LAGUNA BEACH IS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S PREMIER COASTAL DESTINATION IF YOU LOVE SURF, ART, HEALTHY FOOD AND A LAID-BACK NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERE.
It’s where I met Aristotle, a handsome 34 year old native New Yorker who blurted out “I love you” within a minute of meeting me. I immediately fell for him but he was living with someone else. Then, when I left hesitatingly he said “later baby.” Such is life. I saved his photo for last.
This seven-mile stretch of sand and surf is located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego. It offers a year-round retreat for art lovers, nature enthusiasts and beachgoers.
A re-cap of my second visit to Laguna Beach and certainly not my last.
Some AbstractArtful Sign PostsSapphire’s globally inspired fine coffees, cheeses, wines & prepared foods. They cater too.Surfer dude. My drawing from a photo I took.
SHOP LAGUNA
The main shopping streetDesign stores mixed with surf and upscale boutiques. Lots of ART Galleries.
The best salads, rice bowls & frozen yogurt.This is Michael. He is the friendly official “unoffcial” greeter of Laguna.This is Aristotle, my 34-year-old looker that talks back!
TO TRAVEL WELL IS AN ART...part of which is knowing where to stay. Some places become life long memories.
View from hotel room in Recife, Brazil. Photo: d. kingIpanema, Rio. Photo: d. king
I have my reservations when booking places to stay for somewhere I’ve never been. There’s always research involved as to the whereabouts, cleanliness of the place and of course, the price. All in all I’ve had pretty good luck and have managed to stay in some very special hotels, Inns, and even B+B’s. In fact some of them I’d even consider going back and staying as a holiday in itself, kind of like a staycation away from home. I never thought about that before because usually they’re just comfortable places to sleep while enjoying the rest of the vacation scenery, restaurants, museums, etc. There was one time I stayed in just a decent hotel in South beach, Miami and booked there for a second time because I liked the location and the price was under $300 per night (yeah, high priced South beach). But to my horror the second time around was not so pleasant because they were in the process of making upgrades and the place was in shambles. Luckily for me I was able to get my money back and find a great cosy little art deco boutique hotel only a few blocks away and closer to the beach for only a bit more money. You must do your homework and sometimes crying helps…but don’t count on it! But it has worked twice for me so….
This leads me to one question:
Is a hotel just a place to sleep and store your belongings, or a special retreat?
Copacabana Palace, Rio. The poolis phenomenal even though the beach is right across the street.
Thinking back on all of the places I’ve been, I thought it would be a good idea to let you in on some of the more special hotels I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in along the way. Some are classics and some are lesser known but equally extraordinary discoveries. Should you plan to be in any of these locations, dreams are made of this:
In no particular order (because just like ordering a special from Wilensky’s in Montreal, some things don’t change over time):
Maison Boulud, Ritz
Speaking of MONTREAL, the RITZ-CARLTON is the place. I’ve always loved it and remember having many brunches here by the garden pond watching the swans swim by. This is the romantic hotel where Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton married, I was a bridesmaid at my best friend’s wedding and the rooms come equipped with Hermès soaps and lotions. This Ritz is a more intimate little Montreal gem.
Ritz-Carlton, Montreal – a landmark
Blame it on the COPACABANA PALACE in RIO for spoiling me for all other hotels:
Copacabana Balcony
Fit for a KING. You don’t have to be a connoisseur of hotels to know that it’s hard to top this one. Two words: Rolling Stones. Yeah, Mick and the gang have stayed here too. I think this place was partly responsible for his final breakup with Jerry Hall but I had nothing to do with that and don’t quote me. I wanted to live here. The Copacabana beach view, the staff, the pool, the food (particularly the brunch by the pool except I thought they said $17; not $70). Outstanding! Rio itself though, just be wary. Don’t park anywhere you’re not supposed to for more than 15 seconds otherwise a cop might wave a gun in your face and try to extort thousands of dollars from you….just because they can. I worked it down to $50 without one tear and a phone call to the concierge at the hotel.
Alvear Palace, Buenos AiresAlvear Palace Dining, Buenos Aires
ALVEAR PALACE, BUENOS AIRES – this 5 star luxury hotel is located in the heart of upscale La Recoleta and combines European elegance with cutting edge technology. Even if you don’t stay there make a reservation for high tea and it will make your visit to the Empress in Victoria seem like.. just toast. Plus there is live music (harp anyone?) while you enjoy.
Nile Hilton, Cairo
NILE HILTON, CAIRO – sits right in the heart of the city and offers all the refinement of an old world Hilton hotel but on the banks of the river Nile. Our balcony was facing a panoramic view of the Nile and our suite and the rooms in general are huge and elegantly decorated. This one is a popular meeting place for business travelers, tourists and locals alike. It’s right next to the Egyptian Museum and close to the Khan el-Khalili market and Old Cairo. It’s also only eight miles from the pyramids. The on-site restaurants serve Lebanese, Egyptian, Italian and international cuisine in fantastic locations like a romantic terrace on the Nile and a rooftop deck overlooking the bustling city. Leisure options include a gym, sauna and swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, a disco and a casino. I lived here for almost one month while on business. I got to know the staff quite well, the business centre and the tea room on the roof with time to see all of the Museum across the street. Okay, maybe I wasn’t really working much. Word of advice: don’t wear shorts even if it’s hot out which it will likely be.
OUT & ABOUT in AFRICA:
SAROVA STANLEY, NAIROBI– fit for a QUEEN. In the early 1900s when the Sarova Stanley opened its iconic doors, Queen Victoria presided over the largest empire in history, Conrad penned Lord Jim, Picasso painted Le Mouline de la Galette, and American R.A. Fessenden transmitted human speech over radio waves. The first luxury hotel in Nairobi, it has launched itself into Kenyan history. The gracious host of prominent world leaders, renowned authors, and international celebrities – a beacon of luxury and unrivalled hospitality. And they had a famous Thorn Tree where people including Hemingway used to leave notes for each other. We saw it.It was there for over 30 years but sadly It has been replaced by a small sapling and there are bulletin boards surrounding it. This sits smack in the middle of the Thorn Tree restaurant. The mystique is no longer.
Dine ‘n Dive – Sarova Stanley, Nairobi
The verdant location for numerous films over the years, the Sarova Stanley welcomed classic Hollywood luminaries such as Grace Kelly, Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, and Gregory Peck, and offered them a quiet repose under the shade of the acacia trees that frequent the outdoor gardens. A lavish oasis in the undisturbed Kenyan desert, the hotel entertained royal guests, including the resplendent ball for their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Gloucester in 1928, and a regal luncheon banquet for Prince Philip and, then, Princess Elizabeth during their world tour in 1952, shortly after which Princess Elizabeth succeeded to the throne to become queen.
ROYAL LIVINGSTONE HOTEL, VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA – a dream vacation.
Livingstone charm. Photo: d. king
Overlooking the spectacular Victoria falls, is where 5-star luxury meets nature’s majesty. Easily accessible from Johannesburg, South Africa, The Royal Livingstone feels like it is a million miles from ordinary. Offering guests a once in a lifetime experience right on the banks of the Zambezi River overlooking the thundering Victoria Falls with lots of zebra and monkeys on the property. Renowned for its colonial-inspired décor, The Royal Livingstone owes its existence to its named in honour of the explorer David Livingstone. Who’s that knocking at the back door? Oh, a monkey – how cute! Word of advice: do not feed the monkeys candy.
Zebras on the Royal Livingstone property. Photo: d. kingOne of many monkeys on Livingstone hotel grounds. Photo: d. king
SEA CLIFF HOTEL, Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA
Sea Cliff Hotel, Tanzania
A privately owned hotel with unmatched personal service, immaculate grounds, great staff, excellent food, pampering atmosphere close to amenities and you can watch them roasting coffee beans in the little shopping mall right next door. The aroma is amazing.
A little closer to home:
INN AT THE OPERA, San Francisco
Inn at the Opera, S.F.
Located just steps away from the city’s civic centre, Opera House, Symphony hall and a great little trendy neighbourhood called “Hayes Valley”. A place for foodies and performing arts lovers. But I booked this on a whim when I had to find a place when I was running the Nike Women’s half marathon in San Francisco. I made sure to stay here for the second run. Rooms are small but comfortable and the boutique hotel has a luxurious French-style and antique European ambiance. It was built more than half a century ago to house visiting opera stars. The illustrious opera house is just outside your door, and the diverse charms of the city are all within your reach. It took us about a 20 minute walk from here to Union Square where the start of the run takes place (not to mention all fabulous shopping you can ever imagine). Can you imagine?
The Algonquin Resort St. ANDREWS BY THE SEA, New Brunswick
St. Andrews by the Sea, N.B.
This hotel for the second year in a row has made Condé Nast Traveler’s list of Top 20Resorts in Canada: Readers’ Choice Awards 2015! It’s a beautifully located resort complete with golf course. The town is lovely and very quaint. We stayed in a room on the 4th floor where Joan Collins previously stayed in. When we went out for dinner the radiator in the room exploded. I can’t remember the room number but found this out:
According to the website “Haunted North America”, Room 473 is haunted by a jilted bride who died in the room in the early 1900s. Hmmmm
WICKANINNISH INN. TOFINO – stormy weather!Super, Natural British Columbia – like the ads say, this is it! Experience total relaxation too. Enjoy island nature at its wildest during storm watching weather while enjoying the comfort of this world class Tofino hotel with ocean views, cd player & library in each room, Pacific Northwest Cuisine (in the restaurant with piped-in live ocean sounds) and Ancient Cedars Spa (used to be Aveda) services in a smoke-free natural environment.
The Spa – every room has a VIEW
Alright, there seems to be many more unforgettables than I recall. I have left my heart in so many of them
Mordecai Richler at Wilensky’s. Order a “special” with cheese, pickles and a soda. It’s still the same.
The original book would grab anyone’s attention. It was bright red and had infamous burlesque stripteaser Lily St. Cyr on the cover. Inside was filled with information relived from the good old days of a wide open city that I heard about from my parents who recollected them. My dad wasn’t from Montreal originally (he was born in Russia and moved to Manhattan before settling in Montreal) and my mother’s parents were from Ireland although she grew up in Montreal. My dad especially had a lot of stories – I’ll just leave it at that.
Replacement
City Unique was written by WilliamWeintraub (who began his career as a reporter for the Montreal Gazette in the 1950’s) and who was a friend of my uncle (who used to write a column for the Montreal Gazette). Weintraub looks at all aspects of life in Montreal in what Mordecai Richler called “an engaging, evocative book about Montreal’s prime-time.”
After reading this intriguing book back in Vancouver, I mailed it to my mother’s friend in Montreal who I was sure would appreciate and relate to all the insider innuendos. Unfortunately when I phoned about a year later to retrieve the book (which was an original signed copy) she had no recollection of ever having received it. It was on loan from my cousin. When I phoned to reluctantly tell my cousin the news (that he wasn’t getting his book back) I joyfully received another copy in the mail. Maybe not an original signed version with the same cover but, thoughtful and cherished nonetheless.
Leonard Cohen looking like Al Pacino here.
About City Unique: Review from Amazon.com
Lily St. Cyr
Montreal in the 1940s and ’50s was Canada’s largest, most vibrant and colourful city. It was even more pulsating than New York. No one could foresee that political and economic factors would cripple the city and send it into a long decline. William Weintraub, writing with insight and affection, brings the Montreal of his youth vividly, entertainingly and wittily to life in this remarkable book. The Montreal he describes was a city with two communities, English and French, who lived separate lives. They met along the dividing line that was “The Main” – St. Lawrence Boulevard and the nearby streets, where gambling joints, bordellos and night clubs prospered, and where striptease artiste Lili St. Cyr became the toast of the town and gangsters raked in profits while the police looked the other way. It was the Montreal of the colourful, charismatic mayor Camillien Houde within the repressive and corrupt Quebec of premier Maurice Duplessis.
I think this book speaks to anyone who grew up in Montreal especially those with adventurous parents who were involved and active within the community. You might not have personally known everyone mentioned but you have heard their names. To me, it was extremely provocative and noteworthy. And things have settled down since…but it will never be the same!
This is what a real “smoked meat” sandwich looks like.
Available on Amazon.com
Wilensky’s, Bens, Ruby Foo’s, Schwartz’s – are Montreal Institutions.
What makes this city the most unique in Canada:
1) Montreal is an Island.
2) Montreal is built on a Mountain.
3) Home to the largest Jazz, Fireworks & “Francofolie” (French Music) Festival.
4) Habitat 67 – created by Israeli-Canadian Architect Moshe Safdie, is a structure unlike any other in the world. I didn’t say it was nice looking, just unusual.
5) Montreal has one of the largest underground networks in the world. You could literally live underground.
6) The Metro system is one of the best and definitely Canada’s busiest.
7) Enormous Art & Graffiti Culture.
8) Great Shopping and still has the most Stylish Women in all of Canada (maybe North America and possibly the world).
WHY AUSTIN?A friend of mine will soon be visiting Austin Texas, and knowing that I’ve been on several occasions, asked for a few recommendations of places to go.
Although things can constantly change in this unique capital city I’ll be talking about the mainstays. Everyone who visits Austin leaves with something great to say. If it’s not the legendary live music or vibrant arts scene then it’s the inspiring cuisine or stunning outdoor settings in this effervescent city. There’s not much not to like.
the Elephant Room
Music in many forms is everywhere in Austin. You can find Musicians playing everywhere from festivals to underground clubs and even grocery stores (like Whole Foods). I listened to exceptional live jazz at a cosy little bar called “the elephant room” and live rockabilly at the Granddaddy of all local music venues, the Continental Club. So much fun.
Food – I have sampled some of the best bar-b-que, tex-mex (naturally) and eclectic bistro fare in this town. I provided links to a couple of previous posts of two places I thoroughly enjoyed – a noteworthy barbeque pit and a restaurant owned by Sandra Bullock. I haven’t been to Franklin barbeque but apparently it’s one of the top places to go. Can’t imagine it being much better than the rustic setting & live music that Salt Lick offers, but that’s the word on the street.
For Tex-Mex there’s Güero’s Taco Bar. They have an amazing salsa bar & hand-shaken margaritas in a landmark building with a patio. Since discovering this place I haven’t gone anywhere else for Mexican in Austin. They have the bestchile relleno I’ve tasted to date.
Bess Bistro
There’s so much more to discover but if you only have a few days you can start with these suggestions.
It’s a long way from Europe. If like me you have never set foot in Denmark but you like sunshine, Danish cookies & pastries, windmills and something bigger than the world showcase at Epcot Center, then you might want to check this place out.
Northwest of Los Angeles (just east of highway 101) and a short drive from Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley lies the picturesque village of Solvang. It vaguely sounded familiar and now I know why – it was mentioned in the movie Sideways. A movie which I loved by the way. The friend I was travelling with suggested we go on the advice of her sister who had just been there. If her sister suggested we go then that was enough for me to want to see what this town had to offer.
Okay, so it is touristy like we figured it would be with a population of roughly 5,000 people. But since we were already not too far away it was definitely worth the visit which included a stayover and lots of treats. It’s a funky getaway which appropriately translates to mean “sunny field.”
Founded in 1911 by Danish immigrants, Solvang now boasts many Danish bakeries. The woman who owned the hotel we stayed in the Solvang Inn also owned the restaurant across the street and several bakeries. She claimed Michael Jackson (his Neverland Ranch was in the Santa Ynez Valley) used to come in to buy her cookies. Turns out she owns half the town. There’s a Hans Christian Andersen Museum, four windmills, boutique inns and lodges with peaked roofs and monikors such as Svendsgaard’s Lodge and the Hamlet Inn, along with bedspreads emblazoned with the red-and-white Danish flag. Kitsch cuteness!
And you can’t escape the sugary appeal of Solvang’s multiple family-owned Danish bakeries. “There are more bakeries here than probably in the whole world” said one of the owners. So for breakfast we had coffee and multiple shared pastries. I chose the delicious Danish with custard but my travelling companions ordered a cinnamon bun and a bear claw – all pretty darn delicious. Not to mention non gluten-free and fairly fattening.
Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the 2004 wine soaked movie Sideways, which was partly shot in Solvang, and wineries in the area owe a certain amount of credit to the tourist boom that followed the film. Kind of like the movie “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” did for *Savannah, Georgia. *I will post soon about this most charming city.
Next to bakeries sit more than 20 wine-tasting rooms. One winery is called Lucky Dogg Winery which I should not even plug since I sent my dogs photo in to a contest so he could be chosen to be on one of the bottles for their “Doggone Wines” label but he didn’t make the cut. I sent one okay three amazing photos. It may have something to do with his nose. Nevermind.
And so we’re told with Solvang its like they took the best parts of Denmark and put them onto two streets (it’s really bigger than that). Which means you don’t have to walk very far to get good pastries, wine and cheese.
Source: taken in part from The Vancouver Sun Travel
Find your “Better Self” at this famous spa/resort with healing waters that have been flowing for over 600 years.Nestled within 77 lush park-like acres is the legendary Two Bunch Palms, built in 1919. A 70 room, hot mineral springs spa resort that offers healing waters, gourmet farm-to-table cuisine, movement & enrichment classes and an award winning spa that offers a “gangster wrap” spa treatment. You’ll find out why when you read on.
It comes with panoramic desert and mountain views, meditation ponds, gardens and wildlife, labyrinth and relaxation pool. But that’s not all…..
It also comes with a fabulous story…
Nearly a century ago Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa welcomed its most elusive visitor even more so than us – Al “Scarface” Capone. Legend has it the infamous gangster long pursued by the Feds transformed the private Desert Hot Springs, CA property into his winter desert hideout, outfitting his “fortress west” with a network of hidden escape tunnels, a gambling hall, a brothel, and a stone sentry tower for machine gun-toting bodyguards. We saw the outside of a multi-bedroom suite where Capone once slept and narrowly escaped assassination, evidenced by a mysterious bullet hole in the mirror.
The “room” although the stained glass came later.
A security guard told us that every weekend for years a man by the name of John Walton, who is the illegitimate son of Al Capone and Gladys Walton, would give talks in the restaurant about his family. He wrote the books “Gladys and Capone”and “Capone’s Fortress West”. The books are filled with information about prohibition, the hideaway, action packed roaring 20’s and bootleggers. Walton is still alive and living somewhere in California. Perhaps he’s living at Two Bunch Palms although they won’t say for sure.
The resort continues to be a hideaway for the less conspicuous kind, not only for those escaping Chicago’s chilly winters like Capone, but also for business executives needing to unplug, Hollywood celebrities looking for anonymity and people like us, seeking a luxury escape
Joshua Tree National Park is a wildlife refuge with close to 800,000 acres of protected environment and unspoiled desert scenery only a one hour drive from Palm Springs.
Venus and the Moon at Sunset
Skull Rock
It’s pretty breathtaking and I’m not sure the pictures do it justice.
Two factors make the park special; the eerie, spiky Joshua trees which grow densely in the western half, and the extensive outcrops of huge granite boulders, up to 100 feet high, which line the mountain ranges scattered over the whole area.
On a clear day you can see the San Andreas Fault Line from this location. On a really clear day you can see all the way to Mexico.
Other prime attractions are six oases where California fan palm trees grow in their natural surroundings, all reachable by trail. This is not a place just to drive through, instead visitors should explore for a while away from the roads – climb some rocks or walk amongst the trees and cacti, but most of all spend a night here and watch the sun set. It was quite windy and cold a few days ago when three of us had a picnic lunch and enjoyed exploring the area.
The Joshuas are especially atmospheric and spooky at dusk, when their stark, irregular outlines become quite menacing.The iconic Joshua tree, the namesake of the California park, is actually a member of the lily family. Interesting since it looks nothing like a lily.
Of all the times I’ve driven through Oregon, not once until now did I stop to discover the vibrant little town of Ashland. Especially since it happens to be my kind of town with shades of Niagara-on-the-Lake. But that may be because normally we drive to the coast and Ashland is located off I-5 at the south end of the Rogue Valley and about 20 miles from the California border – our main destination.
Rogue Valley vineyards near Ashland in the fall
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, majestic mountains, rushing rivers, rolling foothills and dramatic landscapes, Ashland is a gorgeous little city with an arts scene as appealing as its setting.
Shakespeare Festival
Ashland hosts Christmas celebrations and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (one of the largest and oldest regional theatres in the country) in winter, a film festival in the spring, classical music festival in summer and wine tasting celebrations in the autumn.
Not to be outdone by the festivals, is the food which seems to be right up there along with the quality of the art and wine scene. A local gave my travelling companions and I some recommendations of places to eat. They did not disappoint.
We had a very nice dinner at LarksWe had brunch at Morning Glory
We had dinner and cocktails at Larks (located in the historic Ashland Springs hotel) and for breakfast we went to Morning Glory (located in a heritage house) – photo below.
We were met there by the woman who made the recommendations – an interesting person who is the godmother of a mutual friend. Her father and grandmother are subjects of an oil on canvas painting by none other than Renoir which hangs at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. *Her story is worthy of a blog post of its own. Ashland is worth the visit and I will plan to spend a bit more time there on my next trip.
The Oregon Coastwelcomes you with its wild and moody rugged openness. A place to discover and enjoy.
Cannon Beach
THE HUMAN SPIRIT NEEDS PLACES WHERE NATURE HAS NOT BEEN REARRANGED BY THE HANDS OF MAN and where certain dogs love to wet their paws and can run for miles along the sandy beaches.
A great camping destination (weather permitting), if I may say so myself. Especially if you pick up some tantalizing Willamette Valley pinot noirs. Have you been?
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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