The Coolest City You've Never Heard Of

This story originally appeared here.

Georgia, the former Soviet Socialist Republic, is coming into its own. More than a quarter-century after gaining independence from Russia, the country is waving the tourism flag. While some of its outermost reaches may not be quite ready for prime time, there’s no doubt that capital city Tbilisi is set for its star turn. A city of about 1.5 million, Tbilisi has a long and winding history, dating back to the 4th century. The layers of history are everywhere including in the architecture, the traditions, the food and the wine. Here are the key things every visitor must do in this fascinating city:

Explore the Old Town

The best way to start a tour of Tbilisi is by roaming Old Town Tbilisi, a mish-mash of architecture and cultures. Its Art Nouveau buildings and neoclassical facades may remind some of a shabby-chic version of the backstreets of Paris. Meandering the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys will lead visitors to hidden courtyards and houses of worship for several religions. With its numerous cafes, this is a good place to sip coffee or enjoy a glass wine (read on!).

Wine about Your Visit

Georgia claims to have the oldest wine culture in the world, dating back 8,000 years. Wines are traditionally made in huge earthenware pots called qvevri. This unique wine-making system is part of UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. So, it is incumbent upon every visitor to partake of the grape by sampling at a restaurant of visiting a wine shop.

Take a Bath

At the edge of Old Town is the Abanotubani district, known for its underground sulphur baths. These baths, built in the 17th century, are topped by brick domes and heated from hot springs below. The blue-tiled Orbeliani Bath is one of a handful that still offer traditional hammam-style treatments.

Study Georgian

Not the language (good luck with that), but the history. The Georgian National Museum covers the entire 40-million year backstory of the country. Don’t miss the Treasury, filled with ancient gold artifacts and jewelry, and the Museum of Soviet Occupation, encompassing an entire floor of the building.

Visit Mother Georgia

The impressive statue of Kartlis Deda, aka Mother Georgia, watches over Tbilisi from a high vantage point. If you don’t feel like climbing up to her, take the aerial tramway to the top of Sololaki Hill. There, you will note that Ma Ga welcomes friends with a bowl of wine, while fending off enemies with her sword.

Climb a Fortress

As long as you are on top of the hill, you might as well head over to the Narikala Fortress. Walking along its ancient walls provides an apt overview of the city and its history. This behemoth dates back to the Tbilisi’s founding. In the fortress’s lower court is the restored St. Nicolas Church.

Go to Church

Even for the non-religious, Tbilisi orthodox churches are sights to behold. The biggest is Holy Trinity (or Sameba), the main Cathedral of the Georgian Orthodox religion. The oldest is the Anchiskhati Basilica, dating back to the sixth century. Note the ancient frescoes within.

You Won't Believe What These Hotels Used to Be

The original post about hotels that used to be chocolate factories, shoe factories, etc. 
is here.

When is a hotel not just a hotel? When it is re-purposed from a building that used to
to be something completely different. Turning old, oft-abandoned buildings into hotels 
helps developers feed the increasing demand for idiosyncratic travel experiences. 
Meanwhile, many of these rehabs end up playing a major role in the revitalization of 
down-and-out city centers. You’ll never guess what these five hip hotels used to be:

The Charmant Hotel, LaCrosse, Wisconsin

Life is like a box of chocolates at the Charmant Hotel. The 67-room luxury boutique hotel 
has been crafted out of the Joseph B. Funke Chocolate Company, which was in business 
from 1898 to 1933. Charmant was the premium line of chocolates produced by the 
Funke-y bunch. Aside from its name, The Charmant preserves and re-imagines 
architectural details of the original structure, including its wood beams, pulleys, exposed 
brick and maple floors. If you breathe in deeply, you might even whiff the aroma of 
molasses seeping out of those old floors. The rooms are highlighted, of course, in 
chocolate-brown. Remember to make friends at the front desk. The staff there might well
indulge your sweet tooth by doling out handcrafted chocolates.

Brewhouse Inn and Suites, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
A bed in a brewery? That’s what’s on tap at the Brewhouse Inn and Suites. Transformed 
from an abandoned Pabst Brewery  (the largest brewer in the world during the first half of 
the 20th century), the building reflects Milwaukee’s brewing heritage in a heady way. 
Copper brew kettles from the original factory are lined up on the mezzanine, overseen 
by King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer and brewing. His stained-glass likeness was 
commissioned by Frederick Pabst himself. Speaking of glass, the Brewhouse’s front desk is crafted from 1,550 beer bottles from Milwaukee-based breweries. Reclaimed wood from the factory is used throughout the property, from the headboards 
in the rooms to the tabletops at Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub.

Refinery Hotel, New York, New York
Hat’s off to Manhattan’s Refinery Hotel (circa 2013), which originally was a high-end 
millinery factory (circa 1912). Located in New York City’s Garment District (naturally), 
Refinery Hotel’s design draws on the building’s past with a custom installation of
hat-making tools in the lobby. Each guestroom has a slightly raw aesthetic inspired 
by the original factory, such as concrete ceilings, distressed hardwood floors, custom area 
rugs, and sewing machines-inspired desks. The hotel’s event space is called, what else,
The Hatbox. 

Craddock Terry Hotel, Lynchburg, Virginia

There’s no business like shoe business at the Craddock Terry Hotel. The Craddock Terry 
Shoe Company was founded in the late 19th century in Lynchburg, Virginia. At one time, 
it was the fifth-largest shoe company in the world. At its peak, one factory, which opened 
in 1905, produced more than 2,500 pairs of women’s shoes per day. That building is what 
was re-imagined into a hotel by Hal Craddock, the great-grandson of the shoe company 
founder. In 2007, the Craddock Terry Hotel opened, retaining its original industrial feel, 
with exposed wood beam ceilings and nine-foot tall windows. What gives the place even 
more ‘sole’ are that hints of its shoe-making past are everywhere. Whimsical touches
include in-room breakfast served in old-fashioned wooden shoe shine boxes and 
art installations clogged with 100 years of shoes.

Kendall Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts
What was once a firehouse is now a fine accommodation. The Kendall Hotel is housed in 
Engine 7 Firehouse, a Victorian-style structure built in 1895. The firehouse closed in 1993 
and re-opened as a hotel in 2002. The building, the oldest in Kendall Square, has been 
restored in a manner befitting its heroic past. Its restaurant, the Black Sheep, is named 
after Engine 7’s self-described Fire Department misfits. Both it and the lobby are filled 
with firehouse memorabilia and Victoriana. Eleven of the guest rooms are located in what 
was once the firemen’s dormitory. But don’t worry. If you stay in one of them, you won’t 
have to exit via a pole.

Whimsical Travel Products for Your Summer Vacation

What a thrill to appear on Great Day Washington this morning with football great Darrell Green. Here's the segment.

If you don't want to watch, here's a recap of the products featured.

Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case $49.95

Tired of schlepping your kid’s luggage through the airport? Let ‘em ride it. This colorful Smiley Cruizer Yippee Rolling Case conveys both clothing and kids under 40 pounds.

www.luggagefactory.com

Along the same lines, the ZincFlyte suitcase scooter is perfect for kids on the go. Designed for ages two to eight, this hybrid is currently available only in the United Kingdom (for $78.00), but that's changing soon. Now, if only they made an adult version, we'd all be good to go.

Polaroid Snap Instant Digital Camera: $99.00

Remember Polaroid? If you do, you are likely not a millennial. But the younger crowd will certainly enjoy the instant gratification of instant photography. The Polaroid Snap is the perfect blend of an old-school Polaroid camera and modern, digital technology. Pictures can be stored on memory cards, or transferred to paper for 2 X 3 prints on the spot. While your 10-megapixel photographs won't be confused with those of Annie Leibowitz, the concept is instant fun.

www.polaroid.com

Walter + Ray Accessories

Arm Pillow $15.00

This airplane armrest cushion has a zippered compartment to store glasses, your phone, or other little odds and ends. Slip it over the arm rest, then rest your arm.

Bendy Flashlight and Tablet Stand: $10.00 Bendy may look like Gumby’s cousin, but he is actually a flexible device holder that flexes to cradle a tablet or cellphone. Flip the switch on the back of his head and he becomes a flashlight. Lay him flat and he’s a bookmark.   So versatile--our little Bendy Man.

SAFEGO

 $39.95

It’s the eternal question--what to do with your valuables when you want to take a dip in the ocean or the pool. Well, the SAFEGO is an answer. The lightweight, portable safe can attach to most secured fixtures, thanks to its flexible steel cable. The heavy-duty lock can be opened with a combination or a key.  Lock away your phone, keys, cash, shades, jewelry, and other belongings and then...go jump in the water.

Take Note: Seven Hotels Striking a Musical Chord

Hotels with Musical Themes is the topic of my most recent story for Shermans Travel.

7 Music-Themed Hotels that Rock

July 14, 2016 by Laura Powell

Posted in:

• Disney
• Amsterdam
• Bali
• Boston
• Budapest
• California

Backstage Hotel Amsterdam/Facebook

Music is striking a chord in the lodging industry — from the open mic nights at Hotel RL to in-room record players at The Redbury in Miami. But that’s only the beginning. For the music-obsessed, these seven hotels will make you feel like you’re with the band.

Jaz in the City

Jaz in the City, which opened in late 2015, is within spitting distance of Amsterdam’s major concert venues. But location isn’t the only reason this is the perfect Holland opus. The leitmotif of the lobby is quite harmonious, with coffee tables made from Marshall sound equipment and footrests reminiscent of drums. Lobby walls are jammed with photos and posters of famous musicians, and Rhythms Bar showcases local bands and DJs.

Courtesy Aria Hotel Budapest

Aria Hotel Budapest

The Aria Hotel Budapest is going for baroque. The fully restored 1870s building features decor inspired by jazz, classical, opera, and contemporary music. One suite is specially dedicated to Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. The theme is carried throughout the hotel, with a tiled piano key path through the lobby, music-inspired art installations, and a rare Bogányi piano. The hotel also has a director who curates local music experiences and a music library, which guests can listen to on in-room iPads.

W Bali-Seminyak

The first W Sound Suite at W Bali-Seminyak features a stylish, sound-proof space featuring a lounge large enough for the entourage. The main mixing room includes professional equipment from the likes of Pioneer and Moog, as well as a private vocal booth overlooking a tropical garden. Hollywood, Barcelona, and Seattle will soon be getting their own sound suites, designed in part by W’s North American music director, DJ White Shadow (best known for his producing work with Lady Gaga).

Backstage Hotel Amsterdam/Facebook

Backstage Hotel

Designed to accommodate touring musicians, Amsterdam’s BackStage Hotel is both hostel and hotel. Private and shared rooms (for up to five people) are black and white, accented by instruments hanging on the walls. Each chamber has an iPod docking station and bulb-lined theater mirrors. Guests can pick up one of the hotel’s guitars and play some tunes, or fake it while playing Guitar Hero at the bar. For good measure, the bar also hosts open mic sessions.

Courtesy The Verb Hotel, Boston

The Verb Hotel

The Verb in Boston is not a hotel for grammarians. The name is a play on the musical term reverb. The owners have converted an old Howard Johnson motel into a funky homage to the Boston indie music scene. Throughout the lobby are key pieces of pop memorabilia. A wood-grain turntable rests on the check-in counter, and front desk personnel help guests spin albums from a collection of Boston-related music. In the rooms, facsimiles of rock-themed covers of the city’s alternative newspaper, the Boston Phoenix, and silkscreen prints of rock stars line the walls.

Disney All-Star Music Resort

Disney’s All-Star Music Resort plays it a little more mainstream. The property pays homage to popular music genres, including country, jazz, rock and roll, calypso, and Broadway show tunes. A giant neon jukebox and oversize instrument icons are strategically placed around the exterior, and each room’s balcony is lined with musical notes. One pool looks like a piano and the other is shaped like a guitar.

Vietnam: War-Related Sites in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

VIetnam for Orbitz Blog

While the Vietnam War officially ended more than 40 years ago, it is still top of mind for many impacted by the conflict. But even for those born long after the war was over, a visit to some of Vietnam’s war-related attractions offers an important and moving history lesson. When visiting these attractions it is important, for Americans in particular, to realize the war stories will be told from the Vietnamese perspective, and may not align with a U.S. view of the era.

Hanoi was the capital of North Vietnam during the war years, and the place from which Ho Chi Minh ruled. As a result, it was a hotbed of war-related activity.

Established in 1959, the Vietnam Museum of Revolution chronicles the country’s long fight for liberation. It covers the struggle against the French, the establishment of the Communist Party and the Vietnam War (or, as some Vietnamese call it, the American War). The beauty of the design of the 1917 French Colonial building contrasts sharply with the more than 40,000 artifacts contained therein.

Hoa Lo Prison

Hoa Lo Prison is better known by Americans as the Hanoi Hilton. That name was sarcastically given by American prisoners-of-war imprisoned there. The jail was originally built during French colonial days to house political prisoners. During the Vietnam War, the facility was a stockade for captured American pilots. Senator John McCain was imprisoned here, as were hundreds of other POWs. The part of the original building that is preserved contains some solitary confinement cells, interrogation rooms, and exhibits featuring an array of photographs, documents, and related vestiges.

Whether you are staying at the Sofitel Hotel Metropole or not, be sure to stop by this historic French Colonial inn to learn about its storied past. The Metropole’s Path of History tour takes visitors past more than a dozen display cases showcasing 100 years of renown, including memorabilia documenting the stays of visitors like Somerset Maugham, Charlie Chaplin and anti-war dissident Jane Fonda. Also on the tour is a visit to a claustrophobic bomb shelter built in the 1960s to protect hotel guests from air raids. The shelter was rediscovered several years ago and preserved to its original condition.

What is now dubbed Ho Chi Minh City was once Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. It is now the largest city in the united Vietnam. Its Vietnam War-related attractions are numerous and haunting.

Outside the War Remnants Museum

Located in the former U.S. Information Service headquarters, the War Remnants Museum focuses on the brutality of the conflict, told from the Vietnamese perspective. The outside grounds are littered with vehicles, artillery and bombs captured from U.S. forces. Inside, exhibits range from a collection of anti-war posters to disturbing photography exhibits highlighting the damage caused by Agent Orange and other war atrocities.

Once home to the South Vietnamese president, what is now called Reunification Palace is most famous for its noted images of Communist tanks storming its gates in April 1975, signifying, for all intents and purposes, the end of the war. Visitors can now tour the building, a time capsule of 1960s architecture and design. The clunker contains a mish-mash of plush staterooms, stark utilitarian war rooms and oddly-outfitted living quarters. Don’t miss the videos at the end of the tour, which provide additional historical detail.

Reunification Palace

A half-day side trip from Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels allowed the Viet Cong to establish a base close to the South Vietnamese capital. They did so by digging a 120-mile network of clandestine tunnels that functioned as underground cities. The tunnels were used as supply routes, living quarters, weapons caches, and hospitals during the Vietnam War. Tours of the tunnels, a two-and-a-half hour drive from the city, offer a comprehensive lowdown (double entendre intended).

How to Keep Cool and Avoid Heat Exhaustion While Traveling This Summer

Given this summer's record temperatures, this story written for The Orbitz Blog is particularly timely.

Steamy  Cambodia

The conditions were extreme. Cambodia was experiencing an unprecedented heatwave. Temperatures soared above 100 degrees daily and the high humidity made it feel more like 120. Due to a previous bout with heat exhaustion, I was being especially cognizant of drinking fluids and staying as cool as possible. Nonetheless, after eight days in the scorching heat, I succumbed and ended up in an emergency room in Phnom Penh with a case of dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Think this can’t happen to you? Think again. Heat exhaustion is not an exotic phenomenon. It can strike anyone anywhere, from the humblest of wayfarers to superstar athletes—and with summer in full swing, the time to think about prevention is right now.

What are the contributing factors? It starts, of course, with heat and humidity (which, combined, make up the heat index). That alone can do the trick. But heat exhaustion may set in more quickly while traveling, exacerbated by factors like the dehydrating effects of plane travel, participation in strenuous, sweat-inducing activities and vacationing in high altitudes. Air quality also has an impact.

Dehydration often underlies heat exhaustion, but salt depletion can be an issue as well. Regardless of the underlying causes, the symptoms can include anything from headaches, flu-like symptoms, nausea or cramps.

To fend off the possibility of falling victim to it, consider these tips:

Hydrate: Drink more water than usual beginning a week out from your trip, particularly if it involves air travel. On location, drink water throughout the day. Better yet, as you hydrate, alternate between water and liquids taken with electrolytes. This strategy can help fend off both dehydration and mineral depletion.

Rest: Take it easy within 24 hours of landing after long-distance flights. Don’t be climbing mountains or scaling Great Walls on day two of your trip, especially in warm, humid climates.

Dress appropriately: Always wear a hat, lightweight clothing  and sunscreen. Also wear light colors, which don’t absorb the sun’s rays. Opt for cotton and other natural fabrics versus polyesters that don’t breathe.

Replenish: Carry electrolytes and water at all times. Bring along electrolyte tablets or oral rehydration kits from trusted outfitters like REI. To ensure liquids stay cool, consider buying an insulated water bottle. Longer-distance hikers might opt for hydration packs, which have built-in water reservoirs and tubes that allow you to sip with the pack on your back.

Invest in a Buff: Wear one of these versatile cooling scarves,  just like they do on Survivor. Better yet, get one with a SPF rating to further protect the oft-neglected neck from the sun. For more cooling effects, dip it in cold water before donning.

Look for warning signs: If you catch the symptoms early, you may be able to fend off full-blown heat exhaustion. If you start feeling queasy, stop activity immediately, head toward shade, loosen clothing and cool your body with ice or cold water.

If you have concerns, the best bet before leaving on a hot trip is to ask your doctor for his or her advice. Also, get travel insurance, which will cover you in case heat exhaustion leaves you high and dry.