The following is a sponsored post.

One’s desire to travel abroad is often born from stories of adventure and photographs of exotic locales. In the years leading up to my current journey, I sought inspiration from television shows, magazines, and travel blogs. Halfway around the world, I still find myself seeking the next cool place to visit, and the HotelClub Travel Blog is filled with potentially great destinations.

The travel blog is the product of HotelClub, an online hotel reservation site operated by a subsidiary of Orbitz Worldwide. The first thing I appreciated about the blog was its clean and professional layout. Featured posts are highlighted in the upper left corner, followed by the archives organized by category and month. The right side column showcases similar articles hosted on other blogs affiliated with HotelClub.

The best bloggers know the importance of a catchy title which can reel the reader into browsing the content, and the author(s) of the HotelClub travel blog deliver. The post entitled “5 Lagoons That Will Take Your Breath Away” captured my attention immediately as I was curious to see if they included any from Southeast Asia. While Thailand didn’t make this particular list, pretty tourist photos (sourced from Flickr) of a lagoon near Cape Town have given me yet another reason to visit South Africa.

My curiosity was also piqued by another post introducing readers to the world of underwater hotels. The post traces the movement from the initial Jules’ Undersea Lodge off the Florida coast to two mega-projects underway in Dubai and Fiji.

While the Forums appear to lack sufficient membership to be used as a resource for travel advice, the strength of the HotelClub travel blog is clearly in the concise and fact-based writing which compliment the well chosen and motivating photographs.

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The following is a sponsored post.

A few years ago I attended the Virginia Gold Cup for the first time. It is a very popular series of horse races held in northern Virginia, drawing out women clad in big-brimmed hats and the gentleman who accompany them. To prepare, I bought my first collapsible travel chair so I could set up camp on the grass and enjoy the event, though in no way did I account for the hot sun that would soon be beaming down on me.

Renetto’s Canopy Chair solves this problem by incorporating a waterproof canopy into the chair’s design, thus allowing you to escape the sun whenever you want. The Canopy Chair is the ideal solution for people who want to enjoy beaches, tailgating, camping, or tropical islands like Tahiti.

The design incorporates two shoulder straps, thereby allowing you to have both hands free to carry coolers, babies, or additional camping supplies. The Outdoor Chair weighs in at 12.5 pounds, and can support the weight of a 250 pound adult. As with most travel chairs, it also includes two essential mesh drink holders so you’ve always got a refreshment nearby.

This Camping Chair is constructed with a 16mm powder coated steel frame to prevent rust and heavy duty all-weather polyester fabric to ensure durability. The chair is available in a variety of colors, and can be purchased online.

Whether you’re fair-skinned like me and in need of constant shade, or simply ready to invest in the next generation of travel chairs, Renetto’s Canopy Chairs make sense.

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Did I hear my Dad right? An opportunity to pick any restaurant in the DC area for my 31st birthday dinner? The gauntlet had been thrown down, and I was all too eager to face the challenging task of picking a restaurant to enjoy my last gourmet meal (presumably) before hitting the road.

Marcel’s, a French Belgian restaurant in Washington, DC, was ranked #9 on Washingtonian’s Top 100 restaurants of 2007. Upon walking into the entrance, I immediately noticed the live piano being played in the bar area to our right. Directly in front of us, up a few stairs, was a view of the kitchen. The host was slightly to our left, and quickly arranged for us to be seated (we were 30 minutes early for our reservation). On the host’s table, there were four pairs of spectacles laid out for those who might need a little extra help reading the menu.

We were immediately shown to our table in the dimly lit main dining room, which looked exactly like the photograph on the restaurant’s website. The understated interior design was one of the reasons I picked Marcel’s. From my seat, I had a slight view of a female chef in the raised kitchen. The ambiance was comfortable, and the service fantastic.

After a round of cocktails, the chef sent out a small treat, an amuse bouche of salmon with capers. I learned about such treats on Bravo’s Top Chef. They’re usually a one-bite palette cleanser served at the start of a meal. Little surprise dishes “from the chef” are a very good sign of things to come! For my appetizer, I chose an Alaskan Salmon Ravioli. My Mom went with Gratin of Mussels, Roasted Garlic Cream Fondue of Tomatoes, and Baby Spinach. My Dad chose a house specialty, Boudin Blanc with Celery Root Puree Truffle and Red Wine Essence. Boudin Blanc is a creamy mousse of chicken and pheasant shaped in the form of a sausage. It wasn’t quite what my Dad had in mind, though I enjoyed it!

I was not shy about using my camera, however I didn’t realize the “indoor” setting wasn’t appropriate until I was photographing our main courses. Yes, I have no shame, and I’m sure the multiple flashes caught everyone else’s attention. It was my birthday though, and I was about to eat a meal I didn’t want to soon forget.

I’ve eaten a lot of filet’s, however I’m hard pressed to remember one so perfectly cooked to a medium rare, and seasoned to perfection, as the specimen placed before me during this meal. The foie gras was pure indulgence (my apologies to geese), the asparagus tender with a nice crunch. The sauce was very rich, and I only wanted for a little more of the mashed potatoes.

I always gravitate to chocolate desserts, so I went with the souffle.  It was served with a chocolate ice cream, though the exact name of the flavor or brand was something unfamiliar to me.  I thought the candle and “Happy Birthday” was playful in a sophisticated way.

Additional Large Photos (links will open in a new window):

• My Filet Mignon with Foie Gras, Onions, Asparagus and Potatoes
• Mom’s Lamb Tenderloin wrapped in Phyllo Dough
• Dad’s Beef Tenderloin
• My Chocolate Souffle with Ice Cream and Raspberry Sauce
• Mom’s Chocolate Sponge Cake with Banana Brulee and Passion Fruit Ice Cream
• Dad’s Mousse Dessert
  

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Chef Robert Wiedmaier’s Marcel’s is located at 2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037. Dinner is served 7 days a week, starting at 5:30pm. Reservations are accepted online through OpenTable.com. Phone: 202-296-1166.

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Ben’s Chili Bowl was born in 1958 and Washingtonians have been thankful ever since. Over the past few years, I’d heard it’s name associated with stars such as Bill Cosby, and finally decided to see what the buzz was about.

Located in northwest DC, along the U Street corridor, Ben’s Chili Bowl has watched the neighborhood around it gentrify and develop in recent years. The Starbucks and metro entrance across the street is a fitting contrast to the historical chili joint which began serving customers when U Street was once known as the “Black Broadway” due to all the jazz clubs. As noted on the history page of Ben’s Chili Bowl website:

It was not uncommon to see such luminaries as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Redd Foxx, Dick Gregory, Martin Luther King Jr., or Bill Cosby at “the Bowl.”

Stepping into the Bowl around noon on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, I wondered whether I’d be in for a wait to get my food. The restaurant had clearly marked instructions to line up, order your food, and pay before taking a seat. It only took a few minutes for me to order and pay, despite the place feeling and looking quite busy. I went with Ben’s Original Chili Half-Smoke, a side of fries, and a Diet Coke, which totaled $10.

I grabbed a seat at the end of the counter, by the jukebox which was blaring. A college football game was on TV in the corner, above a small sink. There were giant metal canisters around the sink, and before I could give too much thought to whether employees actually use it, I saw one use it, and refill the towel dispenser to boot. I flipped through a copy of Washington’s weekly City Paper, and about 5-10 minutes later, one of the servers brought over my meal.

While it’s hard to see in the photo above, there is a jumbo hot dog under all that chili, and it was split in half and grilled further, before the addition of mustard and onions. The potato chips and fries were standard fare, though a nice compliment to the main attraction. Next time I’d skip the fries altogether because the serving was too large for one person. The Chili Half-Smoke is served with plastic utensils, however I was easily able to pick up the bun and eat with my hands (though I did manage to spill chili on my shorts).

Americans know how to make a darn good hot dog, and Ben’s is no exception. Despite the slathering of delicious and slightly spicy chili, I was able to taste the flavor of the dog beneath it all, and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The atmosphere was lively, with a mix of eat-in and take-out customers rotating through the restaurant. The staff were upbeat and friendly. Their menu offers several vegetarian options, including chili and burgers, and the breakfast options are plentiful.

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Ben’s Chili Bowl is located at 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC (between 12th and 13th Streets), across from the U Street/Cardozo metro station. Phone: 202-667-0909. Hours: Mon-Thurs 6am-2am; Fri-Sat 6am-4am; Sun noon-8pm.

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Flashlights have gone the way of the Dodo bird when it comes to backpackers’ lighting gear of choice.

In May 2006, I came to this realization when I tried to use my trusted Mini Maglite on a pre-dawn hike to the top of Temple IV in Tikal, Guatemala to watch the sun rise over the awakening jungle. I was staying at the Jaguar Inn, one of the three lodges inside the park…a park that turns off the electricity every night. I first ran into challenges trying to use the bathroom with just a small flashlight.

The experience was later trumped by having to carry the thing on a 30-minute walk in the dark, followed by a very steep climb of the old, wooden staircase that leads up the temple. I looked on with envy at my fellow travelers wearing headlamps. I could only use one hand to steady myself on the way up those stairs, while they had both, and a far brighter light to boot.

As I continue to gather the few and essential items for my trip around the world, I was excited to purchase an LED headlamp and join the 21st century. I headed to a local REI store, and quickly found plenty of options in the headlamp section.

There were two options by Petzl, which I debated back and forth for 20 minutes. Headband (Tikka Plus), or no headband (Zipka Plus)?

• Headband = security (+), adjustable mount (+), $5 cheaper (+), 78 grams/extra weight (-), extra size (-)
• No headband (spring-loaded, retractable string) = 65 grams/lighter (+), smaller (+), easily worn on wrist (+), $5 more (-), no adjustable mount (-), questionable durability of retracting mechanism/string prone to fraying (-)

I found it difficult to make a decision, so I fell on the side of less weight being better, and went with the Zipka Plus, which uses a retractable, spring-loaded string to hold the headlamp to one’s head, versus a normal stretch headband. Both headlamps take 3 AAA batteries, and are far more efficient than a regular flashlight. Both models are water resistant and have 4 settings (maximum - 100 hours life, optimum - 120 hours life, economic - 150 hours life, and strobe).

Below is my not-so-scientific comparison with the Mini Maglite on left, and Petzl Zipka Plus on right:

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REI.com offers the full line of Petzl headlamps and products, including user reviews and detailed expert advice. The Tikka Plus (headband) retails for $34.95, while the Zipka Plus goes for $39.95.

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When my younger brother was in college, he seized the opportunity to take a one week, school sponsored trip to Israel, free of charge. While such experiences are the exception, affordable travel to The Holy Land is well within reach today. Get2Israel, the online agency which ordered this post through ReviewMe, can help make the planning process a little easier.

Over 1.5 million tourists and pilgrims visit Israel each year, discovering a country rich in modern technologies and ancient religious sites. Get2Israel offers a wide range of services to help create a memorable experience, including the ability to book hotel rooms, rental cars, domestic flights, and daily or package tours. The agency highlights their ability to save you substantial money because of their buying power and established relationships with Israeli hotels and resorts.

To make selecting an Israeli tour through Get2Israel as easy as possible, detailed itineraries are available online. Current specials on package tours include 7 nights at the Sheraton Dead Sea. At 417 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth. Interestingly, it is too salty a body of water to support life. While a summit of Mount Everest is reserved for a select few, visiting the lowest elevation can be done in style, complete with spa treatments!

Photos of hotel rooms, pools, and grounds will help give you a sense of what each accommodation offers. The site also includes enticing demographic information about Israel, high-level descriptions of each city, and a collection of inspiring photos. The web site and search functions are well designed and easy to use. While the Terms, and Legal and Privacy policies are clearly accessible, I’m sure visitors would feel even more comfortable if there were an “About Us” page which touches on the company’s history and/or associations.

Overall, I found myself much more curious about what Israel has to offer as a result of spending time on Get2Israel, and would recommend it as a starting point for researching a trip to such a special country.

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If I’ve been a little quiet lately, it’s the fact that I continue to be consumed with the sheer amount of work involved in updating my music library, categorizing everything, and then selecting the 8 gigs worth of songs to put on my new Creative Zen V Plus MP3 Player. I feel like my right arm is about to fall off. I’m more than halfway there though, with 907 hand-selected songs already chosen to be part of the soundtrack to my trip of a lifetime!

Among the lucky artists set to accompany me….

• AFI
• Allen Ginsberg (reading “Howl”)
• Ben Harper
• Bob Dylan
• Bob Marley
• CKY
• Dinosaur Jr
• Frank Sinatra
• Green Day
• Guns ‘n Roses
• Iron Maiden
• Jay-Z
• New Found Glory
• Orbital
• Paul Oakenfold
• Sublime
• The Pogues
• Ween
• ….and many, many more

For those in the market for a new MP3 player, I am extremely satisfied with the Zen Plus. I felt a little blind buying it, as they don’t really let you get your hands on them in the retail stores. It’s super light weight, easy to operate, and fun to use.

The screen is a seemingly small 1.5 inches, however video plays pretty well on it. To (ahem) test it out, I transferred my TV interview. The odd part is that while the file was 30 megs, the compression increased the file size by almost 3x (to about 80 megs). Perhaps someone can help explain that to me? Otherwise, the FM tuner works well, it has line in recording (to get tracks direct from CD’s), photo storage, on the fly playlists, and the ability to store data files (documents).

The only downside I can see is that it recharges based on a USB connection. Luckily, I have my eye on a power converter which includes a USB interface. Still, I could easily use up the whole 15-hour battery life on my first flight to New Zealand.

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When author Beth Whitman generously offered to send me a copy of her new book, Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo, it took me a few days to respond. After all, a guide geared toward women with “lipstick” in the title is the last book I would naturally pull from the shelves of my local Barnes and Noble. Being the crazy risk-taker that I am, I ultimately accepted, and it arrived in the mail a week later.

An overwhelming sense of curiosity lead me to open the book the same day I received it (a rarity for me). I quickly realized all of my (too embarrassing to mention) stereotypes about a guide for women travelers were unfounded. Beth weaves lessons learned from her own extensive travel experience with anecdotes from other women travelers of all ages. The result is a very inspiring read, regardless of one’s gender.

Chapters cover everything from the reasons a person should travel solo (with the first reason being my personal favorite, “freedom”) to handling the reverse culture shock of coming home after a trip (hint: find a friend willing to listen to your travel tales). Beth’s writing style, combined with the layout of the text, allow for even a slow reader like myself to make quick work of the 250 pages.

Published in March 2007, the guide is full of more than 150 websites covering almost all possible travel topics. Web referrals range from the well known, such as Flickr (photo storage), to the moderately known Globalfreeloaders (social network for travelers), to the downright strange, Onderwear (disposable underwear).

Judging from the amount of ink I spent on the pages of Wanderlust and Lipstick, I can confidently say there are valuable tips for seasoned travelers, as well as newbies. Among my favorites, are the following:

• Write down the name, address, and phone number of your accomodation in case you get lost, or a taxi driver cannot understand you.
• Eat your big meal at lunch, when you’re more comfortable eating alone (also cheaper, and allows more time in the day to burn calories).
• Use a messenger bag instead of a regular backpack during the day to appear less attractive to thieves.
• Take travel warnings with a grain of salt. Bali was listed by the US as unsafe after the 2002 bombings, yet the US government encouraged travel to New York City after 9/11.

If you are looking for a great inspirational read with practical tips, I recommend picking up a copy of Wanderlust and Lipstick before your next trip.

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Wanderlust and Lipstick: The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo by Beth Whitman is available through Amazon.com for $12.21. Beth also publishes a companion web site, Wanderlust and Lipstick.

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Traveling solo can be tough, but it’s not so bad when you have great hotels in Amsterdam to stay at.  If you are staying in Barcelona for a bull fight you might also be interested in hotels in Barcelona.  Don’t forget about the great Rome hotels that are also available.  Find a great place to stay!

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