Can’t Miss Concert Venues in Chicago

Chicago Theater. CC Image by Matt Ephraim (Flickr).

By DANIEL HOGAN

While not traditionally considered a live music mecca like Austin or New Orleans, Chicago’s concert scene is a thriving one, with the city having produced some of the biggest names in music these days. Not only are hip-hop superstars Kanye West, R. Kelly, and Lupe Fiasco from Chicago, but the Windy City has also generated bands such as Wilco, Fall Out Boy, and acclaimed solo artist Andrew Bird. The key to any live music scene is knowing where to go, especially with so many options to see concerts in Chicago. Consider this a brief guide to cannot-miss concert venues in the Windy City.

The first, and perhaps most obvious recommendation for seeing top-notch live music in Chicago is the Chicago Theatre. Built in 1921 and located in the heart of the Loop, the Chicago Theatre combines a sense of elegance, nostalgia, and importance that makes the venue one-of-a-kind. Designed like an opera hall with three-stories of plush seating and ornate decorations throughout, the Chicago Theatre offers quite a unique place to see someone like Beyoncé electrify the crowd, or when a band like Panic! At the Disco has teenagers jumping and dancing. The Chicago Theatre is non-discriminatory with their acts, with not only different kinds of musical acts performing, but also comedians and plays.

For a different, less classic vibe than the Chicago Theatre, make your way to Lakeview for a show at The Vic Theatre. The Vic doubles as an unconventional movie theater and no frills rock venue, both catering to the same type of unpretentious, fun-loving crowd. With the decorations and feel of a small, turn of the 19^th century opera hall, The Vic brings grunge rock and indie culture to a setting that was never meant to see such things. Despite fitting over 1,400 people, the Vic is known for providing an intimate concert experience, largely because they draw big name acts who usually play at much bigger venues. Expect crowds that are looking to party, and bands that put on high-energy shows in the excitement of playing in the timeless theatre.

Continuing with the old venue meets new performers vibe; the final recommendation for one of the best places to see shows in Chicago is the Aragon Ballroom. The multifunctional ballroom, which is largely used today as a concert venue, derives its name from its Spanish architecture and interior designs. Long known for its raucous crowds and out-of-control concerts, the Aragon has toned down their reputation but continues to be one of the most fun and exciting places to see a show. The size of the ballroom floor makes for an inevitable party among the concertgoers, and whether you’re seeing Skrillex or Kings of Leon, the Aragon will be bumping. It’s hard to go wrong with a place that has such a reputation for a good time, as well as having possibly the most beautiful interior out of any concert venue in Chicago.

Daniel Hogan is a writer at Party Earth - a global media and entertainment company that publishes reviews and listings of the best social experiences around the world including: bars in Paris, pubs in London, beaches in Ibiza, plazas in Rome, concerts in Chicago, festivals and concerts everywhere, and more.

Soundtracks for the Nile River Cruise and Other Travels

Views along the River Nile. CC Image by Michael Gwyther-Jones (Flickr).

“It’s just gone noon, half-past monsoon on the banks of the river Nile.”

As the wind sweeps across the deck of the Beni Suif and my laptop looks set to wind down in an electrical storm, the opening lines of “Night Boat to Cairo” by Madness bounce out of my headphones.

“Here comes the boat only half-afloat, oarsman grins a toothless smile.”

The music I’d chosen to listen to onboard my Nile river cruise seemed eerily appropriate. But then I’m always doing that, trying to create the soundtrack to my travels.

This whole thing started in 2007, when we were zooming down the tarmac at Heathrow, and the Andrew Bird album I’d been listening to all summer, Armchair Apocrypha, sounded like the perfect thing to ease my head into the sky. The air stewardess hadn’t noticed that I’d defied her instructions to turn off all electrical devices, and my iPod being switched on hadn’t caused a power failure. With my head pushed back into the seat, we were launched into the sky, and that’s when it clicked that the song was called “Fiery Crash” and was about a plane going down. Don’t ask me why, but it’s been my take-off song ever since, and I can’t help but think of that particular take-off on the rare occasions I hear it now.

A great travel song doesn’t have to be about imminent catastrophe, though. One of the most perfect musical choices I ever made was in California zig-zagging up the Pacific Coast Highway, not listening to the Beach Boys as you may expect – that would have been too obvious. No, with “Zigzag Wanderer” by Captain Beefheart on the rental car’s CD changer, it was the perfect visual accompaniment which flashes back into my mind every time I play the album.

There are so many others whose sound, whenever I hear them, have particular images from my travels lodged in my mind. All the African music I bought and then played on my African safari, for example. And it’s definitely a two-way thing, gluing the past and present – memory and reality – together with sound and vision. There’s even a Playlist in my iTunes called California, which is full of Beefheart tunes, and which I mentally transfer onto other scenery when I wish it was California.

Of course, there is a considerable amount of control-freakery and maybe even narrow-mindedness involved with creating your own soundtracks to your travels. Before portable stereos, we’d have had little choice but to absorb each place’s own natural ambience. And I’m almost certain we’d get a better feel for the places we visit if our ears weren’t filled with our own preconception of what it should sound like. But in many ways, it’s just like creating your own album art, only way more immersive.

Have an Aircraft? Travel in Style

Another Citation X. CC Image by Kevin Boydston (Flickr).

You and your family want to go out of town to visit your relatives. It is a toss-up between taking the plane or driving cross-country. The kids want to ride the plane. The wife wants to go driving. However, you just bought a small aircraft last year and you are raring to take it for a spin. Majority wins.

Why Drive When You can Fly?

There are a lot of advantages of taking the plane instead of the car to reach your destination. You might have a sports car but nothing beats an aircraft. Here are a few to name some.

Faster travelling time. You will reach your destination faster instead of having a lot of stopovers when driving. There will be no traffic either. You will avoid road mishaps.
More room to stretch. The plane will give you more comfortable room to stretch and sleep if necessary.
More room for baggage. The plane has more space for the luggage and bags you will be carrying.
Parking is not a problem with cheap airport parking. You just need to book ahead to get affordable parking.
Check out a pilot shop that sells aviation supplies and accessories. You can even order online for the things that you like. Things have become easier to purchase nowadays.

Granny Will Be Impressed

You haven’t seen the folks for quite some time now. Now is the time to impress them by flying to their locale instead of driving. They can pick you up at the airport. You will have more goodies to share with them since you can bring more stuff in the plane.

Granny might even like to take a ride in the plane. Nothing to fear if junior is the one piloting the plane. This will make her proud of you. Her son has a plane of his own. Your dad would think you are a maverick in the air if he gets to ride also.

The Neighbors will Be Talking About it

If Granny will have her way, the neighbors will soon find out that you have a new plane. That is how it is in the old county. Every minor detail in the lives of the folks gets talked about. Everyone knows the name of the newborn child of a neighbor. What more if it is about your new plane?

Be prepared to have your neighbors asking you if they can ride your plane. You will be in demand now. It is like way back in college when only a few had cars. Now it is their junior with his own plane. Whoever thought you will be in this position?

Bottom Line

Is it still a debate whether to fly or to drive? Environmentally-factors aside, flying can be better than driving on many levels. Technology is getting better and better that faster also means more comfort. And if it’s comfort and efficiency you’re after and money isn’t an issue, why not bring that plane on your next vacation trip.

Top Sights to See in Munich

Munich Cityscape. CC Image by John Morgan (Flickr).

Being one of the most visited cities in Europe, Munich is filled with a wide range of activities and sights to see. Not just the amount of things to do, Munich is brilliant for the fact that many of its attractions are based in the centre of the Old Town, and as such means visitors can stroll from one land mark to the next. These are some of the best sights to see in the city.

Marienplatz

Situated in the heart of the city, Marienplatz consists of a central square surrounded by old and beautiful buildings, churches and landmarks. Visitors to the square can also visit the Old and New Town Halls of Munich while also admiring the Marian Column which has a golden statue of the Virgin Mary at its peak.

The New Town Hall also treats its visitors to a small show around noon time; with 32 life size figures recreating historical Bavarian events to the chimes of the 100 year old Glockenspiel that is housed in the tower of the building.

Frauenkirche – The Cathedral of Our Blessed Lady

The largest of Munich’s church, the cathedral can hold up to 20,000 people and as such is one of the main landmarks of the city, with the twin towers that sit atop the cathedral helping shape the skyline of Munich. These towers are open for tourists to climb to the top for some spectacular views of the city and the surrounding Bavarian Alps.

Beer Halls

Germany is famous for its numerous beer halls and Munich has some brilliant halls for you to drink at. Munich is even home to the most famous beer hall in Germany and perhaps the world, HofBrauhaus. Most of the halls brew their own beers for you to enjoy and offer an ample choice of local specialities for you to try while you soak up the typically German atmosphere.

Dachau Concentration Camp

One of the first concentration camps in Nazi Germany, the Dachau Concentration Camp would later serve as a model for the remaining camps set up in the Third Reich. The camp lies roughly ten miles northwest of Munich so hiring a car may be necessary for you to travel there and back, Auto Europe offer some good deals.

Guests to the camp will walk the same route that prisoners who arrived here did while the camp still has the original prisoner baths, barracks, courtyards and the crematorium. The site also houses an extensive exhibition on the prisoners here and various memorials to those who lost their lives here.

Palace of Munich

On the outskirts of Munich’s old town you’ll find the Residence, the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs where the first buildings of the palace were built in 1385. While no monarch resides there anymore, the palace does house one of the best European museums of interior decoration with 130 rooms of antique furniture, art and tapestries that cover various eras such as the Renaissance. The grounds of the palace also houses ten beautiful gardens and courtyards ideal for a stroll.

Planning the Family Vacation of a Lifetime

Skydeck Chicago Willis Tower Family (Sears Tower). CC Image by FamilyTravelCK (Flickr).

Planning a family vacation can take a bit of time, and there are steps you can and should take to ensure that you and yours will have a great one, provided you plan things adequately.

This article goes through some of the preliminary steps you should take to guarantee that you and your partner will have a stress-free and satisfying holiday with your kids.

Think about alternative methods of travel

The first thing that comes to mind when considering a holiday with your family is probably the cost of buying plane tickets. But remember you don’t have to usher your whole family onto a plane to go on holiday. You can save a lot of money by visit somewhere close by instead.

If you want to take a slightly extended but local holiday, a fun thing to do would be to rent a motorhome – the kids will definitely love the novelty of travelling around in one. Travelworld motorhomes is a good place to begin your search.

Make sure the destination is kid-friendly

This is something that could potentially capsize your vacation plans, as there’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere and realising it’s the last place you’d want your kids to be near, let alone stay in. Thorough research is essential, as you don’t want your kids to be bored on their holiday because they’ll never let you forget it – either at the time or in the future!

Bearing this in mind, don’t be too hasty to write off places like Amsterdam. If you do your homework, you’ll find that Amsterdam has loads of great things to do for kids.

Schedule your activities

You’re not as young as you used to be, so there’s little point in deciding to make your journey in a free-form kind of way, going wherever suits your mood that day. If you’ve got kids, you’ll know they demand non-stop entertainment, which means you’ll require a sold schedule and plan.

Of course, you can’t expect to stick to every last specific detail of an itinerary, but it does help to at least try to stick to it as roughly as possible. List all the places you plan to see each day.

Bring supplies

Delays are inevitable when you travel. And when you travel with kids, delays can be excruciatingly painful for everyone involved. It’s best to bring supplies so that the kids don’t get too bored: toys, card games, board games and perhaps even a portable DVD player, which will go a long way to entertaining them and make for an easier trip.

Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

Valencia, the third largest city in Spain, has something for every tourist’s taste. This city of 800,000 people was founded by the Romans in 138BC and has managed to retain most of its ancient and medieval buildings. You will find architectural treasures, fun nightlife and superb white sand beaches. Here’s a guide to the top ten (although there are many more) attractions to see in Valencia.

La Lonja De La Seda

Lonja de la Seda. CC Image by Manu (Flickr).

In Valencia the 15th century is referred to as the Valencian Golden Age when culture, art and industry flourished. La Lonja De La Seda, the Silk Exchange, was finished in 1533 and this indoor market is a magnet for locals and tourists. The architecture is late Gothic and the interior is breathtaking. Some of the gargoyles are downright saucy.

Las Fallas De Valencia

Valencia las Fallas Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

Valencia en Fallas. CC Image by Coke Saeba (Flickr).

This is the largest and most famous of all the festivals in Spain. The ‘fallas’ are huge papier mache figures, some of them several stories high, which are caricatures of high-profile Spanish celebrities and politicians. The festival runs from March 13 to 19. There are three set-piece fireworks events every day, but people set off fireworks all day.

Going back in time: Valencia Old Town

Valencia Old Town Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

Cute Street. CC Image by Robyn Lee (Flickr).

Also known as the Old Quarter, the architecture of the Old Town gives a glimpse of what Valencia looked like long ago. The Mercando Central Market is the largest in the city and is decorated with ceramics. It has fascinating stained glass windows. There is also the Valencia Opera House and Santa Catalina Church. The church’s tower is the entrance to Valencia Old Town. The area is packed with places to eat and shop. Some of the hotels are historic and preserved beautifully.

Turia Gardens

València – Rambla del Túria. CC Image by Carquinyol (Flickr).

The Gardens were created after the Turia River broke its banks in 1957. The river was diverted and left a huge area of dry land. Thanks goodness the authorities did not agree to the suggestion to use the area for a motorway as it’s now a huge and beautiful park. Cyclists and pedestrians can use it to cross much of the city. It has a lake, rugby and football fields, playgrounds and fountains.

Cathedral of Valencia

Valencia Cathedral Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

View from the Cathedral bell tower in Valencia. CC Image by Heather Cowper (Flickr).

An awesome and beautiful sight, the cathedral is one of the top attractions of the city. It’s a unique combination of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque architecture and contains many medieval works of art.

The Museum of Natural Sciences

Valencia Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. CC Image by Toni Escuder (Flickr).

This fascinating musuem is a Valencian landmark, not least because of its beautiful setting in the Royal Gardens.

City Beaches

Valencia Beach Top 7 Attractions in Valencia

Beach Valencia. CC Image by Matthew Strimska (Flickr).

And last but not least, are the city’s beaches. Valencia’s sublime Mediterranean weather is perfect for going to the beach. There are several city beaches and three major ones just outside the city. They all have clean white sand.

If you’re looking for more travel inspiration or if you’re feeling adventurous right now, be sure to use online services to compare cruise prices before you book your next holiday.

Do Cunard Still Rule the Waves?

Queen Victoria, Southhampton. CC Image by Steve (Flickr).

Often, when people think about ultra-premium, luxury cruises, the first name that springs to mind is Cunard. With a history dating back to 1840, Cunard cruises have optimised the industry since. To this day, they own some of the biggest and most lavish cruise ships in the industry.

Over the years, Cunard have produced the fastest and most luxurious ships ever built, the most famous being the QE2. In 2004, Cunard went for another world first, when they built the behemoth that is the Queen Mary 2 – the longest, highest, largest and most expensive ship ever built.

Today, Cunard operate three ships – the Queen Mary 2, the 90,000 tonne Queen Victoria and the 92,400 tonne Queen Elizabeth, the company having sold the QE2 to be turned into a floating hotel in 2008. Their cruises and Atlantic crossings still attract high numbers of passengers, but as the generations move on and with an unstable economy at our feet, we need ask – does Cunard still rule the waves?

Why they might not

With so many other, smaller companies offering luxury cruises around the world, Cunard finds itself in a highly competitive marketplace. As the most expensive cruise company in the world, they have found themselves increasingly under pressure to go above and beyond what other companies can offer in order to justify their high price point.

Something to bear in mind when considering Cunard’s service and reputation is that the company was moved under the Princess / P&O Cruises umbrella in late 2004. This meant an entire change of staff, both on and off board, with the majority coming from the umbrella company’s pool of personnel. That’s not to say that the service is lacking; just that the heritage and core staff that would have seen the company through the ‘Golden Era’ are no longer on board.

What the passengers say

In the 2013 Cruise Critic UK Cruisers’ Choice awards, Cunard didn’t fare so well. Missing out on the top spot in the majority of the categories demonstrates that maybe the world is moving away from old-time luxury and towards more fun, budget friendly offerings. Here are some of the results:

Best overall: Top three places went to ships from the Celebrity Line – the Eclipse, the Solstice and the Silhouette. The Queen Victoria came fourth.
Best for cabins: No appearance by Cunard, with Celebrity taking three of the top five awards, and Carnival and Royal Caribbean the other two.
Best for dining: Celebrity held the top two slots, with the Queen Victoria popping into fourth place.
Best for service: One of Cunard’s ‘USPs’ was that they were disappointingly beaten into fourth place again by the three Celebrity ships.
Best for value: With a respectable second place in this category, Cunard have proven that the smallest ship in their fleet, the Queen Victoria, is actually what people are looking for.

Conclusion

So, do Cunard still rule the waves? They certainly still have one of the biggest, fastest ships in the world. While a trip on the Queen Mary 2 might be a once in a lifetime experience, for many of us it will remain forever out of reach. With smaller, less formal and just as exciting cruise companies offering excellent value for money alternatives, Cunard is going to have to work hard to retain its share of the holiday market.

Package Holidays Vs. Independent Travelling

Tup island sea beach. CC Image by AtomDocs (Flickr).

While there used to be a very distinctive difference between those that booked package holidays and those that travelled independently, travel agencies have successfully broadened their horizons in recent years, blurring the line immeasurably.

The decision whether to book a package holiday or travel independently is no longer a straightforward one. Here, we aim to help you to determine which the better fit for you is.

Cost

Package holidays used to be the most cost-effective means of travel. With the advent of budget airlines, however, the dynamic shifted. Locations close to home, and far-flung locales alike, became affordable almost overnight, while the internet made independently booking hotels more accessible than ever.

In the last few years, the travel scene has, once again, undergone a drastic change. With travel agencies forced to compete with independent travel, many have transformed their businesses, offering cheap package holidays that rival any independently sourced deals, with regards to cost, location and convenience.

When it comes purely down to a cost comparison, there is no easy answer as to whether package holidays or independent travel is more affordable. If you’re planning a break, it’s worth taking the time to look at both options – you may be surprised which is cheaper.

Diversity

Cultural and location diversity were once realms solely occupied by the independent traveller. Exotic locations and immersion in different cultures were not really synonymous with the package holiday. Times, however, have changed.

Travel agencies are becoming more adventurous and diverse with their location choices. Top travel agencies now count locations such as Thailand, Australia, the Caribbean and South Africa among their staple offerings.

If you’re looking to discover new and interesting cultures in faraway lands, you’re as likely to find a great deal through a travel agency as you are independently.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, package holidays still reign supreme. Instead of spending hours trawling the internet for flights and accommodation, quality travel agents do the work for you, helping you to find the best deals in almost any location around the globe.

Package holidays are also no longer the rigid vacationing options that they once were. While travel agents may offer set itineraries, they are increasingly flexible, giving you the opportunity to take in the sights that you really want to see, without any of the hassle that often accompanies independent booking.

Security

As independently booked holidays tend to include stays at smaller hotels or hostels, your security, and the propensity of the accommodation’s owners to pay compensation when circumstances demand it, are less certain. Travel agents offering package holidays tend to offer comprehensive insurance packages, so, if the worst should happen, making a claim is much easier.

Package holidays or independent travelling?

The reality is that there is no straightforward answer. Booking a package holiday may be cheaper and more convenient, but you must ensure that you will be able to tailor it to your exact requirements.

In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. The lesson, however, is that many of the traditional pre-conceptions about package holidays and independent travel no longer hold true. It’s a brave new world, full of exciting and cost effective opportunities for those who are willing to put a little time into doing their due diligence.

Five Parks to Visit in New York

“I love New York, even though it isn’t mine, the way something has to be, a tree or a street or a house, something, anyway, that belongs to me because I belong to it.” So wrote the great American author Truman Capote.

We can often find ourselves lost in cities – spiritually as well as physically. That’s partly the reason people go away not to the beach, but to a great city: to lose themselves in the sprawl. But away from the street signs and the traffic, inner peace is often found in a city’s green spaces, which feel both a part of and away from their localities. This is no more evident than in New York City, which has many wonderful parks.

So if you’re planning a New York holiday, and you fancy being in the middle of nature and the city at the same time, make time to visit these five amazing green spaces in the heart of the Big Apple.

Bronx Park

Dragonfly, Lillies and Glass. CC Image by Grufnik (Flickr).

Bronx Park is 718 acres of bliss, laid out along the Bronx River. With picturesque waterfalls, it’s great to visit all year round, although the New York Botanical Garden is particularly stunning in the summertime.

Flushing Meadows

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park – Unisphere and Freedom of the Human Spirit. CC Image by Wally Gobetz (Flickr).

Flushing Meadows in the Queens district is home to the arena of the same name which hosts the US Open tennis. Its most iconic feature is the Unisphere, a huge metallic globe sculpture originally commissioned for the 1964 World’s Fair.

Prospect Park

Extant Arts: Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. CC Image by Axel Taferner (Flickr).

Prospect Park in Brooklyn is an expanse of lush city parkland. The viewing point of Mount Prospect, the second highest point in Brooklyn, offers sweeping views of Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn and even New Jersey.

Fort Greene Park

Hammock. CC Image by Listen Missy! (Flickr).

Fort Greene Park is a charming neighbourhood park in the heart of Brooklyn, which hosts summer literary festivals and assorted gatherings.

Central Park

Summer in Central Park. CC Image by Kevin Dooley (Flickr).

Central Park is probably the most famous park in the world, located right in the centre of Manhattan. No trip to New York would be complete without visiting the sculpted paradise designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Whether it’s the views outwards, through the oak trees towards the Plaza hotel, the famous lagoon or simply strolling through the tree-lined walkways, Central Park may be the nearest thing to paradise in any city.

Places to See on a Yangtze River Cruise

Misty Gorge Reflections. CC Image by Keith Marshall (Flickr).

The Yangtze river in China is the third longest river in the world, so big it comprises such varied landscapes as glaciers, rainforests, cities and sea. It even flows by one of the world’s most hauntingly beautiful places – a ghost town. The best way to experience its full majesty is on a Yangtze River cruise, which, if you’re lucky, will stop off at these amazing destinations.

Chongqing

Many Yangtze cruises begin their expedition here, at the ‘Fog City’, which is also known as the ‘Mountain City’ and, in the summer, the ‘Furnace City’. So that’s pretty much the climate covered. Both a rustic town full of authentic back-streets and a booming, skyscraping metropolis, Chongqing is a dazzling way to start your journey and prepare you for everything that lies ahead.

Fengdu ‘Ghost City’

This really has to be at the top of destinations to demand from your Yangtze river cruise. Thankfully, many tour operators know this and will most likely stop off at this remarkable sight, a city modeled on an ancient conception of the afterlife. With beautifully maintained old buildings and places named things like Helplessness Bridge, this 2,000-year-old site is both eerie and thought-provoking. Perhaps most remarkable is the 452-foot-high statue of the Ghost King carved into the side of a mountain, making it China’s answer to Mount Rushmore.

Three Gorges

The Yangtze River has three gorges so dramatic they’ve been awarded an AAAAA rating by the Chinese tourist board. How scenic does this make the three gorges? It’s the highest mark, so very scenic indeed. Often, Yangtze cruise operators will transfer you from your cruise to a local longboat (sangpan) to feel the full vastness of your surroundings.

Three Gorges Dam Project

Astaple of many Yangtze river cruises, the Three Gorges Dam is the most ambitious building project since the Great Wall over 2,000 years ago. The giant hydroelectric dam is designed to produce power for the booming economy, prevent flooding and enable a greater shipping capacity. But the dam is one of the most controversial topics in recent Chinese history since it was narrowly approved in 1992, as it will submerge 13 cities and result in millions of people being displaced.