While our kids are heading back to the classroom, I am always encouraged to learn something new myself. One incredible way we parents can do this is to take an educational trip…and that doesn’t mean it has to be purely academic.

There are so many opportunities for leaning  a new skill while you travel, and many tours are set up for just that. I could list hundreds of different types of trips, but instead I will give you a few examples of programs that organize enriching vacations.

1) Universities and local colleges: Enquire at your alma mater – many colleges provide trips for alum. Stanford University for example offers some interesting trips, led by faculty members so they can impart their area of specialty in that region of the world. There are many types of trips, and many are geared toward families. Visit Iran….Costa Rica with your kids…or art and food rich Provence – and engage with other alum at the same time. Yes, there is a large academic component, but there is also free time for exploring.

For a less expensive alternative, check with your local junior college as well.

2) Neighborhood programs – Every time I pass the art school in my neighborhood, I dream about those posters they have displayed about traveling to France or Italy with the artists and taking painting classes there. Very specialized courses in travel are offered through neighborhood schools or centers (think cooking, art, gardening). Keep your eyes and ears open – it is a great way to travel with people in your community and bring home a new hobby.

3) Shaw Guides – www.shawguides.com – an outfitter that specializes in learning vacations. The ones that appeal to me are the language vacations – learning Spanish or French abroad, for example, where you are really immersed in the subject matter. They also offer cultural vacations, and cooking vacations.

Galapagos Islands

4) Smithsonian Journeys – www.smithsonianjourneys.org – With the name Smithsonain, you can count on a variety of adventures with an outdoorsy yet smart orientation. Some examples are: An Egyptian family Odyssey…. Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness….and the Galapagos for families. All of these locations, by the way, that are so much more rewarding with a knowledgeable guide. The Galapagos Islands trip offers an up close glimpse at some of the most unusual wildlife, and an examination of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, since this is where he studied. HIGH on my list of places to go in the next three years.

5) Take a trip and then find something to learn…. You can always be more spontaneous in sneaking in some unplanned cerebral activity…. While you are traveling you may notice your favorite author is lecturing at a local bookstore (In Miami Books and Books is notorious for this.)

Or – I actually “collect” hobbies when I travel – that is when I have more free time to pursue them. On a recent girls’ trip to Hawaii, we each took a couple days of surf lessons….In California’s wine country you can become a vintner for a day and even blend your own wine (Check out St. Supery and Ravenswood wineries)…and I have gone through tennis and golf clinics at various resorts.

One summer my kids took a two day sculpting workshop in the French Riviera from a local artist, at her studio. It was a rich experience. Take advantage of what’s around you – often times your mind is sharper on vacation because there is less to clutter it, so it is a perfect time to learn something new…without going “back to school.”

Good luck getting your little ones off to the classroom

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John Mayer at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday, Aug. 23

Finally beautiful weather here in Southern California….perfect for a John Mayer concert at the Hollywood Bowl!

Sunday afternoon at the outdoor venue….

into the evening with a full moon shining down on the packed house of Mayer fans.

Any local will tell you that this is one of the best,  – if not THE BEST – Los Angeles attractions. When you visit Tinseltown, use all the resources possible to get a ticket…Stub Hub and Craig’s List are good options if tickets are sold out. The Bowl  is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but there are other artists’ concerts sprinkled throughout the season which runs June -Oct.

Make sure you picnic before hand to dine under the stars – that is part of the whole amazing experience. if you bring alcohol, get there early to sit on the grass outside, otherwise you’ll be relegated to pavement! No alcohol is allowed to be brought in the theater. Otherwise you can bring in your dinner and eat at your seats – buying  your beer, wine, or even sangria once inside – but it’s pricey – one beer costs $9.00! There is also a quaint restaurant at the Bowl…or you can order at least 24 hours in advance for the Bowl catering service (Patina restaurant – one of LA”s finest) to pack you a picnic.

Parking and traffic are still the biggest problems – another reason to get there early.

There are other outdoor venues throughout the country that are still operating through September, since most places still have nice weather. Check them out if you are traveling to these destinations!

Here is a list of the Top 10 outdoor concert venues in America….(there are other lists out there but I agree most with this one.)

1) The Gorge, George Washinton  – right on the Columbia River

2) Charter One Pavilion – Northerly Island, Chicago, Ill.

3) Red Rocks Amphitheater – Morrison, Colo. (On another note – look into the Moab, Utah Music festival every Labor Day weekend. A 40 minute boat ride takes you down the Colorado River into a cavernous red rock grotto where a grand piano and symphone awaits you to perform in the red rock cave. Nothing short of amazing.)

4) The Backyard at the Bee Cave – Austin, Texas

5) Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA

6) The Greek – Berkeley, CA

7) Summer Stages – Central Park, NY

Bands on the Beach – Pensacola FL

9) Dallas Cowboy Stadium, Dallas, TX

10) Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA

BONUS: John Mayer is scheduled to appear at two of the above locations in the next couple of weeks – Aug. 28 at the Gorge… Sept. 1 at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado..He’s in Irvine, CA tonight. He has more of a bad boy edge than the last time I saw him, which brings even more electricity to his performance. Gotta go download his “Stop This Train” right now…

For more http://music-tours.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-top-ten-outdoor-concert-venues

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I was one of the movie goers who just saw “Eat, Pray, Love” opening weekend.

Read the book, loved it beyond words, and the movie did not disappoint. But come on -do you blame me?  It is a fantasy travel movie of sorts, with the main character bravely living in unfamiliar places for a year-  Italy, India, and then Bali …trying to find herself after a sad break up and painful divorce.

The cinematography was beautiful…so much so the travel industry is betting more people will be inspired to visit the movie locations with all kinds of “Eat Pray Love” packages…

Before you book any gimmicky tour, read on…

I have been to only one of the movie’s locations -Rome, Italy….and watching the film I was easily transported back.

Julia Roberts (as the main character) visits some of the Eternal City’s beautiful places…including my favorite spot – yes not one of my favorite, but my favorite – Villa Borghese.

Villa Borghese

I spent nearly a whole day here – it was walking distance from my hotel near the Spanish Steps. It is the largest public park in Rome, and is a peaceful contrast to the cacaphony of car horns and scooters on the chaotic Roman streets.

European parks are so different than those in America –  with sculptures and art standing freely amidst the trees. Sad to say in our country they would probably be covered with graffiti. There are also museums in this Roman park for the more valuable pieces – my favorite being the Museo e Galleria Borghese.

After days of visiting sites on a larger scale  - think Vatican, Coliseum.. – the Museo e Galleria Borghese is intimate and manageable…and much of the focus is on sculptures, especially those by Bernini.

I was happy the film included the Villa Borghese, which is written about in many guide books. But I want to share with you some places where my Italian friend who grew up in Rome took me some years back…sort of off the beaten path…a local’s picks…not on most top 10 lists.

Quartiere Coppede

1) Quartiere Coppede: A totally unexpected residential area of Rome in the northern part of the city..worth the trip off the beaten path. By just looking at the group of palaces, it wold be hard to pinpoint exactly where in the world you were. It has a bizarre mix of ancient Greek, Roman baroque, Medieval, and Art Nouveau architecture. It is a strange but fascinating place…the work of architect Gino Coppede…whom my friend told me was crazy and eventually institutionalized. I couldn’t confirm that in my research, but did find something that said his life’s work was not received favorably, and  he committed suicide.

Stadio dei Marmi

2)Stadio dei Marmi: One of the sports arenas of the Foro Italico, a sports complex commissioned by Mussolini. It was one of the sites of the 1960 Summer Olympics. Rarely would one use the word elegant to describe a sports stadium, but it is just that – elegant and majestic. The tiers of the stadium are topped with 12 feet tall, muscular white marble statues depicting 60 chiseled athletes…

My recommendation – my friend took me there after dark -

Stadio deo Marmi at night

It was even more amazing at night, right on the Tiber, with the white marble  (and muscle)…… glowing in the moonlight.

Il Vittoriano, Rome

3) Il Vittoriano – An enormous white marble monument at the Piazza Venezia, built for the first king of a united Italy. It is also dubbed “the wedding cake” . It is worth a visit for the views alone – one can ride the elevator to the top of the structure and get a breathtaking 360 degree view of Rome.

Once again – we went there after dark…and seriously there could be a whole other “After Dark” tour of Rome. Just compare the photos and you can see the different experience form day to night….

Italian food for thought: Many reviews of “Eat Pray Love” criticize the movie because the author traveled the world for a year -and who can afford to do that. But – a recent New York Times article found that people who spent their money on trips rather than more permanent, material things like furniture or a remodeled kitchen are actually happier…and live una vita bella. But if you are reading this blog, you probably already knew that…

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It is Elvis week again at Graceland, still going strong to commemorate the King’s life and death – of which the 33rd anniversary is Monday. It is a week of costume contests, candle light vigils by his grave at Graceland, and people who knew him giving fans anecdotes about his life. Thousands of grieving fans from all over the world make the pilgrimage, just to feel closer to him for one day, or week.

And although it’s always crowded, you still can find some room …where broken hearted lovers come to cry away their gloom…

Anyone who has ever been to Graceland knows, it is easy to leave Graceland heartbroken, and you don’t even have to stay at the Heartbreak Hotel. I know because I was one of those forlorn souls….not even of a generation to truly appreciate Elvis, but I reluctantly became a fan. (Paige – you know what I am talking about..)

Wise men say..only fools rush in. But I… can’t… help… falling in love with you…

My experience goes like this – I was there during Elvis week for the 25th anniversary of his death, covering it for the Travel Channel. The crowds were enormous. The first day there, I remember calling home and telling stories about how depressing it was to be there – so many people crying over Elvis, spending all their vacation money to come here, and of course dressing up like Elvis for no particular reason. I couldn’t believe these people, and snobbishly I thought they needed to get a life.

Paige Ryan, Amy Troiano, Tracy Gallagher at Graceland

The next day I got to tour his private planes, one called Lisa Marie…and visit his grave that was COVERED with gifts from people all across the globe…

Take my hand…take my whole life too..

And of course, I spent hours inside of Elvis’s Memphis mansion, affectionately called Graceland. It looks like nothing has been touched – the 60s shag rugs in the jungle room…

Jungle room at Graceland

His desk and writing room… and of course the hall where you can watch music videos, and look at all his gold records, momentos, and photos of his life.

We’re caught in a trap…I can’t walk out..because I love you too much baby…

That is where I realized I had crossed the line. All day Elvis music filled the neighborhood. Finally after absorbing hours of his music, his soulful and sometimes vulnerable lyrics grabbed me as I examined his life, tremendous talent, and the tragedy of such an early death. (OK his charisma wasn’t bad either…)

As the song goes, I was all shook up… I understood the tears being shed outside his home, by people he’d never met. Seeing all he had accomplished – and could have accomplished  -against the backdrop of his depression, drug addiction, and an unhealthy lifestyle left me achingly sad.

Do the chairs in your parlor seem empty and bare? Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there? Is your heart filled with pain – shall I come back again? Tell me, are you lonesome tonight?

If you are an Elvis fan, and even if you aren’t, Graceland is a nice piece of Americana history…as well as a intimate look at the King of Rock and Roll.

www.elvis.com/graceland/

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