Find Vacation Rentals: 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

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10 Travel Apps that Will Really Help You Get to Know a Destination

Posted: 29 Dec 2011 03:24 AM PST

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

Smartphones and tablets have changed the world, and that includes the travel industry. Now, we can navigate, find restaurants, taxis, bathrooms – you name it – using an app. Just about any amenity can be searched for from the palm of your hand, and getting to know a destination has also become easier than ever.

Here are 10 travel apps that will really help you learn more details about the places you find go and the people you see:

1. World Customs and Cultures

This app provides customs, cultural information and facts on over 165 different countries. For example, did you know that Bulgarians shake their heads from side to side for “yes,” and up and down for “no”? Orthat pointing with your index finger in China isn’t usually done? Instead, make sure to use your whole hand, the app will teach you.

Price: Free.

2. TRVL

Available on iTunes, TRVL is a free travel magazine. It is also the first magazine that was made available for iPad only. You can download free issues that show you the lifestyle and customs of anywhere from Buenos Aires to Athens. Great photography is always there to accompany the text.

Price: Free.

3. Concierge Insider Guides

With this app, you can tap into the collective knowledge and experiences of the Hotel InterContinental Concierges. For any of the cities that has an InterContinental Hotel, the Concierge will give you his insider tips regarding restaurants, shopping, and more.

Price: Free.

4. Urbanspoon

Shake your iPhone and the Urbanspoon slot machine will pick a good restaurant for you to try. You will surely not go hungry abroad.

Price: Free.

5. Sushipedia

Have you ever found yourself in a Japanese restaurant and then received something that you didn’t think you ordered? Don’t let it happen again! This app provides an encyclopedia for all kinds of Sushi, useful for Japan and beyond.

Price: Free.

6. HappyCow

At first sight, travel as a vegetarian may appear more difficult. But in fact, it can be quite a unique experience. This app, the mobile version of the website of the same name, provides a veggie restaurant guide. Get it to go, wherever you go.

Price: $2.99.

7. Word Lens

Thanks to this app, you can instantly translate printed words from one language to another with your built-in video camera, in real time. You will always know what is being said (or written).

Price: Free.

8. Ask a Nomad

This app serves to connect people with a passion for travel so that they can share their knowledge. Ask another nomad any question about any destination.

Price: Free.

9. Goby

Just log in once and you’ll instantly begin receiving recommendations for cool things to do near you – all personalized to your unique interests. Goby covers over 350 categories surfacing millions of activities, events and places to see.

Price: Free.

10. UpNext 3-D Maps

The app only includes five cities—Austin, Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.—but the cities are rendered in 3-D. Hopefully there's more coming soon.

Price: Free.

Isabel Eva Bohrer is a freelance writer and photographer who has dispatched pieces from over twenty countries across five continents. Learn more about her work at www.isabelevabohrer.com.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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Arenzano, Liguria and Ligurian Pesto

Posted: 28 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

I first visited Arenzano, a small town just outside of Genoa, as one stop of many as I traipsed around Western Europe with two girlfriends, freshly out of high school. Whereas we had elected the backpacking-and-sleeping-in-hostels route, one of my other good friends and two of his buddies had decided to do nearly the same trip, with a higher parental monetary participation allowing for them to stay in hotels and eat in restaurants.

While we loved our version of the trip, we were more than happy to spend a couple of nights in the middle of our five week adventure camping out on their floor in their hotel in Arenzano, cleaner than many hostel beds. After a train-train-bus-bus sort of scenario, we finally arrived in the beautiful seaside town, and we spent the next few days getting to know my friend’s group of Italian amici that he had made during a study abroad stint several years before. One of the first things we did when we met the group of them, all dressed to the nines, with gelled hair and ironic glasses several years before they were cool, was find a place to eat.

As soon as I opened the menu, I was told, via a series of hand gestures and Italian words that sounded like babbling to my ears, to try the trofie with pesto. I’m a fan of local specialties and an even bigger fan of pesto, so I did as I was told. The trofie reminded me of spatzle, a German pasta that my mother used to serve with green beans and pesto when I was growing up. But while the pasta, technically new to me, seemed familiar, the pesto was a horse of a different color: the flavors were brighter than anything I had ever tasted before, and I don’t know if it was the combination of the view on the water and the circle of friends — some of whom I barely knew, or whether the pesto really was that good, but ever since, I’ve been making my own whenever I have the chance.

A true Ligurian would jump down my throat for changing the traditional recipe at all, but I’ve found my own ways of doing things, namely adding bitter carrot greens to the traditional basil, and subbing pine nuts, which are expensive and go bad quickly, for pistachios. You, however, can make the recipe either way: it will be delicious and fresh no matter what you do.

Recipe: Kind-Of Ligurian Pesto

Ingredients

2 bunches basil OR 1 bunch basil and 1 bunch carrot greens
4 cloves garlic
1 pinch salt
~20 pine nuts OR ~10 pistachios
~1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup to 1 cup good extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Start by chiffonnading the basil and finely chopping the carrot greens: stack about 10 (washed and dried) basil leaves on top of one another, roll into a tube, and slice into thin strips. Slice all the basil this way, and then finely chop the carrot greens.
Mince the garlic. Place in the bottom of a mortar, if you have one, or a wide glass or porcelain bowl, if you don’t. Using a pestle or the wrong end of a wooden spoon, mash the garlic with the salt until it forms a paste.
Smash the nuts with the side of a chef’s knife against a cutting board, and add them to the bowl with the garlic. Mash them as well, until they are fairly small and evenly distributed.
Begin adding herbs, a handful at a time, working them into the garlic and nut paste. Drizzle in olive oil as you work so that the entire thing forms a thick paste. Continue adding herbs and olive oil until you are out of herbs.
Add the parmesan and mix to combine. To store, freeze in an ice cube tray and keep the frozen cubes in a freezer bag. Leftover sauce can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, with a thin layer of olive oil over the top of the sauce to keep it from coloring.

Emily Monaco is native New Yorker, living and writing in Paris since 2007. She loves discovering new places and, of course, their local cuisines! Read about her adventures in food and travel at tomatokumato.com or follow her on Twitter at @emiglia

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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Not Your Typical Tourist: Alternative Guide Books to New York City

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

Planning a vacation in the Big Apple, you already know all the tourist spots: Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, shopping on 5th Avenue. And these are worth seeing, once or twice. But if you’ve already done all that, or just aren’t interested because you know there are so many other things to do—and other neighborhoods beyond midtown and downtown Manhattan—let these atypical guide books lead the way.

Not For Tourists Guide to New York City: Even though it’s smaller and has a stylish black cover, you might still get pegged as a tourist if you walk around with your nose in this guide book. However, this little black book is more about living in NYC than it is about being a tourist. It covers 35 neighborhoods in detail, with maps and lists of local businesses: coffee shops, movie theaters, grocery stores, farmers markets, bike shops, drug stores. This way, you can get a feel for a variety of neighborhoods where New Yorkers go about their daily lives; plus, you can find out where to buy food to cook and get a bottle of wine to drink at “home,” and generally settle into your rental apartment. If you’re not staying in Manhattan, note that there are Brooklyn and Queens guides too. Beyond that, though, Not For Tourists can’t help you.

Clean Plates: When you want to eat out and avoid the tourist traps or mediocre spots, you’ll need some kind of guide. There are just too many restaurants in the city to know where to start. For those of you who are interested in healthy, local, organic, and simply high-quality food, this book will tell you where to go. The Clean Plates food critics and nutritionist have filtered through the massive restaurant scene to bring you options to meet your dietary restrictions (gluten free, vegetarian), health concerns (avoiding artificial sweeteners), and sustainable lifestyle. Suggested eateries range from fast food to fine dining, and you can choose between the Manhattan and Brooklyn guides (or try to work your way through both).

Forgotten New York: This book by Kevin Walsh is a celebration of the obscure, historical, and way-off-the-beaten-path spots of NYC. The fact that the first section of the book is about the Bronx tells you that it’s not for typical tourists. It’s for savvy, adventurous, curious folks who are intrigued by details that others don’t usually even notice, and who are willing to walk down alleyways and far away from subway stops to learn more about New York’s quirky history. Using this guide book, you can track down colonial cemeteries, bizarre sculptures, rusting ruins, and practically unheard-of museums in all five boroughs.

Zinester’s Guide to NYC: You don’t have to know what a “zine” is to make use of this book by Ayun Halliday and her zine-making friends. You just have to be open to activities that are quirky, DIY, budget, participatory, irreverent, and non-touristy. The most lighthearted of all these alternative guide books, the Zinester’s Guide suggests attending events with names like Nerd Nite, the No Pants Subway Ride, and Elephant Walk; and visiting unusual spots including a troll museum, a ship graveyard, and a room full of soil. It’s also the only guide book that can tell you things like where to spot rats on the subway tracks, where to find black-and-white photo booths, and where to see the best bathroom graffiti. And at the bottom of the pages, you’ll enjoy the handwritten list of books, movies, and songs about NYC, as well a silly Q&A and a scavenger hunt of sorts.

Joanna Eng is a New York-based writer and editor who covers travel, green living, food, careers, entrepreneurship, and more. Her travel experiences have ranged from hostel hopping in Mexico to staying with distant relatives in China to renting a beach apartment in New Jersey.

Celebrating New Years in Different Parts of the World

Posted: 26 Dec 2011 11:09 AM PST

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

In the Western world, the 31st of December marks one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Many people travel far and wide to attend festivities, often partying until the sun comes up on January 1st. We all know about the expensive clubs in New York and the beach parties in Miami. But what happens in other parts of the world? Here's how some other countries celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

CAMBODIA

The inhabitants of Cambodia rely on the Indian calendar to calculate when the New Year's festival should start. According to the Gregorian calendar, this falls anywhere from the 12, 13 or 14 April, depending on the year. It last for three days, and the Cambodian New Year's Eve is the day before the festival starts. In the local lingo, it's called "Chaul Chnamn Thmey," meaning "entering the New Year."

HUNGARY

Hungary runs on the Western calendar, and thus New Year's Eve falls, like in the other countries, on December 31st. However, even though it runs on the rest of the world's calendar, there are still Hungarian traditions that remain. That is, even though opening a bottle of champagne has become part of a modern Hungarian New Year's Eve (as has counting down to midnight), some Hungarians still retain the customs of their ancestors. For example, they burn effigies or a scapegoat that embodies the evils and misfortunes of the past year. This scapegoat is also known as "Jack Straw" and is carried throughout the villages prior to being set on fire.

SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa, things could get a little loud on New Year's Eve. The inhabitants have a tradition of ringing in the New Year with church bells and gunshots firing. Those who visit the Cape Province New Year's Day and Second New Year's Day will see a carnival with people dressed in colorful costumes. If you are in town, throw on a colorful outfit yourself and dance in the street to the sound of drums with the locals.

WALES

Tradition in Wales has it that the village boys would go from house to house at around 3 or 4 a.m. with an evergreen twig. They would sprinkle the latter over the people and then on each room of their house. Sprinkling the evergreen twig was said to bring good luck in the New Year. On New Year's Day, the children moreover get up early to sing songs for their neighbors. In return, they are given sweets, apples, mince pies and sometimes even coins. But you have to get up early – after noon, the singers will be called fools.

Happy New Year!

Isabel Eva Bohrer is a freelance writer and photographer who has dispatched pieces from over twenty countries across five continents. Learn more about her work at www.isabelevabohrer.com.

Friday, December 23, 2011

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Christmas Traditions Around the World

Posted: 21 Dec 2011 10:21 AM PST

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” Almost all of us have heard this Christmas song before. Written by Edward Pola and George Wyle back in 1963, the song represents Christmas traditions in the United States. We are all familiar with American Christmas carols, and most of us will know when the tree lighting ceremonies are scheduled in our home towns. However, with Christmas being the most wonderful time of the year, what is going on at this time in other parts of the world? How is this very special day celebrated in other countries? Here are a few traditions you might not have heard about. Keep them in mind for the next time you travel – you could even experience some of these very special customs first-hand!

RUSSIA

In Russia, Christmas is primarily a religious holiday. Like in other Eastern Orthodox countries, it is celebrated on January 7^th. On Christmas Eve, meaning January 6^th, inhabitants attend several long services, including the Royal Hours and Vespers combined with the Divine Liturgy.

After that, families come together in their homes for a traditional Christmas Dinner (the Holy Supper). This consists of a total of twelve dishes, one in honor of each of the Twelve Apostles. Particularly religious families go back to church for the All Night Vigil.

On Christmas morning, the Divine Liturgy of the Nativity is celebrated. Christmas Day is also when the presents are given to the children by Babushka, a traditional Russian Christmas figure. Interesting fact: the word ”Babushka” is translated to English as a grand-mother.

VENEZUELA

Christmas is also celebrated as a religious event in Venezuela. Unofficially, the festivities start after the "Feria de la Chinita" during the second half of November. This festival dates back to the cult of the Virgin Mary of Chiquinquirá, when various religious activities, processions, and music in the typical “Gaita style” to honor “"LaChinita" the nickname of this version.

The custom attend one of nine carol services is observed by most Venezuelans. During these "patinatas" or night festivals, firecrackers explode and bells ring to call worshippers from bed in the predawn hours.

Instead of "Papá Noél" (Santa Claus), presents are brought by "El Niño Jesus" (Baby Jesus). Children are educated to write request letters to Baby Jesus.

SWITZERLAND

Switzerland is particularly rich in Christmas traditions, as it essentially preserves the customs of different cultures: German, French, and Italian. As such, presents may arrive on Christmas Eve or New Year's Day, brought by the Christkindl, St. Nicholas or Father Christmas. It all depends which region you are in. Carols, too, are sung in four different languages. Before that, however, comes the Klausjagen festival, literally meaning the "hunting" of St. Nicholas. At dusk on December 6^th, a procession of men wearing gigantic illuminated lanterns in the shape of a Bishop’s mitre on their heads can be seen in most Swiss towns.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

If you are not too keen on all the holiday celebrations, head to Papua New Guinea. For many villagers in the more remote areas, Christmas goes by as just another day. In the more commercialized areas, Christmas is celebrated in a way similar to Australia.

In Australia, a traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas plum pudding is added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today a small favor is baked inside. Whoever finds this knows s/he will enjoy good luck. Another treat is Mince Pies.

ETHIOPIA

The Ethiopian Christmas, known as "Ganna," is celebrated on January 7th. The celebration takes place in ancient churches carved from solid volcanic rock and also in modern churches that are designed in three concentric circles. Men and boys sit separately from girls and women. The choir, in turn, sings from the outside circle.

On Christmas morning, the people open presents and then they play native African outdoor sports to celebrate. Usually the wealthy share a medium sized feast with the poor and a large feast with their family and friends, including dishes such as Doro wat, a typicalstew or curry which may be prepared with chicken, beef, lamb, a variety of vegetables, and spice mixtures, or Injera, a yeast-risen flatbread with a unique, slightly spongy texture.

Isabel Eva Bohrer is a freelance writer and photographer who has dispatched pieces from over twenty countries across five continents. Learn more about her work at www.isabelevabohrer.com.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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How to Host a Wine Tasting

Posted: 20 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Barrie Cleveland
California Winery Advisor

So, you're on holiday in the wine country and you want to host a wine tasting at your vacation home. There are many possibilities for a successful and fun event from the formal sit-down, no talking, wine evaluation tasting to the more casual “brown paper bag nights”. Anyway you choose it's a good way to enjoy and learn about wines, make friends and develop your own wine tasting palate.

The Atmosphere

Decide how seriousness you want the tasting to be. Will guests simply taste and discuss the wine, will they be encouraged to take notes, guess each type of wine in a “blind” tasting or will there be formal votes and discussion of each wine and its component colors, aromas and aftertaste?

If you and your friends are serious about wine, including elements of a more formal tasting is a good choice. If your guests are mostly wine novices, keep things light and focus more on learning the different flavor components of the wine. Do you taste and smell the melon flavors, the tobacco, orange peel or oak?

For serious oenophiles, offer tasting sheets with scoring options and taste each flight of wines without discussion. Then rank them and compare notes. When tasting "blind" distribute the list of wines being tasted after first tasting them, but before they are unveiled. See who can correctly identify the wines.

Wine Themes

If most guests are not too familiar with wine, a basic theme for the event is a good idea. Good themes include tasting one kind of wine from a particular region, or the same grape variety from different regions. Compare and discuss the wines, vote for your favorite, rank them in order and crown the favorite with suitable fanfare. Remember glassware can be an issue if you are tasting a number of wines at the same time. (Don't be afraid to ask guests to bring their own glasses if you don't have enough.)

Other themes can include tasting wines from one vintage year from various regions, or taste a flight of wines from the same producer but different vintages. These "vertical" tastings will show the differences between older and younger wines from the same vineyard made by the same winemaker. Another popular tasting, is limiting wines under (or over) a certain price point.

Choosing the Wine and Sharing the Expense

You can host the event yourself, choosing and paying for all the wines, or ask guests to bring a particular wine type. Most regular wine groups split the responsibilities by either rotating the hosting duties or understanding that all those present will share in the cost of the wine. (Be sure to have this clearly understood ahead of time with late cancellations still on the hook for their portion.)

How Many Flights, How Many Wines?

Serve in flights of four or five wines that are similar in style, variety or body. One flight of wines may be just right for some tastings but most formal tastings may have two or more flights. Remember to consider the order in which you should taste the wines. Some experts advise starting with the lightest wine and ending with the heaviest. A good wine merchant can offer advice on the order in which you should taste your wines.

A bottle of wine is 750 ml and can be shared successfully from 8 up to 16 people. Using a small beaker or shot glass to measure insures that there is enough for everyone. (1.5 oz is equivalent to about 44ml and is a good tasting amount.) Another tip is to remember to plan ahead for cooling white wines and making sure reds are at a proper "cellar temperature" not room temperature. Older wines may need to be decanted to insure any solids from aging don't end up in your glass.

Glassware and Dump Buckets

Each guest should have as many glasses as wines in each flight. They should be the same style and type of glass in order to compare the different aromas and flavors equally. Also have a "spit cup" for each taster and a dump bucket or two for the table.

Accompanying the Wine

Serve food and water with the wine. This helps to clear the palate, clarifying the taste of each wine. The food can be simple, such as a variety cheese and crackers or French bread cut into cubes. Some tasting groups plan on a potluck dinner to follow. For more information on wine tasting please see www.CaliforniaWineryAdvisor.com

Monday, December 19, 2011

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Traveling and the Holidays: Tis the Season to Keep Healthy

Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Anne Kemp

This is the time of year when travelers begin annual treks over the river and through the woods, bustling toward the next family gathering or holiday party, or jetting off to visit loved ones in far away locales. Amateur bakers dust off their rolling pins during the month of December and holiday fetes are planned for out-of-town guests. Yes, it is that time of year, Virginia. The time of year when most revelers gain weight.

Tis the season for huge portions served everywhere you go, in homes and restaurants alike. Calendars are packed with more parties to fit in than time allotted for exercise. It's no wonder that even the healthiest of folks have been reported to gain anywhere from one to eight pounds over the holiday season.

How do we stop this trend? It's really simple and can be done by thinking ahead. At this time of year, you just need to use the Three P's!

Planning, Prevention and Preparation.

Step One – Planning

Whether traveling across the country to visit family or driving to the other side of town to attend a holiday party, call ahead and ask the hostess if you can help by bringing a dish. A seven layer dip, which is normally filled with processed guacamole and full-fat sour cream and cheese, can be made into a lighter version by using fat-free sour cream, making fresh homemade guacamole, and topping with a low-fat cheese. Grab a bag of baked tortilla chips with little to no salt and you're set. If you're out-of-town and on a special diet, such as gluten free, stop by the local grocery stores to see what's stocked or research the products they carry online before your arrival. Most grocery stores offer Betty Crocker's Gluten Free Cakes and Cookies or Bob's Red Mill Flour for baking. Offer to make cakes or breads from your "own" recipe, surprising your hosts with the amazing taste of these desserts.

Step Two – Prevention

Traveling through airports or venturing out on road trips is especially tough when watching your waistline. Take time to pack snack items, such as travel packets of almond or peanut butter with gluten free or low-fat crackers, raw almonds or dried fruit. Instead of splurging on a pastry when waiting at the terminal, choose an apple or banana, and always carry a bottle of water with you for the plane. Then planning for a road trip, make room in your car for a stocked cooler with healthy snacks for everyone, such as carrots and hummus dip or pre-rolled turkey and lettuce snacks (for the gluten free or low-carb dieter) or fresh fruits and yogurts. Add extra ice at each rest stop. An ounce of prevention is truly worth its weight…in gold or otherwise.

Step Three – Preparation

Scan the holiday calendar; keeping an eye out for parties or travel scenarios that may need some "pre-attendance adjustment." There may be a gathering where you can eat a healthier meal, such as a hearty salad or quick veggie stir-fry, before you go, thus warding off the temptation of passed hors d’oeuvres or a buffet. Find time before a big dinner to fit in a workout, like sit-ups and a quick run. When packing for your holiday trip, make sure to take your sneakers and encourage others in your family to go out for a quick walk with you to work off your holiday meals. Find a local park or map out a trail through the neighborhood. Staying in tight quarters? Take a few minutes to do some push-ups or stretching.

The secret is all in using moderation and taking baby steps. By taking preventative measures each day during this holiday season, you will insure that you'll be feeling your fittest, finest and fiercest of them all!

Anne Kemp is a columnist and blogger for the Frederick News-Post, a newspaper in the Washington D.C Metro area. Kemp writes about dating and relationships, travel, product reviews and living a gluten-free lifestyle. As an author, her first book, Rum Punch Regrets, will be released May of 2012.

Friday, December 16, 2011

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Fly (really far) South for the Winter

Posted: 16 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Claudia Pesce

If you're in the northern hemisphere, the weather has probably gotten noticeably colder by now. Maybe you've already gotten some snow. Snowbirds may already be planning their trips south, heck, anyone could feel tempted to fly south this winter… but what if you were to fly a lot further south… like the southern end of South America?

Have you forgotten folks, that it's springtime in the southern hemisphere? And places like Buenos Aires, Argentina hold such wonders, so many things to see and do. In case you're not convinced yet (after all, it is a pretty long fight) here are the top things to see and do in the city that is also known as "the South American Paris":

1. Partake of some of the world's most delicious beef and wine

Argentina's grass-fed cattle is practically unrivaled anywhere in the world. The country has consistently produced superior, prime beef for centuries. If you want to sink your teeth into some beef that slices like butter try the bife de lomo (beef tenderloin). Some of the best places to enjoy it are the upscale Cabaña Las Lilas in Puerto Madero, La Cabrera in Palermo or Kansas in Las Cañitas, a steakhouse that is reminiscent of American grills, but serves only superb Argentine meat. The best way to pair any of the choicest cuts is with a bottle of Malbec, the most popular red wine in Argentina, produced in the province of Mendoza.

2. Get swept away by some 2×4

Am I suggesting you go out and buy some Argentine lumber? Not quite. Tango is also known as the "2×4" (dos por cuatro), given that the tango rhythm is based on two strong beats on four. One of the best places to catch an enthralling tango show is Café Tortoni on the historic Avenida de Mayo. In San Telmo, you'll find lots of milongas, a dance party where people gather to tango. They are mesmerizing to watch, but beware…you might be tempted to get up and be swept into the riveting dance.

3. Cheer with the crowd

In Argentina, soccer is not a sport. It's a religion where fans worship gods like Diego Maradona (there's a Maradonian church, believe it or not) and the most recent soccer sensation Lionel Messi. No trip to Buenos Aires is complete without a visit to either of the high temples of soccer: Boca Juniors stadium (also known as La Bombonera) or River Plate stadium.

4. Explore its different neighborhoods

Each of Buenos Aires' neighborhoods has its own distinct character and one that is definitely worth exploring. Your best starting point is the Centro, where you'll find some of the city's most historic buildings, like the Cabildo and the Casa Rosada, across from the city's most famous square, Plaza de Mayo, as well as the financial hub known as "la City Porteña". At the Casa Rosada, you'll see the very same balcony where Eva Perón gave the speech that inspired the famous song "Don't cry for me Argentina".

Northwest of the Centro, lies the neighborhood known as Recoleta with its eerie cemetery, the final resting place of Evita and most of the city's elite. Nearby you'll find the National Museum of Fine Arts and a little further along the MALBA (Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires), two of the most important, yet very different museums; the first houses an important collection of Argentine and European art, while the second showcases Latin American art from the early twentieth century onwards.

Across town, on the southern end, is La Boca with its enchanting Caminito, a pedestrian street lined with picturesque, very brightly painted corrugated tin houses, the street you'll see in typical Buenos Aires postcards. Nearby San Telmo is absolutely worth visiting, particularly on Sunday when the artisan fair comes alive. At night, San Telmo is the best place to head for a tango show or milonga.

Finally, no visit is complete without a trip to Palermo, the largest of the neighborhoods. One of its most distinguishing features is its parks, like the sprawling Parque Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires' very own Central Park, with countless paths and streets to explore on foot, roller-skates or bikes. The Rosedal, or Rose Garden, houses an impressive collection of roses and springtime is the perfect time to visit.

So, don't store your shorts and sandals just yet. If you feel like a good dose of sunshine and thrills, then Buenos Aires is the place where you'll get both – and then some!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

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Step Back in Time While Confronting Smoky Mountain Wildlife

Posted: 15 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Alice Kemp

The Great Smoky Mountains. Just the name conjures up images of magnificent mountain peaks with "smokes" rising from their flanks. It's easy to see why this is the most-visited national park in the United States with all that it has to offer, from activities that appeal to the outdoorsy, adventurous types to those looking for world-class shopping to the younger set wanting to fill their days with theme parks, game rooms and water parks.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, makes an ideal base camp for partaking of all those activities with the literally thousands of hotel/motel rooms, overnight rentals and campgrounds available. The location, near the middle of the northern boundary of the national park, provides access to anything you would want to do while in the Smokies. Just 27 miles west of Gatlinburg along the Little River Road (allow a good hour to drive this extremely scenic but slow road) lies the 6800-acre Cades Cove. Settlers came into this beautiful valley in the 1800's; the National Park Service has restored some of the original buildings to give visitors an idea of what life was like back then. Seven cabins have been restored along with three churches and the Cable Mill area which contains a number of buildings as well as an operational grist mill and a visitors' center.

Near the beginning of the 11-mile loop road and accessed by a short, well-maintained and traveled trail sits the John Oliver cabin, the first to be built in the valley.

I had an astounding bit of luck one day when I chaperoned a small group of mentally challenged adults around Cades Cove on their annual vacation. We walked the trail to the cabin when, lo and behold, a juvenile black bear crossed the trail just a few feet in front of us! As a matter of fact, another small group of tourists were just a little further ahead, and the bear actually passed between our groups, not paying the slightest attention to us.

I had been told that the black bear population is quite large in the Cove, and actually, that was actually the second time I've seen a bear there, but this sighting was much better than the first one. Needless to say, my little group was overjoyed to see such a sight.

Not only is Cades Cove of historical interest, but the hiking is quite good as well. You can do an easy nature trail or one of the more challenging trails. The Abrams Falls Trail is about five miles round trip and of only moderate difficulty. It presents a nice walk with a lovely waterfall at the turnaround point, although the trail actually continues quite a bit farther, all the way to the Abrams Creek Campground, if you feel up to it.

Not far beyond that point is the visitors' center/Cable Mill area which sits beside the intersection of the loop road and Forge Creek Road, a one-way, unpaved, single-lane road leading south out of the national park into Tennessee. One morning in November some years ago, I got up especially early to reach the Cove as close to dawn as possible. It was well worth it: Spread across the Cove, peacefully grazing were literally hundreds of white-tailed deer.

No one else was around. The scene was incredibly beautiful and peaceful. This was what it must have looked like to the early settlers. I had heard that early morning was the best time to view the deer, and it is. But I got more than I bargained for that day. I was headed to the Forge Creek Road, off of which was the Gregory Ridge Trail, a 10-mile round trip hike up to the Appalachian Trail and back. The turnoff to the trailhead parking lot was not far from the loop road and just before you reach the one-way section. As I drove up the road, I spotted a wild pig trotting along the side, a pretty rare sight since these critters are extremely shy. Unfortunately, he veered into the woods before I could get my camera into position. That was my first sighting of a wild pig, although I had also heard that quite a few of them called this national park their home.

But that wasn't the end of my wildlife encounters that day. The hike turned out to be quite exhilarating. The closer I approached the Appalachian Trail, the colder it became, of course, since I was about 2500 feet higher up. The weather conditions were just right for all the tree branches to wear sheaths of crystal clear ice. I appeared to be walking through a magical crystal forest. Quite a bonus! Finally, returning to the parking lot, I heard the unpleasant sound of someone insistently blowing their car's horn. To make a long story short, another tourist had been trying to drive away a black bear that had broken into a car parked there: my car! I had left an apple in the back seat that it smelled through the vent, and it almost tore the door off to get at it. The critter was just coming out of my car when I arrived. What an ending to an incredible day! (Check out my blog at www.hikinggal.blogspot.com for a more detailed story.) One thing I learned, besides not to leave any food in my vehicle, is that bears don't necessarily stay in hibernation all winter. As a matter of fact, they may not hibernate at all if they haven't put on enough extra weight before the start of winter.

Every season is beautiful in its own way in the Great Smoky Mountains. Although the Rocky Mountains are higher and more rugged, the Smokies are more accessible in the winter. You can marvel at frozen waterfalls, crystal-wrapped tree branches, bear tracks in the snow, rocks encircled with crystal necklaces in every stream and more. All you need to do is get out of your vehicle and look. The pressing crowds of summer are gone, leaving you with a quiet, peaceful wilderness just begging to be enjoyed.

Alice Kemp, originally from Barberton, Ohio, has lived in Tennessee and North Carolina since 1985 and now lives in SW Virginia. When she’s not writing fiction and non-fiction, she enjoys the natural beauty of the South through hiking and biking primarily.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Christmas In Strasbourg

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Rachel Hammel

Holidays aren't the same without tradition. I learned this several years ago as an undergraduate student, when I had been studying for a semester in Paris and living with a host family. Thanksgiving had been amusing at best: my roommate and I prepared a lavish dinner combining her family's dishes and mine, leaving our humble hosts thankful but visibly perplexed at the idea of piling everything on the plate at once. Christmas was now quickly approaching and I had been away from my family in California for four months. The days were getting darker and colder, school was winding down and France seemed to be losing its hold on me.

My friend offered that we take a trip for the holiday and explore an area outside of Paris. She suggested Strasbourg, a city I had heard faintly of but knew nothing about, other than it is one of the headquarters of the European Union. But, as I would discover, it is much more than that.

We arrived by train and made our way to the apartment where we'd be staying as "couch surfers." It was a charming 1-bedroom flat owned by Véronique, a sweet French woman who spent her weekend eagerly explaining the wonders of her city, touring us around and generously preparing our meals at no cost to us.

As we learned, this quaint town in France's Alsace region, bordering Germany, is coined the "Capital of Christmas." Home to the original Marché de Noël, or Christkindelmärik in their dialect, Strasbourg attracts thousands of visitors every year for their elaborate Christmas celebrations. Dating back to 1570, this traditional festival—the oldest in France—brings a huge series of artisanal markets throughout the streets of the city. For several weeks leading up to the holiday, talented craftsmen showcase their goods, bakers and restaurant owners deliver their culinary delights, and various activities, exhibitions and concerts draw families from around the world.

The festival has an interesting history. In fact, some theories point to Alsace as the root of the Christmas tree tradition: throughout the Middle Ages on Christmas Eve, townspeople would depict stories of the history of creation in front of churches. During these "Games of Paradise," they used fir trees decorated with apples to represent the tree of paradise. When apples became scarce in the region in 1850 due to drought, glassworkers created apples out of blown glass, giving rise to what we know today as glass Christmas ornaments.

During our stay in Strasbourg, there was never a dull moment: we admired the lights and decorations, bought hand-made ornaments and decorations, ice skated, made arts and crafts, mingled with locals and indulged in the area's seasonal cuisine. Ah, I thought often to myself, tradition!

Speaking of cuisine, highlights of my travels are always marked by food. The Alsatian fare was pretty phenomenal—not the delicate, minimalistic plates you'd imagine when you think of Paris. It was warm, hearty, filling and yet so simple, like all French food: technically and aesthetically impeccable and yet so straightforward. Among my favorites were Baeckeoffe, or "Baker's Oven": a hearty winter pot roast of layered meat, potatoes and vegetables, and La Bûche de Noël: a super rich log-shaped sponge cake. But nothing came close to their famous Christmas mulled wine. This piping hot, aromatic concoction warms the body and soul like nothing else. My friend and I drank it everywhere because, aside from the fact that it's delicious, it kept our hands warm and helped round out that holiday feeling. Oh, and the aftereffect was nice too.

Back in California during the Christmas season, there's nothing better than wrapping up in a blanket near the fire with a cup of this stuff. Although no matter how hard I try to recreate the experience, it's never as good as it was while meandering the narrow streets of that romantic Alsatian town where France reclaimed its hold on me.

Recipe: Mulled Wine

Summary: You can start with a red Burgundy, Bordeaux, any wine from Alsace or even a Beaujolais. You can also substitute with white wine, which is common in Alsace and equally delicious.

Ingredients

1 bottle wine
1 ½ cups water
1 ¼ cups sugar
4 whole cloves
2 star anises
1 whole nutmeg
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
5 cardamom pods
1 vanilla bean (optional)
2 Tbsp. honey (optional, frequently used in mulled white wine)
1 small orange, thinly sliced
1 small lemon, thinly sliced
Cheese cloth and string

Instructions

Wrap cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves and nutmeg in the cheesecloth. Tie firmly with string.
Bring water and sugar to a boil in a large saucepan, stirring until dissolved.
Add the wine, spice bag, vanilla bean, fruit and honey. Bring to a boil.
Turn down the heat and simmer covered for several hours, stirring occasionally
Serve in hot glasses, decorated with twisted lemon or orange peels.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 2 hour(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

Rachel Hammel is a San Francisco-based writer/editor and blogger who loves to travel and eat. You can follow her on twitter at @RachelHammel.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

5 Seasonal Markets to Visit this Winter

Posted: 13 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

by Isabel Eva Bohrer

Winter can get long and cold. Some days, you may not even feel like going outside at all. Markets, however, are a great way to mix and mingle. At many of them, you will have the opportunity to try unique (and hot!) local foods. Numerous winter activities may also be offered, both for adults and children. Here are five seasonal markets worth planning your travels around.

Ice Festival, Ouray, Colorado, USA

Be sure to mark your calendars and start making your travel plans for January 5th-8th, 2012. These are the dates for this years Ice Festival in Ouray, CO.

The Ouray Ice Park is a manmade ice climbing venue operated in a spectacular natural gorge just outside the town. It is home to more than 200 named ice and mixed climbs, most within a 15-minute walk of the Park entrance. The Park and its infrastructure are jointly owned and managed by the City of Ouray, the nonprofit Ouray Ice Park, Inc., and a mix of other private and public landowners.

Each winter, OIPI hosts the Ouray Ice Festival to celebrate the Park and raise funds for its operation. It is a spectacular grassroots event that features exhibition climbing, free clinics, seminars, slide shows, and gear demos.

Brussels Winter Wonderland, Brussels, Belgium

For the entire month of December, the city center of Brussels transforms into a winter wonderland. You will find fairy lights, laser shows (at the Grand Palace) and around 240 wooden stalls that serve as shopping chalets. In fact, these temporary shopping chalets, including some brasseries, are installed at the end of November and last all the way through to New Years.

Those who enjoy sports can enjoy the ice skating rink. In addition, you can find a ferris wheel that provides you with a unique view of the city (note that all of these activities have fees).

Throughout the entire market, you can also find numerous ice sculptures to admire. In terms of entertainment, there are numerous brass bands and other free performances that come as part of the cultural program.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London, UK

Friday, November 18^th marked the opening of the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. This year, the organizers have teamed up with Samsung for the Samsung Galaxy Ice Rink, which, for the first time, will surround the Victorian bandstand.

All throughout the Wonderland, you will find numerous shows, rides and attractions. For example, the Zippos Christmas Circus explores the magic of Christmas around the world, while the Cirque Extreme is a daredevil show with the most thrilling acts that circuses have to offer. Adrenaline addicts, in turn, will enjoy the Power Tower, the tallest free fall in the world. For kids, there's Santa Land where visits to Santa himself are free. Both children and adults alike will enjoy all the eateries, restaurants, cafes and bars.

Due to the popularity of the event, it is recommended that you book tickets in advance. Visit the official website for more details.

Winter's Farmers Market, Northern Colorado, USA

In contrast to the above entertainment festivals, this market specializes in food and other culinary delights. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be having fun. In addition to fresh local food, you will find live music, face painting and other special events, all during 12 Saturdays from late October, 2011, through early April, 2012.

Here are just a few delicious treats to choose from: Produce, fruit, wine, cider, meat, poultry, cheese, eggs, bread, jams & jellies, salsas, sauces, condiments, baked goods, confections, hand-crafted local items and much more!

Winter Carnival, Quebec, Canada

Ever since the New French colonized Quebec, they have been following a rowdy tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and be merry. The result is the world's largest winter carnival, which was first held in 1824 and which has enriched its program of activities from one winter to the next.

This year, the festival will be taking place from January 27 to February 12, 2012. Attractions include activities for all ages: snow baths, night parades, snow slides, giant fooseball, snow sculptures, shows, sleigh rides, and skating.

Couples will want to check out to the Ice Palace. Bundle up and give your loved one a kiss as you are surrounded by a magical construction made entirely out of ice.

Isabel Eva Bohrer is a freelance writer and photographer who has dispatched pieces from over twenty countries across five continents. Learn more about her work at www.isabelevabohrer.com.

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Top 10 New Year’s Eve Destinations

Posted: 12 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST

We took a look at the most popular New Year's Eve rental hot spots in 2010 so we could give you the skinny on the best places to be when we say goodbye to 2011. From a skiers torchlight procession in Big Bear to a wild street part in Edinburgh here are the top ten locations where FlipKey travelers spend the final hours of the year.

1. Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear lights up the slopes to ring in the New Year at the annual Torchlight Parade at Snow Summit Resort. At 7 P.M. more than 250 skiers and snowboarders zigzag down the mountain carrying fluorescent torches to create a brilliant stream of light. Many of the revelers in the parade are equipped with outlandish holiday themed costumes to celebrate the New Year while cruising down the mountain. Enjoy a bit of night skiing and then head to one of the many New Year’s parties hosted by the local resorts for live music and champagne.

2. New York City, New York

The Big Apple is the hub of New Year's celebrations in the U.S. with over one-million visitors piling into Times Square to watch the fabled ball drop as the clock strikes midnight. If you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Times Square, then there's a plethora of alternative options. You can buy a ticket to one of the many parties in downtown Manhattan, but make sure to plan early because the most popular tickets sell out fast! Or, you might choose to take part in the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, a four mile race, starting in Central Park with a laser light show and Fireworks!

3. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Nestled in the scenic Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg hosts a rousing New Year's celebration with a lively pyrotechnic displays centered on the historic 407-foot tall Space Needle. During the hours leading up to midnight there is a spirited celebration at the base of the Space Needle with live music to keep the crowd entertained. Everyone anticipates the climax of the night when Midnight arrives and the ball drops from the Space Needle to signify one year passing to the next. Local businesses and restaurants provide great deals to keep the party going long after midnight.

4. South Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is renowned for its incredible fireworks spectacle, which reflects stunningly across the lake and momentarily illuminates the entire area to welcome the New Year. This year promises to be even better with the arrival of the SnowGlobe Music Festival, featuring some of the best acts in electronic music like Bassnectar and Pretty Lights. In addition to the fireworks and music, Heavenly Ski Resort hosts an ice sculpting competition, while the Montbleu offers a different experience at their night club dance party.

5. Miami Beach, Florida

The Miami Beach club scene will be going full throttle throughout the New Year's weekend as thousands of visitors arrive to take advantage of the warm weather and the city's best parties. If you're looking for something the whole family can enjoy, check out the 35 ft. neon Big Orange at the Parks Amphitheater as it rises to the top of the Hotel Intercontinental to drop at the stroke of Midnights. The Big Orange spectacle is followed by fireworks and a light show over Biscayne Bay. On the afternoon of the 31st make sure to see the King Mango Strut Parade, a satirical parade, boasting some of the wackiest and most hilarious costumes around.

6. Amsterdam, Holland

If you're heading to Amsterdam to celebrate the coming of the New Year get ready to take to the streets and plazas with a bottle of champagne at your disposal. Hotspots include Dam Square, Niewmarkt and Rembrandtplein where kids and adults alike illuminate the streets with an abundance of firecrackers and sparklers. The city is easy to navigate on rental bikes, so explore a bit to find that perfect viewing bridge over the Amstel River for the city's organized fireworks spectacle. Keep the night going at one of the many bars and clubs in Amsterdam's notable party scene.

7. Las Vegas, Nevada

Every corner of the strip is stirring with energy on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas. The strip closes at 6 p.m. and the streets fill with rousing partiers awaiting the midnight fireworks display. The show is an intense spectacle with fireworks launching from seven different casinos down the four mile strip including the MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, The Venetian and the Stratosphere. Freemont Street provides a different and enjoyable experience with a collection of various tribute bands like "Rolling the Stone" and "Fan Halen." And of course the Las Vegas night clubs will be throwing incredible parties with some great artists and DJ's.

8. Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff hosts the college football Fiesta Bowl each year and rolls out various New Year's Eve celebrations to accompany the storied game. The game will be held at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 2 with a matchup between the Big 12 Conference Champion and the No. 1 BCS at-large selection. The Fiesta Bowl Block Party is Arizona's best New Year's Eve party and equipped with live music entertainment and multiple beer gardens sprawling down the Mill Avenue District in Tempe.

9. Edinburgh, Scotland

Touted as the "original and best," the Edinburgh Hogmanay is a New Year's Eve street party with a crowd of nearly 80,000 packed into the city center. The three day festival begins December 30 with the Torchlight procession from Parliament Sqaure to Carlton Hill Son et Lumiere followed by the street party on the 31st. The street party is one of Europe's largest celebration with world famous DJ's, outdoor bars and the famous midnight fireworks. The festival is followed by "The Loony Dook" on Jan 1st in which participants dive into the freezing River Forth! This is one celebration you won't want to miss.

10. Rome, Italy

The New Year's celebration also coincides with the La Festa di San Silvestro a gastro holiday feature dishes of Zampone and Cotechino accompanied by sparkling wine. The pork dishes are made to signify the richness of the coming year. After the ceremonial feast, Romans tend to congregate at the Piazza Popolo to enjoy classical rock music until the fireworks at midnight. On New Year's Day there is a parade beginning in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City that commences with the Pope's blessing of the New Year. The parade ends at the Castel Sant'Angelo and is lauded for the performances of military and civil marching bands.