By Aaron Ogg

Many famous musicians and performers have called the great city of Chicago home.

Chuck Berry. Andrew Bird. Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins. Nat "King" Cole. Buddy Guy. Mel Torme. Eddie Vedder.

Add President Obama to the list.

Turns out, Chicago's favorite son has more uses for that distinctive, resonating voice than campaigning. His rendition of "Sweet Home Chicago" alongside legends B.B. King and Mick Jagger struck a pleasing chord with guests at the Red, White and Blues concert held at the White House Tuesday evening.

Looks like Explore Chicago has itself one valuable promotional partner.

Since White House invites and impromptu presidential musical performances are hard to come by, here are a few great Chicago music venues to get a feel for the city's diverse sound:

--Schubas Tavern (Lakeview)

--The Vic Theatre (Lakeview)

--Park West (Lincoln Park)

--Metro (Wrigleyville)

--The Empty Bottle (Ukranian Village)

Any we missed?  Please share some of your faves.

By David Hoekman

ALAMOS, Mexico — This town deep in the south of the Mexican state of Sonora puts on its finest each January for the Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Cultural Festival. Excellent performances of classical, jazz and Latin music throughout the day and evening are great for group tours.

The festival draws performers and audience members from all over.

One evening our group of U.S. travel writers touring Sonora encountered some street musicians, playing for tips and for the love of the music.

See (and hear) for yourself:

Alamos is one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos or Magic Towns. The program, begun in 2001 by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with state and municipal governments, honors towns that are magical for tourists because of their architecture, history and legends.

There’s a great, laid-back feel in Alamos. During the day, as you walk down its narrow cobblestone streets and see all the Spanish colonial arches you get a sense of the magic of Alamos.

But in the evening, during a festival, the magic of Alamos really hits all your senses. People are strolling, laughing, dancing, talking, eating, listening to music and having a grand time. It’s magic, pure and simple.

By Aaron Ogg

There are so many pieces that can make or break a group tour.

Some can be controlled, such as originality, organizational quality and flexibility. 

Others have a mind of their own. Think inclement weather, heavy traffic or illness.

Good tour planners account for both. Their heads are filled with Plans B through Z, and they can change direction at a moment’s notice.

Did flooding force your go-to art museum to close its doors? Bummer, but you’re still in good shape because you know of a funky little shopping district two miles away that will give your plenty of time to make their 6:30 p.m. reservations at that amazing seafood restaurant. One of the stores even sells the cutest plush lobsters!

Perfect. Seamless. Just like you planned it, right?

When the pieces change, often times we can create a different puzzle without anyone noticing. Effective planning really is an art form.

There is, however, a certain intangible element to every group tour that can’t be engineered, measured or reproduced. Some might call it chemistry, but I’d argue that puts too much onus on the participants and how well their personalities mesh. Granted, that’s an important piece, but there’s more to the story.

Much of it has to do with timing. Still more is about our natural inclination to connect with other people and share our collective joy. After all, group tours wouldn’t exist if we weren’t social to begin with.

In traveling with friends, family and business associates, I’ve seen this dynamic at work time and time again. The most interesting thing about the phenomenon to me is it’s not always apparent during what ordinarily would be considered a textbook perfect trip.

Have you ever been on a vacation with others and nothing seemed to go the way it was supposed to? Me too — more than once.  Some of them are among my favorite trips of all time.

As far as we know, there isn’t an official name for this, so we’re going to give it one. We’ll also make it a Twitter hashtag: #groupluv.

Why #groupluv and not #grouplove? Well, first of all, GroupLove happens to be the name of a wildly popular (I’m told) Los Angeles-based indie rock band. We’re convinced #groupluv is every bit as cool — just a different kind of cool.

Secondly, the “luv” spelling makes us think of innocence and diapers — both supremely happy thoughts in our book.

We liken #groupluv to the feeling a musical ensemble gets when every member is harmonizing and playing their best. You can see it as they smile at each other and nod their heads.

Put simply, #groupluv is a sense of joy, peace and togetherness brought about by a travel trip with new friends, family or others. It’s also felt by attractions, receptive operators, CVBs and DMOs whose products and services enhance the experience and make it more memorable.

With Tuesday being Valentine’s Day, we hope to kick start a Twitter conversation this week in which our audience shares its fondest #groupluv memories.

On the flip side, since life isn’t always a bus full of chocolates, we’d love to hear about your travel experiences with others that for whatever reason missed the mark. Go ahead and tweet those with the hashtag #groupheartache.

Doesn’t this seem like a great time for a group hug?

A picture on Twitter made my morning. @farlanewastaken posted a lovely photo of the Copper Harbor lighthouse in Northern Michigan. Like many sunrise photos, this one is quite striking. It captured this tiny moment in time at a single place.

The twitter link came from the Michigan in Pictures Blog and was taken by Aaron C. Jors. His Flickr stream is full of amazing photos and worth a look if you want to see how lovely nature is.

And then I stumbled on another amazing photo when I checked out one my go-to blogs: USA Today’s Pop Candy. Every morning, Whitney Matheson posts a photo of the day, and today’s was a photo of a Las Vegas sunrise.

We had a terrible winter weekend, but we were blessed with an amazing sunset on Saturday. Just beyond the snow-covered tree line, the sky was streaked pink — a dramatic scene. It was a little reminder that things were going to be okay.

It was a joy to go through my photos this morning to find some sunset images. Of course they’re not as wonderful as the photo that Aaron Jors captured. But it was still fun to see these reminders of times the sun captured my attention and stirred me to snap of photo.

I'm not the best photographer, so I always have a lot to learn. I found this wonderful article that has 12 tips for photographing stunning sunsets. I suggest that you take a look. Once you've learned the tips, all you need to is wait for the next sunset.

It's sunny today, so tonight may be my chance.

By David Hoekman 

ALAMOS, Mexico — The primary reason for my recent trip to the state of Sonora in Mexico was to see the Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Cultural Festival in Alamos.  

The festival is named after Tirado, an Alamos native who was a skillful orthopedic surgeon and talented operatic tenor who died in 1960.  

Before our group could experience Alamos, a Spanish colonial town located in the far south of Sonora, we had to take a road trip.

And, before that, I had to get some breakfast.   

No problem, right? The hotel serves breakfast. So, there I am, bright and early, checking out the buffet. Cool, an omelet station. 

The challenge: this hungry travel writer doesn’t speak a word of Spanish (si and gracias don’t really count); the cooks don’t speak English.  

So, how did I get one of the best ham-and-cheese omelets I’ve ever tasted?

Well, the cooks smiled, pointed to various ingredients and made cooking-type motions. I smiled, pointed and held up two fingers for two eggs. The cooks were gracious enough not to laugh.  

The experience reminded me that communication is possible without words.  

That evening, we were in Alamos and part of the throng at the City Hall Auditorium for a concert by graduate students from the University of Sonora: Diana Gonzalez, soprano; Yael Jimenez, soprano; Guillermo Lopez, tenor; and Hector Acosta, pianist.

They performed classical songs in German and Italian.

I knew a few of the German words. But most of the words — and the projected Spanish text — I did not know. It didn’t matter a bit. The musicians played and sang beautifully and that was enough. 

My trip to Sonora reminded me that sometimes words, as important as they are, take a back seat.       

Last night, as you know, was a big night for America. The biggest event of the year — with tens of thousands in attendance, hundreds of volunteers at the ready and millions of fans paying attention — unfolded last night. The Giants ended up victorious, but the teams seemed evenly matched.

I’d love to write this blog about the fun of the game and flipping over to the Puppy Bowl (with the kitten half-time show), but a news report I saw after the game really got my attention.

Travel for the most part, is an especially delightful excursion. It’s a force for good, and what’s more positive than a group tour? But like most things, there’s a dark side.

The dark side of big events? They’re hotspots for human trafficking.

I saw this report on the news last night. A group of Grand Rapids nuns have been working to bring awareness of — and end to — the human trafficking industry. I was vaguely aware this was a problem, which means I’m not doing anything to help make it better.

I hardly want to talk about this, but pretending the problem isn’t there isn’t going to help. It’s the 21st century, and it’s absolutely unacceptable to place children into slavery.

The nuns and many other nonprofit groups are getting the word out and making a real difference. One of the big things they were doing is contacting hotels and other lodging providers to share some of the warning signs. Some of the property managers were unaware of this and others were well aware of it and working to make changes.

Hospitality companies are working on policies and awareness, too. Many are following the code of conduct created by ECPAT (Ending Child Prostitution and Trafficking). Their website, http://ecpatusa.org, is a source of information and ideas of how you can help the children at risk.

Sorry this wasn’t a pleasant post, but we can’t hide the problem any more. 

By David Hoekman

I returned Saturday from a press trip in the state of Sonora, Mexico. It was my first sojourn into Mexico, and I loved it all: the friendly and hospitable people, the tasty food and the warm and sunny weather.

The trip highlighted the Spanish colonial town of Alamos and Guaymas, on the Sea of Cortez.

But the trip’s starting point was Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora.

As we left the airport in a spiffy 20-passenger bus, it was announced there would be a surprise before we arrived at our hotel. Now, after an early start and three flights, a surprise was not something I was looking forward to. As Holiday Inn used to say, “The best surprise is no surprise.”

The surprise turned out to be a stop at the architecturally stunning Museum of Art of Sonora-MUSAS (built in 2009) to view a special exhibition, “Art and Body: A Look Into the Collection of the Museo Tamayo.”

Museo Tamayo is a large museum in Mexico City devoted to the art of Mexican painter Rufino Tamayo (1899-1991) and other modern and contemporary masters. The museum is expanding, so part of its collection is on the road in Sonora. 

Which means we travel journalists had the privilege of seeing extraordinary works by artists such at Pablo Picasso, Fernando Botero, Francis Bacon, Francisco Toledo and, of course, Tamayo.

According to the exhibition’s English brochure, the artists whose works comprise “Art and Body” reflected on the physical, existential, spiritual and political expressions of the human body, as well as its interaction with the environment and its circumstances. “Hence, the human condition is the central theme of this exhibition,” the brochure says.

Ruben Guillermo Matiella Villaescusa, the director general of the Museum of Art of Sonora-MUSAS, said the museum was the biggest and most important museum in western Mexico.

“We have some very big names,” he said. “This is a unique collection. We are really excited to show people the culture of Mexico.”

“Art and Body” runs through April 23 at Museum of Art of Sonora-MUSAS.

Our museum visit was pleasant surprise — the first of many in Sonora, Mexico.

By Aaron Ogg

On Monday I’m heading to the lovely Northwoods region in central Wisconsin on a five-day media research tour with heavy emphasis on winter activities — you know, the kind that don’t involve sitting on a couch in a warm living room watching football. 

I’m a native Michigander, so I’m no stranger to snow, but I’m averse nonetheless. It’s cold, it’s hard to walk and drive in and it makes my clothes wet. Need I say more? Oh, and it causes auto accidents, so it’s also a malicious form of precipitation.

As the father of a toddler, I forced myself outside a couple of days ago to expose my son to the elements for a prolonged period of time. We bundled him up, pulled him on a sled and threw chunks of snow (snowballs?) in his general direction. I’m told this is an important and often enjoyable experience, but I’ve yet to see actual proof.

What I do have proof of is his sizable discontent (right).

I know, buddy. I know.

Clearly I’m one of snow’s biggest critics, but I refuse to let personal bias color my journalistic integrity. Therefore, I’m diving into this wintry experience without reservation. I’m even going to buy a new hat!

In fact, I plan to do something I’ve yet to do in 30 soft, pampered years on this planet: Strap on a pair of skis.

Until now I’ve willfully avoided skiing, even with the understanding that it may preclude me from certain circles of high society. This is a sacrifice I’ve been willing to make.

Well, consider this my formal announcement to the upper echelon of the social elite. I’m ready to join you now. As soon as I repeatedly extract my face from piles of snow, that is. 

On second thought, how about I just meet you all back at the lodge for cocktails?

In all sincerity, I’m looking forward to this. If my journalism career has taught me one thing, it’s that I have no clue what I really enjoy until I actually try it.

Maybe I've been wrong about you, snow. We shall see.

By David Hoekman

Tim Schneider of Schneider Publishing recently published “Life Cycle of a Volunteer.” He identified three stages in the life cycle of a person who volunteers to serve in association leadership positions. Those stages are the eager recruit, the productive board member and dialed in or burned out.

The posting prompted me to think about the life cycle of group tours.

Each departure of a tour has a life cycle — simply because each tour has a beginning, middle and end. The first day the passengers are polite strangers. As the tour progresses, the personalities of the passengers come through and everyone gets to know each other. Friendships are forged. By the end of the tour, the passengers’ shared experiences have molded them into something like a big family.

The tour operator hopes the majority of the members of this “family” had a good time and will sign up for another tour.

Tours themselves also have a life cycle. A tour that sold out quickly for several years in a row suddenly fails to generate any interest — or gradually contracts.

Or maybe a new tour sells like gangbusters the first time it’s in the brochure. A second coach is added. This tour is shaping up to be a winner. Except it turns out to be a one-time wonder. After that first spectacular departure, there is nary a nibble.

Tour operators can extend the life cycle of a tour by spicing it up. They seek out and include new attractions and new activities. They keep their ear to the ground. They make connections at regional and national trade shows.

Sometimes it pays to key in on a famous person when revising a tour. That’s what historian and operator Shebby Lee, owner of Shebby Lee Tours, based in Rapid City, S.D., did with a western North Dakota tour. She built a new tour, Teddy Roosevelt’s Dakota.

“The key is looking at something differently,” Lee told me. “By putting a theme on it and emphasizing Roosevelt’s part in all the places that we are going to visit, it just makes it more interesting.”

One of Lee’s other creative ideas was to put together a tour encompassing the eastern half of North Dakota and South Dakota. She calls it East Dakota.

What are some of the ways you have used to extend the life cycle of a tour?

By Amanda Black (who else?)

The idea for this blog post started with a joke…I’m watching over the editorial department today since the rest of the members are off-site and working hard. Rick is representing the magazine at the American Bus Association conference in Grapevine, Texas. Aaron’s in North Carolina learning more about SEO and Dave had to step in to help out his elderly dad.

So the joke yesterday was that I’d figure out a way to get some cats on the website, and that’s just what I am doing. I’m the resident expert on all things cute, and cats are my favorite. They own the Internet after all. If you don’t believe me, just check out ICanHasCheezeburger.com.

But seriously, there is a cat museum out there—in San Francisco, which got its start in 2010. The Cat Museum of San Francisco doesn’t have a permanent home, but it does stage exhibitions at various venues throughout the City by the Bay. Plans for the next venue have not been finalized to host the spring exhibition, but the museum plans to launch “Cats on the Seven Seas” in honor of the upcoming America’s Cup races. Bookmark http://www.catmuseumsf.org/exhibit.html for more details about the upcoming exhibit.

Lloret de Mar in Spain also has a cat museum — Casa de Los Gatos Museo. Located in a seaside town an hour from Barcelona, the museum grew from the personal collection of Vera Novoselova and Alexandr Gvozdev. Its large collection includes porcelain, ceramic, art and plenty of other charming objets d’chat.

Other cat museums are located in Moscow and Malaysia. Then, of course, there’s the Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West. It’s home to a large colony of cats, descended from the six-toed cat the author received as a gift from a ship’s captain. 

P.S. That's my cat Charlie in the picture. I'm sure he's delighted to be on the Internet again. 

By Amanda Black

Hello and welcome to a new year!

The Global Culinary Tour has been rather quiet lately. As usual, I fell into the trap of spending my time and energy getting ready for the holidays. I spent the last few weeks shopping, wrapping, cleaning, cooking, driving and basically doing everything but writing. But of course food is a vital part of holiday traditions, so I did spend some time in the culinary realm. I spent two days cooking Christmas dinner for the extended family and hours cleaning it up, and it took an hour to eat. Of course it was worth it. We had some traditional favorites around the table, and everything tasted great.

Now it's a new year, and of course we're all thinking about eating healthier. After reaching the low point of candy for lunch one day, it won't take much to get healthier. At least the peanut butter cups had some protein right? I suspect there are a lot of other passengers in this boat with me.

I’m looking forward to another year or blogging about culinary travel trends. Where do you think we’ll go?

In these early days of January, it’s hard to say. But I’m looking forward to the journey.

By Rick Martinez

With its New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York’s celebration is one of the most iconic and festive gatherings on the planet.

It’s been going on since 1904 and draws more than a million people — not including all the millions of folks watching on television or via the web.

The focal point is the illuminated Waterford Crystal ball, which displays a multi-million-patterned display of colors and descends down a flagpole at 1 Times Square.

Of course, good luck finding a bathroom during the Big Apple’s big event. And forget about drinking any champagne while hanging out in Times Square.

In my own household, the debate is whether we’ll hit downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., for its first night celebration or enjoy our homestead instead.

There are other ways — like in New York, Grand Rapids and at home — to ring in the New Year with some quirkiness if you look.

TripAdvisor has compiled a list of 10 festive and fun places in the U.S. to welcome 2012.

In that other Manhattan in Kansas, the city has its own version of the Big Apple. Manhattan’s activities start at 10 p.m. with a laser light show and music. 

At midnight, a rotund ruby aluminum-and-glass apple drops to the ground for the ninth straight year with fireworks ablaze. Basically, it’s the Little Apple Drop in the hometown of Kansas State University.

Other quirky places, according to TripAdvisor, to celebrate New Year's Eve include the Possum Drop in Brasstown, N.C.; Wooden Flea Drop in Eastover, N.C.; Sardine Drop in Eastport, Maine; Sushi Drag Queen Drop in Key West, Fla.; Bologna Drop in Lebanon, Pa.; MoonPie Over Mobile in Mobile, Ala.; Pelican Drop in Pensacola, Fla.; Big Cheese Drop in Plymouth, Wis.; and the Watermelon Drop in Vincennes, Ind.

Mobile celebrates the marshmallow treat MoonPie by dropping a 12-foot electronic MoonPie from 34 stories at midnight. Events begin at 7:30 p.m. with a parade, music and other events.

That has got me to thinking also about Lebanon’s 12-foot, 200-pound bologna and Vincennes’ 18-foot, 500-pound watermelon. Sorry, but Plymouth’s Big Cheese is made of styrofoam.

Still, all this is, admittedly, making me hungry.

So, however you’re planning to celebrate, my advice is this: Make sure you eat. It’s not as much fun celebrating on an empty stomach.