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San Francisco is a terrific vacation destination for aspiring world travelers who don’t currently have the time or money to actually travel the world. Considered the most European of all American cities, a general trip to San Francisco affords the chance to see a bit of the European lifestyle right here at home. But if you make your San Francisco vacation more focused and plan to visit specific neighborhoods in the area, you can get even more than this European air. (more…)

Summer fun at the beach with the kids is the perfect activity for the holiday season. But where do all the families go? You don’t want massive waves, or flocks of surfers who’ll land on your kids, or too much nightlife either. Here’s a collection of popular family beaches across the US:

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The wide boulevard, Avenue de Champs Elysees, lined with trees and grand facades, is one of the most visited streets in Paris. Named for the “Elysian fields” of Greek mythology, a kind of heaven-like destination for heroes and warriors, the Champs Elysees is the broadest avenue in Paris and runs from the Place de la Concorde to Place Charles de Gaulle (commonly refered to as the Place l’Etoile).

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Paris, the final stop on the Tour de France cycling race, is well-known for its style and its variety of shops, department stores, markets, and boutiques. In fact, a trip to Paris just isn’t complete without at least a trip to a food market or a stroll through the antique vendors’ stalls at Cligancourt. Below is just a sampling of the many shopping locales in the “City of Lights.”

Department Stores
Many Paris’ department stores are destinations in themselves. The elegance of the beaux-arts Galeries Lafayette and the sleek Art Deco style of Le Samaritaine are worth a stop whether or not you buy anything.

• Galeries Lafayette – Located just off of the Place de l’Opera, this multi-level, Beaux-Arts department store has been welcoming shoppers since 1906. The store specializes in women’s fashions and perfume and offers weekly fashion shops for visitors.
• Le Printemps – Located right next door to the Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps (pictured above) offers a wider range of items, everything from fashion to fine china. Particularly worth visiting is the basement level food market. It’s sort of a mixture between a grocery and a gourmet market.
• Bon Marche – The only department store on Paris’ left bank, Bon Marche, designed by Gustave Eiffel, caters to a younger, more hip crowd than its right bank cousins.
• Le Samaritaine – Located at the edge of the Seine, across from Notre Dame, this Art Deco store generally offers more affordable merchandise than the other area department stores. The store’s rooftop restaurant offers sweeping vistas of the Seine and the Paris skyline.

Food Markets
Paris is synonymous with good food and wine and almost any corner offers a patisserie or boulangerie. Some areas, however, offer a concentration of food stores and markets. Some of these are:

• Place de Madeleine – The area surrounding the Madeleine church is lined with small, specialty food stores. Chief among these is Fouchon, a fantasy food store that sells everything from private label mustards and vinegars to prepared pates and produce.
• Rue de Mouffetard – Located near the Pantheon, this vibrant street is a favorite of Parisians as well as visitors. The street is lined with produce vendors and small food shops as well as large variety of ethnic restaurants.

Antique Districts
Antiques abound in Paris, as would be expected in a city with Paris’ diverse history and cultural awareness. You’re sure to find plenty of interesting things in the three areas detailed below:

• Cligancourt Market – Officially called the Flea Market at L’Ouen, is a 15-acre shopping emporium on the far north side of Paris. Over 2000 vendors here compete for shoppers’ attention and offer a vast array of merchandise, everything from costume jewelry to costly antique furniture.
• Le Marais – This trendy area, surrounding the Place des Vosges, is filled with small shops offering everything from antique lithographs to estate jewelry to heirloom silver flatware. Every shop brings a new adventure.
• Rue St. Germaine – The Rue St. Germaine on the left bank, and the small streets leading off of it, are lined with higher-end, quality antique stores. Even if you can’t afford to buy, it’s worth the time just to look at these one-of-a-kind pieces.

Lake Tahoe attracts visitors from all over the world - the lake itself is 22 miles long, 12 miles wide and boasts 72 miles of shoreline. Two-thirds of the lake is in California, one third is in Nevada. In addition to its size, the deep, dark blue of the water itself is something to behold. The area surrounding Lake Tahoe is filled with pine forest and is a great for hikers.
Water activities abound here - you can water ski, swim, even rent Jet Skis, although the water usually stays at 60 degrees or cooler, so keep that in mind before jumping in. The Lake Tahoe area is filled with camping opportunities - campsites and resorts dot the landscape around the lake. Adventure lovers should visit Adventure Park - a climbing wall complex in the northern Lake Tahoe area.

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With the New 7 Wonders of the World being announced last week, I think there’s a new round-the-world itinerary just waiting for those would-be travelers who can’t quite pick their destinations from the long, long list of possibilities.

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Chicago offers visitors a wealth of fun, exciting, and educational things to do, but unique among the city’s many delights is the Navy Pier, located along the shores of Lake Michigan in the heart of downtown.

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Travelers who make their first trip to San Francisco, and perhaps their first visit to California are shocked by the cold weather that persists during the summer months. Who wants to be bundled up in a sweatshirt when hiking those hills? Fortunately, there is a remedy close at hand, less than 25 miles from the heart of the city. Stinson Beach, located 22 miles north of the city on the scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1 provides an instant cure to the San Francisco summer weather blues. As you cross the Golden Gate Bridge into the Marin Headlands, it’s amazing how the cold fog lifts and the sun shines brightly beneath a bright azure sky. The drive up California 1 is windy and full of hairpin turns for half the journey, and it’s unwise to travel more than 25 mph on many of the stretches. However, it’s a gorgeous span of road and the fresh air is some of the most fragrant you will ever experience. Stinson Beach is unlike the beaches of So Cal; you don’t go here to be seen. Rather, it’s a spot of heaven on earth where families can frolic in the waves and build sand castles and those seeking solitude will find some here. If your inner child is telling you to try out surfing, a few of the local shops offer rentals of surfboards and kayaks. Don’t forget the wetsuit! Stinson Beach also offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails if you are looking for something a little more active. Franchises are non-existent, and Stinson has worked hard to keep the developers away. There are a few markets/ shops selling beach wear and foodstuffs, and the restaurants tend to be casual, not much more than beach shacks. Mom and pop hotels control the lodging scene. Whether you decide to visit for an afternoon or an overnight stay, you’ll go home feeling as if you spent the entire weekend on retreat.

For more information on Stinson Beach, visit the website www.stinsonbeachonline.com.

Tags: travel, california, stinson+beach

On a recent trip to Philadelphia we came across the “Once Upon a Nation” story telling tours scattered throughout old Philadelphia.

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This marks the third and final week for the Tour de France which end on Sunday July 29th at Champs-Elysees in Paris France. The Tour de France is recognized by many as on of the most grueling tests of human endurance. It is often compared to running a marathon seven days a week for three days in a row. During the most intense parts of the race the riders can burn as much as 10,000 calories per day. This stage also features the Pyrenees mountain regions. The 22nd and 25th figure to be stages as they are the most difficult regions of the race. The final stage which is in the Champs-Elysees is always exciting. The area is covered in cobblestone pavement which is very difficult to traverse on bicycle.

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Long before there were jumbo jets, before there were superhighways, people vacationed by train. Today, this largely forgotten mode of transportation is still a great way to see the American countryside, while letting someone else do the driving. Even better, most train stations are easy to navigate and relaxes compared to the typical airport. In addition, many popular train stations, such as Washington DC’s Union Station, are historic landmarks.

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The beautiful Pocono Mountains are located in Pennsylvania - less than 2 hours away from New York City. The Pocono region covers 2400 square miles and includes mountain terrain, woodland areas and winding rivers. Travelers love to visit the area throughout the year, as the different seasons bring out all the Poconos have to offer. Outdoor recreation includes hiking and biking, with over 250 miles of trails in the area. Golfers will love the 35 different courses, while other activities such as boating, fishing and whitewater rafting can be found as well. The Pocono area has nine state and two national parks - all open to the public.

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Chicago is a fabulous place to visit - especially in the spring or summertime when you can enjoy all of its outdoor activities and happenings. The Windy City is host to many museums and exhibits you will find it difficult to see and do everything in one trip.

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Travel by air can be a very stressful part of any vacation - traveling with small children on those flights can only add to your stress level. Here are some basic tips on making air travel easier when traveling with children.
Bring food and drinks - most airlines do not provide food (other than light snacks) on flights so you will need to bring your child’s favorite snacks and even meals for longer flights. It is also smart to purchase a water bottle or juice drink in the airport before boarding (No liquids are currently allowed through security so you will be unable to bring drinks from home). Airlines gladly allow passengers to carry on any food or snacks - don’t be afraid to board with a backpack full of treats for your child - especially if your child tends to look for snacks often.

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