When to go? Weather-wise, April through December is a fabulous time to visit the Napa Valley Wine Country. Warm days are tempered by cool evenings, so be sure to pack a light sweater or jacket. January through March tends to be rainy, but that does not interfere with the romance of winery caves [...]]]>

Where to stay?
The middle and upper (Northern) sections of Napa Valley offer the best visitor experiences, so most visitors simply bypass the gateway town of Napa and head North to one of the small towns strung along Hwy 29. One strategy is to position yourself at the upper most end of the Valley, St. Helena or Calistoga, so you can tour in the opposite direction of the prevailing traffic that backs up around winery entrances and railway crossings. Calistoga features the most unique environment, with western store fronts, mud bath resorts, and gliders overhead. Current Internet Travel Offers for Napa Valley…

What to do?
Beyond the standard winery tours and tasting, there is a lot to do in Napa. Food lovers will want to check-out the programs and attractions at the Culinary Institute of America. For a freshing look at California art, try the di Rosa Preserve (reservations required). If you would rather just sit back and take it all in, reserve a seat for lunch on the Napa Valley Wine train. Or take a long soak in the mineral hot springs at a spa in Calistoga. Above all else, find ways to be outside – walk, picnic, and just soak it all in

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First of Three Races Completed for 2012 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®

Greenport, N.Y., Prepares for Memorial Day Weekend Maritime Festival

NEWPORT, R.I. (May 17, 2012) – Having left a huge public maritime festival in Savannah, Ga., [...]]]>

HMS Bounty leaving Greenock on the River Clyde (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First of Three Races Completed for 2012 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®

Greenport, N.Y., Prepares for Memorial Day Weekend Maritime Festival

NEWPORT, R.I. (May 17, 2012) – Having left a huge public maritime festival in Savannah, Ga., on Monday, May 7, seven tall ships have made it to Cape Fear, N.C., completing the first leg of Tall Ships America’s 2012 TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®. Three of those ships will continue on to join four others in Greenport, N.Y., which is approximately 500 nautical miles away and due to host its own maritime festival beginning on Saturday, May 26 and continuing through Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.  The festivals, coordinated by Tall Ships America with the help of local organizers, are part of a series of four to grace the Eastern Seaboard (Newport, R.I. and Halifax, Nova Scotia are next up for July), and all participating tall ships have the option of competing in corresponding port-to-port races as they sail to each venue.

“The festival in Savannah brought to our ship the vibrancy that comes with thousands of curious onlookers,” wrote Eliza Braunstein (West Hartford, Conn.), a deckhand aboard the 180-foot HMS Bounty, in her sailing log.  (HMS Bounty did not compete in the race but is on its way to Greenport from Charleston, S.C.)  “We met up with old friends we hadn’t seen since last summer and introduced them to new shipmates, but as every sailor knows, when the weekend ends and the tide flows out towards the ocean it is time to set sail.”

Braunstein described her ship’s crew as diverse, ranging from ages 18 to 65 and including a former cowboy, a scuba instructor and a history major as well as “many with years of sailing experience and a handful of novices that we’ve collected during various port stops.

“During the journey north we explored the concepts of hard work, teamwork and humor,” continued Braunstein.  “As we sail north and explore a different port every weekend, I find that the crew of the HMS Bounty has already become a family. Nowhere was this new bond more evident than when we furled the topsails in a squall as sheets of rain poured down, streaks of lightening flashed around us and thunder rumbled in the not-so-far distance. ”

With light winds and choppy seas for most of the way up the coast, racing to Cape Fear was tough on the competing tall ships, which each have handicap ratings based on different rigs and varied sizes.  Three ships retired early while the remaining four were unable to complete the course within the allotted time limit of 48 hours.  Nevertheless, first place was awarded to the 159-foot Topsail Schooner Pride of Baltimore II, which had come within 16 nautical miles of the finish line when time ran out.   

Frank Bell (Wilmington, Del.), a deckhand onboard Pride of Baltimore II, is one of five other crew members that are under the age of 24 and new to the tall ship and racing. “Before the start in Savannah the foc’sle was filled with a buzz, and the deckhands all shared the same nervous energy– filled to the brim with anticipation of the coming race,” said Bell.  “Racing aboard this tall ship was old hat for some, and for others this was the first taste, but we are all ready for the next leg.  Savannah was fantastic, and the race to Cape Fear has been an incredible experience and a chance to put into place all the lessons we’ve been learning. Greenport is just beyond the horizon and the next leg of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE will be waiting. Pride of Baltimore II will be ready.”

On the 179-foot Barque Picton Castle 26 crewmembers, representing nine countries, displayed varying skill sets. “Tacking can be tricky on a square rigger, because the wind comes around the front of the ship and backs the sails, which can stop you dead in the water, so you have to have the timing just right,” said trainee Kate Addison (Bristol, U.K.) who added that many of the new crew onboard quickly got the hang of this difficult maneuver.  “The best part of this leg was sailing in the company of the HMS Bounty and the USCG Barque Eagle. On our long deep-water passages, like from Galapagos to Pitcairn in the South Pacific, we can go for days without seeing any other ships, certainly not big, beautiful sailing ships. It makes for a very pretty view to see square sails on the horizon, and it’s great to have the company.”

Tall Ships America’s TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® is an annual series that rotates on a three-year cycle between the Atlantic Coast, Great Lakes, and Pacific Coast. Over the past decade, the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE has coordinated more than 60 events in 32 cities, stimulating strong tourism and economic development through associated family-friendly festivals.  In 2013, all eyes will be on the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Great Lakes, when the ships will visit over 20 cities in the U.S. and Canada to continue the commemoration of the events of the War of 1812, including a re-creation of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie.

For a list of participating tall ships, visit http://www.sailtraining.org/tallships/2012atlantic/vessels.php  

For more information about Tall Ships America or to learn how to sign aboard a tall ship, visit www.tallshipsamerica.org or contact Lori Aguiar, 401-846-1775, lori@tallshipsamerica.org

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 Book your summer reservation now!

Protecting more than 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind Yellowstone National Park, which is the 2nd largest and Death Valley National Park, which is the largest. Everglades National Park has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, [...]]]> National Park

Protecting more than 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park is the 3rd largest national park in the lower 48 states, behind Yellowstone National Park, which is the 2nd largest and Death Valley National Park, which is the largest. Everglades National Park has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, only one of three places in the world to appear on all three lists. Unlike most other U.S. national parks, Everglades National Park was created to protect a fragile ecosystem rather than to safeguard a geographic feature. Thirty-six species designated as threatened or protected live in the park, including the Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee. The park is the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America, and it contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere. In addition, all of southern Florida’s fresh water is recharged by the Everglades. Nicknamed the river of grass for the slow-moving waters that flow through it, the Everglades actually contains eight different ecosystems, which exist due to slight differences in elevation.. Boat tours, tram tours, and ranger-led hikes are all good ways to see the Everglades. Visitors can also rent bikes or canoes, as well as go on hikes, to explore the park on their own. The dry season (basically December through May) is the best time to visit. The wet season is extremely hot and buggy, with some parts of the park issuing a “mosquito index”.

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Yellowstone National Park is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. [...]]]>

Yellowstone National Park is a United States National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the world s first national park, set aside in 1872 to preserve the vast number of geysers, hot springs, and other thermal areas, as well as to protect the incredible wildlife and rugged beauty of the area. The park is principally contained within the northwest corner of Wyoming, but also extends into the states of Idaho and Montana.

Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a land of unending charm and beauty and is widely recognized as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. One of over 13,000 islands of Indonesia, this small island stands apart culturally as it is a pocket of Hindu religion and [...]]]>  

Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a land of unending charm and beauty and is widely recognized as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire world. One of over 13,000 islands of Indonesia, this small island stands apart culturally as it is a pocket of Hindu religion and culture in a predominately Muslim country. Every aspect of Balinese life is suffused with religion, but the most visible signs are the tiny offerings of flowers, rice and salt in little bamboo leaf trays found in every Balinese house, restaurant, souvenir stall and airport check-in desk. The offerings are set out and sprinkled with holy water no less then three times a day. There are an estimated 20,000 temples on the island, each of which holds festivals at least twice a year. Balinese art, dance and music are also justly famous. As on Java, the gamelan orchestra and shadow puppet theater predominate. The varied landscape of hills, mountains, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colorful and deeply spiritual culture. Eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia chose the island of Bali as their sole destination.

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When to go? Most visitors prefer to visit Arizona in the spring and fall. At that time, the mountains of the North near [...]]]>

SEDONA, AR - FEBRUARY 06: An scenic view of the mountain formation known as the twin sisters as photographed on February 6,2011 in Sedona, Arizona. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

When to go?
Most visitors prefer to visit Arizona in the spring and fall. At that time, the mountains of the North near Flagstaff aren’t too cold, and the desert in Phoenix and Scottsdale isn’t too hot. Sedona‘s elevation is relatively high so winter can get cold. On the other hand, if you love the heat, summer is your time to visit Arizona – with lower hotel rates during the summer, you can bake for less… at least it’s a dry heat.

Where to stay?
Southern Arizona is the place for resorts and spas that strive to push the limit of luxury, as well as the limit of your credit card. Your best alternatives are bed and breakfasts in Sedona and chain hotels in Phoenix and Scottsdale. If you’re in Arizona for a, many people opt to make Flagstaff their base as there are plenty of moderate chain hotels and motels that cater to the canyoning clientele.

What to do?
In summer, bring a topo map and a water bottle then hit the trails to hike or mountain bike in Sedona’s red rock canyons. If your idea of enjoying the outdoors includes championship golf or professional shopping, Phoenix and Scottsdale cater best to your needs. But be sure to reserve an early tee time; the scorching heat later in the day can take the fun out of the fairway.

Arches National Park, located in Utah Canyon Country near the town of Moab, preserves over 2000 natural sandstone arches. This area contains the largest concentration of arches found any where in the world, including the world-famous Delicate Arch as seen on the Utah state license plate, in addition to a variety of unique geological [...]]]>

Arches National Park, located in Utah Canyon Country near the town of Moab, preserves over 2000 natural sandstone arches. This area contains the largest concentration of arches found any where in the world, including the world-famous Delicate Arch as seen on the Utah state license plate, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has exposed millions of years of geologic history.The extraordinary features of the park, including balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.