Is duty-free a real bargain?

With all the worry about lines at the airport, you are advised to arrive early. Doing so means that there is often a lot of time to kill once you get through security. Duty-free beckons, should you answer the call? Only if you are on the return leg of your trip. 

Keep in mind that if you purchase a bottle of alcohol on the trip out it is going to have too many ounces to be carried in your carry-on luggage on the way back so it will need to be checked. Proper wrapping can ensure that it doesn't get broken but that is time-consuming and the price savings may not warrant it.

When you talk about duty-free shops, Shannon Airport in Ireland comes to mind. It is so well known that they even have a catalog so that you can order from them at home, makes you wonder whether the prices are worth parting with your hard earned money for. It is only worth it if it is something that you really need or want. If you are in Ireland you will no doubt find much better deals for local made woolen goods in the rural areas then you will at the airport.

You can purchase Waterford crystal almost anywhere in Ireland and have it shipped home duty-free so you don't really have to wait to do impulse shopping at the airport. Having said that, on my trip to Ireland last fall, I used up all my extra Euros at duty-free and I did find some woolen scarves at a very good price.

Are there reasons to make purchases in the duty-free shops at any and all major international airports? Yes, the major one is last minute gifts. If you are on vacation you may not want to carry gifts around with you on the entire trip. It takes up valuable luggage space and may be perishable. If you are purchasing things such as chocolate, the weather may not be conducive for carrying it around. Melted chocolate isn't something anyone wants.

At Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, you can purchase tulip bulbs that are approved for transport to the United States. This is a big deal since most plants are not allowable for planting in the US. Heathrow offers some very good buys on Wedgwood and Royal Dalton China, not the prices; they are standardized but not having to pay the VAT takes a big chunk off the price. 

If it is something that you were looking to buy anyway then by all mean,s get it at the airport. Even if you don't purchase it is fun to just browse through all the shops that are offering their wares. You need to have your passport with you as well as your boarding pass just in case you decide to make a purchase.

Should you indulge yourself in the duty-free shops? That would be yes and no it really depends on what you are purchasing and the reason for the purchase. Keep in mind that you have a $400 tax-free limit per person if you are an American whether it is duty-free or not, so keep all the receipts.

The Bull Inn Burford

When it comes to villages that epitomize the Cotswolds, Burford  is certainly one that fits the bill. It has lovely stone houses, great shopping and a historic coaching inn loaded with charm.  The Bull has been serving guests for hundreds of years and rumor has it that when Charles II escaped from the plague in London, some of his special female friends, stayed here at the Bull. One of the rooms is named for Nell Gwyn, who,however, was not part of his entourage yet at the time of the plague. The lack of historic accuracy in no way diminishes the charm that this hotel oozes.

As with most of the Cotswold villages, parking is at a premium. The Bull has a very small parking lot behind the building. The street on the side of the hotel is one way in the wrong direction so you need to get creative and try to find it by coming through the back. In doing so, you will pass the town parking lot just in case there is no room for your vehicle in the hotel's own lot. There are more rooms than parking spots so it will be hit or miss.

The hotel is not large. Some of the rooms, such as Nell Gwyn, face High Street. While the view of High Street is charming, if you are a light sleeper, traffic starts very early and even the heavy drapes do not completely keep out the sound. Other rooms have views of the alley or the rear and are quieter. This is an old and history building and the soundproofing is not what you may be used to in a newer hotel. If the people above you walk, you will hear the steps.

Nell Gwyn is a charming room with a canopy double bed. There is a desk in the room and the Internet connection was excellent. Close to the door, there is a dresser with a hospitality tray with coffee and tea making facilities, bottled water both still and sparkling and cookies. There is no closet but an armoire and a comfortable chair are provided. The room is not large so all the furniture can make it seem smaller than it actually is.

The bathroom is amazing. Large, bright and very modern, with great shower pressure and a large tub. You do need to allow a little time for the hot water to arrive but when it does arrive, it is plentiful.

Breakfast may be included in your rate and is served either in the restaurant or the bar depending on how many people are staying at the hotel. The oatmeal is excellent and the eggs were always cooked exactly as requested.

Lunch and dinner are also served in the restaurant and at certain times of the year, may be included in your rate. The menu changes at least a little quite regularly. Plan to eat here at least once during your stay.

The staff at this hotel goes above and beyond to make sure that your stay is everything that you could possibly expect. From the cleaning staff to the front desk and the restaurant, they are first class. There is nothing that you ask that is too much trouble for them.

While a stay here does not promise perfection, it comes pretty close to providing it. It is the sort of place where you feel like a cherished guest and can imagine yourself making this the place you escape to every year for your anniversary or for a getaway weekend. I certainly feel that way.

A short stay at Williamsburg Lodge

I was quite shocked when one of my friends referred to the Williamsburg Lodge, which is a member of Historic Hotels of America as ‘The one that looks more like a motel”. I have to admit, from the exterior, which is in many areas only two stories, it does look a bit like a big brick motel, albeit a very upscale one. A doorman greets you which is something that your typical motel is not going to provide as well as valet parking if you so desire.

The moment you enter into Williamsburg Lodge, any lingering motel impressions fly out the door. It is beautiful. Especially in December, when it is decorated for Christmas, it had a gracious charm that is hard to overlook. Originally built in 1939, it is just two years younger than the Williamsburg Inn. Recent updates and additions have been made to keep it relevant to today’s guests but the old-fashioned attitude that the guest is always right and should be treated well is evident in the welcome provided by the staff at every level.



Liezel Snyder at the front desk came to our rescue when we became lost trying to find our room. I mean she really came and found us, I was very impressed and it left a warm lingering feeling throughout our four-day stay.

Our superior lodge room was located in the South Wing. The walk from the parking garage is easy once you do it the first time. The lobby and restaurant areas are also just a short walk through a covered walkway.



The room itself has all the modern conveniences and yet has a very historic feel. It looks like what you would expect a room in a camping lodge to look like. The walls are wooden as are the floors. All the furniture looks like antiques but feels sturdy and modern. The bed, a single queen was very comfortable and when I asked for feather pillows, they were immediately brought to the room to join the four that we already had.

A good sized closet is provided to stash your luggage and it holds an iron, ironing board and the hairdryer The room has three chairs, a wooden rocker, a leather wingback and a leather director’s chair at the work desk. Four lamps brighten the room but no overhead light.

I love the fact that the coffee maker is a Keurig. I have plenty of K-cups with me but the room comes with four which are replenished daily. Turndown service is provided in the evening and two chocolates are left on your bed.

Soundproofing is great at the Williamsburg Lodge. We were never disturbed by any other guests. We heard no noise in the hall or through the walls. The bathroom is small but functional. The vanity is black granite and the floor is small black and white tile which looks like it is original from the 1930’s.



The Hotel has two dining options. Traditions is the main restaurant and there is also a bar menu served in the lounge. We purchased the breakfast buffet every morning for $15.95 and it was worth the money. The pastries are baked on site and you can opt to have an omelet or fried eggs from the egg station. Coffee and juice are included in the price.

We also ate dinner there every night. The food is creatively prepared and all of our servers were delightful. You can spend a lot, for the lamb or tenderloin or a little on the hamburger, lamb BLT or the flatbread. They have three soup choices and some delicious salads. I loved the hot apple cider and the decaf cappuccino. The only downside is that the menu doesn’t change and if you stay more than a few days, it gets a little repetitive.

The gift shop is very nice and offers both the practical and the whimsical. The pool and the gym are across the street as is the spa.



Best of all, the location is near perfect. The bus stops right outside the building giving you access to the entire historic district in minutes. Be sure to get a length of stay pass to the museums, it really is the best buy. You can walk to just about anything that you would like to see as well.

We loved our stay at the Williamsburg Lodge, the staff is amazing and everyone we saw spoke to us with a friendly greeting and a smile and of course, Christmas was very much in the air. We slept great, ate well and would not hesitate to stay here again the next time we are in Williamsburg.

The Mattress Factory Art Museum Pittsburgh, Penn

#themattressfactory

Hearing the name of this museum, The Mattress Factory, you would be totally at a loss to understand what they were going to offer you in the way of art. In a former incarnation, it was indeed a "mattress factory". Today it is home to a fascinating museum of installation art.


The evolution of The Mattress Factory began almost with its inception over thirty years ago. It has evolved into one of the tops museums of its genre in the world. Even the neighborhood on the north shore where it is located is eclectic. The Mexican War Streets offer wall murals that are with a visit on their own.

One of the unique aspects of this museum is that the works of art are created onsite. Artists are invited to come to the museum, there are paid and housed and encouraged to produce unique pieces that bring the museum to life. They stay anywhere from two weeks to two months and they are allowed all the materials and freedom that they need to be creative.

Sixteen installations make up their permanent collection including works by James Turrell, Yayoi Kusama, Greer Lankton and Bill Woodrow. Every year over 30,000 people come here to participate in the experience what the museum offers. While the majority of them are locals there are many who come from other parts of the US and even around the world.

What exactly is installation art? Installation art takes a space and uses the environment to create art. The visitor is drawn in and becomes almost part of the piece. Every room is an assault on at least one of the senses and often more than one.



If you have ever been to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas you have already been exposed to James Turrell’s work. The Tunnel that connects the Beck Building and the Law Building is a work of his art called The Light Inside. You actually are inside of his piece of art!

This is the sort of museum where you need to keep a close watch on. The art changes so dramatically from one installation to another that you will want to make sure not to miss the latest offerings.

Keep an open mind, come prepared to either love it or hate it. I'm voting for love.

Iken Barns self catering in Suffolk

If you are looking for a scenic location, a little off the beaten path, on an estuary in Suffolk, then Iken Barns is the perfect place to spend your vacation. The barns are lovely and come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations. 

Richard Johnson, who owns the property, came to the area to pig farm in 1983 and in 2002 decided to go from farming into hospitality. It is a good thing he decided to do that because he has created an amazing oasis here where you will have everything you need for a relaxing holiday. You can easily walk to the Snape Maltings for dining and shopping and historic St Botolph’s church is visible across the estuary. The property is now managed by Kate, when we were here his daughter Emma was the manager.

The majority of the barns are Victorian buildings that were converted using material from other buildings that were torn down on the farm. One of the barns is older and was moved to the property. The newest addition is a functions building where a variety of classes are held. The Barns are a venue for weddings etc.

We chose the Estuary Barn for a holiday. It is a second story unit with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. One bedroom is a double and one a twin. The main part of the unit is open concept with the living room, dining, and kitchen. There are three couches where you can cozy up to the gas stove and the TV. There are plenty of windows and soaring beamed ceilings. The heating is underfloor and it was quite comfortable.

The kitchen has everything you need for a comfortable stay with a dishwasher and washer/dryer in addition to the fridge/freezer and stove. Additionally, a crockpot, toaster, and microwave, as well as a French press and crockery, are offered. A balcony with a table off the back overlooks the estuary. The beds are warm and inviting and your every comfort has been provided for. 

The only issue we had was that there is not enough soundproofing between the bedrooms and bathrooms. Sounds from one bathroom are all too clear in the other, the same for the bedrooms. Great for a family with children, not so great for adults. It certainly was not a deal breaker.

If you want a spa treatment in your unit, it can be arranged. There are also bicycles and horseback riding is also available. The units are decorated to a very high standard.

The street that the barns are located on is more of a lane and for timid drivers might be a challenge. There are pubs close by within a five-minute drive or in the summer an easy walk. The village of Snape is close by and there is a small store there. Saxmunden has a Waitrose which is a large grocery where you will find everything you need at reasonable prices.

This is a perfect location for visits to Ipswich, Colchester, Sutton Hoo, Framlingham Castle and some of the seaside resorts including Aldeburgh.

Kate will provide any information that you need as well as warm welcome. She should be around to offer advice or to help if have problems operating any of the appliances. The units have plenty of brochures if you run out of ideas for things to do. For the outdoor lover, good weather will provide abundant opportunities to enjoy nature. The views are stunning, that much I can attest to. 

Visiting Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is a state-sponsored educational site that was originally created to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown in 1957. It is located adjacent to Historic Jamestowne. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation offers combination entry tickets to both Jamestown and the Yorktown Victory Center which will save you 20percent off the individual ticket prices. Check their website for opening times and prices.

Keep in mind, school children will be here in abundance during the week, hundreds of them.

Visits begin at the Visitor Center where there is a very interesting film “1607 A Nation Takes Root”. It lasts about 20 minutes and runs every 30 minutes. The relationship between the Native Americans and the English is explored and the beginning of African American presence in Virginia. It is very educational on many levels.

The next stop is the galleries, they are amazing, allow plenty of time to tour them. Again the first exhibit explores the Powhatan people from many different angles including their homes, culture, family life, recreational activities and government among others. Next, the Western Africans who came to Virginia are introduced in the same way, and finally the English. It is very interesting to see how the three compare and differ.

There is so much more in the galleries as it ends with the rise of the Plantation Aristocracy in 1699. It is now time to head outdoors at Jamestown Settlement.



Depending on which path you take you can head to the Powhatan Village or James Fort. 90 minute guided tours are available but touring solo is perfectly acceptable.

The fort, which is triangular in shape has plenty of buildings to tour including a church and even some soldier's gear to try on for great photo ops. The homes are furnished and give a historical interpretation of what life would have been like within the palisades of the fort. Interpreters are located throughout the grounds and feel free to ask questions.



Head down to the dock where three boats are berthed and can be boarded. The Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery are recreations of the ships that brought the original settlers to Jamestown. Again, there will be interpreters onboard to field questions and offer information. The views are beautiful along the James River.

The Powhatan Village had several demonstrations going on in including one on cooking. Reed-covered homes dot the village and can be walked through.

A thorough visit to the Jamestown Settlement can take all day but at the very least three to four hours are needed. Of course, there is a great gift store unfortunately filled with school children but that is what you would expect of such an educational site. Be sure to bring the kids or the grandkids, they will love it and so will the adults.

A visit to Historic Jamestowne

Historic Jamestowne is administered by the National Park Service and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation on behalf of Preservation Virginia. It is the location of the original James Fort and Jamestown. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center where you can watch an orientation film and visit the museum. Try to arrive so that you can take the 11 a.m. archeological tour. It is one of the most popular tours that is offered at the site.



The actual site is quite a distance from the visitor center. You need to take a long footbridge to get to the monument which is where the regular ranger tours meet. We arrived in time to take the 1 p.m. orientation tour. Do take one of the tours, they are very informative and you will learn a lot about what has actually been discovered here.




A lot of walking is involved in a visit here and you need to be somewhat mobile. There are paved paths but within the palisade, it is rough going and uneven ground. The monumental statue of John Smith draws visitors like a magnet. This is an active archeological site so there will no doubt be actual work going on when you visit, new discoveries are being made all the time.



The original location of the chapel has been discovered and you can walk in the church that is on the site. Sites of graves have been marked around the property and the actual skeletal remains have been removed to the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium.




After touring the palisade, walk over to the Dale House Café and enjoy lunch or a snack overlooking the James River. The food is surprisingly good, varied and not too pricey.

The Archaearium is outstanding. It holds the multitude of items that have been recovered on-site at Jamestowne. The range is unbelievable, from the practical to the little trinkets that people tend to save in their pocket. However, it is the skeletal remains that are the big draw. The biggest without a doubt is “Jane”.

The discovery of human bones in a trash pit along with other food sources, horse and dogs is considered significant. The skull and tibia showed signs of having been butchered. This was the first physical evidence of the cannibalism that had been reported during the “starving time”, the winter of 1609/10. The bones belong to a young girl, about 14 years old who was likely a servant. A recreation from the skull of what she would have looked like in life is located in the Archaearium.



Allow the better part of a day to enjoy everything that is offered here. The educational aspects are outstanding. You really will be standing and walking in the steps of the first English settlers in America and it is hard to describe how impactful this is.

Additionally, this is a very scenic area and there are a multitude of paths to enjoy the river views and if you are lucky, you may sight a bald eagle.

On your way in or out of the area stop at the Glasshouse of 1608 to see the artisans making glass which was one of the first industries that started in the area.