Unfinished Oktoberfest Beer Tent in Munich, Germany

Oktoberfest – from the humble beginnings of a Bavarian royal wedding has become the world’s largest fair. For 16-18 days each Fall, Munich, Germany is transformed into a boisterous city of beer “tents” (think temporary structures) big and small. Each tent serves only certified Oktoberfest Beers, which must be brewed within the city limits of Munich, and delicious Bavarian food. For the beer connoisseur in you this place is heaven, even the tents names are beautifully Bavarian!

The Café Kaiserschmarrn is the Oktoberfest-paradise for pastry-lovers, while the Münchner Knödelei serves an icon of Bavarian cuisine: the dumpling.

Another traditional meal you’ll find a lot of while strolling from tent to tent is roasted duck and chicken, Heimer’s is popular with the locals and we strongly suggest trying it.

Be sure to stay informed by stopping by the Schottenhamel tent, as all official Oktoberfest events are kicked off here.

From the midnight tapping of the first keg by the mayor of Munich until the traditional closing ceremonies Oktoberfest is a world-class party, so it naturally attracts some of the worlds most recognizable people. Everyone who is anyone is likely to be there, from sports stars to actors and actresses,

producers, models, and you can even expect to see a few modern members of Europe’s royalty.

Munich mayor taps the first keg of Oktoberfest

Long before the American release of Beerfest in 2006 Oktoberfest tents have been popping up across the United States. Many of the nations best festivals form in cities big and small.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Columbus, Ohio
Dever, Colorado
And several in California – San Fransisco, Bear Lake, Los Angeles

Whichever Oktoberfest you decide to attend you are sure you have a wonderful time. The atmosphere is welcoming and electric with everyone having a good time, but of course when large crowds and approximately 7,100,000 liters of beer are served there is bound to be a few dust-ups. We would like to remind you that these disagreements can often be defused before they get rowdy with a little bit of common courtesy (you’ll be amazed how fair saying, “I’m sorry, can I buy you a new stein?” will go). Besides, everyone is there for one reason – to have the time of their lives!

The State Fair of Texas is the largest state fair in the country by attendance – estimates consistently put the number above 3 million annually. Fair Park, Dallas (where the fair is held) is itself home to nine museums, six performance facilities (including the Cotton Bowl), a lagoon, and the largest Ferris wheel in North America.

Although the fair has been held at the historic Fair Park since 1886, in 1952 the official mascot was introduced. Meet Big Tex, a 52 ft tall cowboy who wears size 70 boots, a 75 gallon hat, and 284W/185L XXXXXL pair of Dickies! Expect Big Tex to greet you with a warm, “Howdy, folks!” when you enter, and he even speaks the fair’s announcements.

State Fair of Texas Sept. 30 – Oct. 23, 2011. Fair Park, Dallas, TX www.bigtex.com

The list of attractions at the fair is far to long to itemize here, but you can be sure to find all of your fair favorites you’ve come to expect from Texas. The park grounds are populated by mechanical bull rides, livestock exhibits, performances from local musicians, and a plethora of food venders plus much, much more. This year’s featured deep fried item: bubblegum! Make sure to check the calendar of events before heading over so you can make the most of your trip.

State Fair of Texas Daily Calendar

(click for full size)

There is ample parking if you and your family decide to drive, but we suggest taking public transportation. Here’s the information you’ll need, via Dallas Area Rapid Transit:

Passengers riding DART Rail and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) to downtown Dallas can transfer easily to the Green Line:

• Southbound Red and Blue Line passengers transfer to the Green Line at Pearl or St. Paul stations.
• Northbound Red and Blue Line passengers transfer to the Green Line at Akard Station.
• TRE passengers transfer to the Green Line at Victory Station.
  Departure times of the last TRE train to Fort Worth: Monday-Friday: 9:20 p.m. from Union Station and 9:24 p.m. from Victory Station. Saturdays and Sundays: 11:07 p.m. from Union Station and 11:12 p.m. from Victory Station.
• When you are ready to leave the fair, get back on the train or bus wherever you got off. Just put your trip in reverse and have a safe ride home.

Ever feel like dancing for hours on end while pressing up against thousands of fellow sweaty, smiling revelers?  Perhaps you picture flashing green and purple lasers overhead, or fog machines blotting out the stars above?  Is the music playing a combination of sidechains and 808s, evolving pads and LFO wobbles?  If your ears just perked up, then look into Electric Daisy Carnival, an electronic music festival series with dates across America.

What?:

Electric Daisy Carnival is a family of annual electronic music festivals that take place in multiple locations across the United States and Puerto Rico.  The most prominent of the 2011 fests takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, a venue with a capacity over 140,000.  Since 1997, Insomniac Events, a Los Angeles based promoter, has held an EDC at a variety of southern California venues, including the Shrine Auditorium and the Los Angeles Coliseum, and 2011 is the first year that Vegas will play host.  The festival features DJs and live bands playing cutting edge electronic music of all genres, and always attracts the top international talent.

Who?

Past headliners include trance luminaries Above & Beyond, Ferry Corsten and Armin van Buuren and prominent acts from other genres, such as Pendulum (Drum and Bass), Benny Benassi (House), David Guetta (House) and Infected Mushroom (Psytrance).  This year, the festival will be headlined by the king of trance, DJ Tiesto, along with Euro-house super group Swedish House Mafia, minimal mastermind Plastikman, dance-hall party boys Major Lazer and electro-indie rockers Empire of the Sun.  They are joined by a host of additional acts performing on six stages over three days.  For those not well versed in the whose-who of electronic music, I must remark that this list is truly impressive.  Van Buuren and Tiesto have held the title of #1 DJ in the world (bestowed by DJ Magazine, the accepted authority on the matter) a combined eight times and are major draws individually.  Plastikman is an alter-ego of famed minimal pioneer Ritchie Hawtin, and all of his rare performances include a cutting edge visual display.  I could go into detail about all of the groups and individuals performing this year, but instead I suggest heading to your favorite music source to check them out for yourself.  My fav? Pendulum, who combine heavy D&B beats with soaring vocals and metal guitar riffs.

Why?:

Electric Daisy Carnival began as a fairly niche event, catering to a small selection of American electronic music fans.  However, as electronic music’s popularity has exploded in the US, EDC and other large-scale rave events have become major destinations for enthusiasts the world over.  Fans pack shoulder to shoulder (and often closer) to dance the night away and take in fantastic light and laser shows accompanying the throbbing basses and ripping snares.  Contrary to popular media images, ravers come from all backgrounds and are a very diverse group, sharing love of music and the principle of PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect).  While it is true that many attendees use illegal substances to augment their experiences, the vast majority come to enjoy the show safely and responsibly.

How?:

The 2011 festival takes place from June 24^th-26^th at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with music running from 8pm to 6am.  Tickets for all three days can be purchased here and hotel reservations can be booked here.  The event is expected to sell out, so it is advisable to purchase tickets ASAP!

Camp Creek Golf Club– Tom Fazio designed this spectacular course – it’s located just east of Destin in Seagrove Beach. There are some great hotels there as well. Camp Creek is billed as a “water and sand experience” – those who haven’t played there will be alarmed by this, but there really isn’t much to worry about, the golfing isn’t really that hard. The course, which opened in 2001, has been ranked in the top 10 public golf courses in Florida by Golfweek magazine. This course is a par-72 and truly is a place you should go if you love to golf.

Regatta Bay– Regatta Bay is regarded as one of the best courses in the region. The course was designed by Robert Walker and is one of Okaloosa County’s original “upscale” courses. Walker wanted this course to be “unique, challenging and dramatic” for the guests. So you can expect that no two holes will be the same at this resort. Do look out for bunkers here though! The natural water hazards also offer a unique challenge for golfer’s of all skill levels. Of the 18 holes at this course 9 of them are affected by the wetlands, especially off the tee. Water comes in to play on the other 9 holes along with  free-form bunkers and fingers to ensure an interesting game. This course is not for the faint of heart though, you’ll need to be able to drive the ball accurately and play conservatively. This upscale course can be a little pricey, but this unique lush course will make for a memorable experience which, in our opinion, can be well worth the price.  

Kelly Plantation– A little farther down Highway 98 is Kelly Plantation, another fine course. It has been classified as a 4 ½ star course by Golf Digest. This course is a little more navigable for the average golf and is also at the forefront of the catering movement . Kelly Plantation strives to deliver the highest level of attention to their patrons, often times striving to exceed those expectations, all while paving th future for the sports future experience. This course is a must-play if you want to be catered to. Another benefit to the exceptional attention is that this course does not just aim appease you personally, their course will appease your golf skills as well.

Shalimar Pointe– This is one of the (relatively) older courses in the area and is located on the western shore of Choctawhatchee Bay. Shalimar Pointe was redesigned by Joe Finger and Ken Dye in 1986 and still looks very modern. This course was also given 3.5 stars by Golf Digest for its challenging, but fair layout. This course offers five sets of tees so anyone, at any level, can enjoy a day of golf here. They are even offering lower prices to be competitive in today’s economy.

Sandestine Resort– The Sandestine Resort is 2,400 acres in all and is situated in between the Gulf and the Choctawhatchee Bay. This behemoth has four 18-hole courses and rivals any, and all, courses in the South. This resort has won over 30 awards from reputable golf organizations and publications for its four championship courses that have the prefect blend of challenge and fun equated in them.

Burnt Pine  and The Raven – These two courses were designed by brothers Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Both courses rank among the highest in the Panhandle region. Burnt Pine is better known for its scenic nature while The Raven offers a wider array of heroic shots and has large format bunkers.

Where to stay: look for hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and other property types at www.hotelreservations.com

Where to eat:There are more than 400 restaurants in the Greater Destin Area, so you can pick and choose as you like. Most restaurants have between 10 and 50 tables and specialize in local food. Noted eateries include the Back Porch and The Crab Traps (there are two of them). For a more unique dining experience, consider The Red Bar, a cultural landmark.

This must-attend music festival is three days long and has eight stages hosting a line up of 124 bands including such headliners as The Strokes, Lady Gaga, Phoenix and Green Day. Don’t be discouraged if these are not your favorite musicians, the lineup also includes R&B artists Erykah Badu and Rapheal Saadiq, as well as Reggae artist Jimmy Cliff and veteran acts such as Social Distortion, Devo and Mavis Staples. The vast majority of music at this festival is guitar-based rock and electronic, but the festival will feature a DJ stage showcasing the most influential DJs from all around the globe, such as 2ManyDJs,  the Belgian mash-up masters.

As if seeing your favorite bands perform all in one venue isn’t good enough, you can go to the F.Y.E. Autograph Booth to meet some of the bands and get your hands on their latest CD’s and vinyl. Also on display will be two new works of art from local artist John E. Bannon.  His life-sized mirrored man hovering over Butler Field appropriately titled, “Universe,” will be there for your viewing pleasure. The Adidas Originals Van will also be there so you can check out the latest products and even designs by your favorite Lollapalooza artists. You may even enter to win a chance to design your own shoe.

Now, most importantly, where are you going to stay and what are you going to eat? If you want somewhere nice to stay check out the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan Avenue, or the Sax Chicago on Dearborn. Both of these hotels offer the finest amenities and are fairly close to Grant Park. If you want to save some money you should check out some of the local hostels. The Hostelling International Chicago has cheap rates and easy access to the bus terminal and train station to make getting to Lollapalooza easy.

What is there to eat? Only some of the best food you’ll ever have in your life. Lollapalooza is offering up its Chow-Town menu featuring options from some of Chicago’s favorite restaurants. You can indulge in everything from tacos and tamales to jumbo hot dogs and Pad Thai noodles. Anything that you might crave will be there for your indulgence. You can savor every bite knowing that all items being served are on eco-friendly plates and cups in the festivals collective effort to help keep our environment clean and safe.

Grab your tickets and book your room because this is a must-see festival!

Photos and video from gbatistini, mortimer?, daniel guffanti and normandie2005.

*Fun Fact: Hot air balloons don’t fly in the rain because balloon heat can cause water to boil atop the balloon, and boiling water destroys the fabric.

*Fun Fact: Hot air balloons were discovered in France in 1783.

A Hot Air Balloon Joke!

An American man, a Russian man, and an African man were all up in a hot-air balloon together. After a few minutes, the Russian man put his hand down through the clouds. “Aaah!” he said. “We’re right over my homeland.” “How can you tell?” asked the American. “I can feel the cold air,” he replied. A few hours later the African man put his hand through the clouds. “Aah we’re right over my homeland,” he said. “How do you know that?” asked the Russian. “I can feel the heat of the desert.” Several more hours later the American put his hand through the clouds. “Aah, we’re right over New York.” The Russian and the African were amazed. “How do you know all of that?!” they exclaimed. The American pulled his hand up and said, “My watch is missing.

Get more Hot Air Info @www.hotairballoons.com

Watson, appearing very calm and collected

Open Championship at Turnberry has begun.  Always located in the British Isles (this year, Scotland) the Open Championship is the oldest and most coveted of the 4 major annual professional golf tournaments.  The winner of the Claret Jug is the man who can percevier through 4 days of the british isles without loosing his cool.  Many winners of the British Open as it is colloquially known, have repeated the feat due to the small number of players who can tame the course.  As Tiger Woods continues looking for his first major victory since his return from injury, the cameras are on Irish native and two time defending champion Padraig Harrington.  He’s won the last two tournaments and took home the PGA in 2008, giving him 3 major titles.  But with Harrington 8 shots back from the lead, and Woods likely to miss the cut, there is a bigger story this weekend in the highlands.

59 year old and 5 time British Open champion Tom Watson is tied for the lead after two days.  Watson shot a 5 under par on Thursday (tied for 2nd) but we did not break the news due to the fact he might not survive through Friday.  Veteren legends past their prime often have one great day before the weekend and before the Cinderella media pressures them into a terrible next round.  But Tom Watson has shot par today and is now tied for the lead and going for his 9th major and 6th British Open.  If he wins he will be tied with legend Ben Hogan and South African Gary Player for 4th all time in Major wins.

In his press conference Thursday Watson said with a jovial delivery:

“..will I be able to handle the pressure?…I don’t know”

He followed up his uncertainty with a grin and this stern comment:

“I feel that I’m playing well enough to win the golf tournament”

Bastille Day Fireworks; Paris

 

 

 

Bastille Day is the French national independence day celebrated on 14 July each year. In France it is officially called Fête Nationale (“National Celebration”), or more commonly, le quatorze juillet (“14 July”). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération storming of the Bastille on 14 July; the  storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of uprising for the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic during the French Revolution.

Festivities are held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic.

The parade opens with many cadets from the École Polytechnique, Saint-Cyr, École Navale, and so forth, then other infantry troops, then motorised troops; aviation of the Patrouille de France flies above. In recent times, it has become customary to invite units from France’s allies to the parade; in 2004 during the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, British troops (the band of the Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Grenadier Guards and King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery) led the Bastille Day parade in Paris for the first time, with the Red Arrows flying overhead.

The president used to give an interview to members of the press, discussing the situation of the country, recent events and projects for the future. Nicolas Sarkozy, elected president in 2007, has chosen not to give it. The President also holds a garden party at the Palais de l’Elysée.

Article 17 of the Constitution of France gives the President the authority to pardon offenders, and since 1991 the President has pardoned many petty offenders (mainly traffic offences) on 14 July. In 2007, President Sarkozy declined to continue the practice.

This year America’s Lance Armstrong is trying to make a comeback and win an unprecedented 8^th Tour de France.  Armstrong is the all time leader with 7 wins which he won consecutively from 1999 to 2005.  Armstrong is the prototypical hero to millions; surviving from testicular and brain cancer to win one of the most grueling physical competitions multiple times.

During the tour there are so many stops and checkpoints, making your stay in any region will most likely give you a look at the race from the roadside.  Locals come out of their towns to celebrate the event and cheer their countrymen on.  If you’d ever had the urge to participate in a foreign national pastime, this is fairly easy to assimilate into.  Some mainstay hotspots on the tour include Montpellier, Marseille, Monaco and Paris.  Go to the official Tour de France website to keep up with Lance, and check out any of the cities you’d like to visit.

This is the last major international Soccer tournament leading up to the world cup.  Take your family to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup, or just yourself, if they are unwilling to go.  For the first time ever the largest single sporting event in the world is taking place on the African continent.  Enjoy an Olympic style atmosphere for half the cost by attending the most watched sporting event 30 years running.

The South African government has spent over 2 billion dollars renovating new sporting facilities, public transportation and local historical tours. This is the perfect dream vacation for friends but especially families.  In between enjoying the matches, take your family out for a Safari that the kids have been nagging you about for years.  Now you have an excuse to travel to Africa in a safe environment surrounded by gentle folk from around the globe.

World Cup Stadium

Like the Olympics this opportunity only comes around every four years.  If you wait until the international buzz about the world cup is upon you, you’ll be out of luck to find tickets to the matches.

Don’t get beat to the punch, this is your chance to score tickets for any match you prefer.  The world cup lasts two weeks, so whatever your schedule is, you will find time to be a part of this global party.  3 million tickets will be sold, but not all of them will be available to the public, so booking your flights and hotels now will save you at least 500 dollars.