The Church of England, hoping to get in on the staycation trend, has launched a new Church of England Staycation web service to encourage locals to put churches and cathedrals in their stay at home travel plans.  Churches and cathedrals can provide a bit of sacred space, but they are also wonderful sources as museums, art galleries, architectural sites, history, and frequent venues for special events.

St Peter's Chapel, Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex

And, of course, you can always opt for a. . . wait for it. . . pray-cation!

Having been to a cathedral or two myself, I think this site offers a great opportunity for travelers to do a little research on what they may like to visit.  Sure, you’ll easily find the major cathedrals, but what about those quaint little village churches, so full of history and a sense of community.  Why should such a great resource be limited to those who want to stay at home?

Search the site by geography or take advantage of the many links to other resources provided.  The site is new, and hopefully we’ll see lots more sites being added as it evolves.  I’ll be heading to the U.K. this fall, and will be checking back to get ideas on places that I can visit.

And this is a good travel research tip in general – don’t overlook researching staycation promotions.  After all, if it’s good enough for the locals, it’s good enough for you and me!

Photo credit: chelmsfordblue @flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Church of England Promotes Staycation Site

“It’s strange for there not to be doughnuts on a Saturday, is it not?”…harped one white-haired, but beautiful woman recently. I think I suggested she buy a cake instead. Although the doughnut line seemed poetic, somehow.

I can always tell what time of day it is by the increase of older customers in the store: Sunday, church is out…it must be 1:00pm.

Immediately after my encounter with my new friend, I started to wonder what kind of older person I will be. Will I be alone? Will I be kind? Sour, bitter, energetic, valued…? Will I cook? Will I travel…have a dog?

I hope I become like one of those fabulous women who’ve decided to write a novel at 60…get it published and then end up on the (older) Oprah show. I’m thinking I’d like to start a foundation of some kind.

And I do plan to be living in New York or England, and stroll the avenues together with one of my other fabulous older women friends.

And I hope to be kind. With lots of doughnuts.

Post from: Blisstree

My Older Self

NBC-TV is running promotional spots for the new season of The Ellen DeGenerous Show. Ellen’s bit this time around is “The Life List” and she’s asked viewers to submit their list of things they want to do or have happen with their lives.

Her promise is that if it’s read on the show, she will help you achieve something on that list. “What a cute idea, I thought.” Although, didn’t Oprah do her “dreams come true” theme last season? I went to Ellen’s site to learn more about the life list.

The season hasn’t even begun yet, and they found a young woman who has been keeping a list of 40 things she wants to do before she’s 25! Can you imagine?! In any case, I don’t have a life list — I’m 46 and I don’t have a life list, do you?

I thought I should put one together, pronto. What the heck, here’s a rough draft:

1. Meet Mario Batali, convince him to teach me how to cook.
2. Learn to be a more aggressive sales person, when it comes to my The Pet Set.
3. Learn to have fun (you’ve heard that one already).
4. Be more patient with my husband’s taste in music.
5. Learn to be a seeing eye-dog trainer.
6. Get to the gym.
7. Throw my entire wardrobe out and start again.
8. Go to England, (shhh…surprise for hubby).
9. Learn computer programming
10. Become a leader in my business.

That’s a start; should I assume that this can be edited? Or am I stuck with this list? What are yours?

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Have A Life List?