The Frugal Joys of Car-Tripping: Roanoke, Virginia

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Jan Ross

The best kind of car trips are those that involve a scenic drive somewhere instead of brain-numbing miles of Interstate highway. That is precisely why a car trip to Roanoke, Virginia is a wonderful choice. The gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding this lovely, scenic mountain town make the drive to Roanoke just as pleasant as the stay. Plan your drive to include the Blue Ridge Parkway, which links two national parks – the Shenadoah and the Great Smoky Mountains – and you can relax and actually enjoy your trip.

You will have a number of choices of places to stay in Roanoke, but we found the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Centerto be the perfect place for seeing the area. When our room was just a little too close to the ice machine and we were concerned about hearing the sounds of dropping ice cubes at all hours, the staff immediately moved us to a much nicer room – truly the mark of an excellent hotel. They also offer free parking (a real plus; I just paid $23 a day to park at another hotel), free wifi, free Starbucks coffee in the rooms, a very nice complimentary breakfast, and very, very comfortable beds. And the hotel is located just a few minutes from downtown Roanoke with free shuttle service to the nearby airport.

Read the rest of this article on Travel for Boomers HERE.

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I Was SO WRONG About Hilton Head

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Jan Ross

The first thing I was wrong about when I thought I knew it all about Hilton Head is the fact that Hilton Head is an island.

Seriously.

Who knew?

OK, I guess everyone but me.

When people talked about going to Hilton Head on vacation – and many people talk about going to Hilton Head on vacation because they love it there, I just turned up my nose because Hilton Head? Wasn’t that huge place really, really crowded with big hotels and a small beach that was not particularly pretty?

Um. Actually. No. No, it’s not any of those things.

When we were first approached to visit The Beach House in Hilton Head Island, which is a Holiday Inn Resort, my first reaction was – and I admit this freely – MEH. Hilton Head.

But then I followed the link and, for the first time, realized that Hilton Head is an island. And felt pretty silly for not knowing this. And then I looked at the lovely hotel, right on the beach and thought about the fact that we were going to be in Savannah which is very, very close to Hilton Head Island and I thought well maybe I just should go and see what all the fuss is about.

So we did.

And now I know what the fuss is about because you all.

Hilton Head Island is perfectly lovely.

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Categories: Beach, Hotels, Resorts, Restaurant Reviews, South Carolina | Tags: , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Bike Riding Is Not Just for Kids!

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Jan Ross

I absolutely loathe spinning class.

I really, really wanted to like it. Riding a bike in place?

How difficult could that be?

You know what?

It’s pretty frakkin’ difficult.

For one thing, the bike seats are incredibly, indescribably, immeasurably hard. So hard that no matter what you do, no matter how thick a bike seat cover you buy, no matter how many times you stand up on the pedals to relieve your aching butt, you are still in pain.

I couldn’t understand why this was not more fun. It’s bike riding, right?

Well sort of. It’s just a lot harder (in more ways than one) and a lot less fun.

Read the rest of this article on Travel for Boomers HERE.

 

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Girlfriends Getaway to Phoenix, Arizona

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Jan Ross

When it starts to get cool this fall or winter, I suggest you start searching for the least expensive flight to Phoenix, Arizona because this gorgeous and scenic location is the perfect place for your next girlfriend getaway.

While Phoenix is a little warm in the summer, the cool, dry desert weather is absolutely perfect in the fall and winter. Warm enough to swim and relax by the pool during the day and cool enough in the evenings to enjoy a warm fireplace and hot rum toddy. With more than 300 days of sunlight every year, Phoenix and the surrounding areas offers a variety of lovely hotels, resorts, spas, tours and restaurants which will keep you happy and entertained during your stay in this desert oasis.

Read the rest of this article on Girlsgetaway.com HERE.

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The Frugal Joys of Car-Tripping: Savannah, Georgia

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Jan Ross

I was amazed to see the price of gas go below $3 a gallon last week when I was traveling and it just reinforced my opinion that car trips can be a truly frugal way to go. My husband never used to be a fan of car trips, but he’s come around to my (economical) way of thinking. And we have come to enjoy our time on the road – as long as we don’t have to drive too long (no more than about six hours) and have a great destination to look forward to at the end of the trip.

On the other hand, two of my other favorite travel partners – my sister and sister-in-law – will drive just as far as required, especially if there is a beach destination when we finally stop. We actually enjoy our time in the car and consider it part of the vacation. Stocked up with an absurd assortment of car snacks and plenty of catching up to do since my sister lives far away from the two of us, we don’t mind a day-long car trip at all.

Read the rest of this article on Travel for Boomers HERE.

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Navarre Beach, Florida: Quiet Oasis

Posted on July 19, 2012 by Jan Ross

We headed to lovely Navarre Beach, on Santa Rosa Island just a few miles from Pensacola Beach, a few months ago, after spending a few days in Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, Alabama. I had been to Navarre Beach in the past – we had even chosen to rent a beach house there rather than Pensacola Beach because it was so quiet and unspoiled – but it had been a few years. Before we headed over to the island, we stopped at one of the local Publix grocery stores on the way to pick up drinks and snacks to stock the fridge in our condo. We stopped before we even got to Navarre Beach because the last time I was there several years ago, there was no grocery store anywhere close by. You had to drive to nearby Pensacola or Gulf Breeze if you wanted to pick up groceries.

As we pulled up near the bridge to cross over to the snow-white sand of Santa Rosa Island and gorgeous Navarre Beach, I was surprised and pleased to see a brand new Publix grocery. This means that, with the incredible beach, fabulous accommodations and small, locally owned restaurants on Navarre Beach, you may never have to leave the area for your whole vacation!

There are plenty of condos and beach houses to choose from in the area but we were very fortunate to be on a press trip and were provided with a gorgeous condo overlooking the water by Gulf Blue Vacations.  Locally owned by some truly nice people and with plenty of gorgeous properties available, we were very happy with the stay at Summerwind Resort they arranged for us – I even wrote about it in detail.

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Tall Ships Challenge 2012, Savannah, Georgia

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Jan Ross

I had never been to Savannah before this year and now I have been there three times in the last few months.

That’s absolutely OK because the first time I was there, last summer, I fell in love.

In love with the lush live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, the lovely, beautifully landscaped squares – each of which is completely unique – the ballast stones of River Street, the mouth-watering fresh seafood in all the restaurants – it’s truly a passionate love affair.

So it was a thrill for Tom and me to be officially part of the media at the Tall Ships Challenge in March, thanks to Visit Savannah.

The Tall Ships Challenge “is a series of sailing races, cruises, crew rallies and maritime festivals organized by Tall Ships America in conjunction with US and Canadian ports on the Pacific and Atlantic Coasts of North America and in the Great Lakes. Traditionally-rigged sailing vessels from Canada, the US and other countries are crewed by youth (either civilians or cadets) ages 13 – 25 who are engaged in sail training programs under the supervision of captains and professional crewmembers. Maritime festivals in each host port give visitors a chance to board the tall ships and meet the crew and trainees and learn about the many varied opportunities to sail and travel on Tall Ships America member tall ships.”

Not only was the event completely fabulous in every way, we were officially part of the media. I have been part of the media before and have been recognized and introduced as a travel writer but you all.

We had media passes to wear.

Seriously? Just how cool am I?

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How To Not Lose Weight and Still Be Happy

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Jan Ross

I finally gave up on Weight Watchers last month.

It was not them, it was me.

It’s an excellent, healthy, weight lost program that really works. It worked great for the two friends who joined the program with me: They both immediately lost the extra 30 pounds and became lifetime members while I weighed in at every meeting at approximately the same weight I started with three years previously.

I have a lot of excuses.

Because I’m a travel writer, I travel a lot and eat at wonderful restaurants because I also write restaurant reviews. When you write restaurant reviews, you have an obligation to order appetizers and desserts along with fabulous meals because you have to write a complete review. At least, that’s what I tell myself. When I travel, it’s really a pain to count calories/points, keep track of what I have eaten, exercise the self-control to eat an apple instead of a chocolate croissant, and make time to exercise.

Read the rest of this article on Travel for Boomers HERE.

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Why Haven’t you Visited Star City Yet?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Jan Ross

When we were sent an invitation for a press trip to Roanoke, Virginia, I at first thought it was for Roanoke, North Carolina and thought wait does that place still exist?

Happily for us, they were talking about the Star City of the South and not the non-existent “Lost Colony”.

The thing that impressed me the most about Roanoke, aside from the fabulous food, gorgeous views and friendly hosts, was the fact that every single resident absolutely adores where they live. And will happily tell you that fact. I had been to Virginia – in fact, I was born at Quantico since my dad was a career Marine – but had not been back since I was 12 and had no memories of the state. Tom had never been so we were both like a couple of wide-eyed kids as we viewed the incredible Blue Ridge Mountains on our drive to Roanoke.

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Cruise Vs. All-Inclusive Resort: Which is Best for You?

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Jan Ross

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

I received an invitation to visit an all-inclusive resort the other day and I carefully saved that email, thinking why, yes, I would love to visit an all-inclusive resort! Because they are completely wonderful in every way.

Located in beautiful, tropical locations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, all-inclusive resorts are often described as a cruise on land, and it has been my experience that they are very much like that. When you think about it, this description is pretty accurate.

So why would you ever want to go on a cruise? Conversely, why would you ever want to go to an all-inclusive resort instead of a cruise? How can you possibly choose? Which is best?

Well, as with any vacation choice, a great deal of the decisions come down to personal choice. But maybe this will help.

Read the rest of this article on Travel for Boomers HERE.

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