Archive for January 5, 2009
La Jolla’s Coastal Jewel, Hilton Torrey Pines
January 5, 2009, 8:41 pmLa Jolla’s Coastal Jewel, Hilton Torrey Pines
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La Jolla Torrey Pines Hilton Hotel in Southern California is the ultimate place to experience perfection. It is San Diego’s premier destination for hospitality, dining, recreation, meetings and banquet facilities. I know, because my weekend stay at this magnificent property was absolutely, positively perfect.
The hotel is perched atop Southern California’s spectacular coastline, overlooking the legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course. As we turned off the freeway and entered the only pine-covered hillock for miles along the coast, my husband and I were filled with an anticipatory excitement. We would be vacationing at the same playground that will host the U.S. Open in 2008 and recently hosted the Buick Open last February 14, 2004.
The valet quickly helped us with our bags and golf clubs. I gazed at the large portico entrance that was decorated by a multitude of flowering Impatience plants. The hanging baskets cascaded abundantly with the bright colors of fucia and red. It was an auspicious beginning. The afternoon sun warmed the tiny flowers, and a welcoming fragrance greeted our arrival. I had a feeling we were about to experience the perfection in hospitality that is savored by the crme de la crme.
As we walked into the large and elegant lobby we stopped and gazed through a massive picture window that revealed below us a beautiful hotel pool with the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop. It was perfectly placed. The sun was just beginning to set and a golden misted light poured invitingly through the lobby window. My husband grabbed my hand and squeezed it with excitement. We paused and took in the pleasure of this magnificent sight before us. Charged with excitement and anticipation, we quickly registered for our room. We couldn’t wait to explore the landscape and the legacy of this Four Diamond Hilton Resort. What other pleasurable displays of perfection awaited us?
It didn’t take us long to find our next discovery of perfection. It was our elegant suite overlooking the 18th hole of Torrey Pines Golf Course. A beautiful basket of wine, fruit and cheeses awaited us. We poured ourselves a glass of red wine and relaxed on one of the two suite patios. We raised our glasses and toasted the golden moments of the spectacular sunset that glistened before us. It was picture perfect!
This moment perfected the true meaning of ultimate hospitality. Our room was beautifully appointed with shuttered doors that separated the bedroom from the living area. We had two 27-inch TVs with on-demand movies, video games, and complimentary CNN, ESPN and HBO. We had access to high speed Internet, two dual-line speaker phones with voice mail, data ports and conference capabilities. There was a large work desk that I was very grateful I didn’t need to use. But I was thankful that I could luxuriate in the plush bathrobes that made me feel perfectly cozy and relaxed.
The amenities in our room were more than perfect. But it was the bed that won the awards for making our sleep a perfect heaven, with state-of-the-art Suite Dream Mattress and box springs with the super-topper mattress pad, central weigh down comforter, touch-of-down pillows, and a comfortable bolster pillow. We had two perfect nights of sleep because of Hilton’s new concept in travel, assisting all their guests with the assurance and desire for a healthy lifestyle. A perfect night’s sleep is perfectly priceless, especially when the next few days of our vacation were spent golfing, hiking Torrey Pines State Reserve, or exploring the resort community of La Jolla.
Did I mention that La Jolla has some of the best shopping, restaurants and museums? Energized with our great night’s sleep, we enjoyed the glorious majestic coastline of sandstone cliffs, searching for sea shells on the beach, and even hiking trails rewarding us with perfect scenery and exercise.
But it was our dining experience at the Hilton’s Torreyana Grille and Lounge that rivaled the meaning of the word perfection.
We started out with the Dungeness Crab Cakes served over Baby Maché with Tamarind Chili Sauce and Mango Puree. This savory delight was followed by their Local Baby Spinach and Arugula Salad with California Blue Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Sundried Strawberries, Red Onions and Toasted Pine Nuts. But it was our entrées that were prepared to perfection. I enjoyed the succulent Pan Seared Veal Loin Medallions with Dijon mustard and Vermouth Sauce. My husband, Steve, feasted upon the Colorado Rack of Lamb, Pan Roasted Double Chops, crusted with honey mustard and fresh herbs with Merlot au jus.
Our meal was made more perfect because the “Chef de Cuisine”, Joe Saldana, came to our table and extended his generous hospitality to us. He exuded great love for his profession, his restaurant, and his guests. The very art of providing fine cuisine and making something delicious is one of the greatest civilized acts of love. Chef Joe Saldana has mastered this art to perfection.
Besides offering a the most perfect gourmet dining experience, the Torreyana Grille hosted a “Mixed Media” exhibition, curated by StudioGallery. The exhibition offered the Hilton’s guests, art collectors, and art lovers a wide variety of works that featured local, national, and international, young, and emerging, as well as established artists. One of my favorites was Amy Lindquist who featured her art as mixed media on canvas.
Amy is quoted as saying, “Life is happening at a rapid pace, yet calmness and belonging is always found. I will never stop believing in the goodness of life, the truth. There is always hope and a knowing of grace and things to come. To look beyond and see, to look beyond and feel, to look beyond and know we are never alone. It is the simplicity of quiet that brings introspection and integrity of mind. I see things differently because of what I remember in moments, in shadows, in colors or maybe gestures. I see beyond the surface and into the depth. Painting captures my spirit in the doing, in that I find freedom, in the sharing I find acceptance.” Amy Lindquist’s paintings were yet another demonstration of the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines perfecting the art of hospitality.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the grand and spacious new banquet facility that the general manager, Stephen Gold, oversaw to completion in 2003. The architecture blends its perfect harmony with the undulating curves and pristine views of the Torrey Pines property. The banquet rooms take your breath away with their beautiful décor and inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and golf course.
The hotel also provides 26,000 sq. ft. of function space in 21 rooms to accommodate up to 1,500 people and over 17,000 square feet of flexible outdoor function space. But it is without a doubt that Mr. Gold’s 6,203-square-foot Fairway Pavilion Ballroom overlooking the 18th fairway of Torrey Pines Golf Course is unsurpassed in banquet and meeting facilities.
To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/hilton/lajolla/lajolla.html
Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
About the Author
Janice Wilson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
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(posted in the Hall Of Travel category)
Do I Need A Car In Florida ?
January 5, 2009, 2:28 pmAnd that answer is both “yes” and “no”…. maybe !
Undoubtedly, not everyone wants to drive on vacation, and for those that fall into this category, there are of course taxi cabs available, as well as limited bus services to get you around. However, although it can be done, the bus / taxi combo is not in any way the most cost effective or convenient way to travel.
Of course, if you are just visiting Florida to soak up the sunshine from the pool deck of your rented luxury villa, then you may be content to forgo the car and just utilise taxi cabs for the odd time that you do venture away from your vacation home. However, there is such a vast world of excitement out there, that to do so would surely be selling yourself short.
And whilst Disney does provide free park to park transport once you are on Disney property, getting there initially can be a time consuming and often expensive experience.
So, to my mind, if you want the convenience of being able to go where you want, when you want, there is no better way to achieve this than by renting a car for the duration of your vacation. Amazingly, with the incredible all inclusive and fully insured rates that a select few on line car hire companies provide, I feel sure that you will be pleasantly surprised how economical it is to have the freedom and luxury that you really deserve.
However, a word of warning is advisable at this point, as not all car rental deals are as clear cut as they first appear. Many travel agents or charter airline companies, will offer you a “free” rental car as an incentive to get you to book with them. In reality, these “fly drive” deals as they are commonly known, can often work out many times more expensive than if you had booked the car hire and flights separately, as they often involve many hidden extras and required insurances to be paid when you pick up your car at your arrival airport.
Of course by that stage, you are thousands of miles away from home, and literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. As a result, you have no option but to pay the hefty extra fees, and very quickly, the “free” car rental doesn’t seem such a good deal anymore.
I would therefore always advise that you do a little research and check on line which car rental companies offer a guarantee of fully inclusive, fully insured prices, and also allow you the opportunity to select the size and class of vehicle that is best suited to your travelling party. You will be amazed at how much money you can save by cutting out the middle man and making a simple on line reservation.
So, in conclusion, I would reiterate that whilst it is possible to “do” Florida without a car, the benefits of renting one far outweigh the other options available. After all, for most folks, a trip to Florida is a long anticipated vacation of a lifetime, and once you discover how much there is to experience and enjoy, you’ll be glad that you took my advice.
Chris Neilson is a professional writer and private Villa Owner who has an extensive knowledge of the Florida Travel Industry. He is also the senior copywriter for the well known Florida Car Hire web site US Car Hire – www.uscarhire.co.uk
© Copyright Chris Neilson 2005 All Rights Reserved
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(posted in the Hall Of Travel category)
Italy – I Truly Always Love You
January 5, 2009, 4:25 amItaly or Repubblica Italiana or Italia is a country in Southern Europe. Italy is nicknamed as “Boot” because of its boot like geographical shape. Italy is a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia.
The independent countries of San Marino and the Vatican City are located within the Italian territory. Italy shares its northern alpine boundary with France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
Italian is the official language, and the Eternal City-Rome is the capital and the largest city of Italy.
Italy is one of the top tourist spots in the world. Tourism is one of the corner stones of Italian economy. The tourism trade is also flourishing in Northern Italy on the Italian Riviera, in the Alps (including the Dolomites), on the shores of its beautiful lakes (Lago Maggiore, Lake Como, and Lake Garda), and in Venice. Gran Paradiso that rises in Valle d’Aosta, is the highest peak wholly situated within Italy.
The country has exquisite scenic beautythe majestic Alps in the north, the soft and undulating hills of Umbria and Tuscany, and the romantically rugged landscape of the S Apennines. The Bay of Naples, dominated by Mt. Vesuvius, is one of the world’s most famous sights.
Monument to king Vittorio Emanuele II, Rome, Villa Badoer by Andrea Palladio, Trulli houses in Alberobello, Boboli Gardens, Florence, Ponte Fabricio, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Rifugio Laghi Gemelli are the main attractions of Italy.
The italy vacation, golf vacation italy and italy vacation packages are hotly pursued all over the globe. The hotels in italy are one of the known ones in the world. The majority of hotels are located at the best places in Italy.
If you are planning for italy vacation, italyhotelbookings.info can help you find best hotels in italy. The website offers tons of info italy hotel, rome italy hotel, florence italy hotel, venice italy hotel and italy hotel reservation. It also carries info on vacation rental italy and vacation home italy.
About Author: The author is the owner of website Italy Hotel Bookings, a comprehensive guide on hotels in italy, offering tons of info and tips to take italy hotel, rome italy hotel, florence italy hotel, venice italy hotel etc. You can get useful information about italy hotels from his site.
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(posted in the Hall Of Travel category)
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