Orange Bowl 2011: Virginia Tech vs. Stanford

While some people can’t imagine the holiday season without the cold weather, snow on the ground and holiday parties; others can’t imagine it without a full line-up of watching their favorite college football teams. From the Rose Bowl to the Sugar Bowl, sports fans await the announcement on who will participate in this year’s challenge — and it is a perfect time for a road trip. Since the 1930′s in South Florida, the focus has been on the Orange Bowl. Taking place on...

December 13th, 2010 | klynch | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: college football, miami, sports, top-feature

Roosevelt Island: Peace and Quiet in NYC

New York City – Manhattan – is a place of lights and loudness. It’s sometimes brash, as so many different types of people all fill a tiny island space. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world, but a little goes a long way. One thing I try to do when I visit New York is to look for the open spaces where locals go. If I lived here, where could I go and hang out to relax that isn’t a cocktail bar or a restaurant-with-a-view? Central Park is the obvious choice...

December 12th, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Art, island, neighborhood, top-feature

Where to Eat: London

Once upon a time, England was seen as a culinary wasteland. A place where bangers and mash were considered fine dining, and the epitome of London cuisine was a bit of roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. The occasional foreign restaurant (remnants of the Empire) provided the only exotica. My, how things have changed. There are many really good places to eat in London these days. Many of the celebrated restaurants have famous chefs (for example, Gordon Ramsay and his 10 restaurants in the English...

December 10th, 2010 | Susan McKee | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: bars, England, food, Restaurants, top-feature

Paris Day Tripping: Chartres

Made your way through most of Paris’s museums? Looking to get out of the city and see something new? Then I’d like to suggest Chartres (map), a popular tourist spot but often overlooked or forgotten in the rush to make it to the next Parisian cafe or art gallery. Here’s an overview of how you can get there, and why you should go. Chartres Cathedral. Stunning. Chartres Cathedral The cathedral (map) really is the center of attention in Chartres – you can’t miss it,...

December 9th, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: cathedral, city, day trip, religion, top-feature

Classic Christmas in New York City

Yes, the temperatures are freezing, and of course the shops are crowded, but New York City has a festive holiday spirit that might just be unmatched in the rest of the country. Whether you are visiting NYC for the first time or are a seasoned veteran, you can get your dose of holiday cheer by enjoying some of the most classic ways to celebrate Christmas in the city. With a few insider tips, you can see these attractions while avoiding crowds and making the most of the run-up to Christmas. The most...

December 8th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: christmas. holidays, Holiday events, ice skating, top-feature

See You Later Alligator at Gatorland

Over half a century ago, Owen Godwin was a resident of Florida. Godwin noted that passersby stopped to gaze at the alligators that were often visible on his property. An avid hunter and savvy businessman, Godwin realized that many people had probably never seen a live alligator and would probably pay to get a close up look. Placing an alligator in a cage on a trailer, Godwin drove up the East Coast of the United States and charged curious customers one dollar for a peek at the reptile. ...

December 7th, 2010 | Jenni Ingersoll | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: animals, theme parks, top-feature, wildlife

Skiing and Snowboarding in Stowe, Vermont

Oh, Stowe! I can’t forget about Stowe! Perhaps if you read my last ski and snowboard piece about Burlington you thought that I had forgotten to include wonderful, nearby Stowe. Of course I didn’t forget; it’s just that Stowe is such a ski and snowboard institution in its own right that it really needs its own, separate piece to do it justice. You see when it comes to skiing and snowboarding – when it comes to being outdoors in Vermont in the winter – Stowe is nothing...

December 6th, 2010 | Christina Uticone | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: skiing, top-feature, winter recreation

The Pantheon in Rome

The abundance of historic sites and attractions in Rome is nothing short of overwhelming. With so much to see and do, it can be difficult to decide where to begin. Chances are you won’t get around to seeing everything – whether it’s your first visit to the city or your 10th – but there are a few attractions that you just can’t afford to miss. One of these is the Pantheon and it’s here that I suggest you begin your tour of the Eternal City. The Pantheon (map) is located in the...

December 6th, 2010 | Laura Nazimiec | Read More | Comments: 3
Filed under: architecture, attraction, Church, history, monument, top-feature

Paris at its Best: Notre Dame Cathedral

Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous attractions in Paris, and also offers some of the best views of the City of Lights from atop its massive twin towers. Walk in the same steps as Napoleon and King Henry VI who were both crowned in the cathedral, and also get a glimpse into the spiritual and daily lives of Parisians dating back two millennium, to when Celts and then Romans ruled the city. For literary fans, Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer from Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback...

December 5th, 2010 | Jon Rochetti | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: attraction, cathedral, sightseeing, top-feature

Maritime Culture in Wellington

Know much about Wellington, New Zealand? Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. If you ask someone the capital of New Zealand, they’ll mostly tell you Auckland. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s the largest city or because they have that fireworks bonanza every New Year’s Eve which gets everyone’s attention. But Wellington (map) is indeed the capital. It is located in the southern portion of the North Island, and from here you can catch...

December 3rd, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: city tour, top-feature, water

Bye Bye, South Beach

South Beach in Miami is one of the most famous stretches of sand in South Florida, and perhaps even the country. But what if you’re tired of all the blaring radios, groups of college kids throwing footballs, and crowds? Miami is also home to peaceful beaches where you can set up your chair beneath swaying palm fronds and barely be able to hear the conversation of your distant neighbors. If this is your ideal day at the beach, it is time to say goodbye to South Beach and discover beaches that...

December 2nd, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: beaches, top-feature

Finding Your Muse in Giverny, France

Exploring your options for day trips outside of Paris? Well, I’ve got another that is well worth your time and effort: Giverny (map). It is like many towns in the French countryside: charming, cute, quaint, peaceful. But it’s in Giverny where painter Claude Monet found the inspiration for his wonderful impressionist paintings. Come for a visit – perhaps you too will find your muse in Giverny. Monet’s Garden Without a doubt, most folks come to Giverny to visit Monet’s...

December 2nd, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Art, day trips, gardens, top-feature

Skiing and Snowboarding in Burlington, Vermont

Vermont is skiing; this tiny state packs a big winter punch, with 20 alpine ski resorts and another 30 cross-country touring centers to choose from. The first ski tow in the United States was built in Vermont in 1934 on a farm in Woodstock and the very first chairlift was used six years later, in 1940, on Mt. Mansfield. And just look at the numbers today: 6,052 acres of alpine terrain, 1,269 trails, 179 lifts, and 885 miles of cross-country trails. Tucked into the northwest corner of the state, located...

December 1st, 2010 | Christina Uticone | Read More | Comments: 2
Filed under: outdoor activities, skiing, top-feature, winter recreation

Experience New Zealand Maori Culture

The New Zealand Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, or, in Maori, Aotearoa — meaning The Land of the Long White Cloud. First, a little bit of history – The Maori arrived in New Zealand from East Polynesia in several waves some time before the year 1300. They settled in the country, developing a distinct culture, along with a language closely related to the Tahitian and Cook Islands Maori. The Maori society destabilized in the late 18th century, in large part...

December 1st, 2010 | theaucklandguide | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: culture, top-feature

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Ringling! The name means “circus” to millions of Americans who grew up watching acrobats, clowns and performing animals under the big top. John Ringling — the leading force in this band of brothers behind the behemoth known as Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus left quite an astonishing legacy that’s one of the biggest attractions in southwest Florida today. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art on the north side of Sarasota, Florida, is a 66-acre complex...

November 30th, 2010 | Susan McKee | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: Art, circus, gardens, museum, top-feature

Skiing and Snowboarding in Park City, Utah

Surrounded by three world-class ski resorts (Park City Mountain, Deer Valley and The Canyons), Park City, Utah (map) has what many skiers and boarders consider to be the best ski conditions in North America. The former mining town averages more than 360 inches of powder-like snow each year. That might explain why Park City has been named among the top ski towns in North America each year, including Deer Valley, which has also been rated the #1 ski resort in North America four years in a row...

November 30th, 2010 | Lisa Davis | Read More | Comments: 1
Filed under: outdoor activities, skiing, top-feature, winter recreation

The Majestic Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe (map) is one of the largest triumphal arches in the world. Standing at a height of 162 ft (49.5 m), a width of 150 ft (45 m) and a depth of 72 ft (22 m), it’s one of the most famous monuments in Paris and a must-see for visitors to the city. The Arc de Triomphe is situated at the highest point of Chaillot hill in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Place de l’Étoile, a large roundabout at the west end of the city’s main avenue, the Champs-Elysées. Arc...

November 29th, 2010 | Laura Nazimiec | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: attraction, monument, top-feature

A Walking Tour in Greenwich Village: Poets, Pubs, and Pretty Historic Streets

Greenwich Village in New York City has historically been the home of writers, poets, artists, and others with a creative flair. While some people might complain that this neighborhood has been gentrified, the truth is, it is just as beautiful as ever. With a few highlights (and a map, the streets here are notoriously confusing) to guide you, wandering through the West Village and its many pubs, cafes, and book shops can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend an afternoon in New York City. Find...

November 28th, 2010 | Jessica Colley | Read More | Comments: 5
Filed under: architecture, literary history, top-feature, walking tour. Greenwich Village

Sunny Skiing in St Moritz

One of the most popular ski areas in Switzerland is St. Mortiz (map), in Graubunden, the country’s eastern and most mountainous province. It has over 300 days of sunshine a year, making it one of Switzerland’s sunniest ski destinations. It’s also the terminus point for one of the country’s popular panorama trains, making it fairly easy to get in and enjoy the sunny, snowy fun. As a two time Olympic city host, St Mortiz has always been en vogue. Here are the highlights...

November 26th, 2010 | Andy Hayes | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: outdoor recreation, skiing, snow, top-feature

Exploring One Of The World’s Best Museums, MoMA In New York!

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City is often described as the most influential museum of modern art in the world, and a visit to MoMA (53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues; map) is a must on most anyone’s New York itinerary. Here’s how to spend a great day: Why don’t you start the day with a traditional New York breakfast of bagels, lox, and cream cheese from 53rd Street Gourmet Deli Inc, at 1301 Avenue of the Americas (map). Prices are very reasonable, starting from...

November 25th, 2010 | theaucklandguide | Read More | Comments: 0
Filed under: Art, museum, top-feature