Boomer Travel Patrol Blog

Originally from Argentina, the Cea family came to Miami in 1985. They opened this fabulous restaurant in 1993. You feel the moment you walk through the doors, you are in Italy. The father, Arturo and the mother, Carla are always cooking. The three sons Fabian, Gerardo and Marcela are taking care of the rest of the business.

Few places in the world are as romantic and private as Bellagio, a resort nestled in the hills of Lake Como.  Often referred to as “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio has world class hotels and restaurants that offer the perfect environment to relax and enjoy the stunning panoramic views – especially the Italian Alps.

Rod, Kathy, Charlie, Patsy, Chuck, and Jeff enjoyed a perfect (beyond perfect actually) October day driving through the southern Indiana countryside to the past hangouts of the Chicago Mobs, Presidents, Actors, Actresses, and the wealthy.  The weather was unseasonably warm, starting in the upper 60’s and ending, believe it or not, over 90 degrees.  There wasn’t a cloud in sight.

The Badlands is leftover volcanic terrain, strange and beautiful, but most inhospitable. There’s hardly a living thing out here except rattlesnakes and prairie dogs. But it’s a wonderful place to tour and camp on your way to South Dakota’s Black Hills.

From our arrival at Camp Gone to the Dogs and seeing the various offerings, Susie was ready to try herding for the first time.   After speaking with the herding instructors, Roy and Debbie Johnson, we signed up for a private session on Monday morning.  Private sessions are fifteen minutes to prevent both dog and sheep from being to worn out.

In August of 1950, two curious teenagers were hunting for Native American artifacts after they had finished their chores and noticed cold air rushing out of a tiny opening, which was causing leaves to rustle on a tree 15 feet away.  They dug their way in and discovered a magical world within, what is now Cub Run Cave.

America's East Coast Riviera, that's how locals feel about the Hamptons. Then again, there are locals, and locals.  The real locals are the people of Long Island who live in the Hamptons year around.  The other "locals" are rich owners and renters who inhabit from May till September.  New Yorkers, for some strange reason, have come to regard summer as that time between Memorial Day (third Monday in May), and Labor Day, first Monday in September.  So, every piece of action is crammed into three oh so short, super-revved up months of summer.

So I'm guessing you've been to New York on numerous occasions and have stayed in various hotels around the City, and you know there are many surprises here. In case you haven't had the pleasure, let me tell you about a BandB in the City. The owners refer to it as an “Urban BandB.” As you traipse around the concrete jungle, wouldn't it be nice to come “home” to a library stocked with wonderful books, great art and a piano, not to mention a house cat? If not, stop reading. If so, this is a great find with lots of charm and character. The rooms are themed and some can feel kitschy, but it will be an experience like no other you've had with a stay in New York, unless you are lucky enough to have a friend with an apartment and lots of extra room.

It was raining in the streets of Tiburon, as my family started out to enjoy dinner out. We peeked into this sweet American traditional, very inviting restaurant that seemed  welcoming and proceeded to enjoy dining for the next few hours. It was a single dining area, large windows all along the left side and the front, hardwood floors and darling blue and white checkered tablecloths (that’s the boomer in me, remembering those tablecloths from back when….). A long, beautiful mirror and fresh flowers were also a focus of the restaurant.

I’m no an adrenalin junky, take me anywhere near a bungee jump and I’ll run a mile. But I do enjoy skiing and should you fancy a change from Colorado, and if maybe you’ve ticked off America’s five best resorts like Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Snowbird and Alta in Utah, then Europe has so much to offer.

A couple of years back, I headed for Switzerland, the beautiful, landlocked country boarding France and Italy formed from 26 regions known as cantons. My base for the week was the scenic, yet little-known mountain-top town of Nendaz in the Canton of Valais.

Nendaz lies at the heart of a popular ski region which markets itself as The Four Valleys, and from here you can access 95 lifts, over 100 pistes and two snow parks designed specifically for burgeoning snowboarders.

What’s even better is that skiing from Nendaz, compared to the de rigueur neighbouring resorts of Verbier and Lausanne, will come in at a fraction of the cost.