Edible Advent Calendar: Week 3

It's time again for the most delicious of do-good campaigns, Menu for Hope. This annual effort enlists food bloggers (full disclosure: I'm one of them) in the fight against hunger. In recent years, the campaign has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars to support the UN World Food Programme. It has also given away some sweet prizes. Through December 25, you can purchase a single $10 ticket (or many) to bid on the prize item of your choice. Here are some that will be of serious interest to those traveling in 2010: Heading to New York? Bid to win a two night stay in the Chelsea studio of a local food writer. Want to get out of New York? Bid to win a two-night stay at the Farnum Hill Orchard in New Hampshire, with a tour of their cider making facility. Additional items and details at East Coast Prizes. Those going west might bid on dinner for two at Michelin 2-star restaurant Manresa, or a two-day artisan baking class at the San Francisco Baking Institute. Budding photographers bound for L.A. might bid to win a Food Styling & Food Photography Workshop with renowned shutterbug Matt Armendariz. Additional items and details at West Coast Prizes. Visiting Europe in 2010? Those dreaming of Italy can bid to win a two-night stay at a small inn in the alps of Piedmont, a market tour and trattoria lunch in Florence, or a personalized wine tasting class in Rome. Context Travel is offering two spaces in any of its scholarly city walks; in Europe, that includes Rome, Venice, Naples, Florence, London and Paris. A trip to Paris would also be elevated by winning a ten-course dinner for two with wine pairings at Hidden Kitchen (value $230). And if you're wondering where to eat while in Paris, I myself have signed on to be somebody's food slave, writing a tailored printable guide with recommendations based around the winner's personal taste and budget. Additional items and details at European Prizes. These are only a fraction of the prizes being offered for your traveling and gastronomic pleasure in 2010. Visit this site to bid on any items before December 25! ELSEWHERE... NYT: The Frugal Traveler on Ways to Give Back

Manhattan is in full-blown holiday mode! The tree is up, skaters are spinning, street vendors are roasting chestnuts, and tourists and locals alike are crowding the streets to be a part of it—and to peer into this year's dolled-up store windows. Photographer Joshua Paul captures these magical scenes in our slide show. AND WHEN YOU WANT TO WARM UP... Where to Drink Hot Chocolate in NYC

Procrastinating on your holiday shopping? One of the San Francisco area blogs I follow, Bay Area Bites, just published a Foodie Holiday Wishlist, and I've got to say, it has me drooling. Who wouldn't want truffles, or salami from foodie favorite and Ferry Building fixture Boccalone? If you'll be visiting San Francisco over the holidays, be sure to check out the city's light displays, especially in the Fisherman's Wharf area, where boats are also decorated with lights. Just back from San Francisco? Going there soon? Our new city page lets you post questions, recommendations, photos, and more—and you might hear back directly from our editors.

Nikki Goth Itoi has been exploring the Baja Peninsula on land and under the sea for more than a decade. A few years ago, she took over the best-selling Moon Baja and Moon Cabo guidebooks. Here, she shares some tips for planning an unforgettable Baja adventure. BT: Baja is well known among eco-travelers as a place to see gray whales up close. Where is the best place to catch the action? Nikki Goth Itoi: The gray whale migration is truly a wonder of Baja. Mothers come into the shallow lagoons on the Pacific side of the peninsula to give birth to their calves. During the January-April season, you can observe the whales breaching offshore from just about any coastal vantage point. A number of companies offer traditional "whale watching" boat trips out of Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and other major ports, but the only-in-Baja experience is to observe the whales up close from a small panga boat in one of three lagoons along the central coast: Laguna Ojo de Liebre near Guerrero Negro, Laguna San Ignacio near San Ignacio, and Bahía Magdalena, near Loreto and Todos Santos. Since the lagoons are several hours from the largest tourist destinations and the observation process is carefully regulated to protect the whales, most travelers book an organized trip through a professional outfitter. BT: Though some travelers worry about food safety abroad, others plan their trips around culinary experiences. What are the must-try foods of Baja, and where do you go to get them? NGI: Tecate beer and fish tacos are the signature Baja foods, but you can get much more adventurous than that. Ceviche is a seafood cocktail made of fresh white fish marinated in lime juice and often served in a martini glass with a tomato-based sauce. Lobster platters are big in Puerto Nuevo, Baja's lobster capital. The fish tacos are especially tasty at the Mercado de Mariscos in Ensenada, but you can find them on the plaza of any town on the peninsula. (Look for the longest line in the evening and order there.) If you are preparing your own meals, be sure to seek out the local tortillerîa, as nothing compares to freshly made tortillas (corn or flour)—order them by the kilo and enjoy them while they're still warm from the press. My personal favorite, the refreshing michelada, is kind of like a beer margarita, often served spicy like a bloody mary. The current trend in gourmet Baja dining is to create menus that emphasize "alta cocina Mexicana"—innovative dishes that blend traditional flavors with fresh, local ingredients. Tijuana, Ensenada, La Paz, and San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas all have restaurants offering this type of cuisine. Wineries in the Guadalupe Valley make outstanding reds, and these labels are available on the menus of many restaurants, or you can visit them in person if you are planning to be in the Ensenada area. BT: Mexico is known for its large-scale resorts, like Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. But many travelers want to go to Mexico for a more authentic experience. Which towns in Baja are less crowded and touristy? NGI: To me, La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur, still offers the most authentic and least touristy experience for visitors, although a number of resort developments are taking shape on the outskirts of the city. For other options, Loreto in Central Baja and San José del Cabo at the tip of the peninsula both resemble "real" Mexican towns, as opposed to purpose-built destinations for travelers. BT: Is Baja a suitable destination for young children? What about food safety and access to emergency medical care? NGI: Baja is very safe and fun, especially for kids who like the water. Families have many options for a memorable trip, from week-long beach vacations to longer stays that might include Spanish language classes or scuba diving or kayaking instruction. Some of the most family-friendly locations include Loreto, Cabo Pulmo, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas, and Pescadero. The best way to guarantee food safety for yourself and your kids is to rent a place with a kitchen and prepare meals yourself. The Los Cabos area has organic produce stands and large, modern supermarkets, so you can choose the ingredients you like and then drive to a more remote location. Bottled water is always a good idea; just be sure you don't buy the flavored kind for teeth-brushing, as I once did for my son! San José del Cabo and La Paz both have modern medical facilities, and there are professionally staffed medical clinics in many towns along the peninsula. BT: For travelers who are based on the east coast of the United States, is it worth going all the way to the west coast of Mexico? What are the benefits of Baja vs. the Mexican Riviera? NGI: The desert/tropical scenery of Baja is unique and very different from the lush jungle of the Mayan Riviera. If you're looking for a resort experience where you can relax by the pool and take a dip in the sea, then the mainland would be more convenient. But if you plan to explore the surrounding area, learn a new water sport, or get involved in conservation, then I believe Baja is absolutely worth the extra time and effort. To learn more, pick up a copy of the Moon Baja or Moon Cabo guidebooks online or at your local bookstore.