12 days Kerala heritage tour
This tour is designed to take you on a journey through Kerala's rich past, traditional arts, Ayurvedic wellness, and pristine natural beauty—making it perfect for family vacations, senior travelers, and curious explorers.
The 12 Days Kerala Heritage Tour is not just about sightseeing. It's about connecting with Kerala's centuries-old traditions, vibrant art forms, and serene lifestyle. Highlights include: Ancient temples and royal palaces
Dutch, Portuguese, and British colonial history
Ayurvedic treatments and cultural performances
Houseboat stay on the backwaters
Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and heritage villages
Start your heritage journey in Kochi, a historic port city that was once a major hub for spice trade. Explore: Fort Kochi & Chinese Fishing Nets
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)
Paradesi Synagogue
St. Francis Church
Kathakali performance in the evening
Overnight Stay: Kochi
Drive to Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala. Visit: Vadakkunnathan Temple (UNESCO tentative list)
Kerala Kalamandalam (renowned art and culture academy)
Thrissur Zoo and Art Museum
Overnight Stay: Thrissur
Visit the famous Guruvayur Temple, one of India's oldest Krishna temples, then continue to Kozhikode, a coastal city steeped in history.
Attractions: Kappad Beach (where Vasco da Gama landed)
Pazhassi Raja Museum
Sweet Meat Street (SM Street)
Overnight Stay: Kozhikode
Drive to Wayanad, a tranquil region known for its tribal heritage, caves, and spice plantations.
Sightseeing: Edakkal Caves (prehistoric carvings)
Wayanad Heritage Museum
Pookode Lake
Overnight Stay: Wayanad
Explore tribal villages, ancient Jain temples, and lush plantations. Enjoy optional activities like: Bamboo rafting
Visit to Kuruva Island
Trek to Chembra Peak
Overnight Stay: Wayanad
Travel to Palakkad, known for its traditional Kerala architecture and temples.
Highlights: Palakkad Fort (built by Hyder Ali)
Kalpathy Heritage Village
Malampuzha Dam and Gardens
Overnight Stay: Palakkad
Drive to Alleppey, the gateway to Kerala's backwaters. En route, enjoy a traditional lunch and observe coir-making villages.
Evening: Board a houseboat and cruise the tranquil backwaters.
Overnight Stay: Houseboat
After disembarking, travel to Kumarakom, a peaceful village on Vembanad Lake.
Activities: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
Explore heritage homestays
Traditional toddy tasting
Overnight Stay: Kumarakom
Drive to Thekkady, home of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and rich spice heritage.
Experiences: Spice plantation tour
Visit to a tribal heritage museum
Optional boat ride on Periyar Lake
Overnight Stay: Thekkady
Travel to Munnar, Kerala's most scenic hill station once favored by the British.
Attractions: Tea Museum
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate (world's highest tea plantation)
Visit to British-era bungalows
Overnight Stay: Munnar
Soak in Munnar's colonial charm and natural beauty.
Optional activities: Visit Lockhart Gap Viewpoint
Nature walk in tea gardens
Attend a heritage walk about plantation history
Overnight Stay: Munnar
Drive back to Kochi for departure. You may stop at traditional villages or local markets en route for final souvenirs. Combination of historical sites , spiritual centers , and natural wonders
, , and Accommodation in heritage hotels , traditional houseboats , and plantation resorts
, , and Insightful interactions with local communities and artisans
A deep dive into Kerala's cultural roots and eco-friendly lifestyle
October to March: Ideal for pleasant weather and clear skies
Ideal for pleasant weather and clear skies April to May: Warmer but still enjoyable in the hill stations
Warmer but still enjoyable in the hill stations June to September: Monsoon season – lush greenery, fewer crowds, great for Ayurveda
Light, breathable clothing
Modest attire for temple visits
Walking shoes
Rain gear (monsoon season)
Sunblock and insect repellent
Reusable water bottle
The 12 Days Kerala Heritage Tour is not just a trip, but a transformative journey through South India's most culturally rich and naturally blessed state. It's a chance to discover the real Kerala — its warm people, vibrant traditions, and timeless stories passed down through generations.
Whether you're tracing temple carvings, sipping tea in colonial-era estates, or watching the sun dip below the backwaters, this Kerala tour will leave you with memories that last a lifetime.
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Buzz Feed
8 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Signs Someone Is American, According To Europeans
Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European. 'As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, I've picked up on quite a few telltale signs,' Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost. From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows. 'I try to avoid generalizations ― a Brooklyn creative won't travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest,' said Stéphanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. 'But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence, and curiosity.' Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons, and other Europeans: Comfort-First Fashion 'You'll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps, or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example.' ― Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography 'That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie, and maybe ― just maybe ― sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.' ― Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist Big Spending Habits 'At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.' ― Iskra 'Americans love to spend ― and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel they're getting great value in return. I would say that the mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes don't realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100 € (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.' ― Batista On The Hunt For Iced Coffee 'The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter ― and ideally in a 500ml cup. There's a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.' ― Monteleone 'I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water or iced coffee).' ― Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer Loud Confidence 'One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. It's not necessarily that they're loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident, which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.' ― Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in London 'Americans tend to find everything 'amazing,' and they're not shy about saying so ― out loud and often. They speak with a volume that's just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.' ― Pons Stanley Cups 'Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway ― they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!' ― Iskra 'Carrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.' ― Crivellaro Large Engagement Rings 'The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings aren't as flashy or aren't even a thing sometimes.' ― Iskra Jumping Straight Into English 'It's not the accent ― it's the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple 'ciao' or 'bonjour' tends to unlock a different kind of experience. It's a small gesture, but it changes everything.' ― Monteleone Seeking Air Conditioning 'In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.' ― Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle blogger 'Americans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that aren't so easy to come by in Italy!' ― Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy Edit Warmth and Friendliness 'I've traveled extensively in the US, and if there's one thing I've consistently noticed, it's their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but it's a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But I've always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm, and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it.' ― Kenza Sadoun el Glaoui, Parisian digital creator 'In Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we don't have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions, and it's lovely to see. There's a sort of genuine, open curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing.' ― Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara? Genuine Enthusiasm 'Americans are often very expressive ― big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel they've been well taken care of, they're incredibly grateful. I've had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry they'd never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA — and it's truly heartwarming.' ― Batista 'My partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always ― without fail ― say the same phrase: 'Oh my God!' For us, it's a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But it's funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.' ― De Lorenzi, Generous Tipping 'One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers ― even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where it's not expected.' ― Hengel 'America has a very generous tipping culture, unlike any other country I've ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe, we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good, and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.' ― Povey Paying By Credit Card 'Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.' ― De Lorenzi Wide Smiles and Perfect Teeth 'Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.' ― Iskra Full Of Compliments 'I've always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because she'll go out of her way to give me a compliment, and it's usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever I'm traveling in the States, and I've never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world.' ― Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in London Wanting To Customize Everything 'There's a kind of customization instinct ― asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.' ― Pons, Saying "Like" All The Time Paramount / Via 'The overuse of the word 'like' — especially with people from LA. Sometimes you'll hear 'like' eight times in a single sentence! It's a casual, filler-filled way of speaking, and of course, there's the unmistakable clarity of American English.' ― Batista 'Saying things like 'awesome,' 'you guys,' or the ever-present filler word 'like' always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American.' ― Iskra Limited Geographic Knowledge 'A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as 'Europe,' as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France; they're completely incomparable. Referring to us all under one sweeping term of 'Europe' or 'Europeans' is sort of ridiculous. I once met an American man who asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Ireland, he said that he had just been visiting my neighbors. I assumed that he must mean the United Kingdom (which I could understand). However, he then declared that he had visited Italy. Needless to say, neither Italy nor Ireland would ever refer to the other as a neighbor. It would take 27 hours to drive from Dublin to Rome. That's the equivalent of Miami to Minneapolis. Florida and Minnesota are not neighbors.' ― Povey Cappuccino With Dinner Peeradon Warithkorasuth / Getty Images 'If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist. It's a cultural habit that always makes us smile because for us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast, but it's nice to see how every culture experiences food in its own way.' ― De Lorenzi, Different Portion Size Expectations 'I notice this a lot during food tours ― Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be (while we are shocked when we see their portions). I've heard more than once 'Wait, this is for one person?' and it's always funny.' ― Batista Fast-Moving Itineraries ''I've been to Europe' often means a whirlwind through Paris, London, and Rome in under two weeks. Honestly, impressive cardio — but also, you just missed the good bakery next door. And truthfully? Europe's charm often lives in the quieter, slower corners.' ― Monteleone 'Rushing to include their ancestry in an opening conversation. Don't get me wrong, I love that Americans are so enthusiastic about their heritage, and it certainly does wonders for Ireland's tourism industry. However, they are the only country that does it. Never have I met anyone from outside the US who has launched into their grandparents' origin story when we have just been introduced. While charming, it's definitely a telltale sign that someone is from the US.' ― Povey Steves' Love Of Rick Steves Guidebooks 'In Reykjavík, I immediately pick out Americans out of the bunch because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Not Lonely Planet. Or ,odors. Or even a local source. Good 'ol American Rick Steves ― who I met in person when I was his local guide in Reykjavík and is as 'Merican as they come. I'm sure other nations use guidebooks too, but Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, ashamed of getting caught with something as gauche as a guidebook, but loud and proud. Out in the open.' ― Auður Ösp Ólafsdóttir, Iceland-based marketing professional walked That Intangible American Vibe 'As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American. The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, there's a specific energy that's easy to spot.' ― Pons 'I somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I can't put my finger on how. It's something about how they're built and how they're dressed ― I really can't articulate it. They're just so essentially American that their Americanness shines, even in a culture where you'd think it would be harder to pick them out. Once upon a time, I think Americans just walked around with a certain air of confidence about them. They were proudly American, and you could tell in the way they walked. Nowadays, many conversations with Americans start with apologies. Their once-proud stance has been replaced with slightly hunched shoulders. Like they're aware that tolerance for American politics is wavering around the world and they don't want to take up too much space. But it's still something about how Americans walk in the world that makes them recognizable.' ― HuffPost.
Boston Globe
13 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Trump criticized the idea of presidential vacations. His Scotland trip is built around golf.
The White House isn't calling Trump's five-day, midsummer jaunt a vacation, but rather a working trip where the Republican president might hold a news conference and sit for interviews with U.S. and British media outlets. Trump was also talking trade in separate meetings with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump is staying at his properties near Turnberry and Aberdeen, where his family owns two golf courses and is opening a third on Aug. 13. Trump played golf over the weekend at Turnberry and is helping cut the ribbon on the new course on Tuesday. Advertisement He's not the first president to play in Scotland: Dwight D. Eisenhower played at Turnberry in 1959, more than a half century before Trump bought it, after meeting with French President Charles de Gaulle in Paris. But none of Trump's predecessors has constructed a foreign itinerary around promoting vacation sites his family owns and is actively expanding. Advertisement It lays bare how Trump has leveraged his second term to pad his family's profits in a variety of ways, including overseas development deals and promoting cryptocurrencies, despite growing questions about ethics concerns. 'You have to look at this as yet another attempt by Donald Trump to monetize his presidency,' said Leonard Steinhorn, who teaches political communication and courses on American culture and the modern presidency at American University. 'In this case, using the trip as a PR opportunity to promote his golf courses.' A parade of golf carts and security accompanied President Trump at Turnberry, on the Scottish coast southwest of Glasgow, on Sunday. Christopher Furlong/Getty President Trump on the links. Christopher Furlong/Getty Presidents typically vacation in the US Franklin D. Roosevelt went to the Bahamas, often for the excellent fishing, five times between 1933 and 1940. He visited Canada's Campobello Island in New Brunswick, where he had vacationed as a child, in 1933, 1936 and 1939. Reagan spent Easter 1982 on vacation in Barbados after meeting with Caribbean leaders and warning of a Marxist threat that could spread throughout the region from nearby Grenada. Presidents also never fully go on vacation. They travel with a large entourage of aides, receive intelligence briefings, take calls and otherwise work away from Washington. Kicking back in the United States, though, has long been the norm. Harry S. Truman helped make Key West, Florida, a tourist hot spot with his 'Little White House' cottage there. Several presidents, including James Buchanan and Benjamin Harrison, visited the Victorian architecture in Cape May, New Jersey. More recently, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama boosted tourism on Massachusetts' Martha's Vineyard, while Trump has buoyed Palm Beach, Florida, with frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago estate. But any tourist lift Trump gets from his Scottish visit is likely to most benefit his family. 'Every president is forced to weigh politics versus fun on vacation,' said Jeffrey Engel, David Gergen Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, who added that Trump is 'demonstrating his priorities.' Advertisement 'When he thinks about how he wants to spend his free time, A., playing golf, B., visiting places where he has investments and C., enhancing those investments, that was not the priority for previous presidents, but it is his vacation time,' Engel said. It's even a departure from Trump's first term, when he found ways to squeeze in visits to his properties while on trips more focused on work. Trump stopped at his resort in Hawaii to thank staff members after visiting the memorial site at Pearl Harbor and before embarking on an Asia trip in November 2017. He played golf at Turnberry in 2018 before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland. Trump once decried the idea of taking vacations as president. 'Don't take vacations. What's the point? If you're not enjoying your work, you're in the wrong job,' Trump wrote in his 2004 book, 'Think Like a Billionaire.' During his presidential campaign in 2015, he pledged to 'rarely leave the White House.' Even as recently as a speech at a summit on artificial intelligence in Washington on Wednesday, Trump derided his predecessor for flying long distances for golf — something he's now doing. 'They talked about the carbon footprint and then Obama hops onto a 747, Air Force One, and flies to Hawaii to play a round of golf and comes back,' he said. On the green... Christopher Furlong/Getty ... and in the sand. Christopher Furlong/Getty Presidential vacations and any overseas trips were once taboo Trump isn't the first president not wanting to publicize taking time off. George Washington was criticized for embarking on a New England tour to promote the presidency. Some took issue with his successor, John Adams, for leaving the then-capital of Philadelphia in 1797 for a long visit to his family's farm in Quincy, Massachusetts. James Madison left Washington for months after the War of 1812. Advertisement Teddy Roosevelt helped pioneer the modern presidential vacation in 1902 by chartering a special train and directing key staffers to rent houses near Sagamore Hill, his home in Oyster Bay, New York, according to the White House Historical Association. Four years later, Roosevelt upended tradition again, this time by becoming the first president to leave the country while in office. The New York Times noted that Roosevelt's 30-day trip by yacht and battleship to tour construction of the Panama Canal 'will violate the traditions of the United States for 117 years by taking its President outside the jurisdiction of the Government at Washington.' In the decades since, where presidents opted to vacation, even outside the U.S., has become part of their political personas. In addition to New Jersey, Grant relaxed on Martha's Vineyard. Calvin Coolidge spent the 1928 Christmas holidays at Sapelo Island, Georgia. Lyndon B. Johnson had his 'Texas White House,' a Hill Country ranch. Eisenhower vacationed in Newport, Rhode Island. John F. Kennedy went to Palm Springs, California, and his family's compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, among other places. Richard Nixon had the 'Southern White House' on Key Biscayne, Florida, while Joe Biden traveled frequently to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, while also visiting Nantucket, Massachusetts, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. George H.W. Bush was a frequent visitor to his family's property in Kennebunkport, Maine, and didn't let the start of the Gulf War in 1991 detour him from a monthlong vacation there. His son, George W. Bush, opted for his ranch in Crawford, Texas, rather than a more posh destination. Advertisement Presidential visits help tourism in some places more than others, but Engel said that for some Americans, 'if the president of the Untied States goes some place, you want to go to the same place.' He noted that visitors emulating presidential vacations are out 'to show that you're either as cool as he or she, that you understand the same values as he or she or, heck, maybe you'll bump into he or she.'
Hamilton Spectator
16 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Trump once decried the idea of presidential vacations. His Scotland trip is built around golf
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — During sweaty summer months, Abraham Lincoln often decamped about 3 miles (5 kilometers) north of the White House to the Soldiers' Home, a presidential retreat of cottages and parkland in what today is the Petworth section of northwest Washington. Ulysses S. Grant sometimes summered at his family's cottage in Long Branch, New Jersey , even occasionally driving teams of horses on the beach. Ronald Reagan once said he did 'some of my best thinking' at his Rancho Del Cielo retreat outside Santa Barbara, California. Donald Trump's getaway is taking him considerably farther from the nation's capital, to the coast of Scotland. The White House isn't calling Trump's five-day, midsummer jaunt a vacation, but rather a working trip where the Republican president might hold a news conference and sit for interviews with U.S. and British media outlets. Trump was also talking trade in separate meetings with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer . Trump is staying at his properties near Turnberry and Aberdeen, where his family owns two golf courses and is opening a third on Aug. 13. Trump played golf over the weekend at Turnberry and is helping cut the ribbon on the new course on Tuesday. He's not the first president to play in Scotland: Dwight D. Eisenhower played at Turnberry in 1959, more than a half century before Trump bought it, after meeting with French President Charles de Gaulle in Paris. But none of Trump's predecessors has constructed a foreign itinerary around promoting vacation sites his family owns and is actively expanding. It lays bare how Trump has leveraged his second term to pad his family's profits in a variety of ways, including overseas development deals and promoting cryptocurrencies, despite growing questions about ethics concerns. 'You have to look at this as yet another attempt by Donald Trump to monetize his presidency,' said Leonard Steinhorn, who teaches political communication and courses on American culture and the modern presidency at American University. 'In this case, using the trip as a PR opportunity to promote his golf courses.' Presidents typically vacation in the US Franklin D. Roosevelt went to the Bahamas, often for the excellent fishing, five times between 1933 and 1940. He visited Canada's Campobello Island in New Brunswick, where he had vacationed as a child, in 1933, 1936 and 1939. Reagan spent Easter 1982 on vacation in Barbados after meeting with Caribbean leaders and warning of a Marxist threat that could spread throughout the region from nearby Grenada. Presidents also never fully go on vacation. They travel with a large entourage of aides, receive intelligence briefings, take calls and otherwise work away from Washington. Kicking back in the United States, though, has long been the norm. Harry S. Truman helped make Key West, Florida, a tourist hot spot with his 'Little White House' cottage there. Several presidents, including James Buchanan and Benjamin Harrison, visited the Victorian architecture in Cape May, New Jersey. More recently, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama boosted tourism on Massachusetts' Martha's Vineyard, while Trump has buoyed Palm Beach, Florida, with frequent trips to his Mar-a-Lago estate . But any tourist lift Trump gets from his Scottish visit is likely to most benefit his family. 'Every president is forced to weigh politics versus fun on vacation,' said Jeffrey Engel, David Gergen Director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, who added that Trump is 'demonstrating his priorities.' 'When he thinks about how he wants to spend his free time, A., playing golf, B., visiting places where he has investments and C., enhancing those investments, that was not the priority for previous presidents, but it is his vacation time,' Engel said. It's even a departure from Trump's first term, when he found ways to squeeze in visits to his properties while on trips more focused on work. Trump stopped at his resort in Hawaii to thank staff members after visiting the memorial site at Pearl Harbor and before embarking on an Asia trip in November 2017. He played golf at Turnberry in 2018 before meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland. Trump once decried the idea of taking vacations as president. 'Don't take vacations. What's the point? If you're not enjoying your work, you're in the wrong job,' Trump wrote in his 2004 book, 'Think Like a Billionaire.' During his presidential campaign in 2015, he pledged to 'rarely leave the White House.' Even as recently as a speech at a summit on artificial intelligence in Washington on Wednesday, Trump derided his predecessor for flying long distances for golf — something he's now doing. 'They talked about the carbon footprint and then Obama hops onto a 747, Air Force One, and flies to Hawaii to play a round of golf and comes back,' he said. Presidential vacations and any overseas trips were once taboo Trump isn't the first president not wanting to publicize taking time off. George Washington was criticized for embarking on a New England tour to promote the presidency. Some took issue with his successor, John Adams, for leaving the then-capital of Philadelphia in 1797 for a long visit to his family's farm in Quincy, Massachusetts. James Madison left Washington for months after the War of 1812. Teddy Roosevelt helped pioneer the modern presidential vacation in 1902 by chartering a special train and directing key staffers to rent houses near Sagamore Hill , his home in Oyster Bay, New York, according to the White House Historical Association. Four years later, Roosevelt upended tradition again, this time by becoming the first president to leave the country while in office. The New York Times noted that Roosevelt's 30-day trip by yacht and battleship to tour construction of the Panama Canal 'will violate the traditions of the United States for 117 years by taking its President outside the jurisdiction of the Government at Washington.' In the decades since, where presidents opted to vacation, even outside the U.S., has become part of their political personas. In addition to New Jersey, Grant relaxed on Martha's Vineyard. Calvin Coolidge spent the 1928 Christmas holidays at Sapelo Island, Georgia. Lyndon B. Johnson had his 'Texas White House,' a Hill Country ranch . Eisenhower vacationed in Newport, Rhode Island. John F. Kennedy went to Palm Springs, California, and his family's compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, among other places. Richard Nixon had the 'Southern White House' on Key Biscayne, Florida, while Joe Biden traveled frequently to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, while also visiting Nantucket, Massachusetts, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. George H.W. Bush was a frequent visitor to his family's property in Kennebunkport, Maine, and didn't let the start of the Gulf War in 1991 detour him from a monthlong vacation there. His son, George W. Bush, opted for his ranch in Crawford, Texas, rather than a more posh destination. Presidential visits help tourism in some places more than others, but Engel said that for some Americans, 'if the president of the Untied States goes some place, you want to go to the same place.' He noted that visitors emulating presidential vacations are out 'to show that you're either as cool as he or she, that you understand the same values as he or she or, heck, maybe you'll bump into he or she.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
