Gridskipper

Al Capone's Brooklyn

2009-07-01T17:00:00Z

The original "Public Enemy Number One," mob kingpin Al Capone, may be the most famous criminal of all time. Capone is best known as a Chicago crime boss, but he spent his formative years in Brooklyn before moving on to terrorize the midwest. This map includes all of the most important locations from Capone's childhood and early years as a small time New York gangster. It's a great guide for anyone whose idea of a fun sightseeing trip involves remembering the days when the Brooklyn waterfront was filled with brothels, and complimenting the wrong woman's physical assets in Coney Island could get you slashed. (photo)

Museum Gardens of Paris

2009-07-01T15:00:25Z

The Luxembourg Gardens and the Tuileries are lovely any day. But several of Paris' free city museums also come equipped with complimentary green spaces -- pleasant gardens where you can relax before or after a visit to the collection, or just come to hang out. Here's a short tour of some pretty museum gardens around Paris to stroll through while the weather holds.

[Photo by Vieille du Temple]

Wheel Up: Russia, Standing-Only Flights & Cricket

2009-07-01T13:30:00Z

Moscow, Russia [Photo by Adam Baker/Flickr]

·Spring airlines to offer standing room only tickets for flights [MSNBC]
·What to do when in South Africa for a major cricket match [NYT]
·Travel agents paying credit card fees on flights sold [USAToday]
·In the midst of a Central American coup, where is ok to travel [Forbes]
·Gambling to be confined to four specific regions in Moscow [BBC]

The Grand Arches of Paris

2009-06-30T17:00:33Z

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is often considered a must-see, and many visitors make a special trip to the western end of the Champs-Elysées to examine it up close. But some people don't realize it's possible to go up inside the arch and admire the view from above. Since mid-February, the French government has made the trek more enticing by inaugurating a new permanent multimedia exhibit meant to educate visitors about the history of this famous monument. The exhibit includes a special telescope that provides information about surrounding city sights. While the Arc de Triomphe is the best known of the city's arches, it's just one of several arches -- triumphal and otherwise -- scattered throughout the city. Here's a guide.

Getting Real High in Berlin

2009-06-30T15:00:49Z

Berlin is well known for its burgeoning street scene -- storefront art galleries, too-hip boutiques, dangerously funky hotels, and trendy nightclubs all springing up like mushrooms after a spring rain. The attempt to see everything the streets have to offer can bring one dangerously close to a curious state of nervous exhaustion. If you find yourself fed up with the foto-snapping, guidebook-consulting, shopping-bag-toting crowds and beginning to speak in clipped phrases of Teutonic gibberish, take a moment to relax, recuperate and rise above. See the city, all of it, all at once, from these high-altitude observation points.

Wheels Up: Thailand, NYC Escapes & Summer Fares

2009-06-30T13:30:19Z

Bangkok, Thailand [Photo by Stuck in Customs/Flickr]

·Thailand offering drastic travel discounts and tourism numbers fall short [AP]
·Concrete jungle escapes that won't break the bank [CNN]
·Summer airfares that are particularly inexpensive [USAToday]
·And, why now is the best time to book for summer airfares [MSNBC]
·Airlines that you should be avoiding [TDB]

Jetcetera: Morocco, World Heritage & Carry-Ons

2009-06-29T21:00:22Z

Fez, Morocco [Photo by P.J.P./Flickr]

·UESCO adds sites, drops one from World Heritage List [Gadling]
·The best summer activities taking place around the states [MSNBC]
·Size of carry-on bags soon to be regulated by the TSA [NYT]
·Morocco's streets as anecdotal image to Iranian violence [Slate]
·It's time for New York restaurant week yet again [CNT]
·2 small UK train companies popular for selling cheap ticks on board [Times]

Good Eats in Venice

2009-06-29T17:00:20Z

Canals, romance, gondolas, carnivale -- people tend to conjure up these ideas when they think of Venice. Notions like fresh pasta, hand pulled mozzarella, and robust wines are left to areas like Tuscany, Sicily, and Puglia. And it turns out that finding a decent meal in Venice can e challenging. As the streets fill with more and more tourists, and as the native population dwindles, restaurants have less of an incentive to offer genuinely good and affordable fare. A selection of such eateries after the jump.

[Photo by Johnny Jet]

Getting Girly in Berlin

2009-06-29T15:00:23Z

Berlin doesn't spring to mind as a girly sort of place. Paris wears that particular sparkly pink tiara -- Amelie wasn't set in Moabit, after all, and I ain't come across a single chick-lit novel in which the heroine runs away to the hauptstadt and finds herself surrounded by fascinating, sophisticated, and enigmatic German gentlemen, learns the correct way to eat Bratwurst on the street, and savors a foaming stein of yellow beer in a charming kneipe full of unemployed East German men. There is a German word for girly girls though -- tussen -- and the city itself is chock-full of lady-friendly spots. In their honor, we've highlighted Berlin's various shops and services that are sure to appeal to any stereotpyical sweet/spa/scent loving lady.

[Photo by Off Shore/Flickr]

Wheels Up: Florida, Kansas & Farmer's Market

2009-06-29T13:30:22Z

Kansas City, Kansas [Photo by timsamoff/Flickr]

·Florida's most infamous watering holes [AP]
·The best BBQ in Kansas City [LAT]
·America's best beach towns [MSNBC]
·A look at whether or not 'travel protection' is worth the cost [NYT]
·The world's best tasting rooms [T+L]
·LA's Farmer's Market celebrating its 75th anniversary [USAToday]

Jetcetera: Culinary Escapes, CIty of Light & Seaside Inns

2009-06-26T21:00:29Z

Depoe Bay, Oregon [Photo by Will Foster/Flickr]

·Picturesque seaside inns across the country [MSNBC]
·The City of Light on the cheap [NYT]
·The best iPhone applications for travelers [T+L]
·An unlikely culinary destination in Traverse City, Michigan [AP]
·A former Queen Elizabeth stomping ground and hotel turns 80 [Globorati]

Curbed Network Advertisers: Here they are, this week's Curbed...

2009-06-26T20:00:47Z

Here they are, this week's Curbed Network advertisers: · 2 Gold Street · ACES · American Apparel · The Apthorp · Beacon Towers · Blackstone Properties · Columbus Square · Concerto · Crunch · CUESA · Devlin McNiff · Edge · Food Trip with Todd English · Forté · The Great American Food & Music Fest · Innis & Gunn · MAGIC · The New York Times · NYC Wine & Food Festival · Patina Restaurant Group · Peter Cooper Village / Stuy Town · Stoli · Terranea Resort · Time Warner Cable · Toren · VeeV · The View at East Coast. Join in on the fun. Details in our online media kit. Or drop us a line.

Two Blocks from 30 Rock: Lunch

2009-06-26T15:00:09Z

Lunchtime in Manhattan can be a nightmare, especially when you work in the tourist-ridden areas between 34th and 59th streets. Most New Yorkers avoid this area at all costs, except for those who actually have to work in the area. Sometimes it can be hard to find a balance between overpriced midtown clip joints and undersanitary crap lunch counters. When it comes to lunch within two blocks of 30 Rockefeller Center, here's a few acceptable places to get you started. Got more suggestions? Let us know.

[Photo by Codename/Flickr]

Wheels Up: Hawaii, Ireland & NYC Getaways

2009-06-26T13:30:10Z

Cork, Ireland [Photo by kman99/Flickr]

·Carriers hiking up prices pre-summer travel season [MSNBC]
·Southwest to begin servicing LaGuardia airport Sunday [USAToday]
·Now or never for making last-minute travel plans [AP]
·Hawaiian tourism on the decline [UPI]
·3 easy weekend getaways for New Yorkers, the Hamptons not included [Frommers]
·A day and a half in Cork, Ireland [NYT]

Jetcetera: Bavaria, BA & Independence Day in London

2009-06-25T21:00:56Z

Munich, Germany [Photo by Ruslik/Flickr]

·Celebrating an all-American independence day in London [USAToday]
·800 British Airways workers to go unpaid [BBC]
·Surfing in Munich may be legalized soon [Spiegel]
·Ten top notch river cruises [MSNBC]
·Florida airport lifts ban on gum chewing [Gadling]
·In honor of W South Beach's upcoming opening, a look back at the saga [HC]

Extended Stay Berlin Hotels

2009-06-25T17:00:44Z

Hotel rooms can feel a little too anonymous at times, and maybe you'd like a chance to have your morning kaffee und brötchen in private instead of facing the hordes at the breakfast buffet. Here's a selection of apartments for those staying longer than the average guest, priced upwards of mid-range. DSL connections, satellite TV, and kitted-out kitchens come standard, and the interiors have been lovingly arranged by top-notch interior designers. Just don't tell any locals how much you're paying per month -- they'll spit out their Berliner pilsner and say that you could rent a coal-heated five-room wohnung in Pankow complete with resident family of four and authentic DDR fixtures for half the price.

Small Movie Houses in Big San Francisco

2009-06-25T15:00:31Z

From the AMC 1000 to the mammoth that is the Metreon, San Francisco has its hands full with the big theaters. Every city -- especially a metro as odd as this one -- needs its alternative theaters. Where else will you go to see a French drama about a girl who thinks she's a boy? Where else will you find people staring blankly at one another, in real indie fashion? And most importantly, what theaters can you go to where people will respect the movies they're watching and won't treat the viewing as sloppy make-out time? I'd venture to say: the theaters on this list. Though I'm sure at least someone has lost their virginity at the Bridge.

Wheels Up: South Africa, London & Chef's Best

2009-06-25T13:30:03Z

Cape Town, Africa [Photo by ifijay/Flickr]

·Obama to attend the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 [Jaunted]
·The live music is in store for London's Sumerset House this summer [Londonist]
·Chef Andrew Carmellini's favorite eateries around the globe [CNT]
·Drop in foreign spending in the US hasn't bottomed out yet [Gadling]
·Renting out Frank Lloyd Wright's Mirror Lake adjacent abode [NG]

Jetcetera: Germany, Cultural Monuments & South Asia

2009-06-24T21:00:40Z

Usedom, Germany [Photo by Usedom, Germany]

·Voluntouring in South Asia [CNT]
·A tiny island with a big reputation in the British Virgin Islands [Gadling]
·Original Sees Candy shop in LA designated a historic cultural monument [LAist]
·Rosewood Hotels lending guests UltraHD camcorders during stay [FSA]
·Germany's island of 'Singing' sand [NYT]

QUICKLISTING: Introducing Terranea Resort

2009-06-24T18:00:02Z

Reconnect. Revive. Rejuvenate.
Just minutes from Los Angeles.
Terranea Resort [terranea.com]" border="0">

[QuickListings are paid advertisements from trusted Curbed advertisers. For more information on QuickListings, or to place an ad, please contact sales@curbed.com.]

LA's Best Late-Night Dining

2009-06-24T17:00:05Z

Attention workaholics, partyholics, and alcoholics: We know you're in perpetual need of 4 a.m. non-fast-food options around Los Angeles. The list of 24-hour (or at least late-night) eateries spans countless neighborhoods and cuisines. Ergo, consult our smattering of favorites for a wind-down belly filling or an energizing, report's-due-tomorrow panicky meal. The good news is it's not all diner food, though diners do make a strong showing. Korean, Thai, and Mexican all offer good choices for predawn eating, and we encourage drunken multiculturalism. Submit your own culinary bolt-holes in the comments or to the tip jar.

Best Burger Bars in Sydney

2009-06-24T15:00:52Z

Once upon a time, the definition of a hamburger was forced upon us by multinational conglomerates pouring out millions of identical slim meaty pickings between sweetened buns. While I'm not one to argue against sweet buns, they're best left out of the burger mix. Sydney's gourmet burger scene is expanding by the day, mocking the multitude of multicultural tastes we'd embraced what seems like only moments before. But as long as the new contenders spurn the grease-filled, soggy, artery-clogging burgers of old, their popularity will likely only continue to grow.

Wheels Up: Overland, Airports & NYC

2009-06-24T15:00:19Z

Grampian Mountains, Australia [Photo by Joe Shlabotnik/Flickr]

·Economy taking toll on holiday travel plans [AP]
·Oyster's atypical approach to obtaining hotel reviews: hire reporters [BW]
·National Parks not overrun with tourists [MSNBC]
·Airport projects being put on hold as a result of downturn [NYT]
·A lavish way to spend 11 hours of daylight down under [Globorati]
·The latest on NYC's not-yet-opened Indigo hotel [HC]

Jetcetera: Drinking Zones, Cutbacks & Summer Travel

2009-06-23T21:00:27Z

Hvar, Croatia [Photo by Let Ideas Compete/Flickr]

·'Clear' airport program closes up shop [AP]
·Ten experiences to avoid in NYC [MSNBC]
·A seasoned traveler talks traveling as a single woman and budget-friendly jaunts [NYT]
·14 summer-friendly destinations offer more bang for a US buck [PP]
·More than 700 'controlled drinking zones' instituted across England [Times]

Chicago Baseball Bars

2009-06-23T17:00:08Z

In our quest to provide baseball fans with bars where they can indulge in mutual loves and shared hostilities, here's our brief guide to baseball bars in Chicago. Though not as readily diverse as New York or Los Angeles -- which have numerous bars catering to out-of-town teams -- Chicago does have a few options for transplants or visitors. As always, if you have more suggestions for the list, tell us at tips@gridskipper.com. And now, to the sporty drinking.

Cheap & Chic Paris Hotels

2009-06-23T15:00:09Z

Believe it or not in Paris there is an entire world of cheap but nice, centrally located, and affordable Paris hotels. Finding them, however, can be a difficult task -- but the city does have over 1,500 hotels and 75,000 hotel rooms, making it a practical challenge. In honor of this pursuit we've narrowed down a hefty handful of decent and reasonably priced places. Some we'd be a little wary of, but in the current economy, you take what you can get. And at least we're not talking backpacker holding pens.

Wheels Up: Camping, Italy & A New NYC Grill

2009-06-23T13:30:03Z

Val di Funes, Italy [Photo by gigi62/Flickr]

·Oyster hotels - a new site for prospective guests - launches [Gadling]
·The Standard Grill opens at the new Standard Hotel in NYC [HC]
·New Cristallo Palace Hotel to open this summer in Italy's Dolomites [FSA]
·Cultural camping at a museum in Copenhagen [NGA]
·The good and bad of Africa's nature-filled island of Socotra [Jaunted]

Jetcetera: Greece, Cancun & Critics

2009-06-22T21:00:34Z

Mykonos, Greece [Photo by caffeine obsessed/Flickr]

·Deciphering which critics are worth listening to in the age of social media [NYT]
·Why Puglia should be high on your travel wish list [CNT]
·A new members-only hotel in Mykonos, Greece [AGH]
·Who to blame for less space in airlines' overhead bins [Gadling]
·Staying at the Real Worlders' abode in Cancun [HC]

North Beach Bars for Locals

2009-06-22T17:00:47Z

Sooner or later, if you are a tourist in San Francisco, you are going to end up in North Beach. But let's just pretend, for a moment, that the area is not just one big cluster of tourist-stuffed Italian restaurants serving out fettuccini marinara by the beltload to camcorder-wielding Midwesterners in plaid slacks. Instead, let's imagine there's a large number of locals living nearby, and that they eventually must venture out and find worthwhile establishments. Fortunately, there are a few reliable locals' bars in North Beach, if you know where to look.

Eating Japanese in Paris

2009-06-22T15:00:41Z

Great Japanese isn't the first thing that comes to mind when reflecting on the Parisian culinary landscape. But thanks to the large influx of Japanese tourists, businessmen, and expats, the French capital has a lot to offer for those seeking a break from the brasserie and bistro scene. From the sculpted sweet offerings of chic Japanese patisseries to cake-box sized sushi joints, aficionados of the East will in no way struggle to find a culinary bolt-hole to call their own.

Wheels Up: Portland, Cape Town & Top Notch Road Trips

2009-06-22T13:30:42Z

Portland, Maine [Photo by Jim Dollar/Flickr]

·The best budget-friendly attractions Portland, Maine has to offer [AP]
·Swine flu fears spark random 'quarantine' for travelers in China [CNN]
·The nation's best destinations for road trips [Forbes]
·7 spots where you can eat like a chef in Cape Town [Frommers]
·A look at all ski staple Lake Tahoe has to offer come summertime [LAT]
·Seven little known, idyllic summer hideaways [MSNBC]

Jetcetera: Space Travel, Urbino & 4th of July Fireworks

2009-06-19T21:00:20Z

Üçağiz, Antalya, Turkey [Photo by AK***/Flickr]

·Sleeping like a sultan in Antalya, Turkey [Globorati]
·The best Fourth of July fireworks around the US [AP]
·The ten best BBQ joints around the country [BA]
·The future for space tourism in New Mexico [CNN]
·Urbino, Italy's 'Renaissance cool' [NYT]
·Airlines introducing more a la carte fees for summer [USAToday]

LA's Endangered Used Bookstores

2009-06-19T17:00:34Z

LA is a formerly literary-obsessed area rife with old booksellers whose collections are nods to a bygone era where people actually read books on the regular. With mom and pop bookstores constantly closing as a result of a struggling publishing industry and corporate monoliths taking over, independently run bookshops are increasingly rare. So, in support of the local indie book shop, we've gathered up the best of the bunch in Los Angeles and listed them below.

Live Music in Montreal

2009-06-19T15:00:42Z

Montreal has been a musical mecca since the 1920s, when its famed burlesque and jazz clubs offered audiences something that couldn’t be found anywhere else. Given that this coincided with U.S. prohibition, that “something” may in large part have been “booze”. But the cities’ attachment to live music has never waned and its jazz scene eventually begat the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the largest of its kind in the world.

Fast-forward to the present and, internationally, the city has become known for its electronic music (Mutek is the local fest
devoted to the genre) and an indie music scene that has delivered Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Malajube and more to the world’s ears. Many of which have played Pop Montreal, the indie fest that has expanded to include a bit of everything. Again the city itself plays some role in this phenomenon: low rent attracts musicians and artists from all over, and the creative bonhomie keeps them here and collaborating. Or maybe it’s just all the attractive women. Montreal is a city that likes to go out, to eat, drink, see and be seen, so you could do worse than wandering around without a plan. But if you’re looking for live music, here are a couple highlights that your ears won’t want to miss.
--Brendan Murphy is a Montreal-based music columnist and blogger. Check out his Montreal Nightlife Blog for more on Montreal after dark.

[Photo by M-C/Flickr]

Wheels Up: California, Maps & Philly's Water Ices

2009-06-19T13:30:35Z

Malibu, California [Photo by da100fotos/Flickr]

·36 hours in Malibu [NYT]
·3-D Pixel-Art maps that put Google Earth to shame [PS]
·Water ices all the rage, where to get the best in Philly [Gourmet]
·The largest community of Iranians outside of Iran is in Los Angeles [NPR]
·Pocket parks and secret gardens in NYC [Frommers]
·Vote for your favorite American farmer's market [via Curbed]

Jetcetera: NYC, Jersey & Sin City On The Cheap

2009-06-18T21:00:14Z

Mt. Meru, Tanzania [Photo by riot/Flickr]

·Vegas on a budget [MSNBC]
·Why the streets of the Big Apple are deadlier come summertime [UPI]
·Plane lands safely in N.J. after pilot dies mid-flight [NPR]
·The Jersey Shore gets chic after the sun goes down [NYT]
·A new airline where pets are king [USAToday]
·New York's Empire Hotel home to a slew of celebrities recently [HC]

Ultimate 3GS iPhone Campout Guide: LA Century City

2009-06-18T17:05:27Z

Following a formidable face-lift a few years back, the Westfield Century City shopping center has become a definitively modern, upscale, outdoor shopping experience. There's really no reason to ever leave the mall, which features a gourmet food court, restaurants such as Houston's and Gulfstream, a plethora of clean, free bathrooms, and a number of bars and lounges. But for campers awaiting the release of the 3GS iPhone tomorrow, here's a list of nearby Century City bathrooms, eateries, pubs, and free wifi.

Ultimate 3GS iPhone Campout Guide: NYC Fifth Avenue

2009-06-18T15:00:35Z

So you've decided to camp out for tomorrow's release of the new 3GS iPhone at the Apple store on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan. Well that's just fine. There's a big open plaza to hang out in, the weather will probably be decent (unless it's raining), and you'll be surrounded by everything you need to survive in the wilds of the lower Upper East Side. And while you can't quite live off the fat of the land here, local merchants and traders will barter with you for baubles and provisions. Of course, you've chosen one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the country to do so, but there are a few ways to save money on the essentials of life. After all, if you're shelling out a few hundred bucks and then some for this tiny, shiny, precious object, you'll need to save dough in other places. Commit this survival guide to memory, and sally forth to Fifth Avenue.

Wheels Up: Australia, Glamping & Amsterdam

2009-06-18T13:30:27Z

[Photo by ppym1/Flickr]

·Russia's Hermitage museum opening satellite branch in Amsterdam [AP]
·JetBlue now servicing LAX [BB]
·Monocle Magazine's picks for the three most livable cities around the globe [PSFK]
·MTA threatens passengers not willing to give up seats for elderly or disabled with fine [UPI]
·Going 'glamping' in the UK [Independent]
·An Aboriginal nature tour in Queensland, Australia [Gadling]

Jetcetera: Italy, Honeymoons & A New W Hotel

2009-06-17T21:00:09Z

Rome, Italy [Photo by beachy/Flickr]

·Touring Rome's Colosseum after dark [USAToday]
·Abercrombie & Kent's guide to Florence underground [Globorati]
·The 'cheapest and chicest' honeymoon getaways [via Gadling]
·New W Hotel opens in Ft. Lauderdale [FSA]
·A beginner's guide to Paris... Texas [NG]

QUICKLISTING: Introducing Terranea Resort

2009-06-17T18:00:29Z

Reconnect. Revive. Rejuvenate.
Just minutes from Los Angeles.
Terranea Resort [terranea.com]" border="0">

[QuickListings are paid advertisements from trusted Curbed advertisers. For more information on QuickListings, or to place an ad, please contact sales@curbed.com.]

Stylish Hotels in Madrid

2009-06-17T17:00:12Z

Like most modern cities, Madrid has a growing number of boutique and design hotels geared toward hip, stylish, and most importantly, wealthy visitors to the city. Madrid also happens to have a great number of traditional accommodations that focus on opulent luxury. Whether you are hip and cool and want the newest space designed by Norman Foster or are traditional and just want antique furniture and impeccable service, Madrid's got the goods. We've scoured the hotel scene in the Spanish city and have compiled a guide to the most stylish of the hotel options here for all traveling types.

Grilling Out in New York City

2009-06-17T15:00:23Z

If you invariably find yourself an invitee to barbecues (technically just "grillings") in New York and yet never get to wield the tongs, you are not alone. Many of us lack ideal outdoor space to grill (excluding the rickety fire escape where a lonely plant struggles to survive, or a front stoop piled with takeout menus). Well, that's where the "public" factor of many New York parks comes into play. There are many fine spots to hold a barbecue, as well as partake in other recreational activities in beautiful surroundings, in all five boroughs. If you are car-less, planning said barbecue will require some logistical finesse, and the potluck arrangement is still ideal. Here are a few places to grill out once you've got your (headless and marinated) ducks in a row.

[Photo by Doogie/Flickr]

Wheels Up: Africa, Acropolis & Independence Day

2009-06-17T13:30:09Z

Lamu, Kenya [Photo by Rogiro/Flickr]

·New travel site launches, offers interactive look at luxe getaways [via Inbox]
·America's top water parks [MSNBC]
·Vacation destinations likely to remain recession-proof this summer [USAToday]
·Lamu: Kenya's enchanted island [CNT]
·New Acropolis museum opens to controversy [Globorati]
·The five best hotels for the 4th of July [HC]

Jetcetera: Dublin, Travel Sites & Atlas Obscura

2009-06-16T21:00:04Z

Dublin, Ireland [Photo by féileacán/Flickr]

·An online atlas to the world's most esoteric and obscure locales [BB]
·Magnificent yet manageable US road trips [CNN]
·Why Dublin lives up to its reputation as the 'Celtic Tiger' [MSNBC]
·Putting travel websites to the test [NYT]
·8 NYC hotels offering 3rd night free [PP]

SF Hangover-Helper Brunch

2009-06-16T17:00:02Z

A survey was taken a few years ago whose results stated that San Franciscans consume the most books and booze of any major American city. Of course, those nights of poetry and bourbon tend to melt into mornings of nausea and stupor. With this in mind, it's indispensable to find that perfect place for coffee and grease in which to gingerly piece together your memories of the night before. Like all halfway decent places for hangover brunch, these places might have a wait, but these are abated by free coffee and/or awe-inspiring Bloody Marys.

Seeing Sydney From Above

2009-06-16T15:00:59Z

Sydney is a city ripe for sightseeing. From iconic landmarks like the Opera House, to Darling Harbour nightlife, there's plenty of attractions with which to fill your days. But, whether you're a local or temporary visitor, few sights prove as worthwhile as those captured from tens to hundreds of feet up. So, if you're looking to impress a special someone or are just looking for unique vistas, here are five spots offering aerial views of Sydney.

Wheels Up: Oregon, Ice Cream & Airline Costs

2009-06-16T13:30:49Z

Oregon Coast [Photo by van ort/Flickr]

·Thousands swarm LA for Lakers parade [MSNBC]
·British Airways reporting record annual losses [NPR]
·Tips for stress-free travel [AP]
·The best ice cream shops from coast to coast [T+L]
·Stylish places to stay along Oregon's coast [CNN]
·What's in the cards for cost of airline tickets [NYT]

Jetcetera: Bradford, Carlsbad & CA Wine Country

2009-06-15T21:00:59Z

Carlsbad Flower Fields [Photo by Bisayan lady/Flickr]

·Conquering California's wine country on a budget [AP]
·Extended Stay hotels filing for bankruptcy [LVS]
·Bradford, England named the world's first-ever UN City of Film [AP]
·A look at Carlsbad's inimitable natural beauty [LAT]
·Off the beaten path eats in Berlin [NYT]

Seattle Farmer's Markets

2009-06-15T17:00:27Z

Though Seattle is known for rain and fog, summer there is glorious. And all that precipitation produces incredible fruits and vegetables on farms dotted all over Washington State. Seattle's summer markets sell truckloads of produce, plus meats, seafood, jams, and crafts from the throughout the region. Just about every weekend, you have over a dozen markets to choose from (plus the odd weekday market as well). After the jump, a few recommendations on the best market targets in the Emerald City.

[Photo by Jeff Hurlow/Flickr]