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www.metro.us 09

2myTHURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010

Admit it: The airports arenot pretty these days. Andwith long lines and airlinescharging you about $20 forevery additional piece ofluggage you have, gettingyour gear out West for a skivacation is getting waymore time consum-ing and expensive.So, this begs thequestion: Whyfly to a world-class skiing desti-nation when youcan simply drive ortake the train toStowe, Vt.?

Why goWhat makes Stowe sounique is that it offers somuch while still remain-ing beautifully intimate.There are the recent $400million improvements toStowe Mountain Resort,which means quick andeasy access to the 116trails of Mount Mansfield,but there is also a NewEngland village rightthere. So you can take inthe lovely quaintness ofthe 250-year-old town, be-fore or after you take inthe 40 miles of trails and50 miles of cross-countryskiing and snowshoeing ofthe newly modernizedmountain.

Where to stay

B&B’s, resorts, condos andmotels cluster on MountainRoad, which connects thevillage of Stowe with MountMansfield. We recommend

the cozy Grey Fox Inn,which offers reason-

able rates withmany roomsboasting fire-places and

Jacuzzi tubs. Ifyou want tojoin in on a live-ly apres-ski (and

apres-work) hangout spot,its pub is becoming the go-to spot (802-253-8921, www.greyfoxinn.com).

Where to eatThere are almost as manygreat restaurants in Stoweas ski trails (there are morethan 40 eateries surround-ing and in the village prop-er). But the Cactus Cafecan’t be beat for food andambiance. Monique Duck-worth and her husband,Chef Doehne, cook up deli-cious Mexican and use anon-site smoker to add an ex-tra kick to their yummydishes (802-253-7770,www.thecactuscafe.com).

Ski savings

The entire state of Vermontis offering a MidweekSnow Savers deal where 40 inns, resorts andattractions are having sales

through March. In Stowe itself, thedestination has various ski-and-stay packages —some for under $100 — as well as great midweek and weekenddeals.

For details, visit

www.vermontvacation

.com/snowsavers and

www.gostowe.com.

For information on

Stowe Mountain

Resort, visit

www.stowe.com.

STOWE MOUNTAIN RESORT

PHOTOS: STOWE AREA ASSOCIATION

The new improvements to Stowe Mountain Resort make this Vermont village an ideal, yetstill quaint, winter destination What to do, see and eat once you take off your ski boots

The village of Stowe is quintessential New England.

Scenic Stowe

Stowe skiing

DOROTHY [email protected]

How toget to themountainStowe is five hoursfrom New York via car.The roads leading toStowe, while windy,are plowed and saltedoften. Once you get toStowe, be sure to stopby the Visitor’s Center(51 Main St., 800-Go-Stowe,www.gostowe.com)where the friendlystaff can help with al-most everything, fromlift ticket tobabysitters. There’s al-so the helpful (andfree!) Mountain RoadShuttle that runs fromMount Mansfield tothe village in Stowe soyou don’t have todrive up themountain. METRO/DR

How Stowe it is

Inside:

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To do in 2010: Eat moreThaiPAGE 13

End game:Miley inpixilatedformPAGE 12

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Food

www.metro.usTHURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

07

2mytravel

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For travel thisyear, whetheryou want to goto a place thatmakes yourfriendsscratch their

heads or stick to a placecloser to home, RobertReid, contributor to “LonelyPlanet’s Best in Travel 2010:The Best Trends, Destina-tions, Journeys & Experi-ences for the UpcomingYear,” has some suggestionson where to go in 2010.

Where to take your suitcase

in the new year

2 10NEW IN THE NEW YEAR


Suriname“This isn’t going to takeaway tourists, from, sayFrance,” says Reid. “But thislittle country in SouthAmerica has done a greatjob preserving their rainforest and using eco-tourism to bring in people.Because of its compactness,and how ethnically diverseit is, it’s a rising place forpeople who want to hear,‘Where?,’ when they talkabout their latest vacation.”

Americana“There’s this kind of trendtoward finding ‘The RealAmerica,’” says Reid. Thishas been bolstered by KenBurns’ “The NationalParks” and HBO’s “JohnAdams.” “Whether it’s aquilt show, a Civil Warreenactment, a folk-artshow, or the bourbon trailaround Kentucky, peopleare trying to find the backroads to see those littlepieces of America.”

GETTY IMAGES

See the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, Vietnam this year.

Birthdays“An entire tourism in-dustry has been builtaround birthdays —places that present spe-cial activities andthings to do like Illinoisdid for Lincoln’s 200th.And a place that is real-ly gearing up is Hanoi,which is turning 1,000.I was there two yearsago, and they were al-ready starting to getready for it,” says Reid.Officials have beenrestoring a citadelwhere kings once lived,which hasn’t beenopened for hundreds of years.

Twitter“The travel communitywas really infused withTwitter last year,” saysReid. “And although itseems kind of buzzyand strange to manypeople, those who trav-el will find it a great re-source in 2010. You canfind out about a desti-nation from a numberof people from journal-

ists to lo-cals topeoplewho havejustbeenthere.”

GETTY IMAGES/VINCENT BOON GETTY IMAGES

Just like the real thingFlower sacrifice ceremony

at Corantijn River, Suriname

Inside:

The future of your gamingsystemPAGE 10

Gettingthe ABCs of comedydownPAGE 11

VampireWeekendwill not beweakenedPAGE 11

Technology

Music

Television

The trends, topics and journeys you should experience in 2010 From the places that make you say, ‘Where?,’ to your own undiscovered American backyard

www.metro.us10

2mytravel

my THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2010

With its epic Super Bowlwin — and more than 106million people tuning in tosee it — could there be anymore mania surround NewOrleans right now? Actual-ly, yes, as Mardi Gras —that colorful, celebratoryand bead-filled carnival —goes down on Tuesday.Want to partake in the fun?Kelly Schulz, the vice presi-dent of communicationsand public relations at theNew Orleans Convention &Visitors Bureau, has a fewtips for last-minute visitors.

Book now

“There’s so much excite-ment around the Saints thateverything will fill reallyquickly. But we do have

some good packages andhotel deals still available onour Web site,” says Schulz.“Canal Street is a greatplace to stay — that’s whereall the parties and celebra-tions are. Although the pa-rade doesn’t roll throughthe French Quarter, it’s onlya short walk from there tothe parties.”

Not a huge partier?Not a problemAlthough Mardi Gras ismade for partiers, it’s still agood time for those whodon’t like drinking them-selves into oblivion. “Thegreat thing about MardiGras is that you can be aswild as you want or astame as you want,” she

says. “On Mardi Gras Day,there are costume contests,making for great peoplewatching. Or go on a river-boat dinner cruise, or jumpon the street car and gocheck out our arts district.”

Beads are OK

“Normally, if you walkaround New Orleans withbeads, that identifies youas a tourist right away. Butduring Mardi Gras, every-one has their beads on,” ad-vises Schulz. “If you havean opportunity, try to geton a balcony. It’s a uniqueway to see the parade —and get a ton of beads.”

A last-minute guide to

New Orleans

GETTY IMAGES

Show us your, um, enthusiasm: New Orleans is awash with millions of strings of cheap, plastic beads, which are thrown from the parade floats.

Just after its first Super Bowl win, the Big Easy is gearing up for Fat Tuesday Feeling the fever? Here are some tips, in case you want to be in that number

‘Whodat?’ This unofficial sloganof the Saints is now thenew hello of NewOrleans. “It means,‘Who thinks they canbeat the Saints?’”explains Schulz. “But

now it’s just short-ened. It’s becom-ing a greeting

here — youdon’t say, ‘Hi,’or, ‘How areyou?’

anymore. You say,‘Who dat?’ It’s the

new greeting ofNew Orleans!”

It’s the bomb

If you make it down,

drink the hand grenade.

The hand grenade is a terri-fying concoction of alcohol,usually made with a “se-cret” house recipe. Withoutwishing to detract from themystique, it’s basicallyabout half a liter of rumserved in a container thatlooks like a battlefield as-sault weapon.


Chug! Chug! Chug!

Inside:

Packagedvacations: All you dois enjoy itPAGE 12

‘Survivor’has been on for adecade?PAGE 16

What yournerdy BFwants on V-DayPAGE 14

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As a college student, youprobably stormed Mexico’sbeaches for a debauchery-filled spring break. But justbecause you’ve moved onfrom gallon-sized margari-tas and tiny, shared motelrooms doesn’t mean youhave to move on fromMexico as a spring breakdestination. Because youhaven’t experienced thereal Mexico until you visitMexico City, where world-class chefs are working tomake the thriving and vi-brant metropolis a first-class destination for food-ies. Here are the chefs whoare doing just that — aswell as tips on what else toexplore in Ciudad de Méxi-co besides the food.


So much more than

tacos &tequila

Mexico City is emerging as a premiere destination for world-class cuisine Meet the talented chefs who are changing the dining landscape

Come on, isn’t it time you enjoyed a sophisticated spring break? GETTY IMAGES

Get lostin a supermercado You must treat yourselfto a boat ride on thecanals of Xochimilco(like Venice, but muchmore authentic, color-ful, and less touristy). Avisit to one of the open-air markets is key, aswell. Just be careful get-ting around. Althoughgreat strides have beenmade to tackleviolence, Mexico City isstill a place where for-eigners should use cau-tion. Only use officialtaxis, or have your ho-tel hail them for you.

Patricia Quintana, IzoteCalled the Julia Child of Mexi-co, Patricia Quintana is one ofthe country’s most reveredand respected chefs. Her food,which combines elements ofpre-Hispanic dishes with amodern twist, has been sam-pled by the likes of Bill Clintonand Gabriel Garcia Marquez.But you can try her food at herrestaurant, Izote, located inthe trendy Polanco area of thecity. Reservations are a must.

Ricardo Muñoz Zurita,Azul y OroDon’t be alarmed — RicardoMuñoz Zurita’s restaurant islocated in the University ofMexico. But what this Mexicanfood scholar (he’s the authorof “Diccionario EnciclopedicoDe Gastronomia Mexicana”)creates isn’t your typicalschool fare. Azul y Oro mightbe one of the best restaurantsyou will ever try; his tortillasoup is simply transformative.

Enrique Olvera, PujolA grad of the Culinary Instituteof America, the young EnriqueOlvera returned to his nativeMexico to open Pujol, a trendyspot that is revolutionizingMexican taste buds. His inno-vative dishes, many of whichuse the elements of moleculargastronomy, is making Pujolone of the most popularrestaurants in the city. It’s bestexperienced by ordering hisseven-course tasting menu.

¿Dónde está el restaurante?

As you travel down the canals of Xochimilco, boats float by with bands, mariachi trios and marimba players. If you tip them, they will float along beside you while they play.

www.metro.usTHURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

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Inside:

CrackBerry,how do I love thee?With apps!PAGE 10

What to see andhear thisspringPAGE 12-16

Whengrilledcheese metlobsterPAGE 11

Technology

The Bite

Spring Arts

TamarindVillageWith jasmine-scentedrooms, tree-shadedcourtyards and coolbreezes, TamarindVillage is a luxurious,yet down-to-earth, placeto stay. It’s such a sereneoasis, it’s hard to believethe bustling streets ofChiang Mai lie justbeyond its walls. Thefriendly, attentive staff

will help you planoutside excursions —but it’s highlyrecommended that youtag along with them fortheir daily Tam BoonTak Baat or “makingmerit” ceremony, whereyou offer food to localmonks and they blessyou in return. For an inti-mate insider’s view ofthe city, there’s also com-plimentary walkingtours of local attractions.www.tamarindvillage.com

thailand

30

+travel www.metro.us

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2011

What to doThe great thing aboutChiang Mai is that un-like Thailand’s tourist-soaked beaches, it of-fers a look at Thai liv-ing without the glossof corporate tourism.You can spend hoursjust walking along theancient, crowdedstreets of this walledcity. Be sure to visit afew of the Buddhisttemples (there are over300), but be mindful:These are “working”temples to serve the lo-cal Buddhist communi-ty, so be respectful oflocal customs.

What to eat Street food is plentifulin Chiang Mai (it’s alsosafe — just be sure it’scooked in front of youto alleviate all doubt).Best of all, you canhave an entire feast ofnoodle dishes, drinks,desserts and exoticfruit for just a fewbucks.

What to buyChiang Mai is famousfor its street fairs andmarkets. Grabsouvenirs and dinnerat the Chiang Mai Night

Bazaar, located in theheart of the city, anynight of the week. Butthe Sunday Market is acan’t-miss institution.Thais and tourists alikepack the streets, cheer-fully haggling for thebest price on Thai nick-nacks and clothingwell into the eveninghours.


Elephants!

They’rebig inThailandChiang Mai has amoney-making industry revolving aroundelephants. Sadly,some operations arecompletelyexploitive. Luckily,a trustworthyexperience can behad at the PataraElephant Farm.Learn all about themajestic beastswith the “elephantowner for a day”program, whereyou spend the dayfeeding and clean-ing “your”elephant. Then,learn how to ride itfor an adventuroustrek through thesteamy jungle.www.pataraelephantfarm.com

Change it up in

Chiang Mai

For an urban experience in Thailand, most tourists make Bangkok their default destination But in-the-know travelers hit Chiang Mai This enchanting, small city

has all the amenities of city life (food, bustling streets and culture) but without the terrible congestion and overcrowding that mars a visit to Bangkok

Monks at the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple, located on a mountain just outside the center of Chiang Mai. It’s a popular

destination for many visitors (it offers outstanding views) and a sacred site to the Thai people.

Where to stay

WWW.METRO.US/TRAVELFOR MORE METRO TRAVEL COVERAGE

PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

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