Lollapalooza 2008 Line up in Chicago!

So Lollapaloolza is quickly approaching and even though its still 2 months away this highly anticipated concert fest sells quick and hotels go quicker.

Starting August 1-3 in Grant Park Chicago this musical, cultural community experience is a one of a kind sensory blowing must see adventure. Grant Park takes the center stage to host this massive event and provides the perfect atmosphere for this music extravaganza.

Due to the massiveness of this event tickets go fast and rooms go faster so its best to book early. I took the privilige of checking out a few places to recommend because lets face it, you were probably going to procrastinate, not get a room and end up sleeping in the Clarence Buckingham Fountain in the middle of grant Park. So without further hubba-baloo heres some good stays.

Hotel Allegro and a special deal (I love deals, especially during popular events)!
Price: $182 per night discounted from $260 for July 31st-August 3rd (sweet)
The Allegro is located a convenient 0.8 miles from Grant Park which is perfect for concert going and not having to deal with a the parking mess. A cheap cab ride or a brisk walk (or stumble) will get you where you need to be happily and safely.

Hotel Specs:
The lobby displays theatrical influences with bursts of ruby-red, burnt-orange and forest-green hues offset by granite grays and ocean blues underfoot. A baby grand piano is positioned next to a double-sided fireplace that anchors the lobby's three-story staircase. The hotel's 312 Chicago restaurant captures Old World charm with a menu dominated by family recipes that enrich contemporary Italian flavors. Encore is a lunch venue by day, but transforms into a liquid lounge with two bars by night. Cameo serves coffee, pastries and fresh fruit. The hotel hosts complimentary wine receptions every evening. Art Deco fixtures and oversized windows add interest to the hotel's 14,000 square feet of function space. Wireless Internet access is complimentary throughout the hotel.

Guest rooms:
The 19-story Hotel Allegro Chicago offers 483 contemporary guestrooms decorated in royal blue, mocha-brown and silver-gray tones. Lights cast star-patterned shadows against sky-blue ceilings. Rooms include complimentary wireless Internet access, flat-screen televisions and MP3 adaptors. Bed design includes pillowtop mattresses draped with 300-thread count linens and white duvets. Suites boast jetted bathtubs and zebra-print bathrobes. Honor bars are fully stocked. The hotel offers yoga baskets upon request, and the Kimpton yoga channel broadcasts guided yoga sessions.

As an added little bonus, here is the 2008 line-up for you to take a gander at. And yes, its a big one!




Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, Kanye West, Wilco, The Raconteurs, Louis XIV, Love and Rockets, Gnarls Barkley, Bloc Party, The Black Keys, Broken Social Scene, Lupe Fiasco, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Cat Power, The National, G. Love & Special Sauce, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Explosions in the Sky, Brand New, Gogol Bordello, Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Dierks Bentley, Okkervil River, Amadou & Mariam, Blues Traveler, John Butler Trio, Girl Talk, Your Vegas, CSS, Eli "Paperboy" Reed & the True Loves, Battles, Steel Train, Jamie Lidell, Bang Camaro, Butch Walker, The Blakes, Mates of State, Tally Hall, Spank Rock, White Lies, Brazilian Girls, Magic Wands, Chromeo, Electric Touch, Duffy, Innerpartysystem, The Kills, The Postelles, Rogue Wave, The Parlor Mob, The Go! Team, Bald Eagle, Mason Jennings, Krista, The Gutter Twins, Ha Ha Tonka, Yeasayer, Witchcraft, Grizzly Bear, We Go To 11, MGMT, Sofia Talvik ,The Weakerthans, Booka Shade, Santogold, Black Kids, Black Lips, Dr. Dog, Nicole Atkins & the Sea, The Ting Tings, Kid Sister, Office, The Cool Kids, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, The Whigs, Manchester Orchestra, Foals, Uffie, The Octopus Project, Cadence Weapon, Ferras, De Novo Dahl, Noah and the Whale, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, K'NAAN, Serena Ryder, Newton Faulkner

Miami Beach Concerts: Modest Mouse at the Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater

"Ah Me ee me ah MIAMI!" Ok all you travel going beach perusing concert fanatics, heres a good one. Modest Mouse will be in Miami at the wonderful and spectacular Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater. I found pit tickets for 36 bucks which is not a bad deal and for Modest Mouse the pit is definitely the place to be. The concert is June 23 only a month away so for all you procrastinators (myself included) get on the ball and go have some fun.

Not a huge concert fan? Too short of notice? Well, Jerry Seinfeld will be performing at the Jackie Gleason Theater July 26. "So what's the deal with you not going?" Ok sorry, that was a poor execution of an even worse reference but nevertheless had to be done. You can also check out a full list of upcoming performances here.

So the moral of the story is; if you are looking for a cool get away with some awesome entertainment then don't delay and get yourself to one of the hottest travel destinations, Miami beach.

Now for the tricky part, where to stay? There are of course about a billion places to stay in Miami so I am going to try to find balance between the "neato and the cheapo."

First pick (the neato): "Livin' on the Ritz" The Ritz-Carlton South Beach
This immaculate get-away avg. around $350-$600 a night is set directly on the beach located in the Art Deco district in Miami Beach. The hotel is one block from the pedestrian shopping mall and Lincoln Road. Guests are within one-half mile of the famous Ocean Drive and the Miami Convention Center. The hotel also features a multi-million dollar original art collection featuring established and emerging artists at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach.



Second pick (the cheapo): Special Deal on the Haddon Hall Hotel
If you catch the deal this normally $115 a night stay will knock down to around $70 which is a darn good deal if you ask me. Also well located the Haddon Hall Hotel is located in the Art Deco District about a half-block from the beach and walking distance to all the shops, restaurants and clubs your little heart could desire.




Editor's choice (the in-betweeno): "Ta Da" The Royal Palm South Beach Resort!
Weighing in at around $171 a night (if you catch the specials) The Royal Palm is probably the way to go. This oceanfront hotel in the Art Deco District consists of two restored 1930s Art Deco buildings and two modern towers. The ocean-view Britto Restaurant, open for breakfast and lunch, prepares continental and American fare, while the Sunset Bar serves poolside cocktails and snacks. The hotel provides 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space. The hotel's manicured grounds include two outdoor pools, while a half-moon spa tub overlooks the ocean. The pool area features exterior fireplaces and a small shop that offers beach toys and tanning products. The beach concierge provides lounge chairs, radio headsets and facial towels. Ocean breezes cool the covered outdoor fitness facility. Other on-site recreational amenities include table tennis, an oversized chessboard and a play area. The hotel schedules children's supervised indoor crafts and outdoor activities. Pets are permitted with restrictions. The Royal Palm also occupies an ideal location for shopping and nightclubbing. Lincoln Road boutiques and nightclubs, and the shops along Espanola Way are located one block from the hotel.

Not what you're looking for? Check out some more Miami Hotels
So there you have it. And as usuall if there is anything you would like to add or bring to my attention then drop me a line!

Orlando Vacations: The International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot

So I am continuing the search for fun and unique events across the country and soon across the world and I have always been a fan of garden exhibits. From the unparalled beauty of the Classical Chinese Gardens in Portland, Oregon to the neighborhood green thumb there isn't much else like a zen stroll through a lush garden full of vibrant colors and sweet smells.

"Most cherished in this mundane world is a place without traffic; truly in the midst of a city there can be mountain and forest."~ Wen Zhengming (1470-1559)

This time though I gotta hand it to the mecca of Disney World Epcot and their International Flower and Garden Festival. Their multitude of gardens range from the nostalgic flower sculptures of childhood heroes to the "Sculpture Garden" filled with wonderful works of art on loan from some of Florida's most prestigious collections.

A unique theme in this years festival is the practice of conservation in gardening. A very relevant theme in this time of seemingly perpetual waste and environmental doom and gloom. There are several gardens that exemplify tips to eco friendly gardening and water conservation including their "Green Garden (low input gardening)," "Lush Xeriscapes (minimizing water), " and my personal favorite the "Water Garden Wonders," a creative and beautiful water garden which uses rainwater. Pretty cool huh?

Venue: Epcot Theme Park
Date Range: 03/19/08 - 06/01/08
Schedule: Daily
Event Type: Festival- Arts Festival
Event Cost: Included with admission to Epcot

Great Deals on Great Spots
My Pick: The Skinny on the Wyndham Resort

Locale:
Orlando is sunny, tropical and perfect Resort atmosphere which is why my Orlando pick this week is the Wyndham Resort. This gorgeous 42 acre resort sits on a lush an tranquil lagoon-laced oasis a stones throw from major attractions and includes a complimentary shuttle to Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Wet 'n Wild.
Hotel Specs:
Augustines Bar and Grille serves buffet style breakfast and a la carte meals which I particularly enjoy because I can get up, eat what I want and bail to enjoy the day. Also at Gatorville, tropical bevs and unique fare is served poolside which is a nice touch, especially if you like to start early. The hotel has three gorgeous heated pools a fitness and a fitness center for you body buffs.

Guestrooms:
It's nice to have a little insight about the rooms your in so here ar the basics. These classic Florida-style guestroom's feature madras fabrics and bamboo furniture that tropical feel. They are also equipped with high speed internet access and feature several amenities including Golden door toiletries and in room massages by appointment.

If you have any other advice, tips, tricks, hotels events or travel ideas be sure to drop me a line or leave a comment and let me know!

New York Adventure: The Amazon in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport

The Amazon Jungle Comes Alive in the Concrete Jungle When Diverse Cultures Meet...

Looking for a Summer vacation or just a reason to get away for a unique experience. Quit putting it off and finally book that lifelong dream trip to New York.

I stumbled across a pretty amazing event in Manhattan at the South Street Seaport; "Amazonia Brazil" where the mystical environment of the Amazon is re-created in an astonishing 13,000 sq. ft. walk-through experience of the sights, sounds and wonders of life in the Brazilian Amazon including its biodiversity, people villages and cities. There is also special set ups where visitors can interact directly with communities living in the heart of the forest via internet and live interactions with true local Amazonian Shamans and Artisans.

The event also aims to create awareness of ongoing positive initiatives in the Amazon region including the prevention deforestation and global warming. Local Amazonian designers and artisans will have authentic work for sale and donate all proceeds to the Fundo de Apoio as Comunidades da Amazon (Support for Amazonian Communities Fund).

Admission Prices:

• Adult: $16.00
• Child (age 2-12)/Student: $11.00
• Senior: $13.00
• Family Discount: groups of 3 or more: $11.00 each
• FRIEND of Brazil Foundation: $ 13.50 each
• Member of New York Botanical Garden: $ 14.50 each

Event Dates
April 22-July 13, 2008

Hotels, Motels, the best place to stay: The Roosevelt

The Skinny on the Roosevelt and Special Deals:
When it comes to New York I like the classics which is why the Roosevelt is such a great stay.
The Roosevelt Hotel is located on Madison Avenue at 45th Street, where the business, couture and cultural districts of New York City, N.Y., convene in midtown Manhattan. This hotel stands three blocks from Broadway theaters, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal.

The Roosevelt Hotel reflects Neo-Classical style with Tiffany crystal chandeliers, gilt trim, coffered ceilings, marble floors and a life-sized statue of Teddy Roosevelt. Artistic renderings of the hotel's namesake, Theodore Roosevelt, grace the walls of the Roosevelt Grill that serves elegant American-style buffets, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk began their illustrious careers at The Roosevelt Grill. The Madison Club Lounge features a glowing fireplace, a rich mahogany bar, leather seating and late-night bar service. A limited-hour business center offers three computer stations with high-speed Internet access, whereas the 24-hour Web Zone contains two computer stations. Wireless Internet access is available in the lobby, and 30,000 square feet of event space accommodates small- and grand-scale functions. The hotel's 24-hour fitness center features cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and free weights.

Las Vegas Escape: Memorial Day in Sin City and the Luxor

Memorial Day always sparks the need to get away and inspires hopes for the Summer ahead. What better way to forget all your worries and jump start the season than a weekend full of fun and debauchery in the hottest destination spot in the U.S., Viva Las Vegas!

There are about a million different amazing places to stay in Vegas all of which have a an allure of their own from the $5000 a night ultra luxurious MGM Grand Mansions to the more subdued travel on a dime Tropicana at around $40 a night. So before you go you really just have to ask yourself what is it you want to do? Do you want to gamble, see shows, be at the hottest clubs or lay in the lap of luxury for a little R&R. I recommend a little bit of everything

Where to Stay:
If you want a well rounded stay at a decent price I would suggest the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Centrally located on the strip the Luxor is home to one of the hottest nightclubs LAX. From the creators of Pure, this 26,000 modern experience is one of the top night spots with A list celebrities, social jet-setters and top industry DJ's you can be sure a night at LAX won't end early.

For the morning's recovery head to the spa "Nurture" and enjoy a revitalizing eucalyptus steam bath and take soak in the whirlpool. Once you're back up 100% hit up the casino and win back some cash (since you probably lost your pride the night before) and use it to go see Cirque de Soleil's Mystere, an incredible display of athleticism and acrobatics with splashy costumes, live music and guarantees a unique experience.