July 3rd
2009
by Matt Wilson
Some people like to run for no particular reason. I am not one of those. About the only time I run is if I’m playing a sport that involves a ball. Or if my life is in danger. I know I’m not alone–there are many who feel the same way. But something happens in Atlanta every July 4th where everyone forgets those notions, laces up their sneakers, and races down the road on foot. Out-of-towners even plan their Atlanta vacation around this day so they can take part in the running insanity too–it’s the Peachtree Road Race.
The 10-kilometer event calls out to the young and old, professional marathoners and weekend warriors, fitness enthusiasts and people who are way out of shape, and every one in between–with 55,000 participants each year, it’s routinely one of the world’s largest 10k runs. Regardless of where you finish (almost certainly far behind a Kenyan athlete who seems to win it every year), the Peachtree Road Race is one of the hottest (literally and figuratively) events in Atlanta this weekend.
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July 2nd
2009
by Becky Youman
Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya, overthrown in a military coup this week, was put on a plane and sent into exile in Costa Rica. While most people plan their Costa Rica vacations further in advance (actually having time to change out of their pajamas before they board a plane), that doesn’t mean that Zelaya won’t find plenty to do while in San Jose.
Zelaya’s first stop should be Plaza Real Cariari, one of Costa Rica’s largest shopping centers, conveniently located near the San Jose airport. After picking out something to wear, Hondura’s ex-presidente will be sartorially prepared to explore the town.
The main tourist and business gateway to Costa Rica, San Jose is a thriving metropolis of 1.4 million ticos, as residents of Costa Rica are called. Most of the city’s museums and historical buildings are found downtown in the centro. Zelaya should start his walking tour at the Plaza de la Cultura, a large bustling expanse that is home base for ambulatory street vendors and a variety of buskers performing sometimes on-key Andean flute music. Even somebody making news headlines will probably remain anonymous to the kids chasing pigeons across the concrete as well as the adults chatting on palm-shaded benches. Continue reading this entry »
July 2nd
2009
by Matt Wilson
You’ve heard the old joke about whether or not they have the Fourth of July in England–of course, they do. It’s just not something they celebrate (for obvious reasons). But in the Southeast, there is no shortage of Independence Day events and fun-filled family activities. To help you get the biggest bang out of your Fourth, we’ve put together a list of a few of the numerous firework shows, parades, concerts and other festivities in the region to help ring in the height of summer and celebrate freedom.
If your summer vacation plans include travels in these lareas, be sure to soak up the brightly lit night sky from festive fireworks at any one of these locations. Or if you don’t have anything planned, rent a car, find a nearby cheap hotel and have a blast with a last-minute road trip.
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July 1st
2009
by Suzy Burke
Via Huffingtonpost.com: Passengers on a flight to Los Angeles unwittingly ended up taking a brief Albuquerque vacation on Tuesday. It seems an intoxicated passenger in the back of the plane took it upon himself to remove all his clothing. Yep, all of it. After the flight attendants tried unsuccessfully to get him to put his clothes back on, they managed to throw a blanket over the man, who resisted. It took two off-duty cops to hold him down until the plane made an unscheduled landing in Albuquerque, where the man was arrested. After removing the man from the plane, the flight was able to continue on to Los Angeles under the condition that everybody else keep their zippers zipped and their buttons buttoned.
Something about this story reminds me of the time I was on a flight and the man next to me took off his toupee and put it in the seat pocket in front of him like it was the most normal thing in the world. I guess I should be thankful that at least he kept his pants on!
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on a plane?
July 1st
2009
by Matt Wilson
“Out with the old and in with the new” is a mantra to which many subscribe. But that certainly doesn’t apply to St. Augustine, Fla., the nation’s oldest city. It’s a community of storied history, and a Florida vacation hot spot where you can turn back time while touring the sites of its Spanish colonial heritage yet still experience the best of modern vacation amenities. Nowhere in town is this greater illustrated than at the Bayfront Marin House, one of St. Augustine’s newest luxury inns that sits right across Mantanzas Bay in a building that was purchased in the 1780’s by its namesake, Francisco Marin.
The rear section of the Bayfront Marin House, which is the original cocina-constructed colonial house, shows the effects of royal architectural edicts issued by the King of Spain in 1573. Though the exact age of the old structure is unknown, one thing is certain: while staying here, you’ll feel like royalty yourself.
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June 29th
2009
by Matt Wilson
Imagine a Disney vacation at the Magic Kingdom, only without the original Mickey Mouse brand. That’s pretty much the story of Freestyle Music Park, also known as TAFKAHRTP (that would be “The Attraction Formerly Known as Hard Rock Theme Park”). But while Disney World would probably flop without the Mouse, Freestyle Music Park is enjoying a “happily ever after” with its re-branding. It’s still singing the same tune of its predecessor—marrying music with high-energy rides and interactive entertainment—but this location’s encore performance under new ownership is even more of a chart-topper than the original.
The rockin’ theme park is a nirvana for both music and thrill-ride enthusiasts of all ages, as well as families and pretty much anyone else in your motley crew. Some friends of ours recently attended the park and raved about it being the gem of Myrtle Beach with its innovative rides, friendly staff, fun entertainment, and high-tech operations. So if a Myrtle Beach vacation is in your future, make sure Freestyle Music Park is on your playlist.
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June 26th
2009
by Matt Wilson
Looking to clear your head after a stressful period? Then get away from it all by taking a break from the trials of work and a trying economy and hit the trails.
Sure, a Buenos Aires vacation would be nice, but it’s pretty far away. Instead, lace up your boots and head toward a nearby cheap vacation in the Great Smokey Mountains, where you can blaze a trail on one of the most talked about destination spots in the news these days: the Appalachian Trail. This adventure in the Great Outdoors is just a short three-hour drive from most spots in the Southeast–especially Atlanta and, well, South Carolina.
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June 25th
2009
by Suzy Burke
What musical group can say they’ve performed at the inaugurations of five U.S. presidents, has five gold and two platinum recordings, and has sold millions of records? Hint: it’s accompanied by an 11,623-piece pipe organ. It’s the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, of course.
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June 25th
2009
by Matt Wilson
Someone I know recently boarded a plane for a 14-hour flight to Africa. As she found her seat, half of it was occupied by a rather large woman who spilled over from her own (this has actually been a topic of debate here regarding ticket purchases). As she wedged into her own aisle seat, the other woman (who had the window seat) informed my friend that she was on her way to the funeral of a close relative, and that they had had a very troubled relationship. My friend felt very sorry for her, and braced for an emotionally turbulent ride. Then she told my friend that she was a chronic diarrheatic. My friend then felt incredibly sorry for herself.
Even if you’re on your way to a Hawaii vacation or European getaway, 14 hours of feeling like Dr. Phil and dealing with untrustworthy digestive systems because of who’s sitting next to you makes for a miserable flight… And it got me thinking: Who’s the absolute last person you’d want sitting next to you on a very long plane ride? Here are 13 that immediately came to mind:
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June 24th
2009
by Matt Wilson
This time of year is undoubtedly festival season, with events of music, arts, dancing, food, wine, crafts–heck, even watermelons–going on all around the country–especially in the Southeast, making it a great time for a family vacation in these here parts. This is especially true if you’re going to be in the Atlanta area, because there’s one just around the corner. So rent a car, and head eastbound down the Atlanta highway for less than an hour to join the fun of AthFest 2009 in the ultimate college town of Athens, Ga.
Though best known for turning out rabid fanatics for college football (and hatred of all things Gators and Yellow Jackets), the city of Athens has a remarkable heritage for turning out some of the best known rock and alternative music acts around. The list includes R.E.M, the B-52’s, Indigo Girls, Widespread Panic, Matthew Sweet and the Georgia Satellites (I suppose you could add self-proclaimed redneck rapper Bubba Sparxxx to the list). Maybe it’s something in the water–whatever it is, that musical spirit along with a love for the other arts is celebrated at AthFest each year by attenders of all ages, and runs tomorrow through Sunday.
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