The Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains

Ninety minutes drive out of Atlanta Airport, you’ll arrive in the fantastic Chattahooche National Forest, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia. Travel on  I – 575 and Highway 515 and you will find yourself gazing at some of Americas’ most beautiful and spectacular landscapes. To get there, you’ll need to check out the flights – a few minutes searching on the web will bag you a bargain. If you enjoy the outdoor life, you’ll be amazed at what you can experience on a trip to The Blue Ridge Mountains. When you arrive, make a stop at The Fannin Country Chamber of Commerce Welcome Centre – and find out whats happening in the local area. The Welcome Centre can found on No 152, Orvin Lance Drive in Blue Ridge.

What Can You See?

So where to start? One of the best ways to see the countryside is to take the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It runs from March to December and on weekends until June 13^th and then daily through July. It’s 26 miles long and takes about an hour and half, plus some stop over time to explore – a really great day out. October is the peak month so for more information check out the timetable with www.brscenic.com.

Town Life

Blue Ridge and McCaysville are key towns in the area, and Blue Ridge in particular, is well known as being a show case for artists. There are lots of galleries, art events and festivals and for a full list of what’s going on take a look at the areas Events Diary. McCaysville  town, which spans two States – keep an eye out for the Blue Line which divides Georgia and Tennessee. The Toccoa River, flowing North, changes into the Ocoee River, making it’s way into Tennessee.

Outdoor Pursuits

There are so many outdoor pursuits to enjoy – you can try your hand at horse trekking to the nearby waterfalls, tramping on ancient Indian paths. Fish in the crystal waters of the Toccoa River and bag a trout in one of the best fishing spots in the whole of Georgia. Or if you want to keep dry and on two feet, try your hand at fruit picking at one of the Old Farmsteads such at Mercier’s, known for their delicious blueberry products.

If you enjoy music – there are accoustic sessions held along the Toccoa River at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday evening from Memorial Day to October – bring your violin, a fold away chair and a picnic and indulge in some of the finest mountain music you’ll ever hear. Take a Ghost Tour, or at weekends, visit the Drive In Theatre – again, opens from Memorial Day to October.

Bit of Background

Like much of America, the seasons are clearly defined. Spring is cool – but there can be highs of 60 degrees. Summer is pleasantly warm days and cool nights. Snow fall can be heavy in winter, with the mountains covered in immense blankets of snowfall.

The area has witnessed the arrival of white settlers in the late 1790’s,  the enforced removal of Cherokee Indians in 1838, and the fallout from the American Civil War. The railroad originally bypassed the County Seat, becoming more accessible from the 1920′s with the beginning of a new highway. This area is so huge – big skies, big valleys and mountain ranges – perfect for a real get-away holiday so once you’re on way with a cheap flight – you can leave the world behind and get hooked on mountain life.

A Visit To Biltmore

Asheville, North Carolina has a lot going for it. Not only is it one of the hippest, most up and coming small cities in the east, but it boasts dramatic mountain scenery, some of the finest eateries by any standards, and of course, the main tourist draw, the Biltmore Estate. We enjoyed the crisp autumn air as we strolled around the picturesque city center, peeking into plush boutiques, funky record stores and kitschy antique shops. The food at Chorizo Ristorante was enough to count us happy and content with our stay in Asheville. We knew the Biltmore House was an attraction, but were wary of the potential herds of holiday makers.

The Largest House In America

Our last day in town, though, was a gorgeous, 70 degree fall day, and we happened upon an advertisement raving about the holiday display that had just opened at Biltmore. Once we discovered there was a vineyard and wine tasting included with the admission price, my partner perked up and insisted we go. From our hotel, we made the scenic and somewhat mysterious drive through the winding grounds, up to the house. The touted largest home in America was certainly impressive, and looked very much like it was torn from the pages of a French fairy tale and pasted here in the misty Blue Ridge Mountains.

We strolled through the mansion, enjoying the meticulously restored furniture, wallpaper and draperies. Dozens of festooned Christmas trees decked every hall. Finished in 1895, the house was appointed with the crème de la crème of fittings and lavish accessories. My favorite fixture was the massive Christmas tree in the towering, 70-foot banquet hall. No expense was spared and every square inch of the place was bedazzled with holiday glitz.

After exhausting our camera’s memory card in the lush gardens and conservatory we drove to Antler Hill Village to check out the farm exhibition. Handmade crafts, fuzzy animals for petting and delicious Carolina barbeque welcomed us there. We hopped on a couple beach-cruiser style bikes and pedaled idly toward the spot where the map said we’d have a beautiful view of the Biltmore house from afar.

Perfect For a Proposal

A little way into our relaxing bike ride, my partner gave a pitiful “ow, ow OW!” slammed on his brakes and tumbled to the side of the path, bellowing something about a leg cramp. Concerned, I pulled up. He had a smile on his face and a black velvet box in hand.  After a short but heartfelt speech (much too mushy to be shared here) that wrapped with a “Will you be my wife?” I squeaked out a “Yes!”.  As the sun set on our already perfect day, we pulled into the winery. Our wine tasting guide was  extremely generous with samples of the 20 red and white wines available. Our favorites were the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

The whole 8,000 acre property was magical, from garden to turret. The beautifully maintained grounds and impeccable manor gave Nick and me the most romantic backdrop for our special day.

Noella Schink is a travel writer who lives in Portland, Maine. She hopes you  check out excellent hotels for your hotel in Asheville.

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.

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.

Combining Christmas Cultures in Santa Fe

If you are looking to experience a really different sort of Christmas, consider a trip to Santa Fe in America. Founded in 1607 by westerners – its real history begins with the Indians and there are still villages or pueblos surrounding Santa Fe, each with their own winter traditions. Festivals here are a blend of cultures – there’s traditional dancing and chanting, but there is a nod to European celebrations too so you’ll still have elements of a traditional Christmas if you want. Flights can be got for great prices right now, and a new Christmas experience might be just the thing to break away from those Christmas routines!

Farolito Lights

Christmas in Sante Fe is uniquely colourful, combining hundreds of years worth of traditions from Native American, Spanish and Anglo cultures. It’s sunny in the day, although cold, and can go down to about minus 7 degrees at night! Lights are everywhere – candles are placed in little bags of sand – and these decorate every ledge, staircase, square, fountain edge. The effect is stunning. There are big bonfires, and singers roam the streets. There are train rides through the snowy countryside and ski-runs for those needing a piece of the action.

The celebrations are at their height from 23^rd to 26^th December and there is lots to experience in those few days. Some of the most interesting and innovative art in America can be found on Canyon Road or around the central Plaze Square. Gallery owners open their doors and encourage viewers in with a glass of cider, which has been heated and spiced up. Great for thawing out to – while you wander round and look at the fabulous creations of steer heads skulls, rugs, and tapestry works.

What There Is To Do

You take out a ski-ing pass for a day, or get your walking legs for a hike to the Dale Ball Trails. Children will love the Christmas themed train rides, complete with cookies and hot chocolate and Christmas stories! There is a wonderful Christmas Performance held at the Loretto Chapel, before you talk the Walk of Lights. Street lights are dimmed or turned off, so the effect of the lights is really magical. You can attend a real Christmas Midnight Mass at St Francis Cathedral – a big event for locals.

There are some excellent museums, such as the Georgia O’Keefe Museum or the Palace of the Governors, built in 17^th Century. Sante Fe is the oldest US capital city, and has the oldest road – called the El Camino Real – running all the way to Mexico. Christmas is a busy time of year, so make sure you have somewhere to stay before you set off, and if you can, find a room with a kiva fireplace – perfect for curling up in front on a cold and starry night.

It’s a straight forward route to get to Albuquerque, the nearest airport and there are lots of international flights out there, so take a break from the routine – and head down Mexico way, for a fiesta filled Christmas!

Vacation Time Can Be Tax-Deductible

If you are a US citizen who is looking for a way to take a vacation this year on limited funds, you may want to consider making your next business trip have a few non-business activities in it. Business trip expenses are generally tax-deductible and in some cases you can add in some vacation time and still be able to deduct your expenses. Here’s a look at what you’ll need to know in order to make your next trip tax-deductible.

What is Tax-Deductible?

While combining a vacation with a business trip is a great way to take a low-budget vacation, you must be careful when reporting these expenses on your income tax return. Remember, any business travel expenses you deduct must be ordinary and necessary. Ordinary means it is common, and necessary, means the expense is “helpful and appropriate.” Be sure to follow the IRS filing guidelines (discussed in Publication 943) and keep excellent documentation.

Transportation

You can deduct transportation costs for any trip within the US as long as the primary reason for that travel is business. Be careful though, expenses incurred for stopping in one city in route to see your friend for no business purpose is not tax-deductible. If your trip is overseas, then generally, travel expenses are deductible if the travel was entirely for business or considered entirely for business. To qualify for the latter, you must meet one of the following conditions:

• No Substantial Control – You are an employee not related to the the employer and you are not a managing executive.
• Outside US for No More than 7 Days – Don’t count the day you left the US, but count the day coming back.
• 75% or More of Time Spent on Business – In this case, count the day your trip started and ended in this case.
• You Can Establish a Vacation Was a Not Major Consideration

If you plan to bring your family along for the trip, your family members’ transportation costs are not deductible unless the transportation cost does not change. For example, if you rent a car at your destination, the cost of the car rental is deductible only as long as you would have rented the same car without your family there. If you drive to your destination, your mileage is deductible since the cost would not change. If you fly to your destination, only the cost of your airline ticket is deductible.

Lodging

Your lodging expenses are also tax-deductible on a business trip. If your family stays in your hotel room – and you do not upgrade to a larger room specifically because your family came along for the ride – then you should be able to deduct your entire hotel room bill.

Meals

When traveling for business, your meals do qualify as a tax-deductible expense; however, the IRS will only allow you to deduct 50% of your meal costs. It’s also important to keep in mind that only your meals are deductible, and not your family members’ meals. In lieu of keeping track of every meal and other miscellaneous expenses, you can choose to take the IRS standard per diem deduction for each day that you travel. If you decide to use the per diem rate, you will need to use it for the entire duration of your trip.

Other Business Expenses

Of course, any other business-related expenses that you incur while on your trip are also deductible. This includes conference or tradeshow registration fees, costs of any materials needed for a meeting or convention, internet connection fees in your hotel room, and more.

Stays Over Weekends

If you have a business meeting on Friday and have another on Monday, then Saturday and Sunday would be considered business days even if you did sightseeing, non-business activities on Saturday and Sunday. Although lodging and food would be tax-deductible, any other expenses non-business activity expenses incurred would not.

Tourist Expenses

You cannot deduct any of your vacation expenses that are not directly business-related. If you plan a trip to an amusement park, take a local tour or visit a local museum, these costs are not deductible.

Remember to Keep Good Records

When traveling for business, you will need to keep good records in case you need to prove that the trip was indeed primarily for business. Keep all receipts, copies of your conference itinerary, emails about your business meetings, etc.

This guest post was provided by Matt Robinson, who help taxpayers with tax levies, tax liens, IRS audits and more. His website features a tax advice blog that offers news and advice about recent tax changes.

Must See Attractions In Washington DC

Washington, D. C., the American capitol city and home to the Presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court. The city offers visitors a huge range of attractions. You will find a wide range of luxury hotels in Washington DC,  great for a getting in some much needed rest in between the many museums and memorials. A visit to Washington DC will leave you buzzing with information, and an appreciation of American history and culture.

National Institutions

The White House symbolizes the Office of the President and is the official residence of all US Presidents. This Presidency under Mr Obama, has seen large areas of the White House lawn given over to growing vegetables, salad and fruit – a great community project for local school children!  Larger groups can take a tour of particular areas of the building.

The U. S. Capitol Building is one of the most visually exciting in the city. If you can, visit the House of Representatives and the Senate, the center of debate and voting. There is a free tour,  but its advisable to pick up your tickets early.

A Walking Tour of Monuments in the Moonlight is a great tourist event. You can view the World War II Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, The Korean War Veteran’s Memorial, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial so make sure you have comfortable footwear since you will be covering alot of ground!

Arlington National Cemetery has over 250,000 grave sites of the soldiers who died in the service of their country. Like many other countries, there is a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame sited at the grave of  President John F. Kennedy who was shot in 1963.

Museums and Art

The Smithsonian Institute is a series of museums that display art, history and artifacts. Its huge, absolutely massive, so its advisable to select the areas that interest you, rather than attempt to see the whole thing!

The Newseum is a Museum presenting centuries of history of the news. The exhibits use the latest technology and there are plenty of interactive displays – perfect for children! The Museum is near the Smithsonian – so there’s something for everyone.

The International Spy Museum leads visitors into the world of intelligence – its a bit of a blast from the past but very entertaining and beautifully put together.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is dedicated to documenting and interpreting the history of the Holocaust. It also has a memorial for those prisoners who died during World War II.

So if you are looking for an action packed few days in the hub of Washington, look out for somewhere central to be based.  The Dupont Circle is a great place to start your trip, as it gives easy access to the rest of the city, for instance the Dupont Circle Hotel offers a fantastic and luxurious stay. Why not treat yourself to a few days of sightseeing in Washington DC, it’s such a great city for an autumn break.

Orlando is a city that is located in the central region of Florida. It has a population of over 200,000 and is one of the largest cities in southeastern America. Each year, 47 million people visit Orlando for a vacation. Over 3 million people visit Orlando each year. This city is known for its many attractions, music, art and history.

What is there to see and do in Orlando

There are numerous attractions in Orlando, Florida. One of the most popular attractions is the Walt Disney World Resort, which is also referred to as Disney World. This attraction was established back in the 1960s. Today Disney World is the most visited resort in the world. This attraction features four major theme parks, 2 water parks and night life entertainment. One of the best things about Disney World is that has something for all ages.

Orlando is also a great place to relax. The Wekima Springs State Park is a popular attraction that is comprised on 700 acres of land. It is place where people can swim, fish or canoe. The Central Florida Zoo is a place where people can see animals that are native to the state of Florida. This zoo also features endangered species such as the Amur Leopard. The Central Florida Zoo is also a popular place for hosting birthday parties.

People are sure to work up an appetite when they are having fun. Orlando has many great restaurants to choose from. It is very hard to eat healthy while on vacation. Season’s 52 is a restaurant that specializes in serving food that is not only good to eat, but is also good for the body. This restaurant is very popular among tourists and residents and was named one of the best restaurants in Orlando.

The Old Hickory Restaurant is a place where people can get a good steak dinner. This restaurant serves both grass-fed and Angus beef. It also specializes in serving fine wine and crafted cheese. Emeril’s Restaurant specializes in serving all types of food. This restaurant is also one of the most popular ones in Orlando. Because this restaurant is so popular, it is highly recommended that guests book in advance to avoid long waiting times. Crave is a restaurant that specializes in serving the best American cuisine. Some of the items featured on the menu include: sliders, buttermilk chicken, seafood and fruit salad.

There are many nice hotels in Orlando that allow people to feel like they are right at home. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Disney’s Bay Lake Tower and Hilton Orlando have been named some of the best hotels in the city.

A trip to Orlando can be quite expensive, but fortunately there are many ways to finance it. Below are some tips for saving for a trip to Orlando:

• Start saving early (the earlier that you start saving, the better)
• Consider getting a time share (time shares have helped many people save hundreds of dollars.
• Book in advance (you can save up to 50 percent on hotels, flights, etc by booking in advance)
• Look into getting a cheap rental care (there are numerous ways to get cheap rental cars)
• Take advantage of coupons* (there are coupons available for hotel, restaurants and attractions.