Archive

Posts Tagged ‘Whale Watching’

Enjoy a Romantic Getaway at the West Coast’s Best Inns

February 15th, 2009 No comments

It’s that special time of the year when you and your sweetheart can freely share an unforgettable experience to rekindle your romance. The West Coast inns, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels offer a unique and time-tested recipe for pampering, refreshment and wonderful dining experiences.

For information about the most romantic B&Bs in California and the Pacific Northwest, check out popular travel writer Karen Brown’s website. Full of information about these areas, Karen Brown’s World of Travel offers detailed trip itineraries, maps and listings for hundreds of unique inns in these areas as well as exciting destinations around the world.

Karen Brown’s readers have voted and chosen the following lodging choices as the “Most Romantic” and best “Splendid Splurges” in California and the Pacific Northwest. For a romantic getaway, the following is a good place to begin your search:

The Tickle Pink Inn, located just south of Carmel, an unbelievably beautiful seaside village on California’s Central Coast, was voted “Most Romantic” in California by Karen Brown readersand for good reason. With access to excellent shopping, unique gourmet restaurants and world-class golf courses, this charming inn is loaded with amenities. Near the edge of Big Sur, The Tickle Pink Inn is intimate, private and elegant. Enjoy a luxurious continental breakfast in the early mornings and a fantastic evening reception with classical music playing softly in the background while you taste local wines, fresh fruits and fantastic cheeses. The rooms are well-appointed and present quaint balconies from which to enjoy the seaside view, and most are equipped with wood burning fireplaces as well. The most elegant suites boast whirlpool tubs and the luxurious king beds are graced with Egyptian cotton and down comforters.

The Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for the best “Splendid Splurge” in California goes to The Inn Above Tide in Sausalito. Every room has excellent views of the panoramic San Francisco Bay and offers unbelievably plush accommodations. Most of the rooms contain fireplaces and private decks, affording exquisite vistas of the night lights in the city. Enjoy the oversized tubs, flat screen TVs, luxurious linens, soft robes and Bvlgari bath products. Continental breakfasts are fabulous, and the evening wine and cheese reception is not to be missed. The Inn Above Tide also offers the Penthouse Suite with a glass-enclosed whirlpool tub overlooking the bay as well as a romantic fireplace and private deck.

While not as posh as some of the inns listed in this article, the Channel House in Depoe Bay, Oregon, has plenty to offer. The location affords almost total privacy, located right on the edge of the Oregon coast. Many of the guest rooms have a deck with an ocean view hot tub, as well as a fireplace. A continental breakfast buffet is served in a room that affords stunning sea vistas, a perfect start to the day. The staff is happy to help guests plan their daily adventures, offering suggestions for activities and local restaurants. The area is ideal for whale watching and The Whale Center is located within walking distance of the inn. The Channel House was the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for “Most Romantic” lodging in the Pacific Northwest.

The Sooke Harbour House in Canada’s glorious province of British Columbia is a fanciful destination. Located on the Whiffen Spit Beach in the village of Sooke, this boutique hotel offers some truly unique accommodations. Each of the rooms offers a view of mountains, gardens or the sea and all have a fireplace and private balcony or terrace. The dcor is what truly sets this place apart from other coastal inns. For example, the Passion Flower room includes a bed with a headboard that resembles wooden doors opening onto a mural of a garden path. The Kitchen’s Garden room includes a shower surrounded on three sides by stained glass. Original artwork and unique furnishings decorate the other guest rooms, and each has a different theme. The hotel also has a full-service spa and a gourmet restaurant. Sooke Harbour House won the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for best “Splendid Splurge” in the Pacific Northwest.

About the Author:

There Are Many Hawaii Cruises Available On the Market

July 31st, 2008 No comments
by Malc Baxter

The image most have of a cruise is being on blue waters and large luxurious ships that might offer dancing, drinking and sometimes a dinner party. What does a Hawaii cruise make you think of? Consider that the water can’t get any more blue and the weather is absolutely perfect. But were you aware that not all Hawaii cruises are even remotely the same.

Unique Hawaiian cruises.

Of course you’ve always got the option of choosing a standard Hawaii Cruise offering sights of the ocean during a pre determined amount of cruising time, and maybe a drink to wet the whistle while sailing.

Today, though, Hawaii cruises offer so much more.

Some cruise lines transform their vessel into a floating dinner nightclub by offering full buffet dinners and live bands.

You will even find that some Hawaii cruise lines treat you with five star, three course meals accompanied with the Hawaiian island tradition of a luau showcasing talented local dancers. There are some cruises that offer extravagant accommodations for overnight stays that will allow you to feel pampered without spending a fortune.

When you are looking to book a cruise in Hawaii, a couple of fun options to consider are, whale watching and snorkeling with the dolphins.

How to find the different Hawaii cruise options.

The Internet is the best way to go if you aren’t in Hawaii when looking to book a cruise. You’ll find plenty of companies and websites online that offer Hawaii cruise packages of many different varieties. Which island to stay on, your available cruise days and dates, and the activities you are most interested in are some of the things you should consider before booking a Hawaii cruise.

Many Hawaiian cruises are very expensive; it depends on the features and extras that are offered. So be sure your choice is the one you’ll enjoy the most, this is critical.

For those who have never experienced Hawaii or been on one of the Hawaii cruises, or are not aware of the multitude of opportunities available, use forums and online community websites to get opinions, answers and suggestions from those who have experienced what Hawaii has to offer. Residents of Hawaii are very active on forums with the intention to educate tourists about their place.

This can benefit you tremendously whether this is your very first trip or hundredth to Hawaii, and whether it be for one of those nice Hawaii cruises or a relaxing beach vacation.

About the Author: