Treat Yourself This Awards Season With A Music-Inspired Vacation

Live like your favourite award-winning musical act and book a trip using this list of superstar hometowns

TORONTO, Feb. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - After watching the music industry's most prestigious award ceremony, you may feel a bit green with envy for the glitz and glamour. Or maybe you're just longing to experience your favourite artist's talent. While you can't buy that type of vocal talent, you can take a vacation that makes you feel like you're "with the band" and allows you to explore your passion for music. So what better way to feel close to your favourite artist than a trip to their hometown? The travel experts at Hotels.com® have put together a list of destinations inspired by your favourite award-winning musical acts to turn your lyrical dreams into pitch-perfect reality.

Winner: Gotye
Category: Record of the Year
Hometown: Wouter "Wally" De Backer, more prominently known as Gotye, was raised in Melbourne, Australia.
What to do? Kangaroos, wombats and koala bears, oh my! At the Melbourne Zoo, travellers can be wowed by up-close and personal encounters with these adorable native creatures. If animals don't tickle your fancy, grab a board and catch a wave in Melborne's east coast and try surfing!
Where to stay? Great Southern Hotel Melbourne is located in the heart of Melbourne and a stone's throw from popular attractions like Melbourne Aquarium and the Crown Casino.

Winner: Mumford and Sons
Category: Album of the Year
Hometown: While the band's members may be from all over, this alt-rock sensation got their start in London, England.
What to do? While the summer games are long over, London remains a hot destination. A place of contrasts and diversity, the combination of history and creativity will captivate any traveller looking to explore the authentic side of London.
Where to stay? The Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments lets travellers feel like locals living in the big city. With access to your own personal apartment you can bring the comfort of home to England!

Winner: Drake
Category: Best Rap Album
Hometown: A Canadian boy! Born and raised in Canada's version of NYC, Toronto, Ontario.
What to do? Depending on when you visit, there is a little something for everyone. Check out a sports game in the fall, visit Skywalk at the CN Tower in the summer, or check out one of the many ethnic neighbourhoods in the city.
Where to stay? The Drake Hotel of course! While unassociated with the artist, it's only fitting...

Winner: Calvin Harris
Category: Best Short Form Music Video
Hometown: Calvin Harris, not Hobbs, is from Dumfries, Scotland.
What to do? Live like a king and escape into a world you only dreamed about with a visit to Auchen Castle or one of the other enchanting castles in the area.
Where to stay? As a family-owned business, The Cairndale Hotel offers you the charm, character and that personal touch so you can have an authentic Scottish experience.

Winner: Beyonce
Category: Best Traditional R&B Performance
Hometown: Sasha Fierce is from the land where everything is bigger and better, Houston, Texas.
What to do? Shop 'til you drop! Like any good diva, a trip to the Galleria is a must for some retail therapy.
Where to stay? Since you're shopping, you might as well make your stay easy and check into the Westin Oaks Houston. Located in the Galleria, heavy bags will be the least of your worries.

Nominee: Swedish House Mafia
Category: Best Dance Recording
Hometown: While the name gives it away, Lund and Stockholm are the locations where this mafia came to be.
What to do? If you're going to live like a Swede, you need to acquire some sea legs and embrace live music. With bands playing every night of the week, it's no wonder Swedish House Mafia wanted to get into the entertainment biz.
Where to stay? Maybe it's the discreet entrance or the majestic chandeliers and mirrors. Or maybe it's the lobby hosting a living art gallery of local and international artists. Either way, for under $200 a night, you can live like a true celebrity at Stockholm's best kept secret, Berns Hotel.

Nominee: Rihanna
Category: Best Pop Solo
Hometown: Does St. Michael, Barbados ring any bells?
What to do? Take a cue from Rihanna, who is often spotted on the beaches in her hometown. You can tan, go for a swim or sip on some refreshing rum cocktails. With options like this, it's hard to not love life in this sunny paradise.
Where to stay? Prepare to be pampered at the Hilton Barbados Resort which is the perfect place to rest your feet after a day exploring St. Michael.

Nominee: Dierks Bentley
Category: Best Country Solo Performance
Hometown: This country-star came to us from Tempe, Arizona.
What to do? Named after the Vale of Tempe in ancient Greece, Tempe's natural landscape is one to marvel at. Find out where Dierks grew up and see for yourself why Tempe has been compared to the foot of Mount Olympus.
Where to stay? Located in the heart of the city, Tempe Mission Palms has palm trees at every corner and easy access to your entertainment.

When awards season rolls around next year, you will take satisfaction in knowing you've got the inside scoop on your favourite artists - they're not that different from us after all! So, no matter where you are, grab your mobile and plan your trip now! All prices in Canadian dollars.

About Hotels.com^®
Hotels.com (also known in Canada as Hotels.ca) is a leading online accommodation booking brand. Through its global network of websites, Hotels.com, LP connects travellers with over 160,000 properties around the world, ranging from international chains and all-inclusive resorts to local favourites and bed & breakfasts, together with all the information needed to book the perfect stay. Hotels.com, LP benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry, obtaining the best rates for its customers, and offers frequent sales, special deals and promotions. There are more than 7 million Guest Reviews on the websites from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers can make an informed choice when booking. Through Hotels.com, LP's industry-leading loyalty program Welcome Rewards^TM, customers can earn a free night for every 10 nights stayed at more than 85,000 hotels. Under its Price Match Guarantee, if a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com, LP will refund the difference. Travellers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers. Special apps for mobile phones and tablets can also be downloaded at www.hotels.com/deals/mobile_app/ enabling customers to book on the go with access to 20,000 last minute deals. Hotels.com publishes an award-winning twice-yearly review of international hotel room price trends called the Hotels.com Hotel Price Index™, which is now produced in 31 individual country editions, with North American data available at www.hotel-price-index.com. Follow Hotels.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Hotels.comCA, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hotelsdotcomca and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/hotelsdotcom. Hotels.com, LP is part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world with an extensive portfolio that includes some of the world's best-known brands.

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Image with caption: "Party like a rock star in your favourite artist's hometown (CNW Group/Hotels.com)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130212_C4875_PHOTO_EN_23634.jpg

Treat Yourself This Awards Season With A Music-Inspired Vacation

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