Dream Locations on My Bucket List Archives - Page 4 of 4

A Dream-Come-True Night in Thornbury Castle

08/12/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Today you will get to enjoy a Guest Post from my good friend, Ali Propst. She, along with her husband, daughter, and their friends, recently went to England for vacation and to attend a match at Wimbledon. Along the way, they spent the night in a gorgeous castle. I invited her to give us more information and her own personal insights. Thank you, Ali. Be sure to click on the pictures to be able to enjoy all of the details.

Have you ever dreamed of being a princess or prince? Well, I got to live out that dream at Thornbury Castle just outside of Bristol, England. The castle began in 1511, as a home for the Duke of Buckingham. However, after his unfortunate beheading by Henry VIII, it was confiscated. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn spent a ten-day portion of their honeymoon at Thornbury.

Upon arriving in London at Heathrow we purchased a ticket and rode the bus to Bristol, England. It was about a three-hour journey from Heathrow. From the Bristol bus depot, we got in a taxi and rode the additional 20 minutes to the castle. The town of Thornbury is a beautiful, quiet and quaint village. Colorful window boxes and very small streets lead you right to the beautiful castle grounds. The castle takes up about 15 acres, and I felt my blood pressure immediately drop as we entered the beautiful estate.

The castle went unoccupied and was in ruins until the 1850’s, when a family made it their home. Today it serves as a hotel and restaurant for all to enjoy. There is croquet offered on the lawn, archery lessons, and a full service spa.

Some things to know – children over 10 are allowed at the castle. My daughter Mary-Peyton was as amazed by it as the adults and was eager to explore the grounds and discuss the history of the castle. We booked through expedia.com, but you can also book directly through the castle website www.thornburycastle.co.uk. Both websites offered the same rates for the rooms and allow you to pay now or pay upon arrival.

We had our first Royal Afternoon Tea at Thornbury. It was a treat to have our first tea in this amazing property. It was also a way we could test the food for a much less expensive “trial run”. We loved the sugary treats!

After reviewing the dinner menu we decided not to eat dinner at the castle. Within walking distance there are cute restaurants offering fish & chips, pizza, fresh vegetables, or anything you might imagine. The bar menu included much more recognizable foods for us good ‘ole Southern folks, but exploring the town was fun too! If you are wanting the full adventure and have unlimited funds, they do offer a special dinner in the dungeon! However, a minimum bill of around $1000 US comes with that! When you check in, they will help you map out lunch, dinner and breakfast options for your group.

Dress for meals was smart casual. We did not feel a need to “dress up” at any point in our stay here. For breakfast we even observed people in blue jeans. So, unless you are celebrating something special – there is no need to dress in a certain way even though you’re in a castle.

Our entire family loved the experience of being here on this lovely property. There is a nice walking city tour that is available, and we did a part of that when we arrived. (Maps are available at check in). I can’t imagine someone not enjoying this beautiful place. I believe it is a hidden treasure of England!

The castle only has 26 bedchambers, so it does require some planning to make sure you can get a reservation. We booked three months in advance, and they only had two rooms available at that time. Rates will vary based on time of year, but expect to pay about $550-700/night for this adventure (for the suite). I will tell you it is worth the expense for a night to be taken back in time and to imagine what it would be like to live like a royal. The bathrooms are exquisite and hard to resist taking a plunge in the enormous bathtub. (Not your standard European bathroom!!!)

This was our bedroom. It was a suite with a dining area, seating area and enormous closet and bathroom.

Anything I would change? If I had to do it over again (and we have already started planning our return visit), I would spend the extra $100 and get the best room in the castle. Our room was divine – but for just a little bit more we could’ve been in the Tower Suite looking out over the town. The staff was more than gracious with our every need. It does require some patience to make the journey, but how often do we get to live out a fantasy of being a princess?!

Well, Ali, you have certainly convinced ME! Thornbury Castle is now on my Bucket List!

“Some Enchanted Morning” — A Musical/Magical Day on Kauai

06/10/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

You have to understand. I taught music for many years, and one of my joys was to introduce junior high age students to the magic of Broadway musicals. And, one of my all-time favorites was and is “South Pacific” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. To have a whole day to explore many of the places where the movie version was filmed back in 1958, was sheer bliss for me. To also pass the settings for “Blue Hawaii,” “Jurassic Park,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark?” Well, that just pushed the day over the top. We could have chosen an organized group tour such as this one, but instead we got in our rental car with a map and plenty of time and explored on our own.

From our hotel on Poipu Beach in the southern part of the island, we headed up the east coast, stopping first to catch glimpses of O’paeka’a Falls and the Wailua River, both seen in “Blue Hawaii” and “Jurassic Park.”

Next up was the Kilauea Lighthouse. Another set of falls near this point was used in “South Pacific.” See a video of it here.

Then we arrived at Lumaha’i Beach in Hanalei Bay and walked out onto Hanalei Pier. This area is where virtually all of the scenes in “South Pacific” involving the military men and women were filmed, including arguably the most popular “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair.” Click on this video to view a short musical synopsis of this movie.

We stopped for smoothies in the town of Hanalei and quietly sang to ourselves:

Puff, the Magic Dragon, lived by the sea and frolicked in the autumn mist in a Land called Hanalei. The composer himself has denied any connection with this place, but don’t tell the locals. They embrace it completely.

We lingered at other beaches along our way back, including this amazing sight known as “The Spouting Horn,” and then had a sumptuous dinner at Keoki’s Paradise. Indeed a perfect day.

Orchids and CHICKENS! on the Garden Isle

06/08/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

When my Silver Fox and I got off the plane in Kauai on a recent anniversary trip, I immediately started looking for flowers. They had to be just everywhere, or so said the tourism descriptions. And, after all, why else would Kauai be nicknamed “The Garden Isle?” Even though we chose to stay on the south end of the island where it is warmer and drier (rather than on the north end that is lusher and wetter), I didn’t have to wait long to see gorgeous blossoms of many varieties.

Our hotel was the Sheraton Kauai in Poipu. Just right down the sidewalk, you can wander the Plantation Gardens for a free visual botanical feast.

As we were taking in the sights near our hotel, we noticed signs mentioning an upcoming Orchid Show for the following Saturday in the nearby town of Hanapepe. Serendipity!!! Not only would we get to see more beautiful flowers, but we could soak up some local flavor off of the beaten tourist path. The members of the Garden Island Orchid Society (can you imagine being a member of such a group?) greeted us warmly, happy to show us their prize-winning entries.

When you add the hibiscus plants featured in landscapes everywhere, my expectations about the Garden Isle were more than satisfied.

We did, however, get a fun surprise. Chickens. EVERYWHERE. Running wild. Strutting roosters, hens and chicks.

They are at the airport, in parking lots, at gas stations, in shopping centers, on the sidewalks beside restaurants, in the woods, and near the beaches. We asked several people about this peculiar phenomenon, and here are the most popular theories:

1) Kauai has never had a serious predator for chickens. Other islands, yes, but not Kauai.

2) Natural disasters have led to the cross-breeding between Hawaii jungle fowl and domestic birds. The most recent was Hurricane Iniki that leveled this island on September 11, 1992. Thousands of domestic birds scattered everywhere.

3) Hawaii’s wild jungle fowl are a protected species. Although it is seldom mentioned and the punishment for harming these chickens is hard to pin down, catching one of the birds is still a crime in the State of Hawaii.

Considering the price of groceries on the islands, it is amazing that more of these chickens don’t find their way onto dinner tables. But, from what we understand, they are inedible. At least that’s what this old Hawaiian proverb suggests:

“If you like eat da chicken get two pots of water to a boil. In one pot put da pohaku (lava rock) and in the other put da moa (wild chicken). Once the lava rock is done da moa is ready to eat.” Moral of the story; you can’t eat the wild chickens, they are hard as a rock!

P.S. We flew from Maui to Kauai on Island Air, but we flew back to Maui on Hawaiian Airlines. Hawaiian Airlines has bigger planes with roomier seats, but the employees of Island Air add a nice touch to their service. All of the employees, from the gate agents to the baggage handlers, line up to wave good-bye to the passengers of each departing flight. The spirit of “Aloha,” for sure.

So Much to Do in Maui — A Few Outings to Consider

06/01/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

When Steve and I went to Maui for our 25th anniversary, we did a couple of activities that are still available and very popular today. One day we took our rental car, cameras, and a picnic lunch and drove the “Road to Hana.” It’s a very curvy stretch of highway that clings to the coastline with spectacular scenery included for free. This would be a great place to have a convertible. Check out the info here for all of the how-to’s. You could easily return with a book full of waterfall photos.

We also took a sunrise trip to the top of the Haleakala Crater (elevation 10,000 ft.) and rode bikes all the way back down to the coast (about 26 miles). We were picked up at our hotel about 2:00 a.m. (yes, a.m.) and returned exhausted, exhilarated, and covered in mud about 4:00 p.m. that afternoon. We were MUCH younger then. If you are adventurous and not 60-something, then, yes, I’d recommend it. Read about it here. Bikes, helmets, and instructions are provided, of course.

Again, if this is your first trip, you simply MUST enjoy a luau. Pick one of these based on your location and your budget. They are all very similar. Don’t expect particularly delicious food but do plan to enjoy the setting and the entertainment. It’s possible to book all of these events through your concierge at the hotel once you arrive, but if you’re like me, you will want a Clipboard of Fun at least partially filled out and ready to implement when the sun rises for your first day on this incredible island.

On our most recent trip, we still drove around Maui in a convertible, stopped often to whale-watch and make pictures, and did some leisurely shopping in the town of Lahaina, but we also added a couple of new twists.

Steve wanted to go spear-fishing. My Silver Fox has done just about every OTHER kind of fishing in the world, but this was on his Bucket List.

He contacted a company called Maui Spearfishing Academy located near Lahaina, and he highly recommends them to all of you. However, I doubt that he will repeat this particular adventure. As you know, he is 60-something. He was with a 30-something instructor and two 20-somethings. He DID manage to spear a fish, but the most frequent word he has used to describe the trip was “INTENSE.” You have to learn to hold your breath for a long time. An awesome surprise, though, was being under that water and hearing the whales singing in the distance.

Because of the wonders of Facebook, I had managed to stay in contact with a former student from Hartselle who now lives in Maui with her husband and beautiful daughter Gracie. We were able to drive to Kula and visit in their home. Not only do they have an amazing flower farm and sell protea, birds-of-paradise, and other flowers to hotels in the area, they also own a sailing charter.

We planned a sunset sail with them, but the weather/wind didn’t cooperate. I happily suggest that you check out Cinderella Sailing in Maui. Graham and Laura are highly skilled sailors, plus they are very safety conscious. It would be a memory for a lifetime.

Now you know where to stay, where to eat and what to do while you’re in Maui. Start saving, dreaming and planning. You’ll love it.

Sleeping and Eating in Maui

05/27/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

It’s hard to go wrong wherever you decide to stay on the island of Maui, ESPECIALLY if you go during whale season (generally considered to be from November through April each year). Nineteen years ago, we stayed in a moderately-priced hotel in the Ka’anapali area and saw whales breaching everyday from our balcony. On our latest visit, we stayed at the Wailea Beach Marriott because of a veterinary conference for my husband. The resort itself was deluxe in every way, but the whales were much farther out from shore. Their sprays and blows were visible, but little else. It is off of Hwy. 31 about 30 minutes from the Kahului Airport. Garden rooms in this resort are roomy and extremely nice, but the views from their oceanfront rooms are worth the splurge in my opinion. While Steve was sitting through continuing education sessions (poor guy), I treated myself to a manicure in the Mandala Spa on site. Heavenly.

I would also recommend hotels and resorts in the the areas of Lahaina and Kihei based on the roads, the views, and the popular activities nearby.

WHERE TO EAT?

Get prepared. There are very few “cheap eats” in Maui. We generally make it a rule when we travel to avoid chain restaurants if we possibly can. But, after 5 or 6 days of expensive eating, we usually throw in a Subway or even a Mickey D’s just for something reasonable and predictable. With that being said, here are some of the restaurants we tried recently and a few words of description/advice. Click on the links to let the drooling and dreaming begin.

Home Made Cafe in Azeka Place in Kihei. We had a delicious breakfast with the locals. Owners are Vietnamese, and the little spot was packed.

Slappycakes — I loved this place and wish so much that it WAS a chain. According to our waitress, this is family-owned with the original location in Portland. The “hook” here is that you may cook your own pancakes on a griddle built into your table if you wish. There are buttermilk, chocolate, gluten-free, and whole grain options available for the batter, and a mouthwatering array of toppings to select. It had a fun family atmosphere watching everyone create their masterpieces and devour them.

Cheeseburger in Paradise located in The Shops at Wailea. Open-air, near our resort, so-so food, so-so prices.

Longhi’s also located in The Shops at Wailea. Also, open-air. Italian-themed menu. Good taste. Good location for us. Nothing to “write home about.”

Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei Kalama Village on a very busy Sunday night. We enjoyed a coconut-crusted fish sandwich and a macadamia nut-crusted chicken sandwich. Live entertainment cranked up at 7:00. Great place for people watching.

Kula Bistro. WAY off the beaten path, almost to the top of the Haleakala Crater at a high altitude with noticeably cooler temperatures. We were there to meet some friends. The food was great. Where else could you find a monchong fish panini??

Blue Moon Cafe in Kihei Gateway Plaza. Delicious breakfast. Portions are huge. Definitely shareable. We enjoyed a Greek omelet and macadamia nut/banana pancakes.

Fabiani’s in the Wailea Gateway Plaza. Italian cuisine. Soft jazz playing. Rosemary foccacia with oil and vinegar brought to the table. Bliss.

Kimo’s in Lahaina with a perfect view of the harbor. Here we had our first taste of Hula Pie — oreo crust filled with macadamia nut vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream, hot fudge, and toasted macadamia nuts. And it was FREE — a treat for our anniversary from the waitress. YES!!

Pita Paradise, a Mediterranean Bistro in the Wailea Gateway Center. Very flavorful food and friendly waitstaff. The tab was about $35.

Do you have some Maui restaurants and cafes to recommend? Feel free to comment below.

Stay tuned. The subject for my next post will be THINGS TO DO in Maui.

Mama’s Fish House — Worthy of an Anniversary Splurge in Maui

05/25/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Just going to Maui for an anniversary should be special enough. “I know,” says this very spoiled North American. But, we were going to be there ON THE ACTUAL DAY of our 44th wedding anniversary. Surely that deserved an EXTRA-special dinner. I — long since recognized as the Family Planner — started reading reviews, asking friends, and doing research. We were not disappointed when we chose to celebrate the occasion at Mama’s Fish House in Pai’a, on the North Shore of Maui. Check out the website here. The location is incredible, the atmosphere is romantic and exotic, and the food is to-die-for.

We called for reservations several weeks before flying to Maui, and our table, along with a personalized congratulations card from the restaurant, were waiting and situated in probably the best location in the house — overlooking crashing waves, swaying palm trees, and lush landscaping. Even though the restaurant was filled, our table had an intimate feel to it since it faced outward rather than inward toward all of the other tables. Right about now, our children are reading this and screaming “TMI, TMI,” but, too bad. I’m just reporting the facts. 🙂

Those who know my Silver Fox and me can testify that we don’t often “go for broke” in even upscale restaurants. This time we did. Our previous “splurge of all time” was when we dined at Windows on the World (102nd floor of the World Trade Center) in New York City for my 50th birthday in May of 2000, a year and a half before 9-11. At Mama’s Fish House we beat that splurge by about $30, and both times we drank WATER. No alcohol.

Listen to the descriptions of these menu selections:

Our appetizer — Crispy Mahimahi Roll with Hamakua mushroom sauce and poha berry jam. VERY special.

Our salad — Waipoli Farm’s mixed greens, heart of palm, pineapple, goat cheese and candied macadamia nuts with Tahitian vanilla vinaigrette.

Our entrees — Ono sauteed with Hamakua Ali’i mushrooms in garlic butter, white wine and capers for him, and Monchong pan seared with Maui onions, Kula watercress and avocado for me. Ono and Monchong are fish that we’d never tried before. Both were amazing.

For dessert, we ordered a banana nut crisp with vanilla bean ice cream, but as a surprise, they also brought us homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream with fresh strawberries as a complimentary anniversary treat.

I particularly enjoyed the relaxed pace of the meal. We had time to truly savor each course before the next one arrived, and our water glasses were continually refilled.

Do I recommend this place? Unequivocally.

Would I want to visit again? Absolutely . . . when I’ve had time to save some money.

You’ll enjoy it. I promise.

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