Can we all just agree that Cancun isn’t really all that great? After all, it’s a man-made vacation destination bogged down by mammoth, cheap all-inclusive resorts with lots of drunk tourists. Having said that, the weather there is great, the beaches are stunning and it’s super easy to get to. With a little extra planning and venturing beyond the main Hotel Zone, a perfect week at the beach in Mexico is absolutely possible! It’s not far by … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara Film Feast, 4th Appearance
For 11 Days, Feast your way through 28 Restaurants, 16 Hotels and 7 Wine Tasting Rooms Santa Barbara, CA (January 23, 2014) Film Feast, a tasty complement to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) and part of Californias Restaurant Month, will again be luring diners taste buds to one of the 35 restaurants and tasting rooms offering up innovative menus. With so many great options to choose from, festival goers can extend … [Read more...]
Great Destinations for a Weekend Away in the UK
Fancy getting away from it all for a weekend? Well then, aren’t you the lucky one – this sceptered isle plays host to hundreds upon hundreds of fantastic destinations of all sorts: from quaint little chalets overlooking the English Channel to glorious old manor houses in the middle of the countryside, you’re spoilt for choice. Sadly, this then provides an altogether different problem – how on earth are you going to decide where you want to go, … [Read more...]
Cancun Welcomes the Second Annual Holbox Gastronomic Festival
Cancun, Mexico (September 27, 2013) – Holbox, a small island off the coast of Cancun, will host the Second Annual Holbox Gastronomic Festival October 16 – 20, celebrating the region’s top chefs and traditional local fare. In addition, the Holbox Gastronomic Festival will welcome renowned Mexican Chefs Ricardo Munoz and Roberto Solis, among others, to showcase their best dishes. Organized by the Island of Holbox Restaurant Association, the … [Read more...]
The Best European Casinos
If you're a gambler or poker player, you already know you need a good guide to the nicest European casinos out there. And if you’re a simple tourist in Europe looking for some of the most glamorous venues of modern pop culture, go check out the places where 007 went on his famous winning sprees in service of Her Majesty the Queen. No matter what your particular preference, all of these are worth a look. Casino Monte Carlo, Monaco Doubtlessly … [Read more...]
Internet Access in Hotels
When I first came to Europe - Internet cafe's were plentiful - seemingly several per block in the more touristy cities. Over the past 6-8 years I've been to Europe many times and have seen the Internet cafe's disappear. Even this afternoon while traveling through the Cote d'Azur in southern France I saw several old Internet cafe's with the name of the business fading above the currently empty location. Friends who don't travel are often … [Read more...]
Enjoying the quaint towns along the Italian and Southern French Riviera
We are driving a large Land Rover that my brother's friend let him borrow indefinitely. While this car is great for off roading - I've heard Land Rovers seem especially prone to break downs. This vehicle is less then 10 years old - not that many kilometers on it and already its showing problems. The power randomly stops when you are driving down the highway - we are having problems with the brakes - the maintenance parking brake light is on ... … [Read more...]
Driving the Italian Riviera Autostrada
The impressive "autostrada", or toll highways along the Italian Riviera are truly an engineering marvel - with seemingly hundreds of bridges and both short and long tunnels drilled right through the rocky mountain sides. As a result, you have a road that is amazingly level even though it passes through large mountains and deep river gorges. Complicated round abouts and entry points are located next to entrances to the autostrada. Entry requires … [Read more...]
Finding the roots of our heritage
I have been fortunate to track down some of my father's heritage - from Luxembourg to Los Angeles. Now it was turn for my mother's side of the family. They come from a very beautiful part of Italy - in the hills along the Italian Riviera. We visited the small town of Casarza Ligure; the "Gallo" name is everywhere which is my mother's maiden name. The homesite of my great Grandfather, Guiseppe Gallo is situated high on a hill above Casarza and … [Read more...]
Orbitz Survey Names Cancun the #1 International Destination for Summer Travel
STR Also Reports Increasing Hotel Occupancy in Cancun Cancun, Mexico (May 8, 2013): All signs point to a glorious summer season as Cancun is named the top international destination for summer travel by Orbitz. Orbitz Summer Travel Insider Index analyzed air and hotel booking data from Orbitz.com and picked the 10 most popular summer destinations. Cancun was ranked number three behind Orlando and Las Vegas and was the only international … [Read more...]