It’s been a busy week in the world of travel and internet musings, how could you possibly follow it all? That’s where we come in. We, meaning the too attractive for radio people at UpTake, collect the links and pitches that fill up our respective inboxes and then we share them with you, the reader. It’s like a service. You’re welcome.

If you would like to have your stories and information included here please email me at the address listed in the sidebar. I’m the editor. You can’t miss it.

And now, for your perusing pleasure, here are some of the headlines and stories from the past week in travel. Enjoy.

What’s happening at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort? (Jackson Hole)

National Geographic waxes fondly about NASA and the shuttle program. (NatGeo)

Like a good garage sale? How about one that is 50 miles long? The Finger Lakes region of New York state has what you need. (Cayuga County)

The Ritz-Carlton in Marana, AZ (where my dad is mayor!) lets you pick your own juice right off the tree. True story. (Ritz-Carlton)

British Airways has a great sale going on — it ends at midnight tomorrow! (BA.com)

It’s not too early to start thinking about Colorado’s fall foliage, and Box Canyon Lodge has some discounts. (Box Canyon Lodge)

Cave of the Mounds just outside of Madison, WI has some great family fun on the horizon! (Cave of the Mounds)

HotelBPM will soon be putting a spin on New York boutique hotels. (HotelBPM)

Going to Chicago? Feeling presidential? The Fairmont knows how to help. (Chicago Fairmont)

Tour the Disney Wonder cruise ship. (510 Families)

What to do on a family vacation to Copenhagen. (RookieMoms)

And there you have it. Travel well, friends.

Have you ever dreamed of having one of your photos featured in National Geographic? What about visiting Greece?  It can happen. The 3rd Annual Energizer Ultimate Photo Contest is running through the end of June! Submit your best photos (categories include Animals/Wildlife, Travel, and Weather) and be entered for a chance to win a National Geographic Expeditions trip for two to Greece and a feature in an upcoming issue of National Geographic magazine. How cool is that? This cool:

Click the link above to enter the contest, but don’t worry, we’re giving away something, too!

Read More »

We have invited friends and bloggers from across the country to share their expertise…give us the “inside scoop” on different travel destinations. We hope you enjoy this insider’s look at Washington D.C. It was written by Priscilla Macy in between flights between Vietnam and Africa. She is a global traveler, (50 countries and more) political activist and one of my closest friends. She introduced me to the idea of local travel on a trip to Mexico years ago and I have sought that local flavor ever since. She lives in Washington D.C. and is the ideal source for insider tips about this political city.

1. Give five adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Washington, D.C and its residents?
Conservative, self-important, power, educated, political

2. What is your favorite neighborhood in your area?
My favorite neighborhood is Clarendon (Arlington). It has good food, good bars, great ethnic restaurants and it is a great place to live.

3. Which cuisine do you think D.C. does best? What is the runner-up?(feel free to share your favorite restaurant)
Middle Eastern and Central Asia cuisine(e.g. Afghani)- these are quite common here but hard to find in other cities.

4. What is the best free thing to do?
Visit just a few of the 19 museums that are part of the Smithsonian Institute, and of course the National monuments.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
This is probably one of the most political cities in the world. I highly recommend attending a few presentations, debates and author talks on political and international issues to get a sense of the city’s unescapable, political culture.

6. List the best family friendly activity?
The best things to do with kids are the Smithsonian Institute, the national monuments and the National Geographic Museum at Explorers Hall.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
Hmmm… not quite the city for romance.

8. Describe the perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about? In three sentences or less.
Hike at Great Falls; picnic on or near the National Mall; visit a couple of museums; go out for dinner and attend one of the many lectures and debates around town.

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go even if it is in all the guidebooks.
Taking a hikes along the Potomac- for example the Great Falls Loop or Turkey Run Park–a beautiful refuge from suburbia.

10. What question did we not ask that we should have (and answer it, of course!)?
Avoid the over-rated or too touristy areas.

Want to share, brag or tell all about your town? If so, send an email or comment and you can be the next local expert.

Here is a good resource for Washington DC tours.

White house garden photo by Patrick Tierney
Turkey Run Park photo from the Turkey Run Park web site.