You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April, 2008.
A quick tip for people interested in learning how to capture great travel shots. Check out Scott Kelby’s article Shooting Travel Like a Pro at Graphics.com.
Between May 31 and June 1, 2008, L.A. Mart® Design Center will open its doors to the public and offer up to 70% below wholesale as part of their year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. Since this special furniture sample sale coincides with the Avenues of Art & Design in West Hollywood, it’s a perfect time for design aficionados to visit L.A.
Visitors arriving on Saturday morning have the opportunity to get insider shopping tips from designer Christopher Gaona of Christopher Gaona, Inc, a Santa Monica based design firm. Gaona will be available in the redesigned Main Lobby to offer shoppers advice on how to navigate the sale like a professional designer.
“Be open to the unexpected,” says Gaona, regarding the design process. ”As long as color and scale work, don’t be afraid to mix very different elements that can create a synergy that neither element would possess on its own. Who says you can’t have a Louis XV commode paired with a modern glass dining table and simple white slip-covered chairs in a dining room? As long as the scale and colors work, don’t be afraid.”
Savvy shoppers can find excellent savings on a wide variety of high-quality furniture, lighting, and art and home accessories. “We are excited to open up the L.A. Mart Design Center to consumers throughout the region for this home shopping event. We offer exceptional deals from the biggest names in high-style furniture and home furnishings,” said Michael Kessler, L.A. Mart Design Center vice president and general manager. “The combination of shopping our showrooms plus the exhibitors on our new 2nd Floor Exhibit Hall will make this a shop-till-you-drop event!”
Brands available at the sale include Barclay Butera Home, Century Furniture, Lane Venture and Tommy Bahama.
For more information about L.A. Mart Design Center’s shopping event, visit, www.lamartdesign.com
ABOUT L.A. MART® & L.A. MART® DESIGN CENTERTM
L.A. Mart/L.A. Mart Design Center is home to more than 250 residential, decorative accessory and gift showrooms serving the interior design and retail industries. Located in the heart of the Furniture & Decorative Arts District at 1933 S. Broadway, at the corner of Broadway and Washington Boulevard, L.A. Mart Design Center features the finest names in furniture, home décor, fabric, floor and wall coverings, fine art, antiques, lighting and lifestyle merchandise.
There’s more to Bilbao than the Guggenheim Museum. In this week’s guest post, Anil Shamdasani explores the suburban barrio San Ignazio.
TEXT Anil Shamdasani PHOTO Anna Moreno
I am not one of those people who will miss out on anything that a city has to offer purely on the basis of it being ‘too touristy’. There’s a reason that the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower and Empire State Building are so popular - we have been surrounded with images of them throughout our lives and seeing them in the flesh does not disappoint. I also think, however, that there is a lot to be said for exploring the suburbs of a city to discover more about how its inhabitants live. After all, I’ve lived in London nearly all of my life and I have yet to meet anyone who lives on Leicester Square.
San Ignazio, in Bilbao, is in many ways a typical barrio of any Basque town. Four- and five-story apartment blocks surround a square lined with a seemingly unsustainable number of bars, interspersed with a butchers, hairdressers, fishmongers, bakers, and so on. A fountain in the centre of the square appears set to come on at random times each day, and early every Saturday evening a band takes to the bandstand and belts out some oldies while grandmothers dance with their grandchildren and the parents stand to the side gossiping.
The younger residents might need to head into the city centre for the livelier nightlife, but a Saturday night always begins with una vuelta of the local bars before jumping on the metro into town, and Sunday morning is a time to reconvene in the same bars to swap stories of the previous night over a coffee. If Sani are playing at home, a crowd heads over to the football pitch to abuse the opposition, the referee and, more often, their hungover friends on the home team before making their way home for lunch with the family.
Taking pride of place in the square is the frontón court, ubiquitous in the Basque Country, although it is used more often by children playing with rackets and a tennis ball than with their hands and the traditional rock-hard pelota. It was in a bar across the square from the court that I first heard the excited shouting and cheers. A brief stroll revealed what all of the excitement was about - two boys were slowly pacing round in the centre of the court, clearly about to fight. A crowd was fast gathering on the steps along the side of the court that doubled as a viewing gallery, and you didn’t have to understand a word of Spanish to recognise the universal playground chant of “Fight! Fight!”
Sadly, the two protagonists showed no signs of giving the crowd what it wanted and continued circling cautiously, despite the efforts of a few spectators who ran onto the court to push the kids towards each other. By this stage, the average age of the crowd had increased significantly as all of the fathers in the barrio wandered over, under orders from their wives to put a stop to the tomfoolery but, instead, getting caught up in the excitement.
Suddenly the crowd did have something to cheer, as the smaller of the two boys tried some sort of kung fu leg sweep. Unfortunately it failed to connect with, let alone topple his larger opponent, who in any case was starting to show a reluctance to fight. He didn’t need to worry, as eventually a few of San Ignazio’s female senior citizens decided to take matters into their own hands. With a mixture of scolding and clips round the ear, they dispersed the crowd and sent the two gladiators home.
There are no fancy new bridges spanning the river as it flows past San Ignazio, no new works by famous sculptors in the square. The majority of the residents I spoke to had never set foot inside the Guggenheim, and the only ‘Guggenheim effect’ they had noticed was soaring property prices which means that the thirtysomethings who had always planned to move out of their parents’ apartments into their own in the area, as their parents had done before them, find themselves unable to do so. As far as they are concerned, the museum and regeneration along the river is aimed squarely at ‘los ricos y guiris’ (‘the rich and foreigners’); they were happy with their home town being seen as the ugly sister to neighbouring San Sebastian. Affectionately referred to by locals as el botxo, Bilbao is a ‘hole’ no longer, but at what cost to its close-knit communities?
About the writer: Anil is the editor of http://www.beatenpaths.net
Are you an aspiring writer or photographer? Do yourself a favour and check out the recently launched website of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia. Until June 30, 2008, writers and photographers can win various prices by submitting their travel stories, photography and videos. Luckily, the contest is open to people all over the world and there is no geographical restrictions.
Three top submissions, one for story, one for photography, and one for video, will be selected each month. The story and photography entry may be published in an upcoming issue of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia. Also, the editors of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia will award a price to their favourite entry among the three finalists.
For further information, visit http://yourtravelandleisure.com
More about Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia:
November 20, 2007, American Express Publishing Corporation president and CEO Ed Kelly announced the sixth international edition of the world’s leading travel magazine, Travel+Leisure in Southeast Asia. Published by Bangkok-based Media Transasia, the magazine debuted in December 2007 and is distributed in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Macau, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos.
”A burgeoning market is emerging in Southeast Asia with smart and sophisticated consumers who want an editorial product about up-and-coming luxury travel destinations,” said Kelly. “We are pleased to provide Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia to guide this passionate group through their future travel experiences.”
Apart from Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia that joined Travel+Leisure South Asia, American Express Publishing expanded with 20 foreign editions including Travel+Leisure China, Travel+Leisure Australia, Travel+Leisure Mexico, Travel+Leisure Turkey, Departures Japan, Departures Russia, several editions of Departures Europe, and Food & Wine China.
Anyone who has ever found themselves trying to read at night, without disturbing people around them, will want to check out the world’s first integrated LED book light in a book cover. The new patented Periscope book light in a book cover debuted at Barnes & Noble earlier this month, making life easier for all late night readers, campers, and red-eye business travelers.
Suitable for both paperbacks and hardcover books, the Periscope book light in a book cover puts the light where you want it and lets you read without trouble in all low-light reading environments. The practical book cover protects the reader’s privacy and provides you with a LED book light and a built-in bookmark in a single lightweight unit.
After testing the Periscope book light in a book cover for hours, I’d say it’s very neat and easy to use. Simply insert the front and rear covers of your book into the cover pockets. Grip the gray ridged sides of the light reflector and pull straight up to extend the arm and automatically turn on the light. Pivot the arm towards you and tilt the reflector in towards the book about 45 degrees. Because the light is completely adjustable, you can put the light exactly where you want if for ultimate reading comfort. Both Periscope models also come with inside pockets to hold tickets or any other important travel documents.
When you’re finished, turn off the light by straightening the reflector, lift the arm and press it straight down so it locks into its stored position. Thanks to Periscope’s three AA batteries that deliver more than 40 hours of non-stop light, you don’t need to worry about plugs or cords.
The Periscope book light in a book cover comes with a retail price of only $39.95. A mini travel AC adapter is available for $14.95. Visit your nearest Barnes & Noble or www.periscopelight.com for more information about Periscope products.
Today, Blissful Travel has the pleasure of hearing from Hotwire’s travel expert Clem Bason who gives invaluable tips on saving money and how to find the best travel deals. Whether you need a last-minute hotel room for New Orleans Jazz Fest (April 25-27), a cheap airline ticket or a good car rental deal, Hotwire.com is the site to visit.
E.J. For someone who is unfamiliar with Hotwire, how can they find the best deal on your site?
C.B: In order to answer this question, I thought it would be helpful to give a brief overview into what Hotwire is and how Hotwire works.
Hotwire.com is a discount travel site that delivers prices that consumers can’t find on any other website. Hotwire is able to do this due to their unsold inventory business model. With the economy taking a turn for the worse and no one knowing how it’s going to play out, consumers are holding back on their discretionary spend more than ever before. And, while hotels, car rental companies and airliners don’t want to overreact and would rather not disrupt their regular rate structure, the fact is, travel is down and rooms are sitting empty right now. When hotels, car rental companies and airliners have unsold inventory, they use Hotwire to fill it.
Hotwire benefits consumers:
Hotwire believes that consumers deserve to travel, and they deserve to get the best price. The site saw an opening in the marketplace where it could provide consumers with deep discounts without relying on bidding, hassles or games. Here’s how:
- By partnering with hotels, airlines and car rental agencies, Hotwire can offer the consumer unsold inventory at prices you can’t find on other travel sites
- Examples: Hotwire consistently delivers 4 star hotels at 2 star prices; the site uses name suppliers; Hotwire has instilled star rating system for hotels that is accurate and accountable; the site is so confident in its low price deals that if you find a hotel for a lower rate on the internet, it will double the difference between the two prices guaranteed; Hotwire also has an active customer care group that is available 24 hours a day to help travelers.
Hotwire also benefits suppliers:
- Hotwire allows suppliers to sell their inventory without disrupting their pricing models.
- Excess inventory is an inherent part of the travel business. However, unlike physical inventory like a sweater, suppliers have more urgency to sell their excess. Planes have to take off and hotel room nights are fixed in time. Hotwire takes advantage of that urgency and pass the saving on to the consumer.
- However, these discounts don’t mean suffering: Hotwire works with the same top travel brands (same rooms, same seats, same cars), but we offer deals you can’t find on other travel sites-in some cases discounts up to 50%.
- We focus on the discounts and make it easier for you to find and book deals.
- Major airlines, top tier hotels and car rental companies are comfortable giving us great deals because you don’t see their brand before you buy.
Hotwire has very strong deals:
Hotwire has very strong inventory in hotels and cars.
- Hotwire offers discounts on hotels up to 50% off of retail fares
- Hotwire’s cars start at 13.95 a day -and there are no hidden fees
One can also find deep discounts on airfare:
- Hotwire offers special deals on airline tickets that allow consumers to save up to 35% off retail fares. There are no booking fees on Hotwire.
Hotwire also offers tools that can help consumers find deals and save money:
TripStarter
The Hotwire® TripStarterTM planning tool is an online resource to offer historical air and hotel pricing data, helping travelers decide when and where to go on vacation and providing information on weather, local events and attractions for domestic and international destinations.
TripStarter shows:
- The best times of the year to save on travel
o Seasonal pricing trends for the past two years
o Tips on how to get the lowest airfares and hotel rates
- How to make the most of your getaway
o Listings of local festivities, fairs and other fun events
o Photos, maps, points of interest listings and more
Airfare Savings Hub
- The Airfare Savings Hub takes the leg work out of the hunt for the lowest price by proactively recommending alternate routes and dates for those travelers willing to be flexible with their plans to save even more money. These recommendations will appear along with the lowest available price for their exact flight request*:
- Suggests nearby alternate airports for both departure and arrivals if cheaper tickets are available.
- For instance, the airfare savings hub has found savings for travelers flying into West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami and Carlsbad instead of San Diego.
- Suggests that travelers adjust their travel by one or two days if savings are available.
- With ASH, customers can also look for the lowest fare for their route within 30 days. Hotwire’s Flexible Date Search will find the lowest fare for a specific destination within a 30 day period.
- Suggests nearby alternate airports for both departure and arrivals if cheaper tickets are available.
Deal engine: When a hotel changes or cuts their price - Hotwire has an embedded engine that compares it to the previous week and everyone in the market and alerts the consumer to this.
TravelTicker: A bi-weekly travel newsletter that promotes insider travel deals, limited-time offers and small hotel vacancies. This is for the price aware and flexible traveler. TravelTicker offers relevant, hard to find vacation deals no-one knows about
Last minute flight deals - picking deals starting yesterday that span through to Monday or Tuesday
Double the difference price guarantee: If a consumer finds a lower price on the internet, Hotwire will pay the consumer double the difference
So our advice to price savvy travelers looking for a great deal is to shop! You will find that Hotwire’s consistently delivers.
E.J: What are your best money saving tips?
C.B: Here are tips we like to tell consumers who are looking to save money:
- Be flexible - sometimes just shifting your trip start and end dates by one day will save you huge amounts of money
- Look for alternative airports - often big cities have more than one airport - and those airports may have much better deals than the ‘big guy’
- Take advantage of shoulder seasons - check out when the most popular times of year are to visit your particular destination - when you travel during peak times, prices skyrocket. Most consumers don’t know that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is one of the least expensive times to travel
- Take a drive trip - with the price of gas mounting, you will be well served renting a car and taking that drive trip you always wanted.
- Use planning tools - check out Tripstarter and airfare savings hub.
Editor’s note: This was definitely interesting. I hope you can make use of these moneysaving tips during your next vacation. Happy travels!
Have you ever been disappointed by a hotel room that didn’t live up to your expectations? Or found it difficult knowing which hotel to pick, because of lack of visuals and sufficient information? Thanks to nearly 5000 videos at the new travel site TVtrip.com, travelers can see their hotel before they book.
“The great reaction to our site has helped lead to our phenomenal growth in Europe and now in the U.S. and Asia,” said Founder and Chief Executive officer Marc Ruff after TVtrip’s expansion last year. “When other hotels see how travelers respond to our videos and to our web site, they want to become part of TVtrip.com and we are happy to have them.”
Launched in May 2007, TVtrip.com is the first website to enable hotel searches using online videos. The leading videoguide covers hotels in more than 100 worldwide destinations: New York, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, London, Paris, Venice, Barcelona, the list goes on. No need to worry about whether you chose the right hotel because TVtrip provides you with unbiased professionally shot videos, hotel descriptions and informative guest reviews.
For more information, visit www.tvtrip.com
Behind the Scenes of All-Girl Getaways with Stephanie Oswald
Today, April 24th at 9pm, the brand new show All-Girl Getaways premieres on Fine Living TV Networks. Hosted by travel expert Stephanie Oswald, the show follows a different group of women each week as they plan their ultimate getaway and celebrate well-deserved time away.
We get to see co-workers, friends and family members participate in fun activities like surfing, ice-skating, and skiing on the slopes of Lake Tahoe.
This is a terrific show for busy working women who want inspiration to prepare a fun trip with their girlfriends. Not to be missed.
The Bright Lights of NYC on All-Girl Getaways
Visit the All-Girl Getaways website for more info.
Hoover Dam © Jim Epler
Barron’s Books recently published 1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die, a visitor’s guide that appeals to dedicated history buffs as well as the general traveler. Packed with detailed information and more than 800 brilliant photos, the book takes its readers to prehistoric and ancient sites, battlefields, buildings and monuments, and homes of famous artists like Mozart, Shakespeare and Cézanne.
One of my personal favourites, the Hoover Dam, can be seen in the Griswold’s Vegas Vacation from ‘97. Other historic sites include the Lescaux Cave Paintings in France, the Pyramids in Egypt, Pearl Harbor Memorial on Hawaii, the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, and many more.
To read sample chapters from the Hoover Dam, Eiffel Tower, Sistine Chapel, and Taj Mahal, visit 1001 Historic Sites (a look inside).
1001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die includes a preface by UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura and is edited by Richard Cavendish who is a regular contributor for the British Magazine History Today.
Along the Great Ocean Road
Tourism Australia and its STO partners have developed Touring Routes Australia, a clever guide detailing 17 of the best driving routes around the country. The copyright free guide includes The Great Ocean Road, Savanna Way, The Tasmanian Circle and other routes where you will experience stunning landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and delicious local food and wine. My favourite, the all-time classic Pacific Coast Touring Route: Sydney to Cairns, stretches more than 2,700 km and gives you the best of Australia’s eastern coastline.
To download a copy, click here.
If you love coffee-table books and can’t get enough of reading about traveling, Lonely Planet’s The Cities Book from 2006 including their 200 favourite cities will make your day. Another book worth checking out is The Travel Book. When living in London about two years ago, I went to Waterstone’s across the street and couldn’t help but notice this huge book near the entrance. It was The Travel Book. I think I spent almost an hour reading the profiles of each country and admiring the striking photography.
Also, don’t miss SAS Crew Guide. Scandinavian Airline’s cabin crew and pilots give great tips on hotels, restaurants, shopping and sights around the world.
Of all the new blog posts I’ve come across lately, The 10 Best Rollercoasters on Earth at Travel Around The World is one of the best. So far I’ve only been to Millennium Force, but if I got the chance I would definitely want to ride all of them.
Also found the site Travel Library where you can find direct contact details for hotels and vacation rentals around the world. Very convenient.
If you’re into photography, check out Expeditions West Photography, Photoeclectia — Photographs for the Soul and Photographysites.com, a thematic photography directory.
I also like Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments which is “… a twice yearly online journal searching for that interface-the integration- among the built and natural environments, that might be called the soul of place.”
Last, don’t miss Don’t Judge me cause I’m always and never the same… written by a guy living in Singapore. I love the design on this blog.
TEXT & PHOTO: Matthew Kepnes
I play a lot of poker. Too much actually but that’s another story. It was while at the Amsterdam casino I met Greg. Greg was really friendly and offered to show me around Amsterdam. I was a little disarmed by his exuberance and friendliness, because here was this guy who’s been losing money to me, now offering to take me out and show me the city. You always hear stories about locals ripping off travellers and so, with a lot of his Euros in front of me, I graciously declined. A few days later though, I saw him again and we talked. He ran a poker club and told me I could come by any time. By this time, I found out he was on the level and supposedly a great guy. Sadly, I was leaving for Spain the next day. “I thought you were here for awhile?” he said. “I was. I was here for a week. That’s a long time in this city!” I replied. “I wish I could stay longer but I have a flight booked. I’ll be back sometime though.” In two weeks, I was back. In Spain I felt the lure of the city call me, so I boarded a flight and went back.
Greg and I became good friends during my stay in Amsterdam. It was because of him that I met many locals and had a “Dutch experience” in Amsterdam. Yet before I left, I couldn’t reach him to say goodbye so I told another friend to tell Greg good bye and that I’d be back to win some of my money back from him.
Sadly, I wouldn’t get that chance. A few weeks after I left, three men entered Greg’s poker club and, as they robbed his house, shot him. I only knew Greg for a little over a month but in that time he changed my impressions of people. His friendliness and welcoming attitude was disarming. On the road, you put your guard up to avoid bad situations yet at the same time want to be open and interact with the locals. It is a constant struggle to find the right balance. Greg showed me that there was no reason to always be on your guard - that sometimes people are just being friendly.
Greg epitomized the idea that travel is about whom you meet and not where you meet them. I could have met him in any city in any country and he still would have treated me like he had known me for years. I’ve travelled to places I feel in love with despite of the people, people who made me fall in love despite of the place, and travellers who just made a bad place a little more enjoyable. When you meet others who fill your day with excitement and joy, nothing about the place really matters.
That was Greg. Greg was the local we all hope to meet. The one who has the key to the city’s door and is willing to open it and expose its secrets. I’m not sure where Greg is but wherever he went; I know he left an impression on many people. He left one on me. His goodness shines on and it won’t be the same without him.
So Greg, wherever you are, this is my goodbye and this is my thank you.
Because it’s people like Greg, that make this nomad travel the world.
About the writer: Nomadic Matt is an avid traveler who is gearing up for another round the world adventure. You can find his blog, photos, and other travel tips at http://www.nomadicmatt.com
Stockholm - One of the cleanest cities in the world.
Recently I’ve been surfing the net for new content and found a couple of blog posts and sites worth a visit. One of them, Go Budget Travel’s Cleanest vs. Most Polluted Cities in the World reveals, not surprisingly, that Calgary, Honolulu and Helsinki are the world’s cleanest cities. The following seven include Ottawa, Minneapolis, Oslo, and my previous living locations Stockholm and Zurich.
The most polluted cities were all found in the developing world. In the Chinese city Linfen, according to the author, “…over 3 million people can’t even put their laundry out to dry as it will be covered in coal and soot from abysmal air pollution…”
Recently, the world’s foremost luxury real estate website and the leading online marketplace for elite vacation rentals announced their partnership. Luxury Real Estate and The Society of Leisure Enthusiasts will offer homes for rent to vacationers who seek the best in luxury travel. Whether your dream home is a hip beach house or a quiet mountain retreat, this first-of-its-kind online community helps you find the ultimate choice.
Luxury Real Estate network currently represents 1,641 of the world’s finest real-estate companies in 65 countries (representing luxury properties in more than 100 countries). Each member is carefully selected by CEO/Publisher John Brian Losh based on the company’s established reputation for performance, experience with high-end properties and quality service.
“In the past, Luxury Real Estate has never partnered with a vacation rental organization because we hadn’t found a group that could consistently offer the same caliber of elite properties and experience our members and their private clients expected,” said Losh. “But The Society’s thorough screening process and high standards gives us the confidence to enter into this exclusive partnership.”
The Society selects vacation rental properties with a similarly discerning process of review based on the recommendations of a board of industry experts who ensure all properties meets the standards of genuine luxury vacation rental.
According to the Wealth Survey of the Luxury Institute, there was a 43 percent increase in participating in social networks by affluent Americans in 2007. As luxury travel is on the rise, Losh sees it as the perfect time for Luxury Real Estate and The Society to team up and create an online community for luxury travel.
“Visitors to luxuryrealestate.com know they will find the world’s most exclusive properties,” said Michael McFadden, co-founder of The Society. “Partnering with a trusted site like Luxury Real Estate furthers The Society’s commitment to being the symbol of luxury.”
Unlike other online vacation search sites, The Society ensures that each vacation rental home meets quality standards established by experts in the luxury real estate industry. And since members and guests of The Society all have access to The Society-rated concierge information including the nearest ski resorts or popular restaurants, you won’t have any difficulty in finding your perfect vacation spot.
Neal’s Yard, a cosy courtyard near Covent Garden, shouldn’t be missed during a London visit - whether it’s your first or tenth time in the British capital. The easiest way to get there is from Monmouth Street near Covent Garden tube station. You can also step off at Tottenham Court Road, or Leicester Square, and take an extra five minutes walk. Once there, order a lunch at one of the eateries and enjoy the hopefully sunny weather.
In Veggie & Organic London, the author Russel Rose describes the World Food Café (at 14 Neal’s Yard) with “Regrettably, eating here is not great value for money overall, but then it is a great tourist vantage point.” I agree, the food is a tad too expensive. The main reason to go there is the location. Instead, opt for Neal’s Yard Salad Bar and pick one of their tasty vegetarian salads, an exotic fruit drink, and sit down under the parasols outside. A perfect spot during warm spring days.
TEXT & PHOTO: Brian Marovich
South Europe is a favorite spot among travelers. We are drawn to it’s sun, lifestyle, food, charm…the list is long. But one of the most overlooked southern European destinations, is also one of the best. Portugal is not just the place left of Spain on the map, it is a unique country worth exploring. Some of the characteristics which make Portugal an obvious place to visit, are good weather, enchanting cities, and extreme natural beauty. The most popular destinations are the capital city of Lisbon, and south Portugal’s Algarve region.
Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. Built on seven hills, Lisbon offers many spots to relax and overlook the city. Saint Jorge’s castle sits atop of the biggest hill, and the view down toward the river and the Alfama neighborhood is spectacular. The Alfama below is an interesting section of narrow, colorful streets, and a perfect spot to just walk around and get lost. The quietness and the slow pace of Lisbon makes it an ideal place to wonder around without an itinerary. Travelers can discover the infinite number of charming little streets and alleys, parks and vistas. The Tagus River which runs through the city, dumping out into the Atlantic, is another great place to walk along and relax in one of Europe’s sunniest capitals.
The Algarve is perhaps Portugal’s most popular destination. It is a place of beautiful beaches and almost year long warm weather. The Algarve has recently become a resort area, which is a bit disappointing, however, there are still many places yet undiscovered. Going to the Algarve is about relaxing on the ocean. With over 160 kilometers of coast, beach lovers have it made. Off season, cities like Sagres offer travelers a taste of the quiet beach village life that is slowly becoming more and more replaced by resorts and golf courses.
Portugal is also famous for world class wines, and no matter where you visit, enjoying long, relaxing dinners and countless bottles of wine is a must. Being a country on the ocean, the seafood is impeccable. The allure of South Europe is in this laid back lifestyle, and Portugal is one of the best places to experience it.
For more information about about things to do and places to see within Portugal, visit SeePortugal.Org
If I had been in New York this weekend I would definitely have paid a visit to the city’s 3rd annual Coffee & Tea Festival April 12-13, 2008. Taking place at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, the event attracts thousands of people who celebrate everything related to coffee and tea.
Whether you are a true fashionista, an art lover, a design aficionado, or simply don’t want to miss out on the latest trends in design, fashion, art and beauty, visit the Avenues of Art & Design in West Hollywood. On Saturday, May 31, 2008, thousands of people will meet on the 11th annual Art & Design Walk, a mile-long open house with more than 300 high-end art galleries, fashion boutiques, interior design stores, specialty shops and restaurants. Staged along Melrose Avenue, and Beverly and Robertson Boulevards, the event highlights exclusive receptions, personal appearances, shopping discounts, and entertainment hosted by individual showrooms.
Admirers of minimalist and colour abstract art will want to stop by Hamilton-Selway Fine Art’s newest display “Contemporary Contemporaries”, featuring work by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, David Hockney and other twentieth century artists.
Other gallery exhibitions include George Stern Fine Art’s ‘Robert Frame’ showcase and Glass Garage Fine Arts Gallery’s ‘Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque’.
The fashion conscious in search of the latest fad can enjoy haute designers like Stella McCartney and James Perse. The fashion boutiques along the Avenues have something for everyone. And home aficionados will like Ligne Roset by Linea, the fine collection of Peking glass by Robert Kuo, White Orchid Living at north Robertson Blvd and the special surprises from Phyllias Morris/Circa.
Once again, the downtown Los Angeles non-profit arts education center Inner-City Arts will benefit by the Avenues of Art & Design thanks to a silent auction taking place on the day of the event. Inner-City Arts “…uses arts education to positively affect the lives of at-risk children by unlocking their creative potential for a more hopeful and productive future.”
Admission to the Saturday’s Avenues Art & Design Walk 4p.m. to 8p.m. is absolutely free. Fiji Water will provide free bottled water to guests at their stations all through the Avenues and Urth Caffé offers free coffee drinks and tea. For more information visit, http://avenuesartdesign.com
About The Avenues of Art & Design
“Established through a West Hollywood City Ordinance as a Business Improvement District (BID) in 1996, the streets of Melrose Avenue, Robertson and Beverly Boulevards are where fine, decorative and culinary arts are conceived, created, and consigned to aesthetically-minded, design-savvy connoisseurs worldwide.”
Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Wisconsin
I know one thing for sure, water parks are not only for kids. When we visited Sweden’s biggest water park Skara Summerland many years ago, I saw just as many adults as children enjoying the different rides. And the same goes for the approximately 1,600 other water parks around the world. Whether you’re a thrill seeker with a thing for the highest and fastest water coasters or rather spend the day bettering your tan on a long, slow ride, do plan a trip to a water park. You won’t regret it.
For terrific tips on where to go and what to ride, head over to 29 Of The Best Water Parks In The World at ProTraveller, a great blog with informative posts on everything from Technology and Security to News, Hotels, and Fun Activities.
Their picks on different water parks worth a visit, no matter your age, include Sunway Lagoon in Malaysia, Canada’s World Water Park, Tropical Islands in Germany, Wet’n Wild in Florida, and UK’s Sandcastle Waterpark where you can ride the longest indoor water coaster in the world.
If you can make it this summer, great. If not, don’t despair. Many of the best water parks in the world are located indoors, allowing you to enjoy almost everything an outdoor water park has to offer.
Even though it’s no fun to catch a virus and fall sick when travelling, or get hurt in an accident, see it as an experience and think of what you can do to prevent the same think from happening in the future. Learn from it rather than complaining about how bad you felt etc. Sure, it might make an amusing travel article or a good story to tell your friends over a beer during a night out, as long as you can laugh about it and look at it from the bright side. No one wants to hear about your travel mishaps when you’re angry and whining about how your trip turned into such a disaster… at least not me. Things can always be worse. And what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger.
I’ll never forget the first time I realised that travelling is not only a dance on roses. My mom, my sister and I were standing next to a ski lift in Åre, just before the lifts were about to close. I felt I had skied enough that day, but my mom and sis convinced me to go for one last run with them.
I didn’t see him when it happened, only felt the crash followed by a strong pain in my back. Tumbling down the piste, I couldn’t make myself stop. Next thing I knew I lay motionlesss on the cold snow, vaguely hearing my mother yell at the twentysomething guy who had skied right into me. Eventually the paramedics came and drove me to the hospital. According to a Swedish expert doctor on spinal injuries, they needed to put a halo on my head to fix my broken collar bone. A halo, also called a halo crown or halo ring, is a braze which stabilizes the cervical spine following a dislocation. Here’s a picture of a woman with a halo.
The night before my operation I was a bit scared, although I knew I’d be under an anaesthetic and not feel a thing. Next morning, everything would be as usual they told me. Yeah, except for a big halo on my head, I thought. But when I woke up the following day I couldn’t feel it.
Mom explained that my injury, in some strange way, had taken care of itself during the night and an operation was no longer necessary. The doctors called it somewhat of a miracle. Happy I only needed to use a neck restraint for a couple of weeks, and not a halo, we left the hospital the same day.
Apart from that skiing accident when I was seven, a sprained wrist from snowboarding in Norway a few years ago and a broken arm during a surfing trip on Lanzarote, I’ve been pretty lucky. My worst travel experience (so far) occured during a hotel stay in London last August when I for some inexplicable reason got a terrible food sickness. Luckily I was back to normal the next day.
How about you? What’s your worst travel experience?
Who To Contact
In case an emegergency happens abroad, it’s important to know who you can contact. Personal recommendations from people you know are often the best choice. For travels in Italy, Spain, and south of France, check out Gupsy’s Personal Guide to Doctors, Drivers, Taxis, Shippers and Helicopters in the Med at The Women on The Web. The article includes good tips on doctors in the Mediterranean.
Ingrid Michaelson - The Way I Am
I have a feeling this will be a looong post.
Music takes you through the bad as well as the good times, when you’re at home or travelling. Like doing the things you love, music makes life worth living. I know for sure that my love for discovering new music will never end. I have Move to Bremerton, a Popagandhi post on music, to thank for my latest “find” - The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson. Beautiful song.
I’ve lots of music memories. Especially remember one evening spent with friends and family at the beach in Frösakull, Sweden. A barbecue, sand beneath my feet, the sound of the sea, a light breeze, the sunset, and Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl from someome’s portable CD player. I think I was ten.
Around midnight in Frösakull another summer, the heavy rain cause everyone at the party to move into someone’s veranda. Kids my age and grown-ups sit down around a large wooden table while one guy, a real bon vivant, gets his guitar and suggests karaoke. First up, Queen’s We Will Rock You. Before the first verse, “Buddy you’re a boy make a big noise…”, we bang our hands on the table. No one misses a beat. I’ve loved that song ever since.
The same goes for Bonnie Tyler. My parents, my sister and I used to listen to her during the 9-hour drive to Åre, the small ski resort in northern Sweden where we often spent our winter holidays.
Bonnie Tyler - Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Have You Ever Seen The Rain was my favourite, eventually I knew all her songs by heart.
I didn’t know the songs by Elvis Costello, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Bryan Adams on my dad’s vinyl records that well. Sometimes I wished he would give them to me. I never bought my own LP discs, instead I put my money on CDs. When I was 14 and found Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in a record store in Stockholm, I made up my mind at once. After seeing a cover on her Can’t Take My Eyes Off You at a Swedish TV show the same year I knew I had to buy her album.
Lauryn Hill - Turn The Lights Down Low
I like nearly all Lauryn’s songs, especially the ones at her live album MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 - mostly because of the brilliant lyrics.
India Arie - Ready For Love
When I discovered India Arie and her Strenght, Courage & Wisdom, it resulted in three Chinese signs on my left ankle. Now I want another small tattoo meaning love, after Ready For Love.
Daniel Lemma - Keeps Getting Better
I will never forget the first time I heard the Swedish artist Daniel Lemma’s soulful voice, or when I heard Greek music - first at a taverna in Parga, then during a long bus drive to Meteora, on a boat from Lefkada to Kefalonia, and in my one-bedroom apartment in Zurich because the Greek family living below played loud Greek music each Friday night, every weekend. Apart from them, I suspect I was the only one in the building who actually enjoyed it.
I’m deliberately looking for songs that truly touch my heart. Almost always when meeting new people - whether it’s face-to-face or online - I ask about their music taste. Except for the chance to discover a new talent, it’s quite fun to check people’s MP3- or iPod playlists.
Otis Redding - I’ve been loving you…
Both me and my sis loves rock, but while I’m also into soul by Otis Redding, Al Green, Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, she prefers metal and emo rock. It was thanks to her I started listening to My Chemical Romance, Foo Fighters, Babyshambles and Ozzy Osbourne. Soul is better though.
The Cranberries’ songs also top my list of favourite music. I first heard this Irish band during my summer job as a personal assistant in Haverdal, Sweden, in 2003. My 24-year-old, water pipe-loving co-worker who recently got home from travelling in Israel often played her Cranberries albums at work. It was love at first hearing.
When I went to France as an au-pair the following year, I was introduced to various French artists. Five-year-old Emelie showed me her CD by Jenifer, the first winner of Star Academy - the French equivalence to American Idol. On weekdays at 7pm even Emelie’s 1-year-old sister Eléonore sat totally sticked to the TV, watching this year’s season which apperantly was a really big hit in France.
While working in Zurich in 2005 I had a Portuguese penpal who sent me a CD of Keane, and another one with so called skank. And in London two years ago when my Swedish flatmate let me copy all music from her laptop, I found 3 Doors Down. The same year I discovered Eva Cassidy at a café in Greenwich.
After a few months in London I spent a couple of weeks at my parents house in Sweden before setting my sights on Malmö, a multicultural city in the southernmost part of the country. There I first heard the reggae singer Alpha Blondy, thanks to a guy living in the same student hall. At the same time I started to like Ben Harper and Jack Johnson more. And Matisyahu.
Last year I came across the singer Atif Aslam. I have no idea what he says, but can’t resist loving his voice.
Atif Aslam - Adaat
Listen to Adaat, Woh Lamhe and Doorie.
Music sources are everywhere… record stores, magasines, websites, ads, people, TV, film, movies.
The Lion King - Hakuna Matata
If I had to pick a cartoon, I’d have to go with the Disney hit The Lion King.
Coldplay - The Scientist
Coldplay’s The Scientist and Stereophonic’s Maybe Tomorrow from Wicker Park are also impossible not to love… at least for me.
All Saints - Pure Shores
Whenever I hear All Saint’s Pure Shores I think of that hot scene with Richard (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Françoise (Virginie Ledoyen) in The Beach.
I also like to watch What Women Want and listen to Frank Sinatra’s Too Marvelous For Words, I Won’t Dance, and I’ve Got You Under My Skin. I love the part when Mel Gibson dances around in his Manhattan loft. The music combined with the view and Gibson’s improvised dance make a terrific scene.
And the next time you see Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, pay attention to Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word by Mary J Blige.
And, not to forget, my absolute favorites… musicals.
RENT - Out Tonight and Another Day
Rosario Dawson surely does a great performance.
Annie - You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile
I first saw the musical Annie at Oskarsteatern in Stockholm several years ago, have lost count how many times I’ve seen the film.
Dirty Dancing - Hungry Eyes
A true classic.
Grease - You’re The One That I Want
The best scene in Grease.
Moulin Rouge - Lady Marmalade
Sexy.
The Sound of Music - Do-Re-Mi
Have loved The Sound of Music ever since I saw it in 2nd or 3rd grade.
The Sound of Music - So Long, Farewell
Gretl (the youngest girl) is sooo cute at the end of this song.
Irene Cara - Fame
Won’t forget Fame at the theatre Göta Lejon in Stockholm 2004. Is it possible not to love this film?
Aida - How I Know You
Beautiful melody.
Aida on Broadway
If they still play Aida on Broadway, go see it.
Let’s return to movies…
Nonpoint - In the Air Tonight
The music in Miami Vice ranges from Nonpoint’s cover on In the Air Tonight and Sinnerman (felix da housecat’s heavenly house mix) to Auto Rock by Mogwai, Moby’s One of These Mornings, and Arranca from the sensual dance scene between Crocket (Colin Farrell) and Isabella (Li Gong). If anyone know where I can find a clip from that scene, please let me know.
And don’t forget Carlos Varela’s Una Palabra from the end scene in Man on Fire, In the Deep by Bird York from the soudtrack to Crash, or the mix of Chaiyya Chayyia by Sukhwinder Singh & Sapna Awasthi from Inside Man.
Learn Languages Through Music
I love hearing music in other languages and often listen to non-english songs to learn new words and expressions. Lately Hindi because I’ve wanted to learn the language ever since middle school when I decided I’d travel to India someday. A while ago I searched for Indian music online and found a song from the movie Salaam Namaste. It will be interesting to see if I eventually manage to understand what they say.
Salaam Namaste - My Dil Goes Mmmm
Watch it, it’s funny!
Bombay Dreams
Bombay Dreams by Aneela from the Swedish movie Bombay Dreams.
Jennifer Lopez - Que Hiciste
For practising Spanish, I recommend Jennifer Lopez, Don Omar, Gloria Estefan, Manu Chao and Paola & Chiara.
Per Gessle - Sommartider
In case you’re interested in learning some Swedish, you can listen to Per Gessle…
Lars Winnerbäck - Dunkla Rum
Lars Winnerbäck…
Lisa Nilsson - Himlen runt hörnet
or Lisa Nilsson.
Whatever you do, keep listening to music!
