Tuesday Travel Trivia.

This state-________- is home to the nation’s only royal palace and boasts on having the largest cattle ranch in the United States. Last week’s answer was the island of Puerto Rico! It's a vibrant exciting island yet laid back and undiscovered. It is also a major cruise port and a splendid shopping destination. The good news is that you do not need a passport a visit there.

Queen Cleopatra is staying in Cincy

The world of Queen Cleopatra VII, which has been lost to the sea and sand for nearly 2,000 years, has resurfaced at Cincinnati Museum Center (CMC) with Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt. On view through September 5, 2011, the exhibition features nearly 150 artifacts from Cleopatra’s time and will take you inside the present-day search for the elusive queen, which extends from the sands of Egypt to the depths of the Bay of Aboukir near Alexandria.

On display were statuary, jewelry, daily items, coins and religious tokens that archaeologists have uncovered from the time surrounding Cleopatra’s rule, all of which are visiting the U.S. for the first time. A multimedia approach and audio guide enhanced the exhibit and brought the past to life.

I was so inspired by this visit that we’re heading to Briggs Library and read up on the lives of Queen Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony. I’m history buff but this is a somewhat unfamiliar period so it should a good read and perfect companion on my next air travel experience. I’m also hoping that the juvenile and youth section has some age appropriate material.

Admission fees for this fantastic Cleopatra exhibit are adult $23, child $15, senior $19 with discounted rates of adult: $14 and child $10 for museum members. There are also special rates for AAA members and if you go on-line to the CMC website there are special discounted offers.

These fees only covers admission to the Cleo exhibit so be prepared to pay for admittance to the other museum areas and a $4.00 parking fee. They do have special add on pricing so plan on spending the better part of the day here and exploring one of the gems of the Queen City.

Travel Trivia Tuesday

The Caribbean island, _____, is home to “El Moro” & “El Yunque”. It has great beaches, shopping and a vibrant culture.

Perfect timing for a new USA Guinness store

The USA's first Guinness store is due to open in Las Vegas tomorrow March 17 in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place on the Strip.

The 1,500-foot store will sell Guinness-branded merchandise including pint glasses, hats, shirts and Las Vegas-themed clothing. What's billed as offering the largest selection of Guinness branded merchandise in one venue outside of Ireland will also feature an exhibit that explains the Guinness brewing process.

And while visitors can't sample the world's best-selling stout in the store, they can buy a customized official Guinness pint glass with their names or with the date of their trip to Las Vegas.

Tuesday Travel Trivia

On what Caribbean island can you bask on a palm tree lined stretch of sand called “7 mile” beach?

The answer to last weeks question "Name the Caribbean island that is home to a swinging bridge, floating market & beer brewed from desalinated sea water." is Curacao.

One of the world's best flower shows

Hopefully you enjoyed spring WV style at this weekend’s Huntington Home & Garden show.

Here’s a chance to enjoy spring in a fantastic setting in the old world at Keukenhof Gardens. This place is magnificent. Having lived on the continent (compliments of our rich Uncle Sam) for over 3 years I got to explore many great places and sights like these.

I think it is time to plan a field trip for spring 2012! Contact me & I’ll add you to the mailing list.

See "Sparky" the electric chair at the Ohio History Center

An electric chair and other macabre artifacts, including a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe from the 1920s and a wooden cage used in the late 1800s to restrain mental institution patients, will be on display next month as part of a new, R-rated exhibit at the Ohio Historical Center in Columbus.

Admission to "Controversy: Pieces You Don't Normally See," opening April 1, will be restricted to visitors 18 and older and children accompanied by adults.

Happy travels!

Tuesday Travel Trivia

Name the Caribbean island that is home to a swinging bridge, floating market & beer brewed from desalinated sea water.

Got travel questions? Email thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

Mardi Gras!

Today is Fat Tuesday which I believe is the English translation of the French word “Mardi Gras”. It got this nickname because of the practice of eating rich fatty foods and spirits before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season begins tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. So enjoy and party hearty!

In many cultures today this pre-Lenten period has evolved into a carnival like celebration.

No city embraces this like NOLA aka New Orleans LA!

Happy travels!

Happy Cereal Day!

Happy Cereal Day! March 7th 1897 marks the day when Dr. Kellogg created his “corn flakes”!

Unfortunately I missed my chance to visit “Cereal City” as it has shuttered its doors. But you can check out the cereal story here. Factory tours can be fun, enlightening and educational. Check back as they’re more to come on factory tours.

According to the federal government we’re still in non-inflationary period. I think they’re not telling the truth or at least interpreting the statistics differently than me. Have you priced a box of “Frosted Flakes” at the store recently?

I hope your day is a fun fortified one!

It's Tavern Day!

Today March 4th is “Tavern Day”. It celebrates the opening of America’s oldest pub. Can you name the establishment and its location?

I do believe that I've been here and hoisted a pint or two. There is also a Ohio University connection not too far away from this public house.

Happy travels!

Ohio Orchid Show

Opening February 27th and running through March 26th Orchid Mania is Cleveland Botanical Garden's annual ode to nature's most fascinating plant - the orchid. Now in its 8th year, this beautiful show is an eagerly awaited milestone on Cleveland's cultural calendar where guests can escape winter and surround themselves with hundreds of colorful, blooming orchids.

This venue is on my March must visit list! There are a couple of other shows and exhibits up on Ohio's North Coast that I'll be sharing!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss fans need to visit Universal Studios in Orlando and watch the live show “Oh the Stories You’ll Hear”. These are tales of strange creatures in Dr. Seuss glories, by tellers of rhymes and poems and his stories, just go to Seuss Landing and open your hearts, the players perform and the silliness starts!