Today marks the fifth anniversary of the failure of the levee system that occurred in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Note the way that I’m phrasing that: It’s a deliberate reminder that the floodwaters that swept through huge swaths of the city came from a breakdown of man-made levees, rather than natural causes. It’s a distinction that’s become more important as time has worn on.

Regular readers here know that I love New Orleans and return every year for at least a weekend, not only to see old friends, but to reacquaint myself with a place that played a big role in my personal development. You can’t change New Orleans, the saying goes, but the city sure can do a number on you, for better or worse. My six years there taught me much about le bon temps roule philosophy, which goes something like this: life’s too short not to eat well, always follow the music, and if an old Cajun man asks you to dance, for God’s sake, go with it.

I’ve kept a post on 5 Reasons to Visit New Orleans up on my home page for more than six months now, primarily because I think everyone should visit at least once and I always appreciate comments from people who are either going there or who have just returned. The post is looking a little out of date now, though (turns out Angelina did stay with Brad after all), so I’m replacing it with 5 MORE reasons to travel to the Crescent City. Even though my next trip isn’t slated until next March (Mardi Gras, y’all!), I always know what it means to miss New Orleans, and I hope that you do too.

1. No other city faces down a threat with such creativity and elan. I visited New Orleans in June, at the height of the British Petroleum crisis in the Gulf and people could talk of little else. What’s interesting about New Orleans in the post-Katrina era is that there’s a new spirit of activism that gets into gear when outside threats arise. City leaders, the local media and countless citizen activists kept the spill at the forefront, demanding attention at a national level. And I can’t think of another place other than possibly San Francisco that would organize such a creative protest as the second line that the Krewe of Dead Pelicans put forth.

2. Despite the issues with BP and seafood, there are still amazing places to eat. One of the best things about NOLA is that good food can be found almost anywhere. Yes, that photo is of my husband enjoying a full-out jazz brunch splurge at Commander’s Palace.

But we had equally amazing po-boys at Parasol’s, a bar in the Irish Channel , and gumbo at Frankie & Johnny’s. Both places look like they’re about ready to fall over, which is one thing I love about the city – it challenges your preconceptions.

3.If there’s a more pleasant way to while away a humid evening than drinking cocktails on a balcony overlooking the French Quarter or St. Charles Avenue, I have yet to find it.What people don’t understand about New Orleans’ drinking culture is that it’s NOT about how many hurricanes you can down on Bourbon Street. It’s about taking the time to kick back with friends both old and new, smelling the night jasmine on a warm breeze as you sip your cocktail or Abita.

4.Music still informs the patterns of everyday life.One of the best things about the HBO series Treme is that it really shows the gig economy of New Orleans musicians. Even though many musicians left after the storm, there’s still an incredible number of people who play because their creative and professional lives depend upon it. New Orleans still moves to the beat of a different drummer, so thank goodness there’s still a fair number of them out there.

5. Because a Katrina tour these days is as much about rebirth as it is about tragedy. On my June trip, I rented a car and took my husband through the places that had suffered the most during the flood: the Lakeview, parts of New Orleans East as well as the Lower 9th Ward. While the empty lots show evidence of where the waters were, what’s more impressive are the new homes that have sprung up, despite everything. It’s an inspiring testimonial to the lure of home, and to the tenacity that the people who remain in New Orleans have shown during the past five years. Respect.

As always, I’d love to hear your New Orleans travel experiences…feel free to leave them in the comments.

5 More Reasons to Visit New Orleans, #Kplus5 is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Five Reasons is a regular feature, where I outline the reasons why a destination is hot right now. If you’d like to run Five Reasons in your publication or on your website, contact me at chris@caroundtheworld.com.

Today, just a day after the city’s football team the Saints defied the odds to win become Super Bowl champions, I’m taking a look at New Orleans. I lived in New Orleans for six years between 1994 and 2001, and it’s one of my favorite places to visit (see my other faves here). I try to go down at least once a year – this year my trip will be in June for a friend’s wedding. And honestly, I wish I was going sooner because the city is having a banner year.

Here are 5 reasons why you should plan a trip to New Orleans in 2010.

1. Momentum, y’all! Super Bowl celebrations are still going on right now. That will lead into Carnival and Fat Tuesday next week. That will lead into St. Patrick’s Day, which the locals do up with a parade where participants throw stew ingredients such as cabbage. That will lead into French Quarter Fest, one of the top smaller festivals in the city. And that will lead into Jazzfest, where Simon and Garfunkel, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam and Aretha Franklin join the hundreds of local acts who make living in New Orleans a musical experience. You get the idea: the party never stops.

2. Five years after  Hurricane Katrina, the city is civically stronger than ever. No question, the city’s heart-breaking experience during Hurricane Katrina left some scars that may never heal. But it’s hard to think of another destination that was able to rebuild with such elan. In the past, the city had a bit of laissez faire attitude toward its politicians; corruption scandals were common among city departments. In the post-Katrina era, residents demand, rightfully, much more.

Overshadowed a bit by the Super Bowl was the news that  Mitch Landrieu – son of a former mayor, brother of a sitting senator – was elected as mayor this past Saturday (Ray Nagin, who drew much criticism for his performance during Katrina, reached his term limits). Landrieu’s previous position was Lieutenant Governor where, among other things, he oversaw the state’s tourism efforts.  It will be interesting to see if his experience in that realm affects the city’s visitor outreach.

3. So much of the city’s lifestyle can’t be experienced anyplace else. Forget Las Vegas. New Orleans is where you should go to indulge your sins. Gluttony? Hard to think of another US city with so much indigenous cuisine to sample.  Sloth? Sleep all day, then spend all night seeking out small bars such as Donna’s and the Maple Leaf, where you can hear some of New Orleans’ best brass bands. Bourbon Street’s high spirits provide plenty of eye candy on the lust front, as does the sultry, jasmine-filled night air. And yes, there’s even a casino where avarice is served up every night (although I’d rather spend my time seeking out the perfect oyster po’boy or enjoying the one-of-kind architecture).

4. Even for those who won’t set foot on Bourbon Street, there’s plenty to do. The National World War II Musuem, which originally opened in 2000 as the D-Day Museum, has grown up in the past decade, with ongoing expansion plans that will quadruple the size of the original. Already open: Victory Theater, which features a star-studded 4-D documentary experience called Beyond Boundaries, as well as two restaurants by local celebrity chef John Besh, including a USO-style cantine. Children will love the Audubon Insectarium, North America’s largest museum dedicated to bugs, which opened in 2008. And yes, if you do enjoy alcoholic beverages, the Museum of the American Cocktail has opened inside the Southern Food & Beverage Museum, with exhibits on the history of mixed drinks. Bottoms up!

5.  It remains a Hollywood darling. Imagine, a city so cool that  Brad Pitt may choose IT over Angelina Jolie (although she did show up for the Super Bowl, so maybe there’s hope). More important than Brangelina: the HBO series Treme, starts airing in April. Created by David Simon, of The Wire fame, Treme already promises to be a huge hit - and what makes me happy is the amount of local knowledge that has gone into creating the series, set in the city three months post-Katrina. Bonus: local institution Kermit Ruffins not only did the music, he has a small role.

Read previous 5 Reasons columns: St. Kitts; Naples, Fla.; Tampa/St. Petersburg; Grenada

Read more about New Orleans here: Carnival time.

5 Reasons to visit New Orleans right now is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Now it can be told: after two years of living in the Washington DC area, I’m moving back to Philadelphia in mid-March. And I couldn’t be happier about it.

No disrespect to DC. Washington has a lot going for it, and I’ve enjoyed exploring its museums, neighborhoods and amazing ethnic food options. Had I kept my job at USA TODAY, my husband and I would have made it work, even though his company is based in the Philadelphia area.

But it wasn’t our top choice. We didn’t like the traffic, inescapable from our perch in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood. We didn’t like the prices – in our neighborhood, 1,500-square-foot houses started at $600,000 (and that was IN the downturn – the city properties that we examined weren’t much better, even in emerging areas). And there was a bit of A student smugness about the place that didn’t quite jibe with our personal sensibilities.

So in no particular order, here’s 5 things that I love about living in Philly.

1. The compact nature of Center City. At 25 square blocks, Philadelphia’s Center City area is just the right size. You can easily walk to any restaurant or shop, or ride your bike. Like New York, there are cabs everywhere but you don’t feel as hemmed in. And like DC, there is plenty to see and do downtown, but it’s not as sprawling.  After a few years feeling tied to my car, I’m looking forward to walking everywhere again.

2. Atty-tude. I grew up with in a culture of “Minnesota Nice.” Which is great – until you realize how passive aggressive that can be. In contrast, Philly has what I call a spirit of “benign aggression.” Sure, people are a little bit more in your face. But generally, that comes out of passion rather than anger (unless you’re a Cowboys fan). Philly folk aren’t afraid to speak their mind, and there’s honesty there that I admire more than Washington diplomacy. I’ll take a commanding “Yo!” over a wussy ”Hello” any day.

3. High – and low – culture. The city’s history as one of America’s oldest means that the cultural institutions are well ingrained and integrated into city life. You can tap into the city’s theater, arts and music scene during the day – and then visit the Italian Market (my neighborhood) for old school cheesesteaks, roast pork sandwiches and pastries straight out of yo’ mama’s recipe books. This combination of intellectualism and street smarts extends into the city’s restaurant scene, where foo foo food doesn’t fly if it’s not flavorful.

4. Affordability. I hinted at this in the beginning, but my husband and I could not get over how much more it cost to live in DC than Philly. Not only can you buy an awesome rowhouse in the city for well under $500,000, but most services – from restaurants and salons to boutiques and market produce (you can tell what my life priorites are, eh?) – are cheaper than other major East Coast cities. Our mortgage in a cool Philly neighborhood is well under what our RENT was in Washington. Which means that people in creative jobs – think writers, artists, actors, printmakers and (ahem) travel writers – can find it easier to live well for less.

5. Accessibility. With three airports in the metro area, you can get almost anywhere from Washington, although I found myself dreading trips out of Dulles (no public transit = expensive cab fares) and BWI (no MARC train service on weekends meant lengthy transfers).  I missed Philly’s easier access to New York (Bolt Bus, I love you so), as well as the closer convenience of the beach in the summer (it’s not all Jersey Shore). Philadelphia Airport has its problems – US Air, I’m looking at you – but I’m happy that I’m only 15 minutes away.

Of course, it’s not always sunny in Philadelphia. I wonder if relocating back will limit my work opportunities (although hey, I love to travel and have no problem commuting for consulting projects in DC or NYC). And I will miss the friends that we’ve made in Washington, especially those in the travel industry. But Don’s job is here and our house is here and – most important, honestly - our families are here. We’re ready to come home.

Hey, Phillyites – what are some of your favorite reasons for living here? Tell me in the comments!

Yo, we’re coming back: 5 reasons why I love living in Philly is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Five Reasons is a regular feature, where I outline the reasons why a destination is hot right now. If you’d like to run Five Reasons in your publication or on your website, contact me at chris@caroundtheworld.com.

This week, I’m taking a look at Grenada. I was here for USA TODAY back in November and I was back again last week for a few days before and after my Island Windjammers cruise on the Diamant. I’m not going to sugar coat it – getting to Grenada can be a hassle, particularly if you have to fly LIAT airlines (read my survival tips for that notoriously unreliable carrier here). I do love the island and its people, however, and think that it’s worth the trouble, especially for a longer vacation.

1. The range of accommodation has never been better. For an island this small, Grenada has a surprising number of nice hotels. After Hurricane Ivan damaged the majority of buildings in 2004, many hoteliers rebuilt with an eye toward luxury. Some of these, such as LaLuna and Maca Bana Villas, have periodic deals on SkyAuction that give you more than half of the rack rate. You can stay in the heart of Grand Anse at the uber luxe Spice Island Beach Resort or have the beach almost entirely to yourself at La Sagesse Nature Center – and, in general, pay less than you would on many Caribbean islands.

2. The island has an interesting history with the US. For many Americans, Grenada is still synoymous with the Cold War-influenced military invasion ordered by President Reagan in 1983. Although the action drew rebuke from other countries, on Grenada, it’s known as “the intervention” rather than an invasion- and the October anniversary date is celebrated as their annual Thanksgiving. Several memorials around the island mark the event. Although traditionally the island draws more British visitors than Americans, you’ll hear plenty of US accents around the island, due to the number of students at St. George’s University medical and vet schools.

3. You can hike in the rain forest in the morning – and be on the beach by the afternoon. Grenada is a mountainous island and its interior has large swaths of protected rainforest and park lands. There are several waterfalls that are an easy hike – try Concord if you want an easy swim in a waterfall pool, or Seven Sisters if you are looking for something more strenuous.

Once you’ve worked up a sweat (and visited the monkeys at Grand Etang), veg out on one of Grenada’s 45 public beaches. Hint: while Grand Anse gets the press, Bathway Beach on the island’s northeast corner is the prettiest.

4. There’s a diversity of native cuisine unsurpassed in the Caribbean. Almost everything grows in Grenada’s fertile soil or caught off its shores- and that’s reflected in the cuisine. As befits it’s nickname The Spice Island, rum punch is served with nutmeg and mace, cinnamon, tumeric and clove are used liberally.  The island is a great place for interesting soups (try callaloo and pumpkin) and fruits (besides the usual bananas and coconuts, Grenada’s market has spiky soursop and star-shaped carambola). For entrees, order a lambi (conch) steak, or if you are really adventurous, breadfruit-based “oil-down” – a throw-everything-in-the-pot stew that serves as the country’s national dish.

5. It’s the perfect base to hop on a boat. Yachties have known about Grenada for years, as its location in the southern Caribbean keeps it (mostly) out of the hurricane zone. The new Port Louis marina houses boats ranging from monster yachts to elegant sailboats. Smaller marinas are spread around the island, and some, such as the True Blue Bay Resort , have their own hotel and charter services where you can scuba dive or arrange an excursion to Carriacou or the nearby Grenadines. The island is drawing more attention from large cruise ship lines as well; when I was there in January, there were 5 ships in port in one day! If your cruise does take you to Grenada, make sure you leave St. Georges to explore the gorgeous interior.

Read previous 5 Reasons columns: St. Kitts; Naples, Fla.; Tampa/St. Petersburg

Read more about Grenada: Trip report; River Antoine rum distillery

5 Reasons to visit Grenada right now… is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Five Reasons is a regular feature, where I outline the reasons why a destination is hot right now. If you’d like to run Five Reasons in your publication or on your website, contact me at chris@caroundtheworld.com.

This week, I’m covering Tampa/St. Petersburg, where I spent New Year’s weekend with a college friend. As with most of the country, the area was in the middle of a cold snap, and our weather alternated between chilly and rainy. So there went our plans for beach time and Busch Gardens!

We did end up finding plenty of things to do, so consider this a guide in case you run into nasty weather on your Tampa-area vacation. The area is a Mecca for spring training baseball lovers, but with Florida’s humid climate, you gotta plan on a washout once in a while.

1. Swim with the fishes. Every year, the Florida Aquarium throws one heck of a New Year’s shindig called Aqua-Eve. But the Aquarium, located right near Tampa’s cruise terminal and Channelside shops, is worth a visit during regular daytime hours too. Commune with whale sharks, watch the penguin promenade or check out the jellyfish under the funky glow of black lights. If you’ve got kids with you and it’s raining, I’d make this a priority stop.

2. Step back in time. Ybor City, a planned community for immigrant workers built by Vicente Martinez-Ybor, was once the cigar capital of the United States. At night, it has an iffy reputation, due the proliferation of tattoo shops and icky chain bars (yep, that’s really a Coyote Wild in that historic building). But if you go during the day, particularly on a Saturday morning, the neighorhood’s authentic charm shines through. The Ybor City Museum is worth the $4 admission, if only to watch the excellent documentary that examines the melding of Cuban, Italian, Jewish and Spanish immigrants in an area that was once one of the biggest havens for emigres in the country. After watching it, you may even pony up for one of those hand-rolled cigars ubiquitously sold in shop windows.

3. Keep warm with spicy food. Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is such an institution that it even has its own museum next door. It’s been around since 1905 , in a gorgeous Spanish-influenced building that takes up an entire city block. Yeah yeah yeah, you say – so how’si the food? Surprisingly delicious, we found. The Cuban sandwich, made of smoked ham, pork, salami, Swiss cheese, dill pickle and mustard pressed on hot Cuban bread,  tasted authentic, as did the Spanish bean soup I ordered with it. And my friend’s chicken served with yellow rice and beans was outstanding (as were the prices: Our lunch entrees were all under $10. It’s more expensive at night, but you get a flamenco show with that). Not hungry? At least order a sangria – not too tart, not too sweet – at the long, historic wooden bar.

4. The Surreal life. St. Petersburg’s Salvador Dali Musuem is moving into new digs next year on 1/11/11. But that doesn’t mean the current location isn’t worth a stop. Filled with donations from art collectors Reynolds and Eleanor Morse, who had a personal relationship with Dali and artist’s wife/muse Gala (gotta wonder what those dinner parties were like), the museum has  several master works, including The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and the Hallucingenic Toreador, as well as the famous Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory. My fave: Dali’s illustrations for Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

5. Shop for antiques and cool stuff on St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue. Ok, so you might get wet as you troll this long strip of antiques/flea market/thrift stores. But you never know what you might find: on my last trip here, I found old red metal wind chimes that grace my porch to this day. Gas Plant Antique Arcade is the largest collection of dealers 0n Florida’s west coast. Let the thrill of the hunt warm you up.

Read previous 5 Reasons columns: St. Kitts; Naples, Fla.

Read more about Tampa/St. Petersburg: Breakfast at Skyway Jacks; Outback Bowl 2010

5 reasons you can have fun in Tampa/St. Pete (even if the weather’s bad) is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Five Reasons

This week, I’m examining Naples, Fla., where I recently visited over the holidays. It’s conservative, yes – but Naples is a great destination if you want the all of amenities of an upscale community with the proximity of a white-sand beach.  

1. It can be surprisingly affordable. A stalwart on the IRS’s wealthiest zip codes list, Naples is the ritziest corner of southwest Florida. But the recession that has caused hotel rates to dip worldwide still lingers:  On Jan. 1, the convention and visitors bureau debuted Paradise Priced Perfectly specials on their website (www.ParadiseCoast.com/Deals).

There are plenty of lower-cost chains on the busy Tamiami Trail, aka US 41 (a Staybridge Suites opened in November). Or try the Lemon Tree Inn, a bright and clean renovated motor inn just a short walk from 5^th Avenue, home to galleries, shops and restaurants. Winter rates start at $129.

2. But if you want to splurge, there’s plenty of opportunity. Naples’ Glam Prep dress code – pink Polo pullovers for men, designer sweat suits and big sunglasses for women – can be witnessed firsthand at upscale restaurants on Third Street South, where its practitioners nosh outdoors on $22 lunch entrees. The area’s only AAA Five Diamond resort, The Ritz Carlton, Naples, has a 51,000-square-foot spa; massages start at $145 for 50 minutes. Near the Ritz, the Waterside Shops at Pelican Bay carry more high-end stores, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Hermes, than your credit card could possibly handle.     

3. The food and wine scene is top notch.  Oenophiles with big checkbooks flock to Naples every January for the Naples Winter Wine Festival, where vintages from the likes of Chateau Lafite Rothschild are auctioned off for hefty sums.

Budget not so large? Enjoy the mozzarella bar at Naples Tomato, while sampling wines by the glass from their innovative self-serve Eno bar. At Sea Salt – named one of the top 20 new restaurants in the US for 2009 by Esquire magazine – Kobe beef cheeseburgers and pulled Korobuta pork sandwiches are part of the $12.95 lunch special (which also includes warm olive bread and glass of wine).

4. And then catch a show. Floridians drive for hours to get their culture fix at Naples’ live performance venues such as The Phil (the Philharmonic Center for the Arts). True to the area’s conservative leanings, the Naples Town Hall lecture series is pairing President George W. Bush with his brother, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, for a talk in February (those with a more literary bent may prefer the night with New Yorker magazine authors Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Gopnik in March). New on the scene is the Silverspot movie theater, which promises a screening room experience with well-spaced, cushy leather seats, arranged stadium-style. The Silverspot also hosted the first Naples Film Festival in November.  

5. Best of all, signs of Old Florida are still around. After driving through too many strip malls on US 41, the weathered 121-year-old Naples Pier – where camera-toting tourists mix with local fishermen – is a welcome sight. This is where the town gathers to watch the sunset, drinks in hand, in a sociable ritual harkening back to a simpler time. During the day, children build sandcastles on the white sand beach, while their parents read or play cards, just as they have for decades. Just ignore those multi-million dollar mansions on the shore.

5 reasons to visit Naples, Fla., right now is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

This week, I’m examining St. Kitts, where I spent four days at the Marriott St. Kitts resort through the “9 bloggers in paradise” promotion.

1. It looks like Hawaii – 40 years ago. For centuries, St. Kitts’s economy relied almost completely on sugar cane. The factories were closed down in 2005 and the government is now pushing tourism, but the crowds have yet to arrive (although the tourism bureau is making huge strides attracting the cruise ship crowds).  Go before they do.

With rolling fields of free-range sugar cane scattered throughout the island, St. Kitts evokes Hawaii’s agricultural feel. But it’s on the north shore where the resemblance really shows: not far from where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean lie the Black Rocks, volcanic lava deposits rising up along the coastline. Watch the waves smash against them and you’d swear you were on the Big Island.   

2. Beach bar bingo. Think British-tinged St. Kitts is all tea and crumpets? Think again. The “Strip” is a collection of glorified rum shacks lining South Frigate Bay, most serving fresh fish, barbecue ribs and local drinks such as Ting with a Sting (comprised of Ting, a grapefruit-flavored soda, and Cane Spirit Rothschild, a local sugarcane liquor). The party starts with sundowners for tourists, progresses into student Happy Hour (there are three major universities on the island) and fades into expat meet-ups. The locals appear around midnight and dance all night.

Then there’s Cockleshell Beach on the Southeast Pennisula, a favorite Sunday afternoon hangout for locals and tourists alike. Fave bars include Lion’s, a reggae shack where beers are always $2 and the dress code is bikini casual, and Reggae Beach, home of Wilbur – a 700 pound pig.

3. You won’t get bored. Like history? Visit Brimstone Hill, a UNESCO heritage site that’s one of the best examples of 17th century military fortifications in the Caribbean. As a bonus, Fort St. George has great views of nearby Saba and St. Eustatious. Hiking more your thing? The trek up Mt. Liamuiga, the island’s active volcano, isn’t for the faint of heart (there’s a reason why the locals call it Mt. Misery).

There’s also the St. Kitts Scenic Railway, which takes you through sugarcane fields, snorkeling at White House Bay, a well-reviewed West Indian buffet at Rawlins Plantation and shopping for batik at Romney Manor, the latter once owned by Samuel Jefferson, the ancestor of the U.S. president.

4. It’s easy – and safe – to navigate. OK, so you have to drive on the left. But there’s only one main road around the island – and it’s remarkably free of the ditches and gullies that characterize other Caribbean islands. Locals seemed a little less reliant on their horns and a little more generous to other motorists, leading to a better driving experience. The capital, Basseterre, with its Circus roundabout, is surprisingly easy to navigate, with wider streets and better access than many Caribbean cities.

For an island so small, St. Kitts enjoys healthy airlift. You can get there from Atlanta, New York, Charlotte and Miami on major airlines, without having to take the puddle jumpers necessary for so many Caribbean destinations.

5. Two islands for the price of one. Nevis (Neev-is) looms above St. Kitts’ from the Southeastern Pennisula – and its only a short ferry ride away. With about 12,000 people, Nevis is a third of the size of St. Kitts, yet many on the island feel strongly about its presence, calling themselves the Sister Island. You can take a catamaran there on a daytrip, or stay overnight at one of the famed plantation inns such as Nisbet or Montpelier. And if you think Ting with a Sting is strong, the Killer Bees at Sunshine on Nevis are even more numbing.

Got another reason to visit St. Kitts? Leave it below.

5 reasons to visit St. Kitts right now is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road