Sunday, November 15, 2009

Safari Game Camps by bicycle

Butterfield & Robinson is offering a safari tour by bicycle (and hiking).

Forget the old-fashion and 'overly-done' traditional jeep tours for something so much more exciting and - yes, adventurous. Clients will explore the wildlife and great outdoors by bike and by foot. Specifically the tour will take you to the back country of the Namibian territory.

The lodges and meals are still high-end, but the mode of transportation is more authentic and intimate to the surroundings.

Have no doubt, the itinerary is ambitious, but rewarding. The farthest destinations are traveled by private plane. Making the overall experience 'hard-won' luxury.

www.butterfield.com

Sunday, November 8, 2009

AdventureWoman.com Hotel Tips

Looking for some great hotel tips for the holidays? Check out this link to AdventureWoman.com's Hotel Tips.

http://www.adventurewoman.com/tips/page.php?IMG=tips_hotels.jpg

You will learn valuable tips on saving money and safe travel Now more than ever, with the holidays upon us and people traveling, these easy tips could make the difference between a hassle-filled vacation and a relaxing one.

While you're on the site, check out the other travel tips: everything from traveling with pets to airport tips. They're simple to access and straight-forward.

You can never be too prepared when traveling. Make being away from home what it should be - an exciting fun-filled adventure.

Do you have additional tips? Please send them in.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

The Benson Hotel - Portland, Oregon

Adventure Woman says one of the best walking cities/areas in the USA is downtown Portland, Oregon, and the Benson Hotel is the Grand Dame of the locale.

You can walk from your hotel to great shopping, fabulous eats and wonderful entertainment. The Benson Hotel is a historic downtown landmark with a great restaurant and upscale bar area. During the holiday season they feature an enormous and beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The foyer is decorated as well, and will get even 'scrooge' into the holiday spirit.

Take a leisurely stroll to Pioneer Square for some pre-holiday shopping or check out Nordstroms - an Oregon classic. Nike was founded in Oregon and so was Columbia. As a consequence, you'll find both stores within striking distance.

For a truly great time head to Powell's - arguably the best, if not the biggest bookstore. The floors of books will leave any bibliophile dumbfounded and utterly engrossed for hours. A book makes a timeless and thoughtful present for anyone at any age.

Want to know more about the Benson and Portland? Go to: travelportland.com

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Best in the World

Conde Nast just came out with their annual "Best in the World" issue.

I recommend you pick it up and keep it as a reference. No, I don't agree with all of it (luxury and service is as subjective as beauty), but it is a great resource guide if you're looking for ideas on places to travel or rest your weary head.

This year the issue lists the top 75 mainland US Resorts and the top 20 Mainland US small resorts. I will give a small tasting of each just to whet your appetite.

Mainland Resorts
1. The Broadmoor, Clorado (#3)
2. The Stein Eriksen, Utah (#10)
3. The Breakers, Florida (#16)
4. The Phoenician, Arizona (#19)
5. The Renaissance Vinoy, Florida (#68)

Mainland Small Resorts
1. Charlotte Inn (Martha's Vineyard)(#5)
2. San Ysidro, Santa Barbara (#9)
3. Amangani, Jackson Hole (#10)
4. Inn at Langley, Washington(#13)
5. Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley, AZ. (#20)

You can try anything on the lists and you won't be disappointed. If you have your favorite USA hotels let us know what you recommend.

We love to hear from you.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Ballard Inn - Ballard, California

Looking for some romance?

Try this darling white picket-fence inn. The Ballard Inn has been voted one of 'America's Top Ten Most Romantic Inns,' and for good reason. This charming and comfortable Inn has 15 rooms reflecting the individual character and history of a by-gone era. Many of these rooms have private fireplaces and all have beautifully appointed, cozy beds making it an ideal retreat or weekend getaway.

You can take a picnic lunch, and a bicycle to explore the wondrous wine country. When you return you will be greeted with afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvers. Homemade cookies and a full-breakfast complete a pleasure-filled stay. The Inn also has a restaurant featuring French-Asian cuisine in a romantic and intimate dining room with an elegant crackling fireplace.

The nearest airports to the Inn are Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez. Room rates vary between $225 and $325. For more information, go to; BallardInn.com

Tell them Adventure Woman sent you.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Spend the night in a bullring!

Looking for a new and exciting hotel experience?

Want a hotel to write home about?

If you're looking for something 'unusual' then check into the Quinta Real Hotel in Zacatecas, Mexico.

This hotel was a former bullring - actually, the oldest in the Americas. You can lookout the balconies of several of the rooms and imagine the pomp and circumstance of centuries ago.

You may actually hear a faint "Ole" echoing from the past of the 17th Century Plaza de toros. This is a place for all toreadors and senoritas.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Is your hotel eco-friendly?

A question to ask when you're searching for a hotel is whether the hotel is Eco-friendly?

What does this mean?

It means the hotel is conscious of the environment and the environmental hazards a hotel can create from excess waste. For example, does the hotel recycle used goods or for that matter does the hotel purchase recycled items to use within the hotel (such as recycled toilet paper)?

Is the detergent the hotels uses biodegradable? (A hotel washes thousands of towels, and bed lines per year making this a serious question). What is the hotel policy on towels? Do they ask hotel guests to reuse their towels and linens to save on water and detergent or do they blindly replace everything (even re-washing clean towels)?

Even consider whether the hotel uses energy efficient light bulbs. It may seem insignificant but a hotel business may use hundreds of thousands of light bulbs per year making energy efficiency a legitimate question.

Many local, regional and national organizations give hotels a Eco-friendly or 'Green' rating. Ask you next hotel how they rate.

If nothing else it may raise hotel awareness and encourage the hotel establishment to consider the environment and recycling.

In the end, hotel guests and their money determine what priorities are important to hotels. Make the environment a priority at your favorite hotels.