Montreal

Hello. If you have ever wanted to go to France but dont have the funds to travel to Europe, a very nice alternative is Montreal, Quebec Canada. I visited here years ago and I gotta tell ya, in the old part of Montreal you would think you were in Europe. From the architecture, to the language and signs all in French (that was a bit tricky at times) to the Basilica where we went to mass which is an exact replica of St Peters in Rome. It is a beautiful city. The people are friendly and most speak English as a second language which was helpful. The city never seems to sleep. The sidewalk cafes were busy until the wee hours of the morning. We would just go out and walk the streets of the city in the middle of the night and there was always something going on. There would be older women walking poodles, people drinking wine at sidewalk cafes and then people like us, just walking and enjoying the evening. I hope this was a little helpful. If you cant afford the trip across the ocean you might want to consider Montreal!

Travel in this struggling economy

I'm sitting here thinking about a vacation I might take this year. The economy isnt great and that is a reality. But do I still need a vacation? Time to get away from it all and relax? The answer is YES. I live in Michigan and there are many places here that ive yet to visit. Maybe just a 4 day weekend at a Northern Michigan resort? A weekend in Chicago? The train from where I live to chicago round trip is only about $70. It takes longer to take the train then it does to drive (its only about a 3 1/2 hr drive) but the parking fees in Chicago are outrageous and im really not comfortable driving in the Windy city. Maybe a trip to Milwaukee...about a 7 hr drive. I visited Milwaukee years ago and remember it to be a very nice city. Botanical gardens, a wonderful zoo, brewery tours and of course cheese curds! I just think that despite the economy, people still need a break from it all. Maybe not a "trip of a lifetime" vacation just yet. That will have to wait until the economy turns around...at least for me it will have to wait. I know there are still Americans that are cruising etc., but not me. I think a small getaway is in the cards for me this summer but that trip of a lifetime is just around the corner. Italy, Scotland and Spain are places that im considering. I am a museum nut and would love to visit the Prado in Madrid and visit the impressionist museums in Florence Italy...but maybe this year it will be the Art Institute in Chicago. As the owner of a travel agency, Great Escapes Travel, I know that a lot of Americans are following suit. The trips im helping my clients plan are a few days in NYC and not the trips abroad. Weigh in please? What are your vacation plans this year?

Inexpensive wedding alternative

As our 5th wedding anniversary is approaching it got me thinking about our wedding and I thought I would share it with you. With these hard economic times, we found a wedding package deal that I think was perfect and hard to beat! We were married in Pidgeon Forge Tennessee. Being from Michigan, we were only about 8 hours away so we drove so, air fare wasnt something we had to factor in. Pidgeon Forge is in the Smokey Mountains and is incredibly beautiful! In TN if you are a non resident you can get your license on the spot. No blood tests etc are required. The license was $40. Our package was $650 which included 3 nights in a log cabin (an incredibly beautiful log cabin complete with a fireplace, jacuzzi, kitchen and a king size bed). It was located just a few miles from the wedding chapel we got married in. It had a front porch with a swing and 2 big ole rocking chairs and a babbling brook flowing in front of it! You just couldnt ask for more. Our package also included our wedding ceremony in a quaint wedding chapel that was beautifully decorated. They supplied the music, the flowers, a wedding photo album and a "Just Married" sign to put on our car. The chapel held 40 guest so its not an alternative if you want to have a huge wedding, which we didnt want. They had a bridal room and attendants if you wanted to help you get ready and also sold a few things if you forgot anything. After we got married we jumped in the car and took off on the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove up into the mountains for some photo ops. All in all it was a beautiful, romantic, all inclusive wedding trip that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a destination wedding that doesnt cost an arm and a leg.

Traverse City Michigan

Well to be perfectly honest, I haven't traveled a lot lately. The last trip I took was to Traverse City Michigan. We went in March so there was about 5 feet of snow on the ground so the usual TC attractions like sunbathing, biking, boating, golfing etc were pretty much out of the question (we are not winter enthusiasts to say the least!) However casinos and eatting were definetly available!

For you casino buffs there are about 4 casinos in the TC area. We enjoyed them because they are the old fashion type casinos where you carry around "buckets o' money" or in our case NOT. Yea, we didnt win but had fun anyway!

TC has some wonderful restaurants. Boones is our favorite. If you have a GPS that would be helpful because it is in the middle of nowhere but a better steak and dining experience in Traverse City you will not find! There is even a haunted restaurant. On the Old Mission Pennisula you will find Bowers Harbor Inn. It used to be the home of a lumber baron whose ailing wife apparently commited suicide because her husband was having an affair with the nurse he hired to care for her. She is said to haunt the house/restaurant, especially near the womens restroom where the elevator shaft she hung herself from is located. The food and wine are topnotch and the whole "ghost thing" just adds to the atmosphere.

I would highly recommend TC for a northern Michigan getaway. The Cherry festival is a world renown highlight but book those rooms WELL in advance because it is a hugh festival! We stayed at the Pinereef resort which is right on Grand Traverse Bay. In the summer it would have been ideal because you walk out the backdoor and you are right on the beach. The State Park was right across the street for you camping fans.

Well for those of you who have never visited Travese City Michigan, I hope this gave you a little insight into what it has to offer. Its a beautiful city with wonderful people and lots to do.