Category: USA

Wandering America

Top Hidden Gem in Edinburgh (No One Told Me)

Mellow Wanderer
Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer

There’s a quiet kind of magic tucked at the end of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It’s where the city grows quiet as the crowds thin. This is Holyroodhouse. And behind the stately walls of the Palace, the sweet aroma of the gardens invigorate the senses.

Holyroodhouse Garden is where history is alive in every leaf, flower pedal, and blade of grass.

There’s no grandeur—only calm. The kind of calm that washes over any stress or tension you’re feeling. The gardens are gently nestled below the rugged silhouette of Arthur’s Seat.

These garden grounds have witnessed it all. Monarchs walking in quiet reflection. Political tensions simmering behind palace doors. Moments of celebration, loss, and transformation. This isn’t just landscaping—it’s a living extension of Scotland’s story.

Holyroodhouse Palace has been the official residence of British monarchs in Scotland for centuries, most famously associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. While the palace walls hold intrigue and drama, the gardens offer something different—quiet contemplation.

These gardens represent the blending of royal tradition with public access. Though still part of a working royal residence, the grounds welcome visitors from around the world.

It’s a rare invitation to step into a space that still serves both ceremonial and personal roles for the monarchy.

And that dual purpose shapes how the gardens are maintained.

Every hedge, every flower bed, every stretch of lawn is carefully managed by a dedicated team of horticulturists.

Seasonal planting ensures the grounds evolve throughout the year. Native species are prioritized. Lawns are kept immaculate, yet never sterile. The trees—some centuries old—are preserved with the same level of expert care.

Holyroodhouse Gardens offer an intersection where royal history, natural beauty, and human curiosity meet in one place.

For the Mellow Wanderer, this is the kind of place that stays with you—not because it shouts for attention, but because it doesn’t have to.

So when you find yourself in Edinburgh, don’t just tour the palace. Step outside. Wander a little longer. Let the gardens tell their story.

Wander Holyroodhouse Garden With Me! (Press Youtube Link)

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Mellow Wanderer
Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer

Photos & Video By Steve Geiger
Drifting Through Weeki Wachee: Florida’s Dreamlike Spring-Fed River

Mellow Wanderer
Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer

For raw beauty and ultimate relaxation, nothing beats drifting across the crystal-clear waters of a Florida natural spring. Fortunately, one lies just an hour from my home along Florida’s West Coast.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park sits along the Nature Coast, home to the decades-old attraction of underwater mermaids —pure, unapologetic Florida kitsch.

Photo: FL Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida

Photo: FL Memory/State Library & Archives of Florida

“Weeki Wachee” translates to “little spring” or “winding river” in the language of the Seminoles, an Indigenous tribe of Florida. The river itself is born from a remarkable natural process: rainwater filters through underground limestone caverns in the Florida aquifer, then surges to the surface at a rate of nearly five million gallons per hour—instantly forming the river.

Once on the water, the current does most of the work. You glide effortlessly downstream from the headwaters, carried by the steady flow. The water is looking-glass clear, shimmering in shades of turquoise and blue.

Below you, turtles cruise, fish dart, and river grass sways gently with the current. Along the banks, birds call from the canopy of oaks while otters occasionally make a playful appearance. In winter and early spring, you might spot manatees—those gentle giants—gliding past or huddled beneath the banks, keeping warm in the constant 72–74 degree water.

For the best experience, rent a kayak directly inside the state park. Launch access is limited each hour to protect the river, so reservations are essential. Both single and tandem kayaks are available.

However you choose to explore it, the jungle-like scenery and serene flow of Weeki Wachee will invigorate your soul.

Team Mellow Wanderer

Press Play For A Video Tour

Bonus Video: How Weeki Wachee Mermaids Earn Their Fins (History)

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Melissa Samuels contributed photos for this article
Ides of March: Is The Scent Of Caesar’s Death Attracting Rome’s Cats?

Mellow Wanderer
Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer

Every year on March 15, history whispers a warning: Beware the Ides of March. The phrase echoes through time because it marks when and where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BCE — a turning point that reshaped the Roman world. But here’s what most travelers don’t realize: You can stand exactly where it happened.

And today? It’s filled with cats.

The Ides of March Is March 15

In the ancient Roman calendar, the “Ides” marked the midpoint of the month. In March, that date fell on the 15th.

Originally, it was a festive religious day honoring the goddess Anna Perenna — a celebration of renewal and the coming spring. No doom. No betrayal. That changed in 44 BCE.

Where Was Julius Caesar Assassinated?

Caesar was killed during a Senate meeting held at the Theatre of Pompey, built by his rival, Pompey the Great. The exact location of the assassination is now preserved at Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome.

Not the Roman Forum. Not the Colosseum. But a sunken archaeological complex just below the busy streets of Rome

Here, among four ancient temples and the remains of Pompey’s theatre, a group of senators — including Marcus Junius Brutus — stabbed Caesar 23 times.

The Roman Republic would never recover.

As For The Cats

In one of Rome’s most unusual twists, these ruins became home to a colony of stray cats in the 20th century. Volunteers eventually formalized rescue efforts, creating the
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary.

Today dozens of rescued cats live safely and lazily among the ancient stones. The sanctuary provides medical care, sterilization, and adoptions. Visitors can observe the cats lounging in the very place, just a whisker away from where a Roman emperor met his grisly death.

In 2023, Rome opened Largo di Torre Argentina to walk-through visitors via elevated pathways. Beneath a stairwell under the streets, is a small subterranean room where the cat shelter is located. You can purchase a variety of cat-related souvenirs, and visit the cats waiting to be adopted.

It’s one of the most underrated stops in central Rome.

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Photos By Susan Geiger
And The Oscar Goes To…You! Inside The Academy Before Hollywood’s Big Night.

Mellow Wanderer
Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer

No flashing cameras. No orchestra swell. Just me, standing inside the very institution that decides who takes home Hollywood’s most coveted prize.

Photo: Steve Geiger

Weeks before millions tune in to watch the Oscars, I step inside the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum in Los Angeles and discover something unexpected. For a few quiet moments, it feels like the Oscar could go to me — or to any of the movie lovers wandering through this remarkable place.

Photos: Will Springer & Steve Geiger

I make an afternoon visit with longtime college friends after brunch at Canter’s Delicatessen, an iconic Jewish deli near CBS Studio City and The Grove.

Photo: Will Springer

It’s the perfect place to fuel up with towering pastrami sandwiches, hand-carved corned beef, and pillowy blintzes. From Canter’s, it’s about a 30-minute walk to the museum — just enough time to digest and build anticipation.

The sprawling, multi-story complex occupies an entire city block. Sleek, modern, and architecturally striking, the building feels worthy of the industry it represents. Admission is reasonably priced, making Hollywood history surprisingly accessible.

Escalators ascend to multiple exhibition levels, many thoughtfully themed. A major highlight during my visit is the 50th-anniversary celebration of Jaws, one of my all-time favorite films. The exhibit features iconic characters, including the menacing mechanical shark, Bruce, suspended overhead and looking as fierce as ever. Seeing original props — from Quint’s boat to vintage arcade games — adds an immersive layer of nostalgia. Walking through the exhibit feels like stepping into Amity, the fictional seaside village on Cape Cod.

Photos: Steve Geiger

Another standout moment: the recreation of Don Corleone’s office from The Godfather. The dark wood paneling, the imposing desk — it’s all there. Visitors can even sit behind the desk — an offer I can’t refuse — and channel their inner Marlon Brando. Classic Hollywood at its finest.

Photos: Steve Geiger

Photo: Will Springer

Throughout the museum, you can take a deep dive into the art and craft of moviemaking. Interactive displays spotlight the behind-the-scenes specialists who bring stories to life. You explore the precision of sound design and audio effects, discover how film editors shape pacing and narrative tension, and listen to screenwriters explain how characters and scenes evolve from imagination to screenplay. A sweeping costume design gallery showcases wardrobes worn by some of cinema’s most beloved characters. The magic of the movies comes alive before your eyes.

Barbie Movie Set Model Video

For a breathtaking view of the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood Sign, make your way to the top floor and step onto the Barbra Streisand Bridge — named for the legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand.

Cross the glass-enclosed bridge and enter the museum’s soaring spherical theater, where floor-to-ceiling views reveal Hollywood’s sprawling cityscape. Step outside onto the terrace, and suddenly you’re eye level with the hills, the palm trees, and that famous white-lettered sign.

For a moment, you don’t just feel like a visitor — you feel like a Hollywood mogul on top of the world.

And then, just when you think the experience can’t rise any higher, you come face to face with the industry’s ultimate symbol of achievement.

Oscar.

Photo: Will Springer

That golden statuette — the prize filmmakers dream about and audiences celebrate — appears throughout the museum. The symbol of excellence the film industry covets most is closer than you think. In one unforgettable moment, you can even hold a statuette — carefully, it’s heavier than it looks — and deliver your own acceptance speech.

Photo: https://www.academymuseum.org

If you love movies, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences offers more than a museum visit. It delivers a chance to step inside Hollywood’s most exclusive circle — if only for an afternoon.

Steve Geiger is an EMMY‑winning former national television news producer turned globe-trotting storyteller and creator of Mellow Wanderer
An Old Florida Magical Experience Without The Tourist Crowds

Philippe Park is tucked along the shores of Old Tampa Bay — far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a favorite among locals seeking respite, quiet contemplation, and a peaceful place to exercise. You won’t often find it featured in Florida tour books or glossy travel guides. Best of all, admission is free — unlike parks in some Florida counties that charge visitors.

Towering canopy oaks shade the park’s winding trails, picnic areas, and scenic waterfront. Philippe Park is especially inviting in spring, when the weather is near perfect and the bay breezes feel invigorating.

Beyond the beauty lies a rich story of Native American heritage. Centuries ago, the Tocobaga people fished and farmed this land.

PHILIPPE PARK PHOTO

PHILIPPE PARK PHOTO

PHILIPPE PARK PHOTO

At the heart of the park rises a prehistoric temple mound where archaeologists believe the Tocobaga held ceremonies and tribal gatherings. Today, visitors climb to the top and take in panoramic views of Old Tampa Bay — the same waters that sustained a thriving civilization.

Spanish conquistadors encountered the Tocobaga while exploring this New World along the bay. Over time, as more explorers arrived, they brought infectious diseases to which the Tocobaga had no immunity.

PHILIPEE PARK PHOTO

The tribe eventually disappeared, leaving behind the mound as a silent witness to their history.

Philippe Park is both a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park honors early French settler Odet Philippe, who arrived in the early 1800s. He transformed this land into a citrus plantation and became the first to successfully cultivate grapefruit in Florida.

National Historic Landmarkl

Temple Mound Path

Some of the park’s most captivating views unfold along the waterfront trail, which begins near the public boat launch and winds toward the small beach area. Look closely and you’ll spot schools of fish in the shallows — and, if you’re lucky, a dolphin or two feeding just offshore.

Walking Path Video

On my most recent visit, the experience felt almost cinematic. A dolphin glided along the seawall, its familiar upturned mouth appearing to offer a friendly hello.

Simply exhilarating!

📌 Location

Philippe Park
2525 Philippe Parkway
Safety Harbor, Florida

Located along the shores of Old Tampa Bay, just minutes from downtown Safety Harbor.

🕒 HoursOpen daily: 7:00 a.m. to sunset. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
💰 Admission : Free entry. Boat ramp parking fee may apply.
🌿 Don’t Miss

The prehistoric Tocobaga Temple Mound (panoramic bay view). Waterfront walking trail. Shaded oak canopy picnic areas.

🧺 Bring

Water and sunscreen. Walking shoes. Fishing gear (with license). A picnic lunch. A camera for sunset