The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

USA

Five Romantic Activities to Enjoy While Vacationing in Branson, MO

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When you think of romantic destinations in the United States, the city of Branson, MO isn’t usually quick to pop into mind, but it’s time to re-think your feelings. Did you know that Branson can act as that perfect getaway for couples who are looking to escape the crowds of a large city and enjoy a little romance? Branson has a number of hidden gems to discover with that all-important romantic touch to them. With that in mind, here’s a list of romantic things to do in Branson, MO, and be prepared because some of them may surprise you.

Take a Ride On the Branson Scenic Railway

There’s just something so romantic and mysterious about train travel, especially when it takes place on a classic train straight out of the 1930s-1960s. That is exactly the experience you’ll be treated to with the Branson Scenic Railway that travels through the stunning, and romantic, Ozark Mountains.

This is a guided tour, so you’ll be able to learn about the area as you travel through it. Besides the mountain views, you’ll also get to take in bridges that are a century old, ghost towns, and maybe even spot some wildlife along the way. There are three bubble-top cars which provide passengers with an even more spectacular view. This tour is open year-round, so obviously you’ll have a different experience depending on which season you visit.

For that added dose of romance, you can book the Saturday night dinner train, which offers a mouth-watering four-course dinner that is enjoyed by candlelight.

Enjoy Quiet Solitude on Table Rock Lake

Perhaps you define romance by enjoying quiet time with one another, away from everyone else. If that’s the case then the quiet solitude of Table Rock Lake is perfect. You can enjoy fishing on the lake, which also happens to be free, allowing you to enjoy that all-important one-on-one time. Expect to catch white bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass, channel cat, crappie, panfish, and bream here.

Silver Dollar City – a True Branson Landmark

If you define romance as engaging in a fun activity together where you get to share some laughs, then Silver Dollar City is a must-visit. This theme park has a unique feel to it as it is meant to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time to the 1880s. It offers rides and attractions galore, festivals that take place throughout the year, shows, dining, and even the Marvel Cave for exploring.

Get Your Dose of Animal Cuteness at the Promise Land Zoo

For those who are animal lovers, a visit to the Promise Land Zoo will fill your day with cute moments shared together. What makes this zoo so unique is that it offers up-close animal encounters, walking, and driving trails.

It Doesn’t Stop There

This is just a small look at what Branson has to offer for couples looking for romantic activities. Also worth visiting are the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure, the Titanic Museum, and Presley’s Theatre. Romance is definitely in the air here in Branson, MO.

5 Must-See Attractions on a Visit to Berkeley, California

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(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

With a population of just over 121,000 people, Berkeley, California is large enough to have plenty to offer residents and visitors alike and small enough not to feel overwhelming. The city also has a rich history that makes it an interesting place to visit.

As the home of the 1960’s counter-culture and “free speech” movements, the thought of Berkeley often conjures up thoughts of tie-dye shirts and protests. But there is so much to the community. Find some great examples below.

Berkeley Museum and Historic Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way

As an extension of the University of California at Berkeley, the Berkeley Museum and Historic Film Archive presents 450 film programs, 20 art exhibits, and dozens of lectures, performances, symposiums, and tours every year. Some current examples of the art exhibits include:

  • Art Wall: Karabo Poppy Moletsane
  • Breaking ICE
  • Buddhist Realms
  • Theresa Hak Kyung Cha: Avant Dictee
  • Veronica De Jesus/MATRIX 268
  • Way Bay

Current films include:

  • Bergman 100: A Tribute to Liv Ullmann
  • Documentary Voices 2018
  • Ida Luino: Hard, Fast, and Beautiful,
  • In Focus: Einstein and His Contemporaries
  • Reverse Angle: Cinema Looks at Itself
  • Sergei Einstein: Films That Shook the World

The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday, open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Wednesday.

Golden Gate Fields, 1100 Eastshore Highway

Horseracing fans won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit Golden Gate Fields while in Berkeley. Located right along the San Francisco Bay, the racetrack hosts events several times per week during every month of the year. El Camino Real Derby Day, San Francisco Mile Day, and the Kentucky Derby Party are just three of the upcoming events in early 2018.

Telegraph Avenue

Not a place but a street, Telegraph Avenue is the epicenter of student life in Berkeley. It’s crowded with everything from buskers, panhandlers, and vendors to people trying to squeeze their way through to do some shopping. Some of the merchandise that a visitor to Telegraph Avenue might pick up include self-published tracts, bumper stickers, crystals, and unique clothing. The good news for travelers is that the restaurants on this street cater to a budget-conscious student population.

UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley, 200 Centennial Drive

This 34-acre botanical garden contains more than 13,000 species of plants, which gardeners have organized into the region of the world where they originated. The UC Botanical Garden also has dozens of plant species native to California, a Chinese medicinal herb garden, and a conservatory full of tropical plants. The botanical garden is open every day except for major holidays and the first Tuesday of each month.

University of California at Berkeley, Koret Visitor Center, 2227 Piedmont Avenue

Berkeley is the home of University of California at Berkeley, the nation’s top-rated public university. As Fast Haul, a Berkeley junk hauling company, points out, over 38,000 of Berkeley’s residents are college students.

Political issues often come to a head among in Berkeley thanks to the passionate people and college students of the community. Those planning a trip to Berkeley can even include a trip to the scenic and historic campus on their list. The college offers free public walking tours every day starting at 10 a.m.

The above represent just five of the dozens of attractions available to people traveling to Berkeley, California. The locals are sure to offer suggestions for several more must-see places to visit.

5 Awesome Things to Do on Your Next Trip to Colorado

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People from Colorado often joke that it has become the place both Californians and Texans go in their search for wild, untamed wilderness. And there’s a germ of truth there because Colorado is covered in protected wilderness areas along with world-class cities. Here are five awesome things to do on your next trip to Colorado.

Pikes Peak

A great thing to do on your next trip to Colorado is to go up to the top of Pikes Peak. It is the highest peak in the continental United States. This mountain is home to the longest cog railway in the world. You can ride up to the top and then enjoy the rest stop complete with a gift shop on the top. Or take the railway up halfway and hike down the mountain on one of its various trails. If that railroad is too steep for you, visit the coal-fired steam engine that runs between Durango and Silverton instead.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings/Mesa Verde

If you’ve heard about the Anasazi that lived in cliff dwellings in the American Southwest, you’ve probably seen pictures of the Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Mesa Verde. You can ride the tour buses past a number of cliff dwellings in Manitou Springs and the big ones in Mesa Verde National Park. And you can join tours to see the kivas and ruins up close. Don’t forget to visit the museums nearby to learn about this history of the tribe.

Hunting

Colorado is a hunter’s paradise. You can hunt bighorn sheep, moose, and mountain goats in the high country. Turkey and waterfowl hunting is possible if you’re there during the right season. You may even get a permit to hunt bears and mountain lions. You’ll want to take a high-quality scope like those found at ar15scopecenter.com no matter what animal you want to hunt.

Horseback Riding

Whether you want to go riding at a ranch on the Front Range or mountain trails deep in the Rockies, horseback riding is a popular activity across Colorado. Horseback riding is allowed on many but not all of the 23 million square miles of national parks and reserves across the state. Or you can go horseback riding along one of the many horseback riding trails and admire the spectacular scenery from a unique vantage point.

Fishing

Colorado has a wealth of fishing opportunities. There are both warm and cold-water fish found here. You can go fishing in state reservoirs; there are more than 1300 reservoirs and lakes that are stocked. Fishing for fish like rainbow trout is possible in many of the mountain streams. There are more than six thousand miles of streams in Colorado. Note that you need a fishing license that’s good for the entire year, though children under 16 fish for free.

Conclusion

All these areas have something special to offer, so next time you come to Colorado, make sure that you expand your horizon and see everything the state has to offer.