Ready to start your journey? Don’t leave home without a funky travel map!

We know we are all adventurers here, eager to discover new places and experience all the amazing things this world has to offer.

That’s why, we here at Yabbedoo try to keep you updated with all kind of new information and give you fresh ideas, so you can have a fantastic holiday.

Puerto Rico by Jean Paul Senior
/www.theydrawandtravel.com

We’ve recently heard about They Draw & Travel website – the place where you can find maps illustrated by artists from around the world – and immediately wanted to tell you all about it.

www.theydrawandtravel.com was created by Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, a brother and sister design and illustration team who have been working together for over 10 years as Studio SSS.

New York, New York by Stephanie Bucholz
/www.theydrawandtravel.com

They launched They Draw & Travel as a place for artists to express their passion for their favourite places to live and visit, and for readers to discover their creations.

Let’s face it – who wouldn’t want to experience a beautiful vacation with a very special and cool map in their hands?

So what’s so special about these illustrated maps?

Driest Desert in the World, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile by Carolina Celis
/www.theydrawandtravel.com

Each map is one-of-a-kind, highlighting off-the-beaten path sites and activities that are local favorites. You won’t find anything like this in a guidebook!

Whether you’re planning your next trip, reminiscing about places you’ve been or dreaming about places you want to go one day, we hope you’ll find They Draw & Travel inspiring, useful and FUN!

London: Land of Pints, Pubs and Pounds by Robyn Mitchell
/www.theydrawandtravel.com

All about the creators and the artists

Salli lives in comfy Hudson, OH with her 4 crazy kitties, 2 teenage boys, and handsome husband, David.

Nate lives in funky North Adams, MA with his boyfriend, Jim, and their 6 bicycles.

Nate and Salli have a passion for travel that definitely qualifies as “wanderlust”. They draw inspiration from new locales and come up with some of their best artistic creations while on the road exploring!

Milano, Italy by Silvia Sponza
/www.theydrawandtravel.com

The artists whose work you see in this website are a varied and talented bunch. Some of them are professional illustrators and practicing artists, while others are passionate doodlers and drawers, and a few have only recently begun to draw.

Feel free to explore this wonderful website, and tell us what you think about it, in the comments section below

Glowing creatures light up the darkness

Tonight we’re switching off the lights for Earth Hour. But let’s not stay in the dark when we can enjoy the “Creatures of Light.” Do you remember those warm summer evenings when you have captured a glowing firefly and be fascinated by its flickering lights?

Model of Anglerfish - Instead of relying on sunlight, these animals flash and sparkle like fireworks.

This exhibition, at the American Museum of Natural History, will help you explore the diversity of organisms that glow and learn how scientists study this amazing natural phenomenon.

It seems unreal and magical at the same time for such organisms to have the power of creating light by themselves. I’ve always been fascinated by these rare creatures, that seem extraterrestrial. yet intimate and fragile.

Glowing Mushrooms

The bioluminescent nature of over 2,000 species of fireflies, glowing mushrooms, glowworms, jellyfish, fluorescent corals, anglerfish and other glowing organisms can be admired at the exhibition which will open the gates to most of the world’s strangeness and to the dark depths of the oceans.

Cave of Glowing worms by Katie Sokoler/Gothamist

The exhibition offers awesome re-created environments, but also live bioluminescent organisms like the flashlight fish and the fascinating dinoflagellates. According to gothamist.com ”there are interactive touchpads and videos allowing visitors to dig deeper into the phenomenon of glowing beings.”

Edward Rothstein from New York Times writes that you will learn “perhaps 90 percent of ocean creatures below a half-mile are bioluminescent; and gain newfound respect for the complexities of jellyfish.”

Jellyfish light in the dark by nytimes.com

Flashlights, lantern signals, different patterns of light and blinking are used by these creatures to communicate with one another. Because this is one of the main functions of bioluminescence: to deliver and receive information in darkness.

The light – good or bad – makes a big difference in these creatures’ lives; most of them have evolved in rarefied conditions “when competition or threat is severe and fragility immense.”

Inside "A Mysterious Cave: Glowworms," which is a "re-creation of part of New Zealand’s Waitomo cave system" by Katie Sokoler/Gothamist

If you happen to be in New York, don’t miss on this enlightening exhibition. It provides you with great information, tranquility and amazement.

Creatures of Light exhibition by nytimes.com

“Creatures of Light” opens Saturday, 31st March, and runs through Jan. 6 at the American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West and 79th Street.

The show was created in collaboration with the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa and the Field Museum in Chicago.

See the official website for more information.

10 Best Romantic Restaurants in New York City

If you want to impress someone special, choosing the right restaurant can make all the difference. These restaurants offer romantic atmosphere, as well quality food and service that are sure to impress — whether it’s Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or another special occasion.

Daniel

Original post by gonyc.

1. Savoy

This warmly lit restaurant feels more like a country inn — complete with a roaring fire in the colder months. Dine on fine American cuisine and if you’d really like to impress, reserve for the chef’s special menu.

Savoy Basics:
70 Prince St.
Between Crosby and Lafayette Sts.
212-219-8570

2. The Place

This West Village restaurant offers all of the romance of New York’s finest restaurants, but with a more affordable price tag. The menu features both American and pan-European cuisine.

The Place Basics:
310 W. 4th St.
Between Bank and W. 12th Sts.
212-924-2711

3. Gramercy Tavern

Danny Meyer’s restaurants are reknowned for impeccable service, and Gramercy Tavern is no different. Serving creative American fare, Gramercy Tavern is the perfect place for a perfect meal, from start to finish. Reservations suggested, though the tavern area has reduced prices and a no-reservation policy.

Gramercy Tavern Basics:
42 E. 20th St.
Between Broadway and Park Ave. So.
212-477-0777

4. Union Square Cafe

Another Danny Meyer destination, Union Square Cafe offers great service and delicious fare in a comfortable setting. Union Square Cafe is friendly to vegetarians. Reservations suggested, though the bar area offers you an in without a reservation.

Union Square Cafe Basics:
21 E. 16th St.
Between Fifth Ave. and Union Sq. West
212-243-4020

5. One If By Land, Two If By Sea

Often considered the most romantic restaurant in New York City, One if By Land, TIBS is housed in a former carriage house that features nightly live piano music and working fireplaces. Exposed brick and dim lighting make this a great destination for a romantic evening.One If By Land, Two If By Sea:
17 Barrow St.
Between 7th Ave. S. & W. 4th St.
212-228-0822

6. Blue Hill

With an annual Valentine’s Day tradition of serving a “hands-free” meal, Blue Hill offers an off-beat take on your typical romantic evening. Serving American cuisine, Blue Hill builds a menu focused on seasonally available produce from the Hudson Valley.Blue Hill Basics:
75 Washington Pl.
Between Sixth Ave. and MacDougal St.
212-539-1776.

7. The River Cafe

If it’s the perfect view that makes you feel romantic, you can do no better than The River Cafe on Brooklyn’s waterfront. Featuring delicious food combined with professional, attentive service, The River Cafe is well worth leaving Manhattan for the food alone, but the view of downtown Manhattan makes this an irresistable choice.The River Cafe Basics:
1 Water Street, Brooklyn
718-522-5200.

8. Daniel

If you really want to dazzle your date, Daniel is among New York City’s most impressive restaurants, with prices to match. Decor reflects Daniel Boulud’s appreciation for Italian Renaissance design, but the menu features creative French cuisine. 3 Course Prix-Fixe $96.

Daniel Basics:
60 E. 65th St.
Between Park and Madison Aves.
212-288-0033

9. The Sea Grill

Overlooking the ice rink at Rockefeller Center, The Sea Grill is a great choice for a romantic evening, assuming your date likes seafood. From oysters and clams to herb crusted skate, the menu offerings reflect a range of seafood options all well prepared and very fresh.The Sea Grill Basics:
19 W. 49th St.
Between Fifth and Sixth Aves.
212-332-7610

10. Balthazar

I must admit, I’m a bit prejudiced, since Balthazar is where I went for dinner after I got engaged, but if being transported to a bustling Parisian bistro is your idea of romance, this is the perfect destination. Steak frites are fabulous, as is the onion goat cheese tart.

Balthazar Basics:
80 Spring St.
Between Crosby & Broadway.
212-965-1785

 

The Conrad New York Now Opening February 1st

Earlier this week when we checked in on the NYC hotels that have and have not opened so far, we mentioned The Conrad New York, down in Battery Park City, which we thought was still opening later this year.

Alas, commenter SalesManagerNYC let us know that while the Conrad now has a website, the hotel is not taking reservations until February 1 2012.

But we found something else to cheer us back up–room pics! Granted, they aren’t very large and they are totally computerized but it’s something. And while we surmise the hotel is still working on the room descriptions, it will be an all-suite hotel with over 430-sq.ft. of space in the rooms.

However, we got a little confused over the restaurant offerings. We thought restaurateur Danny Meyer was supposed to have three restaurants at the hotel including the now-opened Shake Shack, a second Blue Smoke, and North End Grill, a new restaurant concept. But the hotel’s website only mentions, Atrio, a breakfast, lunch and dinner spot. Hmmmm….

But don’t fret. A Conrad Hotels rep sent over a press release clarifying that the hotel has chosen Meyer’s Union Square Events catering group as the “exclusive food and beverage partner” for their onsite conference and event facilities. In short, Meyer’s restaurants are still happening, it’s just that are located in the immediate neighborhood of the hotel, not in the hotel. And whenever there’s a business conference, wedding, bar mitzvah or super sweet 16 party, Meyer’s event group can do the food. Yum!

And for those of you who need to map it out right now, Blue Smoke is located at 255 Vesey Street and North End Grill (serving American seafood) will be at 104 North End Avenue. Shake Shack is at 215 Murray Street.

Atrio

In addition to Atrio, the hotel will also offer a modern day coffee bar and a wine bar featuring an Enomatic wine display and selection of wines by the glass. And we can’t forget about the seasonal green roof on the 16th floor which will also have a bar. Not sure we’ll be up there in February though.

Via hotelchatter.com