Today’s guest post comes to us from Andy Hayes, also know as the Edinburgh Guide. Offering up great Edinburgh tips and advice, be sure to check out the Edinburgh guide blog before your next trip to the Scottish capital — including exclusive tips for navigating the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts festival.
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Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is a busy place throughout the year – at some point in the history of Edinburgh, someone thought it would be a good idea to combat our fickle and sometimes torturous weather with a series of festivals. Now, I think the …read more

Shopping is one of the top vacation activities, and that’s part of the reason why I’m always on the lookout for great shopping places to write about.  Of course, the other reason is that I love a good shopping spot myself!
A great LA shopping experience, from both the shopping and the experience point of view, is the Rose Bowl Flea Market.  This is not some lightweight flea market, no sirree!  This is a monster event, with over 2,500 vendors attracting 15-20,000 buyers.  Operating the second Sunday of every month, you’ll find vintage jewelry, clothing, handmade crafts, antiques, plants, collectibles, …read more

Well, think again!  And with that slogan, the TriBeCa Film Festival gets ready for its annual run, April 22nd through May 3rd.
Founded in 2001 by Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, the festival was an attempt to revitalize a neighborhood that was laid low as a result of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.  The first festival was held in 2002, and even with only four months of planning, it was a critical, financial, and public success.  Since then it has grown in what it offers, attendance, and a variety of partnerships, and today it is one of the premiere …read more

This summer,  Taos, New Mexico, celebrates the 40th anniversary of the movie Easy Rider, with its Summer of Love Celebration.
For those of you too young to remember Easy Rider, it is one of the iconic movies of the 60’s. 
It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1969, and was both a counterculture classic and a warning against the communal lifestyle and use of drugs popular in the era.  It starred Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, was produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper, and featured music from Steppenwolf, Jimi Hedrix, the Band, and the Byrds.
Dennis …read more

Oh to be a Mummer, now that New Year’s is almost here!
This is the 103rd year for Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day Mummers Parade, and this is one of those festivities that sound like so much fun.  I’m hoping that a few of my Philly readers chime in here and let me know if it’s as much fun as it sounds.  (Kelly?  Caroline?  Anyone?)
The history of the Mummers goes back to the Roman Festival of Saturnalia.  Latin laborers wore masks and marched around giving gifts.  There was also a Celtic version that was a little bit more like trick-or-treat, featuring costumes …read more

Nobody throws a party like New York City, so if you are anywhere in the area you’ll want to catch the 35th annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.
The Parade emphasizes diversity and family as it brings together the myriad economic, ethnic, social, sexual, and racial components of New York City.  Even the NYC Police Department has recognized the Parade for its contribution in making Halloween a safe event, bringing together the community in a creative and playful way.
The parade queues up at 6th Avenue, south of Spring and North of Canal, between 6:30-8 pm. The parade begins 7 pm and …read more

This weekend Santa Anita Race Track will host the the Superbowl of horse racing with the 2008 Breeders’ Cup.
The Breeders’ Cup was started in 1982 as a year end event to honor the premiere horses in the sport.  Originally billed as the richest day in sports, Day 2 of the Breeders’ has now become the second richest day is sports (eclipsed by the Dubai World Cu[ Night) with a total of $25.5 million in purses being awarded over the two days.
I stopped by the sports book here at the Palazzo in Las Vegas and placed a little wager on …read more

You’ll find a kid-sized Halloween celebration at the New York Aquarium’s Ascarium.  The annual festivities include sea monsters, carnival activities, a pumpkin patch, arts and crafts stations, a haunted house, and the Haunted Mine 3-D ride.
Halloween activities are scheduled October 25-26th, and are free with general admission to the aquarium.  (An additional charge applies for the Deep Sea 3D Movie.)
And of course, there’s lot of feeding going on.  Enjoy watching walrus, penguin, or sea otter feeding.  It’s high on the “aaaaaaahhhhh” factor!
The Octopus has to eat, too.  How do you like this Halloween dinner??

Admission is $13 for adults; $10 for …read more

When it comes to shows and attractions, Las Vegas is known for its over-the-top productions, and Halloween is no exception. 
Circus Circus presents Fright Dome, ranked as one of the top five scariest haunted attractions for two years running.
Full of haunted houses (five), live freak shows, rides, scare zones and a few more surprises, Fright Dome runs October 3rd through 31st, 7pm – midnight.  Tickets are $33.95/person, and you can purchase Fright Dome tickets online or by calling the box office at (702) 794-3939.  An extra $15 for a VIP Fast Pass gives you express entry (no waiting on line!) …read more

You can find it at the Adventure Travel Expo in Seattle this weekend, September 13-14th.
I’ve been to the Expo in previous years, and am excited that’s it’s come to my hometown of Seattle.  There lots of great stuff – trade show with great information booths, educational sessions, panels, and presentations.
I’m very pleased to be speaking on a panel myself with a great group of other travel blogging women.  The panel is Wandering Women…Planning Your Next Great Adventure! 
Panel Moderator is Beth Whitman from Wanderlust and Lipstick, and the panel includes  Pam Mandel from Nerd’s Eye View, Chris Mackay from Crooked …read more