Dinosaur National Monument re-opens Carnegie Quarry for first time in 5 years

by Kraig Becker on

Dinosaur National Monument is one of the lesser known gems in the U.S. National Park system. Spread out across parts of Colorado and Utah, the park is home to an amazing display of fossils left over from the Jurassic era. In fact, the park’s Carnegie Quarry is considered one of the best places on Earth to view the remains of a wide variety of dinosaurs. For the past five years however, the Quarry has been hidden from the eyes of visitors due to an ongoing construction project. On Tuesday, that will change.

The National Park Service has announced that the all new Quarry Exhibit Hall will officially open on Tuesday, October 4th at 11 AM local time. When the facility does open, it will allow visitors to view the world famous fossil wall, where the remains of nearly 1500 different dinosaurs are encased. Amongst the species on display are Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Torvosaurus, to name just a few.

The Quarry Exhibit Hall joins a new visitor center, which was just opened this past Wednesday, as well. The visitor center serves as a gateway to the Quarry and features its own exhibits, bookstore, and theater. The two were built in conjunction with one another over the past few years and are now ready for the public to enjoy.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be attended by Utah Governor Gary Herbert and a number of other guests, such as Park Paleontologist Dan Chure and the jazz and marching bands from a local high school. The public is invited of course, and for fans of dinosaurs, this is sure to be a grand occasion. After all, for the first time in a half-decade, we’ll all have the opportunity to see one of the best displays of natural history on the planet.

Key to Costa Rica offering 10% discount on Fall tours

by Jessica Festa on

Key to Costa Rica is offering a 10% discount on tours going to Costa Rica now through November 30, 2011. The focus of these tours is eco-tourism, with itineraries being planned by green travel consultant Beatrice Blake who has not only lived in Costa Rica for 13 years, but has been advising travels since 1996. For those who may not be familiar with eco-tourism, it is a type of travel, usually to a protected or fragile area of land, that is low-impact on the Earth and is meant to educate travelers, provide money for ecological programs, and give insight into the culture.

Travelers have the option to create customized Costa Rican tours or choose from one of the Key to Costa Rica trips, such as Enchanting Costa Rica, which includes bird watching, hiking, visiting an organic coffee farm, and lodging in traditional-style thatched roof cabins. Trips include itineraries for active families, children, nature lovers, and bird enthusiasts. There are also tours specifically for those who want to experience Slow Travel as well as those wishing to volunteer in the region.

Bierfest brings the spirit of Oktoberfest to London

by Jessica Festa on

While not everyone can find time in their busy schedule to make it over to Germany for Oktoberfest, those in London from October 5-7, 2011, can still experience the spirit of the festival. London will host their annual Bierfest at Old Billingsgate Market, which will be transformed into an authentic-style Oktoberfest celebration with traditional German food, unlimited steins of beer, live music, and servers dressed in costume.

Bitburger will be the official beer supplier for the event, featuring brews such as:

  • Bitgburger Premium Beer, a hoppy beer with a dry-finish that is made in accordance with Germany purity law.
  • Bitburger Drive, an alcohol free, fully-fermented, low calorie beer option.
  • Licher-Weizen (Light Wheat Beer), a refreshing beer brewed out of wheat and “blessed by the sun”
  • Kostritzer Schwarzbier (Black Beer), a barley malt with a mild-hop flavor.

As for food fare, expect options like Bavarian spiced chicken, cold meat & cheese platters, salted pretzels, mini Gherkins, BBQ ribs, and more.

Tickets must be purchased in tables of 10, so get your closest friends together and experience the spirit of Oktoberfest in London.

Wine tasting on a budget with new Wine Walk in Carmel-by-the-Sea

by Jessica Festa on

Wine tasting has never been so convenient, or inexpensive! While most people know that California is a premier destination for those looking to sample some of world’s best vino, wine tours can often get a bit pricey. That is why Carmel-by-the-Sea’s new self-guided Wine Walk is a perfect option.

Encompassed within a few blocks of this coastal California village are 13 different wine tasting rooms. Begin at Southern Latitude Wines on Ocean Avenue to sample specialties from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America, then pass City Hall and turn onto 7th Avenue to La Bicyclette for some rustic European cuisine with your wine flights. Next door at Galante Vineyards you will have the chance to sample local estate-grown wines from the first tasting room in Carmel. As you continue on this self-guided stroll, you will not only be exposed to delicious vino, but also art and specialty foods, including cheese and olive oil tastings.

To download a complete map of the walk, click here.

Why you should visit Germany this Christmas

by Jessica Festa on

For those looking to have an authentic experience that really makes you feel like you’re in the Christmas spirit, head over to LutherCountry in eastern Germany to sip Glühwein (mulled wine), partake in a piece of Stollen (traditional German cake with fried fruit), listen to carolers, and purchase wooden toys while taking in the smells of cinnamon and pine.

Erfurt, Thuringia Christmas Market

Here you will find over 200 wooden stalls sitting in the Domplatz, with an intimidating cathedral guarding the square. Don’t be afraid to enter the building, however, as the crypt beneath houses the 24 Advent scenes and a floral tableaux created by locals. Outside in the square, the big draw is the nativity scene, which includes 14 almost life-size figures that have been carved by hand, a large wooden pyramid, and a Christmas tree that towers at 80 feet. At night, the entire scene is lit up by candles.

November 23, 2011- Devember 22, 2011

LutherstadtWittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt Christmas Market

History buffs will love the half-timbered homes, small courtyards, and Christmas stalls, as well as the church where Martin Luther once preached. Popular Christmas items include roasted almonds, mulled wine, toys, and holiday decorations.

November 25, 2011- December 21, 2011

Halle, Saxony-Anhalt Christmas Market

While this market includes the usual Christmas market fare of decorations, carvings, and mulled wine, it also offers cuisine from other areas of Europe including Finland, Hungary, France, Austria, Russia and the Netherlands. And, for the first time ever, this market will feature a 275-foot tall Advent Candle!

November 23, 2011, December 23, 2011

Wartburg Castle, Thuringia Christmas Market

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is almost 1,000 years old and once served as a a refuge for Martin Luther as he translated the New Testament of the bible into German. A feeling of being in the Middle Ages overcomes visitors as they visit candle makers, glass blowers, and wooden-toy makers all dressed in Medieval fashion. Sample the sugared almonds and juicy Thuringian-style sausages.

November 26-27, 2011 and December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 2011