Presiding proudly over the city of St. Louis, the Gateway Arch is the most recognizable building in the city’s skyline.  It’s that iconic symbol, often photographed, that helps identify the city to millions of people who have never, and perhaps will never, visit.

The Gateway Arch is located in the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, near the location where the Lewis & Clark expedition started, giving rise to its moniker Gateway to the West.  It was designed by Eero Saarinen, the renowned Finnish architect, and completed in 1965.  It wasn’t opened to the public, however, until June 1967.  At its tallest point, the arch stands 630 feet tall, the same dimension as its base from leg-to-leg.  That’s the equivalent of 63 stories.

At the bottom of the arch is a visitor center and a Museum of Westward Expansion.  Visitors are required to go through a security checkpoint before accessing the visitor center, so allow a little additional time in your plans.  Exhibits in the visitor center and museum show the history of St. Louis and the surround riverfront area.  After a look around there, it’s time to head to the top of the Arch.  An elevator like tram takes visitors to the top of the Arch in a quick 4-minute ride.  The tram leaves every 10 minutes, but during peak tourism times, the wait can be lengthy.

The viewing area at the top of the arch will hold up to about 160 people.  That can be a bit crowded as everyone waits to look out the windows (there are only 32 windows), but the view is worth it.  On a clear day you should be able to see for about 30 miles.  After you’ve enjoyed the view you can take the tram back down.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  There are no restrooms at the top.

There are steps to the top – 1,076 of them – but are used only by workers and staff.  Visitors are not permitted to make the climb to the top.  But it’s nice to know the stairs are there, just in case of an emergency.

Allow about two hours for a visit to the St. Louis Arch.  That will give you time to explore the museum as well as have some time at the top.  Allow additional time to explore the rest of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial or during peak times when crowds will likely result in long wait times.

Location:  Memorial Drive.

Hours:  9 am-6 pm during the winter, and 8 am-10 pm during the summer.  Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  It is most crowded during the midday hours.

Tickets:  $10 adults; $5 kids (3-15); and $7 with a National Park Passport.  Tickets for the tram can be purchased in advance online or onsite on day of visit.  During the heavily visited summer months, advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Public Transportation:  Take the MetroLink Lightrail to Laclede’s Landing stop.  The Memorial is about a 5 minute walk.  From the airport, the ride is about half an hour, with departures every 15-20 minutes.

Photo credit:  Buphoff (exterior shot), Daniel Schwen (observation deck), both via wikimedia commons

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Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, is about 275 miles east of Seattle.  But to many of us, it might as well be a million miles away, another country even.  Those of us on the west side of the Cascades tend to forget that Spokane is coming into its own, creating a vibrant food, theater and arts scene, promoting area wineries, and taking advantage of the four distinct seasons its location offers to visitors.

I’ve visited Spokane several times over the past couple of years, and each visit I’ve discovered something new, interesting, and often tasty.  Here’s a look at some things that I think make Spokane a great location for a Pacific Northwest getaway weekend.

Where to Stay

Offering accommodations at all points in the value luxury spectrum, Spokane has plenty of options – whether you’re looking for a romantic place to hole, a casual family atmosphere, or something more modern.  For old world charm, I’d recommend the historic Davenport Hotel.  Full of nearly a century of interesting history, including the possibility or a resident ghost, the Davenport oozes elegance and charm – it’s really quite grand.  A fireplace burns in lobby year round as a symbol of warm hospitality, in turn making the lobby a relaxing and inviting place to sit and chat – especially on a cold winter day.  That’s the exterior of the hotel in the top photo, and me standing with the doorman (who’s been with the hotel for decades).

From the old to the new, Northern Quest Resort & Casino is on the newer end of the scale.  The Kalispell Tribe opened the casino in 2000 and the resort on December 31, 2009.  I had a chance to stay during the hotel’s soft opening, that period of time when you’re testing everything out, tweaking, and generally working out the bugs in everything.  There were a few little hiccups during my stay, nothing major, and I was impressed by well thought out room layout and luxury amenities.  The photo above is of the living room area of my suite. Northern Quest also has a luxurious spa (photo above) and offers salon service.  The resort offers a number of packages, and although it’s a casino property, there’s plenty to do – check out the spa – besides gambling.

If you want to stay downtown, but with a more leisurely environment, the Red Lion at the Park offers convenience and comfort with moderate prices.  Located next to Riverfront Park on the Spokane River, you’ll enjoy spectacular views – from your room, the grounds, or walking the trails (look how peaceful that water looks above).  Take off in one direction to downtown, another to the Gonzaga University campus (check out the Bing Crosby museum while you’re there).  In the summer you can enjoy the large outdoor pool, complete with slide and waterfall.  The Red Lion offers family friendly rooms, amenities, and pricing.

What to Do

Spokane has four distinct seasons so there’s plenty to do year round.  Although I’m not a skier, I’m told that that are great slopes and trails for downhill, cross-country, boarding, and tubing.  When the weather warms up, visitors can enjoy Riverfront Park the location of the 1974 World’s Fair.

The vintage carousel is a fun ride, even if you’re not a kid.

And who can resist the over-sized Red Flyer wagon.  The park is a venue for numerous outdoor concerts and community activities, so check out what’s happening when planning your visit.

For a nice overview of the area, the Skyride, a rebuilt gondola, will carry you across the falls.  Depending on the time of year, and the snowfall, the falls may be a trickle or roaring.  The view is always amazing.

Set aside some time for wine tasting, there are several tastings rooms in the greater downtown area.  Barrister Winery specializes in the production of limited quantities of Bordeaux varietals and Syrah.  Their Rough Justice is both cleverly named and tasty (a complex, smoky nose of dark jammy fruits, mouth-filling silky tannins and a long finish), and the accompanying hats, t-shirts and accessories make fun gifts for any lawyer you might know.  The tasting room is quite large, and also serves as a venue for evening entertainment to accompany the tastings.

Whitestone Winery uses grapes solely from their family estate vineyard, blending handcrafted bold red wines. Their signature Pieces of Red (smooth berry, coffee, spice and black pepper on the finish) is priced for everyday drinking.  Sign up for their e-newsletter, full of wine news, events, and activities.  They have some great events and I’m hoping to get back to enjoy some of them.

Located in the historic Broadview Dairy building, Caterina Winery is as charming as its setting.  The tasting room is now also featuring Lone Canary wines along with their own, giving you even more reason to stop by.

If you taste runs more to spirits than wine, a put a visit to Dry Fly Distilling on your list.  Dry Fly makes award winning, craft spirits, including bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka (which I swear tasted like smooth butterscotch) in a farm to bottle environment.  Every drop of liquor from Dry Fly is made from raw materials grown locally by sustainable farms.  Stop by to learn a bit about the distilling process (they also offer a distilling course) and make some purchases to take home.

Getting There

Most visitors to Spokane come from within the state of Washington, or nearby Idaho (about 20 miles to the east) and British Columbia (a little over a hundred miles to the north).  It’s about a five hour drive, or hour flight, from Seattle – probably too long for a day trip, but an easy drive or fly for a long weekend.

Photo credit:  author’s personal collection

Note:  I’ve visited Spokane on several occasions, including personal travel and as part of sponsored press trips.

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While new hotel construction is at a painful standstill in Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of new attractions hoping to grab a piece of the city’s tourism spending.  Here’s what 2012 has in store for visitors to Las Vegas.

Attractions

• The Mob Museum – Okay, officially the name is the Las Vegas Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, but seriously – who’s going to use that long of a name?!  Exhibits will include artifacts from some of the biggest names in the business, the mob business, that is, with items once owned or associated with Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, and more.  This is a chance to learn about mob life skills like bootlegging, money laundering, and gaming, while keeping an eye on crime fighting weapons used by law enforcement.  Located at 300 Stewart Avenue (downtown) in a former federal courthouse, the Mob Museum is scheduled to open in February 2012.  I’ll be there early in the month and am hoping it will be open by then.  This looks like it could be a lot of fun.
• Smith Center for the Performing Arts – This multi-use performing arts complex features three theaters in two buildings, and is part of the city’s Symphony Park.  Entertainment will range from Broadway touring performances to music groups to comedy. The performing arts center opens in March 2012, and tickets are already on sale for many of the upcoming events.
• McCarran Airport Terminal 3 – The terminal will have 14 gates, six of which will house the international gates, with a people mover to the D gates.  Scheduled to open in mid-2012.
• Neon Museum Visitor Center – Neon is synonymous with Las Vegas, and the museums and its collection is a neon trip down memory lane.  The new Visitors Center is the former La Concha Motel lobby, and is scheduled to open in mid-2012.  Both the Fremont Street Gallery and the Neon Signs project are open 24/7.

Hotels

Although there are no new hotel openings are planned, there are a few undergoing major renovations that will be substantially completed in 2012.  They include:

• Caesars Palace – Opens its 660 room, 23-story Octavius Tower.  It will have a focus on exclusivity and technology and may likely draw a younger guests to the property.
• MGM Grand – Rooms is the main tower (3,750 rooms, 642 suites) are going through a multi-million dollar renovation.  Some of the new rooms are already available for booking.
• Palms – Another multi-million dollar renovation.

As always, there’s plenty to do, see, and experience in Las Vegas.

Photo credit:  Neon signs from angel.ite via flickr; MGM exterior courtesy of MGM/Mirage

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One of my favorite ways to spend a day in Seattle is to pretend I’m a tourist, giving all the attractions and sights that I usually take for granted a new lease on life.  Rather than dismiss things as for tourists only, I plunge headfirst into the adventure, trying to see my city as others might see it.  I try to take a few days over the New Year’s holiday to do that – it’s a perfect post-holiday stress break and the city still has a bit of holiday glow about it.  This year, as is often, the Seattle Aquarium was high on my list of places to visit.

The aquarium opened in 1977, with a major expansion in 2007, and is the 7th largest aquarium in the U.S. (based on attendance).  In addition to its popularity with visitors, it is offers research and scientific programs, and is used for meeting and events.  The species collection is proudly shown off in six major exhibits, and here’s a little peek at what you’ll see.

Windows on Washington Waters

The first thing visitors see after walking into the aquarium is Window on Washington Waters, a behemoth of a tank (120,000 gallons of water) that is home to over 800 local fish and invertebrate species.  The seascape exhibit is viewed through a 20 x 40 window, giving visitors a close up look at life in Puget Sound, and its positioning on a bit of a slant at times makes you feel like you’re a part of the exhibit.  You’ll likely recognize salmon, eels, anemones, sea stars (remember when we called them starfish?), sea urchins, and coral, but there are plenty of other species to learn about.

To help in the educational process, divers are available thrice daily (10 and 11:30 am, and 12:15 pm), and by wearing special gear are able to talk to visitors and answer questions.  It’s fun to watch the divers do a feeding, and the swarming of fish for the food is always a crowd pleaser.  The area in front of Window on Washington Waters has benches for sitting and plenty of a standing area.  When a diver display is not going on, you can get right up close to the window.  This is one of my favorite areas of the aquarium, and I could sit watching the giant tank for hours.

Life on the Edge

This is always one of the busiest areas in the aquarium as you get a change to learns about some of the weird looking creates that can be found in the tide pools of Washington’s sea coast.  You reach into the water and touch these creatures – check out the prickliness of a sea urchin, feel the roughness of the always moving sea stars, brush a sea cucumber, and plenty more.  Naturalists are on hand to point out the various species and to answer questions, and have an amazing depth of knowledge.  They also monitor the area to make sure that the hands on experience doesn’t harm the eco-system.

It would be easy to dismiss this as merely a child’s play area, but that would be a mistake.  While there were scavenger hunt games to keep the kids focused, there were also plenty of adults being amazed by the sea life as well.

Pacific Coral Reef

While you might have to travel a little farther west to get warm water, this exhibit will give you a close up look at the color life of the coral reef.  The exhibit provide both a big picture look at coral reef life, as well as smaller tanks that show specific habitats a little closer up.  Some of the more well known species are big favorites – puffers, tangs, triggerfish, lion fish (thanks to Finding Nemo) – but there are plenty of lesser known species that are just as impressive.  The coral is just as impressive as the many fish that swim among it, so I hope you’ll take time to read some of the displays that explain the danger we pose to this fragile habitat.

Puget Sound Fish and Dome Room

I always enjoy looking at the fish that call Pacific Northwest waters home, and while they make not be as brightly colored as the tropical reef fish, they are just as fascinating.  Three habitats are on display:  eelgrass (where you can get a glimpse at creatively names species like spiny lumpsuckers, pricklebacks living in old bottles, pipefish, tubesnouts, and more); deep sandy bottoms, and rocky areas.  The transition area also featured a few birds that also call the shores home.

The Dome Room is a great spot to sit and rest for a spell while getting a 360-degree look at life in Puget Sound waters.  The immense tank (400,000 gallons) is filled with local species of fish.  Grab a bench seat and watch the salmon, ling cod, rockfish, sturgeon, skates, and sharks going about their day-to-day life.  You can get nose-to-nose with the window, an activity sure to get a laugh from the kids.  Divers enter the tank to feed the fish (daily at 1:3 pm), along with pointing out the numerous species in the tank and answering audience questions.  The daily feeding is a popular event, so get there early if you want a seat.

Puget Sounds Orcas Family Activity Center

The Pacific Northwest is home to a group of orcas, also called killer whales, named the Southern Resident Community which total about 90, and in the  Seattle area we’ll see orca members of the J, K, and L pods.  This educational and activity center tries to creatively teach visitors about these magnificent, beautiful, and endangered creatures through videos, displays, and interactive activities.  Try the orca listening station – you may hear the orcas calling to one another as picked up by underwater microphones located along the Washington coast.  Learn how critical clean water and salmon are to healthy orca life.  Discover opportunities to help save our water, fish, and orca community through volunteer community projects.

The center has orca trading cards available as a giveaway that will introduce you to the members of our orca community, all of which have been named.  You can buy more trading cards, individually or as a full set, in the gift shop.  Our sales clerk on our visit pointed out that the full set was actually missing one card – a recent birth in the J pod.  It will be exciting to watch for when the baby is identified, photographed, and named.

Marine Mammals

Call me predictable, but seriously – this is my favorite part of the aquarium.  This is home to sea otters, river otters, harbor seals, and fur seals, and after spending time in the exhibit, I know the difference between them.  Watch these playful creatures from above, below, or right along side, as they glide, splash, play, or laze away the afternoon.  I am enamored by they eat and groom themselves, how they play and interact with others – seriously, I stand here for hours exclaiming how cute they are!  Twice daily feedings are at 11:30 am and 2 pm, and that definitely ups the oooh and aaah factor.  Note:  One of the seal exhibits was closed, under repair, so a few less seals were on display.

The aquarium is involved with extensive research work involving sea otters, and is the first facility in the world to have a sea otter bred and born in captivity AND live into adulthood.  It was also the first to have a northern fur seal bred and born in captivity.  These research efforts are critical to protecting these frisky pals in their natural habitat.

Location:  1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59, Seattle.  If you’re staying downtown, don’t drive the the aquarium – instead, walk down the Pike Street Hillclimb from the Pike Place Market and it will take you directly to the waterfront.

Hours:  9:30 am-5 pm daily (exhibits close at 6 pm).  Special hours on holidays.

Admission:  $19.95 adults; $13.95 youth (ages 4-12); FREE for children (3 and under).  The Seattle Aquarium is an attraction on CityPass.  I recommend checking with your hotel concierge for any discount coupons they might have.  We were able to get a coupon for 2 for 1 admission, resulting is a big savings for our group of 5.

Parking:  Waterfront parking is notoriously challenging, and when available is quite expensive.  Numerous Metro bus routes will get you down to the waterfront, or consider parking elsewhere and taking the Hillclimb.

Photo credit:  All from the author’s collection; available on flickr

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Butler Library at Columbia University

The Ivies.  What started out as eight private colleges and universities forming an athletic conference, is now a term used to represent eight of the most elite, prestigious, and expensive schools in the world.  With the exception of one, all of the schools were founded during the Colonial era.  The eight Ivy League schools are:

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Yale University

With college visits right around the corner for many families, let’s take a look at what you can expect in a visit to the ivy league schools – besides the expected academics.

Brown – Providence, Rhode Island.  A small university in a small town-feel city, Brown offers guided and self-guided tours of its campus.  Downtown Providence is full of architecture dating back to the 19th century, along with warehouses mills that have been restored as part of the cityscape.  The surrounding Providence area is hip and vibrant, boasting an impressive food scene and art community, and several ethnic neighborhoods.  Providence, also called P-Town, has a large, active LGBT community.

Columbia – New York City.  Located smack dab in the action of Manhattan, Columbia has guided tours available on weekdays along with self-guided walking tours that give visitors a look at its Morningside Heights neighborhood.  With the whole city at its doorstep, students and visitors to Columbia would be hard pressed not to find something to enjoy.

Cornell – Ithaca, New York.  Upstate, in the Finger Lakes region of New York, the Cornell campus has beautiful gardens, arboretums, and trails that wend their way through the buildings.  Two notable museums are at hand, the Museum of the Earth with its impressive fossil specimens and the art collection at the Johnson Museum.  For students and visitors over the age of 21, there are nearby wine trails.  Cornell is the only one of the Ivy League schools that was founded after the colonial era, making it the baby of the bunch.

Dartmouth – Hanover, New Hampshire.  The smallest of the ivies (by enrollment), Dartmouth is located in the beautiful Lake Sunapee region.  The Hood Museum of Art and the Hopkins Center for the Arts are located on campus and help to provide some of the culture to the campus and community.

Harvard Yard in the snow

Harvard – Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Perhaps the most well known of the ivies, Harvard is also the oldest.  Stroll the Harvard Yard, the oldest part of the campus and also its heart and soul, or check out one of the eight museums.  Nearby are many historical sites and Boston is just a stone’s throw away.

Princeton – Princeton, New Jersey.  If there’s one thing Princeton is known for, it’s tradition.  From the sanctioned, like the arch sings or the acapella concerts, to the non-sanctioned, like the stealing of the bell clapper from Nassau Hall, it’s a part of the student experience.  The impressive Princeton University Art Museum is on campus, and the nearby city lends an urban vibe.

University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia.  UPenn was founded by Benjamin Franklin, and it is known for its commitment to public service and to research.  Impressive libraries and museums are on campus, and Philadelphia has impressive venues for music and art as well.

Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut.  Yale boasts former US Presidents and Hollywood celebrities among its notable almuni, but the campus is also known for its nature preserve and campus golf course.  The Peabody Museum of Natural History is also on campus, and the Knights of Columbus Museum is in nearby New Haven.

Have you visited any of the ivy league campuses?  Do you have a favorite?

Photo credits: Andrew Chen (library); chensiyuan (Harvard Square)

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While Florida has become particularly well known for its theme parks, there is so much more to this diverse, vibrant and beautiful region than roller coasters and dancing seals. Boasting a year round tropical to sub-tropical climate, Florida is the warmest state in the U.S. and an extremely popular destination for tourists the world over. After all, they don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing!

Check out our list of Florida’s best beaches and look online for a great deal on Florida holidays.

Daytona Beach

Situated on the east coast, Daytona Beach is home to a 23 mile stretch of soft white sands lapped by the turquoise waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a family friendly resort, however during Spring Break hundreds of American university students descend on Daytona Beach to take a break from their studies and to party by the beach. Throughout the rest of the year, visitors can enjoy a more relaxed pace and the bars and restaurants along the seafront are far less crowded.

Fort Lauderdale Beach

While Daytona may be the “in” place to be among Spring Breakers, this title once belonged to Fort Lauderdale. Now that the students have migrated north, Fort Lauderdale has blossomed into a stylish and sophisticated city with a gorgeous shoreline. Fringed by swaying palm trees and hemmed by waters perfect for surfing, Fort Lauderdale Beach offers visitors an ideal spot to relax, unwind and soak up the laid back lifestyle.

Jacksonville Beach

Tucked into the corner of Florida’s northeast, Jacksonville Beach has evolved into a bustling beachside community with a fantastic cultural scene. Along the twenty mile stretch of shimmering sands you’ll find great opportunities for a selection of watersports, including surfing, windsurfing and waterskiing. The seafront is also home to a 1000 foot long pier; perfect for a spot of fishing or people watching.

Fort De Soto Beach

Over on Florida’s west coast lies Fort De Soto, a beautiful island in Pinellas County and home to arguably America’s best beach. The park plays host to a range of recreational activities including swimming, biking, hiking and kayaking, but if your idea of a good time involves copious amounts of relaxation, you’ll be pleased to hear that there the entire islands is lined by pristine sands, so you’re never too far from beach bliss.

Photo credit:  From the personal collection of Mary Jo Manzanares

Author:  Ian Williams is a travel writer who left the corporate grind and set off to see the world.  As a solo traveler. Ian now enjoys sharing his travel experiences, writing about independent, free spirited travel.

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Orlando is a city of theme parks, tourists, and is frequently plastic and sterile. One year it was named the angriest city in America – I guess that fake smile starts to grate after awhile.  When you’re ready to take a break from the theme parks and angry mobs, chances are you’ll be looking for a restaurant that is nearby everything, has good food that’s fairly priced, and has an enjoyable atmosphere.  And if you’re traveling with the family, you want something that’s kid friendly but offers up more than hot dogs and fries.

In Orlando, one of the restaurants that may just fit this description is Tu Tu Tango, a concept chain restaurant with locations in several states and in Canada.  The restaurants are all themed around Spain’s bohemian artist culture – it’s like being in an artist’s loft.  If that were all there was to it, it would be one more blasé chain restaurant.  But, each Tu Tu Tango restaurant features local area artists who have a small studio area set up within the restaurant.  With completed artwork hanging on the walls (it’s all for sale), and works in progress on easels, you actually feel like your gathering in someone’s studio for food, drink, and conversation. Upbeat music plays throughout the restaurant, and you will occasionally see a musician wandering among the tables or getting set up to play in the corner. It’s the uniqueness of the artists and the musicians that help move the restaurant from a predictable chain to a charming local watering hole.

The Orlando Tu Tu Tango opened in 1990. The menu, as at all the other locations, focuses on appetizer size share plates, with food and flavors from around the world. Prices range from $3 to $12.50, and are priced and sized reasonably enough for you try a variety without exceeding your food budget. After a few visits to Tu Tu Tango, I’ve developed a few reliable favorite combinations, although I still have a list of items I’ve yet to try. Here are a couple of menu combinations that I think work particularly well for sharing.

• Light & healthy:  Start off sharing Roasted Pears on Pecan Crisps ($7, these are delicious and work well as dessert, too), have a bowl of black bean soup ($3) each, and share a Spinach Salad ($9). Total for two people: $22, not including beverages, tax and tip.
• Meat Loving:  Share a Duck Confit Salad ($9), then add Oriental Marinated Steak Skewers $9), and some Cajun Chicken Egg Rolls ($10, and consistently the most popular menu choice). Total dinner price: $28.
• Ethnic Variety:  Share some Tango Hummus ($4), a couple of orders of Sopa de Leon ($4), and share a smoked chicken Quesadilla ($7), then add some spiced Alligator Bites ($8).  Total dinner price $19.

A child’s menu is also available and features more traditional “kid food.”  A full bar is available, although I’d recommend trying the Tango Sangria or one of the specialty margaritas or mojitos.  And if it’s hot weather outside, you can’t go wrong with an ice cold beer.  Stop in for Tu Tu Tuesday specials, every Tuesday 9 pm-1 am.  The bar features live music, drink and food specials, including $3 mojitos, margaritas, martinis, and draft beer.

As you’re enjoying your time at Tu Tu Tango, look around at the art on the wall.  The restaurant is proud of its “Starving Artist Program” which offers artists a place to paint, draw or sculpt in exchange for food. The art on the wall is sold, with all proceeds going to the artist, a true “will work for food” arrangement.

Location:  8625 International Drive, Orlando, Florida.

Hours:  11:30 am-11 pm, Sunday-Thursday, open till 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.  Reservations not required, but are available through Open Table.

Dress:  Casual

Photo credit:  Author’s personal collection

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What happens when an airline combines two of my favorite things – wine and travel?  Why, save money, of course!

Alaska Airlines and Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance are offering a promotion to encourage wine lovers to visit Walla Walla wineries with a Taste and Tote promotion.  Here’s how it works:

Alaska Airline passengers traveling to Walla Walla for wine tasting get a waiver from tasting fees at the many wineries in the region.  With tasting fees ranging anywhere from a couple of bucks up to around $10, these little bits of savings can add up quite quickly.  So you head to Walla Walla, do lots of great tasting, and find a number of bottles that you LOVE.  But there’s that pesky 3-1-1 liquid rule!  The promotion continues to provide you with savings as the airline will allow you to check one free box of wine (up to a case – 12 bottles) and waive the baggage handling fee.

That means that case of wine that you want just got a whole lot cheaper since you don’t have to pay that baggage fee.  And since there’s some seriously great wine coming out of the Walla Walla area, you know you’re going to want to bring home as much as you can.  Just let the winery know you’ll be checking the wine on the flight and they’ll help make sure it’s packaged for travel.

There are two daily nonstop flights between Seattle and Walla Walla Regional Airport served by Horizon Air.

If Walla Walla isn’t in your plans, but Northern California is (Sonoma or Napa perhaps), that same baggage fee waiver for up to a case of wine is honored on flights departing from Santa Rosa as well.

And, just in case you’re wondering — wine makes a great gift!

Photo credit:  Personal collection of author

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I’m really getting into the holidays spirit.  The tree is up and decorated, I’ve baked and eaten a few holiday cookies, and I found myself humming “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” the other day.  I had a day in the city last week and a couple more scheduled for this week, and seeing the city come alive with decorations and a festive spirit just fills my heart.

There are plenty of free, or nearly free, way to enjoy the holidays in Seattle.  If you’re looking for a bit more of a holiday splurge (and well worth every penny), the Four Seasons Seattle has some decadent holiday options.

Season of Wishes

A holiday brunch kicks off the season in a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation is sure to leave you with a joy-filled heart.  The event includes a plated breakfast, a commemorative photo with Santa, and the opportunity to create some holiday-themed crafts to take home.  You’ll also get a look at some art created by local area wish children as they interpret their wish experience.  If you find something that moves you, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase their artwork.

• Date:  Sunday, December 4, 2011; 9-11 am
• Tickets:  Reservation required and available by phone or email.  $50 adults; $25 children.

A Chocolate Holiday Buffet

This gets my vote for one of the more decadent events of the season with a great combination of chocolate (!) and Larry.  Don’t know who Larry is?  He’s the dog from the “Larry Gets Lost” book series by author and illustrator John Skewes.  The kids can enjoy a book-reading session of “Larry Gets Lost in Seattle” while chocolate lovers face temptation with the chocolate buffet bar filled with creations like triple chocolate mousse cake, chocolate croquembouche double chocolate cheesecake, chocolate tiramisu and cocoa dusted cotton candy, white chocolate milkshakes, Larry’s M&M brownie bars, and more.  I’m crushed that my schedule has be flying these dates so am going to try to assuage my depression over it with a little stop off at Fran’s for some bespoke chocolates.

• Dates:  December 4, 11, 18, 2011;  3-5 pm
• Tickets:  $20 adults; $12 kids ages 6-12

New Year’s Eve Bash

If you’re looking for a classic night out on the town, with a modern twist, enjoy ART Lounge on New Year’s Eve with a DJ spinning dance music with videos projected on screens around the lounge.  It’s sure to be a festive atmosphere, with good food, drinks, and dancing, as party goers countdown the last minutes of 2011.

• Date:  December 31, 2011, 9 pm-2 am
• Price:  Complementary for hotel guests and those dining at ART restaurant; $30 for non-hotel or non-restaurant guests.

New Year’s Eve Late Snack cART

An upscale take on a traditional food cart, this late-night snack venue will feature some of ART Restaurant’s favorite bar snacks and appetizers:  beef and veggie mini burgers, BBQ pulled pork or seafood tacos and Uli’s pork banger on a bun, with an array of condiments and toppings, soft drinks and sodas.  After a little liquid cheer, no matter where you’re partying, pop into the hotel restaurant and grab a bite.  If you’re out watching the fireworks off the Space Needle, you can stop by for something warm to get your through.  The cart will stay open into the wee hours, so remember that a little food before bed came help keep the next day’s hangover at bay.  I’ll be out watching the fireworks off the Space Needle, and stopping by for a little food cart warm-me-up sounds like a good idea.

• Date: December 31, 2011; 9 pm-3 am
• Food prices:  All snacks priced at $5

Eggs Galore

Start off 2012 with an all-Eggs Benedict brunch menu that includes creative options like classic Eggs Benedict, lobster, southwestern, and the very popular southern style with Uli’s Sausage, biscuits and gravy all complemented with a wide variety of “morning after” beverages.

• Date:  January 1, 2012, 8 am- 2 pm
• Prices:  $24 for the buffet; menu items range $19-$22

If you’re holiday celebrations including little ones, you’ll appreciate that children ages 5 and under dine free in ART restaurant when accompanied by an adult.  And the complimentary valet parking on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve means a little savings that can come in handy this time of year.

Of course, you could just enjoy one of my favorite treats at the Four Seasons Seattle – head out to the pool deck and enjoy a beverage, some quiet conversation, and a beautiful Seattle sunset around the fire pit (in photo above).

Location:  Four Seasons Seattle and ART Restaurant are located at 99 Union Street, Seattle

Photo credit:  From the author’s personal collection

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Sacramento is the capital city of California and home to its Capitol Building, a classical revival style patterned after the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.  The Capitol Building and its grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the center of the building is the rotunda, which divides the State Senate and Assembly into north and south wings.  The rotunda is 128 feet tall, from the basement of the building to the height of its inner dome.  The Rotunda serves as a ceremonial space, but also as the starting point for most visitors to the Capitol.

In this area you can sign up for a tour, enjoy a look at some of the decorative murals and interior décor, or look up at the beautifully detailed ceiling.

At the center of the rotund is Columbus’ Last Appeal to Queen Isabella, a massive statue carved out of Carrara marble.  Slightly larger than life, the statue was placed there in 1883.  While seeing it eye-to-eye is impressive, it’s worth the time to go to the second floor and see it from that angle as well.

The legislative bodies of the state of California are the State Assembly and the State Senate, both of which were patterned after British legislative bodies. The upper house, or State Senate, meets in a large red chamber, as does the British House of Lords. The chamber features Corinthian columns, high arched windows, and dark red curtains. Even the desks and seating area are red.

The lower house, or State Assembly, is  located at the opposite end of the building and is nearly identical in its style and decor – except that its chamber is green, patterned after the British House of Commons

Also housed in the State House is the Governor’s office, guarded by both a bear and a state trooper.

A walk through the Capitol Building is a lesson in state history, architecture, art, and politics.  Often contentious, usually serious, and sometimes whimsical, a stop off for a guided or self-guided tour is well worth an hour or so of your time.

The Capitol Building is located at 10th & L Street in Sacramento.  It’s open 8 am-5 pm weekdays, and 9 am-5 pm on weekends.  Admission is free.  Public tours are conducted daily (also free), on the hour, from 10 am-4 pm.  You can check on tours and sign up in the rotunda area.  Group tours (10 or more) are by reservations only.

Photo credits:  All from the personal collection of Mary Jo Manzanares

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