Vacations Blog

Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday this year (February 14th for those of you living under an anti-Hallmark rock).  I believe that is a sign that the most perfect Valentine’s Day gift must be a romantic weekend away.

And where better to get away in February than the Sunshine State of Florida?

Of course, Florida is a big state, teeming with romantic beaches, secluded Bed N’ Breakfasts and luxurious spas that would make a perfect setting for any romantic surprise.  In the interest of making your life easier (and putting my favorite ideas in writing for my own husband), I’ve narrowed down the possibilities to Five of my favorite romantic weekend vacations in Central Florida (also known as in and around Orlando).

5. Seven Sisters Inn in Ocala, Florida.

Paris Apartment at Seven Sisters Inn

I’ll admit, Ocala, Florida is not the first place I would send someone for a romantic weekend.  But this infamous bed and breakfast is a rare treat – especially if you’re into ghost stories.  Known as “Florida’s most haunted Bed and Breakfast” (which suggests there is competition for the title), the Seven Sisters Inn has been featured on national “ghost hunting” television shows.  Past guests are encouraged to share their supernatural experiences in public journals, so even if nothing happens during you’re visit you should find plenty of ways to freak yourself out.

Why run away to a haunted bed and breakfast for Valentine’s Day?  Think clinging together during scary movies – times ten.

4. A Beach Retreat at Flagler Beach, Florida.

Again, most people would ask themselves why Flagler Beach?  It’s not quite Daytona Beach.  It’s not quite St. Augustine.  It’s just about half way in between and appears to offer absolutely nothing to tourists.

And that, my friends, is the appeal.

Dusk at Snack Jack

For about $100 per night, rent a private villa on the beach at the Island Cottage By The Sea.  Spend your days enjoying nothing but each other and the sound of the ocean.  The beaches here, while public, are quiet and uncrowded.  For a casual yet romantic dinner, you can eat indoors or out at Snack Jack’s and enjoy fresh seafood overlooking the water at sunset.

Of course, if you do decide you need more visual stimulation during the day than the ocean and boutique shopping can provide, you’re just a short drive up the coast to the infamous lighthouses of St. Augustine.

3. Be Grown Ups at Universal Studios Orlando and City Walk

Many people don’t think about amusement parks when they are planning a romantic weekend.  After all, places like Universal Studios were made for kids, right?

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios becomes a completely different experience when you go without children.  And when you stay in one of the on site hotels, you’ll receive free fast passes for all of the rides – which means no kids and no waiting in lines! My favorite on site resort is the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, but you have three to choose from.

When you’re done screaming and giggling like kids on the roller coasters, spend the night at City Walk.  You have dozens of restaurants and clubs to choose from – from a Latin dance club to a popular piano bar.  Again, staying on site means convenient transportation to and from the restaurants and clubs, as well as well lit paths for a late night walk back to your hotel.

2. Shop Until You Drop at The Florida Mall in Orlando

Mall at Millenia in Orlando

Maybe you don’t think shopping is romantic.  Maybe the idea of sleeping in a mall doesn’t send chills down your spine and a smile across your face.  Maybe it’s a good thing you’re not married to me.

If your Valentine loves to shop, you can spend the entire weekend doing what she (or he) loves.  The luxurious Mall at Millenia and the cult favorite IKEA practically share a parking lot.  There are two upscale outlet malls within 10 minutes of one another (Prime Outlets and Premium Outlets – because we wouldn’t want to confuse the tourists with similar sounding names).  And you can finish the day and spend the night at The Florida Mall, a sprawling complex that houses a Sephora and it’s own hotel!

If your Valentine doesn’t love to shop, the two of you can read this and have a good laugh together at the crazy lady who considers a really good mall a romantic date.

1. The Spa at The Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grand Lakes

Yes, it’s The Ritz.  No, this won’t be a cheap weekend.

But it will absolutely be worth every single penny you spend if you decide to splurge on a trip to The Ritz Carlton Spa.

You can get pampered individually, or enjoy special spa treatments together like a couple’s massage.  Of course their treatments are first class, but my absolute favorite part about this place is what happens between the treatments.

The co-ed lounge area is heave on earth.  You’ll ooze out of there at the end of the day, more relaxed than either of you have been since you were old enough to understand the difference between a workday and a weekend.

It doesn’t get much more romantic than a night at The Ritz Carlton with a deep tissue massage, a soak in a jacuzzi, and a long, hot sweat in the steam room.

Of course, if you’re married to me, you already know this.  Right? Right?

Photos courtesy of Seven Sisters Inn, Joe Shlabotnik, and Britt Reints

With its upscale restaurants, landmark buildings, beautiful bridges and breathtaking views, San Francisco always tops the lists of favorite US cities and tourist destinations.  Many people come to visit during the summer months and get disappointed by the cold fog and damp weather. However you would be pleasantly surprised if you made a trip to the city during this time of year.  The winter months often bring cold temperatures but very blue skies during the day and nights full of stars.

San Francisco is almost more beautiful at night during the holidays than any other time of year – and that is saying something.

During the holidays living in the City is such a gift: the bright lights on the Embarcadero Center row of buildings, outlined to look like giant present boxes; the beautiful window displays in high-end stores like Gump’s and multi-colored lights adorning neighborhood parks and homes. Walk through any of these areas of the city and you can’t help but smile and get a little more into the holiday spirit.

If you are visiting the City or planning to in the future and want to experience a uniquely San Francisco evening, I have the perfect recipe for you. The itinerary will need a little planning but should only require one phone call for the dinner reservation.  This evening is a local favorite for a romantic date but it can be adjusted for just a great night out with friends or family.

First thing you want to do is plan on wearing some warm layers of clothing, especially a scarf and gloves.  San Francisco at night, during this time of year, can be very cold. Wear some nice holiday clothes and comfortable shoes and you will be set for the evening.

Begin the evening with a drink at the beautiful Big Four Restaurant on Nob Hill. Located inside the Huntington Hotel, this secret spot doesn’t have the view that you can get from the Top of the Mark, but this is the place locals go. Filled with beautiful dark wood, the bar area is rich and a historic reminder of the robber barons that built San Francisco.

After a glass of wine or cold cocktail, walk slowly across California Street, watching out for the cable cars and taxi drivers heading across town. Criss-cross the street and stroll through Huntington Park, a wonderful small city park situated between Grace Cathedral and The Fairmont Hotel.  It is one of my favorite parks to visit at night during the holidays because the neighborhood association installs beautiful old-fashion lights in the trees.

Walk through the park towards your dinner reservations, at Venticello Ristorante on Taylor Street. This wonderful Italian restaurant has a warm intimate setting that reminds you of San Francisco society pages from the 1920s. I have had dinners where I have watched patrons walk in that could have been related to Grace Kelly or Kim Novak, in their style of dress and manner. The food is classic Italian with homemade pastas, risotto and roasted meats. The fireplace and wood oven add warmth to your dinner setting along with a backdrop of cable cars going up and down California Street.

After your dinner walk down Taylor Street to Jackson Street and catch the Powell-Hyde Cable Car, with its maroon colored sign, to head towards the waterfront and Hyde Street Pier.  The cable car ride will be very chilly but you can cuddle up inside the center of the car or wrap your scarf tighter and hang onto the outer poles like a local.

Your ride will take you up past Nob Hill and across Russian Hill until you head down Hyde Street to the end of the line. Hop off and turning your back to the bay, walk into The Buena Vista Cafe – home of the perfect Irish Coffee!

Irish Coffee

The recipe of this famous drink was created in 1952 when the restaurant owner and a well known travel writer worked to re-create a highly touted “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland.

The Irish Coffee served here at the Buena Vista is the perfect night cap any night of the year, but especially in winter.  How and when you decide to end your evening is up to you, but after all the lights, rich foods, fresh air and drinks – I recommend taking a cab home. Enjoy!

If you’re planning a trip, check out flights to San Francisco.

Photo credits to bill lim, tinou, shayne kaye and rick

Big Sur Highway 1

Part I of On the Road in Big Sur can be read here.

We greeted Saturday morning at the crack of 9:30, washed up and made the short walk up to the Lucia Lodge restaurant, closed to all at this hour except lodge guests. We toasted some bagels, grabbed coffee and fruit salad and a couple of hard boiled eggs and went out on the deck that overlooks the lodge grounds and the ocean. Mornings are always chilly in Big Sur, but with sweatshirts we were quite comfortable in shorts. The sun was already breaking through as we perused one of the free Big Sur Guide newspapers and contemplated how to spend the day.

Big Sur offers everything from hiking the 167,323 acres of the Ventana Wilderness to camping, hunting and fishing or just relaxing on one of many beaches. We decided on Pfeiffer Beach for its “breathtaking stretch of sand” and “large arch-shaped rock formations” and picked up a couple of sandwiches at the Big Sur Center Deli some 20 miles north on Hwy 1 (did I mention the Lucia Lodge is pretty isolated?) next to the Big Sur Post Office and planned to picnic. We got one pastrami, and one fresh roasted turkey sandwich. Both came with a pickle spear and were reasonably priced ($4-$6) given their girth. We could have easily split one sandwich and been more than satisfied.

The guide paper informed us that locating Pfeiffer Beach can be tricky if you’ve never been. You have to find unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Here’s the tip: it’s the only paved, un-gated road west of Hwy 1 between the Big Sur Post Office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Be warned that this is a very narrow, winding road, rather bumpy and pot-holed in some stretches. Do not attempt to negotiate this road with a trailer unless you want to risk getting yourself stuck and angering a lot of other drivers.

Pfeiffer Beach is as promised; long stretches of beach, breathtaking arch shaped rock formations and towering cliffs. What the paper didn’t happen to mention was that it can also be like visiting a sandy wind tunnel. The wind coming off the ocean whips around those arch shaped rock formations and right down that sandy stretch of beach. We found shelter on a large rock about 200 yards down the beach and endured the discomfort of our craggy seat long enough to eat lunch. Many people were braving the cold and enjoying the ocean but we decided against it, content to walk in the surf watch the kite fliers and spot seals. There was also a refreshing lack of seagulls though I can offer no reasons why. Anxious to continue our exploration we let the wind carry us back to our car.

“Exile on Main Street” pounding from the speakers, bright sun and blue skies flecked with white clouds and a brand new Mustang convertible, top down, roaring up Hwy 1. It doesn’t get much better. Hwy 1, and Big Sur in particular, offers some fantastic photo ops and the amateur shutterbug I call my wife was anxious to try and capture some of its beauty. We spent a good few hours driving up and down Hwy 1, stopping every few hundred yards so she could snap more photos. Though I’m not personally that interested in photography I was more than happy to oblige and give the Mustang a chance to sprint. Numerous turnouts allow for plenty of scenic views and some fantastic shots, however you may wish to confirm weather reports prior to planning a drive because the fog will often obstruct the coastal beauty. Fortunately the sun was on our side and my wife happily snapped off dozens of shots, some even with me in them.

Andrew Molera State Park has what the guide paper described as “a sandy beach…sheltered from the wind by a large bluff…”.  We were still in a beach mood and shelter from the wind sounded great so we pulled off to check it out. At the ranger kiosk the young man informed me of the $8.00 entry fee. I had expected this but having just paid $5.00 for a 45 minute visit at Pfeiffer Beach I wasn’t very willing to part with more of my dwindling cash supply. I pointed out the ticket we received at Pfeiffer still taped to our windshield, hoping the fact that we’d already paid one beach entry fee might gain us access to another. Apparently Pfeiffer is federally owned by the U.S. Forest Service while Andrew Molera is a state owned park. As such, each is entitled to charge an entry fee. Annoyed by this display of governmental gouging, we decided to begin the long trek back to Lucia and make dinner plans.

Nepenthe Patio

That morning a fellow continental breakfast-er had told us about a restaurant called Nepenthe, which is about (yes), twenty miles north on Hwy 1. We were informed that while the food was just “OK”, a better spot to sight whales and watch the sunset could not be found. We simply “must go”.  In fact, all of her friends in LA had told her that she simply “must go”. To ignore such resolute counsel would have been misguided, boarding on reckless, so go we did.

In the future I must remember to lead a more reckless, misguided life. OK I’m kidding. Our fellow lodger was correct in that the food was OK. I had the Ambrosiaburger (my eyes were instinctively drawn to it having been denied one the night before at Whale Watcher Café and the fact that at $13.00 it was the cheapest thing on the menu) complete with their famous “Ambrosia Sauce”, (mayo, green chili salsa and tomato sauce). My wife, already having decided to lead a more reckless life, opted for grilled scallops wrapped in prosciutto ($32.00) followed by the Four Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake ($7.50). While everything was delicious, as you’ve probably already gathered, what you’re really paying for is the view and by the time the bill arrived we were treated to a bright red sun melting into a thick blanket of clouds which slowly turned a dazzling hot pink, all the while spreading like whipped marshmallow across the darkening Pacific. Don’t forget your camera.

Back at Lucia Lodge we occupied one of the benches at the edge of the cliff near our cabin. Darkness had fallen and we were forced to rely on our other senses, enjoying the  cool winds coming off of the ocean and the sound of waves crashing at the base of the cliff below us. Later that evening, back in our cabin we enjoyed some wine and those good books and slept well. Sunday arrived far too quickly but the 11:00 AM check out time allowed us to linger over our coffee on the lodge deck. We watched the fog roll silently over the grounds, obscuring the foot path back to the cabin and our waiting Mustang, sitting patiently in anticipation of her final run up Hwy 1.

All Photos by Lisa Romano Except Nepenthe Courtesty of Nepenthe.

From guest blogger Marsha Takeda-Morrison of Sweatpantsmom

Okay, so maybe Los Angeles doesn’t come to mind when you’re thinking of planning a romantic getaway. Freeways, smog, Paris Hilton – I admit none of these inspire an enchanting escape with that special someone. But take a look at these hotels – you might just change your mind. And if not, well – there’s always Paris.

Though I’ve never stayed here, I’ve heard people say that the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills is an ideal romantic retreat. Done in a fifties retro-style, the rooms feature Eames cabinets and Noguchi furniture, which may not seem romantic to you but really gets furniture designers hot. But here’s why this place intrigues me: My husband and I used to live around the corner when the hotel was the run-down Beverly Carlton. We visited once when we were considering putting up some friends there, but changed our minds when the place had the vibe of a Motel 6 infested with crack dealers. (Although, this being Beverly Hills, those would be filthy rich, Gucci-clad crack dealers.) But they’ve done an amazing transformation with the hotel – it’s now a hangout for hipsters and celebrities who like to lounge around their swanky pool.

For a more classically romantic feel, you can’t go wrong with the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown L.A. The hotel is currently celebrating it’s 85th anniversary, and has a rich history – besides hosting many celebrities and presidents, the hotel was the site of the Academy Awards back in the 30’s and 40’s. In honor of their birthday, the hotel is offering a special 85th Anniversary Celebration package that includes a deluxe room, a nice bottle of champagne and dinner for two at their acclaimed restaurant. Round out your romantic stay by indulging in their daily Traditional Afternoon Tea – just like a Royal couple! (Are any of them still together?)

One of my most memorable romantic getaways was at the Mondrian Hotel on the Sunset Strip. My husband surprised me with an anniversary weekend here, and it was amazing. Make sure you get one of their packages that includes a reservation at their famous Asia de Cuba restaurant and admission to the unbearably hip Skybar (opened by Cindy Crawford’s husband). This place features more celebrities per square foot than any other location in L.A. besides the cosmetic surgery ward at Cedars Sinai Hospital. Kick back with your amour in the stunning Seabar, have one of their unbelievable watermelon martinis and do what I do – try to figure out a way to make off with all their designer furniture. Now that’s romantic.

Photo: Mondrian Hotel

Last weekend, my husband and I slept in for the first morning in weeks. We woke up at the indulgent hour of 9am–yawned–stretched–looked out at the sunny warm day–and impulsively decided to go wine tasting in Dry Creek Valley! This is one of the many pleasures of living in the Bay Area. There are so many wonderful weekend destinations and fabulous day trips within an hour or two drive from home. Sometimes my head is dizzy with the possibilities!

As we are new transplants to California, from Texas, we had not yet been to Napa or Sonoma. We considered this to be our first “scouting” expedition. The car was soon packed with our map, bottles of water, and bag of fresh cherries for the road ( I love cherry season!) As we headed North up 101, the scenery transitioned from open bay and green mountains to dry rolling hills and groves of oak trees with the occasional vineyard coming into view.

We chose to drive to the small town of Sonoma and base our explorations out of there. I found the quaint upscale shops, cute restaurants, and lovely town square to be delightful—and also very familiar!

As I mentioned, I just moved to the Bay Area from Texas. Most of you may not know this–but, Texans have a wine country region of their own–the Hill Country is a precious gem, tucked into the rolling hills in the heart of central Texas. The topography of the Hill Country is quite similar to that of Sonoma and Napa counties. There are rolling hills and dry grasses with groves of oaks and wild flowers. My favorite place to visit wineries in the area is Fredericksburg. This is an old German settlement that has segued into a modern day tourist getaway.

If you ever have the good fortune to visit, you will quickly see why it is so popular. The main street is lined with cute boutiques and antique stores and peppered with great restaurants–from authentic German biergartens to upscale and cozy fine dining establishments. There are several museums, a beautiful public library, and a charming marketplatz (town square). If you have ever been to downtown Sonoma—it looks a lot like it!

Fredericksburg is also filled with small, locally owned bed and breakfasts. My husband and I used to love driving there on weekends. It is a very scenic drive and during the spring and summer you can stop at roadside farmstands–where there are crates full of locally grown tomatoes and ripe peaches–some places will cut up the juicy peaches right there and serve them to you over creamy vanilla ice cream!

Driving into Fredericksburg on Hwy 16, you can stop in at Gastehaus Schmidt on Main Street. This is the booking agent for over 100 B&Bs in the area, offering free rental services. You can “shop” for the perfect place to stay from placards along the walls. They have pictures of rooms along with amenity and pricing information. Find one you like and book it at the office–then head right over! You often get a pretty good deal as these are places that happen to be open for the night and want to be filled. However, if visiting near a holiday weekend, it is best to call ahead and make reservations.

Once you are settled into your lovely room, you can generally walk to the main part of town to shop and dine. You are also within a short driving distance of several wineries. Places like Torre di Pietra offer tastings and are usually set back on beautiful properties. Texas makes some surprisingly good wines and a wide array of varietals. Buy a bottle or two and bring it with you to dinner.

Fredericksburg, like Sonoma, is a wonderful weekend getaway. In addition to the restaurants, shopping, wineries, spas, and plethora of B&B’s–there is great hiking in nearby Enchanted Rock State Park and plenty of cold swimming holes and picnic spots. It is also a terrific base from which to explore many of the other small and charming towns in the Hill Country–like Bandera, Comfort, and Blanco.

So, if you are a vineyard enthusiast–feel ballasted by the fact that you don’t just have to venture all the way out to northern California to sample fine libations and the wine country lifestyle. Come to Texas!

Thanks to Mike Weston for the great vineyard picture!

This local’s perspective was written by Brent Johnson. He has lived in the Berkeley area for years, as a college student and as a young working professional. I met Brent while working at Nolo and I have often thought of him as the ultimate local guide to Berkeley. He knows all the restaurants, bars and cool things to do. This guy gets around–in a good way. Despite his answer to number 10, he also loves the politics of this vibrant, liberal enclave.

1.Give 5 adjectives that you would use to describe the “feel” of Berkeley and its residents. Sophisticated, aware, remote, artsy, liberal

2.What is your favorite neighborhood of Berkeley?
North Berkeley, especially the Gourmet Ghetto, where great restaurants are jammed into an area of four or five blocks.

3.Which cuisine do you think Berkeley does best? What is the runner-up?
Indian cuisine, definitely — Ajanta for the fine dining, Breads of India for a relaxing meal, and Vik’s Chaat Corner for cheap, tasty Indian snacks. Second place goes to Thai, just because there’s so many Thai restaurants around.

4. What is the best free thing to do?
The thing you can’t do in San Francisco itself — check it out from a distance. Go up into the hills and watch the sun set behind The City and the Golden Gate Bridge — the world curves and the bay is breathtaking.

5. What is your favorite type of entertainment?
Here? Eating! Berkeley has so many restaurants, much more than it should for a town its size. Some are world class while others are dirty holes in the wall — but there’s always something interesting to taste…

6. List the best family friendly activity.
Summer street festivals, farmer’s markets (especially the foodstalls), hiking in Tilden Park.

7. What spot would you send a couple, looking for a romantic weekend?
To San Francisco or the North Bay:)

8. Describe a perfect day…one that captures what your area/city is all about. In 3 sentences or less.
The perfect day begins with coffee — particularly Peet’s at Vine and Walnut, home of the original cafe. Wander over to The Cheeseboard Collective a block over and grab some tasty cheese, fresh baked bread, perhaps a slice of pizza. Then go watch the freaky people wander up and down Shattuck Avenue. Berkeley is one of the most beautiful places on Earth to people watch!

9. Tell us about a place that you love to go, whether it is in the guidebooks or not.
I love, love, LOVE Comic Relief, one of the best places in the world to check out an underappreciated medium. They work hard to stock the best of popular culture, and even if you don’t care for comics, you’ll find yourself smiling at something you find.

10. What should we have asked, but didn’t?
Berkeley’s politics are so liberal they border on fascism.

There are few places in the U.S. more beautiful than Big Sur (a bold statement, I know, but one I am willing to defend). This 65 mile stretch along California’s Hwy 1 blends together some of the best of what the state has to offer; dramatic mountains, ocean views, and towering coastal redwoods. What’s more, it serves these up to you in a remote and deliciously isolated setting. The majority of people experience this pristine and magnificent locale through their car windows as they wind along the sharply curving road, sometimes 1000 feet over the ocean. There are ample “pull-out” spots in which to park your car and take a picture. However, it seems a shame to take it all in at this pace. While I do enjoy the drive through Big Sur, I prefer to get out of my car, slow-down, and spend an entire weekend here soaking up its ample natural wonders and soothing tranquility.

A surprising number of businesses thrive in this sparsely populated region, so, you can have your choice of accommodation. Sleep in a tent amid the redwoods next to the burbling Big Sur River, crawl into 600 thread count sheets at the Post Ranch Inn, or find something in between. However, if you are looking for something different, perhaps a bit adventurous, then I have a great recommendation for you. Stay in one of sixteen “luxury” yurts at Treebones Resort, perched on the side of a cliff overhanging the Pacific Ocean. This weekend was my second anniversary, and my husband and I decided to see what all the buzz was about. What we found was a unique and thoroughly delightful experience.

For those of you new to this concept…yurts are large, round, fabric-covered tents that are inspired by the nomadic tribes of Mongolia. The yurts at Treebones take this concept and step it up a notch, adding pine floors, skylights, gas heaters, and large comfy beds with colorful quilts. These structures blend in naturally with their rugged environment and pose less stress to the fragile landscape. They also afford incredible views! Each yurt has its own deck with large wooden chairs. Many of these have unblemished 180degree views of the ocean below. We spent most of Saturday, sitting on our private deck, listening to barking elephant seals and keeping our eyes peeled for breaching whales. At night we snuggled into the warm cozy bed and counted stars through our rooftop dome.

I don’t want to give the impression that Treebones is the “lap of luxury”. There are some aspects that don’t make it ideal for everyone. For example, even with the gas heater, the yurt can get a little nippy at night and the communal bathrooms are a two minute walk away (which is a very unappealing prospect at two in the morning!). However, the isolated location, stark beauty, and unique surroundings are more than enough to make up for these inconveniences. And did I mention the free waffle breakfast- served in the beautiful round lodge every morning! There is a store where you can buy gifts, sundries, and wine. They prepare simple and amply portioned dinners nightly, the menu determined by what was bought at the store that day. You can play board games or read in front of their large stone fireplace in the evenings or have a soak in their heated pool and hot tub.

I would recommend Treebones to anyone that wants to experience the intimate contact with nature that is usually only found with camping, but, also likes some creature comforts. It is an entirely singular experience in a spectacular and remote setting. As its owners say, it is truly a place “perched lightly on the edge of the world”.

Does staying in a yurt sound like your ideal weekend getaway or a vacation nightmare? Feel free to share your thoughts!