USA Travel Guide

If yesterday’s pick, Santa Monica Beach, was a little too predictable for your Spring Break beach vacation, maybe you should be thinking East Coast instead. If you can believe it, not all of the East’s top beaches line the coast of Florida. Head towards the southern tip of Virginia and you’ll find the charming bayside community of Hampton Roads, home to quaint Buckroe Beach and massive Virginia Beach.

Buckroe Beach
Though not as famous as nearby Virginia Beach, Buckroe Beach is terrific family destination to compliment any Spring Break in Virginia. The beach is modestly sized (about three-quarter mile), but is in top condition following a recent renovation by the city of Hampton.

In fact, there’s a lot new about Buckroe, which is currently in the middle of a major revitalization project. Top activities include swimming of course, and also picnicking, paddle-boating and fishing off the new pier. You won’t get several days of fun out of Buckroe, but it’s well worth an afternoon. Learn more.

Virginia Beach
The real star of any Virginia Spring Break, Virginia Beach boasts a world-record holding 28 mile-long beach, and with that much room to stretch out, you can bet that it brings every kind of Spring Break crowd. Another cool thing about the area is the city of Virginia Beach itself, which features near-endless entertainment. You can check out the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Amusement Park, Virginia Zoo, Mount Trashmore, several museums and state parks, the historic boardwalk and, naturally, lots and lots of shopping. Pound for pound, mile for mile, Virginia Beach offers more to love than just about any other beach in the country.

Families, college kids and rumpshakers need certainly apply! Learn more.

Have fun for Spring Break 2010!

One day USA Travel Guide may get to Napa Valley, what with all its pomp and prestige, but until then we’re perfectly happy sipping our way through the lesser-knowns. A couple months back we visited the Livermore Valley outside of San Francisco. Today we’re heading even farther afield to the Santa Ynez wine region just north of Santa Barbara, California. Join us for a Back-Country Wine Tour out of Santa Barbara.

The Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours Company knows Santa Barbara and the wine region better than anyone, having run comprehensive tours of the area for over 10 years. In fact, the company much resembles the wineries on their tours: family run and inspired by the beauty and bounty of Southern California.

The company offers several tour options, from excursions deep into the Santa Ynez Mountains to hunting trips, but today we’re all about that beloved beverage that my wife assures me “tastes like burning”: wine. Whatever your poison – red, white, varietals – the wineries of Santa Ynez have the perfect pour, and the Back-Country Wine Tour is your chance to sample from the best.

You’re morning starts when you climb aboard a cushy 4-7 passenger jeep in Santa Barbara. It’s about an hour drive up to the wine region (near Solvang), but the splendid scenery and your driver’s friendly narration will have the time passed before long. You’ll know when you made it. The lush vineyards stretch for miles in every direction, rolling along with the attractive contours of the wine country.

Don’t go all Avatar on us now, there’s wine to taste. The Back-Country Wine Tour includes visits to four wineries for tastings, wine discussions and conversation. The Santa Ynez Wine Country has over 20 excellent wineries, and your scheduled four aren’t necessarily set in stone. I can’t predict just where you’ll be headed, so if you’d like a little prep, I recommend you read up on the Santa Barbara wineries.

After four stops and a gourmet deli lunch (sandwiches, but, you know, good sandwiches), it’s finally time to head back home. On the return trip, your driver will give you a taste of Cloud Climbers’ gamier tours with a couple canyon trails.

All in all, it’s a good a use of six and a half hours as any you’ll find in Santa Barbara. If you’re a wine lover in Southern California looking for something new, treat yourself to the Back-Country Wine Tour of Santa Barbara by Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours.

Info: $120 per adult/semi-private tour, or $550 for a private jeep for four. Includes live narrated tour, tastings at 4 wineries, a logo wine glass and gourmet lunch at one of the wineries. Tours depart from Santa Barbara at 10:00 a.m. Learn more.

Hotel: We love staying in Santa Barbara as much as we love exploring its top attractions. Stay at one of our favorite Santa Barbara hotels with the Holiday Inn Santa Barbara – Goleta Hotel.

Have fun!

Hard to believe the 2010 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival is almost upon us. Feels like we’re still reeling from last year’s smorgasbord of Lowcountry opulence. Magnificent meals, tasty tidbits, luscious libations, celebrity sightings, it’s not quite the same as your local “Taste of…”

The Charleston Food + Wine Festival has fast become a major foodie event on America’s culinary calendar. Attendees come from all over the nation, as do award-winning and celebrity chefs of both local and global acclaim.

What’s so different about Charleston? For one thing, the festival, like the city itself, caters very well both up and down. Food festival mainstays like cooking demonstrations and general tasting tents are joined by high-end extravagances like private dinners in the home of an acclaimed chef.

Add on a tremendous wine program and the whole 3-day event takes on a gourmand sensibility. You don’t just go to get stuffed – you go to celebrate food and eating.

As before, the 2010 Charleston Food + Wine Festival is built around the Culinary Village at Marion Square. Here you’ll find endless delights under the Grand Tasting Tents, celebrity cooking demos, book signings, cooking competitions, charity auctions, live music and a chance to meet any number of incredible chefs.

The festival has always touted big guests, and this year they’re rolling out a platter of Top Chef favorites: Brian Malarkey, Eli Kirshtein, Kevin Gillespie and Richard Blaise. Also on the docket are the Food Network’s Tyler Florence and all-round super chef Daniel Boulud. (Eating at his namesake restaurant in NYC is on my bucket list. Yes, even travel writers have bucket lists).

On the luxury end of the Festival, you can purchase tickets for the Red, White and Lowcountry SpiritLine Cruise, a relaxing cruise of Charleston Harbor flavored with delicious wine pairings. The Bubbles and Sweets Soiree makes a good Saturday night party, a good follow-up, in fact, to the Craft Beer Dinner. Events can sell out quickly and early, so look into the schedule and buy up soon.

The 2010 BB&T Charleston Food + Wine Festival will be hosted March 4-7, 2010, primarily at Marion Square but really all around Charleston. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Save on Your Tickets – A Charleston Food + Wine Festival Hotel
One of our favorite Charleston hotels, the Mills House, is offering two package options featuring luxury accommodations (the rooms really are wonderful), breakfast each day, and tickets to the Charleston Food + Wine Festival.

• Wine & Food Connoisseur Package – the higher-end package includes tasting tent tickets and tickets to Saturday’s Bubbles & Sweets party (hard to come by).
• Wine & Food Gourmet Package – this more affordable package sticks to the general festival tickets, but try not to have a fabulous time!

View the Charleston Food + Wine Festival hotel packages here.

Have a delicious time!

It’s the first day of Carnival, and that means raucous Mardi Gras celebrations can’t be far behind.  We were a little late out of the gate last year, but this year we’re coming back strong with tips, suggestions and Mardi Gras 2010 hotel recommendations.

Officially, Mardi Gras 2010 takes place on February 16, “Fat Tuesday”, but in reality that’s just the final day in a weeks-long smorgasbord of parades, costumes and merriment. As early as January 31, flamboyant Carnival krewes will be hitting the streets, spreading cheer and handing out “throws” like beads, toys, stuffed animals and doubloons by the sack-load.

For that reason, you really don’t have to wait until Fat Tuesday to celebrate the Carnival with the locals. However, most experts will tell you (and we’ll happily agree), that visiting the weekend before Mardi Gras and staying through Tuesday is, hands down, the way to do it. All the biggest and best krewes host their parades during this time – ZULU, Bacchus, Endymion, Rex – all of them famous for over-the-top floats, delightful costumes and celebrity guests. View the parade schedule.

You’ll want to see as much as you can, but the one show you cannot miss is the Krewe of Bacchus Parade, Sunday at 5:15 p.m. in Uptown. The krewe spends all year constructing jaw-dropping super-floats like Bacchasaurus (pictured). Add in a roster of celebrity kings that has included Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, William Shatner and Dick Clark and it’s obvious that “go home” isn’t in this krewe’s vocabulary. They only go big.

Mardi Gras Tips
Most importantly, you must separate Mardi Gras from what happens in the French Quarter. That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with what happens in the French Quarter (not at all), it’s just to say that’s not technically Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is floats, festivity and family fun. It’s also highly policed with zero tolerance for debauchery. You can and should bring along the kids if able; they’ll have more fun than you.

Be prepared. Check the weather ahead of time, wear comfortable shoes, bring a bag to collect all the throws, and find a parade spot early to ensure a good seat. Some people bring ladders to stand on to improve their view, and it’s allowed, but we urge you to be very careful.

Collecting throws is fun. They’re cool souvenirs that convey instant meaning to whoever sees them. But, they’re not worth a trip to the hospital. If a throw hits the ground, we say let it go. If you reach for it, you have a much higher chance of getting trampled than you do coming up with a fun prize.

Enjoy New Orleans. The Big Easy is a joyous destination at any time of year, so use your time to experience the city. Stroll the French Quarter (during the day), dance to some live music, sample the incredible food, shop your heart out.

View more tips at this family-geared Mardi Gras Web site.

Mardi Gras Hotels
Mardi Gras hotels fill up fast, and some may already be sold out. Two of our favorite New Orleans hotels still have vacancies, however, so get yourself a room before it’s too late:

• Holiday Inn New Orleans French Quarter Hotel – affordable, well-located, kids eat free
• Chateau LeMoyne – historic ambiance, scenic views, well-located

Don’t settle for stories any more. Experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans for yourself in 2010.

While Napa Valley drinks in all the acclaim – to say nothing of film and TV cred – nearby Livermore Valley continues to grow both in abundance and prestige. Forgiving the fact that wine grapes have been grown in this distinct graveled valley every bit as long as in Napa, the days of calling the latter “California’s Wine Country” may soon be over. The next time you’re in Northern California, take the chance to visit Livermore Valley Wine Country.

Thirty miles east of San Francisco, and less than fifteen from Pleasanton, you’ll find a robust ten by fifteen mile valley tucked into the floating shadows of the costal foothills. In this valley, as with so many others, they’re all about wine.

In fact, Livermore Valley is a formative wine-growing region of California. The first grapes were planted by Spanish missionaries as far back as the 1760s, and commercial production started in the 1840s.

But early adoption isn’t the only claim to fame. America’s first international gold medal for wine, won in Paris in 1889, was awarded on the quality of a Livermore wine.  Growers from Livermore Valley also bottled America’s first Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the unctuous Petite Sirah.

Not so much on the history and just looking to do some classy boozing? You’re in luck in Livermore. Today the valley is home to more than 40 vineyards and wineries, almost all of which host tasting rooms, several of them free. The official Livermore Valley Wine Country Web site is your best resource for winery information including addresses, hours, prices and wines produced.

We would like to make a few suggestions, though:

• Wente Vineyards – the nation’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery and also the largest producer in Livermore. Wente is a perfect last stop, because nothing expresses the wine country experience better than dinner at Wente’s fabulous and locally sourced restaurant.
• Concannon Vineyard – pioneers of the world’s first Petite Sirah and California’s first Bordeaux, Concannon is Livermore’s second-largest grower today. Just as the wines play beautifully across your palate, the rustic and historic grounds of the Vineyard provide a beauty all their own.
• White Crane Winery – no historical significance, no centuries-old estate, just good award-winning wine. White Crane Winery actually overlooks the valley from Crane Ridge, a subtle geographic advantage that reveals itself in the glass.

The location of the Livermore Valley Wine Country is always dictated relative to San Francisco, but we actually recommend staying even closer in the upscale suburb of Pleasanton, California, just 10-15 miles from the wineries of Livermore Valley. Among Pleasanton hotels, we like the Hilton Pleasanton at the Club. Don’t forget to check out their specials.

Have fun!

I know Thanksgiving is just a day away, but forgive me if we skip a little ahead to talk about one of the biggest Christmas events in the nation. In fact, some of the fun has already begun.

A Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland is a rockin’ Christmas-themed celebration of all things Nashville: music, family, food and plenty of good friends. Not just one event, the Gaylord Opryland’s Country Christmas is a month-long extravaganza of hotly-anticipated shows, musicals, rides, play areas and more.

Before you have a chance to take one step into a theatre, expect to be gob-smacked by holiday cheer. The famous, to say nothing of humongous, Gaylord Opryland Resort is decked roof to hall with millions of sparkling lights, joined with no less care by thousands of classic Christmas decorations. Simply walking the grounds is a holiday treat in itself (and don’t worry, you won’t be the only one).

Along with more than a dozen smaller attractions – the beautiful Christmas tree, holiday shopping, Santa Clause, and the play area – A Country Christmas boasts four ticketed events. These always draw the most attention. 

• Radio City Christmas Spectacular feat. The Rockettes – The iconic New York City showcase comes to the Grand Ole Opry House in the heart of Nashville. The sheer spectacle is worth the cost of admission alone. Learn more.
• General Jackson Showboat – The year-round showboat is debuting two Christmas programs this season for midday and evening cruises. Check out fiddle virtuoso Tim Watson’s Tennessee Christmas. Learn more.
• Louise Mandrell’s “Joy to the World” Dinner & Show – Country music star Louise Mandrell puts on a riveting concert while you enjoy a holiday feast. Learn more.
• ICE! –  2 million pounds of ice went into this breathtaking ice sculpture garden. Kids love this one, especially with the Peanuts theme, and so will you. Learn more.

The only humbug in this bunch is that not a one of them is inexpensive. However, you can usually save some scratch by choosing the right hotel and not getting carried away with too many of A Country Christmas’ paid attractions.

We say skip the resort prices and stay cozy near the airport. The Holiday Inn Nashville Airport Hotel always proves a refreshing choice for us. The complimentary airport shuttle and free parking help, too. Learn about this Nashville hotel.

A Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland Resort runs now through early January, though hours and schedules of individual attractions will vary. Follow any of the links above to learn more about it and order tickets.

Have fun this holiday season!

We got such a great response back in June when we covered the Body Art Expo in Pomona, California, that for next year we wanted to be ahead the game. The sensational tattoo, body art and lifestyle convention is hitting the road in 2010 with four major destinations on the tour. Time it right and be in Pomona, San Francisco, Houston or Chicago for an unforgettable show.

The Body Art Expo is a lot of things. It’s a raucous party, it’s a get-together with friends old and new, and it’s a celebration of a culture that goes beyond skin, heritage and upbringing. But most importantly, it’s a place to meet more than 300 tattoo artists from renowned studios all over the nation. Talk to them, watch them work, and finally see what they can do for you.

You don’t have to get a tattoo, or even have one, to enjoy the Body Art Expo. You can kill lots of time simply admiring the artwork, whether it’s pinned up in an artist display or it’s walking around on the back of a scantily-clad female (who tend to show up in droves).

Extracurricular entertainment is non-stop. Concerts, live demonstrations, food, drink, dancing and a full host of contests keep the hall buzzing all day. Tattoo contests you expect – they reward 19 categories – but that’s really just the beginning. There’s a fashion contest, hot stud contest, hot babe contest, “win a tattoo” contest and all kinds of prize giveaways for you less competitive types.

Prices for the 2010 expos haven’t been listed. The 2009 tickets cost $50 for three days, $25 for 1 day, so expect something like that. Each event runs from Friday to Sunday with one, two, and three-day passes available. Of course, all dates, prices and whatnot are subject to change. Learn more here.

There are four conventions in the first half of 2010. Below you’ll find the date and address information, along with hotel recommendations by USA Travel Guide:

Body Art Expo in Pomona, California
January 22-24, 2010
Pomona Fairplex
1101 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA, 91768
Hotels: Radisson Suites Covina Hotel

Body Art Expo in San Francisco, California
March 19-21, 2010
Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA, 94104
Hotels: Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel
           Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf

Body Art Expo in Houston, Texas
May 21-23, 2010
Reliant Center
One Reliant Park, Houston, TX, 77054
Hotels: Crowne Plaza Houston Downtown Hotel

Body Art Expo in Chicago, Illinois
June 25-27, 2010
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611
Hotels: Silversmith Hotel & Suites | Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Magnificent Mile

As the events draw nearer, we’ll probably be back for a follow-up blog, but for those of you who have to set your vacation days early in the year, keep the Body Art Expo in mind. Have a great time!

Head to Solvang, California to celebrate the Christmas season this year, and you might feel like you’ve stumbled half-way across the world. Fact is, you’re only about 100 miles out from Los Angeles. But then, that’s Solvang for ya.

In a grand holiday tradition loved by locals and tourists alike, Solvang, California, “The Danish Capital of America”, will deck its streets in shimmering seasonal regalia in anticipation of another busy Christmas. They call it the Julefest Celebration, and it’s one of our favorite choices for doing something a little different for the holidays.

Solvang Julefest 2009
Solvang’s harmonious hamlet is a sight to see at any time of year, but that holiday magic is not without its special something. Everything from the quaint Danish-style houses and streetlamps to the famous windmill will be done up glittering white lights, and you can bet there will be music in the air.

In fact, the theme of Solvang Julefest 2009 is “Village of Music”, and they’re making good with free concerts, street performers, carolers, holiday musicals, and a whole lot more courtesy of the annual Julefest Parade on Saturday, December 5.

The lights go up November 20 along with daily open houses at a number of the shops (Julefest is an awesome place to find that unexpected Christmas gift). Major events are held on weekends in December, all completely free. December 4 and 5 bring the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Julefest Parade – dancing, vintage cars, animals, Santa. Stop in the second weekend to attend the Nativity Pageant on December 12, and show up early to guarantee seats.

Holiday cheer with a decidedly Danish twist, all free events and a splendid shopping opportunity, that sounds like a good time in Solvang to me. While Solvang’s Web site gets its act together, view this press release for more details.

Of course you can stay on-site (find general Solvang info here), but we find a day or two of Solvang more than enough, even in December. We like to stay in the far more coastal Santa Barbara, about 35-45 miles out from Solvang depending on how you drive. Transportation options from Santa Barbara to Solvang are plentiful. See here.

Consider a stay at the Holiday Inn Santa Barbara Hotel – Goleta. We’ve recommended the property in the past for a good location and always-fresh accommodations, and right now they’re running a buy 2 nights get 1 free special. Not too shabby for a quick Santa Barbara getaway.

Have fun!

Note: Julefest comes from the Danish word “Jul”, which means Christmas or, more specifically, “Yule”. Jul is celebrated in Denmark beginning on the Advent.

When we wrote about Rawhide Western Town nearly a year ago now, they called it Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, and their sign was a fair bit more charming, too. But changing the name doesn’t change the fact that Rawhide is still a fun afternoon excursion for anyone in the Phoenix area. So happens it’s also a great place to rustle up some unusual holiday entertainment.

Holiday Events at Rawhide Western Town
Put yourself in the moment. Horses tied to a splintered old post, dusty saloon door swinging in the breeze, a raggy jingle slinking its way up and down the piano. You hear raised voices in the bar, just on the edge of a brawl, then the sudden clink of spurs behind you. The sheriff walks up slow, a wizened calm exuding through the sun-burnt wrinkles on his face. Welcome to the Wild West!

Maybe you’re thinking John Wayne, maybe Clint Eastwood, or maybe you’re like me and you’re thinking Firefly. Either way, live the spirit of the Wild West, without the hassle of a ruthless untimely death, at Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse near Phoenix, Arizona.

This free-to-enter entertainment destination offers Wild West-themed amusements aplenty – costumed actors, mechanical bull riding, authentic stagecoach rides, shooting galleries, and themed shows packed with trick roping, gun twirling, horse-riding and, of course, dude shooting.

That’s just a selection, because what we’re really here to talk about (said the blogger five paragraphs in) is the special Thanksgiving and holiday attractions at Rawhide. For Thanksgiving, the delicious Rawhide Steakhouse is featuring a special menu loaded with all your favorites – butter basted turkey, honey-lime glazed ham, country sausage and corn bread stuffing and green bean casserole. Because it’s Rawhide, you can also get a succulent prime rib. Learn more.

Head back just a week later for the start of Rawhide’s “Cowboy Christmas”. Beginning December 3, Rawhide Western Town will take on an uncharacteristic red and green glow as the spirit of the season takes over Main Street. New holiday shows will play at both theatres, and every evening will kick-off in festive glamour with the lighting of an 80-ft. Christmas tree. Santa might even roll in on a horse-drawn carriage.

All the fun of Rawhide plus tree-lighting and holiday music and a Wild West Santa? That’s a lot of seasonal fun!

Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse is open Thursday – Sunday, although their event hours do vary. It’d be easier for you to look it up following the link below. Rawhide is free to enter, and you can pay for attractions either by one or you can purchase an unlimited wristband (recommended). Learn more.

Rawhide is located south of Phoenix off I-10, and we always stay in town. For hotels in Phoenix, we again recommend the Crowne Plaza Phoenix Hotel. The hotel is situated near several of our favorite attractions, or at least within a reasonable drive, and we’ve always found the accommodations a cut above.

Have fun! 

Here in Dallas we just enjoyed a nice shorts-worthy weekend, but in most of the country temperature dials are headed south. As it happens, so are a whole lot of people.

They’re called “snowbirds”, folk who flock to warmer climates before the winter woes have a chance to set in. They head to Georgia, Florida and the Keys, the Caribbean, maybe even Hawaii if they’ve got the scratch. One place they’ve begun to head more and more is the Mississippi Gulf Coast, now experiencing a welcome revival after years recuperating from the terrible hurricane season of 2005.

And why not? The Mississippi Gulf Coast is beautiful, offers every bit as much to do as Florida or the islands, and often does it for a lot less. If you’re browsing snowbird winter rentals for December on into 2010, consider the Gulf Coast and our particular recommendation, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Snowbird Vacations in Biloxi, Mississippi
You’ll have no trouble finding what you’re looking for: a cozy condo with easy access to the all the entertainment of the region. Something ideal for a month or two, or even just a couple of weeks to help brighten up a long winter.

Just what entertainment can you expect to find? For starters, Biloxi has you Florida fans covered with pristine golf courses (several award-winning) and close access to the beach for everything from deep-sea charter fishing to leisure cruises. For a different kind of fun on the water, Biloxi’s magnificent casinos welcome players 24 hours a day (we’re partial to the Beau Rivage).

Shopping is another major draw to the Biloxi-Gulfport region. You’ll find shops, boutiques, malls and centers at every price level, including the humongous Prime Outlets of Gulfport. Just make sure you pack a way to get it all home when you travel in.

Where to stay? For snowbird winter rentals in Biloxi, Mississippi, we like the Ocean Club at Biloxi. The Ocean Club offers full-featured Mississippi Gulf Coast vacation rentals for extended stays just minutes from the ocean, golf, casinos, shopping, and just about everything else. They cater to snowbirds, too, which you can read more about here.

Escape the cold this winter with a snowbird vacation to Biloxi, Mississippi. Have fun!