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METROLINK TO SHERATON CARLSBAD!

05.23.12

Review by Sheryll Alexander

We are excited about any Euro-style getaway in Southern California, so we were intrigued when we booked a weekend getaway aboard Metrolink to The Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa and Legoland. Would we encounter public transportation nightmares or would it be a no-car dream vacation come true?

As in most realities, it was a little of both.

We departed the historic Santa Ana Train Depot on a sunny Saturday evening around 5:30 p.m. We hopped on a cool Metrolink commuter train for the 70-minute trip south to Oceanside. Along the way, we marveled at the beauty of the Pacific coast along San Clemente through Camp Pendleton and onto Oceanside.

Unbeknownst to us, the Oceanside depot is also a Greyhound bus station. We alighted from our train at around 6 p.m. and we were met with the rather seedy side of Oceanside’s main bus stop on a Saturday night. Although we did not ever feel afraid, we did feel somewhat anxious as we were traveling with children.

We felt better when a nice minivan from The Sheraton Carlsbad showed up to whisk us south down the 5 Freeway to a hilltop bluff just above Carlsbad’s Legoland theme park.

The Stunning Sheraton Carlsbad

The Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa sits on a pretty bluff overlooking the blue Pacific as well as Legoland’s colorful theme park. We pulled up in our complimentary hotel shuttle just in time to check into our ocean view room and for dinner at the resort’s Twenty/20 Grill & Wine Bar.

We enjoyed the handsome contemporary décor and casual California vibe at this eatery, which takes advantage of all the locally-grown produce and seafood in this part of North San Diego County. In fact, we were quite impressed with the lemon basil martini and starters of creamy hummus, fresh fried calamari and a green salad.

The menu at Twenty/20 is a good hybrid of American comfort food classics as well as contemporary Mediterranean dishes such as grilled salmon, lamb souvlakia, Morrocan-spiced chicken, grilled burgers and wood-fired pizzas. The wine list is also rather good as we enjoyed a hearty Paso Robles Zinfandel.

We especially loved breakfast at this relaxing restaurant with such dishes as Belgian waffles and a perfectly-cooked eggs Benedict. After breakfast, we took our littlest traveler to the lagoon-style pool area, which also caters to kids with its outdoor ping pong, foosball and air hockey tables.

Back in the well-appointed room with fluffy beds and a giant flat screen TV, we showered off the chlorine and walked to the resort’s private entrance straight into Legoland California. Especially built for younger children, Legoland is a charming theme park full of rides, Lego sculptures, food and shopping. We enjoyed the resort’s new interactive SeaLife Aquarium as well as its vegetarian-friendly cafe.

After several hours of fun and water frolick (bring a change of clothing for the kids!) at Legoland, we walked back to The Sheraton Carlsbad and took the hotel’s complimentary shuttle back to the Oceanside train station. All in all, our weekend getaway was super fun and stress free!

Alas, we misjudged the Metrolink train schedule on the way home and ended up missing our train. Fortunately, the more frequent Amtrak trains were busily running on Sunday evening when we were choo chooed back home along the same pretty Pacific Coast tracks. We arrived home before 7 p.m. just in time for dinner and our favorite HBO shows. Life is good in The OC!

Summer Memories Metrolink Package

Enjoy a getaway to Carlsbad and save on gas by traveling on the Metrolink Train from Orange County. Prices for this package start at $229 (non-refundable with a 10-day advance reservation) and includes:

To book, call             866-716-8134       and ask for promo code MTO.

For more information on this and other specials from the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa, visit http://deals.sheraton.com/Sheraton-Carlsbad-Resort-1719/so.htm?EM=LINK_BOGGER_OC_GREER_SOPLINK_SI_1719_WEST.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.

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WE LOVE SUMMER IN PARIS!

05.23.12

By Sheryll Alexander

Although most jet setters don’t necessarily think of Paris in summer, the warm season is actually one of the best times to visit the gorgeous City of Lights. Summer is when Paris’ outdoor spaces come alive and welcomes the world to her cultural, sensory and seasonal delights.

Paris is known for its plentiful green spaces, including sidewalk cafes, public plazas and romantic walks by the Seine River. But did you know Paris is also a natural playground with more than 400 art-filled parks, botanical gardens and even lush forests? Some visitors discover the "secret” gardens of Paris such as Montmartre’s vineyards and the Marais district’s Clos des Blancs Manteaux. Tucked into the center of the city, this urban paradise features an eco-friendly garden with 250 species of plants and a workshop where visitors can learn about the medicinal properties of herbs.

This summer, some of the best luxury hotels, charming boutique inns and absolutely perfect apartments in Paris are serving up special prices and experiences for the ultimate sophisticated getaway. Bon voyage mes amis!

Best Five-Star Deal: Hotel Esprit Saint Germain

When we lived in Paris, we fell in love with the Left Bank neighborhood in which one of Paris’ best boutique hotel resides, the five-star Hotel Espirt Saint Germain. This contemporary hotel is more like apartment living as breakfast is served each morning in the living room and an always-open complimentary bar is available in the recently renovated fireplace room. Classic and superior rooms are decorated in contemporary styles with bold colors as well as desks, fluffy beds and marble bathrooms. Two rooftop suites have balconies with striking views of le 6ème arrondissement’s Saint Sulpice church. The neighborhood is a gem and central to all Latin Quarter delights such as St. Michel, Notre Dame, Odeon, Jardins du Luxembourg, Musee D’Orsay, Rue Dragon, Rue du Cherche-Midi, Boulevard Raspail market, Rue de Rennes shopping district and Saint Germain-des-Près.

Complimentary fourth night at Hotel Esprit Saint Germain when staying three consecutive nights includes complimentary American breakfast daily, bar in the lobby (with champagne, wine and spirits), in-room mini bar, internet access, fitness center access (steam room and sauna), business center access, daily newspaper, flowers and fresh fruits daily, all taxes and services. Superior Room: Eur 1.155  for 4 nights, double occupancy (save Eur 385); Deluxe room: Eur 1.365 for 4 nights, double occupancy (save Eur 455)

Hotel Esprit Saint Germain, 22 Rue Saint-Sulpice, 75006 Paris, +33 1 5310 5555, http://www.hotel-esprit-saint-germain.com/

Best Ultra Luxe Hotel: Le Meurice

Want to live like a movie star? Book at room at Le Meurice. Situated right on the famed Rue du Rivoli in the heart of Paris, Le Meurice has held court as “The Hotel of Kings” since 1817. Part of the famed Dorchester Collection hotel group, Le Meurice was renovated a few years back by French designer Charles Jouffre. Jouffre’s new interior design brings contemporary comfort to Le Meurice, but also capitalizes on the property’s impressive architecture adorned with gold leaf. The hotel’s Belle Etoile Royal Suite boasts 360-degree views of Paris along with private elevator access, sitting room, dining room, walk-in closet, Italian marble bathroom, pantry and kitchen (for a private butler!).  Le Meurice is also renowned for its two restaurants and Swiss-inspired Spa Valmont. Plus, guests at Le Meurice can take advantage of the warm weather by riding one of the hotel’s cool Dutch bikes (with basket for shopping!) or a two-wheel scooter (perfect for kids!). Book a room at Le Meurice from July 22-Aug. 28 and receive a “next category” room upgrade (GDS code: DC).

Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, +33 (0)1 44 58 10 75, http://www.lemeurice.com

Shop in Style: The Westin Paris -- Vendôme

The Westin Paris -- Vendôme (a Starwood property) was built as a palace for French royalty and so it’s no wonder the broad steps just outside the hotel lead down to The Tuileries Gardens and The Louvre Museum. Because of these palatial gardens, the hotel also has one of the best unimpeded views of the city central’s skyline, including a sweeping vista of the river, the Grand Palais, Invalides, the entire Left Bank and the sparkling Eiffel Tower. Summer sunsets from a south-facing room can be a lifetime dream come true. For historic monuments, go no farther than the hotel’s own Salon Imperial, which is a national historic landmark as are some of the other ballrooms in this sumptuous palace. The Westin Vendome has paired with the nearby Galeries Lafayette to offer a Shop & Suites package. When staying in one of the hotel’s 80 suites (junior, prestige, ambassador, royal), guests have access to private apartment-like spaces located on the top floor of Galeries Lafayette. Called Haussmann’s “La Suite,” these rooms have 180-degree views of Paris and are decorated like chic apartments. In these airy loft-like spaces, exclusive The Westin Paris -- Vendôme suite guests are given a half-hour makeup and two-hour private shopper sessions. This three-night minimum stay offer starts at €725 per night and also includes buffet breakfast daily at Le First. Must book at least one week in advance. 

The Westin Paris – Vendome, 3 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris, +33 (0)1 44 77 11 11, [url=http://www.thewestinparis.fr]http://www.thewestinparis.fr[/url]

Italian Splendor in Paris: Castille Paris

Can’t decide between Italy and Paris? You can have the best of both worlds at Castille Paris. Located right next to Coco Chanel’s famed flagship Chanel boutique on Rue Cambon, “Le Castille” is a Right Bank hotel icon with Italian sensibilities. Part of the Starhotels Collezione group, The Castille recently completed a $25.5 million renovation project. The hotel’s 108 rooms are now refurbished in classic Parisian luxury. Other design triumphs include the 1930s feel of the Rivoli Wing and the Italianate classicism of the Opéra Wing. For summer, step out on the hotel’s beautifully re-designed L’Assaggio Restaurant courtyard with Romanesque fountain and Venetian artwork. Summer room rates at the Castille Paris start at $255.00 per night for a superior room. Suites start at $956.25 per night.

Castille Paris, 33-37 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, +33 (0)1 44 58 44 58, [url=http://www.castille.com]http://www.castille.com[/url]

Best Apartments: Paris Perfect

One of the best ways to experience real life in Paris during summer is to rent an apartment. And, Paris Perfect Apartment Rentals has a stellar reputation for providing some of the city’s most well-appointed weekly apartment rentals. An apartment rental can also be an affordable way for multiple families to enjoy a cultural getaway to Paris with the kids. The apartment rental company’s Hermitage apartment is perfect for multiple families during summer because it sits directly atop the lush and playful Champ de Mars park. The apartment also boasts large rooms including a two-sofa living room, formal dining room, marble bathroom with soaking tub, two bedrooms, a rather large modern kitchen and an incredible view of La Tour. Or, go for the spacious and sunny three-bedroom Chateauneuf apartment. De toute façon, Paris Perfect has just about any size apartment available in central Paris locations with superb service and amenities. Want to check out all Paris Perfect apartments with a balcony and air conditioning? Check this list here.

Ready to get away to Paris for an unforgettable summer? For more information, visit Paris Tourism.

Sheryll Alexander runs a news media agency based in Costa Mesa, California.

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