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Posts Tagged ‘California’

Fort Bragg Hotels, Close To Mendocino Are Very Popular

October 5th, 2009 No comments
by R.C Davis

Fort Bragg was once a centre of industry for logging and fishing, but these industries have both deteriorated in recent years and this town now finds itself a centre for tourist trade. Fort Bragg hotels are far more down to earth and therefore cheaper than hotels in Mendocino, as Mendocino is this particular coastline’s commercial centre.

The urban sprawl of Mendocino has seen to it that very little new business is able to start up. So business owners of enterprises such as galleries, restaurants and boutiques have taken their business down the road to Fort Bragg. There is more space available and a good tourist trade.

Because of this tourists and locals are making this town a popular place to visit and in March during the Whale Festival, as well as during the Labor Day Weekend, Fort Brag finds itself a hive buzzing with activity.

There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses in Fort Bragg, where guest will find them-selves more than comfortable. For example the Grey Whale Inn, it is a very short walk to the beach from this beautiful redwood building was originally built as a hospital in 1915.

This Inn is a beautiful red wood building with spacious hallways and large guest rooms. Each room has its own unique features and is furnished accordingly. Trays are available in the breakfast room, if you feel like taking your breakfast back to bed with you, enabling you to really relax and have a good time. It is a short walk from the beach and is a popular place to stay.

The Beachcomber Motel is also another good place to stay. It is situated on the coast, just across the road from MacKerricher State Park. The large outside deck facing the Pacific is where you will want to spend most of your time, so even if you have a budget room this won’t matter much.

where you are able to cook your own food. There is also a barbeque area provided for guests use.reakfast back to bed with you iThis motel has a massive back deck which overlooks the Pacific and just across the road you will find MacKerricher State Park, which has miles of sandy beaches and dunes. If you want to save even more money, you can book a room with a kitchenette where you are able to cook your own food. There is also a barbeque area provided for guests use.

The North Coast Brewing Company is one of the liveliest venues in Fort Bragg. The locals and visitors alike enjoy this popular hot spot. It was voted one of the best 10 breweries in the world in 1998, so is worth a special visit.

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Vacation in Nosara Costa Rica – The Unspoiled Gem of Guanacaste

April 20th, 2009 No comments

When I want to unwind and unplug at the beach I head for Nosara. The feel of this seaside town is relaxed yet upscale, and has some pleasantly familiar tones for a California native like me that echo holistically oriented communities like Santa Cruz, for example. At the same time, it is uniquely Costa Rican with a Guanacasteco flair.

Nosara is part of the proudly independent Guanacaste Province, that was once part of Nicaragua. The focus on wellness is represented well and genuinely in what the area is best known for: surfing and yoga. You dont need to partake of these, however, to completely enjoy and appreciate your Nosara vacation. Thankfully not too many people know about Nosara yet, and I am hoping that this unspoiled gem can stay low key for a long while to come. The town is 40 miles from the nearest paved road, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica. What I really appreciate is the strong sense of community and the commitment to keeping Nosaras water and environment healthy and clean. The Nosara Civic Association was established to represent the interests of the people living in the region in a sustainable way. The community is inviting to locals and foreigners alike, and I simply just feel at ease whenever I visit. Pura Vida is alive and well in Nosara!

My family and I especially enjoy the Harmony Hotel on Playa Guiones:

The ambiance, the caring staff, and the sustainable practices pull it all together in an elegant, yet relaxed environment that leaves all of us refreshed and recharged after every visit.

The cuisine is a natural extension of the focus on health and wellness, with many vegetarian options, no red meat, and plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as just-caught-fresh fish and seafood.

The juice bar has many inventive concoctions including both beverages such as Ginger Lassi (Indian yogurt drink), and fun vegetarian appetizers such as coconut-lime ceviche-delicious! Reflecting a harmonious way of living, the kitchen uses organic ingredients whenever possible.

The rooms are natural, roomy and very private with a great indoor/outdoor feel. One of the best kept secrets is the Harmony House. It is a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom beauty and simply elegant.

The open kitchen, dining and sitting area open onto an expansive patio boasting the best views in Nosara. You can check the surf on Guiones below, while floating in the infinity pool. We stayed with family and had an incredible time.

The Harmony staff even offered to shop for our family dinner we insisted on cooking together in the fully equipped kitchen. It is the best of both worlds: a private beach house , fully equipped and with all the amenities of a hotel. Perfect for families up to 6. The natural wood and crisp white linens work well and the amenities include organic products locally made for you to enjoy during your stay.

The pools are easy on the skin, leaving no harsh chemical burn because the treatment is done with salt water instead of chlorine.

The spa is wonderfully appointed with tantalizing services including a chocolate wrap, using organic cacao and coconut oil.

The coffee rub is amazing and invigorating with great anti-oxidant effect.

The spa also uses organic ingredients as much as possible, for example insisting on organic coffee beans only for the coffee rub from a local family producer.

There are yoga classes overlooking a pond with lotus blossoms, a natural juice bar, ping pong table, and great little store with art supplies, books and many other gems.

The very short stroll to the beach will reveal the long, pristine Playa Guiones with surfing, boogie boarding and a private palapa (with attendant) where you may leave your belongings while you frolic in the sea.

There are many local tours and activities to choose from in addition to the very popular surfing, boogie boarding, yoga and spa treatments. These include kayaking the Rio Garza, Rio Montana, or Rio Nosara, ocean kayaking, bird watching, waterfall hike, Ostional Turtle Nesting, canopy tours, horseback riding, estuary boat tours, among others. One of the best natural highlights is the Lagarta Lodge Biological Reserve Tour, which is very near to the Harmony Hotel. The private reserve is 125 acres along the Nosara river mangroves boasting an abundance of plants and animals including herons, waders, seabirds, motmots, monkeys, coatis, armadillos, anteaters, crabs, iguanas and many others. The best time for animal activity is early morning, and after the tour it is a wonderful option to enjoy the breakfast buffet at the Lagarta Lodge with a lovely ocean view.

Some other highlights include the local eatery/bar/bakery called Cafe de Paris. This is a great spot, right in the heart of town, with a wonderfully diverse menu, yummy bakery and extensive beverage selection. You will find unique German and Belgian beer, along with many tropical drinks, and eclectic international wines. The Black Sheep Pub up in the Nosara hills is a fun place with a great view and vibe. Strolling through the surf shops and boutiques in town, you will find an old fashioned ice cream shop with giant waffle cones and a super wide variety of flavors. You will meet locals, North Americans, Europeans, South Americans all in a very enjoyable, easy setting. If you want to unplug and unwind, with a focus on well-being, you will love Nosara, too.

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How the Perfect Vacation Could Add Years to Your Life

April 7th, 2009 1 comment

Dream vacations can be described as vacations where the person does what his heart desires. These are the vacations where you really make your vacationing dreams come true; it may be driving up the coast of California, going to a bull run in Spain, or visiting the Taj Mahal in India. A person can find true happiness and joy when his heart is light. Happiness creates a load of endorphins that make travelers feel happier and live longer.

In these current economic conditions, many people feel too stressed to spend money on a vacation. They would rather save the money for an emergency situation. As a result, they end up feeling stressed out and as times get harder, they get more and more depressed. This takes years off of your life by assisting with the aging process. It is a well known fact that stressed out people not only look older, but age more internally.

For those who have the means to take vacation, they feel like they have no extra time. They spend time between working and looking after their family. Children are busy with after school activities and keep their parents on the run. The dreams of family vacations seem far removed.

If money or time is your problem, there are vacation solutions for you. Selecting the right airline in addition to the right travel package can help you save dollars without affecting the quality of the vacation. Moreover, most online travel websites will work with your scheduling needs. These are both important for having a stress free vacation. When you remove stress, again, you add years back to your life. Plan your vacation far in advance. This will help you take advantage of early bird specials.

Voyages to Africa, if planned ahead of time, can give you a big bang for your buck. There are numerous exotic locations in Africa that cater to different types of vacationers. They have safaris, hunting trips, mountain climbing, white water rafting, and bird watching in places ranging from Kenya to Egypt. An African vacation is sure to excite and titillate, promising an exhilarating vacation. An Australian vacation can introduce a vacationer to wonderfully magical scenery and deep sea diving off the Great Barrier Reef. Seeing kangaroos in the outback can definitely fulfill childhood dreams.

Some travelers much prefer the laid-back atmosphere of Europe. They’d rather visit cities like Paris, London, Milan, Madrid, and Venice. These trips offer lots of history, museums, and luxury. This can definitely be a relaxing vacation option of planned the right way.

The airline that you choose can make a difference in the price of your trip and therefore the feasibility of your trip. An excellent example is Emirates Airlines. They are based in Dubai and are a top carrier in the airline industry. With more than 100 destinations, they are not only a safe airline, but a luxury carrier as well. Their destinations are great, but their star quality service is even better.

If a vacationer picks Emirates Airlines as their carrier of choice, the have the opportunity to take an exotic Arabian adventure, which means tours, safaris, deep-sea fishing or cruises. As an addition feature, a vacation with Emirates Airline can win a vacationer a free stay at Atlantis The Palm, which includes access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers. Both are new and exclusive vacation hot spots.

No matter where you choose to vacation, always plan ahead, and be prepared for any surprises. Choose an airline like Emirates Airline that offers affordable tickets, vacation packages, and superior service. After your vacation you will be amazed at how much younger you feel.

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Disneyland Vacations Are The Best Experience

April 2nd, 2009 No comments

Disneyland is every child’s dream destination. Even some adults fantasize about visiting this extravagant, make-believe world. For many of us who grew up watching Disney movies, setting foot on the kingdom created by the great animator is the ultimate dream. A Disneyland vacation is an experience we’ll never forget.

But before you pack your bags and head on the road towards the dream destination, you should take into consideration these things to ensure that you’re Disneyland vacation is perfect:

- The perfect time to see Mickey and the rest of the animation world’s unforgettable characters is in September when the weather is warm. It is also during this time when school just started and the crowd is light.

- If you plan to go to Disneyland during times when there are less people, don’t be frustrated if your stay is cut short by shorter park hours. Some park rides may not be available during such times.

- Check with the Disneyland website to see which rides are closed due to maintenance. That way, you have the option to reschedule your visit when all the rides are open.

- Cheap tickets are available in local authorized dealers.

- If you’re traveling with kids, check out which rides are suitable for them.

The Disneyland Resort Vacation package can add excitement to your dream vacation. You can buy it online and get freebies. This vacation package will allow you to choose what vacation type suits you and your family. Here, you can customize theme park tickets, hotel accommodations, car rental, dining, and air fare.

Disneyland holds true to its name as “The Place Where Dreams Come True” because vacations are not the only things you can enjoy here. You can also celebrate your special days (birthdays, anniversaries, reunions) at the Disneyland Resort. Your special day can even be more special by spending it at Disneyland.

Spending time at Disneyland will really make one’s childhood dreams come true. Nothing can be better than getting the chance to see your favorite cartoon characters up close and personal in their magnificent world. A Disneyland vacation will surely be something you can remember for the rest of your life.

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B&B Guests Earn Rewards 10 Times Faster Than Leading Hotel Chain

March 26th, 2009 No comments

If you are looking to pile up free-night rewards from frequent stay programs when you travel, we’ve found that you can get more bang for your buck staying at a bed and breakfast. Here’s a little test we did:

Rewarded 10 Times Faster than at Marriott

Picking up the phone, we called Marriott Rewards with a standard request to earn a free stay. We asked about booking a $209-per-night room at the Marriott Suites, which would get us a total of 627 points per night. In order to compile enough points to get a free night at their lowest level, we would need 7,500 points. That means we would have to spend $2,500, staying about 11.9 nights in order to get that free night reward.

Now we’ll check how travelers can earn a free stay at B&Bs nationwide, in addition to a few other B&B-related values. Bed and breakfasts are hard to beat when it comes to unique lodging, hospitality and what you can get for your hard-earned dollar. If you are interested in making your money work better for you, take into consideration a couple of items:

Across the nation, more than 1,500 B&B inns will give guests a free second-night stay with the purchase of the first night. They do this for a simple reason. They want exposure for their property. The typical bed and breakfast doesn’t have the large advertising budget that a standard hotel does. So, they look to earn word-of-mouth exposure and added promotion through this popular program.

At iLoveInns.com, the site that runs this free-night program, travelers can save $140 on an average two-night stay. Think about the numbers above that we quoted from Marriott Rewards. How much more can you stretch your travel dollar than using it to spend 11.9 nights in order to get that free night?

Depending on the individual bed and breakfast or country inn, a traveler can save as much as $650. Plus, the buy-one-get-one promotion is an immediate reward.

You can save even more when you take into consideration your meal expense. The bed and breakfast, after all, comes with breakfast. But many inns also take it a step further an offer various free business services and such items as free drinks or snacks (and not with a mini-bar price).

Money and Memories Go Further with Bed and Breakfast Trips

Now that you know you can save more from a bed and breakfast, consider a typical inn and what it provides. For example, look at this California Bed and Breakfast, the Inn at Seventeen Mile drive located in the Monterey Peninsula.

Choose from rooms with views of the sea or garden in the main house of this three-building bed and breakfast. Or, enjoy the oak and redwoods in the chalet and cottage rooms. Unwind in the spa beneath the towering trees or the gardens whose guests also include the occasional deer and monarch butterfly. Maybe sip some champagne near the fountains and koi ponds. With the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, guests will save anywhere from $145 to $290 at this lovely property.

Hard to beat an excellent experience and an excellent value. When you’re trying to decide how to find that next free-night perk, take a look at a property like that California bed and breakfast. The B&B free-night program is a superb travel value.

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