A slice of life from the Pacific Beach boardwalk.

Some kids grow up on Wheaties, I, on the other hand, grew up on a healthy dose of BMX. In those days, summer vacation consisted of building dirt tracks and jumps in the woods behind our western Pennsylvania neighborhood. I was never the best rider; however, I loved the feeling of cruising, whether it was in the air or just down the street. and the freedom that came along with having my own two wheels (a precursor to the automobile). Over the years, my bicycle riding would evolve into mountain biking, college transportation and then beach cruising. Looking back now, I realize that I’ve had more fun on bikes than any other invention in the world (yes, even more than my skateboard). So, I decided to put together my top three favorite memories in honor of the 30th anniversary of my first bike ride.

3. The Big Hill

My first bicycle was designed like a faux off-road motorcycle. Months after getting my training wheels off, I destroyed it and my face by trying to take the steep street in front of my house without breaks. So how is this a good memory? The rush was insane (up until I crashed) and, I believe, this was also the catalyst that fueled my passion for downhill mountain biking years later.

2. Bomb Hills Not Countries

During my senior year of high school, my good friend Dave and I got really into mountain biking at our local state park, Linn Run. We covered a lot of ground that spring and summer, but one of our favorite hills was a steep, long logging trail we called B.E.C.(Bald Eagle Cemetary). The trail was a fast downhill run with multiple switchbacks that left you shaking it with adrenalin at the bottom. To this day, I’ve never felt the kind of adrenalin rush I got on a daily basis from riding that trail.

1. Cruising PB (Pacific Beach)

By the time I met Beth in the Winter of 2005, I hadn’t ridden a bike for nearly six years. My skateboard became my main source of transportation and fun, while surfing gave me my adrenalin fix. Then I met Beth, a beautiful beach bunny who loved to ride her beach cruiser around Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. For months she asked me to ride with her. I resisted at first, sticking to my skateboard, pushing frantically to keep up as she rolled effortlessly in the sea breeze. Then one day I decided to get back on the aluminum pony, and it was one of the best moves I ever made! Riding with Beth through the beach neighborhoods and along the boardwalk was a sensational feeling, one that reinvigorated the freedom I had felt so many years ago when my friends and I explored the world around us. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures or videos of us cruising together; however, this video by Schwinn comes pretty darn close to capturing how I felt.

*This post was sponsored by Schwinn.

Where are some of your favorite places to ride a bicycle?

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Editors Note: This is the ninth and final review in our series about each property–hostel and hotel–we stayed at during The Hazy Shade of Autumn Tour with the good folks at HostelBookers.

Story by Randy Kalp & photos by Bethany Salvon.

Beth and I don’t agree on everything–for example, she doesn’t see the beauty in fast jazz and outlaw country music, while I do–but when it comes to our favorite cities, we are on the same page, and at the top of that list is Paris.

It’s funny how some places never seem to lose their glow, while others burn out so quickly. Just like San Diego and San Francisco before it, I’ll never forget that morning in September 2010 when we stepped out from the cool shadows of Gare du Nord and got drunk on the Paris light. On our return trip to the city last December, we were lucky enough to stay at the stylish Avalon Hotel, just two blocks away from the storied rail station in Paris’ 10th Arrondissement.

The entrance of Avalon with it’s pretty turquoise door:

After months on the road, traveling at far too fast of a pace, we were elated to have a week in Paris before flying back to America for the holidays. Already ecstatic when we stepped out from the station, things only got better when we opened the door to our fifth floor room. After an easy check-in with the polite front desk receptionist, we were delighted with the style of our cushy, modern hotel room. Up until Paris, we had been staying mostly in hostels and apartments, which were all fantastic, but there is just something about being in a hotel room that makes you feel like you are really on vacation.

Better yet, our room was a superior studio, featuring a kitchenette, mini-fridge and sink. Couple that with reliable WiFi, hardwood floors, a plush queen size bed, tall french windows and a HDTV, and you’ve got room that is a perfect base for tourists and business travelers alike, especially when you factor in the Avalon’s excellent European-style breakfast and the common dining area, which is roomy and could double as a convenient afternoon or late night BYOB (or wine) cafe for guests.

Our room, kitchenette, continental breakfast, bathroom and Randy looking cute as he looks up things to do in Paris:

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The other thing I really liked about the Avalon Hotel was its location. Because it is only five minutes from Gare du Nord, which is one of the city’s main stations, it’s easy to hop a direct line to any of Paris’ choice spots, including Champs Elysees, Les Halles and Montmartre to name a few. Additionally, it makes getting into and out of Paris a breeze. One of our biggest mistakes on our trip was over packing, which makes navigating city’s fantastic metro a real pain. By being able to pick up the RER train to Charles de Gaulle airport directly from Gare du Nord, it made our early morning exit from Paris super easy.

The common areas of the hotel are well kept and feature funky colors & artwork:

Another thing Beth and I liked about the Avalon Hotel’s location was that it was within walking distance to the La Chapelle neighborhood or Little Sri Lanka. We went out one night for dinner at a deliciously cheap Indian restaurant full of vegetarian delights, and were surprised to find a charming neighborhood that felt a world a way from the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, right across the street from the Avalon is a small market where you can pick up some budget Paris essentials–cheese, baguette, wine and sweets–perfect for an afternoon picnic or late night snack.

It never fails – the pretty Paris light makes everything look better. Here it is glowing on the circular stairs heading to the ground floor and shining in our room after a rain storm:

Rates for the Avalon Hotel vary by season. The cost for a superior studio in December is $55.41 per person. So if you are heading to the City of Light this year, be sure to check out HostelBookers for this and many other cheap hotels in Paris.

*While our stay was complimentary, our words and opinions are our own.

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Watching myself on video for the first time reading a faux news story in my beginning journalism class of about 30, I knew that my days of broadcast journalism were numbered. Like Richard Nixon, I just didn’t look comfortable on camera, and I knew I never would; my baby blues were destined to be hid behind a print byline. That was 11 years ago and I’ve never once thought twice about my journalistic choice, until a few days ago when I found out about this search to find the next UK SPAR Reporter.

SPAR, a storied co-op retail brand in Netherlands, is giving one travel savvy adventurer, who understands new media–social networking, videos, photos and blogging–the chance to travel the world for free. The company’s pitch is simple: “Are you ready to See The World With SPAR? Make an application video and apply! You could be selected as the next UK SPAR Reporter!”

For a brief moment, I contemplated going for the gig; though, ironically a day after I found out about this opportunity with SPAR, I saw old Dick Nixon sucking it up in the 1960 presidential debates on Mad Men and I remembered why I stuck to print. However, that wasn’t what really kept me out this national search; unfortunately, SPAR is only taking applicants from the UK. Well, now that I am officially out of the running (not that I would have provided much competition), do you think you have what it takes to become SPAR’s next UK reporter? If so, watch the video below and then follow the official instructions (just below the video) to enter.

If you are a UK resident older than 18 years, have good English skills and are available from the 1st of July 2012 onwards, then all you have to do is create a fun application video, register it on www.seetheworldwithspar.co.uk and share it online!

Through a clever scoring system, the videos that create the most online interaction will get the highest scores, and candidates with the top 5 ranked videos will be invited for the final selection rounds. Go to the How It Works section on www.seetheworldwithspar.co.uk to find out more!

From the bottom of hearts, Beth and I would like to wish all of those who enter the best of luck!

Full disclosure: This post and video were sponsored by SPAR for its campaign.

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website, Nariko’ s Nest Weddings & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Celebrating great value flights to Lanzarote, we have partnered with fly Thomas cook to offer you some cold hard cash to get out of the hum drum for some sun and beautiful beaches………

We’ve had a great year already at Beers & Beans and now we are super excited because we are hosting our first ever contest!! The best part?? It’s super easy to enter and there’s $100 CASH on the line for one of our lucky readers!! Who doesn’t want $100 big ones?? You can use it for anything you want!

Entry requirements:

1.       Follow @beersandbeans on twitter.

2.      Tweet the following:

WIN $100 @beersandbeans NOW with fly Thomas Cook and their great value flights to Lanzarote, To enter visit http://su.pr/26B322

3.       Leave a comment below letting me know you entered the contest

This contest is running for 1 week during which time I will check the comments with the tweets and put everyone’s name in a hat. Randy and I will do a video drawing next Sunday and announce the winner on the blog. If you win all you’ll need to do is give us your PayPal address and fly Thomas Cook will deposit $100 into your PayPal account! Easy huh?

Good luck everyone! We are really excited about this contest – be sure to check out fly Thomas Cook when you need a flight since they were so gracious to provide the gift of $100  – Good Luck!!

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Today’s guest post comes from Yuli Linssen Kaminitz. She is originally from Israel but has moved to Holland with her Dutch husband. They both live in Amsterdam and are completely in love with the city. She blogs at easytobook.com which is an online travel agency. She’s decided to share some really unique spots in Amsterdam with us.

Amsterdam has always been on my must see list. And so many times I have been close to working it into an itinerary but it has never happened. When I read this post that Yuli wrote I was pretty psyched because now I have even more reasons to visit this amazing city. And I highly doubt I would’ve come up with these ideas on my own!

Amsterdam is one of the most unique cities in Europe; the outstanding architecture, tranquil atmosphere, green parks and stunning canals, make it a truly dreamy getaway. When visiting a popular city such as Amsterdam, it isn’t difficult to find things to see and do: Anna Frank house, Rembrandt and Van Gogh museums, cruise on the canals and much more. However, there are many cool things that you won’t read about in the traditional guide books. Recommended by locals and expats together, here are the top strange hot spots in Amsterdam:

1. “Ctaste”- dining in a dark restaurant

Address:  Amsteldijk 55
1074 HX Amsterdam
Tel: +31-(0)6 22335366

Official website

Ctaste is truly one of a life time experience which you will not so easily forget:  enjoy a night out in an evening where you will be using your all senses, except seeing naturally!

In this: “dinning in the dark” concept, the food is served by trained blind individuals or people with sight disabilities. Before entering the dark eating room, you will be welcome in the restaurant’s trendy lounge area and there will receive a wide explanation about this unique experience. No need to worry if you are allergic to any types of food, the waiter will give you the chance to inform him about things you cannot or won’t eat.

2. “Dark Amsterdam” walking tour

For all info click here

This is probably the most unusual and bizarre attraction ever! The “Dark Amsterdam” two hour tour will certainly blow you away. The tour starts with a visit to the prostitution information center; there you will get an interesting insight about the Dutch rules, regulation and attitudes, towards this unusual field. After the introduction is over, you will start strolling around in the red light district area, which is also called “The Wallen”. Your tour guide will take you to wander around the lively “Zeedijk” area and afterwards, you will continue exploring the old Red Light District narrow alleys. The tour will finish probably somewhere in a central area. A small tip: This tour is for adults and it is not recommended to bring children.

3. “Supperclub”

Address: Jonge Roelensteeg 21, 1012 PL Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 3446400

Official website

“Supperclub” is a concept which is known world-wide. The philosophy behind the club is to upgrade a standard going out evening, to a more luxurious experience. The way to do it is quite simple: combine flavorsome food, (which is served all night long) with great music, creative performances and well-known D.J’s. Even though the entrance cost is a bit pricey, (Sundays- Wednesdays 65 EUR and Thursdays- Saturdays 70 EUR) it is totally worth it! A ticket to the “Superclub” includes:  five course menu, (excluding the drinks) free admission to the after dinner portion – a pumping party, unique performance and amazing vibe!

4. Mobile beer-bar

Official website

The mobile beer bar experience is one of the funniest things you can do when visiting Amsterdam.  This attraction is a very exciting idea for a bachelor/ bachelorette party, a birthday celebration or just as an excuse to get drunk while cycling around the city. The mobile beer bar has ten seats and all passengers have to pedal together in order to keep moving. Sounds easy ha? Well, try to do it while you are completely wasted! A huge keg of beer is attached to the back of the bike and you can just keep drinking as much as you want!

If you’re looking for a cheap hotel in Amsterdam or the rest of Europe be sure to visit Easytobook.com and find your accommodation today!

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

**Thumbnail photo of Amsterdam taken by Yuli.

London is known for over the top prices on attractions and amusements; however, there are great ways to see the city without spending a lot of money. If you are planning on spending your New Years Eve in the city there are many ways to have fun on an affordable budget. A cheap New Years Eve in London is possible with planning.

Bloomsbury Lanes

(photo by cosmic_spanner)

Bloomsbury Lanes is a very trendy bowling alley and entertainment facility for adults. They offer a very diverse type of entertainment. The tickets for New Years Eve are very affordable at just £ 27.5 per person. The ticket price includes live performances by several bands. Booking in advance is recommended in order to secure a lane for your party. The Lanes are located at the bottom level of the Tavistock Hotel in Bloomsbury. There is a strict 18 and over policy.

Fright Fest

If you are more into film than bowling the Genesis Cinema is hosting a film festival of horror and gore. They will be showing 17 films in their five screen facility. The ticket prices are £ 45 per person and they will be offering a full bar and restaurant menu. It is a safe alternative to dealing with the crowds on the street and is considerably cheaper than a hotel. Genesis Cinema is located at 93-95 Mile End Road.

Hotel Options

Many cheap London hotels offer budget packages for London travellers. The Kensington Close Hotel and Spa is offering a New Years party package ranging from £ 44 – £ 155 per person. The packages offer a hotel ball with a secret agent theme and lodging is available but costs are additional. The hotel is located at Wrights Lane, Kensington and is available 18 years and older.

Themed Parties

Looking for Sex and the City? Look no further than the hip club Anthologist. The tickets are £ 25 per person and there is a dress code set for sexy and stylish. The Sex and the City party will offer great music and entertainment. It is strictly for 21 and over and a photo id must be presented at the door. All party members must arrive together. The club is located at 58 Gresham Street.

London Eye

For those London travelers on a very tight budget the last option may be the best. The London Eye is a great place to view spectacular fireworks and listen to live entertainment for no cost. The only drawback is the massive crowds but it’s still a great option if you are tight on money. The party is sponsored by the city and more information can be found at www.london.gov.uk/newyearseve.

About the Author: This is a guest post contributed by Anytrip.com which offers amazing cheap hotels with great availability.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon, unless noted. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Want an iPad this Christmas? How about a free stay at a hostel in Buenos Aires or Sydney? Like a new Nintendo Wii?

These prizes and more are up for grabs in the HostelBookers 24 Days of Christmas Giveaway! To get all you travellers into the festive mood, Hostelbookers will be treating members of their Facebook page to a Christmas present a day from 1^st-24^th December 2010.

Forget Christmas jumpers and tea towels, we’re talking hostel stays, iPods, Ryanair flights, sunglasses, shopping vouchers…even a scuba diving course (perfect for those listing ‘be more adventurous’ as one of their New Year’s resolutions)! All together, this adds up to more than £3000 worth of prizes direct from Santa’s sack! Certainly trumps the old chocolate advent calendar, doesn’t it?

Entering the competition is easy. All you have to do is answer a daily question posted on the HostelBookers Facebook wall by emailing your answer to christmas@hostelbookers.com. Each day, a different question will test you on your knowledge of Christmas festivities and travel across the world.

Fingers crossed!

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Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed OR get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

We are looking into our next leg of the trip and it looks like we’ll be headed over to Southeast Asia, New Zealand and Australia! I’ve been doing a bit of research on Australia and found out that Melbourne is a huge sporting area. Randy loves sports and wanted to catch a game in Europe but we were never able to fit it in. Looks like we can make up for that when we visit Melbourne.

Melbourne is often heralded as the ‘cultural capital’ of Australia, but it’s also the home to some of Australia’s most popular, celebrated and longstanding sporting events. While there are many reasons to visit Melbourne, planning your trip around one of these sporting events can be a fun excuse to book a weekend away.  In 2009, Melbourne was given the ‘Best Sports City’ award at the Sport Business Sports Event Management Awards in London for its year round calendar of major events and unrivaled sports precinct and infrastructure. If you’re in Melbourne for one of its award winning sporting events, then you’re sure to see Melbourne at its finest as it pulls out all the stops to cater to its international and interstate visitors.

If you’re planning a trip to Melbourne, or are a sports fanatic who likes to see the action live, then consider a Melbourne getaway when the city hosts these famed Australian sporting events.

The San Diego Sockers take on Stars of Mexico.

-        The Australian Open. The tennis Grand Slam of the Asia-Pacific region is held in Melbourne every January. In 2010, a record crowd of 653,860 attended the Australian Open. Attracting the world’s best tennis players and tennis fans from around the world, tennis-mania envelopes the city for the duration of the event. There are extra events, entertainment and a festive atmosphere in the city. If you can’t secure tickets to the game, the join the crowds that gather at the open air screens around the sporting precinct. The excitement and tension in the air at these viewing sites is palpable! Book cheap flights to Melbourne early to enjoy this international event.

-        The Boxing Day Test/4^th Test of the Ashes Series. On Boxing Day, Melburnians and visitors flock to the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the Boxing Day Cricket Test, which is often also the 4^th Test of the Ashes Series between Australia and England. The Australian-England cricket rivalry is longstanding and taken very seriously, and the MCG is jam-packed on Boxing Day with fans that have come to support their team. While the Test runs for 5 days, 1 day tickets are also available, and there is lots of extra entertainment and attractions in the ‘outfield’ regions and Yarra Park.

Signing autographs after the game.

-        AFL Grand Final Series. 22 weeks of Australian Football League competition culminates in the Grand Final Series, held at the MCG at the end of the season in September or October. AFL is a unique Australian sport, and the nation stops to partake in the sheer atmosphere and excitement as two teams battle it out for the premiership title. Keep your eye out for holiday packages and deals to Melbourne at this time, and book your tickets early!

-        The Melbourne Cup Carnival. The Melbourne Cup Carnival is more than just a horseracing carnival. It’s also one of Australia’s – and racing’s – biggest fashion events. The carnival is comprised of four race days, with the legendary Melbourne Cup Day being held on the first Tuesday of November every year. The $6 million 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup is in its 150^th year running and is a social and cultural tradition that literally brings Australia to a standstill. If you can make a trip to Flemington Racecourse for this carnival, it promises to be an exciting, unforgettable experience!

Whether you’re a sporting fan or not, Melbourne knows how to put on a sporting event. When these big games, series and carnivals roll around annually, Melbourne comes alive, making it a good idea to time your Melbourne getaway with these celebrated sporting festivities. Whether you’re traveling with your family, or are a student, flights to Melbourne operate from all other Australian destinations.

What Melbourne sporting event would you like to attend?

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*The photos in this sponsored post have nothing to do with Australia because I haven’t been there yet. They are photos from a San Diego Sockers soccer game I took for a paper last year.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

Looking to get away for cheap this summer? HostelBookers, the leading budget accommodation specialist have just launched a ‘Summer of Love’ sale.

The summer accommodation deals on offer are across 28 top destinations worldwide including New York City, Sydney, Venice, London, Rio de Janerio and Paris.*

With a vast range of hostels on board offering nights at discounted prices customers can get at least 20% off the normal rate! Here are just some of the great offers:

-New York City hostel ‘Days Inn’ has 20% off

-Belgrade hostel ‘Adagio’ has 20% off!

-Paris hostel ‘Home Latin’ has 20% off

Sydney hostel ‘Syndey Central Backapackers’ has 20% off

To take advantage of this offer customers need to place a booking by 31^st July 2010 and travel completed by the 30^th of September**.

*for the complete list of properties go to http://www.hostelbookers.com/summer-accommodation-deals/

**terms and conditions apply.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

This is a sponsored post but we would never endorse a company we didn’t believe in. Photos are courtesy of HostelBookers.com.