TRAVEL AND WANDER

Finland has been named the happiest country in the world by World Happiness Report. With a population of just over 5.5 million people this country has a high quality education system, minimal homelessness, a strong safety net and an uplifting community spirit.  December in Finland is a standout because the Finnish really know how to celebrate Christmas.  It's in Rovaniemi, Finland near the Arctic Circle in the Finnish Province of Lapland where somebody famous resides, SANTA CLAUS. Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus.  Visiting and spending time in the happiest country in the world makes for an exceptional Christmas present. Santa Claus can be visited everyday of the year in Rovaniemi in Santa Claus village but December is the most magical time to see him in person. To make your visit to Rovaniemi, Finland extra special stay at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, a world of Glass Igloos, Midnight Sun, Northern Lights and other treasures. KAKSLAUTTANEAN ARCTIC RESORT

Right about this time of year people are drawn to Transylvania, a region in central Romania. Transylvania is known for its baroque buildings, medieval towns, mountainous borders, and castles. One castle in particular is the Bran Castle, a Gothic fortress associated with the legend of the famous Dracula.Transylvania is located in a historic region of central Romania and is often referred to as "The Land Beyond the Forest." The Carpathian mountain landscape makes it a popular destination for hiking and skiing. With so much to see and do why not have a Transylvanian holiday?                                                                 Attractions in Transylvania: *Bran Castle (Dracula's Castle) *Black Church *Peles Castle *Rasnov Citadel *Poiana Brasov (Ski Resort) *Turda Salt Mine                                                                                         Transylvania Main Towns:  *Alba Iulia *Bistrita *Brasov *Cluj Napoca

BEAVER ISLAND     IRELAND is a popular country that gets lots of visitors, including myself. However when you don't have the funds or time to visit Ireland you can check out places closer to home that just might have a bit of the Irish in them. Over in the midwest state of Michigan is an island that rests on a freshwater Great Lake; Lake Michigan. The island is called Beaver Island (Emerald Isle of America). Ferries and planes depart daily from Charlevoix to Beaver Island. A ferry ride takes approximately two hours and a plane ride about 15 minutes. Weather conditions must be considered when visiting Beaver Island so the best time to visit is from the end of May to the end of October when the weather is most favorable. In 1847 James Jesse Strang brought his small band of Mormons to Beaver Island  and in 1849 Saint James was established on the island. James Jessee Strang crowned himself King and was the only king every crowned in the United States. Today Saint James

KENYA The African continent is huge, 54 countries make up this diverse continent. It would take a very long time to truly experience each country in Africa but it can be done. Where's a good place to begin your African journey? Why not KENYA?  Bordering the Indian Ocean coastline, this East Africa country encompasses lakelands, mountain highlands, savannah, and the Great Rift Valley. In Kenya you can observe a lot of wildlife; cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinos, and zebra are a few of the exotic animals that make Kenya home. Nairobi is Kenya's capital. Referred to as the Green City in the sun, this city has sprawling buildings,a lively music scene, plenty of markets and shops, and it's good starting point for a famous tour of a safari. An African safari can cost anywhere from $125.00 to $1.500 per person per night. There are safaris to suit every budget and Kenya is often one of the more popular countries in Africa to visit. KENYA HIGHLIGHTS: Kenya Rai

We live in such a high tech fast paced environment these days that finding a Norman Rockwell setting in 2019 seems like it can only be found in a classic old film......so we think. Tucked in the northwest corner of the state of Michigan is a resort town that's adorable, clean, and safe. It's the kind of placewhere you can leave your bicycle unlocked and it will still be there an hour later. Here you can pop into a shop and be called by first name, you'll find friendly lifeguards at the town beach and plenty of water to drink from the natural springs, it's easy to walk around from place to place and  there's a cookie shop in Harbor Springs that's been voted one of the best in America. Whether you're a child or adult a few days or weeks in this perfect summer town will put a smile on your face. In fact you might want to stay permanently. Idyllic Harbor Springs is in a class of it's own. From a private members only dining club to an area historic societ

China is full of extraordinary wonders, one being the creation of chopsticks. Thanks to the Chinese, other Asian countries enjoy eating their food with chopsticks. Chopsticks became 2 sticks of the same length in the Shang Dynasty 16th-11th century BC. Chopsticks are held with the dominant hand between thumb and fingers. The Chinese discovered centuries ago that using two sticks was better for reaching into pots full of hot water.  CHINA,   People's Republic of China is considered an ancient civilization. It was established in 221 BC. The Chinese calendar is the oldest in the world. With a population of 1.386 billion, China is the most populated country in the world. The Chinese language consists of 40,000 characters. China has many wonders to see from the Forbidden City in Beijing to the Great Wall to the highest mountain in the world called Mount Everest which stands at 29,000 feet.  FORBIDDEN CITY; is a palace complex in central Beijing. It's the former imperial pa

Stress Be Gone....it;s "Summer Time" and this is the time to take advantage of some lazy summer days where the days are warm and long, the ice cream cones taste so good and the beach is the place to be night and day. Brighten your summer days in the northwest corner of Michigan and enjoy the SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE! Water, Water, Water, Everywhere....no salt or sharks either. Made in Traverse City, MI                                          Great Lakes Potato Chips are the very best.                                 M I C H I G A N      Even though I was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in the suburb of Dearborn, I couldn't wait to leave the state. All good things seemed to happen in other states for me like California, New York, and Vermont. However there came a time when II had to move my mother from Dearborn to Traverse City because she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and my brother wanted her in a place of natural beauty.

Bright, red, plump strawberries are filled with antioxidants and vitamins and they taste terrific.Yearning for some strawberries? Strawberries are loved throughout the world and these magical berries can be used in everything from cake to ice cream to smoothies. Picking strawberries is something to add to your bucket list this summer. Find a strawberry farm near your home and start picking strawberries for a fun filled strawberry summer! Today I took a drive through the verdant countryside passing by farm after farm and was I ever excited when I spotted a few strawberry farms. One strawberry farm in particular won my heart with its market full of treats; chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry donuts and strawberry pies, strawberry shortcake, strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam and strawberry beer. What delightful choices.It inspired me to sit in several strawberry patches and pick "strawberries, strawberries, and more strawberries. What a farm! Loved the strawberry fi

                                                                              AUSTRIA www.austria.info/us Everyone has a favorite place on this earth, for me that place is AUSTRIA.  I wish I could be in AUSTRIA this very minute listening to the sounds of cow bells, cuckoo birds, and goats yodeling in the verdant Alps. As I approach yet another birthday tomorrow I've made it a point to keep studying German and purchase a one way airline ticket to Vienna so that I can be back in my beloved Austria.                                                 A Viennese confection since 1898 Austria is a small country but inside this alpine country is some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. A good place to arrive first is Vienna, a grand city that wins the hearts of visitors around the world. From imperial palaces to cozy coffeehouses serving famous Linzer torte, Vienna is filled with excitement. Whether you're admiring the Danube River, dancing

The trip to Odense was a long one; jet lag, time change, a crowded train, and missed meals.  At 16:00 on a Saturday the fairy-tale began. My friend and I arrived at the Odense train station from Malmo, Sweden with our luggage and no room reservations. Thank goodness for WI FI. We sat in a cafe at the train station with a cup of cappuccino and checked the lodging options on our phones. One hotel espeically caught our eyes, the quaint"Hotel Windsor" just a short walk from the train station. A Danish couple guided us to the"Hotel Windsor."We got a comfortable room overlooking a quiet street. While my friend Frank was taking a short nap I went downstairs to the cozy dining room and enjoyed the complimentary snacks of carrots, celery, coconut cake and authentic danish pastries (wienerbrod). After a long journey it felt so wonderful to be in a friendly hotel that felt like a home away from home. We were in the land of Hans Christian Andersen. For i