Culinary Travel: Illinois

This Midwest state is known for many things.  But when it comes to food people think of one city and one iconic lunch time food… a Chicago Dog!

A Chicago-style hot dog, Chicago Dog, or Chicago Red Hot is an all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun, originating from the city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. The complete assembly of a Chicago hot dog is said to be "dragged through the garden" due to the many toppings. The method for cooking the hot dog itself varies depending on the vendor's preference. Most often they are steamed, water-simmered, or grilled over charcoal (in which case they are referred to as "char-dogs").

The canonical recipe does not include ketchup, and there is a widely shared, strong opinion among many Chicagoans and aficionados that ketchup is unacceptable. A number of Chicago hot dog vendors do not offer ketchup as a condiment.

Many sources attribute the distinctive collection of toppings on a Chicago-style wiener to historic Maxwell Street and the "Depression Sandwich" reportedly originated by Fluky's in 1929. The founders of Vienna Beef frankfurters, the most common brand served today, first sold at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the proprietors of Fluky's were both Jewish, which may account for the wieners' pork-free, kosher-style character.

Chicago Red Hot

Makes 1 hot dog 

Ingredients

1 all-beef hot dog 
1 poppyseed hot dog bun 
1 tablespoon yellow mustard 
1 tablespoon sweet green pickle relish 
1 tablespoon chopped onion 
2 tomato slices 
1 dill pickle spear 
2 sport peppers 
1 dash celery salt 

Directions

Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, place hot dog in water, and cook 5 minutes or until done. Remove hot dog and set aside. Carefully place a steamer basket into the pot and steam the hot dog bun 2 minutes or until warm. Place hot dog in the steamed bun. 

Top in the following order: yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. The tomatoes should be nestled between the hot dog and the top of the bun. Place the pickle between the hot dog and the bottom of the bun.

Enjoy!

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business or pleasure travel reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
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Three Very Special Holiday Trees

This year we are planning something different for our tree.  We are going to create three very special Honor Trees. 

The three Special Trees will be for:
Mother's Day
Memorial Day
Father's Day 

We would like to have everyone send us a picture of the person they would like to honor along with the name of that person. 

Make sure that the picture you send is a copy because the pictures can not be returned. Stop by or mail your picture (and the name of the person you are honoring) to : Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc, 6008 West Bell Rd # F105, Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your travel reservation needs. When you travel for leisure or business we have your back. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com 

Rawhide Travel and Tours Can Help You Get Lost

Bear with us. We think that you will need travel to help you relax. Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.

We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.

Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
 rawhidetravel.com

The Japan Bloom of Cherry Blossoms 2015

This time of year is a great time to visit Japan.  Their festivals are famous world-wide.

Hanami is an important Japanese custom and is held all over Japan in spring. Hanami literally means viewing flowers, but it generally indicates cherry blossom viewing. It's said that the origin of hanami dates back to more than one thousand years ago when aristocrats enjoyed looking at beautiful cherry blossoms and wrote poems.Nowadays, people in Japan have fun viewing cherry blossoms, drinking and eating. It is like a picnic under the trees. People bring home-cooked meals, do BBQ, or buy take-out food for hanami. In popular hanami spots, there are even competitions for the best spots. If you do not like a crowd, you can go to neighborhood parks, gardens or other quiet places. The most popular kind of Japanese cherry (sakura) tree which can be found everywhere in Japan is somei-yoshino (Yedoensis). 

Sakura trees bloom at different times throughout Japan, and the blooming period of somei-yoshino is usually short. Cherry blossom festivals take place all over the country. Most of them are held between March to May, though other regions have them in January, February, and June, based on their location. Festival dates are usually determined with reference to cherry blossom forecasts and vary from year to year. Gorgeous flowers are main attractions of the festivals, but a variety of traditional Japanese performing arts presented in many festivals can't be missed. Joining tea ceremonies held under cherry trees can be a memorable experience as well. It's fun to stop by festival vendors which sell various food and souvenirs, including regional crafts and specialty food in the region. It's notable that many cherry blossom festivals hold light-up events in the evening.

There are many gardens throughout Japan that are worth seeing during a visit to the beautiful country.

Sengan-en Gardens Kagoshima

Senganen Garden, also known as Isoteien, is a Japanese style landscape garden along the coast north of downtown Kagoshima. One of the garden's most striking feature is its use of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery. The garden also includes small ponds, streams, shrines and a bamboo grove.

Senganen was constructed in 1658 by the wealthy Shimazu Clan, one of the most powerful feudal clans during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The Shimazu ruled the Satsuma domain (present day Kagoshima) for almost 700 years until the end of the feudal age in 1868. They continued to be influential into the modern era as some of the earliest adopters of Western science and technology.

At the center of the garden stands the Iso Residence. The residence was originally built in 1658 along with the rest of the garden, but the current building mostly dates back to a reconstruction of the mid 1880s. After the end of the feudal age, the Iso Residence became the main residence of the Shimazu family, and its rooms are preserved in the way they were used in the 1890s. The interior of the residence can only be seen on a paid tour that includes tea and a snack at the end.

Outside the main garden area, and included in the admission price, stands a long stone building that used to serve as one of the earliest Western style machinery factories in Japan. Today it houses the Shoko Shuseikan Museum with exhibits about the culture and maritime activities of the Shimizu Clan and the early factory and machines which contributed to Japan's modernization in the 1800s.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there to see the wonderful gardens and beautiful Cherry Blossom flowers. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off The Beaten Path: Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and the Great Lakes region. The state borders Delaware to the southeast, Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, Lake Erie and Ontario, Canada to the northwest, New York to the north and New Jersey to the east. The beautiful Appalachian Mountains run through the middle of the state.

Pennsylvania is the 33rd largest, the 6th most populous, and the 9th most densely populated of the US. The state's five most populous cities are Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading. The state capital is Harrisburg. Pennsylvania has 51 miles of coastline along Lake Erie and 57 miles of shoreline along the Delaware Estuary. The state is one of the thirteen original founding states.

In our Culinary Travels yesterday we mentioned the Liberty Bell. While it isn’t off the beaten (actually one off the biggest tourist attractions) path it is worth a mention. 

The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell today is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. The bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack (today the Whitechapel Bell Foundry) in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). The bell first cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the Liberty Bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations.

Camping

State forests are Pennsylvania's hidden recreational gems. With more than 2,500 miles of trails, outdoor enthusiasts find endless opportunities for hiking and camping.

Camping on state forest lands is defined as overnight lodging using standard camping equipment, and is categorized into three different types: primitive camping, motorized camping, and group camping.

Primitive Camping is defined as overnight camping where all equipment is transported in limited trips by non-motorized vehicle methods and where a motorized vehicle is not located near or part of the camping experience.

Use of camp stoves is encouraged. Small campfires for cooking and warming purposes are permitted except when the fire danger is high, very high or extreme and from March 1 to May 25 and from October 1 to December 1, unless authorized on the camping permit. Put your fire out cold and scatter the stone fire rings at “new”, non-designated dispersed campsites before leaving. Leave stone fire rings intact at established and designated dispersed campsites. Check with the local Forest District Office and the County Burn Ban site to make sure open fires are permitted. Only downed and dead wood within the immediate campsite may be gathered for firewood. Collect only the amount needed for your stay. Power saws are not permitted without a Fuelwood Permit.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort rather than camping out we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
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Culinary Travel: Pennsylvania

While Pennsylvania may be known for many things it has one city that is known worldwide for one very special food. Many folks tell us that a visit to Pennsylvania means seeing the Liberty Bell and a trip to a certain city. That city is Philadelphia and the food is the Authentic Philly Cheese Steak sandwich.

Authentic Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

Ingredients

1 loaf Italian bread or 1 loaf French bread or 2 large hoagie rolls
1⁄2 pound very rare, sliced wafer thin deli roast beef 1 thinly sliced white onion 
1 thinly sliced green bell pepper 
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1⁄2 pound thinly sliced provolone cheese
extra virgin olive oil 
salt and pepper
optional topping marinara sauce

Directions

Heat a griddle or a large frying pan over medium-high heat
When hot, cover bottom with olive oil
Add the onions and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until caramelized
Add the garlic, salt and pepper, and cook for about 30 seconds.
Then, push the mixture off to the cooler side of the griddle.

Add the meat to the hot part of the griddle.
Cook, continuously flipping the meat over and slightly chopping the meat into slightly smaller pieces with 2 spatulas, until the meat is not pink, which should take about 2 minutes.
Mix the meat and the caramelized onions and bell pepper together.

Divide into 2 portions, and top both portions with the cheese to melt.

If using Italian or French bread, cut the bread in half, crosswise, and slice lengthwise to open for the 2 sandwiches.

Hollow out some of the soft white bread part from inside and place face down on top of the meat and cheese.

When the cheese is melted, and with 1 or 2 spatulas, flip the sandwiches over and add marinara sauce, if desired, and serve immediately.

2 servings - 20 minutes total time - Preparation; 7 minutes - Cooking; 13 minutes

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your business or pleasure travel reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Food Museums Not To Miss While Traveling

When you travel to other countries and see the amazing beauty of sunsets, raptors riding mountain currents, creatures running through rain forests, grizzlies catching salmon in the rapids, majestic waterfalls spilling off vertical drops, and volcanoes smoking under their fiery breath, you realize the world is full of more beauty that you are capable of seeing in a lifetime. If food is your passion you can catch museums that play to that passion.

Frietmuseum (Bruges, Belgium)

It’s recommended you come on an empty stomach.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Frietmuseum is the world's only museum dedicated to French fries, which, despite the name, Belgians claims to have created.

It appears the owners, Cedric and Eddy Van Belle, have a penchant for weird museums, because they also founded Belgium's Domestic Lighting Museum. 

This attraction, however, is altogether more interesting, with exhibitions exploring the history of the world's most popular food, with lots of opportunities to try some yourself. 

Highlight: The ground floor exhibition about potatoes, which were first discovered in Peru 10,000 years ago.

Frietmuseum, Vlamingstraat 33, Bruges

Dutch Cheese Museum (Alkmaar, Netherlands)

Gouda, Edam, Leerdammer, Leyden, Maaslander, Maasdam. 

Keen travelers might recognize these names as cities in the Netherlands, but they're also types of cheese, and the aim of this museum is to educate people about them. 

Fittingly, it's located on the upper floors of the Alkmaar cheese-weighing warehouse. 

Visitors can check out collections of cheese-related tools and kids will love the interactive displays. 

If you're in town between April and September, a visit to the town's cheese market is advised -- it's the largest in the Netherlands and takes place every Friday. 

Highlight: The 15-minute film shown to all visitors. You'll never look at a cheese wheel in the same way again.

Dutch Cheese Museum, Waagplein 2, Alkmaar

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100 to book your spring holiday travel today. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours Help You Get Lost

Whether business or pleasure, Rawhide Travel and Tours delivers. 

Internet Travel sites list hotels and destinations, but offer little else. Our years of experience in the industry will help you design the perfect traveling experience. From romantic getaways to large events, our experienced agents will handle all the details. Traveling does not need to be stressful. You can count on us for great value and dependable service.

We arrange travel air, land and sea. We can arrange the perfect destination package including, resorts, conference rooms and meeting locations, special events, and attractions.

Is your family or group looking for a fantastic reunion cruise? Let Rawhide Travel and Tours be your headquarters.

Call us and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com


Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
 rawhidetravel.com

In The News: The Best Economy Airline Seats

First, the good news, there are airlines that have better economy seats than the rest that you are used to. Now for the very bad news… none of them are U.S. based carriers.

But if you are planning on flying outside the U.S. for business or leisure there could be better seats and a more comfortable experience in your flying future.

All Nippon Airways
Passengers in economy class on All Nippon Airways’ Boeing 787-8s can enjoy a spacious seat with 34 inches of pitch, a 10.6-inch touch screen LCD monitor that lets you fast-forward and rewind at will, a universal laptop power port, and even a cup holder that means you can make use of your table without worrying about spills. Even better, though: for a reasonable fee, travelers can upgrade to premium economy class for an extra 4 inches of pitch, an extendable footrest and noise-canceling earphones in addition to various pre-flight perks.

Cathay Pacific Airways
Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific is highly rated all around, so it only makes sense that their economy seats are worthy of this list. Their fixed-back shell seats help give the impression of having more personal space, but if you need more legroom, Cathay Pacific makes it easy to book an exit row seat for a reasonable fee. Shell out a little more for the premium economy class, though, and you'll get a much better seat that includes a cradle mechanism and an adjustable headrest.

Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines' economy class seats are designed to maximize legroom and comfort, but that will be even more evident if you score a seat on one of their new 777-300ER cabins, which feature backrest cushions with bolstered sides and adjustable headrests. It's possible to get more legroom by using the Preferred Seat Selection feature of Singapore Air's website or by splurging on a premium economy seat, which will also net you a calf-rest, foot-rest, and wide center console that means you won't have to knock elbows with your neighbor for the entire flight.

Garuda Indonesia
Indonesia's flag carrier offers economy class seats that are much more comfortable than their 32-inch pitch and 17.8-inch width makes them sound. Even during long-haul travel, fliers will find it easy to stretch out their legs, relax, and land at their destination with no cramps or sore back in sight. Add to that Garuda's friendly, professional service and USB and power outlets to keep your devices running, and you're in for an amazingly comfortable economy class flight.

Saudi Arabian Airlines
Saudi Arabia's flag carrier earns the top position by offering Guest Class seats with 34 inches of pitch and headrests with adjustable padded wings that mean you won't find yourself dozing off on your neighbor's shoulder. The real treat, though, is their unique and groundbreaking Articulated Movement features, which adjust passengers' seats automatically depending on their posture and body movements. Neat! Passengers still have the option, though, of adjusting their footrests and lumbar support recline manually for optimal comfort.

Getting ready for your next flight give Rawhide Travel and Tours a call at (602) 843-5100 to book your business or leisure travel today. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off The Beaten Path: Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula

Visitors to the Dingle Peninsula who fail to spend time in the area that comprises Ballydavid, Feohanagh and Murreagh are, sadly, missing out on one of its most beautiful spots and an area of uncommercialised local culture. Even throughout the busy summer months, this area remains peaceful. There are outstanding walks, into Coumaloghig or up to Arraglen or along coastal areas, and wonderful evening views out over the last edge of land to the Atlantic.

Around the area of Ballydavid and Feohanagh it is very easy for one to become enchanted with this beautiful area that touches the Atlantic Ocean and is overlooked by the splendor of Mount Brandon . . . especially when one takes the time to explore the area on foot. As well as walking the Dingle Way and the Saints Road, one can also trek along various mountain and cliff walks or discover the many archaeological sites which remain as a reminder of the thousands of years of history attached to the area. For more information on walks in the area, contact the Dingle Tourist Office in Dingle Town, or call in to T.P.'s Pub at Ballydavid.

The area is easy to explore on bicycle as the roads are quiet and the area is relatively flat and easy to cycle. Many of the archaeological sites can be easily visited by bicycle, too.

The diverse coastline and the geographical position of the peninsula, located just off the Continental Shelf and washed by the warming influence of the North Atlantic Drift, encourages a wide range of marine life. Virtually every species known to exist in European waters has been captured at one time or another on rod and line. Among the species available to be caught are tope, skate, monkfish, mackerel, pollack, cod, ling, ray, turbot, dab, plaice, sole, flounder, bass, spurdogs, wrasse, coalfish, conger, whiting, bull huss, blue, porbeagle, and mako shark.

For those interested in shore angling, there are numerous places throughout the Dingle Peninsula from which shore angling is spectacular in the scenery from where you fish to the varied range and quality of the fish to be caught. No matter what the weather may hold, there is always some sheltered bay perfect for fishing.

If you want to see dolphins in the Dingle Bay area you can use the Dingle Boatmen’s Association which has 6 passenger boats (fully licenced by the Department of the Marine and manned by experienced and qualified crews). The boats leave Dingle Pier at regular intervals during the day, every day, all year round (weather permitting) on a 1 hour trip to see Fungie (the dolphin) wild and free in his natural habitat.

Fungie is a wild Bottlenose Dolphin, no one is quite sure of his age but he has been here for nearly 29 years and the experts tell us he has a lifespan of between 40 and 50 years.

He is about 13 feet in length and weighs around 250lbs. The media named him in the early years and although there is no meaning in the Irish language for the word ‘Fungie’, it does suggest he is a Fun-Guy.

People from all walks of life, from all over the world, from 2 weeks to 93 years old, have come to Dingle especially to see Fungie. Many people decide to become one with nature, and meet with Fungie in his own environment, and brave the cold waters of the bay. Celebrities, including Pierce Brosnan, Mary Black and Jean Kennedy-Smith, to name but a few, have come to see Fungie.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your travel reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.

6008 West Bell Road

Suite # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

602-843-5100

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Culinary Travel: Ireland

Ireland is a small country with a big reputation, helped along by a timeless, age-caressed landscape and a fascinating, friendly people, whose lyrical nature is expressed in the warmth of their welcome. Here are some fascinating must see places.

There are several sites you just have to see when you travel to Ireland - from the windswept Cliffs of Moher to the rain-soaked Aran Islands. If ancient history is your thing, Ireland has plenty of it to see.

The Cliffs of Moher are located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland. They rise 390 feet above the Atlantic Ocean at Hag's Head, and reach their maximum height of 702 feet just north of O'Brien's Tower, five miles to the north. The tower is a round stone tower near the midpoint of the cliffs built in 1835 by Sir Cornelius O'Brien. From the cliffs and from atop the tower, visitors can see the Aran Islands in Galway Bay, the Maumturks and Twelve Pins mountain ranges to the north in County Galway, and Loop Head to the south. The cliffs rank amongst the top visited tourist sites in Ireland, and receive nearly one million visitors a year.

The Aran Islands  or The Arans are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. They constitute the barony of Aran in County Galway, Ireland.

From west to east the islands are: Inishmore, the largest; Inishmaan, the second-largest; and Inisheer, the smallest.

The 1,200 inhabitants primarily speak Irish, the language used in local place names. Most islanders are also fluent in English.

Corned Beef and Cabbage is a traditional St Patrick's Day recipe is far too good and is eaten all the time, after all it is Ireland's National Dish.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Recipe makes 5 servings

Ingredients

3 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet

10 small red potatoes

5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces

1 large head cabbage, cut into small wedges

Directions

Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound or until tender.

Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes.

Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the Dutch oven or large pot) as you want. Slice the corned beef across the grain.

If you have a taste for culinary travel, let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you plan your next vacation and all of your other reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc

6008 West Bell Rd # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

(602) 843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

Unique Food Museums In Japan

Why do you travel? To visit far off places? To see the wonderful sights that are found world-wide? To visit the famous buildings and museums? To experience the different cultures? Perhaps you want to taste the very different foods that they prepare? If you plan on going to Japan here are two museums that are food based in what they offer.

These two food museums are in two very different cities, Yokohama and Kyoto. You will ove the country-0side as well as the friendly people.

Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum (Yokohama, Japan)

The Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum is for those who can't get enough of Japan's classic noodle dish. 

On the first floor there's an exhibition about the history of ramen that includes displays of traditional bowls alongside the more recent invention every college student is all too familiar with -- instant ramen. 

The two basement floors are a replica of Shitamachi (Tokyo's old town) and house nine restaurants, each of which serves up different regional varieties of ramen.

Highlight: A replica of the first ramen dish ever eaten. The consumer was a 17th-century samurai named Mito Komon.

Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum, 2-14-21 Shinyokohama, Kouhoku-ku, Yokohama

Udon Museum (Kyoto, Japan)

Another popular Japanese dish is the focus at this Kyoto museum, which allows visitors to find out more about the different varieties of Japanese wheat flour noodles. 

"There wasn't an udon restaurant where I could taste all the regional varieties, so I opened one," explains the founder Tomoaki Takaya. 

There are 35 different types of udon noodles, all of which can be seen in this cheeky museum. Each region in Japan has its own udon and many different ways of eating and enjoying it.

Highlight: The amazing wall-mounted display of steaming, udon-filled bowls.

Udon Museum, 238-2 Giommachi Kitagawa, Kyoto

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100 to book your spring holiday travel today. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Rawhide Travel and Tours Holiday Tree Goes Green

Our little tree is all dressed up and looking  forward to celebrating St Patrick's Day next week. Stop by and visit him and all the staff at Rawhide Travel and Tours.

Did You Know?

One of the longest-running Saint Patrick's Day parades in North America occurs each year in Montreal, whose city flag includes a shamrock in its lower-right quadrant. The parades have been held yearly since 1824.

Chicago is best known for its modern day miracle occurring each year as part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration when the Chicago River turns an incredible shade of Irish green. For over 40 years, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers turn the Chicago River green for the St. Patrick's Day Parade celebration.

The very first St. Patrick’s Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.

Over 100 US cities hold a parade every year. Some of the other biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades are in Chicago, Illinois and Savannah, Georgia.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, 110 million people will celebrate the day by wearing green, making an Irish-inspired meal, or going out to celebrate.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Make sure you stop by this blog frequently as we will feature travel information daily and the tree antics every month. Better yet, stop by Rawhide Travel and Tours' office at 6008 West Bell Road and visit our tree in person and make sure you say hi to Ron, Diana and Debbie. You will be more than welcome.

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

In The News: Unique Concierge Requests

Our travel blog today may a bit of “How the other half lives”, as many of us seldom use a Concierge while traveling for business or leisure. Oh, yes we might ask for casual information, but few of us seldom expect a level of service that sometimes approaches Miracle Work. Normally concierge requests are fairly typical and predictable; a town car request, tickets to a show, flowers, special dietary requirements and the like.

But some hotel guests demand a unique and even truly outlandish item.  The ability to fulfill those peculiar requests separates the professional concierge from just the run-of-the-mill space holder who work behind that desk.

Camels

At the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona, lead concierge Victoria Cote was on the first month of her job when a guest asked where he could purchase two camels. Refusing to get her rookie feathers ruffled, she located a dealer 35 minutes from the hotel. The guest went to view the camels but decided against purchasing them, citing "a missing hump."

Kobe Beef For The Pup

At the St. Ermin's Hotel in Westminster, London, a guest requested a daily supply of Kobe beef fillet for his dog. The concierge team bought and couriered the steaks from a nearby restaurant daily. Two 6 ounce Kobe beef steaks retail for roughly $50 in England.

Unicorn

At the Hotel Indigo in Asheville, North Carolina, a guest asked for a unicorn to be waiting in his room upon arrival. Concierge Katie Brown purchased a unicorn plush toy and drafted a cheeky but amiable note as a special surprise:

"Beloved Guest,

"We saw your request for a unicorn. Unfortunately this is the wrong season. Due to their migratory habits, unicorns currently inhabit the second star to the right of twilight.

"Their return is expected next June. In the meantime (as Asheville is known among many circles as the Unicorn Capital of the South), we hope that you can accept this very accurate artist rendition of our native fauna.

"If this is unacceptable, we do profusely apologize. As you are not the first guest to express interest in our local wildlife, we have planned a meeting with the head unicorn, Lord Mangus Biffy of the Rainbows on perhaps adjusting his peoples/horses/mythical creatures move to somewhere outside the universe to better align with our guest wishes.

"Our sincerest apologies,

"The Society for Proper and Correct Unicorn Caretaking."

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100 to book your business or leisure travel today. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Off The Beaten Path: Ohio

Chippewa Lake

Ohio is notoriously lacking in natural lakes thanks to the smoothing effect of a long ago receding glacier, but Chippewa Lake is the state's oldest natural-water exception, a rare Ohio lake that wasn't dammed into existence. The glacier actually dug this 385-acre bowl as it receded more than 12,000 years ago.

In the middle of the nineteenth century it was a popular picnic and boating spot for families and sometime meeting place for religious services and social clubs

Tranquil, stream-fed Chippewa Lake provides the setting for an outstanding country dining establishment, the Oaks Lodge. Eight acres of tall trees surround this rambling former estate, which rests a stone’s throw from the water. Railroad industrialist J.F. Townsend remodeled this former farmhouse in 1914, using it to entertain such captains of industry as J. Pierpont Morgan. Townsend dubbed the place Five Oaks for the semicircle of oak trees that graced the front of the home at the time.

Each of the four dining areas has its own distinct character, and the large windows allow a view of the large patio, a perfect spot for a cocktail or after-dinner drink, and the gazebo at water’s edge. Dinner at the Oaks Lodge includes dishes such as rack of lamb, roast prime rib (Friday and Saturday only), several cuts of steak, and veal gesina, which is veal sautéed in wine, butter, and mushrooms. Seafood fans can choose from Alaskan king crab legs, fresh pickerel, shrimp tempura, and the broiled shore dinner, a combination of orange roughy, scampi, tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, and onions served on a skewer.

Also located here is an abandoned amusement park on the lake shore and they say it is even haunted. There are ghost stories told about the Chippewa Lake Park, often about a fatal roller coaster accident which never actually took place, but everyone seems to leave it off the "haunted" lists for the time being. There's a spooky, cartoon like kind of ambience to any abandoned amusement park, and the skeletal look of the wooden roller coaster frame probably has something to do with it, but the memories people have of this place aren't like those associated with a mental hospital or a prison or even a school; these are happy memories, and it's still a fun place to visit, albeit for different reasons, and nowadays you might want to leave the little kids at home, unless they like to play with rusty metal and broken glass.

Years ago a producer from the MTV show Fear wanted to film an episode in Ohio and asked for recommendations. The producer said that they were actually interested in shooting it in an abandoned amusement park, and weren't there a couple of those in Ohio? Sure enough there was a great one.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your travel reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:

Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.

6008 West Bell Road # F105

Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793

602-843-5100

rawhidetravel.com

Culinary Travel: Ohio

Ohio may be best known as the “Buckeye” state but Ohio is U.S. heartland. If that word doesn't conjure up images of baskets full of fresh vegetables, white and golden ears of corn, and buckets of shiny red apples, what else would?  Iowa? Ohio food may never really be something that is distinctly part of Ohio, because they are part of the Midwest. However, a number of foods and food products originated in Ohio, like Stadium Mustard and Stouffer's Dinners. 

The pride of Cincinnati is its famous chili, known as Skyline Chili, or simply Cincinnati chili. This dish, a version of chili con carne with sweet seasonings including cinnamon, cloves, and even chocolate. If that sounds much like a south of the border influence, it is.

Homemade Cincinnati "Skyline" Chili Recipe

Ingredients

1 quart cold water
2 pounds ground chuck
2 cups crushed tomatoes
2 yellow onions, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoon. cider vinegar
1 whole bay leaf
1 pound fresh grated mild cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon Real Salt (to taste)

Directions

Add ground chuck and water to a 4-quart pot. Bring to a simmer while stirring until the ground beef is in very small pieces. Simmer for 30 minutes and add the remaining ingredients. 

Simmer, uncovered on low, for 3 hours. Add water as needed if the chili becomes too thick. 

Serve fresh and piping hot over your choice of food items.

Cincinnati Chili is perfect served over spaghetti. Or if you like over any pasta. Cover with the mild cheddar cheese to taste. Some also consider this chili the perfect topping for your favorite hotdog.

Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your travel reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.

Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com

Small Interesting Museums In The UK

As many of you know the last weeks Monday blogs meant stories about great Snow Skiing venues.  As Winter turns to Spring we are going to look at travel from what you might like to visit at your different destinations. Sort of a micro look at various little known locations.

It doesn’t matter if you are a foodie or a lover of interesting and eclectic museums these will fit you bill of fare and make your UK holiday more interesting.

Colman's Mustard Shop and Museum (Norwich)

Colman's Mustard first edged into fame in 1901, when explorer Robert Scott set sail for the South Pole with one ton of the stuff -- the event was the first example of celebrity-endorsed advertising. 

But the Colman's Mustard Shop didn't open until 1973, with the adjoining museum offering insight into the brand and its history. 

For example, few know that the founders were pioneers when it came to employee social welfare. Colman's was the first company in the UK to employ an industrial nurse to help their employees and their families.

Museum Highlight: The incredibly well stocked gift shop, though you run the risk of never wanting to see a Colman's Mustard product ever again by the end of the visit.

Colman's Mustard Shop & Museum, 15 Royal Arcade, Norwich:

York's Chocolate Story (York)

This chocolate-themed museum takes a calorific look at how the chocolate industry shaped this beautiful northern English city. 

"While other British cities were built on steel, coal or wool, York's fame and fortune has rested on chocolate for almost 300 years, thanks to the chocolate expertise of three entrepreneurial families: Rowntree, Terry and Craven," explains museum manager Nikki Jacobs. 

"Though much has changed over the centuries, York remains the UK's home of chocolate." 

Museum Highlight: The Factory Zone, where you can watch York's master chocolatiers in action before that all-important taste test.

York's Chocolate Story, King's Square, York:

So if you are a sandwich lover or looking for a great chocolate treat here are two museums for you to check out while visiting the UK..

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours at (602) 843-5100 to book your spring holiday travel today. Check out our website: rawhidetravel.com.

 Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com