The most recent and rather important discovery is the white marble flight of steps found during excavations undertaken in the course of archaeological surveys for Line C of the underground railroad in Piazza Venezia.

After the discovery of the building that perhaps supported Nero’s rotating dining room on the Palatine, excavations for Line C of Rome’s subway brought to light a building that, according to the first hypotheses made by archaeologists, is thought to be Hadrian’s Academy, built in 133 A.D. to host poets, rectors, philosophers, men of letters, scientists and magistrates.

Hadrian, or Publius Aelius Hadrianus, ruled from 117-138 AD. He was an avid philosopher who was commonly referred to as one of the “five good emperors.” Hadrian’s Wall, in Northern England was built after a great war in what was then called Britannia.

It was an unexpected find as there is no trace of this building even in the Forma Urbis Romae, the map of ancient Rome engraved on marble slabs in the days of Septimius Severus (2nd Century A.D.). One of the sources used by archaeologists is the archaeological map created in the early 20th Century by the scholar Guglielmo Gatti. On this map Gatti in fact rediscovered a late-ancient domus and a little further south a number of monumental structures, which were really therefore the beginnings of the now hypothesised Athenaeum.

At the center, where the emperor and the poets wrote verses, is a granite floor with ochre coloured listels. These are the same kinds of floors used for the libraries Hadrian had built to the sides of Trajan’s Column fifty meters further along.

Now, the hypothesis that the Athenaeum may be in that never previously excavated corner of Piazza Venezia is extremely fascinating for history, archeology and architecture buffs.

I only had a few short days in Liege, and my first day was set in the typical rainy Belgian weather, a cool reminder of the oncoming autumn season and which added an aura of mystique. Set in the valley of the River Meuse, and hemmed in by its foothills, the quaint narrow streets are filled with pubs and snack shops. Pommes frites — French fries — are a common craving amongst the citizens. Famous for its chocolates and beers, the Belgian Blue Beef and wines for even the pickiest connoisseur are not to be skipped. There are modern shopping markets, palaces and judicial buildings and outdoor amphitheaters.

I met some friends and colleagues who were also over for the Gare du Liege festivities, and our first night was spent enjoying the above mentioned delights at a Spanish-named, Italian restaurant named La Cantina. The food was rustic and flavorful, with fresh seafood and tender beef cuts. Outside in the courtyard a table of children colored, and upon exploring, boasted to me of their abilities to speak Japanese and English, as well as their native French and German. There are a number of restaurants that feature an inner, courtyard-style garden, and our second meal together brought us into the cozy but modern ambiance of Jardin des Begards. Again the service, and tasty treats were unforgettable, the lighting swirled in colors around you, nothing was quite the same any time you glanced up and our meal felt a bit like a grown-up version of the Mad Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland, complete with a lovely round-faced Cheshire Cat chattering in the garden for his deserved attention, and receiving well his worth.

With the weather clearing the rest of the trip into crisp sunny days, and the sun glistening off the Meuse, our group set out to explore the city and was drawn to some of the cathedrals. Religion has always maintained a high importance to the city; with the ruling party typically a Prince-Bishop, a great number of cathedrals have been constructed for over 1,000 years. As a result of the constant process of wars and rebuilding, the city has a highly developed Archeoforum, which is a result of nearly 100 years of archaeological excavation and contains remains dating as far back as the Paleolithic era. The charismatic Cathedral St Bartholomew which is the oldest dating back to 1015 boasts a festive red and white icing-like paint job and a variety of influences ranging from Romanesque to Neoclassical. The grand gothic-like St. Paul’s Cathedral dates from the same era, but with major renovations throughout time has taken on the character of the famed Parisian Cathedrals. Near the foot of St. Bartholomew is a climb of 400 steps along a stairway called “Montagne de Bueren,” leading from Hors-Château to the Citadel. Once atop the city, the view overlooking the valley showcases the river, and ranges from the Gare du Liege at the foot of the Cointe Hills to the city-centre. The Citadel is now home to a modern hospital complex, but the brick and mortar remains of its original duty still stand guard and offer a fascinating glimpse into Liege’s strategic quality recognized by her founders.

On the outskirts of the city in the Seraing district, known for its factories and steelwork, there is a lasting reminder of the religious age, allowing for the tradition of great handcrafted arts to survive, in what was once a great Cathedral and later convent. The Crystal factory of Val St. Lombard is nearly a lost art. Here, crystal glass is sculpted into delicacies for your home. Artists create their glassware or artworks from scratch, a hands-on process from the mixing of the powders to creating the molten crystal and finally spinning a vase from the kiln like a skillful Pied Piper. The steel industry made a lasting mark on the area, and there are still a handful of operating factories and signs of the industrial age, but the economy has shifted to studies of chemistry and biology with a large number of Liege’s residents being college students.

Liege has an obvious significant historical value, dating back to Charlemagne and the Middle Ages, when the city was home to his mother. A signifying reason was accessibility and topography along the invaluable River Meuse. The river is not only a trading route, but home to many nautical-know-hows in the colorful varieties of barge-meets-houseboat. The rolling, tree-lined river valley showcasing the charming, eclectic mix of architecture and creates a gingerbread landscape, nestling the city inside hills and popularizing the city as an effective defense against enemy forces during the wars. The Battle of the Bulge, the bloodiest skirmish American forces saw in WWII was fought near the city, and around the city there are a multiple of monuments to those who lost lives in all battles.

The new Calatrava-forged Gare du Liege was constructed over an arduous 12 years, built over the existing, continuously-operating, original train station. The project cost 245 million Euros to upgrade the track system, allowing for high speed train accessibility. The result re-centers Liege as a key transportation hub which in turn revitalizes the city. The final result was a sculptural masterpiece of steel and concrete, softly mimicking the undulating hills and taking on almost as if by osmosis the magical charm of its new home. Coinciding with the beginning of the Festival of Wallonia in the district of Liege, the inauguration boasted a never before seen performance by Frank Dragone and performers of Cirque du Soleil fame, employing many local dancers and talents, and reminiscent of the Olympics opening ceremonies acts. There was a reception in which many local dignitaries and government officials attended, and the performance, set on the train track platforms, and included trapeze artists, ballet, opera, fireworks, and a handful of trick-pony horsemen. There were large, projected images of video footage showing the construction of the station, highlighting the proud citizens bringing the arcs to life. There was sincerity, and a celebration. As with any Cirque du Soleil performance, but especially here, in Liege, at a train station, the music, lighting and performances were exhilarating and sealed Liege as one of my fondest memories.

There are many great tapas restaurants in Boston that I’ve been frequenting for years including Tasca, a Brighton gem, and popular hot spot Tapeo on Newbury Street. But as I learned quickly, nothing compares to the incredibly fresh, diverse and innovative tapas of Spain.

Well known for being adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, the fish is fresh, delicate and bountiful in Barcelona. Walking through the Mercat Boqueria, one of the most famous marketplaces in the world, it’s easy to see why seafood is such a huge contributor to the culture. The market is open air but enclosed in a building sans walls, brimming with small counter top-only cafes, bossy produce sellers that exclaim “No toca!” (”Don’t touch!”) when a tourist attempts to touch the fruit and mountains of mouth-watering meats such as jamon serrano. The place is sensory overload, filled with brightly colored candies and marzipan, and massive fruits and vegetables including colossal watermelons and zucchini. The place was worth seeing for sure, despite the dense crowds and fruit rind strewn floor wet with water and who knows what else.

On the first night, we sauntered up and down Las Ramblas, the famous avenue filled with street performers, human statues and all varieties of shopping from cheap souvenirs to expensive leather wear. We stumbled upon a seemingly typical restaurant. Its second floor overlooks the Mercat Boqueria but its entrance is right on Las Ramblas. Euskal Sukaldaria. I don’t even really know if this is the restaurant’s official name, but it was emblazoned on the windows. This place had the best patatas bravas I’d ever had, in my life, in any city. The sauce on them was garlicky, tangy, and just slightly spicy with a heat that’s only pleasurable, without an ounce of pain. I was in heaven. I had one plate to myself, and it was hardly enough.

I also ordered one of the tapas samplers that contained a variety of things including some cheeses, smoked chorizo on thickly cut baguette bread and some type of meat salad (maybe chicken, maybe ham who really knows). I also had a “small” plate of traditional seafood paella filled with razor clams, small mussels, shrimp and some squid (more than ample offerings for three people). I finally realized how Europeans stay so thin; they walk everywhere, all the time, and eat small portions, a little sampling of everything. Also, eating slowly and in a relaxed casual setting actually curbs overeating since it takes the body about 22 minutes to realize satiety.

Every meal should be served with a San Miguel beer, ridiculously inexpensive and amazingly delicious. Move aside Bud Light, you don’t know the first thing about drinkability. San Miguel invented drinkability.

I digress.

Moving on to breakfast. It was an experience that can only be summed up as simply decadent. The trademark Spain breakfast of churros con chocolate is essentially a very basic thing – fried dough served with hot chocolate. But this is not your Dunkin Donuts’ hot chocolate, my friends. The chocolate served in a mug in Barcelona is rich, thick and not overly sweet. It’s a darker chocolate than standard milk chocolate and does not include any added sugar, making it very easy to devour. Dipping the lightly fried, chewy, warm churros into this divine drink is nothing short of heaven, foodie heaven.

My traveling companions preferred a lighter breakfast of American-style coffee (they didn’t embrace the tiny cup of espresso-like coffee they were served when they simply asked for coffee) and fresh fruit. Amble into any grocery store off the main roads or a sidewalk produce vendor and you can get a week’s worth of fresh basics for about 5 Euros. They noshed on apples and bananas and a wonderful dried fig concoction dotted with almonds that was slightly sweet and high in protein. These folks are health-nuts and this light breakfast was the perfect way to start any day filled with sightseeing and ridiculously long and tiring walks.

Since I do frequent tapas restaurants here in the states, I already have a strong dossier of dishes I enjoy. I love tortilla espanola, recognized as a potato and egg omelet – light and fluffy and delicious. During one dinner I had a trio of tortillas, one cheesy and tangy, another made with spinach, and another with tomato and peppers that was amazing. I also indulged in melon con jamon, the perfect summer dish of cantaloupe or honey dew served with a heaping side of salty jamon iberico or jamon serrano. The marriage of sweet and salty is a great way to start any meal.

And while I was enjoying mid-morning and mid-afternoon sidewalk breaks to sip a San Miguel and feast on a light sandwich of jamon serrano and tomate or some perfect machego cheese, I could never really keep my mind off patatas bravas. I was a woman obsessed. I ate patatas bravas at least once each day I was in Barcelona, and I still couldn’t get enough. I was searching for the one, and while all the variations were amazing and had different intricacies and takes on the dish, I knew which prevailed.

Some restaurants served the potatoes more than lightly fried, but cooked darker brown similar to our hash brown. Others would serve it with a deep red sauce that was very spicy, or very heavy with tomato flavors. A beach-side restaurant in the beautiful southern coast town of Sitges served patatas bravas lined with a red sauce just slightly darker and more complex than ketchup, and another swirling circle of what I have to believe was plain mayonnaise. Please do not misunderstand me, they were all delicious, a great way to serve everyone’s favorite starch. But something about that first dish of patatas bravas lingered with me.

Maybe it was because they were the perfect size, approximately 1 x 2 inches making one piece a hearty forkful. Or maybe it was the way it was sort of fried-baked, with a crispy exterior that was barely golden brown and pillowy soft texture on the inside. Or maybe it was that sauce. That ridiculously mouth-watering, succulent sauce that I still can’t stop wishing I knew how to make. All I know, is that the combination of all of these elements melded together to make one of the best simple foods I’ve ever had in my life.

If you’re not a huge beer drinker, another great pairing with patatas bravas is sangria. I can’t talk about Spain, especially Barcelona, without mentioning sangria. Sangria is a wine punch, typically made with a fruity red wine such as a Spanish Rioja, mixed with sliced fruits including anything from apples to oranges to mangoes, and splashed with any number of other fruit liquors from apricot brandy to peach schnapps. The result is always delicious, and always refreshing.

A trip to Barcelona is the perfect antidote to a seemingly nonstop lifestyle of burgers and fries here in the United States. The critical foodie that lives inside me, bubbling on the surface daily to critique, analyze and search out the best in food was ecstatic at the sheer number of tapas varieties and restaurant locations. Ole!

1. (Don’t) Dress up for your Flight: Ok so you’re going on vacation, and it’s been who-knows-how-long since you’ve had one. I understand that this is a special occasion, and often see those travelers who have “dressed-up” for the airport. It’s a bad idea and here’s why; firstly you’re showing every pick pocket and tourist scam-artist that you are a Tourist. That translates to pure gold for them, and you will easily become a target. Secondly, no matter how short the flight is, or how luxurious your on-board accommodations are, you will look like a sorority girl who never went to sleep after homecoming by the time you walk out of your destination airport. Best to keep things simple when flying. Be chic, but don’t be high-maintenance. For the ladies, don’t wear too much makeup or you’ll end up like Tammy Faye Baker on an evangelistic tour of the swamp. Guys, stay away from heavy colognes, and double up on the deodorant.

2. (Don’t) Fly Air France, Continental or US Airways: As a travel correspondent, and many days on the road as a model in my hey-day, I learned which airlines were the most convenient, customer-focused, and responsive to complaints or a lack of service. The three afore-mentioned do neither. Air France actually doesn’t have ANY way for a customer to call in and make complaints or suggestions. Continental has literally lied to me and hundreds of others to save themselves hotel fees, claiming weather as a factor in the delay of 6 flights. Most of the passengers missed the connecting flights, and in reality it was a downed control tower that caused the problem. US Airways has consistently the worst attitude amongst its attendants.

3. (Don’t) Drink Heavily the Night Before: Yes, this IS a hard rule to keep! Often there is the urge to begin the vacation the night before, but this will only leave you dehydrated and with a headache that the plane’s pressurized compartments will only exaggerate.

4. (Don’t) Eat Airplane Food: Ok, I admit it: Lufthansa food was amazing – but they’re the exception. This rule also is extremely dependent upon whether you fly economy or First Class, of course, but this is a fairly easy thing to avoid, or at least diminish greatly. The day of the flight, bring along a salad, raw veggies, a sandwich, etc. Just make sure there are no pure liquid contents, and buy a reusable 3 oz dispenser for things like dressing and condiments. Fresh fruit is a great way to maintain your hydration levels when flying. If you are flying to a foreign location, pack snacks that remind you of home. Sometimes foreign fare can be a bit tricky, but with a grab bag of cookies, crackers and pretzels, you’re sure to stay satisfied.

5. (Don’t) Arrive to the Airport Late: It’s a terrible idea! Pack the night before. You never know the state of pandemonium at the airport. The earlier you show up for those morning flights, and for the mid to late afternoon internationals, the shorter the security lines. Sure, sitting at the gate for 2 hours is rough, but you brought snacks, right!? This is when to have a glass of wine, check those last minute emails and relax.

6. (Don’t) Be afraid to ask questions: Know your rights. Each and every airport has a list of various passenger rights, and you should do your homework. As mentioned above in Item two, airlines will do anything they can think of to save money and put themselves first. Don’t assume that they are looking out for you. Ask questions, lots of them if necessary, about what the delay is, or what they’re going to do in the event of an unforeseen complication. Airlines are the first major corporations to assume responsibility for their rights as a company, and they have the right to make the rules up as they go along. Be informed, be assertive and don’t let them bully you!

7. (Don’t) Board the plane empty handed: Take whatever you need to stay occupied and satisfied. It’s no secret that I travel with my teddy bear. Sure I get funny looks at my age whipping out an old ratty teddy bear, but so what! When you are away from home a lot, it’s nice to have a piece of it with you. If you’re going on an extended vacation, take photographs, pillows – anything that will make you feel at home and at peace. Take a few magazines, a book to read, crossword puzzles, emails, etc to keep you occupied on the plane and make the whole ordeal go by a bit quicker. If you’re distracted, you won’t be inclined to worry about the physics of thrusting a mega-ton piece of metal in the air.

8. (Don’t) Forget to pack any necessities in your carry on: Hopefully, your luggage will get off the plane when you do, but there is the chance that it won’t. If there are any medications you need, take them on the plane with you. The same goes for a toothbrush, deodorant and anything you think you may need should you be without your luggage for a day or two (sexy heels perhaps?).

9. (Don’t) Get in the way: This goes for other passengers, attendants and security officials. If you are on a moving walkway, please stand right and walk left. Often, moving walkways are used when the distance between gates is farther than usual and those of us with layovers do not want to run you over trying to make a mile in six minutes. Be aware of other people’s personal space, and avoid using the chair in front of you to catapult yourself out of your seat. Whiplash is bad. Don’t be fearful of using your fair share of space, but don’t be a space-hog. If you need to check your phone or grab your boarding pass, stand to the side.

10. (Don’t) Be a Negative Nelly: Everyone is annoyed by the airlines, the security lines, the bad food, the recycled air. There is no need to take that out on your fellow passengers or the flight attendants. I don’t know how many times I’ve had some random guy scream at me to move up in the line a whole four feet, when there was still 20 people in front of us to screen…DON’T be that guy. And if you hear a hearty laugh across an airport terminal one day, it is probably me, laughing at “That Guy.”

We did a lot some days and a whole lot of nothing on others. Still, I left feeling that I must return to Puerto Rico. I have a feeling there’s a lot that I still need to see.

A few thoughts: While Old San Juan is charming, I got the distinct feeling that the city in general is trying mighty hard to become South Beach. Places push their prices sky high, blare house music, drape everything in white and compare themselves to The Delano. To fall into this would be a shame. While I love South Beach, Puerto Rico is no South Beach and I wish they’d try to forge their own identity rather than become copycats. The result ends up looking like a fake Louis Vitton bag: kind of desperate and cheap.

I’m also at a loss when it comes to the service in Puerto Rico. Whether at a restaurant serving comida tipica or an upscale place with menus in English, the waiters were the same: they’d come and take your order, bring your food and then disappear. Getting a check or paying a bill were nearly impossible and probably doubled the amount of time I would have spent in any establishment. This wouldn’t have been nearly as bad if I’d had some kind of drink in front of me, but sitting at an empty table, with an empty glass, trying to flag down a waiter is simply no fun. It also makes the dine and dash a tempting prospect”

Notables: Eating well in Puerto Rico is easy. Eating healthily, not so much. It seems the Puerto Ricans like to fry everything- fish, tacos, plantains. You name it, you can probably find it fried. Even seemingly good foods like rice and beans are cooked in ways to increase their calorie content- a technique that harks back to the days when people had to subsist on the basics. Rice is typically cooked with lard, while beans come stewed with some kind of pork fat.

We ended up at a strip of food stalls in Loquillo one day, about an hour east of San Juan, but I was so hungry I forgot to take pictures. There must have been 50 places, all lined up on the beach, all selling chicharron, mofongo, fried fish and yellow rice. While the comida tipica was tasty, I can’t figure out how these places survive when they seem to all sell the same thing.

The Surprise: San Juan Water & Beach Club in Isla Verde. Yes, this place falls into the category of establishments trying too hard to be South Beach. But the lovely ocean views, waterfalls in the elevator and not too pretentious service made it work: this place is chic, fun and definitely worth a visit. We started our evening at Wet, the rooftop bar which afforded a lovely 360-degree view and a too-cool-for-school atmosphere. This would be a great place to come on a date, or to start a rowdy evening with friends. (One complaint: they don’t have a cocktail menu. What upscale nightlife establishment doesn’t have its own cocktail menu?)

We then had dinner at Tangerine, the restaurant downstairs that emphasized ambiance with blue lights, a waterfall behind the bar and white everything. While appearance is good, what sets this place apart is the fact that the food was tasty and original.

We started with a trio of ceviches: ginger tuna, topped with candied ginger; coconut snapper; and tangerine salmon. Each was distinct and unlike any ceviche I’ve ever had: the snapper was subtly sweet, the tuna had a bit of bite and the salmon emphasized sour.

Next, we had a paella with red snapper. It was a lovely execution, not at all greasy, which can be the case with paella. The rice was accented generously with carrot, zucchini and red pepper, as well as large, gorgeous chunks of snapper.

The highlight of the evening, however, was the steak with green chile sauce. To be frank, I didn’t have high hopes for this one, but we didn’t think two tapas-sized dishes would be enough to eat (though in the end, two would have been fine). Chunks of tender beef sauteed in a red-wine, chile and caper sauce, and served with house fried plantain chips, this dish was succulent, savory and impossible not to love. While our previous two dishes had been good, this one set the bar even higher.

The Regret: Driving back to San Juan from Loquillo on Saturday I passed a sign for chicharron de conejo. I was intrigued. Chicharron are typically fried pieces of pork skin and conejo is rabbit”� fried rabbit skin? Alas, I kept driving, and now I haven’t been able to stop wondering what I missed out on.

While I mostly have great things to say about Puerto Rico, there was one place that annoyed me so much, I feel compelled to warn others to stay away, especially because it’s supposed to be one of the best places on the island.

The Disappointment: Budatai in Condado. Frommer’s led me astray with this one, naming it one of the 10-Best Dining Bets in Puerto Rico. Perhaps the good people at Frommer’s only ate at 10 places in Puerto Rico? Executive Chef/Owner Roberto Treviño is a contestant on Iron Chef America this season, and if this cuisine is any indication of Treviño’s talents I’d avoid putting any money on him winning.

Located across from La Ventana al Mar Park, the terrace area where we ate did have lovely views of the sea and surrounding area. However, that did little to make up for the limited menu or poor execution. My first beef with Budatai came with the menu, which boasted “Wild Salmon”� but which our server then informed us was actually farm-raised. My sense of distrust raised immediately. Why would you put “wild”� on the menu if it isn’t? What other fabrications are included? Is the vegetarian cuisine truly vegetarian? Is the duck really duck?

We started with some vegetarian egg rolls, which interestingly enough had cheese in them. Yes, cheese, which in my book is the ultimate faux-pas when it comes to Asian-fusion cooking. Worse, the cheese was gooey and tasteless, adding nothing but calories and a strange mouth feel.

My companion, who keeps kosher and hence had little to choose from on the shell-fish and pork heavy menu, reluctantly opted for the salmon, which came with vegetables and a Bearnaise sauce- again, a strange offering at what is supposedly an Asian restaurant. It was forgettable at best. I opted for the pork dumplings (billed as the house specialty) and a side of duck fried rice.

In his last column as The New York Times’ dining critic, Frank Bruni suggested that one way to safely navigate a restaurant’s menu was to “scratch off anything that mentions truffle oil.”� I wish I’d listened. As a rule, pork dumplings are usually a safe standby in Asian places. Budatai’s started off promisingly enough with some well-flavored pork wrapped inside a doughy wrapper. Then things got a bit”� well, crazy. The dumplings looked like they’d been grilled, but they were about as crispy as chewing gum. Then, they were topped with what looked like any and everything the chef had within reach: some strange brown sauce, caviar, truffles, truffle oil, garlic, sesame seeds, watercress”� and those are just the things I could identify in the terrace’s half-light. It was a cacophony of flavors, so busy I wondered if I’d even notice if half the ingredients were missing.

The duck fried rice was similarly busy. Greasy, with only a trace of duck, this dish came laden with sweet plantains, which were just weird. Just say it: rice, banana and duck”� it even sounds weird, doesn’t it? This dish would have been saved with more duck and perhaps the inclusion of some complimentary ingredients: think scallion or bean sprout. Banana? Not so much.

The Delight: Miró, also in Condado. This place obviously caters to tourists, but had a few hard to find dishes, like grilled baby octopus and arroz negro — rice cooked with squid ink and then mixed with a variety of shellfish. In addition, the sangria was pretty amazing. Made to order with red wine, brandy, triple sec, pineapple juice and a squirt of sprite, it was refreshing, but not too sweet.

Variety is the name of the game in Santa Fe. For example, not only does it boast a proficient gallery scene, you don’t find just the typical Native American arts. There is a span from modern-contemporary paintings and sculpture, photography by the greats, the standards of southwestern art such as Georgia O’Keefe and an interesting sub-genre, the contemporary Native American influenced art. This art is a blend of cave paintings’ old-world lines and grace but with a surprising avant-garde twist. This “new” art is startling and familiar in the same breath, and is the love-child of Santa Fe.

Beginning Labor Day, 2009, Santa Fe will embark on a 16-month long 400 year anniversary festival.  It is to be a celebration of many flavors, offering concerts, farmer’s and artist’s markets, an outdoor cinema series, opera and lectures on the arts. Most of these things are regular occurrences in Santa Fe, and if you know where to look, every day seems like a Fiesta.

Canyon Road, presently a “gallery-mile”, with over 100 galleries, restaurants and artist studios, once existed as an  ancient route of Native Americans between pueblos, as well as served under the foot traffic of Spanish, Confederate and Mexican soldiers and Native American warrior alike. It is a fitting  journey the art-seeker experiences spending an evening on Canyon Road. Fridays are the ideal time to visit, because many of the galleries have receptions, wine tastings and artist appearances.  A handful of the buildings still used actually pre-date the inception of New Mexico as a state in the United States of America, in 1912, some possibly by a century or more.

Santa Fe has the charm and blending of the ages that you find in many smaller European enclaves. However, the city has sophistication, enough so that the New York City art scene has made a second home in the city. Many of the galleries in the Plaza and Canyon Road are the love–children of NYC galleries, or galleries that are now run by transplanted New Yorkers who migrated to Santa Fe in search of its generous serenity. When visiting with these reformed city-dwellers, I found a common emotion was a respect for the art buyer they see in their spaces. They seemed to sense that the viewer in Santa Fe is enabled to view the art in an environment conducive to adoration. It is how Santa Fe affects that sixth sense that is unique.

One of the best ways to experience art while in Santa Fe is to take a short trip to the origins of American art and life. The city is surrounded by the ultimate in American culture. Ruins of once populous Indian pueblo cities are numerous, and petroglyphs and ancient cave dwellings are all a short drive out. Los Alamos, for the history buffs, is also nearby.

With influence from the ancestors of the area, an outdoor life is lived to the fullest by those in Santa Fe. Hiking, camping, skiing and snowboarding are all thrilling ways to live immersed in this philosophy, and the city boasts a central location to any outdoorsman’s desire. The weather is quite temperate, a bit more severe in the winter, which attributes to a healthy combination between summer sports and winter sports. Balance is an inherent quality of this land and in turn offers a destination to satisfy any action-packed palette. After spending the days in the sun, cool off at one of the many cute-but-sexy eateries. Cowgirl’s, just south of the Plaza, offers the fare of the old west and walls covered in historical photos of true Cowgirls. It is cozy, homey and often has a bit of live music, with more of a bar atmosphere post-dinner hours. Another hot spot is El Farol in the Canyon Road district, a South American inspired tapas bar, which often receives rave reviews of its tapas and its live music and dancing.

If you’re feeling a bit lazy, and let’s admit it – after walking the Canyon Road mile, eating the mouth-filling flavorful food, and spending a few days camping, you will be – a day stroll around the Plaza, shopping and seeing the Museums is just the thing you are going to need. The Plaza is a mish-mash of boutique, art galleries, shops, museums and eclectic vendors. The local Native American craftsmen often gather outside of the Palace of the Governors to sell their handmade jewelry and wares as they have for hundreds of years. At the center of the Plaza is a wonderful garden to cool off and reflect on the energies that allow this oasis in the desert to thrive and invigorate.

Santa Fe is a surprising, energizing place. When you visit, you are imbibed with the healing energy of this grotto in the Land of Enchantment. In each step walked on ground that has served our land and its peoples for centuries, you march towards a bigger sense of the world around you, both in aesthetics and organics.  Santa Fe is a retreat that broadens your horizons, and deepens the connection between yourself and the world around you.

In the first few years of this century, Loudoun County grew in population by 71 percent, growing in popularity due to its proximity to D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia, and for its unique charm. The residents of the county fight hard for its preservation and its identity as a mark on the Civil War Tour Map. The stone walls surrounding many of the plantations and farms still exist from the time of slavery, testaments to the lasting legacy of the darker corners of our nation’s history.

The sense of immersion in the history of the area is overwhelming, and one can feel a deep-seated nostalgia creeping in; the feeling of getting away to a secret place in simpler times, where the food tastes better, and the European-rooted charm and antiquity are palpable. Take a leisurely drive along roads that curve and bend like snakes, through the valleys of the fabled Shenandoah, and one can see placards which name the infamous locations of many of the Civil War’s fiercest battles. Loudoun County became an important stop on the Confederate Army’s route way to try to cut the heart out of the Union’s plans to take control of the South.

Its history, in fact, is unmatched by most weekend getaway locales — the journey through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, a 175-mile corridor between Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Jefferson’s Monticello in Charlottesville, Virginia, places Loudoun County at the heart of it all. Because of the wealth of natural resources in the area, it was a popular spot for Union raids. Highways are still named after John Mosby, the leader of “Mosby’s Rangers,” a group of cavalrymen who eventually carried the surrender orders to Appomattox Court House.

The Civil War wasn’t the only war in which Loudoun County played an integral part. The American Revolution, as well as the War of 1812, had their hand in shaping the local towns. John Mosby, Jackie Kennedy, George C. Marshall, and F. Scott Fitzgerald add to this history, as they often visited and vacationed here. Most of the old general stores are still in working order; the over-commercialization that has gripped the rest of the country has been slow to take hold here.

There is a strong agricultural presence, which allows the vistas to stretch into the horizon gracefully from the two-lane highways that stretch throughout the county. Hills that roll along lazily under big, white, puffy clouds, and the grain that waves in the wind — it really is no doubt that when our forefathers wrote “America the Beautiful” they must have had Virginia in mind. But Loudoun County boasts far more than landscape to keep you occupied when visiting.

Loudoun County is a surprisingly sophisticated blend. Any sport related to horses is a popular pastime in the area, and you can often catch a fox hunt, polo game, or horse race and show in the right season. Many of the world’s jockeys are trained in the area, and national horse trials are held in the Morven Park International Equestrian Center. Olympic riders are trained there, the Kennedys rode there, and many Derby winners were trained and groomed there.

There is a kindness to the people, some would say typical of the South, that comes from this anchor in farming and equestrianism, as well as a commitment to protect and fight for their land. When you work hard, you get to play hard, and it’s easy to relax here after the race is over. Loudoun County boasts an amazing number of wineries for its square mileage; some host guests and provide outdoor cinema nights in the summer. There are four main clusters of boutique wineries spread throughout the county. Some have spas or bed and breakfasts, and the warmer months are filled with food, wine, and beer festivals.

Another way to experience some of the local flavor is to visit one of the many gourmet establishments peppered throughout the area. The Red Fox Inn holds the title of “America’s oldest continually operating Inn and Restaurant,” having been open since the early 1700s, with an addition of 35 rooms and an expansive wine cellar in the late 1700s. Another popular stop is the French Hound, a cute eatery where passionate husband and wife duo John-Gustin and Marny Birkitt operate as chef and sommelier. Down the road is a local pub that is restaurant by day, music and pool hall by night — The Red Horse Tavern. There is a little bit of everything to appease those mid-getaway cravings, and not only is the food amazing, it’s often grown close to home, prepared based on what is in season, and the staff well-informed and friendly, knowing most of the locals by name.

Virginia is for lovers, as the saying goes, and those that love excellent wine, great food, entertainment of yesteryear, and a historic charm will be reminded of the spirit that has carried us all forward to become the nation we are now. Visiting Loudoun County is a lesson in humility; the beauty of its land and the community of its people are awe-inspiring. Thanks to its location at the heart of many wars, the good soil, and some first-rate patriots, there are sights to see, gastronomical adventures to be had, and friends to be made.

Governor Deval Patrick

The governor marched in the Pittsfield Fourth of July Parade and spent time with family, said Kyle Sullivan, the governor’s press secretary.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino

Boston’s mayor participated in the city’s annual Independence Day celebrations, which included a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, followed by a short parade to the Old Granary Burial Ground to place wreaths on the graves of Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine and Peter Faneuil. The parade proceeded to the Old State House for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. He also spoke at Faneuil Hall and attended a neighborhood celebration in Readville, said Nick Martin, a Menino spokesman.

Most of us spent this past Fourth of July with friends, booze, barbecue and fireworks. The holiday is anchored by gluttonous celebration: stuffing your face with hot dogs and drinking the extra beer (or ten) is completely customary. As young people feverishly enjoyed our day off from work, rarely do we consider the deep historical meaning behind our partying.

Historic New England owns and operates 36 historic homes and landscapes spanning five states.

Carl Nold, President and CEO of the regional heritage organization, Historic New England, thinks that although we may not have considered it in depth this past Saturday, we should think about what the celebration was truly about.

“At a time when there are so many controversies around the world it is important to recognize how important our freedom is,” he said in a recent interview with Blast.  “Too often we take that for granted, because it’s always been there. But it was hard fought.”

Nold runs an entire organization dedicated to bringing the people of New England an understanding of our history. It was founded 99 years ago to help preserve buildings that were being destroyed by rapid development.  Currently, they have 36 historic site museums in the five New England states, ranging from 17^th century buildings to the Walter Gropius house of 1938.  They have more than 1.2 million books in their library and archive as well as the largest collection of domestic items anywhere.

Finding history undyingly fascinating, Nold is bothered that people associate history with stodgy school lessons.

“History truly is everything that has happened even up to a minute ago,” he said. “If you think of it that way, it becomes more personal.  It is about you and your life. It isn’t just out there in the past.”  Seeing history from this perspective, Nold urges young people to get more involved in learning about the past, especially in New England, where the foundations of this country were built. He sees an understanding of our history as not only beneficial but completely essential, especially in this trying economic time. “It can bring us a better understanding of why things are the way they are,” he siad.

One interesting site to check out is the exhibit on New England kitchens at the New Hampshire Historical Society in Concord, which chronicles the importance of kitchens in American culture, by exhibiting domestic items from the colonial times to the present.

You might not have been thinking of the Revolutionary War as you prepared your burgers for the grill last Saturday, but perhaps now you should revisit the kitchen, this time to learn something.

For more information about Historic New England visit their website at http://www.historicnewengland.org/ or follow them on twitter @HistoricNE.

Santiago Calatrava intends to give us that hope. In fact, he wants to share that excitement and vivacity with the world, as New York welcomes her “tired, hungry and poor” to the new World Trade Center transportation hub, perhaps the most anticipated building project in New York since the battle between the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.

Calatrava is a rare breed indeed — a blend of engineer and architect, which allows for his projects the breathing room to let the needs of millions of commuters around the world speak to him in a way no other architect or engineer independently could manifest.

Most of Calatrava’s commissions are of the civil engineering variety: bridges, train stations. He is a humble man and states that building such things, being the architect is an experience of humility. He says the new hub is a “message of reconciliation,” is going to be “high-speed train” -ready, and that idea of a great building is “a lesson in humility. They are for everyone.”

Let’s come back to earth though for a second out of the clouds of hope and humility. New Yorkers aren’t an easy bunch to please, and the building of the new World Trade Center transportation hub hasn’t been an easy, wistful chore. There has been the eternal push and shove among the other buildings, the Port Authority, and Calatrava over what has become the city’s focus and fallout. But Calatrava explains that the cost is immaterial. This is being built for our children. It is priceless in its destiny and its necessity for the commuter.

The design itself explains this destiny. Calatrava adds that the design is inspired by a child releasing a dove. The child speaks of “the future of the city”, and the dove, of course, of peace. The sleek ribs protrude from the ground creating a canopy of white, forming Calatrava’s desired “luminous spaces.”

The hub is formed from three main spaces. There is an east-west corridor spanning a gargantuan amount of space for a real-estate indoctrinate city, 2,000 feet in linear grace. The mezzanine has a horizontal spread of 200 feet, and Memorial Hall lifts in vertical air.

“It is like a musical composition — the spaces, in this matter (it forms) a common language,” Calatrava said.

The hub itself serves many purposes, not just the purpose of moving millions of people through New York’s sometimes elusive tunnel system. It’s also providing an infrastructure, a plaza and “inter-modality, circulation between the other (new World Trade Center) buildings,” he said.

There has been a lot of talk on changes made recently, due to an apparent cost-factor, but Calatrava stresses, “it is very similar to its original design. (There have been) minor changes in details, and security.”

The manifestation of hope hasn’t been an easy process. Calatrava explained that on one hand the New York bedrock makes a great foundation, but is hard to move. They are also building 30 feet below the water table, and partially through bad soil, the remains of the compost from the extension of Manhattan — the island once ended at Church Street — then later filled in to Greenwich Avenue, and again to the West Side. Calatrava, however, said he likes a challenge.

The hub is expected to be finished four years from the date of the opening of his reception at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute, 684 Park Avenue. The exhibit contains a large model of the World Trade Center transportation hub, in which the viewer can stand inside of the model and get a 360 degree view of the true expanse, grace and linear flow of the project. There is also a gallery of small models of other American projects, including the 80 South Street building, in which blocks form singular homes, rumored to be in the $30 million dollar ballpark, and the gondola-lift connecting Brooklyn and lower Manhattan with Governor’s island. The exhibit runs through August 31.

Calatrava gains his inspiration for this project from a religious icon of New York architecture history: Grand Central Station. He cited Grand Central as “a model for the evolution of New York,” bringing to mind the timing as reminiscent of the economic struggle the city is again surviving through.

Isn’t this the true intent of the new hub — to show the city that it can always survive, no matter the odds? Some worry that the design is too new for New York City, but Calatrava can help ease that doubt, striving to build a monument to the city doing what it does best: changing, growing, advancing, surviving.

By the way: Because of a reporting error, Calatrava’s name was spelled wrong in this story

In Lisbon, bathed in the sensational sunshine and refreshed by the Atlantic breezes, your appetite jumps to life and all of the beauty in the architecture and culture is magnified.

Lisbon is contained within just 10 square miles, and is navigable by foot or public transportation — a sleek modern tunnel metro system. The most common transport, however, is the tram. With the yellow tram and steep hills, west coast mentality, and sea-conomic industries, Lisbon evokes modern day San Francisco. The city has a beach mecca that rivals southern California, and is a surfer’s paradise.

For flea market lovers, street fairs are aplenty. The overflow of historical sites, like the Castelo Sao George — a reminder of the fortress-on-the-hill era — as well as modern government houses, decadent churches, and monasteries, provide entertainment for the history buff, the art buff, and the explorer in all of us.

Lisbon is over 3,200 years old, and has been plundered by the Romans, the Moors, the Celts, Germanic Tribes, Napoleon Bonaparte, the Crusades, and other significant historical players. Their influences abound today, as Lisbon naturally combines her history with her future. Navigation, both of her people, and those seeking to own their own little piece of Iberia, has always been a driving force in her veins, and has shaped every cultural facet, most notably food, architecture, the art, and the music.

Bohemian ideals ring throughout the city, and there is a heavy influence from the reign of navigation that has held the city throughout its birth and growth, both domestically and to the outer reaches of the world, and the multi-cultural lusting over her wealth and prime location.

Portugal is a country that isn’t afraid to reinvent itself, and the Portuguese people are capable at adapting, changing and living the experience to its fullest. They are a people to make their mark on history. This is evident throughout Portuguese life, as they have overcome many foreign interruptions. There has been no more remarkable example than the Carnation Revolution, on April 25, 1974, in which no bullet was fired and the government was successfully overthrown by the military, seeking rule in the name of the people.

Lisbon is one big art gallery, with the architecture on display reflecting a vast array of European influences. It echoes every other major European city-center. However, along the Tagus River in Expo Park, the newest area of Lisbon, which was built for the 1998 World’s Fair and splits southern Lisbon from the north, the architecture boasts exquisitely the navigational roots of Lisbon, in quick geometrical lines that sweep like sails into the wind and sky. Home to the world’s second largest aquarium, the Oceanarium, Expo Park is like a whimsical drift into a sailor’s modern-day Neverland.

One of the bridges spanning the Tagus River is named after the peaceful revolt of the Carnation Revolution; the 25 de Abril Bridge, symbolizing the bridge to civility and strength to span the world for years to come. It, of course, is red. There is another resplendent bridge in Lisbon, the Vasco de Gama, which overtook the 25 de Abril Bridge as the longest in Europe. It was an event that welcomed the world to adventure into Portugal and see, in it, their history.

Art is the heartbeat of Lisbon, with the city giving birth to poets, writers, and musicians alike, one of whom is a Portuguese icon of culture and faith, Amalia Rodrigues. Rodrigues brought Fado, a traditional, emotionally-charged style of song, to the world. Fado showcases the lament for what was, the pain in being separated from home or loved ones in a way only a nation of sailors’ families could manifest.

The art culture in Lisbon is a perfect blend of its traditional roots, and its journey through the centuries, living and embracing all aesthetics. There is a museum for every imagination, reflecting the interaction art has on daily life in Lisbon. In this wisdom is a relaxed metropolitan attitude, where all things exist as an exhibition. There is an eclectic mix amongst this variety, with a Museum of Pharmacy, a Museum of Costume and Fashion, a Museum of Coaches (which houses the largest collection of Royal Coaches), and cultural gems like the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of the Portuguese Tile-Mosaics. The tile art is an icon of Portuguese architecture, and spans the walls of the city’s buildings like ivy climbing to the sun. The motifs are often botanical or geometrical in nature.

The majority of Portuguese food comes from the waters that surround the way of life in Lisbon. Fresh fish and shellfish are prepared in many different ways; the cuisine at one restaurant reflects that family’s history, and will not be the same from kitchen to kitchen, family to family. Their food is their legacy. It is the tale of the sailors, farmers and laborers who came before them and what their experience of the culture-blended world around them was, but always maintain a very strong Portuguese identity. It, like everything else, is an art.

The late night of the mythical swashbuckling sailor on shore-leave, drinking in the streets, singing, mingling with the people, the food, and the culture, does in fact exist in Lisbon. The weather is conducive to mild nights, and most of the bars are so small that the clientele tend to overflow onto the streets and alleyways, beneath apartments and commercial spaces. The community feeling of knowing everyone and being free to speak openly, of art and politics, remains. In Portugal, English is a prominent language, so meeting new people and making new friends is an easy task, especially in this pub-crawl environment. There is an eminent joy in the people of Portugal that comes from a keen understanding of their historical value, and cultural identity.

The Portuguese footprint can be found throughout the world today, but its charms are often overlooked. A trip to Lisbon awakens the senses and the visitor leaves with a renewed outlook on life.

Well, San Francisco-based designer Joanna Borek-Clement has got something for you.

The 2009 eVolo Skyscraper Competition contestant has created Sky-Terra towers (which is freaky because we have a blog called Sky and a blog called Terra here at Blast), a network of interconnected towers rising above the city’s skyline inspired by the shape of neuron cells. The skyscrapers are meant to add a new layer to the city, one full of green space, pools, recreational facilities and amphitheaters.

Borek-Clement designed the buildings with Tokyo, an over-congested city in which the public has demanded more recreational space, in mind.

The buildings rise 1,600 feet above ground, and their ultra-flat top is supported by a narrow, strong base. Borek-Clement says the structures would tower over existing buildings, effectively creating a new city above an existing one.

As for what could go atop the ultra-flat towers, well, the sky’s the limit. Borek-Clement, in his drawings, created 4-foot wide roadways for electric cars and footpaths which connect each neuron. Anything that isn’t a footpath, a roadway or a pool would be green space. Rainwater collection would aid with landscaping and the building, according to inhabitat.com, would be created using modular parts to conserve energy.

The narrow base will house an elevator that transports people from street level to the top. The large fins that stretch out of each Sky-Terra end could be used for anything from office space to condos. Imagine living in this thing.

Now after looking at these neurons and reading the story, I was thinking the same thing you may be thinking. What about the people down below? Wouldn’t these huge towers block out the sun and create a shaded city, kind of like what Mr. Burns tried to do in The Simpsons? Borek-Clement said there would be holes in the flat top to allow light to beam through, but that still makes no sense because the majority of the light at street level would be blocked out except for randomly placed sunlight beams coming from 1,600 feet above.

The idea needs some work, perhaps that’s why, as cool as it is, it didn’t crack the top eighteen at the eVolo Skyscraper Competition.

Check out the eVolo website for the winners and mentions. Click on 09 Competition winners and make sure to take a look at the designs by Nicola and Adelaide Marchi (second place), Stefan Shaw and John Dent (mention), Park Ju Sin and Lee Min Cheol (mention) and Wei Wei and Luping Yuan (mention).

Like California, Portugal runs the gamut on landscape boasting beaches, wine country, island getaways, classic European metropolitan areas, and ages of history coating them all like icing.

Given that Portugal has so many different facets of life, we will visit a handful of locations in an area northwest of Lisbon, the District of Leiria, and an easy day-trip out if your visit focuses on the city itself.

Castles, marinas, beaches for both young and old, vacation spots of the queens, the cities of Obidos, Caldas da Rainha and Foz do Arelho, Sao Martinho, and Nazare make for a great day or two (or week) of sightseeing.

In this area of the country, the landscape forces into the air sheer cliffs, which are infamous for paragliding and the beaches below, achieve a natural seclusion. When driving from Lisbon, the first of these too-fairy-tale-to-be true villages you will arrive upon is Obidos. Literally a castle on a hill, there is still a living village within the walls. Constructed by the Moors in the 8th century, this city is a dive into life behind castle walls minus the typhoid and ugly wenches. Weekend opera performances are a regular occurrence, as is a customary Portuguese sherry, Ginjinha, made from sour cherries. By the end of the Opera, you’re guaranteed to be singing in the aisles.

A little on up the highway is Caldas da Rainha, or “Queen’s Springs”. Local lore states that once upon a 15th century road trip, Queen Leonore and her party came across a foul smell, to be told by a villager that the nearby sulfur springs was the culprit, but also a blessing. The springs were hailed to alleviate a variety of chronic maladies, and a 500 year old hospital stands today as a testament to the springs’ healing properties. Later in history the municipality was also refuge to many Jews escaping Nazism during World War II. True to the words, “there must be something in the water”, Caldas da Rainha has become a Mecca of the arts. In my visit to the city center, street art abounds, as do the museums, street fairs, and a beautiful new cultural center, the Centro Cultural e de Congressos. With traditional entertainment of the bull fights, or Torada, and a hip shopping area, Caldas da Rainha is well rounded and well grounded in history.

Baltimore is the sin-city of the ages, originally established from the tobacco and sugar trades with the Caribbean, but when the potatoes in Ireland disappeared a massive exodus of settlers flooded the area leaving their mark on the city. The name Baltimore is from the Irish city in County Cork, Anglicized from “Baile an Tí Mhóir” meaning “Town of the Big House”.

Since St. Patty’s Day falls mid-week, that leaves you with only one option — celebrate the weekend before AND after. It’s only fair. With only one weekend to explore Baltimore, do three things: pub crawl the bay, pub-crawl Fell’s Point, and slink over to the cemetery — preferably the one where Edgar Allen Poe is buried. (Just be careful not to drunkenly stumble into a crypt.)

The downtown area of Baltimore is centered on the bay, and houses ships of today and yesterday. A fine example of fleeting American craftsmanship is the USS Constellation permanently docked here. If you’re a sports fan the Boston Red Sox (another fine strappin’ young Irish lad of a team) are playing spring training games the weekend before, and there are games all week long. Ah, the Great American Pastime — bringing Irishmen and beer together for a century, and now you too.

A bit uptown from downtown, but a fun stumble over is the little church cemetery that houses the grave of Edgar Allen Poe, who resided in Boston and Baltimore. The graves here date back to the late 1700s and the grounds are well kept and classically spooky.  Also in the city is the earliest surviving home in which Poe lived, and now operates as the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum.  If you’re looking to go ghost hunting, wander on over to a little place in Fell’s Point (said to be Poe’s final drinking hole) called The Horse You Came In On. It is rumored that an upstairs room is occupied by a spirit named “Edgar”.

Fell’s Point, once popular with the sailors has been refurbished and is the new hip spot. There are more than 120 pubs to whet your whistle, cobblestone streets, music, shopping and great local eats.  With a rich maritime influence left behind from St. Patty’s Days gone by, some of the infamous naval beauties were built in Fell’s Point yards, epitomizing the clipper-ship with the area. The aforementioned USS Constellation calls Fell’s Point home, as well as many Civil War ships, and privateers.

Speaking of navy

Not so far from Baltimore is Annapolis, home of the US Naval Academy, the ratification of the Treaty of Paris, and one of the original capitols of the United States. In Annapolis, the history seems to seep from the cobblestones.  Walk down the same streets that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson tread, and were once a hot-bed of patriotic action. There are several homesteads on the main street that have been transformed into quaint inns dating back to the mid-18^th century, including the Maryland Inn, whose tavern hosted the likes of Ben Franklin and John Adams.

Host to the two largest in-water boat shows each year in October, and year round races, there is a constant stream in and out of Annapolis  year round of sea-worthy vessels coming in to port, to eat the fresh crab-legs and drink stout pints as in the days of old.

Annapolis is another small-in-square-footage-big-in-possibilities charmer. Theater thrives there, premium yachting abounds, and there are plenty of historical pubs and shopping to keep you entertained for the weekend.

While this may be the cleanest debauchery you’ve ever partaken in, the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis are picturesque, sports-worthy, pub-alicious, and just their streets are waiting for you to dance down. Don’t forget to wear green. I’ll be watching for you, pint in hand.

For more information on the historical Inns in Annapolis visit Http://www.historicinnsofannapolis.com. For more information on The Horse you Came In On visit http://www.myspace.com/thehorselive . And lastly the Poe House/Museum is here: http://www.eapoe.org/balt/poehse.htm.

Carly Erin O’Neil, our favorite lass, reported from Baltimore and Annapolis.

Located in the heart of Paris’ aptly named opera district, the Palais Garnier is the perfect destination for those travelers keen to avoid tourist-magnets like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Moulin Rouge.

Not only is the theater removed from the crowds but tours and unaccompanied visits run daily for as little as 4-8 Euro, making the Palais Garnier one of the cheapest attractions in Paris.

Commissioned by Napoleon III and designed by Charles Garnier, the theater is an excellent example of neo-baroque design with an opulence that rivals that of the Chateau de Versailles.

Since its official opening in 1875, the Palais Garnier has hosted some of the world’s most famous opera productions including La Traviat and Tristan and Isolde.

However you do not need to be a fan of the opera to enjoy the awe inspiring architecture and rich decadence of the theater itself. The red velvet and gold embellishment of the main auditorium coupled with the elegance and Gothic beauty of the Grand Foyer is simply staggering. 

The giant chandeliers illuminate the beautiful artistry of the ceilings whilst casting a golden light over the lavish baroque settings. A giant marble staircase leading to the upper levels is flanked by intricate bronze statues, carved in the likeness of ethereal female deities.

Beneath the Grand Staircase is the member’s rotunda, a sumptuous but somewhat eerie room filled with elaborate floor mosaics and dimmed wall lights, which bath the room in a gloomy shadow. Everything about the Palais Garnier is excessive, making a simple walk around the theater an absolute feast for the eyes.

For those visitors keen to learn a little more about the theater and the productions it has played host to, the library-museum houses an extensive collection, documenting the three-century long history of the Paris Opera.

Specialized exhibits are held throughout the year but the permanent display includes stage designs, scale models and drawings used in past opera and ballet performances.

The most intriguing feature of the Palais Garnier, however, is not locked away in the library-museum but lies beneath the theater floors. Located deep within the foundations is a subterranean lake, which inspired (in part) Gaston Leroux’s Gothic novel The Phantom of the Opera, the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the Parisian opera house.

Not only does the presence of the lake give credence to the Phantom’s myth but amazingly enough the water level also acts as ballast, supporting the weight of the stage above. Visitors are free to wander through the foyers and auditorium of the Palais Garnier, however entrance to the underground lake is strictly forbidden to tourists.

Luckily, the theater’s upper levels are so amazing there is very little need to venture into the lake’s murky depths. If there truly is a Phantom of the Opera he would be a fool to waste his time underground when he could explore the majesty and opulence of the Palais Garnier above.

The Palais Garnier is open for tours everyday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed January 1 and May 1.

It’s Showtime.

Millions of people witnessed President Barack Obama’s inauguration, but I went to our nation’s capital for a different reason.

Nestled in Virginia-for-lovers, and on the coast, you are greeted by sweeping blue skies and marshmallow clouds mirrored in the famous pond in front of the Capitol Building, we saw so many people wading through post-inauguration. Whilst I believe perhaps a few more of our politicians should maybe take a trip down to this massive pond, take a peak in and get a grip on reality.

I don’t, however, suggest to anyone to wade in said pond, no need to leave Washington as slimy as so many others have entered.

The weather is generally pleasant,  with lots of sunshine, so put on your walking shoes and load your iPod with victory songs. We’re going marchin’ on Washington.

The National Mall is a Mecca of people-watching, as Washingtonians flock to jog off the latest pork belly bill, and these folks are in good shape. With the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial shining like beacons at each end, either side of The Mall is flanked by the Smithsonian Museums, which could take you days to explore in its entirety.  

One of the newest buildings in the Smithsonian Institute is the National Museum of the Native American which is a merit in American architecture. In fact, all of the Smithsonian buildings are amazingly designed, and are a part of the art that they house.  Even if years of American History and global art didn’t rest in peace safely behind these well designed walls, there is plenty of eye candy just taking a stroll up and down the Mall.

My first trip to Washington was in Middle School. Spending my young life in Catholic school, a light in the dark was a class expedition. I was enamored then, as I am now. The entire city is well kept, a much needed escape from the grimy horizon-less New York City I call home, and each lawn, monument, tourist attraction and White House is perfectly manicured, and represents a variety of native flora and fauna. 

The birds and squirrels that reside within the district’s boundaries must have been laid off by Disney — they are so accustomed to human interaction that they often come up and look at you as if to have a conversation on the state of affairs. If only they could speak English; the tales I’m sure they would tell.

The National Mall is a Mecca of people-watching, as Washingtonians flock to jog off the latest pork belly bill, and these folks are in good shape

Aside from the obvious Mall walk, D.C. has several not-so-off-the-beaten-path areas that are filled with as much charm as David Hasselhoff in his glory days.  Penn’s Quarter has become the center of arts and theater, with a brand new arena the NHL’s Capitols call home. Typical of any melting pot city lies a bustling Chinatown. Forget about opium dens and dark alleys, D.C.’s Chinatown is clean, neat and tourist-friendly. It’s also an easy ride on the Metro.

An homage to superheroes everywhere, the Metro is well lit, clean, and sculptural eye candy, worthy of any Gotham or Metropolis. Union Station is a standard on any D.C. tour. Reminiscent of Grand Central Station in New York City, Union Station is chock-full of 5-star restaurant and food court alike, with shops to whittle away time waiting for your train.

If you’re looking for the Fifth Avenue of D.C. then hop on the Metro over to Georgetown. Home of Georgetown University, this area of the district is vibrant and young, with pizza to make New York blush. Most of the 200 year-old row houses have been restored to their “Young Republic” heyday.

Only 68.3 square miles, D.C. is less than lacking in life, even though the majority of what is projected seems old and crotchety. D.C. is the center of the new American Renaissance, and deservedly so.

Sometimes the best medicine comes in the form of a pretty distraction, and I’m not talking about Pamela Anderson here. If you live in (insert city name — really, any one will do), it’s time for you to GET OUT. No doomsday warnings here, just a poor man’s guide to travel to ease your weary soul.

This month it’s cold. So let’s take our vacation-lusting souls to someplace warmer than the icebox we’ve been living in.

California. Sweet California. You’re always there for us to retreat to, no matter how many times we make fun of your governor, or how bad your drivers are, or wish that you would just fall off into the ocean already. (Yea! California Island! Even better.)

I recently made my first pilgrimage to the Big Sur Coastline. If you’ve ever seen Big Sur, you’ll understand the use of the word “pilgrimage.” The coasts are practically untouched since the days of the Spanish settlers: sweeping views, pristine waters that appear as though Tide would bottle them for their next detergent, and the freshest air to fill your lungs since you came screaming out of the womb.

Welcome to Paradise, boys.

Strange phenomena happen in Big Sur. Cypress trees cling to steep drop offs. The Ghost Tree is an example of nature’s malleability in the face of it’s own force, arched from root to tip it pays homage to the glory of it’s creation, and the mysticism that lies in Big Sur.

If the beach-that-is-really-too-cold-to-sunbathe-at just isn’t your thing, head on out from Los Angeles like the Rider on the Storm that you are to an old ski-town in another sentimentally static are of California called Vincent’s Gap. The mountains here are sleepy and wise, extending off as far as you can see in most directions. Popular for hiking and even skiing, it is east to wander into Vincent’s Gap and feel time travel back to frontier days, when the mountains were first inhabited.

1. Underestimating Mother Nature.

Even if there’s no inclement weather canceling flights at the airport you’re departing from – flight cancellations always create an elaborate domino effect that can delay perfectly unrelated climates. Of course, this year no one was safe since Hell apparently froze over and snow even whitened Las Vegas and L.A. Arriving with plenty of time and knowing your options for wait lists and flight changes won’t always mean you’ll have trouble-free travel, but it’s the easiest way to help ensure you’ll get where you need to go.

2. Not Keeping the Kids Entertained.

What, you didn’t notice the tiny little punches at the back of your seat accompanied with “Are we there yet?”s and desperate cries to go home? Sure, not all kids are tough to travel with, but if you’ve got a full car or a long flight, you’ll be saving your sanity (not to mention all the people surrounding you) if you make sure to bring plenty of things to keep the kids entertained. There are a ton of easy solutions here: coloring books, crayons, books, etc. Thanks to technology, there are loads of even more effective tools, such as handheld DVD players, iPods, and the Nintendo DS. Now, if you’re lucky enough to be on an airline that provides it, wireless networking technology from D-Link allows air travelers to enjoy digEcor’s portable, lightweight in-flight entertainment players that provide passengers with a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games. With all of these gadgets, however, don’t forget to bring enough headphones and batteries to last you.

3. Not Understanding Travelers Insurance Needs or Coverage.

According to a new national survey on travel insurance issued by Trusted Choice and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), millions of Americans have no clue when they might already be covered or where they might have gaps while on vacation. Big “I” President & CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt says ” The good news for consumers is that homeowner’s insurance policies may cover lost property, car insurance policies often offer the option of rental coverage, and medical policies usually have clauses that explain where and when you are covered”. Whether the airline loses luggage containing gifts, you’re renting a car, or doing daredevil ski jumps abroad, it’s going to help a great deal to know if you’re covered for any or all of these things beforehand.

So maybe while you’re toasting to the New Year (and then riding home with a designated driver – don’t make another huge travel mistake) you might make a resolution to help yourself and all other travelers in the coming seasons by learning from your, and everyone else’s, travel mistakes.

Community based tourism refers to situations in which local people-usually those that are poor or economically marginalized in very rural parts of the world-open up their homes and communities to visitors seeking sustainably achieved cultural, educational or recreational travel experiences. 

Under a community-based tourism arrangement, unique benefits accrue to both the traveler and the hosts: Travelers usually accustomed to chain hotels and beachfront resorts discover local habitats and wildlife and learn about traditional cultures and the economic realities of life in developing countries. And the host communities are able to generate lucrative revenues that can replace income previously earned from destructive resource extraction operations or other unsustainable forms of economic support. 

Locals earn income as land managers, entrepreneurs or food and service providers-and at least part of the tourist income is set aside for projects which provide benefits to the community as a whole. And just as important, says ResponsibleTravel.com, which promotes community based tourism in a partnership with Conservation International, the communities become “aware of the commercial and social value placed on their natural and cultural heritage through tourism,” thus fostering a commitment to resource conservation. 

Travelers indulging in a community based tourism trip might follow a local guide deep into his tribe’s forest to spot otherworldly wildlife, eat exotic regional delicacies around rough-hewn tables, watch and even take part in celebrations of local culture, and sleep on straw mats at the homes of local families.  

In many cases, local communities partner with private companies and nonprofits that provide money, marketing, clients, tourist accommodations and expertise for opening up lands to visitors. In 1997, eco-travel operator Rainforest Expeditions wanted international visitors to learn about threats to the rainforest. Natives in Peru’s Esé-eja community of Infierno wanted to generate income without destroying their rainforest home, central to their subsistence lifestyle. So the two joined forces and the resulting Posada Amazonas lodge to this day offers visitors an exotic way to learn about rainforest ecology directly from English-speaking Esé-eja staff, who in-turn earn a living sharing their local knowledge and traditions. 

Another example is the partnerships that the nonprofit Projeto Bagagem (Project Baggage) has forged with several Brazilian communities to bring in tourist dollars to support sustainable choices. A third of the cost of every Projeto Bagagem trip goes to the villagers and another third to a local nonprofit. Last year the group won a Seed Award from the United Nations and the non-profit World Conservation Union for its efforts to translate “the ideals of sustainable development into action on the ground.”  

Extreme poverty coupled with abundant natural resources makes the Amazon basin an ideal place for such programs to thrive, but community based tourism can be experienced anywhere. To find qualifying, pre-vetted trips that contribute to local economies all over the world, visit ResponsibleTravel.com. 

CONTACTS: ResponsibleTravel.com, www.responsibletravel.com; Rainforest Expeditions, www.perunature.com; Projeto Bagagem, www.projetobagagem.org. 

Dear EarthTalk: How often do I really need to change my car’s oil? Conventional wisdom has always put it at every 3,000 miles to prevent engine wear, but isn’t changing oil that frequently wasteful and unnecessary? Also, what is the “greenest” and longest-lasting oil I should use? – Vic Roberts, Lincoln, MA 

There is much debate in the automotive world over how often drivers of typical passenger cars or light trucks should change their oil. The quick-lube chains usually recommend it be done every three months or 3,000 miles, but many mechanics would tell you that such frequent changes are overkill. Indeed, most car owner’s manuals recommend changing out the oil less frequently, usually after 5,000 or 7,500 miles. 

According to the automotive website Edmunds.com, the answer depends more on driving patterns than anything else. Those who rarely drive more than 10 miles at a time (which doesn’t get the oil hot enough to boil off moisture condensation) or who start their car frequently when the oil isn’t hot (when most engine wear occurs) should change their oil more often-at least twice a year, even if that’s every 1,000 miles, according to Edmunds. But commuters who drive more than 20 miles a day on mostly flat freeway can go as far as their owner’s manual recommends, if not longer, between changes. As a car ages, more frequent changes might be in order, but that’s for a qualified mechanic to decide on a case-by-case basis. 

“The necessity of 3,000 mile oil changes is a myth that has been handed down for decades,” writes Austin Davis, proprietor of the website TrustMyMechanic.com. He says that the economics of the oil change industry demand pushing customers to get their oil changed more frequently-purportedly as “cheap insurance” against problems cropping up-whether they need it or not. One of the largest oil change chains, Jiffy Lube, for instance, is owned by Pennzoil-Quaker State, and as such has an incentive to sell as much of the company’s traditional petroleum-based oil as possible. 

One way to reduce trips to and money spent unnecessarily on quick-lube outlets is to switch to synthetic oils, which last longer and perform better than their traditional petroleum-based counterparts. Davis says that educated drivers should opt for longer lasting, better performing synthetic oils, which are “most likely good for 10,000 to 15,000 miles or six months” whether or not their manufacturers recommend more frequent changes or not. Some synthetic motor oils, like Amsoil, NEO and Red Line, to name a few, are created specifically to last 25,000 miles or one year before needing a change. 

While neither conventional nor synthetic motor oils are good for the environment if disposed of improperly or spilled, most environmentalists would opt for the latter since it lasts three or more times longer and thus reduces waste (or energy use if recycled). Researchers have been experimenting with producing greener motor oils-one pilot project out of Purdue University has produced high-quality, carbon-neutral motor oil from canola crops-but consumers should not expect to see such products on store or garage shelves anytime soon, as the costs of production are high and the availability of cropland is limited. But the very existence of such alternatives-no doubt more are in the offing-bodes well for the future as oil becomes more scarce and expensive. 

CONTACTS: Edmunds.com, www.edmunds.com; TrustMyMechanic.com, www.trustmymechanic.com. 

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

LOS ANGELES — La Bella Cucina, conveniently located near the convention center, is an inexpensive Italian option when you’re craving carbs after a long day at E3.

The casual restaurant and bar features a diverse menu of appetizers, soups/salads, pasta, pizza and seafood. But several of the offerings are marred by either over or under flavoring.

The Pizza Bianco ($5.95) is their take on garlic bread. It’s a personal-sized pizza crust topped with what appears to be jarred, minced garlic. Fresh garlic would be a much better option, as the scoops of jarred garlic tend to overpower.

I was hoping to try their gnocchi ($11.95), but they were out when we went, at 6 p.m. Monday.

The farfalle botega ($9.95) was my final answer — bow tie pasta in cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken and fresh spinach. Somehow, this dish was bland. I don’t know how you can make a tomato, spinach, chicken, cream sauce dish bland, but I was unscrewing the cap off the pepper to add some flavor.

The rigatoni quatro formaggi ($8.95) was also a bit bland and off tasting. Would not order again.

The restaurant offers dozens more pasta options ($7.95-$13.95), 14 specialty pizzas ($7.95-$14.95) and even a seabass with capers dish (market price).

La Bella Cucina has excellent, attentive service, a good variety of food and drink, and a very casual atmosphere in a neighborhood that can easily break the bank.

The food isn’t that great, let’s be honest. But it was filling and fairly fresh and wicked cheap. If you’re hankering for Italian, you could do worse.

After lazing around our not-so-Quality Inn hotel room (with no elevator, thank you very much John), we finally got over the jet-lag and headed to Tinsel Town. Not gonna lie, it wasn’t exactly what I expected, but that’s mostly because we started off in the slums and then managed to continue far enough down Hollywood Boulevard to reach Touristwood, the Hollywood everyone wants us to see.

I was pretty excited. We had finally reached the people that we recognized of the Hollywood stars on the sidewalk (other than Lassie and the Rugrats, who we had seen earlier), and there we were, right at the heart of downtown Hollywood. We passed the Egyptian Theater, and made it to the Guinness World Records and Hollywood Wax Museum buildings, which were awesome. It was my first time in a wax museum, so I was pretty impressed. The best wax figure was, obviously, Sammy J. Did you really question that? He had the shades and everything.

Also, apparently there is a world record for how many cigars you can smoke at once. It was fourteen, and the man could sing and whistle at the same time. Get on that, people.

Graumann’s Chinese Theater was probably my favorite though. There were all these people dressed up in character, like Superman and Jimmy Neutron and even Optimus Prime, that people were taking pictures with. Walking around and looking at all the hand prints that celebs from Will Smith to the Marx Brothers had made felt like being around royalty. It was a surreal experience (we still have 11 more days to meet an actual celebrity; the search continues!).

We had dinner at Mel’s Diner, which was the closest thing we could find to my requested Jack Rabbit Slim’s experience (I don’t care if it’s fictional or not!) and headed back to our car when, WHAM BAM ALAKAZAM!, turns out come cops were pursuing… someone, and hit and killed two pedestrians along the way. About two blocks of Hollywood Boulevard were closed off, so we had to walk through some pretty slummy areas in order to get back on track somewhere around the Geisha House. You’re lucky, your dearly devoted reporters almost didn’t even make it to E3!

By the way, wasn’t kidding about the hotel room. After not even spending 24 hours here, I woke up this morning to find the toilet’s broken. It’s going to be awesome.

Since she lives in Mexico City her flight left before mine. Still, I decided to tag along the two-hour drive from San Miguel, a famous town of the country, to San Salvador, the main city where Comalapa International Airport is. En route there I entertained myself by looking at the green mountains, the baby-blue sky and the farm animals that wonder about in the roads.

El Salvador is still a developing country, the towns outside the city bearing stone roads and in many cases dirt roads; but it is this image that gives it all a flair of traditionalism and history in the middle of today’s modern age. It was those same dirt roads, though, that took us into an unscheduled adventure. We had left San Miguel at 10 a.m. to arrive in San Salvador at one-ish and check my Grams into her 2:30 p.m. flight without problems.

Everything went well until the roads of San Miguel joined other roads that in turn joined the highways to the airport. Somewhat confusing. Our driver for the day, and father of my best friend, was nonchalant about finding a main road momentarily. A gas station attendant had told him to follow a path all the way down to reach an intersection. That “way down,” turned into an hour of wondering while rain began to pour. We continued driving through a narrow road that was slowly flooding.

There was no turning left or right because, as I nervously noticed, there were only trees and fields on our left and right. It was time to ask for directions, if only there had been people around to ask them to. We continued to drive straight since there was no way to turn back and during our drive I became scared three times.

The first: when the bottom of our little Toyota, carrying six people plus luggage, began hitting rocks …and I could feel the bumps hit my feet. I expected a hole to appear at any moment. The second: when I felt my toes were a little bit colder than the rest of my feet and saw it was because they were wet. I guess a hole did appear somewhere. At least my feet weren’t as wet as my grandma’s, which had water up to her ankles.

The third: when we were finally reaching higher land along and apparently reaching people. From a small shack came a mesmerized young man who asked us, “where are you going?!” My best friend’s dad explained that he needed to go to the airport, noticing that the road we were in became a dead end a few feet ahead. The young man said as nicely as possible, “Gracias a Dios que han pasdo ese camino, pero tienen que regresar,” (Thank God you passed that road, but you gotta go back).

He guided us to a side road 20 feet behind us- how many of these hidden side roads had we missed, I wondered? As the car began to drive on reverse I imagined water going into the exhaust and killing the engine; pushing the little Toyota and catching some disease from the water and ruining my dress, which was white.

Fortunately, we reached the side road and saw through the dense rain that it was less flooded. The water, which had reached halfway up our doors and officially flooded a portion of the car, would reside. We also realized that out from the bushes started coming large gray things. They were large gray cows. And so we waited for the cows to clear the road for us to move thru. All in all our interesting detour left us stressed, angry at Mother Earth and in a hurry since it was already two o’clock.

We reached a highway and drove as fast as the car would let us, leaking along the way. We got to the Mexicana Airlines check-in desk and by the mercy of the Lord, and an agent named Juan, got my grandmother in the flight 10 minutes before departure. After our main task was finished we packed into the little wet Toyota and decided to go eat pupusas, a staple of Salvadorian food. On the way to the restaurant I read a text sent to remind me that my flight was scheduled for Monday, June 2, at noon. I didn’t make it.

Although it was scary and random I loved the way I bid adieu to this country. The Republic of El Salvador is like my story tries to paint it; a little fun box where you don’t know what you will get but where you will be amazed by the beauty, candor and excitement of its nature, people and tourism.

Although it has had many political problems, with a bloody civil war lasting about 11 years, El Salvador today is pushing towards a brighter future. Recently, the country adopted the U.S. dollar as its national currency, to mixed reviews. In doing so, however, it opened the doors to a whole new range of tourism potential; with five-star hotels, like the Hilton, now in business, varied museums and some of the best shopping in Central America.

Aside from this, political leaders continue to fight drug trafficking and violent gangs to create a safer environment for families. The need to re-energize the country is real and the many construction sites for new schools, apartment buildings and malls make it even more apparent. Thankfully the country’s roots are not left behind in this makeover.

In every other corner and shopping center there are traditional Salvadorian food restaurants and the popular coffee and donut eatery chains, “Mr. Donut.” Highly recommended are the corn tamales, but think twice before taking a gulp from the Chuco- a chocolate and bean based drink.

As you drive in the city or ride the town buses there is an abundance of trees, flowers and hillside viewpoints all around. El Salvador is the smallest of the Central American countries, with an area equal to that of Massachusetts. Most of the country is on a fertile volcanic plateau bordering the Pacific Ocean between Guatemala and Honduras. This helps maintain the vegetation of the nation and beaches along the coastline that are ideal for surfing.

The democratic republic is divided in 14 departments and four zones. When arriving at the airport, after paying a $10 tourist fee your customs check will be much shorter if you know which of the zones you’re visiting. I learned this from my own foolishness of forgetting to ask my hosts where they lived.

Customs official-“So what department will you visit?”
Yours truly- “El Salvador”
Customs official-“Which one within El Salvador?”
Yours truly- “Uh, El Salvador?”
(Followed by a lesson on the basic history of the republic)

The trip continued to be filled with quips from locals who wanted me to speak “Mexican” and sold me fresh cinnamon coffee with sweet bread for 67 cents. It was the best 67 cents I spent in the vacation. I took advantage of the cars my host family had access to and traveled around with the young folks.

We visited Suchitoto, a colonial-style town an hour away from San Salvador. There we embarked in motorboats painted in bold colors to ride along Lake Suchitlan. In the middle of the lake laid the Island of the Birds, home to cranes, seagulls, eagles and other avian species I am not specifically acquainted with. We had a delicious dinner at La Posada, an inn atop a mountain. It was picture perfect.

On another day we drove to La Libertad to try out “canopy,” zip lining across trees in the jungle. We climbed, walked, hung and even swallowed some bugs as we screamed of excitement. At one point we hung over a lake where, as our tour guide stated, Cayman crocodiles lived. I confess with deep apologies that I did not check the facts.

A trip to the main market in the center of the city was well rewarded too. Aside from buying refreshing horchata, a rice water drink served in mini plastic bags with a straw, I purchased handmade crafts and crystal rings starting at a mere 70 centavos (cents).

The greatest trip was the one to San Miguel, were my last adventure started. San Miguel is the home to the most famous carnival the country has. Started 1958 it has gone through ups and downs but it is now, “better than ever” as the locals boast. In the past five carnivals alone Latin starts like Daddy Yankee and Calle 13 have performed for free as part of the celebrations organized by local government.

Plants that creep up outside walls adorn homes and riding “taxi-bicycles” is a common activity. The town was getting ready for a special activity at the time of my visit, though. The pillar of my best friend’s family, an uninhibited grandmother known by all as “Mamema,” was turning 90. The party planned for the occasion, complete with a benediction, toast, dinner, live band and three-tiered cake, was phenomenal.

As tradition rules at the end of every party thrown in San Miguel or by a San Miguel-an, a mini-carnival ends the fiesta. I got a glimpse of carnival, which happens every November, and wanted to be there for the real deal. With wigs, confetti, face masks and foam people dance to their oldest and liveliest San Miguel songs, preparing to head home to cure aching foots or hangovers.

The day after the party we spent the day at my host family’s beach house in El Cuco, with the hammocks ready to serve as our beds. Walking in the brown-sanded shore I admired La Ventana or “the window,” an arching sea rock that frames the sea. It can only compare for me thus far to Los Arcos of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Overall, I arrived expecting nothing and returned with great expectations to go back. This year is San Miguel’s fiftieth carnival. The event is rumored to be amazing. Falling in the weekend of Thanksgiving, I may have to book my flight now and eat a pork pupusas then in remembrance of our pilgrims.

With so many packaged vacations to already popular destinations it is nice to know there are still countries that can offer the exclusive and the rustic. The Republic of El Salvador can certainly fulfill your need to pamper while giving you the chance to explore and have adventures of your own.

For decades, shutterbugs have dreamed of having one of their best shots appear in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Now, just as millions of Americans are dusting off their cameras to capture their summer memories and travels, that dream is within reach for one lucky photographer whose photograph will be featured in an Energizer Ultimate Lithium ad that will run in the December 2008 issue of Nationa Geographic magazine.

Not only will the winning photo be a part a new ad campaign in the magazine for Energizer, the winner will also receive a National Geographic Expeditions trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar accompanied by an expert. Both represent one-of-a-kind opportunities for one gifted amateur photographer.

The contest was crated to celebrate the change of Energizer e2 Lithium into Energizer Ultimate Lithium, which allegedly lasts eight times longer in high-tech devices-perfect to keep using digital cameras. Photos can be submitted in one of eight thematic categories: adventure and exploration, travel, weather, science, people and cultures, festivals and celebrations, wildlife and nature, and space. A winner in each category will be selected in July, at which time the public will be asked to vote online for the photo they think should be included in the Energizer ad.

“Reliability is a big deal for me when I’m choosing equipment,” said Jim Richardson, National Geographic photographer and judge for the contest. “Long-lasting batteries that can function in extreme temperatures help me get the job done, and let me concentrate on more important things- like getting great pictures.”

In addition to long life, the batteries are 33 percent lighter than ordinary alkaline batteries and perform in extreme temperatures from -40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal for professional, and amateur, photographers. Photos can be submitted online by July 25.

If online submission is not possible, entries for the contest will also be accepted by mail. Photos provided cannot be larger than 8 x 10 inches and must be accompanied by an entry form available online. Further details and mailing address are also on the website.

Richardson will judge the entries based on the extent to which photo captures the essence of the theme selected composition, clarity and technical quality and creativity.

Each of the eight category winners will receive a photography-themed package valued at more than $300 and comprised of Energizer batteries; a “Gear on Assignment Earth Explorer” shoulder bag; a VuPoint Film Scanner, which enables users to scan strips of negatives or color slides and convert them to 5 megapixel digital files via a USB port; and the National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Photography. Start clicking!

Home to a wide variety of American ecosystems, the national parks serve as examples for how global warming is affecting our entire country. The parks offer not only a chance to witness the effects of global warming, but also an opportunity to discover how individuals can help prevent further damage.

Last year, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) released “Unnatural Disaster,” a report about global warming and the national parks. The report highlights multiple examples of how global warming is already impacting our parks, but also demonstrates how the most severe effects can still be halted if both individuals and the government act quickly.

“Many of the national parks are already feeling the effects of global warming,” said NPCA director of Clean Air and Climate Programs Mark Wenzler, who produced “Unnatural Disaster.” “Visiting the parks should inspire us to do something before it’s too late. Congress and the Administration must continue to work toward cleaning up dirty, coal-fired power plants and investing in new climate-friendly technologies. Our country’s heritage is depending on it.”

While many travel columns offer “Places to Visit Before You Die,” NPCA has highlighted several national parks to visit before they die. Here are a few parks that NPCA’s Wenzler urges travelers to see before global warming takes its toll:

Joshua Tree National Park (Calif.) is one of the jewels of the Mojave Desert in Southern California. The park is home to a wide array of plant and animal species, including the “jumping” cholla cactus, the desert bighorn, and the desert tortoise. But it is most well-known for its namesake: the Joshua tree. The park may need to consider changing its name at the end of this century, as the beloved tree is expected to slowly disappear. Joshua trees need the temperature to drop to a certain mark in order to reproduce, and according to NPCA’s report, that is less likely to happen due to global warming. The change will damage the entire ecosystem of the park, as invasive grasses move into the region to replace them.

In Alaska, the Mink Island archaeological site is located off the southern shore of Katmai National Park & Preserve (Alaska). The area is home to the remnants of native settlements stretching back 7,200 years, but they are beginning to erode as sea levels rise and storm activity increases. The park is well known for salmon fishing, both by brown bears and sport fishermen, but scientists warn that the ocean may become too warm to support healthy, wild salmon populations by mid-century.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tenn., N.C.) is the most visited national park in the country. The park is home to a thriving recreational fishing economy. But, even a slight increase in temperature could eliminate 80 to 90 percent of trout habitat in the region. Rare and ancient forests, remnants of the last ice age, may be threatened by increasing ground-level ozone and insect pests, brought about by warming.

On the shore of Lake Superior, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wis.) is experiencing global warming problems of its own. With the water level in Lake Superior decreasing, boating facilities must be redesigned and replaced in order to maintain park visitors’ enjoyment and safety.

Rocky Mountain National Park (Colo.) is known by most Americans for its natural, majestic beauty. Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes and black bears are just a few of the types of animals that make their home in this park near Denver. The park is currently experiencing rising temperatures and diminishing snow pack, which is causing trees to take over high elevation alpine tundra. The change puts at risk animals that have adapted to this kind of ecosystem. The park is also experiencing increased wildfires, which may lead to closures of the park to visitors.

Ellis Island National Monument (N.Y.) opened in 1892 as the nation’s premier federal immigration station. More than 40 percent of Americans can trace their ancestry through the site, which is currently a museum. Today, immigration records need to be removed from the park, as they are threatened by rising seas caused by global warming.

For those who do not already know, Everglades National Park (Fla.) is facing some of the more serious effects of global warming. More powerful hurricanes combined with sea level rise could destroy park buildings and roads, hampering visitor access. By the end of this century, we could see the entire park completely under water. For more information on visiting the Everglades, please go to www.nps.gov/ever/.

Like Joshua Tree, Glacier National Park (Mont.) might also need to consider changing its name. The glaciers that the park is famous for are slowly disappearing, and could completely disappear in just a few decades. For more information on visiting Glacier, go to www.nps.gov/glac/.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Themed Presents:

I am a fan of putting together themed presents and when you find out how easy it is, you will be too! Let’s take the above gifts as examples.

• Cuddle Blanket paired with his favorite DVD, and a box of popcorn … a night at home is complete.
• Charging valet paired with a fun new gadget whether it’s a monogrammed money clip, or the IPod Nano he’s been eyeing, he’ll love the accessory he can store on his new organizer.
• A sexy piece of lingerie paired with a sex toy, box of condoms, Karma Sutra book and deliciously scented candle create a night of seduction at your fingertips.

For both of you:

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to spice things up. Show off your inner vixen and have him loving this holiday…and you like never before.

Sexy Lingerie, $40.00 and up

It’s time to show off your body and buy a present that makes you feel beautiful. The delight he’ll take in seeing your confidence and of course hot undergarments will ignite his passionate side. Perhaps surprise him with a tantalizing strip tease, or if you’re daring, come over wearing just your “present” underneath your coat.

Sex Toys, $15.00 and up

Whether you’re a long time fan of sex toys or want to try something new in the bedroom, surprising your man with a new plaything could be the best Valentine’s Day gift he’s ever received. The Internet provides a plethora of toys for anyone’s imagination and it also allows you to remain anonymous.

Show him you can be both naughty and nice this February 14th.

Firefighters could be seen battling the blaze from the roof of the hotel, with flames coming from the southern section on the top floors.

Las Vegas ABC affiliate KTNV reported the fire was nearly knocked down within two hours with the west wing contained and the south wing fire nearly contained.

When all was said and done, 17 people were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries, and none of the 120 firefighters involved in putting out the blaze were injured.

Welders were working in the general vicinity of where the blaze broke out, but so far fire officials are not commenting on a possible cause.

The 3,000 room hotel staffed by more than 3,000 employees was built in 1996 for $344 million and is owned by MGM Mirage.

There was no mention of the fire on the website for the AAA Four Diamond-rated hotel and casino.

A 1980 fire at the old MGM Grand (now Ballys) killed 84 and injured 700. It was the deadliest fire in Las Vegas history. Since then strict fire code regulations have been enforced in one of the top tourist destinations in the country.

“Having all points checked by your mechanic is a good habit to get into each fall season,” said Peter May of Lund International. “Basic car maintenance that vehicle owners can do themselves is also important for safety on the roads.”

Have your mechanic tackle these winter preparation tasks:

• Make sure all oil, gas and air filters are in good condition.
• Replace or charge the battery. In the case of a sudden drop in temperature or lights being left on, a strong battery will still hold its charge. If your car doesn’t have running lights, it’s important to turn lights on whether it’s dark or not. Improving your visibility to other drivers helps in every situation.
• Check antifreeze levels and temperatures. Replace with fresh coolant if necessary. If you do this yourself, make sure to clean up any spilled fluid to protect children or pets from poisoning.
• Check the tires’ tread depth and air pressure. Consider all-season radials or even snow tires if the situation calls for them.

Once the mechanic’s check is done, there are several steps you can do on your own to ensure you’re set for winter:

• Check that all lights, heater and defrosters are working properly.
• Make sure your windshield washer fluid is filled with fluid that can handle freezing temperatures. Carry extra fluid with you, in case of extra-slushy roads.
• Regularly wash and wax your car, making sure to get the undercarriage where build up of road slush and salts can cause rust.
• Vacuum and shampoo interior carpet and upholstery regularly. Consider putting down extra floor mats to protect the car’s original carpet from salt and grime.
• You never know when you’ll need to pull over due to poor driving conditions. Prepare a safety kit to be kept in the trunk during winter months. Include water (remove upon leaving vehicle so it doesn’t freeze), healthy snacks, a warm blanket, heavy jacket and boots, hat and gloves, flares, jumper cables, a radio with fresh batteries, and a deck of cards. If you are in your vehicle for a long time, only run the engine periodically to heat the vehicle and save gas. Remember to crack the windows for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Consider storage for your stowage area. Whenever possible, place items inside a sturdy box or bag before placing them inside your vehicle to prevent spillage. Cargo Logic Cargo Area Protectors cover up the carpet to keep salt, dirt and wetness from spoiling your gear and keep the interior nice. Cargo Loks help to keep items from tipping and rolling around.

Be safe in the car this Winter!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Since launching their site two years ago, Allen and Boote have grown Unearth Travel to a 30,000-user Web site. Now 25, the South Londoners came up with the idea of developing an online guide after travel books did not meet their expectations.

Unearth Travel heavily relies on user contributions, like a Wikipedia for travel. The main feature is “The World Guide,” which includes a planner and guides written and monitored by users and team members. Other features include an itinerary builder, gallery and reviews.

The site’s advice section offers information on responsible tourism, tours, travel networking, itineraries, books and gadgets. It also features a place of destination, which gives basic information like when to visit and what sights to see. All the content is based on user contributions.

For avid travelers constantly on the move and who are not wary of identity theft, Unearth Travel offers a personal storage area to save an electronic copy of your passport and travelers checks. The team is in the process of sending this vital information to a more secure data storage area on their private servers.

According to Bennett, the most popular tool on Unearth Travel is the itinerary builder, but Londoners flock to the blog area. The popularity may come from the section’s weekly “London Top 10 List,” a roundup of local events.

While the layout is user-friendly, Unearth Travel is difficult to navigate at times because there is so much to offer and the site’s databases are in constant development as new applications are added. The developers hope to eventually expand the itinerary section so that it does more than just draw the route across a map, Bennett said.

Australia is the most written-about destination, and travel tales from Southern and Western Africa are beginning to surface into the guides, Bennett said.

Yes, entrants from all over the country are holding out, hopeful that their commodes and $3 bathroom cologne will push them to victory in 2007.

Believe it or not, some of these are actually really impressive. Noteably, the bathoom at Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. This restroom sits atop the 64th floor of the luxury hotel and casino, and the toilets are arranged facing floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you the best seat in the house to overlook Nevada at night.

Other entries include:

• Catch 31 in Virginia Beach: Its dark wood and mosaics propelled it to the top five this year
• Fandangles in Flushing, Michigan: Fancy lights, local art and “creature comforts”
• Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield, Ohio: On the outside it looks like there’s just two port-o-potties, but inside, it’s a jungle of a bathroom
• Proctor Marble Exhibit in Proctor, Vermont: Pure Vermont marble shown off here

Cintas created the award in 2002 to “honor those businesses cross America that combine function with exceptional style in their public estrooms,” according to a press release. The contest attracts tens of housands of voters each year. The winner gets a plaque of recognition and a spot in the “America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame.”

Previous winners have included restrooms at Notre Dame University, The Grand Casino, Kohler Art Center, the Fort Smith, Arkansas Airport, and in 2006, Wendell’s Restaurant in Westerville, Ohio, the press release said.

The pictures really just speak for themselves.

One of the best parts about living in somewhere is getting the hell out of there once in a while.

Blame it on New England winters, Pacific Northwest rain, Southwest heat or Southeast storms.

If traveling far and wide seems limited to rich kids a la My Super Sweet 16, think again. With a little determination and patience, a change of scenery doesn’t have to emaciate the wallet.

It can, however, leave the student budget traveler feeling like a million bucks.

Here is one trip that left me relaxed for less than half a semester’s price for an on-campus meal plan–including spending cash.

Beware, though. This kind of trip isn’t for the upgrade-needy or lovers of luxury.

Two months into a six-month internship at a Boston newspaper, I realized 26 weeks of many 12-hour days made necessary at least one week away before starting back to college classes. Four roommates and another friend decided to join me on what at first seemed like an impossible quest: Two European cities in seven days for under $750.

We needed two cities that had cheap options for travel in between. They couldn’t get boring for three or four days each and one also had to offer a great New Year’s Eve atmosphere, as we wanted to ring in the new year abroad.

Amsterdam and Paris were too expensive and interest was low for any Iberian itinerary.

We decided to stick to cities in Western Europe that were at least somewhat known to everyone, even if only third-hand.

After a few days of searching the usual online travel sites, I stumbled across two meta-search gems: SideStep and Kayak.

Both offer the same kind of search technology that allows travelers to search over 100 other ticketing sites at once, allowing us to find a steal on a round-trip fare from Boston to Dublin for only $335, including taxes.

We paired that with a good deal we found from RyanAir, one of Europe’s most established low-fare carriers. For $94 round-trip, we sandwiched in a four night visit to London, one of the world’s most notoriously expensive cities.

Luckily, though, the cost of the additional destination was well worth it. And because we had saved so much by starting our search early–we finalized our reservations four months ahead of departure–we had enough spending cash to thoroughly enjoy two of the best cities the British Isles have to offer.

Our three days in and around Dublin were a great start to our trip and a perfect introduction to Europe for those taking part in their first overseas adventures.

We first went to the birthplace of Guinness’s famous stout at the St. James Brewery and enjoyed a free pint of the brew atop the building–one of Dublin’s highest–at the aptly-named Gravity Bar. After resting up for New Year’s Eve celebrations later that evening, we headed out on the town.

Six hours and countless pubs later, we joined an impromptu–and quite inebriated–parade down a cobblestone street, chugging champagne bought from a convenience store, reveling with kilted Scotsmen in town for the holiday and forgetting all about the angst-filled semester that just preceded.

Day two provided us ample opportunity to explore the catacombs and crypts of a nearby cathedral, check out the beautiful neighborhood around Temple Bar, the city’s center of touristy kitsch, and make plans for a cheap–just more than $20–guided tour of County Wicklow, a stunning swath of hilly countryside south of Dublin.

Our guide, Damien, offered an eccentric commentary to a most relaxing day that included visits to beautiful glacial lakes, the majestic Jameson family (yes, the whiskey people) estate and an authentic country pub.

We ended our last evening watching step dancers at an Irish pub on the banks of the River Liffey.

Our hostel, the Avalon House (+011-353-1-4750001) offers rooms for as low as $17 per night. It’s noisy, the beds are shoddy and uncomfortable, but the bathrooms are far above the European hostel standard. Keep your time there limited to sleeping and showering and its location near everything in central Dublin will make up for its massive shortcomings.

London was a whirlwind of museums, visits to historic sights and taking in as much of one the world’s finest cities as we could.

As we found out, it’s impossible to fully understand London in such a short period. It was, however, easy to begin getting a pulse on this essential destination, much of it for much less money than we expected.

Sidestepping the great expense of London is easier than one might think. Most museums and historical sights of interest have “free days” or no admission at all, meaning keeping yourself occupied will almost certainly always cost less than filling your stomach or paying for a place to rest your head.

That allowed us to spend money exploring special sights like the Tower of London and some of the royal palaces, all of which charged admission but were well worth the price.

A word of caution about London: check again if something seems too cheap. Our flights between Dublin and London were definitely inexpensive, but we arrived and left using Luton Airport, a considerable distance from the heart of London.

Getting back to the airport for a 5 a.m. flight was no easy task, either.

Some less scrupulous operations will sell what seem like great deals on guided tours of historic places in the surrounding outer areas of London, but don’t include admission or entry fees.

The London House (+011-44 (0) 207-243-1810) has beds available for under $30 a night–unheard of in a city where even the dinkiest hotel rooms regularly go for over $200 a night.

It’s truly no-frills, but the superb location near Kensington Palace put us in a great spot to explore places to spend all that money we saved on our travel basics.

Picture a car that can satisfy all three: the view of a moon roof, the breeze of a sunroof and the sheer satisfaction of a convertible.

Enter the 2007 Volkswagen Eos.

The Eos is the first hardtop convertible with a sunroof. While it may sound well overdue, this car has arrived right on time to usher in a new bar height for others to crawl under.

The secret is the coupe-sunroof-convertible (CSC).

“The CSC is a revolutionary five-panel roof that transforms the coup’es hardtop, with integrated sunroof and heated-glass rear window, into an open-air convertible,” said Kristin Lambert, spokeswoman for Volkswagen. According to Lambert (and first-hand experience) the whole transformation happens in 25 seconds.

Your editor spent a grueling work week between Miami and the Florida Keys in March with other members of the media. While there, we had a chance to check in on this German-engineered powerhouse and see what it can do.

The Florida Keys didn’t know what they were in for when the 3.2L turbocharged V6’s roared to life.

To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first, not sure what the land of Bugs and Jettas was putting out in the Eos.

The Eos seemed strangely at home in Key West (which features the end of U.S. Rt. 1 and the southernmost point in the continental United States) enroute to Key Largo.

The 3.2L package I drove includes a double clutch automatic transmission system. You simply don’t feel the gears shift. It’s a computerized system that’s so smart, it could out-shift a professional racer, according to one Volkswagen spokesman.

While I tested the better engine package, the Eos comes standard with a four-cylinder engine and manual transmission also.

The convertible mechanism is a thing of beauty. As long as the Eos is stopped, one lever raises or lowers the top, sunroof and all, and folds it into the trunk in less than 30 seconds.

The Eos is also fast. 0-60 mph is well covered and (shh) so are 60-80 and beyond. The turbocharged engine performs amazingly well; stick your hand out the window in a Cali-style sloped motion if you need any visual help in that area. The car is just a pleasure to drive.

An onboard GPS navigation system is available to make sure your road trips don’t involve any more gas station stops than necessary. It’s built into the LCD on the dash and powered by DVD (by the way, there’s DVD too) so the system is constantly upgradeable.

One such upgrade-a partnership with Google Earth-is on the way, according to a VW press release.

Of course, AM/FM radio is included and satellite radio is an option that’s growing in popularity. This is powered by a 10-speaker Dynaudio sound system. A six-disc CD player in the armrest rounds off the audio/visual elements.

So those are the specifications and specifics. What makes the Eos better than any other sports car?

More importantly, what was it about the Eos that impressed an otherwise not easily-impressed media type?

As soon as I stepped into the driver’s seat, the Eos felt like it was mine.

It’s a hard feeling to describe. The smaller racing-style wheel and sleek racing pedals give the car an exciting edge. The side mirrors can be adjusted without looking away. The top comes up with a flick of the wrist. It comes in a variety of sexy colors. The seat was adjustable in a dozen different ways, including spinal support inward and outward; something swoon-worthy.

Basically, this car is actually comfortable to sit in and drive for several hours.

Think about that.

The whole concept of stretching legs was invented as a break in the otherwise uncomfortable long-form driving scenario. Here, it’s just not necessary.

The Volkswagen Eos is the ultimate cruising vehicle. It will seat four on your way to New England, Florida or California, no matter what season.

Skepticism resided, the Eos pleased me. It delivers. I just wish it was included in the “Three V-dubs for under $17,000″ campaign.

It starts around $27,000. The 3.2L is nicely equipped at $38,000.