Falling in love with fall

Halloween is just days away, and this is by far, one of my favorite times of year to live in Chicago. I just love wearing my cozy scarf as I walk outside and admire the pumpkins and other decorations. But what I admire most are the fall colors.

Unfortunately after Halloween, things turn dreary in Chicago. The temperature falls along with all those beautiful leaves. But other parts of the country are just getting started with their autumn show.

I think Tennessee would make a fun fall destination in early November. The charming town of Gatlinburg is nestled in the Smoky Mountains, which is a beautiful fall color palette. Then you can take a drive to Nashville, stop on the way for barbecue, and take in the scenery.

If the South isn't your thing, almost every other region of the country has beautiful fall colors to see. From Yosemite Park in California, to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The US Forest Reserve has on its web site recommended spots it deems the most beautiful and at what time of year.

And here's a fall foliage map so you can see how other parts of the country look right now.

For some reason, the fall season makes me very pensive. And I can't think of a better way to contemplate those thoughts than on a drive, bike ride or hike through beautiful fall leaves.

But come November, I'm miserable. Thank goodness for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Hurricane Honeymoon

My Floridian self was surprised recently when my newlywed friends told me they were going on a 2-week honeymoon to the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t the two weeks in the highly romantic D.R. that astonished me, it was the fact they were going to be there in September – right in the midst of Hurricane season.

But they got a sweet deal. You can pretty much get the whole Caribbean for cheap August through October if you’re willing to risk a hurricane, and that includes cruises. Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pro: Hotels on sale
Con: Getting the roof blown off of your hotel.

Pro: Flights are open and cheap.
Con: You could get stuck at the airport waiting for days to fly out and escape the hurricane (I think I’d just stay put at the hotel).

Pro: Less crowds, cheap deals on excursions.
Con: You can cut the air with a knife this time of year in Florida and the Caribbean.

I don’t know about you, but money comes first with me. Plus, it really would be rare for you to encounter a hurricane during your stay. And every year is different with hurricane season. 2005 was probably a bad year to plan a Carribbean vacation in August. But this year the Atlantic has been silent. So bring on the cheap beach vacay. Here’s a deal from TravelMuse.com:



The Westin Resort, Aruba is offering a Hurricane Free escape, starting at $199 per ocean-view room, per night, with a $74 credit per room (74 being the minimum wind speed of a Category 1 hurricane) if it rains more than three hours on any one day of your trip. The package also includes daily poolside breakfast for two, and two welcome drinks per day at The Lobby Bar or Tambu Bar. The Hurricane Free package is valid through Nov. 30, 2009. For reservations call 877-782-0149 or visit www.westinaruba.com and use code WIND74.

Now if a hurricane does come knocking down your door, most hotels offer a“hurricane guarantee,” offering guests their money back. The popular Sandals and Beaches resorts offer this. If you book through Expedia or Travelocity, these sites will waive cancellation fees. And you can always buy travel insurance for extra peace of mind so you’re not watching the Weather Channel incessantly for months leading up to your vacation.

I for one am not afraid of these storms. I’m more afraid of overpaying for a hotel room in March.

I heart college football

For me, the passing of summer is easier to bare because of college football. I look forward to waking up on Saturday mornings to ESPN’s College Gameday, and I love venturing to a nearby bar, inhaling the crisp fall air, then watching my precious Gators.

Sadly, I rarely enjoy a game in person. But this article lists great road trips you can take in different regions to watch the best battles lined up this season. It’s a fun read. For my SEC, it recommends the UT vs Auburn game in Knoxville, then road-tripping down to Baton Rouge for when Florida kills LSU on Tiger turf.

Unrealistic for me since I don’t live in the South, and don’t have enough time, but I don’t have to travel far from Chicago to enjoy college football. I try to go as often as I can to the nearest REAL college football game: Notre Dame. Notice how I didn’t say Northwestern. I went to a couple of these games and lame is just too kind a word.

Notre Dame is what college football is all about: tradition. And you can look Jesus straight in the eye and pray Charlie Weis directs his team to a victory. It’s also beautiful to travel down in the fall when all you need is a thick sweatshirt to watch the game comfortably against the fall foliage setting. I have to admit, it’s better than sweating in the Swamp.

Though I would sweat a thousand buckets if it met traveling down to Florida for one Gator game this year.

'Counting on the Americans'

I have a short list of places I long to travel, and Paris is No. 2. The wine, the art, the music, it all seems so idyllic to me. Also I would love to encounter the stereotypical French rudeness American travelers have always talked about. Is it a myth? Maybe, maybe not.

But one thing is for sure, Parisians might be welcoming the loud, fat, crass American tourist with open arms these days (that’s how I imagine the French view Americans, not the way I do). According to this article, foreign travel has dropped more than 11 percent this year. And the article says the director of the Paris Tourism Office says the city is "counting on the Americans," its largest segment of travelers, to keep tourism revenues up and compensate for a plunge in visits by British, Japanese and Chinese tourists. The director feels the American economy is likely to rebound faster than these other countries.

I find it funny that IF in fact Parisians do not like Americans, they still want our money. They’re willing to deal with our tackiness if it means keeping their hotels and restaurants going.

I’m sure I’m not being fair. But whatever, there are great deals to be had in Paris right now. Flights this fall are about $590 on Kayak.com. Hotels are starting at around $120 in the heart of the city. Hmmmm…..Autumn in Paris? Sounds amazing. And maybe the cooler air will chill the feisty French.

And if you do go, it might calm the French tempers if you attempt a little French. But don't repeat the French the Flight of the Conchords sing. Enjoy!

World's 10 Most Amazing Hotel Pools

Growing up in Florida, pools are everywhere. Come home from school, you jump in a pool. You go to the beach, you jump in a pool. You turn 12, you jump in a pool.

So living in Chicago, I've learned that I took this one childhood pleasure for granted. When the city turns balmy, all I want to do is take a refreshing dip in chlorine. And I'm sorry, the lake is beautiful, but it's not for swimming.

Anyway, check out Budget Travel's 10 Most Amazing Hotel Pools. These are not your ordinary Holiday Inn pools. They are a destination all to themselves. It reminds me why people feel compelled to leave the city in August and head to a tropical destination.

Be like Armstrong – but with more wine and cheese

Watching the coverage of the Tour de France leads me to two thoughts. The first, how badly I need to get in shape. And the second, how amazing it would be to bike through the idyllic towns of France. Fortunately, you can do both at the same time without having to compete in the grueling, famous race.


There are tour groups that offer bike rides through most countries in Europe. I personally believe traveling by car is the best way to see the country, but can you imagine seeing it by bike? You would be fully able to take in the breathtaking views while trying to catch your breath.


And with all the delectable food you’ll be eating, you can burn off the calories the next day. The downhill side of these types of tours would be inclement weather and tough terrain. But whatever, bring a poncho, and of course, train like Armstrong before the trip.

The ultimate adventure: sailing around the world

I saw this report recently and it truly amazed me. A teenager sailing around the world by himself? Unbelievable. He’s battled squalls, pirates and perhaps worst of all, loneliness. I think the only adventurous thing I did in high school was drink Zima.

But it got me thinking, how amazing would that be to sail the seas of the earth. In one seamless timeline you see exotic cultures, architectural wonders and breathtaking landscapes. I would imagine it being a life-changing experience.

But if you’re like me and would rather watch the world sail by in the luxury of a stateroom there are cruise lines out there that offer world voyages.

This one from Holland America is 111 days long and takes you everywhere from Mumbai to Cape Town, and of course the always exotic Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

But if you can spare 111 days, why not 365. This one from Cruise West is the length of a full year and you visit all the ports in the Holland America cruise plus many more. Some of the wonders include Easter Island, which is on my short list of places to see before I end up in a nursing home.


But to be away from the real world for a year will cost you nearly $234,000. Hmmm….maybe I’ll just hop on Zac’s boat next time he sails the world.

The pride of Illinois

Since it's the 4th of July holiday weekend, I thought I'd indulge my patriotic side with some Presidential history.

Illinois might be notorious for seedy corruption, but it's famous for its Presidential roots. As most know, this is the adopted home state of President Obama. But you may not know that Ronald Reagan and Ulysses S. Grant were both born in Illinois. And of course, Illinois is the Land of Lincoln.

The tourism bureau for the state of Illinois prides itself for these legacies and has created trails that history buffs and Illinois residents can travel through. Check it out here.

This is also the most opportune time to do the trail on Lincoln. Honest Abe celebrated his 200th birthday this past February and a commission was granted to honor his bicentennial. Celebrations at spots that commememorate pivotal events in his life and career have been going on for the last 18 months, and will continue throughout the year.

In addition, his presidential library in Springfield has underwent a lot of changes and created new exhibits for the occasion.

So next time you're in the Land of Lincoln, you'll know just where to go to learn more about one of our greatest Presidents.

BTW, I heart the 4th of July.

Like most Americans, I always associate the holiday with sparklers, the beach and barbecues. And if I partake in these activities, or others, its always with immense pride for being an American. Happy Independence Day!

Your own private audio

I still reminisce often about one of my favorite memories made while spending a summer in New York City in 2000. No, not the partying until 6am at clubs, or accidentally wandering into an S&M bar. Though those still make me laugh. It was taking a historical tour of Greenwich Village. It was on this tour that I took a step back in time and heard stories that still blow me away.

Naturally every time I return to NYC I always want to rekindle this memory, but the tour’s scheduling never seems to work out with my own. But now anyone with an iPod can take a step back in time 21st-century style, without having to be limited by tour schedules.

In many major cities across the US you can download to your mp3 player an audio tour of a neighborhood or tourist attraction. There are companies that sell them, or many tourism bureaus offer them for free. In San Francisco you can walk through Golden Gate park to learn more about the serene nature scene, as well as the iconic bridge. In Chicago, you can stroll around the city and learn the history of blues, with Buddy Guy as your guide. These tours are a great way to learn the nitty-gritty details of a city at a schedule you make. Plus you can rewind if you need to.

And if you’re going to Paris anytime soon, Rick Steves (my favorite Europe travel nerd) has some free audio guides for you. Take a step back in time for a few moments and listen below for a history lesson on the art of the Venus de milo. It will make you want to jump on the next flight to Paris.

Louvre.mp3

Hotel crashing made easy

Lounging around in a hotel room is one of my favorite parts of a vacation. Drinking coffee in the morning, wearing a plush robe, and gazing out the window onto an unfamiliar city can really take you away from reality.

Unless of course you stay at an overpriced, unclean, smelly hellhole, which has happened to everyone. But it’s a recession, so don’t do this to yourself. Do the research and get a bargain!

Some may think it’s best to plan ahead and book a hotel room early. Not these days. Getting on line even a week before can get you a hotel room for cheap. And if you do book ahead, get alerts on Yapta.com when your rate drops. Also, believe it or not, calling and ASKING for the bargain can sometimes get you a better rate.

Across the country, occupancy is down 10.9 percent and the average daily rate is down 7.7 percent, according to Smith Travel Research. Look at how much the average daily rates have gone down in some of the most popular summer destination cities:

New York
2009 - $203
2008 - $273

Chicago
2009 – $124
2008 – $135

Hawaii
2009 – $189
2008 - $212

Hotel chains like Marriott and Starwood are offering great incentives with lots of amenities. In addition, luxury hotel chains such as the Four Seasons have been hardest hit during the downturn. So if you’re a Holiday Inn kind of traveler, you may be able to spring for the good stuff. A good deal in a high class place makes that comfy robe even more comfy.


The famous, 4-star Waldorf Astoria costs $199 per night this summer

Check out these cribs

When it comes to seeing how the other half lives, I’m fascinated. Going to open houses of million-dollar homes, browsing through expensive furniture stores and watching HGTV all day, can be an exercise in futility for my husband, but I think it’s fun. Visiting mansions of a bygone era, however, is an experience everyone can take pleasure in.

If you ever visit Newport, R.I., don't only eat the lobster or shop in the idyllic village. Take in the gargantuan mansions sitting on the cliff. You can enjoy the view by walking on the path cut along the rock, but go inside to take a trip back in time. The most impressive to me is The Breakers.



The mansion was built by a Vanderbilt, and no one did mansions like these guys. The family (Anderson Cooper is an heir - no kidding!) made a fortune through railroads and steamships, and their many "vacation homes" served as symbols of American power and wealth.

Luckily many of them are still standing and now we call all take a glimpse inside how THAT half lived in the gilded age. Read this tidbit of history.



Moving toward the Mason Dixon line is another Vanderbilt vacation home: the Biltmore. This one boasts 250 rooms! You can’t stay the night, but you can book the Inn on the premises.

When I think about these mansions I can't help but apply it to today's economic times. The Great Depression made these super-duper mansions become nearly extinct and the Vanderbilt family eventually fell from prominence and wealth. Many millionaires today are doing the same. I read this article recently about how the current recession is forcing some of the rich to liquidate everything they own. Or some, as the couple featured, are simply yearning for a simpler life. Some say the days of excess are gone. I say, these days of excess are nothing like they once were.


But, whatever, this is America...dream about your McMansion. And there's always the local Tour of Homes to help with that.

On Clearance: The Mother of all Gas Guzzlers

You can call it a home-on-wheels, or a vacation-on-wheels, but soon I think it will become a relic-on-wheels. With the advent of the environmental movement, a deep recession, and the volatility of gas prices, the RV is in trouble. Big time.

RV shipments in the first quarter fell 63 percent since the same time last year, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. Elkhart, Ind., which is the RV manufacturing capital, is dying because of the fall-off in business. Jobs hemorrhaged from this city earlier this year, with the unemployment rate spiking to nearly 11 percent. All because consumers are not purchasing RVs anymore.

But if you want to be like Warren Schmidt (one of my favorite film characters of all-time) and take your retirement on the road then now couldn’t be a better time to cash in on some big wheels, according to this article. And with gas prices being low for now, a family can still have a fun, low-cost vacation in one of these bad boys. A “staycation” can be appealing for so long.

I wrote last week about hitting the road and seeing the country. Pulling up to an RV camp, seeing the beauty of a national park, meeting some interesting characters, it all sounds like a good time to me. But filling up the gas tank would not be. But maybe there will be an RHV (Recreational Hybrid Vehicle) one day.

Road Trippin made easy

Road trips are what I think of as the quintessential, American family getaway. I have fond memories of my dad shoving us in the car at 4am and driving up and down the Florida coast. You see the beauty of the state and country better from the car. And despite the bickering that can sometimes ensue, families bond on the road.

Plus in this recession, and with gas prices staying relatively low, a road trip can be a low-cost alternative to your Mediterranean summer vacay.

And I found something that can make planning so much easier. While visiting one of my favorite travel web sites TripBase.com, I came across a really great feature. You can see it here.

It basically lets you enter what you're looking for in your road trip: how many miles you want to travel, what type of nightlife you're looking for, etc. Then it will spit out cities and towns that fit your criteria, along with gas costs, hotel estimates and even weather predictions.

It does, however, have limits. I entered info leaving from Chicago, and it spit out St. Charles. No offense to St. Charles, but I know there are many other towns to visit within 200 miles.

But this feature is a great starting point in planning your next family-bonding moment.

For a good swine, ahem..time, go to Mexico!

One thing I'm not is a hypochondriac. Believing I'm impervious to disease might be a bad thing, but I will not pass up a good deal because of a world-wide freak-out. The freak-out I'm talking about is the swine flu. Yes, it's scary and it's spreading, but 36,000 people die from flu-related symptoms every year in the U.S.; 61 have died from swine flu in the entire world (56 in Mexico). The CDC says you have a better shot of being hit by lightning, than dying of swine flu.

But something else that has fallen ill quickly is Mexico's tourism. And the treatment is hard to prescribe. The Mexico Board of Tourism says the outbreak will cost the country $4 billion in revenue out of a $13 billion a year industry. To fight back, the tourism board is encouraging its own residents to visit the beaches, as it doesn't believe gringos will put their Purell-lathered bodies anywhere near the plush resorts anytime soon. Even though the resorts have remained swine-flu free throughout the outbreak.

Now is a great time to purchase future travel packages to Mexico. Ok, ok, maybe it's not wise to go next week, but you can grab deals for when the swine flu is replaced with another media obsession.



Before the outbreak, flights in August from Chicago to Cancun were priced at $346. Now you can find one for $253. Here are some vacation packages from Expedia.


Cheap, right? And if you have a Mexican vacation planned within the next month, the airlines will change your ticketing with no penalty. So you can land a great hotel deal with your new plans.

But if you want to travel between August and November, perhaps choose the west coast of Mexico. Otherwise you might get stuck due to another media obsession: hurricanes.

Another reason to get an iPhone

I don't know about you, but I'm jealous of anyone with a Blackberry or iPhone. Those gadgets can do anything, and I’m not just talking about email, taking pictures and updating your Facebook status. They can provide a map when you're lost, identify a song on the radio, and now become a boarding pass.

That’s right, a boarding pass. Perhaps you’re running late, or you just get too upset with the idea of killing trees when you print one. If you’re flying American Airlines through O’Hare, now you can simply check-in through your smartphone, then show the barcode on your screen to the TSA agent.

Crazy, huh. I’m only 30 and I can’t believe how advanced technology is.


To learn more about other airports and airlines, read (or listen) to this story from NPR.

Now if only the smartphone would help me fly over traffic getting to O’Hare. Now that would be really something.

Welcome to Five-Minute Getaway

Hi there. Welcome to my blog.

If I can have one wish, it would be to escape from the rat race for a year and just travel. Volunteer in Africa, meditate in India, take an art class in Paris. Unfortunately, reality sets in. But I'm looking forward to retirement. Only 30 more years!

But I can still take the occasional weekend trip, and if I'm really lucky, a whole week off to see a part of the world. So I continue to scour the Internet and curl up with travel magazines, to read stories that stimulate daydreams and make me yearn for a vacay. And that's what I want to share with you.

Since this is the first posting, I'll focus on my current home, Chicago.

But I'll keep it brief today, as I'm sure I'll post a lot of fun stories about this great town.

For those of you who may not know, the Sears Tower has become the Willis Tower, and now there's more news coming out of the tallest building in the country. Check out this story from the Sun-Times.

I for one have never made it to the top of the Sears Tower. Probably because they don't have a bar at the top like the Hancock Tower does. Panoramic city views are even better with a glass of champagne, I always say.



But now I have a reason to visit. This new deck looks thrilling and is sure to attract tourists and residents alike.

What do you think?