Wow!!! Hot giveaway right now from Sunday Coupon Preview!!

Head over and enter to win for your chance at FREE Coupon Inserts for every weekend next year!!

You must enter by June 15th. They will Randomly Draw 4 winners on June 18th. Each winner will get PayPal of $125 enough to cover the cost of 52 weeks of Sunday Coupon Inserts!

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/discountqueens/~3/RYfkilZElKI/

Discounts on gift cards Discounts for ibmers Discounts on ipad 2 Discounts for teachers

Get a free piece of clothing at Sears Outlet today

May 15th, 2012, 9:46 am · · posted by Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer

Source: http://ocdeals.ocregister.com/2012/05/15/get-a-free-piece-of-clothing-at-sears-outlet-today/162832/

Retail me not discounts Discount school supply Discounts Discounts jungle

One of the absolute highlights of my last vacation (which was a Europe tour) was visiting Amsterdam. If you haven?t been, go. If you?ve already been, I?m sure I don?t need to tell you to go again. The city is stunning and charming all at once. I went with a group, my usual mode of travel. And while there are many advantages of group travel, one of my most memorable days of the trip was when my partner and I broke away from the group and jumped on a pair of free bicycles. You heard me ? FREE! Wherever you go there are white bicycles that are free for public use. Just pick one up when you need one and leave it when you?re finished. It?s such a bike-friendly city! And the bikes are much cuter than the sporty version we have here in North America. What a treat to cruise around and ring our bells.

One of the best ways to see Amsterdam, if not by bike, is from the water. Plan on taking time aside to take a cruise up the canals when you visit the Dutch capital. It?s a fabulous way to take in the city?s rich history. In fact, we enjoyed it so much; we took both a day and a night tour. There are over 1,000 bridges that span the city?s waterways and at night they?re lit up with white lights. The bridge lights blend with the light shining out from the streetlamps and light shining out of the windows and makes the experience very romantic. On a day cruise, you can learn about the history of Amsterdam. The 17th Century warehouses still stand at the water?s edge, as do the merchant homes from the Golden Age. It?s amazing to see how people live modern lives amidst all of the rich history.

Of course, we couldn?t leave Amsterdam without visiting the De Hoge Veluwe Park where Van Gogh?s Sunflowers was so famously painted. And don?t forget about the floating market in the Singel Canal. Here you can pick up anything from produce to a fresh bouquet; everything is arranged right in boats along the waterway.

The city is so comfortable to roam around; with cafes everywhere you can pick up a sandwich and go to the park, or sit on a patio and have a pint. They say there are over one thousand such cafes in the area. I couldn?t believe that the oldest has been open for nearly 500 years! This lifestyle is definitely one I could get used to living. An escorted vacation is a great way to visit any country.

Carol Atkins is a Group Travel Leader with YMT Vacations.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Source: http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2012/05/14/free-bikes-in-amsterdam/

Discount school supply Discounts Discounts jungle Discounts on gift cards

See a free show at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano

May 16th, 2012, 12:24 pm · · posted by Marla Jo Fisher, Staff Writer

Source: http://ocdeals.ocregister.com/2012/05/16/see-a-free-show-at-the-coach-house-in-san-juan-capistrano/162932/

Discounts on gift cards Discounts for ibmers Discounts on ipad 2 Discounts for teachers

on our family trip in New Zealand

Travel with kids needn?t be a hassle and it can be one of the best experiences you have as a family.

The key ingredients to a smooth trip when traveling with kids are to pay attention to their needs, and finding the right balance between plenty of rest time whilst also having lots of activities for them to do along the way. Bored and overtired children become cranky and frustrated kids in a hurry.

Whilst our style of travel has evolved throughout the years from being solo travelers, to a couple, and now a family of four, there are some core travel habits that have served us well, and we continue to follow them to this day.

Here is our list of 25 tips for travel with kids?

1. Slow Down

Plan for a slower pace than you might usually attempt if solo or as a couple. Be realistic about what you can see and do with kids in tow. Don?t try to cram too much into your itinerary. The less you feel you have to see, the more enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

Getting around can be challenging

For the most part, the pace of the trip should be set to what your youngest child can handle. Build into your agenda time for stops along the way for bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and nap time. If you can avoid cranky children it will make for a much more pleasant experience.

Hiking can be SLOWER

2. Determine Your Preferences

Sit down with your whole family and discuss your ideas and interests. Memorable trips are those where each member of the family gets to experience something they love. Talk about budgets, expectations, and how you can work with the dollars available to plan an exciting family trip.

Kalyra with big travel dreams

Travel experts have found that the most successful family vacations are those that involve both parents and children in choosing destinations and planning for their trip. Through these conversations, you will learn more about each others needs and find destinations and activities to suit the whole family.

Kalyra studying the options

3. Be Flexible

Avoiding holiday periods and traveling off-season can yield big savings on flights and accommodation. Even if your kids are in school, consider traveling just outside of major school holiday periods.

Give yourself the best chance to capture a cheap flight. Leaving a few days or even weeks before or after your ideal date could mean the difference of hundreds of dollars. Think about using airfare sales to help determine your family?s vacation destination and time of departure rather than the other way around.

Sites like Airfarewatchdog and Kayak can help. Just plug in your departure city and check out the list of available deals.

4. Pack Smart

Pack the bare minimum because you can always buy it there. Roll clothes and stuff socks and underwear inside shoes. Wear your heaviest clothes on the flight. Encourage kids to choose and pack their own clothes to minimize complaints and to teach travel skills.

Select versatile and comfortable clothes and color-coordinated separates so if something gets dirty you only have to change part of the outfit. And pack bags with what is needed first on the top ? a change of clothes for dinner, pajamas, or what is needed during the day including a change of clothes in case of accidents.

Do not pack like this!

Hot Tip: It?s always best to halve your clothes and double your budget

5. Hotel Tips

Pick a Kid Friendly Location ? Stay in a safe and central area that?s close to local attractions, food outlets, the beach, the park, and all preferably within walking distance. This will save you time, money, and your kids from getting bored.

Savannah and Kalyra enjoying the hotel bed

Stay More Than 1 Night ? Many hotels provide their best deals when you stay over more than one night.

Stay over Sunday ? Many hotels receive Friday and Saturday night bookings from leisure travelers and Monday-Friday bookings from their business travelers, so there can be a void on Sunday nights.

Check for Family Deals ? Always ask about discounted rates, free meals for children, and an upgrade at check in ? they can only say no.

A Pool and games room ? Kids love both of these options. Does the pool have any special features (like a slide or waterfalls)?

Family fun in the pool

Make Sure it Has a Lift ? Carrying strollers, toys, and luggage up several flights of stairs is NO FUN!

What?s the room configuration? ? For our family of four two double beds is required or a portacot. If you have a baby make sure this is available, and for free.

Coupons and Discounts ? Check out the brochure shelf in the lobby and any tourist literature in your room for ways to shave a few bucks off the price of your family vacation.

Enroll in a Loyalty Program ? Many hotel chains are now offering free loyalty programs with incentives like earning free rooms after multiple stays. If you travel often and stay at the same chain, or one of its participating partners, you may save on future family vacations.

Check the Dining Options ? Does the hotel restaurant and room service have a kids? menu?

TV Channels ? Does the hotel offer several family-oriented cable stations, like Disney, Nickelodeon, AMC, Discovery and Lifetime? Is there a movie library with kids? movies?

Bathtub?  ? You?ll want to be sure that your room will include a bathtub.

Laundry  ? For longer vacations, check to see whether the hotel has coin operated machines for hotel guests.

6. Consider a Cruise or All-Inclusive Resort

With activities to appeal to every generation, food choices to suit all ages, and itineraries that can be full-on or you just sit around and do nothing, a cruise or a resort can eliminate daily decision making that can cause conflict. Look for Kids Eat Free, Stay Free, and Play Free deals.

Ready to board a Carnival Spirit cruise

cruises have water parks!

7. Consider Apartment Rental

Most big-city hotel rooms were not built for families with young kids. They usually have no refrigerator or microwave, floor space is at a premium, and neighbors can hear every tantrum. But with an apartment you get more space,  thicker walls, a kitchen, a washing machine, and separate bedrooms.

These extra facilities on a long stay can make your trip so much more enjoyable.

our apartment in Auckland

8. Do a Test Run

If this is going to be your first serious trip as a family, consider starting with a shorter trip such as a weekend away or even just a day trip to the zoo as a trial run. This will help you figure out packing choices, daily routines, how fast you can move around, and how you all get along and interact together.

9. Set a Budget 

Travel with kids does not have to be expensive. Decide on a comfortable budget that works for your family and include items such as souvenirs, entertainment, and a few unexpected activities. Once again involve your kids to make sure they feel comfortable with your travel plans.

Hot Tip: Every now and then blow your daily budget. We go away to experience things and create lifelong memories. Don?t limit yourself to just traveling for the sake of traveling. Go splurge on a famous restaurant, see a big concert, attend a mega sporting event, go on a safari, jump out of a plane, do something incredible.

10. Build in Some Private Time or ?apart? time

No matter who you are, everyone needs a break from each other at some point. While the goal of your trip is to create shared memories, it is also important to remember that children need time to burn off energy and enjoy the company of kids their own age.

Likewise, us parents need quiet periods for rest and some adult company as well. Keep this in mind and be a little flexible on your trip, as children?s moods and interests can change constantly. If you and your children find something you?d rather do, be spontaneous and go with the flow.

11. Bring a Few Comforts from Home

Allow your children to bring along a few home comforts such as a stuffed toy, reading books, or a portable music player. Activity packs can be a lifesaver on a plane and car rides. Make one with items such as coloring pencils and books, card games, board games, hand held electronic games, puzzles etc.

Savannah loves her ducky

12. Capture Your Memories

Consider giving your child a journal and a cheap digital camera. Kalyra loves taking her own pictures and it is fascinating to see travel through her eyes.  Pictures can be put into a scrapbook after you return, providing a lasting keepsake of your wonderful experiences together.

Kalyra displaying her skills

If your children are writing a journal, encourage them to draw and list things they see, eat and experience. And how about buying a cheap postcard from each destination and help them to note a memory on the back, or they can create a large collage to place on their bedroom wall once home.

Kalyra drawing in her journal

13. Keep Meal Costs Down

Food costs can eat up a large portion of the family travel budget.

Go out for Breakfast or Lunch ? Try and avoid dinner as restaurants raise prices. OR, have brunch instead of 3 meals a day. Many restaurants offer lunch specials where items on the dinner menu are offered for a fraction of the cost you?d pay for the same meal in the evening.

Eat Away from the Tourist Streets ? Just go one street or one block over and it will usually be cheaper and more authentic.

Self-Cater Where You Can ? On long stays, we make self-contained accommodation with kitchen facilities a priority. Stay in places with a refrigerator so you can store breakfast foods, snacks, and bottled water. Purchasing your own supplies from the grocery store can save you big bucks.

Free Breakfasts ? When booking a hotel look for one with breakfast included. Also, have picnics, barbeque?s, and house parties. This saves precious money.

14. Take Your Own Food

Always take your own snacks on flights, buses and road trips where practical. Long road trips or flights can leave kids feeling cranky and hungry. Pack plenty of snacks for yourselves and your children.

Do not assume that you will be able to stop and buy snacks along the way as airports especially can be expensive and have a limited selection of healthy options.

15. Do the Free Stuff

Many things to see and enjoy are absolutely free. See a street fair, concert, or cultural event. Catch a magnificent sunset, take a walk or bike ride, play in the park, swim at the beach or lake, climb a mountain.

Kalyra dancing to a free sunset in San Diego

Use the Free Days ? Attend museums and tourist sites on free days or when they are discounted. Most museums have special discount times or free nights. Before you go anywhere, make sure you look on their website or facebook page to find out if they offer free visiting hours or family discounts.

Playground fun

16. Advanced Planning

Finding accommodation when you arrive without booking ahead can be challenging with children in tow. It?s definitely worth pre-booking at least your firstcouple of nights, even if you want to be flexible on your travels: this will allow you to look for other places in a more leisurely way.

After a long flight or car journey, the last thing your family will feel like is hunting around for somewhere to stay and something to eat. Make reservations and map out your first day or two in advance to make the trip smoother.

17. See Your Doctor

If you?re going overseas and have little ones, see your doctor at least two months before you leave to discuss your plans. Mention the ages of your children and bring everyone?s vaccination records, and ask the doctor to note down their blood groups for you.

If any of your children has a pre-existing medical condition, ask for help in identifying a doctor in your destination who specialises in the same condition.

18. Make Use of Equipment

A pram or stroller can be useful even if your child is walking. It can serve as a place for them to rest during day trips, a makeshift bed when out in restaurants, and you can use it to great effect with carrying the bags.

19. Sleep Whilst Traveling

When taking a long flight, train, or bus journey, try and plan it so you are traveling at night. That way, you don?t have to pay for a night?s accommodation.

20. Learn a New Skill Together 

We believe life is ?all about the memories?. By doing something new together, your children will be impressed with your sense of adventure and curiosity. Learn to kayak, snorkel, surf, or spot wildlife in nature. Maybe go snow skiing, fishing or roller blading. Find something that?s new to all of you and share the joy of learning together.

21. Road Trips

Borrow an idea from the airlines: Purchase or borrow a portable TV/DVD player that mounts on the back of the seat in front. Rent a bunch of DVDs or borrow them from your local library for free.

Take Frequent Breaks ? Preferably every two hours. Expecting young kids to sit still longer than that is unrealistic. Find interesting picnic spots, historical monuments, public parks or a playground. Let the kids run around and burn off some energy.

Safety ? Pack plenty of water, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight in case you break down at night. Call to make sure your road assistance plan is up-to-date and charge your phone beforehand.

Have your vehicle completely checked out by your mechanic. Oil changes, brake checks, light checks are important to the vehicle?s safe operation. Also, double check the installation of all car seats to ensure they are properly set up for maximum protection.

22. Flight Tips

• Take a change of clothes on-board for you and your baby, especially on a long haul.

• Feeding your baby with either a bottle or breast when you are taking off and landing, can help them adjust their ears to the change in cabin pressure.

• Try to keep the same rituals as home when it comes to bedtime. Put the kids in their pyjamas, read them a book, and sing them songs. And make sure they have their favourite toy or blanket.

• Before disembarking, make sure they have been fed and to the toilet. Trust me, standing for an hour in customs with hungry and tired children is NO FUN!

•  Check in online to book preferred seats from home and cut out the hassle of queuing.

Try to avoid the hassle of queuing

Source: http://www.ytravelblog.com/25-tips-for-travel-with-kids/

Hotel discounts Military discounts Enterprise car rental coupons discounts Petland discounts

San Miguel Mission

Are you looking for travel tips on what to do in Santa Fe?

As part of our ?Travel Tips? series, we interviewed Billie Frank who has been living in Santa Fe since 2004.

Billie shares with us her insider travel tips and knowledge on what to do in Santa Fe for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, and explore.

Take it away Billie?

Why Visit Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is magical. The high desert with its beautiful mountains, rock formations and stunning sunsets is part of it. Some of it comes from the synergy created by the intermingling of the three distinct cultures, the Native Americans, the Hispanics and the Anglo that call the area home.

It?s the second oldest city in the United States and at 7,000 feet above sea level, the highest capital city in the country. There?s an Old World feeling and a palpable sense of history.

Best Things to See and Do?

Definitely walk around the downtown historic area. I highly recommend a guided walking tour. A knowledgeable guide can share the city?s rich history.

Or, you can do it yourself. Explore the narrow streets with their intriguing nooks and crannies.

Historic Sites:

The oldest house and oldest church in the US. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the USA. Under the building?s portal (the overhang) you can buy Native American handcrafts as a souvenir of your visit, directly from the artisans who crafted them.

Galleries and Museums:

Santa Fe, the third largest art market in the US (an amazing accomplishment for a city of a little over 70,000 people), has been attracting artists for over a century. Visit some of the over 200 galleries and 10 museums scattered around town.

My favorite museums: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and International Folk Art Museum

Best Neighborhoods to Explore?

Barrio Analco is the oldest neighborhood in town, home to the oldest church and what is said to be the oldest house in the country.

Canyon Road, home to around 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants has some of the most historic buildings in town, including great of Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture.

Acequia Madre (meaning mother ditch), just to the south of Canyon Road, is another great old street to explore. Irrigation ditches, a necessity for high desert farming, date back over 400 years, this one dates to 1610. (This effective system was immortalized in John Nichols? book The Milagro Bean Field Wars, later a Robert Redford film.) Don?t miss the narrow roads and alleys that wind off this old byway.

Railyard District is the trendiest neighborhood in town and home to galleries, shops, restaurants and the fabulous Santa Fe Farmers Market. It seamlessly transitions to the Guadalupe District just to the north.

Where to Eat?

Santa Fe is a foodie?s town. One of the things I love is the high level commitment to fresh and local in many restaurants.

Budget Dining options:

• Jambo Café combines chef/owner Ahmed Obo?s native Kenyan cuisine with a touch of the Caribbean.

• Del Charro Saloon offers the least expensive burgers (outside of a national chain) in town and also features a $5 daily special.

• Bumble Bee?s Baja Grill offers fresh Baja-inspired Mexican food at reasonable prices.

• Harry?s Roadhouse is always bustling with both locals and tourists. Go for the specials (if they appeal) on their extensive and eclectic menu.

Harry’s Roadhouse

Pizza is always a great option for filling up without breaking the bank.

• Rooftop Pizzeria specializing in thin-crusted, gourmet pizzas.
• Pizza Centro draws diners with their New York inspired pies.
• Pizza Espiritu offering what they call ?a taste of heaven? and I call some really great pizza.

Budget breakers, but worth it:

• Restaurant Martin, Chef Martin Rios? realization of his dream showcases his strong commitment to consistently turning out fresh, seasonal food.

• Epazote?s chef/owner, Fernando Olea is intrigued by the flavors unique to the southwest, Mexico, Central and South America. His ?inspired New World Cuisine? showcases his innovative approach to these foods and flavors.

• Chef James Campbell Caruso?s La Boca is a popular local spot for traditional and contemporary tapas.

Food stands, carts and trailers:

We love dining on street food and there are a lot of stands and trucks to choose from A few favorites are:

• Roque?s Carnitas, a seasonal stand in the Plaza has been drawing visitors and locals for over 25 years.

• Le Pod, offers crepes, French style hotdogs and other taste treats served from an Airstream trailer parked at the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. They are only open Monday through Friday.

• El Chile Toreado, a burrito/taco stand on Cordova west of St. Francis Drive, serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

• Callie?s Cajun usually parked on Old Los Vegas Highway at night brings a taste of New Orleans to the southwest.

Roques Carnitas

Breakfast in Santa Fe is a real treat.

If you can handle spice early in the day, try the local version of the breakfast burrito; huge cylinders of eggs, potatoes, the meat of your choice and cheese smothered in green or red chile.

On the go? Try the hand-held version. Not adventurous, there?s always traditional American fare, too.

A few of our favorite breakfast spots are:

• The Pantry has been cooking up New Mexican style food for over 50 years. Try the Huevos Consuelo, a mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic and spicy yellow peppers.

• The unpretentious Tia Sophia?s isone of the power breakfast spots in town. The Huevos Rancheros is hot seller.

• Tecolote Café is another popular breakfast hangout. Their motto: ?Great Breakfasts, No Toast.? Instead they offer their house made bread basket or tortillas. Go for the basket. They are a contender for best breakfast potatoes in town.

• Café Pasqual?s is a destination dining spot for breakfast lunch and dinner. Be prepared to wait. Try the Smoked Trout Hash.

• If a European café is more your style, Clafoutis and the Swiss Bakery and Pastry Shop are great bets.

You can?t visit Santa Fe without eating ________ ?

The local Northern New Mexican (Norteño) cuisine. This piquant fare is based on the chile pepper, the official state vegetable. The unofficial state question: ?red or green,? is asking which type of chile you want your food smothered in. If you answer ?Christmas,? you?ll get both.

Great and reasonably priced places to sample New Mexican food:

• Tia Sophia?s is a popular downtown spot for breakfast or lunch.

• The Shed has been serving up the local fare for over forty years. Expect a wait. They do accept dinner reservations, make them well in advance. Their sister restaurant La Choza isin the trendy Railyard district.

• Maria?s New Mexican Kitchen (famous for their 100 item margarita menu) is also popular

Where to Drink?

While here, you have to have a margarita; they are everywhere.

The seasonal Coyote Café?s Rooftop Cantina is another great spot for margaritas and bite to eat.

In summer, the Bell Tower Bar at the historic La Fonda Hotel is the place in town to enjoy a spectacular sunset with your drink.

New Mexico Sunset

If you are in the mood for a drive, the terrace and bar at Terra at Encantado, An Auberge Resort, offers panoramic views of the Jemez Mountains to the west and great food. It?s a chic spot catering to a well-heeled crowd and you may spot a famous face.

For a real, down-home bar, Evangelo?s is the place. If it looks familiar, it may be. Jeff Bridges sang there in the movie, Crazy Heart. He also sat in with bands occasionally when he was in town filming.

Santa Fe also has a number of brew pubs offering locally crafted beers and a number of good wine bars. Try Marble Brewery, Blue Corn Brewery or the Second Street Brewery, either at their original Second Street location or at their popular Railyard location.

Patio at Terra at Encantado

Where to Stay?

When it comes to lodging, Santa Fe is not an inexpensive town. The most budget friendly option is camping, but unless you?re a diehard, it?s a limited season.

Cerrillos Road, the main commercial drag, offers the usual line-up of chain motels. Staying here will be easier on your wallet, but you?ll miss the charm of the city. Out here you could be in Anytown, USA, except all our motels are coated in stucco to look like adobe.

If you can afford it, stay in the downtown Plaza area, you?ll feel like you?re in Santa Fe plus you?ll be in walking distance to a lot of what you want to see.

High End:

Two AAA Four Diamond Rosewood?s Inn of the Anasazi and the Inn and Spa at Loretto attract well-heeled guests as does the Relais and Chateaux, Inn of the Five Graces. Each has a distinct character and it?s important to figure out which works for you.

If you want to get out of town for a more relaxing experience, historic Bishop?s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa and the AAA Five Diamond Encantado, an Auberge Resort offer quiet, country getaways.

Moderate:

Still in the Plaza area, and offering Santa Fe charm at moderate (for Santa Fe) prices:

• Inn on the Alameda offers guests a warm welcome and a great breakfast buffet.

• Old Santa Fe Inn is a locally owned, more upscale motel.

• El Paradero offers the charm and personal attention you expect in a bed and breakfast.

Inn Five Graces courtyard

?Budget? options:

• El Rey Inn and the Silver Saddle Motelboth offer vintage accommodations on Historic pre-1937) Route 66.

• The Sage Inn, walking distance to the Railyard District and about a fifteen minute walk to the Plaza, offers no frills digs. They also provide van service into town for their guests.

Any Markets or Shopping Districts Worth a Visit?

Santa Fe is a shopping town. While there is a bit of everything; The City Different is the place to buy cowboy boots, silver and turquoise Native American jewelry as well as any indigenous and Spanish Colonial art, or any art, for that matter.

Four not to miss areas:

• Downtown Plaza area has wall to wall boutiques selling anything from tacky souvenirs to upscale clothing, art and more.

• Railyard and Guadalupe Districts west of the Plaza have a variety of shopping options. Two of the best resale shops in town are here.

• The quirky Double Take is a great source for vintage cowboy boots and western wear, vintage Native American and Mexican jewelry and more.

• Local women in the know have been shopping The Beat Goes On for years.

• Canyon Road sprinkled in among the town?s largest concentration of galleries are some not-to-be-missed (and mostly upscale) shops.

Insider shopping tips.

1. Watch out for Native American reproductions from China and other places, the town are rife with them.
2. Check out the museum shops. They are sometimes less pricy and you know you are getting the real deal. T
3. here are great resale shops (besides the two mentioned above) around town that offer women?s clothing, jewelry and decorative items.
   

   Spanish market

Major Events and Festivals Throughout the Year?

Burning of Zozobra at the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe, the oldest fiesta in the USA, is a big draw. The three major summer markets in summer draw tens of thousands of people to town.

Both the International Folk Art Market and Spanish Market are in July.

Indian Market in August is the biggest and oldest of the three.

Wine and Chile Fiesta in late September is a major culinary event. Some of the town?s best chefs partner with major vintners and wine distributors throughout the country.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week, a new event on the scene, in March offers foodies some great dining bargains.

Best Way to Get Around?

Walking is a great option for getting around town if you stay in the downtown area.

Santa Fe Trails provides inexpensive bus service around the city. If you want to get out of town at all, a car is essential. Santa Fe has one cab company and you have to call for a ride, you don?t hail them.

Is Santa Fe Wi-Fi friendly?

There are coffee houses all around town that have free Wi-Fi. The Washington Avenue Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library a block from the historic Plaza is a convenient place to connect.

Many of the hotels and motels offer free Wi-Fi.

Best Time of Year to Visit

My favorite seasons here are spring and fall. Fall can still be a bit crowded meaning higher lodging rates.

Mid-May is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe. It?s before the summer season gets going, the weather is great and hotel rates tend to be less expensive.

Favorite Side trip Away from City?

To get a sense of Santa Fe?s first people, I highly recommend a day-trip to a pueblo ancestral site. My favorite is the Puye Cliffs as I had a transcendent experience there. Puye, part of the Santa Clara Pueblo, can only be seen via guided tour.

Puye Cliffs

You can also visit the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument or Tsankawi (part of Bandelier) on your own.

Or visit one of the two currently-occupied historic Pueblos in the area. Both the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Sky City have been inhabited for about 1,000 years.

Chimayó, on the scenic High Road to Taos is a trip back in time.

Explore El Sanctuario de Chimayó, a church famous for healing miracles. Stroll through the galleries and shops; the town is famous for its weaving style passed down through families for generations.

Stop for a New Mexican lunch at Rancho de Chimayó, a local favorite, run by the Jaramillo family for over 40 years.

You can continue up the High Road through villages that go back as much as 400 years. As late as the 1960s, people here spoke a Spanish dialect that lent itself more to ancient Castile than modern day Spain or Mexico.

Taos, at the end of the High Road, is a popular day-trip for visitors to Santa Fe. It?s a town with a lot of history. If you take the Low Road, you?ll have more time to spend exploring the area.

Getting There and Away?

The best place to fly into is Albuquerque, about an hour south of Santa Fe. Usually, the best fares can be found on Southwest Airlines.

Rent a car or take a shuttle (advance reservations strongly recommended, especially in season). There are limited commercial flights into Santa Fe Municipal Airport via American Eagle.

Amtrak stops in Lamy, about a half-hour from town. You can take a shuttle (again reserve in advance) from there. It also stops in Albuquerque/ You can take the New Mexico Railrunner, light rail train service, from there.

Best ?insiders? tips for travellers?

Be prepared for a mañana pace, after all, we have Mexico in our name. It?s 7,000 feet above sea level and very arid here. Because of this combination, some people experience mild altitude sickness.

To minimize or avoid this, drink LOTS of water. Also, because the air is thin and we?re closer to the sun than you may be used to, a hat and sunscreen are musts.

I love Santa Fe because ______ ?

it?s one of two places on earth (the other is Ireland) where my soul feels like it has come home.

BIO: Santa Fe based freelance writer and former concierge Billie Frank writes extensively about Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico for her blog Santa Fe Travelers. A former print journalist, she is a contributor to other online publications focusing on food and travel a Contributing Editor at Travel Squire.

Billie was a consultant and contributor for DK Eyewitness Travel?s 2012 revision of the Top 10 Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque guide. She is co-owner of a trip planning and tour business The Santa Fe Traveler, designing unique experiences for visitors to Santa Fe. You can find Billie on Facebook and on Twitter.

Source: http://www.ytravelblog.com/what-to-do-in-santa-fe/

Discounts on ipad 2 Discounts for teachers Discounts for veterans Discount supplements

THE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SAVING MORE AT THE STORE

Discover how to save up to $600 a month off your grocery bill using printable coupons ? while filling your pantry and consistently saving up to 70% off top name brands!

Instant access! Sign Up Below and Like us on Facebook

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/discountqueens/~3/iBrIpIKMsLI/

Discounts on gift cards Discounts for ibmers Discounts on ipad 2 Discounts for teachers

San Miguel Mission

Are you looking for travel tips on what to do in Santa Fe?

As part of our ?Travel Tips? series, we interviewed Billie Frank who has been living in Santa Fe since 2004.

Billie shares with us her insider travel tips and knowledge on what to do in Santa Fe for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, and explore.

Take it away Billie?

Why Visit Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is magical. The high desert with its beautiful mountains, rock formations and stunning sunsets is part of it. Some of it comes from the synergy created by the intermingling of the three distinct cultures, the Native Americans, the Hispanics and the Anglo that call the area home.

It?s the second oldest city in the United States and at 7,000 feet above sea level, the highest capital city in the country. There?s an Old World feeling and a palpable sense of history.

Best Things to See and Do?

Definitely walk around the downtown historic area. I highly recommend a guided walking tour. A knowledgeable guide can share the city?s rich history.

Or, you can do it yourself. Explore the narrow streets with their intriguing nooks and crannies.

Historic Sites:

The oldest house and oldest church in the US. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the USA. Under the building?s portal (the overhang) you can buy Native American handcrafts as a souvenir of your visit, directly from the artisans who crafted them.

Galleries and Museums:

Santa Fe, the third largest art market in the US (an amazing accomplishment for a city of a little over 70,000 people), has been attracting artists for over a century. Visit some of the over 200 galleries and 10 museums scattered around town.

My favorite museums: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and International Folk Art Museum

Best Neighborhoods to Explore?

Barrio Analco is the oldest neighborhood in town, home to the oldest church and what is said to be the oldest house in the country.

Canyon Road, home to around 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants has some of the most historic buildings in town, including great of Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture.

Acequia Madre (meaning mother ditch), just to the south of Canyon Road, is another great old street to explore. Irrigation ditches, a necessity for high desert farming, date back over 400 years, this one dates to 1610. (This effective system was immortalized in John Nichols? book The Milagro Bean Field Wars, later a Robert Redford film.) Don?t miss the narrow roads and alleys that wind off this old byway.

Railyard District is the trendiest neighborhood in town and home to galleries, shops, restaurants and the fabulous Santa Fe Farmers Market. It seamlessly transitions to the Guadalupe District just to the north.

Where to Eat?

Santa Fe is a foodie?s town. One of the things I love is the high level commitment to fresh and local in many restaurants.

Budget Dining options:

• Jambo Café combines chef/owner Ahmed Obo?s native Kenyan cuisine with a touch of the Caribbean.

• Del Charro Saloon offers the least expensive burgers (outside of a national chain) in town and also features a $5 daily special.

• Bumble Bee?s Baja Grill offers fresh Baja-inspired Mexican food at reasonable prices.

• Harry?s Roadhouse is always bustling with both locals and tourists. Go for the specials (if they appeal) on their extensive and eclectic menu.

Harry’s Roadhouse

Pizza is always a great option for filling up without breaking the bank.

• Rooftop Pizzeria specializing in thin-crusted, gourmet pizzas.
• Pizza Centro draws diners with their New York inspired pies.
• Pizza Espiritu offering what they call ?a taste of heaven? and I call some really great pizza.

Budget breakers, but worth it:

• Restaurant Martin, Chef Martin Rios? realization of his dream showcases his strong commitment to consistently turning out fresh, seasonal food.

• Epazote?s chef/owner, Fernando Olea is intrigued by the flavors unique to the southwest, Mexico, Central and South America. His ?inspired New World Cuisine? showcases his innovative approach to these foods and flavors.

• Chef James Campbell Caruso?s La Boca is a popular local spot for traditional and contemporary tapas.

Food stands, carts and trailers:

We love dining on street food and there are a lot of stands and trucks to choose from A few favorites are:

• Roque?s Carnitas, a seasonal stand in the Plaza has been drawing visitors and locals for over 25 years.

• Le Pod, offers crepes, French style hotdogs and other taste treats served from an Airstream trailer parked at the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. They are only open Monday through Friday.

• El Chile Toreado, a burrito/taco stand on Cordova west of St. Francis Drive, serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

• Callie?s Cajun usually parked on Old Los Vegas Highway at night brings a taste of New Orleans to the southwest.

Roques Carnitas

Breakfast in Santa Fe is a real treat.

If you can handle spice early in the day, try the local version of the breakfast burrito; huge cylinders of eggs, potatoes, the meat of your choice and cheese smothered in green or red chile.

On the go? Try the hand-held version. Not adventurous, there?s always traditional American fare, too.

A few of our favorite breakfast spots are:

• The Pantry has been cooking up New Mexican style food for over 50 years. Try the Huevos Consuelo, a mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic and spicy yellow peppers.

• The unpretentious Tia Sophia?s isone of the power breakfast spots in town. The Huevos Rancheros is hot seller.

• Tecolote Café is another popular breakfast hangout. Their motto: ?Great Breakfasts, No Toast.? Instead they offer their house made bread basket or tortillas. Go for the basket. They are a contender for best breakfast potatoes in town.

• Café Pasqual?s is a destination dining spot for breakfast lunch and dinner. Be prepared to wait. Try the Smoked Trout Hash.

• If a European café is more your style, Clafoutis and the Swiss Bakery and Pastry Shop are great bets.

You can?t visit Santa Fe without eating ________ ?

The local Northern New Mexican (Norteño) cuisine. This piquant fare is based on the chile pepper, the official state vegetable. The unofficial state question: ?red or green,? is asking which type of chile you want your food smothered in. If you answer ?Christmas,? you?ll get both.

Great and reasonably priced places to sample New Mexican food:

• Tia Sophia?s is a popular downtown spot for breakfast or lunch.

• The Shed has been serving up the local fare for over forty years. Expect a wait. They do accept dinner reservations, make them well in advance. Their sister restaurant La Choza isin the trendy Railyard district.

• Maria?s New Mexican Kitchen (famous for their 100 item margarita menu) is also popular

Where to Drink?

While here, you have to have a margarita; they are everywhere.

The seasonal Coyote Café?s Rooftop Cantina is another great spot for margaritas and bite to eat.

In summer, the Bell Tower Bar at the historic La Fonda Hotel is the place in town to enjoy a spectacular sunset with your drink.

New Mexico Sunset

If you are in the mood for a drive, the terrace and bar at Terra at Encantado, An Auberge Resort, offers panoramic views of the Jemez Mountains to the west and great food. It?s a chic spot catering to a well-heeled crowd and you may spot a famous face.

For a real, down-home bar, Evangelo?s is the place. If it looks familiar, it may be. Jeff Bridges sang there in the movie, Crazy Heart. He also sat in with bands occasionally when he was in town filming.

Santa Fe also has a number of brew pubs offering locally crafted beers and a number of good wine bars. Try Marble Brewery, Blue Corn Brewery or the Second Street Brewery, either at their original Second Street location or at their popular Railyard location.

Patio at Terra at Encantado

Where to Stay?

When it comes to lodging, Santa Fe is not an inexpensive town. The most budget friendly option is camping, but unless you?re a diehard, it?s a limited season.

Cerrillos Road, the main commercial drag, offers the usual line-up of chain motels. Staying here will be easier on your wallet, but you?ll miss the charm of the city. Out here you could be in Anytown, USA, except all our motels are coated in stucco to look like adobe.

If you can afford it, stay in the downtown Plaza area, you?ll feel like you?re in Santa Fe plus you?ll be in walking distance to a lot of what you want to see.

High End:

Two AAA Four Diamond Rosewood?s Inn of the Anasazi and the Inn and Spa at Loretto attract well-heeled guests as does the Relais and Chateaux, Inn of the Five Graces. Each has a distinct character and it?s important to figure out which works for you.

If you want to get out of town for a more relaxing experience, historic Bishop?s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa and the AAA Five Diamond Encantado, an Auberge Resort offer quiet, country getaways.

Moderate:

Still in the Plaza area, and offering Santa Fe charm at moderate (for Santa Fe) prices:

• Inn on the Alameda offers guests a warm welcome and a great breakfast buffet.

• Old Santa Fe Inn is a locally owned, more upscale motel.

• El Paradero offers the charm and personal attention you expect in a bed and breakfast.

Inn Five Graces courtyard

?Budget? options:

• El Rey Inn and the Silver Saddle Motelboth offer vintage accommodations on Historic pre-1937) Route 66.

• The Sage Inn, walking distance to the Railyard District and about a fifteen minute walk to the Plaza, offers no frills digs. They also provide van service into town for their guests.

Any Markets or Shopping Districts Worth a Visit?

Santa Fe is a shopping town. While there is a bit of everything; The City Different is the place to buy cowboy boots, silver and turquoise Native American jewelry as well as any indigenous and Spanish Colonial art, or any art, for that matter.

Four not to miss areas:

• Downtown Plaza area has wall to wall boutiques selling anything from tacky souvenirs to upscale clothing, art and more.

• Railyard and Guadalupe Districts west of the Plaza have a variety of shopping options. Two of the best resale shops in town are here.

• The quirky Double Take is a great source for vintage cowboy boots and western wear, vintage Native American and Mexican jewelry and more.

• Local women in the know have been shopping The Beat Goes On for years.

• Canyon Road sprinkled in among the town?s largest concentration of galleries are some not-to-be-missed (and mostly upscale) shops.

Insider shopping tips.

1. Watch out for Native American reproductions from China and other places, the town are rife with them.
2. Check out the museum shops. They are sometimes less pricy and you know you are getting the real deal. T
3. here are great resale shops (besides the two mentioned above) around town that offer women?s clothing, jewelry and decorative items.
   

   Spanish market

Major Events and Festivals Throughout the Year?

Burning of Zozobra at the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe, the oldest fiesta in the USA, is a big draw. The three major summer markets in summer draw tens of thousands of people to town.

Both the International Folk Art Market and Spanish Market are in July.

Indian Market in August is the biggest and oldest of the three.

Wine and Chile Fiesta in late September is a major culinary event. Some of the town?s best chefs partner with major vintners and wine distributors throughout the country.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week, a new event on the scene, in March offers foodies some great dining bargains.

Best Way to Get Around?

Walking is a great option for getting around town if you stay in the downtown area.

Santa Fe Trails provides inexpensive bus service around the city. If you want to get out of town at all, a car is essential. Santa Fe has one cab company and you have to call for a ride, you don?t hail them.

Is Santa Fe Wi-Fi friendly?

There are coffee houses all around town that have free Wi-Fi. The Washington Avenue Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library a block from the historic Plaza is a convenient place to connect.

Many of the hotels and motels offer free Wi-Fi.

Best Time of Year to Visit

My favorite seasons here are spring and fall. Fall can still be a bit crowded meaning higher lodging rates.

Mid-May is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe. It?s before the summer season gets going, the weather is great and hotel rates tend to be less expensive.

Favorite Side trip Away from City?

To get a sense of Santa Fe?s first people, I highly recommend a day-trip to a pueblo ancestral site. My favorite is the Puye Cliffs as I had a transcendent experience there. Puye, part of the Santa Clara Pueblo, can only be seen via guided tour.

Puye Cliffs

You can also visit the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument or Tsankawi (part of Bandelier) on your own.

Or visit one of the two currently-occupied historic Pueblos in the area. Both the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Sky City have been inhabited for about 1,000 years.

Chimayó, on the scenic High Road to Taos is a trip back in time.

Explore El Sanctuario de Chimayó, a church famous for healing miracles. Stroll through the galleries and shops; the town is famous for its weaving style passed down through families for generations.

Stop for a New Mexican lunch at Rancho de Chimayó, a local favorite, run by the Jaramillo family for over 40 years.

You can continue up the High Road through villages that go back as much as 400 years. As late as the 1960s, people here spoke a Spanish dialect that lent itself more to ancient Castile than modern day Spain or Mexico.

Taos, at the end of the High Road, is a popular day-trip for visitors to Santa Fe. It?s a town with a lot of history. If you take the Low Road, you?ll have more time to spend exploring the area.

Getting There and Away?

The best place to fly into is Albuquerque, about an hour south of Santa Fe. Usually, the best fares can be found on Southwest Airlines.

Rent a car or take a shuttle (advance reservations strongly recommended, especially in season). There are limited commercial flights into Santa Fe Municipal Airport via American Eagle.

Amtrak stops in Lamy, about a half-hour from town. You can take a shuttle (again reserve in advance) from there. It also stops in Albuquerque/ You can take the New Mexico Railrunner, light rail train service, from there.

Best ?insiders? tips for travellers?

Be prepared for a mañana pace, after all, we have Mexico in our name. It?s 7,000 feet above sea level and very arid here. Because of this combination, some people experience mild altitude sickness.

To minimize or avoid this, drink LOTS of water. Also, because the air is thin and we?re closer to the sun than you may be used to, a hat and sunscreen are musts.

I love Santa Fe because ______ ?

it?s one of two places on earth (the other is Ireland) where my soul feels like it has come home.

BIO: Santa Fe based freelance writer and former concierge Billie Frank writes extensively about Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico for her blog Santa Fe Travelers. A former print journalist, she is a contributor to other online publications focusing on food and travel a Contributing Editor at Travel Squire.

Billie was a consultant and contributor for DK Eyewitness Travel?s 2012 revision of the Top 10 Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque guide. She is co-owner of a trip planning and tour business The Santa Fe Traveler, designing unique experiences for visitors to Santa Fe. You can find Billie on Facebook and on Twitter.

Source: http://www.ytravelblog.com/what-to-do-in-santa-fe/

Hotel discounts Military discounts Enterprise car rental coupons discounts Petland discounts

Condé Nast Traveller have announced their Hot List for 2012 with the latest annual batch of fabulous worldwide hotels getting some coveted recognition. The publication is one of the most influential and widely read in the luxury travel industry ? and from our perspective it?s nice to see some of our personal favourites taking pride of price amongst the elite. I?ve picked out three from the total list of 60 for a special mention.

Fusion Maia, Da Nang, Vietnam

This little gem takes pride of place on the Hot List ? but you might not realise it?s a luxury hotel from the outside. The tall granite walls lend home to 87 private-pool suites and villas, but the real seller here is that unlimited spa treatments are included in the room rate. Special features of the guest rooms include an L-shaped designed bedroom with rain shower, sunken stone bathtub, outdoor courtyard and plunge pool. A fabulous addition for Vietnam.

Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, Maldives

This exotic, magical retreat encapsulates everything that the Maldives is about with its serene isolation, barefoot luxury, stilted lagoon villas and panoramic island beauty at every single turn. Guests benefit from personal butler service, a private pool and secluded stretch of beach for all room types. If staying here, you?ll struggle not to fall in love with the Maldives.

Four Seasons, Marrakech

Marrakech is blessed by many stunning riad inspired hotels and palaces, and this Four Seasons branded offering pays perfect homage to Moorish architecture with its charming collection of restaurants and laid back family friendly atmosphere. Having opened last June, the hotel is expected to rival previous Condé Nast favourite Royal Mansour and Sir Richard Branson?s Kasbah Tamadot as a leading hotel of the region.

You can view the full Condé Nast Hot List for 2012 here.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Source: http://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2012/05/14/3-choice-picks-from-the-conde-nast-hot-list-2012/

Discount school supply Discounts Discounts jungle Discounts on gift cards

San Miguel Mission

Are you looking for travel tips on what to do in Santa Fe?

As part of our ?Travel Tips? series, we interviewed Billie Frank who has been living in Santa Fe since 2004.

Billie shares with us her insider travel tips and knowledge on what to do in Santa Fe for those looking for the best places to see, eat, stay, drink, and explore.

Take it away Billie?

Why Visit Santa Fe?

Santa Fe is magical. The high desert with its beautiful mountains, rock formations and stunning sunsets is part of it. Some of it comes from the synergy created by the intermingling of the three distinct cultures, the Native Americans, the Hispanics and the Anglo that call the area home.

It?s the second oldest city in the United States and at 7,000 feet above sea level, the highest capital city in the country. There?s an Old World feeling and a palpable sense of history.

Best Things to See and Do?

Definitely walk around the downtown historic area. I highly recommend a guided walking tour. A knowledgeable guide can share the city?s rich history.

Or, you can do it yourself. Explore the narrow streets with their intriguing nooks and crannies.

Historic Sites:

The oldest house and oldest church in the US. The Palace of the Governors, the oldest government building in the USA. Under the building?s portal (the overhang) you can buy Native American handcrafts as a souvenir of your visit, directly from the artisans who crafted them.

Galleries and Museums:

Santa Fe, the third largest art market in the US (an amazing accomplishment for a city of a little over 70,000 people), has been attracting artists for over a century. Visit some of the over 200 galleries and 10 museums scattered around town.

My favorite museums: Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and International Folk Art Museum

Best Neighborhoods to Explore?

Barrio Analco is the oldest neighborhood in town, home to the oldest church and what is said to be the oldest house in the country.

Canyon Road, home to around 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants has some of the most historic buildings in town, including great of Territorial and Pueblo Revival architecture.

Acequia Madre (meaning mother ditch), just to the south of Canyon Road, is another great old street to explore. Irrigation ditches, a necessity for high desert farming, date back over 400 years, this one dates to 1610. (This effective system was immortalized in John Nichols? book The Milagro Bean Field Wars, later a Robert Redford film.) Don?t miss the narrow roads and alleys that wind off this old byway.

Railyard District is the trendiest neighborhood in town and home to galleries, shops, restaurants and the fabulous Santa Fe Farmers Market. It seamlessly transitions to the Guadalupe District just to the north.

Where to Eat?

Santa Fe is a foodie?s town. One of the things I love is the high level commitment to fresh and local in many restaurants.

Budget Dining options:

• Jambo Café combines chef/owner Ahmed Obo?s native Kenyan cuisine with a touch of the Caribbean.

• Del Charro Saloon offers the least expensive burgers (outside of a national chain) in town and also features a $5 daily special.

• Bumble Bee?s Baja Grill offers fresh Baja-inspired Mexican food at reasonable prices.

• Harry?s Roadhouse is always bustling with both locals and tourists. Go for the specials (if they appeal) on their extensive and eclectic menu.

Harry’s Roadhouse

Pizza is always a great option for filling up without breaking the bank.

• Rooftop Pizzeria specializing in thin-crusted, gourmet pizzas.
• Pizza Centro draws diners with their New York inspired pies.
• Pizza Espiritu offering what they call ?a taste of heaven? and I call some really great pizza.

Budget breakers, but worth it:

• Restaurant Martin, Chef Martin Rios? realization of his dream showcases his strong commitment to consistently turning out fresh, seasonal food.

• Epazote?s chef/owner, Fernando Olea is intrigued by the flavors unique to the southwest, Mexico, Central and South America. His ?inspired New World Cuisine? showcases his innovative approach to these foods and flavors.

• Chef James Campbell Caruso?s La Boca is a popular local spot for traditional and contemporary tapas.

Food stands, carts and trailers:

We love dining on street food and there are a lot of stands and trucks to choose from A few favorites are:

• Roque?s Carnitas, a seasonal stand in the Plaza has been drawing visitors and locals for over 25 years.

• Le Pod, offers crepes, French style hotdogs and other taste treats served from an Airstream trailer parked at the corner of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. They are only open Monday through Friday.

• El Chile Toreado, a burrito/taco stand on Cordova west of St. Francis Drive, serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday.

• Callie?s Cajun usually parked on Old Los Vegas Highway at night brings a taste of New Orleans to the southwest.

Roques Carnitas

Breakfast in Santa Fe is a real treat.

If you can handle spice early in the day, try the local version of the breakfast burrito; huge cylinders of eggs, potatoes, the meat of your choice and cheese smothered in green or red chile.

On the go? Try the hand-held version. Not adventurous, there?s always traditional American fare, too.

A few of our favorite breakfast spots are:

• The Pantry has been cooking up New Mexican style food for over 50 years. Try the Huevos Consuelo, a mix of tomatoes, onions, garlic and spicy yellow peppers.

• The unpretentious Tia Sophia?s isone of the power breakfast spots in town. The Huevos Rancheros is hot seller.

• Tecolote Café is another popular breakfast hangout. Their motto: ?Great Breakfasts, No Toast.? Instead they offer their house made bread basket or tortillas. Go for the basket. They are a contender for best breakfast potatoes in town.

• Café Pasqual?s is a destination dining spot for breakfast lunch and dinner. Be prepared to wait. Try the Smoked Trout Hash.

• If a European café is more your style, Clafoutis and the Swiss Bakery and Pastry Shop are great bets.

You can?t visit Santa Fe without eating ________ ?

The local Northern New Mexican (Norteño) cuisine. This piquant fare is based on the chile pepper, the official state vegetable. The unofficial state question: ?red or green,? is asking which type of chile you want your food smothered in. If you answer ?Christmas,? you?ll get both.

Great and reasonably priced places to sample New Mexican food:

• Tia Sophia?s is a popular downtown spot for breakfast or lunch.

• The Shed has been serving up the local fare for over forty years. Expect a wait. They do accept dinner reservations, make them well in advance. Their sister restaurant La Choza isin the trendy Railyard district.

• Maria?s New Mexican Kitchen (famous for their 100 item margarita menu) is also popular

Where to Drink?

While here, you have to have a margarita; they are everywhere.

The seasonal Coyote Café?s Rooftop Cantina is another great spot for margaritas and bite to eat.

In summer, the Bell Tower Bar at the historic La Fonda Hotel is the place in town to enjoy a spectacular sunset with your drink.

New Mexico Sunset

If you are in the mood for a drive, the terrace and bar at Terra at Encantado, An Auberge Resort, offers panoramic views of the Jemez Mountains to the west and great food. It?s a chic spot catering to a well-heeled crowd and you may spot a famous face.

For a real, down-home bar, Evangelo?s is the place. If it looks familiar, it may be. Jeff Bridges sang there in the movie, Crazy Heart. He also sat in with bands occasionally when he was in town filming.

Santa Fe also has a number of brew pubs offering locally crafted beers and a number of good wine bars. Try Marble Brewery, Blue Corn Brewery or the Second Street Brewery, either at their original Second Street location or at their popular Railyard location.

Patio at Terra at Encantado

Where to Stay?

When it comes to lodging, Santa Fe is not an inexpensive town. The most budget friendly option is camping, but unless you?re a diehard, it?s a limited season.

Cerrillos Road, the main commercial drag, offers the usual line-up of chain motels. Staying here will be easier on your wallet, but you?ll miss the charm of the city. Out here you could be in Anytown, USA, except all our motels are coated in stucco to look like adobe.

If you can afford it, stay in the downtown Plaza area, you?ll feel like you?re in Santa Fe plus you?ll be in walking distance to a lot of what you want to see.

High End:

Two AAA Four Diamond Rosewood?s Inn of the Anasazi and the Inn and Spa at Loretto attract well-heeled guests as does the Relais and Chateaux, Inn of the Five Graces. Each has a distinct character and it?s important to figure out which works for you.

If you want to get out of town for a more relaxing experience, historic Bishop?s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa and the AAA Five Diamond Encantado, an Auberge Resort offer quiet, country getaways.

Moderate:

Still in the Plaza area, and offering Santa Fe charm at moderate (for Santa Fe) prices:

• Inn on the Alameda offers guests a warm welcome and a great breakfast buffet.

• Old Santa Fe Inn is a locally owned, more upscale motel.

• El Paradero offers the charm and personal attention you expect in a bed and breakfast.

Inn Five Graces courtyard

?Budget? options:

• El Rey Inn and the Silver Saddle Motelboth offer vintage accommodations on Historic pre-1937) Route 66.

• The Sage Inn, walking distance to the Railyard District and about a fifteen minute walk to the Plaza, offers no frills digs. They also provide van service into town for their guests.

Any Markets or Shopping Districts Worth a Visit?

Santa Fe is a shopping town. While there is a bit of everything; The City Different is the place to buy cowboy boots, silver and turquoise Native American jewelry as well as any indigenous and Spanish Colonial art, or any art, for that matter.

Four not to miss areas:

• Downtown Plaza area has wall to wall boutiques selling anything from tacky souvenirs to upscale clothing, art and more.

• Railyard and Guadalupe Districts west of the Plaza have a variety of shopping options. Two of the best resale shops in town are here.

• The quirky Double Take is a great source for vintage cowboy boots and western wear, vintage Native American and Mexican jewelry and more.

• Local women in the know have been shopping The Beat Goes On for years.

• Canyon Road sprinkled in among the town?s largest concentration of galleries are some not-to-be-missed (and mostly upscale) shops.

Insider shopping tips.

1. Watch out for Native American reproductions from China and other places, the town are rife with them.
2. Check out the museum shops. They are sometimes less pricy and you know you are getting the real deal. T
3. here are great resale shops (besides the two mentioned above) around town that offer women?s clothing, jewelry and decorative items.
   

   Spanish market

Major Events and Festivals Throughout the Year?

Burning of Zozobra at the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe, the oldest fiesta in the USA, is a big draw. The three major summer markets in summer draw tens of thousands of people to town.

Both the International Folk Art Market and Spanish Market are in July.

Indian Market in August is the biggest and oldest of the three.

Wine and Chile Fiesta in late September is a major culinary event. Some of the town?s best chefs partner with major vintners and wine distributors throughout the country.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week, a new event on the scene, in March offers foodies some great dining bargains.

Best Way to Get Around?

Walking is a great option for getting around town if you stay in the downtown area.

Santa Fe Trails provides inexpensive bus service around the city. If you want to get out of town at all, a car is essential. Santa Fe has one cab company and you have to call for a ride, you don?t hail them.

Is Santa Fe Wi-Fi friendly?

There are coffee houses all around town that have free Wi-Fi. The Washington Avenue Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library a block from the historic Plaza is a convenient place to connect.

Many of the hotels and motels offer free Wi-Fi.

Best Time of Year to Visit

My favorite seasons here are spring and fall. Fall can still be a bit crowded meaning higher lodging rates.

Mid-May is the perfect time to visit Santa Fe. It?s before the summer season gets going, the weather is great and hotel rates tend to be less expensive.

Favorite Side trip Away from City?

To get a sense of Santa Fe?s first people, I highly recommend a day-trip to a pueblo ancestral site. My favorite is the Puye Cliffs as I had a transcendent experience there. Puye, part of the Santa Clara Pueblo, can only be seen via guided tour.

Puye Cliffs

You can also visit the cliff dwellings at Bandelier National Monument or Tsankawi (part of Bandelier) on your own.

Or visit one of the two currently-occupied historic Pueblos in the area. Both the Taos Pueblo and Acoma Sky City have been inhabited for about 1,000 years.

Chimayó, on the scenic High Road to Taos is a trip back in time.

Explore El Sanctuario de Chimayó, a church famous for healing miracles. Stroll through the galleries and shops; the town is famous for its weaving style passed down through families for generations.

Stop for a New Mexican lunch at Rancho de Chimayó, a local favorite, run by the Jaramillo family for over 40 years.

You can continue up the High Road through villages that go back as much as 400 years. As late as the 1960s, people here spoke a Spanish dialect that lent itself more to ancient Castile than modern day Spain or Mexico.

Taos, at the end of the High Road, is a popular day-trip for visitors to Santa Fe. It?s a town with a lot of history. If you take the Low Road, you?ll have more time to spend exploring the area.

Getting There and Away?

The best place to fly into is Albuquerque, about an hour south of Santa Fe. Usually, the best fares can be found on Southwest Airlines.

Rent a car or take a shuttle (advance reservations strongly recommended, especially in season). There are limited commercial flights into Santa Fe Municipal Airport via American Eagle.

Amtrak stops in Lamy, about a half-hour from town. You can take a shuttle (again reserve in advance) from there. It also stops in Albuquerque/ You can take the New Mexico Railrunner, light rail train service, from there.

Best ?insiders? tips for travellers?

Be prepared for a mañana pace, after all, we have Mexico in our name. It?s 7,000 feet above sea level and very arid here. Because of this combination, some people experience mild altitude sickness.

To minimize or avoid this, drink LOTS of water. Also, because the air is thin and we?re closer to the sun than you may be used to, a hat and sunscreen are musts.

I love Santa Fe because ______ ?

it?s one of two places on earth (the other is Ireland) where my soul feels like it has come home.

BIO: Santa Fe based freelance writer and former concierge Billie Frank writes extensively about Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico for her blog Santa Fe Travelers. A former print journalist, she is a contributor to other online publications focusing on food and travel a Contributing Editor at Travel Squire.

Billie was a consultant and contributor for DK Eyewitness Travel?s 2012 revision of the Top 10 Santa Fe, Taos and Albuquerque guide. She is co-owner of a trip planning and tour business The Santa Fe Traveler, designing unique experiences for visitors to Santa Fe. You can find Billie on Facebook and on Twitter.

Source: http://www.ytravelblog.com/what-to-do-in-santa-fe/

Discounts on gift cards Discounts for ibmers Discounts on ipad 2 Discounts for teachers