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Photo Friday: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Dry Hollow Vineyards The Dalles

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I like the premise of actress Drew Barrymore’s new book, Find It in Everything, her collection of heart-themed photos from sightings in everyday life, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Wherever there are hearts, can love be far behind?

Gulf Shores Gulls

Today when we celebrate the Valentines in our lives, where will your heart take you? To memories of travels past, like singer Tony Bennett who croons how he left his heart in San Francisco?

Or towards future travels of Leaving on a Jet Plane, like Frank Sinatra whose vagabond shoes long to stray in the heart of New York, New York?

Maybe Carolina’s on your mind . . . or you’re ready to be Homeward Bound.

Maybe all of the above . . .

Where do your traveling hearts take you today, Wanderboomers?

Wander on!

Nancy

For more fun Friday photos, check out Delicious Baby.

Thanks to sponsors, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach for hosting.

BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments

Shot on Location: 7 Movie Destinations for Valentine’s Day

Romantic Movies on Location

Travelers at heart can visit any one of several romantic destinations on Valentine’s Day in the click of an eye through the magic of movies. Cuddle up with or without your sweetie and pass the popcorn and kleenex . . .

An Affair to Remember

An Affair to Remember

An ocean liner headed for New York City sets the stage for this Hollywood classic starring Deborah Kerr (Terry McKay) and Cary Grant (Nicky Ferrante), with Fate and Destiny in key supporting roles. As an added bonus, you can enjoy gorgeous views from the villa on the French Riviera where Nicky’s wise and loving grandmother resides. Most famous line: “If you can paint, I can walk!”

Casablanca

Casablanca

Former lovers meet unexpectedly in French Morocco during World War II when “of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world,” Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) has to walk into his, Rick’s (Humphrey Bogart). The drama includes flashback scenes to happier times when they fell in love in Paris, together with a rousing rendition of the national anthem of France, “La Marseillaise.”

Dr. Zhivago

Omar Sharif (Yuri) and Julie Christie (Lara) are star-crossed lovers in this film set in Russia (though filmed in Canada, Finland and Spain) during the Bolshevik Revolution. Any movie that can romanticize an Ice Palace in the Russian countryside in the middle of winter is worth a viewing.

Lady and the Tramp

In case you think that only we humans hold the monopoly on romance, our canine counterparts will convince you otherwise in this Disney classic. Has there ever been a more heartwarming animated scene than when our main characters discover love at the end of a shared strand of spaghetti at Tony’s (Italian) Restaurant?

Roman Holiday

Audrey Hepburn won an oscar for her performance as Princess Anne who rebels against her royal duties by going undercover as a commoner in Rome for a day. After a memorable chance encounter, reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck) soon realizes he has the scoop of the decade – and the love of a lifetime. Location shots include the Spanish Steps, Palazza Colonna, and Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth).

Notorious

Notorious

Rio de Janeiro takes center stage in Hitchcock’s brilliant tale of espionage, romance and betrayal. Cary Grant stars as Devlin, an American agent, who enlists the aid of Alicia (Ingrid Bergman) to track the Nazi ring operating in Rio after her father is convicted of treason. Love intervenes only to be pushed aside by the dutiful Devlin who throws her into marriage with Alex (Claude Rains), leader of the local Nazis group. Will Devlin find a way to save Alicia and himself by movie’s end? You’ll just have to watch the film to find out.

Sound of Music

“The hills are alive with the sound of music” while romance blooms between Maria, a young postulant at Austria’s Nonnberg Abbey, and Baron von Trapp, a widower engaged to be married. Cupid strikes when their eyes meet as the Baron leads Maria in a dance. Be still my heart . . .

Added Bonus!

I can’t help myself. I have to include one more travel film here:

The English Patient

The English Patient

Though this World War II drama is set in Tuscany and Egypt, several scenes were shot on location in Tunisia for a more realistic portrait of 1940’s Cairo. Viewing Ralph Fiennes in his role as Count Laszlo de Almasy carrying his beloved, white shrouded Katherine (Kristin Scott Thomas) across the windswept desert landscape leaves me mesmerized every time. When he recognizes that she’s wearing the thimble (You have to see the movie), her reply, “Of course, you idiot. I always wear it. I’ve always worn it. I’ve always loved you,” says it all. Sigh . . .

What about you, Wanderboomers? What travel movies would you add to my list for Valentine’s Day?

BY Nancy Mueller 20 Comments

A Fast 48 Hours in New York City – Part Three

Wow! Thanks to all my readers for adding your suggestions to my list of Must-sees and Do’s in New York City. I’ll be sure to add your favorites on my next visit. Here’s what made my final cut during my most recent quick trip:

11) I never tire of taking the Staten Island Ferry to see The Statue of Liberty, even if it’s only to offer a passing salute. One thing that has changed since my last trip to NYC is having the steady presence of the U.S. Coast Guard cruising alongside our vessel for the short round trip between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. I have yet to get off the ferry to explore the island, but one of these days . . .

12) What’s a trip to NYC without a ride on the subway? With an estimated 660 miles of track and 22 interconnected subway routes serving Manhattan and its surrounding boroughs, you’re bound to hop on one sooner or later.

Walking the city neighborhoods is a must, but when you’re in a hurry or your feet need a break from hitting the pavement, the subway makes life sooo much easier.

13) Explore High Line Park, which was built on the historic elevated freight train line on Manhattan’s West Side. This was, well, high on my list for this trip since it only first opened in 2009. Once scheduled for demolition, community residents fought to preserve the original structure. What an achievement! The area has been transformed into a beautiful landscaped public space covering the area from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Strolling through the park while taking in the city skyline offers one of those great New York City experiences. There are any number of choice spots where you can sit for a spell along the way, including the 23rd Street Lawn which has become a favorite gathering place among locals.

14) Visit The New York Public Library, an architectural wonder, with its great lion guardians outside the entrance. Inside, the Beaux Arts masterpiece showcases soaring vaulted ceilings and archways, marble hallways and an extraordinary reading and music collection. You won’t want to miss the Main Reading Room which is about the size of two city blocks alone!

15) Visit St. John the Divine, the largest, though still unfinished, cathedral in the world. After suffering major damage from a fire in December 2001, the “house of prayer for all people” was restored and rededicated in 2008. On this trip, I had hoped to see the newly restored gift shop which was also destroyed in the fire, only to discover that it hasn’t been replaced. What a shame! But the Great Bronze doors and the Great Rose window are as magnificent as ever. The Poets’ Corner and the Baptistry are also among my favorites here. If you’re new to the cathedral, pick up a flyer in the entrance for a self-guided tour. Or if you’re up for a fun adventure, schedule a Vertical Tour for a climb of over 124 feet up the spiral staircases to the top of the cathedral.

So much left to explore in The Big Apple, Wanderboomers, so little time!

What would you most want to see & do in The City That Never Sleeps over the holidays? Leave a comment here.

Photo Friday: Happy Valentine’s Day!

Shot on Location: 7 Movie Destinations for Valentine’s Day

A Fast 48 Hours in New York City – Part Three

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