Paestum (Italy) - Museum (Museo)

Having published in our Travel Ideas section an article about Paestum (Italy), we thought it would be a good idea to compliment it with a photo gallery to provide better idea what travelers can expect to see and learn. This is the second part of such gallery; it is dedicated to the National (Paestum) Archeological Museum. The Museum has on display numerous artifacts recovered and excavated in the main archeological site. The first part of the gallery is about the Paestum's central excavation area (scavi). Oct. 3, 2011

The Museum of the Compass and Maritime Duchy of Amalfi (Amalfi, Italy)

Amalfi (Italy) is a small town; today, it is an important tourist destination on coast on which it is located, named Costiera Amalfitana. However, the town of Amalfi was also the capital of the maritime republic known as the Duchy of Amalfi, an important trading power in the Mediterranean between 839 and around 1200. Thanks to the initiative and efforts of the municipality of Amalfi and the Center for History and Culture Coast, with the collaboration of Regione Campania as well as authorities of Salerno and Avellino, tourists and locals alike have now a place where they can learn more about the town's extraordinary medieval history. Sept. 23, 2011

Spoleto (Italy) - National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto and Ponte delle Torri

Various signs and travel guides may create an impression that Rocca Albornoziana and National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto are two different things. In reality, the Museum is an integral part of the fortress. The fortress houses the Museum; the latter makes the Rocca much more interesting. My strong recommendation, do not hesitate to spend extra €1.50 to buy the "biglietto integrato" which give you access to museum area located on the first and second floors around the Ward of Honor of the Rocca. March 20, 2011

The Roman House in Spoleto (Italy)

There are many things to see in Spoleto, an ancient city in the Italian province of Perugia. One of them is the Roman House discovered in 1885 by Giusepper Sordini, an archeologist from Spoleto. It was built in the center of the Roman town, overlooking the Forum, nowadays the Market Square. The mosaic floors and its design indicate that the house was built at the beginning of the 1st century AD. Feb. 13, 2011

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, About the Museum

The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center is a very good place for kids and adults to start learning or to improve knowledge about American history. I also think that this museum can be interesting for visitors from other countries. American History museum is located on the National Mall, at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Museum is open daily except December 25. Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with extended hours until 7:30 pm during summer time. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.

When you plan your visit to the American History Museum, you should be aware that it is organized by thematic collections. Although they are structured to represent important aspects of the American heritage, museum's exhibitions do not represent a consistent timeline in the history of the United States from the time when first settlements were founded up to the most recent historic events. It seems that the reason behind this approach is simple: it's much easier to narrate about separate aspects of the American history rather than present in one place the whole history of such big country as the United States.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas

Exhibitions on the second floor of the American History Museum are focused on social aspects of American history - American lives and ideas. Here you will find interesting exhibitions "Within These Walls..." and "Communities in a Changing Nation: The Promise of 19th-century America." There are several collections dedicated to African-Americans and exhibition related to Jewish immigration. But again, no matter how interesting current collections are, there are significant gaps in museum's presentations related to some even very important historic events.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

Did you pay attention to those gray areas on maps with National American History Museum floor layouts? It seems like these are areas closed to public with displays not setup yet for public viewing. Just looking at maps, I would say that about 40-45% of the total floor space at the museum is not used currently for exhibitions. If this is true, I hope that there is an effort in progress to show visitors much more than what is shown now. I am talking about this, because currently only half of the third floor is used for it direct purpose - to promote understanding of the American history and in particular, such things as American wars and politics.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

National Museum of Natural History - Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals

Arguably, the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals is the most interesting of all 18 exhibition halls of the National Museum of Natural History. It is located on the second floor of the museum and occupies rather large space with seven thematic galleries. To explore the whole collection, you will need at least one hour and half. This article with a photo gallery provides an overview of what you can see in three (out of seven) of them: Harry Winston Gallery, Gem Collection Gallery and Minerals and Gems Gallery. June 29, 2009

National Aquarium in Baltimore - Glass and Pier 3 Pavilions

Although National Aquarium in Baltimore is not the largest one in the world or even in the United States, it's big and interesting enough to attract huge crowds of visitors not only from places close to Baltimore but also from all the United States and many other countries. Today (2009), the Aquarium is a home to about 16,500 specimens and more than 660 species of animals. National Aquarium in Baltimore is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your family and at the same time expand the knowledge about life on Earth. It's entertaining and educational - come and you will not regret. May 18, 2009

National Aquarium in Baltimore - Dolphin Show

The second part of the article with overview of National Aquarium in Baltimore. This page is dedicated to the Aquarium Dolphin Show scheduled daily. The length of the show is about 25 minutes, and I would say it's a must to see especially if you have never seen dolphins from a short distance. May 18, 2009

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 1, Inner Harbor and USS Constellation

Many years ago, the Baltimore Inner Harbor and area surrounding it were not pretty. However, some two decades ago, Baltimore waterfront underwent a renaissance with the creation of Harborplace, which evokes more than a century of history and urban lore. Today, Baltimore Inner Harbor is a vibrant location attracting annually hundreds of thousands of people with its nice and clean environment, more than a hundred dining and shopping establishments, several modern hotels, National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, and several ships accessible to public: USS Constellation - the last all sail warship built by the US Navy, USS Torsk - submarine SS-423, US Coastal Guart Taney and Lightship Chesapeake. This three-part article with photo galleries is dedicated to these four ships and the opportunity they provide to learn more about related chapters in the US history and what life could be on ships like this.

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 1, Inner Harbor and USS Constellation
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 2, Submarine USS Torsk SS-423
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 3, Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 4, Walking Inner Harbor

May 10, 2009

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 2, Submarine USS Torsk SS-423

The second part of the article dedicated to four ships opened to public in Baltimore Inner Harbor. Read about Submarine USS Torsk SS-423 and enjoy pictures of the submarine from outside and inside.

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 1, Inner Harbor and USS Constellation
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 2, Submarine USS Torsk SS-423
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 3, Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 4, Walking Inner Harbor

May 10, 2009

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 3, Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney

The third part of the article dedicated to four ships opened to public in Baltimore Inner Harbor. Read about Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney and watch a photo gallery about both ships.

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 1, Inner Harbor and USS Constellation
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 2, Submarine USS Torsk SS-423
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 3, Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 4, Walking Inner Harbor

May 10, 2009

Luray Caverns - Car and Carriage Caravan Museum

What possibly can be in common between caverns and a car museum? The answer is in the passion of H.T.N. Graves, president of Luray Caverns Corporation who started long ago locating and purchasing cars and other artifact deemed important to the history of traveling on wheels and roads. This passion has resulted in a unique collection displayed in Car and Carriage Caravan Museum located next to Luray Caverns main facility. March 25, 2009

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Premises, Entrance, Layout (Part 1)

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Opened in December 2003, the Udvar-Hazy Center displays historic aviation and space artifacts, especially items too large for the National Air and Space Museum's building on the National Mall. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Boeing Hanger (Part 2)

We continue our exploration of The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Boeing Hanger is the largest space at Udvar-Hazy Center under one roof with many large and small flying machines on exhibit. Of 14 museum section, 10 are located in this hanger. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Mall Building

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum is one of the best - if not the best museum of its kind - in the world. It maintains the largest collection of air and space artifacts in the world. So, if you traveling in the U.S. and visiting Washington D.C., National Air and Space Museum collections and displays may open for you an interesting part of American history and culture even if you are not very much into rockets and airplanes. March 16, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 1: Review and Tips

When you are on the National Mall (the one that is in Washington DC) and looking at the US Capitol Building, you cannot but notice on the right side the glass dome of The United States Botanic Garden (USBG). Its Conservatory with various indoor gardens and very interesting and educational permanent and temporary exhibits makes this place a very popular attraction for adults and children. The USBG location and concept offer great flexibility in visiting the place - it can be your destination for the whole day; on the other hand, if you are in the area and on a harried schedule, just spend an hour enjoying wonderful flowers and other plants.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids

In Part 1 of the article on the United States Botanic Garden I mentioned the annual orchid exhibit that usually takes place from January to March. This virtual gallery of orchid photos taken during this event illustrates orchid diversity as well as mesmerizing and seductive beauty of the flower.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008