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Vanderbilt Mansion- Hyde Park, NY
There were a lot of Vanderbilts, and they were all wildly wealthy. They all had several amazing homes, each grander than the last, and certainly built to be grander than other Vanderbilt mansions, of which there were over forty. In Hyde Park, Frederick Vanderbilt built a Neoclassical Beaux Art beauty, which perfectly showcases the excesses of the Gilded Age, and what is possible when money is no object. Just to give a brief overview, the patriarch of the family was Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, a self made millionaire who built a shipping and railroad empire in the early 19th century. He had 13 children, but left almost his entire fortune, $100…
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Cherry Blossom Festival- Washington, D.C.
Without a doubt, Washington is at it’s most beautiful in the spring. Down at the tidal basin, it doesn’t get much better than those fleeting few weeks in March or April when the cherry blossoms bloom, and the entire area is transformed into a pale pink dream. Some years are better than others; harsh weather and high winds can destroy the delicate blossoms. But, when the weather cooperates, the experience is downright heavenly. The idea of cherry trees around the tidal basin predates the official planting by almost 25 years; during her first trip to Japan, National Geographic board member Eliza Scidmore encountered the trees, and was moved by their…
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Danube Cruise- Melk, Austria
To be clear, I am not speaking of the Danube cruises advertised on PBS, prior to Downton Abbey. I am sure those are wonderful if you are in your twilight years, and need travel to be made as easy as possible. However, having been at museums when those groups arrive en masse, I can attest it is a disruptive nightmare, from which you can only beat a hasty retreat. So, no, not that. Thankfully, there is a wonderful 2.5 hour cruise, which you can conveniently book through the railroad. Same sights, no crowded chaos. Perfect. Start your adventure in Vienna, taking an early train to Melk. When you purchase your…
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Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa- Astoria, OR
Alright, I admit it. Not all of my favorite hotels are historic. Most are, but not all. On occasion, a hotel of recent vintage is so unique and impressive, I forgive it for being new. And that certainly describes the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria; built on a dock 600 feet into the Columbia River, it is a hotel you will never forget.
