Search results for 'san francisco'

What do you know about Delaware? Here are three facts for you:
# 1 - Delaware was the first State to ratify the Constitution.
# 2 – It is the second smallest State.
# 3 – The city of Lewes, Delaware was founded in 1631 and is home to the really cool Hotel Blue!

It's always great fun to tell you about these hidden treasures that I find in various locations. This one happens to be in sunny Florida – Ft. Myers to be exact. I find the gulf side to be more serene and I am partial to white sand.

I am also partial to great hospitality and that's exactly what you'll find at the Mango Street Inn. Here you arrive as a guest, but leave as a friend and let's face it, as Boomers, these types of experiences sometimes mean more than fancy amenities.

Remember the 60’s? Well, of course you do – you’re a Baby Boomer! Do you recall going on vacation with your parents to Florida and staying in a motel? I know I have fond memories of those trips and that’s why I was happy to stumble across this hidden gem in Clearwater Beach. Say ooh la la to Frenchy’s Oasis Motel. This is a trip back in time in the nicest way possible. “Frenchy,” a Quebec native moved to Clearwater a few years out of high school and worked many jobs. Over the years, he created four restaurants, all of which, 30 years later, are still going strong. That shows me he must be doing something right, so in 2010 when he purchased and remodeled a motel, you knew it was going to be special.

Passion. Culture. Paradise. It’s time to fall in love with Portugal!

Located on the magnificent Adriatic Sea in the Bay of Lapad is the beautiful boutique Hotel More. 34 rooms and 3 suites with views of the sea on one side and Mediterranean gardens on the other – you can't miss!

It is about 10 miles from the airport and a 45 minute walk to Old Town or take the bus as an option. The rooms come equipped with air conditioning, TV, radio, trouser press, whirlpool tubs and free Wifi. The hotel is built onto the side of a hill, which allows for the beautiful views. You will also have views of the Adriatic from the heated swimming pool on the fifth floor. Free deck chairs, umbrellas and towels are provided for the guests at the pool and on the beach.

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!”

This is such an institution, a true treasure and one of my best! It opened as a coffee stand during the Gold Rush time. All of these years later, it truly is one of the very top restaurants in the fabulous city of San Francisco. You never have to worry about the consistency and quality here. You might want to try lunch and then a few days later come back for dinner.

We return to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls time and again because the area has so much to offer. It’s all the stuff we like to do – outdoor, natural splendor, and touristy. We revisited several favorites and added some new experiences, too. The weather was perfection, and it’s a gorgeous ride cruising Niagara Parkway. The drive is dotted with islands of flowers and fountains, and the profusion of colors is simply wondrous. Walking paths alongside disappear invitingly into lush woods, and the air is clean and crisp.

On our way to San Antonio to visit our family, we decided to venture off The Beaten Path onto the Natchez Trace between Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee. The 444-mile two-lane highway is a National Scenic Byway, All-American Road and Designated Bike route. We drove 17 miles southwest of Nashville on I-40W and took Exit 192 onto McCrary Lane. We went five miles to the entrance of the Park. We put on two of our “travel” CD’s consisting of the Grammy Songs from the last two years and headed out to find harmony in midst of a sometimes-troubled world. 

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.

During our first trip to Italy, we spent 3 days in Florence. Out the window of our home base, Hotel De Lansi, was the main church of Florence, The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower. The ideas and architectural techniques used to build its dome played an important role in igniting the Renaissance. 

Explore the colors and natural beauty of Panama – a land between the seas. 

I came to Florida looking for sun and surf, and by happy accident found the most beautiful beach in the Panhandle – Gulf Islands. This is a National Park, unspoiled and pristine, with snow-white sand and emerald green waters. A lovely park to drive through and great place to camp.

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”.

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.

“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!

There’s nothing like a near-death experience to make you reconsider your life. That’s what happened to us in July 2012.

This fabulous chef-owner Daniel has several award winning restaurants. This is one I have been lucky enough to dine at quite a few times. It is set right in the center of Palm Beach, steps away from the ocean and the famous shopping street Worth Ave.The Brazilian Court Hotel is the perfect place to stay in Palm Beach and then you can enjoy this 5 star restaurant each and every day!

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

Traveling and can’t take your feline companion with you, but would like to enjoy some feline companionship – look for a cat café where you can enjoy a cup of tea or joe and relax petting a willing pussycat.

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. 

This is a fabulous place for true boomer foodies. I started to have pure fun the moment I arrived. There is only one problem, there is so much, you want to buy and taste it all. That is why, if you live close you need to revisit when you can. Situated along the Napa River and Napa River trail and also in the downtown of Napa, it is in a great location.

Well, I promised you a variety of accommodations and I certainly don't want to disappoint anyone, so here goes a good one! I know you travel to most destinations by airplane, but how many of you have actually stayed overnight in the fuselage of a 727? Hmmm – I didn't see too many hands go up. So, here's your chance to explore something new. Located on the edge of the National Park in the Costa Verde II area is a refurbished vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe. It sits high on a 50 foot pedestal so you have the illusion of flying, but with all the comforts of a hotel room. There are 2 bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, a flat screen TV, kitchenette, dining area and high speed internet. A beautiful river rock spiral staircase leads up to your suite with teak wood interiors. There are gardens all around and you have a 360 degree view of them. There is also a private terrace with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. So, do you have any neighbors? The answer is yes – they are frogs, toucans and monkeys that will provide you with songs and shows.

San Antonio, Texas is the happiest large urban city we have ever visited. People looked you in the eye, said hello, and helped you out. The unemployment rate is virtually zero. Everyone has a job. It is booming. It is a great place to go downtown, find a place to park, and just head out for a walk.