Spring Escapes: Hershey, PA

Of course, there is the tour of Hershey’s Chocolate World. But there are many other attractions, too. These include Hershey Gardens, Hershey Theater, The Hershey Story (the Museum on Chocolate Avenue), the Spa at Hershey Hotel, Hershey Park, the Antique Auto Museum, and more. Nearby attractions include Land of Little Horses Farm Park, Sweet Valley Suris (an Alpaca Farm), Gettysburg, and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Books & Travel Kits:
Hershey: mini-booked-to-go
Hershey Gardens: the cornfield that blossomed with roses
The Hershey, Pennsylvania Cookbook: fun treats and trivia from the chocolate capital of the world

Websites:
Hershey - The Sweetest Place on Earth
Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau
Harrisburg-Hershey-Central PA Welcome Center

Spring Escapes: Brandywine Valley

Among the places to explore in the Brandywine region are the mansions and gardens of the Du Pont family – Winterthur, Nemours, Longwood Gardens, and the Hagley Museum; the charming village of New Castle with its cobblestone streets and antique shops; and the Brandywine River Museum & Conservancy with its picturesque gardens and paintings by N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth.

Books & Travel Kits:
Brandywine Valley: mini-booked-to-go
Philadelphia, Brandywine Valley & Bucks County: a complete guide

Websites:
Brandywine Country
Brandywinevalley.com
Hagley Museum and Library
Longwood Gardens
Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library
Visit Wilmington
Brandywine River Museum

Spring Escapes

Many destinations for fun and adventure are just a short drive away. Whether you enjoy active sports, relaxing, or exploring, you can find it all at a nearby destination. This month we will feature some suggestions for a perfect spring escape. Use the websites, travel guides and Booked-to-Go kits (all include maps) to help you plan!

Where to Go Next: 1001 Natural Wonders

Along with 26 colleagues, Bright, an executive producer with the BBC's Natural History Unit, compiled this catalog of 1,001 natural wonders, that is, geological and physical phenomena and wonders of the animal kingdom. Covering a varied terrain from Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland to Fiordland in South Island, New Zealand, this book is like a composite of myriad National Geographic magazines. In the same genre as Patricia Schulz's 1,000 Places To See Before You Die, 1001 Natural Wonders hits the high points of the natural world in all continents.
Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Where to Go Next: Heaven on Earth

From the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx to the mysteries of Easter Island and Stonehenge, the editors of "Life" draw on the world's finest photography to reveal why you must include these truly special 100 places in your life's itinerary. Drink in the kaleidoscope that is Australia's Great Barrier Reef and gaze at the majesty of Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro. Sample the sophisticated splendour of the Tuileries Gardens in Paris and the sun-baked wonders of the fortress city of the Andes, Machu Picchu. And, of course, the treasures of America are not forgotten, such as the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and the serene Atlantic beauty of Nantucket Island.
-Product Description

Where to Go Next: 1,000 Places to See Before You Die

This hefty volume reminds vacationers that hot tourist spots are small percentage of what's worth seeing out there. A quick sampling: Venice's Cipriani Hotel; California's Monterey Peninsula; the Lewis and Clark Trail in Oregon; the Great Wall of China; Robert Louis Stevenson's home in Western Samoa; and the Alhambra in Andalusia, Spain. Veteran travel guide writer Schultz divides the book geographically, presenting a little less than a page on each location. Each entry lists exactly where to find the spot (e.g. Moorea is located "12 miles/19 km northwest of Tahiti; 10 minutes by air, 1 hour by boat") and when to go (e.g., if you want to check out The Complete Fly Fisher hotel in Montana, "May and Sept.-Oct. offer productive angling in a solitary setting"). This is an excellent resource for the intrepid traveler.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Where to Go Next: Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear

500 Places to See Before They Disappear enables passionate travelers and the eco-conscious to learn about and plan a visit to see rare cultural, historic, and natural places before they are irrevocably altered or even gone forever. Here are one-of-a-kind landscapes, fragile ecosystems, rare bird habitats, places to see the last remaining species of big game in the wild, cityscapes in peril, vanishing cultural kitsch, petroglyphs, and more—500 thoughtfully-chosen treasures that will inspire and enlighten travelers of all ages. Each entry explains why it’s been included, gives its history, the nature of the threat against it, brief practical information on how to visit, and what visitors can to do protect it. A geographical index allows travelers to locate attractions across the world. Photos throughout the book help bring destinations to life.

-Publisher summary

Where to Go Next: Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands

Frommer's 500 Extraordinary Islands features selections for the best islands around the world - from tiny isles to island nations, and from well-trod to totally uninhabited. Chapters are divided into:

•Treasure Islands -- Islands that have a strong, distinctive local culture and personality
•Leisure Islands -- Islands with a relaxed vibe and lots of land sports like hiking or biking
•Pleasure Islands -- Islands famous for their partying and nightlife scenes
•Beachcomber Islands -- Islands known for their beaches, diving, and watersports
•Garden Isles -- Islands with lush or verdant landscapes, orchards, and local produce
•Islands of Mystery -- Places that are somewhat remote and have a mystical and/or exotic vibe
•Island Escapes -- Quiet, uncrowded spots for those who love nature and want a relaxed pace
•Ends of the Earth -- Islands that are rugged, remote, hard to get to, and great for adventure lovers
•Islands of History -- Islands known for specific historic events, and with landmarks to visit
•Wildlife Islands -- Islands that are great for birdwatching, whale watching, and viewing rare species, as well as nature preserves
•Island Nations -- Large islands with their own history and independent government
•Island Cities -- Vibrant metropolises that have thrived as their own islands
•City Islands -- Island enclaves within larger cities
-Publisher Summary