Downtown LA, Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory and Hollywood Sign.- Wikimedia Commons.Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Unported

A great starting point is Los Angeles.  Allow a few days taking in the sights before hitting the road.  Here are a few  “must see” attractions in L.A. area:

• The Getty Center in Pacific Palisades – located on a hilltop in the Santa Monica Mountains, visitors can view art from Pre-Renaissance to Impressionist periods in Europe.

• The Getty Villa in Malibu- J. Paul Getty’s ornate Spanish Ranch house is now a world-class art museum. Admission is free but parking must be reserved.

• Hollywood  & Highland- This busy intersection includes the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and 3 stories of boutiques, cafes and shops. Don’t miss the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Kodak Theatre.

• Santa Monica Pier- The 1600 ft. pier opened in 1909 has a 1922 Carousel with 44 hand carved horses, a working roller coaster and a Ferris Wheel.

• Beverly Hills- A trolley runs around the area allowing you the opportunity to hop off for a walking tour through the mansions along palm lined boulevards. Get more information at Beverly Hills Visitors Bureau.

• The Grove/Farmer’s Market- The Grove is a new open pedestrian shopping area with green spaces, fountains, boutiques, and entertainment complex attached to the Historic Farmer’s Market, which has been in existence since the 1930’s.

• Universal Studios Hollywood- Just a few minutes drive from Downtown LA or Hollywood, this theme park offers a behind-the scenes view into movie making and some really fun movie themed rides.

• The Hollywood Bowl- Is the summer home of LA Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Bring a picnic and enjoy outstanding music under the stars. If you are in the box seats you can even order dinner in advance to be served at your box!

• The Griffith Observatory- Built in 1935 in the Art Deco style, the observatory sits on a Mountain peak overlooking Hollywood and old L.A.  It is open Wednesday-Sunday until 10:00pm and admission is free, although there is a small charge for the planetarium sky show.

• Los Angeles County Museum of Art- Located in the “Miracle Mile” district of Midtown.  The museum receives rare collections on tour. It shares the boulevard, known as Museum Row, with L.A. Craft and Folk Art Museum, Page Museum of Natural History and La Brea Tar Pits.

If you are looking for convenient and affordable lodging  in the Los Angeles area visit our website

Spring break actually started for some schools in mid February and runs the second or third week in April.  If you would like numbers, Tripsmarter.com has put together all the data on spring break 2012 dates and corresponding number of humans on break in a given week.

Are you looking for spring break ideas?  In addition to the traditional favorites, there and lots of alternative spring break opportunities.  How about a volunteer vacation?  Are you interested in snow or sand? Here are just a few ideas for a fantastic spring break!

The top ten spring break destinations don’t change much from year to year. Below is a list of top ten spring break hot spots for 2012.

1. Cancun
2. Panama City, FL
3. Miami and South Beach Florida
4. Europe
5. Puerto Vallarta
6. Acapulco
7. Caribbean (Nassau and Jamaica)
8. South Padre Island, TX
9. Puerto Rico
10. North American Ski Resorts

One alternative to the “sun or sand” routine is a volunteer vacation. There are lots of opportunities to enjoy fun and camaraderie of like-minded folks, while doing your share to help others in need. United Way is sponsoring alternative spring break for volunteers in the US, and non-profit house-builder Habitat for Humanity offers opportunities all over the country. Projects Abroad is now offering short-term volunteering abroad opportunities specifically designed for one-week spring break trips.

Check out this volunteer list of college student volunteer opportunities, and however you decide to spend your spring break remember to have lots of fun!

Certainly you have to list the sunny shores of Florida and the Daytona 500, which happens to be February 26^th this year, as one of the key reasons to travel south, especially if you live in the frigid northern climes.  Just being able to shed all those extra layers of clothing and drink in the sea air is enough reason to trek down I-75 or I-95.

If Florida is not on your mind, then head to New York?  Sure, the weather may not be ideal, but if a little romance is on your agenda, then Niagara Falls, the honeymoon capital of the world (or at least in the U.S. of A) or New York City with its bright lights, Broadway shows and mega shopping opportunities would be a perfect alternative.

Why not Pennsylvania, you ask?  Well, why not?  Even where the grass has been greener can be serene, when heading to the Amish countryside as you travel along the back roads and by-ways.  

A little further south, there is always Virginia, the state which touts “Virginia is for Lovers”  . . . where you can watch the sun rise over the ocean near the seaside and heading further east see the shadows fall over the lush (verdant green in the spring, summer and fall months) rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley as the sun goes down.  Now if that isn’t romantic, I’m just not sure what is.

Romance it seems has no season, just a reason for traveling to that special place.  And if you’re unsure where to stop for a good night’s sleep, click here for some suggestions.

By the way, we haven’t forgotten New Orleans; after all, one of the most popular tourism events of the year happens in the big easy . . . Mardi Gras will kick off before Lent, which occurs on the 22^nd of February this year, so if watching colorful parades and being involved in all the gala is something you enjoy, then head to Louisiana!

The first presidential election was held in January 1789; subsequently four U.S. presidents were born in the month of January,  and four U.S. presidents died in the month of January; among them President Theodore Roosevelt.

January is also the month for kings: Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Baptist Minister, Martin Luther King, Jr. not only celebrated a birthday in January, but Congress set aside the third Monday in the month of January, in observance and to honor Dr. King, a prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. 

Note:  The Martin Luther King Memorial ,  located in the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was officially opened in August 2011, joining many other memorials to great leaders of our time, and as popular tourist attractions.  Because MLK Day is on a Monday and is considered a three-day holiday weekend for many, it is a perfect opportunity for many to travel to Washington, D.C.

 Henry VIII, was King of England for some 40 years before his death in January 1547, and Elvis Presley, known as the King of Rock n’ Roll, was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8^th.  Note: Although thousands of fans will visit Presley’s birthplace in January, many more will visit during Annual Fan Appreciation Day, taking place in August, which is the month Presley died.  Presley is also tied to Memphis, TN.

Eight states were admitted to the Union over a number of years in the month of January, while three states seceded from the Union (in the month of January) during the Civil War.

Two wars ended: The War of 1812-1814, when General Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, and the Vietnam peace agreement was signed, thus ending the Viet Nam war in 1973.  Note: Viet Nam has become a popular tourist destination.  The country which is one of many contrasts with its beautiful seashore and white sandy beaches, vying with the Mekong Delta and River;  Chu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of underground tunnels located near Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon);  and Sa Pa Terraces (near the border of China) and Phu Quoc, the former known for its thick bamboo woodlands and the latter for pristine tropical forests, as well as many other historic sites.  If Viet Nam is not on your  travel schedule, then you may opt for great food, lots of great music and a fun time in New Orleans.

Other significant January events include Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation; Ellis Island Immigrant Station formally opened; Gold is discovered in California; Henry Ford introduced the assembly line;  NBC’s, The Today Show premiered; First Super Bowl held in Los Angeles; Space Shuttle Challenger exploded; the great leader of India, Mohandas Gandhi is assassinated; and the 13^th Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, was submitted.

As we say hello and goodbye to the month of January, let’s think snow; after all, snow is good for tourism . . .and those snow bunny tourists!

Another anxiety provoking holiday tradition is the trip to visit extended family. Many people take advantage of time off work and school to visit family. While it is nice to see our relatives, it can also be difficult to mesh different attitudes about child rearing, traditions and even religious beliefs. While family movie networks abound with warm fuzzy images about holidays and family, it seems this seldom relates to the average family. And then there are those who do not have family to visit. The newly divorced, or aged folks can feel very alone at this time of year.

As if that weren’t stressful enough, we over-extend ourselves in our social obligations. We try to attend every holiday party, social event and family gathering, overeating and sometimes drinking too much in the process. 

What is the answer to all this stress? Here are a few ideas about how to simplify the holidays and hopefully make things a little less stressful.

• Forgo all the expensive gifts and opt for a “homemade” Christmas. Everyone is good at making something, whether it is woodworking, knitting, or just putting together a list of family recipes or a photo album. These kinds of gifts can become cherished family heirlooms. Families with small children may particularly enjoy this approach, especially getting the kids involved in making the gifts.
• Forget all the elaborate holiday decorating and just display some fresh cut greenery in your favorite vase. How about a small living tabletop tree that can be planted outdoors after the season is over. Sometimes less is more.
• Instead of trying to attend every single holiday party why not plan a weekend outing with kids to view Christmas lights, go to the zoo or to a museum? Or even just plan a family night to stay at home and play games or watch a movie.
• Remember the less fortunate during the season. Volunteer for a food drive for the needy or support our troops by helping military families who may be far away from family at this time of year.  If you are alone, this is a good way to get involved in the community. For families, helping children to realize that there are others who do not have all the advantages, may allow them to appreciate how blessed they are.
• Finally, if you think that trip to Grandma’s house may cause too much stress and anxiety, just say no. Instead, perhaps arrange a visit at a less hectic time of year, or visits with individual family members versus a large family gathering.

Remember, if you are traveling at this time of year, visit www.bookroomsnow.com for a good night’s sleep at a price that won’t add stress to your holidays!

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