Pavilion Hotel and Descanso Beach Club Anticipated for May 14th Opening, Avalon Grille on May 24th AVALON, Catalina Island, Calif. (May 12, 2010) - Santa Catalina Island is being reinvented this May with the opening of the new Pavilion Hotel and the completely transformed Descanso Beach Club on May 14 and the opening of Avalon Grille, the new waterfront restaurant, on May 24. The Pavilion Hotel, formerly the Pavilion Lodge, will re-open … [Read more...]
Mutiny to Tahiti and French Polynesia
Since the age of explorers Wallis, Bougainville, and Cook, legendary Tahiti has tickled imaginations worldwide. More recently, Tahiti became the most famous Polynesian island of all when Clark Gable (1935), Marlon Brando (1962), and Mel Gibson (1984) played the role of Fletcher Christian in three blockbuster Mutiny on the Bounty films. Even the horrendous French nuclear testing program from 1966-1996 did little to dampen this image. For the … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Newport Beach
Newport Beach is located about 45 minutes to 1 hour south of Los Angeles. From downtown you would take the 110 South to the 405 South, to the 73 South, to the 55 West which runs right into PCH, Highway 1 in the middle of Newport Beach. Attractions here include shopping, especially at Fashion Island (an open air shopping complex) and touring the fancy homes on Balboa (a small lengthy peninsula just off the coast). During the holidays some of … [Read more...]
Los Angeles, CA – Annual Events
The following are annual events held in greater Los Angeles. If you know of an *annual* event not listed below please email dave to have it added. Additional daily events are listed here: www.laweekly.com/calendar LA Event Calendar January - Rose Parade (Pasadena) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) - LA Times Travel Show (Los Angeles) February - Academy Awards (Hollywood) - Golden Dragon Parade (Los Angeles) March - … [Read more...]
Return to Ouvea
"Ouvea is everything you'd expect in a South Pacific island. Twenty kilometers of unbroken white sands border the lagoon on the west side of the island and extend far out from shore to give the water a turquoise hue. The wide western lagoon, protected by a string of coral islands and a barrier reef, is the only one of its kind in the Loyalties. On the ocean side are rocky cliffs, pounded by surf, but fine beaches may be found even here. At one … [Read more...]
Palma
Summer time brings a Philippe Starck-designed hotel bringing Palma's Old Town back into the limelight. The capital of the Spanish island of Majorca it now overshadows the beach resorts. Palma ranks among most sought-after European weekend destinations partly due to the affordable renaissance flights from Europe. Palma's resurgence is credited to the revival of the historic center with cobbled streets, stone palaces, quaint plazas and Gothic … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru
Arequipa is often referred to as the white city due to the white washed look of its buildings (made from sillar, the Spanish name for the volcanic white rock mined from local quarries). The city is located at about 8,300 feet in southern Peru and is surrounded by tall mountains and the prominent volcano, El Misti. However, it is only a couple of hours from the ocean by vehicle. The weather is dry, crisp and clear with pleasant days and cool … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru – Travel Agencies
Using Travel Agencies can be advantageous or disadvantageous depending on the situation and how you like to travel. Depending on the situation and type of trip, using travel agencies are often more expensive than planning and making the trip on your own. However, travel agencies will often save valuable travel time as they already have existing relationships established with guides and local tour operators. They offer pre-arranged tours and … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru – Santa Catalina Convent
Santa Catalina convent is a city in and of itself. Visitors can choose a guided tour from one of several languages, wander among the convent individually, or as I chose to do - combine self touring with guided touring. Guides are all women, smartly dressed in gray/light blue suits. There is no set fee for their guiding services; visitors decide what to pay them at the end of the tour (lasting approximately 90 minutes). I spent 3/4 of my time … [Read more...]
Arequipa, Peru – Other Activities
All listings on this page are alphabetized. We visited or participated in all the activities listed on this page. Colca Canyon - view our description here El Misti - towers above Arequipa at 5,822 M or 19,101 feet. Visitors to the city can't miss it; it dominates the skyline. Several options are available for hiking in its vicinity or climbing to the top. A normal climb is 2 to 3 days but those who have problems with altitude or are not … [Read more...]