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New Zealand: Cambridge – New Zealand’s Favorite Pavlova
When traveling it’s always interesting to look for and try foods which are favorites in that country. This Pavlova was made with layers of whipped cream, wafers – and kiwi of course! Our list in New Zealand included hokey-pokey ice-cream (fabulous vanilla with toffee bits), Kumara fries (like sweet potato) and white bait fritters (fish). Sandra’s all time favorite was the Anzac oatmeal cookies which were developed for troops in the Second World War by the army corps to last awhile while on the move. They are hard to bite but softened up deliciously as you eat them. Anzac = Australia New Zealand Army Corps.
France, Paris: Favorite French Patisserie
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Finding desserts without chocolate in them is often a challenge. Finding this delectable patisserie made up of apricots, caramel crunch, cookie and loads of whipped cream is my dream dessert. I actually ate it for dinner!
US: Florence, SC – Go Nuts for Pecans in Florence and Snag some Free Swag
April is National Pecan month so why not celebrate by following a culinary trail dedicated to the pecan.
Florence is home to the South Carolina Pecan Trail, showcasing 17 local restaurants and specialty shops offering pecan dishes or products, putting pecans in the spotlight. From pecan-encrusted grouper to pecan pie martinis, those venturing on the trail will experience a variety of originality.
Pick up a passport at the visitors center, 3290 W. Radio Drive, or any of the participating restaurants to start the journey. Earn a stamp in the passport by feasting on the featured pecan item at each establishment.
Return your passport to the Visitors Center in person or by mail for some sweet Pecan Trail swag. Show up with four stamps, and receive a charming metal nutcracker. Eight stamps will get you a drawstring bag and the nutcracker. Present a fully stamped passport and walk away with a T-shirt, drawstring bag and the nutcracker. 
Get your stamps and enjoy tasty pecan offerings at these restaurants and specialty shops:
Block and Vino: Seasonal praline pecan cheesecake; candied pecan brie-stuffed chicken
Clay Pot Coffee Shop: Signature BIG cookie: Southern Maple Pecan Oatmeal Cookie
Dolce Vita: Double chocolate chip pecan muffin
Freeman’s Bakery: Assortment of baked goods, including cakes, Danish pastries
Julian Belle’s: White Russian pecan pie
The Library: Bourbon pecan pie
Rebel Pie Wood-fired Pizza: Danish pizza
Red Bone Alley: Chicken salad with pecans; apple crisp; chocolate chip cookie pie
Seminar Brewing: Pecans Gone Wild smoked brown ale
Struttin’ Turkey: Turkey salad with cranberries and pecans
Top Hat Special-Teas: Top Hat Pecan Scones
Town Hall: Braised oxtail ravioli, local sweet potato puree, espelette-spiced pecans and sage oil
Tubb’s Shrimp and Fish Co.: Sweet potato cheesecake
Venus Restaurant and Catering: Pecan (Belgian) waffle, Southern pecan pancakes
Victors: Pecan pie martini
Wholly Smokin’: Goat cheese salad, features warm goat cheese patty encrusted with local pecans
Young Plantations: Variety of flavored pecans
Location: Visitor Information Center, 3290 W. Radio Drive, Florence Center Upper Level, Florence, SC 29501
Time: Daily 9am – 5pm
Tel: 800-325-9005
visitflo.com
US: Bristol, RI – ’Tis The Day After Christmas Children’s Tea
’Tis the day after Christmas, and throughout Blithewold the beautiful decorations and a fragrance of cinnamon and cloves linger. All the hustle and bustle of the holidays is winding down, so come share the last of the season’s magic with your family and friends.
Children are welcome to come dressed in their finest pajamas and nightgowns, and enjoy goodies and treats one last time before the decorations come down. After tea sandwiches, cookies, fresh-baked scones and a warm pot of tea, children will sit around the fireplace to enjoy one last holiday story.
Blithewold is a 33-acre summer estate with grand views of Narragansett Bay and is nationally significant in American history as one of the most fully developed and authentic examples of the Country Place Era.
Seating is limited, Advance registration required. Click to purchase your seat: Tuesday, December 26
Location: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum 101 Ferry Rd, Bristol, RI 02809
Date: Tues, Dec 26, 2017
Time: 5 – 6:30 PM
Tel: 401-253-2707
blithewold.org/event/tis-day-christmas-childrens-tea
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com
US: Clinton, MD – Surratt House Museum for Christmas Past and Present
As you enter the side door of the Surratt House Museum you are walking in the path of John Wilkes Booth the night he killed President Lincoln, since he came here to retrieve a rifle, field glasses and supplies for his run from the law.
Built in 1852, this was a tavern, an inn, a post office and a polling place. It was a safe house for the Confederate underground. The massive search for Booth led them here to Mary Surratt’s house, and as a result she was tried in a military court and convicted of conspiracy to assassinate the President. On July 7, 1865 Mary Surratt was the first woman to be executed by the federal government.
In your visit to this famous house, a docent in 1860’s period clothing walks you through the typical middle class home. History buffs can make reservations for the 12-hour “Escape Route” bus tour. Many of the same roads and houses used by Booth are still in existence and are visited on this excursion which is narrated by nationally-recognized authorities on the Lincoln assassination and John Wilkes Booth’s flight. Tour Dates for 2018: Apr 14, 21, 28 and Sept 8, 15, 22.
If you’re in the Clinton area Sat, Dec 2 – Sun, Dec 10, stop by the Surratt House Museum for their special Christmas program- An Old Fashioned Holiday: Bringing Christmas Past to Christmas Present, celebrating the Christmas of yesteryear amid period decorations, special exhibits and seasonal histories. On the weekend of December 9 and 10, return to enjoy special activities for all ages, cookies, cider, and holiday discounts in the museum’s gift shop.
Location: Surratt House Museum, 9118 Brandywine Road, Clinton, MD 20735
Hours: Wed – Fri 11am – 3pm, Sat -Sun 12 – 4pm
The Surratt House Museum is closed from Dec 12th to Jan 17th.
Tel: 301-868-1121
surrattmuseum.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitprincegeorgescounty.com
US: Annapolis, MD – Binge on Chocoholic Sushi with Chocolate Martinis at Annapolis Festival
Under the warm glow of lights you’ll be served a FREE toasty cup of hot chocolate while you enjoy listening to music. Indulge in some family-fun, there is something for everyone including shopping, art, drinks, food, prizes, and fun for kids of all ages and did I mention chocolate.
Take a chocolate tour along West Street with a dozens of vendors selling various chocolate specialties , including chocolate caramels, bars, truffles, fudge, cookies, rice crispies, fondue, chocolate fountain, candy apples, chocolate sushi, and even chocolate martinis. Chocoholics, get ready to binge!
Entertainment includes: Moon Bounce, Balloon Sculptures, Face Painting, Meet Santa, McGruff the crime fighting dog, and Sparky the fire department dog, Music performances, Comedy, Ugly Sweater Contest, holiday shopping, the lighting of the West Street Light Canopy. You can roast marshmallows and make s’mores at the fire pit in the middle of West Street sponsored by the Annapolis Fire Department.
Chocolate, holiday vendors, music, family friendly entertainment and holiday light canopy. All this makes for a great street party in Annapolis. Support the local arts and and We Care and Friends . Suggested $5 donation to the Annapolis Arts District-Kids are free with a paid parent donation.
Location: West St and Calvert St (Intersection) ,Annapolis, MD 21401
Date: Sun, Dec 4th, 2016
Time: noon-5pm
Tel: 410-858-5884
annapolischocolatefestival.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitannapolis.org
US: Portland, ME – Take in the Beauty of Autumn With a Ride Aboard the Pumpkin Train
Autumn is a beautiful time of year on the coast of Maine. Enjoy the season with a visit to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum and a ride aboard the Pumpkin Train.
Children can explore the museum , which offers a children’s play area with train tables, coloring activities, dress-up like a conductor, and child-size train station and train to climb in and the featured activity where you can paint a miniature pumpkin to bring home as a souvenir to commemorate the day.
All visitors are treated to complimentary hot cider and cookies as they travel along Portland’s waterfront. The train ride lasts approximately 40 minutes and travels 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip). Train crew and/or museum docents are aboard with historical and site information and providing a narrative throughout the ride. Both open air cars and enclosed cars are available.
Celebrate the beauty of autumn with a ride aboard the Pumpkin Train. It’s fun for the whole family and even family-friendly pets on a leash are welcome to this leisurely way to enjoy the scenic Eastern Promenade of Casco Bay. Trains operates rain or shine.
Location: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum,
58 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
Dates: Oct 22nd & 23rd, Oct 29th & 30th
Time: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm, Trains on the hour 10am-3pm
Tel: 207-828-0814
mainenarrowgauge.org/pumpkin-train
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitportland.com