Featured Cities - 2/3 - Travel Blue Book

Spending the Perfect Day in Sitka, Alaska

July 14, 2014 By Mel 5 Comments

Fortress of the Bear (Photo Credit: By Mel)

Located on Baranof Island about 90 miles southeast of Juneau, Sitka is seriously one of the stranger parts of Alaska. Originally a Russian town, their influence still permeates the little downtown area – from the old Orthodox Church to the tons of Russian tchotchkes you can pick up in the numerous souvenir shops.

When I used to work on cruise ships, this was never my favorite stop. That was until a friend came onboard to cruise with me for a week and I realized Sitka was actually the easiest stop to decide what we were going to do for the day!

So, if you’re headed to Sitka for the day, here’s the perfect itinerary for your time there: [Read more…]

First Friday in Missoula, MT

July 8, 2014 By Anne Keery 2 Comments

Photo Credit: By functoruser via flickr and Creative Commons

On the first Friday of the month, every single month, regardless of if it is January 1^st or not, the art galleries and shops in downtown Missoula, Montana are open. More than open, they are open late and celebrating!

Missoula’s First Friday is a decentralized event, with lots of different galleries, businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and retailers participating by featuring artists. Galleries change-up their features and coordinate show openings to fall on these evenings. Then, from 5 until 8 PM, or sometimes later, they are open. Different places have a variety of snacks, drinks and free wine on offer. You can sip on a drink while you wander through. Several galleries have musicians, from one person acts, to harpists, to multi-person bands. In June 2014, there was a wandering brass band downtown! [Read more…]

Toledo, Spain: City of Wonder

June 30, 2014 By Dina Spencer Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: By Dina Spencer

Toledo, Spain is a cultural gem. Upon entering the old town through the keyhole-shaped city gate, visitors will feel as though they have been transported back several centuries to a magical kingdom. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Madrid, its quaint medieval charms make the city a hot destination and a must-see for any traveler’s list of places to see in Spain. Toledo was named a UNESCO World Heritage City in 1986, adding this famed status to its already impressive achievements. With more than 2000 years of history, settled since 193 BC, Toledo has been influenced by Jews, Christians and Muslims, noted in the city’s architectural styles. The diverse city was a center for culture and religion for several centuries as well as an important art center during the Renaissance and was home to El Greco. Today, Toledo is the capital of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha and offers visitors a wealth of architecture, art, cuisine, and a glimpse into Spain’s colorful past. [Read more…]

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor – 8 Fun Things to Do

June 24, 2014 By Lauren May 5 Comments

Photo Credit: By Jawed Karim via Wikimedia Commons and Creative Commons

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor offers exploration and entertainment for all ages. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the exciting attractions and variety of dining options that are situated around this historic seaport. From history buffs to science geeks to foodies, there’s something interesting for just about everyone. Check out these 8 fun things to do at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor: [Read more…]

Attractions in Downtown Calgary

June 16, 2014 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

Mewata Armoury (Photo Credit: By Grapher78 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

While it is mostly known for being the Canadian center for Oil and Gas, there are several tourist attractions in downtown Calgary. While the nightlife in Calgary is centered on 17^th Ave South West, sometimes known as The Red Mile, there are daytime attractions in downtown Calgary, as well as some great night dining.

Once you find yourself in downtown Calgary, there is a free zone on the light rail transit system, known as the CTrain. See the Calgary Transit CTrain Map to plan your day if you want to cover more ground, for example making it down to the Mewata Armoury and Shaw Millennium Park. The Armoury is a gorgeous red brick building built between 1915 and 1918, according to the Armoury’s website. [Read more…]

Top 5 Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska

June 9, 2014 By Mel 7 Comments

Mendenhall Glacier (Photo by Mel)

Juneau, the capital of Alaska and brief home of Sarah Palin, is a must see stop on any Alaskan adventure. As part of the inside passage into Alaska, it has slightly better temperatures than lots of other cities in America’s biggest state, making summer a great time to check it out.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Juneau: [Read more…]

New York City: Skip the Tourist Spots and Go Here

April 21, 2014 By Jacque Carrington 1 Comment

View from Brooklyn Bridge Park (Photo Credit: By Fredverillo (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons)

When you think of traveling to New York City, you probably think of the usual touristy suspects: Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station, and the Empire State Building among others. Believe me, these are definitely visit-worthy, but they do not encompass what NYC really has to offer.

There is so much to do and see within each of the 5 boroughs that it’s nearly impossible to do everything you’d like to in one visit. I lived in NYC for 2 years after college (and currently live about an hour away), so I still go back to visit friends and my husband’s family frequently. Here’s a list of some off-the-radar places to visit while you’re there. [Read more…]

5 Must-See Sights in Philadelphia

April 14, 2014 By Lauren May 1 Comment

Photo Credit: By Tony the Misfit on Flickr ([1]) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Often overlooked and underrated, Philadelphia is actually one of the most interesting East Coast cities to visit. History, diversity, and culture all come together to create this dynamic Pennsylvania metropolis. There’s a lot for visitors to explore in the City of Brotherly Love, but here are 5 must-see sites in the downtown area that are definitely worth your time. [Read more…]

A Banff Girls’ Weekend Itinerary

April 7, 2014 By Anne Keery Leave a Comment

Photo Credit: By MarilynJane via flickr andCreative Commons

Stunning mountains greet you on all sides in Banff, Alberta, where the town site lies in a river valley, wrapping around Tunnel Mountain. Located in Banff National Park, a UN World Heritage Site, Banff plays host to hot springs, gorgeous views, wildlife and many tourists. With a tourism industry since the 1880s, Banff has lots to offer, which can make it tricky to plan a Banff Girls’ Weekend Itinerary. After driving into Banff National Park, check in to The Fox Hotel & Suites, located right on the main street of Banff Avenue. The Fox Hotel & Suites offers the perfect room for a Banff Girls’ Weekend in their Two Bedroom Superior Suites. These suites offer four double beds plus a pull out couch, so everyone has lots of space but can still share the same hotel suite! There are also two full bathrooms, several televisions and a small kitchenette. The kitchenettes include coffee and tea makers, a microwave, a mini fridge, a bar sink, plates and cutlery and most importantly, wine glasses! The best feature of the hotel, however, is the amazing indoor/outdoor grotto-style hot pool.

Time for Dinner

Once you have dropped your bags and settled in, find yourselves some dinner at El Toro, a three-minute walk down the road. [Read more…]

New Orleans: Where Entertainment and Culture Unite

March 24, 2014 By Holly Johnson 1 Comment

Photo Credit: By Justin Watt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Whether or not you’ve ever traveled to New Orleans, you’ve likely heard about it from a friend. After all, it’s where the famed Mardi Gras festival explodes onto the scene each February, and where much of Southern jazz and Blues were born. It’s where the unique architecture of the French Quarter resides, attracting millions of tourists to walk the cobbled streets and taste the beignets each year. But there’s so much more to New Orleans than just its old, historic buildings, fantastic food, and famous celebrations. [Read more…]