Godot

Orlando Vacation Homes near GOOD EATS!

2008-10-30T10:10:00.002-06:00

Looking for a reason other than the obvious to vacation in Orlando? While the children will be plenty happy enjoying Disney World, Epcot, Sea World, Universal and the likes, what will Mom and Dad look forward to?

Never fear, for Orlando has an abundance of fine restaurants. Just in the Disney Village, you’ll find over 150 restaurants ranging from Asian to Mexican sprinkled with some fast food in there. But that’s not all the Orlando area has to offer, that’s just a scratch on the surface. There’s over another 100 restaurants in the downtown area and much much more.

While you are planning your vacation in the area, look for Orlando vacation homes. You can save up your money for the good eats by finding the right priced stay. You won’t be disappointed by the myriad restaurants you can enjoy while staying in the area.

For some truly great suggestions on where to eat in the area, look at the Fodor’s Guide choices.

Coolest Thing Since The Internet

2006-12-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Okay not really but its pretty a niftyidea. An idea from the Hilton's that is much better than letting Paris sing. Homewood Suites by Hilton Hotels is doing something pretty revolutionary in terms of staying in hotels. More specifically is booking a room. Everyone is used to the idea of booking a room online. Normally you get to choose the dates you want to stay and maybe the size of the bed. Well according to the Hotel Industry News Hilton plans on making it so you can choose the specific room you want to stay in.

This seems to be a great idea that has been missing for far to long. I was a volunteer firefighter and do not like staying above the 6th story in a hotel (100 foot ladders can only go up to the 6th floor because of the angle that they are placed at). Plus I like being close to the emergency exit. All of this my wife hates because it makes checking into a hotel a nightmare for her. Well now I can choose the specific room I want including its location in the building and its floor plan.

I was recently staying at a hotel, that shall remain nameless ... but rhymes with Sheraton, in the Denver Tech Center. I had a king suite. Normally a fairly big room. Little did I know that I would be staying in the corner room that has a curved exterior wall which effectively cut the room size by about half. I felt like I had to crawl over the bed to get to the desk. In early 2007 that won't be a problem with the Homewood Suites.

Now if only we can get Paris to shut up.....

Wedding in Providence Rhode Island

2006-08-28T09:30:00.000-06:00

My brother finally tied the knot in Providence last weekend and my family and I raced to the east coast for the big event. Since he and his now “wife” have been dating for nearly 9 years, we were all wondering if they would strap on the ole' ball and chain. They both attended Brown University, so having the wedding in their college chapel was a first choice for the couple. The ceremony was emotional (this coming from a guy!) the reception a blur (haha) and an overall great time was had by all.

Since this was a special occasion, we decided to splurge a little on lodging. We stayed at this fantastic Providence Rhode Island Bed and Breakfast in the heart of downtown, but with a country, cozy feel. As with any bed and breakfast, the true test is indeed the morning meal. This place passed the test and could accommodate even the most finicky of children's taste buds. Great culinary confections to be had!
Providence is an amazing city to walk around. I can't say I've ever had a reason to visit this place, and never did until the special event took place here. However, spending 2 extra days here proved a most stimulating experience. History and culture are alive here - we took some great sights. We even took a day trip to Narragansett Bay, and relaxed as we watched the sailboats breeze by.

A Brief Madison Wisconsin Jaunt

2006-08-11T15:41:00.000-06:00

Since my niece attends UW-Madison and is staying in the cheese head state over the summer, we thought we'd take a trip to see her. As with most college students, living in a dorm doesn't provide a lot of room for guests, so we made arrangements to stay at this Madison hotel. It was wonderful for a family of four. We reserved a 2-bedroom suite and it had a fully equipped kitchen and HUGE breakfast daily. Our niece even joined us for a few of those. They also had this fairly large backyard that we grilled out at and, of course, an indoor pool that usually occupies my kids for hours. The hotel was kid friendly, the staff was accommodating, and it was an overall terrific lodging experience.

Did I get fishing in? Of course! The Midwest lake region might be full of mosquitoes at night, but the fishing is great during the day. I caught 4 northern pike and some walleye on Lake Monona. This lake is your typical freshwater fisherman's paradise. We also made a visit to Devils' Lake State Park, a 45 minute drive, and did some amazing hiking. The scenery is spectacular; 500 ft cliffs and a great lake for swimming.

Bridges Golf Course also provided me with some great golf. Their 18 holes of authentically landscaped greenery was amazing, although it did start to rain a bit, it didn't stop my wife and I from finishing our game. My niece was spending time with our kids that day, so it was nice to have time to ourselves. They did meet us back at the course for this amazing fish fry dinner. You must try it if you are ever in Madison.

Vail Colorado Nature Center

2006-07-10T10:11:00.000-06:00

Vail Colorado, well known for the great skiing in the winter offers a great vacation in the summer sometime with much lower prices. There are great golf courses in the area, challenging hiking and mountain biking trails and summer events.

Since June, regular wild flower walks in the area have been available with the folks at the Vail Nature Center. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from June 26th through August 18th take a hike. Wildflowers abound in the summer high country and the leisurely one-hour walk will help you identify many of the flowers you see on your hikes in the area.

If beavers are more your idea of fun and you would like to see them at work then join the Nature Center in the evenings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at dusk to lean about this industrial animal. Then, after the beaver hunt (Tuesdays only) you can enjoy toasted marshmallows and stories of woodland adventure by a warm campfire. Stroll along trails looking for owls and other night creatures and then head back to the camp for s’mores and story telling.

Book your trip with a stay in a Vail vacation home rental so that you can come and go as you please and feel like you have a home away from home.

Family Vacation in Bend Oregon

2006-05-29T16:14:00.000-06:00

Bend, Oregon is a small community that delivers big on adventure and excitement. While in the area, you should take the time to visit a national monument. Created in 1990, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument includes 50,000+ acres of lava flows and spectacular geological features. At the summit of the Newberry Volcano you can find two alpine lakes stocked with salmon and trout. Newberry is both seismically and geothermally active and throughout the area visitors can see many cinder cones, miles and miles of basalt flows and rhyolite flows of obsidian.

Check the website before going as they are working on upgrading much of the visitors center and some access might be restricted. Also be sure to check for the areas that need a Recreation Pass - around 17 in all.

The Lava Lands opens weekend of May 3rd through to the fall. Newberry Caldera Contact Station opens May through October 1st. And the Lava River Cave opens May 24th (Weds - Sun) and then is open through to October. Again, check the website as opening times and days change in the summer months.

For Bend Oregon lodging take a look at the vacation rentals in Bend at the Seventh Mountain Resort, it has long been a Oregon destination for families and groups looking for adventure in the area.

Fishing in Cabo San Lucas Mexico

2006-05-18T10:13:00.000-06:00

Some go for the golf, others go for the white sandy beaches but many go for the deep sea big fish fishing. Fishing is what put Cabo San Lucas on the map. The area is known as the “Marlin Capital of the World” and the article Fishing in Cabo San Lucas by Tracy Ehrenberg in the Los Cabos Magazine has some great advice to offer. Tracy authors a weekly fishing report for publications including the Los Angeles Times and Western Outdoor News and has this to say about fishing in the Los Cabos.

“Decide ahead of time when you plan to fish. These days Cabo is so popular that reservations are usually necessary. Highly sought after boats and crews can be booked months ahead of time. Most major fleets have stateside booking agents with Internet sites and toll-free numbers, or you can call the fleet office in Cabo. (You will generally get more complete and accurate information from the fleet offices.) Doing a bit of research can really pay off and reserving as far in advance as possible will get you the boat you want on the dates that fit best with your travel plans."

The full article offers great advice from the type of fish you can expect to catch as well as the cost and how to tip.

Here are some other sites to check out for big fish sports fishing and where to stay in Cabo

Do We Really Need That?

2006-05-08T12:58:00.000-06:00

Where you have great skiing in the winter, you usually have great mountain biking, hiking and fishing in the summer. More and more ski resorts are open in the summer offering gondola rides and alpine slides.

Many times you (we) end up dragging so much stuff along for every occasion possible summer activitiy; bikes, fishing tackle and rods, a canoe, some camping gear, golf clubs, climbing gear, sleeping bags, hiking packs and anything else you can cram in at the last minute. You need a Suburban with a trailer and that is before you get the kids and the wife in!

There was one trip we made where we were gone for a couple of weeks and we were VERY tempted to bring along the trailer. We didn’t, but decided to compromise and take along the things we knew we were going to use more than once. It worked out well; we rented other equipment and did just great. In fact the mountain bikes we rented were newer and more updated than the ones we left at home. When we went fishing, the guide that took us out on the river, brought along all the gear we needed. We even took a horse back ride – no we don’t have horse or saddles, but if we had we would have probably tried to pack them too.

Anyway, all I am saying is that you should take a look around the area before you go, check out some lodging, some fishing guides, some rental shops and you will be hauling a much lighter load.

Here is a start – from our trip to Park City:

Mountain Bike Rentals Cole Sports in Park City – have both road and mountain bikes.

UBike trail ideas visit Utah Mountain Biking

Rocky Mountain Outfitters – Rocky Mountain Outfitters set us up with both horse back riding and Orvis Endorsed Guided Fly Fishing

Park City condo – stayed at Trails End Lodge, was great with the kids. Large rooms, kitchens – very flexible .

Hot Dogs Hawaii Style

2006-05-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

On your next trip to Hawaii, skip the kitchen chores at your Kauai condo rental and make at trip to the little blue hut in Kekaha (they also have a location in the shopping center at Poipu Village) for a ‘Puka Dog’ a Hawaiian style hot dog.

First off in Hawaii, ‘Puka’ means ‘Hole’ so now you are wondering what on earth a Hole Dog is? Bread from a special recipe is baked into a hot dog bun size loaf, then a ‘puke’ is pierced from one end part way through most of the bun and toasted, it is then filled with the ‘secret sauce’ or relish and then a perfectly grilled Polish type sausage is pushed into the Puka!

What is great is that both the veggie dog and the Polish sausage dog can be greatly enhanced with some of the most wonderful tropical relishes. Choose from the Coconut Relish, or the Pineapple, or Papaya or Banana Relish. The sweet and savory will send you back for more.

Myrtle Beach, SC Golf Deals & Packages

2006-04-25T14:34:00.000-06:00

The Barefoot golf resort in Myrtle Beach, just added a number of golf package specials and package deals to their website for stay and play golf vacations in South Carolina at their Myrtle Beach condo resort. Myrtle Beach is one of those places that you love to escape to for a while. White sandy beaches, lots of things to keep the family amused while you get a nice round of golf in.

Golf is a way of life in South Carolina because of the great weather you can play year round. It is estimated that there are more than 120 courses and that Myrtle Beach is the 'golf captial of the United States'.

At the Barefoot Resort there are 4 distinctive golf courses.

The Dye Course, which borders the sand and is infamous for the wayward shots that have become synonymous with Pete Dye, make time to have lunch in the clubhouse – very good.
The Norman Course, with seven holes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Uses natural vegetation and resembles a course in the Southwest.
The Love Course has a traditional Lowcountry character and incorporate the ruins of the old plantation home around holes 3-7. A really fun course to play.
Then last but not least you have the option to play the Fazio Course. Routed through the heart of the Barefoot Resort very much like European courses it does not return to the clubhouse after nine holes. Filled with oak, pine and sand with lots of natural grassy areas as well as quite a few lakes.

Playing any of these courses makes for a great day out.

Festival and Concerts in Deer Valley Utah

2006-04-12T13:58:00.000-06:00

Festival season is fast approaching. The concert calendar for Deer Valley Music Festival includes all kinds of great acts and concerts. While in Utah last weekend we picked up some info on what the summer Music Festival is all about. For a full list visit the Deer Valley Music Festival site. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are playing July. A fantastic end to the festival that is great for the whole family has to be the 1812 Overture on August 19th. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir will brings the hills alive on July 28th with the Utah Symphony.

So much going on it is hard to know when to go.

Check out some great lodging deals at the Caledonian for downtown Park City Utah condos. They are very centrally located within walking distance of the great restaurants and bars –yep you can get beer & wine at local restaurants if you are eating, in fact in the Caledonian, Restaurant & Bar they serve a delicious lunch or dinner with wine or beer.

Brew Pubs In Vermont

2006-04-06T16:50:00.000-06:00

When traveling around the country it is nice to visit some of the winemaking regions and try out the winery tours. In addition to the wine tours there are also some great brewery tours that you could take in.

While staying in at a little Vermont Bed and Breakfast we were able to tour the following Vermont brew pubs.

Long Trail Brewing Company – try the Double Bag, a little on the strong side with a 7.2% alcohol content but a great smooth brew.

The Harpoon Brewery - Try the Harpoon Munich Dark a dark malty Bavarian beer.

Otter Creek – loved their Vermont Larger.

Utah Ski Deals

2006-03-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just 25 miles from Salt Lake City is some of the best ski resorts in Utah. We managed to get a pretty good Utah Ski deal through the people at Premier Resorts. We chose this place because it is in a pretty good location for three world class Utah resorts, Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons. It was also ranked #8 in North America and # 5 in the USA by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler in the list of the Top 25 Ski Resort Lodges. In addition, we also liked the fact that the property is serviced by a complimentary Park City area shuttle so we don't have to try and figure out parking at the resorts.

Seems that the town has a lot going on, we booked tickets to see Pink Martini a Cuban dance orchestra - we heard them on NPR not that long ago, they sounded great, they are playing while we are there at The Eccles Center. Great snow and a fun concert who could ask for more?

Sqaw Valley, Tahoe For Spring Break

2006-03-14T16:55:00.000-07:00

With the recently end of the 2006 Winter Olympics you might be tempted to get out and try out some winter sports for your own. Colorado has had some great snow, but Utah has been dumped on and March and April are the best months for the spring snows. Lake Tahoe gets plenty to keep snowboarders and skiers happy.

Squaw Valley has had more than 4 Feet of fresh Champagne Powder in the last week and more is on the way. With a 233’ base there is lots of skiing and snowboarding to be had at this California resort. Kids under 12 ski or ride for only $5 and March and April have some great upcoming events.

Every Saturday night at Squaw Mountain is Kids night Out, AKA Parents Night Off – where you can drop off the kids for an evening of rock wall climbing with dinner included while you go off and have a nice grown up evening alone. Runs through March.

For the competitive folks, in April there is the Squaw Valley Challenger Finals, a culmination of the season long series with great prizes in ski, board and telemark divisions.

Get out for a good cause on April 9^th when they hold the 17^th Annual Billy Dutton Uphill. Get up and out to ski, run or snowshoe over 3.2 mile to High camp and raise money for the North Tahoe High School Nordic Team.

Spring Jam week is April 15^th – April 23^rd when the Squaw Valley is alive and rockin with on-mountain competitions, live music, spring skiing and lots of wacky events.

On April 29^th hang out or participate in the 4^th Annual Push, Pull or Pedal Eco Parade. The theme is recycling and participants should think about making floats out of recycled materials, will make for a fun parade.

Every Saturday night is the Original Après Ski Party at Squaw Valley with live Dj’s, karaoke, and Sumo wrestling….

Book early to get the best deals for Lake Tahoe Lodging.

Maryland Chesapeake Bay Fishing Guide & Luxury Hotel

2006-03-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

The Chesapeake Bay in Maryland offers great year round salt-water fishing. With many tributaries feeding into the bay there are all kinds of fish to be had; sea trout, spanish mackerel, flounder, croaker, white perch, bluefish, and striped bass - some of which can get pretty big. Most of the time the fish are pretty close to shore and in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. Local guides can take you out to some pretty good fishing offshore. At this time of the year, ‘spring’, ask about the catch and release season on the Susquehanna Flats this is a great opportunity to catch some pretty large striped bass on light tackle.

While staying at this luxurious Maryland Hotel we were able to take a fishing charter out to the Chesapeake Bay. We caught some pretty fine fish, no record holders though.

We went out with Fishsticks Charters - Captain Kurt Freund - they offered a personalized guide services for all levels from beginner to expert. Light tackle and fly fishing trips for up to four on the 23' Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman. Couples are a specialty. Catered box lunch is available and fly fishing lessons on or off the water to hone your skills are also available.

They also offer kayak fishing, while we did not have time for this on the trip it was something we were pretty keen to do, maybe next trip.
Trying to fit all the things to do into a long weekend was tough, but we managed to get in some fishing and some great massages at the luxurious Maryland Hotel where we stayed in a waterfront suite.

Internet Offers for Family Vacations in Hilton Head

2006-03-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Right now there are all kinds of Internet contest and completions you can enter to win all kinds of neat things, I know that a lot of sites offer contests to build email databases so that they can send additional information out to you, but hey when something is free for the asking how could you not resist. Some of the deals are pretty lame but there are a number that if you were thinking of heading out to the place then getting more information and the chance to win something is a good thing, right?

I just ran across this contest being offered by the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce. You can enter to win a family adventure for four. The winner will get seven nights accommodation for four provided by Beach Properties of Hilton Head, a two hour dolphin tour with Low Country Nature Tours, dinner for four at the Wreck of the Salty Dog and four passes to the Sandbox Children’s Museum.

Hilton Head South Carolina in particular, is just a great place for a family vacation, we have friends who go every summer and spend a month. The kids have loads of fun on the beach and the Mom and Dad just relax. They absolutely love it.

If you miss out on the contest or think that maybe your chances of winning are slim, there are lots of family vacation homes and Hilton Head condos to choose from that can offer wonderful amenities, ocean front homes and luxury accommodation for a family of four up to a large family reunion.

Miami's Fairchild Botanical Gardens

2006-02-27T14:56:00.000-07:00

Miami is known for the white sandy beaches and tropical climate, but the sea and the sand is not all there is to this area. A day away from your Miami beach hotel should include a trip to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens, located on Culter Rd, Miami only about 20 minutes from downtown Miami it is one of the world's premier botanical gardens and has been welcoming visitors to since 1938. The gardens have a well-documented collection of tropical plants, palms, cycads, flowering trees, vines and fruit trees. The collections at the Botanic Gardens are of world significance as many have been collected from the wild.

Learning is at the heart of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens and includes kids programs such as "How does light sustain life?" and “Can you combine reading maps, discovering art and using technology in a garden?" a program where students use GPS units, compasses and or maps to find glass and plants in the gardens. If you can bring along 5 students, then the accompanying adult gets in for free.

For adults, programs include all kinds of summer classes, with art, photography, cuisine, health and cooking. While many of the classes run for a number of weeks and are not very conducive to a vacation, there are a number of fun classes that are one session. Such as the

"Where’s There Smoke There’s Fire"

"Learn the secrets of real BBQ, Chef Rudy will teach the techniques of grilling and hard wood smoking. As we will prepare our own dry rubs for juicy Beef Brisket, succulent Chinese Char sui Pork Ribs and Kansas City Style Ribs, Boston Baked Beans and BBQ Tofu. Bring an apron and an appetite."

This class is one Tuesday in March from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. Enjoy some great BBQ and then when you get home, try out your newfound skills on your neighbors.

While on vacation, one of the best ways to find out about an area is to participate in the local events, with a little fore planning before you leave, you can have a fun packed holiday and go home from Miami with more than a sunburn.

Wine Auction of Napa and Sonoma Wines

2006-02-23T12:21:00.000-07:00

The best-kept secret in the Napa Valley is the upcoming Justin-Siena Wine Auction. Trying to find anything about this auction is pretty impossible, as you have to be in the know to even have heard of it, and ColoGuy has the scoop. If you love great Napa and Sonoma wines then your should treat yourself to a trip to the area and attend this auction.

The auction benefits the academic and scholarship programs at the Justin-Sienna High School in the Napa Valley from which many of the vintners of the Napa Valley graduated. Started and co-sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and the Christian Brothers of the San Francisco District, the school is dedicated to offering a college preparatory curriculum to young men and women from diverse backgrounds.

The auction is on April 8th, 2006 and is held at the Silver Oak Cellars in Oakville, Napa general admission is $125 and $200 VIP. You need to contact Beth Fox at the Justin-Siena High School for tickets. The interesting lots that have sold over the past 6 years at this closely kept secret auction, have included some rare wines and interesting wine groupings that appeal to wine collectors all over the country.

Book early if you plan to visit the auction, most Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast’s get booked early on the weekends and finding great accomodations in downtown Napa or a Sonoma Bed and Breakfast gets more difficult during the summer months.

Ozark Mountains Fly Fishing Trip

2006-02-20T14:14:00.000-07:00

The Ozark Mountains offer all kinds of opportunities for fly-fishing. The White River and the North Fork River offer some of the best trout catches in the world. Fly-fishing in this area is not just limited to trout but many other fish species.

The White River and the North Fork river are best known for their big fish with average trout sizes up to 14 inches and the largest one on record weighing in at 38.9 pounds an Arkansas record until it was beaten by an other Arkansas Brown that weighed in at 40.4 pounds and was taken from the Little Red River. These big guys are some of the smarter fish and are a challenge to capture.

Local guides will tell you that the best times to try and catch some of these bigger fish are at night in the summer and during the fall and spring. Trout like the cooler waters in the rivers. Not native to the area many of the fish were and are still introduced by the Game and Fish Commission & the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which in a combined effort restock over 13 million fish in public waters in Arkansas. According to the site “Fishing the Arkansas Ozarks”

“What makes it possible for trout to exist in our state are the cold tailwaters below the large, deep reservoirs of Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork. The White River, and the North Fork of the White River were dammed in the 1940’s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and hydropower generation. The water used to generate power comes from deep in the lakes and is always cold. This makes for excellent trout fishing all year.”

Guided Arkansas and White River fishing trips can be found all over the area. For couples that like to fish together then Lisa Mullins and Custom Adventures has great knowledge of the local conditions and offers trips for Bear Lake Cabin guests with shore lunches. All the fishing gear is supplied so you will not need to bring it along.

The cabins on the lake at Beaver Lake also a opportunity for visitors to Beaver Lake Arkansas to fish right off the deck of their cabin.

Winter Park offers More than Ski and Snowboarding

2006-02-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

In order to appeal to a wider base of clients many of the ski resorts now offer other activities in the area beyond ski and snowboarding.

In Colorado people that stay at Winter Park can find numerous companies that specialize in snowmobile rentals with guided tours and maps. Snowmobiles that follow the historic Moffat railroad that trains used up until about 78 years ago, will find themselves looking out over the Continental Divide.

For a slower pace of travel for the more romantics a sleigh ride through the backcountry on a starlit evening will create just the mood for a quiet romantic evening. Speeding things up a little with a Dog Sled Ride will create and exciting and interesting stories for evenings around the fire with friends.

After a day in the cold a trip to the hot springs will warm you up and take away the chill and sooth acing muscles that have spent a day on the bumps at Mary Jane. Just 30 minutes from Winter Park the hot mineral springs are best when a gentle snow is falling. The snow will melt before it even hits your face, joining the warm mists off the water.

Family lodging in Winter Park can range from a private Bed and Breakfast to a large hotel however many families find that a vacation rental is the best option especially when traveling with kids.

2006-02-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

The Chula Vista Resort offers the best for families in the Wisconsin Dells. This Wisconsin Dells resort is now offering an all-inclusive package that will make it easy for you to budget and arrange for a great family vacation.

One of the main things you will notice about this family friendly Wisconsin lodging is that everything is on site and you will plenty of time for relaxing while the kids play in one of the two water parks. The day spa offers the best in Swedish massage, facials, manicures and deep tissue and hydro-water therapy.

For those that want to play a round of golf, the golf course next door, Cold Water Canyon is a well established 18 hole golf course with lots of native grassy knolls, and wide rolling fairways. Golf with the kids at the 18-hole mini-golf fun factory and then cool off in the summertime at the Outdoor Waterpark. The Chula resort is a kid’s paradise and all the different activities will send them to bed tired every evening. So you can relax and enjoy the stars from your patio.

Crested Butte Lodging for Hikers & Mountain Bikers

2006-02-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

The Crested Butte area is well known for all kinds of great outdoor activities for all levels of activities. An area rich in history from the old mining days there is a plethora of things to see and do and hikes that will take you from mountain meadows up over 14, thousand feet into the thin air of Colorado.

For hikers this area is has an amazing Colorado hiking trail system that offers all kinds of different levels of hiking from the mundane to the extreme. I discovered the area many years ago when we went in search of the Maroon Bells. From Crested Butte there is a trail that takes you up and over to the Maroon Bells into Aspen, and you can stay the night in Aspen and then hike back the next day, it is not for the faint of heart as it goes over some pretty high passes. For those that can’t hike you can drive a mountain 4-wheel drive road over or ride your mountain bike. The window of opportunity is pretty short though and you usually have to wait until about July or August for the snow to melt, right before the next winter snows.

The last time I was in the area, and I have been a few time, we were a group of girls hiking together. We chose to stay at the Nordic Inn, which has a couple of Crested Butte vacation homes. We rented the Nordic Chalet and that was just perfect for us; we could sit up in the evenings and chat and visit, it felt just like a home away from home. The best part was that morning we would head out to the local bakery and picked up warm croissants and fresh coffee then with the fruit we had in the fridge we would munch out on a great breakfast before taking to the trail. The little kitchen made it possible for us to make our lunches for the trail and we were glad of the wine in the fridge when we came home. The living room was large and sunny and had great views of the mountains all around the area. We vowed to come back again and stay with some family in this Colorado vacation home.

Galveston Texas, Convention Center

2006-02-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

The company is sending is on a trip down to Galveston Texas for a sales meeting at this Galveston Hotel, Spa and Convention Center; the Moody Gardens Hotel. The rooms we will be staying in look nice and luxurious, and because we need a family vacation we decided that we would all go together and take advantage of the nice weather down in southern Texas. We have booked into one of the Jacuzzi Suites

".....with an expanded living area, green marble bathroom and a balcony overlooking the Pyramids and Galveston Bay."

The convention is for a couple of days and so we are staying on a little longer to soak up some sun and so we can explore the area. The rather large pyramids that we can see from the room house different types of tropical rainforests, and aquariums.

" Moody Gardens® invites guests to dive into four oceans of the world...... Large touch tanks and jewel tanks feature the vivid beauty of the ocean world and provide underwater classrooms and learning opportunities for people of all ages"

The rainforest pyramid is 10 stories high and studies the diverse rainforests of the world. They are full of birds, fish and mammals in a tropical environment. The Bat Cave sounds pretty interesting.

There is a lot for the kids to do and see as well. With a 4D there that is currently playing Spongbob Squarepants, kids camps with lots of different programs going on throughout the year.

Sounds like we might be able to leave the kids at camp for a day while we enjoy the beach or even the spa at the hotel.

Downtown San Francsico Hotel Next to the New Bloomingdales

2006-02-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering what the new Bloomindales in San Francisco looks like, Ok so maybe you are not, but this video is pretty cool. Take a look at this fly though of the new mall.

The new Bloomindales, set to open in the fall of 2006 this state of the art shopping center will have a mix of 200 specialty stores and boutiques. This downtown San Francisco hotel is right next door to the new Westfield San Francisco Center. Go check it out and take a look to see if it really is a good rendition of the new mall.

Wildlife Expeditions in the US

2006-01-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Jackson Hole, Wyoming — The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa and Wildlife Expeditions offer the opportunity for a wildlife adventure without leaving the U.S. The Rusty Parrot, in conjunction with the non-profit Teton Science Schools' Wildlife Expeditions, offers a Wolf and Grizzly Safari Package, predator fans get an insider’s peek into the real lives of wolves and grizzlies. The four-day, three-night spring safari package allows guests to walk on the wild side in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks’ prime predator territory while enjoying all the Rusty Parrot’s trademark comforts. Dates for this popular package are April 23-26, April 30-May 3, May 7-10, May 14-17,
May 17-21, May 22-26, 2006.

The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa was built in 1990 by owner Ron Harrison who envisioned a different type of lodge near the shopping, art galleries, and restaurants of Jackson’s Town Square. The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa has been featured on the weekend edition of the Today Show, and was named as one of the World’s Best Hotels in the January 2005 issues of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, and “best romantic getaway” by Mountain Living Magazine. The Lodge has been rated Four-Diamond by AAA for 13 consecutive years.

For additional information, contact The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa at 800.458.2004 or visit www.rustyparrot.com.

Plan You Premier Corporate Meeting

2006-01-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

I know that most people who get assigned to plan a corporate conference do not necissarily think of using a resort as the venue. Of course if you don't you would possibly be missing out on one of the best resources for exciting and powerful meetings. Remember that the backdrop of your stage sets the tone for the entire conference. Which would you rather, a busy metropolitan downtown site with plenty of traffic, congestion, and smog or beautiful lake tahoe with its skiing, boating, and fun setting. I have used Premier Resorts (www.premier-resorts.com) a number of times. What first sold me is a quote from their site:

Our properties offer two compelling attractions for meeting consideration: dedicated world-class facilities and trained, experienced group support staff.

I thought to myself okay, that makes sense. Then I looked at the possibilites. Everything from Idaho to Mexico is available. If I need a location right next door for a large meeting I choose one of the Utah resorts. If I am having a smaller retreat I go all out and take everyone to Mexico. The meetings are more productive and the meetings stay on target and focused because everyone is in a good mood. All in all a conference with Premier is like a walk in the park on a spring day, throughouly enjoyable.

Third Annual Bahamas White Marlin Open – April 5-8, 2006

2006-01-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

For those planning a fishing trip to the Bahamas you might want to time your Bahamas vacation around the first week of April. The Hatteras Yachts of New Bern, North Carolina are having their third annual Bahamas White Marlin Open, to be held at the Treasure Cay Resort & Marina on The Abacos.

Tournament quick facts:

Light tackle,
All release
30 pound tackle.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three teams based on total points.
Great food and parties.
Held at Treasure Cay Resort & Marina
Find a Bahamas Villa or Beach Property
Separate “Fun Fish Division” for largest Dolphin, Tuna, and Wahoo (min weight 25lbs)

The Bahamas White Marlin Open was inaugurated in 2004 and has grown significantly every year. There are angling teams from all over the world that visit the Bahamas in the spring and everyone is invited to participate. Contact the Hatteras Yacht Club for further information.

Alternatives To The Crowded Kennebunk's

2006-01-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

Maine has the largest landmass of any of the New England states and has one of the fewest populations. The coast of Maine offers wonderful views and little fishing villages to explore all along the 228 miles of rocky coast. The southern coast has all kinds of things to offer the vacation traveler and is probably the most populated part of the state.

Kennebunkport consists of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Kennebunk beach make up the Kennebunk’s. Kennebunkport, the most famous of the three towns is very historic and beautiful at any time of the year. Summer residents to the area include the Bush family. George and Barbara Bush have a summerhouse on Walker Point, Kennebunkport. For a lot of visitors to the area the town is so busy that staying elsewhere and taking a drive to Kennebunkport is a great option.

Only 15 miles to the south, the little town of Ogunquit can offer some wonderful Maine Lodging options. Ogunquit, known at “Beautiful Place by the Sea” is a small town with boutique shops, restaurants and its famous three-mile beach that affords swimmers a rather brisk pounding surf or a warm quite cove. This small town with a population of around 1000 people is typical of a beautifully preserved historic Maine town. Easy to get around on local “trolleys’ you can navigate from town to Perkins Cove in no time flat.

Wonderful Summer Family Vacation

2006-01-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

Washington state is a summertime playground with great temperatures, incredible scenery, and amazing adventures. One of the most beautiful places (webcam) to visit in the state is the Olympic Peninsula. The Olympic National Forest is right in the middle of the peninsula with the State Forest bordering it on the north west. The views inside these forest are incredible. Lakes, mountains, valleys, wetlands, and meadows all make up the geography that paints the horizon. On the outskirts of the peninsula lay many small towns that border either the Pacific Ocean, the Straight of Juan de Fuca, or Greys Harbour. On the ocean side you can take in some incredible whale watching, sailing, or playing with the dolphins. Some people even enjoy sea kayaking through the pods of whales. The learning and fun that can be had on a vacation to the peninsula is incredible

As is our custom we want to point you to one of the nicest resorts for a family vacation. The Quinault Beach Resort is part of the Quinault Nation that is made of many Native American tribes that live in the area of Ocean Shores (one of the town on the Pacific). They can offer a family many things to do. Bike on the beach, go fishing in the ocean or at a private lake, take the family boating, or get a tour of the Quinault fish hatchery (which most people do not get to see). They of course have some adult fun, like a casino, but that is definitely not the center of attention at this resort. Food plays a major role in the resorts life. Try a stop in at Emily's for a fine dining experience or the Sushi Bar for a quick healthy and tasty lunch.

Everybody is Somebody in Lukenbach

2006-01-16T11:56:00.000-07:00

Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us fueding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain

- Kinky Freidman

A trip to Luckenbach , established in 1849, is always a great time, and a great trip through time. With plenty of history, good music, good food, and good people you will always find something to do. There are few towns like Luckenbach. The small town atmosphere with the large city spirit. You can relax and enjoy yourself away from all of you worries. Of course make sure you look for some great Texas Hill Country lodging thats close to the city but far enough out that you don't feel like you in town at all. Whats the point of visiting Luckenbach without truly getting away from it all. Make sure you stay for dinner at August E's which calls its food nouveau texas cuisine. This means that you get purely texas food with a new european twist. Not something youw ould expect in a liitle old texas town.

Love it Up on Long Island

2006-01-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

For the most romantic New York trip, start out by staying at our favorite Long Island Suites Hotel, The Inn at Fox Hollow. They really help set the mood by offering a couple of in room packages. The “Suite Romance Package” includes a chilled bottle of Champagne, Belgian chocolate and a dozen roses. The “Suite Surrender Package” includes the Champagne, chocolates and roses and also dinner for two at the Rose and Hunt Room Restaurant, just request the package you want at the time of booking and the staff are happy to oblige.

For a wonderful winemaking tour, the Palmer Vineyards on Long Island since 1996 and winner of three golds at the NY Wine & Food Classic in August 2005. They can set you up with a picnic lunch on the grounds and take you on a winemaking tour. Check their online calendar as they have some wonderful events. The weekend before Valentines day, take part in the Long Island Winter Wine Country, “Romance Weekend.”

The Old Westbury Gardens nestled on 160 acres of formal gardens, woodland, ponds and tree-lined avenues was the filming location of “Love Story” and “North by Northwest” a stroll through the gardens allows lovers to enjoy each other and sit and talk a while.

Visit the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages and take a look back in time at the horse-drawn carriages that are some of the finest in the United States. Check the website for opening times and activities and events, there is always a lot going on.

In the evenings watch the moon come up while strolling along the beach or take dinner on the paddle wheeler Thomas Jefferson, a replica of a period paddle wheeler with narrated historic excursions and a murder mystery cruise. For lots of ideas on romantic Long Island, visit the Conventions & Visitors Bureau site.

Hilton Head Island

2006-01-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

Hilton Head is such a fun place to visit. We were there in March on business for a conference and flew into Charleston, South Carolina and drove south about 100 miles, it was a really interesting drive. It was March and a welcome escape from the snow and cold up north. The weather was warm and the air smelled like the salty sea with the intermingling of pines, Hilton Head has a lot of pine trees.

We played a little golf and hung out at the pool and then took some walks on the beach. The conference was a blast, probably because of the area, it was just like going to the Caribbean except we did not need to take a long flight and we did not need our passports.

While we were there we ate out at some fantastic restaurants, it was my birthday so we all went to dinner to celebrate, on the company credit card of course. I plan to go back sometime for a vacation and spend more time exploring the area and the history but my first taste of Hilton Head was just great.

Favorite Fishing Shop

2006-01-10T19:29:00.000-07:00

A few of you have asked me, as a Fisherman, where I fish. I fish in Colorado often and my favorite shop is Roaring Fork Anglers. Check out this often picture of a local trout.

Sacremento Scottish Games

2006-01-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

I am a rabid Scottish festival fan. Being mostly Scottish I enjoy haggis, meat pies, guinness, and a good Scotch. About the only place you can throw all this together plus get to wear your kilt (without getting funny looks) is at a festival. One of my favorites because it's big but not crowded is the Sacramento Scottish Games and Festival. These games have everything I could want. The music is great. Bands like Wicked Tinkers and Molly's Revenge will be playing. Of course you can always find people like Seamus Kennedy playing good folk music (he's Irish but we won't hold that against him). Don't forget those pipe bands too. Nothing beats a full pipe and drums regiment playing Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace. The food is incredible also. Even if you don't want to try haggis give a meat pie a try. Don't worry these pies don't involve a sheeps stomache. Make sure you find a good place to stay. My personal favorite is the Lions Gate which is a great Sacramento Hotel. It is a short drive to the grounds but well worth it.

Breckenridge Colorado Ullr Festival & Snow Sculptures

2006-01-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

Breckenridge Colorado is known for it’s great winter ski and snowboarding and funky shops. Oh and don’t forget the tasty handcrafted beers of the Breckenridge Brewery with its offers Autumn Ale, Avalanche Ale and Christmas Ale. If you are visiting Breckenridge and staying at a wonderful ski in condos like these ski-in ski-out condos , right off Four O'Clock Ski Run then figuring out what to do in the area will not be hard as they have a great Breckenridge Calendar of Events for the area listed on their website.

Coming up January 6th – 13th, 2006 is the great Ullr Fest a week of festivities praising the Norse God of Snow – Ullr. Jam out during the week while MTV tape free concerts from the Goo Goo Dolls, Cheyenne Kimball and Dashboard Confessional. On Monday, January 9th, 2006 hang out by the Ullr bonfire with a hot cocoa or cider. Events go on all week and include a parade, Ullympics, and Ullr Comedy night.

Another great event is the Budweiser International Snow Sculptures. Held January 24th – January 29th, 2006.

“In its 16th year, artists from all over the world will come together to present the most intricate, awe-inspiring snow sculptures the world has seen. These artists will carve twenty-ton, 12-foot-tall blocks of snow down to pieces of art using only their creativity, inspiration, own two hands and permitted hand tools.”

While in Breckenridge enjoy your home away from home by staying at the Pine Ridge condominiums, they offer a lots of great lodging to stay with your family and friends and each condo is inspected and approved before being allowed to be rented.

Home Ranch - Dude what a Ranch

2005-12-27T12:31:00.000-07:00

Steamboat Springs is the home to incredible skiing and awesome hot springs and spas. Any town that is known as "Ski Town, U.S.A." has got to have the whole package. Many people go to Steamboat to only ski or visit the hot springs. These folks are missing out on the true vacation potential intrinsic to this Colorado paradise. There are many opportunities out there for people to experience a once in a lifetime vacation. One of these spots is the Home Ranch.

The Home Ranch is the premier Steamboat Springs Dude Ranch. Perhaps calling it a dude ranch is selling it short though. It is more of a vacation guest ranch located just outside town. They offer a full compliment of vacation options. Obviously they offer horse back riding but you can also learn to rope just like a cowboy with a full instructional clinic. They can tell you what makes a horse a horse in the Horse Psychology program or even let you heard cattle with them. One of the more important programs for everyone is the Ground School that teaches your how to use body language to communicate with the horses. This is only the beginning though.

Kids can get there hand dirty by playing with the horses or rock climbing. In fact parents don't even need to be there. The councilors will keep your kids entertained with fishing, hiking, and games like capture the flag. The activity room is fully stocked with games for kids to play like ping-pong and foosball. This is the perfect place to take the family, anyone can have fun.

For the adults you can of course ski, hike, and fish, all with a guide from Home Ranch. How about a great rafting adventure? No problem. The folks at Home ranch can set you up and get you out on the rapids. The staff can arrange a snowmobile trip, cross country skiing trip, or even a dog sledding trip for you. Of course with the beautiful scenery you may just want to kick back in library or your own hot tub and breathe in the clean fresh air while reading your favorite novel. Anyway you look at it the Home Ranch can offer you the complete package.

Denver Downtown Hotel for Business or Pleasure

2005-12-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Burnsley All Suite Hotel in downtown Denver Colorado is a beautiful, historic and stylish European motive boutique hotel in the Capital Hill District of this mile high Wild West Rocky Mountain town. A great place for both the business traveler and the leisure traveler to hang their hats while in Denver.

Originally built as an apartment house in 1963 the Burnsley was soon converted into a hotel and Jazz club. Totally gutted and remodel 1983 brought the Burnsley up to the exquisite attention to detail that it currently enjoys.

Great for casual dining it is well known in the area for being a neighborhood getaway, the Burnsley restaurant and lounge offers fine wines and romantic dinners with the sound of a live piano from the lounge. Each day they have a hot buffet breakfast or for the businessperson a power lunch during the week. The mezzanine level has private dining rooms that can facilitate large banquets or smaller meetings or special events such as small wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bridal showers etc.

Within a short distance of Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 16th Street Mall, Invesco Field, The Pepsi Center and Lodo they offer a complementary shuttle service to patrons who would like to venture out to a ball game, Broncos football game or just to shop.

If you are in Denver on business or pleasure, attending the Stock Show or going shopping with the girls, maybe for a romantic dinner and stay for two then check in to the Burnsley for a delightful getaway.

Traveling in the South with Key West Inns

2005-12-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Traveling to Birmingham Alabama or to the state capital, Montgomery Alabama then stay with the friendly staff at the Key West Inn in Childersburg. Very near the geographical center of the state, between the two largest cities in the state, Childersburg offers traditional southern friendliness and hospitality. After visiting for business, stick around and relax, the area is a sportsman’s paradise, with great fishing, hunting and boating, and more than 570 miles of shoreline on 2 lakes and lots of streams and rivers from which to choose.

The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of Conservation and Natural Resources with private sponsorship has created a network of public and private recreational trails for individuals with disabilities so that they can take advantage of the great hunting and fishing in the area.

If you are looking for a beautiful historic park then you must take in the Desoto Caverns, home to the first officially recorded cave in the United States in 1796. The Great Onyx Cathedral should not be missed. The rooms is larger than a football field and higher than a 12 sotry building.

Love Motor Sports? Then you should spend an afternoon at the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame just 20 miles away. The McCraig-Wellborn Motorsports Research Library is 1,700 square feet with more than 14,000 voulumes of books, magazines and other research material on Motorsports. Check out the Budweirser Rocket Car that zoomed along at 739.666 mph at the Edwards Air Force Base back in 1979. In addition to a great memorabilia they also house seven differnt Halls of Fame. Attend an Induction Ceremony 2006 will see Dale Ernhardt, Harry Gant, Janet Guthrie. Jack Roush and Humpy Wheeler inducted into the hall of fame, tickets are available on the hall of Fame website.

The Key West Inns have locations all through the southern states including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee. Most of the rooms have refrigerators, microwaves and coffee making facilities. Many locations are pet friendly and disabled accessable and all have very helpful staff that go the extra mile offering great southern hospitality. With wireless internet access and some inns with meeting rooms they are a great find for the business traveler in the south.

New Years Eve Packages

2005-12-05T16:44:00.000-07:00

Starting to figure out what to do for New Years, thought we might take a trip instead of sitting on the couch dozing off only to be wakened by the sound of the countdown in Time Square.

Here are a few ideas I found online today.

The Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas, New Mexico
Includes Premium Room for 2 for New Year's Night
Dinner in the Landmark Grill for 2
Tickets for the Plaza's Black Tie & Blue Jeans New Year's Eve party
2 Plaza Breakfasts on New Year's Day or $2 off each of 2 Brunches
$180 Stay another night for an additional $45. (Total $225)

Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
New Years Eve Package for Standard Room: $499.00
Two nights at our hotel. Friday December 30th and Saturday December 31st.
Lavish Continental Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning in our Parisan Style Cafe
Wine Reception on Friday night from 5pm to 7pm in our Lobby
Extended Wine Reception in our lobby all evening on New Years Eve from 5pm-1pm with numerous snacks and extra's.
Champagne in your room upon arrival
Two tickets to the New Years Day 106th Annual Mummer's Parade upon request.

The Inn at Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Mass.,
Champagne and Hors d'oeurvrs on New Years Eve
New Years Day multi course brunch with mimosas
Multi course breakfast on other mornings
Wine and cheese every evening at 5pm
Special take home gift, personalized photo and CD
Offers some great massage packages as well.

Black Tie and Chaps in Fort Benton, Montana at the Grand Union Hotel.
5 Course Dinner with a Western Flare
Country, Swinf and Rock and Roll with TrickRider
New Year's Day Breakfast
Champagne Toast
And your room for the night

Travelling Looking For A Hotspot

2005-12-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

It can be pretty frustrating when you are on the road and are looking for a decent wi-fi spot. Trent at Blizzard Internet Marketing explains his dilemma while traveling to Seattle for a conference.

“The Renaissance Hotel, in downtown Seattle, where I just spent a few days for a conference: no free WiFi (argh, had to plug in… but some stray signals creeped in) and a business center that forced me to swipe my credit card and go through the entire authorization and login process just to print up a piece of paper.”

In contrast he says the Oxford Hotel in Denver

“The Oxford Hotel had a strong and free WiFi signal provided using SuiteSpeed’s system. The WiFi was appreciated.”

I had a similar experience going to Kansas City, Mo this Thanksgiving. I went to a local library to log on to get some work done while I was away only to be told, by this sweet lady at reception, in her home knit sweater with snowmen and holly embelished on the front, “It doesn’t reach this far.” OK then! I never did find anywhere to get logged on. I expected it to be easy in a big city; at least the libraries would have wi-fi.

Next time I go on the road I will check out my options before I leave town on WiFiFreeSpot, as suggested by Blog on Blogging.

Telluride

2005-11-22T20:32:00.000-07:00

Telluride offers a wealth of outdoor activities and world class festivals in the summertime. Hiking, Golf, Biking, Fly-Fishing, Glider Rides Horseback Riding, White Water Rafting.

I have been there in both the summer and winter. It is in a pretty remote area so it avoids some of the crowds of Denver area resorts. It has lots of good steep bump runs and a newer back bowl area. If you want to ski blues all day, this mountain is probably not the best for you. The town feels more western than most Colorado Ski towns (Crested Butte and Aspen are cool too) and Telluride isn't a huge resort like Vail.

Whether your looking to take a leisurely stroll right outside our door on the San Miguel River Trail or enjoy Telluride's Championship Golf Course. Every summer is filled with festivals, we would like to think that there is a little bit of something for everyone on the list below. Balloon Festival, Bluegrass Festival, Wine Festival, Blues and Brews Festival, Chamber Music Festival, MountainFilm Festival,Mushroom Festival, Telluride Film Festival,

If you are looking for a place to stay, check out
Hotel Columbia, Telluride Colorado

Hotel Columbia, 300 San Juan Ave., PO Box 800, Telluride, CO 81435 * 970.728.0660 * 800.201.9505

Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association

2005-11-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for lodging in Colorado, check out the CH&LA website. It lets you search hundreds of hotels, motels, resorts and inns in the state of Colorado. Most of the listings give you a link to their website for more information and booking.

Another place you can look is TripAdvisor which had good reviews of Colorado Hotels. Here are the top rated hotels:

1. Hotel Jerome, Aspen
2. Dunton Hot Springs, Dolores
3. The Little Nell, Aspen
4. Holiday Inn Express Cortez, Cortez
5. St. Regis Residence Club, Aspen
6. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs
7. The Hotel Telluride, Telluride
8. Boulder Brook, Estes Park
9. Hotel Teatro, Denver

Strawberry Hot Springs

2005-11-09T16:49:00.000-07:00

I agree with Lucy over at her Spa & HotSprings site, the Strawberry Hot Springs near Steamboat Springs are worth a visit if you plan to go to Steamboat this winter to board or ski. The natural layout of the pools is great.

Worcester Massachusetts College Hotel

2005-11-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

If you are one of many people touring Worcester MA because itis home to 15 colleges and universities.Stay at the Beechwood Hotel and you'll be spending more time visiting the school and less time getting to campus. If you are not familiar with the area, don't rely on the directions of a stranger or taxi driver.

The Beechwood Hotel proudly serve the academic community and host numerous professors, parents, and students visiting the schools. They host parents and faculty, aspiring scholars and athletes, marching bands and college clubs. Faculty, Alumni, Parents, Students, Teams and Clubs

The Beechwood Hotel is near most Worcester college campuses:

College / University Distance from Hotel
Anna Maria College 10.5 mi
Assumption College 4 mi
College of the Holy Cross 4.5 mi
Worcester State College 4 mi
Quinsigamond Community College 4.5 mi
Becker College 2 mi
UMass Medical Center less than a mile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2 mi
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy 2 mi
Clark University 3.5 mi

2005-11-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Colorado Ski Resorts Are Open - click for Glenwood Blog

2005-10-24T09:58:00.000-06:00

Hot off the presses! Colorado is open for boarding and skiing. A Basin opened on Sunday October 23rd, Loveland opened last week and Copper is looking good according to David at Rocky Mountain Vacations.

Copper season passes are still on sale until Nov 20th for $279, the super pass that includes Copper and Winter Park is only $349, and the Loveland pass is only $253 for returning pass holders ($279 for new pass holders.) A Basin is a bargin at $239 (while supplies last) and INCLUDES: Pass includes unlimited access to A-Basin the entire 2005-2006 ski season and 5 2005-2006 non-transferable ski days at Keystone and Breckenridge. One ski day could be used at Vail or Beaver Creek. (The Vail/Beaver Creek ski day is not valid on the following days, 11/25 - 11/26/05, 12/27- 12/31/05 and 2/18 - 2/19/06). What a bargin! One day at Vail last year cost us $75.00!!

Time to dust off the board, see if the pants still fit and strengthen those leg muscles. (singing) "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Sad times at Sunlight Mountain

2005-10-19T15:33:00.000-06:00

If you have a spare $50 mill around in loose change then you can buy your own Colorado Ski Resort. As the first snow starts to fall on Sunlight so do the tears of many locals. Sunlight was recently put on the market. With so few of the resorts in Colorado owned by small business and not the conglomerates we can only hope that Sunlight goes to a nice community orientated owner. I think that only leaves Loveland ski resort as one of the few independently owned. Recently it was announced that Evergreen, Colorado will be home to the newest terraine park. A small affair is being built on Echo Mountain where a resort stood in the 1970's. According to General Manager Doug Donovan. "This is not your mamma's ski resort- no stuffy elite attitude, no fancy log cabins or fake Swiss villages, just park." So maybe as a new park is built and an old one is sold, Sunlight will get a little better where it needs some improvement and will stay true to the Colorado family like it has for many years.

Dvorak Expeditions Colorado Rafting: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

2005-10-17T21:24:00.000-06:00

This Black Canyon Trip is great. I have taken it two years running now. It is a 3 day 2 night trip. It is primarily a fishing trip - we go in early June to catch the Salmon Fly hatch, which is glorious if you hit it.

The fishing is great through the whole stretch, with changes in flies, hatches and conditions as the 3 days progress. The hike into the river is overated... not really that hard - I could have carried more gear.

Dvorak does a great job guiding rafts both for fishing and whitewater. Their guides are knowledgeable, agreeable, and professional and they go in 4 boat trips.

Tips: the weather has mostly been very hot and very sunny. Didn't really even use tents or heavy clothing. (of course, if weather was bad...). Bring lots of big stonefly patterns and a heavy rod for slinging them. Throw everything against the rocks (this is hard on your flies) and try to maximize a cleandrift (seemed like they often hit early or late in the drift). We did good on different caddis too as a dropper.

The Timbers Hotel -- DIA and Northeast Denver Hotel

2005-10-14T21:55:00.000-06:00

The Timbers Residence Hotel recently opened, bringing Denver's Northeast corridor its first upscale lodging option.

"The Timbers' timing is perfect", says Julie Bender, DIA Partnership President & CEO. "With the Northeast region's expansion booming, we are excited to have another hotel of this caliber to offer to professional and leisure travelers.

The 127-suite hotel occupies 7.2 acres off Interstate 70 on Peoria, one mile from Fitzsimons Medical Campus and in close proximity to Denver International Airport.

The Northeast region offers the choice of high quality hotels for the thousands of travelers to and through the Denver metro area. The Timbers adds to the Northeast region's strong hotel base of nearly as many hotel rooms in the Northeast metro region as downtown Denver. DIA and the surrounding communities will contribute nearly $85 billion to the metro Denver economy; up substantially from the current $15.3 billion.

We are excited for the hotel's first year, but are also looking forward to our continued growth." says Timbers General Manager, Steve Fisher. "Phase two plans, slated for summer 2006, include a signature spa and additional suites."

Interior/Environmental Design:
The Timbers incorporates contemporary Colorado design, spiced with Old West overtones. Denver-based designer Mandil Associates Inc. has created a unique atmosphere that combines comfort and class with a cosmopolitan flair. The landscape design was created with water conservation and Xeriscape principles in mind. The landscape architecture includes a sprawling Zen-like setting with an alpine meadow of trees, grasses, a stone water feature and a dry creek bed. The furniture was custom designed by Mandil Associates in conjunction with HW Home of Boulder and Cherry Creek and top manufacturers, including Mitchell Gold.

This Denver Hotel features:
- Three suite sizes: 39 studios (345 square feet), 78 one-bedroom (690 square feet) and 10 two-bedroom (1,035 square feet). The Timbers' average 700 square foot suite is nearly double the size of a typical 400 square foot hotel room.

- The hotel has 5,000 square feet of meeting space with four meeting rooms and a ballroom.
- Each suite is equipped with full kitchens, including stainless steel appliances, a microwave, granite counter tops and custom cabinetry.
- The property is equipped with complimentary wireless Internet and has a business center with computer workstations and other business-related options.
- Dining facilities include an on-site restaurant, lounge and breakfast nook.

The Timbers caters primarily to medical, professional and leisure travelers visiting the University of Colorado's Fitzsimons Medical Center, the Colorado Bioscience Park and Aurora/Forest City's Stapleton community.

For reservations and information, call 800.844.9404 or visit the Timbers online at www.timbersdenver.com.

Downtown Denver Colorado Burnsley All-Suite Hotel

2005-10-14T00:30:00.000-06:00

The premier all-suite hotel in downtown Denver, the Burnsley All-Suite Hotel.

World-Class Luxury At This Denver Colorado Hotel…

Gracious and inviting, the Burnsley Hotel offers the charming intimacy of a European-style inn - uniquely set in the heart of downtown Denver, Colorado.

For the ideal blend of elegance, tradition and classic beauty in downtown Denver, the Burnsley All-Suite Hotel is your doorway to a world-class hotel experience. The restaurant and lounge of this Denver hotel also provide a relaxing ambience.

Rich in history and luxury, each suite of this distinct hotel in downtown Denver offers an environment of comfortable elegance.

Distinctive amenities at this downtown Denver hotel include:

Close to Colorado Convention Center and all Denver cultural venuesS
Spacious 700 square-foot suites
Free covered parking
Private balconies
Free high speed internet access

The Burnsley Hotel is distinguished from other Denver Colorado hotels by 80 spacious, private suites. Done in a rich, English-style décor, each suite is designed luxuriously to accommodate all of your needs - business as well as pleasure.

Meetings and events receive special attention and genuine care at this downtown Denver hotel.

Complimentary local shuttle service
Lounge with live jazz Thursdays through Saturdays
Boardroom and meeting room to host intimate functions
Complimentary guest computer with printer
Reduced corporate housing rates for extended stays

Deep Sea Fishing

2005-10-12T22:59:00.000-06:00

Colorado Guy loves fishing!

Costa Rica is well known as a fisherman's paradise. Fly-fishing for flats fish -- bonefish, tarpon, permit are all available.

Interior species of local fish are abundant.

That said (and the bonefish and tarpon are hard to beat!), the deep sea marlin amazing is a beatiful and romantic fish to pursue. It is easy to also target popular fish lik Sailfish, Tuna, Marlin, Dorado, Rooster, Sea Bass.

If you have never tried it, deep-sea fishing is quite an experience. As a Fly Fishing Fiend, the deep sea held some appeal...but my fly-fishing I enjoy catching Marlin Tuna and Sail-fish on the old-fashioned deep-sea boat gear... save the fly fishing gear for the flats bonefish and permit and tarpon ... Did I mention you can catch a lot of fish in Costa Rica?

Fishing Wiki
Fishing Photos

Premier Lodging: Vacation Rental, Condo Vacation Lodging

2005-09-14T19:23:00.000-06:00

Beaver Run -- Breckenridge Colorado Lodging - Beaver Run Resort is located in Breckenridge, Colorado, home to one of America’s favorite alpine destinations, the Breckenridge Ski Resort.

Sun Valley -- Sun Valley, Idaho - Welcome to Premier Resorts Sun Valley.Offering a variety of condominiums and exclusive private homes in all areas of Sun Valley and Ketchum, Idaho. As America's first destination ski resort, Sun Valley's charm and beauty are legendary. A year round vacation destination and resort town, Sun Valley offers countless musical events, outdoor festivals and world-class shopping and dining opportunities

Deer Valley Lodging - Deer Valley Utah --

Barefoot Golf Resort - Myrtle Beach -- Barefoot Resort & Golf offers an exceptional vacation experience with four championship golf courses on site, luxurious accommodations, the new Barefoot Resort

Manor Vail - Vail Colorado Ski Condos - Vail’s Golden Location, Manor Vail Resort a Premier Resorts property offering the perfect location to enjoy all the seasons of Vail. Nestled between Gore Creek and North America's #1 rated ski resort, Vail Mountain, is Manor Vail Resort. Only a short walk to the center of Vail Village, Manor Vail Resort offers you all the luxury and value one would expect in a Vail vacation.

Lakeland Village Beach and Mountain Resort, Lake Tahoe - At Lakeland Village Resort you will enjoy a quarter mile of private sandy beach with a pier and boat moorings, outdoor heated pools, a kids wading pool (seasonal), 2 hot tubs, a sauna, and 2 tennis courts. For your convenience there is private complimentary shuttle service to the casinos (1 mile), the Heavenly gondola (3/4 of a mile), dining, attractions or wherever you would like to go in town.

Cabo del Sol, Los Cabos Mexico, Villas and Condominimums Located in the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, known as Los Cabos, at the tip of the Baja peninsula, overlooking the Sea of Cortez, is the premier golf resort community of Cabo del Sol. Within the gates of this luxury, 1,800-acre community, Cabo del Sol offers guests world-class resort amenities and the finest in oceanfront and golf course living. Spacious condominiums and private homes offer you unmatched comfort in a truly spectacular setting.

Whalers Cove Oceanfront Condominiums Pauiau Hawaii -

Aloha from beautiful Whalers Cove in sunny Poipu on the island of Kauai!

Explore our site to learn more about the finest condo vacation resort on Kauai.

Whalers Cove in Poipu Kauai offers one and two bedroom condo accommodations. Perfect for your Kauai Vacation or your honeymoon in Kauai. We have large condos right on the water with amazing views of the Pacific from all of the lanais. We are located right in sunny Poipu close to famous Kauai golf courses restaurants and beaches. If you are looking for a perfect Kauai or Hawaii condo vacation or condo rental, Whalers Cove is the perfect luxury condo vacation.

Premier Hawaii
Premier Destinations
Premier Resorts

Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort

2005-08-13T21:40:00.000-06:00

We recently enjoyed a wonderful 2 night weedkay stay in an open air cabana at Newport Resort. This big resort hotel on the beach is in Miami Florida - the south side of Miami, and is post.

We spent too much time at the bar, Coconuts Bar, and in the pool (the bar is poolside). We tried every tropical dring they had the first day.

In the evenings we spent more time on their beach, which is white sand, and on their pier.

Here is a pool picture I stole from their website

Emerald Isle Realty - Vacation rentals North Carolina

2005-05-02T20:59:00.000-06:00

Emerald Isle Realty | Vacation rentals and sales, Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Emerald Isle is located on Bogue Banks in Carteret County, North Carolina. The barrier island is approximately 30 miles long with the town of Emerald Isle occupying the western 12 miles. Thanks to wise management of the island, there are many lovely residential areas which, other than a beach nestled on the site, are still in their natural state. Extensive maritime forests give our island's landscape the emerald hue for which it was named and shelter numerous species of waterfowl.

Emerald Isle Realty has a wide selection of annual rental homes from 1-bedroom apartments to 4-bedroom houses. Some have oceanviews, some are just a short walk to the beach, some are soundfront, some are waterfront on the mainland, and some are nestled in the maritime forest. These homes are usually unfurnished and the rental rate does not include utilities.

Certain homes in Emerald Isle Realty's vacation rental program are available for monthly rentals during the off-season with the rates greatly discounted from the weekly rates. These properties are completely furnished and utilities are included in the rental rate. They are typically available from September or October through April or May.
Soundfront areas are home to the little and great blue herons, osprey, and loons as well as to the more familiar gulls, terns and pelicans. Commercial areas are restricted to small, intensive areas of Emerald Isle and are well-sited and planned.

The island is three building lots wide in some blocks, giving a good view of both ocean and sound to many of the "middle row" cottages. House numbers begin at 1st Street at the eastern end of town, ascend as we travel west to the Point (where the ocean and the sound meet in Bogue Inlet). The island runs east to west; oceanfront cottages face south. The majority of duplex cottages have east and west units, both facing the ocean.
Within a few miles drive, you will find excellent restaurants, charming shops, large, modern grocery stores, fresh seafood and produce markets and interesting aquariums, museums and small historic towns to visit. You'll find the pace of our island life a peaceful alternative to your normal working world.

Catalina Island Vacation Rentals

2005-04-17T19:16:00.000-06:00

Catalina Island Condos and Homes

Only 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, is charming little island of Catalina, an island island which invites romantic getaways, family vacations, and personal escapes.

Catalina Island Vacation Rentals offers Catalina Island's best selection of vacation rentals, homes and condos. With over 100 privately owned rentals, homes and condos, ranging from beautiful villas at Catalina's Hamilton Cove to quaint cottages, houses and condominiums in Avalon village... all available to make your stay more like home. Browse our site, and then call and let one of our personal reservation agents help you plan one of the best getaways you'll ever experience!

Catalina Island is a unique vacation travel destination which offers endless adventure. From hiking into the interior, relaxing on the beach, or sea kayaking the coast, there’s something for everyone.

Even though Hamilton Cove is about one and a half miles from the village of Avalon, it's just a short golf cart ride away, and you have complimentary use of the vacation home's golf cart during your stay. Every rental also includes use of a washer and dryer. You may rent any property throughout the year.

The Swiss Inn - Washington DC Hotel

2005-04-11T20:08:00.000-06:00

District of Columbia Vacation Lodging

The Swiss Inn is a small hotel located in downtown Washington DC tha tis great for both the recreational and business Traveler. With a convenient location in the heart of the city, several of Washington DC's historic and political attractions are within walking distance. Not to mention abundant nightlife, dining and unique restaurants, and a variety of shopping.

While staying in Washington DC enjoy being within walking distance of the White House, Smithsonian, Capitol Building, The Washington Convention Center, the FBI, International Spy Museum, Chinatown and many other attractions. They can also help you plan a walking tour of Downtown Washington DC.

The Swiss Inn has accommodations for business travelers and families vacationing in Washington DC. Many suites in this renovated brownstone also include kitchenettes.

All suites have private baths, telephones and televisions. Free street parking is available on weekends. For weekdays there are several parking lots in the neighborhood.

Dallas Hotel Lawrence

2005-04-10T23:14:00.000-06:00

The Hotel Lawrence is an intimate boutique hotel. The Hotel Lawrence is conveniently located in downtown Dallas next to the central business district. Close to the Dallas School Book Depository and Kennedy Sixth Floor Museum.

Downstairs is Houston Street (a downtown Dallas destination in its own right), where you can indulge in delicious food an drink.

Hotel Lawrence
302 South Houston Street
Dallas, Texas (TX) 75202
Toll Free Reservations: 877-396-0334
Telephone: 214-761-9090
FAX: 214-761-0740

Family Motels, Budget Travelers Lodging

2005-04-09T15:06:00.000-06:00

Lodging, FL, TN, MS, AL, GA in Southeast US

Key West Inns are clean, comfortable motels for vacationing families & business travelers. The offer spacious rooms at reasonable rates in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida.

Guests at Key West Inns can expect the staff to go the extra mile to make their stay a unique and relaxing experience. Most of our inns are pet-friendly, handicapped-accessible and offer non-smoking rooms. Others have swimming pools, HBO, refrigerators and microwaves. All will make you feel welcomed.

Please check the individual inns for a full list of their features and amenities. Whatever your travel needs, there's a Key West Inn designed just for you.

Key West Inn, Inc.
#1 Office Park Circle
Suite 101
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
Toll Free Reservations: 1-866-253-9937
Corporate Office: 205-868-1507

In Alabama, you will find Key West Inns in Boaz, Childersburg, Clanton, Fairhope, Foley, Millbrook, Tuscumbia and Wetumpka. In Mississippi, they are in Bay St. Louis and Tunica County. In Georgia, our inns are found in Chatsworth and Lafayette. Our inn in Florida is in Sebastian and the inn in Tennessee is in Cookeville.

Holiday Inn Denver-Downtown Hotel

2005-04-08T23:16:00.000-06:00

Holiday Inn Denver-Downtown Hotel - Downtown Denver Convention Center Hotel

Close to the 16th Street Mall, Pepsi Center, Coors Field and the Colorado Convention Center. Holiday Inn Denver Downtown is within walking distance to all these attractions and more.

The Holiday Inn Denver Downtown provides free high-speed wireless Internet access to all guests free of charge in the guest rooms, common areas, restaurant, and lounge. For those guests without wireless capability, Ethernet bridges are available to convert access into a wired format. Just ask your front desk clerk.

The Holiday Inn Denver Downtown offers 395 guest rooms and suites with views of the Rocky Mountains, the Denver skyline and the state Capitol Building. Each of the Presidential Suites on the top floor features a sitting room, dining areas, wet bar and two televisions.

For your convenience, the Holiday Inn Denver Downtown offers a light workout room with cardiovascular equipment. Or, for a $10 charge, you may get a day pass to the Colorado Athletic Club, located one and one-half blocks NW of the hotel.

Holiday Inn Denver Downtown is well equipped to make your event a complete success. Experienced conference and banqueting team will ensure each event is organized with efficiency and professionalism from start to finish.

Mont Tremblant Hotel - Le Grand Lodge

2005-04-07T23:02:00.000-06:00

Mont Tremblant Hotel Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant Lakeside Luxury Hotel: Located on the shores of Lake Ouimet, only 5 minutes from Tremblant ski resort, Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant is an oasis of pleasure for the senses.

This splendid Boutique-Hotel welcomes you with the warmth of its Scandinavian log architecture set in magnificent surroundings overlooking mountains and forest

Wisconsin Dells Resort

2005-04-06T22:59:00.000-06:00

Chula Vista Resort and Conference Center- Wisconsin Indoor Water Park

Chula Vista Theme Resort in Wisconsin Dells features complete all-inclusive family vacation packages.

Looking for extreme excitement on one of 12 waterslides, seeking the peace and quiet among the towering pine trees on hundreds of acres or just looking for activities to keep the entire family happy?

Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells offers a full family or group vacation experience with family dining including musical entertainment. Chula Vista offers nearly 300 spacious guest rooms and suites. Their 40K square feet of flexible meeting space includes conference center which can handle groups up to 1600 persons.

Additional meeting rooms and banquet facilities as well as the ever-popular Howler Sports Bar. On site spa services can pamper mom while dad enjoys the 18-hole championship golf course.

Indoor and outdoor waterparks, convention services, recreation, and newly acquired 18 hole golf course gives Chula Vista the edge for your next event in Wisconsin Dells.

Call their expert meeting planners and make plans for your Wisconsin Dells conference. Whether you need conference, banquet or wedding facilities, their"Certified Meeting Planners" can help you today.

Chula Vista Resort has over 50 years of meeting, conference and event planning to help insure success with your event.

Texas Hill Country Bed Breakfast

2005-04-05T16:42:00.000-06:00

Fredricksburg Texas - bed breakfast lodging reservations, Gastehaus Schmidt

Fredericksburg Lodging Company offers complete reservation services for Texas properties located in the towns of Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Hunt, and Comfort. You can choose a spacious, intimate vacation hideaway or historic guesthouse or a property offering modern conveniences.

You can choose city or country, or along Main Street... listings of traditional, rural and in town bed and breakfasts and country inns for a relaxing Texas vacation experience.

The perfect inn, guesthouse or bed and breakfast getaway awaits. Choose from the widest selection of Fredericksburg, Texas Bed and Breakfast properties.

There are also guesthouse, cottage and hotel listings in and around Fredricksburg. Many of the properties offer excellent locations for small gatherings, corporate retreats, family reunions, weddings and other activities. All properties are located in the beautiful Hill Country of Texas.

San Francisco Hotel, The Cartwright Downtown San Francisco Hotel

2005-04-04T22:17:00.000-06:00

Downtown SanFrancisco Hotel

The Cartwright Hotel is the perfect Hotel for your trip to San Francisco CA. This boutique hotel is located right downtown at 524 Sutter Street, which is right in the heart of Union Square.

The Cartwright Hotel is centrally located to the Fisherman's wharf, the Downtown Financial District, Chinatown, and the Moscone Center. The Hotel provides the consumer with many upscale amenities. These amenities include being a WiFi hotspot for the business traveler, a large screen T.V for guests, and an evening Wine Tasting hosted by the Manager.

The Cartwright Hotel on Union Square has an exceptional location-allowing guests to truly experience the wonder of San Francisco. Located near the Financial District in downtown San Francisco, Chinatown and the Moscone Convention Center, the boutique hotel is perfect for business and leisure travelers alike.

Your shopping bags from the boutique stores in nearby Union Square can quickly be deposited in your room and swapped for tickets to a Broadway show at one of many theaters in the Theatre District, also just steps away.

Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast

2005-04-03T22:09:00.000-06:00

Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast - Beazley House Inn Bed and Breakfast - California's first Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast

The Beazley House, a wonderful circa 1902 mansion, was founded in 1981 in historic old town Napa.

The Beazley House has been voted Napa's Best B&B for 11 years in a row by the listeners of KVON/KVYN.

The Beazley House is ideally located in the California Wine Country just north of the Napa Valley College. This B&B is so much more than a hotel; it's more like having a friend with intimate knowledge of the Napa Valley. The Beazleys will direct you to wineries, wine tours, the Napa Valley Wine Train, hot air balloon rides and spas. They will even book your dinner reservations at one of the many Napa restaurants within walking distance of their inn. For small weddings in the ultimate vacation/resort destination that is Napa, there is no better location than the Beazley House. The town of Napa is surrounded by vineyards where you can go wine tasting, take a bike tour or play a round of golf at championship courses.

Jim & Carol have been active in Napa's community of innkeeping helping organize the Historic Inns of Napa. They are founding members of the statewide organization the California Association of Bed and Breakfast Inns (CABBI) and charter members of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International.

The Beazleys are involved in the Napa community. Jim has twice been President of the Napa Valley Conference and Visitors' Bureau and a director of the Napa Chamber of Commerce and has served on the City of Napa's Cultural Heritage Commission. Carol also served on this commission in the late 1980's.

Napa Valley Bed and Breakfast in Napa California Wine Country

2005-04-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

1801 Inn

Address: 1801 First Street, Napa, California 94559

Location: Situated in the town of Napa, the gateway to the world-famous Napa Valley Wine country. The inn is walking distance to renowned restaurants, shopping, places of historic interest and Copia, the Center for Food, Wine and The Arts and just minutes to internationally acclaimed wineries, tennis, cycling, ballooning and more.

Phone: (707) 224-3739 (800) 518- 0146 fax (707) 224- 3932

Web Site: www.1801first.com

Rooms & Rates: 5 suites in the main house, 2 adjoining cottages and the Carriage House. Rates range from $250 – 395 per night plus tax based on double occupancy.

Architecture: Stunning Queen Anne Victorian, built in 1903 by architect William Corlett. This Napa county landmark boasts some of the most magnificent design elements in the town and is eligible for status with The Register of National Landmarks.

Style: A unique blend of stunning, classic architecture with stylish, sophisticated décor and contemporary amenities, the inn now caters to savvy travelers.

Amenities: All rooms have luxurious private baths with oversized soaking tubs or Whirlpool Jacuzzis and sensual European bath amenities, heavenly beds, with fine linens and feather down comforters, romantic fireplaces, cozy sitting areas, TV/VCR's, CD players with video and CD library. Rates include breakfast, evening wine and hors d' oeuvres often featuring exclusive winery tasting from local wineries and a complimentary 24-hour "mini-bar” as well as concierge. In-room spa services are available as well.

Graceful rounded bay windows, courtyard gardens and romantic fireplaced lodgings adorn this historic and newly revitalized Queen Anne Victorian. Designed in 1903 by prominent Napa architect William Corlett, 1801 First has been meticulously transformed into an inviting chic retreat, blending it's stunning classic architecture with sophisticated styling and décor.

Ideally located in the historic town of Napa, the gateway to the world famous wine country, this upscale inn is situated just blocks from acclaimed restaurants, boutique shops, the Opera House and Copia, the exciting Center for Food, Wine and the Arts. Just within minutes you'll find internationally renowned wineries, golf, hiking, cycling, balloon rides and more.

Skaneateles New York

2005-03-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Relax and unwind in Skaneateles Village, New York. Enjoy stylish accommodations in the village or on the lakeshore. Skaneateles Suites is a collection of lodging alternatives in the Finger Lakes Region New York.

The Village is a storybook of shops, restaurants and of course, Skaneateles Lake. From the Wooden Boat Show to Skaneateles Festival to Charles Dickens Christmas, travelers of all ages will fall in love. On your weekend getaway or vacation in Skaneateles, visit the shops and restaurants in the Village, walk along Lake Skaneateles, and tour wineries of the Finger Lakes

Nightly, weekly, or extended stays. Whether looking for a getaway or lodging of one night to 1 month consider super-luxury waterfront property, waterfront cottages, the Main House, the boutique hotel in the heart of the village, or the individual bungalows for the savvy travelers that have been re-invented from the1950 roadside Motor Court days.

The Skaneateles Boutique Hotel offers leisure or business travelers modern, deluxe rooms with a sense of intimacy - some with double Jacuzzi tubs, a fully ADA-compliant room and convenient off-street guest parking, while the Suites offer individual bungalows and the waterfront properties offer you lakeside adventures.

Region. Enjoy!

Vail Condo

2005-03-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Vail Colorado Rentals

Planning a vacation? Vail Colorado has a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities: skiing, hiking, biking, dining, shopping and sight-seeing. Vail offers real world charm in a relaxing atmosphere.

From well appointed condominiums in Vail Village, to luxurious private residences. Whether you are planning a winter/spring ski vacation or a visit during the beautiful summer months, make Vail, CO dream vacation a reality.

Come experience all that Vail has to offer, from the legendary Back Bowls to award winning cuisine, boutiques, spas and art galleries, Vail has it all. The perfect Rocky Mountain vacation.

New Hampshire Resort - Mountain Club on Loon Lake

2005-03-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Mountain Club on Loon offers luxury lodging and spa services at one of New Hamshire's premier ski resorts. Located just five miles from Lincoln, NH the Mountain Club is perfect for a family vacation in the White Mountain National Forest.

The resort features a restaurant, lounge, spa and exercise facility.
The Mountain Club on Loon is a luxury condominium hotel located on Loon Mountain adjacent to the Gondola. All units have a small kitchen. Mountain Club on Loon http://www.mtnclub.com/NH_weddings_meet.html

90 Loon Mountain Rd., Lincoln, NH, 03251, US

Jekyll Island Georgia, Villas, Conventions and Weddings

2005-03-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

Villas by the Sea Resort Condominium Hotel & Conference Center

Jekyll Island, Georgia
seminar and meeting planners

The conference center is a a freestanding Georgia conference center designed for flexibility with 5800 square feet of meeting space. Floor plans available. A ballroom easily seats 500 guests. Five fully soundproof meeint rooms and state of the art audio and video systems.

Villas by the sea also offers weddings on the beach. Their on-staff wedding planner will help arrange your special day. Accommodate weddings from small to several hundred... beach or garden location.

FiveStar Luxury Villas, Castles and Condos

2005-03-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

FiveStar Destinations offers worldwide luxury accommodations ranging from -Mediterranean villas and ski condos to large luxury yachts, and everything in between. Their properties span the globe, offering the very highest level of accommodations.

My favorite, from the many they offer, is this castle in Ireland which sleeps 25.

Here is their description... A lovely place to take along 13 other couples... check out some of the activities and services

An hour from Dublin a lifetime from everywhere.

This Castle is not an hotel… but a living breathing owner-occupied castle with all the intricacies and eccentricities of a 19th Century home. The hospitality and service is performed with subtle grace by skilled staff able to anticipate your needs long before you thought of it. The food creative Irish cooking complimented by a superbly stocked wine cellar. Our chef takes full advantage of the Estate gardens when planning his meals.

The Castle has been lavishly yet sympathetically restored, with twelve of the fourteen luxuriously appointed bedrooms having en-suite bathrooms. All the bedrooms are strikingly different, each decorated around a specific theme. Move from the elegant Empire Suite to the period splendor of the Napoleonic Bedroom; from the warmth of the Vivaldi Suite to the powerful beauty of the Dynasty Suite.

The Castle is an inspirational venue for smaller conferences and is ideally suited for business meetings, gala dinners and receptions for corporate or private entertainment. The ballroom accommodates up to 80 for dining, and up to 120 for cocktails. Full conference facilities are available by prior arrangement. Secretarial services can also be provided by arrangement, including Email, fax and photocopying facilities.

The Castle suits the active or passive. Bring your fishing tackle, your jodhpurs, your hiking boots, your paints, and your book. Enjoy some of Ireland's celebrated and breathtaking countryside, while passing time on your favorite pastimes. For the shooting enthusiast we have created Ireland's best Sporting Clays layout. Bring or rent a gun and take aim at some of the best clay shooting to be found.

The Castle is here to open its doors to you, be it for a week-end away for two or a week long corporate event, pick up the telephone and let us look after you.

ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES:

CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING - Available for novices and experts alike. Clay Pigeon shooting is available For the more experienced, the Castle also offers an extensive Sporting Clays course. Spend a leisurely three hours or so wandering the Estate - Shooting Clays.

HORSE RIDING -The estate offers many different rides. Some riding experience is necessary.

FISHING - Local Gillie. Trout and Pike fishing on the Estate.

SHOOTING - Pheasant and Duck Shooting in Season. Prices on request

DEER STALKING - Join one of our Game Keepers in search of the local wild life.

POLO - In Season, and by prior arrangement, join our Argentinean pro in some Ball and Stick. Polo fields are on the Estate. Horse Riding experience is necessary. International all year, all weather outdoor Arena Polo can be arranged nearby with Polo Wicklow.

GOLF - Will be arranged. Rathsallagh House and Kilkea Castle have 18 hole courses and are 20 miles away, while the K Club has an 18 hole championship course, designed by Arnold Palmer, and is 30 miles away.

HILL WALKING - Join our own local guide for an invigorating walk. See not only the beautiful surrounding countryside, but also the many ancient ruins. I

BICYCLE HIRE - Bicycles are available from the Castle for guest use.

CROQUET - Available with our compliments on the Castle Lawn.

BILLIARDS ROOM - Available with our compliments for either American Pool or Snooker.

FALCONRY - Go hunting with your own Falcon or Hawk for a day or half day.

GYMNASIUM - Personal Trainer on hand daily.

TENNIS - Private lessons

Saugatuck Bed and Breakfast

2005-03-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

Romantic Getaways and Celebrations of Love

The Romantic Charm and Victorian Elegance of the Kingsley House make it the ideal Michigan setting for a fairytale wedding and honeymoon, memorable anniversary celebration or romantic weekend getaway. Ideally located in the center of Saugatuck, Holland, South Haven Lake Michigan and Allegan Forest.

The Kingsley House
626 W. Main Street
Fennville, MI 49408
Voice: 269-561-6425
Toll Free: 866-561-6425

Circa 1886 Queen Anne Victorian with 3 story turret. Fireplace and Jacuzzi rooms or cozy chambers with private baths. Antique or canopy beds, designer linens and specialty toiletries.

Full breakfast. Special Romance Packages available. Saugatuck 8 miles. 8 rooms. Open all year. $95-$195

Rock Gardens - Colorado River White water Rafting

2005-03-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

Enjoy Rock Gardens most popular Colorado River rafting trips.

Or let Rock Gardens Rafting combine a few of your favorite activities to create your own custom adventure. Choose from rafting (the #1 favorite activity of the Glenwood Springs, Colorado area), jeeping, horseback riding, mountain biking, tram ride and cave tour, fly-fishing, ATV tour, hayride, western cook-out, or hot springs pool.

These Colorado River whitewater trips all include some combination of whitewater rapids, some gentler, relaxing float waters and the spectacular scenery of the Glenwood Springs Canyon. A perfect selection for a taste of all the river has to offer.

Wild Colorado River whitewater trips offer the most whitewater and are for the thrill seeker with some prior experience on the river. You can expect to participate as part of the raft crew, get totally drenched and have a blast!

The Glenwood Springs rafting trip is totally appropriate for beginners as well as the experienced rafter. Our Colorado River rafting mild trips are a great choice for families with young children, older adults or those who just prefer a relaxing day on the river. These river rafting trips do not offer whitewater, but rather focus on the milder float waters, the magnificent scenery, perhaps some sightseeing as well as some history and tales of the area.

Specialty whitewater trips are for those seeking something a little different from the ordinary, we offer a variety of trips from an intimate gathering to group events for team building or celebrating company outings.

Downtown Denver Lodo Hotel - The Oxford Hotel

2005-03-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

Denver’s historic LoDo district (LOwer DOwntown) offers guests a chance to stay in the most exciting and energetic neighborhood downtown, with its funky galleries and shops, award-winning restaurants, shopping along 16th Street Mall and close proximity to Coors Field, The Pepsi Center and Invesco Field at Mile High.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Oxford Hotel has played a central part in Denver's colorful past since 1891 and has been luxuriously and extensively renovated to ensure each of its 80 rooms and suites offers guests an unparalleled lodging experience.

Rooms are decorated in European antiques; amenities include luxurious linens, nightlyDenver's colorful past since 1891 and has been luxuriously and extensively renovated to ensure each of its 80 rooms and suites offers n-down service, comfy robes & slippers, room service, complimentary high speed wireless internet access, complimentary morning coffee and evening sherry served in the lobby. Denver’s historic LoDo district (LOwer DOwntown) offers guests a chance to stay in the most exciting and energetic neighborhood downtown, with its funky galleries and shops, award-winning restaurants, shopping along 16th Street Mall and close proximity to Coors Field, The Pepsi Center and Invesco Field at Mile High. All guests can take advantage of complimentary car service to downtown locations.

Colorado Ski Vacations

2005-03-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

Rocky Mountain Vacations offers awesome ski packages to all the major Colorado Resorts.

Planning a ski vacation can be quite a challenge. Who has the best airfare? Should I take a shuttle or rent a car? Which properties offer lodging near the slopes that still fit the family budget

Call Rocky Mountain Vacations during normal business hours with any ski travel question. We promise you will be speaking with a qualified mountain travel specialist almost immediately!

Snowmass Village Colorado

2005-03-19T18:13:00.000-07:00

Snowmass Club

Snowmass Lodging

Snowmass is a splendid Colorado ski-in ski-out resort offers the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Over two hundred miles of heavenly groomed trails.

And a host of unique mountain activities for non-skiers plus many exciting restaurants and boutiques. After a full day of Rocky Mountain air, ski right to your condominium. Here, recreation becomes inspiration. And this pristine little alpine village is just ten minutes down the road from the internationally cosmopolitan resort of Aspen. It doesn't get much better than this.

Napa Valley Wine Country Inn

2005-03-18T18:07:00.000-07:00

Surrounded by vineyards and verdant hillsides, The Wine Country Inn is as pleasing as a canvas laid down by Van Gogh” Jerry Hulse - LA Times

“Combined, they create an atmosphere of comfort in the tradition of Napa Valley Hospitality”
Ann Kaiser - Premiere issue of Country<

“A likely headquarters for your visit might be The Wine Country Inn, a romantic 25-room retreat just off the main road north of St. Helena”
Craig Turner - LA Times

“One of my favorite choices for lodging is The Wine Country Inn.”
Hank Rubin - Bon Appetit

“The Wine Country Inn has been guided by three generations of the Smith family since it was built in 1975...”
Los Angeles Magazine

“...an old-fashioned re-creation embellished with new-fashioned comforts.”
The Hideaway Report

“The Inn offers a generous, self-serve breakfast in the morning. The homemade granola cereal is not to be missed. The staff is one of the Inn’s greatest assets - all of the employees are helpful, friendly and knowledgeable...”
Rob Reid and Elizabeth Hendricks - The Stanford Daily

Country Inns and Back Roads: I think other innkeepers in California are fortunate to have such a model inn after which to fashion themselves. The care and consideration that have gone into the designing, and the result, prove that a country inn doesn’t have to be old to be legendary.

Karen Brown’s California Charming Inns & Itineraries: The setting is peaceful, the mood relaxing, and the staff knowledgeable and friendly. Public areas include a lovely lobby which opens onto a large expanse of deck and a pool (now heated all year) on the terraced hillside bounded by a patio and colorful gardens.

“Our recent stay at The Wine Country Inn was extended from two nights to three and then from three to four. This should be a vivid testimonial of our impression of your inn” - D.L. Bergman

“My husband and I recently returned from a vacation on the West Coast, including one night in the Napa Valley. The Wine Country Inn is easily the most delightful place we’ve ever stayed while traveling! It was everything Holiday magazine and your brochure boasted. Its charm and the gracious reception we received from your young people on the desk will be a pleasant remembrance.” - E. Hardy

“We were enormously impressed with everything. Your staff is marvelous, the rooms lovely and the food delicious. I couldn’t even fault the coffee!!!” - N. Bennett

“The quaint (but not cute) rooms with comforters - fireplaces - view of the full moon - the handmade comfortable bed - the fine furniture - well I could go on and on...” - M. Gonzalez

Colorado Whitewater Rafting and Jeep Tours

2005-03-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours in
Colorado, Arizona and Utah

Experience lifetime memories!

Photographers Expedition: Spend three-days navigating the Upper Salt River Canyon and capture its beauty forever. Exciting whitewater, breathtaking scenery and outdoor fun in Arizona's best kept secret. Join our professional photographer as he leads you to magnificent waterfalls, inspiring side canyons and teaches you how to capture the magic of the canyon sunset. Couple this with thrilling whitewater, great food and the camaraderie of the river and you have an experience that is truly worth immortalizing in film.

Explore historic ghost towns, majestic peaks, cascading rivers, tumbling waterfalls and Colorado's wildflowers in the San Juan Mountains.

Discover Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Trail Tours!

The biggest selection of rafting and jeep trail tour trips in Southwest Colorado, Eastern Utah and Central Arizona. Trip options range from mild to wild, 2 hours to 4 days, for ages 4-84 and from desert to mountain scenery.

Raft, inflatable kayak and jeep trail tours. Our high adventure raft trips are heart pounding whitewater wilderness adventures for the extreme sport enthusiast.

Mild raft trips are leisurely floats with a few sampler mild rapids for leisurely, memorable family vacations, while our medium trips offer lots of "wet and fun" rapids with perhaps a few drops.

Glenwood Springs Colorado

2005-03-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Glenwood Springs is located in the western half of Colorado, halfway between Aspen and Vail. Nearby are the fun towns of Carbondale, Basalt and Redstone. The Roaring Fork River and Colorado River intersect town and their confluence is located downtown. Glenwood Springs is mecca for fisherman, kayakers and white water rafters. It is pretty good for golfing, skiing, mountain biking and hiking too.

Glenwood Springs is most famous for its Hot Springs Pool. However, there are some other attractions that are worth noticing:

Sunlight Ski Mountain -- about 15 or 20 minutes from downtown, this smaller ski area is definitely the local's choice. Good snow, good steeps, good family runs, great prices!

Sunlight Mountain Inn -- an inn/hotel at the base of sunlight mountain. A great lodging and accommodation choice if you are skiing... or if you want to be close to the mountains for recreation purposes -- it has excellent access to our local mountain fun.

Rifle Creek Golf Course -- about 20 minutes or so west on I70 is the town of Rifle. The 18 hole golf course also has a driving range. During March and April it is not uncommon to golf and ski on the same day!

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park -- caves, restaurant, lots of fun rides and events for the famil, and the best view anywhere! Make sure you plan on spending a day of fun, adventure and education.

Glenwood Springs Guide at Wikitravel

Family Style Maine Oceanfront Resort

2005-03-15T18:46:00.000-07:00

I spent three nights at the Sebasco Resort at the end of last summer. We played a lot of golf on their very nice 9-hole course and enjoyed great food. The Resort is located right on a scenic harbor and has a lighthouse right on the premises.

We stayed in the "Bay View" cottage which was a perfect little cottage with, as you might guess, a view of the Bay. They also have a bowling alley which was fun.

Sebasco does golf, weddings, and cottages. Located in Sebasco Maine. Traditional New England Destination Resort situated on 550-acre estate overlooking Casco Bay.

Route 217 | P.O. BOX 75, Sebasco Estates, Maine 04565-0075, United States

Moody Gardens - Galveston Texas - hotel, convention center, amusement park

2005-03-14T19:07:00.000-07:00

Moody Gardens a family fun park, hotel, spa and convention center on Galveston Island near Houston.

Is there fun stuff there for kids? You tell me: aquarium, Imax, Rainforest, Pyramid, Beach... and lots of other assorted rides and attraction.

The Moody Gardens Hotel is right on site

Located on Historic Galveston Island on the Texas Gulf Coast, the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center is nestled among the lush tropical surroundings and majestic pyramids of Moody Gardens. As Galveston's premier full service resort and conference center, the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center is the perfect destination for meetings and conferences.

With 428 luxurious guestrooms and over 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and convention space, this world class Galveston hotel and conference facility is set among 242 acres of botanical beauty and accented by magnificent pyramids that contain a living rainforest, a Texas-sized aquarium and an I-MAX theater.

Winter Park Colorado Ski Vacation

2005-03-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

Winter Park Ski Resort is a quick drive from the Denver airport.

Winter Park Lodging and vacation rentals by Vacations Inc - a Colorado ski country tradition for over 35 years. It's resort accommodations in the heart of the Rocky Mountains include some of the most requested properties in Winter Park - to make your ski vacation a comfortable and relaxing experience. They specialize in packages, discounts and weekly to ensure your retreat meets your needs and matches your budget.

Go skiing in Winter Park!

Golfing in Hilton Head

2005-03-11T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hilton head has to be the golf mecca of the south east. There are golf courses everywhere and they are superb. The season is long too... although who wants to golf in the hot August weather? I would rather be at the beach that month.

I ususally stay through Hilton Head Vacation and Golf because they have high-end homes and villas to rent and can get competitive golf packages and tee-times at even the most hard-to-get-into golf courses.

Did I mention they are a pet-friendly lodging provider?

Frankfort Michigan- plus Arcadia and Empire

2005-03-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

The Northwest Michigan area is a great place to spend some summer months. Traverse City is a larger commercialized area. For a better Lake Michigan beach (and golf and fishing) experience, try the Frankfort area. (Elberta, Arcadia and Empire are nice too)

The Harborview Condo Vacation Rental is right on the Marina in Frankfort Michigan. Reserve a slip easily (Chicago is a few hours away.) and plan also on at least one fishing trip. When planning a tip to the Frankfort Michigan, nice golf courses at www.frankfort-michigan.com/attractions/golf.htm. Plus, lots of info on restaurants, art, nightlife.

Of special interest is the Cherry Bowl Drive In Theater. http://www.cherrybowldrivein.com/

Great Vacation Destination in Utah

2005-03-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I just spent a mahvelous weekend in Deer Valley, Utah ... just up the road from Park City. The skiing was awesome... you can even golf and ski on the same day. How is that for Rocky Mountain Living.

The Premier Resort's Utah Deer Valley Lodge was first class. A courtesy van offered shuttle service around the area and down to Park City. Free parking. Fireplace, wifi, skiing and a two room suite and an overall great experience.

Deer Valley Lodge and Premier Resorts are highly recommended!