TravelWorld International Magazine, Winter 2021 - The Magic of the Holidays

WINTER 2021 

Lightner Museum, St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights 

travelworld 

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 

The Magic of the Holidays 

The Magazine Written and Photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association Members

Letter from the Editor 

TravelWorld International Magazine 

is the only magazine that showcases 

the member talents of the 

North American 

Travel Journalists Association 

WINTER 

2021 

travelworld 

INTERNATIONAL 

MAGAZINE 

The holidays ARE magical! And this is a year where magic 

is more important than ever! We are striving to recover from 

pandemic darkness and we are searching for that special 

light that we find in the warmth and love of Christmas. The 

spirit of Christmas is believing in the hope for the good of 

all mankind. We fulfill that hope by caring and sharing with 

our loved ones and those in need. While the weather outside 

becomes colder, our hearts become warmer, and we rise to 

become our better selves! This IS “The Magic of the Holidays.” 

Finding this magic fulfills our dream of enjoying “Happy 

Holidays!” 

While the holidays are helping us become happier and more 

relaxed, our world is gradually becoming more secure and we 

are finally starting to look forward to travel. This issue is a 

compilation of delightful destinations, mostly seasonal, and 

all beautifully depicted in these stories and photographs by 

North American Travel Journalists. 

We hope you are finding the magic of the season and enjoy 

Happy Holidays! 

Joy Bushmeyer, 

Editor 

Group Publisher: 

Publishers: 

VP Operations: 

Editor: 

NATJA Publications 

Helen Hernandez & 

Bennett W. Root, Jr. 

Yanira Leon 

Joy Bushmeyer 

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS: 

Donna Adinolfi Carrie McLaren 

Lucas Aykroyd Kathryn Reed 

Laura Watilo Blake Bennett Root, Jr. 

Victor Block Barbara Singer 

Lina Zeldovich 

DMO CONTRIBUTORS: 

Discover Puerto Rico 

Explore Branson 

Explore Fairbanks 

Florida's Historic Coast 

GI Laurel Highlands 

Love Catalina 

Pure Florida, Punta Gorda Englewood Beach 

Whidbey adn Camano Islands 

Editorial /Advertising Offices: 

TravelWorld International Magazine 

3579 E. Foothill Blvd., #744 

Pasadena, CA 91107 

Phone: (626) 376-9754 Fax: (626) 628-1854 

www.travelworldmagazine.com 

6 


St. Augustine’s “Nights of Lights” Carrie McLaren 6 

Explore Beautiful Berchtesgaden, a Bavarian Getaway Lucas Aykroyd 10 

Cleveland’s “A Christmas Story” House Laura Watilo Blake 16 

Santa's North Pole - Not Fake News Bennett Root, Jr. 22 

Welcome the New Year Immersed in Snow at Tahoe Kathryn Reed 30 

16 

10 

Cover Photo 

The cover photo is of 

St. Augustine’s “Lightner Museum” 

during the “Nights of Lights” display. 

Photo provided by 

FloridasHistoricCoast.com 

Volume 2021.04 Winter 2021. Copyright ©2021 

by NATJA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Reproduction in whole or in part without written 

permission is prohibited. Advertising rates and 

information sent upon request. Acceptance of 

advertising in TravelWorld International Magazine 

in no way constitutes approval or endorsement by 

NATJA Publications, Inc., nor do products or services 

advertised. NATJA Publications and TravelWorld 

International Magazine reserve the right to reject 

any advertising. Opinions expressed by authors 

are their own and not necessarily those of Travel 

World International Magazine or NATJA 

Publications. TravelWorld International Magazine 

reserves the right to edit all contributions for clarity 

and length, as well as to reject any material submitted, 

and is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. 

This periodical’s name and logo along with the 

various titles and headings therein, are trademarks 

of NATJA Publications, Inc. PRODUCED IN U.S.A. 

2 3 

22 

30

WINTER 

2021 

travelworld 

INTERNATIONAL 

MAGAZINE 


A Norman Rockwell Christmas in Rangeley, Maine Victor Block 32 

Winter Wellness and Adventure in Costa Rica Donna Adinolfi 36 

Off the Beaten Path, Holiday Escapes in Puerto Rico Lina Zeldovich 44 

The Academy Museum Opening Gala Barbara Singer 46 

32 

36 

44 

46 

4 

Be inspired by the light of the Aurora Borealis. Renew your energy under 

the Midnight Sun. Experience the warmth of Fairbanks–Alaska’s Golden Heart– 

and the basecamp to Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska. 

Call 1-800-327-5774 for your free Fairbanks Visitors Guide. 

Explore your Alaskan vacation at explorefairbanks.com. 

5

Lightner Museum, Nights of Lights 

Here’s a look at some of the fun ways 

to experience this magical display of 

holiday cheer – 

Horse and Carriage on Aviles, 

Nights of Lights 

Unique Ways to See 

the Nights of Lights 

here are many unique 

ways to admire the 

Nights of Lights, 

making each visit a new 

experience for holiday goers. 

One of the most popular 

ways to explore the city of 

lights is on the Old Town 

Trolley’s Famous Nights of Lights Tour. 

Tours depart each evening from the 

Visitor Information Center and include 

a pair of magical viewing glasses along 

with fresh, hot cookies and apple cider 

at the end of the tour. 

Experience the Glow of St. Augustine’s 

NIGHTS OF LIGHTS 

Story by Carrie McLaren • Images provided by FloridasHistoricCoast.com 

Plaza Gazebo, Nights of Lights, St. Augustine 

n its 28th season, the St. Augustine Nights 

of Lights is considered a ‘must see’ event 

for the holiday season. In fact, National 

Geographic named it one of the top ten 

holiday light displays in the world. With 

millions of white lights decorating the Nation’s 

Oldest City, the festivities take place every 

night between November 20, 2021 to 

January 31, 2022. 

For a truly unique vantage point of 

the lights, make plans to be on the 

waterways of St. Augustine, including 

Matanzas Bay and surrounding 

waterways. Enjoy a sunset sailing on 

the Schooner Freedom, complete with 

blankets and refreshments. The ship 

itself is decked out with 2,000 twinkling 

white lights. For an intimate night on 

the water, enjoy a harbor tour with St. 

Augustine Eco Tours aboard one of their 

6 or 12-passenger boats. 

For a more romantic Nights of Lights 

evening, reserve an old-fashioned, 

horse-drawn carriage ride through 

the city. With many booking options 

available, some carriage rides even 

include complimentary ride. 

Waterfront Nights of Lights, St. Augustine 

6 

The Nights of Lights season begins on November 

20th at the gazebo in the Plaza de la Constitución 

with the lighting of the Christmas tree and a 

countdown to officially light up the city with 

twinkling, white lights throughout the city. 

From a guided trolley ride to a scenic boat tour or a 

look from above, there are many ways to experience 

the lights and seasonal activities during the Nights 

of Lights in St. Augustine. 

If history is more your thing, book a 

guided, walking tour with Ancient City 

Tours for a 90-minute stroll through the 

lights to learn the history and stories 

of the nation’s oldest city, including 

colonial folklore and holiday traditions. 

Some of the many stops on the tour 

include the Lightner Museum courtyard 

and the Plaza de la Constitución. 

7

Bayfront Palms, Nights of Lights, St. Augustine 

iving history interpreters 

present a timeline of St. 

Augustine’s colonial history 

on select nights as they stroll 

through the lights 

offering visitors 

a glimpse of the 

city’s people and 

stories. At the Villa 

Zorayda Museum, guests can explore 

the grounds’ Christmas trees on 

display with more than 100 candles lit 

thoughout the museum. Beer fans can 

enjoy Nights of Pints with a dedicated 

Nights of Lights brewery passport 

supporting local breweries. 

On December 11, a true Florida 

celebration takes place with the 

Holiday Regatta of Lights, hosted by 

the St. Augustine Yacht Club. Sailing 

through Matanzas Bay between the 

Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San 

Marcos, be on the lookout for shrimp 

boats, sail boats and more – each 

illuminated with brilliant light displays. 

Holiday Shopping on 

St. George Street 

44 Spanish Street, Nights of Lights, St. Augustine 

8 

Palm Tree, Nights of Lights 

Special Events 

During the Nights of Lights 

eekends are a popular 

time for viewing 

the holiday lights 

and there are plenty of 

special events to celebrate 

the holiday season. From 

dining to history buffs and 

family-friendly Christmas 

festivities, there’s plenty of excitement and 

beauty to found on Florida’s historic coast. 

At the St. Augustine Lighthouse, guests 

can enjoy tours of the Keeper’s house 

and grounds with 21 uniquely decorated 

Christmas trees located throughout the 

property. The Lighthouse’s luminary night 

takes place December 1st with holiday crafts 

for the children, a visit from Santa and plenty 

of holiday refreshments. 

Other festivities during Nights of 

Lights include holiday performances, 

fireworks displays and even a morning 

parade with Santa Claus take place 

on select weekends creating an 

atmosphere of togetherness and 

celebration. 

Make Plans to See 

the Nights of Lights 

From unique ways to see the lights 

to the special events and activities 

held throughout the city, it is easy to 

see what makes the Nights of Light 

a longstanding celebration of St. 

Augustine and the holiday season. 

For more information on 

planning a visit to St. Augustine’s 

Nights of Lights, go to: 

www.floridashistoriccoast.com 

9

Berchtesgaden, seen here in winter, is less than two hours by car from Munich. 

Photo courtesy of Berchtesgaden Tourism 

Berchtesgaden is a popular winter destination in Germany. 

Photo courtesy of Berchtesgaden Tourism 

Explore Beautiful 

Berchtesgaden 

There’s nothing quite like a Bavarian mountain getaway! 

Story and Photos by Lucas Aykroyd 

Once notorious as a 1930’s getaway for the Nazi elite, 

Berchtesgaden, Germany nowadays provides a captivating 

Alpine alternative to Banff or Aspen. The Bavarian mountain 

town of 8,000 lies less than three hours southeast of Munich 

by train, attracting aficionados of nature and history alike. 

For snow enthusiasts, Berchtesgaden features six different ski 

areas with some 37 miles of downhill runs. The magnificent 

Obersalzberg ski area above the town has terrain suitable for 

all skill levels. You can also get your heart rate up on more 

than 60 miles of groomed cross-country trails. 

10 

The historic Bavarian mountain town of Berchtesgaden dates back to 1102. 

Photo courtesy of Berchtesgaden Tourism) 

Visitors can explore the Konigsee Village 

before taking a boat ride on the lake. 

11

A boat tour of Lake Konigsee is a popular choice 

for Berchtesgaden visitors. 

Smoked lake 

trout and rye 

bread are 

served at the 

Fischerstürbl 

cafe by Lake 

Konigsee. 

f you’re seeking serenity 

and contemplation, take 

the Lake Konigsee boat ride 

to Saint Bartholomew’s Church 

with its distinctive red domes. 

At the adjacent FischerstÜberl 

cafe, you can savor smoked lake 

trout and dark rye bread. While 

cruising on the five-mile-long lake, 

you’ll spot a red cross commemorating a 

1688 nautical disaster that claimed 71 lives 

here. Listen to the wistful strains of your 

guide playing a trumpet toward the “Echo 

Chamber” fjord cliff walls. 

Getting sent to the salt mines sounds 

onerous, but the Salzbergwerk 

Berchtesgaden is a thrilling, almost 

Disney-esque attraction for guests of 

all ages. Highlights of Germany’s oldest 

salt mine include riding a mining train, 

admiring a 256,000-square-foot salt 

cathedral cave, and sliding down polishedwood 

slides. Lasers and psychedelic 

music add zest in between the educational 

displays about drilling and pumping brine. 

he 

luxurious 

Kempinski 

Hotel 

Berchtesgaden 

boasts a 

mountaintop perch straight out of 

a James Bond movie. Little touches 

make this 2015-opened, five-star 

property special. For instance, newly 

arrived guests are served tiny steins 

of iced tea with mint in the spacious 

reception beneath a chandelier 

made out of antlers. 

Whether you’re getting a 

rejuvenating massage at the spa – 

which also has pools, saunas, and 

a meditation lounge – or setting 

up an adventurous hike with the 

on-site activity concierge, staying 

at the Kempinski makes life in 

Berchtesgaden even more beautiful. 

The Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden opened in 2015. 

Photo courtesy of Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden 

Hofbraushaus 

Berchtesgaden, 

a leading local 

brewer, was 

founded 

in 1645. 

At the Gasthof zum Neuhaus, fill up 

on traditional Bavarian delicacies like 

Wiener Schnitzel and roast duck with 

dumplings, washing it all down with 

locally brewed beer such as Hofbrauhaus 

Berchtesgadener Dunkel. A jolly 

atmosphere prevails with live accordion 

music and locals in Lederhosen and 

dirndls. 

When dusk falls, relax in your 

Executive Mountain View Room, 

admiring the 6,473-foot-high 

Untersberg peak in the distance. 

The feeling of tranquility is palpable. 

Even though Berchtesgaden has had 

its dark moments in the past, this 

beautiful Alpine community has a 

bright future. 

Spa-goers at the Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden 

can enjoy a beautiful winter panorama. 

Photo courtesy of Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden 

To plan your trip to 

Berchtesgaden, visit 

Roast duck 

with dumplings 

delights diners at 

Berchtesgaden’s 

Gasthof zum Neuhaus. 

A selection of chocolates and 

macarons awaits guests at the 

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden. 

An Executive Mountain View Room at the 

Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden offers many comforts. 

berchtesgaden.de 

and 

germany.travel 

12 

13

NEW CHRISTMAS 

EXPERIENCES ARE THE 

GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. 

In Branson, we believe in a few things. 

And the only way to experience a 

Christmas vacation is to be here with us. 

Branson. You won’t believe it, until you do. 

International sights 

Go Explore. Go Play. 

Go Laurel Highlands! 

without international flights 

Experience Pennsylvania‘s Laurel Highlands for 

#FreshAirFUN provided by Mother Nature. 

Just a short drive from Pittsburgh. 

TM 

® 

® 

You don’t have to deal with cramped 14-hour flights, long customs lines, or confusing 

currency exchange to experience something memorable. Introducing a new way to travel – 

INTRAnationally. Get all that international charm without ever leaving the country. 

Right here in St. Augustine | Ponte Vedra. 

Visit FloridasHistoricCoast.com to learn more. 

14 

Plan your trip at 

GOLaurelHighlands.com 

15

Night 

at 

the 

Museum 

Cleveland’s ‘A Christmas Story’ House 

Story and photos by Laura Watilo Blake 

Opposite page: It’s 

Christmas all year long 

at the ‘A Christmas 

Story’ House—yellow 

clapboard house with 

the green trim at 3159 

West 11th Street in 

Cleveland’s Tremont 

neighborhood. 

This page: The leg lamp 

glowing in the front 

window draws a lot of 

attention to the home 

after hours. 

Want to spend Christmas reliving the classic holiday film ‘A Christmas Story?’ You could 

catch the 24-marathon of the movie on TBS or TNT on Christmas Eve. Better yet, pack 

your bags (and your pink bunny pajamas), head to Cleveland, Ohio, and stay overnight in 

the house featured in the iconic film. Here’s a peek into what it’s like after hours in the 

‘A Christmas Story’ house, one of the city’s best-known cinematic landmarks. 

16 

17

18 

y day, the ‘A Christmas 

Story’ House is a 

museum to movie magic, 

located in Cleveland’s 

Tremont neighborhood. 

The mustard-yellow clapboard 

house with green trim looks 

like many of the modest century 

homes on the city’s west side, but 

it’s the only one selected as the 

Parker family home in the 1983 

classic holiday film ‘A Christmas 

Story.’ Fans of the film come 

from all over the country and 

globe armed with every detail of 

the film’s plot when they wander 

through on a tour. They fire off 

its memorable lines as easily as 

protagonist Ralph (“Ralphie”) 

Parker could have shot an eye out 

with his Red Ryder BB gun. Some 

of the museum staff and docents 

can tell you what they were doing 

when the film crew came to town 

in the early 1980s. They may have 

been extras in the parade scene or 

perhaps they waited hours in line 

to see Santa Claus at Higbee’s, a 

now-defunct department store in 

downtown Cleveland. 

Few people, however, can say 

they’ve spent the night in the 

museum surrounded by artifacts 

from the 1940s-era movie. When 

superfan Brian Jones bought the 

house overlooking Cleveland’s steel 

mills sight unseen in 2006, he could 

not have imagined people lining up 

Above: It’s a bit 

surreal playing board 

games under the 

light of the infamous 

leg lamp in the 

living room of the 

‘A Christmas Story’ 

House. Once the 

tours are finished for 

the day, overnight 

guests have the run 

of the place. 

Left: The narrator 

of the film, ‘A 

Christmas Story,’ 

takes us back to 

his childhood in the 

late 1930s and his 

burning desire for a 

Red Ryder Carbine 

Action 200-Shot, 

Range Model Air 

Rifle. 

around the block to visit the house, 

let alone pay thousands of dollars to 

spend the night on Christmas Eve. 

But once the holiday spirit strikes, 

the house becomes a mecca for 

America’s most-watched holiday 

movie and the calendar fills up with 

overnight bookings. 

y family decided to pull the 

trigger and book an afterhours 

visit to the famous film 

location in the off season, 

which starts at a much more 

reasonable $495 midweek 

between April and October. A 

third-floor loft with kitchen, living 

room, bathroom and one bedroom becomes our 

personal refuge during regular museum hours, 

but once the tourists leave, we have the full run 

of the house. We can even sleep in Ralphie’s and 

Randy’s bedroom surrounded by antique toys and 

children’s books from a bygone era—all of which 

can be played with. 

Since my seven-year-old daughter had never seen 

‘A Christmas Story’ before, I wondered what she 

would think about the strange artifacts throughout 

the Parker home. Like the many visitors before her, 

she is naturally drawn to the infamous leg lamp 

with its “soft glow of electric sex gleaming in the 

front window.” She gets a good laugh when she 

picks up the rotary-dial phone in the second-floor 

hallway to hear Mrs. Schwarz’s verbal assault 

on her son whom Ralphie wrongly accused of 

teaching him the F-word—the “queen-mother of 

dirty words.” In the bathroom, a bar of Lifebuoy 

soap stands by to be Ralphie’s punishment for 

using said F-word. I discourage Kinley from putting 

the soap in her mouth, given it has bite marks on it 

from a previous museum visitor. 

The surreal experience continues as we hang out 

in the living room and play board games under 

the light of the leg lamp late that evening. The 

Christmas tree gleams year-round in the corner of 

the room with the Red Ryder BB gun propped up 

by the fireplace. Even though the interior shots of 

the Parker home were filmed on a soundstage in 

Canada, the home was painstakingly remodeled 

to closely match the set’s layout. At any moment, 

I expect Ralphie to bound down the stairs like 

a “deranged Easter bunny” wearing the pink 

pajamas his Aunt Clara bought him. Instead, we’re 

interrupted by a few of the film’s fans climbing the 

porch stairs and peering in the front window to 

get a peek. They are just as surprised as we are 

when they realize we were inside looking back at 

them. We took that interruption as our cue to head 

upstairs to the loft apartment and call it a night. 

Top to bottom: 

Get an earful from Mrs. 

Schwarz when you 

pick up the second 

floor hallway phone. 

Read the hidden 

message Ralphie 

deciphers with a Little 

Orphan Annie Secret 

Circle decoder pin in 

the bathroom. 

Reenact the scene 

in which Randy took 

refuge under the 

sink when he was 

sure their father was 

going to kill his older 

brother. 

Sleep in Ralphie 

and Randy’s room, 

surrounded by vintage 

books and old-school 

entertainment. 

19

everal months later, when the holiday season 

was in full swing, we finally sat down to 

watch the Christmas classic together as 

a family. It was a joy to see our daughter’s 

reaction to the various scenes in the film. 

She shouted and pointed to the TV when 

she recognized the yellow clapboard house. 

“I remember that!” she exclaimed, then 

repeated the phrase over and over when she 

watched scenes that corresponded with artifacts in the 

home. Since everyone else had seen it a million times, it 

was great fun to experience it again with a newbie. 

Make Up 

FOR LOST TIME 

She may have done the A Christmas Story experience in 

the reverse order, but we still managed to create a new 

fan and ensure the holiday tradition of watching the film 

will continue long into the future. 

A Christmas Story House’s private third floor loft provides 

refuge for guests for the entirety of their stay. You can 

watch the DVD of A Christmas Story in the living room. 

Guests can also use the rest of the house from an hour 

after closing until 9 am the following day. 

Plan your 

movie night 

A Christmas Story House rates 

range from $445 to $995, but staying 

Christmas Eve and Day will set you 

back thousands more. The stay 

includes a free museum tour for up to 

6 guests. Staying Christmas Eve and 

Christmas in 2021 costs $3,995, and 

the price goes up to $4,995 in 2022. 

If the A Christmas Story House is 

booked, you can stay overnight in 

the Bumpus House next door. The 

Bumpus House has two more themed 

suites available for overnight stays. 

The “Hound Dog Haven” suite on the 

first floor can accommodate up to 

4 guests per night, and the “Stolen 

Turkey” suite on the second and third 

floors can sleep six. Rates range 

from $245 to $995 depending on the 

room, day of week and time of year. 

However, Bumpus House guests do 

not get a free tour of the A Christmas 

Story House. 

For up-to-date rate information, visit 

AChristmasStoryHouse.com 

20 

Fans of the movie may know the Parkers’ next door neighbor had a 

roving pack of hound dogs that frequently bothered Ralphie’s dad 

and even barged in on Christmas Eve, gobbling up the delicious 

turkey Mrs. Parker had just taken out of the oven. T he Bumpus 

House, as it’s called, is also available for overnight stays. 

Now more than ever, every moment counts. And 

there’s no better place to enjoy every moment than 

Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach. From pristine 

beaches, to fascinating eco-tours, to boating in 

Charlotte Harbor, your family will discover every kind 

of outdoor fun imaginable. 

Ready to reclaim your freedom? 

Plan now at: PureFlorida.com 

21

SANTA'S 

In the land of the 

midnight sun, 

the landscape is 

eerily alive, stars 

twinkling among 

sentinel trees. 

NORTH POLE! 

Not Fake News! 

Story and Photos by B.S. de Bunker 

(Alias: Bennett Root, Jr.) 

he rumors start earlier every year, now well 

before Thanksgiving, just like the ads for 

diamonds, drones, and dolls. I guess they 

are an improvement over the rumors and attack ads 

whenever we have an election, but these seemed just, 

well, mean-spirited. I was hearing it rumored that 

Santa wasn’t real, and the North Pole workshop was 

just an urban legend. Perhaps it was the Grinch and his 

boys, or Scrooge and his social media team. “Fake News!” they 

said. “BS” (as in Bushido Samurai) I said. 

The faint green curtain 

moving through the sky 

suggests a sumptuous 

light show was on its way. 

22 

Fake News! Fake News! Just because it is reported on Fox doesn’t 

always mean it is “Fake News.” I’d heard these rumors before, but I 

wasn’t buying it. This was a job for B.S. (Billy Smith) de Bunker. I 

called the TravelWorld editor and got an assignment (no expenses 

paid) to check it out. I proceed directly to plan my trip to the 

North Pole—red-eye into Fairbanks, snowmobile to Fort Yukon, 

dog sled to Artic Village… I was determined to find out once and 

for all whether Santa’s workshop was really at the North Pole, and, 

well, whether Santa himself was real. 

After the usual battle getting to Fairbanks (not the flight so much 

as getting into the airport and finding parking), I grabbed a cup 

of hot coffee and a cinnamon roll from The Cookie Jar and then 

started checking the usual sources, local newspaper archives, and 

locals at Fairbanks watering holes. Soon enough, I ran into my 

new best friend Bernie, a friendly old-timer who said he could set 

me up at his resort “to get adjusted,” while he got me the forward 

lodging and transportation I would need to get on to the North 

Pole and see for myself, once and for all, whether Santa was real 

or just more fake news. 

Nothing better than a hot cup of coffee and 

a cinnamon roll, especially after a red-eye 

flight. It is gooey but is it good! 

Bernie was amazing! He guided me to a great 

place with all the amenities. He also booked my 

transportation and guides for the North Pole. 

23

is resort was not Saint Tropez or even Mar-A- 

Lago, but it did have a few amenities, like a hot 

tub (adult attire only) and the famous Aurora 

icehouse and bar, featuring frozen appletinis in 

iced martini glasses. (No kidding—the glasses 

were made fresh each day from vegetarian 

farm-to-table chunks of ice, cut locally, onpremises). 

I partook of both, but briefly, wanting to 

get a good night's sleep and an early start the next day. 

The vistas as we 

headed north 

were spectacular, 

but it was cold! 

It was chilly at the Aurora Bar. The 

Appletinis were exceptional! 

Traveling by 

snowmobile 

was 

exhilarating 

and quick. 

Much better 

than the 

freeway! 

There aren’t a lot of roads on the way to the North 

Pole, and what there were really were not all 

that passable. So fortunate I was that 

Bernie had engaged Matt, my 

snowmobiling guide, for the next 

leg of my journey. I geared up, 

which was quite a process,one 

I secretly resented until I 

learned that snowmobiles can 

travel well over 100 miles an 

hour in some cases, and it is 

pretty darned cold when you 

are not inside a car with the 

heater going. 

“…the woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have 

promises to keep and miles to go, before I sleep...” 

Nothing more relaxing than skinny dipping 

after a walk in the snow. It is bracing! 

The first leg of my trip 

required me to suit up. 

I was thankful for the 

gator, the gloves, and 

the helmet when we 

got out on the trail. 

Jeez, it was cold 

getting to the facilities in 

the middle of the night. 

I thought I had booked 

a two-room suite. Was 

I surprised when I 

found out the second 

room was out back…. 

Anyway, before 

nightfall I had 

arrived at Bernie’s 

suggested tworoom 

suite, only 

to find out that my 

second room had 

outdoor plumbing 

and a pre-chilled 

seat. I was 

thinking I’d have 

been better off to 

book with Tom 

Bodett, and have 

him leave a light 

on, and perhaps 

the furnace, too. 

I will say the scenery on the way was spectacular, fast-moving water (it knew how to avoid freezing, even if 

I did not) and beautiful, silent birch trees. I assume they were silent—it’s hard to tell with a snowmobile’s 

engine running right beside you. But I made that night’s stop in time for my afternoon nap, which was a 

good thing because I was told outside of Fairbanks was the ideal spot for a nighttime light show. I set my 

alarm for 11 pm and got up in time to see the midnight sun and the stars all at once. Really a special treat, 

and just an appetizer for what was to come. 

In the wee hours of the early morning, the Northern Lights were on display. It was well worth the trip. 

24 

25

For the next leg of the 

journey, I was on a dog 

sled. My hands and 

head were warm, but 

the wind on my 

face burned 

and my 

beard was 

frozen in 

minutes. 

The sled bounced along the trail until we turned 

north, smooth sailing for the next couple of hours. 

nd soon enough, we rounded 

a bend and cleared the trees, 

and what to my wondering 

eyes should appear, but 

Santa’s 2021 Distribution 

Center, complete with 

forty bays, and forty 

sleighs—but I digress. 

The Distro Center was 

strategically placed next to the 

decorated Christmas trees and the 

Santa blow up by his marketing 

elves, and in front of his workshop, 

which looked out on—wait for 

it—Santa’s North Pole! I jumped 

for joy! I was so happy, and maybe 

starting to feel warmer, too. (It 

could happen.) I’m still not sure 

whether the scene was real, or I 

had just been in the sled too long, 

I reached out and actually touched 

the North Pole and I noticed a 

bit of graffiti welded on the Pole 

(check it out—“Bob,” as in Bob was 

here), so I knew it must be real. 

We deftly navigated 

the sleigh parking 

and the reindeer, 

and my musher 

pointed me 

over a small 

mound of snow. 

The North 

Pole! Not 

Fake News! 

A little graffiti 

welded to its 

sides, but 

a real pole 

indeed! 

he next leg of my trip would help me 

understand that cold was not defined by 

winters in Detroit or Boston, or even by 

the wind whipping off Lake Michigan 

in February. No, cold is a few hours on 

a dog sled. It looks romantic, and it is exciting, 

but it is also COLD! Even with big gloves and 

a Russian Ushanka hat with the flaps down. 

But the dogs don’t run forever, and it was on a 

rest stop, chatting with my musher, that my trip 

was saved. I asked how much farther to Santa’s 

North Pole, and he said, “Santa’s North Pole? I 

was told to get you to the polar North Pole. That’s 

different. Santa’s? That’s less than an hour away.” 

Warmed by his comments (well, not really), we 

set off, the course now corrected. 

The dogs 

were impatient, 

ready to go, and 

very yappy. Within 

moments there was 

only the sound of a 

sled on snow. 

Well, just one more thing 

remained for me to check out. 

I ran up to the door and asked 

a couple of elves who were just 

leaving where I might find Santa. 

“He’s in the back,” they said. I 

pushed onwards, really excited 

now, and there I saw him, taking 

only a little license, “in the flesh.” 

He was real! Fake News, fie on you! 

I was just going to get an interview 

on my trusty tape recorder, when 

I heard bells, not church bells, 

maybe more like alarm bells, like 

on my alarm clock. I sat up in bed, 

wondering was this just a dream? 

No interview, how could I prove 

this was real? Fortunately, this 

story was on my computer, so I 

knew it. I knew it was real. 

Santa’s North Pole— 

Not Fake News! 

“Oh, Santa’s North Pole,” the musher 

said. “That is different, and within minutes 

Santa’s Distribution Center came into view. 

And finally, I met the Man 

him-very-self! My faith was 

restored. “Hey, hear those 

bells? Sounds just like my 

alarm…” Merry Christmas. 

26 

27

PARADISE AWAITS. IT’S TIME FOR PUERTO RICO. 

It’s time to feel the embrace of the sun on your face, our historic trails under 

your feet, and our endless white sand between your toes. It’s time to book. 

Find out more at DiscoverPuertoRico.com. 

Fresh ideas for your next adventure are right here in The Natural State. With a 

variety of outdoor and city destinations, southern cuisine and rich historic culture, 

Arkansas has something for everyone. We encourage NATJA members to explore 

Arkansas. We’ll make you feel right at home. 

MOUNT MAGAZINE 

arkansas.com 

28 29

Welcoming the New Year 

Immersed in Snow 

In the Lake Tahoe Basin 

The Sierra Nevada mountains seem to go on forever 

Story and Photos by 

Kathryn Reed 

For 360 degrees it was a winter wonderland. It 

was like being in the middle of the Sierra with 

mountains as far as the eye could see. 

What a glorious way to welcome in the New 

Year; a snowshoe just outside of the Lake Tahoe 

Basin in Alpine County, California. While this 

is the state’s smallest county, it has some of the 

biggest views for outdoor lovers. 

t was minus 7 degrees as we left the Tahoe Basin. 

At the trail’s starting point it was 10 degrees and 

had warmed to 22 by the time we were done. What a 

thermometer would have read on the ridge, where the 

wind howled to the point it seemed to take our breath 

away, well, it’s probably better we didn’t know. 

That wind whipped ice formations onto rocks in 

what looked like works of art, especially with the orange 

lichen nearby. At times the snow was so hard our snowshoes 

made no indentation, while at other times it was like floating 

on pillow-like powder. In other spots it was a crusty layer we 

punched through. 

Without a 

distinct trail, 

snowshoers 

make their 

way through 

the wilderness 

30 

Ringing in the New 

Year by breaking 

trail on snowshoes 

For the group of us from the Tahoe area, 

distinguishable landmarks dotted the landscape— 

Elephants Back, the runs at Kirkwood Mountain Resort, 

Little Round Top, Round Top, Hawkins Peak and others. 

Meiss Meadow resembled a frozen lake; with one 

person saying the cabins looked like Monopoly board 

pieces. Caples Lake, covered in ice and snow, was 

uninviting. The view of sapphire-colored Lake Tahoe 

may have been what General John Fremont saw 

when he first laid eyes on this alpine wonder. 

Five of us spent the first day of the New Year on an 

incredible snowshoe in the Carson Pass-Kirkwood 

cross country ski area. Plenty of tracks could be seen, 

presumably mostly from backcountry skiers. For the 

most part we were breaking trail. We knew where we 

wanted to go, but there was no set trail to get us there. 

That added to the fun. 

From the trailhead we headed nearly straight up and then to 

the left toward the ridge we knew we wanted to trek along. 

Had we continued, Little Round Top would have added at least 

another three miles to our journey. We opted to drop down 

into a bowl. At the bottom we hooked up with the groomed 

trails of Kirkwood Cross Country and Snowshoe Center 

before we made our way to the Caltrans maintenance station 

where we had left a vehicle. 

In all, we went 6.55 miles. We started at 8,573 feet and 

reached a maximum elevation of 9,444 feet. With the up and 

down route, we gained a total of 1,654 feet in elevation and 

descended 2,267 feet. 

It was the best way to welcome in another year. 

Elephants Back sticks out over the pine trees 

31

elebrants gather in the center of town 

to watch the lighting of the Giving 

Tree, which is the focus of a gift donation 

project for children and adults in 

need. The handful of places to shop 

and eat, along with many homes, are 

bedecked with strings of multi-colored lights and 

other seasonal decorations. 

In the annual Walk to Bethlehem, Rangeley 

residents, dressed as the people in “The 

Christmas Story,” and others, walk from church 

to church, pausing to sing carols outside each 

one. The event ends at the Church of the Good 

Shepherd where everyone goes inside to enjoy a 

holiday pageant. 

The Annual Walk to Bethlehem 

recalls the magnificent message 

of The Christmas Story. 

The lighting of the Giving Tree is part of 

a gift donation program for the needy. 

The beautiful stone Rangeley Library was built in 1909. 

During the holiday season, Rangeley greets 

guests with an array of attractions that combines 

welcome variety with reminders of treasured 

times past. Those seeking an outdoor sporting 

experience have a choice of options. Frozen lakes 

and ponds are transformed into nature-made 

rinks for ice skating. There’s skiing at Saddleback 

Mountain, just outside of town. 

Ice skating on a frozen pond 

A Norman Rockwell Christmas 

In Rangeley, 

Maine 

Story and Photos by 

Victor Block 

ome people prefer to spend the 

holiday season lying on a sundrenched 

beach beneath the shadow 

of palm trees. Others take to the 

seas on a cruise ship or check into a 

resort to gorge on food and festivities. 

Then there are those for whom 

nothing exemplifies the holidays 

as much as a tiny, snow-covered 

picturesque village that clings 

stubbornly, and proudly, to its 

past and long-held traditions. 

That’s the winter scene which 

greets visitors to Rangeley, Maine. 

Its small-town setting serves as 

the perfect backdrop for holiday 

scenes that would fit perfectly into 

a Norman Rockwell painting. 

32 

33

eople who wish 

to experience 

snowmobiling 

have a choice 

of 150 miles 

of well-groomed 

trails, which interconnect 

with other systems that 

lead throughout Maine and into 

Canada. The snow-covered trees 

and quiet surroundings of forests 

welcome folks who snowshoe or 

would like to learn how, and offer 

opportunities to spot moose which 

make the woods their home. 

Those who prefer a warmer 

ambiance may seek out roaring 

fireplaces in restaurants which 

range from pizza to posh, or curl up 

with a book before log blazes that 

burn in the lobby of the Rangeley 

Inn and elsewhere. 

Snowmobiling is one of a number of 

outdoor winter activities in and around Rangeley. 

he Inn is but one inviting 

place among many which 

relate interesting chapters of 

the town’s history. Before the first 

Europeans arrived, Abenaki 

Indians set up hunting and 

fishing camps along shorelines of 

the area’s lakes and ponds. The names of some 

bodies of water – Cupsuptic, Umbagog and 

tongue-twisting Mooselookmeguntic – attest to 

the Native American influence. 

In 1796, an Englishman named James Rangeley 

showed up and purchased land on which a 

town soon evolved. In the mid-19th century, 

the village, which bore his name, gained a 

reputation as a fishing Mecca because of its 

abundance of brook trout and, later, landlocked 

salmon. Well-to-do fishermen from Boston, 

New York and further away made the trek to 

the still primitive destination, and over decades 

grand hotels like the Rangeley Inn sprang up to 

offer them comfortable accommodations. 

Winter sunset over Rangeley Lake 

Today the Inn shares space along Main Street, 

a several-block-long stretch of road without 

a stop sign or traffic light, with single-story 

frame buildings that house the Lakeside 

Theater, the Alpine Shop, aptly named Moose 

Alley bowling and a smattering of small stores 

and restaurants. Much of the vehicle traffic 

consists of logging trucks creaking beneath 

their heavy load. 

Frozen Waterfall 

Along with the eclectic list of things to see 

and do in and around Rangeley, it’s the serene 

atmosphere and reminders of a way of life from 

the past that attract many people to visit and, 

once they’ve done so, to return year after year. 

Maine Street, Rangeley would fit 

well in a Norman Rockwell painting. 

It doesn’t take long for those who drop by 

to understand that this area of Maine is as 

much a lifestyle as a destination, one that fits 

comfortably into the time-honored tradition 

of small-town friendliness. That’s among 

the reasons why generation after generation 

of families come back repeatedly, including 

during the Holiday season. 

Winter sunset over Rangeley Lake 

34 

35

Stunning mountain views of Nicoya 

Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean 

greet you every day – 

beautiful with or 

without sunshine. 

This journey began at Juan Santamaria 

International Airport, and it took about 

40-minutes to get to Atenas and the 

entrance of The Retreat. This hotel is 

located on a 50-acre quartz mountain so 

another (short) ride was required to go 

up the steep mountain to the cozy and 

inviting check-in area. If you rent a car, 

be sure to contact the hotel and let them 

know what kind of vehicle you have; they’ll 

guide you. 

The idea of staying at a hotel located 

on a quartz mountain was intriguing 

to me as I felt that it was the perfect 

location for a wellness retreat with 

the anticipated bonus of the healing 

benefits of quartz. Diana Stobo, 

owner, bestselling author, and health 

and wellness life coach created this 

transforming retreat. The Retreat 

offers the tools to assist guests with 

better health practices, letting go 

of stress, and the peaceful space to 

relax and just be. There’s much 

more to Diana’s story and what led 

her to create this magical place that 

she refers to as “Heaven on Earth.” 

Having experienced The Retreat, I 

couldn’t agree more. 

Each day you’re greeted by the 

beauty of nature at every turn – 

from the birds chirping, to the 

sound of water flowing, to the 

deep color of the red ginger along 

the paths. The beauty of the 

property is also noteworthy as it is 

an intimate space with 13 peaceful 

rooms, the Vida Mia Healing 

Center and Spa, farm-to-table 

organic restaurants, 2 saltwater 

pools, a yoga studio, meditation 

deck, organic gardens, and 

magnificent views. The beauty 

of the valley was so mesmerizing 

I couldn’t help but be in the 

moment as I gazed over the flora 

and fauna of this fertile land. 

Story and Photos by Donna Adinolfi 

“Once a year go someplace you’ve never 

been before.” - Dalai Lama 

I took this advice and went 

someplace new, which was also 

a bucket list destination, Costa 

Rica. 

You’ve likely heard “Pura Vida” 

in relation to Costa Rica – it’s a 

way of life – and evident with 

just about everyone you meet. I, 

for one, needed a lesson in the 

“Pure Life,” as far as living more 

simply, and it certainly unfolded 

during my journey. 

Winter is a great time to visit 

Costa Rica as it is considered the 

dry season and the new year is a 

great way to immerse yourself in a 

wellness retreat and connect to Pura 

Vida. 

Costa Rica is best discovered by 

exploring different areas. My 

opinion, yes. But you’ll see that it’s 

a desirable way to see the country 

as there’s more to Costa Rica than 

sunning on the beach. 

The Pacific region goes through its dry 

season from December to March while 

the Caribbean region’s dry season is 

typically February and March. 

This glimpse of Costa Rica is about 

the Central Valley, which includes San 

José, Heredia, and the Alajuela areas. 

Although winter is also considered dry 

season, it does vary with the altitude, 

and you could see some rain, even 

though the rainy season is between 

May and October. Bring a raincoat! 

The Main Pool & Jacuzzi for when 

it’s time to relax especially under the 

therapeutic waterfall. Ahh… 

36 

37

The Retreat’s anti-inflammatory 

dinner is with colorful veggies and 

locally sourced chicken. 

38 

A daily 

treat at 

The Retreat 

is Cappuccino 

and Coconut 

Milk – 

so much 

better with 

Costa Rican 

coffee. 

Nothing says 

the tropics 

more than 

these exotic 

refreshers at 

The Retreat, 

healthy, vibrant, 

and nourishing. 

Breakfast begins with 

anti-inflammatory juices, 

fresh fruit, chia pudding, 

granola, and a chef’s special. 

As you meander through the property, 

be ready to work your thighs and abs too 

because it is on a steep mountainside. 

Going to meals, the pool, the spa, and 

fitness studio will get you to 10,000 steps 

before you know it. Note: If you do have 

mobility challenges, it’s best to discuss 

them with the resort administration before 

you arrive so that you will be prepared. 

Dining was certainly a highlight of 

The Retreat as the chef created some of 

the most amazing farm-to-table (antiinflammatory) 

meals you could imagine. 

They are artfully plated to engage all the 

senses and boast colorful, fresh, organic, 

and locally sourced and sustainable items. 

The kitchen is also grain and dairy free, 

although you’ll see goat yogurt and cheese 

used at times. But keep in mind that the 

menu is customized for each guest. Best 

of all, you can see what’s going on in the 

kitchen as it’s an “open kitchen” and you 

can view how meals are prepared and the 

ingredients used. You can take cooking 

classes to engage in the practice of cooking 

healthy and bring what you learned home 

with you – all part of what I like to call, 

the tools of wellbeing. 

Fonzie, 

The 

Retreat’s 

Peacock, 

greets everyone 

each day while his mate, 

Jane, is nowhere to be found. 

Rather than hibernating during the 

winter, guests can create healthier 

lifestyles by choosing one of several 

offerings from packages that include 

anti-inflammatory meals, hikes, yoga 

and more. For example, the Art of 

Resting package is suited for most 

of us after the intense last couple of 

years we’ve experienced. The 5-Night 

Holistic Medical Spa Retreat package 

is a more intense program that is led 

by Dr. Vinod Balakrishnan. It includes 

yoga, nutrition (doctor prescribes 

based on your Dosha), Abhyanga 

Equilibrium Treatments, and more. 

Guests are asked to complete a 

questionnaire for a personalized plan 

for the journey and will then go home 

with a plan to continue their Ayurvedic 

practice. 

Even though you may want to relax 

and enjoy everything this resort offers, 

you may also be ready for a little 

adventure - it is Costa Rica, after all. 

On-property nature hikes, exploring 

the crystal quartz mountain, are 

possible as well as off-property tours 

like the La Paz Waterfall Garden and 

Poas Volcano Adventure. Maybe you’ll 

see a sloth! (Sadly, I didn’t see any). 

If you do want to visit a beach, Jaco 

Beach is the closest to The Retreat at 

about 40-minutes away. You may 

even make a stop at the “Bridge of 

Crocodiles.” The concierge can assist 

with this one too. 

As for me, I was content soaking 

in the positive vibes of The Retreat 

for my three days. As I explored the 

property, I immersed myself in the spa, 

yoga, and learned more about antiinflammatory 

cooking and ayurvedic 

practices from Dr. Vinod. 

“The excitement lies in the exploration of the world around us.” - Jim Peebles 

Winter is a great time to explore Costa 

Rica even among the clouds of the Central 

Valley and Alajuela. 

As you travel around Alajuela, be sure to 

stop in Sarchi. This town is famous for 

the brightly colored and hand painted 

oxcarts (they’re still in use) and Sarchi 

is also known for furniture building and 

local artisans - consider making a stop 

at Carratas Eloy Alfaro, which opened in 

1923, for a tour and shopping. 

Colorful Oxcart located in Sarchi, 

Costa Rica, which is the birthplace 

of the oxcarts. Visit the Eloy Alfaro 

oxcart factory for a tour. 

As my journey continued beyond Sarchi, 

I couldn’t help but wonder what this 

next experience would be like as we 

approached El Silencio Lodge & Spa. 

This luxury lodge is located within 

Bajos del Toro, which is also a UNESCO 

cultural heritage site, amid lush valleys 

and breathtaking waterfalls. This resort 

offers stunning views as it is on a 500- 

acre private cloud forest and surrounded 

by the Juan Castro Blanco and Poas 

Volcano National Parks. Don’t forget 

to pack your rain jacket, it may come 

in handy as you hike up to explore the 

property’s three waterfalls. 

First, I must mention that even though 

this was my home for only one night, 

albeit a short stay, it was spectacular! 

With so much to explore on property, you 

might find it hard to leave your luxury 

suite or villa, with amazing floor to ceiling 

cloud forest views, attention to detail 

beyond ordinary, and you can enjoy it all 

from either the handcrafted rocking chairs 

or the heated outdoor jet pool. 

Food is the highlight 

of any journey, 

especially when it’s 

from an organic farm 

and greenhouse. 

Vegetables, spices, and 

herbs – all from the Lunch at El Silencio 

property – are featured included Gallos, 

on Las Ventanas authentic cuisine 

of Costa Rica, 

Restaurant’s gardento-table 

seasonal veggies inside a 

with meat and or 

menus. Check out the corn tortilla. 

trout pond to catch 

your dinner (or simply choose trout from 

the menu). 

Activities continue year-round so you’ll 

find as much to do in the winter as you do 

in the summer since it averages 50-70°F 

year-round with January being the coldest 

month at 61°F. Expect it to be mild 

during the day and chilly in the evening 

with a mix of sun (in the morning), rain, 

clouds and yes, mist, most days. 

More about the activities as one of the 

best yoga classes I’ve ever experienced was 

with Karla. It included sound healing, and 

while our class was surrounded by floating 

clouds, it led to a profound yogic journey. 

This is “Karla”, 

Yoga & Sound 

Healing Instructor 

at El Silencio 

Lodge & Spa. 

Home for the night in one of 

the 2-Bedroom Villas at El 

Silencio Lodge & Spa. 

I planted a stinging nettle during the 

tree planting ceremony at El Silencio 

Lodge & Spa, in honor of my mom. 

Another winter activity to consider 

is the Night Walk as it’s when the 

Cloud Forest comes alive, and our 

senses intensify. Enjoy the scents 

and sounds of nature by exploring 

the trails of El Silencio at sunset 

(weather permitting). 

The most personal experience 

had to do with the tree planting 

activity offered at El Silencio. 

The tree planting ceremony is 

complimentary as you plant a tree 

in Costa Rica’s carbon-offsetting 

forests to help bring back colorful 

Quetzal birds to the region. While 

my hope is that these birds return, 

it was even more meaningful to me 

on that day as I planted the stinging 

nettle tree in honor of my mom. 

Everything about this resort 

exceeded my expectations. 

39

When I think of Costa Rica there are three things that always come 

to mind – Sustainable Tourism, Chocolate, and Coffee - Finca Rosa 

Blanca gave me all three and so much more. 

Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee 

Plantation & Inn has a 

welcoming entrance. 

Colorful and healthy farm-to-table 

salads are at Finca Rosa Blanca. 

If you’re traveling within the Central Valley 

to be among the rain forest and cloud forest 

it may be a good idea to spend a few extra 

nights closer to San Jose. Along the way, 

consider a stop at La Paz Waterfalls, which 

is what I did via winding Bara Blanca road 

for this next Bucket List stop. La Paz is a 

spectacular waterfall along the side of the 

road, so no hiking involved here and time 

for several Instagram moments. 

One of the best hotels in the area and a 

short ride to Juan Santamaria International 

Airport is Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee 

Plantation and Inn. It makes a great 2 to 

3-night respite at the beginning or end of 

an eco-adventure and what called out to me 

was the architecture and its funky, bohemian 

vibe. 

Heliconia Exotic 

Tropical Plant is 

one of many at 

Finca Rosa Blanca 

and seen all over 

Alajuela, Costa Rica. 

Jonnathan picked a 

tropical hibiscus for me, 

which can be found 

in abundance at the 

beginning of the coffee 

plantation tour. 

Did I mention there’s a lot to discover in Costa Rica? From Canopy 

tours to waterfall hikes to wellness resorts and beyond - it’s 

important to pre-plan some activities prior to your winter visit and 

you’ll likely want to do more - as in my case - so you can do what 

I’m doing and go back and explore another area (or revisit what you 

loved the most). 

Costa Rica is a wonderland of eco-adventures that can satisfy that 

wanderlust craving and a place where you become one with the 

Pura Vida spirit of this beautiful, peaceful, and welcoming country. 

Pack closed toe shoes, long pants, raincoat, insect repellant, small 

flashlight, camera, binoculars, dry bag, hat, sunscreen, long sleeve 

tops, sweater/jacket, and bathing suit. Be sure to leave room in 

your carry on for the amazing chocolate, fragrant coffee, and other 

goodies you find along the way. 

40 

A hidden doorway and colorful 

tropical plants welcome you at the 

entry of the Garden Villa, Las Aves. 

My guide, Jonnathan, and I on 

the Coffee Plantation Tour at 

Finca Rosa Blanca. 

Check this off your bucket list – 

the La Paz Waterfall. 

It’s easy to access as it’s 

located alongside the road. 

Finca Rosa Blanca is filled 

with funky architecture, vibrant 

art, and other lovely touches 

throughout the property. 

In speaking with the owners, Glenn, and Teri 

Jampol, this dream all began in 1985 with 

Glenn’s mom, Sylvia. They’ve been at it for 

over 30 years and created one of the most 

fascinating places in my travels and their 

own piece of heaven. 

First, as mentioned earlier, it’s the vibe that I 

connected with but it’s also the art as Glenn, 

originally from California, is an artist. His 

work and the collection from he and his 

wife, Teri, can be found around the property. 

The buildings, the hidden doorways, tropical 

foliage, the rooms, décor, and everything 

about this hotel is a work of art. 

You feel like you’re in another world as you 

meander along the paths and immerse in the 

nature that surrounds you – a symphony of 

birds, the beauty of the colorful hibiscus and 

tropical plants, and the scent of coffee as you 

approach the restaurant. 

Coffee beans are in abundance, of course, 

along the Finca Rosa Blanca Organic 

Coffee Plantation Tour. 

Speaking of coffee, 

the organic coffee tour is a must. 

The coffee plantation of Finca Rosa Blanca 

is on 30 acres of rich soil and shadegrown, 

high-altitude organic coffee of 

the Arabica varietals. Along my tour, 

which was led by Jonnathan, I learned 

about organic agriculture and sustainable 

practices of not only the coffee but also 

the on-property farm. As you meander 

through the shaded forest, you also see a 

variety of plants and flowers as you witness 

the massive amount of coffee beans. 

By the way, Finca Rosa Blanca’s coffee is 

certified sustainable by Rainforest Alliance 

and ICAFE, the Costa Rica National 

Institute for Coffee. 

• Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport/San Jose (SJO) 

airport for your adventure to the Central Valley and the Alajuela area. 

• The Retreat’s Holistic Medical Spa Package, Visit: 

www.theretreatcostarica.com/wellness-packages/Holistic-Medical-Spa 

• Transfers to El Silencio and Finca Rosa: Costa Rican Trails 

handled transfers and tours and they were attentive, knowledgeable, 

professional and there isn’t anyone else I would use for my return. 

• Visit Costa Rican Tours at www.costaricantrails.com/ 

• Visit The Retreat at www.theretreatcostarica.com/ 

• Visit El Silencio Lodge & Spa at www.elsilenciolodge.com/ 

• Visit Finca Rosa Blanca at https://fincarosablanca.com/en 

• Visit Costa Rica Tourism for Juan Castro Blanco and Paos National 

Parks and more at: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en 

41


TM 


NEW CHRISTMAS 

EXPERIENCES ARE THE 

GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. 

In Branson, we believe in a few things. 

And the only way to experience a 

Christmas vacation is to be here with us. 

Branson. You won’t believe it, until you do. 


Go Explore. Go Play. 

Go Laurel Highlands! 


Experience Pennsylvania‘s Laurel Highlands for 

#FreshAirFUN provided by Mother Nature. 

Just a short drive from Pittsburgh. 

TM 

® 

® 

® 






® 






42 

Plan your trip at 

GOLaurelHighlands.com 

43

Off the Beaten Path 

Holiday Escapes in Puerto Rico 

Story and Photos by Lina Zeldovich 

Mysterious 

Bioluminescence 

Learning to SCUBA dive 

with Captain Cachi 

Photo by Nicole Olmeda 

of Discover Puerto Rico 

nce winter arrives in North America, people 

will once again flock to Puerto Rico for warm 

weather and holiday escapes. Most of them 

will get off the plane in the capital of San 

Juan, catch a cab to a nearby beachfront hotel, 

and stay for the duration. Some will venture 

out on rainforest tours, horseback riding or 

snorkeling adventures, and then come back to 

San Juan. The rest of the island’s 3500 square miles of 

empty beaches, lush rainforest, towering mountains 

and wildlife refuges, remain off their radar. So do the 

bioluminescent bays—bodies of water that glow in 

the dark, thanks to a natural phenomenon. There are 

only a few such unique places on the entire planet 

and Puerto Rico has three bioluminescent bays with 

only one you can take a boat to and swim in: The 

bioluminescent bay at La Parguera. One of Puerto 

Rico’s districts, La Parguera sits in the southwest 

corner of this vibrant tropical island, two hours away 

by car from its packed, touristy capital. Another big 

reason to escape there this holiday season—avoiding 

San Juan’s crowds. 

Most importantly, La Parguera’s bay is the only place 

where I can swim in the mysterious bioluminescence, 

so getting here is well-worth the two-hour drive. So 

is my SCUBA lesson with Cachi of Paradise SCUBA 

and Snorkeling, a local La Parguera company—he’s 

been doing this for 30 years. As we glide over the coral 

formations, Cachi points out some of its inhabitants. 

We can’t speak—only point and tap. The colorful 

underwater world undulates around me in slow 

motion, so tantalizing and mystifying that I lose track 

of time. As I chase a small school of fish, brush against 

velvety plants and touch sea stars, I start feeling like a 

marine creature myself. When we emerge an hour later, 

I can’t wait to dive back. But we have to eat first before 

embarking on our twilight adventure. 

By the time we come back to shore, we are starving. 

We have just about enough time to grab a late lunch at 

Moons Bar & Tapas, feasting on the freshest seafood. 

After that we board the boat again, and literally sail off 

into the sunset. On the way, Cachi explains the origins 

of the bioluminescent phenomenon. The light is emitted 

by the microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates 

found throughout the ocean. When present in high 

concentrations and agitated by movement, they produce 

enough visible light, which in the dark looks like a surreal 

glow. Cachi descriptions don’t disappoint: When I jump 

off the boat into the black ocean waves in complete 

darkness, save for the faint moon twinkle, the water 

around me immediately lights up in golden streaks. 

The harder I paddle, the brighter it glows. I feel like a 

mermaid lighting up a Christmas tree underwater. Or 

decorating the ocean for the holiday season. Or setting 

off celebratory fireworks. What an antidote to the cold 

and snowy North American winter. And best season’s 

greetings ever. 

When I finally get to my bed inside the Combate Beach 

Resort in Cabo Rojo, a nearby region of Puerto Rico, I fall 

asleep instantly, exhausted from my marine adventures. 

But the ocean’s magic stays with me. In my dream I see 

corals, fish, and the dinoflagellates. And myself, too—a 

mermaid setting the waves aglow for the holiday season. 

Captain Cachi driving to the bioluminescent bay 

y SCUBA diver instructor Captain Cachi checks my 

gear one last time, and we start slowly descending into 

the waves of La Parguera Bay in Puerto Rico. This is 

my first dive ever, and I’m both thrilled and nervous. I 

have done the basic diving exercises a few dozen times 

while still on the boat: Learning how to blow water 

from inside my mask, how to put the mouthpiece 

back on should I accidently let it go, how to equalize the pressure 

in my ears as we descend—but doing so underwater is a different 

story altogether. As I sink beneath the ocean surface, leaving the 

air world behind and entering the underwater one, I instinctively 

hold my breath. Cachi points to my mouthpiece, instructing me to 

inhale. “Breathe!” he motions in silent language—and I finally start 

gulping the air, just as we become fully submerged. I look up and see 

the ocean surface of La Parguera Bay quivering above me—a mindboggling 

sight I’ve never experienced before. 

All aboard, sailing to ocean adventures Feasting on fresh seafood at 

Moons Bar & Grill 

44 

45

Movie lovers rejoice! 

THE ACADEMY MUSEUM 

is now open in Los Angeles! 

Discover everything you ever wanted to 

know about Films here! 

Story and Photos by Barbara Singer 

Celebrity Gala Photos by Academy Museum Foundation 

46 

Opening night reception of the Academy Museum on 

The Dolby Family Terrace atop the glass Sphere Building 

The new Academy Museum on Miracle Mile in Los Angeles 

The Sphere Building with the David Geffen Theater and the Academy Museum 

in the Saban Building, is the largest and newest movie museum in the US 

fter years in the 

making, the 

Academy of 

Motion Pictures 

has achieved 

the longtime 

dream of the movie industry 

of completing a 300,000 

square-foot Museum 

Complex. While Los 

Angeles is already popular 

with tourism, this museum 

undoubtedly is destined to 

become a world-renowned 

tourist destination! An 

architectural masterpiece, 

it was designed by Pritzker 

Prize-winning architect 

Renzo Piano and is a must see 

attraction that promises to be 

an exciting movie experience 

for all who enter its portals. 

A landmark Art Deco 

building with golden metal 

exterior, it is located on 

historical Museum Row at 

Fairfax Avenue and Wilshire 

Blvd. and was chosen years 

ago to be the main Museum 

building. Originally built in 

1939, it was one of the popular 

May Company department 

stores. The highly recognizable 

Academy Museum today is 

comprised of two buildings, 

the Saban Building and 

adjacent to it, the glass 

dome Sphere Building with 

the 1000-seat David Geffen 

Theatre and atop, the Dolby 

Family Terrace, a spectacular 

open setting for parties and 

performances. 

estivities at the dazzling 

Gala opened with a 

celebration of events 

provided by the Museum’s 

own Lights-Camera-Action 

and commencing with an 

open house Press Conference 

for world journalists. Next, 

there were Special Honorees, 

then Welcome Days for Charter 

Members, and finally, the 

anticipated VIP Opening Night 

Official Ribbon Cutting and 

Opening for everyone. Academy 

Museum Director and President, 

Bill Kramer, declared the Museum 

complex “an instant landmark for 

residents and visitors alike” in the 

world capital of filmmaking. 

Arriving at the Academy Museum 

Gala, guests, honorees and 

superstars entered a palm-lined 

coconut grove on a green carpet 

and through a forested tree 

tunnel, an amazing exhibit by 

Japanese filmmaker and animator 

Hayao Miyazaki. The Gala, 

which was a Museum fundraiser, 

benefited film making programs 

and education. Ethiopian 

filmmaker Haile Gerima and 

Italian superstar Sophia Loren 

were honored and special award 

recipients were Bob Iger, Annette 

Bening and Tom Hanks, for their 

lengthy campaign leadership 

on behalf of the Museum. 

Champagne flowed and guests 

were treated to a Wolfgang Puck 

inspired dinner. Highlighting the 

evening, the one and only Lady 

Gaga, performed an array of jazz 

and classics, loved by all. 

The coveted invitation to the 

official Opening Night of the 

Academy Museum 

The first journalists visiting the 

1000-seat David Geffen Theater 

in the Sphere Building 

Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles 

with Dawn Hudson, CEO of AMPAS. 

Photo by Academy Museum 

Foundation 

Honoree Sophia Loren with her son 

Edwardo Ponti. Photo by Hunter Abrams/@ 

Academy Museum Foundation 

Honorees Bob Iger, Annette Bening, 

Tom Hanks with Nicole Kidman, 

Photo by Hunter Abrams/@Academy 

Museum Foundation 

Cher and Lady Gaga, who gave a 

stunning performance for the Gala 

Guests Photo by Hunter Abrams@ 

Academy Museum Foundation 

47

48 

Oscar winners through the decades receive 

their awards and give their 

acceptance speeches 

on a dedicated, 

multi-screen 

gallery. 

Twenty 

historic 

Academy 

Awards 

Oscars 

are are 

on display 

in glass 

cases 

in the 

cylindric, 

iconic 

Gold 

Room. 

The Museum 

Gift Store - 

the place 

to take 

home movie 

memories, 

posters, 

film books, 

film logos, 

clothing and 

memorabilia 

Stories of Cinema 

core exhibit 

begins in the 

Sidney Poitier 

Grand Lobby. 

On multi-levels 

are the stories of 

moviemakers and 

their works. 

The last model of the shark 

“Bruce” from Jaws 1975, is 

now suspended above the 

escalator between the levels 

of the Academy Museum 

ntering the Grand Lobby, 

which is named for film 

legend Sir Sidney Poitier, 

I felt transformed and 

required a moment to 

marvel at the ingenious 

modern design and massive 

10,000-square-foot space with 24- 

foot ceilings. Located at this level is 

Fanny’s Restaurant & Cafe, named for 

famed vaudeville, theater and radio 

star Fanny Brice with support of her 

granddaughter Wendy Stark. We are 

reminded that Barbra Streisand won 

an Oscar for her portrayal of Fanny 

Brice in Funny Girl (1968). Service 

for dining and cocktails is also at 

this level. And additionally, the new 

Museum Gift Store is a great place 

to collect cinema treasures, books, 

posters, logo clothing and so much 

more. The impressive “Founding 

Supporters Wall” also embellishes 

this level and if you look closely you 

can see my name. The “Stories of 

Cinema” exhibit begins here too, with 

hundreds of reel tidbits on multiple 

screens. 

Moving upward to Level Two via 

the escalator, one instantly recalls 

“Bruce,” the shark from Jaws (1975). 

This fiberglass model, the last one 

from the original four models, 

weights 1,208 and is 25-foot-long, 

and looms over visitors ascending 

and descending. In the “Stories of 

Cinema” area Oscars are a fascination 

and a room is devoted to Oscar 

winners through the years, showing 

their acceptance speeches on multiple 

screens. In the “Gold Room” there 

is a circular display of the coveted 

statuettes, each in a glass case, 

donated by the many recipients such 

as Clark Gable and Barry Jenkins. If 

you can’t get enough of the Oscars 

here, go for “The Oscar Experience,” 

(a separate ticket required), where 

you can get star treatment on stage 

while receiving an Oscar in front of a 

simulated cheering audience. 

ere are a few more of the 

exceptional exhibits that 

can be enjoyed: 

“The Wizard of Oz (1939) 

Gallery,” behind the scenes. 

This display includes the cast on the Yellow 

Brick Road, Judy Garland’s costumes, those 

dazzling Ruby Red Shoes – (the ones she 

wore to click her heels) with 2,300 sequins, 

designed by MGM’s own Adrian, plus 

sketches and other items from the film. 

Director Spike Lee has a personal gallery 

immortalizing his career with film posters, 

hand written scripts and speeches (he 

does not type), inspirations of musicians 

and athletes, eccentric outfits and more. 

Lee’s Oscars include Best Screenplay for 

BlackKkKlansman (2018) and Honorary 

Oscar (2016). 

Spanish Academy Award-winning director 

Pedro Almodovar’s special exhibit is devoted 

to his acclaimed body of work. 

“Backdrop: An Invisible Art” displays the 

monumental matte painted backdrop of 

Mount Rushmore which dominates the 

room. Created for Alfred Hitchcock’s “North 

By Northwest” (1959), it is a realistic vision 

augmented by photos showing how it was 

used in the film. 

The Path to Cinema, on Level Three, 

appeals to history buffs with inventions that 

contributed to film visuals from shadow 

boxes, to peep shows and magic lanterns. 

Level Four is the inaugural exhibit of Japanese 

Oscar-winning director/animator Hayao 

Miyazaki, beloved for his many decades of 

big-eyed children, whimsical creatures and 

animated cells. Enter via a magical tree tunnel 

to view his sketches and storyboards up close 

with movie clips on the walls in a recreation 

of his Ghibli Studio in Japan. There are 400 

pieces of his collections in this special exhibit. 

Also on this level Pixar Toy Story giant 

Zoetrope features characters from “Toy Story” 

(1995), placing them on a giant turning table 

bringing them to life. 

You can look at everything from behind the 

scenes for the Wizard of Oz of 1939. 

“Director’s Inspiration” is Academy Award winner Spike Lee’s 

collection of works from posters, scripts and music, with his personal 

items, to themes and collaborators. 

A retrospective and inaugural exhibit of Japan’s Hayao 

Miyazaki,acclaimed Academy Award-winning director 

and imaginative animator, is on Level 4. 

The most pristine set 

of Ruby Red slippers 

(worn by Judy Garland 

for close ups in The 

Wizard of Oz of 1939) 

were designed by 

MGM designer Adrian. 

49

he Academy Museum is the talk of the town. There is so much to 

see and absorb! It is truly a life changing experience. Plan a journey 

here, marvel at the exhibits and consider returning soon for screenings, 

lectures and happenings, and movies everyday, all year round! With my 

passion for movies, and as a Founding Supporter, Charter Member and 

Journalist, I participated in the early celebrations and can personally verify that 

the new Academy Museum is an instant joy and worth a visit. It’s a perfect place 

to spend holidays, and any days, with family and friends. 

Dive IN 

Rita Moreno’s Academy Award gown 

was worn for her West Side Story 

1961 win. She revisited it again at 

the Oscars 2018 as presenter 

The world’s foremost collection of 

historical optical toys and devices 

can be seen in The Path to Cinema 

with highlights from The Richard 

Balzer Collection. 

This LA City landmark, formerly May 

Company Department Store in 1939, 

has been restored by architect Renzo 

Piano into the Academy Museum. 

This is the Olympia Typewriter 

used by Joesph Stefano to write 

the Psycho 1959 script for Alfred 

Hitchcock, one of the most 

influential films of all time. 

This Technicolor Camera from 1937 

is displayed up close in the Academy 

Museum. Technicolor became a 

major color system of films. 

This is the costume from 

Rocketman (2019) worn by 

Taron Egerton as Elton John, 

and now in the Identity Gallery 

50 

ACADEMY MUSEUM 

6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036, 

323-930-3000 academymuseum.org 

This isn’t just a getaway. 

It’s a water-splashing, wildernesswandering, 

cocktail-sipping, toes-in-the-sand, headin-the-clouds, 

off-the-grid, any-time-of-year kind of getaway. Just 

22 miles off the coast of Southern California, you’ll never feel more, well … away. 

Plan your trip at LoveCatalina.com 

51

IT'S TIME FOR PARADISE. 

IT'S TIME FOR PUERTO RICO. 

It’s time to feel the warm embrace of the sun on your face, 

our historic trails under your feet and our endless white 

sand between your toes. It’s time to book. 

Find out more at 

DiscoverPuertoRico.com 

52

TravelWorld International Magazine, Winter 2021 - The Magic of the Holidays

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