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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Disney Specialist-Travel Niche

Though I have been a Disney Specialist officially for over 18 years, I grew up loving Disney.  I have completed the College of Disney Knowledge and past all corresponding tests. I have traveled to Walt Disney World 6 times, Disneyland Paris once and Disneyland Calif over 20 times. As you can see from some of these pictures, my kids and husband have the same love of Disney.

Disney provides travel agents with wonderful online support at our own website as well as by phone and informative emails. It makes the bookings I do so much easier with their continued support and our combined knowledge.  If you are considering a trip to any of the Disney Parks, please feel free to contact me by either email or phone and I will be happy to discuss your vacation plans in depth.

Until next time...Bon Voyage!
Joyce
jjtravelservice@hot.rr.com
Disney Specialist

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Hotel Del Coronado-San Diego CA Dining with a View


One of our favorite cities to visit is San Diego, Ca.  It is truly a gem in California and has such a wonderful diversity of things to see and do while you are there.  The one place that needs to top every couple's list is a visit to Coronado Island and the Hotel Del Coronado.  Many of the locals and a lot of the tourists know it as the Hotel Del.  It is on the National Historic Landmark list and has hosted many famous people as well as a ghost that is said to be in residence. It was built over 120 years ago. There is a long promenade of wonderful shops and well as several restaurants.  The Crown Room hosts a magnificent Sunday brunch that continuously gets accolades as "San Diego's Best".  Reservations are needed ahead of time. Babcocks and Story has the high def TVs going for all the sports fans to marvel and have a drink while watching your favorite sport. Eno is Hotel Del's wine and cheese bar.  It has over 50 types of cheeses from around the world along with famous chocolates and truffles. The wines they have are a vast array of over 500 different types from around the world.  Last but not least, our personal favorite restaurant is the Sheerwater because of its beach front location. Not only is the food wonderful with its fresh seafood and bistro menu, it is a fabulous place to people watch and if you get there near sunset, it will provide you with the most breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific. If you want to walk off the wonderful food, stroll hand in hand down the boardwalk or beach.  It is a memory you will not soon forget.
The Hotel Del is definitely a place that you will not only want to linger at for its wonderful amenities and rooms but also for it's rich culture, ambiance and style.  Just don't forget to get there early for a great table and that something special sunset.

Till next time...bon voyage!
                                                      Joyce




 


Monday, February 14, 2011

Sunset & Romance at the Moana Surfrider's Beach House Restaurant Veranda

Front of the Moana Surfrider
Jim & Joyce at Sunset on Waikiki
In honor of the most romantic day of the year, Valentine's Day it is a perfect time to write about The Moana Surfrider on Waikiki. The restaurant, The Beach House is located on the veranda that overlooks Waikiki.  The sunsets are the most amazing in the world. While the veranda overlooks the ocean, it also overlooks a giant Banyan tree in their courtyard.
 The food served there is steak and seafood and extremely tasty. Prices range from $38 to $82 for steaks and $18-$24 for seafood.  Reservations are suggested but not required and the dress is resort casual.  For a different experience they have Afternoon Tea with a wonderful range of island teas, sandwiches and sweets. They also have flavors of island teas that you can purchase to enjoy at home.
So for one of the most beautiful spots to enjoy a magnificent dinner and romantic sunset the Moana Surfrider is not to be missed on your next trip to Honolulu, Hawaii. 


The Banyan tree at the Courtyard

Sunset from the veranda at the Beach House Restaurant
Afternoon Tea on the veranda

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa Review, Lost Pines, TX Hotel Review

Pool
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
 Lost Pines Resort & Spa, between Austin and Bastrop, is wonderful 4 Diamond, 405 acre resort for both couples or families to stay.  It is secluded off Hwy 71 and you have to drive a winding 2 lane road for several miles before you even get to the resort.  Along the way you pass hiking & biking trails as well as nature walks. When you arrive in the grand lobby with several stone fire places and beautiful hardwood floors and ceilings, you will be amazed at the view from the windows.  You have the Colorado River on one side and the rolling hills of the hill country around Austin on the other. You will find a multitude of activities here from relaxing by the pool to riding the tubes through the Lazy River. You can pamper yourself in the Teen spa as well as the adult spa after a long day of horseback riding or nature trail hiking.  If Golf is your game, you can play the Wolfdancer 18 holes at Lost Pines Resort.
Lobby
Fire Pit
The evenings bring other activities such as sitting around the huge fire pits or dining in one of the many restaurants on the property.  The food, depending on your taste, ranges from seafood to bbq and everywhere in between.  There is family dining at the Firewheel Cafe and Old Buck's Poolside Grill.  If Mom and Dad find themselves alone for the evening, Stories Fine Dining is beautiful as it is elegant.  Afterwards the adults can stop in Shellers Barrelhouse Bar & Grill for after dinner drinks and some wonderful bands or just some good old fashion Texas music and relax the evening away.
No matter what your goal is on your get away to Lost Pines Resort & Spa, you will accomplish most of them during your time spent here.  The staff is friendly and welcoming and extremely helpful.  Take some time and go see them down there, it is an experience your party wont soon forget.

 **Rates start at $203 depending on time of year and discount**

Joyce Sisler
J & J Travel Service LLC
Email: jjtravelservice@hot.rr.com

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Dining While Cruising




 If you are like most people the one thing you want to make sure of is how the food will taste when you are traveling.  We all get tired of the eating out while traveling.  Meals seem to be the same old thing after awhile.  The one thing that you will not find that is the "same old same old" on board any of the cruise lines.  It really is true, if you go hungry it is your own fault.  Everyone has their favorite cruise line as well as their favorite place to eat on board.  You may love the midnight buffets or the 24 hour pizzerias.  You may want to watch that cute figure so it is the wonderful salad and fruit bar you desire.  Some may love the fine dining in the beautiful dining rooms and some may not want to even worry about leaving the cabin so room service is just right for you.  Whatever your heart desires can be obtained on today's cruise ships.  The food is exceptional and they love to make a splash with the presentation.  Jim and I sailed on the beautiful Carnival Conquest several years ago out of Galveston and on that particular cruise he and I chose to have dinner in the reservation recommended restaurant called STEAKHOUSE.  It is a $30 per person surcharge and a 4 course meal.  It was very elegant and very romantic.  The food was cooked to perfection and the dessert the Grand Marnier Souffle' was to die for fantastic.  If you would like to have have an intimate dining experience aboard many of the ships today that have the Reservation Recommended restaurants be sure to head there as soon as you get on board to choose your night and time while there is still availability. Your better half will thank you for it in the long run and you both will enjoy being waited on hand and foot with a wait staff that is both friendly and discreet.
No matter where you go around the world and what cruise line you choose, the food is one of the best experiences of the cruise.
Till next time..Bon Voyage!
Joyce
J J Travel Service LLC