Written By: Sarah Clausen

Philadelphia. It’s a city brimming with history: Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell are two of the most famous landmarks of the city. While all may agree that these are important historical icons, one things that Philadelphians and visitors alike have a tough time agreeing on is where to go to get the best representation of a Philly food icon: The Cheesesteak. Two landmark restaurants, Pat’s and Geno’s, are consistently in the running for the best cheesesteak.

Visitors to the City of Brotherly Love, eager for an authentic Philadelphia Cheesesteak experience, usually head down to South Philadelphia. There, at the intersection of South 9th Street and East Passyunk Avenue, across the street from each other, stand rival cheesesteak emporiums: Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks.

Pat’s King of Steaks claims to be the first vendor to sell steak sandwiches. Founded by Pat and Harry Olivieri in 1930, the brothers first sold hot dogs. The in 1933, after deciding to try something new, the brothers grilled thinly sliced steak with chopped onions, put it on a roll, and sold it for ten cents. The steak sandwich was born. Pat’s is currently run by Harry’s grandson, Frank Oliveri, Jr.

Pat's Steaks, serving Philadelphians steak sandwiches since 1933.

Geno’s Steaks was started in 1966 by Joey Vento. He chose the name Geno’s because Joe’s Steak Place was already taken. Geno’s is a modified version of the word GINO that Vento saw painted on a broken door. Geno’s ran into controversy in 2006 because of a sign placed on the front window that read “This is America: When Ordering Please Speak English.” The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations filed a discrimination complaint.

Geno's Steaks has been in business since 1966.

Both Pat’s and Geno’s have similar menus. Both sell steak sandwiches “wit” or “wit out” cheese, as well as fries and drinks. Both restaurants have walk-up windows with limited outdoor seating and both are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Regardless of your preference for Pat’s or Geno’s one thing is clear: A visit to Philadelphia is not complete without sampling its most famous dish.

Technorati Tags: cheesesteak, geno's steaks, pat's steaks, Philadelphia, Travel

Written by: Michael Arnold

The Eiffel Tower at Sunset

Every year thousands of tourists flock to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, trek through the decorated halls of the Louvre, and marvel at the fantastic gardens of Versailles. The “city of love,” however, contains much more than meets the eye. Paris has a wild nightlife that is often overshadowed by its famous museums and monuments.

For a rather low price, one can easily find a venue that combines the glam of New York and the ease of the Greek Islands.

Le Duplex, a 2-floor underground club just a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe, hosts different themed parties every night of the week throughout the year. One can expect crowds to arrive around 11:30 p.m. and party until the sun rises.

The lines move quickly, the staff is always friendly, and the entrance fee – which includes 2 drinks – is usually only 10 euro! Inside of the club one can find several DJs playing all different genres of music. Awesome light shows illuminate the place throughout the night creating a mind-blowing atmosphere.

Another gem on the outskirts of the city is Café Oz at Denfert Rochereau. This Australian themed bar turns into a bass pumping club when the sun goes down.  At around 11 p.m. the staff moves the tables in the center of the room creating a dance floor, and by midnight the Aussie bar is, quite literally, packed.

Party at Café Oz

If the typical nightlife experience is not enough, Paris has plenty of clubs that are off the beaten path. Les Chandelles, a club with the facade of a dungeon, admits an unusual clientele. Ordinarily women arrive in lingerie or provocative outerwear. Men are encouraged not to come alone, as this club is known to be one of the more selective in the city.

The interior lives up to its name – translating to “the candles”- as the room is strewn about with hundreds of candles. It is adorned with chic bedroom furniture that creates an intimate ambiance.

While venues like Les Chandelles are certainly not for everyone, some prefer not to attend clubs at all. Luckily for these types, Paris itself transforms into a different place at night. During warm weather months, Parisians congregate along the River Seine with wine – which is often cheaper than bottled water – and cheese.

Friends gather to eat and drink and watch street performers or admire the magnificent architecture on all sides of them. In the summer, high class Parisians commandeer boat parties that circle the Seine all night long, as commoners look on from bridges and streets.

Regardless of the season, Paris is a wonderful and multi-faceted city. Its incredible cultural attributes need no explanation, and its nightlife scene far surpasses that of many other cities.

No wonder it’s the most visited place in Europe!

Drinks at sunset

Technorati Tags: Cafe Oz, Clubs, Le Duplex, Les Chandelles, Nightlife, Paris, Tourism, Travel

Time's Square New Year's Eve

Written by: Anatole Ashraf

New York City is expected to host an estimated one million people in Times Square on the New Year’s Eve ball drop for the biggest party night of the year. Record-breaking numbers of crowds are anticipated to gather for a star-studded lineup for entertainers, including Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

The party—which officially starts at 3 p.m.—will mark the culmination of days of police preparation. In an interview with NY1, Police Commissioner Ray Kelley detailed the process of securing the Times Square area.

“The manholes have all been sealed, the mailboxes have been removed, observation posts have been at least established or identified as the ones that are gonna be occupied, there’ll be several thousand police officers, not only here, but there are other events as well that are going on at the same time,” Kelley said.

As part of the heightened security measures, police officers will be barricading off the area from 41st to 58th Streets between Sixth and Eighth Avenues between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. Visitors are warned not to bring any alcohol, large bags or backpacks. Anyone who leaves their spot for any reason will not be allowed back in after 3 p.m.

Most visitors are expected to be tourists. According to a NY1 poll, 97 percent of New Yorkers admitted to not being interested in attending the Times Square celebration. To accommodate local and native New Yorkers, many restaurants and clubs are offering memorable experiences.

Some of the finest restaurants in the city such as Daniel and Per Se are offering New Year’s Eve packages. On his blog the Price Hike, food critic Ryan Sutton has compiled a list of the “Real Cost of New Year’s Eve Dining,” which tracks the often-inflated cost of New Year’s Eve meals after tax and tip for two. Per Se, for example, $1,633 after tax and tip for New Year’s Eve, while regularly a meal will cost $642 for two. Sutton called these markups “an intangible emotional play: you’re paying more because you and your significant other don’t want to be alone when the clock strikes midnight.”

For a more affordable celebration, various bars and restaurants are offering events with no cover charge. The popular Brooklyn destination Huckleberry Bar, for example, is hosting a masquerade ball with free hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne toasts at midnight.

Ultimately, celebration options are plenty and varied for almost all New Yorkers and tourists on New Year’s Eve 2012.

Technorati Tags: 2012, Brooklyn, Daniel, Huckleberry Bar, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, New Year's Eve, New York City, Per Se, Ray Kelley, Times Square

Written by: Tamar Auber

1 Times Square on New Year's Eve morning before crowds arrive

Every New Year’s Eve, over a million revelers gather into Times Square to watch the iconic ball drop. Wish you could be one of the packed masses counting down in the crossroads of the world next year? If long waits, fickle weather and massive throngs are not your cup of tea, you can still join in the festivities of one of the biggest New Year’s parties on the planet in 2013.

For New Year’s 2012, the audience holding pens opened up at 3 pm EST, meaning the persons closest to the action waited nearly nine hours, without access to a bathroom, to watch the ball take its plunge. Yet savvy New Yorker’s gathered much earlier, noon on December 30th, to be exact, to watch the crystal ball make its practice run. While it lacked the atmosphere of New Year’s Eve, the practice run drop is still quite an impressive site and required none of the unpleasant waiting or holding pens that greet the intrepid  million on New Year’s Eve.

In fact, ball crazy tourists, have a number of ways to see the New Year’s ball. The Times Square Visitor Center offers an exhibit featuring the history of Times Square New Year’s and a replica ball, allowing a close-up viewing. The Walgreen’s at 1 Times Square where the ball makes its descent also offers a picture with the Times Square ball in the days around New Year’s.

Another way to experience Times Square is to come early, the morning of New Year’s Eve, to mill about the crowds and explore the bright lights and New Year’s displays readied for the evenings festivities. This year’s early birds were treated to product samples, hats and a good view of the 2012 sign atop 1 Times Square. An alternative is to show up on New Year’s Day, when the year sign will be aglow and most revelers will still be in bed after their long night.

Finally, if you have your heart set on being in Times Square when the clock strikes midnight, consider forking out the cash for a restaurant seat. While pricy, restaurants offer a chance to bypass the crowds, relax in the hours before the big event. Then just as midnight is about to strike, you can step out into the electric atmosphere of Times Square to watch the show and confetti drop.

Whether or not you brave the weather and the holding pens to see the ball drop live  or celebrate New Year’s  in Times Square in your own way, the excitement of  Times Square at New Year’s is a bucket list experience not to be missed.

Technorati Tags: 1 Times Square, Ball Drop, New Year's Ball, New Year's Eve, New Years, New York, NYC, Theater District, Times Square, Times Square Visitor Center, visitor tips

Written by: Mike Demertzis

The world has become a small place and a person can go anywhere they want. All you need to do is pick a destination. Nested in the northern Mediterranean, is a place some call paradise.

We all know that Europe has been on the verge of collapse and all have pointed to Greece as the catalyst, but they fail to tell you of the islands that dot the Greek ocean. Some are so small, that they remain nameless on world maps. They are a favorite destination of the European traveler, not just for the tranquil beaches but also for the history that remains unique on each .

There is a little island that some have called a small part of paradise in the Aegean ocean called Samos. This little gem has remained an unknown destination largely due to it’s small size. At just under 185 square miles, it remained an autonomous principality until 1912 when it joined Greece. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has identified the Eupalinian aqueduct on Samos as a marvel of scientific engineering. It was also the home of Aristarcus the first recorded individual to propose that the Earth revolved around the sun.

A large portion of this island is covered in vineyards that produced the famous “Samian wine” of ancient Rome which can still be found at any seaside restaurant called Tavernas by the locals. The culture on this island is diverse due to its close proximity to Turkey. The food is also of middle eastern influence and will keep you coming back for more, putting a swift end to any thoughts of a diet while you are there.

Although this is a place to go and relax, soak up sun and culture, it is not without a great nite-life due to the innate party spirit of the Greeks. The phrase “Opa” with the sound of breaking glass can be heard on most nights at most tavernas along with the distinct sound of the local music. There is one caveat that you need to remember. The Greeks have a tasty liqueur made of anise seed that not only tastes like candy but smells like it also. Please trust me when I say, “it is as dangerous as a loaded gun” and should be handled gently.

If you took my advise and remained somewhat conservative at night, in the morning buy a ticket on a local Ferry boat, and take the short trip to the city of Kusadasi on the Turkish west coast. From there if you are feeling adventurous, you can buy a bus ticket to the ancient ruins of Ephesus and walk where the Apostle John did. Not to worry, you can be back on Greek soil before the sun sets and start the fun over again.

In the post-holiday haze in the midst of winter, thoughts of sunny, sandy beaches seem impossibly far away. It can be difficult to shake those visions of sugar plums and nights curled up by the fire with a cup of cocoa from your mind, but with some careful planning you can make this mirage reality.

Tropical

Hawaii: While mid-winter is typically a rainy season even in the south Pacific, Hawaii offers an abundance of entertainment. For the adventurous traveler, there are many opportunities to go hiking along some of the most beautiful and scenic trails in the world, some even venture along volcanoes. For the athletic type, one can take up surfing, cliff diving, or even parasailing in the warm clear waters. And obviously for the laid back traveler, there is always the beach or poolside. Hawaii is also a great location to take the kids, as most hotels and attractions feature family-friendly options.

Family

Orlando: An ideal destination for families or those who remain young at heart, Orlando features some of the top amusement parks in the world. From several Disney theme parks to jump between to Universal Studios, to kid (and adult) museums like Ripley’s Believe it or Not, there is an attraction for everyone.

Romantic

New York City: What better way to spend the cold of winter than in the city that never sleeps? The nights are brightly lit through Times Square and the low temperatures are a perfect excuse to cuddle up closer to that someone special. As an added bonus, flights to New York tend to be cheaper during the post-holiday time than any other time of year.

Singles

Key West, Flor.: The beaches here abound with frozen cocktails and warm weather year-round, perfect for those looking to have a good time away after the stress of the holidays. Relax on the beach or at a poolside resort during the day and enjoy the ample nightlife once the sun goes down. Try snorkeling in the crystal clear water to cool off, or hit the trails on foot or by bike for a change of pace.

Athletic

Park City, Utah: Those yearning for the return of better weather so they might head outside for some activity need not wait any longer. Head to a place where winter sports are at their best. Try your hand at skiing or snowboarding down the slopes where Olympic athletes have trained, or head off on a horseback ride through the snowy scenery.

Written by: Lisa Pearson

Congratulations! It is now crunch time, time to start planning for the BIG day! I know you have lots of friends and family giving you advice about your dress, the cake, the flowers, colors, etc. Having planned a wedding before, I realize all the little details matter but what is one of the things that you and your guests will not soon forget about-the venue. Imagine getting married to the love of your life on an exotic island surrounded by clear blue seas or in a foreign country you have always wanted to visit with your honey. I am talking about having a destination wedding!

Couple walking towards Eiffel Tower at their destination wedding

There are many great reasons to have a destination wedding. Besides the fact that you will be in an amazing location; you, your wedding party, and guests will get a mini vacation out of it, you can combine your wedding and honeymoon, as well as lots of fun things for everyone to do and see.

The best part is that you do not even have to go out of country to have your dream wedding and frolic on the beach! You have lots of options when it comes to choosing the location. If you are a bride on a budget, you can plan for a wedding on the beautiful beaches of Florida or Hawaii. If you are a bride who is not on a budget, you can go as far as the inviting islands of French Polynesia or romantic Paris. Another bonus is that since your wedding will be out of the area, you will not have to feel bad about not inviting everyone you know. You can also make it a private affair and invite only immediate family.

Planning a destination wedding takes time and considerable planning. There are many great travel agencies which will assist you in planning everything to the very last detail including a United States recognized civil ceremony in another country. Planning your wedding can get a bit complicated if you wait until the last minute or do not do your research early. Depending on where you like to recite your wedding vows, it could take some extra work on your part. For instance per Tahiti Tourisme, a Tahitian tourism company, in order to have a legally recognized wedding one must complete a range of documents, get the papers translated and submit it for approval to the mayor of the island where you would like to get married.

Although it might seem like a lot of work, your hard work will pay off once you arrive at your destination wedding location. Imagine all of the beautiful wedding photos and memories from your dream destination wedding.

Couple exchanging vows at their Hawaiian destination wedding

Technorati Tags: destination wedding, island, Paris, romantic, vacation, Wedding

Speed Limits on Miami Beach!

It’s time to reflect back on how fast we are heading and how far along we have come. ‘Speed Limits’ is the exhibit running on Miami Beach these days meant to help you do just that. The Wolfsonian-Florida International University celebrates the 100^th Anniversary of Italian Futurism in the exhibit by capturing the pace of life through different forms and varieties of media like books and posters, drawings and renderings, clocks and video installations. While the subject of the exhibit is 100 years old when in 1909 the foundation and manifesto of Futurism declared that the ‘beauty of speed’ is enriching the magnificence of the world, this exhibit takes the legacy of Futurist Movement from celebration of speed to the impact of living life in the high lane.

Encompassing in about 200 different works and separated by five categories, each of the exhibits of Speed Limits leads us to thinking about the the influence of hurried-up actions on our everyday life and the consequences of an unstoppable rush we are into in this modern era.

The five domains on which the Speed Limits exhibits are focusing are Circulation and Transit; Construction and the Built Environment; Efficiency;  the Measurement and Representation of Rapid Motion; and the Mind/Body Relationship. Professor Jeffrey Schnapp of Stanford University is the curator of the exhibition which is based on his longtime research on the subject. It’s designed by architect Rene Gonzalez. It’s on view through February 20, 2011 at Wolfsonian-FIU, Miami Beach.

Technorati Tags: exhibits, Italian Futurism, Miami beach, Speed limits

A loving moment between mommy and baby!

Firstly, it’s for the newborn baby giraffe, the newest addition to the Miami Metrozoo family of over 2000 wild and exotic birds and animals and 1200 varieties of plants. The yet to be named, Mother Mia’s first baby seems very healthy and will be monitored by zoo veterinarian for the coming days for its well being. Giraffe babies are between five to six feet tall at birth and weigh around 150 lbs.

But Miami Metrozoo has many more reasons to celebrate its 30th birthday coming up this July 4th. Its officially changing its name to Zoo Miami and along with that will adorn itself in a new look. The new name according to the zoo officials better describes it as a South Dade Attraction and it was time to drop the outdated ‘Metro’ from the name.

To celebrate its birthday, Metrozoo is offering only $5 admission, live music, freebies and many giveaways, for full 3 days from July 3-5.

Miami’s Metrozoo, soon to be called as Zoo Miami is one of the best zoos in the United States. It’s one of the first free-range zoos where exhibits are entirely cage less and their surrounding match their native habitat as closely as possible. Also the weather at Miami allows keeping variety of animals from Asia Australia and Africa like no other zoo in the nation.

It surely promises a full filled day for families, animal and nature lovers and photographers alike.

Technorati Tags: 30th birthday celebration, Miami metro zoo, newborn baby giraffe, zoo miami

Visit Cuba

Cuban leaders are working with House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to pass a bill ending the United States travel and agricultural export embargos against their country.  Seventy-four prominent Cuban political dissidents have endorsed this legislation because they believe it will help alleviate hunger in their country and assist with human rights issues.  These pro-democracy Cuban leaders have expressed their belief that an increased presence from United States citizens could help facilitate a potential future transition to a democratic state, a change that is greatly desired by many Cubans.  The United States has imposed different levels of travel and trade embargos against Cuba since the 1960s when Cuba aligned itself with the Soviet Union in the Cold War. 

The current US embargos have been criticized because of Cuba’s dire need for additional food, medicine, and clean water.  Cuban dissidents have stated that easing restrictions on agricultural imports from the United States would have an enormous impact on food shortages suffered in their country.  Some Republican members of the House Agriculture Committee oppose this bill because they believe assistance to Cuba and increased income from tourism and travel will actually assist Castro’s government.  A recent poll done in the United States indicates that 40% of Americans are in favor of ending the embargo.

Technorati Tags: agriculture, Cuba, embargos, Travel