Yesterday I participated in a Webinar organized by Tony and Leanne Argyle of Travatical Magazine that included panelists Ian Usher from House Sitting Magazine and Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith from To Travel Too. The four of us had a fascinating discussion about travel in a Post-COVID world. We tackled questions such as whether or not
I woke at 5 a.m., drew the drapes to my cabin balcony, and gasped. Overnight, we had sailed up the west side of the Weddell peninsula to Paradise Harbour, Antarctica. Named by ancient whalers for its protected anchorage, the cove could not have had a more appropriate moniker. The sea was a vast sheet of
Picture thousands of people dressed up as monsters, roaming the streets of a tiny village in northeastern Thailand. Giant ears, huge hooked noses, and foot-long spiked teeth sprout from their masks. Their chin-to-toe costumes are sewn from scraps of cloth into a kaleidoscopic patchwork of colors. Many carry wooden truncheons shaped into phallic symbols. Others
Join me on an OKC adventure! Oklahoma City attractions include amazing architecture, fantastic food, thriving arts, diverse neighborhoods and and a meaningful message at the National Memorial.
The Donut Hole is a bakery and landmark in La Puente, California. An example of programmatic architecture, the building is shaped like two giant donuts through which customers drive to place their orders. The first Donut Hole opened in 1963, in Covina, California. The shop in La Puente was the second to open, in 1968, and was followed by three others. The La Puente location, however, was the only one shaped like donuts, and dates of the building's original construction range from 1947 to 1958 to 1962. What is certain is that the donut chain went out of business in 1979. The Covina branch was completely remodeled and the others were demolished, and only the La Puente location remains today as a working bakery. It is a local tradition for newlyweds to drive through the donuts; some cite good luck as the reason, while others credit the sexual symbolism. The building has been struck by cars several times in its history, most recently in 2004 when an out-of-control car crashed through one of the donut facades.
Follow the donuts.
After 4 yrs on the road, even Barbara Weibel has challenges. Enjoy this week-in-the-life of Barbara from Hole in the Donut in China.
Seven States can be seen from world famous Lover's Leap at Rock City Gardens in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Having had my fill of art and culture, I headed for the district of Liguria, located in Italy's northwestern corner where it borders France. Liguria forms an arc, with one side facing the Ligurian Sea and the other backing up against the Apennine Mountains. Better known as the Italian Riviera, it is a continuous line
For years, friends have raved that Easter Island is the most spiritual place they have ever visited. This speck of land in the eastern Pacific, known to locals as Rapa Nui, had been on my wish list for years. Since childhood I had read about the Moai, enormous statues that the indigenous people carved and
Having had my fill of art and culture, I headed for the district of Liguria, located in Italy's northwestern corner where it borders France. Liguria forms an arc, with one side facing the Ligurian Sea and the other backing up against the Apennine Mountains. Better known as the Italian Riviera, it is a continuous line
Cherry blossoms frame a walkway leading to Tennessee Aquarium on Chattanooga's Riverfront
Fountains in Tennessee River mark the end of "The Passage," an art installation in remembrance of the Cherokee Trail of Tears, which passed through Chattanooga
Like any travel writer worth his or her salt, one of my life’s goals has been to visit all seven continents. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the price of Antarctic cruises...until a couple of years ago, when I discovered the secret to scoring a cheap fare. If you’re in the same boat (no pun intended), read
I squinted in the pre-dawn grayness, searching for signs of the tropical pink water lilies that carpet the surface of Nong Han Lake every winter. A few minutes earlier, my friend Anne and I had gingerly climbed into a tippy flat-bottomed wooden boat for our ride to the center of the lake. There, the lily
Mtskheta, the original capital of Georgia, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the place where the country first adopted Christianity in 334. Today, not only is it the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church, it is home to Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, two important religious sites
Fishermen cast lines from a wooden boardwalk that follows the cliffs surrounding Lake Ohrid in Macedonia. I had never heard of this destination prior to my arrival in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, but from the moment I arrived, everyone insisted I must go to Lake Ohrid. I was so glad I did, as
PHOTO: Giant rounds of whole wheat bread at the San Pedro Market in Cusco, Peru
Framing one of the many fountains scattered around Cusco, Peru, the town's Cathedral pokes through red tiled roofs
Imagine being a slave in Ethiopia during the 12th and 13th century reign of King Lalibela. Now imagine being handed a chisel, hammer, and an axe, and told to carve a three-story high church out of solid rock. Inconceivable, certainly. But when you consider that the King actually completed construction of the 11 magnificent rock-hewn
Disclaimer: Included in this post are links to tours I have personally taken or booked for clients on Viator. If you book these tours thru the links in this post, as a travel agent, I will receive …
Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is one of the world’s beautiful places. The centerpiece of the park is a branch of the Andes mountain range known as the Cordillera del Paine. Located in the southern Patagonian region of the country, the park’s magnificent scenery includes lakes ranging from ultramarine blue to brilliant turquoise,
Get ready for the sweetest of adventures! Gather your family and friends to explore 13 mom-and-pop donut shops located in Butler County, Ohio. Complete the official passport by collecting a stamp at each shop to earn a sweet T-Shirt reward. We've put together 10 top tips to help you make the most your Donut Trail experience.
Yesterday afternoon I was walking down a street in Rome, wondering, 'What was the name of the second church I visited this morning?' A split second later a young man in front of me turned to his two companions and asked, 'What was the name of that second bar we went to?' The place was
From slow travel to eco-tourism, we provide tips and inspiration for the environmentally-conscious traveler.
Monks at Birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini, Nepal
Doughnuts can trace their origins as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. So, here are a few more doughnut fun facts that you probably don't know!
Today is National Donut Day! Hooray! Here are our favorite places in every state. What's yours?
Colfax Avenue is a great part of Denver and Aurora with so many options for coffee, food, and local shops. This post is going to be about a few of my favorite places to visit on East Colfax. Voodoo Donuts You can see the Voodoo Donuts shop on Colfax from what feels like a mile away with it's bright pink exterior! There is a second Denver location on Broadway, and some shops in other states. They have a ton of really fun donuts and some really unique flavors. I love the Portland Cream and my husb
From the rooftop terrace of the Clove Hotel in Stone Town, I looked out over a sea of rusting tin roofs atop old coral and mortar buildings streaked with black mold. At the edge of town ancient dhows - fat, wooden sailing vessels - bobbed on the gentle waves of the Indian Ocean. As the
Ohio is home to many exciting adventures and experiences, but none are nearly as sweet as the Butler County Donut Trail. Visitors go on a self-guided quest of 80 miles to 12 local bakeries. They are in pursuit of the perfect donut and a full passport. Along this trail of donuts, guests can delight in
Mtskheta, the original capital of Georgia, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the place where the country first adopted Christianity in 334. Today, not only is it the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church, it is home to Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, two important religious sites
So yummy, you'll want to lick the screen. (We won't judge you.)
The bus braked suddenly, jolting me awake. I blinked rapidly, trying to reconcile the scene outside my window. Somewhere between Agra and Delhi, India, hundreds of sheep crossing the highway had brought us to a dead stop. Slender women draped from head to toe in black gauze walked gracefully among the animals, prodding them with wooden
Happy New Year! Thank you for tuning in for another year of fun adventures and travel explorations. For McCool Travel's 56th travel profile and first of 2015, I am honored and pleased to present Barbara Weibel. Barbara is the owner/editor of Hole in the Donut Cultural
Cathedral shines in dark night skies at Plaza de Armas in Trujillo, Peru
It's not unusual for my travels to take on a theme. Past tours have found me checking out beaches, National Parks, botanical gardens, or historic landmarks. This trip became an unexpected search for North Carolina waterfalls. It started simply enough. I wanted to do some extended hiking - one of my passions in life. The
