With temperatures pushing nearly 70 degrees in OC  this winter, Cassandra and I decided to “beat the heat” and head to the mountains of Innsbruck for Christmas. Innsbruck  is Latin for Bridge on the Inn (The main river that carves through the city), the name bequeathed by the Romans in 1267. Innsbruck is most famous for its amazing mountains, beautiful scenery and pure fresh air. Innsbruck is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders. All Austrians who can walk know how to ski - it”s part of the culture. Skiing is the national pastime and Innsbruck is home to some of the world’s premier winter resorts. The Winter Olympics were held here in 1964 & 1976 and this January they’ll host the 2012 Junior Olympics.     We spent two days on the slopes at Axamer Lizum www.axamer-lizum.at/en/?Ski_resort:Webcams. Axamer Lizum tops out at 2343 metres (7,687 ft.) above sea level. There is a beautiful restaurant at the top called... » Click here for the full story.

    Cassandra and I went to San Antonio, Texas to take in another NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. The Alamodome hosted this year’s Midwest Regionals featuring, Kansa, Richmond, Florida State and Virginia Commonwealth.  After a three hour flight from Atlanta, we arrived at the majestic Mansion Del Rio Hotel  <http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/SanAntonioLaMansionDelRio.aspx>  nestled in the heart of San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk.  Travel guide “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” proclaimed the Mansion the “Crown Jewel of the Riverwalk” and raved about its Las Canarias <http://www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/sanantoniolamansiondelrio/dining.aspx>  restaurant. This colonial style hotel is an amazing property. And our room was perched over top of the river.     After an exploratory stroll, we had lunch at the Rainforest Café before walking to the Alamodome to catch the a... » Click here for the full story.

    Cassandra and I went to St. Louis Missouri last week to be a part of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament.  St. Louis hosted the Midwest regionals featuring Ohio State, Tennessee, Northern Iowa and Michigan State.  We were expecting to see our beloved Maryland Terrapins, but Michigan State Spartans ruined that dream the previous Sunday.   Our new team would be the Northern Iowa Panthers.  After a two-hour flight from Philly on Friday morning, we were able to buy two NIU Basketball shirts for $20 at Lambert Airport (2 for $10 when we flew out on Monday).     We had a  Club Level room awaiting us at the Milennium Hotel <http://www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumstlouis/> .  Our view of the Arch and Mississippi River from the 23rd floor was spectacular.  After check-in, we walked to the waterfront pub district of Laclede's Landing for the pregame festivities.  Along the way we met the Michigan St... » Click here for the full story.