Sherman's Travel

Charm City is perhaps most charming just as summer is making its way in. Cool breezes off the harbor help offset the humidity, and all of the locals seem to have a bit of a lighter walk. If you’re fortunate enough to be headed to Baltimore soon, we’re offering up two restaurants, two attractions, and one bar to add to your itinerary. Read more

For a quick summer getaway, we’re loving this new hotel sale from Sonesta. This offer, which just began yesterday, includes dozens of properties across the country and saves 30 percent on seasonal rates. Stay two nights or longer through August 31 to get this deal. Rates start at $52 per night, with deals in major cities from Orlando to Boston to New Orleans. Read more

Director Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” – starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, and Tobey Maguire – brings to life the lavish, decadent Jazz Age. Although those days are long gone, you can still step into Jay Gatsby’s world with these seven destinations and experiences. Read more

In a city more known for its picturesque harbor, baseball park, and greatest television series known to mankind (yes, I’m still mourning The Wire), Baltimore also deserves a nod for its culinary hot spots that go far beyond the crabs. Here’s the deal: Most visitors’ stay in the Inner Harbor area – which is lovely – but riddled with chains. My advice? Lace up your sneakers or spring for a taxi on a few great meals outside the area. Here are three must-stops for some great bites in Baltimore. Read more

The city of Baltimore is buzzing with excitement as the Ravens prepare to square off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII this Sunday. It’s the birds’ second Super Bowl appearance – they won the franchise’s lone title in 2001. But Super Bowl mania isn’t the only reason to visit B’more. February is Black History Month, and the history of African-Americans is as rich and storied as the city itself. With a plethora of events taking place, you can be sure to find entertainment, and knowledge, during your trip.

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The time has finally come. For too long we’ve stood on the sidelines, lungs filled with frigid air, pushing away the icy hands of doubt in hopes of reaching this moment. After months of preparation, with blood, sweat, and tears poured into the effort, the world will be watching with bated breath as, finally, Beyonce performs in New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome for her Super Bowl half time spectacular. Oh, and there’s also some kind of game? That’s probably worth your attention, too.

The NFL season will reach its dramatic conclusion this Sunday at the biggest game of the year, and the match-up between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers (and head coaches/brothers John and Jim Harbaugh) promises to be a barnburner. The Super Bowl is one of America’s most iconic, beloved events, and there is no better city to play host than New Orleans. But even the most ardent football fans can have a tough time justifying shelling out thousands for a single night of transcendent glory (or blistering defeat, depending on which side your team winds up). Tickets to the game can be hard to come by, and net a pretty penny – the lowest-priced tickets are still going for $1,600. Not to mention, you’ll have to account for the costs of hotel and travel, both of which are expected to spike.

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Stumped on what to get your sweetie this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than our Monday Deal Alert, because this week’s travel deals are made for lovebirds, with romance packages from the Windy City to the Big Apple. So book your room, grab your main squeeze, and set out to explore major cities or snuggle up with complimentary wine, chocolate, movies, and more with these specials.

Stay in downtown Chicago, near shopping and restaurants on the Magnificent Mile and the shores of Lake Michigan, at the 4-star PUBLIC Chicago, designed by famous hotelier Ian Schrager. This winter offer, which includes Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day weekend, starts from only $125 per night – a savings of over 60 percent at the same hotel in spring and summer. Read more

The Republican National Convention is under way in Tampa, Florida (with a watchful eye on Hurricane Isaac). Next week, Democrats will descend on Charlotte, North Carolina for their quadrennial festivities. When it’s all over, the two host cities will join a fairly short list of places that have welcomed the two major political parties. We decided to take a look at that list and see which cities have hosted the most national conventions, what presidential history has been left behind, and what kinds of attractions continue to make those destinations such fantastic vacation spots.

There are some surprises in our Top 10 National Conventional Host Cities. Denver hosted its only two conventions 100 years apart. Cincinnati had its number called to host the parties three different times (granted, all between 1856 and 1880). The Democrats didn’t hold a convention in the South after the Civil War until 1928′s affair in Houston.

Which city has hosted the most conventions? Which president was the “second-most hated man in Miami” (according to those in Little Havana)? And what can you do now in all of those cities to enjoy a great vacation? All of the answers are waiting for you here.

A long-time cruise specialist, my aunt Sheila was the first person in the travel industry whom I recall using the term “floating city” to refer to both a ship’s physical size as well as the remarkable depth of things to see and do aboard an ocean liner.

In a way, that term helps shape an important travel-planning question for your family vacation: If you want to take your kids on a cruise, you’ll naturally look hard at the cruise line’s overall reputation. But you’ll also want to factor in which “city” – aka, which ship within any given cruise line – has both a good reputation and the specific attractions and activities that suit your family best.

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Hot off the heels of the buzz-worthy inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix, which transformed this port city’s streets into an action-packed, high-speed racetrack, dynamic Baltimore has been infusing such shots of adrenaline into its tourism infrastructure at almost equally breakneck speed of late. Upcoming highlights include fall’s Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore (www.fourseasons.com/baltimore) debut in the burgeoning Harbor East district, while 2012 will see a smorgasbord of special events cooked up in honor of the War of 1812 bicentennial (www.starspangled200.org). Read more