Consider what your preferences are; is it swimming, fishing, golf relaxation, river trekking, and mountain climbing? Make up your mind on this point first and once you have decided on the type of vacation you want to - then choose the spot that will give you exactly what you want. Check the location and the facilities and the most important is the price.

After you have selected the exact spot for vacation, you decide on the best way to go. Should you drive, fly, or go by train or avail of the public transport or service? Which way offers the best roads that is safe and in case you have an emergency there would be people around to ask for some help. Consider also the fact that the prettiest scenery is not always the best place to go - check the surroundings and history of the place before spending a night or two with friends and loved ones.

If the trip to your destination is more than you can accomplish at one time, break up the trip into sections. Plan ahead in one day how far you would go to particular scenery and how you would enjoy and use the facilities there. Select in advance where you would stop and rest and then plan the activities for the succeeding days.

Before leaving the home make sure that somebody would look after the house and make sure that you turned off the heater, air conditioning system, and unnecessary lights. This is to ensure that you would still have a house to return to.

Do no forget to bring first aid kit and medicines for upset stomach, ulcer, headaches, pain reliever, lotion, sun-block, vaporizing ointment; the toiletries such as toothpaste, mouthwash and toothbrush. Women may bring along your very own vanity kit.

Remember to watch each other's back all the time and headcount is a must for every trip. If someone is missing, stop and look for that person and never leave until everybody is complete. Do not make assumption. Instead - check the real whereabouts of the missing person; check his or her belongings, the last time and place where he or she was seen.

If all efforts have already been made - seek professional help by calling the proper authorities within the area or the police. Have fun but be safe all the time.

I could spend a lot of time telling you how to get to Europe and do it on the cheap; but frankly, I think most of us, even the Europe travel diehards, are planning to "do America first," this year; and perhaps for the foreseeable future.

Here are 5 spots to visit in our own hemisphere that will provide a pleasurable get-away. These 5 just happen to be in California.

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Whether you are an East-coaster or a west-coaster, a trip to California will provide a variety of vacation categories. If you like crowded freeways, smog and high temperature in summer, then Los Angeles may be your thing. But California is so much more than Hollywood and crowded L.A. beaches. I need to add a disclaimer here; I am a Californian, but there are some beautiful areas to visit, with lots of outdoor activities or city entertainment without having to cross into southern California, at all.

San Francisco Bay Area

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The San Francisco Bay Area is beautiful. The city itself is one of my favorite in the entire world, if I may say so myself. You could spend two weeks in the City by the Bay and never get to see and do everything on your agenda. From Golden Gate Park to world-class shopping, San Francisco has it all.

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I recommend a hotel near or on Union Square. From this point, you can walk to great restaurants, shopping venues, Theatres and more. Hotels here are a bit pricey. Forego the St. Francis; Try the Hyatt on the Square for a less pricey stay. The Hilton on O'Farrell is also not so pricey. Be sure you get a room in the main, or old tower. Some of these rooms offer views of the Bay and/or Golden Gate Bridges. Off-season, (not summer) rooms are reasonable for San Francisco. The Prescott is one of my old favorites in this area and a travel bargain for San Francisco. Wolfgang Puck's Postrio Restaurant is attached to the Prescott's lobby.

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A day spent in Golden Gate Park with a visit to the Japanese Tea Garden and the Steinhart Aquarium is a must. Have a picnic in the park, stroll to the Conservatory of Flowers where rare plants are housed in a glass building that is one of the most memorable of San Francisco's landmarks. The DeYoung Museum features world-class exhibits, visit the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco for information on all of San Francisco's museums.

Wine Country

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Napa Valley/Sonoma, Northern California Wine Country is a fabulous area to visit. From San Francisco, The northern wine country is just a 45-minute drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. We enjoyed our last visit so much that we plan to take the entire family this summer; a cottage rental, perhaps, will be in order...something with a pool because this area can be very hot in summer. The best times to travel to the Napa wine country would be in spring or in fall. But if you like warm weather, summers are very nice but hot.

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Most wineries have complementary wine tasting. The knowledgeable folks who pour will give you a real education in the science and enjoyment of fine wines. The California Wine industry is the world's largest, by value, according to the California Wine Institute. For my money, give me a good California Chardonnay and I'm a very happy girl. The French can keep their whites; except for the champagnes, of course.

Consider the Wine train for an unforgettable wine experience including meals on board, if you wish. Check their website for seasonal rates and event packages.

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Many of the Wineries, tasting rooms and their properties are so beautiful that the whole family will enjoy visiting. Bring your designated driver, however. The local police have very little tolerance for drunk drivers.

As in San Francisco, you can pay just about whatever you want to pay for accommodations in the Northern California wine country. The further you get from the wineries, the more you will spend for a hotel or inn room. Try Petaluma hotels for a bit of a bargain, in Napa, the New Meritage Resort and Spa Terra is very nice for a mid-range Hotel. The spa is fabulous. Check my review here.

The Central Coast

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I live on the Central Coast of California, and I truly believe I live in the most beautiful place on Earth. (It takes a really enticing out of town trip to get my husband and I off of our deck and away from Carmel; why leave when Carmel is so amazing?) Carmel is the focal point of the central coast. Once an artist colony, still an enclave of storybook cottages and a strip of white-sand beach that is drop-dead gorgeous.

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Just on the southern outskirts of Carmel is Point Lobos Preserve. Pack a lunch, hike, cycle or drive in for a small fee and spend the day with your camera shooting some of the most pristine and lovely coastline undamaged by human interference. Watch the sea lions and sea otters at play and hike the trails to get different views of the sea. You can scuba dive here, but nothing is to be disturbed or taken from its natural habitat. Looking only, no touching is the rule at Point Lobos.

Be sure to take a drive through Pebble Beach on 17-Mile-Drive. Stop off at the Lodge for a glass of wine and unobstructed views of Monterey Bay while standing in a landmark building that looks as if it stepped right out of "The Great Gadsby." If you love to golf, The Monterey Bay Area has a plethora of world class golf courses. I don't want to forget about Spanish Bay Resort. While in the "Forest," stop at Spanish bay for a beverage by the fire pits at Roy's at Spanish Bay.

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If you drive along the coast 40 miles south of Carmel on Highway 1, you will enjoy spending the day in Big Sur. From high on the cliffs, enjoy lunch at Ventana Inn or Nepenthe. Perhaps not the greatest restaurants, but the views and ambiance make up for it in spades.

In nearby Pacific Grove, a scenic path begins and stretches along the oceanfront for 20 plus Miles northward past beaches, the Monterey Wharf and sand dunes farther north in the Seaside/Marina area. Cyclists and rollerbladers, as well as walkers and joggers can use the path for a good day's worth of exercise combined with sightseeing. Check Monterey Bay Coastal Bike Trail for information on specific scenic path routes in Monterey County.

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You might also schedule some time to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This is no average aquarium. Watch sea otters, penguins, fish native to Monterey Bay and learn why The Monterey Bay is a protected sanctuary. Explore the Aquarium's website for specific information regarding hours and entry fees. Also, you may want to look into a sanctuary cruise or other educational opportunities available to you.

Santa Cruz

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Santa Cruz, about 40 miles North of the Monterey Peninsula, is actually considered part of the central coast but has a flavor all it's own. Santa Cruz and Aptos have warmer summer beach weather than does the Monterey Peninsula. If surfing or other water sports are more your thing, or if you want to sunbathe on the beach, you would have better luck in the Santa Cruz area. You will want to put aside time for a stroll through the little enclave of Capitola, as well.

A trip to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will afford the entire family with a day of entertainment at an old-fashioned yet modernized, seaside park. There are rides as wild as the Big Dipper Rollercoaster to rides in the kiddy section for children as little as 2 years old. I'm not the theme park enthusiast, but once a year we do make a pilgrimage to the Boardwalk for the kids, and it certainly brings back memories of my own childhood with summer days spent there.

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With all of the first three vacation spots, consider the weather for the best time to visit; San Francisco and The Monterey Peninsula can be foggy in summer, especially during years when the central valley of California is scorching hot. Santa Cruz, however, has early morning fog but it lifts for sunny, warm summer afternoons.

The best months to visit San Francisco and The Monterey Peninsula are May and early June and also, September and Early October. These are rules of thumb; of course, I've been known to soak up the beach sun in Carmel in February, for instance.

The Sierras

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A summer vacation in Lake Tahoe will never be a disappointment. Lake Tahoe, in the Sierra Nevadas, spans two states, California and Nevada. It is a beautiful lake, clear, blue and seemingly untouched by human destruction. If you love to boat, fish, hike, mountain bike, party or just ride the lawn chair, as I love to do, you will fall in love with Lake Tahoe.

Be forewarned that North Shore and South shore are very, very different. South Shore offers Large Hotels, Harrah's and Harvey's, just to name two, with name talent in the showrooms and 24 hour gambling, or as we like to say, 24 hours worth of chances to lose your money! But, very entertaining as your pocketbook shrinks, I must admit.

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North Shore is much more low-key with little enclaves clustered along the lake from Incline Village to Squaw Valley. For the family who wants a family-style vacation, perhaps in a vacation cabin or a condo, North shore would be more to your liking. Also, consider the VERY quiet West shore. The West Shore is less crowded, more "woodsy" with lots of old "Tahoe-style cabins." If you want a quiet retreat away from crowds and you don't care that there isn't much to do at night but vege, (sounds great to me!) look into the west shore of Lake Tahoe.

I am not a gourmet or a gourmand; however, I love to taste. Being familiar with the areas I've listed, I will give you my favorite restaurant picks in each, if any.

Monterey Peninsula: Carmel: The Rio Grill Located in the Crossroads Center, Mouth of Carmel Valley Rib Eye steak to die for on nights when it is served. The best smoked chicken with baby artichoke hearts and baby red tomatoes. Penne pasta with grilled shrimp and Creole cream sauce ... yum! But, if you don't like really spicy foods, ask them to tone it down a bit!

Bahama Billy's, located in the Barnyard, Carmel Rancho, Mouth of Carmel Valley.

I usually don't care for Jamaican/island cuisine but Billy's food is excellent. Try the Sashimi if you like sashimi, this is served wonderfully different. Lightly seared, blackened and served with a unique wasabi sauce. The Lobster bisque is also fabulous. **Billy's also has a sunny, beautiful patio for lunch.

Tarpey's Roadhouse Located on Highway 68, just outside of Monterey on the highway between Monterey and Salinas. **They get the award for best outdoor lunch patio.
Joe Rombi's La Mia Cucina Located in Pacific Grove. Locals' favorite Italian food. The delicate, light, portabella mushroom raviolis are wonderful.

The Montrio Located in Downtown Monterey is another locals' favorite. If you love prime rib, on Thursdays only, The Montrio serves the most mouth-watering roasted, then fire flamed, prime rib ever. Sauce style and accompaniment s vary but all are excellent.

When in Napa:

Brix in Napa Located on the St. Helena Highway in Yountville. Brix' s ambience is very nice, the food is awesome! We loved the New York steak cooked just the way we ordered it, and the butter leaf salad.

When In Santa Cruz/Capitola/Aptos:

I'm sorry to say that this area is a bit gastronomically challenged, save the pub-style foods that the UC students love. However, Bittersweet Bistro is the exception. Bittersweet is a beautiful little restaurant with fabulous food and wonderful service. They have a fun locals tavern-style bar with a lively crowd on "events" days. Food is also served in the pub for a more casual dinning experience if you wish.

If anyone has other suggestions for this area, I would love to hear them because Bittersweet is the only place we have found that we return to each time we are in the Santa Cruz area. Located on Rio Del Mar Blvd. in Capitola, just off Highway 1.

How Much to Bring

I recently traveled to The Netherlands with my school's study abroad program. The first thing they told us? Save. We would be abroad for four months and although room and board were provided to us by our school during the week, on weekends we'd be on our own. When I arrived in The Netherlands in fall 2007, the exchange rate was about $1.50 American dollars to one Euro and $2.00 American dollars to the British pound. This means you should expect to lose at least a third of your money just in exchange rates.

They suggested to us to use credit cards, as this will give you the best exchange rate. I found that doing this often led to high fees for overseas use. It's a good resource if you're buying in bulk, but for small purchases keep cash on hand. Get foreign money at your bank beforehand, they will give you the best exchange rate. Use ATM's when you need cash abroad, and avoid cash exchange booths that can rip you off.

I found that $5,000 was sufficient for me for four months, but even if you're just going for a week I would suggest having at least $1,000. You never know what expenses will come up, and with the exchange rate constantly fluctuating, it's a good idea to have extra cash on hand.

Getting Around

My program encouraged us to travel on the weekends and gave us each a Eurail pass that would enable us to travel most of Europe. You can obtain these passes via the Eurail website for anywhere from 10 days to three months. Though they're a bit pricy, it's a good investment if you'll be traveling to three or more countries. Otherwise you'll have to pick up tickets as you go, which can lead to complications and a general hassle. Also, a two hour train ride can cost as much as $50.

If you need to use an airline, Ryanair is Europe's leading bargain flight. The airports are a bit out of the way, but with the price of a ticket starting at $30 American dollars, it's definitely worth the extra bus ride. It's a flight devoid of luxury, but it gets you to your destination for cheap.

Where to Stay

Forget the horror movies, Hostels are the backpacker's best friend. Websites like Hostelworld list hostels in particular cities that cost as little as $10 per night. Some even include breakfast and discounts on tours. You'll probably have to share a room with other guests, but for the most part hostels are safe and reliable. Just make sure to book in advance, because of their cheap price they fill up quickly.

Eating

I found that in each city I visited, there were certain foods that were necessary to sample. However, most foods that are popular to a particular place (think: Belgian waffles in Brussels, Gyros in Athens) have multiple restaurants that serve the dish. Don't just go to the first place you see, shop around to get the best price. A four star restaurant may serve a Welsh Rabbit (grilled ham and cheese) that is just as delicious as the pub down the street.

Also, limit yourself to one special dinner per place you visit, or even just per week. It will save you money and there's no shame in eating fast food every now and then. Also, grocery stores can be a cheap way to get a good meal. What's more romantic than wine, bread, and cheese in a French park? The atmosphere is free, and the food is a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere!

Following these tips you'll be able to have a fun and exciting European vacation on a budget. Make sure to take as many pictures as possible and keep your valuables and passport on you at all times. Happy travels!

You're planning a family trip to Seattle and you want the most entertainment for your dollar. Who do you ask for ideas? Locals, of course. Here's a local's list of fun things to do and ways to travel that won't break the bank.

• Take a ride on a Washington State Ferry

   Leave your car behind and walk on at Pier 52 and ride for $6.70 round-trip ($5.40 for youth/$3.35 for seniors) to Bainbridge Island (30 minutes each way) or Bremerton (60 minutes each way). The scenery as you cross the Puget (pronounced pyu'jet) Sound is breathtaking, and if you choose to de-bark at either destination and walk a few blocks you'll find quaint shops and parks. For a sailing schedule check here.

• Check out the world-famous flying fish at the Pike Place Market

   Vendors sell everything from fresh flower bouquets to kitsch in three floors of possibilities. Don't miss the fresh doughnuts on the street level and many delicious restaurants peppered throughout the marketplace. Fresh seafood can even be packed up to take home with you or send to your favorite people.

• Forget the Space Needle where you'll pay $16 for an elevator ticket

   The Bank of America Tower (known to locals as the Columbia Tower) is 76 floors high (almost 100 meters higher than the Space Needle), and you'll pay about $5 to get to the observation deck on the 73rd floor. The only drawback is you'll have to go on a weekday during business hours to take the tour. You can call 1.206.386.5151 for tour schedules.

• Downtown buses are free to ride within the "Free-Ride" Zone

  This is basically all of the main downtown area. To find out how to get around on the bus you can go here and enter your current and destination locations and you'll get detailed instructions where to go and which bus(es) to ride. You can also ride the Seattle Street Car, a light rail that goes from the shopping district to east Lake Union, or the Monorail from the shopping district to the Seattle Center.

• Seattle Center Fountain

  On a sunny summer day you can't beat it. Set between the performing arts halls and the Pacific Science Center, the fountain shoots water from hundreds of jets, sometimes choreographed to music. Are you thinking, “I've seen that at the Bellagio in Las Vegas?” This is different- you can descend the steep concrete embankment and cool off in the spray of the fountain. Hours of entertainment for the kids-and it's free. But bring a change of clothes.

• Ye Olde Curiosity Shop on Pier 54 (1001 Alaskan Way)

  The coolest gross stuff in the city resides in this shop, including Sylvia and Sylvester, the mummies (yes, real mummies) that guard the back of the store, two-headed pigs in jars and an African voo-doo monkey wearing its intestines on its head. A few steps further is Ye Olde Curiosity Shop Too, a continuation of the first. You can just look around or find some very unique souvenirs.

• Lunch

  While you're down at the piers checking out the Curiosity Shop, head over to Anthony's Fish Bar for amazing fish tacos (it's a Seattle thing) or clam chowder. Or, for the best fish "n chips in town, go to Ivar"s. Nothing at Ivar's tastes bad, and their tartar sauce is arguably the best in the world. Not to mention they've been a Seattle institution for 70 years.

• Travel to Ballard and tour the Hiram M. Chittenden locks and the fish ladder

  The locks make it possible for boats to pass from Lake Washington to the Puget Sound and back. Boats enter a chamber that seals on either end and raises or lowers the water level to meet the level of the body of water they're heading toward. It's fun to watch and it's free entertainment. Be sure to cross over and check out the fish ladder. During peak salmon season you can peer through windows and watch hundreds of fish as they make their climb to the spawning grounds.

• Pacific Science Center

  It's a bit of a splurge, but if your kids love to see how things work it's worth the price. Depending on the size of your family it might be less expensive to buy a family season pass than to pay the entrance fee for one day, and you often get passes to the Imax Theater with your pass. Check before you buy.

• Experience Music Project

  Skip it. It's not worth the entrance fee-you'll be bored within 30 minutes. Trust us on this. No really. Don't do it.

• Alki Beach in West Seattle is Prime People-Watching Real Estate

  Take a picnic lunch and a blanket. The beach is sandy; there are several restaurants along Alki Avenue and lots of interesting people. If you stay until dusk you're in for an amazing sunset and view of the Seattle Skyline, so don't forget your camera!

• Tacoma

  If you've seen enough of Seattle you could take a day-trip about an hour to the south to Tacoma and check out the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or watch some glass blowing at the Museum of Glass. You might even catch Dale Chihuly doing his thing.

When you travel to Seattle bring a variety of clothing. If it's the middle of summer you'll still need a jacket for the cool evenings and possibly even the days. Seattle natives know to dress in layers-you'll see a lot of Capri pants, t-shirts, hoodies and wind/rain resistant lightweight jackets. Bring your sandals, but also your socks. It's not a fashion faux pas to wear your wool socks with your Birkenstocks in Seattle. We recommend you also bring or plan to buy an umbrella, even in the summer. We can't keep our beautiful city green without a little rain, now can we?

1. Dumbarton Oaks

   On its website, Dumbarton Oaks bills itself as a research institute (part of Harvard University) "dedicated to supporting scholarship internationally in Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies through fellowships, meetings, exhibitions, and publications". Well, that's just about enough to scare any tourist off.  But the intrepid tourist who shirks off such stuffiness and actually visits this little gem is treated with both a brilliant museum and a breathtaking garden. The museum, which is free, houses a world-class collection of Byzantine art that spans nine centuries as well as a Pre-Columbian collection of about 700 items including one of the most outstanding collections of Andean art found anywhere in North America. For those visiting the museum, make sure to ask to see the Music Room as part of your visit. It's well worth the hassle and, hey, it's free.
   
   Most people visiting Dumbarton Oaks skip the museum altogether and head right to the gardens. I have to admit, I am not garden lovers, but after strolling through this maze of sensory overload, I am a convert. Whether you are interested in the art of landscape design or just anxious to see a pretty scene, the gardens are for you. I barely saw all of the gardens on my visit, however, because I was mesmerized by the peace and calm of the two-hundred-year-old Orangery attached to the east side of the main edifice (an architectural delight in and of itself) and could barely escape. It is hauntingly beautiful.
   
   The rest of the garden is, well, just beautiful. Plan carefully when you go because the museum is only open from 2 p.m. to 5 p. m. except Mondays and the gardens are only open from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on those same days.

2. The Old Post Office Tower

   Okay, so maybe the Old Post Office Tower isn't as sexy as the Washington Monument. Fair enough. But battling 80 Boy Scout troops from San Diego to Sheboygan for a trip up the Big Pencil is not my idea of vacation bliss. I'll take my chances at the OPOT. Home to the Bells of Congress, the Old Post Office Tower, is now operated by the National Park Service and is entirely free to the public. It isn't quite as centrally located as the Big Pencil, but it's right on Pennsylvania Avenue and has a bird's eye view from the Capitol to the White House with a little glimpse at the J. Edgar Hoover Building and the inner courtyards of some of Washington's most hallowed halls. I also think the view up to the National Cathedral is noteworthy and impressive. A simple elevator trip and a few stairs are the only cost in this one.
   

3. National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism

   Dedicated in November 2000, the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism is a little-known, yet well-conceived monument that not only honors Japanese-American servicemen and women, but gives a nod to the 120,000 American citizens placed in internment camps at the outset of WWII. These citizens endured tremendous hardships as they were taken from their homes and carted off to places like Minidoka, Idaho and Topaz, Utah all because their skin was a slightly different hue. With that in mind, it would seem reasonable that the memorial might be kind of a downer, but the memorial is anything but a downer. Comprised of a sculpture of two cranes surrounded by a clean circular wall engraved with the names of the "relocation camps", the memorial deftly points out the struggle of Japanese-Americans to gain acceptance and equality, but does so subtly, almost as if to inspire rather than condemn.
   
   The memorial is tucked away just north of the Capitol on a triangular plot bounded by Louisiana Avenue, New Jersey Avenue and D Street NW and is cared for by the National Park Service as part of the National Mall.

4. National Postal Museum

   If you are one of the approximately 13 people out there in our country that still collects stamps or occasionally sends cookies to the college student by snail mail, this museum is a must. If you are like the rest of us and think Cheers patron, Cliff Clavin, is a doofus, this museum is also a must. Complete with a Philatelic Gallery and a display of WWII V-mail correspondence, the National Postal Museum takes itself very seriously. Exhibits are very interactive and museum workers are literally everywhere to help and guide. On my visit, the staff of the museum grabbed my family and me at the door and wouldn't let us go. Not only did they dress up my little girl in the trendiest postal garb, they strapped a mailbag on to my considerable frame and cajoled me into decorating my own postcard and sending it back home. It wound up being a highlight of our trip.
   
   Keep in mind, this is postal history, and it's not for everyone, but well worth a trip. The Museum is part of the Smithsonian and is located in the old Post Office next to Union Station.
   

5. The Reflecting Pool on the National Mall

   The National Mall is often called the Nation's front yard. Well, if that's true, then the Reflecting Pool is the Nation's plastic swimming pool? Whatever. If you want to get reflective and think about the history of our country or you want to contemplate life's lingering questions, the pool fits the bill, but I like it because it's a total magnet for Americana. America, in all its personal glory and quirkiness, is found within a stone's throw of the Pool. Protestors chant and yell on the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Vets quietly stroll along its banks. Busloads of screaming, laughing teenagers splash and frolic while children walk a tightrope on its edge. It's a microcosm of the ol' United States of America and I love it. The Reflecting Pool is hard to miss as its in the very center of the Mall.

I'm over spending unreasonable amounts of money for a room just because an area is thought to be posh or trendy. So, after searching a bit and asking some questions, I came up with Napa's Meritage Resort and Spa Terra. Our room, a King with terrace, was just over $200 per night.

The Meritage is not in one of the "cute" areas of the wine country like, for example,Sonoma or Yountville; and it isn't in the thick of the winery tasting rooms, but it is a pretty location and a beautiful property. It is supposed to be a renovated property, but the entire resort looks as if it was newly built yesterday, rather than renovated.

As you drive up to The Meritage, the beauty of the architecture and the demeanor of the resort are immediately apparent. The weather when we arrived was windy and chilly for the time of year, so we headed indoors to the roaring fire in the lobby's lovely rock fireplace, while the staff handled the car and bags.

The lobby is classic upscale,"country-home, " and beautifully appointed with couches and comfy chairs clustered in conversation groupings. We were greeted quickly; check-in was fast and simple and our bags arrived with us to our room.

My first impression of our room was that it was pristinely clean and newly decorated. The décor was tasteful and inviting; my eye was drawn to the far end of the room, to the French doors, which led to a small terrace. We did have to fight for a terrace room, as there are not many rooms with terraces at the resort.

I have to say that the King bed was very comfortable. Although not up to the standard of the Westin's "heavenly bed," the quality was very nice and the bedding was well done. The most apparent evidence of the Meritage's remodel is found in the bathroom. Although nicely remodeled, and beautifully clean and new, the only drawback is the tub/shower combination. Otherwise, the marble and tile bath was so well done that it would be difficult to find errors typical of a remodel.

The rooms offer a complementary bottle of wine, (a nice touch!) and Bare Mineral personal products. These products were a really wonderful surprise. As Bare Minerals/Bare Escentuels are my absolute favorite makeup products, I was pleased to be able to try out their line of shampoo, conditioner and body lotion.

Every room also has a small refrigerator and complementary bottled waters. After lots of wine tasting, a bit of food is a very good idea, so the refrigerator came in handy! Speaking of food; there is one restaurant on the property, and room service. I'm not sure what was up with the restaurant. It seemed to me to be understaffed and that, perhaps, since the tourist season isn't really happening yet, maybe the restaurant is not all that it will be once it is in full operation.

The people who served in the restaurant and the room-service folks try very hard to be accommodating, but the menu leaves much to be desired and they need more staff to be able to handle things more efficiently. I will look forward to seeing what improvements have been made in this department when I return next time. One staff member, a typical "guy," told us that the best thing on the menu was the burger. I was surprised, but when we did order the burger, it was FABULOUS! I'm not a burger-person, but this was Harris Ranch Beef, as I recall, and tasted more like ground steak than a burger. SO GOOD!

I have saved the best for last! My favorites of The Meritage were the Pool area, The Estate Cave Wine bar, and best of all, the Spa Terra. The pool was large, quiet and not crowded. The lounge chairs were super comfortable, and the hot tub, very nice. I did think the hot tub needed to be monitored a bit more; foam on top isn't a good thing! Management could be a bit more on their toes, here.

When I ordered lunch from the pool phone, the room-service staff seemed a little surprised. Although they did deliver my dry turkey sandwich rather quickly, it arrived wrapped in plastic wrap, not on a plate, and no condiments were on the tray. Again, management in the restaurant needs to get it together a bit more.

Directly across from the pool area is the Estate Cave and wine bar and Spa Terra. This is a beautifully done architectural achievement; the entire building which house the Spa and Cave is underground...sort of. As you look across to the Spa Terra and Estate Cave entrance from the pool, you see a huge "mount," topped with a vineyard. The designers built the spa under this vineyard mound. The design provides extra privacy for the resort as well as it is be stunningly beautiful.

As you enter the Cave, itself, through two, huge heavy oak doors, the spa entrance is to your right and the Estate Cave Wine Bar is to your left; under very, high arched ceilings that do indeed make one feel as if in an ancient wine cellar. The wine bar is lovely and the staff, friendly. You do pay, however, for a "run" of tastings. If you join the Estate Cave's wine club, tastings are complimentary.

The wine itself that is offered here is varied. Five wineries are involved and the products served here. Some are impressive, like the Trinitas, 2006, Pinot Noir, some, not so much. I'm not a wine pro, but I love and drink ONLY wines; I found the offerings nice, and after a few tastes, joined the wine club! OK, so I'm easy. I don't listen so well after a bit of the grape, so, it seems I signed up for delivery of wines with each new season. Again, I'm easy. I wondered why I gave them a credit card?....

On to the Spa Terra. The Spa Terra is fabulous. I've been to spas all over the country including Pebble Beach and the Boulders in Arizona.Spa Terra stands with the best of them and, in my opinion, much nicer than the spa at Pebble Beach.

You arrive and are checked-in and escorted to the locker room. The ladies locker room at Spa Terra was beautiful with all of the usual amenities; hair dryers, lotion, shampoos, etc. are all provided, but the showers and locker room are very, very new and sparkling clean. The robes are decadent and you are escorted to my favorite place where one waits to be picked up for one's treatments; the aromatherapy relaxation room. This room is so welcoming and relaxing in multi-shades of deep greens, that I didn't want to get out of my chenille, over-stuffed chair for my massage.

I'm so glad that I did get out of my chair, however comfortable, because the massage was wonderful...in fact, in the top two of my all-time best massages. This masseuse, David, I believe, was amazing. I was left feeling invigorated, not drained, as I sometimes do feel. I heard other people rave about their massages, also. The facial, however, out of the corner of my ear, I heard was not as wonderful. (Who gets facials on vacation, anyway? That's maintenance, far as I'm concerned!)

We were encouraged by a staff member to dine at a nearby restaurant, Brix just up the road a bit, in Yountville. It was an excellent suggestion and our meal was wonderful. Brix, it seems, is a locals favorite.

I would recommend The Meritage for those who like a nicely done resort with all of the modern amenities at a reasonable price.

 

From there, Highway 62 heads east through Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Twenty-nine Palms, by way of the Mojave Desert to Parker.

From Palm Springs, Highway 62 passes through Yucca Valley, a small desert town, with retirees, military personnel, and service workers.

There's not a lot to see in the small towns, the motels, gas stations and the general store are on the main drag, and all the residents live away from the highway out in the open desert. After the last little town of Twenty-nine Palms, we searched out the junction for Amboy Road which took us north into the desert.

The Mojave Desert is not as dry as many deserts because it does get winter rain and during the summer the occasional monsoon thunderstorm will catch on the high peaks and cause flooding down the desert washes. The spring of 2008 has been especially pleasant in the desert bringing plenty of winter rains and the heat of summer has not yet arrived. Mid-April in this part of the world can be blazing hot or cold and windy

Amboy Road north is a pleasant two lane highway with side roads going off into the waist high brush. in this stretch of road we see mostly desert dandelions and mules ears, with occasional patches of wild oats and other grasses. the road eases over two little passes, really just divides between two dry lakes. In the second there are salt mines and operations recovering minerals from the lake bed but beyond that there's not too much to see in the way of mankind's things in this first stretch of highway.

Amboy Junction marked our arrival at the historic Route 66 . We took a stretch here, looked at the service station, took a few pictures and hit the road. We planned to spend our first night at Laughlin and then proceed north to Las Vegas.

The next piece of highway, one of the last long stretches of highways 66, all too soon joined Interstate 40. Our next junction was Highway 95 n where we passed through Searchlight. It was a welcome relief from the long stretches of desert. At this point we were starting to see the beginning of Las Vegas traffic.

The tourist part of coming this way though was to see the Lake Mead recreation area. This national recreation area is extremely scenic with rugged mountains, fantastic rock formations and of course

Lake Mead. There are a number of pullouts and viewpoints along the 60 miles of highway from near the dam to the Virgin River arm of the Lake. Near the north end of the recreation area is Nevada's State Park Valley of the fire, on State Route 40.

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This park stands out as a wonderful geological textbook of erosion by wind and water. The rocks and formations seemed almost alive with the changing shadows. The park is open year-round 24 hours a day so it's possible to go in early in the morning or late in the afternoon or at midnight to enjoy the spectacular scenery and the clean desert air. Camping is also available though I would recommend at least an RV. During my visit I found it hard to choose between the shots that were available as every turn in the road opened another inviting vista.

I like to get off the beaten path as you can tell, and Las Vegas was no exception. Highway 95 was the original road after Hoover dam was built and before Interstate 15 came through. So there are a lot of older hotels with the old style of neon signs. Las Vegas' unfashionable downtown has almost completely disappeared and seems that the redevelopment will eliminate the last of old downtown.

We had a great time at the Palace Station in Las Vegas, the big comfy beds, lots of iced drinks and a great view from the 16th floor looking towards the Stratosphere Tower.

I did some shopping, took a look at the monorail stations, and played slots a little bit just to say that I had.

 

The heat in Manila would hark back to every balikbayan that he is finally home and that means local food, home cooked and those sold in the streets, and local restaurants are now easily accessible.

In the road coming from the airport to whichever destination, you can be sure that there are people who are selling different kinds of food products -that is how Filipinos are, being very fond of food. Some of these vendors are selling cashew nuts and Philippine peanuts laid out in native containers, some are vending fish balls and squid balls in street corners; of course not to forget sago't gulaman, and the staple summer snack - halo-halo are also being sold in other stalls.

By dusk, balut vendors will be roaming the streets with their famous one-word advertising spiel "balut" with the second syllable prolonged just to make sure that even those in their homes hear that balut and penoy are already available for the taking.

Nightlife in Manila

In Roxas Boulevard, Manila Bay is hustling and bustling with people. Some are having coffee in one of those small coffee shops, while some are seated in the benches waiting for the sun to set.

The whole stretch of Manila Bay is now a tourist destination both for domestic and international travelers. This place is visited not just for the restaurants that offer Filipino and other foreign cuisines but mainly because of the bay's breathtaking sunset.

This is where the old and the new merges and blends -the brick laden pathways gives a taste of the Spanish influence infused in the Filipino culture while the mani, mais, yosi, diaryo, balut, itlog ng pugo, and mangga vendors is a reminder of Filipino mercantile nature and hard work.

Come night time, the bands in the hippest restos play upbeat music signaling the start of nightlife at the bay.

Just across the street is Malate -where most of the teenagers and yuppies unwind, spending time in the bars dancing the night away or drinking a few bottles of San Miguel beer, Tanduay rum or maybe cocktails for the ladies.

For those who are really interested in the Night Life scene in Manila -Timog, Eastwood, and The Fort are places to see.

In the morning, start the day right and take a walk at the bay, or in Luneta Park or maybe even in the academic oval in the University of the Philippines -one of the oldest universities in the country, located in Quezon City just thirty minutes away from Manila. Taking a walk in any of these places would surely be very relaxing.

Colourful jeepneys will pass you by while you are doing your walk. In the sitios and villages in the metro, tricycles are also available to take passengers for a ride; fare for a kilometer is only Php 12.00. These modes of transport, more popularly known as the jeep and the trike by the locals, could only be found in the Philippines, nowhere else.

The Filipino Shopping Experience

The malls open up for business at 10 am sharp. To cool down a little in the urban summer heat, most go for a day's shopping or window shopping in the malls. Popular shopping malls in the metro include, Trinoma, Gateway, Greenbelt, The Podium, Rockwell, SM Megamall and SM City.

The Philippines is famous for its enormous shopping centers filled with shops that sell a range of products. High end shops are also available but for us Filipinos to enjoy our shopping experience, we have to get high quality products at reasonable rates.

Shopping in Divisoria may be tiring but this is part of the bargain. You can find anything and everything there; from clothes to shoes to jewelry to gadgets to plants, even fruits and vegetables. The ride is not such a long one but due to the heat, it is a little fatiguing but it will be all worth it because of the low low prices. If you are looking for cell phones, ipods, television sets, and house appliances go to 168, a mall located in Manila's Chinatown.

A few blocks away, is Quiapo -where you can find Chinese herbal medicine and of course other bargains such as clothes, blankets, bags, watches, among other things. Just down the road is the Quiapo Church -famous for its Fiesta ng Nazareno hosted every first month of the year- where vendors of local Filipino products sit on benches and lay their goods on the pavement.

Greenhills in San Juan is also a good place to buy gadgets and software but for those who love jewelry this is the place to be. The prices are crazy so to speak, crazy in a good way because the rates are very low.

For those who go gaga about bags and shoes, you may want to travel by bus and go to Liliw in Laguna. Liliw sells locally made bags, shoes, and other items at cheap cheap prices you would want to buy all of the things you like.

For the more adventurous, you may want to try to go to Baguio City and get great bargains in ukay-ukay shops. If you speak Ilocano, you may even get greater discounts.

The Beaches and the Sun

Although swimming is still available in the outskirts of Metro Manila where resorts are located; swimming is not really swimming without the beach and the hot summer sun. Batangas is a good place to get a tan and sleep in a rented cottage made out of nipa and bamboo. Accommodations are cheap, only Php 500.00 a night per cottage in Nasugbo resorts. This place is very quiet even in the peak season, the sand is white and the water is blue, anyone who goes there for two days or so would surely enjoy the serenity of the place.

Boracay is also a place to see but if you are not fond of crowded places, you may go up north to the Ilocos Region and see the white beaches in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. It's a 12 hour bus ride from Metro Manila but once you see the blue green water and the white sand, the stress from the bus ride would be well worth it. Before you reach Pagudpud, you'd have to pass-by a bridge built on the side of the Cordillera Mountains where the clouds actually hide the bridge itself. If you want to travel fast though, it's just a 15 minute plane ride from Manila to Laoag City and a two hour bus ride from Laoag to Pagudpud. Once in Pagudpud or in Laoag, you may want to go to Batac or to the Paoay area and see the sand dunes -Ilocos Norte is the only place in the country that mimics weather in the desert.

For the surfers its either you go north again and visit La Union or go south to Siargao. Siargao is the surfing capital of the Philippines. The island also hosts an International Surfing Cup yearly. Surfers from allover the globe enjoy dancing with the waves in Siargao Island.

Some travelers say that the seven hour ride is backbreaking. If you are coming from the country's capital you will have to go to the airport and board for a one and a half hour flight to Butuan City then another two hours for the bus ride to Surigao. The traveling does not stop there though because you have to take a 20-minute jeepney ride to Surigao's pier so you could board a ferry to Siargao's main port town called Dapa. Once you are in the island, there will be another jeepney ride to reach General Luna where Cloud 9, the country's surfing paradise, is located.

Aside from the surfing, Siargao could also accommodate less dangerous activities such as kayaking, swimming, and island hopping. Siargao Island is truly a place to see.

For those who love diving and snorkeling, Mindoro and Palawan are good choices. In Mindoro, you will see very fascinating wildlife under the sea, the coral reefs; a great view on their own too. There are several beautiful dive spots which reaches down to Palawan Island where you can see sunken war vessels dating back from the Second World War.

The Mountains

If you want to cool down from the summer heat from all those island hopping and beaches, Baguio, the country's coldest city is the place to go. You can go pick strawberries or bike around Burnham Park's man-made lake. Horseback riding is also available in Baguio, you just have to go rent a horse at Mines View Park or in places near the area.

If you are tired of the urban jungle and really want to go up in the mountains, you can trek to Benguet, or to Cagayan where it is colder and the air relatively fresher.

In Benguet, hot springs are found in almost every municipality, an interesting fact that most travelers; even those from within the Philippines do not know about. Another interesting fact is the existence of mummies in the area, truly a discovery not only for the locals but for the Philippines as a country as well.

In the town of Kabayan, the people preserve their dead through mummification, a ritual that the tribal group has done for years as a way to pay respects to the dead. Some of these mummies could now be viewed at the Kabayan municipal hall.

For the more adventurous, climbing volcanoes is another exciting activity; climbing the active ones would be very dangerous though and is not advisable.

Most of the Philippine Islands are volcanic in origin; there are in fact, more than thirty within the country's jurisdiction, thirty-seven volcanoes to be exact. Around 18 of which are active.

Taal volcano is one of the most visited volcanoes in the Philippines. What many do not know is that the lake surrounding the small volcano is just accumulated water in the crater of a bigger volcano which is Taal while Mount Mayon, the most active volcano in the country is just majestic and is indeed a place to see. If you want to climb Mount Mayon though, the best start would be at the height of 762 meters above sea level -there is a research station located in that area where you might want to drop-by. From there, the trail becomes harder to traverse but the climb would lead you to a forest.

Almost all of those who took up the challenge of climbing the volcano had a hard time reaching the summit especially the last 550 meters up. In fact, at the height of 1920 meters, the jagged terrain begins while at the last half of the 550 meters, your feet will be on loose volcanic cinder and land out of hardened lava.

Maybe going there just to see these volcanoes will be satisfiscing enough, and not to climb the active ones so as to ensure the traveler's safety.

It would surely take more than one summer to see all the beautiful places here in the Philippines. In the month of May, most of the country's towns celebrate their town fiestas to pay respect to their patron saints. Most of these summer fiesta are very colourful and you can even go house hopping and get a taste of the local cuisine, for free! Even people who have lived in the Philippines for very long would say that there is not enough time to see and experience what the Philippine Islands could bring.

Normally, a quiet town of 2000 residents, Tamarindo's population swells to 5000 come tourist season. And who could blame them flocking here? Tamarindo's close proximity to airlines and transportation, national parks to its north and south, its abundance of marine life, its surf reputation immortalized in the classic Endless Summer II, hotels, restaurants and shops, makes Tamarindo truly a great place to discover Costa Rica.

Make Tamarindo your base as you take an eco-friendly tour in Costa Rica; go visit an estuary, watch the famous leatherback turtles make their way into the blue waters of the Pacific, explore the national parks and rainforests, and see coral reefs and marine life as you snorkel or scuba dive.

Tamarindo is a great place to vacation if you love the outdoors. You can take an excursion in the great outdoors and go golfing, hiking, biking, fishing, white water rafting and of course surfing.

Once a quiet little fishing village and before that a part of the Guanacaste cowboy region, Tamarindo has quickly gained ground as a premiere travel destination worldwide among not only surfers but all kinds of jetsetters. Tamarindo's rich history also provides for an eclectic mix of European, Mestizo, Afro-Caribbean and North American culture. This culture is evident in the music, cuisine and in the easy-going nature of its people.

Nightlife in Tamarindo can rival the rush, exhilaration and adrenaline of many big city clubs, discos and bars. All throughout the relatively small town of Tamarindo you can see bars, clubs, restaurants and discos lined along the streets just ready to make your nighttime as enjoyable as daytime in Tamarindo.

When it comes to staying in Tamarindo there are many hotels along the strip that cater to the budget and wallet of all kinds of travelers. So in Tamarindo you never have to worry about the value of your dollar.

All who come to Tamarindo never want to leave; many jetsetters have gone to Tamarindo and fallen in love with its laid-back, surfer charm, never to return. You can see ex-pats from Europe, North America, Asia and the Caribbean now calling Tamarindo home, so don't say I didn't warn you about Tamarindo's charm.

You can meet people from all cultures in Tamarindo, surf to your heart's content, enjoy the outdoors and greet strangers with a smile, so don't miss your chance to add to the eclectic, welcoming flair of Tamarindo.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski trips by Skiing Magazine. The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid November, and runs through mid April. This area of Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the United States, with approximately sixteen hours of daylight each day during April. During December, however, there are only about seven hours of daylight – which makes night time skiing necessary if you are going to get in the time that you want to spend on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly entertainment is available as well. There are other nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not associated with the Hotel. If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park. The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be! There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and there are many area sights and attractions to be enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter family ski vacation!