Featured Travel Stories

As a child, every summer my parents would drive me and my brother and sister from Colorado to Iowa to spend a few weeks with our aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived on a farm in Clarion. When I close my eyes and think of those summer trips, four images come to my mind: vast blue skies, corn fields that stretched for miles, lazy days sitting on my aunt and uncle’s porch watching the bees go by, and the feeling of elated wonder I’d experience when I held a jar of glowing fireflies against the dark summer night. Granted, Iowa gets muggy in the summer, and grasshoppers fly haphazardly through the air not caring where they might land. But in spite of these small inconveniences, Iowa is a special place where folks are friendly, the air is clean, and the stars are so bright they sparkle like the 4th of July in the infinite night sky.

Alongside the beauty, friendliness, and peace of Iowa, travelers will find a wide variety of exciting, educational, and adventurous things to do during their visit here. Each region of this historically rich and naturally gorgeous state has something great to offer. In the west central region, you may find yourself tromping on horseback through wild prairies, and if you head to southwest Iowa, you can see bucking broncos at the rodeo or pitch your camping tent under the stars. In the Great Lakes Region, history buffs will enjoy retracing the footsteps of Louis and Clark, and movie fans can visit the beautiful place where the popular film “Field of Dreams” was made in Dyersville, Iowa.

RealTravelers TeamEdwards recently saw the magical field in Dyersville, and were charmed by its lore. Here’s an excerpt from their travel blog, Is This Heaven? No, it’s Iowa:

“Today’s first stop was to see the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa. Driving down the country roads, surrounded by corn fields, felt like the final scene in the movie when the line of headlights can be seen heading toward the ballpark. A few helpful signs point the way, but if you didn’t know it was there, you would miss it. The small white farm house and the ball field itself are settled back in among the corn fields, just like they seemed in the movie. Some things were different than we expected, but much of it seemed familiar. Of course we couldn’t leave without walking back into the corn field where James Earl Jones disappeared in the movie.”

Travelers to Iowa shouldn’t miss a visit to Des Moines, the charming capital city. Zoos, art centers, botanical gardens, art galleries, baseball, racetracks, and so much more will keep you pleasantly busy. Blank Park Zoo is especially fun, with 22 acres and over 800 animals to enjoy. If you’re traveling with kids, the White Water University Fun Park is a great choice. The Iowa State Fair is a don’t-miss — this award-winning fair happens each year in August, and epitomizes everything that’s great about a good old country fair. Delicious food, free concerts, a talent show, livestock shows, and plenty of fun activities just for kids make this an unforgettable family event.

If, on your next journey, you want to travel off the beaten path and head to a place where charm, beauty, fun, and friendliness are abundant, check out the lovely state of Iowa. For great suggestions on fantastic hotels and charming B&B’s in Iowa, visit Iowa Hotels, and if you plan to attend the Iowa State Fair, get help planning your stay by visiting Des Moines Hotels.

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The first thing travelers and festival lovers should know is that the fun-filled Russian Winter Festival does not take place in The Russian Federation — as a matter of fact, the festivities happen on Trafalgar Square in jolly old London. Londoners and folks from around the world have grown to love the tradition of gathering together to appreciate and experience Russian culture, including food, music, dance, street theatre, military marching bands, and more. Of course, many talented artists from the Russian Federation perform in the festival, bringing east and west, and young and old together in a moving and thoroughly entertaining celebration of culture.

Kicking off it’s 4th year, the Russian Winter Festival takes place on 13, January 2008 (near Russia’s Old New Year’s Day) on the cobblestone streets of Trafalgar Square. What may festival-goers expect to experience at the one-of-a-kind event this year? Here are some highlights:

Food is a major highlight of the festival, as Trafalgar Square becomes warm and fragrant with traditional Russian dishes. Some tasty and savory treats will be pirozhkis, shashlik, borsch, and Russian pancakes, all wafting steam into the winter air of London.

Family Fun The Russian Winter Festival is by no means just for adults. Kids will be smiling from ear to ear in the children’s area made especially for them. Children will be entertained by fun Russian street games, puppet theatre, street musicians and performers, and plenty more.

Shopping and Entertainment
Travelers have the opportunity to bring a bit of Russia home with them, as the festival is packed with wonderful trinkets and souvenirs. As the sun begins to set, Russian beer starts to flow, filling the streets with joviality and high spirits. More entertainment kicks off with excellent live music performances, trapeze dances, laser shows, and military dance performances. Festival-goers will have a blast ringing in the New Year in the spirit of Russian culture as the New Year bells ring into the night.

Excited about the Russian Winter Festival, but not sure where to find a hotel? Check out the useful links below:

Hotels Near Trafalgar Square
Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel
The Cavendish London
Dukes Hotel
Thistle Charing Cross
Thistle Piccadilly
The Soho Hotel
London Hotels

Looking for more things to do while in London?
London Attractions
London Restaurants
London Travel Blogs

Inspired to experience Russia for yourself?
Russia Travel Guide
Top Spots in Russia
Russia Travel Blogs
Russia Hotels

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