add_action('wp_footer', function () { echo ''; }, 99); Travel Archives - Publishing Solutions Group https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/category/travel/ Solutions is our middle name. Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:54:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 A Productive Gap Year Isn’t a “Year Off”; It’s a “Year On.” How I Felt Invigorated Going into Undergrad After My Gap Year https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/a-productive-gap-year-isnt-a-year-off-its-a-year-on-how-i-felt-invigorated-going-into-undergrad-after-my-gap-year/ Tue, 21 Oct 2025 22:22:46 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=6940 My Experience Upon graduating high school, I had a pretty strong sense of what I wanted my undergraduate career to look like. I wanted to study English, work at my undergraduate’s student newspaper, and get an internship in publishing. However, by the time I walked across my high school’s stage and accepted my diploma, [...]

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My Experience

Upon graduating high school, I had a pretty strong sense of what I wanted my undergraduate career to look like. I wanted to study English, work at my undergraduate’s student newspaper, and get an internship in publishing. However, by the time I walked across my high school’s stage and accepted my diploma, I was exhausted. For the past four years, I had been consistently juggling many things: leading multiple extracurricular clubs, captaining my field hockey team, working a part-time job, and trying to have a social life—all on top of applying to colleges and thinking about my future. I was burnt out. The idea of jumping straight into college was exhausting, and I worried I would be too tired to dedicate myself fully to my studies.

Much to my mother’s chagrin, she suggested I take a gap year. I had been fortunate enough to save up enough money to travel with my school to France and England during my junior year spring break, and the itch to travel had infected me. I was eager to explore the world at my own pace, visit the sights I wanted to see, and try new things. I didn’t realize the education I truly needed was in navigating my newfound adult independence.

Deferring my studies for a year, I decided I’d spend my time volunteering on farms in France and Ireland through a program called Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). It was an inexpensive way to travel for six months, and the work was unique and interesting to me. I’d never worked manual labor before, and the chance to connect with nature was a bonus.

I could recount endless stories about my six months in France and Ireland. The first month was frighteningly enlightening. I got lost so many times, including one instance where I missed my train and got home in pitch darkness. Another time, my phone died, and I had to figure out how to get to my hostel on my own (freaking my mother out in the process, as she was tracking my location). On top of it all, I was extremely homesick. However, I pushed through, learned from my mistakes, and kept moving forward. That first month alone gave me the confidence I still rely on to this day: if I could survive all that, I can survive anything.

However, my whole experience wasn’t just scary lesson after scary lesson; with each mistake, my knowledge of the world grew. I was able to learn from my mistakes and learned how to navigate the world on my own. I also got the chance to experience new cultures and try unique experiences. I visited over twenty cities from Galway in the west of Ireland to Nice in the south of France, explored countless museums, and saw so many famous landmarks. Not only that, but I learned how to make handmade Belgian chocolate, saw The Book of Kells at Trinity College’s breathtaking Old Library in Dublin, Ireland, and even had time to catch The Phantom of the Opera in the West End while I was passing through London, England.

The work I did on the farms was an education in perseverance and patience. Unintentionally, I’d found farms that primarily needed help with their sheep: shepherding, lambing, and caretaking. I’d initially been hesitant to work with the stubborn creatures, who rarely ever did what you wanted them to do. However, by the time my six months were up, I was a skilled shepherdess and a fearless caretaker, jumping into the back of a trailer to help transport the sheep from their winter paddocks to spring fields. I even helped with one sheep’s tricky birth, pulling her lamb out with large, neon blue gloves that went up to my armpits. 

Gap Year Benefits

While shepherding and lamb birthing aren’t skills I imagine will come up in my future career as an editor, learning how to tackle difficult tasks has provided me with the courage and confidence needed to make it in today’s job market. It’s these “soft” skills that I attribute much of my success to.

I’m not the only student who has mentioned the benefits gap years have had on their confidence, both personal and academic. Hudson Juenger, a student going into his first year of college, told the New York Post how beneficial his time off was: “I actually know what it’s like to move out and go to work every day and live in a more realistic work environment than going straight to college. . . . I think I’m going to be a lot more appreciative of my college experience than a lot of my other friends are.”[1] He, and other students, mentioned how taking time away from traditional schooling helped open their eyes to the real world and how their gap years helped them focus on what they actually enjoyed doing.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students took time off, a leave of absence, or a gap year because they would rather not study online. Now that it’s been a few years out, the number of students who are taking gap years has lessened but is still significantly higher than it was before the pandemic. Students who are burnt out from school, unsure of their career path, or who want to try new experiences should seriously consider taking a gap year, if that’s a viable option for them. The pandemic allowed students to take a break from the constant stress of school and allowed them to think about what they wanted their future to look like. For students who need some time, a break, or to be independent, a gap year is a great solution.

Going Back to School

For those worried that students who take a gap year won’t continue their studies, consider the testimonials from the New York Post article. Student Kaylyn Klumper was initially set on physiotherapy, but by taking a gap year and working in the medical field, she decided that she wanted to pursue a career in nursing instead. She’s starting her undergraduate career with a clearer vision of her future. Even the parents of these students have noticed a difference. One father reported that his son returned from his gap year “healthy, happy, and with a new level of wisdom not usually seen in a 20-year-old.”[1]

And as for me? After my gap year, I started my undergraduate career refreshed and ready to learn. I was fortunate enough to work at my student’s newspaper, work at my university’s Writing Center as a tutor, and even get a publishing internship at an academic press. After graduating, I took another gap year before applying to graduate school, where I’m now finishing my final year and will earn my master’s degree in the spring.

Publishing Solutions Group

Publishing Solutions Group is committed to improving the education of all students. We support our many clients by creating educational materials to help students with their academic goals, and we support the different types of learning environments that each student needs to succeed.

This commitment is further realized through a continuous cycle of research and development, ensuring that educational solutions are not only pedagogically sound but also responsive to the evolving needs of modern classrooms. By actively collaborating with practicing teachers, curriculum specialists, and educational researchers, Publishing Solutions Group grounds its materials in real-world experience and evidence-based instructional strategies. This collaborative process ensures that every deliverable, from its core content to its supplemental activities, is purpose-built to foster engagement, deepen understanding, and ultimately, empower a new generation of lifelong learners.

[1] https://nypost.com/2025/07/30/us-news/gen-z-embracing-gap-years-before-college-working-3-jobs-made-me-realize-what-i-really-want/

Photo by Olivia Johnson.

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]]> Everything you need in 15 minutes? The ideal city of the future https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/everything-you-need-in-15-minutes-the-ideal-city-of-the-future/ Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:30:16 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=7069 Introduction: My 15-minute city experience When I went abroad in the Fall of 2022, I lived for four months in the walkable city of Florence, Italy. Not only was the grocery store a 3-minute walk from my apartment and all of my school buildings within 15 minutes, but I was 5 minutes away from [...]

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Introduction: My 15-minute city experience

When I went abroad in the Fall of 2022, I lived for four months in the walkable city of Florence, Italy. Not only was the grocery store a 3-minute walk from my apartment and all of my school buildings within 15 minutes, but I was 5 minutes away from the Duomo and 10 minutes from the Ponte Vecchio, two of the most popular landmarks in Florence. Every day, I could walk wherever I needed to go, getting my steps in and familiarizing myself with the beautiful Renaissance city. It was not until I returned to the States in December that I realized just how convenient and enjoyable it was to be able to get anything I needed just by stepping outside my apartment and taking my own two feet there. Living in a 15-minute city showed me how much I did not enjoy driving in my car to get places, and I quickly missed my old lifestyle. Let’s go over some reasons why this concept is growing in popularity and why perhaps you, too, could benefit from living in these places!

What is a 15-minute city?

According to urbanists Andre Duany and Robert Steuteville, a 15-minute city can be defined as an ideal geography where most human needs and many desires are located within a travel distance of 15 minutes. The idea was first coined in 2016 by Carlos Moreno, an urbanist and professor at Sorbonne University in Paris. Moreno believes city residents should have easy access to shops, schools, doctors, gyms, parks, restaurants, and cultural institutions. This concept has only grown in popularity since the global pandemic began in 2020, discouraging many from traveling and venturing out for necessities. According to the NLC, “The concept integrates transportation planning, urban design, mixed-use development, safety on streets and sidewalks, with policy-making and the real-life experiences of residents to allow for more freedom of mobility and increased opportunity.”

What are the benefits of living in a 15-minute city?

The most crucial benefit of living in a 15-minute city is, of course, having close access to necessities and perhaps fun restaurants and forms of entertainment. The ability to walk or bike wherever you need to go also increases time outdoors and encourages exercise. However, there are environmental benefits from 15-minute cities as well. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why cities such as Portland, Oregon, have been looking to adapt and make themselves one. According to Moreno, 15-minute cities reduce the amount of planet-warming gasses such as carbon dioxide released by cars, as more people walking and biking means fewer cars on the road every day. Reducing emissions is a key goal of climate change acts worldwide. Not only that, but to accommodate and build minute cities, jobs will form to help improve bike lanes and sidewalks so that more people can travel safely by foot. A study by the American Association for State Highway and Transportation Officialsclaims that “mobility investments in things like bike infrastructure and sidewalks create more jobs per million dollars spent than other traditional transportation investments.” The 15-minute city can also foster community and improve the local economy, as it encourages people to spend more time within the neighborhood and perhaps return and rely on the same places for the things they need and want.

Examples of 15-minute cities and cities on the path to becoming one

According to Deutsche Welle, there are 16 cities worldwide that have implemented plans to become 15-minute cities or something similar. One of the most popular examples, predictable since Carlos Moreno is from there, is Paris, France. The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, began implementing concepts for the 15-minute city during the pandemic. Barcelona has also been trying to incorporate “super districts,” in which only residents and delivery services will have car access, with a dramatically reduced speed limit. Portland, Oregon, as mentioned previously, began to implement the concept of the “20-minute neighborhood” in 2010, to make 90% of the city easily walkable/bikeable to meet all basic needs by 2030. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is also on the path to becoming a 15-minute city by 2030, and Oxford, UK, has incorporated the concept into its 2040 plan. Throughout the world, different areas are trying to become the next 15-minute city, hoping to gain the benefits and the convenience that they offer.

Challenges with 15-minute cities (optional, may not necessarily need to be included)

In the United States, in particular, there are growing obstacles and challenges that make it hard to increase the amount of 15-minute cities throughout the country. NPR goes through some of these challenges, explaining how sometimes banks are reluctant to offer loans for the kind of infrastructure and development building that 15-minute cities require. Parking lots are another huge problem, taking up space but being necessary for city inhabitants. A big issue as well is public schools. It is not rare for parents to leave the city for the suburbs after having children because they believe the schools are better there. According to Carrie Makarewicz, an urban and regional planning professor at the University of Colorado, Denver, “If we want regional sustainability, we have to look to these urban places and why aren’t people staying in them and thriving in them, and a lot of it comes back down to the urban schools.” To keep people living in the city, schools must be monitored and evaluated to make sure they are providing quality education. This way, children within those neighborhoods can maintain a proper education and parents won’t find the need to look elsewhere. Zoning restrictions are perhaps the biggest challenge for these cities, as they challenge how a city can develop and organize according to what is necessary or desired within that area. According to Bloomberg, however, “loosening just a few zoning regulations can allow pharmacies, grocery stores, gyms, and music shops to pop up on ground floors and empty suburban lots. Where a 15-minute city is unfeasible, turning a 40-minute city into a 35-minute city would be worthwhile, too.” The more cities look into what is possible, the more likely that aspects of a 15-minute city will become more prevalent in the future.

Looking for more information or curious about what the process of building a 15-minute city looks like? Check out “The 15-Minute City Project” on Instagram and Twitter. These accounts highlight efforts around the world to create more of these places, and there is a blog for the project as well!

https://mrsc.org/stay-informed/mrsc-insight/october-2021/what-is-a-15-minute-city

https://www.dw.com/en/15-minute-cities-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work/a-64907776

https://www.nlc.org/article/2023/06/13/exploring-the-15-minute-city-concept-and-its-potential-for-communities-of-all-sizes/

https://www.npr.org/2023/10/08/1203950823/15-minute-cities-climate-solution

https://work.iwgplc.com/MediaCentre/Article/the-15-minute-city-why-it-a-good-thing#:~:text=The%2015%2Dminute%20city%20in%20practice&text=Meanwhile%2C%20Portland%2C%20Oregon%2C%20is,without%20a%20car%20by%202030

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-05/new-research-shows-the-15-minute-city-can-work-in-the-us?embedded-checkout=true

https://www.15minutecity.com/about

Photo by Anubhav Saxena for Unsplash.

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]]> You Can’t Time Travel, but You Can Spend Time Traveling! https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/you-cant-time-travel-but-you-can-spend-time-traveling/ Mon, 11 Mar 2024 18:50:58 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=7080 Introduction: The Impact of Travel Traveling: planes, trains, and automobiles! There are multiple ways to do it. Traveling could be hopping on a plane to another country for a month, taking a train to visit a relative for a couple of days, or driving across Europe or through multiple states. I wasn’t much of [...]

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Introduction: The Impact of Travel

Traveling: planes, trains, and automobiles! There are multiple ways to do it. Traveling could be hopping on a plane to another country for a month, taking a train to visit a relative for a couple of days, or driving across Europe or through multiple states. I wasn’t much of a traveler for most of my life, not understanding the appeal and preferring to spend my breaks and holidays doing local activities with friends and family. However, once I spent four months studying abroad, I realized what I had been missing out on for so many years: the chance to see the world, to experience other cultures, to meet new people, and to try new things. Your next trip could end up being exactly what you’re looking for. Let me explain why!

Travel Insight: How people travel in the United States

What is travel? Travel is a journey, especially to a distant or unfamiliar place. In the United States, there are people constantly traveling domestically and internationally, for work or for a vacation. According to Statista, a third of Americans enjoy two to three vacations per year, while over one quarter have only traveled for business in the past year and a fifth have traveled only once. In terms of international trips, the number of outbound tourists is continually rising. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been desperate to see the world and go to new places. (I get it, I was one of them!) Passports, necessary for any travel outside of the country, are in higher demand than ever. According to ABC News, “The State Department received a record 22 million requests last year and is on track to shatter that mark with an estimated 25 million more this year.” By the end of 2022, almost 14 million people had traveled to Europe, making it the top destination for outbound tourism outside of the Americas. Inside the United States, total domestic travel spending is a leading source of economic wealth, with the total direct spending of domestic leisure travelers amounting to $751 billion. Depending on the destination and the purpose of the journey, the mode of transportation is different for all travelers. For the quickest way to faraway places, planes are the most popular option, while trains and buses such as the Amtrak or Greyhound are more common for shorter journeys or if you have a bit more time. Cars still “dominate” the morning commute, but are not as popular for traveling over large distances, except of course for the fans of the “road trip.” So, now that you know more about how people are traveling in the United States, you might be wondering why you should travel?

The Benefits of Travel

According to TravelPort, “travel is ranked as the most enjoyable activity globally.” However, traveling isn’t just enjoyable for people who engage with it. In fact, it has been directly linked to improvements in mental health. According to a 2013 survey, adults have credited travel with their enhanced energy, attention, and focus, and traveling may even facilitate creativity. Even just the act of planning a trip and having something to look forward to can improve wellbeing, according to Cornell University. Another study from the Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin claims that “women who vacation at least twice a year are less likely to suffer from depression and chronic stress.” Beyond mental health benefits, there are also direct physical health benefits to travel. A joint study from the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies proves that “women who vacation at least twice a year show a significantly lower risk of suffering a heart attack in comparison with those who only travel every six years or so.” For men, those who do not take an annual vacation, “show a 20 percent higher risk of death and 30 percent greater risk of heart disease.” For myself, while I was studying abroad, I found my mental health and happiness significantly improving every day. I was filled with the excitement and inspiration of being in a new location and having the opportunity to travel to different places throughout my semester. Taking a vacation and increasing your travel time may just be exactly what the doctor ordered, whether it’s for your mental or physical health.

Drawbacks of Traveling: Can They be Avoided/Limited?

The number one complaint about traveling is how much it costs. With inflation, it has become more and more difficult to justify the cost of a more elaborate or international vacation. A study by the Bureau of Economic Analysis claims that, “prices for travel and tourism goods and services increased 7.7 percent in 2021 after decreasing 5.0 percent in 2020. The largest contributors to the increase were gasoline, traveler accommodations, and automotive rental and leasing.” Even food services have become increasingly expensive, with the U.S. Travel Association claiming food services are the highest cost for domestic travel. Along with the high cost of travel, is the time commitment. Depending on mode of transportation or distance to destination, travelers may spend more time than they have/want to get to where they need or want to go. And, if they want to save time, they may sacrifice money in the process. Last year, a round-trip domestic flight cost about $378. Gas prices, while lower than 2022 and 2023, are still “a bargain,” with the national price of unleaded gas being $3.57 as of June 2023 and $3.309 as of February 2024. Outside of the United States, prices are still quite high, with the average 7-day vacation in Europe costing close to $1,800.

However, it is important when planning a trip to understand budgeting techniques and how to find ways to save time and money. For example, while abroad one of my biggest life hacks was taking overnight buses and trains to different countries. In fact, I took a bus from Florence, Italy to Barcelona, Spain and from Venice, Italy to Vienna, Austria. I also took an overnight train from Munich, Germany to Florence, Italy. Even though this meant sacrificing sleep, I saved lots of money by taking the bus or the train, and I saved my daylight time by traveling overnight, meaning I could be ready to go and explore when I reached my destination. I also saved lots of money on my travels by staying in hostels or splitting Airbnb costs with friends, going to the grocery store rather than eating out for every meal, and finding free activities to do in the places I traveled to. One of the best parts of a trip is planning it, and with a little research and motivation it can be easier than you might think to make a trip more affordable.

Looking for some more motivation or a place to start? Check out blogs such as Lonely Planet or Instagram social media accounts @beautifuldestinations and @natgeotravel for inspiration or just simply to see what’s out there! Also, if you are crunched for time or curious, try products such as Roam Around, which use AI to create travel itineraries that match your time and budget.

https://www.statista.com/chart/31152/share-of-us-respondents-who-have-taken-private-trips/#:~:text=travel%20and%20tourism&text=Around%20a%20third%20of%20Americans,the%20other%20hand%2C%20were%20rarer

https://www.travelperk.com/blog/us-travel-tourism-statistics/

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/getting-around-usa

https://travel.aaa.com/statistics-on-travel#chapter-01 https://www.nbcnews.com/better/wellness/5-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-traveling-abroad-n759631

https://apps.bea.gov/scb/issues/2023/02-february/0223-travel-tourism-satellite-account.htm?_gl=1*1yl03hw*_ga*MTU0MDIxMzc5My4xNzA3MjQ1NDg2*_ga_J4698JNNFT*MTcwNzI0NTQ4Ni4xLjAuMTcwNzI0NTQ4Ni42MC4wLjA

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/travel-rewards/average-travel-vacation-coss/

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/crisis-passport-requests-reaching-record-highs-sen-warner/story?id=101295132

https://www.zippia.com/traveler-jobs/demographics/

Photo by Leio McLaren for Unsplash.

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]]> Around the World in Public Transport https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/around-the-world-in-public-transport/ Thu, 24 Jan 2019 15:30:56 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=6194 Public transportation can be a great way to get around a city, whether you’re a regular or a tourist. You’ve probably heard of Tokyo’s legendary rail system, London’s “Tube” and New York’s subway. Here are a few more cities around the world whose transit systems are more than just efficient, they’re a major part [...]

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Public transportation can be a great way to get around a city, whether you’re a regular or a tourist. You’ve probably heard of Tokyo’s legendary rail system, London’s “Tube” and New York’s subway. Here are a few more cities around the world whose transit systems are more than just efficient, they’re a major part of their city’s story.

Hong Kong

As of 2017, 90 percent of trips made each day in Hong Kong involved public transport. Hong Kong’s MTR (Mass Transit Railway) is clean, cheap and convenient, connecting every corner of the city. There’s free Wi-Fi in every station and features like Braille plates that improve accessibility for travelers with disabilities.

Seoul, South Korea

The Seoul Metro serves around eight million passengers per day and features cell service and Wi-Fi. Some subway cars even have heated seats. The only downside is that service ends fairly early for a major city, around midnight.

Madrid, Spain

The glory of the Madrid metro system lies in the numbers. This city has one of the longest metro systems in the world, with 294 kilometers of track and another 386 kilometers of suburban rails. One station even contains a 200-square-meter archeological museum!

I love trying out the transportation systems in different places; it really gives you a chance to get to know the city. Of course, we’re all a little biased to our local system—I use the “T” here in Boston practically every day!

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]]> Destination Literature: Venice, Italy https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/destination-literature-venice-italy/ Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:30:19 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=6176 Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino is a book that defies description: it consists of 55 vignettes, each of which describes a different fictional city. Yet each of these cities is in fact Venice, seen from one perspective or another, as told by a fictional version of Venetian traveler Marco Polo to the emperor Kublai Khan. [...]

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Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino is a book that defies description: it consists of 55 vignettes, each of which describes a different fictional city. Yet each of these cities is in fact Venice, seen from one perspective or another, as told by a fictional version of Venetian traveler Marco Polo to the emperor Kublai Khan. By describing cities that are at once exquisite and squalid, vibrant and numb, mundane and impossible, Calvino paints a portrait of Venice that is as varied and subtle as the city itself.

When you visit Venice, you can experience for yourself the same ambiguities and paradoxes that Calvino describes in Invisible Cities. Venice exists on the border between sea and land, between ornamentation and significance, between the past and the present.

For example, you can visit the beautiful Saint Mark’s Basilica, which represents centuries of religious practice, art and architecture. However, due to rising sea levels and sinking land, certain areas of the basilica flood about 250 times each year, exposing the famous building to serious water damage.

In Venice, even the eternal is temporal. That’s all the more reason to see the wonders of the city now, and take the literary trip of a lifetime.

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]]> Destination Literature: Takamatsu, Japan https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/destination-literature-takamatsu-japan/ Tue, 04 Dec 2018 15:39:44 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=6146 Haruki Murakami’s 2002 novel Kafka on the Shore begins in bustling Tokyo, Japan, but takes us on a literary road trip that follows the protagonist, Kafka Tamura, as he runs away from home. He ends up on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. He finds refuge in the Komura Memorial Library and [...]

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Haruki Murakami’s 2002 novel Kafka on the Shore begins in bustling Tokyo, Japan, but takes us on a literary road trip that follows the protagonist, Kafka Tamura, as he runs away from home. He ends up on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. He finds refuge in the Komura Memorial Library and explores the mysteries of the library and the people he finds there.

Although the Komura Memorial Library is fictional, it is based on a real place: the Kamada Museum, which is located in Sakaide just outside Takamatsu, Japan. So if you’re a Murakami fan and find yourself in Takamatsu, here are some suggestions for your stay!

While you’re in Takamatsu, you can visit some of the other locations mentioned in the novel, such as Takamatsu Station and the bridge connecting the island of Shikoku to the mainland. Make sure to try the local delicacy, Sanuki udon, which is a popular noodle dish. Despite it not being mentioned in Murakami’s novel, the Ritsurin Garden is also worth a visit for its serene ponds, refreshing teahouses and beautiful exhibits of art.

Takamatsu may not be as busy as Tokyo, but it has a lot to offer the curious and literary traveler!

Photo: Leela Soden

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]]> A Rainy Afternoon in London https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/a-rainy-afternoon-in-london/ Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:30:36 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=6135 It’s often rainy in London, so when traveling to the iconic city it’s a good idea to have an indoor backup plan just in case the weather suddenly gets testy. When I was in London in 2015, I managed to have an afternoon that was pretty much perfect, despite all-day rain. Take a peek [...]

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It’s often rainy in London, so when traveling to the iconic city it’s a good idea to have an indoor backup plan just in case the weather suddenly gets testy. When I was in London in 2015, I managed to have an afternoon that was pretty much perfect, despite all-day rain. Take a peek at these suggestions for wet weather adventures in jolly ol’ London.

If the day starts off dry, head over to Soho Square. It’s not as big or as well-known as London parks like Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, but it has its own particular charm that comes from being nestled in among narrow streets and brick buildings.

If it starts raining while you’re there, make your way to Maison Bertaux, a tea shop and French patisserie that also has a gallery space right upstairs. Be sure to treat yourself to a cup of tea and a slice of cake before you leave!

Then head over to the nearby British Museum. It’s the first national public museum in the world, and ever since it opened in 1753 it’s been free to all “studious and curious persons.” Filled with art and artifacts from all over the world, the British Museum is the perfect place to hide from the rain.

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]]> Destination Literature: The White Cliffs of Dover https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/destination-literature-the-white-cliffs-of-dover/ Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:15:25 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=4587 The end of Shakespeare’s King Lear finds its characters situated atop the striking cliffs of Dover, England, a setting suitably dramatic for the climax of one of drama’s great tragedies. The blinded Earl of Gloucester asks his son, Edgar, to bring him to the edge of the cliffs saying, “There is a cliff, whose [...]

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The end of Shakespeare’s King Lear finds its characters situated atop the striking cliffs of Dover, England, a setting suitably dramatic for the climax of one of drama’s great tragedies. The blinded Earl of Gloucester asks his son, Edgar, to bring him to the edge of the cliffs saying, “There is a cliff, whose high and bending head /Looks fearfully in the confined deep: /Bring me but to the very brim of it.” Edgar pretends to lead his father to the edge of the cliff and remarks on the dizzying height—how the crows below look like beetles and the fishermen look like mice.

When I first read King Lear, I didn’t expect to experience this dizzying height for myself. However, a couple of years back, I visited the chalky limestone cliffs and looked down. I was surprised to find that Edgar’s description rang true: the people below indeed looked like mice, dwarfed by the majesty of the cliffs. As a natural wonder and the setting for the end of King Lear, the White Cliffs of Dover are certainly worth a visit for adventurer and book-lover alike!

Image by Ian Wilson

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]]> A Taste of the Renaissance: King Richard’s Faire https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/a-taste-of-the-renaissance-king-richards-faire/ Tue, 09 Oct 2018 15:08:38 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=4576 If you’re looking to time travel and are intrigued by all things Renaissance, then look no further than King Richard’s Faire! The Faire is located in Carver, Massachusetts, just under two hours from Boston and is running until October 21. I recently attended this annual Renaissance-style fair, and it has attractions for all ages, [...]

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If you’re looking to time travel and are intrigued by all things Renaissance, then look no further than King Richard’s Faire! The Faire is located in Carver, Massachusetts, just under two hours from Boston and is running until October 21. I recently attended this annual Renaissance-style fair, and it has attractions for all ages, including the following:

Shows/Entertainment

  • singing performances
  • jousting
  • mud show
    • Two men who call themselves the “Sturdy Beggers” cover themselves in mud and compete for money to see who is the better “Sturdy Begger.”
  • Washing Well Wenches
    • Geared toward an older audience, this show is full of comedy and is the most interactive performance from the Faire—the audience is part of the show!

Games/Rides

  • axe and knife throws
    • See if you have what it takes to hit the target!
  • Giant Stryker
    • The classic fair/carnival game of strength—if you “stryke” the target hard enough, a bell will go off.
  • Swan Swing
    • This swing ride is one of the many rides perfect for young children!

Shopping

  • booths with Renaissance-style clothing, jewelry and handbags
  • Remembrance Shoppe
    • The souvenir shop that sells everything from swords and princess hats to music albums and sweatshirts.

King Richard’s Faire is a unique experience that’ll make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. If you get a chance to get to Carver, I definitely recommend experiencing it for yourself!

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]]> Fall for Foliage: Colorful Autumn Trips in New England https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/blog/fall-for-foliage-colorful-autumn-trips-in-new-england/ Thu, 04 Oct 2018 15:00:50 +0000 https://publishingsolutionsgroup.com/?p=4525 Growing up in New England makes it easy to take for granted that the leaves change colors in the fall. It was only recently that I began to fully appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the yellows, reds and oranges that decorated my neighborhood each fall. Many people travel to New England to witness the [...]

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Growing up in New England makes it easy to take for granted that the leaves change colors in the fall. It was only recently that I began to fully appreciate the ephemeral beauty of the yellows, reds and oranges that decorated my neighborhood each fall. Many people travel to New England to witness the beauty of peak foliage season, which ranges from mid-September in northern New England to late October in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Here are some of the best places in New England to see the beauty of fall foliage:

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Take a leisurely cruise down the Connecticut River and see the fall leaves reflected in the water. While you’re there, check out Old Lyme’s colonial architecture and the Florence Griswold Museum.

Mohawk Trail, Massachusetts

Go for a walk or hike in the crisp fall air on this 63-mile-long trail that runs through northwest Massachusetts. I hiked part of it a few years back and got to experience firsthand the beautiful reds and golds.

Stowe, Vermont

Although Stowe Mountain is known for its skiing, you can also walk, hike and even zipline down the mountain!

New England has many scenic spots to check out during the fall months. Do you have a favorite place to visit?

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