Pechanga – Jewel of the Temecula Valley

My wife and I decided on a quick getaway to Temecula, California, to try out a spot getting good buzz, Pechanga Resort & Casino. After a speedy check-in, we headed to Kelsey’s, one of 11 restaurants. It’s a sleek American pub specializing in hand-cut, barbecued meats and craft beer. It was our first of three[…]

Excellence and Finest: Aptly Named

Excellence & Finest – Aptly Named Descending into Cancun is always a treat; the sea is a blue color, as beautiful as anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Within the almost 2 million square kilometers of Mexico, I discovered two spectacular resort gems named Excellence and Finest. The Excellence Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa was my[…]

My Favorite Hotels, Resorts and Transportation Tips

California Santa Barbara – Chic, sleek and cool, the Canary, www.canarysantabarbara.com, is centrally located off State Street. Consider a long weekend, since there’s always something going on in town. Rooftop Pool at the Canary Hotel Temecula – Classy and elegant, the South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, www.wineresort.com, features private villas and an award-winning vineyard.[…]

Quintessential Quintana Roo

In November of 2008, my wife and I made our first visit to Mexico’s east coast state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Our destinations were Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Passing through immigration was speedy and efficient. When we reached our hotel, the oceanfront Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa, located in what is[…]

Triple Treat: All-Inclusive in Cancun, Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen

Cruising is more popular than ever. Its package approach takes a lot of guesswork out of a vacation. Meals and activities are onboard while at sea and, in port, tours are available. If this model works aboard a ship, why not on land? In fact, the all inclusive approach is being offered by more and[…]