There are lots of great travel stories this week, and I’m envious that a lot of my pals are currently on the road.  It’s a perfect time to enjoy their travels vicariously, though, so I hope you’ll take time to see what these great travel writers are up to.

• UpUpnAAway is off to exotic Dubai to meet up with her husband.  She’ll be on the road for several weeks and explains how she packs everything she needs using the bundle method.  Everyone has a packing preference, but if you’re struggling to fit everything in, this post offers some good suggestions.
• Musings of the Global Traveler answers questions about elite frequent flyer status.  If you want the best airline experience, status matters.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Boston has a list of 25 FREE things to do in Boston.  In an otherwise expensive city, it’s nice to find some fun, family friendly suggestions that are also free.
• Flight Wisdom attempts to decipher and explain bereavement and emergency fares.  Not every airline has them, and they’re often not great deals, so give this a read before you need to know the info.
• Sharing Travel Experiences talks about the concept of serendipity while traveling.  Good advice and suggestions on how to just let be and let happen.
• Vagabondish has a beautiful photo of La Tossa de Montbui in Catalonia, Spain.
• The Perrin Post shares with us those “secret” booking codes that will help get great deals on luxury hotels.  I know a lot of people that swear by this method, having great luck, but it’s never worked for me.  I’m open to a tutoring lesson!
• Travel Savvy Mom discovers how you can love books and love the Kindle, too.  I’m a Kindle fan for pretty much the same reasons that Kayt outlines.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Washington DC offers tips for enjoying DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival.  Despite some pretty horrible weather, they promise to be spectacular.
• Eyeflare introduces us to the ghost town of Ruby, Arizona.  I love little towns, and especially ghost towns like this, so Ruby is going on the to-see list for next time I’m in the Tucson area.
• italy MONDO has a nice explanation about the wines of Sicily.  Let’s see. . . Italy and wine. . . two of my favorite subjects, so it’s no wonder this post caught my eye!
• The Vacation Gals keep with the wine topic with a review of a travel-sized wine wand.  This is a great gadget for travelers who like opening a bottle while on the road!.  It’s a giveaway, too, so head over to enter before the contest closes on March 16th.
• World Hum talks about the intriguing (or annoying, depending on your view) concept of place-dropping.  No A-lister, celeb names dropped in this group, just marvelously exotic and compelling destinations.
• Europe up Close explains the cafe culture of Athens.  It’s one of the great parts of travel, having a cup amongst the locals, watching the world go by, and deciding what to do or see next.
• Wandermelon introduces us to the modern side of Mexico City, a good reminder of how the old and the new co-exist in the cosmopolitan city.  Long on my list of places to visit, I keep asking myself why I haven’t gotten there yet.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Los Angeles gives us an ethnic tour of Sawtelle Boulevard, explaining its thriving Asian community of shops and restaurants.  Try one of the recommendations.
• Consumer Traveler explores the increasingly common practice of requiring co-payments for using frequent flyer upgrades.  Enough of these fees already!
• Gadling list the 25 greatest cities in the world for drinking wine.  Two Washington locations were on the list – Walla Walla, which makes perfect sense, and Bellingham, which I’m still scratching my head about.

That’s my reading list for this Sunday.  I hope you’ll take a little time out of your day to explore what these writers have to say.  And hey – tell them MJ sent you!

Photo credit:  SXC

If the thought of a beautiful bag, a decadent pair of heels, or the luxurious feel of the fabric of a finely crafted suit make you swoon, then an afternoon on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris may be your definition of heaven.

The  Champs-Élysées is not only one of the most recognized street names in Paris, but in the entire world, and is lined with luxury and specialty shops, theaters, cafes and restaurants.  The street itself is a little over a mile and a quarter long, running from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe in the 9th arrondissement.

The name translates to “Elysian Fields” a reference to the “place of the blessed” in Greek mythology.  With the prices you’ll see at most of these shops and cafes, you’ll need to be blessed, indeed, to make this your prime shopping district.

It’s easy to get caught up in its reputation as the ultimate shopping location, but originally, in the de Medici era, the area was just a field with an associated garden market.  Later, it was the location of two famous marches to celebrate the 1944 liberation of France, one march by the French and the other by American troops.   Even today, the Champs-Élysées tips it hat to history as the location of the annual Bastille Day parade.  And cyclists will know it as the end of the Tour de France.

The Champs-Élysées is always full of people, day or night, attracting crowds for shopping, the theater, and the cafes and restaurants.  Offices are located above the shops, so there are lots of working people, in addition to the tourists.

Shops range from the exclusive to large chains, and include favorites like Nike Paris, Adidas (its largest store in the world), Virgin Megastore, Louis Vuitton (its largest store in the world also), and the fun Drugstore Publicis, which, despite its name, has so many upscale products that it seems a misnomer to call it a “drug” store.

This is really not a street for strolling, rather the rapidly moving crowds pull you along with them.  Step out of the main path to window shop, splurge on a fabulous purchase at one of the shops, or stop for lunch at one of the cafes.  This is an expensive neighborhood, but if you think of it as a full entertainment experience, you’ll more than get your money’s worth.

Photo credit:  personal collection

A trip to the islands isn’t complete without a visit to Hilo Hattie’s.  Some people might call it touristy, but I think of it as one of the rituals of an island visit.

During the 1950-60’s, Hilo Hattie was the stage name for a popular Hawaiian entertainer whose real name was Clarissa Haili.  She was originally a teacher, but achieved fame as a singer and dancer, popularizing a comedic hula-style dancing.

Giant Aloha shirt at Hilo Hattie's

In 1963, a Hawaiian store opened for business, naming the store after the very popular Hilo Hattie.  The store aims to provide one-stop shopping for Hawaiian goods and products, and is the largest Hawaiian retailer and manufacturer of the same.  In memory of the original Hilo Hattie, who passed away in 1979, the store gives scholarships to University of Hawaii students who are pursuing degrees in Hawaiian studies and music.

From Aloha shirts to beachwear and other resort apparel, from traditional muumuus to CD’s and DVD’s, from food products to tableware and candles, from jewelry to body lotions and fragrances, Hilo Hattie’s has it all.

Hilo Hattie’s operates a free trolley service from various Waikiki hotel locations to its flagship store (700 Nimitz Highway, Honolulu, map).  The trolley runs approximately every 20 minutes, so you’re never too early or late to get there.  On the return trip there is also a courtesy drop off at the Ala Moana Shopping Center.

On other islands, check with the front desk of your hotel.  Chances are there’s an easy way to get to a store.

There may be cheaper places to buy an Aloha shirt, but you will find a bit more quality at Hilo Hattie’s.  It’s a shopping experience, with lots of fun souvenir and gift items, food, and there’s always a giveaway or two.  Since the shop has become a tourist attraction, with all the fun and annoyances that involves,you’d be wise to know you’re prices so you’re not feeling ripped off on typical souvenir items.  The sales staff is constantly selling, urging you to make a selection, and lately that has become a real turn off.  Politely indicate that you are “just looking” and they’ll eventually back away, but since I’m rarely in a hurry to make a purchase, I find this very annoying.

Despite what might sound like negatives, Hilo Hattie’s is a good shopping spot.  Cotton  Aloha shirts run around $30, silk running a little more.  There’s a big selection to choose from, and I’ve found the shirts wear and launder well.  There are also lots of fun Hawaiian food products to taste (jams and jellies, seasonings, cooking sauces), body lotions and fragrances in the floral scents of the islands (jasmine, pikaki, plumeria, tuberose) t-shirts and caps, and all sorts of stuff to poke around and look at.  It was a fun way to spend an hour of time.

This store also proudly displays the world’s largest Aloha shirt (in photo above), a size 400XL.  It measures 168 inches (14 feet) around the chest, 161 inches at the waist, and over 60 inches around the neck.  The buttons are made of Koa wood beverage coasters.  The shirt took 26 yards of fabric to create.

There are Hilo Hattie locations on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. They also offer a variety of products in their online store.

Photo credit:  personal collection

This post mentions: Hilo Hattie-The Store of Hi.

It’s been a big news week!  Between the huge earthquake and its aftershocks in Chile, to the tsunami warnings in Hawaii and Japan, there’s plenty of news to capture the attention of travelers.  The devastation and disruption of life has been tremendous, and there is no diminishing the impact it has on travel plans.

In the midst of all this news, however, there are lots of good things in travel going on.  Here are some of them:

• Up, Up and a Gay introduced me to a new organization, and website, the Flight Attendant Appreciation Club.  What a concept!  It’s always nice to be appreciated!
• PlanetEye Traveler – Niagara is a new destination for the magazine, and starts off with a bang with information about Maid of the Mist, the boat that gets you up close to the falls.
• Chris Around the World has photos of Manhattan under a blanket of snow.  These guys just haven’t been able to catch a break lately, and I wonder if the end is in sight.
• Gadling list the 24 greatest cities for drinking beer.  Seattle, with all our local brew pubs, made the list.
• Ottawa Citizen has the scoop on the launch of a new travel magazine focusing on wine travel.  At a time when so many magazines are closing up shop, here’s hoping this one makes it.
• Consumer Traveler reminds us that new credit card laws are on the horizon and they’re going to affect travelers.  It’s not just earthquakes and tsunami that are dangerous!
• World Hum has a great story on getting a driver’s license in China.  The testing part seems easy, it’s the resulting driving that has me a little nervous.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Atlanta had a close up experience with falconry.  Amazing!
• BlogHer Travel has some travel advice for parents traveling with kids who worry about getting seats assigned apart from one another.  And why yes, that is yours truly who was interviewed.
• Italy Mondo has a review of a yummy sounding cookbook, Venerdì Sera, Friday Evening: Creating La Dolce Vita. It’s a great concept, too, the bringing together of people and food to create wonderful memories.
• BNET wraps up the month with the 5 weirdest travel industry stories.  Funny and true.

And finally, my trip to Skamania Lodge, and a beautiful drive along the Columbia River Gorge separating Washington and Oregon.

Have a great week, and please take a few minutes to check out the travel posts that I’ve highlighted here.  I think you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.  And please tell them that MJ sent you!

Photo credit: personal collection

If travel, just for the sake of travel, seems too decadent for you, how about this excuse:  I have to pop down to Argentina to visit my vineyard and check on my wine. OK, I might be overstating things just a bit, but with the Algodon Wine Estates Barrel Ownership program you can combine your love of travel with your love of wine.

Algodon Wine Estates is located in Mendoza, Argentina, an area known as the Napa Valley of South America, and home for production of some top wines.  Now, you can get a barrel of your own.  Purchase it solo, or get together a group of friends, then choose your grape or varietal preference:  malbec, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, bonarda, or chardonnay.

Here’s how it works —

You choose your grape or varietal, and then choose a  French or American Oak wine barrel.  Both are middle toasted to yield a medium oak flavor on the wine.  A winemaker is available for guidance and advice, but ultimately it will be up to you to decide when the wine has aged long enough and it’s time to be bottled.  Of course, you can taste the wine at any time, or many times, during the aging process. The wine will be bottled and branded with a personalized label.

A barrel will yield about 290 bottles of wine and can be used up to three times.  Generally, the second use yields the highest quality wine.

Now, for the travel part!

Each barrel owner gets a complimentary 2-night stay for up to two people at a local resort in order to taste the wine at the end of its first aging period.  Additional stays for tasting will be at your own expense.  What a perfect excuse for an annual trip to Argentina!

Prices for this personal wine barrel ownership start at around $4,500 for the first year, depending on the type of grape(s) and barrel.  This price includes the barrel, wine, labor, bottling, and labeling, but does not include US tax and shipping (estimated at another $1,500).  Barrel refills are currently priced at $2,600, bringing prices down considerably in subsequent years.

Algodon can accommodate barrel partnerships or groups, so if you want to go into partnership with your friends on a barrel, you’ll just have to decide who gets the taste testing trip!  21 and older only.

What a delicious reason to plan a trip to Argentina!

Photo credit:  SXC

It’s been a week of airline drama, with stories ranging from being “too fat to fly” to airlines having unfriendly family seating policies.  There aren’t easy answers to these thorny issues, despite wishing it were so, and the balance of profitability and customer service keeps shifting. and lots of bloggers chimed in on the topic this week.

Here’s some highlights from this past week in travel:

• The Art of Non-Conformity offers tips for stress free travel.  Some practical, some more cerebral, but all good things to keep in mind when you’re on the road.
• Chris Around the World offers some tips for finding 4-star hotels on hotel discount site Hotwire.  I’m a fan of the site as well, and use it frequently here in Seattle for great room deals.
• PlanetEye Traveler – On the Road tempts me to visit Prague with the highlights of the must-do and must-see sights.  There’s good practical info for anyone considering a visit.
• LA Times Travel recommends some useful iPhone travel apps, ranging from very practical to fun.  You’ll want to try them out to see what will make your travel life easier.
• Wanderlust and Lipstick offers a wonderful story about a monk’s approach to easing the stress of air travel.  It’s a good life lesson, not just a travel lesson.
• Euro Cheapo lists ideas for Paris on a budget.  In such a very expensive city, these options can help stretch your travel budget.
• Jaunted explains how social media site Foursquare is being used by travelers.  As a recent fan of the site, I’ve gotten some great suggestions and recommendations by using it.
• Cockpit Chronicles (at Gadling) tells the story of a Captain’s final trip.  I’ve had the honor of working on a final trip, and it was just as memorable of an experience as described.
• Location Independent Professionals offers some personal finance tips sure to help those seeking permanent life on the road.
• The Word Wire lists some romantic places worth a visit even when it’s not Valentine’s Day.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Atlanta writes about a local high school with a performing arts department that trains and performs in Cirque style.  Fabulous!
• Sharing Travel Experiences sweetens us up with a trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, the self-proclaimed Sweetest Place on Earth.
• BlogHer Travel has a balanced piece on the issue of families traveling and getting seated together on the plane.  It includes an interview with yours truly!

I hope you’ll take some time to go read these stories, perhaps meeting a new travel blogger in the process.  And hey – tell them MJ sent you!

Photo credit: SXC

The imposing cylindrical Castel Sant’Angelo, situated along the Tiber River in Rome, was built between 123 and 129 AD.  It was first known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, serving as the resting grounds for the ashes of the Roman emperor.  Ashes of Hadrian’s family, as well as subsequent emperors, joined him there.

Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome Italy

The tomb was ransacked during one of Rome’s less civilized periods, and the Castel Sant’Angelo was later used as a fortress (Popes hid out here), castle (connected to St. Peter’s Basilica by a covered corridor), and prison (executions were held in the interior square).

Today it is the location of the National Museum’s collections of weapons, ceramics, furnishings, and Renaissance paintings, and is still a formidable presence on the Rome’s skyline.

It’s worth stopping by to look at the architecture and history of the building, and the great views, as much as it is to view the collections.  There’s a beautiful papal apartment inside, built to accommodate a Pope in the event of a siege upon the Vatican,  and an interior spiral ramp that dates back to the original mausoleum days.  Rumor has it that there’s also a special art room, but since I didn’t personally see it, it must remain a rumor for me.

The Castel Sant’Angelo is an easy stop off after seeing the Vatican.  Walk back toward the city, and you can’t miss it.  The crowds are substantially less than many sights in Rome, and you can take a far more leisurely approach to what you are seeing.  I’d recommend allowing 60-90 minutes, depending on what piques your curiosity.  And keep your camera handy — there are lots of photo ops!

You’ll find the Castel Sant’Angelo at Lungotevere del Castello 50.  This is near the Ponte Sant’angelo ( St. Angelo Bridge).  Seriously, just head toward the bridge and you can’t miss it.

Open hours are Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am – 6:30 pm.  Closed on Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.

Photo credit:  personal collection

If you find yourself with spare time while waiting for your connection at Dulles Airport, consider getting off property for a few hours at the  Steven F. Udvar- Hazy Center.  A part of The Smithsonian Institute, the Center is a companion facility to the National Air and Space Museum (map), and is located near Washington Dulles International Airport (map).  The two locations have the largest aviation and space collection in the world.

Udvar-Hazy is the President and CEO of International Lease Finance Corp. (a major player in the commercial aircraft business), and the major donor to the Center.  The name honors his efforts to the funding side of the Center in addition to his career in aviation.

The facility is immense, and full of displays, large and small, famous and relatively unknown.  Among the famous are:  the Enola Gay, the SR-71 Blackbird (my favorite display), an Air France Concorde, and the Space Shuttle Enterprise.  Also on view are a variety of experimental flying machines, ultra-light flyers, and military aircraft.

The Space part of the collection is represented by the Space Shuttle, and a variety of other spacecraft, rockets, and satellites, including the Gemini VII space capsule, a Redstone rocket, and the quarantine unit used for the returning crew of Apollo 11.

I recommend wandering through the exhibits and a leisurely pace, stopping when you find something that grabs you’re interest.  Allow a couple of hours for viewing in this fashion, and you’ll get through everything.  The Visitor’s center has a flight plan that maps our important displays and artifacts, so pick one up so you don’t miss any of the big displays.  If you want more guided, in depth information, opt for one of the docent-led tours.

The Center also has an IMAX theater, a flight simulator, and a 164-foot tall observation tower.  The tower provides a nice view of the surrounding areas, as well as a great location for watching take-offs and landings at Dulles.  There is also the requisite food service and museum store.

The Center is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 10 am – 5:30 pm, with extended summer hours till 6:30 pm. There is no admission charge, although daily parking is $15, and free after 4 pm  A 6-visit parking pass is available at a discounted price.  There is a shuttle between the two Air and Space Museums, and between the Center and Dulles Airport.  Check for an updated schedule and fees, and pickup locations.

Photo credit: Photo by Dane Penland, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Copyright: Smithsonian Institution

This post mentions: National Air and Space Museum, and Stephen F Udvar-Hazy Center.

Since it’s President’s Day, I thought a fitting theme for today’s post would be something about one of our Presidents.  There were some obvious presidential choices, but never being one to make the obvious choice, I looked at some that might typically get overlooked.  And that led me to President Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States.

President Warren G. Harding

With a rousing speech from the front porch of his home in Marion, Ohio, Warren Gamaliel Harding launched his campaign for the presidency of the United States.  Historians may argue that Harding was one of the least effective Presidents, but he was certainly an interesting and colorful man, who, right up to his death, led an administration filled with scandal.

The Harding Home, located at 3890 Mt Vernon Avenue in Marion, Ohio (map) has been restored to its original Victorian splendor, and now serves as a historical site dedicated to Harding’s life and Presidency.  Nearly all the furnishings in the home were pieces originally owned by President and Mrs. Harding, making a tour of the home an wonderful step back in time.

Next to the home itself is a separate house that was used as the press house during Harding’s presidential campaign.  It now is used as a museum.

The President Harding Home and Museum is closed during the winter months, and is only open for public tours from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends during September and October.  Hours of operation are Thursday – Sunday, noon to 5 pm.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12, FREE for children 5 and under.  AAA, Senior and Military discounts available.

A visit will appeal to fans of presidential history, lovers of Victorian architecture and furnishings, and political enthusiasts.  For a home tour, along with some time at the museum, allow about an hour and half or so.

Photo credits:  Portrait from wikipedia; home from wikimedia

This post mentions: Harding Home and Museum.

Before you get too engrossed with today’s 2010 Olympic Winter Games coverage, I invite you to spend some time with some great travel posts discovered this past week:  Whether you’re an active traveler, a vicarious traveler, or an armchair traveler, you’ll find something to capture your imagination.

A neighborhood in Paris

• Euro Cheapo suggests that sometimes the best choice in Paris is to splurge.  I couldn’t agree more.  My daily splurge was a cafe au lait, a croissant,, a book, and an hour or so to some people watching.

• Planet D offers solid advice for how to take care of your relationship when engaged in long term travel.  Heck,this advice is good even when you’re getting away for a weekend.
• My Bella Vita has tips for finding a job in Italy, essential information for anyone who may be planning to stay for awhile.
• PlanetEye Traveler – Amsterdam tells the history of a palace with no royals.  It’s an official building, to be sure, but perhaps calling it a palace is a bit of a misnomer.
• Consumer Travel takes us inside Inn Boonsboro, an inn owned by successful romance writer Nora Roberts.  Perfect for a Valentine’s Day getaway, or any romantic occasion at all.
• Gadling offers solid advice on how to pack for back-to-back trips.  Since I often do this myself, I’d offer my key tip – have separate supplies of things that stay in your bag and never have to be unpacked.  It’ll save on forgetting toothpaste or deodorant, and give you less to worry about at home.
• Sosauce wows us with some interesting facts from around the world.  Did you know that Australia consumes the most ice cream?
• Brilliant Tips invites us to get up close and personal with the giraffes at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi.  It looks like the tall guys get the right of way here.
• Intelligent Travel, still trying to burrow out of the snow, demonstrates the culture exists — even in the middle of a snowstorm.  I loved the snowman depicting the Terra Cotta Warriors (the real ones are on display there).
• LUXUO is excited about the return of the shipboard bon voyage party.  A staple of the cruising set in days gone by, this return is likely related to money making efforts.
• And finally, Ruth, at PlanetEye Traveler – Vancouver, talks about how her heart swells with pride as the Olympic torch runs through her neighborhood, and why she’s proud to be a Canadian.  After watching the opening ceremonies last night, I’d agree – she has plenty of reasons to be proud of what her country is doing.

That’s it for this week.  Enjoy the Olympic Games, enjoy your Valentine’s Day, and enjoy your travels!

Photo credit: personal collection