I can go on a real tear, and read book after book on a given subject. As a result, I've got shelves groaning at the weight of books about motorcycling, so I thought I'd share a little bit about some of my favorites.
I remember the first time I traveled alone on a plane with both of my kids. My daughter was a toddler and my son a baby--and somehow I lugged a stroller, two car seats, a portable crib, a backpack carry-on and two rolling suitcases from the departures curb, where a taxi had dropped us off, to the ticket counter.
I attached one of the car seats onto my backpack while I carried my son in a front-carrier on my chest. I pushed the porta-crib and the other car seat in the stroller with one hand, and pulled the suitcase with the other hand. My 2-year-old daughter rolled the second suitcase.
Pop. Boom. Bang.
Every community, large and small, seems to have their own fireworks tradition. Some our slick, choreographed events, timed to music and others are just plain old-fashion pop and bang affairs. Either way, fireworks are fireworks and have a great way of reminding us of the joy of simple things (not trying to suggest that putting on an elaborate pyrotechnic display filled with enough explosives to do real harm if improperly executed is a simple affair, but the watching part is pretty easy). So, wherever you find yourself this July 4, take time to find a fireworks display. My guess is there is one near you. If you are looking for a big-time celebration, here are a few that will not disappoint.
We can't be on our bikes all of the time. In fact, you're in front of your computer right now, aren't you?
The website has replaced the workbench as the prime location for exchanging motorcycle stories, travel tales and bike knowledge. Think of your computer as an extension of your garage - a place to work on your bike, hang around with friends and waste a lot of time chatting about trips you want to take on your motorcycle.
I was very fortunate to have been able to participate in Canada's Leisure Travel Summit, hosted by Best Western on June the 9th in Toronto. The event brought together some leading executives from the travel industry to discuss current issues and trends.
Pressed pennies--could there be a better souvenir for penny-pinching travelers? These coins that are flattened and imprinted by special machines cost about four quarters and one penny. And they certainly fit into anyone's suitcase. You won't be paying a fee for your extra heavy suitcase filled with your pressed penny collection.
Truth is, most dogs do well with cars... but not all dogs. My dog used to be a terror on wheels, he hated the car. Every time we would get in he would do everything that he could to clamor his way from the backseat to the front and sit on my lap while I drove. He would be shaking with fear and not very excited about the objects flying by. At first, I thought that his sitting in my lap was cute, but once he grew and gained some weight, not so cute!
I have lugged my kids across the globe, from Paris to Bali, to Seattle and even Washington, D.C. Along the way, I know that our little family unit has irked other travelers. My son once accidentally spilled a cup of orange juice on the lady sitting next to him on the plane, and when my daughter was a colicky baby, she spent an entire night screaming in a hotel room. But while my kids are occasionally nuisances (aren't we all at times?), I always make sure that we are on our best behavior and do everything possible to not disturb others. Here are five things I have learned while traveling with my kids that all families should know.
The days are getting longer and the sun is getting warmer. I'm seeing more people out being active - running and cycling - and hearing more and more talk of going to the gym and hitting the spray-tan salons... this must mean that beach season is upon us!
As a golfer and someone who has been closely associated with travel industry for more than a decade, I have organized, attended and read about lots of golf getaways. But last week, I attended the best mini-golf trip ever, bar none. If you are a golfer you need to rally the troops and pull one of these together.
Pity the dad who opens his Father's Day gift to find a pinstripe shirt or a box of golf balls. Why not surprise the man of the house with a weekend getaway the entire family can enjoy? Here are a few ideas for travel adventures geared to dad.
Have you been putting off that much needed trip to Mexico where countless beach destinations and a culture rich in history is just waiting to be explored? Well, the waiting is over. On May 15, the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifted the warning against non-essential travel to Mexico due to the swine flu outbreak.
I wouldn't refer to myself as an extremely adventurous person. Sure, I like an occasional adrenaline rush as much as the next guy, but when planning my vacations, they usually don't involve a slate of extreme activities. I go on vacation, first and foremost, to relax. So, on my first trip to Hawaii, a member of my family suggested I try something out of my comfort zone (and frankly a bit scary). They suggested I arrange an outing to swim with the sharks. Along with the tourist musts for Hawaii, like lazing on the beaches, taking in the beauty of the islands and sampling a luau, it was a bit unsettling to sign up for an activity that also shares a phrase used by movie gangsters.
Get ready - another acronym is hitting the travel industry. This time it's WHTI, which stands for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. After much debate and delay, June 1, 2009 marks the introduction of this new U.S. law requiring every Canadian above the age of sixteen who enters the U.S., via land or water, to present a valid passport.
As I've mentioned before, I'm an ATGATT guy (All The Gear, All The Time). But as temperatures begin to creep up, even the most devoted safety gear wearer can find it challenging to balance safety and comfort.
Here are some DOS AND DON'TS to help you stay comfortable, cool and safe on your motorcycle when the heat is on.
DON'T lose the jacket. One of the big mistakes riders make in hot weather is to take off their riding jackets and ride in a t-shirt or tanktop.
I love my motorcycle. I also love my dogs and cats. Until recently, I had resigned myself to the fact that my two loves would always compete. Spending time on my motorcycle meant time away from my pets; spending time with my pets meant time not riding my bike.
If you're like me, you can't wait to get home from work, and you can't wait for the weekends. It's not that I hate my job; it's that I love my dog.
I have a big happy golden retriever. He sits at home and waits for me all day while I work, and every day when I come home, I see his face in the window. He runs in circles for about 5 minutes moaning and saying his hellos as his whole body wags from side to side. Trust me; it's a pretty great welcome home after a hard day.
Needless to say, when the weekend rolls around, it's play back time. We take runs, hang out at the dog park, and he comes along in the car everywhere we go. On Fridays, he is extra happy to see me and on Monday morning, he hangs his head and sits by the door. There is no doubt in my mind that he understands the weekly work cycle, but, weekends belong to him, and I plan accordingly.
If you've got a motorcycle in your garage right now, you have the first ingredient in my recipe for guilt-free travel.
Traveling by motorcycle requires clever use of resources. Especially if you're taking a passenger along and traveling two-up, every little item that you carry with you must serve a purpose. So, motorcyclists travel light.
Traveling by motorcycle consumes less fuel. Even a full-dress touring bike like the Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide is rated to achieve 35 mpg city/54 mpg highway.
The first week in August you will find the Forbes family in Fripp Island, South Carolina for a little beach time with friends. Three families are all making the 1,600 kilometre drive from Oakville over the civic holiday weekend.
I asked my wife whether she thought we should rent a car. She gave that look like I just sprung antlers. So now I feel obligated to demonstrate the logic of the question and stubbornly build a case for why it makes sense. So here goes...
If you are a parent like me you likely had this experience when your kids were toddlers. You research the best, must-have gift, only to realize your child invariably plays and enjoys the colourful box it came in, while the actual toy remains untouched. We had a similar experience while traveling on a quick getaway this past weekend.
Saturday morning we packed up the SUV and hit the road for a quick one-nighter in London, Ontario. It's less than 150 kilometres from home and a very easy straight forward drive, especially when you have a GPS (dads - this is a great investment and you'll only ever have to stop at a gas stations for gas)! Our original plan was to check in to The Best Western Lamplighter Inn by lunch, hit a local theme park for the afternoon, have an early dinner and then go see Monster and Aliens, a movie we been eyeing for weeks.
When traveling alone I pack a night light, one of those little plug-ins with a small bulb. It's one of the tips I've picked up over the years to reduce those minor stressful situations encountered on the road.
Shortly after finding a room, I check the bathroom. If it has a night light, mine stays in the suitcase. If it doesn't, mine goes to work. The reason: Because of my senior status, there'll be at least one nocturnal call of nature and I'll need a light to guide me.
This had to be the ultimate business trip on a motorcycle.
As reported in the Gettysburg Times and elsewhere, Jordan's King Abdullah II took some time off during his visit to the United States recently to ride his Harley-Davidson through West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. He even made a stop at Battlefield Harley-Davidson in Gettysburg, and bought several t-shirts.
Apparently, the King rides at home in Jordan, and wanted to explore our Civil War sites during a break from discussing Middle East peace with President Obama in Washington. He traveled with several other motorcyclists, and his security detail rode along on their own motorcycles.
As the weather north of the 49th parallel begins to heat up, hockey nets have taken up their permanent fixture and the kids have officially declared the start of road hockey season. Shouts of "car!"and "game on!" are echoing around neighbourhoods.
Although I still participate weekly in a men's ice hockey league, I have to admit I haven't played road hockey in years. But that is about to change.
I just heard about a great event that "Hockey Night in Canada" has organized nationally called "Play On" - The Official Canadian Road Hockey Championship and outdoor hockey festival. The event is happening between May 23 and the end of August in a dozen cities across the country, where downtown urban areas will be converted into a series of outdoor street rinks. You can register as a team of five and prices ranges from $30 - $50 per player. Check it out.
Once my friends know how to ride, they're ready to start shopping for a bike. Though it is possible to start out on a large displacement motorcycle, most experts will advise new riders to begin with a bike with a smaller engine, 500 cc or less. This is especially good advice for smaller riders, because in general, the smaller the engine, the lighter the bike. A lighter bike is easier to handle, move around the garage, and keep upright at a standstill.
Nothing throws a wet blanket over a trip faster than discourteous companions. They're rude, inconsiderate, embarrassing and completely unconcerned about the distress they dump on others. Over the years, I have encountered many of them, but two were unforgettable.
At a restaurant in Munich, an elderly female co-traveler asked a waiter for a glass of water. Since most restaurants in Germany serve bubbly mineral water instead of plain water, he brought her a glass of that. She loudly proclaimed, in English, that she wanted just plain water, not soda water, and ordered him to make the change. He brought her another glass of bubbling water, sat it in front of her and said, in German, "Wasser."
IValue can be defined as a function of price and quality. In Canada, I am suggesting that we have a rare situation, caused by the economic downturn, where both factors are working positively together to produce an enhanced value equation.
My crystal ball indicates that this will last until September 9, 2009. Although this date seems random, it is six months from the date that it appears the Toronto Stock Exchange hit bottom. Experts seem to agree that markets are six months ahead, telling me the world will be right again around September 9th.
So the clock is ticking for you to get a great deal, exceptional service and in turn, the best value for your trip. But there's an interesting phenomenon happening out there, where people who have money to spend are trying to hide it. Coined "stealth wealth", it is affecting the travel industry too, as a growing faction of would be travellers are feeling guilty about the notion of vacationing during this economic downturn.
When my friends find out that I ride a motorcycle, some of them are horrified. "It's so dangerous!" I remind them that life is dangerous, that driving a car is dangerous, that walking down a busy sidewalk is dangerous, and yet we somehow manage every day. I have spent years honing my motorcycle riding skills, and I don't take unnecessary risks. It's all about managing risk, and risk versus reward. The rewards of motorcycling are great, and, for me, more than worth the risk.
When my other non-riding friends talk with me about motorcycling, some of them are intrigued. A few have even asked my advice about getting started on a motorcycle.
I always recommend that my friends take a riding class before committing to motorcycling. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has a great program, the Basic RiderCourse, available in most parts of the United States. Many locations have motorcycles available for loan or rental in coordination with the classes, so you can see if riding is for you before you invest a significant chunk of cash on a bike.
During an overnight stay at our home, a well-traveled senior citizen couple from North Carolina mentioned that they go volkswalking in some of the towns and cities they select as destinations. They said it's helping keep them in shape while they're on an extended tour of the United States.
Volkswalking is not specifically designed for seniors, but many in our age group find it challenging and rewarding because it's a good way to exercise while making new friends. The American Volkssport Association (AVA) was founded in 1976 to promote non-competitive physical fitness, friendship and fun. There are now more than 320 active clubs in the U.S., and they present thousands of volkssporting events every year.
Riding a motorcycle is all about managing risk. But what happens when you park your bike - especially overnight at a hotel? How can you manage the risk of motorcycle theft while you're asleep?
Back in the good old days, I used to stay at roadside motels where I could pull my bike up on the sidewalk directly outside my window, and keep one ear peeled for any bike rustlers. Some guys I knew even rode their beloved choppers into their rooms. I had a cousin who claimed that he once rebuilt his Harley's transmission in a motel bathtub during a cross-country trip. Now that I'm staying in nicer places, I've had to develop other, more socially acceptable strategies to protect my Sportster.
The Navajo Code Talkers are part of our generation because they, like us, are now seniors. So paying tribute to their heroic deeds is a worthwhile trip that not only honors some relatively unsung war heroes, but also takes senior travelers to many of the places we used to read about in National Geographic.
Motorcycle travel and business travel are not mutually exclusive. I have done my share of both, and on happy occasions, I've been able to combine the two. Traveling by bike has helped me save money and time, and I've had the chance to make a unique impression when I arrive (if I choose to).
In this age of miniaturization, most of the business tools I need for a trip will fit in a briefcase - so with some careful packing, I can get them onto my bike.
When dining on foreign food in a foreign country, I always face the same dilemma - should I ask what this stuff is made of or do I really want to know?
There was a time, back in my younger years, when I would never hesitate to devour whatever was set in front of me in a restaurant in a faraway place. But now, being a senior, I tend to be a bit more cautious. Some may say it comes with aging; I prefer to call it the wisdom that comes with 60-plus years of experience.
You may not understand the reference unless you too are a fellow Canuck and remember the now famous 2001 Molson Canadian Beer Commercial titled "the rant". Hilarious and award-winning; it reminded us all why we are proud to be Canadian.
All the recent spotlight on travel cutbacks, trading down and staying focused on a strict budget reminds me of when I was first cutting my teeth as a business traveler. And it's proven to me that what's old is definitely new again...
During the late 1980's I worked as a trainer for a U.S.-based consulting firm. The company had projects across the country and I'd fly around to many of them to conduct two- to four-week training programs that helped clients integrate changes that our consultants were recommending.
I know that job description may sound exciting and important, but the reality was something quite different. Our company was super cheap. Since we were in the business of showing companies how to save money, we had to set the example.
My wife Robin is the perfect passenger. She wasn't born that way. In fact, before we started dating, she had never ridden on the back of a Harley-Davidson, or any motorcycle for that matter. Robin was eager to try out the pillion, but she was a little nervous at first. We both were. Now, after years of riding together, we're like a well-tuned riding team, and Robin says that she gets as much pleasure out of the journey as I do. Here are some tips on how to build the perfect passenger.
Like many, when I travel, I take pictures. Lots of pictures. That's why I was ecstatic when I came across my newest and most favorite tech gadget: the Gorilla Pod. The Gorilla Pod is a flexible tripod that fits into the tripod port of nearly any camera on the market. Three flexible legs allow it to wrap around anything and everything when you're on vacation. No more trusting strangers with your camera to snap a photo.
My desire to find a product like the Gorilla Pod came on a recent trip to San Clemente California. While my fiance and I strolled the sparse beaches, we were left with no one to take our picture. We fumbled several times at setting our digital camera on a rock and setting the auto timer, but inevitably the camera would fall over or we couldn't get the picture at the right angle. Many of our most beautiful and favorite moments of our trip went undocumented because we just couldn't find a way to get the camera setup properly. I figured there had to be a better way.
One of the best investments I have ever made cost a mere $10 but over the years it has saved me close to $1,000. It's a Golden Age Passport, a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee.
The pass is for citizens or permanent residents of the United States age 62 or older. Once obtained, it grants free admission to the person whose name appears on the pass and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle fee. When a per person fee is charged, the passport admits the signee, spouse and children.
The passport must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. You must show proof of age and residency, something like a drivers license, birth certificate or similar document. The pass is non-transferable and does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
Despite what Chicken Little and every newscaster, radio host and journalist would have you believe, the sky is not actually falling!
Personally, I don't think I can take much more of the doom and gloom and am looking at things from a different angle. This challenge has created some of the best travel opportunities seen in decades. The reason is simple; you stand to get the greatest value for your vacation if you plan and go during the current recession.
To take advantage of the great offers available, my wife, Ruth, along with our two kids, my daughter Caira, six going on 16, and son Ethan, who is four, just returned from a 10- day escape to Arizona. The deals were great for every facet of the trip. Hotels, car rental companies, restaurants and even airlines are fighting hard to win your business, which means great value for Canadians looking to travel.
Getting ready for a trip always involves a big gear inspection. What to wear, what to pack, what to leave at home. I happen to enjoy the planning part of a trip almost as much as I enjoy the trip itself. Almost.
I have to confess that I'm one of those ATGATT guys. You know, All The Gear, All The Time. So my senses are particularly tuned to pick up what I perceive as real mistakes by my fellow riders. At risk of sounding like a gear evangelist, here are a few things I've actually seen other bikers and their passengers wearing on the road:
On a recent, warm and sunny day, a close friend and I decided to "try something new". We were told about a local park here in Vancouver - Vanier Park - which on a windy sunny day is often home to some high flying fun - kite flying! For me - someone who gets easily bored - spending a an afternoon watching these beautifully colored kites dance through the skies was surprisingly entertaining, exciting and relaxing all at the same time. I was impressed with the skill of the kite-masters, appreciative of their diligence and concentration, and I enjoyed the visual beauty of it all (I'll also shamelessly admit that I found it entertaining to watch some of the kites crash to the ground too). What I learned from chatting with others at the kite park is that kite flying is an age-old pastime with a strong following around the world.
Did you know that March 28 - May 3 is National Kite Month (don't worry, I didn't either)? In celebration of it, there are a number of Kite Festivals taking place that might be worth checking out for some windy weekend fun. Why not stray from your normal routine and do something different with a friend, or step outside the box on your weekend family outing and perhaps you and your kids might discover a newfound appreciation. A great perk is that most kite festivals are very affordable (if not free), making it a great option for an economical family outing.
Having reached that age when any reference to "the good old days" takes on added meaning because I was there for a lot of them, I was quite taken with Columbia, an old mining town that's also a historical state park, located in California's Tuolomne County near Yosemite National Park.
This is an ideal place for senior travelers for a couple of reasons:
First, it's easily walkable and reminiscent of the small villages where so many of us grew up. The main street is only two blocks long, it's flat and there are no cobblestones to stumble over. And, as a bonus, they don't allow cars or loud music on the main drag.
Second, Columbia takes its job of being an historical state park very seriously. Every morning, the shopkeepers put on their period costumes and crank open the huge steel doors that guard the stores against fire. Then the women bustle onto the sidewalks, clad in long skirts and whisking homemade brooms to maneuver the previous day's dust off the wooden sidewalks and back onto the dirt road that bisects the town.
Have you ever had the excitement of seeing someplace you've traveled portrayed in a movie? Did you feel a certain excitement rush through you, "I've been there! I stood in that spot!" It also feels great because you have a better appreciation for the sights, sounds, and atmosphere for what is playing out on screen. You are getting a better experience than the rest of the audience that is only experiencing it through the big screen version. They don't know what it sounds like, smells like or feels like to be there.
On the other hand, having experienced the previous scenario on a few occasions, it also leads me to wonder what it would be like to visit so many places that you see in film. To be more specific, some movies are so enticing with their locations that I want to run out of the theater, pack my bags and catch the next plane.
I recently read that Mumbai, India is seeing a spike in tourism tied to the recent Oscar winner Slum Dog Millionaire. Not sure how they measure that, but it sounds plausible.
Here is a list of a few movies that give me the travel bug.
When Harry Met Sally - Captures New York in all its seasons. Every time I watch it, I want to spend time in the Big Apple.
Ocean's 11 - What happens there stays there. A movie that makes Vegas seem slick, fun and cool. Not that Vegas needs help with their "fun" image.
Looking for a fun new extreme activity for your next trip? How about something totally new! Here is a list of newly invented sports to get your adrenaline pumping.
Kiteboarding - extreme wakeboarding / windsurfing popularized in 1996 by Laird Hamilton and Manu Bertin off the Hawaiian coast of Maui involving a harness attached kite the propels the rider forward and upward.
Wingsuiting - extreme sky diving popularized in 1998 when Jari Kuosma of Finland and Robert Pecnik of Croatia teamed up to create a wing suit that was safe and accessible for all skydivers.
Tow-in surfing - extreme surfing technique pioneered by Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, Dave Kalama, and Milton Willis in mid 1990s where a surfer is towed into a breaking wave by a partner driving a personal watercraft or a helicopter with an attached tow-line.
Trail ultra-marathoning - extreme marathon running popularized by Gordy Ainsleigh in the 1980s, involving a trail run of 100 miles.
Speed stacking (for our younger readers!) - extreme cup stacking invented by Wayne Godine in 1980s involving stacking cups in predetermined sequences to competing against the clock or another player.
How cool would it be to invent a totally new sport? Gives me crazy little tingles to think that someone might be inventing the next new addition to this list right now. If you can dream it, you can do it.
Next time you're running through the airport terminal trying to catch your next flight, think of how much faster you'd be if you could swim through the crowds like a killer whale (max speed 34.5 mph). Or like Usain Bolt of Jamaica (max speed 23 mph).
Or how about this one. If you were a Spittlebug you could jump vertically from airport terminal to airport terminal. Air-tram?! Who needs them.
Imagine if we compared our abilities to the animal kingdom. The results might surprise you!
Running Speeds
Squirrel = 9 mph
Black Mamba Snake = 20 mph
Tyrannosaurus Rex = 18 mph
*Human = 23 mph; Usain Bolt of Jamaica ran 100-meter in 9.72 seconds
Grizzly Bear = 30 mph
House Cat = 30 mph
Cheetah = 50 mph
Technology has influenced the way that many of us travel. Cell phones make sure we're always accessible, GPS has turned paper maps into museum exhibits, and mp3 players give us refuge from noisy airplanes. One travel innovation I could not live without is the portable DVD player. The PDP is the perfect travel accessory for the traveler looking to zone out in a busy airport, relax in the back of a bus, or quiet a carload of loud children. I purchased my first PDP in 2002. Since my first, I've owned 3 others- and not because they've become lost or broken, but because like other gadget geeks, I'm always wanting the latest and greatest. If I had the knowledge and understanding that I have now when I bought my first player, I would have saved a lot of time and money.
Helpful tips when selecting a PDP that is right for you:
Does size matter? Size is a key element when deciding on a PDP. If you're like me and you do most of your travel in the air, it will be important to buy a smaller, lightweight player. Players can range anywhere from 2lbs to 4lbs. Lightweight players are great, but the added convenience will cost more. For the occasional traveler who will be using their player around the house or in the hotel room, size may be not as much of a factor. Larger, bulkier players are usually lower in cost.
By the end of this post, you will know a valuable secret to planning great vacations for less. Not only will you know, but you will be an instant expert. It's simple, there are only two steps, don't follow the masses and find great off season activities.
A trip to the beach in the summer, Aspen in the winter, or to see the leaves change in the fall is great, but these will cost you. Every location has its reasons for visiting during "peak season" but there are also great activities to be discovered during off-seasons.
In this global recession the overall mood is dire, and it's hard to see an end to it all. My advice this weekend is to turn off the television; put down the newspaper; close your laptop; and go outside.
The economic downturn is ushering in a period that should cry out to the adventurer inside of you. New opportunities are at your feet.
Right now, as you read this, the travel industry is slashing budgets and ratcheting down expectations for 2009 and 2010. Airline executives are hosting brainstorming sessions to devise ways to fill seats in the coming quarters. Travel operators, who have seen booking activity come to a standstill, are scrambling to capture your attention. Prices are coming down folks, and fast.
Adventure travel is a broad term. There are a few things that I personally keep to when describing my own definition of the term. For me, an adventure has these components:
Like a saving grace, the global recession is making travel cheap for Americans. Currency traders view the dollar as a safe haven during this recession. As a result, the dollar gains strength as the stock market weakens. This may surprise many travelers, because until recently the dollar was weak.
A strong dollar is GREAT news for travelers, especially adventure travelers who love the places that are especially cheap these days. There are 7 countries that are especially cheap right now. I'll highlight them below:
For example, what used to cost $10 in Iceland in January 2008 now costs $4.50 in US Dollar equivalent. That is a savings of 55%. Read on for a country-by-country analysis.
It's no secret - we're all trying to find ways to save a few bucks and lower our expenses these days. We're looking for ways to enjoy life and treat ourselves, but on a much smaller budget. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, there's no reason that you and your special Valentine (or your best friend for that matter) shouldn't treat yourselves to a nice getaway.
Here are just a few ideas. Skip the long flights and stress of air travel. Forget about spending hours getting to a destination only to lose out on precious quality time and sightseeing. This year for Valentine's Day, get lost close to home!
Every cool trip needs a soundtrack. Is your music collection getting a bit stale? Need help preparing a rocking playlist for your upcoming trip? Run out of places to get fresh info about new music? If so, you're in luck. Mashable Blog has assembled a list websites to add fabulousness to your next trip soundtrack. Below is an excerpt with some additions from us.
When you create your soundtrack consider jamming out at these hotels with in-room iPod docks.
Music Discovery Sites
Musicovery - discover new music with this cool take on Inter
Sam Lowe
Chris McGinnis
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
Karla Henriquez
