Insider's San Diego - Bates Nut Farm - Halloween

Insider's San Diego: A visit to Bates Nut Farm is a great way to celebrate autumn.

#batesnutfarm #sandiego #autumn #traveltips #halloween #pumpkin

Travel Quote - Federico Fellini - Life

 "Life is a combination of magic and pasta."

Federico Fellini

Photo by Cynthia Dial

#travel #travelquote #quote #federicofellini #fellini #life

Where, oh where, in the world is this?

Do you know where this photo was taken?

Photo by Cynthia Dial

#travel #travel photography #photography

Tourism Ireland - Sephira - Irish Step Dance

The highlight of the Tourism Ireland evening of Heritage, Culture and Cuisine was the combo of an Irish step dancer with the violinist/vocalist group called Sephira, two raven-hair Irish sibling beauties.  The talent of all was mesmerizing.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

#ireland #sephira #music #violinists #irishdance #tourism #tourismireland

 

San Diego - California - Sunset

Sunset in San Diego!

#sandiego #sunset #California 

San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge - Photos

I love San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, but every photo of it shows a different side of the iconic structure.  Here are a few of my favorites.  I'd love to see your fav photos of the GGB.

 This photo from a sightseeing boat was taken in such fog that the only way we knew we were approaching the bridge was the sound of the fog horn.

 Bridge peeking out from the fog

Bridge seen from the marina

Photos by Cynthia Dial

#sanfrancisco #goldengatebridge #bridge #bridges #fog

Travia - Japan Airlines - Boeing 747 - Sands of Iwo Jima

Travia: When Japan Airlines officials visited Seattle's Boeing plant to see the mock-up of the 747, they asked to preview the plane's movie projection system. A technician grabbed a handy film and showed "Sands of Iwo Jima." #Boeing 747-8 #Boeing #Boeing 747 #JAPAN AIRLINES (JAL) #Movies

Where, oh where, in the world is this?

Photo by Cynthia Dial

New Book - Richard Torregrossa - Crime Thriller - Terminal Life - The Suited Hero

I have to share news about the release of my friend and colleague Richard Torregrossa's crime thriller, Terminal Life.  Yes, he's the author of the Cary Grant book, A Celebration of Style; and now a thriller.

Luke Stark, a Special Forces veteran, returns home from his second tour in Afghanistan to learn that his wife has been mysteriously murdered and his son has disappeared. Already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, these tragedies push him over the edge. He has also been diagnosed with an incipient form of cancer, but he forgoes treatment, a decision that is akin to a slow suicide. Although he languishes in a shelter, he wears an impeccable suit, an eccentric characteristic that sets him apart from his fellow down-and-outers and just about everybody else. He is nicknamed, somewhat ironically, The Suited Hero. Revenge and the search for his son spark a kind of rebirth in him that is as cathartic as it is brutal. This leads him into the dangerous world of illegal prescription drug distribution, where nobody in this gripping mystery crime thriller- not even some family members-are who they appear to be.

Check it out here on Amazon.
#book #crimebook #crimethriller #thesuitedhero #terminallife #carygrant #richardtorregrossa #amazon

Fashion Week San Diego

Confession: I was a novice when it came to Fashion Week—that is until I attended FWSD (translation: Fashion Week San Diego). True, I’m a Project Runway devotee . . . so runway shows are no stranger to me. And truer, I love fashion and everything it entails—the clothing, the shoes, the accessories, the hair, the makeup—everything.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

Yet, there’s nothing quite like being there. So step into my stilettos and let’s go where you’ll find lights, cameras and aisle action. 

For the rest of the story, go here.

Utah's Montage Deer Valley is More Than Just a Winter Destination

Here's your assignment.  From your travel thesaurus select another phrase for mountain luxury.  If you're stumped, don't worry, I've got an answer: Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

Park City's history is colorful, having begun as a silver mining town, then a ski resort and now a luxury destination.  But it was Deer Valley that transformed the ski industry 32 years ago.  By offering such amenities as lodging, ski valets and groomed-to-perfection slopes, it became one of North America's first ski areas catering to first-class customers.  Its extravagance is three decades old; so is a summer visit to the noted winter retreat wise?  I investigated this premise from the area's most lavish digs - Montage Deer Valley.

For the rest of the story, go here.

10 U.S. Cities With the Most 4-Star Hotels for Under $100

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The top 10 U.S. destinations where the most 4+ star hotel rooms for under $100 a night are available to travelers have been announced by Hotwire.

Photo by Cynthia Dial

They are:

#1
Las Vegas - $68/night for a 4-star hotel in The Strip - South area
#2
Atlanta - $69/night for a 4-star hotel in the Downtown Atlanta area
#3
Dallas - $60/night for a 4-star hotel in the Galleria – Park Central area  
#4
Orlando - $91/night for a 4.5-star hotel in the Disney Main Gate - Celebration area  
#5
Minneapolis - $71/night for a 4-star hotel in the Downtown Minneapolis area  
#6
St. Louis - $61/night for a 4-star hotel in the Ballpark - Downtown area  
#7
Chicago - $96/night for a 4-star hotel in the McCormick Place – South Loop – Soldier Field area  
#8
Detroit - $61/night for a 4-star hotel in the Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Complex - Dearborn area  
#9
Salt Lake City - $67/night for a 4-star hotel in the Salt Lake City – Downtown area  
#10
Reno - $46/night for a 4-star hotel in the Downtown Reno area
   

From eTurboNews.com

Switzerland: I Love You Because . . .

Switzerland, I love you because . . .

 Geneva and its Carouge area - Though only minutes from Geneva, this artsy, Italian-like neighborhood seems a world away.

 Switzerland - Train travel zips you from destination to destination throughout the Lake Geneva region.

 Vevey, Switzerland - Long time home to Charlie Chaplin.

Lausanne, Switzerland - Beau-Rivage Palace reigns supreme.

To learn more about the Lake Geneva region, go here.

#lakegeneva #lakegenevaregion #geneva #carouge #switzerland #beaurivage #beaurivagepalace #lausanne #vivey #train #europe

Switzerland - Crans-Montana - LeCrans Hotel

Sitting above Switzerland's Crans-Montana amid the Alps is heavenly, especially if you're a guest of LeCrans Hotel & Spa.. 

#switzerland #cransmontana #alps #lecrans 

Switzerland - Leman - Wine

Switzerland's Region Du Leman is known for its wines and overlooks Lake Geneva. #switzerland #leman #wine #lakegeneva

Switzerland - Geneva - President Wilson Hotel

 Au revoir President Wilson Hotel and Lake Geneva, especially the view from room 425. #presidentwilson #geneva #lakegeneva #switzerland 

Switzerland - Geneva - Hotel President Wilson

Foie gras, I've missed you. Being a California resident, the best part of my multi-course gourmet feast at Lake Geneva's Hotel President Wilson and its Bayview Restaurant was the 'goose liver' course.

#foiegras #hotelpresidentwilson #geneva #switzerland #bayviewrestaurant