Photo from Flickr Creative Commons, BenJam: flickr.com/iambenjam

But my wallet can’t handle the high prices that most day spas charge (plus it’s hard to find all these things when you’re on the road as much as me). It’s not relaxing if you’re worried about your bank account. So as a compromise, I seek out the student clinics at massage schools, where you can usually get a quality treatment from a beginning practitioner for a very reasonable price. Going to student clinics also usually takes you into hip neighborhoods that you might not normally find if you get a massage at your hotel.

Photo by Gaeix (Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons)

Now some people might worry about having a student work on them. And friends have asked me about the supervision that the students receive. In about 80 percent of the massages that I’ve received, the students were as professional as a regular masseuse. If there is a general problem, it’s that they can tend toward being tentative. But the students are there to learn – you almost always fill out a comment card at the end, so making sure that you have a good experience is part of their grade. If you don’t like the amount of pressure you are receiving, speak up!

To find a student clinic in Seattle, I googled “massage student clinic seattle” and came up with the Cortiva Institute. The school is in South Lake Union, a neighborhood that’s still in flux with plenty of apartment buildings and not too many services. People say the area will pick up once Amazon moves its headquarters there, but for now, it can feel a little industrial, especially in the evening.

The Cortiva Institute allows you to book appointments on line, a real plus. It’s $35 for a 60-minute massage. You have to pay a fee to park in their lot, but you can find parking on the street (free after 6 p.m.)

The decor at student clinics can vary. I’ve gone to schools in Minneapolis where the massages were done in gorgeous 19th century buildings and a clinic in Austin where you were in the same room with 15 other people. If this bothers you, call the school directly or check out their website to see what the set up is.

Cortiva’s lobby appeared upscale and spa-like, with leather chairs and a water feature in the corner. As with most schools, I was given a questionnaire to fill out when I arrived. Unlike other clinics, however, the main instructor came out into the lobby and introduced himself to those of us preparing for the 8 p.m. massage. He briefly explained again that these massages were part of the students’ grade, and that he’d be checking on their progress during the massage.

A student named Meghan called my name and we walked into a pleasant room called Oak (all of the treatment rooms are named for trees). We sat down and she went over my chart in surprising detail. I told her that i carry stress in the usual spots that a computer-bound professional has: shoulders and lower back. I also mentioned the occasional bursitis that I get in my hips. She came up with a game plan for the massage that included more of a focus on my back, along with some work on my neck and reflexology for my feet. I was a little surprised that she outlined such a specific plan;  most student massages that Ive had tend to stick to the usual full body routine, regardless of what your needs are.

And she proved true to her word during the massage, spending much more time on the zones that needed work (like my neck and wrists) and less time on others (I can’t stand it when masseuses touch my abdomen). I vaguely heard the door open at one point, which I assumed was the instructor, but he didn’t say anything. At least in Meghan’s room, the school didn’t have that cheesy jungle and bird music playing – while it’s nice if that music stays in the background, I’ve had massages where it’s more distracting than relaxing. She also asked me about the pressure a few times, which I liked – nothing is worse than a practitioner who pummels your body without asking if you’re comfortable with pain. I also appreciated that she wasn’t so heavy on the massage cream (and doesn’t use any on your head).

At the end of the massage, Meghan went out to get me water as I dressed. She then sat down with me and told me about her recommendations for next time, including a hot pad on my lower back to warm up the muscles first and some stretching exercises for my bursitis. Very detailed for a masseuse who is still in school.

All in all, it was one of the more enjoyable massages that I’ve received this year. Cortiva has a frequent customer card where if you buy 9 massages, you get one free. I’m definitely taking advantage of that offer. They also don’t allow their students to take tips, which is a little unusual. Typically I give 20%, as the rates are so low (and the students are really working for their degrees).

Other student massage clinics that I’ve tried around the country:

Massage Arts Center of Philadelphia. What I like about Massage Arts is that you can choose from different levels of students, if you aren’t comfortable with an absolute beginner (of course, you’ll pay more for more experience). I usually book a more experienced associate here; a 60 minute massage is $50 and a 90 minute massage is $70. My husband and I last went in June and had great treatments.

Potomac Massage Training Institute, Washington DC. This school in Friendship Heights also has varying levels of expertise. Rates start at $37 for a 60 minute massage by supervised students and go up to $55 for recent graduates. While the massage here was fine, the clinic’s layout isn’t quite as relaxing and spa-like as Cortiva or Massage Arts.

Aveda Training Institute, Minneapolis. I absolutely love getting treatments at this school near St. Anthony Main. The Institute is housed in a gorgeous Beaux Arts building and some of the treatments that I’ve received here have ranked among the best I’ve ever had (particularly the facials). They do tend to use a lot of oil for the massages so don’t expect to go anywhere afterward where you have to look nice. 60 minute massages are $45; 80 minute massages are $55.

Austin, Texas. There are more massage schools here than almost any other city in the country. I don’t have a specific rec, but if you are going here for SXSW or just for fun, check out a clinic.

Next: I get a facial from students at the Gary Manuel Aveda Institute on Seattle’s Capitol Hill.

Cheap Spa Treatments: Massage at the Cortiva Institute student clinic is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Q: Where would you recommend staying in DC? – Jane

This question came to me through my 6 Favorite Places to Take a Family Vacation post, so I assume that they are looking for a family-friendly hotel in the District.

When I think of hotels for families, I consider three criteria: Does the hotel have a suite-style setup? (so parents and kids can share a room yet still have a little privacy). Is the hotel easy to get to the major sights? And finally, are there amenities at the hotel that will keep the kids entertained, such as a pool?

Taking all three of these factors into account, finding a good hotel in DC is harder than you think. Here are a few options:

1. Embassy Suites, 1250 22nd St. NW.  We used to stay in Embassy Suites growing up - while they aren’t the trendiest bed in town, their two-room setup can be incredibly convenient for families. This Embassy Suite has a heated indoor pool, a Koi pond where kids can watch staff feed the fish and an on-site game room. Best of all, they have packages aimed at families, so you know you’ll be welcome. The West End neighborhood is safe and lively, and it’s not too far from the sights and memorials on the western side of the Mall, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, Arlington Cemetery and the FDR memorial. And Embassy Suites are often available on booking sites such as Priceline and Hotwire so you might be able to get a deal.

2. Hotel Palomar, 2121 P Street NW. For families who want a little more of a boutique feel, the Palomar might be an option. I stopped in their lobby recently while walking through the neighborhood (it’s between Dupont Circle and West End), and saw plenty of families (as well as people with pets – the hotel is dog friendly) taking advantage of the afternoon snacks. The Palomar is part of the Kimpton chain, which has KimptonKids services available such as a welcome gift, cribs and playards, high chairs and booster seats and even a child-size animal print robe for loan or purchase. There’s also an outdoor pool. One thing: this hotel is also popular with singles and couples on romantic getaways. So you might not get as warm a reception here from other guests as you might at a more traditional property.

3. Residence Inn, 333 E St. SW. This suite hotel is located on the southeast side of town, within walking distance of the Smithsonian museums on the Mall, as well as the Capitol. While it’s not in the heart of the city, there is a Metro stop around the corner. There’s an indoor pool, free breakfast and free dinners on some nights (which is great, as this area doesn’t have many restaurants). The rooms all have full kitchens.

Anyone else with kids, feel free to weigh in!

Send me your travel question at chris@caroundtheworld.com. If I can’t answer it, I’ll get you in touch with someone who can.

Ask Chris: Where to stay in Washington DC with a family? is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Yes, the winter of our discontent may be over, at least in the Washington-Philly section of the Northeast Corridor. Birds are flocking the Potomac River on their way north and daffodils are emerging next to lingering snow piles.

During my time living in Virginia, I always missed DC’s signature event, the Cherry Blossom Festival. Don’t make my mistake. In 2011, the National Park Service is predicting that the blooming period will start this year on March 26 and run through April 7, with a peak bloom date between March 29 and April 3.

(Wonder how they determine optimal flower power? The blooming period officially starts when 20 percent of the blossoms on the 3,750 trees have opened. The peak bloom date, usually landing around April 4, occurs when 70 percent of the flowers have emerged. The festival’s website has a good graphic that shows historical data).

The National Park Service puts on some interesting tours geared around the trees, which were famously given to the U.S. from the Japanese in 1912. Ranger-led lantern walks will be held on March 26 and March 27. There’s also photo safaris, River teas and more.

While I haven’t seen the trees, I’ve been told that the best time to go is on a weekday morning, when the light is pretty and the crowds haven’t arrived yet. If anyone out there has other tips to add, definitely tell me in the comments.

Signs of Spring in Washington DC (but no cherry blossoms yet) is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

Cute nicknames aside, Washington DCs winter is no longer fun anymore. The government has ground to a halt, kids have been home for almost a week and people are beginning to get just a little bit stir crazy.

Even the snowmen look a little sad (compared to the proud 13-foot one shown here).

As one neighbor put it, while digging out his driveway for the second time in four days: “This weekend, it was a novelty. Now it’s not fun anymore.”

Maybe that’s why, in our Alexandria neighborhood, the businesses that are open today are going gangbusters.

The coffee shops are full, restaurants are opening and people are walking around, looking for something to do.

I predict that the sheer frustration of being cooped up will cause Washington DC to recover a little faster this time.

How many days can you stay inside without going insane? Tell me your tales below!

Snoverkill: Digging out in DC is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

One foot! No, 15 inches! Two feet high and rising! The blather went on and on.

 (I grew up in the Midwest, where we were also weather obsessed. But there, at least you knew that an army of snowplows had your back. Here on the East Coast, not so much).

Washingtonians are particularly wussy about their snow (remember when Chicagoan President Obama was amazed that schools closed at a hint of a flury?) So I knew things were going to get nuts, although I wasn’t prepared for the grocery store frenzy. On Thursday night, I went to the Trader Joes in Alexandria and stopped in shock at the sight of the empty shelves and the shoppers going wild. It was a free-for-all – I put down the last carton of spinach-artichoke dip for a minute, and someone swooped in to grab it, almost before it left my hand.

The panic was contagious, and I ended up buying far more food than I needed. We have enough chips and salsa in our house to feed an army (and bread – after three stops, I was eventually able to get some. Guess we’ll be treating it like gold for the next few days).

Because I don’t think we’ll be leaving the house. There’s already 15 inches out there and it’s still coming down. We plan to spend the day working on our various projects (photos for Don, writing for me, interrupted by movie breaks). And of course, a fire in the fireplace.

East Coasters, how are you dealing with Snowpocalypse 2010? And how happy are the rest of you that you don’t have to deal with this? Tell me in the comments below!

Snowpocalypse is here! is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

I’m appearing this morning on Good Day Columbus on FOX28  in Columbus, Ohio. I’m in town for the AAA Great Vacations Expo, where I’ll be speaking later today and tomorrow at noon. I’m a little bummed that I’m going to miss headliner Adam Richman of Man vs. Food do his thing, but I’ve been away from my husband a lot this month. If you are in Columbus, check out the Expo!

For the show, the producers asked me to come up with a list of my favorite places to go on a family vacation. I chose the ones below because they are places where I have great memories of visiting with my family and others. I’m happy to hear your suggestions – just leave them in the comments section below!

Yellowstone National Park

Bears and buffalo, wolves and elk – you’re almost guaranteed a wildlife sighting at some point in Yellowstone National Park. Besides the animals, Yellowstone offers geothermal wonders such as Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and bubbling hot pots. The park also has a fantastic Junior Ranger program for kids 5 to 12 that’s a perfect introduction to the National Park system. Admission is $25 per vehicle for a pass that’s good for 7 days.

Washington DC

The Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials – where else can you see so many American icons in one place? DC is also one of the best vacation deals around, as almost all of the Smithsonian’s museums are free. Some of the more popular attractions do require reservations so it’s best to book ahead.

Tucson, Ariz.

Arizona’s second city south of Phoenix really has the best of the west. Outside of town, there’s the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where kids can see native wildlife such as cougars, roadrunners, and scorpions. From Sept. to May, admission is $13 for adults, and $4.25 for kids ages 6 to 12 (prices drop in the hot summer months). At Old Tucson Studios, kids can tour sets and pretend they are starring in their own Western (admission is $16.95 for adults and $10.95 for children ages 4-11).   For even more history, drive an hour south to Tombstone – the site of the famous shootout at the OK Corral.

Colonial Williamsburg

Filled historical interpreters wearing authentic Colonial garb, the whole town is an educational experience. Kids can  watch a blacksmith in action, get lost in the Palais maze or take their photo in the stocks. Children 5 and under are free, and there’s special rates for kids 5 to 17. Older youngsters might like visiting nearby Yorktown, where the Revolution ended, and Jamestown, the first perman English settlement in the United States.

Niagara Falls

This was one of my favorite vacations as a kid. Adventurous children will love taking the Maid of the Mist, a boat that takes you close to the falls (the ride is free for children under 5). Within Niagara Falls State Park, you can also take the Cave of the Winds tour that gets you within 20 feet from Bridal Veil Falls. Although some of the tours are only open in the late spring through fall and do charge an admission fee, you can go to the visitor center and see the falls from the observation tower for free.

Monterey, Calif.

I wanted to make sure my list had a beach on it. Sure, you can go to tourist meccas such as Ocean City, Maryland or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But I love the natural beauty of Monterey. Kids can explore tidal pools, watch surfers and see seals and sea lions. Older children might like historic Cannery Row or renting bikes for the city’s Recreation Trail. If you want to splurge, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the best in the world (tickets are $29.95 for adults and $17.95 for kids 3 to 12; students between 13 and 17 pay $27.95).

6 Favorite Places to Take a Family Vacation is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

These photos were taken by Paul Nicklen, a National Geographic photographer who specializes in the Arctic, Antarctica and everywhere cold in between. Nicklen moved to Baffin Island as a child, where he learned Inuktitut. He worked as a wildlife biologist for a few years before turning to photography full time, teaching himself as he went.

About 40 of his photographs of wildlife such as seals, walruses, birds, whales and narwhals are hanging at National Geographic’s free gallery.  The show is called “Polar Obsessions” and it runs through March 25.

Stay warm!

Paul Nicklen photos at National Geographic Museum is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

If you live in a major East Coast city and like to travel, it’s easy to be intrigued by all of the inexpensive bus lines that service the I-95 corridor. The trend started with the so-called “Chinatown” buses which run between Asian neighborhoods in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC. While fares were cheap, those lines leaved much to be desired – I often heard of friends who were dropped off in unexpected locations or arrived on time, only to catch fumes as the bus pulled away. 

Recently, new bus lines such as Bolt and Megabus have entered the mix. Besides the advertised “$1 fares,” these buses are allegedly roomier and have amenities such as wi-fi. I’ve known several people who have taken them to New York from both Washington DC and Philly, and they sounded like a great alternative to Amtrak (which can get pricey, depending on the time you go).  

Despite the hype, I was still a bus virgin – until this weekend. Faced with an appointment in Philly, I checked Amtrak to see if I could get up there and back in one day, for a reasonable price. Round-trip ticket: $88 minimum, leaving at 6 a.m. Er, no. So I looked up Bolt, which had earned raves from some of my co-workers. Alas, while Bolt goes from Washington DC to New York and Philadelphia (and Cherry Hill!) to New York, there doesn’t seem to be a DC-Philly route. Bummer.

Google turned up a couple of other bus lines, several of the Chinatown variety. I went with Eastern, mostly because the times worked out and it cost a big $28 roundtrip – less than the cost of a tank of gas (not to mention the I-95 tolls). The website said that the bus had wi-fi, so I packed my computer and a big book that I had been dying to read along with me.

My husband Don took my to DC’s Chinatown, the area right near Gallery Place, around 8:30 a.m. for the 9 a.m. departure. We did have to do a little scouting, as the bus wasn’t exactly at the same address on my e-ticket. By the time I boarded, the bus was about half full. Once I sat down, I realized that this was not going to be the comfy experience I had imagined. The seats were extremely close together, with less legroom than you’d find on a plane. To make matters worse, the woman in front of me had leaned her seat back so far that her hair – a towering style – was almost in my face.

So I put my backpack on the seat next to me, along with my kness, and avoided eye contact with others boarding. My dodge worked, and when the bus pulled out, I had the two seats to myself. I was glad that Don wasn’t with me, however, as there’s no way that his 6’5 frame would be have been comfortable in those seats. And I didn’t pull out my laptop, as there wouldn’t have been nearly enough room to work.

I settled into my book (no need to watch the scenery – at this point, I know I-95 like the back of my hand). I don’t know what kind of mojo our driver had, but we arrived at Arch and 11th early. That almost never happens when I drive myself up. It was raining when we arrived, but I was just happy to get out and stretch my legs. Another 90 minutes in that position to NYC would have been extremely uncomfortable.

With a little trepidation, I came back to the bus at 6 p.m. for our 6:30 departure. When I boarded, I noticed that this bus had slightly less seats than the first – and that many of them were wobbly and broken. No matter. The disorder meant only one thing to me: Legroom! There were much fewer people returning to DC than on the ride up. Our driver seemed less adept than the one from the morning, as there was a weird point where he swerved, causing the bus to rock back and forth. We made it into DC just a few minutes behind schedule – and several blocks from the destination on the ticket. Ah well.

So would I do it again? Yes, if I am traveling solo. It’s just hard to beat the price and convenience. And I’m ready to try the Bolt bus to New York, as their website promises more legroom along with plugs for computers. Sorry, Amtrak. You’re out.

Road-tested: The (Chinatown) Bus is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

The park is a great outing for families – we saw many parents with kids big and small, all hiking, biking, picnicking or feeding the large carp in the pond surrounding the Administration building. The park is 446 acres, with 9 1/2 miles of trails and roadways. Unlike many gardens we’ve visited, such as the US Botanic Garden on the Washington Mall or Longwood Gardens in the Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania, most of the attractions grow naturally instead of inside a greenhouse.

Among the highlights:

The National Capitol Columns: The park has 22 sandstone Corinthian columns that used to be on  the east portico of the US Capitol. They look quite picturesque, especially when viewed across the park’s meadows.

The National Bonsai musuem.  OK, this outs me as a plant geek, but I really like bonsai trees (even though I would never have the patience to keep one). I’ve been told that the park has trees that date back to the 1600s. We didn’t see any of those. The one below, however, has been a work in progress since 1895; it was a gift from a Japanese emperor, it’s been a work in progress since 1895.

 Other areas we explored: The Asian collection of trees and plants, the Dogwood collection where the leaves looked just about ready to turn and the National Herb Garden, where I rubbed the leaves of different plants and had my husband guess the scent (yes, yes, we’re geeks).

All in all, a nice relaxing afternoon. We’re planning on coming back in the spring, when the azaelas and dogwoods are in bloom (and this time, we’ll bring a picnic!)

Read other DC for Free posts:  National Geographic Museum, Teddy Roosevelt Island

DC for Free: US National Arboretum is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road

It’s a glorious DC day out there today (and probably tomorrow), one of those rare ones where it’s sunny but not humid, crisp but not chilly. So we got ourselves out of bed early and headed out for a little urban exploration.

First stop: Teddy Roosevelt Island National Memorial, just off the George Washington Memorial Parkway. A tribute to Roosevelt - one of the major voices behind developing the national park system  -   the island was once a plantation, then later fell into ruin. Given to the park service by the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association in the early 1930s, the island was planted with trees – thanks to the CCC – and allowed to evolve into a nature preserve. There’s also a statue of Teddy, along with some hiking trails and a boardwalk through the marshlands.

As might be expected on such a great day, we weren’t the only ones out there. Lots of parents with kids and dogs in tow, as well as kayakers on the river (bikes are not allowed on the island). Still, there were moments when we felt by ourselves in the woods. We even got up close to a small lizard with a blue tail, who was about to down a caterpillar. A nice respite, in the middle of the city.

DC for Free: Teddy Roosevelt Island is a post from: Chris Around The World: A Journalist's Travels on the Road