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The best free attractions in the US

By Matthew Coe on Nov 20, 2014 in Attractions, California, Going Out, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, North America, USA, Washington DC

You don’t have to spend a fortune to see some of America’s best sights and sounds. There is a plethora of attractions which are free to enjoy, from some of the country’s most famous landmarks to fascinating museums and art galleries. We’ve searched the US for its best free attractions and grouped them into this

Photograph of the week: The Cloud Gate, Downtown Chicago

By Paul Johnson on Sep 10, 2014 in Attractions, Going Out, Illinois, North America, Regions, USA

The Cloud Gate, better know locally and affectionately as The Bean, is a surreal, giant reflective structure in downtown Chicago that brings the tourists flocking for this skewed vision of the Windy City’s skyline. Designed by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor and dominating the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park, The Bean throws back crazy images

The 9 best bacon festivals across the US

By Breanna Wilson on Aug 09, 2014 in California, Events, Food and Drink, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, North America, Ohio, Regions, Travel Miscellany, USA

Pure bacon madness. Bacon Sundaes, Miso Bacon Steamed Buns, Chicken Bacon Apple Sausage Sliders and Thai Style Curried Coconut and Bacon Paella all washed down with a Maple Bacon Old Fashion. That’s just the tip of the bacon iceberg when you attend bacon festivals like the first festival on our list, the annual Bacon &

12 luxury hotel openings to be excited about this year

By Daniel Moran on Jul 16, 2014 in Accommodation, Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Colombia, Eastern Europe, Europe, France, Hotels, Illinois, Indonesia, Middle East, New York, North America, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Regions, Resorts, Russia, South America, Tanzania, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide

Every year sees a great many new hotels open and 2014 is no different. The major hotel brands are reacting to the market and diversifying as it is no longer enough to offer one brand and one product. Hilton, Marriott and Starwood amongst many others have different brands to suit different market needs. Whether it

The top 10 places to visit in 2014

By Paul Johnson on Nov 13, 2013 in Africa, Antarctic, Asia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, China, Cuba, Eastern Europe, Europe, France, Illinois, India, Japan, Latvia, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Polar Regions, Regions, Seychelles, South Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Texas, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Lonely Planet’s “travel experts” have come up with three lists for where to visit in 2014. The top 10 cities to visit in 2014, the top 10 countries to visit in 2014 and the top 10 regions to visit in 2014. I do feel it lacks credibility when one of the “countries” they list is

Top 5 North American road trips

By Alison Crabb on Nov 06, 2013 in Arizona, Attractions, California, Featured, Florida, Going Out, Illinois, Kansas, Leisure Travel, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North America, Oklahoma, Regions, Road Travel, Speciality Travel, Texas, USA

North America is the home of the road trip. Whether you’re sitting on a Greyhound bus, riding pillion on a Harley-Davidson or behind the wheel of a classic Cadillac, your vehicle choice doesn’t matter half as much as the journey itself. Our top five choices are the stuff of movies and the best way of

The world's best botanical gardens

By Matthew Coe on Oct 16, 2013 in Africa, Asia, Attractions, Europe, Featured, Going Out, Illinois, Japan, New York, North America, Regions, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe

The world is a beautiful place, filled with a myriad of natural wonders which botanical gardens magnificently display throughout their grounds. From the South African bush to the gardens that inspired some of Claude Monet’s greatest artworks, botanical gardens preserve the best of nature – and are ready to welcome you into their figurative arms. We’ve

Top 10 US cities for families to visit

By Paul Johnson on Aug 07, 2013 in Attractions, California, Family Travel, Florida, Going Out, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North America, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Regions, Speciality Travel, Texas, USA, Washington DC

Ever wondered where to take the family on your next trip to the United States? Assessing various US cities for their family friendliness – and taking into account such things as the quality of the family attractions, weather, etc. – Parents magazine released its 2013 list of the ’10 Best U.S. Cities for Families to

8 great reasons to visit the Great Lakes region this Summer

By Paul Johnson on Mar 29, 2013 in Attractions, Events, Going Out, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North America, Ohio, Regions, Travel Miscellany, USA, Wisconsin

This year is set to be an exciting year for the Great Lakes region. From major anniversaries that will firmly put the region on the map, to some weird and wonderful attractions and exhibitions that will appeal to many an inner fandom. There really is something for everyone… here are 10 events to put in

Photograph of the week: Millennium Park, Chicago

By Paul Johnson on Feb 13, 2013 in Accommodation, Illinois, North America, Real Estate, Regions, USA

Located in the heart of Chicago, Millennium Park offers plenty to see and do whether you are by yourself or with a large group of friends and family. See the world famous Cloud Gate sculpture, better known as “The Bean”, listen to a concert in Jay Pritzker Pavilion, cool off in the Crown Fountain, or

Highlights of the Condé Nast Traveler 25th Annual Readers' Choice Awards

By Paul Johnson on Oct 18, 2012 in Accommodation, Asia, Australia, Caribbean, China, Cruises & Boat Travel, Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Hotels, Illinois, India, Mexico, New York, North America, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, South Carolina, Speciality Travel, USA

The results are in for the Condé Nast Traveler 25th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards rank the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts worldwide. A record 46,476 readers participated, rating 370 hotels, resorts, and cruise lines above a score of 90! (To put this in perspective, the first list in 1988

The top 25 luxury hotels in the world

By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2012 in Accommodation, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Barbados, California, Caribbean, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Europe, Germany, Hotels, Illinois, Indonesia, Japan, Middle East, North America, Oceania, Oman, Regions, Resorts, South America, Spain, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Utah, Western Europe, Worldwide

Tripadvisor has once again published its Travellers’ Choice awards – this time for 2012. The top 25 hotels in the worldwide luxury category are as follows: 1. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo – Chiyoda, Japan 2. Hotel Imperial Vienna – Vienna, Austria 3. Hotel Palacio de la Magdalena – Soto del Barco, Spain 4. La Casa

The results of the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2011 are in...

By Paul Johnson on Oct 11, 2011 in Accommodation, Africa, Air Travel, Asia, Caribbean, Central America, China, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Hotels, Illinois, Japan, Magazines, Middle East, North America, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, South America, South Carolina, Speciality Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide

Condé Nast Traveler today announced the results of its 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking the best cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, hotels, and resorts worldwide. The awards appear in the November issue (on newsstands from 18th October 2011) and are derived from the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice survey. This year, a record 28,876 readers

Pampered Pets Getaway Package at Swissôtel Chicago

By Paul Johnson on Oct 13, 2009 in Accommodation, Hotels, Illinois, North America, Regions, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, USA

Guests travelling with pets may from now on offer their little friends a very important pet getaway at the Swissôtel Chicago. This memorable package, the Pampered Pets Getaway, spoils dogs in a true Swiss style with everything a dog would want to enjoy. Upon check-in, the VIP (Very Important Pet) receives a special greeting and

Multiple openings for aloft in October

By Paul Johnson on Oct 03, 2009 in Accommodation, Arizona, Asia, China, Hotels, Illinois, Middle East, New Jersey, North America, North Carolina, United Arab Emirates, USA

aloft is gaining momentum this month with plans to open one hotel each week in North America – double the pace of previous months. The surge in aloft openings is helping move Starwood Hotels & Resorts closer to its goal of opening its 1,000th hotel or resort worldwide. Offering high style at a steal, aloft

America's tallest building to get a new 'green' luxury hotel

By Paul Johnson on Jun 30, 2009 in Accommodation, Hotels, Illinois, North America, Regions, USA

America’s tallest building – Sears Tower in Chicago – will get a $350 million facelift and a new luxury hotel. The 110-story structure, soon to be re-named Willis Tower, will see almost half of its stories (50, to be precise) occupied by the new hotel which will be powered by the building’s new high-power wind

Category: Illinois