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see

One of my favorite ways to view art is in a house museum, a collection of art that is in the home of it's original owner instead of a museum. The home itself can often be a treat with original furnishings and period decor. More importantly, you get the privilege of seeing art on a real scale, as it was meant to be displayed. Instead of seeing art in a sterile white box, you get a unique and highly personal display of a collector's treasures. The next time you're heading to a new city, don't overlook a house museum.

On a hot August day like today, I need a little escape. So, I've let my mind wander back to a trip a few years ago where we had the opportunity to visit the small town of Durham in northern England. Green and lush with a scenic river surrounding the town, it provided the perfect spot for long walks and quiet reflection.

Some people think they are savvy travelers. You know the type, endlessly bragging about how they got the best deal on a plane ticket, how they found a five star hotel for $99 a night. But what about after they get there? Chances are they blow their hard earned money on every overpriced tourist attraction forgetting all the money they've saved and mindlessly emptying their pockets to gain access into a city's cultural highlights. Don't be that guy.

Here's a tip for gaining access into almost any museum, for free. Do your homework, a bit of web research, and find out what days are free.

Public art can be, well, bad. If you've had a chance to visit any major American city in the last few years, you've most likely seen the city's attempt at public art geared for tourists. Every summer, they roll out a cast animal sculpture, ask local artists to decorate it, and place them around town in heavily visited tourist attractions. Washington, DC had the pandas, Seattle had its pigs, and Berlin even had bears. While these may have given local artists a chance to express themselves, all-in-all they were pretty uninspiring.

Instead of checking out what the local tourism board has deemed good art, Seattle has plenty of public art to inspire you....for free.

With over one hundred islands in the South Pacific, French Polynesia is home to a slice of paradise. From larger islands like Tahiti, as well as more remote locales like Bora Bora, they all allow you to bask in the sun and get it away from it all...at a price.

A group of islands off the Eastern coast of Australia, the Whitsundays offer a relaxing holiday conveniently situated near one of the greatest dive sites in the world, the Great Barrier Reef. With one look at the aquamarine waters, it's easy to see why this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia.

Whenever I travel I always end up finding something I want to photograph. Anyone can take a picture, but it takes some skill to capture a photograph that you'll want to look at later. One of my favorite subjects while I'm traveling is the local architecture: churches, houses, or whatever really speaks to the essence of a place. This isn't always easy, as getting that perfect shot can be tricky. I've got a few tips that will help you improve your architectural photos.

Located at the far northwestern tip of Australia, Darwin is part beach town and part capital city. You can have your cake and eat it too, as the beaches are pristine and the city is hoppin'.

Image: sektordua.

Tahiti has been spoiled for many years, but Bali is one of the few cultures with origins in one of the great ancient cultures which is still alive. -Arthur Erickson

Just one of thousands of islands (13,000 to be exact) that make up Indonesia, Bali has become renowned a little slice of heaven here on earth. This "Island of the Gods" offers pristine beaches, incredible vistas and a vibrant Hindu culture that leaves you reveling in its beauty.

Located in southern Thailand, Phuket enjoys the distinction of being both its largest island and its most popular tourist destination. People flock to enjoy the sand, surf, and to party down. Although it was devastated by a tsunami back in 2004, Phuket has bounced back and remains an awesome place to visit.