Needlepoint Porn and Paint Offs: Crazy Art in Downtown LA
(Needlepoint porn art displayed at The Hive Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles during the monthly Art Walk)
The second Thursday of every month, the streets of Downtown LA are abuzz with art loving pedestrians, strolling (yes people do actually walk in LA) around Spring Street to check out the area’s best galleries, street artists, shops and late night restaurants. Most of the galleries can be found on Spring and Main streets between 2nd and 9th streets, with the occasional pop-up boutique and food truck on the fringes. The creative soul of Los Angeles was on display last night.
Poutine Capital of the World – Best Eats in Montreal
Heading to Montreal – the poutine capital of the world – and wondering where to find the best? Well, for french fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy, there is no better place to binge eat than at La Banquise. Located in the Plateau area of hipster Montreal, expect to find a long-line up outside this modest diner. With dozens of poutines to choose from, traditionalist stick to the classic (simply cheese and gravy) but for those looking to try something different, there’s no shortage of artery clogging options. Poutine Elvis with ground beef, peppers and mushrooms. Poutine Obelix, with smoked meat. Poutine Chicks with breaded chicken. Poutine Kamikaze with Merguez sausage, hot peppers and Tobasco. The list goes on…For the Grand Poobah of poutines, try the T-Rex. It’s a carnivore’s delight with every meat imaginable piled high atop the cheesy fries. La Banquise (994, Rachel Est) is open 24-7. So, if you’re craving dirty poutine mid-day or as a late night, post drinking snack, there really is no wrong time to indulge. http://www.restolabanquise.com
Disappearing Destinations
(photo credit: CNN Traveler.com)
Climate change, deforestation, rising sea levels and overpopulation are threatening some of the world’s most spectacular natural landscapes. I just wrote an article for Bing Travel that featured 10 Destinations that are disappearing. From the Great Barrier Reef, to the Maldives, the Dead Sea to the Everglades, some of the world’s most spectacular natural landscapes are under attack. For the complete story check out http://binged.it/IBphq0
New York Times Travel Show: Best Travel Tips
If you missed the New York Times Travel show this weekend at the Javits Convention Center in NYC, fear not! The following tips are some of the best money saving tricks for flights and accommodations to help you plan your ultimate adventure.
Hidden Gem of Europe: Slovenia
(photo credit: Tommasco Buracchi)
If you’re set on Europe, consider Slovenia. Where the f*ck is Slovenia? Well…that’s what I said, until I went there and loved it! A hidden gem, this tiny country is affordable, stunning and off the tourist track. Bordering Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria, the Republic of Slovenia gained independence from the former region of Yugoslavia in 1991. A population of over 2 million, most of them Roman Catholic, Slovenia has its own language, is part of the EU and has a strong tourist infrastructure where English is widely spoken. Start in the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana before heading to the foothills of the Julian Alps for a long list of outdoor activities. The capital city of Ljubljana has some really cool accommodations. Hostel Celica, which Lonely Planet calls the “world’s hippest hostel” is part of a military barracks used by the Austro-Hungarian army. A former prison, each “cell” was renovated into a room and re-decorated by a different artist. Modern and sparkling clean, this budget accommodation has twenty renovated slammer cells for guests to stay in.
Find the Fountain of Youth at Lake Titicaca Bolivia
(photo credit: Luca Picciau)
From La Paz, travel by bus to the Incan hotspot of Copacabana, a tourist gateway between the inspirational shores of Lake Titicaca and Peru’s Cuzco. This is where you’ll find the rumored fountain of youth. Drink up at one of the world’s most stunning locations. With inexpensive eats, $1 beers and affordable souvenirs (the woven Alpaca scarves are my favorite), Copacabana has great deals for the budget traveler. Add Bolivia to the bucket list….
Mardi Gras Madness
Is that time of year again!!! For the quintessential Mardi Gras experience of beads, boobs and booze, head to Bourbon Street in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. There you’ll find masked partiers indulging in non-stop alcohol (which can be legally consumed in the street) and shenanigans before the threat of Lent kicks in. This street fest celebrates southern decadence with dollar beers, stiff whisky and “hand grenades,” a potent potion of rum, gin, vodka, grain alcohol, melon liquor and mint that’s guaranteed to give you a hangover. For parades and activities beyond the boozy frat scene of Bourbon Street, visit this website.
Get Your Wino On in Chile
(photo credit: Carlos Varela)
This narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is awesomely diverse and best of all – it’s very affordable. In one day, you can go from skiing in the mountains, to sweating it out in the world’s driest desert, touring graffiti murals in quaint cultural towns along the Pacific, to hiking around Alpine fjords. But most importantly, you can get delicious bottles red wine (my fave is the Carmenere, a full-bodied grape) for a $5 price tag.
