World Travel Trips

The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is an art experience inside and out. Housing a fine collection, the museum is located on a stellar site with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay.

Re-opened in 1995 after a two-year, $35 million renovation, even the building itself is a work of art. Inside there are over 4,000 years of art, including paintings, sculptures and ceramics mostly of European style.

Explore some of Rembrandt’s lesser known works or see Rubens, El Greco or David. Along with the masters, there are impressionists and post-impressionists – Renoir, Degas, Pissaro, Seurat and many others.

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One of the more recent attractions in Rome is actually one of the more ancient. The Golden House of Nero, what remains of it, has been excavated and the ruins are now available for public viewing. Though re-discovered during the Renaissance, they were the subject of a massive restoration project near the end of the 20th century.

Constructed in 64 AD after the devastating fire that burned two-thirds of Rome (at which legend has it Nero fiddled), the Golden House is an archaeological treasure trove. At one time many parts were covered with gold foil and the ceiling festooned with ivory and jewels by the extravagant emperor. Alas, these are not on display. They were stripped from the palace shortly after Nero’s death.

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Though less artistic than its older cousin of Porte Saint-Denis, the Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile is the more famous and far larger. Set atop the hill of Chaillot it forms the center from which radiates a dozen busy Parisian avenues.

There are in fact several “Arc de Triomphe’s” in Paris. A large arch with two thick towers surmounted by a large horizontal section has been a popular architectural feature since the time of Louis XIV (the ‘14th’) in the late 17th century.

But the one located at the intersection of the Champs-Elysées and the Avenue de la Grande Armée (along with 10 other streets) is the one sought out by most visitors.

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Completed in 1868, Prospect Park is Frederick Law Olmstead’s second masterpiece – and easily the rival of his first, Central Park.

Located in Brooklyn, the 526 acre (2.1 square km) public park contains within its borders more things to see and do than many large cities.

The entrance at Grand Army Plaza alone is worth the trip. Looking very much like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, the large arch topped by a magnificent bronze sculpture is a fitting tribute to the Civil War. The 80-foot arch even covers an art gallery.

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The church of San Francisco is one of Madrid’s most important buildings and offers a fascinating tour. With a dome larger than that of St. Paul’s Cathedral it is an architectural marvel. Filled with paintings and sculpture, it is also an art lover’s treat.

Located in an older part of Madrid, the church has an imposing edifice in three sections with neo-classical facades. Inside, visitors can see the imposing 108 foot (33m) dome and the barrel vaulted ceiling. Covered in a dazzling array of frescoes and with extraordinary stained-glass windows, the basilica is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe.

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If you have five years for a vacation you might be able to see about half of what London has to offer. No matter your tastes – whether modern or classical art, monuments and museums, zoos and gardens, nightclubs, theater, music, and on and on – it’s here in abundance.

A perfect blend of ancient and modern, London has over 200 galleries and 300 museums, and 150 events a day to interest the traveler. One could see the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels in the morning and the Tate art museums in the afternoon. Or visit Parliament early then shop at Harrods later.

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Taking the time out to visit Greece is time and money well spent. It doesn’t take long to be there to discover the country is strong in culture and has a very friendly atmosphere. As the locals will tell you, Greece is best known for it’s outdoor life, tavernas, cafes and beaches. This Greek holiday is a journey into culture – and if culture, and wisdom, is only one generation deep – this is a learning experience.

Greece is a tourists paradise. The landscape of Greece is covered by spectacular mountain ranges that border the sea. It is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. Since Greece is mainly a mountainous country, the roads are windy and need to be driven with caution. It is considered to be part of Western Europe and is a country of around 10 million people in the south-eastern corner of Europe. However, Greece is still a relatively inexpensive country by American and northern European standards so obtaining cheap holidays to Greece is a very real possibility.

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Sited atop Lantau Island on the Ngong Ping plateau, lies one of the most frequently visited sights in Hong Kong – the Po Lin Monastery.

There’s enough to see and do in and around the monastery to consume a vacation day or more, so plan ahead.

The trip there is an adventure in itself. Take the MTR (the excellent Hong Kong subway system) to Tung Chung. Outside at the bus terminal, board the No. 23. The ride can take an hour or longer and winding your way up the mountainside provides a pair of delights. Riders get to see some of the superb countryside and seaside near Hong Kong and at the same time experience the harrowing joy of a typical Chinese rollercoaster bus ride.

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Chicago is hugely popular among tourists for great buildings, restaurants and shopping. But one of the chief attractions, for both locals and visitors, remains the Brookfield Zoo. Opened in 1934, the zoo is located on 216 acres about 14 miles west of downtown. The sights and the location are perfect for someone looking for something just outside the metropolis in the suburb of Brookfield.

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View 2300 miles of the Mississippi River through America’s heartland. Travel by road and steamboat. Enjoy many historic cities and towns. Reminiscent of bygone days.

Origin of the Mississippi River is jest a small stream a runnin’ into Lake Itasca. A whoppin’ 250 streams and tributaries feed into Ol’ Miss.

Length of Ol’ Miss is over 2300 miles. It’s ever-changin’ as if flows though the heartland of America.

Mark Twain, bless ‘im, made Ol’ Miss knowed to the world in his own idiom.

In ‘tween the beginin’ and the endin’ of Ol’ Miss, you’ll be visitin’ historic cities and towns you done read about in American history.

Steam boatin’ today is really sumpin’. Ever see 50 chained together barges handle 870 truckloads a cargo? Y’all be grateful it ain’t like frontier days with all the shoutin’, gamblin’, fightin’, and shootin’.

Story tellin’ of a humorous nature was born right here in America, so sez Mark Twain. An’ we all will quit now, ’cause we cain’t add one mo thin’.