Beyond Napa Valley
Southern California Vineyards
South Coast Winery Resort and Spa

Napa Valley and the San Francisco area is not the only area of California that produces wine.  Vineyard touring vacations has been a major area of journalism for many years with Washington Vineyards being a featured article in the 2011 summer addition of our magazine, National Park Vacations.  Looking over our San Diego restaurants yesterday we came across the menu for Vineyard Rose, the restaurant of South Coast Winery Resort and Spa.  Vineyard Rose at South Coast Winery has an amazing menu of gourmet selections.  During the week, the restaurant serves an amazing breakfast that includes notable items such as Bananas Foster Pancakes, South Cast Eggs Florentine (tomato, wilted baby spinach, poached eggs, chili essence topped with Hollandaise sauce) and Bistro Steak and Eggs, Angus beef steak, fried thin onions and eggs.  Dinner highlights include, "Frutti di Mare ~ Lobster, Scallops, Shrimp, Clams, Mussels, White Fish, Linguini, Tomato-Leek Cream Sauce, Garlic Aioli Crouton"  and "Land & Sea~ Filet with Pancetta wrapped King Prawns Pointe Reyes Blue Cheese, Béarnaise & Seasonal Accompaniments."  All the menu items have a suggested wine to pair with each item.  South Coast Winery Resort & Spa is a featured vacation spot of our Fine Dining Resorts on our website, www.finedining.ws. 

If the Southwest atmosphere is the type vacation you are looking for, then Southern California is prime for you get that type of Atmosphere but, without the hot summer temperatures common with Arizona plus a prettier view that compared to the dessert.  San Diego offers so much for a vacation and add into your vacation this wonderful resort, the fine dining and the Villas, San Diego in combination with South Coast Winery Resort & Spa needs to be on your "Truket" list for vacations.  The villas are of class as is with the Vineyard Rose.  "Escape to a blend of luxury and sancturary in the heart of Temecula's Wine Country: one of 76 spacious, richly appointed villas with no common walls.  Unwind in your very own private villa measuring in a a full 575 to 1,150 square feet, complete with a fireplace, soothing spa tub and peacefull terrace tucked away in the vineyards".  (WineResort.com)  

 South Coast Winery Resort and Spa is in Temecula, California, out on the country side with picturesque view of the mountains but, what makes this vacation spot so prime is location.  The resorts is practically dead center between San Diego and Los Angeles, which then offers countless options for your vacation.  If you are reading this blog from the members area of 1 Touch Reservations, then you know of the tools we offer for planning your vacation but, for those who found Timeless Vacations on the search engines, please visit 1 Touch Reservations for an amazing array of tools for planning a vacation.

Galveston Vacations

The Galveston area including Clear Lake offers a wonderful choice vacation for locals as well as for those visiting the Houston area.  The San Jacinto Battleground is a good start for a day if you wish to tour.
Much walking and touring is needed here that include a museum, touring the San Jacinto Battleground and the Battleship Texas. Detailed information and map is available at www.sanjacinto-museum.org. The
accommodations for the evening are suggested to be in Clear Lake either at the Hilton or the Kemah
Boardwalk Inn. You may want to put the Kemah Boardwalk on your agenda to visit. A good ½ day is
suggested. Detailed information is available at www.kemahboardwalk.com. The Kemah Boardwalk is owned by Landry’s. Many specialty shops, an amusement park and fine dining at Landry’s restaurants is available.  Outside of the actual Boardwalk are more stores to visit including the Boardwalk Fudge Factory, which has  been on National TV. You can visit their website at www.boardwalkfudge.com. That is the first part of the  National Park related vacation and next is Armand Bayou Nature Center, which offers, “A system of nature  trails honeycombs the property, and the center operates a pontoon boat that plies the waters of Armand Bayou.” NASA may be desirable and is another good choice to visit while in the Clear Lake area. More information is available when you request a vacation quote from Star Banquets and Travel.
Next is the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge. “During spring and fall migrations, warblers and other songbirds can be seen or heard on walks in small wooded areas. Throughout the year, roseate spoonbills, great and snowy egrets, white-faced ibis and mottled ducks can be found on the Anahuac NWR.” The entrance to the park is at 509 Washington Street Anahuac, Texas 77514.  Other refuges along the coast within the vicinity include McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge and Sea Rim State Park. The plan should be to leave Clear Lake and spend the day touring the refuges then to head to our suggested accommodations at
The Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast. Now you can spend a couple days in Galveston, relaxing and winding down as you end this incredible Texas vacation. During these two days we suggest you visit the second winery on our list of Texas vineyards to visit. The Vineyard is Haak Vineyards and Winery and you can visit their website at www.haakwines.com. To find things to do and the best places to dine, visit our Galveston
vacation website at www.vacationsgalveston.com. You may want to make your Galveston stay three
days if you wish to put Moody Gardens on your visitation list. The Grace Manor is place you will be pampered by Barb and wake up to the smell of  fresh brewed coffee and a gourmet breakfast. Moody Gardens is another day trip with the choices that include IMAX, the ride theatre, the rainforest, the quarium, Palm Beach and the Colonel Paddle Boat bay tour. If you choose to stay for three days in Galveston and are not shopped out then the Strand is another wonderful place to visit, which offers many specialty shops
and restaurants.  The entire Texas vacation is so much fun. From Austin all the way to Galveston, the outlined vacation includes the best of accommodations, many choices to enjoy and tour during the day
and awesome choices for dining. The vacation is well broken up so not to spend extensive days
driving or tiring out from too much to do in one day.  Many sources are available on 1 Touch Reservations for planning a Texas vacation within your budget as some of the choices we listed, which are first class can be pricey depending on the time of year.
We stayed this month at (photo at the top) The Grace Manor · 800.810.8590 or 409.621.1662 · www.gracemanor-galveston.com.  You can view our photo show of The Grace Manor on 1 Touch Reservations.
“When Stowe designed the Hodson home in 1905, he created a massive, two-story stucco-covered brick house with  oversized dormers and a raised basement. The interior reflects  an eclectic mix of styles marking the transition from late  Victorian design to the Craftsman Style of the early 20th  century.”  “Outstanding stained glass and fine woods are hallmarks of the house. The spectacular staircase of Philippine mahogany is particularly noteworthy. The home is an exquisite example of the architecture representing the growth and vigor of Galveston after the 1900 Storm and through the first part of the 20th century” The home was on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour in 1992 and 1993. the house was purchased by the current owner, Barb Gatlin, who has established Grace Manor, an elegant Bed and Breakfast.   The unassuming stucco façade of the house hides a rich interior that includes ceiling murals, Philippine mahogany and exceptional beveled glass work.  ““What a beautiful home with the ambience of times gone by. The accommodations are absolutely gorgeous. Your hospitality is “unmatched” as we have stayed in many B&B’s. We felt spoiled with the delicious elegant breakfast. Thanks for all the personal touches and your attention to details such as the wine, cookies, candy  teats. You are a great hostess!” Mike and Dena, Garland, Texas.
The Grace Manor as achieved the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com

• Grace Manor Bed & Breakfast rated "excellent" by travelers

West Coast Wine, Dine and Lighthouses

Another beautiful area of the United States, the west coast of California and Oregon, an area with many
vineyards, four star restaurants and historical lighthouses. Along the West coast is one of the National Park
wonders, the Redwood National park, which is an awesome visit in the shaded park during the mild California summers. Summer vacations to the west coast are breath taking both from a tour perspective and a self-drive vacation. This self drive designed vacation from Star Banquets and Travel is another best of the best vacations of 2011. A Globus tour is also detailed that expands a little further east to additional National Parks and further North through Washington to Seattle. We will detail a few of the incredible wineries in both California and Oregon. Read about some of the best hotels starting in San Francisco then heading North and some of the best four star restaurants. Such incredible vacations make some wonder if going overseas is necessary to find the best of the best vacations.  Knowing that wineries is part of this West coast vacation article, the Sonoma Valley will obviously bea major focus but, we first get settled in San Francisco, one of the best culinary cities in the U.S. A choice locations to settle in San Francisco for a couple days is the Hotel Adagio, which is a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel. The hotel is located near Union Square, which offers an astonishing selection of antique shops, art galleries, bars, cafés, coffee, department stores and some of the best restaurants in the country. Take a stroll after dinnerand choose from five ice cream and sweet shops. First choice for dinner is simple, Fisherman’s Wharf and Star Banquets and Travel offers many selections on our San Francisco website, www.sanfranciscoreservations.info for Fisherman’s Wharf than include Fog Harbor Fish House, Fishermen’s Grotto #9, Alioto’s, Ana Mandara who is on our top 2011 picks. Ana Mandara is our top pick for the first night in San Francisco. With 171 reviews on OpenTable.com alone, a menu that is as unique as they come, and a menu layout that is just quite interesting
and will bring the curiosity out of anyone. Highlights of their menu, starting with appetizers, Vietnamese crispy
rolls, crabmeat, shrimp, & Shiitake mushrooms; or another that will catch the eye, seared beef Carpaccio,
julienne Papaya – green Apple, Tamarine sauce and Shrimp crackers. The menu offers many choices, it is quite large and entrées include fish of the day dusted with Wasabi, sautéed Brussel sprouts and fried green tomatoes served with chili – honey mustard sauce. Those who are not seafood fans, the menu brings a Prime Filet Mignon with grilled pineapple, sautéed mushrooms, crunchy sweet rice cake and pineapple sauce or try the slow roasted Sonoma duck breast with Daikon (Turnips) cake and long beans served with Pinenut sauce.
Whether a long day of travel was required for your visit to San Francisco will determine as to one or two
nights in San Francisco. So, when you are rested, excited, ready to move on, the next leg of the vacation is heading north to a tour of Sonoma Valley wineries.  The plan for Sonoma winery is a day of touring of your choice of Vineyards to visit while driving through beautiful countryside then settling in at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa by Renaissance. Guided tours of Sonoma and Napa Valleys are available through California Wine Tours, which you can view online at www.californiawinetours.com. If you prefer to discover the vineyards/ wineries yourself, some of the key vineyards are Benziger Family Winery, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, St. Francis Winery, Bartholomew Park Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, Valley of the Moon Winery,
B.R. Cohn Winery and Ravenswood Winery. Planning to stay two days is important so to also enjoy the amenities of the resort, The Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa. They advertise to come and relax, indulge, play and savor. That is so true with what the four star resort offers. The Raindance Spa is exhilarating as they offer body scrubs, messagesand go as far as to offer astrology readings. “Raindance Spa offers treatments that draw upon the natural healing properties of the region’s herbs, plants, minerals and fruits, including lavender and grape seed.” But, there is much more the resort offers that include an outdoor pool, spa tub, sauna and fitness center. The onsite Carneros Bistro Wine Bar was named one of the top 50 restaurants in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine. The restaurant is our top pick after the long day of  vineyard touring. The second day though, after a day of relaxing you should feel fit to venture off to our top pick
restaurant for the evening. Redd is one of our top picks for dining, located in Napa Valley, the restaurant could  be a choice pick for lunch as well. Redd has also received the Diners Choice award from OpenTable.com.  Two highlights of their dinner menu are, a prime New York steak and short ribs, salt potatoes, bacon and Cipollini onion ragout; and second, Berkshire pork chop, sagepolenta, roasted artichokes and root vegetables.  Menus  will be part of the vacation planning package supplied by Star Banquets and Travel. Direct online booking is available at www.vacationsnationalpark.com or you can call Star Banquets and Travel for assistance in planning a personalized vacation.  Now onto to the start of the sight seeing part of the vacation, which first is Redwood Forest NationalPark. “Most visitors know Redwood National and State Parks as home to the world's tallest trees—icons that inspirevisions of mist-laden primeval forests bordering crystal-clear streams. But did you know that the parks also protect vast
prairies, oak woodlands, and nearly 40 miles of wild coastline, all of which support a rich mosaic of wildlife
diversity and cultural traditions?” (U.S. National Park Service) If you wish to break up the drive to Oregon, then a couple choice spots are available from Eureka to Crescent City (see our booking links above). Two hotels in the area, the Carter House Inns, which is a luxury hotel is rated 3.5 stars but, a Red Lion Hotel thatis 1/3 of the cost is rated near the same at three stars. Details on Redwood National Park, things to do, trails is offered on VacationsNationalPark.com as well as dining stops along the way. and skiing. So, we did a little research and found a very good source about the Oregon lighthouses. Oregon seems to have many more lighthouses than the average state, even the east coast states such as Florida.  The first lighthouse we will mention is that of thephoto above, Cape Blanco Light Station was built ona large plot of land covering over 45 acres. A house was built large enough to house two families. The first Fresnel lens was lit on December 20, 1870. The lighthouse is the oldest and continuously operated lighthouse in Oregon and
is the highest coastal light in Oregon rising 256 above sea level. The U.S. Coast Guard took over the lighthouse in 1939 and it stayed operation until 1987.  The Coquille River Lighthouse is the 2nd of our Oregon light house tour, constructed during the 1890'sand lit for the first time on February 29th, 1896. The area was settled in the 1850s with the intention of developing a port for exporting lumber and other goods from the Coquille River Valley. The lighthouse was built on an Island but  with the construction of a jetty, the island was connected to the mainland at in the early 1900s. The lighthouse had a short life due to a forest fire wiped out thetown in 1936, which resulted in closing down the lighthouse.  Captain James Cook, a famous British explorer to name what is now Cap Argo, where the Cape Argo  Lighthouse was built. He named in Cape Gregory when he sailed past the bay area. The area was renamed Cape Arago in 1778 and the lighthouse constructed atCape Argo was the first lighthouse built after Oregon became a state in 1859. The lighthouse has been rebuilt three times and sets on an island named Lighthouse Island but, also called Chief's Island. The last construction was of a permanent concrete construction in 1934 and is the youngest of the historical Oregon Lighthouse tour. The lighthouse base was setup with a life-saving  organization and with one of the strongest Fresnel lights to serve as not just a light for the channel but for the area seacoast. This lighthouse was decommissioned in2006 and the lights removed and is not part of the historical tour for it is closed to the public. It serves as the historical landmark adding to the picturesque coastal  sunsets and sunrises at the Sunset Bay Park. Lincoln is our suggested location for accommodations.  Looking over small islets in picture perfect blue water and its residences of sea lions and seabirds with a Oregon sunset makes Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint one of our top choices on the Oregon Lighthouse tour. Cape Mears is at the north end of the "Three Capes Scenic Route and is open for public tours. The area well know for its Sitak Spruce trees and scenic rocky coast but, nothing beats watching the yearly migration of the whales from the high view points. Cape Meares also offers more than just the lighthouse with a national wildlife refuge, nature trails and picnic area. it was located on a 217 foot cliff and has a visibility of 21 miles. It is
the top choice of the scenic Oregon lighthouse tour. The picturesque area is a good stopping point to grab a
hotel and rest for an all day tour of the park. More detailed planning including hotels and restaurants can be found on 1 Touch Reservations for self-planning vacations.
Oregon wines are just as good as California wines and I have personally seen in many restaurants. Last night I tried A to Z Pinot Noir and it was very good.  Sources are available in the members area of 1 Touch Reservations for planning wine tour vacations that include Oregon vineyards and wineries. You can view their featured tours at
www.orwinetours.com. They cover the Northern Willamette Valley from Portland to Salem and the Hood River Valley. Some of their featured wineries include Styring Vineyards, Vidon Vineyard, Anderson Family Vineyard,  Cristom Vineyards, Natalies Estate Winery and Springhouse Cellar Winery.

Alabama is one of our first states we posted vacation information on in our former magazine, National Park Vacations but, since the focus was on National Parks, trying to determine how to present Alabama was difficult. 2012 brings our best foot forward on Alabama vacations showing the worthiness of Alabama that includes the Gulf Coast and golf resorts, from Mobile to Fort Payne, which is just a few miles from the Little River Canyon (photo top), Dauphin Island (below) and direct links to vacations in Alabama. The Little River Canyon Preserve is a 12-mile-long canyon and is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi and a scenic drive is available with look out points to enjoy the beautiful scenery. One such look out point is Lynn Overlook, which is the head and starting point for the Beaver Pond Trail. The three quarter mile trail is a bird watchers paradise. The Canyon beauty includes, "sweeping panoramas of the canyon walls and the raging Little River below. Scan the walls of the canyon and you will see natural bridges and amazing formations created by the action of the river and the elements." (Alabama Tourism Department) Enjoy relaxing at the end of the scenic drive at Canyon Mouth Park, which is a day use park and a relaxing place to enjoy a picnic. The park offers grills, a beach and swimming in the crystal clear waters. Fishing is also permitted at the park. The preserve is detailed with vacation options on our Alabama National Park page. Lookout Mountain is the ideal location for a quality couple get-away, perfect for a peaceful anniversary vacation

or summer family vacation. A one-week vacation is ideal but, nobody can become board for a vacation to this area of Alabama/ Tennessee even during a two week vacation. The Little River flows for nearly the entire length atop Lookout Mountain. The area offers scenic views of forested uploads, canyon cliffs and bluffs, pools where waterfalls flow into. The cliffs are of sandstone and have stunning beauty. Just a couple examples of fun and vacation fulfilling things to do include Ruby Falls and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. Ruby Falls is the deepest commercial cave and has the highest underground waterfall at 145 feet in height. Guided tours are available and they end with an incredible panoramic view from the Lookout Mountain Tower. The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway trolley ride is a one mile ride at a 72% grade straight up the mountain. Tour Civil War sites such as the Battles for Chattanooga Electric Map & Museum, Point Park and the Chattanooga National Military Park system if only a short walk. The bottom or start of the ride offers many stores to shop and good restaurants. The good dining though can be extended by a short drive to downtown Chattanooga. The one restaurant that has stood out when we researched Chattanooga restaurants is 212 Market St. Restaurant, which you can view at www.212Market.com. Fine dining at its best in a casual atmosphere. The menu is one of the best I have ever read. Starters include Grilled Georgia Quail Breasts served with Blueberry Compote & Rosemary Shortbread, a Mediterranean Sampler and Fire & Ice, which is Rock shrimp Gazpacho, Cilantro Sorbet and Avocado but, the best of the appetizers is their fried green tomatoes served with Cajun slaw and Creole Remoulade. One salad example is their Baby Spinach salad topped with Hazelnut vinaigrette, spiced pecans, Gorgonzola, Apples and smoked bacon. Their entrées, desserts and rewards I am leaving to your imagination. Little River Canyon is a choice vacation spot with so much to offer for a romantic vacation or a family vacation. The featured accommodations is the Weiss Lake House in Cedar Bluff.

Included for Alabama vacations in this issue of National Park Vacations is the Marriott Grand Hotels in Mobile, phin Island. Mobile Alabama may not be top pick for a anniversary vacation or honeymoon
but, onc you view this hotel that could very well change. Located in Fairhope Alabama, near Mobile, the hotel as their own private beach. The dining options are fruitful even not leaving the hotel with five restaurants and a bar/lounge. The four star hotel does offer room service as expected for this quality of resort but, is limited to specific hours. The golf course is 36 holes and the hotel offers an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a children's pool, and a health club. Spa amenities include spa services, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and body treatments.  The golf course is the legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf trail. The hotel is known as the “Queen of Southern Resorts” and is legendary for weddings. So, for those who do not live in Mobile, know that the hotel is the quality Alabama Vacations many seek for a honeymoon or anniversary vacation.
The hotel is also family oriented with amenities such as the children’s pool and family activities offered in
the surrounding area and beaches. Family oriented adventures for Mobile include the USS Alabama tour
– www.ussalabama.com, the Mobile Carnival Museum (Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras) -
www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com, the Mobile Zoo - http://www.mobilezoo.cc, and the Mobile Mystery
Dinner Theatre – http://www.mobilemysterydinners.com, which can be part of a romantic vacation as well. Planning a romantic vacation in the Mobile area, many sources of accommodations are available but, the two main hotels we are mentioning here are the Grand Marriott and the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina on Dauphin Island.
Dauphin Island offers much for a romantic vacation and family vacations from the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina to camp grounds on sugar sand beaches, Dauphin sanctuary, historic fort and a professional golf course. The hotel of the Holiday Isle is the Islamorada Hotel and Resort, which offers astonishing first class accommodations, a “world famous Tiki Bar,” fine dining and nightly entertainment. Whether you stay in Holiday Isle or at the Marriott in Fairview, Dauphin Island should be part of your planned vacation.
To start self planning your visit to Dauphin Island, start with the Chamber of commerce at http://dauphinislandcoc.com. The Islamorada Hotel Resort is world famous for its fishing at the Marina, with Dauphin Island offering the only living barrier reef in North America. An 850’ fishing peer offers premium fishing and lots of room. Charters are also available directly from the Marina. Dive and snorkeling trips are offered as well to nearby ship wrecks and the reefs. The golf course is a premium 6,600 yard 18-hole scenic adventure and the golf course, although a professional golf course and suitable to the not so professional. Direct information can found at www.dipoa.com/golfcourse. The Chamber of Commerce website offers details on the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which offers 164 acres of woodlands with trails through a mix of pines, live oaks, magnolias and stretches along the Gulf of Mexico. Dauphin Island is known is one of the top spots to observe tropical migrating birds and butterflies including song birds and humming birds. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an extraordinary place to visit, which should be top on your list. The Estuarium offers wonders of Alabama that include habitat details, aquariums and interactive exhibits. Last but, not least, for the nature enthusiast and outdoors man, camping on Dauphin Island is offered at the Dauphin Island Camp Ground. The park offers 150 sites that have power and water, 75 of which have sewer, onside bathhouse with hot showers, washers/ dryers, an onsite store, a group pavilion with large barbecue grill, walking trails, bicycle rental and on. All the information on these fun places to visit can be found at www.dauphinisland.org.  Fine dining on Dauphin Island I am not too certain about. First, I believe that restaurants on Dauphin Island may not know the Internet exists. The only restaurant I could find that appears to be at all appetizing is the Island Rainbow, which you can click this page to find more info. Mobile is the best bet for romantic fine dining. Two restaurants that stand out for fine dining is Noja, www.nojamobile.com and Café Royal, www.caferoyalmobile.net. Jesse’s Steakhouse is also a very good choice. All three are rated four star, Noja has 72 reviews, Jesse’s 30 and Café Royal 54 reviews. My opinion from reading the reviews is I give all three restaurants a 4.2 rating on quality of food, experience and ambiance but, a lower 3.8 rating on their menus.
For all travel and dining reservations, golfing, reviews and more, visit 1 Touch Reservations at www.reservationswebsite.com

Seattle Mini Vacation

Party and enjoy the culture in two cities in two countries and take a cruise all in four days!

Did you know you can take a 1 day cruise between Seattle and Vancouver?

Romantic times on a clear night with a sliver of a moon ending a perfect day touring a city from breakfast to dinner and topping it off with a fun place such as a theatre gives that romantic feeling for a couple.  Food can be romantic, scenery can be romantic, a sunset can be romantic and on and on.  Chocolate has been called an aphrodisiac and personally, I believe walking into a chocolate store, especially when the chocolate is being made, is quite romantic.  C.J. Johnson describes a romantic time with food in an article she wrote for TravelingToday.Com; "Standing at Pike Place Market on a cool autumn morning I watched the donut batter pop and bubble in the boiling grease. The smell of donuts wafted through the air and warmed my nose. The pastries proceeded through the hot, oily machinery on their way to the serving port. As they came to the end of the line, golden brown and begging for my attention, the woman behind the counter grabbed them and plunged them into sugar and cinnamon."  She sets the stage for her article with the feeling of the cool autumn morning and the smell of the donuts.  Similarly I feel the same way when I walk into Panera Breads for example and smell that fresh baked break but, that may not be a romantic moment.  That is not the point though, the point is knowing how and letting a city romance you. Romancing a city from morning to evening includes breakfast, maybe some early morning shopping, strolling along the city, lunch, maybe some afternoon strolls in a museum or park, dinner and the evening event; but, the evening must end, which means sleep.  Romancing the city and then ending up in a less than romantic hotel does not suit my fancy.  Starting with breakfast in Seattle, the Pike Place Market is where Johnson wrote about the fresh donuts.  Also for breakfast I found two restaurants that peaked my attention: Chanterelle Specialty Foods with their orange cornmeal waffles and the cinnamon-raisin French toast plus the Macrina Bakery & Café for those who are bread, bagel and cobbler lovers.  To walk off the breakfast with a little shopping depends on where you ate.  If you chose eating breakfast at the Pike Place Market place you can conveniently take stroll in their market.  A quick preview can be read at www.pikeplacemarket.org where they offer the bakery, berries, candy, coffee, tea & spices, diary, fresh produce, meats, honey, nuts and on.  Downtown is well known for the two block area of well known high-end stores and morning time may be the best time to slip in and out without joining the crowds.  Walking up an appetite for lunch, keeping mind that you are romancing the city and depending on where you shopped, leaving the ambiance for dinner and focus on something quick small and tasty, try the Red Mill Burgers.  Voted the best burgers in Seattle 10 years in a row and "One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You die" from Oprah Show & GQ Magazine.  (www.redmillburgers.com)  But if you want the relaxing atmosphere, nice ambiance and gourmet food I strongly suggest the Palomino Euro Bistro.  10Best.Com only rated them three-star, which surprised me because the Dallas location I dined at was definitely a five-star and rated so.  Now to continue the day in Seattle, the next venture is shopping or maybe afternoon stroll in a Museum.  If you did not pass through downtown, the shopping area consists of 14 shopping areas all packed with stores.  From Beltown, Capitol Hill, Chinatown and Denny Triangle to Pioneer Square, South Lake Union, Uptown and Waterfront.  Anything you want to shop for is there.  Detailed information and store lists is available at www.downtownseattle.com.   But, on the Museum side, walking around after two meals and a couple of hours of shopping, I would settle for a relaxing IMAX sit down at the Pacific Science Center.  Detailed information for that museum is available at www.pacsci.org/default.html.  The romantic day has been eventful with the wonderful gourmet breakfast and the tasty lunch concluding with the IMAX relaxing movie, the fall/ winter sunset should be the icing on top of the cake before you head to your hotel or house to prepare for dinner. To end the evening, I suggest a romantic hotel and dinner close by and it does not get more romantic then returning to your hotel and sitting out on a balcony at the waters edge with a cocktail.  The suggested hotel is the Waterfront  (Edgewater) hotel but, we are giving you a link to all Seattle hotels.  Click here to view the photos inside and out of Seattle hotels and pricing.  If you decide on our hotel selection then you do not have far for dinner at the Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge because it is just downstairs.  The dinner menu will help make up your mind.  Their menu is just one example of our vacation package proposal.  Romancing Seattle sounds fun and romantic and I hope that this article put you there.  If you live in Seattle, much I have written here you may know but, for all of you who plan on visiting Seattle, I hope my article put you in romancing Seattle dreamland.  Topping off the vacation and continuing with a focus on vineyards with this issue of National Park Vacations, we have found some choice tour companies but, if you wish to self tour, we are high lighting some of the vineyards, which are most well known.  Before leaving Whidbey Island though, a visit to Whidbey Island Winery is worth the time.  You can visit their website at http://www.whidbeyislandwinery.com.  They grow their own grapes on Whidbey Island, which has low rain fall but long summer days and cool nights creating a good climate for white grapes.  All of their wines made from their grapes at this time are white wines.  They produce red wines from grapes grown in the Yakima Valley and include: Cabernet Franc 2007 (Yakima Valley) Syrah 2006, Malbec 2009 and Sangiovese 2008.  They won a gold award for their white Roussanne 2008 Horse Heaven Hills and also make a Pinot Grigio and a Chardonnay.  The suggested tour company in Seattle is Bon Vivant, www.bonvivanttours.com, which offers scheduled tours on Friday through Sunday and private tours by reservation.  The tours offered include: 1. Woodinville Wineries, home to the headquarters estate of Chateau Ste Michelle, who is Washington’s largest and most well known producer of fine wines and has the longest history wine making in the state. 2. A tour of wineries in the city of Seattle 3. Bainbridge Island Day Tour, which includes lunch.  Wenatchee Valley day tour and includes visiting vineyards and wineries of the “Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth.  4. Tour of the wineries from the Yakima city area to Wapato Buena in the western part of the Yakima Valley. More tours are available including privately scheduled tours.  See their website for details. Chateau Ste Michelle should be the top choice for a self tour of wineries and vineyards in Washington.  Chateau Ste Michelle has four vineyards and wineries in the state of Washington: Indian Wells Vineyard, Cold Creek Vineyard, Canoe Ridge Estate Winery & Vineyard and Horse Heaven Vineyard.  Wines include the Artist Series Meritage, single vineyard wines, and wines created by their wine makers.  Winery tours are available at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, which is about 15 miles northeast of Seattle.  Details are available at www.ste-michelle.com.  The vineyard and winery to visit in the Wenatchee valley is the Bellla Terrazza Vineyards.  The vineyard grows Cabernet Franc, Chardonnnay, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Pinot Gris and Riesling.  Their wines are quite popular and three on their 2008 wines are already sold out.  Detailed information is available at www.bellaterrazzavineyards.com.   The suggested wineries to visit in the city of Seattle is the South Seattle Artisan Wineries, http://ssaw.info.  The wineries include Nota Bene Cellars, Cadence Winery, Laurelhurst Cellars, Bartholomew Winery, Fall Line Winery, O S Winery.  Tours and tastings are offered on the second Saturdays starting February through August 2011, 1-5 pm.   If you are into beer then you may want to put on your visitation list two of the well known Seattle breweries, Elysian Brewing Company, www.elysianbrewing.com and Pike Brewing Company, www.pikebrewing.com.  Such a good mix of vineyards and wineries to visit!  Even one day set aside can be quite enjoyable and informative. Seattle offers so much, which is one half of our suggested Washington vacation.  Quality restaurants, good hotels, awesome places to shop and well known and famous Washington vineyards to visit.  Olympic National Park is just as much fulfilling in a Washington vacation.  Do not forget that Star Banquets and Travel is here to help plan a customized vacation that will fit time wishes and your budget.

The Aboco Islands

Vacationing can be a chore in planning and your time off of work can much less than expected. Everyone has a diverse set of criteria that defines the ideal vacation. It would seem that the two most important desires of a vacation are fun and relaxation or a combination of both. Many vacation resorts or cruise ships seem to be so commercialized that it seems as if we are being hustled and bustled. You wait in long lines eat at crowded restaurants and sleep in beds that not even your dog would be comfortable in. There are so many places to vacation to but they are not promoted. Those are the vacations you want to find. That is, you want to find a vacation, not let a vacation or a resort find you. Think a little while about your past vacations and tell yourself how much fun or how much rest you found. Not all of our past vacations were bad but many of them could have been better. The Bahmas is a good example. The islands are so commercialized and you get bombarded with merchants trying to sell youeverything from hats all the way down to sandals. So, a few years before 911, I started a travel planning business, which ended a few months after 911 but I want to share with you some of the spots we found.. We were in the business of not just booking a vacation but planning a vacation. Our line was “We find vacations to places you never heard of or never thought of going to”. I believe many vacationers or tourist believes like I do, and that is, you come back from a vacation tired instead of rested.  If there is a place on Earth where dreams stem from then the Abaco Islands could be just that place. The underlining title of this article is; "The of a Life Time". It is one of those unknown places that we all try to find; a vacation spot where peace, beauty and solitude exists. Planning a vacation takes into account many aspects of your own life including monetary. Although many vacationers do budget for a premium vacation and for those who are willing to spend the money then the Abaco Islands may be a good choice. If the type of vacation you are seeking for includes diversity with no tourist traps which guarantees the quiet island life then the Abaco Islands may be just what you are looking for. Do not believe that the only agenda on the island is to romance or to lay in the sun for there is much more to the Abaco Islands. One of the sources I found in writing this article is http://oii.net/ and I quote their home page heading; "We have: The most Beautiful Water on Earth, Beaches, Islands, Sailing, Diving, Boating, Fishing, Nature Preserves on the Land and in the Sea, Fine hotels, Intimate Clubs, Guest houses, Fishing Lodges, Bed and Breakfast, Restaurants, Shopping, Marinas, Rental Homes and Condos, Investment Properties and Homes for Sale. There are activities for the entire family and Quiet Get-Aways for Couples.” The sports enthusiast can enjoy golf, tennis, Snorkeling and Scuba, Day Sails and Water Skiing. Quiet Spots for reading or just to sit and listen to the waves are plenty. These islands take away the generic tourist trap image the Bahamas are known for. You may be wondering where the Abaco Islands are, for they are the sister islands to the Bahamas. They are smaller in size compared to the Bahamas and the ports are too small for the cruise ships to doc at so you must fly in or travel there by small craft. Just a 60 minute flight from South Florida the islands are just north of Nassau and east of Grand Bahama where you will find the popular destination of Freeport. The Abaco Islands are the second largest set of Islands in the Bahamas. The 650 square mile Islands with 13,000 residences are secluded from the cruise ship tourists. The airports are not quite large enough for the large airlines thus making it difficult to fly into during stormy seasons. Boating and sailing, being these are islands, is obviously a prime choice on this romantic vacation. Whether it is a moon light stroll along a cove or sailing the blue waters under a clear blue sky, being on the water is beautiful, peaceful, romantic, and often with seclusion. You will find many uninhabited cays covering a 120 miles of island coast line. Time should be set aside to village hop where you will find slumber-struck 18th century villages and historic museums that recall how life was 200 years ago. Although this is an island paradise there is a variety of choices to enjoy your vacation. The Abaco Islands can be found on the map by first spotting the Bahamas and then look north east. The major Islands of the Abaco's are the Great Abaco and the Little Abaco Islands. You will find the popular spots and hotels in the well known cays; Elbow Cay, Man-O-War Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Guana Cay, Stranger's Cay, Umbrella Cay and Walker's Cay. A hot spot for U.S. tourist for years, the islands have provided a long history of refuge from hectic life in the States. The Abaco Islands was first settled by 600 British loyalists who fled the country after the U.S. declared its independence. The first settlement was at Carleton Point. Grand Cay was once a favorite retreat of former US president Richard Nixon. These are the islands you will see on the map for they are the largest in the Abaco group. The ladies will want to shop so Man-O-War Cay would be an ideal stop. It is the capital of the Bahamas' boat-building industry for the past 200 years and is the most water-oriented Cay in the Abacos. Some boats are hand crafted and you can view the craftsman build these beautiful boats. Be prepared to walk a lot or you can grab a golf cart but for there are no motorized vehicles allowed as is in the other Abaco areas. There are many beautifully kept homes as well as many nautically-oriented shops and stores along the waterfront. You will not find a finer place to buy canvas products and this Cay will keep you occupied for a whole afternoon. An Island off the coast of the Abacos is Great Guana Cay. Guana Cay lies between Green Turtle and Man-O-War Cays with the electric blue Atlantic Ocean to the east and the resplendent turquoise waters of the Sea of Abaco to the west. The island is about seven miles in length with a beautiful beach on the ocean side that offers great swimming, snorkeling or just a stroll on the beach. The other side of the island you will find bonefish in the shallow bays of the cay. Great fishing along the reefs as well as offshore on the ocean side is an abundant choice for recreation. There is a small settlement on the island where you will find some stores and restaurants. A full-service dive shop offers 1/2 day and full day snorkeling and dive excursions. So, everyone can enjoy this vacation paradise including the ladies who are offered a wonderful arena of shops to visit. The vacation itineraries can be created with much diversity so the chance of becoming bored is slim to sun. Try to include some time to visit the island’s landmarks. The Abaco Islands is a place for site seeing as they offer sites such as the Pelican Cay National Park, an underwater preserve; or, the Abaco National Park, a 20,000 acre site in southern Abaco encompassing the nesting area and habitat of the Abaco Parrot. Those who enjoy museums can spend a quiet afternoon at the Albert Lowe Museum, a restored 150-year-old mansion that now houses exhibits on local history. There is also the Memorial Sculpture Gardens, consisting of some 30 Bahamians, representing different Bahamian islands, where you can stand in an elegant, tranquil garden setting. So, from the pre-mentioned agenda choices there are a very diverse itinerary that can be drafted. The commercial hub of the islands and third largest town in The Bahamas is Marsh Harbor, on Great Abaco, which has a plethora of well-stocked stores and marinas that provide services to fulfill the boater's every need. There are relatively few green turtles remaining on Green Turtle Cay, but they are bred here on farms and considered food. On occasion, you will find boiled turtle or turtle stew, will appear on restaurant menus. Be aware when purchasing items made from turtle shell that they may have to be left behind, as it is illegal to import these products into many countries. There are plenty of souvenirs that can be brought back but make sure to check the import/ export laws so not to get surprised by a healthy tax. There are several Cays to choose from when planning your accommodations. Walker's Cay is the northernmost island in The Bahamas. Its waters are overrun with game fish like tuna, dolphin, blue marlin, billfish, and kingfish among others. Walker's Cay Undersea Adventures offers bone fishing, deep sea fishing, secluded island picnics, tours of the tropical fish hatchery, and cookouts for dive groups. We believe that a great vacation offers more than just relaxation, romance or seclusion. The ladies may like to shop but many men like to golf and fish. Treasure Cay is my suggested area to anchor at for the Abaco Islands' vacation. There is plenty for both the men and the ladies. Treasure Cay has an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a marina, and facilities for fishing, boating and scuba diving. There are two hotels on this island  to choose from. First are Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and the other, Banyan Beach Club, requiring a stay of more than 3-days (with kitchenette) and are reasonably priced.Whether the island’s visitors are honeymooners or romanticist, sport enthusiasts or site seekers, or just looking a peaceful quiet place to rest, they all go home with a smile. Good research is essential in planning a vacation is quite critical and source of the information is just a critical.  So, the conclusion is, a good vacation is one where there is diversity; fun, relaxation and something for everyone to enjoy. The Internet is a good source for information but sales brochures can easily paint any type of picture in a customers mind. For those of us that have taken a cruise we all know the good points and the bad points. I hope the information in this article will motivate you to explore more about the Abaco Islands. I wish everyone to have a happy, smiley and safe vacation.y is the key months to catch a flight into the Abaco Islands but the islands are beautiful all year round.