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Casa Madrona in San Francisco: A Hidden Gem

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

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Enjoying panoramic harbor views is just one of the many highlights of the San Francisco area, and that’s exactly what every traveler can expect when staying at the Casa Madrona. This luxury hotel is a true hidden gem as it overlooks the San Francisco Bay, which is listed as a landmark hotel on the National Register of Historic Places.

Casa Madrona in San Francisco

The Casa Madrona is a simple yet extravagant hotel that offers guests luxury rooms. The wide variety of rooms available all offer their own special and unique accommodations.

  • Hillside Guest House – guests can take pleasure in viewing the San Francisco skyline from this apartment-style room
  • Hillside Cottage Suite – gorgeous views can be enjoyed from this large cottage-style suite
  • Hillside Cottage w/Balcony – guests can enjoy the views while sitting on the balcony
  • Hillside Cottage – guests can appreciate spectacular views from this sophisticated cottage-style room
  • Hillside Cottage w/Partial View – a spacious, contemporary, quiet room that offers still spectacular partial views of the bay
  • Mansion Suite – a luxury room with fireplace that includes a balcony overlooking Richardson Bay and the San Francisco skyline
  • Mansion Deluxe – a small, classic Victorian-style that offers great views of the Sausalito Bay and Richardson Bay
  • Mansion Junior Suite – beautiful views of the bay can be seen from this Victorian-style suite
  • Alexandrite Suite – extraordinary panoramic views of the bay, with private outdoor decks, a chef’s kitchen and a media wall
  • Harbor Side Courtyard – this apartment-style room offers magnificent panoramic views of the day
  • Deluxe Harbor Side View – some of the absolute best views of the bay can be seen from this contemporary, luxury room
  • Wellness Rooms – offers guests a wellness experience that will nurture the mind and body
  • ADA Accessible Room – ADA rooms are available

Dining at the Poggio Trattoria is a must for guests who enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. Making reservations is recommended. The restaurant specializes in Italian comfort food, all with roots from the Northern Italy area. Fresh ingredients are a focus, and the garden growing right behind the restaurant makes for the freshest meals. Private dining rooms can accommodate up to 150 people, and the option to create a personalized menu is available. Some of their specialties are listed below.

  • Breakfast – Liege Waffles, Frittatas, Fresh Berries, Cappuccinos
  • Lunch – Wood Fired Pizza, Grilled Whole Mediterranean Seabass, House-made Sausage
  • Dinner – Local Dungeness Crab, Short Rib Filled Pasta, Braised Pork Ragu

Nearby Attractions

Popular nearby attractions include:

  • Napa Valley
  • Sonoma Valley
  • Muir Woods
  • Local Boutique Shops
  • The Golden Gate Bridge
  • Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Haight Ashbury

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Prana by Atzaro Luxury Yacht

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel groupPrana by Atzaro is a brand well-known for providing travelers with the luxurious hospitality they’re looking for when traveling the world. Their overall authentic style is easily one that all travelers will appreciate, as they offer a variety of luxury-based ventures that make for quite the unique experiences. Some of the more popular ventures they offer include wellness retreats, treks to volcanic islands, sailing through Indonesian islands, and luxury yacht sailing. Ready to sail in luxurious style?

Prana by Atzaro Luxury Yacht

Luxury yacht sailing aka luxury Phinisi sailing is a deluxe way to sail the paradise seas of Indonesia. Their handcrafted traditional Indonesian Phinisi is built entirely of iron wood and teak and has two mighty masts for sailing through the open seas. This extravagant yacht sailing opportunity is perfect for a small group looking for a once in a life time experience exploring the seas.

Indonesian Phinisi sails all year round, with the destinations depending on the season. The itinerary can even be personalized when a full charter is booked, making for a truly unique sea sailing venture. Views to be had include virgin coral reefs, exquisite beaches, and untouched nature in the Komodo islands. Sailing through the more than 1500 islands of Raja Ampat is one of the more popular destination choices.

Plenty of space means plenty of comfort for all, and the Indonesian Phinisi can comfortably accommodate up to 9 guests. Everyone will enjoy their own private room, which are completely sound proof for everyone’s quiet sailing enjoyment. Both indoor and outdoor lounging decks are available and include oversized daybeds, a favorite pastime.

Guests can partake in a variety of fun and exciting water sports, including water skiing. Exploring unseen areas via sea kayaks and paddle boards is a must and makes for wonderful memories that’ll easily last a lifetime. Guests can even learn how to snorkel and scuba dive from Prana´s resident dive instructor.

The dining area is very impressive and includes a fully stocked bar, allowing guests the chance to enjoy sipping exotic cocktails while relaxing on the deck, enjoying the spectacular ocean views. The chef and on-board kitchen team cook with passion, always offering guests the most exquisite local foods, all based on Asian and Mediterranean cuisine.

Additional offerings include a luxury spa and a yoga deck that turns into an open-air cinema, perfect for a little fun nighttime entertainment.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Why it’s Important to Take an Annual Vacation

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

Why it’s Important to Take an Annual Vacation

When’s the last time you took a vacation? While many people tend to think that taking an annual vacation is a luxury, taking a break from one’s normal routine is actually recommended for a well-balanced life. Just like choosing the right foods to eat and exercising on a regular basis, taking a vacation every single year should be on everyone’s list of things to do as it can help them live a truly happy and healthy life.

January 30th is National Plan a Vacation Day, a great reminder for those who work hard all year long that it’s time to plan a vacation!

Reasons why it’s important for everyone to take regular vacations

Remember how exciting it was to have some time off when going to grade school, high school, college? Not only did you get the entire summer off, there were also many breaks when you didn’t have to attend school, i.e. spring break, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. But once you get started on your new career path, this tends to change. It’s now easy for you to get caught up in your workload, which is one of the reasons why many workers will put off taking a vacation, because they don’t want to fall behind or lose their competitive edge.

Even so, the many benefits that come with taking an annual vacation are not to be missed and for that reason should be a part of everyone’s yearly calendar of things to do. The following is a list of the top reasons why it’s important for everyone to add taking regular vacations to their calendar.

 

  • Vacations are good for your health and well-being. Everyone needs a break from the pressures of everyday life. A vacation allows for the resting and relaxation, giving your body the ability improve and mend itself for better overall health.

 

  • Vacations improve relationships. Vacations are the perfect time for bonding! Whether it’s a couple or a family, doing fun and exciting things together while on vacation supports togetherness and therefore is invaluable.

 

  • Vacations allow for a refocus. Studies show that when someone is so involved with their work that they don’t make time for much of anything else, they will often experience memory problems and focusing problems. Taking an annual vacation allows them to refocus so they can return to work more energized.

 

  • Vacations make you happier. Vacations are a time for fun and relaxation, which means no stress and no worries. When there’s nothing to stress or worry about it’s hard to be anything else than happy.

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Summertime Skiing

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

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How does summertime skiing sound? If you’re someone who enjoys the cooler months more than the warmer months, then taking a ski trip during the summertime is definitely worth your time looking further into. There are quite a few summer skiing destinations for you to choose from, which means you’re sure to find a destination that is just right for you.

Summertime Skiing Destinations

The following is a list of some of the best summertime skiing destinations, which are becoming more popular nowadays as more and more people are looking for cooler vacation options to take during the summertime.

 

  • Treble Cone in Wanaka, New Zealand – This summertime ski area is a great choice for intermediate skiers and expert skiers. It opens the end of June and allows skiers some of the best skiing slopes as well as access to some of the most gorgeous wintertime scenery.
  • New South Wales, Australia – This Australian ski resort is located in the Kosciuszko National Park and includes four different areas for skiing, making it one of the biggest ski resorts located in the southern hemisphere. Other options besides skiing include snowboarding, snow tubing, and tobogganing.
  • The Chilean Andes, South America – Ski Portillo offers over 1000 acres of skiing trails in a very remote location, and is a great choice for families or newbie skiers. While the skiing trails are indeed the main reason while people choose this summertime ski resort, a close second is to enjoy the absolutely spectacular scenery.
  • Kaprun, Austria – This year round ski resort is a great choice for intermediate and expert skiers. Lots of run choices and a total of eight jumps easily allure summertime skiers, making this a skiing resort that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
  • Zermatt in Switzerland – The Matterhorn is one of the most well-known peaks and is located very near Zermatt. This is not only the largest summer ski area in Europe, it accommodates all types of skiers, from beginners to experts.
  • Blackcomb Mountain, British Columbia, Canada – Even though this popular ski resort is only open from mid-June to mid-July, millions of people choose this summertime skiing destination due to the fantastic snow runs and excellent temperatures.
  • The Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood, Oregon – This United States based summertime skiing option is popular as it’s the only ski resort in the United States that offers year round skiing. Both intermediate skiers and expert skiers will enjoy skiing down Mount Hood, which is a volcano located within the Cascade Range.

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Most Unusual Experiences When Visiting New York City

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

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Currently planning your next trip to the Big Apple? How exciting! New York City is one of the top tourist destinations in the entire world as there are so many things to see and do in this concrete jungle. Since you’ve previously vacationed in New York City, you’ve already seen some of the more popular New York City attractions – Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park. Now you’re looking to experience some of the more unusual experiences that the City that Never Sleeps has to offer.

Most Unusual Experiences

The following is a list of some of the more unusual experiences vacationers can choose to partake in when visiting New York City.

 

  • Comedy Clubs. Instead of attending some of the more popular comedy clubs in New York City, attend an improvisational theater, i.e. Upright Citizens Brigade.
  • Roosevelt Hotel. Enjoy drinking cocktails on the Roosevelt Hotel rooftop (only available during the summer months).
  • Kayak Down the Hudson River.
  • Mixology Class. Take a mixology class at Apotheke, where you get to create your own version of your favorite alcoholic drink.
  • Visit Off the Main Path Museums. Visit the National Museum of the American Indian, a very interesting and completely free museum.
  • Manhattan Forest. Instead of visiting Central Park, head uptown to visit the oldest forest in Manhattan. Specifically Inwood Hill Park, which is home to the oldest forest and salt marsh located in the city of Manhattan.
  • Visit a European Monastery.
  • Chinatown, off the beaten path. Instead of visiting Chinatown by going down its main street, Canal Street, head down the secret alleyways that will lead you to additional Chinese shops. Here you’ll find everything from medicinal teas to professional massages to freshly made dim sum.
  • Manhattan Ski Resort. When there’s enough snow, head to Central Park’s Bethesda Fountain for some fun skiing, sledding or snowboarding adventures.
  • Walk Down the High Line While it’s Raining.
  • New Year’s Day. Join of thousands of people who jump into the Atlantic Ocean on New Year’s Day.
  • Jazz Age Festival. From June to August, people can dress up like a flapper and enjoy one of the most spectacular jazz festivals taking place today.
  • Take a Bus Ride. Plan for a day of hoping on and hoping off buses. You can either plan the day are keep it completely spontaneous.
  • Find the Hidden Door to Old New York.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Where is the Best Place to go to Exchange Currency for Travel?

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent


elite travel group 6Getting ready to travel abroad? Wondering where the best place is for you to exchange currency? Because currency exchange rates are going to vary, understanding where you can exchange your currencies so you can get the best rate is a smart idea. Carefully choosing a place where you can exchange your currency for another can save you lots of money, as you’ll be avoiding both poor exchange rates and potential high fees.

Where is the Best Place to go to Exchange Currency for Travel?

In order to make sure travelers are not taken advantage of when traveling to another country, it’s best for them to exchange their currencies before they take their trip at a well-known bank or hotel.

 

  • Before Leaving Home: there are many banks in the United States that will allow their customers to purchase foreign currencies before taking a trip outside the country. All someone needs to do is contact their bank and ask if they offer this service. If they do, they need to also ask what their exchange rate is and whether or not they charge any fees for this service. Comparing the bank’s exchange rate to the global exchange rate will let people know if they’re indeed getting a good deal by using their bank to exchange their currency for travel.

 

  • Using a Known Hotel for Currency Exchange: many hotels in other countries will allow their guests to exchange their currencies at the front desk. Be sure to understand their buy and sell exchange rates. And know if they charge you 10% or less to do the transaction, that this is a fair fee.

 

  • Using a Credit Card to Exchange Currency: while using a credit card to exchange currency is often an option, understand that the exchange rates when using most credit cards are going to be high. Using a credit card that doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees is therefore recommended.

 

Travelers who happen to have any foreign currency left over after their trip should exchange it before leaving the country, as this will allow them the best rates.

 

A few currency exchange tips:

  • Don’t let a foreign merchant charge your credit card in dollars
  • Don’t use your credit card to get cash advances in foreign countries
  • While using a currency converter website may seem convenient, the exchange rates will not only be higher, you also have to pay for the delivery charges

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Packing Light for Winter

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent


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Planning on traveling this winter? Looking for ways to NOT overpack when traveling during the colder winter weather months? Good idea. You definitely want to avoid lugging around heavy suitcases while traveling, and by learning a few simple tips for packing light in the wintertime you won’t have to. Since the winter months are right around the corner, now’s the time for you to understand how to pack for winter as it really does require a whole new packing approach.

Ready to learn some really great tips that will make packing in the wintertime a breeze?

How to Pack Lighter During Cold Months – A Few Tips

Packing appropriately for each and every trip is definitely an art. You don’t want to under pack as you want to be sure you bring everything you need, and you don’t want to over pack as this can make it difficult for you to find anything, and overpacked luggage is heavy! This makes it a fine line when it comes to packing the perfect suitcase.

When packing for wintertime travel, of course you’re going to need to pack clothes that are going to keep you warm, like sweaters, jackets, warm pants, scarves, etc. So what are a few things you can do to make packing when traveling during cold weather super simple?

Here’s a list of the best winter packing tips you can follow.

TIP: Wear your heaviest sweater and bulkiest coat when boarding your plane.

TIP: Put your jacket in your carry-on bag it the bag is large enough.

TIP: Wear one pair of weatherproof winter boots and bring two pairs of really warm socks.

TIP: Pack a neutral colored lightweight hat, 2 neutral colored scarves, and a pair of thin, neutral colored waterproof gloves. Neutral colors go with everything!

TIP: Pack thin items that can be layered, i.e. thin sweaters, thermal tops, thermal bottoms.

TIP: Pack 2 pairs of warm pants, one black pair and one neutral colored pair.

TIP: Use a compression bag to pack thick sweaters and jackets.

TIP: Invest in a quality, lightweight carry-on bag that offers lots of pockets for organizing.

TIP: Instead of packing pajamas, sleep in thermals.

TIP: Plan out your wardrobe be laying out all of your options on your bed so you can create at least 10 outfits by mixing and matching the same items.

Good to Know! When you board a plane, the further back you go the less likely you’ll have any overhead space to put your belongings.

Elite Travel Management Group, Inc

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Driving the Coast of California: 5 Top Cities in 5 days

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent


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Planning on driving the coast of California? Only have five days so wondering which five of the many beautiful coastal cities in California are a must see? The west coast offers many charming coastal beach cities, making deciding which ones to visit not an easy task. The simple solution is to choose five cities to visit while driving the coast of California now, and then simply choose to visit the next five cities on your list the next time the lure of the west coast beckons you.

Driving the Coast of California

Driving the coast of California makes for a wonderful west coast adventure! From fancy beach houses to cozy beachside cottages to modern condominiums, the Golden State really does have it all. And the sights never get boring when driving the Cali coast, as the views change as one drives along the coastline. From endless ocean views to jagged cliffsides to delightful beachside towns, this west coast adventure is one that people will take over and over again.

5 Top Cities in 5 days

Is watching the gorgeous sunsets over the Pacific Ocean on your bucket list? How about finding some coastal beach cities where you can spend the day sunbathing, shopping, lounging, eating and having fun adventures with family and/or friends? Whatever your goals are, the following five cities in California are to be explored and enjoyed during your five day coastal driving trip.

 

Top City #1 – La Jolla: The beaches in La Jolla are perfect for sunbathing, surfing, snorkeling, and exploring local sea caves. An exquisite golf course is available, as well as private helicopter tours.

Top City #2 – Santa Barbara: This coastal California city offers lots of picturesque landscapes, as well as historic and cultural landmarks, which is why the city of Santa Barbara is also known as the American Riviera. Some of the best California beaches are found here, as well as fun shopping opportunities.

Top City #3 – San Luis Obispo: The San Luis Obispo area is rich in diversity, making it the perfect west coast city for hiking, biking, surfing, horse riding, beach lounging, boutique shopping, visiting museums and attending art galleries and festivals.

Top City #4 – Carmel by the Sea: This spectacular seaside city in California offers dramatic views of mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy relaxing on the beach, shopping in the local boutiques and enjoy dining in the many fantastic restaurants available in this delightful coastal location.

Top City #5 – San Francisco: There are so many things to see and do in San Francisco that this City by the Bay would definitely need to be visited more than once when driving the coast of California. A few highlights include visiting Pier 39, riding a cable car and exploring North Beach.

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Highlights of Aruba

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent


elite travel group arubaThinking about traveling to Aruba? Where the weather is sunny all year long and the white sand beaches beckon all who walk by to come, sit down, enjoy the views and relax for a while? Add the friendly locals and the exotic cuisine and it’s easy to see why Aruba is a popular tourist attraction these days. This makes Aruba a perfect destination choice for newlyweds, families and groups of friends who are looking to have some fun and adventure. Ready to find out what some of the best highlights are when visiting this picturesque Caribbean Island?

Highlights of Aruba

The following is a list of some of the must see and must do’s when traveling to the beautiful yet fairly small island of Aruba. While Aruba is indeed a popular vacation island, it never feels too crowded. Best time to visit Aruba is between the months of April and August.

 

  • Visit Eagle Beach – ranked as one of the top ten beaches in the whole world, this highlight is a definite must see!
  • Visit the Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins
  • Take a Jeep Safari Tour
  • Visit the Museums – two must see museums are the Archaeology Museum and the Historical Museum
  • Go Reef Diving – Aruba has fantastic coral reef gardens
  • Sign up for a Snorkeling Tour
  • Sign up for a Kayaking Tour
  • Sign up for a Fishing Tour
  • Take a Cruise around the Island
  • Take a Sailing Tour around the Island
  • Visit the Natural Bridge – Aruba’s most photographed attraction
  • Sign up for a Taste of Aruba Tour – explore local products made on the island, i.e. Balashi Beer and Aruhiba Cigars
  • Visit the California Lighthouse and the California Sand Dunes – located near Arashi Beach
  • Take a guided tour in the largest passenger submarine in the world!
  • Visit Eagle Beach – famous for its turtle nesting area
  • Bon Bini Festival in Oranjestad, Aruba’s capital city – Every Tuesday evening in the outer courtyard of the Historical Museum Aruba’s history is expressed through local music, art, folklore dancers, and culinary specialties. Fun!
  • Explore Aruba on horseback
  • Explore Aruba while riding ATVs, UTVs and/or Trikes
  • Go Skydiving – jump out of an airplane and enjoy the gorgeous views all the way down
  • Explore Arikok National Park
  • Visit Palm Island – a fun day trip that includes water slides, small pools for kids, snorkeling and a huge buffet for all ages to enjoy
  • Explore the Antilla Shipwreck – the largest shipwreck dive offered in the Caribbean Sea
  • Visit the Hooiberg – this volcanic formation is a must see for nature lovers

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Why Visit the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona

by Tammy Levent
written by Tammy Levent

elite travel groupCurrently planning a trip to Barcelona? How exciting! Barcelona, Spain is an absolutely gorgeous vacation destination and should be on everyone’s vacation bucket list. While there are definitely many fun and exciting things for you to see and do while you’re vacationing in Barcelona, adding the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral to your list is a definite must. You can choose to explore this famous architectural site on your own, or you can book a guided tour to learn much more about its impressive and interesting history.

The La Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Why visit the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral in beautiful Barcelona, Spain? Because it’s an absolutely spectacular vision to behold! The unique architecture used to create this truly impressive building structure is both striking and poetic, and is currently the second most visited attraction in all of Spain. One of the many things the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is famous for? The fact that it has been a work in progress since 1882.

Antonio Gaudi was the famous Spanish architect who spent more than 40 years designing this architectural masterpiece, until his death in 1926. Since he planned his vision using a number of drawings and detailed instructions, other workers were able to continue with the construction. The completion date for this ongoing Roman Catholic Church construction project is currently scheduled for 2026, as this is 100 years after Gaudi’s death.

Both the interior of the church and the exterior of the church offer many sites to behold. The outside towers are impressively noticeable, and is where the bells will eventually be hung once the construction is finished. The classical construction of the inside of the building intertwines with a number of unique symbolisms, which means every door and pillar comes with its own special symbolic meaning. There are also two chapels inside that include many of the symbols Gaudi wanted to include in the building’s architecture, making them both a must see.

Free tours are available and are highly recommended for those who want a guided exploration of this absolutely spectacular area. Because the La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a Catholic church, visitors must pay very close attention to the rules in place, i.e. no see through clothing, no back exposure, shoulders must be covered, special clothing related to other types festivity celebrations.

Other nearby sites to see include Park Guell, Gaudi’s Avenue and Flora Tristan’s Gardens.

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