Send Me Somewhere Results – Week Three

San Francisco: One of the two cities eliminated this week.

Another week of voting has come to an end and this week not one, but two cities were kicked off the island…er I mean eliminated. To just backtrack before I give the results, to show you how unpredictable this voting has become, last week’s favorite city Montreal was in dead last for six out of the last seven days. It was not until late last night that a few votes put the popular Canadian city back in the competition.

Over the last two rounds we saw one west coast city eliminated each week. San Diego was out followed by Seattle. Well the dark cloud of the left coast continues with double elimination due to the bottom cities receiving the same amount of votes. So I will have to part ways with Portland and say sayonara to San Francisco as both were the least voted on cities this week. It is now down to six cities and they are New Orleans, Quebec City, Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, and Austin. You can start voting now for week four.

Here are the results from week three:

1. New Orleans – 27%

2. Chicago - 18%

3. Vancouver - 16%

4. Austin - 12%

5. Montreal - 10%

6. Quebec City – 7%

7. San Francisco – 5%

7. Portland, OR – 5%

Tags: austin, canada, chicago, illinois, louisiana, montreal, new orleans, oregon, portland, quebec city, san francisco, seattle, texas, vancouver, washington

Send Me Somewhere Results – Week Two

Another week and another city gets the boot. As I mentioned on Twitter and hear in previous weeks, I am looking to go away in early 2010 and would like for you to help me out with the location.

I am calling it  “send me somewhere” and I ask for a single vote each week until nine of the cities have been kicked out and one remains. That final city will be chosen and announced on January 1. For more information on the “send me somewhere” idea just click here.

Now on to this week’s results. While the Emerald City hung on by the skin of it’s teeth in the previous poll, this week Seattle fell flat and was unfortunately the city with the lowest votes.

Two weeks in and two West Coast cities eliminated. No Sleepless in Seattle moment for me I guess. Start voting now for Round 3, with eight cities left the voting should soon start to get really interesting.

1. Montreal - 26%

2. New Orleans – 23%

3. Portland, OR. – 10%

3. Vancouver - 10%

3. Chicago - 10%

6. San Francisco – 6%

6. Quebec City – 6%

6. Austin - 6%

9. Seattle - 3%

Tags: austin, chicago, montreal, new orleans, oregon, portland, quebec city, san francisco, seattle, vancouver

Send Me Somewhere Results – Week One

Last week I asked you to send me somewhere and you sure did make your voices heard loud and clear. Just to catch you up in case you missed the announcement last week and were too lazy to click my link in the last sentence, I need help planning my next trip for early next year.

I narrowed my options down to 10 cities, all of which are located within the United States and Canada. They include New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Portland OR, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Austin, and Chicago.

With such diverse and amazing locations to choose from, I decided to do something some might see as completely crazy – I let my readers vote on where to send me. The poll located on the right hand side of this page will provide you with the options each week. It started with 10 cities, and each Friday I will kick off the lowest ranking locale. The final city will be announced January 1, 2010.

My trip will take place sometime between mid-January and early-April. It will also be fully covered right here on the site with pictures, videos, and attractions you asked me to check out. If you are located within the winning city maybe we can even get a Guinness or two during my stay.

Without further ado here are this week’s results, with the most voted to least voted:

1. New Orleans – 23%

2. Montreal - 13%

3. San Francisco – 12%

4. Quebec City – (tie) 10%

4. Austin - (tie) 10%

4. Vancouver - (tie) 10%

7. Chicago - 8%

8. Seattle - (tie) 6%

8. Portland, OR. – (tie) 6%

10. San Diego - 4%

Unfortunately I will not be basking in the warm sun of Southern California in early 2010. So long San Diego. Vote again now for your favorite and this Friday come back to see what city gets eliminated next.

Tags: austin, chicago, montreal, new orleans, oregon, portland, quebec city, san francisco, seattle, vancouver

Plan My Next Trip

Decide my next trip.

As you may know by now, I really like to travel. I also assume that if you read my blog that you also really like to travel. I mean I am always looking to visit some faraway locale and usually have the next destination planned before my current trip is over.

As a travel junkie, I am not picky either with how I get there…just as long as I get there. I will jump on a plane, train, bus, car, boat, mule, or hail a piggy back ride in order to get from point A to point B.

But with so many places to check out it can often times overwhelm me with the possibilities. Recently I added a poll on the side of this very page asking people to vote and help “send me somewhere.” I chose 10 cities that were all within the United States and Canada.

The options include: New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Portland OR, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver, Austin, and Chicago.

All great cities with plenty of things to see, do, eat, and drink. So for the next 10 weeks I will be asking you to vote for which city you would like me to check out and cover on this site. Each week the lowest city will be eliminated and then on January 1st the winning city will be announced.

Once I find out where you are sending me, I will call upon the experts of that particular location to assist me with recommendations like restaurants, nightlife, attractions, hotels, and more. The trip will take place sometime within the first four months of 2010.

To vote each week, check out the poll on the site.

Tags: austin, canada, chicago, montreal, oregon, portland, quebec city, San Diego, san francisco, seattle, texas, Travel, united states, vancouver

Travel The World In Search Of The Best Brew

Now I’m not a raging alcoholic and I don’t need 12 steps (at least I don’t think I do) – I just deeply appreciate an icy cold adult beverage, whether it be an exotic lager from a far away land or a strikingly good stout made in a local brewery. One of the best ways to sample (or chug) some suds is by checking out a beer festival. Read on to discover six noteworthy brew cities and their big booze events. Cheers – and may the luck of the Irish be with you!

New York, New York: Nicknamed the “United Nations of Beers,” The Great World Beer Fest is a tour de force drinking event that usually takes place every year in late October/early November, but has been moved up this weekend September 4-6 (Labor Day weekend) for the 2009 festivities. The 7th Annual GWBF will welcome an average of 15,000 beer enthusiasts over a 3-day suds-filled celebration. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Munich, Germany: Host to the world’s biggest and most famous beer festival, Oktoberfest (which, surprisingly is held every September, due to October’s traditionally inclement weather) is a beer lover’s nirvana. What else can I say about this 2-week event that hasn’t already been written or well documented? Show up, snack on an over-sized pretzel, grab a giant stein of icy cold lager, and be prepared to do some serious Deutschland drinking. This Superbowl of suds will be held September 19–October 4. For more information check out their official website.

Pilsen, Czech Republic: This small city in the Czech Republic has been brewing beer, most notably pilsner, since way back in 1295. It is quite possibly the most beloved beer town in the world. So it would only make sense that they would also throw one of the best annual beer-centric events – Pilsner Fest started 167 years ago as a way to celebrate the creation of the first beer in the world. The 2-day event will take place this year September 4–5. For more information check out their official website.

Tasmania, Australia: Go down under and take part in what has been called the “premiere Australian beer festival.” This November 13-14, along the Hobart Waterfront on the lovely island of Tasmania, dozens of boutique beer makers from across the globe will gather for this special event.  In addition to consuming lots and lots of booze, guests will enjoy live music, great food, guest speakers, and be able to vote for the “Best Tasmania Beer” and “Best Tasmanian Bar.” Admission is free, but to get a full schedule of events and further information, click here.

Bruges, Belgium: For the second year in a row Belgium beer lovers will be able to attend the Bruges Beer Festival. Taking place this November 14-15, the event will feature 50 breweries with well over 100 beers to taste, “Top Chefs” preparing Belgium beer infused meals, live music, and even a “child fun corner” if you can not find a babysitter. You can purchase a tasting mug upon entry and all sampling will take place at the historic Belfry Complex. For more information click here.

Portland, Oregon: Did you know that little ole’ Portland boasts some 30 microbreweries in all? What’s more, with a total of 46 breweries and brewpubs at which to sample this bounty on tap, Portland can claim more such establishments per capita than any other locale in the U.S.. Many of the city’s breweries have won both nationwide and international acclaim. Now that’s definitely something to celebrate . . .with a beer, of course! Tis the season to drink up as Portland will hold it’s annual Holiday Ale Festival this December 2-6 at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Do not worry about freezing your intoxicate tail off as the event is held inside a heated tent. What better way to enjoy some Christmas cheer than with a mug of ice cold beer. For more information on this merry event, click here.

Tags: australia, belgium, bruges, czech republic, germany, Munich, new york, oregon, pilsen, portland, tasmania