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.