Planning a great trip to Kauai.

We're planning a trip to Kauai next month and despite all the resources available - or maybe because of them - it's taken us forever to figure it all out. Granted, we are pretty choosey. We want a kitchen, so we can make our own breakfast and pupus if we don't feel like going out; a couple of nice restaurants and bars within walking distance for when we don't feel like staying in or driving; a clear view of the ocean from the room; a beach where you can swim, snorkel, and surf; and of course, we don't want to spend a fortune.

I won't tell you where we ended up. But we're happy to share the sites that turned out to be the most helpful.


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Posted by Virginia Saunders on 01/03/2009 at 9:39 PM | Categories: USA - North America - Accommodations - Cool Service -

L.A.'s best burger.

For Christmas, we got a book called The Ten Best of Everything - An Ultimate Guide for Travelers. It's a fun read, but some of the lists have some pretty glaring omissions.

For instance, the Best Steak Houses list includes nine American restaurants or chains, and only one Argentine entry, La Cabana. And Wegmans didn't make the Best Markets & Food Halls list. Their flagship store in Pittsford, NY is a foodie's idea of heaven on earth.

But the real deal breaker for us is the Best Burger list, which gives California favorites Apple Pan and In-N-Out the gold and silver medals. Granted, this category is extremely subjective. But for our money, these two aren't even the best burger in Los Angeles.


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Posted by Virginia Saunders on 12/27/2008 at 5:29 PM | Categories: Food and Wine - USA - North America - Dining -

Enjoy traveling without leaving home.

We launched the tripaddiction blog a year ago today.  It’s hard to believe how much has happened in that time.  In December 2007, the biggest challenge facing U.S. travelers was a weak dollar.  

Today, we’re on the cusp of what many say will be the worst year for travel since 2001.  If 2008 was the year of the “Staycation,” 2009 will be the year of the “Naycation.”
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Posted by Virginia Saunders on 12/19/2008 at 8:32 PM | Categories: Opinion -

Hawaii airfare sale.

I don't know what's going on with airfares to Hawaii, but if you act fast, you can snag an incredible deal. On Thursday, I found two seats from LAX to Honolulu on Delta for $251 roundtrip. There were some details I needed to iron out, so I didn't purchase. And when I went to buy tickets the next day, the fare had gone up to $370 - still a great deal, but not a complete steal. I kicked myself.

This morning, I checked kayak.com to see what was available, and found space on Hawaiian for $244 roundtrip.


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Posted by Virginia Saunders on 12/13/2008 at 2:04 PM | Categories: Transportation - USA -

Les Belles Heures of the Duke of Berry at the Getty.

Jean de France - the Duke of Berry - was an avid patron of the arts. He collected tapestries, metal- and enamel-work, jewelry, and paintings. But he is best known as a bibliophile who commissioned more than 300 manuscripts.

Thanks to his love of books, two of the world's most exquisite illuminated manuscripts - Les Belles Heures and Les Tres Riches Heures - were created. Begun by the Limbourg Brothers around 1405, Les Belles Heures, was a daily devotional designed for the Duke's personal use.


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Posted by Virginia Saunders on 12/04/2008 at 2:08 AM | Categories: USA - Event - Attractions -