Search results for 'Grand Strand Resorts'

As we begin in earnest to prepare for the upcoming Christmas Season, where else but in Europe will one experience the enchantment and traditions of the holidays!  Strolling through a Christmas Market is where the romance of the holiday will truly rekindle in you a sense of joy and peace!

Blog #2 : The Pre Launch Party

(Yes, I know… I know, this should have been the first blog I wrote for BoomerTravelPatrol.com; but hey… nobody said I was the writer in the family)

Anyway, here we go!

Held at the beautiful “Grand Ballroom” at the Canoga Park Elks Lodge # 2190 in Canoga Park Ca, this preview party was just way too much fun. A very homey and friendly small-town feel meet and great, the party was the perfect kick-off for the “Blackberry Pie Murder”- the #17 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series- for Hannah Swensen, (Joanne Fluke’s cookie-baking, coffee-shop-owning, murder-solving title character) and all of her “Hannah-Maniacs” and “Fans O’ Hannah” from all over the country.

The huge Boboli Gardens behind the Petti Palace is a beautiful walk giving spectacular views of Florence in all her glory. We walked up the street that leads behind and overlooking the gardens. Every way you looked took your breath and fired your imagination about what had happened in this great Renaissance City. 

Savor Thailand’s unique markets and spiritual sites, as well as Bangkok’s eclectic flare, on a cultural adventure.

Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in North West England with a population of 510,700. Since 2001, population has grown by 20.8%, making it the fastest growing city in Britain. 

“One” should, (and by “One”, I mean John Fluke - as in John Fluke should… Strike that… I mean John Fluke REALLY should) have learned by now to be careful what “One” wishes for; especially, when said Authors’ latest book in her Cozy Mystery series (from the beloved Hannah Swensen Mysteries series,) entitled “BlackBerry Pie Murder”, has just hit #7 on the New York Times Best-Seller list - with a bullet- and she gets it in her head to go on a 21 city North American tour, dragging “One” with her!

Let all of us Boomers stand up and scream ICE CREAM! There are not too many people who do not like outrageous ice cream. As I was growing up, making homemade ice cream with my family was a regular event. My mom would make the vanilla base and then she would have fresh berries or other fun toppings to place on top. My father would be putting the salt around the edge of the ice cream maker and then all of his little grandchildren would come and help him spin it- such precious memories.

My Grandpa Cliff used to tease my Grandma with one particular phrase and this one a real gem from Minnesota farm country, that he enjoyed sharing with folks when he was mildly amused by something my Grandma had done or said and he was trying to tease her. He would say, “I suppose, she’s just a Few Clowns short of a Circus”.

MYKONOS – is just possibly THE most famous of all the Greek Islands. And a well-deserved honor - as well as being Party Central for the country...

One of the famed Cyclades Islands, Mykonos's fame and notoriety goes back hundreds of years. A war ground between so many differing factions, Mykonos reflects the grandeur of its history, as well as the excitement and modernity of being one of Europe's top tourist island destinations.

From bustling Paris to charming Provence, enjoy a fun-filled adventure that explores French culture, cuisine and music.

Narita International Airport, also known as Tokyo Narita Airport, is the most popular gateway to Japan, but in reality, it is not in Tokyo at all.  It is a 60-minute express train ride (80-90 minute bus ride) outside of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. If you are stuck by Narita Airport, because of a long flight connection, there is still lots to do.  Sakura City is a twenty-minute taxi or train ride (JR or Keisei lines) from Narita Airport.  Overflowing in history, it is renowned for its well restored former samurai residences and the National Museum of Japanese History, whose exhibits reveal the story of Japan from archaeological discoveries to modern times. From an artistic perspective, Sakura boasts two distinctive art museums: Sakura City Museum of Art and Kawamura Memorial Museum of Art.  The former was previously the Sakura City branch of Kawasaki Bank and its entrance way is a prefectural cultural property. It displays work by local artists from Sakura and Chiba's Boso Peninsula. The latter museum is heralded for its rich collection of European masters, including: Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Chagall, Picasso and Braque, as well as 20^th Century Japanese sensei, such as Korin Ogata. 

A selection of great pastries and bakeries to delight the palate.

What’s green, near music and loves your pets? The answer is – the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a charming boutique hotel located about 15 minutes from the airport in the West End/Midtown Area. They have a car that can transport you to downtown and you are about 15 minutes away from Music Row. You are also a quick and cheap cab ride away from just about anywhere. The Hutton has been named Nashville’s greenest hotel and I know we as Boomers have become very conscious of this. They have dual flush commodes, a recycling program and bamboo furnishings and flooring.

“Come with me to the Casbah!”

Who said those immortal words, in which movie, or book?

They certainly capture the magic of what lies ahead when you chose to visit this beautiful city on the water.  For such a small country, Morocco is blessed with several “major” cities, all with their own real and distinctive feelings and fabulous flavors.

Our trip to Mount Ida, The Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, left us dazzled, amazed, and in awe of what beauty Mother Nature can create. We saw quartz crystals with points, clarity and clusters of every shape, size, and color imaginable. 

Journey through Alpine vistas, stunning landscapes, charming towns and striking lakes as you explore all the beautiful Canadian Rockies.

Welcome to the VIBRANT Grand Cayman Island, the largest of three making up the Cayman Islands. Located in the Western Caribbean, Grand Cayman is a cruise lover’s paradise and home to every color of the rainbow. The island is one of eight colonies making up the British West Indies including: The Bahamas, Barbados, British Guiana, British Honduras, Jamaica (with its dependencies the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands), Trinidad and Tobago, the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands. When you are in Grand Cayman the possibilities are endless for shopping, eating, exploring and lounging. It’s no surprise she is most famous for her fabulous duty-free prices on designer merchandise such as Gucci, Movado, John Hardy and Michele. 

This is a casual hot spot in the beautiful neighborhood of Land Park. After you experience this gem, believe me, you will be back again and again! Robert Masullo is the owner. He will be here working right alongside everyone else. There is such a warm feeling the moment you walk in from him and the waiters, all in cool t-shirts with gold leafing. The weekends are really busy here so a little tip from me.....call to see how busy it is before you arrive, especially with a group.

Baby its cold outside – what a perfect time to pack up the grand kids or just yourself and head to Michigan and the Bavarian Inn. If traveling to Germany with the family is not an option this year, then have no fear, this will satisfy the thirst until then. The Inn is a family run business from the ground up, so great care is taken to make you feel welcome, comfortable and well fed. Here's what the President, Judy Zehnder Keller had to say, “Family is everything to us. My mother Dorothy, at nearly age 91, is still very active in the kitchen, my brother Bill and I along with our spouses oversee the restaurant and lodge. We both have two of our children in the business, nearly nine family members in senior management at this time. There are four in the fourth generation, four in the third generation and one in the second generation. It is a blessing and an honor to work with family.” I don't know about you, but this is the kind of place that I want to visit.

Edinburgh boasts a rich history which welcomes all who venture in to discover this unique world of ancient castles and magnificent architecture, combined with modern buildings and facades. Atmospheric cobbled streets, wonderful architecture, old facedes and wide avenues allow you to imagine yourself transported back in time. The Lothian’s is also steeped in fascinating history, filled with castles, stately homes and battle sites.

My precious daughter, Briana arranged an entire day filled with pure excitement for all of her dear friends and their Moms. We all started our journey by hopping on the train ride from Westport to Grand Central station.  It is always so exciting to arrive in Grand Central and be able to gaze at the beauty. Some Moms were not used to the subway so there were a few kid leaders watching over those who felt a little uneasy.

I love history - mostly European and English I confess. The grandeur, the splendor, the architecture, the "location," are all modern marvels. Except some of the greatest examples of extraordinary vision, architecture, paintings, design, landscape gardens were created centuries ago.  How did they do it then without design apps and computer programs? Without villages of people sitting around sewing, stitching, creating tapestries that tell vivid stories. How did...? There really is no answer, so, when you've spent a few days in Paris, had your fill of city-life, hop aboard a TGV train and speed away to the Loire Valley.  And the magic will engulf you.

Quick – when I say beach and lake resort, what's the first place that comes to mind? If you said Iowa, frankly, I'd be shocked, but for this review, you would be correct!

I was recently listening to an interview with the musician, Bobby McFerrin where he describes improvisation as movement, as catching song. What does it mean to catch a song? It implies that the song, our creation, is already here– and so part of our work as artists is to listen, to observe, and improvise from our experience. At La Romita, we will develop these skills through drawing, writing and watercolor techniques–  and taking daily sketching trips into the small Umbrian hill towns. In the afternoons we return to La Romita for time in the workshop.