News and Tips #22 - Wednesday, March 25, 2015

In this issue:

-5 Myths about Travelling with Kids | The Looptail, The Travel Blog Powered by G Adventures

-BBC - Travel - Top 21 under-the-radar destinations

-How to Spend 4 Days in New Orleans | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
-The 7 Best Shore Excursions in St. Maarten | TravelPulse

-10 of the World's Hottest Hotel Rooftops
-Border woes: 5 items that will get you in trouble at the Canada-U.S. border
-Which country is South America's second largest?

5 Myths about Travelling with Kids| The Looptail, The Travel Blog Powered By G Adventures

Several years ago, as I was planning a trip to Italy with my toddler son, I asked for travel planning advice and was surprised with this response: "Sorry, but you're a parent now. No more grown-up vacations for you. Try a them park or something." This comment left me feeling judges, as though I was dragging my son to an adult destination for my own benefit. Since then I've noticed plenty of misconceptions about travelling with children, but the following five myths might be...
Read more...


BBC - Travel - Top 21 under-the-radardestinations

From Canada's Yukon wilderness to the mountaintops of India, these unconventional holiday destinations will lead you off the beaten path and onto an adventure all your own.
Read more...






How to Spend 4 Days in New Orleans | Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

New Orleans. NOLA. The Big Easy. A city by many names, all conjuring the jovial "Laissez les boys temps rouler!" ("Let the good times roll!") attitude towards life the city is famous for. New Orleans if filled with scrumptious French-inspired Creole and Cajun food, live jazz music, street performeres, and an appreciation for...
Read more...


The 7 Best Shore Excursions in St. Maarten | TravelPulse

The part-French, part Dutch-owned island of St. Maarten/St. Martin is a hub that most cruise lines include on Caribbean itineraries. Cruise travelers will find an array of shore excursion options ranging from relaxin beach breaks and snorkelling to zip line adventures and aerial hover boarding. Here are some of the island's most...
Read more...


10 of the World's Hottest Hotel Rooftops

Maybe it's the weather, the view or both but there is something magical about being high up and seeing things from a different perspective. That is why we have compiles a list of the top 19 hotel rooftops around the world that you simply have to visit.
Read more...





Border woes: 5 items that will get you in trouble at the Canada-U.S. border

Nora Fitzgerald had no idea when she tried to cross the border to the U.S. that her seal-skin purse, an accessory that was drawing many compliments, would be confiscated. Since seals are on the endangered list, U.S. customs seized the piece, slapped her with a $250 fine and a threat she could be denied future entry unless she paid up.
Read more...




Which country is South America's second largest?

South America is home to 19 countries and an incredibly diverse geography. The site of ancient civilizations, European colonies and emerging world powers, South America will play an increasingly large role in the 21st century and beyond. But can you distinguish between Guyana and Guyana? Can your sort your - guys?
Read more...

News and Tips #8 - Mardi Gras - February 17, 2015

Today is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday.  It marks the last day of the pre-Lenten festival of Carnival.

For most North Americans, thoughts of Mardi Gras always focus on New Orleans which has its well-known festival.  It is a great time of fun and revelry.

While Mardi Gras is now a time honoured tradition in,  and synonymous with New Orleans its roots lie elsewhere in the South.  It seems that first recorded Mardi Gras was held in Mobile, Alabama in 1703, and it is still celebrated today.  That is a lot of time to do it right.  From there Mardi Gras spread to other cities in the South, as well as other cities across the USA that have their own version of Mardi Gras.

To better understand what Mardi Gras is all about it is good to have an understanding of some of the traditions and vocabulary associated with the festival.  Purple, green and gold are the colours of Mardi Gras.  Not only do the colours represent virtues, there is also an historical significance in their choice.

While visiting New Orleans, if you want to fully see the city and what it is all about it is best to go into the French Quarter beyond Bourbon Street, and the rest of the city.  Experience some of the sights, sounds and flavours that have given New Orleans its character.

If you haven't been able to attend Mardi Gras this year, or if you haven't yet had enough of it, perhaps tonight's (February 17, 2015) episode of NCIS: New Orleans will help.  The show will have a Mardi Gras theme.  Great care was taken to recreate an authentic Mardi Gras atmosphere for the show.

References:

-The Pussyfooters - New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras - Pictures - CBS News
-Mardi Gras: Not just in New Orleans - USAToday
-Mardi Gras outside New Orleans? Here's how other cities celebrate - nola.com
-Top 10 Mardi Gras Traditions You Should Know - theculturetrip.com
-Beyond Bourbon Street: 10 Things You Don't Know About New Orleans - Conde Nast Traveler
-Mardi Gras by the Numbers: "NCIS New Orleans" Lets the Good Times Roll - Yahoo TV

Let the Good Times Roll - Carnival 2015

With Lent about to begin this Wednesday (February 18), it's the height of Carnival season around the world....

Rio di Janeiro, Brazil

Nice, France

New Orleans, USA

Venice, Italy

Port of Spain, Trinidad

Quebec, Canada

Laisse le bon temps rouler!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate.  It's a time to close the year that is passed and look forward with hope to the year ahead.

While many people will mark the moment in the quiet of their own home, others will party with friends, and others will celebrate at some special New Years event.

Here is a list of some New Years Eve events around the world.  It will take some planning to get to some, so perhaps it's time to plan for next year.  

The Big Apple - New York City is the probably the best known location for New Year's celebrations.  For years people have been going to Times Square to watch the entertainment, the ball drop, and to bring in the New Year.  Others have been watching the event and entertainment on the television for years.

Sydney - Be among the first to celebrate ringing in the New Year.  Join the crowd down on the Harbour watching the fireworks with the backdrop of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Have a meal or a drink at a bar or restaurant in The Rocks.  It's summertime in Sydney so no need to dress in layers.  Arrive early to claim your viewing spot as the best ones fill quickly.

Rome - The Eternal City can be a great city to ring in 2015.  Fireworks can be observed all over the city.  One of my most memorable travel experiences was the fireworks display at Circo Massimo, the site of the Roman chariot races. With some of the Roman ruins in the background, fireworks went off silhouetting the buildings.  In another part of the city, Villa Borghese befittingly has classical music, fireworks and traditional Italian food.  There is much going on in the city...seemingly everywhere...seemingly endless.

Cape Town - While next day is the beginning of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, plenty happens on New Year's Eve.  The waterfront is the scene of a concert and fireworks display.  As well other concerts and events are held as Cape Town brings in the New Year and parties well beyond midnight.  The Minstrel Festival or "Kaapse clops" keeps the party going.  It has colourful parades, along with dancers, musicians, and minstrels.

Toronto - Nathan Philips Square in the city centre is the main location of Toronto's New Year's Eve celebrations.  There is live entertainment which starts early in the evening.  You can put on skates and blade around the rink at the Square to bring in the New Year.  At midnight fireworks are lit to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.  There are also celebrations in other parts of the city.  A variety of activities are available for the whole family.

Niagara Falls -  Celebrate New Years Eve in Victoria Park, with the backdrop of Niagara Falls.  Activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with live music and entertainment.  Included in this year's list of entertainers are Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Lights, and Shawn Mendes.  There are fireworks at both 9:00 p.m. and midnight.   All of this and more, and it's free.      

New Orleans - To mark the New Year, there is a fireworks display that erupts over the Mississippi River.  In a take-off of New York's famous ball, there is the Fleur de Lis drop from the roof of a building in Jackson Square which is the centre of the festivities.  The French Quarter is alive until the early hours of New Year's Day with music and people.   

Orlando - One could say it's like New Year's Eve every day at Disney World, but on New Year's Eve it is even more so.  The party goes on all day in the park with live entertainment which includes Cirque du Soleil presentations.  There are fireworks 'a la Disney' at midnight, and the celebrations continue until 1:00 a.m.  This is definitely a party for everyone in the family.

Paris - The City of Lights throw a big party for New Year's Eve.  Street parties are everywhere.  The Champs-Elysees is the main area for the festivities, as well as around the Eiffel Tower for the fireworks display.  Clubs, restaurants and bars are open quite late to let you celebrate and dance away the first hours of the New Year.  Up in Montmartre there is a more causal street party, and while a distance away from the Champs-Elysees, the plaza around Sacre Coeur allows a great view of the city and the fireworks.  For something more romantic take a cruise along the Seine to bring in the New Year. 

Edinburgh - Hogmanay is the name the Scots give to New Year's celebration which begin on December 30 and last for three to four nights.  A torch procession starts the celebrations.  Street parties take place with the biggest one running the full length of Princes Street on December 31.  To mark the New Year a fireworks display takes place above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.

London - London pulls out all the stops for the biggest party of the year. Over 250,000 people cram along the boats and banks of the River Thames and its surrounding bars and restaurants for a prime view of the night's events. As the epic countdown begins and Big Ben strikes midnight, the city erupts in a dramatic 10-minute light show and firework display, set to a backdrop of the towering London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster.  Festivities don't end on New Year's Eve though -- there's a three-hour parade in central London on New Year's Day, with colourful floats, marching bands, costumed dancers and a procession of the Queen's horses.

Vienna - Vienna provides a cultural and classical theme for New Years with a lot to do in this  city already decorated for the Christmas markets which are now New Years fairs.  The fireworks are at the Wiener Prater.  The Grand Ball is at the Hofburg Palace,  There are other balls and galas, as well as concerts, even dinner cruises along the Danube.  And the party doesn't stop that night.  The next day, a crowd gathers in the square of the City Hall to watch the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra perform their New Year's concert on a large screen TV.

Not enough time to plan for New Years 2015?  There's always Hong Kong and the Lunar New Year.  This year, the Year of the Goat, begins on February 19.  Or start planning now for New Years 2016.

And now to decide....