3 Great Cities for Music

With American Idol in the early stages of a brand-new season, I thought it would be appropriate to blog today about some of America’s great music cities. I love hearing music when I’m traveling, and some of my favorite memories involve dark holes in the walls filled with that musical spirit, as some undiscovered local talent bewitches their captive audience into staying out until all hours of the night.

While I love hearing blues in Chicago, rocking at clubs in Los Angeles with eyes peeled for celebrities, and counting the Deadhead posters at San Francisco’s famous Fillmore, here are my top three go-to cities when I want a music-filled vacation:

1. New Orleans: From dark nightclubs to brass bands that parade through day-lit streets, the city of New Orleans is filled with music around the clock, and festivals like Jazz Fest are just the beginning. Gospel choirs emanate good feelings from the doors of churches, jazz legends like Carl Densen wait to start their shows at 4am when they know the true fans will be on-hand, and groups like the Rebirth Brass Band symbolize what the city spirit is all about.

2. Nashville: In the home of country music and rock and roll, it can sometimes seem like there’s a cowboy-boot-wearing guitar player on every street corner and that every time happy hour rolls around it’s time for the honky tonk. Just head to the Ryman Auditorium or the Country Music Hall of Fame, and you’ll be able to appreciate a rich legacy of stars famous for creating that one and only Nashville sound.

3. Washington, D.C: Most people don’t know that Go-Go music was invented in the nation’s capital by Chuck Brown, but you can still hear it played today in venues like Alexandria’s Birchmere and at the 9:30 Club. Sure Fugazi once reigned supreme on the D.C. music scene—and still does in some circles—but the city is also famous for its more classical venues, like the Kennedy Center, where the National Symphony Orchestra often plays.

Celeb-Spotting While Traveling: Have You Seen Any?

I'm curious: has anyone ever seen a famous person while traveling? Because I seem to see them all the time!

Take last month, for example. I was just wandering around LAX, minding my own business while I waited for my luggage, when bam! Who should I run into? (And I do mean RUN into, since I had something of a headlong collision with her bouncer.) Why, only Jessica Simpson! She was super nice and friendly, and I even managed to sputter that I liked her boots.

And then on the way to my hotel, the fantastic Sofitel Los Angeles, I could have sworn I spied Paris Hilton in the car next to me. She even lowered her sunglasses and peered through the tinted window at me, I swear.

Sure, California may be a breeding ground for celebs, but there was nowhere more VIP-heavy than Washington, D.C. last week, when anyone who was anyone came out for President Obama's Inauguration. A friend of mine bumped into both Tom Hanks and Tyra Banks while she was traveling there.

What about you? Have you ever seen anyone famous while traveling? And if the person you saw happens to be Leonardo DiCaprio, could you at least pretend you gave him my number?

How to Save Money With a Complex Vacation Package

The Offer: Mr. Brown is attending a conference for work in Seattle this May.

The Opportunity: I have never seen the Pacific Northwest and a dear friend lives in Portland.

The Complication: Vacation days and money are tight.

The Solution: A customized vacation package.

When I left the South, I forgot to take my laid-back attitude with me. Instead I have morphed into a bona fide city slicker, rushing from one appointment to the next, always scared I’m going to miss out on the fun. And when I vacation, this little habit kicks into overdrive. So what if I can only take two days off work for this little adventure? Surely a long weekend in Seattle and Portland is better than never having seen either city?

And so I set to work researching my travel options. In general I like to book Flight + Hotel vacation packages. Not only do they save you oodles of cash (some websites say as much as $315 per person per trip), they’re also easy to book. But would they work for a complex travel situation like this? My husband’s airfare to and from Seattle is free--as is his hotel. I’d like to fly to Seattle to meet him, then take a hop over to Portland together, and book a hotel in the City of Roses. Basically, I need a flight with three legs and a hotel stay at the end of it. Would booking a vacation package even be possible?!

The answer? Yes and no. Sadly, you can’t yet book a multi-leg flight and add a hotel to one of your stops. Travelocity does allow you to book a Flight + Hotel package where you fly into one city and stay in another, but the stay spans the entire length of your trip, which is not what I need.

BUT I still have two options. I can book a multi-leg flight and book a hotel stay in Portland separately. OR I can book a Flight + Hotel package from Seattle to Portland and add in a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Seattle separately. Are you still with me? Ready to crunch some numbers? Do you have a guess on which is the cheaper option?

Well, the answer is a little anti-climatic, I’m afraid. I used the same travel dates, times, and hotel and the two totals ended up being within THREE MEASLY BUCKS of one another. I know! Who figures this stuff out? Only crazy people like me, apparently. But then I got to wondering if this was because my trip was so short and nearby. What if I tried this same experiment on a far-flung location?

I tried this entire scenario again (do you see what I go through for you guys?!) using a San Francisco/Hong Kong/Bangkok combination, and this time the results seemed to favor the Flight + Hotel package + Flight option. So if you’re planning a complex trip for a longer period of time to a distant location, be sure to price the Flight + Hotel option and then add the rest of your trip to it. But if it’s a short trip, it probably doesn’t matter how you book it.

Man, I’m exhausted now. (Swoons on settee) It's a good thing Blagojevich passed me (and Oprah) over as a candidate for Obama's senate seat.

Why Blagojevich Should Take a Cruise

Recently, with all his strange press conferences and poor political behavior, doesn’t it seem like Rod Blagojevich could use some chilling out to get his head back on straight (the guy can’t even get his fingerprints right)? I’ve decided a cruise would be perfect for him--and I know cruising. I’ve sang karaoke, played miniature golf, had a martini in a revolving restaurant, and even attended an indoor parade—all in the middle of the sea on cruise ships.

Now I never pegged myself as a cruiser. I like adventure, and places unknown, and solitary paths that lead to hidden discoveries. But every now and again, I like to just relax, kick up my heels with the rest of the human race, and have a lotta fun. A cruise ship is a great way to go.

When you factor in that once you’re onboard, your meals, lodging, and entertainment are included, it’s hard to find a better value—and judging by his debt, Blago could sure use a good value (and a good haircut!). Plus, heavily discounted rates available right now means that you could theoretically go cruising for well under $99 a day.

And the ships themselves are getting more and more fun, and catering to a younger audience, too. Forget shuffleboard (unless that’s your favorite)--now you can rock-climb and ice-skate, play pool on self-leveling tables, get fantastic aromatherapy massage treatments, and even whiten your teeth (surely Blago would like that last one). You could be on a live game-show that gets broadcast to every stateroom on the ship and become an instant onboard celebrity, or you could dance all night long in a nightclub.

In short, it’s been over a year since my last cruise, and right now’s the right time to take my next vacation afloat. But, Blago, please, if you’re gonna set sail, here’s to hoping we’re not on the same ship.

Golden Rules For Packing

If they gave out medals for excellent travel behavior, I'd surely get the one inscribed "Best Packer." It's a skill I've learned over the years and one I manage to put to good use rather frequently, particularly with most airlines now charging fees for checked baggage. If you've got a vacation coming up, here's something you might be interested in: Carmen Sanfrancisco's golden rules for packing!

Rule Number One: Organization is key! Everyone says that you should lay everything you want to take out on your bed and then put half of it away. Well, I've tried it, but I somehow seem to keep sneaking stuff in afterwards. What good is that? So my tip is to write down everything I think I'll need and then decide how it'll work together on my trip. Trust me, once you've figured out that your hot pink leopard print ballet flats don't go with any of your pants, you'll skip 'em.

Rule Number Two: Have a dress rehearsal! Once you know what you're definitely packing, try it all on. That green skirt doesn't really work after all, does it? Well, good thing you figured that out before you brought it all the way to Hawaii!

Rule Number Three: Don't bring things you know you won't use: Just between you and me, how often will you use the hotel treadmill? Yep, that's what I thought. (I'm not a spy for nothing, you know!) If those sneakers are taking up valuable suitcase space, don't bring them.

Rule Number Four: Wear your heavy things on the plane. My cowboy boots, my coat, and (of course) my favorite fedora: what do they all have in common? Well, they're all big pieces of clothing which are hard to pack. Ergo, I wear them on the plane--and take them off as soon as I get on!

Rule Number Five: When in doubt, just say no. This is a toughie but I've gradually gotten better at making myself follow it; after all, it's often just that last pair of jeans that you miiiiiight need that ends up being the straw that breaks the camel's back. If you're not sure if you'll need something, chances are you probably won't.

So there you have it, a few good rules on how to pack for your vacation. Now if you could just squeeze Michelle Obama's Inauguration gown in there as well---wasn't it gorgeous?---you'll be all set.

Hungry and Wonky: Where to Eat in Washington, D.C. During the Inauguration

To my mind, D.C. is bar none the prettiest major city in America and one of my absolute favorite places to visit. But the dining scene is so bad, Obama should consider appointing a Gourmet Czar to investigate the problem.

Cough, sputter, fists shaking…

Look, don’t blame me. You know I’d never besmirch the sterling reputation of a Southern city without just cause. The crumminess of the D.C. food scene is a matter of well-documented fact and certainly something I have experienced first hand. I’d elaborate on some of my more hair-raising dining adventures in D.C., which include my waiter throwing things at another waiter, but I don’t want to be sued. (Businesses are now suing people who write negative reviews on the popular website Yelp.com. So much for freedom of speech?)

BUT that doesn't mean you're going to starve. There are some awesome places in the District to tuck into a little chow. Here are my top five recommendations, suitable for stacked Republican wallets and shoestring Democrat budgets.

Best place to commemorate M.L.K. Day: Ben’s Chili Bowl
Dine where African American luminaries like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and even Martin Luther King Jr., hung out and get misty-eyed at this favorite lunch counter that survived against all odds. Order Bill Cosby’s Original Chili Half-Smoke for less than five bucks and taste history.

Best break-the-bank indulgence: Michel Richard’s Citronelle
Arguably the crown jewel of Washington’s fine-dining scene, Citronelle dishes up trompe l'oeil French morsels. Don’t miss Richard's signature dish, "the virtual egg.” This starter looks like a hard-boiled egg but is actually comprised of mozzarella and yellow tomato.

Best burger on a budget: Ray’s Hell Burger
This newcomer is making waves in the official stomping grounds of the over-hyped Five Guys Burgers with its purist approach to an all-American classic. The mantra is: no fries, no ambiance, just great burgers made of steak-quality beef. Carnivores can adorn their selections with inventive toppings like epoisse, foie gras, and cognac-sauteed mushrooms, in addition to the old standbys.

Best Southern/Belgian food: Marvin
The Washington Post has reviewed a whopping 44 restaurants that serve Southern/Soul food but this upstart, named after D.C. native Marvin Gaye, is quickly rising to the top of the heap. Though Marvin also offers Belgian food and brews, the Southern fare is mighty satisfying. Get the chicken and waffles, take in the view from the rooftop deck, and remember there ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby.

Best bar food: Dr. Granville Moore’s
This relatively new gastropub is located in the up-and-coming H Street Corridor and has the feel of a Manhattan speakeasy. Don’t miss the Moules Mariniere, voted the best mussels in the District by CityPaper, and be sure to dive headfirst into their exhaustive Belgian beer selection.


Want more advice?
Download a foodie Washington, D.C. iPhone App
Find out which restaurants are serving the candidates' hometown fare
Plan your own Obama Boozerama with the best of the Baracktails

Wish you were heading to Washington, D.C. for the inauguration? Well, technically it’s not too late, thanks to the modern miracle of last-minute packages. In fact if you’re willing to leave in just a few hours, a Flight + Hotel package from Dallas will only set you back approximately $450. I guess procrastination actually does pay--sorry, Mom!

You Can Climb Every Mountain, But You Gotta Get Down Somehow

Greetings and salutations. My name’s Rosie the Traveler, and I’m the third to make up our blog’s trio of travel-loving friends. Since I was a little tyke, I’ve been infected by the travel bug---and bad. I’ve always wanted to cross every bridge, leave no stone unturned, and climb every mountaintop.

So this weekend, I headed out of the unseasonably warm city (I live in San Francisco) to ski by Lake Tahoe, and even though the entire adventure was sunshine-filled and conditions just about as perfect as can be, my tough-gal image took a bit of a dent---but we’ll get to that part in a few.

When I arrived, the mountain, for the most part, was just sitting there all by its lonely. Sure, there were people schussing around here and there, but there were no crowds at the equipment rental counter, no lines at the lifts, and plenty of room at the top of the peak for me to stumble and fall and go all topsy turvy. Why, why, why, I wondered, would the mountain be this lonesome, when some of the greatest ski deals are available (and you can bet I took advantage of them)!

Here’s the thing: I’ve never skied before. Not a lick! So maybe it was the thin air, or the fact that Squaw’s beginner slopes are located at the very top of the mountain, but I got to the summit and thought: You gotta be kidding me! I’m not skiing down that thing!

Yep, it was a case of biting off a little more than I can chew, something I’ve been known to do before. (Go ahead and laugh---I can now.) It took a lot of hemming and hawing, but with prodding by my very patient instructor, I did actually make it down, although I pretty much went about as slow as a gal can go the entire way.

What’s funny, though, is that now that I’m back in the city---well, I keep picturing myself on that mountaintop, and, once more, that travel itch starts wanting to be scratched...

Finding a Travel Deal? It's All in a Day's Work For Me!

Well hello there, travel fans! Let me introduce myself: I'm Carmen Sanfrancisco.

What's that, you say? My name sounds a little familiar? Not to worry, I get that all the time---but you're actually thinking of my long-lost step cousin, Carmen Sandiego. She's way more famous than me. Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Yep, you know the one.

(Incidentally, I have no idea where she is right now, come to think of it. She hasn't emailed me in years! Last I heard she was in Hawaii.)

Just like my world-famous cuz, though, I went into the family business; that's right, I'm a detective. Well, alright, that's not entirely true, but I do pride myself on my superb spying skills and my ability to seek out something at the top of every traveler's wish list: a steal. You might notice that my coat and hat in my picture are green, for instance. Know why that is? Because of all the green I like to save!

I just hate paying full-price for something, you see. I'm the gal who stalks an airfare for three weeks before clicking "purchase" because I can't stand the thought that I could have got it for cheaper. I join every hotel rewards program and car rental club I can. I travel a lot, you see, and those benjamins add up: if I can save money on every trip, I'm a very happy camper indeed. (Sometimes quite literally in fact---I've never met a tent I didn't like.)

Join me, won't you, as I post about my best ways to travel on a budget. My crowning glory? A hotel for three bucks a night in Laos. If you can beat that bargain, I'll consider taking you on as my apprentice.

Welcome to Travel Blurbs

Oh…well hello there. Welcome to Travel Blurbs. I’m Sweet Georgia Brown and when I’m not swooning on settees or sipping mint juleps, I’m having grand adventures around the world.

I grew up in the Deep South, where "vacation" meant piling into the station wagon and driving up to Memphis to stay at the highfalutin Peabody Hotel. But when I was grown, I moved to San Francisco, Cali-forn-i-a and began to explore more exotic destinations. Now, the first moment I have two pennies to rub together, I start plotting my next trip. (Why, thank you for asking! The goals for 2009 are Greece, Puerto Vallarta, and New Orleans.)

I write this blog with two like-minded travelers and friends, Rosie the Traveler and Carmen Sanfrancisco, and together we’re going to share that great big world out there with you. So come on in, shug. Make yourself right at home, put your feet up, and let’s get to swappin’ stories.

Since we just met and I don’t want to come across as too fresh, I’ll leave you with my New Year’s Travel Resolution.

Thou shalt invest in one piece of quality luggage.

I’ve never owned a self-respecting piece of luggage in my life and my current bag is an off-brand, heavy-as-an-anvil monstrosity. It falls over when stood up, it tips when you drag it behind you, and it is UGLY.

I just got back from a two-week jaunt in Asia that involved a total of nine flights, two ferries, and five hotels. And this trip was the straw that broke the camel’s back. There are two things a properly bred Southern lady never does: curse or sweat. I can only say it was a blessing Grandmother Mary Lou (rest her soul) could neither see nor hear me because I was cursin’ a blue streak and sweatin’ like a pig in the mud hauling that dreadful, war-torn piece-of-crap bag around.

When I came home my first order of business was to purchase the Samsonite Eurolite 21” Spinner bag. My sister bought a spinner bag a few years ago, and she swears there's no going back to two wheels after you have experienced the bliss of four. And would you note the price? $109 measly bucks. How have I let $109 stand between me and travel sanity for so long?! I predict I will be $1,000 happier on my next trip.

Plus, I got it in red, so that the next time I fly over the holidays and the airline misplaces my bag, I will not, for a change, see their baggage representative wilt as I utter, “It’s a black, rolling, carry-on.”

Now, the only question that remains is…where does this cute red bag want to go? More to come…

--SGB