Tag Archives: travel

Travel/Food

Top 5 places to travel: These are some of the best places to travel and here is why

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By: Isabel Strack

Image taken from: https://www.vecteezy.com/

Paris

Paris is one of the best places to travel because it is a major European city and a global center for finance, diplomacy, commerce, art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture.

Paris has many great stores to shop at. The shopping experiences in Paris make it worth the visit.

Paris has leading roles in science and arts, as well as its early and expensive system of street lighting. In the 19th century Paris became known as the city of light.

And lastly, from many bucket list attractions like the Eiffel Tower, your first visit may feel magical, but even if you return dozens of times you will never run out of new things to see and do.

Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the most popular places to visit. Hawaii has very beautiful scenery like their gorgeous beaches. They are very well known for their famous beaches as well. From the idyllic shorelines of Waikiki to the wild black sand on Hawaii’s big island.

Hawaii has amazing wildlife whether it is whale watching season or seeing the tropical birds, to dolphins. You can watch the green sea turtles and how they behave in their natural habitat as well.

And lastly, you may want to visit because they have beautiful volcanoes. You are able to go on many tourist helicopter rides to see these mountains up close. The Hawaiian islands were formed by the volcanic eruptions deep under the ocean.

Bali

Many people like to travel to Bali because they have amazing beaches. They have big collections of gorgeous beaches. These beaches can range from white sandy coastlines to limestone cliffs.

Another big reason people like to visit is because they always have beautiful weather. Bali is always nice and warm because it is 8 degrees south of the equator which is why Bali is a top option for beach lovers.

And lastly, another reason to visit is because they have great restaurant options. Some of Indonesia’s best restaurants are right in Bali; some of them are even in the “World’s 50 best restaurants.” Those are just some of the many reasons why Bali is an amazing place to visit.

Greece

Greece is a very popular place to travel and here is why. Greece has great hiking spots. They have many hills and mountains that have beautiful views and are perfect for people who love to hike.

Greece has very nice beaches. Greece has over 6,000 islands which means that they have a lot of beaches. The sand is alway very soft and clean and the ocean is always clear and clean.

They also have amazing Greek food. They are very well known for their olive oil; they’re even in the top 3 olive oils. They also make amazing dairy products, like their Greek yogurt.

Rome

Many people enjoy visiting Rome and here are some of the reasons why. Rome is the capital of Italy and is a beautiful place.

Rome also has very beautiful weather. Temperatures in spring hover around 65 degrees but can occasionally reach to 80 degrees. Which means it can never be too hot or too cold.

Rome also has amazing Italian food. They have many different dishes but are most known for their spaghetti or Alfredo. They also make amazing pizzas in their stone ovens that can cook the pizzas to perfection. There are many different reasons why Rome is amazing to visit. These are just some of the main reasons.

Travel/Food

Top 5 things to do during fall in Minnesota

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By: Kumari Mia Wijetunge

Highway 61 in Fall, Minnesota by: Sharon Mollerus courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Fall is a very colorful and festive time of  year in Minnesota. Whether you enjoy the local festivals, hiking through the vibrant landscapes, or picking pumpkins, Minnesota offers something for everybody!

  1. Seeing the colorful leaves by the North Shore

One of the best ways to experience Minnesota’s fall scenery is to go up to the North Shore of Lake Superior. The scenic drive across Highway 61 offers breathtaking views of the colorful trees against the sparkling lake. Popular spots like Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park provide many hiking trails and lookout points, perfect for spotting all of the beautiful colored trees and the wildlife Minnesota has to offer.

2. Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Fall in Minnesota wouldn’t be complete without a trip to a pumpkin patch. Many farms in Minnesota open their fields for pumpkin picking and offer a fun experience for the whole family to enjoy. Places like Afton Apple Orchard and the more northern, charming Pine Tree Apple Orchard not only provide pumpkins but also corn mazes, hayrides, and plenty of freshly baked goods.

3. Explore State Parks

Minnesota is home to many state parks that come alive with fall colors. Parks like Gooseberry Falls and Itasca State Park offer amazing views, animal sightings, and hiking trails. If you’re looking to hike, bike, or enjoy a picnic surrounded by the colorful leaves, these parks can provide the perfect day to experience the fall weather.

4. Attend a Fall Festival

Fall festivals in Minnesota are an awesome way to take in the fall season, celebrating everything from harvests to the local arts. The Minnesota Harvest Festival & Ghost Stories, in the Twin Cities, is a highlight, varying from farm activities to crafts and live music. Other festivals, like Applefest, in La Cresent, which mainly focuses is apples, also has everything from arts and crafts to pie eating contests. These events are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

5. Experience State Fair’s Fall Activities

Though the Minnesota State Fair is mostly known for its end of summer fun, many of its attractions and vendors continue to celebrate during  fall. Keep and eye out for events at the fairgrounds, like apple and pumpkin-themed dishes to local crafts. The fair’s iconic food vendors often showcase seasonal flavors.

Getting To Know/History, Sports

Iditarod

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By: Kara Fini

The Iditarod Race is an annual Alaskan sled dog race held early March. It starts in Anchorage and travails nearly 1,000 miles through the Alaskan terrain all the way to Nome, Alaska. Each team starts with 14-16 dogs, a musher and sled. A musher is the human who directs and helps the dogs throughout the race. There are 3 required stops, one 24 hour stop and two 8 hour stops. During these the dogs get medical care and a check to make sure they can keep going.

Before Alaska was settled by Russia, Native Alaskans found that sled dogs were the most efficient way to get to places because of the harsh climates and rough terrain. Russia settled in Alaska in the early 1800s and found native sled dog trails. They decided it would be a good place to set up a fur trading post.

When Alaska was bought by the US from Russia, most of inland Alaska had not been explored except by the Natives currently living there, but once gold was discovered, people came rushing in from all over in hopes to become rich off of their finds. The three major places where gold was found were in Hope, Nome and Iditarod.

As miners and traders spread across Alaska they realized that the Natives’ way of using sled dogs was the easiest way to transport mail and tools to the miners in the areas. They created a path leading from Skagway up to Nome that later changed to be Seward to Nome because many people reported it was less dangerous. Along the trail up to Nome there were road houses where mushers could sleep and get food for them and their dog.

In 1925 a diphtheria epidemic broke out in Nome causing many people to fall ill. Being a small secluded town, there was no serum to help there, but in Anchorage there was a serum. They needed to get it to Nome quickly. They were able to send it partially there by train but there was still quite a way to go, so they used mushers and sled dogs on the Iditarod trail to send it the rest of the way to Nome. It took only 5 days after departing Anchorage to arrive at Nome. This run is the most historic part of the Iditarod Trail.

Throughout the next several decades, the trail saw little to no use with the gold industry declining, and airplanes being able to deliver mail.

In 1973 a race along the Iditarod started to honor the history of the gold rush and bring awareness to the Iditarod Trail. This race has continued every year since then with tons of people coming every year.