If you’re looking for a destination where nature is the main attraction, there are few places more beautiful than the San Juan Islands, located north of Seattle.  The San Juan Islands are made up of several small islands including Orcas, Lopez, Shaw and San Juan Island.  The best time to visit is from June through mid-September when the weather is warmest.  Most people reach the islands by boat or by taking the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes.

I love taking the ferry.  It stops at each of the islands, so you get to watch all the travelers coming and going and see the beautiful waterfront homes. For my money, it’s one of the best cruise deals around.  Once you board, head up to the passenger deck and grab a hot drink or Ivar’s famous clam chowder. Relax in one of the booths in the observation areas that overlook the open water.  Hold on to your hair and anything else that isn’t attached to your body and brave the front deck to catch a glimpse of porpoises (or maybe an Orca if you’re lucky) swimming in front of the bow of the ship. (more…)

Mackinac Island will take you back in time.  That’s exactly what happened to Christopher Reeve in the film Somewhere in Time, which was filmed here at the Grand Hotel.  From its horse drawn buggies, to its Victorian lined streets, the island retains the ambiance of a 19th-century village. Like his character, Richard Collier, you might find yourself sprawling across the bed of your room and saying “It really is June 27, 1912”.

There aren’t a lot of activities on the island.  This is the kind of place where you’ll want to go to soak up the scenery, read a book, spend time catching up with your girlfriends and just relax. (more…)

Did you ever wonder which of the online travel services like Expedia, Orbitz, CheapTickets or Travelocity is best at finding low air fares?  Because many of these sites provide quotes for only some of the airlines, you’re never sure if you’re getting the best possible fare to your destination.  Recently, I’ve discovered a couple of sites that may help you find the best fare more quickly.  (more…)

Planning a get-together this summer?  If you plan to fly to your destination, then you may be in luck.  Expedia has just announced a summer fare sale:

Summer’s first fare sale: Fly from $103+

Don’t miss this chance to lock in some great low fares for summer travel! Major airlines are offering cheap flights to places like Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and many more—so start planning your summer getaways!

Book by May 11, for travel through September 12, 2006.

[Via Expedia]

From May to September, there are few places more beautiful than Seattle. This northwest city has a unique combination of natural beauty, sophistication and environmental consciousness.  One of the best places to stay in Seattle is the Inn at the Market, a boutique hotel located in the heart of the city.  The Inn has an ideal downtown location across from world-famous Pike Place Market and is close to the Seattle Art Museum, Pioneer Square and Westlake Center.  Guests that stay at the Inn can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Rainier and Puget Sound from the rooftop terrace. One of the Inn’s three restaurants is Café Campagne, a cozy bistro which serves among other things, a truly delicious cassoulet.

Explore Pike Place Market and you’ll discover an amazing selection of fresh fish, flowers, fresh produce, art, clothing and other items.  The market area is also a great place to sample fresh fish and several of the cafes have counter-side seating.  A trip to the Market wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the original Starbucks coffee shop, which opened in 1971.

Be sure to get out on the water before you leave.  Argosy offers some fun cruises on weekends that will give you a good sense of the unique waterfront lifestyle that surrounds Seattle and the Eastside. Take one of the Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge Island and spend an afternoon walking and shopping in the charming town of Winslow. 

For something more active, rent a kayak at Agua Verde on Lake Union or a canoe at the University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center.

With its mild, sunny climate and waterfront location, San Diego is a great place to explore.  In the downtown area, Gaslamp Quarter is good starting point.  Begin at 5th & Island Avenue at the William Heath Davis House, home of the Gaslamp Historical Foundation.  The foundation offers information about the historic Victorian, Italianate and Rennaissance buildings located in the quarter. On Saturday mornings they also offer a guided walking tour.  Horton Plaza is located at the north end of the Gaslamp Quarter.  Over 170 stores and restaurants including Nordstrom and Macy’s are situated on 7 floors along 6 city blocks.

The plaza’s Broadway Circle is the place to buy half-price, day of the performance tickets to an evening show. During our weekend we saw “Forever Plaid” at the Lyceum Theatre, which we all enjoyed. 

A fun way to see San Diego is from the water. Go to the Broadway Pier in the downtown area and catch a 10 minute pedestrian ferry across San Diego Bay to the Coronado Ferry landing.  The ferry, which leaves every hour, allows you to see the city from the water and is a nice alternative to driving. On landing, stroll down Orange Avenue, the island’s main street, and browse through some of the shops. La Provencale has some beautiful tablecloths and pillows imported from the South of France.

If you’re not staying at the Hotel Del Coronado, be sure to see this legendary hotel’s lobby, shops and grounds. With its expansive ocean views, the hotel is a great spot for a snack or lunch before heading back to the ferry landing.

A quick hop from Seattle via the Victoria Clipper, there are few places more picturesque than Victoria.  Surrounded by water on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island in Canada, Victoria has distinctive architecture and exceptional gardens.  The most popular time to visit Victoria is mid-June through mid-September when flowers seem to be everywhere. 

For accommodations, there are several nice hotels to choose from with harbor views. One of the major landmarks in the heart of Victoria is the Empress Hotel, a magnificent turn of the century hotel built in 1908.  If you’re staying at the Empress Hotel, you may want to upgrade to the Gold floor which has a lounge where you can stop by for goodies during breakfast and  appetizers in the evenings. Outside of Victoria, there are some wonderful places to stay like the Sooke Harbour House, the Aerie Resort and the Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa. (more…)

I ran across a cute little travel companion the other day.  It’s called a “Pocket-Pilot” and easily fits in the back pocket of your jeans.  Laminated to protect against rain (and latte spills), it unfolds to map size and is jam packed with useful information.  On one side there’s a detailed full color map of the city with points of interest along with mass transit routes.  The other side contains photos and descriptions of the top sights within the city, day trips to nearby places outside the city and more maps to show you where.  Since every city is made up of quarters with distinctive personalities, the Pocket-Pilot also includes a listing of each quarter and a description about each.  Want to know when the city was founded, the current population and other fun facts?  The Facts section covers the major facts about the city.  It’s a great travel resource, and best of all, weighs nothing. 

Currently there are Pocket-Pilots for Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. as well as Vancouver, Paris, London and other international cities.  Pick one up at any Barnes and Noble or buy online at Amazon.com.