Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

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 The great Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria is one of Europe’s most popular castles. Thanks to its breathtaking location and architecture, the castle looks like something out of a fairy tale. This was somewhat the intention of Bavarian King Ludwig II, who ordered the construction of the castle as a fantasy retreat from reality. After losing control of the Bavarian army and most of his real power, Ludwig II began planning a series of lavish palaces and castles where he could isolate himself and indulge his dreams of royalty. Neuschwanstein

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<i>U.S.S. Constitution</i>

U.S.S. Constitution

Few ships have as much prestige and history behind them as the U.S.S. Constitution, one of the U.S. Navy’s original six frigates, built in 1797. The Constitution was even named by George Washington himself! The U.S.S. Constitution is notable for its role in the War of 1812, scoring several sea victories against the British and emboldening the spirits of the American military. During a duel with the HMS Guerriere, British cannonballs were seen bouncing from the Constitution‘s thick oak hull, which spawned the vessel’s legendary nickname, “Old Ironsides.” The Constitution survived the War and served another four decades in the Navy before being taken out of active service in 1855. Today, the Constitution is still a

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Poda Island, Thailand

Poda Island, Thailand

Watch a full HD version of this single song sample episode on the eScapes’ XUMO Lifestyle Channel # 452 Thailand’s Krabi province is known for its great natural beauty and nicknamed “The Emerald of the Andaman,” but it’s most relaxing spot may be Poda Island. Located about five miles from the Thai mainland and the popular tourist resort town of Ao Nang, Poda Island (or Koh Poda in Thai) is a filled with lush forests and surrounded by white sand beaches. The most distinctive feature of the small island is the improbable limestone formation protruding from the nearby sea, featured in this video. Another interesting sight on Koh Poda, and throughout the rest of Thailand, is

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Dubai (Skyscrapers & Skyline)

Dubai (Skyscrapers & Skyline)

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 Rich from oil, shipping, and banking revenues, the city of Dubai has entered the 21st century as a Middle Eastern boomtown. Tourism and real estate development are now major sectors of Dubai’s economy. Although development has slowed in the wake of the global financial crisis, at one time the city was estimated to have up to a quarter of the entire world’s construction cranes. Dubai is now a vertical metropolis filled with impressive modern skyscrapers, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which opened in 2010. The ubiquity

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Key West, Florida (Ocean Sunset)

Key West, Florida (Ocean Sunset)

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 Perhaps best known for its location at the southernmost point of the continental United States, Key West, Florida is a destination for anyone seeking a tropical climate, interesting people, and a rich history. Just 90 miles north of Cuba, Key West is a cultural melting pot that has inspired great works from Ernest Hemingway, Tennesee Williams, and more recently, Jimmy Buffett. This eScapes video takes you to the beach for a gorgeous sunset over the sea. Even as night falls, passing boats bring the water to life and swarms

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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Established as the first National Lakeshore in 1966, the beautiful Lake Superior coast at Pictured Rocks was adopted by the National Park System as an answer to increased private ownership of the Great Lakes coastlines. Though the Lakeshore is home to sand dunes, forests, wetlands, and sandy beaches, it is best known for its steep sandstone cliffs and unique rock formations. The harsh wind, rain, and freeze/thaw cycles on Lake Superior are responsible for forming these dramatic landscapes are still at work: parts of some of the Lakeshore’s most iconic landforms have lost pieces in recent years. This eScapes video features Miner’s Castle, a major landmark at Pictured rocks. These seaside formations can be seen from

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Mt. Adams & Trout Lake, Washington

Mt. Adams & Trout Lake, Washington

Even in a state full of beautiful scenery, the Cascade Mountains stand out. This eScapes video brings you a relaxing view of southern Washington’s Mount Adams from the edge of the tranquil Trout Lake, about 13 miles south of the summit. This untouched landscape is a perfect place to relax and take in the view. Just don’t sit for too long– Mount Adams is a dormant volcano and could erupt sometime in the next few thousand years. Gregg Karukas is a contemporary jazz keyboardist. After launching his solo career in the 1980s, Karukas formed a band that featured Dave Koz and Boney James, and became the original keyboardist for the Rippingtons. Now a genre favorite, Karukas

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Kansas City Fountains

Kansas City Fountains

Kansas City, Missouri is known for barbecue, jazz, blues, and its fountains. Sometimes called “The City of Fountains,” Kansas City has hundreds of fountains. In fact, only Rome has more. Most of Kansas City’s fountains have unique sculptures in or around them. Some of them are over 300 years old! The variety and frequency of these landmarks offer ample opportunities to take a mental break from the stresses of metropolitan life. Today, the fountains are appreciated for their beauty, but when they first were built, they served a practical purpose. The Humane Society created them to supply clean water to animals, including the 70,000 horses that lived in the city during the early 1900s. Ken Navarro

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Saint Paul Trainwatching

Saint Paul Trainwatching

Railroads are a significant part of the history and culture of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Nicknamed “The Last City in the East,” Saint Paul was a hub on the “Milwaukee Road,” the railroad network that stretched from the Great Lakes to northwest Washington. It was also the headquarters of the Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways. Today, Saint Paul is still a hub for rail traffic and provides plenty of venues for trainwatching. The Twin City Model Railroad Museum even lets visitors watch trains from the comfort of the indoors– albeit on a smaller scale. This eScapes video takes you to the St. Paul neighborhood of Dayton’s Bluff, which offers a great view of four busy rail

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Sterling State Park, Michigan

Sterling State Park, Michigan

Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie, Sterling State Park in Monroe, offers lakefront fun including camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Other attractions include hiking and bicycle trails through the nearby woods and wetlands. This eScapes video features a peaceful sunrise over the lake: a scene usually reserved for lakefront campers and those who make it to the park before the crowds arrive. Marc Antoine is contemporary jazz guitarist. Though gifted from a young age, his playing was threatened by a serious accident to his left hand while he was a teenager. Despite a grim prognosis, Antoine recovered to become one of today’s leading jazz guitar acts. Currently living in Spain, Antoine frequently tours with other

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