"Young Victoria" draws a traveler to reconnect with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

The new film "The Young Victoria," in which Emily Blunt brings to life the woman who eventually is symbolic with an age that has continued to influence style and design to this day, is a must-view for travel enthusiasts on many levels. Victoria's long reign and prodigy, nine children and forty-two grandchildren, all married into the courts of Europe, created an impact on the world we know and travel in that world which makes knowing a bit more about her imperative for the discerning traveler.

After watching the film I was reminded of one of my favorite museums -- a legacy that Victoria and Albert gave to London and the world-- and free to visit. Unfortunately, the V & A is not typically on the "top" lists created by tour guide writers because London is so chock full of historic sites and places to visit for the whiz-through tourist. But for the more seasoned traveler or second/third time visitor, the Victoria and Albert is definitely worth scheduling some time. It is also a place to explore a particular interest in conjunction with your trip.

Perhaps one of the greatest collections of artifacts of art and design, the Museum houses over 3000 years of items from cultures throughout the world including extensive holdings in architecture, ceramics, fashion, furniture, glass, metalwork, painting, photography, sculpture and textiles.

Highlights of the museum of interest to the travel enthusiast include the Architecture gallery featuring selections from collections of drawings, models, photographs and fragments exploring comparative building strategies from around the world and changing styles. The V&A also owns the most comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world, and is current redisplaying for the first time in 100 years the collection spanning from early Chinese pottery dated 3500 BC to contemporary ceramic art. Incorporating a workshop area where pottery techniques are demonstrated, the new ceramic galleries also allow visitors to make and decorate their own ceramics.

Not to be missed is the fashion and jewelry collection which covers dress from the 17th century to the present day and over 3500 jewels reflecting the splendor of courtly life -- a highlight of which are diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia and tiaras worn the Empress Josephine. The V&A's collection of stained glass spanning periods from 1140 through 1960 is particularly strong in medieval and Renaissance church art. Also demonstrating the focus on this period, the museum's new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries opened in December of 2009 to include Gothic altarpieces, notebooks of Da Vinci and sculpture of many Italian Masters.

Part of coming to London is the theatre experience, and a V&A visit is a great adjunct to a theatrically themed journey. The V&A's Theatre Collections hold the UK's national collection on live performance spanning from Shakespeare's time through today including art, costumes, video recordings, posters, puppets and photographs, theatre programs and other ephemera. Among the Theatre Collection's highlights are over 3500 stage costumes and accessories from the mid-18th century onwards.

In addition to displays from permanent collection, the V&A runs programs of changing exhibitions and displays. Admission , as noted above is free, with some special exhibitions having a separate charge. Open from 10 till 5:45 PM daily, selected galleries remain open until late on the last Friday of the month. This is a fun time to go to have a glass of wine, attend a concert or special gallery talk. Check the schedule at events.

Disney for Adults - A Mini-Trip around the World at Epcot

While the real trip I would have liked to begin 2010 with wasn't going to happen just now, a miniaturized version was within reach. Where else on the planet could I from one vantage point gaze at what at least appeared to be Paris, London, Venice, and Tokyo -- Epcot.

While frequently passing by on the way to somewhere else, I hadn't been to Epcot in quite awhile. But it didn't take me long to figure out that it was a great destination for grown-ups. While some travel writers find the Worlds of Disney cloying or at least in one writer's case downright "frightening," I still find them delightful. Perhaps because Disney was the first to whisk me away on a magic carpet ride to unfamiliar turf. Whatever, Disney's lands still draw me again and again whether child in hand or as it was this time child in heart.

There was much more to do at Epcot than the time we had alloted to be there permitted. In addition to the World Showcase, our focus the day we visited, there is also Future World. Lines from Mission: Space told the story --- this was something to get a FastPass for next time around. I'm also told that Soarin is a not-to-miss attraction for kids and adults. But I guess that depends on how much exhilaration you are looking for.

But it's the World Showcase that is the real adult draw -- a great place to spend a morning through lunch, or an afternoon through early evening. Some of the pluses: great exercise as you walk around the Lake with lots of eye-candy to distract you from the fact you are working-out, lots of good adult entertainment, shopping opportunities and attractions/shows.

The day we were there we breezed through Canada and caught a Celtic Rock Band, with a lead singer who resembled a younger Mel Gibson, that was quite good in Canada. Canada also has a Circle Vision film that we passed on this time.

Past Canada, the Rose & Crown Pub is available to quench your thirst in the United Kingdom. Then it's a short stroll to France for a large circular-screen film that brings you into the French countryside for a peak at castles, small French towns, Churches, vineyards and more. And while you're in France there are several dining opportunities including a tempting Boulangerie Patisserie.

We moved onto for a quick flight through Morocco because we were getting hungry and sushi was on the menu in Japan. There are three dining choices in Japan, one with teppanyaki, one a yakitori house and the other a more formal restaurant, Tokyo Dining, which we chose for lunch. While waiting for our buzzer to go off, we watched a performance of Epcot's Taiko Drummers -- amazing.






Following lunch we stopped at the American Adventure -- a quick tour through American history with the use of film, animation and animatronics -- well worth the time. Then as time was getting short we sped through Italy, quickly checked out Oktoberfest in Germany, which looked worthy of a return visit at a later time, and passed by China with a Circle-Vision film that we had to miss this time.

Two boat rides ended our day. Norway has a short boat voyage that draws crowds and Mexico's Gran Fiesta Tour is an entertaining diversion after the long walk around the world.

Epcot is definitely worth putting on your agenda if you are planning a trip to Florida or live anywhere in the southeast US and are looking for a weekend getaway. Plan to go, as we will next time, during one of Epcot's major events:

Flower and Garden Festival -- March 3 through May 16.

International Food and Wine Festival -- September 25 through November 8.

Holidays Around the World -- November 27 through December 30.

Other tips for adults:

1. Plan ahead -- check out Disney Epcot's website and decide what you would like to do. Find out what shows and special events are available on the day(s) you want to visit.
2. Use Fastpass for popular attraction. You insert your park ticket into the Fastpass kiosk and receive a ticket with a return time, so you can come back with no wait.
3. If you buy items during your walk around, consider having your packages delivered to the Package Pickup at the Gift Shop at the Main Entrance.
4. Taking pup, there is a kennel located near the Main Entrance.
5. If you want to break up your visit, you can go early in the morning and return later in the day as long as you retain your ticket.
6. Some restaurants in the park are worth reserving in advance: Call 407-939-3463.