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Mary Bergin's Roads Traveled: Good Food & Travel in Wisconsin, the Midwest and Beyond

Easily amused, properly impressed with all the little wonders of the world and back yard., for disabled travelers: able trek tours.

July 20, 2013 Mary Bergin Tours 0

Even an average Wednesday draws 600 people to a spring matinee at The Fireside Dinner Theatre , Fort Atkinson, and in the audience are many customers who arrive by bus. That’s the case at my table of 12, where the outing begins with a fancy lunch, and almost everybody orders chocolate milk.

Some of us drain our glasses before the arrival of salad – a neat mix of greens with bits of bacon, beets, corn, cucumber, tomato and crunchy fried onion. Almost everybody earns dessert (cherry crisp a la mode) because we easily clean our plates of chicken schnitzel.

Conversation is friendly, direct and includes anybody who feels like talking.

“Are you happy?” asks Lisa Carpenter of Appleton.

“Uh-huh,” responds Nancy Parker of Marinette, who is not compelled to elaborate.

The women, who became pen pals because of these trips, made shopping a priority before settling in for this meal. One bought an Elvis lunchbox. The other looked for something scary; she likes snakes and horror movies.

Lisa and Nancy got to know each other because of Able Trek Tours , which since 1992 has arranged vacations for people who need help when traveling. Clients include the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, elderly and others. The ratio is one staff member or trained volunteer for every three or four travelers.

These outings began with an overnight near Chicago, to Six Flags Great America, and 61 people took 14 Able Trek trips before 1992 ended. Twenty years later, 965 travelers took 46 trips; destinations were domestic and international.

“I felt there was a strong need to offer more” than Wisconsin Badger Camp activities provided to the developmentally disabled, explains Don Douglas, the camp’s former director and Able Trek’s founder. He also has a 27-year-old adopted daughter who is severely disabled.

“We all like to experience something new,” he says, but group travel options for this population were limited and challenging. So was Don’s work to establish Able Trek; for a while he also worked part time as a carpenter, fundraiser and bus driver.

Now vans and 56-passenger buses pick up special needs customers in much of Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Dubuque, Iowa. Able Trek’s support crew includes at least 300 trained volunteers, who gain a free getaway in exchange for assisting travelers with personal care, medication management, cutting food and other tasks.

“We have some retired nurses as volunteers, but we don’t guarantee that a professional health care worker will be on our trips,” Don says. Staff and volunteers complete first aid training; people who need more might travel with their own helper.

Vehicles accommodate wheelchair travelers. People with behavior issues might be turned away, for the safety of the group.

Able Trek heads to Wisconsin’s waterparks, Iowa’s Amana Colonies, Disney attractions in Florida, Broadway shows in New York, the Alps of Austria, a cruise in the Caribbean, pro baseball and football games.

“We’ve had staff and travelers fly in to participate in our trips,” Don says. Trips abroad might involve only two or three special needs travelers, plus staff; they typically become part of a larger tour group at the foreign destination.

For the Fireside Theatre trip, one bus made passenger pick-ups from Dubuque to Madison. The other’s route included Appleton and Milwaukee.

“For the rest of my life, I’ll be a part of Able Trek,” says Jayme Roller of Endeavor. “The people who travel are friendly and happy.” She is a stay-at-home mom and former Able Trek office secretary who travels with the company monthly.

“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s satisfying,” says Chris Pritzl of Kenosha. Free travel is a bonus: This two-year Able Trek volunteer and foster parent has accompanied groups to St. Louis, Minneapolis and Branson, Mo.

Frequent Able Trek travelers refer to Mary Lou Davis of Madison as “mom” or “grandma” because of the above-and-beyond care that she demonstrates. That includes making ham spread and chicken noodle soup for annual fishing trips.

“I’m not ready to sit at home and just look at four walls,” says the retiree, whose Able Trek work began at least 10 years ago.

For more about Able Trek Tours: abletrektours.com , 800-205-6713. The cost depends upon the destination (a Wisconsin State Fair day trip costs $120; a nine-day Hawaii trip starts at $3,195). Although the company already has many volunteers, “we always have our doors open and never turn away good people,” says founder Don Douglas.

Day trips for the general public, who are picked up with a 35-mile radius of Reedsburg, also are arranged. Buses are available as private-group charters.

For more about The Fireside Theatre, 1131 Janesville Ave., Fort Atkinson: firesidetheatre.com , 800-477-9505. Remaining 2013 musical productions are “The Witnesses: Seeing is Believing” (a Christian theme), July 17-21; “Run for Your Wife,” July 25 to Sept. 1; “Once Upon a Mattress,” Sept. 5 to Oct. 27; and “A Fireside Christmas,” Oct. 31 to Dec. 22.

Serving the Milwaukee area is Going Beyond Travel , whose owners (Pam and Monty Hunt of Mequon) since 1995 have arranged trips for adults with developmental disabilities. Offerings are a mix of day trips and overnights; almost all are in the Midwest. One staff member accompanies every four to eight clients. For more: goingbeyondtravel.com , 262-512-1252.

For more about Wisconsin Badger Camp , based in Prairie du Chien: badgercamp.org , 608-988-4558. The specialized camp began in 1966 as Southwest Badger Camp.

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Individuals who need assistance vacationing are encouraged and welcome to travel with Able Trek Tours. This includes individuals with developmental disabilities, the elderly, individuals with a mental health condition, and others.

Able Trek offers fully staffed and assisted tours for adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities. Travelers must exhibit appropriate social behavior, have no major medical concerns, be at least 18 years old and display appropriate behavior toward property, themselves, and others. The typical Staff to Traveler ratio is 1:3 or 1:4. If a Traveler requires more assistance and/or supervision, we may require the guest to attend the tour with their own 1:1 support staff.

Able Trek Tours, Inc.

Able Trek Tours provides transportation and shuttle service in the Wisconsin Dells area for any occasion. Our late model motor coaches feature restrooms, televisions, air conditioning and much more!

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km travel chesterfield 2024 brochure prices

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Trains Moscow to Elektrostal: Times, Prices and Tickets

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Moscow to Elektrostal by train

The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is .

Get from Moscow to Elektrostal with Virail

Virail's search tool will provide you with the options you need when you want to go from Moscow to Elektrostal. All you need to do is enter the dates of your planned journey, and let us take care of everything else. Our engine does the hard work, searching through thousands of routes offered by our trusted travel partners to show you options for traveling by train, bus, plane, or carpool. You can filter the results to suit your needs. There are a number of filtering options, including price, one-way or round trip, departure or arrival time, duration of journey, or number of connections. Soon you'll find the best choice for your journey. When you're ready, Virail will transfer you to the provider's website to complete the booking. No matter where you're going, get there with Virail.

How can I find the cheapest train tickets to get from Moscow to Elektrostal?

Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. You can find train tickets for prices as low as , but it may require some flexibility with your travel plans. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets. Unfortunately, no price was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find price results. Prices will vary when you travel from Moscow to Elektrostal. On average, though, you'll pay about for a train ticket. If you're looking for a low price, you may need to prepare to spend more time in transit. You can also often find cheaper train tickets at particular times of day, or on certain days of the week. Of course, ticket prices often change during the year, too; expect to pay more in peak season. For the lowest prices, it's usually best to make your reservation in advance. Be careful, though, as many providers do not offer refunds or exchanges on their cheapest train tickets.

How long does it take to get from Moscow to Elektrostal by train?

The journey between Moscow and Elektrostal by train is approximately 32.44 mi. It will take you more or less 2 hr 7 min to complete this journey. This average figure does not take into account any delays that might arise on your route in exceptional circumstances. If you are planning to make a connection or operating on a tight schedule, give yourself plenty of time. The distance between Moscow and Elektrostal is around 32.44 mi. Depending on the exact route and provider you travel with, your journey time can vary. On average, this journey will take approximately 2 hr 7 min. However, the fastest routes between Moscow and Elektrostal take 1 hr 3 min. If a fast journey is a priority for you when traveling, look out for express services that may get you there faster. Some flexibility may be necessary when booking. Often, these services only leave at particular times of day - or even on certain days of the week. You may also find a faster journey by taking an indirect route and connecting in another station along the way.

How many journeys from Moscow to Elektrostal are there every day?

On average, there are 71 daily departures from Moscow to Elektrostal. However, there may be more or less on different days. Providers' timetables can change on certain days of the week or public holidays, and many also vary at particular times of year. Some providers change their schedules during the summer season, for example. At very busy times, there may be up to departures each day. The providers that travel along this route include , and each operates according to their own specific schedules. As a traveler, you may prefer a direct journey, or you may not mind making changes and connections. If you have heavy suitcases, a direct journey could be best; otherwise, you might be able to save money and enjoy more flexibility by making a change along the way. Every day, there are an average of 18 departures from Moscow which travel directly to Elektrostal. There are 53 journeys with one change or more. Unfortunately, no connection was found for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal. Selecting a new departure or arrival city, without dramatically changing your itinerary could help you find connections.

Book in advance and save

If you're looking for the best deal for your trip from Moscow to Elektrostal, booking train tickets in advance is a great way to save money, but keep in mind that advance tickets are usually not available until 3 months before your travel date.

Stay flexible with your travel time and explore off-peak journeys

Planning your trips around off-peak travel times not only means that you'll be able to avoid the crowds, but can also end up saving you money. Being flexible with your schedule and considering alternative routes or times will significantly impact the amount of money you spend on getting from Moscow to Elektrostal.

Always check special offers

Checking on the latest deals can help save a lot of money, making it worth taking the time to browse and compare prices. So make sure you get the best deal on your ticket and take advantage of special fares for children, youth and seniors as well as discounts for groups.

Unlock the potential of slower trains or connecting trains

If you're planning a trip with some flexible time, why not opt for the scenic route? Taking slower trains or connecting trains that make more stops may save you money on your ticket – definitely worth considering if it fits in your schedule.

Best time to book cheap train tickets from Moscow to Elektrostal

The cheapest Moscow - Elektrostal train tickets can be found for as low as $35.01 if you’re lucky, or $54.00 on average. The most expensive ticket can cost as much as $77.49.

Find the best day to travel to Elektrostal by train

When travelling to Elektrostal by train, if you want to avoid crowds you can check how frequently our customers are travelling in the next 30-days using the graph below. On average, the peak hours to travel are between 6:30am and 9am in the morning, or between 4pm and 7pm in the evening. Please keep this in mind when travelling to your point of departure as you may need some extra time to arrive, particularly in big cities!

Moscow to Elektrostal CO2 Emissions by Train

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• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

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• Bykovo Manor
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• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Drama Theatre BOOM
• Likino Dulevo Museum of Local Lore
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
• Pavlovsky Posad Museum of Art and History
• Saturn Stadium
• Fairy Tale Children's Model Puppet Theater
• Fifth House Gallery
• Church of Vladimir
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The journey from Moscow to Elektrostal by train is 32.44 mi and takes 2 hr 7 min. There are 71 connections per day, with the first departure at 12:15 AM and the last at 11:46 PM. It is possible to travel from Moscow to Elektrostal by train for as little as or as much as . The best price for this journey is . Journey Duration.

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Cities near Elektrostal. Places of interest. Pavlovskiy Posad Noginsk. Travel guide resource for your visit to Elektrostal. Discover the best of Elektrostal so you can plan your trip right.

14 Unique Winery Tours From Around The World

A huge part of the appeal of visiting a winery is being able to taste the wines on-site, often close to the vineyards that produced the grapes. Seeing the environment responsible for the wine in your glass really ties the whole experience together, especially if you can visit the cellar and see some of the winemaking facilities. While that's already a fun outing for any oenophile, some wineries take it up a notch and offer tours that transform the day into an unforgettable experience.

With wineries often located in regions with striking surroundings, it's no surprise that many organized visits highlight the features that make these locations one-of-a-kind. Whether viewing vineyards from up in the sky, pairing wine with creative elements, or showcasing the natural wonders that make up the landscapes, there are plenty of ways to expand your love of wine beyond the glass. Of course, you'll also get to taste the wine as you explore these unique winery tours from around the world.

1. Hot air balloon ride at Bodegas Muga (Haro, Spain)

Start your tour of Bodegas Muga in Haro, Spain with a bird's-eye view after being whisked off to a hot air balloon awaiting inflation. Along with a group of visitors, you'll assist in the pre-departure process before taking off above the vineyards and surrounding areas. For a premium price, opt for the private package and soar high with only your select group of guests.

Located in the region of Rioja, Bodegas Muga has no shortage of dazzling landscapes to view. Take in the rolling hills, plateaus, endless vineyards, and unforgettable beauty of one of Spain's most prized winemaking regions . Considering the lack of steering capacities, your point of arrival will be up to the whims of the wind and the hot air balloon. Nevertheless, once you're back on the ground you'll be transported to the winery for a tasting and optional guided tour. Tie the day together by sipping on top Rioja wines, made with native tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo, graciano, macabeo, and malvasia grape varieties.

2. VR winery visit at Campo alla Sughera (Bolgheri, Italy)

Bolgheri is famous in Tuscany for being home to the region's prestigious Super Tuscan wines, primarily made with international rather than regional grape varieties. Now, Campo alla Sughera is introducing an immersive virtual reality experience that goes beyond viticultural innovation. Whereas some wineries offer the chance to take part in the laborious harvest, this tour provides insider knowledge without the backbreaking work.

Simply don a VR visor and witness the many stages of a vineyard and winery during harvest time, from hand-picking the juicy grapes on the vines to transferring them to the tanks in the cellar. Additionally, guests will be guided through the physical winery, cellar, and vineyards to see where the magic truly takes place. Finally, the tour ends with a tasting that includes four of Campo alla Sughera's top wines made with varieties like cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot, offering visitors a peak experience from start to finish.

3. Icewine experience at Inniskillin (Niagara, Canada)

Although it's not exclusive to Canada, the country's viticultural repertoire is commonly associated with icewine. In Niagara, Ontario, Inniskillin is arguably responsible for much of this international clout, winning a top award at Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France in 1991. Since, the winery continues to produce exceptional icewine (and plenty of other styles as well), offering an icewine experience for guests who want to take a closer look at the chilly process.

To understand everything you need to know about icewine , taste a flight of three wines, sampling them in assorted glasses to savor the elements that make each one distinct. Sparkling icewine and assorted grape varieties provide a broader tasting experience for novices and aficionados alike. Additionally, a few tasty morsels accompany the wine samples, highlighting some of the many ways of pairing icewine. Considering the premium price of a bottle of icewine, partaking in this tour is a valuable way to discover what you love most about this unique style.

4. Underground cellar labyrinth at Cricova Winery (Moldova)

Anyone with a fear of confined spaces might want to skip out on Cricova Winery's underground cellar labyrinth tour. The Moldovan winery is home to what it describes as a "subterranean city" with streets holding endless rows of wine casks. Designed following extensive limestone excavation (to build a neighboring city), the roads are almost 300 feet below ground, making it all the more exciting to venture down during the guided tour. The maze of lanes stretches for around 75 miles, holding over one million wine bottles.

The tour makes its way through segments of the route by transporting guests on a small train and can be combined with a wine-tasting flight in one of the underground tasting rooms. You might even catch sight of exclusive wine collections belonging to Putin and other political figures. Cricova is known for its traditional method of sparkling wine, but you can also taste wines made with cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and muscat.

5. Blend your own wine at d'Arenberg (McLaren Vale, Australia)

A little work never hurt. At d'Arenberg in McLaren Vale, South Australia, winery guests get to step into the role of a winemaker at The Blending Bench. The real heavy lifting is done for you ahead of time, as the grapes have already been harvested, pressed, and fermented. Instead, you'll be presented with three samples of shiraz wine to blend at your discretion. McLaren Vale is home to some of the top shiraz vines in Australia, so you'll be working with the best.

Aside from highlighting the nuances of the different base wines, the process will finetune your senses and assist you in identifying the qualities you prefer in your wine. There's plenty of sipping involved as you hone in on the individual characteristics. You won't be going home empty-handed, either. Once you've completed your custom blend, it's transferred to a 750-milliliter bottle that you can take home to enjoy at your leisure. If you want to expand on this experience, pair it with an eight-course dinner with wine at the on-site restaurant.

6. Underwater cellar dive at Edivo Vina (Hrvatska, Croatia)

Scuba diving and wine don't usually go hand in hand, but at Edivo Vina in Hrvatska, Croatia, an underwater cellar awaits exploration. The winery doesn't age all of its wine in the Adriatic Sea, but a selection of  Croatian coral wine is aged in the watery depths . Made with local Croatian grapes, the wine is transferred to glass bottles and stored in amphora vessels before being submerged in steel cages around 60-80 feet below the surface and nestled in a shipwreck. The cool, stable climate and tranquil setting appear to be optimal for the wine's maturation process.

Following a short boat ride to the site, certified divers can venture down to the cellar with a PADI instructor. All of the required equipment is available for rent, making it a fun way to dive and see an underwater winery on the same tour. Following the dive, a mixed selection of wines (aged above and below water) is available for tasting along with light snacks at Edivo Wine Bar.

7. Art museum tasting at Hess Persson Estates (Napa, California)

For many oenophiles, wine is an art, so it makes sense to combine a sensory tasting experience with a visual arts one. At Hess Person Estates in Napa Valley, the two come together seamlessly with the on-site art gallery. Art lovers can tour the Hess Collection Contemporary Art Museum with the director of art, who spent dozens of years familiarizing himself with the pieces alongside the founder. Engage with the dynamic works in a small group as you explore the various meanings and sensations that arise.

Once the visual arts tour is complete, you will be treated to an educational wine-tasting experience with one of the viticultural experts. With vineyards located on Mount Veeder and surrounding areas, the wines are all infused with the complexities and nuances of the varied terrains. Try top-tier cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, and chardonnay, among other well-executed classic varieties.

8. Dog hike and tasting at Kunde Family Winery (Sonoma, California)

If you like to bring your four-legged bestie everywhere you go, then schedule a visit to Kunde Family Winery. Located in Sonoma, California, the fifth-generation family-owned winery is the perfect place for a hike followed by wine tasting. It's worth noting the hike lasts around four hours and takes you through a valley and into the Mayacamas Mountain range, so skip the winery-chic fashion and lace up your hiking boots. Described as "moderately strenuous," you'll want to ensure your dog is up for the activity, too.

Nevertheless, the beautiful views make the effort well worth it, and the included wine tasting and lunch provide you with plenty of sustenance to refuel after the hike. Options like viognier, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, merlot, syrah, and zinfandel are just some of the varieties you can pair with your meal. Aside from working out your body, you'll also work out your mind as you learn about the viticultural and winemaking practices in the vineyards and cellar. Dog lovers will be pleased to know that part of the tour proceeds are allocated to local dog rescue projects.

9. Trek with llamas at Divine Llama Vineyards (East Bend, North Carolina)

If you don't have a dog to bring to your winery outing, consider heading to Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, North Carolina. The farm is home to the largest population of llamas in the Southeast, making it an excellent spot to better acquaint yourself with the furry animals. The tour consists of about two hours of hiking in mixed terrain, passing forests, rolling hills, and a creek. You'll be hiking with llamas in tow, with opportunities to feed them and snap some pictures to commemorate the moment.

The hike finishes back at the winery where you'll get to sample the wines. Some classic varieties like merlot and cabernet franc are featured, as well as hybrid wine grapes that are better suited for the climate  and other fruits like blackberries and peaches. The winery regularly hosts local food trucks with assorted bites, or feel free to pack a picnic and make a day out of your visit to Divine Llama Vineyards.

10. Tasting in a bunker at Château Siran (Bordeaux, France)

You might associate Bordeaux, France, with some of the most prestigious wineries in the world, but it's also the location of an anti-atomic bunker built during the Cold War that now stores tens of thousands of bottles dating as far back as the early 1900s. At Château Siran, a family-owned winery in the Margaux appellation, visitors can partake in a vertical tasting of three of the winery's vintages in an underground bunker. For escape room enthusiasts, an alternate tour offers an "escape game" experience in the bunker, highlighting its armor-like characteristics.

Château Siran wines consist of a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot. The latter is often featured in smaller quantities in Bordeaux, but its notable presence here adds an edge to the Siran blend. A vertical tasting allows guests to taste the evolution of the wine over the years, adding a historical layer to the tour that mirrors the setting. If you tend to feel claustrophobic in enclosed areas, skip the underground visit and savor the wines in the tasting room.

11. Horseback ride and tasting at Tenuta Torciano (Tuscany, Italy)

Natural landscapes and wineries go hand in hand, so it's no surprise that many vineyard tours take advantage of the scenery. At Tenuta Torciano in Tuscany, guests can go horseback riding in the surrounding hills of the Chianti region. Located close to the medieval town of San Gimignano, the excursion is the perfect outing for wine, nature, and history aficionados. The ride lasts about an hour, allowing visitors to experience the serene backdrop of the vineyards.

After dismounting, guests are provided with wine samples and Tuscan appetizers as they learn about the various facets of local winemaking. The Italian geographical region is most known for the sangiovese grape, and at Tenuta Torciano you can taste it in various DOCG wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Morellino di Scansano. Super Tuscan blends made with international grapes like cabernet sauvignon and merlot are available as well, along with the local white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG. A classic wine and food pairing — including charcuterie, cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar — ensures both foodies and oenophiles will find something they love.

12. Most Instagrammable wine tour at Trius Winery (Niagara, Canada)

At Trius Winery in Niagara, Ontario, wine lovers can embark on an experience touted as "the most Intagrammable winery tour on the planet." Granted, an existing interest in Instagram and a perfectly curated design and setting will boost your overall enjoyment of the visit, but it's not a prerequisite.

#TheTriusTour takes winery-goers through an art installation paired with wine samples. Taste the rosé, made with gamay and syrah grapes, in the floral Rosé Lounge overlooking the vineyards. Then, make your way to the Sparkling House, where you can sit in a swing, made to mimic the cage on the cork of a bottle of bubbly. Don't miss out on the Bubble Tub as you sip on the assorted selection of traditional method sparkling wines and finish the tour at the classy Brut Bar. It's not just a photo-op either; guides are available to answer any questions regarding winemaking and the wines, rounding out the Canadian winery experience from start to finish.

13. Eco wine safari at Avondale Wine (Paarl, South Africa)

South Africa is a hot spot for safari tourism, and at Avondale Wine in Paarl, visitors can take part in a different spin on the classic. Here, guests can enjoy a leisurely tour of the vineyards from the comfort of a tractor-drawn cart during the Eco Wine Safari. After sipping on a glass of MCC (Methode Cap Classique), South Africa's premium traditional method sparkling wine, climb on board to explore the vineyards as you learn about the viticultural practices at Avondale Wine. Taste a range of wines within steps of the vines that grew the fruit for a close-up look at the interaction between wine and its terroir.

Continue the tour in the cellars, where you'll see Avondale's gravity-flow method for transferring wine to underground tanks. Upon returning to the Tasting Gallery, pick up a bottle of your favorite sample or try something new from the selection, which includes grape varieties such as chenin blanc, viognier, roussanne, grenache, syrah, and plenty more. The winery also features a changing art exhibit, providing guests with a full spectrum of experiences during the tour.

14. Helicopter tour at Seppeltsfield Wines (Barossa, Australia)

If you want to experience a winery from up above, a helicopter is the most efficient mode of transport. At Seppeltsfield Winery in Australia's Barossa Valley, guests can hop on a helicopter ride and survey the vineyards from the sky. Depending on the tour you book, you'll fly for about half an hour, overseeing the vines and surrounding areas as you take in the valley's natural wonders complete with rolling hills and palm trees. Considering its proximity to other wineries, you'll get your fill of bird's-eye vineyard views.

Once you're back at the winery, make your way to the tasting room to sample a flight of wines. Seppeltsfield grows a wide range of varieties, including white grapes like riesling and vermentino and red grapes like Nero d'Avola, grenache, and shiraz — the darling of Barossa. While you're on-site, take advantage of the multitude of ongoing projects at the estate, including a cooperage, a craft and design studio gallery, and a soap factory making raw soap and skin products. With so much to do, you might as well stay the night at The Lodge at Seppeltsfield to make the most of it.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Revival of Downtown Abilene Walking Tours kicks off after year-long closure

Downtown Abilene Walking Tours has ended its yearlong hiatus and will kick off with a reopening tour for the public Saturday.

Business owners Trevor and Gina Allen established the downtown tours in May 2018. The idea came to Trevor at work while reflecting on his 2013 cross-country biking expedition to Oregon.

"During the trip I stopped in San Francisco and went on a walking tour with a snazzily dressed hipster playing the ukulele, and I think that subconsciously planted a seed," he said.

With this experience as reference, he came up with his character, "Gus McDusty the cowboy poet," researched history for the city of Abilene and partnered with businesses to make stops along the downtown tour route.

The couple was able to maintain the side business while working other jobs for several years. However, in March 2023, they decided to put Downtown Abilene Walking Tours on pause.

"We were very busy, and something had to give. Sometimes the tours would make good income, and sometimes it was really slow, so we decided that the thing that had to give was the walking tour," Trevor said.

They used the yearlong break to reevaluate business strategies and feel prepared going into May 2024 with simplified goals to maintain their jobs and side passion projects.

"We are going to be pushing private tours to allow us flexibility in our schedule and only do one public tour per month," Trevor said.

The public tours will be every second Saturday of the month and will begin at Vera Hall Minter Park, 209 Cypress Street.

The tours are designed for locals and visitors alike to learn local history, visit businesses and have fun through interactive participation.

Each individual on the tour will receive complimentary free samples and a Downtown Abilene Walking Tour shopping bag with a coupon book for downtown businesses and have the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt along the walking route.

The tours are about two hours, and tickets cost $18.81 — the year Abilene was founded — with a percentage of the proceeds going toward City Light Ministries.

"I work at City Light Ministries, which is a nonprofit working with brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness, poverty and different struggles," Trevor said.

"When we initially designed the tour, a portion of the proceeds went toward City Light, and we're going to continue that to help brothers and sisters become self sustainable, grow and get out of the situations they're in," he said.

Although the Downtown Abilene Walking Tours is part-time for the Allens, they are hopeful to expand in the future.

"I missed doing the tours. I am very relational and love to connect with others. I cherish the presence I have in downtown Abilene, and I'm happy to bring back the tours that bring downtown to life," Trevor said.

Discounts for military, seniors and groups are available. Kids under the age of 5 get to tour for free.

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Olivia Rodrigo Adds Asia and Australia Legs to Guts World Tour

Olivia Rodrigo will tour Asia and Australia for the first time in her career, the singer announced Wednesday. Rodrigo has added nine international dates to her massive “ Guts ” world tour for a total of 82 shows globally.

The new dates kick off Sept. 16 in Bangkok, Thailand and continue through Seoul, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore, Melbourne, and Sydney, wrapping up on Oct. 19 at Qudos Bank Arena. Additional dates may be added as Rodrigo wrote on social media, “Stay tuned, Manila!” Fans in the comment sections of her social posts are eager to hear when and if Rodrigo will also be adding Latin American dates to the trek but that has yet to be confirmed.

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The “Guts” tour has since made stops in New York, Houston and Dublin, and will make its way towards London in the coming weeks. It will conclude on Oct. 18 in Sydney.

Tickets for the newly added Asia and Australia dates will be available starting with the American Express presale in select markets.

Rodrigo performed “Vampire” and “Get Him Back!” at MTV’s Video Music Awards on Tuesday night, following Lil Wayne as the second performer of the evening. It was her second-ever appearance at the show as Rodrigo made her VMAs debut in 2021 when she performed her Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Good 4 U.”

“Guts” was released to high acclaim on Sept. 8 via Geffen Records and was preceded by two top 10 singles, “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right?” “Vampire” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Rodrigo the youngest artist to debut three No. 1 hits on the chart behind “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U.”

In an interview with Capital FM in England , Rodrigo said she wrote much of the songs on “Guts” with the concept of an accompanying tour “in mind.”

“I think there’s a lot of fun songs,” she said. “I wrote the album with a tour in mind, so I think they’re all songs I wanted people to be able to scream in a crowd. Hopefully, that’s what’s achieved.” A similar teaser — in the form of a faux ticket advertising “Olivia Rodrigo: Guts The World Tour” — appeared in a lyric video for “Making the Bed,” the sixth track off “Guts.”

Rodrigo last toured North America and Europe in support of her debut album “Sour” in 2022. It started on April 5 in Portland and ended on July 7 in London. Gracie Abrams, Holly Humberstone, Chappell Roan and Baby Queen served as opening acts.

Additional reporting by Jem Aswad.

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Theme parks, theme parks | theme parks prep previews for tiana ride, dreamworks land.

Both have official opening dates in late June, but passholders will be able to get early looks at the projects.

Previews for Disney World passholders will happen on June 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 20, and the park is using a virtual queue for the event.  Park reservations are required in most instances for these previews.

Disney, via email, instructs passholders to make reservations for Magic Kingdom on the desired date to have a shot at the 7 a.m. virtual queue, accessed via the My Disney Experience app. Or, Disney says, they can make reservation for one of its other three theme parks on preview dates to join the 1 p.m. queue.

Passholders do not have to have entered any park to request the virtual queue, but if they have requested Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Disney’s Animal Kingdom parks, they must enter those parks before traveling over to Magic Kingdom. This is the way.

( UPDATE: By midday Tuesday, all reservations were claimed for Magic Kingdom on the passholder preview days. Reservations for the other WDW parks remained available.)

However, on June 13, 14, 17, 18 or 20, passholders can enter Magic Kingdom without reservations after 2 p.m.

The virtual queue system also will be in use on June 28, official opening day of the attraction. There will not be a standby queue at first, according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog.

During previews, passholders will be able to hold virtual queue spots for Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot while also being virtually queued for the Tiana ride.

And in the small print: virtual queues have limited capacity and there are no guarantees.

Meanwhile, Universal Orlando has sent out “save the date/stayed tuned” message to annual passholders regarding its new DreamWorks Land.  There will be select times available May 24-27.  Prospective participants will need their pass numbers and those of eight other passholders to bring along to reserve times.  It will be a first come/first served/limited-space sign-up period, which will be announced later.

DreamWorks Land officially opens June 14.

The Tiana ride and DreamWorks Land, built where Woody’s KidZone used to be, are two of the major additions for Orlando theme parks this season. June 14 is also the debut date for Universal’s “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,” a nighttime lagoon show with 600 drones, 228 fountains and 4K projection mapping.

SeaWorld Orlando has not yet announced an opening date or previews for its Penguin Trek roller coaster , expected to debut sometime in spring.

Email me at [email protected] . Threads account: @dbevil . X account: @themeparks . Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters .

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How Ann and Nancy Wilson Put the Pieces of Heart Back Together

By Angie Martoccio

Angie Martoccio

If you ask Ann Wilson what her favorite Led Zeppelin song is, she’ll answer right away: “The Rain Song.” And if you ask her what led to her first tour in five years with her sister Nancy, she’s just as honest.

“We just got really tired of not playing together, and we both wanted to do a Heart tour,” Ann, 73, tells me. “So then there is this question hanging in the air: Can Heart be Heart without Ann or can Heart be Heart without Nancy? It never could.”

It’s early April, and one of the greatest sibling duos in rock history is hunkered down in separate rooms at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, enjoying a break from their packed schedule. They’ve got TV and radio appearances booked with Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson, and Howard Stern, and just 10 days after we talk, they’ll launch that tour — a monthslong, 85-date trek that would be ambitious for any band.

We’re sitting in her assistant’s hotel room with glasses of white wine, right by a window that hosts a stunning view of the city as the afternoon sunlight hits her face. With black clothing that matches her long, neat braids, she looks something like a rock & roll Wednesday Addams — forbidding, cool, and utterly sure of herself. Her exterior may seem tough, but her voice is deep and kind-hearted. Over time, I realize she’s comfortable talking about anything, from what it was like to become a rock star in her youth (“I had incredible ego issues in my twenties”) to her contempt for “flaccid” classic-rock acts that get stuck in place (“I want Heart to be making new stuff, a living entity until we die”). 

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As we talk now, Wetter is asleep across the hall. “Dean is still that Zen warrior,” she tells me. “He’s a meditator and a napper. Sometimes, you can’t tell the difference.” She and Nancy patched things up and toured in 2019, only to have the pandemic hit a few months later. Ann and her husband relocated to Florida, just outside of Jacksonville. By 2022, Nancy was on the road with an Ann-free incarnation of the group she dubbed Nancy Wilson ’s Heart, Ann was playing solo dates, and the future of Heart was once again in question.

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“It felt really strange to me, because it had been so many years since we worked with those original people from Seattle,” Ann says. “They have a whole different swing to them than some of the people from L.A. or New York that we played with after that. But it was good to make that connection again and go full-circle like that. I think those guys had mixed emotions. They always did, because Nancy and I always got all the attention in that band. But they got to be in the Rock Hall of Fame and get up onstage and play with Rush, for God’s sake.”

Heart was inducted by Chris Cornell , a fellow Seattle rock legend who’d known Ann since the Nineties. (She once recalled how the Soundgarden frontman came to her Halloween party circa 1994 dressed as his band’s new single, “Black Hole Sun.”) “Somehow it never occurred to us that Ann and Nancy Wilson were women, existing authentically in a world dominated by men,” Cornell told the crowd. “Heart, with two Joan of Arcs standing up front kicking total ass, backed by a surprisingly powerful and unique band, blasted down any sexist barriers in front of them.” 

With 85 tour dates ahead, I ask Ann how she’ll preserve her energy on the road. Recent videos of Heart performances show her sitting on a stool, which she tells me is due to knee-replacement surgery she had a few months ago. Then there’s the incredible voice she has to maintain — that iconic soprano made famous on everything from “Crazy on You” to “Alone.” She doesn’t drink tea, but she does take arnica to ease the swelling and inflammation of her throat. 

Before every show, she warms up for an hour, singing along to favorite tunes by Lucinda Williams, Judy Garland, or the Beatles. Lately, she’s been loving to warm up to Elton John’s Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy in its entirety. She doesn’t listen to a ton of contemporary music, but she cites Disturbed as a favorite, having sung with them on their recent track “ Don’t Tell Me .” 

She isn’t a morning person, so their promo schedule this week has been a challenge. “You’re looking at somebody who’s really not used to getting up before 10 or 11,” she says. She doesn’t have much time to explore New York on this visit, which is fine, considering she’s played here in recent years with her solo band, Tripsitter. But she does want to get some shopping done. She has her eye on a sleek Ferragamo handbag — black with a red interior — but it was sold out at Bergdorf Goodman.

Over on the couch, her assistant scrolls through her laptop to see if another New York department store has it in stock. Ann pushes a container of green grapes toward me. “Finish your wine,” she says. “Don’t be in a hurry.” 

LATER THAT DAY, Nancy is sitting in her publicist’s hotel room, wearing a black sweater with rhinestone smiley faces and lips. With sparkly, transparent eyeglasses and hot pink tips on the ends of her blonde hair, she looks like a radiant rock & roll fairy godmother. “It’s definitely aggressively cheerful,” she says, her lipstick also hot pink. “But I figure the more joy you can bring right now, the better.”

Nancy just turned 70 in March. Her own preparation for the tour included giving up “fun, bad party habits,” working out, and drinking less. “I didn’t want to go sober,” she says. “I never actually felt like an alcoholic. But in order to prepare for this huge, daunting task of a world tour from now until Christmas, I figured everything I can do to feel good is what I have to do now. So personal trainer, special diet — all the stuff that people of my age have to do to maintain your resilience and your strength. Just to be able to physically pull it off. Just to be able to get out there and do my rocker-cise!”

If there’s one thing Nancy loves, it’s new artists. She regularly listens to SiriusXMU, says she’s a super-fan of boygenius , and proudly identifies as a Swiftie. She reels off some other recent releases she’s been enjoying, like Lil Yachty’s Let’s Start Here (“It’s so psychedelic, almost Pink Floydian”), Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well (“She’s romantic and spiritual in her writing”), and Post Malone’s Austin — currently her favorite record to work out to. 

But Nancy also loves the classics, and she makes a point to defend her sister’s preference for the tried-and-true over newer music. “I don’t think Ann cares to pay a lot of attention because we were lucky enough to be born at the right time, to have these albums imprinted in our DNA from the minute we were that age,” she says. “I was just listening to Tumbleweed Connection [by Elton John]. I was the girl in high school with the headphones in my bed next to the record player, and I would just rotate that side with ‘My Father’s Gun.’ I would keep going down that riverboat over and over, with candles in the bedroom. The writing is amazing.” 

The set list for the tour is nailed down, she tells me. They’ll play lots of Heart’s most beloved songs while throwing in some solo cuts (Ann’s “This Is Now,” Nancy’s Eddie Van Halen tribute “4 Edward”) and the new song “Roll the Dice,” written with their longtime friend and collaborator Sue Ennis. “There’s new songs springing up like mushrooms in the forest,” Nancy says. “But with the world tour in front of us, getting in the studio anytime real soon is impossible.” 

Choosing a backing band was a point of contention for the sisters. Ann wanted Tripsitter, while Nancy wanted her own solo band. (“We just haggled until I said, ‘It has to be my guys or else I won’t do it,’” Ann told me.) In the end, they settled on Ann’s band — guitarist Ryan Wariner, guitarist-keyboardist Paul Moak, bassist Tony Lucido, and drummer Sean T. Lane — plus Nancy’s guitarist Ryan Waters, whom she met through musician Liv Warfield. “He’s my brother,” Nancy says. “One of the best guitar-player guys in my life.”

Both Ann and Nancy were in agreement about one aspect of the show: They will absolutely not play their 1990 hit “ All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You, ” written by Robert “Mutt” Lange. It’s a sappy saga about a woman who picks up a hitchhiker in the rain, only to sleep with him and have his child out of wedlock. It was banned in Ireland before becoming their biggest global hit, but Ann says it grossed her out even back then. Nancy is a bit softer: “It just never felt like a rock song.”

They’re much happier to cover “Going to California.” As I head out, I ask Nancy the same question I asked Ann earlier: What’s her favorite Led Zeppelin song? 

“If I had to be forced at gunpoint,” she says, “I’d probably have to go with ‘The Rain Song.’” 

Both sisters acknowledge that the Eighties were the toughest time for them — even if young Heart fans today might find those cheesy videos to be cool and vintage. “They didn’t have to live it,” Ann sighs. “Go in 100-degree heat in a shed, wearing a corset and a big mane of hair.” Nancy agrees: “When I think of those videos, I think of choking on hairspray and my feet hurting from dancing in stiletto boots for hours on end.” 

The band’s second Rolling Stone cover, published in May 1980 , hinted at what the decade had in store for them. Shot by Annie Leibovitz , it’s a close-up of the sisters laying together on the beach in Biloxi, Mississippi, decked out in vibrant makeup and big hair. “We were so psyched that she was coming to shoot us,” Nancy says. “Every photo was iconic and amazing. But it was the early stages of the cocaine Eighties coming in, and she was pretty fucked up and wanted to get salacious.”

Both Ann and Nancy recall Leibovitz cajoling Ann to take her top off. “We were both very buxom ladies — it runs in the family,” Nancy says with a laugh. “Ann’s always been a bohemian, and she’s like, ‘Well, hey, it’s for art.’ So she did it, but then she regretted it. It was tame by today’s standards. But at the time, our artistic integrity was on the line.” 

Nancy says the images in question were put in a safety deposit box that only Ann and Annie could open. “It’s not a physical key,” Ann says. “Annie and I each have the legal ability to open the lockbox if we both want to. It’s just got Annie’s pictures of me topless in it, and that’s really all it is.” 

The following week, days away from the tour kickoff, I meet up with Ann and Nancy again on separate Zoom calls. They’re both in Greenville, South Carolina; this time, they’re in different hotels entirely. “[Nancy] wanted to stay someplace nicer, I guess,” says Ann. Thankfully, she was able to have that Ferragamo handbag shipped to her hotel.

I mention to Nancy that I know Greenville from Almost Famous , written and directed by her ex-husband Cameron Crowe, and scored by her. “That was the joke that I made sure got into the film,” she says. “There’s about a thousand Bear Creeks and a thousand Greenvilles. It’s like, ‘Which one are we in now?’” 

Nancy is on a high from Heart’s press appearances in New York, describing Kelly Clarkson as “the perfect American” and Stern as “a wonderful human.” Before our interview, she asked that I watch a clip from the latter interview, where Robin Quivers tears up while praising the band: “As a woman growing up loving rock & roll, just never having enough women expressing life through rock & roll … thank God you guys came along … It’s not said enough how much influence you have had.” 

“I was having trouble not tearing up myself, but that’s really the point of what it is we’re doing now,” Nancy says. “We were the original gangsters up there, and we’re still continuing the story of what women are capable of accomplishing.” The band’s legacy will be further cemented in an upcoming biopic that’s being written and directed by Carrie Brownstein; Ann says Florence Pugh has been considered to play her. 

Looking back on the 2016 incident that came between them, Ann wishes it was handled differently. “I would have gotten us all together in a room that night after the event, and tried to talk it out as a family, rather than the police being called and Dean being hauled off to jail,” she says. “When he sees kids jumping around, acting like fools, and letting dogs out into an active highway, he spanks them. That’s just the way he is.” 

Nearly a decade after that night, though, the Wilson sisters have managed to move on from what happened (if not quite forget about it). By doing so, they’ve accomplished something that Daryl Hall & John Oates , Simon & Garfunkel, the Everly Brothers, and many other great rock duos through the years haven’t been able to pull off: putting aside their differences for the good of the band, and honoring the bond that they share.

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“When we’re together, it’s the eye of the hurricane — the calm center around which all the drama swirls,” Nancy adds. “We’ve always been soulmates. I’ve always loved her, understood her, sometimes maybe more than she understands herself. But at the same time, she knows me like nobody else. It’s that thing when you’re on a stage with your sister in a big rock show.”

She laughs as she tries to explain what she means. “It’s almost like being in Pepperland or Fantasia. You’re in this fantasyland. The music and the lights and the experience is so otherworldly and magical — and you’re creating it together. That’s what we’ve always done, and we’re back here doing it again.”

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