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By train across America’s iconic Eastern Cities

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It’s taken us four decades and several transatlantic jaunts when we could easily have gone by train across America’s iconic Eastern Cities.

Public transport is much pilloried in the Land of the Car and that extends to travelling between states.

With travel providers assuming that visitors will automatically prefer a self-drive option.

Now, of course, that is not for all of us although I nervously was prepared to go that route in the Florida Keys when Covid struck.

I have, of course, been back to the States many times since and criss-crossed too through New England.

Sitting back in a buffet car, talking to fellow passengers and taking in the world outside your window is the way to go.

Try Freedom

And don’t Freedom Destinations know it as evidenced by their Eastern Cities By Rail package.

You will cover the Big Four, Boston, New York, Washington DC and Philadelphia on your FD tour.

And the beauty of the FD experience is that they will customise your trip with extra nights or destinations.

And the news from the Capitol: In Washington

You will fly into Logan Airport in Bean City, Boston and out of John Dulles which remember is in Virginia.

By train across America’s iconic Eastern CitiesAnd enjoy 11 nights hotel accommodation along the way south.

Pass marks

Now we’d always recommend a city travel pass to get around America’s cities.

And FD agree which is why they include a Boston All-Inclusive Pass and New York CityPass for their customers.

And Boston and Washington D.C. Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours.

Now they’re not the Big Four for nothing and we’d advise too to walk the cities.

Of course, the Freedom Trail and Harbour in Boston, Greenwich Village and Central Park in NY.

And South Street and any street with a letter or state name intersecting it which is all of them in DC.

Train takes the train

The FD package retails at from £1590 or with flights from £2,190.

So that’ll allay your anxiety about jet lag, driving on the other side of the road and getting the vehicle back as you found it.

It’s better by train across America’s iconic Eastern Cities with Freedom Destinations.

America, Countries

Who is Grover Cleveland and his American towns?

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It’s the question on everyone’s lips… just who is Grover Cleveland and his American towns?

The 22nd and 24th President of the US who served in the late 19th century was for all that an unremarkable figure.

Unlikely to ever be considered for Mount Rushmore.

But, of course, the New Jersey lawyer achieved what Teddy Roosevelt could not.

And what George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln chose not to.

Though that option was obviously cruelly taken away from Honest Abe by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater in Washington DC.

By becoming until this week the only US President to serve two discontinuous Presidential terms.

Two comeback kings

This year’s blond: With ‘The Donald’ in NY

Political observers, and nosey sorts, have been thumbing through the pages of American history to search for similarities with Donald Trump.

But, in truth, other than their comeback status they look to have little in common.

Other than a colourful love life with Grover siring a child out of wedlock and the Oval Office and, Donald Trump, well…

So while Grover was the first Democrat President since the Civil War, Trump is a populist Republican.

Grover was undone by robber barons in his reelection bid while Baron’s dad was ‘robbed’ of victory by the liberal elite.

And Grover built his career around opposing tariffs, while Trump’s MAGA movement is built around protectionism.

So how did Grover get back in?

Well, his big foe of the time Benjamin Harrison, whose grandfather William had been President, crashed the economy and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, well…

A town called Cleveland

Hail to the Chief: With Isabel and Georgie

Grover Cleveland’s legacy, of course, has been more and more assured with every passing decade a beaten President has declined to run again.

And in the cities named after him in the US, agreed to be 13.

Yes, almost half of the 25 named for Founding Father George Washington.

The convention about named cities is believed to derive from presidential visits.

The 48th President of America: In Washington DC

Which is why you’ll find Jeffersons, Jacksons and Madisons scattered through the States.

And when a President would pass through a newish town they would rename it after them.

And wouldn’t that be good for the self-esteem, and something that ran through this VIP’s mind?

Our Cleveland

On an MLK 50 commemoration tour of Martin Luther King’s assassination, and passing through Civil Rights town Cleveland in Mississippi.

The Trump name, of course, shines bright in hotels the length and breadth of America.

Though as yet The Donald has yet to have his own city although he now has his own country.

Whether the newly re-elected Donald J Trump tops Cleveland’s achievement and serves a third term would require a change in the constitution.

Say it again, Donald

Following the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1951 which addressed Franklin D. Roosevelt’s four election victories.

Of course, it would be folly to restrict The Donald’s ambitions but all that is for our tomorrows.

For these todays we’ll allow the 22nd and 24th President his place in the sun and indulge the question on everyone’s lips…

Who is Grover Cleveland and his American towns?

America, Countries, Sport

On the Rocky road to Philly

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As a valued VIP I was naturally met by the man himself on the Rocky road to Philly.

And I didn’t even have to walk, never mind run, up the art museum steps to see him.

It takes something, or someone, to shift the Champ and when that guest is coming all the way from Washington DC…

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I had actually come to Philadelphia to see an old bell.. you know boxers and bells!

Mr Balboa is, of course, long since back in his elevated state on the steps after a brief residency then in Philly’s historic old quarter.

Rocky Fest of fun

Keep on running: Rocky on Philly’s streets

His appeal has, if anything, only grown in the years since we last sparred.

And only last year the greatest Philadelphian who never lived was given his own day, December 3.

And that has only been ratcheted up in the City of Brotherly Glove in the years since.

With its Rocky Fest 2024 in full swing like a Sylvester Stallone haymaker.

Rocky by numbers

Rocky Fest will run from Rocky Day on December 3 through December 8, 2024.

With new moves from the PHLVisitorCenter… the first-ever publicly available Rocky Bus Tours, a Rocky Movie Marathon.

And recreated Rocky Date Nights at The University of Pennsylvania’s 1923 Ice Rink and The Philadelphia Zoo.

The Rocky Bus Tour and Philly PHLASH is a 90-minute deep dive into the different neighbourhoods where the movies were filmed.

Tour de force

And for Rockyphiles that means Laurel Hill Cemetery, Mighty Mick’s Gym, the church where Father Carmine blesses Rocky, the Italian Market, and many others.

The tours will run between November 29, and December 8.

You’ll kick off at The Parkway Visitor Centre and Rocky Shop. Individual tickets $49, Senior/student tickets $42; Available here.

A Rocky date

And because among all the fighting there was a lot of loving too then Philly takes us by the hand through Rocky and Adrian’s love story.

On their choice of Date Nights at the Penn Ice Rink and The Zoo.

Recreate their first date and Rocky’s stumbling around on the ice.

With signature drink specials, a Rocky and Adrian lookalike contest, film recreation photo ops, and speed dating for singles.

And individual tickets $25, student tickets $12.50; Available here.

Tickets include skate rental and 20% discount at the Rocky Shop, valid for purchases made during RockyFest.

Or during the Zoo’s LumiNature event with a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones at the Philadelphia Zoo.

And channel Rocky’s proposal to Adrian in front of Big Cat Falls, Rocky proposed, and maybe have your own moment.

Saturday, December 7, 2024, 5-9 p.m. Two-ticket package for $75; Available here

A Rocky marathon

Of course, Rocky starts, continues and finishes with the movies, all of which you can merch up on at the Sly Stallone Shop.

And while we know you’ve watched and rewatched them all then if you want to test yourself over the equivalent of 15 rounds…

With the Philadelphia Film Centre running anything from single viewings to the full bundle over the Fest days.

Full Screening Schedule Available Here.

Single screening: $14 general admission, $9 PFS member; Bundle: $48 general admission, $42 PFS members. Available here.

And, of course, flying out of Ireland comes to the USA with pre-clearance and Aer Lingus and Philly are old pals with prices from €258.44.

America, Countries, Sustainable Tourism, UK

America’s Wild at Hampton Court Flower Show

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If you can’t get out to the Great Outdoors then get into America’s Wild at Hampton Court Flower Show.

And that’s how my own little green-fingered one will be getting her fix of America’s heartland.

On her annual trip down to London to see The Son and Heir.

Which incidentally would be less stressful than going Stateside.

Particularly if she’d been planning to train it down Britain which can correspond to the cost of a flight to New York.

Rant over and military-style planning to negotiate a trip from Scotland to London over it’s time to zen out among the plants.

And transport ourselves in our minds and with our senses to America with expert gardeners and travel providers.

In our old friends Visit USA, and American specialists Trailfinders from July 4-9.

Land of the flora

The show-garden will take you from the dusty Californian desert…

To the fiery Aspens of the Colorado forest and the wildflower prairies of North Carolina’s sweeping plains.

While Oregon and Charleston will also be exhibiting show gardens alongside America’s Wild.

My little flower will also get the Texas vibe I’ve been telling her about since returning from San Antonio.

With Austin musicians Natalie Price and Jo James performing for gardening fans on the RHS Festival Stage.

Special relationship

Our old friend from the American Travel Fair, IPW, Chris Thompson, CEO, Brand USA said: ‘America’s Wild is a snapshot of the spectacular landscapes that shape the United States.

‘We hope that as visitors wander our garden, it will spark curiosity and inspire adventurers to discover more of the U.S. beyond the gateways and into our great outdoors.’

My own heavenly horticulturalist will be interested to discover that the America Wild Garden is designed by fab flora females like her.

Inspired Earth’s Jude Yeo, Emily Grayshaw and Imogen Perreau Callf, who won RHS Gold last year.

America on the move

A little corner: American Museum & Gardens

When they pack up the tools at Hampton Court Flower Show, fear not.

America’s Wild will relocate to the US Embassy in London and the American Museum & Gardens in Bath.

The trees of the ‘forest’ will be transplanted to create a new Aspen grove on the hillside at the American Museum & Gardens.

And the desert and prairie planting will be housed in both existing collections.

America, Countries

175 years in Smithsonian

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It just felt like 175 years in Smithsonian in the labyrinthian Museum of African American History but I wasn’t complaining.

The 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and zoo make up what is affectionately known as ‘America’s Attic.’

James Smithson was a strange cove, a confirmed British bachelor scientist, but it was America’s fortune that he amounted his.

And bequeathed it to the amassment of a collection of museums in America.

A country he had never visited but clearly held in awe.

Washington fixture

Smithson is a fixture now mostly in Washington DC where they’re on every block.

And Maryland, New York and Virginia.

In fact for someone who never actually set foot in the US capital his name is up there in mentions with The Great Man.

I am, of course, looking forward to hearing which of the Smithsonians The Son and Heir takes in this week on his first visit there.

I’ve pointed him in the direction of the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall which was reserved for our American Travel Fair (IPW).

Alas the Newseum, a testimony to the Third Amendment, was a casualty of Donald Trump,

A strong Constitution

First Nation: The American Indian Museum

There are some holy scrolls that are untouchable, the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

And you’ll know the Constitution’s authenticity with the misspelling of Pennsylvania.

One of the great Smithlothian gems is near the Capitol, the American-Indian Museum.

Where Robert Redford, no less, will narrate you through the history of the First Nation.

And you can browse through indigenous crafts and clothes.

And so with these treasures and much more you could easily spend 175 years in Smithsonians.

Aerican dream

The 47th President of America: In Washington DC

With The Son and Heir and me before him flying out of Dublin with Aer Lingus there’s never been a better time to visit DC.

We can only think the absence of Aer Lingus and pre-clearance back in Smithson’s day is the main reason he didn’t visit.

America, Asia, Canada, Central America, Culture, Sport, UK

Queer how offside Qatar is to the world

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It’s become a fixture on the party and social calendar in the West but, of course, Pride is a revulsion elsewhere in the world, and in this World Cup year isn’t it queer how offside Qatar is to the world?

Now the football world (a different universe, of course) turned a blind eye to the Emirate’s discrimination and criminalisation of the LGBTQIA community when awarding Qatar the hosting of this winter’s World Cup.

And quite what that’ll mean to LGBTQIA football fans who are wanting to follow their countries’ fortunes then we’ll try here to decipher.

While we all know too that of the hundreds of footballers, coaching staff and officials taking part not one will be LGBTQIA.

And that will get FIFA off the hook… and there won’t be anybody queer in that organisation either.

A word from the sponsors

Football’s World Cup is, of course, more than a sporting event.

It is a cultural, educational example and the tourist trip football fans have been planning for years.

So make of these welcoming words if you will from Qatari official Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Ansari

‘If he (a fan) raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it’s not because I really want to really take it to really insult him.

‘But to protect him. Because if it’s not me, somebody else around him might attack (him).

‘Watch the game. That’s good. But don’t really come in and insult the whole society because of this.

‘Reserve the room together, sleep together – this is something that’s not in our concern. We are here to manage the tournament.

‘Let’s not go beyond the individual personal things which might be happening between these people… this is actually the concept.’

Right, where do we start? The Major General’s assertion that he really wants to protect ‘them’?

Qatari protection

So, protecting them then would be not exposing them to a punishment of up to seven years in prison and a fine.

And the possibility of death penalty if you are indigenous.

Of course this is for men because just like in Victorian Britain lesbianism wasn’t even considered thing despite upper-class society’s obsession with all things Classical where the Sapphists were chronicled.

Maybe here too Major General you might think.

About criminalising the people who would attack an innocent person simply because which sex they love.

And then what about their concession to gay visitors that they can ‘reserve the room together, sleep together’?

Well evidence this very year has shown that FIFA recommended hotels in Qatar are actively refusing to accommodate same-sex couples.

Or ‘these people’ as the Major General calls them.

Of course it’s not as if we hadn’t been warned.

Bla, bla Blatter

That bastion of integrity, former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter had thought it all a big joke.

When he was asked about a lack of gay rights in Qatar shortly after they were selected in 2010… ‘They should refrain from any sexual activities.’

And the Qataris, naturally, must have seen this as a green light.

Because three years later the head of Qatar’s World Cup bid team, Hassan al-Thawadi, said that everybody was welcome at the event, so long as they refrained from public display of affection.

‘Public display of affection is not part of our culture and tradition’.

To which you can justifiably add… and particularly not when you’re holding hands with, or kissing, a member of the same sex.

American continental LGBTI army

We can console ourselves somewhat that the next World Cup will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Where people are allowed to express themselves and love each other how they want.

Let’s hope too that by then there will be more than one openly gay professional footballer in the English league structure.

And that this is replicated throughout the country.

And that the sports whitewashing by Middle Eastern and Gulf countries who are buying up, or have bought up Europe’s biggest clibs, does not deter LGBTQIA players from coming out.

Now we’ll leave this heavy but necessary subject.

To get back to checking out where I can get my best Pride experience around here in sleepy North Berwick, near Edinburgh.

A Dutch of class

But before we go, big hats with feathers off.

To the Dutch politician who suggested that the Netherlands national team play in pink rather than their traditional orange, in solidarity with the LGBTI community.

We’ve not heard whether that this is being taken up by the Dutch football federation.

But having partied with the inclusive Oranje Army on the way to Rotterdam to see them play Greece a number of years ago…

We know the supporters’ only rule is that you love Total Football.

America, Caribbean, Countries, Europe, Ireland

Five republics to escape the Platinum Jubilee

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And continuin our series, and because we’re not all pliant subjects, here are five republics to escape the Platinum Jubilee.

There are 159 republic in the world and only 43 sovereignty ikstates with monarchies. Go figure.

Vive La Republique

France: Mais oui, there were republics before the French, only they shout Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité a little louder.

So much so that the French are onto their fifth since We the First in 1792, followed we should remember by Emperor Napoleon.

And there is more than a touch of the regal about the French President’s official residence, the Élysée Palace in Paree.

The Battle Hymn

Mr President: Issy Conway, George Washington and the Pres’s right-hand man

America: And some 16 years before the then-royalist French helped the colonies form mthe Republic.

George Washington and his Vice-President John Adams had discussed how the new Pres should be addressed.

Adams had leant towards His Excellence but Washington insisted on just Mr President.

And he rejected his pal jGeneral Lafayette’s idea to erect an ornate monument in DC to him complete with horses.

Instead he had an obelisk, the Washington Monument installed instead. Pure class.

Italy’s republics

The holy of holies. At the end of the Francigena in Rome

Rome: Now La Citta Eterna is credited as the cradle of Republics although Athens might have something to say about that.

We all associate Classical Rome, of course, with the Caesars, but the Republic ran Rome’s affairs from 509BC to 27BC.

While the lyCaesars looked down from their plinths from 46BC-476AD.

YNow I was more a Latin student than a maths expert but that seems roughly the same and the Republic won out in the end.

The Irish Republic

On a pedestal: With Charles Stewart Parnell in Co. Wicklow

Ireland: And because the Free State didn’t scream self-determination (OK, it was a bit more complicated) they became a republic in 1949.

They had formed an ya constitution in 1937 with an elected non-executive president before breaking with the crown in 1949.

After a fractured relationship in the 60-odd years after the Irish brought back the Queen… but only for a visit in 2011.

Barbados, the new Republic

Barbados: And on November 30, 2021, Barbados took the momentous decision to replace the uQueen with a Bajan, President Sandra Mason.

Y the After 396 years, although Barbados had taken the first step with independence in 1966… and I even saw the seal in the Archive Offices.

The date, November 30, was arbitrary but in my wee country it is our national day, named for St Andrew, our patron saint.

Just returned from a third visit to Barbados I reacquainted myself with our joint heritage which includes a region of the island called Scotland. I

We sang Scots and Soca songs, ceilidhed and jumped and toasted the Barbados republic with rum and whisky.

My reason for going, well I didn’t need one, but it was to celebrate the renewal of the Barbados Celtic Festival.

And thought dreamily of a Scotland having their day one day.