They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, and I’m sure that’s true in more ways than I’d ever dare to imagine. But with the Strip’s increasingly luxurious resort hotels, intoxicating nightlife, and fanfare-worthy entertainment, Las Vegas is becoming the vacation destination that you can’t help but tell everyone about. Why have the time of your life in one of the most daydreamed-about places on earth, and not boast about it to your buddies?

Case in point: Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of staying at The Palazzo, a brand-new, all-suite resort hotel and casino nestled between The Venetian and Wynn Las Vegas. Now, I’m not the most ardent Vegas vacationer out there--I generally just tag along for the odd bridal shower or birthday. But I soaked up every second of this trip, and left yearning to return as soon as possible.

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Posted in Bars & Nightlife, Entertainment, Green Travel, Hotel Travel, Las Vegas, Shopping, Spas
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I know it's St. Patrick's day and so I'm supposed to be talking about Ireland. But let us broaden our minds. Europe is so expensive these days! So guess what is better than feeling like you're in Europe without actually paying for it? TIme's up. (I suspect you didn't come up with anything.) This is reason numero uno, my friends, to visit Argentina. The capital city of Buenos Aires boast architecture that compares to the finest European cities combined with a Latin spirt that makes the place distinct. A few years ago the early adopters started to head their way to BA.

The seasons are opposite from ours making it a refreshing climate change but given that we're on the same time zone there's no jet-lag. Let me say that again -- the feel of Europe comes without the jet-lag. Reason number two for visiting BA. Not surprisingly it has become increasingly popular. This weekend the New York Times travel section talked about one of my very favorite destiantions.

Photo by IgoUgo member Jim

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Posted in Bars & Nightlife, Shopping, Argentina
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Yesterday marked the official beginning of Chinese New Year. To many people, this late winter holiday means vibrant street festivities complete with fireworks, colorful dragon floats, and tasty Chinese goodies galore. To others, the term “Chinese New Year” barely rings a bell. But given the growing influence of Chinese culture, more people are learning about the holiday and making plans to participate in celebrations across the country and the world.

Let’s start with the basics. Chinese New Year takes place on the first day of the first lunar month of the Chinese calendar, and as such is also called the Lunar New Year. The ancient Chinese believed that a man-eating beast called the Nián emerged from his lair each year on this day to prey on humans. Believing this beast to be sensitive to loud noises and the color red, the early Chinese frightened it away with fireworks and bright red colors. These customs eventually evolved into the scintillating celebrations we enjoy today.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member captain oddsocks.

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Posted in Asia, California, Entertainment, Family & Kids, Festivals & Events, Holiday & Seasonal, International Travel, London, New York City, Shopping
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I recently returned from a trip to Vietnam, where I had a bespoke wardrobe made for less than $100. And here's a confession: it wasn't my first time.

Since then, I've received a surprising number of emails from people also considering a trip to Asia---must be because it's one of the few places still relatively cheap in the face of the weak dollar---and wondering how to go about getting their own custom clothes made. In case you're one of them, here are a few pieces of advice:

1. By far the best---and cheapest---place to have that three-piece suit whipped up is Hoi An, Vietnam. You can fly into Danang International Airport and pick up a taxi (for around $13) for the half-hour journey to the Seamstress Capital Of The World. Another alternative---and one a little easier to reach? Bangkok. Head for Rambuttri Road in the city center and you'll have to fight the tailors off with a stick.

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Posted in Asia, Shopping
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Editor’s Note: It’s “holiday week” on The Window Seat, and our editors get into the spirit of the season with a series of articles exploring the many facets of this busy travel period.

As the shopping frenzy ensues on Black Friday, I will be lounging around the house eating leftover turkey and pumpkin pie. My holiday shopping is going to have to wait a week, but my procrastination is justified. Trust me, for this shopaholic to put off a trip to the mall, the reason is a good one. I’m contemplating taking advantage of the good travel deals that I’m seeing the week after Thanksgiving to do my shopping in a different destination.

Photo Courtesy of IgoUgo member Miss Erika.

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Posted in Holiday & Seasonal, Shopping, Thanksgiving '07
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This past Saturday afternoon, as I stood in the sunlight soaking wet from a flume ride and nibbling on a pickle on a stick, a bearded man asked me in all earnestness if I wanted to learn about lye soap. Bluegrass music emanated from a nearby rock. To my right, bald eagles rested on a branch. To my left, a woman in period dress stood in line to buy a pork rind while the man paying in front of her was holding onto a kid on a leash and wearing a t-shirt that read “get high on Jesus.”

This was my first visit to Dollywood, which is part amusement park, part celebration of Smoky Mountain culture, and part rollicking country fair. It was day three of a whirlwind road trip through the region, and my friends and I would be staying that night in the Tennessee town of Pigeon Forge, where it quickly became clear that the backwoods are back in style and it’s hot to be a hillbilly.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member Alan63.

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Posted in Family & Kids, Nature & Outdoors, Shopping, Theme Parks
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Take a look around your home or work area, and how many vacation souvenirs do you see? Just glancing around my desk, I see a moose-head pencil, a bottle of Alaskan gold dust, a wooden box containing a cigar, butterfly wind chimes, a teensy stuffed koala bear holding the Australian flag, a magnet depicting tango dancers with what looks like the Washington Monument in the background, and a cruise-ship picture frame, just to name a few.

The souvenir is such a beloved staple of the travel experience.

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Posted in Shopping
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Born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I’m quite familiar with the unspoken rivalry between the two cities, which are separated only by a 35 miles stretch of highway. Dallasites turn their noses up at the prospect of venturing to the city known as Cowtown, and Fort Worth natives have probably been guilty at one time or another of calling their neighbors to the east snobs.

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Posted in Bars & Nightlife, Culinary Travel, Dallas/Fort Worth, Educational & Historic, Shopping, Texas
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Maybe it was the Christmas thing, or maybe it was because I started writing this entry on an airplane as I was eyeing the bag across the aisle from mine. It was quite unusual and….hairy. Or perhaps it's better described as furry. Whatever. It was distinctly animal that much I knew, but what animal exactly? Was it horse, goat, albino zebra? I decided to find out!

*Oh, and speaking of Christmas! We're taking a break for the holiday. Please come back and visit us in 2007. We'll be back January 2nd.

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Posted in Culinary Travel, Shopping
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