Alderbrook Resort: Profiled Destination

Alderbrook Resort - A Quick Getaway from Seattle

It's no wonder that while vacationing at Alderbrook, you'll find that among the area's neighbors are Bill Gates and other Microsofties. With its top notch accommodations in a pristine natural setting, an outdoor enthusiast playground, along with city amenities of a beautiful indoor atrium swimming pool and full spa, this two hour getaway gets you in the rest and recreation mood very quickly.

What I like best about Alderbrook is its natural setting. Equipped with the gorgeous views of the Olympic mountains and glacier waters, it's hard not to fall in love with this place. We came here during Spring break in April and was blessed with sporadic sun, typical of the Pacific Northwest. We were able to enjoy the views from the beach, as well as when we swam without crowds in the warm large indoor pool. With a full dock and water recreation at your finger tips, this resort is best enjoyed during the summer months. One can rent kayaks and board the Lady Alderbrook for a tour of the Hood Canal.

From Seattle, you board a ferry to take you to Alderbrook. The short 30 minute ferry ride is no-frills, so come with your own coffee, drinks and snacks. Nevertheless, it's an adventure whenever you take a ferry. Like some magical pixie dust, boarding a ferry seems to calm one's senses and takes you onto a journey mind set.

Alderbrook offers an on-site restaurant, and the lodge rooms do not come with a kitchen, so one just needs to pack the basic casual weekend wear, and some food and beverage to snack on. The drawback of one restaurant is simply one menu. As a family vacationing, a small kitchenette would have come in handy, for quick bites in between main meals in the dining room, and to save extensively, as their food outside the kids menu is a bit pricey.

The highlight of our Spring break was the fresh oysters caught within minutes, and barbequed on the lawns by the cottages. During the week, the staff has a complimentary oyster tasting in the early evening, under the canopied patio. My kids who see me savor oysters whenever I get a chance, was tempted to try them for the very first time. They loved this delicacy, especially as the chef just caught them on board her boat, and immediately placed them on the grill. The butter garlic dip was their favorite.

Dreaming of Infinity pools

The weather in Seattle has me dreaming of infinity pools, and getting away from the cold and gray. For starters, Seattle has the Four Seasons Hotel with its rooftop pool. But, if you're looking into exotic locales, some of the stunning venues include big cities of Hong Kong and Tokyo; the natural beauty of Utah; and the beaches of Maui and Cote d'Azur.

Aloha! A tranquil place to relax and swim is at the Four Season Resort Wailea in Maui, which is listed on the Best Hotel list on US News. Situated 53 feet above Wailea Bay, you'll be singing Pearly Shells in no time.

Photo courtesy of US News

Can you say Cote d'Azur? In English, it's the French Riviera. It seems anything French sound even more enticing and beautiful. This infinity pool has been dynamited off a cliff face, and overlooks the Mediterranean. 

Mix a bit of sushi and the latest Japanese trends, and slip into the city scape of the infinity pool of the Park Hyatt Tokyo. You'll also glimpse Mt. Fuji from the 47th floor of this pool. The movie 'Lost in Translation' was filmed at this hotel.

Photo courtesy of elanpanache.blogspot.com

Imagine you're on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, with piped in underwater music. You're at the 3rd floor pool of the InterContinental Hotel, viewing the grand skyline of Asia, alongside junks and ships.

Photo courtesy of startle.com

Take a pit stop from hiking, and dip in the Amangiri pool of south Utah. Overlooking the Giant Staircase Escelanti National Park, this infinity pool is open 24 hours a day. Amangiri translates to Peaceful Mountain, and being surrounded in this natural beauty will keep you at peace among your surroundings.

Photo courtesy of blacktomato.com

Now that my visual vacation is at its end, I think this Seattlelite will check in at the Four Seasons Hotel, just steps away from the famous Pike Place Market. Dipped in the infinity pool, one can view Puget Sound, the frequent ferries, and the snow capped Olympic mountains.

Photo courtesy of oyster.com

Victoria, BC: Profiled destination

Victoria, BC, is an easy Seattle getaway to see all things English. Since the Summer Olympics in London, our family has been enticed by all things English. We long for high tea, beautiful gardens, and hearing the charming English accent.

Waterfront view of Victoria. Courtesy of www.brentwood.bc.ca

For our New Year’s Eve family getaway, we headed to Victoria, located on Vancouver Island, the capital of Canada’s British Columbia province. From Seattle, our journey took 5 ½ hours by car and ferry. With the climate of Victoria similar to Seattle, our packing consisted of the same clothing we'd wear at home (translation: layers), with the addition of a swimsuit for the hotel swimming pool.

You’ll avoid the airport and all the security hassles, by taking the ferry from Seattle to cross Puget Sound, and driving to Port Angeles to catch another ferry to Victoria. A quicker option is flying on a seaplane. Both options give you a wonderful vantage point to see snow capped mountains over a serene water view.

You can choose to take your car on the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria, or be a walk-on passenger, and lessen your carbon footprint. Victoria is a pedestrian friendly city, with many shops and restaurants near hotels and B&B's, that a car is not necessary.

Upon arriving in Victoria, we headed to the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel for our high tea. We left our bags with the porter, as our room was not yet ready, as we arrived at 10am. We decided to walk around and discover the treasures of this historical hotel. We saw British royalty, along with Hollywood celebrities, in black and white portraits displayed throughout the hotel. During the holidays, many themed Christmas trees were on display as part of a fundraiser, along with a majestic two-story Christmas tree at the Empress lobby.

The high tea had a kid-friendly option of a “Princess” assortment of tea sandwiches and treats. The girls received a certificate verifying their princess status at the end of our tea session. The adult version was delectable. I especially liked the egg salad croissant sandwich and my all time favorite Earl Grey tea.

To get more "English" in our trip, we visited the tourist attraction of Butchart Gardens. Although many of the foliage were not in bloom, it was nevertheless a beautiful place to visit. When the sun went down, the elaborate display of lights throughout the massive gardens was impressive. In Seattle, we have the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, which is a quarter of the size, but, with comparable light displays. What made Butchart Gardens memorable were the themed Italian gardens and the indoor old-fashioned carousel, which I have not seen elsewhere.

Courtesy of www.royalscot.com

Although we didn’t hear the delightful English accent, we did hear the lovely Canadian accent. And, we sampled the wonderful cuisine that Victoria had to offer. At Il Terrazzo, we had an Italian prix-fixe meal. We were able to get the last seating available for a New Year's Eve dinner, thanks to the great service offered of the President's Club membership at the Fairmont. Not only did the restaurant have a very nice ambience, it scored #3 on Trip Advisor for Victoria's restaurants. We had a choice from 15+ entrees, and a very accommodating staff, who catered to our kids by offering a discounted menu, resulting in big savings for us, as the adult fee was $100 a plate. Our family enjoyed seeing other families dining with us.

We had a nice and carefree vacation before school resumed for the new year, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, and fulfilled of our English attractions. It’s a good thing we have PBS’s Downton Abbey to sustain us until our next trip to Victoria.

Courtesy of www.deadline.com

Octoberfest: Celebrating in Munich and Leavenworth

Oktoberfest: A time for Celebrating in Munich or in Leavenworth

Oktoberfest is the world's largest fair, lasting for 16 days in Munich, Germany, from late September to the first weekend of October. You can partake in the celebration in its birthplace of Munich, or if in the Pacific Northwest, in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth in Washington State.

Munich

As an impressionable 19 year old touring Europe for the first time, the Hofbrauhaus was a boisterous venue with good tasting beer, lively music, and the best pretzel in the world. What better way to experience Bavaria, but, to be in Munich!

A few highlights of Munich during Oktoberfest include Augustiner Keller and Lowenbraukeller. As a traditional beer hall, Augustinerkeller boasts a 5,000 seat beer garden. With a 800 year old history, it's no wonder locals regard their beer as one of the best in the world, and can be found in most bars around Munich.

If you want to dress up in the traditional Bavarian wear, head out to Lowenbraukeller, another 800 year old beer hall and garden, and be transported in time. You'll feel like royalty with its medieval castle exterior and tall gothic spire.

 
Leavenworth

Just a two hour drive outside of Seattle is the Bavarian town of Leavenworth. With more sunshine than Seattle, many locals gravitate towards this lively place during the three weekends of Oktoberfest, but, also for all the outdoor activities, including the beautiful Autumn foliage.

Leavenworth invites both young, old, couples, and families to Oktoberfest. We enjoyed the dancing and music. The kids especially liked the Chicken Dance. As the evening progressed, it became more lively, which signaled families to head back to their hotels.

It's best to plan ahead with accommodations, because it really is a good idea to be able to walk back to the hotel. Our favorite go-to hotel, The Enzian Inn, with its outdoor and indoor pools, ping pong table, and mini-golf was already booked.

 
Whether you're in Europe, and come hop on the train to head to Munich, or you're in the Pacific Northwest, with Leavenworth just a few hours drive, Oktoberfest is a celebration not to be missed. With the season changing, and the anticipation of Winter, Oktoberfest in Munich or Leavenworth is a festive way to embrace Autumn.   

  

 

Ruby Beach: Profiled Destination

Ruby Beach - Best Beach on the Washington Coast

Ruby Beach along the Washington coastline, and part of the Olympic National Park will surprise you with its spectacular beauty of jagged rock formations, tide pools, endless sandy beach, and windswept trees. You'll find the kid inside of you, as you run along the beach, taking in the breathtaking scenery, while wading in the water or climbing the rocks.

Take a day trip from Seattle, or extend your beach time by staying at the nearby Kalaloch Lodge or Cabins, or year-round camp sites at Kalaloch and South Beach. Located along Highway 101, you can approach Ruby Beach by driving south on I-5 to Olympia, Washington's capital and going east to Aberdeen, hometown of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, and onto Highway 101. An alternative route is by ferry from Edmonds, a suburb of Seattle, to Kingston on Highway 104 to Highway 101. You'll pass by the town of Sequim, known for its lavendar farms and Forks, the Twilight mecca.

If beach combing makes you hungry, have the fresh Penn Cove mussels with infused lemongrass broth at the Kalaloch Lodge Creekside restaurant, and top it with their signature MarionBerry cobbler. Bring your sunscreen, camera, and extra clothes as the kids in all of you will definitely dip in this incredible beach. Disconnect from the world for a little while, as cell phone coverage is limited, although, there is plenty here to keep you occupied.

 

City breaks with the Kids Series: Seattle

Long weekends and staycations are becoming more popular with travelers. Being a tourist in your own city is a great way to spend time with the family without costing a fortune, or incurring extra vacation days from work. It is also a great way to discover new adventures in your own backyard. Like the photo above, you can participate in a Seafair annual summer celebration in one of Seattle's neighborhoods.

Seattle: Taking a look at my own backyard

Last year, my family's schedule didn't allow for a full blown Spring break trip. To make the most of our limited time, I booked a stay at a luxury hotel in downtown Seattle, so we can experience the life of a vacationer, from ordering room service, dipping in the pool, and touring the city to discover the delights of the Pike Place Market, the industrial space turned Olympic Sculpture Park, and unique attractions like the Fremont Troll.

If you haven't tried bidding on Priceline, it's a good opportunity to take this route for a great value on a mid-week stay in the city. I bid on a 4-star downtown hotel and ended up with the Grand Hyatt. At check-in, I requested a quiet room, away from the elevators. The Front Desk staff was so friendly, that they offered us a room at the end of the floor, which was a suite configuration with a separate seating room, and a marvelous view of the Space Needle. Because the hotel was not at full capacity, they were able to offer us this type of accommodation for the price of a regular room. The only drawback was the outrageous price of parking overnight.

Being centrally located, we had the kid friendly (for kids and kids at heart) Gameworks right across the street. With interactive games, simulators, air hockey etc., the kids had a variety of activities to choose from. After being a little hungry from a dance simulator game, we had a little snack at Starbucks by the hotel to get geared up to walk 7 blocks to Pike Place Market in the cold and rain. It doesn't seem to matter how many times we've visited the Market, we never tire of the sights and sounds we experience at every visit. Plus, it allows us to discover new favorite places.

One of our new favorites is the French restaurant Maxmilien. With a panoramic view of the of Puget Sound, and with its antique mirrors decor, we felt like we stepped into one of Paris' cafes. We ordered the delectable Les moules Marinière, mussels steamed with butter, shallots, white wine, garlic and parsley. Since we had a late lunch, the restaurant was not busy, and we enjoyed prompt service and incredible food while delighting in our view.

A little mom time included a stop at the Sur La Table, originating in Seattle since 1972, it's first store at the Pike Place Market, offers a wide selection of cookware and kitchen gadgets. For the arts lover, numerous art galleries can be found steps away including the Steinbrueck Native Gallery. One of my favorite Native American artists is David Boxley, and I found a beloved piece for my collection there.

Photo courtesy of Renee Behnke of Sur La Table

Courtesy of Steinbrueck Native Gallery

The final stop of our tourist Day 1 is the Dahlia Lounge, one of the city's top restaurants by chef extraordinaire Tom Douglas. You may recognize the restaurant from the classic film Sleepless In Seattle. Order anything on the menu for its fresh and creative presentation, but, leave room for their desserts. Our family's favorite is the triple coconut creme pie. If you're not able to get a reservation, don't fret as next door you'll find it, along with pastries and sandwiches at the Dahlia Bakery.

Creme pie recipe courtesy of Tom Douglas
http://www.cakespy.com/blog/2008/4/16/coconut-dream-a-love-affair-with-tom-douglas-legendary-cocon.html.

After the walk up hill to our hotel, it was time for some rest and relaxation at the pool. The Grand Hyatt had a balmy mini pool, which we had to ourselves as the hotel business guests were still at their meetings. Afterward, it was time for some dining and movie viewing. It is truly priceless to be able to have room service while watching a newly released movie laying on a king size bed with the Space Needle as our companion view. The cherry on top of our wonderful staycation evening was the crème brûlée ordered from the Ruth Chris steakhouse housed inside the hotel.

Day 2 was a tour of the Olympic Sculpture Park, an ingenious endeavor by the Seattle Art Museum to utilize nine acres of waterfront industrial space into an outdoor community space. One can appreciate art and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with a stop at this park. And the kids can run around, and still learn a bit of art education in the process. Admission is free, and is readily accessible by bus from downtown.

Courtesy of Seattle Art Museum

Later in the morning, we visited a local gem at Capitol Hill's Volunteer Park Conservatory. With free admission, it is a wonderful getaway from the blustery weather outside, with it's tropical setting of orchids and cacti.

Courtesy of Volunteer Park Conservatory

Next stop for more gems off the beaten path is to visit the famous troll in Fremont, one of Seattle's funky neighborhoods. And to have one of best desserts in town at Simply Desserts. My favorite is the strawberry white chocolate cake.

Courtesy of Simply Desserts

Bidding adieu to our staycation was a final stop at Gasworks Park for a beautiful postcard view of the Seattle skyline over Lake Union. When the weather is nice, you can ride on the Burke-Gilman trail which offers views of the park, and have a picnic along the grassy hill.

Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet

Seattle Series: Seattle Day Trips

Seattle Day Trips

Quick getaways from Seattle to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest is as easy as going north to the San Juan Islands, south to Mount Rainier National Park, or east to Snoqualmie Falls. Each site offers its own uniqueness to the Seattle experience.

San Juan Islands

An archipelago comprising of four main islands of the San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw islands, it is approximately an hour and a half drive to Anacortes, and an additional hour long ferry ride via the Washington State Ferries to the San Juan Islands. A faster route would be to take a seaplane via Kenmore Air.

Seattle Series: Seattle Guide for Foodies

Seattle for Foodies, a 24 hour guide

You've landed in the Emerald City. Land of Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks. You're hungry. You only have 24 hours. This will be a journey to delight the foodie in you from a Seattlelite's point of view.

Starting Point: Pike Place Market

As a "Seattlelite", having gone to undergrad and grad school in Seattle, and having entertained clients in restaurants throughout the city in my various corporate posts, the Pike Place Market encapsulates Seattle like no other venue. We will start and end here.

At the Market, have breakfast of French cuisine at Cafe Campagne, at the foot of the Inn At The Market. If your travel isn't on a weekend, head over to Le Panier for French pastries. If snacks are what you need, sample the fresh donut holes yards away from Rachel the Pig at the Daily Dozen Donut Company.

Walking around the market is an awakening of all your senses, and inevitably, you will need coffee. Have a cup from Starbucks from a high altitude and with a fabulous view from the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower.  At the nearby International Market or Chinatown of Seattle, have a quick bite to eat at Kau Kau's for their fabulous BBQ pork and duck.