Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Orlando
Home to world famous theme parks, Orlando is only an hour from both east and west coast beaches of Florida and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, and can be a destination worth considering even if you are not enamored with cartoon mice.
Stay at - Portofino Bay Hotel
Go shopping - Mall at Milennia
numerous outlet malls in the greater Orlando area, including on International Drive
specialty shops in Downtown Disney, Universal's Citywalk and inside the theme parks
Eat at - Bice in Portofino Bay Hotel
The Brown Derby at Disney MGM Studios
Le Cellier Steakhouse and The Rose and Crown Pub at EPCOT
Take side trips to - the Space Coast
Busch Gardens in Tampa
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Be sure to visit - World Showcase at EPCOT
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Sea World
Best time of year to go - November through April
(EPCOT holds a Food and Wine Festival annually in November and a Flower and Garden Festival in April)
Best things to buy - Designer products at Millenia, theme park souvenirs, country-specific products in World Showcase in EPCOT (the Japanese pavillion particularly has an impressive array of Japanese products)
Best indulgence - Sitting outside at sunset at Portofino Bay and listening to Musica della Notte, then taking water taxis by moonlight
Fly into - Orlando (MCO)
Transportation - Rent a car or take a taxi to your hotel and use shuttles to and from the parks
Labels:
Disney,
Florida,
Orlando,
Portofino Bay Hotel,
Space Center,
Universal Studios
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Canadian Rockies
Stay at - Banff Springs Hotel
Chateau Lake Louise
Jasper Park Lodge (all part of the Fairmont Hotel chain, formerly Canadian Pacific Hotels)
Go shopping - in the gift shops of the hotels and in downtown Banff
Eat at - The Waldhaus Restaurant and Pub (Banff Springs Hotel)
The Banffshire Club (Banff Springs Hotel)
Bow Valley Grill (Banff Springs Hotel)
The Fairview Dining Room (Chateau Lake Louise)
Tom Wilson Steakhouse (Chateau Lake Louise)
Walliser Stube (Chateau Lake Louise)
*Edith Cavell Dining Room (Jasper Park Lodge) (if you have only one meal, have it here, and always ask for window tables in the dining rooms that have a view, including this one)
Take side trips to - Calgary (stay at the Fairmont Palliser if you need to overnight)
Be sure to visit - Lake Louise, even if you don't stay there
go rafting on the Bow River
Best time of year to go - mid-June through early September
Best things to buy - geodes, crystals, art work, photography, clothing
Best indulgence - getting a spa treatment at the Banff Springs Hotel overlooking the Bow River
Fly into - Calgary (YYC)
Transportation - Rent a car, or take a guided tour (Maupintour is excellent, and some Canadian Rail tours and Grey Line include the Canadian Rockies)
Saturday, June 21, 2008
New Orleans
New Orleans is the gracious lady of the Mississippi, where Cajun, Creole and riverboats collide. With jazz in the French Quarter and stately homes in the Garden District, this is the Crescent City, the eternal home of Mardi Gras, where lassez les bon temps rouler finds poignant meaning in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. She is the ultimate survivor.
Stay at - The Windsor Court Hotel
Go shopping - In the French Quarter and on Canal Street
Eat at - Commander's Palace
The Gumbo Shop
Cafe du Monde
Take side trips to - Algiers
Biloxi
Be sure to visit - the Garden District by streetcar, Bourbon Street, the New Orleans Zoo
Best time of year to go - late April during Jazz Fest, or during Mardi Gras
Best things to buy - Antiques, furniture, beignets, pralines, gourmet
Best indulgence - any meal at Commander's Palace, breakfast at St. Ann-Marie Antoinette
Fly into - New Orleans (MSY)
Transportation - taxis, streetcar, walking
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The West of Ireland
Stay at - Dromoland Castle, County Clare
The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
Ashford Castle, Cong
Go shopping - in any of the villages
Eat at - Dromoland Castle
Any local pub
Take side trips to - The Burren
The Cliffs of Moher
The Ring of Kerry
Adare
Galway
Be sure to visit - Knock
Best time of year to go - May through September
Best things to buy - Belleek pottery, Waterford crystal, antiques
Best indulgence - Being at a local pub until the wee hours listening to local music and drinking Guinness
Fly into - Shannon (SNN)
Transportation - Hire a car and driver for day trips into the countryside
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sanibel and Captiva Islands, Florida
Just off the coast of Fort Myers in southwest Florida, the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer the most spectacular seashelling in North America, and a sanctuary to birds and wildlife.
Stay at - Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa
Go shopping - on Sanibel at Periwinkle Place, and on Captiva
Coconut Point in Estero
Eat at - La Dolce Vita on Sanibel
The Mucky Duck and The Bubble Room on Captiva
Gramma Dot's on Sanibel
Take side trips to - Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers
Naples
Be sure to visit - the Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel
Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
Sanibel Lighthouse
The Edison Estate, Fort Myers
Best time of year to go - November through April (crowds are lighter in November-December, peak season in Christmas-Easter)
Best things to buy - Seashells, local arts and crafts, paintings
Best indulgence - Take the Sanibel Harbour Princess out for a sunset cruise or Sunday brunch
Fly into - Fort Myers/Regional Southwest Airport (RSW)
Transportation - Rent a car (tolls to Sanibel are $6; causeway entrance is just beyond Sanibel Harbour)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island, set in the Straits of Mackinac off northern Michigan, is one of the few places in the United States where one can completely step back into another era, with grand sweeping hotel verandas, Carleton Varney splendor, and absolutely no motorized vehicles to break the spell.
Stay at - The Grand Hotel
Go shopping - in town on the main street near the ferry terminal, and at the hotel
Eat at - The Grand Hotel. Since the rooms are offered American Plan, breakfast and dinner are included daily. There are a number of dining options available at the hotel. There are a number of other excellent restaurants on the island (check a local dining guide for current offerings).
Take side trips to - Sault Ste. Marie
The Algoma Central Railway to Agawa Canyon
Be sure to visit - historic Fort Mackinac
Best time of year to go - in June, when for ten days the island holds its annual Lilac Festival
Best things to buy - Fudge, local souvenirs, Grand Hotel memorabilia
Best indulgence - take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the island, or a spa treatment at the hotel
Fly into - Pellston, Michigan (PLN), 12 miles south of the ferry terminal
Transportation - Take a cab to the ferry terminal, take a ferry to the island. No cars or other motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, but other forms of transportation (bicycles, horses, horse-drawn transport) are available.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
For sheer opulence, intrigue and romance, there is no better way to wind one's way through the Alps between Paris and Venice than on the undisputed Queen of the Rails, the Orient-Express.
Stay - in your compartment aboard the Venice Simplon Orient-Express
Go shopping - at points on either end, and in the Boutique on board. Indulge in a new hat or accessory before boarding to make a stylish and memorable entrance.
Eat - in one of three Restaurant Cars aboard the train, and in your compartment
Take side trips to - the train runs from Paris to Venice, with optional boarding in London. Optional side trips and hotel stays can be taken on either end, either in Paris or Venice or through the Italian or French countryside.
Be sure to visit - the Bar Car
Best time of year to go - June through September
Best things to buy - Orient-Express souvenirs on board, lamps, crystal, timepieces, leather, scarves, collectibles.
Best indulgence - Watching Switzerland pass by outside the window while being catered to in comfort and luxury inside.
Fly into - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Venice (VCE); alternately, London Heathrow (LGW) or London Gatwick (LGW) for pre-boarding the train in London
Transportation - take a taxi to and from the train, and water taxis in Venice
Optional journeys can be made to Rome, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague, Budapest and Krakow. Check for current itineraries of special journeys offered. The Orient-Express makes occasional day trips between Venice and Rome.
Labels:
London,
Orient-Express,
Paris,
Train,
Venice,
Venice Simplon,
VSOE
Monday, May 19, 2008
Las Vegas
Stay at - The Mirage
Go shopping - Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace
The Fashion Show
Shops at Bellagio
Encore Shops at Wynn Las Vegas
Eat at - La Cirque, Bellagio
Mon Ami Gabi, Paris (great daytime peoplewatching from the sidewalk cafe outdoors)
Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris
The Buffet, Bellagio
Kokomo's and California Pizza Kitchen, The Mirage
Foundation Room, House of Blues (private club, members and guests only)
Take side trips to - Hoover Dam, Lake Mead
Grand Canyon
Be sure to visit - the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
The Bellagio Gardens and Gallery of Fine Art
Get tickets to a headliner show and/or one of the many Cirque d'Soliel shows
Best time of year to go - October-November, February-April
Best things to buy - clothing, art, jewelry, designer goods, gambling/casino souvenirs
Best indulgence - Having dinner or desert and drinks atop the Eiffel Tower late at night overlooking the Bellagio Fountains
Fly into - Las Vegas/McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Transportation - Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Don't bother renting a car unless you're planning on doing some self guided excursions out of the city. Much of the Strip is walkable.
Florence
The cradle of the Renaissance nestled amid golden Tuscan countryside, Florence is an Italian city beautiful.
Stay at - Villa San Michele in Fiesole, overlooking Florence
Go shopping - Downtown Florence, and on the Ponte Vecchio
Eat at - San Michele Restaurant at Villa San Michele, and have spectacular dinners with all of Florence at your feet
Take side trips to - Rome
Venice
Pisa
Be sure to visit - Il Duomo
Michelangelo's David
Uffizi Gallery
Best time of year to go - June or September
Best things to buy - Paintings, fine leather, antiques
Best indulgence - Getting a room with a view overlooking Florence in a monastery designed by Michelangelo
Fly into - Rome (ROM/FCO)
Transportation - Hire a car and driver to take you to Florence, or take the train, then take local transportation or day cars once there
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Victoria, B.C.
A short distance away from either Seattle or Vancouver by flight or ferry on Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, Victoria is the most British of North American cities.
Stay at - The Empress
Go shopping - Downtown Victoria. Go by pedicab if you'd rather not walk.
Eat at - The Bengal Lounge at The Empress (have the lunch curry buffet), The Empress Room at The Empress
The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens
Take side trips to - Seattle
Vancouver
Whistler
Be sure to visit - Butchart Gardens
Best time of year to go - late August, as close to Labor Day as possible, when the weather in the Pacific Northwest is best
Best things to buy - British souvenirs, crystal, china, lace, Murchie's Tea, Rogers Chocolates
Best indulgence - Afternoon Tea at the Empress
Fly into - Vancouver (YVR) or Seattle (SEA) and take a ferry to Victoria
Transportation - Rent a car or take a Gray Line package which includes bus and ferry
Labels:
Butchart Gardens,
Canada,
Pacific Northwest,
The Empress,
Victoria
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the southwestern United States, is one of the hidden jewels of the desert about an hour's drive from the main airport in Albuquerque.
Stay at - Ten Thousand Waves
Go shopping at - The Plaza
Eat at - The Shed
Santacafe
Rancho de Chimayo
Take side trips to - Taos
Chimayo
Be sure to visit - The Chapel at Loretto
Best times of year to go - May, when the lilacs are in bloom on Canyon Road
October, at the peak of fall color
December, in the days leading up to Christmas
Best things to buy - Jewelry, pottery, paintings, Christmas decorations
Best indulgence - Rent a private pool at Ten Thousand Waves, or have a spa treatment. Their Nightingale Facials are famous. Ask if they'll arrange for you to have WATSU.
Fly into - Albuquerque (ABQ)
Transportation - Rent a car
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