Search results for 'Villa d'Este'

Who doesn’t love a breath of fresh air? Well, I found just the spot for you on the Baltic Sea in Northeast Germany. This area, Graal-Muritz, has a climate proven to benefit the skin, heart and respiratory system – they have even won awards!

Raise your hand if you love, wine, great food and truffles. Well, then this is the place for you. Le Moulin du Roc is a unique property overlooking the Dronne River in the Perigord region of southwest France. It is just northwest of Bordeaux between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees – go ahead and look it up on Google maps – we have a link to the maps at the bottom of the homepage. This area is well known for its truffles – in fact, there is even a Truffle Museum, so you really must check it out.

Generally, I write about hotels that stand still, however, this time, you get to take your hotel with you! If you can drive a car, you can captain a boat on a canal. After a short demonstration and briefing, you get the keys to your own floating Villa. You don’t ever have to worry about getting seasick, because these boats are so stable, you won’t spill your morning coffee. 

Vietnam evokes many thoughts and memories for the Baby Boomers. I remember watching the draft lottery with my college classmates knowing that a lot of my male friends would not make it home. I was so passionate about this war that I wanted to cover it as a news correspondent since I majored in Radio and Television, but it was the 60's and I was told, “no place for a woman to be.” This was a pivotal moment for our generation and somehow, time heals, seasons change and life perseveres. I never dreamed I would be writing a review of a tranquil Lodge 150 km northwest of Hanoi.

Mai Chau Lodge offers the peace and serenity we never thought was possible.

You have to love a place that incorporates history and art as part of their environment and The Arts Hotel does exactly that. Located in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this member of the Historic Hotels of America is in the oldest inland city in the United States.

Susie is always looking for great places for pets to stay and one of her friends told her about this great bed and breakfast in West Central Massachusetts. Restful Paws really got her attention because it might be classified as people-friendly because it is geared to pets first. Susie said what with “Great Name!”

Cala di Volpe, is a destination and an exclusive hotel, located on the breathtaking area of Sardinia, called Costa Smerelda. Discovered and developed by the Aga Khan, this area is noted for its exclusivity, extravagances, elegance and glamour. As you can imagine, Costa Smerelda means – Emerald Coast, because of the green sea surrounding the coastline. It’s as if someone color painted it different shades of green merging eventually into the blue Mediterranean.

Speaking of unique places to stay that are also pet friendly, the two shepherd’s huts at Wriggly Tin in Hampshire certainly fill the bill. Being a herding dog, Susie is especially interested in the possibility of her and Beau or her European buddies to stay in a place where she can once again say, “Where are the sheep?”

Central America has much to offer and one of the beautiful countries to visit there is Guatemala. It is rich in Mayan culture and history, so there is plenty to explore and experience. Let’s start our journey to this country around Lake Atitlan. This 1,000 foot deep lake is surrounded by three volcanoes, Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro. Located about 90 miles from Guatemala City, you will find a boutique hotel suited to Boomer couples called Hotel Casa Palapo. There are only about 7 rooms plus a private villa, so if you plan on visiting, think well in advance.

When most of us visit California, we are likely heading to Los Angeles, San Diego or up north to San Francisco, but if you would like to experience something a bit more unique, how about Morro Bay?

Ah, summer time, and the living is easy! Well, if you’re on Cape Cod and staying at The Mansion at Ocean Edge that certainly appears to be true. The Cape is full of laid back activities that will remind Baby Boomers of vacations we took in our youth. Not many high rise hotels, water parks and fast food restaurants, just nature, family and fun.

Susie was delighted to find a unique travel and vacation experience in northwest England. The Farmhouse at “A Corner of Eden” is located near Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria and is another pet friendly property that can be easily accessed in particular by our European patrol members.  Kirby Stephen is 94 miles north of Manchester and 75 miles southwest of Newcastle.

Did you ever get your kicks on Route 66? If you’re a Baby Boomer, you are bound to have traveled this iconic road at some point in your life. Taking summer vacations with your family in the car somewhere between Chicago and Los Angeles – this road, which first opened in 1926, started what we soon began to know as the summer road trip. Route 66 was one of the original highways in our U.S. system.

So here's a spot you probably haven't thought to explore in Paris – the area known as Bercy. This is actually a great place to spend a few nights especially if you are traveling with your grandchildren. The Pullman Paris Bercy is one of the most reasonably priced hotels while visiting the City of Lights. Granted, you are not in the heart of Paris, but a mere 15 minute Metro ride into the center. The hotel has a very modern feel with amenities the kids will like – it is child and pet friendly. The beds are very comfortable and the food and service is quite good. The bathrooms are equipped with amenities and are quite large – all of which is hard to find in the center of Paris.

Located about one hour by car from Milan's Malpensa Airport, sits one of the most majestic hotel properties I've had the privilege to stay. Villa d'Este sits on Lake Como as the Grande Dame of hotels. With its 16th century history and all the grandeur that evokes, this hotel is a must for your Bucket List. It has been host to royalty, aristocrats and stars of stage and screen. The hotel roster lists notables such as Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcok and Clark Gable to Madonna and Ralph Lauren.

I feel like I need to whisper about this property, because it's a secret that I'm about to reveal. Assuming you have traveled to Rome in the past and have stayed in the center of it all, here’s a real jewel about 30 minutes away from the action. The Villa Urbani is nestled on a residential street about 15 minutes from the Trastevere area. It is a Villa that dates from the 1900's and is still a family residence that has been partially converted into a Bed and Breakfast.

Nostradamus slept here! Bet you don't hear that very often when checking into a hotel. Well, in this case, not only Nostradamus, but Noblemen and Royalty have rested their heads at the Domaine Des Escaunes in the Provence region of France. Located in the small French village of Sernhac, you will find yourself surrounded by Vineyards and Olive trees. In fact, the 23 rooms here are each named for a different variety of grape. In addition, you are only 45 minutes from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the most famous of the Cotes du Rhone wines.

Have I got a surprise for you! Who says you have to go overseas to stay in a charming bed and breakfast that also gives you cooking classes? Don't get me wrong, going to Italy, France, Spain, etc. is amazing, but if you don't want to break the bank, go to Cincinnati! Yes, I said Cincinnati, as in Ohio.

It's always a treat to find an unexpected property in an area that most people visit and stay in high rise hotels. Although many of those properties sit right on the beach and offer a lot of amenities, sometimes it's just plain nice to stay in a cozy, comfortable spot that feels more like home. The Channel Road Inn is just one of those places.

Located in the Paradise Valley section of Scottsdale, Arizona on 125 acres is the spectacular Camelback Inn surrounded by cacti and desert flowers with terrific views of the Camelback and Mummy Mountains.

Come on, you're never too old to believe in Santa Claus and I think I found out that he lives here in Finland, not the North Pole! This amazing Igloo Village and Hotel is located in the vicinity of Urho Kekkonen National Park, just about 21 miles from the Ivalo Airport.