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Articles for January, 2012

In the pipeline: cheap Hawaii vacations for surfers

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

You won't be surfing Oahu's Banzai Pipeline like the pros, but that doesn't mean you can't get your feet wet. Credit: surfglassy.

By Amy Drew Thompson

Okay, sure. It doesn’t hurt to be born and raised in Hawaii (or blessed with natural talent), but Oahu native John John Florence — at 19, the youngest-ever champion of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing — still had to practice. Where can you get your start? On a cheap Hawaii vacation, of course, learning from natives in the waves where many believe the sport was born.  You might want to avoid the monsters at Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline for now, but there are plenty of kinder, gentler beaches for beginners getting their sea legs. And it never hurts to get a lesson.

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Tee time during your Disney vacation: Golf Disney like a local

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

World-class champions like Nicklaus, Woods and Singh play Disney's Palm Golf Course. You can, too.

By Amy Drew Thompson

The PGA Merchandise Show comes to the Orange County Convention Center Jan. 25-28, along with the year’s best golfing weather. Mercifully, you don’t have to be Arnold Palmer — or even staying at Disney — to experience play at Walt Disney World’s phenomenal courses, so golfers booking cheap Orlando vacations need not settle. Cool quotient: Carts come equipped with the latest GPS technology. Plan accordingly and enjoy reduced late-afternoon rates for even more savings.

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Posted in Florida, Off-season Deals, Sports, Tips & Advice | No Comments »

Spotting the spouts: Whale watching tips from an expert guide

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Gray whales near Baja, Mexico that interact with humans are called "friendlies." Credit: Jim Dorsey.

By Blane Bachelor

When it comes to whales, especially gray whales, Jim Dorsey knows his stuff. The Los Angeles-based naturalist is trained by the American Cetacean Society and for 15 years has been the resident naturalist in the Gray Whale Nursery of the pristine San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. A popular destination for cheap Mexico vacations, the Baja Peninsula also boasts some of the world’s best whale watching, as its warm, protected waters draw thousands of once-endangered gray whales from January through April. Here, Dorsey offers his years of experience on how to get the best out of any whale watching excursion. (more…)

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Posted in Beach Vacation, Mexico | No Comments »

Paying homage: Black History Month in Chicago

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood is loaded with cultural gems and vibrant murals -- not to mention engaging events during Black History Month throughout February. Credit: Zol87.

By Jennifer Olvera

Black History Month is celebrated throughout the month of February nationwide. In Chicago, the park district is one of many entities to usher in honorary events. What’s more, it’s a great time to celebrate the every day contributions of Chicago’s African-American visionaries, from blues, gospel and soul music performances to stops at culturally rich gems in the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Conveniently, you find a plethora of cheap Chicago hotels this time of year. (more…)

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Posted in Big Cities, Events, Urban Traveler | No Comments »

For the frugal foodie: Restaurant Week in NYC

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Bar Boulud is just one of the 300-plus restaurants participating in NYC's Restaurant Week. Credit: ZagatBuzz.

By Erin Behan

January is a great time of year to visit New York–if you don’t mind the cold, that is. Hotel rooms are generally discounted, Broadway plays often have open seats and—of course—the post holiday sales are in full force. There’s one more reason to visit New York in January, and it has to do with a famous New York City pastime: eating out. The city’s twice-annual Restaurant Week runs Monday through Friday from Jan. 16 through Feb. 10, and 2012 is the 20-year celebration of the event that gives discounted prix fixe meals for lunch ($24.07) and dinner ($35) at more than 300 of the city’s top restaurants. (more…)

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Posted in Events, Food and Drink | No Comments »

Jamaica carnival: a winter respite in February

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Jamaica's lovely beaches aren't the only draw during the festival-laden winter. Credit: rappensuncle.

By Jennifer Olvera

Let’s face it: Jamaica is a spirited place any time of year. But winter and early spring usher in a host of lively events, making the Greater Antilles island a riotously colorful –not to mention balmy — place to be. And, given the full season is not in full swing, it’s a pocketbook-friendly time to book a cheap Caribbean vacation. (more…)

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Posted in Cheap Caribbean Vacation | No Comments »

Year of the Dragon: Chinese New Year in Paradise

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

The Chinese New Year Parade is just part of the month-long celebrations in Honolulu. Credit: Valdezign.

By Erin Behan

Hear that roar? It’s a month of Chinese Lunar New Year festivities in Honolulu getting off to a good start. The year 2012, of course, is the Year of the Dragon, and the celebrations run from Jan. 6- Jan. 21 in Chinatown. The best part about entrance to each of the month’s Chinese New Year events (besides getting in touch with both Chinese and Hawaiian culture)? They’re all free. (more…)

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Posted in Beach Vacation, Tips & Advice | No Comments »

The Neon Museum Boneyard: Sin City history in lights

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Bright lights, big city: A slice of Sin City's history at the Neon Museum Boneyard. Credit: Bark.

By Blane Bachelor

Neon signs are the iconic art form of Las Vegas. But as a more generic image takes over The Strip, dozens of the neon signs that once adorned casinos, hotels and nightclubs have been removed. Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of a local nonprofit, they’ve found a new home at the Neon Museum Boneyard – or Neon Graveyard, as it’s also called — where visitors can experience the Sin City of yesteryear with a tour of the colorful relics. (more…)

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Posted in Big Cities, Las Vegas | No Comments »