2404, 2012

Paris (Eiffel Tower & Arc de Triomphe)

Paris has a reputation as the most romantic city on the planet, and it’s easy to understand why. Whether it’s a ride down the River Seine, a walk through the Louvre Museum, or a twilight picnic at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, the greatest sights of Paris seem designed for two. Known as the “City of Light” for its role in the Enlightenment, Paris is one of the world’s foremost cultural centers: a giant in fashion, food, and the arts. This eScapes scene features two of Paris’ most famous landmarks: the Eiffel Tower, originally built as the entrance to the 1889 World’s Fair, and the Arc de Triomphe, decorated with scenes from French military history.

1904, 2012

Bondi Beach, Australia

Tropical Beaches
699

Australia’s most famous beach, Bondi, is located just 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) from downtown Sydney in the state of New South Wales. A public beach since the last 19th century, Bondi’s kilometer-long shoreline offers opportunities for surfing, swimming, and simple relaxation on the beach. The southern end of the beach, with more hazardous waves, is reserved for surfboarding and is also the home of the Bondi Iceberg Swimming Club and its famous tidal swimming pools. Peter White is an English smooth jazz guitarist who played with several artists, including a 20-year span as accompanist and writer for Al Stewart, before launching a solo career in 1990. With several Top 10 jazz albums under his belt,

0304, 2012

Alpena on St. Marys River

Shipwatching
441

The Great Lakes freighter Alpena was launched as the Leon Fraser in 1942, carrying iron ore across the Great Lakes. In 1989, the ship was converted to a self-unloading cement carrier and shortly afterward was renamed the Alpena, after the hometown of its fleet, Inland Lakes Transportation. In this eScapes video, the 519-foot Alpena moves downbound the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie. The waterfront buildings and distant wind turbines of Ontario can be seen in the background. Peter White is an English smooth jazz guitarist who played with several artists, including a 20-year span as accompanist and writer for Al Stewart, before launching a solo career in 1990. With several Top 10 jazz albums

2803, 2012

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Tropical Beaches
556

Rio de Janeiro, the most visited city in the Southern Hemisphere, is known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and festive atmosphere. Even away from the nightclubs and the excitement of Carnival, a good time is never hard to find, thanks to the miles of beaches provided by Rio’s natural setting. This eScapes video highlights Ipanema Beach, one of Rio’s most famous beaches, where progressive beach fashions and fads have been visibly set (and broken) since the 1960s. Ipanema Beach sits just a bit south of the entrance to Guanabara Bay, which was mistakenly identified as a river mouth by Portuguese explorers when they named the area Rio de Janeiro, or “River of January.” Ken Navarro

2203, 2012

Dixboro, Michigan

American Cities
493

While Dixboro, Michigan might not be a city on the list of great American tourist destinations, its small town charm, scenic beauty, and nostalgic atmosphere make it enchanting to any visitor who happens to pass through. Sprouting from the lone vision and finances of Boston ship captain John Dix, the proper Village of Dixboro consists of only a handful of acres on the outskirts of Ann Arbor. In the 1820s, Dix built the area’s first barn and established a saw and grist mill in his new settlement. When the incoming railroad bypassed Dixboro in favor of nearby Ypsilanti, however, the growth of Dixboro slowed and John Dix left for Texas. Now a quaint community known for

1603, 2012

Steep Creek Falls, Washington

Scenic Earth
472

In many places (like Minneapolis), a 52-foot waterfall like Steep Creek Falls would be well-known by the locals and often visited by tourists. Along the Columbia River, however, amazing natural sights are everywhere, and a waterfall of this size can remain relatively unknown. One of the most accessible waterfalls in the area, Steep Creek Falls near Stevenson, Washington is a picturesque cascade that feeds Rock Creek, a tributary of the Columbia. Steep Creek Falls is perfectly complemented by the surrounding environment. Even though the waterfall is easily accessible and visible from a nearby gravel road, the beauty of the surrounding trees and rocks create a sense of seclusion. Fourplay is a jazz “supergroup” formed in 1990.

1203, 2012

San Antonio, Texas

American Cities
557

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 San Antonio is the most-visited city in Texas, and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only does the city boast a wide variety of restaurants and shops, award-winning golf courses, spas, theme parks, and museums, but it has the most famous tourist attraction in the state: The Alamo. A key location in the Texas Revolution, the Alamo now stands as a historical monument and museum. Nearby, the San Antonio River Walk, the city’s second-most-popular attraction, offers natural and architectural beauty. Visitors can walk beside the river for miles,

0703, 2012

Los Angeles, California

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Underneath the bustle of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the United States, is a strong creative pulse. Los Angeles has been the worldwide capital of film production since the early 1900s, and about one-sixth of the city’s 3.8 million people work in the arts. On any drive through the city, you are never too far from a concert hall, movie theater, or sound stage. Viewing the sprawling city and its impressive downtown skyline from afar, it’s hard to imagine the city’s humble beginnings as a missionary settlement in

0303, 2012

Marina Bay, Singapore

World Cities & Harbors
481

The densely-populated city-state of Singapore rests on a small archipelago in the midst of Malaysia and Indonesia. A sovereign nation of one large metropolitan area, Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world and one of the world’s wealthiest countries, with more millionaires (in terms of US dollars) per capita than any other country. Despite being ruled by the same political party since its 1959, Singapore is also known for it’s lack of political corruption and for being one of the busiest port cites in the entire world. The country has greatly benefited from the many exports of its thriving industrial economy, as well as its strong financial sector. Singapore also caters to the

0203, 2012

Washington, D.C. Landmarks

American Cities
441

Full version of the single song episodes featured here, in our Media Library showcase, are available to watch free on the eScapes’ Xumo Lifestyle Channel # 452 Though only 68 square miles, Washington, D.C. contains enough recognizable buildings and landmarks to fill an entire country. The capital city of the United States, the District of Columbia is not only a place of business for the federal government but a shrine to the country’s history and accomplishments. Two of the most famous buildings in Washington, featured in the beginning of this eScapes video, are the U.S. Capitol Building and the White House. These structures are symbols of the city, current politics, and the entire United States. The