TRAVEL GUIDE: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, USA

NOLA clap, "I've got the world on a string, sittin' on a rainbow/Got the string around my finger/What a world, what a life, I'm in love!/I've got a song that I sing", Louis Armstrong once harmonised in his signature gravelly voice of groundbreaking gravitas. And with that our travel blog and all its 'Journal Guide' recommendations for better or worse (we don't actually advise you "go f### yourselves San Diego"...it's a line from the film 'Anchorman'. We love you like lamp) was born.

And as you take in the heart of the Louisiana technicolour off the Gulf of Mexico. From the neon gates of his own perfect, peaceful park sculpted and manicured in his name, like the jazz trumpet blaring musician of legend. You'll think to yourself what a wonderful world as you see all this Cresent City Connection holds beyond that beautiful bridge of iron over the Mississippi.

It's Mardi Gras again in 'The City Care Forgot' that has overcame so much. The devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The ignorance of those in power who during the flooding and depression like hometown hero rapper 'Tha Carter', Lil' Wayne said, "didn't even leave a ladder". All to make it back on their own and still dance to this day with a smile of resilience and their own rejuvenation on their face. I mean this is a voodoo town that even has jazz funerals that party and celebrate life rather than mourn death. The party doesn't stop, even through the pain. Positivity over negativity. Love over hate. And when it comes to this historical landmark, it's own wonder of the world, the coronation continues.

And the music doesn't stop in the jazz bars of Bourbon Street. Because in this melting pot of Creole Cuisine, Gumbo and the sugar dust off your jeans of Beignets (I hope you brought a dust buster) everything flows like the time of your fountain of youth. And in a neon and amber on ice dream if you can't have a good time here. Then you can't have a good time here. Because in the classic French Quarter there is more than meets the idea of these perfect, in keeping traditional and beautiful buildings. Horse to carriage. Saxophone to trumpet. So open your French windows and see. Every corner is worth your camera. Every incarnation and Instagram. This place is instant vintage. Tomorrows tradition. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Las Vegas. You may have seen it all in the United States of America. But you ain't ever seen anything like New Orleans and the whole of the French Quarter.

New Orleans is also a sporting city and as the Mercedes Benz Superdome rises again in rainbow neon you can have faith in the saints. But buzzing like the Hornets they used to be named after in the always goes down smooth, Smoothie King Center (you must have one with your dog) across the neighbouring street (so close you could pitch a pass across) you can fly New Orleans Pelicans fly. At press time they have one of the biggest and best players in the National Basketball Association by the 'brow of A.D. Anthony Davis. But with the trade deadline looming like his feelings you may want to catch a game before it's too late. Although fellow 'cat Julius Randle and whoever they get in return for the giant Ant-Man will be bang worth your buck.

But forget four quarters we know this city is all about the ooh la, la of the French Quarter for all you monsieurs and mademoiselles. Now it may not be as romantic as Paris but boy are you going to love it. But if your heart ain't in all of that than you can always find the soul of this city in the traditional monuments like the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral of Jackson Square as you get your fortune read by hand and picture taken by pencil. Or the fabulous ferns of the Garden District. But weed them out and you'll love the bands that play. All the way to the scraping skyline and the illuminated theatres of Joy in the desired streetcars of the Central Business District.

But as the sun goes down and the moonshine comes up on Crescent City, it's time to take the Bourbon off the shelf as you spend a killer few hours in the French Quarter. Don't say no to the N.O. You've got the world on a string kid. Time to take it easy in the Big Easy. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

TRAVEL GUIDE: SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, USA

Go f### yourself San Diego! Oh, no, no! No...I'm sorry. I apologize. That's a quote from the cult classic movie 'Anchorman'. I promise. I'm sorry. But let me tell you there's plenty more reasons to visit the place that comedy calls "a whales vagina' that finds itself between San Francisco and Los Angeles 120 miles away and in its small town, city calm next to the Golden Gate and Hollywood than loving lamp.

Take the Gaslamp Quarter by gaslight for example. Anthemic to this cities culture of good food and an even better time once the alcohol fills your glass and you raise a cup. Because if LA is too busy for you. And San Fran too hill big. Than these greetings from Saint Diego make the picture perfect, retro vintage postcard to send you on your way. Stretching for as miles far as the lantern can see out to sea, or like the mozzarella between the breaded sticks you stretch to share (yeah right...the only thing you're sharing these bar bites with is marinara sauce). With more traditional, signature seafood joints than the knots in your stomach if you eat too much, the only thing this quarter has more of is every game going in the sports bar that your eyes and multiple T.V.'s can see. It's time to look up again instead of having your social life buried in another screen. Because in this town there's no scrolling or swipe right, the good people you meet tonight and will never forget are right there infront of you. Right now.

But take a walk out of lamplight and gas up your running shoes in a city that jogs (not "yogs" Ron) and find yourself uptop the stadium structure perpendicular to all that Friday night fun and you'll meet the unofficial sprinters peak that offers you a beautiful view of the bay (see above) and all the boats that will lead you to the waterline of this coastal city in the Pacific and the quieter watering holes and straight from the sea food places that take this city from one night to brotherhood to anniversary moments with your beloved. The calmer it gets to the ocean breeze. The quieter kept your unforgettable memories that haven't been brain cell dimmed by whiskey and wine.

And it's along this walk you should take to see more this city has to offer by the water. Like the ships sailed straight out of rum diary bottle of a 'Pirates Of The Carribbean' movie on this California coast. But none of these wooden planks can walk the walk or talk the talk with the military muscle and might of the USS Maritime memorial museums right there on the harbour in all their unsinkable battleship glory for those naval officers that gave their lives for freedom of their country. And you'll be moves to salute with some emotional sculptures and statues that haunt the harrowing nature of war and all the love that is lost and in some cases gladly and tearfully reunited in the fight. And of course there's also taller than it all that iconic shot sculpted of the officer dipping his partner for a kiss beneath the return home ticker tape of New York's Times Square, LIFE immortalised. Because there's no greater victory than that.

But between the San Diego Zoo of squirrels that can water-ski (that's the second to last 'Anchorman' reference I sort of promise) and Balboa Park that is truly a knockout, there is so much to see in the "birthplace of California". But one of the best ways to see this town is to get down to some walking. And from the bottom of your worn sneakers your heart will see the soul of this city. Block street art mural to block beauty as you see the thin golden California line of a setting sun in the sky between the chrome of the scraping structures, you'll want to keep looking both ways long after you've looked whether it's safe to cross the street. It's kind of like that anticipatory feeling without the fear of when you walk-ran through the supermarket as a kid, trying to play it cool as you bobbed your head and ducked and weaved like a floating butterfly down every aisle to look for your mum. As you got lost in the whole cereal aisle you hoped to bring all back to the trolly cart. But when you catch one here at the end of the day like you would in the Bay City neighbour it's time for a night you won't forget. I hope you brought your jazz flute.

You stay classy San Diego. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

TRAVEL GUIDE: ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, USA

Sunkissed beaches bursting like freshly pressed juice. Time to open the doors and register an Orange County suite for your next vacation. Because here's a trip. Forget 'The Florida Project' (great movie. Should have won some Oscars). This California county is more than a stop-off or a place to Motel your bags whilst your kids run around Disneyland, no matter how much wonder is there. But beyond the amazing Anaheim amusement attraction and it's loop da loops you can be shown the world.

Whether your hopping a train from San Diego, or even trying to gridlock drive out of LA, it's time to meet in the middle of this core and visit the fruit of California in all its segments like the stunning San Clemente. Because it's more than just Mickey Mouse ears or Goofy teeth. Check into Irvine and there's a Spectrum of things to see and we aren't just talking about the family friendly, mid-highway mall were you can shop 'till you drop your bags at a choice of restaurants before movie night. Or making it neon romantic on that wonder wheel that gives you some scope to how Sunkist bright this place really is.

Perfect palms borderline and hold this area in its giant grasp like Orange County's sister cities do like twins. In a calm, California chill area of mid-trip, rest-stop peace with friendly bed and breakfasts (may we recommend the lovely Laguna Lodge) complete with pools outside akin to where they bathed their feet daily on 'My Name Is Earl', sunrise to set. And of course there are always Starbucks and stops to eat a few wait a year crossings nearby.

But to get your kicks in this place somewhere on the way to Route 66 then you need to have a car, take a cab or ride the Uber app until the bank back home cancels your card (*shaking hand up*. It's not as stranded scary as it sounds...oh it's much worse than that). And there really is one ride that is worth putting your seatbelt on for a trip through the cactus Jack dry hills.

You can't pass through Orange County without spending a night in Laguna Hills. And don't let the MTV generation put you off Laguna Beach. From Venice to the talents of South Beach this writer hasn't seen sand and sea as sublime at tide sweeping in night-time. And as the Uber (what a great way for a solo traveller to make some light, breezy conversation) took made it just in time for a burnt orange, stunning sunset I was simply left laughing. That's something like pure joy and I felt it just in time as the light disappeared below the horizon and was replaced with a Best Coast, California night calm that envelopes this whole town like a love letter, penmanship signed, kiss sealed, and hand delivered. The picture perfect postcards dont do justice to a place that looks like a walking screensaver sample. Words I could write wouldn't even begin to do this all its bucket list justice. So don't read, be all about it. Ain't nothing like the OC. But this is your show.

And with a just by chance personal guided tour from local legend and now fond friend Blair McManus who makes beach art in the sand with the hands of his frisbee (or as it's properly, purist known the disco disc) that cavas this places palette with even more amazing attraction art that is a must-see on this shore canvas. There's so much history here if you let the locals tell it between grabbing a quick, quiet bite or coffee, but it's time to make your memories own. From the Laguna Hills Civic Centre building beauty to the stunning Huntington or Newport Beach by day to night like you Lana Del Rey record generation know like Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey there are plenty inspirations for Instagram. But forget all that social media white noise for a minute in a place designed for phones down, quiet as kept serenity. This is about you and me. And whoever you chose to spend this time with. And if scrolling through their smarts they say there's nothing to do. What could be more beautiful? It's yours. There's a lot to take in. And from the depths offered at Dana Point you can see it all.

So bask in this blossom special right now because even in this dry January Winter tis the season. But instead of R.E.M. dreaming about it. It's time to get your Orange crush. Because Orange County is the new place you're going to want to go back. TIM DAVID HARVEY.