City Parks Foundation is presenting its annual performing arts festival at Central Park’s SummerStage. The concerts are held directly in Central Park and offer a wide variety of performances, including music, comedy, dance, film, and spoken word. All performances are free, with the exception of four benefit shows priced between $25-$55. This year’s lineup includes 311, The Indigo Girls, Q-Tip, and the Metropolitan Opera. The Buckingham Hotel (888-511-1900), a 100-suite boutique property located just minutes from Central Park, is offering a special package for SummerStage attendees. Starting at just $219, the hotel is offering accommodations for four coupled with VIP entrance and special seating to all Summerstage performances. The package is available through August 17 and can be booked at www.buckinghamhotel.com/summerstage. Read the rest of this post »

July 21 marks the late Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s 110th birthday, and with that, a gaggle of bleach-bearded men are coming out of the woodwork to participate in Hemingway look-alike contests on at least two continents.

In Key West, historic Sloppy Joe’s Bar (a popular haunt of Hemingway’s back in the 1930s) holds an annual “Papa” Hemingway Look-Alike Contest from July 23-25 during the city’s annual Hemingway Days festival. Look-alikes decked in khaki safari outfits and fisherman’s sweaters (Hemingway was an avid sportsman) flock to Sloppy Joe’s to test their looks, and compete in an Ernest fish-off, arm wrestling competition, and a zany mock “running of the bulls”—a credit to Hemingway’s love for bullfightiing. Read the rest of this post »

Instead of hosting another backyard-bbq staycation this Memorial Day weekend, head to Aruba for their 9th annual Soul Beach Music Festival. From May 20-25, the island becomes a tropical Woodstock with five days of concerts and parties held at the Aruba Entertainment Center and popular clubs. The all-star lineup features serenades by crooner Robin Thicke, hip-shaking grooves by Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx and Kanye West’s pal, Estelle, plus an appearance by comic Wayne Brady who’ll show off his little-known Grammy-nominated pipes. Special promo: Buy a three-night concert ticket plus express party pass earning you fast-lane access to five after parties for $243 (original price $280) at www.soulbeach.net. Need a room to crash in after the fun? See special packages from three of the island’s best hotels after the jump. Read the rest of this post »

While downing a cold Guinness yesterday, in preparation for St. Patrick’s day of course, I was inspired to write about my second favorite hobby besides travel . . . beer. Now I’m not a raging alcoholic and I don’t need 12 steps (at least I don’t think I do) – I just deeply appreciate an icy cold adult beverage, whether it be an exotic lager from a far away land or a strikingly good stout made in a local brewery. One of the best ways to sample (or chug) some suds is by checking out a beer festival. Read on to discover five noteworthy brew cities and their big booze events. Cheers – and may the luck of the Irish be with you! Read the rest of this post »

On Tuesday, March 17, Americans will paint their faces green and don their woolen sweaters to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This year, why not make a last-minute road trip to one of these five U.S. cities to catch the big parade and throw back some Guinness with the locals? Considering how many great airline deals are out there, you may even luck out with a cheap flight!

Chicago: The Windy City has dyed its river bright green since 1962 (don’t worry, the dye used in the annual event is not harmful to the environment). Chicago’s parade is packed with floats, marching bands, Clydesdale horses, and, of course, Irish step dancers. See our Chicago Travel Guide

Four more seriously green St. Paddy’s Day cities after the jump. Read the rest of this post »

Fabulous Tel Aviv, dubbed the Miami of the Middle East, is easily Israel’s coolest city. Trimmed with gorgeous beaches, loaded with Bauhaus architecture, and populated with smartly dressed locals who have a fierce appreciation for art, cuisine, and nightlife, Tel Aviv is the hedonistic
antidote to historic, heady Jerusalem, which, despite being just about one hour away, is a world apart in every respect. The year 2009 heralds Tel Aviv’s 100th birthday, making the city older than Israel itself (which celebrated its 60th in 2008). Visitors can expect an amped-up festival schedule from April to December with fun events like a marathon through the city, a weeklong book fair, a flower carpet in Rabin Square, and an international film festival. Read the rest of this post »