THE INSIDER TRAVEL BLOG

Monday, July 31, 2006

MAUI -- A FAMILY-FRIENDLY PARADISE
Many people think of Hawaii as the ultimate romantic getaway, and of course, as many wedding-planners and honeymooners would attest, it is! But these beautiful islands offer much more than romance, so just because you've got young children in tow, that is no reason to shy away from Hawaii. Maui is considered by many to be the most family-friendly of all the islands, and with good reason: many Maui hotels offer special programs for keiki (children) and lots of Maui restaurants have keiki menus. You'll also find that the plethora of condo rentals with kitchen and laudrey faciliites make Maui a good place to stay with kids. Best of all, Maui offers plenty of activities that appeal to children. In addition to beaches and water sports, there are whales to watch, the moon-like landscape of Mount Haleakala to explore, and a wonderful aquarium, the Maui Ocean Center.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

PHILADELPHIA CITY HALL BUILDING
Love it or hate it (and folks always seem to feel one way or the other), the City Hall building in Philadelphia is here to stay (demolition costs would be so high that there would be no money left over for replacing it!). But things are looking up for those who appreciate the building's history, architectural style, and plentiful ornate statues. A recent cleaning has erased decades of soot and dirt, revealing a gleaming white marble and granite facade. Efforts are also underway to restore interior rooms as well. The New York Times ran a piece today that explores the glory -- and the folly -- that is City Hall. But the best way to learn more about this unusual building is to take a tour -- in person or online.

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO SUMMER TRAVEL DEALS
If you are planning to go to San Francisco this summer, now is the time to book your trip! Cheaptickets is running a promotion they call "Spend Summer in the West!" with 3 star hotels starting at $58 and flight and hotel packages starting at $326. But these deals are so hot that they are guaranteed not to last -- so be sure to make your plans before they expire July 23, 2006. Hotwire also has some San Francisco summer specials. Check this out: W Hotel San Francisco vacation package - 2 nights + air from $485 and San Francisco rental cars from $13.95 per day!

Monday, July 10, 2006

AT THE TABLE
This summer seems to be the time for museums to bring out the china and cutlery! The Philadelphia Museum of Art currently has both an exhibition of Presidential China and one devoted to Culinary Design Objects from the Kitchen, both chock-full of interesting items from the museum's collection. In San Francisco, the California Palace of the Legion of Honor houses a wonderful assemblage of 18th Century English and French Porcelain, which features prominently in their decorative arts collection. And not to be outdone, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (part of the Smithsonian, but located in NYC) has a luscious display of flatware called Feeding Desire: Design and Tools of the Table. All of this reminds me of a thought-provoking exhibition the Newark Museum hosted some years ago, that traced the trends in utensils, china and serving pieces. The Newark Museum has remained a great source for exploring the decorative arts; we especially enjoy their online exhibition called Great Pots.

Friday, July 7, 2006

FREE SUMMER EVENTS!
We love summer in New York City for a whole variety of reasons. Somehow, things seem much more relaxed with a good part of the population on vacation or in the Hamptons. Sidewalk cafes beckon. Kids run through the sprinklers and fountains that sparkle among the city's playgrounds and vest pocket parks. The fabulous roof garden is open at the Metropolitan Museum. Summer sales are on and rock bottom prices abound at many of our favorite shops and boutiques. But more than anything else, we love the plethora of free cultural events that blossom when NYC temperatures rise. From classic movies to modern dance; from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare, there are almost endless options. See our list of free events taking place in NYC this summer.

Thursday, July 6, 2006

THE INTREPID MOVES FROM NYC TO NJ
Thankfully, the move is just temporary. Sometime in November, the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum will move from its spot on Pier 86 on Manhattan's West Side so upgrades can be made to the Pier and so that work can be done on the Intrepid itself. If all goes well, the Intrepid will return to its usual perch in time for Fleet Week in 2008. Learn more by reading the related story in the New York Times.

Wednesday, July 5, 2006

WHERE TO GOLF AND WHAT TO GOLF WITH
Hawaii is a golfer's paradise. There are world-class courses on every island that are both breathtakingly beautiful and fun to play. But before you pack up your clubs, check out our round-up of Hawaii's best golf courses. We also recommend that you check out the best deals at Golfballs.com, remember that they offer lots more than just balls. For example, right now you can buy a Callaway X460 Driver and receive a FREE Big Bertha Heavenwood hybrid or purchase a Callaway FT3 Driver and receive a FREE Fusion Fairway Wood.

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