Travel Blog

Maui Boys & Girls Club - a fun vacation spot

Kiana Gleeton (center), the granddaughter of James Gleeton and great grandniece of Melzani Killebrew both of Memphis, recently joined her parents on a one-week vacation to Maui, Hawaii. Kiana, a second grader at Batesville Intermediate School who wants to return to Maui and spend more time at their Boys and Girls Club, lives in Hernando with her parents, Keith and Cynthia Gleeton.

Cruising Alaska

John and Marguerite Osby (left) of Collierville and Oliver and Elizabeth McKinney of Memphis took a seven-day Alaskan cruise aboard the Holland America Line MS Volendam Aug. 24-31. Ports of call included Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage and Ketchikan, Alaska. The quartet are pictured before the captain's dinner in the two-tier Rotterdam Dining Room.

40th anniversary takes flight

John and Carolyn Malish of Germantown celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a trip to the outer banks of North Carolina. They visited Ocracoke Island, Rodanthe (where the movie "Nights in Rodanthe" was filmed), Nags Head, Cape Hatteras and Kitty Hawk with the Wright Memorial in the background. Carolyn is director of Music at Church of the Holy Spirit and John is recently retired from Northwest Airlines.

So yesterday was a it of hell, frankly, what with driving hours in what seemed to be never-ending rain of every sort, from sprinkles to full-out sideways sheets of the stuff.

Normally, that kind of driving is white knuckle time all on it's own; add in a 15-year old teenager logging some highway time and it becomes reason enough to imbibe an entire bottle of pinot grigio upon arrival.

But then we arrived at our destination: Alys Beach, the latest - and last - beach area to be developed along in south Walton County, along County Road 30A, and all that tension just melted away. Of course, the pinot helped, but even sans wine our temporary home is enough to melt away any tension.

The small community of whitewashed courtyard and freestanding homes is in the infancy of its development; just about 30 homes are now complete. Over the next few decades, that number will rise to 600. Despite its diminutive stature, there's nothing lacking here in what's definitely the ultimate Nirvana in this part of the world.

We're in a courtyard home, a three-bedroom dream house of luxurious touches. From the marble bathrooms to the Bogey-esque furnishings (that's Humphrey Bogart - i.e. 40s-era charm, to those of you who have no clue about to what I am referring), the tall ceilings, the courtyard filled with overstuffed loungers and a melodious fountain, down to the huge selection of CDs in rotation on the house-wide sound system, nothing has been overlooked here. (Rates start at $150 per bedroom, per night in the off-season  so the house we are in is $450/night).

I do not plan to use any of the fab kitchen utensils or appliances, save for the toaster, fridge and corkscrew - and obviously the dishwasher upon departure. We've hit the pool, the bike trails, the little coffee shop / bookstore called Fonville Press and of course, we've hit the beach - the wide, sugary white sand called very early to us.

While Alys is indeed in its early stages, this may be the best stage of all - there are plenty of treasures to discover, plenty of options for dining, and plenty of ways to lose oneself in luxury. But there are no crowds - yet. This little undiscovered bit of heaven in South Walton won't stay undiscovered for long.

When I snap out of my stupor, I'll write more and post some photos.

The Hotel: The Chauvet Condominiums, Glen Ellen CA http://www.chauvetcondominium.com

The Skinny: Six three-bedroom, two bath condominiums tucked along a curve in downtown Glen Ellen, the Chauvet (show-vay, for those of you who butcher French like I do) is a charming 1906 brick building that’s been completely renovated. Each condo features fully-equipped kitchens with granite and stainless appliances; sleek, contemporary furnishings, the works of local artists, and stone bathrooms. Living and dining rooms can accommodate up to eight comfortably, while sleeping-wise, there’s room for six. Each unit also features a patio overlooking the pool, which offers teak loungers and tables for unwinding at the end of the day. Rates are $645/night for three nights or less, and $595/night for four or more nights or $3200 for a week.

Loved: The space, the feel, the chance to throw the kids in the water; we felt as if we lived in the home, yet it was so stylish and expansive that we truly felt as if we were far away from home. The proximity to wineries and a grocer are an added bonus. Just across the street is a fantastic market with gourmet foods, artisan cheeses and loads of wine (of course!); the take-out case is astounding as is the salad bar. Up the road are a few restaurants, while wineries are within a quick drive, including BR Cohn, which is also known for its olive oil. Just up the street is Jack London State Park – perfect place for a hike.

But: I did laundry and cooked – I hate doing that on vacation! 

The Rating: 5 stars. A perfect wind-down in the wine country, whether for a family or a few couples.

 Our rating system:  1 Suitcase – Don’t bother2 suitcases – Paging the general manager! You’ve got some serious work to do!3 suitcases – Some minor issues, but overall acceptable experience4 suitcases – Worthy of your dollars5 suitcases – Book it at any cost

More than ever, all kind of professionals are home-based workers.

That includes yours truly, who spends much time in her attic nook writing articles!

And the trend of home-based travel agents is a big one; after all, much of an agent’s work is either online or on the phone, so it makes sense that agents can work out of their homes.

Are there advantages and disadvantages of being a home-based agent, or even working with a home based agent? I asked one of my go-to travel agents, Amarjit of Give Me A Break! Travel to tell me about her experiences as a home-based agent.

AMARJIT:   I started working for a brick and mortar travel agency back about 9 years ago; what I found was that most of the staff were not motivated and lacked customer service skills.

The trend was a client walks into the store; you book their trip, invoice it and send them on their way. Follow up was non-existent. The client remained only a client that helped boost the bottom line.

I decided to start in the home based travel industry so that I could provide the best possible customer care and provide a service for which my friends would return time and time again.

My agency is based solely from word of mouth i.e. referrals and my clients are now friends that recommend me to their families and friends. I begin my service by phone or email followed by a meeting with the guest. I find out what they enjoy doing, what wine they drink, the ages of the children etc; you form a partnership and so when you organize a trip for them I know what kind of amenity to have in their room.

For Disney we usually provide photo albums or pins for the children so they can have some fun, for cruises it can be fruit or wine waiting in the cabin. We arrange for the clients to have something in their room upon arrival just to let them know we are thinking of them. This is all part of our customer service. We go the extra mile.

For destination weddings, we arrange everything from travel, to the minister to receptions and follow up with help in bouquets, cake decoration and how to pack for the honeymoon.

We have a passion for what we do and most of us have traveled extensively.

The difference I found is that we qualify our clients and match them to a perfect vacation. We have more time to devote to these things, whereas in a brick and mortar agency it was more to do with volume of sales because of overheads.

Being home based has been the best thing that I ever did, I can provide the best possible care for my clients and for my family.

Most people work so they need an agent they can rely on, who they can call and set up a weekend or evening appointment. For businesses looking to do incentive travel we arrange for brochures to be delivered where executives never have to leave their office. We can come to them upon request.

These are the differences I find, you will get more one-on-one service from a home based agent.

Amarjit Keshav  is an agent with Give me a Break Travel, a small company of home-based agents who specialize in destination weddings, romantic travel and family vacations, as well as Disney vacations and travel to Africa, Europe and the Far East. Contact Amarjit at (901) 383-6798. www.givemeabreaktravel.com

Die-hard Fighting Irish fans brave weather to watch game

(Above) Philip Rojas (from left), Theresa Palazola and Tiffany Whitener traveled to South Bend, IN Sept. 13 for the game between Notre Dame and Michigan. The die-hard Fighting Irish fans happily watched their team pulverize the Wolverines 35-17. (Below) Record rainfall did not deter die-hard Fighting Irish fans (from left) Tiffany Whitener, Dick Vitale and Theresa Palazola from watching the Sept. 13 football game against Michigan at Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.

Boaz sisters enjoy spending time in London

Mary (left) and Margaret Boaz of Germantown are pictured in the gardens inside Buckingham Palace in London. The Queen of England opens her home several days each year to guests and the Boaz's were able to tour 21 state rooms, the mews and the gardens Sept. 22. Since the Queen's staff is not allowed to be photographed the attendant gracefully turned away as per protocol.

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Sisters tour Oregon in August

Memphis resident Ruth Bryant (left) and her sister, Frances Stark of Atlanta, spent 10 days touring Oregon in August. The siblings drove along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area to Mt. Hood National Forest where they lunched at the Timberland Lodge; visited the Internal Rose test garden in Portland and enjoyed their drive south along the Oregon coastline.  They are pictured at Crater Lake National Park in Crater Lake, OR.

Last trip to Ireland, daughter returning to Memphis

White Station High School and Christian Brothers University graduate Onika Huggins (right), treated her mother, Dolores Townsend, to a birthday trip to Ireland in late August. In addition to kissing the Blarney Stone, the two traveled extensively throughout both northern Ireland and the central and southeastern sections of the Republic of Ireland. This was Townsend's second trip to visit Huggins. Huggins is a manager in the Pfast Global Operations at Pfizer Inc. After almost six and a half years, Huggins' project in Ireland ended and she is scheduled to return to Memphis in early November. The two are pictured near Glandore, County Cork, Ireland at the Drombeg stone circle also known as The Druid's Altar.

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Father, daughter travel to Italy for vacation

Olive Branch residents Lori Cochran and her father, Fred Cochran, traveled throughout Italy in September 2-14. They are pictured (below) on a bridge in Venice. "Gondolas float under these bridges day and night," said Fred. The Cochran's trip was part of a two-week guided tour with stops in Rome, Florence, Pisa, Turin, Lago Maggiore, Milan, Pavia, Verona, Venice (where the photos were taken), Mantua, Bologna and Assisi. They also made a stop in Paris before returning to the United States.

One of the best things about traveling is the discovery of a destination that’s new – at least to the traveler.

Ever since college – and honey, that was a long time ago – I've heard about Kansas City and what a great town it is. From the shopping to the famed fountains to the excellent museums, KC was a place people raved about; I never had a reason to go, and frankly didn’t think I could be missing all that much.

Boy, was I wrong.

It was a conference which brought me to Kansas City, but I won’t need that excuse – or any excuse – to go back; I’ll just go. Beyond the baseball and barbeque, Kansas City is a town filled with art, culture and shopping – making for a perfect getaway with the girls. 

DAY 1: The shopping is so good in KC, it’s best to pace oneself – so we’ll hit three areas in three days, with plenty of cultural diversions and some simple sinful delights in between. Today, hit the south side’s Brookside  neighborhood – the city’s first suburban shopping area, built in the 1920s.

The atmosphere is English village but the vibe is decidedly urban and hip, with stores ranging from a natural pet food palace called Brookside Barkery and Bath to the anything-goes funkiness of Stuff.  An Italian market, a wine cellar and a variety of eateries are scattered throughout the very walk-able area.

After recharging with a spot of lunch or a glass of wine, head to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

to wander through the great huge sculptures outside the museum or the comprehensive collection of  art through the ages – from ancient times to modern – housed in the two beautiful buildings.

The new Power & Light District is a huge entertainment complex downtown – and it is the ultimate bar-hopping spot. (Let’s face it – you’ve got to love a place that has a tag line of ‘get turned on’). There’s a retro-chic bowling alley, live music venues, an Irish pub, a sleek seafood restaurant and bar, and more, more more.

DAY 2: Today is power-shopping day at the granddaddy of all power-shopping malls: Country Club Plaza. 

And I wasn’t kidding about that granddaddy tag; CCP was the first shopping mall in the United States, and it’s a doozy: 120 stores over 14 blocks. From the basics – Ann Taylor and such – to the designer – Burberry A/X and St. John – there’s just about anything one’s heart could desire. Throw in some amazing local boutiques and stores, including Halls (super-designers all under one roof – but if you’re a 12 or above, limit yourself to the shoe section) and you’ve got yourself the Grand Prix of shopping.

After a day at the plaza, the girls will be too exhausted to do much else – so either order room service or hit one of the great restaurants in the plaza and call it a night.

DAY 3: Time to split the difference – shop and  play. Roll out about 10 am and head to Briarcliff Village – a new development that is a high-end haven of local boutiques and restaurants, including a health food store. Hit the Land of Paws (get it?) for doggie treats,  pop into the Pastry Goddess for a made-from-scratch treat, and wander through the other stores. Finish up with a girlie light lunch at the Café (outdoors, if weather permits).

Why a light lunch, you wonder? Because you’ve booked the girls for spa treatments at the small but excellent Argosy Casino Spa.

While there are just three treatment rooms and few frills – no quiet room, locker room, whirlpool and the like – the highly-trained staff is all about the body. Facials and massages are customized to problem areas; yes, my therapist spent the entire time on my shoulders and neck – and I loved every second of it.

Once everyone’s recovered from their spa stupor, it is time to hit the tables in the Mediterranean themed casino.

MUST STAY: I’m not a big stay-all-over-town kinda girl, but when it comes to KC, if one plans to hit the casino (and enjoy it) then it is best to spend two nights in the city and one at the casino. The Intercontinental Kansas City has just finished a $15 million renovation and overlooks Country Club Plaza – a lush spot that’s close enough to downtown’s attractions but gives full access to the bars, restaurants and shopping at Country Club Plaza. Then spend a night at the trés chic Argosy, where if you’ve ever stayed in a casino hotel that wasn’t the Bellagio, you’ll be shocked at the sleek rooms and décor.

Photo:  Knoxville Hampton Inn Downtown

The Hotel: Knoxville Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown, 618 West Main Street, 865-522-5400

The Skinny: Located in downtown Knoxville, the Hampton Inn has 55 rooms and suites, an indoor pool, a hot / cold breakfast bar (included), workout facility and business center.

Loved: I have to say all of my Hampton Inn stays lately have been fantastic – and at this hotel, especially so. With black and white photos featuring area landmarks, the upgraded rooms – including lots of pillows, lush bedding, stone in the bathroom and a more boutique-y feel, the hotel was comfortable and even somewhat coddling. The indoor parking was free and especially welcomed given all the rain we had that weekend; the staff was incredibly helpful and friendly, and the pool area was clean and well maintained. And, there was complimentary Internet – love it.
But: No buts this week.

Rating: 4 suitcases. Great value, upscale experience for the price, close to a lot of Knoxville’s attractions.

Our rating system:One suitecase  Don't bother

Two suitcases       Paging the GM! You've got some serious work to do!

Three suitacses    An issue or two, but overall a good experience

Four suitcases      Worthy of your dollars

Five suitacses       Book it at any cost 

Photo: Tennessee Department of Tourism

 This week in Secret Agent, we're actually going to ask a Yankee (gasp!) about where the bet fall foliage can be found.

Jeff Folger blogs about foliage for Yankee.com - the Web site for Yankee Magazine. He's a professional photographer, and many of his photos from previous years are on the Web site - a great resource if you plan to spend any time in true Yankee territory.

According to Jeff, there's no easy way to predict when foliage - andywhere - will be at its peak, so your best bet for planing a trip around fall foliage is to have a few more things to do than just chase the color. Plan your time around events and festivals in the area you are visiting, look for cider mills, pumpkin patches, wine trails and other outdoorsy activities to make the most of your visit.

Then, find some scenic drives; the Yankee Web site has suggestions, as do many other sites; the Tennessee tourism folks have a great site for making the most of fall in Tennessee.