by Debbee | Feb 16, 2018 | Pittsburgh
The Andy Warhol Museum is located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, the place of Warhol’s birth and my home town.
Although the museum opened in 1996, my husband and I had never been there until a couple of weeks ago.I’m not sure if we should have gone sooner, or the time was just right, but we really enjoyed our visit. It was informative, interesting and not at all what I expected. A most pleasant afternoon.
Andy Warhol was an American artist, director and producer, and leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. The Warhol claims to be one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world. It features paintings, works on paper, published prints, sculptures, photographs, films and videotape.
Located in nearly 90,000 square feet of what was once an industrial building, the museum spans seven floors of gallery and exhibition space. Come along for highlights of our Warhol visit. (more…)
by Debbee | Feb 9, 2018 | Spain
We visited exotic Spain as part of a Tauck eight-day tour last September; adding pre and post days in Barcelona and Madrid.
Debbee on tile decorated bench in Gaudi’s Parc Guell.
Hubby and I like to travel in September, primarily to avoid the crush of tourist crowds. For most locations, the weather is quite pleasant, rates are a little better, and we also get to celebrate our anniversary in style.
We decided to splurge on a luxury tour, because we liked the itinerary and accommodations. It was especially nice having all the logistical details handled for us in a country where we didn’t speak the language.
Throughout Spain, we stayed in five-star hotels all ideally situated. Each local guide was exceptional, which added enormously to the travel experience. Transportation was seamless and pretty plush, with a bus driver who provided extraordinary service. And, though most of the couples in our group were a generation older, socializing with them enhanced the vacation.
Join me now on an overview of our trip to Spain, with major highlights of each destination.
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by Debbee | Jan 17, 2018 | Canada, Christmas, Quebec, Travel
We’re spending time exploring Upper Quebec City in this third post on a December holiday vacation to Canada.
In part one, a Christmas Card from Old Quebec City, I shared the magic of the Old Port area during a nighttime walk.Then, in Stroll Lower Quebec City During the Holidays, I provided background on the boutique hotel and restaurants we enjoyed, along with pictures of the area under a heavy blanket of snow. We also took a ride up the funicular to the plateau above.
Upper Quebec City is the area we explore in this post, which includes riding a thrilling toboggan run, ice skating outdoors to French holiday music, walking the streets in and outside the walled city, and visiting the Christmas markets.
My travel log hasn’t been in chronological order, rather concentrating on the two main areas of Quebec City over our four-day visit.
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by Debbee | Jan 12, 2018 | Christmas, Quebec
Christmas Village Fantasy: Part 2
Revisit Lower Quebec City, the second of a three-part travel log of a December holiday visit to Canada. The four-day trip north of the border was my husband’s and my Christmas gift to each other.
Over the holidays I shared a Christmas Card from Old Quebec City, which featured an enchanting evening stroll in the magical glow of twinkling lights.
In part two of the travel log, I’ll show you the cobblestone streets of Lower Quebec City during the day, where we stayed and ate, and then take a scenic ride on the funicular to the upper plateau.
Part three will explore the Upper City, Christmas markets, the toboggan run, outdoor ice skating, and more restaurants. Continue there in, Embrace the Season in Upper Quebec City.
Bundle up before we venture out!
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by Debbee | Jan 1, 2018 | Pittsburgh
The Gift of Membership
Join me on a nighttime tour of Phipps winter flower and Christmas light show.As I mentioned in the post, Christmas Card from Old Quebec City, my husband and I gave each other gifts of experiences this year. After spending a fabulous four-day weekend in Quebec prior, we agreed to a modest budget for presents on Christmas Day. One gift was a couples membership to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, along with a timed ticket to the holiday lights show.
It was the perfect evening to go too, because it was the same day our sons flew home. We both needed something to shake off the blues. It was awfully cold that night, but that’s where my lovely new sweater wrap came in handy!
Join me now, in the warmth of your home, while we stroll through the conservatory and outdoor Christmas light show. (more…)
by Debbee | Dec 23, 2017 | Canada, Christmas, Quebec, Travel
Magical, Romantic Trip
My final post before Christmas, is a holiday card of old Quebec City, Canada.Instead of presents this year, my husband and I decided to give each other the experience of spending four days in très French Quebec City. It was magical, romantic and very Christmassy! Like being inside a holiday snow globe. We arrived after they had just received 18 inches of snow. Everything was draped in the stuff, but happily it had no impact on our flights and transportation.
Even for Quebec, it was a lot of snow and unseasonable cold. Temperatures never rose above 13 degrees during the day, not including the wind chill factor! Burr! But, we brought parkas, boots and basically all our ski stuff (minus the skis)!
I’ll post a travel log of our trip after the holidays, including the European Christmas markets, ice skating and riding a toboggan. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy this nighttime stroll through Lower Quebec City. Joyeux Noel and Happy Holidays! (more…)
