The Edinburgh Guide – Although it has been called Auld Reekie, it never meant smelly until now.

Wisebread – Good tips for finding free wi-fi at airports.  Unfortunately, some of these means are getting encrypted and/or shut down, but it’s a great starting point.  And why, oh why, can’t there just be free wi-fi at the airport?!

Concierge – From Conde Nast Traveler comes this great guide to tipping around the world.  Read it, print it out for future reference, and understand how tipping appropriately maintains the culture of where you’re traveling.  It’s really not about throwing your money around to feel important!

The London Traveler – The Cult of Mithras, the patron god of the Roman Empire Army, is depicted in statues around the city.  Andrea puts it all together and explains why it’s important to the history of the area.

Wanderlust and Lipstick – What’s worth the money and what’s not.  Mostly not.  A good read on how to avoid the airline fees that plague us all.

Intelligent Travel – A review of S’Mac, in New York City, where the specialty is macaroni and cheese.  Ooooh, oooooh, I love my mac and cheese, and this lower east side restaurant serves their versions of it right in the skillet.  My mouth is watering even typing about it!

Tripso – A great discussion of how social media can help make your vacation better.  Twitter anyone?

Stood There – I love this fun site where there are lists and list of attractions and locations where you must have your photo taken.  Divided up by geography, these lists are a lot of fun.  How many can you check off?

Traveling the Green Way = Travel is certainly not the most green of activities, but seeing the world and learning about other cultures is important.  Jennifer lists a variety of ways to help minimize our traveling impact, giving us good food for thought.

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

While I’m a little less familiar with Saint Paul, I’ve still spent some time in the area.  I still have a few things left to do and see on this list, but here are my Saint Paul list of suggestions:

1. Check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, across from the RiverCentre.  It is surrounded by parks and walkways, and is a wonderful spot to learn and to relax.
2. Take a child or be a child yourself at the Minnesota Children’s Museum (7th Street, between St. Peter and Wabasha Streets).  This is one of the largest children’s museums in the country, and has lots of hands-on exhibits for kids and adults alike.
3. The Minnesota Zoo (nearby in Apple Valley) is home to over 1,700 animals and 800 plant species, and a wonderful escape from the hectic pace of the world.  Get a great overview of the zoo from the monorail.
4. Tour Landmark Center, and its majestic castle-like structure on Rice Park.  This was once the Federal Courthouse, and the site of some infamous gangster trials back in the 1930’s.
5. Visit Landmark Plaza Park and the bronze statues of Peanuts characters Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and Marcie.  Creator Charles M. Schulz was a Saint Paul Native.  (You’ll also find Peanuts characters located on various streets around the city.)
6. Tour the Minnesota State Capitol on a hill overlook downtown Saint Paul, and take a gander at the largest unsupported marble dome in the world.  The capitol is home to some great art as well.  Tours are free.
7. Relax and wander in Como Park.  Beautiful gardens, waterfalls, amusement rides, and more.  The Japanese Gardens are part of a program with Saint Paul’s sister city of Nagasaki, Japan.
8. Valleyfair Amusement Park (in Shakopee) is 68 acres of thrills, and includes a water park.  This is the home of the Renegade, a world class wooden roller coaster.  Lots of options for all ages and all levels of thrill seekers.
9. The Cathedral of Saint Paul (Summit & Selby Avenue) is modeled after Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  Its dome is over 306 feet from the floor to the tip of its cross.  (In photo at right.)
10. Take a ride on the wild side with a gangster tour.  Sure, it’s a bit touristy, but you’ll get to visit some famous gangster crime sites, hideaways, nightclubs, and speakeasies, including Ma Barker’s home and Dillinger’s apartment.
11. Drive down Summit Avenue and take a gander at one of Saint Paul’s most prestigious addresses.  It’s rife with beautiful residential Victorian architecture stretching fours and a half miles to the Mississippi.
12. Go shopping at the area’s most famous indoor attraction – the Mall of America (in photo above).  The place is HUGE!  In fact, if it were all one level it would spread out over 35 city blocks!  There are over 500 shops, 50 restaurants, and 14 movie theaters.  But it’s about more than shopping, there is also Underwater Adventures (a walk through aquarium), NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway (a racing entertainment complex), Nickelodeon University and lots, lots more.

What are your recommendations of things to do is Saint Paul?  Please leave your suggestions in the comments.

Photo credit:  Flickr, Mall of America; Cathedral of Saint Paul

_____________________________________________

Post from: Fly Away Cafe