World’s 12 best shopping cities

From a shopper’s perspective, frequent traveling can be crippling. It can get worse in the holiday season where Christmas dominates many people’s calendars. Why buy something in one city when a trip to a better shopping city is coming up?

To pinpoint which cities around the world deliver the most gratifying, enjoyable shopping experiences, we consulted global experts, such as fashion merchandising firm Donegar Creative Services and Marie Bergfelt, senior spokesperson for Global Blue, which publishes the Globe Shopper City Index.

Then we judged cities in four areas, using a one-to-10 scoring scale for each category:

1. Getting around: Quality of public transportation, affordability and availability of cabs, transport time

2. Value: Bargain opportunities, such as sale seasons and average prices.

3. Variety: Number of available brands, range of shopping categories, quantity of upscale shops, department stores, boutique and vintage retailers and market stalls.

4. Experience: City beauty, quality of window displays and shop décor, friendliness and competence of clerks and service staff, dining and accommodation options.

Then we charged into the breach.

READ MORE: World’s 12 best shopping cities

Cheap Travel: Saving Money on the 10 Best Winter Travel Spots

1. DEN – Denver

Aspen and Vail are the cities that come to mind most often when considering Colorado ski destinations. However, Dortha Vela of All About Travel told me these Colorado cities “are two of the most expensive ski destinations.” Plus, it turns out they’re not even that popular when compared to the capital city of Denver — perhaps for that very reason. Denver takes first place in our list of the most popular cities to visit in winter. And there’s plenty to do there besides ski, all at a reasonable cost. What to do: Aside from the close to 30 ski resorts in the city alone, you can also visit the famous Red Rocks Park and amphitheater for breathtaking views and great music, or the nearby Rocky Mountains State Park. How to save: Flights to Denver become more expensive the closer it gets to ski season, so if you plan on booking a trip to the snowy city, locking in a flight now will ensure you save hundreds of dollars. Colorado’s tourism website also has a section dedicated to aggregating deals on travel and attractions in the city.

Read more: Cheap Travel: Saving Money on the 10 Best Winter Travel Spots

To plan your trip today:
All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
415.384.3880

Ice Bar Helps Sweaty New Yorkers Beat the Heat

In the sweltering summer heat, New Yorkers are ready for the big chill — in midtown.

The city’s first ice bar is now open at the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue. The $20 admission includes Eskimo-style gloves and a parka for the privilege of drinking cocktails in the freezing Minus5 Ice Bar.

The entire bar is made of ice.

READ MORE: ICE Bar Helps Sweaty New Yorkers Beat The Heat

50 years gone, Marilyn’s legend lives on

She was a star and a style icon, a “dumb blonde” who was anything but and an abandoned child adored by millions. She was, of course, Marilyn Monroe and she died 50 years ago this Sunday.

And yet, she lives on — on the big screen, in advertisements, in proposed plans for salons and cafes and, of course, in the hearts of fans fascinated by her life, her beauty and her untimely death.

“People relate to her because she came from a very humble background and through her own drive pulled herself up to become one of the greatest stars of all time,” said Greg Schreiner, president of the Marilyn Remembered Fan Club.

Read more: 50 years gone, Marilyn’s legend lives on

Art Takes Times Square

Congratulations to our client, Mary Lonergan who had her art splashed across a 9 foot by 12 foot billboard in Art Takes Times Square exhibition in NYC.

“Great Peacemaker (Iroquois)” by artist Mary Lonergan

Today June 18th | Art Takes Times Square

If you are in the area check out this amazing art exhibition. One of our clients is one of the artists that was chosen.

From Artists Wanted: Today is the big day! In just a few hours, Art Takes Times Square will present thousands of works by artists from all across the world in an immense art exhibition in NYC. This momentous event – hosted by Questlove of The Roots – will be celebrated with an evening of music, performance, and art, and you’re invited to be a part of it:

Art Takes Times Square
Today Monday June 18, 2012, 7pm – 11pm
Broadway between 42nd Street and 44th Street

Hosted by Questlove of The Roots
Featuring brass bands, performers and works by thousands of artists

Click here to see our Grand Prize artist Vicki DaSilva in the New York Times!

Can’t attend? See live webcams for two of the numerous billboard screens that will display the winner’s work at: http://www.see.me/june18th/

“Great Peacemaker (Iroquois)” by artist Mary Lonergan

Tonight on the big screen (9×12 foot) you can see this piece shown between 7:15PM EST – 7:45PM EST

Brooklyn Bridge: Historic Photo of a New York Landmark

Mount Lavinia Hotel

A Passion for Travel

Marina Chetner

Recently I was asked to write down why I am interested in travel photography…

Well, I love the way I feel when I travel.

I remember wishing to be a travel agent when I grew-up, and I fulfilled that ‘dream’ at STA Travel, only to realise that I’d rather be the one doing the traveling. I got into the media industry to fund my addiction; ultimately, it propelled me to embark on a working stint overseas.

What interests me most about travel is anthropology; there’s nothing more inspiring than immersing yourself in another culture and being able to “walk in another person’s shoes,” to quote Anthony Bourdain.

To me, documenting travel means that writing and photography go hand-in-hand; placing images alongside words better tells the story. I’m interested in showing the reality of a place or space – using words and images to stimulate a response, a feeling. Whether…

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Travel Tidbits – The best stargazing spots on Earth

What’s new in Italy in 2012
What doesn’t change about Italy is that it’s always changing… USA Today

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McDowell Sonoran Preserve, on the edge of Scottsdale, Ariz., makes a brilliant spot for an early-morning hike. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times, Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Arizona: First-rate journeys in the 48th state
When Arizona sought to become a state, an Indiana senator stood in its way, and President Taft vetoed the first try… LA Times

 

 

 

 

 

The best stargazing spots on Earth
Big Bend National Park in Texas is the latest venue to be named an International Dark Sky Park… USA Today

 

 

 

 

 

Lobby at the new 55-room Nolitan hotel.

Hotel Review: The Nolitan, in New York
The Nolitan’s friendly staff makes for an inviting welcome, and its downtown location makes walking around a pleasure… New York Times

 

 

 

Courtesy Rosewood

Unusual Hotel Amenity: Perfume Butlers
New Fragrance Butler program, wherein a butler bearing a tray of ten fragrances is at your disposal at any time… Conde Nast Traveler

 

 

 

 

 

Journey to the unknown with ‘mystery’ travel
Mystery is one of the great joys of travel… USA Today

 

 

 

To plan your trip today:

All About Travel
6104 Northwest 63
Oklahoma City, OK 73132
info [at] allabout-travel.com
405.384.3880

About All About Travel

Opened in 1978, All About Travel is located in the Oklahoma City area.  We are a family owned and operated company that has strived to provide our clients with the highest quality of service for more than 30 years.  Our agents can arrange all your travel needs from the individual hotel and/or car reservation to an around the world cruise.  Nothing is out of reach.

We can help plan your honeymoon, your destination wedding or the much needed getaway for two.  Don’t forget about your business, we can handle all the travel needs for your company as well.  Anything from an airline flight and hotel for a meeting or all the planning needed for your next company-wide seminar.  We can arrange hotel space for all attendees and meeting rooms for all purposes.

Our agents travel to many destinations on FAM trips (Familiarization trips) these trips are designed by tour operators and cruise lines to make certain that travel agents are up-to-date on popular destinations and cruise ships.

So the next time you need to, or better yet, want to travel…Let us help, it’s what we do.

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• Travel Tidbits – 5 Reasons to Travel with Kids, Ten things you didn’t know about New York and more

• Making all her dreams come true, yours too with extreme adventure and travel