USA: Western Edge, Best Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Families 2009.
Posted September 3, 2009 , add a comment
From San Diego to Seattle seasonal festivals make the weekend awesome. Mazes provide unique signatures as the lunar calendar ends the calendar year. Escape and run through a corn maze and tap your feet to a banjo; make a wreath of heater; sample local honey; carve a pumpkin or stuff a scarecrow; ride on a wagon full of hay or bob for apples, make time for fun. We’ve selected some of the best for your review and consideration. Forget the lawn. The laundry will wait. Take the kids and go.
Oregon: St. Paul, French Prairie Gardens and Fall Harvest Festival (9/26/2009-10/31/2009). Located in the tranquil Willamette Valley French Prairie Gardens (image to the left) maintains a delightful farm produce market from April to Thanksgiving. It is the place to get a luscious fruit shake or eat simply scrumptious Umpqua Ice Cream. The 500 - acre farm grows fruits, vegetables and grass seed. Wander through the two-acre pick-your-own Pumpkin Patch. See bunnies, sheep, chickens, and visit the Kids Corral or the Two Acre Corn Maze. Watch the secret lives of chickens from the chicken coop with observation window. Investigate the Tonka toddler dirt play area or participate in the Toddler Hay Maze and Toddler Tricycle Races. Bonus points: Farmer John and Farmer Eric host the Pigtucky Derby. During the crazy weekend there will be hayrides, hay maze, two-acre corn maze, farm animal display, a obstacle course, pumpkin sling shot, kids corral, pig barrel train rides, and two 20-foot hay slides. (French Prairie Gardens, 17673 French Prairie Rd, St. Paul, OR, 97137. (503) 633-8445 or www.fpgardens.com)
California: Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival. (10/17/2009 – 10/18/2009) The world’s biggest pumpkin can be found each year in the World Pumpkin Capital – Half Moon Bay, California. This year’s festival will feature a fantastic lineup: rustic pumpkin patches, harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, expert pumpkin carvers, three stages of entertainment, the Great Pumpkin Parade, and a bone-chilling Haunted House. Not to be missed: Also worth checking out will be the titanic weigh-off of champion pumpkins, and the pie-eating (for 11 and under and 12 and older) and costume contests. Bonus Points: Hundreds of costumed children and adults march in the Great Pumpkin Parade. It is the ultimate old-fashioned parade featuring the winner of the mighty pumpkin weigh-off as well as marching bands and classic cars. (Main Street, Half Moon Bay. (650) 726-9652 or www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest)
California: Ukiah, Pumpkinfest (10/17/2009– 10/18/2009). This year’s Ukiah Country Pumpkinfest blends a harvest and music festival into the Halloween holiday. Along with a variety of delicious foods, the streets of downtown Ukiah will be filled with craft vendors, fine arts exhibits, and ” Scarecrow City “. Enjoy live music, a country fiddle contest. Try your luck at a pie-eating contest or show off your green thumb by entering the great pumpkin weigh-off! Bonus points: The celebration includes the ever-popular children’s carnival including many games and amusements. (Pumpkinfest (707) 463-6712, (707) 463-6231 or www.cityofukiah.com)
Washington: Walla Walla, Fall Harvest Festival. (9/26/2009- 9/27/2009) Visitors at Fort Walla Walla may observe numerous pioneer crafts and skills, classic cars and trucks, and Living History programs. Many exhibitors offer handiwork for sale, re-creating the old-time harvest get-together atmosphere. This family-oriented festival includes games for kids, vendors seling pioneer-style crafts and food and treats. (755 Myra Road, Walla Walla, 99362. 1(509) 525-7703 or www.fortwallawallamuseum.org)
Washington: Port Angeles, Forest Storytelling Festival. (10/16/2009 – 10/18/2009) Spend the weekend listening to wonderful story tellers from around the world, join in workshops and enter to win local gifts through a drawing. Program begins Friday evening at 7:30 with a Story Concert. Saturday starts with morning workshops, leading into Day Programs and an Evening Concert. Sunday has a free program, Stories to Inspire. Peninsula College, Little Theatre and Campus, Port Angeles. 1 (360) 417-5031 or www.dancingleaves.com/storypeople)
We want to expand the list and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festivial or know of an awesome corn maze please “Tell Mom”
and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the
festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you
like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will
inlcude family friendly winter holidays and celebrations. We are
building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So
just “Tell Mom!”.
USA: Country Inns & Suites by Carlson - Family Road Trip Survival Itineraries.
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Country Inns & Suites by Carlson has taken the trouble out of last-minute summer vacation planning for time-crunched moms and their families by introducing its “Road Trip Survival Itineraries” which cover planning factors like distance, cost and family-friendly stops along the way.
Hit the Road Country. The trip plans range from 2-, 4-, and 7-days. Each itinerary provides background information and driving time to historic, educational, nature and other fun-filled and budget-friendly attractions of interest to kids and parents alike. The itineraries include a mix of locally and nationally known attractions, notable family-owned restaurants and other relatively undiscovered venues known to employees of Country Inns & Suites’ 480 local properties.
The themed itineraries explore five regions of the United States. Each itinerary features three two-day legs that can be taken separately or combined for a longer trip.
• Founding Fathers Country treks through North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
• Binoculars Country ventures through upstate New York.
• Streams & Shores Country winds through Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Peaks & Valleys Country journeys across Montana, Utah and Idaho.
• Ocean Drive Country follows the coastline of Southern California. 
Additionally, Country Inn & Suites has created a new “Mom’s Choice” designation for top attractions in each itinerary based on factors such as family fun, price and mom approval. All venues were identified and voted upon by the company’s panel of family travel experts.
Top attractions receiving the “Mom’s Choice” rating include: The Smithsonian, Washington, D.C.; Robert H. Treman State Park, Ithaca, NY; Barnum’s Circus World Museum, Baraboo, WI, Minnehaha Falls at Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis, MN; Roaring Springs Water Park, Meridian, IN; Oceanside Pier, Port Hueneme, CA; Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, Santa Barbara, CA. Visit ‘Hit the Road Country’ (www.countryinns.com/roadtrip) for more information.
Here’s the deal. The “Sweet Deal ” promotion provides 15 percent off each night of a stay of two or more consecutive nights in a standard room and a valuable offer from T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants - Buy One Entr?e, Get One Entr?e OR Half Off Appetizer with the purchase of an Entr?e - when staying at locations in the United States . The offer, which requires a three day advance reservation, is available now through Sept. 13, 2009 at participating hotels. Visit www.countryinns.com/summer2009 for more information.
Plan a roadtrip with Carlson. I like these guys because they make it easy to put a family vacation plan together. In the last two years I have stayed in more than a dozen Country Inns with my family. In my opinion Country Inns & Suites makes an excellent family vacation base almost anywhere. The standards for efficiency, friendliness and cleanliness remain consistently high. You’ll find apples at the desk in the afternoon and sometimes fresh cookies. At each property there is always Read and Return a lending library for guests – both adults and children. The complimentary breakfast offering usually includes a waffle machine to make luscious fresh waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, bagels, muffins, and cereal choices. I have never encountered a pool closed or exercise equipment broken an dthe internet connection never failed. Bonus points: One obvious advantage for families traveling with young children – the location may change but the atmosphere and floor plans are very similar so it is easier for a child to feel comfortable. The same is true if you are traveling with an elderly family member. Keeping things the same is a huge benefit to relieving the stress of travel. For kids and teens the benefit of TGI Fridays is obvious.
Stay with someone who cares. Even a simple roadtrip can be stressful so knowing what to expect at the end of a day is one way to ease the tension. Country Inns & Suites offer not just space and amenities but hospitality something often missing in the travel industry. I found a personal level of caring obvious at each of the places we stayed. In Annapolis, MD we received an invaluable tip for a local Mexican – best food on our vacation. In North Little Rock, AR my daughter left her IPod and charger – one call and it was sent to us the same day. The daily cookies at the Country Inn in Hampton gave us energy to go out again to shop for more bargains. In Berkley, WV the helpful front desk manager found a locksmith after hours. Need to know: There is only one exception Hot Springs, Arkansas. The building looks like a Country Inn however that is where the similarity ends. The Inn did not fit the helpful, clean, efficient, caring, family friendly atmosphere that is definitely the standard for the chain. Obviously they did not get the memo but I am sure by now there has been improvement.
About Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM. Country Inns & Suites is part of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a leading global hotel company with more than 1,030 locations in 72 countries under the brands of Regent® Hotels & Resorts; Radisson® Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM; and Park Inn®. The hotels offer many upgraded amenities including complimentary breakfast, in-room hair dryer, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, and weekday morning newspaper. The brand is known for its consistently high quality accommodations and personal, warm hospitality.
Cuba is the Caribbean’s forbidden fruit
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a comment- Worst performance for tourism
- Clues To Caribbean's Earliest Inhabitants Discovered
- Four Seasons In Great Exuma, Bahamas purchased by Sandals
- Caribbean suffers crippling impact of the global recession
- Investments pour into St. Kitts despite global economic downturn
- Ferry service soon to be a choice for five Southern Caribbean destinations
- Attracting Chinese tourists the Jamaican way!
- Tropical Storm Ana watches canceled by Caribbean governments
Aug 21, 2009
U.S. Legislation is pending in Congress that would lift the ban on U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba. Travel industry officials estimate that as many as 1 million Americans might visit the island each year.
The question is whether Cuba is ready for a huge jump in foreign visitors.
The island nation has much to offer.
The lack of development under communist rule has left parts of the country resembling a land from a time warp to the 1950s — a welcome change of pace for many foreign tourists.
Cuba is close — Havana is only as far from Miami as Boston is from New York. And the country has beaches, mountains and a rich history.
Attractions Abound
The central Cuban city of Camaguey offers travelers labyrinth-like streets, which were laid out in the 1500s to be intentionally confusing to attacking pirates.
Tourists can go snorkeling in the Bay of Pigs, or lounge on the white sand beaches along the north coast that was favored by Ernest Hemingway.
In the city of Remedios on Cuba’s northern coast, the main church was built in the 16th century. Estaban Augustin Granda Fernandez, 87, used to play the organ at the church. Now, he is the caretaker and shows visitors around the sanctuary.
He points out the timbers in the ceiling, the original Spanish tiles in the floor and the statue of the Virgin Mary, who appears to be dancing the flamenco.
Granda also points out that the statue has a bulge in her belly. It is the only image of a pregnant Virgin Mary in Cuba, he says, slapping his own stomach.
EnlargeJason Beaubien/NPR
This 16th-century church in Remedios, on Cuba’s north coast, is one attraction in the town. Although the island has no shortage of tourist attractions, some worry it lacks the necessary infrastructure to accommodate a large influx of visitors.
Roberto Maseo, who works in a dive shop in the beach town of Santa Lucia, says Cuba’s main tourist market is Canada, because of its proximity. Flying time from Toronto to Santa Lucia, or from Montreal to Camaguey, is about three hours, Maseo says.
Santa Lucia has a series of two- and three-star resorts that sell all-inclusive package vacations. Maseo calls it a value resort. Scuba-diving excursions — all equipment and transportation included — cost about $35.
Maseo is currently preparing for a shark show. “We feed the sharks. No protection. Shark is actually swimming over you, over your heads. People can actually touch them. No problem,” he says with a laugh.
Economic Benefits Of Expanded Tourism
In 2008, tourism was Cuba’s second leading source of income after nickel exports. It’s a growing source of revenue that the communist regime wants to expand.
There are plans to open 30 new hotels across the island in the next five years.
While Cuban officials say they’re not banking on Washington lifting the travel ban, hundreds of thousands of additional visitors from across the Florida Straits could pump much-needed cash into Cuba’s flagging economy.
EnlargeJavier Galeano/AP
Musicians perform for tourists at the Hotel Nacional in Havana. The historic hotel was built in 1930 and modeled after the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla.
“For us, the American market is a big opportunity,” says Dario Fernandez, general manager of Hotel Melia Havana, a Spanish-run luxury hotel in the capital city.
The hotel has 400 rooms, seven restaurants and the biggest pool in Havana. It is jointly owned by the Cuban government and a group of foreign investors, and is managed by the Spanish resort chain Sol Melia.
Fernandez says about 3 percent of his guests are from the United States, but he estimates that number could rise to 50 percent without the travel ban. Last year, the hotel had an average occupancy rate of 82 percent — considered good in the business.
But there are challenges to running a five-star hotel in a communist country where ordinary citizens earn just $20 a month. For instance, the reason Melia Havana has seven restaurants is that few dining options outside the hotel meet foreign tourists’ standards. The Melia runs its own fleet of buses for its employees because the city’s transportation system is so unreliable.
American Tourists’ Historical Connection
The Hotel Nacional in Havana abounds with shared history. The Nacional was built in 1930 and modeled after the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Fla.
EnlargeJason Beaubien/NPR
Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner stayed at the Hotel Nacional on their honeymoon.
In 1946, American mobster Charles “Lucky” Luciano held a convention at the Nacional of American gangsters plotting to turn Havana into a second Las Vegas. In 1951, Hollywood stars Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner stayed there on their honeymoon.
After Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, he shut down the hotel’s casino and installed Soviet anti-aircraft guns along the front lawn — under which a bomb shelter, built during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, still remains.
But if guests don’t want to think about the moment the world was pushed to the brink of nuclear war, mafia gambling rackets or the clash between capitalism and communism, they can sip mojitos at an outdoor restaurant, looking north across the water toward Florida.
Jesus Noguera Ravelo, a tour guide, says Cuba’s infrastructure is not ready for a huge influx of American visitors. He notes there aren’t enough buses, rental cars, quality restaurants or hotel rooms.
“But if you ask me about the will of the Cuban people, I would say, yes, we are ready. We would like to have more exchange with the American people coming from the U.S. to Cuba,” he says.
Noguera says the American visitors who do come have much more interest in Cuban history than other tourists — in part because the two countries have such a long, intertwined relationship. He says if he tries to give Canadians or Europeans a one-hour talk about the Cuban revolution, their eyes start to roll back in their heads. But Americans, he’s found, are eager to hear about it.
“That is telling you that we have a lot in common. And we have to know each other a lot more,” Noguera says.
Washington State’s Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Bellingham, WA
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Chrysalis Inn and Spa photo by Nancy D. Brown
If you think dining at a wine bar is all small plates and big prices, have I got a tip for you. On a recent culinary trip to Washington State’s Whatcom County, I had dinner at the Fino Wine Bar over looking Bellingham Bay. It was a balmy evening with the sun beginning to set in the distance. Out came the first course of specialty meats and olives, accompanied with a trio of housemade savory butters and several fresh baked breads. Next came the Peppered Pork Tenderloin, a house speciality of the restaurant. I could go on and on, but I realize you came here to read a lodging review.
While I didn’t stay at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, I did get a chance to peek inside several rooms. Of the 43 rooms on the property, nine of them are suites. Room 310, a king suite with a water view would be ideal. For honeymooners or those seeking to wake up with an inviting harbor view, my choice would be room #314. This corner suite, with two person jetted tub and bay window will stoke the romantic fire from within.
Corner Suite #314
All rooms include a window seat, gas fireplace, Frette linens and a down comforter, in addition to a complimentary breakfast buffet. For me, I’d enjoy a day of kayaking, followed by a heated lava shell massage at the spa. After dinner at the Fino Wine Bar, I’d be slipping on the luxurious robe after a nice, relaxing bubble bath.
Room rates range from $209 - $224 for a side view deluxe, up to $319-$334 for a corner suite during the high season of May until the end of September. Don’t forget to book your spa appointment two weeks in advance.
The Chrysalis Inn and Spa 1 360-756-1005
804 10th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
50 Foot Happy Talk Sailboat, Sail Away Charters, Lummi Island, WA
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Happy Talk 50 foot Sailboat
It was a gorgeous day when I walked from the village of Fairhaven and got in the car to motor over to Squalicum Harbor via downtown Bellingham, Washington. I was joining a handful of travel writers aboard the 50-foot Happy Talk yacht for an afternoon sail to Inati Bay and Lummi Island.
It was a gorgeous day, except for the fact that there was no wind to fill the sails on the boat. No matter, Captain Charlie DeWeese of Sail Away Charters kicked in the motor and we were off on a calm, sunny day to ply the waters of Whatcom county and the San Juan Islands.
The all mahogany wood Kettenberg Sailboat has a spacious 50′ floor plan and can sleep eight, but I’d recommend no more than six, with Captain Charlie counting as seven. There are two bathrooms (heads) on board and large picture windows in the main salon to let in sunshine even on chilly days. I spent my time on deck watching the world pass by. A lone seal poked his head out of the water to check us out.
Culinary Delights Await
Captain Charlie’s Crab Salad
While we didn’t spot any Orca whales on this trip, I’m told there are at least three year round pods taking up residence in the waters. Captain Charlie made our journey well worthwhile with his crab salad that he had prepared for our luncheon, along with sea salt rosemary rolls and fresh fruit tarts from Bellingham’s La Vie En Rose Bakery.
The company is able to create custom cruise itineraries for each unique charter, be it a writer’s or artist retreat, culinary cruise, or a family vacation sailing the San Juan Islands. I can’t wait to take my family on the Happy Talk yacht for my next visit to Washington state; what a trip!
Sail Away Charters 1 (360) 305-0835
2576 Island View Lane, Lummi Island, WA 98262
