Final TravelMusings’ Book Giveaway: 500 Places for Food & Wine Lovers
Posted by Donna M. Airoldi Jun 26, 2009At least half the fun of travel is to enjoy the food and wine (and spirits) of places around the world. The folks at Frommer’s understand this too.
For our last book giveaway on TravelMusings, we’re offering three copies of Frommer’s newly released 500 Places for Food & Wine Lovers, (Wiley) by Holly Hughes, she of 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up (Wiley, 2009, second edition) and 500 Places to See Before They Disappear (Wiley, 2008) fame.
The nearly 500-page guide is divided into eight chapters, some of which at first glance seem to overlap (Food Vacations, On the Road in America), but the Good Spirits, Caffeine Buzz and Just Desserts chapters are nicely differentiated.
Recommendations include places you would expect in a culinary book, including some of my favorites (Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal; O. Fournier in Mendoza, Argentina; Manresa in Los Gatos, Calif.), as well as a few finds I somehow managed to miss over the years that are on my now-updated, must-visit food list: the newly rebuilt Bowen’s Island Restaurant in Charleston, S.C.; Schwa in Chicago. I was also happy to see the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School in Thailand—where I took my first cooking class 10 years ago—included in the Food Vacations chapter.
So what do you have to do to be one of three lucky readers to win your own copy? Leave a comment, naming your favorite food, wine or spirit find—be it in your hometown or one you discovered on the other side of the world—and why it has left a memorable impression on you.
To be eligible, comments must be made by Thursday, July 2, at noon Pacific Daylight Time. Additional rules and regulations are below.
Happy eating and drinking!
Rules
The TravelMusings 500 Places for Food & Wine Lovers book giveaway runs June 26, 2009 to July 2, 2009, 11:59 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). By submitting an entry, each contestant agrees to the rules of the contest as stated below.
• Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Employees, vendors and partners of TravelMuse and their immediate families are not eligible to win.
• Submit one comment that describes a favorite place for food, wine or spirits and why you recommend it.
• Prizes include three copies of 500 Places for Food & Wine Lovers (Wiley, 2009)
• The three winners will be selected at random in a drawing to take place on July 2, 2009.
• The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. TravelMuse reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. Decisions of TravelMuse will be final.
• No substitutions, including for cash, are permitted, except that TravelMuse reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize.
• The winner will be responsible for paying any taxes that they owe on the prize.
• Winners must claim their prize within seven (7) business days after the notification of the win, or the prize will be considered forfeited and an alternate winner will be awarded.
If you have any questions please contact: editorial at travelmuse dot com.
I’m currently in the fourth week of my travel and journalism adventures in Berlin, and I must say that I’m already beginning to feel like a true Berliner—it seems as though I’ve lived here for much longer. Aside from getting to know the fellow students in my journalism internship program, shopping for my weekly meals at the local grocery store and experiencing Berlin’s exciting nightlife scene, one of my most memorable moments to date was taking a free Sandemans New Europe tour of some of Berlin’s major attractions.
Founded by Chris Sandeman in 2004, Sandemans is a city tour company based out of Berlin that offers free (tip-based) daily walking tours of 11 major European cities including Amsterdam, Hamburg, Munich, and Madrid in addition to Berlin. The tours, which are mainly offered in English and Spanish, last around three and a half hours and lead you past sites of historical significance within the city you are visiting.
The free tour of Berlin started at the Brandenburg Gate with a lively storytelling session of the early history of Berlin. Our guide continued to reveal interesting facts throughout the tour—the city was built on a swamp (Berlin means “swamp city” in Slavic), hence its light, looming stench.
Photo of the Brandenburg Gate: forki23
Smells and all, I got to see many of Berlin’s major attractions in a reasonable time frame, including Babel Platz (the famous site of the 1933 Nazi book burnings), Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island and Gendarmenmarkt, which houses a French and German Cathedral. At one point, our tour guide led the group to an unpaved parking lot which houses the remnants of Hitler’s former bunker. Aside from a small plaque signifying the location, you wouldn’t think the area is anything more than an empty parking lot.
I found the Holocaust Memorial most impressive. Officially called Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Holocaust Memorial was designed by Peter Eisenman and consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights covering approximately 4.7 acres. The memorial, which was completed in 2005, doesn’t include any sort of description of what the solid concrete blocks symbolize—our guide explained that Eisenman left it open for interpretation. For me, walking through the memorial was like weaving through a maze of massive gravestones, each signifying the life, pain and story of a Holocaust victim.
Photo of the Holocaust Memorial: Andrea Pyka
Despite becoming familiar with the city’s history, transportation system, culture and quirky student traditions (instead of clapping, students in Germany knock on their table multiple times), I can’t claim that I’m a Berlin expert. I still have so much to see and do, including trying a döner kebab, a popular Turkish dish of vegetables and slices of lamb meat covered in yogurt dressing all stuffed into a pita bread. But that will be for a future post.
Ever been to Las Vegas? Step into the massive Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., and you might find yourself asking, “Which way to the casino?” With 2,881 guest rooms, this hotel is grand— you could indeed get lost in there, just like the huge hotels in Vegas.
Don’t spend too much time looking for that casino, however. The hotel is the largest non-gaming facility in the continental United States, and wonderfully family friendly.
The last time my family visited Nashville to visit relatives, we had merely poked our heads into the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. This time, though, we decided to get a room, er, suite. We had a great corner room that opened up to a living room and kitchenette, with a sleeper sofa and extra cot for my two boys. What can I say? We like our sleep and my kids snore.
Pool Perks for Everyone
When we travel as a family we like to spend ample time at the pool. Gaylord Opryland has three pools, which were a huge hit with the kids.
The centrally located Magnolia outdoor pool area is surrounded by a gorgeous fountain and small waterfall with a brook winding toward the pool and a wading pool. There’s a bar and outdoor eating area located poolside, ensuring that the little ones and grown ups always have something to munch on.
The Relache indoor pool is adjacent to the full-service Relache Spa. It’s a beautiful pool that has a designated lap lane—which help to keep frolicking kids well separated from adults working out. On the deck you’ll find plush, padded chaise lounges throughout—perfect for cat naps. A large, heated whirlpool and outdoor sunning area are just outside the pool area.
Enjoying the Relache Indoor Pool - Creative Commons - Kevin Fliess 2009
Hints of Disneyland
With the hotel’s four-story waterfall, a boat ride through the property’s interior moat, more than 10,000 tropical plants in the atrium and fountains, we thought it was the Disneyland of the Bible Belt. Well, almost. But, we never felt the need to leave (though I think my parents may have been miffed if we didn’t visit them).
A morning stroll by the Cascades waterfall - Creative Commons - Kevin Fliess 2009
Walking through the Cascades section of the hotel, I was transported to Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Some walkways and footbridges tricked me into thinking I was inside Vegas’ New York New York Hotel and Casino; there was a hint of Paris, with Opryland’s lofty glass ceiling adorned with lights mimicking the night sky. Great restaurants and shops on property made it worth every penny for the suite. Despite the lack of slot machines, we’d hit the jackpot!
Kevin & Sue Fliess
Eco-tourists may be interested in a new earth-friendly program offered at the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. Experience Balinese farming culture during your stay at the luxury resort, which offers a farm program to introduce guests to Bali’s important agricultural culture.
Rice paddies in Bali. Photo: Clav
The one-day program begins with a guided trek along jungle paths and among the terraced rice fields of the Ayung River valley. Participants will witness farmers at work and learn about the complicated paddy field irrigation system, subak. Later, guests can get some hands-on farming experience by planting rice seeds. After a day’s work, relax and cleanse with a traditional Balinese stone bathing ritual called batukali. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments are included.
Program cost is US$168 per person plus 21 percent tax and service charge. Tel. 62-361-977-577. www.fourseasons.com
Many enjoy the fine flavor of delicious beer on a warm summer’s afternoon, but few understand how the brew came to be. Now, you can learn. With Samuel Adams’ “Hopfenpflücken Adventure” (Hopfenpflücken means ‘Hop picking’ in German) through the Abercrombie & Kent luxury travel company. Visit some of Germany’s top breweries (with samples of the product, of course), the hop fields where the key ingredient to Samuel Adams beer is grown and more, non-beer related stops like the BMW Museum, medieval Regensburg and the Zugspitze for a great view of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Hops! Photo: Abercrombie & Kent
You’ll dine at one of Munich’s best-known biergartens, Augustiner Keller; visit the Schlenkerla Brewery Tavern in Bamburg to sample smoked beer; tour the world’s oldest brewery, Weinhenstephan Brewery. If you love beer, you’ll love this trip.
The trip is July 31 to Aug. 6, 2009 and costs $2,979 based on double occupancy, $3,784 for solo travelers. Airfare not included. Abercrombie & Kent says if someone tried to organize and book this tour on their own, the price would be closer to $5,400. Visit www.abercrombiekent.com or call 630-725-3400 for more information.
(For more “beer travel” info, read about brew tours in our current Texas Hill Country Breweries article.)
Great Room Deal in Chicago for Cops, Nurses, Teachers and Military Professionals
Posted by A.E. Smith Jun 18, 2009
Chicago Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Do you know a teacher, nurse, police officer or soldier who could use a vacation? As worthy as these professions are, their value is rarely reflected in a salary that puts a stay at a fancy urban hotel within reach. But from now through Sept. 12, 2009, the Chicago Sheraton Hotel & Towers is recognizing the service of these “Everyday Heroes” with a special nightly room rate starting at $129 (up to 30 percent less than the regular rate) and half-off food and beverage purchases. For those traveling with family or friends, a second room will run just $99 per night. That should leave enough in the budget for an extra deep-dish pizza.
I can think of a certain former community organizer who would agree that Chicago is a great destination, even for those with limited resources. For a real insider’s guide to the Windy City, check out this list of President Obama’s favorite haunts in his home city.
If your Fourth of July plans have consisted of backyard barbecues and the same tired fireworks displays, then maybe 2009 should be the year you celebrate your independence with a side of swank instead of a side of baked beans. Check out these travel deals throughout the country and treat yourself to a Fourth of July worth celebrating.
Photo: Palms Place Hotel and Spa
Boston Pops Spectacular
The Deal: 4th of July Dress Rehearsal Package at The Liberty Boston.
Details: Package includes overnight accommodations in a guestroom, breakfast for two at CLINK. and two tickets to the July 3 dress rehearsal (everything but the fireworks) to the Boston Pops Fourth of July Spectacular. The Liberty Boston is the official sponsor of Boston’s 2009 Fourth of July festivities. It’s conveniently located close to the Esplanade: the center of all of the weekend’s activities. Some of the Liberty’s guestrooms even offer magnificent views of the Charles River.
Cost: Package starts at $445 per room, per night; two night minimum stay.
To Book: Call 866-507-5245 or go to www.libertyhotel.com.
Family Fun in Upstate New York
The Deal: Fourth of July weekend package for the family at The Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Details: The Otesaga turns 100 this year and is offering a Fourth of July weekend package that everyone will appreciate. The package includes breakfast and dinner daily, as well as an abundance of activities that include: manager’s cocktail reception, fireworks over Lake Otsego, cooking demos and cocktail tastings, patriotic lawn games, family bingo, ghost stories on the lake dock, watermelon-eating contest, a fishing derby and much more. Kids activities include: a clown, magic shows and balloon-making classes. A Fourth of July parade is also featured in the nearby town of Springfield.
Cost: Package starts at $465 per night, per room (double occupancy). Children 5 to 11 are an additional $60 a night each and children 12 to 18 are an additional $75 a night each. In honor of The Otesaga’s 100 birthday celebration, if you are able to stay three nights, you save $100.
To Book: Call 212-206-6700 or go to www.otesaga.com.
Jay-Z Concert Package in Vegas
The Deal: Fourth of July Jay-Z Concert Package at Palms Place Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas.
Details: Receive one night in a Palms Place Studio Suite, two tickets to the Jay-Z concert with special guest Ciara and a VIP Nightlife pass, which grants access to Ghostbar and the Playboy Club. Package available on July 3 and 4.
Cost: Package starts at $475 and is subject to availability.
To Book: Call 702-932-7777 or go to www.palmsplace.com.
Fireworks on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The Deal: Fourth of July weekend special at The Churchill Hotel.
Details: Package includes two to-go meals for two, two bottled waters for each day you stay, two all day metro passes and an upgraded guest room if available at check-in. The Churchill Hotel is located right in the middle of all of Washington, D.C.’s Fourth of July activities, including: the Independence Day Parade, the National Archives where you can see the Declaration of Independence, the Capital Fourth Concert on the steps of the Capitol and fireworks on the National Mall.
Cost: Package starts at $209 per room, per night.
To Book: Call 800-424-2464 or go to www.thechurchillhotel.com
Ah … summer. It’s finally here! And it’s time to get outside and play—just so long as we tread lightly on Ma Earth. If you’re into golf—and eco-travel—this package from Chicago-area Hotel Arista will help you get your game on and be kind to the planet, too.
Guests can choose an inclusive package that offers a game at one golf course (of three) with one night’s accommodation, or stay two nights and play at all three courses. Features include a stay for two guests in a deluxe room and breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant, SugarToad.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Arista
The Courses and Green Hotel
The three golf courses are Cantigny Golf, comprised of three nine-hole courses amidst hills and lakes; Prairie Landing Golf Club, a five-star championship 18-hole course; and Seven Bridges, with two nine-hole greens, featuring heavily wooded and watery courses.
Hotel Arista, located 45 minutes west of Chicago in Naperville, is slated to achieve the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The luxury hotel uses 30 percent less water, 21 percent less energy and uses natural lighting and green cleaning products. (Read more about Top Green Hotels</b>.].)
Golf package rates start at $309 per night based on double occupancy. 2139 CityGate Lane, Naperville. Tel. 888-504-0088. www.hotelarista.com
For those of us who still miss bringing a bottle of homemade liquid courage (iced tea, of course!) with us on flights, help may be on the way. Trials of a new liquid scanner begin this month at Newcastle Airport in Britain, according to the London Times, and if the device proves successful, liquid bans may begin to be lifted as soon as next year in airports that have installed the new technology.
The scanner, which was created by British researchers from the firm Kromek, uses X-rays to detect the “spectral signature” of various liquids and is designed to distinguish innocuous draughts from explosive ones in about 20 seconds. It can even be configured to detect dissolved narcotics.
Photo: Kromek
Some design benefits that distinguish the new scanner from other recent airport security initiatives—it’s small enough to fit on a desktop, noninvasive and requires “minimal operator training.” This is good news for all of us inadvertent drink smugglers who have lost property since the liquid bans went into place in 2006—the Times article notes that two tons of alcohol are confiscated each month in security lines at Heathrow alone. One case study notes a recent security alert at the Newcastle airport over a serving of pease pudding.
Starting June 17, Southwest Airlines will begin to allow pets to fly with their owners on vacation. If your small dog or cat fits in a hard-sided carrier that can be stowed under the seat in front of you, then you win! Think of how much more fun you’ll have with your buddy along for the ride!
Alas, if your pal is larger than snack size, Southwest can’t help you out. No pets are allowed in the cargo section of its airplanes. Not like we want to fly in cargo, but sheesh, big dogs want to go on vacation too. It’s just not fair!
Fees for pets will be $75 each way, and no more than five carriers per flight will be accepted, however Southwest may reduce that number during the evaluation period, so be sure to check with the airline when making your reservation. Currently, pet reservations cannot be made online; you need to call 800-435-9792 to reserve one of the limited spaces. Each person can have only one carrier, however if your pets are teeny, you can squeeze up to two of the same species per carrier—as long as they’re not smooshed.
For more information about the program, as well as seat dimension measurements (so you can make sure your carrier will fit), visit www.southwest.com.
The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe’s shoreline is 72 miles around—which can make for some difficulty in covering everything on your vacation. For those folks who aren’t guidebook-inclined and want to cut to the chase, why not try a self-guided tour that covers places to see, history and legend, as well as some great entertainment?
Photo: talbotimages.com
Around Tahoe, by Darin Talbot (Darin Talbot Entertainment, 2009), is a tour CD with more than two hours of content. With a map, 19 stories and legends, 20 songs about the lake and the Tahoe lifestyle, eight tracks highlighting “cool spots” and GPS coordinates for each spot of interest—you can take your time around Lake Tahoe without thumbing through a book.
At only $17.98, it’s also affordable and can be a great gift for friends planning a trip to Tahoe.
Read the TravelMuse review of Around Tahoe.
Apple released an updated version of its iPhone this week that includes some nice features for travelers. The iPhone 3GS (that’s S for Speed) boasts a 3-megapixel camera (up from the 2-megapixel one in the 3G), video recording and a digital compass (because who has a compass on hand when they really need it?).
New iPhone makes it easy to figure out which side is the west side.
The upgraded operating system should also offer improved support for the 50,000 existing applications that can be downloaded for use on the iPhone—and open the floodgates to a slew of new ones. Travel-related apps continue to be among the most popular categories at the iTunes app store (see some past lists of top travel apps from The Middle Seat Terminal and Jaunted), especially among users looking to slim down on the number of gadgets they carry. Here are a few of the latest worth checking out:
GPS heavyweight TomTom announced it will release a turn-by-turn navigation application for the iPhone (cost TBA). When paired with an also soon-to-be released TomTom car dock, the application will do away with the need for a separate GPS unit.
Car-sharing service Zipcar will be releasing an app (cost TBA) that lets users find nearby Zipcars and reserve them when they need a vehicle. The app will also let you locate which Zipcar is yours by sending a remote signal that honks the car’s horn.
iFly Pro ($6.99) combines a flight status and tracker service with a detailed airport guide that lets you look at dining, ground transportation, ATM and Wi-Fi options during your layovers, as well as save flight information or find out your baggage carousel number.
Headed to Walt Disney World? Mouse Memo ($0.99) lets you keep track of what quickly can become a complicated vacation itinerary. Search for on-property restaurants by cuisine or price and keep track of reservations, tour departures, tee times and any other outings.
AAA Discounts (free) uses the iPhone’s GPS mapping tool to locate nearby businesses that offer deals to AAA members.
Medical emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, but iMedJet (free) gives you instant access to step-by-step first aid instructions or important personal medical information. Medjet Assist members can store membership information and emergency contacts.
Send a real postcard to the folks back home from your iPhone using the HazelMail iPhone application (free). Take a picture with your iPhone’s camera, add a message and delivery address, and a HazelMail representative will print it on postcard stock, stamp and mail it to the recipient. Postcards cost $1.50 each (payable by credit card or PayPal) or you can pre-purchase a dozen postcards for $12.
Royal Oak Foundation Membership: Access Historic Sites Across the United Kingdom
Posted by Andrew Weiss Jun 11, 2009Everything starts somewhere. Before the Beatles were the Beatles, they were just some kids in Liverpool, strumming songs in the McCartney family house (the noise probably bothering the neighbors); before he fathered modern physics, Isaac Newton surely spent hours at Woolsthorpe Manor contemplating they mysteries of motion and gravity; before George Washington was born, his ancestors resided at Washington Old Hall, from whence his family would take its surname. Everything starts somewhere, and afterward these starting points are certainly nice to visit.
Woolsthorpe Manor Photo: NTPL Tessa Musgrave
If you’re thinking of visiting the United Kingdom and exploring these historic spots, become a Royal Oak Foundation member ($55 for an individual, $80 for a couple and $90 for a family) for free admission to these sites and all other National Trust properties. The Royal Oak Foundation, established in 1973, is the United States affiliate of The National Trust of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which preserves important natural and historical places in the United Kingdom. And they preserve a lot: 272 historic houses, 60 villages, two lighthouses, 17 dovecotes, 39 pubs, 32 National Nature Reserves, 40,000 archeological sites, 468 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 633 miles of coastland and hundreds of thousands of acres of countryside.
For suitably historic accommodation during your stay, consider one of Jonathan Lerner’s “[Top 10 English Country Manor Hotels|http://www.travelmuse.com/articles/general-features/english-country-cottages-and-hotels].”
For more information on the Royal Oak Foundation and National Trust properties and programs, visit www.royal-oak.org.
Have Beard, Will Travel—Hemingway Look-a-Likes Can Win Trip to Spain This Week
Posted by A.E. Smith Jun 10, 2009
Photo: Kingdom of Navarre
If you sport a bushy white beard, have a penchant for turtlenecks or khaki safari garb, and feel at home in dive bars or around large, unpredictable animals, you may have a shot at a free trip to Spain for the first International Ernest Hemingway Look-alike and Impersonators Contest. Anyone with a physical resemblance to the writer can enter by submitting two recent photos (half- and full-body) or a short video by noon on Monday, June 15 (that’s noon in Spain, or 6 a.m. for folks on the East Coast of the United States). If selected, participants will be invited to Pamplona, July 2 to 10 (with all travel and lodging costs gratis) to vie against other Hemingway impersonators for the grand prize of $2,000 and a return trip for two to Navarre’s Hemingway Route. The contest is being held to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Nobel Prize-winning author’s last trip to the region, a setting used in some of his best-known works.
If Spain seems as distant a destination as the snows of Kilimanjaro, domestic Papa doppelgangers can head to Key West, which will host its annual Hemingway Days July 21 to 25. Here, in addition to book readings and a deep-sea marlin fishing tournament, the competitive Papa look-alike contest at Sloppy Joe’s bar involves arm-wrestling and a mock bull-run through the streets.
It seems a shame that Hemingway has such a lock on the literary look-alike market, when there are so many other writers (with beards and without) who have notable connections to great vacation destinations. Here is a short list of some other impersonator competitions I would like to see arranged:
A long beard and a dour look will get you into the Herman Melville look-alike contest, to be held aboard a whale-watching boat leaving from Nantucket.
Break out your bonnet and pelisse and head to Hampshire, England for a Jane Austen look-alike competition. Bonus points for those who bring zombie-slaying gear a la Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Winners will have a lead role in a double-wedding ceremony.
A button-down shirt, spectacles and knapsack slung over one shoulder are all you’ll need to enter the Rick Steves look-alike showdown, to take place in a sleeper car somewhere between Italy and France. Grand prize is a lifetime Eurail Pass.
Any other literary figures you’d like to see in the flesh? Let us hear it in the comments.
Summer makes me think of two things: beaches and camping. There is nothing quite like sitting around a campfire on a warm summer night under the stars to make you appreciate the simple pleasures that life has to offer—especially when you’re enjoying them in a national park. However, those pesky little fees tend to add up quickly and become more of a nuisance than the mosquitoes that buzz outside your tent as you try to sleep.
In an effort to make your summer camping trip more affordable, national parks are offering fee-free weekends at more than 100 parks that usually charge entrance fees. Mark your calendars for June 20 to 21; July 18 to 19; and Aug. 15 to 16. While the fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation, it doesn’t include camping, tours, concessions, reservations or fees collected by third parties. Don’t let that get you down though, because many national park concessioners will be offering their own special deals on these fee-free weekends such as $5 vouchers good for retail, recreational activities, tours and food.
Photo: the_tahoe_guy
Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Zion are some of the highlights on this incredible list of national parks offering fee-free weekends. If you’re unable to pack up your tent and hiking boots in time—don’t worry—many national parks don’t charge an entrance fee! Visit www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks for additional information.
Check out our list of 10 National Park Treasures.
Last Thursday, June 4, marked the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square democracy demonstrations and resulting crackdown in Beijing. Only Hong Kong had any sort of allowed organized memorial of the event]. Below is a guest post from a writer (who asked to remain anonymous) currently living in China who visited Tiananmen last week. They would have posted this to their blog, but was denied access.
National Amnesia Day and the Umbrella Brigade
June 4, 2009
I had plenty to do today, and there were plenty of journalists chronicling what was going on at Tiananmen Square, but there was no way I was going to not see today for myself, so I went to the square this afternoon. I sat at the bottom of a flagpole writing the below notes and noticed a man “reading” over my shoulder. I invited him to sit next to me so he could see better, but he just grunted.
I doubt he could read English—he was there to intimidate, not to investigate. I couldn’t resist asking him, “Are you here for sightseeing or work today?” He laughed, stepped away and proceeded to mean mug me while walking a semicircle 10 feet away from where I was sitting. He had the best mean face I have ever seen. They should send Samuel L. Jackson here to study with him.
Anyway, here is what I saw:
I was asked to show my passport on entering the square. My bags were searched—and notebook flipped through—when I reentered the square after crossing Chang’an Avenue to the Forbidden City. The bag checks are routine, but I usually walk right past them. That was not happening today. The passport checks are definitely not routine.
It was eerily quiet. This is not normal, anywhere in China. There were very few women or families—actually, there were very few people. period, aside from plainclothes cops. I usually hear a lot of “Hello” and “Laowai” directed at me at a tourist spot and usually get asked to take photos with people, but not today. While lots of people know little about what happened today, they generally do know it is a sensitive date and maybe a better day to visit the Temple of Heaven or the Summer Palace.
Plainclothes policemen seemed to make up about 80 or 90 percent of the crowd. By the time I got there at about 1 p.m., they had tired of any pretense of having come on anything other than official business. They had all been equipped with a fashion accessory that doubled as a tool of the trade—an umbrella. It’s pretty common for Chinese women to carry umbrellas on a sunny day (to keep their skin as white as possible), but not so common for the men.
These weren’t just any umbrellas—lots of the guys had plaid golf umbrellas with wooden handles, of the type rarely seen on the streets of any Chinese city I have visited. They are impractical to carry around the city all day, and cost more than twice the price of the pocket-sized aluminum ones. But they are great for blocking a camera’s line of sight. The men strolled along, often in pairs, scanning the scene.
When I tried to take a photo of a mild confrontation between a young Chinese man and a policeman, a member of the umbrella brigade swooped in to block the photo. By now you may have seen the umbrellas at work in that video of a CNN report from the square. That was a dramatic flare-up of the subtle shielding that was going on all day. Since I am obnoxious, I tried to buy umbrellas from two separate lurkers. One laughed at me and the other walked away.
The water and snack vendors were given the day off. My cynical mind is thinking that was a tactic to encourage the thirsty and unprepared to move along instead of sticking around. The security men all had access to water at guard stations and buses parked around the square.
The history of the day notwithstanding, the plainclothes cops were hilarious. They looked so conspicuous with their huge umbrellas, and the fact that they were walking in pairs made the scene look like some kind of lovers’ lane for gay Beijing. The highlight of the day for me was when two columns of them came marching along behind a phalanx of uniformed security guards, carrying their umbrellas like rifles. Plainclothes, yes. Undercover, no.
By the way, for anyone interested in the censorship angle, here is a supposed spreadsheet of sites that have been harmonized (censored) in China. I don’t know exactly who is maintaining it, but the link comes from Rebecca MacKinnon at Global Voices Online.
It’s not too late to find great travel deals for Dad. From hotel packages to spa vacations, celebrate Father’s Day with a memorable getaway.
Father’s Day Spa Specials
The detox day spa in Los Angeles is offering Father’s Day specials on three massage treatments designed just for men that are named after leading men of the silver screen. Dads can choose from The McQueen ($100; a $10 savings), The Brando ($150; a $15 savings) or The Grant ($225; a $30 savings) massages, which range from 50 to 130 minutes. Available through June 30, 2009; cannot be combined with other discounts. To book, call 323-665-3869 or go to www.detoxdayspa.com.
Lunch With Dad in Laguna Beach
Spa Montage Laguna Beach is offering a June special for fathers and sons or fathers and daughters. Enjoy $45 lunch credit at the hotel restaurant Mosaic Bar & Grille, at the oceanfront Montage Laguna Beach when you book two 60-minute massages during June. Sixty-minute massages start at $225 per person. Special cannot be combined with any other deals. Taxes, gratuities and alcohol are not included. This special is available Mon. to Thurs. throughout the month of June. To reserve, call 949-715-6010 or go to www.montagelaguna.com.
Tides Inn Dad’s Weekend
Enjoy a peaceful Father’s Day weekend in the river town of Irvington, Va., at Tides Inn near the Chesapeake Bay where Dads can choose activities ranging from golfing to sailing. The package includes deluxe accommodations, a welcome reception of s’mores and an outdoor movie, a nine-hole game of golf with a PGA pro, a putting tournament and a full breakfast in the Chesapeake Club on Sunday. Rates start at $299 per night based on double occupancy and are only good June 19 to 21, 2009. To reserve, call 800-843-3746 or go to www.tidesinn.com.
The Driftwood Lounge in Hotel deLuxe. Photo: www.graciesdining.com
Pamper Pop in Portland
Two Portland hotels are offering Father’s Day packages. The Hotel deLuxe's “Pampering Pops” package features a six-pack gift of local microbrews, a one-hour in-room massage, a map of local breweries to tour, a $25 food/beverage credit at the hotel’s Driftwood Lounge or Gracie’s Restaurant, overnight accommodations and unlimited in-and-out valet parking. Rates start at $189 for double occupancy. Available until June 30, 2009. To reserve, call 503-219-2094 or go to www.hoteldeluxe.com.
The Hotel Lucia offers the “Dad’s Day Out” package, featuring a six-pack of craft beer and snack on arrival, complimentary valet parking and $50 gift certificate to the Buffalo Wild Wings which offers countless big-screen TVs and the hottest wings in town. Package starts at $229 per night based on double occupancy and is good through June 30, 2009. To reserve, call 503-225-1717 or go to www.hotellucia.com.
Gay Pride NYC Photo: CarbonNYC
This June will mark 40 years since the Stonewall riots that launched the modern gay movement, and though recent decisions in California have disappointed many, there is still much to celebrate during Pride Month 2009, whether you identify as LGBT or just support your fellow human beings. The travel industry, for one, is showing its tremendous friendliness to the gay community and their wallets with a whole pile of deals. Here are a handful of great ways to take that pride out on the road.
New York City: Get back to where it all began. NYC&Co’s Rainbow Pilgrimage site has tons of info on touring the Big Apple’s LGBT historical sites, attractions and events during Pride Month, as well as deals with the Ritz-Carlton, Gotham Walking Tours, Allure Day Spa and more.
Iowa: Who needs San Francisco? Head to Des Moines to celebrate the state’s legalization of gay marriage and take part in what is sure to be an exciting PrideFest June 12 to 19. You’ll get a special group rate of $79 per night if you book at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown and request the Capital City Pride block.
Toronto: Pride Toronto has wedding, leather, golf, budget and party packages that combine hotel stays with various services, tickets deals, free transit passes, coupons and a cocktail reception for those heading to the city’s Pride Week, June 19 to 28.
Seattle: Book a Deluxe City View room during the last week of June at the luxe Hotel 100 and get free entry to The Cuff Complex, overnight valet parking and 15 percent off spa treatments. Rates start at $389, and you’ll need to book by telephone: 877-315-1088
Kimpton Hotels is hosting a Summer of Pride offer, which means if you book two weekend nights at any of the chain’s locations though Sept. 27, you’ll get a third night free, plus a $50 dining credit.
Ahh, summer. A teacher’s favorite time of year, my father, the high school history instructor, used to say. As the weather heats up and the school year winds down, many parents may be starting to feel that little icicle of fear in their guts that reminds them they will be spending the next few months living full-time with their teenagers. But fret not. Here are a few travel deals geared to keep teens, if not happy, at least occupied. Who knows? Someday they may even thank you for it…
Get a local’s guide to Berlin: It may be the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, but that’s ancient history to teens. Instead, kids over 14 who staying at Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Rome in Berlin this summer can get an insider’s look at the city’s current cultural scene by being paired with seniors from the John F. Kennedy international school who will show them the best of the city’s trendy clubs, street art, bike paths and more. Activities may include a DJ or graffiti lesson—important skills to bring back for the next school year.
PBteen Cabana at Loews Miami Beach
Chill out in Miami Beach: Teens staying at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel this summer can get away from their parents in the newly converted PBteen Cabana, which features comfy lounge chairs, weekly Wii competitions, a smoothie menu and a no-adults policy. Or they can head over to the PBTeen Game Lounge for air hockey, ping pong, big-screen movies and more.
Learn Leadership Skills in the Great Outdoors: Jackson, Wyoming-based Wilderness Ventures arranges group adventure travel for teens that combines volunteering, service and leadership skills with hiking, mountain biking, rafting or other activities in the spectacular natural settings of the national parks. Upcoming trips this summer will tour Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Teton and Olympic National Parks.
Friday Faves: The Shower From Hades, Paris for Families and Happiness
Posted by Amy Hatch Jun 5, 2009
Summer Savings: Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers No Hidden Fees Offer
Posted by Andrew Weiss Jun 4, 2009Chicago and Illinois politics are known for, shall we say, hidden fees. The United States Senate seat vacated by the president? It’s yours. For a fee. We just won’t tell anyone about it.
Like aspiring senators, travelers often face unseen fees upon checking out of their hotel. Fortunately, visitors to Chicago don’t have to put up with these charges with the No Hidden Fees offer from the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers and AAA Travel. The package rate includes the features most used by guests—high-speed Internet access, unlimited domestic calls, valet parking and access to the fitness center—for one upfront price (though you’ll still have to deal with any and all taxes at the end of your stay) and savings of at least $75 per day. Rates start at $119 per night for travel now through Sept. 2, 2009 on select dates, booked by June 30, 2009.
Photo: Sheraton Chicago
The hotel is located downtown on the Chicago River, within walking distance of popular destinations like Navy Pier, Michigan Avenue shopping and Millennium Park.
To book the package, visit www.sheraton.com or call 800-233-4100 and mention “Autohot.”
If you’re anything like me, you’re burned-out from working lengthy hours just to make ends meet. A vacation is a notion that seems to float farther away as your bank account continues to dwindle—but how are you supposed to continue to fight the recession when you haven’t had a chance to decompress?
Through the end of 2009, Occidental Hotels & Resorts is offering temptingly low deals at six of its all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. Rates start as low as $46 per person per night, and some of the resorts offer free nights and options where kids can stay free. Take a summer vacation with the family, escape for a spur-of-the-moment long weekend in the fall or beat the winter blues—just make sure you book by June 15, 2009.
Photo: Occidental Hotels & Resorts
Here are three of the best deals:
Allegro Nuevo Vallerta. Every second night is free (through Dec. 20), and kids 12 years and younger stay free through Dec. 19. Rates start at $46 per person per night. Call 800-858-2258 or visit www.occidentalhotels.com/allegro/NuevoVallarta.
Occidental Grand Cozumel. Rates start at $78 per person per night. Every second night is free through June 30. Every third night is free from July 1 to Dec. 20. Every fourth night is free for guests booking Royal Club accommodations through Dec. 18. Call 800-858-2258 or visit www.occidentalhotels.com/allegro/Cozumel.
Royal Hideaway Playacar. At this adult-only all-inclusive resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, every fourth night is free, with rates starting at $225 per person per night. Available for travel through Dec. 24. Call 800-999-9182 or visit www.royalhideaway.com.
Like everyone, I’ve got a fist clamped around my spending habits, but when the economy tanks, it’s not just my travel budget and scotch collection that gets hurt. Nonprofits are facing a triple threat with their donations and investments sharply down just as demand for their services has peaked, and even though I know how worthy the work is, I’m having a hard time giving money to any nonprofitable thing that isn’t me (Don’t you dare call me, Ira Glass!).
That’s why I really liked the idea behind GoodShop.com, a new online coupon service that claims it will help me save money on things I buy and at the same time donate to charity, all from the comfort of my kitchen table. But would it live up to that lofty promise? I had some travel to book and some gear to buy over the weekend, so I decided to give it a whirl.
It’s a pretty simple process, adding one additional step to my usual shopping routine. I headed to the GoodShop.com homepage, selected a nonprofit from the thousands in the database (you can even support your local school or cause, by applying to add it to the list before shopping), typed my vendor into the search function, and clicked the link to take me to its page. Unlike other charitable shopping sites I’ve seen, you make your purchases through the vendor’s own website, not GoodShop’s, which means you still have access to their inventory and discounts and can still use your own rewards cards or accounts.
When you access the vendor site through GoodShop’s link, your purchase is tracked, and the vendor pays a commission of that total to GoodShop, which then applies it to your selected charity. It all sounds a bit Big Brother, but hey, if my shopping habits are being tracked anyway (and they are) that info might as well be used for something I care about instead of just to target more advertising my way.
The best part is that certain vendors will list coupon codes on their GoodShop page below the link, which you can apply to your purchases. By GoodShop-ing Travelocity, for example, I could have saved $100 off a package to Central Europe, in addition to the 1 percent of my airfare purchase that would go toward the nonprofit I selected. A full 4 percent of my Backcountry.com bill was donated, and I got free shipping to boot. I found myself shopping among vendors to find the ones offering the biggest percentage donation as well as the best coupons. So despite feeling penny poorer at the end of these exchanges, I feel a little richer in virtue.
There are lots of familiar names in GoodShop’s travel section: Expedia, Delta, Fairmont, Magellan’s, Avis for starters. If you, like some people I could mention, are addicted to Ex Officio’s underwear and won’t go anywhere in anything else, you can donate 7.5 percent of the cost of your next pair to some doogooders. But GoodShop.com is not just for travel-related purchases—almost every biggish company I could think of that I shop from online was somewhere in its database, and quite a few that were new to me. What is this Amazon.com, for instance?
Summer Savings: Fort Lauderdale Discounts for Travelers and Residents
Posted by Andrew Weiss Jun 2, 2009In a sad twist, as vacation destinations vie for the attention of tourists from across the globe with special promotions and discounts, locals are all but forgotten. Sure, maybe they live in an area with 23 miles of beaches, thousands of restaurants and shops, and a perpetually pleasant climate. But, shouldn’t they get rewarded for making somewhere like Fort Lauderdale a place others want to visit? The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau thinks they should (and visitors, of course, should get a little something too).
Photo: Fort Lauderdale CVB
The “Pack Your Bags, We’re Staying Home” promotion provides special hotel deals exclusively for Florida residents. A number of Fort Lauderdale and other area hotels, ranging from luxury resorts to small lodgings, have a variety of discounts on offer, from a free night’s stay to a 20 percent discount to free upgrades. For a long list of participating hotels and resorts, the deals and dates, visit www.sunny.org.
For visitors, the Summer of Discovery program, from June 1 to Sept. 30, 2009, provides 2-for-1 admission and discounts to an array of activities. Snorkel trips, waterfront cruises and visits to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Fishing Hall of Fame are just a few of the possibilities. Check out www.sunny.org for more choices.
If either of these promotions is of interest, but you’re just not sure what type of vacation you seek, take the “Beach Personality Quiz” to find out more (not just about Fort Lauderdale, but about yourself). Maybe you’ll surprise yourself. Or not.
I’m an awful trip-packer. I get caught up daydreaming about the destination until suddenly, it’s the day before my flight and I end up throwing everything I think I might need—or not enough—into my bag. This time, I’m making a packing list.
In one week, I’m flying to Guatemala to meet up with a couple of college girlfriends for a two-week backpacking trip. We won’t be schlepping through jungles and mountains for two solid weeks, but we do plan on exploring primarily by foot and hostel hopping. For that reason, I need to pack wisely and as lightly as possible—so that I have room to bring back handmade Mayan crafts, of course!
It occurred to me that others planning a light-backpacking trip to Central America (or to any mid-latitude developing nation) might benefit from a general packing list. I’ll give it a shot. And if any of you have suggestions on what I’m forgetting, please share your experiences and ideas.
Things to Consider
First, think about what the destination will be like once you’re there. Some important questions to ask:
What will the weather be like? Rainy season or dry?
Will you be hiking every day or traveling by bus from town to town?
Are there any infectious diseases that are possible threats? How should you protect yourself?
Will you have access to clean drinking water?
My List
Gear: Lightweight backpacking pack (REI Women’s Flash 65), Cocoon mummy liner (in lieu of sleeping bag and great for hostels), mini flashlight, small camera, water bottle, Sawyer Inline Water Filter, small journal and pen/pencil, umbrella (June is the rainy season in Guatemala), sunglasses.
Clothing: shorts (2), Capri pants (1), dress (1), skirts (2), socks (5 pair), tank tops (3), t-shirt (2), long-sleeved shirt (1), light fleece (1), rain jacket (1), waterproof Vasque hiking shoes (1), Chaco sandals (1), undies (enough for a week-ish) and swimsuit (1).
Health kit in a sealed plastic bag: sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, mosquito repellant, cholorquine prescription (Malaria is a potential threat in Guatemala), half-dozen Band-Aids, small tube of antibacterial ointment, travel toothbrush, small all-purpose soap (Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One is the shizzle), small squirt tube of hand sanitizer (for gnarly hostel bathrooms), wet wipes (always handy).
Looks like a lot, huh? Let’s see:
And packed up:
With room to spare! (I used an Eagle Creek clothing compartment and a stuff sack to help organize and create more space.) Now, I’m pretty much set. Oh wait! I almost forgot: PASSPORT.
Am I missing something? Let me know what else I should consider taking along (or taking off my list).
A road trip to Branson, Mo., will likely bring the joys of counting cows along the interstate, consuming pounds of beef jerky, and the inevitable heated argument and subsequent time out. Despite these fun activities, and the entertainment that awaits in the “Live Music Show Capital of the World!” the cost of getting there can put a damper on your vacation. The Branson/Lake Area Chamber of Commerce/CVB wants to make sure it doesn’t keep you away.
Photo credit: Branson/Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
Between June 1 and Sept. 30, 2009, “Gas Buster” cards will be given to anyone with a valid drivers’ license and at least $40 in gas receipts obtained within 48 hours of arriving at the Chamber’s Welcome Center. To help take the sting out of any fuel expenses, the discount card is good for a total of $50 off everything from tickets to live shows and attractions, mementos from retail shops and meals at local restaurants. Additionally, every card holder is automatically entered to win the grand prize 4-day/3-night vacation for four to Branson, to be awarded on Sept. 30, 2009.
So, if Branson’s your kind of town, the drive is worth it.
For more information, visit www.explorebranson.com or call 800-214-3661.
Planning a Branson vacation? Read our Branson guide and articles:
Not Your Grandfather’s Branson
Branson’s Family-Friendly Shows
Branson’s Titanic Museum: A Time-Travel Surprise
Have you ever gotten excited about a travel “perk,” only to realize later that it isn’t all that? Here are a few we’ve come up with at TravelMuse that bug us:
Photo: Eustaquio Santimano
Swim-up bars. It may sound nice to luxuriate in a swimming pool and not have to get out and drip at the bar just to order a drink. But when you look at the people sitting at the swim-up bars and see how long they stay there (hours) while drinking, you just have to wonder: How do they not need to use the bathroom?
First class on domestic flights. We all appreciate the larger seats, free beverages and silverware, but first-class seats and service on domestic routes are never quite as special as those on international ones. Sure, it’s probably about the money you spend. Isn’t everything?
Airline clubs. Some are better (Continental—free alcoholic beverages) than others (American—no free booze), and sitting in a cushy seat while you’re waiting for your flight certainly is better than the waiting areas at the gate. Usually, when we spend money on a membership, we expect a little more than a nice seat and free Wi-Fi, like free (or inexpensive) drinks and more than nuts to chew on. Don’t you?
Wireless Internet in hotels. Why is it that it often seems cheaper hotels offer free Wi-Fi and more expensive ones charge you a fee? Shouldn’t that be covered in the rate you’re paying already? And if you’re paying a fee, shouldn’t the Wi-Fi work?
Complimentary breakfasts. Yum! We always appreciate eating, especially when a hotel throws it in for free. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but a soggy croissant and warm orange juice isn’t worth advertising as “complimentary breakfast.” And is it really necessary to tack on that tacky supplement for lukewarm eggs and meat with your “free” meal?
What are your travel non-perks? Leave a comment and share.
