The Chicago Traveler

b5media Celebrates Fall

by Matt B on November 1st, 2007

The folks here at b5media’s Travel and Culture Channel are making sure Autumn doesn’t fall by the wayside with this month’s Theme Day. This season brings out some of the most beautiful colors that nature has to offer, and there is no better place to witness them than at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The 385-acre Garden contains 2.2 million plants in its 23 major gardens and natural areas. There’s plenty of room to explore, so grab yourself a free map at the Visitor’s Center, or take one of the educational tours offered by foot and by tram. The sights and smells of this large and well-kept garden will stimulate and inspire you. Admission is free (but parking is not), and the Garden is open daily except Christmas Day.

Botanic gardens like these are beautiful no matter what time of year, as Lauren proves over at The Sydney Traveler. There, the Royal Botanic Gardens are in full spring bloom, enticing people away from their busy schedules to stop and smell the roses… and the daisies, bonsai trees, geraniums, irises…

But Lauren and I aren’t the only ones enjoying the beautiful colors around us. Jon of The DC Traveler and Geoff of The Switzerland Traveler both have stunning photos that display some great foliage and plantlife. Ruth (Let’s Visit Asia) notes the best times in Japan to take those pics, and at Fly Away Café, Mary Jo points out that even a drive through the countryside can be a unique and relaxing way to take in the sights.

There are a few downsides to fall, though. All those deceptively warm colors of the leaves do not make up for the dipping temperatures and the approach of long, cold nights. And even though it’s only an hour’s worth of time displacement, the end of Daylight Savings Time seems to throw us all off, including Jed, The London Traveler.

A fun and tasty way to keep yourself warm through those coming cold evenings is with a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau! Lynn of The Paris Traveler is a big fan of this light wine that is so good, it has inspired worldwide celebration.

Lynn’s European neighbors, the English, sent us David Beckham of football (soccer) fame. What did we send them in return? The first regular-season NFL game to ever be played in Europe. Alex of Sirened examines what this means for the NFL and their fans here in the U.S.

And finally, at The Seattle Traveler, Mary Jo writes about one of my favorite topics: candy! While she’s out buying candy for the Halloween tots, she makes sure to get herself a treat at one of her favorite candy shops.

Chicago Botanic Garden: 1000 Lake Cook Rd (Glencoe); 847-935-5440
Winter Hours (Nov 1 – March 31)
Daily: 8:00 a.m. – sunset
Parking pay lot
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

Related Stories

New Addition
New Addition
Three New b5media Blogs
New Addition
New Addition

POSTED IN: Architecture & Attractions, Uncategorized