World in Focus – Travel photography contest open to professionals and amateurs.  Maybe you could win that grand prize – a 10 day safari in Tanzania.
AAA Travel Views – I found myself nodding in agreement as the author explained that he wasn’t a typical Branson visitor, but he made an exception for Paul Revere & the Raiders.  Since they were a band from my teen years, I can relate.
Intelligent Travel – It’s winter down under, and Vivid Sydney is a cultural extravaganza designed to turn the city into a canvas of light and sound.
The Amsterdam Guide – When’s the …read more

There’s nothing like a Las Vegas show to give you fabulous night of entertainment.  At the Palazzo Hotel I recently saw the long running and award winning, Jersey Boys.
If you’ve seen this production before, be prepared for a little upping of the risqué factor here in Las Vegas.  The language is a little coarser, making it, some would argue, a little more authentic.  It’s Jersey, after all.
But the story and the music is the same:  the evolution of the music and the careers of kids from Jersey trying to carve out some success.
Part theater and part concert performance, Jersey …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

Seeing one of my favorite musicals, Phantom of the Opera, in a Las Vegas environment, was a chance that I jumped at.
This Phantom is an all-new production, reuniting the original creative team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Hal Prince.  It’s the same storyline, including all the songs, but has new staging and illusions that are perfectly Vegas-inspired.
Without giving away some of the twists and turns of the plot, the story basically is this:
Young Christine Daae, a member of the chorus at the Paris Opera House, becomes the protege of a mysterious man who lives in the underground world of …read more

If you’re looking for a fun evening in Las Vegas, and one that doesn’t involved cards, dice, and a smoke filled casino, most people look for a show to go see.  That’s what I did during my time in Las Vegas attending the Luxury Travel Expo.
Since I was staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort (where the expo was held), the logical and easy choice was to see Mamma Mia, a theatrical production featuring music by ABBA.
While more of a rocker chick that a disco girl, I nonetheless found this musical immensely engaging and entertaining.  And yes, I found myself …read more

I have a trip to Las Vegas next month, and I kept that in mind in choosing today’s Matchbook Monday. 
On my last trip to Las Vegas, I visited Tao Restaurant, Nightclub, and Lounge.  Located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian (3377 Las Vegas Boulevard South #2025, Las Vegas), it attempts to combine great food, tantalizing eye candy, and a hip vibe, luring in celebrities and those who want to gawk at them.
The nightclub has high energy atmosphere, with a great view of the Las Vegas Strip, go-go dancers, top notch audio and lighting, and expensive cocktails.  …read more

Olvera Street (845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles), also known as El Pueblo Historic Monument, is the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles.  The block-long street, one of the oldest in the city, features historic buildings lining a traditional Mexican style plaza, and is home to one of the most colorful marketplaces that you’ll ever see.
The street was originally a short lane, called Wine Street.  The lane was eventually extended, and the name changed to honor Agustin Olvera, the first county judge of Los Angeles.  Although it became a dirty, unused alley for a period of time, the …read more

No, I wasn’t at Woodstock, although I saw the 1970 Oscar winning movie (Best Documentary), and generally like the music of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair (as it was originally called).
People came from around the country, by car, bus, and on foot to attend a three day music festival, and what would be one of the largest music festivals ever.  Even today, Woodstock remains a turning point of politics and cultural for many Baby Boomers.
The new Museum at Bethel Woods (200 Hurd Road, Bethel, New York), the site of the original Woodstock, opens tomorrow, June 2nd.   The Museum …read more

A Matchbook Monday from a little closer to my home, this week, with the Emerald Queen Casino.
The Emerald Queen is operated by the Puyallup Indian Tribe, and is one of the largest in the state.  When the Emerald Queen originally opened in 1997 it was on an authentic paddlewheel riverboat (called the Emerald Queen) berthed in the Port of Tacoma.  The Emerald Queen developed its reputation of a total entertainment venue, offering a restaurant, buffet, nightclub, and location for headline entertainment and boxing matches. 
Although the casino and its related operations were relocated as part of the Port of …read more

It’s Monday again?  Where did this past week go?
This week’s Matchbook Monday comes from Jon at The DC Traveler and a recent Chicago trip.
Geja’s Cafe is a fondue restaurant/flamenco bar and is located in the Park West neighborhood, just off Lincoln Park (340 West Armitage, Chicago). 
Here’s what Jon has to say about it:
It’s a dark, windowless romantic basement setting, with live flamenco guitarists.  Start with a yummy cheese fondue, then on to steak, lobster and shrimp fondue that you cook in hot oil.  Then it’s the flaming dark or white chocolate dessert fondue with pound cake and fresh …read more