Articles for ‘California Vacation’ Category
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Pieter van Noordennen in Banff
We recently hosted a live chat on Orbitz’s Facebook page to help travelers plan their ski vacations. Away.com ski expert Pieter van Noordennen was on hand to field questions, and here are some of the highlights:
Pieter, four of my closest friends (all guys) and I are traveling from Atlanta to Breckenridge in February for our yearly Ski Adventure (ha). Neither of us are expert skiers or snowboarders, but I wonder, which peaks do you recommend for intermediate and below skiers? Thanks. –Yeavis M.
Yeavis, Breckenridge has a really good mix of easy, intermediate, and hard slopes, so you’ll be fine there. (more…)
Tags: Ski Resorts, ski vacations
Posted in California Vacation, Europe Vacation, Family Travel, International Vacations, Nightlife, Ski Resorts, Sports Travel, Travel Tips | No Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Photo: Santa Cruz County CVC
By Ari Bendersky
In my first story about wine-tasting on a California vacation (Beyond Napa … ), I focused on wineries and hotels in Northern California — in Sonoma, Mendocino and beyond. This time we travel south of San Francisco to Central California wine country.
Santa Cruz
Getting to Santa Cruz from San Francisco or San Jose is an easy, breathtaking drive over the mountains or down Highway 1 — with a quick stop in Los Gatos, Calif., to sip a few acclaimed glasses of Pinot Noir at David Bruce Winery or to San Martin, Calif., to the sprawling mission-like Clos la Chance for some beautiful red blends and citrusy Chardonnay.
The bohemian town of Santa Cruz is a hippie haven and a bastion of liberalism — and has some fantastic attractions. If you like the beach and a boardwalk, Santa Cruz is a must for your California vacation. You could spend an afternoon in SC en route to Monterey, but make sure you swing by Bonny Doon to indulge in the creative craftiness of winemaker and owner Randall Gramm. He’s known for deep, rich Syrah and other Rhone varietals (like Grenache and Mouvedre), but he’s also quite the court jester — just look at his wine labels. (more…)
Tags: California Vacation, California wine country, monterey, Paso Robles
Posted in California Vacation, Food & Wine, Romance | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Arista Winery, Sonoma County (Photo: Sonoma County Tourism Bureau)
By Ari Bendersky
When people think of California wine country, first thoughts often move toward Napa. The Napa Valley has been on most people’s radars for a few decades, but great wine is produced all over California. Instead of hitting the obvious, next time you plan a California vacation, think about visiting one of other spots in Northern California, or checking out wineries in other areas of the state. In this first of three installments, I offer tips for a wine-tasting Northern California vacation outside of Napa. (more…)
Posted in California Vacation, Food & Wine, Romance, Spa Vacation | No Comments »
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
(Photo: Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau)
By Alina Motin
Since I work for Orbitz and live in Orange County, I often help family and friends plan their California vacations. I think Orange County has a lot to offer for romantic getaways, family vacations and everything in between — there’s the ocean, Disneyland and of course, warm temperatures year ’round (as I write this in January, it’s in the high 70s!) Best of all, I’ve got some money-saving tips you can take advantage of. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Disney Vacation, Family Travel, Romance | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
By Lena Katz
If you think California only has one season, you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Nine months of the year the beach cities might get all the attention, but from December through February, it’s all about s-n-o-w. The ski vacation season is short, and ski resorts are in just a few areas — mainly Tahoe/Reno, Mammoth and Big Bear — but people make the most of it. And the resorts do their part with enhancements, additions and awesome new events every season. Here’s what’s noteworthy in 2010 at my favorite California ski resorts.
Lake Tahoe
Sugar Bowl, the unofficial People’s Choice ski resort, kicked off its 70th season with a lot of news, including the opening of the Backcountry Adventure Center and the debut of the Summit Chair quad lift accessing Judah Bowl. (more…)
Posted in California Vacation, Family Travel, Ski Resorts, Travel News | No Comments »
Friday, January 1st, 2010
By Ari Bendersky
How often do you hear about a fabulous restaurant, but then look at the menu and feel like you can’t afford it? Well fret no more, my friend, because with restaurant week, you’re as good as gold. With numerous cities around the country hosting restaurant weeks, now is a good time to combine travel with good eating. Restaurants are opening their doors, knocking down their prices and inviting everyone in to get a taste of the good life — at least for a few hours.
Many places across the United States, from major markets like New York, Chicago and San Francisco to smaller spots like Cleveland, Charlotte and Palm Springs, have participating events. I’m highlighting some of the bigger cities where dozens of the best restaurants and top-name chefs will create incredibly priced prix-fixe menus for you to indulge. So book your hotel and go. (more…)
Posted in California Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Food & Wine, Holidays & Events, New York Vacation, Travel News | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
By Lena Katz
New Year’s Eve falls on a Thursday this year, giving us a four-day weekend to welcome brand, shiny and new 2010. Party promoters, event planners and venue owners in California’s big cities are planning a merry-making marathon that lasts ’til Saturday p.m. (Which still gives you all of Sunday to lie around on the couch going “Owww my head,” and watching reruns of America’s Next Top Model.) If you’re up for the challenge, and ready to book a room at your favorite San Francisco hotel, San Diego hotel or other Cali destination, here are four cities ready to ring out 2009 with a bang. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Holidays & Events, Nightlife, Romance, Spa Vacation | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
The falls on the way down from Half Dome.
By Melissa Fuller
It happened a lot like this. I get a call from my best mate Jackie at 3 p.m. on a Thursday. “I have a plan,” she says. “I have three days left over on this week-long pass that I bought to enter Yosemite Valley. I think we should do Half Dome — I think we should do it at night. I read a bunch of articles about it; this could be seriously legit.”
This is standard Jackie.
“I’m in,” I reply. “What do I need to know?”
JD was at my door that night armed with carabiners, freeze-dried lasagna, Mylar blankets, extra headlamp batteries and enough hype to overkill the mellow wine buzz I was trying to offer her as compensation for her efforts. She unpacked her bag, spreading out a plethora of magazine tears and topo maps, nearly covering the surface of my kitchen counter, and over the next 45 minutes we scheduled our plan.
(more…)
Posted in California Vacation, Photography, Sports Travel | No Comments »
Monday, December 14th, 2009
Orbitz travel blogger and Away.com guest blogger Lena Katz
Join Orbitz travel blogger and Away.com guest blogger Lena Katz as she hits the road on a quest across the American Southwest. Bored with Los Angeles, Lena’s covering thousands of miles of great American highway in a borrowed Volkswagen Touareg TDI “Clean Diesel” SUV, with only her dog for company. The classic Western novels of Larry McMurtry are her inspiration, and her ultimate destination is the small West Texas town where McMurtry owns an antiquarian book shop. From alien lights in the sky to buffalo jerky breakfasts, find out what happens when a California girl leaves L.A. Read more on the Away.com travel blog. (more…)
Posted in California Vacation, Eco-Tourism, On the Road | No Comments »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
The Drake Hotel Chicago
From New York to Maui, hotels around the country are decking their halls to help travelers feel the spirit during this holiday travel season. This year, Orbitz has selected the best decked-out hotels in its ten most popular holiday destinations.
Hotels spend countless hours planning their holiday activities and decorations. Whether it’s a glass Christmas tree, 23-foot-tall gingerbread house or live carolers during afternoon tea, Orbitz’ picks for the best decked-out hotels for holiday travel offer seasonal excitement through decorations, celebratory activities or easy access to nearby holiday festivities. (more…)
Posted in Beach Vacation, California Vacation, Chicago Vacation, Family Travel, Florida Vacation, Hawaii Vacation, Holidays & Events, Las Vegas Vacation, New York Vacation, Orlando Vacation, Top 10 Lists | No Comments »
