Category Archives: Travel

Top Restaurant Videos: Gion Mikaku In Kyoto, Japan’s Best Steakhouse

Gion Mikaku, founded 1929: – 2 different cuts of beef: Tajima beef filet mignon and Kobe beef rump steak with just the right amount of marbling (intra-muscular fat) and no extra-muscular fat – 400g in total. Steak cutting behind a window in their kitchen, friendly, dedicated service, pleasant view, extra hot griddle for proper searing, right timing and handling of the steaks: they certainly know what they are doing – This restaurant meal included garlic rice (between steak and dessert).

Gion Mikaku Kyoto Japan Best Kobe Beef Steakhouse Menu

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New Arts & Travel Video: “Kari Kola – Savage Beauty” In Connemara Ireland

Filmed and Edited by: Janne Tanskanen 

Savage Beauty light installation in Connemara Ireland (Lough Nafooey) March 2020. Savage Beauty by Kari Kola commissioned by Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture.

Music: Lawrence Hodge

Connemara’s Islands

Flung out into the Atlantic and shaped by the sheer force of the sea, Connemara’s islands are spectacular remnants of life long lost in other parts of Ireland. Staunchly proud of their traditions and as famous for their culture as their dramatic landscapes, Inishbofin and the Aran Islands are a patchwork of tiny, tightly packed fields, rambling stone walls, pristine beaches and craggy shores.

The islands’ relative isolation has fostered a profound sense of peace and protected a rich traditional heritage. They’re wonderful places to walk or cycle, and famous for their live music and traditional dances.

Situated in the choppy waters of Galway Bay, the three Aran Islands in the Gaeltacht region. The largest and most developed island is Inis Mór, a place blanketed in fissured limestone and snaking stone walls. The island’s most famous sight is Dún Aonghasa, a breathtaking semi-circular stone fort perched dramatically on top of a 100m cliff. Other prehistoric forts dot the island, as well as numerous early Christian remains. The heritage centre, Ionad Árann, gives a great insight into the island’s history and traditions but you’ll also see them first hand in the nightly music sessions, regular dances and impromptu storytelling.

Cannemara Island website

Springtime At The Getty: “Birds Are Singing, The Azaleas Are Glowing”

It’s springtime at the Central Garden. Birds are singing, the azaleas are glowing, and burgundy tulips and blue irises line the paths. However, the crowds are gone—the Getty Center has closed temporarily to minimize the spread of coronavirus.

View back toward the Getty Center from the furthest point of the Central Garden Sarah Waldorf
A view back toward the Getty Center from the furthest point of the Central Garden. Photo by Sarah Waldorf

The J. Paul Getty MuseumThe quiet comes at a time of transition for the garden. Spring always brings change and renewal, but this year Getty’s new horticulturist, Jackie Flor, has been trying to channel the vision of the garden’s creator, artist Bob Irwin, as she brings the garden back to his original intent

Does the new Golden Celebration rose with its rich, sweet scent honor Irwin’s intentions for that spot?  How about the trio of new Redbuds ready to pop? And how would he feel about her attempts to curtail the wildly proliferating Madeira Island Geranium? Yes, they were his favorite plant, but they have run rampant.

“I’m not heartless,” she said a few weeks ago about the robust plants with pink flowers. “But they need to be tucked back into their proper place.”

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Top Travel Videos: “Aerial America – Alabama” (Smithsonian Channel)

 

Discover Alabama’s rich history as we reveal the vast discoveries that forged a path to equality for millions. The story of the Cotton State has as many dramatic turns as the tracks of the Talladega Superspeedway.

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Art & Humor: National Park Posters Based On Visitors’ “1 Star Reviews”

Subpar Parks is a snarky love letter to the National Parks System. When I discovered that there were 1-star reviews for every single one of the 62 national parks, I set out to illustrate each park along with a hand lettered 1-star review as a way to put a positive, fun spin on such a negative mindset.

Humorous National Park Posters based on Visitors 1 star reviews by Amber Share

Amber Share website logo

Food Podcasts: The “Rich Delights” Of Cork, Ireland’s Second City

The Menu Monocle 24Monocle’s Charlie Jermyn talks us through the rich and varied culinary delights on offer in Ireland’s second city.

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland. Located in the south-west of Ireland, in the province of Munster, since an extension to the city’s boundary in 2019, its population is c.210,000.

The city centre is an island positioned between two channels of the River Lee which meet downstream at the eastern end of the city centre, where the quays and docks along the river lead outwards towards Lough Mahon and Cork Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world.

Originally a monastic settlement, Cork was expanded by Viking invaders around 915. Its charter was granted by Prince John in 1185. Cork city was once fully walled, and the remnants of the old medieval town centre can be found around South and North Main streets. The third largest city by population on the island of Ireland, the city’s cognomen of “the rebel city” originates in its support for the Yorkist cause in the Wars of the Roses. Corkonians sometimes refer to the city as “the real capital”, a  reference to its opposition to the Anglo-Irish Treaty in the Irish Civil War.

Preserving Wildlife: “Stay Wild” By Photographer Chris Schmid (2020)

Directed & Edited by Chris Schmid

Chris+Schmid+PortraitWildlife photographers and filmmakers, have a wonderful opportunity and great responsibility to share stories about wildlife, stories that both celebrate and also raise concern around conservation issues. My tireless efforts to document and protect the few remaining areas of wilderness are fueled by true love for nature and a desire to protect what’s left. As photographers, we have the chance to put into clear focus the beauty and richness of nature which we all have a communal responsibility to protect. But there is always more we can do.

That’s why I have decided to create my own line of handmade products last year, Stay·Wild, to support and help wildlife conservation. 50% of profits is donated to non-profit organizations making a difference every single day.

Together we can make a difference: Save endangered species – Protect their habitats – Help local communities
So please join the herd by purchasing your bracelet and share awareness around you.
staywild.shop

A Chris Schmid Production
schmidchris.com

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New Travel Videos: “7 Days In Egypt” By Neal Howland

Filmed and Edited by; Neal Howland

Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve dreamt about traveling to Egypt. It was a brief visit, but truly amazing to experience some of these ancient places firsthand.

Locations include:
Giza Necropolis
Saqqara
Alabaster Mosque
Khan Al-Khalili bazaar
New Library of Alexandria
Luxor Temple
Karnak
Valley of the Kings

Website