We pitted two of the most popular southern cities against one another to see which one would come out on top. We compared all of the things that give a city personality: boutique shopping, culture, creative cuisine and that special, indescribable feeling that makes you want to come back time and time again. Our conclusion? Each place has its own special appeal. Depending on your interests you'll gravitate to one or the other-keep reading to find out which one belongs at the top of your list (and what to see once you're there).
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Best for: Art Lovers, Chile Addicts, History Buffs
Founded back in 1610, Santa Fe displays its rich history through its architecture, a style known as Pueblo Revival, which is inspired by native adobe structures and includes flat roofs, thick stucco walls, and exposed timber beams called vigas. With a population of 67,947, "The City Different" is known for painter Georgia O’Keeffe, the 1610 San Miguel Mission (the oldest church in the U.S.), and the Santa Fe Trail.
GLOBAL GALLERY
Georgia O'Keeffe gets all the press, but the artists at the Museum of International Folk Art have all the fun. This whimsical collection of designer Alexander Girard offers folk pieces-such as masks, dolls, and Day of the Dead figurines-from over 100 countries arranged in quirky dioramas. 706 Camino Lejo, internationalfolkart.org, admission $9.
BORDER BITES
Before 1848, this area was still, well, old Mexico. Cafe Pasqual's, named for the patron saint of the kitchen, nods to that past with a cross-border menu that includes a green chile bison cheeseburger. 121 Don Gaspar Ave., pasquals.com, burger with side salad $15.
THE RIGHT TRACK
After the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway chugged out of town, the city was left with 50 acres of abandoned switching grounds and warehouses. Creative locals transformed the area into a hip, revitalized arts center. Opened in 2008, the Railyard District is now home to 11 contemporary galleries, a 10-acre park, and a farmers market. railyardsantafe.com.
SWEET HEAT
New Mexican cuisine is dominated by chiles; at Chocolate Smith, they even infiltrate the candy. The specialty is paté, fudgy ganache infused with chipotle or ancho, then dipped in colorful wax that protects the spicy-sweet treat on all-weather hikes in the nearby Sangre de Cristo mountains. 851A Cerrillos Rd., chocolatesmith.com, 1/4 lb. pate $14.25.
WHERE TO STAY
Opened in 2009 in the shell of the city’s oldest hotel, the Hotel St. Francis takes its namesake seriously. The minimalist decor is monastic chic with rustic, white-plaster walls and wrought iron crosses, wooden statues of saints, and a candlelit baptismal font in the lobby. 210 Don Gaspar Ave., hotelstfrancis.com, from $130.
SEDONA, ARIZONA
Best for: Outdoorsy Types, Spiritualists, Photographers
Sedona was founded in wild Red Rock Country in 1902. As you drive through town, you'll see Western-tinged storefronts uptown, mid-century modern homes in the hills, and rustic cabins that incorporate pine logs and round river rocks. The town has been the setting of dozens of Hollywood Westerns, including 3:10 to Yuma and Firecreek,, and now it's home 10,031.
HOLY VORTEX
New Agers claim the Chapel of the Holy Cross sits atop a "vortex," one of the city's eight alleged hotspots of spiritual energy. Whether or not you're a believer, the 1956 church has a power all its own, thanks to sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude's sleek design, which recalls the man she studied with, Frank Lloyd Wright. 780 Chapel Rd., chapeloftheholycross.com, free.
EATS MEETS WEST
Don't mistake the steer horns for kitsch. Housed in one of the city's oldest buildings, the Cowboy Club serves real-deal, high-desert fare like fried cactus, buffalo skewers, and green chile rattlesnake meatballs. 241 N. Hwy 89A, cowboyclub.com, appetizer platter $15.
AFTER DARK
Sedona's sunsets are legendary, but the folks at Evening Sky Tours know a pitch-black sky has its own appeal. Just outside of town, astronomers lead through-the-telescope tours of planets, stars, and the space station. eveningskytours.com, two-hour tour $60.
TAKE A HIKE
Sugarloaf Loop starts in a residential area and climbs to a summit with 360-degree views of red rock formations like Coffee Pot Rock, which is shaped like a percolator. Buena Vista Dr. and Little Elf Dr., free.
WHERE TO STAY
Follow the tourists up to Airport Mesa for stunning sunset views. Just next door and adjacent to the very quiet regional airport, Sky Ranch Lodge is a homey alternative to Sedona’s chichi spa scene, with gardens that attract hummingbirds and an onsite bar serving Arizona beers and wines. 1105 Airport Rd., skyranchlodge.com, from $100.
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7 Most Outrageous Travel Fees—and How to Prepare for Them!
Some travel surprises are good: discovering a hidden gem of a trattoria in Florence where you are greeted with hugs and an open bottle of Chianti. Or finding out that the Louvre is free the one day you are in Paris. But then there are the bad surprises: getting the final bill on your cruise and seeing hundreds of dollars tacked on for gratuities. Or showing up at the airport at the end of a blissful week in the Caribbean and being informed you must pay a departure tax, or you can't leave the island (on second thought, being stuck in paradise doesn't sound that terrible). Here are seven fees you should factor into the budget—including a few you can avoid altogether if you're smart. VISA FEES Visas are required for U.S. citizens traveling to some major countries, and the fees can really escalate. Planning on taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to China? Budget another $140 per person for a visa. A visa to visit India costs $76 (including a service fee), while a visa for Russia costs $170. Countries like Brazil charge American citizens the same amount that our government charges their citizens to visit the U.S.—a hefty $160. Go to the consulate's website to find out how much you are going to have to shell out. It can take a couple weeks to process visas, so be sure to plan ahead or you'll end up paying even more to expedite. DEPARTURE TAXES Have you ever looked at the breakdown of the cost of an airline ticket? Mixed in with the Passenger Facility Charge and the Segment Tax is usually a departure tax for international flights. Many countries charge one, though its not always included in your airfare. If that is the case, you'll be hit up with an exit fee at the airport on your way back to the U.S. This is especially common in the Caribbean and Central and South America. The departure tax for St. Kitts is $37 per person, while the departure tax from St. Maarten is $30 per person. To leave Costa Rica you will owe $28. The fee is usually payable in cash or by credit card and must be paid before proceeding through immigration for your exit stamp. Airport websites often have information about exit fees and you can always call your airline to inquire about the departure tax, too. In case you were wondering, these fees are sometimes levied to cover things like airport construction, road work, and water and sewage system maintenance. RESORT FEES This fee is probably the most hated among travelers, especially since it covers things you probably assumed were free—pool towels, daily newspaper, and even in-room coffee. Hawaiian resorts are notorious for charging extra fees (though there are a few that do not, including the Kona Beach Hotel). The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa charges $25 per room, per night to cover wireless Internet access, daily local newspaper, and an hour on the tennis courts. The fee can also show up as a percentage added to your room rate, not a flat fee. This is typical in Puerto Rico, where resorts like the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza add 16 percent to the bill to cover WiFi, local calls, and access to the resort's casino. It's not just beach resorts that tack on the fee: the Bellagio on the Las Vegas strip adds $22.40 to the room rate per night for internet, gym access, and local calls. And these charges are non-negotiable, even if you aren't planning on logging on or working out. Be sure to read the fine print, where resort fees are often tucked away, especially when using a third-party booking site. If you're still not clear on the matter, a simple call to the hotel can determine whether it's a good deal or if considering a resort that's a few dollars more (but with no resort fees) is a better option. CRUISE GRATUITIES Those amazing cruise deals are so tempting, especially for all-inclusive boats where your meals are included in the price. Even if you have prepaid, you will still get a bill before you reach the final port detailing the incidental charges you racked up while you were gliding through the Caribbean. You might be surprised to see just how many piña coladas you ordered by the pool—and that you owe more than $150 for gratuities. Most major cruise lines automatically bill cruisers between $10 and $12 in gratuities for each day of the cruise. Carnival charges $11.50 per day, per person (over the age of 2) for tips to be distributed to the ship's staff. Disney Cruise Lines adds $12 per person, per night for the stateroom host and the dining room wait staff. And these set fees do not include the 15 percent automatically added to your bar tab. Though the charge seems mandatory, if you feel the tip doesn't reflect the service you've received, you can adjust the rate up or down by making a trip to the purser's office to discuss the matter in person. BAGGAGE FEES There is a dizzying amount of variation when it comes to which airlines charge what for checked bags, excess luggage, and even carry-on bags. Spirit Airlines famously charges $30 per carryon bag (it's $45 if you wait until you reach the gate to pay the fee, and is said to be going up to a staggering $100 in November 2012), while your first checked bag is free on Jet Blue and each passenger gets to check two bags free with Southwest. Delta doesn't charge for the first checked bag to most international destinations, but that exact same bag will cost you another $25 if your flight is staying within the U.S. or Canada. The rules are always changing, and it's hard to keep up (Airfarewatchdog.com has a comprehensive and continuously updated chart). It's well worth researching airline baggage policies before you even book. That $50 difference between fares can disappear quickly if you have to pay $70 to check two bags. MONEY EXCHANGE Setting off to explore an off-the-beaten-path beach or a tiny village that's large on charm is all part of the adventure. The mom-and-pop restaurants and shops that line main street are a nice change from the chain stores that every city seems to have, but don't count on them taking credit cards-or the presence of an ATM. It's worth those few minutes on your way out of town to stop at a major ATM (which offer the best exchange rate) before you head out for the day. If you don't, you'll be hit with much higher fees at a foreign exchange bureau—or let the shopkeeper determine how many USD that souvenir is worth. FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES FOR AIRLINE TICKETS Finding a great price on a flight directly from, say, British Airways or Air France is fantastic. But be aware that just because the price is in USD doesn't mean you won't be charged a foreign transaction fee by your credit card company. The airline is still an overseas business. There are ways around the fee, though. One is to use a credit card that doesn't charge for international transactions (Capital One is one). Or find a U.S. airline partner of the airline you want to book with. For example, if you're looking into flights to Germany and find a deal with Lufthansa, book through their partner United's website instead to avoid foreign transaction fees showing up as part of your charge. Not sure if the airline has a U.S. connection? Airline partners are listed on the company's website, or check to see if they are part of the larger networks (such as the Star Alliance, which includes Lufthansa and United as well as South African Airways and Air New Zealand).
Theme Park Survival Guide
I am thinking of taking my kids to a theme park for the very first time. What kind of prep work should I do? Your planning—and fun—can start as early as... now. Build your kids' anticipation by visiting the park's website together. Get to know the map, decide what your must-see attractions are, and find out about special events such as shows, character parades, fireworks, and laser displays. Of course, while you're getting your kids pumped up for their park visit, you also have to manage their expectations. Take the time to prepare them emotionally for the big trip, suggests George Scarlett, a professor of developmental psychology at Tufts University. A theme park is awash in eye candy that can test kids' self-control, especially preschoolers'. Let them know there are park rules, just as there are rules at home. They may need to stand patiently in line before they can board a ride. They'll likely have to wear safety belts or protective gear, and they'll need to keep their hands and feet inside all attractions. Because many rides have minimum height restrictions, make sure they understand which ones will be off-limits to them. Robert Niles, founder and editor of ThemeParkInsider.com, suggests that in the weeks leading up to your theme park visit you should let your kids earn a "souvenir allowance" to spend at the end of the day or the trip (remember, you don't want to be stuck carting around a collossal stuffed animal from ride to ride). And prepare yourself to be patient with your little ones. I remember how my then-6-year-old desperately wanted to visit Disney's Haunted Mansion, but after we had waited in line for more than an hour, he freaked out in terror right at the front door. Seeing the look on his face, I sighed and promptly headed for the exit. There are a ton of ticket options. What's the best deal? Some things are obvious: You can save money—and time—buying park passes online; multiday tickets will usually bring the per-day cost down. But some seemingly high-priced offers—such as park combo deals and annual passes—can actually save you a bundle. A season pass to Six Flags, for instance, gets you into all 13 of the company's theme parks for the year. (If you decide to get an annual pass while you're at a park, you can usually upgrade your ticket right on the spot.) Be sure to follow a park on Twitter or Facebook, so you'll be alerted to flash promotions—last-minute offers that can include discounted nighttime attendance, buy-one-get-one-free deals, and savings on meals or souvenirs. Hotel package deals will certainly cost you more, but they also come with perks. A family of four can expect to pay several hundred dollars more for, say, a three-day Walt Disney World package than for a comparable "a la carte" stay at a nearby Marriott. But Disney packages often include discounts on on-site hotels, dining, and special events that may make up the difference. At Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, if you stay on-site you get a complimentary Express Plus Pass that lets you skip lines for certain rides and attractions. (For more on express passes, see "Should You Pay Extra for Shorter Lines?" to the left) I never take my kids anywhere without a loaded backpack. Is that a good idea at a theme park? Just because a park features a castle doesn't mean you should have to pay a king's ransom for basics like water, snacks, sunscreen, and bandages. "Never buy anything in a theme park you can buy outside the park," says Niles. If you worry about things like food spills, cuts, inclement weather, and meltdowns, by all means do some schlepping. Bring packaged snacks, wet wipes, Ziploc bags, a change of clothes, disposable rain ponchos, sunscreen, bug repellent, water bottles, a small first-aid kit, small toys, coloring books, and glow-in-the-dark sticks and necklaces (which the parks sell at dusk but they charge a fortune). And while we're obsessing over details, don't forget to pin your name and cell phone number to the inside of your kids' clothes and make sure your family wears closed-toe shoes to the park. You don't want your little one's flip-flops flying off on the new Wild Eagle ride at Dollywood. What are the best times of day—and times of year—to visit a theme park? Remember one thing: Always go against the flow. The more you can anticipate where the herd will be—and flee to where it's not—the more elbow room and (relative) solitude you'll enjoy. For instance, most visitors don't show up first thing in the morning. Arriving at least 15 minutes before the gate is thrown open (c'mon, your kids are going to be up at dawn anyway) and heading for the most popular rides first can be the difference between no wait and a wait of 60 to 90 minutes for marquee attractions. Niles notes that, amazingly enough, you can walk right on to Tatsu, billed as the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles when the park opens at 10:30, but by 11 the wait can be as long as two hours. But do your homework so that you choose your morning rides carefully. A water ride that soaks you to the bone may be a less than inspiring way to start your day. The same goes for lunch. If you head to a popular watering hole such as Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure between noon and 2 you'll find that a thousand other Muggles had the same idea. Instead, pack a lunch, or make reservations to eat early or late (check reservation policies; Disney, for instance, will let you make online restaurant reservations up to 180 days in advance). While everyone else is chowing down, enjoy some shorter wait times at attractions that are otherwise jammed. If your park features a midday character parade or a popular live show, you'll likely find rides less crowded at those times as well. Other go-against-the-flow techniques include: heading for the back of the park at opening while everyone else is boarding the rides nearest the front gate; leaving the park at midday for a dip in the hotel pool or a nap, then returning in the early evening when crowds are often lighter; opting for the left-hand line at snack bars and souvenir shops because most folks are programmed to turn right (sounds crazy, I know, but park sharks swear this one is true). As for time of year, most major parks are less crowded in September and October, as school starts up, and April and May, as school winds down. (But if anyone asks, I'm not the one who suggested you take your youngster out of class just so she could shake hands with Mickey!) Some parks have trends all their own: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay sees an increase in student tour groups from Brazil each January and June; Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are more crowded at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom; at its Southern California cousin, Disneyland, locals flock on Saturdays and Sundays. How can my smartphone or tablet improve my visit? If you remember that your phone or tablet works for you (and not the other way around), it can help solve some problems. By now, everybody knows they should snap a shot of where they're parked, but you should also take a picture of your kids in their park-visit clothes each morning in case you have to ask for help in locating them. Smartphones and tablets also give you access to a new generation of apps, such as Disney's Mobile Magic and Cedar Point's GPS Park Map, that allow you to quickly pinpoint restaurants, bathrooms, and other crucial stops. Disney's app goes even further, providing up-to-the-minute estimates on wait times at rides and attractions. But Niles advises you to rely more on your own smarts than on your phone's. "Do you really need an app to tell you there's going to be a long line all day at Thunder Mountain?"