Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park is located in Southeast Alaska. It is almost 70 miles long and surrounded by glaciated mountains, presenting the most spectacular imagery and breathtaking views. The 3.28 million acre park has an abundance of flora and fauna as well as an amazing assortment of marine life, including porpoise, seals, otters, sea lions and three species of whales. Glacier Bay is natural and undeveloped beyond Bartlett Cove, which will provide you with an adventure provided in a way that only nature can. There are 10 glaciers which flow down from the mountains and fill the sea with icebergs. It is a marvel that must be experienced personally to truly understand.

The best and seemingly only way into Glacier Bay National Park is through Gustavus, AK and is even called the “Gateway to Glacier Bay National Park.” It is a mere 8 miles from the Park and is a beautiful little town that is surrounded by mountains. There is a bed and breakfast where you can stay (there are accommodations at the park as well).

Once at Glacier Bay National Park, you have a lot of activities to consider. Probably one of the popular activities includes kayaking through the bay and passageways to explore the park on your own terms. There are kayaking expeditions that range from the beginner to experienced. Kayak solo or with guides, depending on your experience level and interest. While kayaking, you will meet a dizzying array of marine wildlife, including orcas, humpback whales, dall porpoises, Steller’s sea lions, seals, and sea otters. You will also see a lot of wildlife trotting along the shoreline, including bears! You can even go on a kayaking excursion where you can camp along the path, either on the shoreline or in a bit further, allowing you to get close to nature. If you are not a kayaking enthusiast, you can still have a wonderful experience by taking a cruise boat with a guide to point out various and interesting points along the tour.

Other activities include whale watching, the best of which is between June and September when many whale species come to the bay to feed. Alaska is also well known for having the best fishing on earth. If you are a fishing enthusiast, you should consider sport and charter fishing as part of your vacation. There are countless rivers, streams, lakes and ocean waters in which to fish. Halibut are in abundance and can be as large as 300 pounds! Other fish species include the Silver, Sockeye, Pink, Chum, and King. Crab and shrimp are also abundant, plus Dolly Vardin, Cutthroat trout and five species of Salmon! Hiking or mountain biking are great ways to explore the various flora and fauna but the park is natural, thus has few cut trails. Beachcombing is another fun way to explore the various tide pools where you may find shells, driftwood, mullusks, bones and pebbles. A great way to see the Park is through flight. What a great way to experience the 15,000 foot glaciated peaks? You can also experience the Tongass National Forest and Outer Cost of Alaska in one trip! For the more experienced, there are some climbing and mountaineering and should only be considered with a guide. There is even a 9 hole golf course! Whatever you choose to do, be sure to pack the camera as you will want to capture the amazing wildlife and picturesque views.

As for accommodations, there is the obvious way: camping. The only one designated camping site but you can also camp in “non-designated” areas in the park, especially if out on a kayaking excursion! Just be sure you are well equipped and remember to take care of the nature around you! However, if you are not a camping enthusiast, there is the Glacier Bay Lodge which is located inside the park.

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Top Locals to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate Independence Day

Independence day is upon us so I figured I would do a piece on some fantastic spots in the nation where you can view a spectacular fireworks show and have a fantastic time doing so.

Washington, DC: The festivities start about a week early and some of the attractions include the Smithsonian Folk life Festival along the National Mall, There, you will find food, crafts, concerts, and more. The festival is free and it showcases all the different customs and cultures found in America. Check out the National Independence Day Parade on Constitution Avenue. There you will enjoy bands, giant balloons, fantastic floats and military personnel marching past our national monuments. Take in a concert on the west lawn of the Capital Building where you will enjoy music by special guest performances accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Following this is one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks shows in the nation, which uses the Washington Monument and the Capital Building as a backdrop.

New York City, NY: There is never a dull moment in NYC. Some of the fun festivities include the famous hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s on Coney Island. There is a free performance in Battery Park and a myriad of cruises to enjoy – most of which are family friendly. The Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular begins over the East River each year. In addition to the fireworks, fire boats in the river shoot patriotic streams of fire high into the air. Music is broadcast by local radio stations and the entire event is shown on national television by the local NBC station right there in the city. Grab a seat alongside the river and enjoy the show. As night falls, you will enjoy Macy’s fireworks show where fireworks are released from six barges on the Hudson River. Each year there is a theme (this year’s theme is American Harmony – a History of American Music) and the music is performed in sync with the fireworks. Always present are celebrities singing favorite tunes, military personnel and music groups. The NY Pops Orchestra will be performing this year along with Broadway Inspirational Voices, US Army Soldiers Chorus, etc.

Boston, MA: The Boston Harborfest is held for one week leading up to Independence day with over 200 events to fill your days. Most of the celebration focuses on Boston’s maritime and colonial past and held along the waterfront, Harbor Islands and downtown. Some highlights include the Boston Chowder fest, where Boston area restaurants compete for the title of the best chowder, the annual turnaround of the USS Constitution and the reading of the Declaration of Independence (read from the balcony of the Old State House). There are a myriad of concerts, cruises, tours and kid friendly activities as well. Once it gets dark, you will take in one of the most famous fireworks show in our nation’s history. The Boston Pops Orchestra plays a 4th of July Concert each year. People line the banks of the Charles river to watch the concert and the fireworks display where the Boston Pops plays a medley of new and old music but they always end with the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky. It is quite moving and one you won’t want to miss.

Philadelphia, PA: Another week long celebration is held in Philly. There are concerts, movies and activities for the whole family. There are hot dog festivals, all you can eat ice cream parties and more, During the day, check out the Party on the Parkway Festival for great food and fun activities for the whole family. It stretches along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. At night, check out the concert which hosts famous bands and performers as well as the amazing fireworks display with the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the background.

Lake Tahoe, Navada: Lake Tahoe is simply an amazing place to visit but not usually considered to be a place to go for Independence day. Well, I suggest you reconsider. While there are a slew of events and activities (which are irrelevant to the holiday and can be enjoyed year round), the fireworks display is pretty cool as well! Considered one of the largest shows in the west, this fireworks display is amazing! The fireworks are shot from a barge on the lake and you can enjoy them from most any vantage point on the lake. People gather on the shores, docks and lake to enjoy the show. There are no live concerts but you can listen to music being broadcasted for the event by the radio stations.

Chicago, IL: The cities festivities kick off a few days prior to Independence day with festivals, concerts, ballgames and tours. As for the fireworks, the city of Chicago and the Navy Pier cosponsor the event. Check out the display from the shores of the lake, around Buckingham Fountain, or in beautiful Grant Park. Or, take a dinner cruise before the show and enjoy the display from the water.

San Diego, CA: Head down to the shores of Mission and Pacific beaches for some BBQ, sunbathing, bonfires and outdoor activities. You can even camp out overnight and make it a weekend event! There are carnivals, the Freedom Day’s Parade and San Diego County Fair to enjoy leading up to the fireworks show. The fireworks are shot out from four barges along the bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. Fireworks also will be discharged at the Imperial Beach Pier.

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Incredible Istanbul

Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey and the second largest metropolitan area in Europe (by population). To the north of Istanbul is the Black Sea and the south is bordered by the Sea of Marmara. The western half of the city lies in Europe while the eastern half is situated in Asia. The Bosphorus Strait cuts the two in half. Istanbul was the capital city of the Roman Empire (330–395), the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire (395–1204 and 1261–1453), the Latin Empire (1204–1261), and the Ottoman Empire (1453–1922). It was therefore rightfully chosen as joint European Capital of Culture for 2010.

Istanbul is considered the cultural, economic, and financial centre of Turkey. It is considered a cultural and ethnic melting pot as it has a multitude of historical mosques, churches, synagogues, palaces, castles and towers. Some of the historical “must see’s” include the famous Maiden’s (Leander’s) Tower, built in 408 BC to monitor the movements of the Persian ships in the Bosphorus strait. The column of Constantine was built in 330 by Constantine the Great to establish it as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. Other Roman structures include the Mazulkemer and Valens Aqueducts, the Column of the Goths at the Seraglio Point, the Milion which served for calculating the distances between Constantinople and the other cities of the Roman Empire. As for Byzantine era architecture, the Hagia Sophia was built by Justinian and is the most important surviving example of Byzantine architecture in the world. It was originally a church, turned mosque, turned present day museum. The Great Palace of Constantinople originally built by Constantine as the primary residence of the Roman emperors. However, it was continuously enlarged by the following Byzantine emperors, in particular by Justinian. There are numerous mosques in Istanbul, many built during the Ottoman Empire. Also, the Topkapi Palace was the home of the Ottoman emperors and a must see.

Istanbul Archaeology Museum, established in 1881, is one of the largest museums of its kind in the world. The museum contains more than 1,000,000 archaeological pieces from the Mediterranean basin, the Balkans, Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia contains the late Roman and early Byzantine floor mosaics and wall ornaments of the Great Palace of Constantinople. The nearby Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum displays a vast collection of items from various Islamic civilizations. Sadberk Hanim Museum contains a wide variety of artifacts, dating from the earliest Anatolian civilizations to the Ottomans.

Present day arts and culture are alive and well in Istanbul. The Istanbul International Film Festival is one of the most important film festivals in Europe. Furthermore, the Istanbul Biennial is another major event of fine arts.

Once you have soaked up enough culture, take some time to relax and soak up some sun! The most popular places for swimming in the city are in Bakrköy, Küçükçekmece, Saryer and the Bosphorus. If you are adventurous enough, take a ferry or catamaran to the Princes’ Islands on the Marmara Sea. These are a group of island (only 5 of the 9 are settled) where you will be enchanted by the neoclassical and art nouveau-style Ottoman era summer mansions from the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse-drawn carriages and seafood restaurant. Sile is a Turkish seaside resort on the Black Sea, where you will be greeted by white sand beaches. Kilyos is a small calm seaside resort which is well known for it’s excursions, great swim spots as well as their seafood restaurants and night clubs.

As for night life, there are a multitude of night clubs, pubs, restaurants and taverns with live music in the city. The areas around Istiklal Avenue, Nisantasi, Bebek and Kadiköy offer cafés, restaurants, pubs, clubs as well as art galleries, theaters and cinemas. If you want to take in some live music from famous singers and bands, check out the Istanbul Arena or the Kurucesme Arena. Parkormanis a popular venue for live concerts and rave parties in the summer.

Istanbul has fantastic shopping venues including the Grand Bazaar, Mahmutpa?a Bazaar and the Egyptian Bazaar; The Grand Bazaar, called Kapali Carsi (literally “covered market”), is the first shopping mall ever built. The Akmerkez mall won the “Europe’s Best” and “World’s Best” awards by the ICSC. Cevahir Mall is one of the largest malls in Europe. The Kanyon Mall won the 2006 Cityscape Architectural Review Award for its interesting design. Don’t forget to check out the street vendors hawking sesame bread, and an ancient bazaar crammed with golden baubles.

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Trinity, Newfoundland

Trinity is a small town located on Trinity Bay in Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s population is a mere 350, which makes it the perfect place to go if you really want to get away from crowds and take in some history and nature. The landscape is extremely beautiful and serene, with cliffs, rolling hills and the clearest of crystal clear blue water.

Trinity has over 50 architecturally significant buildings. The best way to learn all about the history of Trinity and it’s architecture is to take a tour lead by Kevin Toope. During the two hour tour, you will walk along the scenic paths and streets where Toope will relay stories from diaries, court records, and burial records, detailing past crimes and punishments, unusual deaths, tragic shipwrecks, and disasters. You will also see many historic photos which you can review and compare with the Trinity of today. He will also tell you tales about the people’s of Trinity’s past; the Beothuk Indians, the French, the Irish, and the English and the contributions they each made to it’s rich history.

If you are a naturalist or just want to take a trip where you can take in the outdoor splendor, Trinity offers a variety of activities such as whale watching and hiking. There are over 50 fantastic hiking trails on the Avalon and Bonavista Peninsula. There are trails for every experience level. There are also 5-day and 8-day camping excursions where you can enjoy hiking, sea kayaking, fishing and wildlife watching while you spend a week living amongst caribou, eagles, whales, icebergs, and orchids. Check out “Newfoundland Coastal Safari” for more information.

Trinity has a fantastic theatre group. “All summer long in Trinity Bight, Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre presents a festival of plays, dinner theatre, concerts and special events in outdoor venues all around the Bight. Beginning in the last week in June and running until the first week in September audiences can enjoy at least eight different productions of music, comedy and drama performed on a rotating basis, as well as several one-time only special shows.”

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5 Amazing Pools From Around The World

When traveling, most people want to know if the hotel has a pool or not. Well, we will take you to five hotels that have the most amazing and unique pools, each trying to outdo the other.

The San Alfonso del Mar located in Algarrobo, Chile: This saltwater “pool” holds the Guiness World Record for the largest pool in the world. It is 2/3 mile long, can hold small sailboats! You can also do some nighttime swimming inside the hotels “glass pyramid” beach, where the water AND sand are heated!

The Hotel Caruso Belvedere located in Ravello, Italy: The hotel is located at the highest point of the Amalfi Coast. The open air infinity pool allows you an unobstructed, panoramic view of the coastline on one side and the 11-century Roman ruins on the other. The pool heated and has a service of dedicated concierge along with the availability of Ipods, fresh fruit and Evian vaporizers.

The Golden Nugget Hotel located in Las Vegas, Navada: This $30 million pool allows you to “swim” with 5 species of sharks. There is a 200,000-gallon shark tank which holds sharks, stingrays, Queensland grouper and silvery jack crevalle. But don’t worry, the tank is separated from the swimming pool by a four-inch clear acrylic wall. There is a 3-story waterslide – where you will climb 30 feet in the air to then ride down through the shark tank. There are also waterfalls, thirteen private cabanas and a “hideout” area which is located on the third floor of the “tank” where you can take a dip in the two story infinity pool or relax in a covered lounging area or hang at the H2O bar.

The Anantara Koh Samui Resort & Spa in Samui, Thailand: The 98 foot infinity pool is right on the beach allows you to look straight out into the Gulf of Thailand. There is a swim-up bar as well as “spitting monkey” statues along the pool’s perimeter.

The Viceroy Hotel, Miami, Florida: This 300-foot infinity pool is surrounded by Japanese blueberry trees, chaise lounges and beds. There are three types of pools to enjoy. There is an 80-person hot tub, a wading pool, and a football-field-size swimming pool. All located 15 floors above the street which overlooks downtown Miami and with views of Biscayne Bay. There is a poolside bar and fireplace, and life-size chess set.

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Stay at the Ice Hotel in Sweden

IceHotel is located in the village of Jukkasjarvi in norther Sweden and just outside the Arctic Circle. Every month between December and April the hotel is open for visitors. The hotel and everything inside is made of ice, snow (and some steel framing). The ice and snow are harvested from the nearby Torne River.

How to choose when to visit the Icehotel will depend on what your interests are. During December, you can actually watch the Icehotel take shape. December is the darkest time of year as the sun never goes above the horizon. Also the chance of seeing the Northern Lights are quite optimal. Closer to Spring is when the snowmobiling and skiing enthusiasts come to take up their sport. During March, they start harvesting ice from the Torne River and transport it to a storage place which typically attracts a lot of tourists to the river. At the end of April (and nearing the closure of the hotel), the “Midnight Sun” starts to take place which will continue to shine for 100 days and a 100 nights. This is the best time to go fishing, hunting, hiking in the mountains or river rafting in the Torne River.

Staying at the Icehotel is quite a unique experience! It is recommended is to combine a night in the Icehotel with several “warm” nights in one of their regular hotel rooms or chalets. At the Icehotel you can choose between several different types of accommodation. The temperature in the Icehotel is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C. There are a multitude of suites to stay in and each has its own theme with amazing sculptures and artwork. Of course, each year, the suites are different so check out the website to see the past and present suite themes. You sleep in thermal sleeping bags on a special bed built of snow and ice, on reindeer skins. *Be sure to dress in warm thermal underwear. In the morning you will wake up to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at your bedside. There are several different room accommodations at the “warm” hotels and chalets.

The Icehotel restaurant has a high-end a la carte menu. “The cuisine of ICEHOTEL Restaurant has been featured in gourmet magazines around the world and has been awarded the prestigious Werner Vögeli Statuette. In October 2007, the Nordic Council of Ministers awarded ICEHOTEL the honorary New Nordic Food diploma.” Also not to be missed is the Icebar where the ice sculptures mix with the magic blue light of the bar. The glasses are made of ice.

There is even an IceChurch where you can get married or baptize your child!

The art sculptures are marvelous! Artists from all over the world come to the village to create beautiful sculptures and artwork at the Icehotel.

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Valencia, Spain

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and is located on the Costa del Azahar. It is rich in history and heritage (where the Llotja de la Seda was placed on the World Heritage Site in 1996) but also has a few modern marvels to experience. There is something for everyone in Valencia and below, I have highlighted a few of the things Valencia has to offer.

Valencia Beaches and Land Activities: The winds off the Mediterranean offer perfect conditions for water sports like surfing and sailing. In fact, America’s cup yachting regattas were held in front of the Calencian coast in 2007 and 2010. There are over 2.8 kilometers of beaches to explore. Both the Arenas beach and the Malvarrosa beach are close to the city centre so you can get there quite easily. Next to both beaches is the Paseo Maritimo – a sea-front promenade- where you can walk, job, roller skate, tan or dine at the restaurants. There are also Patacona and Port Saplaya beaches in the municipality of Alboraya and the Pinedo beach (gay friendly) where there are several spectacular restaurants. El Saler beach won the European Blue Flag award for it’s clear waters and pristine golden sands. As for land activities, golf is very popular and Valencia has more than 20 golf courses. If you are a race fan, you should know that the European Formula One Grand Prix takes place in Valencia Street Circuit once a year. Also there is the motorcycle Grand Prix running, the show jumping tournament of the worldwide champions’ tour, an ATP 500 tennis tournament, or the DTM to consider as well.

The City of Arts and Sciences is quite an architectural marvel and should not be missed. It is made of five public areas that are listed below and are surrounded by peaceful swimming pools for visitors to enjoy. The five complexes are:

* L’Hemisfèric: IMAX Movie Theater and Planetarium
* El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe: Museum of applied science
* L’Umbracle: A garden for walking
* L’Oceanogràfic: Marine Park.
* El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía: Room destined to opera and the performing arts

Other museums include Museum of Fine arts, Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM), Ceramic Museum, The cathedral museum, House-Museum of Jose Benlliure, City Museum (palacio Marqués Del Campo), Fallero Museum (Museum of Las Fallas), Municipal Historical Museum, Patriarch museum, Paleontologic Museum

Between March 12 and March 19, Paella, Valencia celebrates the Fallas celebration. It started as a simple burning of the remains of the carpenter’s workshops but turned into a week long celebration where the Valencian people and falleros artists now burn beautiful sculptures (made just for the ceremonial burning). There are more than 300 sculptures (made of paper and cardboard on a wooden framework are called “fallas”) that are build throughout the year and during Fallas, the large, colorful sculptures fill the streets. They are burned at midnight on the last day of the holiday, along with fireworks and explosions.

Shopping: Valencia is traditionally known for its ceramics industry. The town of Paterna is known for its painted ceramic wall decorations, known as socarrats, as well as green and purple ornaments. Check out the Plaza Redonda on Sunday mornings – it is an open-air flea market with paintings, books, plants, animals, leather goods and music. Mercado Central is a well known modern piece of architecture where your senses will be immersed in the different aromas and colors that surround you. There are traditional unique shops as well as large commercial shops to explore in Valencia.

Nightlife: There is a variety of bars in Valencia where you can find whatever style you are looking for. The most visited discotheques are in the zone called “Viveros.” Other hot spots are located on Aragón avenue, Canovas square , Blasco Ibáñez avenue, Honduras square, Xúquer square and Juan Llorens. In the El Carmen district you can find a wide variety of music all within a short distance of eachother. Some of the styles/bars include a punk bar, a reggae smoking den, a retro chill-out lounge, a jazz basement, an underground trance mix, an intelligencia meeting point, a goth dungeon, a gay bar, latino tunes, caribbean heat and a twisted bohemian art-cave.

Foods of Valencia: Fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, shellfish and of course rice are the main staples of the Valencian diet. The main fishes used in Valencian food are eel, hake, sea bass, gilthead and red mullet.

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Travel Tips From Fellow Travelers

So, I like researching the web and I figured I would do a post on unique and genuinely helpful travel tips I have found.

If you’re going camping and plan to build a fire, collect the lint from your dryer in a Ziploc bag to use as a starter. It weighs almost nothing, ignites right away, and saves you from having to gather kindling. Kim Senkler, Knoxville, Tenn.

The disposable shower caps in hotel bathrooms make great shoe covers. Just slip a cap over each shoe and you won’t have to worry about getting everything else in your suitcase dirty. Charlene Winges, Burlingame, Calif.

I found a fun use for change from foreign countries. Attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back of the coin, and voilà — instant fridge magnet! It makes for an inexpensive souvenir, and it always reminds me of good times. Joshua House, Pensacola, Fla.

If you don’t have a sunglasses case, store your shades in one of those tube-shaped containers that Crystal Light is sold in. The tubes are just the right size and rigid enough to protect the glasses. Plus, it’s no great loss if you misplace one. Christopher Wolters, Pearland, Tex.

I like to learn about the regional food culture when I go to a new place, so I check localharvest.org for farmers markets in the area. The site lists info for hundreds of markets across the U.S., including the days and times they’re open, as well as examples of what types of food the vendors sell. Alane Brown, Durango, Colo.

When you’re packing for a ski vacation, wrap clothing around your skis or snowboards. You’ll be protecting your equipment and cutting down on the number of bags you have to pack. Kimberly Nicoletti, Dillon, Colo.

If you take a cab in Las Vegas, ask the driver to use Industrial Road or Paradise Road instead of Las Vegas Boulevard. Both routes run parallel to the Strip, but they aren’t nearly as crowded.

The London Underground sells its Visitor Travelcards on the Web (ticket-on-line.com) and charges nothing to mail them to you before you leave home. Cards are good for three, four, or seven days of unlimited travel on the Tube (subway) and buses. Most tourist sites are located in zones one and two; a seven-day card for these zones costs $40. With individual trips costing more than $4, the card pays for itself in less than two trips per day! Jeanette Langdell, Sunnyvale, Calif.

The most effective money-saver you can bring with you is an expandable tote bag for the food you’ve purchased at foreign groceries. Our breakfasts and picnic lunches turned out to be healthier, tastier, fresher, and much cheaper than their restaurant counterparts. Tara Achenbach, Union City, N.J.

When you plan to travel by train and know you might have to store your luggage out of arm’s reach, pack a piece of cord or a strap to tether your bags together. The unwieldy arrangement makes it harder for a thief to run off with your belongings. Jennifer Horne, Cottondale, Ala.

When I travel with friends, we all enter each other’s emergency information into our cell phones. We include details like full name, date of birth, and a contact back home. If anything happens, we’re fully prepared to take action. Anita Woodmass, Renton, Wash.

I pack my necklaces in a plastic sandwich bag, drape the clasp ends over the top, and tape them to the outside of the bag. No matter how much my suitcase gets jostled around in transit, I never have to worry about a tangled mess when I arrive. Jill Katich, Waterford, Mich.

When you’re kayaking, canoeing, or rafting, attach a fishing float to the strap that’s holding your regular glasses or sunglasses. If you happen to fall overboard, retrieving your glasses will be a snap. Susan Bolding, West Fork, Ark.

If you think you’ll be returning to a hotel, ask the housekeepers what the best rooms are. They really know, and if a room is empty, they’ll often show it to you. Write down the room number, and request it the next time you make a reservation or when you check in. George Green, Houston, Tex.

Are you tired of catching colds while traveling? Take along a travel-size package of Clorox wipes. Disinfect the tray table and armrests on the airplane, and the telephone and TV remote in your hotel room. Sherill Hacker, Williamston, Mich.

Don’t toss out old prescription glasses. Whenever my husband and I get new pairs of eyeglasses, we relegate the old ones to our luggage, along with an inexpensive repair kit from the drugstore. If something happens while we’re away from home, we can hopefully fix the glasses ourselves. If they’re beyond saving, we have the backup pairs to get us through the rest of the trip. Carol Alabaster, Phoenix, Ariz.

Even disposable-camera lenses should be protected. They scratch just like any other lens would. Place a small piece of painter’s tape (or another kind that won’t stick too much) over the lens to protect it from contact with other items in your purse or backpack during travel. Hugo Scherzberg, Concord, Calif.

Pool money for group expenses. When I travel with friends, we all contribute to a kitty and use that money to pay for things like taxis and meals. It saves us from figuring out each person’s share at every stop. At the end of the trip we split whatever remains. —Carol Moran, Chesterfield, Mo.

Dry-cleaning bags stop clothes from wrinkling. Slide each garment into its own bag (leave the hanger at home) and place them flat on your bed, one on top of another. Then carefully fold the entire stack to fit it in your suitcase. Once you get to your hotel, hang everything up as soon as you reasonably can. If you use this little trick, you’ll never unpack a suitcase of wrinkled clothes again. —Claudette Christman, Colonial Heights, Va.

The perfect toiletries bag does exist! I’ve finally discovered one that’s just right: a soft-sided lunchbox. It has an outer zipped pocket with compartments perfect for often-used items like a toothbrush and toothpaste. There’s a removable zipper pouch inside (meant for an ice pack) for those smaller, hard-to-find items like nail files and pill bottles. The remaining space inside is just the right size for larger things like shampoo and hand lotion. Other helpful features include both a small handle and shoulder strap, and a waterproof, easy-to-clean interior. As an elementary school teacher, I know firsthand that it will last, having been designed to withstand daily use by kids! —Jennifer Minton, Glencoe, Calif.

Bring a laundry kit. Pack a one-gallon Ziploc bag and a travel-size shampoo container refilled with detergent. These come in handy when you need to wash hosiery, bras, and other delicate undergarments. Put a few drops of detergent into the bag and fill it partway with water. Place the item you want to wash in the bag, close it up, and shake it around for a few minutes. Instant washing machine! For larger pieces of clothing, I’ve used the plastic laundry bags supplied at most hotels. Just hold the open end tightly. —Erika Kumada, Mount Prospect, Ill.

Put your old contact lens cases to work. Do you hate the idea of wasting that last bit of lipstick or concealer that always seems to get stuck in the bottom of the tube? Scoop it out and put it into a clean contact lens case. The case is watertight, holds enough for a weekend trip, and fits easily in any purse or toiletries bag. —Ronda P. Martinez, Philadelphia, Pa.

Spa savings on cruise ships. I’ve been on many cruises with various lines (Carnival, Costa, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, American Hawaii, and most recently, Princess), and I’ve learned that the spas usually offer discounts on days that the ship is docked. Rhonda Grabov, Philadelphia, Pa.

Negotiate past expiration dates. I save all the specials from Travelzoo and other websites, regardless of their dates of validity. When I want to use one of the specials, I call the hotel or tour company’s sales director; many times I’ll get the deal even if it isn’t officially available. After all, they’re trying to fill rooms and tours, especially at the last minute. I used this idea last week to stay at a hotel for free–all I had to do was agree to spend a certain amount in the spa each day. Dr. Patty Boone, Colorado Springs, Colo.

We attach the cruise line–supplied luggage tags (they have our cabin number on them) to the items we carry around the ship–binoculars, knitting bag, etc. This way, if we forget something by the pool or in the dining room, it can easily be returned by a crew member.

Pack a power strip and extension cord for your next cruise. Many cruise-ship cabins have only one outlet, but you’ll definitely need more if you want to power up your laptop, iPod, cell phone, electric razor, hairdryer, or any other gadgets you bring on board. –Jay Van Vechten, Boca Raton Fla.

Consider bringing your bike on a cruise. We decided to bring our own bikes on our last Caribbean cruise. It was a little crowded in the cabin, so we asked the steward if we could store them down the hall with the wheelchairs. We were last off the ship when we docked in Bermuda, but in less than five minutes we’d left our fellow passengers in the dust. And in less than 15 minutes, we were far away from the busy port, enjoying a beautiful, deserted snorkeling beach. –Wayne Matchett, Chesapeake, Va.

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The Finger Lakes Wineries, NY

There is quite a lot to see and do in the Finger Lakes. While they are best known for their wine trails (and of course their award winning wines), they also have fantastic museums, outdoor activities and events.

The wine trails are open year round and there are several different trails to consider. There is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which is the largest trail with over 35 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery. Several popular events on this trail include Chocolate and Wine Weekend, Crusin’ the Tropics Weekend, Spring Wine and Cheese weekend and Deck the Halls Weekends. There is also the Keuka Wine Trail is the oldest as it was around when wine first started being made in the Finger Lakes. It also hosts the most diverse groups of wineries in the Finger Lakes. There is also the Cayuga Wine Trail, which is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the US. One of the wineries on Cayuga Lake, Swedish Hills Winery, was named 2008 winery of the year. Also, it is rumored that Cayuga lake has a sea monster. So, why not come down and check it out!

Another great even is the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, held July 16th through July 18th at Watkins Glen International and hosted by Yancy’s Fancy NY Artisan Cheese. 80 wineries will be at the event with over 500 wines to taste. The Festival will also have arts and crafts vendors, jewelers, gourmet foods, live music and pace car rides around the racetrack. For more information, check out visit the Finger Lakes Wine Festival website.

Of course there are wine tours, limos, buses, trolleys, etc to bring you around so that you can relax and enjoy the wine. There are also hotel packages, bed and breakfasts and fantastic restaurants for all tastes and price ranges.

The Finger Lakes also have a variety of things to do and see outside the wineries. Those include learning the art of glass making – which includes watching and then making your own glass at The Corning Museum of Glass. If you are a race enthusiast, check out Watkins Glen International. It hosts IndyCar, NASCAR, and the historical Watkins Glen Grand Prix. You can even experience the “The Glen’s” road course with a Thunder Road Tour in your own car. Did you know that the Finger Lakes is known as the “Cradle of Aviation” and the “Soaring Capital of America?” Check out the National Soaring Museum or Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. Or if you are more adventurous, go flying in a sailplane, vintage airplane, or learn about warplanes at Wings of Eagles. Discovery Center. Outdoor enthusiast? There are literally hundreds of miles of trails and state parks and even a national forest to explore. Ride your bike, hike or launch a boat and explore nature. Kayaks and canoes are available for rental. You can even go on a geocaching adventure as there are thousands of caches hidden throughout the region.

The Finger Lakes has something for everyone and can be a great family vacation, a romantic getaway or a girls or guys weekend adventure! So check it out and explore all that the Finger Lakes has to offer!

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