Heading to Universal Studios Hollywood during summer vacation was a frightening idea. The crowds, the lines, the mass of humanity crowded together pushing and shoving! But summer was the only time I could schedule a getaway to celebrate the 13th birthday for a family member. I set out to find a way to make it work both for the new teenager and for me. Here’s what I did as well as tips and recommendations for your own trip. Note: This article was written in collaboration with Expedia.com who asked me to share my personal getaway guide to Universal Studios. Choosing Your Dates Summer is vacation time, so there are a lot more people at Universal, and my top recommendation for timing is to go off-season, during the week while kids are in school, and to avoid weekends and holiday seasons. That […]
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Weekend Getaway: Gig Harbor, Washington
The Pacific Northwest town of Gig Harbor, Washington, is located across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Tacoma and is about a 45-minute drive from Sea-Tac Airport. The town has taken its rich history of commercial fishing and boat building and turned its downtown area into a historic waterfront community that attracts visitors with its galleries, parks, public and private docks and marinas, shopping, and dining. It is also one of the many small towns that promote itself as the gateway to Olympic Peninsula. It’s easy to think of Gig Harbor as a summer destination, and it is a great one, but don’t overlook the value that can be found in the shoulder or offseason. Fall is a beautiful time in the area, sunny and crisp days, but the rainy season means fewer people and lower prices. Things to Do Enjoy a […]
Read MoreWhere Else to Go Podcast: Heidi Siefkas Talks About Lihue, Kauai
In this episode, Heidi Siefkas talks about why she loves living on Kauai, and recommends things to do on the Lihue side of the island. Some of those recommendations include: Sunday Brunch at Gaylord’s Kauai Beer Company on Rice Street – Food Truck Night on Thursday Rob’s Good Times Grill on Rice Street Sunshine Market at Lihue Vidinha Stadium on Fridays Sunset at Lihue Lighthouse or Poipu Beach House Kayak to Kipu Kai (only one on the secluded beach seen in The Descendants) or Wailua River (kayak and hike to secret falls) Hike Nualolo Trail in Waimea Canyon + Picnic Sunset at Kalalau Lookout Surf lesson at Black Pot in Hanalei Bay and Barracuda for Tapas Rent bike and do Kapa’a bike path Take a listen. If you like what you hear, you can head over to iTunes and subscribe […]
Read MoreWhere Else to Go Podcast: Kay Dougherty Talks About Marco Island Florida
Did you catch the latest episode of my Where Else to Go podcast? In this episode, Kay Dougherty from Blonde Brunette Travel, talks about visiting Marco Island, Florida. Take a listen!
Read MoreHotel Review: Motif Seattle
Motif Seattle Address: 1415 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, Washington Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Motif Seattle is located on Seattle’s Fifth Avenue, between Pike and Union Streets, and has themed the hotel around locally-inspired fashion in its 319 guestrooms. Rooms offer views of downtown Seattle, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountain range. and include alarm clocks with iPod docking stations, Keurig coffe and tea maker, refrigerator, wifi, work space with lots of plug ins, pillow top beds, and robes. Bathrooms feature Essential Elements products. Motif Seattle is a pret friendly hotel, and four-legged guests receive special amenities: plush dog bed, food and water bowls, complimentary welcome snacks, and for owners, a copy of CityDog magazine. The pet fee is a bargain priced one-time $20. Parking at the hotel is $32 plus tax, with in and out privileges. A Tesla & […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Maritime Inn, Gig Harbor
Maritime Inn Hotel Address: The Maritime Inn is located at 3212 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor, Washington. Value Luxury Rating: (out of three hearts) Features: The Maritime Inn is located in Gig Harbor, Washington, a small town across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. While its history is full of commercial fishing and boat building, Gig Harbor today it has turned it historic waterfront into a community that attracts visitors with its galleries, parks, public and private docks and marinas, shopping, and dining. It is also on of the many small towns that promotes itself as the gateway to Olympic Peninsula. The Maritime Inn pay homage to the town’s shipbuilding history, naming each of its 15 rooms after historic vessels that operated in the local waters. You’ll find a photo of your vessel inside the room. We stayed in The Eagle, with a view […]
Read MoreTalking About Seattle on the Amateur Traveler
I’ve lived in Washington State all of my life, and the greater Seattle area for most of it. When my friend Chris Christensen from the Amateur Travler wanted to talk about the city, I was happy to oblige. The discussion center mostly on things to do in downtown Seattle, things you wouldn’t need a car to go see or do. Take a listen below, or visit Amateur Traveler Episode 502 – Travel to Seattle, Washington for show notes and to subscribe via iTunes. Amateur Traveler Episode 502 – Travel to Seattle, Washington
Read MoreFestive Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Zoolights has been going on for over 25 years at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, and up until this weekend, I’ve haven’t ventured out to see it. It was a real treat, despite the cold, and listening to guest talk about this year’s display, comparing to previous years, it’s clear that this is an annual tradition for many. Over a half a million lights went into this year’s Zoolights displays, creating a magic world of animals, local landmarks, and festive bits of nature. My favorite was the family of polar bears with Mt. Rainier in the background, although it’s hard not to like the 22-foot giant crab with moving pincers and the replica of the twin span Narrows Bridge. Note the detail in the bridge display, right down to the white lights representing oncoming traffic and the red lights […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Mayflower Park Hotel, Seattle
Mayflower Park Hotel Address: The Mayflower Park Hotel is located at 405 Olive Way, Seattle, Washington. Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Located in the heart of downtown Seattle, the classic European-styled Mayflower Park Hotel dates back to 1927. The lobby features chandeliers and antiques, creating an inviting atmosphere for checking in, meeting a guest or just relaxing before heading out for the day. It is accessible by light rail direct from the airport, about a 40-minute trip. The hotel has 160 rooms and 29 suites decorated in color schemes similar to the lobby, and each room features art specially designed for it. Contrasting with the classic headboards and armoires, are all the necessary modern amenities such as a flat panel television, coffee maker, and free wifi. Price Range: I stayed in a King Suite, which had […]
Read MoreHotel Review: Loew’s Portofino Bay Hotel, Orlando
Address: Loew’s Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando is located at 5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, Florida. Value Luxury Rating: (out of three hearts) Features: Located on the grounds of Universal Orlando Resort, and a short complimentary water taxi away from CityWalk and the theme parks (and through November first from Halloween Horror Nights), the hotel location is popular with guests wanting the extra benefits that come with staying on property. Those theme park benefits are substantial, adding up to real dollar and cents savings, and include: Express Pass (skip the lines) valued at up to $89/per day, priority seating at many theme park restaurants and first available seating at others, first available seating at CityWalk restaurants, complimentary water taxi to both theme parks (avoid driving and parking), complimentary shuttle to Wet ‘n Wild water park, SeaWorld, and Aquatica, and one hour early […]
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