Pottermore Shop Opens (www.pottermore.com) As of Tuesday, March 27, all seven Harry Potter novels are now available in electronic form via the Pottermore shop, the exclusive retailer for Harry Potter e-books and digital audio books. A component of the long-delayed Pottermore site, the shop is initially selling U.S. and U.K. English editions, with French, Italian, [...]
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The Azalea Festival held on April 11 – 15 in Wilmington is the oldest and largest festival in the Old North State. This year marks the 65th year that it has been held and promises to be one of its best years. The event kicks off on Wednesday morning with the arrival of Queen Azalea, [...]
Have you noticed that our privacy is eroding day by day? The latest news is in regards to airport screening. If you’re a frequent traveler and wish to avoid the tedious security lines, you have to agree to be pre-screened. This means you agree to an invasive background check and freely provide all kinds of [...]
Have you ever longed to take a river cruise but didn’t want to fly to Europe to do it? Now you don’t have to! American Queen is the most opulent and legendary riverboat ever built. Passengers will find luxurious staterooms, superb meals by Chef Regina Charboneau, and showboat style entertainment. The inaugural cruise takes place [...]
Some of you may be aware that the wreck of a Spanish galleon was recently found, along with a pile of treasure. ALOT OF TREASURE. We’re talking about 594,000 gold and silver coins and other artifacts. They were found and excavated by Marine Exploration. The 200-year-old shipwreck, Nuestra Senora de los Mercedes, was discovered off [...]
March not only brings the beginnings of spring, but also some fun national holidays (although I wouldn’t expect your employer to recognize them!) Here are my five favorites: 3/8 Be Nasty Day (Be snippy all day, you’re allowed!) 3/14 National Potato Chip Day (FYI: potato chips were invented on August 24, 1853 by New York Chef [...]
PART I. SPRING BREAK FOR COLLEGE KIDS Every year it seems like travel experts try to ‘predict’ new hot spots for spring break. Come on! It’s the same old thing… For years, the top destinations remain pretty much the same and the reason is simple: The majority of college students want to party and have FUN during their school [...]
Planning to attend this festival? Here’s How to Have Fun at Mardi Gras and in New Orleans… Mardi Gras, “Fat Tuesday”, is the last day of the Carnival season. It always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, which is February 21 this year. Most visitors will arrive this weekend so [...]
UPDATE! A few days ago I wrote a post about a new NPS regulation requiring permits for all ORVs to access OB beaches (see below). Soon thereafter, The Cape Hatteras Access Preservation Alliance filed a lawsuit against the new regulation. The NPS says it was done to protect turtles, shore birds, and other wildlife. The [...]
Given certain situations going on in the world, I thought it might be helpful to post current travel warnings and alerts from the U.S. State Department. Note: There is a difference between ‘warnings’ and ‘alerts.’ (see below). Current Travel Warnings: Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable [...]
