In the heart of the Chengdu metropolis of 14 million souls--one step through an archway just off a main arterial and the urban cacophony is silenced inside the tranquil Du Fu Cao Tang 24-acre park. Lush bamboo forests, towering trees and ponds serve as soothing backdrops for the numerous shrines honoring Chinese kings, princesses, ministers, generals, and poets from the past 1,800 years.

Vic Roberts has been producing wine since shortly after graduating from U.C. Davis in 1979. He started his winemaking career on the Central Coast at Creston Cellars in 1982. While still working for Creston Cellars, Roberts started growing grapes on his own land in the heart of the legendary Paso Robles AVA in 1985--and the Victor Hugo Winery brand was born. The lexicon of Victor Hugo varietals include Chardonnay, Viogner, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and the five Bordeaux Classic reds

A conversation with Donna Sandstrom Executive Director of Seattle based The Whale Trail . The organization’s primary mission is identifying outstanding land based whale and orca viewing spots. More than 60 educational signs have been installed along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia through Southern California. The Whale Trail’s most recent installation project added informative signage along the California Central Coast . You are invited to subscribe to the Lowell Thomas award-winning NPR

Back in the latter 18 th century, black players often played on baseball teams alongside whites. But segregation took an ugly turn in the dawning days of the 20 th century and blacks were barred through Jim Crow laws.

Jack Moneypenny, President of the Door County Visitors Bureau came up with a brilliant but simple plan that stimulates tourism while simultaneously minimizing the carbon footprint. Join Moneypenny as he shares his electric charging station vision that now serves as a model showcase for the future of ecologically sustainable regional tourism.

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant has been a family affair for more than 65 years. Scandinavian faire, from Swedish pancakes, to limpa bread, lingnonberries, and meatballs are house specialties. The structure is classic Old-World Norwegian design. Pre-built in Norway, the timbers were numbered, dismantled and shipped to Sister Bay on the Door Peninsula back in 1973.

Bell Island is located in Conception Bay, Newfoundland . It has a real outport feel to it--sleepy and intimate. It’s the kind of place that still has radio bingo, and where people know each other by name. From 1895 to 1966 Bell Island was one of the world’s largest suppliers of iron ore. In the spring of 1966 the mines were closed for good, devastating the island’s economy. In the late 1990’s Bell Island turned to tourism as a way to revitalize its economy.

A visit with Vicki Wilson, founder of Wisconsin’s Door County Coffee and Tea Company . Ms. Wilson’s business, in addition to serving more than 100 distinctive freshly roasted coffees in her café, also does a thriving internet business across America, along with private label distribution to businesses such as Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Join correspondent Tom Wilmer for a visit with JJ Malvitz, the owner of JJ’s Guide Service for an exploration of the culture of Sturgeon Bay ice fishing on Sturgeon Bay in Door County , Wisconsin.

Nashville is known far and wide as Music City, but it’s also the home to a full-size exact replica of the Parthenon in Athens. How this incredible architectural gem came to be dates back to the pioneer days when Nashville was dubbed the Athens of the South due to its passion for education and the arts.