Archive for August 2010
Extravagance and Culture Combine for the Perfect Vacation Destination
Author Alexine
By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved
There’s more to Los Angeles than movie premiers and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. A playground for the rich and famous, LA boasts world-class shopping, art and the finest weather on the West Coast. A vacation to southern California provides entertainment for the whole family, no matter what their individual tastes. Plan your trip around a stay in a Los Angeles luxury hotel for the ultimate in extravagance and you’ll get a first-hand glimpse of the riches this great city has to offer.
Art and Culture
Los Angeles is known as the “creative capital of the world” and with good reason. Artists, writers, dancers, actors and musicians make up a large percentage of the population, and for visitors, that means ample opportunity to experience art and culture.
The city and surrounding areas are home to more than 800 museums, including the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum. The Getty Museum boasts such famous artists as Van Gogh and Rembrandt, while the Museum of Contemporary Art is home to thousands of creations in all media, all produced after 1940. And the Los Angeles County Museum of Art houses more than 100,000 pieces spanning virtually all of art history from around the globe. Whether you fancy the classics, or prefer to interpret art in your own way, you’ll find plenty of famous – and not so famous – works to admire.
On the campus of UCLA is the Armand Hammer Museum, where fine art and free concerts combine to provide a truly varied cultural experience. Impressive art collections, informative lecture series and musical performances are just some of the ways the museum, together with UCLA, enriches the lives of locals and tourists alike.
Music aficionados won’t want to miss seeing the world-renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic. The symphony performs in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where a wood-paneled main music hall provides stunning acoustical quality. Even if you don’t attend a performance, be sure to stop by for a look at the complex. Dramatically curving stainless steel panels make this venue a work of art both inside and out.
Sun, Sand, and Shopping
For beach lovers, Los Angeles is a true paradise. From the surfing hotspot Manhattan Beach to picture-perfect Paradise Cove to funky and fun-loving Venice Beach, Los Angeles has no shortage of sand and surf. The sub-tropical climate means every season has the potential for beach weather, but the hottest activities take place in the summer months. Volleyball tournaments, fireworks, surfing and live music are just some of the entertainment options available on the many beaches of Los Angeles.
Of course you can’t hang out at the beach without the proper attire. And in Los Angeles, there are plenty of places to buy yourself a new bikini – or whatever else you desire. Perhaps the most famous shopping district in the world, Rodeo Drive sports many high-end boutique shops catering to celebrity clientele. In the three short blocks between Wilshire and South Santa Monica Boulevard, you’ll find designers from Armani to Versace, jewelry by Cartier and Tiffany, and shoes by Jimmy Choo.
Whether you choose to stay on the beach, downtown, or near UCLA, hotel accommodations are as plentiful as the attractions. Beaches, shopping, amusement parks, museums and more await you in Los Angeles, and in true Hollywood fashion, your vacation will be anything you dream it to be.
Author Bio
Barbara Wade writes for Hotel Palomar, a Los Angeles luxury hotel near the UCLA campus. Visit them online at http://www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com.
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Celebrate Your Future Together in the City of Roses
Author Alexine
By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved
You’ve finally met the man of your dreams. You’ve chosen the perfect dress, a stunning ring, and invited your friends and family to help you celebrate on this joyous occasion. All that remains is to select the ideal location. When it comes to gorgeous wedding venues, no other city can compare to Portland. Hotel suites cater to new brides and grooms – and their guests – and the gorgeous scenery in and around Portland makes the City of Roses a truly romantic destination.
Portland’s Natural Beauty is a Dazzling Backdrop for any Celebration
The International Rose Test Garden provides a stunning setting for those pre-wedding photographs. No flower says romance like the rose, and only in Portland will you find more than 7,000 plants all in one location. Wander hand in hand through the garden while the photographer captures magical candid shots, or pose for formal portraits with your wedding party. When you’ve finished, be sure to stop by the Rose Garden Shop to pick up rose-themed wedding favors such as confections shaped like this elegant flower. Your guests will love having these locally made delicacies to remind them of their visit to the City of Roses and of your special day.
For the wine-loving bride and groom, Portland offers some of the country’s best vintages. The Willamette Valley wine region is Oregon’s largest, home to 200 wineries and 12,000 acres of grapes. Dedicated to sustainable growing, the vineyards of Oregon take pride in their organic, biodynamic and salmon-safe farming practices. You’ll savor the richness of the wine even more when you know it was produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Not only that, but you’ll be able to choose local vintages to serve at your rehearsal dinner, reception, and with brunch the following day. And don’t forget to pick out a special bottle just for the two of you to share.
Shopping and Hotel Accommodations
The Portland Saturday Market is an excellent place to find one-of-a-kind treasures perfectly suited for those important bridesmaid and groomsman gifts. Blown-glass vases, hand-poured candles and exquisite jewelry are just a few of the offerings you’ll find. More than 250 artists and small businesses gather in Portland’s historic Old Town each weekend from March through December.
Accommodations couldn’t be easier either. Opt to host your rehearsal dinner, reception and brunch at the same downtown Portland hotel in which you and your party stay. You’ll be close to all this magnificent city has to offer while avoiding the need to rent a car. Your Portland wedding will be fondly remembered by everyone in attendance when you choose a boutique hotel that can assist you in coordinating pre-wedding spa days for the bridesmaids, post-wedding brunches for departing guests, and everything in between.
Author Bio
Barbara Wade writes for Hotel Vintage Plaza, an elegant Portland hotel dedicated to making your wedding as beautiful and memorable as you are. Visit them online at http://www.vintageplaza.com.
Money Saving Tips for Traveling by Plane
Author Alexine
Air travel these days costs so much more that it once did. There are fees for everything from luggage to legroom. In order to help you save a little money where it counts I have come up with some money saving tips for traveling by plane.
Packing Lght
The days of two free fifty pound bags of luggage allowance are over. Now the airlines are counting on luggage fees for profits instead of the tickets themselves. To help you save a little try and pack your luggage in a carryon bag.
This may mean you have to choose several tops that match the same bottoms or one pair of extra shoes that match your dressy outfits. However, you are going to spend about twenty five dollars for the first bag and about thirty five for the second if you choose not to budge.
If the carry on option will not suffice then you can try to pack the family in one large suitcase and carryon luggage. This will only cost you a minimal fee compared to paying for each family member to check a bag.
Pack Your Snacks
Airport food has always been expensive so travelers have often packed a lunch or eating the costs or waited until the flight. Airlines would provide nice meals for longer flights along with their usual beverage service and peanuts or pretzels.
Today the airport food is still expensive but the airlines food is more expensive. They have snacks and snack boxes from three dollars up. The more little goodies you get the pricier the food. To help avoid this expensive food pack your own snacks.
Remember not to pack drinks as they are free from the airlines and are not allowed through security. However, sandwiches and snack food are perfect to throw together in a backpack and bring on board. Make sure you pack enough for the length of your travels and include all family members in the selection process.
Bring Pillows and Blankets
You might not think that pillows and blankets are such a big deal if the plane ride is just a couple of hours but if you have a long day of travel they are nice to have. Making sure your airline does not charge for the pillows and blankets would be the best way to determine if you need to pack them or not.
If they do charge for pillows and blankets then either dress in layers where you can stay warm in the air conditioning and use your extra sweatshirt as a pillow. Or you can pack a travel pillow and blanket in your backpack.
Comfort is important when you have little children and long flights. Packing the right cozy blanket or favorite stuffed animals are a good way to get your little ones to nap so you are able to relax.
Save For Fun
While it may be more of a hassle to pack light, bring food and carry pillows or blankets you will save yourself quite a bit of money. Not to mention the money you save by sitting in a normal seat instead of the ones that have six to eight inches of extra legroom.
Instead of spending the money on getting to your destination, by using these tips you will save your money for the fun stuff at your destination. Enjoy your travels and be sure to plan ahead so you can save money on your trip.
