UNESCO Heritage Site: Qutub Minar and Mehrauli

The Qutub Minar is on everyone’s itinerary while visiting Delhi, so it is obviously not to be missed. It lies in the oldest continuously inhabitant area of Delhi and also known to be the first city of Delhi. One of the great iconic buildings of the thirteenth century, this majestic cylindrical tower continues to be a symbol of fortitude and architectural brilliance of the country and the capital city – Delhi. Near the Qutub Minar lies the Mehrauli Archaeological Park wherein various monuments are scattered —a legacy of centuries of architectural ventures. This area is dotted with remains from every era of Delhi’s history—from the pre-Islamic to the late Mughal and the colonial period.

Harry Potter Orlando

Mt Rainier Small-Group Walking or Snowshoeing Tour with Lunch

Depending on the season, your naturalist guide leads your group on a short walk (mid-May to September) or a snowshoe trek (October to mid-May) along the Nisqually Vista Trail, or possibly something a little more challenging if your group is up for it.

Kids Free October San Diego

The San Diego Museum Council is proud to bring back its popular program for families.
“Kids Free in October”, Presented by Time Warner Cable” is inviting families to enjoy free kids’ admission to more than 30 museums across San Diego County with an adult ticket purchase.

• To take advantage of the offer, download the free coupon for each museum you wish to visit in October.

– The coupon allows up to two children 12 & under to get in FREE with one paid adult.
– Children must be accompanied by the adult during the visit.
– The coupon does not apply to specially ticketed events, special exhibitions/exhibits or field trips and cannot be combined with any other offer/discount/coupon.
– You must provide the coupon to the participating museum at time of use (but you can print out more!).
– Kids Free in October coupons are valid October 1–31, 2014.

• Order discount adult tickets online
• Make hotel and car rental reservations online

San Diego Beer Week 2014

Kick off San Diego Beer Week with tickets to the San Diego Brewers Guild Festival, Saturday November 7 & 8 2014 at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego next to the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum.

The event raises funds for Surfrider Foundation, Fight ALD, and the San Diego Brewers Guild.

All-inclusive ticket includes unlimited beer samples offered throughout the evening coupled with unlimited food samples from local craft-beer friendly restaurants.

The best way to start off SD Beer Week is with a Two Day Pass, so you can enjoy the festivities on BOTH Friday and Saturday at a discount!

For $100:

• One ticket for Friday night’s ‘VIP Brewer Takeover’ (6 – 9 PM)
• One Premier Access pass for Saturday’s Guild Festival (1 – 5 PM) [$130 value!]

Nearby Hotels

• 500 West Hotel San Diego Downtown (< 1 mile)
• W San Diego (< 1 mile)
• Gaslamp Plaza Suites (< 1 mile)
• BEST WESTERN PLUS Bayside Inn (< 1 mile)
• Omni San Diego Hotel (< 1 mile)
• Red Roof Inn San Diego Downtown (< 1 mile)
• Hilton San Diego/Gaslamp Quarter (< 1 mile)
• Ramada Inn & Suites Gaslamp/Conv. Ctr.-Historic St.James Hotel (< 1 mile)
• Harborview Inn and Suites (< 1 mile)
• Americas Best Value Inn-San Diego Downtown (< 1 mile)
• Porto Vista Hotel (< 1 mile)
• Courtyard San Diego Downtown (< 1 mile)
• Wyndham San Diego Bayside (< 1 mile)
• Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter (< 1 mile)
• Andaz San Diego (< 1 mile)

ArtWalk San Diego April 26-27, 2014

Southern California’s largest fine arts festival, Mission Federal ArtWalk , today unveiled the distinguished gathering of featured artists who will be showcased at its diamond anniversary.

Selected from over 700 applicants, the 12 featured artists will join the festival’s 350 artist participants on April 26 th and 27 th for the 30 th year of this exciting event. “We were overwhelmed by the incredible quality and diversity of applicants for the featured artist slots,” said Sandi Cottrell , managing director for ArtWalk San Diego. “Each of the featured artists illustrate this year’s celebratory theme of ‘creativity connects’ through their work . They represent some of the most talented established and emerging artists in the region.” Mission Federal ArtWalk’s 2014 featured artists include: ·

Cynthia Colis a resident of San Diego, is known for fusing the innocent and the provocative. Best recognized for her “kiss” portraits and colorful paintings of cows , Colis’ s works have previously been displayed at San Diego’s JETT gallery.

·Darrell Driver creates works of art that vary widely in subject and include vibrant Native American portraits and whimsical animal paintings. Driver’s goal is to put the observer in a happy mood.

· Nancy D. Eckels comes from a family of artists, and aims to make viewers fall in love with her abstract, colorful paintings by sharing her emotions.

· Danny Hughes creates large mixed – medium pieces using wood panels and stained newspaper. With an impressive list of celebrity clients, Hughes’s work continues to be in demand.

· Steve Kell , a Vietnam veteran, works mainly en plien air . A Laguna Beach based impressionist, Kell ’s work depicts landscapes, seascapes, missions and urban settings.

· Igor Koutsenko is a native of the Ukraine who moved to Southern California because the climate and scenery reminded him of his seaside town of Evpatoria. Now residing in Fallbrook, Koutsenko teaches drawing and painting at the Fallbrook School of the Arts while producing original work in a variety of mediums including his signature linocut pieces.

· Grant Pecoff paints cityscapes, coastal view s and buzzing cafes, always focusing on the light in the scene . His vivid use of color gives his work a distinctive look . A native of San Diego , Pecoff’s world travels have informed his works for decades. Most days, Grant can be found painting in his studio/gallery in the heart of Little Italy.

· Marna Schindler is inspired by the bold styles and vibrant palette of early twentieth century artists. With a studio in downtown San Diego, Schindler paints acrylic representations of animals , places and objects with an unrestrained and spontaneous style.

· Dorit Schwartz , seeks to us e her sculptures as a “bridge to the human spirit” to “express feelings and explore the depths of strength and fragility.” In addition to her artwork, Schwartz pursues several other professional endeavors, including fashion and restaurant management .

· Ray Shaw works with wood and paint to create three – dimensional works that capture schooling fish. His Safety in Number s series features moveable fish that allow the viewer to create their own configuration.

· Jeff Yeoman s , a plein air painter, resides in San Diego and produces work featuring urban landscapes, seascapes and landscapes. His work captures familiar San Diego scenes from sweeping seascapes to gritty urban streets.

· Rafael Gevorkian is a glass artist who creates colorful sculpture s , wall art and design projects that are both functional and beautiful . Rafael uses minerals and pigments to create heavy works formed by fire and pressuring which are unique to his signature style .

ArtWalk brings more than 120,000 spectators and art buyers dozens of musical performances, interactive elements and 17 blocks of art to enjoy in the heart of Little Italy. The two – day fine art s festival is well – known for connecting artistic communities , while creating the opportunity for individuals to fall in love with original pieces of art. ArtWalk is held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a packed schedule of opportunities for individuals and families to engage in, create and purchase art. This free event features thousands of pieces of artwork created by artists from California, neighboring states, and Mexico. All must be accepted into the event to ensure attendees experience a range of fine visual and performing art including painting, sculpture, glasswork, photography, select jewelry and other artisan work.

Click here to download a map of the 2014 festival layout.

Find nearby San Diego hotels.

Beer-ology at San Diego Musseum of Man

Modern civilization is beer civilization! Learn fascinating stories and see phenomenal artifacts that reveal the links between beer and culture, such as the solid gold beer cup of an Inca King.

Explore what ties beer to agriculture, cities, writing and religion. Find our what you have in common with pharaohs, Inca kings, ancient Sumerians and Amazonian headhunters.

Get tickets for the San Diego Museum of Man.

Also plan to attend the next beer tasting event: Hop Fest, June 19, 2014 from 6-8pm

Book a nearby hotel if you plan to taste all the different beers .

Find out what else there is to see and do in San Diego.

2014 Florida State Fair Music Headliners

This year’s music headliners include:

• America

• Sister Hazel

• Uncle Kracker

• Country Gold

Watch for Florida State Fair updates

Journeys of a Lifetime

Let the good folks at National Geographic recommend places you may want to go in 2014.

Cruises, road trips, rail journeys, walks, arts, culture, gourmet, action, skyways, history.

Florida State Fair Free Events, Activities, Shows & Exhibits Craft Exhibits

Florida State Fair
Free Events, Activities, Shows & Exhibits
Craft Exhibits

Demonstrations – Competitions 1. Hibiscus Show 2. Basket Making 3. Decorative Art Demonstration /Competition 4. Sewing Competition 5. Baking Competition 6. Food Preservation Competition 7. Fine Ar t Competition 8. Fine Art China Painting 9. Adult and Youth Photography Competition 10. Needlework Competition 11. Cooking Demonstrations 12. Scale Models Competition 13. Fine Hand Crafted Furniture Competition 14. Wood Turning Competition 15. Wood Carving Competition 16. Horticulture Competition 17. International Wine Competition 18. Exotic Fruit Tasting 19. Antique Displays 20. High School All State Art Competition

Entertainment: 1. Zoom ‘N Through 500 Years of Florida Fun Musical Journey 2. Discovery Center by the Tampa Bay History Center 3. High School Jazz Festival 4. Fireworks Display 5. Baton Competition 6. Cheer and Dance Competition 7. Big Band Concert 8. 4 – H Festivities and Fashion Show 9. Washboard Willy and Wanda 10. Oscar the Robot 11. Steve t he Pretty Good 12. Dwayne Hill 13. Elvis Extravaganza Impersonator Competition 14. Yesterdaze 70 ’s Show 15. Dennis Lee 16. Hotel California 17. International Stage (entertainment all day every day) 18. Leon Jacobs 19. Lawn M ower Races 20. Disco K9’s World Famous Disco Dogs 21. Distinguished Men of Brass 22. Spanish Lyric Theater 23. Johnny Lowry 24. Lloyd Mabrey 25. Susie McIntire (sister of R eba) 26. Ashley Shannon Animal Acts,

Shows & Exhibits 1. Kachunga Alligator Show 2. Welde Bears 3. Circus Hollywood 4. Exotic Petting Zoo 5. Hollywood Racing Pigs 6. Youth Dog Show 7. Purebred Dog Show 8. Jack Russell Terrier Races 9. Draft Horse Show 10. Draft Horse Pull 11. Carriage & Drivin g Horse Show 12. Paso Fino Horse Show 13. Donkey and Mule Show 14. Mounted Law Enforcement Training & Critique 15. Mounted Drill Team 16. Mounted Shooting Demonstration 17. Appaloosa Horse Show 18. Florida Ranch Rodeo 19. Milking Parlor 20. Youth Steer Futurity 21. Youth Swine Show 22. Youth Sheep S how 23. Open Beef Show 24. Youth Beef Show 25. Open Dairy Show 26. Youth Dairy Show 27. Open Dairy Goat Show 28. Youth Dairy Goat Show 29. Open Boer Goat Show 30. Youth Boer Goat Show 31. Open Pygmy Goat Show 32. Purebred Poultry Show 33. Youth Poultry Show 34. Open Rabbit and Cavy Show 35. Youth Rabbit Show 36. Youth Llama Show 37. Pigeon Display 38. Live Florida Wildlife 39. Live Fresh Water Fish 40. Live Salt Water Fish 41. Open Llama Show

Educational / Agricultural Exhibits 1. Steam Engine & Machinery Exhibit 2. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Exhibit including: · Live Florida Wildlife Up Close · Live Fresh Water Fish · Live Salt Water Fish · Wildlife Challenge · Boating Safety · Fish & Wildlife Habitats · Fish & Wildlife Questions Answered by Professionals 3. Ag Hall of Fame Building · Florida Agriculture: Then and Now 500 Year Traveling Exhibit · Ag Hall of Fame Museum/Inductees · Insect Encounters · Florida Commodities including : o Strawberries o Beef o Pork o Peanuts o Citrus o Florida Honey 4. Salute to Ag Tent · Hands on Milking Demonstrations · Mooternity Ward – View Dairy C ow s Birthing · View B aby F arm A nim als 5. Old Farm Machinery 6. Ag Venture – Children’s Learning Agricultural Adventure · Butter Making · Make a Plant Necklace · Squeeze Oranges · Learn About Hydroponics · Learn about the Beef and Swine Industries 7. Florida Cattle Ranching: Five Centuries of Tradition – New Museum 8. Florida Forest Discovery Center 9. Hay Bale Contest 10. 4 – H/FFA Agricultural Exhibits 11. Rabbit spinning in Rabbit/Poultry Barn

Cracker Country 1. Tour Okahumpka Train Depot and watch model trains. 2. Learn about telegraphy. 3. See a complete collection of Florida Governor’s oil portraits. 4. Tour the boyhood home of Florida’s 25th Governor, Doyle E. Carlton. 5. Learn about quilting. 6. Learn about 1890’s kitchen gardens. 7. Learn about antique roses and herbs. 8. Learn about early bee keeping in rural Florida. 9. Watch antique tool demonstrations. 10. Watch a blacksmith make tools and other useful things. 11. Tour the Carlton – Woodbery Exhibit Gallery. 12. Listen to Miss Annie and Mollie recite an 1898 school lesson. 13. Watch corn being milled into meal and grits. 14. Explore an early country store and learn about the art of the barter. 15. See people dressed as they would have been in 1898 in rural Florida. 16. Listen to old time gospel music in the old church. 17. Learn about spinning and weaving at the Rural Folk life Area. 18. Learn about early Florida foodways. 19. See how food was cooked over an open fire. 20. Learn about rug hooking. 21. Learn about chair caning. 22. See how banjos were made from gourds. 23. Explore the small two – room Smith House. 24. Learn how soap was made in early rural Florida. 25. Play with old time folk toys at the Hands – On Farm 26. Grind corn at the Hands – On Farm. 27. Wash clothes on a scrub board at the Hands – On Farm. 28. Try your hand at field work at the Hands – On Farm 29. See old fashion split rail fences. 30. Learn about old time coiled pottery. 31. Learn how to weave decorative pieces fr om cabbage palm leaves. 32. Learn how hams were cured and smoked in early rural Florida 33. Watch sugar cane syrup being made. 34. Watch old time printing presses being operated. 35. Print your own post card. 36. Pick up a copy of the Cracker Country Chronicle. 37. Tour an early post office and have a Cracker Country cancellation stamped on it at the Post Office. 38. See how baskets are hand woven, pine needle, sweet grass and reed. 39. Watch cow whips being made. 40. Learn how Florida Crackers got that name. 41. See how dolls were made from corn shucks. 42. Watch a reproduction log cabin being built. 43. Listen to old time country and bluegrass music. 44. Learn how to make a broom. 45. See antiques from the late 1800s. 46. Learn how cream was churned into butter. 47. Learn how saddles are made. 48. Have your early Florida history questions answered by highly trained and talented docents. 49. Learn how wooden bowls and spoons are made. 50. Watch Mollie, the mule; pull the sweep that turns the cane mill to grind sugar cane. 51. Visit the new cow camp to listen to a first person interpreter tell about cow hunting in the 1800’s. 52. See a display of antique sewing machines and learn how they work. 53. Watch The Cracker House Artists at their best under the trees. 54. Learn how Shaker boxes were made and used. 55. Watch chairs being made. 56. Learn how to make a duck decoy. 57. Watch benches and birdhouses being made.

Have more questions about the Florida State Fair? Give them a call
813-621-7821 or toll free 1-800-345-FAIR (3247).

Need a place to stay? Here is a list of hotels near the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.