Director Jason Reitman (”UP IN THE AIR”) is offering a contest to all tweeters. In the next 24 hours tweet your personal travel rules using #MyTravelRules…

Example:

“Never check a bag. It adds thirty minutes to your flight. #MyTravelRules #UpInTheAir”

Jason Reitman will select his 5 favorite tweets. The selected winners will receive travel pro luggage (each worth $500). A great prize just in time for the holidays!

MUST ENTER BY 6:00 AM PT ON 12/9/09.

OFFICIAL RULES

Paramount Pictures UP IN THE AIR will be in theatres everywhere on December 25, 2009

Upon our arrival on our first evening we made a stop at Osceola Cheese factory for some snacks. This must see is located off of Highway 13 in Osceola, MO, conveniently located on our way in and out of Branson. They offer a wide variety of cheeses, nuts and general snack foods; with samples being offered on pretty much everything. After collecting our cheeses we were on our way and finally arrived. After grabbing some dinner we headed to Grand Village.

Grand Village is THE Christmas store to visit. They have several stores that sell only Christmas ornaments and decorations. My favorite store in this area is Kringles, who also offers personalized ornaments. Grand Village is always one of my favorite places to see. After collecting my latest ornaments the second stop was the dollar store. Yes most of it is junk but you can find some things you may need for only a dollar. They do carry some Christmas gift wrapping, so it is a great place to stock up on that.

Finally it was time to return to the hotel, to get some sleep before our shopping extravaganza. The next morning after a quick breakfast at the Plantation (affordable $3 buffet), we headed to the main outlet Tanger. They were packed! We made the most of it. Doing preparation before heading to Branson we researched online and had plenty of coupons for discounts off and found many deals. I got part of my Christmas shopping done and had a great time doing it. The last stop that evening was for dinner at Shorty Smalls. Shorty Smalls is always a fun place to eat. They specialize in barbeque. This time I decided to try their pasta. I ordered some noodles that were served with Alfredo sauce. It was so overwhelmingly cheesy that I needed some meat with it. I ordered a side of grilled chicken that was $5! Can you say overcharge…Other than the financial disappointment it was delicious. Look in local Branson magazines for a coupon for a free onion loaf at Shorty Smalls, always a superb appetizer.

After dinner we visited The Landing. Branson’s newest shopping district downtown that is all outdoors. It is a beautiful location that is festively lighted and features a fire & water fountain show. One of my favorite additions to Branson. After finishing up our shopping it was time to head home. It is always a nice short getaway and that is what a lot people need in today’s world. 

In final my review would be:

Driving is the best way to travel affordably. You may be able to get roundtrip on a full tank!

Cobblestone Inn – Older hotel kept rather clean. Indoor pool offers something for the kids to enjoy. Centrally located to everything

Plantation – Terrific and affordable buffet. Avoid the drinks as they will rack up your bill.

Tanger Outlet– Great outlet mall featuring Gap, Old Navy, Nike and many more!

Shorty Small’s – Overpriced in food, but offers an entertaining dining experience.

The Landing – Greatest addition to Branson offering a welcoming shopping experience outdoors.

It was lunch time and this has always been one of my favorite places to go in this busy city. Farmer’s Market has a variety of dining places, souvenir shops, unique specialty shops, fresh veggies, fruits and meats. The enclosed market does get pretty warm, but you can easily walk outside to the new grounds known as The Grove. Built up around the Farmer’s Market there are many of today’s popular stores (GAP, Bath & Body, Victoria’s Secret, H&M), variety of fine dining establishments and a movie theatre known for its celebrity patrons. I choose to dine in the Farmer’s Market at Charlie’s. There special was a philly steak sandwich with chips for only $6. Despite the wait time to get the meal, the food was very good at an affordable price.

After some shopping it was time head to Hollywood’s walk of fame. Parking is available directly on Hollywood Blvd in hour increments. Make sure to have cash for the meters. We walked around and admired the many stars, ran into a few impersonators and even some CW “Melrose Place” stars. We visited Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where you can compare your hands with the likes of Johnny Depp and Jack Nicholson. Along the walk of fame you will find a wide variety of shops.

Checking into our hotel was next on the list. We stayed at the Marriott in Marina del Rey. The hotel was a little over $200 a night which was a little more than what I would have liked to pay, but it was closely located to Venice Pier. The hotel does charge for parking, and it feels a little overwhelming how they cater to its guest. The pool was below average and extremely small. It was so overcrowded during our entire stay that we could not enjoy it. On the upside of things they were holding the American Idol auditions at the hotel. Seeing many contestants with gold tickets we were aware the judges were at the hotel. We figured we would not see anyone so we headed to Venice Beach.

Venice Pier is one of my favorite piers. You see some interesting characters at this beach. Would not recommend visiting the location at night, but during the day you will get some good double takes. We first visited the pier to watch the surfers catching the waves. Then we headed down to where the shops are located at along with the famous Gold’s Gym at “Muscle Beach”, stopping along the way checking out the unique souvenirs and merchandise. After some quick photos it was time for dinner. We walked back towards our hotel and found a Mexican restaurant with a great happy hour. Cabo Cantina’s was offering 2 for 1 drink specials. Not to mention the food was amazing, definitely my favorite spot during the entire trip. I ordered carne asada tacos that were amazingly fresh. The steak was flavorful and tender. I also tried there burritos which offered a burst of flavor with every bite. This bar was hoping full of fun and energetic servers. I know I will be back!

Once back at the hotel we walked into a crowd of people with cameras. Apparently Katy Perry had just left the American Idol auditions and was sitting in her car. I snapped a photo before she headed out. The hotel guests mentioned that Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson had left earlier the evening and ignored the fans. Not so when it came to Simon Cowell. He exited the building about ten minutes later and posed for photos and signed autographs for all those waiting. Alongside Simon was his “ex-girlfriend” Terry Seymour who also posed for photos. Both were extremely friendly and topped off the evening of fun.

Thursday was a busy day; Friday was a little more laid back. We headed to Laguna Beach. While on the road we stopped at Ikea, one of my favorite home furnishing stores. We not only shopped but we got breakfast and lunch here. Breakfast for two was only $5 and was delicious. For lunch we had two hot dogs for $1…I mean where can you get those prices? Next stop was in Newport to get some Sprinkles Cupcakes. I have heard many good things about them and they did not disappoint. I tried the strawberry, chocolate and pumpkin. All were freshly baked and extremely delicious. After about a thirty minute drive we arrived at the Laguna Reef Inn, our home for another four days. Parking is available for free on site. The Inn was a very small resort close to a strip mall with CVS and Albertsons. Made it convenient to get any drinks or snacks you may need during your stay. Our rooms were of decent size with two beds, a large bath room area with full size mirror and a walk-in closet where the small refrigerator was located.

The Inn had an average size pool that received great afternoon sunshine, paired with a sauna and a hot tub. The beautiful ocean is located directly across the street. Be forewarned it is a walk to it. You have to cross the street walk down a good 100 stairs through the large resort across the street and you’ll arrive to a landscaped park area. Offering great views for picture taking of the scenic ocean below. Not quite at the water you have to walk about another 40 wooden stairs to the base of the sand. The ocean waters were refreshing and cool. The tide was pretty strong and high both days we visited. One side of the beach was easy to swim, while the other side offered crashing waves. So strong they knocked me off my feet multiple times. This beach was one of the most beautiful I have seen in the California area.

Basking in the sun was fun, but it was time for dinner. We stayed in Laguna and tried Wahoo Tacos. I ordered the baja rolls. They were ok; I was not overly impressed by them, but what I would come to expect from a joint like this. The facility was clean and service was quick and friendly. The set up to order was a little odd and crowded. They offered indoor and outdoor seating. As the night came to an end we made plans for the next day in Catalina Island.

Up bright and early it was time to head to Dana Port to catch the Catalina Express to the island. They recommend you arrive an hour before departure and you will need to move your car to the long term parking area and walk back to the port. The boat will get you to Port Avalon in an hour and a half. During transport you can pay for drinks and snacks, or feel free to bring your own. Once at Catalina Island it is similar to a cruise ship. Many activities and shopping within walking distance.

We first headed to Descanso Beach Club, a private small beach where admittance is only $2 per person. The beach was extremely busy, but offered an on site bar and lounge chairs for rent for under $5. They play music overhead and there are changing rooms/restrooms making it very accessible for all to enjoy. As dusk fell upon us it was time to head back into town. We made it back to port and returned home for the evening.

Our final exciting day awaited us. Starting out late we grabbed some lunch at La Sirena Grill, an all organic version of Chipotle, but with many more items on the menu and a salsa bar. I tried the carne asada burrito and it was very good. Light and flavorful paired with chips and fresh guacamole to complete the meal. I loved the food at this restaurant and would love to have one back in KC.

The plan for the day was a dolphin and whale watch. We headed back to Dana Point to catch our boat to these magnificent creatures. We cruised on the Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari. Tickets were very affordable and the safari was incredible. While we were at sea we saw two huge blue whales. It was amazing to see the “foot prints” these whales leave behind and how you can see them below the surface where the light blue shadow is cast.

After viewing the whales in all their glory we also saw around a hundred dolphins swimming and feeding in a pack. It was the most magnificent thing I have ever seen. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Laguna area.

Final night was upon us and it was time for some more fun. We drove an hour north to Santa Monica to visit the Pier and 3rd and 4th Street. The streets were filled with visitors from all over and the shops were busy till close.  Both streets offer many stores and restaurants along with street performers at every turn. There is affordable parking close by and the pier is within walking distance.

Santa Monica Pier was the most amazing pier I have ever seen. It was huge and completely made of wooden planks. As you walk over you can look down and in between the slats you see the crashing waves below. It was a remarkable sight. After sightseeing we decided to dine at Yankee Doodles. A large bar & grill offering decent happy hours and billiards. We ordered the appetizer sampler which was average but overpriced at $20. Service was great, but the food was nothing exceptional. I would get the appetizer happy hours at the bar and save you some money.

Our trip had come to an end at this point. We packed up and headed out…But we had two final stops. The first at the .99 cent store. By Beverly Hills, this store offers aisle after aisle of products at .99. Amazing deals you can’t find back home, so I stocked up. The last stop was In N Out Burgers. The famous hamburger joint on the west coast that never disappoints. If you are ever in Cali you can not leave without one of these burgers. They are cheap and delicious.

In final my review would be:

SWA – Always perfect flights! Bags fly FREE
Marriott Marina Del Rey – Uptight hotel with tiny pool, great location, good place to meet Simon Cowell
Farmer’s Market/The Grove – Tons of shops, MUST visit
Hollywood Walk of Fame – See your stars as you walk the streets of Hollywood
Venice Beach Pier – Where the freaks come out…Beautiful sunsets
Cabo Cantina – Best place I ate at on this trip!! Terrific Happy Hours.
iKea – Favorite Home Furnishing Store. Even their food is CHEAP!
Sprinkles – Fresh & flavorful cupcakes
Laguna Reef Inn – Clean Inn with friendly staff. Very affordable for location, but not close to any nightlife. Inn is closing its doors next year
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos – Average food served quickly
Catalina Island – Beautiful West Coast Island.
Catalina Island Express – Quick & affordable access to the island.
Descanso Beach – Beautiful beach offering amenities to all guests.
La Sirena Grill – Delicious food, best guac
Capt Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari – Worth every penny. Would love to go again.
Santa Monica Pier – Nostalgic pier offering beautiful views of the ocean & city
.99 cent Store – Cheap, Cheap, Cheap
In-N-Out Burger – Old Fashion Burger joint that is a necessity!
Alamo Rent A Car – good rates, but shuttle bus driver refused to help with anyone’s luggage on return shuttle.

We decided to explore the St. Pete’s Pier area prior to checking into our hotel. We drove down to the pier area and parked a few blocks away by a shopping center for free. It was 3 hours free parking street side. Walking down the pier was breezy but the sun was blazing hot. If I could do it over again I would have parked closer. The pier was full of people fishing. Once inside the pier’s center there were a few unique stores, but nothing mind blowing. After a long day of traveling we were hungry and decided to grab a bite at Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar. It was affordable and seemed to have a pretty good selection for lunch. Due to the humid conditions we decided to eat inside. I choose the buffalo chicken sandwich and my husband ordered a shrimp wrap. Chicken sandwich was average, but the shrimp wrap was great! The service was below average. It took forever to get our food and our server was lacking in checking in on us. I could not understand why as the restaurant was pretty slow at this time.

After lunch we headed to the rooftop for a view from St. Pete’s pier. Offering stunning views of the city this was one of the best things about the pier. Following a rather dull experience on water we headed to our hotel. We took lodging in at the Helmsley Sandcastle Resort. Upon arrival I checked and found the lobby very appealing, complete with a tropical fish tank as a backdrop to the guest services counter. The staff was very friendly and efficient. I had booked us a standard room for two nights for only $260 (including taxes). A great bargain for a beachfront resort. After checking into our clean room we headed to the beach. We walked down the hallway and found sand. Literally only 50 steps from the beach. It was perfect.

The beach was very clean and the waves were mighty. A storm had just passed through and it made for an exciting day in the water. After a fun afternoon in the sun we headed out for dinner. Choosing a waterfront bar & grill known as The Old Salty Dog. A dog friendly outdoor bar that sits on the water. Feeling homesick from my own pets I saw a bull dog, lab and poodle that made me not so homesick. We ordered shrimp poppers and crab legs for dinner. They were excellent and the service was A+. I also tried the specialty drink and it was $10 but oh so delicious. Looking for some night life action we wound up at the Gator Club. Cover charge was $5 and it was a two story bar that had a live band downstairs and pool tables upstairs with a DJ. A very energetic club that had reasonably priced drinks. After a long day we headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night.

The next morning was our beach day. Before hitting the beach we ate breakfast at our hotel. It was only $9 per person for the buffet and it was very filling. After eating we headed to the beach and grabbed our complimentary lounge chairs and basked in the sun for the most part of the day. Later in the afternoon we headed to the local mall known as Westridge. They have most of your average stores plus a few extras. Shopping completed it was time to head back to the room and get ready for a night out. Looking for my favorite style of food (Mexican) we choose Two Senoritas to dine at. They offered a wide selection of food, even puffy tacos which are very hard to find back home. The food was delicious and the salsa was very fresh. Service was good and the interior of the restaurant was very low light and romantic. It was a perfect dinner for our last night in the city.

Heading to Siesta Key was next on the venue. Once there we found several night life spots with bars and live music. Our first stop was into the Daiquiri Deck, a bar with over 13 daiquiris to choose from. I settled on the pina colada and it was superb, one of the best drinks I had on the trip. It is a non-smoking establishment that also serves food. Offering some great happy hours between 3pm – 7pm. We decided to head down Ocean Blvd and visited the Beach Club. Another great nightlife spot with a live reggae band. This club seemed to have a larger following with people of all ages. It turned out to be a great spot to hang out and drink.

We finally awake to our final day on the beach. It didn’t start out great as it was raining non-stop till 11am. I was worried about the weather as we were planning to parasail. Finally the weather subdued and the clouds cleared to sunny skies and we set off to Anna Maria Island. My favorite secret spot in Florida where the beaches are crystal clear and wonderful. We decided to hit up our favorite dining spot in Anna Maria the Gulf Drive Cafe. Home to some of the best pancakes. This place is on the beach, offers outdoor seating and has some of the best food and service I have found. If you ever visit Anna Maria you HAVE to dine here and try their pancakes. After a late breakfast it was time to parasail.

We used YOLO (You Only Live Once) parasailing. At an affordable $60 per person we were suited up and ready to fly. I was nervous at first but once you are up in the air it is so peaceful, all your cares just brush away. On our parasail trip we took off and landed from the boat. The expenses included 1 hour on the boat, 15 minutes in the air and a souvenir CD of photos from the day. It was so worth it and I would do it again.

After spending a few more hours beachside it was time to head home. As much fun as I had and as sad as I was to head home I know I will be back. This is one of my favorite spots to visit. The beaches are beautiful and the weather was perfect for our weekend.

My final review would conclude:

Southwest Airlines – transports you right to Tampa Bay only 30 minutes from all beaches
St. Pete’s Pier – Not worth the drive and rather disappointing
Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – Average food & Poor Service
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort – a stunning resort that is very affordable and beachfront. Offering a gorgeous pool with poolside bar.
The Old Salty Dog – Outdoor bar & grill with fresh seafood; dog friendly establishment
Gator Club – Two story bar with live music; Cover charge
Siesta Key – perfect spot for nightlife action
Daiquiri Deck – Great selection of Daiquiris and perfect spot for sports watching
Beach Club – Fun with live entertainment and energetic bar patrons; NO cover charge
Anna Maria Island – white sandy beaches; great destination for dolphin and whale watching
Gulf Drive Cafe – Pancakes that are superb and inexpensive
YOLO Parasailing – Offering an affordable new view of the beaches.
Westridge Mall – Average shopping experience on the outskirts of town
Weather – temperatures in the upper 80’s and sunny; storms will likely hit the area but are scattered and only last 30 minutes or less

On our first night we visited the Mirage. After a late flight we were starved. We choose California Pizza Kitchen to dine at. I know it is a chain restaurant and we have one here, but my family had never tried it and I had to show them how great it was. I ordered the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine. This was my first time trying it and it was very flavorful, cheesy and delicious. My family tried the Jerk Chicken Pizza and the chicken on the pizza could not compare to anything we have had before. It was a perfect dinner. After dining we tried our luck at the slots…Turned out to be an ok night.

The next afternoon we visited Caesar’s Neptune Pool. The main pool offered a stunning circular wading area with many fountains. Unfortunately it was very windy and chilly so swimming was not called for. Another unfortunate event is the construction going on at Caesar’s. During the week they are rebuilding around the pool. During this time you will be deaf from the loud noises and expect to get flying debris in your eyes, hair, clothing and the numerous amount of it in the pool. So BEWARE! After basking in the sun for a few hours we headed to lunch at the always entertaining Margaritaville. I settled on the Coco Cabana drink. It was a definite quencher and had a great splash of summer style. For lunch I decided on the Mexicali burger. It was a great burger served with fries. The bartender was very friendly and we enjoyed the entertainment the hula dancers offered on stage. Another great meal!

We headed down the strip for some evening fun, stopping to visit the older digs: Imperial Palace with musical impersonators as card dealers, Casino Royale and the $1 Beer and cheap Margarita pitchers. New places we visited included Palazzo and Wynn. After researching dining in Vegas we decided to have one nice dinner. We choose Dos Caminos in the Palazzo hotel. A very modern dining atmosphere, but quite overrated. We ordered the table side guacamole dip. I am not sure how they make table side guacamole where you are from, but they usually don’t bring it out from the back in a bowl already made. Not to mention appetizer size tacos were $20! I guess economy has not affected these outrageous prices. The food was good, but the price is not justified. This was one of our disappointing dining experiences.

The next morning we set our sights on the other end of the strip, including the Miracle Mile Shops. Before leaving Caesar’s we grabbed a bite at Augustus Cafe. Service was average. Our waitress was not very friendly and the food consisted of your basics and was unimpressive. The coffee was horrible. We had them make three pots and every time it got worse, like hot water. Following the horrible brunch we hit the strip. We walked by Serendipity, Caesar’s new outdoor restaurant, consisting of burgers, ice cream and hot dogs. Eventually we wound up at the Miracle Mile Shops, connected to Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino. We visited some great stores including H&M, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, GAP, Bath & Body Works and many more unique shops.

After shopping and a little gambling it was off to dinner. This time at Harrah’s, finding a great dinner special at the Cafe, steak & shrimp with veggies & baked potato for $8!! Available from 2pm to 1am. Not only affordable, but the steak was very tender and shrimp could not be better. A dinner I could eat again and again. Heading back to our room we packed our bags in anticipation for our final day. I contacted Caesar’s guest services and got a late checkout since our flight did not leave until 7pm.

The next morning we awoke and decided to eat breakfast at the Flamingo buffet, however on the way we walked by Maragaritaville and saw that they now served breakfast and that if you use your Total Rewards card you receive a 20% discount off your total bill, which included beverages. It was a deal we could not pass up, and we were pleasantly surprised. I ordered the avocado omelet and it was perfect sided with toast and hashbrowns. We dined on the third floor in the outdoor area on a beautiful sunny day.

We were down to our final hours. I played a couple hours at Flamingo and had the best odds there, taking in $500 on my final day! After leaving with my winnings I checked out of Caesar’s and enjoyed my final hour’s poolside on the hot sunny day. I ordered a couple drinks, but at $8 – $15 a drink you are better off mixing your own drinks in your room and taking them with you.
The weather was disappointing, but a fluke. I have been to Vegas several times in June and temps usually are in the 90’s, so for it to be 65 it was very strange. Aside from that my final review would be:

Park Air Express – New efficient valet parking to KCI
Southwest Airlines – Always offering discounted direct flights to Vegas.
Caesar’s Palace – Over-rated, expensive and the pool is under construction now to August. Wear your protective goggles while there.
California Pizza Kitchen (Mirage) – Delicious in any city!
Margaritaville – Perfect Drinks, Superb Entertainment and now serving Breakfast.
Dos Caminos – Catering mainly to the upper class. Nothing to be overly impressed by.
Augustus Cafe – Average food, TERRIBLE coffee, and slow service.
Harrah’s Cafe – Steak & Shrimp special a must eat for only $8!
Weather – partly cloudy, chilly (65 degrees) & windy. Below average for June.

1. Nassau, Bahamas
2. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
3. Las Vegas, NV, USA
4. New York City, NY, USA
5. La Jolla, CA, USA
6. Chicago, IL, USA

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I have been to Vegas many times and I had the disappointing experience of seeing the Sirens of TI at Treasure Island finally. A show with a story of captivating sirens on a ship who kidnap a pirate from another ship. The storyline is so silly and risque that I found it unappealing. The best part of the show came in the pyrotechnics and the amazing pirate who is forced off plank and has a huge splash. Aside from these alluring acts I could say I honestly would not care to see the show again. It is very crowded where you view it from and even with the provided ramp viewing is still not great, especially for people who take their kids to see it. It’s a free show though, so I should not complain too much.

On a recent trip to Las Vegas I was lucky enough to enjoy the Wynn’s show “Le Rêve”. This Cirque du Soleil show is composed of mythical dreams and beliefs and brought to life by a show full of pyrotechnics, water dancing and unbelievable stunts. The show surrounds two lovers who find themselves separated by a dream. The audience finds themselves caught up in this dream. As the main character dances her way through several sequences you become enthralled by the character. Her poetic motions and amazing talent will capture your attention to the final moments. When performers are dropped from the sky into the million gallon water tank you will be memorized at trying to figure out how they do it. This is talent at it’s best. It is a vivid imagination of dreaming full with lively music and a wonderful cast that offers one of the best shows on the strip. Keep your money out of the slots and off the table and use it for this enticing beautiful show.

We booked a room at the Suites at Fisherman’s Wharf. This complex is a former apartment unit and is very spacious. We were able to check in early and arrived in our room that was gorgeous. We had four huge windows overlooking the city and a full kitchen, living room and bedroom. The suites offered a very nice and clean place for a family to stay. Once you step outside your door you are within blocks of the Fisherman’s Wharf and the trolley picks up and drops off right out front.

Pier 39

After a long flight we decided to dine in and get some lunch. Weather was partly cloudy and mid 50’s when we went in to eat. We choose Tiernan’s an Irish Pub to get a burger. The food was very good, the only down side was service. Our waitress was very friendly, but they were short staffed and it took nearly 20 minutes to place our order and another 30 minutes to receive it. It was a little frustrating as we wanted to explore the city and the pub was not very busy at the time we were there. I would recommend Tiernan’s based on food and affordability, but the extreme wait turned me off to it. Unfortunately due to our long lunch by the time we got out to explore we only walked the pier for 10 minutes until it started pouring rain and we became drenched as we left our umbrella in the room. We returned to our room and changed out of our wet clothes, picked up our umbrella and headed back out.

This time we headed down to Pier 39 stopping at all the unique shops along the way. We found tons of souvenir, designer and local shops along the way to the bay. When finally at the Pier we had a great view of the famous Alcatraz. Once at Pier 39 we could hear the sea lions. We found the dock where all the sea lions were located at and surveyed the adorable mammals. They were quite talkative and playful while we were there. As sunset came we snapped some great photos and headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We decided to dine at Knuckles, a Hyatt owned restaurant. The staff was very friendly when seating us and took our orders very quickly. We decided to dine on two appetizers. My personal favorite was the nachos with mojito steak. This was quite possibly the most flavorful steak I have ever had. The presentation of the food was very appealing to the eye and with a delicious meal at an affordable price this would be my place to eat on a second visit.

Crooked Street

On Saturday Valentine’s Day we spent the afternoon shopping at Union Square. Before setting out for the Square we enjoyed breakfast at Joanie’s a little diner. I enjoyed my classic favorite chocolate chip pancakes with eggs & bacon. A great start to the morning. They were quick and efficient with the order and the pancakes were wonderful. Just as good as the ones back home. When we arrived at the Square we found every store from ALDO, Old Navy, Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, DSW and unique specialty shops. We took a trolley ride up to Union and on our way back to our hotel we stopped off at China Town and checked out some great market items and picked up a few memorabilia’s to take home. Back for the evening we got dressed up for our Valentine’s Day dinner. Before heading to the restaurant we went to San Francisco’s Crookedest Street. A four block uphill walk from our hotel with a wonderful view of the Golden Gate Bridge and finally reaching the amazing crooked street. After walking down the crooked street we headed to dinner. A short walk later we arrived at Joey & Eddies an Italian restaurant, we were seated quickly as I had made reservations online two weeks prior. All meals are served family style. For $40 per person you received a three course meal. We decided on the Joey & Eddie salad, Calamari, Chicken Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi and a desert duo. The dinner was flavorful and very filling, however a little overpriced. The shrimp scampi was served with only FOUR shrimps and no free refills on fountain drinks, pretty much unheard of these days. We received our bill with a red rose to complete the Valentine’s Day meal, still not worth the price.

Alcatraz

Sunday morning we headed to the airport after our weekend getaway. Midwest Airlines let us down on our return flight. After checking the airlines website to ensure flight was on time before heading out, we discovered at check-in our flight was going to be two hours late. Not even the departure listings were updated to display this information and with no one at the Midwest Airlines gate we were left guessing when we would finally be departing. After a long wait we finally did return home from a long rainy weekend. My main tip would be to make sure you have your umbrella and know your routes as you will be walking a lot of the time. San Francisco would probably more enjoyable in spring and summer.

My final review would be:

Suites at Fisherman’s Wharf – very friendly and clean resort with great location
Tiernan’s Irish Pub- lacking service & menu choices, but what they have to choose from is pretty tasty
Union Square- must visit; plenty of shops, dining and nightlife activities
Knuckles Sports Bar- greatest nachos with mojito steak
Joanie’s- great breakfast stop; very affordable and quick
Joey & Eddie’s- average dining experience; way overpriced and borderline stuffy
Pier 39- go see the sea lions play and make it a day for exploring; offers great views of Alcatraz
Midwest Airlines- lacking in customer relations
Weather – cloudy, windy and scattered showers, temperatures in low 50’s

TIERNAN’S

KNUCKLES

JOANIES

JOEY & EDDIES

Once we arrived at the cruise port we were a little confused. The bus driver’s did not direct us very well and it took a little time to realize where we were supposed to board at. Once we solved that issue the next challenge was the line. It was wrapping clear around the building. I was thinking: wow, we are going to be here all day. Boy was I wrong as the line begin to pick up speed and moved quickly. We went through checkpoints where they checked our ID, boarding passes and birth certificates/passports. After passing this test we went through a security screenings. After passing through we arrived to an open area where you checked into your room based on your stateroom floor. Here is where you provide your credit/debit card or cash deposit for your Princess card for your stateroom charges while at sea. This only took maybe 5 minutes and then we were well on our way to our stateroom.

We were upgraded to an ocean view room. Upon arrival the room was clean and I was quite pleased at the above average size of the stateroom. Being hungry we headed above deck to eat. There was an array of choices available from a seafood buffet, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs. After eating we settled back into our room and received our luggage. We had set sail for Princess Cays, Bahamas. An island privately owned by Princess Cruises. The following day the morning weather looked dreary, with a lot of ominous dark clouds hiding the beautiful sun. When we arrived to Princess Cays we ported at 9am and explored the island a bit before selecting a few lounge chairs and feeling out the temperature of the water. The water was bright blue and warm temps in the upper 70’s. This was our relaxing day of enjoying the water and sun. We did have a couple rain downpours, nothing lasting for more than 5 minutes and when it quickly moved out the bright sunshine returned. Princess offered a great BBQ buffet on the island for the day. The food was perfect for a day on the beach. We headed back to ship around 3pm. We left the Bahamas later that day and headed to our next stop. That evening we attended Movies under the Stars, a wonderful and unique way to watch any film while being provided popcorn and blankets.

Our third day at sea was a long one. These will be your typical drawn out days. We played some bingo and board games and eventually made our way on deck to enjoy some sunbathing by the pool while watching movies under the sun. This particular evening was the formal night. After putting our evening wear on we headed to the dining room for dinner, along the way taking portrait photos provided by the cruise ship to mark the occasion. We ended the evening by watching Sex & the City under the stars. Awaking the next morning to see we had arrived in St. Marten. Our excursion for the day was a caterman ship ride out to sea to a private beach. While at sea we were provided with snacks and alcoholic beverages. We made anchor at sea and were able to jump in the water and float and even head towards the sandy area where we encountered waves, some 4 to 6 feet high. We were told the waves were being caused by a hurricane that had hit a week earlier. Following our water adventure we headed back to the ship and rested up a bit before going to see the evening magic show, then ending the night with a luau party on deck.

Next day we arrived in St. Thomas USVI. A wonderful island with beauty offered all around. Our excursion included a bus ride to Paradise Point where we got a 360 view from up top of the island. We rode a tram that offered wonderful views, however the tram was crowded and a little uncomfortable. But once at the top it was so worth it. After finishing the tram ride our driver offered to take us back to the ship or drop us off downtown for shopping. We opted for the shopping. There were tons of offers everywhere. St. Thomas had the best deals to offer shopping wise. I would highly recommend, no make that insist that you shop here. This is where you will find the best deals on everything. After shopping till we dropped we headed back to ship by taxi. After another formal evening we prepared for our final stop. The next day we reached Grand Turk. Located on the Turk & Caicos Island. This area was hit badly by the hurricane a couple weeks prior. We decided to walk off the beaten path and head down to where a local recommended snorkeling. When we got there it was a beautiful location but there was no snorkeling and it was rather secluded. Everything was closed down due to damages from the storms. Disappointed we headed back to the cruise port. There we enjoyed a day on the beach. To finish things off we did some duty-free shopping and headed back to the ship.

After our final destination we had mostly finished up our trip. We enjoyed our last full day at sea. Ordered the drink specials and watched a few movies. That evening we went to the farewell show and had some laughs, finishing the night off by some gaming at the ship’s casino. The next morning we arrived back to port. A long much needed vacation is what we had. Relaxing is the best word used to describe a cruise. You sit back let them take you to your destination and enjoy all the perks along the way. If you get those midnight hunger pains you can always order room service at any time. Everything Princess Cruises had to offer was what I would expect. At an affordable price you can not beat this escape to the seas.

My final review would be:

Princess Cruises: a top notch cruise ship with friendly & efficient staff
Princess Cays, Bahamas – cruise owned destination offering a stunning beach
St. Marten – a lot to see, but not enough time; choose your excursions wisely
St. Thomas USVI – Caribbean shopping at it’s best
Grand Turk – stunning beaches but is rebuilding after destructive hurricane
Formal Nights – make sure to get your portrait photos
Bingo – a fun and exciting time killer while at sea
Weather – clear & sunny, temperatures in 80’s in October

We arrived on a Friday and checked into our resort. We booked a one bedroom room at the Tortuga Inn. An older Beach Resort located directly across the street from the beach. Tortuga and many of the other resorts offered their own personal lounging areas for hotel guests. These areas included complimentary beach towels, beach umbrellas and chaise lounge chairs. We booked the least expensive room at this resort which was adjoined to another room. We had to enter the room by sliding glass door, which was rather strange. In our room we did not have air conditioning set up. It was kept cool with a cooling tower, however it did seem to get the job done. We could not locate the remote control for the television and the maid entered our room one morning unannounced. I would not recommend this resort to anyone traveling to Anna Maria. Given we paid the lowest rate friends of ours who traveled with us booked an entire unit for less than our cost.

On our second day we traveled further North to the edge of the Island and found many beautiful beaches with the clearest water I have ever seen. I floated in the gorgeous water and even saw several dolphins only a few hundred feet away. Later that day I attended my friends wedding on Bradenton Beach. It was stunning. I have never been to a beach wedding and it was a very unique and memorable experience. On our last day we drove to Siesta Key, a beach to the South of Anna Maria and enjoyed a great day in the sun before heading home.

I would highly recommend this location for any honeymooners. It is very secluded and beautiful. On top of all that it is inexpensive. The dining in the area was very reasonable, lodging can be found at great rates and if you book your airfare at the right time you can get a low fare. The down side is that there is not a lot of local shopping available. If you are not a beach lover this may not be a great destination for you, as pretty much everything is beach oriented. Check out Florida’s best kept secret and see the crystal clear waters of Anna Maria Island, FL. It may just be the best beach on US territory.

My final review would conclude:

Tortuga Inn – run down resort that is way overpriced; look around before staying here
Bradenton Beach – perfect spot for a beach wedding
Anna Maria Island - white sandy beaches; great destination for dolphin and whale watching
Delta Airlines – transports you right to Sarasota only 15 minutes from all beaches
Shopping – not much available locally; expect to drive to stores on outlying areas
Weather – temperatures in the upper 70’s and perfectly sunny