Traveling to Charleston in the Spring after a cold winter was soooo nice. The weather, the restaurants, and our accommodations all worked in unison. When that happens your vacation is great.
We chose the Zero George located on 0 George Street because of its reputation. Conde Nast names it as one of the top 5 Foodie Hotels in the world. Besides choosing it for our stay we also had the opportunity to enjoy a dinner in-house at their restaurant which was a foodie experience. More on that later.
There are 4 buildings in the property. Originally only 2 dating to 1804. The above photo shows where our suite was. This is one of those building with wide plank beautiful floors. It was like an apartment.
The property is beautifully maintained. Cozy and quaint you can find plenty of places to enjoy a drink during happy hour in the gardens or in their verandas.
Complimentary wine and cheese in the early evening.
You can walk from the Zero George to the center of town. But if you get tired or if you want to go to restaurants in the evening then calling the Bike Taxi or the Charleston Pedicab is the best way to go. The Zero George has valet parking available too. Plus, at night you practically get a tour of the city while these guys take you from one destination to another. At the time of our stay it was $12 for the ride. Charleston does not have a lot of Uber and I never saw a taxi. This is a very popular way to travel within town.
Charleston is so pretty. Walk, take a tour, enjoy their food and their music.
Plan A was to take the Cape May Lewes Ferry from Lewes towards Cape May, on our way to the Borgata. A 24 hour get-a-way. A change of scenery.
Plan B came into the picture when gale force winds were not going to be conducive to traveling inside the ferry. So driving was the way to go. To tell you the truth it was not bad at all. We stopped for lunch in Wilmington at Buckley’s Tavern which post is already up.
If you are a frequent visitor to Atlantic City you will certainly notice that it is very quiet. Upon entering the Borgata the first thing, before you could even take another step, was the taking of your temperature. The hotel was immaculate and during our stay of 24 hours we felt very safe.
There were families with children and other people like us that wanted a change from the same thing.
Our view was amazing. We were on the 36th floor.
There are several restaurants at the Borgata, but if you want to eat steaks then the Old Homestead should be your choice. Reservations are required by calling 609-317-1000. Or you can also do it online http://www.m.theborgata.com The Old Homestead has been in existence for about 150 years in New York. It is considered an institution.
We had great service with our server knowing the menu well. A Coppola wine with oysters. The bread was amazing. And asking him which salad to pick he suggested the Oh Salad. You see that on the plate it looks like a regular old salad, but it was a memorable salad. Romaine, radicchio, tomatoes, gherkins, chopped egg, apple wood bacon, shaved reggiano and onion crunch. It had a Thousand Island Dressing. Not sure what they did to that dressing but it was very good.
I knew the specialty was steak but still asked our server what was the entree that customers just cannot stop talking about. Without hesitation he said the Chilean Bass. He said it is just that good. I love seafood, so that was my entree and it did not disappoint. Probably the best I have ever had. Placed on top of long beans, raisins, cashews, it had a fried potato bundle. Then a sauce made of soy sauce, cilantro, butter, lime, and honey.
Asparagus with Hollandaise for the table.
The Veal Chop was the other entree ordered and it was the special of the day. It got rave reviews, as well.
And guess what else we ordered? Onion Rings…made in house. Not greasy and the perfect size. Dipping them in Ketchup, oh what a treat!!
No dessert was necessary. I think we had eaten enough.
The Casino had players but, again, not like the usual. There were partitions between the dealer and players and between the players too. The moment someone would get up the whole area was cleaned.
If you want to get out of the house, I recommend it.
The next day off we went to Philly to the Reading Terminal….That will be the next post.
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A change of scenery is a welcome change. Nothing beats just a couple of days away from the usual to rejuvenate our mental health.
Staying at the Delamar Greenwich Harbor was that type of change. Just 2 nights is all we needed. The hotel is on the water. Located at 500 Steamboat Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830
Covid 19 tests negative we had just in case anyone asked. No valet parking at the moment because of the virus but the property has parking so that was not a big deal.
Easy check in. Guests were asked not to congregate in the lobby.
In the mornings, fruit, yogurt, juices were placed on that table. Towards the back on the left there was a very nice coffee bar.
The property is located on the water. I can imagine sitting outdoors during warmer months.
The room was very comfortable. A great bed, by the way. The balcony, again would have been perfect appreciating the waterfront.
Delamar has a restaurant called L’Escale. The menu looked great but we only had drinks.
To me the hotel was Art Deco. That design period is captivating and nostalgic. The restaurant was founded in 2003.
Definitely, will stay there again. Everyone was very cordial and the restaurant is so close to Greenwich Ave. where fabulous stores, spas, and restaurants are found.
The Delamar has a spa but because of Covid the spaces were limited and being that it was a holiday weekend they suggested Posh Spa located at 195 Greenwich Ave., next to Saks Fifth Ave…how convenient. It was great and after a 1 1/2 massage we felt like new people. And, ready to experience a few of the restaurants that the area offered.
Even though traveling through a pandemic has been challenging, there is still ways to enjoy a couple of days away from the norm. The trip from Rehoboth Beach to Greenwich took 4 hours and that included stopping a few times. Very doable.
Next post? Restaurant #1
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They call it Stewman’s and it is located on the waterfront at 35 West St., Bar Harbor, Maine. Tel. 201-288-0346. Website? http://www.stewmanslobsterpound.com
From the West Street Hotel, and our balcony, we had an advantage view. Around 11:30 a.m. or so the line begins to form. It goes quickly and we were there on Labor Day. An ideal setting to be able to sit right on the water.
Early in the morning we took a walk around the area. Not open yet but you were able to get the idea of what they would be serving there. It has a full menu and of course many of the delicacies that you come to experience in Bar Harbor.
You can watch them make the lobster bisque and the clam chowder. Pounds and pounds of this delicious soups with an addition of Sherry.
It was quiet but not for long.
Then look at it as the afternoon progressed.
We stopped for a tasting of soup. Both completely different, but my bisque was truly delicious.
I’ll be honest, I thought, originally, that it was going to be a tourist trap. Yes, tourist do come in but, boy, was I wrong. It is definitely worth trying. It stays open until 9 p.m.
So if you are thinking of a quick get away this Fall, Maine has captured my attention.
Posting from Maine’s trip, I remain.
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For so many years every time we have a hot summer in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, I say that I would love to visit Maine. Had never been until just last week, on Labor Day weekend.
I wanted something not too big, waterfront, and accessible to everything in town. The West Street Hotel fit that to a tee. Located at 50 West Street, it is located downtown on the waterfront.
Getting to Bar Harbor was pretty easy if flying from the Philadelphia airport. You fly into Bangor. Only about 1 hour and 20 minutes if that. Then rent a car and drive one hour to Bangor. Perfect for a quick get-away trip.
The hotel has about 84 rooms. There is parking in the property but if by any chance it is full they will valet your car. This hotel is part of the Opal Group and they owned a lot on the Bar Harbor waterfront.
Easy checking in with a friendly staff and you will see a greeting pooch, as well.
We arrived Wednesday, 9/2 and were greeted by a fire in the fireplace. The weather was beautiful.
The room had a balcony and our view was gorgeous. Check these photos.
Things that caught my eye were that Bar Harbor is so clean. Never saw any trash whatsoever. Did not see any police around either. Did finally see the police station.
It did catch my attention finding these mailboxes with free masks inside and a hand sanitizer pump.
The tides in that part of Maine change fast. Every day they are so significant, ranging from 8 to 11 feet of water ebbing and flowing, and up and down the shoreline, the beach and in the rivers that flow to the ocean. Check out the next 2 photos. From our balcony we could see how low the tide was across. People walk and drive the cars during low tide. But, there are some that have been caught in it and that fjord has no ramp. In a matter of a few hours it completely fills up again. Very interesting.
There are more posts from Bar Harbor coming up….Lobsters, Out and About, tune in.
The West Street Hotel was perfect for us. And it will be perfect again some other time.
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I am not sure how my brother, Miguel, found this B & B. My nephew, Alonzo was graduating from Florida State University. As it happens, these large universities never seem to have a lot of hotels/motels in their towns. As graduation approaches everyone is scrambling to find a place to stay.
It is a Victorian Inn Circa 1898-1902. Located at 117 SW US 221 in Greenville, FL 32331-0087. Tel. 850-948-5352 You can find it on Facebook am Twitter. Website? http://www.gracemanorinn.com
One of the very first things that attracted me to this historic inn was its balcony. It reminded me of balconies in Puerto Rico where I am from.
Some of the reviews say that it is in the middle of nowhere. The town of Greenville has seen better days. There is not much, that is for sure, but getting away to a place like this is definitely worth it. I think it is about 38 miles east of Tallahassee. I was fine with it. Check the website above given for more detailed information.
This area of Florida is great for road biking and the Grace Mannor Inn is perfect for a restful night. Make sure to call and make reservations. Besides the rooms there is a guest cottage, as well. Also make sure to check for the Murder Mystery Dinners. Apparently, they are very popular.
They have a great pool and the property is very well kept by Brenda, the Innkeeper.
I have yet to find a more comfortable bed than the ones at Grace Mannor. I think originally I checked but at the moment the brand escapes me. I know the company was in Georgia.
The dining room was so pretty and Brenda outdid herself with our breakfast. We stayed 2 nights and both breakfasts were to die for. By the way Brenda is a one woman show. She is the innkeeper, she keeps the grounds, she cleans, she cooks. At time she gets a little bit of help from the neighbors.
In the dining room there was the Missing Man Table, also known as the Fallen Comrade Table. This is a memorial set up in military dining facilities. It honors the fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service men/women.
I have been meaning to write a post about this Inn. It is one of those places that are so relaxing. A place to recharge.
Brenda’s cooking was all homemade and so delicious.
I hope that if you are looking for somewhere to stay in your Florida travels, that you check Grace Manor. You can bring kids too. The pool is great.
You can go sightseeing to Madison, Jefferson, and Taylor, Florida. We did.
Greenville, Florida, is where Ray Charles grew up. More about that later.
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Mid October was our trip to the all inclusive RIU, adults only resort located in Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It was going to be a big birthday for one of our friends and being that we are always in the mood for something exciting, we took off for a few days of fun and relaxation. It is getting cold here at the Delaware Beaches and my thoughts go back to those few days where the appreciation of the bluest waters of the Bahamas come to mind.
It took some time to make a decision where to go. We wanted something easy to get to from Salisbury, Maryland. Hard to get everyone on board but thanks to Cindy McCabe of Bethany Travel located in Millsboro, Delaware, we were able to make up our minds. Sun, blue waters, good food, drinks were in the requests. Their tel. in case you find yourself in this predicament is 302-933-0955.
The following photo is the group, leaving at the crack of dawn from Salisbury, Maryland, to Charlotte, NC, and then to Nassau. We were sitting on the beach by 2 p.m.
Guess what? American Airlines sang Happy Birthday to our friend and so did every restaurant and place we visited. I think that traveling with a bunch of women is a lot of fun. But, there are a few things we should have in mind. You have to be open minded, be yourself, enjoy the time you have with friends. We all have different personalities and when you travel you have to go with the flow. At times you have to compromise too.
We did take a lot of photos. The next one is us after we arrived at RIU, checking in and greeted with champagne.
Being that it was an all inclusive resort, you had food and drinks 24/7. So on this trip diet, counting calories, were simply not allowed. A few glitches with the rooms but finally we got all settled in.
This was my room and my view. No complaints there.
RIU’s entertainment was not good. They do have a great setting so that should be something to improve, because people do want good singers and programs.
One restaurant that caught us by surprised was Chutney. Truth be told, we really did not know how the food at Riu and its restaurants was going to be. But, it was delicious. Chutney is a tasting Indian Restaurant.
Traditional cold and hot appetizers, main courses and desserts. Every dish was introduced and we all shared the bounty. Good selection of wines, as well. No rush, just a really nice evening.
Starting with a cold tomato soup….yes, it is that little glass on the photo.
A mix green salad, eggplant with yogurt and dill. Hot appetizers like vegetarian Samosas, lamb Samosas, fish and Paneer Tikka.
We loved our table and our service. Culinary Cudos to Chutney!!
For our Main Courses we had lamb curry, Tikka tandoori chicken, fish in coconut curry, Dal makhani and Basmati rice.
There was music, bangings and singing….. yes, for the birthday girl. Dessert of Coco laddoo, Burfi which was squares with pistacchio, Genoise with coconut and sweet potato pudding.
And a special treat for our friend. To tell you the truth with all the commotion I did not get the details. LOL
So that was our beginning. Until the next post, I remain. Remember YOLO “you only live once”.
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I showed a friend of mine a photo of this house and he said “that’s a beach house”. A house with casual imperfections. You can relax and sit without having to worry that your sunscreen will stain expensive slipcovers. Better yet, the old hardwood floors which have been tested through the years, still can handle some sand. Sweeping might be a thing of the past but not on this “old beach cottage” we call the Royal Cabana.
Some of the old fashioned beach houses are disappearing in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, just like they are disappearing in many beach communities throughout the United States. We came to these houses for their simplicity, for the beach, to run around, have fun and relax. Rehoboth Beach still has a few and if you want to experience old time charm, the Royal Cabana will be a good choice. It has history, as well. This house is well over 100 years old. It was, actually, moved from Baltimore Avenue to Lake Avenue in the 1990s. Yes, here in Delaware we move houses. If only its walls could talk. I am sure they would be filled with stories from the families that called this beach house home. I call it a well lived home.
Located by the award winning Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, it is a quiet street at night. During the day you can enjoy the beach, the kids can walk the boardwalk and go to Funland. On weekends, music by the Bandstand is always fun. You can walk everywhere from this house. Hit the 3 main streets in Rehoboth Beach; Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Ave., and Wilmington Ave. for shopping, dining and listening to music on any given night. Or, you might want to enjoy the Porch and stay put.
A bird’s eye view from the second floor shows why this beach house has the perfect location.
A screened in porch in the back.
One of the joys of coming out of the ocean is taking a shower outdoors.
The Royal Cabana is pefect for multi-generational reunions, large groups, families, and friends get togethers. I remember last year there was a bachelorette party that stayed at the beach house too.
It can sleep 18 people and everyone in their own bed.
When arriving at the Royal Cabana…..wine and flowers on the table, old fashioned candy, and chips are welcoming after a long trip.
For more information, please email royalcabanallc@gmail.com. This house is also listed on AirBnB. Look for Rehoboth Beach House with an Ocean View. It is hosted by Cabana Boy and he answers quickly.
As you enter Rehoboth Beach there is a sign that says it all.
Have a great time now and in the upcoming Second Season.
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