Show of hands: Who here has seen

Nia Vardalos is also a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights – the Traveling Mamas’ featured nonprofit this month. What with starring in movies, raising her daughter, and supporting this worthy organization, she is one busy mama. She still finds time to be HILARIOUS though.

Your movie, My Life in Ruins, takes place in Greece. Where were some of the locations? Had you been to those specific places before?

All the locations are within the Mystical Triangle: Acropolis, Olympia, and Delphi which were built 121 kilometers from each other…2500 years ago! I had visited all these sites (bored) as a kid. Now I see the healing powers of traveling the triangle. You’ll come out refreshed. Your skin will be clear. And you will fall in love!

How did you come to be such a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights?

I didn’t know, before my husband and I adopted our daughter, that we didn’t have orphanages in the U.S. But we do have 500,000 kids in foster care. Of these kids, 129,000 are legally free for adoption and waiting for a family. We had waited on many waiting lists for an infant and when these routes kept falling through, turned to FosAdopt. Nine months later our daughter, at the time 3 years old, walked into our house, and turned it into a home. Now I feel compelled to tell anyone and everyone: American FosAdopt does not discriminate against age, single parents, sexual orientation, income level.

Where is your favorite travel destination?

Clearly I love Greece, and not just because the men look like my costar Alexi G, and the landscape looks like the posters, but because there is a laid-back wisdom and joy in that country. Also, I loved being in Japan because I couldn’t speak the language or even read the street signs. It was a joy to just get lost and figure out what to eat every day (oh boy, I can only imagine what I thought was a gum ball, may have been an eye. Anyway, I loved it there!)

Any mama can be a Traveling Mama. Have you taken any trips with your daughter yet?

Yes, and I always thought I would be an organized drill sergeant. I am surprised how laid back I’ve become. So, we forgot the crayons, big deal…I hand her a lipstick and let her draw on my pants.

Lipstick on pants? Been there. Believe me, the Traveling Mamas are going to be first in line to see My Life in Ruins. And who knows – a group trip to Greece may be next! …we can dream, anyway. Thank you, Nia!

Held at the luxurious Prescott Resort and Conference Center, the two days will be filled with 35 female-focused classes and presentations such poker, yoga, kick boxing, body camp, beauty tips, physics and of course various travel sessions.

Traveling Mamas is going to represented (by your own DesertMama), offering two presentations: Girlfriend Getaways and Budget Travel. (If you have a question or would like to see something specific addressed feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. )

The cost to attend the conference is $199 which includes your choice of classes, lunches, continental breakfasts, t-shirt, giveaways, a martini party and more. If you register by June 15th you will receive the VIP package which means you score a VIP Gift Bag, preferred seating at all ballroom events, fast track check-in and priority meal services. The best part about this weekend is that the proceeds benefit Trauma Intervention Programs of Arizona, Inc.

The Friday night before the conference starts, at The Palace on Whiskey Row, is the Heroes of Yavapai County Calendar Release Party and Bachelor Auction (also benefiting TIP) where women can bid on a dinner date with local police officers and firefighters. Even if you’re booked that weekend, you can support the organization by purchasing a Heros Calander or DVD.

Just to throw in one more reason to attend, Prescott and its pretty pine setting is a lovely escape from the heat of the summer months with daytime temperatures only reaching into the 80’s and the evenings dipping into the 50’s.

Does this sound like bliss to you? Sign up today (or at least before June 15th for VIP treatment) and be sure to follow the Damsels In De-Stress Girfriend Getaway and Conference blog for up to the minutes information and news.

See you there!

A Grandmother, Mother and Daughter out for Brunch

We had a memorable, multigenerational Mother’s Day brunch at Hal’s Bar & Grill. Because of the holiday, the restaurant was pretty crowded with family groups. The waiters kept their cool, though, and we were led upstairs to the quieter level. Just as well; along with my kids, we were with their grandmother AND their great-grandfather. He is in his 90’s, and hard of hearing. The more sedate upstairs area was best for us, as it was nice to not have to shout to be heard. There is plenty of room to move around at Hal’s, which is useful with four generations all together like that!  It’s so rare that all the living generations of our family can come together like this (Great Grandpa lives 3,000 miles away), and we wanted a special place to celebrate this memorable event.

Most Memorable Mother's Day Brunch

My mother-in-law is about as hip and youthful as a grandma should be allowed to be, and the Abbot Kinney neighborhood of Venice suits her perfectly. We were so happy to share this fun part of Los Angeles with her and her elderly father; we were certain they’d love it, and we were right. Brunch was great. We shared everything we ate with each other, moving plates around and laughing.

The southwest scramble was probably the big winner at the table. Great Grandpa ordered this favorite brunch dish – I suppose it’s true when they say that “with age comes wisdom,” so his grandson – my husband – ordered a second Southwest scramble to ensure there would be enough for everyone. The smokey cheddar, grilled corn, black beans and mild spices blended together to make this a very tasty egg dish.  The huevos rancheros with chili relleno and fresh salsa was also a popular egg dish at our table. My own favorite, however, was the lobster scramble, made with egg whites. It felt almost decadent to be eating lobster for brunch, but hey: It was Mother’s Day, and I was one of the mothers! Enjoying great food, and great family time, is what this day is all about for a foodie mom like me.

There are many sandwiches and salads on the brunch menu at Hal’s, along with pancakes and french toast.  It’s a terrific brunch menu with something for everyone.The restaurant clientele is as diverse as Venice Beach itself, and I loved it. For a hip, fun Los Angeles restaurant with fresh takes on traditional dishes, I recommend Hal’s Bar & Grill. Especially for a most memorable multigenerational Mother’s Day Brunch!

See the Santa Monica Pier During Your Los Angeles Vacation

Top 5 Best Free or Cheap Activities in LA, California

The Santa Monica Pier has a fun, old-timey carousel and small amusement park, making it a great spot for families to take their young kids. An all-day wristband for the Pacific Park on the pier is available there or cheaper online, though you can walk around the amusement park without going on any rides (yeah, right!) for free. Under the Santa Monica Pier is a no-frills touch tank style aquarium, run by the nonprofit Heal the Bay. Local marine life are featured here, and donations are appreciated.

The beach is, needless to say, really crowed in the summer right around the pier, but walk a little bit north or south of it, and the crowds thin out quickly. Parking is free on some streets, and there’s a fee (varies, but around 10 bucks) for beach lot parking. Venice Beach is a healthy walk south, and the best for people-watching. The Will Rogers State Beach is just a couple miles north of Santa Monica, and a lot less crowded. Drive north a few more miles, and you’re in Malibu. Goggling at surfers is free, though the beach equipment rentals will cost you a few bucks.

He's Sure an Iconic Hollywood Star

Hollywood Walk of Fame is free to walk around, and plenty of those stores have cheap touristy stuff for sale too. There are over 2,300 stars’ names inlaid along the walk here, and all sorts of characters strolling around for photo ops. (If you pose with one of them, it’s nice to give a tip.) The Walk of Fame is along Hollywood and Vine, itself an iconic intersection. There are fictional stars with stars on the Walk of Fame too; my kids got a kick out of finding The Simpsons’ star.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a landmark that tourists like to see; it’s right on the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. The large red pagoda, Chinese dragon across the front, makes this an unmistakable spot: The footprints and handprints in front of Grauman’s are a fun place to take photos too. The oldest handprints include Mary Pickford’s in 1927, and more recent ones include Will Smith and Hugh Jackman. Anyone who wants to see a movie while on a Southern California vacation can see one here, though many grouse that ticket prices aren’t so cheap!

Television show tapings often need people to fill up the seats, especially talk shows and game shows. Grauman’s Theater is a good place to get free tickets to TV shows; other places to score free tickets to TV shows are the Glendale Galleria and Universal Studios Hollywood. Where else, besides New York City, can people on vacation have a chance to see some of their favorite TV personalities live at work? If you’re planning a trip to LA and really don’t want to leave this to chance, call Paramount Television Audience Show Guest Relations (323) 956-1777, Audience Associates (323) 467-4697, or Fox Television’s Audience Unlimited (818) 506-0043.

Griffith Observatory

Griffith Park is the biggest city park in the United States. It’s probably most famous for the Griffith Observatory, and admission to the Observatory is free. There’s a fee to get into the planetarium, but this is also pretty cheap. Griffith Park as a whole is over 4,000 acres of trails and parkland, so obviously there’s lots to do. There are hiking paths and bridle trails, picnic areas and canyons. It’s a great place to take kids during a family vacation; the LA Zoo is here, as well as the Autry Center (for cowboy lovin’ kids), pony rides and “Travel Town.” The Greek Theater is also right in Griffith Park – this outdoor theater hosts year-round concerts.

Needless to say, these are just my picks for the top 5 free or cheap things to do in Los Angeles, California. What’s best for one vacationing couple or family may not be the top activity chosen by another. Have your own favorite cheap or free Los Angeles activities? I’d love to hear them – leave your comments below.

Fantastic views. Both of the  water-view photos in this post were taken from my balcony. The first one was shot in the morning, the other was taken in mid-day. As you can see, the rooms certainly have a view.

Good Spa. Located in close proximity to the gorgeous pool is the intimate Ocean Club Spa (the fitness room is right next door). All four of us gals tried a different treatment, mine being the lavender Aromatherapy Massage. After the hour long, relaxing, float-on-a-cloud experience (that’s how I felt!) I walked a few steps out the door and to a poolside chair and continued to enjoy my la-la experience beneath the looming palm trees and warm sun. (Yes, I left with a fantastic tan despite wearing my Coppertone sunscreen and Walaroo hat).

Good Eats. San Juan Marriott two main restaurants. The first night we hit La Vista Restaurant and Ocean Terrace. I enjoyed the buffet and couldn’t help visiting the pasta bar (the chef makes your dish right there as you pick your ingredients). Just make sure to save room for some flan at the (huge) dessert table.

The next night we dined at the marvelous, and I do mean marvelous, Ristorante Tuscany. The four of us got dolled up in our dresses and headed down for an evening of delicious Italian cuisine. Between the fresh bread and antipasto bar I was in heaven.

Good Drinks. To be honest, I didn’t think I liked mojitos (I had only tried the kind in a bottle) but when I tasted the San Juan Marriott’s version  of this rum drink I was sold. You should see how much mint the bartenders use. If I had to describe a mojito it would be refreshing. Did you know mojitos come in flavors, too? Pina Colada was my absolute favorite. You can order one at the Lobby Lounge (live music and dancing every night) or even at the Beach Bar to enjoy (sans glass) poolside or lounging on the beach.

Good Beds. I’ve announced my need for a good hotel bed many times before and all I can say is that  San Juan Marriott has comfy, cozy, perfect beds.

Good Friends. You can’t go on a girlfriend getaway without good friends — someone to laugh with when you find out the restaurant you took a $20 cab ride to is gone. So when you go to San Juan Marriott for a getaway, don’t forget the girlfriends and your giggles!

]]> http://travelingmamas.com/2009/04/30/beach-girlfriend-getaway-san-juan-marriott-resort/feed/ 6 http://travelingmamas.com/2009/04/16/antiques-music-family-fun-bell-buckle-tennessee/ http://travelingmamas.com/2009/04/16/antiques-music-family-fun-bell-buckle-tennessee/#comments Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:58:58 +0000 CajunMama http://travelingmamas.com/?p=3161

Bell Buckle, TN is a charming little town set amidst the Tennessee Walking Horse farm area. I visited there while antique shopping with my family and found some great bargains, as well as nostalgia. It makes a great stop for families, couples, or travelers just wanting to explore.

The main building of Bell Buckle’s antique district was purchased for $750. This included all of the contents, which were WWII era. The owner, Mr. Phillips, refurbished the building and opened Phillips General Store and Antiques. The General Store offers antiques and gifts, but if you look above, the orginal items that were in the store hang as a memorial to a bygone time, where women wore dresses and men dressed up to go to “town”. Around the corner is Bluebird Antiques and Ice Cream Parlor that offers homemade fudge by the pound and hand-dipped ice cream in delicious waffle cones. They are all served up at the original ice cream and soda counter. An interesting fact about the place: the Ice Cream Parlor was voted Tennessee’s Ice Cream Shop of the Year. They also offer a special flavor, White Chocolate Raspberry that is made just for the shop.

I walked through downtown and admired the handmade crafts and the Southern Hospitality. I even went into the Bell Buckle Antique Mall and found out that it is owned and operated by the mayor at the time.

The kids were getting hungry, so we stopped in at the Bell Buckle Cafe to get some lunch. Every Friday and Saturday evening they offer live music with no admission charge and Thursday is songwriters’ night. This is where some of the great country music artists get their start. The ostrich burger and white chili was pretty good too. Get there early if you want a table on the weekends.

Bell Buckle was a charming weekend retreat and I am planning on visiting again to do some shopping. I may even visit for one of the annual festivals that they celebrate.

Festivals

March – Daffodil Day Celebration of Spring and Arbor Day
May - Mayfest Outdoor Tribute to Music
June – RC and MoonPie Festival A Celebration of one of the South’s Finest Traditions, Moonpies and an RC Cola
September – Quilt Walk A Walking tour of Bell Buckle. View a display of quilts at churches and in homes
October – Webb School Art and Craft Festival The #1 Arts and Crafts Show in Tennessee
December – Christmas in Bell Buckle Lights and old-fashioned wreaths decorate the town.

Where to Stay

Mingle House Bed and Breakfast – A Victorian house that serves up a coutry-style breakfast. 931.389.9453 (recent traveler has slideshow available)

Arrowlet Bed and Breakfast - Located 2 blocks from the Antique District.

The Cumberland House – A new, upscale Bed and Breakfast on Cumberland Street. 931.389.9223 (couldn’t find web listing)

Main Street Inn – Located in Wartrace, TN this B&B has a fantastic breakfast.

How to Get There

Interstate I-24
Exit 97, between Murfreesboro and
Manchester, Hwy 64 to Hwy 82

Interstate 40
Near Lebanon, I-840 to I-24 to
Hwy 231 to Shelbyville, to Hwy 82

Interstate 65
Exit at Cornersville to Lewisburg,
to Shelbyville, to Hwy 231 to Hwy 82

If you can’t get enough of the area, you can visit nearby Shelbyville, TN or Lynchburg, TN. Lynchburg is the home of the famous Jack Daniels Distillery. Bell Buckle also makes a great family day trip from Nashville, TN or Huntsville, AL areas. For more information, visit the Bell Buckle Chamber Website.

They told me I had to check out the swanky lobby at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, about a 15-minute cab ride ($20) from the San Juan Marriott. Better yet, they said, go late-night to enjoy the live music, salsa dancing and bar scene. Their other tip: don’t miss the tableside, made-in-front-of-your-eyes guacamole at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant.

On our last night in San Juan, we weren’t sure we’d be up for dancing at midnight (due to early wake-up call to get to airport by 7 a.m.), so I highly encouraged (okay, made) my friends to hop in a cab to head east to the El San Juan before backtracking and heading west to Old San Juan, where we had dinner reservations. “Pretty view at sunset!” I told them. “Homemade guacamole made tableside!”

After all, after Googling “el san juan guacamole” and clicking on a link to Travelocity.com, I read about this nifty open-air, 10th-floor Mexican restaurant offering guacamole “created to your taste.” I’d scanned the El San Juan website and didn’t see anything about it, but figured out we’d be directed to the restaurant once we arrived.

Ha!

The concierge looked at me funny when I asked where the rooftop Mexican restaurant was. I said, “Tableside guacamole!” a couple times, like it was some code word for passage to the secret place. Finally, another front-desk employee chimed in, “Oh, that restaurant is now Brother Jimmy’s a barbecue joint.”

Wha?

Like a ding-a-ling, I asked desperately, “But do they still have the tableside guacamole with a view?” Indeed, the front-desk gal called upstairs and confirmed, yes, we could get our homemade guacamole.”

Success!

But as soon as we walked into Brother Jimmy’s we couldn’t help but crack up. It was a true sports bar and grill, themed to the gills with references from the South (Gators pennants) and vintage Georgia license plates, complete with a mechanical bull. And the menu? Hush puppies, fried okra and wings. Funny that CajunMama left her Louisiana home to come to Puerto Rico for… Southern cookin’.

After getting settled in a booth with a great view of Isla Verde’s beach, the ocean and the neighboring city skyline, we asked our server for the famous guacamole.

“We’re out of avocados,” she said.

This is where the scene really got funny. We spent $20 on a cab ride to get our tableside guacamole at a Mexican restaurant turned BBQ joint… and there are no avocados.

Our waitress somehow managed to secure three avocados (we think she traded some other ingredients with another hotel restaurant), so we could enjoy our tableside guacamole. Which we devoured in a matter of minutes (and it was good, albeit a little bland; we weren’t asked how spicy we wanted it).

A $40 pitcher of sangria later (served in mason jars with fresh fruit on ice), we set off for our next adventures at Barrachina’s in Old San Juan, which offered us a more authentic experience, with Puerto Rican mofongo on the menu, and a bona fide flamenco show.

Moral of the story: Always check the official website carefully to make sure your intended restaurant is still open or any other service is still offered. Better yet, call ahead and get someone on site to give you the scoop. Don’t rely on third-party websites for up-to-the-minute, accurate travel information.

And most important of all, travel with fun folks who can see the humor in situations like this. Travel is an adventure, and most likely there will be missteps along the way. No vacation is ever perfect, so try to take minor snafus in stride. After all, travel tales are so much more fun to tell when things go just a little bit wrong!

Old Auntie, as the locals call the place, is a 17th Century coaching inn set near Stonehenge and Woodhenge. Not only does the place have history, but it is also where the Fab 4 stayed while filming “Help” on the Salisbury Plain. In fact, the garden area was also the setting for a few “Miss Marples” episodes. Of course, which room did I book, but The Beatles room. My mother was already jealous of my visit to the UK, but she became downright irate when she found out I would be sleeping where Macca slept. It seems that as a teen, she collected every Beatles trading card and Paul McCartney was her fave.

The building is old and a little worn, but still retains its charm. I did check out reviews of the place to see what other travelers had to say online. There were some complaints, but I kept in mind that it was the most affordable lodging in the area and also, well, it was old.

The Beatles Room was pretty cool, with a black and white theme. Photos of the group were placed throughout and the bed was super large and comfy. The floors were creaky as this room is located just above the lobby. I gasped when I stepped into the bathroom, not from horror, but of the various pictures of the Beatles staring at me from the walls. They were plastered with lyrics, newspaper clippings, and collectibles of all things Beatles.

There is a hotel restaurant and lobby bar, but while I was in residence for the night, it was also the city council meeting, which is held at the hotel. I stepped next door to The Kings Arms, which was empty except for me and one other patron. I sat down at booth, ordered a pint of Guinness and asked the server what was the cook’s favorite thing on the menu. The Steak and Ale was the meal of choice, and my American mind chuckled inside, since this was the first time I’d ever had the real deal. I had always thought Steak and Ale was a chain restaurant.

The steamy dish was placed in front of me, topped with a flaky pastry crust. I raised the fork to my lips and had a taste of Heaven. Who knew that in an empty little pub on an afternoon that I would taste such a delicious meal?

You can’t get much more British than this: Beatles, Miss Marples, Stonehenge, Steak and Ale. I sighed in contentment as I had the last sip of my Guinness and scraped the bottom of my dish. The only thing that could complete the evening would be a pot of tea and a hot shower before crawling into bed to rest up for a day of ancient archaeological exploration with Keith Kellett.

I enjoyed that shower immensely, entertaining myself by singing “Paperback Writer” at the top of my lungs. When I turned the shower off, I stopped singing, only to be surprised at Yoko Ono staring at me from the wall and the realization that I could hear everything below me at the lobby desk. I could hear a few people below singing back at me, “Paperback Writer” and laughing.

All I could do was crawl into bed laughing and stare at the pictures of The Beatles surrounding me, knowing that they would be there in the morning when I woke up.

We all know that the Spanish were the first Europeans to discover Puerto Rico, although there were indigenous Arawak and Taino Indians there already. As so often happened, the original natives of the island were enslaved and they did much of the manual labor to build fortifications against the Dutch and other Europeans who might try to claim Puerto Rico as theirs. The Castillo de San Cristobal is the largest fort (and castle) built by the Spanish in the New World. Construction started in 1508 or so, and the Spanish Empire spent over 250 years building the fort. Castillo San Cristobal is fortified to guard against land attacks, whereas Castillo del Morro – about a mile away – protects the port from sea attacks.  Our guide told us that there are underground tunnels connecting the two, but these passageways have been closed. They’re not geologically safe, apparently. Too bad! That would’ve been an exciting trek.

All-you-can-eat (and drink) inclusive vacations are tons of fun, and great breaks from our everyday lives. But to add meaning and depth to traveling, it’s important to experience the culture and history of a vacation destination too. The Traveling Mamas are glad we took the time to explore the forts of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This is just one of the many tips you can pick up on Marriott Rewards Insiders, where members share candid travel advice and informed opinions about the rewards program, along with their intimate knowledge of the Marriott family of hotels and resorts.

To celebrate the launch of the Marriott website and our annual girlfriend getaway to the San Juan Marriott Resort &  Stellaris Casino, we’ve teamed up with Marriott to offer one lucky Traveling Mamas reader a Marriott $100 gift card to put towards your stay at any Marriott property!  To enter, simply leave your favorite travel tip in the comments section below. (We also highly suggest you share your travel knowledge with the folks at the Marriott Rewards Insiders forum, too!)

Contest ends Tuesday, March 31, at midnight (EST). We’ll announce the winner on Winning Wednesday. Normal TravelingMamas.com contest rules apply (US Citizen, none of our mothers can enter, etc)

Good luck and feel free to leave tips about San Juan that we can use during our stay this week. We’re still searching for local restaurants to sample and where to find the hottest spots to dance the night away – hey, no kids to worry about on this trip! We’ll be livin’ la vida loca…