If there’s only one place you can go to in San Francisco, then North Beach is the one to go to. Also known as Little Italy, North Beach is dubbed by the American Planning Association as one of the “ten Great Neighborhoods of America”. With a blend of Italian shops and cafes and a pilgrimage for fans of the Beat movement, North Beach is a tourist magnet, as well as a place San Franciscans visit over and over.

1. Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park is located in the middle of North Beach at the intersection of Columbus Avenue, Filbert, Stockton and Union Streets. Locals and visitors come here to take a break, walk their dogs, or, in the cases of the Chinese community, have their morning tai-chi rituals. It’s the best place to enjoy the sunny weather that visits San Francisco. Afterward, it’s easy to walk to any of the cafes and restaurants that surround the area.

2. Mama’s on Washington Square

If you have never lined up outside Mama’s in San Francisco for brunch, then you’ve never been or lived in San Francisco. This is the best place to have brunch in the city. It may be awhile before you get to eat their delicious meals (it’s at least a 1 hour wait on Saturdays and holidays and at least a 30 minute wait on regular days) but it is worth it. Try their Eggs Florentine and French Toast (they use their homebaked bread).

1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel. (415)362-6421

3. Liguria Bakery

For the best focaccia in town, go to Liguria Bakery. They have mushroom, pizza, rosemary, garlic and onion focaccia (and they have plain ones, too!). Their breads are baked first thing in the morning, so it’s always best to go there early. They are supposed to close at 2pm, but they never stay open past 11am because by 10am, they’re already sold out of their breads. So be sure to come early!

1701 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel (415)421-3786

4. City Lights Bookstore

Founded in 1953, City Lights Bookstore is one of the greatest independent bookstores in San Francisco. It has one of the best collections of arts, poetry and political books in the city. Anti-authoritarian politics insurgent thinking continue to strongly influence the list of books occupying the store.

261 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133; Tel (415)362-8193

There simply are too many places to visit at North Beach. Watch out for more North Beach features on Good Life Review!

I have been living in Boston for about a year now, and it was not until two days ago when I had heard about the Mapparium. Located inside The Mary Baker Eddy Library right next to the Christian Science Church on 200 Massachussetts Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts, the Mapparium is something that I need to check out.

What is it? The Mapparium is a world-famous stained glass globe and it gives a three-dimensional perspective of the Earth. It is a huge globe that you can walk into. Apparently you can whisper on one side of the globe and then another person on the other side of the globe would be able to hear everything that you said. The tours are free and leave every twenty minutes. The last tour leaves at 3:40. Over 10 million people have walked the thirty-food glass bridge that goes through the three-story Mapparium since 1935.

The massive globe is not the only thing in this building. You can explore the grand, neoclassical Hall of Ideas. The Hall of Ideas was built in 1934 and is  a mix between art and technology. It is made up of more than 800 quotes that look like they are bubbling up from the center of this sculptural fountain and that spill onto the floor. These quotes become single words to convey the power of ideas.

First Church of Christ, Scientist is a marvel in itself. I love looking at that church every time that I walk past it on Mass Ave. It looks so out of place and different than anything in Boston, MA, but it is absolutely gorgeous. I walked into it to see what the inside looked like, and my jaw was dropped for the majority of the time. There were no religious symbols plastered everywhere and the organ was huge! I believe that my tour guide said that this organ consisted of over 3000 pipes.

I have not been in the Mapparium yet because I keep getting there too late, but I’ll hopefully make it to this marvel before next week is over! Also, if you are afraid that your religion will affect the visit, please do not be worried about that.

So, you want to take a family vacation, yet you don’t want to stay in a cramped hotel or suite for a week or more. Maybe you want to get away from it all and keep the conveniences of home. If any of the above situations sound like yours, then maybe you should rent a villa. Villa rentals (or home rentals) aren’t always for those vacationing in Europe, you can rent a decent beach house in the Caribbean or anywhere else in the Americas. But before you plunk down money and deposits for the rental house, here are a few things you might want to consider.

1- Do your research. Look online to get a feel, but it would be a better idea to hire someone who specializes in finding villas and rental homes.  Not only will they help you find the right rental at the right price, they might barter for a rental discount on your behalf. Many of the agencies know the area in which you’re planning on staying and often can give you helpful advice that will make your vacation more enjoyable.

2- If you have enough room, invite some friends. Not only will you save some money by splitting the total costs with pals and close relatives, but it will make the vacation more memorable and fun.

3- Understand the total price. Is it a monthly or weekly rental? Do they accept credit or cold hard cash? Before you pay for the rental, find out exactly what you’re paying for, as there might be hidden fees. You’ll also want to find out about the extra fees, including insurance, hired labor, and such. You want to get  it in writing.

4- Know the location. Find out where the general store, grocery store, restaurants, shopping, and attractions are located. Try to get the addresses so you won’t aimlessly drive around the town or island to find what you’re looking for.

It takes a bit of research and effort to find a villa, but in the end, it is worth it as you’ll get more privacy and save on long term stays.

There is a place in San Francisco where the hippie movement started, where personalities, including Janis Joplin and members of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane, called home. This place is called Haight-Ashbury.

The Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco started out great, being one of the areas to survive the fires caused by the great San Francisco earthquake in 1906. But, like most cities during that time, the Haight-Ashbury district got hit hard by the Depression. Residents started moving out.

Then during the housing shortage of World War II, the large Victorian houses were used to offer cheaper housing by dividing the interior into several apartments. Because of the cheap housing and vacant houses, the value of the area declined, leading the way for the introduction of the bohemian and illegal drug culture in this district.

By 1967, however, it all changed when the likes of Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead started writing and performing songs about the Haight-Ashbury district. The songs became a hit and inspired the flower power movement in San Francisco.

The Haight-Ashbury district has stayed true to its bohemian culture and continues to be one of the interesting and colorful neighborhoods of San Francisco. You’ll never run out of options when walking in this district.

1. Amoeba Music

Amoeba Music is one of the largest independent music stores in California (or even the world). They carry about 100,000 CDs, records and cassettes in the San Francisco store alone, both new and used. Musical performances are also regularly scheduled in their stores.

1855 Haight St. San Francisco, CA; Tel. (415)831-1200

2. The Red Victorian

Constructed in 1904, The Red Victorian was first known as the Jefferson Hotel before it became Jeffrey-Haight in 1967. Finally, Dr. Sami Sunchid bought the property and painted the exteriors a red color and named it The Red Victorian. With 18 unique guest rooms, The Red Victorian is a bed-and-breakfast that regularly hosts World Conversations at the Peace Cafe. Share and support its quest for love and peace, and book a room here to meet other people like you.

1665 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117; Tel (415)864-1978

3. Bound Together Bookstore

Bound Together Bookstore is “an anarchist collective bookstore”, as it says on the store’s big sign. Expect literature by Noah Chomsky, Philip K. Dick, Henry David Thoreau and William Gibson. Run by volunteers, the bookstore promotes anarchist ideas and literature, obviously. Don’t expect general fiction over here.

1369 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117; Tel. (415)431-8355

There’s still so much to discover about the Haight-Ashbury district so be sure to include this neighborhood in your next San Francisco visit.

If you have a hard time deciding whether to visit a historical town versus a urban paradise, then maybe you should check out Philadelphia. As the birthplace for liberty and freedom, this east coast city has a mix of historical architecture, fascinating museums, sublime shopping, and plenty of events throughout the year. And if you’d like to explore the great outdoors, take a side trip and explore the beautiful countryside that surrounds Philadelphia. Here are three more reasons why you should visit The City of Brotherly Love this summer.

Exploring Philadelphia’s History- There are essentially three historic neighborhoods in downtown Philadelphia that mix historic sites, cobblestone streets, and older buildings with modern shops, cafes, galleries, and more. Historic Philadelphia is also home to many of the historic icons of the city, such as Independence Hall.

Philadelphia’s Summer Events- Why not plan your vacation around a fun event that the whole family will enjoy? There are plenty of events and free festivals that celebrate everything from the arts to different cultures.  A few of the notable events include the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival 2009 at the 941 Theater from June 25 to the 27 where you can watch locally made indie films. Another even that is catered toward families with young children is the Tinicum Arts Festival in Bucks County, an arts and entertainment fair with plenty of activities for kids.

Shopping Adventures In Philadelphia- Like any cosmopolitan city, you’ll find plenty of shopping enclaves inside the city and even in the surrounding cities.  Start at Walnut Street, which is home to a mix of locally owned boutiques, salons, and designer franchises. Another good place to browse is The Shops at Bellevue on Chestnut Street where you’ll find plenty of well-known shops including Origins, Nicole Miller, and more. Don’t forget to make a side trip to King of Prussia Mall (located in King of Prussia), which is a world class shopping plaza. And if you ever feel guilty for spending quite a bit of money in Philadelphia, just remember than the state of Pennsylvania does not tax clothing items!

Scanning the Web, I came across an interesting article on CNN.com, “Cruising for the Commitment Phobe.” Basically, the message is that many people avoid cruises, because the idea of being trapped on a vessel for a week, maybe two, with the same crowd of people scares them. The author of the article, Jason Adams, was once one of those people, but finally, one of his friends encouraged him to take a “cruise for commitment phobes” and he looked into it.

Adams and his friend found themselves buying tickets for a Carnival Fun Ship. Unlike most traditional cruise lines, these cruises typically last a maximum of five days. Therefore, going on one of these trips really can be a spur-of-the-moment event, rather than a commitment you plan a few months of your life around. Though the cruise was inevitably high in cost, especially with extra charges for small things like a decent morning coffee, it seems that the former commitment-wary Adams was able to enjoy his cruise.

There are many different short cruises options that can satisfy all ages and interests. On Budget Travel there is an article that provides some unique short cruise choices. (Check it out here.) Do you like cooking? Holland America Line has ships that feature cooking demonstrations and classes on board a four-day excursion. Disney Cruise Lines let you relax while the ship counselors and Mickey Mouse take care of your child. If you avoid cruises because of the formalwear requirements, a Norwegian Cruise Line might be the perfect alternative: Freestyle Cruising has no dining dress codes.

Going on a short cruise makes the planning process much easier. (Really, you don’t have to have much of a planning process at all.) Some of the available cruises last for just three nights, so you could take an extended weekend and you might be set to go! So, if you have considered going on a cruise but have turned away because of its duration or formal-wear requirements, just remember that cruises come in many different varieties; there’s bound to be one perfect for you.

The Castro District of San Francisco recently became more famous than it already was because of Gus Van Sant’s film, Milk, starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, the first openly gay supervisor of San Francisco. Since the 1960s, the Castro has become widely known as the gay neighborhood of San Francisco. But that hasn’t stopped people who aren’t gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender from enjoying what this district has to offer.

Some of the places you should visit include:

1. Castro Theatre

Built in 1922, the Castro Theatre has played host to thousands of films, including Hollywood, independent and classic films. Be sure to come early when you watch a film here and marvel at the wonderful art-deco interior designs of the theatre. Be sure to grab a bite before going inside the venue, as the snack bar doesn’t offer too many choices besides popcorn.
429 Castro St. San Francisco, CA 94114; Tel. (415)621-6120

2. Harvey’s Bar

500 Castro Street was the former site of the Elephant Walk Bar, where the most brutal anti-gay beating by San Francisco police officers took place in 1979. Now, it has become a more positive site in the form of Harvey’s Bar, where they house a great selection of beer. Their burgers and sandwiches are not so bad, either.
500 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114; Tel. (415)431-4278

3. 575 Castro Street

575 Castro Street was the former site of Castro Camera, owned by the famous Harvey Milk. He used this as his headquarters when he first ran for public office. It now houses Given, a gift store and gallery. Check out their website at http://www.givenonline.com.
575 Castro St. San Francisco, CA 94114; Tel. (415)865-0353

There’s so much to discover at the Castro District that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. So, don’t be afraid to walk around and get to know the district. That’s the only way I know how.

On June 15th, the Smoky Mountains Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, will be celebrating its 75th birthday. It is a 520,000 acre preserve that was originally named by the Cherokee Indians as the “Land of Blue Smoke” because of its signature mist. The Great Smoky Mountains are ancient blue-green mountains that are homes to black bears, over 800 miles of trails, 19th century log cabins, streams, and more. They even are a part of the Georgia to Maine Appalachian Trail.

The Great Smoky Mountains attract over nine million visitors every year. To give you an idea of how many people that really is, it would be helpful to compare the amount of visitors this park gets in comparison to other national parks. It turns out that this figure is twice as much as any other national park in the United States of America.

I think it is safe to assume that they will have even more visitors this year because of the park’s “birthday.” There are a many events being planned for this anniversary weekend. One event is a  Knoxville Symphony concert in which U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will be playing the piano. Another exciting event will be the opening of the $2.5 million Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, that will highlight Cherokee Indian and Appalachian culture. Some other activities that will be going on are museum exhibitions, parades, and family reunions.

An event that is planned for September 2nd is a ceremony that will be held at Newfound Gap to mark former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s original dedication of the park to “the free people of America.” Roosevelt’s message was stated back in 1940 and now, 69 years later, the park will celebrate his words once again. They have invited President Obama to the ceremony as well.

The Smokies are incredible mountains that have been a symbol of history and beauty. I hope to make it to these mountains some day!