Thursday, July 12, 2012

Amish Benefit Sale: The Fisher Farm, Intercourse, PA

It was another hot summer day in Lancaster, PA. But there was a consistent breeze blowing over the hillside, which did a good job of keeping the heat from sticking.

The Fisher farm is located just outside of Intercourse, PA and just down the road from a local Amish Furniture retail store. Alongside being a fully functioning farm, the Fisher's also have an Amish woodshop on the premises, where quality oak Amish furniture is constructed.

The benefit auction has been held at the Fisher farm for a number of years now. All of the proceeds go to benefit a local special needs school and care center. The sale is held annually on the closest Monday to the 4th of July, and it has become a popular social event for the Amish community in the Intercourse area.

The Fisher's had set up three tents the previous week, in anticipation of the sale. However, a heat wave brought in some severe thunder storms which tour two of those tents apart. Replacement tents were found and the sale went on without a hitch.

The heat of the day and the severe weather from the weekend did not deter the local Amish as well as the visitors lucky enough to come along the sale that day. The sale is open to the public and tourists are encouraged to visit.

Three tents made up the venue for the event. This Fisher Farm sits along Old Philadelphia Pike, just down from Intercourse, PA. The largest tent was for the incredible amount of Amish food sold at the event. Freshly grilled BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, homemade ice cream, homemade potato chips, whoopee pies, shoe fly pies, fresh waffle cut french fries, fruit smoothies, fresh roasted almonds, and more. The food is an experience all in itself, making this event worthy of the likes of Anthony Bourdain.

The second tent was dedicated just for eating the food, with tables and chairs set up underneath to shelter the feasting crowd from the warm sun.

The third tent was set up for the sale itself. Items sold at the auction were donated throughout the year and included a variety of wonderful treasures including Amish quilts, Amish furniture, Amish crafts, and a large number of other Amish goods and keep sakes.

This event is a great opportunity for the "English" ("English" is a term used by the Amish to refer to anyone who is not Amish) to interact and be alongside the Amish in a natural social setting. If you have the opportunity to be in Lancaster County in early July, be sure to put this event on your calendar. It is a must see and a perfect opportunity to experience a bounty of Amish culture in a welcoming and community oriented setting. Plus, you will be supporting a great cause!

One of our favorite photo opportunities of the day was the set up for the horse and buggy ties. The Amish buggies were parked on the outside of a long line of hay wagons. The horses were unhitched and tied up to the hay wagons, were they were provided with lots of delicious hay to eat whilst escaping the heat underneath a beautiful shade tree.

Stay tuned to Amish Chic's, "This Amish Life" to find more stories, images and video direct from Amish centered events in Lancaster County, PA.

View photos from this event on our website at http://www.AmishChic.com

*(The Amish do not like to have their pictures depicted as individuals. We do our best to provide you with quality and dynamic images that depict Amish life, without betraying their desire to be kept anonymous.)



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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Exploring the History and Heritage of Tallinn

A school trip to the Baltic region of northern Europe will be likely to include the beautiful and diverse country of Estonia. After the country declared independence from Russia in 1918, it was formed into 15 counties; the largest is Tallinn, which is also the home of the country's government.

Estonia is often ranked as one the countries with the best human development index, indicating an exceptional quality of life, business, economic status and cultural scene. While you are in Tallinn, students should take some time to explore the history of the city by strolling around its ancient city centre - the Old Town, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

History of the Old Town

The origins of Tallinn date back to the 13th century, and this centre is a testament to the architecture of a medieval northern Europe trading city. A school trip to the area will take students on a virtual history lesson of the city, which began as a fort at Toompea on the Viking route to Constantinople in the10th - 11th centuries. In the first part of the 14th century, the town came under Papal jurisdiction and was split into two parts - the Fortress and the Lower Town. In the 15th century, the importance of Tallinn increased and it became a major stop on the trade routes. In the 17th century, the city was captured by Tsar Peter I and only gained freedom again after breaking away from Russia in the early 1900s.

Toompea Hill

As you wander around Tallinn on a school trip to Estonia, you cannot help but notice the large limestone hill that seems to dominate the city. Toompea Hill sits in the centre of the city and is roughly 17 acres in size. The hill has a long and convoluted history entwined with the rulers of Tallinn and Estonia, and today it is home to the country's government. The western part of Toompea Hill is occupied by the castle that was originally built in the 10th - 11th centuries, but has been extended and rebuilt over time. The tower of Long Hermann, two bastions and the imposing walls survive on the western, northern and eastern sides. A visit to Toompea Hill isn't complete without exploring the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, which was built in typical Russian style between 1894 and 1900 and is the largest cathedral in the city.

Walking through and around the Old Town

Situated on Raekoja Square is the imposing town hall of Tallinn - an interesting place to visit on a school trip, full of history and heritage. Built in 1371, the stone structure is the only intact Gothic Town Hall in Northern Europe and now houses the Tallinn City Museum. Before you leave Raekoja Square, head across from the town hall to see the Raeapteek, which is one of the oldest working pharmacies in the world. It has been in business in the same location since the 15th century. Once you have visited the pharmacy at Number 11 - and if you feel like a walk - follow the original medieval walls, including 26 watch towers, and stop at the Müürivahe street near the Viru gates to see bits of the wall in its original form. Before you call it a day in Tallinn, stop by St Mary's Cathedral - Toomkirik - which is the oldest church in the city. While originally built in 1229, it has expanded and changed denomination from Catholic to Lutheran.



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It's High Time to Start Planning Your Autumn Escape

Not that it doesn't feel like autumn already... at least in the UK. But that's just ever the more reason to book an autumn holiday so you have something to look forward to. But where to go? Respecting that sunny beach holidays aren't everyone's cup of tea, nor are they in everyone's budget, here's a mixed pot of destinations to peruse over a mug of tea or coffee with your travelling companion. Some won't even require you to board a plane from the UK!

Belgium

Belgium is often unfairly underestimated as a travel destination. It seems people don't realise there's so much more to it than Brussels and its European institutions. You'll also find the charming cities of Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, and Mons, the 2015 European Capital of Culture.

Visitors to Bruges and Ghent shouldn't miss a boat trip along the canals. It's simply the best way to admire the ancient architecture, and soak up on the cities' charm. While Bruges is quite a quiet city perfect for couples, Ghent is a lively student city with all the bars and clubs that come with a large young population.

Leuven is in many ways similar as it's a student city with an ancient, highly acclaimed university.

Antwerp is known as one of Europe's top fashion hubs, and is home to design houses like Dries Van Noten, and Martin Margiela. MoMu is the city's excellent fashion museum.

Mons is a city in the Walloon or French-speaking part of Belgium. Its charming Main Square and surrounding streets are perfect for a stroll and some shopping.

When in Belgium, indulging in waffles and fries from the many kiosks scattered along the cities' sidewalks is a must, as is savouring at least a few of the Trappist or fruit beers.

Morocco

It's a good idea to visit North Africa in the autumn when the heat's become that much more tolerable, and the tourist crowds have dispersed somewhat.

Many cities are worth visiting: Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Agadir, Tangier, Meknes... Each has its own charm but all boast wonderful markets and lively communities. It's best to enjoy Moroccan hospitality by staying at a riad, which is quite like the equivalent of a bed and breakfast, set in a traditional building with a courtyard.

Visitors should expect to do a lot of haggling as it's an integral part of local culture. Popular souvenirs include carpets, tea sets, leather goods, pottery and scarves.

Yorkshire, UK

Autumn is at its most beautiful when the leaves turn a beautiful red or yellow. One of the best areas to experience this in the UK is Yorkshire with its rolling green hills dotted with trees.

Visitors can happily spend hours wandering aimlessly through the Moors and the Dales enjoying the fresh air stopping off at quaint old country pubs for a pint or afternoon tea.

To experience the best of the wilderness and the city, stay in a hotel in Leeds. That way you get to check out the city's excellent dining scene and nightlife. You'll find many bars in the area between The Calls Wharf and The Exchange Building.

Manali Hotels: Tiptoe Into the Captivating Manali

Manali is a quaint and charming hill station situated at a height of 6260 feet in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the enchanting Kullu Valley and transected by the Beas River, Manali is beauty at its best. Be it the snow-capped mountains or the verdant landscape or the sprawling orchards, Manali is picturesque, panoramic and pleasant. Manali hotels are also top-class offering all types of facilities at reasonable rates.

Manali can be visited round the year, though the best season is between October-May. If you are heading to Manali during the winter, make sure to pack all your fluffy woolens. Winter is a great time to visit Manali owing to winter sports like ice skating and skiing. But even if you are making a trip during the summer, you can enjoy trekking and mountaineering.

Manali's aesthetic beauty is peerless and beyond comparison. It also has a rich traditional history attached to it. It is said that Manali was the resting place for Manu during the catastrophic flood. Amongst the many popular sightseeing locales in Manali, some of the popular ones are the Beas Kund, Rohtang Pass, Chandrakhani Pass, The Great Himalayan National Park, Hadimba Temple, Jagannath Devi Temple and Raghunath Temple. Manali is a perfect combination of picturesque locales and sedate temples. Mall Road also offers plenty of opportunities for shopping. The local cuisines are also lip-smacking. Manali hotels are good and hospitable. You can also book Manali hotels in advance under the Manali tour package. So, head to this hill resort and create unforgettable memories!

Trip to Mount Abu: Mount Abu is a charming hill station situated at a height of 1220 m in the state of Rajasthan. It is also a pilgrim destination for the Jains and houses several temples of different deities. The presence of refulgent lakes and verdant forests make Mount Abu a hot tourist destination. The Mount Abu hotels are also top-class and come with all facilities.

Mount Abu is known for its serene atmosphere, panoramic beauty and enchanting viewpoints. It is also one of the top honeymoon destinations in the country and lures tourists from every part of the world. Mount Abu can be visited throughout the year though the best time to head to this hill station is between February-April and August-November. The climate is quite pleasant in this part of the world and the opportunities of sightseeing are immense. Sunset Point is a beautiful viewpoint and a must-visit. Other popular locales are Dilwara Temples, Adhar Devi Temple, Doodh Baori, Nakki Lake and Toad Rock. You can either stay in resorts or in the Mount Abu hotels. You can also buy a Mount Abu tour package and book Mount Abu hotels in advance. So, head to this hill station and have an unforgettable time.

Mysore holiday: Mysore is another beautiful and historical city that is popular amongst the tourists. Mysore has a beautiful landscape, pleasant climate and a number of medieval age monuments. Some of the popular sightseeing spots are the Gumbaz, Jama Masjid, Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens and Chamundeswari Temple. For accommodation, you can book Mysore hotels. All the Mysore hotels are excellent and serve great food. You can also book Mysore hotels in advance under the Mysore tour package to avoid last-minute hassles.



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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Explore The Coral Reefs Of The Cook Islands

If you're looking for the perfect island getaway in the South Pacific that offers everything from a vibrant and exciting culture to all the regular island activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking and fishing, then a stay at a Cook Islands resort in Rarotonga might be just what you are looking for.

Rarotonga boasts a strong tourism industry with a number of high quality resorts and hotels to accommodate any number of visitors while providing a world-class experience. As the Cook Islands expands its tourism industry, marketing the beauty and excitement of the country all over the world, more and more people are finding out for themselves why a stay is so unforgettable.

The Coral Reefs

One of the biggest reasons that people love scuba diving and snorkeling in the Cook Islands is for the incredible coral reefs in the nearby waters, and especially those close to the coast of the major island, Rarotonga. It's a wonderful thing to see, the colours and the fascinating array of fish and sea life, but what is the coral reef exactly?

Forming the Coral Reef

The coral reef is formed by the secretions of corals; plant-like marine life that you might be surprised to learn is alive. The individuals of each species are genetically identical, but there is a huge variety of coral that lives usually in tropical oceans. Tentacles around the top of the mouth sting and paralyse prey that swim too close, before the coral consumes them.

Coral creates structures around itself from calcium carbonate. Large colonies of coral release enough calcium carbonate to create what we know as the coral reef, which it attaches itself to and lives on - on the bed of the sea. Each different type of coral creates a unique looking structure, which is why there is so much variety to enjoy when diving and exploring the reef around the Cook Islands.

Incredibly sensitive to water temperature, the coral reef and the coral that lives on it is very fragile. Under threat from climate change, pollution and acidification of the ocean, there is great concern for the safety of reefs all around the world.

Explore the Reef During Your Stay in the Cook Islands

Take advantage of your time in Rarotonga to explore one of nature's most diverse and beautiful phenomenons. With a guide from one of the island's dive centres, you can immerse yourself in a new world under the sea no matter how experienced you are in the water. Make your next holiday an unforgettable one - book a stay in the Cook Islands and jump in.



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Mysore Travel Guide - Visit The Sandalwood City

Mysore is the second biggest city in Karnataka and this served as the capital of Wodeyar dynasty. Mysore is called the city of palaces and noted for its beautiful architecture. This was once a sleepy city but then evolved into a city of apartments, complexes, supermarkets, malls and IT companies. Though there is fast growth towards modernity, the old and traditional culture is still preserved.

Mysore has become one of the important tourist hubs of Karnataka and if you want to visit Mysore then you should look at the right Mysore travel guide that will help you to plan your travel. There is a domestic airport located at a distance of 12 kilometers from the main city. The Mysore Junction is one of the busiest railway stations in Karnataka and there are frequent trains from here to Bangalore. For getting around the city, you have the choice of buses, cars and auto-rickshaws.

A first time traveler would love to explore all the places of interest in Mysore. If you want to visit all these places at leisure then you need to stay at Mysore at least for four or five days. Some tour groups and state transport corporation organize one day tours and they cover all important places in just one day.

Mysore palace is the important place that you should not miss visiting. This is a beautifully built palace with rosewood doors with ornamental carving and inlaid ivory works. You can see life size and lifelike paintings of the members of the royal family here. The palace is illuminated with nearly 1, 00, 000 bulbs in weekends and national holidays from 7 PM to 8 PM.

The Brindavan Garden is one of the most beautiful places that offers good feast for your eyes. The musical fountain and the light and sound show is the favorite of everyone. You have to stop by the main bus stand at the Krishna Rajasagar Circle if you want to reach this place by bus. One of the important Hindu shrines in Mysore is Chamundi Hills and there is a famous Nandi statue located here.

Some other places of interest in Mysore are Jagmohan Palace and Art Gallery, Lalit Mahal Palace, St. Philomenas Church, Karanji Kere, Jayalakshmivilas Mansion and Mysore Zoo. Mysore Zoo is one of the oldest zoos of the world and millions of people visit here every year. The zoo also has in it the breeding houses of animals and some of the animals found here are royal Bengal tigers, elephants, white tigers, giraffe, Himalayan black bear, white peafowl and African rhino.

Mysore is famous for silk saris and sandalwood carvings. If you visit the Cauvery Arts and Crafts Emporium located at the Sayaji Road, then you can buy some traditional incense sticks, Chenaptna dolls and wooden toys and sandalwood figurines. Mysore is also noted for Mysore pak, the rectangular sweet and Mysore Masala Dosa. To enjoy all these pleasures you might find a comfortable place to stay and eat. A good Mysore travel guide will help you to find out the best Mysore hotels and Mysore Restaurants.



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Goa Travel Guide - Know About The Beach City

Goa located on the Konkan coast was once a colony of Portuguese and so the culture and architecture of the place reflect those of Portuguese. Konkani, English, Hindi and Marathi are the important languages spoken here. Goa is famous for its beaches and scenic beauty and it attracts millions of tourists every year. It is estimated that at least 2.5 million visitors are visiting Goa every year and among them 400,000 are foreign tourists.

The hippies haunted the place from 1960s and since then there had been a steady flow of tourists into the land. There are also many Catholic churches and Hindu shrines and these are attracting visitors from all over India and abroad. Goa is connected with other parts of India by air and rail and so the people of neighboring states visit this charming place often.

Those who want to spend their vacation time in Goa certainly would need a good Goa travel guide. They must know how to reach Goa, the best time to visit, where to stay and what to eat. The best time to visit Goa is during winter season. Summers are hot and so it is better to visit during summer. If you want to visit Goa during winter then it is advisable to book the hotels in Goa and train or air tickets well in advance because there will heavy demand for them during those times.

Goa primarily consists of two districts namely North Goa and South Goa. These places have both coastal areas and interior areas. There are several beaches located here and most of them are in North Goa. The interior areas are marked by protected forests, mining zones and villages. Panaji, Margoa, Vasco Da Gama, Old Goa and Mapusa are the important cities. There are many wild life sanctuaries situated here namely Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.

If you want to get into Goa by air then there is Dabolim airport situated in Vasco Da Gama city. Most of the flights to Goa fly through Mumbai. There are also direct international flights to some gulf countries. Kadamba Transport Corporation runs buses and the bus of other neighboring states are also available for transport. There are some overnight luxury buses from Mumbai to Goa which serve as a good alternative to trains especially during crowded seasons.

To get around Goa, you can rent motorbikes and scooters and discounts are given if rented for a long term. The cheapest means of transport is buses. You can also hire cars and cabs for getting around. Open roof jeeps are also available. Diving, paragliding and water skiing are some of the activities that you can enjoy in Goa. To enjoy all these things you need to stay in good Goa hotels and hotels in Goa are quite expensive when compared with other parts of India. With the help of Goa travel guide you can find Goa restaurants that offer tasty and health foods. Get ready for your fantastic days!



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