explorationvacation
Exploration Vacation
using time away from a desk to take a really good look at the world
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“Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes” at MIA
There’s still time to see “Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes” at MIA (the Minneapolis Institute of Arts) in Minneapolis. The show features about 150 spectacular bronzes from ancient China, with lighting by art director and designer Tim Yip (best known for his work in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). These bronzes were used to “make offerings to heavenly and ancestral spirits,” and every single one is exquisite.
The galleries used for this exhibit are intended to evoke the settings where these pieces were originally used. However, the exhibit doesn’t include information on the individual pieces or their use aside from a very basic brochure. If you want detail on individual pieces, you have to look elsewhere.
I suspect this designed-for-Instagram exhibition style focused on visuals and emotions rather than history and facts is the future of signature exhibits. I’m sure it will make art museums more appealing to a wider audience. I’m less certain it will deepen understanding of and appreciation for the art itself or the cultures that created it. But the pieces included in this exhibit are exceptionally beautiful and the display is very dramatic. It’s beautiful. But you might want to do some homework before you go if you want to understand what you are seeing.
“Eternal Offerings: Chinese Ritual Bronzes” will be at MIA until May 21.
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A very active group of gray whales in Laguna Ojo de Liebre Mexico
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Washington DC will soon be awash in cherry blossoms
Every spring in Washington DC the the Tidal Basin and select spots around the National Mall erupt in clouds of cherry blossoms.
https://explorationvacation.net/washington-dc-soon-awash-cherry-blossoms/
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An Andalusian Itinerary for Spring
I spent almost a month winding through Andalucía last spring. There’s so much to see and do that I could have easily stayed another month! See photos from my trip and find recommendations for your own trip at https://explorationvacation.net/andalucia-itinerary-for-southern-spain/
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There’s more to do in Iowa than you think!
Find out more at https://explorationvacation.net/more-than-100-things-to-do-in-iowa/
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Minnesota’s most unusual swimming hole!
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Hike a Canadian gem
Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park offers a few lucky visitors the opportunity to hike in near solitude in spectacular scenery.
It, like Canada’s other Rocky Mountain National Parks, is a UNESCO World Heritage site of breathtaking beauty. See more photos and get tips for planning your own hike at https://explorationvacation.net/hiking-lake-ohara-canada/
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Tulip Time Cruising
It’s that time of year again, when the tulip fields are blooming in the Netherlands. That makes it a great time for a Tulip Cruise!
Head over to https://explorationvacation.net/belgium-and-holland-gate-1-tulip-time-river-cruise/ to learn more about what you can see on (and what you need to know to book) a spring cruise through Holland and Belgium. Or combine a cruise with a driving tour like I did. . . or skip the cruise completely and explore on your own!
There are lots of options to enjoy the brief season when tulips and other spring bulbs cover the landscape.
#rivercruise#explorationvacation#spring flowers#tulips#tulipcruise#netherlands#springflowers#holland#cruising#Europe#spring#travel
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In Botswana’s Tsodilo Hills
I’ve been looking back at an amazing place I visited years ago, the Tsodilo Hills UNESCO World Heritage site in Botswana. It has one of Africa’s largest collections of rock art. And sometimes it also has amazing wind storms!
Read more at https://explorationvacation.net/botswana-tsodilo-hills-unesco/
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Singapore’s National Orchid Garden
Founded in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site. Orchids are an important part of the Botanic Gardens, as they have been since the since the beginning.
Today the Botanic Gardens’ National Orchid Garden is home to over 60,000 orchid plants. It’s one of the world’s largest tropical orchid displays.
For more about the garden (and lots more orchid pictures) head over https://explorationvacation.net/singapore-national-orchid-garden/
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Add Siglufjordur to your Iceland itinerary
In the far north of Iceland, pretty little Siglufjörður (Siglufjordur) belongs on every Iceland Ring Road itinerary.
The Ring Road, Iceland’s Route 1, offers a wealth of stunning scenery, waterfalls, and weird geology. There are even a few charming towns right along the way. But some of the country’s most attractive towns require a side trip.
Siglufjörður, one of Iceland’s cutest towns, is a perfect example of why visitors should venture off Route 1 on their Ring Road adventure.
Read more at: Add Siglufjörður to your Iceland Ring Road itinerary In the far north of Iceland, pretty little Siglufjörður (Siglufjordur) belongs on every Iceland Ring Road itinerary.
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Traditional farm buildings like those of the 1800s at Jan Karlsgården open air museum in the Åland Islands. #travelscandinavia #visitfinland #visitåland #historicarchitecture #explorationvacation #explorehistory (at Jan Karlsgården)
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Finland’s Åland Islands aren’t on most travelers’ summer holiday short-list. But if an Åland Island holiday isn’t on your list yet, maybe it’s time you discover these magical islands. (Of course, if it IS on your list, you’re probably wishing I’d keep this summer vacation escape a secret!)
Visit Åland for a perfect summer holiday
Summer is the perfect time for an Åland Island holiday.
To prove it, here are a few reasons to visit Åland this summer:
The Åland Islands are lovely
I’m a photographer, so I have a weakness for places with a subtle, ever-changing beauty. And the Åland Islands have lots of that. There aren’t any towering mountains or raging waterfalls, but who needs them when there is a whole archipelago of shimmering water, rocky shorelines, green forest, and cheerful red cottages to enjoy?!
Peaceful solitude abounds
In a world that sometimes seems too loud and too busy, a vacation in Åland offers a chance to slow down, unwind, and just relax. With over 6,500 islands, you can always find a place of your own!
But Åland also has a lively culture (however you define culture)
Of course, summer holidays in the Åland Islands don’t have to be about peaceful solitude. The islands also offer plenty of opportunities to join in a whole variety of activities. There is sure to be something for everyone, whether it’s shopping in charming Mariehamn, participating in old Swedish traditions, admiring the moves of visiting dance groups, or watching the classic cars parade by as the “old timers” roll off the ferry and into town!
There is a lot of history to discover
While these tiny islands might seem isolated, they were inhabited long before the Vikings arrived. Over time they have been home to fishermen and farmers, but the islands were also of strategic importance to the great powers of northern Europe. Once deep inside the Swedish empire, Åland became a Russian outpost. Today the islands have a unique status as an autonomous Swedish-speaking region of Finland.
Hints of that long and complicated history can be found throughout the islands. There are Viking grave sites, the ruins of a Swedish castle and a Russian fortress, an open air farm museum, and various maritime museums. All of them provide an engaging glimpse of life here in the past.
Fabulous local food and drinks
Åland is the perfect place to discover today’s Scandinavian cuisine. The Nordic countries have long moved beyond the bland food familiar to my ancestors – today’s menus abound with fresh local ingredients artfully blended and perfectly prepared. And, with its rich soils and agricultural heritage, summer holidays in the Åland Islands are filled with some of the freshest foods in Northern Europe.
Of course, great local food should be served with a great local beverage. Stallhagen is the largest (but not the only) craft brewery in the islands and Smakbyn offers their own handcrafted spirits and liqueurs along with their outstanding cuisine.
Outdoor activities for everyone
Our summer holiday in the Åland Islands was limited to a long weekend, so we spent most of our time touring to see what the islands had to offer. (That and eating.) But there are plenty of activities for visitors with more time. The islands offer great options for hike, biking, swimming, paddling, boating, and more.
Not that you can’t just relax in the sun!
Plan your trip to the Åland Islands
The Åland Islands lie in the Baltic Sea between Sweden and Finland. While the archipelago includes 6,700 named islands, only about 80 are inhabited. And, with only 30,000 residents, there’s a lot of nature for visitors to explore.
Historically Swedish, these days Åland is an autonomous region of Finland. The islands are demilitarized and self-governing, with tight rules for property ownership. (You are really fortunate if you know someone with a cottage here.) The capital and largest city is Mariehamn, which is located on the largest island.
Åland is pronounced “o-land,” with a very soft “d” at the end.
The island’s Finnish name is Ahvenanmaa.
Getting to and around Åland
For a place that feels so isolated and that few people have heard of, it’s easy to get to the Åland Islands.
If you are planning a trip to either Stockholm or Helsinki, the Åland Archipelago is just a short hop away.
Getting there
Cruise to the islands
Have you ever taken an overnight cruise between Sweden and Finland on one of the cruise ship type ferries?
If so, you’ve probably been in the Åland Islands, as most ferries make a mid-trip stop in the islands. But don’t be surprised if you missed it, as this stop is usually very short and often happens in the middle of the night! The stop is so you can buy tax-free liquor on board – by stopping in Åland, the ship is exempted from the usual alcohol taxes.
But a cruise to the islands offers a lot more than cheap booze. The ferries all offer beautiful scenery as you cruise through the Baltic’s many islands. And the bigger ships offer a mini-luxury cruise vacation as you travel to the islands.
Both the Viking Line and Tallink Silja connect Stockholm and Helsinki or Turku via Mariehamn. These lines have large, luxurious ships with lots of extras, including fine dining. On my last trip we returned to Finland from Åland on the Viking Line and everything was excellent. We even had a wonderful meal in the ship’s fine dining restaurant. And keep in mind that on a day trip you may be able to reserve an inexpensive cabin to store luggage and freshen up while traveling.
From Sweden, the Eckerö Line operates a smaller ship between Grisslehamn (just under two hours north of Stockholm) and Eckerö Berghamn in Åland. Eckerö supplements their ferry service with a bus connection between Uppsala and Grisslehamn in Sweden and Eckerö Berghamn and Mariehamn in Åland. We traveled to the islands this way and it worked well. The connections are well-managed, the time spent at sea is short, and it is very inexpensive.
From Finland, Ålandstrafiken connects several of Åland’s islands with the Finnish mainland. These are smaller traditional ferries, not the cruise ship type ferries used by the other lines, but another affordable way to get around. They also provide service between islands within the Åland archipelago.
Book your ship well in advance if you are bringing a car or traveling on a summer weekend. Popular times do book up, especially on the smaller ships.
Fly to Mariehamn
For the time-strapped, Finnair offers flights from Helsinki or Turku to Mariehamn. It’s not cheap, but it is fast.
Getting around
Once you arrive in Åland, you can walk, bike, boat, or drive to various parts of the archipelago.
Biking is a great option in summer. Bicycle routes and bicycle ferries create an interconnected network that is perfect for touring the islands.
There are public buses that connect Mariehamn to the rest of the main island. Some routes also connect to the interisland ferries run by Ålandstrafiken.
Island hop by ferry
We only had a few days for our Åland Island travels, so we stuck to the auto routes that connect Mariehamn to Sund, Saltvik, and other areas on the main island.
However, with four ferry lines serving the archipelago, it’s easy to island hop. It’s even free for foot and bike passengers! (Reserve ahead and pay a fee to take your car along.) And, once you get to some of the smaller islands, cable ferries and footbridges connect to even more islands.
Money
Like Finland, Åland is on the Euro. Many businesses will also accept the Swedish krona.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Mariehamn, but less-so in other areas.
Language
Swedish is the only official language in Åland and is the first language of most residents. (The rest of Finland is officially bilingual, although Swedish is being becoming less common.)
Many people in tourist businesses in Åland also seemed to understand English. However, I understand some basic Swedish and was traveling with native Swedish speakers, so there might have been less use of English than it seemed.
Lodging
There are plenty of lodging options even if you aren’t lucky enough to have a friend with a cottage on the island.
Your first decision will be whether to stay within an easy walk of activities and dining in Mariehamn or further out – and how far out. There are lots of options if you have your own car, but there are also plenty of spots that can only be reached by foot, bike, or boat. And the car ferries can book up.
We stayed right along the harbor in Mariehamn at the Arkipelag Hotel. (Use my TripAdvisor affiliate link to research and book your stay and I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.).
The Arkipelag is located right at the edge of downtown, so it’s an easy walk to the main shopping area. It’s a casino hotel, but don’t be put-off by the casino – it’s well-separated from the hotel and my cousin turned her 10 Euros of complimentary play into €120! (The rest of us just played until our original €10 was gone.) With a pretty affordable upgrade, we got a room with a deck and a great view of the harbor and the classic cars parading by. It wasn’t fancy, but it was large, bright, and comfortable.
There are a variety of other lodgings right in Mariehamn, including a number of hotels that can be booked online (TripAdvisor affiliate link). There are also a few small hotels and resort-type operations throughout the islands, including the fabulous looking Havsvidden Resort (another TripAdvisor affiliate link).
It was convenient to be in town, but ordinarily we would have booked a cottage through Airbnb. (Use this member link to save up to $40 on your first booking and give me a credit for my next booking!). There are many options available on all of the islands, with some of the best deals in the more isolated locations. Just make sure you know how you will get to your lodging before you book. Many cottages are only accessible if you have your own transportation (usually a car, but sometimes a bike will do), and some require a boat. Needless to say, summer is busy in Åland, so book in advance.
And, of course, there are plenty of options for camping. The Visit Åland website lists 13 campgrounds, about half of which can be booked online.
Resources
The Visit Åland website has a wealth of information for planning your trip to the islands.
Baltic summer itinerary
Enjoy the best of summer on an Åland Island holiday Finland’s Åland Islands aren’t on most travelers’ summer holiday short-list. But if an Åland Island holiday isn’t on your list yet, maybe it’s time you discover these magical islands.
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Pretty soon Minnesota's state flower, the #showyladyslipper will be in bloom again. #flowerlover #instaflower #getoutandexplore #onlyinMN #beautifulwildflowers
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Spring was just getting started when we visited the Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery in #Michigan wine country. I bet those vines are fully leafed out now! #puremichigan #michiganwine #exploremidwest #vineyards (at Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery)
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