Martinsburg, West Virginia

Martinsburg Courthouse

After two nights in Tennessee (Memphis, Bristol) we arrived in Martinsburg, West Virginia for our third night of vacation. We’d stay here for a week and drive to various locations in the area for sight seeing and entertainment. However, there was plenty in Martinsburg area to get us started.

As one of the oldest settlements in the United States there were plenty of historical markers and antique shopping to keep us busy for a full day. One of the favorites was the Farmer’s Market. I enjoy farmer’s markets because I’m a huge fan of vegetables or anything like that. Farmer’s markets are where you learn about the community that you are in, find great food and good souvenirs.

If you enjoy history, old buildings and small town atmospheres then a day in Martinsburg will be good for you.

Bristol, Tennessee

Bristol Farmer's Market

Known as the birthplace of country music Bristol, Tennessee is a quiet place for a one night stop. Bordering both Tennessee and Virginia and in the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains Bristol is a small community with an amazing atmosphere.

Made popular by sports’ fan because of the Bristol Motor Speedway this community has a lot to more to offer than just a NASCAR race. The State Street Farmer’s Market is open from May to October. Find recipes, buy fresh locally grown produce or just experience the atmosphere of this unique stop.

The Bristol Caverns gives you a one hour tour beneath the earth’s surface. This is one of the oldest attractions in the northeast and definitely worth the admission. The highlight of the tour is walking along an underground river that is 180 feet below the earth’s surface.

There’s more to Bristol than what I’ve mentioned, the Appalachian Caverns and the Rocky Mount Museum got my attention, but like I said it was a one night stop and we were on the road again. Our next stop, Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Memphis, Tennessee

Let me just start by saying that one night in Memphis isn’t enough! There is so much to see and do there that a traveler could easily become over stimulated trying to pack everything into a short visit. So here is a quick guide to a quick stop in Tennessee’s largest city.

Graceland – Every first timer to the city of Memphis must stop here regardless of if you love, hate or don’t even know who Elvis is. Graceland is the second most visited house in the United States and if you missed the era of shag carpet you’ll enjoy this blast from the past as the home is preserved exactly as it was when Elvis Presley lived there.

The Bar-B-Q Shop Restaurant – You can’t go to Memphis and not have Bar-B-Q. With sauces made from scratch and meat cooked in a real Bar-B-Q pit it doesn’t get any better than the Bar-B-Q Shop.

Embassy Suites Hotel – Conveniently located off of I-240 and directly across from the Regalia Shopping Center. The Embassy Suites gives you a luxury room and a great breakfast at a modest price.

National Civil Rights Museum – Relive the Civil Rights movement through several multimedia and visual aid displays as well as see the room that Dr. Martin Luther King was staying in and the balcony where he was shot. This museum takes you into some of America’s darkest hours but also our countries greatest triumphs.

Believe me, there is plenty more to do in this great city but if time doesn’t allow you’ll be very pleased with these selections.

Panama City – Panama

I believe that Panama City is one of the most amazing places to visit in the Americas. Located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal the city is one of the oldest settlements on the Western Hemisphere and offers plenty of entertainment and sights for vacationers.

After being established in 1519 Panama City was sacked and burned in 1671 by the pirate Henry Morgan. The ruins are still available today as a tourist attraction and are well worth the $4.00 admission charge to tour. Known as Panamá la Vieja (Old Panama) the ruins stretch for acres and feature a centuries old cathedral tower that you can go to the top of.

View from the top of the Cathedral Tower in Panama Vieja

View from the base of the Cathedral Tower

There are several places to dine in Panama City ranging from fast food to high end fine dining and everything in between. The MultiCintro Mall is located near the Old City ruins and offers air-conditioned shopping a food court and Panama’s Hard Rock Café. The Albrook Mall offers a better shopping atmosphere (In my opinion) and an incredible food court that even has a carousel ride. However, the best dining experience in Panama City is found on the Amador Causeway. There you can find several quality restaurants that overlook the Panama Canal, Bridge of Americas, the Bay of Panama and the Yacht Club.

Hard Rock Café, Panama

In addition to the aforementioned malls there are many other shopping opportunities at the markets, where hand crafted souvenirs can be purchased, located at Panama la Vieja and in Balboa.

Driving in Panama City can be tricky to say the least and taxis are very reasonable and abundant making it best mode of transportation.

Tell us where you've been!

Where Have I Been?

This whole travel agent thing is awesome! I was able to go on a trip to Panama last month and the family and I just returned from a 14 day trek through 11 states. Yeah, it was great and I have several photos and recommendations for you but first I have to finish showing you Panama City. Look for updates soon!

Been There Done That!

Hey, I’m excited about the newest feature of my blog. It’s called Been There Done That! Yeah, it’s a forum but here’s the thing, who doesn’t travel? Tell us where you plan to go and perhaps someone has been there and can pass on some tips. Tell us where you’ve been and what you liked or disliked about it. Do you know of a special travel discount or package deals? Let us know about it!

The thing that will keep this idea from bombing is you! If you like to talk about travel please plan on sticking around and visiting with us. I got the ball rolling by starting a thread about the Gamboa Resort in Panama.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Gamboa Rainforest Resort

So, Mrs. World Traveler and I took off for a week in Panama to hang out at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. While we spent some time in Panama City as well the resort also offered enough activities and tours to fill our schedule. Here’s a review of the resort and I’ll post about Panama City later.

Food
Gamboa Resort has three on location restaurants. The Corotu Restaurant is the resorts main restaurant and is open longer than the other. They offer a fantastic breakfast and lunch buffet as well as a fine dinner menu of international cuisine. World Traveler Ranking: 4 Stars!

One of the views while dining at Los Lagartos Restaurant.

The Los Lagartos Restaurant offers possibly the best atmosphere of all three restaurants (there really isn’t a bad dining atmosphere at the resort) but the food isn’t near the same quality of the Corotu. Located where the Chagres River meets the Panama Canal the Lagartos allows you to see the beauty of the Panamanian rainforest, the wildlife on the water and the container ships that traverse the canal while dining. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

The Chagres River View Restaurant offers a fine dining experience for those who enjoy coat and tie, reservation only restaurants. It is obviously the most expensive of the three restaurant options and the menu is more limited. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

Rooms

View of our balcony.

We stayed in a Deluxe River View Room which was more than spacious for the two of us. It offered a small couch, king sized bed, desk and balcony with a hammock overlooking the Chagres River. Many places in Panama are very noisy but the Gamboa Resort only has the background noise of the tropical rainforest. Only a more comfortable bed could have made it a better experience. World Traveler Ranking: 4 Stars!

Tours & Excursions

View From The Observation Tower: The Chagres River meets the Panama Canal with the Gamboa Rainforest Resort just off the bank.

The Gondola Tram Ride through the rainforest canopy offers some of the most breathtaking sights you’ll ever see. The two and a half hour tour carries you over the trees and wildlife of the rainforest and includes an observation tower that overlooks the canal, the Chagres River and the rainforest. There is a price per person for this tour but it is well worth it. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

The Walking Tour through the rainforest is an hour that you won’t forget. Make sure to wear long pants as you leave the paved road for a dirt trail that meanders through the forest. During this tour you’ll see the foliage and vegetation of the rainforest up-close and if you’re lucky you’ll spot a monkey or other wildlife. This is a free tour offered by the resort. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

The Monkey Island Excursion takes you from the Chagres River Delta into the Panama Canal to an island where capuchin monkeys jump to the boat for a piece of fruit. If the boat captain is in a good mood he’ll let you drive in the canal for a little while. There is a cost for this tour but again worth it. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

Monkey Island

Bicycling around Gamboa is an excursion that allows you to see the rainforest, resort and town itself at your own pace. Just grab a map and a bike and you are off. Be aware though there are some serious hills! This is a free excursion and could be physically strenuous. World Traveler Ranking: 3 Stars!

Want to see a croc or caiman up close? Take the Nocturnal Boat Safari!

The Nocturnal Boat Safari takes you out on the Chagres river an night to get a glance of the rainforest’s nightlife. Crocodiles, caiman and the two-toed sloth are just a few of the possibilities of what you could see. There is a price per person for this excursion but…well you know. World Traveler Ranking: 5 Stars!

Book your trip to Panama here!

Oklahoma City’s Historic Colcord Hotel

Mrs. World Traveler and I took some time a few weeks ago to get away for a night. We dropped off the little World Travelers with grandma and went to five miles from home to Oklahoma City. We stayed at the Colcord Hotel in downtown and were just blocks away from Bricktown which is the social center of the City.

The hotel was great. The rooms were large, the service was good and the atmosphere was fun. I would certainly recommend it to any business traveler coming to Oklahoma City or to any romantics just looking for a nice getaway.

While in Oklahoma City you’ll want to make sure that you visit Bricktown for a baseball, game, dinning, walking the canal and soaking up the atmosphere. The Big 12 and NCAA basketball tournaments have been to Oklahoma City. The Big 12 baseball tournament comes to OKC as well as the Women’s Softball World Series. The NBA will be here soon, so why not you?

Book your trip to OKC!