BUDAPEST - The Hungarian cities of Buda and Pest had grown and prospered for centuries along the banks of the fabled Danube River despite wars, invasions and other sorts of turmoil before they united and became Budapest in 1873. But, although they're joined in name, they remain apart in spirit and geography because Buda is still Buda and Pest is still Pest to locals, historians and mapmakers.
Fortunately, it's a matter of little concern to most who visit here. Pest, Buda or Budapest - it makes no difference what you call it, this is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. And even better for those of us who have reached an age where we prefer to view a city at a leisurely pace, it is easily walkable. And so, this report will concentrate on taking it in one step at a time.
I have always wanted to visit Oaxaca, the southern Mexico state stretching between the mountains of Chiapas and the Pacific Ocean. The rich moles sauces, the colonial capitol, the ancient ruins, the lazy beach towns--all of these things have called out to me.
After a friend brought her two children to Oaxaca the city and told me about taking a cooking class, I started to think about bringing my kids. And then I read a story highlighting Oaxaca's many kid-friendly attractions in the San Francisco Chronicle and now I'm convinced I must go. When? Not sure. But it has officially been put on my "places to go list" and moved above Iceland, India, and Morocco.
If wearing blades on your shoes and swinging two axes as you climb frozen waterfalls and vertical walls of ice sounds fun read on... oh yeah, don't worry that the one rope that is protecting your life is right in the path of the very blades you yield.
If you are still reading, congratulations and welcome to the world of ice climbing. The word extreme doesn't do justice to this sport, but the truth is, it is very possible to be safe, have fun, and enjoy the thrill that can be had from scaling the temporary vertical playgrounds that winter annually produces.
If you have never been ice climbing but always wanted to know more about this elite sport, here is a great place to "break your boots in." (Just be warned, this is an extremely addictive activity with only one cure, more climbing.)
I'm back! Into the final week of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and going strong.
Dutch Pride & Heineken House
Last week I mentioned that I'd be dropping by Heineken House this week and wow it was something else. A friend and I went after watching the women's 1000m speed skating finals. The crowd at the speed skating oval was a sea of red & white (for Canada of course)..and a whole lot of Orange! Those Dutch fans take pride to a whole new level. They were not too pleased when Canada's Christine Nesbitt kicked it into high gear in the last leg of her skate to claim Gold...
While much of the East Coast of the US is digging out from under record snowfall, Daytona Beach, Florida is getting ready for the kickoff event for motorcycle season: Bike Week.
The 69th Annual Bike Week celebration in Daytona Beach will take place this year from February 26 - March 7, rain, shine or snowfall. If you haven't already made your plans and reservations, you may not be completely out of luck yet. There are 11 Best Western Hotels within 50 miles of downtown Daytona Beach, and as of this writing, most still have rooms available during Bike Week. Check on the Best Western website , and you might just get lucky with a good room.
Truckee was once a place you stopped to fill up your car with gas on the way to one of the many ski resorts that circle Lake Tahoe. But now skiers are staying overnight in this small town, located about 30 minutes from Reno.
With a handful of great places to bed down, a happening restaurant scene, and a main drag lined with old Western facades, Truckee offers more charming delights than you'll find at any of the ski resort villages.
My family recently spent two days in Truckee, and we discovered a great place were travelers can stay, play, and eat.
Visitors don't necessarily flock to Alaska during the winter, but, I say, "Why not?!" It's cold, sure, but there are some truly unique experiences during the winter months in the Northern state. How about hundreds of thousands of pounds of ice sculpted into creative works of art?
Presented by Ice Alaska - a corporation that promotes the artistic and educational endeavors of ice - the Ice Art Championships will begin February 20 and continue through March 28, 2010 in Fairbanks Alaska this year. During this month long event, artist from around the world travel to The Last Frontier to compete in the World Ice Art Championships. Over 100 sculptures are expected to be made ranging from six to 30 feet tall, each weighing from 7,800 to 40,000 pounds.
Usually, I plan an easy itinerary for the last day of a trip. Not this time. I had a jam-packed day ahead of me, and I got started early.
I couldn't start without a good, hearty breakfast, though -- right? The Best Western Atrium does an especially good one, with eggs cooked to order, biscuits and gravy, sausage and bacon, and other goodies. I wolfed down my food, loaded up the bike, checked out of the hotel and rode across town to the campus of the University of Texas. I had another president to check off my list, and this one was a humdinger.
Today was supposed to be a short day of riding, so I decided to take it a little easy on myself. I set the alarm for a leisurely 8:30 am, instead of my usual 7:30. Of course, I woke up at 7:30 anyway. I was excited about riding.
My first stop, as always, was the Best Western Atrea at Old Town Center lobby for a delicious complimentary hot breakfast. Biscuits, cheddar cheese scrambled eggs and some hot coffee, and I was ready to ride. I checked out, and loaded up the Electra Glide. My first stop was just a few miles away this time, in the next town over, College Station. Home to the campus of Texas A&M University, which also hosts the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. I've been to seven presidential libraries so far (Nixon, Reagan, Ford, Eisenhower, Truman, Carter and Kennedy), and I hope to visit them all.
The 2010 Winter Olympic games (or as some are calling it - the Spring Olympics - due to Vancouver's warm and sunny climate these past few days) have been going strong for just a few days now, and the excitement continues to build. Sunday night the lid was pretty much blown off the city as locals, joined by tourists alike, celebrated Canada's first gold medal (by French-Canadian Alexandre Bilodeau) of the games in the Men's Moguls. Bilodeau's victory made him the first Canadian to win a gold medal on Canadian soil, an achievement definitely worth celebrating. I'm looking forward to this Thursday when I am lucky enough to attend the Women's 1000 meter speed skating finals. I've heard that speed skating can be one of the most exciting and exhilarating events to watch live, so I'm pretty excited. In the meantime, I've been occupying my time taking in the buzz around the city, and enjoying the party atmosphere. If you're looking to let loose a little bit, here are just a few of the most talked about parties in town that you should try to make time to drop in on.
I woke up in Galveston eager to ride. I had planned a route that promised to take me past some very beautiful scenery today, from the Gulf waters to wildlife sanctuary to National Forest lands. I skipped the complimentary breakfast in the Best Western Beachfront Inn's cafeteria. I just slugged down some of the free coffee in the lobby, loaded up the Electra Glide and checked out of the hotel.
I was ready for the cold weather today, more ready than I had been yesterday, anyway. I had two additional layers of clothing on top, purchased at Academy Sporting Goods last night: A good thermal ski shirt, and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. Total investment: under $10. Perhaps the best $10 I've ever spent.
Mardi Gras is the culmination of Carnival and believe it or not, it's a family event! While many people think of the revelry on Bourbon Street when they think of Mardi Gras, there is actually so much more that goes on in New Orleans during the entire carnival season and on Fat Tuesday! Kids love to see the elaborate Mardi Gras floats, and they especially love to catch throws - beads, stuffed animals, and other trinkets and toys. Here's the skinny on the history of Mardi Gras and how to find family friendly parades and activities.
The temperature when I woke up in Corpus Christi this morning was 35 degrees. Not bad if you're in a car, but a little chilly if you're on a motorcycle. More than a little chilly, actually.
I went up to the eleventh floor of the Best Western Marina Grand Hotel and had a good, complimentary hot breakfast of scrambled eggs, flour tortillas and refried beans, along with plenty of hot coffee. I was going to need it.
The skies were clear as I loaded up the Electra Glide. I fired up the engine, and pointed the wheel north.
Just days away from the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics here in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and the energy in the city is palpable. I'm lucky enough to live downtown right in the heart of the excitement. British Columbia's (BC) motto for the 2010 Olympics is "You Gotta Be Here" and it's true. The buzz in the city is electric. Vancouverites are so proud to welcome the world to our beautiful city. This morning I walked by the Olympic Countdown Clock and got a surge of excitement as I noticed we are down to the last few days before the torch arrives here in Vancouver and we kick off the games with the Opening Ceremonies on Friday, February 12th.
The best part about the Olympics and all the fun and celebration that comes along with it - for both locals and visitors alike - is that there is so much to do that is absolutely free! I'm going to be blogging a few times over the next couple weeks as we welcome the world to Vancouver, and this week I'll talk about some of the very cool, very free stuff you can take part in if you're lucky enough to be in town for the games.
Overcast skies covered the city of Laredo when I woke up this morning. A quick check of the forecast gave me some encouragement, though. I've been using the free Weatherbug app for my iPhone, which gives great hour-by-hour predictions, along with live view Doppler radar maps of each area. I spotted an area of clear skies down the length of the Rio Grande all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, so I charted a course that would take me near Brownsville, then back up the Gulf Coast to Corpus Christi. My other option would have been a much more direct route across the desert, which promised to be shorter, less eventful, and much less interesting. Longer, more eventful and more interesting won out. But first, breakfast.
Minutes after submitting my last blog about how mild the winter has been throughout Canada, Mother Nature smirked and changed her tune. Although we've still had very little snow, the temperature has dropped significantly and it feels much more like winter than it did last week.
As I initially pondered this week's topic about Winterlude in Ottawa, I assumed I'd be discussing what organizers were planning without "skateable" ice. Au contraire! In the last week, conditions have become perfect to build a rink! I mean perfectly imperfect--bitterly cold with very little snow.
Every February since 1979, Canada's Capital Region has gotten ready to host Winterlude, Canada's winter celebration. For three weeks, the region transforms to a winter playground. With these ideal conditions, it's expected that the current attendance record of 1.6 million visitors (set in 2007) may be exceeded.
Having grown up in the area, I can attest first-hand to just how much fun you can have outside when it's -10 degrees at Winterlude. Here are a few tips:
The day did not start out with promise. When I looked out the window of my room at the Best Western Ingram Park Inn in San Antonio, the rain was coming down in sheets.
After a quick shower, I packed my luggage, then availed myself of the free continental breakfast in the hotel lobby and weighed my options. I watched the Weather Channel, and noted that the southern end of the storm seemed to tail off somewhere between San Antonio and Laredo, my destination for the day. I decided that my FXRG gear was going to get a good road test.
I checked out, and asked the desk clerk to call a cab for me. Despite the rain and traffic, a taxi arrived within five minutes, and ferried me over to Caliente Harley-Davidson. In just a few minutes, I had the keys to a black 2010 Electra Glide Classic. I loaded my gear into the saddlebags and Tour Pak, and hit the road by 10:00 am.
The day has finally arrived. I'm in San Antonio, Texas.
After weeks of preparation, I headed to the airport this morning lugging my rolling duffel bag full of motorcycle gear, and boarded a plane for the Lone Star State.
Yesterday was a flurry of activity, as always before a trip. Flying off for a motorcycle trip is different than a normal trip. I always travel light, but the definition changes when you have to carry your gear with you. My helmet alone takes up a good portion of my luggage.
Dublin - the largest city and capital of Ireland - is one of the most charming and lively places in the world: full of character, history and a vibrant night life, it is home to quite possibly the friendliest most welcoming people in the world. Whether you're looking for a short getaway or an extended vacation, you will not run out of things to do, places to raise a pint (of Guinness of course) or friends to make in happy Dublin. Here are a few must-sees while you're visiting Dublin.
Temple Bar District Cost: Dependent on your hunger and thirst
In North America what often comes to mind when you think of Dublin and the Irish is Irish Pubs filled with lively social gatherings, peppy and uplifting Irish music and a whole lot of beer.
When you're shoveling snow outside your house, it's hard to think about summer. But if you want to visit a national park this summer--especially one of the popular ones such as Yosemite or Yellowstone--you might want to start thinking now. Lodging in and around the parks books up fast, and many travelers make reservations in January and February.
Jeffrey Olsen at the National Parks Service (NPS) told USA Today, "It's always best to book summer trips sooner rather than later. If you've decided on a destination, book it."
January can be a tough month in Canada. Let's face it, for the most part it's cold, it's dark at 4:30 p.m. and winter has really settled in. There are two options: mope around for the next few months or accept reality and find things to do to actually enjoy yourself.
Here is a fantastic option that really embraces winter: the Niagara Icewine Festival 2010. Back for its 15th year, the entire Niagara region transforms into a wintry wonderland to host a celebration of one of Canada's most beloved products, Ontario icewines.
Much more concentrated than regular wine, icewine is a dessert wine whose name comes from the process that goes into harvesting the grapes. The Niagara region in January is when the grapes freeze while still on the vine. Wineries harvest the grapes delicately at night when they know they're frozen. It's a very labour-intensive process that results in small quantities which makes the wine relatively expensive. The first Canadian icewine has been traced to the Okanagan Valley in B.C., but the Inniskillin Winery is believed to have started the process in Ontario after launching its first icewine in 1984.
I have to admit my bias up front. I grew up in Utah, skiing on the Wasatch Mountains most weekends in the winter as a kid. It is really the only skiing I have ever known. So, throwing terms around as it being the best or better than other places, I really don't have a point of reference. But I did grow up with the Utah state tourism motto (and still displayed on many state license plates) "Greatest Snow on Earth". I guess there is a real difference in the snow. I only pick that fact up from qualitative data gathered from many hours of ski lift conversations with people from all over the US and the world. There is something different about it. What exactly?
For full details you can watch this:
Quick summary: It has something to do with the snow being drier (less moisture content) and the amount of snow that falls related to the "lake effect" generated by the non-freezing Great Salt Lake. It's all very scientific stuff, apparently. But it makes for lots of white, light, crystallized...um, powder.
The winter holiday season has come and gone and I'm already reflecting on my fondest memories. One thing I noticed this year, during my three visits to the Rockefeller Center, was the enthusiasm of all those who were down on the skating rink. I watched people who were obviously experienced skaters as they effortlessly glided across the ice, twirling a partner or teaching a child. Then there were those who spent most of their time falling down and laughing. Everyone was having so much fun! I found myself wishing that I wasn't eight months pregnant and an inexperienced skater, bound to take a tumble.
Skating at the Rockefeller Center is one of those things that visitors try to do when they travel to New York City in the winter. One night, I saw determined tourists standing in line in the rain, waiting for their turn to hit the ice! Although the skating rink at the Rockefeller Center is probably the most iconic in the country, you don't have to travel to New York City to enjoy some ice time in a romantic setting. There are rinks all over the country - wherever you decide to travel this winter, consider taking a turn or two around a local rink. Where can you find them?
2010 is upon us. And I am as guilty as anyone of living most of my life with my head down, looking at my Blackberry. While laptops and smart phones have made our lives easier, we must not forget to look up every once in a while - literally. At risk for sounding too new-age, we're missing one of the most beautiful and natural forms of entertainment... stargazing.
I mean, really, when was the last time you stopped what you were doing and just stared upwards at the millions and millions of lights shining down on us? The night skies are fascinating. There's a reason that so many make a career, or at least a hobby, out of simply studying and watching the stars. While there are numerous places (including your own backyard) to gaze upon the stars, there are a few environmental conditions under which viewing is best.
Obviously, leaving society behind is an important first step... clear skies with small (or nonexistent) populations can be aided by high altitudes and dry climates. Combine all these elements, and you have the perfect environment for getting back in touch with your inner-dreamer.
I've written about how much I enjoy planning a trip. I enjoy it almost as much as I enjoy the trip itself, if truth be told. Well, the beginning of a new year is always a great time to take a look at the calendar to figure out when and where we'll be riding as the pages flip.
Here are a few of the major motorcycle events scheduled for 2010. Take a look at your calendar, and see if you've got room for a trip! It's never too early to start planning.
February 26 - March 7: Bike Week 2010, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Known as "The World's Biggest Motorcycle Event," Bike Week is a 10-day festival that was originally built around actual motorcycle racing.
March 5: The Daytona 200 , Daytona, Florida.
A great chance to see world-class motorcycle racing in person.
April 14 - 18: Arizona Bike Week , Mesa, Arizona.
This has turned into a wonderful venue for music, with appearances from major bands planned.
April 21 - 25: Laughlin River Run , Laughlin, Nevada.
Great weather, great riding and a wild atmosphere.
Where will you be traveling in 2010? Lonely Planet has some ideas for you. The guidebook company released its latest title, Best in Travel 2010, a collection of the best places to go and the best things to do around the world for the year ahead.
Here's a rundown of the places LP says are hot! hot! hot!
Top 10 countries: El Salvador, Germany, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, Portugal, Suriname, and the USA.
Top 10 regions: Alsace, France; Bali, Indonesia; Fernando de Noronha, islands off Brazil; Goa, India; Koh Kong Conservation Corridor, Cambodia; Lake Baikal, Siberia; Oaxaca, Mexico; Southern Africa; The Lake District, England (pictured above); and Southwest Western Australia.
Top 10 cities: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Charleston, S.C.; Cork, Ireland; Cuenca, Ecuador; Istanbul, Turkey; Kyoto, Japan; Lecce, Italy; Sarajevo, Bosnia; Singapore; and Vancouver.
Top 10 value destinations: Iceland, Thailand, London, South Africa, Malaysia, Mexico, India, Bulgaria, Kenya, and Las Vegas.
With its cobblestone streets, antebellum architecture, and wind-blown forts, Charleston is one of the best-preserved cities in America. It's also a place that makes learning history fun for kids.
Over the Thanksgiving break, we spent nearly a week with relatives in Charleston, S.C. This Southern town first established in 1670 is beautifully preserved and full of history. It was captured in the Civil War without much property damage, so the old part of town has buildings that are hundreds of years old. While you might think history and kids don't mix we found that our children--ages 5 and 6--were actually quite excited about spotting a bison, stepping inside a former dungeon, and watching craftswomen weave sweetgrass baskets.
On July 2, 2003 (nearly 24,000 days ago!) the International Olympic Committee chose Vancouver as the host city for the XXI (21st) Winter Olympics. Since then, countless hours of blood, sweat and tears from more than 25,000 volunteers have gone into preparation for the world's biggest winter sporting event.
My Dad and I dropped in on Vancouver eager to see what changes have been made and how things are progressing to get ready for the Games. We checked into the Best Western Downtown Vancouver, a beautiful 143-room property which is one of five Best Westerns in the Vancouver area. After a quick workout in a panoramic fitness centre with a great view, we set out on foot to hit trendy "Yaletown" (only a five minute walk away) and both noticed two things immediately. For starters, the number of cranes that have been a staple on the Vancouver skyline have disappeared. It definitely gave us a sense of being in a more established city. Secondly, the city is clean. The streets, sidewalks and buildings all seemed very tidy and well kept.
During our stay, we informally polled a number of locals about all things Olympics and here are the top three things we learned:
Our family summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park was one for the record books and it got me thinking about visiting in the winter. Blanketed in snow and free from the throngs of summer visitors, the park takes on a magical quality.
The first thing I figured out is that most of the roads in the park are closed to traffic and you must plan to explore in over-snow vehicles only. Given that the weather in the winter can be severe, you may choose to schedule a commercial snowcoach that will tour through Yellowstone, stopping along the way for a closer look at wildlife or some of over 10,000 hydrothermal features. This is an ideal way to take in the crystalline winter landscape and stay warm along the way.
For the hearty and adventurous out there, you may opt to reserve snowmobiles or tour the many miles of incredible cross-country ski trails in the park. Snowmobile permits are limited and you must be accompanied by a guide so be sure to get details and make your reservations early.
It has an average annual temperature of negative 57 degrees Celsius.
90% of the world's ice exists there.
It holds the world's record in strongest wind, highest altitude and coldest temperature.
There are no permanent residents or vegetation.
Sound like the perfect vacation spot?
Well, don't rule out Antarctica just yet! Approximately 30,000 people visit Antarctica every year and while there has never been a native population, 4,000 scientists live and work there during summer months.
For years, luxury cruise lines have offered travel to the earth's coldest continent surrounded by ocean. In fact, with just a few Google searches you'll find travel information about lavish ships with ice-strengthened hulls offering an Antarctic experience with 5-star accommodations. So, what is there to do, see and experience in Antarctica? Why on earth would anyone brave this desolate area?
The second leg of "Bob & Bryson's Excellent Western Adventure" took my Dad and I to Whistler to preview one of the marquee sites for the 2010 Winter Olympics. During this visit, I was stunned to learn it was actually my Dad's first trip to Whistler. For me, it was my third and, having been in April 2008, I was most interested to see if I noticed any major changes.
The first big change was the trip from Vancouver to Whistler. Highway 99, known as the "Sea-to-Sky Highway", has been given a major facelift. The 125-kilometer drive has historically been a challenging one, with twists and turns, major elevation changes and a steady stream of big trucks. Travellers needed to be alert at all times and budget two hours to travel this stretch of beautiful roadway. Four lanes now make up most of Route 99, turning this scenic drive into a quicker and safer journey. We cruised up to Whistler in about ninety minutes--including a quick pit stop for coffee.
One of my favorite books as a child was the National Geographic title, Explore a Spooky Swamp. It told the story of Willie and Isabella who go on a boat tour of the Okefenoke Swamp with a guide named Johnny.
Johnny shows the children tiny frogs, a snapping turtle, and a mother alligator defending her nest. They float under a canopy of trees laden with Spanish moss.
My father read me the book again and again, and I always dreamed of visiting the swamp. But I never knew exactly where this mysterious place was until I was looking for a place to stay overnight between Charleston and Jacksonville, Fl.--I wanted to break up the drive.
Looking at a map, I noticed this great big swamp in Waycross, Ga, about an hour outside of Jacksonville. It was the Okefenoke Wildlife Refuge, and it immediately click that it was the place featured in the book. The swamp was fresh in my mind because I still have the book and I had read it to my kids only days before. I booked a hotel and packed the book in my suitcase.
When we arrived in Waycross, my daughter was the one who first spotted the Okefenoke Swamp billboard advertisement with a huge alligator.
"I don't want to go! I don't want to see an alligator!"
Now that I've learned how to spell it without adding extra letters, and how to pronounce it without adding extra syllables, Albuquerque has become one of my favorite places. It's not only beautiful and culturally satisfying, but it also features a delightful amount of quirkiness that appeals to us older sightseers.
One good example is their baseball team. Most cities give their teams common nicknames like Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Pirates, Yankees, and different colored Sox, but Albuquerqueans named their minor league club the Isotopes, and it's because of Homer Simpson. When professional baseball returned to Albuquerque in 2003, the team owners held a contest to pick a new name. The Isotopes won by a substantial margin, an indication that the city's baseball fans are not only sports-savvy but also adherents of the television's "The Simpsons."
In one episode of the cartoon show, Homer Simpson went on a hunger strike to prevent his town's baseball team, also known as the Isotopes, from moving from Springfield to Albuquerque. His efforts paid off; the team stayed in Springfield. Given all those circumstances, the tie-in between Homer Simpson, Albuquerque, baseball, hot dogs, seventh-inning stretching and species of atoms of a chemical element becomes more easily understood.
Albuquerque is also home to a number of unusual museums cover a wide variety of cultural divergences. For example:
Last Thursday, my Dad and I started our "rock star" tour of Western Canada with three stops in three nights - Kelowna, Whistler and Vancouver. Minutes after landing in Kelowna, we were immediately struck by the remarkable landscape. From the Okanagan mountain range to the shores of Okanagan Lake, this place was truly breathtaking.
For a relatively small Canadian city (population of about 115,000), the region has lots to offer. It's truly become a four-season vacation hotspot. In the winter, the main attraction (as we highlighted in last week's blog) is the skiing and snowboarding, with Big White only minutes away and the snow affectionately called "champagne powder".
The region is very dry, with less than twelve inches of rain accumulating each year. This makes conditions ideal for another one of Kelowna's big industries - wine-making. The Okanagan Valley produces award-winning wines in many varieties including ice wines. We spent a couple of hours later in the day at Summerhill Pyramid Winery, a truly remarkable and unique place. With more than 80 acres of organic vineyards, Summerhill takes on the character and personality its proprietor, Stephen Cipes. Every wine spends time in the pyramid, a replica of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, allowing the energy of this unique cellar to enhance each bottle. They offer wine tours and tastings, and have a bistro with one of the best views out over the lake you'll ever see.
For me, there are two seasons -- riding season and show season. And I'm happy in either one.
Right now, we're in the middle of motorcycle show season, as the manufacturers bring out their new models to show to the public. If you're lucky enough to live in one of the towns where the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show makes a stop, trek on out to the convention center and see the new bikes. If you don't live nearby, why not plan an overnight trip?
I love going to the motorcycle show because it's a chance to actually sit on a wide variety of bikes, to talk to the experts and to mingle with other motorcycle enthusiasts. There's always a great vendor's area, where I can look at new accessories, apparel and product innovations (and maybe even buy a few things). Several vendors bring clearance and closeout merchandise, and there are often deals to be had. In warmer climes, the manufacturers even bring out demo bikes and offer rides on their new models. It's a great big biker Wonderland, with something for everyone.
I recently made my annual trip to see New York City at its holiday best, in miniature, at the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show. Now through January 10, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory houses replicas of New York landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Penn Station and Yankee Stadium with model trains zooming along behind and in front of them on more than a quarter mile of track.
The replicas are made from natural materials like twigs, leaves, acorns, and pomegranates. Historic New York homes are carefully landscaped with moss and other tiny greenery. Visitors get to walk under the Brooklyn Bridge, built from sugar pinecones and lit with tiny lights - I'm not sure if it's more romantic to walk on the actual bridge or under this replica.
Last month marked the first time in recorded history, (which apparently goes back 165 years) that Toronto had no snow in the month of November. Not a single flurry! Great news for drivers and bad news for skiers. The reality is any skier/snowboarder who's serious about the sport needs to get a long way from the Greater Toronto Area if they want to enjoy the best mountains in the country.
Narrowing the following list of ski areas down to five was a challenge and truthfully I could have found five great ones within the province of British Columbia alone. My methodology for ranking the resorts took into account a number of factors including:
Size of the mountain
Number and diversity of the runs
Average annual snowfall
Tourism infrastructure (accessibility, # of hotels, restaurants and activities)
Have you been dreaming of a romantic European vacation (think cobblestone streets, delicious food, historic buildings and arts) but don't have the time, money or airmiles to get there anytime soon? Look no further than a vacation to beautiful Quebec City, Canada - just a hop skip and a jump from the US border (Only a two-hour drive from the northern borders of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, and easily accessible via major airlines such as Air Canada, Northwest, Continental and Delta). Quebec City is over 400 years old, and while it is considered to be a French-speaking city, you will find many people and vendors who can and will speak English to you. Visiting Quebec City is like taking a European vacation without the European pricetag - from the moment you set your eyes on Quebec with its humungous city walls and daunting gates, the narrow, winding streets and sidewalk cafes, you'll feel like you've traveled halfway around the world. As you make your way down the cobblestone streets and hear the sounds of horse's hooves clop-clopping along as they pull carriages filled with couples enjoying the sites, you'll appreciate the historic, old-world feel that surrounds you. You will enjoy quaint boutiques, stunning architecture and spirited festivals. There is so much to see and do, and you surely won't have enough time to do it all, so I thought I'd help by narrowing it down to a few "must sees" for your visit to "North America's Little Europe"
Not sure what it is exactly about fountains but they always seem to attract a crowd. Famous fountains attract hordes of people to their shores every day. Something about the mixing of water, architecture and art holds a general attraction to most people. In fact, people have been using them as a gathering place for as long as they have been around. Granted, many fountains are built in public places so it would be easy to assume that's why people flock, but even in public places fountains seem to be the center of attention.
Fountains started out with the purely practical purpose of providing water to thirsty people. The Romans started getting fancy with them and placing them in gardens and courtyards. The art didn't stray far from its origins as Europe is home to the most famous and elaborate fountains.
And for some reason most fountains have a way of accumulating coins. Not sure where the tradition started that turned fountains into change banks, but from what I can tell people do it for luck, to make a wish or a good opportunity to get rid of loose change.
Practically every town and city has their own fountain somewhere of some kind. For a list of the world's most famous fountains I turned to specialists. Fountainsinthecity.com has a list of the 10 most famous fountains in the world. Not surprising, most our European, with the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy leading the way, though it was interesting to see Las Vegas rounding out the list.
The weather is starting to turn, even here in sunny Southern California, where I call home. Even though temperatures are pleasant during the daytime, in the 60s and 70s, after the sun goes down I can expect 40s and 30s. It's hard to figure out what kind of gear to wear, what to carry, whether to ride or to take the car. I have to admit, there are times when I wimp out and ride in the cage, just to avoid the discomfort. I'm not proud of it. But it's the truth.
Which got me thinking - when it's getting colder here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's getting warmer down in the Southern Hemisphere. I started to do more than fantasize about locations below the Equator where I might like to ride.
My love of trains goes back to childhood when our family sat on the front porch of our home in North Dakota and listened to the chugs and snorts of the steam engines as they hauled freight and passengers across the prairies. This affection was enhanced when my dad got a job on the railroad, a move that furthered my dream of someday riding in a caboose. And when it happened, I was moving royalty, seated in the cupola of the little red car and waving to the wheat fields and little towns that dotted the flatlands.
Those days are gone, but a few avenues remain where I and others like me can live go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear. They're called excursion trains now, but they serve the same purpose. Four of them are located in the Southwest, so with a little planning I can ride them all in less than a week.
Last Sunday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes squared off in the 97th Grey Cup in Calgary, Alberta. Canada's version of the Superbowl is held in late November each year and unless it's being played in Vancouver or Toronto (which have dome stadiums--weather usually plays a key role. Surprisingly, this year's weather was tame and quite boring, making it a non issue. In fact, at kick-off the sun was shining and a balmy eight degrees Celsius.
In contrast, the football game was exciting and full of intrigue, making it one of the best I can remember. It came down to the final play, where the heavily favoured Alouettes kicked a field goal with no time left on the clock to win by a single point. Heartbreak for Saskatchewan fans and the thousands who made the trip to Calgary to cheer on their provincial heroes. The game was the icing on the cake for a fantastic week of events and activities that make the Grey Cup a truly must-attend Canadian event. If you've never been, do yourself a favour and mark your calendar for the 98th game next year. It will be contested on November 28th, just three hours north of Calgary in Edmonton - "The City of Champions!" Edmonton has hosted three of the most memorable Grey Cup games in recent history and will sell out their 60,000-seat stadium. Chances are the weather will be nasty, which perhaps surprisingly will add even more fun and festivity.
Last Sunday, with Grandma in town from Calgary, we packed up the family for a visit to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) in Toronto. The annual event is held at the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) grounds in the core of Canada's largest city.
Since the very first fair in November, 1922 the RAWF has grown to become the world's largest indoor agricultural and international equestrian competition.
The RAWF attracts more than 300,000 visitors to the greater Toronto area every November to see thousands of unique entries from elite Canadian and international breeders, growers and exhibitors, more than 4,500 large and small animals, shows, activities, shopping, dining and, of course, the Royal Horse Show.
This week, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, concluded their cross-Canada, 11-city tour. The red carpet was rolled out for the couple who certainly got the `royal treatment` (excuse the pun) and were greeted by large crowds at every stop. It was the 15th trip to Canada for Charles and the inaugural visit for his wife. It was very interesting to see the media attention which surrounded the visit and the rock star-like following the couple generated. As much debate rages on about whether the monarchy should be abolished, the brand seems strong and relevant with many Canadians.
If you are one of those "Royalty Wannabees," how about replicating the trip? You might not get the same attention, but let's face it...that would be stressful anyway. I warn you it's a busy 11 days but we can make it a lot more conducive for a non-royalty budget with locally-owned and operated Best Western accommodations along the way.
First stop: Newfoundland. Day 1 - Morning visit to Cupids, N.L., to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2010; afternoon visit to Brigus, N.L., including the home of Arctic explorer Capt. Bob Bartlett; opening of new housing project in St. John's; late afternoon visit to Marine Institute at Memorial University; evening reception at The Rooms (Provincial Archives, Art Gallery and Museum). Grab a quick private jet to St. Margaret's Bay and end a busy first day, but get a great night's sleep at the Best Western Chocolate Lake Hotel.
Have you ever found yourself sitting back and enjoying a great flick and wondering where a particular scene or battle is filmed? You'd be surprised by where a lot of epic movie scenes are filmed, and even more surprised that you can visit many of these locations yourself.
Because I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada, I'll start here. You may or may not know that Vancouver is often referred to as "Hollywood North", due to the huge amount of movies and television shows that are filmed here. Juno, X-Men, Fantastic Four, The X Files (often filmed at my alma mater - Simon Fraser University), 88 Minutes and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants are just a few pieces filmed in my hometown. No doubt you haven't escaped the Twilight hype... well neither has Vancouver, since Twilight: New Moon - recently released - was also filmed in Vancouver. Much of the movie was filmed in historic Stanley Park - one of the world's most renowned and luscious parks - and even in my own neighborhood of Kitsilano. The hype over the "Twilight" presence in Vancouver is so big that a tour company has even launched "Twilight Tours Vancouver", a formal tour company that will "provide movie fans who love the 'Vampire, Werewolf and Human Love Story' a first hand look at the locations used in bringing the stories to the big screen." The tour is six hours long and costs $159 for adults and $119 for kids 12 & under.
From the classic stainless steel car to the bright neon lights to the smell of apple pie and malts - the diner has officially made a comeback. Made trendy again by the popular show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and new generations seeking a retro flashback, diners have been an essential part of urban culture for over 50 years. Defined as quintessentially "American", they've been illustrated by pop culture artists and featured as a staple hang-out in numerous movies and television shows. Most diners are small businesses and family owned, which always adds to the character of the atmosphere, food and service. So, the next time you're traveling, be sure to stop by these unique, fun and delicious American classics.
Blue Benn Diner (Bennington, Vermont)
Many popular diners today offer a true culinary experience by providing non-traditional diner food in the same retro atmosphere. One of the country's most well-known diners is Blue Benn Diner in Bennington, Vermont which offers the traditional fare, but also unexpected dishes such as Syrian roll-ups and vegetarian enchiladas. If you take a look at the Diner Section of any restaurant review, you'll most likely find people raving about this little gem with fabulous food.
I know you all have experienced this. You're out of town on business and you wind up with about 2 hours before you have to leave to catch your plane or check out of your hotel. Not a ton of time, but enough to do something interesting besides hanging out in your room watching old movies.
After some thought, I decided to put together a list of things you can do when faced with a little time on your hands and you'd like to do or see something memorable before heading home or to your next destination.
You can start by asking your hotel concierge about local landmarks, parks, zoos, antique shops or museums that are located nearby. It's a great way to soak up some of the local landscape and get a feel for the people living there, especially helpful if you will be returning to that city again. I know that all of the Best Western properties list local attractions and distance from their hotel property which you can find on www.bestwestern.com.
To get even more specific, I thought I would suggest a few things in three different cities across the U.S. that could turn your run-of-the-mill business trip into something a little more memorable.
New York City. Head over to the West Village (the original, western portion of Greenwich Village) and take a leisurely 2 hour stroll around the virtually unchanged 19th century neighborhood. The West Village was originally home to quite a few literary artists, but that has changed in recent years. It's a delightful diversion from the hustle and bustle of Times Square and Central Park. You'll find beautifully renovated brownstones and some great neighborhood restaurants, some offering locally grown food. If walking around New York neighborhoods aren't your thing, how about a helicopter tour around Manhattan getting a bird's eye view of Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty or the Hudson River? Some companies offer as little as a 7 minute tour up to 30 minutes, perfect for the 2 hours or less!
Lake Placid, N.Y.
This little lakeside village surrounded by the Adirondacks has hosted two winter Olympics. It's a great spot for sledding, ice skating, and skiing at the nearby Whiteface Mountain, where you can hit the slopes for $35 on select Sundays and $38 on certain Wednesdays. Play: At the Olympic Center, skate around the Olympic Speed Skating Oval where Eric Heiden won a record five gold medals in the 1980 Winter Games--costs only $5 for adults, plus a $3 skate rental. Eat: At the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, the onion soup ($6), made with Moose Island Ale, is sure to warm you up. Also, try the steak salad ($11), and fish and chips ($10). Stay: The Best Western Adirondacks has an indoor hot tub and heated pool.
America is a great place. It is the land of hope, opportunity and many of the world's largest things (like Best Western - The World's Largest Hotel Chain).
I remember the first time I came across something that bared the name "World's Largest". I was 4 years old, riding down Interstate 94 just outside of Detroit, Michigan. I looked to my right and my eyes locked in on the world's largest tire. The tire, built by the Uniroyal Tire Company, stands proud at about 80 feet tall and weighs 12 tons. I can remember, even at a young age, marveling how completely unnecessary such an object was. Unnecessary, sure--but, so cool.
Since that day, I've always made an effort to seek out many of the other "World's Largest" when traveling. They range from kitschy to cool, tall to wide, and homemade to complete and total engineering masterpieces. They are a great cross section of America. They are built on every budget and can appeal to the oldest and youngest of travelers.
Here are a few of my favorite "world's largest" objects:
"The Land of 10,000 Lakes" is where you will frequently hear the greeting "Velkommen" or "Welcome" in Norwegian and is home to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
The Minneapolis-Saint Paul cities offer all the culture, shopping, theatre, arts and sports that you would expect from any large metropolitan area but without some of the other hassles. There is a great vibe that surrounds these cities many unique and interesting things to do while visiting.
Starting with the arts, Minneapolis is home to the Walker Art Centre, considered one of the world's best contemporary art museums. In addition, they also have an outdoor sculpture garden that features some fantastic sculptures including a few by Frank Gehry that is definitely worth seeing. If you enjoy theater, you'll need to pay a visit to new Guthrie Theater, featuring both classic and contemporary plays. If you're a fan of birding, this is a great bird watching venue considering the urban setting. Spend a day simply wandering the art center and the outdoor gardens. It is worth the trip.
With just more than100 days left until the start of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, why are people talking about Quebec City and the Olympics? And why is travel and tourism at the forefront of the discussion?
The issue centres on Quebec City's desire to have a new $400 million arena erected to replace the relic known as Le Colisee. The story has become a national one with two very compelling angles already taking shape. The first is the potential to have NHL hockey back in Quebec City after it left town in 1995. The second buzz surrounds the opportunity to bid for the Olympics yet again (Quebec City was eliminated from the running for the 2010 Winter Olympics) in either 2022 or 2026.
Quebec's timing is very opportunistic with both of these story lines very front-and-centre with Canadians. The hockey angle has been very top-of-mind as Jim Balisle's bid to bring a 7th team to Canada stole the headlines all summer and Olympic excitement really heating up with only three months left until the Games.
It all sounds good, but with a $400 million price tag, who is going to pony up the cash?
Millions of readers across the globe have involved themselves with the thrilling stories created by the late Tony Hillerman. In his many novels, Hillerman combined Native American culture with murder mysteries, taking his readers across Navajo, Hopi and Zuni lands through the eyes of Joe Leaphorn and Jimmy Chee, his lawman heroes.
Now his fans can personally experience some of the intriguing settings of the novels on a five-day Hillerman Country Tour that departs from Phoenix, Arizona, and travels to some of the destinations the author described in his books. One of the first stops is at the Grand Canyon where participants will meet with James Peshlakai, a Navajo elder and silversmith whose name appears in Hillerman's "The Wailing Wind."
Also in Arizona, the tour stops at the Hopi village of Walpi, situated on the top of a towering mesa that rises hundreds of feet above the semi-desert below. Tour guides explain that it was here where Jimmy Chee arrested a criminal but, due to a lapse in judgment, let him escape. The 10-passenger van then winds through the Chuska Mountains on the Arizona-New Mexico border, then passes the legendary Shiprock Pinnacle, believed by many Navajos to be their place of origin.
In the "spirit" of Halloween, I decided to do a little research into old Ghost Towns around the country. I naturally assumed that there would be plenty in the old, Wild West, but was surprised to see that there is a spattering of ghost towns all across the United States. There were so many to choose from with incredibly interesting stories, but I going to focus on three.
I'll start with Dudleytown, Connecticut; hidden among three smaller mountains in the Appalachian Mountains. Many people know of the town because of the haunted forest nearby. Dudleytown was never a thriving metropolis, far from it. At the height of its day in the early 1800's, the town supported 26 families. During the Civil War, the families that survived the small pox and yellow fever supplemented their farming by cutting and burning wood for charcoal to sell to surrounding communities. Dudleytown is reportedly not known as haunted, rather that the whole area is possessed by demonic forces having the most active paranormal activity in the world. Evidently a curse was brought from England over to the town by the founders and caused the residents to lose their minds and commit murder among other things. Today ghosts, poltergeists and dark creatures roam the area. It must be true because Dan Aykroyd from the movie "Ghostbusters" has called it the "scariest place on Earth".
Thousands of years ago, the Celts celebrated the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the winter with bonfires, costumes, and parades. They believed that in the late autumn, the line between the worlds of the living and the dead was less distinct. In places where the seasons are marked, it's easy to imagine this to be true as we experience warm sunny days followed by cold nights, see living green leaves alongside brown and dead ones, and as the whole natural world transitions into a long slumber, almost a death. It really does seem to be a time when the worlds of the living and the dead mingle.
People today appear to have the same desire as the ancient Celts did to celebrate this time of year. Some of these celebrations are nothing more than a goodbye to the bounty of the summer - we visit farms and run through corn mazes, take wild hayrides, and drink apple cider. Other activities are more eerie - we carve sinister looking jack-o-lanterns; decorate our homes with spiders, cobwebs, black cats, and witches; or visit haunted spots, both real and make-believe.
In the spirit of these fall festivities, I'm devoting this post to corn mazes, hayrides, and haunted spots.
You've heard the song. It's referenced in movies. As a child growing up in Arizona, we're taught about the "historic highway" in our state. But what is Route 66, really?
It's a road starting in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica that stretches over eight states. The highway oozes with nostalgia, history and Americana as it once was. Some see it as a link to the past - to the ways our grandparents traveled that we just simply don't know in today's hustle and bustle. A road where travelers can really get away from the rat race and experience a shell of the extravagant life that existed along this extended stretch of road.
In 1926, Route 66 was known as the "Super Highway." It followed the railroads that moved coast to coast and with the advent of the automobile, people were given a new way to travel, a new way to experience America. Route 66 represented freedom - a super highway for Americans traveling from the Midwest to the West coast. Bursting with brightly-lit hotels, drive-ins, diners, tourist attractions and natural spectacles, the highway was as exciting an experience as the destination.
Fall is a great time of year for serious beer lovers. The crisper, lighter beers depart store shelves and fridges in favor of darker, heavier, and more complex seasonal brews. Fall is also one of my favorite times of year to travel. Green leaves and warm weather depart, bringing an abundance of fall foliage and crisp weathers. Lately one of my favorite travel activities has been to stay away from main thoroughfares and heavily trafficked tourist spots of my favorite cities, so that I can focus on my newest travel passion: The brewery tour.
Touring breweries is not only a memorable way to take in the essence of a locale, but a very affordable and cost effective activity. Since most tours are free to the public and offer a tasting at the end, it can be a great, cheap way to spend a fall afternoon.
Here are some "must hit" breweries for your next trip:
This may seem like a strange post for a travel blog, but with Halloween season upon us I thought it would make for an interesting travel idea.
I spent some time visiting a friend in Pittsburgh this year. During my stay, she mentioned that she had the perfect not-so-popular tourist destination that she knew I'd love. Intrigued and happy to have my own personal tour guide around a new city, I asked where we were going. She said, "A cemetery." My reaction was to ask if she knew someone buried there. "No," she replied. I asked if someone famous was buried there. Perhaps Pittsburgh's own, Andy Warhol or Perry Como? "No, it's just a cool cemetery." A cool cemetery? Now, my friend is a bit eccentric, so this didn't surprise me. What did surprise me is Allegheny Cemetery. I had never seen anything quite like it.
I didn't want to leave. I spent hours walking around, taking pictures, reading epitaphs and peeking inside the stained glass windows of mausoleums. Creepy, you say? Understandably, many people are not interested in visiting "cities of the dead." However, the intricate tombstone carvings, elaborate mausoleums, perfectly hand-crafted sculptures and stunning landscape gave me the experience similar to that of visiting a museum. In fact, I found it relaxing, peaceful and fascinating. Maybe it's a little morbid, but there's something calming about being in these artistic sanctuaries surrounded by centuries-old walls, gates and headstones.
Since my trip to Allegheny, I've decided to visit the most unique, beautiful and interesting cemeteries in the US. Here are a few you should plan to check out on your next vacation:
Every September, when the air starts to feel nippy and the leaves are just barely starting to turn, I'm reminded that it's time to drive out to an orchard to pick some of my own apples. Even my farmer's market can't compete with the fresh taste of an apple right off the tree on an early fall day!
This year, my friends and I decided to go to one of the area's most easily accessible orchards at Silverman's Farm in Easton, Connecticut. When we arrived, the kids were excited to jump into a complementary wagon to ride from the parking lot to the store across the street. In no time, we had picked up our half bushel bags and caught a tractor-pulled wagon for a ride into the trees. My 19 month old was fascinated to be bouncing along with the wind in her hair, behind a real tractor. She squealed and clapped the whole way up the hill into the orchard. I even heard a "Bravo!" or two. The friendly driver took us right to the rows that were open for picking that day and gave us a brief set of instructions, then turned us loose on rows of Gala's, Cortland's, and Macouns. I was perfectly happy with this selection since I was looking for apples that I could use to eat, bake and make applesauce.
Fall is a great time of year to visit Baltimore and there is plenty to do to celebrate the season. Whether you are looking for fall festivals, autumn hikes or Victorian cemeteries you will find it in Baltimore and more.
As I grow older, I am finding a deeper appreciation for older things. Particularly for things that are older than I am. Having adopted that attitude, I eagerly look forward to excursions into northwestern New Mexico because they have old things there that are really old.
Primarily, they are Indian ruins, ancient reminders that white men were not the first to inhabit the land. They bear such names as Chaco Canyon, the Salmon Ruin and Aztec Ruins National Monument. Each is distinctive, yet their origins are similar. And Chaco Canyon is the most spectacular.
Officially known as the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, the site contains evidence of 10,000 years of human occupation, and several of the structures within its boundaries are (or were) immense, some of them covering several acres. The canyon is best known for these large-scale, multi-storied buildings that were planned and constructed more than a thousand years ago by ancestors of the Hopi and New Mexico Pueblo peoples.
Those who study such things believe that from 850 A.D. until 1150 A.D., the area was the center of a vast political, religious ceremonial and trade network that encompassed a large portion of the Southwest. The public buildings contained within its boundaries, also known as great houses, were built using a core and veneer masonry system that added to the strength and stability of the massive structures.
A wild rumpus has come to San Francisco's urban jungle.
Last week, the Contemporary Jewish Museum opened a retrospective of over 100 works by children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak, including rare and original pieces from his 1963 classic Where the Wild Things Are, the book about an angry boy named Max whose mom sends him to bed without dinner.
"There's a Mystery There: Sendak on Sendak," which runs through January 19, 2010, features original watercolors and drawings from Sendak's books, rare sketches, never-before-seen working materials, and exclusive interview footage. You'll find a final drawing from Pierre, A Cautionary Tale with the mischievous boy standing in front of the lion who eats him; a photograph of Sendak's real-life German shepherd, Agamemnon, who was a model for the dog in Outside Over There; and a preliminary drawing of the Where the Wild Things Are wild rumpus scene in which Max tries to tame the monsters as a way to control his own anger.
As we approach the fall and winter months, filled with busy school schedules, demanding workloads at the office and the hustle & bustle of preparing for the busy holiday season, it's easy to forget to stop and "smell the flowers". We can easily take for granted that some of the most beautiful things can be grown from the earth. This is why I've decided to get the scoop on a few of North America's most stunning botanical gardens - a visit to any of these spots would be a perfect escape for anyone as we head into the craziness of the holiday season.
Butchart Gardens Where: Victoria, BC, Canada Why: Beautiful, picturesque location, mild temperatures year-round, delicious high tea Cost: $16.25-$23.50 during the Fall & Winter
I won't lie - I'm definitely biased towards Butchart Gardens because it's in beautiful Victoria - just a short hop skip and a jump over to Vancouver Island from my hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia (BC). However, I guarantee you will be impressed with this very beautiful setting. Every visitor I've ever taken to the gardens has been delighted. Butchart Gardens is located in Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada - very close to Victoria, the capital of the province of BC. The gardens are family owned and receive well over a million visitors from around the world each year. Covering over 55 acres, the gardens are bursting with colorful and rare flowers, steams, ponds, waterfalls and lush vegetation. The mild climate allows for year-round enjoyment. The gardens definitely cover an expansive space, so be sure to wear walking shoes and be prepared to embrace a little exercise.
I live in Southern California now, so I get to ride my motorcycle year-round. But one thing that I miss about living in the Northeast is the change of seasons, especially the arrival of autumn. Green gives way to gold, red, yellow and a spectacular explosion of color just before the trees give up their leaves. Already beautiful scenery becomes outrageously, fleetingly mind blowing. The show moves from north to south, as fall creeps slowly down from Maine to Georgia. Florida doesn't get as much of a show, but then Florida has a show year-round anyway.
When I lived in New York City, I had three favorite routes out of town for great day rides to see the foliage.
My favorite route was always directly to the north. We'd ride up the West Side Highway and onto the Taconic State Parkway. Almost immediately upon leaving the border of New York City up in Yonkers, the Taconic becomes a beautiful divided highway, with long stretches of curvy, tree-shaded two-lane road carved into the rocky hillside. There are even some challenging sections for a motorcyclist, with changes in elevation, decreasing radius turns and off-camber curves. Mostly, it's a beautiful country ride through the Hudson River Valley that can make you forget you were ever in a crowded city. We used to ride up to Lagrangeville for brunch at the Daily Planet Diner then tool around Poughkeepsie, looking at the architecture and admiring the campus of Vassar College before heading back to Manhattan.
I have just returned from my end of the summer escape, holiday, vacation, getaway - it was all of those things and more.
It was my fortunate parental "duty" to accompany my youngest daughter to the south of France to help her situate for a semester of French immersion at the University of Lyon. Of all the parental duties involved with raising children, I must say this was one of the more pleasant. After having traveled all that way, it seemed only logical that I seek out some rest and relaxation from all that work. I set my sights on the Mediterranean, specifically Antibes, a mere 4 hour high-speed train ride from Lyon.
I prepared for my sojourn by buying fresh baguettes, cheese and of course, a bottle of French wine to enjoy while watching the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone region speed by and then watch the landscape start to ease into the lovely Mediterranean Sea. This was my third time through the French Riviera and it never loses its "wow" factor for me. It boggles the mind that water can be so many shades of blue and that there are even more shapes and sizes of yachts bobbing along the coast.
With the onset of cool weather comes one of Mother Nature's greatest treats, the change in the color of leaves as trees prepare to bear the cold of winter. Many people set aside a weekend in late September or early October to get away to a place where they can really soak in all the beauty that the change of season offers. Perhaps in some way, this ritual prepares us for the barrenness of winter. This year, when planning your fall foliage tour, consider visiting New York's Hudson River Valley.
This valley appeals to me for so many reasons. It's rich with history, it's easily accessible from the New York metro area by rail, boat, car, or even bicycle, and it's full of charming little towns, excellent restaurants, historic homes, and stunning views. To top this off, the valley offers a magnificent display of reds, golds, and browns beginning in late September and through the month of October.
There are many ways to experience the Hudson River Valley in the fall. Here are a few suggestions:
It's that time of year again where the Niagara region welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to celebrate this year's wine harvest. The festival has been happening annually dating back to the 1950's and has been, like their award winning wine region, growing every year by leaps and bounds.
As a Brock University alumni (located in St. Catharines), I can attest to the celebratory atmosphere that engulfs the area, as hundreds of activities and events are put on over the 10 day festival. Residents and visitors are entertained, fed, and of course, able to sample an array of award-winning wines.
The Niagara region now boasts 29 wineries, all of which can be toured - check out a complete list here http://www.niagarawinefestival.com/page/winefest_wineries.
The marquee event is the parade that takes place this Saturday, September 26th in St. Catharines. More than 200,000 people are expected and the theme this year is "Embrace your Olympic Spirit".
Many years ago, probably even longer ago than that, I read a magazine article about a rich man who visited every country in the world. He owned a jet airplane so he made it to the 300-plus nations in existence at the time in less than a year. Inspired by his success and already bitten by the travel bug, I vowed to do likewise. Alas, economics and reality set in so I'm still more than 260 nations short of reaching that goal.
Even worse, as I grow older, I sense that my time is running out. But, rather than give up entirely, I compile lists of places I want to go and things I want to do before ... well, you know.
Mont St. Michel on the north coast of France tops my gotta-see list. I can hardly wait to climb to the top of the towering church and watch the tides go in an out. Then, it would be off to Petra, the ancient city in Jordan. I eagerly look forward to entering the narrow passage leading into the ancient buildings that were carved into sandstone centuries ago.
Today is going to be a real motorcycling day. We're going to ride the Tail of the Dragon .
The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most famous motorcycling roads in the United States, and has become a real destination ride for people from all over the world. The main reason is its layout: 318 curves in 11 miles of smooth blacktop, winding through beautiful tree-lined hills in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Officially known as US 129, the Tail of the Dragon is a lovely, challenging road that emits a siren call to bikers the world over.
A word of warning about the Tail of the Dragon: Any road this famous will attract its share of idiots, morons who forget that they are on a public road with other traffic. A search of YouTube will reveal a myriad of moronic behavior, hooliganism and wrecks that could easily be avoided with a touch of common sense. I wouldn't ride the road on a busy weekend - it wouldn't be any fun. The key to enjoying a safe ride on the Tail of the Dragon, as with any ride, is to ride safely, ride within your limits and respect the rules of the road. 'Nuff said.
The skies are threatening as we eat our breakfast in the solarium at the Best Western Villa Inn. Looks like this could be the day that we have to break out the rain gear.
As we saddle up on Melvis, a guy waves us down, running across the parking lot. I flip open my visor.
"Ya'all been in weather before? Because we're about to get some weather."
I thank the guy for his concern, and assure him that we've been in weather before. Because we have ridden through some real gully washers in our time, and we actually kind of enjoy it.
"Ride safe, now."
Looking at the sky, I figure that if we head out now, we can avoid the weather and stay dry. The front seems to be moving from north to south, and we're going east. So we ride off, knowing that our rain gear is easily accessible should we need it.
History is all around as we ride. In place and street names, we see reminders of David Crockett, Tennessee pioneer and statesman, revered throughout the state.
We ride toward living history in Lynchburg, a tiny town in the center of Moore County. Since 1866, the principal industry in Lynchburg has been the making of Tennessee Whiskey at the Jack Daniel's Distillery . They've been doing it there (with a short interruption for Prohibition) the same way Jack Daniel started, with the same water source and the same recipe for nearly a century and a half. Tours of the Distillery are free, and take about an hour. Our tour guide, Billy, is a squat man with a big grey beard spreading over the front of his overalls. He looks a little bit like a troll, and he's got a sharp sense of humor. He gives a great tour, rife with company history, lore and insight, along with a real passion for the product. There are no samples on this factory tour - good thing, too, because we've still got riding to do.
Early fall is an ideal time to visit Chicago. The weather is typically mild and when the sun is shining Chicagoans don't waste a minute of it. On the weekends the beaches might still feel like summer with hoards of people soaking up the sun, playing volleyball, riding along the path on bicycles or just reading in the shade of a big tree watching the sailboats go by.
Want to veer away from the water's edge? I am amazed to find that there is always some kind of festival going on. Old Town is one of my favorite spots for great restaurants, street fairs and unique boutique's. Whether you experienced the Old Town Art Fair during the summer or are headed to the Wells Street Crush, Music and Comedy Fest in September, you will enjoy wandering through this Chicago neighborhood on a beautiful day.
As a youth, I started taking photographs of big things. Big houses, big horses, big statues. Then, during middle age, the hobby was raised to the next level - pictures of world's largest things. And now that I am mature, perhaps even older than that, I look back on those I've seen and photographed, and look forward to getting more under my belt. My list varies but I concentrate on the funky ones that stand as lesser monuments to civic pride.
There's no way I can ever get to all of them because they are in the thousands. Like the world's largest fruit bowl, the world's largest guitar and the world's largest turtle. But I console myself with my personal collection, including these favorites:
North Dakota has a couple of winners. The world's largest buffalo, a 60-ton concrete and steel creation, stands guard over Jamestown. It measures 26 feet high and 46 feet long. To the west, the world's largest cow rises 38 feet on a hillside near New Salem. The fiberglass reproduction of a Holstein weighs six tons.
We check out of the Best Western Suites after a quick free breakfast in the lobby. It's been a nice stay, but we've got places to go, and the King to see.
A short ride on the Interstate, and we're piloting Melvis down Elvis Presley Boulevard. On the south side of the street, there are the famous gates with Elvis's silhouette and musical notes. We pull in to the Graceland parking lot on the north side, and sit Melvis alone to wait in the shade. The guards at the gate are kind enough to let us know that there are lockers at the visitors' center where we can stow our helmets and jackets while we are on our tour, a great convenience for motorcyclists and others for just 50 cents. We pay our admission fee, and board a shuttle bus for Graceland Mansion and a self-guided audio tour. Each guest is handed a headset and a small Walkman-like device. A very pleasant, informative soundtrack guides you through the public areas of Elvis' home and grounds - the private areas (bedrooms and bathrooms) are off-limits. The famous Jungle Room still draws gasps of wonder, with its green shag-carpeted ceiling and indoor waterfall. My favorite room is Elvis's rec room, decorated in bright yellow and blue with his TCB lightning bolt logo on the wall and a mirrored ceiling. The trophy room provides a great historical look through Elvis's career accomplishments. It's amazing to look over all that Elvis did and then to realize that he died at the age of 42. He's been dead for over 30 years, and still people listen to his music, watch his films and visit his grave. Which is right there at the Mansion, at the end of the tour. In the light of Michael Jackson's recent demise, Elvis' story feels all the more current and tragic to me right now. Though Graceland is decidedly tiny, tacky and a little bit sad, it is an absolute must for any true music fan to visit.
After a quick (free) hot breakfast in the lobby, we hightail it to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum so that we can be there when they open at 9:00 am. Neither Robin nor I are particular fans of country music, but we've heard that the museum is great, and we're eager to see it before we leave town. The Museum turns out to be fantastic. They've got a great collection of memorabilia, everything from Elvis' gold piano to Hank Williams' guitar to Porter Wagoner's Nudie suits. The whole place is intelligently laid-out, with sound and film clips illustrating the history and vitality of the music and culture. We get a chance to tour a special exhibit about Hank Williams and his progeny, "Family Tradition." After a $70 visit to the gift shop, we leave feeling inspired about country music.
We load up Melvis and check out of the Best Western Music Row, heading west out of Nashville on US 70. Interstate 40 is a direct route to Memphis, but we want to stay on the back roads as much as possible, while still making time. This is one of our longer days, 210 miles by the shortest route, and we've got a detour to make. We've heard that the world's greatest fried chicken is in Mason, Tennessee at a place called "Gus's." We can't let a claim like that go unexamined, so we plot a course for the tiny town.
Up bright and early, we eat our free hot breakfast at the Best Western Cedar Bluff Inn . Packed and ready, we meet Harry from Odyssey Airport Taxi in front of the hotel for the ride over to Smokey Mountain Harley-Davidson in Maryville. Oops - we discover that our motorcycle is actually across town at Knoxville Harley-Davidson on Lovell Road. No problem - by now we're now old friends with Odyssey Airport Taxi, and Patrick comes by to shuttle us to the correct Harley dealer. I am once again forced to re-learn a travel lesson: confirm your itinerary carefully, and pay attention to the details. Luckily, my mistake hasn't cost us much more than a few hours and an extra cab ride.
We finally arrive at Knoxville Harley-Davidson, to a warm greeting from Sean Hickey, Rental Manager. Sean has our paperwork ready, and we're soon loading up our black 2009 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide with gear. Robin immediately christens the bike "Melvis." Melvis is a stock Ultra Classic, with just over 8500 miles on the clock. He's in excellent shape, with a few tiny nicks and scuffs adding character. The only accessory I can spot is a set of highway pegs, which I know will come in handy on the longer rides.
Traveling by motorcycle is all about the gear - what to wear, what to take, what to leave behind.
Robin and I have carved our packing down to a science. We start with the essentials, and lay out what we consider to be the minimum amount of stuff that we can bring and still have a good trip. Then we take a hard look at what we're planning to bring, and see what we can leave behind. We usually realize that we're over packing, and we're able to reduce our load before we ever leave.
One thing that we never leave behind on a motorcycle trip is rain gear. A day of rain doesn't have to spoil a motorcycle trip, but without rain gear, it almost certainly will. We each have good two-piece rain suits that are designed for small packing and quick donning. They go in the bag first.
My two best two reasons for returning to Spokane, eastern Washington's largest city, are whimsical and photogenic. The first is whimsical - the giant red Radio Flyer wagon that sits in the lush, 100-acre Riverfront Park. It's about 12 feet high and 20 feet long, substantially larger than the ones we lugged our brothers and sisters around in many years ago. This one is a slide. You climb up one of the wheels and slide down the handle. It's not quite as much fun as riding over a bumpy road in one like when we were kids, but still it's worth one trip down just to partially relive those wondrous days of our youth.
The second, and most important, reason is that there's a waterfall running right through the center of town. The Spokane River makes its way through the surrounding hills into the city, then puts on a frothy display as it plummets, then cascades while evolving from a river into Spokane Falls. They are a delight to watch, and photograph, from any of the 17 pedestrian and traffic bridges that cross the (at this point, at least) raging river. Most of the bridges are located in the park, from Monroe Street eastward to the campus of Gonzaga University.
Planning the ride is almost as much fun as the actual ride. At least it is for me.
I have never really spent any time in Tennessee. I've passed through on my way to somewhere else, but I've never lingered. And Tennessee deserves better.
My wife Robin is taking a week off from work to ride as my passenger and share the adventure. Robin is the best passenger in the world. Always cheerful, she never complains and she's very entertaining when we're off of the bike. She helps me plan the trip, and studies up on our destinations for fun things to see and do. If I wasn't already married to her, I'd have to court her all over again.
Weeks before the trip, once we decided on Tennessee as our destination, we hit the books. We found three excellent travel books that provided great inspiration and information: Moon Handbooks Tennessee by Jeff Bradley (Avalon Travel Publishing, 2005); Off the Beaten Path Tennessee by Jackie Sheckler Finch (Morris Book Publishing, 2009); and Scenic Driving Tennessee by Russ Manning (Falcon Guide, 2005).
I'm now a mini-van driving dad. Not by choice. I was forced into this decision by the other powers in the household - an expecting wife and her cohorts, including our 6-year old and 3-year old. They are in heaven in our fully-loaded, state of the art family mobile for the new millennium. And if our kids had their way they would permanently move into the van. Despite my hesitations, secretly I have enjoyed the new supped up transportation. Recently we took a drive through Northern Arizona and Southern Utah - which holds some of the most spectacular scenery and landscapes in the nation. No wonder President Obama took his family on vacation to the Grand Canyon. A key benefit to the new mini-van set up is the second the kids inquire "Are we there yet?" we can easily flip a switch and they can be entertained with a DVD or game and my wife and I can enjoy the scenery on the road ahead. As I took this drive I felt fortunate to live close to so many great, scenic drives. So as the final moments of summer fade and the seasons change, there isn't a greater time than now to plan a simple road trip on an amazing scenic drive--a road trip that is more about the journey along the way than the destination. As the line from the movie Cars eloquently reminds us, "The road didn't cut through the land like that interstate. It moved with the land, it rose, it fell, it curved. Cars didn't drive on it to make great time. They drove on it to have a great time." So find a great scenic route, pack a picnic, keep the camera handy and enjoy the ride. Here are a few of my favorites and a few I am hoping to try.
I will admit that I never miss a season skiing at one of the many incredible Colorado Ski Resorts in the winter and never really considered the possibilities for summer fun in the mountains. That is until some friends convinced us to join them for the 4th of July in Telluride, Colorado - I am a convert! There is something for everyone in these mountain resort towns during the summer without the sticker shock of lift tickets for the entire family.
Led by the example of the laid back local crowd, we quickly learned to relax and make the most of the incredible natural resources all around us. We wandered down Telluride's charming main street past unique shops, fabulous restaurants and historic buildings. Be sure to venture into Town Park on the east edge of town if you are looking for the ideal spot to picnic and play. It doubles as celebration central for the 4th of July festivities and other festivals throughout the year. From the town of Telluride, we rode the free gondola for stunning views and easy access to Mountain Village. Don't forget to try the disc golf course across from Mountain Village Market. Everyone loves to throw a Frisbee around and it is free to the public!
Since it happened more than 60 years ago, it is sometimes easy to forget the role American servicemen played in the defense of England during World War II. But the British haven't forgotten, and they proudly display that loyalty in a variety of ways.
The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is a classic example. Located in Cambridge, about 60 miles north of London, it was established as a temporary military cemetery in 1943 on land donated by the University of Cambridge. The site was later selected as the only permanent American WWII military cemetery in the Great Britain.
Now it is a silent tribute to American men and women who died while stationed at military bases in England. Row after row of white headstones sweep across the landscape in an arrangement similar to the memorials in northern France. There are 3,811 grave markers, each bearing the name and military assignment of the fallen warrior whose remains rest below.
This week there are attractive and athletic people all over Manhattan handing out fliers inviting passersby to attend one of the world's premier sporting events, the US Open. Should they go? My answer is a definitive and resounding yes... and so should you if you can. In no particular order, here are the reasons why.
Roger Federer, considered the greatest tennis player of all time after winning 15 majors, is going after his 6th consecutive US Open title this year.
Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium you can experience first hand the intensity of a sport that elicits complete silence from a crowd of 22,000.
There's just something exciting about watching people compete to win a piece of a $21 million purse.
Puerto Rico has been a favorite island escape for travelers across many generations. The "Island of Enchantment" will feel both exotic and familiar to visitors from the continental U.S. Culturally, the island offers a rich blend of Spanish, Anglo, African, and native flavors that provide for a fun and diverse vacation.
Part of the tourist draw is that Puerto Rico enjoys year round summer temperatures, with an average annual temperature of 80°F. The peak tourist season is between December and April, so now is the perfect time to plan your next island getaway. Of course, if you like to travel in off-peak right now is the time to go, but keep in mind off-peak coincides with hurricane season in the Caribbean. My recent visit was in March, based on strong recommendations from my local contacts as the ideal time to visit - not too hot, not too crowded, not too much rain. Whenever you may plan to take your island hop, here are a few highlights you don't want to miss.
September is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to The Norwalk Oyster Festival at Veterans Memorial Park, right on the water, in Norwalk, Connecticut. This year, the festivities begin on September 11th and go through the 13th. The festival is always delicious, and this year promises to be no different with the spotlight event being The Bar-B-Q Pit. New England's grill masters will be competing for some pretty serious prizes while the rest of us walk around watching people and licking sauce off our fingers.
One of the initial impressions many people have of Florence, Italy, is derived from a photo or painting of the dome of the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Flore (Il Duomo) as it rises above the city, a giant multi-colored sphere hovering over the landscape. It's an image that has been recorded countless times by artists using oils, acrylics and watercolors, and by photographers using slide film, zoom lenses and digital cameras.
As summer winds down, the kids are getting restless. They're bored with math camp; they're waterlogged from swimming lessons; they've made so many lanyards that your keychain looks like a vinyl peacock. Why not take the kids to a museum?
I can hear the groans now. Not another museum! Exactly, not another museum - a motorcycle museum!
One visit to Yosemite is not enough given the 747,956 acres of impressive granite cliffs, waterfalls, glaciers, streams, giant sequoia groves and flora and fauna waiting to be discovered.
We found Bariloche, a city of about 100,000 located in the Andes Mountains, somewhat of a paradox because we were Argentina, which is a foreign country to us, but it looks and feels like a different foreign country. Switzerland, perhaps. Or the Tyrolean areas of Germany and Austria. Even northern Italy. Regardless, it is a beautiful place where the sunrises and sunsets are as magnificent as anywhere else in the world.
Riding through New York State can bring a surprise at every turn. If those turns bring you to the Lake Placid area, you're in luck. You've just discovered a little slice of motorcycling heaven.
The town of Lake Placid lives along the shores of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, two adjacent bodies of water in Northeastern New York State. It's a five or six hour ride from Manhattan to the South, about two hours from Montreal to the North and about an hour from Burlington, Vermont to the east. That's if you're in a hurry to get to Lake Placid.
A few weeks ago, my sister and my dad drove across the country. I talked to them while they were in Chicago, eating at the original Uno, where the Chicago deep dish pizza was born. They were duly impressed by the mass and flavor that each slice was offering. A few days later, their trip complete, we stopped in at Modern Apizza, a beloved restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut. While he was wolfing down an Italian Bomb and a White Clam Casino, my dad said: "Chicago does a great pie, but I don't think it beats this." His comment got me thinking about the different styles of pizza around the country and the various cities and restaurants that claim to make the best pizza. I also started thinking about planning vacations around pizza. My husband, who loves pizza above all other food, would be thrilled if this were a new motivation behind my travel planning madness.
If you go to the English town of Bury St. Edmunds, and you really should go there sometime, one of your first questions will be: Where'd they get that name?
The answer is quite simple: It's where they allegedly buried St. Edmund. But there's a mix of fact and fiction involved here, so the story takes on a legendary status that often blurs the edges of truth. In brief, it goes like this:
King Edmund, the ruler of East Anglia and a devout Christian, was captured by raiding Vikings in 869 A.D. The invaders tied him to a tree and demanded that he renounce his faith. He refused so they shot him full of arrows, decapitated him and threw his head into the nearby woods. While searching for the head, his followers allegedly heard a voice calling, "Here, here, here!" and found the severed head being guarded by a wolf. When laid in a coffin, Edmund's head and body were mysteriously reunited and he was proclaimed a saint.
I love shopping. It's as plain and simple as that. No matter where I am, no matter what I am shopping for, I get a high (yes I know, that sounds dangerous however, there are worse addictions one could have) from shopping. I pretty much epitomize the phrases "shop 'till you drop" and "retail therapy" and friends have often asked me if the book "Confessions of a Shopaholic" makes me feel better about myself (and yes, if you must know, it does).
What's better than plain old-fashioned shopping? Shopping on VACATION! There is nothing more exciting for a shopping fiend like myself then exploring new shops and shopping destinations... it's uncharted territory! Here are 3 of my favorite cities I love to hit up when I need a good shopping fix.
When my husband and I were in Munich a few years ago, we made sure we made it to the Hofbrau House to sample their "liquid gold" or in layman's terms - beer. A trip to Munich or anywhere in Germany would not be complete without sampling some of their famous beer. I'm not particularly fond of beer, but as the saying goes "when in Rome, do as the Romans do". I have to admit; sitting in the famous Hofbrau House with the locals and watching the women carry the huge steins of beer and singing "Eins, Zwei g'suffa" was a lot of fun. I thought maybe this beer thing wasn't so bad after all! I thought at the time that it would be a kick to come back and visit the beer tents during Oktoberfest.
The 69th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally takes place from August 3rd to 9th in Sturgis, South Dakota.
For many motorcyclists, especially Harley-Davidson riders, a trip to Sturgis during the Rally is a lifetime goal. For others, it's an annual rite, and no year is complete without it.
If you're headed to Sturgis for the first time this year, or for the 69th time, here are a few tips to make your trip even better.
Plan ahead. Even though spontaneity is one of the great hallmarks of a motorcycle trip, if you think that you'll be able to show up at Sturgis without any reservations or plans for accommodations, you're going to have a disappointing time. Use the Ride Planner on the Harley-Davidson website, and you'll be able to find Best Western Hotels along your route to the Rally.
Any time of year, a visit to Lake Tahoe is spectacular! Most recently we enjoyed a perennial June favorite - America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. Every year in early June nearly 3,000 cyclists from all over the United State and beyond journey to Lake Tahoe, Nevada to participate in a bike ride around the lake boasting breathtaking views from every angle.
Prior to visiting some old Civil War forts in the South, I had no idea they were not only good history lessons, but also great sources of trivia. To support that contention, here are three examples.
Question: Who was Fort Pulaski named for:
Answer: Count Casimir Pulaski, a Pole who became a hero during the Revolutionary War. The fort, located on the marshlands of the Georgia coast just east of Savannah, was also inadvertantly responsible for changing wartime defense strategy worldwide. On April 11, 1862, it was the first masonry fortification battered by Union rifled cannon. These accurate, long-range weapons shattered the fort's walls from more than a mile away, and the target fell after a 30-hour bombardment.
The images we usually bring home from London almost invariably include exterior shots of Buckingham Palace, primarily because of its architectural splendor, secondarily because most people never get to see the interior.
All good things must come to an end, and it was the same with our trip to Montana and Idaho.
After another delicious hot breakfast at the Best Western Grant Creek Inn, we checked out of the hotel, loading Monty one last time for the short ride to Montana Harley-Davidson.
We returned to the dealership, and Chandra greeted us. She checked the bike in as we unloaded and re-packed our belongings back into our luggage.
Chandra gave Monty a thorough inspection, and I made sure to return the tool kit, cable lock, keys and registration materials that we had taken with us on our trip. A few signatures, and we were all done. I felt badly that Monty was so dirty and covered with bugs when we returned him, but Chandra assured me that he was in perfect condition - and besides, it was somebody's job to give him a good washing and detailing.
Have you ever noticed in life that certain smells, tastes, and sounds have a way of transporting you back to specific place in time? For me, I can't walk into a ballpark without feeling the rush of senses that I felt during my very first trip into the famed Tiger Stadium in Detroit Michigan, home of the Detroit Tigers.
American motorcycling history begins and ends in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. So why not get to know America's 23rd-biggest city a little better with a road trip?
I woke up with particular vigor on this morning. It would be our last full day of riding for this trip, and we were taking our one real detour, into Glacier National Park.
And it was my birthday.
Does it get any better than that? A perfect day, a great motorcycle to ride, my ideal companion on the pillion, a dream destination and it's my birthday?
After a very pleasant breakfast buffet at the Best Western Salmon Rapids Lodge, we loaded up Monty and headed out of town.
I've got a thing about backtracking on a trip. I hate doing it. I want to discover new vistas, new roads, new towns. Rather than retracing our steps 50 miles to rejoin US 12, as had been our earlier plan, we decided to follow US 95 north all the way up to Coeur d'Alene. We figured that we might experience less of the Nez Perce Trail and beautiful unspoiled nature, and take in a little more of small town life. It turned out to be a great decision.
We woke up early, eager for the ride ahead. The Best Western Grant Creek Inn has a great breakfast buffet, free with our night's stay. I loaded up on scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, while Robin had a dainty bowl of cereal. A few cups of coffee down the hatch, and we were ready to go.
With the kids out of school, summer is officially here! This means it's time to look for some fun family things to do. Here are my picks for the top three family festivals happening in July across Canada.
The Calgary Stampede which is underway and runs until July 12, 2009 is known as "the greatest outdoor show on earth". Every year more than one million people attend the Stampede as the city of Calgary shuts down to host this authentic cowboy party. Even my parents host a Stampede party and break out the cowboy and cowgirl apparel for 10 days each July.
Finally, the day arrived for my wife Robin and I to leave for the Northwest and our motorcycle ride.
Our closest airport is Bob Hope International in Burbank, California, but we flew out of Los Angeles International (LAX). Knowing that we would have two very heavy bags and that we'd be very tired upon our return, I debated springing for airport parking over our usual Park-and-Ride option - convenience over cost. A quick internet search turned up a 10% discount coupon for The Parking Spot, a very convenient chain of parking garages with two LAX locations, and that sealed the deal.
I love planning a trip almost as much as I love traveling. As my wife Robin and I prepared for our trip to the Northwestern United States, we knew that we had some choices to make.
We would be flying in to Missoula, Montana on Monday. Picking up our motorcycle on Tuesday, and riding to Riggins, Idaho. From Riggins, up to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on Wednesday. From Coeur d'Alene to Whitefish, Montana on Thursday, then back to Missoula on Friday, with a return flight on Saturday morning. We knew that we'd be staying at Best Western hotels each night along the way.
Maybe you've already been to all the major U.S. cities or perhaps you're just itching to take advantage of one of those great deals the airlines are offering to small cities all over the country. No matter the reason, you will not be disappointed in a visit to any one of these three cities.
At first glance, the National Museum of the Marine Corps looks like a giant launching pad because of the 210-foot steel mast rising at an angle high above the main structure. But it's only a fleeting image, one that vanishes immediately with the realization that the angle is exactly that of the flagpole being raised on Iwo Jima in the classic photo taken by Joe Rosenthal during World War II.
I was lucky enough to be included on a motorcycle trip with a few other journalists last week. We explored the roads (and vineyards and restaurants) of Napa Valley on Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles. We also made our way through Marin County, Santa Cruz and San Francisco.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If you haven't been, this really needs to be on your "places to see before you die" list because it really is one of the most beautiful places on earth...at least it is to me.
As you may or may not know, Jackson Hole is actually the ski resort located 12 miles outside of the town of Jackson and many people mistakenly refer to the town as Jackson Hole. However you care to refer to the area, it still remains a great summer escape to experience what the valley surrounding Teton County, Wyoming has to offer.
Although not a big Civil War buff, I do seek out battlefields from that conflict whenever there's one nearby. So it was fortunate that I was in Prince William County, Va., recently because the first major battle of the war occurred there. On July 21, 1861, enthusiastic volunteers in colorful uniforms representing both the Union and Confederacy took up positions on the rolling hills near the small town of Manassas.
July 1st marks the 142nd birthday of our great nation and for you a great chance for a short, fun getaway. This year Canada Day falls on Wednesday, at first blush this seems kind of disappointing, but if you reframe it, it provides a perfect chance to get a five-day mini-holiday and only cost you two days vacation.
My 40-plus years as a newspaper reporter played a big part in my desire to tour the Newseum, a new exhibition hall located at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street N.W., between the White House and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. I was a bit hesitant at first, unsure of what to look for because the media aren't normally subjects for a museum. But what I found went far beyond my expectations.
Three memorials at west end of the Capitol Mall in Washington, D.C., have had a long-lasting effect on me. I had seen a multitude of photos and countless numbers of television clips about them, but it wasn't until I approached them in person that they had their intended impact, just as they do to most others who visit there.
Forget everything that you think you know about motorcycle rallies. Erase the images of drunken bikers rampaging through town, terrorizing the locals and leaving chaos in their wake.
Replace those images with friendly, considerate motorcyclists, gathering in a beautiful corner of the world to share a common interest, socialize, celebrate and (gasp!) learn. That's Americade, billed as "the world's largest multi-brand touring rally."
There are two ways to reach the bottom at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southeastern New Mexico. The more venturesome may choose to walk the Natural Entrance Route. This option is not recommended for the pot-of-belly or the weak-of-knee because it's about a mile long and it's all downhill getting there and all uphill getting back.
But people my age can take the elevator, an experience unto itself. It's old (installed in 1931), it goes deep (750 feet one way which makes it the longest elevator ride in the state), and it travels at the rate of 9 miles per hour (definitely not express speed but considerably faster than hiking the Natural Entrance Route).
If history happens to be your thing, you really need to put Deadwood, South Dakota on your radar. The entire city is on the National Historic Landmark District. Not to mention that the town's early history is the storyline for the HBO TV series "Deadwood". Not one to confuse fact with fiction, I decided to look into Deadwood and its past as well as the present. What I found was a great destination spot with plenty to do for the whole family.
To coin Alice Cooper, "school's out for summer". This is still my favorite time of the year when families start to plan their escape from their everyday routine. Ours was no different, and it seemed like every summer our family car headed the same way- to Yellowstone and no one complained that we were going back to the same place we'd been so many times before. We loved it! Then when our children were old enough to stand the car ride, our family van headed off in the same direction. I couldn't wait to share the thrill of experiencing Yellowstone with our girls. So, here are a few facts about the park as well as a few of my favorite sights around the park that shouldn't be missed.
Three key words for anyone planning a vacation in Savannah - good walking shoes.
Although he probably didn't realize it at the time, Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe must have had senior travelers in mind back in 1733 when he sketched the original plans for this charming Georgia city. It is flat, it has more than 45 cultural attractions, it has massive oak trees with branches draped in Spanish moss. But most of all, it has 27 historic squares and each square is a thing of rare beauty.
Hershey, Pennsylvania may very well be the perfect family town that Milton S. Hershey intended it to be. Of course it's heaven for chocolate lovers (read Moms), but there is great fun to be had there even for those rare individuals, like my niece, who do not even care for chocolate.
In my earlier years, I disdained the city tours. Upon arriving at a new destination, I always struck out on my own to see the sights for myself rather than have them pointed out by a guide wearing a neck microphone. But then there comes a time when ease of travel is nearly as important as the adventure itself. This usually happens when the knees weaken, the inhalations and exhalations quicken, and finding a place to sit for a spell takes on greater importance.
However, rather than give up my wandering ways entirely, my wife Lyn and I have formulated a method that combines my free-spirited younger days with my current need for resting weary bones that no longer share my enthusiasm.
If you're looking for a fun-filled and easily accessible travel destination, look no further than the capitol of the glorious state of Texas - the city of Austin. After all, any city that has a motto like "Keep Austin Weird" has to be a good time! Austin is a city like no other in Texas. Yes there's a lot of barbecue and the expected Texas honky-tonk spirit, but Austin also boasts a thriving and world renowned art community. Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin's diverse culture encompasses filmmakers, sports fanatics, an impressive 200 different live music venues and a plethora of festivals including the Austin Film Festival, The Austin Chocolate Festival (I don't know about you, but any city that has an entire festival dedicated to Chocolate is right up my alley!) and the infamous Austin Batfest (yes, bats, as in that creepy black flying species!)
There is absolutely no shortage of things to keep you and your family entertained in Austin, but to help narrow things down, here are five activities that I promise will not leave you disappointed.
My primary reason for a trip to Los Alamos, N.M., was curiosity. Like many senior travelers, I have some vivid memories of World War II, so I wanted to see the Los Alamos National Laboratory where the first atomic bomb was developed. I didn't get the close look I wanted, but I did manage to tour a Black Hole and eat breakfast in a chapel.
Visitors don't get to see much at the laboratory because they're not allowed inside, but the Bradbury Science Museum at 15th Street and Central downtown presents interactive exhibits and displays about the Manhattan Project and its role in the creation of the first A-bomb. Operated by the lab, it also explores current research and technology being conducted in the facility. And, as a bonus, it's free.
Victoria Day, more affectionately named May Two Four weekend, is upon us already! The holiday officially recognizes the birthday of Queen Victoria (May 24, 1819) and has been a holiday and cause for celebration in Canada dating back to 1854, her 35th. It is celebrated the Monday prior to May 24th and this year is as early as it can ever be, with the holiday falling on May 18th.
Unofficially however, this weekend signifies the end of winter in Canada and that warmer weather is ahead. "May Two Four" is a double entendre used to indicate the date, or the case of beer (24 beers total) that many enjoy to help celebrate the weekend.
In these times, when so many of us retirees are concerned with stretching the budget as far as possible, two-for-one deals are a welcome form of travel. One of my favorites is the combination of the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert in eastern Arizona.
Travelers can take a delightful 28-mile drive through these two natural wonderlands for a mere $10 per vehicle. (The deal gets even better if you own a Golden Age Passport because then it's free.) Either way, a trip through the 93,520-acre piece of high desert is a journey into spectacular scenery.
They're not part of a gang. They don't start fights. They don't scare little old ladies. But they are tough, and you can join them if you dare. They are the Iron Butt Association (IBA) , the World's Toughest Riders.
35,000 members strong, the IBA is "dedicated to safe long-distance endurance motorcycle riding." They conduct an annual ride called the "Iron Butt Rally," an 11,000 mile timed road ride. To qualify for the Iron Butt Rally, you have to complete an official Saddle Sore 1000 or a Bun Burner 1500.
Ever heard of Winnipeg, Manitoba? For those of you outside of Canada, it's not unlikely that you have never heard of this friendly city located on the eastern edge of the Canadian Prairies.
What may surprise you is that Winnipeg plays host to one of the largest musical events of its kind in all of North America - the Winnipeg Folk Festival, held at the sprawling and beautiful grounds of Birds Hill Provincial Park which is located northeast of Winnipeg. The festival consists of 4 days, 7 stages and over gifted 250 artists. And it's not just all about folk music - there's something to catch anyone's fancy at this festival, including craft markets, international foods, and a number of programs especially for kids. It's an event to remember and a wonderful way to get out and enjoy live music, culture camping and food as a family.
After posting my last blog about Lesser Known National Parks of the Midwest, I started thinking about other parks and refuges around the country that may not be as well known as they should be. Or, maybe that's part of their charm, lesser known, more intriguing. This particular park was brought to our attention by one of our You Must Be Trippin' readers so, we thought it would make a good spotlight.
J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on a subtropical barrier island of Sanibel in the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel is located 15 miles southwest of Ft. Myers, Florida. I knew that any park or refuge with a name like that must have a story behind it. I wasn't disappointed! I like to think that I've been environmentally conscious for quite a few years now, but Jay Norwood Darling was well ahead of the curve when it comes to being green. I discovered that Darling was a well-known nationally syndicated cartoonist working for the Des Moines Register and was honored with a Pulitzer Prize in 1924 and l942. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Darling was concerned about the loss of natural wildlife habitats and the extinction of many species. At Mr. Darling's urging, President Harry S. Truman signed an Executive Order creating the Sanibel Wildlife Refuge in 1945 which was renamed in 1967 to the J.N."Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
For many NASCAR fans a traditional vacation just won't cut it. With vacation time at a premium, many folks are resorting to weekend road trips to satisfy the travel bug. For NASCAR fans this means weekend pilgrimages to race tracks all around the country. If you're new to the sport or just haven't made it around to a track yet, here are my top 5 favorite NASCAR tracks to spend the weekend at:
1) Bristol Motor Speedway - Bristol, TN. Bristol is a Mecca for NASCAR fans. With room for nearly 160,000 spectators around its 1/2 mile racetrack, it rivals any college football experience. Bristol features high banking on a short track oval that always makes for very exciting racing. Turn #2 at Bristol in 1990 was the scene of Best Western Racing driver Michael Waltrip's most spectacular crash. Waltrip's car was reduced to a pile of rubble and he amazingly walked away from the wreck virtually uninjured. With races being held every year in March and August, it is the perfect way to kick off your travel season in the spring or close it out at the end of summer.
You're never too old to learn the hula. As long as your hips can take it. And your sacroiliac doesn't give out.
My lesson came from a charming young woman at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north shore of Oahu, far from the crowds of Hawaii's largest city, Honolulu. The center, the primary tourist destination on the north side of the island, is a showcase for the seven different Polynesian cultures from Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, the Marquesas, New Zealand, Fiji and Tahiti.
Kids love dinosaurs. Not sure why. But it seems universal from my experience. I loved them as a kid too. There something about the idea of knowing monsters roamed around the planet that captures the imagination of both young and old. And finding their bones laying around? Come on!
As an alternative to the usual family destinations this summer, visit a dinosaur park. As a kid I visited Dinosaur National Monument located along the Utah and Colorado border. I was amazed at seeing "real deal" dinosaur bones sticking right out of the ground. The monument makes you feel more like you are exploring an actual dig than touring a museum. It adds a bit of the outdoor Indiana Jones exploration to it (if you are a kid, this doesn't seem to be a stretch). You also get first hand insight into how the bones are discovered, extracted, and studied.
Hands down, my favorite destination I've visited to date is Greece. Not only for its unbelievable beauty and charm, rich culture and delicious food, and not only because I married into a 1/2 Greek family (hence my last name that I get asked about all the time!) but for the indescribable magic I felt - and you will feel - when you visit Greece for your first time...specifically, the Greek Isles.
Spending time in the Greek Isles is almost euphoric, fantasy-like.. like stepping into a magical world. You know those images that come to mind when you think of Greece - the ones you see in fancy travel magazines or in movies such as Mamma Mia! ? The white washed buildings, hypnotizing azure blue water, breathtaking cliffs? I always thought that cameras and computers had made those images look so impressive and attractive... nope - that is what the Greek Isles really look like.
The last time I visited Washington D.C., my plane arrived at dusk. On the way to meet friends for dinner, my host recommended we stop by the Korean War Veterans Memorial, which I had never seen. It was a humid night and it was just beginning to sprinkle. The cicadas were out. I quietly walked through the field, looking into the faces of the soldiers all around me. I was unexpectedly overwhelmed with emotion and I regretted knowing so little about this conflict or what the experience was like for those who fought in Korea. I pledged to learn more.
Are you looking for something fun and educational to do with your kids, or even just for yourself? Visiting aquariums is still a popular pastime around the world, but it is one that we often forget about and take for granted. The beauty and wonder of sea life is something that will never grow old and something people of all ages can appreciate. Most major cities in North America have a decent aquarium, here are three that are well worth visiting if you're in the area.
Spring has arrived in most parts of the country or is at least around the corner, which turns my thoughts to summer and vacations. This year with the uncertainty of the economy, families may be considering vacations a little closer to home or possibly to parts of the country that may not be as crowded or as well-known. National Parks are always a favorite of summer travelers, but can be extremely crowded and difficult to find lodging. So, I've set out to list a few lesser known National Parks in the Midwest, a part of the country I am familiar with.
This weekend, the best college basketball event and arguably the greatest tournament in sports will crown a champion at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. That's right; the final games of March Madness have arrived.
For those Canadians like me who are NCAA college basketball fans (and there are plenty of us out there), the four hour drive means the final event has never been so close! It's the perfect opportunity for this sports fan to scratch off another of "the events I must see before dying" list.
I mentioned in a post last week how tourism interest in Mumbai, India has spiked with the recent interest in Oscar winner Slum Dog Millionaire. India is a big place with lots to see. You probably have heard of the Taj Mahal or the Ganges...but there are lots of fascinating, less discovered spots. My brother spent a fair amount of time in India and shared some insight into a few of the amazing, less discovered, places.
I recall my first trip to India, a short fifteen years ago. I remember stuffing stacks of travelers' checks and US currency into concealed pockets in my luggage and my pants. I remember sitting at banks for four or five hours to get cash advances charged to my credit card. Computers hadn't arrived, then, and Indian banks were still using accountants and ledgers. I remember discovering by missing a bus that Hindi uses the same word for "tomorrow" and "yesterday". That India barely exists anymore. Nowadays, there are globally linked ATMs in every Indian city, so there's no need to take travelers' checks, no need to spend half a day in a bank, and no need to use a credit card to get cash injections. Even in Vrindavan, a tiny town, well off the typical tourist track, you can now go to an ATM machine and withdraw cash in Indian currency directly from your own checking account. You might still misunderstand your booking agent and miss a bus, but you'll be able to buy a ticket for the next bus without any trouble.
We all travel for different reasons and even the reasons why we're traveling change all the time. Sometimes we travel because we want a change of scenery. Other times we travel because we feel compelled to see something of note, like a famous building, a rock formation, or a piece of art. Some of us want to know how other people live - what do they eat? Where do they gather? What are their traditions?
In today's environment, travel can also be a healthy form of escape from gloomy economic forecasts. And it doesn't have to be a huge financial endeavor. Staying relatively close to home (within a day's drive) can still provide the escape of travel, without the time and budget constraints. But where can you find these close to home escapes? It largely depends on where you live. Which leads me to my question: What destinations close to your home (within a day's drive) make great travel escapes?
Key West, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, the Jersey Shore, the Texas country, and Maine - all of these destinations have hosted vacationing Presidents. In the spirit of the current holiday, here's some information on who went where and what they did to relax.
Ulysses S. Grant was the first president to decide he needed some time off from Washington D.C. His family had a cottage on the Jersey shore, at Long Branch, and they headed up there every summer. Their favorite activities included dancing, driving on the beach, checking out the horse races, and sailing.
Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House was Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, on the fashionable north shore of Long Island, New York. While at Sagamore Hill, the president fished, sailed, and hiked. Today, you can actually tour Sagamore Hill, since it's a National Forest Service park. Teddy Roosevelt is also known for having spent a lot of time out west, ranching. He made it popular for wealthy Easterners to pay western ranchers with names like Curly for the opportunity to ride a horse all day, sleep under the stars, and learn to rope cattle.
Just how close can you get to a real-life alligator in the wild without being eaten? The answer is: very, very close. Just a little bit closer, it turns out, than the point at which you wet your pants. When you go to New Orleans (and you should go to New Orleans), eat beignets and gumbo in the French Quarter, stay up late listening to some great, dynamic jazz, go to the aquarium--do all those things that people say you have to do in New Orleans. You do have to do all those things.
But don't miss the chance to walk around a swamp filled with real-life alligators. Take your children, too, because the Barataria Preserve that is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve will teach them things they should know about Mississippi environments and wildlife, and the 'gators prefer bite-sized meals. The Barataria Preserve is only one of six separate sites that make up the Jean Lafitte National Park. Separate components of the park include the Chalmette Battlefield, important to the War of 1812, the Wetlands Acadian Center, and the Acadian Cultural Center-Lafayette, all of which are worthwhile. But, in the Acadian Cultural Center-Lafayette, you won't come face-to-face with a very large reptile with very large teeth.
It's freezing in Connecticut. My skin is looking pasty. My lips feel dry. I'm sick of bundling my daughter and myself every time I want to step outside. I went into Manhattan the other day to try to lose my winter blues in the sights and sounds of the city. However, stripped of holiday lights and magical window displays, the city just felt cold and windy.
On the way home that night, I started daydreaming about a hot and sunny city with a lot of color. I haven't been to Miami in years, but it immediately came to mind.
Since the idea came up, I've spent some time doing my diligence on this location - I even found Will Smith's song on an old CD. The catchy tune and fun lyrics put the bounce back in my step...
Party in the city where the heat is on
All night on the beach till the break of dawn
Welcome to Miami (bienvenido a Miami)
... and here's what I've come up with in terms of lodging and things to do:
Spend two or three nights in Miami Beach, at the Best Western Atlantic Beach Resort. This new hotel will put you right on the water and within walking distance of: the famous Art Deco District, where you can check out Miami's classic architecture; Lincoln Road Mall, where you can do some high end or bargain shopping and try to catch a glimpse of J. Lo or Paris Hilton; the Bass Museum of Art, in case you decide to check out Flemish tapestries or modern Latin American art.
I am not really an Elvis fan. In fact if you split the world in two halves you basically end up with Elvis lovers and non-Elvis lovers. I also understand that for Elvis lovers a trip to Graceland can be an unforgettable, life-bending experience. And if Elvis isn't your thing, well, a trip to Graceland, though a fascinating experience in pop culture and America, can seem, well, a bit weird frankly. In fact, the most interesting part of Graceland for me was that Elvis is clearly the genesis for pop culture indulgence and excess as we know it today. Just think without Elvis, no MTV Cribs. I know, weird.
I have a brother that lives in Memphis and though he is also on the non-Elvis lover side, living in the region you pick up on lots of stuff. He gave me some of the inside scoop on Elvis's famous abode.
Well, they're not flying in a V formation - but this is the time of year that snowbirds flock to sunny locales; searching for endless sunshine, balmy beaches or a place that offers a little fun in the sun mixed in with a few wintertime activities.
When sitting down to write this blog, I contemplated what criteria are needed to make the perfect winter escape from shoveling driveways and navigating treacherous icy highways. Having lived through a few frigid winters in the Midwest to living where the sun almost always shines, I feel I can offer a fairly good prospective on what would make a good winter escape when that day comes for my husband and me to kick back and relax.
I tried blindfolding myself and throwing a dart at a map of the United States in order to give equal opportunity to every state, but I found out that I'm a lousy dart thrower and my family got tired of dodging the darts. So, I had to resort to good old fashioned research and what follows are my three top choices based on my in-laws advice that sunshine, shopping, restaurants and good medical facilities are the basics to finding the perfect winter escape.
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight,
Walking in a winter wonderland.
The holidays are over and I'm not going to hear that song playing anymore...but listening to it really got me thinking about how much fun it can be to get out of the house and into the snow!
The winter can lose some of its charm when the holidays fade and you are facing just the snowy months ahead, so to get us all excited for January, February and more snow, I'm going to suggest a few places in the U.S. that offer amazing terrain for winter walks - on snowshoes or skis! Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are, perhaps, less popular activities than snowboarding or downhill skiing, but they can be a great escape. You can enjoy nature, see the real beauty of winter and get an unforgettable workout. If you have ever tried either snowshoeing or cross-country skiing you quickly learn that you are using every muscle in your body. Enjoy these winter wonderlands:
Earlier this month the daily question was, "have you finished your Christmas shopping?" I've always found this question to be quite annoying but it seems to be the standard early-December conversation starter or "small talk" standby. As Christmas passes and we approach year-end, another equally (if not more) annoying question seems to come up - "what are you guys doing for new years?"
Personally, New Year's Eve has never been a huge deal to me. I've happily spent many a low-key New Year's Eve at home with my husband, a bottle of champagne and Dick Clark (or is it Ryan Seacrest now?!). Despite my non-excitement over New Year's Eve, I do have a lot of friends who are HUGE New Year's people. These people live for this momentous occasion. They start researching potential plans months in advance and approach December 31 with high hopes of an unforgettable, over-the-top night of celebration. And so, after a quick survey of these friends - these full-on New Year's Eve buffs - I can recommend four New Year's Eve experiences that sound like a guaranteed good time.
Orlando, Florida - Universal Studio's City Walk
I last visited Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida at the young age of 8... and boy, have things changed since then. Now "Universal Resort", this shrine of amusement and action movies has exploded into much more than a theme park. Universal City Walk is a Mecca of dining and entertainment. City walk spans 30-acres full of live music, dancing, shopping, movies and excellent dining options that will appeal to all ages and budgets. For New Year's Eve, they're "takin the party to the streets" - with live performances by the Doobie Brothers, entertainment in all of their clubs including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville (for all your Parrotheads), Bob Marley - A Tribute to Freedom, Latin Quarter and the Red Coconut Club (to name just a few). Included in the ticket price of $119.99 is all-you-can-eat gourmet food, a champagne toast, party hats and noisemakers. This event will be fun for all ages and a great way to take in a lot of action in one location. With varying entertainers and dining options at your fingertips there will be something to keep everyone entertained.
There is so much to do in Boston! I've been there a few times, so friends and family often ask me what to do when they visit this historic city. I decided I'd create a list of my favorite experiences to share with them, and then ask them to add to the list if they discover something new! Here's my list:
1. I never thought I'd recommend a line on the sidewalk as a must-do, but one of the coolest things I've ever done is to follow such a line from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. This two-and-a-half mile path is Boston's Freedom Trail, and it's worth going to Boston just to experience it, which is why it's at the top of my list (the rest of the list is not in rank order). Here's a sample of what lies along the trail:
Park Street Church, where the song "America" was sung in public for the first time
The final resting places of Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams
The site of the first public school
Old South Meetinghouse, where Samuel Adams gave the signal that it was time to dump the tea into the harbor
The birthplace of Ben Franklin at 17 Milk Street
Boston Harbor, where rebellious colonials hosted what is probably the most famous tea party in history
Quincy Market, where you still go to buy food, although these days its take-out restaurant food
The Oyster House, where Daniel Webster regularly sat down to eat about three-dozen oysters, washed down by six glasses of brandy
Italian restaurants and bakeries in the North End
Paul Revere's home and Old North church, where his lanterns shone to warn that the British were coming by sea
The site of a molasses flood
The U.S.S. Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides"
Bunker Hill, the site of the first real battle of the Revolutionary War
I was rummaging in a closet last night when I saw my ski jacket, helmet, goggles, and mittens. I only used them one winter--it was the last one I spent in Utah, when I finally decided to pay for ski lessons and find out what all the fuss was about. I loved it and was looking forward to getting a season pass to my local ski resort again the next winter. I was also determined to become a proficient enough skier to keep up with my husband for a few runs--he's been skiing almost as long as he's been walking.
Then we moved to the Northeast and I haven't skied again. The first year we were here, I was holding out for a trip back west so I could practice on familiar snow--the trip happened, but the skiing didn't. Then last winter, I was in the third trimester of pregnancy...so downhill skiing was not really an option.
Branson, Missouri: Christmas Festival at Silver Dollar City
You may not have heard of Branson, but it's a gem of a town located in Missouri, and at this time of year, it plays host to "An Old Time Christmas" at Silver Dollar City, a spectacular holiday light show which was named one of the world's Top Holiday Destinations by CNN.com.
A very family-oriented festival, one of the main highlights is their five-story Christmas tree. There's a tree lighting celebration every night at 5:30 pm. No ordinary tree, this one twinkles and dances along with over a million lights throughout the city's square. There's also the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Light Parade which travels through the streets twice each evening.
If you're in the mood for some holiday theatre, you can take in an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. This is the grandest production ever showcased at Silver Dollar City, and features 14 talented actors and a live band.
William Richards, III, CHA, General Manager, Best Western Sweetgrass Inn
Charleston is a beautiful city that is frequented regularly by some and considered a hidden gem by others. A combination of history, southern culture, shopping, beaches, and restaurants make Charleston a perfect destination to relax and escape. For those located in the east and southeast parts of the US, Charleston also makes an ideal weekend getaway destination. Here's the Innsider scoop from Best Western - Sweetgrass Inn when paying a visit to Charleston:
Touch History
The city of Charleston offers a unique look into the Revolutionary and Civil War eras, offering locations tied to both historical events. Touch a bit of history and spend your day touring historic homes, shopping along King Street, strolling through the historic Market District or take one of the many tours available including harbor tours with a stop at Fort Sumter.
Having spent some of my college years in Eastern Canada (I attended McGill in Montreal, Quebec) I have a lot of friends who have settled down out East, most of them in Toronto. For some time now I've been contemplating taking a trip out to pay them a visit and so I've been researching "things to do" while I'm there.
One might question why on earth I'd choose to visit the harsh climates of Eastern Canada and leave Vancouver's mild winter during the colder months; and well, I don't really have an answer other than that I hate to leave Vancouver during the summer, when the weather is absolutely perfect!
A good friend of mine who lives in Toronto has suggested that my husband and I come out and join her and her husband for a weekend trip to Niagara Falls.... "WHAT?!!?" was my reaction, to be precise. I mean, I hear it is beautiful and all, but why on earth would I want to go to a raging mass of cold water at this time of year? Furthermore, I've been married for a number of years now and we've had our honeymoon - so why would we want to visit what has often been referred to as "The Honeymoon Capital of the World"? My friend laughed at me and my ignorance, and proceeded to lecture me on everything I didn't know about Niagara Falls.
Berlin is a city rich in history, art, and unique attractions. I have a thing for history and Berlin offers more to see and do than you can reasonably fit into one trip. If you are traveling through the city, here are a few of my favorite things (to quote a famous fictional German film character) to put on your list.
Brandenburg Gate
This area has served as the front porch to lots of world events. Two U.S. presidents famously spoke here during the Cold War era, and the Gate marked a prominent dividing line between East and West Germany. The square by the Gate usually has a fair amount of other activity going on from rallies to street performers. A short walk from the Brandenburg Gate you can visit the Reichstag (German Parliament building). Visitors are allowed to visit the large spiral glass dome on top of the building and get a breathtaking view of the city. It plays to every child's (and adult's) need to climb to the top of things and see what's going on.
Hi, my name is Julie and I am what is often referred to as a "golf widow". Just how much does golf mean to my husband? Well, in the summer, spring and early fall months it's customary for him to be golfing on both weekend days (and many a summer night). After golf, he will retire for a beer with his golf buddies and discuss their game, the condition of the course and other "exciting" golfspeak. On a normal day I'll arrive home from work and he'll be standing in the living room practicing his swing or testing his putting skills. And, if we're going anywhere with a decent golf course for a vacation, the golf clubs are undoubtedly accompanying us on the trip! If you're reading this thinking, "what's the big deal?! The man likes golf!", allow me to share more... the ultimate proof that he lives and breathes for golf?? Look no further than our wedding day, 2 years ago...
When it came to the blessed day where we exchanged our vows in front of 150 friends, we did so at his beloved golf course, after he pulled up in a golf cart driven by the club pro, pockets full of golf tees and golf club in hand. Later, after reviewing footage from our wedding DVD, I discovered that he was practicing his swing in the Pro Shop just minutes before walking down the aisle. And last but not least, the morning after our wedding, he scurried out of our honeymoon suite to meet "the boys" for a round of golf! Now this sort of golf-obsessed behavior would make many wives a little bitter, but for me, all this really has meant is that my husband is in a better mood (unless he plays poorly) and I get lots of "me" time to do the things I love. It all works out in the end.
Nothing screams adventure like a holiday weekend. This past Labor Day I weekend warrior'd the Baja. In this blog post I'll disclose two secret campsites, two primo snorkeling holes, and two great local eateries.
Two secret seaside campsites.
Camp VII. This a secret with an expiration date. Soon this isolated camp spot will be cliff-side golf course filled with men in bad pants chasing small, white, dimpled balls. Thankfully, this site is yet undeveloped and has untouched seaside cliffs, panoramic vistas, and gorgeous snorkeling. Ask Dale at La Bufadora Dive Shop how to get to "Camp VII". It's up the road from him about 10 minutes. Turn-left at the bright yellow house. The gate attendant at the turn-off will charge you either $3 or a Tecate for parking (your choice).<
With less than 16 months to the next Winter Olympics games in Vancouver, many winter sport enthusiasts from Canada, the US and around the world are planning their February 2010 vacation plans around the XXI Olympic Winter Games. The opportunity to take in competitions as exhilarating as ski jumping , snowboarding and speed skating, enjoy the athleticism and grace of Figure Skating and of course cheer on the world's best ice hockey players as they compete for Olympic gold is hard to resist. Even for those uninterested in the sporting events themselves, the thrill of experiencing the energy and grandeur of the Opening Ceremonies is reason enough to pay a visit to Vancouver and Whistler, two of the world's most beautiful destinations. Here are a few tidbits of useful information to help you in your planning.
When to Go. The 2010 Winter Olympic Games run from February 12 to 28, 2010, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 12 to 21. The events will be split between metro Vancouver and Whistler Mountain which are roughly 2 hours apart by car. Traveling by helicopter or float plane is a significantly faster but more expensive option. Depending on how much time you can afford to be away from home and work, you'll definitely want to plan to make time for some "non-Olympic" activities. With our without the Games, Vancouver and Whistler are "must-see" destinations with something to offer for everyone.
Rule #6: Bells don't stand. They ring.
"What are you going to do in Philadelphia?" the man sitting next to us on the plane asked Dante.
"I don't know," Dante responded.
"You must see the Liberty Bell."
"What's that?"
"Oh you must see the Liberty Bell. It's the most important thing to see in Philadelphia..."
So of course, Dante became fixated on the Liberty Bell. When we woke up on Friday morning in Philadelphia all Dante could say was, "Liberty Bell! Liberty Bell! Liberty Bell!"
After breakfast, we walked right into Liberty Bell Center, where we shared the bell with another small tour group.
"Is that it, Mommy?" asked Dante, who was clearly disappointed by the 2,000 pounds of copper.
"Yes, that's it."
"What does it do?"
"Well, it stands for freedom."
"Mommy, bells don't stand. They ring."
"Uh...this one doesn't ring."
"Mommy, this is boring."
As we left the center, I realized we made a wise decision to visit the bell first. There was a huge line out the door and we had beat the crowds--but more importantly my son's expectation were now lowered. Everything in Philadelphia would seem extraordinary when compared to the boring bell that doesn't stand--or ring.
This time of year many people are looking for an extra bit of excitement (read terror) to go along with their Halloween festivities. This probably explains the continued rise of local haunted house attractions and the fact Saw V has arrived in theaters. I can appreciate that, though I am more into the cutesy, kid friendly side of Halloween. It is more my speed. But for those that like the real thing when it comes to Halloween, there seems to be a fair amount of haunted locations from San Francisco to West Virginia. Here are a few popular haunts (if you believe in that sort of thing) across the US:
West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville, West Virginia
Prisons are popular places for ghosts. It is somewhat ironic that even death won't let these people out. The West Virginia Penitentiary was a functioning prison from 1876 - 1995, so it has a long, and violent, history to draw from for various ghost stories. One such story involves a maintenance man that still roams the prison halls.
Every October, I plan an excursion that will allow me to enjoy the glory of the changing of the leaves. It's also the one time of year when, in honor of Halloween, I actually watch scary movies. This week, Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow arrived in my mailbox, inspiring the perfect idea for a last-minute October excursion: a weekend getaway to the Hudson River Valley.
I was excited about this destination for three reasons:
a. It's within driving distance of my home
b. There are interesting historical sites and amazing views
c. In the fall, much of what there is to do and see is outdoors, which will keep my 8 month old happy
Before we ran out the door to catch our flight to Philadelphia, Dante said, "I want my cape."
"Your what?" I asked.
"My cape."
"What are you talking about?" My brain doesn't function well at 4:30 a.m.
Dante walked me to his bedroom and pointed to the silky, red superhero cape hanging on a hook. "Sure. Whatever," I thought, snapping the cape around his neck.
At the airport, my superhero and I received friendly service and lots of attention. When we went to check in, the ticket agent directed us to the shorter business class line. "He's just so cute! We can't let Superman wait in line." At security, people helped us feed all of our stuff through the X-ray machine. "Oh, Superman let me help you. You need to save your strength." And as we walked to our gate, nearly every other person stopped to say something: "Can I borrow that?"; "I feel so much safer now that I know Superman is at the airport"; "It's a bird! It's a plane..." Dante confidently marched through the airport as if he were a celebrity.
On the plane, the special treatment continued: "Superman, you need to meet the captain of the plane after we land"; "Superman, you need an extra package of pretzels so you have energy to save people"; "Superman, would you like another glass of apple juice?"
When we arrived in Atlanta (a stopover en route to Philly), the landing was bumpy and the plane dipped and dived. I nervously gripped my armrests. "It's OK Mommy. I can save us," Dante reassured me. That's when I realized that I'm always traveling with a superhero.
Rule #1: Never let a child pack his own carry-on.
I don't know what I was thinking when I allowed my 4-year-old son, Dante, to help me pack for our trip to Philadelphia. I divvied up the work, giving myself the job to pack the clothes and him the task to fill his carry-on bag.
While I was carefully putting together outfits for cold and hot weather and counting pairs of socks, he dumped his toy chest into his Scooby Doo rolling suitcase. Smurfs, Matchbox cars, random puzzle pieces--Dante mixed everything together.
With all the news of stumbling stock markets and extreme weather warnings, the ticket to finding some solace might be just a short drive away. Turn off the TV, power down the PC and head outdoors for some foliage therapy this fall. Take a hike, ride your bike or drive through back country roads to get the best sightings. This is the perfect time of the year to head out. Aside from the stunning show of color to witness, you will find that with the first frosts the bugs are gone, the trails are less crowded and the sounds of nature will speak to your soul--that is, if you leave the iPod at home.
I grew up in the Midwest, Iowa to be specific. You don't grow up in the Midwest without visiting every small town community in every neighboring state. It's the "neighborly" thing to do after all. We Midwesterners also know our own state and the surrounding states history pretty well - it's all part of our well-rounded history lessons in school. That brings me to Minnesota, the "land of 10,000 lakes" (who counted?) Local folk lore has it that a larger-than-life lumberjack named Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe, created all those lake beds years ago. However, Minnesota's official motto is "Star of the North", which describes the state's latitude and its veritable constellation of stars.
You just finished watching the Olympics on television, now is the time for you to experience firsthand the imperial city of one of the world's oldest civilizations. Beijing is a city that mixes in the rich, historic sites of a 5,000 year old civilization with the very futuristic and unique architectural structures of a quickly progressing city. Just before the Summer Olympics, I took a trip to Beijing to soak in the culture, history and complexity the city brings. Now with the Olympic flame distinguished and Beijing basking in its post-Olympic glow, this is a perfect destination to explore.
My daughter, Paris, and I spent last week there visiting friends, and we discovered a paradise for families. The city has it all--affordable housing (two-story Craftsman bungalow for $350,000!), public transportation, up-and-coming public schools, nearly 260 miles of bike routes, and more than 200 parks and public gardens, including 5,000-acre Forest Park, the largest U.S. wilderness park within any city's boundaries.
On our trip, I compiled a list of my top kid-friendly spots. Please add your favorite places in the comments section.
1) OMSI. At this amazing science museum, kids can shoot water rockets, fly paper airplanes in a wind tunnel, and build a block house and test its durability during an earthquake.
2) Oregon Zoo. Don't miss Lorikeet Landing, where you can feed the birds, and the Zoo Train, which takes you through the forests of nearby Washington Park, above the International Rose Test Garden, and back to the zoo.
Well, as the saying goes, "everyone is entitled to their opinion" and so the following is purely my own opinion on good fly fishing spots (with the help of a fly fishing spouse). If you know any fly fisherman, you know that you will never get a consensus on the top 5 rivers as fisherman tend to be pretty fickle and biased based on first- hand experience. Fly fisherman also tend to put fishing spots into categories such as large rivers that you would fish from in a drift boat; small rivers that you would hike into and stalk the fish and everything in between. And let's not forget some fisherman love the intimate style of fly-fishing where the only thing separating you and the fish is a 3 wt. rod and a short cast. So, all this being said, here are my picks. If you know of some you'd like to add, be my guest!
A visit to San Antonio isn't complete unless you take some time to stroll down the San Antonio Riverwalk. Or, perhaps more fitting, take a river taxi or boat tour. For first timers in San Antonio there is plenty to enjoy and discover by just taking your time, discovering a good restaurant, or checking out the shops.
For those that have frequented the Alamo and the Riverwalk a few times already, there are other adventures to be had in San Antonio. Why not try Salsa dancing? For the record, I much prefer eating this stuff than trying to dance to it. Fortunately for San Antonio, they have both, in large amounts. Near the Best Western Sunset Suites Riverwalk, are a number of Salsa clubs where you can learn the finer points. A few even offer beginner classes for, like me, complete Salsa ignoramuses. Check out Azuca Cocina Latina Nuevo for class times.
Often we set out to explore our most renowned national parks only to discover that in the peak season they can be fully booked and extremely crowded. If you are willing to venture off the beaten path there are a host of lesser known national parks that offer visitors up close encounters with breathtaking natural wonders and unique cultures. The Southwest hosts a handful of notable examples in Colorado and Utah including Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Parks.
Mesa Verde
Don't miss the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people at Mesa Verde National Park. Most sites are only accessible by ranger-guided tours which must be purchased in person at the Far View Visitors Center for $3 per person. The tours are strenuous but well worth the effort!
I have to admit, I haven't eaten many frozen custards in my day. Not that I don't like them, on the contrary. For some reason I don't have many locations nearby that offer the stuff. I did visit Michael's in Madison Wisconsin, a few years back and have to say, "yummy!" For me, it is probably good I have to travel a few miles for these things, or I would be in big trouble. Big, being the key word here.
In my curiosity, I discovered partly what makes frozen custard different from regular ice cream...higher butterfat content. Yes, I know we were all hoping for something like, less water or more churning...and though these might also play a part, the stuff tastes good and has a thick texture for a reason. And that reason is more butterfat. Some things in life are just worth it, and rich, savory frozen custard is definitely a treat to splurge on!
I am sure there are many favorite frozen custards out there...but here are a few frozen custard spots you won't want to miss if you are nearby:
Ted Drewes, St. Louis: If you are staying at the Best Western Kirkwood Inn you may want to make the 8.5 mile trip to the one that has inspired many a frozen custard stand. The two St. Louis stands are one of a kind locations because Ted, despite frequent offers, refuses to franchise his store. Ted himself once stated, "It is a matter of quality. Franchising could lead to mediocrity." With that being said, you know you are getting the very best and most exclusive frozen custard when you go to a Ted Drewes stand.
On the political front, John McCain recently made a stop at Ted Drewes to sample its famous fare and rub shoulders with a few voters.
I'll just say it now and get it out of the way - I love everything about Santa Fe, New Mexico. The sunsets, the food, the art galleries, the ambience, but most of all, I love the shopping. And, to be even more specific, the Southwest jewelry that includes everything from beautiful turquoise pieces to uniquely designed silver bracelets, rings and necklaces. Strolling along the Plaza, you will ultimately wind up at the grassy square surrounded by historic homes and the Palace of the Governors, the oldest public building in the United States. This is where all the action is - you'll find many local artisans displaying and selling their handiwork here.
No shopping trip in Santa Fe is complete without a sampling of the local cuisine. A meal at Pasqual's is a must - breakfast is fabulous and many enjoy grabbing a seat at the big community table to catch up on interesting local conversation. Another local favorite is Tiny's, a Santa Fe tradition since 1950 serving a wide variety of food at very reasonable prices. With so many unique restaurant choices in Santa Fe, you definitely will not go hungry!
Earlier this month, I talked about my family's Route 66 road trip on ABC's nationally syndicated TV show View from the Bay. You can watch the segment by clicking here.
For those visiting the site for the first time, here's a rundown of my five favorite posts from trip.
Also, here's a quick recap of our journey with some money-saving tips for family road trippers:
On June 29, my family embarked on a great adventure--driving Route 66 from Santa Monica to Chicago. We took 15 days to do the trip and we gave ourselves a budget of $250 a day--a total of $3,750.
So, did we meet our goal? Barely. Our final total was $3,709.52 (Darn, I should have ordered that chocolate pie in Tulsa!) We had some help. My parents met us in St. Louis for two days and picked up the restaurant bills, and a friend sent $40 for a bottle of wine in Chicago. But generally we pinched pennies.
Here's what we learned:
1) Leave the SUV at home. If you own more than one car, opt for the auto that gets the best gas mileage. It costs less and it's better for the environment. (If we survived 15 days in a sardine can, you can too!)
2) Lighten your load. Carrying 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car's fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 percent. (My husband packed only one pair of shorts, one pair jeans, and a few shirts.) If you have cargo to haul, put it in the trunk instead of on a roof rack, which can decrease mileage by as much as 5 percent.
3) Inflate your tires. Under-inflated tires are a safety hazard and decrease fuel economy by as much as 2 percent per pound of pressure below the recommended level.
4) Drive gently. Excessive braking and accelerating reduces fuel economy, as does driving faster than highway speed limits. Teach your kids to read the speedometer; they'll enjoy making sure you stay under 70 mph.
Our family trip to NYC was a huge success. If you're headed for the Big Apple with your kids, here are some things to do.
1) Slurp up noodles at Momofuku. Does bringing the kids to a James Beard-award winning restaurant seem unlikely? Well, it's doable at Momofuku, a happening noodle joint that's so loud your kids can scream at the top of their lungs and no one will notice. Kids can split a bowl of chicken ramen ($12).
2) Wave hello to Miss Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry. On board this two-level ferry, you pass right by Lady Liberty. The free 25-minute ride takes you between Lower Manhattan and St. George on Staten Island.
3) Hang with the teeny bopper crowd at Legally Blonde. Little girls will love this high-energy musical about the ultimate princess, Elle Woods, who wears only pink and carries her Chihuahua in a rhinestone-studded bag.
4) Shop for European yogurts at Zabar's. You'll find cheeses, meats, olives, candies, and all sorts of other food from all over the world in this store that takes over an entire block. Kids will love the selection of rich and creamy European yogurts and mom and dad will appreciate the low prices.
JVC Jazz Festival - Newport, Rhode Island August 8-10, 2008
What better way to spend a hot, sultry August weekend than in Newport listening to the soulful sounds of jazz. The Newport Jazz Festival started in 1954 and is still going strong and has featured lineups from the great Miles Davis and Duke Ellington to the popular Chris Botti and Herbie Hancock. When you want a break from the music, Newport has the beautiful beaches, mansions and historic downtown to enjoy (the Best Western Mainstay is located just off of the historic downtown area). You can also choose from 11 other Best Western hotels in the vicinity of Newport.
Austin City Limits Music Festival September 26-28, 2008
Wind down the summer inside the city limits -the Austin City Limits that is. Three days, three stages and 130 bands make up this eclectic lineup of performers. Whatever your taste in music is, you can find it here. You can start with Foo Fighters, go to John Fogerty, skip over to Gnarls Barkley and finish with Erykah Badu. This year the sponsors of the festival are helping our planet go green by showcasing local non-profit environmental groups - so check it out. When night falls and you've had enough of the nightlife, there are 13 Best Western hotels in the Austin area including the Best Western Atrium North which is only a short drive away from the festival.
Still searching for an exciting destination this summer? Is Quebec on your short list? If not, move it to the top. This year marks Quebec's 400th anniversary and to celebrate the entire city will be hosting special events and exhibits year round with the main event taking place on July 3rd to mark the arrival of Samuel de Champlain in 1608. So if you haven't experienced this historic destination, this is the year to go! A great way to save on some of Quebec's best attractions is through the city's museum card. For only $50(CAD), the card offers admission to 18 museums for 3 consecutive days, two days of public transportation, and coupons for discounts at various Quebec City attractions. The Best Western City Centre/Centre-Ville and the Best Western Hotel L'Aristocrate offer great accommodations and special packages for your Quebec adventure. To get full details of all the celebration activities and events visit www.monquebec2008.com.
What are other destinations in Quebec that are must sees or even hidden gems? Let us know.
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies or entities before planning your trip.
Summer is the time to get out. But where do we all want to get out to? For me, getting outdoors, period, is a step in the right direction, even if only to the local park. But summer has a way of bringing out the more adventurous side of folks, so for most people that means hitting a "major destination". Here are three summer destinations that are sure to be popular stops...think of them as the hot, the cool and the beautiful.
Yes, we've long heard about the shrinking American vacation. News reports remind us of this tragedy every holiday weekend and throughout the summer season. Despite the statistics, we believe there are endless options for quick getaways. Each week we will highlight an easy escape destination that won't break the bank and doesn't require an entire week off to enjoy. Obviously the quick escape may not work for every geographic location. Some may require a flight versus a drive, but we hope to highlight enough destinations that there will sure to be several options that will fit your budget, geo-location and style. We kick off on the California Coast in a sun kissed and dreamy beach town called Laguna.
As the World's Largest Hotel Chain, we know it is a big world out there
with lots of places to see and experience. Best Western's You Must Be
Trippin' travel blog offers travel tips, ideas and feature destinations
to make your next trip a success. We are also interested in where
you've been trippin' and invite you to share your travel ideas, tips
and destinations with us.
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BUDAPEST - The Hungarian cities of Buda and Pest had grown and prospered for centuries along the banks of the fabled Danube River despite wars, invasions and other sorts of turmoil before they united and became Budapest in 1873. But, although they're joined in name, they remain apart in spirit and geography because Buda is still Buda and Pest is still Pest to locals, historians and mapmakers. 
As the World's Largest Hotel Chain, we know it is a big world out there
with lots of places to see and experience. Best Western's You Must Be
Trippin' travel blog offers travel tips, ideas and feature destinations
to make your next trip a success. We are also interested in where
you've been trippin' and invite you to share your travel ideas, tips
and destinations with us.
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