Hello, all FantasyFesters!

You are in for a treat both for the Fantasy Fest event itself and for Key West. While I've only been 11 times, I have learned a few things through personal experience or the experience of others, so here are the TravelSlut® 's top tips for first-time attendee (in no particular order):

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Key West is a walking town especially on and around Duval Street so comfortable, soled shoes or sandals area must. Don't walk downtown in barefeet as the str

The 2011 Fantasy Fest celebration in Key West is the 32nd year of weeklong  fun on and around Duval Street and this year it runs from Friday October 21 to Sunday October 30.

This year’s theme is “ Aquatic Afrolic “ and please note that some of the  events listed below are official and sanctioned by the Fantasy Fest committee  that oversees the event and some events that are “unofficial” may require you to  check with locals to confirm that they are still scheduled on their respective days. Some o

Why is Munich's famous Oktoberfest called Oktoberfest if it's mostly in September?

The first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 to honor the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig's marriage to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The festivities began on October 12, 1810 and ended after five days with a horse race. During the years, the celebrations were repeated and, later, the festival was extended and moved forward into September, for better chances of good weather. September nights are warmer and vi

The Hottest Party in Spain.

Fires are burning all over Valencia. I cannot glimpse an intersection that is not ablaze. 

Bombaderos , firemen dressed in black turnout, stand by just waiting with tanker trucks full of water, and portable pumps. I inhale the acrid smoke with gusto, awakening the latent pyromaniac within. My heart races as I turn left and head down Calle De Trafalgar. An elaborate archway of carnival lights, designed like the onion tops of a Russian Orthodox Church, frames the narrow e

by Maryann Virack         

My dad’s summer visits to California have often forced us to join in the “traipse of the tourists” visiting every theme park and attraction, including casinos, within driving distance.  Some have been extraordinary adventures; others much more ordinary. This year I opted for culture and a very different kind of destination. The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach runs for one month in the summer and has been doing so since 1933.

               Laguna Beach was establ

Part 3 of a four-part series by J. Thalia Cunningham

My visit to North Korea centered around the annual Mass Games in the capital, Pyongyang. The Mass Games, or Arirang, were more amazing than anything I saw in the DPRK, and that really is saying something.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest shows on earth, the Mass Games, which are not games at all, is a grand performance in a stadium that celebrates North Korea's national holidays. The 90-minute event pays homage to the Worker's Party, the mil

by  J. Thalia Cunningham

In previous installments (see links at bottom), I described visiting North Korea, officially called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and attending its famous synchronized Mass Games. But here are some specifics on how to visit (and even attend the games, still running through this October). So here are a few tips on visiting the DPRK:

• As a citizen of the U.S.A., I entered and exited via Beijing, so I needed a double-entry Chinese visa. This is the case for m

Great weather and the buzz of out-of-town visitors make La Jolla, San Diego's favorite coastal community, the place to be from June to September. Our beaches are at their best – just don’t forget to practice safe sun. In addition to kayaking, surfing, and snorkeling, here are some of the special events you won’t want to miss:

Now through Sept 5 - The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla’s summer exhibit is “High Fidelity: Selections from the 1960s and 1970s” plus “Emperor’s River: Philipp Sch

Setúbal organizes once again the Sant´Iago Fair from 23 July till 7 August in Manteigadas. 

This is an event with lots of activities, music, exhibitions , stands with local products, Portuguese traditions, among many other things you can do. In 2010 , sold more than 360.000 tickets to this annual event. From Portuguese to Chinese , English to South Africans, people from entire world went to Sant´Iago fair. More information

What do you get when you combine a boatload or two of outrigger canoe paddlers, a dozen beautiful Hawaiian models and hula dancers, a cliff diver, a fire-knife dancer, doors-off helicopters, green sea turtles and leading edge professional photographers with some of the world's most photogenic locations? You have the third annual Maui Photo Festival & Workshops, set for August 24-28, 2011, at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa.

And in case anyone thinks that this event could happen j

Auckland one of the largest urban cities of New Zealand, is a paradise for holiday. The city along with offering major tourists attractions also celebrates several festivals. Queen’s Birthday celebration is one such festival that is celebrated to honor Queen Elizabeth II and also mark the beginning of Ski Season. Book your air tickets to Auckland if you wish to join the celebrations on this day.

Auckland is one of the most wonderful cities of New Zealand. Surrounded by the Isthmus of the Pacifi

Portugal Dream Coast is on the map of Equestrian events, during this week and since 1st March we have Spring Tour 2011 at Alcochete (North of Portugal Dream Coast) plus Atlantic Tour 2011. Together, there are here more than 350 riders and 700 horses . Its amazing all this international events.

Maine is well known for its lobster, lighthouses, mountains and Martha Stewart. A standout among these and many other State of Maine bright spots is our restaurant community. Maine's chefs and restaurateurs have developed a stellar reputation. Dining scene accolades started flowing in years ago and thankfully, buzz about Maine as a place for good food has not slowed. National newspapers and culinary publications have no shortage of positive things to say about our chefs, brewers, specialty food

Tiger Woods will return to the site of the 2008 U. S. Open next week when he plays in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course. Hometown boy Phil Mickelson will also be there for the tournament that runs from Monday, January 24 through Sunday the 30th.

The Farmers Insurance Open was formerly known as the Buick Invitational.

Admission is free of charge on Monday. Savvy spectators will save time and money by purchasing tickets ahead of time on the tournament website. Tuesday tickets (

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time when cookie baking begins at the Inn!

Our very popular and long running Holiday Cookie Classes are almost here, and we are as excited as our guests who look forward to them every year!

Taking place December 3, 7, and 8, these hands-on classes are led by long-time Inn cookie baker, Joan Heitman, and feature five carefully selected cookie recipes for guests to make and enjoy. Instructions, recipes, lunch at our gourmet restaurant, and a box of cooki

Postcard from the Future – Events 2020

I’m sitting here in August 2020, preparing for another conference keynote and reminiscing on how the business events, meetings, exhibition and incentives industry has changed over the last 10 years and how much of it is still

by buzzinrome.com

Financial meltdown, economic slump, subprime crisis? All of these words seem to belong to the past for the tourism industry in Rome.

The number of tourists visiting Italy’s capital in August grew by 11,5%, Vicemayor Mauro Cutrufo said on October 6, citing figures from a study of the Ente Bilaterale del Turismo del Lazio – EBTL - Tourism Board of Employers and Employees of the region of Rome.

June and July also posted two-digit growth figures: 10,6% and 11,2% respectively. Actually