Category — Culture
Autumn in Wine Country
While there is never an unpleasant season for weather in Napa Valley, fall is a particularly lovely time to visit. It is only this time of year in which those prized plants that are worshiped for their grapes also draw attention for their vibrant gold, red, and orange leaves. In addition to vineyard tours, another great way to witness the splendor of the season is on a bicycle. Smooth, winding roads roll over hills, forests, vineyards and meadows all sporting their flashiest colors right now. As an autumn cyclist you will not fall prey to the masses of tourists that are a serious summer hazard in the most popular areas of the valley. Still, if you are seeking seclusion on a bike regions such as the Pope Valley offer a wide range of leisurely to strenuous trails, all featuring privacy and peace. If you prefer your own two feet, Howell Mountain is a beautiful and challenging hike, eased by spectacular lookouts and opportunities for vineyard visits along the way.
In addition to a rich array of fall foliage hues, the bounteous farmer’s markets carry their own spread of autumnal tastes. The multitude of organic restaurants in the area also dress for the season, flavoring their sophisticated cuisine with freshness, health, and a culinary festiveness from ingredients that most certainly taste best in the season and scene of their origin. Terra, of nearby St. Helena, serves the local cuisine with a Tuscan aesthetic. Dessert and a nightcap are inevitable with the elegant Bounty Hunter wine bar just down the street. Further, a community of sophisticated lodging and spa options assures the thoroughness of your pampering.
If it is your intention to be eased into winter with gourmet meals, luxurious spas, scenic bike rides, and world class wine, there is no better destination than Napa Valley, California.
November 29, 2007 No Comments
Before it’s too windy…
Now is a great time to visit all those colder locales before they become unbearably bitter. If you’ve been thinking about visiting Chicago, taking advantage of this mild autumn before it swiftly develops into a beast of a winter (as it always seems to do too quickly) might make an experience of this great city much more pleasant. There are deals at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile for several days in late November and early December. At $109 per night, this is a difficult-to-turn-down 45% discount from the usual rates for this time of year. The hotel itself has an excellent location in the heart of Chicago’s “Mag Mile,” known for its chic nightlife, shopping, and dining, as well as several impressive architectural landmarks. Additionally, the hotel is also close to Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium, offering an educational break from the indulgence of shopping and nights out. At a 46-story height, the hotel has many beautiful views of the city to the outside and modern, luxurious accommodations on the inside. This is just one option of many for exploring the Windy City, but visiting while the current crisp fall weather is an attraction and not a force to be reckoned with something to keep in mind.
November 1, 2007 No Comments
Wild Adventure Made Doable
For many the idea of traveling around Africa seeing multiple cultural centers, wildlife and natural attractions, and partaking in spontaneous adventures has never passed the imagination phase. For such a distant, inaccessible destination the idea of coordinating multiple excursions in one trip is daunting and may even seem utterly impossible. If only all of these things could be coordinated for us! Well they have been, and affordably so. The Shongololo Good Hope Express, snaking through South Africa, provides a luxurious and exciting way to hit all the desired destinations without renegotiating lodging after each one. In addition to convenience, this setup makes the trip much more affordable as well. Seventeen days of life on the train with more than six exciting destinations, meals twice a day, and a fleet of mini-vans available daily for sightseeing excursions comes to just $2,670 per person (including tax). Among the highlights of the trip are a panoramic route through the province of Mpumalanga (also known as “Land of the Rising Sun”), views of wildlife and natural landscapes in Kruger National Park, a Kingdom of Swaziland tour, a tour of the Cango Caves, Cape Town, and a tour of the Winelands, among others. This trip is available in all parts of the year (although cheapest in March, August, and November) so your call to the wild can be returned whenever it comes. For those of us who enjoy following our spirit of adventure, as chosen from a set of safe and numerous options, this private train trip is an answer that fits within your schedule and your budget.
October 25, 2007 No Comments
Turkey during turkey month?
Turkey is a country that has a unique culture at an important point in its history, facing questions of religious and regional identity. Although it has always been an exotic, beautiful, somewhat off-the-beaten-path alluring destination, this time of sweeping change makes Turkey an even more exciting place to be right now. The timing works out well in this case, as the lovely autumn climate and many deals on flights are currently rolling in. For example, Turkish Airlines is offering roundtrip nonstop flight between New York and Istanbul for just $564, between the dates of October 26-November 1 and November 7-30. Flights to other less visited (and therefore usually more expensive) cities in Turkey are also very reasonably priced next month, such as Izmir for $689, and Antalya or Kayseri for $729. Many of these rates apply for flights leaving from Chicago as well. Additionally, the favorable exchange rate allows the affordability to continue after you step off the plane. From cultural and historical adventures such as ancient ruins to breathtaking natural wonders like Cappadocia, a trip to Turkey is an enchanting (and inexpensive) way to ease yourself into the winter.
October 25, 2007 No Comments
Best Surfing Spots in Hawaii
When most people think of Hawaii, they probably think of surfing, and justifiably so. The state is arguably home to the best surfing on the planet, and when the pounding surf is paired with beautiful white-sand beaches and a lush, green landscape, it is almost impossible to resist. Of all the islands, Oahu, Maui and Kauai offer the best surfing conditions, and inter-island travel gets easier all the time. The group is islands is one of the most isolated places on Earth, and that’s why we are going to use Oahu, Hawaii’s most accessible island, as our base.
Oahu gets three times as much airline traffic as any other Hawaiian island from the continental United States. Because of that, the island is easily Hawaii’s most cosmopolitan destination. And it is also the premier surfing spot in the entire world. Surfers are free to take advantage of over 100 miles of the greatest beachfront they will ever see. Of course, at the center of it all is Waikiki Beach, home to the famous North Shore. If you can make it here, at the Mecca of surfing, then you can make it anywhere.
But Oahu can be too cosmopolitan. If you are looking for a more peaceful surfing atmosphere, look no further than Maui. Hawaii’s second biggest island is easily the state’s most luxurious. Upscale resorts and private beaches allow you to surf without crowds or interference. The private environment allows you to focus on surfing without the distractions that can come with too many people. Maui also has an almost non-existent nightlife, meaning if you want to do more than surf and relax, Maui is not the place for you.
One place that might offer an even more solitary surfing environment than Maui is Kauai. Nicknamed the “Garden Island,” the place boasts everything from jagged mountains and waterfalls to lush, abundant flora and fauna. Not as popular as Oahu or Maui, Kauai offers the serenity that surfers seek. And there are all kinds of different beaches from which to take advantage of the surf. One example is the sun-drenched Poipu Beach, with the mountains in the background framing the seascape. There’s also Lumalai Beach, where you can ply your trade in utter seclusion. If you decide you need a break from the surf, there’s also great hiking along the Na Pali Coast.
The Hawaiian Islands are one of the true gems of this planet. For surfers, the islands are a particular paradise. We haven’t even touched on the rich, beautiful culture of the native people. There are a number of places you can go to take advantage of this unique place. But one thing is certain: whether you’re at cosmopolitan Oahu, luxurious Maui or serene Kauai, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time amid the best surfing around.
August 24, 2007 2 Comments
A Divided City Now Open to All
Berlin is one of my favorite cities. I have been there on two separate occasions, and I have fallen in love. It is such a fascinating city in so many ways, and it appeals to a sense of history, culture and curiosity.
There’s no city in the world that better epitomizes the second half of the twentieth century. Once we were walking from the Tiergaarten (the zoo) and just randomly stumbled upon a memorial for a protestor that was shot in the back by the Stasi during the Cold War. It was incredible.
There’s sense of history in Berlin that you do not feel anywhere else; walking around the city is almost like traveling back in time. We spent one afternoon going to Checkpoint Charlie, where you could cross from East Berlin to West Berlin. If you closed your eyes, you could almost see the Soviet and American tanks and soldiers facing off at each other.
While you’re in the history mood, take some time and check out the east side gallery too. It is the largest remaining portion of the wall left—more than 1.5 kilometers. The graffiti is simply gorgeous; artists have taken the ultimate symbol of exclusion and war and made it into a piece of art.
Berlin is not just about history, though. It is a really modern city in a lot of ways actually, especially compared to American cities. The architecture is either abstract or of the international school. Most of that is because the city was completely bombed during World War II, and a lot of the buildings are post-1945. But it’s not just about the architecture. The club scene is mostly techno-rave, so if you are not into that, you have to stick with the bars.
Berlin may be THE city of the twentieth century, but it’s also a great city for now. There’s so much culture and history, and when you realize first realize where you actually are and what other people have been there as well, it’s a little overwhelming. But I would definitely recommend going there and experiencing it for yourself. Make sure to grab a bratwurst and a Berliner. Appreciate the history but make sure to enjoy the present.
July 13, 2007 No Comments
Fairchild Tropical Gardens
The tropical rainforests of the Amazon and Africa are among the most beautiful natural creations in the world. Visiting these destinations, however, requires large sums of money. Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami offers a unique tropical experience with a rare collection of exotic plants on 83 acres. For a $20 dollar entrance fee, you can explore the world’s tropical plants in a single, convenient location.
On one of the many daily tours, we were provided a detailed account by our tour guide of how people around the world benefit from rainforests and the impact of destroying the rainforests in the Amazon. For instance, the 16,000 square foot conservatory is home to more than 1,900 species, just a sample from the incredible diversity of the tropics, including cycads, aroids, bromeliads and many more.
The trickling streams and quiet ponds recreate an authentic experience, without the dangers of tropics, of course, such as disease and other natural hazards.
The Fairchild Tropical Garden is located in the suburbs of Miami, allowing for quick and easy transportation. Another benefit to its location is Miami’s world class beaches, shopping centers, and other tourist attractions. Inexpensive accommodations should be easy to find among the numerous deals that are offered with each season. Fairchild Tropical Garden is an attraction that condenses various locations into one, allowing visitors to explore a world within a world.
June 27, 2007 No Comments
Exotic Massage in Israel: Snakes are the best pain-reliever!
If an exotic massage is what you are looking for, consider visiting Israel. The place renowned for its Dead Sea salts and celebrated therapeutic resorts has a new delicacy on = list, and if you take currency exchange rates into consideration, now might just be good time to go. The Israeli shekel has dropped in value in relation to the U.S. dollar in the past 2 months. So by choosing Israel as your travel destination, you could also benefit from better exchange rates. There are many things to see in Israel – be it the grandiose Bahai Gardens in Haifa, therapeutic spas in the Dead Sea area or gorgeous Eilat’s Red Sea beaches in the south. But if bizarre peculiarities are what give flavor to your travels, you shouldn’t miss the communal village of Talmey El’Azar in Northern Israel. It is here where you can receive a quite bizarre yet reportedly re-energizing snake massage. Although not unambiguously stress-relieving, clients of the therapist Ada Barak, who performs this unconventional treatment, claim the massage to be an effective way to soothe aching muscles and stiff joints. Barak makes use of California and Florida king snakes, corn snakes and milk snakes. For about 70 bucks (300 shekels), you can have six of the non-venomous reptiles slither your pain away. With six lively serpents hissing into their ears, not many people mange to enjoy the exotic massage fear-free. But with the success rate paralleled to that of Dead Sea salts and exotic oils, the treatment is becoming a popular exotic massage among locals and tourists. What might remind of a modern version of some ancient torture practice might soon be added to Israel’s most successful treatment methods and show up at a day spa near you one day.
June 27, 2007 No Comments
Love on the Road
Traveling is a good chance for couples to find out whether seeing the world brings them closer, or leads them to book the next flight home, alone. Most of the time, travel makes it easier to identify and confront incompatibilities that might take years to surface at home. After vacation, couples get a chance to make a better decision regarding their relationship. Should they stay together or split? Are they soul mates, or just best mates.
Most couples often dream that two weeks in the sun on a Turkish beach will resolve all the problems, but they rarely do. They often say that they went on vacation because they wanted to find themselves. But the real questions couples should ask are: “Why are we going? What are we really getting away from? Is it work, or is it between us?” Some people aren’t always honest about this.
According to some experts, people should ask what their expectations of this trip are. What are they hoping for? How do they cope when things go wrong? They are the same expectations that one should go into a marriage. Often, all the problem things you left behind you are still there when you get back.
There’s a sense in which a trip around the world can act as a proxy form of relationship therapy, catalyzing the negative dynamics of a relationship into resolution. Some discover their partners to be different people when removed from their native context; others find it is they who have changed. The emotional terrain of a relationship can alter with every border crossed, like meeting the other’s parents or moving in together. Traveling has become another stringent test in the process of finding a partner.
More than anything traveling puts couples in a situation where they find out the substance of the relationship. Many people realize that they haven’t got what they want, and split up.
February 21, 2007 No Comments
Best Place to Lose Your Wallet
Accidents happen, but knowing our chances of seeing missing items returned has always been useful. Readers Digest magazine conducted a global experiment of sorts to investigate what would happen to our wallets if dropped in different areas of the globe.
What did they do? Readers Digest editors “accidentally” dropped over 1100 wallets filled with approximately 50$ in local currency, along with contact numbers and family pictures in big cities and small towns around the U.S, in Asia, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Latin America.
The wallets were left in telephone booths, in front of office buildings, car parks, restaurants, and even houses of worship.
Malaysia a 20 yr old fruit seller in Kajang, had the wallet returned to the owner.
Chiang Mai, Thailand a mother with two children in tow hastily stuffed the wallet into her baggy pants.
London, UK at the entrance to Fulham Palace, once the residence of the Bishops of London, a woman had her son jump out of the car and snatch the wallet off the street.
Few wallets dropped in Italy were returned, in Lausanne, Switzerland only two wallets were returned (one by an Albanian restaurant owner). In the Hague, of the wallets that were never seen again, one had been dropped before the international court of justice.
In Norway and Denmark every single wallet was returned.
The best place to lose your wallet in the U.S. was Seattle, Washington with a return rate totaling 9 out of 10.
In Canada, Toronto turned out to be the least honest location in the survey.
Reader’s Digest described their study as a real-life test of integrity, rather than a rigorous scientific study. They observed that often people who looked like they could use the money felt compelled to return it, while affluent people did not.
February 12, 2007 1 Comment
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