Cocteau’s house in Milly-la-Forêt was the theater of creation for his most important works. Born within these walls were the unforgettable words of Testament d’Orphée and Requiem, along with numerous paintings, drawings, and pastels. He lived the last seventeen years of his life here with his companion, Edouard Dermit. Read more about it at Visit the newly opened house of Jean Cocteau

How to Visit the Isle of Wright With the Isle of Wight having some of the best beaches in Britain as well as historic Victorian architecture all alongside some of quaintest English villages, it is the perfect place for a day out. The question is -- how to get there? Read about the hovercraft option at How to Get to the Isle of Wright

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities Abound in Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes (and climbing and hiking, too) In spite of its name, Michigan's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore isn't a place where you’re likely to encounter bears in the wild. They’re around – especially at the southern end of the park around the Platte River – but they’re normally shy creatures who tend to stay away from people. Read about this popular Michigan destination at Sleeping Bear Dunes Wildlife

Langkawi, Malaysia: Low key activities in a hot spot destination For visitors who would prefer to stay away from the crowded and popular tourist attractions, there is an array of more exclusive activities to try. Read more about a day in Langkawi at Langkawi Malaysia - surprising destinations

Hawaii Must See Heritage Tourism Sites New Heritage Sites of Hawai'i program promotes some of Hawai'i's unique and special places to visit. Twenty "must see" historical, cultural and environmental point of interest sites throughout the state will be marked with a Heritage Site of Hawai'i sign, acknowledging their significance to the islands. Read about these special sites and attractions at Hawaii Heritage Tourism Sites

Sea of Galilee Mountain Bike Trail: First section now open The first section of the new 80-mile Sea of Galilee Mountain Bike Trail opened last month in the Upper Galilee region in Israel. Read more at First part of the Sea of Galilee bike trail is now open

Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Explore it for "real" in England On June 18th, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens at Universal Orlando Resort. But if you want to explore Harry Potter's world in England, VisitEngland is ready to help tourists find the film locations from the Harry Potter movies, including some of the countries most historic and magical sites, many of which are likely to have inspired the famous writings of J.K. Rowling. Read more at Exploring Harry Potter Sites in England

Summertime is Festival Time in Germany Summer time is festival time in Germany. Throughout the country hundreds of different open-air music festivals and cultural happenings offer a vast variety of international and local artists drawing large crowds either within the cities or special outdoor venues. Read more at Summer Festivals in Germany

Te Vara Nui Cultural Village, Rarotonga's newest interactive cultural attraction opens in the Cook Island Set amongst luscious gardens and peaceful water features, in the Muri Beach district, Te Vara Nui showcases the essence of Cook Island culture in an inspired outdoor setting. Read more at New Cultural Attraction Opens in Rarotonga

Harley-Davidson Museum presents: True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel Exhibit True Evel: The Amazing Story of Evel Knievel will run July 10 - September 6 at the Harley-Davidson Museum and will tell the story of Evel Knievel through fascinating artifacts drawn from both the Museum's archives and the Knievel family collection. Read more at The Evel Knievel Exhibit Comes to the Harley Davidson Museum

New Cruise Ship for Portugal and Spain's UNESCO World Heritage Douro River Coming in 2011. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announces that the new Douro Spirit will be the most elegant ship to sail through the magnificent Douro River Valley as it takes passengers through Spain and Portugal. Read more at New Cruise Ship for the Douro River in Luxury

The Murals of Philadelphia: Guided and Self-guided tours of the city murals The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program announces new ways to explore the stories behind some of Philadelphia’s 3,000 world-famous murals like never before. Learn about the themes, artists, and communities that make the Mural Arts Program’s works so interesting and meaningful. Read more at Guided and Self-guided tours of the Murals of Philadelphia

Ohel Rachel Synagogue Re-Opens for Jewish services in Shanghai China The most historic and important Jewish landmark in Shanghai was returned to the Jewish community in early May, 2010. Read more at Ohel Rachel Synagogue re-opens in Shanghai for Saturday services

What's Hot in Africa: 10 unexpected places to visit that will delight and surprise Marcia Gordon knows Africa from the personal experience one gains from living in the places she now takes visitors, and from extensive trips to explore what's new before anyone else goes there. For Marcia's picks for best places you probably never heard of read Best of Africa: Lodges and Wildlife

Pommery Experience #7, Formica, by artist Jean-Pierre Formica This captivating exhibit by artist Jean-Pierre Formica is set in the majestic cellars of Champagne Pommery's Domaine in Reims, France. Through August 28th. Read more at Formica Exhibit to Open at Pommery Domaine

Glory of the Baroque at Three Churches in Valencia: More Than 300 Artworks Showcase Region’s Artistic Heritage - Until September From now through the end of September, 2010 visitors to Valencia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast can view newly-restored Baroque treasures in three churches, which have themselves been restored to their former splendor. Read more at Artworks in Valencia showcase over 300 works of the region's art