Looking Back at Travel in 2013

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Although my blog is maybe eight months old, 2013 has been a good year for me with travel. I got around quite a bit. From local jaunts to overseas destinations, I learned a lot, tried new foods, made new friends, and got better at branching out of my comfort zone.

Here’s a quick recap:

Festivals

The New York Travel Festival will return to National Bohemian Hall this April.

I try to get to the annual New York Times Travel Show, held about mid to late February at the Jacob K. Javits Center. It’s a good consumer show for those who to get more information about different places. Sectioned off by continent and country, tourism boards, tour companies, hotels and major attractions man booths to talk about why you should visit them and offer pamphlets and tchotchkes. There are giveaways as well as performances, lectures and fun demonstrations.

In April, I helped out with promoting the New York Travel Festival, a new event for urbanites already seeing the world. It will be back again April 26 and 27 at Bohemian National Hall, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The festival features a who’s who of travel experts that present solid advice on various travel pursuits and interests.

Another new festival coming up this March is the Women’s Travel Fest. Organized by Go! Girl Guides, this one-day event is for the ladies that will help those who are hesitant to travel (even solo) with sessions on concerns female travelers often have.

Meetups

Head upstairs and hang out in T4X's lounge section.

Delta celebrated the opening of its new T4 Terminal with a Popup shop in SoHo.

Through Meetup and other invites, I’ve gotten to meet a lot of awesome travel bloggers, vloggers and experts through Travel Massive and Young Travel Professionals (YTP). These professional/social groups hold monthly meet ups in their locations (I belong to the New York City branches). They are nice nights out.

Some of the events I’ve gone to this year include a pop-up place for Delta’s new T4 Terminal at JFK; a dinner held by Tourism Toronto; a visit to The Explorers Club; and receptions with tourism boards for Germany and the Czech Republic.

On a beach at an island resort in Fiji’s Beqa Lagoon

Trips

In July, I went on my first press trip. Just for the heck of it, I had put in my name in for a trip to Fiji, organized by Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways. And got in. For about four days, I traveled around Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, exploring the town of Nadi and the capital city, Suva; took a cooking lesson; stayed at an island resort; and visited a cultural center.

Just two weeks later, I went from warm temperatures to cooler ones. I always wanted to go to Iceland, so I booked a spot on a nine-day tour with Gate1Travel. Our route started in Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital, and went along the south coast and back up north.

I want to thank every person or outlet that gave me the opportunity to go places this year. With 2014, my planned destinations include Spain and Canada, and there are potential ones coming up in the fall. Happy New Year and jaunt somewhere too!

Getting a ‘Peek’ at New Mobile Travel App

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As there is an app for just about any need or interest, the travel sector surely is getting its fair share. The latest one to travelers as well as the general public comes from Peek.com, a one-stop web resource for booking activities in 17 U.S. cities, London and Paris.

Called Peek Mobile, this free app brings Peek.com’s services from the web to your smartphone, with some additional functions. It’s said to have geo-location technology, which in plain speak means users can book their activities on the go. Options extend to family, food and wine, arts and culture, adventurous and walking and sightseeing tours and day trips.

For example, if you wanted to book a guided walking tour of the Lower East Side while visiting New York City, you can do so through Peek Mobile app. Or while staying in Paris, explore the city’s different arrondissements (city districts) or go ahead and jaunt out to Champagne, the vineyard region where this bubbly beverage is produced.

Booking through your phone is designed with ease in mind. It’s designed to provide information about your potential activity in real time, with essentials like pricing and available slots. And feedback from others who did what you want to do – or just to help you confirm your decision – is also at your fingertips.

Plus, the fact that the Peek Mobile app is free is also a good reason for giving it a try. It is available for iPhone and iPod Touch and can be downloaded through Apple’s App Store.

So what travel apps do you like to use? Let me know in the comments section!

Germany Tourism Celebrates UNESCO World Heritage Sites

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Do you know what a UNESCO World Heritage site is? Germany Tourism wants to make sure you do. Last week, the tourism board hosted a tweet-up at Reichenbach Hall in New York City to celebrate the focus of its 2014 marketing campaign: 38 sites that have been given this special title.

Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg

For those new to this term, UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Yep, it’s a big deal. This organization encourages government officials from around the world to identify, protect and preserve sites that symbolize their country’s cultural and natural heritage. The sites are added to the UNESCO World Heritage List annually, and officials in their respective countries are advised on how to maintain them.

Wartburg Castle

Aachen Cathedral

These UNESCO sites serve as key reminders of their past or natural/manmade wonders that would be significantly impacted by any physical damage.

To further enhance your knowledge about UNESCO, here’s an extra tidbit. Of the 981 UNESCO World Heritage sites listed around the globe, just under half of them are in Europe. Germany’s 38 sites are a collection of historical locations and natural wonders found throughout different cities and country settings.

Palaces and Parks of_Potsdam_und_Berlin_Color

Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin

Town Hall and Roland Statue in Bremen

Visiting these places is like time traveling, with sites dating as far back as the days of the Roman Empire. And one that is even much farther.

BG_Wuerzburg_Residenz_und_Hofgarten_Color

Würzburg Residenz Palace and Gardens

With locations ranging from Berlin to Würzburg, these UNESCO World Heritage sites include architectural marvels such as palaces, churches, monasteries, and castles. Nature sites encompass a coastal line, forests, and a fossil site, and man-made landscapes such as gardens and parks, and even an island! Historical town centers have made this list as well and industrial locations that symbolize German’s economical and cultural growth.

Here is a rundown of some of Germany’s unique places that have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage list overtime:

Messel Pit Fossil Site

This former volcanic crater lake was formed around 47 million years ago and holds deposits of well-preserved mammal fossils that are ancestors of today’s common creatures.

Upper Middle Rhine Valley

This picturesque valley is graced with castles and palaces along with vineyards that produce well-known Rhine wines. Its ties to the Rhine extend to being a channel for carrying goods from different countries and a source for multiple cultural influences.

Völklingen Ironworks

The first industrial monument inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List, Völklingen Ironworks is a former pig iron production facility that nowadays is open for public tours.

To learn more about Germany’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, and plan your visit, visit this link. You can find maps, images and other sources there.

All photos courtesy of Germany Tourism

Holiday Window Displays in New York City: Where to Stop By

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It’s fun to do some window shopping at high-end New York City department stores. During the holiday season, it’s cool to see how creative store personnel can get with their takes on celebrating all things festive.

As the crowds start to come more to the Big Apple, try to get an early jump on getting a viewing. From traditional to whimsical, here is a selection of window displays worth making a trek to. All of them are based in Midtown, with each having a reasonable walking or bus/subway distance.

Macy’sIn Herald Square on 34th Street, Macy’s windows follow a young boy whose dream takes him on a journey along a winter landscape. The boy goes through an enchanted forest and encounters elaborate creatures, with his adventure ending back in his room.

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Lord & Taylor

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In going back to a more traditional period, Lord & Taylor sets the scene for a formal holiday gathering in years past. Guests are dressed in their finest for tea and an evening meal.

Look closely in the lower right corner of one window to find a rotating silent film set in New York City from a bygone era. Get to Lord & Taylor by walking west along Fifth Avenue. The store is at 39th Street.

Saxs Fifth Avenue

As one of the season’s most visually appealing windows, the display at Saxs Fifth Avenue is based on a tale called Yeti Story. A young and under-appreciated Yeti leaves his family and his “job” in Siberia to see the world.

Like, um, other newcomers, he eventually makes his way to New York City – even exploring the subway – and develops a career in innovating the science of snowflake making.

Saxs Fifth Avenue is easy to find. It’s on Fifth Avenue across from Rockefeller Center.

Henri Bendel

Even if the name of Al Hirschfeld might not sound familiar at first, there’s a good chance you’ve seen his black and white caricatures of celebrities and Broadway stars.

Also on Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel pays tribute to the late artist’s work with a display of well-known New Yorkers seated at a dining table. Guests include Sarah Jessica Parker, her hubby Matthew Broderick, Woody Allen, Liza Minelli and Joan Rivers. There’s also a portrait of Hirschfeld.

Another Fifth Avenue find, Henri Bendel is near West 56th Street.

Bergdorf Goodman

Just up the street from Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman has a “Holiday on Ice” theme this year. Icicles are the main attraction, providing extra glimmer to period set windows.

Barneys NY

Heading over to Madison Avenue, at East 61st Street, Barneys NY has been getting much hype with its holiday collaboration with rap mogul Jay Z. This holiday season, the store has gone high tech with interactive windows sporting light shows. One entrance has visitors going into a darkened space where a display of a brief, 3D demonstration adds different colors to Manhattan’s sky line.

The key component of Barneys display is a friendlier feature. “Experience the BNYNYC sleigh ride” lets visitors meet his Santa and his wife and go on a virtual ride above the city streets. Performers from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater portray Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, with a modern day look, and lets visitors pose for a photo. A web link to your pictures can be emailed to you or pick up a hard copy inside the store. Plus, it’s free!

Bloomingdale’s

On 3rd Avenue and East 59th Street, Bloomingdale’s takes viewers on a round the world trip with holiday greetings from France, Italy, Great Britain, and, of course, New York City.

Happy browsing!

Why You Should Go to the Czech Republic in 2014

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Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic

Ever been to Prague? It’s most likely the first thing about the Czech Republic that comes to mind. Yet as this city is definitely a must-see destination, Czech Tourism officials wants to make sure potential visitors know that there is plenty to explore in this Eastern European country.

Last Thursday night, Czech Tourism North America and Prague City Tourism co-hosted a reception to unveil the launch of a re-branding campaign called “Land of Stories,” which promotes Czech Republic’s heritage and offerings. The campaign is shaped to encourage travelers and tourists to create their own stories from their experiences they have there.

Back in New York City’s Greenwich Village, at the Czech-inspired Doma na rohu restaurant, board representatives greeted us with appetizers and a wine tasting by Vino z Czech of brands from Moravia, a wine-growing region.

While Prague is a top reason to visit the Czech Republic, as I did in 2012, Czech Tourism also is promoting other equally appealing attractions. Here are the campaign’s key themes:

1) Modern Prague

Admirers of modern marvels should check out Cubist architecture found in The House at the Black Madonna, Trade Fair Palace and Muller House. Significant buildings also extend to historic houses of worship. Prague has a strong Jewish heritage, with a number of synagogues, a unique cemetery, and folkloric legends like the figure Golem in its Jewish Quarter, a former ghetto called Josefov.

2) Southern Moravia

In the Southwestern part of the Czech Republic, this region is famous for its wine, and also contains Palava, a nature reserve, and Lednice-Vaitice region, a cultural landscape of Baroque estates that has also been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3) Pizen

Of course, the Czech Republic is known for beer, and Pizen is touted as the capital of beer culture. I also learned that there is a Chodovar Beer Spa that centers on “beer wellness.” (Mental note: Look into making an appointment.)

4) Český Krumlov

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, this town is famous for its historic castle and is home to the oldest Baroque theater in Europe.

5) Medical Tourism

As the concept of medical tourism (going outside your home country for medical treatments, often at a lower cost) has been gaining more press, Czech Tourism is pitching Czech Republic’s emergence as a European destination to obtain affordable yet still topnotch medicine. One suggested place to perhaps head to is Karlovy Vary, a “spa town” in western Bohemia.

Learn more at Czech Tourism’s website.

What’s New in Toronto? Wahlburgers and Other Attractions

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Although Toronto has been getting attention from a completely different matter, Canada’s largest city has new and long-time attractions that make this destination great for exploring. Last Tuesday, Tourism Toronto came to Manhattan’s Midtown district to host a special dinner at Rustico Cooking to celebrate a newcomer to the city. A restaurant.

In early 2014, Wahlburgers Canada will open inside the SoHo Metropolitan Hotel on Blue Jays Way in Toronto’s entertainment district. Yes, for those of you are pop culture savvy, NKOTB performer turned actor Donnie Wahlberg and his fellow acting brother Mark Wahlberg have family ties to this establishment. Their brother, Paul, is the restaurant’s executive chef.

Already having a location in their home state of Massachusetts, Wahlburgers’ menu was designed to bridge the family’s memories with their fondness for comfort food. Meal options include takes on traditional American dishes such as the patty melt and macaroni salad (taken from their mother’s recipe) to more customary choices based on what the Wahlberg brothers like to eat.

So why choose a Canadian location? Here’s the reason: work schedules. The brothers have often spent much time in Toronto due to movie shoots, and got to know the city’s culinary scene.

For our dinner, Paul presented a Thanksgiving-themed menu. Our main dish was Mark’s Choice, a signature turkey burger packed with roasted butternut squash, an orange and cranberry sauce, stovetop stuffing and mayo on a potato bun. The burger was paired with the restaurant’s macaroni salad along with a fall salad with cranberry vinaigrette made with mesclun greens, romaine hearts and butternut squash.

With dessert, a signature chocolate cupcake by Cupcake Mojo had an extra bite to it with the added ingredient of Sriracha, a hot sauce. And an adult frappe was all about S’mores, thanks to chocolate ice cream, Smirnoff marshmallow, chocolate syrup and graham cracker crumble.

Food aside, Toronto offers a mixture of historical, cultural, and family-friendly offerings. The city recently welcomed in a Ripley’s Aquarium, and still has long-time favorites such as the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, the CN Tower, and Canada’s Wonderful Land. NHL fans must make a visit to the Hockey Fall of Fame and winter sports fans should also head to Toronto Ski and Snowboard Centres. With the arts, The Art Gallery of Ontario is presenting “David Bowie Is,” a collection of more than 300 objects from the performer’s personal archives now through November 27.

And with the holiday season pretty much here, Toronto Tourism’s website seetorontonow.com is serving as a one-stop shop for booking hotel reservations to enjoy this festive time in the city. More information on events like Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market (November 29-December 15) and Cavalcade of Lights (November 30) is available on the site as well.

A Fall Walking Tour through Central Park

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I think walking tours are one of the best methods for exploring a major city’s districts. And New York City has its share of historic ones. On Sunday morning, I grabbed a last-minute spot on a Meetup event for a history walking tour around Central Park.

Officially opened in 1873, this 843-acre public park stretches from 59th Street to 110th Street, from East Side with Fifth Avenue all the way to Central Park West. Each year, 38 million visitors are said to come to this National Historic Landmark. As great to explore the park on your own, I also recommend signing up for a guided walk if you want to get more insights about the park’s various sections.

Starting from Sheep Meadow, heading west and eventually making our way to The Great Lawn, here is a pictorial view of sites on our walking route worth your time to stop at.

Sheep Meadow

Lower level of Bethesda Terrace, adjacent to Bethesda Fountain

Bow Bridge

Waterview, with The Dakota second from left

Belvedere Castle

Delacorte Theater

The Great Lawn

Staying in a London GoWithOh Flat

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When I talk to other people about my travels, sometimes I get the question, “Is there any place you think you would go back to?” Without a doubt, one place that automatically comes to mind is England. Particularly, I would head to London.

I went to London almost a decade ago – wow, now a decade ago – with my cousin and split about a week’s time in the city and then out to Oxford, Windsor, Stratford upon Avon and Burford. But, like many destinations, London can take up a whole week stay or even more than week to catch as many as attractions in and outside of this major city as I could.

This time around, if I could back go to see London, there are a few things I would want to do differently. One of them is to stay in a place other than a hotel.

Through fellow travelers, I have heard about GoWithOh, an apartment rental service with more than 2,000 accommodations in 17 major European cities. Locations include Rome, Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Dublin, Florence, Madrid, Vienna, and Prague. And London, of course. Recent additions to this list are Pisa, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Nice, and Milan.

Browsing through GoWithOh’s listings in London, I came across this lovely two-bedroom apartment — or perhaps I say flat — in Waterloo. Based in Central London, located on the Sound Bank, this flat is described as being just a 10-minute walk from Big Ben, Parliament and Westminster Abbey. As I like to walk, this option is great!

Also, if I was to stay here, I would want to take my younger sister with me because I think she would like London as much as I did. In addition to its location, another reason for going with this two bedroom flat was that after a long day of exploring London, we would probably like some alone time. And being able to unwind and get good night’s sleep after a fun and long day out will help keep our time together balanced.

In addition to two bedrooms, the layout for this flat is pretty cool. The living room appears to be spacious, and the open-plan kitchen has everything we would need for storing groceries or takeaways (British speak for takeout) and handling a laundry emergency. There is also a good-sized dinner table and a full-bath, which will help my sis and I feel like we are at home. Free Wi-Fi is also a bonus, since we would otherwise have to find, and most likely pay for it, in public places.

Regularly GoWithOh holds a guest tester competition that invites travel writers, bloggers and vloggers (video bloggers) to submit entries for a chance at staying in a GoWithOh apartment of their choosing. So, this post is my submission. Let me stop here before I get further carried away over this dream flat. I definitely would want to give GoWithOh a try. As a GoWithOh guest tester, or even as a paying guest. Sister included.

Hotel Week NYC Offers Room Rates Starting at $100

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It can be cold outside in January. Here’s another good reason for staying indoors that month — and saving a great deal of money. Book a room at a stylish New York City hotel, starting at a rate of $100.

From January 3 through 12, the third annual Hotel Week NYC will offer specialty savings for stays at nearly 30 different Manhattan properties. This selection ranges from budget accommodations to posh lodging, with the latter charging normally up to $500 a night.

Source: nyma, the new york manhattan hotel

Source: Pod 39

Source: Cosmopolitan Hotel–TriBeCa

Rates of $100, $200 and $300 will be offered. Along with Midtown, locations will include SoHo, Chelsea, Flatiron, Murray Hill, Fashion District, Greenwich Village, and Tribeca.

Although January is a quiet time for visiting the Big Apple — particularly in the wake of the heavily visited holiday season — Hotel Week NYC provides an affordable option for staying in the city’s different neighborhoods. And why not start off the New Year right by do some exploring.

Plus, guests who choose to book a room during the earlier part of Hotel Week NYC can still catch some festive remnants of 2013. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree will remain up and lit for viewing until January 7. Ice skating still will be ongoing at the Rink at Rockefeller Center as well as at Bryant Park and Central Park.

If the temperatures get to be too much, step inside a museum like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Natural History or inside a restaurant or café for a warm and filling meal. Even plan ahead for some time for theatrics by buying advanced tickets to a Broadway show.

Whether you’re a visitor looking to take advantage of vacation days carried over from 2013 or a resident seeking a staycation, Hotel Week NYC has a place for everyone and every interest.

2014 participants include these properties shown below. For a full list, visit this link.

Ace Hotel, Flatiron, Chelsea
Rate: $200 – Book Online or call 1 (212) 679-2222 and mention “Hotel Week”

Affinia Manhattan, Midtown
Rate: $100 – Go to www.affinia.com and enter code HTWEEK or call 1 (866) 246-2203 and mention “Hotel Week”

Hotel Americano, Chelsea
Rate: $200 – Go to hotel-americano.com and enter code Hotel Week

nyma, the new york manhattan hotel, Herald Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

Ramada New York/Eastside, Murray Hill
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

The Hotel @ Times Square, Times Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (800) 567-7720 or 1 (212) 790-2710 and mention “Hotel Week”

Hotel Chandler, Flatiron
Rate: $200 – Go to www.hotelchandler.com or call 1 (866) 627 7847 or 1 (212) 889 6363 and mention “Hotel Week”

Cosmopolitan Hotel – TriBeCa, Tribeca
Rate: $100 – Go to cosmohotel.com and enter code HOTELWEEK or call 1 (212) 566-1900

The Jade Hotel Greenwich Village, Greenwich Village
Rate: $100 – Book Online or call 1 (212) 375-1300 and mention “Hotel Week”

The James New York, SoHo
Rate: $300 – Go to jameshotels.com/hotelweek or call 1 (888) 526-3778 and mention “Hotel Week”

Pod 39, Midtown East, Murray Hill and Times Square
Rate: $100 – Call 1 (212) 865-5700 and mention “Hotel Week”

Go on a Dishcrawl of SoNo, Connecticut

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Imagine a pub crawl that centers on eating instead of drinking. That’s the main course for Dishcrawl, a digital start up founded in 2010 in San Francisco that schedules specialty food experiences. These nationwide foodie crawls are currently being served in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and even Connecticut’s Fairfield County region.

In Fairfield County, a Dishcrawl around South Norwalk is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. Nicknamed “SoNo,” this section of the City of Norwalk has a happening dining and nightlife scene.

“The purpose of this communal gathering is to bring people together over food and to highlight the best restaurants in the area,” said Jesse Leeds-Grant, Dishcrawl’s Fairfield County ambassador. This evening of food and footsteps will be quite filling.

In setting up the itineraries for all of Dishcrawl Fairfield County, Leeds-Grant handles every task with preparations, from selecting the locations to initiating customized menus.

For each Dishcrawl, Leeds-Grant picks four restaurants to go to and dine in. “I try to choose restaurants that embrace the community and have a common love of the ‘foodie scene.’”

Leeds-Grant also is the guide for each crawl, leading guests from one establishment to the other.

Dishcrawl Fairfield County had its inaugural event in May, crawling along Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich. The Fairfield County happenings take place about once a month. Other Dishcrawls have jaunted through Old Greenwich, Stamford, and New Canaan.

Along with varying locations, each Dishcrawl involves different tastes. Once the participating restaurants are set, Leeds-Grant works with owners and chefs to create a specialty menu with unique flavors.

Tickets for the November 20 Fairfield County Dishcrawl in SoNo are priced at $45 each. Hurry; they go fast. They can be purchased at http://dishcrawl.com/sono/.