Experience Nature: Vacation in a Floating Lodge in Arctic Sweden

A NEW PROGRAM WITH A FLOATING LODGE BRINGS YOU CLOSER TO NATURE IN ARCTIC SWEDEN

 

Designed for an off-the-grid immersion in the beautiful nature of Arctic Sweden, a new holiday program offered by Off the Map Travel invites guests to spend two nights on a floating lodge on Lake Degerselet combined with one night in a land safari camp 10 minutes away. Just south of the Arctic Circle, the Floating Safari Camp and the Aurora Safari Camp are designed for relaxation in complete seclusion.

Offered through September, the three-night program offers a unique opportunity to experience two “off-the-grid” sites, each surrounded by the brilliance of the changing foliage of the Swedish forest. Beginning late August, guests can witness the return of the Northern Lights with long sunny days and dark nights.  

While on the lake, up to six guests will stay in the Floating Safari Camp with two safari-style tents with double beds and one double room furnished in Scandi style with night tables and a seating area with views across the lake.

The camp also includes toilet and shower facilities plus a traditional wood-fired sauna.   Possible Floating Safari Camp activities include lake swimming, fishing, canoeing, paddle-boarding, with all sports equipment provided on site.

Despite its Arctic location, lake temperatures reach a comfortable 64-77 degrees Fahrenheit. For true relaxation, guests are encouraged to kick back and soak up the beauty and sounds of the lake and surrounding wilderness or relax in the sauna.

An Off the Map Travel exclusive, a sunset BBQ on a private island is a highlight of the program. Meals, including the sunset BBQ and an “under-the-stars” dinner on the Råne River, are provided by a private chef who also serves as the personal tour guide for the stay.   Images can be found here.  

“With the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s a rarity that we get to completely switch off and immerse ourselves in nature and this program gives us that opportunity,” says Alex Minnis, COO, Off the Map Travel.  

The four-day, three-night Floating Safari Camp itinerary is priced at $2825 USD* (£2199), per person, based on double occupancy, and includes all meals, two nights at the Floating Safari Camp and one night in the Aurora Safari Camp, boat and canoe transfers, and activities. Flights are not included. Additional activities such as forest cycling, foraging and a guided canoe trip can be arranged.

A reduced-rate self-catering option is also possible for those who wish to cook themselves.  *at the time of this writing   As with any itinerary from Off the Map Travel, the Floating Safari Camp program can be tailor-made to fit the wishes and requirements of the guests.

Detailed itinerary: Day 1 Upon arrival at Luleå Airport, you will be greeted by your private guide who will accompany you on a transfer to the Floating Safari Camp reception. From there, a boat transfer will take you to the captivating Floating Safari Camp itself.  

Before dinner, indulge in a rejuvenating sauna session to unwind and relax. As the day winds down, a four-course dinner awaits, prepared by a private chef who doubles as a host and guide, for a personalized and memorable dining experience.

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The night is spent in the Floating Safari Camp, where the tranquility of the surrounding waters creates a soothing ambience for a comfortable and restful overnight stay.  

Day 2

Breakfast and lunch will be prepared by your private guide. After that, there are a variety of options for activities to immerse yourself in the beautiful Swedish surroundings: canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, and fishing. For an additional fee, guided canoeing, foraging and forest cycling tour can be arranged through Off the Map Travel.   In the early evening, you can enjoy a sauna session before your evening boat trip to a private island for a BBQ dinner, an exclusive experience from Off the Map Travel.  

Day 3

In the morning your guide will prepare breakfast for you before a canoe transfer from the Floating Safari Camp to the Aurora Safari Camp where you will have lunch with a glass of bubbly. The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax or enjoy a forest sauna session before a four-course dinner.  

Day 4

After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport via a guided forest tour. You can opt to extend your stay here or in another location such as Stockholm or the forests of Swedish Lapland – all can be arranged with the Off the Map Travel adventure specialists.  

 

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OFF THE MAP TRAVEL

The team at Off the Map Travel works with experiences and destinations that allow people to explore hidden wonders of our planet. Specializing in the Nordic region, OTMT creates tailor-made itineraries offering authentic experiences not offered by many larger travel companies.  For more information on Off the Map Travel holidays visit www.offthemap.travel; call 1-646-701-0041; email info@offthemap.travel  or join in the conversation on Facebook or Instagram.  

For more information visit www.offthemap.travel, call 1-646-701-0041 or email info@offthemap.travel  

Live & On-Site: C-SPAN’s Book TV partners with the Library of Congress to bring the 2023 National Book Festival to a national television audience.

As an original supporter of the National Book Festival, C-SPAN’s Book TV is contributing the following for this year’s event – held on Saturday, August 12, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center:
• live coverage of author interviews and panel discussions.
• lengthy live call-in interviews with nonfiction authors on location from the grand lobby.
• 20,000 totes promoting both the Library of Congress and C-SPAN’s Book TV available to Festivalgoers.
• public access to its video coverage via C-SPAN’s online archives at C-SPAN.org.

C-SPAN’s Book TV has been providing live, in-depth, uninterrupted coverage of the National Book Festival – and partnering with the Library of Coverage on promotion – since the event began on September 8, 2001.

Book TV’s LIVE coverage has taken C-SPAN’s audience to the Festival’s various venues – U.S. Capitol grounds (2001), a vast tent city on the National Mall (2002-2013), an expo-style event in the Washington Convention Center (2014-2019), a virtual event during the pandemic (2020-2021), and back to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (2022).

Book TV’s extensive coverage of nonfiction authors appearing at the National Book Festival kicks off the network’s coverage of book fairs held throughout the country in the fall. And the celebration of C-SPAN’s 25 years of Book TV will launch from this year’s festival.

About Book TV:
Book TV – Sundays on C-SPAN2 – is the only television service dedicated to nonfiction books. Book TV features programming on a rich variety of topics, such as history, biography, politics, current events, the media and more. Watch author interviews, book readings and coverage of the nation’s largest book fairs. Every Sunday on C-SPAN2 starting 8 am ET or online anytime at booktv.org. Use that website as well to connect with Book TV via social media and the email newsletter.

About C-SPAN:
C-SPAN, the public affairs network providing Americans with unfiltered access to congressional proceedings, was created in 1979 as a public service by the cable television industry and is now funded through fees paid by cable and satellite companies that provide C-SPAN programming. C-SPAN connects with millions of Americans through its three commercial-free TV networks, C-SPAN Radio, C-SPAN Podcasts, the C-SPAN Now app, C-SPAN.org and various social media platforms.

The network’s video-rich website contains over 270,000 hours of searchable and shareable content. Engage with C-SPAN on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and stay connected through weekly and daily newsletters. 

Full 2023 National Book Festival Book TV Coverage Schedule, Saturday Aug. 12
9amET Interview Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

9:30am Authors Panel: Accidental Spies
Authors: John Lisle “The Dirty Tricks Department“;
Janet Wallach “Flirting with Danger
Moderator: CBS’s Jeff Pegues

10:30am Interview Author R.K. Russell, “The Yards Between Us”

10:45am Authors Panel: Environmental Awakening vs. Climate Change
Authors: Douglas Brinkley “Silent Spring Revolution“;
David Lipsky “The Parrot and the Igloo
Moderator: Jenn White of NPR

11:45 Interview: Charles “Cully” Stimson, senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation
“Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers Are Destroying America’s Communities.”

12pm Author Talk: Sports and Culture
Author: R.K. Russell, “Yards Between Us
Moderator: LZ Granderson of the LA Times

12:45pm Interview, David Rubenstein

1pm Author Panel: Escaping Genocide and Human Trafficking
Authors: Tahir Hamut Izgil, “Waiting to Be Arrested at Night“;
Saket Soni, “The Great Escape
Moderator: Washington Post’s Jason Rezaian

2:20pm Interview Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

3:15pm Interview with Chasten Buttigieg, “I Have Something to Tell You

3:30pm Author Panel – Behind the Scenes with Black Writers
Authors Camille Dungy and Tiphanie Yanique
Moderator: Author Jericho Brown

4:30pm Joan Biskupic, “Nine Black Robes

4:45pm Author Panel – Dig In: What Food Says About Us
Authors Cheuk Kwan and Anya von Bremzen
Moderator: Wash. Post Food Writer Daniela Galarza

For more information c-span.org/booktv

National Book Festival Presents

The Library of Congress National Book Festival now includes the year-round series of events – National Book Festival Presents – featuring high-caliber authors, their books and corresponding Library treasures. For more literary programs and book-related events, visit the poetry and literature events calendar.

Drinking Tequila with Mark Wahlberg

The email popped up in my inbox three days before we were going to continue our trip in Arizona, traveling through the mountain towns lining the eastern edge of the state up through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. We would continue along the original Route 66 and into Navajo land where the towns had names like Mexican Water (population 730) and Mexican Hat (population 34) and every menu had a variation of fry bread tacos.

My biggest regret of the trip was not buying a baseball-style cap inscribed with Mexican Hat, Utah.

The email was an invitation to meet Mark Wahlberg at Bottled Blonde in Scottsdale where he and his business partner, Aron Marquez, would be pouring their Flecha Azul Tequila. I must be on their “D” list, as the event was the night after next, the night before we were leaving.

As one of the only new world tequila brands with authentic Mexican roots, Flecha Azul was founded by Mexican-born Marquez and first-generation Mexican-American pro-golfer Abraham Ancer.

Shared core passions and friendship brought Mark Wahlberg to join the team in 2022, building upon their efforts and desire to share additive-free Flecha Azul Tequila with friends around the world.

But still, how often do you get to have Mark Wahlberg pour you drinks? When I told my husband we were invited to meet Mark Wahlberg and taste his various tequilas, he said didn’t know who Mark Wahlberg was. So I started naming movies. Wahlberg starred with Will Ferrell in “The Other Guys,” “Daddy’s Home,” and “Daddy’s Home 2.” He also was in “The Departed” with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon that won not only an Academy Award for Best Picture but also best director (Martin Scorsese). And then there is “Ted,” the rather naughty but very funny movie about Mark and a toy bear. There’s even a casino slot game named after the movie plus a “Ted 2.”

No, my husband said he didn’t know those movies.

Well, I said, if you Google “Mark Wahlberg movies” you’ll get a list of 45 or so films he’s been in.

“What about “Entourage?” I asked about the award-winning television series that ran from 2004 to 2011 based upon Wahlberg’s life after he moved to Hollywood with his three hometown friends and hit the big time. Wahlberg didn’t star in the series, but he was an executive producer.

No, John hadn’t heard of “Entourage,” but he did know about Wahlburgers, the hamburger chain that Mark and his brothers had started.

And he did like the 1965 Lincoln Continental convertible that was parked in front of Bottled Blonde. I explained it was the car the guys from “Entourage” tooled around in L.A.

Though we arrived early, the bar was already crowded and people were lined up to get their photos taken with Wahlberg.After photos, he went behind the large oval-shaped bar and started pouring Flecha Azul Tequila.

Then he and his friends headed toward the door, stopping to shake hands with those who were close by and saying thanks for coming. When it was my turn, I put my glass of tequila down so I could shake hands and before I could reclaim it, someone had whisked it away. What I tasted, though, was very smooth and good.

Flecha Azul Tequila offers a wide variety of tequilas. Their Blanco is rested for two months in stainless steel so it mellows; Reposado is aged six months in ex-bourbon American oak barrels giving it hints of praline, vanilla, sandalwood and a subtle baking spice; Anejo ages for 18 months in ex-Bourbon barrels – six months longer than the industry standard for Anejo – and has rich maple and caramel characteristics along with pineapple cream soda, and black pepper.

Then there’s the extra Anejo with its notes of almonds and vanilla. It ages for 36 months in ex-bourbon American oak barrels, and Cristalino rests for 18 months in ex-Bourbon barrels, a process that imparts vanilla, coconut and subtle baking spice.

The goal of Fletcha Azul Tequila is to produce a premium drink that’s much smoother and complex than the types of tequilas college kids down as shots. Tequila is made from the hearts of the agave plants that grow in the Mexico state of Jalisco.

If it isn’t made there, it can’t be called tequila. I’ve been to the blue agave fields outside of Santiago de Tequila, the heart of the tequila industry. It’s where many tequila producers – both big and small – have their headquarters.

On a tour, I watched the jimadors (workers) dig up the large blue agaves and, using a coa, a long, machete-like blade on a long wooden handle, remove the heart or pinas which are then loaded onto a truck. From the fields the pinas are taken into Santiago de Tequila where they are placed in hornos, which are ovens built of either clay or brick.

Baking pinas releases the sugars necessary for fermentation. All tequila is aged between 14 to 21 days. Silver or blanco tequila is typically aged for the minimum time. For aged tequilas, reposado is rested or aged for two months to one year, anejo is aged for one to three years, and extra anejo is aged for more than three years.

Aging tequila in used oak barrels that were used for resting bourbon gives the drink a golden color.But back to the Wahlberg and the Bottled Blonde. Out on the street, Wahlberg and his friends climbed into the Lincoln Continental, posing as if they were going to drive away, but that was just for the press and fans and photos.

When all the photos were taken, the group headed across the street where their real rides – two large black SUVs – were waiting. But before they got there, Wahlberg was waylaid by a man who wanted him to sign the front hood of his car. Now this wasn’t like the Camry I drive. It was an Audi R8 with a starting price of over $200,000.

Yes, starting price.

So Wahlberg took the black marker the guy handed him and wrote on the hood of the car.

“I’m never going to wash it,” the car’s owner said to me.

“What are you going to do if it rains?” I asked him.

“It’s a permanent marker,” was his reply.I wondered if having Mark Wahlberg sign your car added to its value or not.

The following recipes are courtesy of Flecha Azul Tequila.

Cherry Filthy Flecharita

  • 1 1⁄2 ounces Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila
  • 1⁄2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1⁄2 ounce Filthy Black Cherry Syrup
  • 1 ounce sparkling water
  • Garnish with 3 Filthy cherries

Fill a shaker with ice and combine tequila, fresh lime juice and black cherry syrup.Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe glass. Top off with sparkling water and garnish with Filthy Black Cherry.

Paloma

  • 2 ounces Flecha Azul Tequila Blanco
  • 1 ounces fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce cane syrup
  • Soda

Mix and then top off with a splash of soda

Spicy Pineapple Margarita

  • 2 1/4 ounces Flecha Azul Reposado Tequila
  • 1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce cane syrup
  • 3 jalapeno slices
  • Muddle jalapeno slices in a cocktail shaker, add ice and all remaining ingredients. Shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.

Green with Envy

  • 2 ounces Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila
  • 2 ounces fresh green juice

To prepare green juice, combine the below ingredients into a juicer:

  • 1 apple
  • Bunch of kale
  • 1/2 cup of fresh pineapple
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 5 coins of fresh ginger (peeled and cut into circles)

Combine all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a highball glass and add fresh crushed ice.

The Ancer

  • 2 ounces Flecha Azul Blanco Tequila
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

Mix ingredients together and then to off with Topo Chico, a sparkling mineral water sourced from Monterrey, Mexico. Or go with another brand of sparkling mineral water if unable to find Topo Chico.

This article orgianally appeared in the Herald Palladium.

Dream Yacht Worldwide expands easy crewed sailing concept around the globe

Sailing vacation packages that make charters easy and accessible for non-sailors are now available in the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and the Seychelles.

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Dream Yacht Worldwide, the world’s leading yacht charter company, is bringing its successful crewed yacht product “Easy Crewed” to 4 new destinations this summer. The concept that was specifically designed for those new to chartering launched last year in Greece and Croatia and is offering easy-to-book, flexible, and price-competitive sailing vacation packages.

The “Easy Crewed” charter program builds upon the company’s highly successful “Cabin Cruise” vacations for singles and couples, currently offered in more than 15 idyllic destinations worldwide.

The Cabin Cruise concept was pioneered and developed by Dream Yacht Worldwide in the effort to make sailing vacations accessible to travelers unfamiliar with yacht charters. The Easy Crewed offering is a natural evolution in this endeavor, extending the concept to feature private yachts for groups of family and friends up to ten.

The addition of the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti, and the Seychelles as Easy Crewed charter destinations offers guests even more flexibility regarding their preferred vacation destination and together with Greece and Croatia creates a unique blend of Mediterranean, Caribbean and exotic locations available to choose from.

A one-week charter trip will let guests explore breathtaking coastlines, ancient ruins, crystalline waters, amazing local cuisine with fresh ingredients, and countless dazzling islands that can only be reached by boat.

Those planning their yacht charter vacation need only choose a destination and boat type based on their preferences and number of people in their travel group. Monohulls and sailing catamarans from 38’ to 54’ are among the yacht choices, all with comfortable private guest cabins with ensuite or shared baths. Easy Crewed Charters come complete with an experienced local skipper and watersports equipment including a standup paddle board and snorkeling gear. The skipper works with the guests to plan a custom itinerary that accommodates desired activities, day stops and night anchorages.

For additional comfort guests can choose to add a hostess/cook, air conditioning, and meal packages to include all breakfasts and lunches or even all meals in more remote cruising grounds. These meal plans cater to the guest’s specific preferences.

Easy Crewed Charters are currently available to book for Summer 2023 and beyond. As an example, the one-week package prices start as low as $630 per person for 10 guests aboard a 47- to 56-foot monohull in Croatia and $1023 per person for 10 guests aboard a 43- to 47-foot monohull in the British Virgin Islands.

www.dreamyachtcharter.comYouTube |  Facebook | Instagram | 

About Dream Yacht Worldwide – The World’s Leading Ocean Tourism Company

Part of the Dream Yacht Group, we were founded by Loic Bonnet in 2000. We set out from the start to revolutionize the industry by making sailing accessible to all. Originally launched in the Seychelles with just six boats, Dream Yacht Worldwide now has one of the largest charter fleets, and more than 50 exciting destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Asia, Americas and Europe.

National Burger Day is this August 25th

It’s time to get ready for National Burger Day coming up on August 25th. So, to get ready here are some burger and other food stats:

America loves its burgers, but there is a debate over how we like them and where we should put our cheese.  RTA Outdoor Living (RTAOutdoorLiving.com), the leader in custom prefabricated outdoor kitchens and cooking appliances, has released the results of a study that reveal what Americans really feel about burgers, hot dogs, BBQing, pizza and more. 

The survey of over 1,000 people from coast to coast revealed the best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing. More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers.  In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?! Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger

The full survey can be seen at: rtaoutdoorliving.com/food-debates-controversial-foods/

Key results include:

–       In a cheeseburger, 15% of respondents feel the cheese should go UNDER the burger! Really?!
o       Almost 19% of men want the cheese under the burger

–       The best level of “doneness” for a burger is medium, with 40% of respondents agreeing
o       More men (43.1%) than women (36.8%) were into medium doneness while more women (23.2%) than men (11.6%) wanted well-done burgers

–       “Drumsticks” are the clear favorite amongst wing eaters, far ahead of “flats”
o       Drumsticks are the winner with 2 in 3 respondents preferring them

–       Boneless wings are more popular than bone-in wings
o       Despite a clear love for drumsticks, 63.4% of respondents chose boneless over bone-in wings

–       57% of respondents say hot dogs are sandwiches
o       A higher number of boomers (63.5%) say so than Gen Z (50%)
o       60% of men think a hot dog is a sandwich, while 52% of women agree

–       56.7% of respondents say grilling is the best method to prepare a hot dog
o       Surprisingly, 12.6% think it is microwaving is the best way
o       Grilling is 10% more popular with females (62.5%) than males (52.2%)
o       27% of those ages 18-23 feel that boiling is the best method

–       10% of Americans think that squares are the best way to cut a pizza
o       While 90% agree that the traditional triangle is the best way to get a slice, 10% do like the squares

–       47.5% of respondents put pineapple on their pizza, meaning just 52.5% of pizzas are safe from certain doom
o       60% of those 18-23 will not put pineapple on their pizza

–       18% of Americans eat pizza with a fork and knife

–       3 in 4 prefer the crispiness of edge brownies while 24% want 100% gooiness of the center brownies. Good thing there are 4 edges and 1 center per tray

Six Great Reasons to Visit Branson, Missouri, One of America’s Most Christmassy Towns

With less than five months to go until December 25, it might be hard for some of us to get into the Christmas spirit. (Sometimes it’s hard to think as far ahead as dinner, so we get it.) However, there are some unique places where it’s never too soon to get the (snow)ball rolling. One such place is Branson, Missouri, where visions (of sugarplums), plans and schedules for the destination’s annual transformation into one of America’s most Christmassy towns are already well under way.The spectacular two-month Ozark Mountain Christmas celebration kicks off in early November and is filled with lights, music and merriment for the young and the young-at-heart.

Branson has officially been celebrating Ozark Mountain Christmas since 1988, making this year its 35th anniversary … though the celebration has become bigger and brighter each year. If you’re in need of some convincing about why a trip to Branson should make it onto your Christmas list, here are just a few reasons:

1.5 million lights are located in the “Christmas in Midtown” section of Silver Dollar City’s “An Old Time Christmas.” This concentration of lights is more than 20% of the 680 miles of lights dazzling guests at the park during this time of year.Photo Credit: Silver Dollar City

1. Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas

This 1880s-style theme park’s “An Old Time Christmas” event features the largest concentration of lights in Branson … more than 6.5 million, to be exact (equating to more than 680 miles of lights)! Between November 4 and December 30, visitors can stroll among the massive displays of twinkling lights, including the concentrated 1.5-million-light “Christmas In Midtown” walkthrough and Joy On Town Square light-to-music synchronized display, featuring an eight-story Christmas tree with larger-than-life LED projections. Many of the park’s award-winning rides are open during the festival, along with Broadway-style live holiday productions, festive home-style meals and seasonal treats. Plus, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, winds its way through The City’s streets.

Located in heart of Branson’s Entertainment District, this year’s brand-new community Christmas tree, “Evergreen and Ever Glowing” will be located in the same complex as the Branson Ferris Wheel.

2. Christmas Trees … and Treasure Hunts!

With more than 1,500 Christmas trees throughout the destination – including those at Silver Dollar City – Branson’s Christmas Tree Trail is truly spectacular. Each year, the Branson Christmas Coalition – yes, it’s a real organization – unveils a themed community Christmas tree in November. This year’s theme has been announced as “Evergreen and Ever Glowing,” and will celebrate the destination’s balance of nature and neon. A colorful spectacle from top to bottom, all 39 feet of the 2023 tree will be adorned with nearly 6,000 lights and a neon sign wishing the world a “Merry Ozark Mountain Christmas.” Located in the heart of Branson’s Entertainment District, the “Evergreen and Ever Glowing” tree will be centrally positioned in front of the Branson Ferris Wheel. Consider this detail your one and only location-based clue, because visitors are invited to participate in a brand-new Christmas tree treasure hunt to find the remaining biggest and best trees in Branson. Starting on November 1, the most unique landmark Christmas tree displays in Branson will include GPS identifiers. Visitors who want to explore America’s Christmas Tree Trail can take fun holiday quizzes, snap photos and enjoy a hide-and-seek challenge along the way. 

3. Brilliant Lights

Multiple Christmas displays can be found shining brightly throughout this Ozark Mountain destination, too. Here’s a sampling of annual events (though some websites aren’t quite ready for 2023 yet):

  • With two miles of LED displays, Let There Be Lights at Promised Land Zoo earns the title of “longest Christmas display in the Ozarks.”
  • Lights of Joy is a 1.25-mile drive-thru experience featuring both traditional and whimsical displays, including the nativity scene as well as a Christmas safari.
  • Shepherd’s North Pole Adventure at Shepherd of the Hills features a walk-through experience of thousands of twinkling lights, in addition to a visit with Santa, Christmas activities for the family and more.

Here’s a look at a handful of the world-famous fruitcakes that are baked in the Fruitcake & Jelly Kitchen each year at College of the Ozarks.

4. Fruitcake

Earning its title “Hard Work U,” College of the Ozarks allows full-time college students to work in exchange for the cost of their tuition. And you might mistake some of them for Santa’s elves, since they bake about 25,000 world-famous fruitcakes in the Fruitcake & Jelly Kitchen each year. Mail-order offerings include such items as a the traditional “World-Famous College of the Ozarks Fruitcake” in addition to fruitcake bites, lemon pound cake, a gluten-free fruitcake and a four-pack cake sampler gift box. (Note: visitors can shop for handcrafted items – including fruitcake – at the Keeter Center Gift Shop and online here.)  

5. Festive Accommodations

Throughout December, Chateau on the Lake, Branson’s modern-day “Castle in the Ozarks,” gets its guests into the holiday spirit with activities like caroling by the fire, story time, holiday movies and more. It’s also home to an amazing candy village made by the Chateau’s culinary team and displayed in the hotel’s lobby. From November 6 through December 31, Big Cedar Lodge hosts “Home for the Holidays,” during which overnight guests can take in 2 million holiday lights on display across the property, in addition to such seasonal festivities as a tree-lighting ceremony, family campfires, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a Christmas Chapel Service. 

6. It’s Within a Day’s Drive for Half of the U.S.

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Branson sits right in the middle of the U.S.A. – making it within a day’s drive for about half of the American population. And if you don’t fall into that radius, a longer road trip or flight to experience an Ozark Mountain Christmas is sure to be worth the memories you’ll make.  While it may feel too early to jingle all the way into your inbox with such messages, we hope we’ve taken the guesswork out of where you can get into the Christmas spirit this year. Please feel free to file this for when you’re ready to sip cocoa and jump into all things Christmas. Explore Branson will continue adding Christmas events and experiences as they’re confirmed. For the most up-to-date lineup of Christmas events this year, visit www.ExploreBranson.com/Christmas 

About Branson, MissouriBranson is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains with dozens of live performance theaters; three pristine lakes; championship golf courses; an international award-winning theme park; family attractions and museums; a Historic Downtown district; shopping galore; a full range of dining options; and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, and meeting and convention facilities. Branson is located less than one day’s drive for a third of the United States’ population. It’s also accessible via flights to the Branson Airport (BKG) and nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF).

Call 1-877-BRANSON for help planning your next vacation, convention or reunion. See more at http://www.explorebranson.com

Explore the Hatfield and McCoy Feud, Historic Sites and Driving Tour

Guest blogger Kathy Witt shares her latest road trip adventure with us.

The famous Hatfield-McCoy feud that has terrorized the law-abiding citizens in Eastern Kentucky has broken out afresh and another wholesale slaughter is looked for at any moment.”  

The 1889 story in New York City’s The Sun, under the headline, “East Kentucky in Terror,” chronicled one of the world’s most famous grudges, one that began with a hog and ended with a body count of more than a dozen dead Hatfields and McCoys.

The feud, which had its roots in the American Civil War, lasted for generations, keeping the country in its thrall for decades.  

This summer marks the 20th anniversary of the end of the feud between these two warring clans that lived, died, murdered and maimed in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, specifically the Tug River Valley, which divides Kentucky and West Virginia.  

Descendants of the Hatfields, whose patriarch was William “Devil Anse” Hatfield, and the McCoys, led by Randolph “Old Ranel” McCoy, signed a truce, proclaiming in part that the families “do hereby and formally declare an official end to all hostilities, implied, inferred and real, between the families, now and forevermore.”  

Play:

The self-guided Hatfields and McCoys Historic Feud Driving Tour takes visitors to key sites connected to the 30-year feud. First stop: the Pikeville-Pike County, Kentucky Visitors Center, www.tourpikecounty.com, to pick up the brochure with step-by-step directions through Pike County’s winding mountain roads. An audio CD or USB is available for purchase ($20/each) and sets the stage for full-on feud immersion with narration, music and jaunty ballads.  

The driving tour covers three main geographic areas of Hatfield-McCoy feud activity: Pikeville city, the Blackberry area of Pike County and across the Tug River in West Virginia in a town called Sarah Ann. Depending on pace and interest, the full tour can take four to six hours, but it can also be broken up into shorter visits. Tour sites are open during daylight hours.  

Pay your respects at the gravesites of Hatfield and McCoy kinfolk caught in the clash’s crossfire, including Devil Anse and Randolph McCoy. Stop by the site of Randolph McCoy’s Homeplace and Well in the Blackberry Creek area and the mournful grounds of the Pawpaw trees, where in 1882 more than 50 bullets were pumped into the bodies of Randolph’s sons—Tolbert, Pharmer and Randolph, Jr.—in retaliation for the stabbing death of Ellison Hatfield.  

In Pikeville, enter the halls of justice at the Historic Pike County Courthouse, site of the Hatfield trials for the murders of the McCoy brothers and the subsequent murder of Alifair McCoy, their sister, among other crimes. See the Hanging Site of Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts. The 1890 hanging brought crowds out to the gallows in their Sunday best to watch the Hatfield who confessed to and was convicted of Alifair’s murder swing by the neck.  

Nearby, the Big Sandy Heritage Center Museum houses the world’s largest collection of historical Hatfield and McCoy artifacts, including the rope bed that belonged to Asa Harmon McCoy, whose accused murderer was Devil Anse, and an original photo of Roseanna McCoy, who had a secret love affair with Johnse Hatfield. Also see life-size figures of Devil Anse and Old Ranel, plus newspaper clippings, portraits of the families and other memorabilia.  

Spend some time in Pikeville’s historic downtown district to stroll lamppost-lined streets and browse independently owned shops like Two Chicks & Company for apparel, gift items and home décor and the mom-and-pop collective, the Shoppes at 225.  

Along the way meet the Hatfield and McCoy Bears, Moonshine Bear, Banjo Bear and a whole sleuth of bears—all part of Pikeville’s Bear Affair, a community arts program starring University of Pikeville’s sports mascot. The whimsical four- and five-foot tall bears each have a story to tell and are fun and colorful photo ops.  

Stay:

Stay in walking distance of downtown shops, restaurants and many of the Bear Affair bears at the Hampton Inn Pikeville. It has all the amenities the brand is known for—free parking, Wi-Fi and hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center—plus a cozy fireplace in the lobby.  

Eat:

Sup where Old Ranel once slept. Chirico’s Ristorante occupies the former McCoy House—where Randolph, his wife Sarah (also known as Sally) and their family settled when their Pike County Homeplace was burned by the Hatfields during the New Year’s Day Raid of 1888.  

Dine on authentic Italian dishes—everything from an Italian sampler starter featuring hand-rolled meatballs and scratch-made Italian sausage to the traditional Frankwich house specialty. Part sandwich, part pizza, this layered and lidded Chirico’s original is stacked with ham, pepperoni, mozzarella and zesty cheeses, baked in a brick oven and finished with lettuce, tomato and mayo. Specialty frankwiches include Philly steak, Italian sub and Buffalo chicken flavors.  

Place your order then head up to the second floor, ascending the same staircase Randolph and Sarah walked up each night while living here from 1888 until their respective deaths.

According to Tony Tackett, executive director of the Pikeville-Pike County Tourism Commission, Old Ranel selected the site for its proximity to Dils Cemetery where he had buried Sarah and their daughter, Roseanna. He could step out onto his second-floor balcony and, at that time, see across town to the cemetery.

RECIPE

McCoy’s Italian Meat LoafThis recipe, a McCoy family favorite, is from the cookbook, Cooking with the Real McCoys, with recipes by the family and friends of Margie Annett and the McCoys. The book is available for $15 at the gift shop at the Pikeville-Pike County Visitor Center.   Ingredients  

  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 egg, slightly, beaten
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 diced green pepper
  • 1 cup Quaker oats
  • 1 24-oz jar Prego spaghetti sauce
  • 2 tsp Italian seasonings
  • 3/4 lb. sliced mozzarella cheese

  Instructions  

Combine ground beef, milk, egg, onion, green pepper, oats, Italian seasoning and half of the spaghetti sauce.

Mix well. Put half of the mixture in baking dish. Add cheese on top of this layer. Add remaining ground beef mixture on top of cheese.

Pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top.

Bake in 350-degree oven for 1 hour.

Kathy Witt Writer/Author SATW Society of American Travel Writers│Authors Guild Author of Cincinnati Scavenger; Secret Cincinnati: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful & Obscure; The Secret of the Belles; Atlanta, Georgia: A Photographic Portrait Arriving Spring 2024: Perfect Day Kentucky: Daily Itineraries for the Discerning Traveler  

Kathy is a syndicated travel/cruise columnist for Tribune News Service and freelance writer for a variety of print magazines, blogs and other online outlets. Copywriter and storyteller who’s created written content for Ricardo Beverly Hills, LiteGear Bags and other travel/lifestyle brands; Bardstown “The Bourbon Capital of the World” KY, Harrodsburg KY and other destinations. Author of five books, including Secret Cincinnati. Graduate of Southeast Tourism Society Marketing College with TMP (tourism marketing professional) designation. Recipient of numerous writing awards, including Mark Twain Travel Writing Awards and Lily Scholarships.KathyWitt.com│www.facebook.com/SecretCincinnatiNKY   www.LinkedIn.com/in/KathyWittwww.Instagram.com/Kathy.Witt

Looking for the ultimate getaway?

W Scottsdale, the electric destination in the heart of the city’s booming downtown, I’m excited to announce a host of special rates and offerings for splashy summer scenes (just in time for planning a Labor Day weekend getaway), and kick-off to Scottsdale’s Secret Season. With rates starting at $199, W Scottsdale is a top travel destination for fun in the sun. 

Available to book now through August 31, 2023, the hotel’s Sips + Sunshine package offers guests an extra 25% off room rates and plenty of perks, including a cocktail kit welcome amenity completed with guests’ favorite liquor and mixers, 30% off at AWAY Spa, breakfast in bed for 2 guests, and early check-in and late checkout for guests make the most of their getaway. Guests can book via this link

Additionally, the property’s onsite AWAY Spa is offering spectacular summer treatments available now through the end of September:·         

Show Your Glow Facial ($159) – This 50-minute treatment is designed to restore deep hydration and total radiance. Guests will discover the power of prickly pear extract and hyaluronic acid. The treatment also includes ice globe facial massage.·         

Desert Destress Massage ($159) – This 50-minute massage revives tired muscles and reduces brain fog with head-clearing oils, moderate pressure and tension-releasing techniques.·        

 Summer Sole Pedicure ($75) – This 50-minute all-encompassing pedicure is perfect for getting pool ready. It includes a hydrating foot soak, cuticle work, nail shape and polish.

This Secret Season, November through January, W Scottsdale is turning up the heat! Scottsdale offers idyllic weather with moderate temperatures (with highs being in the 70s and 80s) that transform the vibrant city into a serene desert oasis fit for a restorative getaway. During this time, the property also offers extremely desirable rates and a more relaxed setting with a lessened capacity.

Although the pool closes in November, the hotel still serves as the ultimate party destination with lively scenes at the WET Deck where guests can experience Vegas-style bottle service, Cottontail Lounge where guests can savor in elevated drinks and bites and Living Room where live music fills the room when the lights go down as guests mingle with Scottsdale natives. 

For guests seeking to build on their itineraries outside of the hotel and its many amenities, they can visit Fashion Square, America’s #1 mall located just steps away from the property. Also steps away is the Entertainment District featuring more than 80 top attractions like fine-dining, shopping, nightclubs, premier golf and spa for a fun night on the town.

Additionally, guests can embark on a quick golf cart ride to the quaint, historic Old Town to enjoy a day of shopping, arts and culture.

“Since its debut, W Scottsdale has been a leading hotel for groups attracting guests with its expansive accommodations, lively WET Deck scene, tranquil AWAY Spa, and its central location in the heart of the city’s premier nightlife experiences and outdoor adventures,” saysTodd Iacono, general manager, W Scottsdale. “Our Suite Dreams & Splashy Scenes and Scottsdale in Style packages feature the best of the best offerings from hotel amenities to regional access, providing guests epic experiences to share with friends and family.” 

Suite Dreams & Splashy Scenes 

The ultimate package for groups seeking to “go big” during their Scottsdale getaway. Starting at $15,000 for a minimum two-night stay for groups up to six guests, the package includes the following:·         

2 or more nights in a WOW Suite any day of the week·  A private limo transportation from lift off to landing·         An hour-long in-suite experience featuring a signature cocktail bar and private bartender to create the group’s favorite libations·         A reserved cabana at the WET Deck·         An outdoor adventure featuring ATVs·         VIP access to a selection of the Entertainment District’s hottest bars and night clubs, including Maya, Cake, Riot House, and more·         A private Spa After Dark experience including the following:o   

Unlimited glasses of bubbly or choice of cocktailso   Choice of lite biteso   25% off select spa productso   Choice of one of the following services:§  Beauty boost with glow peel (45 min)§  Beachy waves with hair mask (45 min)§  Manicure with gel add-on & hand mask (45 min)§  Full glam make-up application (45 min) For guests seeking to capture their group getaway in true Scottsdale fashion, S

Scottsdale in Style

The quintessential offering, Scottsdale in Style starts at $6,000, this AWAY Spa package includes the following:·         

A private glam party at AWAY Spa to spoil the group with the quintessential beauty boosting experience·         

A photoshoot session with a professional photographer on the WET Deck – perfect for enhancing guests’ social media presence, wedding websites, dating apps, etc.·         

A WET Deck swag bag, including sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and branded water bottles·         

A reserved cabana at the WET Deck 

The debut of these compelling offerings comes on the heels of unveiling the property’s new collection of 12 penthouse suites to add to the 17 suites and a total of 241 rooms property wide. The custom suites feature multiple layouts including a one-bedroom Fantastic Suite, and two Extreme WOW Suites and two WOW Suites, each featuring two-bedrooms.

These new suites are the epitome of exclusivity, only accessible via a private elevator, guaranteeing privacy for guests. Appealing to all groups from bachelorette parties to lively reunions, the new penthouse suites at W Scottsdale range in size from 1,000 to 2,700 square feet. Each suite boasts a lavish master bedroom, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies, full kitchens with stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring, and en-suite laundry.

Additional suite amenities include separate living and dining spaces, a walk-in closet, 24/7 access to room service, a full bar, and high-speed WIFI. For more information on W Scottsdale and for bookings, please visit www.WScottsdaleHotel.com.

On the road to Lincoln-related sites

From Hoosier History Live the Award Winning Show by Nelson Price; Produced by Molly Head.

The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Spencer County includes a recreation of the log cabin the Lincolns built when they moved to the Little Pigeon Creek settlement in the wilderness in 1816. Indiana became a state that same year.

“I love that there are still inns where Lincoln stayed,” says travel writer Jane Ammeson, who has been a popular Roadtrip correspondent on Hoosier History Live for several years.Book cover: Lincoln Road TripAlthough her radio reports, magazine articles and books cover a range of historic topics, Jane has narrowed her focus in her newest book, Lincoln Road Trip: The Back-Roads Guide to America’s Favorite President (Red Lightning Books).As most Hoosiers know, Abraham Lincoln grew up in southern Indiana. As a 7-year-old, he and his family moved from Kentucky to the wilderness area that became Spencer County; the Lincolns arrived in 1816, the same year Indiana achieved statehood.We will reach beyond the boundaries of Indiana when Jane joins Nelson as a studio guest to explore some of the inns, homes, mills and recreated historic sites with a connection to Lincoln (1809-1865), his extended family and the historical events associated with his life.


Our itinerary for the show will include traveling to Kentucky to explore the Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown, which opened as an inn in 1779. Abe Lincoln was about five when he stayed at the inn; according to Lincoln Road Trip, it is considered “one of the oldest taverns in continuous operation in the United States and the oldest stagecoach stop west of the Allegheny Mountains.”

Guests at an inn in Corydon, Indiana’s first state capital, included Josiah Lincoln, Abe’s uncle. Josiah (the brother of Thomas Lincoln, father of the future president) visited the Kintner Tavern after he moved to Harrison County to establish a 160-acre farm near Corydon in the early 1800s, according to Lincoln Road Trip. Although the original tavern was destroyed by a fire, its owner, Jacob Kintner, later opened the Kintner House Inn, which still stands.
And here’s another Lincoln-connected bit of trivia about Harrison County: Because there are no direct descendants remaining of Abraham Lincoln – the last, his great-grandson Robert Todd Lincoln Beckwith, died in 1985 – descendants of Josiah Lincoln are considered, as Jane puts it, “among the closest living kin of the greatest American president.”

Many of Josiah Lincoln’s descendants continue to live in Harrison County or nearby.Thousands of visitors from across the country have seen the burial sites of Abraham Lincoln’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, and his older sister, Sarah Lincoln Grigsby, at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Spencer County. The site includes a recreation of the log cabin the Lincolns built when they moved to the Little Pigeon Creek settlement in the wilderness.
Jane Ammeson“It was a region with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods,” Lincoln recalled later in life. “There I grew up.”Our guest Jane Ammeson notes that the Lincoln family was related through marriage to the extended family of frontier explorer Daniel Boone. So Lincoln Road Trip highlights historic sites associated with the Boones, which we also will explore during our show.

These sites include Squire Boone Caverns in Harrison County, which Jane describes as a “magical and mystical” cave system with an underground waterfall. Squire Boone, Daniel’s younger brother, lived near the caverns in southeastern Indiana for the final 11 years of his life. When he died in 1815 at age 71, Squire Boone asked his children to bury him in one of the passageways of the cave system.

Today, Squire Boone Caverns is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors often stop in the area that includes his casket.Also during our show, we will explore the Colonel William Jones State Historic Site near the town of Gentryville in southwestern Indiana. Jones ran a general store during Abe Lincoln’s teenage years, employing him as a clerk and discussing political issues with him. After the Lincoln family moved to Illinois, Abe Lincoln spent the night at Jones’ house during a return visit to Indiana.During the Civil War, Jones was killed at the Battle of Atlanta in 1864, his former clerk serving as commander-in-chief. The house in Gentryville, which Jones designed in the Federal style, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CRÉME LIQUEUR & KEYLIME PIE: THE TASTE OF FLORIDA’S ICONIC DESSERT NOW IN A GLASS

Sip the tropics with Key Lime Pie, the latest flavor from J.F. Haden’s Craft Liqueurs. This addition to their lineup is among the first of the plant-based crème liqueurs on the market perfectly capturing the essence of Florida’s most iconic dessert. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, J.F. Haden’s products including their Citrus, Mango, Espresso, and Lychee liqueurs, are made in small batches, distilled and bottled in Florida by Tropical Distillers under the expert guidance of master distiller Jason Ericson. Even better, J.F. Haden’s Key Lime Pie Liqueur is distilled without using any artificial
colors, flavors, or preservatives.

Plant Based & Natural

J.F. Haden’s Key Lime Pie Liqueur is at the forefront of the market’s growing demand for plant-based alternatives. As one of the pioneering dairy-free and plant-based options, it provides consumers with a guilt-free indulgence while staying true to authentic flavors.

“Our team is excited to introduce Key Lime Pie Liqueur,” said CEO Buzzy Sklar. “We have created a truly exceptional liqueur that captures the spirit of the classic key lime pie, while also meeting the dietary preferences of our diverse consumer base. With its plant-based formulation and remarkable taste, we’re confident that Key Lime Pie will become a favorite among cocktail
enthusiasts.”

Historic Flavors and Revolutionary Distilling

Anticipating evolving preferences, J.F. Haden’s has set its sights on revolutionizing the crème
liqueur landscape. In the pipeline are plans to introduce an entire line of plant-based creme
liqueurs over the next 24 months. It’s part of their dedication to crafting unique liqueurs that showcase the rich and flavorful culinary heritage of America. Like all of their flavors, Key Lime Pie is designed to be versatile, lending itself to both classic and inventive cocktails. From refreshing summer spritzers to dessert-inspired creations. Consider the possibilities endless.

About Key Lime Pie: A Florida Classic

Known for its tartness and sweetness, key lime pie is a beloved dessert that embodies the
tropical flavors of Florida and found on almost every menu in the Sunshine State. Now translate that to a glass where the taste of ripe and juicy key limes are blended into a creamy, fluffy texture with a hint of classic graham cracker found in the crust and you have smooth and tangy tropical flavor for a great addition to any cocktail or recipe.

KEY LIME PIE MARTINI

  • 2 oz J.F. Haden’s Key Lime Pie Liqueur
  • 1 oz Vanilla Vodka
  • Graham Cracker Crumble

  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add J.F. Haden’s Key Lime Pie Liqueur and vanilla vodka to the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish the rim and cocktail with crushed Graham crackers. KEY LIME PIE COLADA

  • Frozen J.F. Haden’s Key Lime Pie Liqueur
  • Frozen Piña Colada

Mix together in a blender.