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Travelers: Kauai Condos offers vacation rentals at Kuhio Shores.
Vacation with views: try Hanalei Bay Resort on your Hawaiian vacation.
March 31, 2007
Visiting cities from Constellation and Elizabethtown: road trip!
When I wrote about the Elizabethtown-style road trip, I mentioned that my wife and I are seriously considering a roadtrip of our own. We've started to plan things out some including a few ideas from the movie like Elizabethtown & Louisville, KY plus Memphis, Tennessee. But I didn’t mention exactly how I'd get from New York down to Memphis or what I'd do after. Well, I've looked at a few maps and I came up with this. I tried to keep the drives reasonable - I'm not as young as I used to be driving 18 hours straight no longer appeals. Anyway, here are the cities in order and the approximate times from one city to the next:
New York
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (3 hours)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (3 1/4 hours)
Charleston, West Virginia (4 hours)
Louisville, KY (50 minutes)
Elizabethtown, KY (2 1/4 hours)
Nashville, Tennessee (2 hour drive)
Memphis, Tennessee (the link is an old blog about free things to do there - 3 hours to next city)
Huntsville, Alabama (the link is about tourism and the movie Constellation - 4 hours to next city)
Knoxville, Tennessee (6 hours) - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Richmond, Virginia (2.5 hours)
Baltimore, Maryland (1 3/4 hours)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New York (home)
Now there may be some great things to see that I don't know about so if I'm driving right by something cool, please leave a comment and let me know.
In the future I'll try to give you a more detailed idea of what we plan to do in each city. To be honest, some of these cities I chose because I recognized the name and they seemed to be in the right place when I looked at the map so I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing in each city...
March 30, 2007
Reader needs advice on Sweden: weather, anti-Americanism, food and nightlife
One of us needs some advice on Sweden. We do have one Sweden vacation plan, but if anyone can share some more information on Sweden that would be great. I've collected some answers already:
Question: I may have the opportunity to go to Sweden for a month this summer to learn the language and history/ culture. I am a teacher and my school has a non-profit foundation that would foot the bill for my trip. I would be going to a school about 40 minutes north of Stockholm. My questions are:
1. What is Sweden like in the summer (mid-July to mid-August)?
2. What are the people like? I've heard they can be a little tough to get to know. Is there any anti-Americanism?
3. Recommendations on food/ drink there?
Answer #1: Stockholm is beautiful but expensive. It has bodies of water and Islands as part of the city and you would think you are in the middle of nowhere. It's only dark for a couple of hours that time of year. You can golf to 11:30 at night. Head north for midnight golf:) Pleasantly cool in the summer - 70ish.
Answer #2: Great weather, people speak English, get used to eating fish. Sweden has an interesting history and culture and Stockholm is very pleasant town. The stereotype of a blond blue eyed Nordic is found imho more in northern Norway or Denmark and parts of Germany and Iceland and the Baltic States like Estonia and Latvia so you'll meet lots of brunettes.
Answer #3: Den Gildene Freden is a restaurant in Gamla Stan, which is the old part of the city. I'm not positive I spelled the restaurant right, but it translates to "The Golden Peace". It has the best Swedish meatballs you will ever eat.
Answer #4: The booze tax takes the fun out of it. Sweden is a funny place; everyone is very serious. The people are stunning. "Even the ugly ones" as one of my more outgoing colleagues said. The length of day thing swings both ways. You also get 19hrs of night during the winter so be warned. The real positive about having the opportunity to be anywhere in Europe is the ability to travel to the rest of Europe. Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo are all under 2 hr flights. Copenhagen is definitely worth the trip but there is plenty to see both in the Scandinavian countries & the rest of Europe that make it well worth your while if you have the freedom to experience it. However, I'm serious about the booze tax, its prohibitive. All the Swedes go to Copenhagen for fun so make sure you get going there. Try the reindeer.
Answer #5: I didn't experience anti-Americanism in Sweden when I was there and Copenhagen was pro-American if anything. A majority of the people speak English in Denmark (90%) & Sweden (80%+) & your going to learn the language anyway.
Generally speaking, regarding anti-Americanism, if you are a gracious guest, Europe is a gracious host. I'm a conservative & an outspoken one at that but I behaved as I would if I were a guest in someone's house & rarely had issues. I would suggest not engaging in any political discussions if it sets you off. You'll want to go to Copenhagen for the nightlife.
March 29, 2007
Caribbean Islands
Here's a neat article on which Caribbean Islands are best for certain types of travelers.
According to the Scotsman, families should consider Aruba because of its family friendly activities. It's also well-covered in this blog with an entry on the best restaurants in Aruba and another on some Aruba resorts & hotels (including timeshares).
Anguilla is the best Caribbean island for food lovers. I don't have anything for you here, but the article will recommend a hotel that grows its own vegetables. That doesn't excite me but for some food aficionados who truly appreciate fresh veggies I guess it could be just the thing.
Jamaica is the place to go for golfers. Jamaica has 12 golf courses and they are easily accessible from the resorts. The Half Moon Resort has 3 courses.
Hikers, bikers and horse riders should head to Dominica for their outdoor adventure vacations. Numerous dive sites and beautiful nature on the island itself are the main attractions here. The Papillote Wilderness Retreat has hot springs and a botanical garden. Rates seem reasonable ($110/night for a double room). With only seven rooms, it sounds like a nice retreat from the hustle bustle of everyday life (with any luck that will be the worst cliche I ever use for the rest of my life).
Eleuthera is an island I've never heard of, but I guess I need to do some research. The article says this is the place for good beaches without crowds. Eleuthera is an Out Island of the Bahamas so you would have to fly to Nassau and get a charter from there. Sounds like an adventure already.
The best island for clubbing is supposed to be Trinidad and Tobago but armed robberies of tourists are on the rise there. I think we'll take a wait and see approach before booking the flight.
For Hermits we have Marie-Galante, which features "deserted white-sand beaches and Old World charm."
St Vincent and the Grenadines are for the sailing and yachting crowds. Sounds like an expensive hobby.
That's my summary of the first article. I really like these articles on which vacation is good for different types of travelers. It reminds me of the articles on which cruises are best for different people. And there's another one concentrating on different European cruiselines (my blog entry is weak now that I look at it, but the article it links to is still there).
And if you're cruising the Caribbean, this USA Today article says reduced demand could mean better deals. Newsday talks about a last minute deal for Barbados. It doesn't do me any good since I'm not leaving in the next few days (I like to plan ahead).
CNN reminds us to consider Mexico's Caribbean coastline. I may be biased, but I think a few of my articles on the Mexican Riviera are at least as good as the advice in this CNN one. There's the Riviera Maya, Mexico vacation at Bahia Principe Tulum Hotel, some tips on Playa Del Carmen, and a Playa Del Carmen honeymoon experience.
Looking for some vacation rentals in the Caribbean? Caribbean vacation rentals are one of the greatest ways to take a vacation. Why not a villa rental on the Caribbean for your vacation?
March 28, 2007
What's happening in Europe: Jessica Simpson is there and some advice for the rest of us (who wish we were there)
Jessica Simpson and John Mayer are “taking a lovers' vacation in Europe” and Access Hollywood has a few photos. Speaking of European vacations, has anyone seen the movie European Vacation? It’s a French movie with an American title according to this review calling the movie a "tourist rubdown". I haven't but I think my wife and I might like it.
Moving on to the real travel articles, but still on the European travel topic, here's an article (this isn't the kind of newspaper site I usually link to, but they are just as good as the newspapers at making room for ads - I know you need a few ads but still... Anyway, if you look past the ads it is a decent article) for people who want to show their kids a bit of Europe without giving them too much. The idea is that by taking a cruise you and the kids get to see a few different places without being too rushed (and without having to pack and unpack a bunch of times).
We also have an article on medical tourism in Europe. At least some people in Malta wish their tourism and medical industries were able to compete with countries like Hungary: "Hungary draws large numbers of patients from Western Europe and the US for high-quality cosmetic and dental procedures that cost half of what they would in Germany and America."
I really like this article on some of the best (but little known) web sites for people planning to go to Europe. Those sites should keep you busy for a while, and if you're like me you'll be taking notes on possible vacations while you explore the web.
March 27, 2007
Pebble Beach's 17 mile drive in California: The Lone Cypress, Pacific Ocean views, Del Monte Forest
Pebble Beach Resorts has an interactive map of the 17 mile drive. They promise you "Nature’s treasures" which include black cormorants, brown pelicans, California sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and wildflowers.
There are also a few "emerald fairways" such as The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
But people really drive to see The Lone Cypress:
(from bdinphoenix on Flickr)
Wikipedia does a nice job describing the drive and has useful information on costs ($9 per car, free for bikes and walkers, no motorcycles allowed).
Babymoon vacation packages
Here's an article on some different babymoon packages. To me the packages seem like a waste. Sure expecting moms will appreciate the "pregnancy massage", which I would call a prenatal massage. However that should be available in most any spa. Some packages come with a book on parenting, a baby photo album, or a gift mailed when the baby arrives. These are all nice ideas but why pay extra for them?
If it were me, and as I've said before it probably won't be me babymooning, I would just head to Scottsdale, Arizona and go to one of the spas there. I can pick out my own photo albums...
This article from the Boston Globe lists some vacation deals and includes a Maple Sugar package in Loews Hotel Vogue Montreal and a Vermont Chocolate Show package in Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa. Both of those sound cooler to me than any of the plain babymoon packages which seem like little more than an overpriced hotel room, a "free" massage, and a "free" gift.
March 26, 2007
Travel for Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles
Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles:
I chose this photo of Plaza di Cibeles at night for the first entry in my new category of inspiring pictures – pictures that make you want to start planning your next vacation.
We actually have a couple of Madrid and Spain vacation itineraries here. There’s the Madrid to Malaga travel itinerary and the Discovering Spain travel itinerary. Both begin in Madrid.
Madrid inspires people to travel because it’s gorgeous. Madrid has preserved its historic neighborhoods even while its modern transportation system makes it easy to get around. You see the awesome Plaza de Cibeles pictured here. What else do you have to see and do in Madrid?
The Teatro Real (Royal theatre) is called the Real. This is a restored 1850 Opera House and is home to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid. If you’re a music buff like me, someone who still regrets visiting Italy and never seeing an opera in one of the famous opera houses, this is a must. There’s a museum here, but I really want to go for the music.
The huge Royal Palace of Madrid on (Bailén Street accessible from the Ópera metro station) is open to public when not in official use. King Juan Carlos doesn’t actually live there, but the palace is somtimes used for official business. Many visitors claim that you need more than one day in Madrid’s Royal Palace to begin to appreciate it. Personally I’m most eager to see the La Real Armería (the Royal Armory) museum where they keep medieval weapons and armor.
The Buen Retiro park (Park of the Pleasant Retreat), near the Prado museum, has its own list of tourist attractions. Alfonso XII, has his Mausoleum and statue near Estanque del Retiro (a pretty artificial lake where you take a boat ride). There you can find puppet shows, various street performers, and fortune tellers.
Then (still in Buen Retiro park) there's Palacio de Cristal (inspired by The Crystal Palace in London) and Palacio de Velázquez both designed by Ricardo Velázquez Bosco. You might also be interested in seeing a one-of-a-kind: 'El Angel Caído' is the only statue in the world honoring the fallen angel Lucifer. The Forest of the Departed (Bosque de los Ausentes) is a memorial to the 191 victims of the Madrid terrorist attacks on March 11, 2004.
I mentioned that the Prado Museum is near the Buen Retiro park (Park of the Pleasant Retreat). The Prado Museum is another must see tourist attraction, renowned for having one of the world’s best art collections. The Prado Museum is part of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art. The triangle is completed with Madrid’s modern art museum, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and an art museum in a palace, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
So while that picture of Plaza de Cibeles blew me away, there are really tons of reasons to go to Madrid. It's time to start saving my money.
Can't get rid of me that easily
I'm back. Soon I'll be posting more resources to help everyone plan their vacations. First I feel I owe you an explanation so if you want to know what happened to me, here it is.
Actually I'm fine. Nothing happened to me. But bad things happened to my poor travel blog. You might remember how back in January this blog became so popular that my web hosting company shut us down.
So I went out and found some web hosting. A fairly powerful dedicated server that cost me $225/month. It was expensive but I thought it would be worth it to have no more problems. All I want to do is blog.
But $225/month didn't get me what I needed. The server had some issues that ate my database. The first time I got it mostly fixed but we did lose a few entries and some entries lost all their links. Then it happened again, and it was bad.
The second time was so bad that I was unable to post since my database was in such a fragile state. That's why I haven't posted in two weeks or so. If I had posted I could have lost a lot of entries permanently. The way things are now, we'll lose a few entries and a few more will lose their links. I'm not happy about that and I did expect better when I agreed to pay all that money for a dedicated server but it's the best we can do.
At least now I can blog again. Hopefully you'll welcome me back. I love the idea of having a blog that is read by over 2,000 different people every day. Plus I want to get my money's worth since I'm still paying that $225/month and might move to a more expensive company that will hopefully do a better job protecting my database. The only way I can get my money's worth is if lots of readers visit my blog and make the server work hard. So please keep reading travel-plan-idea.com and I'll make sure you enjoy your time here.
March 12, 2007
Vacations and tours for shopaholics
Here's a vacation theme I never considered before. I suppose I should have realized that there was a niche for shopping themed vacations after the shopping in Toronto vacation plan was submitted...
Anyway, Newsweek has a brief article on some different vacation ideas for shopaholics. The two that seem most interesting to me are the "shopping for handmade furniture" tours and one where "clients hop into a Ferrari F430 Spider and tool around Europe for seven days, stopping at such shopping meccas as Christian Lacroix in Monaco and the Salvatore Ferragamo flagship store in Florence."
Get your history straight and your nights gay in Philadelphia
Here's an article about how Philadelphia has delivered on its promise to be a gay-friendly vacation spot, at least according to tourists from an R Family Vacations group. This is the first I've heard of the Rosie O'Donnell vacation group. So far O'Donnell has accompanied all the R Family Vacation trips although she says that eventually she won't be able to keep going on all those vacations. I guess even the rich and famous have to work some time...
March 11, 2007
Elizabethtown movie roadtrip: Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee
Having watched Elizabethtown, my wife and I might forget about the trip to Canada and do a US roadtrip instead. Here are a few places from the movie and then a few of my ideas thrown in.
Elizabethtown & Louisville, KY - If you go at the right time you could be in town for the Kentucky Derby. I'm not sure I like crowds or horse races enough to bother but Bluegrass Country would be nice. I can imagine driving down Old Farnkfort Pike or Paris Pike, visiting the Kentucky Horse Park north of Lexington, and eating dinner at the Beaumont Inn (in Harrodsburg, 30 miles southwest of Lexington), which is famous for its smoked ham dinners, biscuits, and corn pudding.
The hotel from the movie was the Brown Hotel which in downtown Louisville. Other than that I haven't given any thought to accommodations and honestly don't really care about staying in the Brown Hotel either.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas (big statue of Jesus and Dinosaur World) - Dinosaur World didn't look like much so I suppose this part of the trip is not too critical. The statue looked cool, but having taught at catholic University statues of religious figures are nothing new to me.
Memphis, TN - Now here there is some amazing tourist attractions. You've got Graceland. Then you've got a number of famous rib places. In fact, "Memphis's Rib Joints" gets its own entry in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die (so does Graceland, Kentucky's Bluegrass country, and a few other things you'll see here). Also, the Lorraine Motel where the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., MLK, was shot is in Memphis, TN. I'd like to see the museum there.
I've heard that the 2nd largest farmer's market in the world was fabricated for the movie. If the information is correct, this can save roadtrippers a lot of time searching for something that can't be found. I wonder where the biggest and second biggest farmer's markets are anyway...
Here's what I'm thinking as far as directions are concerned. It looks like I'll leave from New York and drive southwest through Pennsylvania. It looks like I'll be too far west to visit Philadelphia on the way, but half the point of roadtripping is not to travel in a straight line. We did have a contest submission about some things further west (kids stuff in PA) but I don't know that any of those activities are getting me excited. We might pass through Harrisburg...
After leaving Pennsylvania but before reaching Kentucky, we could go south through Charelston, West Virginia or more west through Columbus, Ohio. Arkansas is west of Kentucky and I don't have a compelling reason to go that way so after Kentucky I would go down to Tennessee.
As I start working my way back north, I'd take a route further east, possibly along the coast. I haven't even started to think about which places to visit on the way back.
March 10, 2007
How to make US dollars go further in Europe
Here's a good WFAA article (the Google news feed said it was subscription but I was able to follow the link without trouble - I hope you can also read this article - if you can't it is an AP article but I couldn't find it published anywhere else).
The article notes that while London is most popular with US tourists, it's also very expensive thanks in part to a weak dollar. They recommend getting deals in Croatia, Prague, or Germany (but I really want to visit Germany in winter). Then again, it does seem cheaper to fly to London than any other European city. You might try to get the best of both worlds by flying to London and then traveling around Europe a bit.
We have the London and Amsterdam travel plan, but Amsterdam was mentioned as one of the more expensive destinations. They don't mention the cost of visiting other British cities, but Oxford, York, and Scotland might be a nice addition and a little less expensive than London.
The article I linked to at the beginning lists some new flights but notes that prices are going up despite the greater number of seats:
Delta Air Lines Inc. is continuing to add new routes to second-tier international destinations, including flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to Pisa, Italy, and Bucharest, Romania, as well as from Atlanta to Vienna, Austria, and Prague, Czech Republic. Northwest Airlines Corp. has several new routes and extra flights, including a new Hartford, Conn.-to-Amsterdam route starting July 1 and a second daily nonstop from Detroit to Frankfurt, Germany, operating from May 7 through Oct. 27. Austrian Airlines has a new Chicago-to-Vienna route set to start in May, and Air France will offer a daily Seattle-to-Paris nonstop starting June 11.They do mention that airlines often have sales in March so perhaps in a week or two we could see better deals.
The article also mentions cruising as a possibility. Cruises typically charge US dollars so you won't get killed on the exchange rate. There are also a few hotels with special US dollar prices to attract American tourists.
March 9, 2007
Fireworks in Montreal, Vancouver, Rocky Mountaineer Railroad, Banff or Calgary
While trying to decide what to do for our summer vacation, my wife and I are considering a trip to Canada. We'd love to go to Copper Canyon in Mexico, but we're thinking it will be pretty hot down there so going North (or further south) makes more sense in terms of weather.
Anyway, there are a few great things to do in Canada so here's a preliminary vacation plan. This is still a work in progress and right now it is a bit flawed as it involves flying to Montreal, from Montreal to Vancouver, and then flying home from Calgary (with an option to go from Calgary to Montreal, back home). I haven't checked out these flights to see if there are one way tickets that make sense...
Day 1: Wednesday, July 11 2007 is a good day to arrive in Montreal because that night you can see some fireworks from Hong Kong, China's Pyromagic Productions Ltd. If you need to change the date but want to arrive on a day with fireworks, check out the schedule here. The link to buy tickets is broken and I'm not entirely sure why you need tickets since fireworks should be visible from a few places...
So day 1 consists of arriving in Montreal, checking into your hotel, getting dinner, and watching fireworks.
Hotel Nelligan (106 Saint Paul St. W., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 1Z3, Canada) is somewhat expensive but comes highly recommended. It's very nice and conveniently located near Place D'Armes metro station.
Day 2 (July 12): In the morning, visit Montreal's oldest Catholic church, Notre-Dame Basilica (Basilique Notre-Dame). Don't miss the stained glass inside that depicts the history of Montreal.
Then it's time to visit Montreal's oldest art institution, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (Musee des Beaux-Arts). There are several excellent collections in one of Canada's finest museums including many works by Canadian artists.
That evening, take a stroll through Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal). You could also take a bike or a horse-drawn carriage. Enjoy narrow cobblestone streets in Montreal's Parisian-style historic district. It should be no trouble to find a restaurant and then later a sidewalk cafe. This area is featured in 1,000 Places to See before You Die and they recommend L'Express for a moderately priced dinner or Toque! for something more extravagant.
Day 3 (July 13): Fly to Vancouver. One attraction you want to see is the Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. It's open on the 13th of July (a Friday) but closed on Mondays and in winter.
Day 4 (July 15) and Day 5 (July 16): are spent on The Rocky Mountaineer. This train travels only in daylight and takes you from Vancouver to Banff (or you can take it to Calgary which is my choice because it should be easier to fly from Calgary). Highlights include Fraser Canyon, Spiral Tunnels, Stoney Creek Bridge, Hell's Gate (200 million gallons of water surge through a 110 foot gorge each minute), and Rogers Pass.
Day 6 (July 17): It's time to check out of your hotel, spend the day in Calgary and go home. I would go to Fort Calgary because I like a little history and forts are cool. Then I'd go to Calgary Tower for views of the city.
If you want to extend the vacation a bit you could go back to Montreal for more fireworks.
Optional Day 7 (July 18): Tonight is the night Fireworks Spectaculars Canada puts on their show for the Montreal Fireworks festival.
I might try to work in a couple of days in Toronto, as I've never been there, but for now, this itinerary is what I've got. Any comments or suggestions?
March 8, 2007
African style wedding: experience Maasai culture in Kenya
Shompole, in Kenya's Rift Valley, has a service where couples can experience an African style wedding. Specifically, we're talking about Maasai culture where a Massai witch doctor blesses the couple and Maasai dancers perform a traditional wedding dance. You can go more or less in depth - this could mean wearing Maasai wedding outfits, including a spear, a club, and bracelets.
Or you could go more western with a wedding cake and all that. I can't link to the page directly because of the way this site is designed, but if you click on menu, click on unique camps & lodges, click on Shompole, and then click on weddings, you'll see where I got this information. That site linked to Virgin Bush Weddings. They seem to share some pictures so they might be related somehow.
I don't know what it all costs, but my parents always say that if prices aren't published then you can't afford it...
Actually, if you're truly adventurous you can travel to Africa on your own and probably inexpensively. A few years ago a friend of mine went to Ghana and took xylophone lessons for several months. He said expenses came to about $25/week for food, housing, and lessons.
Travel's "final fronteir" - space flights
Here's an article about $200,000 flights into space where you get a good view of the stars and the curve of the Earth. If you can wait a few years the price is expected to drop and might be as cheap as $50,000...
March 7, 2007
Fairmont Hotel 2007 centennial special offers
To celebrate their centennial, Fairmont is offering a number of packages for $1,907.00 (or British Pounds, or whatever the local currency is). This make the Fairmont Dubai an afforadble $500 but London's Savoy quite a bit more for those of you with US dollars in your banks (or on your credit cards).
Here's a good article that explains a couple of the Fairmont packages.
The packages are valid through Dec. 30, 2007 according to the Fairmont website so there is time to plan!
Check with a doctor for necessary vaccines before you travel
Here's a quick reminder to get hepatitis and other vaccines before you leave on vacation. When you're going somewhere new they recommend seeing a doctor.
While you're travelling to unknown places, you may come into contact with unfamiliar viruses, too. "There are a lot of diseases out there and you need protection," says Dr. Elliot Mintz, a family physician and associate professor of family medicine at the University of British Columbia.
March 6, 2007
Casino Royale travel contest
Here's a travel contest aimed at promoting Casino Royale (I talked about Italian Casino Royale movie tourism a while back). It only takes a minute to enter and the prize sounds pretty cool:
One (1) Grand Prize Winner and guest will enjoy a 7 night trip valued at over $150,000 for two adults at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas. You'll stay at The Bridge Suite, the world famous $25,000 a night, 4800 square feet suite. In your suite, a 007 welcome arrival briefcase will be waiting, containing a trip dossier. A staff of butlers and personal concierge will be available.Wish me luck!
March 5, 2007
Foot massage course in Bangkok's Wat Po Thai Traditional Medical School
I found a several-years-old paper as I was cleaning the other day for a foot massage course in Wat Po (Bangkok, Thailand). On and off I've been talking about this course with my wife for years. I'd love for her to come with me (knowing Thai massage would be much better if I could expect reciprocation) but the stray dogs depress here and she doesn't want to go back.
I don't really want to go on my own and my wife jokes (or maybe she's serious) that I'm not allowed to go alone anyway because of all the prostitution we saw at the night market / red light district by Saladaeng Station.
But anyway I keep dreaming about trading Thai massages with my wife everyday. Some day she will miss the cheap massages enough to return to Thailand with me. A quick web search revealed that you can study regular massage over 5 or 10 days (30 hours total) for 8,500 baht. Foot massage is also 30 hours over 5 or 10 days but the cost is only 6,500 baht.
Combined with another slice of Thailand, I think Trang sounds good, as does Long Beach, Koh Lanta. There are some useful comments after this Bangkok & Koh Samui vacation itinerary.
I've also heard about massage courses in Chiang Mai. One person said that at the Thai Massage School / Hospital courses are less expensive than at Wat Pho and the instructors speak much better English. The cheaper costs seem to be true. I have no way of confirming that the instructors at the school in Chiang Mai speak better English than those in Wat Po. One person complained about the theory lessons (sometime when I link to a tripod page like this one, I send them so much traffic that tripod shuts the site down - if the site is down, try back in a couple of days) and the large number of students in each class. That page also reviews some other massage schools in addition to the two I talk about here.
March 4, 2007
Family spring break vacation ideas
Yesterday I linked to a family spring break vacation experience in Park City, Utah. Here's another article on family oriented spring break ideas. Park City didn't make the list but Hilton Head, North Carolina did (I blogged about Hilton Head South Carolina but I guess I was wrong). So did San Antonio, Texas. Two parts of Florida also made the list: Orlando, Florida's Lake Buena Vista area near Epcot (not sure why but that reminds me of the honeymoon in Disney World controversy where someone suggested a beer in every country self guided tour of Epcot) and the Florida Keys.
Luxury vacation in the Italian Alps
I've written about walking around Rome, eating at Pizza Re again, movie tourism in Rome, and even buying proprty in Rome, but maybe I need to dream bigger. Here's a story about a real luxury vacation in the Italian Alps. The author give a good description of his vacation staying at the Grand Palace Merano, a five-star hotel in one of Europe's most famous spa towns. However, I should warn you that the article may make you a bit jealous...
Emotional story: Jennifer West, Sarah Hall, Oprah Winfrey
This is a story that's hard to talk about but that has to be shared. A young widow nominated for Oprah Winfrey's "O" magazine "Live Your Best Life" contest by a total stranger now gets a vacation and a birthday party that might help her get on with her life.
Good luck Jennifer.
March 3, 2007
Park City, Utah ski & spa vacation experience
I've written about vacationing in Park City, Utah before. It's well know for the Sundance Film Festival (which I'd love to attend) and for skiing (which doesn't interest me so much).
So I was interested to come across this article (you might need to register for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) on a parent taking their kid on a ski vacation to Park City.
The author loves the hotel she stayed in, but it was very expensive. She especially liked the massages and other spa stuff. She was celebrating her 50th birthday and her last vacation with her son so she was willing to spend money. Personally, I'd be looking to rent a condo or something if I went. From what I've seen on this Park City condo site, you can get a better deal with a condo.
If you've been to Park City, please leave a comment and share your expereinces!
March 2, 2007
Discounts if you have a new passport
Most of you already have passports I'm sure. If you don't, there are a few Caribbean specials you might consider in addition to "no passport" vacation spots like Puerto Rico. The St. Maarten special reminded me of this crazy planes by the beach video.
Romance on the beach vacations
A couple of Filipino film stars I' had never heard of apparently shot a romantic scene in a resort called Matabungkay Beach Resort and Hotel(in Lian, Batangas). This article reads more like an advertisement but maybe the resort really does deserve all this praise.
The love between Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion may have faded, and the footprints they laid on the sun-kissed sands of Batangas may have long been washed out by the ocean, but the resort wherein they shot their romantic chase scene for the movie P.S. I Love You is still alive and kicking.
Don't go looking for luck though; apparently Cuneta and Concepcion had a very short marriage...
Speaking of romance and luck, if having a baby sounds lucky to you then you might be interested in a procreation vacation. This article will tell you about the "Stork Getaway Package" and a few other ideas.
If you're a babymoon critic like a commenter on this old entry about romantic vacations including babymoons, then maybe you can still enjoy the romance part without the procreation part.
March 1, 2007
Visiting Prague (or at least looking at pictures)
Here's an interesting note about eating healthy in Prague where to get 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, you might end up eating strawberry dumplings. If you need exercise and fruit, walking around for hours can replace visits to the gym.
When I went back to find all my past blog entries about Prague, I was rather surprised to find none. I've been dreaming of visiting Prague for a while so why haven't I been writing about it?
I found a good site for Prague accommodations. In addition to hotels and apartments they have a good page on Prague walking tours. You can go to the individual tour pages to see videos of the walks. The one for the Prague "grand walk" is my favorite; click on the video to see it and be prepared to wait for the video to load.
While the video loads, these photos of Prague ought to keep you busy.