You saw the movie (well, mini-series), now get the book.  And a DVD of the mini-series and the original soundtrack. The book, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, is companion piece to the mini-series, but is also capable of standing on its own merits.  It is a captivating visual reminder of the very best that we have to offer.  Ken Burns is a marvelous storyteller, and he has captured the essence of who we are as a society in the series and book.  In his introduction he speaks about the park system, “for the first time in human history, land–great sections of our natural landscape–was set aside, not for kings or noblemen or the very rich, but for everyone, for all time.” The book was written with Dayton Duncan,... [Read more]

As much as I try to take my holidays one at a time, and Halloween is still weeks away, there’s no getting around the fact that people are getting ready for Christmas.  So, I’m being drug, kicking and screaming, into my first holiday post! One of the popular places to be during the holiday season, is New York City.  From the beautifully decorated department store windows, to ice skating at Rockefeller Center, to the parade and the Rockettes, and everything else that the city has to offer. One of the highlights of the season is the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center.  The tree overlooks the ice rink, and the promenade leading to the ice rink from 5th Avenue, and is one of the most recognizable holiday symbols.  If you’re making... [Read more]

It’s not often that affordable and luxury are used in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what the Signature at MGM Grand Las Vegas is trying to offer its guests. The Signature is a slice of heaven, located just of the famous Las Vegas Strip, and is part of the MGM Grand resort complex.  It offers a non-smoking, non-gaming atmosphere, rather different than the usual Las Vegas experience.  The hotel offers all-suite, very luxurious, accommodations, and access to top notch dining, amenities, and personalized guest services.  All that, and you only steps away from the MGM Grand and its spa, nightlife, shops, and gaming. It’s easy to be convinced of the luxury of the Signature, but how about that affordable part?  Right now the Signature... [Read more]

Culinary travel has become a popular vacation choice, and travelers try to get a little value-added out of their vacation budget.  What a great memory of your vacation when you can whip up a specialty dish when you get back home!  That’s a vacation experience that you’ll be able to enjoy for a lifetime.  But what if you can’t get away to that exotic sushi school in Japan, that pasta class in Tuscany, or that pastry class in France? In that case, consider a vacation in Boston, and take a class at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. The array of classes include “Back to Basics” which introduces the art of sauces.  You’ll get a brief history lesson, then head into the test kitchen to master some of the basic sauces and learn... [Read more]

You’ll need to act fast on this deal, but starting October 9th, the US Virgin Islands is taking reservations for its Cent-sational Promotion!  What this means for you is a chance to scoop up a room rate of 25 cents per night at participating hotels.  Sponsored by the USVI Department of Tourism, this special promotion will be on sale for 25 days, and is timed to celebrate the issuance of the US Virgin Island’s quarter. St Thomas, US Virgin Islands There are sorts of perks that come with this Cent-sational Promotion including: 25 cent room nights at participating hotels, maximum stay of three nights $25 per person dining  credit $25 resort activity credit Virgin Islands commemorative quarter Scotiabank coin set There is, of course, some... [Read more]