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