February 2009

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Shelter from the Storm

February 23, 2009 in Travel Reflections by kristi

It was supposed to be a romantic weekend away, far from the stress of our daily lives.  We headed out of town, small overnight bag tucked in the back of the car, the wind at our backs.  My husband had planned this trip with very little input from me and it was a welcomed treat– a weekend at The Green Gables Inn where we’d spent part of our honeymoon.  The rain came down in sheets as we left town.

We arrived shortly before check-in but gracious as ever, the innkeeper said our room was ready.  The wind off the ocean was blustery, the rain steady, the reception room of the inn a perfect place to dry off and nibble homemade goodies left out on the antique sidebar in the dining room.   Our room in the carriage house provided gorgeous views of the rough seas, churned by wind and rain.  I was glad for the spacious windows and comfortable chairs to watch the rain and protect us from the cold.

The late afternoon wine and cheese hour in the main house of the inn helped fight off the chill of a walk down the ocean front.  We sipped a delightful local red wine and munched on crackers, brie and a divine chocolate bundt cake.  After a fabulous dinner on the wharf, we retired for the night.  The rain continued to fall, a bit more gently after the sunset. 

The gas fireplace in our room provided all the light we needed.  It was so peaceful and quiet, there was no need to even open the armoire that hid the TV.  My husband suggested a soak in the jacuzzi tub in the ensuite bathroom and we luxuriated in warm water scented with bath salts for nearly an hour.  By the time we crawled into our turned down bed, I’d forgotten the dreadful weather outside, the stress of a long work week, and slept the deep sleep of a woman without a care in the world.

 

 The Green Gables Inn is located at: 301 Ocean View Blvd, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.  Toll-Free: 800-722-1774; Phone: 831-375-2095
Fax: 831-375-5437 .  Email for availability and rates: greengablesinn@foursisters.com.

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Off the Beaten Path

February 16, 2009 in Life on the Road by kristi

Highway 152 out of the Monterey Peninsula and Pajaro Valley winds upward into the low lying mist and rain clouds.  Behind us ran the deep loamy earth of artichoke fields and raspberry canes near Watsonville, stretching to the horizon of the Pacific Ocean.  This was unchartered territory for us, an adventure of twists and turns, topped with a lush forest of California Redwoods and charming family wineries.

The unexpected beauty of Hecker Pass provided a delightful addendum to a weekend jaunt to the coast.  The award winning Fortino Winery offers their 2005 Carignan and several other choice offerings at their tasting room Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10am-5pm and Sundays, 11am-5pm.  Stop in and enjoy the family friendly atmosphere and expertise of local vinters Gino and Teri Fortino, who have been in the wine industry since 1970.

Established in 1989, Solis Winery continues the award winning tradition of the region serving Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, and Muscat Canelli. They recently won four awards at the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Tasting rooms are open daily with picnic areas available.

In search of a bountiful white wine? Look no further than Sarah’s Vineyard located near Watsonville Road.  Featuring  lovely Pinot Noir and Chardonneys, the tasting room is open daily 11am-5pm.  A previous winner of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Appellation America, owner Tim Slater has created a delightfully quaint winery, nestled amongst the Santa Cruz mountains.

Highway 152 holds delights around each corner, views of the majestic Pacific Ocean, dense California Redwoods and distinguished wines for even the most epicurean palates.

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Small Details, High Appeal

February 4, 2009 in Travel Marketing by kristi

Business travelers are shortening their stays at hotels across the country. Rising airline costs are being passed onto the consumer. In these insecure times, the average family taking once a year summer vacations is at an all time low.  

There’s no denying the travel industry has taken a hit as a result of the slumping economy.  In response to all of these factors, hotels are stepping up their amenities and value-added services in an attempt to inject some growth back into their slumping occupancy rates.  Hotels have to do more in less time if they want to attract and maintain loyal customers.  That means doing whatever possible to turn the hotel room itself into a destination event, rather than just being a dumping ground for luggage and a comfortable bed.  The shorter the trip, the less hoteliers can rely on surrounding destinations to sell the room; there’s simply less time to see any of it. 

In response, hotels are providing more interesting services to appeal to a variety of customers. A popular trend in revitalized turn-down service includes what some hotels are calling a “bath sommelier” or “bath master”.  This new approach to guest services appeals to those road weary business travelers who have survived a brutal flight, a hectic meeting with clients and a rushed dinner in yet another city far from home.  But it also adds a spark of luxurious romance for the couple on a long weekend away from the children, when revitalizing and rejuvinating the mind, body and spirit is a high priority.  Having someone draw your bath, complete with aromatherapy oils, candles, plush towels and wine may seem a ridiculous indulgence to some - but in an economy becoming more and more defined in terms of scarcity and sacrifice, these guilty pleasures are likely to become more popular as long as they aren’t an overpriced extravagance.

Both business and pleasure travelers want good value for their money, knowing that they will be treated to extra special services that they can’t find at home.  No longer is it enough to simply pay top dollar: customers in today’s market want the experience of a lifetime while still keeping an eye on the bottom line.  While empty rooms require no daily room services or additional expenditures to the hotel, maintaining occupancy rates are the lifeline for successful hotels.  By providing additional amenities such as spa treatments, free meals at hotel restaurants and longer stay incentives, hotels improve their chances of long term survival in these highly uncertain times.

It’s vital to remember that one man’s extravagance is another’s reason for booking a third night’s stay.  Hospitality venues - not just hotels, but anyone in the travel industry - need to look at what they’re doing with fresh eyes.  Every little unique detail can constitute an additional incentive, and travel vendors may be already providing special amenities and not advertising it to potential guests.  To keep a competitive message in this tight market, they can’t afford to keep hiding the unique details that make them special.

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Travels with Sam

February 2, 2009 in A Day in the Life by kristi

Knights Ferry, California.

Before I met my husband, my dog was one of my constant travel companions.  When I needed to get away, I would load him into the car and away we’d go.  The adventures didn’t need to be far from home - a simple walk on a local bike path, chucking rocks into the river or heading down to the beach for a run - but they helped clear my head and calm him down.

With the busy rushing around of the last several months, the dog has frequently been left behind to guard the house when we took off to explore or shake out the cobwebs.  But on Sunday, I told my husband I wanted to take him with us up into the foothills to explore a ghost town.  I walked outside to clean out the back seat of the car, shuffling papers, coffee cups and gum wrappers while Sam happily wandered about,  marking his territory in the front yard.

As I walked back toward the house, Sam jumped in the front seat of the car and sat in the driver’s side.  I called him, ridiculously patting my thighs, hoping he’d get out but he stubbornly refused.  I eventually gave up and as I turned back toward the house, he honked the horn.

This time, there would be no leaving the dog behind.

We wound our way around the green foothills of the central Sierra Nevadas, Sam’s head happily hanging from the window.  As we approached Knights Ferry, our search for the history of this hidden gem began in earnest.  I mentioned the cemetary, having heard some of the lore from family and friends but never seeing it for myself.  The road curved tightly to the left and the right, climbing steeply to the top of the hill.

As the road widened in front of us, the rusted iron sign of the Oak Grove Cemetery greeted us.  We parked the car outside the gates and entered the quiet stillness of the ancient resting grounds.  Sam walked to the gate and sat, somehow knowing to respect the sanctity of the plots of earth before him.  He would wait for us while we explored.

The cemetery revealed the unique history of the community, an infusion of Irish and English immigrants, a rush of deaths as a result of a massive flood in 1862, small children who did not survive childhood illness, families who had settled and raised generations in this enclave of 95 residents.  The more recent headstones glistened in the morning sun, the older covered in lichen and moss, overgrown and the victims of vandals. We headed back toward the gate, having walked the periphery of the grounds.

Upon reaching the gate, Sam’s tail quietly thumped the ground.  My husband reached down and patted his head.

“Come on boy, let’s go.”

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