Two Traveling Texans

11/09/2023

It’s hard to believe it’s been 22 years! I will never forget what happened that fateful day.

The September 11th Museum and Memorial do an amazing job of telling the story of what happened that fateful day.

If you haven’t been, you definitely need to plan a visit.

Read more

Find out what to expect at the National September 11 Memorial Museum & get tips to help you make the most of your visit - post includes video

14/07/2023

Today is the first day of the Summer Opening at Buckingham Palace!

This year it will feature a special display about the Coronation.

You can read our review to find out what to expect here:

Want to go inside Buckingham Palace? It's possible to visit the Buckingham Palace State Rooms. Click to read my Buckingham Palace tour review

29/04/2023

One week to go until the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey!

Learn more about the special place where the ceremony will take place here -

Planning on visiting Westminster Abbey in London? Click to learn the history, what to see when you visit, and important tips to know before you visit.

13/04/2023

President Biden is in Ireland and one of his stops later today will be Dublin Castle.

Read about our experience visiting Dublin Castle here:

Thinking about visiting Dublin Castle? Read about the guided tour inside Dublin Castle, Dublin Castle history, & get tips in this guide

22/03/2023

Planning a trip to France? My suggestion would be to try and see as many of these places on this list as possible. Thanks to the The Unknown Enthusiast for these suggestions.

Paris is the top destination in France but it's not the only pretty spot. Check out our list of the most beautiful places in France to visit!

21/03/2023

Recognize the building in the model knitted by Margaret Seaman? Yes it is Buckingham Palace.

You can visit the real thing during the summer. Read about my experience here - https://twotravelingtexans.com/inside-buckingham-palace-tour-review/

12/12/2022

**NEW BLOG POST**

I was just in London to see the Christmas decorations and had the chance to check out the new Lift 109 at the Battersea Power Station. It's London's newest observation deck, but it's definitely a bit different than the rest.

Read my review here:

Want to go up to the top of the chimney at Battersea Power Station? Read my review of Lift 109 to find out if its worth it.

25/11/2022

If you want to keep saving on travel after Black Friday, take advantage of this Black Friday deal - the WayAway Plus membership plan is 75% off! Follow the link to save $75 on your annual membership and earn serious cashback on flight tickets, hotels, transfers and attractions!

This means you can get a one-year membership to WayAway for only $24.99!

https://wayaway.tp.st/YAQP382X

WayAway.io Plus

14/11/2022

Any fans of "The Office" out there?

For the first time, you could pull an all-nighter in the world of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company at The Office Experience in Washington D.C. Booking.com and Original X Productions (OGX) are giving two lucky pairs of fans the chance to book an all-nighter experience at the largest-ever official fan experience based on the beloved television show, The Office.

Read more about it here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6776&awinaffid=260139&campaign=theofficearticle&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.booking.com%2Fen-us%2Fthe-office-experience-in-washington-dc-partners-with-bookingcom-to-give-fans-the-opportunity-to-pull-an-all-nighter-at-the-iconic--dunder-mifflin-paper-company%2F

WASHINGTON D.C., November 2, 2022 – For the first time, fans of The Office will be able to pull an all-nighter in the world of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company at The Office Experience in Washington D.C. Through a partnership between global travel leader Booking.com and Original X Productions (OGX), t...

11/11/2022

It's Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day/Armistice Day, so perfect timing for to the poppy installation at the Tower of London. One of the most moving art installations I have ever seen.

Learn more about it here:

Guide to visiting the Tower of London - includes what to see, it's connection with Armistice Day, the Beefeater tour, and how to save money on tickets.

29/09/2022

Now that the official royal mourning period has ended, Windsor Castle is open to visitors again. It will be the first chance for the public to see Queen Elizabeth's grave inside St. George's Chapel.

Read more about our visit to get an idea of what to expect:

Want to visit Windsor Castle, the Queen's weekend home? See it as an easy day trip from London or take a Windsor Castle tour

11/08/2022

It's afternoon tea week, so time to talk about scones, clotted cream, and more.

One of most memorable afternoon tea experiences was actually at Bletchley Park. To be able to enjoy afternoon tea in such a historic location was quite special.

Read more about it here:

Thinking about having afternoon tea at Bletchley Park. Read my review of afternoon tea at Bletchley Park to see if it's worth it.

23/07/2022

Want to go inside Buckingham Palace?

Now is your chance, it's time for the annual summer opening.

Learn more about it here -

Want to go inside Buckingham Palace? It's possible to visit the Buckingham Palace State Rooms. Click to read my Buckingham Palace tour review

02/07/2022

During our trip to Aisne, France, we also got the chance to stay at a chateau. We spent one night at the Chateau de la Marjolaine and it was fabulous.

Read the full review: https://twotravelingtexans.com/review-chateau-de-la-marjolaine/

29/06/2022

*NY PASS SALE*

From today until July 4th you can get 10% of the NY Pass if you use the code - 10JULY4NY

If you are on the fence about whether or not to get one, check out my post -

A NYC attraction pass looks expensive but does it save money on sightseeing? Is the New York Pass worth it? Let's compare options to find out

26/06/2022

If you enjoy afternoon tea and picnicking, why not combine the two? We loved our afternoon tea picnic from The Little Picnic Shop in Castle Combe. Read all about our experience here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/afternoon-tea-picnic-in-the-cotswolds/

24/06/2022

We only had one night at the Hotel du Golf de l'Ailette during our trip to Aisne, but wish we could have stayed longer. This hotel has so much to offer - balconies in every room, fantastic restaurant, lakeside location, outdoor pool, and more....

Read the full review here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/review-hotel-du-golf-de-lailette/

21/06/2022

Painswick is known as the 'Queen of the Cotswolds' in England, but what is there to see and do in (and around) this charming village?

You can visit a historic church, unique art gallery, a distinctive garden, and more. Get all the details here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/things-to-do-in-painswick/

18/06/2022

Want to learn more about champagne?

During our trip to Aisne, we did a tour and tasting at Champagne Pannier which was both fun and educational. We got to go inside their medieval cellars and taste some of the champagne.

Read more about it here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/visit-champange-pannier-for-tour-and-tasting/

Champagne PANNIER

11/06/2022

Another place we visited during our trip to Aisne, France was Fort de Condé.

It was built between 1877 and 1883 to defend the area between the towns of Soissons and Laon. By the time World War I started the fort was no longer in use, but because of its prominent location it was a coveted objective throughout the war. It changed hands between the French and German several times.

We enjoyed exploring the rooms, courtyards, and tunnels of the fort. Visually it is beautiful with the greenery taking over the ruins in some places. From the top, you have views over the countryside.

There are signs in English so you can learn more about the fort. The information about what happened here during World War I is minimal, but there is a lot about the fort's defenses and architecture, which seemed advanced for its time.

Read more here:https://twotravelingtexans.com/world-war-i-sites-to-visit-in-aisne-france/

10/06/2022

This will make travel to the US easier!

The Biden administration is expected to announce Friday that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will lift its requirement for travelers to test negative for Covid-19 before entering the US, according to a senior administration official.

06/06/2022

Update on the Capital Cities book that we contributed to…..

Step into the beauty, culture, history, and lifestyle of capital cities through photography and short story.

02/06/2022

Anne Morgan, daughter of John Pierpoint Morgan, bought the romantic ruins of the Chateau de Blerancourt to use as the headquarters for the humanitarian organization, Committee for the Devasted France. Anne, along with about 350 other American women worked to help the civilian population of the Aisne department in France that had particularly hard hit by World War I.

Now the Chateau has been turned into a beautiful and moving museum. You can learn more about the work that the Americans did, some of the ideals that the two countries share, and artists with ties to both countries.

I left the National Museum of French-American Friendship and Cooperation inspired and proud of the impact these American women had on the area, but also sad to learn about the conditions and issues civilians in France faced during and after World War I.

This museum is one that is worth going out of your way to visit. It is powerful and thought-provoking.

.laisne

01/06/2022

Have you been to Saint Quentin in Aisne, France?

It's a pretty town that had to be almost totally rebuilt after World War I.

We went on a walking tour of the town to see some of the Art Deco buildings and learn more about the history.

Some of the highlights included going inside the Town Hall, the Basilica, and the beautifully restored Buffet at the Train Station. The War Memorial was quite moving too.

After exploring the town, we drove to see some of the important World War I sites nearby, the Riqueval Bridge and Tunnel. We learned more about how impressive and how important it was for the Allies to break through the Hindenburg line.

More details about our trip to Aisne are coming up on the blog.

J'M L'Aisne

21/04/2022

Happy 96th Birthday Queen Elizabeth II!

In honor of your special day, a photo from Summer 2019 when we toured Buckingham Palace

13/04/2022

If you need some travel inspiration.......

A holiday with friends can offer you priceless experiences that you will cherish for the rest of your life. However, you are probably asking yourself

21/03/2022

If you are interesting in learning more about Stonehenge and what things were like in Europe around that time, you need to check out the special exhibition, The World of Stonehenge, at the British Museum.

Read our review here.

Thinking about seeing the Stonehenge exhibition at the British Museum? Read our review of the World of Stonehenge to learn more.

17/03/2022

This work called "And Other Darlings" by Jesse Makinson is part of a new exhibition at the British Museum that opens today called "Drawing Attention: Emerging British Artists."

The exhibition includes 20 new acquisitions by artists who have lived, studied, or worked in the UK along with drawings from famous artists (like Michelangelo and Andy Warhol) that have inspired them.

You can find this interesting exhibition in room 90 along with "Printmaking in Prague: Art from the court of Rudolf II." Both are free and on until August 28, 2022.

10/03/2022

Want to go to the Travel & Adventure Show in NYC on March 19-20 for free? Get the details here:

The Travel & Adventure Show comes to the Javits Center on Saturday-Sunday, March 19-20. Exclusively for Travelzoo members, the convention is offering a limited...

20/01/2022

Apparently it is National Cheese Day, so I thought I would share my favorite British cheeses. Which one is your favorite?

Want to learn more about British Cheese? Click to find out the best British cheeses that you must try for yourself.

15/07/2020

Chatsworth House

This place has been on my list for awhile! Hope to make it there soon. Have you been to Chatsworth House?

While we prepare the house to be able to safely welcome you back, we wanted to share a projection that was specially designed and displayed on the South Front recently. Featuring paintings, sculpture and books from the Devonshire Collections, we hope this provides a little taste of Chatsworth before you return. Keep an eye out for further updates of our house reopening plans.

Created by Luxmuralis artists Peter Walker Sculptor and David Harper Composer.

13/07/2020

We've been spending more time at home in Norwich lately and just love this city. It is not known for its street art, but if you know where to look, there are some impressive murals.

https://twotravelingtexans.com/street-art-in-norwich-england/

09/07/2020

Cultural Quiz - Romania Road Trip

Interested in visiting Romania?

Friday, you have the opportunity to visit virtually (for free). My friend, Joanna, from The World In My Pocket is going to be taking us on a road trip.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cultural-quiz-romania-road-trip-tickets-112693007820?fbclid=IwAR1cZIi4lB_GutFn3gDJzEWGMKvftob_t_TOnlED0fitSIsLxHHBRnwuPBc

Ready for an epic ride in Romania in one hour?

03/07/2020

Last night we did a virtual prosecco tasting with Norfolk Wine School. Now we really want to visit Treviso Italy. Has anyone been?

01/07/2020

The Best Guided Virtual Tours of London - London Walks

For those of you missing London, the company Walks has some interesting virtual walking tours here - https://www.walks.com/london-virtual-tours/

I have also created a list of some of the attractions in London that offer virtual tours here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/visit-london-online-the-best-virtual-tours-of-london/

London Walks is now online! Our guides will take you on their virtual tour by Zoom for a live, interactive and fun discovery of London's secrets.

30/06/2020

Sea Train Adventure Tour with City Cruises Poole

More exciting opening up news! City Cruises will resume operations with enhanced hygiene measures and social distancing on July 4th. They operate tours in London, York, and Poole.

Check out our experience on the Sea Train Adventure out of Poole England.

https://twotravelingtexans.com/sea-train-adventure-tour-city-cruises-poole/

Find out more about the Sea Train Adventure with City Cruises Poole. On this boat trip from Poole, you will see Harry's Rocks, Swanage, Corfe Castle & more.

29/06/2020

Climb The O2: A London Icon

Tourist attractions are starting to open up again in England. For example, Up at the O2 in London, will open with enhanced health and safety measures on July 4th.

Read about our experience (including a video) here: https://twotravelingtexans.com/climb-the-o2-a-london-icon/

Did you know you can climb The O2 Arena in London? I was scared but I did it! Click to read about the Up at The O2 experience and see my O2 climb video.

05/06/2020

Two Traveling Texans's cover photo

05/06/2020

Black Shuck

On the 4th of June it came to our attention that established graffiti artist Ruth Knapp’s Black Lives Matter artwork was painted over. This movement is currently highlighting racial inequalities world wide triggered by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers on May 25th.

We understand that violence towards black peoples and social inequalities they face are not only a US problem. The UK is not innocent. Sean Rigg, Mark Duggan, Sarah Reed, Leon Briggs and multiple other Black British nationals have died as results of police brutality. Norwich is not innocent - black residents of our city are stopped and searched at 10.4 times the rate of white residents. We must do better.

This month we celebrate Pride, honouring all who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights throughout history and at the pivotal Stonewall riots 51 years ago. Black q***r womxn, like Marsha P Johnson and Stormé DeLarverie, have always been at the forefront of the fight to live openly, love freely and be themselves - which all white LGBTQ+ people benefit from today. They have taught us that sitting silently against injustice is not an option and with this statement we follow their lead.

The defacing of this mural, removing the statement and voice of this movement is an appalling act of racism within our “fine” city and we will not stand by and allow it.

We are urging our community, allies and supporters to show that we stand with BLM, and to change your timeline photo to Knapp’s art work or print it out to go in your window, and stand in solidarity with our Norfolk black community and Black Lives Matter.

We have reached out to Norwich council to see if this was done by their team or by a member of the public, and what action do they intend to take.

Furthermore as a collaboration of artists and show producers we will be looking at how racism manifests itself in the LGBTQ+ community, what we can do to combat this and support the black community as a whole. We promise to assert active change amongst ourselves beyond this statement and sharing of Knapp’s work. We have cited more ways to support below.

Feel free to share this status and comment below to add your signature to ours. Performer, ally or supporter we welcome all into this action.

We thank you for your time and support.

With camp love,

Members of the Norwich and Norfolk Drag, Cabaret & Q***r Arts scene:

The House of Daze, Euphoria, Fetch, The Squirrels, Bigfun and Fever (Black Shuck)

This statement has been approved by Norwich Black Lives Matter.

How to support:

DONATE:

UKBLM fund:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/ukblm-fund?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

GET JUSTICE:

http://www.tgijp.org/

GET INVOLVED:

https://www.ukblackpride.org.uk/

http://www.tgijp.org/

EDUCATE:

Anti-racism resource for white people

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRlF2_zhNe86SGgHa6-VlBO-QgirITwCTugSfKie5Fs/mobilebasic

04/06/2020

New street art supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in my adopted hometown of Norwich, England.

Knapple, the mural's artist said: “It is not just a one-off incident and oppression of black people has to stop. It is abominable how they have been treated throughout history.

“I wanted to show that we do see, we do care and we do stand with the black community in Norwich and across the world.”

If you want to see the artwork for yourself it is located in the Pottergate underpass.

There will also be a peaceful protest livestream from Norwich on Sunday at 2 pm UK time. You can join here: https://www.facebook.com/events/788604981546036/