Travel Blog

Alaskan cruise to Juneau

Woody Husted (left) and Keith Salter of Cordova, took their second Alaskan Cruise the last week of May. They especially enjoyed the tram ride up Mount Roberts in Juneau where this photo was taken.

Patricia Patrick - More than a (retired) French teacher...

Recently retired Bartlett High School foreign language teacher Patricia Patrick (center) led a group of travelers to Belgium, France and Switzerland June 16-24. The group visited Brussels, Bruges, Amiens, Paris, Lausanne, Montreux and Gruyeres. Two highlights of the trip were dinner at the Eiffel Tower and traveling through the Alps to the area of Gruyeres where the group sampled cheese. Patrick, who travels with companies that organize educational student travel, has been taking student and adult groups to Europe since 1978. Pictured at Chillon Castle are (from left) Bartlett High French students Paul Scherer and Dillon Belew; Patrick; daughter Tish Martin and cousins Ashley Garner and Dave Garner (rear).

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The Hotel: The Renaissance Battle House Hotel, 26 North Royal Street Mobile, AL

The Skinny: The historic Battle House, built in 1852, has been re-opened in downtown Mobile, and is one of the cornerstones of the city’s downtown revitalization efforts. Close to the riverfront , the 238 rooms (including 31 suites) are oversized and almost lavish, with dark wood furnishings, elegant draperies framing huge windows (on some floors), high ceilings, and marble bathrooms. A club level features daily food presentations and an honor bar.

The sweeping, two-story lobby has been magnificently restored. There’s the Trellis Room for fine dining, the Royal Street Lounge for more casual dining, featuring live music some nights, and the recently-opened Joe Cain Café, a coffee shop which also serves sandwiches and light fare. Valet parking is $16/day, Internet access is $9.99 daily. The hotel’s spa is scheduled to open in September 2008, and the hotel is one of the partner hotels for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a within driving distance of a few of the courses.

The Raves: This is a super-elegant hotel from top to bottom, from the beautiful lobby to the ultra-cool ‘whispering arches’ on the second floor – hours of fun for kids and adults alike. The rooms are spacious and elegant, the furnishings high-quality, the beds comfy. The oversized bathrooms are furnished in marble and a table-like vanity, plenty of storage space for toiletries and the like, plus a deep soaking tub. Service in the Trellis Room is very attentive and the food is very well done; the lounge is truly a place to hang out in casual comfort.

The Rants: I’m not a big fan of the honor bar on the club level; I figure most folks will have a glass or two of something and be on their way, as opposed to spend the entire night drinking, so if I were the GM, I’d offer the first two glasses free. Not really a rant, just an opinion!

The Rating: 4 suitcases. A beautiful hotel in an elegant city, and a perfect spot to lay your head after a day spent exploring Mobile or conducting business.

Our rating system:

1 Suitcase – Don’t bother

2 suitcases – Paging the general manager! You’ve got some serious work to do!

3 suitcases – Some minor issues, but overall acceptable experience

4 suitcases – Worthy of your dollars

5 suitcases – Book it at any cost

I just returned from a road trip across northern California, from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe, and if you think gas prices here - hovering at the $4/gallon mark are bad, try $4.86! Fortunately we had a fuel efficient car, and only used three tanks of gas for an entire week of driving.

Since a lot of us are sticking closer to home this summer due to those high fuel prices, which have affected everything from our road trips to our plane plans, I asked Heather Strickland of Travelennium to chime in on a few of her favorite, close-to-home destinations.

Q: A lot of us are sticking closer to home this summer due to the higher fuel prices. What are a few of your favorite close-to-home getaways that are a good value, especially now that it costs so much more to fill up the tank?

A: Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the cost of gasoline is going down anytime soon.  If you are on a shoestring budget, and afraid to put a pricey vacation charge on your credit card, you're not alone. 

The fact is, you can pretty much forget about a cross-country road trip, or a glamorous trip overseas.  But don't despair - there are still plenty of opportunities for a nice vacation close to home!  Here's some trip ideas that can be done on a couple tanks of gas:

The Big Easy.  New Orleans is probably my favorite close-to-home getaway.  Hotel accommodations and restaurants are found for every budget, and there are plenty of free things to see and do in the city for adults and children of all ages.  It's about a five hour drive from Memphis, and is the perfect long weekend getaway.  And even though the city is undeniably still recuperating from Hurricane Katrina, it still proudly boasts some of the finest cuisine in the country.  The white (albino) alligators at Audubon Zoo, the Jackson Square painters and the Garden District are must-sees.  And you simply have go on a tour of the city's historic above-ground cemeteries and haunted houses.  Don't worry - your tour guide will give you a gris gris bag to ward off any evil spirits you may encounter!  And of course, what is a trip to New Orleans without a midnight stop at the famous Cafe Du Monde for piping hot beignets and cafe au lait?  Mmm...I'm ready to go when you are!

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, you can get down and dirty while hunting for diamonds, then take a trip to Bath House Row for a little R&R!  Accommodations range from condo rentals on the water to quaint B&B's.  The trip is about three hours by car from Memphis, and on the way, you can stop to see the sights in Little Rock.

Bowling Green, Kentucky is another close-to-Memphis favorite.  You can tour Mammoth Caves (the longest cave system in the world), see the Corvette Factory (where you can witness an actual Corvette rolling off the line!), pick up a baseball bat at the Louisville Slugger plant, and much more in this culturally rich city.

Double Head Resort in Town Creek, Alabama is a cottage resort.  All guests are allowed to enjoy the numerous resort amenities: swimming pool, scenic nature trails, playgrounds, white sandy beach, volleyball, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseback riding, boating and clay shooting, to name a few.  After all the activities, you will want to be sure to stop at the general store which offers unique gift items and tasty treats.

Chattanooga, Tennessee is also brimming with things to see and do.  In Chattanooga, you can visit the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, Ruby Falls, Look Out Mountain, Lost Sea, Cumberland Caverns, Southern Bell Riverboat, Battle Museum, and do a little panning for gem stones on the side!  Best of all, it's a very budget-friendly place!

Travelennium Inc. American Express is celebrating their 40th anniversary in Memphis. They specialize in group travel, event planning, business and vacation travel. Travel is an inspiring incentive reward and they also develop incentives for sales organizations and fund-raising efforts.  Contact them at www.travelennium.com or 901-762-7040.

Okay, girls - I know what you're thinking: Get away with the girls, without ever leaving Memphis?

Well, with gas prices and airline tickets now in the stratosphere, why not look at a mini-break, as they say across the pond, in our very own little city?

It might surprise you to find out most Memphis-area residents have never stepped foot into the National Civil Rights Museum, the Ornamental Metal Museum - or even seen the duck march at the Peabody! Just ask your girlfriends and see which of those three they've done - ever.

So here are my downtown Memphis musts for this week's GFG!

 MUST DO: Go to the National Civil Rights Museum - it will change your life and give you a new appreciation for what others have gone through and sacrificed in the name of civil rights.

MUST SEE: The Peabody's duck march. Held daily at 11 am (coming down the elevator) and 5 pm (my favorite - grab a cocktail in the Peabody's ornate bar and then wish the ducks bon soir) the duck march has been going on for 75 years at the venerable hotel. And it's not like anyone needs an excuse to have a drink in the plush lobby bar, but if one does, what could be better?

MUST SLEEP: I'm going to say Peabody, if you've never spent the night there before. Plus, the hotel is offering a Summertime Blues rate for $189/night and up, so that in itself is a good reason. If you've already stayed at the Peabody, then try the new Westin on Beale - ask for one of the NBA rooms.
 

MUST EAT: Barbeque? Heck, no! We've all got our favorites and have dragged our out-of-town guests to them, so try something new, like the recently re-opened Blue Monkey at 521 Front Street for a big lunch, or Circa by John Bragg (of River Oaks Grill fame). 
 

MUST DRINK: On Beale Street, literally - with cup in hand - where else in town can you do that? Elegant, no - but something one must do at least once in your life. Hit Club 152 for dancing, but try Alfred's, Silky O'Sullivan's or B.B. King's for some authentic blues.

Bills' family visits Walt Disney World

Jackson Bills, 2 takes a good look at Goofy (left) as his sister Brianna Bills, 10 poses with Pinocchio during their first family outing to Walt Disney World in June. Jackson, who participated in the Disney World parade, and Brianna were accompanied by their parents Brian and Erica Bills of Arlington.

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The Hotel: The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI (picture above is view from our room, my children playing bocce on the lawn The Esther Williams pool is visible, as is a bit of the Straits of Mackinac).

The Skinny: An historic hotel, The Grand, built in 1887, features a sweeping front porch – more than 800 feet long – and 385 rooms. No two rooms are the same at The Grand, each featuring its own combination of furnishings and decor – think your rich Auntie’s summer cottage along the coast: simple yet elegant floral wallpaper, coordinating bedding, wicker or iron furnishings, milk glass lamps.

A huge breakfast buffet and lush five-course dinner are included in the rates; a ballroom features a house band that plays standards – the doors to the ballroom are ceremoniously thrown open precisely at 9 pm each evening to welcome dancers. On the property are the main dining room, a café, golf course, huge lawn for croquet, the Esther Williams pool (she filmed a movie here) and the venerable porch with its rocking chairs and amazing view of the Straits of Mackinac.

There's a dress code for guests: No blue jeans – ever; a coat and tie for gentlemen over 11 and dresses for ladies of all ages after 6 pm. Children may opt for evening dinner programs in which the kids eat together and then play games, watch movies or engage in other activities at no extra charge.

Open only from May – October; tipping – even for housekeeping – is not permitted. Rates: Rates start at $225/night for two people; children up to 11 years of age are complimentary, while those 12-17 are an additional $55/night and over 18 are an additional $119 a night. A charge of $6.5 per person is added for the baggage handling from the ferry pier, and does not include transportation from the ferry, which runs about $4 per person, one way.

The Raves: An iconic American summer hotel, The Grand is just that in about every way. No magnetic card keys here; clunky brass key rings engraved with room numbers are handed out at check-in. Rooms are simply but elegantly furnished – no fancy mattresses, per se, but very comfortable all the same. Breakfast and dinner service is personable and the food is excellent. Be sure to spend some time reading a book while rocking in a chair or playing cards at a table on the porch – one of the simplest pleasures, indeed.

The Rants: The elevators are slow – but really, do we care? No, unless you have trouble using the stairs. Beware of the non-guest visitors to The Grand; they pay a premium for the treat of visiting – now $15 per adult – but the pay policy never seems to keep the droves away from the hotel. In other words, assert your presence as a guest if you want to snag a rocking chair – ask the cocktail waitress for a little help in finding a seat, or choose a spot away from the main entrance to the hotel.

The Rating: 5 suitcases. A dreamy, charming hotel worth the price.

 Our rating system:1 Suitcase – Don’t bother2 suitcases – Paging the general manager! You’ve got some serious work to do!

3 suitcases – Some minor issues, but overall acceptable experience

4 suitcases – Worthy of your dollars

5 suitcases – Book it at any cost

Wilson's visit Vegas

For vacation this year, Bill and Queen Wilson of Bartlett drove three eight hour days then spent four relaxing, yet eventful and entertaining days in Las Vegas. During the trip home, the couple are pictured as they stopped by Hoover Dam June 7. They also visited the Grand Canyon.

So you think you know Atlanta? Buckhead, sure – Phipps Plaza, of course – Centennial Olympic Park and the new aquarium downtown – we’ve all been there.

But to find the beating heart at the center of this Georgia peach, one has to head to the center of the city: Midtown.Midtown Atlanta is artsy and funky, upscale and bohemian – a bit of a mix of everything. A decidedly urban atmosphere has been recreated in this part of town, and it is home to the city’s top arts and culture offerings – the High Museum of Art, the excellent Alliance Theatre and the historic Fox.  It’s also home to Piedmont Park, the 180-acre urban retreat designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, more famously known as the designer of Central Park in New York City. A few new shopping ventures round out the offerings in Midtown – and the combination of arts, shopping and dining is reason to explore a new side of Atlanta.

MUST DO: Wander in Atlantic Station. The work/shop/live development may be a bit manufactured, but it is also hard to resist as Atlantic Station is walk-able, attractive and entertaining. Hit IKEA simply because there isn’t one here in Memphis; the Swedish home retailing giant offers plenty to gawk at and lots to ship home. A pretty park with lake connects the main entertainment district with the retail district; in between there are plenty of vibrant restaurants and bars for day or night hopping. After Atlantic Station, check out the progress on the Midtown Mile project – a Chicago-esque shopping development which will encompass 14 city blocks when it’s complete. Some of Midtown’s best stores are already open on Peachtree and have been for ages, including Retromodern.com, Ligne Rosetis and Space.

MUST SEE: The Louvre exhibits at the High Museum. At the High, collaboration with Paris’ Louvre Museum is underway; treasures from the Louvre’s collections will be rotated for the next few years. Through September, an exhibit featuring the ancient treasures of the French museum is the highlighted exhibit; the newly-expanded museum is worth at least a half day of additional exploration – more if you can spend the time.  

MUST EAT: At ONE Midtown Kitchen. ONE  is a bar-ish, open kitchen restaurant featuring small plates, a nice wine list and scrumptious cocktails. Oh, and did I mention the view of Piedmont Park and the Atlanta skyline? To die for!
MUST SLEEP: When in Midtown, stay in Midtown. The swanky new TWELVE Hotel is all-suite and uptown chic, while the staid Four Seasons is the choice for a lush, indulgent weekend.    

So last month I'm in South Dakota, staying in a Rapid City hotel. And imagine my surprise when I come around the corner toward the elevators, to find a couple and their two HUGE Rottweilers waiting for the elevator. The dogs barked -very loudly - at me - and although I am not afraid of even big dogs, the surprise of seeing them made me jump.

Now, I have a big yellow Lab - Jake - and I would never dream of bringing him to a hotel. But my sister and niece both travel with their little dogs, and love doing so.

If you're contemplating taking Fido or Fifi with you this summer, then some advance planning is a must. I asked one of our Secret Agents, Amarjit Keshav, for some tips on traveling with pets.

Q: Everyone seems to be traveling with dogs these days, especially little dogs. But the other day in a hotel I was surprised when I cam around the corner and saw two huge dogs with their owners, and that made me think maybe I can take my big dog with me on my next trip, or maybe my cat. What advice do you have for traveling with my pets?A. Be very careful when traveling with a pet. Make sure that the hotel you want to stay at allows pets, then check with your airline carrier as to the pet policies. 

Advance arrangement is required: The number of pets allowed per flight is limited. When making your travel plans, inform reservations or your travel professional that your pet will be traveling with your luggage.

Choose nonstop or direct flights: Whenever possible, Northwest recommends that you make reservations for your pet on nonstop or direct flights. In cold weather, choose mid-day flights when temperatures are likely to be warmer. When the weather is hot, choose early morning or late evening flights, which avoid the worst heat of the day.

Amarjit Keshav  is an agent with Give me a Break Travel, a small company of home-based agents who specialize in destination weddings, romantic travel and family vacations, as well as Disney vacations and travel to Africa, Europe and the Far East. Contact Amarjit at (901) 383-6798. www.givemeabreaktravel.com

FreeWorld band on tour

FreeWorld band, a Memphis-based musical institution since 1987, toured the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. John and St. Thomas from Jan. 28 to Feb. 9. Pictured onstage performing are (clockwise from left) FreeWorld band members Brian Overstreet (guitar), David Skypeck (drums), E.J. Dyce (trumpet) and Richard Cushing (bass). FreeWorld has been playing at the Blues City Cafe, 138 Beale Street since 1991. They're onstage from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. every Sunday night, Monday morning.

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