Family travel 5: Museums pair fun, learning to expand horizons
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indianapolis
With more than 472,900 feet of exhibit space on five floors and covering 29 acres, this extraordinary nonprofit institution has been entertaining and educating families since 1925. Considered the largest children's museum in the world, kids can learn about the day-to-day duties of astronauts, sample different sports with equipment that's just their size, and get inspired by the powerful stories of other children including Anne Frank, Ruby Bridges, Ryan White, and Malala Yousafzai. Families are charmed by an historic carousel and inspired by exhibits that explain how plant science can help the world by cleaning up oil spills and cultivating healthy food. As part of this year's 100th birthday celebration, families can enjoy the Centennial Ferris Wheel offering incredible views of the museum campus, the downtown skyline, and surrounding areas.
For more: www.childrensmuseum.org
Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix
This unique museum enables families to see and experience more than 3000 instruments and artifacts from around the world and to celebrate the joy of music making. Live performances, family-friendly festivals and a wide array of lectures and classes are available. Check out the Steinway piano on which John Lennon composed "Imagine" as well as the instruments of Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and George Benson. Wireless head-sets allow guests to see and hear exhibits throughout the museum. Kids will enjoy the Experience Gallery where they can touch, play and hear instruments from far-away cultures. Check out the extensive and diverse concert schedule.
For more: www.themim.org
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Encouraging curiosity, innovation and celebrating questions, this is the place to see a German submarine, understand how tornados and avalanches happen and explore the structure of the eye in a hands-on lab environment.
Discover the mathematical patterns that surround us every day in the natural world - from the delicate nested spirals of a sunflower's seeds to the ridges of a majestic mountain range in a compelling exhibit called "Numbers in Nature." Then make your way to the Whispering Gallery to understand how sound travels in different environments. A theater and hands-on exhibits further enhance the experience.
For more: www.msichicago.org
Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, Calif.
Founded in 1984, this world-renowned organization's mission is to inspire conservation of the world's oceans. Through a variety of interactive activities and exhibits designed for young children and families, your crew will learn about the delicate balance that exists in our seas today. The youngest visitors will be drawn to the 40-foot-long touch pool for an up-close look at curious creatures like sea stars, urchins, kelp crabs and abalones. They'll enjoy the playful antics of southern sea otters, learn about the world of mud flats and marshes, and observe a master of disguise, the Giant Pacific Octopus.
For more: www.montereybayaquarium.org
The Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, N.Y.
Play is good for humans of all ages and helps kids develop tools for self-expression and problem-solving. You'll learn about favorite pastimes in a permanent exhibit that explores 300 years of history. View rare board games, see the world's largest erector set, challenge your crew to a game of toy trivia and test your memories in the concentration game within a 100,000-square-foot fun zone. Marvel at the butterfly garden. Play hopscotch, chess and checkers on Sesame Street, ride a carousel, hop aboard a train and check out the on-site National Toy Museum.
For more: www.museumofplay.org
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San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Review: ‘Eden' tells the gripping story of a real-life utopia that turned disastrous
In the early 1930s, Friedrich Ritter, a German physician and would-be philosopher, moved with his partner, Dore Strauch, from Berlin to the uninhabited Galapagos Island of Floreana. They wanted to escape the corruptions of modern life and hoped that outdoor life might cure Dore of multiple sclerosis. Unbeknownst to them, some letters that Friedrich had written about his and Dore's experiment in living eventually made it into the German-language press, and soon they were joined on the island by another German couple, Heinz and Margret Wittmer. Friedrich and Dore weren't happy about this development, but as disruptions go this was nothing compared to the stresses and disasters that would follow. The true history of the Floreana settlement is irresistible and exposes the gulf between high human aspiration and low human nature. The tale has already been the subject of a brilliant documentary – 'The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden' (2014), by Bay Area filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine. And now the story takes the form of an effective dramatic feature, 'Eden,' from director Ron Howard. In 'Eden,' Howard stays pretty close to the real-life details, adhering to the known facts, while filling in the gaps in the story with plausible suppositions. Jude Law plays Friedrich as a self-infatuated man of destiny, too focused on the grand issues of life to concern himself with the pain or discomfort of anyone, including himself. In one scene, he maintains his end of a conversation while using a knife to cut out insects that have burrowed into his arm. One would think that, in any small community, a man like Friedrich would be able to maintain his position as the town eccentric. Dore is played by Vanessa Kirby, who lends the role an unexpected air of mystery and suppressed anger, but she's fairly normal compared to Friedrich. And the Wittmers — Daniel Bruhl and Sydney Sweeney — are a nice young couple that just wants to get along. But then comes the 'Baroness' (Ana de Armas), an Austrian egomaniac who shows up one day with her two lovers, brandishing guns and announcing that she plans to build a hotel and turn Floreana into a tourist destination. She's cheerful and charming, but a bit crazy and perhaps worse than that. As Armas's performance suggests — and eyewitness testimony later attested — the Baroness was the snake in the garden, a force of evil. Ron Howard gives the Baroness a Wagnerian entrance, and from that point on, she drives the movie. As a sociopath who can only imitate normal human pleasantries, she asks Mrs. Wittmer about her harrowing experience of giving birth while fighting off a pack of wild dogs. 'You must tell us about the birth. Was it fun?' The only weakness of the movie is that, because it's a true story, it can't rearrange the order of events for maximum drama. Thus, what is essentially the climax of the film comes about three quarters in, and the rest of it, while never less than interesting, feels like falling action. The good news is that Sweeney and Kirby get their best scenes, respectively, in this last section of the movie. Sweeney continues to surprise. Though she became famous for comparatively glamorous roles in ' The White Lotus ' and 'Anyone But You,' she keeps taking on challenging parts that indicate a performer with lots of fire and very little vanity. Her monologue in which she faces off against the local police is a marvel of unexpected, understated strength. So, 'Eden' is worth seeing, and the only question that remains is whether you should see 'Eden' or 'The Galapagos Affair' first. I saw the documentary first, but doing it the other way might work just as well. For sure, they each will enhance the experience of the other.
National Geographic
14 hours ago
- National Geographic
Meet the cowboys of the Andes
German explorer Alexander von Humboldt coined the grand name 'Avenue of Volcanoes' when he toured Ecuador at the start of the 19th century — but locals have viewed the country's rumbling giants with reverence for far longer. 'The Incas called the mountains Apus ['lord' in the Quechua language], as they believed them to be gods,' says my guide Luis Chinchín, on our drive south from Quito to Cotopaxi National Park along the avenue. The volcano-gods Pichincha, Rumiñahui and Iliniza are bearing down on us through a grey haze, magnified by the curve of the windscreen. A little further south is Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest peak at 20,550ft. This is the land of the chagras: the cowboys of the Andes, who have been herding cattle on horseback across Ecuador's highlands for centuries. Today, some chagras communities invite travellers to learn about their way of life, and we're on our way to meet one of them. Chagras have been herding cattle in the highlands of Ecuador for centuries, and many of their traditions remain intact. Though their ancestors were Indigenous, the chagras' culture is intertwined with the history of Ecuador's Spanish colonisers. Before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the chagras were farmers, who lived high in the mountains and planted corn, beans and tubers on fields they called chakras. When the Spanish brought over bulls and horses to help cultivate the land, it was these Indigenous peoples who taught them how to do it in the highlands. Over time, chakra became chagra, and the word was used to describe people who had become mestizo. This mixed Spanish and Indigenous heritage gave them a higher social ranking than those who were purely Indigenous; around the 17th century, they were taught to ride horses and handle bullfighting bulls. Yet they were never considered full equals to the Spanish colonisers, an attitude that persists in Ecuador to this day. The word chagra is still used by some to imply a person who is rustic or uneducated. Perhaps this misconception comes from the fact that more than 200 years after Ecuador's independence, the chagras retain much of their traditional farming lifestyle. We meet our hosts, including local community coordinator Rafael Changoluisa, and their horses, at Rumicorral. It's a small wooden corral with a corrugated iron roof within Cotopaxi National Park, 11,8110ft above sea level. Rafael wears a royal blue poncho and wide-brimmed felt hat. In preparation for a ride through the national park, he invites me to join him in wearing the chagras' uniform. I'm given tasselled cowhide zamarros (chaps) and a green wool poncho, over which I pull on a waxed leather rain poncho to combat the fat drops of rain that have just started to patter onto the roof. The colours of the ponchos chagras wear historically carried meaning, often reflecting their community roles and identities. Their horses are adorned with traditional woven bridles, intricately made by hand. Rafael tells me that, historically, poncho colours had significance — representing, say, red blood or the gold of barley fields — but these days, the colours simply reflect personal preference. Yet the leather betas (lassos) the chagras carry are the same as they were in colonial times, and they are keen to show me their wood stirrups, still traditionally carved with horses, flowers and leaves. Maintaining the chagras' way of life is a challenge, says Rafael, as fewer young people are taking up the reins. 'My father was also a chagra, but my children aren't really interested; they prefer the city,' he says. This is why he persuaded his community to open up their lives to travellers. 'I'd like this tradition not to be lost.' It's an unconventional method, yet one he believes strongly in. 'It's important to show foreigners how we live here, day by day with the animals, the horses and nature, and to keep this style of life alive.' Life in the saddle My Andean steed, a 10-year-old stallion called Fritada, can smell my inexperience on horseback. He ignores my heel kicks and tugs on the leather reins as we set off on our horse trek. He swerves, resisting all my efforts to make him ford the first river. Rafael, on the other hand, manages to guide his horse with the barest touch of the reins. It's as if he were born in the saddle, which is unsurprising — he tells me all children in chagras communities learn to ride from a young age. Once we've had a quick horse-riding lesson, Fritada and I settle into a rhythm and it becomes easier to take in my surroundings. The terrain we're travelling through is known as the páramo: the part of the Andes found roughly between 10,000 and 16,400ft above sea level, which sits higher than the trees and below the snow. It's named for the tall, yellowish paja grasses that brush against my shoes as Fritada ambles along. It coats the hills all the way to the mountains, rippling like llama wool. This is a place both macro and micro in the extreme. The near-perfect cone of Cotopaxi, which rises to 19,350ft at the centre of the park, is as fickle as my horse, teasing us with glimpses then vanishing into mist. The flowers are as tiny as the mountains are giant — an adaptation that protects them from sub-zero temperatures, wind and solar radiation at the park's high altitude. Many are still used in traditional chagra medicine, according to Rafael. Yellow ñachag and cottony-white achicoria flowers — pinpoints of light under the increasingly gloomy skies — are used by chagras as treatments for liver and kidney disease. On a clear day, the snow-capped cone of Cotopaxi Volcano is visible from Quito. There's something biblical about the landscape as the rain intensifies, splattering off the chagras' hats. Yard-wide lightning knifes down, turning the paja to silver filigree. Thunder rumbles like the voices of the Apus. Fritada's musky scent funnels up through the ponchos and warms my face. After a few hours, we arrive at Tambopaxi Lodge — a former mountain climbers' hut, now upgraded to a hotel with private rooms and a corral. At the restaurant, I sit down for a coffee with Rafael, his brother William and fellow chagra Odalis Velozo. A skilled rider at just 13, she'd raced to the front shortly after we set off on our ride. Her outfit is a more stylish, curated version of her elders' — her black felt hat more angular, her striped beige poncho complemented by an ivory scarf. Odalis attends school in Machachi, a town around 30 miles from the national park that's known as the chagras' capital. Though it has a population of just 24,000, it's the largest town in Mejía Canton and has long been a centre for chagras' markets and festivals. Unlike Rafael's kids, she says that's as close to city life as she ever wants to get. 'I prefer the freedom we have in the grasslands,' she says. 'It's not the same in the big cities like Quito; there isn't the freedom we feel in an open space like this.' I cradle my coffee close to my cold face and look out the window; the storm is breaking up, and the park's fauna is emerging from hiding. Tiny violetear hummingbirds flit by, the growing light dancing over their blue and emerald feathers. Llama and white-tailed deer munch on the paja; Andean gulls soar in the oxygen-starved heights. Condors and Andean foxes are also occasionally spotted here, though none are visible today. Balancing act Cotopaxi National Park was founded in 1975 to protect this unique environment. However, Rafael says the increasing enforcement of national park preservation orders has created frustrating conflicts for the chagras who live off the land. 'A long time ago, we just let the animals roam free on the páramo,' he says. 'Nowadays, there are restrictions. It's to take care of the ecosystem, but life in the park isn't just the ecosystem — it's us, too.' But what challenges the chagras' traditions may also protect them. Under national park rules, they're the only people allowed to work the land, meaning that industrial farmers can't turn it over to monocultures. 'La naturaleza y la libertad — nature and freedom,' Rafael says, when I ask him what he loves most about his life on the páramo. In modern times, preserving the first means compromising the other; it's a delicate balance that the chagras must come to terms with. On leaving the chagras, Luis and I drive to Chilcabamba, a mountain lodge hotel with cabin-like rooms ringed by twittering, bird-filled gardens. Sinking into a bean bag by the window, I see the day's last golden rays finally pierce the grey veil to reveal the chiselled face of Cotopaxi, both sparkling and stern, his white brow furrowed with wisps of cloud. Chilcabamba is unique in that the hotel is integrated into the chagras' community. 'Here, you get to see the way they really live, in their own territory,' says general manager Cristina Coronel. I'm staying here so I can try out a new experience offered by the hotel — the opportunity to see a chagras rodeo. It's not a rodeo in the North American sense: there are no bucking broncos or wrestling steers. It's a display of their traditional culture through activities such as rounding up cattle, lasso tricks and bullfighting. The next morning, I arrive at the mountainside pen where the rodeo will take place. Rafael, William and half a dozen more chagras are already there fitting spurs to their boots. Scattered cattle chew slowly with blank-eyed stares, unaware they're about to be rudely awakened by Omar Cumbaiin and his 13-year-old son Matteo. The boy is too shy to talk; his father does the boasting for him. 'When he was eight, he won a lassoing competition in which there were 100 participants,' he tells me. 'He won in every category.' Matteo wears an identical black hat and scarlet poncho to his father and, from a distance, it's impossible to tell them apart. They gallop out to the fringes of the cattle herd and start chasing them into the pen. This is a smaller, more intimate version of what travellers could see at El Paseo del Chagra — one of Ecuador's biggest festivals, held each July in Machachi. There, hundreds of chagras parade through the streets, show off their skills and take part in bullfights — no-kill events, since the tradition was banned in 2011. A cow clatters past me; Matteo barrels after it, whirling a lasso. It's hard to believe this is the same kid who was hiding from us minutes ago. He shouts, digs in his spurs and thunders over the crest of the hill. Perhaps with the help of tourism and the next generation led by young chagras like Odalis and Matteo, their traditional culture will be reinvigorated and passed on for many generations to come. Flights from London to Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport typically connect through major hubs such as Amsterdam, Madrid or Miami. From Quito, visitors can catch a bus to Chimborazo or opt to rent a car for a more flexible journey through the highlands. For more information, visit This paid content article was created for Ecuador Tourism. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial staffs. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Time Business News
14 hours ago
- Time Business News
Exploring Germany by Train: Why the Rail Journeys Are Magical
Germany is one of those destinations where every journey feels like a storybook adventure. With its mix of medieval towns, modern cities, majestic castles, and breathtaking landscapes, the country is a traveler's paradise. But what makes exploring Germany even more special is experiencing it by train. Unlike other modes of travel, German rail journeys are not just about getting from one point to another—they are a complete cultural, scenic, and immersive experience. Travelers often find that the train rides themselves become as memorable as the destinations. Germany is home to one of the most advanced and efficient rail systems in Europe. Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company, operates an extensive network connecting almost every city, town, and village. The high-speed InterCity Express (ICE) trains are known for their punctuality and comfort, making them a favorite among locals and tourists. With average speeds of up to 300 km/h, traveling between major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt becomes fast and seamless. More than just speed, the system ensures easy connections, multilingual services, and smooth ticketing options that make traveling stress-free for international visitors. One of the most magical aspects of traveling through Germany by train is the chance to witness incredible landscapes unfold right outside your window. From the rolling vineyards of the Rhine Valley to the dense, fairy-tale-like Black Forest, the scenery feels straight out of a painting. Popular scenic routes include: The Rhine Valley Line: Passing through castles perched on hills, charming villages, and the beautiful Rhine River. Passing through castles perched on hills, charming villages, and the beautiful Rhine River. The Black Forest Railway: Famous for its tunnels, viaducts, and mountain landscapes. Famous for its tunnels, viaducts, and mountain landscapes. The Romantic Road by Rail: Connecting medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Augsburg. Connecting medieval towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Augsburg. Bavarian Alps Routes: Offering breathtaking mountain views and access to destinations like Neuschwanstein of these routes offers a distinct flavor of German culture and geography, giving travelers an authentic taste of the country's diversity. Unlike long flights or tiring road trips, traveling by train in Germany blends comfort with practicality. Trains are equipped with spacious seating, onboard dining options, Wi-Fi access, and quiet zones for those seeking peace. This allows travelers to relax, work, or simply enjoy the views without worrying about traffic or fatigue. Moreover, train travel in Germany is highly sustainable. The country has invested heavily in eco-friendly rail infrastructure, making it an ideal choice for travelers who care about reducing their carbon footprint while exploring the country. Another reason rail journeys in Germany are magical is the ease of city-hopping. In just a few hours, you can move from one cultural capital to another: Berlin: Known for its history, museums, and modern art scene. Known for its history, museums, and modern art scene. Munich: Famous for Oktoberfest, Bavarian traditions, and beautiful parks. Famous for Oktoberfest, Bavarian traditions, and beautiful parks. Frankfurt: A bustling financial hub with stunning architecture. A bustling financial hub with stunning architecture. Hamburg: A harbor city blending maritime history with nightlife. A harbor city blending maritime history with nightlife. Cologne: Home to the iconic Cologne Cathedral and vibrant street the central train stations in each city are located near the main attractions, travelers can step off the train and immediately start exploring without lengthy transfers. German trains are not just a means of transport but also a gateway into the culture of the country. Travelers often get to interact with locals, try authentic German snacks in onboard bistros, and discover hidden gems through regional connections. Many small towns that aren't typically part of a mainstream Germany tour package can be reached by regional trains, offering a deeper cultural experience. For example, destinations like Bamberg, Lübeck, or Heidelberg are easily accessible and reveal Germany's charm beyond the big cities. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family on vacation, or a couple seeking romance, German trains cater to all. Flexible ticket options, group discounts, and travel passes make it easy to plan according to your needs. For backpackers, regional trains offer the freedom to hop on and off, exploring lesser-known spots. For business travelers, high-speed trains provide efficiency and reliability. Families benefit from child-friendly facilities, while couples can enjoy scenic rides that feel like a journey back in time. While planning a Germany tour itinerary, travelers often find it challenging to balance city attractions with scenic journeys. This is where Tour On becomes a game-changer. Based on customer reviews and ratings, Tour On is regarded as one of the best travel companies for exploring Germany. They curate itineraries that seamlessly combine high-speed connections with scenic regional routes, ensuring travelers don't miss out on the magic of German train journeys. From booking tickets and reserving seats to providing cultural insights and guided tours at each destination, Tour On simplifies the entire process, allowing travelers to focus only on enjoying their trip. To make your rail journeys truly unforgettable, consider the following tips: Book Tickets in Advance: High-speed trains like ICE offer discounts for early bookings. High-speed trains like ICE offer discounts for early bookings. Choose Scenic Routes: Even if they take longer, routes like the Rhine Valley are worth the detour. Even if they take longer, routes like the Rhine Valley are worth the detour. Travel Light: Easy boarding and exits make the journey smoother. Easy boarding and exits make the journey smoother. Use Travel Passes: Germany offers rail passes that allow unlimited travel for a fixed period. Germany offers rail passes that allow unlimited travel for a fixed period. Reserve Window Seats: For the best views, especially on routes through mountains and valleys. For the best views, especially on routes through mountains and valleys. Try Local Food on Stops: Many stations have bakeries and stalls offering authentic German snacks. Exploring Germany by train is more than just transportation—it is an experience that combines efficiency, comfort, and breathtaking scenery. Every journey offers something unique, whether it's the architectural wonders of historic cities, the charm of small towns, or the natural beauty of landscapes. For travelers from India and across the world, train journeys in Germany are a chance to experience the country at its very best. And with Tour On's expertise in crafting journeys based on real customer satisfaction, your German rail adventure is guaranteed to be magical, memorable, and stress-free. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
