This summer and fall, as you travel about the US, include a visit to a city market, community garden, greenmarket, farmers’ markets, tailgate market, and seek out restaurants whose menus feature fresh, regionally grown vegetables and sustainable cuisine.  You’ll love this new tourism twist!Enjoy make-shift stalls and shaded lots filled with bins and buckets exploding with color.  Smell, pinch and snap, sample. Indulge in something delicious, freshly baked or locally canned.  Take in the regional flavor, the fresh air, the bustling sounds, the camaraderie.  Mingle with locals.

Get used to the term community garden as it’s making a comeback. They’ve been around since man began farming, and in the US became popular and patriotic during WWII when they were known as Victory Gardens.  In urban centers, blighted areas have long been greened by window boxes, roof gardens, green sproutings carefully tended in tiny plots, or in abandoned lots tucked between concrete walls.

The most recent urban community garden to make a big splash is the Slow Food Nation Victory Garden on the lawn of San Francisco’s City Hall, part of the Victory Gardens 2008+ project that is sweeping the city!  The food from the garden will be donated to local food banks and meal programs, and the overall message is to show urban residents that they, too, can grow their own, even in a limited space.   If you’re visiting San Francisco between July and September 2008, stop by City Hall in the Civic Center area.  You can get there several ways, but why not take the San Francisco Trolley Hop, get off at its Union Square stop, walk a couple of blocks to the BART stop at Market & Powell.  Get on the BART to the Civic Center stop.  You can’t miss the domed City Hall.  Or, if you’re just walking about, find one of San Francisco’s 40 community gardens on city-owned property.

Visiting Boston?  Hop on the Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston (a great tour with the added perk of being able to hop off at any one of the convenient stops to see the sights), get off at Stop # 11, walk down to the light, cross the street and Fenway Victory Gardens, the last of the WWII Victory Gardens, is right in front.   Or, get off at trolley Stop # 8, walk past the John Hancock Building, turn right onto Berkeley Street and walk 4 blocks to Berkeley Gardens, where Asian families carry on centuries-old tradition of farming garden plots.

Whether in a big city or small town, greenmarkets and farmers’ markets are no longer off the beaten path.  They’re sprouting up everywhere.  Greenmarket is a term more frequently associated with urban areas, while farmers’ markets can be large and urban, or small-town and colloquial.  Both can sell not only produce, but meat, seafood, baked goods, arrays of cheeses and other dairy products, preserves, honey, flowers and even crafts.  The produce can be organic, or not.

In big cities, while greenmarkets are becoming increasingly popular, some have been around forever. New York City, the penultimate urban community, has over 40, the biggest of which is Union Square Greenmarket, a must see!  Be sure to get there early as this is where the city’s famous chefs go shortly after dawn in search of the freshest ingredients for the day’s menu.  Washington’s beloved Eastern Market, a neighborhood market in the Capitol Hill neighborhood for over a century, was badly burned in a fire in April 2007, but vendors have kept the market open by setting up outside or across the street!  In Philadelphia, the year-round Reading Terminal Market has been a city fixture since William Penn’s time, and in historic Boston, the Copely Square Farmer’s Market sets up from mid-May to mid-November on Tuesdays and Fridays right in front of glorious Trinity Church on the famous square.

And the list goes on … Chicago has its Green City Market, a year-round market set up at the center of Lincoln Park in the summer, and inside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Center in the winter, which encourages sustainable practices from farmers selling there.  In New Orleans, be sure to stop by the Mid-City Green Market, which, to the delight of locals and visitors, just re-opened in May after having been closed since Katrina.  Glittery Las Vegas is more than nighttime neon - stop by Garden Park Farmers’ Market for a breath of fresh air.  On Saturdays in trendy Miami, walk through the venerable Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market for a change of pace.

Smaller farmers’ markets, more regional in flavor, tend to have a real neighborly feel.  In Washington DC, within the beltway residents love their year-round Farm Fresh Market, open Sundays in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, and seasonally in Foggy Bottom and in up and coming Penn Quarter.  In the Los Angeles area, surrounded by miles and miles of fertile fields, farmers’ markets are everywhere, many featuring Asian and Hispanic specialties. San Diego has so many that the Farm Bureau of San Diego County pulishes a Farmer’s Market Schedule!

Likewise in small communities and towns across the country, small farmers’ markets and even smaller tailgate markets are everywhere. Traveling about by car this summer? If you see a farmers’ market along the way, stop. Get out to stretch your legs and pick up fresh ingredients for a spontaneous picnic lunch.  Sure beats the packaged, fast-food alternative!

For a change in restaurant fare, become a  “Locavore!” Designated as the word of the year in November 2007 by the New Oxford American Dictionary, it means one who is passionate about eating local ingredients.  In many cities, chefs are creating market-driven menus with selections prepared with regionally produced and available ingredients. In San Diego, locavores go to JSix in the Gaslamp District, just a couple of blocks from Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego’s Stop #5A for innovative lunch and dinner menus featuring fresh, seasonal regional produce and sustainable seafood.  In New York City, many restaurants are following the market-driven menu trend, and do so with creativity and flair.  For example, Tribeca Grill, owned by Robert DiNiro, is fabulous and reflects the artistic character of the surrounding Tribeca neighborhood; BLT Market in the Ritz Carleton reflects its upscale Midtown East neighborhood.  In Washington, D.C., Nora’s became America’s first certified organic restaurant in 1999; 15 ria’s new American cuisine is fabulously created with market-fresh ingredients that change with the season; and, Hook in Georgetown offers a wonderful dining experience with a menu that changes daily to reflect whatever sustainable fish are in season and available.

Get out; get in touch.  See America as you have never before see it!

Many of us are looking for ways to stretch our travel budgets this year. This doesn’t mean staying at home and never taking a trip. Here are 5 ways to save serious money when you travel on your next vacation.

Hit the local parks

Local parks have become more sophisticated. Nice facilities, water features and free music are more common than ever. You can zip through a skateboard park, run around in water geysers, go fishing, bicycle beautiful trails and spread out a picnic lunch while listening to the band. Most of these activities will be free or low cost. Well-known parks like Boston Commons in Boston, Massachusetts are easy to find and filled with people but look for the smaller, local parks, too. The St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park in St. Augustine Beach, Florida has a water park playground for the toddlers, a great beach with an ocean fishing pier, volleyball courts and summer concerts at the pavilion.  This is a great way to stretch your travel dollars and enjoy fun activities together.

Use those discounts

AAA, AARP, Military, Senior, State Resident and more discounts are available for the asking. Did you know that Florida Residents can get discounts at almost every attraction in Orlando, Florida? Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta, Georgia offers Georgia Residents a “Mountain Member” club to join where they get discounts on food, rides, admission and more. Hotels, cruises, attractions and restaurants offer lots of ways to save if you do your homework. Look into local and group discount programs when you plan your next trip.

Get a library card

Only 3% of the population has a library card these days. What a shame! Libraries may seem old fashioned but they have become multi-media resource centers where folks can gather and share information and ideas. For example, The Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona promotes after school programs, a special needs center, a family fun night, GreenTweens environmental programs, a Guitar Hero video game night and more. These days, libraries are an excellent choice to check out on your travels.

Shop around

It pays to shop around for prices on your travel whether you use a travel agent, internet or other source. Prices, fees and packages vary widely. Your travel research is improved with the help of sites like our Trustedtours.com where you can review city guides, compare attractions, book hotels and purchase tickets. Take some time to learn about your destination. With some patience and effort, you can save money and enjoy the city of your choice.

Explore your own backyard

Traveling close to home on “staycations” is becoming more popular. Get reacquainted with local, state and regional areas that you haven’t been to or visited for a long time. If you want to venture out further, pick an interesting city and find things to do there. If you want a European type experience, consider New Orleans, Louisiana, Savannah, Georgia or St. Augustine, Florida. Smaller towns also have their charms like Charleston, South Carolina, Plymouth, Massachusetts, Naples, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona. Don’t forget the big cities where many activities are free like New York City, Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California. Vacationing close to home has never been so good!

With some creativity and planning you can save loads on your next vacation. Things to do and vacation ideas don’t have to break your travel budget.

Use these 5 techniques to improve your travel experience and discover new activities on your next trip. Happy traveling!

 When I travel to a new city or place I haven’t been in awhile, I prefer to take a City Tour for an overview of the sites, layout and flavor of the area. It’s a great way to get your bearings, do some sightseeing and see what’s what. Here are 18 City Tours, including our own Old Town Trolley Tours, guaranteed to help you navigate better.

Atlanta, Georgia Trolley Tour

Old Town Trolley Boston, Massachusetts Pass

Old South Charleston, South Carolina Carriage Tour

Inside Chicago, Illinois – North and South Side Tour

Oahu, Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour with Dole Plantation

Old Town Trolley Tour of Key West, Florida

Conch Tour Train Key West, Florida

Las Vegas, Nevada City Tour

Naples, Florida Trolley Tours

New Orleans, Louisiana Sightseeing Tour

New York City Double Decker Bus Deluxe Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sightseeing Bus Tour

Phoenix, Arizona Valley Highlights Tour

Old Town Trolley San Diego, California Pass

San Francisco, California Sightseeing Deluxe City Tour

Old Town Trolley Savannah, Georgia Pass

Old Town Trolley Tour of St. Augustine, Florida

Old Town Trolley Washington DC Pass

There you have it. 18 super duper City Tours to get you started on the right foot.

See you soon!

Earth Day reminds us to be better Citizens of the Planet. After all, it’s the only one we’ve got! Here are some easy vacation ideas from Trusted Tours and Attractions to travel greener this year.

•1)                  Go to eco-friendly destinations – With research, you can discover places to travel that embrace a greener attitude. You don’t have to march through the jungle or trek across Antarctica to find sustainable journeys. Right here in the United States cities like San Francisco, California are thinking green thoughts.

•2)                  Pack light then cut it by a third – Do you really need five pairs of shoes for that weekend trip? Maybe not. Every ounce you can avoid carrying adds up to fuel savings on your trip.

•3)                  Think about your transportation – Walking is better than biking is better than trains is better than ships and planes. Sometimes you just have to get there. Take non-stop flights which save landing and takeoff fuel. Choose to add a blend of walking and biking tours in your activity mix. Think low impact excursions while still having fun.

•4)                  Consume local products – Whenever possible, eat, drink and use local products to reduce shipping costs to you destination. This also supports the local economies for a positive effect.

•5)                  Do business with greener companies – Find Greener hotel, restaurant, tour and transportation companies wherever you travel. Many excellent resources are now gathering these for you like http://www.greenhotels.com/  and  http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

•6)                  Consider a volunteer vacation – Rewarding and renewing, volunteer vacations are becoming more popular. Whether rebuilding in New Orleans, Louisiana or painting in Costa Rica the opportunity to serve has never been more available.

Green travel doesn’t have to mean sacrifice and discomfort. It does mean more thoughtful planning and choices to reduce your impact on the environment. Developing these habits now will pay dividends forever. Happy Earth Day!

Intelligent Travel reminds us that the deadline for submitting sites to the National Geographic sponsored GeoTourism Challenge is April 16th.

They have quite a list so far and the goal is to identify sites that “sustain, enhance, and preserve a sense of culture and place.”

If you are interested in Green Travel this is a great place to start.

Seth Godin has another great post about customer service.

I visit many tourist sites and it’s not uncommon for the front line staff, the people closest to the guests, having the least ability to please them. Too often we hear a scripted response to an important question. I cringe when I hear someone say,”I’m just doing my job.”

Seth’s point is clear. Your ambassadors, the folks talking and interacting the most with the customer, must have the power to delight.

It’s simple, but it’s not easy.

Punxsutawney Phil is a legend. They claim he is over 120 years old and predicts the weather with 100% accuracy. According to legend, if Groundhog Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was made on February 2, 1887 although the celebration itself is much older. Since then, the official spectacle of all spectacles takes place each February 2^nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Here are 5 reasons I love Groundhog Day.

The Movie “Groundhog Day”

How can you not love director Harold Ramis’s wonderful movie starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliot and a great supporting cast? It’s funny and profound. The lesson I get is to live each day to the fullest and appreciate everything around you. Like It’s a Wonderful Life meets Caddyshack. Sweet.

It’s also Candlemas Day

February 2^nd historically celebrates the midpoint of winter called Candlemas Day. Winter’s half over (at least) and Spring is on the way. Let’s celebrate!

I’m a Groundhog

I was born on Groundhog Day. Yes, every year thousands of people ask me if I saw my shadow. It never gets old.

Pennsylvania is worth a visit

Pennsylvania doesn’t get the credit it deserves.  There’s more to it than Philadelphia and Pittsburg. Hershey and Lancaster. I grew up in Maryland so Pennsylvania is one of my favorite states. Do yourself a kindness by venturing out to Punxsutawney and experiencing a new side of this rectangular state.

It’s a great excuse for a party

Gather your friends and family and throw a Groundhog theme party while watching this amazing event. If for some reason you can’t travel to Pennsylvania, you can watch the pageantry live here. You can even send free Groundhog Day postcards to invite your guests from the site.

So bake your chocolate groundhog-shaped cake, paint your face brown while dressing up in your fur suit, decorate in a Winter-Spring theme before playing Sonny and Cher’s

“I got you Babe” endlessly to join the festivities!

It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Pack light then cut it by a third

“I have to pack this pair of shoes. I can’t live without four hats. How will I manage with one coat?” Stop! Whenever traveling to a new place the temptation is to over pack. Unless you are going to a remote area- don’t do it! You can always add to your suitcase, if needed, and a way to clean your clothes is usually available. Toting heavy luggage to the train station is awful as I found out in Paris recently. Pack the bare minimum and learn to work with it. Your back will thank you.

Get your bearings

Do your research before and during your trip. Excellent guidebooks, websites galore and experienced travelers can all help you understand the lay of the land and how to get the most out of your visit. Here’s one good place to start.

Do what you’re good at first.

In a new place you need confidence and I suggest that you start with an activity you enjoy. Love to shop? Hit the Market. Serious foodie? Grab a bite. Fitness fanatic? Go work out. These activities will start you out on the right foot and help you to tackle your new environment with gusto.

Be a chameleon

Unless you want to be seen as the ultimate tourist during your visit, you should try to match the local scene whenever possible. Learn the local language, pronunciation and expressions. You don’t need to be fluent, just make the effort and you’ll see magical results. Dress in the local fashion as much as possible. Pay attention to colors, styles and accessories, especially footwear. Be polite. A smile goes a long way. Learn the local customs. When do people usually eat? How late do they stay out? What matters to them?

Become a citizen of the planet and you’ll always be welcome.

Learn about transportation

Every destination has good, better, best transportation options based on time and budget. Decide how much you’re willing to pay and how long you’re willing to wait to get where you want to go. It’s a tradeoff. Study your chosen method to understand how it works so that you don’t get lost or ripped off. Nothing is more frustrating than being late or in the wrong place. Be prepared.

Develop a meal plan

A gazillion options exist for eating so explore them all. From cooking yourself or eating with friends to grabbing a quick bite on the street or sitting at the Chef’s table you shouldn’t limit yourself. One of the best ways to learn about a place is through its eating, drinking and gathering places. Take advantage of the lesson.

Organize the sites

So much to do, so little time. You really don’t need to see and do everything. Just the good stuff. Again, research helps. Choosing less and spending more time there can be very rewarding. Running through the Louvre is not. Also, you may want to skip the Empire State Building if you’re afraid of heights. I know it sounds obvious, but lots of folks force themselves to visit popular Tourist Attractions when they shouldn’t. Know your limits.

Consider land, air and sea options

When looking at activities, broaden your choices by considering all the options. Trolleys, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, horses, camels, boats, hydraterras, submarines, fire engines, balloons and more are being used for tourism now. Be adventurous.

Meet the locals…carefully.

Sigh…we want to meet the locals and enjoy authentic experiences but do your homework first. Try to stick to public places with people you know or trust. Open yourself up to local experiences in a safe way, please. You often have to venture off the tourist route to enjoy the local scene but be careful. Not everyone is glad to see you or honest in their intentions. ‘nuff said.

Prepare plan B

It rains. The tour bus is broken. Your restaurant is closed today. I guarantee that something will not go as planned. Cheer up! It gives you a chance to be creative, not sulk. Look around you and find a new adventure. Spend some time catching up with yourself. It’s free time, so use it.

Be safe

Be aware of your surroundings. Protect your valuables all the time. Avoid dicey areas especially at night. Don’t drink too much. Let people know where you are and when you’ll be back. Pay attention. Relax and enjoy yourself.

Plan to return

The best thing about a first visit is the opportunity to return to a more familiar place the next time. Take lots of pictures and video. Write down your experience with detail because memory is fleeting. Make contacts there and keep in touch with them back at home. Start planning.

Another great post by Seth Godin here.

He talks about being very good at what you do. The problem with being perfect though, he says, is how easy it is for most of us to overlook the excellence and find only the faults. We grow used to certain standards, become desensitized to great experiences and really do take the good stuff for granted all too often.

I can’t tell you how many times I hear folks complain about minor service issues while ignoring the wonderful experience they got. When was the last time you really immersed yourself in a good meal? When was the last time you really spoke with the checkout clerk at the store or the mail carrier? Do you take your time to notice the efforts of those around you?

Appreciating what we get is as much an art as finding the fault in it. Try it today by leaving yourself open to the good stuff without looking so hard for the bad. You might be surprised.

The Conch Tour Train in Key West, Florida rolled out in 1958. Today, it’s still going strong and for many is an icon of the Key West vibe. What started out 50 years ago with one train and two people has grown to 14 trains and over 33 cast members now. People from all over the world enjoy and remember a ride on this great tour. So, raise a toast today to 50 years of fun, education and entertainment Key West , Florida style.

Happy Birthday, Conch Tour Train!