We visited Bellingrath Gardens in the springtime and the incredible proliferation and variety of flowers is wonderful. Tom got this reflection photo which shows how truly amazing the garden can be.
Gorgeous flowers!
The Lovely Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle
We had packed, gathered up our luggage, and were heading out the door of our suite when Tom pointed to another door in the entrance hallway that was ajar for the first time during our stay and said “Uh. Is that another bathroom”?
You all.
We had just spent two days in our lovely suite at the Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle before our quite fabulous Un-Cruise Adventures yacht cruise and spent the entire time thinking the bathroom off our bedroom was the one bathroom in the place. This is what happens when you are a team of travel writer and photographer who travel constantly, stay in a large number of hotels, spend a great deal of time doing all sorts of activities in a city, and then just don’t open every single door in your fabulous suite.
I can only conclude that, as we both absently passed it several times going in and out, we just assumed it was a closet. So, if you stay in the perfectly wonderful Deluxe Queen Suite at the Mayflower Park Hotel – which I recommend unreservedly that you do – please note that there are two bathrooms.
Not only are there two bathrooms, it’s quite a luxurious expanse which includes a very nice bedroom with two Queen beds, a living room with a television, luxury robes, free wi-fi, and a great flat screen television in the bedroom where we proceeded to watch a marathon of “The Big Bang Theory” episodes. Because we are so very classy.
The rest of the hotel is equally nice.
But let me back up.
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Photo Friday: Taliesin West, Arizona
Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home in Arizona is an amazing place and I love the way Tom caught the two triangles in this picture of the house and pool.
Taliesin West, Arizona
Can’t Miss Dining at Filini Bar and Restaurant in Chicago
I scooped up a fork full of the delicious looking ravioli on my plate at Filini and took a bite.
And decided that it was the best tasting ravioli I had ever eaten in my entire life.
It was just that good.
We were staying overnight at the incomparable Radisson Blu Aqua in Chicago recently and one of the many, many wonderful things about this hotel is the fact that they have a truly fabulous restaurant right off the lobby. Filini is an Italian restaurant and bar with a philosophy of preparing the freshest food in the most delicious way possible and I am here to tell you that they succeed quite admirably in that goal. Considering how cozy it is, it’s surprising that there is actually seating for 150.
The restaurant is, like the rest of the hotel, a lovely and open space with a modern yet comfortable design.
Filini. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.
Photo Friday: Pirate Wenches on Tybee Island, Georgia
Last fall, we went to the annual Tybee Island, Georgia Pirate Fest and had a ball. Just about everyone on the small island got into the pirate spirit and we saw lots of people dressed up. Three scurvy wenches caught Tom’s photographer eye.
Seattle Hostels: Not Just for Backpackers Anymore
After I had already arranged our recent stay in Seattle with two lovely area hotels, I found some information about hostels on Hostelbookers for hostels which are available in Seattle and was immediately intrigued. Although booking a hostel did not work out on this trip, I am seriously considering a hostel stay in the future. Does this sound crazy for two retired travelers who normally stay in luxury accommodations? Aren’t hostels just for kids and backpackers?
Not anymore.
Most of what you read and hear about hostels is certainly about young people who are traveling around the world with a backpack slung over their shoulders, always looking for the cheapest possible accommodations, and who don’t mind sharing a dorm room with several others.
Just for future reference?
We will never share a dorm room with several others.
And, surprisingly, with many hostels today, you don’t have to share a room or even a bathroom if that is your choice. Especially in big cities like Seattle, hostels come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges – but the one thing you can count on is that they are going to be much cheaper than even the cheapest hotel. You can find reviews for many hostels on Tripadvisor under “Specialty Lodging” and check them out before you book.
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Luxury Yacht Cruising with Un-Cruise Adventures in British Columbia
Lounging on the Safari Quest Yacht by janross53
I curled up on the comfy couch, tucking my feet under me and spreading the warm throw over my knees. I could have been at home, comfortably reading, except for the fact that I could glance up and through the large windows to see dark green water and the incredibly beautiful landscape of the coast of British Columbia slipping past.
My perch was located in the library of the Un-Cruise Adventures yacht, the Safari Quest, and Tom and I were on one of the most incredible cruises we have ever experienced.
My favorite place on the Safari Quest.
We had cruised on dozens of big cruise line behemoth ships and had even downsized to a river cruise ship in Europe, but this yacht was the smallest cruise ship so far – and also the most wonderful.
The Safari Quest.
5 Best Getaways for Mother’s Day
Planning a special getaway for that special mom this year? Check out these ideas for some fabulous locations—and have a great trip!
Best Cruise Destination: Bermuda
Cruise ships visit this lovely, temperate island in the Atlantic and stay for several days, giving you a chance to really experience the pink sand beaches and fabulous shopping. Visit the Crystal Caves, check out the glass-blowing artists at The Bermuda Glassworks, shop for the beautiful purple-blue stone Tanzanite in some fabulous local jewelry, and be sure to try the famous local rum concoction—a Dark and Stormy. Locally caught seafood is the item to order at any of the area restaurants—the taste of that fresh fish is truly fabulous. Many cruises to this port leave from New York, so you can easily add on an overnight stay in the Big Apple that includes dinner and a show.
Best Beaches: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Just a short drive from the crowded and touristy Cancun, quiet and beautiful Riviera Maya has white sand beaches and gorgeous turquoise water that’s always warm and pleasant for a swim. Stay at the incomparable Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita where the Endless Privileges price includes virtually everything for your stay—a private, chauffeured airport transfer, gourmet meals and snacks, 24-hour laundry service, a Catamaran sail, unlimited worldwide calls and a stay in an absolutely fabulous suite, many of which come with a private plunge pool. Enjoy sparkling wine and fresh fruit daily in your plunge pool with a view of the ocean—a truly relaxing and decadent experience!
Read the rest of this article on Travel + Escape HERE.
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Photo Friday: Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island, Georgia
We spent an afternoon at Fort Pulaski and I love the angles in this photo Tom took.
Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island, Georgia
Killer Whales Hunting a Sea-Lion
We saw the sea lions first.
Lazily lounging on a rock outcropping in the Strait of Georgia which is a part of the Salish Sea running through British Columbia, they were enjoying the warm, spring sun and seemed to have not a care in the world. Many were sound asleep. Those that were awake had their heads thrown back, making the distinctive sea-lion yodel which reverberated across the water to our yacht. We were cruising the Salish Sea on the supremely comfortable Safari Quest yacht, part of the Un-Cruise Adventures fleet.
We had seen sea lions, harbor seals, river otters and plenty of birds on our cruise which had wound its way through the Gulf and Harmony Islands as well as the incomparably beautiful Princess Louisa Inlet, but this was the closest we had been to wildlife so far.
We left the sea lions behind as we cruised along the open water, dark green in the sunlight with snow-topped mountains soaring in the distance.
It was an idyllic scene.
And then we saw it.
A magnificent killer whale.
Killer Whale
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