Traveling with the Jones

This is a guest post by Danielle Smith, an agricultural communications student at the University of Arkansas.  

Five Spooktacular Places to Spend Halloween

Are you ready for Halloween? Some U.S. cities are “spooktacular” for October 31st.

1.  New Orleans, Louisiana Known widely as “The Most Haunted City in America” and for their voodoo traditions New Orleans is the place to be on Halloween. Do you dare to take a tour through one of world-renowned above ground cemeteries? Don’t miss the famous Voodoo experience – A 3 day concert, New Orleans style. As you plan your stay be sure to book a room at one of the many terrifyingly haunted hotels. Learn more about all things Halloween in New Orleans here.

2. Salem, Massachusetts Salem is known as one of the spookiest towns in the U.S. and during Halloween it get’s even spookier. Ever heard of the Salem Witch Trials? Take a walk back in time on the candlelit Witch Trail and experience Salem’s dark history or head to the historic Hawthorne Hotel for the Annual Halloween Costume Ball. Find out all of the details at Haunted Happenings.

3. New York, New York It is no secret that New York’s dark side shows on Halloween night. You’ll find a terrifying good time in New York whether you are wondering through the Greenwood Cemetery listening to the tales of murder and mayhem or trying to make it through the Nightmare – a terrifying haunted house. New York even has a Halloween Cruise that celebrates the 10,000^th Broadway performance of the Phantom of the Opera.

4. Orlando, Florida Looking for several scares all in one place? Then Universal Studios is your place. Halloween Horror Nights is an after-hours event that takes place in the park. It includes several haunted houses and “scare zones” along with Halloween shows and entertainment.

5. Long Beach, California Haunted mazes and spooky surprises await you at every corner as The Queen Mary transforms into the Ship of Terror. Other fun includes live music at Purgatory Park and dancing at the Dome of Doom.

Have you ever traveled somewhere special to celebrate Halloween? If so, where?

A native of Stilwell, Kansas, Danielle plans to return to the Kansas City area upon graduation.

Danielle is currently working as a social media intern with VentureTime Travel. When she isn’t working or in classes, Danielle enjoys traveling the world with her fiancée Will.

Learn more about Danielle here.

Other posts on visiting New Orleans or New York City when it’s not Halloween……

• The New Orleans School of Cooking
• 7 Favorites Finds in New Orleans Now
• Up Close with an Alligator in Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana
• Exploring New York City – the High Line
• A Peek Inside the Hilton New York Fashion District Hotel
• Exploring New York City – Eataly

If you are interested in writing a guest post to share your travel discoveries, contact us here.

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This is a guest post by Rachel Foxwell.

Do you dream of visiting Switzerland with it’s famous alps and chocolates? I interviewed Brandon and Monica Converse, a couple who just returned from visiting Interlaken, Switzerland and the surrounding area, to learn their recommendations on the best things to do in the central area of the Switzerland.

Here’s the Converse’s list of the top 5 things to do while visiting Interlaken, Switzerland.

1. Take a Train Ride to the Top of Jungfrau

Whether starting from Interlaken, the majestic valley of Lauterbrunnen, or a number of other quaint Swiss villages along the railroad, the ride to the peak of Jungfrau (known as “Top of Europe”) is sure to be a highlight of any travelers visit to Switzerland.

Lauterbrunnen Valley, Switzerland. Photo by chensiyuan

2.  Visit Lauterbrunnen, Known as the Valley of Waterfalls, and Hike Behind Trummelbach Falls 

Those who visit Lauterbrunnen may think they walked into a story book, with its abundance of waterfalls, classic Swiss architecture, and lush pastures.  Trummelbach Falls is an excellent attraction on a wet or cloudy day.

3. Enjoy Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue

Or any dish with cheese for that matter.  The Swiss typically only dip artisan breads in cheese fondue, but it’s a combination for any and all travelers to try!

4. Window Shop in Downtown Interlaken

Interlaken is a haven for all things tourism, and what’s one universal activity many tourists do? Shop!  When window shopping in downtown Interlaken, sought after items you’re sure to notice are the luxurious collections of Swiss watches.

Photo by turtleexpedition on flickr

5. Witness a Cow Parade in Lauterbrunne

The cows are the show in this parade! During the spring and fall months, cows are lead to and from their summer mountain pastures to the barnyards for the winter.  During this tradition, the animals are “dressed up” with headdresses and giant cow bells hanging from their necks, which you can hear ring as they parade through town.

If you are planning a visit to Switzerland, here are some tours to consider:

Have you explored Interlaken, Switzerland? What was your favorite attraction in the area?

Rachel Foxwell, a student at Iowa State University majoring in Hospitality Management, emphasizing on Travel and Tourism, is completing a social media internship for VentureTime Travel.

Read more about her travel adventures – including her summer study in Europe – in her Rachel’s Realities blog.

Other blog posts on European destinations that you might enjoy:

• Destination Discovery: Bolzano/Bozen, Italy
• Destination Discovery: North Cape, Norway
• Destination Discovery: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon
• Destination Discovery: Qaqortoq, Greenland
• Destination Discovery: Torghatten Mountain near Brí¸nní¸ysund, Norway
• Destination Discovery: The Swarovski Crystal Worlds, Wattens, Austria

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This guest post is by Brenda Richman, a small business consultant in Kansas City.

The northern part of California’s Central Coast extends from Monterey Bay on the north to Paso Robles on the south.  This region is beautiful and diverse with something for everyone to enjoy in a great climate much of the year.  Although tourism thrives here, I love that the area is not densely populated and is spread out so you can experience all it has to offer without feeling crowded or rushed.

These are six of my favorite experiences in California’s Central Coast:

Monterey Bay, California                                                                                                                                 Photo by seano1    

1. Monterey Bay – the Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fascinating place, delightful for young and old alike.  Afterwards, I love a marvelous fresh seafood meal outdoors at one of the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurants.  Browsing the galleries and absorbing the charming atmosphere in Carmel finishes a delightful day.

2. World class golf -The Monterey Peninsula is a world renowned golf destination, offering the most dramatic, natural settings for golf anywhere in the world.  Playing one of these marvelous courses, especially one with ocean views, is an experience of a lifetime.

 Big Sur Coast                                                                                                                                             Photo By Joseph Plotz.   

 3. Incredible coastal drive down the roughed, gorgeous Big Sur.  Take the slower Hwy 1 route that winds along the coast, stopping frequently to drink in the beautiful scenery and wildlife sightings!

4. Wine tasting– For wine lovers, the Central Coast has a wonderful diversity of tasting experiences that offer first class award winning wines. From small family-owned wineries to large there’s a wine tour for every taste.   In the warmer climate of Paso Robles, you find Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo and many Rhone varietals. There are over 140 wineries in this area that open their doors to visitors

Carmel Mission                                                                                             Photo by Stephen Lea. 

5.  Missions are such a fascinating and important part of CA’s early history.  This series of 21 “communities” stretching from the San Diego area up to San Francisco provides an up-close look at one part of western life which was far removed from life in the eastern US between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.   I find their architecture and peacefulness moving.  Of the 8 missions throughout the entire Central Coast region, the gorgeous San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo at Carmel is not to be missed.

The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle                                                                                                               Photo by Stan Shebs  

6. The Hearst Castle – Built by the famous William Randolph Hearst between 1919 and 1947, the “Enchanted Hill” estate became one of the world’s greatest showplaces and one of America’s only “palaces”.  The magnificent Mediterranean Revival architecture Main House and 3 guest houses, together comprise over 80,000 square feet of living space.  Hearst filled it with a museum-quality collection of the world’s finest European and Mediterranean art.  It was situated on his vast 250,000 acres overlooking the coastline.  There are a number of tour options available of the Hearst Castle.

For more information on visiting California’s Central coast visit Central Coast Tourism or Mission Trail Today.

Or, check out these resources:
Explorer’s Guide Santa Barbara & California’s Central Coast
The California Directory of Fine Wineries: Central Coast
Day Hikes On the California Central Coast

What are your favorite California discoveries outside of the big cities?  Please share below in comments.

Brenda Richman has a passion for experiencing the world through travel adventures.

Learn more about Brenda’s travel experiences here, and her consulting work helping businesses increase market penetration and enhance the quality of their client experiences here.

Other blog posts on California destinations that you might enjoy…..

• A Perfect Day in Sonoma Wine Country
• Visiting Napa Valley? 9 Wineries to Try
• Eating and Drinking around San Francisco’s Neighborhoods
• Photo Friday: the Countryside View from Amtrak’s California Zephyr
• A Peek inside the Stanford Court Renaissance Hotel – San Francisco
• Views from San Francisco

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