Blogs from Rhode Island, United States, North America - page 10

My husband and I took a day trip to Newport, Rhode Island, which is about 2 hours from our home. We went to view one of the most popular mansions by one of the world's most families, the Vanderbilts. Their mansion is called The Breakers, due to the water breaking on the rocks in their backyard. I'm so amazed at how people can live in a "summer cottage" like the one we saw. It's Beautiful with a capital b. Even the children had their own house to play in. It's the size of a small one family house and they got to play in there. Everywhere you look, you see golden inlay this and golden inley that along with dolphins and acorns. I've been there before, but not a Christmas time. It was just decorated for ... read more

We arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, on the 19th September and the first thing we did was to ogle at the mansions or “Summer Cottages” that put Newport on the map. There is a great Cliff Walk, allowing us plebs to gaze on the magnificence of the opulent palaces, kindly built by the wealthy owners. It’s clearly marked that the walk is 3.5 miles but the heat must have been affecting us as we forgot about the fact there would be 3.5 miles to walk back to the car! The path was a bit rocky in places but was well worth the views it gave. Two of the better known previous inhabitants include Lady Astor and Cornelius Vanderbilt. One famed for scandal and the other for railways. A number of these mansions are now open to ... read more

I boarded a late morning flight in Tampa...arriving last minute, as always, and getting to the gate JUST as Southwest was boarding their B group...perfect, I was in B group. Had a flight to Philadelphia, with a short stop...no time to even get off the plane, then back in the air for 30 minutes to Providence. The 1st flight was uneventful, but full. The 2nd flight was full as well, and populated by a number of children flying alone. UGH! I am NOT a fan! One "look at me, look at me" type kiddo, about 6 years old, was flying with her 16-ish sister. Poor teen didn't stand a chance! The kid kept yelling out, "We're all gonna die" at random points through takeoff and the flight. Now, as a seasoned traveler, I don't put much ... read more

Providence, the capital of Rhode Island state is a lovely city. The State House (Parliament) is an impressive building modelled on St Peter's Basilica. We wandered the streets and Anna had a BOWL of cappuccino (American's drink sizes really are crazy). Then we visited Newport and toured the International Tennis Hall of Fame museum (nirvana for Darren) and an over the top mansion, built in the 1890's, known as 'The Breakers' by the magnate Vanderbuilt (NY railways) family. You must tour this bldg sometime, even if only on the internet. Evening found us in Falmouth at the start of Cape Cod, for another good night's rest. ... read more

On Friday April 26 we visited the Blithwold Mansion and gardens in Bristol Rhode Island. The 70 acre former seaside summerhouse of coal magnate, Augustus Van Wickle and his wife Bessie, the house is now open to the pubic was celebrating “Daffodil Days”. The grounds and gardens were in very good condition. The green house had a nice variety of plants. We were experiencing the first warm day we’d had this spring and the temperature was in the 70’s. What a great day to spend visiting such a great garden and finally spring is here in New England. The “self guided” tour of the house is helpful and lets you do your viewing at your own pace. They offer an afternoon tea at two sittings each afternoon for $10. This was a nice relaxing way to ... read more