Getaways - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T10:43:09Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/GetawaysBest Luxury Resort Near Mumbai - TheForestClubResort, Karjathttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/best-luxury-resort-near-mumbai-theforestclubresort-karjat2020-03-19T09:34:04.000Z2020-03-19T09:34:04.000ZTheforestclubresorthttps://tripatini.com/members/Theforestclubresort<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009445460,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009445460,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9009445460?profile=original" /></a></p><p>A <a href="https://theforestclubresort.com" target="_blank">Luxury Resort Near Mumbai</a> For The Perfect Weekend Getaway With Partner, Family or Friends. Direct Pool Access Rooms, Beautiful Karjat Hill Views Book Now!</p></div>Best Places to Celebrate the New Year Near New Delhihttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/best-place-to-celebrate-new-year-2020-near-delhi2019-11-29T15:23:30.000Z2019-11-29T15:23:30.000ZBizare Xpeditionhttps://tripatini.com/members/BizareXpedition<div><div class="n p"><div class="ac ae af ag ah dw aj ak"><div class="ft fu de fv ak"><div class="cx cy fm"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="gd r"><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/820/1*umb838ik20WlxC_2I8uVgQ.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/820/1*umb838ik20WlxC_2I8uVgQ.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="650" alt="1*umb838ik20WlxC_2I8uVgQ.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div></div></div><br /><p id="e66c" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv">The festive season is back and everybody wants to celebrate. The weather is getting colder day by day and we are just a few weeks away from the New Year’s eve. At the beginning of the new year, it is believed that something will change in our lives. And to make new year special, traveling with dear ones, is a good opportunity to begin the year. There are several new year celebrations places outside Delhi where you can spend the New Year’s Eve with the kids, family & friends which light up your mood in a moment. But many times people had endless options, and choosing the right destination for a celebration can be the hardest decision for them. We understand your dilemma and that’s why we suggest you some best options which might help you to take the crucial decision for planning a memorable trip at end of 2019/beginning of 2020.</p><ul><li id="a3f5" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy"><strong class="gk gz">Dhanaulti(288 Km) & Mussoorie(287 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv">Seeing snowfall on the new year is like a cherry on the cake. Snowfall makes the New Year more delightful and cheerful for everyone. Dhanaulti and Mussoorie are the places which receive decent snowfall in winters. You can enjoy the new year with your friends by pitching camp around the bonfire and if you want to join a small public party then you can find it on the mall road. In case Mussoorie is packed with tourists then you can drive head towards Dhanaulti which is on the 1 hr distance.</p></div></div><div class="fs"><div class="n p"><div class="ha hb hc hd he hf ag hg ah hh aj ak"><div class="fn fo fp fq fr n hi"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hp r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga" style="text-align:center;"></div><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*cQfABEQBcEHC9MvYZagEbQ.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*cQfABEQBcEHC9MvYZagEbQ.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="350" alt="1*cQfABEQBcEHC9MvYZagEbQ.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div><br /> <br /><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hp r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga" style="text-align:center;"><strong class="gk gz">Dhanaulti: Mussoorie</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="n p"><div class="ac ae af ag ah dw aj ak" style="text-align:center;"><ul><li id="c0a3" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy" style="text-align:left;"><strong class="gk gz">Chail (330 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv" style="text-align:left;">Chail is quite hill-station located in the lap of nature in Himachal Pradesh. It is a heaven for those who wanted to escape from restless city life to enjoy the New Year eve between the beautiful surrounding. It is known for its fresh environment, exquisite architecture, clean air, and to make New Year interesting you can try some activities like trekking, angling, birdwatching, etc.</p><br /><div class="ft fu de fv ak"><div class="cx cy hy"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hz r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga"></div><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/750/1*p9aomTX4Mm1YMmHKAauwTg.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/750/1*p9aomTX4Mm1YMmHKAauwTg.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="400" alt="1*p9aomTX4Mm1YMmHKAauwTg.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div></div></div><strong class="as gz">Chail, Shimla</strong><br /> <br /><ul><li id="c7a2" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy" style="text-align:left;"><strong class="gk gz">Rishikesh (239 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p id="f45e" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv" style="text-align:left;">If you are an adventure seeker and want to start the New Year with adventure and unique experience then, Rishikesh is for you. Camping near the river with bonfire makes the party memorable and enjoyable. The next day you can go for rafting, trekking, bungee jumping, kayaking, and many other adventurous activities.</p></div></div><div class="fs"><div class="n p"><div class="ha hb hc hd he hf ag hg ah hh aj ak"><div class="fn fo fp fq fr n hi" style="text-align:center;"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hp r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga"></div></div></div><br /> <br /><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hp r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga"></div><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*W2ctsRSWhngzVfZwYXc2EA.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*W2ctsRSWhngzVfZwYXc2EA.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="350" alt="1*W2ctsRSWhngzVfZwYXc2EA.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div><strong class="as gz">Left- Sunset point : Right- River Rafting</strong><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="n p"><div class="ac ae af ag ah dw aj ak" style="text-align:center;"><ul><li class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy" style="text-align:left;"><strong class="gk gz">Auli (505 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p id="bb62" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv" style="text-align:left;">Auli is popularly known as Ski resort of India. People prefer to spend their Christmas, New Year on this hill station. The place is not famous for its Dj nights and wild parties but it’s for calmness, serenity, nature, and romance. If this is your first New Year with your better half, then you can put it on your bucket list. This clear sky, snow-covered mountains, and tranquil environment would be left an indelible impression on your life.</p><br /><div class="ft fu de fv ak"><div class="cx cy ia"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="ib r"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga"></div><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/800/1*mRF9mrUNnNQD3yPDMkI4XQ.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/800/1*mRF9mrUNnNQD3yPDMkI4XQ.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="400" alt="1*mRF9mrUNnNQD3yPDMkI4XQ.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div></div></div><strong class="as gz">Auli, Snow Skiing Resort</strong><br /> <br /> <br /><ul><li id="f1b6" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy" style="text-align:left;"><strong class="gk gz">Jim Corbett (240 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv" style="text-align:left;">Party under the open sky with foot-tapping music & bonfire in the middle of dense forest, how unusual experience that would be. Jim Corbett is the best place to experience that kind of unique experience. You can go for jungle safari, nature walks, and did I mentioned that you can go for Nainital sightseeing which is just at the 2hr distance?</p><p class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv"></p></div></div><div class="fs"><div class="n p"><div class="ha hb hc hd he hf ag hg ah hh aj ak"><div class="fn fo fp fq fr n hi" style="text-align:center;"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="hp r"><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*Od351v6cgB81ds9Luouw-Q.png" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/450/1*Od351v6cgB81ds9Luouw-Q.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="350" alt="1*Od351v6cgB81ds9Luouw-Q.png?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></div></div><strong class="as gz">Jim Corbet National Park</strong><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="n p"><div class="ac ae af ag ah dw aj ak"><ul><li class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv gw gx gy"><strong class="gk gz">Nainital (300 Km) -</strong></li></ul><p id="fd59" class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv">Nainital the lake district of India, is the place that has some beautiful lakes surrounded by green hills which attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year. You can join local parties, cultural gatherings can do weird dance on local music and can taste some delicious food in the mall.</p><br /><div class="ft fu de fv ak"><div class="cx cy ic"><div class="gb r de gc"><div class="id r" style="text-align:center;"><div class="fw fx dg t u fy ak et fz ga"></div><a href="https://miro.medium.com/max/4224/1*RH5josdwGkh5F83qF2q-Vw.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/max/4224/1*RH5josdwGkh5F83qF2q-Vw.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center" width="400" alt="1*RH5josdwGkh5F83qF2q-Vw.jpeg?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><strong class="as gz">Nainital Lake</strong></div></div></div></div><br /><p class="gi gj bz at gk b gl gm gn go gp gq gr gs gt gu gv">Read Full Blog-<span> </span><a href="https://www.bizarexpedition.com/blog-new-year-2020" class="bh cp ie if ig ih" target="_blank"><strong class="gk gz">Click Here</strong></a></p></div></div></div>Exploring California's Anderson Valley and Mendocino Coasthttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/california-anderson-valley-mendocino-coast2015-12-30T13:14:45.000Z2015-12-30T13:14:45.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/andersonvalley.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/andersonvalley.jpg?width=350" width="350" class="align-left" alt="andersonvalley.jpg?width=350" /></a><span class="font-size-3">Sometimes the most impressive destinations require a trip to someplace more off the beaten path. Taking a side trip from Napa Valley is a great example. <br /> <br /> Iconic in its own right for wineries, stellar culinary scene, and vibrant arts, after spending a week on tastings and soaking in Napa's ambiance, you just might be ready to head north up Route 128 for 2½ hours over hairpin mountain curves into <a href="http://www.andersonvalley.org/">Anderson Valley</a> which eventually leads to the Mendocino Coast.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Surrounded by steep, forested slopes and rolling hills dotted with picturesque </span><span style="font-size:12pt;">vineyards, farms and orchards, the narrow, 15-mile long Anderson Valley boasts warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights nearly year round. Slow down for the growing list of wineries like Toulouse, Roederer, Navarro, and Philo California's</span> <a href="http://www.lulacellars.com/" style="font-size:12pt;">Lula Cellars</a><span style="font-size:12pt;">.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lula.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/lula.jpg?width=656" width="656" class="align-center" alt="lula.jpg?width=656" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Owner/winemaker Jeff Hanson named Lula after his maternal grandmother, born in 1879, who lived to the age of 89, raising three children by herself after the death of her husband. Jeff left Napa Valley's winemaking scene in 2010 after more than 20 years as a salute to her tenacity and rugged spirit, buying and planting up a long fallow farm with Pinot Noir and Zinfandel vines. Two short years later, his limited production yielded <a href="http://www.lulacellars.com/page?pageid=8F472562-B872-8A9A-DF8B-73CA146C6A88">Gold Medal winning Costa Pinot Noir and Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel</a>. With yearly outputs now exceeding 3,000 cases, Jeff sources from other local vineyards as well but still avoids distributors selling directly to customers both online and in his tasting room.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/redwoodforest.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/redwoodforest.jpg?width=306" width="306" class="align-left" alt="redwoodforest.jpg?width=306" /></a><span class="font-size-3">Soon after visiting Lula, you'll pass though several Redwood groves before reaching the Mendocino Coast, marked by waves frothing far below on sandstone cliffs fringed with gnarled shore pines clinging to the wind-buffeted and often fog-enshrouded overlooks - reminding you that the wide open Pacific is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Any swimmable coast line here is extremely dangerous if you're not aware of the tide schedules and immense undercurrents.<br /> <br /></span> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Villages along this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway like Little River and</span> <a href="http://www.mendocino.com/" style="font-size:12pt;">Mendocino</a> <span style="font-size:12pt;">dot the coastline among rolling meadows and working farms resembling Scotland much more vividly than the classic beach scenes of Southern California.</span></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mendocinocoast.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/mendocinocoast.jpg?width=436" width="436" class="align-right" alt="mendocinocoast.jpg?width=436" /></a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;"><br /> When it's time to check in for an overnight, plenty of top rated lodging options await offering their own unique hospitality as well as connection to the riveting landscape and local history. Here are two can't-miss standouts:</span></p><p></p><p></p><h3><b>Brewery Gulch Inn</b></h3><p><br /> <span class="font-size-3"><a href="http://www.brewerygulchinn.com/">Brewery Gulch Inn</a>'s very existence is tied to California's north-coast logging heritage. Lumber mills situated at the base of most major rivers, including the Big River just north of the inn, supplied timber used to rebuild San Francisco after the Great Earthquake of 1906.</span> <a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchexterior-1024x430.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchexterior-1024x430.jpg?width=1024" width="1024" class="align-center" alt="brewerygulchexterior-1024x430.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Giant redwoods in the surrounding forests were felled during summer when the river's current wasn't strong enough to float logs down to the mills. "Log decks" behind each dam were built by incrementally stacking logs on top of each other. As the decks became taller and heavier, their weight pushed the lowest logs called "sinkers" deeper into the river silt. When winter rains arrived, the dams were dynamited to release the logs. “Sinkers” left forgotten under the Big River for over 150 years were unearthed during an earthquake retrofitting project on the Big River Bridge in 1961. Perfectly preserved by cold, mineral-rich ocean waters, these logs with diameters reaching 16 feet, were perfectly preserved and used in the 2001 construction of present-day Brewery Gulch Inn.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchsinkers-1024x344.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchsinkers-1024x344.jpg?width=1024" width="1024" class="align-center" alt="brewerygulchsinkers-1024x344.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Situated on the original ten-acre farmstead of Mendocino pioneer Homer Barton, the inn overlooks the craggy bluffs of Smuggler’s Cove, tucked along 48,000 acres of preserved meadows and redwoods of <a href="http://www.mendocinofun.com/jackson-forest/">Jackson Demonstration State Forest</a>. In 2007, current owners Guy and Sarah Pacurar purchased the ten-room Inn featuring a central great room and dining area built around a huge four-sided fireplace made of glass and welded steel by a local shipbuilder.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewersgulchgreatroom-1024x683.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewersgulchgreatroom-1024x683.jpg?width=600" width="600" class="align-center" alt="brewersgulchgreatroom-1024x683.jpg?width=600" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">A three-story high skylight and 13-foot, redwood-trimmed French doors flood the space -including the dining area's quarter-sawn oak tables - with sunlight and unobstructed views of<a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchbuffet.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/brewerygulchbuffet.jpg?width=312" width="312" class="align-right" alt="brewerygulchbuffet.jpg?width=312" /></a> Smuggler’s Cove.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Whether gathering around a dinner buffet with entrees ranging from scallops on a bed of <em>lentilles du Puy</em>, Moroccan lamb, mussel bisque, and halibut escabeche complemented by their widely diverse selection of local beers and wines or pondering their cooked-to-order breakfast menu featuring <i><a href="http://www.sippitysup.com/recipe/millionaires-bacon-from-brewery-gulch-inn/">Millionaire's Bacon</a></i>, executive chef Peg Davis only uses organic locally-sourced ingredients from what either local Mendocino County farmers, fishing fleets, or the her own heritage garden provides.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The inn's Zen-like tranquility extends to the rooms where all but one have ocean views from a private balcony or patio. A complementary bottle of wine awaits upon check-in and the well appointed bathrooms invite luxuriating with their Asprey and Molton Brown bath salts and soaps.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3"><b>Little River Inn</b></span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Roughly five minutes up Route 1 from Brewery Gulch Inn on 225 wooded acres high on a knoll also overlooking the wild Pacific, <a href="http://www.littleriverinn.com/">Little River Inn</a>'s ambiance successfully integrates historic polish with seaside luxury.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinnexterior-1024x379.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinnexterior-1024x379.jpg?width=1024" width="1024" class="align-center" alt="littleriverinnexterior-1024x379.jpg?width=1024" /></a><br /> <span class="font-size-3">Although beginning as a homestead built in 1853, Ole Coombs, grandfather of present-day innkeeper Cally Dym, got the ball rolling converting house to inn by convincing his mother-in-law to turn <span class="font-size-3">the living room into a bar now affectionately known as <i>Ole’s </i></span><i>Whale Watch Bar</i><span>. Coombs gradually expanded the gingerbread trimmed white clapboard Victorian beyond its original footprint, officially opening to the public in 1939. Little River Inn's first rooms were rarely locked and even in the off-chance that a guest insisted on it for safety or privacy, all locks throughout the property had the same key.<br /> <br /></span></span></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinndecks.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinndecks.jpg?width=656" width="656" class="align-center" alt="littleriverinndecks.jpg?width=656" /></a> <span class="font-size-3"><br /></span></p><p><span class="font-size-3">As the years unfolded, the Inn served as lodging headquarters for some major local film shoots, including <i>East of Eden</i>, starring a young James Dean - who reportedly made himself a bit too comfortable by kicking his feet up on the bar, prompting Ole to kick him out.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinnhistoric.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinnhistoric.jpg?width=810" width="810" class="align-center" alt="littleriverinnhistoric.jpg?width=810" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Today, the inn's 65 spacious ocean view rooms are complemented by an on-site restaurant, the only golf course in Mendocino County, and a day spa offering treatments like seaweed body scrubs and warm stone massages. At once exuding edge-of-the-world ruggedness and sophisticated panache, most rooms have either a private patio or balcony overlooking the Pacific, a spa tub or steam shower, and a gas- or wood-burning fireplace.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RosiesCottageRoom-1024x669.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/RosiesCottageRoom-1024x669.jpg?width=1024" width="1024" class="align-center" alt="RosiesCottageRoom-1024x669.jpg?width=1024" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">The sheer variety of rooms here truly offer something for everyone. Examples include traditional, luxury, and Jacuzzi deluxe rooms in the main property, overlooking the verdant front lawn and wide open ocean while "Garden Retreat" rooms are tucked away in extra tranquility. Off-site cottages include pet friendly Llama Barn, nestled on a tranquil wooded estate a mile north of the main property where you can visit the resident llamas and crack open that long neglected novel out in the patio gardens, while an ADA-accessible "Johanna Brock" luxury suite in the seaside Mallory House sits right on the bluffs with its own arbor and hot tub on the back deck a stone's throw above Mallory Cove.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinncalimari.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/littleriverinncalimari.jpg?width=396" width="396" class="align-left" alt="littleriverinncalimari.jpg?width=396" /></a><span class="font-size-3">For years, Little River Inn's signature dish was local abalone cooked on Ole Coombs' customized grill - which was eventually adapted into the griddle used to this day for cooking up his <a href="http://www.littleriverinn.com/oles-swedish-hotcakes/">Swedish Hotcakes served every morning</a> on the breakfast menu. Other can't miss breakfast dishes include fresh crab cake benedict and "Cynthia's Homemade Granola."</span></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Chef Marc Dym, Little River Inn's latest executive chef, married into the position in 2006. Dym brings a Zagat-rated modern twist to classic American regional dishes, such as confit pork osso bucco, Asian calamari salad, pine-nut-crusted salmon, and when available, sole meunière made from petrale sole caught in nearby Noyo Harbor. Selections on the Inn’s wine list and local beers on tap often pair extremely well with whatever is on the menu. Dym's more spontaneous creations are best explored on the bar menu with small plates like green-lip mussels with tobiko wasabi mayo, baked Brie, and fried calamari dusted with rice flour and flash fried in house-made mustard sauce.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/olewhalewatchbar.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/olewhalewatchbar.jpg?width=550" width="550" class="align-center" alt="olewhalewatchbar.jpg?width=550" /></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-3">Although typically used out of expediency at many hotels, in-room dining at Little River Inn is <em>de rigueur</em> for at least some meals during your stay. Weather depending, the views, especially sunsets from your patio or deck trump the inn's main dining room. But the smaller dining room to the front with windows or a seat at Ole's Whalewatch Bar can't be beat for savoring the inn's historic ambiance and taking your turn with the binoculars spotting whales migrating offshore.</span></p><p></p><blockquote><em>Photos: Appelationamerica.com, Lula Cellars, Brewery Gulch Inn, Little River Inn, Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.</em></blockquote></div>Red Lion Inn a Quintessential Getaway in Massachusetts' Berkshireshttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/red-lion-inn-stockbridge-massachusetts2018-03-02T19:33:36.000Z2018-03-02T19:33:36.000ZSteve Mirskyhttps://tripatini.com/members/SteveMirsky964<div><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionExterior.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionExterior.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionExterior.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Classic New England villages in the Berkshires Mountains region of western Massachusetts are typically defined by walkable centers with family run storefronts clustered around the library and post office flanked by towering gnarled centenarian maples & rugged foothills as a backdrop in the distance. Stockbridge is a post card example, with the added distinction of having the <a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/">Red Lion Inn</a> anchoring the corner of Main and South Streets.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionHistoric.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionHistoric.jpeg?width=922" class="align-center" width="922" alt="RedLionHistoric.jpeg?width=922" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Originally founded in 1773, The Red Lion Inn is a charter member of <a href="http://www.historichotels.org/">Historic Hotels of America</a> and the longest continually operating hotel in New England. Although hosting guests for more than two centuries, the property was f</span><span style="color:#000000;"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">irst established as a small tavern with rooms above, and was devastated by fire in 1896, reopening the following year as the inn we see today.</span></span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="color:#000000;"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionFrontPorch.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionFrontPorch.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionFrontPorch.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Staying in the Inn's 125 antique-filled rooms and suites give you access to four restaurants, a gift shop featuring locally made crafts & souvenirs, a pub with nightly entertainment, a year-round heated outdoor pool, and shows at nearby Tanglewood & the Norman Rockwell Museum.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionGuestRoom.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionGuestRoom.jpeg?width=982" class="align-center" width="982" alt="RedLionGuestRoom.jpeg?width=982" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">More recently, the Inn has acquired and <a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/berkshire-accommodations/guest-houses/">refurbished 9nineguest houses</a> in back of the main property adding to the diversity of lodging options. Seventeen-<a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/berkshire-accommodations/guest-houses/maple-glen/">Maple Glen</a>, the inn's newest, <span style="color:#000000;"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">$4- million</span></span> addition. is a historic home completely renovated with modern amenities and retrofitted with a common living room featuring a wood burning fireplace on the main floor along with a fully equipped kitchen for group gatherings. Larger room sizes make you feel like you're staying in a guest apartment rather than the more close in quarters of the main inn.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionFineLinensSilver.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionFineLinensSilver.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionFineLinensSilver.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></p><h4><span style="font-size:14pt;"><br /> Dining</span></h4><p><br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;">Pulling up a chair here feels like you've truly stepped back in time to a place where service is unobtrusive yet attentive and all wait staff wear period uniforms matching the colonial ambiance. Many of the original handcrafted windows with wavy glass remain along with tall ceilings, ornate trim, and uneven floors reflecting the many decades of guests that have passed within these walls before you.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionDish.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionDish.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionDish.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">Dining ranges from casual in <a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/berkshire-dining/widow-binghams-tavern/">Widow Bingham’s Tavern</a> to the historic formality of the <a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/berkshire-dining/main-dining-room/">inn’s main dining room</a>. A night out here is best spent <span lang="en" xml:lang="en">nursing some local Wandering Star or Rapscallion on tap in</span> <a href="https://www.redlioninn.com/berkshire-dining/the-lions-den/">The Lion’s Den</a> pub directly downstairs from Widow Bingham's featuring nightly no cover live acts including acoustic folk, R&B, reggae, and blues.</span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionPub.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionPub.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionPub.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;">James Beard Foundation member executive chef Brian Alberg emphasizes seasonally adjusted menus featuring fresh local ingredients. Also co-founder of <a href="http://www.berkshirefarmandtable.org/">Berkshire Farm & Table</a>, Alberg has been with the Red Lion since 2004, cultivating ongoing relationships with regional farmers and food producers. The inn's</span> <span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><span style="font-size:12pt;">New England dining experience was recently enhanced with a $1.2-million kitchen renovation.</span></span></p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionDiningRoom.jpeg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.gastrotraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/RedLionDiningRoom.jpeg?width=1000" class="align-center" width="1000" alt="RedLionDiningRoom.jpeg?width=1000" /></a></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size:12pt;"><span lang="en" xml:lang="en">Sitting in the dining room, it's hard to imagine that nearly 60 year-round culinary staff are working just steps away from your tranquil surroundings in state-of-the-art kitchens whipping up dishes</span> like pan-seared Arctic char and Hudson Valley duck confit which pair divinely with selections on their wine list that has been awarded <em>Wine Spectator</em> magazine’s “Best of Excellence” since 2015.</span><span lang="en" xml:lang="en"><br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Photos courtesy of Red Lion Inn. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.</em></span></blockquote></div>Why people need short vacations!https://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/why-people-need-short-vacations2017-06-14T13:14:58.000Z2017-06-14T13:14:58.000ZNancy Ahujahttps://tripatini.com/members/NancyAhuja<div><p>Life can get boring and mundane, had it not been for vacations and weekend breaks. To live a commonplace and monotonous life is hardly rewarding. It serves no purpose, in fact, it has a bad effect on mental and physical health. Irrespective of whether it is one day vacation or a month long one, vacations are necessary for one and all. Imagine continuously working for months on end – what a pain that would prove to be! </p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009173865,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009173865,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="510" alt="9009173865?profile=original" /></a>If may be an explorer or a laid-back person – there are <strong><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/4539042/Readers-favourite-holidays-what-makes-a-perfect-holiday.html" target="_blank">vacation options available</a></strong> for all in this beautiful country of ours. Then again, there are options for weekend getaways as well as long term vacations. In India, religious tourism is very prominent. There are hills, historical places and a host of other adventures to be hand in India. <br /><br />India is already known to be a fantastic tourist destination. To top that, the country is also a romantic and colourful place. It adds that zing and happiness to your life that that cannot be paralleled by any other country in this world. Be it in cuisine or culture – India has it all. Let’s talk about honeymoons and romantic destinations for travel. <br /><br />Some of the <strong><a href="http://www.whitemushroomholidays.com/weekend-getaway-from-delhi/" target="_blank">best romantic getaways near Delhi</a></strong> have good hotels, resorts and villas. Depending on your budget, you can choose a smashing place to reside in for the weekend getaway. The northern part of India is true to its rich culture and traditional awakening. It is a good place to unwind and relax for most part of the year. Winters, spring and the monsoon months are pleasant and romantic. <br /><br />No matter where you are located, you can directly contact the hotel you want to stay in. They will ensure that your short holiday package is so designed that only reasonably time is spent on travel and most of it is properly utilized on the actual holiday and sightseeing. The holiday package will contain deals, discounts, tickets and various other attractions in a bid to make your holiday fruitful and awesome. The hotel can arrange for your pick up and drop off, upon request. <br /><br />You may have chosen a <strong><a href="https://www.thrillophilia.com/weekend-getaways-near-delhi" target="_blank">fantastic and awesome location</a></strong> known for its tourist potential in a developed part of the world, or you may have booked a trip to a pristine hill station in the northern part of India, but you are still unable to enjoy it. The reason could be the hotel you are staying in. You can find grand seven star hotels here, three star accommodations as well, house hotels, suites, dorm rooms and so on. <br /><br />Treks, river rafting, luxury camping, spiritual tourism, etc., are great escapes near Delhi. Even within Delhi, you could choose a great hotel and reserve your booking at low rates. Check the credentials of the resort, hotel or dorm you intend to stay, it is suggested to do a thorough research on the potential places you are set to visit the next vacation. Then, after you are done picking locations, you should book reservations from a reputed and trustworthy travel agent only. Booking through a well-known and professional travel agent has its advantages – there will be no last-minute changes, cause of panic, exaggerations, etc. <br /><br /></p></div>An Intro to Handsome Victoria, British Columbiahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/victoria-british-columbia2019-01-05T05:07:40.000Z2019-01-05T05:07:40.000ZPriya Ghatolhttps://tripatini.com/members/PriyaGhatol<div><p><a href="https://i.imgur.com/slLdf0y.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://i.imgur.com/slLdf0y.jpg" alt="slLdf0y.jpg" /></a><br /> <br /> The beautiful city of Victoria - actually the capital of this province - liesat the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just an hour's drive (and 90-minute ferry ride) from the city f Vancouver. Some of the highlights of this excursion include the ferry ride through the Gulf Islands, a stopover at the Fisherman’s Wharf to feed the seals, a tour to the downtown of Victoria, and a host of other attractions and activities to indulge in like the Royal BC Museum, Butchart Gardens, walking tours, and marine life viewing. Victoria carries a charm and elegance typically expected of British Columbia province. One of the best getaways from the Vancouver city, Victoria blossoms in the spring and summer season and experiences a mild winter, which makes it an all-around year destination. With easy access from Vancouver, this is probably one of the fantastic Vancouver day trips you can indulge in.</p><p><br /> Dubbed "the Garden City," Victoria is home to British colonial architecture, and a lovely place to shop, browse, sightseeing, and admire these heritage buildings, stroll amid amazing lush green gardens, and relax over an afternoon tea. Active types can rent a bicycle and explore the various paths and trails of the city or even go for whale watching tours. Here I've listed some top points of interest:</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159653,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159653,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159653?profile=original" /></a></p><p><b>Butchart Gardens</b><br /> <br /> <br /> You will be in awe seeing this stunning 55 acres of mesmerizing floral display and theme gardens. One of the national historic sites of Canada, the Butchart Gardens hosts spectacular fireworks display every Saturday evening all through the summer season. Situated 30 minutes from Victoria city, the tour to the Butchart Gardens includes the shuttle cost to and fro from downtown and the admission to the beautiful garden. A must!</p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159875,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159875,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159875?profile=original" /></a></p><p><b>Craigdarroch Castle</b><br /> <br /> Built in the 18th century for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who created a great name and fortune from Vancouver Island coal. The opulence and fortune are reflected in the four floors of this fabulous 39-room castle. With exquisite stained glass windows, stunning Victorian-era furnishings, and intricate woodwork, you simply can’t ask for more from a tourist destination. Enjoy the delightful ambiance as you climb 87 stairs to the tower to experience stunning views of all Victoria, the Olympic Mountains, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.</p><p></p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159690,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009159690,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009159690?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Royal British Columbia Museum</b><br /> <br /> <br /> Showcasing the human and natural history of British Columbia along with and temporary exhibits from around the world and others cultures, it includes a number of authentic artifacts and specimens.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161067,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="750" alt="9009161067?profile=original" /></a><br /> <br /> <br /> BC Ferries</b></p><p></p><p>Enjoy spectacular scenery on the 90-minute ride from the Tsawwassen terminal south of downtonw Vancouver will land you at Victoria's Swartz Bay terminal, running every two hours and during peak hours/season also hourly. You can even transport your vehicle.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161283,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161283,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009161283?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>British Columbia Parliament Buildings</b><br /> <br /> This impressive neo-Baroque complex with sprawling lawns houses the province's Legislative Assembly, and is open daily to the public, either by guided or self-guided tour.</p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161088,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009161088,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009161088?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Victoria Chinatown</b><br /> <br /> Canada's oldest Chinatown (1858) is fun to explore with its mazelike back streets and courtyard, and includes popular attractions/landmarks such as Tam Kung Buddhist Temple and the Gate of Harmonious Interest, guarded by gigantic lion statues.</p><p></p><p></p><p><b><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009162062,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009162062,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="750" alt="9009162062?profile=original" /></a></b></p><p><b>Beacon Hill Park</b><br /> <br /> This lush, bucolic 200-acre spread is home to various hiking trails, two playgrounds, a botanical garden, a water park, a petting zoo, and a host of other attractions popular with locals and visitors alike. <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg/800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg" target="_blank"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg/800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg?width=800" class="align-center" width="800" alt="800px-Mile_0_Victoria_B.C..jpg?width=800" /></a></p><p></p><p><b>Mile Zero</b></p><p>Placed in the southwestern Beacon Hill Park at Douglas Street in Victoria State of British Columbia. This marks the beginning of Canada's Number 1 highway, the Trans-Canada, stretching the entire length of the country. <br /></p><p><i><br /> <br /></i></p><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>We are one of the leading travel partners offering fabulous discounts and customized tour packages for Vancouver to Victoria Day trips. Some of the highlights of our package would be:</em></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Pick up and drop back from your hotel or place of convenience if transfers are selected</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Ferry rides through the stunning Gulf Islands</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>A scenic coastal drive through the spectacular communities of James Bay with stopover at Beacon Hill Park and Mile Zero</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Stop over at Fisherman’s Wharf for seal feeding and watching</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Choose among the attractions for the sightseeing tour of downtown Victoria including the Government Street, Chinatown, Empress Hotel, Legislative Buildings, Inner Harbor, Butchart Gardens, The Royal BC Museum, Marine Wildlife Watching, and Craigdarroch Castle.</em></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:8pt;"><em>Get in touch with our travel experts to know more about the fares, <a href="http://www.canadavisa.ae/canada-visa-requirements.html" target="_blank">visa requirements</a>, packages,schedule information, driving directions, and reservations.</em></span></p><p></p></div>Why I Spent My Vacation With a Croissant in Francehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/why-i-spent-my-vacation-with-a-croissant-in-france2016-04-14T12:14:40.000Z2016-04-14T12:14:40.000ZVoyages Groupe Idealhttps://tripatini.com/members/VoyagesGroupeIdeal<div><p><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9296572464,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="9296572464?profile=original" /><br /> I arrived in a quaint village in the French countryside and checked into a charming villa arranged by my travel agent.</p><div><p></p></div><div><p>Once I was settled, I made my way out to the balcony. It seemed to be floating on the beautiful fields of lavender and provided a scope of a wide expanse of vineyards in the distance.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I had already decided that all I wanted to do on this vacation was spend my mornings at a local café reading a book, sipping a frothy cappuccino (with two shots of cinnamon sprinkled on top) and eating a croissant.<br /> <br /> Then in the afternoons I would return to my room and take a nap; something I never had the opportunity or time to do at home.</p></div><div><p><br /> And there would be nothing but silence.</p></div><div><p><br /> So on my first morning I awoke and put on my coziest oversized t-shirt, yoga lounge pants and Birkenstocks.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I packed my knapsack with a book, a journal, some pencils and I made my way to town on a bicycle provided by the villa.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>As I cycled along the gravel road leading to cobble stone streets, I felt as if I was living a dream. The scenery was spectacular. The sky was a mystical blue and it was as if I had been splashed upon the canvas of a spectacular painting.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I suddenly realized I had nowhere to go other than where I wanted to go and no one was waiting for me. I was free for the first time to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted and it felt amazing.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I sat down at the café and was greeted by a handsome waiter. <br /> <br /> I ordered my breakfast and I retrieved my book from my knapsack, sat back and began to read. I loved the feeling of a real book. I had switched over to an E-reader for a while but it just wasn’t the same. The smell, feel and overall tactile experience of holding a book and turning the pages was more to my liking. It was traditional and brought back warm memories of my mother reading to me when I was a child.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>And in that moment, I missed her and thought of how much she would have loved to just sit at a café somewhere abroad, reading a book and enjoying breakfast. She had never had the chance to do anything of that sort. </p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I constantly tried to persuade her to enjoy life and stop worrying about what may happen; sadly I was never able to convince her and so she missed out on so many of the good things. I made a promise to myself that I would never make that mistake and I would have her spirit live on through my experiences and adventures.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>My cappuccino and piping hot croissant arrived and everything was delicious. Everything was perfect.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>It's interesting because when I described my dream vacation to my travel agent, she said, “I know exactly what you mean and I know exactly where I am sending you.”</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>She knew the village, the café, the café owner and she herself had sat at one of the very same tables reading a book, sipping coffee and savouring fresh pastry.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>She understood and appreciated that this was a gift to myself and that I was truly in need of a change. </p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>She had planned business trips all over the world for me – complicated and complex journeys – and now she was taking care of my needs on a more basic and simplistic level, but detailed and logistical just the same. </p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>I would have never found this place on my own. Gems like this are not listed on travel sites.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>It ended up being a week away in which nothing mattered except being happy and enjoying the passing of time.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p>And it was worth every moment.</p></div><div><p></p></div><div><p><em>Voyages Groupe Ideal - Ideal Travel</em></p></div><div><p><em>We customize your Vacation - We customize Travel</em></p></div><div><p><em>Yours in Social Media & Travel lisacohen@groupeideal.ca</em></p><p><em><font face="'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">We plan travel at </font><a href="http://www.groupeideal.ca/">www.groupeideal.ca</a></em></p></div></div>Unplugged Vacations: Places To Digitally Detox, and Be Happyhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/unplugged-vacations-places-to2010-08-23T17:30:00.000Z2010-08-23T17:30:00.000ZKaleel Sakakeenyhttps://tripatini.com/members/KaleelSakakeeny<div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/T2UBp0OqBqTGfa4v2cd2Yw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AnBusKXSA8o/THKUzMPEjGI/AAAAAAAAB-M/0n84O0hJTac/s400/digdetox.jpg" alt="digdetox.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/travel.video/NMTImages?feat=embedwebsite">NMT Images</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Unplugged Vacations: Places To Digitally Detox, and Be Happy<br /><br />Derrick Jackson, an astute <a href="http://www.boston.com">Boston Globe</a> columnist, just wrote a piece bemoaning the inability of vacationing Americans to actually vacation, that is to take a holiday “unplugged”, “off the grid,” “digitally detoxed,” and smell the flowers. Or listen to the brook.<br /><br />Or better still, actually have a conversation with your family . <br /><br />It’s a real problem, with some studies showing 83% of us check in at least twice a day when we’re on vacation, never letting email or an application come between us and our time off. <br /><br />While neuroscientists wonder if our constantly wired state is “ruining our brains for reading and reflection,” and government is getting involved by restricting texting and cell phone use, <a href="http://staging.forbestraveler.com/resorts-hotels/unplugged-getaways-story.html">Forbes Traveler</a> has gone a step further. <br /><br />It’s created a fun list of “10 Unplugged Vacations” which include some creative ways to get us to detox digitally, and enjoy a holiday unattached to computers, smart phones, iPads or whatever digital umbilical cord we cling to<br /><br />How about the <a href="http://www.arawakbeach.com">Arawak Beach Inn</a> in Anguilla? This collection of lovely pastel beach houses offers a cheap seven-night getaway package... for those willing to relinquish their Blackberries and laptops. <br /><br />They're placed under lock and key upon arrival. The newly liberated guests then get a a car for three days to explore Anguilla, are booked on a private day-trip to an uninhabited island complete with a gourmet picnic lunch. And no Wi Fi. Or anything for that matter. Just themselves. <br /><br />At <a href="http://www.psvresort.com/the_island/the_island.html">Petit St. Vincent</a> in the Grenadines. one of the world’s best hideaways, the only way to communicate with the staff is to hoist a flag: Yellow for service; Red for “Do Not Disturb.” But only the digitally addicted would want to be disturbed on the island’s eye-poppingly beautiful beaches.<br /><br />Then there’s <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/kenauk">Fairmont Kenauk</a> at Le Château Montebello, in Montebello, Canada. They mean it when they say, "the only blackberries you see here grow on bushes." <br /><br />The accommodations are rustic, but first-class, and powered by propane, wood and solar systems. <br /><br />Bill Nowell, the recreation manager, says that guests actually like being completely out of touch. He also says families enjoy not having electricity and television.<br /><br />So what does the unplugged vacationer do? <br /><br />Jackson says you get to talk to your kids. Bill Nowell says you get to play games and talk to your family. <br /><br />How novel!<br /><br /></div>