Best of Cape Cod: Hyannis

The following was originally published as part of the Cape Cod series. It is now being featured as part of The Red Balloon's "Best of Cape Cod."

The first part in The Red Balloon's travel journey highlights Hyannis, perhaps most well known as being the home of the Kennedy compound at Hyannis Port.

While in Hyannis you may ask, "Where is there to begin?"

The Red Balloon offers some sage advice: It is always good to begin with breakfast. Hyannis has many breakfast options and one of the best is right at the very end of Main Street (the side closest to the Hyannis Transporation Center.) The eatery is named the Sunnyside Restaurant and sunny it surely is here! The restaurant offers a full breadth of brunch or breakfast options for even the most discerning of tastes. Pictured below the vegetarian omelet, hash browns, and toast. Serving sizes are abundant and prices here are reasonable.

Now that breakfast is done it is time to explore. While you are so very close to the Hyannis Transportation Center, may The Red Balloon suggest taking some time to explore the many transportation possibilities from this location including the Cape Cod Central Rail Train which offers dinner and wine trains. These trains offers scenic views but reservations are required. Should you find yourself looking for a Brunch Train, the Central Rail offers a Sunday Brunch on board.

                       

                                        

If ever in need of a place for some quiet relaxation and respite, the Michael K. Aselton Memorial Park is extremely close to Main Street and offers exceptional views of Hyannis Harbor.  

                                       

While at the Park, you may not believe your eyes but there are Duck Boats in Hyannis Harbor! You will surely see them as well as they bring tours along Main Street through both land and sea.

                                            

If the Duck Boat isn't your speed there are plenty of other options for traveling on the water at Hyannis Harbor including a Pirate ship.

                                       

Back on Main Street there is no shortage of artwork and this one below was captured inside a place where you may not have thought to look for artwork: inside the Ben and Jerry's on Main Street!

                                           

Stay tuned for more in The Red Balloon's Cape Cod series! 

Ice Castle NH: Know before you go!

Hey Boston: Would you like to build a SNOWMAN???

If you are interested in spending some time this winter season immersed in a real ice castle, you don't need to travel to Canada: one exists in the great state of New Hampshire!

This year, the ice castles of New Hampshire have a new location in North Woodstock. Here's what you need to know: you can purchase your tickets in advance on-line. See the link at the bottom of this post.

The most popular day and time appears to be Saturdays between 4 pm and 7 pm. So be prepared for waits for those infamous ice slides that are popular since they may have a line.

You choose a 30 minute window of time when you purchase your ticket. Be sure to arrive within that window since if you are late, you may not be able to enter.

When you enter the exciting news is:
                                                     You can stay as long as you like! Which means you can explore the vast ice sculptures and beautiful structures of the castle at your leisure.

Every year, the castles are entirely brand new. As in, if you have gone in the past, you haven't seen what they have in store for you this year! To build the structure is time consuming and begins with LED lights and a sprinkler system (you can bring that fun fact with you in your travels to the ice castle and impress all your friends!) A team of artisans hand craft the ice castle, creating the masterpiece that is for you to explore and experience. Some 5,000 to 12,000 icicles per day are harvested in preparation for the creation of an ice castle truly worthy of a king or queen! What a wonderful way to spend the winter season (and live out the film Frozen in real life)! This year ice castles are located in: North Woodstock, NH; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Excelsior, Minnesota; Dillon, Colorado; Midway, Utah; and Edmonton, Alberta. But remember, the ice castles are seasonal and typically that season ends in early March. So, as Dr. Seuss (whose birthday was yesterday) would say: "Get on your way!"

Here's to the marvels of the ice castles!

                                                                                                           Photo Credit: Ice Castles

To purchase tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/ice-castles-new-hampshire-2019

Boston Wine Expo 2017

The wondrous Wine Expo Grand Tasting was filled with the sweet sounds and scents of superb wine. The expo celebrated its 26th anniversary this past week on February 18th and 19th. Inside Boston's Seaport World Trade Center there was plenty of sparkling concoctions worthy of toasting.

This year's Grand Tasting highlighted over 1,800 wine varieties from around the globe. The Celebrity Chef Stages featured appearances by Andy Husbands as well as David Becker to name a few. Seminars on over 35 topics including, "One Hour Wine Experts" and "Why You Like the Wines You Like" took place for those looking for a more formal education in wine.

The Red Balloon had the privilege of meeting and discussing wine with Marzia Ferraris Arizzi at the Expo. Marzia is the proprietor of Arizziwine. This family owned winery produces Sangiovese and Merlot wines from the soil to maximum the taste. Marzia stressed the importance of quality when producing all of her wine. She ensures that within each bottle she creates, that the grapes and the very essence of life are contained. Her philosophy of quality is clear in her devotion to her winery. For Marizia, the wine process from start to finish is clearly a labor of love. Marzia is pictured on the far right of the photo below:

New this year, participants at the Grand Tasting could take part in mini-paint sessions to get a feel for Paint Night. With aprons on, participants took to their canvases and got in touch with their inner Picasso.

Participants also had the option of creating mini-terrariums, getting their hands dirty and a sense of what is involved in Plant Night.

More photos from the expo:

                           

                         

                                                                                                                                           

As always, the expo is for a worthy cause.Proceeds from the Boston Wine Expo support the Tufts Medical Center's Summer Camp Program for Children with disabilities.

Cheers to 2017!

Boston Expos

Auto Expo

Beep Beep Beep! New England's largest auto expo invaded Boston's Convention and Exhibition Center last month. With countless imported and domestic models as well as a classic collection of vintage automobiles it was the place to be for all auto enthusiasts.

The Boston Auto Show is the place to feed your need for speed. Whether you're in the market for a hybrid, light truck, car, van, or crossover - the show is the one place where you'll see it all.

See some photos from the show below including a vehicle being painted before patrons very eyes - the car will be one of the official pace cars in the 2017 Boston Marathon:

Ski & Snowboard Expo

The 35th Annual Ski & Snowboard Expo took place at the Seaport World Trade Center, featuring all things for those in search of winter adventure.

Countless demonstrations and tips for combating the winter blues were on hand. Interactive exhibits and all the gear needed for skiers and snowboarders was available including some below:

Mantra Monday