CT Travel Guide
5/28/2008 at 10:30 AM
Tags: Celeb Travel, Commencement Travel, Paul McCartney, The Beatles, JK Rowling, President Bush, Matthew Fox (all tags)
Former Beatle and recent divorcé Paul McCartney just got an honorary degree from Yale University. Those robes just make everyone look better!
And there's no rest for the other weary stars working the commencement circuit. Harvard has invited Harry Potter author JK Rowling. After last year's backlash about "Lost" actor and alum Matthew Fox, Columbia University went the straight-and-narrow and picked New York City school superintendent Joel Klein--only to see sister school Barnard College nab Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
President Bush is doing double duty this weekend at the US Air Force Academy and Furman University in Georgia, and tiny Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois continued its tradition of getting high-wattage speakers by snagging Madeline Albright. (Both Bill Clinton and Stephen Colbert have spoken there in recent years.)
If you want to chase down your favorite star, USA Today has a great list. Stay tuned for our report from Planet Oprah in June!
Related Stories:
· Students Are Getting a Say in Commencement Speakers [USA Today]
· Putting the Hard Day's Night Hotel into Context [HC]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Celebitchy]
by egw
3/07/2008 at 9:12 AM
Tags: Movie Set Travel, New England Travel, Raven-Symone (all tags)
This week's pick might be the perfect one to drag your parents to--for payback purposes. "College Road Trip" will bring you way back to the days of piling into the family car and carting everyone around to various colleges, while they rated the classes and you rated the party scene.
Raven-Symone (aka little Olivia from The Cosby Show!) makes it to the big screen as an overachiever with Martin Lawrence as her overprotective cop father, policing her pre-college visits.
Think of winding, bucolic roads in New England, and think Connecticut. Avoid the autumn crowds and head there now to check out these spots:
Where To Stay: Mayflower Inn, Washington Don't think you have to rough it in the wilderness if you check in to the Mayflower. Calling every room the "antidote to urban stress" guests can indulge in lavish spa treatments, sink into feather topped mattresses and stroll the perfect 58-acre English garden grounds. It still feels intimate with just 21 rooms and 9 suites.
Where To Eat: River House Tavern, Wesport Perched on the edge of the Saugatuck River, this tavern's all about the views. Floor-to-ceiling windows and mahogany and walnut floors lend a hearty feel. Live music every Thursday night keeps things casual. Try the halibut with Meyer lemon compote, truffled sweet pea puree and fava beans.
What to See: Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven Head to the grounds of Yale and stop at the Peabody. Get lost in the Great Hall amongst the fully recreated skeleton of a juvenile Apatosaurus or nearby next to the reconstructed skeletons of Camarasaurus, Stegosaurus and Camptosaurus. Another perk? Admission's just $7, and it's free on Thursdays from 2-5 pm.
Related Stories:
· Connecticut Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Movie Set Travel coverage [Jaunted]
by sedona
11/09/2007 at 4:05 PM
Tags: Missed Connections, New England Travel, Coffee Shops, Restaurants (all tags)
This weekend, every sugared up child--and many an adult--anxious for Christmas to arrive will probably be lining up to buy tickets for Fred Claus, this holiday season's first big-budget movie. Since we've been seeing trailers for this since last Christmas, we're probably not going to be one of the anxious ticket holders to see Vince Vaughn get kicked in his man-parts.
But there's one thing we love: Paul Giamatti as a disgruntled, messy Santa, the kind who deserves scotch instead of milk with his cookies. In honor of the constantly underrated Mr. Giamatti, we're pointing you to the city of his birth, New Haven, Connecticut, where perhaps you could meet an adorably rumpled comic book lover or a suspicious superintendent. Or how about:
A man with a nifty bag? Koffee Too is not only open till midnight serving fair trade to Yale students, but it also stocks authentic New York bagels from H&H. 276 York St.
A gourmand with lots of friends? Have a "lively" tapas dinner at Pacifico, and augment with mojitos as desired. 220 College St.
A taken woman? Viva Zapata may not have won the distinction of best margaritas in town according to the Yale Daily News, but lingering at the carved-up bar enjoying the house guacamole or an unbeatably fresh lunch combination, you may not be so bothered. 161 Park St.
Related Stories:
· Pacifico [Official Site]
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Connecticut Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Connecticut Hotels [HotelChatter]
[Photo: mrpaul]
by egw
10/19/2007 at 8:45 AM
Tags: Movie Set Travel, New England Travel, Joaquin Phoenix (all tags)
We remember this week's pick, Reservation Road, way back when it was a mere book, so we're pretty curious as to what to expect with the film. It's the story of two Connecticut families whose lives clash unexpectedly over a tragic accident.
Joaquin Phoenix is back with his Johnny Cash seriousness as Ethan Learner, with Jennifer Connelly as his wife. The plot promises it all: "rage, revenge, love and hope"--we'll see what it delivers.
As this was shot all over Connecticut, we'll offer you some unique things to check out in Fairfield, a picture perfect destination this time of year.
Where To Stay: The Inn at Fairfield Beach -- A five-minute stroll from Fairfield Beach, the inn is cozy with just 13 rooms. Each one is light and airy with cathedral ceilings, fireplaces and views of the Long Island Sound. Think floral bedspreads and tea kettles and you've got the vibe of this hidden and homey hideaway.
Where To Eat: Barcelona Wine Bar -- It might feel a little like stepping back into the 70s when you enter Barcelona Wine Bar, because they still have the kitschy wallpaper and bar stools. But rather than snap you out of the time warp, everything else completes the retro vibe. Check out the outdoor patio for some fresh air while you snack on chorizo with sweet and sour figs or cod croquettes with saffron aioli.
Where To Walk Around: Fairfield University -- Grab your elbow patch blazer and stroll the grounds of Fairfield University on a fall day. Don't miss landmarks like Bellermine Hall, an English manor style mansion originally built in 1920 and perfectly updated in 1982.
[Photo: Jerry Wehler]
by sedona
7/03/2007 at 9:10 AM
Tags: Movie Set Travel, Connecticut, Indiana Jones (all tags)
Legendary adventurer Indiana Jones is basically the only fearless man left. (John McClane, eat your heart out.) So it makes sense that on his triumphant return to the big screen, he's going to a place that makes even the youngest and healthiest of us quake in fear...Yale. According to an extra who spoke to the New York Observer, "Indy 4" will open with Jones in a classroom in New Haven, Connecticut (at the fictional Marshall University) before some of his old enemies force him to take up the bullwhip again. His getaway car of choice? This motorcycle, driven by Young Jones (played by a post-pubescent Shia LaBeouf).
We are sure the powers that be at the Greater New Haven tourism bureau are furiously working on a way to make all this sing--"Come to New Haven".
Related Stories:
· Movie Set Travel [Jaunted]
[Photo: Just Jared]
by egw
10/05/2006 at 11:05 AM
Tags: Hotels, Inns, Connecticut, New York City, Getaways (all tags)
Looking for a quick weekend getaway in the Northeast this fall? Don't bother with the Long Island vineyards or the apple orchards right now. It's peak season, and trust us, the parking there is worse than Times Square around Christmas time.
Head to the quaint
Norwich Inn in Connecticut. Yes, also known as the Spa at Norwich Inn, it's an old-style weekend place reminiscent of
Funny Farm, except everything works here. Located on 42 acres in eastern Connecticut, the inn has 100 guest rooms, suites, and private villas, with features like fireplaces and balconies. The spa has all the facials, creams, massages, and anti-aging treatments any girl could ask for, and for the boys? If the indian summer cooperates, they can hit up the neighboring Lake of Isles Golf Academy to tune up with PGA professionals. Dining options include a pub, as well as a full-service restaurant with full-fat options for the guys and no-fat options for the ladies.
If you're a non-car owning city dweller, hop on Amtrak to New London, CT and a cab will get you to the inn in about 20 minutes. As for that Long Island getaway you were eyeing...what does one do with 2 bushels of apples, anyway? They always just end up going bad, unless we get sick of eating them first.
by sedona
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