Travel and Food Notes

January 21-23 Foodie Activities for Adults and Kids in NYC

2012-01-19T01:12:00.009-05:00

I’ve been writing about all the wonderful New York City Chanukah dining feasts on www.allny.com, but there are others happening throughout the country that deserve mention as well. My favorite of all has to be this one at the Lompoc Brewery in Portland, Oregon. In honor of the Eight Nights of Chanukah, they are introducing 8 Malty Nights, specially brewed

December Festivities at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, Massachusetts

2011-12-13T11:58:00.011-05:00

In the spirit of the holiday season, the Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston has designed a wonderful itinerary of events and activities for family members of all ages. Located in the heart of Cambridge, along the left bank of the Charles River, the hotel makes for a beautiful mix of culture and flair, especially during December. Spectacular city views, beautiful art, wonderful dining, and amazing

Celebrate, Shop and Be Charitable at Winter's Eve - Time Warner Center and Lincoln Square, November 28

2011-11-28T03:17:00.008-05:00

If you’re a holiday (and shopping) junkie, here’s yet one more night to celebrate, Monday November 28, and kick your holiday charity-giving into gear. There will be lots of food (as if you haven’t had enough this weekend), plus free entertainment and lots of good holiday energy. Monday night is Winter’s Eve night in Lincoln Square, Manhattan.The 12th annual Winter’s Eve, sponsored by Time Warner

Happy Thanksgiving: Dining Tips to Keep You Healthy during the Holidays

2011-11-24T01:21:00.018-05:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes guest blogger Sarah Wickline. Continuing our tradition of providing tips for staying food-sane and calorie-healthy during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, Sarah shares her tips for healthy dining survival.Great food on the roadThe holidays are here, which means many of your meals will be enjoyed with family and friends. It also means a lot of travel for some,

I Miss Basketball: How to Get Your Basketball Fix while Staying at Home

2011-11-12T18:15:00.009-05:00

If you're like the fan in this picture (who probably travels to cities around the country as I do), you're probably Jonesing for some basketball right about now. Given that no games are likely in the near future, how about watching some movies to fill in the blanks?Here are some of my favorites:White Men Can't Jump -- (1992), Larry Bird would certainly disagree with the title of this comedy with

Los Cabos: A Perfect Vacation at Land's End

2011-11-08T04:27:00.016-05:00

I’m in love with Los Cabos, Mexico – the beach, the iconoclastic arch, the town, the craziness of Cabo Wabo and the three oceanfront Solmar Hotels & Resorts within walking distance to town (a real plus compared to some of the other resorts in the area). The setting on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula feels like you’re at the end of the world, and the views are world class. Looking straight

Halloween, Salem MA, Snow and NYC

2011-10-29T12:46:00.004-04:00

I've been anticipating Halloween all week -- loved what I saw at "Haunted Happenings" in Salem. But S-N-O-W in New York City in October? This is ridiculous. And it's C-O-L-D.

More Halloween Festivity: Sight and Sound

2011-10-26T14:16:00.005-04:00

Salem, MA was absolutely crazy with tourists this past weekend with more fright fests, witch parades, and costumes than you could imagine, even at the NYC Halloween Parade. I'm going out now to decorate the apartment door in preparation for the kiddies who go trick-or-treating in Manhattan buildings -- it's an entirely different experience here. We also have lots of houses decorated in NYC, too

Haunted Happenings in Salem, Massachusetts

2011-10-18T02:25:00.007-04:00

For a real Halloween experience, I always go back to the source of all things witchy: Salem, Massachusetts. This season marks the thirtieth year of Haunted Happenings in this most haunted city, known for its dark history and the Salem Witch Trials.There’s something to scare (or entertain) everyone in the next two weeks. Some of the fun happenings include The Stop by for a Spell Children’s Costume

Alarm Clocks, Housekeeping and Hotel Stays: Forewarned Is Forearmed

2011-10-14T19:04:00.004-04:00

I just learned an invaluable lesson in hotel travel -- always check the alarm clock in your room. It's an unwelcome surprise when the alarm goes off at 6am and you've planned to sleep until 9 or later. On a similar note, don't forget to leave the "Do Not Disturb" door hanger outside if you'd like to sleep in. I had a one-two-three punch this morning: the alarm sounded at 7, the snooze feature

Das Best Oktoberfest -- Where to Celebrate in NYC

2011-10-06T10:35:00.007-04:00

If I can’t make it to Germany (like last year), I love celebrating Oktoberfest in New York City. This year there’s a full-day celebration on October 22 - Das Best Oktoberfest- that has me salivating for pretzels, spaetzle, beer and other treats. You don’t have to attend all day – in fact, you choose one of two sessions – and then go to party, see who will be crowned Miss Oktoberfest, and enjoy a

More Important Packing Tips

2011-09-27T13:27:00.008-04:00

Just when you think you know it all...never leave home without...Brought to you by the Gutsy Traveler, Marybeth Bond, who's packed for travel to over 100 countries.It seems like every time I visit a new country I discover something I forgot or “should have packed.” For example: Duct Tape. May seem silly but comes to the rescue if a strap on a sandal snaps, a purse handle or backpack strap breaks

Vendy Awards -- September 24

2011-09-20T10:02:00.004-04:00

As you know, I'm a huge fan of food trucks. This year's 7th Vendy Awards happens Saturday on Governors Island, just off Manhattan. You can get there easily by free ferry from Battery Park.The details: Here, the fiercest street chefs in the city will rev up their engines in competition for the titled position and honor, the Vendy Cup. General admission tickets have already sold out, but a new

Daffy’s Celebrates 50 Years with Free Fashion Show and Birthday Cake, plus Store Discounts – September 22

2011-09-19T22:15:00.002-04:00

The runway takes a tasty twist on Thursday with a “Cakewalk” fashion show by Daffy’s. The city’s popular retailer of distinctive and affordable fashion will premiere its fall collection in partnership with WE tv’s “Staten Island Cakes” star Vincent Buzzetta. It's also a celebration of Daffy's 50 years in business, and since all birthday celebrations must have a cake, this one will have a 10-foot

September is National Yoga Month in the U.S.

2011-09-15T00:49:00.004-04:00

After the 9/11 remembrance of this weekend, I’m all about turning OMG into OM this month with September’s Yoga Month celebrations. Last week I took a blindfolded yoga class at Pure in New York with Marco Rojas (that's me in the hot pink top and black pants doing the headstand and being interviewed for ABC-TV). Not surprising, NYC has lots of events going on, but the yoga happenings are

A Personal Memory: 9/11 Ten Years Ago and Today

2011-09-12T12:23:00.006-04:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes James Wacht of Sierra Realty who shares his feelings about yesterday's 10th anniversary tribute to the events of 9/11 and his memories of New York City right after September 11, 2001.I spent yesterday morning in Central Park thinking about 9/11. This morning's weather reminded me very much of the weather of that day. Vibrant and clear with a crispness in the air

Fashion Week Kicks Off with Fashion's Night Out - An Australian Hotel to Visit

2011-09-08T22:57:00.006-04:00

The big day is here: models everywhere, glamorous parties, and the all-powerful Fashion's Night Out. Follow us here throughout the week for our own very special tribute to Fashion Week as we celebrate our favorite hotels and suites worldwide designed by the fashion industry’s best.When it comes to fashion, there is no question about the influence Italian fashion house Versace has had on the

Paris Remembers 9/11 with Events near the Eiffel Tower

2011-09-07T00:56:00.003-04:00

On September 11, the grassroots organization the French Will Never Forget (TFWN), offers their own commemoration of the events of 10 years ago, with a strong show of support by the French for their American allies.Of particular note is the unveiling of a scaled reproduction of the World Trade Center towers in front of the Palais de Chaillot esplanade, Place du Trocadéro in Paris. Each tower will

Fashion Week Offers Up Prix-Fixe Dining in Lincoln Center: September 8-15

2011-09-06T21:03:00.004-04:00

New York City kicks up the glamour with the return of Fashion Week from September 8-15. For one week New Yorkers are invited to release their inner Anna Wintours (without shame) while attending the shows and events. And now there’s another reason to rejoice: Lincoln Square’s “Fashion Plate Prix Fixe.” Twenty-three of our favorite Upper West Side restaurants will be serving it up in style with

After Irene: Some Images from New York City after the Hurricane

2011-08-28T17:40:00.006-04:00

We were very lucky here, and we send our best to those who weren't as fortunate. Here are some shots and a video of the windy rainy aftermath in Manhattan at Central Park and Carl Schurz Park. Yes, that's a park bench under those branches.

Hurricane Preparedness: Irene is Coming (or Maybe She's Already Here)

2011-08-27T14:22:00.006-04:00

I got up at 5:30am today to drive non-stop from Burlington, Vermont to New York City -- we wanted to be sure we got back in the event of bridge closings and such, particularly now that no one wants to be in a "Katrina-esque" situation again. Hence NYC mass transit has been curtailed, 370K people are in a mandatory evacuation situation in certain parts of the city, and virtually all stores (

Combining Work and Play: the Perfect Business Trip in Austin, Texas

2011-08-25T00:23:00.007-04:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes PJ MacInnis, a fellow road warrior with a passion for baseball and sightseeing. He shares some of his recent finds from a business trip to Austin, Texas here. We’ve all traveled for work countless times for that short little trip a few hours away or to a different time zone. But how much do we really get to see of those places that we visit? When I’ve traveled

A Spa Escape to Costa Rica: Mineral Springs, Temazcal, Yoga, and Massage

2011-08-19T02:45:00.010-04:00

I may have overdone it a bit at the gym today -- too much yoga, lifting, squats. I could use some thermal springs therapy, a massage, and maybe a Temazcal. Planning a trip back to Tabacon in Costa Rica as soon as possible. The Grand Spa will definitely fix me up! And the rainforest and volcano is the perfect setting. Love those howler monkeys and teeny dart frogs.

A New Italian Find: A Beautiful Red Schioppettino Wine

2011-08-15T04:17:00.002-04:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes Kathy Bechtel, Culinary Programming Director of Italiaoutdoors who is an expert at discovering new and interesting wines in Italy. Here she tells about one of her newest finds, Schioppettino. During my visits to Italy on our Italiaoutdoors active culinary tours, I seek out any opportunity to enjoy a new wine, be it a tiny producer that we pass by on our bikes,

Summer Streets 2011 -- Manhattan's Car-free Festival

2011-08-09T23:25:00.006-04:00

It's Summer Streets -- Year 3. If you haven't done this before, here's your chance to experience a very different view of New York City. Grab your bike or skates, don your helmet, and head over to Park Avenue to bike down the grand via all the way to City Hall. En route you'll be entertained, fed, amused, distracted (hopefully not too much), and surrounded by the freedom of no-cars, all-bikes,

Korea Day in Central Park -- August 16 -- Free Food, Music and More from 11am-7pm

2011-08-02T20:24:00.006-04:00

The Second Annual Korea Day takes place August 16 at Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (located south of Bethesda Terrace between 66th and 72nd streets). It’s a day of Korean traditional and pop music, food, spirit and culture where you can learn to cook, compete in a singing and dancing competition to win a trip to Korea hosted by www.allkpop.com and the Korean New York Culture Committee, and

Take That! The Heat Wave Finally Lifts from the East Coast

2011-07-26T01:58:00.007-04:00

My non-empathetic Southern friends from Mississippi sent me this cartoon making fun of our misery up North. Ha! We're finally getting relief -- it's started raining. Love to meet you some day, Marshall Ramsey.Cartoon courtesy of the Clarion-Ledger.

Retro Roller Skating Comes to the High Line – Thursday

2011-07-25T23:15:00.008-04:00

Photo courtesy of Friends of the High LineAre you a closet roller derby fan who would happily trade their rollerblades for retro skates? Have you been secretly in mourning since the Roxy closed four years ago? Then break out your knee high socks and hightail it to Manhattan’s newest pop-up attraction, the High Line Rink which opens Thursday at West 30th Street and 10th Avenue. New York City is

Alexander McQueen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

2011-07-18T02:43:00.006-04:00

The Metropolian Museum of Art wants to be sure that we don't forget what happened on February 11, 2010: the silencing of the fashion world by the death of designer Alexander McQueen. McQueen’s influence began in the early 90’s and ranged from exotic tailoring patterns to evocative and raw fashion shows. He was one of the first to present the industry with a true British embodiment of culture and

Eating Your Way through the Bronx's Little Italy: Arthur Avenue

2011-07-08T01:33:00.006-04:00

Mike's Deli, Arthur Avenue Retail MarketI started seeing the tiniest hint of spring in Central Park today and it got me itching for some cherry blossoms and magnolias. I visit Atlanta and

Just Two More Nights to See "Where's Charley" at New York City Center -- Last Show in 2010-2011 Encores Series

2011-03-19T15:35:00.007-04:00

For those of you who aren't familiar with New York City Center's wonderful Encores series, here's reason enough for an introduction: "Where's Charley," playing tonight and tomorrow night (the completion of its run), stars Rebecca Luker, the extremely talented cross-dressing Rob McClure and Howard McGillin (of "Phantom of the Opera" fame) in a musical romp, Frank Loesser's first Broadway

Hong Kong Wonderfish Spa -- a New Way to Exfoliate

2011-03-13T19:31:00.002-04:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes guest blogger Nina Steinberg, just back from an extended visit to the Far East.<

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week: November 5-13

2010-11-04T11:41:00.004-04:00