Quilt barns

Have you noticed the colorful quilt patterns painted on barns and buildings as you travel and wondered about them? They are called “Quilt Barns” or “Barn Quilts”, and they have a message for you. Each one has a history and a passionate group of people connected with it.

A Quilt Barn is a barn with a large quilt square painted or hung on the side so that the quilt pattern can be viewed as people drive past. The designs for these colorful paintings are taken from traditional quilt patterns or designed by contemporary quilt artists.

Quilt barns were first created in 2001 by Donna Sue Groves, to honor her mother, noted quilter Nina Maxine Groves. A resident of Adams County, Ohio, Donna Sue developed the idea of decorating farm buildings with quilt squares into a major visitor attraction. What began on her mother’s barn became a county-wide driving trail, and then spread like wildfire all over the country. Thirty states and two Canadian provinces now have quilt barns, with more than 3,500 known quilt squares and at least 100 dedicated driving trails.

The first quilt barns are now ten years old. Some questions facing this project are will the quilt barn trails stand the test of time? Can new trails be developed? With several the original quilt barns have been destroyed, and some are in disrepair only time will tell.

Cruising New England from Boston MASS

For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced it will operate an extended schedule of voyages from Boston with a series of round-trip four- and five-day eastern Canada cruises aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory beginning in June 2012.

Carnival says they will be the only cruise line offering short cruises from Boston to the Canadian Maritimes.

Boston is world class city. Rich in early American history, excellent shopping, fantastic seafood & Fenway

Travel out into the surrounding countryside and you have a wealth of attractions, Plymouth, Salem, Lexington and Concord to name a few.

I would plan on spending a few pre & post cruise days there exploring a great American destination.

As I’m typing this I getting the notion that it is time to organize a group New England cruise tour for 2012!

Happy Birthday St. Peterburg

After winning access to the Baltic Sea through his victories in the Great Northern War, Russian Czar Peter I founds the city of St. Petersburg as the new Russian capital on May 27 1703.

Today it is one of the world's major cities, which has more to offer than just the Hermitage Museum and the Kirov Ballet. It is one of the biggest cultural centers in the world, a city with an exceptionally rich history, centuries old traditions and a promising future.

Czar Peter crafted the world's most fascinating city on more than 45 islands, modeling it in a French style by employing the world's greatest architects.

The islands are connected by more than 342 bridges, of which 21 are raised at night. This gives the city its nickname "The Venice of the North". It is therefore little wonder that the city is called a "Museum in the Open Air".

Among the majestic memorials, you can feel the breath of intellectual life, which was brought into St. Petersburg by Peter the Great. The most famous professors, such as Leibnitz from Germany, worked on a project for the creation of the Science Academy and other institutes.
Today St. Petersburg is ranked alongside Paris and Rome as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

It is a great location to visit on a land tour and even a better cruise port of call.

Got questions about a St. Petersburg journey just ask as I’ve been there.

Our Nation's Capital walks

A couple of weeks ago I posted a Washington DC "National Mall" Monuments walking tours. Here's a follow up andsuggestions for more DC walking opportunities.

The Nation's Capital is regularly singled out as one of the nation's most walkable cities, and just about every avenue, street, and alleyway has a story to tell. Whether you're into history or greenery, jazz or espionage, pound the pavement to get the goods on where it all happened and what's happening now.

Like to go at your own pace? Try a Cultural Tourism DC Neighborhood Heritage Trail, one of a system of self-guided walking routes marked with illustrated signs that tell stories of Washington's historic neighborhoods. Neighborhood Heritage Trails are the Official Walking Trails of Washington, DC.

If guided tours are more your style, walk with Cultural Tourism DC member guides. Or if you prefer, you can travel by bike or bus. Scooters, wheelchairs, and bikes are also available for rent should you decide to explore the city on wheels.

Mega Bus to Charleston WV?

The Travel Professor has picked up a rumor that Mega Bus may add Charleston WV service to its route schedule. This express bus service to cities like New York, Boston & Washington DC may present some interesting lower cost travel experiences.

I'm going to play around building a connection from Columbus or Cincy to DC/NYC and see what I can come up with fare & schedule wise.

Get me to a destination with a good to excellent public transportation network and I’m good to go!

Talking Blue Jeans!

On this day in 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis were given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world's most famous garments: blue jeans.

As singer song writer Neil Diamond says “Forever in Blue Jeans”!

Tuesday Travel Trivia

This US city _________ is home to the first public booking lending library and zoo in the nation.

Tourism Works For America

Recently United Nation’s tourism officials announced that international tourist arrivals grew by close to 5 percent during the first months of 2011, consolidating the 7 percent rebound registered in 2010.

The great news is that the USA still holds the #1 slot.

Inbound tourism either from foreign or domestic visitors’ means that they are here spending dollars here in the USA.

Become a tourism ambassador and suggest that people come and spend money in our (your) part of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia!

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

Be kind to your local visitors and convention bureau and suggest that your friends, relatives, business associates, whomever visit your town and spend time and their MONEY!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day as Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight Sep 15 1810.

Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates a Mexican victory over occupying French forces.

Honestly I believe it really a modern marketing ploy to sell more Corona!

Feliz viaje!

Top travel destinations for 2011

Can you guess which destination your fellow travelers selected as #1 this year in the USA? Europe? Asia? Caribbean & Mexico? The world?

The overall winner receives a travel prize!

Email your selections to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.

GFGs & BFFs

Someone asked what’s new in travel?

“GFGs” are one of the new buzzes in travel! What is a GFG? It is a girl friends getaway trip! You can sun, surf, shop, cook, dine, chill or go clubbing.

What are some of best locations for you the BFFs (best friends forever) to visit?

Email your destinations of choice to thetravelprofessor@gmail.com.