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Articles for December, 2011

Free local flair and cheap eats at Wailuku’s First Fridays

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Local restaurants cook up specials for Wailuku's monthly street party.

By Erin Behan

There’s nothing wrong with feeling like a tourist in Hawaii, but every once in a while it’s nice experience something like a kama’aina or local, and Wailuku First Friday fits the bill with plenty of local flair. (more…)

NYE 2011: Celeb-studded bashes and old-school shindigs

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Bring in 2012 with a bang in Las Vegas. Credit: Las Vegas News Bureau.

By Blane Bachelor

From reality star shenanigans at nightclubs (Kim Kardashian at TAO, anyone?) to intimate concerts with show business legends (Stevie Wonder at the Cosm0politan) to an old-school street party, New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is the place to be if you’re looking to rub elbows with celebs while ringing in 2012. (more…)

F(r)eeliz Navidad: Affordable Mexican Christmas traditions

Tuesday, December 20th, 2011

Feliz Navidad: Colorful pinatas mark holiday celebrations in Mexico. Credit: Yankara.

By Blane Bachelor

It’s no secret the holidays can be expensive, what with all that merry-making and gift-giving. But travelers who are spending Christmas in Mexico will find plenty of reasons to rejoice when it comes to affordability. Getting into the spirit without spending a peso is a cinch, since Christmas traditions in Mexico can be found on nearly every corner, from simple poinsettia displays to spectacular Nativity scenes — including the world’s largest, in Mexico City, which set a Guinness World Record this year. (more…)

Road-trip Oahu: One-tank adventures from Waikiki

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Pretty in paradise: Explore Kualoa Ranch's lush landscape via horseback or ATV tour. Credit: mporter5.

By Amy Drew Thompson

Recent weeks have seen gas prices dropping, even in the Rainbow State — where fuel costs rank among the country’s highest. In Honolulu, prices have dipped below $4 per gallon, making conditions ripe for cruising the scenic Kamehameha Highway to hit out-of-town attractions on a self-guided loop that’ll have you back on the beach for dinner. Fuel up and say aloha to cheap Hawaiian vacations with these Oahu attractions:

(more…)

Three Kings Day: Parades and party time in Puerto Rico

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) is among Puerto Rico's most festive holidays, when parades and gift-giving honor the storied Wise Men, who came to see baby Jesus. Credit: Jaime Olmo.

By Jennifer Olvera

Santa? Santa, who? In Puerto Rico – and much of the Latin world – it’s the Three Kings who foster (or, at least, further) the holiday spirit. Understandably, that makes early January a choice time to plan a cheap Caribbean vacation. (more…)

Winter Wonderland: Windy City hotels and events on the cheap

Thursday, December 8th, 2011

Chicago's Chinese New Year parade ignites winter travel with dragon-based fun. Credit: Joe Marinaro.

By Jennifer Olvera

It may be cold, but traveling to Chicago after the holidays has its rewards since hotels are generally more affordable. Besides, there are a slew of events that give the city winter wonderland appeal, and a blast of blustery weather – complete with dancing snowflakes – never hurt anyone.  And cheap Chicago hotels? Well, they can be found in spades. (more…)

Low-season Orlando: Cool weather, cool deals

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Light Up UCF’s free Holiday Light Show illuminates the arena several times a night. Credit: Kathryn Page.

By Amy Drew Thompson

Now that Thanksgiving is over and the holidays are in full swing, Orlando experiences low season — the cool slice of fall through mid-December, then again in January and February. Park lines are shorter, humidity’s a distant memory, and cheap Orlando hotels abound. From campfire sing-a-longs at Disney to SeaWorld Orlando, stretch your vacation dollar further with some of these budget-friendly options:

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Santa takes a seat (on you!) at Ripley’s in New York

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

At this Santa sitting, Santa sits on you. Credit: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Times Square.

By Erin Behan

The tradition of sitting on Santa’s lap is so engrained in American culture that we hardly even question it: What adults don’t cherish that embarrassing childhood photo of themselves making an awkward face in a Christmas sweater on an ample Kris Kringle? (more…)