Savannah, Georgia on Your Mind

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

Best Time to Visit:  March through July

To me, Savannah seemed a place of interesting contrasts.  It offered most of what I expected from a Southern city (hospitality, a slow pace, and huge helpings of food). But instead of pastel and seersucker, I got thick-framed glasses and pageboy hats. The dive bars radiated sounds of heavy metal, rather than the expected country western. It was like a warmer and more charming slice of Brooklyn. Savannah is the South, but with an edge. If you’ve seen Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you know what I’m talking about.

The Forsyth Park Fountain

Charm:  Nicknamed the “Hostess City,” Savannah welcomes you warmly, but with a mischievous gleam in its eye.  Its people are just as charming as its antebellum architecture, both of which will take you back in time to the pre-Civil War era.  Twenty-two city squares, dripping with Spanish moss and dotted with statues, fountains, and gardens are scattered throughout the historic district. But at night, the city has a much more eerie feel; take a stroll through Bonaventure Cemetery, or go on a ghost tour, if you dare.

Culture:  Each of Savannah’s squares has its own story, and many are home to notable historic buildings. Tour the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts), or check out the Owens-Thomas house, widely considered to be the best example of Regency architecture in the U.S. The city also contains one of the country’s most popular art colleges, the Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is extremely influential within the community; performing arts productions are held in downtown’s Lucas Theatre, and student artwork can be found for sale in city shops.

SCAD Sidewalk Art

Shopping:  Due to its strong link with the art world, visitors can find unique, locally made creations in Savannah’s stores. Downtown’s City Market contains the Art Center, which houses studios and showrooms for local artists. Boutiques range from high-end to vintage to slightly kitschy. Antiques shopping is also very popular here.

Nightlife:  You might think that a town with a “to-go cup” policy (bar customers can literally take their drinks to the streets at the end of the night) would take its partying seriously – and it does, but not in a flashy way. The nightlife scene here is laidback and slow but somehow very alive… much like the city itself.  Atmospheric bars can be found throughout the city, but to take in Savannah’s popular live music scene, head to Congress or River Street. The party explodes for a few days in mid-March; Savannah is home to the second largest St. Patty’s Day party in the country and celebrates with a huge parade and by dying the water of the famous Forsyth Park Fountain green.

House Featured in 
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Culinary Scene:  Though the food scene in Savannah has become more eclectic over the past few years, fried chicken and barbecue are still the kings of this city.  Get ready to loosen your belt buckle – the portions are huge and the temptations plentiful, which are to be expected from the city where Paula Deen has chosen to set up shop.  Visit her Lady and Sons restaurant for some fanfare, or dine in a more dignified style at The Olde Pink House or Elizabeth on 37^th.  Locals know that Wiley’s Championship BBQ has the best brisket in town.  Those with a sweet tooth will want to try the famous pralines at River Street Sweets.   

If you are looking to extend you trip, drive 2 hours north to Charleston, South Carolina.  It’s the more refined version of Savannah.

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.   



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.  

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.   

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Unique is in the Normal

Best For:  Culture, Nightlife, Charm, Shopping, English Widely Used

Best Time to Visit:  April through October

Canals at Day

In my early days as a European traveler, I shied away from Amsterdam.  The canals looked beautiful, and I really wanted to see the Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank house… but the insecure, high school nerd in me thought that I might not be “cool” enough for this city.  “Everyone will know I’m not coming for the sex and drugs!”  I thought the popular tourists would laugh at me for my interest in the architecture.  Pictures conveying the city’s charm eventually lured me in, and I found a pleasant surprise.  Yes, there is legalized prostitution and soft drug use in Amsterdam, but it blends so seamlessly with the other aspects of the city that you barely notice it’s there.  In fact, the city’s laid back vibe can make the most straight-edged among us feel comfortable enough to take a peek in a coffee shop.  

Culture:  In Amsterdam, the everyday and familiar are celebrated, as bike riders mix with brothels, and citizens stroll by “coffee” shops on their way to work.  Museums such as the Hash Museum, Sexmuseum, Torture Museum, and Tattoo Museum shine an introspective light on what outsiders might consider abnormal.  For the more refined visitor, the Dutch celebrate their famous citizens, paying homage to Van Gogh, Anne Frank, and Rembrandt.  2013 is the ideal time to visit the city and partake in its numerous anniversaries and festivals – the Canal Belt turns 400, the Rijksmuseum (featuring Dutch master painters) reopens after a 10-year reconstruction project, and the Van Gogh museum turns 40, to name a few.

Canals at Night

Nightlife:  The city is perhaps best known for its one-of-a-kind nightlife, which is strongly linked to its tolerant culture.  Take a stroll through the Red Light District, where Dutch families live amongst legalized prostitution.  Herbal enthusiasts will be happy to know that the proposed legislation banning marijuana sales to tourists was struck down at the end of 2012, leaving the city’s coffee shops open to foreigners.  Those interested in partaking in a more “traditional” after dark activity may want to cozy up in one of the city’s many brown cafés, which are named for their tobacco-stained walls.

Charm:  Worldwide, Architectural beauty is often celebrated in grand churches and palaces.  Amsterdam’s glory is best reflected in its domestic buildings.  Visitors will be charmed by leisurely strolls through the Grachtengordel(Canal Belt), where they can appreciate the eclectic gables and houseboats.  The canals especially shine at night, when water sparkles under bridges trimmed with white twinkle lights.

Church in the fall

Shopping:  The Negen Straatjes (Nine Little Streets) is a section of the Canal Belt boasting multiple boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries.  The Albert Cuyp market in the South neighborhood has been called the largest and busiest street market in Europe, and is especially good for people watching. 

English Widely Used:  Amsterdam offers the linguistically shy traveler the opportunity to visit a European city that is more exotic than London or Dublin. Nearly everyone in the city is fluent in English – so much so that you might find yourself questioning your own grammar.

Amsterdam is a small city, and many people can see its highlights in about three to four days.  Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:

• Try some of the less frequently visited cities in the Netherlands.  Haarlem, The Hague, and Utrecht are all within an hour’s traveling distance from Amsterdam and have similar attributes, while also enabling visitors to get a more well-rounded Dutch experience.
• If you’re really into the larger cultural powerhouse cities, hop a ferry to London.  Then hop another one to Dublin or take a train up to Edinburgh.