Also, most in my generation will remember the movie “White Christmas.” I know I still watch it every year around Christmas time. In the movie, two sisters are heading for Vermont for a job as entertainers at the ski lodge and Danny Kaye talks Bing Crosby into going with them. There are a few minor points in the middle that helps get them all together but I will let you experience that for yourself. Anyway, they sing a song about snow in Vermont and the relaxing time they will have. As they put it, “Sounds very Vermonty!” From that scene, one thinks of Vermont as a fantastic place to visit.

The contrast comes in articles about Vermont wanting to secede from the United States or wanting to begin the process to impeach Bush at the state or local level. Just recently there was a story of an orchard owner in Vermont who has created a cannon to keep away hail storms much to the disdain of his neighbors who really do not want to hear something like a mortar going off on a regular basis. In short, the people seem to be extremely independent and liberal and do not have much use for anyone or anything other than their personal interests.

So, as we go to Vermont for a week's vacation I am somewhat apprehensive. They must understand the importance of tourism for their economic growth but how welcome will we feel? Perhaps I am over analyzing the whole thing and the people of Vermont really aren't a different culture than the rest of the United States. Perhaps only the fringe of the population makes the news and the rest will be very friendly. Perhaps I am naïve in understanding how culturally different my corner of the world is from the rest of the nation.

No matter what, a week away should be great. Another bright spot in Vermont that should bring most cultures together for a smile is Ben and Jerry's Ice Crème. The factory is not far from where we are staying and ice crème is one of those experiences that bridge any gap. I never considered Ben and Jerry's a healing salve to the political and cultural differences in this country but the potential is there. Bring it on!

If you are planning on going to Disneyland in Anaheim, California this summer here are some tips from a seasoned veteran about how to make the most out of your trip.

1. If you can afford to stay in one of the three Disneyland Hotels, you will have early admittance at 7AM to Disneyland, an hour before everyone else. Family packages include passes to both parks and you can skip the ticket booth before you enter and go right to the entrance line. In the morning you can catch the “Monorail” in Downtown Disney or the Disneyland Hotel and it will take you directly into “Tomorrowland” before the general public is admitted.
2. Get to the park as soon as it opens and hit as many rides first thing in the morning. Even with a fast pass, early is still best. When we visit Disneyland we hit all the rollercoaster rides first thing. We usually start with “Space Mountain” and hit that four times in about an hour, then “Indiana Jones” at least twice. “Splash Mountain” is one ride we usually take “Fast Passes” to ride and sometimes the line is moving well enough on “Thunder Mountain Railroad” that we get on that ride quickly. All the coasters are manageable before 11 AM. After that, I suggest that you get a “Fast Pass' for the coasters or be prepared to wait at least an hour or more to board them.
3. Always take some time to plan your trip and what you want to do and see. It will save you time at the park. Create an itinerary and map your route so you know where you are going.
4. There are parades twice a day at Disneyland in the summer. (Afternoon and Evening). If parades are important to you, you must camp out somewhere along the route over an hour ahead of time.
5. If you want to eat at the “Blue Bayou Restaurant” (inside the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride), I suggest a reservation made weeks ahead. (phone: (714) 781-3463) Otherwise, stop by the restaurant in the French Quarter first thing in the morning to see what is available. Dinner for four adults is about $125-$150.
6. Once you notice the park filling up and the lines exceeding 30 minutes of wait time, definitely grab some “Fast Pass” tickets
7. The Fast Passes are set up at kiosks close to the rides. The next time available is posted. All you do is insert your park ticket and out pops a “Fast Pass” good for that specific time. You can only have a “Fast Pass” for one ride at a time per person. Once you exit that ride, go grab another “Fast Pass.”.
8. A “Fast Pass” allows you to come back at a designated time and bypass all the people waiting in line
9. If watching the parades is not important to you, this can be a good time to hit some rides without “Fast Passes” that normally might be really crowded, but be prepared to wait in line when the park is packed regardless
10. Pack some snacks to munch in line and bring some water. Food is pricy in the park and you can save money bringing in snacks and water although you will inevitably have to buy a meal. A fast food type lunch for a family of four runs about $35-$40!
11. The bathrooms along Main Street are usually less crowded and more hidden from the crowds. They are by the” Carnation Café” (behind it) on your left as you walk east down Main Street.
12. Bring sunscreen, hats and anything else you must have for a warm day at the park. Anything you buy in the park is expensive.
13. The Disney Characters enter and exit through one area off Main Street. It is located before the Plaza Inn Terrace restaurant if you are walking east. It is a hidden area and sometimes you can see a character emerge before the crowd mobs them. Also in this area is a “Baby Center” for parents, tots and babies; a “First Aid Station” and a “Lost and Found.” I have been to all of these handy places throughout my life as a child and a parent.
14. California Adventures opens at 10AM and closes around 8PM in the summer. It is a smaller park and not nearly as popular as Disneyland. It is less crowded even on the busiest days. You might want to try to catch this park in the late afternoon and then head back to Disneyland in the evening if you buy a Park Hopper Pass.
15. Always keep the Disneyland Website handy. 
16. Last summer, we waited 45 minutes at 7AM to ride the new “Nemo Submarine.” So be prepared for lines, masses of humanity and aggressive people pushing strollers. It can get crazy.
17. Hit the shops in a lull when you are tired of rides or the lines are too long. Don't waste your time in the shops during the morning hours when the ride lines are shortest. “Small World” is usually a laid back easy wait and good break between the outside madness in mid-afternoon., but it is closed until Fall, 2008.
18. The park hours in the summer are 8AM until midnight for visitors who are not staying in the Disneyland Resort Hotels
19. If someone in your party needs a wheelchair you will have a much faster way to get on the rides. You simple wheel up to the line with your party and everyone rides. I know people who rent a wheelchair for the day and take turns using it, just to get on the rides ahead of everyone else!
20. Sometimes it just makes more sense if you are traveling with a group of diverse ages to split up for half of the day. One adult can take the little ones into “Fantasyland” which is packed after noon and another adult can steer the older kids over to the more sophisticated rides. Note: “Fantasyland” rides do not have “Fast Passes” and the lines are very long in the middle of the day, so early again is best.
21. “Splash Mountain”, “Matterhorn” and “Big Thunder Railroad” do break down more frequently than the other rides. Try to ride them earlier in the day. You will get wet in “Splash Mountain.” If you want to get very wet, put your heavier people towards the front of the car.
22. Downtown Disney also has many shops and restaurants. But again you may want to book reservations if you can plan ahead as it is very crowded during the dinner hours and evening there also.
23. If you are staying at “Grand Californian Hotel” it is faster to walk than rely on the Matterhorn in early evening to take you into the park. The Matterhorn Station in Downtown Disney is a nightmare during the summer from late afternoon until evening.
24. Your purse/backpack will be searched as you enter the park, so be prepared. Security is on alert at Disneyland and they are very serious about keeping it a safe place for all.
25. There are photographers mulling around who will ask to take your photo. They will take the photo at no cost, but if you choose to purchase them that is another story. We have had some nice family pictures taken this way. You only pay for the pictures you want.
26. Summer is the park's busiest seasons. If you hate crowds hit the park from mid-Sept. to May.
27. Always go to Disneyland in the middle of the week whenever you go. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less crowded than Friday and weekends.
28. Super Bowl Sunday is supposed to be the least crowded day. I know a family that goes every year on that day.
29. Realize that some rides will be closed during off-season for repair
30. Always check the website for last minute and up-to-date info
31. If you have young children, a two day trip affords you the luxury of going to the park in the morning, then heading back to the hotel in the heat of the day and returning again at night
32. If you only have one day and you don't have much time I would focus only on Disneyland and skip California Adventures
33. There are Disney employees walking around California Adventures incognito and giving away “Fast Passes” that can be used on any ride at any time in either park at around 10AM each morning. A friend scored free passes after getting off the “Mulholland Madness” ride. With these special passes you can just walk up and ride any of several popular rides. But these passes do have a limited use. I heard that Disney was handing out these special tickets in “California Adventures” to attract more visitors to that park. yet the tickets are for selected rides in both parks.
34. The newest ride this summer is “Toy Story Mania” in California Adventures
35. Fireworks happen every night over “Sleeping Beauty's Castle” in Disneyland at 9PM

I hope these tips allow you and your family to maximize your time and fun at “The Happiest Place on Earth!”

Everyone has to go see the art in Paris. The culture and ideas are so unique. Therefore, one of the top places to visit would have to be the Centre Pompidou. Here are several things to do. You can visit a large library, a museum of modern art, and/or listen to music. The building was uniquely designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Center Pompidou opened in 1977 and was named after the President of France (1969-74)

The Arc de Triomphe is another monument in Paris. This Arc gives one an opportunity to take great pictures of the city along with being able to admire its great architecture. Napolean Bonaparte had commissioned it be built in 1806 after a victory at Austerlitz. The Arc was in honor to those that fought in wars for France.

If you have children with you then you may want to visit the infamous Disneyland Paris. It is the largest theme park in Paris. Another theme park to visit is Park Asterix which has 27 attractions along with 6 shows and of course multiple rides for the adventurous and daring. There are a number of museums as well that your children may enjoy. There's the Grevin Wax Museum and a doll museum.

After an entire day of site-seeing one needs to visit the Eiffel Tower. The nightlife is fantastic. Have dinner in the Tower and enjoy the view of a beautiful city. This is definitely one of the top places to visit when in Paris. The tower was considered one of the tallest buildings in the world in 1889. Originally the tower was meant to be only temporary. It was built to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution. Yet, it remained standing and has become a symbol of France. Did you know that the tower is the main transmitter for television in Paris? Gustave Eiffel made the design of the tower as part of a contest and won. The Eiffel Tower has three floors and at each level you must pay to see it. If you want to enter it is about $6 and to get to the top you pay about $20.

Other places to see in Paris are The Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Picasso Museum, the Paris Aquarium, and Versailles. All of these places will give you view of history and beauty while appreciating the arts and finding new-found appreciation for the architecture.

Some of the best places to visit in London are the London Bridge to start. I took photographs near the bridge by a park and up on the bridge. There is even a tour that will take you up into the bridge itself where you can look out into the ocean and the city.

Buckingham Palace is a must-see. The beautiful architecture is a sight to behold. The black and gold gates are striking especially when the bobbies stand next to them. I had a picture taken with one. The guards are also switched out every couple of hours and it is intriguing. Many people will stand outside the gates to try to get a glimpse of royalty.

Abbey Road Studios is located off St. John's Wood and isn't open to the public but you can take photos there. You can check out the place where the Beatles crossed the street for their album cover Abbey Road.

St. Paul's Cathedral is an amazing Catholic Cathedral to take a tour in. It has several sections. The first section reaches a walkway called Whispering Gallery. The next section is an outdoor walk. These sections continue to go into higher levels and eventually you will get a spectacular view of London.

Portobello Road is opened daily and it is a type of flea market that sells antiques. It is a cool place to visit when you are looking for a bargain.

The National Gallery in Trafalgo Square is a good museum for those that enjoy going to museums on vacations. They display works of Leonardo De Vinci and have several Egyptian artifacts and antiques as well as Ancient Greek sculptures. It is one of the better museums in London.

Finally, there are a few more places to visit while in London. Take a walk to the West End where you can catch a show. It is considered the Theatre District. Go to the Tower of London which is best seen at night. If you have a chance to do so go visit the Big Ben and take a bus tour around the city.

Valid 10 Year Passport

American tourists visiting the UK will need to hold a valid American passport that will not expire during their trip. A passport with a 6 month validity still left is usually required when visiting the UK. The UK has an agreement with the United States that allows visitors to enter the UK on a visa waiver programme for a visit up to 3 months in duration. If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you will need to obtain the correct visa prior to your arrival in the UK, not after you get there.

The Weather

The British weather is very temperamental and hard to predict. It is possible that a bright, sunny day will soon turn cloudy and then rainy. Or a rainy day may quickly brighten up. The best way to tackle the British weather is to dress in layers. When packing, do not just keep up to date with what the weather is like two weeks or even a week prior to travel. Pack appropriately for every eventuality so that you can be prepared for quick changes in weather. Do not assume that the summer will be sunny everyday. The summer of 2007 saw torrential floods and very little sunshine across parts of the UK.

British English

The British and Americans share a basic common language, but there will be times that you will encounter some awkward situations if you are not conversant in a few words and phrases in British English. Pick up a good British travel guide for extra advice on British English, watch BBC America or visit British English websites that are designed to help prepare Americans for their trip across The Pond.

Travel Insurance

Are you prepared for every eventuality? Have you planned on what to do if your luggage is lost or stolen or you are seriously injured in the UK? It is wise to consider taking out travel insurance prior to your trip to the UK. While hospitals will not turn anyone away who has been seriously injured, hospitals will not treat you for free as they would if you were a British resident.