The Travel Professor
Join me on a journey across the broad spectrum of interesting travel topics. We’ll discuss destinations domestic and abroad, some familiar and some off the beaten path. We take a look at suppliers like cruise lines, air carriers and tour operators and find their bargains and special offerings. Got questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Back on-line

I needed a longer spring break as I’ve been playing catching up ever since I returned. Closed out the winter term & am moving into the spring session. I know some folks will say “don’t take a break!’ but that’s no fun!

But I'm back!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Play ball!

I'm off to the Reds new spring training home in Goodyear AZ. Based on Internet connectivity I'll keep you posted.

It is time for sunshine, golf, baseball & good AZ/Mexican food.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Finding lucky places

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up I thought I’d share some places that have brought me good one. When you arrive on the Emerald Isle of Ireland be sure to kiss the famous “Blarney” stone. The locals assured me that everything I would after this feat will evoke the luck of the Irish. It's all part of their cheeky, charming blarney, that gift of gab. And I got that wonderful gift of silver-tongued gift of eloquence by visiting Blarney Castle and kissing the famous Blarney Stone.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Lucky charms?

The question is where are the luckiest places around? Be it local or global where would you go?

Thursday, March 11, 2010

"I shall return" quotes General Douglas MacArthur

It was March 11, 1942. General Douglas MacArthur climbed aboard a gun ship in the Philippines under cover of darkness, and ran a Japanese blockade. Speaking to the press in Adelaide, Australia, MacArthur told reporters, "I came through and I shall return."

Logistical problems had left MacArthur without reinforcements. President Roosevelt, fearing MacArthur would be captured or killed, ordered him to leave. On April 9, some 10,000 American troops surrendered to the Japanese.

MacArthur took command at Allied headquarters in Melbourne. Organizing a series of air and amphibious operations he turned the tide of the war against the Japanese. On
October 20, 1944, he waded ashore on Leyte Island to tell the waiting press "I have returned."

The New Orleans based National World War 2 Museum is an excellent venue. It features a permanent War in the Pacific gallery and The Malcolm S. Forbes Theater features two alternating films focusing on the D-Day invasions at Normandy and in the Pacific.

Huntington's Home & Garden show

The Travel Prof is going for a trick. That’s scoring 3 goals in a hockey game. Except for me it’s 3 home & garden shows this winter. Cleveland and Columbus shows are in the past. Then this weekend it’s over to Huntington’s Big Sandy Arena for the local Home and Garden show. The event runs Friday through Sunday and features over 100 suppliers and vendors.

This is my 1st visit to this show and it will interesting to compare all 3 events.


So it's lunch and a show for me in the River City.

Happy travels!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

1 million free days at Disney

Give people a free day at Disney and a million people will show up.

It only took 10 weeks under the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program to reach the program capacity of 1 million tickets. Registration started on January 1st so I’d say that this was a real success promotion. The program was announced last fall but the program rules required that the volunteer work take place this year.

Disney is giving a free day's admission to any park at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., or at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla., provided the volunteer work has been performed and certified by the HandsOn Network, a clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities.

Just imagine what other wonderful volunteer opportunities might be available when & if corporate America got creative!

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.



Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Happy birthday Barbie girl!

On March 9th 1959 at the American International Toy Fair in New York City Mattel Toy Company displayed a new doll. This toy was named after the daughters of one of Mattel's co-founders, Barbie became an overnight sensation. Most dolls of the time were modeled after babies. Barbie, however, had a distinctively adult form and look - too much so for many during the doll's history. The first Barbie doll sold for $3.00.

Barbie’s first boyfriend, Ken, debuted two years after Barbie in 1961. Certainly one of the most popular yet controversial toys ever created, Barbie has been much accessorized and criticized during her 50 year history. Her approximate 1/6th scale to an adult human form has been the object of concern for many who view Barbie's body shape as unrealistic and unhealthy.

Nevertheless, it is estimated that 90% of the girls in the United States between the ages of 3 and 10 have owned a Barbie.

The current estimated selling price of the original 1959 Barbie doll in mint condition is $27,000.

Monday, March 8, 2010

And the "wall" is starting to fall down.

On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan in a speech to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida first used publically the phrase "evil empire." In that speech, with reference to the Soviet Union, Reagan said:

In your discussions of the nuclear freeze proposals, I urge you to beware the temptation of pride, the temptation of blithely declaring yourselves above it all and label both sides equally at fault, to ignore the facts of history and the aggressive impulses of an evil empire, to simply call the arms race a giant misunderstanding and thereby remove yourself from the struggle between right and wrong and good and evil.

Reaction to the phrase was mixed. Anti-Communist forces by and large seized on it to foster a growing international sense that the lifespan of the USSR was coming to an end. The Cold War between the United States and the USSR ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

I spent 3 years patrolling the border between the East & West. I was outside looking in. Within 6 months of the walls coming down I was able to legally cross into what was the former East Germany.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Multi-tasking in Columbus OH

I’m packaging my visit to the Central Ohio Home & Garden show trip with some other opps.

Since the current buzz word for applications is apps so I’m taking liberties with work “opportunities”. Now they are opps.

Right now it’s continuing education time as I’m sitting in on a seminar about

Avalon River Cruises. Many folks have cruised around the continent but these folks take you into the heartland of Europe.

I’m ready to grab the passport & head to Europe right now! No wait a minute-tulips time is about 6 weeks away. Guess I need to just cool my jets.

Back to the garden show theme don’t forget to save next weekend for
Huntington’s show. It is being held downtown at the Big Sandy Arena. !

Got travel questions? Email the
travelprofessor@gmail.com.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Searching for the lost fountain of youth

On this day in 1513, Ponce de Leon set sail from Puerto Rico to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. Caribbean Indian legends spoke of waters, a drink of which would guarantee a life free from the worries of old age. Ponce de Leon had served with Christopher Columbus on his second voyage and become the governor of Puerto Rico, earning a fortune in the slave trade. He later lost the position and requested permission from Spain to explore the regions north of Cuba.

On March 3, 1513, he set off on his quest. Sometime around Easter, he sighted what he thought to be an island and named it after the Spanish title of the season "Pascua Florida". Ponce de Leon would spend the next eight years fruitlessly seeking the Fountain of Youth. In 1521 he was wounded by an arrow during a battle with the native inhabitants of Florida and later died of the injury.

Today both Florida and Puerto Rico are major tourist destinations and the early Spanish should be proud.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Central Ohio Home & Flower show

I’m off this weekend to the Columbus based 2010 Central Ohio Home & Garden Show being held at the Ohio State fairgrounds. I am being told that it will feature 15 magnificent, full-sized living landscapes, plus a dramatic stone entry feature. I expect to discover garden and landscape ideas in each of the gardens produced by talented professional designers of the Columbus Landscape Association (CLA).

After this winter I’m really ready for the colors of spring and summer. The show runs through this Sunday March 7th and information, schedules, prices, etc can be obtained
here.

Next weekend we can catch a hone, flower & garden show right here in Huntington!

Got travel? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Happy Birthday Yellowstone National Park!

On March 1, 1872 the world's first national park came into existence on this date in 1872 when US President Ulysses S. Grant signed into law an act establishing Yellowstone National Park. The park is located largely in the state of Wyoming, but extends into Montana and Idaho. Widely known for its geothermal springs and geysers, Yellowstone sits atop a large volcanic stratum. Many unique and once endangered species of animal make their home in the park including grizzly bears, wolves and bison.

It would take a few years before President Teddy Roosevelt really got the
National Park Service off the ground. But at least US Grant put things into motion!

Here's a great company that offers reasonably priced tours to the western USA National Parks. Enjoy!

Be kind to your travel agent & get out of town!