The Traveling Diva » Diva-liscious

The 1st Travel & Food PodCast on iTunes: A FORK ON THE ROAD

The Diva — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:22:03 +0000

Hello all Travelers! Traveling Diva is proud to announce the launch of the very first and ONLY Travel & Food show on iTunes!

I will be joining Emmy winning comedian Mark DeCarlo each week as he embarks on a great quest for food, travel and fun! Mark will be having interviews each week with interesting and unique folks across the world who travel for a living, including musicians, chefs, and comedians.

This month, we will be giving away Cancun discount coupons and a chance to win a HD Underwater VIVITAR 850W CAMERA to all subscribers! Here’s what you have to do:

1. Subscribe to A FORK ON THE ROAD show on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-fork-on-the-road/id637933581?mt=2

2. Let us know you subscribed and give us your email address. You can do this by following and tweeting @MarkDeCarlo #AForkOnTheRoad, or sending us an email to: markdecarlotv@gmail.com, or leave us amessage at 424-250-FORK.

3. We will send you the code and enter you in the contest. Winners announced on the podcast JULY 4th, 2013.

Also, Mark is here to help YOU the listener with your travel-related questions. All you have to do is call 424 – 250 – FORK, leave your name and contact information and we’ll have you on the show to have Mark troubleshoot your problem. You might even be able to score some free stuff just by participating.

STAY TUNED !!! We’ll see you at A Fork On The Road!

CLICK HERE TO GO DIRECTLY TO OUR ITUNES PAGE: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/a-fork-on-the-road/id637933581?mt=2

New Orleans Jazz Fest 2013 Lineup Announced!

The Diva — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 03:09:30 +0000

Another year, another glorious Jazz Fest! Here is the line up for this year’s nojazzfest.com. See you at the fairgrounds!

Billy Joel • Fleetwood Mac • Dave Matthews Band • Maroon 5 • The Black Keys • John Mayer •Widespread Panic • Daryl Hall and John Oates •Phoenix • B.B. King • Frank Ocean • Earth, Wind & Fire • Willie Nelson & Family • Little Big Town George Benson • Jill Scott • Jimmy Cliff • Gipsy Kings Jeffrey Osborne • Patti Smith Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite • Band of Horses Gary Clark Jr. • Andrew Bird • Maze featuring Frankie Beverly • Juan Luis Guerra y 440 • Los Lobos • The Little Willies • Kem Roy Ayers • Laura Bell Bundy • Dianne Reeves • Stanley Clarke / George Duke Project • Charles Bradley • Wayne Shorter Quartet feat. Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Brian Blade • Taj Mahal & The Real Thing Tuba Band • Calexico Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra • Vashawn Mitchell Joshua Redman Quartet with Aaron Goldberg, Joe Sanders, and Kendrick Scott Mutemath • Ana Popovic • The Mavericks Little Joe Y La Familia • Campbell Brothers Brushy One String of Jamaica • Jerry Douglas • Daryl Coley Magary Lord of Bahia-Brazil • Malê Debalê of Bahia-Brazil The Del McCoury Band with Preservation Hall Jazz Band Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites • Pokey LaFarge Salio from the Republic of Georgia • Robert Mirabal Martha Redbone • Bill Miller • Pura Fé • A Tribe Called Red Yellow Bird Indian Dancers • Stoney Creek Indian Dancers Oneida Longhouse Singers and Dancers Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue • Aaron Neville • Dr. John Allen Toussaint • Irma Thomas • Preservation Hall Jazz Band Pete Fountain • The Nevilles • Rebirth Brass Band • Galactic Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk • Better Than Ezra The Meter Men featuring Zigaboo Modeliste, Leo Nocentelli and George Porter, Jr. with special Guest Page McConnell Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers The 35th Anniversary Celebration of “One Mo’ Time!” Marc Broussard Chris Owens backed by Her Hot Rhythms Band Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys • Papa Grows Funk Cowboy Mouth • Tab Benoit • Anders Osborne • Theresa Andersson • Big Sam’s Funky Nation • Jon Cleary John Boutté • Sonny Landreth • The Dirty Dozen Brass Band Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra Jeremy Davenport • Davell Crawford • Terence Blanchard Deacon John • Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters Donald Harrison • Henry Butler • Bonerama • Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs • The Soul Rebels • Marcia Ball • Charmaine Neville Band Treme Brass Band’s Tribute to Uncle Lionel Batiste Ellis Marsalis • Nicholas Payton XXX George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners • Tucka John Mooney & Bluesiana BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet with special Guest Jo-El Sonnier Jonathon “Boogie” Long & the Blues Revolution Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indians Walter “Wolfman” Washington & the Roadmasters Los Hombres Calientes feat. Bill Summers and Irvin Mayfield Glen David Andrews Terrance Simien with Special Guest Queen Ida Raw Oyster Cult • Hurray For The Riff Raff Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns • The Iguanas The Revivalists • Creole String Beans James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars • Eric Lindell Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds • Astral Project The Zion Harmonizers • Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas Val & Love Alive Mass Choir Gregg Stafford and the Jazz Hounds

Operation: Honeymoon Hotspots 2013

The Diva — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 18:34:34 +0000

Hello all fabulous divas!!!

I am pleased to announce TravelingDiva’s tour of Italy and Spain in December 2012, covering the hottest Honeymoon Hotspots for 2013!

We will be accepting suggestions for hotels, restaurants, spas, and off-the-beaten-path adventures at diva@travelingdiva.com.

Send us your suggestions with links and contact info, and you may be eligible to receive a package full of European goodies if we pick your idea!

Email us at diva@travelingdiva.com

We look forward to hearing from you!

The team at TravelingDiva.com

Most Amazing Honeymoon Suites

Contributing Diva — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 08:47:53 +0000

Most Amazing Honeymoon Suites

Photo: Courtesy of InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

When agent Anne Morgan Scully of McCabe World Travel honeymooned inHawaii almost 40 years ago, the height of luxury was a clamshell sink and a humble hot tub. Fast-forward a few decades and things are decidedly more extravagant for newlyweds in resort land. “The expectation of what a honeymoon suite should be has changed enormously,” says Scully, who regularly counsels couples on finding fabulous vacation destinations across the world. “It’s not only a matter of size but of having all the bells and whistles.”

Today’s top honeymoon suites, in her book, offer amenities such as private pools, sunken Jacuzzis, outdoor showers, and “major” terraces. “The terraces are getting bigger than the rooms,” she says.

Given the odds that this trip could be the most expensive and extravagant of a couple’s life together, Scully also stresses that being fussed over is high on the list of expectations for modern honeymooners: “Couples are very aware of whether the hotel staff ‘get them’ and are turned on to how much attention or privacy they need.”

So we went in search of the best honeymoon suites on the planet. Many of them come with round-the-clock butler service. Private plunge pools are increasingly a feature of high-end rooms, as are novelties such as walk-in “rain showers” and dedicated spa rooms within the suite, where couples can arrange for massages. Then there are the really decadent extras like screening rooms, top-shelf sports cars for guest use, and private workout areas.

Privacy, of course, tends to be a crucial concern for honeymooners, and resorts are increasingly catering to solitude seekers with stand-alone villas, suites separated from public areas of the hotel, and access to exclusive beaches or other natural features. (Certain villas at Parrot Cay, in Turks and Caicos, for instance, have direct access onto the beach from their terraces.) Over-water bungalows provide an even greater separation from other people. The presidential suite at the Palacio Duhauin Buenos Aires comes with its own separate entrance so that guests never have to mingle with the hoi polloi in the lobby.

Sometimes the luxury factor is a case of unique access, like at Eagle Island Camp in Botswana, where guests booking the Romance Suite have a personal game-watching drive with a dedicated guide. In other cases, it means getting the royal treatment: guests in the Crystal Penthouse Suite on Crystal Serenity cruises are ferried to and from the ship by limousine.

But no amount of champagne and limo service can make up for a hotel room lacking in romantic ambience. That’s why Dallas is abuzz about the honeymoon suite of the Stoneleigh, originally designed by legendary interior designer Dorothy Draper and recently revamped by her protégé Carleton Varney. “A honeymoon suite in gray and beige will never sell,” Varney declares. “People are desperate for color in this time of dreariness. They want a return to the glamour of yesterday.”

Content borrowed from Travel and Leisure

Diva Delights…while in Prague

The Diva — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:57:48 +0000

Prague Castle
Every diva loves a castle! Prague castle is one of the most well known landmarks in the Czech capital. Perched high on a hill above the streets of Mala Strana, the castle is a great place to start a diva’s visit to Prague. Prague castle is surrounded by the small houses of the Golden Lane (my personal favorite, and if you’re feeling a little guilt, the Basilica of St. George. The best way to visit is to take a guided tour or an audio tour, and then explore the area after getting oriented. Prague castle offers spectacular views of the city below, and you can best enjoy them after climbing up 287 steps to the bell tower and yelling “Sanctuary! Sanctuary!.”

Charles Bridge
Charles Bridge is on the top of every Diva’s must-see list. It is also popular with Czech artists, musicians and souvenir vendors whose stands line both sides of the bridge year-round. A great time of day to come to the bridge is at sunset when one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the fully lit Prague Castle against the evening sky. The bridge is almost constantly filled with people. If you want to have it all to yourself, go there at night or very early in the morning. Be sure to touch the many statues as you make your way to the other side. They are sure to bring good luck and a safe return to Prague for all divas.

Streets of Old Town Square
No trip to Prague is complete without a peek at the Astronomical Clock. Wander the streets leading off the square, grab a café and pastry and enjoy the chimes as the religious figures dance every hour atop this amazing work or art. The clock was said to have been built by the protégé of an old clock maker, whom, at seeing his mentorship surpassed, gauged out the young clockmaker’s eyes so he would never make anything as beautiful again. Don’t let that story gauge out your day.

Divas Guide to Budapest

Contributing Diva — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 06:32:13 +0000

Budapest

Budapest is rich in culture, shopping, and nightlife. Budapest is the collaboration
of two former cities, Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River. Buda is the
western hilly region across the river; while Pest is the flat eastern bank where most of
the action lies. Thanks to the exchange rate between the US dollar and the
Hungarian forint, Budapest is as affordable as ever.

Day 1:
Tour the National Museum, which houses the largest collection of Hungarian art.
Head over to the Raday utca neighborhood to enjoy quaint cafes, shopping, and
art galleries. For independent fashion designers, check out the tiny
Retock Deluxe boutique. For dinner, enjoy one of Budapest’s coolest restaurants
Café Deryne (voted one of the best new restaurants 2009 by the Best of Budapest).
A local restaurant fave, Csalogány 26 has a great list of Hungarian wine favorites.
After dinner during the warmer months, head down to the river for a docked
boat-turned-bar like A38 Hajó. For high-energy, Studio Club will not disappoint. The
party in Budapest never seems to stop and clubs are guaranteed to stay packed
past 6 AM (when some of us just have to go home)!

Day 2:
Visit the Old Jewish District, which has a ton of bohemian cafes; or stroll
around Liszt Ferenctér, a tres chic neighborhood with trendy bistros. Head over
to nearby Hősök tere (Heroes’ Square), Budapest’s grandest square, where you’ll
find the Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery. City Park is nearby and is the
perfect spot for ice skating or detoxing at one of the city’s Turkish baths. At the
famous Szechenyi baths, there are 18 pools (some heated) including 5 outdoor
pools that run all year long. If you can’t brave the chilly walk to the tub, go to one
of the steam rooms to gather your courage! Another bath option is the Gellert Baths,
where you can indulge in a chocolate spa treatment that includes sugar
peeling, chocolate packing, shower, and 30 minute chocolate massage!

Now that you are nice and relaxed, have dinner at Gundel for an upscale
dining experience. Top off your night with after-dinner drinks at Creol Bar.

Day 3:
Enjoy a relaxed brunch at Gerloczy Café, then take the bridge to Margaret Island
between Buda and Pest where you can walk among the monastery ruins with the
locals who bring their children and dogs out on a sunny afternoon.

Afterwards, explore the goods inside Central Market where you’ll find the
best in authentic Hungarian cuisine on the bottom floor; and Hungarian textiles and
crafts on the top floor.

Stay:
Four Seasons Budapest, Lanchid 19, Boutique Hotel Zara

Boutique Hotel on a Budget in Paris

Contributing Diva — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 19:53:22 +0000

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a Travelista

Mama Shelter’s unique name corresponds to its equally new concept. Normally staying in a boutique hotel designed by Phillipe Starck does not come cheaply, especially in a major city. Mama Shelter changes all that. The rates at Mama Shelter start at 79 Euros. Anyone who’s stayed in a fine but functional Parisian budget hotel knows this rate can’t be beat.

The first photo shows a typical Paris budget hotel room at a cost of around 100 Euros, the second shows the rooms at Mama Shelter.

Mama Shelter showcases Phillipe Starck’s whimsical eye with graffiti grazing the ceilings and a unique mix of materials that include concrete, glass, and wood. The eating areas combine old-school or shall I say Old World long wooden tables and benches. The tech addicted can dine and surf at tables equipped with built in computer screens. I-Macs, free Wi-Fi, Kiehl’s toiletries and five star bedding await you in your room. All I can say is “bonjour, baby” and bye-bye to stiff, scratchy sheets. You’ll find live indie rock and electronica music across the street at La Fleche D’or.

So here’s the deal. Mama Shelter is in the 20th arrondissement, which in more ways than one lays on the fringes of Paris. The only touristy thing to do near the hotel, is to visit the nearby Pere Lachaise cemetary. So expect a metro or bus ride to get to the tourist areas of Paris. According to the Mama Shelter website the St. Blaise quartier is part of the authentic Paris with cafes, gardens, and an air of rebellion. Other media indicates this area as “the toughest and least fashionable areas of Paris”. This burgeoning area is similar to any area entering “hipification”, think Williamsburg 12 years ago.

Artists as well as new immigrants populate the area drawn by cheap rent and large vacant studio spaces. This raw, bohemian vibe may not be for everyone. If you’re interested in getting to know a different part of Paris or perhaps seek some inspirato from fellow creative types then Mama Shelter should top your list. The nearby Belleville neighborhood deserves a visit as well.

Mama Shelter resulted from the vision of the Trigano family who just so happen to be the founders of a little business called Club Med. The Trigano family credit philosopher Cyril Aoizerate as helping to create Mama Shelter. I’m intrigued by any business that has a philosopher on board. These visionaries took what was once a multi-story carpark and transformed it into what’s destined to become The trendy hotel of Paris.

A desire to look beyond tourist attractions and explore other areas of a city separates tourists from travelers. Staying outside of tourist areas give a true peek into the heart of a city. Mama Shelter promises a stimulating environment within and outside of its confines that beg to be explored.

For more photos check out their flickr page.

Content borrowed from Travelista.com

London to Paris: High Speed Train Travel vs. Discount European Carriers

Contributing Diva — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:41:27 +0000

By Josie Villa-Singleton a.k.a Travelista

Rail Europe recently began promoting The Eurostar high speed train that runs from London to Paris. November 14 marked the start of the new service provided by Eurostar which decreases travel time by 20 minutes (at speeds of up to 186 mph), making the journey from London to Paris 2 hours and 15 minutes. Tickets for the journey vary in price ranging from $97 to $400 depending on when the ticket is booked and what class seat is selected.

The cheeky “get a little Paris with your London” Rail Europe campaign touts that “…you’ll be drinking wine in Paris while the lager foam from London is still on your lips”. The accompanying website provides a cute game where you can create “mashups” of London and Parisian animated icons. You can even enter your own mashup version of London and Parisian symbols or icons for a chance to win a trip to London that includes a stay in Paris via the Eurostar of course.

Trains leave from the refurbished and central (near Oxford Circus and Covent Garden) St. Pancras station in London and arrive in the Gare du Nord station in Paris (near Montmarte, Sacre Coeur). Otherwise known as the “Cathedral of the Railways” the St. Pancras has been transformed into a destination unto itself with various shopping opportunities that include a farmers market. Europe’s longest champagne bar as well as a gastropub and brasseries will help travelers pass the time while awaiting their train. Champagne aside, another benefit of the Eurostar is that as of November 14th the journey is completely carbon neutral.

The prices of the tickets depend on a variety of factors (peak times, class of seat) so it might be worth trying out different dates and times if possible when booking a reservation. It also seems that booking round trip tickets is cheaper than booking one way fares. Tickets purchased early will also cost less.

Alternatively, you can look into a low cost European carrier (EasyJet, Ryanair, etc) and compare the price of the same trip (London to Paris) and determine which is cheaper. If your trip is one way compare the cost of a discount airline to the train because the price for the Eurostar is a bit pricey for one way tickets. Low cost carriers provide the best deals when booked early. If you book early enough you may find that it is cheaper to fly than take the train. However, several factors must be considered before you book.

The low fare provided by low cost carriers comes at the cost of time. Extra time must be accounted for when taking a low cost flight within Europe. Usually the airports are smaller and more remote so extra time must be allotted in getting to and from them. Time must also be allotted for arriving early enough at the airport to account for checking in and getting through security. Include transportation costs to and from airport. For the flight from London to Paris: 11 pounds for the Capital Connect train that takes you from London to London Luton Airport (where most low cost carriers depart from) and 8 Euros for riding the RER from Charles de Gaulle airport into the city. Add these costs to the ticket price to get a more accurate representation of the cost.

If traveling from London to Paris is on your itinerary or if you are thinking of including it consider both rail and air to determine which works best for you. If time is of the essence then the train is your best option because you will be leaving from an easily accessible city center and arriving in another area of the city that is easily accessed by public transport (metro) and close to all the tourist action. If you don’t mind losing a little time to save a little money then check out discount European airlines to find a good deal. And don’t forget to wipe the lager foam off your lips!

Content borrowed from Travelista.com

Diva’s Guide to Amsterdam

Contributing Diva — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 06:15:58 +0000

Amsterdam

Amsterdam has much more to offer than its shocking red light district and its large population of “coffee shops.” What makes Amsterdam a must see city is its contemporary art, its large amount of boutique shops, and heartbreaking history.

The best way to explore this diverse city is definitely by bike. Almost every Dutchman in Amsterdam owns a bike and uses it an their main form of transportation. Even though the city isn’t too big to get around by foot, you can cover much more ground by cycling your way through the canal-lined streets of Amsterdam.

See: If you enjoy art, you can’t miss the museum dedicated to the most influential impressionist artist of all time: Van Gogh. If you are more interested in learning about an important part of Amsterdam’s history, theAnne Frank House Museum will amaze you with an intimate story of the young woman’s tragic life.

Shop: The best shopping is located in the area of Negen Straatjes (“Nine Alleys”). As well as cute cafés and food shops, this area is full of small boutiques ranging from exceptional clothing and shoes, to jewelry, and home furnishings. Make sure to stop in Beaufort Sieraden jewelry shop, Exota, and Spoiled.

Eat: This Dutch city offers a large variety of classy yet affordable restaurants with many of them located in Leidseplein square. In this area, you can wander the streets looking over menus to find the right fit for you. An outstanding restaurant located a short walk away is Gorgeous. This hip restaurant serves a large variety of dishes including succulent truffles, fresh seafood, and mouthwatering desserts. They also offer an intricate wine list.

Nightlife: The Dutch nightlife is quite lively. There are amazing pubs and clubs spread out over most of the city.There are plenty of pubs located in the Leidseplein area, which is a good place to start a night out in Amsterdam. Kamer 401 is a hip and modern bar serving sophisticated cocktails and wines as well as Italian cuisine. For a fancier night out, go to The Mansion dance club where the walls are covered in real gold leaf and the painted ceilings mimic those of the Sistine Chapel. Above the dance floor, they have a restaurant serving a variety of Chinese dishes. If you are feeling daring, take a walk through the red light district. After the sun sets, these streets literally bleed a neon red color, providing a shocking stroll down its narrow glowing streets.

Stay: Chic and Basic is conveniently located near most of the major attractions of the city. Its comfortable atmosphere offers a relaxing space to unwind after a long day of food, shopping and sight-seeing.

Content by: Travelista.tv

Travelista Travel Diary : San Antonio de Areco, Argentina

Contributing Diva — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 08:32:39 +0000

By Josie Villa-Singleton , aka Travelista

San Antonio de Areco provides a quiet refuge from the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires just a scant 70 miles away. Every year in November they celebrate all things gaucho with the Dia de la Tradiccion festival. I’ll chalk it up to my Texas roots that I’m fascinated with these “cowboys” of South America.

During a 3 1/2 month stay in Argentina last year we visited the town of San Antonio de Areco. We missed the Dia de la Tradiccion festival but were still eager to visit the town and stay at a nearby estancia. In my research I quickly learned that a stay at an estancia doesn’t come cheap, even in Argentinian Pesos. Our family decided to go for “broke” and we chose the highly lauded Estancia El Ombu de Areco for a night’s stay (you can also purchase a day visit).

We arrived at the Estancia El Ombu de Areco to find tables set up on the beautiful lawn for lunch. That dissipated the stress of the bus ride from Buenos Aires. The freely flowing Malbec didn’t hurt either. In a page right out of the guidebooks we enjoyed a magnificent traditional Argentine asado (meal of barbecued meats) – served by gauchos.

During the meal we were entertained by various Gaucho “feats” of strength. Ok, not feats of strength but gauchos like to show off many of their gaucho skills. We were also treated to some traditional Argentine folk dances.

Speaking of gauchos. How unbelievably cool are they?! I love the gaucho uniform that includes a knife tucked into the back of their belts. The flowy gaucho pants, the woven berets, down to the traditional alpargatas (Tom’s shoes are based on this design) – gauchos get major style points from me.

A carriage ride through the property gave us some splendid views of the pampas. The quiet and open spaces provided a welcome respite from big city Buenos Aires. The afternoon passed quickly but we managed to enjoy a pleasant merienda while our kids chased after the many dogs on the property and learned how to play Juego de Sapo. Dinner was simple yet delicious.

After we left the estancia the next morning we had a bit of time to enjoy the town of San Antonio de Areco before taking a bus back to Buenos Aires. Our kids loved playing in the park and on our walk to the bus station we checked out a few leather and silver shops. You’ll find plenty of pulperias in San Antonio de Areco and we couldn’t pass up a chance to dine at La Esquina de Merti before leaving this charming town.