February 23rd
2010
by
Becky Youman
closeAuthor: Becky Youman
Name: Becky Youman
Email: byouman@gmail.com
Site: http://
About: Becky lived and worked in Mexico and South America for almost a decade before moving to Arizona. Her books on Latin America include Liquid Mexico – Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture & the Infamous Worm, a travelogue that explores the locales and history related to Mexico’s most famous libations; Open Road’s Chile Guide; and Open Road’s Ecuador & Galapagos Guide.
She is also the author of Open Road’s Best of Arizona, as well as a frequent contributor to Alaska and Horizon Airlines’s in-flight magazines. When she’s not out traveling, she can be found mountain biking and hiking in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks.See Authors Posts (115)
Formerly known as the Phoenix Open, then the FBR Open, the PGA golf tournament taking place in Scottsdale, Arizona this week has a new name. Times were tough when officials were looking for a new sponsor last year, which is the only way to explain why the PGA is okay with naming a standout tournament the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Seriously? While the name may be less than appropriate, especially in light of Tiger’s shenanigans and the stink they have left on the PGA, the party in Scottsdale remains the same. No matter what the tournament is officially named, it is unofficially known as the Greatest Show on Grass and the biggest bash on the PGA tour.
Scottsdale hotels are filled with vacationers coming into town to take part in the most highly attended golf tournament in the world. Combine warm, sunny weather with the spectacular Sonoran Desert surroundings at the TPC Scottsdale, along with many of the world’s best golfers, and you get the perfect equation for enormous galleries. Officials this year are hoping to break the attendance record of 538,356 set in 2008.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open (“WMPO” from here on out), is not your typical staid golf tournament. It is its own unique breed and must be enjoyed in its own unique way. Here is how to get the most out of your WMPO experience:
Sit at the 16th Hole
This 162-yard par three is unlike any other hole in golf. Surrounded by stadium seating and corporate boxes, it’s more like a gladiator arena for golfers. Large quantities of beer are guzzled by the 20,000 fans at the 16th, meaning that normal golf decorum is thrown out the window. If a golfer misses the green, or acts like a jerk, he will be assailed by a hailstorm of boos. If he makes a great shot, or simply attended ASU or U of A, the crowd will rain cheers like he’s never heard before. Some golfers love the hole, and others abhor it, but there is no doubt that the pressure here is unique. As one official put it, “The hazards as this tournament are not the rough or sandtraps, they are the fans.”
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February 22nd
2010
by
Matt Wilson
closeAuthor: Matt Wilson
Name: Matt Wilson
Email: matt@inkforhire.com
Site:
About: Since failing to realize his dream of playing centerfield in the big leagues (it was obvious in college this wasn't to be), Matt's been writing about places, people, and things. He enjoys journeys down hiking trails, bike paths, and two-lane highways with his wife and kids to wherever they might lead. Raised and well-traveled in the Southeast, he's anxiously awaiting the day the Dolphins win another Super Bowl, Ric Flair runs for office, and good Cuban food comes to North Georgia.See Authors Posts (135)
South Florida has had quite a month. Now that all the hype and hoopla of the Super Bowl has transitioned from the Sunshine State to New Orleans (despite Fat Tuesday already passing, Lombardi Gras is still going on there), South Beach is serving up something a little different from football fare this week—instead of crazed pigskin diehards, it will be refined tastes, exquisite appetites, and luxury Miami hotels being filled.
Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University, which just happens to have one of the best college hospitality programs around, the South Beach Food & Wine festival has become an annual Miami vacation for some of the top names in the wine and culinary world—as well as connoisseurs of the fruit of the vine and foodies everywhere. For four days, the event will showcase these talents, tasters, and numerous culinary personalities, including many from the Food Network which sponsors the event.
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February 22nd
2010
by
Becky YoumancloseAuthor: Becky Youman
Name: Becky Youman
Email: byouman@gmail.com
Site: http://
About: Becky lived and worked in Mexico and South America for almost a decade before moving to Arizona. Her books on Latin America include Liquid Mexico – Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture & the Infamous Worm, a travelogue that explores the locales and history related to Mexico’s most famous libations; Open Road’s Chile Guide; and Open Road’s Ecuador & Galapagos Guide.
She is also the author of Open Road’s Best of Arizona, as well as a frequent contributor to Alaska and Horizon Airlines’s in-flight magazines. When she’s not out traveling, she can be found mountain biking and hiking in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks.See Authors Posts (115)
Another Monday morning, another body part sore from my weekend adventures. (This time it was mountain biking racing instead of snowboarding.) Once again I’ll be headed to yoga class this afternoon to help work out the kinks. And I won’t be alone. Yoga has become so popular that even travelers aren’t content to leave their yoga practice at home. According to a recent article in the New York Times, yoga is becoming so mainstream that, “like Wi-Fi, on-demand movies and fitness centers, yoga is becoming an amenity many hotels and resorts just can’t do without.”
The article states that yoga classes are no longer offered exclusively at resorts and spas, but also at conventional hotel chains. You are as likely to find a yoga session offered at Salt Lake City hotels these days as at fancy San Jose del Cabo resorts. According to the article, the hotels see yoga as a way to help the bottom line. While the widespread offering of yoga in hotels may be a new trend, there are some chains that deserve kudos for getting the ball rolling, or maybe I should say, “downwalk dog walking”, earlier than others.
Kimpton Hotels
Kimpton was the first chain hotel to offer in-room wellness and yoga. The idea was to make it easier for guests to maintain the practices that keep them calm and serene, even while traveling. Most of their hotels offer special yoga tote bags for guests that include yoga props, mats, and straps. Combine those with an on-demand video yoga class and you might not even need the famous complementary Kimpton wine hour in the evening.
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February 22nd
2010
by
Matt WilsoncloseAuthor: Matt Wilson
Name: Matt Wilson
Email: matt@inkforhire.com
Site:
About: Since failing to realize his dream of playing centerfield in the big leagues (it was obvious in college this wasn't to be), Matt's been writing about places, people, and things. He enjoys journeys down hiking trails, bike paths, and two-lane highways with his wife and kids to wherever they might lead. Raised and well-traveled in the Southeast, he's anxiously awaiting the day the Dolphins win another Super Bowl, Ric Flair runs for office, and good Cuban food comes to North Georgia.See Authors Posts (135)
There’s one place in Texas that people will never forget after visiting: The Alamo. While the Disney film that came out a couple of years ago was largely forgettable, the actual building and the story behind it is something ingrained in the memory of every Texan. First built (as it stands today) as a Roman Catholic mission in 1724, the historic building is best known as a fortress during the Lone Star Republic’s battles with Mexico during the Texas Revolution, where it changed hands between both sides several times—most notably in 1835 when it was surrendered to the Texas Army, and in 1836 during the infamous Battle of the Alamo. Today, it stands as a museum and a reminder of why you “Don’t mess with Texas.”
Originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero in 1718, the structure was likely given its current name by the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras, a Mexican army battalion, who occupied the compound surrounded by a grove of cottonwood trees known as álamo in Spanish. Today, this humble, historic building near the heart of downtown is surrounded by high rises and San Antonio hotels, and is a must-see when in town. You’ll always remember the Alamo after visiting it, and there’s no better time than now during the 174th anniversary of when the battle first began.
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February 19th
2010
by
Becky YoumancloseAuthor: Becky Youman
Name: Becky Youman
Email: byouman@gmail.com
Site: http://
About: Becky lived and worked in Mexico and South America for almost a decade before moving to Arizona. Her books on Latin America include Liquid Mexico – Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture & the Infamous Worm, a travelogue that explores the locales and history related to Mexico’s most famous libations; Open Road’s Chile Guide; and Open Road’s Ecuador & Galapagos Guide.
She is also the author of Open Road’s Best of Arizona, as well as a frequent contributor to Alaska and Horizon Airlines’s in-flight magazines. When she’s not out traveling, she can be found mountain biking and hiking in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks.See Authors Posts (115)
Want free airfare for your unborn child? Try to give birth on one of Bolivian airline TAM’s flights. A couple of weeks ago a woman went into labor on a flight to La Paz and ended up delivering her baby at 24,000 feet. Luckily there were both a doctor and nurse onboard as passengers who assisted in the delivery. According to the Miami Herald, the child will be given free domestic flights on the airline until she reaches the age of 18. In a funny twist, the girl’s mother named the newborn Tami in honor of the airline.
While you might not be willing (or able) to go to those lengths to get cheap tickets or free airfare, there are other things that you can do to try to get airline perks.
Fly the Same Airline – A Lot: As we all learned from watching George Clooney’s character Ryan Bingham in Up in the Air, super-elite frequent fliers are treated like royalty by airlines. News stories since the movie came out have reported airlines that have private check-in areas and procedures for these fliers, as well as unique meal and boarding services. These VIPs get rebooked as soon as there is a flight delay and even have connecting flights held for them.
Even if you don’t make the super-elite status, having any status at all on an airline is a good thing. People who qualify for the lowest level of elite status on US Airways for example, get free space-available upgrades, are allowed to check in via the always shorter first class lines, and are one of the first groups to board the airplane, meaning they don’t have to fight for overhead space. Another perk, not having to pay for checked bags, is a bonus with true monetary value these days.
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February 19th
2010
by
Matt WilsoncloseAuthor: Matt Wilson
Name: Matt Wilson
Email: matt@inkforhire.com
Site:
About: Since failing to realize his dream of playing centerfield in the big leagues (it was obvious in college this wasn't to be), Matt's been writing about places, people, and things. He enjoys journeys down hiking trails, bike paths, and two-lane highways with his wife and kids to wherever they might lead. Raised and well-traveled in the Southeast, he's anxiously awaiting the day the Dolphins win another Super Bowl, Ric Flair runs for office, and good Cuban food comes to North Georgia.See Authors Posts (135)
It’s been quite an interesting couple of weeks for air travel. Last week we had a rash of cancelled flights due to the bad weather, and there’s been all kinds of personal rights controversy as of late with how the full body scanners work that are in use at numerous airports now. And then there’s the latest beef, involving filmmaker / actor Kevin Smith who was removed from his flight because of his girth and forced to buy an additional ticket to accommodate his size. He responded by shedding his Silent Bob side and lashing out about the policy via Twitter which caused a media firestorm (interestingly enough, this topic is something that was hotly debated here nearly a year ago).
All that to say, you can avoid all of these issues by considering a different travel option—one that’s been used for nearly two centuries, and was instrumental in the social and economic growth of the U.S. in the late 19th / early 20th century. Can you say, “All aboard?” Or to quote the Quad City DJ’s, “Come on ride that train!” Still vastly popular across the globe (especially if you’re on a European vacation), rail service is a viable option here in the States as well, with service across each region of the U.S. and in most major cities. There are many reasons to consider taking the train for your next trip—not in the least because it can be a vacation within a vacation. Here are several reasons why:
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February 16th
2010
by
Becky YoumancloseAuthor: Becky Youman
Name: Becky Youman
Email: byouman@gmail.com
Site: http://
About: Becky lived and worked in Mexico and South America for almost a decade before moving to Arizona. Her books on Latin America include Liquid Mexico – Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture & the Infamous Worm, a travelogue that explores the locales and history related to Mexico’s most famous libations; Open Road’s Chile Guide; and Open Road’s Ecuador & Galapagos Guide.
She is also the author of Open Road’s Best of Arizona, as well as a frequent contributor to Alaska and Horizon Airlines’s in-flight magazines. When she’s not out traveling, she can be found mountain biking and hiking in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks.See Authors Posts (115)
Looking for a little something to make that next Las Vegas vacation really special? Sure, you could book a suite at one of the Vegas luxury hotels, get great seats for some of the thrilling Vegas shows, or splurge on a shopping trip at CityCenter, but really, hasn’t all that been done before? Soon there will be a new way to indulge in Vegas that does not include VIP ropes and bottle serve. Starting February 27, Zero Gravity Corporation will offer weightless flight experiences out of Vegas’s McCarran Airport.
Although Vegas has been known in the past for experiences into other dimensions (see The Hangover for example), this is the first time that actual true zero G flight will be offered in Sin City. During the Zero G experience, which takes place in a specially modified Boeing 727, parabolic arcs are performed by the plane to create a weightless environment. This allows passengers to float, slip, and soar as if they were in space. Each “weightless period” lasts about 20 to 30 seconds, and each flight includes 12 to 15 of these arcs.
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February 15th
2010
by
Matt WilsoncloseAuthor: Matt Wilson
Name: Matt Wilson
Email: matt@inkforhire.com
Site:
About: Since failing to realize his dream of playing centerfield in the big leagues (it was obvious in college this wasn't to be), Matt's been writing about places, people, and things. He enjoys journeys down hiking trails, bike paths, and two-lane highways with his wife and kids to wherever they might lead. Raised and well-traveled in the Southeast, he's anxiously awaiting the day the Dolphins win another Super Bowl, Ric Flair runs for office, and good Cuban food comes to North Georgia.See Authors Posts (135)
So did you find yourself in the doghouse this Valentine’s Day weekend? Perhaps you gave your significant other something that was a little unbecoming or thoughtless? Or maybe you didn’t do anything at all, choosing instead to watch the Winter Olympics or the NBA All-Star game (though seeing pairs performing together, such as couples figure skating, is kind of romantic, and, I suppose in a man-crushy kind of way, D-Wade dishing the ball to Lebron)?
If you find yourself needing to make up for missing the Valentine’s boat, there is hope yet. Dig yourself out of your hole by booking a romantic getaway filled with reliving the scenery of that Valentine’s Day staple: romantic comedies and dramas. We’ve put together four destinations that have been featured in romcoms and tear-jerkers, so book a cheap flight and get ready to travel to your happily ever after—even if you dug a really, really, really deep hole for yourself.
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February 15th
2010
by
Robin Bruns Worona
closeAuthor: Robin Bruns Worona
Name: Robin Bruns Worona
Email: robinbruns@yahoo.com
Site:
About: With family in Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, California, Ontario, and Alaska, Robin knows how to transform family visits into veritable vacations. She prefers the quirky, free, and forgotten, but has a special place in her heart for tourist traps. Nothing brings a smile to her face like half-price tickets or a secret tip on how to skip the lines. At least once a year she tries to get off the continent for a real adventure, but is never too upset when she’s stuck at home in San Francisco. Despite the popularity of Mad Men, Robin has recently left the world of advertising copywriting to return to writing about things she loves like travel, San Francisco, and food.See Authors Posts (51)
Here we are, just four days in to the Olympics and we’ve already been through so much. The media blitz has been intense, starting with horrible tragedy, then quickly moving on to fanfare and fashion. There’s been protests, some truly amazing video art involving whales , and even a tight pant controversy. I think there’s even been a bit of athletic competition in there somewhere. Of course, there’s also been loads of press about visiting beautiful Vancouver, Whistler, British Columbia, even Canada as a whole. Where to stay, what to do. I was especially struck by the report Tom Brokaw did Friday night. It was informative, yes, but still kind of reminded me of those reports we used to basically copy out of the World Book Encyclopedia when we were kids. But I guess that’s about the level of knowledge most people have about our neighbor to the north. After all, did you know that we import more petroleum from Canada than from any other country?
Naturally, I can’t resist adding my two cents. British Columbia is indeed a lovely part of the world and after another 13 days of coverage, I’d be surprised if you didn’t have a desire to check it out for yourself. And by then you’re sure to know all about Vancouver’s Gastown and Chinatown. You’ll be able to map out a great public transit tour , compile a list of hidden gems, and figure out which whale watching trip is right for you. You’ll be reading local blogs (there are some great ones) and publications. But will you remember to take a second look at all your photos before you delete them just in case there’s a surprise lurking in the background? In fact, why not plan a little sidetrip or two in search of two of British Columbia’s mythical beasts—Sasquatch and Ogopogo?
It was the cutesy Olympic mascots that reminded me of the rich animal mythology in this part of Canada. I won’t get into it here, you can check out the site for their, uh, inventive bios. But basically, they are based in part on some of the beliefs and myths of the West Coast First Nations. While there are countless creatures you could investigate, why not start with two of the best documented? It just so happens that Sasquatch and Ogopogo have great taste location-wise, so really, it’s a win-win.
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February 15th
2010
by
Becky YoumancloseAuthor: Becky Youman
Name: Becky Youman
Email: byouman@gmail.com
Site: http://
About: Becky lived and worked in Mexico and South America for almost a decade before moving to Arizona. Her books on Latin America include Liquid Mexico – Festive Spirits, Tequila Culture & the Infamous Worm, a travelogue that explores the locales and history related to Mexico’s most famous libations; Open Road’s Chile Guide; and Open Road’s Ecuador & Galapagos Guide.
She is also the author of Open Road’s Best of Arizona, as well as a frequent contributor to Alaska and Horizon Airlines’s in-flight magazines. When she’s not out traveling, she can be found mountain biking and hiking in Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert and Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks.See Authors Posts (115)
It may be cold and snowy in the United States right now, but things are sizzling in other parts of the world (and I don’t mean Vancouver, where they are having problems with rain, snowmelt, and the winter Olympics.) The Carnival party in Rio is reaching full swing and this week’s heat wave doesn’t seem to be slowing anybody down. Vacationers have descended on this Brazilian city in droves, where tourism officials estimate that 700,000 people are filling Rio de Janeiro hotels, sunning on the beach, and dancing in the streets.
The highest February temperatures in almost fifty years haven’t stopped the non-stop revelry that Rio’s Carnival season represents. Famous Americans who have escaped the frigid temps to visit Brazil include Madonna, Paris Hilton, and Gerard Butler, who have all joined in the fun. Here are some of the things they, and anyone else who heads to Rio for Carnival, should not miss:
Samba Parades: These parades are actually a high pressure competition amongst the best dance troupes, known as Samba Schools, in Brazil. The top twelve groups in the country dance for hours over the course of two nights (and well into the morning.) The first six groups performed last night, and the second six will perform tonight. Eighty thousand people watch the competition live in the Sambodromo, a special samba stadium, while millions stay up all night to follow the spectacle on television.
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Formerly known as the Phoenix Open, then the FBR Open, the PGA golf tournament taking place in Scottsdale, Arizona this week has a new name. Times were tough when officials were looking for a new sponsor last year, which is the only way to explain why the PGA is okay with naming a standout tournament the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Seriously? While the name may be less than appropriate, especially in light of Tiger’s shenanigans and the stink they have left on the PGA, the party in Scottsdale remains the same. No matter what the tournament is officially named, it is unofficially known as the Greatest Show on Grass and the biggest bash on the PGA tour.
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