A Primer: California Vacation Destinations –Part 1

There’s always a first time for everything, and learning about popular California vacation destinations is not exceptional. The question in today’s Bargains Hotels - reiVRE Hot Pulse is – "What’s the in difference between these similar locations based in California?"

An overview of several popular California vacation destinations with a few helpful tips along the way and lodging recommendations - This article is just to help you get a feel for how these seemingly similar locations differ. It is not an in-depth study of any one destination.

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A Primer: California Vacation Destinations – Part 1

As the summer swings into high gear, thoughts of towering palms, umbrella drinks colored neon magenta, shimmering coastlines, and the heady roll of the surf invariably capture the minds of eager travelers. Of course, that hardly narrows your choices.

Beachfront vacations abound along much of eastern coast, especially approaching the south and Florida. The Caribbean will certainly get you to beach-bound bliss, as will Hawaii if you don’t mind a lengthy (and expensive) flight. You can even find exciting beach communities along the western coast of British Columbia, Canada, although you may have to leave the palm trees behind.

All of these places share great beachfront communities, and if your only goal come vacation time is to lounge on the sand and bake, you could do just as well at any of them. But if you’re looking for something more, if you’re looking to spice up your oceanfront days with metropolitan nights, then your summertime land o’ plenty is California.

The sprawling coastline gives you the freedom of choice, of selecting the getaway spot that’s just right for you, and the bustling cities seasoned with tourist appeal give you a world of options beyond. In fact, unless you plan it out thoroughly, you might not even make it to the beach, because there’s so much else to do (and don’t worry, you won’t mind).

So here’s a primer on several California vacation destinations with hotel recommendations.

Los Angeles Area

Los Angeles, CA – Of course, Los Angeles is a sprawling city that covers nearly 500 sq. mi., not counting the countless suburbs that bulk up the metropolitan area, so if your goal is to experience the city proper, planning is essential. For starters, stay near the airport. You don’t want your first experience in L.A. to be a confusing tangle with gridlock traffic. Most Los Angeles hotels near LAX offer shuttles to and from the airport and may even have onsite car rental services. After your flight, it’s nice to get the busy work out of the way. Check-in, drop your bags, maybe rest for five minutes, and then ask the concierge or front desk what the traffic is like. In congested destinations like LA, the locals know better than Mapquest.

Before going, decide what you want to get out of the city. Not even with a two-week visit could you possibly see it all, so you’ll need to prioritize. If it’s your first visit, it’s hard to beat Hollywood as the go-to attraction. Make time for the Walk of Fame, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Universal or Paramount Studios, and the Hollywood Wax Museum just as a start. If you're hoping to see a little bit of everything, look into getting a Go Los Angeles™ Card. Available from $50-200 depending on the duration, this card offers significant discounts and even free admissions to over 40 popular Los Angeles attractions.

For convenient Los Angeles airport hotels: Embassy Suites Los Angeles - International Airport/South

Glendale, CA – For a more affordable stay that is undoubtedly still LA-centric, the northern suburb of Glendale will provide you easy access to north Los Angeles without forcing you through the hustle and bustle of downtown. From Glendale, you can expect a 10-20 minute drive to Hollywood, depending on traffic, and barely five minute’s drive to Griffith Park, a vast public park filled with museums and event attractions but perhaps best known as home to the Hollywood Sign. If staying in Glendale, plan your flight through the much closer Bob Hope Airport.

While Glendale is primarily a different route into the big city, it does have one surprising feature: Armenian cuisine. As home to the largest Armenian population in the United States, there’s an incredible selection of traditional Armenian restaurants, and you’ll rarely have another opportunity to travel within the country and experience such a cultural leap.

For hotels near Burbank Bob Hope Airport: Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale

END OF PART 1

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Our contributor - : Steven Mayo - Los Angeles airport hotels and California Dana Point hotel

NB: for more valuable information and guideline visit: bargains hotels

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Gorgeous Bluegrass Festivals and Venues in Asheville, NC

There’s always a first time for everything, and learning about some of the well-know venues is not exceptional. The question in today’s Bargains Hotels - reiVRE Hot Pulse is – "What’s so fascinating about blue grass music and Asheville?"

Blue grass music is popular in the Asheville North Carolina area. Learn about some of the well-known venues where visitors can receive a real taste of authentic blue grass music and culture.

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Discover the gorgeous -Bluegrass Festivals and Venues in Asheville, NC

Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music. It is considered by many to be a sub-genre of country music and has its roots in Irish, Scottish and English traditional music.
Bluegrass was inspired by the music of immigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland (particularly the Scots-Irish immigrants and in Appalachia).

As in jazz, each instrument in bluegrass takes a turn playing the melody and improvising around it, while others revert to backing. Traditional bluegrass is typically based around acoustic stringed instruments such as acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, and upright bass, with or without vocals.
Asheville, NC is a great place to set up base camp while exploring various bluegrass venues and festivals that this Blue Ridge mountain area has to offer. Prior to planning your trip, you must first decide on an appropriate Asheville hotel.

When it comes to Bluegrass music, the Asheville, NC area offers an array of places where people cannot only listen to music, but also participate. For example, Jack of the Wood, a downtown Asheville hot spot, is a Celtic-style pub where handcrafted English style ales are brewed at a nearby brewing facility and served fresh daily.

On a typical evening, you will find many patrons gathered around the black walnut bar or at long tavern tables, engaged in conversation about art, religion and politics while local musicians fiddle away. Thursday nights is the highly popular bluegrass jam; it starts around 10:00 p.m.; everyone is invited to bring their instrument, help make a little music, or simply listen.

The Fiddlin’ Pig, also located near downtown Asheville hotels, is a great venue to enjoy some barbecue while listening to bluegrass music. They feature local bluegrass musicians Monday through Saturday. Grammy-award winner Marc Pruett schedules the best and most entertaining bands the region has to offer. Music begins at 7:00 p.m. and reservations are accepted for groups of eight or more.

Downtown Asheville’s Summer Bluegrass Music Festival

The Shindig on the Green is also a wonderful Asheville, NC tradition. The dates are as follows: June 28, July 5, 12, 19; and Aug. 9, 16, 23, and 30. This mountain tradition features an eclectic variety of big circle mountain dancers, clog dancers, bluegrass and old-time string bands, ballad singers, and storytellers. Shindig on the Green gets underway about sundown (7:00 p.m.) and usually runs until about 10:00 p.m. It is centrally located to many Asheville hotels.

Visit Marshall, Just 40 Minutes From Asheville for Friday Night Blue Grass

For those who wish to venture into more rural areas to get a deeper sense of the local music scene, the traditional music at The Depot in Marshall, NC is a spot not to be missed. And, don’t be surprised if someone grabs your hand and invites you to dance. Every Friday the bluegrass jams start at 7:00pm and admission is free.

Blue Ridge Music Hosts Blue Grass Evenings on Mondays

Finally, every Monday from 6:30 ’til 8:30 p.m., Blue Ridge Music, an acoustic instrument store located in South Asheville, hosts an open jam. This jam is open to anyone who wants to come -- whether a hot picker from Tennessee or just a toe-tapper from around the bend. The Blue Ridge Music jam has produced several bands over the years and has been a place where people form long-lasting friendships with their fellow jammers.
Hey, when visiting Asheville, put some blue grass music on the itinerary. It’s a favorite way to experience Appalachian Mountain culture.

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Our contributor - : Liisa Sullivan - she lives just outside of Asheville in Weaverville, NC and writes for luxury living and lifestyle magazines. Visit www.residencesatbiltmore.com/hospitality or email concierge@residencesatbiltmore.com for more information.

NB: for more valuable information and guideline visit: bargains hotels

"You are welcome to give your comment! Do you have anything you'd like to add or challenge about this hot issue? Any bad or good experience lets share. Your contribution will educate and benefit many readers".

-thank you for reading and comments if any: - ranci endo

If you liked this post, please don't forget to stumble or digg it so even more people can read it and benefit!"