Carefreetrip.com Travel Blog

Scotland’s turbulent history has left an enduring mark on the landscape in shape of the many castles, fortresses and tower houses that pepper the countryside. Some - such as Edinburgh or Stirling - rank amongst Europe’s most impressive structures while other less grand examples provide a stark insight into darker times. All Scottish castles, however, have the power to capture the imagination which explains why they regularly top the list of ‘must-see’ Attractions for visitors.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Perched high above the capital, this is Scotland’s most important and famous castle. There has been a castle here since the 11th century and each century has seen changes and additions resulting in today’s mix of military barracks, palace, fortress and war memorial. The castle is also home to the Scottish Crown Jewels - ‘The Honours of Scotland’ - and the famous Stone of Destiny, plus the mighty ‘Mons Meg’, a huge 15th-century siege cannon. On a smaller scale, The One O’clock Gun fires from the ramparts each weekday, scaring pigeons and the unaware on Princes Street far below.

Stirling Castle, Stirling

Perched high on volcanic rock, Stirling provides spectacular views over two of Scotland’s most historic battlefields - Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Much of today’s castle dates from the 15th-18th centuries. The Great Hall has been restored to how it would have looked around 1500 and there are excellent interactive displays on the castle’s history and the medieval kitchen.

Caerlaverock Castle, Glencaple, Dumfries

Caerlaverock dates from the late 13th century and is one of the finest medieval structures in Scotland. A turbulent history saw it destroyed on several occasions, for the final time in the early 17th century at the hands of the Covenanters. Though much ruined internally, some fine carved stone panels, windows and fireplaces have survived to give an insight into the original grandeur of this extraordinary triangular castle.

Craigievar Castle, by Alford

Craigievar is hidden in the quiet, wooded hills of Aberdeenshire. Looking as though it’s come straight from the pages of a fairytale, this stylish 17th-century tower house is a fine example of the Scots baronial style of architecture at its best. Seven storeys high, its sheer walls are topped by a riot of turrets, towers, crow-stepped gables and conical roofs which give it its distinctive character.

Culzean Castle, near Maybole, Ayrshire

Culzean Castle is the jewel in the crown of the National Trust for Scotland. This grand cliff-top country house was remodelled in the late 18th century by the renowned architect Robert Adam in his trademark neo-classical Georgian style. The Circular Saloon has a superb panoramic view over the Firth of Clyde and the beautiful Oval Staircase is Adam’s final masterpiece of interior design.

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Wester Ross

Eilean Donan is for many people, the archetypal Scottish castle; it is certainly one of the most photogenic and photographed. Ruined during one of the Jacobite risings in the early 18th century, it was restored to all its glory some two centuries later and is now the headquarters of the Clan McRae. The castle’s most spectacular feature is undoubtedly its magnificent natural setting, at the meeting point of three lochs.

Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye

Dunvegan Castle has been the ancestral home of the Clan Macleod for centuries. Seven hundred years of alterations and extensions mean that the castle is a hotch-potch of styles. Nevertheless, its brooding strength remains impressive and the interior, with its accumulated treasures, trophies and keepsakes is a delight. Be sure to check out the Fairy Flag and the bottle-dungeon.

Fyvie Castle, Fyvie, Aberdeenshire

Fyvie is an outstanding example of Scottish baronial architecture. Having begun as a simple castle in the 13th century, it passed through the hands of five powerful families, each of whom added significantly to it until it reached its present form. Inside, the magnificent sweeping staircase is the most dramatic feature while the treasures on display include fine furniture, tapestries, paintings and arms and armour.

Duart Castle, Duart Point, Mull

Duart Castle has been the seat of the Clan Maclean for over seven centuries. The rocky outcrop on which it stands offers excellent natural defences as well as fantastic panoramic views. Massive curtain walls ring the castle’s landward side while a huge 14th-century tower house looks out to the Sound. Ruined in the late 18th century, it was restored in 1911 by the then clan chief, Sir Fitzroy Maclean.

Inveraray Castle, Inveraray, Argyll

Inveraray Castle dates from the 18th century and is home to the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell, whose family have lived in Inveraray for over five centuries. With its large turretted corner towers, the castle has something of a fairytale aspect which belies the grandeur of the interior. This is exemplfied in the fine State Dining Room and Tapestry Drawing Room which contain magnificent French tapestries, fabulous examples of Scottish, English and French furniture and a wealth of other works of art.

Step off the plane and it’s as if the volume on your senses has been turned up. Smell the fresh plumeria in the air. See sapphire seas, emerald valleys, and halos of rainbow arches. Feel the warm radiance of the sun on your cheeks while a cool rush of ocean water sucks the sand from between your toes.

It’s no secret that the Islands of Aloha are a scenic paradise for the senses, but an exploration of the rich cultural history of the Hawaiian people makes your first visit to the islands even richer. With so much to experience, you’ll find the warm embrace of Hawaii waiting for you on your second visit and beyond.
6 Things To Do on Your First Trip to Hawaii:

• Enjoy the stunning scenery from various points along Kauai’s Napali Coast.
• Visit the USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials in Oahu’s Pearl Harbor.
• Take a mule ride down to the Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai.
• Drive the Munro Trail on Lanai for incredible views.
• Take the long, winding, scenic road to Hana on Maui.
• View the active Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island.

This is just the start! There are more things that are just waiting for you to try, taste and discover!

This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Georgia to include the return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi, the resumption of visa services, and the status of roads within the country.  This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Georgia issued August 12, 2008.  The Department of State authorized the return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi on August 23, 2008.  However, since Russian troops remain in some parts of the country near Poti, Zugidi and Senaki as well as in the conflict zones, Embassy staff and family members will travel outside of Tbilisi only with the concurrence of the Regional Security Officer.  The Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Georgia to exercise caution while traveling.

American citizens currently in Georgia are urged to continue to review their personal security situations to take appropriate action to ensure their safety.  Given the recent upheaval in Georgia, American citizens should take precautions in case of an increase in violent crime.  Private American citizens are encouraged to follow the precautions detailed below and to remain in close communication with the American Embassy in Tbilisi for more detailed information.

On August 10, 11, and 14 three Embassy-coordinated convoys departed Georgia for Armenia.  There are no additional convoys currently scheduled at this time.  The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy suspended visa processing, but will resume visa services on August 27.  The Peace Corps temporarily relocated trainees and volunteers to Armenia on August 11, however, the Peace Corps office in Tbilisi remains open for business.

American citizens in Georgia are advised to register with the Department of State on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security.  Travel in some parts of western Georgia remains unpredictable.

American citizens should monitor the U.S. Embassy website http://georgia.usembassy.gov and stay in contact with family and friends in the United States.  American citizens in Tbilisi may also tune in to Radio Syndicati at FM 104.3 or throughout Georgia at Radio Green Wave at FM 107.4 for updated U.S. Embassy warden message information.

Family members and friends unable to verify the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area should call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or from other areas via a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  U.S. citizens in the area are urged to monitor the local news.  Those residing or traveling in Georgia are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi is located at 11 George Balanchine Street (in Didi Dighomi), Tbilisi 0131, Georgia, tel: 995-32-27-70-00.  The after-hours emergency number is 995-99-57-39-69, or, if dialing locally on a mobile telephone, 899-57-39-69.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information, and health information resources can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Algeria and warns American citizens against travel to the Kabylie region of the country. The threat from terrorism continues to pose a significant security risk. This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on March 26, 2008.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risks posed to their personal safety. Terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur regularly. Since early 2007, the use of suicide bomb attacks, particularly vehicle-borne attacks, has emerged as a terrorist tactic in Algeria, including in the capital. The group that claimed credit for the December 11, 2007, suicide car-bomb attacks in Algiers has pledged more attacks against foreign targets, and specifically against American targets.

The Department of State warns American citizens against travel to the Kabylie region of Algeria. Since June 2008, the Kabylie region has seen a series of bombing and other terrorist attacks of increasing size and frequency, including a suicide car-bomb attack at a gendarmerie school in Issers on August 19 that killed at least 44 people. While many of the attacks have targeted Algerian security forces, other targets have included a bus transporting the employees of a foreign company, and many of the victims of the attacks have been civilians.

The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid overland travel in Algeria. Americans who reside or travel in Algeria should take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support. Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided. All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predictable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile.

The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Embassy personnel assigned to Algiers sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under significant security restrictions. These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, the movement of U.S. Embassy officials and the provision of consular services in certain areas of the country. The Government of Algeria requires U.S. Embassy personnel to seek permission to travel to the Casbah within Algiers or outside the province of Algiers and to have a security escort. Travel to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center requires Government of Algeria authorization. Daily movement of Embassy personnel in Algiers is limited, and prudent security practices are required at all times. Travel by personnel within the city requires prior coordination with the Embassy’s Regional Security Office. American visitors are encouraged to contact the Embassy’s Consular Section for the most recent safety and security information concerning travel in the city of Algiers.

Americans living or traveling in Algeria are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Algiers through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Algeria. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 5 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi in the El Biar district of Algiers. The telephone number is [213] 770 08 20 00, which can also be reached after hours. The fax number is [213] 21 98 22 99.

Updated information on travel and security in Algeria may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Algeria and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security conditions in Kenya. The temporary suspension of the United States Peace Corps program in Kenya has been lifted and volunteers have now returned to the country. The U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that private American citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and crime. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning of March 21, 2008.

Current Situation
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The power-sharing agreement signed on February 28 has been widely accepted throughout Kenya; parliament ratified it on March 18. Implementation of the agreement is proceeding and members of the coalition government continue to adhere to the terms of the accord. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi will continue to monitor the political climate and update travel information for American citizens as necessary.

Crime and Terrorist Acts
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Kenya has a high rate of violent crime and remains susceptible to attacks from terrorists in the region. The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of potential terrorist threats aimed at American, western, and Kenyan interests. Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports. Many of those responsible for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in 2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the region.

Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi. As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel were victims of carjackings. In the short-term, the continued displacement of thousands of people by the recent civil unrest combined with endemic poverty and the availability of weapons could result in an increase in crime, both petty and violent. Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate such acts or prosecute perpetrators.

American citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale Shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain alert in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.

Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254) (20) 363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

One of the few remaining Internet-free havens vanished Wednesday as American Airlines launched airborne e-mail, Web and other online services on some of its longer, nonstop flights.

The move could create a new stream of revenue for an aviation industry facing high fuel prices and other challenges. But it also could create new headaches as passengers retrieve sensitive e-mails and Web sites in confined quarters.

It also could end a common excuse people have to avoid checking “urgent” e-mail requests from their bosses. Unread magazines and books could now pile up as passengers devote their time aloft to electronic browsing.

American, a unit of AMR Corp., tested in-flight access on two flights on June 25. With Wednesday’s launch, the airline is making service available for $12.95 per flight on its 15 Boeing 767-200 planes connecting New York with Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami.

“Today the days of being cut off from the rest of the world while in the air become history,” said Jack Blumenstein, chief executive of Aircell LLC, the company providing Internet services for American and other airlines.

Delta Air Lines Inc., Virgin America and US Airways Group Inc. are among the other airlines planning to test in-flight services.

JetBlue Airways Corp. offers free Wi-Fi service on one aircraft through its LiveTV subsidiary, limited to e-mail without attachments, instant messaging and some services from Amazon.com. Continental Airlines Inc. also plans to use LiveTV with similar restrictions.

Aircell’s Gogo service is still formally a test, meaning American could drop it entirely after three to six months or expand it to other planes, depending on customer adoption and feedback. It can work with most laptops, Apple Inc.’s iPhone, some models of Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerrys and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

1. Pinehurst Resort

With eight pristine courses and a tradition that stretches back to 1895, Pinehurst has become known as the unofficial home of golf in America. Tee off among gently rolling sand hills, on holes framed by tall longleaf pines. The dramatic No. 2 course is Donald Ross’s masterpiece–plan on playing it at least twice.

2. Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Along with miles of private beach and forested paths, this 3,000-plus-acre coastal retreat has five spectacular courses. The main attraction, though, is the Pete Dye-designed Ocean course. To fully appreciate the scenery, ditch the cart–and play it on foot.

3. Pebble Beach Resorts

The Monterey Peninsula’s power trio of courses forms truly hallowed ground. Spyglass Hill’s course winds through a pine forest; Spanish Bay’s undulating fairways are parted by man-made dunes; and Pebble Beach’s breathtaking cliff-top holes culminate in one of the game’s greatest finishes.

4. Kapalua Resort

Overlooking the Pacific, this former Maui pineapple plantation encompasses both a classic Ritz-Carlton hotel and the world-class Plantation course (site of the PGA Tour’s Mercedes Championships). Be sure to crush a drive at the tumbling 18th hole.

5. Princeville Resort

On the north shore of Kauai, two Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed courses comprise this sprawling resort. The Prince course, one of the toughest in Hawaii, pitches and careens some 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

This resort’s three courses snake along Oregon’s blustery southern coast; the oldest, Bandon Dunes, is still a don’t-miss. Scottish designer David McLay Kidd carved his links along cliffsides and rolling grassy hills–and the result feels equal parts Scotland and Pacific Northwest.

VisitBritain has some tips for Americans interested in swapping homes as a way to save money on vacation.

The tourism promotion agency recommends Intervac (www.intervac.com) as a home exchange program that offers a “diverse selection of apartments, country houses and cottages in England, Scotland and Wales.”

Green Theme International Home Exchange Holiday Service (www.gti-home-exchange.com) specializes in “eco-friendly homes” which may have solar panels, fluorescent or LED lights and sometimes even bicycles or hybrid cars.

HomeExchange (www.homeexchange.com) offers house swaps as well as hospitality exchanges, where you may stay with your host family.

Self-catering apartments such as Club Suites (www.sloaneclub.co.uk) and Soho Square (www.londonapartmentservice.co.uk) can also help you cut down on dining out expenses. Self-catering apartments have full-service kitchens with cooking utensils so you can buy food at a local grocery store and cook your own meals.

The USA Today recently published an excellent article for people who love the outdoors, but don’t like to “rough it”. Here are the highlights from that article that can help you find a great travel destination and enjoy nature in comfort.

The Boulders Inn
New Preston, Conn.

“The Boulders Inn is one of the most impressive inns in Connecticut — an 1890 Dutch colonial stone-and-shingle mansion built at the base of Pinnacle Mountain about 85 miles from New York City,” Kidder says. “A stately carriage house adjoins the inn, and eight sweet cottages are tucked into the woods nearby. The restaurant is so popular, advanced bookings are required even for guests. The key to the inn’s appeal is a refined air mixed with pleasant informality.” 860-868-0541; bouldersinn.com

Cibolo Creek Ranch
Marfa, Texas

“In no way is this 30,000-acre west Texas ranch, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, a typical guest ranch. There are no organized singalongs, staged cattle roundups or other clichés here,” Kidder says. The isolation of this upscale property, originally built for a cattle baron, has attracted the likes of Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Tommy Lee Jones, Randy Quaid and Mick Jagger. Go horseback riding with a wrangler or skeet shooting, then feast on memorable meals. 866-496-9460; cibolocreekranch.com

Libby Camps
Ashland, Maine

“Getting to this lakefront sporting camp in Maine’s North Woods is half the fun — the easiest and fastest way is by floatplane,” Kidder says. “Matt Libby and his wife, Ellen, are the fourth generation of their family to operate the camp.” While Matt spends his day flying guests to isolated ponds for fishing and to primitive outpost cabins for hunting, Ellen busies herself in the kitchen making three meals daily, served family-style. 207-435-8274; libbycamps.com

Denali Backcountry Lodge
Kantishna, Alaska

“Guests at this lodge, in a remote area of Denali National Park, not only get greater access to the highly protected wilderness than most visitors, they get an opportunity to see Mount McKinley,” Kidder says. Located on the bank of Moose Creek, the cedar cabins have running water, private baths, and heat — all rarities for the area. Days are filled with fishing, gold panning, guided hikes for wildlife viewing and mountain biking. 877-233-6254; denalilodge.com

Blackberry Farm
Walland, Tenn.

“This two-story stone inn, topped with turrets and fireplace chimneys, looks like a large Georgian cottage situated on an expansive English country estate,” Kidder says. “The veranda offers a fine view of the farm’s 4,200 acres.” A concierge will help you experience nature in measured doses, along with generous helpings of creature comforts. Go fishing, play croquet, take a cooking class or have a customized farm experience. 800-273-6004; blackberryfarm.com

Sundance Resort
Utah

“Owned by actor Robert Redford, this 6,000-acre resort was constructed from cedar, fir, pine, and stone without disturbing the original landscape so that the wilderness remains front and center,” Kidder says. “No matter what the season, you can find varied activities, from an author series to silversmith classes, pottery throwing, painting and jewelry making. In January, the Sundance Film Festival showcases independent films at the resort and in nearby Park City.” 800-892-1600; sundanceresort.com

Little Palm Island
Resort & Spa

Little Torch Key, Fla.

“Just 15 minutes from the mainland, this resort, with its thatch-roof villas and wind-tossed coconut palms, couldn’t feel more removed,” Kidder says. “Much of the resort’s appeal lies in what it doesn’t have: cars, alarm clocks, room phones and TVs.” Fashioned for couples, the one-bedroom suites are furnished in colonial plantation-style, each with a porch with an ocean view. Spend your days out on the water or swaying in your bungalow’s hammock. 800-343-8567; littlepalmisland.com

Lake Quinault Lodge
Quinault, Wash.

“Surrounded by the lush Olympic National Forest, this old-time retreat is nestled in a cathedral of old-growth firs and cedars,” Kidder says. “The cedar-shake lodge with cheery blue shutters is unpretentious — a sort of grand lady on Lake Quinault. Swim, fish, kayak and play horseshoes or walk in the rain forest, where trees are so large, you could fit your family inside.” 800-562-6672; visitlakequinault.com

Lake Powell Resorts& Marinas
Page, Ariz.

“You can be your own captain and set your own course to explore the blue-green waters of Lake Powell and the red sandstone cliffs of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area when you rent a houseboat from these outfitters,” Kidder says. “Explore this vast lake on the Colorado River and the otherworldly geological scenery — swirling, cross-bedded rock and petrified sand-dune domes — almost pulsating with color beneath brilliant blue skies,” 800-209-8941; lakepowell.com

Devil’s Thumb Ranch
Tabernash, Colo.

“The most private and cushy of the ranch’s accommodations are eight log cabins on a ridge apart from the main lodge,” Kidder says. “Stone fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and lofts or sitting areas, they’re a 21st-century evocation of frontier living.” Though only 1½ hours west of Denver, this Rocky Mountain ranch feels much farther away with its 5,000 acres of meadows and pine forests. 800-933-4339; devilsthumbranch.com

Denver Zoo

Whether you’re young or old, a trip to the zoo is always an exciting thing. At the Denver Zoo, kids and grown-ups alike can marvel at over 4,000 animals, from lions and tigers to kangaroos and giraffes to grizzly bears and arctic wolves. Visitors can explore recreated rainforests, wander down pathways flanked by tundra wildflowers, study Asian elephants in their natural habitats and have a picnic without ever leaving the park. The Denver Zoo is one of the most exciting family-friendly Attractions in Denver.

Black Hawk

The City of Black Hawk is a town of heavy-set men in snake skin roach killers, cocktail waitresses in short, black mini-skirts, and a hope—a hope that you might win it big. Despite Black Hawk’s 22 casinos (which is more than Atlantic City), the town lacks the neon glow that characterizes its bigger-than-life counterparts, Reno, Las Vegas of the boats in Kansas City. Instead, it has something very Colorado: cowboys.

U.S. Mint

Originally opened in the mid-1800s to change gold and silver found by miners and prospectors in the surrounding hills into coins and ingots, the Denver facility was bought by the US Treasury in 1863 and transformed into a US Mint. However, it wasn’t until 1906 that the Denver facility began actually minting coins after being an Assay Office for the interim years. Today, free twenty-minute tours at the Denver based US Mint show visitors how blank ore become treasury coins.

Denver Botanical Gardens

There are several reasons that Denver’s fine botanic paradise in the city was just named one of the top ten such public gardens in the nation by Country Living Gardener magazine, but here’s one of the most touching: This garden takes advantage of all the senses, providing touchable, smellable, tasty, colorful and aural outdoor experiences all rolled into one. The therapeutic garden also serves as a landscape-design model for the facilities that cater to patrons with disabilities or special needs, featuring wheelchair-accessible paths, raised beds, container plantings and other amenities.

Cherry Creek

Just a few minutes down Speer Boulevard from Downtown Denver, visitors & locals alike will find some of Denver’s best restaurants, such as local-favorite Ocean Restaurant, boutique Shopping, and Luxury hotels in Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek is populated by some of Denver’s most well-to-do citizens, and the upscale neighborhood provides one of the best escapes from Downtown for a $5 cab ride.

Red Rocks

The 868-acre Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, nestled in the Rocky Mountain Foothills just 15 miles outside of Denver near Morrison, was once listed among the Seven Wonders of the World—and with good reason. Ship Rock and Creation Rock, the largest of the monoliths, tower 300 feet above the Red Rocks Amphitheater. These massive brick-colored sandstone monoliths are taller than Niagara Falls.

Colorado State Capital

Denver is well known as “the mile-high city,” but visitors will be surprised to find that it is also one of the flattest major U.S. cities– it’s actually located on a wide Rocky Mountain platte. For confirmation that you really are a mile high, climb the front stairs of the State Capitol Building until you reach the 15th step (marked for your convenience), an official 5,280 feet above sea level. In addition to being able to check off another box on your list of Denver tourism stops, take a tour of the Corinthian-style Colorado granite Capitol with its gold leaf covered dome.