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The Santa Cruise is a really lovely experience. The kids LOVE it. A two-story boat rides around Geneva Lake past fantastic lighted Christmas scenes. It's the perfect amount of time at 40 minutes. Santa reads a list of the kid's names over the loud speaker. The kids are ecstatic. We really enjoyed it.

Sintra National Palace is smack in the middle of the town. Get there early! It's very popular. We had a private guide who was very informative.

The first thing I noticed about the Palace--it's two very different periods, styles of architecture slammed together. This seems to be common in Europe as each new King wants to modernize and put their own personality onto their abodes.

This palace has elements of Moorish, Spanish, English, and even Chinese influences. Beautiful tiles throughout. This is a sprawling palace, so allow yourself ample time. It's well worth your time.

2.5 Stars. I'm a lifetime AA customer but I'm shocked. Every third flight seems to be canceled, turned into an indirect route or delayed for mysterious reasons. My flight to London was canceled at Gate when we were about to board. 4 hr delay awaiting new plane, crew, food. Same type delay, Charlotte, NC.

Simultaneously, precipitous DROP in service from most AA personnel. Staff are disinterested, diffident, barely present.

By contrast, Delta staff were completely engaged. The difference between AA & Delta was striking.

What has happened to AA? A prestigious airline on precipice of severe decline.

Bar Harbor is a quaint town on Desert Island in the midst of Acadia National Park. Many unique shops, Souvenir Purveyors and restaurants galore. This is your starting point for Boat, Bus, Trolley Tours. Public Parking available but DO feed your meter.

We took a Foodie Walking Tour, stopping in 4 restaurants and samping local cuisine. Guide of town, history included. Most favorite food place was Stadium--amazing fresh Popovers, coffee.

Swing by Criterion, 1932 Theatre. Still open for Movies. Ivy Manor Hotel had Live local music & drinks. Very relaxing. Galyn's served delicious Crab Cakes. Melt offered mouth watering Blueberry Popovers. Saint Saviors Episcopal Church has many original Tiffany stained glass windows.

We got to tour this theater and meet the Director of the endeavor. It's a small space with lots of heart. They actors and crew make scene changes seem easy, enlarging/shrinking the space, making use of upstairs, nooks, crannies. Quite a team engineering feat. There's even space for food & socializing.

Community Players are enthusiastic. Plays rotate frequently and cover wide range of topics. Very reasonably priced evening out in Rockford. Restaurants nearby.