Destination: Rome, Italy- The Colosseum

The Colosseum was amazing! Although it was mainly used for cruel events, I really enjoyed seeing it. On the second level there was an exhibition on the history of the Colosseum, like who started the building of it and neat artifacts. Even though it was deteriorating you can tell that it is not going to fall apart anytime soon! It was definitely built to last! When I was there in the summer of 2009 they were doing some repairs on the building. I believe they were restoring where the arena floor was since it wasn't there, so we could see underneath, where the gladiators and animals were kept way back then. I wish I could see the Colosseum when it was at its best, which was like around 1,900 years ago! Obviously the Colosseum is a must-see, so make sure you see it when you're in Rome!

Destination: Rome, Italy- Trevi Fountain

Before I went to Europe one of my friends told me that I had to go to the Trevi Fountain when I was in Rome. So, of course, I did! It took us awhile to find it, but it was worth the effort! I was amazed by it- I couldn't believe the detail of the creatures and waves. Here is a picture of it:The other thing I loved about the Trevi Fountain was that it was located by the best gelato store in the world! I am sorry but I forget the name of the store, but it is located to the left of the fountain. It was a "mom and pop" run store. They had so many different flavours of gelato, it was amazing! I am pretty sure I had chocolate and coconut gelato. They told us the secret to their gelato- they make it fresh every day! If I ever go back to Rome I will make sure to go back there and get some gelato!

Happy Travels!

Shopping in Paris!

In Paris I loved shopping at Galeries Lafayette, a great French department store. The one thing I love about European shopping is that even their department store have beautiful architecture! In the jewelry and accessories area, the ceiling was a very tall skylight dome, beautifully decorated (first picture below). Also, the escalator area was even very fancy. In Galeries Lafayette they have a huge selection of products, and a range of pricing so that they are an affordable store. Make sure you check out Galeries Lafayette when you are in Paris!

Shopping in London: A Walk Around Harrods!

(Oops, I forgot) Shopping in London!

In London you must go to Harrods, even if you do not plan on spending money- it is the most amazing department store in the world! You can buy everything from a pair of socks to designer clothing to caviar to real estate in exotic lands! Seriously, you could spend a whole day shopping at Harrods- it is the biggest and best department store I have been in. The architecture of the building is amazing- I loved the Egyptian decorated area! When I was at Harrods I bought my first pair of jeggings! Also I bought a Harrods bag! The most fun area to shop in at Harrods is the souvenir area, which is where you can find Harrods bags. Since Harrods is a very high end department store, if you cannot afford most of the items (like me) you can afford the items in the souvenir area! I bought the first bag below, a pet shop themed bucket bag, and my Mom bought the Harrods signature tote bag, the following bag (without the teddy bear). The rest are other Harrods bags- they have so many designs there is a bag that will match everyone's personality! You must buy a Harrods bag when you go to London!

Check out their website! http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/ If you do go to Harrods make sure to look over all that they sell so that you do not miss out! It is easy to get lost in time and spend a huge amount of time in certain areas, such as the food halls! They are amazing! I loved the desserts they offered, especially the cupcakes! Yum :)

I also shopped in the city, but Harrods was the best shopping experience I have ever had. I hope one day I can go back there again! I love Harrods!

Happy Travels!

Destination: Paris- Versailles!

After watching the movie Marie Antoinette, seeing the beautiful landscapes and architecture of the palace, I told my Mom that we had to visit Versailles when we were in Paris. Although the day we went we didn't have great weather, my expectations of Versailles were not let down. Versailles is amazing- a must-see when traveling to Paris! The most amazing part of the tour at Versailles was seeing the famous Hall of Mirrors. It is funny how everyone's jaw dropped open when we entered into the hall! Here are some pictures of the Hall of Mirrors:





I also really enjoyed seeing the Queen's chamber. It sure is fit for a Queen!


The grounds are spectacular! The gardens are so well taken care of; they are beautiful! Since we went in the summer there were still flowers, and they certainly added to the beauty of Versailles. Here is a picture of a part of the gardens:


I was quite amazed to see the Golden Gate at Versailles. I have never seen so much gold! Despite it being made centuries ago, it looked brand new!

The artwork in the palace rooms on the ceilings and walls is amazing. Just to think of how much work went into all the rooms, and it still looks great down to today! I loved visiting Versailles. I hope one day I can go back and explore more of the property, such as Marie Antoinette's cottage and some of the other areas I was not able to see due to time. You must visit Versailles when you go to Paris! Happy Travels!

Destination: Paris- The Eiffel Tower!

Of course one of the highlights of visiting Paris was the Eiffel Tower. Standing under the Eiffel Tower is an amazing experience, because you realize how massive it is since you feel like an ant standing under it! Our hotel, Hotel Le Marquis, was only a five minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower, so as soon as we dropped our suitcases off at the hotel rooms we walked over to the Eiffel Tower. Hotel Le Marquis was the most luxurious hotel I have been in- I loved it there! It is a very cute and beautiful boutique hotel. The rooms were fit for a queen, plus the beds were so comfortable- I slept like a baby!


Hotel Le Marquis

After shopping at Galeries Lafayette, a popular French department store, and other shops nearby from the afternoon into the evening we headed back to the Eiffel Tower. We heard that going up the Eiffel Tower at night is best, and it certainly was! While we were heading up, via elevators (I was too chicken to climb up), the light show started! Below is a YouTube video of the light show. Yes, I did go all the way up to the very top of the Eiffel Tower! It was a bit frightening, but once I got used to the height I was fine and had a great time! When you go up the Eiffel Tower, make sure that you go up when it is dark; the views are amazing since all of Paris is lit up. As well, when it is dark it is harder to tell how far off the ground you are, so it is better for those like me who are scared of heights!



Happy Travels! :)

Destination: Paris, France- Le Louvre

At first I wasn't keen on going to Le Louvre since I am not a museum person. But, once I got inside and started wandering around I actually really enjoyed the experience. The artifact I liked the most was the Venus de Milo. She was created sometime between 130 and 100 BC, and is believed to depict the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite. She is very unique since her features are not common in the art found in her era. Her body is twisted to the left, and her hair is parted and tied back into a low, loose bun. She is very beautiful too.

Venus de Milo

I also enjoyed seeing the Mona Lisa! They had to put up a glass shield around her, due to some crazy man storming in and attempting to destroy her not too long ago, so it was hard to take a picture of her. Le Louvre itself is a very beautiful building; the architecture is amazing! The grounds are very neat, like where you enter. You enter via a futuristic glass pyramid outside that takes you underground. It is very cool. I highly recommend going to Le Louvre even if you are not big on museums like me, because you will be pleasantly surprised.

Le Louvre

Destination: London, England- Buckingham Palace and the London Bridge

When I was in London I got to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The crowds were crazy! There was many security persons on duty, keeping the crowds in order, since everyone wanted to find the perfect spot. It was so hard to find a good spot to see the actual event, but I was able to squeeze in between the crowds to see most of the changing of the guard. I really enjoyed watching it! Here's a picture of the changing of the guard!



Although I only saw the palace exterior, I was very impressed by the palace, especially by the palace grounds. The gardens were beautiful and the grounds were nicely decorated with statues and extravagant architecture. If you ever visit London you must see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace!

Another must-see is, of course, the London Bridge! As a child I loved singing the "London Bridge" song, so I really enjoyed seeing it with my own eyes. I had no idea of what it looked like, and was quite surprised how nice it looks. One thing for sure was that the London Bridge was definitely not about to fall down!

Destination: London, England- The Tower of London

In London I loved the Tower of London. The Tower of London is one of the most famous palaces in England. It was a home to many well-known kings and queens. When I visited there was an exhibition on King Henry VIII. He is famous for having six wives. He divorced the first, beheaded the second, the third died, divorced the fourth, beheaded the fifth, and the sixth survived. Also, he helped restore the Tower to what it is today. As you can imagine, learning about his life was very interesting. I also saw the Crown Jewels. They sure were sparkly! Seeing the Tower Green sure was something, since that is where King Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was executed. I really enjoyed just walking around the grounds inside the Tower of London. Exploring the castles and towers was an experience I will never forget! Seeing the Queen's Guards was enjoyable too! Going to the Tower of London was a very educational experience for me because I was able to experience English history firsthand, and I loved it! Here's what the palace grounds looks like from birds eye view:




Me in one of the Guards booths at the Tower of London

Destination: London, Paris, and Rome

Pretty much on every one's travel list Europe is a must, and in the summer of 2009 I got to travel to Europe. I visited London, Paris, and Rome. It was a trip of a lifetime! I am going to highlight sites that I loved and also some tips along the way. First up- London, England.

Rancho La Puerta: The End

So now I am sadly home from my vacation. Oh I wish I was still there! Here are some of my tips for if you are planning or thinking of going to Rancho La Puerta:

1. Bring hiking boots! Hiking is a highlight of going to Rancho La Puerta!
2. Rancho La Puerta is a health focused resort so be ready to have a diet mainly full of vegetables. Although they do serve fish at some meals. It may sound not so great but while I was there for a week I did not crave meat at all! Their meals are amazing!
   
3. While most of the clothing you pack is fitness clothing for during the day, bring nice casual clothing for dinner.
4. Bring American money with you for tips and shopping at the resident artist's studio. Everything else can be charged to your room.
   
5. You can get Pesos at registration if you want to go into Tecate, Mexico.
6. They supply you with a tote bag and a water bottle, so you do not have to bring your own.
7. Rancho La Puerta has four tennis courts, which you can use anytime, and tennis clinics and private lessons available, so bring your tennis racket! If you do not have a racket, they do have rackets that you can borrow at anytime for no charge.
8. Always check Rancho La Puerta's website for a checklist of what to bring, depending on the season you are visiting.
   
9. Almost all hikes are in the early morning so bring something warmer for the morning. I went in the springtime, and in the mornings it was cold, but by noon it was hot and then in the evenings it was very cold. So pack a variety of clothing.

Here are the ratings I personally give Rancho La Puerta based on my visit:

Service 10/10
Food 10/10
Spa 9/10
Accommodations 10/10
Fitness Activities 10/10
Fitness Staff 9/10
Evening Activities 9/10
Presenters of the Week 10/10

I hope you found my blog helpful in your quest to find a great getaway, because Rancho La Puerta is certainly a great getaway! I highly recommend it to anyone who is, or at least tries to be, healthy and active, and needs a stress-free vacation! Go to Rancho La Puerta's website, located in my links at the bottom of the page, for rates and details on the upcoming weeks. Happy Travels!

Rancho La Puerta: Days 5 & 6

On Thursday I went on the "Seven-Mile Mountain Breakfast Hike." We hiked four miles into the mountains until we got to the very top of one of them to stop for breakfast. It was the most challenging hike I've experienced at Rancho La Puerta, but also one of my favourite hikes. After a breakfast of half a PB&J sandwich, cheese, and breakfast burritos, we hiked three miles back to the Ranch. For the hike they supplied us with a backpack, lots of water, and prepared breakfast items ready to stuff into our brown paper bags! It's nice how at Rancho La Puerta you are always taken care of! The following is a picture of the view from the top of the mountain we ate breakfast at! We sat on the rock in the middle of the picture.



I didn't get back from the hike until 9:30 so I missed the first tennis clinic, but I was able to go to the second clinic at 10:00. After I went to a stretch class at 11:00. It was just what I needed after a long hike and a hour of tennis! Then in the afternoon we shopped at the Mercado, which sells fitness gear, various gifts, and more, to go to their silver jewelry sale that they have on Thursdays and Fridays. Later, I had a manicure at the Beauty Salon. Now my hands are pretty! In the evening I went to the jewelry workshop again to finish off my projects. At Rancho La Puerta they have presenters come every week, and on Thursday night Suzanne Ciani, a composer, recording artist in the field of electronic music and a Grammy nominee and winner, put on a concert. Since I was at jewelry making I was not able to go to it, but my Mother and others said they enjoyed it very much! Another presenter this week was Denise Vivaldo, a celebrity chef, who was the special guest chef teaching this week at "La Cocina Que Canta," Rancho La Puerta's cooking school. I heard the meal she made everyone cook was delicous! I wish I made the time to go! The last time I was at Rancho La Puerta, which was two years ago, I went to the cooking school and had a great time! I learned the proper techniques in cooking and we all made a fantastic meal!

Today I went on the "Road Runner Trail Walk." It is a five-mile hike through the hills on Rancho La Puerta's property. I felt I needed a bit of a break since I have been doing difficult hikes this past week. I for sure do not want to go home very stiff and sore! I enjoyed the hike a lot; it covered different types of terrain and had lovely scenery. Then I played tennis with my Mother for a half an hour until 10:00 when I met three people from the tennis clinic to play doubles together until just before 11:00. At 11:00 I went to the "Release and Mobilize" class again because I always feel great after the class! At 1:00 I went back to the Gazebo to finish off my alebrije. I am happy about how my alebrije turned out! Then I went for a pedicure at 4:00. My toes are bright apple red! I love them! Soon I am going to go for dinner. On Fridays they have a special goodbye dinner and dance (since everyone comes on Saturdays and leaves on Saturdays) where all the fitness staff attend and the Ranch's legendary dancer Yuichi performs! Yuichi is around 70-80 years old and can dance like a 30 year old! I love watching his performances; they are very entertaining! Happy Travels!

Rancho La Puerta: Days 3 & 4

So yesterday morning I went on the "Organic Garden Breakfast Hike." We walked two miles to Rancho La Puerta's organic farm and cooking school, and once we got there breakfast was ready for us- it was delicious! After breakfast we got a tour of their organic farm. Here's some pictures of their farm:

Garlic Plants- very pretty!

A friend I made!

Then, after lunch I went to one of the many health and fitness lectures given at Rancho La Puerta; the one I went to was titled: "Weight Loss Strategies for Becoming a Better Burning Machine." It was very informative and helpful. What was mainly taught was how portion control and the proper quality and quantity of exercise will help you achieve your desired weight. Hopefully I will apply what I learned! At 3:00 I went to a "Pilates Reformer" class at Rancho la Puerta's Pilates studio. I enjoyed it very much. The fitness staff here at Rancho La Puerta are all so great to be around! Finally, at 4:00 I went to a "Stretch and Relax" class. In the evening I went to a jewelry workshop at Rancho La Puerta's resident artist's studio. Since this is my third time to Rancho La Puerta, I always go the jewelry workshops, I just love them! Inside on a big table she puts out around five big bowls full of miscellaneous mixes of beads, and you are given a plate to fill up with the beads you pick from the bowls to make a total of three pieces of jewelry. It is somehow so relaxing while you are digging through the heaps of beads and putting together masterpieces!

Today, I went on the "Pilgrim Hike" again. Then, as usual, to the tennis clinic. After that, I went to another "Release and Mobilize" class before lunch. At 1:00 I went back to attempt to finish painting my alebrije, but I did not finish it, so I have to go back on Friday! Then at 4:00 I went for a "Hot Stone River Massage" at the spa. It was so relaxing; it was great! Tonight I am going to a jewelry workshop again! Last night I made myself a necklace, so I can make two more pieces tonight! Happy Travels!

Rancho La Puerta: Day 2

This morning I went on the "Pilgrim Hike." It was very hard, but enjoyable! The Pilgrim Hike is a 3.5-mile steep hike all the way to the top of Kuchumaa Mountain. It took me roughly an hour and a half to complete. To the right is a picture I took of the view from the very top of Kuchumaa Mountain! After breakfast I went to an hour long tennis clinic. I had a lot of fun! Once the clinic was over I continued to play with two ladies and my mother. Tennis at Rancho La Puerta is great; the tennis coaches are very good and they have four courts, two of the courts have walls so that you can play tennis by yourself. Then, at 11:00 I went to a "Release and Mobilize" class. After a strenuous hike and playing tennis for about two hours, it was exactly what I needed! At that class you do self massage by means of using two tennis balls to target specific trigger points and provide deep release for tight areas in your body. It sure helped me! After lunch I went to a "Paint Your Own Alebrije" workshop. Alebrijes are brightly coloured Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. I chose to paint a blue fish! I wasn't able to finish it within that hour so I will go back and finish it on Wednesday, and hopefully put up a picture of it! Since my morning was full of exercise I decided to rest for the rest of the afternoon by the pool. Then at 4:00 I went to a spa treatment. I had a scalp treatment. It was very relaxing, and soon I will have luscious hair! Well that's all for today! Happy Travels!

Rancho La Puerta: Day 1

Today, Sunday May 2, was my first whole day at Rancho La Puerta. It feels so good to be back! The last time I was here was two years ago. In the mornings there are around three different hikes available. I did the "Quail 2 Hike", which is an intermediate hike, to get myself started since this week will be full of exercise! The Quail 2 hike is a 2.5-mile hike up through the hills and eventually up the base of Kuchumaa Mountain. Like the rest of the hikes, the scenery is very enjoyable. Then, after a very delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs and fresh fruit, at 9:00, I went to "Cardio Drumming" fitness class. I had never heard of it before, but I took the risk and went to the class. It was the most fun fitness class I had ever gone to! What we did was, with two drumsticks, drum on a big fitness ball. I know, it sounds bizarre! Like normal fitness classes, while drumming we were doing squats, jumping, and lunges. Then we put all of our moves together to create a routine! I loved it! After that I went to a Pilates level 2 mat class; then to a Feldenkrais workshop. Feldenkrais is a unique program of movement lessons which enhance posture, ease of mobility and flexibility. If you ever go to Rancho La Puerta you should definitely try it! After lunch I went to a stretch class. I sure am glad I went to it! For the rest of the afternoon I relaxed at one of the many pools. Below is a picture of the view from my lounge chair. Happy Travels!

Destination: Rancho La Puerta

On Saturday May 1st, through to May 8th, I am going to one of my favourite places to go- Rancho La Puerta! It is located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico. Rancho La Puerta is one of the best modern-day fitness and spa destinations in North America. It was founded in 1940 by Edmond and Deborah Szekely. Rancho La Puerta provides a great program of fitness classes and activities, a luxurious spa, a very healthy and delicious cuisine, wonderful accommodations, and lots of entertainment. Fitness classes and activities include: Pilates, Yoga, the Bar Method, Tennis, Dance, Aquatic Fitness, Hiking, and much more! The hiking at Rancho La Puerta is fabulous! Among their 3,000-acre property are many hills and mountains. They have hiking trails for all levels. The scenery is amazing! I can't wait to go on my first hike! To find out more about Rancho La Puerta check out their website located in my links at the bottom of the page. While I am away, or when I get back, I will post a log on what I did each day. Happy Travels!

About My Blog!

In my blog I am going to tell you about my great getaways, including the best and the worst of the places I have traveled to. Hopefully, you will find this helpful in your quest to find a great getaway.