Lonely Planet: The 10 best things to do in 2011

Punctuate this year with meaningful experiences. Choose from options that girdle the globe – from cricket bats and birthday parties to sobering memorials or a copy of Led Zeppelin IV. Here are the 10 best things to do next year, fresh from Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011.

1. Hug a tree in the Amazon
2. Cricket in India and Sri Lanka
3. Visit the new 9/11 memorial
4. DIY Wonders of the World list
5. Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico
6. FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Oslo, Norway
7. Climb a ‘stairway to heaven’
8. Isle of Man motorbike race
9. Indy 500, Indianapolis, USA
10. Write a postcard

Fun in the Sun! - The Pacific

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use the websites below to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation to...the Pacific!

The Hawaiian Islands
South Pacific Tourism Organisation

Fun in the Sun! - Mexico, Central & South America

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use the websites below to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation in...Mexico, Central & South America!

Visit Costa Rica
Cancun.travel - the official travel information website
Brazil Travel Guide
BuenosAires.com
VisitPanama.com

Fun in the Sun! - Caribbean

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use the websites below to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation in the...CARIBBEAN.

Caribbean Travel
The Bahamas
Bermuda Tourism
Puerto Rico

Fun in the Sun! - Florida

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use the websites below to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation in...FLORIDA.

VisitFlorida.com
Florida's Paradise Coast
Greater Miami and the Beaches
Florida Keys

Fun in the Sun! - Southern California

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use our featured websites to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation.

Anaheim/Orange County

VisitCalifornia.com - Explore Deserts

San Diego - Vacation, Travel & Tourism

Fun in the Sun! - Arizona

When the temperature drops, the wind howls, and the snow swirls, some of us like to curl up by the fire with a good book. Others dream of warm, sunny places. If beaches and pools beckon you, check out the books on display in our Travel Center or use our featured websites to help you plan a Fun in the Sun vacation.

Visit Phoenix
Visit Tuscon
Arizona Tourism & Travel

Lonely Planet: Top 10 places to learn to cook the local cuisine

One of the best souvenirs you can bring back from a trip is some tasty dishes to share with your friends. Beats a fridge magnet, right? Here are 10 great places to visit if you want to brush up your culinary skills.

1. Luang Prabang, Laos
2. Istanbul, Turkey
3. Oaxaca, Mexico
4. Banks Peninsula, New Zealand
5. Hoi An, Vietnam
6. Chiang Mai, Thailand
7. Tuscany, Italy
8. Fez, Morocco
9. San Sebastian, Spain
10. Goa, India

On the road: Lonely Planet authors around the world

Lonely Planet’s authors are constantly travelling the globe, doing research to update our guidebooks. Each month Lonely Planet magazine asks them to report back about what’s going on where they are, keeping us all up-to-date.

Here’s what our authors are talking about this December:

New York street food awards
Robert Reid, Lonely Planet’s US travel editor.

New York street food has long outgrown the hot dog. Just note the finalists of the 6th annual Vendy Awards, the city’s street-vendor competition. It’s less frankfurter, and more chalupa, vegan pastry, even ‘gay ice cream.’

‘It’s definitely not just hot dogs anymore,’ says Fares ‘Freddy’ Zeideia, of the King of Falafel and Shawarma in Queens – this year’s Vendy winner. ‘You only see hot dogs on Fifth Avenue for tourists.’

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Autumn Excursions

Connecticut River Valley autumn excursions

New Hampshire fall foliage

Autumn in Sturbridge, MA

PA Dutch Country fall adventures

Autumn in Vermont

Fall travel in Virginia

North Carolina Mountains

Celebrate Autumn!

Now that the weather has turned crisp and clear, the leaves are brilliant shades of red and yellow, the apples hang ripe for picking, the pumpkins lie round and orange in the fields, and the farm stands burst with harvest bounty, it is time to celebrate autumn with an excursion to the countryside. Use the websites listed below and the materials on display in the Travel Center to help you plan that excursion.

Where to go apple picking on Long Island

Where to go pumpkin picking on Long Island

Apple picking & more – New York & nearby

10 good spots to view fall color

New Site Added: CruiseTimetables.com

CruiseTimetables.com, your first port-of-call to find up-to-date cruise ship schedules, itineraries, sampled prices, ports-of-departure and cruise destinations for all the major cruise lines.

At CruiseTimetables.com you'll find schedules for cruises departing from ports around the world, helping you select the perfect cruise.

Destination Canada: Central & Northwestern

YUKON TERRITORY

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

SASKATCHEWAN

MANITOBA

Destination Canada: Alberta & the Canadian Rockies

ALBERTA & THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

Travel Alberta
Alberta Tourism & Vacation Guide

Banff
Banff National Park - Banff Lake Louise
Banff.com

Calgary
Tourism Calgary
Discover Calgary

Edmonton
City of Edmonton
Discover Edmonton

Destination Canada: British Columbia

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Tourism British Columbia
British Columbia Travel & Tourism
British Columbia Tourism & Travel Information

Vancouver & Victoria
Tourism Vancouver
Tourism Victoria
Victoria, Vancouver Island & Gulf Islands Travel Guide

Whistler
Tourism Whistler

Kootenay Rockies
Kootenay Rockies

Destination Canada: Québec

QUEBEC
Bonjour Québec

Montreal & Québec City
Québec City Tourism
Tourism Montreal

The Laurentians
Tourisme Laurentides

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls Tourism

Destination Canada: ONTARIO

ONTARIO
Ontario Tourism
Travel Information: Ontario

TORONTO
Toronto Tourism & Travel Guide

OTTAWA
Ottawa Tourism & Travel

Destination Canada: ATLANTIC CANADA

Canada's East Coast
Atlantic Canada Tourism

Located on the far eastern shore of Canada, Atlantic Canada offers four distinct tourist destinations:

New Brunswick
New Brunswick Destinations

Nova Scotia
Travel to Nova Scotia
Southwest Nova Scotia
Halifax Info
Central Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island
Tourism Prince Edward Island
Government of Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland & Labrador

September Travel Display: CANADA

Canada, Land of the Maple Leaf, our neighbor to the north, vast in size, diverse in culture, varied in terrain, offers vacation opportunities for all. Attractions abound throughout the land. Visit the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Green Gables on Prince Edward Island, the Butchart Gardens in Victoria, the Capilano Suspension Bridge in Vancouver, the CN Tower in Toronto, the charming villages of the Gaspe Peninsula, the majestic lakes and mountains of the Canadian Rockies. There are provincial towns, world-class cities, native cultures, wilderness and wildlife to explore. If you are intrigued by Canadian travel possibilities, use the Library's resources to help you plan your vacation. Our Travel Center will feature a selection of Canadian travel guides and travel kits.

Canada Vacation Planner

Canadian Tourism Commission

Canada by Rail

B&B Canada

Canadian National Parks

New Site Added to the Travel Hub!

Family-Travel-Scoop
(under Family Vacations)

This blog provides information on destinations around the world for families that travel. They provide information on different cultures, family friendly activities and hotels.

Do You Know About Our Booked-to-Go Kits?

If you still haven't planned your summer getaway, or are thinking about taking a trip later this year, take advantage of our Booked-to-Go Kits!

Each Booked-to-Go Kit contains books, maps, pamphlets and usually a DVD to help you plan your trip to a specific destination.

Adult Harborfields patrons, peruse our online list of Kits or our shelves to find the right one for you!

We also have Mini Booked-to-Go Kits.

PetsWelcome.com

"In order to make it easier for our visitors to find pet-friendly lodging, pet sitting, and other related pet travel services and information...just click on Lodgings at the top of the page to find the pet-friendly lodging of your choice. Choose US Lodgings to find ALL pet-friendly hotels, inns and B&Bs by state and city. Or pick Search by Route to get driving directions to your destination with pet-friendly lodgings along the way. If you prefer a specific type of place to stay with your pet, we also break them down by individual Hotel Chains, Bed and Breakfasts and Cabins and Cottages as well as places that welcome Cats and Larger Dogs. Or find the perfect pet-friendly Vacation Rental for you and your favorite animal." -PetsWelcome.com

Cruise into Reading

Cruise into Reading is the theme of this year’s adult Summer Reading Club. It runs from June 21st to August 6th and all Harborfields cardholders are invited to join!
Perhaps the cruise-themed decorations will inspire you to embark on a real cruise vacation. In that case, obtain your passport, pack your suitcase, and use these resources to plan your trip. Many of the books and DVDs are on display this month in our Travel Center. The various websites include specifics on all cruise ships, evaluations of cruises by travelers, ways to obtain discount prices for cruises, information on life aboard a cruise ship and much more.

CRUISES.com: Cruises.com offers unbeatable cruise deals on 18 top cruise lines
iCruise.com
Cruise Reviews: Cruise ship and port reviews from professionals and cruisers like you
CruisesAbout.com
LoveToKnow: Cruises: This cruise site has over 366 articles to help you set sail with confidence.
Cruise Diva: The online cruise travel guide created by the author of Fodor's The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises.
Cruises Inc: Cruise Specialists at Cruises Inc. will help you find your dream cruise.
Cruises Only: Experts will help you choose just the right trip from their selection of discount cruise vacations.
CruiseShopping.com
Geek Cruises: For those who thrive on life-long learning.
CruiseCompete: A free and anonymous service that helps cruisers find the best deal.
Cruise Critic: An interactive community of avid and first-time cruisers who enjoy the fun of planning, researching and sharing their passion for cruising.
The Cruise Web
Ships and Cruises

Hostel Video Guide

Hostel Video Guide is a site that provides video tours of hostels worldwide to help in deciding where to stay.
Wherever you are planning to go, watch on Hostel Video Guide up to five videos of each hostel, guesthouse, budget accommodation or lodge, so you can plan your trip and check-out where you stay before you leave on your journey. The advanced search function allows you to find videos for your destination or use the world map on the homepage.

Who has their vacation planned?

Summer vacation time will soon be here and many of us are already planning for it.
Have you discovered an awesome vacation spot?
Comment on this post - we would love to share your recommendations!

Monastery Stays

Yes, there are convent hotels - but did you know, you can stay in genuine monastery & convent accommodations in Italy?
Since the 5th Century, monasteries, convents and abbeys have been hosting guests who call at the door.
Unlike a 'convent hotel', the monastery and convent accommodation made accessible to you is genuine - warm hospitality from the order that hosts you.

Monastery Stays is a worldwide web-based booking service for monastery and convent accommodation in Italy.
Information taken from and found at monasterystays.com

The Library also has guides on accommodations at monasteries around the world.
-Lodging in France's monasteries: inexpensive accommodations, remarkable historic buildings, memorable settings
-Europe's monastery and convent guesthouses
-Good night & God bless: a guide to convent and monastery accommodation in Europe Volume one, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy
-Lodging in Britain's monasteries : inexpensive accommodations, remarkable historic buildings, legendary locations
-The guide to lodging in Italy's Monasteries

New Sites Added!

We have added some new sites for you to use when planning and booking a trip.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Travelers' Health
The CDC provides alerts, news, and general information about domestic and international travel.

Eurotrip
Eurotrip offers an online travel planner for European travel destinations.

Go Green Travel Green
From green hotels and public transportation to local food and eco-tours, Go Green Travel Green is your source for eco travel tips, reviews, and news.

Luxury Link
Vacation packages, hotels, and cruises are available for auction or purchase and include only properties that meet strict criteria for quality, service, and price.

MomsMinivan
MomsMinivan offers "101" ideas to keep kids and toddlers entertained on those long car rides.

New York Times Travel
The New York Times Travel section offers informative articles, professional photographs, videos, and destination guides for cities all around the world.

SeatGuru
SeatGuru provides more than 700 airplane seatmaps from nearly 100 different airlines.

TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® provides recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, vacation packages, travel guides and lots more.

Spring Getaway: Tuscany

Official Tourism site of Tuscany
Italy Booked-to-go Kit
Blue guide Tuscany
Rick Steves' Florence & Tuscany
Tuscany & Umbria
Michelin Tuscany

Spring Getaway: Paris

Paris Convention and Visitors Office
Paris Booked-to-go Kit
Alastair Sawday's special places to stay: Paris
Frommer's Memorable Walks in Paris
Michelin Paris
Rick Steves' Paris
ZagatSurvey Paris Restaurants
Frommer's Paris

Spring Getaway: Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg Official Site
Virginia Tourism
Williamsburg Booked-to-go Kit
Williamsburg Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg

Spring Getaway: Charleston & Savannah

Charleston Visitors Bureau
Savannah Visitor Information
Brunswick & The Golden Isles of Georgia
Charleston & Savannah Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Moon handbooks: Charleston and Savannah
Savannah and Hilton Head

Spring Getaway: Washington, D.C.

Washington.org
Washington, D.C. Booked-to-go
Washington, D.C. Mini Booked-to-go
Fodor's Family Washington D.C. with kids
Fodor's Washington, D.C.
Frommer's Washington, D.C.
Very Washington D.C.: a celebration of the history and culture of America's capital city
Drive around Washington D.C. and Virginia, Maryland and Delaware

Spring Getaway: Hershey

Hersheypark
Hershey Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Hershey Gardens: the cornfield that blossomed with roses

Spring Getaway: Brandywine Valley

Brandywine Country
Chester County's Brandywine Valley
Greater Wilmington and Brandywine Valley
Brandywine Valley Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Philadelphia, Brandywine Valley & Bucks County: A Complete Guide

Spring Getaway: Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Pennsylvania Dutch Country Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Philadelphia & the Pennsylvania Dutch Country (Eyewitness Guide)
Fodor’s Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Eastern Pennsylvania

Spring Getaway: Boston

Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Boston Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Frommer’s Boston
Let’s Go Boston

Spring Getaway: Mystic Seaport

Welcome to Mystic Country!
Mystic Seaport
Visit Connecticut - Mystic
Mystic Mini Booked-to-go Kit
Family Fun Vacation Guide
Guide to the Connecticut Shore
52 Weekends in Connecticut

Spring Getaway: Hudson River Valley

Hudson Valley Tourism
Hudson River Valley Mini Booked-to-go Kit
The Hudson Valley & Catskill Mountains: includes Saratoga Springs & Albany
Moon handbooks. Hudson River Valley
Let's take the kids!: great places to go in New York's Hudson Valley
50 hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley

Ski Spots Not Too Far From Home

A selected list of options for day or weekend skiing & snowboarding adventures:

New York
Campgaw Mountain - for children & beginners, 18 miles from the George Washington Bridge
Catamount Ski
Hunter Mountain
Holiday Mountain
Plattekill Mountain
Tuxedo Ridge - for children & beginners, 35 miles from the George Washington Bridge
Windham Mountain
Belleayre Mountain
Mt. Peter Ski Area

Connecticut
Mohawk Mountain
Ski Sundown
Woodbury Ski Area

New Jersey
Mountain Creek
Hidden Valley Club - approximately 60 miles from the George Washington Bridge

Pennsylvania
Big Boulder
Blue Mountain
Camelback
Jack Frost

Massachusetts
Berkshire East
Blue Hills
Jiminy Peak
Ski Butternut
Ski Ward

Vermont
Stratton Mountain
Mount Snow

New Hampshire
Pats Peak
McIntyre Ski Area
Granite Gorge Ski Area

Winter Olympics 2010

February 12th - 28th

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Official site of the Olympic Movement

All about the Olympics past and present

NBC Coverage of 2010 Winter Olympics

Olympic news and television schedules

2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

Olympic schedules, results, tickets, store & videos

Tourism British Columbia

Guide to accomodations, attractions & maps in Vancouver and the Province of British Columbia

Traveling to Vancouver?

Check out these items, now on display in our Travel Center...

Fodor's Pacific Northwest

Frommer's British Columbia & the Canadian Rockies

Frommer's Vancouver & Victoria

Karen Brown's Pacific Northwest

Mobil Travel Guide Northwest

Moon Handbooks Vancouver & Victoria

Pacific Northwest (Compass American Guide)

Pacific Northwest Trips

Vancouver & Victoria Booked-to-Go Kit

Pacific Northwest Booked-to-Go Kit

Offbeat Vacations

If you are seeking an offbeat vacation, these travel books
may help you plan that special trip:

The 100 Best Vacations to Enrich Your Life
The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life
100 Great Wonders of the World
100 Best Romantic Resorts of the World

1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die
1,001 Historic Sites You Must See Before You Die
239 Great Places to Escape to Nature Without Roughing It
Eco-Travel Guide
Fodor's Adventure Travel: thrilling getaways for the spirited traveler
Frommer's 500 Places for Food and Wine Lovers
Frommer's 500 Places to See Before They Disappear
Frommer's 500 Places Where You Can Make a Difference
Gap Years for Grown Ups
Immersion Travel USA: the best and most meaningful volunteering, living & learning excursions
Lonely Planet Guide to Experimental Travel
Once in a Lifetime Trips: the world's 50 most adventurous, luxurious & memorable travel experiences
Top 100 Most Beautiful Rustic Vacations of North America
Ultimate Adventures: a Rough Guide to adventure travel
Unforgettable Journeys to Take Before You Die
Volunteer Vacations Across America
Volunteer Vacations: short-term adventures that will benefit you and others
Volunteer: a traveller's guide to making a difference around the world