Seniors Head For Warm St. Barts

Seniors, let’s head for Saint Barthélemy, a French-speaking Caribbean island commonly known as St. Barts, and famous for its white-sand beaches and upscale designer boutiques. St. Barthélemy lies about 35 kilometers southeast of St. Martin and north of St. Kitts.

The capital, Gustavia, encircling a yacht-filled harbor, has many high-end restaurants and historical attractions like the Wall House Museum, whose exhibits highlight the island’s Swedish colonial era. Perched above Gustavia is 17th-century Fort Karl, looking out over popular Shell Beach.

 St. Barts is an arid, volcanic rock of only 8 square miles fully encircled by shallow reefs where senior visitors will discover a variety of iguanas, night-blooming cactus, beaches and luxury yachts, designer boutiques and perhaps even several celebrities.

Seniors Enjoy Caribbean Dreamland

Inhabited primarily by the descendants of the original French settlers and transplanted Europeans, the island has a strong, independent personality. Frequent visitors who know the islands in the region say that St. Barts is the most unique and unusual of the various French West Indies islands.

 As soon as you land at Gustave III Airport, seniors, you’ll find yourself transported into a dreamland, a far-away place without the constraints of everyday life. Both the airport and the island’s main town of Gustavia are named for King Gustav III of Sweden. Excellence, luxury, calmness, peaceful, serenity…the perfect adjectives to describe the island.

The Caribbean’s most elite, most expensive island lives up to its reputation as an adult sandbox, where the rich and famous gather. But St. Barts has charms that make it attractive to regular folk like you and me, from its uncrowded white-sand beaches to its distinctly Gallic flair.

Seniors Enjoy Beautiful Beaches

The tiny capital of Gustavia, with its gingerbread-trimmed cottages and top-notch designer shops, surrounds a yacht-filled harbor.

On the opposite side of the island, near the airport, St.-Jean is a diminutive strip of attractive boutiques and beach bars that some have  compared to St.-Tropez. Imagine that!

The 22 gorgeous, white-sand beaches are the trump card of St. Bart’s. It possesses a definite French vibe.  TripAdvisor has been to St. Barts and has nearly three dozen things to keep you busy, primarily the many beaches starting off with Colombier  Beach. CNN ranked Saline Beach as No. 5 among the top 100 in the world.

Hop on board this plane as we land in St. Barts skipping across the bay to touch down. So seniors, its time for a visit with your travel agent to learn how easily you can  land in this French-speaking paradise.  -jeb

Seniors Explore Newton

Years back…many years back, this senior had a fellow student at the Sorbonne in Paris from Newton, Massachusetts. I have lost track of Cookie…her nickname, but her hometown has always stuck with me.

Newton, approximately 7 miles west of downtown Boston, has a population right at 85,000, making it the eleventh largest city in the state. Newton is comprised of 13 “villages”, each with its own distinct character and many containing their own small downtown areas.

One of these, Chestnut Hill, is home to Boston College. Known as a regional education center, the city is also home to Andover Newton Theological School, Mount Ida College, and Pine Manor College.

Major industries in the city include publishing, computer technology, and manufacturing of precision instruments and chemicals. The city is also the birthplace of Jim’s favorite…the Fig Newton. The Boston College Eagles provide Newton with plenty of first-rate collegiate sports action, competing in NCAA’s Division I-A. By now you may have concluded that there is a lot going on in Newton.

Seniors Enjoy City Rich In Arts And Culture

Newton was settled in 1630 as part of “the newe towne”, which was renamed Cambridge in 1638. Newton was incorporated as a separate town, known as Cambridge Village, in 1688, then renamed Newtownin 1691, and finally Newton in 1766. How’s that for jumping through the hoop? It finally became a city in 1873. Interesting isn’t it how towns and cities grow into their name.

Facebook is a great link for seniors to use in planning a visit to Newton. It provides a nice overview of some of the major things to see and do.

Attractive to senior visitors and residents alike, Newton is a vibrant college community enjoying a close proximity to the Boston metropolitan area. The city is also rich in arts and culture, featuring two symphony orchestras, a large state-of-the-art public library, resident theatre groups and many artistic treasures.

 Seniors Find Mansions, Historic Places and Farmer’s Market

The Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, built in 1809 as a farmhouse, served for a period of time as a stop on the Underground Railroad and is now a museum filled with paintings, manuscripts, photographs, maps and numerous historical artifacts.

The New Repertory Theatre and Newton Country Players are local theater groups, and Broadway musicals are regularly performed at the Turtle Lane Playhouse. From July through October the city hosts a popular outdoor Farmer’s Market. Senior visitors enjoy Newton’s  scenic environment and great mansions.

Be sure to check out the Echo Bridge, over the Charles River near Newton Upper Falls that is one of several sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Newton. Seniors, when you are in the Boston area, plan a stop in this fine city.  -jeb

Seniors Visit Alhambra

Senior travelers will locate Alhambra in the western San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles County, approximately eight miles from the Downtown Los Angeles civic center. It was incorporated on July 11, 1903. The population runs right at 84,000.

Alhambra’s roots begin with the San Gabriel Mission, founded on September 8, 1771, and the native people, Tongva, who inhabited the area before the arrival of the Spanish. The land that would later become Alhambra was part of a 300,000 acre land grant given to Manuel Nieto by the Spanish.

The city was named after “The Tales of the Alhambra” by Washington Irving. Although its early history reflects a heavy Spanish influence, today’s Alhambra is comprised of a wide range of ethnic groups and its businesses have strong ties to international commerce.

 Seniors Help Celebrate Chinese New Year

Since the 1970s and 1980s, the city’s proximity to the heavily Asian-American Monterey Park has attracted many East Asian immigrants, and present-day Alhambra includes a very active Chinese business district. The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America has its headquarters in Alhambra.

Some of the local attractions that senior visitors can enjoy are the Burke Heritage Park, Alhambra Historical Museum, and Shorb Garden. Alhambra also hosts jointly with the city of San Gabriel, the annual San Gabriel Valley Lunar New Year Parade & Festival, which celebrates the Chinese New Year.

Today, the city has some of the best educational institutions in the nation like California Institute of Technology, California State University and nearby Pasadena City College.

Planet Den Travel Tidbits wants senior visitors to experience “The Majesty of Alhambra City.” Read about the inviting warm climate and note that they say  that the best time of the year to pay a visit is during the spring season.

Seniors Can Choose Between Beach and Mountain Resorts

The Rose Bowl Stadium is in the adjacent city of Pasadena (about 4 miles from Alhambra). Best-known for its hosting of the annual Rose Bowl, the oldest and most famous of all the post-season college football bowl games, the stadium has also hosted the NFL Super Bowl five times, as well as the FIFA (soccer) World Cup finals for both men and women.

Alhambra’s location affords easy access to numerous beach and mountain resorts, as well as major Southern California attractions. And, senior travelers, after your visit to Alhambra, California, next plan a visit to The Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish monarchs, located in Granada, Andalusia, Spain.

It is said to be Europe’s most impressive and awe-inspiring heritage destination. I loved it. The name Alhambra, signifying in Arabic “the red,” is probably derived from the color of the sun-dried tapia, bricks made of fine gravel and clay, of which the outer walls are built. Seniors, you will heartily enjoy both Alhambras.  -jeb

Seniors End Up In Easthampton

The Town of Easthampton New York, senior travelers will find at the eastern end of the South Shore of Long Island and is the easternmost town in the state of New York.

I picked up on this town as Jackie Kennedy’s childhood summer home just listed for $53.99 million. The main house was built in 1917 by John Vernou Bouvier Jr., Jackie’s grandfather.

Easthampton has a population right at 22,000. The town includes the village of East Hampton, as well as the hamlets of Montauk, Amagansett, Wainscott, and Springs.

It also includes part of the incorporated village of Sag Harbor. East Hampton was first called Maidstone, after Maidstone, Kent, England. The name was later changed to “Easthampton”, reflecting the geographic names of its neighbors, Southampton and Westhampton.

 Seniors Enjoy America’s Most Beautiful Village

TripAdvisor suggests that seniors not miss Main Beach, a must see, followed by Longhouse Reserve.

Being near the water, scuba and snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing and sightseeing tours on the water are highly popular with both the locals and visitors. Senior visitors will enjoy a  stroll along the Village  Green in Easthampton.

The Village of East Hampton, founded in 1648, was one of America’s earliest English settlements. Today, the Village of East Hampton still provides a rich record of the architecture and agricultural way of life in early America.

The Village’s wide Main Street, the Village Green, Town Pond, South End Burial Ground, and the area around Hook Mill are all remnants of the Village’s original seventeenth century design.

Remaining historic houses and farmhouses, barns, outbuildings, fences, pastures, windmills, and schools accent what has been called “America’s most beautiful village.”

Seniors Find A Cradle Of American History

In 1998 the Town of Easthampton, New York celebrated its 350th anniversary. This alone makes it special; few places in America were settled earlier. Even among those that were, none have the unique character peculiar to East Hampton.

It is called “A Cradle Of American History” as East Hampton was founded in 1648 by a group of farmers and fishermen who came from Connecticut across Long Island Sound. They came not for freedom but to make their living.

Early East Hampton was as much a theocracy as the Massachusetts of the Puritans; including witches and witchcraft trials – but fortunately no hangings or burning at the stake.

Farming and fishing was the livelihood for most until the beginning of the 20th century when the town began to attract wealthy families, artists and writers as a refuge from the city.

 The local Chamber of Commerce invites seniors to request a Brochure on Easthampton. This historic town offers seniors an exciting and interesting visit. -jeb

Seniors Discover The California Riveria

Senior travelers learn that Orange County, California, is sandwiched between the vibrant metropolis of Los Angeles and the relaxed waves of San Diego. “OC,” as it’s called by locals, is made up of a group of cities located along the Pacific coastline and inland.

Orange County whose seat is Santa Ana, has a population of over 3,000,000. Thirty-four incorporated cities are located in the county. With over 42 miles of Pacific coastline and spectacular vistas, many enjoy calling it…the ‘California Riviera’.

When California became a state in 1850, what is now Orange County was a part of Los Angeles County. It took nearly 20 years of struggle for the area to break away and create a county of their own. Many contend that Orange County was named for its most promising crop.

Seniors Visit Disneyland And Knott’s Berry Farm

Orange County is the second most densely populated county in the state, second only to San Francisco County. Due to Orange County’s proximity to Los Angeles, many film and media celebrities have moved or bought second homes in the county.

Actor John Wayne, who lived in Newport Beach, is the namesake for Orange County’s John Wayne Airport. The county is famous as the home of attractions like Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and several beaches along the  coastline.

The county’s four largest cities, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, and Huntington Beach each have populations exceeding 200,000. Several of Orange County’s cities are located on the Pacific coast, including Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente. Senior visitors will discover lots of beautiful scenery and a host of fun things to see and do all over Orange County.  

 Seniors Enjoy California’s Gold Coast

Orange County invites senior visitors to check out the spectacular South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, or stroll the famous Huntington Beach Pier and watch the surfers off Huntington Beach, aka Surf City, USA. 

Senior golfers can enjoy the region’s excellent golf courses. Then there’s the  Cleveland National Forest and the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. The Gold Coast of California with over 40 miles of coastline and spectacular vistas have led many to proclaim it the “California Riviera”.

Orange County is home to some of the world’s most popular attractions: The Disney Resort and California Adventure, Mission San Juan Capistrano, ‘The Jewel of the Missions” and Knott’s Berry Farm.

The Great Stone Church, a cathedral ruin that has been named one of the world’s 100 Most Endangered Sites is located at The Mission San Juan Capistrano. The migration of the swallows back to Capistrano every March is celebrated with their famous Swallow’s Day Parade.

 Seniors, set your GPS for Orange County and discover its rich heritage. -jeb

Seniors Visit “The Circle City”

A Corona is indeed a circle, seniors discover and thus it is that this city in California got its name:  from the curious layout of its streets, with a standard grid enclosed by the circular Grand Boulevard, 2.75 miles (4.43 kilometers) in circumference. The City of Corona is in western Riverside County with a population of 159,503 in 2013.

Corona is located approximately an hour southeast of Los Angeles and a half an hour northeast of Long Beach. It is near the Cleveland National Forest and in a region that is known as the “Inland Empire”. Corona weather is characterized by hot summers and warm winters.

Corona, originally named South Riverside, was founded at the height of the Southern California citrus boom in 1886, and is advantageously situated at the upper end of the Santa Ana River Canyon, a significant pass through the Santa Ana Mountains.

Seniors Find Former Lemon Capital

Corona Heritage Park & Museum is a 10,000 sq. ft. museum that celebrates the town’s history as the “Lemon Capital of the World” during the 1930-40′s. A small gift shop features “everything lemon.” Built at the center of the former 2,000 acre Corona Lemon Company established in 1911, it’s believed to have been the largest single lemon ranch in California.

Many locals refer to Corona as A Grand City, because of its wide array of amenities: great shopping, attractive parks, great hospitality and a plethora of fine dining choices along with some great schools.

TripAdvisor suggests senior visitors not miss The Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, a Day spa featuring 15 mineral baths, and Club Mud – California’s only red clay mud bath. It attracts many visitors as does the Fender Guitar Visitor Center.

Monster Beverage, Saleen (speciality sports cars) and Lucas Oil Products have their national headquarters in Corona.

 Seniors Enjoy Ethnic Diversity In Corona

The Pole Position Raceway offers several go-karting options. The most-popular  permits customers to drop by and race in standard races. These kart races last for about 10 minutes. In addition to the adult karts (56″ minimum height required) they also have kid’s karts for your grandkids. Who knows…maybe I’ll “run into you” at Pole Position.

Senior car buffs would enjoy Uncle Bud’s Automotive Museum where you can take a journey through automotive history, detailing the innovative changes and breakthroughs over the past years.

A city whose heritage spans more than a century, Corona has emerged as an ethnically diverse community, where a significant percentage of the population is made up of young, well educated families.

I must toss this in for a little humor: Corona has been referred to as the ‘record holder in the fumbled time capsule category’ with 17 time capsules buried – and lost. They gotta be around here somewhere…

Seniors, check out Corona’s Facebook page and plan a stop when you are in the area. The city offers lots for senior visitors to enjoy.  -jeb

Seniors Visit The Ancient wonders Of Sicily

This senior has a friend at the gym who hails from Sicily. My senior friend tells me that Sicily is beautiful and that I should go there for a visit. So I invite you to come along…let’s get our coffee and be on our way.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island (pop. 5 million), lies off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot.” Its rich history is reflected in multiple sites like the Valley of the Temples, the well-preserved ruins of 7 monumental Doric-style Greek temples, and in the Byzantine mosaics at the Cappella Palatina, a former royal chapel in its capital city Palermo.

On Sicily’s eastern edge is Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest and most active volcanoes that is continually smoking and occasionally belching fire and lava bombs. My travel hero Rick Steves’ video“The Best of Sicily” is a another of his marvels and provides an excellent overview of the area.

Seniors Enjoy The Wonders Of Sicily

Nature seems to have endowed all its wonders to Sicily: mountains, hills and above all the sea, with its incredible variation of colors, its crystal-clear water and the beauty of its seabed.

Lonely Planet notes that the “Eternal crossroads of the Mediterranean, the gorgeous island of Sicily, continues to seduce visitors with its dazzling diversity of landscapes and cultural treasures.”

”TripAdvisor has put together a series of must see sites for senior visitors. I am a huge fan of World Heritage Sites and Piazza Armerina is a Roman villa with a wealth of mosaics and has been under excavation since the 19th century.

The earliest archaeological evidence of human activity on the island dates from as early as 12,000 BC.

By around 750 BC, Sicily had three Phoenician and a dozen Greek colonies and, for the next 600 years, it was the site of the Sicilian Wars and the Punic Wars, which ended with the Roman Republic’s destruction of Carthage at the battle of Carthage (c. 149 BC).

 Tiny Islands, Lemon Trees and Volcanoes

Senior visitors will discover an ever present scent of lemon trees, the volcanoes, the beautiful black-sand beaches, and tasty desserts to satisfy a demanding palate.

Ancient Akragas rivaled Athens in its splendor in the ancient world. The Valley of the Temples is where the ancient world comes most vividly alive on Sicily.

Historically Sicily was the home of Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, French and Spanish. The ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Motya is a site not to be missed.

The Temple of Hera at Selinunte is a well preserved look alike of the Acropolis in Athens. The Greco-Roman theatre at Taormina reminds me of a similar huge structure I saw with my family in the city of Orange in France.

Seniors, spend some quality time on this scenic and historic island.   -jeb

Seniors Discover Susanville

This senior was looking over a map of California and discovered a city up in the northeast corner of the state called Susanville.

Susanville was named after Susan Roop, daughter of Isaac Roop, an early settler. It was at one time the center of farming, mining and the lumber industry.

Susanville, formerly known as Rooptown, is the seat of Lassen County and is highly scenic. Located on the Susan River in the southern part of the county, it sits at an elevation of 4,186 feet.

The population runs around 17,000, the majority of which are held at two state prisons: the California Correctional Center, a minimum-medium security facility, which opened in 1963 and the High Desert State Prison which opened in 1995. The Federal Correctional Institution, Herlong is nearby, having opened in 2007.

Seniors Hike The Bizz Johnson Rail Trail

TripAdvisor wants senior visitors to know about the Biz Johnson Trail, the Susanville Ranch Park and the Lassen Historical Museum. Geocaching, the recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates posted on a website, is a populars activity in the area.

Roop’s Fort, also known as Roop’s Trading Post, Fort Defiance, and Roop House, is a historic building in Susanville. The site, that was built in 1854 by Isaac Roop, was the first building constructed by white settlers in Lassen County. The fort was originally a trading post for westbound migrants and was the first post west of Fort Hall in Idaho.

The historic Susanville Railroad Depot was built by Southern Pacific Railroad in 1927 and is a historical landmark that emphasizes the cultural heritage of the region. The Depot also serves as the main trailhead for the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail which is a converted railroad track that follows the old Fernley and Lassen Branch Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Seniors Follow Trail Through The Canyon

 Today, the 30-mile trail is used by senior hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and cross-country skiers. For the first 16 miles, the trail follows the Susan River. As it winds through the rugged Susan River Canyon, the trail crosses the river 12 times on bridges and trestles and passes through two tunnels.

Senior visitors can also enjoy fishing, wildflower viewing, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, historic sites, and interpretive programs. This rail trail was rated the most scenic rail trail in California by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.

Visitors enjoy the Lassen National Forest that lies at the heart of one of the most fascinating areas of California. The Forest was named after pioneer Peter Lassen, who mined, ranched and promoted the area to emigrant parties in the 1850s.

Facebook suggests not only great stops for a cup of coffee, but information on where to stay and local landmarks. Consider a movie at the Historic Sierra Theater in Susanville’s Old Town Area.

Seniors, Susanville is awaiting your arrival. It will be a fun time. -jeb

 Narragansett And Seniors Click

Narragansett is a town of 16,000, however, during the summer months the town’s population more than doubles to nearly 34,000. And here’s why, senior beach enthusiasts: Narragansett Town Beach is a classic New England Saltwater Coastal Beach front that offers some of the best, cleanest and accessible beach conditions for the residents and tourist in New England.

Located in the center of town, the beach offers ample parking in the North, South, West and Cabana parking areas along with food, restrooms, first-aid office, surfing area and a beautiful sandy beachfront. Narragansett Beach is known as the “surfing capital of RI.” Bring along your beach chairs and enjoy watching the surfers.

Seniors Seek Out The Great Seafood Restaurants

The local Chamber of Commerce notes that Narragansett is conveniently located within minutes of Newport and Providence. They would like you to come for a relaxing vacation full of great seafood restaurants, ocean views, activities for the grandkids, swimming, fishing and boating. The town is colloquially known as “Gansett”.

The town of Narragansett, occupies a narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River to the shore of Narragansett Bay. It was separated from South Kingstown in 1888, and incorporated as a town in 1901.

This senior would want to spend time investigating the thirteen different buildings and districts in Narragansett listed on the National Register of Historic Places. TripAdvisor notes two dozen attractions not to be missed.

Senior Fishermen, Check Out The Fishing Village

Galilee is a fishing village on Point Judith within the town of Narragansett and is notable for being home to the largest fishing fleet in Rhode Island and for being the site of the Block Island Ferry. Another major site not to be overlooked is called The Towers.

Fodor’s notes a summer resort destination during the Victorian era, Narragansett still has as its main landmark The Towers, the last remaining section of the 1886 Narragansett Pier Casino designed by McKim, Mead & White. The town is much quieter now, but it has beautiful beaches and remains home to a large commercial fishing fleet.

 Seniors, take a scenic drive down Route 1A to see the ocean and grand old shingle-style homes. You’ll eventually wind up at Point Judith Lighthouse, which has been in continuous operation since the 19th century.

And that name Narragansett. The Narragansett Indians are the descendants of the aboriginal people of the State of Rhode Island. Archaeological evidence and the oral history of the Narragansett People establish their existence in this region more than 30,000 years ago.

 Facebook is a helpful source of good information for senior visitors to Narragansett. This is an exciting destination for senior travelers heading for the north eastern Atlantic sea coast.  -jeb

Seniors Happy They Stopped In Everett

Everett is the county seat of Snohomish County, Washington. Named for Everett Colby, son of founder Charles L. Colby, senior travelers will find the city 25 miles north of Seattle.

Everett is situated along the Port Gardner Peninsula in the Puget Sound region in Snohomish County. Everett includes the second biggest marina on the West Coast. The city is home to a prominent Boeing Assembly facility and a large Kimberly-Clark paper mill.

The international shipping port is a major factor for the economy. Everett is hometown to Air Force One.

The Boeing Tour Center allows visitors to view airplanes in different stages of flight testing and manufacturing. Everett’s early economy was tied to the lumber trade.

Seniors Enjoy Everett’s Small Town Feel

 Facebook has done some work for senior visitors in preparation for a visit to Everett, highlighting places for food, for lodging, landmarks, museums and where to take a nice stroll in a park.

Now top that off with TripAdvisor who places The Flying Heritage Collection, the Imagine Children’s Museum and the Schack Art Center at the top of their list. The city has that wonderful small town feel as seniors will discover.

The land on which Everett was founded was surrendered to the United States by its original inhabitants under the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. Permanent settlement in the area by European descendants started in 1861 when Dennis Brigham built a cabin on a 160-acre claim on the shore of Port Gardner Bay.

Over the next several years a handful of settlers moved to the area, but it wasn’t until 1890 that plans for platting a town were conceived. Steam riverboats utilized during the Yukon Gold Rush were constructed in town.

Historic District And Scenic Views Draw Seniors

The Everett Events Center and the Xfinity Arena host a variety of concerts and a myriad of other types of performances. The Everett Historic District features a large number of impressive homes.

The district contains many old and stately homes, including the home of the former U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson. The historic Everett Theatre still stands majestically with a proud past. Several churches are found in Everett and each with a renown history.

Everett, Washington is filled with sites and surrounded by beautiful scenery in all directions. I’d want to visit the Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens with its conifer, dahlia and woodland gardens and scenic views of Puget Sound.

Another must see would be Nishiyama Garden, a traditional Japanese garden located at the Nippon Business Institute at Everett Community College.

Senior visitors can enjoy the whale watching tours in the Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and Seattle areas. Guided deep-sea fishing trips are popular. Opportunities for river fishing are also available.

Enjoy Everett! -jeb