The city that represents a bridge between Europe and Asia is also the city that represents a premier in the European Capitals of Culture tradition: it’s the first city outside the European Union that gets this title. Istanbul is a populous and fascinating city and in 2010 it’s one of…

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Are you looking for an extra special vacation getaway this winter? If you head towards Canada you’ll find a plethora of incredible hotels and attractions to choose from – whether you enjoy hitting the snowy mountain slopes or curling up indoors by a fire. Here are a few weekend hideaways and full vacation destinations for you to consider.

5. Niagara Falls, Ontario

We all know you can access Niagara fall from both the United States and Canadian sides but a trip to Niagara Falls in Ontario is one you’ll always remember. Hotels in Niagara Falls range from affordable motor inns to high end hotels and bed and breakfasts.

Once there, you’ll find plenty to do both in and around the falls. The Maid of the Mist boat ride is astonishing and the Journey behind the Falls tour will take you “behind the scenes” to see the falls from the other side. When you’re done watching the falls themselves you’ll enjoy the nearby Criminal Hall of Fame, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum, and Madame Tausaud’s Was Museum.

4. Canadian Rockies

True lovers of adventure can certainly find romance in the outdoors. The Canadian Rockies make a spectacular vacation destination for anyone who loves seclusion, fresh outdoor air, and stunning scenery.

A trip to the Canadian Rockies has a number of benefits. First of all, it’s incredibly affordable, especially in today’s economy. You can go hiking, mountain biking, hang gliding, kayaking, golfing, skiing, fishing, and do so much more. In between outdoor adventures you can either camp or book a room in a hotel near the vacation center Banaff or around Lake Louise. A romantic getaway to the Canadian Rockies is sure to be memorable.

3. Vancouver, British Colombia

Vancouver is a popular destination amongst those looking for a quick romantic getaway as well. The area is infused with fresh ocean air, surrounded by gorgeous mountains, and is full of quaint shops and amazing restaurants.

While in Vancouver you’ll want to spend some time exploring the inner city. A carriage ride through Stanley Park will offer you astounding views of the entire city, including the Lions Gate Bridge and the coast. Robson Street, on the other hand, is perfect for dining, shopping, and people watching.

2. Victoria, British Colombia

Victoria has a reputation for being one of the most romantic destinations in Canada, and rightfully so. The weather in Victoria is gorgeous all year – even in the winter when temperatures are cold but there is rarely much snow.

So what will you do after you check into your hotel in Victoria? Start with a romantic stroll through the Inner Harbor’s Undersea Gardens or with a trip to the Wax Museum. Break up the day with a charming afternoon tea at one of the area’s finest tea rooms and then head out for a horse-drawn carriage ride around James Bay or a walk along Dallas Road.

1. Whistler, Vancouver, British Colombia

Whistler is going to be one of the hottest destinations in Canada in early 2010 because of the Winter Olympics. Unless you’re lucky enough to have passes to the Olympic Games you may want to book your visit before or after to avoid the crowds and higher rates for accommodations.

Nearby, however, you’ll find some of the finest ski slopes and resorts in the country. You’ll enjoy skiing, visiting the local falls, touring the BC Mining Museum, exploring the city of Vancouver, dining in some of the area’s hottest romantic restaurants, and cozying up by a fire in your hotel room or cabin at the end of a long, enjoyable day.

There is so much to see and do throughout Canada so choosing just one for a romantic vacation getaway may seem a daunting task. Start with one of these and then plan to return for a longer vacation when you have more time. You’ll enjoy Canada so much you’ll never regret returning again – and again – and again!

Few nations on Earth have a regional culinary range as famous and infamous as the United States of America’s. I know full well that for some of you, the term “American cuisine” seems oxymoronic, if not moronic altogether. And while the dishes that follow may not all qualify as “cuisine” per se, they speak to the evolution of regional food in America, with distant nods to the original settlers and immigrants who sought to make a life in the New World.

With that in mind, here’s a guide to some of the more unusual regional delicacies in America. Dishes that came out of a certain state, town or city. Dishes that inspire fierce loyalty and culinary protectionism from locals and indeed, count as part of some nebulous cultural identity. For potential U.S. road trippers, this list of edibles should keep you well-fed and in good stead.

Scrapple

If you ever find yourself in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania Dutch country – there’s certainly no shortage of reasons to visit – and hunger strikes, try this porky staple. Scrapple is essentially a meatloaf-type mush of pig offal and scraps, which, when combined with cornmeal or buckwheat flour, spices and then pan-fried, is pretty tasty. Served with eggs, on toast, with ketchup, mustard, jelly or maple syrup, scrapple is also popular in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.

Carolina Gold Barbecue

South Carolina has a legitimate claim as the barbecue capital of the world. After all, the state is the only one in the union that embraces all four major sauces: vinegar, light tomato, heavy tomato and mustard. A by-product of German immigrant cuisine, “Carolina Gold”, as South Carolina’s unusual mustard sauce is otherwise known, is unlike any other barbecue application in America. You can get exceptional barbecue in North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and well, even California and New York City nowadays. But for an exceptional treat, head to the Midlands area near Columbia, South Carolina for that “Carolina Gold”.

Glorified Rice

Minnesota’s Scandinavian heritage offers visitors the chance to try a completely different type of cuisine. Norwegian staples like lutefisk, krumkake and “hotdish” casseroles (not sure what the Nordic connection is there) are popular in the Lutheran state. But glorified rice has to be one of the strangest dishes in Minnesota. The throwback dessert salad concoction is a strange amalgam of rice, eggs, pineapple, sugar, flour, whipped cream and maraschino cherries. If you’re ever stuck in Saint Paul in the middle of a blizzard, head to a diner and order it up.

Shrimp DeJonghe

You could spend two weeks eating your way through Chicago’s buffet of distinct culinary contributions. Steakhouses, Chicago-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizzas, jibarito sandwiches, flambéed saganaki – hey, it’s one helluva food town. The oldest food tradition in the Windy City may be shrimp DeJonghe however. The casserole features shrimps coated in garlic and Sherry-laced breadcrumbs.

Spam Musubi

Hawaii’s food heritage is a delightful fusion of American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and of course, Polynesian. The state is not without some unfortunate food accidents however, that now have a permanent place on menus from Maui to Oahu. The ubiquitous “plate lunch” for example, is a carb-centric staple that combines a protein with two scoops of white rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. Hawaii’s most infamous culinary shame is Spam. Aside from Guam perhaps, the canned precooked meat product is more popular in Hawaii than anywhere else on the planet. McDonald’s franchises in the state feature Spam concoctions. Head to a sushi bar in Honolulu and you’re sure to see Spam musubi on the menu – a kitschy mockery of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Check out superb hotel deals in destinations all over the United States.

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Founded by General James Oglethrope and a group of 120 colonists in 1733, the city of Savannah, Georgia was the last British colony to form in North America.

Over time, settlers from around the world, including Ireland, England, Scotland, Austria, Italy, and several other countries, began to flock towards this stunning city’s shores. Today the city presents a sophisticated face to visitors – full of southern charm and hospitality, old colonial architecture, and dozens of historic and cultural attractions.

When to Visit Savannah

Located along the southern section of the east coast of the United States, the city of Savannah is generally warm throughout most of the year. There is a joke that says that Savannah’s seasons are “warm and hot” but there are four seasons when it comes to times to visit.

The spring months, between March and May, are very busy and are relatively expensive times to visit Savannah. This is because the dogwoods and azaleas blooming during the spring months are gorgeous and people flock south to see them in bloom every year. The Savannah Music Festival is usually held during this time of year as well.

The summer months, between June and August, are usually very warm and very busy but there are tons of things to see and do. You’ll find that the city is usually overrun with young travelers during June and July as Savannah is a favorite destination for Girl Scout troops visiting Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace.

The fall months are a great time to visit as temperatures begin to drop, but October is very busy. If you visit during September of November you’ll have an easier time finding a Savannah hotel at a discounted rate.

If you’re only going to visit for a couple of days, consider visiting mid-week. Hotel rates skyrocket on the weekends as people flock to the city to enjoy Savannah’s hot weekend nightlife.

Transportation throughout Savannah

The city of Savannah is gorgeous and you’ll find that most of the area’s main attractions are within walking distance of your hotel. This southern town is relatively laid back, despite its big city façade, so there’s no reason to rush from place to place. Pedicabs, small driving tours, and trolley rides are popular methods of transportation as well.

The Savannah River ferry is another great way to see the city. The 20 minute ride up the river will give you stunning views of the city and, best of all, is free. Taxi cabs and paid trolley tours are available as well. You could easily rent a car but it might prove a waste of your hard earned money.

Tipping Etiquette in Savannah

Tipping is a confusing thing, especially in the United States. Some states require restaurant owners to pay their service staff the same minimum wage that all workers earn while others let restaurants pay a considerably lower wage to their workers. This means that in many places your service staff will rely on your tips for survival. They even pay taxes on what you give them as a tip.

The average tip in any restaurant is 10 – 20 % depending on the time of day and the level of service you received. The average tip is around 15% and you can decide whether to pay more or less depending on how happy you are. If you’re with a large group of people the restaurant may add a “gratuity” to your bill. If this is the case you do not need to leave an additional tip. You are not required to tip in fast food restaurants, even if you do see a tip jar on the counter.

Visiting Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day

Despite not receiving a lot of public recognition, Savannah is an incredibly popular city for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, second only to New York City, NY. If you plan on visiting during the month of March, but don’t care about this particular holiday, you may want to arrange for travel during a different time of the month. Hotel rates will double or triple and you’ll be required to book a minimum 2-3 night stay.

Almost 400,000 people will flock to the historic district of Savannah on St. Patrick’s Day for the parade and celebration. It is always held on March 17^th, unless the 17^th is a Sunday, in which case it is celebrated on the 16^th.  There is a parade, lasting 3 ½ – 4 hours, and you’ll find hundreds of people camping out along the parade route, some as early as 2 days in advance.

The city of Savannah is historic, cultural, sophisticated, and fun. Visit any time of the year for a fun and exciting adventure in one of the country’s oldest and most respected cities. You’ll never forget your trip!

Kiev, the largest city in Ukraine, is also one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. Founded in the 5th century, it has seen many empires come and go, from the Mongols to the Poles to the Cossacks to the Russians and the Soviet Union. All of these empires have left their mark on the [...]

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The city of Munich, in Germany, is the culmination of a distinct blend of culture and modern technology. The stylish cosmopolitan city is overflowing with cultural attractions, traditional and modern styles of dress, incredible beer gardens, and top notch publishing houses.

There is quite a bit to see and do in Munich but if you’re trying to figure out where to start you’ll want to make a few stops at some of Munich’s finest museums. You’ll be amazed at just how much you learn.

9. Jewish Center Munich

Towards the center of the city you’ll find the Jewish Center Munich in Jakobsplatz square. Inside you’ll find a museum outlining how Jewish history has evolved in Munich as well as a kosher restaurant and a synagogue. You can get a free guided tour of the synagogue but it is very busy so you’ll need to make a reservation as far in advance as possible.

8. Buchheim Museum

Located on the shores of the lake, the Buchheim Museum is home to an incredibly large collection of expressionist artwork. Inside you’ll find dozens of watercolors, prints, paintings, and drawings created during the Brucke movement which occurred between 1905 and 1913. You’ll also find some stunning examples of African and Bavarian artifacts and artwork. Artists featured inside this museum include Karl Schmitt-Rotluff, Otto Dix, and many others.

7. Museum Villa Stuck

Museum Villa Stuck is actually a house in the Royal Munich section of the city. The villa was once the home of Franz von Stuck, a well known artist who lived from 1863 until 1928. During your tour you’ll see his home as well as some of his humorous and erotic pieces of artwork.

6. Haus der Kunst

Haus der Kunst is also located in the Royal Munich section of Munich and is a stunning example of the architectural style that existed during the Hitler era. Fuhrer Hitler himself opened the gallery and only allowed works that reflected the Nazi mindset to be shown there. After the war, the museum made itself popular by creating a collection of artwork that had previously been banned.

5. Neue Pinakothek

The gorgeous Neue Pinakothek museum opened in 1981 at the request of the royal family. The previous home of the royal art collection was destroyed during the war and the new building was designed to mimic the older, Italian style building. The museum is home to dozens of French impressionist paintings, including those from Monet and Degas, as well as the works of several 19^th century German artists.

4. Glyptothek

The Glyptothek gallery is located in the Maxvorstadt section of the city and is home to one of the finest collections of Green and Roman sculptures you’ll find in the city. After touring the gallery you might want to take a few minutes to sip a cup of coffee in the adjacent courtyard while watching young artists practice their handiwork.

3. BMW Museum

The BMW Museum is a fun stop for car lovers, especially since Munich is the home of the famous automobile manufacturer. The museum features a large collection of old and new vehicle as well as displays outlining the history and development of the automobile and the company itself. If you visit during the week, make sure you make advanced reservations to tour the actual BMW factory plant as well.

2. Alte Pinakothek

Alte Pinkaothek is considered one of the most treasured art galleries in the world. The enormous brick building was built in the early 1800’s by Leo von Klenze, originally to house the massive collection of artwork that Duke Wilhelm IV was gathering. The collection here includes works from Rembrandt, Rubens, Murillos, Durer, and Titian, amongst many others. A trip to this museum will be your only opportunity to see many of these incredible pieces.

1. Deutsches Museum

In the center of Munich you’ll find the astounding Deutsches Museum. The museum features more than 12 miles (or 19 km) of hallways spread out over 6 floors and sorted into 30 different sections. The Deutsches Museum is home to one of the best planetariums in Europe, an amazing Kinderreich for children, and a stunning collection of exhibits outlining the development of the transportation industry.

The city of Munich is overflowing with stunning museums. Ask your Munich hotel concierge for information on how to get to these and others throughout the city. You’ll enjoy the time spent exploring.

My ongoing look at terrific city destinations in the Netherlands shines the spotlight on Utrecht. The capital of the province of Utrecht is one of the premier urban areas of the country, with well over 300,000 people and plenty of  visual history in store.

While far from small, Utrecht is nonetheless quite manageable at close to 100 km². The city has several notable claims to fame. First and foremost, Utrecht is home to Utrecht University, with 30,000 plus students. The academic institution ranks as one of the best in Europe on a fairly consistent basis. Student life permeates the cityscape and all in all, makes Utrecht a lively place to visit.

Tourists to Utrecht may want to focus their time on the city’s heritage architecture. Though immediate points of interest outside the central train station scream modern, avant-garde Dutch all the way, medieval landmarks in and around Utrecht remind visitors that the city is indeed one of the oldest on the continent. The future European Capital of Culture is a veritable gem, with these ten must-see attractions to explore.

10. Pieterskerk

At close to a millennium old, the Pieterskerk is a significant and still active church. The landmark was a focal point in Utrecht’s initial kerkenkruis layout, or cross-shaped town plan.

9. Museum voor het Kruideniersbedrijf

Part throwback relic, part museum and all confectionery, the Museum voor het Kruideniersbedrijf is a rather unusual yet worthwhile point of interest in Utrecht. A good place to score Dutch treats and sweet souvenirs in a typical, old-school backdrop.

8. Centraal Museum

The dean of municipal museums in the Netherlands was established on the top floor of Utrecht’s town hall in the early 19th century. The Centraal Museum has since grown in size and scope and today, is one of the most important museums in the country. A vast collection of Dutch art and artifacts spans every era of the nation’s history.

7. Rietveld-Schröder-Huis

The Rietveld Schröder House is easily one of the most eccentric UNESCO World Heritage Sites to ever earn inscription. The indefatigable Utrecht landmark is a brilliant beacon of that iconic Dutch design style known throughout the world simply as De Stijl. UNESCO and indeed, architects everywhere, consider the house a model icon of the Modern Movement.

6. Utrecht University Botanic Gardens

As the nerve centre of city life in Utrecht, a visit to the university campus is a must. This includes a stop in the historic Utrecht University Botanic Gardens, which is not only one of the best in Europe but has a history that dates back to the 17th century.

5. De Uithof

The main campus of the university is known as De Uithof and is a notable district of Utrecht. Not only is it a hub of student life but perhaps most importantly, De Uithof displays the unusual design ethos that so many of us associate with the avant-garde Dutch. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the campus’s Educatorium is a product of Rotterdam native and Pritzker Prize laureate Rem Koolhaas (see Casa da Musica, Porto and Seattle Central Library).

4. Stadion Galgenwaard

If you visit Utrecht, you simply must attend a football match at Stadion Galgenwaard, where home side FC Utrecht sells out every time.

3. Dick Bruna Huis

The creator of “Miffy” is perhaps the most famous Utrecht native of all. While many may not recognize illustrator Dick Bruna by name or face, they certainly know his body of work. The Dick Bruna Huis is a wonderful tribute to the artist.

2. Oudegracht

Utrecht’s Oudegracht, or “old canal”, is the ideal spot for a bicycle ride or stroll through the city.

1. Domtoren

The most conspicuous landmark in Utrecht offers views of Rotterdam and Amsterdam on clear, cloudless days.

Check out terrific deals on hotels in Utrecht.

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