Wine, Dine and Lighthouses

Another beautiful area of the United States, the west coast of California and Oregon, an area with many vineyards, four star restaurants and historical lighthouses. Along the West coast is one of the National Park wonders, the Redwood National park, which is an awesome visit in the shaded park during the mild California summers. Summer vacations to the west coast are breath taking both from a tour perspective and a self drive vacation. This self drive designed vacation from Star Banquets and Travel is another best of the best vacations of 2011. A Globus tour is also detailed that expands a little further east to additional National Parks and further North through Washington to Seattle. We will detail a few of the incredible wineries in both California and Oregon. Read about some of the best hotels starting in San Francisco then heading North and some of the best four star restaurants. Such incredible vacations make some wonder if going overseas is necessary to find the best of the best vacations.
 Knowing that wineries is part of this West coast vacation article, the Sonoma Valley will obviously be a major focus but, we first get settled in San Francisco, one of the best culinary cities in the U.S. A choice locations to settle in San Francisco for a couple days is the Hotel Adagio, which is a Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel. The hotel is located near Union Square, which offers an astonishing selection of antique shops, art galleries, bars, cafés, coffee, department stores and some of the best restaurants in the country. Take a stroll after dinner and choose from five ice cream and sweet shops. First choice for dinner is simple, Fisherman’s Wharf and Star Banquets and Travel offers many selections on our San Francisco website, www.sanfranciscoreservations.info for Fisherman’s Wharf than include Fog Harbor Fish House, Fishermen’s Grotto #9, Alioto’s, Ana Mandara who is  on our top 2011 picks. Ana Mandara is our top pick for the first night in San Francisco. With 171 reviews on OpenTable.com alone, a menu that is as unique as they come, and a menu layout that is just quite interesting and will bring the curiosity out of anyone. Highlights of their menu, starting with appetizers, Vietnamese crispy rolls, crabmeat, shrimp, & Shiitake mushrooms; or another that will catch the eye, seared beef Carpaccio, julienne Papaya – green Apple, Tamarine sauce and Shrimp crackers. The menu offers many choices, it is quite large and entrées include fish of the day dusted with Wasabi, sautéed Brussel sprouts and fried green tomatoes served with chili – honey mustard sauce. Those who are not seafood fans, the menu brings a Prime Filet Mignon with grilled pineapple, sautéed mushrooms, crunchy sweet rice cake and pineapple sauce or try the slow  roasted Sonoma duck breast with Daikon (Turnips) cake and long beans served with Pinenut sauce. Whether a long day of travel was required for your visit to San Francisco will determine as to one or two nights in San Francisco. So, when you are rested, excited, ready to move on, the next leg of the vacation is heading north to a tour of Sonoma Valley wineries.
 The plan for Sonoma winery is a day of touring of your choice of Vineyards to visit while driving
 through beautiful countryside then settling in at The Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa by Renaissance. Guided tours of Sonoma and Napa Valleys are available through California Wine Tours, which you can view online at www.californiawinetours.com. If you prefer to discover the vineyards/ wineries yourself, some of the key vineyards are Benziger Family Winery, Gundlach Bundschu Winery, St. Francis Winery, Bartholomew Park Winery, Kenwood Vineyards, Valley of the Moon Winery, B.R. Cohn Winery and Ravenswood Winery.  Planning to stay two days is important so to also enjoy the amenities of the resort, The Lodge at Sonoma Resort & Spa. They advertise to come and relax, indulge, play and savor. That is so true with what the four star resort offers. The Raindance Spa is exhilarating as they offer body scrubs, messages and go as far as to offer astrology readings. “Raindance Spa offers treatments that draw upon the natural healing properties of the region’s herbs, plants, minerals and fruits, including lavender and grape seed.” But, there is much more the resort offers that include an outdoor pool, spa tub, sauna and fitness center. The onsite Carneros Bistro Wine Bar was named one of the top 50 restaurants in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine. The restaurant is our top pick after the long day of vineyard touring. The second day though, after a day of relaxing you should feel fit to venture off to our top pick restaurant for the evening. Redd is one of our top picks for dining, located in Napa Valley, the restaurant could be a choice pick for lunch as well. Redd has also received the Diners Choice award from OpenTable.com. Two highlights of their dinner menu are, a prime New York steak and short ribs, salt potatoes, bacon and Cipollini onion ragout; and second, Berkshire pork chop, sage polenta, roasted artichokes and root vegetables. Menus will be part of the vacation planning package supplied by Star Banquets and Travel. Direct online booking is available at www.vacationsnationalpark.com or you can call Star Banquets and Travel for assistance in planning
 a personalized vacation.

Now onto to the start of the sight seeing part of the vacation, which first is Redwood Forest National Park. “Most visitors know Redwood National and State Parks as home to the world's tallest trees—icons that inspire visions of mist-laden primeval forests bordering crystal-clear streams. But did you know that the parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, and nearly 40 miles of wild coastline, all of which support a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity and cultural traditions?” (U.S. National Park Service) If you wish to break up the drive to Oregon, then a couple choice spots are available from Eureka to Crescent City (see our booking links above). Two hotels in the area, the Carter House Inns, which is a luxury hotel is rated 3.5 stars but, a Red Lion Hotel that is 1/3 of the cost is rated near the same at three stars.  Details on Redwood National Park, things to do, trails is offered on VacationsNationalPark.com as well as dining stops along the way.

Self Planning Vacations

January 3, 2012, Star Banquets and Travel restructured to 1 Touch Reservations and closed our travel agency. Founder, Mike Rizzo continues to be all about travel and dining but, the main focus now is mobile reservations. PC based travel and dining websites have been split into two websites, www.finedining.ws and www.trips.ws. FineDining.ws is now officially converted and restructured to fit 1 Touch Reservations and the website is an amazing self planning source for dining out or dining at home. Trips.ws offers many sources for self planning vacations from hotels and all-inclusive vacations to adventure vacations, bus and train reservations and airline reservations. As stated at the beginning of this blog, our magazine, National Park Vacations was closed but, vacation articles will continue to be posted here. The fate of the first core travel website of Star Banquets in Travel, VacationsNationalPark.com created in 2009 is not determined at this post and continues to run. Many of the state pages were updated before the restructure. Trips.ws will be overhauled and updated. The updates will be completed by May 15th. 1 Touch Reservations now offers the best of online travel and dining planning services.
1 Touch Reservation's consumer website is offered for free to consumers with no registration required. The mobile website is www.1tr.mobi and auto detects eight different models of smart phones. The same website was converted to a PC/ Laptop structure and the website is the core reservations system for FineDining.ws. The website offers 1 touch calling to restaurants, GPS coordinated directions to restaurants from the user's current location, GPS coordinated hotel reservations, airline reservations, an iPhone bus reservations app, mobile event ticket sales, online reservations and the future includes online menus and coupons, which already is offered in the Houston area. The website now lists over 13,000 restaurants in 70 cities across the U.S. The sources for planning travel, whether for business or pleasure is endless, whether at home or in an office or on the road with a smart phone.

Alabama Trips

Alabama was one of our first states we posted vacation information on but, since the focus was on National Parks, trying to determine how to present Alabama was difficult.  2011 brings our best foot forward on Alabama vacations showing the worthiness of Alabama that includes the Gulf Coast and golf resorts, from Mobile to Fort Payne, which is just a few miles from the   Little River Canyon (photo right), Dauphin Island and direct links to vacations in Alabama. The Little River Canyon Preserve is a 12-mile-long canyon and is the largest canyon east of the Mississippi and a scenic drive is available with look out points to enjoy the beautiful scenery.  One such look out point is Lynn Overlook, which is the head and starting point for the Beaver Pond Trail.  The three quarter mile trail is a bird watchers paradise.  The Canyon beauty includes, "sweeping  anoramas of the canyon walls and the raging Little River below. Scan the walls of the canyon and you will see natural bridges and amazing formations created by the action of the river and the elements." (Alabama Tourism Department)  Enjoy relaxing at the end of the scenic drive at Canyon Mouth Park, which is a day use park and a relaxing place to enjoy a picnic.  The park offers grills, a beach and swimming in the crystal clear waters.  Fishing is also permitted at the park. The preserve is detailed with vacation options on our Alabama National Park page. Lookout Mountain is the ideal location for a quality couple get-away, perfect for a peaceful anniversary vacation or summer family vacation. A one-week vacation is ideal but, nobody can become board for a vacation to this area of Alabama/ Tennessee even during a two week vacation.  The Little River flows for early the entire length atop Lookout Mountain.  The area offers scenic views of forested uploads, canyon cliffs and bluffs and pools where waterfalls flow into.  The cliffs are of sandstone and have stunning beauty.  Just a couple examples of fun and vacation fulfilling things to do include Ruby Falls and the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.  Ruby Falls is the deepest commercial cave and has the highest underground waterfall at 145 feet in height. Guided tours are available and they end with an incredible panoramic view from the Lookout Mountain Tower.  The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway trolley ride is a one mile ride at a 72% grade straight up the mountain.  Tour Civil War sites such as the Battles for Chattanooga Electric Map & Museum, Point Park and the Chattanooga National Military Park system is only a short walk.  The bottom or start of the ride offers many stores to shop and good restaurants.  The good dining though can be extended by a short drive to downtown Chattanooga.  The one restaurant that has stood out when we researched Chattanooga restaurants is 212 Market St. Restaurant, which you can view at www.212Market.com who offers fine dining at its best in a casual atmosphere.  The menu is one of the best I have ever read. Starters include Grilled Georgia Quail Breasts served with Blueberry Compote & Rosemary Shortbread, a Mediterranean Sampler and Fire & Ice, which is Rock shrimp Gazpacho, Cilantro Sorbet and Avocado but, the best of the appetizers is their fried green tomatoes served with Cajun slaw and Creole Remoulade. One salad example is their Baby Spinach salad topped with Hazelnut vinaigrette, spiced pecans, Gorgonzola, Apples and smoked bacon.  Their entrées, desserts and rewards I am leaving to your imagination.  Little River Canyon is a choice vacation spot with so much to offer for a romantic vacation or a family vacation.  The featured accommodations is the Weiss Lake House in Cedar Bluff.  Visit our Alabama section of VacationsNationalPark.com for details and many vacation options. Included for Alabama vacations in this issue of National Park Vacations is the Marriott Grand Hotels in Mobile, which is near Dauphin Island.  Mobile Alabama may not be top pick for a anniversary vacation or honeymoon but, once you view this hotel that could very well change.  Located in Fairhope Alabama, near Mobile, the hotel has their own private beach. The dining options are fruitful even not leaving the hotel with five restaurants and a bar/lounge. The four star  hotel does offer room service as expected for this quality of resort but, is limited to specific hours. The golf course is 36 holes and the hotel offers an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a children's pool, and a health club. Spa amenities include spa services, massage/treatment rooms, facials, and body treatments. The golf course is the legendary Robert Trent Jones Golf trail.  The hotel is known as the “Queen of Southern Resorts” and is legendary for weddings.  So, for those who do not live in Mobile, know that the hotel is the quality many seek for a honeymoon or anniversary vacation.    The hotel is also family oriented with amenities such as the children’s pool and family activities offered in the surrounding area and beaches.  Family oriented adventures for Mobile include the USS Alabama tour – www.ussalabama.com, the Mobile Carnival Museum (Mobile was the birthplace of Mardi Gras) - www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com, the Mobile Zoo -  http://www.mobilezoo.cc, and the Mobile Mystery  Dinner Theatre – http://www.mobilemysterydinners.com, which can be part of a romantic vacation as well.  Planning a romantic vacation in the Mobile area, many sources of accommodations are available but, the two main hotels we are mentioning here are the Grand Marriott and the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina on Dauphin Island.   Dauphin Island offers much for a romantic vacation and family vacations from the Holiday Isle Resort and Marina to camp grounds on sugar sand beaches, Dauphin sanctuary, historic fort and a professional golf course. Star Banquets & Travel can plan your vacation and you can view online options at www.vacationsnationalpark.com. To start self planning your visit to Dauphin Island, start with the Chamber of commerce at http://dauphinislandcoc.com.  The Islamorada Hotel Resort is world famous for its fishing at the Marina, with Dauphin Island offering the only living barrier reef in North America. An 850’ fishing peer offers premium fishing and lots of room.  Charters are also available directly from the Marina. Dive and snorkeling trips are offered as well to nearby ship wrecks and the reefs.  The golf course is a premium 6,600 yard 18-hole scenic adventure and the golf course, although a professional golf  course it is offered to the not so professional. Direct information can found at www.dipoa.com/golfcourse. The Chamber of Commerce website offers details on the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary, which offers 164 acres of woodlands with trails through a mix of pines, live oaks, magnolias and stretches along the Gulf of Mexico. Dauphin Island is known is one of the top spots to observe tropical migrating birds and butterflies including song birds and humming birds.  The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is an extraordinary place to visit, which should be top on your list. The Estuarium offers wonders of Alabama that include habitat details, aquariums and interactive exhibits. Last but, not least, for the nature enthusiast and outdoors man, camping on Dauphin Island is offered at the Dauphin Island Camp Ground. The park offers 150 sites that have power and water, 75 of which have sewer, onsite bathhouse with hot showers, washers/ dryers, an onsite store, a group pavilion with large barbecue grill, walking trails, bicycle rental and on. All the information on these fun places to visit can be found at www.dauphinisland.org. Fine dining on Dauphin Island I am not too certain about. First, I believe that restaurants on Dauphin Island may not know the Internet exists.  The only restaurant I could find that appears to be at all appetizing is the Island Rainbow, who has a 92% rating on Urban Spoon but, no online menu.  Mobile is the best bet for romantic fine dining. Two restaurants that stand out for fine dining is Noja, www.nojamobile.com and Café Royal, www.caferoyalmobile.net. Jesse’s Steakhouse is also a very good choice.  All three are rated four star, Noja has 72 reviews, Jesse’s 30 and Café Royal 54 reviews. My opinion from reading the reviews is I give all three restaurants a 4.2 rating on quality of food, experience and ambiance but, a lower 3.8 rating on their menus.

Seattle Vacations

Romantic times on a clear night with a sliver of a moon ending a perfect day touring a city from breakfast to dinner and topping it off with a fun place such as a theatre gives that romantic feeling for a couple.  Food can be romantic, scenery can be romantic, a sunset can be romantic and on and on.  Chocolate has been called an aphrodisiac and personally, I believe walking into a chocolate store, especially when the chocolate is being made, is quite romantic.  C.J. Johnson describes a romantic time with food in an article she wrote for TravelingToday.Com; "Standing at Pike Place Market on a cool autumn morning I watched the donut batter pop and bubble in the boiling grease. The smell of donuts wafted through the air and warmed my nose. The pastries proceeded through the hot, oily machinery on their way to the serving port. As they came to the end of the line, golden brown and begging for my attention, the woman behind the counter grabbed them and plunged them into sugar and cinnamon."  She sets the stage for her article with the feeling of the cool autumn morning and the smell of the donuts.  Similarly I feel the same way when I walk into Panera Breads for example and smell that fresh baked break but, that may not be a romantic moment.  That is not the point though, the point is knowing how and letting a city romance you. Romancing a city from morning to evening includes breakfast, maybe some early morning shopping, strolling along the city, lunch, maybe some afternoon strolls in a museum or park, dinner and the evening event; but, the evening must end, which means sleep.  Romancing the city and then ending up in a less than romantic hotel does not suit my fancy.  Starting with breakfast in Seattle, the Pike Place Market is where Johnson wrote about the fresh donuts.  Also for breakfast I found two restaurants that peaked my attention: Chanterelle Specialty Foods with their orange cornmeal waffles and the cinnamon-raisin French toast plus the Macrina Bakery & Café for those who are bread, bagel and cobbler lovers.  To walk off the breakfast with a little shopping depends on where you ate.  If you chose eating breakfast at the Pike Place Market place you can conveniently take stroll in their market.  A quick preview can be read at www.pikeplacemarket.org where they offer the bakery, berries, candy, coffee, tea & spices, diary, fresh produce, meats, honey, nuts and on.  Downtown is well known for the two block area of well known high-end stores and morning time may be the best time to slip in and out without joining the crowds.  Walking up an appetite for lunch, keeping mind that you are romancing the city and depending on where you shopped, leaving the ambiance for dinner and focus on something quick small and tasty, try the Red Mill Burgers.  Voted the best burgers in Seattle 10 years in a row and "One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You die" from Oprah Show & GQ Magazine.  (www.redmillburgers.com)  But if you want the relaxing atmosphere, nice ambiance and gourmet food I strongly suggest the Palomino Euro Bistro.  10Best.Com only rated them three-star, which surprised me because the Dallas location I dined at was definitely a five-star and rated so.  Now to continue the day in Seattle, the next venture is shopping or maybe afternoon stroll in a Museum.  If you did not pass through downtown, the shopping area consists of 14 shopping areas all packed with stores.  From Beltown, Capitol Hill, Chinatown and Denny Triangle to Pioneer Square, South Lake Union, Uptown and Waterfront. Anything you want to shop for is there.  Detailed information and store lists is available at www.downtownseattle.com.   But, on the Museum side, walking around after two meals and a couple of hours of shopping, I would settle for a relaxing IMAX sit down at the Pacific Science Center.  Detailed information for that museum is available at www.pacsci.org/default.html.  The romantic day has been eventful with the wonderful gourmet breakfast and the tasty lunch concluding with the IMAX relaxing movie, the fall/ winter sunset should be the icing on top of the cake before you head to your hotel or house to prepare for dinner. To end the evening, I suggest a romantic hotel and dinner close by and it does not get more romantic then returning to your hotel and sitting out on a balcony at the waters edge with a cocktail.  The suggested hotel is the Waterfront  (Edgewater) hotel but, we are giving you a link to all Seattle hotels.  Click here to view the photos inside and out of Seattle hotels and pricing.  If you decide on our hotel selection then you do not have far for dinner at the Six Seven Restaurant & Lounge because it is just downstairs.  The dinner menu will help make up your mind.  Their menu is just one example of our vacation package proposal. Romancing Seattle sounds fun and romantic and I hope that this article put you there.  If you live in Seattle, much I have written here you may know but, for all of you who plan on visiting Seattle, I hope my article put you in romancing Seattle dreamland. 
Topping off the vacation and continuing with a focus on vineyards with this issue of National Park Vacations, we have found some choice tour companies but, if you wish to self tour, we are high lighting some of the vineyards, which are most well known. Before leaving Whidbey Island though, a visit to Whidbey Island Winery is worth the time. You can visit their website at http://www.whidbeyislandwinery.com. They grow their own grapes on Whidbey Island, which has low rain fall but long summer days and cool nights creating a good climate for white grapes. All of their wines made from their grapes at this time are white wines. They produce red wines from grapes grown in the Yakima Valley and include: Cabernet Franc 2007 (Yakima Valley) Syrah 2006, Malbec 2009 and Sangiovese 2008. They won a gold award for their white Roussanne 2008 Horse Heaven Hills and also make a Pinot Grigio and a Chardonnay. The suggested tour company in Seattle is Bon Vivant, www.bonvivanttours.com, which offers scheduled tours on Friday through Sunday and private tours by reservation. The tours offered include: 1. Woodinville Wineries, home to the headquarters estate of Chateau Ste Michelle, who is Washington’s largest and most well known producer of fine wines and has the longest history wine making in the state. 2. A tour of wineries in the city of Seattle 3. Bainbridge Island Day Tour, which includes lunch. Wenatchee Valley day tour and includes visiting vineyards and wineries of the “Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth. 4. Tour of the wineries from the Yakima city area to Wapato Buena in the western part of the Yakima Valley. More tours are available including privately scheduled tours. See their website for details.
Chateau Ste Michelle should be the top choice for a self tour of wineries and vineyards in Washington. Chateau Ste Michelle has four vineyards and wineries in the state of Washington: Indian Wells Vineyard, Cold Creek Vineyard, Canoe Ridge Estate Winery & Vineyard and Horse Heaven Vineyard. Wines include the Artist Series Meritage, single vineyard wines, and wines created by their wine makers. Winery tours are available at Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville, which is about 15 miles northeast of Seattle. Details are available at www.ste-michelle.com. The vineyard and winery to visit in the Wenatchee valley is the Bellla Terrazza Vineyards. The vineyard grows Cabernet Franc, Chardonnnay, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Pinot Gris and Riesling. Their wines are quite popular and three on their 2008 wines are already sold out. Detailed information is available at www.bellaterrazzavineyards.com. The suggested wineries to visit in the city of Seattle is the South Seattle Artisan Wineries, http://ssaw.info. The wineries include Nota Bene Cellars, Cadence Winery, Laurelhurst Cellars, Bartholomew Winery, Fall Line Winery, O S Winery. Tours and tastings are offered on the second Saturdays starting February through August 2011, 1-5 pm. If you are into beer then you may want to put on your visitation list two of the well known Seattle breweries, Elysian Brewing Company, www.elysianbrewing.com and Pike Brewing Company, www.pikebrewing.com. Such a good mix of vineyards and wineries to visit! Even one day set aside can be quite enjoyable and informative. Seattle offers so much, which is one half of our suggested Washington vacation. Quality restaurants, good hotels, awesome places to shop and well known and famous Washington vineyards to visit. Olympic National Park is just as much fulfilling in a Washington vacation. Do not forget that Star Banquets and Travel is here to help plan a customized vacation that will fit time wishes and your budget.

Washington National Park Vacations

Posting pieces from our 2011 Summer edition of National Park Vacations, Washington vacations was the cover story and this area is one of the largest vacation content on our National Park website, www.vacationsnationalpark.com. The Olympic Peninsula is the key focus of our 2011 Washington vacations. The articles posted in the headline section of our Washington vacation section VacationsNationalPark.com cover Whidbey and Camano Islands of Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula and an article on hiking Mount Rainer National Park. Seattle was a featured article for our 2010 headlines and we are republishing that article as part of this 2011 Washington cover story.

Olympic National Park is one of the six National Parks detailed on VacationsNationalPark.com The park is the center of the Olympic Peninsula and offers so much to do. Olympic National Park is another of Washington's wonder wilderness National Parks but, this park also offers a strip that runs along the coast for 73 miles.  Offering wilderness, wildlife, mountains, as well as the ocean, the park is a nature lover's paradise.  Along the coastal line is the mouth of two rivers, the Hoh River and the Quileute River.  The mouth of the Quileute river is the town of La Push, a small town that is home to the Quileute Native American Tribe.  The park offers hiking, backpacking, camping and fishing with roads through out the park for those who wish for a leisurely ride through paradise.  U.S. Highway 101 offers access to all areas of the park that include: Elwha, Fairholme, Heart o'the Hills, Hoh Rain Forest, Hurricane Ridge, Kalaloch, Barnes Point, Mora, Port Angeles and access to Seattle via ferry.  The day walks of many from easy going to more challenging offer beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife.  Olympic National Park contains the largest wild herd of Roosevelt elk in the world and many other species of wildlife can be expected to be seen, which means caution should be taken when visiting. Shopping around on VacationsNationalPark.com for your Washington vacation offers many choices that include special locations for vacation rentals at Oak Bay, Gig Harbor, Crystal Chalet, Mount Rainer, Whidbey Island and more. Tour options include scuba diving, snorkeling and whale watching tours. Starting out our featured vacation on the Olympic Peninsula area, we suggest getting relaxed in the park, or at one of the ocean side resorts. So, to start the journey, we suggest the Lake Quinault Lodge, which can be booked online at VacationsNationalPark.com or we can put a complete package together through our travel agency. The Lake Quinault Lodge has over 20 reviews on Yelp and is rated 3.5 stars. The lodge has an onsite restaurant, indoor pool, sauna and is right on the shores of Lake Quinault. The lake is in the center of a rain forest, where the largest Sitka Spruce tree in the world can be found. See majestic water falls, and wildlife that include Roosevelt Elk, Black Tail Deer, Cougars, Bald Eales, Bobcats and Black Bears. The area offers miles of trails, swimming in beautiful water, boating and fishing. Four star fine dining restaurants are not expected in small towns or wilderness area but, we did find a quality restaurant we suggest, which is the Salmon House, located at 516 South Shore Rd. They are well known for their Salmon but, also have a good selection of steaks, gourmet entrées that include Chicken Marsala, Chicken Cordon Bleu and a very good wine selection. Next, our vacation package includes Whidbey and Camano Islands of Puget Sound. A detailed article can be read on our Washington headline page at VacationsNationalPark.com. The author of the article, David Petrich describes the area as, “Timelessly drifting at the headwaters of the Puget Sound in the shadow of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains lies two extraordinary islands.” The Islands are populated with seaside villages, camp grounds, pastoral farmland all in a picturesque terrain. The Islands are a photographers paradise. The popular cuisine is artisan. Also popular, find coffee shops that offer coffee roasted right on the island. The Islands are a pathway of storms rolling into the island, which commonly only leave a mist that creates some of the most beautifully known rainbows. The islands are well known for their festivals, which include the Camano’s Harvest Jubilee, DjangoFest Jass festival, Kite festival and more. To mix up the vacation a little and change gears before heading to the big city the suggested accommodations is the Tulalip Resort Casino. The resorts offers full-serve health spa and offers body treatments, facials and beauty services. Five restaurants are also available on property. Several restaurants are available which we can coordinate the reservations such as Front Street Grill, which has top reviews and a very good menu. I classify the restaurant as fine dining with a good mix of seafood, meats and a good wine selection. More details are available at VacationsNationalPark.com

Use a Travel Agency for National Park Vacations

The majority of all travel agencies offer tours, cruises, vacation packages and on, so asking a travel agency to plan a National Park vacation for your family most likely will result in offering tours.  Peabody Travel, Star Banquets and Travel's licensed travel agency offers it and online booking tools.  Guaranteed you will not find a more resourceful travel agency for National Park vacations.  Starting with our first travel website, created in 2009, www.vacationsnationalpark.com, the site offers online booking in near 20 states that are centered near National Parks.  The online booking includes hotels, resorts, restaurants and restaurant coupons.  That is just the booking tools once you go through the resources of planning your National Park vacation.  Details of each park, things to do, places to go, time of year to visit, park operating hours and on are offered on the site.  Additionally, as a licensed travel agency, we have nine current tours posted in detail on the site from Globus.  The resources do not stop there for four previous issues of our National Park magazine are available and our summer 2011 issue is the best writing ever produced by founder Mike Rizzo.  The near 50 page issue details four vacations that are absolutely amazing starting with the Olympic National Park in Washington, down the west coast and over to Arizona and includes Texas and Alabama.  It is a must read issue of National Park Vacation and one comment from the Washington State Tourist Department was, "Best electronic vacation magazine they have seen in 2011."  As we stated in our introduction of US National Park Vacations, we will pick up with details on national park vacations in Hawaii.  You can view the two published issues at
VacationsNationalPark.com