When we inspect hotels in Italy we make a point of checking out the roof-top patio and the view. Some can be austere but the best are garden settings with a handy bar nearby and maybe even a pool. There is something calming about knowing that there is a well appointed roof-top hideaway where you can take a break from sightseeing, grab a cool drink and enjoy the panorama.

Top Caribbean Family Hotels and Resorts for Mom - With Mother’s Day around the corner we are getting calls for special Mother’s Day gifts of family vacations in the Caribbean. Families are looking for children’s water and play areas, beautiful and relaxing locations, professional staffs, activities for teens – especially water sports, great food for any finicky appetite and fantastic facilities – including a spa for Mom. - Where would you like to go? Need a few ideas?
Here are this year’s Travelers Choice Award winners in the Caribbean Family Resort Category….but please share your best picks with us as well!
1. Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Jamaica
2. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, Turks & Caicos
3. The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Dominican Republic
4. The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
5. Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club, Jamaica
6. Playa Linda Beach Resort, Aruba
7. Memories Splash Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
8. Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort, Jamaica
9. Iberostar Rosa Hall Suites, Jamaica
10. Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia
11. Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
12. Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Jamaica
13. Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
14. Caribbean Club, Grand Cayman
15. Las Casitas Village, Puerto Rico
16. Turtle Bay by Elegant Hotels, Barbados
17. The Tuscany, Turks & Caicos
18. Club Med La Caravelle, Guadeloupe
19. The Venetian on Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
20. Sunset Beach Resort, Spa and Water Park, Jamaica
21. The Reef Atlantis, Bahamas
22. Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, Aruba
23. Grand Isle Resort & Spa, Bahamas
24. Villa del Mar, Turks & Caicos
25. Comfort Suites, Bahamas

On a recent trip through Seattle we tried out the new off-site rental car facility at the SEA-TAC Airport. The 8AM Monday morning trip from our hotel in Tukwila to the SAE-TAC rental car center to the bus to the terminal and the walk to our US Airways ticket counter took slightly less than an hour. The transit bus from the rental car center to the terminal made two stops. A helpful customer service agent was on the bus to help with baggage and to answer questions.

A Virginia Howdy to our friends in Texas, especially those in San Antonio who will be celebrating the 11-day San Antonio Fiesta beginning today. We discovered this flamboyant citywide block party back in 1993 but it has been a San Antonio tradition since 1891. So head to San Antonio for yummy food, cold drinks, colorful costumes, music and dance, parades and the fun sights and sounds in old Texas. For more information check out http://www.fiesta-sa.org/.

Celebrating Easter Sunday today, the citizens of Florence, Italy and thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Scoppio del Carro “explosion of the cart” fireworks. An elaborate cart which stood almost three stories high was drawn through the city by a team of white oxen to the Duomo, the main cathedral. At the conclusion of High Mass a dove-shaped rocket slid down a cable from the altar at 11AM to the cart in the Duomo Square and set off the fireworks. A medieval costumed parade followed in the afternoon. Need an excuse to visit Italy? CLICK HERE to see our annual list of over 150 festivals and celebrations throughout the country. Experience Europe the Go Bucket List Travel way. Let us help you join the party!