SXSWi 2011 is coming up March 11 – 15, 2011.  If you’re planning on making a trip out to Austin to get your geek on then we have a few suggestions on how to bid your time while in the Live Music Capital of the World.

Getting There: Austin’s main airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), is situated a little outside Austin city limits, but luckily isn’t too far of a taxi ride into downtown Austin.  There are also plenty of car rental options at the airport if you feel like a little independence.

Where to Stay: Unless you have already reserved your hotel downtown near the Austin Convention Center either through SXSW’s hotel reservation system or on your own, you probably will have very little luck reserving one so late in the game. Fret not! There are many more hotels in Austin that, while not within walking distance of SXSW, are still available and even on the shuttle route to and from SXSW. The SXSW website has a list of hotels that are participating in the shuttle service.  If a hotel isn’t a possibility, check out craigslist for temporary apartments, rooms, couches or you can also look into Couch Surfing, airbnb, or HomeAway.

How to Get Around: If you’re staying in a hotel near the Austin Convention Center and not really planning on doing much driving, there may be no need for you to rent a vehicle for your stay.  Downtown Austin is easily walkable and public transportation is very accessible. Shuttle passes for those staying outside of downtown to and from SXSW are available for $40 if purchased before February 15. Austin’s public transportation, Capital Metro, is a popular option for SXSW attendees.  You can plan your excursions on the Metro website or on Google Transit.  Getting around downtown Austin should be pretty easy; however, if you’re planning on making any trips outside of Austin, logistics may get a little more complicated if you’re going any direction other than toward the airport.

Where to Dine: Options for eating out are plentiful. But remember that you can’t good Tex-Mex outside of Texas so don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

Where to Drink: Um, just about anywhere. Don’t ask me, ask the crowd where they are going!

What to Do: There’s going to be plenty of parties to attend while at SXSWi. If you want to venture out a little and enjoy the Austin nightlife one option that shouldn’t be overlooked is La Zona Rosa. LZR is a local live music venue that hosts many different genres of performers.  If you have time, check out the lineup and enjoy!  do512 has hundreds of parties listed that are specific to SXSW attendees. There are so many party and event options available this site may make it even more difficult to decide what to do. Or just go to all of them. No one sleeps at SXSW anyway.

If you’re on Twitter, and you are because everyone at SXSWi is, then just follow some of the popular hashtags and learn where everyone’s headed.  Keep your Gowalla and Foursquare handy as well, as you’ll be seeing tons of check-ins all night across Austin.

Follow Our Revolution‘s epic trek to SXSW! Their roadtrip from NYC down to Austin and back up to Boston after SXSW will include stopovers in cities along they way.  Their mission is

“Sparked by the need to share the social good that is occurring in the world, Our Revolution Road trip will connect these sustainable models and the innovators who are creating them in totally new and wildly playful ways. Our trip is designed to change the world — and will be curated by a team of award-winning creatives and entrepreneurs with more than a decade’s experience making breakthrough social, independent and grassroot change.“

Our Revolution has teamed up with Tripping.com for this noble venture and you can follow Our Revolution’s trip on their Tripping network page.

Some interesting travel related events we’ll be attending:

Sunday, March 13

11:00AM – Technomadism – Becoming a Technology Enabled Nomad hosted by Cherie & Chris of Technomadia

12:30PM – How to Make Money Traveling Around the World hosted by Jason Boehle of Golden Book Traveler

2:00PM – Nomadic SXSW Meetup

Photo courtesy of smeidu

Written by DIWYY’s Jerri Stephenson, who loves Austin and you will too!

Steamboat Springs is coined “Ski Town USA” for a good reason! Not only does Steamboat offer world-class skiing with sought-after champagne powder snow, but the town has produced more Olympians than any other town. Need another reason to visit? There is more fun to be had in the summer, too!

Getting There: Steamboat Springs is located in the north western portion of Colorado, so you have a few methods of transportation to get you there. In the winter, many tourists fly into Denver International Airport (DIA) first, and then catch a small plane up to the Hayden Airport (HDN).  From Hayden, it is roughly a 30-40 minute drive to Steamboat (weather dependent!)

Multiple flights too expensive for your taste? Not a problem. Many travelers fly into DIA and then make the rest of the journey in a car. From Denver, Steamboat is an estimated 3 hour drive. Road trippers be warned: the stretch of Highway 40 from Kremmling to Steamboat can be particularly brutal in the winter. Frequent wind gusts lend themselves to whiteout conditions, and dangerous visibility on Rabbit Ears pass can leave even the savviest driver stuck in Kremmling for the night!

Where to Stay: Steamboat is divided into two main sections of town: the mountain and downtown. Hotels exist in both areas, so it is really up to you to determine where you would prefer to sleep. Many “ski-out” condos and hotels are located on the mountain, providing avid skiers and boarders with wonderful accessibility to the gondola. The majority of winter lodging is located on the mountain, and some of the more notable hotels include the Ptarmigan Inn, the Steamboat Grand Hotel, or the Sheraton. Staying slopeside definitely has its perks when two feet of powder falls overnight!

Conversely, many travelers choose to stay downtown which is a tad bit cheaper and closer to the majority of bars and restaurants that locals frequent. Two favorites include Hotel Bristol and Rabbit Ears Motel.

How to Get Around: Getting around Steamboat couldn’t be easier, and you don’t even need to rent a car. The city of Steamboat provides a free bus that runs from downtown to the mountain. Bus stops are scattered along Lincoln and Mt. Werner Road, advising visitors and locals where to wait. Some of the buses even have ski racks along the outside so catching a ride for you and your skis is definitely not a problem. The bus schedule does vary between winter and summer, so it is best to check it out ahead of time.

Once you are either downtown or on the mountain, your feet should be enough to get you around. Lincoln is the main street downtown, and almost all of the restaurants, hotels, and bars are located along this strip. Steamboat is a small town, so walking the length of Lincoln Street can easily be accomplished in 15 minutes. And if you happen to find yourself out later than the bus, don’t fret. Alpine Taxi is the taxi company du jour in Steamboat, and they can take you anywhere you need to go.

Where to Dine: Steamboat offers restaurants in all price ranges and styles of cuisine. If you are looking for some pizza or Italian food, Cugino’s Pizzeria is the place to go. After some Mexican food? Try The Rio, Tequila’s, or Fiesta Jalisco. Located on the mountain, Saketumi is the local sushi joint that provides delicious and unique rolls. Give the Mountain Mama roll a shot-it is definitely worth it!

If you are looking for a nice evening splurge, try The Cabin restaurant or Antares. The Cabin is located in the Grand Hotel and Antares is downtown, but both are definitely more expensive options for dinner.  The atmosphere and fine dining will make you happy that you took the plunge!

Where to Drink: Downtown is definitely the place to be if you are looking for a night of friends and fun! If you happen to be visiting in the summer, head down towards the Yampa River and make a trip into Sunpies Bistro. Wander into the backyard of this converted house, pull up a chair and enjoy a Hurricane (or “Sluricane” as locals refer to the very strong drink!) while watching the Yampa flow by.

If you are out and about at night, Mahogany Ridge or The Ghost Ranch Saloon are the two bars that frequently have live music well into the wee hours of the morning.

What to Do: Get to the mountain! Almost all winter visitors come to Steamboat for the ski resort, and very rarely do they leave disappointed! The mountain has terrain for all abilities, and classes are offered for children as young as three-years-old. If you are a beginner, chances are that you should stay on the lower mountain where the trails are less steep and tree covered. However, if skiing or riding is your thing, take the Gondola to the top of the mountain and head back to the Pony Express lift or the Morningside lift. If you’re confident in your abilities, be sure to check out a few tree runs while enjoying the snow—Steamboat is known for them!

If you are swinging through the Boat during the summer, there is still plenty of fun to be had in this outdoor mecca. Mountain biking is a favorite pastime, and the gondola is still open on the mountain if you want to take your bike up so you can enjoy the thrill of riding down. If you don’t love the thought of screaming down a mountain on a bike, Steamboat also has an alpine slide that is located at Howelsen Hill Ski Area, just next to the rodeo grounds.  The slide is 2400 feet of fun!

After exhausting your body on the bumps and bangs of the day, definitely check out Strawberry Park Hot Springs.  The hot springs are roughly 10 miles north of Steamboat, set back in a heavily wooded and secluded area. Nothing is more relaxing and beautiful than settling into the 104 degree pool while watching white snowflakes accumulate around. Sometimes the dirt road to the hot springs can be tricky in the winter, so definitely be prepared.  If you are traveling with little ones or can’t make it to Strawberry Park, try the Old Town Hot Springs. Located on Lincoln Street downtown, OTHS is the local gym whose lap pool is also filled with the hot spring mineral water. The facility was recently renovated, so they now have multiple hot spring pools of varying temperature, as well as a water slide.

Written by guest writer, Heather Balogh, who has lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and frequently returns for visits. Read more from Heather on her blog, The World Through My Eyes.

Getting There: Travelers can easily arrive to La Paz (LPB) by airplane as airline carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines all fly into this high-altitude city. Remember that La Paz (LPB) sits at 3660 meters, so airfare tickets often reflect this elevation in their high prices. South American airlines also fly into Aeropuerto El Alto, and prices rarely vary between carriers. If you’re looking for the most inexpensive domestic carrier, try TAM Airlines first.

It is also very common for travelers to arrive overland by bus from surrounding countries. There are three departure areas in the city: the main terminal, the cemetery district, and Villa Fatima. The main terminal is most commonly used, and definitely costs less when purchasing tickets. Bus ticket prices vary depending on the destination, but are typically reasonably prices by Western standards. Bus camas (sleeper buses) are always available for long, overnight rides, but they do cost more.  Travelers should also remember that the most inexpensive buses can be slightly uncomfortable for overnight journeys. It often is well worth the additional money to pay for the bus camas!

Where to Stay: You can’t throw a stone in La Paz without hitting a hostel or hotel. Tourism is on the rise and lodgings are cropping up as a direct result of this increase. Accommodations can be found in all price ranges, but in general, are very cheap by Western standards. A comfortable room can easily be found for $6-10 per person, per night.  One of the most popular neighborhoods is in Central La Paz, between Plazas Mendoza and Murillo. Another favorite neighborhood is the area surrounding the entertaining Witches Market. If arriving without a reservation, definitely ask the front desk attendant to see a room before slapping down the cash. Some rooms are worth the money while others will leave you sorely disappointed. Hostels are used to tourists requesting this and will be more than happy to show you the room first. Be sure to ask if the bathrooms have hot water and to check out the mattresses first. Some of the lower-end hostels have mattresses that make the concrete floor even look inviting!

How to Get Around: As long as you don’t mind a little cardio at high elevations, the best way to explore La Paz is on foot. However, be aware that the high altitude and steep streets will leave you winded, and visitors should remember to take it easy the first few days while acclimating.

Thinking that walking will be too much for you to handle at first? Not a problem. La Paz is buzzing with micros and taxis. Micros are the cheaper alternative, and you can usually get anywhere in the city for less than $1. Micros also provide a lively and entertaining ride since Bolivianos do not abide by seatbelt laws and 8-10 people crammed in a micro is not uncommon to see. It’s a great way to get to know some locals! If you’re looking for a more relaxing method of transportation or it is after dark, go with a taxi. Taxis are not typically metered, however, so be sure to establish the fare before getting into the vehicle. Safety tip: never get into the taxi if it has other passengers inside, no matter what the driver says!

Where to Dine: La Paz is swarming with local eateries that have set almuerzos (lunches) for very cheap. The menu for an almuerzo is set, and typically involves rice and some type of chicken. Some favorite restaurants that serve Bolivian food include Restaurant Laza and Casa de los Pacenos, although the latter is a tad bit more expensive.

International food is also very common in La Paz, and many restaurants serve variations of Chinese, American, and Italian food. A South American favorite that travelers should definitely try is the Peruvian meal of ceviche. Ceviche is chunks of raw fish that are chopped into small pieces and marinated in an acidic fruit such as a lime. Onions are often stirred into the mix. Plenty of ceviche restaurants can be found along Calle Rodriquez.

Things to do In and Around La Paz:

The World’s Most Dangerous Road: Sure, it may sound terrifying but it is actually a whole lot of fun! The WMDR is is a steep and narrow dirt road that begins in La Cumbre and ends in Coroico. Tour agencies abound that will offer this mountain biking trip, so be sure to shop around. More reputable agencies should provide all the necessary safety equipment such as helmets, as well as transportation to and from La Paz.

The Witches Market (El Mercado de Hechiceria): This is the place to go if you are looking for bizarre trinkets or ethereal ornaments.  Located on Calle Linares between Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz, the Witches Market is chock full of herbs, spices, and an array of other goods used by the spiritual Aymara people. The most notable sight is the frequent dried llama fetuses that are visible in many of the booths. Keep an eye out for the witch doctors who will provide fortunes to tourists (or in my case, a good luck charm!)

Lake Titicaca: Admittedly, the highest navigable lake in the world is a 3-4 hour bus ride from La Paz, but it is definitely a trip worth making. Copacabana is the main town to visit, and from there, tourists can visit la Isla del Sol and la Isla de la Luna. These two islands are spotted with Incan ruins, and la Isla del Sol is even believed to be the location of creation for the Incan people.

Language Tips: Spanish, Spanish, and more Spanish! Because of the influx of tourism in Bolivia, there is a chance that you could get by with only English. However, a little Spanish will get you a long way, and many of the indigenous people only speak Spanish. Do yourself a favor and practice your basic verbs and numbers—the locals will thank you!

Safety Advice: There are truly only two concerns to be aware of when visiting La Paz: the altitude and the cleanliness. Lowlanders will struggle with the high altitude and the steep streets, so bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated. On that same token, always buy bottled water and be very careful with the foods you purchase in the street stalls. Bolivia’s tap water is often considered worse than that of other South American countries, and the resulting stomach sicknesses can truly ruin an otherwise wonderful trip!

Written by guest writer, Heather Balogh, who traveled to La Paz in 2006 as part of her post-grad South American adventure. Read more from Heather on her blog, The World Through My Eyes.

As told by DIWYY guest writer, Danielle Koffler, who is currently living and working in Thailand. Check out Danielle’s blog too!

Many people stop by Koh Tao, Thailand on their way to or from its neighboring island, Koh Phangnan, where the infamous full moon parties take place. Koh Tao is not just a beautiful island to soak up the rays on, it happens to be one of the most popular destinations in the world to learn how to scuba dive, luring 400,000 people to the island every year.

Getting There: You can get to Koh Tao from the mainland, Koh Phangnan, or Koh Samui by one of the three ferryboat companies. Joint bus and boat tickets are available and can be booked through Lomprayah if you are coming from Bangkok. If you are already in the south of Thailand, then you can get to the island by ferry from Chumpon.

Where to stay: Once you arrive it can be a little overwhelming at the pier with many taxi drivers ready to acquire as many passengers as they possibly can snag, so it’s best to choose what part of the island you would like to stay in before you arrive. Sairee is the northernmost village and is the busiest. If you want to party, this is the best place for you. Mae Haad is the port town and is also quite happening. I prefer to stay in the southernmost village called Chalok Baan Kao, which is smaller and more low key.

Each village has a great beach, but if you want to stay somewhere more secluded than one of the villages, I recommend getting a taxi boat to Sai Nuan Beach and staying in the Sai Thong Resort. It’s only accessible by foot on a jungle path or by boat, so this is not a great place for you if you are going to want to stay up until the wee hours in a bar.

Getting around: I go everywhere on the island by foot because I’m too much of a spaz to drive a motorcycle. Most people rent motorcycles while they are here because they are cheap, easy, and when you get to your destination you are not drenched in sweat. If you decide to rent a motorbike, take pictures of it before you drive out of the shop. I’ve heard too many stories of people being charged insane amounts for the tiniest bit of damage. If there is a scratch on your bike before you rent it, then make sure to document its existence. One way to avoid this problem is to rent the oldest and most beaten up motorbike in the shop because they won’t care as much about it and won’t be able to notice scratches as easily.

If you don’t want to rent a motorcycle, bicycles are for rent as well or you could do the unheard of and just hoof it. Like I said before, this is a small island, you can get everywhere you want with your own two feet and although you may be a bit sweaty afterwards, you won’t feel as guilty about indulging in ice cream sundaes and lounging on the beach all day. Taxi cars and taxi boats are also available, as you will find out the minute you step off the ferry.

Things to Do: Most people come here to dive and it can be difficult to choose a dive school since there are 43 different ones all over the island. If you are interested in diving with a school that is environmentally conscious and regularly participates in underwater clean-ups, then New Heaven, Big Bubble, Ban’s, Asia Divers, Crystal, and Big Blue are all good choices.

One of the best things I’ve done in my two months here was grabbing a few drinks at The Queens. Every night, The Queens has a cabaret show with pre and post-op lady boys lip synching their hearts out to tunes from all different parts of the world. It’s a performance that cannot be missed and is apparently for any age as there were kids no older than ten in the audience.

If that’s not your cup of tea, or maybe I should say bucket or Redbull and vodka, then go bowling. The alley is outdoors and is not automated. It’s a ridiculous experience. At the end of the alley there is a guy who waits next to the pins to roll your ball back and reset the pins. Even if you aren’t a great bowler, it’s worth going just to see the bowling process unfold, plus they don’t make you wear stinky bowling shoes.

Sometimes you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the villages, and the best way to do that is to take a hike! There is an incredible viewpoint called John-Suwan Rock that allows you to see Chalok Bay and Thian Og Bay (AKA Shark Bay) at the same time. This path starts by the Freedom Beach resort and is so off the beaten trail that in some parts you can’t quite tell if you are still on the hiking trail. It’s a quick hike and the view is picture perfect.

Giving Back while on vacation: Sometimes when you are traveling it can feel as if you are always taking from the travel karma bucket without a chance to ever really give anything back. You may find yourself relying on the kindness of locals and other travelers for all sorts of different reasons. If you feel like that’s the case, then stop by the New Heaven Dive School and find out what conservation projects you can help out with in and out of the water.

New Heaven also offers a Marine Conservation Course where you can learn about the reefs you are diving in and can help with restoration projects. The course can be anywhere from three days to a month or longer if you are interested in combining it with your university studies. If you don’t have time to take the course, then ask when the next Save Koh Tao beach and underwater clean-up is happening.

Koh Tao is a relaxed bit of paradise and if you are in the area then you should definitely stop by! The only thing I ask of you is to make environmentally conscious decisions while you are here. Don’t leave your cigarette butts on the beach for the fish and turtles to eventually eat and use as little plastic as you possibly can. The only way to keep Koh Tao beautiful is if the people who come here are aware and make good decisions. Enjoy Koh Tao and happy travels!

As told by DIWYY guest writer, Patricia, who grew up in Chicago and continues to make trips back.

Getting There: Chicago has two airports, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Chicago Midway (MDW). Upon arrival, you can take the train or a taxi into downtown.

Accomodation Recommendations: I usually stay with friends or family, but if you can afford it, book a reservation with a hotel located downtown. Most of Chicago’s shopping and attractions are located downtown, so it’s best to stay there. You can find great hotel deals on Priceline.com and Hotels.com. Also, if you want other travelers’ reviews on hotels, go to TripAdvisor. The last hotel I made reservations with, the Omni Chicago Hotel, was due to advice/recommendations from these websites. I admit, I had an awesome stay at the Omni.

Patricia’s Recommendations for things to do: From museums to professional sports events to neighborhood festivals to world class dining – there is plenty to do and see in Chicago. This can also make it very difficult to plan a trip itinerary, so I would recommend checking out the many tours the city has to offer.

During my last trip, I brought along two friends who had never been to city. So I researched tours that showcased Chicago’s history, culture, and architecture. The first tour I booked was with Bobby’s Bike Hike. Bobby’s features four different biking tours that range from 4-8 miles in length, so it’s a great way to sightsee and get your exercise. The tour that my friends and I chose was The Obama Bike Tour, which took us all around the Hyde Park neighborhood where President Obama and his family resided. We not only saw the President’s former hangouts, such as his favorite restaurant Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop and the lecture hall he taught in at the University of Chicago Law School, but we also spotted Muhammad Ali’s childhood home, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, and the site of the first nuclear reaction.

The next tour we went on was a walking tour of modern skyscrapers. We decided to book this tour with the Chicago Architectural Foundation (CAF) because of the stunning downtown high-rises, as well as the happy hour drink that came at the end of the tour. While the tour was very informative, it was also difficult to hear our docent due to the noise (cars honking, El train passing the tracks, etc.). I did notice that the last group had tour headsets, so I’d inquire with the CAF about guided tours with headsets. If you’d rather not deal with wearing a headset, I’d suggest trying their boat tours.

The last and best tour we took was the Bucktown/Wicker Park Food Tour with Chicago Food Planet. Food tours are wonderful because you get to sample food from various restaurants without having to spend a lot of money. The food that we tasted on this particular tour was delicious and generously portioned: George’s Hot Dogs gave us each an entire Chicago-style hotdog; Hot Chocolate offered a medium-sized cup of iced hot chocolate with a homemade marshmallow; The Goddess & Grocer handed out pasta salad, Piece dished out slices of handcrafted pizza and beer, Sultan’s Market served falafel pita sandwiches, and iCream scooped delicious frozen treats. You definitely won’t go home hungry after this tour! In addition to the food, I appreciated the tour guide’s thorough explanations about local architecture and businesses while walking through the neighborhood.

Please note that these tours are typically offered late Spring – early Fall; so if you’re visiting during the cold Winter months I’d recommend purchasing the Chicago CityPass where you get admission into five of the city’s most popular indoor attractions. Also, if you’re interested in art, admission is free at the Art Institute of Chicago every Thursday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is free every Tuesday.

Getting around town: The CTA is the best way to get around the city. CTA buses and trains can get you very close to your destination. You may buy 1-day, 3-day, 7-day, and 30-day transit passes online. If you’d rather purchase passes in-person, try the airport or grocery stores (Dominick’s, Jewel, etc.). To me, the easiest location to pick up a CTA pass is the currency exchange located on Chicago Ave. and Rush St. (close to the Chicago red line stop).

Language tips: Everyone in Chicago pretty much speaks English. But if you want to sound like a true Chicagoan, remember to exaggerate your vowels!

Other Advice: If you plan to fly to Chicago, arrive at the Midway Airport instead of O’Hare Airport. Flights are much cheaper to and from Midway. And, if you choose public transportation to get to your hotel, the El train’s orange line from Midway to downtown is more scenic than the blue line from O’Hare.

Another tip is to check out the Metromix Chicago website. Metromix has A LOT of event reviews and listings, so you’ll know what’s happening on the day, week, or month you’re visiting!

As told by DIWYY reader, Kimberley, who lived in Vancouver for two years while going to school.

Getting There: You can come by plane, train, automobile or bus depending on where your trip originates. If coming by plane, there are a few options to get into town; public transportation (bus or SkyTrain) and taxi. The ride from the airport to downtown is about 30 minutes.

From Canada: Flying is the quickest option from within Canada. WestJet Airlines is a popular local carrier. Another option for those with a little extra cash and time can try the Rocky Mountaineer train. This scenic rail ride takes you through the Rocky Mountains. The trip originates in various locations (Banff, Calgary, Jasper) and takes 2-8 days depending on which package you buy.

From the US: Flying is the quickest way to get here unless you are coming from Seattle. From there it is approximately a 2-hour drive. Leave extra time to clear customs when crossing the border. The good ol’ Greyhound bus also has regular service from Seattle to Vancouver.

From Overseas: Flying is the best option unless you have oodles of money and time to sail your way here. Most major airlines fly into Vancouver International Airport. If coming from Europe, you will likely connect through Toronto or Montreal before continuing on to Vancouver. Flights from Asia and the Pacific Rim will likely be more direct.

Accomodation Recommendations: There are hotels for every budget. Prices range from $20-$300/night (Canadian dollars). For cheap and cheerful, try the HI (Hostelling International) youth hostels all of which are fairly centrally located. The Jericho Beach location is only open during the summer months while both downtown locations are open year round.  Self-catering apartments and bed and breakfasts are a good option for an affordable home away from home. If you prefer to be catered to, the usual hotel chains reside here as well i.e. Holiday Inn, Best Western, and Hilton.  If you belong to the Motor Association you can usually apply your discounts to Canadian locations. For luxury there’s always the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Kimberley’s recommendations for things to do:

Active- Walk the Stanley Park seawall, swim the beaches, ski/hike Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver. This can often all be done in one day!

Self-indulgent-Eat, shop and be merry! Visit the lululemon flagship store and sister company Oqoqo (sustainable eco-friendly clothing) on West 4^th Avenue. Then saunter down the street for decadent and creative chocolates at Chocolate Arts. I learned how to make truffles from the owner and he certainly lives up to his slogan  “fine chocolate is an art”. Keep heading east on West 4^th Avenue and you will eventually reach Granville Island.  This ‘island’ will keep you occupied for hours with the shopping to do, food to eat, artists’ studios to visit, shows to see and houseboat community to ogle.

Vegetarians rejoice in the many options available to you! Try the Naam restaurant in Kitsilano for vegetarian cuisine 24/7. Seafood lovers will also appreciate the bounty that is at Vancouver’s doorstep. Salmon is particularly popular.

Culture: Visit the Museum of Anthropology-a world-renowned museum housing an extensive collection of ethnographic materials from most continents as well as an awesome First Nations collection. They also have some of Bill Reid’s work. He was a Haida artist who designed the famous Jade Canoe sculpture displayed at the Canadian embassy in Washington, at Vancouver airport and on the Canadian $20 bill. The Vancouver Art Gallery is a great rainy day activity.  Capilano Suspension Bridge on the north shore is a nice all encompassing day trip. Learn about the forest and First Nations culture here. People with a fear of heights be forewarned! The bridge is suspended 70 m (230 feet) above a river and some people delight in running along the bridge causing it to swing.

Day trips: Check out the ski and snowboard mecca of Whistler (a two hour drive north of Vancouver). The HI youth hostel here is due to open July 2010. Or visit one of the Gulf Islands for a day trip or overnight stay. These islands are known for their artisan communities and natural beauty.

Getting around town: Vancouver is a walkers’ paradise. Bring a good pair of walking shoes and hit the streets. Most of the top sites are centrally located. If you must use a vehicle to get around public transportation is very amenable. Cost depends on how many zones you travel in. A 3 zone single ticket will cost $5 during peak times and your ticket is good for 90 minutes from the time of purchase. A day pass is a better deal if you are doing a whirlwind tour of Vancouver’s highlights. It costs $9 and is good for all zones at any day/time of the week. Tickets can be used for the bus, Skytrain or the SeaBus-a passenger ferry connecting downtown Vancouver and the North Shore.

Driving is not advisable for a relaxing holiday. Vancouver’s laid-back reputation is lost when Vancouverites get behind the wheel of a car.

Language tips: Officially Canada is a bilingual country (French and English). English is widely spoken though you will likely hear Cantonese due to the high number of Chinese residents. Though not widely spoken on the West Coast, French is still required to be available to those who request it in government and tourist offices. You will also see French written on product labels and signs.

Other Advice: Vancouver has a reputation for being eco and gay friendly. It is the birthplace of Greenpeace, the environmentally active non-profit organization. The climate is milder than the rest of Canada. Snow here is rare, by Canadian standards, but there can be days on end of grey skies.

February is a nice time to visit as it is off-season with crowd free streets and deals to be had. The cherry blossoms are in bloom and their intoxicating fragrance helps to quell some of the foul city smells. However, Vancouver tends to rain a lot during the winter months. Bring a sturdy umbrella, good raingear and water resistant clothes. The Winter Olympics 2010 are being held here and at Whistler (a 2 hour drive north on the sea-to-sky highway) so expect high prices and big crowds if you are traveling at this time. Or wait until it’s all over and tour the remnants of the Olympic experience.

Famous Vancouverites: Jason Priestly, Michael J. Fox, Hayden Christensen, Bryan Adams

As told by DIWYY co-founder, Jerri, who previously lived and worked in the Caribbean.

When I went: I lived there while working on a yacht from November 2004 to March 2005 and have been there a few times since on other yachts I was working on. This is the peak season for travelers since hurricane season is mostly over and it’s winter in the Northern Hemisphere so lots of snowbirds are coming down to the Caribbean to get away from the cold weather.

How I Got There: Most of the times I got there by boat. Once we sailed there from Key West and it took about 5 days.  Another time I went I flew to St. Thomas’s Cyril E. King airport (STT) from Miami on American Airlines and then took the ferry from St. Thomas’s, Charlotte Amalie dock to Cruz Bay in St. John.

Where I stayed: Well, I lived on a 110′ Palmer Johnson Ketch moored in Honeymoon Bay, St. John. We had to take the tender into Cruz Bay to get on land.  Since St. John is a small island covered mostly by a national park, lodging options are pretty limited. They range from high end hotels like Caneel Bay and Westin, privately owned villas, to eco-tents on campgrounds like Maho.

Things to do: St. John is famous for the Virgin Islands National Park which takes up about 60% of the island including the coral reefs and ocean offshore. There are a lot of hiking trails with beautiful views of the Caribbean.  Ruins from the old sugar plantations are a must see. Scuba diving and sailing are extremely popular, of course, all around the island.  Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay has excellent shopping and some consider it to be like the Beverly Hills of the Caribbean. There are plenty of excellent restaurants around the island as well as the the infamous walk-up shacks where you can get a Caribbean favorite, the Roti.  Odd fact: There aren’t any movie theaters in St. John. If you wanna catch the newest flicks you’d have to ferry over to St. Thomas. Don’t worry, you’ll still find plenty of other things to do.

How I got around: It’s pretty easy to catch a taxi in the main areas of St. John like Cruz Bay and your hotel can always call one for you.  If you’re going to be there for a while you can also rent a car but they’re super expensive. If you don’t plan on driving much, your best bet is just taking a taxi.  While romantic and adventurous, scooters aren’t really safe or recommended because of the hilly terrain. You can also walk around in places like Cruz Bay.

Language tips: Since it’s the United States Virgin Islands everyone will speak English but there are different languages spoken on the island from Spanish to French Creole. Be prepared. They speak pretty fast there so you’ll probably be asking them to repeat themselves.

What To Bring: You don’t need any long sleeves or really any long pants (unless maybe you have some light linen pants) so don’t even use up that space in your luggage. You’ll need your swimsuit, shorts, t-shirts, dresses for women, some button down shirts or polo shirts for men, flip flops/sandles and tennis shoes if you plan to go hiking and probably a hat for protection from that tropical sun. If you know you’re going to a nice restaurant try and find out in advance if they have a dress code. Most don’t have formal dress codes anymore but it’s good to know just in case. It’s very unlikely that you’ll ever need heels. And bring plenty of sunblock!

Other advice for someone wanting to go to this location: Just like any other place you travel, remember to stay safe. While the Caribbean is as close to paradise as you can get, it is not crime free. Never walk anywhere alone at night. Make sure you always have a trusted friend with you at all times and let people know where you are going.

Email Jerri at jerri@diwyy.com. Have more questions about the Caribbean? Visit the DIWYY forums and let the discussion begin!