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Laughing Night at the Ojai Storytelling Festival, Ojai, California
2008-05-04 01:39:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Several Ojai residents recommended that we attend one of the events at the Ojai Storytelling Festival while staying in town for a long weekend. Our Friday evening was available. This was also the Laugh Night at the festival and we could not resist seeing what it's all about. There is not too much going on in Ojai in the evenings after dinner time anyway, apart from relaxing. We bought our twenty-five dollar tickets in advance (earlier that day) and were ready to go.Rate and Review : Laughing Night at the Ojai Storytelling Festival, Ojai, California

Franschhoek - Valley of the Huguenots, One of the Premier Destinations in t
2008-04-30 23:40:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: This is the fertile ground where the French first made wine in South Africa 300 years ago. Today, that noble tradition is carried forward by the members of the Vignerons de Franschhoek. Franschhoek has 42 wine farms, including some of South Africa's most respected names in wine. Noble cultivars and classic styles can be found here. From superb whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The Franschhoek valley's is also renowned for Cap Classique Sparkling wines and Ports. Most farms readily welcome visitors for tastings.Rate and Review : Franschhoek - Valley of the Huguenots, One of the Premier Destinations in the World of Wine

Museums on Us 2008 Program by Bank of America Announced with First Weekend
2008-04-29 20:45:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Last year, while visiting San Diego, we learned about the program sponsored by Bank of America in which free museum and gallery admission was provided to this bank's card holders. This program was offered during the month of May 2007. It enabled us to visit multiple art and exhibition spaces at no cost, and that is always good. You could bring one person along with you as part of the program even if they did not have the specific card. Now, in the year 2008, the program has been expanded. During the first weekend of every month, with your Bank of America check, ATM or credit card you can get free admission to over seventy museums throughout the country. Not bad at all. I am definitely going to plan a few visits during this period. Folks at Bank of America have created a dedicated web page with the details (see bottom of article for link) though it is completely in Flash and somewhat user unfriendly for a quick overview. I have compiled all of the ...
More About: Weekend , Program

Lunch at Coogies Beach Cafe in Malibu, California
2008-04-28 23:56:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: We stopped by Coogies Beach Cafe this past Saturday on our way back from a Pepperdine University graduation ceremony. The campus was filled with happy graduates, their families and friends. Numerous cars blocked the entire area. Somehow, it all seemed to work out and it appeared as though everyone promptly found a parking spot and enjoyed the festivities. Afterwards, we planned to get a bite to eat but knew that this might be challenging because restaurants in the vicinity would be booked up. At the mall near Webb Way we noticed Coogies and decided to give it a try. Their wait was only fifteen minutes. Cool.Rate and Review : Lunch at Coogies Beach Cafe in Malibu , California

Which is proper: Visitor Center, Visitors Center, Visitor's Center or
2008-04-25 21:32:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Visitor s Center s are most useful and helpful institutions. Anywhere we go, we first try to figure out where the local centers are. Prior to delving into our adventures we like to get a solid overview of the area and the attractions. Visitors Centers almost always provide excellent information whether it be with maps, brochures, hours, prices or some detail unbeknownst to us. Friendly people, sometimes over-friendly, man the counters. They are eager to help with your inquiries and tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about their region. One thing has been bugging me though with respect to these centers. It seems like they all have an ever so slightly different name they are called. The question is: Which is proper: Visitor Center, Visitors Center, Visitor's Center or Visitors' Center?

Oaxaca, to the Mixe district of the Sierra Norte region: The drive and som
2008-04-25 01:23:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Ecotourism as we know it in the Ixtlán district of the Sierra Norte, may never reach the Mixe because of its distance from the city of Oaxaca amongst other factors. However the Mixe still has many of the trappings which attract travelers who want to get away from urban life and see different and more natural sights. In terms of material culture, the district may in fact be superior. Certainly the drive, best handled as a two-day excursion, has much to offer beginning just as you start your ascent out of Oaxaca's central valleys. What's in store should you venture off with your own or a rental vehicle for this 280 kilometer trek (round trip), are cave paintings; cascading springs; meals so fresh that the roadside eateries have no need for refrigeration; markets; by-products of the agave plant such pulque and mezcal; pottery in a style and color not often encountered in the state capital; and on a daily basis women wearing unique, regional dres...
More About: Drive , District

Everglades National Park Boat Tour from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Ev
2008-04-24 01:30:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: As we were driving along the Tamiami Trail (90/41) at the Northern edge of the Everglades National Park , signs advertising air boat tours appeared every few minutes. Guarantees were given on the amount of excitement one will have, the wildlife they would see and the fun. We resisted all of these as we had already planned on taking part in the Everglades National Park Boat Tour which departs from Everglades City and visits the Ten Thousand Islands area. Clear signs along the roads meant that we found our destination without problems. It was a weekday around noon and Everglades City was quite deserted. A bit spooky. After a quick bite at the solid JT's Island Grill & Gallery we parked at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center and proceeded to inquire about departure times.Rate and Review : Everglades National Park Boat Tour from the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, Florida

Visiting the Royal Palm Visitor Center at Everglades National Park in Flori
2008-04-22 19:18:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: On our way from Key West to Sarasota in the state of Florida, we dedicated a day to visiting the Everglades National Park . We knew that a day would be most insufficient to explore this natural wonderland but still tried to make the best of it. The main stop would be at the Royal Palm Visitor Center. All of the guidebooks and brochures mentioned this as a highlight and we followed these instructions. It was not difficult to find the road that leads to the entrance of the park near Florida City. As we approached the area we could see that human development slowly gave way to a more serene natural landscape. Uninterrupted hues of green were all around us. After we paid our ten dollar entrance fee at the gate, we proceeded down the 9336 to the Royal Palm Road.Rate and Review : Visiting the Royal Palm Visitor Center at Everglades National Park in Florida

Hermanus - The Place To See Whales And More - Western Cape South Africa
2008-04-21 18:34:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: The distance from Cape Town to Hermanus is 105 kilometers. This gorgeous seaside town has a proud history dating back to the early 1800's when a man by the name of Hermanus Pieters followed a path etched into the ground by a herd of elephants. He was a teacher and shepherd he traveled south of Caledon along the elephant trail and ended up next to the sea where he discovered a fresh spring.Hermanus Pieters decided to set up camps next to a spring with fine grazing for his livestock. This beautiful setting became known as Hermanuspietersfontein. As farmers begun to hear of his success they made their journeys to this new and fertile location. The fish was plentiful and the fishermen had great successes. A church and school were built in 1886 at Hermanuspietersfontein.Rate and Review : Hermanus - The Place To See Whales And More - Western Cape South Africa
More About: South Africa

A proud family tradition. Casa Santiago: Rugweavers of Teotitlán del Valle,
2008-04-17 21:21:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Porfirio Santiago is at his loom, diligently weaving a massive 2 x 3 meter rug with traditional designs, from memory, with representations of Zapotec diamonds, rainfall, maize and mountains ... just as his father Tomás, grandfather Ildefonso and great grandfather before him. Wife Gloria is carding a mix of white and caramel colored raw wool. Behind them, hanging over the black wrought iron banister overlooking the sunny open courtyard are drying batches of spun wool in tones of green, brown, red and blue, byproducts of the use of natural dyes from the añil or indigo plant, seed pods, mosses, pecan, pomegranate zest, and of course the cochineal bug.Such ritual in Teotitlán del Valle, an ancient tribal town about a half hour's drive from Oaxaca, has been played out continuously on a daily basis since about 1535, when Dominican bishop Juan López de Zárate arrived in the village and introduced borregos (caprine sheeplike animals yielding wool) and ...
More About: Family , Tradition , Casa , Proud

Friday Dinner at Torafuku Japanese Restaurant on Pico in West Los Angeles
2008-04-17 00:25:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: We made last minute plans this past Friday to meet up with several "couple friends" of ours. Original reservation plans did not pan out (forgot to make reservation) so we had to think quickly. Torafuku was able to seat six of us at seven thirty in the evening and we took them up on the offer. We parked at the West side Pavilion even though we are not sure if you are supposed to do that .. Oh well ...Rate and Review : Friday Dinner at Torafuku Japanese Restaurant on Pico in West Los Angeles

Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido (and Pochutla, Mazunte, Puerto Ángel, etc): The
2008-04-15 18:27:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Travelers to the state of Oaxaca frequently inquire about the drive from the City of Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido and other coastal destinations, expressing concerns about the length of the trip, quality of the highways, and the overall advisability of driving versus flying or busing. This essay speaks to the doubts tourists might have regarding the journey using their own or a rental vehicle. We've driven the three main routes on a number of occasions over the past several years, at different times of the year. I've written elsewhere about highway 190 to Huatulco. That road, the easiest to navigate, takes you at least a couple of hours out of your way, south, and is therefore not the most advisable unless of course you plan to visit Salina Cruz or Huatulco anyway. By contrast, highway 175 through Pochutla, and then north on highway 200 to Oaxaca, takes about 6 hours (I tend to drive fast, and stop about 3 times during a trip) and is the most i...

Saturday Dinner at Zin American Bistro in Palm Springs, California
2008-04-14 20:03:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Zin was one of the best reviewed restaurants in Palm Springs, whether searching online or off line. It promised a good culinary experience with prices that did not go overboard. We made reservations for a Saturday evening dinner a few days in advance. We used OpenTable.com for the reservations and quickly netted a table for four people. On the evening of our visit, we strolled into town and walked a bit up and down Palm Canyon Drive. This pleasant Saturday evening brought out many people to the streets. From the outside, Zin Bistro did not promise much as it looked like a regular minimall storefront. Inside, it was a different story.Rate and Review : Saturday Dinner at Zin American Bistro in Palm Springs, California

Sunday Breakfast at Chez Philippe French Bistro in Palm Springs, California
2008-04-13 08:15:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: During our stay in Palm Springs we spent the night very close to the main artery of the city, Palm Canyon Drive. Numerous business line the street catering to everyone's needs. We took several pleasant strolls up and down Palm Canyon just browsing around. One such stroll was on a Sunday morning for breakfast. We made reservations at Philippe's a few days in advance suspecting that this weekend might be a busy one. Philippe's is a popular eatery and it is open for breakfast only on weekends. It did fill up quickly and we were happy to have had a table waiting for us.Rate and Review : Sunday Breakfast at Chez Philippe French Bistro in Palm Springs, California

Swiss Gear Rolling Computer Case After Five Years of Use and Abuse
2008-04-11 20:43:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Marketers at Costco sometimes bring you a deal that you cannot refuse. Such was the case many years ago (around five) when I came upon the Swiss Gear Rolling Briefcase in one of their isles. I was on the lookout for a carry-on travel bag which is also a briefcase and also a laptop bag for some time. The under one hundred dollar price point was definitely right. The bag appeared most versatile with multiple compartments. It had a separate laptop bag. I liked the black color. An impulse decision was made to purchase this bag. I have not regretted it ever. It is a most useful piece of luggage.Rate and Review : Swiss Gear Rolling Computer Case After Five Years of Use and Abuse

Camdeboo National Park, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, South Afric
2008-04-09 20:43:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Formed hundreds of millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty. A unique feature of the 14 500-hectare park is its location, practically surrounding the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape . The greater portion of the park is situated between 740 and 1480 metres above sea level on the foothills of the Sneeuberg range, while a small section of the low lying-plains is included. The Nqweba Dam lies within the park and covers about 1000 hectares when full.Rate and Review : Camdeboo National Park, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Mexico City to Oaxaca - The Drive
2008-04-08 21:57:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: It can take as little as 4.5 hours and be traffic and problem free, but just as easily you can be met with congestion and road repairs, extending the trip to six hours or more. On the other hand you can elect to increase the length of your journey by taking in a few select sites and some interesting scenery, including a snow-capped volcano near Puebla and another peak near the Orizaba / Córdoba cut-off.Rate and Review : Mexico City to Oaxaca - The Drive
More About: Mexico City

Hello from Ottawa: The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography
2008-04-07 18:30:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: My schedule in Ottawa this past weekend was extremely compressed, but there was one place I wasn't going to miss: the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography . As a person with no formal background, yet a keen interest in the visual arts and photography, I have been wanting to visit this museum for a long time. And my Internet research revealed that the Museum is featuring a very special exhibition right now: two photographic series by Sunil Gupta, an Indian-born Canadian citizen, exploring issues of identity, culture and the immigrant experience. Let me start first with the Museum itself, a rather unique venue in Ottawa with a long history. The Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography began its life all the way back in World War II as the Still Photography Museum of the National Film Board. Its activities include collecting, publishing and organizing traveling exhibitions and educational programs to foster the efforts and development of Can...

Brief Wednesday Evening Visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachuse
2008-04-04 21:08:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: A favorite activity of mine when visiting destinations around the globe is perusing the local art museums. Boston was no exception. I have had my sights on the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston for some time. While attending exhibitions at various galleries or looking through art books in the past, I have on numerous occasions run into information that the original (artwork) is on permanent display or is borrowed from Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. These would be major pieces known throughout the world. I was on business in Boston and the fact that the museum is open late (9.45pm) Wednesdays through Fridays was a godsend. After my daily obligations I got on the Green Line "E" train and disembarked at the "Museum of Fine Arts" stop, most properly named. When you get off here you cannot miss the museum complex in front of you.Rate and Review : Brief Wednesday Evening Visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts

Several Good Restaurant Delivery Options in Midtown Manhattan, New York Cit
2008-04-03 20:10:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: During our recent visit to New York City, several evenings were reserved for ordering food in. New York City, especially Manhattan, certainly does not lack excellent delivery options. We were staying near Union Square and that meant that our choices of places would be influenced by the vicinity to this area. Our friends who live in Manhattan provided recommendations and we went with them. On three different nights we ordered from Novita (Italian Food), Lombardi's Pizza and Tamarind (Indian Food). Meals have to be planned thirty to fourty minutes in advance to account for the preparation and delivery time. Rate and Review : Several Good Restaurant Delivery Options in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, NY

Impressions From the Pacific Life Open Tennis Tournament at the Indian Well
2008-04-01 23:00:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: The yearly tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is one of the largest tennis tournaments in the world. The largeness factor draws from presence of top male and female tennis players from around the world, largest attendance aside from the Grand Slam Tournaments, prizes that are astronomical and a 16,000 seat center stadium. This trip was our gift to a close family member. We were also eagerly anticipating the event because it's not every day that we attend such a major sporting event in Southern California. We arrived a day in advance and spent the night in Palm Springs. This was also Easter weekend and all hotels in Indian Wells were completely booked. On the day of the finals, we drove out towards the Tennis Garden.Rate and Review : Impressions From the Pacific Life Open Tennis Tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, C

Good Customer Service from Travelpro Regarding Atlantic Luggage
2008-03-31 18:50:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Several years ago I purchased a pair of Atlantic Travel Vault 2.0 pieces of luggage. They were in the thirty and twenty-six inch sizes. I like hardcase luggage and these seemed very solid and sturdy. I took them on multiple trips and had great experience with them. They were heavy even when empty but seemed bulletproof. One thing kept malfunctioning though. The lock or, more notably, the bar that the lock latches onto kept dislodging. The remainder of the suitcase would be intact. Since these cases had a ten year warranty I took them in several times to get the locks fixed and they would be fixed promptly. In the latter part of 2007, both suitcases experienced the same exact problem again.
More About: Customer Service , Service , Customer , Good

Quick Lunch at Divino Italian Restaurant in Brentwood, California
2008-03-28 23:35:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Divino has been on my list of restaurants to visit for some time. It has a good reputation for food and service which warrants a meal there. On the day of our visit we were completing some shopping in the area and were looking for a lunch restaurant. I looked around and noticed a sign for Divino. It was open for lunch on this Saturday and there was no wait making it very convenient. We had already parked on the street at a metered spot. Finding parking can be annoying in this part of Brentwood. They do validate for parking at Divino but I do not know for which parking lot. There were a few dining tables outside on the patio. We opted to be seated inside. The hostess welcomed us and seated us a table for two.Rate and Review : Quick Lunch at Divino Italian Restaurant in Brentwood, California

Dinner at Cafeteria Mediterranean Cafe on Newbury Street, Boston, Massachus
2008-03-27 19:48:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Every time I visit Boston one of my favorite activities tends to be just walking around and enjoying the cityscape. This time was not different. I met up with a few good friends and enjoyed a cool evening strolling around Back Bay. We were also on the prowl for a good meal. Several restaurants that my Boston friends thought of were closed for one reason or another. On Newbury Street we spotted a restaurant with a sign and the inscription "Cafe teria". It looked like a cool modern place, the menu we found outside was appealing both food and price wise so we decided to give it a shot. Rate and Review : Dinner at Cafeteria Mediterranean Cafe on Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts

Overnight Stay at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort in Palm Springs, Californi
2008-03-26 17:39:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: Easter weekend must have been one of the busiest hotel weekends for the Palm Springs area this year. The finals of the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament were also scheduled making available accommodations scarce. We searched and searched and finally settled for the Hilton Palm Springs Resort . The price was not over the top, the location was good and online reviews solid. Apart from the Hilton, we would have either had to settle for out of town motels or luxury lodgings exceeding three hundred dollars per night. We found the best price (around $200) at hotels.com and booked it there. Often, this amount of money can buy you a luxury resort room in Palm Springs but for this weekend that would not happen. It was a relief after all to have our accommodations all set up so that we could happily anticipate the coming weekend.Rate and Review : Overnight Stay at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort in Palm Springs, California

Riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California
2008-03-24 18:47:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: On our way to Palm Springs last weekend, we already had plans to visit the Indian Palm Canyons and explore the region populated by the earliest human inhabitants of this area. However, while entering the city of Palm Springs we noted the sign for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. On a whim we decided to add this destination to our list of activities in the desert cities. We drove up the steep road for several miles until we reached one of the parking lots. It was Easter weekend and we expected a large crowd. This was not the case around noon when we arrived. Shuttle buses quickly whizzed us from the parking lot to the Valley Station at 2,643ft/806m elevation.Rate and Review : Riding the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California

Hello From Toronto - Exploring Chinatown and Kensington
2008-03-21 17:51:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: In all my explorations of Toronto over the last few years I have learned that in addition to numerous world-class sights and attractions, Toronto has many lesser known nooks and crannies that are full of history, interesting stories and anecdotes. One of the best people to learn from about the twists and turns of Toronto's history is Bruce Bell, a well-known author, playwright, actor, standup comedian who is also a passionate historian and has become one of Toronto's most well-recognized history experts.The story of how I met Bruce is also quite intriguing: my brother, who happens to live in Austria, was reading a German travel magazine that was featuring a story about Bruce, so he called me up and said that there is this guy that is doing all these neat walking tours through Toronto and that's how I connected with Bruce - through a European detour. Over the past couple of years I have taken two of his tours, covering the downtown area and featu...
More About: Chinatown , Exploring , Kensington

Lunch at Ayara Thai Cuisine in Westchester, California near LAX
2008-03-21 00:34:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: We have somehow managed to bypass Ayara Restaurant during our regular lunch time explorations. Only after online research did I notice that it is a very popular eatery and liked by many. That was a sign that we need to pay attention to it and visit it soon. The initial visit occurred last week. Its location is not visible from larger streets in the vicinity (like Manchester Blvd. or La Tijera). Once you make your way onto 87th Street you will notice its exterior. We knew of its location in advance. Plentiful free parking is available at the large lots near the restaurant.Rate and Review : Lunch at Ayara Thai Cuisine in Westchester , California near LAX

Super Cool Travel Products at A+R Store on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, CA
2008-03-19 13:30:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: I peeked into the A+R Store on Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice just for a few minutes and then stayed for almost half an hour exploring the plethora of cool products on display. They carry well designed, unique items that you probably would not be able to find elsewhere. My interest was mainly in their travel related merchandise. Two products caught my attention: Paul Koh's Silicone Carry-On Travel Bottles and XXD's Load-Ding Device Organizer. Now that probably does not sound that exciting so read on to see the photos and read about the product's functionality.
More About: Products , Cool , Super

The Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespearean Festival
2008-03-18 13:00:00
SeeTheGlobe.com Travel Article :: In a small town hidden among the red rocks and stunning greenery of southern Utah , lies an authentic Elizabethan theatre where audiences can enjoy the immortal words of Shakespeare while sitting under the stars. This unique experience sprouted from the dream of a young boy who knew at age 10 that he would grow up to direct plays. Indeed, the young Fred C. Adams grew into the theatre director, actor and teacher who founded the Utah Shakespearean Festival . Today the Utah Shakespearean Festival is one of the most respected Shakespeare Festivals in the world, having received a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2000.
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