Easter Getaways

This year, I was fortunate to get time off for the Easter holiday.  Instead of the typical local festivities I’ve grown tired of over the years, I’ve decided to head up to D.C. to brush up on my history and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.  To my surprise, it turns out there’s all sorts of special Easter deals going on right now at hotelbook®.  Not only did I see two great Washington D.C. hotel properties on their list, I noticed they’ve got great deals going all over the States, Europe, and Asia!  If you’re heading off on an Easter holiday this year, I’d recommend taking a glance at the Easter deals; it’s certainly not too late just yet!

Rome Travel Podcast

Hello, and thanks for listening to the latest podcast by hotelbook.com.  Today, we will be exploring a city known worldwide for its mystical grandeur and its breathtaking architecture: Rome.  In order to get a great feel for the city, we’ll take you along for a brief guide of the city’s top spots, so that you don’t feel too much like an awkward tourist upon arrival.

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Callifornia Cruisin'

Recently, I took a trip up to San Francisco, with the plan to drive down the coast all the way to Huntington Beach, CA to meet up with a surfer friend.  It turned out to be an amazing drive, and I strongly recommend renting a car and driving down Highway 1, along the breathtaking coast and the well-preserved national park Big Sur.  It was gorgeous country, literally the type of place where you find yourself stopping on the side of the road every 10 minutes or so to take photographs or just soak in the atmosphere.  Before arriving in Huntington Beach, we decided to stay in Santa Barbara, just south of Big Sur, and right outside the bustling LA traffic.  At the Montecito Inn, we found a nice little relaxing hotel, just off the Highway 101.  After a long day on the road, the Montecito was a great find and as it turned out it was originally built by Charlie Chaplin. The hotel featured free wireless internet, meticulously designed rooms that maintained a historic feel, and most importantly large, comfy beds.  It was a nice end to a big day, and after arriving back home I looked on hotelbook.com and I found there’s a lot of great California hotels for a future trip, under the Top Ten hotel lists.  I know I”ll be heading back soon, as I've still yet to see the great redwood trees that are wide enough to drive a car through up in North California.

Just Another Day in Paradise

My college roommate got engaged in February, and is planning a June wedding.  With less than four months to plan her dream wedding, she's going crazy with the details.  So I volunteered to help with the honeymoon research, and found the perfect place on hotelbook.com's new Top Ten Honeymoon Hotels page - the Royal Tahitien in French Polynesia!  She and her fiancé are very active and outdoorsy, so it should be right up their alley.  The Royal Tahitien has free snorkeling gear and canoe rentals, and many other outdoor activities nearby.  Not to mention the surrounding lush green mountains, which are sure to provide for some great photo ops!  The month-long Heiva i Tahiti cultural festival, which includes the popular Mr. and Miss Tahiti Contest, will be taking place while the newlyweds are visiting.  If all goes well, I may just have to charge a comission to plan their next trip!  Happy honeymooning to all you newlyweds!

Dublin Podcast

Today, we will be taking a close look at a city steeped in vibrant history, ancient folklore, and literary legend: Dublin.

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Play Me Some Mountain Music

It's hard to believe, but summertime is just around the corner.  And in my family, summertime means family reunion time!  This year we are going to Lake Shore Lodge in Estes Park, Colorado -- the perfect place for my huge family.  The lodge is on the shores of Lake Estes, surrounded by gorgeous panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.  There's plenty of room for the kids to run around, and decks for adults to sit and talk while keeping an eye on the little ones.  The award-winning Silverado Restaurant on-site offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a breathtaking view, which is perfect for a hungry bunch like us.  We booked our rooms on hotelbook.com, so now it's time to start dusting off the rustic travel gear.

Barcelona: A Podcast Guide

Take a quick audio tour of one of the most magnificent and unique cities in Europe from hotelbook.com podcasts.


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Rock The Casbah!

Yahoo! Travel News recently released a list of eight places every woman should go. My pick from the list? Belly dancing in New York City! Ever since I saw Shakira's video for "Hips Don't Lie," I've been obsessed with the idea of learning to dance like her. So why not take a class from the legendary Morocco at the Casbah Dance Experience? Not something you'd normally think of when planning a trip to the Big Apple, but sounds like a blast. And after all that movin' and shakin' you can take a rest on the ultra-comfy beds at 414 Hotel. This intimate, boutique hotel will provide the kind of professional attention you deserve, so you can relax and enjoy your stay in NYC. Happy dancing!

New Orleans Lives: Stronger than Ever

Well, as the rising tide of Mardi Gras has at last culminated into a huge flood of marching bands, masquerades, parades, dancing, Cajun food, and beads of all sorts, New Orleans is falling back into its normal cadence as the ocean of celebration spreads back out into the daily rhythm of its inhabitants.  It may no longer be Fat Tuesday, but it's clear upon taking a stroll through its streets that the Big Easy still has an enigma to it that attracts visitors from all over, no matter what time of year.  As it is found amdist a swampy landscape, the large lake Ponchartrain, and the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind city that rises up out of the marshy landscape and asserts itself as a thriving metropolis. 

Plus, upon arriving in the city center, you'll find that the famous Canal Street is quite similar to the boardwalks of Barcelona, with palm trees lining the wide central pedestrian crossway, where traditional New Orleans trolleys still run a timely service to and from the city center.  Plus, walking along Canal Street, it won't be long until you find yourself in the famous French Quarter and the bustling Bourbon Street, a legendary set of city blocks known the world over.  In fact, the best part of it all is that these key historical landmarks have been left unscathed by the wrath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.  As well, after taking a trip out to the 9th quarter of the city, you'll truly come to understand how the entire community has come together to rebuild a city that has never been stronger.  Come see what all of the fuss is about, and you'll come to realize why New Orleans is a city that radiates warmth, hospitality, and a unique Cajun flavor.