12Feb09
A romantic getaway doesn't have to cost a fortune. Just by heading a few miles out of town, you can leave all your daily stresses behind. And what's more, you don't even really have to leave the house at all. Just arrange an overnighter for the kids (if you have them), and call your home your hotel. Either way, getting up close, personal, and intimate with your partner is more than just having sex — it's about spending time relishing in each others brilliance. Remember why you fell in love in the first place, and try on a few of these cheap and easy ways to ramp up the romance on your next vacay or staycay.
- Make a reservation – Book the honeymoon suite and pretend you actually are honeymooners. Role playing is sexy.
To see the rest of my tips, just read on.
10Feb09
It's a given that I love my dog, but my dog does not sleep in my bed. So the next time we're on the road, how do I keep him in one place at night without toting along his heavy wire crate? I'll be tossing the Tee-Pee Hound Tent ($208) in the trunk before we head out. Samson will have his own little sleeping area, and I'll get a good night's sleep knowing he will keep warm on his included fleece covered sleeping pad. You can pick up one for your 40 pound (or less) pooch at Wagwear, who is notorious for their quality and durability. Plus, doesn't it just bring back memories of when you were a kid and wanted to pitch a tent in your living room? Or maybe that was just me.
09Feb09
With Valentine's Day coming up this week, I'll be showing you some of the things I love, some places to go to share yours, and some travel goods that may just steal your heart. First up though, is the Grecian Baby Grand Hotel. Not only is this place hip and with it when it comes to services (wireless Internet, spa, and a restaurant called Meat Me? It's love at first sight), but they have some pretty interesting and totally geeky rooms.
Starting with graffiti adorned rooms designed by famous street artists, and ending others that have you sleeping soundly with Batman and Spiderman watching over you. If you can't tell, my inner geek is showing and I'm not ashamed.
Greece is quickly moving up my list of "Must Visit" places, not only because of it's history, but also because of it's many interesting hotels. Remember the Semiramis? Yeah, I thought you did. Check out more images of the Baby Grand Hotel in the slideshow.
09Feb09
I'm extremely happy that I live in such a diverse city. I can walk out my front door and pretty much see the world within a mile in each direction. But some of the best things in life are things that are close to home, and for me, one of those things is Ikes Place Sandwiches. A tiny little store front just off Market St. in the Castro district of San Francisco brings people in from all across the city, just to get a warm sandwich dripping with Ike's special "Dirty Sauce". Oh, that dirty sauce.
I may really be Ike that's taking your order, most likely dressed to the nines in slacks and a pin stripe vest as the line out his door grows down the block. What's the deal with Ike's sandwiches? Well, it may be the dirty sauce, it could be the fresh baked bread, possibly its the a-maz-ing Halal chicken (although there are plenty of vegetarians in line as well), or it could be that you can tell the difference between these sandwiches and all the others out there by one ingredient. That's right, love. My first love came when I tasted the Sarah Palin (named after the Alaskan Governor, natch), which included halal chicken, peppers, and mozzarella sticks, but true love came when I tried the Backstabber. Halal chicken, artichoke hearts, Caesar dressing, and provolone, all on a toasty fresh dutch crunch roll? Yes please.
If you ever find yourself in San Francisco (and why wouldn't you?), it's worth the $1.50 trip on the street car up to Market and 16th from the tourist trap called Pier 39 to get your hands on an Ike's original. Trust me, you won't be sorry.
