Annual events in Chicago

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Guest| Leave a comment

Planning your travel around annual events in Chicago can be a great way to lock in a one-of-a-kind vacation experience, get a feel for the real spirit of the city and connect with local residents. The Windy City puts on so many unique events each year that you’ll have lots of tempting options to choose from, no matter when you plan your trip. Here are a few favorites to help kick-start your travel plans. These represent only a small sampling of Chicago events; there are many more smaller fairs and festivals each year.

April: Chicago Improv Festival

The famous Second City improv troupe got its start in Chicago in 1959 and expanded from the Midwest to Los Angeles and Toronto. Chi-Town pays homage to stars that got their start at the original location with the annual Chicago Improv Festival, which focuses on workshops for actors and includes performances. Held in late April, the festival showcases improv and sketch comedy troupes from around the world on multiple performances. Lots of local talent represents, so you’ll get a taste for Second City’s talent.

June: Chicago Pride Parade

June is Gay Pride Month and Chicago Pride is one of the Midwest’s largest LGBT celebrations. There are events celebrating LGBT history throughout June, leading up to the parade on the last Sunday in June. Watch the city’s “Gay Idols,” an American Idol-style amateur singing competition, attend LGBT advocacy workshops, dance your booty off at local clubs and bars and watch or participate in the parade by marching with a local organisation.

August: Ginza Holiday – Japanese Cultural Festival

Held in Historic Old Town Chicago, the Ginza Festival showcases Japanese culture. Catch a local band playing a combination of American blues and traditional Japanese folk music, take in taiko drumming troupes and watch craft demonstrations from Waza, master Japanese craftsmen skilled in traditional crafts that hark back 300 years to Japan’s Edo period. Sample Japanese food, including udon noodles, edamame, sushi and chicken teriyaki. On Ginza Festival dress-up days, come dressed as your favorite anime character or in traditional Japanese clothing. The Ginza Festival occurs the second weekend in August.

Chicago travel tips

Chicago city centre: the Magnificent Mile. Image by Bert Kaufmann.

November: Magnificent Mile in Lights

The Magnificent Mile boasts some of Chicago’s best shopping and dining and, in November, you can help turn it into a winter wonderland. Stroll the Magnificent Mile under thousands of twinkling lights or prepare for the holidays to come at the 450-plus shops, including Glove Me Tender, Henri Bendel and Marbles: The Brain Store. The Drake Hotel offers a special holiday tea, and the John Hancock Observatory welcomes Santa’s annual visit. See Disney characters, listen to marching bands or take in popular musical acts that will entertain children and adults alike.

Chicago offers a wealth of entertainment opportunities throughout the year. Enjoy a hearty laugh during improv performances, celebrate LGBT community during Chicago Pride, learn about Japanese culture and shop ’til you drop! You can also visit the Windy City for any number of other recreational outings so why not start planning early to make the most of your Chicago vacation.

Have fun!

Jessica loves traveling and visiting new places. She enjoys spending time outdoors and writing in her free time.

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25 Tips For First Time Backpackers In Australia

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Guest| Leave a comment

Every traveller wants to get as much as he or she can, while spending the least amount of money. Use these tips as your guide while your plan your backpacking trip to and within Australia.

backpacking tips

Image by John Robert Shepherd, Flickr.

  1. Use a good Australian map to plan your route within Australia, depending on your travel time frame. If you arrive and then spontaneously go from there without a plan you will waste a lot of money.
  2. Figure out your budget for your stay, travel, touring, food and entertainment. Take into consideration the cheapest options you can find online.
  3. If three months of travel is not enough to see everything you want, see if you are eligible for a Working Holiday visa. You can travel for an entire year and backpack, while working to supplement your resources.
  4. Time your travel to leverage the best cultural events and free seasonal calendar events. It’s awful to land in a town to be told you missed the greatest free rock concert ever.
  5. Buy a good travel guide book and chart seasonal festivities, places to visit, free attractions, and free camping grounds and so on. Best guides are from Rough Guide, Lets Go and BUG Australia and Lonely Planet.
  6. Take clothes that will wear well, don’t wrinkle and look good after travel. Take only as much as you can comfortably carry by yourself so you can walk short distances and save money on transport.
  7. Invest in a backpack that has multiple compartments and has a detachable day pack. You can load survival rations and basic camping needs in your day pack and go on long treks.
  8. Take out sufficient medical and travel insurance for the duration of your travel as medical treatments are expensive in Australia. Also obtain all the necessary vaccinations before you travel.
  9. Rent a campervan for trips within Australia. A campervan takes care of both your transport and accommodation requirements. You pay only the rent and the rental insurance payments.
  10. Fill fuel on ‘cheap fuel days’. Each region in Australia reduces fuel prices on specific days – find out this information and plan your fuelling trips accordingly.
  11. To get the best out of Australian weather, travel to NT, WA and Queensland during the winter. Travel south to NSW, A.C.T., Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia during the summer.
  12. You can drive in Australia using your country’s driver’s license for the duration of your visa. However, be aware of driving rules and regulations and carry your license with you at all times.
  13. If you want to buy a car in Australia check out The Redbook, a guide website, and also car auctions, backpacker car markets, weekly Trading Post publications and hostel and internet café notice boards.
  14. If you start off on a tourist visa and decide to apply for a Working Holiday visa, take a cheap trip to New Zealand and apply from there. This way you can continue traveling without returning to home base.
  15. Work is seasonal, especially fruit-picking, farming and so on which are mostly summer activities. Chart the seasonal jobs at your destinations and arrive before the masses do.
  16. Be aware of vehicle registration costs and formalities in different states. It’s best not to be in a different state when your registration expires.
  17. Be sure you have a valid credit card that is accepted in Australia. You may have to book hostels in advance and pay for other goods where cash is not welcome.
  18. Get a Vodafone connection as soon as you arrive; save money on cell roaming charges. For $30 dollars, you get $150 worth of credit, plus 10 MB of internet per day.
  19. Book package tours to save money. You can do this via your hostel or a tour company. Package tours can save you hundreds of dollars as you’ll be saving on additional fees.
  20. All libraries and McDonalds have free Wi-Fi, so make use of these and avoid paying for internet usage. Internet is very expensive in Australia.
  21. Pay for hostel memberships ($25 a year). This will help you shave off many dollars of your hostel stay. You have to stay with the same hostel company though.
  22. The WWOOFing program allows you to work at farms for free board and food. You don’t need to take a farming course in order to WWOOF.
  23. Buy a rail pass and avoid paying $700 USD per trip. A rail pass costs between $450 to 800 USD, but you can use the entire rail network and save 50 to 70% on charges.
  24. Wear sunscreen before you step out. The Australian sun can be cruel, especially between noon to 3 P.M. Also wear a hat and sunglasses all the time while you’re outdoors.
  25. Know how to change your visa; talk to the right people beforehand. If you like life in Australia, you may want to explore the visa options you can avail while in Australia.

Mark Zeman writes for Adrenaline, ranked #1 among gift ideas websites in Australia.

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City Trip to Florence

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Guest| Leave a comment

Florence, Italy may be next to Paradise in the rankings of the best places on earth. Art lovers swoon at the amount and quality of the art objects on view in one single city. The David, by Michelangelo, is the clear winner in the sculpture category, and it may be wise to schedule a guided tour for him, thus skipping the long lines.

The river Arnoin Florence

The river Arnoin, Florence; jonrawlison, Flickr

The Uffizi, the art gallery in the former office building of the Medici family, is worth a city trip to Florence. Rooms full of paintings by Michelangelo, del Sarto, Botticelli, Veronese, Tintoretto, Rubens, Rembrandt and many more artists are on the tours in Florence at the Uffizi.

Also in the Uffizi is statuary from the 1200′s through the 1800′s. The Medicis would have collected art through part of the 1700′s at least. The Pitti Palace holds its own with more art, particularly silver and porcelain treasures, some of which were part of the Medici collection.

Hungry after all those tours? Plop down in one of the cafes in the piazza and watch other people stroll around the large open area. There are even more sculptures in the open air gallery, the Loggia die Lanzi, on the piazza. The large clock tower is within view and there are shops to mull over while sipping a latte or a glass of wine.

Botticellis Nascitadi Venere

Botticellis Nascitadi Venere

It seems nearly impossible to have an unsatisfactory meal in any of the restaurants in Florence. Italians know how to eat and are not content with mediocre fare. Even buying a hunk of cheese, good bread and an inexpensive bottle of wine is highly satisfying, especially with a nice view.

Just beyond the piazza is the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge across the Arno River. For hundreds of years, merchants have sold their wares on the bridge and it looks like any city street with shops when on the bridge. Gold, jewelry, art and souvenir shops span the length of the bridge, which is a shopper’s haven.

The leather goods produced in Italy are worth the high cost and can be found in shops around town. One shop is in the Piazza Pitti, one is in the Santa Croce Church (the school of leather), and there is an actual cobbler in the Via Santo Spirito. Shoes range from about 120-300 euros. There is a well-known designer in Florence who sells leather products also and the prices reflect the quality.

Walking around the city and noting how the sunlight turns buildings to gold is a reward in itself. Tours in Florence are beneficial because of the valuable information given out about the subjects of the tours. They also do not have to wait in line, as mentioned before. A city trip to Florence is like a big Christmas and birthday gift for any traveller; it should be given weeks of perusal. Even a weekend is gratifying if that is all the time allotted. An afternoon is better than nothing.

Do not miss this city. Eat, tour and be merry.

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Going on a bareboat sailing charter vacation

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Guest| Leave a comment

Let’s be honest, most of us are never going to be rich enough to own our own yacht. But if you think that means that a life on the ocean is beyond your means, think again, because more and more people are discovering the pleasures of holidaying on a chartered yacht.

Over the years a number of companies have sprung up that offer a first class yacht charter experience, and while crewed holidays are certainly a great experience, seasoned sailors know that the best way to truly enjoy the freedom of the seas is to book a holiday on a bareboat charter.

Sail away. Image by Ragnar1984, Flickr.

No need for a crew

Whilst crewed yachts allow you to let someone else take the strain of sailing out of your hands, they have a number of drawbacks. For a start they’re usually a fair bit more expensive than a bareboat charter, as crew costs have to be taken into account. They’re also less private – if you’re on a family holiday or romantic getaway, you don’t really want a number of strangers with you at all times.  Another problem with crewed voyages is that you’re at the mercy of someone else’s itinerary, and if you’re an experienced sailor you won’t get much of a chance to do any real sailing.

No, if you’re a sailor who really wants to enjoy the true pleasures of sailing at your own pace whilst testing your nautical skills, a bareboat charter is the only way to go. With no timetable, crew, and an endless array of tranquil coves and hidden beaches to choose from, you can set your own itinerary and sail at leisure.

Check your Qualifications

Depending on what part of the world you’re in, the qualifications that you’ll need in order to charter a bareboat vary – for example in the Caribbean the level of certification you’ll need is relatively low compared to that required by most European yacht charter companies.

But wherever you go you need to bare in mind that bareboat charters are for experienced sailors only. Just as you wouldn’t hand over the keys to your car to someone who hadn’t passed their driving test, most bareboat charter companies will expect to see evidence of both your sailing qualifications and some proof of experience as the skipper of a boat of a similar size to the one you want to hire.

Type of Vessel

If your sailing skills are up to scratch, the only limitations as to the type of boat you can charter is your budget. There is an almost endless array of different boats available to charter, from luxurious engine powered monohulls to pared back, multi-sail racing-style catamarans.

If possible, it’s always worth having a walk-around of your chosen vessel – whilst it’s one thing looking at pictures on the internet, the only way you’ll really get a true sense of the boat you want to hire is to step aboard and experience her for yourself.

Research

As with any holiday, you should always try and do as much research as possible before you set off.  But if you’re considering a bareboat charter you’ll find you will need to do more research than normal, both to learn about the conditions you’ll be sailing in, and in order to find the yacht that’s right for you. The more research you do, the more you minimise the chances of any unpleasant surprises when you arrive in your destination.

Author Bio:

Jez Gee is a freelance writer who lives in London. He’s sailed extensively off the coast ofAustralia, and rather less extensively off the coast of Anglesey.

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5 Best Ways to Experience Auckland on a Budget

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Mark| Leave a comment

Guest post by Genevieve Atkinson, Aucklander and founder of Fossick; Independent reviews and recommendations for where to stay in NZ and Australia.

Don’t you wish the tourist brochures were honest?

Instead you arrive in a new city, diligently collect all the magazines and brochures at the airport or the hotel lobby and plonk yourself down on your temporary bed to peruse your options. Yes of course, you should have spent hours researching this city on the net prior to arriving but even if you did, there is still nothing like those first moments of hope and anticipation as the trip starts to take shape.

In general it only takes a few moments before disillusionment sets in, as you wade through the myriad of Auckland 1/2 day tours or “shopping experiences” at large (and you know dreadfully same old, same old) duty free department stores.

I just wanted to know – What’s good around here? Where’s should I wander without needing to spend my entire budget?

Well the best way to find out that information is to ditch the brochures and accost a local or if you’re the planning type, read on. As a local Aucklander, here’s 5 ways to have a fabulous time in Auckland on a minuscule budget (and still see the major attractions).

1. The CBD – shopping

Besides going up the skytower, Auckland’s CBD doesn’t have too many attractions, but if you like city wandering, you need to head to “High Street”. Which is a narrow street that runs parallel to Queen St, the main road heading up through the CBD. Whilst Queen St is the equivalent of the mall, High St is where the boutique and eclectic shops are.

Top 5 on a budget

Auckland Skyline

2. The CBD – eating and nightlife

Auckland’s CBD has changed rapidly in the last 5 years and the new up and coming area is Britomart. Which is the area directly behind the railway station. It used to be the worst part of town, but as happens, old warehouses have been converted to awesome pubs and restaurants. Look out for my favourite the Northern Steamship company or Tyler street garage. Britomart.org will give you more detail. The viaduct was the key nightclub area 10 years ago, and still has a lot of charm as it’s directly on the water and will be packed late at night, but if you’re after something slightly more sophisticated, Britomart is where to go. Read more »

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Top 5 Tapas Bars in Barcelona

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Mark| Leave a comment

The temptations of tapas

If you’re going to Barcelona you have to eat tapas! There are so many wonderful tapas bars to choose from it’s almost impossible to narrow it down. So, instead of spending hours online and trekking around town, take a tip from someone who’s done the leg and stomach work and try my Top 5.

best tapas bars

Tapas with tomato and goat's cheese. Image by jlastras, Flickr.

Top 5 Tapas Bars in Barcelona

  1. Staying in Eixample or Gracia area and worried there are better tapas bars near Barceloneta? Don’t be – my absolute favourite tapas bar has to be Bodega Quimet on Carrer de Vic. A visit here satisfies all your tapas bar fantasties when visiting Barcelona. It is a small tapas bar with a multi-talented owner/chef and barista who loves what she does and makes carefully prepared, delicious tapas with real passion.  Bodega Quimet also has their own house-made vermouth which is an absolute taste sensation and very popular with locals in the know. To top it off, it’s downright cheap, with two people able to eat and drink their fill for €30.
  2. La Cova Fumada in Barceloneta is another cosy tapas bar that offers super tasty simple dishes, has a loyal following and wonderfully homey atmosphere. A family run place that is always packed, it’s worth cramming inside (or arriving early if you can) to taste their homemade treats alongside other satisfied customers.
  3. Fans of great cava and tapas bars need to head to Ca L’Esteve – El Xampanyet. This is another tapas bar in Barceloneta that makes their own delicious sparkling wine  ‘Xampanyet’ and traditional Catalan dishes. Along with the wine, they are also known for seriously good anchovies and queues to get in – so be prepared to get there in a timely fashion or wait your turn. It’s worth it!
  4. On first glance I didn’t think I’d like Cervecería Catalana but it turned out to be one of the best places I ate in Barcelona – which is high praise indeed! Unlike my other suggestions, this is a large contemporary establishment in Eixample, with slick interior design, a sizeable wine and beer list and waiters who speak multiple languages. Being drawn to more old school family run tapas bars I thought this would be run of the mill but oh how I was wrong! They have really reasonable priced tapas using excellent quality ingredients, fantastic seafood paella at lunch, cheap house wines and friendly staff.
  5. Bar Pinotxo is a little tapas bar in the food market of Boqueria. They also do brilliant daily dishes and carefully made desserts. I hesitated to include this place in the list because some people won’t like standing for a while just to get a bar stool and some of the dishes (like a plate of chickpeas) are stupidly overpriced for what is essentially a rowdy market bar. But! If you check prices first and order accordingly, it is undoubtedly a tapas bar that offers delicious authentic food and a wonderfully buzzy atmosphere.

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Guest Post: Top 5 Takeaways in Melbourne

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Guest| Leave a comment

Guest Post by Lorraine Ong from www.passionateaboutlife.com.au

The key to a successful takeaway is delectable food at reasonable prices that’s also quick and easy. Here’s my take on the top 5 takeaways in Melbourne. Enjoy!

1. Momoco Sushi
A star find on Glenhuntly Rd Elsternwick, this Japanese local of mine has a winning formula with its flavorsome variety of quick and easy meals from sushi to bento boxes to don (rice) dishes. The bento boxes are surprisingly intricate in presentation, individually packed with up to 3-4 mouthwatering Japanese classics such as gyoza, sushi, sashimi, and more and from $16 a box is value for money too. The sake ebi maki is another clear winner with fresh salmon sashimi wrapped around vinegared rice filled with prawn, avocado, mayo and seaweed.

Momoco Sushi

Image by Lorraine Ong

2. Laksa King
Truly the King of Laksa, you will undoubtedly find a fave Malaysian dish from this popular eatery. With up to 10 types of laksa to choose from including Assam laksa, chicken curry  laksa and seafood laksa just to name a few, Laksa King enthralls the keen foodie with their vast selection of Malaysian treats. My fave is the chicken curry laksa – remember to ask for additional clams for a hearty traditional feast – the best thing about the takeaway is they pack the soup separate to the noodles and ingredients so you don’t end up with soggy noodles by the time you get home to devour it.

Laksa

Image by Lorraine Ong

3. Kotaraya
With branches in St Kilda, Elsternwick and Clayton, Kotaraya caters to the multitude of Malaysian cuisine fans. Must orders include the spicy crispy Special Thai Fish, the coconut prawns served on a bed of coconut tapioca crackers and authentic fried beef kway teow with a smoky wok-fried flavour. On Sundays, make sure you try the Hainanese chicken rice – only available for lunch.

4. Urban Burger
Conveniently located in most suburban and city areas, Urban Burger has grown to become a household name for gourmet burgers. From beef to chicken and vegetarian options, and unique names such as the ‘urban legend’ with succulent beef, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and dijon mustard, this burger is truly legendary. Or how about the ‘mushroom melt’ with tender juicy beef, cheese, and sautéed mushrooms in a crispy roti wrap. Truly one to hit the spot for the ravenous takeaway junkie. What’s great about this is you can have all burger options as a wrap too for those who prefer wraps to burgers. How very handy.

Urban Burger

Image by Lorraine Ong

5. Crust
You can always rely on trusty Crust to deliver an array of pizzas that pack a punch! From the traditional to the gourmet, with up to 30 choices to pick from, the crisp thin crust pizzas each come with flavorsome fresh toppings and different bases to suit each flavor ie BBQ sauce, or tomato sauce. A personal fave of mine- the classic BBQ chicken pizza with savory BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, onions, and mushrooms. Not too oily or greasy but filled with flavor.

About the writer

Lorraine Ong is an avid foodie and Melbourne food blogger whose blog www.passionateaboutlife.com.au features a Top 5 list of restaurants, bars and social activities in Melbourne. Dedicated to anyone with a passion for life!

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