Travelers4Fun Blog | Stories From the Road

Jaw-Dropping Art @ The Corning Glass Museum

Posted By: Alessandra Roqueta on 2011-11-16 09:50:47

One of the most surprising destinations on our list was the Corning Glass Museum in Corning, New York. I imagined something out of Color Me Mine, but this was quite the contrary. If a museum of glass doesn’t really peak your interest, you’ll be amazed by the unique and interesting artworks that people create with this delicate material. Our tour guide told us that this particular artist (see image above) built an entire table out of glass to hold this amazing showcase piece: a glass ship with solid gold embellishments. However, the glass boat was so heavy that the table couldn’t withstand its weight, and the artist had to rebuild it with a marble slab to better distribute it. The details are so intricate you have to wonder just how they sculpt these spectacular pieces out of hot glass! The museum held an extensive collection ran » Read More

Last Stop: Yosemite!

Posted By: Nina on 2012-05-07 08:52:12

Category: Pre-Trip

Yosemite was one of our favorite family vacation destinations, so I was excited to revisit the beautiful park after a decade had passed. Our tour group got an early (very, very early) start to our day, and made it to Yosemite by 9 am. March turned out to be the perfect time of year to visit the Yosemite, because the waterfalls were flowing at maximum force as the snow started melting heading into the warmer months. Our first stop gave us perfect views of El Capitan. At 3,000 feet from base to summit, El Capitan is one of the largest granite monoliths (mountain consisting of a single massive rock) in the world and a favorite challenge for rock climbers from around the globe. The next stop was Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in North America. Our group made the short easy hike to the base of the falls where we got up-close views of the water freely flowing over a tall cliff through m » Read More

New York City: Bright Lights, Diplomats, and Waxy Celebs

Posted By: Alessandra Roqueta on 2011-11-28 11:47:37

Category: Pre-Trip

Everyone dreams about the big city, the Big Apple, Manhattan, the “city that never sleeps”—New York City. I’ve been to NYC many times, I went to school in New York and my mom lives in Manhattan, but with a city so bustling and full of things to do, it was definitely a different experience to see it on a Tours4Fun tour. I saw so many things that I didn’t have the time to see before—or didn’t even know existed! The intrepid Air and Space Museum was one of these. I would have never thought to go to this museum before, but I was so glad I got a chance to explore on my T4F trip. It’s a pretty huge museum full of vintage planes and artifacts. It almost felt like you were stepping back in time, in an old air hangar filled with war planes, fighter jets, and army helicopters. It was a mix between Top Gu » Read More

Washington D.C - A Monument and Memorial Amusement Park

Posted By: Alessandra Roqueta on 2011-12-16 16:27:37

Category: Pre-Trip

Who knew that Washington D.C. had so many monuments and memorials! By the end of our trip I was nicknaming D.C. the memorial amusement park. The Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial are just some of the amazing sites you can check out while in DC. I was amazed to see just how much we fit into this day tour of D.C. Not only did we see the memorials but we went into the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, one of the most renowned museums in the U.S! I’ve been obsessed with National Geographic since I was younger, and the Smithsonian is right up there in the ranks. There are about a bazillion (19 to be exact) different Smithsonian museums in DC, each with their own area of expertise. Some of these include the National Portrait Gallery, Postal Museum, and an Air and Space Museum. » Read More

San Francisco Here We Come!

Posted By: Nina on 2012-04-06 10:04:48

Category: Pre-Trip

A bright and early start on Day 2 of our San Francisco Tour gets us to San Francisco from our nearby Fremont Crowne Plaza Hotel by 7:30. We are dropped off near China Town for breakfast. It’s typical San Francisco Spring weather: gray, drizzly skies and temps in the mid-60s. My first mission is to find some caffeine, which isn’t too hard since there are several cute cafes nestled below the tall sky rises. We have 90 minutes for breakfast, so I spend my last hour wandering around the financial district, people watching and snapping photos of the amazing architecture and cool statues and art. Our first official sightseeing excursion of the day is Lombard Street – famous for its steepness and pinpoint curves. Those of us who are up for it are encouraged to hike to the top and take in the breathtaking views. Anna and I accept the challenge and are greeted at the top of the » Read More

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I Love The Smell of Rotten Eggs In the Morning

Posted By: Alessandra Roqueta on 2011-11-17 09:55:18

Category: Pre-Trip

So when I think of what the Yellowstone Hot Springs were going to be like, I thought of two things: rotten eggs and the movie Lake Placid. If you didn’t know the sulfuric acid that the hot springs emit, give off the delicious odor of deviled eggs. But fear ye not, the smell is bearable once you are distracted by the beautiful colors of the springs. One thing to be clear about the hot springs before you visit Yellowstone is that you can’t go swimming in them. Yes, there are many hot springs throughout the world that offer this divine activity, however the Yellowstone hot springs are a bit more volatile. Reaching a whopping 160 degrees, these hot springs would surely cause more than a little burn; they might even melt your skin off! So be sure to stay on the marked trails and admire nature’s dangerous beauty from afar.

I was surprised by just how different each hot spring looked. It seemed that each one had its own personality, color scheme, and vibe. Some seemed serene and peaceful, while others seemed tormented by years of weather and corrosion. Some were bright blue and green, others rusted and orange, while others still seemed covered in a thin layer of sulfuric snow. It was calming walking around the different pathways that made their way throughout the myriad of different pools. It was like navigating a maze, and you were never sure which path led to the next hidden treasure.

I wondered from all of the warning signs, how many people actually have tried to take a mini dip in the springs, or poke them to see just how scolding they were. I must admit I was tempted. After taking a stroll through the springs, it was nice to just stand back and look at the vast expanse of sulfuric fields that lay before us.

I think the best part of the hot springs was seeing them at sunset. With the steam floating off of the surface, you could see everyone's silhouettes stark against the milky smoke. Tourists became shadow walkers, creating new and interesting shapes against the mountainous background. It was one of those moments where you just sit in silence and take it all in. That's what this trip is about: taking in nature, appreciating your surroundings, and returning to a zen state of clarity from a hectic life.

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