Kimpton Hotels aims to help green the world, and has joined with the Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign to plant trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the world’s most endangered tropical forests. The current forest only covers 7 percent of its original area, which was once nearly 330 million acres.

Photo: mauroguanandi

Guests who stay in a Kimpton hotel can be part of the action as well. When you make your reservation, use the code “TNC,” and you’ll get 10 percent off the best available rate. Kimpton will then donate $10 (that’s 10 trees) to the Plant a Billion Trees campaign. In addition, the hotel company will donate 5 percent of the sale of Natura water bottles from its restaurants to the project as well, and Natura will add an additional donation.

The reforestation project aims to remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually by ensuring that 30 million acres of the Atlantic Forest are restored or preserved by 2015.

This project is only part of Kimpton’s commitment to social responsibility. The company’s EarthCare program, encompassing recycling to environmental projects, has been mandatory in all of its hotels since 2005. To learn more, visit kimptonhotels.com/programs/earthcare.

I’ve always dreamed of living the life of a musician: traveling all over the world, performing every night and experiencing music from other cultures. Unfortunately, I’m not the most experienced musician. However, musically disinclined folks can still appreciate how music provides a unique understanding of new cultures and destinations around the world.

The new guidebook from Museyon Guides, Music + Travel Worldwide: Touring the Globe Through Sounds and Scenes, explores 12 cities through their native music scenes and will satisfy your inner rock star. This book is unlike your run-of-the-mill travel guide—it’s a hybrid guidebook and crash course in world music. Music + Travel Worldwide will take you from Buenos Aires, where cumbia evolved, to Paris, where hip-hop and Muslim identity fuse together for an eclectic sound.

Photo: Museyon Press

The guidebook, available at bookstores and online on November 3, will include:

• Chapters on 12 music scenes from around the world

• In-depth articles written by local experts, including recording artists, music journalists and other industry insiders

• Music sidebars and travel tips, including book, movie, album and magazine recommendations  

• 246 color photos

Tell TravelMuse about some of your favorite musically inspired trips.

Fall comes to the Mid-Atlantic and southeast a littler later than the New England states, so there’s still time to check out autumn color in these warmer regions. One of the best places for leaf peeping is along the incredibly scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, the 470-mile roadway that connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Blue Ridge Parkway snakes through mountaintop wilderness that displays more than 100 species of trees, making this expanse of asphalt one of the loveliest in the country when the leaves begin to fall.

Photo: Courtesy Asheville Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

The Parkway gets an estimated 1.5 million visitors during the month of October, which typically marks the peak of the color-changing season. If you visit during the last two weeks of October and the first week of November (especially on weekends), expect serious roadway congestion. But don’t let that dissuade you. With scenery this lovely, there’s no reason to rush: Follow the guiding principle of the park: “drive awhile and stop awhile.” There are numerous roadside pullouts that offer gorgeous vantage points, and many link to trails and picnic grounds. And if you’re willing to leave your auto behind and hike a quarter of a mile or so, it is easy enough to find solitude, even on the busiest Sunday afternoon.

My family and I like to arrive early (early!) in the morning, generally before sunrise, and hit the Parkway before the worst of the traffic. In years past we’ve driven for as long as two hours after daylight before we saw another car. In addition to helping us beat the crowds, we’ve found that morning light makes for stunning photographs; this is also the best time of the day to see wildlife, including white-tail deer and black bears.

Photo: Courtesy Asheville Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

If the traffic along the Parkway slows down too much for you, consider an aerial tour. Asheville Hot Air Balloons out of Asheville, North Carolina, offers exhilarating trips year-round. Routes vary depending on air currents, but expect to see spectacular views above the mountains of the nearby Pisgah National Forest.

In addition to Singapore, which I wrote about on Friday, Chicago is another great dining destination—I’m not saying that merely because it’s my hometown. You can get not only fantastic casual (pizza, sausages), ethnic (Mexican, Thai), and traditional (steakhouse, diner) meals there, but also some of the best fine-dining in the country, from the legendary Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter’s) to the innovative Grant Achatz (Alinea).

On my recent return visit, there were three new places both friends and strangers consistently mentioned: Xoco, Terzo Piano and Nightwood.

Xoco, 449 N. Clark St. (enter on Illinois), 312-334-3688, www.xocochicago.com

Xoco is the latest establishment from one of Chicago’s most famous chefs, Rick Bayless. It opened on Sept. 8, and the lines have been out the door ever since. Bayless made a name for himself with Mexican cuisine (at restaurants Frontera Grill and Topolobampo) and continues to do so with Xoco. This time around the focus is on Mexican street food.

The Almendrado chocolate and churros at Xoco. (Credit: Donna M. Airoldi)

I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of Frontera—I’ve enjoyed better food (and prices) in other Chicago Mexican restaurants that were more authentic and didn’t come with a room full of North Side and suburban yuppies—so I wasn’t entirely looking forward to the experience. However, I was pleasantly surprise this time. My two dining companions and I were all impressed, especially with the “Bean-to-Cup Chocolate,” quite possible the best hot chocolate outside of Spain or Mexico. Be sure to get the 3-for-$3 churros—crunchy and cinnamon-coated on the outside, soft on the inside—for dipping. I also was quite taken with the homemade tortilla chips.

The tortas (served after 11 a.m.) come on traditional Mexican breads: bolillo, similar to a baguette, for those from the wood-burning oven; telera, slightly rounder and softer, for the pressed sandwiches. My conchinita pibil—wood-roasted suckling pig with achiete, black beans, pickled onion and habanero—was tender, tasty and, when dipped in the fiery accompanying sauce, tingly. The caldos (soups) sounded divine—shortrib red chile soup with braised tallgrass shortribs, red chile broth, roasted vegetables, epazote, wild arugula and lime, anyone?—but are served after 3 p.m., so we were too early to taste those. The breakfast menu, served until 10:30 a.m., tempted as well.

Xoco is the smallest and most casual of Bayless’ restaurants: no reservations accepted, and you stand in line (plan on at least an hour or longer), then place your order at the register—but not before you’re handed a card, indicating that there is a seat available for you. It’s daunting/annoying at first, but works surprisingly well, provided you don’t mind the long wait.

Average prices: Breakfast, $2 to $7.50; Tortas, $8 to $12; Caldos, $10.50 to $12.50; Salads and Sides, $3 to $8.50; Hot Chocolate, $2.50 to $3.25. Hours: Tue. to Thu., 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sat., 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sun. and Mon.

Terzo Piano, 150 E. Monroe St. (third floor of the Modern Wing, Art Institute of Chicago), 312-443-8650, www.terzopianochicago.com

The new Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago was tops on my list for new attractions to see during this visit. Lunch at its new restaurant was an added bonus.

We called for a Monday reservation, but the restaurant was booked full. No surprise since the place is overseen by chef Tony Mantuano, of Spiaggia fame, and open for dinner just one night per week (Thursdays). We tried our luck with a cancellation, showed up at noon, and were seated in the slick, modern (natch), all-white-décor dining room within 15 minutes. Not bad.

Dietzler Farm stead salad; interior at Terzo Piano. (Credit: Donna M. Airoldi)

The food wasn’t bad either. My friend and I were each in the mood for healthy greens. She tried the Mizuna salad with Miller’s organic chicken breast, avocado, cilantro, lime and ginger cashew dressing. My Dietzler Farm steak salad with arugula, orange, kalamata olives and almonds with a caper-mustard dressing was quite good—and I was thrilled with the hefty amount of meat included, which was cooked perfectly rare. I preferred the steak over the chicken (which was a tad bland), and while chock full of fresh ingredients, we both agreed that each salad suffered from a heavy-handed pour of dressing, and mine was a tad too salty. Lesson learned: ask for the dressing on the side.

The dessert selections were spot on, however—light, with just enough sugar to satisfy a sweet tooth. It was difficult to decide between the local wildflower honey panna cotta with autumn fruit compote and rosemary, and the almond financier with blueberry thyme compote and crème fraîche sorbet. We chose the latter, which came instead with cranberry compote since the kitchen was out of blueberries.

Lunch prices: Appetizers, $7 to 16; Sandwiches/Salads, $15 to $19; Pasta/Entrees, $18 to $25; Desserts, $9. Hours: Lunch, Mon. to Sun., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Antipasti and Aperitivo, Thu., 3 to 5 p.m.; Dinner (ala carte or $45 3-course prix fixe), Thu. only, 5 to 9 p.m.

Nightwood, 2119 S. Halsted St. (Pilsen neighborhood), 312-526-3385, www.nightwoodrestaurant.com

No fewer than five individuals recommended this place, open since May. And how could they not, when the owners are the husband-and-wife team (Jason Hammel and Amalea Tshilds) behind Lula Café, a fantastic restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. It has been getting raves since it opened 10 years ago (and is where, I’m told, local chefs go to eat when they’re not working in their own kitchens).

Nightwood interior. (Credit: Jason Little Photography)

The menu changes daily as all ingredients are sourced from local farms and markets, for a locavore’s dream meal. One consistency: many dishes are wood-grilled. Those that have impressed local critics in recent months: “anything with chicken liver … potato gnocchi with tomato and corn … spit-roasted pork loin accompanied by roasted apricots and topped with a delicious blend of chopped olives and crème fraîche,” suggested Phil Vettel in the Chicago Tribune. “A brioche bread pudding appetizer was homey and inspired … the woodsy scent of the cheeseburger (worth ordering for the crisp french fries alone) hints at the meat’s earthy flavor,” wrote Time Out Chicago’s Julia Kramer.

Alas, I was unable to make it to this South Side newcomer before my visit ended as I staying on the North Side and was carless. However I have no doubt the trip would have been worth the effort via public transportation, had I had the time, given how much I adore Lula (where I did manage to get in an amazing dinner last week). Readers, next time you’re in Chicago, you’ll just have to try it and let me know how it goes.

Prices: Appetizers, $7 to $10; Entrees, $13 to $26; Desserts, $2.50 to $8; Brunch entrees, $6 to $14. Hours: Dinner, Tue. to Sat., 5:30 to 11 p.m.; Sun. Brunch, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Closed Mon.

If you’re already exhausted by the prospect of another winter season with cold weather and minimal sunshine, consider a Caribbean escape to the Cayman Islands in early December for the Cayman Jazz Fest.

Photo: lyng883

The sixth annual festival, held Dec. 3 to 5, 2009, features top jazz and R&B performers in a tropical, island setting. This year’s artists are: Alicia Keys, Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Keith Sweat, Kirk Whalum and Mike Phillips. The opening event will take place at Pedro St. James, a National Historic Site of the Cayman Islands. The rest of the festival is scheduled for Camana Bay, a new town center on Grand Cayman.

Festival tickets range from $66 to $78 for individual evenings. A weekend pass is $120, and a festival pass (which covers the entire festival) is $204. Children under 12 will be admitted free of charge.

The Cayman Jazz Fest is offering travel packages starting at $649, per person (double occupancy), not including festival tickets. Packages include round-trip airfare from Miami on Cayman Airways, three nights’ accommodations at Comfort Suites Seven Mile Beach, daily breakfast, hotel tax and service charges, and round-trip airport transfers. To book, call 800-247-9900.

For more information (including festival ticket purchase), visit www.caymanislands.ky/jazzfest.

The Portland Square Hotel in New York’s bustling Times Square theater district is being transformed into the new boutique Sanctuary Hotel, set to open in fall 2010. But you can get in on the action now, and at a nearly 50 percent reduced rate.

What’s the deal? Book a stay in one of the hotel’s nine newly refurbished Sanctuary Studio rooms through its Dress Rehearsal offer for the preview rate of just $159 per night—the rooms will be priced at $309 once the new hotel debuts next year—plus receive a $50 credit toward a future stay when providing feedback on the new design (via e-mail or to a hotel executive).

I’ve been assured by a hotel spokesperson that guests shouldn’t have to worry about construction/renovation woes as the hotel owners are shutting down and working on one tower at a time, leaving the other open for guests.

When completed, the Sanctuary will offer 125 rooms, featuring plush beds with European linens, 32- to 42-inch plasma televisions, iPod docking stations, and an open bathroom (there’s a curtain for semi-privacy) with quarried marble and glass-enclosed shower with rain showerhead. Several guestrooms also will showcase the original structure of the hotel with exposed brick or metal beams across the ceiling.

Though the rooms are small in the renderings—not uncommon for hotels in older buildings in Time Square, which anyone who has stayed at the Paramount or Hudson hotels knows—they appear to be efficiently designed, and are ideal for solo travelers on business or visiting the city for fun.

The promotion is valid for stays through March 31, 2010. To book the Dress Rehearsal offer, call (212) 382-0600 or use promo code DRESS1 when booking online at www.portlandsquarehotel.com. For information about the Sanctuary Hotel, visit www.sanctuaryhotelnyc.com.

How often do you get to celebrate an anniversary with some great travel deals? Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is celebrating 10 years of Freestyle Cruising with a “Deals of the Decade” sale, where you can book a cruise for up to 82 percent off regular prices. Choose from cruises to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Europe, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera and the Caribbean.

Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL’s Freestyle Cruising allows travelers to choose from up to 13 different restaurants and dining rooms for meals. The flexibility frees travelers to be able to eat what they want on their own schedule.

A sample 7-day eastern Caribbean itinerary on the Norwegian Pearl starts (and ends) in Miami and includes stops in Samana, St. Thomas, Tortola and Great Stirrup Cay. Fares (per person, double occupancy) for an inside cabin are $299 with departure dates of Nov. 7 or 14, and a boost to an oceanview cabin on those same dates is priced at $399. Sail on Nov. 28 or Dec. 5 and those prices become $399 and $499, respectively.

Have nothing to do for Halloween? Openings are still available for a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera. The Los Angeles round-trip on the Norwegian Star includes stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Inside cabin fares (per person, double occupancy) for the Oct. 31 departure are $199, with oceanview rooms just $249.

For more information, visit www.ncl.com, or call 866-234-7350.

Did Ken Burns’ documentary series on the United States National Parks inspire you to get out into nature? Summer may be the obvious time for many to visit these national wonders, but the key word during high season is many. If you can’t stand the crowds and want to enjoy the parks with a little bit of elbow room, consider a winter visit, when park hotels make it easier on your wallet with some healthy deals.

Photo: essygie

At Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, rooms at Maswik Lodge properties are discounted up to 38 percent. The Winter Value Rate, good from Nov. 29, 2009, through March 4, 2010 (except holiday times: Dec. 19 to Jan. 2 and Feb. 12 to 14), allows you stay at Maswik South for $82 per night or Maswik North for $105 per night. Tax not included. For more information, call 888-297-2757 or visit grandcanyonlodges.com.

At Washington’s Olympic National Park, stay at the Lake Quinault Lodge or the Kalaloch Lodge, and you can even get a gift inspired by Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Prices start at $119, a discount of 15 to 30 percent (depending on location and dates). The special rate is good through April 30, 2010; use the promotion code BESTIDEA. For more information, call the Lake Quinault Lodge at 888-896-3827 (visitlakequinault.com) or the Kalaloch Lodge at 888-896-3826 (visitkalaloch.com).