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Side Trips
Briefs: Chart your course
By JANET K. KEELER from staff and wire reports
Published January 29, 2006
Free nautical charts for boating and fishing and the software to use them can be downloaded at Maptech at www.freeboatingcharts.com
Maptech has thousands of detailed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration charts for the U.S. coastline.
Maptech also offers Chart Navigator software that lets you view the charts, plot coordinates, course lines and bearings, plan trips and print charts on your Windows 2000/XP personal computer. Chart Navigator is also free.
ROCK THE SUNRISE
Looking for a rockin' getaway? Head to Sunrise, west of Fort Lauderdale, on March 11-12 for the Langerado Music Festival. Among the performers on the festival's multiple stages will be Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, the Black Crowes, the Flaming Lips and Wilco. There's a "Sound Check" preparty with six bands on March 10 $15, $20 at the door. A two-day festival pass purchased in advance is $119.50 (free for music lovers younger than 10). The festival is at Markham Park, 16001 W State Road 84. For more information, go to www.langerado.com
HOTELS EXCELENTE
The top hotels in Mexico and Central/South America, from Travel+Leisure magazine:
La Casa Que Canta, Zihuatanejo, Mexico
Four Seasons Hotel, Mexico City
Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, Mexico
Las Mananitas, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru
Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Baja, Mexico
Llao Llao Hotel & Resort, Bariloche, Argentina
Blancaneaux Lodge, San Ignacio, Belize
Hotel Villa del Sol, Zihuatanejo
THE NEXT ST. TROPEZ?
With its white-sand beaches and shop-lined streets, Bodrum has long been a favorite seaside retreat in Turkey. But now this ancient fishing village on the the Aegean Sea has crashed the global party circuit.
What's the draw? Gorgeous scenery for one. Situated on Turkey's southwestern coast, the peninsula is a painterly tableau of white-washed stucco homes, purple bougainvilleas and olive-green hillsides. For more information, go to www.bodrumturkey.com
SMOKY MOUNTAIN GETAWAY
The Smoky Mountains town of Gatlinburg, Tenn., might not be on everyone's list of romantic places, but for Southerners it has always been a well-kept secret as a haven for honeymooners.
The town of Gatlinburg, billing itself as the "Wedding Capital of the South," is pure kitschy charm, but hidden among the wildflower-dappled meadows and forested peaks of the Smoky Mountains is a fusion of romantic and charming accommodations, all within steps of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce at toll-free 1-800-568-4748 or visit www.gatlinburg.com
TRAVEL WITH BABAR
Pack your things for a big trip, kids. Your favorite elephant, Babar, is taking his family on a "round-the-world trip, and you're invited to come along on Babar's World Tour" (Abrams; $16.95 hardcover).
Europe, India, Asia and Africa are on the itinerary. So are South America, the American Southwest and even Antarctica. Along the way, you'll learn to say "hello" in Italian, "goodbye" in Russian and "no problem" in Thai. You'll take off your shoes in Japan and climb the Inca Trail in the Andes, all with the help of Laurent de Brunhoff's familiar illustrations. When you come home, you can remember your trip with Babar's family with the included 25- by 33-inch poster in full color.
Compiled by JANET K. KEELER from staff reports and the Chicago Tribune, Boston Globe, New York Times and Knight Ridder Newspapers. She can be reached at 727 893-8586 or krieta@sptimes.com
[Last modified January 27, 2006, 09:58:02]
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