I went to Paris, thinking I’d visit museums and historic sites.

Instead I happened upon the  summer solstice on June 21st, the “Fete de la Musique” – one of the best free, street-music festivals in Europe.

The mood was electric and I got a taste of authentic Paris culture and performances of everything from opera, jazz and rock to hip-hop and electronic music.

The music starts early afternoon in some of the city’s parks and museum courtyards.  I stumbled upon a classical music orchestra in the formal courtyard of Luxembourg Palace. Three concerts at the bandstand in Luxembourg Garden started at 2PM.

Well before dusk, musicians start setting up and connoisseurs pour out into the streets.

Then music takes over.

I joined Karen, a friend who lives in Paris and we wandered through the city; starting with red wine at an outdoor cafe on Rue de Bucci near St. Germain des Pres while listening to a three-man jazz band. Then we moved on and found different musical styles and street parties on every street corner, down every alley and boulevard.

On the Ile St. Louis we sat along the water’s edge and listened to drum music and saxophones from both banks.

We ended at Place des Vosges in the Marais where a choir sang and people held sheet music and joined in.

Under one of the arches a costumed man sang opera as the crowd sat on the curbs in silent appreciation.

Don’t miss the Fete de la musique on any June trip to Paris.

And as the John Steinbeck quote (below) indicates, the trip took me.

“A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless.
We find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us”.

-John Steinbeck-

Cruising with Mickey

My Mickey ears were cast aside in my teens when I graduated to American Band Stand and Woodstock.

Later in life, as a parent, I bought new ears on our numerous family visits to the Disney parks, but I thought our Disney days were over when our daughters reached their teen years. Not so!

A few years ago we took a cruise we’ll never forget. Our teens begged us to spare them the excruciatingly long visits to museums and cultural sites of previous trips to Europe.

They wanted two things: to hang out with other teens and to swim in warm water, in a hot climate.

Dad wanted a stress-free getaway, time to relax and read books. I wanted to see my family happy, and hopefully I wouldn’t have to cook any meals. I even dreamed about a day at a spa. What could we do, in one week, to satisfy everyone?

“What about a cruise?” my husband suggested. Typical of teens, my girls, age 14 and 17, rolled their eyes and made jokes about floating geriatric wards. I started researching family cruises.

Disney came to the rescue. We booked the West Coast cruise, sailing from Los Angeles with stops in Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.

We booked the Mexican cruise in a Mickey milli-second and didn’t give it another thought until we started to pack, when we began to have serious doubts. How much Mickey Mouse is too much? Would we be fed-up with endless Disney magic, oceans of little kids and Goofy, Cinderella and Donald making guest appearances? We wondered if we adults could get away from it all, and questioned if there be enough personal space for four of us in one stateroom.

We knew from previous cruising experiences that your stateroom is your private retreat on the sea — it is more than a place to sleep. How would we ever manage with one bathroom and two teen girls? Our fears were unfounded. Our stateroom was really two rooms in one, with a privacy divider down the middle and a large verandah. my husband and I took over the queen-size bed, and on the other side of the divider, the girls occupied a convertible sofa, and a wall pull-down bed. There was plenty of space to store our clothes. My favorite feature was a split bath; one bathroom with a shower and sink, and another with a sink and restroom plumbing. Amazingly enough, even when all four of us were dressing for dinner or an evening show, we had no problems thanks to the two bathrooms and the privacy divider between the sleep areas. No waiting for someone to finish shaving or using the hair dryer before you could shower.

In no time, the girls discovered the “teens-only” hangout, high up in the ship’s funnel with a view of everything on deck. The place is packed with music, video games, TVs, a lounge area, Internet access and lots of other kids. It’s the hub for everyone from 13 to 17 to kick back, get away, party and chill with other teens from around the planet.

All day long and well past midnight, they hung out with their friends and joined supervised activities, like dodge ball, deck hockey, on the sports deck, “gotcha” (survival of the cleverest, or sneakiest), “go fetch” (ship-wide treasure hunts), splash down pool parties and midnight to 2 a.m. dance parties.

That’s right, at midnight, when parents go to bed the teens take over one of the nightclubs and blast their own music, dance and create mayhem. Sound wild? Not really, the kids are safely supervised by crew and hey, on a ship with 1,500 parents, and over 1,000 crew members, there are 5,000 eyes watching your teens. Disney doesn’t screw up, and in a gentle manner, they make sure your kids don’t either.

Where were all the rest of the kids? .The younger ones? They were splashing around in two kids’ pools or in one of the clubs. Stretching nearly an entire deck of the ship, children’s clubs, open every day from 9 a.m. until midnight, feature supervised activities for five age-specific groups. The Founder’s Reef Nursery is for ages 3 months to 3 years. The Oceaneer Club is themed like Captain Hook’s pirate ship, offering a play area with slide and rope bridge, a “captain’s closet” filled with costumes, toys and games and open areas for arts, crafts and movie watching. Counselors keep tots entertained with activities ranging from dance parties, songs and dances with Snow White, a detective school, tea with Wendy, (Peter Pan’s pal) and for the older kids, an interactive science lab, space men and rocket games. Parents can enjoy the ship “worry-free”, thanks to a pager given to them, so if a child wants to see their parents, they can be beeped at anytime.

Disney caters to children of all ages. The ship was filled with grandparents with grandchildren and large multi-generational families, ranging in age from 1 to 81.

A special feature of the Disney cruises is the dining arrangement. Dinners are served at 6:30 and 8:30 pm in one of three themed family dining areas. Over a three day period, we had dinner in a different restaurant each night, while our attentive, personable waiters remained with us, also rotating to different restaurants.

One evening at dinner we were given red bandanas to wear to the Pirates of the Caribbean Deck party. Little pirates wore more elaborate costumes, with plumed hats, eye patches and plastic swords. Under a full moon, a band rocked the decks while hundreds of pirates of all ages danced and sang. Fireworks capped off the magical night.

Disney characters still entrance visitors with surprise appearances. Much to our surprise, our teens jumped up and hugged Mickey when he stopped at our table, and yes, we had lots of photos taken with him. Dozens of young children squealed in delight when the Disney characters visited their tables. At times like this, we reveled in the escape from a real-world environment.

Did my husband and I find time to relax and be together, away from the razzamatazz of the Disney activities? Yes, for many quiet hours we relaxed on deck chairs, forward or aft, or on our verandah, far from Mickey the little ones. One afternoon we saw whales spouting and dolphins playing in the surf. One evening we dined on exquisite Northern Italian cuisine, with a delicious Oregon Pinot Noir at the elegant and peaceful Palo, the adults’ only restaurant. Another day, seated by the window and sweeping ocean views, we indulged in a champagne brunch at Palo. For a $10 cover charge, any adult wishing to avoid family dining can opt to eat at this upscale adult-only restaurant, but advance reservations are necessary.

We kicked back at the quiet cove pool, reserved for guests 18 and over. Several evenings, around 6 p.m., after sweating it out on the machines in the fitness center (also for adults only); I finished my work out with a swim and a dip in the whirlpools, nearly deserted at the sunset hour. One afternoon I made a blissful escape to the Spa and luxuriated in a massage and facial.

The theater provides a 977-seat showplace of state-of-the-art sound, lighting, staging and set design. The curtain is lifted after the sun drops and original Disney musicals, variety acts and films entertain all ages. A new show, “Twice Charmed: a Twist on the Cinderella Story” was a fairy tale with lavish costumes, sets, special effects, new songs and familiar Disney songs. As you might expect, there is no casino on board. However, adults can find a variety of evening entertainment in a number of lounges and nightclubs.

Our shore excursions were anti-climatic compared to the onboard activities and fun with new friends. my husband and daughter, the 17-year-old went deep sea fishing in Cabo. JC, the only female aboard, caught the only fish, a four-foot tuna, which she named “Arnold, the Governor”.

As we watched the scarlet sunset over the Pacific Ocean on our last evening at sea, we admitted that, despite our misgivings, we were touched by the “Disney Magic”. We wondered if we should we have done this cruise when the kids were younger. Although our teens had a blast, we agreed that perhaps, we’d come again someday, when we have grandchildren and we’d hug Mickey and dress up and dance together under the full moon at the Pirates party.

Don’t be put off by the name or the location, Mama Shelter, nestled into the  20^th arrondissement, is one of the trendiest hotels I’ve discovered in terms of quality and price (89 Euro).  The lobby, rooms, lively  bar and bistro are tres chic with a guests to match.

On my last trip to Paris I couldn’t help but bask in the “cool” factor of the 172-room hotel. The overall design is eclectic and electric – all concrete walls and art, design and photography coffee-table books lying around on antique furniture.

On the ground floor the bar, pizzeria, and bistro are the places to be seen and to see the trendy Parisians who are there drinking, dining and dancing.  Enjoy the creative cocktails and fabulous food and I dare you to finish the moules/frites or the decadent desserts.

The rooms are small and simple with black walls and a stylish decor illuminated by bedside lamps made of fluorescent tubes covered by Chewbacca masks. All rooms have an  iMac with TV, free films, radio, WiFi, microwave, minibar and a bathroom equipped with Kiehls shampoo and coriander body wash.

The tourist attraction in this area is the famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery, a five-minute walk from the hotel. I wandered among the tombstones and mausoleums, got lost twice, and finally found the resting places of Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf  and Oscar Wilde. Rock and Roll fans from around the world crowd into the narrow paths around Morrison’s tomb.

The hotel’s location in the 20^th arrondissement isn’t close to the tourist sites.  It is only an 10-minute walk to the nearest Metro or about a $25 taxi-ride to Notre Dame or the St. German des Pres area.  If you eat and drink in the hotel and take taxis everywhere you may end up spending more than your savings.

Mama Shelter has received good reviews in the New York Times, Frommers’ Guides and on CNBC.

Perhaps this is not the hotel for your first visit to Paris, but very good for the price.

Rumors have it that additional Mama Shelters will open soon in Marseille, Bordeaux and New York City.

www.mamashelter.com

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/travel/22check.html

My first impression of Switzerland was the clean, invigorating Alpine air and incredible mountain scenery. But I was looking for high-adrenoline adventure.

Thrill and terror cliff jumping in a snow storm.

After our 8-hour bus ride from Florence with lots of other students, we checked into a spotless student hostel and bundled up for snow fun.

The modern network of cog railways and cable cars whisked us up the mountain for a thrilling  sled ride down. We wore necklaces of lights in the pitch-black night so the only thing we could see where the black silhouettes of the mountain giants around us and the twinkling of our necklaces.

Free-falling before the rope stops me.

Then we were towed up the mountain to a Heidi-like wood chalet for cheese fondu and Swiss wine or beer.

Interlaken is an adventurers paradise; bungee jump, cliff jump, ski, paraglide, or take a zip wire over glacier crevasses, or glide along the ski runs above Grundelwalk at up to 50 mph.

On the platform moments before we jumped.

If a lover is not part of your life right now, join the crowd! I spent many, many years without a significant other and I learned to “turn off” all the Valentine’s Day babble and Hallmark messaging. I either went out with friends or bought a special take-out dinner and luxuriated in a long bubble bath.

If you still want to celebrate, here are tips to make it fun.

Valentine's Day Alternatives for Singles

• Avoid romantic “date” movies completely
• Avoid love songs and turn the dance music up
• Buy yourself a box of your favorite chocolates – at least you get to choose exactly what you want this way!
• Do something you’ve never done before – horseback riding, take salsa dance classes or go bungee jumping!
• Take some flowers to a local nursing home or hospital and make someone else’s day who may be alone at this time
• Play cupid and send an anonymous gift to someone in the same situation as you
• Skip dinner at a fancy restaurant. Select a lively bistro or place to sit at the counter.
• Go to a comedy club. You can bet that on this night of all nights there will be lots of jabs at married life and disastrous relationships.
• Book a Spa Treatment at 7 or 8pm and then finish the evening at a lively bar for light hors d’oeuvres and a fun cocktail.
• Send a card or email to all the Valentines in your life; family and friends. They’ll appreciate being remembered and it’ll remind you of all the love you have in your life.

As my mother always reminded me, when I complained:

“It’s better to be alone than to wish you were alone.”

A girlfriend and I were recently on Fifth Avenue in the heart of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter looking for a bar. Actually, we were surrounded by bars – throbbing music, dancing disco lights and crowds of pretty party people.

A prohibition bartender similar to those in speakeasy bars. Photo and story by Staff Blogger Alison DaRosa.

But we were looking for a secret place, a prohibition-style underground speakeasy.  We had an address.  Finally, we found it above a nondescript door that read “Law Office – Eddie O‘Hare Esq.” We rang the buzzer.

A beefy dark-haired guy in a black jacket opened the door a crack.  “Can I help you?” he asked.

My friend flashed the personalized e-tickets we’d printed out earlier in the day. “We’re on the guest list,” she added.  Beefy nodded, opened the door a few inches wider and motioned us inside.

Feeling bootlegger cool, we headed down red carpeted stairs, banked by red walls, to the basement-level Prohibition lounge. Red lighting infused the scene with an edgy risqué feel.  Steamboat Willie and other late ’20s era cartoon characters silently cavorted on flatscreen TVs.  A slick jazz trio performed prohibition era tunes on a small stage; nobody danced. Music was loud enough to evoke vibe, but not so loud it competed with conversation.

There were maybe 40 people inside – in a wide range of ages.  No scruffy t-shirts or running shoes – but few designer labels, either. Men behaved, per house rules that prohibit  “unsolicited advances on female patrons.” The setting was comfortable, conducive to easy mingling.

Prohibition is about rediscovering (and reinventing) premium hand-made cocktails. Patrons crowded around the bar for a ringside show.

Mixologist Levi Walker had the finesse of a 5-star chef as he constructed my pisco sour. There’s not a blender in sight here. When Walker finished hand shaking my cocktail, he added a dash of Amargo Chuncho to the foamy top.  “Real Peruvian bitters,” he explained. “It’s made from barks, roots and flowers that grow in the Amazon. You can’t make a real pisco sour without it.”

Next, Walker dropped a straw into the concoction, keeping a finger over the sipping end to withdraw a taste of the drink.  He tasted, nodded approval, then served me his masterpiece.  Exquisite.  The straw-tasting was a routine repeated after each cocktail he mixed.

OK, so service may be a little slower here than in most Gaslamp bars – but fine art takes time. Most cocktails run around $12.

Secret speakeasys have become a not-so-secret trend. San Francisco, Boston, New York City and Charleston each have at least one.

Let us know about any you’ve visited and we’ll add them to the story.

San Diego’s Prohibition is open from 7 PM until 2 AM Thursdays through Saturdays. Find it at 548 Fifth Ave. in San Diego. Before you can get in, you’ll have to get on the speakeasy’s guest list. To do that, go to the bar’s Website: www.ProhibitionSD.com.  Click on “Guest List” and register. Occupancy is limited, so it’s wise to reserve in advance. Admission is free.

Staff Blogger, Alison DaRosa

Alison DaRosa is a six-time winner of the Lowell Thomas Gold Award for travel writing, the most prestigious prize in travel journalism.  She served 15 years as Travel Editor of the San Diego Union-Tribune before accepting a buyout and venturing into the E-world in 2008. She helped launch San Diego News Network (SDNN.com) and was the award-winning editor of its Travel Page.  She is the author of  “San Diego Essential Guide,” <http://sandiegoessentialguide.com/> a highly rated travel app for iPhones, iPads and Android devices.

I’ve worn all kinds of shoes while traveling to 90+ countries: flats, athletic shoes, boots, sandals and specialized walking shoes. Rarely have they been comfortable for my wide feet when I tested on the road.

Once in Lyon, France, my feet hurt so badly I bought an expensive pair of French Mephisto sandals. I still needed Band-Aids and moleskin for my blisters. When I got home I never wore them again. Thick, heavy shoes don’t pack well either.

Walking shoes have to have springy, soles that cushion every step, adjustable laces or straps because your foot changes size during the day. Slip on shoes are OK for short term wear, but a full day of walking in airports or a city demands a more specialized shoe.

Several months ago I discovered MBT shoes. Maybe you’ve seen nurses who stand all day or walkers in Europe wearing my new favorite shoes. I wore them at Thanksgiving and Christmas when I spent a lot of time standing on the hard kitchen floor at the stove or sink. In past years I’ve had lower back pain after standing so long. Not this year wearing MBT’s. I’ve  been surprised to return from long walks or hikes without tired or sore feet.

MBT is a footwear company in Switzerland who has been in business for 15 years and reputed to be the original physiological footwear company. What does that mean? MBTs high tech curved sole causes a slight instability as you stand that makes your body react by activating different muscles to balance. I admit, I felt wobbly the first time I put them on. It took me about two days to get used to them.  Wearing them I stand up straighter, have better posture, less achy lower back pain, and best of all, I can wear them walking for hours and hours with no discomfort. If I’m just standing still in them I tend to rock just a little, so I get a work-out the easy way.

According to their brochure “consumer feedback and research confirm that wearing MBTs can help to increase muscle activity leading to improved posture and balance and reduced lower back pain.”

They’re available at good shoe stores or online. I’m eying the new sandals and black flats/walking styles. *

******************************************

I think I found the perfect carry-on.

I wear out these black bags yearly. They’re big enough to hold all of your carry-on stuff: a book for reading, inflatable pillow, water bottle, soft socks and warm shawl, chocolate truffles, eye shield, ear plugs, head phones and toothbrush/toothpaste! Important qualities for travel carry on bag: it zips shut, the dark colors won’t show dirt or stains, and it has strong handles.

I really like the leather straps and washable black material. It’s important that you feel comfortable pushing the bag under the seat in front of you on the plane, so it can’t be too rigid or easily soiled.

I bought this bag at Target, but I’ve seen similar leather bags at Nordstrom’s and  Macy’s.

* By the way, MBT gave me a sample pair of shoes. And the rest is history.

The Weekend Before the Girls’ Yoga Retreat. Meeting in the Middle

So you’ve gone ahead and bitten the bullet. Your other half has eagerly proposed a weekend away and you’ve lovingly agreed to indulge him. The mission? A weekend at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, the Motor City. That’s right, even the name of your destination can’t disguise the fact that you’re in for 50+ hours of testosterone-fueled fun all in the name of love. Luckily, there’s more than one way to transform your would-be boys’ weekend into a relaxing retreat that even the most girlish of girlfriends can get down with.

Art gets Smart: Unique styles and sustainable design make the NAIAS an event that both sexes can appreciate.

The mission, should you choose to accept it. Before your wheels even hit the highway, you need to remind your inner diva that this weekend is not about you. Although you might wish that your significant other had taken advantage of this opportunity to get out of town with the boys and drool over some hot young cars, he evidently wanted to share this historic event with you. Don’t try to make the trip into something it’s not. The time will come for romantic getaways and quiet walks on the beach. Trust me- Detroit in January is NOT that time. Don’t set yourself up for a letdown by trying to force it. Accept that Mr. Right has things on his mind that somehow trump cuddling and candlelit dinners.

Don’t sweat the small stuff and Little things go a long way. Since you’ve already relinquished power over the big decisions like destination, entertainment and theme, capitalize on the small opportunities to make this trip your own. Make a playlist for the long drive and assemble a care package – snacks, drinks, magazines, trivia games- that will keep you entertained and conversational during highway hypnosis. Pick a restaurant and try something that’s new to both of you. Unpack upon arrival to feel like you’ve got your own tiny space in a cluttered hotel room. Stash a bottle of wine in your suitcase for an impromptu toast. There’s a million little ways to assert your enchanting self throughout your trip to boys’ town.

Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. I have to admit, when planning this trip I couldn’t help but Google “things to do in Detroit” and make a mental list of quaint and unique sights to see up north. Fortunately, I also knew that there was no way I would be able to talk Chris into visiting Detroit’s Eastern Market before popping over to the car show. Boys will be boys and, in my experience, they tend to be slightly unresponsive when discussing the subtle differences among local cheeses. You agreed to go to the car show, so don’t try to bait and switch now.

Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking. Take this opportunity to do all three. One of the most endearing parts about boys’ weekend is watching your significant other in his element. Rather than wander aimlessly and daydream about that Eastern Market and nearby art museum, ask questions and engage your partner. He’ll relish the chance to teach you about his hobby and you’ll reap the benefits of knowledge. Try to immerse yourself in his environment and you’ll learn a thing or two- like the meaning of that neon orange exclamation point that’s been flashing on your dashboard.

All a woman needs is a good bath, clean clothes, and for her hair to be combed. Although there’s more to life than dresses and tresses, I do have to agree that a good bath goes a long way. And just because you’ve resigned yourself to letting your man take the lead on this weekend’s entertainment planning doesn’t mean that you can’t still have a few blissful moments to yourself. Stealing some time alone will ensure that your vacation feels like a vacation and help both of you wind down a bit without being constantly underfoot. Take advantage of the Jacuzzi jets in your luxuriant hotel tub and turn up your iPod to drown out the melodious snoring coming from the bedroom. You’ll both emerge refreshed.

Above all, when traveling as a couple, you have to maintain the happy give and take that is a healthy relationship. Compromise is the name of the game and every once in a while you’ll inevitably find yourself buying two tickets to the 8 o’clock showing of the latest installment of The Fast and the Furious or spending your Sunday afternoon with wings and a beer. The important thing to remember is that you’re doing this all out of love and support and the knowledge that next weekend’s Yoga retreat at that rustic bed and breakfast will go down without a peep.

Meet Molly Dugan, GutsyTraveler’s new Cubical Correspondent.

From the shores of the mighty Ohio River to the booming metropolis of Lexington, Kentucky, Molly Dugan has the market on travel in the tri-state area. Once a barefoot wanderer throughout South America, Molly has temporarily traded mountains for manicures as she embarks on her most challenging adventure yet- wilderness survival in corporate America. Momentarily high-heeling her way through life, our cubical correspondent proves that you don’t have to go off the map to get out of the house.

Rome and the Vatican

I have to say that religious traditions in any country are a fascinating portrait of the local culture and a jumble of natives and tourists all scrambling towards the same goal. Italy, of course, is no different.

The Vatican Museum has miles of art galleries and celestial ceilings to view before you get to the masterpiece of Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel.

After we visited the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel last Sunday, we joined a huge crowd in the courtyard where we all waited to receive a blessing from the Pope, who appears at a little window.

The Pope has achieved both celestial and celebrity status here as his face graces every kind of trinket imaginable: ash trays, boxer shorts, calendars, beer mugs, coffee mugs and a multitude of rosaries that he evidently blessed.

Who would have guessed that the Pope was so enthusiastic about cigarettes, alcohol and underwear?

***** Click on the words Sistine Chapel to see a utube video. It’s an amazing bit of technology that you would never see in person, as you would never be alone in the chapel, unless you’re royalty or the Pope. It is always very crowded and of course you can’t see Michelangelo’sartwork close up as you can here.

This is especially spectacular if you have a large high-definition screen! There are too many details to view on an iPhone.