The Nice Places to Eat in Orlando
January 1st, 2009 by Christopher Linch, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
I usually like to go to the restaurants that I don’t have to be dressed to impress, however in Orlando sometimes it is fun to get all dressed up and go to one of the nice restaurants. Orlando is not just a place for theme parks and water parks. Honestly there are a lot of romantic restaurants to choose from in Orlando. The following are three of my favorites.
I would like to first mention a place called the Venetian Room. It is on World Center Drive, at about the 1800 block. I think this is a great place to pop the question or just take your date for a night out. It is for sure one of the most elegant places you can eat in Orlando. Their chef was schooled in Europe and Northern Africa and he has worked at Emeril’s and at Shula’s. They have a European inspired cuisine and a beautiful restaurant. I would recommend this for any guest who wants to be pampered.
Secondly I will have to mention Christini’s Ristorante. It is another fantastic dining experience that you just have to go try. It is located on Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. You sit within the art and sculptures they have from Italy. They have wonderful classic cuisine and a list of wines to die for. If you want to shock your date or significant other, this place can help you out.
My third choice of Orlando Fancy Dining is Antonio’s Ristorante. It is located in the Fountains Plaza. They have a view of the Florentine fountain. They treat their guests like royalty. It has beautiful wood floors and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen is open so you can see in. It is truly a taste of Tuscany. I feel the food is best of class. They have Italian food made in wood burning ovens. They also have a wine list of 250 wines.
Give Mickey a rest, the next time you are in Orlando check out one of these fine restaurants. You will be glad you did.
Charming yet Recession Proof - Deals at Florida Bed & Breakfasts
December 10th, 2008 by Jane Leisteiner, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Special packages, seasonal discounts and free amenities are just a few of the reasons to spend your vacation at one of the cozy inns listed in the book, “Bed and Breakfasts and Country Inns,” published by American Historic Inns, Inc. Incredibly, these inns are participants in the Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free program, which makes your vacation even more enticing. Here are a few examples from Florida of the savings that can be had. (For more details on participating inns, visit the iLoveInns.com site).
Ride a complimentary bicycle down the historic streets of Saint Augustine when you stay at the St. Francis Inn. The beach and other local attractions are a short ride away. Amenities include a full complimentary breakfast, fireplaces and pools. In addition, many of the rooms have kitchenettes for home-cooked meals. The Cottage suite is perfect for sharing the cost of a room with friends. Free admission to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is included in your stay. The rates range from $109-$229 per night.
If you are traveling with a group, the cottages at Center Court-Tropical Inn & Cottages in Key West sleep up to ten people. Some also have barbecue grills, hammocks and a private pool perfect for parties. Complimentary weekend happy hours keep the party going seven days a week. Innkeepers keep guests stocked with beach towels and a bag for day trips to the ocean. The rates vary from $130-$265 per night.
Step through the columned doors of the Coombs House Inn in Appalachicola. Here, a day at the beach is a no-brainer with beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes and even a tandem bicycle ready for use. The rooms are stocked with massage whirlpools, mini refrigerators and access to the veranda. Guests are well fed with full breakfasts in the morning and wine, cheese and snacks on weekend nights. The rates at this Florida bed and breakfast start low at $89 and cap at $229 per night.
The affordable Allison House Inn in Quincy is a not-so-guilty pleasure. Rest up on lavender-misted pillows for a day of treasure hunting at the local antique shops. The English-style bed and breakfast resides in historic “Coca-Cola Town” not far from Tallahassee. Give into the temptation of fresh muffins and bread in the morning and homemade Biscotti and sherry all day. At $95-$140 per night, if you can’t spare the carbohydrates, you probably can spare the money.
Surrounded by magnificent Magnolia trees, the Magnolia Plantation Cottages and Gardens in Gainesville, Florida is a charming facility with year round rates running from $115-$330 per night. Every room in the restored French Second Empire Victorian Inn contains a fireplace and claw foot tub. The cottages, of Craftsman, Country and Colonial design, include hot tubs and fireplaces, with kitchens for cozy evenings in. The Charleston-style courtyards are perfect for an evening stroll as are the tropical gardens. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and cocktail hour as well.
There are over 19,000 B&Bs and country inns listed at iLoveInns that you can find information on if you are still undecided about where to stay. A great resource is the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook, “Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns.” Included in the book is a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate which comes in handy. And for celebrating any special occasion, an iLoveInns gift certificate is the perfect solution.
Book a Stay at Germany’s Top Inns, Hotels
December 4th, 2008 by Tess Kirkpatrick, under Vacations. No Comments
With its crisp, clean air and snow-capped mountains, Germany is a vision for the soul. You’ll find any number of interesting villages from one end of the country to the other, each with its own special charm.
Most visitors to Germany spend at least a few days in Bavaria and its main city of Munich and with good reason. Bavaria, with its fairy tale castle of Neuschwanstein, picturesque villages and beer gardens, museums and fine shopping, offers plenty to do and see, and the scenery is enchanting. Other fun excursions include a trip through the Rhone and Mosel wine regions, which include famous cities such as Frankfurt, as well as castles and wineries. Another choice might be to explore eastern and central Germany, with a stop in Berlin.
If you cannot make up your mind as to where to travel, let prolific travel writer Karen Brown do the work for you. On her popular website, Karen Brown’s World of Travel, she has created several different itineraries for travelers to Germany. Her suggestions include places of interest, maps, regional tips and excellent places to stay. The following hotels and inns were chosen by her readers as the top lodging choices in Germany.
Situated across the Elbe River from the city center of Dresden, the Hotel Bulow Residenz offers romantic accommodations in a quiet neighborhood filled with historic homes. From the impressive Baroque exterior to the elegant interior with its mix of traditional and modern dcor, this is truly one of Dresden’s best hotels. Breakfast and afternoon refreshments are served in the charming courtyard. The hotel’s formal restaurant, The Caroussel, is Michelin-rated and ideal for a romantic, intimate dinner. Cocktails, wine and beer are served in the hotel’s piano bar. The hotel has been chosen by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Most Romantic” hotel.
A trip to Rothenberg is a bit like waking up in the middle of a fairy tale — you almost expect to see Hansel or Gretel skipping down the streets of this medieval village. A stay at the Romantik Hotel Markusturm is all part of the enjoyment of a visit to this magical town. The guest rooms, decorated by host Lilo Berger, are welcoming, comfortable and eclectic. Lilo’s husband, Stephan, creates the wonderful dinners; his wine soup and homemade beer are among the highlights. Karen Brown readers have chosen this delightful hotel as the winner of the “Warmest Welcome” award for Germany.
At Gasthaus Die Krone, visitors enjoy comfortable accommodations, excellent food and warm hospitality-all at a reasonable price. The hotel, located in the Black Forest village of Staufen, was named by Karen Brown readers as Germany’s “Greatest Value.” Guest rooms are simply decorated with light pine furnishings and beds topped with soft pillows and crisp, white comforters. The hotel’s restaurant is housed in two rooms and features wainscoting and country curtains, infusing it with plenty of German charm. The guest house is located in Staufen’s pedestrian-only area, so you’ll enjoy the quiet and avoid the noises from cars and buses.
To enjoy what Karen Brown readers have chosen as Germany’s top “Splendid Splurge,” book a stay at the Hotel Benen-Diken-Hof. Located on the sand-dune island of Sylt at the northern tip of Germany, the hotel’s friendly hosts offer a little bit of everything. Spa services, a sauna and swimming pool are available for guests to enjoy. For families, there is a children’s program, many acres in which to run about in and play, and even babysitting for parents who want to enjoy a nice dinner for two. Golfing and fishing are among the possibilities for outdoor enthusiasts. The hotel’s restaurant serves breakfast until the early afternoon, so guests can sleep in and just relax.
Tie the Knot at a Bed and Breakfast in Virginia
November 26th, 2008 by Josh Prizer, under Vacations. No Comments
Let’s face it, planning a wedding isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s a lot of work to make your special day memorable. But there is a way to enjoy the romance and wonder of the event without dealing with all the stress. Let an innkeeper plan and prepare your wedding.
Innkeepers are especially suited to planning weddings. Their natural flair for hospitality, planning meals and helping guests, as well as their knowledge of the surrounding community and businesses make them a perfect resource for planning a wedding. A seasoned innkeeper can find a florist, photographer, caterer, minister and anything else you need to make your day perfect. In addition, what better place to get married than a romantic, historic bed and breakfast?
The Holladay House Bed & Breakfast is one excellent example of how an inn and innkeeper can help create your perfect intimate wedding event. The historic inn, which was built in the 1830s, is located in the charming country town of Orange, Virginia. Innkeepers Sam and Sharon Elswick host many events throughout the year, from weddings for up to 30 guests to receptions to bridal showers to rehearsal dinners. They can help you plan every detail. Your bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the whole event even more convenient.
If you love old-fashioned charm and appreciate historic ambiance, the Holladay House is a perfect spot for your wedding. The Federal-style, Virginia inn has been restored with great attention to detail. Antiques and original features, such as the beautiful fireplaces, adorn the common rooms. Your guests will no doubt reminisce about this setting for years to come. Family members and the bridal party can even book rooms at the inn to make the day even more convenient.
There are six guest rooms, each with individual decor, fine linens and several house beautiful antique beds. Some rooms include double whirlpool tubs and fireplaces, so you can pick a favorite for your honeymoon night. Specialty hypoallergenic bath products, CD players, alarm clocks and televisions with DVD players are among the other amenities. There’s plenty of room for your bridal party, and inn guests enjoy not only the comfortable accommodations, but a full, homemade breakfast in the morning. So you and your friends and family can just relax and enjoy the whole event.
So don’t sweat the details. Your innkeeper is a wedding expert, and will create a special day of happy memories that is sure to get your marriage off to a wonderful start.
Discount Hotel Chains
November 24th, 2008 by Mike Mulkern, under Vacation Destinations. No Comments
Where are you dreaming about visiting this year? The ocean is beautiful, but so are the mountains. The cool fall weather makes the desert an attractive option. With winter just around the corner, the snow covered mountains are a real attraction.
Now that Traditional hotels have become so expensive they make it almost impossible for the average person to take the trips they are dreaming about taking. Combine that with the cost of gas so sky high, and the thought of going on a long trip, scrimping from one pump to the next, puts a real damper on the idea of taking the trip in the first place.
Enter the knight in shining armor, a possible solution to the one two punch of high cost lodging and high gas prices. There are many discount hotel chains throughout the United States. They offer just the basic lodging features for a greatly reduced price.
The high cost of gas can be compensated with the low lodging price. People who has a low budget these companies are boon for them. If you can plan where to stay at night you can really afford to get there.
Chains such as \”Motel 6\” and \”Super 8\” provide a stunning low price. There will not be frills and decoration on the lobby and around the landscape.There will not be concierge, or bellhop, but you will be rewarded with significantly cash saving for finding your own attraction.
These are located at prime location near the sight seeing or in the main road. These bargain can save enough money to fill your car with half or full tank.These are wonderful destination to save your money and stay around.
So, travelers take heart, there is hope for you to get to go on vacation. Don’t stop dreaming of that sandy beach, or snowy hill. The fish are biting, the antiques are waiting and the shrimp are still going on the barbecue. Go online to get information on these chains and others. Do not be discouraged, with careful planning these discount hotel chains can provide the equivalent of found money in your vacation budget.
So be ready to go out for a great fun. Do a careful planning and found your hotel in your budget estimate. You have to just do one thing search the discount hotel chain throughout USA on your net. With the new found information be thankful to budget hotel chain and save money with a holiday trip.