The USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is one of two military sites.

The discount travel site Hotwire.com, sent out a press release with its Top 10 military destinations in the USA for Memorial Day. But that isn’t what caught my eye – it was the average Hotwire hotel prices in those cities. By looking at it, you can determine the most expense and less expensive places in which to visit memorial sites.

While it was no surprise that New York City led the list at $175/night, the price of the second-most expensive city is a bit of an eye-opener: Boston, at $143. Nearly $150 for a room in Boston for Memorial Day is pretty expensive. And that’s from a discount site. If you’re going to Boston for Memorial Day, then be prepared to shell out some money for accommodations. At least you’ll save on gas because no car is needed in Beantown.

The third highest destination is Honolulu at $128. Now here’s where Sightseeing Sam can provide some insight into these average prices.

In a way, $128 is a breeze in Honolulu. Beachfront hotels are nice and you can easily spend $200 or more a night. But if you are wiling to go a couple of blocks inland, and sacrifice not just a view but a bit of comfort (a little harder beds, smaller rooms, slower elevators, etc.) then you can stay for $75-100. I’m sure Hotwire has those options (like the Ohana hotels, for instance) so its average prices are just that – the median price of what you’ll pay in these places for Memorial Day.

And if you’ve never been to Pearl Harbor, then Memorial Day is an excellent time to do so; you’ll likely see some veterans on the tour. Also, check out the US Army Museum in Waikiki; it’s excellent and its free (donations recommended).

The least expensive place on the Hotwire list is Phoenix at $67. And surprisingly, in what is the best bargain of them all, San Diego is just $89.

Here’s Hotwire’s Top 10 list, by pricing, along with that city’s Memorial site:

• New York City, $175, 9/11 Memorial
• Boston, $143.Granary Burying Ground
• Honolulu, $128, Pearl Harbor and US Army Museum
• Washington, D.C., $95, WWII Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial
• Arlington, Va, $95, Arlington National Cemetery
• Seattle, $93, Washington Memorial Park
• Long Beach, CA, $91, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier
• San Diego, $89, USS Midway Museum
• Gettysburg, PA, $88, Battle Field at Gettysburg
• Phoenix, $67, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Check out all the prices here and other places at Hotwire.com.

Angelenos say 'Hooray for Hollywood' with free attractions on May 19.

Hooray for Hollywood if you’re a resident of Los Angeles.

On Saturday, May 19, several attractions are offering free tours as part of the Hollywood Open House. The Open House features special deals and performances from IRIS from Cirque du Soleil, Hollywood & Highland Center and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre for Los Angelenos who present valid IDs showing they are Los Angeles residents.

Among those offering free admission is Madame Tussauds Hollywood, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the perfect place for Angelenos to reconnect with their roots and the magic of Tinseltown,” said Colin Thomas, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Hollywood. “We are thrilled to partner with our neighbors to host the people of Los Angeles.”

Madame Tussauds Hollywood also offers LA residents 50% discount year-round on tickets booked online in advance via www.madametussauds.com. It donates 50 cents from each of those sales directly to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to assist with its efforts to improve Hollywood.

Along with free admission to the famed wax attraction on May 19th, locals can take free tours of the  Kodak Theatre, have make-up/costume and prop demonstrations and watch a cast member get ready for an IRIS matinee performance.

Additionally, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre will host free tours and is giving away free popcorn with movie ticket purchases. The Hollywood and Highland Center is having select in-store offers and giveaways from participating retailers, including Crumbs, Cirque Boutique and Spa Luce at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel.

Clear Channel Radio is also hosting a “passport” sweepstakes; 104.3 MYFM will has a promotional tent in the Hollywood and Highland Center Courtyard where locals pick up a“Hollywood passport.” Get that stamped at each Hollywood Open House location you visit, then return it to MYFM to be entered to win a Hollywood Prize Package, which includes tickets to IRIS from Cirque du Soleil, movie passes to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, free tickets to Madame Tussauds Hollywood and a gift card to the Hollywood and Highland Center.

Hooray indeed.

There are classic cars in classy displays at America's Car Museum.

Tacoma, Washington, may seem a rather out-of-the-way place to have a car museum, especially one that displays more than 175 vehicles, including such rare ones as a 1906 Cadillac Model M and a 1926 Ford Model T.

Southern California, yes. Los Angeles, definitely (and L.A., already has an outstanding one, the Petersen Automotive Museum that traces the history of the automobile). But Tacoma?

Yes, Tacoma. While it seems like a fairly remote location, it’s not, really. It’s closer to the Seattle airport (Sea-Tac) than downtown Seattle. And it’s next to the Tacoma Dome on I-5, which has more than seven million cars driving by each year.

And that’s where the America’s Car Museum is located. It exists to display vehicles from the expansive LeMay collection (3,500 vehicles) as well as private and corporate collections.  Open in June, is has classic American cars, trucks and motorcycles; events; and rotating displays, starting with the very first electric vehicles (those never took off back in the day because gas was cheaper).

America's Car Museum seeks to preserve history and celebrate the world’s automotive culture.

Another of the intital rotating displays is The British Invasion featuring feature some of England¹s most notable vehicles, including Mini, MG, Austin-Healy, Triumph, Jaguar and Jame Bond’s iconic Aston Martin, plus ACM¹s 1965 British Racing Green Lotus.

In addition to the displays of cars, truck and motorcycles, America’s Car Museum also features events such as a vintage motorcycle and scooter festival (Aug. 24-26). It even organizes excursions like the Wine and Wheels Tour (June 22-24), a scenic drive through the area that includes a spa, golf and regional wines with an overnight stay at the Majestic Inn & Spa in on Puget Sound.

America’s Car Museum seeks to explore how the automobile has fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of the American experience and shaped this country’s society. It is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library. In addition to the museum, it contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, cafe, banquet hall and meeting facilities.

America’s Car Museum is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m.-5  p.m. The other times of the year it will be open Wednesday-Sunday with the same hours. Admission fee is a very reasonable $14 ($12 for seniors, students and military; $8 for youth ages 5-12 and children under 5 are free).

It is located at 2702 E. D St., Tacoma. Phone: (253) 779-8490.

Website: www.lemaymuseum.org.

It's hard to pass up this view of the Amalfi Coast from Hotel Raito.

How does spending some time on the Amalfi Coast sound?

Yeah, pretty sweet.

And what makes it even more appealing is getting discounted rooms at Hotel Raito in June.

Hotel Raito has a three-night spring package of €270 a night for a standard room through June 21. Additional nights can be added to the Spring Break Package for rates starting at €180. This is a high-end hotel with rates comparable to other properties in the area. And just look at that view!

Set high about the Faraglioni of Vietri sul Mare, the hotel features Italian-contemporary décor, luxury amenities such as ExPure SPA bath products, custom-tiled spacious bathrooms and plasma televisions. The guestrooms incorporate natural lighting and the hardwood flooring is decorated with majolica produced by local craftsmen.

Hotel Raito is inviting accommodations on the Amalif Coast.

Many of the 77 rooms and suites have balconies and terraces with stunning views of the Bay of Salerno and the villages of Vietri sul Mare. In addition, Hotel Raito features the 26-room Seiren Floor, with daily amenities such as sparkling wine and fresh fruit, complimentary international newspapers and WI-FI connectivity, and private check-in and check-out at a separate reception desk.

You also get Italian amaretto cookies each evening.

Here’s a full list of what you get with the Spring package:
• Accommodation in double room
• Daily buffet breakfast of traditional Amalfi Coast selections
• Gourmet dinner for two of seasonal authentic ingredients created by award-winning chef (beverages included)
• “Spring Break” massage: enjoy a relaxing full body massage
• Complimentary SPA entrance for two (SPA entrance includes indoor heated swimming pool, sauna.
• Turkish bath, emotional shower, relax area with relaxation area

Room Upgrade Supplement:
• Room Category Additional Fee (based on double occupancy)
• Superior Sea View €50 per night
• Junior Suite €190 per night
• Seiren Suite €350 per night

The hotel also has two restaurants with views of the sea featuring both casual and formal dining, a poolside bar and grill and spa facilities with treatments include Turkish baths, sensory beds, hydromassage seats, coiffeur, and sauna, relax area, solariums, heated indoor swimming pool and massage rooms.

Going this time of year has its advantages over the Amalfi Coast’s peak tourist period. As is the case with “shoulder season” travel everywhere, travelers get to experience a popular destination without crowded streets and attractions.

The hotel is one mile from the center of Vietri Sul Mare at the start of the Amalfi Coast. Its website is: www.RagostaHotels.com 

Gray Line is offering free tours to military on its double-decker buses during Fleet Week.

As a salute to the contributions of the military to the USA, Gray Line Tours in New York City is giving all military personnel in uniform free bus tours of their choice during Fleet Week, May 25-June 1.

Gray Line runs the signature deluxe double decker, hop-on, hop-off buses and has tours of Uptown, Downtown, Brooklyn and Night loops. All these tours are part of the promotion.

Additionally, accompanying family members get a 10% off the cost of their ticket. No reservations are required and tickets are redeemable from Gray Line New York visitor center, located at 777 8th Ave (between 47th & 48th Street). Tours are available daily.

Gray Line’s website is: www.graylinenewyork.com.

Thousands of sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships come to Manhattan for Fleet Week New York. It’s a celebration of the sea services and has occurred nearly every year since 1984.

Fleet Week includes dozens of military demonstrations and displays throughout the week, as well as public visitation of many of the participating ships.

The Fleet Week website is: www.fleetweeknewyork.com.

German airline airberlin takes off with more flights between the USA and Germany.

It’s now easier to get from the USA to Germany, and vice-versa, after a series of flight additions by airberlin.

There is now twice weekly nonstop service from Las Vegas to Dusseldorf, and the German carrier will, for the first time, continue its Los Angeles service in winter with three weekly flights to Dusseldorf and also increase the number of flights from Miami to Dusseldorf from four to six weekly services.

The airlne is now provding three nonstop flights per week from Los Angeles to Berlin and three further flights from Los Angeles to Dusseldorf, airberlin’s second hub in Germany. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to Berlin respectively to Dusseldorf on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

With the connection to Los Angeles, airberlin now offers nonstop flights from seven cities in North America, including New York JFK, San Francisco, Miami, Fort Myers and Vancouver as well as the recently launched service from Las Vegas to the airline’s international hubs in Berlin and Dusseldorf.

For the first time, airberlin will be flying from Los Angeles to Düsseldorf also in winter and thus offering a year-round connection from the West Coast to Germany.

The Airbus A330-200 aircraft operation on the route offers a two-class configuration with a total of 299 or 303 seats. In January, airberlin launched the first of its long-haul fleet of A330-200s equipped with new seats in Business and Economy Class and a new in-flight entertainment system.

In Business Class, the new fully-automatic seats recline 170 degrees, which allows it to be transformed into a seat that is 71 inches long and 20 inches wide. In addition, every seat has a connection for a laptop or other electronic device.

In Economy Class, new light-weight seats have been fitted. The use of slimmer back provide more leg room and increases the so-called “living space,” After the upgrade, the cabin has 279 seats in Economy Class and 20 in Business Class.

Dusseldorf, while a fine destination onto itself – check out Schumannfest happening May 24-June 4, for example – is an airberlin gateway to several other European destinations, including Zurich, Vienna, Barcelona or Rome. The same is the case of flights to Berlin.

To book flights, visit www.airberlin.com.

There's a reason rare abalone is so treasured – they are delicious!

I get it.

I now know what all the fuss is all about.

Why it’s endangered, why it’s more protected than an NFL playbook, why it’s so expensive in restaurants, if you can even find it in a restaurant.

Abalone is delicious!

I had them prepared by the executive chef of the Portola Hotel in Monterey,  Jason Giles. He did very little to the abalone; pounded them, cut them in half, put them in flower, added a little spice and did a quick fry in oil in a shallow pan. It took only one bite – a single bite of one, which is about the size of an oyster – and I was hooked like a tuna to a commercial fishing line. I knew what I had been missing.

Portola Hotel Executive Chef Jason Giles pan fries abalone to perfection..

It's a feast – a big plate full of abalone. Awesome!

Wow! For something so small, to be prepared so simply and yet to be so tasty that it lasts on the tongue – and in one’s memory – for quite some time, is quite impressive.

From the moment I moved to California, home of many abalone, I heard stories from long-time locals about how I had to try it. Do so and you can identify yourself as a true coastal Californian, they said. I wanted to run out to the local restaurant – or go out and catch some myself – immediately.

Problem is, by the time I became aware of abalone, the word had been out for quite some time. Abalone had been all but harvested out of California’s waters. Not only would I not be able to get any myself, but I could not find them in any restaurant.  I discovered they are as rare as rain in the summertime in L.A.

The only places they even appeared on menus that I saw were in Monterey, and only in the most expensive restaurants.  The price was $85 and up, so my dream of having abalone seemed just that – a dream.

But funny how things change, sometimes as suddenly as the wind on the ocean. I was invited on a press trip to the Portola Hotel in Monterey and on the agenda was a visit to an abalone farm.  Here, I thought, with a little luck, would be my chance to actually taste this evasive treat.

Well, I had more than a little luck. I had a lot!  The abalone farm is out at the end of what’s known locally as Old Fisherman’s Pier. I had never been much beyond the Sandbar & Grill, a restaurant and bar popular with rustic local sailors and others in the know that literally hangs over Monterey Bay. But at the end is the Monterey Abalone Company, which actually harvests abalone right there, within view of the tourist- and restaurant-heavy wharf.

Trevor Fay of Monterey Abalone Company knows his "abs."

Abalone are grown and harvested at the Monterey Abalone Company.

Abalone crave seaweed the way we crave, well, abalone.

A worker at Monterey Abalone Company hauls up a pot of abalone.

It’s run by a guy in jeans and well-worn dark blue collared shirt with a slightly grey beard named Trevor Fay who looks as if he were born in the place. He was most certainly born to work in it.

He’s the abalone version of the character Quint in Jaws, except with a much more mellow demeanor. He calls the abalone “abs,” and says his favorite way to cook them is as simple as he appears to be: “Just lemon pepper with garlic powder in flower, 45 seconds in a pan with olive oil.” He then tilts his head back slightly, briefly closes his eyes, then comes back down to Earth. He doesn’t need to say another word about their flavor.

Fay told us that abalone are sea snails – well, that doesn’t sound to appetizing! – and that they eat kelp. He took us under the pier, where his staff were pulling up pots (small versions of the ones you see on Deadliest Catch) and re-supplying the kelp. It’s breezy and cool down there and one false step and you could wind up in the 50-degree water of Monterey Bay. I took steps with the tentative caution of a a high school sophomore approaching a girl about to ask her to his first prom. I did not get wet.

The Monterey Abalone Company harvests red abalone and Fay said they only grow an inch a year.  That’s a big part of the supply problem. Consumers can get abalone only through farms, and that’s been the case since 1997.

The abalone cling to the sides of the pots and Fay’s place has a couple hundred pots. But even this harvesting does not provide for a bounty for local restaurants. The Sardine Factory has “grilled wild abalone medallions” on the menu at “market price.”  but few, if any, restaurants in Monterey County even list abalone.

“It’s like caviar,” Chef Giles explained.. “You just don’t see it on the menu everyday.”

Customers can order abalone from Fay by calling or e-mailing the Monterey Abalone Company (this information is on its website).. The price is $22-26 per pound, plus shipping. They arrive alive, overnight by air. The rest is up to you.

Too bad you don’t have Chef Giles to cook them for you. That’s an experience – and a taste – that lasts a long time.

New York New York is one of the hotels in the SWA Vacations Package.

A big part of the Las Vegas experience for many visitors is going to see a show.

But with many of them at $85 and up, it can be an expensive entertainment endeavor. But what if you could see a show for free, and take someone with you? That could change things from a what-to-do perspective while in Vegas.

That’s the deal Southwest Airlines Vacations is offering. Book three or more nights at participating MGM Resorts and receive a pair of complimentary show tickets. Additionally, you will receive an instant savings of up to $125 per reservation ($25 per night) when using promotion code MRF4ALLSUM for arrivals May 28-Aug. 31, or instant savings of up to $75 per reservation ($15 per night) when using promotion code MRF4ALL  for arrivals Sept 1-Oct. 30.

Here’s the scoop on when you can get this deal: Book between May 10- June 7, by 4 p.m., CT, for travel between May 10-June 7, and by 4 p.m., (CT). travel May 28-October 30. One-day advance purchase is required and blackout dates do apply, as well.

The MGM hotels are Aria, Bellagio, Luxor, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York New York, THE Hotel and Vdara.

The shows are Brett Garrett’s comedy show, illusionist Criss Angel, KÀ Cirque du Soleil, The Beatles at the Mirage, Tournament of Kings, Viva Elvis and the adult-themed Zumanity, the “sensual side” of Cirque du Soleil.

To book, go to: southwestvacations.com

Düsseldorf is the setting for a festival to celebrate composer Robert Schumann. Photo: Visit Düsseldorf.

This is something that’s almost too impossible to believe.

Hotel rooms are going for as little as 49 Euros per person (based on double occupancy) during Schumannfest in Dusseldorf, Germany, the city’s annual celebration of celebration of Robert Schumann, master composer and musician of the Romantic period, and Düsseldorf, the city where he lived and worked.

The event, which takes place every other year, is May 24-June 4.

The prices for those €100 Euro rooms are not for some out-of-the-way spots in a remote corner of the country, either. It’s for two- and three-star hotels in the city center! Such accommodations are just fine for Sightseeing Sam, as I prefer to spend my travel money on activities and getting to know the locals and their favorite restaurants and bars rather than on fancy accommodations.

But if you need or want more comfort, four- and five-star hotel prices start at just €95 per person.  All packages include more than just a bed and a shower: Free breakfast, a city information package and the Düsseldorf Welcome Card, which gets visitors free public transportation within city limits plus 30 free or reduced admissions to city attractions.

This will be the 201st Schumannfest. The 2012 festival focuses on Schumann’s progressive and modern personality, which is recognized in his musical expressions of transcendence, liberation, and great sensitivity, as well as his individual genius. In addition to being highly innovative, he was also moody and rebellious at times. Sounds like a lot of artists these days, quite frankly.

The opening concert in 2012 connects Schumann and Europe with America, and the past with the present, by including works of Bernstein and Ives. The festival’s directors will also showcase classical and new versions of Schumann’s work to highlight the composer’s modern streak and romantic progressiveness.

Performances will feature several integrations with Schumann’s work, including a combination of his music with Beatles songs and Electronica versions of his compositions. Obviously, Schumannfest is attracting a hip and younger crowd in addition to the typical classical music aficionados.

Dusseldorf is a good host for Schumannfest. The city’s Old Town has the “longest bar in the world” – 260 restaurants, bars and pubs serving local “Alt Beer,” food and good times. The scenic river promenade leads from Old Town to modern Media Harbour and there are 20 castles in and around the city and short distances to other destinations in Rhine-Ruhr area, Cologne, Belgium and the Netherlands.

For more information on Schumann Fest 2012, visit www.schumannfest.de

For more information on hotel specials, visit www.duesseldorf-tourismus.de/hotelpakete

The creation of this Chicken Parmagiana is be worth a trip to Rome for someone.

What does chicken parmesan have to do with spending a week in Rome?

Well, throw in a company’s Facebook page, and such things are possible these days.

Credit Dietz & Watson, a Philadelphia-based preparer of deli meats and artisan cheeses, which turned a mistake into magic. And is it is now turning that into a trip for two of six days and seven nights in Rome for anyone who “Likes” its Facebook page.  It’s cleverly calling it a chance to “Ciao Down” in Italy in celebration of  its new deli item, Chicken Parmagiana.

To enter,  “Like” the Dietz & Watson Facebook’ s page, (and you had better hurry; when Sightseeing Sam checked it there were nearly 16,000 “likes”), then click the “Flavors of Italy” tab and fill out the form to enter. Visitors can enter once each day through May 30 and you will also find recipes, a product/store locator and more.

The way the Chicken Parmagiana was developed is an interesting story. Too much tomato sauce was ordered for an event in 2010, so instead of letting a few gallons go to waste, the family and people in the lab racked their brains for ideas for a deli product using the leftover sauce. The result turned out to be Chicken Parmigiana.

Now, that’s two things to “like.”