The latest travel information plus insider event and sightseeing tips for New York City, Boston, Hawaii, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Bermuda.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Christmas in Bermuda
There are plenty of ways to get in the holiday spirit if you find yourself in Bermuda this month. On December 7th, join the Annual Christmas Walkabout in historic St. George and enjoy musical entertainment, historic readings, Christmas goodies and much more -- all for free. The Bermuda Regimental Music Display -- a free musical event performed in Hamilton by the Band and Corps of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment and the Bermuda Island Pipe Band -- also takes place December 7th.
Then on the 8th, see Santa when he stops in at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo for fun games, animal talks and feeding, and holiday refreshments. Later in the day, check out the Bermuda Christmas Boat Parade where boats decorated with brilliant festive lights and decorations parade around Hamilton Harbour.
A settlement has been reached, stopping the strike that has darkened the lights on Broadway shows for the last 19 days. But the lights will be back on in Broadway theaters tonight. So click over to Broadway.com to choose your show and than check out our money-saving tips for getting in.
Cheaptickets.com is offering their very first 48-hour sale: Save $50 on 2+ nights for flight or flight + hotel. It's easy, all you have to do is book your trip by November 29, 2007, using promotional code 48HOURSALE and make sure you take your trip by January 31, 2008. Now if only the rest of your holiday shopping can be so simple!
Plan to be in Hawaii for the holidays? Don't miss Honolulu City Lights - a month-long celebration featuring beautifully decorated Christmas trees, music, entertainment, and nightly visits from Santa. The events kick-off on December 1st with a full schedule that includes a tree lighting ceremony, parade, music and plenty of food.
Now that the holiday shopping season has arrived and crowds will be flocking into Manhattan shopping meccas like Macy's, it is worth noting that recently released crime statistics show that New York City is safer than ever. So go ahead and go shopping in NYC; you've got nothing to worry about (except maybe your January credit card bill!).
If you plan to travel with the family to grandma's Thanksgiving feast this year, we recommend that you review our insider tips for traveling with the kids before you head out the door. We also like the helpful tips, tricks and stories you'll find at MomsMinivan.com.
For some reason, we've been thinking a lot about tall buildings lately. Perhaps it was the announcement that MOMA is planning another expansion that includes construction of a new 75-floor tower in mid-town Manhattan. Perhaps it is the thought of all the tourists straining their necks as they look upward at New York City's glorious skyline, on this, the first official grid-lock alert day of the 2007 holiday season. Whatever the reason, we want to follow up yesterday's tip to check out New York City's Skyscraper Museum with a recommendation for a related web site: SkyscraperCity.com has a special section related to NYC architecture. We've found that it is a great resource for anyone who is interested in New York City buildings, from first-timers to the city who want to know a bit about what they'll see, to long-time New Yorkers who never cease to be amazed by the city's beauty and vitality. The Photography Showcase, in particular, contains a wealth of helpful information and wonderful pics.
Planning to be in New York City soon? Why not check out the Skyscraper Museum? After all, gravity-defying high-rises and a memorable skyline is part of what the Big Apple is all about! Not interested in the city's architectural history? Check out another one of the hundreds of museums that contribute to New York's cultural richness.
If you will be driving over the mountains and through the woods to Grandmother's house this Thanksgiving, we recommend that make sure that your car is ready for the trip. And even if your Thanksgiving travel plans don't include lots of driving, now is a good time to take the time to prepare your car for the cold weather.
So here are our Insider tips for caring for your car as cold weather approaches (courtesy of Lexus of Manhattan): CLEAN Clean & flush and put new anti-freeze in the cooling system. Check your heaters, wipers, and defrosters for wear and tear. Use cold weather washer fluid.
CHECK TIRES Check tire and tread depth as well as tire pressure at least once a month. As the temperature drops your tire pressure may decrease. Consider winterizing your tires if you are in an area where there is snow and ice. See your service advisor for details on how to winterize your tires (if applicable).
TUNE UP You should consider getting your oil & filter changed every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Have your service advisor check the air and transmission as well. If you are due for a major tune-up you should consider doing so before the cold actually sets in. Winter makes those small issues become big issues because of the weather change.
LIGHTS Make sure your interior and exterior lights are working properly. Sometimes the cold weather climate will cause those lights to go out. You want to make sure also the headlights are properly aimed.
COLD-WEATHER EQUIPMENT You should have the following equipment in your car especially during the colder months:
Jumper cables
Ice Scraper
Blanket
First aid kit
Warm gloves
Flash light
Cell phone
DRIVING ON WET ROADS When the road is slippery, turn off your cruise control system. Snow, ice, slush or even rain can cause wheel-spin and loss of control. To immediately reduce power you must have control of your vehicle. If cruise control is activated the feature might continue to apply power.
Okay, Thanksgiving isn't here yet, but no matter: the Christmas holiday season officially starts in New York City tonight when the Rockettes take the stage for yet another rendition of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Oh sure, the show is a bit on the schmaltzy side, but even the venerable New York Times expresses admiration for the shows longevity (it celebrates 75th anniversary this year) and ongoing appeal. So go ahead, give in to your softer, more nostalgic side and enjoy the Spectacular in all its glitzy extravagance.
The best vacations leave you refreshed and renewed. So add a nice dollop of luxury and pampering as you plan the itinerary. Perhaps an evening of fine dining or wine tasting. An afternoon of indulgent spa treatments. Or a view from the top with a personalized helicopter tour. Whatever makes you feel special and out-of-the-ordinary is just what you deserve!
It is CANSTRUCTION time again! These design/build competitions are held in numerous cities (including our own Boston, NYC, and Philadelphia) where teams of architects, engineers, and students compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food. The resulting magnificent sculptures are displayed to the public. At the close of the exhibitions all of the canned food used in the structures is donated to local food banks. Not surprisingly, many exhibitions are held in November to coincide with Thanksgiving food drives.
Nearly two dozen design firms will participate in the
Boston CANSTRUCTION exhibition, which will be held Nov. 5-17 at the Boston Design Center.
In New York City, where the CANSTRUCTION concept originated in 1993, the exhibition will be held at New York Design Center from Nov. 8-21.
Philadelphia's exhibition is scheduled to start April 1, 2008 at Liberty Place.
CANSTRUCTION is a really cool and mind-opening event. And since the cost of admission is just a CAN of food, how CAN you go wrong?
A visit to Napa Valley is a wonderful side trip to a San Francisco vacation. You're sure to enjoy Napa Valley's rustic charm, sweeping views, and of course, the wine. And while wine tasting should definitely be on your "to do" list, Napa Valley wine country provides an exquisite backdrop for floating in a hot air balloon, hiking, biking or taking in the picturesque surroundings aboard the Napa Valley wine train while feasting on a sumptuous luncheon or dinner.
November is a wonderful time for New York City chocolate-lovers! First, from November 4-11, restaurants and shops throughout the city will feature chocolate specialties and tastings as part of Chocolate Week. Then, on November 5, 6, and 9 the Institute of Culinary Education is offering a variety of classes featuring chocolate recipes, including old fashioned chocolate desserts and chocolate truffles. To cap things off, from November 9-11 the annual Chocolate Show will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion with a plethora of exhibitions, tastings, cooking demonstrations and other activities. As their web site says, it's time to unleash your passion for chocolate!
One of the most often asked questions we receive at The Aloha Insider is "where should I stay when I visit Hawaii?" Of course the answer depends a great deal on specific circumstances including your interests, budget, and time of visit, but all else being equal, here are some of our favorite Hawaiian hotels:
The Fairmont Orchid - a luxurious, all-encompassing hotel built on a breathtaking 32-acre beachfront on the Kohala Coast, complete with upscale dining outlets, a full-service spa, a 10,000-square-foot pool, championship tennis courts and other world-class features.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa - with a golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, lush gardens and an exceptional spa, this Garden Isle resort is sure to become your personal haven.
This coming weekend is your opportunity to be a part of the biggest race weekend in New York City history! On Saturday, November 3rd at 7:30 am, it's America's race -- the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the Men's Marathon -- when you will have the opportunity to watch the top American male athletes compete for the chance to represent the U.S. in the Beijing Olympics next summer. And on Sunday, November 4th at 9:30 am, it's the world's race -- the ING New York City Marathon -- when you can watch as the world's top runners compete for over $2 million in prize money, and the top male and female athletes compete to see who will win the World Marathon Majors crown for an additional $500,000 bonus. Sunday's ING New York City Marathon is available live online for only $4.99, while Saturday's Olympic Trials will be broadcast for FREE -- both races are only on NBCSports.com in association with MediaZone. And by clicking through from TheInsiderTravelGuides.com and using promotional code RUN2007 you can watch the ING New York City Marathon for only $3.99. So what are you waiting for? Get it now!
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