The Hay Festival: Combining Vacations and Good Books Since 1988

by Karen Walrond on

The New York Times is featuring an article on The Hay Festival which, frankly, looks like a book-lover’s dream.  The festival, which the article describes as “Sundance for Bibliophiles,” is held every year in a small village in Wales called Hay-on-Wye.  Apparently, even former President Bill Clinton is a fan, calling it “Woodstock for the Mind” when he participated several years ago.

The festival takes place for 10 days at the end of May, and this year the 80,000+ visitors may see the likes of Dave Eggers, Kazuo Ishiguro, Don DeLillo, John Updike, Clive James, Julian Barnes, Ali Smith, Patrick McGrath, Jeannette Winterson, Doris Lessing and Jaqueline Wilson, all of whom have appeared recently.

Really interesting read.  I’m thinking next year, when my husband and I plan our annual trip to the UK to visit his family, we’re going to have to figure out a way to pass through this neck of the woods.

Don’t understand Feng Shui? Try a Feng Shui Travel Tour

by Karen Walrond on

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art of geomancy, which ostensibly helps bring balance and harmony to a person’s life.  While this article from Yahoo!News is primarily about using feng shui in your love life, I  was intrigued by the author’s comment of feng shui inspiring travel:  “…enthusiasts of the ancient art are finding that they can increase their understanding by doing a feng shui travel tour.”

According to the article, people can book a 10-day travel tour through a company called Feng Shui Masters, who will guide visitors through a series of ancient sites in China that represent feng shui’s beginnings.   “Each person has a different reaction (to the trip), depending on their cultural background,” said Johnathan Ng, executive director of Feng Shui Masters.  “A visit to the Hangzhou temple has moved people to tears,” he said. “They feel so great, so very positive.”

Hmm…. a tour of China AND a more balanced life?  Sign me up.

Horseback Ride and Speak French

by Erik Olsen on

Here’s a bargain travel idea for you and a friend. If you decide to check out the Cross Country International “Ride & Learn French“ vacation in Provence, France , you can get 50 percent off of the whole trip. Yes, the first person has to pay $1,700 and the second  gets to come and ride and eat for a mere $850. What you get is six nights’ lodging, meals, horseback riding, guide, 10 hours of French lessons, excursions and transfers. Lucky you. 

Sumos in Vegas

by Erik Olsen on

If there isn’t enough weird stuff happening in Las Vegas already, we have sumo wrestlers there now ready to cast their heft around your your enjoyment. This is one show yo udefiitely want to bring you kids to, especially if they’re fat and need inspiration to not lose weight.