For Immediate Release
March 22, 2023:
Always on the lookout for interesting places that are not as well-known as highly publicized destinations, radio and TV show executive producer and host of Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams and Travel TV WITH Stephanie Abrams states , ‘I’ve stumbled upon a beauty!” Abrams refers to Crescent City, California, a seaside community the hugs the Pacific shoreline boasting beautiful beaches that run for miles. . . and miles . . . complimenting the outdoors experiences available to visitors at Crescent City’s Jedediah Smith State Park, managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the California State Park system. The county of Del Norte boasts over 30,000 acres of redwood trees parkland with over 10,000 acres in Crescent City making for a unique experience for travelers without parallel, Abrams points out.
Crescent City is located about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. The destination is best reached by car. For those flying from other parts of the country and the world, Abrams points out that, “ Portland International Airport (PDX), a four hour drive north of Crescent City, is a good choice for an itinerary that includes time well invested in this unique wonderland.” Other strong airport choices include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), eleven hours ‘drive north of Crescent City and six hours south of the destination, respectively. “The good news,” Abrams points out,” is that, unlike long stretches with not much more than mountains and exquisite scenery one finds in driving cross-country in the US, the travelers can jump on Highway 101 in Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles for that matter, and head for the northwest corner of California as the 101 cuts through Crescent City so it’s impossible to get lost and the journey is noted for being one of the most gorgeous scenic drives in America. . .if not the world!”
Abrams, whose first travel guide, “1001 Reasons to Visit Ireland,” is expected this year, points out that Crescent City and Del Norte County remind her, in so many ways, of Ireland. “Like County Donegal in northwestern Ireland, Crescent City has a similar geographic position in California, “Abrams explains. “And like Donegal, which, on an annual basis, receives only about 7% to 8% of all visitors to Ireland, Crescent City, from my point of view, has the same challenges as Donegal. The comparison is stunning in that the attention that Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor receive from travelers can be compared to the attention that Donegal and Galway receive, especially since the building of the highway known as the Dublin-Galway Road. Travelers seemingly get caught up on a mobius and often never get out of that travel loop, not realizing what they are missing by not experiencing what the northwest has to offer!”
Regrettably, Abrams notes, drought, whose effects were minimized by floods from excessive rain, overflowing rivers, excessive heat and wildfires have been rampant in California, in general, and dominate the news. But Crescent City, Abrams explains, has its own unique micro-climate which she describes as “Bermuda in the winter year ‘round! Temperatures rarely soar above the low 70’s and rarely dip below 40 degrees which makes for comfortable outdoor activities. And, like Ireland, the region receives valuable rainfall which is generally followed by brilliant sunshine and incredible rainbows with colors that are intensely vibrant. . . and even more impressive of than the many rainbows I’ve enjoyed in Ireland!”
As unusual and unforgettable as the sights of the giant redwoods which proliferate the region and lengthy stretches of Pacific coastline beaches are, Abrams notes that she will never forget the warm hospitality shown to her by Patricia Coburn, the General Manager of the Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn and Rick White, the owner of Port O’Pints pub in Crescent City. “Charmers!” Abrams states enthusiastically. “Patricia needs to be dipped in bronze and placed in the Smithsonian as an example of ‘Excellence in Tourism!’ Patricia is skilled, competent, charming and never for a second loses sight of her mission to exceed the expectations of everyone who enters this pampering hotel and to be an Ambassador of Hospitality as an ad hoc representative of Crescent City tourism. She is a stellar example of hospitality at its best tucked away in this darling corner of the world!”
Abrams, who has taught courses in Travel & Tourism at two colleges in Massachusetts, notes that in touristic locations, “Marketing is everyone’s business and everyone is in the marketing department. What I mean by that is that anyone who is involved in tourism or benefits from visitors coming to their region or their business has an obligation to remember that their demeanor and attitudes will be noticed and remembered. People who visit places that are beautiful in every way but where the newcomer is not treated with a warm welcome and a friendly smile is not apt to return to that destination. Decades ago, the governments of the Bahamas and Jamaica instituted programs with taxi drivers, curriculum in the schools that started at the youngest levels, and Meet the People programs, all of which were successful in raising the awareness of locals to the importance welcoming the visitor and the newcomer. Having met and interviewed Patricia Coburn and Rick White and others in the region has given me a chance to experience a Crescent City welcome at its best. And I will long remember the special brand of Crescent City Welcome I have received from others involved in tourism in the region,” Abrams notes. “Travelers expect to make memories they will never forget and I can attest that I have those dipped in platinum!”
Abrams has produced touristic features about locations in Humboldt County, California, neighbor to Del Norte County. Included are the one-square-mile city of Ferndale and its marvelous Victorian Inn, seen in the films “Outbreak,” with Dustin Hoffman and “The Majestic,” with Jim Carey, whose owners Stephanie Abrams regards as dear friends after producing features about the inn many times. Other Humboldt County features have included interviews with the director of Humboldt County Tourism, Sequoia Park Zoo and their foundation responsible for fundraising to support the needs of the zoo and its visitors, the Benbow Historic Inn in Garberville and its golf course and KOA Campground.
Abrams notes that Crescent City is a great base to continue to do features on Portland and actually visit the wine trail in Oregon that she has featured in the past but not yet visited. Places in Nevada, Utah and Arizona are high on Abrams list to focus attention. “There are so many places we have featured in these states over the years that we’ve never been to! I’m looking forward to supporting our ‘Stay & Play USA’ features with visit to the places we talk about. American tourism destinations deserve our support!” Abrams concludes.
Travel Expert Broadcaster Shines a Light on Under-Marketed Tourism Treasures on California’s North Coast
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2023:
Always on the lookout for interesting places that are not as well-known as highly publicized destinations, radio and TV show executive producer and host of Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams and Travel TV WITH Stephanie Abrams states , ‘I’ve stumbled upon a beauty!” Abrams refers to Crescent City, California, a seaside community the hugs the Pacific shoreline boasting beautiful beaches that run for miles. . . and miles . . . complimenting the outdoors experiences available to visitors at Crescent City’s Jedediah Smith State Park, managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the California State Park system. The county of Del Norte boasts over 30,000 acres of redwood trees parkland with over 10,000 acres in Crescent City making for a unique experience for travelers without parallel, Abrams points out.
Crescent City is located about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. The destination is best reached by car. For those flying from other parts of the country and the world, Abrams points out that, “ Portland International Airport (PDX), a four hour drive north of Crescent City, is a good choice for an itinerary that includes time well invested in this unique wonderland.” Other strong airport choices include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), eleven hours ‘drive north of Crescent City and six hours south of the destination, respectively. “The good news,” Abrams points out,” is that, unlike long stretches with not much more than mountains and exquisite scenery one finds in driving cross-country in the US, the travelers can jump on Highway 101 in Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles for that matter, and head for the northwest corner of California as the 101 cuts through Crescent City so it’s impossible to get lost and the journey is noted for being one of the most gorgeous scenic drives in America. . .if not the world!”
Abrams, whose first travel guide, “1001 Reasons to Visit Ireland,” is expected this year, points out that Crescent City and Del Norte County remind her, in so many ways, of Ireland. “Like County Donegal in northwestern Ireland, Crescent City has a similar geographic position in California, “Abrams explains. “And like Donegal, which, on an annual basis, receives only about 7% to 8% of all visitors to Ireland, Crescent City, from my point of view, has the same challenges as Donegal. The comparison is stunning in that the attention that Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor receive from travelers can be compared to the attention that Donegal and Galway receive, especially since the building of the highway known as the Dublin-Galway Road. Travelers seemingly get caught up on a mobius and often never get out of that travel loop, not realizing what they are missing by not experiencing what the northwest has to offer!”
Regrettably, Abrams notes, drought, whose effects were minimized by floods from excessive rain, overflowing rivers, excessive heat and wildfires have been rampant in California, in general, and dominate the news. But Crescent City, Abrams explains, has its own unique micro-climate which she describes as “Bermuda in the winter year ‘round! Temperatures rarely soar above the low 70’s and rarely dip below 40 degrees which makes for comfortable outdoor activities. And, like Ireland, the region receives valuable rainfall which is generally followed by brilliant sunshine and incredible rainbows with colors that are intensely vibrant. . . and even more impressive of than the many rainbows I’ve enjoyed in Ireland!”
As unusual and unforgettable as the sights of the giant redwoods which proliferate the region and lengthy stretches of Pacific coastline beaches are, Abrams notes that she will never forget the warm hospitality shown to her by Patricia Coburn, the General Manager of the Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn and Rick White, the owner of Port O’Pints pub in Crescent City. “Charmers!” Abrams states enthusiastically. “Patricia needs to be dipped in bronze and placed in the Smithsonian as an example of ‘Excellence in Tourism!’ Patricia is skilled, competent, charming and never for a second loses sight of her mission to exceed the expectations of everyone who enters this pampering hotel and to be an Ambassador of Hospitality as an ad hoc representative of Crescent City tourism. She is a stellar example of hospitality at its best tucked away in this darling corner of the world!”
Abrams, who has taught courses in Travel & Tourism at two colleges in Massachusetts, notes that in touristic locations, “Marketing is everyone’s business and everyone is in the marketing department. What I mean by that is that anyone who is involved in tourism or benefits from visitors coming to their region or their business has an obligation to remember that their demeanor and attitudes will be noticed and remembered. People who visit places that are beautiful in every way but where the newcomer is not treated with a warm welcome and a friendly smile is not apt to return to that destination. Decades ago, the governments of the Bahamas and Jamaica instituted programs with taxi drivers, curriculum in the schools that started at the youngest levels, and Meet the People programs, all of which were successful in raising the awareness of locals to the importance welcoming the visitor and the newcomer. Having met and interviewed Patricia Coburn and Rick White and others in the region has given me a chance to experience a Crescent City welcome at its best. And I will long remember the special brand of Crescent City Welcome I have received from others involved in tourism in the region,” Abrams notes. “Travelers expect to make memories they will never forget and I can attest that I have those dipped in platinum!”
Abrams has produced touristic features about locations in Humboldt County, California, neighbor to Del Norte County. Included are the one-square-mile city of Ferndale and its marvelous Victorian Inn, seen in the films “Outbreak,” with Dustin Hoffman and “The Majestic,” with Jim Carey, whose owners Stephanie Abrams regards as dear friends after producing features about the inn many times. Other Humboldt County features have included interviews with the director of Humboldt County Tourism, Sequoia Park Zoo and their foundation responsible for fundraising to support the needs of the zoo and its visitors, the Benbow Historic Inn in Garberville and its golf course and KOA Campground.
Abrams notes that Crescent City is a great base to continue to do features on Portland and actually visit the wine trail in Oregon that she has featured in the past but not yet visited. Places in Nevada, Utah and Arizona are high on Abrams list to focus attention. “There are so many places we have featured in these states over the years that we’ve never been to! I’m looking forward to supporting our ‘Stay & Play USA’ features with visit to the places we talk about. American tourism destinations deserve our support!” Abrams concludes.
Travel Expert Broadcaster Shines a Light on Under-Marketed Tourism Treasures on California’s North Coast
For Immediate Release
March 22, 2023:
Always on the lookout for interesting places that are not as well-known as highly publicized destinations, radio and TV show executive producer and host of Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams and Travel TV WITH Stephanie Abrams states , ‘I’ve stumbled upon a beauty!” Abrams refers to Crescent City, California, a seaside community the hugs the Pacific shoreline boasting beautiful beaches that run for miles. . . and miles . . . complimenting the outdoors experiences available to visitors at Crescent City’s Jedediah Smith State Park, managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the California State Park system. The county of Del Norte boasts over 30,000 acres of redwood trees parkland with over 10,000 acres in Crescent City making for a unique experience for travelers without parallel, Abrams points out.
Crescent City is located about 20 miles south of the Oregon border. The destination is best reached by car. For those flying from other parts of the country and the world, Abrams points out that, “ Portland International Airport (PDX), a four hour drive north of Crescent City, is a good choice for an itinerary that includes time well invested in this unique wonderland.” Other strong airport choices include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), eleven hours ‘drive north of Crescent City and six hours south of the destination, respectively. “The good news,” Abrams points out,” is that, unlike long stretches with not much more than mountains and exquisite scenery one finds in driving cross-country in the US, the travelers can jump on Highway 101 in Seattle, San Francisco, or Los Angeles for that matter, and head for the northwest corner of California as the 101 cuts through Crescent City so it’s impossible to get lost and the journey is noted for being one of the most gorgeous scenic drives in America. . .if not the world!”
Abrams, whose first travel guide, “1001 Reasons to Visit Ireland,” is expected this year, points out that Crescent City and Del Norte County remind her, in so many ways, of Ireland. “Like County Donegal in northwestern Ireland, Crescent City has a similar geographic position in California, “Abrams explains. “And like Donegal, which, on an annual basis, receives only about 7% to 8% of all visitors to Ireland, Crescent City, from my point of view, has the same challenges as Donegal. The comparison is stunning in that the attention that Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor receive from travelers can be compared to the attention that Donegal and Galway receive, especially since the building of the highway known as the Dublin-Galway Road. Travelers seemingly get caught up on a mobius and often never get out of that travel loop, not realizing what they are missing by not experiencing what the northwest has to offer!”
Regrettably, Abrams notes, drought, whose effects were minimized by floods from excessive rain, overflowing rivers, excessive heat and wildfires have been rampant in California, in general, and dominate the news. But Crescent City, Abrams explains, has its own unique micro-climate which she describes as “Bermuda in the winter year ‘round! Temperatures rarely soar above the low 70’s and rarely dip below 40 degrees which makes for comfortable outdoor activities. And, like Ireland, the region receives valuable rainfall which is generally followed by brilliant sunshine and incredible rainbows with colors that are intensely vibrant. . . and even more impressive of than the many rainbows I’ve enjoyed in Ireland!”
As unusual and unforgettable as the sights of the giant redwoods which proliferate the region and lengthy stretches of Pacific coastline beaches are, Abrams notes that she will never forget the warm hospitality shown to her by Patricia Coburn, the General Manager of the Best Western Plus Northwoods Inn and Rick White, the owner of Port O’Pints pub in Crescent City. “Charmers!” Abrams states enthusiastically. “Patricia needs to be dipped in bronze and placed in the Smithsonian as an example of ‘Excellence in Tourism!’ Patricia is skilled, competent, charming and never for a second loses sight of her mission to exceed the expectations of everyone who enters this pampering hotel and to be an Ambassador of Hospitality as an ad hoc representative of Crescent City tourism. She is a stellar example of hospitality at its best tucked away in this darling corner of the world!”
Abrams, who has taught courses in Travel & Tourism at two colleges in Massachusetts, notes that in touristic locations, “Marketing is everyone’s business and everyone is in the marketing department. What I mean by that is that anyone who is involved in tourism or benefits from visitors coming to their region or their business has an obligation to remember that their demeanor and attitudes will be noticed and remembered. People who visit places that are beautiful in every way but where the newcomer is not treated with a warm welcome and a friendly smile is not apt to return to that destination. Decades ago, the governments of the Bahamas and Jamaica instituted programs with taxi drivers, curriculum in the schools that started at the youngest levels, and Meet the People programs, all of which were successful in raising the awareness of locals to the importance welcoming the visitor and the newcomer. Having met and interviewed Patricia Coburn and Rick White and others in the region has given me a chance to experience a Crescent City welcome at its best. And I will long remember the special brand of Crescent City Welcome I have received from others involved in tourism in the region,” Abrams notes. “Travelers expect to make memories they will never forget and I can attest that I have those dipped in platinum!”
Abrams has produced touristic features about locations in Humboldt County, California, neighbor to Del Norte County. Included are the one-square-mile city of Ferndale and its marvelous Victorian Inn, seen in the films “Outbreak,” with Dustin Hoffman and “The Majestic,” with Jim Carey, whose owners Stephanie Abrams regards as dear friends after producing features about the inn many times. Other Humboldt County features have included interviews with the director of Humboldt County Tourism, Sequoia Park Zoo and their foundation responsible for fundraising to support the needs of the zoo and its visitors, the Benbow Historic Inn in Garberville and its golf course and KOA Campground.
Abrams notes that Crescent City is a great base to continue to do features on Portland and actually visit the wine trail in Oregon that she has featured in the past but not yet visited. Places in Nevada, Utah and Arizona are high on Abrams list to focus attention. “There are so many places we have featured in these states over the years that we’ve never been to! I’m looking forward to supporting our ‘Stay & Play USA’ features with visit to the places we talk about. American tourism destinations deserve our support!” Abrams concludes.
CALL HIM TAOISEACH!

CALL HIM
TAOISEACH!



Top Photo: Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaking at 100th Anniversary of sinking of Titanic at Addergoole Historic Society’s dedication of memorial park in Lahardane, Co. Mayo, April 15, 2012. Behind Kenny is Michael Coleman, former Pittsfiled, MA native, responsible for new stained glass Titanic themed window designs at St. Patrick’s Church in Lahardane.
Middle Photo: Travel expert Stephanie Abrams, left, with President of the Republic of Ireland at Saint Patrick’s Centre, County Down, Northern Ireland with Dr. Tim Campbell in the background.
Bottom Photo: (from left to right) Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams, Eamon O’Cuiv, grandson of historically important three-times Taioseach of Ireland Eamon De Velera, Dr. Tim Campblee, Director of the Saint Patrick Centre in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, and Mrs. Anne De Velera.
VIDEO ABOVE: This video, produced in Lahardane, Co. Mayo, Ireland, features Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and seventh (7th) President of Ireland and first woman to be president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, attending the April 15, 2012 100th Anniversary of the sinking of Titanic memorializing 14 people from Addergoole Parrish who sailed on Titanic from the local community and dedicating the new Addergoogle Historical Society Titanic Memorial Park. The documentary of the opening of Titanic Belfast and the events in Co. Mayo are impactful.
CALL HIM TAOISEACH!
There’s an old joke that goes like this:
Q. What do you call a person who speaks many languages?
A. Polyglot.
Q. What you call a person who speaks only one language?
A. American.
None the less, there are words that we allow to enter common-day English but one of those words, which out of respect for the office, everyone should recognize, know the meaning of, and be able to pronounce, especially if they are in the news broadcast business. That word is TAOISEACH.
“TAOISEACH” is a challenging word, I will admit. If you try to pronounce it as it is spelled, you will fail abysmally. The word is the Irish word for chief, chieftain or leader and it is the word that describes the head of Irish government. This link provides you with the pronunciation but until you click on it, here’s my pronunciation key: Tee-shock (accent on the first syllable). Clearly, you’d never get that out of trying to pronounce the letters you see in the spelling if you use Standard English pronunciation rules. But we’re talking about the Irish language, here. . .not English. And, using “English” standards to describe the Taoiseach as Prime Minister is, from my American point of view, remembering that I have no Irish bloodlines whatsoever, but as a student of Irish history, Irish culture, and the Irish psyche, I am offended by Americans, and even more offended by the Brits, who refer to the Taoiseach of Ireland as the Prime Minister because it smacks of, from my point of view, the Brits still imposing their culture and their claws in all-things-Irish. And while the Irish, the most welcoming people on the face of the earth, strive to have cordial relationships with their UK neighbors for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is economic, it seems to me that the prissy culture where ‘everything stops for tea,’ even in the heat of battle, an olive branch would be well received in hearing the proper use of the title of the highest office in Irish government by referring to that person as Taoiseach and not by the term used in Britain for a parallel office.
I have given US broadcasters a pass on getting this wrong and calling the Taoiseach “Prime Minister” because I’ve always thought that newscasters are afraid to mispronounce the word and look foolish but with Google Translate and their associated audio pronunciation tutorials which literally take only seconds to hear and imitate and learn to say it right, the time has come for even monoglot Americans to call the head of Irish government Taoiseach and get it right.
But today, I heard an NPR (National Public Radio) broadcast of BBC World News with a British gentleman, in very proper tones, deliver a report about “ Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland” and it made my skin crawl! Happily, the Irish pronunciation for the name Michael was used so that is an extreme plus. But the recognition of Micheál Martin as an Irishman stopped there as his title was anglicized. One little step forward would have completed the recognition and respect for the office of head of government and recognition and respect for Ireland as a nation. It really wouldn’t take much for the world to get an education from news departments that the head of Irish government is the TAOISEACH.
And, fascinatingly, among the things we can learn from the Irish is the way their governmental chores are divided: The TAOISEACH heads up the government tasks of overseeing items like health, education and welfare making sure the economy is on track and infrastructure is being improved and the like. The job of attending ribbon cuttings and parades and events where the government should be represented falls, would you believe, to the President of Ireland, a very social job! This is true in counties and big cities in of Ireland as well where the County or City Executive oversees the functioning of the county/city while the Mayor is the one who officiates at events, makes speeches, kisses babies and creates the important presence of the local party in power and the local governance. This system makes so much sense as it creates a way for the executive responsible for getting the work done not to have to leave the work of the country, city, or town to attend the grand opening of a business or the graduation of students and the like leaving the top executive undistracted from the social aspects of government engagement. Not a bad idea for others countries, provinces, states, counties, cities and towns to consider to increase the efficiency of growth and development of their locale.
May I deputize you into my campaign to have the Taoiseach of Ireland referred to as just that? The next time you hear a referral to the Prime Minister of Ireland, please feel free to give the speaker and those around you a lesson in the proper title for the holder of the top position in Irish government. . . or just refer them to this blog. I can’t wait to hear the first radio or TV news commentator or reporter in the US actually refer to the head of Irish government as the Taoiseach. . .Tee-shock. . .accent on the first syllable!
I feel so much better now.
Your personal travel expert,
Stephanie Abrams
Travel Expert Broadcaster Shines a Light on Under-Marketed Tourism Treasures on California’s North Coast
For Immediate Release March 22, 2023: Always on the lookout for interesting places that are not as well-known as highly publicized destinations, radio and TV show executive producer and host of Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams and Travel TV WITH Stephanie Abrams states , ‘I’ve stumbled upon a beauty!” Abrams refers to Crescent City, California, a…
SEASON’S GREETINGS
CLICK ABOVE FOR A SPECIAL NOTE OF HOLIDAY CHEER AND LISTEN BELOW TO HOLIDAY MESSAGES FROM GLOBAL LEADERS IN TRAVEL. remembering wonderful holidays at Adare Manor in County Limerick, Ireland. Hoping your travel experiences have created wonderful memories to draw on that motivate you to start planning your next journeys! Where can you find some…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.