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Monday, June 20, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

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Tour Talk: Big Tree Travels Across America

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 06:33 AM PDT

Volume 7: Denver, Colorado

Meet Big Tree, a quintet out of Brooklyn, New York with high hopes and empty pockets. Three dashing young men and two friendly ladies make up this indie pop band. We are the luckiest people on the planet. Our job is to drive from one amazing place to the next, play a show, make new friends, and explore new cities. While we're on the road, FlipKey invited us to share our experiences living like locals everywhere we go.

After driving through the desert and watching the tumbleweeds roll by on the highway, Denver was a welcome change of scenery. Evergreens, mountains, hippies and music awaited us in this land of serenity, and we were sure we'd found some kind of utopia.

Denver, CO

The most stress we experienced during our stay was at a sandwich shop, but boy, was it worth it! We rolled into Denver and loaded into the venue early, starving and needing to stretch our legs. The bartender pointed us in the direction of Snarf's, the best place to get a sub. It's hard to find food that five people are always in the mood for, but sandwiches are a pretty safe bet for the bandmates of Big Tree. The line to order went out the door, and the tables were all full inside and out, but we waited our turn and got huge, delicious subs. This place makes its own old-fashioned fountain drinks and milkshakes, as well. Not expensive, and SO GOOD!

Cheeseman Park, Denver Needing to walk off our big lunch before the gig, we found a nearby park and brought a Frisbee to throw around. Cheeseman Park was full of babies, couples, and athletes. The grass was just starting to grow back after a long winter and we soaked up the rays as we digested and wrote a set list for the evening's show.

On the way back to the show, we decided to grab a drink at another local bar where we had wanted to play (the date was already booked). The Meadowlark Bar is a cute, cozy venue with a small stage and an awesome vibe. The bartender was the friendliest, and knew a lot about the goings-on around town. We enjoyed our drinks outside while we watched the sunset and some people walking by.

When we set up our gear at the Larimer Lounge, we knew we had chosen the right place after all. The hall was packed with locals drinking cheap beer and enjoying both the inside areas and the patio. With a great stage and a private green room, the Larimer had everything a band could want! It filled up with dancing locals and live music, and became a magical space for the band and the audience.

The next day we drove a few miles west of Denver to spend some time in Evergreen, Colorado. Exactly what the name implies, this town features beautiful mountains covered in tall pine trees and the smell of fireplaces everywhere you go. Beautiful wooden homes and cabins are hidden in the woods, and a huge lake lies close to the center of town. We had delicious coffee and walked along the streets peering into the different shops and restaurants before going on a long walk in the woods. We were glad to have a moment with nature before getting in the van once again for another long day of driving, gas stations, and fast food.

Friday, June 17, 2011

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Beautiful Beaches: Deals of the Week

Posted: 17 Jun 2011 06:11 AM PDT

Even though all of the pirates, and (we assume) Johnny Depp, are gone from the Caribbean, Villa Moonshadow will convince you that you should still head to the islands to chill. Resting right on the water, you can enjoy everything about the beach, even without Depp roaming the waters. Villa Moonshadow even has its own private dock with fishing equipment. 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms make it perfect for a family or friend getaway. Book your vacation before Halloween 2011 and save $1000/week on this hidden treasure.

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Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! That’s the cry you'll let out when you see this lovely apartment in the land down under, situated a short walk from the Coral Sea. The Mango Lagoon Apartment can sleep up to four and includes a spectacular terrace. If you would rather just lay by the pool, there are four spectacular pools nearby to choose from. Now is the time to take a trip to the country everyone wants to visit.	Mexican food happens to be one of the cuisines of choice in the FlipKey offices, and what better way to get authentic flavor than heading to Mexico. If your mouth is watering in agreement, we have the place for you: this lovely condo is situated right on the beach on Isle Cozumel. Close to the town, you'll get best of both worlds: isolation and nightlife. Throw in some black beans and guacamole and it couldn't get much better!
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If I learned anything in history class, it was that when kings and queens want to be pampered and coddled, they head to the Turkish Coast. Why not give yourself (and your friends) a king's treatment at Villa Katmar? This Villa not only has amazing Mediterranean views but mountain views as well. With 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, this villa has it all, including a private pool and rooftop terrace so that you can look out over your new kingdom.	Some of the best baseball players in the world come from the Dominican Republic, so if your summer plans involve the crack of bats and the crunch of peanuts then a trip to the DR might be in order. Capture some of the island’s magic in this Creole style villa located a short ways from a white sand beach. With 3 bedrooms, it's a home run for small families or a trip with friends.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

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Top 10 Ultimate Father’s Day Getaway Destinations

Posted: 16 Jun 2011 07:08 AM PDT

Despite the necktie being a smash hit for the past 15 years, you probably shouldn't assume that your Dad wants one more this Father's Day. Not that he didn't absolutely appreciate the one shaped like a fish you gave him when you were 7, but he's a hard working guy who deserves a little something extra this year. Then again, maybe what he really deserves is something extra special. He's been going big for you your whole life, and Father's Day is the perfect chance to return the favor by sending him on an adventure in one of these larger than life destinations!

For the Fisherman – Key West, FL

Key West offers some of the most pristine and well-stocked deep sea sport fishing grounds in the world. Serious anglers come here to land the big ones – tuna, grouper, barracuda, and of course, marlin. The wide variety of fishing tour companies in Key West is not only great due to the competitive pricing it creates, but because it also means even the weekend angler can find a tour that can easily be tailored to suit varying levels of experience.

For the Golfer – Pebble Beach, CA

If your Dad is a PGA Tour pipe-dreamer, there's no place he'd rather hit the links than in Pebble Beach. Located on the beautiful and temperate California coast, it's home to some of the most famous golf courses in the world. Dad will feel connected to golf history playing Del Monte, the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi, or battling through the championship tees at Spyglass Hill, from which Robert Louis Stevenson found inspiration for his classic novel, Treasure Island.

For the Baseball Nut – Cooperstown, NY

In Cooperstown (approximately 3 hours north of NYC) Dads can live out their ultimate baseball fantasy during Father's Day weekend, which by no small coincidence is also the annual Hall of Fame Classic Weekend. Among the activities are the Hall of Fame Classic, an exhibition game featuring numerous Hall of Famers; Family Catch at Doubleday Field; a parade and the Cooperstown Golf Classic. And just like the other 51 weekends of the year, the National Baseball Hall of Fame will be open for Dad to stroll in awe through baseball history.

For the Player – Las Vegas, NV

Gambling, music, nightlife, extreme sports, and entertainment galore… doesn't sound like your Dad? Think again. While it's true that the siren song of Vegas beckons all men, it doesn't do so for the sole purpose of leaving a trail of debauchery in his wake, like most movies would suggest. Vegas has plenty of class left, and is still more The Rat Pack than it is The Hangover. Sending Dad to Vegas is perfect because it gives him a chance to pack a lot of fun in a short amount of time, be it golf, cards, fine dining, or a critically-acclaimed show.

For the Romantic – Honolulu, HI

What better place for Dad to abscond with Mom on a romantic getaway than the tropical island paradise of Hawaii? Even if they somehow manage to tire of blissfully lounging on the sand and playing in the piercing blue water, Honolulu has a multitude of affordable relaxing spas, forests to explore, and has become a veritable foodie heaven of inexpensive noodle joints and artful Pacific Rim cuisine.

For the Wine Lover – Napa Valley, CA

The Napa and Sonoma Valley regions of Northern California make up the heart of what is simply known as "wine country" throughout the state, as well as across most of the U.S. While the entire area is predominantly agricultural, it's rather easy to stumble into (or meticulously book) countless opportunities to explore the picturesque countryside and sample the delicately-crafted wares of the vintners who cultivate it. Given the area's close proximity to San Francisco's high-end culinary scene, you won't run short of delectable pairing options for your favorite bottle any time soon.

For the Sightseer – New York, NY

This is a really great idea for the Dad who has never been to New York City, or wasn't able to stop and appreciate it while there on business. The perfect addition to this trip is the New York CityPASS, which gives the holder (line-free) admission into six of New York's most famous attractions:

Empire State Building
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
American Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Modern Art
Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty
Guggenheim Museum

For the Speed Demon – Los Angeles, CA

Have Dad put his driving chops to the ultimate test at one of the stunt driving clinics offered through the Extreme Stunt and Driving Team. If your Dad doesn't limit his adrenaline intake to things on four wheels, you might want consider adding another day or two onto the trip to give him the chance to check out their many stunt clinics, including the high fall and fire gag (read: you could "safely" set your dad on fire).

For the Brewmaster Hopeful – Portland, OR

Portland leads the nation in concentration of microbreweries per capita, an asset that can be wonderfully advantageous to the beer aficionado hoping to tour as many different breweries and sample as many different styles as possible in a short period of time. With a little bit of advanced planning, or even via prepackaged "BrewBus" tours, Dad can learn about the brewing process and get a hands-on understanding of the inner workings of some of highest rated breweries in the country.

For the Outdoorsman – Big Sky, MT

The rugged, explorer side of your Dad will come alive in the heart of Big Sky Country. The expansive beauty on the banks of the Gallatin River, along with the surrounding Gallatin and Paradise Valleys, could keep a man occupied for years. The lower region is perfect for camping, fly fishing, viewing wildlife, or simply slipping into the sweet silence that comes from being the only person for miles around.

Jay Ferris is a Seattle-based writer, husband, and father of three, whose penchant for outdoors-based travel is rivaled only by his dependence on a steady internet connection and spider-free existence. Follow him on Twitter at @jayferris.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Brussels Braised Endive

Posted: 15 Jun 2011 07:05 AM PDT

Brussels Castle Rental The first time I moved to France, I was fourteen. It was via an exchange program that had me placed with a family in the north of France – nearly Belgium – and when I arrived from New York’s JFK airport, it was in Brussels, and not Paris, that I landed.

I had been to France once before, that I could remember: to Paris, where my father and I walked the quais of the Seine and visited famous art museums when I was ten years old. Four years later, which is a long time in the mind of a fourteen-year-old, I arrived in Brussels in late September and was surprised at the stark difference between the city I had fallen in love with and this land two hours to the north.

We spent little time in Brussels that first day, just enough to drive past it and peer at the beffrois towering above the city, those famous northern bell towers that leer from above over comparatively tiny towns. But I got my fill of northern sights from the window of the car, tainted the entire car-ride back with drizzles that clouded my view. The sky was deeply gray; the grass was deeply green. It was midday, I knew, but the combination of jetlag and early autumn weather made me unsure.

It wasn’t until several weeks later that we actually visited Brussels: we piled back into the car and drove over the border once again, from northern France to southern Belgium, which really isn’t that much of a difference at all. We exited the car into the streets of the major European metropolis, though this fact had to be explained to my by the patient host mother escorting us through the streets of the city that, to me, seemed more like the tiny town one finds inside a snowglobe than a major political center: its large, open squares lined with multicolored buildings that looked as though they had faces and personalities.

While in Brussels, we did as you’re supposed to and ate Belgian waffles with ice cream, but once at home in the north of France, another Brussels classic consistently found its way onto my plate: endive, the bitter lettuce that is so frequently tossed with apples in salads, was caramelized and braised to be served as a side dish, a welcome warmth in the cold dreariness of the North.

In Brussels in the winter, there are few inexpensive, fresh vegetables to be found. But endive – sold for more than a dollar apiece in the States – can be purchased in large bags for a Euro at the local grocery store, or hand-selected from the farmers who pick them at Sunday’s Midi Market near the South (Midi) train station. Eat them raw in salads, or use them for this Belgian side dish.

Braised Endive

3 endives
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt

Braised Endive

Rinse the endive, and slice them down the middle from root to tip, leaving the root intact.

Heat the butter over medium heat until melted, and place the endives, sliced-side down, in the pan. Cook about 5 minutes, until the endives have browned, then flip and sprinkle with sugar and salt.

Fill the pan with about an inch of water, then cover and cook until the endives are tender and the water has evaporated, about 15-20 minutes (add more water if necessary).

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, June 14, 2011

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Treehouse Vacations: Rentals for the Adventurous

Posted: 14 Jun 2011 07:24 AM PDT

Costa Rica Treehouse

On your next vacation, do you want to be as close to nature as possible? Have a totally private experience, tucked away where no one can find you? Rekindle your adventurous spirit by living out your childhood dream? Or give your kids the most memorable vacation of their lives? Any of those fantasies could become reality by booking your stay in a treehouse.

Yes, there are real tree houses for rent on FlipKey! Here are a few that, complete with modern comforts, are even cooler than your childhood perches (real or imagined):

In Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica, Lapa's Nest Treehouse is a six-level tree house in the middle of the rainforest that boasts a "Modern Swiss Family Robinson" experience. An entire family (up to eight people) can live 55 feet up in the canopy, surrounded by tropical birds and monkeys. Other fun features include an elevated shower with a glass bottom, and a private pool fed by a natural spring.

Entrance to a romantic Hawaii treehouse On the Big Island in Hawaii, two different tree house rentals await. One is a secret, romantic spot fit for two that was built at mid-canopy level. It offers rustic amenities like an outdoor shower and a composting toilet for the eco-conscious. The other is a slightly more spacious house (sleeps up to four) that was built into five living trees. It includes modern amenities like a DVD player and a full bathroom. Both tree houses are close to the famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as the artsy hub of Volcano Village.

Some other FlipKey-listed "treehouses" are not literally built around the trunks of trees, but their locations and architectural styles provide a similar sense of adventure. For example, these rental homes in Breckinridge, Colorado and Auckland, New Zealand, are perched among trees, offering complete privacy and panoramic views.

A number of other vacation rentals, while not attempting to balance on branches, do offer backyard treehouses for children to play in. So, if you're too terrified of heights to sleep in the canopy, you can still give your daredevil kids the ultimate play space while you relax safely at ground level. For ideas, check out these homes in Canada, Italy, and Greece.

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.

Monday, June 13, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Tour Talk: Big Tree Travels Across America

Posted: 13 Jun 2011 07:02 AM PDT

Volume 6: New Orleans, LA

There is no place like New Orleans, especially when it comes to music. Big Tree scheduled an extra day off in this magical city so that we could take some time to forget about our own music and absorb some of the incredible talent and art scattered all over the town.

Mardi Gras Beads on a New Orleans Fence

We played a cozy coffeehouse uptown on the first night. Neurtral Ground Coffee House is the place to go for dim lighting, bowls of popcorn and goldfish, and open mic nights aplenty. Our sound was way too loud for this tiny joint, and the audience was packed in pretty tight, so we decided to pack up our gear when we were done and take the party elsewhere. Some locals told us that a killer band was playing at one of their favorite venues. "Didn't we miss the show?" we asked… "It's already midnight!" They laughed at us and said "Remember where you are! This is New Orleans!"

We drove up several blocks, where it was clear we were far away from tourists and visitors. This was the late night local scene, close to the universities and several neighborhoods. We went inside of the Maple Leaf Bar, where neon lights and the smell of spilled booze set the scene. The Honey Island Swamp Band, a "Bayou Americana" rock group from New Orleans, was playing funky songs about whiskey and women, and the dance floor was packed. We spent the night enjoying the sounds of mandolin, guitar, and saxophone while we got our groove on and drank our local Abita beer. We were all in heaven!

Treehouse in Audobon Park, New Orleans The next morning we got some grub from the grocery store and took it to Audobon Park to enjoy an afternoon picnic. We sat below the old trees covered in Spanish moss, sipping on tall boys of beer in brown bags and getting some sun. While we were there, we got a phone call from a friend of a friend, asking us if we wanted to play another last minute show tonight at the "Tree House." We had no idea what this place was, but a show's a show, and we're always ready for an adventure. We left uptown for the Nola Art House, also known as the Treehouse, somewhere between Treme and the Seventh Ward. When we arrived, we were greeted by several mangy dogs, a huge dilapitated mansion full of 10-12 inhabitants, and a GIGANTIC treehouse made from leftover roller coaster parts and netting. Overhead, the roar of traffic whizzed by on the highway overpass, completing the ambiance.

We set up outside and played on the concrete with the massive treehouse as our backdrop. We were wondering if anyone would come listen, but sure enough, plenty of young people showed up with their own six-packs right before we started playing. We made tons of new friends and climbed through the boughs of these incredible trees, staring up at the stars from man made birds nests, above the traffic.

Since time loses all meaning in this magical place, we decided to spend the rest of our night/morning back down in the French Quarter. We bought some drinks to go and walked to Frenchmen Street, where there are bars and music venues and po' boys on every corner. We hopped from door to door, checking out what kind of music was at each place. When the sun started coming up, we started heading home, knowing we had to leave this place for our next gig. But somehow, we always end up back in New Orleans, so it's not really goodbye.

Friday, June 10, 2011

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Hobbit House (Photo Friday)

Posted: 10 Jun 2011 06:00 AM PDT

At home in the Shire... er... Montana

We activated this fantastic listing the other day – it turns out you don’t have to travel all the way to Middle Earth to visit the Shire and its inhabitants, you just need to go to Montana. The Hobbit house is a 2-bedroom vacation rental located in a remote valley in Trout Creek, MT. In the property description, owner Steve Michaels writes:

Surrounding the hobbit home is a village that comes to life at night with the magical display of lights from the cavalcade of mushrooms that line Hobbit Lane to the lighted mural of a whole Hobbit Village. The excitement is heightened when these fairy structures begin to light up one after the other at dusk. If you are really lucky…and quiet, you may see the shadow of Bilbo Baggins or catch a glimpse of him at home as he likes to stay up night drinking ale and entertaining his friends from The Shire.

This Hobbit house comes complete with everything from basics like WiFi and a gas grill to magical mountain views and visits from a resident bald eagle. Bring your own imagination!

Monday, June 20, 2011

Volume 7: Denver, Colorado

Friday, June 17, 2011

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

For the Fisherman – Key West, FL

For the Golfer – Pebble Beach, CA

For the Baseball Nut – Cooperstown, NY

For the Player – Las Vegas, NV

For the Romantic – Honolulu, HI

For the Wine Lover – Napa Valley, CA

For the Sightseer – New York, NY

For the Speed Demon – Los Angeles, CA

For the Brewmaster Hopeful – Portland, OR

For the Outdoorsman – Big Sky, MT

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Braised Endive

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Monday, June 13, 2011

Volume 6: New Orleans, LA

Friday, June 10, 2011