Food, music, games, and dancing – festivals are great way to get out of your usual routine and have some fun. The clear skies and sea breezes of spring in Los Angeles are the perfect time for celebration as the “rainy season” (though still mostly sunny) ends and before June Gloom sets in.  Whether you’re living in the L.A. area or just visiting, check out any of these cultural events.

Renaissance Pleasure Faire

When: April 7 – May 20, Saturdays and Sundays

Where: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, Irwindale, CA

What:  A renaissance of the Renaissance, as artisans and performers show off their craft wearing elaborate period costumes. There will be rides and games, including a maze, darts, fencing, frog flipping, archery and crossbows. Events include Tea with the Queen, Easter Parade, costume contests, and pubcrawls.  Eat fish and chips, tri-tip sandwiches, and steak on a stake while enjoying jousting matches, wizardry, equestrian performances, comedy, and a performance of Hamlet.

Santa Monica Festival

When: May 19, 2012

Where: Clover Park

What:  A celebration including food carts, an environmentally-friendly marketplace, art workshops, an active stage to get a workout trying different activities, and performances by dance companies and music groups including Dustbowl Revival and La Santa Cecilia.

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Arts Festival

When: May 20, 2012

Where: Paramount Movie Ranch – Agoura Hills

What: A bluegrass and folk festival including a contest, clogging and square dancing, singing and fiddle playoffs, Celtic music, children’s crafts, and jamming all day.

Garden Grove Strawberry Festival

When: May 25-28, 2012

Where: Garden Grove

What: A festival featuring games, rides, musical performances, contests, food booths, celebrities, and of course, strawberries.  All proceeds go to charity.

If you want to get away for a weekend, check out our blog post on spring festivals in San Francisco.

Need a vacation?  Check out our website for vacation package ideas.

The cold winters of the northeast can be brutal but they make way for some really vivid seasons as the tulips begin to bloom. You will start to see people leaving their coats at home and taking tours of the Boston Harbor, floating on the Swan Boats in the Public Garden, and cheering at baseball games in Fenway Park. That’s not all there is to do in Boston in spring. No matter if you’re on vacation, studying at one of its prestigious universities, or from New England, it’s time to get outside for the best season to experience Boston.

100th Birthday of Fenway Park

When:  April 20, 2012

Where: Fenway Park

What:  The Red Sox will play the Yankees, the first team they played against (then called The Highlanders) when Fenway Park opened, wearing uniforms from 1912.

SoWa Open Market Opening Day

When:  May 1, 2012

Where:  SoWa Open Market

What:  Designers, artists, florists, bakers and farmers selling their creations every Sunday.

Taste of the North End 2012

When:  May 4, 2012

Where:  DCR’s Steriti Memorial Rink

What:   Taste foods from 30 North End restaurants.

Boston Theatre Marathon 2012

When:  May 20, 2012

Where:  Boston Center for the Arts

What:  Fifty theatre companies perform consecutive plays for 10 hours.

 Artwalk

When:  May 12-13, 2012

Where:  Fort Point Neighborhood

What:  Fort Point artists open their studios to the public.

EarthFest 2012

When:  May 29, 2012

Where:  DCR’s Hatch Memorial Shell

What:  Music, samples from environmentally friendly companies, non-profit organizations, and activities for children at the free event hosted by Whole Foods.

Whether you are new to the area or just visiting, check out our interview with tour guide Tim Dewart and hear about his favorite weekend getaways, restaurants, and dream itinerary for Boston.

If you’re looking to explore other parts of the country check out our website for vacation package ideas.

Although it may seem like it’s springtime in San Francisco year round, there’s no question that the subtle change in the air is signaling that spring is here. As the rain stops pouring, those few extra degrees of warmth will make way for plenty of perfect days in Dolores Park or Baker Beach.

April and May start off the many festivals yet to come, as San Franciscans break out their costumes like it’s permanently Halloween. Though you can never run out of things to do in the city by the bay, these festivals come only once a year. Make the most of your spring in San Francisco and don’t miss any of these events.

Cherry Blossom Festival

When: April 14, 15, 21, 22, 2012

Where: Japantown

What: See the best of Japanese culture with Japanese music, tea ceremonies, and martial arts closing with the giant parade on the final day.

SFJAZZ Spring Season Concerts

When: Now through June 2012

Where: Throughout San Francisco

What: Jazz bands from all over the world display their talents at concerts through San Francisco.

Cinco de Mayo

When: May 5, 2012

Where: Dolores Park

What: Join in the celebration of Mexican culture with mariachi music, Mexican folk dance, and salsa bands.  There’s even a Zumbathon if you want to get a workout.  If you get a chance check out the murals on 24^th Street in the Mission when you’re done and eat a burrito at El Farolito.

San Francisco Fine Art Fair

When: May 17-20, 2012

Where: Fort Mason

What: Contemporary galleries take over Fort Mason exhibiting fine art, including indoor and outdoor sculptures, installations, and entertainment.  Tickets required.

Bay to Breakers

When: May 20, 2012

Where: From South Beach to Ocean Beach

What: The race starts from South Beach and ends in Ocean Beach but most San Franciscans come to walk the length of the city in costumes taking on the spirit of Mardi Gras.

Carnaval

When: May 26 and 27, 2012

Where: Harrison Street between 23rd Street & 16th Street in the Mission District

What: Latin dance groups and musicians give performances in elaborate costumes for this Brazilian-themed festival. There is a parade through the neighborhood on the last day.

Wondering what’s happening on the other coast? Check out our other posts for travel ideas.

If you’re thinking about booking a trip check out our website for vacation packages.

Alfred Esmeijer is a long-time Vancouver tour guide who specializes in private tours of the Vancouver area. In this blog post, Alfred talks about his background and why he chooses to call Vancouver home. Stay tuned to our blog to see Alfred’s best tips for a great Vancouver vacation.

About Alfred:

How did you get started as a tour guide?

I have worked for many years in a lot of different aspects of the hospitality industry. When I was studying at the University of Calgary I went for a summer job to the Yukon and Alaska to be both a motor coach driver and a tour guide. Because I speak a few foreign languages, I was regularly sent to Anchorage to pick up European groups—most of the time I ended up doing the narrations. When in Vancouver and back in school, I worked part-time with a local sightseeing company which eventually became my full-time occupation and resulted in assisting the company to become No. 1 in the industry year after year. In 2003, after a “restructuring” at the aforementioned company I started on my own, exploring a definite niche in the industry.

You said you speak a few languages. What other languages do you speak and where did you grow up?

[I was] born in Arnhem, the Netherlands. I arrived in Canada in 1969. Lived in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary Banff, Whitehorse, Yukon, Alaska (seasonal as tour guide) and Vancouver (my home). I speak English, French, German, and Dutch. I understand a little Spanish and Italian. The product of a Dutch education, I’m proud to say.

What did you study before becoming a tour guide?

[I attended] high school in the Netherlands. [I studied] Political Science for 2.5 years at the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. I dabbled in Religious Studies at Regent College (post-graduate), Vancouver, BC.

In what ways does Vancouver/Canada compare to Holland/Europe?

In many ways there are no comparisons. Simply look at the vastness and the landscape of Canada as a whole. Yet, Vancouver is an interesting, fascinating and dynamic place to be. In many ways, I look at Vancouver as “history which is being made” as opposed to Montreal where history has taken place, so to speak. Vancouver has many neighborhoods with different characteristics, yet, very much inter-connected with one another. Today is a sunny day and the backdrop with the local snow-capped mountains is absolutely stunning. Vancouver is a “walking and bicycle” city. There are many places to eat and drink or enjoy a coffee. If you want excellent food and culinary experiences, Vancouver is the place to be. Fresh produce, fish, fresh meats, venison, superb local British Columbia wines are a willing formula for anyone to settle in Vancouver. Additionally, Vancouver is a very multi-ethnic society as well as having a large Asian presence, yet we are a very tolerant society. We enjoy the highest percentage of inter-racial marriages in Canada. Unfortunately, the typical Dutch “gezelligheid” [sense of belonging] is missing. Locals can be very “independent and/or insular.” Overall Vancouver is an amazing city.

Given all the places in Canada that you have lived what makes Vancouver the place you have chosen to settle down?

Vancouver is a fusion of Europe and Asia. Many neighborhoods with different characteristics yet very interconnected. Vancouver is also a pedestrian oriented city and cycling is very popular. We actually have designated bicycle lanes in the streets. I mean, where can you sail and ski at the same time or enjoy the amazing beaches (dressed or undressed).

What do you like best about being a tour guide?

I have always regarded being a tour-guide as a profession and many a time I have defended my position when some colleagues of mine thought differently and “looked down” somewhat on being a tour guide. I enjoy thoroughly what I am doing and the enjoyment is twofold: meeting people from all over the world and from all walks of life to me is awesome, but showing these people the beautiful city and surroundings in which I live is an absolute privilege. The challenge for me is to make my clients understand the intricacies and dynamics of what they visited and to put it in perspective with their own world.

We will also be posting Alfred Esmeijer’s tips for a vacation to Vancouver in our blog. Check back soon to learn about the best sights Vancouver has to offer!