Holidays Away From Home
by Houston Family Magazine
By Kelsey Hunter
“For many families, the holidays are spent at home, huddled around the Christmas tree. But more and more families are choosing to trade in the sleigh-rides for plane-rides, spending the holidays away from home. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the same comforts that you would if you were snuggled up in your pajamas in front of your own fireplace. We’ve found the perfect home away from home for the holidays. So fill this season with jingle bells and world-class hotels. Come along with us as we show you some great holiday get-aways.
This quaint, nautical themed hotel is perfect for the family with a little bit of naughty and nice in them. The Argonaut offers two great holiday packages-“The Naughty Package” and “The Nice Package”-one for mom and dad, and one for the whole family. From trips to Alcatraz to winter ice skating, they’ve got it all.
Nestled in between the Fisherman’s Wharf and Hyde Pier, this hotel is located right on the water’s edge. The 252-room hotel overlooks the Bay and a fleet of historic ships. As you make your way into the lobby, you pass through a museum in association with the Maritime National Park, a great little history lesson and fun activity for the whole family.
The Argonaut is a former warehouse that has been exquisitely refurbished to show off its red brick walls, high ceilings and original redwood columns and beams. And while the Argonaut Hotel’s original 1907 style architecture still embodies elements of the nautical history of San Francisco, its stylish and modern décor allow for a visually-stimulating, yet comfortable environment.
And comfort is exactly what you’ll find when you open the door to your room. From the super-cozy blanket on the bed to the plush robes-you’ll find comfort in every last detail. The spacious suite leaves you with plenty of room for the family to spread out. The living room area has a comfy pull-out couch with its own TV. This can easily be sectioned off by the sliding doors that lead into the bedroom. This allows the little ones to feel like they have their own space, while mom and dad can get a little peace and quiet of their own.
Wake up to a delicious complimentary full breakfast at the Blue Mermaid as part of your stay with the hotel. Watch passersby as you dine on their outdoor patio-complete with heat lamps to keep you as warm as your toast!
With stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz right outside the hotel, there are plenty of sights to see here! So bring your walking shoes, because there are boat-loads of great activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Sights to See…
Our family favorite was Pier 39-hundreds of sea lions gather here. They have been camping out on the K-Dock since the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. So cute and entertaining, you could watch these creatures for hours. And the best part-it’s free!
Who can resist the fresh seafood sold from street vendors? Clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls seems to be the town’s specialty-and the best way to warm up. You have to try it!
If you’re enjoying the “Naughty Package,” you’ll venture to Alcatraz to see how our country’s naughtiest criminals lived during their imprisonment. The tour of Alcatraz is exciting and educational, but probably best-suited for children 10 years and older. It is a three-hour tour, with lots of walking, so make sure you come energized. Afterwards, relax with an in-room massage or hot bath in the room’s Jacuzzi tub!
Union Square
The “Nice Package,” specifically created for families includes a trip down to the outdoor ice skating rink in Union Square, followed by a trip to the Exploratorium. Located a few miles from the piers, you’ll feel like you’re in an entirely different city. With a huge Christmas tree and the tall buildings, you’ll be in your own winter wonderland! And you can play the role of Santa’s elves with all of the great shopping found here!
Chocolate lovers won’t be able to resist the smell of fresh chocolate wafting over from Ghirardelli Square. A chocolatey-paradise, this makes for a great afternoon trip. Visit their old-fashioned soda shop for a delicious hot fudge sundae.
Located about a mile from the hotel is Lombard Street, famous for being the most crooked street in the world! This one-block section of the street has eight, extremely curvy turns. A great view of the city and definitely worth seeing!
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Be sure to catch the cable cars while in town-a fun and economical transportation alternative that is sure to excite the little ones. This time of year, it can get pretty chilly off the water, so be sure to bundle up!
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The Argonaut Hotel, with its great location and even better service, is the ideal place to make new holiday traditions and memories. It is one of nine Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants Properties situated in the San Francisco Area. The other hotels are just as unique and boast even more holiday packages. Packages start as low as $179 per night. The Naughty and Nice Packages at the Argonaut are $350 per night. To learn more about the packages or to make a reservation, please visit www.kimptonhotels.com.
Must-Have Travel Items
Traveling is often a time to get pampered, though in today’s tight economy, we often leave the pampering out and opt for more affordable trips. If you aren’t staying at a resort with a spa, don’t want to pay their prices, or just like the idea of having your own private spa, try the new Spa Treatment On the Go kit. The kit contains everything you need to soften and relax your body and soul including; invigorating apricot scrub, pumice scrub, organic bubble bath, natural mineral water moisturizing spray and so much more. The Spa Treatment On the Go kit is packed inside your choice of a black, blue, or brown travel bag. $67.36 at www.minimus.biz.
If you’ve traveled with kids before, you know that your tiny traveler can make one big mess. Well, Oopsy Daisy is here to help clean it up! As the makers of the original rinse free shampoo for kids, Oopsy Daisy products are now available in travel size…making it oh-so easy to stay clean on-the-go! The Lil’ Adventurer Travel & Gift Set allows your junior jetsetter to stay squeaky clean while traveling. And the best part is, the 2 oz. bottles are airplane friendly! $26 at www.oopsydaisybb.com.
Looking to leave the country? MacNair Dream Trips has some great travel packages available:
Timeframe: December 21-28, 2008 8 Days/7 Nights.
Destinations: Gulf of Papagayo, Rincon Vieja Volcano, Arenal Volcano, river rafting on Penas Blanca River, Playa Tortuga and San Jose.
Activities: Special activities are planned every day to include a visit to a working hacienda, horseback riding, an exciting river-tubing adventure and volcanically-heated mud pools. Visitors will also be able to glimpse giant iguanas, monkeys, sloths, toucans, an occasional crocodile and some green turtles at Playa Tortuga.
Package Includes: All hotel accommodations, entertainment, meals, land transportation, sightseeing, luggage handling, the charter flight from Tortuguero to San José, and the services of the guides and drivers.
Resorts/Lodges: Hilton Papagayo Resort, Tilajari Resort Hotel, Pachira Lodge Tortuguero and Costa Rica Marriott Hotel.
Not Included: Airfare.
Price: Prices starting at $2795.00 per person.
Timeframe: December 20-27, 2008 8 Days/7 Nights.
Destinations/Activities: Explore the imperial city of Rome and the legacy of the powerful Roman Empire that ruled the world a millennia ago, and look up at the celebrated ceiling of the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. View the amazing art treasures of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance; try the art of pizza-making; and travel to the Tuscan city of Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower. Take the high-speed Eurostar train to Florence and to Venice, and enter a remarkable world of Renaissance architecture. Enjoy a gondola ride that takes in the breathtaking view of Venice.
Package Includes: Hotel accommodations, meals, sightseeing, and transfers.
Hotels: Grand Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome; Hotel Brunelleschi, Florence; and The Westin Excelsior, Venice Lido Resort.
Not Included: Airfare.
Price: Prices starting at $3,350.00 per person.
Timeframe: December 18-29, 2008 12 Days/11 Nights.
Cruise: The Regent Navigator has a holiday sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Itinerary: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize City, Guatemala, Costa Maya, and Key West.
Package Includes: All-inclusive rate includes a beautiful balcony suite, airfare from Washington, DC., roundtrip transfers from airport to ship, and all food and beverages.
Not Included: Shore excursions.
Price: $6,245.00 per person.
Timeframe: December 18-28, 2008 11 Days/10 Nights.
Destinations/Activities: Rome: Visit St. Peter’s Basilica to see the famous Pieta by Michelangelo, the Piazza Venezia to view the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Forum, Colosseum and Circus Maximus. Venice: Cruise the canals of Venice to St. Mark’s Square, visit a glass-blowing workshop, and the Italian lake district. Lucerne, Switzerland: See the Lion Monument and stroll across the Chapel Bridge. Paris, France:
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, an ascent to the second level of the Eiffel Tower, and more. London, England: Visit the major sites of the British Capital including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and holiday shopping at Harrods.
Package Includes: Airport transfers in Rome; hotels; hotel taxes; service charges and tips for baggage handling; nine breakfasts; four three-course dinners; host service in London; private luxury motor coach; sightseeing with a local guide in Rome, Paris, and London; special features and scenic highlights. Hotel selection will vary based on availability.
Not Included: Airfare.
Price: Prices starting at $1,799.00 per person.
Timeframe: December 30, 2008 – January 2, 2009 4 Days/3 Nights.
Destination: Stay at the exciting Excalibur Hotel and Casino and bring in the New Year in style. The Excalibur features 4,000 rooms, a deluxe spa and fitness center, Tournament of Kings dinner show, swimming pools, five restaurants, five bars and lounges, and 100,000 square feet of non-stop gaming action. Located on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana, the Excalibur is one of Las Vegas’s best valued resorts.
Package Includes: Roundtrip airfare from Dulles (Washington, DC) to Las Vegas and hotel accommodations.
Not Included: Sightseeing, dining, beverages, gratuities, and transfers.
Price: $840 per person.
To learn more, visit: www.dreamtrippers.com
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