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May 1, 2020

Yep.  We have visited many of them over the years along with castles, lodges and other pre-Airbnb independent accommodations and had a great time doing it.  Notice the word visited.  Past tense.  Rarely do we do it now.  And there are a couple of simple reasons why.  As we got older, we based the first factor in judging an accommodation on sleep quality.  Generally, the mattresses and linens are not quite as good as in the chains.  And all too often, the window coverings are not successful at “covering.” (Worst time and place to experience this is in late June in Alaska).  Then there is the issue of elevators, rarely on of the B & B amenities.  So, if your room is on an upper floor, you will quickly discover that being your own bellman is not fun.  And finally, the bathrooms do not seem to have the conveniences of a purpose built one.

Then there is the flip side.

Boy, do we miss them.  It used to be so much fun to arrive at 4:00 and visit with the owners in the kitchen, glass of cab in hand. You get to know them while they prepare dinner for the guests that evening.  So many have interesting and memorable backgrounds and almost all have a special passion to be an outstanding host and/or hostess.

And dining with the other guests from all over the country or the world, and exchanging stories and experiences is a real treat.  Often the visit extends will into the late night, same cab glass still in hand.

Our advice.  Experience the B & B’s while you are young because you eventually run out of the “stuff” to make the experience as enjoyable as it should be.

April 4, 2020

Pretty sure Frank Sinatra said that a time or two.  Fact is, I agree, sometimes.  For example, when temperatures are at minus 20 with northerly winds at 25 mph, it will never be my kind of town.  But that is another story.

Having been born there, five miles from the front gate of Wrigley Field, home of the 1908 and 2016 World Champion Cubs, I get excited every time I make a summer or fall trip.  You should too.

And speaking of the Cubs, I suggest you try to plan your trip to include a visit to Wrigley to both experience a game or two and also to tour the park including the “behind the scenes’” portion. There are few sport venues in the U.S. with such a rich heritage.

And even though summer and fall weather is pretty good, if you plan a multi-day trip, you will likely experience rain.  That is a great opportunity to rearrange your schedule and visit the Art Institute, an urban gem on South Michigan Avenue.

Further south along the lake, you will be amazed at the Museum of Science and Industry, a unique museum that includes WW II captured German submarine and a working coal mine.  From there visit the Field Museum of Natural History and if there is still time (or the next day) you can visit the Shedd Aquarium or the Planetarium…

Fish, stars, a coal mine and ancient animal skeletons are all within walking distance of each other in this fun filled city.

But, start your trip with the “standard” tour—Gray line, Hop-a-Bus or whatever.  Thera is a lot to see and absorb in a couple of entertaining hours.

If time permits, consider the Architectural Tour, by boat traveling the Chicago River and then out onto Lake Michigan for a skyline view of the Windy City.  It offers a much different perspective than the bus.

Of course, mealtime is always something special—all the way from deep-dish pizza to some of the best Italian food this side of Italy.  Other cuisines seem to be prepared with the same amount of TLC.

Whatever goes, you can be assured that you will never be bored, and chances are excellent that on the way home you will hear, “the next time we go to Chicago…” over and over again.

Old Blue Eyes was right.

March 1, 2020

As you can see from the wide selection of Venice photos that we offer, it is a favorite destination of ours.  Though fragile from flooding, most recently in the fall of 2019, it is still one of the worlds’ most beautiful, unique and photogenic cities and brings lasting memories to anyone who goes there.

The Venice airport (VCE) is convenient with frequent water buses for people and their luggage going to San Marco, “downtown” of the main island, or connecting point to other islands.  If your budget allows, comfortable water taxis rush you to the dock of your hotel.

The islands offer many luxury hotels.  Our favorite, the Hotel Metropole (www.hotelmetropole.com) isn’t the most expensive, by far, but it is so unique that we and friends who we have recommended it to have come back again and again.  Rooms in the front face the lagoon, on the side a canal and in the back, a delightful garden.  Décor includes several eclectic antique collections consisting of corkscrews, nutcrackers, pouch bags, crucifixes and card cases.  It is like staying in a museum that offers wonderful meals and comfortable accommodations.

It’s location is only two bridges—1150 feet from San Marco Square proving the truth to the saying “location, location, location” especially when the area becomes crowded from cruise ships late in the morning and you can easily return to your hotel for a wonderful lunch and some relaxation before returning to San Marco to watch the cruise ships leave.

And evenings in San Marco are delightful.  Several restaurants in the courtyard hire full orchestras to play your favorite song.  It is almost a musical competition for your listening pleasure.

And speaking of competition, the restaurants try to outdo each other but in a very subtle way.  They are all different and wonderful in their own way.  You will not have a bad meal in Venice.  Ditto on service.  These people take pride in the Venice tradition.

During your stay, plan a trip to Murano which is famous for several glass factories.  Here, the artisans blow the glass into beautiful vases, dishes, chandeliers or other elegant art and décor.  Our favorite is BISANZIO Gallery (www.bisanzioglass.com) and your hotel can arrange for them to pick you up at your hotel, take you to Murano to tour their glass blowing shop and watch the artisans at work, then tour their showroom and others on the island.  If you make a purchase, they will pack it and ship it to you and all the charges go to your credit card. Very old-world treasures with the convenience of a modern world business.  When you have finished, they will return you to your hotel—no charge for the transportation and tour, If you ever want to see this tremendous skill, do it now because the young people are not taking up the trade as the old artisans retire.  It is hard, hot work.

If time allows, take a vaporetto (Water bus) to Burano, a totally different kinds of island about 4 miles (40 minutes) from Murano.  In Burano, the homes are painted in a variety of vivid colors and funky patterns, like nowhere else in the world.  It is a fun place.

Whether you are in Venice for a few or several days, you will not be bored, and you will say it was one of your most memorable trips.  And we almost guarantee, it will not be long before you return. 

February 2, 2020

Okay.  You’re right.  The internet is filled with soooo many travel websites.  But this one is a little different.

You see, when I started in the oil and gas business 44 years ago, I didn’t have any true passions.  And things were different then.  As I was sent overseas for two weeks at a time and allowed to “call home” from the local Post office on Saturday morning for one weekly family call at a very high price, I needed something to do the rest of the weekend.  The solution was to hop a bus or train and explore.  And take photos.

Eventually, this led to two of three current passions.  Photography.  Travel. Puppies.  This blog will only focus on the first two.

In all of the time since, I have had the opportunity to explore many places.  The gentleman who hired me said, “You’ll have the opportunity to travel to many interesting places with your job.  Do so and enjoy it and always tack on a place you likely would never visit—put it at the end of your trip.”

So as the years passed, there was an accumulation of photographs, travel experiences and visits to some pretty nice places.  Definitely upper middle class please—no hostels or budget hotels  but also no weekends on private islands, though we once experienced that on Georgian Bay, Ontario and it was special.  So, what I hope to do for you is to interest you in more travel and staying at some of the better but affordable places.  And satisfy your interest in the wonderful things this world offers.  The beauty, the mystique and the feeling that what we have available is truly a special gift.

At the end, you’ll make your own decisions but if our short visits can improve your experience even by a percent or two, we’ll feel we did our part.

So please sit back, enjoy and visit often.  No high pressure—just subtle tips on what has kept us so interested and intrigued.