New York City is renowned the world over for its multi-cultural character.  Such is the allure of the erstwhile ‘Big Apple’, that it attracts people from all over the globe who come to New York City in search of fame and fortune.  The city has a rich immigrant history which has contributed greatly to its  diversity and one of the best ways for a visitor to witness this aspect of New York City, is to take in one of the city’s biggest food festivals namely the annual Ninth Avenue International Food Festival.

The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival which is held typically on the weekend after Mothers Day, made its debut on New York City’s summer street fair calendar in 1973.  Since then this two day festival which is held along 9th Avenue on the west side of Manhattan and extends from W37th toW 57th streets has attracted record crowds every year. It is estimated that more than a  million people, both local New Yorkers and visitors attend this’ ode to global foods’ every year. This year the Ninth Avenue Food Festival is slated to be held on the  15th and 16th of May from 9.30am to 6.30pm on each day.

Summer street fairs in New York City are eagerly anticipated events which are held one every weekend during the three month long summer season in New York City. New Yorkers often have to endure long harsh, frigid winters which are typical of the north eastern coast of the USA and when summer rolls along they try and make the most of it by spending all their time outdoors in the warm weather.  It is for this reason these summer street fairs enjoy immense popularity in New York City as they usually feature a wide assortment of vendors who sell handmade jewelry, artifacts, plants, artworks, inexpensive clothes, cosmetics, soft furnishings and all sorts of wonderful foods over a stretch of streets in the city which are usually closed to vehicular traffic for the event.

The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is much more than an ordinary, run of the mill New York City Street fair for it aims to highlight the global character of the neighborhood it represents. The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is mainly concentrated within a neighborhood of New York City which is known as Hell’s Kitchen. This rough and tumble  neighborhood which is now a major  entertainment, transportation and infrastructure center in Manhattan was once home to the city’s Irish-American and Puerto Rican working class populations. Today Hell’s Kitchen which is in the throes of gentrification like many other New York City neighborhoods continues to host a wide array of ethnic food stores and fine restaurants that serve a plethora of global cuisines.

The Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is a celebration of the unique character of this neighborhood that enjoys the active participation of several area restaurants and local community organizations. At this fantastic food festival you can expect to taste various exotic cuisines which are not usually found at the other street fairs like Argentinean, Ethiopian, Cajun, Indonesian, Polish, Senegalese, Spanish, Thai, Caribbean, Moroccan cuisines along with many more though the festival also offers up the usual suspects like  mozzarepas, zeppolis, funnel cakes, and egg creams which are found at regular weekend street fairs.

The restaurants situated along Ninth Avenue also participate enthusiastically  in the celebration and put up stalls outside their establishments along with the food vendors. While doing the rounds of the festival you can expect to sample the  fare offered by many of the area restaurants like Nasi Goereng and corn fritters with shrimp from the Indonesian restaurant  Bali Nusah Indah, chorizo sandwiches from the Esposito Pork Shop, oysters and clams from restaurants like Central Fish and Sea Breeze, gumbos, crab cakes and chicken curry from Chantale’s Cajun Kitchen, salt and pepper squid from Siam Grill, pad thai and dumplings from Wondee Siam, carrot cake and apple pie from the Little Pie Company, jambalaya and broiled craw fish from Delta Grill and breads, brownies, cookies from Amy’s Breads along with many more.

These food stalls are usually interspersed with stages which feature much live entertainment and this year they are scheduled to showcase   Egyptian belly dancers, German folk dancers, Arab scarf dancers and the New York Celtic Dancers who will perform the traditional highland dances and music of  Scotland along with  the jazz dancing duo Midori and Chad, who will perform a variety of routines. Aside from these dancers the stages will also feature many local bands and musicians.

If you are in New York City on the scheduled days of the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival you must make it a point to visit the food fair  and sample all wondrous delights that seem to truly represent the cultural melting pot that is New York City. Find a NYC hotel deal for your stay during this festival.

The best way to access the Ninth Avenue International Food Festival is by subway for Ninth Avenue is usually closed to traffic on the two days of the food fest. You can either use the A,C,E( blue lines) of the New York City subway to get to the Port Authority terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue or even the C,E, trains  to 50th street and 8th Avenue and then just walk over to Ninth Avenue for the food fair.

Earth Day is turning 40 this year. What are you going to do to celebrate? If going green is more than a passing trend for you, consider showing your respect for Mother Nature while having a blast by attending one of these 5 weekend Earth Day events in a city near you.

1. 40th Anniversary Earth Day Celebration in Washington D.C. (April 24-25)

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the EPA at the National Mall in DC this weekend. One of the biggest features of this event will be the National Sustainable Design Expo, which will showcase exciting new green technologies and alternative designs from college groups around the nation. There will also be several family-friendly activities taking place, such as basic science experiment demonstrations and the Carbon Wheel of Fortune game, which will teach participants how to reduce their carbon footprint.

2. Berkeley Earth Day in Berkeley, California (April 24)

From noon to 5pm, join Berkeley-ites at the Civic Center Park as they celebrate the environmental movement through cultural performances and activities. Performers will include the Venezuelan Music Project and Reggae Angels. The event will also feature craft and community booths, a demonstration of biodiesel and electric cars, a climbing wall, and farmer’s market.

3. EarthFair at Grand Central Terminal, New York City (April 23-24)

EarthFair is a two-day, outdoor festival featuring art and music that will take place on Vanderbilt Avenue. There will be a large exhibit area featuring interactive displays from environmental groups and green businesses. On stage, there will be musical performances by the Manhattan Samba Band, Judah Tribe, The London Souls, and Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, among other bands.

4. Pikes Peak Earth Day 2010, Colorado Springs, Colorado (April 24)

Held at the LEED-certified Cornerstone Art Center at Colorado College, Pikes Peak Earth Day is a popular, community-wide event that hosts workshops, food, art, environmental presentations, and much more. Some hands-on, kid-friendly activities that will be offered throughout the celebration include litter bug crafts, balance eco mobile art, rock art, and face painting. There will also be performances by several local artists, including Rayah, a gypsy belly dancer, John Armstrong, a Native American flute player, and The Lame Wolf Project, a folk/bluegrass band.

5. Miami Goin’ Green, Miami, Florida (April 24)

Miami Goin’ Green will be held at Bayfront Park and feature over 100 exhibitors from around the country. Entrance to this event, which will run from 10am to 6pm, is free. Some unique features of this event include the Miami Science Museum’s Mad Lab, where kids can learn about green concepts by participating in hands-on activities and an electronic recycling center, where you can dispose of old electronic appliances for recycling. If you have any unwanted clothing that’s hip and in good condition, you can trade them for new garbs at Miami Goin’ Green’s Fashion Forward clothing swap.

Winter’s coming to a close, making way for the beautiful weather and colorful landscapes of spring. What better way to usher in spring’s arrival than at a daffodil festival?

Daffodils are almost synonymous with the word, “spring.” They are striking blossoms that range in color from bright yellow to pale white. Among the first flowers that bloom in the spring, daffodils are the centerpiece of several annual festivals around the country.

In warmer parts of the country, daffodils bloom anywhere from January to March, but in the Northeastern US, daffodils bloom in April or May. So, even if you missed the daffodil festivals that took place earlier this year, you still have a chance to enjoy the following festivities.

1. Litchfield, Connecticut (Laurel Ridge Foundation daffodil fields)

In the Litchfield Hills of Northwest Connecticut, you can admire hundreds of thousands of daffodils blooming on ten acres of woodlands and fields. The fields overlook a small lake with two islands in the middle, which are also carpeted with daffodils. Although the lands are private, they are open to the wider public during daffodil season.

2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

If you live in or near NYC and don’t want to stray too far from the big city to enjoy the daffodils, check out Daffodil Hill at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in March. Adjacent to Magnolia Plaza, this hill teems with yellow and white blossoms in early spring.

3. 2010 Daffodil Festival in Gloucester, Virginia

The 2010 Daffodil Festival in Gloucester will be taking place on March 27-28. It is a fun family event that celebrates both the arrival of the daffodils as well as Gloucester County’s heritage. While the adults enjoy socializing and viewing the daffodils, the kids can enjoy face painting, pony rides, carnival rides, and historic displays.

4. Daffodil Festival Weekend in Nantucket

In April and May, over three million daffodils bloom on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts. One of the highlights of the Nantucket Daffodil Festival is the Antique Car Parade, during which over 100 antique cars adorned with daffodils parade through town. Other events that take place during Nantucket’s Daffodil Festival include the Annual Daffy Dog Parade, the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic, the Daffy Hat Pageant, and the Children’s Daffodil Parade.

5. Meriden Daffodil Festival in Meriden, Connecticut

At the Meriden Daffodil Festival in Meriden, Connecticut, visitors can see 61 different varieties of daffodils. In addition to admiring the sea of daffodils that bloom in 1800-acre Hubbard Park, festival attendees can enjoy amusement rides, food, entertainment, and fireworks.

6. Spohr Gardens Daffodil Days in Falmouth, Massachusetts

The Spohr Gardens in Cape Cod explode with color in the early spring, when thousands of daffodils bloom. Taking a leisurely walk through this stunning maze of fragrant blossoms is nothing short of exhilarating. The Daffodil Days event takes place on April 24 and May 1, and there are guided tours as well as activities for children.

7. Brewster in Bloom (Brewster, Massachusetts)

On top of admiring the daffodils at Brewster in Bloom, you can watch a daffodil parade, see the daffodil queen receive her crown, and attend an antique and collectible fair, among many other activities. Brewster is a beautiful town that serves as an ideal spot to celebrate spring’s arrival in Cape Cod. Brewster in Bloom takes place from April 30 to May 2.

8. Blithewold Daffodil Days in Bristol, Rhode Island

Located on the shores of Narragansett Bay, the Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum in Bristol, Rhode Island boast a quaint and elegant setting. Stop by Blithewold between April 10 and May 2 to admire 50,000 daffodils in bloom while taking part in a variety of events appropriate for family members of all ages.

In late March or early April of each year, thousands of cherry blossom trees bloom in our nation’s capital, marking the arrival of spring. To admire the beautiful pink and white blossoms and take part in an array of festivities, one million visitors attend the 16-day National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. This year’s festival marks the 98th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of 3000 cherry blossom trees to Washington D.C.

The National Cherry Blossom festival is a city-wide celebration that consists of over 90 special events and approximately 200 cultural performances. Featuring everything from sporting events to art exhibits to storytelling performances, the National Cherry Blossom Festival provides something for everyone.

Last week, the National Park Service predicted that the cherry blossoms would bloom on schedule for the 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The blooming is expected to take place anytime between March 31 and April 11. If the prediction is accurate, this year will be the 10th year in a row that the blossoms have bloomed on schedule.

When

The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 27 to April 11. Bear in mind that the cherry blossoms don’t always bloom by the time the festival starts. If you’re going to the festival as a family, try to get there by opening day, as it is also Family Day. There are many free festivities to enjoy on Family Day.

Where

Although the festival is city-wide, the cherry blossom trees are located in the area that surrounds the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin. The walk around the Tidal Basin’s perimeter is 1.5 miles long. To enjoy the scenic stroll around the Tidal Basin at a leisurely pace before the crowds arrive, try to get there at around 8am.

Events Schedule

Saturday, March 27 – Family Day and Opening Ceremony
Saturday, March 27 to Sunday, April 11 – Daily Cultural Performances at the Sylvan Theatre (Target Stage)
Friday, April 2 – Cherry Blast: A Night of Contemporary Art + Music
Saturday, April 3 – Fireworks Show
Sunday, April 4 – Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, April 8 – Gala Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey
Saturday, April 10 – National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Street Festival)
Sunday, April 11 – Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run

Washington DC Hotel Deals on Best Travel Deals

Zoo Package at Omni Shoreham Hotel – Prices from $180
Day at the Museum Package at the Four Seasons Hotel – Prices from $595
Weekend Sale with $50 Gift Card from Marriott International – Prices from $139
Bed and Breakfast Package at the Omni Shoreham Hotel – Prices from $151
Comfy Comforts Package at the Liaison Capitol Hill – Prices from $119

via Paul Mannix, Flickr

Carnival is one of the most famous festivals in the Western Hemisphere.  It is known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in francophone places.  Images of elaborate, revealing costumes, city-size parties and raucous parades have been drawing hard-partiers from around the world for years.  While the samba parade in Rio de Janeiro is the most iconic of the Carnival celebrations, it is far from being the only version worth attending.  Fat Tuesday fests occurring in Latin America, the Caribbean and even the US and Canada are equal to Rio’s event when it comes to fun and memorable experiences.  The party culminates on February 16th this year, but the good times start rolling well before that.

Here are the best destinations to enjoy the world’s biggest party.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is the biggest of these celebrations.  That is enough of a reason for many travelers to head south of the Equator in early February.  However, a trip to Brazil is expensive (airfares from the US are currently hovering the $700-$800 range).  The city is notorious because of its crime problem and non-Portuguese speakers might find it intimidating to get around the crowded streets during the festivities.  That said, it is difficult to imagine that other Carnivals can match the atmosphere and sheer good times at the main samba parade and the many neighborhood-wide parade/street party events held throughout the city.

But Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival at least comes close.  The laid-back island vibe of this festival is a major positive for visiting revelers.  Party trucks, complete with towering speakers and mobile DJs are as common a sight as ornate floats.  There is plenty of dancing in the streets.  Bands, with percussion instruments vie for prizes.  Their ornate costumes are not the only ones on the street.  Locals and tourists don colorful, sometimes skimpy outfits as well.  The five day affair, beginning on   February 12th this year, is characterized by the unique culture of Trinidad, with African, Caribbean, French, Latin American, and South Asian influences evident.  The fact that Trinidad is an English-speaking island and the reasonable airfares from the US (from $400), are major positives for would-be American Carnival attendees.

via Vince Alongi, Flickr

In the US, New Orleans holds the biggest Carnival festival.  It is, of course, known as Mardi Gras.  The epicenter of the party takes place on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.  Revelers stand shoulder to shoulder in the streets and the bars and balconies are also filled to capacity.  Of course, there is more to Mardi Gras in the Big Easy than this small strip of pavement.  Groups known as Krewes put on parades throughout the city in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.  The major parades take place in the Uptown and West Bank districts on Tuesday morning.  Yes, the all-out party in the French Quarter can be rowdy and over-crowded, but New Orleans is still the gold standard for Mardi Gras in the US.  It is, of course, cheaper to fly to New Orleans than to international destinations that celebrate Mardi Gras, but hotels, from five-stars to respectable bed-and-breakfasts, are difficult to come by unless you book well in advance.

Brazil’s Spanish-speaking neighbor, Uruguay has one of the longest-running Carnivals in the world.  Like other Carnivals the festivities start late in January with the parades and dancing in the streets culminating on Fat Tuesday.  But the capitol of the country, Montevideo, hosts celebrations and Carnival-related events until late March.  Despite the fact that most of its citizens are descended from European ancestors, many of the celebrations have a decidedly African vibe.

via A. da Silva, Flickr

Skimpy, colorful outfits, dancing in the streets, percussion-heavy music and parades are not confined to the end of January and beginning of February.  In the US Virgin Islands, Carnival takes place in late April (starting on the 27th, this year).  This is one of the more popular events in the Caribbean and has something for everyone.  There are separate parades for families and the general public, and an adult-centered parade that takes place on the final day of the festival.  Not only does the late date give would-be revelers some extra time to plan, but passports are not required to travel to and from the USVI, making it one of the more convenient Caribbean destinations for US-based travelers.

Toronto’s Caribana, a celebration of Caribbean culture held each August in Toronto, has a Carnival-like vibe and draws more than a million people each year.  Attractions include parades, fashion shows, musical performances and art shows.  Packages including hotel and event tickets start at just over $200.

The Santa Barbara Car Free special is running now. Get 20% off the best available adult train fare on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin and associated buses going to and from the following Santa Barbara County stations: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Surf, Solvang, Santa Maria and Buellton. You must reserve at least three days in advance of travel to qualify for this discount.

Global Fare Sale on bmi from $161 (O/W)! U.K.-based bmi is slashing rates on airfare by as much as 50 percent! This impressive sale encompasses dozens of destinations worldwide including Europe from $161 each way, Africa from $374, Asia from $478, and more.

A New Package to Orlando Costs Only $449 for 5 nights at a three-star Disney-area resort. In addition to receiving round-trip air on this remarkable package to Orlando, you’ll be receiving continental breakfast each morning. You’ll be given an Orlando-area coupon booklet for dining and attraction discounts. And to top things off, you’ll receive a compact car for five days with unlimited mileage (but not including car rental tax, fuel, and optional insurance). Price is per-person based on two persons traveling together.

That’s not the only Orlando hotel deal out there though, how about $67-$100 a night at the Radisson Orlando Celebration Resort! With luxuries such as custom furniture imported from Italy and granite and marble bathrooms adding a special touch to the resort, this is truly a great place to unwind. The unparalleled pool facilities boast a huge free-formed pool with cascading waterfalls, two whirlpools, a children’s wading pool, heated mid-sized pool and a 40-foot waterslide that winds around a rocky hill. In addition, you will be close to all the sites that make Orlando, FL a vacation retreat.

$76-$109 a night for New Orleans’ Bourbon Orleans Hotel, which features a rich history and French styling reminiscent of the early 1800s. As it is just steps away from the famed St. Louis Cathedral, it means you’re never far from the best the city has to offer-from upscale shopping on Royal Street, to the performers of Jackson Square, to all of the restaurants, galleries and nightlife in between.

$42 a night for a 4-Star Hotel Near The Strip, in Las Vegas, where South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa has slashed rates to 40% off. This special is valid for travel Sunday-Thursday through April.

Jicaro Island Ecolodge is a brand-new ecolodge in the Granada Isletas bringing ecotourism to Nicaragua. As an opening special, the property is offering a third night free for stays through April 2010. A three-night stay is usually $1,311 (double occupancy, including tax); with this deal it’s just $874, averaging $291/night and all meals are included as well in the package price.

Colorado River White-Water Rafting Trip from $965, which is $285 off the standard rack rate for Wilderness River Adventures’ Be a Kid Again package for select dates from April 16 through August 20. In addition to the 88-mile trek down the mighty Colorado River, the deal includes all meals (primarily home-style and barbeque), drinks, and all the essential camping equipment (sleeping bags, a foam pad, ground tarp, tent, etc.). Adrenaline junkies will also have ample opportunities to explore hidden cascading waterfalls and crevices during their trip.

Mardi Gras season began Wednesday with the Feast of Epiphany and continues through Mardi Gras itself, or Fat Tuesday (Feb. 16). Celebrations of the festive season, previously occurring mainly in and near New Orleans, have spread widely in Louisiana, Texas and other states. We’ll cover more Mardi Gras deals as members vote them up over the coming weeks.

New and luxury hotels are opening in London, Tokyo and other major destinations this year and 2010 promises to be a huge year for these new hotels. The New York Times has a handy guide to all of them, and you’ll want to visit each one!  Speaking of new hotels, be sure to add any new deals you may come across, and if you aren’t yet a member, it’s easy to sign up and start voting on the best travel deals!

Ithaca, a college town in upstate New York, is known for its educated population.  There are several universities in the area (most notably Cornell University), meaning that there is a high concentration of PhDs.  It is no surprise,  then, that even the town’s festivities are center around intellectual and educational themes.

From January 21st to January 24th, A Light in Winter, Ithaca’s festival of science and the arts, will take place at venues throughout town.  Many of the more than 2 dozen events will center around the science of creative endeavors.

The highlight will come on the final day of the festival when celeb chef Tammy Travis will run a seminar about the science (and practice) of using chocolate in cooking and baking.  Local Cornell faculty members will also be a part of the presentation, offering nutritional and cultural insight into the phenomenon of cocoa.  Tickets to this event cost $15 and seating is limited.

Visitors can also get their nerd on at lectures like the Calculus of Friendship and the Physics of Juggling.  Less-math-centered events like dance and music performances and a beer-themed lecture are also on the agenda.  A complete list of events can be found on the Light in Winter calendar page.

As with many college towns, there are plenty of places to stay in Ithaca.  The Hilton Garden Inn is offering a discounted rate of $119 per night during the late January festivities.  Would-be guests who want to take advantage of this offer need to use the promo code LIW1 when booking at 607-277-8900.

The Statler Hotel is offering a $125 per night rate to festival attendees who book two nights.  Details for the Statler’s promotion and other accommodation options can be found via the Light in Winter web site.

The last great decision of 2009 is where to spend the last moments of the year and the first moments of the new decade.  The standard champagne toast and balloon drop will, as always, be a popular choice.  But there are other, more unusual options.  People who are planning to spend December 31st away from home have some interesting choices at resorts in the US and abroad.

Here are four unique New Year’s Eve options:

The Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Northern Michigan will host the Dancing Through the Decades event, sponsored by Pepsi.  A Motown band will provide cover tunes from the past 7o years.  Packages, including a room at the hotel and a casino voucher, start at $119.  Non-package tickets (meal and concert only) are $75.  The resort’s Aerie Restaurant will host a Latin-themed New Year’s Eve party with dinner and dancing.  Packages start at $152.  To book a package or obtain more information, visit Grand Traverse’s web site.

One Utah celebration will be decidedly more rustic.  The Homestead Resort in Midway, Utah has a full menu of holiday activities, including sleigh rides and cross-country skiing.  On New Year’s Eve, a family-friendly dance, billed as Homestead’s New Year’s Hoe-Down, will take place.  A package costs $238 for two adults and includes a room, tickets to the hoe-down and a wild game buffet in the afternoon.  Prices for the hoe-down only are $20 for adults and $10 for revelers under the age of 10.  The package can be booked on Homestead’s web site.

The Best Western Lafayette Executive Plaza and Conference Center in Lafayette, Indiana will be putting on a wet New Year’s Eve party at the city’s Buccaneer Bay indoor water park.  Packages, including room and breakfast, start at $199.  The festivities include live music and DJs inside the water park.  Details and booking options are available at 1-800-780-7234.

Of course, something more exotic might make for a more memorable end to 2009.  In Brazil, the New Year’s celebration is known as Réveillon.  Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro will be the site of major celebrations with fireworks displays and popular Brazilian bands playing on multiple stages.  It is expected that nearly 2 million people will be on the beach partying away the final moments of 2009.  Information is available on the Brazil Tourism Network web site.

Ever wonder what over 25,000 lit jack-o-lanterns looks like?

Keene, NH Pumpkin Festival

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is visit the annual Pumpkin Festival in Keene, New Hampshire.  Every October thousands of people gather in this small town with thier jack-o-lanterns to be a part of this great event.  This year the 19th Annual Keene Pumpkin Festival will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 10 am to 9 pm.  Spend the day checking out the pumpkins, carve one if you forgot to bring one, browse the vendors, participate in the costume parade, and check out all of the street entertainers.  At dusk you are treated to an amazing scene as all of the jack-o-lanterns are finally lit, including the two towers at each end of the street.    Year after year the festival continues to break to records for the most lit jack-o-lanterns.  It’s an amazing sight.  So start carving your pumpkin and help them break the record again this year!

Keene, NH Pumpkin Festival

For other Fall Travel ideas and Fall Travel Deals check out our Fall Travel Deals section.