Archive for June, 2007

Where the Rocket’s Red Glare

Wednesday, June 20th, 2007

Sure, you can spend Fourth of July in your backyard, slaving over a hot grill, feeding 30 friends and family members, just to end the day exhausted in front of the TV watching fireworks hosted by the latest American Idol. Been there, done that! So, grab your suitcase and some tiny toiletries because this year, you’re going to see these fireworks in person. If your boss won’t let you off for the week, just tell him he’s unpatriotic and suppressing your right to party for our country.

Boston flights | hotels | cars
Boston has a long and sordid history of patriotic partying that dates back to that infamous racy tea party. Rather than just celebrate the city’s contribution to independence on one day, Boston Harborfest takes seven days, from June 28th to July 4th. Participate in Revolutionary re-enactments, enjoy a walking tour, board a U.S. naval ship, and sit back with a Sam Adams during a concert. If you’re hungry, the annual Chowderfest ladles out more than 2,000 gallons of New England Clam Chowder from the city’s top restaurants. All this, plus a fireworks display on the 4th accompanied by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Washington, DC flights | hotels | cars
There’s no better place to honor America and celebrate the old gal’s B-Day than Washington, D.C. Wave your tiny flag during the parade along Constitution Avenue or listen in on a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence at the steps of the National Archives. March to all the memorials and say your thank-yous to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Notice all the tents on the National Mall? That’s The Smithsonian’s annual Folklife Festival (June 27-July 1 and July 4-8) which this year celebrates the culture of the Mekong River, Northern Ireland and the great state of Virginia. When the heat dies down, grab a picnic basket and blanket and stake out a spot near the Capitol for a ferocious fireworks display accompanied by The National Symphony Orchestra.

St. Louis flights | hotels | cars
Kick off your Independence Day celebration on the 3rd with a party along the St. Louis riverfront. Catch the Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse and a pre-celebration fireworks display underneath the Arch. But you can’t officially celebrate in this beer city without a trip to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Clydesdale stables. Jump out of bed on the 4th to see the Annual Veiled Prophet Parade, and then explore the grounds and vendors setting up shop. Need a little entertainment to get you in the mood? Get a blast from the past with a performance by Cyndi Lauper before an amazing fireworks display over the backdrop of the Arch across the Mississippi River.

Saint John, Virgin Islands flights | hotels | cars
The US Virgin Islands party all summer and the 4th of July is no exception. St. John’s Carnival celebration starts in June and but really heats up on Emancipation Day on July 3rd and Independence Day on the 4th. The calendar of events includes concerts, a parade, a bike race, delicious island food, and of course endless sun and sand. You’ll find the pulse radiating from Cruz Bay, so grab a tropical cocktail and get lost in the crowd. The event attracts as many locals as tourists, so celebrate our melting pot by making new friends.

Featured Kayaker: Rockland, Maine flights | hotels | cars
After reading about the Lobster Festival in Rockland, Maine, I wanted to let you know about another in Rockland that’s one kick-#@% party, and that’s the annual North Atlantic Blues Festival, which is on July 14th and 15th this year. National touring Blues bands perform Saturday and Sunday. Everyone has a great time, and it’s very affordable: $45 for a weekend ticket.

a Blues fan from Massachusetts,

Jim Langley

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Did you know?
You and your new S.O. (Significant Other) venture out on the first trip away from your mutually exclusive zip codes. Don’t want to look cheap with the motel room while not giving the wedding bell message by booking a suite? Slide over and use our unique “hotel sliders” filtering tool and we’ll find you the best price for the exact room you’re looking for.

Proud to be American,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com Founding Fathers

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Festivals, Fried Food, & Flying Tomatoes

Wednesday, June 13th, 2007

Festival comes from the Latin word “Fes” meaning small, cheaply made trinket you win by shooting a water gun, “ti” meaning any food that is fried, and “val” meaning the more beer consumed, the better the local bands will sound. It’s time for summer festival season, so bring some sunscreen, an empty stomach and your dancing shoes because we’re taking you on a whirlwind tour of our favorite summer festivals.

Rockland, Maine flights | hotels | cars
If a corndog has never passed your lips, chances are you’re a foodie and since typical festival food won’t do for you, we recommend the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, August 1-5. In fact, the festival turns 60 this year, so bring a gift and add our name to the card. If you didn’t already know, lobster isn’t really lobster unless you’ve had it fresh from Maine’s cool, crisp waters. It will taste even better with a glass of wine or beer and a view of picturesque Penobscot Bay. When not eating, you can compete in the cooking contest, take in the lobster crate race, and check out the Arts & Craft. Since lobsters mate for life, remember to eat two at every sitting to keep nature’s delicate balance in tact.

Ypsilanti, Michigan flights | hotels | cars
If lobster in New England is too high brow for you, follow us to the Tenth Annual Summer Beer Festival on July 27th and 28th in, wait for it… Ypsilanti, Michigan. That’s right, you’ll get your drink on at Riverside Park in Historic Depot Town where you’ll find over 100 beers to sample–all brewed in the great beer state of Michigan (step aside Wisconsin). The brewers are manning their tents, so you can talk to each one about their favorites or get advice for brewing your own special brand. Take it all in while listening to live music and mingling with other beer lovers during a Michigan summer day (known as winter in any other state). But be warned, after a beer gut full of the finest beers, you may never go light beer again. Bye, bye waistline!

Bunol, Spain flights | hotels | cars
Grab a tomato and join the world’s largest food fight at the Tomatina Festival in Bunol, Spain. Signaling the end of the growing season, the week starts with parades, fireworks, shopping, and street parties leading up to the main event. On the final Wednesday in August, 90,000 pounds of tomatoes arrive by the truckloads for an eager crowd. After a day of feasting and endless pitchers of Sangria, some drunk will climb a pole to remove a ham which signals go time. Tomato packed rockets burst into the air for a new take on shock and awe. Soon, everyone in throwing distance is covered in soggy, red goo. After the war has died down, friends and foes reconcile and march down to the river to de-sauce and party well into the night.

San Francisco, California flights | hotels | cars
If you’re out and proud and proud to be out and proud, get over to San Francisco’s Gay Pride Parade. Grab your rainbow flag and join the love on June 23rd and 24th. Be one of the 750,000 cheering on the parade and dressed to kill. Next, choose from fifteen stages of live music, 300 vendors to vie for your affections (and wallet) and some darn good food and beverage. It’s an all night party in San Francisco, so join the crowd in the Castro and show the straight bystanders how it’s really done. But if two days just isn’t long enough to flaunt your true colors, consider arriving early on the 14th for The International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival and support the gay art community. Honey, you know it’s not truly Gay Pride unless you’re there to celebrate it, so don’t keep us waiting.

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Did you know?
Can’t find a flight that fits your budget? Kayak will track fares for a city pair and alert you via email when the fare meets or beats your desired price. To track a fare, click on the “Fare Alert” link on the top right corner of the results page. Specify travel month, max price, currency and frequency of notification emails. Kayak will only send you an email when the fare meets or beats your specified price.

Next Week’s Newsletter: July 4th Getaways
Got a favorite July 4th escape? Whether it’s local or international, we want you to share your unique trip idea with other Kayakers. There’s a free Kayak t-shirt in it if we pick you.

Win a Kewpie doll for us,

Steve and Paul, Kayak.com co-founders

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Father of All Vacations

Wednesday, June 6th, 2007

We’re thinking Dad might not want a tie, grill gear, or a golf shirt from your corporate picnic for Father’s Day. So swap a trip to Home Depot for a bonding trip–just you and dad. How do we know he’ll like it? Because he sent us the backlog of ties you’ve been giving him and begged for our help.

Washington DC flights | hotels | cars
What better spot to hang with Dad than where our founding fathers are still watching us stony faced and quietly judging? All Dads are universally required to dig on history trips, and our bet is that yours is no exception. Check out Washington, D.C.’s exhausting list of manly museums including the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, International Spy Museum and the National Museum of Health & Medicine. No D.C. trip is complete without a stare down with Honest Abe at the Lincoln Memorial and a solemn gaze at the Washington Monument. But it’s not all history and dead prezes, so check out a Washington Nationals game or unwind in air conditioning at ESPN Zone.

Bryce Canyon flights | hotels | cars
We’ve seen enough 80’s movies to know Dad + camping = madcap comedy. Take him on a camping adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Kick it off with a hike 521 feet down the Navajo Trail to see native wildlife and stunning rock formations but remember what goes down eventually has to walk back up during the heat of the day. Next, hike from Under-the-Rim Trail connecting Bryce Point to Rainbow Point. Or try Riggs Springs Trail to see some amazing views of the Pink Cliffs. When you and Dad have bonded over blisters and sunburn, set up camp at North Campground, Sunset Campground, or Sunset Group Campsite. Build a fire and do some stargazing over some cold brews. Good talk, Russ.

Hamburg flights | hotels | cars
Got a non-traditional Dad? Take him on a non-traditional vacation. Germany’s version of Father’s Day is called Vatertag and is more about “boys day out” and drinking in the pubs than honoring dad with a tie in the shape of a fish. Revitalize the tradition and head to Hamburg for a well-rounded trip of culture, funky shops, smoky bars, and good food. If you can stomach the thought, shock your Dad with a visit to the Erotic Art Museum. Not your dad’s speed? How about Fish Auction Hall and Market for some local flavor. Next, try Jungfernstieg Street for some shopping, Alster Lakes to relax, or just hit the local bars. Try Top of the Town, Toast, or Max & Consorten for some good brew. Cheers!

Key West flights | hotels | cars
We’ve got a wild card up our Hawaiian shirt sleeve: Key West. If it’s good enough for the likes of both Hemingway and Jimmy Buffet, it’s good enough for Dad. If he’s an outdoorsman, take him snorkeling, boating or fishing at Smathers Beach. If he prefers a little history and culture, venture over to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Pat Croce’s Pirate Soul Museum, or Harry S. Truman’s Little White House. Big spender? Try some shopping on Duval Street. Do you have a party Dad on your hands? Try Sloppy Joe’s for frozen concoctions, The Hog’s Breath for brews and Mallory Square for fire eaters and contortionists. Speaking of eating, we recommend Blue Heaven, El Siboney Restaurant, and Rooftop Cafe.

Next Week’s Newsletter: Summer Festivals

Do you have fond memories of a summer festival from your childhood? Or is there a festival you’ve always dreamed of visiting? Share it with other Kayakers. There’s a free Kayak t-shirt in it if we pick you.

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Win the Father of All Trips!Rev your engines because one lucky winner and a friend are flying to Atlantic City where you’ll live like Ocean’s 14th friend at one of the city’s best casino resorts. You’ll also get a full day of racing at Doug Foley’s Racing School where you’ll both strap on driving suits to actually drive the most bad-ass racing cars you’ve ever seen. Enter today to win.

Wishing every day was Father’s Day,

Steve (father of three) and Paul (father of two), Kayak.com co-founders

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