Tag: https://www.visitdallas.com/

America, Countries

Texas’ Christmas Capital I heard it through the Grapevine

funtime65

I guess you’re wondering how I knew… well, Texas’ Christmas Capital, I heard it through the Grapevine.

Drink it all in if you will.

You’ll go down in history: Grapevine’s Rudolf

A land rich in vitis vinifera which being European types the 18th-century pioneers christened Grapevine.

And built a community around the vine and the wine all year round.

Grapevine with ICE!

Slide rule: Fun for the kids

Now at the height of a baking Texan summer, or elsewhere in this warming world, it  may seem strange for thoughts to turn to Christmas.

But Grapevine has built its reputation as the Christmas Capital of Texas and are already planning their Yuletide.

So if you like ice with your wine, and that’s not just South Africans, at Christmas then read on.

And set your compass for this charming town between Fort Worth and Dallas.

For a bit of the North Pole in North Texas and a Rudolf like you’ve probably never have seen him before.

All part of the ICE! attraction at the Gaylord Texan where guests can now book special early bird packages.

Rudolf the Texas Reindeer

Winter’s tale: And a treat for all

ICE! is all masterfully carved by a team of 40 expert artisans from Harbin, China, home of the world-famous Harbin Ice Festival.

These skilled craftsmen spend about 40 days creating a vibrant, icy spectacle that fills the 17,000-square-foot attraction.

Visitors will journey through floor-to-ceiling scenes hand-crafted from 2 million pounds of ice.

The attraction is kept at a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the intricate, frozen detail.

As warm as ice

Let it snow: And in Texas too

To help stay warm, guests will don the attraction’s signature complimentary blue parkas.

In addition to ICE!, the resort will feature an enchanting line-up of over-the-top Christmas activities.

From an ice tubing hill, ice skating rink, and gingerbread decorating corner to live shows, dining experiences, and photos with Santa.

With the resort property displaying two million twinkling holiday lights, 15,000 sparkling ornaments, and a 54ft-tall rotating Christmas tree.

Sweet Marriott

Christmas spirit: And plenty of tinsel

So visit ICE.marriott.com to receive  limited-time discounts.

Overnight guests will be able to access resort-only benefits including the Extra Cool Hour and Chill Pass.

And that will allow overnight visitors early admission into ICE! and the Christmas Village.

As well as front-of-the-line access to the attraction.

Wine o’clock: Any time in Grapevine

ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer will be presented from November 15-January 5.

Yes, Texas’ Christmas Capital I heard it on the Grapevine at American Travel Fairs in San Antonio.

And now we are bringing its charms to you all year round.

 

 

America, Countries, Ireland, Oceania, UK

Visit our Neighbours

funtime65

They may have left but Ramsay Street is still there and you can guarantee we’ll be back to visit our Neighbours… and other soap sets.

Everybody needs..

Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou: Lou Carpenter

Neighbours: Yes, you can tour around Vermont South (that’s the Ramsay Street neighbourhood) in Melbourne. Austraylya..

And sink a cold one in The Waterhole or Lassiter’s, or a cup of tea in Harold’s Cafe.

Who knows if you’ll see an overalled Aussie tomboy mechanic too just waiting to burst out into hotpants?

Corrie on regardless

Dance away: Roy and Norris, don’t ask

Coronation Street: If only the walls of England’s most famous pub, the Rovers Return could talk.

But the guides can, and do, and what they don’t know about the cobbled streets of Weatherfield ain’t worth knowing.

You’ll get everything you need to get you through the day in the Manchester suburb… a Weatherfield Recorder at The Kabin.

A fry-up at Roy’s Rolls before a night in the Rovers.

Dallas in wonderland

Well shot JR: Mr Ewing

Dallas: Not all soap is the same and Texas’s most famous ranch is a world apart from Newton & Ridleys and Our Kid.

And while Corrie has hotpots it has hot plots too and that it does share with the Ewings and Barneses of Dallas in Stetson Country.

What is now Southfork was once Duncan Acres ranch (yes, that Joe Duncan) near Plano, Texas, and now fittingly belongs to a dude called Rex.

You’ll get to see the gun that shot JR, Lucy’s Wedding Dress, the ‘Dallas’ Family Tree, and Jock’s Lincoln Continental.

Kilcoole for cats

Down on the farm: Glenroe in Co. Wicklow

Glenroe: From the sublime to the agricultural and Holy God it’s Glenroe.

And for people of a certain age in Ireland then Glenroe, the everyday tale of farming folk in the Garden County of Co. Wicklow, conjures up nostalgia of a more innocent time.

It also has a special resonance for those of us for whom it was the next village (real name Kilcoole) down the train line from my old stomping ground in Greystones.

Glenroe has, of course, been replaced but certainly not upgraded by the grittier Fair City which is set in fictional Carrigstown in Dublin.  

I’ll be in Scotland before you

Loch who’s talking: Take The High Road

Glendarroch: And as with everything Ireland and Scotland move pretty much in step, even with their soap names.

And so the Jocks had their Take the High Road set in Glendarroch, which is really picturesque Luss in Loch Lomond.

Before moving on to River City,set in Shieldinch in Glasgow.

And where Glenroe had the Biddy and Miley plotline Take the High Road had busybody Mrs Mack.

Much like Mrs Mangel to make a parallel with Neighbours.

And where the Aussie soap gave us Kylie, Russell, Guy and Margot, Take the High Road gave us James Cosmo.

So all you soap fans there’s something of everything to keep you going.

As we contemplate to visit our Neighbours… and other soap sets.