Stay Independent this Fall

Fall has finally arrived and now it's time to find a place to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and changing colors.  Yet, instead of mulling over all the different Fall travel ideas out there, take a look at this MSNBC article which includes a top ten list of unique places you might not expect to travel to during the Fall.  Here's their top ten list with hotelbook links to help you get the most out of your trip and dodge those been there, done that tourist traps.

• Florence, Italy
• Great Smoky Mountains
• Marrakesh, Morocco
• Munich, Germany
• Napa Valley, California
• New England
• New York
• Provence, France
• San Francisco
• Shanghai

GO COWBOYS!

I am a huge Dallas Cowboys fan, and I saw on their website they are playing in Philadelphia on November 4. I have always wanted to see Philadelphia, so what a great weekend to go up there. I can support the Cowboys and see the city during the remainder of the time. I got on Hotelbook.com and found The Windsor Suites, which is located right in Center City, Philadelphia. It looks like a really neat hotel, and it is just blocks from shopping, museums and the theatre district. While trying to decide what else to do, I remembered that The Liberty Bell was located in Philadelphia. I definitely want to check that out and see Independence Hall, which is located right by it. Besides that, I do not know much about Philadelphia. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should see or do while I am there? Any suggestions would be helpful, and GO COWBOYS!

St. Petersburg Russia Podcast

In this episode, we will be taking you on a tour of the “Window of Europe”: St. Petersburg, Russia.


MP3 File

Oktoberfest is Here!

It's that time of year again for one of the world's largest and most famous festivals, Oktoberfest.  Taking place over 2 weeks in Munich, Germany, every year the festival kicks off by the Mayor of Munich tapping a keg of beer and declaring "O'zapft is!" or "It's tapped!"  Famous for huge tents, traditional German dress, food, drink, & music, Oktoberfest is a fun way to experience German culture in the heart of Bavaria.  If you're looking for a place to stay, try the Kings Hotel First Class, Bavaria Hotel, or the Platzl Hotel.

If you'd like more information on this event, listen to our Oktoberfest Podcast.

The New 7 Wonders of the World

After more than a hundred million votes across the globe, the New7Wonders Foundation has announced the new seven wonders of the world.  Here's a look at the list, with links to nearby hotelbook accommodations.

• Colosseum - Rome, Italy
• Taj Mahal - India
• Ancient City of Petra - Jordan
• Chichen Itza - Mexico
• Christ the Redeemer Statue - Brazil
• Machu Picchu - Peru
• Great Wall of China

Think that there's a wonder that's missing from this list?  Feel free to post up a comment on what you'd change.

A taste of the Big Apple...

With a few vacation days saved up, I really wanted to take a long weekend trip somewhere. I have never been to New York City and decided this would be the perfect time to visit before it gets too cold. I got on hotelbook.com and found the hotel Dream, which is located in Midtown Manhattan between Central Park and Times Square. What could be a more perfect location for a first time visitor? So while in New York, I know I must attend a Broadway show. I went to www.broadway.com to find something, but there are just too many productions showing right now. Does anyone have any suggestions on a good one to see? Also, as a first time visitor, what are the things I MUST do while in New York? Any advice would be helpful!

Visit the New Wine Country

While Northern California may be an easy place to find vineyards, the other side of the world has become a new haven for wine enthusiasts.  As this ehotelier article notes, the Chinese wine trade has developed and matured extensively over the past decades, and these days it is one of the best places on the globe to find white wine.  To learn more, go to China Wine Online and then come see what you've been missing in the Far East.  Need a place to stay after all that wine tasting?  Check out these great Chinese hotelbook hotels in Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing.

Every trip to Ireland is a pot of gold!

I have always wanted to travel overseas, especially to Ireland. I may have this fascination because I am part Irish or that I want to catch some of their luck! So I got on hotelbook.com and found The Fitzwilliam Hotel. It is only 25 minutes from the airport and situated on the beautiful St. Stephen's Green Park. Since I have never been to Ireland before, I have no idea what I should do while there. I definitely want to tour Dublin Castle and visit the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Does anyone have any suggestions on where else I should go? More importantly, I have no idea when the best time of year to go to Ireland is. Has anyone traveled there that could tell me? 

A refreshing change...

What a refreshing change…I recently stayed at a serviced apartment (through hotelbook.com), in Manchester which is run by a company called BridgeStreet Worldwide who also have other apartments in Heathrow, Birmingham, and London.

Serviced apartments are generally marketed towards the extended stay guests but also cater for the one nighters like me. The apartment felt like it had been designed to recreate a home away from home, and surprised and delighted me with the slick, fresh and contemporary décor.

I had my own lounge to relax in and entertain a few old friends … and I also got my own kitchen which for me is very important given how much of a fussy eater I am…serviced apartments are certainly the way to go for me and I wouldn’t be surprised if they become the next big thing in hospitality. Watch this space…