 The entire world knows the history of the world’s most luxurious liner, The Titanic. Most know that the ship hit an iceberg and over 1500 lives were lost. The epic tale was forever memorialized in the movie.
Many people have a real interest in the history of this famous ship; if you happen to have any interest in the Titanic, a trip to the Titanic Museum in Belfast is obligatory. The ship was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The Titanic Museum rises above the land in the exact area where the original ship was built. It is an astounding piece of architecture that has a five-story-high glazed atrium. Positioned at the center of the building this atrium gives visitors access to each of the nine galleries contained within the four wings. Photos of this building are what first drew me to consider a trip to Belfast. The sheer size and brilliance of the building is quite breathtaking.
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 This past March I was fortunate enough to cross The Giants Causeway off my bucket list. If this archeological wonder is on your list I recommend a visit via the coastal highway from Belfast.
We only had a day but I could have easily spent longer sauntering through sleepy seaside villages , exploring beautiful seascapes and countryside. If like us you have a day consider a tour through McCombs- they are the best.  www.fortworthstockyards.org/history Fort Worth Union Stockyards opened for business on January 19, 1890 the history of the successes of this area is quite fascinating. If you live in Texas, visit Texas or ever plan to visit this historic area should be on your list. The 90-acre Historic Stockyards area is a major tourist attraction but don’t let that dissuade you, simply embrace the Western heritage and history of the area and enjoy all that it has to offer...........bucking bulls and all !!! The Daily Cattle Drive Take a Day Trip to A slice of Heaven Educational Farm in Holland, Texas.  We were pleasantly surprised at the “soft” opening of A Slice of Heaven Educational Farm. This is a fabulous addition to the kid’s friendly activities for families in the Central Texas area.
Situated just south of Salado on the outskirts of Holland this is an easy daytrip from Austin and all the surrounding areas. I was blessed to spend the afternoon with my grandkids as they got to explore all that this place has to offer which is a lot.  Fort Davis lies 21 miles Southwest of Alpine which makes it a perfect destination for a day-trip if you are based in Alpine. We opted to do just that and it turned out to be one of our best day trips. Along The Way..............We stopped to hike at the Chihuahuan Dessert Nature Center . This place is a must see if you are in the area. The gardens are stunning and the hikes beautiful. The center itself is staffed by well informed and helpful volunteers who are passionate about conserving the beauty of the area. WE stayed about 2 hours hiking one of the trails and then exploring the indigenous gardens. www.cdri.org/   Lindos is an archeological site , a fishing village and beach. Tourists flood into Lindos for all three. The town lies on the east coast about 65 miles from the town of Rhodes. Lindos is quite beautiful with it’s towering acropolis, white cubed houses and the radiantly blue waters of the bay. In Lindos you can go up or down but at some point you will need to go back up. Our bus dropped us at the top a hill that lead down to the beach and the beginning of the town.  The town......................... Symi Island is one of the smaller Dodecanese group if islands just 9 kilometers off the Turkish coast north of Rhodes. "Sizzling Symi" as the island is often referred to, is one of the hottest of the Greek Island with temperatures often rising well over 100 in the summer months. The island is probably one of the most picturesque islands I have had the pleasure of visiting. As the ferry glides into the marina pastel painted neoclassical houses climb up the hillsides. The island was once home to a thriving shipbuilding and sponge diving industry. Symi relies now almost entirely on tourism, mostly day trippers from Rhodes. We took such a day trip and it turned out to be one of my favorite days in Greece.  Soaking up the sun in Symi.............................Do it because....................  The seafood is amazing......... but be sure to look around don't just stop at the best looking seafood restaurant like we did. There are so many wonderful places to eat and NOT all are over priced like the one we stopped at.
 A Day in MarmarisMarmaris is a popular destination for day trippers from Rhodes. I have always wanted to visit Turkey and have considered a stopover however my sweet husband has always talked me out of it. On this trip he wasn’t around to “reason” with me........So I opted for a day trip through Thomas Cook. Marmaris lies on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and is only an hour ferry ride from Rhodes City. It is in the Mugla Province along what is termed the Turkish Riviera. Marmaris is a tourist town which swells in population during the summer months. So why spend a day in Marmaris………………………….  Go for the Ferry Ride.................. The ferry ride from Rhodes City to Marmaris is more than pleasant. The ferry is equipped with plenty of seats, open air and inside with A C. There are snack bars serving drinks and light refreshments. The hour passes quickly and in no time you find yourself pulling into the beautiful port of Marmaris with it’s deep harbor , gorgeous mountains and every imaginable sea vessel. Turkey requires a port/visa fee from each person, this is paid in Rhodes ( approximately 15 euro) so entering Turkey is relatively fast once the ferry docks. Once through passport control our Thomas Cook representative was waiting with another bus this time with a Turkish guide.  If you ever find yourself in Sheffield you must take a day and head out to the Peak District. This is an amazing National Park it's like no other. It offers outstanding views, beautiful villages steeped in history, stunning walks, cycling , birding opportunities, the list goes on. It is actually very difficult for me to try to describe the Peak District it literally is an area that must be experienced. I have known this area since I was a child, I have walked the public footpaths, camped in the fields , played in the streams and hiked on the moors but every time I return to Sheffield I am drawn to this area. For this visit I chose Hathersage as the town to rediscover. www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/home Why Hathersage.............................Hathersage is a tiny village nestled in the Peak District only 11 miles from Sheffield. This is home to many of the legends of Robin Hood and his merry men. This is a village worth exploring. It has a beauty all of it’s own with quaint cottages and it is surrounded by stunning scenery.  First Stop..........for Food of CourseMy Mom suggested that we eat at a local cafe that she has enjoyed -The Pool Cafe ! This is a small cafe with plenty of cooked to order options and of course tea and cakes available. www.hathersageswimmingpool.co.uk/about/cafe/ After enjoying a full English breakfast we decided to take a walk up to Little John's grave. This particular landmark is what makes Hathersage famous- it is the site where Little John ,one of Robin Hood's Merry-men is buried. The walk to the site is uphill but worth the hike. The views along the way are quite beautiful.
 Springtime is a magical time in Texas. Nature is once again awakening to its full majesty, the days are longer and the temperatures pleasant. It’s time to consider a day trip. Granbury is a great choice. An hour and half from Dallas and under three hours from Austin makes this a perfect weekend destination or day trip. The drive to this area at this time of year is plain and simple "good for the soul"- Texas wildflowers are truly part of God’s great masterpiece. Nearby..............Take a Detour!tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley On our way to Granbury we took a detour to Dinosaur State Park in Glen Rose. If you are in the area this really is a must do especially if you have children. We enjoyed the park together but plan on taking the grandkids soon. |
