Although the D.C. Council has done a bit of tightening of regulations for drinking during the Obama Inauguration, don’t worry: there will still be plenty of opportunity to party.

Despite its initial ruling that bars could continue to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. during the week of the inauguration, Jan. 17 to 21, the Council voted on Dec. 16 to scale back the regulation to 4 a.m. instead. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants can remain open 24 hours to serve food, provided they pay a fee. Although the drinking establishments who will benefit from D.C.’s huge crowds may be celebrating, the rule faces criticism from certain Council members and U.S. Senators, who argue that there is not adequate policing to enforce the 4 a.m. rule or guarantee security.

Whether you’re headed to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration or not, how do you feel about the looser rules? Will you be celebrating the inauguration and if so, where?

Some of the things I remember most about my journeys are the open, public spaces in many places in the world. I’ve always been a big fan of parks (thanks to growing up near San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park), and I generally search them out when on vacation. But parks aren’t the only cool public places.

The Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization that works with people to “create and sustain public places that build communities,” has published a list of 60 of the world’s greatest public spaces. Among them are:

• Covent Garden in London

• The French Quarter in New Orleans

• Grand Central Station in New York City

• The Spanish Steps in Rome

• The Ridge in India

• The Great Mosque of Djenne in Mali.

According to the Project’s Web site, these public spaces are “the places we remember most vividly, the places where serendipitous things happen, the places we tell stories about. They are decidedly local, but can also absorb a fair amount of tourism without losing the qualities that make them great.”

Leave a comment and tell us what your favorite public space is, whether or not it’s included on the Project’s list.

Pop quiz!

When I say “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” what do you think of? The movie A Christmas Story, of course! This cult classic has become a rite of passage in many homes, including ours. There are a handful of holiday must-sees that we watch year in and year out, and A Christmas Story is at the top of the list. 

I’ve seen it dozens of times but did not realize that you can actually experience many of the sights and sounds of the movie in Cleveland, Ohio, at the Christmas Story House. The house is open year-round but really comes to life during the winter holiday season. The city of Cleveland is rightfully promoting this relatively unknown gem as one of the “must-see seasonal attractions” in the city.

The Christmas Story House has been completely restored “to its movie splendor.” The site states that “directly across the street from the house is the official A Christmas Story House Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos. Among the props and costumes are the toys from the Higbee’s window, Randy’s snowsuit and zeppelin, the chalkboard from Miss Shields’ classroom and the family car.”

After touring this veritable shrine to holiday kitsch you can head down the street and dine at the Chinese restaurant where the family enjoyed headless Peking duck on Christmas day. Or if you have some shopping left to do, you can hit she museum gift shop and pick up {wait for it) a glowing, stocking-strewn leg lamp. Wonder if they offer overnight shipping…

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Share your favorite quote from A Christmas Story in the comments field.

Spare the air on your next Southern California golf vacation at the award-winning Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the legendary golf and spa resort—located 30 minutes south of Santa Barbara—announced the introduction of three electric Luxury Carts available for guests to rent during their stay.

Two Cadillac Escalade carts can be rented for $50 per hour. Another luxury cart, a Bentley, will be available as part of an inclusive package for guests staying at Casa Elar, a 10,147 sq. ft. estate with four bedroom suites, a dining room with seating for 12, a hair salon, massage studio, swimming pool, a butler and many more amenities. (Casa Elar inclusives start at $15,000 per night.)

Carts will be available to rent starting Jan. 1, 2009. For booking and additional information, call the room reservations department at 805-646-1111 or go to www.ojairesort.com.

Upcoming Events at Ojai

• Peter Greenberg, travel expert, author and television personality introduces his newest book, Don’t Go There! at a literary luncheon and book signing Jan. 22, 2009. $55 per person.

• Susana Trilling, chocolatier and chef from Oaxaca, Mexico. Dinner and wine pairing, co-hosted by Ojai Inn executive chef Jamie West. Feb. 10, $85 per person.

• Yoga & Vosges Chocolate with Dave Romanelli. Exciting yoga and chocolate pairings with one night stay. Feb. 27 to 28, $495 per person. yeahdaveyoga.com

• Carolyn Robb Hootkins, organic chef specialist (former personal organic chef to Lady Di and Prince Charles), prepares dinner paired with biodynamic wines. Co-hosted by Inn executive chef Jamie West. March 12, $90 per person.

Last week, JetBlue Airways ratcheted up the rewards for its JetPaws program for fliers traveling with their trusty pet buddy. Previously, JetBlue awarded double mileage for travelers with pets. Since Dec. 15, the program now doles out two bonus frequent-flier points on every flight people are accompanied by a canine or feline pal.

Photo courtesy of JetBlue Airways

JetBlue charges $100 each way per traveling pet, and only one pet is allowed per customer (with a few exceptions). But that doesn’t mean that everyone can bring their buddy on a flight. Only four pets total are allowed per flight, so call early.

In addition, JetPaws provides a free pet travel guide, which includes tips for pet jetting and etiquette, as well as a list of pet-friendly hotels and restaurants once you get to your destination. Don’t have a stylin’ carrier for Fido? You can buy one for smaller pets, plus a pet travel kit and collar in JetPaws’ online shop.

My personal request is that they add a cool carrier for larger dogs like me, or at least allow us to have our own seat in First Class. What? It could happen!

Virgin America is rolling out Wi-Fi powered by GoGoInflight. This week I was lucky enough to fly on the first aircraft outfitted with this new service.  The experience was great. For $9.95 you get access to a very high-speed connection. All Virgin America planes are already equipped with 110V outlets at every seat, so you can be productive for almost the entire flight. Couple this with the already exceptional in-flight entertainment, and a trip from San Francisco to JFK really flies by (no pun intended). Virgin plans to roll out Wi-Fi on the rest of its fleet by spring 2009. I applaud Virgin America for listening to its customers and continuously improving their experience. Let’s hope the rest of the industry catches on.

After 30 years of structural renovations, a hall in Rome’s ancient baths of Diocletian has reopened. The reconstruction of the baths began around 1978, to help restore the interior marble and exterior stucco of the building that had slowly deteriorated over the years. Formerly the biggest thermal baths in the world, the Baths of Diocletian now house a collection of Greek and Roman art work such as sarcophagi as well as decorations from the Temple of Aurelian.  

The Baths of Diocletian or Terme di Diocleziano are one of the nine archeological sites in Rome built around A.D. 306 and named after the Roman emperor, Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus. Piazza della Repubblica, the National Roman Museum and the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, which was built by Michelangelo, are among the famous structures housed within the Baths of Diocletian complex. Additional attractions include libraries, gardens and other areas that hosted events that could accommodate over 3,000 people. The complex also contains several ancient tombs dating back to the second century, some of which still show the names of deceased occupants.

You’re flying during the holidays to see family. On the day of your departure, you run down the list:

Tickets—check.

Toothbrush—check.

Carry-on, complete with 1-quart bag for liquids—check.

Gifts for everyone—check.

All you need to do is park, check in and get through security. As you pull up to your tried-and-true long-term parking garage, you see it: the sign that says “Lot Full.” Other lots have the same sign, and now you’re in a panic. You finally decide to suck it up and park in short-term parking and just worry about the bill when you return.

You can avoid this nightmare by using aboutairportparking.com the next time you plan to fly during peak times. Pick your airport (from a list of 107 U.S. and Canadian airports) and the time you’ll be gone, and you’ll get a list of parking lots with available space—along with their prices, distances from the airport and other services they offer. Some lots will even allow you to reserve a space in advance.

Holiday travel can be a hassle, but preparing in advance can get you through it all like a champ.

Like the rest of the world, the travel industry has picked up on the ever-growing sustainable travel trend. Recently, two airlines announced their plans to provide environmentally friendly flights.

Continental Airlines announced this past weekend that they will be the first carrier in the Americas to power a flight with sustainable biofuels. The company plans to fly a Boeing 737-800, with one of the two fuel tanks being filled with a 50/50 blend of traditional jet fuel and algae and jatropha plants. The plants are used as sustainable fuel sources, and don’t impact water resources or food crops.

Emirates airlines, besides announcing a new flight route between Dubai Interntaional Airport (DXB) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), plans to test its new eco program on the inaugural flight of this new route. The flight route will be “the longest green journey,” according to Emirates. The 16-hour long Emviormental flight, as it has been dubbed by the airline, is intended to save 2,000 gallons of fuel and 30,000 pounds of carbon emissions. Emirates worked closely in partnership with government agencies in five countries to plan this route.

In addition, the green flight will feature a number of new, fuel-saving measures, which include the following:

• A special pre-flight wash to minimize drag.

• The use of electricity while grounded instead of running an auxiliary power unit.

• Priority taxiing and landing positions.

• Optimized routing over the North Pole, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and more.

• All on-board newspapers, glasses, cans and paper will be collected for recycling.

• Use of the new and ultra eco-efficient Boeing 777-200LR.

Would environmentally friendly airline flights appeal to you if they became more available?

If you’ve ever been on a Greyhound bus for more than a couple of hours, you know that it’s a pain. No, seriously—it hurts your body. Your legs are cramped, you’re often squished next to (sometimes odoriferous) seatmates, and the successive stop-and-go traffic make sailing a more attractive mode of travel for motion-sickness sufferers.

But there are perks to bus travel: In general, it’s cheaper than flying, it’s kinder to the earth, and it’s slower, allowing you to see more countryside during your trip. If you want to save a little dough and travel in comfort—even style—check out these new bus travel companies that offer eco-chic and comfy alternative journeys on the cheap:

BoltBus

The red, bullet-fast BoltBus zips around a handful of East Coast cities (New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.), and offers extra legroom, wheelchair accessibility, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and rates as low as $30 roundtrip. Do your work on the way home for the holidays and actually be home for the holidays. Also when you book four roundtrip tickets, you get a fifth trip for FREE. Now they just need to bolt on over to the West Coast and give me a lift home for Christmas!

megabus

Megabus was so successful in the United Kingdom it decided to launch across the pond in Canada and the United States. One-way fares start as low as $1! Travel roundtrip from New York to Boston for as little as $14, and you can even ride on a double-decker bus. Another eco-friendly and hassle-free benefit: ticketless reservations. Just write down your reservation number and give it to the bus driver. Luggage limits: one carry-on and one standard-sized to check. Megabus routes are expanding and include Chicago, Madison, Wis., New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

DC2NY

Travel by bus in luxury on DC2NY. Service is offered only from, you guessed it, Washington, D.C., to New York City, but the bus features clean onboard restrooms, free Internet and wide seats. Fares are $50 roundtrip; travel eight times and get the ninth trip for free. You can stow your bike and up to three pieces of luggage, too.

Today, Dec. 7 is typically remembered as the anniversary date of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, which marked the U.S. entrance into World War II. This year it also happens to be the 44th day until the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, on Jan. 20, 2009.

Those of you planning to attend the inauguration in Washington, D.C., should check out our Inauguration Day Tips article written by one of TravelMuse’s contributing writers, Debbie K. Hardin, who used to head up the communications department at the White House.

We’ll be featuring additional articles from Debbie on what to do in D.C. during inauguration week later this month, but the folks at Destination DC, the city’s tourism and marketing bureau, have pulled together a list of 44 free or affordable experiences to kick off the countdown starting today.

1. Stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and where Marian Anderson performed her historic 1939 Easter concert.

2. Catch a free concert featuring Aretha Franklin on Jan. 19 at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.

3. Explore famous and infamous moments in history by following the “Civil War to Civil Rights” heritage trail through downtown D.C.

4. Visit the newly remodeled National Museum of American History, where you can view a copy of the Gettysburg Address on loan from the White House. The theme of Obama’s inauguration, “A New Birth of Freedom,” is taken from the Gettysburg Address. Look for Obama’s name in the “American Presidents” exhibition.

5. See poignant images from the Civil Rights era on display in the Road to Freedom exhibition of more than 200 powerful photographs at the Smithsonian Institution’s Ripley Center, on display through March 9.

6. Make your way to Capitol Hill’s newest attraction, the state-of-the-art Capitol Visitor Center.

7. Live Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy by joining a volunteer program through Serve D.C.

8. Check out the presidential portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery.

9. Tour the magnificent Library of Congress and test out its new interactive exhibits, like the re-creation of Thomas Jefferson’s original library.

10. Only Bill Cosby and the Obama Family can eat for free at D.C.’s legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl — but visitors can soak in the local flavor and chow down on the cheap with their signature half-smokes for just $5 or a chili dog for $3.60.

11. Cheer on the Inaugural Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue on Jan, 20.

12. Watch a peaceful sunset at the Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima Statue).

13. Read the headlines from newspapers from around the world outside the Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue. [Read our Newseum article from opening day.].]

14. Learn what it was like to be a guest at a past presidential inauguration through The Honor of Your Company is Requested: President Lincoln’s Inaugural Ball, a special exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

15. Admire great works at the National Gallery of Art.

16. Say “inauguration” at The Phillips Collection admissions desk during the entire month of January and receive two-for-one admission. Take a picture of the Gandhi statue at the Indian Embassy, located just a few feet away.

17. Be a part of history on the National Mall and witness Obama’s swearing-in on Jan. 20. The entire length of the Mall will be open to the public.

18. Watch the changing of the guards at Arlington National Cemetery.

19. Stop by the Lyndon B. Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac for some quiet reflection.

20. Follow the Greater U Street Heritage Trail and discover Duke Ellington’s home and other greats along what was once known as “Black Broadway.”

21. Walk the grounds of Howard University, one of the country’s historically black colleges, and duck into the Howard University Gallery of Art. Admission is free and it boasts one of the most comprehensive representations of black artists in existence.

22. Stroll the cobblestone streets of historic Georgetown, once the stomping grounds of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Jackie Kennedy. Locate the booth at Billy Martin’s Tavern where he proposed to Jackie.

23. Stop for a photo op in front of the White House, the new home for the new First Family.

24. Visit the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum that explores American history, society, and creative expression from an African-American perspective.

25. Take a stroll through grand Union Station. What was once the Presidential Suite, where presidents waited to board trains and greeted foreign dignitaries, is now B. Smith’s Restaurant.

26. See breathtaking photos and fascinating exhibitions at the National Geographic Museum.

27. Explore the diverse cultures of Africa at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art.

28. Pay respect to those who served at home and abroad at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial and National World War II Memorial.

29. Listen in on native folktales or catch a cultural performance at the National Museum of the American Indian.

30. Visit D.C.’s newest memorials, the Pentagon Memorial and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

31. Get to know a Lincoln contemporary by touring Frederick Douglass’s historic home, Cedar Hill (advance reservations: $1.50). While there, you’ll enjoy one of the best views of the Washington cityscape.

32. Take a hike on Theodore Roosevelt Island and Memorial and find inspiration in the quotes from the environmentalist president, engraved on the memorial plaza.

33. Browse local art and sample fresh fare at Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market (Saturday and Sunday).

34. See a public mural featuring Barack Obama outside neighborhood hotspot Marvin (at 14th & U), named for D.C.’s own Marvin Gaye.

35. All those visitors coming in for inauguration? You can watch their many, many airplanes take off and land at Reagan National Airport from popular park Gravelly Point, located on the Potomac River.

36. Watch skaters glide on the ice (or join in the fun—adults $7 for 2 hours) as you take in the outdoor art at the National Gallery of Art’s sculpture garden and ice skating rink.

37. See the original Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights at the National Archives, then stick around to research your own family’s immigration records.

38. Brush elbows with a genius with a visit to the Albert Einstein Memorial.

39. Walk east of the Capitol to Lincoln Park to see the Emancipation Statue, the city’s first memorial to Honest Abe, along with a statue honoring African-American education pioneer Mary McLeod Bethune.

40. Stop by the African-American Civil War Memorial on U Street.

41. Experience one of the world’s most moving museums, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

42. Build your horticultural IQ inside the U.S. Botanic Garden.

43. Find literary inspiration for your own presidential address at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

44. Climb inside a cockpit and touch a moon rock at the National Air & Space Museum.

For more information, travel tips and advice, log on to Destination DC’s official inauguration Web site, www.washington.org/inauguration.

‘tis the season to be giving, fa la la la la, la la la la.

I don’t know about you, but I always feel better when I take the time to volunteer time or donate to a good cause, not just during the holiday season, but year-round. Turns out we have some terrific women in the travel blogosphere who have taken time out of their very busy lives to help make it easier for all of us to give to a worthy cause this holiday season: Heifer International, a global organization with a mission to end world hunger.

How, you ask? With the First Annual Passports With Purpose Raffle.

Here’s the deal:

Several travel industry companies (including TravelMuse) have donated cool travel items and packages, most valued at $100 or more, for readers to lust after, from discounts and gift certificates for hotels, camera shops, and travel gear and gadgets, to complimentary tours and free nights accommodations at resorts. You can check them out on the Passports With Purpose page on Wanderlust and Lipstick.

Each prize has an ID. Write down the ones you want, then head over to the Passports With Purpose page at First Giving, which is facilitating the raffle.

For each $10 donation you make, you’ll be entered into the raffle for the prize of your choice. Please be sure to enter the prize code in the comments field on the form, and don’t hide your e-mail address as it’ll be needed to inform you if you won your prizes. (You do want more than one, don’t you?)

You can make as many donations as you want between now and 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, Dec. 29, 2008. So tell all your friends, and donate early and donate often (to paraphrase from a favored political idiom from my hometown of Chicago)!

You’ll receive a receipt for each donation, and if you work for a company that has a matching gift program, please provide that information when making your donation. Every bit helps.

All proceeds go directly to Heifer International, save for a small processing fee for First Giving. Winners will be selected Dec. 30.

Who do we have to thank for organizing this terrific event? Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom and Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View. A big thanks to you all for launching this effort.

So what are you waiting for? Travel on over to Passports With Purpose and give, give, give!

For me, hiking is a great way to stay grounded during the hectic holiday season. Plus there’s the added benefit of strapping on those shoes and hitting the trails:  working off a few extra calories and the  stress. So in the sweet-filled and time-starved days ahead, take time to breathe the fresh air on a trail near you.   

In Arizona, we are fortunate to have scores of trails, canyons, ridgelines and tree-covered pathways on which to wander. And of course, we have the granddaddy of them all: Grand Canyon National Park.

You have to see it to believe it. Up to 18 miles wide and one mile deep, this wonder of the world is aptly named. Whether you are a hiker, a climber or a photographer, there is so much to do in and around the canyon for visitors of all ages and abilities.

A rafting trip through the Grand Canyon still ranks as the all-time favorite vacation for my boys. Here are a few ideas to inspire your  trip to an American treasure:

Raft the Colorado River:  277 river miles snake through this geologic wonder. Spend a day or several weeks exploring the canyon, floating deep within its storied walls. Hike the glorious side canyons. Revel in the thrilling adventure of North America’s ultimate river trip. You’ll have tales to last a lifetime.  Discuss trip types—motorized rafts, dories, rowing—and age-appropriate departures with your outfitter. Contacts: O.A.R.S, http://www.oars.com/,  tel. 800-346-6277; Hatch River Expeditions, http://www.hatchriverexpeditions.com/, tel. 800-856-8966.

Hike the Canyon: The South and West Rim trails are mostly paved and offer a stroller-friendly opportunity to view the astounding vistas. Begin at the South Rim Visitor Center.  Offering some shade and water along the way, the Bright Angel Trail is the best place to start for great views of the inner canyon. Choose day hikes to the Three-Mile Resthouse (3 miles one way) or to Indian Garden (4.6 miles one way).

Spend the Night in the Canyon:  Reserve a camp site at the Bright Angel campground (9.3 miles one way)  or bunks at Phantom Ranch (9.8 miles one way) for an historic and unforgettable experience. Plan well in advance.  Reservations for Phantom Ranch can be made only by mail, phone or fax. Tel. 888-29-PARKS, www.GrandCanyonLodges.com/phantom-ranch. For camping, visit http://www.recreation.gov/.

Sleep on the Rim:  Inside the park, there are five lodging options on the South Rim.  Choose from El Tovar, an historic and elegant hotel, to cabin and motel type accommodations. On the North Rim—which closes after the first heavy snowfall and reopens in the Spring—the only park option is the charming Grand Canyon Lodge. Extensive lodging also exists outside the park in nearby Tesayan, the gateway village. Reserve well in advance. Contact: tel. 303-297-2757, http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/.

Ride a Mule: Try this traditional transportation style for viewing the Canyon’s panoramic vistas. Hop on for a short ride or trek to the bottom of the canyon for an overnight stay. Some weight, height and age restrictions apply. Contact: Xanterra Parks & Resorts, tel. 888-297-2757, http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/. 

For more about a visit to the Grand Canyon visit the National Park Service Web site: www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm.