MAINE

The largest state in New England, Maine is truly the Great Outdoors. Its most popular attractions are found along the spectacular coastline, beginning in the southeast with its largest and liveliest city, Portland, and the resort towns of the Kennebunks. Farther north, yachts and windjammers ply the waters of Penobscot Bay, while Acadia National Park stands as Maine’s coastal jewel. World-class skiing, hiking, and mountain-biking opportunities are found inland, at Bethel and Sugarloaf.

Maine Facts

Maine - "Pine Tree State"

CAPITAL - Augusta

AREA - 33,125 sq.miles

POPULATION -  "2015" 1,329,358

MOTTO - "Dirigo" I Direct"

FLOWER - Pine Cone

ANIMAL - Moose

CAT - Maine Coon

BIRD - Chickadee

TREE - Eastern White Pine

INSECT - Honeybee

23 rd. State admitted to the Union

Received from postcrosser Dick

CAERNARFON

 Royal fortress-palace built on legends and bitter medieval conflict. Caernarvon is architecturally one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales. It was modeled on fortress at Constantinople. Standing at the mouth of the Seiont river, the fortress (with its unique polygonal towers, intimidating battlements and colour banded masonry) dominates the walled town also founded by Edward I. Caernarfon Castle is recognised around the world as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. In 1969, the castle gained worldwide fame as the setting for the Investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales. The castle also houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Wales's oldest regiment. Welsh naturalist Thomas Pennant (1726–98) called Caernarfon Castle “that most magnificent badge of our subjection.”

Caernarfon Castle, North Wales
Eagle Tower

Received from Polish blogger and postcrosser Joanna

KILLARNEY

Located in the County of Kerry, Killarney is at the heart of the very beautiful and spectacular Southwest of Ireland. Also known as ‘The Town in the Park’, Killarney town is surrounded by 26,000 acres of National Parkland, including three stunning lakes. Killarney, one of Ireland's jewels and busiest tourist towns has many beautiful sites including Torc Waterfall, Muckross House and the Killarney National Park and is often referred to as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry.

Ross Castle is situated on the edge of Lough Leane one the lower lakes of Killarney National Park, 1.5 miles south of Killarney within the Kenmare Estate. It is a square tower house with bartizans, or overhanging turrets, on two of the tower's corners and two (of the original four) round towers. The castle is surrounded by parts of a square bawn or defensive wall. The most important room of the castle is the Great Hall situated on the top floor with large windows, fireplace, kitchen and minstrels' gallery. Ross Castle Killarney was probably built in the late 15thcentury.

Postcrossing postcard received from Brian

VICTORIA

Victoria is the provincial capital of British Columbia - Canada's most westerly province. It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. In the city centre, the narrow streets are lined with handsome 19th century stone buildings, and great baskets overflowing with flowers grace and lampposts. It will charm you with its colonial heritage, beautiful world famous gardens, and its inner city harbour which is the focal point of the city. The Parliament buildings themselves overlook the harbour which is  a bustle of activity year-round. Every year the city of Victoria is adorned with millions of flowers, enhancing its reputation as Canada's "City of Gardens".

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
 

Construction of the current Parliament Buildings started in 1893 and they were officially opened on February 10, 1898. The style of the Parliament Buildings has been described as ‘free classical’ and ‘Romanesque.’ The roof is capped by 33 copper domes of different sizes. On top of the central dome, stands a gold plated, two-metre tall statue of Captain George Vancouver. Each night, the buildings are illuminated by more than 3500 energy-efficient light bulbs.

To visit the Parliament Buildings, go to Parliamentary Tour Office

Postcrossing postcard received from Katie

 

KEYSTONE SHORTWAY

The transcontinental Interstate 80 (I-80) is designated across northern Pennsylvania as the Keystone Shortway, a non-tolled freeway that crosses rural north-central portions of the state on the way to New Jersey and New York City. In Pennsylvania, Interstate 80 is also known as the “Z.H. Confair Memorial Highway.” On Sept. 17, 1970, the Pennsylvania section of I-80 was completed. Motorists had the ability to travel uninterrupted through the Commonwealth from Delaware Water Gap in Monroe County to Sharon in Mercer County. For over four decades, many have traveled the “Keystone Shortcut” to reach their destinations and get quickly from point to point, proving that the Pennsylvania section of I-80 continues to be an important artery in the U.S. highway system.

The KEYSTONE SHORTWAY , Interstate 80, between Sharon and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 313 miles, 53 interchanges and 486 bridges, gives good access to many of the state parks and recreational areas as well as the shortest route across the state.

NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK

Welcome to Niagara Falls!

Niagara Falls , located (420 miles from New York City) on the border between Canada and the US, is one of New York State’s prime attractions, drawing more than 10 million visitors a year. It is a bustling tourist town with a tremendous range of man-made attractions. Nicknamed the world’s honeymoon capital, this spot is a natural wonder attracting newlyweds, families, cross-country travelers and waterfall fans. Each year millions of tourists from all over the world come to experience Bridal Veil Falls on Luna Island. From this point on the American side you can actually stand on top of the falls. A system of illumination also makes the falls a great attraction at night, every night of the year. Niagara Falls is amazing!

WYANDOTTE, MICHIGAN

 

The Annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair

Incorporated in 1867, the City of Wyandotte is often described as the ‘Heart of Downriver’. A waterfront community, Wyandotte is rich in history and is known for its distinctive architecture, charming downtown district and a variety of cultural offerings. Wyandotte is well known for its community events, beautiful historical Museum, festivals and annual Wyandotte Street Art Fair. The Fair is traditionally held the second week of July each year. This popular event combines over 400 talented craftsmen and artists in a festive atmosphere. Special children's shows, street musicians and entertainers, along with delicious food booths provides something for everyone.

The purpose of the Wyandotte Street Art Fair is:

• To promote and expand community awareness of the creative arts through quality exhibits that provide meaningful, cultural enrichment.
• To offer the artist and visitor alike the opportunity to meet one another in a hospitable and festive atmosphere
• To stimulate a sense of civic unity and pride through the dynamics of cultural understanding

TORONTO

Toronto is Canada's commercial and culture centre. Located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, the city offers a fascinating combination of high-tech architecture with leafy Victorian neighbourhoods. It's a vibrant, exciting city with a multitude of sights to see and places to go.
CN Tower. This is the world's tallest free-standing structure. 553 m from the top of the transmission mast to the surface of the reflecting pool at the base. It's a tourist attraction as well as a communications tower, with indoor and outdoor observation decks, and the world's largest revolving restaurant at the 351 m.

Toronto - a great city to visit: skyline with CN Tower, Casa Loma, City Hall

Casa Loma. A fairytale castle in the heart of the city. Built in 1911 a rambling medieval-style castle, filled with the greatest luxuries and the most modern and ingenious inventions of the age.
City Hall. The symbol of Toronto's coming of age as a city of international stature. Completed in 1965, after years of acrimony, its design of twin curved towers immediately became a source of local pride.

Destination Toronto

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is one of California's major cities and one of the most beautiful in the world. It lies on over 40 small hills situated around San Francisco Bay. It is made up of 49 square miles of long boulevards, curvy streets, hidden alleyways and lots of hills. The city was founded in 1776 when the Spanish set up a Franciscan mission there. When gold was found in California during the late 1840s thousands of gold miners settled there and San Francisco turned into a bustling town.

The Heart of San Francisco documents a setting that is quintessentially "San Francisco". We can almost hear the clanging of bells as a cable car makes its way ponderously up the street while colorful vehicles dodge to and fro on the congested pavement

The cable car is San Francisco’s most famous symbol. It was designed to go up and down the city’s steep hills. Golden Gate Bridge was built in 1937 and is one of the largest bridges in the world. It spans the entrance to San Francisco Bay over a total of 2,700 metres. Towers stand on both sides of the bridge San Francisco has a very exciting skyline with old buildings on one side and modern skyscrapers on the other.

Received from Polish blogger Magda

DUBLIN

Greetings from Ireland!

Dublin is located on the East Coast of Ireland, stretching along the Irish Sea in a half moon shape. The city is bordered to the South by the dramatic Wicklow Mountains. The language spoken in Dublin is English. Street signs and official buildings are signposted in both English and Gaelic, the indigenous Irish language. Dublin's elegant Georgian architecture makes it one of Europe's most attractive capitals. Dublin is a relatively small and accessible city, small enough and safe enough to get around on foot. It has history, charm, sights, museums, galleries, theatres, shops, pubs, restaurants and an abundance of character.

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Dublin City, colourful, vibrant, exciting. The living capital city of Ireland.

Dublin is a thriving cultural centre and boasts a great literary legacy with many luminaries of Irish literature such as Joyce, Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, Kavanagh and Beckett, being associated with the city.Famous for its easy going charm and cultural heritage, Dublin is also the capital of The Craic (pronounce 'crack'), the art of life. Although Dublin is well served by theatres, cinemas, nightclubs and rock venues, what sets the city apart from other European capitals is its pubs. It’s easy to pack a lot into a night out in Dublin. The city offers something to suit every taste and pocket: choose from world-class theatre, excellent concert venues, designer café-bars and lively or laid-back clubs hosting nights of traditional, country, jazz or rock music.

Postcrossing postcard received from Claudia