Not Your Grandma’s (But Maybe Your Mom’s) Vegas

Best For: Luxury, Nightlife, Culinary Scene, Shopping

Best Time to Visit: Year-Round

Retro Vegas Welcome Sign

A few years back, my company sent me to Salt Lake City for training. I had always wanted to see Las Vegas, and its proximity to Utah made it the obvious trip add-on. I invited my mom, who would never say no to a free hotel stay and some mother-daughter bonding time. We were expecting to be fish out of water in the flashy city and were treating the trip as sort of an anthropological study; “Let’s go observe all the wild, garish people thrive in their natural habitat” we thought. Upon exploring, we realized that the city has evolved into so much more than just a playground for debauchery. We enjoyed first-rate meals, a comedy show, and great shopping. Neither of us put so much as a nickel into a slot machine, though we did partake in more than a few adult beverages. There was so much we wanted to cram into our weekend that we called the airline to inquire about pushing back our flight date. Steep change fees cut our fun short, but we’ve vowed to go back and experience more of this vacation crowd-pleaser.

Luxury:  Those who live in the lap of luxury (or who want to pretend like they do for a few days), will be very comfortable in Las Vegas. Each hotel tries to outclass the next with its over-the-top suites and high-end amenities. The city’s five-star restaurants, trendy nightclubs, chic shopping, high-stakes gambling tables, and relaxing spas provide A-list elites with a wealth of opportunities for blowing excess cash.  

The Strip
Photo courtesy of PDPhoto.org

Nightlife/Entertainment:  Between the windowless casinos and alcohol-induced hazes, it can be difficult to distinguish between night and day on a trip to Vegas. During whichever hour you prefer to play, there are entertainment options galore. Daytime activities range from thrill rides to zoos and botanical gardens. The city’s after dark scene is unparalleled – each establishment pulls out all the stops to lure you through their doors, creating spectacles around every corner. Partygoers will have their choice of bars, nightclubs, lounges, and strip clubs. Those looking for tamer options can have a classic night at the casino or check out one of the many spectacular shows. For a more offbeat experience, try downtown in all its vintage, old school Vegas glory. If you feel overwhelmed by all the entertainment options, leave the planning to the experts at the Vegas travel site; their travel tips section gives suggestions tailored to your personality and trip needs.

The Bellagio Lobby Ceiling

Culinary Scene:  All of the big shot chefs have restaurants in Las Vegas, which means you don’t have to city hop to try out gourmet dishes from Guy Savoy, Thomas Keller, Joel Robuchon, and Mario Batali. For those who want to get more grub for their buck, try one of the ubiquitous all you can eat buffets (the Aria, Bellagio, and Wynn have the best spreads), or one of the many burger joints popping up throughout the city. Or, venture off the strip and discover one of the hidden culinary gems found in the surrounding shopping plazas.

Shopping:  Vegas has risen to be one of the premier shopping cities in the world. High-end designers, such as Versace and Louis Vuitton, have set up shop throughout the big casinos. The most luxe galleries are the Forum Shops (Ceasars), Miracle Mile (Planet Hollywood), and the Grand Canal Shops (the Venetian). Budget conscious shopaholics will also find standard mall stores scattered throughout the casinos, but aggressive bargain hunters can head off the strip to one of the city’s three outlet malls.

If you're feeling over-stimulated after your stint in Vegas and are looking for some relief from the madness, visit one of the many nearby National Parks.  Popular ones include Zion and, of course, the Grand Canyon.   



Wiener Eistraum 2013 - Vienna Ice Dream

Bécsi jeges álom 

Pretty ice skating ring in front of the Rathaus (City Hall, Vienna)
Helyes kis jégpálya a bécsi Rathaus (Városháza) előtt



I just tell this story quietly: when I made this picture, there was a young couple in front of me, Hungarians, and the boy was explaining with his great knowledge: ""See? Icetraw-mh, it means ice current."

(Eis=ice, Traum=dream, and what he meant was Strohm=current... :-)
Halkan jegyzem meg: amikor ezt a képet készítettem, ott sétált előttem egy fiatal magyar pár, szépen nézelődve, és a fiú nagy komoly tudósan magyarázott: "Látod? Ájsztróm, azt jelenti, hogy jégáram."

(Eis=jég, Traum=álom, amire pedig ő gondolt: Strohm=áram... :-)

Anyway, it was really nice, maybe I will try it tomorrow or on Friday, this seems to be one thing to do in Vienna right now:
Sebaj, mindenesetre nagyon kellemes; lehet, hogy holnap vagy pénteken kipróbálom, úgy tűnik, ez az egyik dolog, amit most itt Bécsben érdemes csinálni:

By the way, André Rieu's concert DVD was shot partly here, that you can see at the end of this post
Mellesleg André Rieu koncert DVD-jének néhány részét itt vették fel; ennek a bejegyzésnek a végén van

*****

Beside being a singer and going wherever my performances take me, these are the top resources which make it possible for me to live one of my dreams and travel - they can help you as well to live as you would like to, have a look here

www.AndreaGerak.com
Contact / Kapcsolat
Skype: andrea.gerak

Five Offbeat Family-Friendly Destinations in Europe

The major metropolises of Western Europe are family-friendly, but they’re also everyone-friendly. Chances are, if you’re well traveled, you (and maybe your children) have already seen Paris, London, and Rome. So, if you’re looking for something different, or if you’re not interested in chasing your kids through urban hustle and bustle, consider taking your next family vacation to one of these more offbeat European destinations.

Devil's Bridge, Kassel, Germany
Photo by Matthias Stump

Fairy Tale Road, Germany:  Northeast of Frankfurt, between the towns of Hanau and Bremen, is a land of castles, cobblestone, wizards, and witches. Crossing through the home of the Brothers Grimm, Germany’s Fairy-Tale Road is thick with images that arouse whimsical imagination in the most unbelieving of mortals. Wind your way through the towns of half-timbered houses and the imposing forests that inspired the settings for your children’s favorite fables, including Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood. Towns along the road embrace their storied history with puppet-shows, open-air plays, and medieval feasts. 

Lapland, Finland:  Your children will happily brave the elements for the opportunity to meet the “real” Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is home to Kris Kringle, and the city has embraced the honor with a kitschy homage that kids will love and adults will tolerate. You can visit the Santa Claus Village year round, but it’s most festive during the holiday season when there’s that unmistakable Christmas cheer in the air. Highlights include the North Pole’s post office, an exhibition on Christmas celebrations from around the world, and Santa Park, an underground theme park chock-full of holiday spirit. A bonus for parents: Lapland has stunning unspoiled landscapes and good vantage points for viewing the spectacular northern lights.   

Transylvania, Romania
Photo by Eugen

Transylvania, Romania:  Transylvania is not the unearthly land portrayed by Bram Stoker, though it can evoke a slight feeling of eeriness that visitors may find hard to shake. The region holds fast to its Dracula connection; there’s Castle Bran, which is said to be the home of the Count, a number of other Saxon fortresses, and vampire-themed hotels and cafes. Really, Transylvania is more of a pastoral region with charming, old architecture. Still, you won’t have much trouble convincing your children of its place in mythical history. And parents will love the price--Transylvania is relatively inexpensive compared to similar destinations in neighboring Western Europe.

Loire Valley, France:  This ostentatious French region is home to some of the world’s most opulent chateaux. Adults and kids alike will enjoy promenades through perfectly manicured gardens and waltzes through the grand hallways of the country’s Renaissance. Don’t miss  Chambord, the second largest palace in France (next to Versailles), or Chenonceau, with its enchanting bridge arching over the River Cher. The castles’ delightful neighboring towns will give your children the urge to sing in the streets, Beauty-and-the-Beast style.



Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley, France

 Odense, Denmark:  Birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, author of famous fairytales such as The Little Mermaid and Thumbelina, Odense celebrates the storywriter with statues, parades, and a museum. Perhaps influenced by its most famous citizen, the town has evolved into a child’s wonderland. There’s a railway museum, one of Europe’s best-preserved water castles, and an impressive zoo. Nearby Billund is home to Legoland, another family-friendly Danish destination.  The kids will be especially happy if you stay at Lalandia, a resort complex with an indoor waterpark.

Mohnkuchen in Vienna

Mákossüti Bécsben

I so love this part of the world!

Annyira szeretem a világnak ezt a részét! 

In Central Europe and in Germany, poppy seed is broadly used for various cakes and in Hungary, we even have a couple of main dishes with it that everyone likes, so I grew up with this yummy stuff, un-imaginable for many in other countries. 

Közép-Európában és Németországban a mákot széles körben használják süteményekhez, Magyarországon pedig főétel-féléink is vannak vele, amiket mindenki szeret, így hát ezzel a finomsággal nőttem fel, ami más országokban elképzelhetetlen.

Oh, did I have a problem in all those years in Sweden where they only use it occasionally, to spread it on top of bake rolls, you can't just really buy it in the shops. Had serious cravings after Mákostészta & Co., but now I am back here, close to home and here in Vienna they have some variation of Mohnkuchen everywhere.  

Jaj, micsoda bajban voltam a svédországi éveim alatt, ahol csak alkalomszerűen használják a mákot, és csak arra, hogy a zsemle tetejét megszórják vele, és nemigen lehet kapni. Súlyosan sóvárogtam mákostésztára és társaira, de most, közel az otthonhoz, és itt, Bécsben  mindenhol lehet kapni valamiféle mákos süteményt.

The other small piece with the small cup of coffee was for an old lady who sat down to my table and we had a nice chat.
A másik kis darab a kis kávéscsészével egy idős hölgyé, aki odaült hozzám, és kellemesen elbeszélgettünk egy kicsit. 

Enjoying speaking Deutsch: I have lived in German-speaking areas for a bit more than 3 years and that was already 10 years ago - I speak it still much better than Svenska where I lived for almost 7 years, recently. Hm.
Élvezem, hogy németül beszélek: valamivel több mint 3 évig éltem német nyelvterületen, de az már jó tíz éve volt - mégis sokkal jobban beszélem, mint a svédet, ahol eddig majdnem 7 évet éltem. Hm.

*****

Beside being a singer and going wherever my performances take me, these are the top resources which make it possible for me to live one of my dreams and travel - they can help you as well to live as you would like to, have a look here

www.AndreaGerak.com

Snapshot Sunday: Lavaux Vineyards, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Photo Friday: Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest, Hungary

Gloriette of Schönbrunn, Vienna

A bécsi Schönbrunn Gloriette-je

Climbing up to the Gloriette on a sunny day from here, off-path in the snow and in slippery shoes, was almost like serious hiking.
Innen felmászni a Gloriette-hez szép napsütésben, az ösvényről letérve, csúszós cipővel a hóban, majdnem felért egy tisztességes kis hegymászással.

If you click on this picture, then Actions, View all sizes;, you can see in a larger photo the tiny people struggling their ways up in the snow. A little later, I was one of them:
Ha erre a képre kattintasz, majd Actions, View all sizes, a nagyobb méretű fotón megláthatod a pici emberkéket, ahogy felfelé küzdik magukat a hóban. Egy picivel később én is egy voltam közülük:





















Sitting on a bench, having a salad for lunch, getting some sun and enjoying this view:
Ülök egy padon, salátát ebédelek, süt rám a Nap, és ez a látvány tárul elém:



And up there:
És fent is vagyunk:







Two Swedish girls:
Két svéd lány:





The Gloriette where Franz Joseph I, used to have his breakfast, among other functions of this pavillon, today has a café.
A Gloriette-ben, ahol többek között I. Ferenc József költötte el reggelijét, a pavilon egyéb funkciói mellett, ma kávézó működik. 

More info about Schönbrunn on their official website
Még több infó a Schönbrunnról   a hivatalos weboldalukon.

*****

Beside being a singer and going wherever my performances take me, these are my top recommendations which make it possible for me to live one of my dreams and travel - they can help you as well to live as you would like to, have a look here

www.AndreaGerak.com

Take Your Next Coffee Break in Seattle

Best For:  Culture, Nightlife, Culinary Scene, Natural Beauty, Outdoor Activities

Best Time to Visit:  May through September

I was expecting a bit more pow from Seattle. For a city with a reputation for having a lot of character, everything seemed a little bit understated; now I realize that subtlety is part of the Seattle charm. There’s no flash, but the city certainly has its own kind of pizzazz. It’s quirky, chill, intellectual, and fun without feeling the need to brag about it. Used to a more conservative vibe, I wondered if my East Coast attitude would glare in the city’s shabby-chic dive bars. But the open-minded locals barely took notice -- and if they did notice, they didn’t seem to care. After all, you would have to be fairly laid-back to handle 300 cloudy days per year, so dealing with a feisty and opinionated consultant is probably only slightly amusing at best.  

Cityscape with Mount Rainier 

Culture:  Many American cities have long been associated with various scenes. Washington, DC is synonymous with politics, and L.A. is home to the glitzy motion-picture industry. Seattle, still in its infancy as a city, seems to embrace its youth with the fickle angst of a teenager struggling to find identity through rebellion. Home to hipsters and the birthplace of grunge, the city always seems to be leading the counter-culture pack. Its eccentric vibe combines with an entrepreneurial spirit to attract people who are an interesting blend of unconventional and Type A. During a visit here, the best way to get immersed the culture is to hang with the locals in the thriving art galleries and music venues.

The Space Needle

Nightlife:  Much like its inhabitants, Seattle’s nightlife can best be described as quirky and offbeat.  Where else can you find a bar in a converted funeral home or one that doubles as an arcade offering 16 vintage pinball machine games?  Nightclubs are hard to come by; in this city, music is played by bands, not spun by DJ’s. Pioneer Square is for rowdy 20-somethings, Belltown’s cocktail lounges offer a more upscale experience, and Capital Hill has a thriving gay scene.

Culinary Scene:  Adventurous chefs and fresh seafood make Seattle a noteworthy food town. Restaurateurs increasingly have a farm-to-table philosophy, making it likely that your meal will be made using fresh, organic ingredients. Seattle also shines in the beverage department. Take a peek inside the original Starbucks in Pike Place Market just to say you saw it, but get your morning joe somewhere else; the city is filled with offbeat coffee houses vying to make you the best latte in town. The city has a number of microbreweriesserving evening (or afternoon) refreshments.  And don’t forget about the wine: Washington State is one of the leading producers in the country and makes especially good Rieslings.

        

Mountain View from Bainbridge Island Ferry

Natural Beauty:  Nicknamed “The Emerald City” after the lush evergreens surrounding its urban center, Seattle has the feeling of a city that was plopped down in the middle of a forest.  The mountainous views add to the city’s natural feel.  On a clear day, you can see the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east, the crown jewel of which is Mt. Rainier.  The best way to enjoy the scenery is to take a ferry across the Puget Sound to charming Bainbridge Island.  Or, take a day trip to some of the scenic wonders on the outskirts of the city.  Favorites include the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula and the glaciers of Mount Rainier National Park.

   

Boating in Seattle

Outdoor Activities:  It makes sense that a city with such beautiful natural surroundings would have plenty of options for enjoying the outdoors. Parks come in all shapes and sizes and range from city-center greens to heavily-forested nature reserves. Try Kerry Park for famous cityscape views, Gas Works Park for people watching, or Seward Park for nature walks.  Boating is big here, and plenty of companies offer kayak and canoe rentals.  For those willing to leave the city limits, there are plenty of skiing and hiking options in the surrounding mountainous areas.  

After a few days in Seattle, urban dwellers will want to either head south to the city's little brother, Portland, or cross the Canadian border into the more cosmopolitan Vancouver.  

For devoted nature lovers, Seattle might be no more than a short stopover.  Head north to the San Juan and Victoria Islands, west to the Olympic Peninsula, or East to the Cascades for some of the most beautiful wildlife that the region has to offer.  

Spring is coming to Schönbrunn

Schönbrunnba jön a tavasz

Back on the road!
Újra úton!

After living in Sweden for a good couple of years (and feeling like a bird being in a beautiful but remote and small cage), now the world is in front of me again :-)
Jópár évi Svédországi élet után (ahol úgy éreztem magam, mint egy madár egy gyönyörű, de távoli és szűk kalitkában), most újra itt van előttem a világ! :-)

I was back with my parents in Hungary for the last 2 months and in the past few days I hit the road. First stop from Budapest: Vienna, Austria. I lived here for one year in 1999-2000, and believe it or not, I didn't have any camera to take photos! Now I am catching up :-)
Otthon voltam két hónapig, néhány napja pedig ismét úton. Első állomás Budapestről: Bécs, Ausztria. Éltem itt egy évig, 1999-2000-ben, és ha hiszitek, ha nem, semmilyen fényképezőgépem nem volt, amivel fotózhattam volna! Hát most egy kicsit bepótolom :-) 

Wonderful, almost spring day in Schönbrunn Castle Park, which is one of the top sights in the former capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire - or the City of Music. (It is easy to get there: you take the green metro line in the direction of Hütteldorf, to the station called - Schönbrunn)
Csodálatos, majdnem tavaszi nap a Schönbrunn kastély parkjában, ami a régi Osztrák-Magyar Birodalom fővárosának és a Zene Városának egyik legfőbb látványossága. (Könnyű oda eljutni: zöld metróval Hütteldorf irányába, a Schönbrunn nevű állomásig).

Maria Theresia and Franz Joseph with Sissi lived in this beautiful place - 10 minutes walk from where I stay at the moment:
Mária Terézia, meg Ferenc Jóska Erzsébettel ezen a szép helyen laktak - tízpercnyi sétára tőlem:



















Up on the hill, the Gloriette awaits, next time we climb up there:
A dombon a Gloriette vár; legközelebb oda mászunk fel:



And in the evening, my host put on a DVD, André Rieu's spectacular super show at this very location, enjoy some imperial feeling:
Este pedig a vendéglátóm berakott egy DVD-t, André Rieu látványos szupershow-ját ezen a helyen; íme egy kis császári fíling:

*****

Beside being a singer and going wherever my performances take me, these are the top resources which make it possible for me to live one of my dreams and travel - they can help you as well to live as you would like to, have a look here

www.AndreaGerak.com

Where in the World is the Amazing Race Going This Season?

Though I’ve been watching The Amazing Race since I was a kid, I must admit that I’ve missed a few seasons here and there.  My interest in the race was strongly renewed when I ran into the show’s host, Phil Keoghan, during my last trip to New York.  He told me he was filming a documentary on the Tour de France (in Brooklyn??).  He was absolutely delightful and 100% engaging – I literally bounded away from our conversation giggling and clapping my hands together like a schoolgirl.  With the advent of my blog coinciding so nicely with the show’s 22^nd season premier, I am taking the opportunity to do a little homage (see stalkerish picture, above) to the race and its hunky host. 

Even after 21 seasons of the Amazing Race, there are many locales the show has yet to explore, as well as some old standbys that haven’t been visited in awhile.  Diehard fans know that the show has already released the locations for five of the filming sites (indicated with an * in the list below).  It’s my mission to fill in the gaps.  

Starting line:  Los Angeles, California*

1^st stop:  Bora Bora* 

2^nd stop:  New Zealand*

3^rd stop:  Chiang Rai, Thailand:  The race has gone to Northern Thailand before, but not since season 2 when they visited Chiang Mai.

4^th stop:  Botswana*

5^th stop:  Albania:  In more recent seasons, the producers have gradually been sprinkling Eastern European destinations into the race itineraries.  They’ve never been to Albania, and the country has become a tourism hotspot in recent years.

6^th stop:  Bernese Highlands, Switzerland*

7^th stop:  Madrid, Spain:  Fun fact - the race has NEVER been to Madrid!  This is especially surprising, given that the city’s airport is a major European transportation hub.  I’m predicting a Spanish stopover in season 22!

8^th stop:  Lima, Peru:  The race has only been to Peru once, and that was way back in season 7.

9^th stop:  Nicaragua:  The race has never been to Nicaragua, but has visited nearby Costa Rica and Panama.

Finish line:  New Orleans, Louisiana:  This is a completely random guess.  I must have Mardi Gras on the mind.

Now I want to hear from you!  Where do you think the lucky contestants will travel to this season? 

Paris, France: The City of Cities

Best For:  Charm, Culture, Culinary Scene, Shopping, and Nightlife

Best Time to Visit:  Year-Round

The Eiffel Tower

The first time I visited Paris, I stayed in the heart of the Latin Quarter, steps from the Sorbonne, surrounded by glamorous, cigarette-smoking, impossibly slender and fashionable youth.  Intimidated, I cautiously ate at the trendy cafés and shopped in the stylish stores of the 5th arrondissement.  This was the stereotyped Paris of my imagination.  The second time I visited, I stayed in the unpretentious Oberkampf.  I remember thinking the first time I walked to the metro stop, "there are real people in this city."  The district's shabby chic coffee shops and wine bars were inviting to this Midwestern girl.  Still, I can't tell you which experience was the better one.  Go to Paris, and go back several more times.  You'll find a different city waiting for you with each trip.   

Charm:  Many European cities are either known for their majestic and opulent landmarks or their quirky and unassuming neighborhoods.  Paris has both.  Visitors will be equally enchanted by the winding streets of the Latin Quarter as they are by the grand boulevards displaying the city’s classic sights.  Spend a significant amount of time just wandering and soaking in the beauty.  A twilight boat tour on the Seine is so dazzling, it can even make Paris skeptics fall in love with the city.

Rooftops of Montmartre

Culture:  First-time visitors will have a list of must-see sights to tick off their itineraries.  The Eiffel Tower, Cathédral Notre Dame, Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Sacré Coeur all give you that “wow, I’m really in Paris” feel and are an essential introduction to the city’s cultural history.  The remainder of your time sightseeing can be spent tailoring your trip to your liking.  Art and museum buffs have plenty of world-class options, including the Musée d'Orsay, which features 19th century impressionists.  History lovers will want to check out Les Invalides, home to Napoleon's tomb.  Those who love quirky and offbeat sights should consider visiting the underground maze of tunnels and skeletons in the Catacombs.

Culinary Scene:  Paris’s culinary scene gives French food fanatics the opportunity to sample dishes from all around the country.  If you choose your restaurant wisely, you will likely get a better version of the food than if you went straight to the source region.  Paris has the second highest number of Michelin star restaurants in the world, just behind Tokyo.  But not every meal is guaranteed to be great. Tourist traps abound, so don't be afraid to ask the locals where their appetites lead them.   

Louvre and Gardens

Shopping:  From the haute couture of the Champs-Elysees to the trendy boutiques of the Marais and the vintage shops in Saint-Germain-de-Pres, Paris has something to offer any type of shopper.  Bargain hunters will want to consider coming in January when the entire city goes on sale.  Très chic shoppers will remember to always greet store clerks with a “bonjour” and bid farewell with an “au revoir.”  

Nightlife: The city’s after-dark scene has a distinctly upscale feel.  Parisians prefer to sip libations in corner cafes, wine bars, and trendy nightclubs -- those visitors who prefer hole-in-the-wall bars or low-key pubs might have a bit more trouble finding a comfortable drinking spot.  If you’re committed to experiencing the Parisian scene, some good choices include the thriving Marais, chic Champs-Elysees, and unpretentious Belleville areas.  For a taste of vintage Paris, roaring 20’s style, try a cabaret in Montmartre. 

France has so much to offer beyond Paris that it gets difficult to choose where to go next.  Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post linking different travel interests to the French regions that offer them.

If you’re hopping on a plane or inter-Europe train after your stay here, Rome, Barcelona, and Vienna are Paris’s most comparable destination rivals.