The historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden is quickly approaching with events beginning on January 15th through the day Obama officially takes office on the 20th.

The day a President takes office is generally a pretty big deal and can make travel relatively hectic. If you plan on making the trip to be a part of history in the making and join the thousands of others at the inauguration ceremony, we’ve outlined some can’t miss travel tips and hotel recommendations to ensure your trip is as historical as the ceremony.

Inaugural Events:
The Inaugural parade down Pennsylvania Ave. is free and open to everyone but all other inaugural event will require tickets.
• ‘A New Birth of Freedom’
• Swearing in Ceremony
• Parade
• Inaugural Balls


The Tickets:
Tickets to the swearing in ceremony are free but you must request them from your U.S. representative or senator. You can guarantee that these tickets are going to go fast so if you haven’t called already get on the phone!

Warning:
Be wary of people or websites selling tickets to the swearing in ceremony. Even though it is not illegal to resell your tickets it is highly discouraged. And anyone stating that they will be mailed to you or that they are on hand is flat out lying. The 240,000 tickets are all in a secure location and must be picked up in person the day before the event.

Travel Tips

Hotels:
D.C. hotels are certainly going to be swamped and as such you can expect stay minimums or jacked up rates. To help alleviate you from some of the travel pandemonium and stay within a reasonable budget check out suburban hotels in outlying areas.

• Hotels near Arlington/Pentagon

• Hotels near Downtown DC

• Hotels near Alexandria

• Hotels near DuPont Circle

• Hotels near Bethesda MD

• Hotels near Fairfax

• Hotels near Capitol Hill

• Hotels near Ronald Reagan National Airport

• Hotels near College Park

Things to Do:
The inaugural events are great but if it’s your first time to D.C. you may want to hit some of the popular attractions and indulge in the patriotic spirit of the nations capital:
1. D.C. by Foot
2. City Segway Tours of Washington, DC
3. Washington National Cathedral
4. Lincoln Memorial
5. Washington Monument
6. U.S. National Arboretum
7. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
8. Vietnam Veterans Memorial
9. Newseum
10. Mobiletours

Where to Eat:
Here are some top rated delicatessens for you to indulge during your inaugural trip.
1. Dolcezza
2. Michel Richard Citronelle
3. Zaytinya
4. Makoto Restaurant
5. Sushi Taro
6. Komi
7. CityZen
8. Rasika
9. Minibar - Cafe Atlantico
10. Fogo de Chao

Good luck on your Inaugural adventure, travel safe and have fun!

The history of this country inspires us to be supportive.  Not just leisure, but an opportunity to support American automobile companies, the L.A. Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center gives an experience everyone in the family can enjoy along with mountains of information and the scoop into future projects for those upcoming buyers.  Skip the flight to Detroit and attend the second largest auto show in North America.

Usually during the winter, this specific show has been pushed back for families visiting to enjoy during the Thanksgiving week.  With the sun, beaches and mountains, Southern California has a diverse terrain that draws all the automotive companies to this show.  Whether it's the excitement of seeing the newest green cars, or the marvel of exotic Italian sports cars like Maserati and Ferrari, the auto show has always been a good time for me to get inside and see my dream cars that we'll all someday have.  When you arrive in the convention center the South Hall will be upstairs directly in front of you, this is where most of the main manufactures will be.  Swing a right towards concourse hall to see exotic cars like your Lotus' Rolls Royce and the new Spyker LM85; being released exclusively at the L.A. Auto Show.  Other stand outs include the Honda Fuel Cell car that emits no emissions, and the sleek Tesla sports car that runs on electricity

Open from Friday November 21st to Sunday November 30th, 2008, the convention center and surrounding attractions in downtown L.A. will be bustling with entertainment.  Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and all children 12 and under are free.  For show hours and information on a free $2 off coupon click here.  Remember to get there early because the doors close one hour before the show closes for the night.

Also downtown adjacent to the Convention Center is the Staples Center.  This pristine modern arena is home to the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers professional basketball teams.  The Lakers have the best record in the NBA and are arguably the most exiting team to watch this season.  The Staples Center is also home to the Los Angeles Kings professional hockey team if you prefer the ice.  These games are a great place to take dates, family or friends before you go hit the bars or restaurants of downtown L.A.  For more information on home games and tickets during the thanksgiving week see the Staples Center.

Since the driving in Los Angeles is notorious, I poked around the downtown area and found a good place with a very short walk to the Convention/Staples Center and the great surrounding culinary joints:

• Comfort Inn Los Angeles CIty Center
• 1710 W 7th St.
• Los Angeles, CA 90017

This Spanish Villa style hotel was renovated five years ago and is a great secured place to stay if you want to wake up downtown every morning.  The Inn is a half mile from the Convention Center and for those who want to get in their cars, two miles from the famous shops of Rodeo Drive.  They gave me a great complimentary continental breakfast and fitness center.  With wireless internet, (inside and outside) I could catch up on the morning without having to get up and walk right away.  From LAX Airport to downtown is one freeway change and one exit, that's it!  They gave me a single for $68 a night with cable, newspaper and all the works.  Have fun and check back to see where you can eat great American food as we approach Thanksgiving.

Now is that time where Summer is quickly fading into the horizon and the cool crisp air of fall begins to slowly overcome us and nothing says Autumn like the dramatic colors that blaze through the fall trees. So courtesy of ShermansTravel here are the top 10 foliage destination of Fall.

Aspen, CO
While Colorado’s aspens don’t offer the vibrant fall color spectacle of say, the Northeast, the yellows, golds, and bold oranges that cover the mountainsides here, against a backdrop of intermittent evergreens, are still reason enough for a visit. Mid- to late-September is the ideal time to catch the show.
Hotels in Aspen

The Catskills, NY
Dubbed “America's First Wilderness,” this beautiful region harbors a variety of trees – maple, oak, birch, and beech among them – that come into their prime during the last two weeks of September or early to mid-October. Historic towns boast charming B&B's that make great bases for discovering the family-friendly harvest festivals, farmers’ markets, pick-your-own orchards, crafts fairs, and antique shops that define the region at this time of year.

Hotels in Catskill

Columbia River Gorge, OR
A geological wonder, the gorge itself weaves its way through the Cascade Mountains, forming the border between northern Oregon and southern Washington, and is loaded with lush fir forests and twisted pines, big-leaf maple, cottonwood, Oregon ash, and vine maple trees that show their colors from mid-September to mid-October. The area is also known for its dazzling waterfalls, the remarkable 620-foot Multnomah Falls chief among them.

Hotels in the Columbia River Gorge

Eastern Townships, QC
This section of Quebec stretches as far east as Maine, perhaps explaining why some consider the region to resemble neighboring New England, but with the French influence you’d expect of the province. It is probably no surprise that the maple leaf is the star of the show here, and visitors can enjoy a fiery display on horseback or on foot, particularly from mid- to late-September when the foliage season reaches its peak.

Hotels in Eastern Townships

Great Smoky Mountains, TN & NC
Nestled between North Carolina and Tennessee, the most-visited National Park in the United States is home to 100 species of trees with an awesome display of turning leaves. Peak fall colors are predicted for mid-October through early November; the most memorable foliage coming courtesy of sugar maples, scarlet oaks, sweetgums, red maples, and hickories.

Hotels Near the Great Smokey Mountains Nat'l Park

Litchfield Hills, CT
The Litchfield Hills is a spectacular sight each autumn when the maple, oak, aspen, beech, and birch trees are ablaze with color. You can take in the splendor on one of the many driving itineraries available or see it from the sky on a hot-air-balloon ride. Whatever your pleasure, try to visit in mid-October, when the colors are at their most vivid.
Hotels Near Litchfield

Lost Maples Natural Area, TX
While many think cacti is the main source of green in Texas, the Lone Star State is in fact home to the Lost Maples State Natural Area, which welcomes a beautiful flush come autumn, thanks in no small part to the relatively uncommon uvalde bigtooth maples, whose reddish blush is most spectacular from mid-October through mid-November.

Hotels Near the Lost Maples Natural Area (San Antonio)

Pennsylvania
Move over Madison County, Pennsylvania rules when it comes to covered bridges – the state boasts more then any place in the world. If you’re an admirer, you’re in luck – covered bridges figure heavily on several different driving itineraries worth doing through the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia countryside. Pine, hemlock, and maple trees dominate, and the colors (think gold and flaming red) reach their peak in early October.

Hotels in Philadelphia

Washington County, ME
For hard-core foliage enthusiasts looking to escape the crowds that plague much of New England each fall, Washington County, in Maine, is paradise for a leaf-peeper seeking solitude. The fall colors range from burnt orange to blazing red to golden yellow on the region’s birch, maple, oak, aspen, and ash trees, and are most vibrant from early to mid-October.

Summer is in full swing and the concerts are starting to heat up. If your thinking about heading to the Los Angeles area anytime soon nows the time to stop dilly dallying and to take a weekend get away.

For all of you music lovers the JVC Jazz Festival Tour is coming to a close and their grand finale is going to be hosted at the Legendary Hollywood Bowl on August 17th. If you don't know much about jazz or you're just looking for an easy going concert you should definitely check this out. Full of unique sets and and enigmatic performances you wont regret this musical experience.( Check out this vid )

Seattle Washington, the birthplace of Grunge and Starbucks is one of my favorite cities with a cool and laid back urban landscape that is never too far from nature. This culturally rich city offers, of course, some of the best coffee in the country along with a wide variety of art and museums such as the Seattle Art Museum and my personal favorite the Museum of Glass. The Museum of glass is technically in Tacoma but is well worth it with massive exhibits, hands on art studio, glass blowing demonstrations and even the building is a work of art itself.

Downtown Seattle is also renown for their fresh seafood caught from the bordering Pacific and the legendary Pike Place Fish Market. You know, the massive fish market where they chuck full size salmon across the market yelling the whole time, its quite the experience and inevitably someone usually gets hit with a fish which is hilarious providing you're not the one getting hit( Go ahead read on, dont be shy )

The closest most of us get to Olympic glory is huddled in our living room and tuning into the opening ceremonies. This season with the Olympics only being a hop, skip and a jump away in Beijing China (sarcasm) the chance of any of us getting to partake in the excitement of watching the worlds best athletes live is more than likely not going to happen. However, if you are a track and field fan then fret no more. The U.S. Olympic team trials for Track and Field are being held in Eugene Oregon at the legendary Hayward Field. Get your tickets to witness one of the most prestigious pre-Olympic events and be a part of history in the making as the roster for team USA is selected for the 2008 Olympic Games.( Read more about Eugene, wineries, and other stuff to do! )

We just flew in to the beautiful and scenic dessert lands of New Mexico. Known for the blue and purple sunsets New Mexico provides the perfect tranquil escape for any busybody looking to get away. We rented a car and took the 25 min. trip into downtown Santa Fe and checked in to our hotel, the Inn and Spa at Loretto. This beautiful hotel put us just a block away from the historic Plaza which is home to a plethora of shopping, fine art galleries and museums including the renowned Georgia O'Keefe Museum.

We started off the excursion roaming through Santa Fe exploring the food and Art galleries the quaint downtown has to offer. If you are going to go to Santa Fe you'll find plenty of restaurants that will allow you to indulge in some authentic New Mexican food such as Sopapias but the staple Southwestern treat that you wont find anywhere else is the Chile. Whether you order tacos, enchiladas, hamburgers, or a Sprite you are going to hear the same question "Red or Green?" In order to save you the embarrassment Ill let you in on the meaning behind the "red or green?" conundrum.( Red or Green, Christmas if you prefer )

So that special day is coming up where we cast aside our whining, do the dishes and take out the trash without being told and make sure that the lovable lug in our life has quick access to a fresh cold one and of course the remote. The conundrum thus far unanswered of Fathers Day is; "what the hell should we do?" Well, frett no more my esteemed colleagues as I will present to you some ideas that are sure to keep the big man happy and pre-occupied.( Read more about the fest of fests )

So Lollapaloolza is quickly approaching and even though its still 2 months away this highly anticipated concert fest sells quick and hotels go quicker.

Starting August 1-3 in Grant Park Chicago this musical, cultural community experience is a one of a kind sensory blowing must see adventure. Grant Park takes the center stage to host this massive event and provides the perfect atmosphere for this music extravaganza.

Due to the massiveness of this event tickets go fast and rooms go faster so its best to book early. I took the privilige of checking out a few places to recommend because lets face it, you were probably going to procrastinate, not get a room and end up sleeping in the Clarence Buckingham Fountain in the middle of grant Park. So without further hubba-baloo heres some good stays.( I know you wanna see daft punk jam one out )

So I am continuing the search for fun and unique events across the country and soon across the world and I have always been a fan of garden exhibits. From the unparalled beauty of the Classical Chinese Gardens in Portland, Oregon to the neighborhood green thumb there isn't much else like a zen stroll through a lush garden full of vibrant colors and sweet smells.

"Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic; truly in the midst of a city there can be mountain and forest."~ Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)

This time though I gotta hand it to the mecca of Disney World Epcot and their International Flower and Garden Festival. Their multitude of gardens range from the nostalgic flower sculptures of childhood heroes to the "Sculpture Garden" filled with wonderful works of art on loan from some of Florida's most prestigious collections.

A unique theme in this years festival is the practice of conservation in gardening. A very relevant theme in this time of seemingly perpetual waste and environmental doom and gloom. There are several gardens that exemplify tips to eco friendly gardening and water conservation including their "Green Garden (low input gardening)," "Lush Xeriscapes (minimizing water), " and my personal favorite the "Water Garden Wonders," a creative and beautiful water garden which uses rainwater. Pretty cool huh?

Venue: Epcot Theme Park
Date Range: 03/19/08 - 06/01/08
Schedule: Daily
Event Type: Festival- Arts Festival
Event Cost: Included with admission to Epcot

Great Deals on Great Spots
My Pick: The Skinny on the Wyndham Resort

Locale:
Orlando is sunny, tropical and perfect Resort atmosphere which is why my Orlando pick this week is the Wyndham Resort. This gorgeous 42 acre resort sits on a lush an tranquil lagoon-laced oasis a stones throw from major attractions and includes a complimentary shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Wet 'n Wild.

Hotel Specs:
Augustines Bar and Grille serves buffet style breakfast and a la carte meals which I particularly enjoy because I can get up, eat what I want and bail to enjoy the day.  Also at Gatorville, tropical bevs and unique fare is served poolside which is a nice touch, especially if you like to start early.  The hotel has three gorgeous heated pools a fitness and a fitness center for you body buffs.

Guestrooms:
It's nice to have a little insight about the rooms your in so here ar the basics.  These classic Florida-style guestroom's feature madras fabrics and bamboo furniture that tropical feel.  They are also equipped with high speed internet access and feature several amenities including Golden door toiletries and in room massages by appointment.

If you have any other advice, tips, tricks, hotels events or travel ideas be sure to drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know!

The Amazon Jungle Comes Alive in the Concrete Jungle When Diverse Cultures Meet...

Looking for a Summer vacation or just a reason to get away for a unique experience. Quit putting it off and finally book that lifelong dream trip to New York.

I stumbled across a pretty amazing event in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport; "Amazonia Brazil" where the mystical environment of the Amazon is re-created in an astonishing 13,000 sq. ft. walk-through experience of the sights, sounds and wonders of life in the Brazilian Amazon including its biodiversity, people villages and cities. There is also special set ups where visitors can interact directly with communities living in the heart of the forest via internet and live interactions with true local Amazonian Shamans and Artisans.

The event also aims to create awareness of ongoing positive initiatives in the Amazon region including the prevention deforestation and global warming. Local Amazonian designers and artisans will have authentic work for sale and donate all proceeds to the Fundo de Apoio as Comunidades da Amazon (Support for Amazonian Communities Fund).

Admission Prices:

• Adult: $16.00
• Child (age 2-12)/Student: $11.00
• Senior: $13.00
• Family Discount: groups of 3 or more: $11.00 each
• FRIEND of Brazil Foundation: $ 13.50 each
• Member of New York Botanical Garden: $ 14.50 each

Event Dates
April 22-July 13, 2008

Hotels, Motels, the best place to stay: The Roosevelt

The Skinny on the Roosevelt and Special Deals:
When it comes to New York I like the classics which is why the Roosevelt is such a great stay.
The Roosevelt Hotel is located on Madison Avenue at 45th Street, where the business, couture and cultural districts of New York City, N.Y., convene in midtown Manhattan. This hotel stands three blocks from Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal.

The Roosevelt Hotel reflects Neo-Classical style with Tiffany crystal chandeliers, gilt trim, coffered ceilings, marble floors and a life-sized statue of Teddy Roosevelt. Artistic renderings of the hotel's namesake, Theodore Roosevelt, grace the walls of the Roosevelt Grill that serves elegant American-style buffets, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk began their illustrious careers at The Roosevelt Grill. The Madison Club Lounge features a glowing fireplace, a rich mahogany bar, leather seating and late-night bar service. A limited-hour business center offers three computer stations with high-speed Internet access, whereas the 24-hour Web Zone contains two computer stations. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby, and 30,000 square feet of event space accommodates small- and grand-scale functions. The hotel's 24-hour fitness center features cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and free weights.

I made a trip down to Santa Barbara CA for the last couple days and stayed at the beautiful Harbor View Inn. I was lucky enough to find a decent deal that saved me about an extra $40 a night which was nice because its a little pricey but well worth it. Situated on the white sands of Santa Barbara this picturesque ocean front get away offers spectacular views and luxurious accommodations perfect for a romantic get away or just some old fashion R&R.

While I was there I headed inland just over a mile to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. One of the exhibits, "Over Rainbows and Down Rabbit Holes" was a beautiful presentation of works created specifically for children's books. These creative pieces gave me a strong sense of nostalgia as it brought me back to my young school days sitting "criss cross applesauce" while the teacher read from an oversize book filled with images that challenged my imagination. It was interesting to look back on these images and see how each piece could represent a work of art on its own but yet mystically wove into the story providing a surreal vision of the authors words.





I began talking to various individuals about the art, memories and so on and came to hear of a great event hosted by the museum. For the 5th year the Santa Barbara Art Museum is hosting "Nights" an outrageous and hip event where people can enjoy the SBAM art exhibits while sipping (or aggressively downing) martinis, wine tasting, dance to live music, taste local food and participate in interactive art stations.

Starting Thursday May 15th from 5:30pm to around 8pm this unique art experience will be rockin the 3rd Thursday of every month until June. Be sure to check their schedule for dates, times, and exhibits.

Thinking about getting out of town for some fun in the sun and high octane excitement then check out the "Red Bull Air Race" in San Diego, CA.

The Red Bull Air Race World Series features the world’s best pilots in a motor sports competition based on speed, precision and skill.

Using the fastest, most agile and lightweight racing planes, pilots navigate a low-level aerial race track made up of air-filled pylons, reaching speeds of 400 kilometers per hour while withstanding forces of up to 10 Gs.

Touching down in ten cities worldwide in 2008, each Red Bull Air Race is unique. From the heart of the city to the open countryside, over land or water, a Red Bull Air Race can take place almost anywhere. Spectacular backdrops and jaw-dropping action guarantee that spectators experience one of the most innovative and exciting new sports competitions around today.

The action will take place over the San Diego Bay between Embarcadero Park and Coronado Island on Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4.

There will be two main ticketed viewing areas on the San Diego site, each equipped with all necessary amenities and services. We have one viewing area on the north of Embarcadero island and another on the south Embarcadero island.

Where to Stay
Price: $70-$80
If your looking for inexpensive, hip and fun check out this modern European style hotel, the 500 West. Ideally located in central downtown with views of the harbor the 500 West puts the finest shopping, dining and entertainment options all within walking distance including prime location for the Air Race. This is a unique Hotel that promises good times and good stories.
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