Recent Posts

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  Quaint, Quirky and Colorful … The Madonna Inn

  Quaint, Quirky and Colorful … The Madonna Inn shatters the illusion that all hotels look alike. The Madonna Inn’s humble beginnings started in 1958.with only 12 rooms but quickly expanded. Sitting on 2200 acres, the architecture and construction encompassed all the natural resources found on the property including the rocks, some of which weigh in excess of 200 tons each.
  Now boasting 110 rooms, individually designed and decorated so that each is unique, you can opt for a different experience each time you stay. Throughout the inn you’’ll find etched, leaded windows & glass work all custom made as well as custom crafted wood carvings. The hand carved balustrade in the dining room was originally from Hearst castle and the 28-foot gold tree fixture that sits in the main dining room is made of excess electrical conduit from building projects and left over copper remnants.

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  Overcoming Your Fear of Flying

  I don’t like flying. I hate not being in control. I hate every bump and noise I can’t identify. I profile the other passengers. I know where my exits are. I pay close attention to the safety instructions even though I have heard them a hundred times. I monitor our route on line. I read the faces of the flight attendants making sure they are confident everything is going along as planned and nothing is out of the ordinary. I [...]

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  They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Caption This!

  They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. So are expressions. Caption This!

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  Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Crab Tostadas and Chipotle Remoulade #Recipe

  Join us in celebrating Cinco de Mayo with Crab Tostadas and Chipotle Remoulade a recipe we got from the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, Executive Chef, Ashley James. One of our favorite places to unwind is their Windows Lounge. Plush sofas, comfortable armchairs and an inviting outdoor patio provided us a great place to relax, people watch ( favorite pastime of ours) and sample enticing appetizers from around the world, try a specialty martini (or two) and peruse the extensive wine list. We know you’ll enjoy this Crab Tostadas as much as we did!

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  In search of the elusive San Francisco treat

  While we came to the city by the bay in search of the elusive San Francisco treat, “Rice or Roni” we found so much more! We stayed at the Five Star Four Seasons San Francisco is located in the Yerba Buena cultural district in downtown San Francisco, two blocks from Union Square, the Financial District, the Moscone Convention Center and the Museum of Modern Art. A welcome sight after a long drive of the coast. Sometimes our journey uncovers something really special. Luxury and comfort aside, this hotels beauty goes beyond skin deep and has a big & caring heart.

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  La Dolce Vita … The Sweet Life

  On Santa Monica Boulevard, a little Italian restaurant, La Dolce Vita “The Sweet Life” sits unassumingly since 1966. While outwardly it’s unremarkable, inside it is the keeper of stories of some of Hollywood’s most notorious characters. Restored to it’s original glory during a 7 month hiatus, owner Alessandro Uzielli, clearly passionate about this rare treasure, resurrected the decor and menu that contributed to its previous success.

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  Data Reveals Top Five Most Visited and Searched For Destinations

  We travel often. So when Sojern, the world’s leading data-driven traveler engagement platform, released the top U.S. consumer travel trends from the first quarter of the year, including most visited destinations, most desired/searched for destinations we took notice. These trends are based on the analysis of more than 400 million traveler intent data points, obtained through Sojern’s exclusive partnerships with the world’s most renowned travel brands.

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  Traveling with Purpose in National Parks

  What better way to celebrate Earth Day and National Parks Week than to feature ARAMARK Parks and Destinations.

  There’s no better way to welcome warmer weather than with travel to the great outdoors. America offers vast wilderness for people to explore from the grandest of National Parks, to undisturbed forestland. If this isn’t inspiration enough to lace up your hiking boots, April is also Keep America Beautiful Month, and home to National Parks Week (April 20-26) and Earth Day (April 22). Perfect excuses to leave civilization, head out into wild and explore our great resources while leaving only foot (or hoof) prints behind.

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  Times Square Bucket List

  We met some interesting people in Times Square in New York City and we got some pretty interesting answers to the question, “What’s on your Bucket List?” Here’s our Bucket List. Leave a comment and let us know what’s on yours.   

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  The National Civil Rights Museum

  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.  Today the property is the site of the National Civil Rights Museum and is a the legacy of those who fought for racial freedom and equality. This year, for the first time, visitors are afforded the unique experience of being allowed to walk out on the balcony in front of Dr. King’s room, number 306 which has been preserved exactly as it was 45 years [...]

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  A Guide to Time Travel

  A Guide to Time Travel

  What if you could travel back in time? Where would you go?

  And this isn’t some theoretical exercise. Time travel is real. Or at least, there is a form of it being offered on the north banks of the St. Lawrence River this summer.

  In a sleepy corner of eastern Canada two major anniversaries are converging to offer visitors a unique glimpse of the past.

  Two hundred years ago, Pride & Prejudice was first published, while a war raged here in North America. The first attracts fans from all over the world, while the second is part of a well-funded commemoration for the War of 1812. Together, the two anniversaries are creating a brilliant world of living history along the St. Lawrence River this summer.

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  We’re April Fools! MidLife Road Trip’s @rickgriffin @sandimckenna BIG Hit with the Royals & Sir Elton John

  We’re April Fools! MidLife Road Trip’s @rickgriffin @sandimckenna BIG Hit with the Royals & Sir Elton John

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  Recipe For Success: Rachelle Lucas, a.k.a. @TravelBlggr revisited

  Recipe For Success: Rachelle Lucas, a.k.a. @TravelBlggr, a freelance writer, videographer and spokesperson with a focus on travel, food and social media who believes the best way to learn about a destination is through its flavors.

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  Quick and Easy Chicken Cutlets #WeekdaySupper

  Quick and Easy Chicken Cutlets for a #WeekdaySupper are the perfect fast and flavorful dinner fix for the busy traveler or fussy family. The beauty of a simple chicken cutlet is that 1) most people including finicky kids love them 2) They’re fast, ready in less than 30 minutes from start to finish 3) They can be personalized to individualized palates by adding sauces and dips. Cutlets can be paired with a simple classic red sauce for an italian flair, BBQ sauce for kid friendly dipping, a ‘companies coming’ mushroom cream sauce, or a mustard caper sauce (recipe below).

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  Classic Tomato Sauce

  The sign of a good  Italian restaurant is a classic tomato sauce. La Dolce Vita, on Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, CA is  a little Italian restaurant  that has been there unassumingly since 1966. While outwardly it’s unremarkable, inside it is the keeper of stories of some of Hollywood’s most notorious characters and the food is an event in itself to be enjoyed, encompassing all of your senses. Family sized Recipe Ingredients 5 pounds of fresh tomato Bring to a boil let [...]

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