The Windy City of Chicago

There is a lot to do and see for families in Chicago, and the famous ‘Windy City’ has many attractions for people of all ages, making it an ideal destination for family outings and holidays.  Many family-friendly hotels are centrally located within easy reach of attractions and entertainments, and many have built-in amusements and services, including games rooms, sports facilities and babysitting. Cheap hotels in Chicago are easy to find and for entertainments and places to see, visitors can choose between outdoor and indoor amenities. A great range of activities are always on offer, suitable for all the family.

Summer Fun

In the summer months, ice-cream parlours are a favourite spot for refreshment and Chicago has some wonderful child-friendly establishments, such as Scooter’s Frozen Custard on West Belmont and Caffe Gelato on West Division Street. Scooter’s produces a delicious frozen custard version of ice cream in smaller cones, just the right size for toddlers. There are dozens of flavours to choose from to suit every palate.

All year round Chicago has world-class cultural attractions and superb museum displays. The Field Museum lets Tyrannosaurus Rex ‘Sue’ greet visitors – the most complete, biggest and best-preserved specimen in the world.

The Shedd Aquarium reveals the secrets of deepest oceans and the Adler Planetarium transports adults and children alike to the farthest reaches of the universe.

Christmas in Chicago

Oak Park is a popular venue and the Lake Theatre there often has free performances of family shows on a Saturday morning during the Christmas holidays. On certain days every year Father Christmas appears at the Vintage Village Fayre to have his photograph taken with the children, and the Avenue Business District has a great variety of shops offering fancy goods.

Over at the Botanical Gardens there are always interesting exhibitions in the holidays and the Wonderland Express is a model railway built on an extensive scale, including bridges, waterfalls and over 80 miniature replicas of Chicago landmarks that younger children in particular will enjoy. There is another at John Hancock Building where Winter Wonderland boasts a fabulous Christmas tree and another chance to get a photograph taken with Santa Claus for free…busy chap is Father Christmas.

On colder winter evenings visitors and locals alike often take the opportunity to drive around the city districts to see the many festive lights or visit the Cuneo Museum for the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show. There are lots of holiday dance, theatre and comedy shows around at a number of city venues, and ice skating takes place at Millennium Park where, on Friday nights, the local choral group hosts a sing-along.

Older children will enjoy a trip, and probably several repeat visits, to the Daley Plaza for the Christkindlmarket to admire the decorative German ornaments and sample the pastries and hot sausages. Adults can warm themselves by sipping Gluhwein, which is mulled wine, made to the German recipe.

All year round there are interesting family-oriented displays and exhibitions at the Museum of Science and Industry, and at the Art Institute of Chicago where the Impressionist Galleries are a delight. Lunchtime concerts often feature in the programme.

Christmas and New Year are traditional times for long quizes to keep the whole family busy.  Often reflecting on the year’s events they can be quite challenging.

At Europe & Beyond we have been looking around for some fun quizes and were delighted to stumble across this hotel quiz from IPIN.

Players have to guess the room rate for ten leading business hotels in major business cities around the world.

Amongst the hotels is the Dublin Holiday Inn Express which has suggested room rates of between 50 and 60 € which we’ve bookmarked in preparation of visiting the city next year for St Patricks Day.  Hopefully if we book in good time we’ll grab a bargain as the availability of rooms becomes scarce and therefore costs rocket.

If you are used to having your travel and accomodation all taken care of you by your company you could be in for a big suprise!

Enjoy.

London arrives at the top of Europe’s shopping list

It may be overcrowded, wet and playing host to tents full of anti-capitalists, but London has been named as the shopping capital of Europe!

The variety of shops, markets and the addition of Europe’s largest urban shopping centre have vaulted the capital above the more fashionable havens of Paris and Milan to top the list of 33 European retail destinations.

Affordability, transport, convenience, climate and culture were all taken into account in a year-long study by the Economist Intelligence Unit, which rated Madrid and Barcelona joint-second overall, ahead of Paris and Rome. Geneva, Oslo and Belgrade were ranked as the least attractive retail destinations for tourists.

The study also highlights a 30 per cent increase in tax-free spending by tourists in London over the past year, despite the parlous state of the rest of the economy – highlighting the ever increasing importance of discount deals for London has for tourists.

While London’s high prices meant it ranked a lowly 24th out of 33 on affordability — well behind Sofia, Bratislava and Bucharest — it was considered cheaper than Paris, Moscow, Stockholm, Oslo and Geneva. The price of goods in London was less of a problem — it was the expensive hotel rooms, taxis, buses and refreshments that all helped to make its shopping trips dear.

As well as ranking best in the category that measured the range of shops available, London came top in the category for “hotels and transport”. Under “culture and climate”, London’s galleries and heritage sites gave it fifth place, but Paris topped the list.

Customers at the  Westfield Stratford City explained yesterday why they had been drawn to the centre’s 1.9 million sq ft of retail space.

Sarah Jareovich, 25, from Lithuania, who had spent £1,000 on her “retail holiday”, said: “We are here because we heard it’s the biggest in Europe.”

Also shopping in Westfield was Gemma Roig, a regular visitor to London, and her friend Blanca de Gispert “In Spain it’s cheaper but here there are more different kinds of shops and clothes,” Ms Roig said. “[But] Usually we go to Oxford Street because it is closer to the centre.”

Retail tourism is thought to be worth £3 billion a year to London, with tourists spending an average of £646 a transaction.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, welcomed the study, heralding London as a “beacon for shoppers from all corners of the world”.

When thinking about Los Angeles it’s hard not to picture writers, producers, directors, and numerous skinny, well proportioned movie stars. Media and popular opinion gives the impression that you’re likely to run into various stars anywhere in L.A. at any time of day. This is possible and definitely more likely than it is in other cities, but in general it’s the writers, producers, and directors you’ll spot sipping lattes, smoking cigarettes and working away on scripts in one of many independent and small chain coffee shops in L.A.

In the land of the “beautiful people” you’re more likely to run into the talented creators behind the pleasant imagery at pubs and coffee shops (the unnaturally skinny tend to stick to smoothies and wheat grass). So if you’re an aspiring writer or someone who wants to run into the actual creatives and decision makers in Los Angeles, coffee shops and cafes are the place to be. But don’t waste your time at big chains like Starbucks.

Despite rumours of California being behind the American coffee game a few years back, L.A. now has some incredible coffee culture of its own and a series of independent artisan coffee shops. Los Angeles’s best cafes invite you into flavour sensations your coffee enthused tongue has yet to experience. All this while you type away on your laptop and try to ‘accidentally’ run into working producers and directors or your favourite TV writer. What more could you want?

For a true L.A. coffee culture experience, here’s my list of the best cafes and coffee in Los Angeles:

1. Aroma Tea & Coffee Company in Studio City is atmospheric and popular without suffering from being trendy. You’ll find great coffee here and good food, a lovely patio with comfortable seats, great for chatting, reading, or writing for hours while you enjoy your coffee and lunch. You are very likely to run into industry folks here, but it is very low key.

2. Intelligentsia Coffee has been called the “best frakking coffee anywhere”. The company is not originally from L.A. but began in Chicago with carefully developed roasting methods. We can forgive them this, due to the great result of their methods which gives some truly divine, smooth and delicious coffee, satisfying to new coffee explorers and veterans all the same. The café itself (there is one in Silver Lake and one in Pasadena) is sleek and modern, offering a cool and inviting atmosphere suitable for sitting and writing away on that screenplay, having a meeting, or simply hanging out over a good cup of brew. Intelligentsia coffee is also served at new L.A. cafes Paper or Plastic and Bricks & Scones.

3. Sabor y Cultura is another favourite, one that is an ideal location for sitting with a laptop for hours of productive writing and creative discussions. The atmosphere is young and vibrant while still relaxed, and the coffee offers strong, but well rounded flavours. My favourite beverage here is the Mexican Mocha, take your average mocha and give it a spicy kick. Excellent.

4. But by far my favourite café in Los Angeles has to be Kings Road Café. It now has two locations, one just off Beverly Boulevard and another in Studio City. The café with which I am most well acquainted is the original shop on Beverly. This coffee shop is instantly inviting with its rows of outdoor tables and dark cosy feeling hardwood floors inside. Outdoor seating is always available even in the occasional unpleasant weather (they bring out tarps to protect you from the rain). The staff are friendly and easy going, quite a few are musicians and actors who just work there during the day, which can make for some delightful conversation and impromptu nights out. But the COFFEE at Kings Road, roasted on site is quite simply delectable; I believe the word I first used for it was “orgasmic”. It is smooth and yet strong. The flavours are intense in just the right way and if you order a latte the milk is like smooth silk. This is the kind of coffee you ponder. You drink it slowly and delicately so as to enjoy each and every taste. It is divine.

Coffee culture in Los Angeles and America is growing into an industry that offers incredible artisan and roasting techniques, which results in coffee that is to die for. If you’re spending time in America, be sure to check out some of these amazing independent and small chain coffee cafes to experience what coffee culture really is all about. And if while you’re there you happen to run into your favourite director, producer, or actor, all the more exciting!

For information on flights and holidays to Los Angeles or other American cities, American Sky travel can help you arrange a bespoke holiday in California or provide you with multicentre holiday options that let you visit many of America’s best cities from Los Angeles to New York, Las Vegas and Orlando.

Take a pen with you on your travels and get tasting some of North America’s most delicious coffees! You’ll never want to return to standard middle of the road coffee again.

Whether you’re driving to the south of France for a camping holiday with the family, driving your campervan around the continent for a month or have simply watched so many Top Gear challenges you’re just desperate for a road trip with your mates, driving around Europe is not something that can be done without some forward planning – there are more to the rules of European roads than ‘no speed limit on the autobahn’.

Here we offer a brief guide to what you need to consider before putting the pedal to the metal on your road trip:

Your Car

Whatever vehicle you are planning on taking, get it checked out. The best thing to do is book it in for a service but at the very least you should check the oil and water levels and the tread on your tyres (including the spare).

If your car has the new Euro plates then you won’t need to display a GB sticker in EU countries. If you’re planning on driving into any non-EU countries then you will need a GB sticker.

You may not realise it, but your headlights point slightly to the left so they don’t dazzle oncoming traffic, but when on the roads of Europe (well, pretty much the rest of the world really) they will be pointing at the oncoming traffic. Therefore you will need anti-dazzle adhesive stickers on your headlamps. If you have modern high-intensity discharge or xenon lamps, you’ll need to flick a switch or turn a screw. If in any doubt, ask your dealer.

Cars in some European countries are required to carry a high-visibility jacket (on for each passengers), red warning triangle, first-aid kit and spare bulbs with the necessary tools to fit them. If you’re not sure whether they are required in the countries you intend to visit then the most sensible course of action is to just get them. After all, they’re good things to carry in your car.

Your driving license and car insurance

It should go without saying that if you intend to drive across Europe you should have a full UK driving license, and you should carry it with you. You should also carry your vehicle registration, breakdown cover and car insurance documents. Before you go, check your insurance cover – many people think they are automatically covered for driving abroad when they are not. In most cases they are only covered for Road Traffic Accident (RTA) insurance. Some may have third party cover as well. Check your documentation and if in doubt contact your insurance provider.

Car insurance cover in European countries can be a tricky business, not just because of individual laws but because historically Brits driving abroad have required a Green Card as proof of insurance cover. This isn’t necessarily the case now but it depends in which country you wish to drive. You can apply for a Green Card to help avoid confusion, it’s free and helps ensure you have the minimum third party cover. You can find more information on car insurance cover abroad here, including countries that don’t require a green card, and those that do.
As well has having insurance for your vehicle, you should also have insurance for yourself by way of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card replaces the old E111 form and provides cover for some medical costs should you require it. The EHIC is free and can be applied for at the Post Office or online.

And make sure your breakdown cover is valid in Europe. Some polices will provide hotel accommodation and other costs, and some can even cover the cost of getting your car home again.

The Law

Different countries have different speed limits, different alcohol limits (most are stricter than the UK) and some different rules for the road, so whichever country you are intending to drive in, make sure you know the law. Confused.com has guides to driving in a variety of countries.

Many countries have on-the-spot fines for driving offences, so make sure you plenty of cash, just in case. You should also be aware that if you get flashed by a speeding camera (not that you would of course) the fine will make its way back to your home as there is a Europe-wide agreement between police forces for chasing offenders.

And finally…

Advice for long distance travelling in the UK applies just as much abroad, if not more so. Take regular breaks and if possible have another driver. Driving on the ‘wrong’ side of road can be an added stress for many people, and doing it in a car built for UK roads is an added complication, especially when manoeuvring. Take care when at junctions and crossing lanes of traffic, and if you have to overtake get your front-seat passenger to watch out for potential hazards.

Watch your fuel level – in some remote areas there can be large distances between petrol pumps, and some filling stations won’t recognise UK credit cards so always have enough cash on you just in case.

New Zealand’s Maori Take on Shakespeare in the Face of Literacy Concerns

Guest post by Kimberley Newey

London’s highly anticipated 2012 Olympics may not take the prize for cultural achievements next year. London’s Globe Theatre will be hosting the “Globe to Globe” festival, featuring all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays performed in 37 different languages including: a performance of Love’s Labour’s Lost in British Sign language, Othello in hip-hop, and a dramatic production of Troilus and Cressida in Maori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. None of the plays will be subtitled, though they will feature on screen descriptions of the scenes to give audiences at least a gist of the action; the festival organisers are calling this an opportunity to step free of the weighty classic text and experience the stories anew.

Many of New Zealand’s best Maori actors form the Ngakau Toa Company (assembled by Rawiri Paratene, star of the acclaimed film Whale Rider). The group has eagerly taken on the performance of Troilus and Cressida which will debut on the 23rd of April next year, Shakespeare’s birthday. This will be their first performance on UK soil. The Maori performance will feature the famous “haka“(once performed as a way of intimidating opponents in battle, now often used as part of welcoming rituals) and an original waiata (song) composed for the production.

The announcement of the Maori language inclusion in Globe to Globe comes at a time when discussions have been building over the removal of mandatory Shakespeare teaching in New Zealand schools. Literacy rates among 60% of Maori adults are below the minimum. The Maori culture has historically been oral, rich in mythology, stories, dance, and artistic traditions passed on through community and speech. While Shakespeare may not be at the top of the priority list these days, the oral tradition and influence of Shakespeare’s work itself could be highly beneficial.

When we take a look at the text of Shakespeare’s own plays, it is clear he believed in the power of oral storytelling and passing down stories verbally. Many of the characters speak with emphasis about the importance of sharing stories orally, creating legacies and continuing to speak of the past. Most notably, in his final moments Hamlet tells Horatio “draw thy breath… [and] tell my story.” Shakespeare was enthralled by the power of speech, not just writing. Even more so he was primarily concerned with stories for the people, the poor and the middlemen not the aristocracy.

The teaching of Shakespeare in New Zealand classrooms is now up to the discretion of the individual teacher. With the obvious display of Shakespeare’s continuing cross-cultural relevance, perhaps Shakespeare’s significance for students today will be reassessed. Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Globe to Globe seems quite determined of the positive effect that Shakespeare’s plays can have regardless of culture. It can point out our differences, he has said, but also our universal human commonalities. The enthusiasm from around the world for the Globe to Globe project has proven interest in Shakespeare lives on and may not be as archaic as some parties believe.

But can Shakespeare help the Maori literacy problem?
It could. Shakespeare has often been taught through quiet reading and study, however the text does not come alive until it is spoken aloud. Unlike our novels and other literary texts, Shakespeare was intended to be heard, not read. For cultures with oral traditions the text provides flexibility beyond its English roots and historical connotations. The programmers of the Globe to Globe events are intrinsically aware of the strange camaraderie brought about through Shakespeare’s plays. By staging the events in 37 different languages, linguistic barriers are broken down leaving audiences simply with the integrity of the stories, which continue to be transcendent.

As a high percentage of Maori adults and children struggle to keep up with literacy skills, perhaps the inclusion of Shakespeare in their own language could aid not only in maintaining exciting oral traditions but a encouraging a growing literary tradition as well. After all language, and indeed literacy, begins with speaking.

For more information or to book tickets to see the Maori Shakespeare production at Globe to Globe click here. If you’re interested in encountering the Maori people in their homeland, check out New Zealand Sky for information on cultural tours, treks, and a choice of exciting New Zealand holidays.

Guest post by James from flight comparisson site Skyscanner in which he offers his suggestions about where to go on holiday and find some respite from winter in the UK

The tinsel has been packed away and you’ve made your New Year resolutions, it’s only natural that you may end up feeling a little blue – especially if the weather is typically dreary in your part of the world. Instead of sinking into January-related gloom, why not make sure you have a holiday to look forward to? There’s always something fun going on somewhere, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll welcome the chance to banish those January cobwebs.

Egypt

With an average 8 hours of sunshine and temperatures of 21 degrees, Egypt is a great place to explore during January. Due to the recent unrest, flights to Egypt are often discounted and there are plenty of bargains to be had. If beaches are your thing, head to the south for resorts in relaxing destinations like Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh, but personally I prefer mixing in a little sightseeing, and would be tempted by a Nile cruise or a trip to see the Giza Pyramids for myself.

Canary Islands

Boasting toasty January temperatures and plenty of family friendly fun, the Canary Islands are a great choice for perking up winter spirits. Get active and try your hand at hiking, paragliding or water sports or leave the kids at home and enjoy sun and relaxation on one of the islands’ many golf courses. Each of the islands is unique, and I’d love the chance to have fun on each and every one – that’s my holidays for the next few years sorted I suppose.

Swiss Alps

Escape slush and rain and replace it with crisp snow on the Swiss Alps. January is the perfect time for a skiing holiday, as the slopes tend to be fairly quiet. And if, like me, you’re not exactly an expert skier, you’ll be able to stretch your legs anyway with scenic hiking trips among the Alps.

Australia

The sun is typically shining strongly when January rolls around, making it a great place to visit if you’re starved of good weather. Time your trip so you’re there at the end of the month, and you’ll get to take part in the Australia Day celebrations – excellent for all ages. With plenty of backpackers jetting off down under, flights to Sydney and Melbourne are particularly in demand in the first few months of the year. Bear this in mind when looking for cheap flights.

Florida

January will soon be looking a lot brighter if you book a holiday to Florida. Get ready for cuteness overload at Disneyworld or hold on to your hat for the rides at the Orlando theme parks. Florida can be a fairly pricey holiday destination, seeing as it’s so popular with tourists, so you may want to hunt for cheap flights and book plenty of time in advance to cut your bills.

A day at the races is an exhilarating trip out whether you are an enthusiast or a casual observer – whatever your level of interest in the sport itself you can’t help but be swept up in the fervour of race day. A visit to the UK’s world-class racecourses lets you experience days filled with glamour, excitement and the thrills of the world’s finest horses competing at full flight. There is no shortage of courses rich in heritage and history around the country, but here are five of the greatest for a true taste of horse racing at its best:

Ascot

Nowhere is the heritage and regal splendour of horse racing better encapsulated than at Ascot, one of the world’s most famous courses. Its rich history stretches back nearly 300 years, which is celebrated in extravagant style with five days of racing for Royal Ascot every June where socialites turn out in force in grand dress and glamorous regalia. Just a few minutes away from Windsor Castle in a small town in Berkshire, its royal links stretch back to 1711 when the course was founded by Queen Anne.

Haydock Park

Voted as the best course in the country by the Professional Jockeys Association, it’s loved by those who ride the horses and adored by the punters who flock there to watch as well. The Merseyside track in St Helens attracts the rich and famous from across England’s north west and from further afield, with top class facilities for race day and other events, including its renowned champagne bar, not to mention its stunning location among more than 125 acres of parkland.

Aintree

Home to the most famous race in UK horseracing, the Grand National, millions tune in every year to watch the 170-year-old steeplechase. Attending the race live is a different experience altogether, with the Liverpool-based course oozing class and attracting celebrity visitors aplenty to revel in its bustling atmosphere and luxurious hospitality, particularly on the glitzy Ladies Day which takes place the day before the main race. Even if you don’t make it to the Grand National festivities, there are plenty of events to enjoy at this historic course throughout the year.

Sandown Park

The late Queen Mum named it as her favourite racecourse and it has played host to some of the most exciting races ever run in its 140-year history. It has retained much of its historic charm but also been brought up to date with an extensive refurbishment in 2002 making its race day facilities among the best in the world for fans and visitors. The racing world descends on this glamorous Surrey venue every April for the famous Gold Cup, while themed races and regular meetings take place throughout the year giving visitors the chance to enjoy high quality racing alongside classy bars and sumptuous restaurants.

Newmarket

One of the most popular courses in the country and with an unrivalled history. It has hosted first class racing since the 1600s and is considered the home of racing with the sport said to have been founded in the Suffolk town before catching on across the globe. It now hosts more stables, horses and stud farms in the surrounding area than anywhere else in the world and a visit to Newmarket provides the ultimate horse racing experience, whether you visit to explore the workings of the professional horse racing scene during the week or join the crowds for the thrill of race day, it is sure to be a memorable visit.

This article has been created by Activity Superstore, the UK’s leading Gift Experience Days supplier.