Vacation Warehouse

In 1963 while traveling in Jamaica, I found what was believed to be an authentic Greenhow Williamsburg 1770 sealed old glass bottle.  I actually agonized over the purchase for $30.00.  In 1972 while visiting Williamsburg, I discovered that whole antique glass bottles like this had never been found!  My bottle was presented and alas the curator, Noel Hume, stated that it was not old but rather a 1930s Williamsburg reproduction.  The good news was that at that time it was worth $60.  The color of the bottle was good.  The methods used to produce the bottle were right on.  It had an applied seal.  There was a broken pontil (a rough spot on the bottom where the glass blower broke the pipe away from the object) and the mold marks were polished when it was taken out of the mold.  But, the curator stated that the give away was that it just looked too good.  The bottle would most likely have been used and show wear from use or worse mis-treatment.

This is one of the clues for distinguishing old glass, antique glass from new.  Check the bottom of a piece to see if there are scratches.  Expect to see wear where it makes sense.  The bottom of a bottle would show scratches where it was slid over tabletops.  These marks should not be uniform but rather random in depth, direction, width and length.  Parallel lines or concentric circles would be suspect.  Sandpaper can be used to simulate wear marks.

Reproductions are often made from original molds and museums often offer reproductions for sale.  Checking museum catalogs is a good way to see what is currently being offered and thus not old.  Reproductions from such sources may be marked or tagged but the mark may be with an easily removed paper label and the tag may have been discarded.  And, don’t forget to check out places like Cracker Barrel to see what is new.  You will often see colors in new glass offerings that you will never see in older glass.

Logan Adams is a Certified Personal Property Appraiser and the Owner of The Specialists of the South in Panama City Florida. She is an old glass collector and specializes in antique glass bottles.

      Ok, so you’ve got the dress, you’ve mailed the invitations, you’ve booked a place and a caterer, and now you and your fiancé are thinking about the fun part – the honeymoon!  The first step is to think about your destination.  The next step is probably to choose your resort.  If you are particular about a certain resort, you may need to pick your lodging before your destination – or you might end up switching locations a couple of times.  Often though, trying a new accommodation with you mate is half the fun.  Play around with the choices and don’t forget to keep your options open.  Regardless of the destination decision your hotel accommodations will undoubtedly make a difference.  The following are just a few things to think about when making arrangements for that romantic getaway. 

      First, choose the location of your exciting and amore-filled vacation.  Do you see yourself sipping Pina Coladas on the beach? Do you want a secluded cabin on the top of a mountain?  Lounging on a cruise in the middle of the ocean?  Want to be seeing shows and playing slot machines in Las Vegas?  Regardless of your destination research the accommodations ahead of time.  Another important thing to think about is budget.  You don’t want to blow all your cash on the room then have to skimp and save on other fun stuff – like shopping and eating!     

      One way to start focusing on how much you can spend is to create a budget worksheet to help estimate your expenses.  Figure out where you want to go and how many nights you will be able to stay in that location.  How much you can spend per night on the hotel costs alone is another important factor.  If you choose an all-inclusive resort, or cruise line, you can cut the food expense out and increase your hotel rate to even out the costs. Another initial cost when deciding on your lodging accommodations is what type of hotel room do you want?  Are you expecting the Penthouse Suite or content with a regular room with a queen sized bed?  The little details that are important to you make the difference in a once in a life honeymoon. 

      Once you’ve got these initial questions answered, start hunting for the resort that fits your style.  When you finally decide on the one hotel that matches your taste, or a few hotels for those of you who want to hop around, start booking them.  Remember to try to book as soon as possible.  If you have your heart set on one resort and have done a lot of research to find it, you definitely don’t want to be let down by finding that is already sold out.  Regardless of the destination, your honeymoon is bound to get you skipping down the road of life together with a sentimental start.  

Read more on Winter Honeymoon Destinations and Romantic Honeymoons at The Wedding Blogger.

Amsterdam got its name when a dam was put in place on the River Amstel during the 13th century. Popular belief is that The Hague is the capital of The Netherlands when in fact it is Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has earned an enviable reputation as the perfect city break location, although with such a lot to do and see, a weekend might not be enough days to justify the trip. With such a wide variety of prices, there are discounted Amsterdam hotels to suit any taste or pocket. An enjoyable way to enjoy the Amsterdam experience is to cruise along the canals. There are four main canals and 1,281 bridges and many cruise companies who offer all sorts of themed trips along what is the city’s intricate water system. A large number of water excursions are available throughout the year. As a suggestion, set by a day to explore Amsterdam’s museums and climb aboard the museum boat where you will be transported in style to a selection of the popular museums. One point of interest is that of Rembrandts Museum at the Jodenbreestraat. Here you will marvel in disbelief at the full collection of 250 etchings and a series of drawings and sketches by the wonderful Dutch master Rembrandt. In addition to the house that Rembrandt once lived in, you will cruise the canal waters over to the house of Anne Frank. The house is now a museum, but was once the Frank family home. In fear of capture by the invading German army, the Frank family spent years in hiding. Anne Frank, the daughter, wrote her engrossing diary during the 2 years of hiding. The house (her home) has been preserved by the Anne Frank Foundation and was onverted to a museum in 1962.

The famed Rijksmuseum contains The Netherlands finest collection of history and art including Asian arts, dolls houses, paintings and the history of Netherlands exhibition. The leading exhibit at the museum is built around the celebrated works from the country’s wonderful Golden Age with artists including Rembrandt, Vermeer and Steen.

Should you be searching for a never to be forgotten art experience, situated midway between the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum is that of the Van Gogh museum. A very full demonstration of Vincent Van Gogh’s life is displayed within the confines of this famous building and you will see over 200 of his oil- covered canvasses. In addition to his paintings are his hundreds of drawings as well as incredible numbers of written documentation by the once greatly misunderstood artist. A must for Impressionist fans, fans of modern art and fans of Holland!

Everybody wants to experience Amsterdam’s Red Light District. It is located in the area around the Oude Kerk region where lots of the city’s best known buildings can be located. The Red Light area can be found running between Nieumakt Square and Warmoesstraat. Stag Nights are a regular happening in the De Wallen area, particularly attracted here by the expectation of sex shops and window prostitution. The region is particularly interesting because it is where visitors are allowed to be themselves. It is a lively energetic area where you will find a wide variety of people, a great cup of coffee, excellent shops and a wide choice of excellent places to eat.

Touring in and around Amsterdam can be very enjoyable. The roads are modern and well organised and Amsterdam can be considered an ideal centre for touring around the nearby regions and countries. Rates for Amsterdam car hire are very economical and you can save money by booking car hire online.

Dam Square is the place to return to time after time being a tourist meeting place generally and the perfect location to enjoy people watching and street entertainment while you sip a well earned cappuccino! There are so many tourist attractions in Amsterdam that visiting a tiny sample of them could set a family back a small fortune. Amsterdam offers its treasured tourists the Amsterdam Card saving you a lot of money!. Introduced by the Amsterdam Tourist Board, it entitles you to free admission to all the famous museums together with a free canal boat trip and discounts to many restaurants and shops. In addition the Amsterdam Card offers free travel in and around the city. You can obtain an Amsterdam Card for 24, 48 and 72 hours. A 24-hour card costs EUR 31 (GBP 25), 48 hours EUR 41 (GBP 33) or 72 hours EUR 51 (GBP 41) and can be purchased from Tourist Information  (VVV).

In the centre of the sometimes all too crowded city centre can be found a peaceful pocket of parkland nicknamed ‘the town’s pride and joy’. Amsterdam’s particularly beautiful botanical gardens, Hortus have occupied this spot for more than 400 years and are maintained with pride by its dedicated keepers. A haven of tranquility for the periods when city life gets a bit too overwhelming!

Should you find yourself in Amsterdam in August, you will love the bright ‘Gay Parade’. The Gay Parade takes place every year and consists of a procession of brightly painted and wildly decorated boats. Its a wonderful camera opportunity not to be missed and is best enjoyed by watching from one of the bridges that span the Prinsengracht Canal.

Interesting Things About France

Beaches, skiing on the Alps, and vineyards are just a sample of what groups of people are attracted from this country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while a city like Biarritz France, is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there’s much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is known as the ideal time to visit, and others with flair for winter fun can slide at the Alps with their gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. Try not to wear sleaveless shirts when visiting religious locations as it is not respected in such places. 

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear
and can’t forget the perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.

Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to the
highly efficient public transport system. There are 200 art galleries and more than 80 museums. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile.

The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an
unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque
Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the
Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and
museums.

Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. Bus drivers can be given a $2 tip.

Electricity

220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.

Getting There

Air France is the main national airline used for air travel. Airlines that are inexpensive provide services from within the UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.

Ports such as Havre, Atlantic, Mediterranean, and North Sea, are known for their building of cruise ships.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 250ml of eau de toilette and 50g of perfume
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 40g of tea extract or 100g of tea

Because it is a gateway to the Costa Blanca, Alicante is an ideal touring base. With a pleasing melange of ancient and modern day traditions and culture, Alicante is found within the popular tourist area of the Costa Blanca. Visitors to Alicante will enjoy warm and sunny climate, some of the best beaches Spain has to offer as well as the most remarkable of Moorish architecture.

Situated on the coast between the resorts of Elche and Benidorm, The city sits below its mountain-topped castle. The city and the surrounding areas are peppered with churches with the most recognised of all of them being that of the Iglesia de Santa Maria. This is the city’s oldest church and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries with the church at one time being a mosque. St Nicholas Cathedral in the city was constructed in the seventeenth century in honour of the city’s patron saint and is therefore one of the most significant buildings for miles around.

Alicante has a good number of ancient buildings to please historians and sightseers and can be seen throughout the area with statues and columns adding interest to lots of a formerly unexciting location. Providing a sharp watch across Alicante Bay, the Castillo de Santa Barbara is said to be one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe. Easily accessed by road or by lift (elevator) from the Paseo Maritimo, the fortress has unsurpassed views of the wonderful local region. In addition to the drama the Castillo has to offer, Alicante has more architectural gems such as the Provincial Gallery, formerly the Gavina Palace, as well as its nineteenth century bull-ring. All of the Alicante attractions are easily reached using an Alicante Airport hire car. Arranging your car rental online would be expected to save you money together with ensuring that your requested vehicle is actually available upon your arrival at the airport.

Alicante is the ideal place to come to enjoy life and the main reason guests come back each year. With such a varied range of hotel rooms available, there are plenty of discounted Alicante hotels to suit all pockets and tastes. The beaches here consist of wonderful golden sand and offer a variety of both accessible as well as secluded coves ideal for private sunbathing. Make your way to Albufereta Beach for excellent range of water sports. It is a peaceful spot that is generally undiscovered by the majority of holidaymakers.

The Playa del Postiguet offers the ideal location for an evening stroll. You will be joined by local inhabitants along this attractive sea view - it’s a ideal location for a romantic evening. Once the Port of Madrid, Alicante Harbour combines sailing with fishing and is the ideal place to visit to find the best fish restaurants around. Alicante harbour provides a perfect venue for activity day and night. This is where visitors come to eat wonderfully delicious, fresh fish, learn sailing and end the day with a spot of clubbing into the small hours.

Nobody likes a celebration as much as the locals and visitors of Alicante! Here you will discover a celebration of one type or another taking place much of the time, no matter when you decide to go. One of the more sombre of festivals in the Costa Blanca is the Easter Procession. Adorned in black and carrying lighted candles, an effigy of Jesus is carried on a cross through the streets. Every November, in honour of the Patron Saint Crist del Bon Encert, every town has its own fiesta. Don’t be surprised to find that shops are closed all day, every day as everything stops for this amazing event of dancing, singing and firework displays. On a lighter note, one of the most famous local fiestas is the International Puppet Festival.

Medan City

Medan is the third biggest city in Indonesia. Situated in North-Sumatra of Indonesia with a population of 2.5 millions residents. It is said that during day time, the population of Medan City will grow to about 4 millions with people coming from suburbs.

The unique thing about Medan is that, it resides the largest volcanic lake in world known as Lake Toba which is twice the size of it neighboring country of Singapore.

History of Medan Indonesia

Medan started as a village called Kampung Medan (Medan Village). Kampung Medan was founded by Guru Patimpus around the 1590s. Due to the fact that Kampung Medan sits on Tanah Deli (Land of Deli), Kampung Medan is also referred as Medan-Deli. The initial place of Kampung Medan is an area where the Deli River meets Babura River.

Based on the diary of the Portuguese merchant in early 16th century, it stated that the name of Medan was actually derived from Medina which is actually a holy city in the western of Saudi Arabia. However, other sources indicated that the name of ‘Medan’ actually came from Indian language “Meiden”. One of the Karo-Indonesia dictionary written by Darwin Prinst SH published in 2002 wrote that Medan could also be defined as “recover” or “be better”.

The first population of Medan came from the Batak Karo community. It was not until the Sultan of Aceh, Sultan Iskandar Muda, sent his warlord, Gocah Pahlawan Laksamana Khoja Bintan, to be the Sultanate of Aceh’s representative in Tanah Deli, that the Sultanate of Deli started to grow. This growth stimulated growth in both the population & culture of Medan. In the second year reign of Sultan Deli (between 1669-1698), there was a cavalry battle in Medan.

Medan did not experience huge improvement until the 1860s, when the Dutch colonialists began clearing the land for tobacco plantations. Medan very quickly became the center of government and commercial activity, dominating development of Indonesia’s western region.

The Dutch governed Tanah Deli from 1658, after Sultan Ismail, ruler of the Kingdom of Siak Sri Indrapura, yielded some of his once-ruled land, Deli, Langkat, and Serdang. In 1915 Medan officially became the capital of North Sumatra Province, and officially a city in 1918.

With the largest volcanic lake in the world, Medan Lake Toba is city worth visiting for your vacation ideas in Asia Indonesia

Visit www.MedanKu.com for more information about Medan Hotels

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