Buckinghamshire: A fall visit to Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand Rothschild to house his collection of decorative arts over 130 years ago. His collection is on par with that of the Wallace Collection and the Royal Collection. The tickets into Waddesdon are timed to avoid overcrowding and it helps a lot. There is a headphone tour which will add greatly to your enjoyment, it is however at an additional cost.

The house was built to entertain. The Baron planned to show off his wonderful collection and did, to a vast array of the who’s who of Victorian and Edwardian England. The condition of all his treasures is phenomenal due to the extraordinary efforts at preservation that have been undertaken almost from day one. The lighting from the outside is kept minimal and there is new interior lighting to show off the painting to advantage.

You enter into the East Gallery which has the two largest Guardi paintings in the world. You then pass to the breakfast room, the conservatory, and ante-room and into the dining room. The table is set for a dinner party circa 1894 and the flower arrangements are so tall that the two sides of the table can't see each other. The walls have two Beauvais tapestries modeled after Boucher paintings. The carpet is Aubusson and dates from 1780.

The Red Drawing Room has three Gainsborough's and a Reynolds. The Gainsborough of Lady Sheffield reflects beautifully off the Rocco mirror on the opposite wall. There are beautiful pieces of Sevres and furniture from Versailles. The carpet is a Savonnerie made for Louis XIV for the Louvre, the blue and yellow colors are particularly fresh. This is an amazing room.

The Grey Drawing Room has three Joshua Reynold's full-length portraits, one of the Duchess of Cumberland who has bedroom eyes. There is a beautiful little secretaire with Sevres inserts. This room though opulent has a cozy warmth.

The West Gallery has among its treasures a marvelous French tall clock that appears to be gold and lacquer. It is about 8 feet tall and has a mother of pearl face.

The Baron's room was his inner sanctum. He surrounded himself with portraits of beautiful women, many with dubious reputations. Two pictures of Mrs. Robinson, also Lady Hamilton and Mrs. Jordan by Romney adorn the walls.

And if you think this is all there was you have to see the West Hall where I was stopped dead by the beautiful Duchess de Polignac by Elisabeth Vigee Lebrun. The Morning Room has paintings by Cuyp, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Gabriel Metsu, and Gerard Dou.

The Sevres Room has among other things a dessert set that belonged to Marie Antoinette.

This place is beyond description and well worth the admission. It has a really great gift shop and extensive gardens, an aviary, and a wine cellar. If you would like to bring some home there is also a nice wine shop. Plan to spend the whole day.

The admission cost is determined by the time of year and additionally, it is more expensive to visit on the weekend. The most expensive rate was 15 pounds at the time of this visit for the house and garden in high season on the weekend. From January to the end of March, the shops, aviary, Manor Restaurant and the gardens are all that are open. 

Virginia: December in Charlottesville

December is an amazing time to rediscover history in an interesting and unique way, by taking a holiday evening tour at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello or James Monroe’s Highland. Monticello’s small-group house tours, which include the Dome Room, give guests an intimate look at how the holidays were celebrated in Jefferson’s time. Guests will also have the rare opportunity to experience Monticello after dark. For more details, visit www.monticello.org.

Additionally, James Monroe’s Highland will be opening its doors to special evening tours on three dates in December, giving guests a unique glimpse into this presidential home. Visitors will be able to take part in cooking demonstrations on open hearths to create buttermilk pies, apple cakes, wine-soaked pears, and sweet potato pudding, all enjoyed by candlelight. Guests will then enjoy a guided visit to the Presidential guest house and museum spaces which will be decorated for the holidays. For more information, visit www.highland.org.

The year starts with a bang on the historic Downtown Mall as First Night Virginia celebrations take place. First Night Virginia is one of the oldest First Night events in the nation and is a terrific and family-friendly way to usher in the new year. Families and visitors will be treated to a plethora of entertainment acts, live music, face painting, and other artistic activities. For more information on this iconic New Year’s Eve celebration, visit www.firstnightva.org.

Located at the heart of Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall, the Paramount Theater has several exciting and festive performances lined up for the holidays! The hilarious holiday classic National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation will be shown on December 10 and a few days later, the legendary Tony Bennett (not the University of Virginia basketball coach) will take the stage on December 12. The following week, Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker will take place on December 18 to get everybody in the holiday spirit. For more information on shows and performances taking place at the Paramount Theater, visit www.theparamount.net.

The holiday shopping season has arrived and there are plentiful options for picking the perfect holiday gift in Charlottesville & Albemarle County. The historic pedestrian Downtown Mall offers dozens of boutique shops and stores, selling a wide variety of locally-made products. The Holiday Market, an extension of the weekly City market, continues until December 17, 2016, on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. offering a variety of unique gifts, decorations, food, and crafts made by local farmers, artists or bakers. Finally, a trip to the Crozet Artisan Depot in Crozet will give shoppers a wide selection of arts and crafts made by local artisans from central Virginia. To learn more about the Crozet Artisan Depot.

Even though the days are shorter and the weather is cooler in the winter months, it is still business as usual in Charlottesville & Albemarle County. Numerous area hotels and attractions offer discounted rates during this time of year as an incentive for tourists to visit the destination without all of the crowds often found during busier times of the year. Many of these deals are offered in gift certificate form and make great holiday gift ideas. The Charlottesville area also features more than 30 wineries, breweries, and cideries, many of which have large roaring fireplaces, making for a perfect way to warm up on a cold winter day. For more information about special packages and offerings, go to www.visitcharlottesville.org/packages.

About the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (CACVB): In addition to serving as the global resource for marketing the tourism assets of Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia, through www.visitcharlottesville.org

Hotel Review: Casablanca Hotel New York City

When it comes to finding the perfect hotel in New York, there are many things to consider. One of the primary considerations is location, followed closely by security. After some careful consideration and a lot of research, we decided that we would stay at the Casablanca Hotel in New York City.



The location is near perfect, 43rd street just off of Time Square and an easy walk from Grand Central Station. What was the deciding factor, however, was its ratings on Trip Advisor. It was at the time the number one hotel in New York City, no easy accomplishment. We went for our visit with very high expectations. We were not disappointed.

From the moment we walked in the door we felt safe, secure and most of all welcome. The desk staff and the doorman were so amazingly friendly and we were talked to by name every time we came and went after that first meeting, it was amazing.

There is an intimate feeling about the hotel. It is small in comparisons to some of the mega hotels and there is a degree of personal service that you will never find at the larger chains. We loved this hotel but I am not going to gloss over the problem that we had. We had reserved a king size bed and after check-in, I realized we had a queen. The desk was apologetic but it seems some guests had not checked out of what was supposed to be our room. While I understand their dilemma, it was our room and they should have been asked to move. 

In exchange for our larger bed, we were given a lovely fruit basket, a bowl filled with little candy bars and a bottle of wine and an upgrade to a suite on a future visit. I felt amply compensated. Other than the size of the bed, everything else about the room was perfect. The style is Moroccan and the bathroom was the cleanest I have ever seen. They also have the best shampoo that I have ever gotten at a hotel.



We enjoyed our bathrobes and the bed was very comfortable. The room was on the small side but large enough to suit our needs. They do offer larger suites for, of course, a larger price. Included in the room rate are an afternoon wine and cheese reception, 24-hour cappuccino and espresso and a very extensive Continental breakfast. They are all available in the beautiful lounge called Rick's Café which has a fireplace and a computer as well as plenty of tables.

We didn't eat at the restaurant at the hotel Tony DiNapoli so I can't comment on it but the menu looks interesting and they do room service.

If you are looking for a really special hotel, small, warm and in the perfect location in New York City and best of all at an affordable price, there is no place better than the Casablanca.

New York City: Tourist traps to avoid

As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, New York City is a vibrant and exciting place to visit. It is also full of tourist traps where you will be encouraged to spend more than you should in both money and time. Some things may be worth any price to visit but others can easily be replaced with some things equally as exciting.

Empire State Building

This iconic New York City building is one of the most recognizable structures in the city, it is also one where long lines and waits of up to two hours are not uncommon. Stand ticket price is $34. You can avoid the lines with a VIP Pass, it will set you back $80 for visits to both decks.  You can visit the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center for the same $34 but without the two-hour wait. Better yet, head to Brooklyn and get the best view of the NYC skyline for free. 

Horse and carriage rides

It is very tempting to fall for the lure of the horse and carriage rides that are offered in the area near the Plaza Hotel. Yes, they will take you for a ride in Central Park, however, that ride will cost you dearly. On average, $155 for 45 minutes and if you are visiting from Thanksgiving to New Year it will be $255.  New York is a great walking city and you can easily see anything that you would have seen on the carriage ride for free by just using your own feet and at your own pace.

Little Italy

There was a time when Little Italy was the place to go in New York City for great Italian food, that time is long gone. Today, it is a prime tourist trap with long waits and lackluster food. For some of the best Italian food in the city, head to L’Artusi in the West Village neighborhood. This is a quiet neighborhood restaurant that is worth going a little off the beaten track to find. 

Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center

The Rink has been featured in some very popular movies and many visitors want to see it and be seen skating there. It is actually much smaller than it looks on screen and the wait to skate can be long and tedious especially at peak times. I was rather shocked at how small it actually is. Depending on the day, it can cost anywhere from $25 to $32  to skate here. Head for Central Park instead. The Wollman Rink located near the Central Park Zoo offers skating for $12 during the week and $19 on weekends and it won’t be nearly as crowded. 

Times Square

Many people think of Times Square when they think New York City. It is one of those attractions that is a tourist magnet but offers little in return. If you must, just walk through and continue on your way. Almost anywhere else is a better place to visit. It is crowded and in reality, if you are distracted by the lights, you are an easy target for thieves. 

New York City has so much to offer visitors that there is no need to waste time on Tourist Traps. Save time and money by visiting some of the lesser known gems.

New York City: Christmas in the city

New York City is an adventure any time of the year but Christmas in New York City is magical. The city takes on a glow that will enchant even the most disenchanted Grinch.

Many of the things to do and see won't cost you anything. The whole family will enjoy walking along Fifth Avenue and stopping to view the Christmas window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord and Taylor and Bergdorf Goodman. Every year these retailers compete to see who can create the biggest, the best and the most innovative window designs. They never disappoint.



It isn't just Fifth Avenue that has charming window displays, you can stroll any of the avenues and have a similar experience. Macy's at Harold Square is among the most famous.

Rockefeller Center is the home of perhaps the most famous Christmas tree in the world. Every year for the last seventy years people have flocked to New York City to view this tree. It is usually a Norway spruce a minimum of 65 feet tall and 35 feet wide, though they prefer it to be between 75 and 90 feet tall.

It takes over five miles of lights to light it. It is no wonder that thousands of people come to NYC to see it for the month that it is lit. The lighting ceremony is a big draw and usually, happens the first week of December.

Rockefeller Center is also the home of New York City's most famous skating rink. It is enchanting to standing at the railings and looking down on the people whirling around. But if you want to have a more relaxed skate head to Central Park and skate at the Wollman Rink. If you don't have your own skates with you, don't worry, you can rent them.



Part of the New York Christmas experience is attending the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center and for the 29th year the Big Apple Circus at Damrosch Park. These are performances that sell out early, it is always wisest to order your tickets early.

For shopping, the biggies Macys and Bloomingdales are just the tip of the iceberg. If you want something more local try one of the Christmas Markets. Head for Union Square, Bryant Park or Grand Central Station. You will find crafts and unique items to thrill everyone on your gift list.

For three weeks in December, Little Italy is the place to be. Events include a tree lighting, a concert and a parade. While you are there sample some authentic Italian food and visit the Italian food markets.

The Metropolitan Museum has a phenomenal crèche display and a magnificent Christmas tree. Any time of the year is a wonderful time to spend a few hours wander through the thousands of pieces of art but at Christmas, it is extra special.

South Street Seaport will also be ablaze with a fifty foot Douglas fir and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings there will be a performance by the Big Apple Chorus. The whole city will have a festive air and if you are really lucky a dusting of snow.Christmas truly is a magical time in New York City.

Vermont: Christmas time at Hildene in Manchester

In 1905 Robert Todd Lincoln built a summer cottage for his family in Manchester, Vt. He had loved the area since he first visited with his mother and brother Tad in 1863. He spent summers here and in later years even longer for the rest of his life. He named his home Hildene for the old English words for hill and valley with a stream. 

After the death of his granddaughter in 1975, the house was saved by a local group of people who made sure that it would survive to be enjoyed for years to come. It is lovely any time of year with gorgeous views and spectacular gardens. At this time of year, it really shines. Decorated as if it was Christmas 1912, it is a glimpse at a quieter simpler time. 

The magnificent Aeolian player organ serenaded us with a Christmas carol and just really added to the overall feel of the house. 

You tour two floors of the 8,000 square foot home and a friendly docent will be happy to chat with you about anything that interests you. He also gave us some brief historical facts. 

Since I was here last, things have really changed. The carriage house is a beautiful visitor center where you watch two 6 minute videos, one about the house and Robert Lincoln and the other about the Pullman car that has been brought to the grounds. 

You can tour the Pullman car which has been magnificently restored either before or after you visit the house. I highly recommend, however, that you do visit it. 

Tennessee: Nashville at Christmas time

Music City shines every day of the year, but at the holidays it comes to life in an even brighter way. You may want to choose to visit during the week to avoid the crowds that are a part of every weekend from Thanksgiving until Christmas.

Selecting the Gaylord Opryland Hotel as your base makes good sense since it is the site of several of the attractions and is convenient for others.



Opryland has its own light spectacular and offers horse-drawn carriage rides. Frankly, visitors can come to the resort and may not ever want to leave. The hotel provides a variety of dining options to suit every taste and budget. Be sure to book early and look for one of their package deals and don’t be afraid to ask about a senior discount.

One of the most popular attractions is the General Jackson Riverboat. Guests enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, complete with Holiday Show while cruising down the Tennessee River. The dock is located on the property of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.

Many of the historic homes in the area are dressed in their festive best and bring the spirit of the holidays to their particular venue. Belle Meade Plantation, Cheekwood and The Hermitage are among the more popular destinations.

Cheekwood

Nashville is a perfect place to spend three or four days in December. Check out the Nashville CVB for additional ideas.