Wicked Good Travel Tips, Unique Vacations, Travel Deals » Cultural

Celebrate Chinese New Year With Great Deals In San Francisco

Susan — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:00:04 +0000

No city outside of Asia celebrates Chinese New Year with such exuberance and fan fare as San Francisco. (Over 600,000 firecrackers make quite an impression!) The entire month of February is dotted with celebrations that culminate with the grand parade and community fair on February 27th. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger with New Years day falling on February 14th – Valentine’s Day. (Boy did that other Tiger have bad timing- it’s definitely not his year!) But for YOU, all the signs are pointing to a perfect year to visit San Francisco and take in the festivities for both Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year.

Thanks to low cost carriers like Virgin America and JetBlue, air flights into San Francisco have never been more robust or lower priced. (Currently $109 each way from NYC to SFO on Virgin America.) Couple that with the number of great promotional offers by hotels, and you have the makings of a wonderful mid-winter getaway. Here’s a sampling of some terrific hotel offers we’ve found:

King George Hotel – $69 per night through April (some blackout dates apply) from Travel Zoo
Sheraton Fishermans Wharf – $109 per night through March 31st from Hotels.com
Hotel Niko (city center) – $92 per night through April 15th from GetARoom.com
The Huntington Hotel (Chinatown) – $150 per night from Booking.com
Sir Francis Drake Hotel (Union Square) – $149 per night from Booking.com

Elderhostel Becomes Exploritas.com

Susan — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:57 +0000

After 35 years of offering exceptional education adventures to the 55+ market, Elderhostels is taking on a new persona and becoming Exploritas. The not-for-profit educational tour company took a close look at their name and realized they no longer were exclusive to the senior market, and they rarely stayed in hostels. Their new name more closely represents their product offerings – fascinating journeys for lifelong learners of all ages.

Exploritas offers indepth tours throughout all 50 States in America and to over 90 countries around the world. Programs vary in length and topic, with selections including Days of Discovery, Adventures Afloat, Road Scolar, Intergenerational, Service Tours, Independent City Discoveries, For Women Only, and much, much more. Check them out and get on their mailing list for future catalogs.

World’s Most Luscious Food Markets

Susan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:17:45 +0000

Local food markets give a glimpse into the soul of a destination. The crops that local farmers grow and the culinary creations that food artisans produce speak to the history of the location and the traditions of its citizens. Nothing is more pleasing and engrossing than roaming among the stalls of a neighborhood farmer’s market or the grand food halls of a metropolitan city. In China I was almost afraid to look (bugs on a stick?!), in Vancouver the smells and colors were dazzling, in Hawaii I found vegetables I had never seen before in my life, and the markets in Rome and Paris were sensuous. Now that it’s harvest time around the world, don’t miss the opportunity to visit a luscious food market wherever you roam – here are some of the world’s favorites:

Americas
New York - Chelsea Market, a hub of foodie activity
San Francisco - Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, large Organics Markets, operates 3 times per week
New Orleans – Crescent City Farmers Market, Uptown and Downtown fabulous fruits
Seattle – Freemont Sunday Market – more than fruits & veggies – treasures of all description
Hawaii – Hawaii Farmers Markets Online, several gorgeous markets on every island
Vancouver – Granville Island Public Market, The ethnic diversity of Vancouver makes this market a sensory explosion
Mexico City - Mercado de la Merced, nirvana for chili pepper lovers – every color of the rainbow!

Europe
Rome – Campo de Fiori – on every tourist map and well worth the visit
Paris – Wonderful markets in almost every neighborhood – Gayot List and descriptions. And don’t miss a visit to Fauchon, considered “the Tiffany’s of food purveyors”.
Provence – lavendar and sunflowers in every town! Don’t miss the huge market in Carpentas, with 350 stalls – operating since 1155! French Entre full list of markets.
London – Borough Market – London’s oldest market, and don’t miss the food halls at Harrods and Selfridges
Barcelona – La Boqueria - take a virtual tour!
Stockholm – Ostermalm Saluhall – closed food market with a smorgasboard of delights!
Vienna – Naschmarkt, since the 16th century – anyone for a torte?
Jerusalem – Mahane Yahuda Market – highly recommended by good friend and avid traveler, Deanna

Far East
China – In every city, don’t miss this experience, it will redefine your definition of food! Shop at the Red Bridge Market in Beijing
Hong Kong – A kaleidoscope of sensory encounters In every neighborhood – Virtual Tourist List
Tokyo – Tsukiji Market – it’s all about the fish – largest fish market in the world! Visit the Tokyo Food Page
Singapore – Kreta Ayer Wet Market – named for the water carts (not the food), you’ll find every kind of food, spice, and ware – be sure to visit Food Street and the Chinatown Night Market.

To find a farmers market experience wherever you travel in the USA, visit LocalHarvest.org

Learn An Early American Craft in Nantucket

Susan — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:58:05 +0000

Next time you’re vacationing on Nantucket Island, don’t miss the opportunity to learn a traditional Early American Craft at the 1800 House, presented by the Nantucket Historical Association. A wide variety of half day classes are offered ranging from Miniature Sailor Valentines (shell art), Shorebird Woodcarving, Scrimshaw, Tin Metalcraft, Shaker Box Making and much, much more.

Tut Tut Tut, Don’t Miss This Chance to see King Tut in the USA

Susan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:00:58 +0000

If you’ve always yearned to visit King Tut’s tomb, but are hesitant to trek to the Middle East, you’re in luck – King Tut’s treasures will be touring the United States this year. History buffs and art enthusiasts will have three chances to view the precious golden relics from King Tut’s tomb as the “Golden Age of the Egyptian Pharaohs” exhibit, makes stops in Atlanta, Dallas and Indianapolis.

The exhibit focuses on a 100 year span in ancient history (3,000 years ago!) when Egyptian Pharaohs ruled a land at it’s peak of power and artistry. Over 130 artifacts are on loan from Cairo’s Egyptian Museum and include many golden items retrieved from King Tut’s tomb as well as artifacts from other ancient rulers. Want to get excited in advance? Walk through a virtual preview of the Tut Gallery.

The US exhibit begins in Texas at the Dallas Museum of Art, running from October 3, 2008 until May 17, 2009. Georgia will turn the Atlanta Civic Center into ‘Tutlanda’ from November 15, 2008 until May, 2009. And finally the Indianapolis Children’s Museum will host the exhibit from June 29, 2009 until October, 2009.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be one of the 5 million enthusiasts world wide who have already viewed the exhibit. You can find full information and advance ticket sales at KingTut.org, and you’ll be pleased to know all proceeds from the shows will be used to construct a new museum of antiquities in Cairo.

Teach English Around the World and Be Paid To Travel

Susan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:10:26 +0000

Most anyone who speaks English well can be trained to “Teach English As A Foreign Language” through the well known TEFL organization. TEFL Certification courses are offered all across the globe and usually require a 4 week commitment to study the course curriculum and do a bit of practice teaching. This international program enjoys wide appeal to recent college graduates, retiring teachers, and in fact, any adult who has an adventurous spirit and the desire to share themselves and the English language with other cultures.

We’ve found one TEFL certification program that condenses the study course to two weeks, and throws in a whole lot of fun while they’re at it. The World TEFL School is currently offering a two week TEFL course on the “Full Moon Party” island of Koh Phangan, Thailand. Koh Phangan is famous for their pristine beaches, exuberant backpacker population, and the full moon revelers who gather each month for one of the worlds biggest beach parties. This unique program requires participants to complete a forty hour online TEFL course before arriving in Thailand for the 2 week onsite course. And they offer two exceptional guarantees: a money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the program, and a guarantee of a paid job placement in Thailand upon completion of the Certification. (Of course there’s probably some fine print and conditions, so you’ll want to check it all out at WorldTEFLSchool.com.

Now if Thailand is not your particular thing… Fear Not – there are TEFL certification courses and teaching posts available in almost every country you would care to visit. You might want to start with a visit to TEFL.com or do a search “teach English as a foreign language in ________ ” and insert the destination you’re interested in.

This is a great way to experience other world cultures on a very personal level, travel economically, expand your own resume, and meet some wonderful people along the way!

Maine Inns and Arts Spring Festival Weekend

Susan — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:00:45 +0000

One of the reasons I love Spring so much, is that all of a sudden there are dozens of house and garden tours, artist open studios and antiques festivals to temp me away from my ho hum winter routine. This year I’ve found a new offering (well new to me anyway) in beautiful Kennebunkport Maine.

From June 4-8, 2008, Kennebunkport is celebrating it’s 4th Annual “Arts In The Inns Festival”. If you’re not familiar with Kennebunkport, you haven’t been paying attention – it’s where the Bush family has their summer home, and it is a quintessentially stunning New England coastal community with grand Victorian weathered gray homes and Inns. The festival begins on Wednesday with dinners at featured Inns with Chefs and Artists, which continue throughout the festival weekend. Saturday, June 7th, is the highlight with a tour of 16 Inns and Hotels which have artist’s works on display. There are Artist in Residence Cocktail Parties, and my favorite…Lobster Rolls and Blueberry Pie at The Seaside Inn and Cottages. Famous Hinckley Yachts (even Martha has one) has engaged top Chef Sam Talbot to create his version of a traditional Maine clambake. Get all the information you’ll need to have a spectacular spring weekend on the coast of Maine at the Arts In The Inns website.

Anyone want to run away to Maine in June? Send me an email and we’ll all have a great time together.