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Check out these free things to do in San Jose!

San Jose Museum of Art- The San Jose Museum of Art charges no admission whatsoever, as in free all day, every day (except Monday when the museum is closed).

Santana Row- enjoy cinema classics outdoors at Santana Row and downtown by the museum (think drive-in without the cars, and bring your own popcorn), or inside at the venerable ciné16.  Check www.santanarow.com for complete schedule.

Lick Observatory- This 4,300 ft astronomical outpost is open to visitors 12:30-5pm weekdays and 10am-5pm weekends (closed for major holidays). Short guided tours of the main refracting telescope are available.

New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum- Housed inside an 1854 hotel known as La Casa Grande, the museum traces the rise and fall of quicksilver mining in the once-flourishing town of New Almaden. A museum visit can be combined with a walk around Almaden Quicksilver County Park, which covers 4,000 largely undeveloped acres, with 33 miles of trails for hikers.

While in San Jose check out the Winchester Mystery House!

If you are looking for a quick getaway and exclusive flight deal, check out this great one from OneTravel! Atlanta to San Jose for $347 roundtrip, all taxes included!

The Future of Bargain Airline Design?

Can the seating arrangement in an airplane lead to more affordable fares? Some say yes. A new aircraft seating design is being developed in the UK, that according to a September 22 report by the Telegraph, the new arrangement has been developed specifically for budget airlines offering short flights. The article states that the design “could lead to a 50 percent increase in the number of passengers on board with a saving of up to a third per seat,” according to the UK-based developer, Design Q. The design features flip-up benches and face-to-face seating that call to mind the inside of a train car.

Design Q said that the configuration is “loosely based on the way some soldiers travel to battle zones,” according to the Telegraph. In the article, the company also pointed out the design is aimed for short-term flights where passengers are not as concerned about comfort. The director of Design Q, told the Telegraph that one advantage of the design is that passengers will be able to exit quickly once the plane lands. Furthermore, the exclusion of bulky seats makes the plane lighter and as a result more fuel efficient.The article also notes that the planes would be able to carry up to 10 per cent more passengers, so long as safety approval is granted.

London Calling

In no particular order, some of the things I love about London-

London Bridge at Dusk

1. Big red tour buses.

2. The sidewalk corners that all say “LOOK RIGHT!” so that silly little tourists like me don’t get smashed by on-coming traffic.

3. Anything with “Mind the Gap” written on it.

4. Castles

5. Palaces

6. Cathedrals

7. Buildings older than the entire United States.

8. Kebab street vendors

9. Seeing places I’ve read about in literature my entire life.

10. The accents.

11. That KFC is so popular there, and that they call it KFC and not Kentucky Fried Chicken. And the KFC near the Tower of London that boasts 100 types of beer. And that KFC serves beer.

12. Pubs

13. Ordering bangers and mash and nobody looks at me funny.

14. Red phone booths (and the overwhelming urge to make phone calls from one to my friends and saying, “LONDON CALLING!” when I do.)

15. That downtown London looks a lot like downtown New York City- Starbucks, Gap, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, etc all over the place. But somehow, they are just cooler in London!

16. Cheap travel deals to London.

17. All the songs I can sing that include London in it- London Bridges (the children’s tune), London Bridge (by Fergie), London Calling (the Clash), Werewolves of London,Foggy Day in London Town, and on and on and on!

Top Ten Free Things to Do in Paris

1. Most churches in Paris are free (except the Saint Chapelle which is not an operating church), and there are plenty of churches! The majority of churches in France are open to the public during daylight hours. Some churches will charge admission to the bell tower, relics, or museums (i.e. Notre Dame charges for the access to the museum and tower). Some of Paris’ most beautiful architecture and art can be found for free in its churches.

2. Free student concerts at the prestigious Conservatoir National Superieur de Paris. Available throughout the year!

3. Did you know that the Louvre is free on Sundays and on Bastille Day? And is always free to children under 17?

4. Paris is the height of fashion, so why not take in a FREE fashion show? Fridays at 3 p.m., March through December, discover the latest trends with a weekly free fashion show at Galeries Lafayette (Reservations required.)

5. Explore the famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, the earthly tomb of Chopin, Jim Morrison, Gertrude Stein, Colette, Moliere, and many more historic figures.

6. At the Pont de Grenelle, at Passy, you’ll find the original model of the Statue of Liberty that France presented to the people of the United States.

7. Walk through Le Marais, the quaint district known for its Jewish roots, strong Chinese influence, and charming ambiance. Also known in the last decade as the new “Gay Paris.” You can find many of the cities up and coming art galleries in this area as well.

8. What could be more romantic than dancing the tango along the banks of the Seine River? Every night throughout the summer you can live another life, as a mysterious stranger who swoops in and dances with the anonymous beauty, before disappearing off into the dark…

9. Not all art is in a museum. Art galleries are free and open to the public, and are a great way to discover art both old and new.

10. Stroll along the Seine and ramble about the Jardin des Tuileries. Similar to the National Mall of Washington, DC (after all, both were designed by Lafayette himself!), there is a lovely, long, green park and walkway stretching down the heart of the city from the place de la Concorde right up to the Louvre, with the Seine River beside it.  View the ponds, sculptures, Eiffel Tower, and much more as you take in one of Paris’ most enjoyable, and free, key features.

Paris doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. Romance, beauty, and history do often come at a steep price, but sometimes still, can be had for nothing.

Things to do in Atlanta

The Hot Peach of the South is more than just a big airport. From sports to shopping to Southern hospitality and cuisine, Atlanta will welcome you in.

Love Sports?

Atlanta is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome and the legendary baseball team, the Atlanta Braves call Turner Field home. Basketball fans can catch the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Dream at Philips Arena. And race fans know that the Atlanta Motor Speedway is a show you can’t afford to miss.

Family Time at the Georgia Aquarium
Southern Living magazine described the Georgia Aquarium, “Rather look at the wildlife than share the ocean with it? Don’t miss the new Georgia Aquarium, a living museum with more than 8 million gallons of water and 100,000 fresh and saltwater creatures, including dozens you can touch in the hands-on area. Get to the aquarium early, and watch the penguins and sea otters play; then enjoy exploring downtown Atlanta.”

Soul Food at its Finest

Looking for some serious Southern soul food? From “fine dining” to the patio to straight out of the frying pan, Atlanta knows how to you feed you.

Preserving Georgian Culture

Atlanta’s heritage can be found in her streets and her buildings where you can take a walking tour whether with a group, or on your own, to witness the beautiful architecture and history of this beautiful town.

Free and Educational

Learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with a tour of his birth home or at Freedom Hall. Both free and open to the public.

Historic Movie Theaters Around the World

Watching a movie especially in an historic theater is not only charming but a “Must See” if  the theater is one of those in the list below. Though with times things have changed but still these theaters have stayed competitive by retaining their vintage interiors and adopting today’s must-have technology.

Tuschinski Theater, Amsterdam

Built: 1921

This art deco movie palace located in the capital city of Netherlands was the crowning achievement of Abraham Tuschinski. The exterior is a cross between Art Deco and Gothic architecture. The facade, in its own style of Art Deco with oriental influences, was designed to help people get a feeling that they were being led into an illusion.
The theatre was not only special in terms of architecture and decoration, but also electromechanically, with revolutionary heating and ventilation, which kept the temperature even throughout the building.

Le Grand Rex, Paris

Built: 1931

Le Grand Rex is the largest and well-known theatre and music venue in Paris. It is well known for its room with 2,800 seats, its starry vault, its water spectacle and its Art Deco style architecture.
The theatre was built by Jacques Haik, a wealthy film producer and designed by Romanian-American architect John Eberson.
The theatre is also host to the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival, a six-day event that attracts more than 48,000 attendees and is an important adventure and discovery film festival in the world.

Bagdad Theater, Portland

Built: 1927

The Bagdad Theater is a movie theater in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon. It was the site of the premiere gala of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 and of My Own Private Idaho in 1991.
In 1927, Universal Pictures spent the enormous sum of $100,000 to create a splendid and state of the art theater, complete with an expansive stage, gurgling fountain, grand colonnade and Middle-Eastern decor.
The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It is currently owned by the McMenamins brewpub chain.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Built: 1927

Located along the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is the most sought-after theatre in Hollywood for studio premieres. Imported temple bells, pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs and other artifacts from China are part of the decoration for this theatre.
Protected by its 40-foot high curved walls and copper-topped turrets, the theatre’s legendary forecourt serves as an oasis to the stars. Ten-foot tall lotus-shaped fountains and intricate artistry flank the footprints of some of Hollywood’s most elite visitors.

In its present incarnation these theaters still are a favorite spot to escape into splendor and history.

Historical Movie Theaters around the World

Watching a movie especially in a historical theater is not only charming but a “Must See” in case the theater is one of those in the list below. Though with times things have changed but still these theaters have stayed competitive by retaining their vintage interiors and adopting today’s must-have technology.

Tuschinski Theater, Amsterdam

Tuschinski Theatre Interior
Image URL: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tuschinski_ground_floor_lounge.JPG

Built: 1921

This art deco movie palace located in the capital city of Netherlands was the crowning achievement of Abraham Tuschinski. The exterior is a cross between Art Deco and Gothic architecture. The facade, in its own style of Art Deco with oriental influences, was designed to help people get a feeling that they were being led into an illusion.
The theatre was not only special in terms of architecture and decoration, but also electromechanically, with revolutionary heating and ventilation, which kept the temperature even throughout the building.

Le Grand Rex, Paris

Le Grand Rex
Image URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Le_Grand_Rex-01.jpg

Built: 1931

Le Grand Rex is the largest and well-known theatre and music venue in Paris. It is well known for its room with 2,800 seats, its starry vault, its water spectacle and its Art Deco style architecture.
The theatre was built by Jacques Haik, a wealthy film producer and designed by Romanian-American architect John Eberson.
The theatre is also host to the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival, a six-day event that attracts more than 48,000 attendees and is an important adventure and discovery film festival in the world.

Bagdad Theater, Portland

Bagdad Theater
Image URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BagdadTheatre.jpg

Built: 1927

The Bagdad Theater is a movie theater in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon. It was the site of the premiere gala of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1975 and of My Own Private Idaho in 1991.
In 1927, Universal Pictures spent the enormous sum of $100,000 to create a splendid and state of the art theater, complete with an expansive stage, gurgling fountain, grand colonnade and Middle-Eastern decor.
The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. It is currently owned by the McMenamins brewpub chain.

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Interior
Image URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:060807-001-ChineseTheater-INT.jpg

Built: 1927

Located along the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is the most sought-after theatre in Hollywood for studio premieres. Imported temple bells, pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs and other artifacts from China are part of the decoration for this theatre.
Protected by its 40-foot high curved walls and copper-topped turrets, the theatre’s legendary forecourt serves as an oasis to the stars. Ten-foot tall lotus-shaped fountains and intricate artistry flank the footprints of some of Hollywood’s most elite visitors.

In its present incarnation these theaters still are a favorite spot to escape into splendor and history.

Brazil the Beautiful

Brazil has long been known as a land of sexy people, seducing travelers with its music and splendid beaches. The country bordering almost every other country in South America offers a blend of cultures, cuisine, ethnic groups, as well as many natural wonders. One can just be left amazed, gaping at the variety this place has to offer.

Visit to the Iguassu Falls or Iguacu Falls

Often described as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Iguassu Falls is a treat to watch. The falls are an awesome sight as tons of water tumble over cliffs, and the mist rises in the jungle. It’s well worth spending a day to watch this natural beauty.

The Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

The Brazilian Carnival is an annual celebration in Brazil. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for the elaborate parades staged by the city’s major samba schools in the Sambadrome and is one of the world’s major tourist attractions.

Eat at the Churrasco

In Brazil, churrasco is the term for a barbecue. Brazilian churrasco contains a variety of meats which may be cooked on a purpose-built “churrasqueira”, which basically means a grill. Some of the brazilian “churrasqueiras” do not have grills, only the skewers above the embers. The meat may alternatively be cooked on large metal or wood skewers and roasted with the embers of charcoal.
Hungry, anyone?

Gulp down the Caipirinha

Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaca, sugar and lime. Cachaca is Brazil’s most common distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane. Nothing better to quench your thirst then glass full of the local spirit topped up with pounded ice and limes. Cheers!!

Check out the amazing flight deals to Rio de Janeiro on OneTravel today!