Lodging

By: Amie O’Shaughnessy of Ciao Bambino!

Al Gelso Bianco

The idyllic setting of the Al Gelso Bianco, a family-run wine and olive oil estate, is a Tuscan dream come true for families. The recently restored farmhouses have been converted into well-furnished and comfortable apartments. The decor is contemporary, creative, and simple—perfect for young children. Outdoor spaces are phenomenal with ample flat grass for running around and a pool area surrounded by a lovely garden. Although the property is optimized for guest autonomy, the gracious proprietor is available to answer questions and can organize babysitting, local excursions, and private gastronomic tours of the region.

Al Gelso Bianco is situated in Chianti, within the Val d’Elsa valley, a mere 16 miles from Florence and 19 miles from Siena. Roads in and out of the resort are easy to navigate, making this an ideal home-base for day trips. Once you settle into Al Gelso Bianco, however, you may never want to leave!

 Accommodation Options

A one-bedroom apartment at Al Gelso Bianco is suitable for a family of three or four and is comprised of a complete kitchen, living room with a sofa bed, bedroom, bathroom, and a private outdoor seating area. These units have room for a crib as well. The price for one-bedroom units ranges from 720€ to 1,040€ per week.

 Two-bedroom apartments will the same amenities are available for 1,015€ to 1,700€ per week.  Also, it is possible to connect the one and two bedroom apartments to create a larger configuration. 

 There is a one-week minimum stay requirement over the summer months.  Over shoulder season periods—April, May, October, November and December—the minimum stay requirement is just two nights.

Amenities and Services

The Al Gelso Bianco offers its guests private parking, free WiFi, and a swimming pool, as well as a sauna and small gym. Each apartment features air conditioning, satellite television, and weekly housekeeping for an additional fee. Shared laundry facilities are also available. While the resort does not have an onsite restaurant, a local cook can be booked on request to prepare meals. Babysitting is available starting at 15€ per hour. The property hosts weekly wine, cheese, and olive oil tastings.

Families Should Know

Families staying at Al Gelso Bianco should be aware that the swimming pool is unheated—typical in Italy—and is not fenced.  The pool is set away from the majority of the guest apartments, however, concerned parents should inquire about the proximity of their particular unit at the time of booking.

 The apartments do not have private washing machines, but shared facilities are available. While the apartments only have showers, baby tubs can be provided. The nearest hospital is 15 minutes from the resort.

 Read the complete family-friendly hotel review and check availability on Ciao Bambino. 

 Photo Credit: Ciao Bambino!

Hanagan Meadow Lodge. Photo by Donna L. Hull

A chill is in the November air. Can you feel winter coming? It’s time to think about fun in Arizona’s snow. What’s that? You thought Arizona was all desert? An escape to Hannagan Meadow Lodge on the Arizona/New Mexico border will fulfill your craving for winter fun.

Located 22 miles south of Alpine on the Coronado Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 191), the lodge catches snow from winter storms that roll across the White Mountains. With an elevation of 9,100 feet, the area frequently sees winter’s first and last flakes.

Choices galore for winter fun
For Arizona snow lovers, Hannagan Meadow Lodge has all the bases covered. Slide down a frozen tubing hill, glide across new powder on cross-country skis, or relax by the fire watching snow swirl across the meadow on the winds of a winter storm.

Kids of all ages hurdle down the lodge’s sledding hill on over-sized inner tubes then scramble back uphill for another thrilling ride. When it is time to take a break, build a snowman in the woods or rest by the fire in your cabin with a cup of hot chocolate.

Cross-country skiing at Hannagan Meadow. Photo by Alan Hull Photography

With 26 km of cross-country skiing trails starting from the lodge, walk outside your cabin to strap on skis then glide into the meadow beside Douglas firs and Engelmann Spruce. Beginners and intermediates travel the 10 km groomed Acre Lake trail through the aspens and over the frozen meadow of Butterfly Cinega. For more advanced skiers, one of many choices is the marked but ungroomed route, the KP Rim-Willow Springs Trail that loops through the Blue Range Primitive Area offering the ultimate in back country seclusion. Equipment rental is available from Alpine Sports and Recreation Center in the General Store next to the lodge or bring your own.

Snowshoers and hikers slush through the white stuff on walks in the woods. A stroll down the Coronado Trail leads to several turn-offs where hiking and cross-country routes begin. With the abundant wildlife that populates the area, searching for animal tracks in the snow provides a quiet diversion. Listen. Is that the wind moaning in the trees or the howl of the Mexican Gray Wolf, currently restored to the area after 30 years of decimation?

If sitting by the fire is your idea of winter fun, grab a hot cup of coffee or tea from the table in the lobby and relax by the wood burning stove. Browse through the scrapbooks that chronicle Hannagan Meadow’s history which dates back to 1926.

Hannagan Meadow Lodge Rustic Cabin. Photo by Donna L. Hull

Rustic accommodations in nature’s five-star setting
The staff at Hannagan Meadow Lodge will tell you, “If you’re looking for luxury accommodations, you’ve come to the wrong place.” Due to the isolated location, help is hard to find, which means no daily maid service. But the lodge rooms, located on the second and third floors of the historic building are pleasantly furnished with antiques, and each room has its own bath.

For those interested in a longer stay, rustic housekeeping cabins are located behind the lodge. The fire in the wood burning stove will seem extra warm since you are the one who will split the logs from the pile of wood on the cabin’s front porch. Bring plenty of supplies because you’ll have to do your own cooking from Monday to Thursday. Please note that the cabins are simply decorated and extremely rustic.

In the winter, a restaurant on the lodge’s first floor serves Friday night dinner, breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Guests dine in a log-paneled room warmed by a crackling fireplace. From the large windows, look out onto the meadow as the scene fades from the golden glow of a late afternoon sun to the purple shades of  twilight. A collection of antique glass bottles in deep-hued colors sits on the windowsills, glowing like semi-precious jewels in the waning light.

Hannagan Meadow Lodge is located within 5-6 hours driving distance from the major metropolitan areas of Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque or El Paso.

If you go:
Hannagan Meadow Lodge
928.339.4370
www.hannaganmeadow.com

Review by Donna L. Hull, My Itchy Travel Feet
Photos courtesy Donna L. Hull and Alan Hull Photography

Our Room at Glendine House Jody Halsted www.havekidwilltravel.com

Glendine House perfectly fits the romantic images the mere mention of Ireland conjures in the mind.  The Georgian Manor was built in 1830 and is filled with history (from their website): The 18th Century former Dower House of the Marquis of Donegal was built in 1830. It was first occupied by the Chichester family and later by land agents until one of them absconded with a Nursery Nurse causing a great scandal. Home to the Crosbie family for over 60 years, Glendine retains many of its original 1830 features and is full of old world charm.

Our rooms were in the original portion of the house and featured antiques, beautiful hard wood floors and, in our case, a window seat overlooking the pasture and the Barrow Estuary. Read More »

It's possible to visit San Francisco on a family-friendly budget.

San Francisco is a great family travel destination, but to be totally honest – it’s a pretty spendy city. Here are a few ideas to stretch your vacation budget while still getting the most out of the City by the Bay.

• Look for hotel rooms or suites with a kitchenette. This enables you to eat breakfast in the room, pack snacks for the rest of the day or have a light dinner “at home” some nights. If you can’t get a kitchenette, try for a room with a refrigerator and microwave. Call ahead, some places will furnish them even if they don’t come standard.
• Buy a MUNI passport. San Francisco is served by a network of public transportation referred to as Muni. This includes buses, underground trains, streetcars, and the legendary cable cars. Visit www.sfmuni.com for routes and schedules or check out this handy website http://transit.511.org. Mastering MUNI for your stay will save cash and show give you a glimpse of real San Francisco. And we all know littel kids love streetcars and trains…
• Don’t rent a car unless you are going out of the city. Parking is notoriously hellish in SF and can be expensive and/or inconvenient. Some meters downtown and near some of the popular toursist destinations need to be fed every twenty minutes. That’s a hassle. And if there is one branch of Frisco government that is rabidly efficient, it is the Department of Parking and Traffic. Don’t risk it. you will get a ticket.
• Golden Gate Park. Even if you don’t avail yourself of the world-class museums in GG Park (the DeYoung and the California Academy of Sciences), this vast 1,000 acre playground is great for families. The Koret Children’s Quarter is a spanking new playground with various types of equipment for multiple ages, including a concrete slide built into the hillside for sliding fast on cardboar. The vintage carousel delights little ones. The Strybing Arboretum nearby is a fascinating botanical garden. Then there is Stow Lake where you can rent a paddle boat or climb to the top of Strawberry Hill. Lots of open space provides space to throw around a baseball or kick a soccer ball. And don’t forget to visit the herd of buffalo — yep, that’s right buffalo –  that live in the northwestern corner of the park.

Burritos are filling and cheap.

Burritos. They are fresh, delicious, ubiquitous, made to order, travel well in their foil wraps, oh, so filling and cheap. San Francisco has tons of taquerias, with the biggest concentration being in the Mission district. But you can find burritos all over town these days.

Photos by Lisa Dion

The 1920's lodge at Camp Richardson Resort.

Nature just seems larger up here. Tall trees. Mammoth mountains. And of course — big, beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Sprawling Camp Richardson fits right in. With 28 rooms in the lodge, 40 cabins, a seven-room inn, 300 campsites, a general store, two restaurants, a cafe/confectioner, a sport equipment rental center, and, don’t forget, the ice cream parlor.

This bustling metropolis in the woods is not for those seeking a quiet retreat in nature. Last weekend the place was mobbed with throngs of folks that appeared to be having the time of their lives.

A live band played classic rock tunes to a deck packed full of revelers and beyond on the beach you’d be hard pressed to find room to lay down a blanket.

The spacious cabins offer full kitchens.

The camp was built around the 1920’s lodge on 80 acres of waterfront land. Accommodations at the lodge are pretty spartan — cabins are roomier and have fireplaces or woodstoves and full kitchens. The Beachside Inn offers more amenities and is closer to the lake/action. I would stay far, far from the campsite, though. The sites are really jammed in, offering no privacy and plenty of noise.

There is a definite family vibe here. Kids eating ice cream, grandparents kicking back on Adirondack chairs, and whole families biking together on the excellent bike trail that runs right through the resort. Camp Richardson is great option for large groups and extended families. There are also organized activities for kids.

There is plenty to do from horseback riding and rock climbing to renting jets skis and kayaks. In winter, this is the place for cross-country skiing and sleigh rides.

If you visit, a stop at the ice cream parlor is a mandatory excursion, but be warned — the portions are as big as nature in Tahoe. Stick with a kids’ small…

A crowd of beachgoers at the marina.

Camp Richardson Resort

1900 Jameson Beach Road

South Lake Tahoe, CA 96158

(800) 544-1801

Photo credit: Lisa Dion

The Seaside Inn is home to a British pub and looks out over Nantucket Sound.

Just a block from the homeaway.com cottage my family and i rented last month is the Seaside Inn, a beachfront hotel in Falmouth Heights.

The attractive shingle building with a landscaped courtyard and decks that overlook the Nantucket Sound caught my eye.

While having our own six-bedroom rental home was great, I wondered whether it wouldn’t be better to have crisp linens made up for us daily while we were out and about and a private place to retreat to if being surrounded by family got to be overwhelming.

Plus the Seaside Inn was slightly closer to the beach than our rental home. The annual Falmouth Road Race ends at its doorstep and it is also a front-row seat to the Cape Cod Marathon.

And they have a nice pub on the premises. Less then stellar weather caused us to spend a fair amount of the British Beer Company. It is the perfect English pub, a cozy fire on the hearth to stave of the chill outside and windows facing the windswept beach. I sampled a good clam chowder one night, a comforting crock of onion soup the next. Live music draws friendly crowds in the evening, most dressed in something with a Boston Red Sox logo, my family and the staff included.

Falmouth Heights beach is across the street.

Though it is a family inn, The Seaside Inn rooms would have been a little tight for my family of four and the kitchenette, which is great to have when traveling with young children, was super tiny. Staying here would have boosted my pub tab even higher! So drama or no family drama, we were better off in the rental. But, boy, those decks were alluring!

Rates vary by size and type of room (standard, ocean view, and decks), day of the week, and time of year but are still pretty reasonable for the superb location. The lowest rates are January through April and November through December ($59 to $89); May ($79 to $149); June through Labor Day weekend ($144 to $189); and September through October ($109 to $189).

The Seaside Inn

263 Grand Avenue

Falmouth, Ma 02540

(800)-827-1976

Photos by Dan Dion

Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Hotel Wysses Rossli

A train ride away from Lucern, Switzerland, Hotel Wysses Rossli is steeped in tradition. Resting at the foot of the Mythen mountains in the heart of Canton Schwyz, the family-owned hotel was re-built in 1642 by Master Builder Jeremias Meyer after a fire wiped out the Gasthaus zum Rossli. Today, owners Sepp (a well known Swiss folklore musician) and Ida Trutsch take great pride in their historic, four star hotel. Dating back to 1642, the hotel offers 30 rooms ranging from standard to deluxe. The ultra-modern Rossli Suite sleeps six and would be ideal for a family, as it comes with a kitchen and is very spacious.

Room #309

All of the hotel’s rooms are equipped with private bath or shower, cable TV, radio, high speed internet, a safe and direct dial telephone. In addition to complimentary breakfast, the Wysses Rossli Hotel boasts the old-established Wirtschaft under the direction of Head Chef Roger Portmann and the non-smoking Turmstube restaurants. For a very special occasion, the historical wainscot room with its hand-carved wood ceiling is a guaranteed pleasure for an intimate gathering.

Things to see and do in Canton Schwyz include a visit to the Museum of Swiss Charters and a stop at an accordion factory where the regional and handmade Eichhorn Schwyz accordion dates back to 1886. Schwzy is also home to the famed Swiss army knife and a 1870 cow bell manufacturer where the cow bells are still hand-made.

Traveler Tip: While most hotel and restaurant staff in Canton Schwyz speak English, the primary languages spoken in this region are Swiss and German.

Wysses Rossli +41 (0) 41 811 19 22

Am Hauptplatz, CH-6430 Schwyz, Switzerland

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

We arrived late on a Thursday night and decided that watching “30 Rock” was exactly what we needed after the seven-hour drive to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. After watching Liz in her slanket, we started to get ready for bed. I went to wash my face and that’s when I noticed that the trash can was full. I looked at the towel rack, then the bed that confirmed the same thing: Housekeeping had failed to stop by our condo prior to our check in.

We scrouged around the place, finding enough clean sheets and pillowcases to spend the night. In the morning, we called Sea Turtle Getaways, the vacation agency that rented us the place. They apologized then promised to clean the place while we went to the beach.

One good thing about the condo was that it was a five-minute walk to the beach. Hilton Head Island’s beach is hard-packed, great for bike riding and jogging.

After our strolling and sunning, we returned to find a clean apartment. Such a relief.

That night, my aunt went to apply her night cream only to find it missing. And my father’s night bite guard retainer went missing. As did a bottle of wine and other assorted sundries.

We never got to the bottom of the missing items despite several phone calls. I can say this: We were lucky to find a condo on Hilton Head Island that week. I’ve been visiting this island since I was six. It’s manicured grounds and bike paths have always been abuzz with tourists as soon as the weather turns warm.

The location was great. Sea Pines is a wonderful community for families. Renting a bike is essential to get the most out of the area. Harbor Town, a fifteen-minute walk from the condo, is such an adorable, picturesque spot. Just by the lighthouse, kayak rentals are available.

However, the next time we visit, we will not be booking through Sea Turtle Getaways. The condo may have an ideal location, but it’s hard to get comfortable in a bed with dirty sheets.

Photos by Brooke Morton.

The Marina Motel is a garden oasis, tucked away off Lombard Street in the Maina district.

A motel is usually just that — a motel. A low-budget place to park your car and put your head down for the night. There is no shortage of them along the noisy, traffic-choked span of San Francisco’s Lombard Street from Van Ness to Richardson Avenues.

I’ve written about a couple of Lombard Street lodgings, and while the Hotel del Sol is a colorful option (with a pool) and the Edward II is a charming work-in-progress, the Marina Motel is a true standout.

The charming Marina Motel.

The trompe l’oeil murals on the outside drew me into this charming courtyard oasis. Lombard Street is busy and loud, but within protected walls of this family-owned “motor hotel,” is a peaceful place overflowing with flowers — bouganvellia, fuschia, geraniums, poppies, lillies, succulents, and jasmine in terracotta pots, on wrought iron balconies and climbing on vines. In the places that aren’t busting with blooms, delicate murals like the ones outside, depict them. The Marina Motel was built in 1930 by the current owners, grandfather to coincide with the building of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Forty immaculate rooms range in price from $95 to $299, depending on size and season. Nearly half have good-sized, homey kitchenettes. All have private garages. Family rooms sleep up to five, and dogs are welcome in many of the rooms for an additional $10.

With the garages below, kitchens in most rooms, and little conversation areas, the airy, sun-filled suites and rooms at this Mediterranean bungalow-style motel feel more like little pied-a-terre city apartments then a motor lodge.

Amenities include a coupon for breakfast at Judy’s Cafe, a legendary San Francisco breakfast joint that serves delicious “cowboy-sized” meals.

The Marina location is convenient to the Golden Gate Bridge, Crissy field, the Presidio and great shopping and dining on Chestnut and Union Streets.

On my way out of the office, I noticed a message to staff in all caps on the office white board that said “No Dead Heads.” So, if that’s the way you roll, you might want to leave your musical predilection out of the conversation when reserving your room, but consider yourself warned. And no all-night jams, please.

Photos by Dan Dion

On Saturday, my friends and I heard the most perfect thunder. I started to look at the clouds, but a friend stopped me, telling us that what we just heard was a sonic boom, aka the shuttle reentering the atmosphere. There is a limited number of launches scheduled to occur out of Cape Canaveral, Florida, and if you want to take advantage of these opportunities, why not make a beach weekend out of it with the family?

Should you decide you want to watch an upcoming launch, consider staying at The Inn at Cocoa Beach. Located on the beach, it’s just seven minutes from Cape Canaveral. This area is the one of the best viewing spots, and you won’t have to fight and traffic after the event.

The Inn at Cocoa Beach, an ideal spot for viewing shuttle launches

The inn has 50 rooms, many of which have balconies, some even with Jacuzzis. In addition to enjoying freshly baked breakfast, guests are also invited a nightly wine and cheese social.

The inn is on one of Florida's best beaches for watching the shuttle launch

The Inn at Cocoa Beach is also near six golf courses. Nearby tennis courts are also an option. Kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, biking and other sports can all be arranged to help you make the most of the family’s weekend getaway to sunny Florida.

For more details about the bed and breakfast, call 800-343-5307.

Photos courtesy of the Inn at Cocoa Beach.