Travel Tips From Sealand Travel Club
August 31, 2010
Traveling With Special Items
Travel by air has become more complex in recent years. In an effort to make your travels go more smoothly, Sealand Travel Club would like to offer some useful tips for you to review before you go. The more you know about the rules and regulations, the easier your vacation can be. In an effort to make you a more informed traveler, Sealand Travel Club would like to invite you to spend some time getting to know more about the rules of airline travel.
There are many times when traveling by plane when you may just not be sure of what you can and cannot bring with you. Items which may seem quite mundane may cause trouble when you are trying to get through airport security. Though a list of items which are allowed or disallowed is provided by the Transportation Authority, not everything can be covered on that list.
Obviously, weapons of any kind are not allowed on a plane for the average traveler, however, certain situations may require you to bring items such as hunting paraphernalia, and then what can you do? Below is a general list of items that you may find yourself needing to bring on a vacation and how you can prepare for the inevitable delays involved with traveling with special items. Get the facts and stay informed with Sealand Travel Club.
Camping and Hunting Gear
- Camp stoves – carry-on or checked – must be empty of all fuel. You are advised to ship fuel containers ahead of time or purchase at your destination.
- Gasoline – Not allowed -no exceptions.
- Aerosol insecticides – Not allowed
- Flares or Flare guns – No flares allowed. Flare guns must be in checked baggage, unloaded, and packed in a hard case.
- Knives or Tools – Must be packed in your checked luggage. All must be securely wrapped and sheathed to prevent injury to baggage handlers.
- Firearms – Must be declared during the ticket counter check-in process. Must be unloaded, in a hard sided container and locked. You must provide the key to screener. Ammunition must be packed securely. Violations may cost up to $10,000 per violation.
- Fishing Rods – May be carry-on or checked luggage.
- Tackle - Must be checked.
Other
- When carrying photography equipment – Pack film in carry-on bag. The screening process of checked luggage will ruin unexposed film.
- Lighters – Common lighters are allowed in carry-on luggage. No Torch lighters are allowed aboard.
Though this may all seem quite confusing, the Transportation Authority has done their best to simplify the process for you. Sealand Travel Club would encourage you to check any items in question with your airline to speed up the check in process and make your airline experience more pleasant for you and others. Be aware of the rules and follow all regulations for travel on your vacation. Have a great flight and enjoy your vacation with Sealand Travel Club.
Sealand Travel Club Invites You To Explore Channel Islands National Park
August 23, 2010
Located off the coast of California, Channel Islands National Park is truly an adventurer’s paradise. Those who enjoy watersports, hiking and other outdoor activities can find it all at this beautiful island destination. Come and explore the Channel Islands with Sealand Travel Club, a great place for your next vacation.
Just off the mainland of California lies a completely different California experience. Worlds apart from the bustle and trends of mainland California, visitors will find a pristine, isolated destination for exploring. This unique and protected environment gives you the opportunity to experience Southern California as it once was. The predictable and reliably warm weather of a predominately Mediterranean climate, make this area a great year round destination for travel for you to experience. Come with Sealand Travel Club and take a look at the many ways in which you can enjoy an adventure in the Channel Islands.
A True California Coastal Adventure With Sealand Travel Club
Not for those who prefer a warm bed, waitstaff and spa services, those who choose to vacation in Channel Islands National Park can expect no such luxuries. This National Park is a test of your own self-reliance, a way for you to hone your skills as an outdoorsman and truly experience the West as it once was.
Highlighting the ecofriendly travel movement, areas such as this and other National Park offer an experience that tests your skills and provides ample opportunities for adventures. Highlighted activities of this small group of islands includes hiking, camping, boating, kayaking, diving and snorkeling, fishing, surfing, animal viewing and guided tours throughout the year.
Many native Californians’ choose to head off to the island just for the day in order to take a break from the modern world. Whether you choose to explore the park for the day or spend a week in the backcountry, the Channel Islands are a great way to enhance your vacation.
Following the rules and regulations of the park is an important part of staying safe an environment with very few modern conveniences. Sealand Travel Club reminds you that the rules are in place to protect you when visiting wild locations such as the Channel Islands. Be sure to research what you should bring, what to prepare for and even what not to bring before you go.
Great Escapes In Channel Islands National Park
Hiking – miles of trails and roads are found throughout the islands. They range from well maintained and mild to rugged and mountainous. Judge which trails you should traverse based on your skill level.
Camping – Camping at the park can be a true adventure. Backcountry camping requires your skills and knowledge and is not for the inexperienced. You are advised to be prepared and research how to camp safe and smart in the backcountry.
Water Adventures – Kayaking is a great way to explore this island region. Requiring some skill, sea kayaking is best done after some practice and experience as it can be somewhat unpredictable. If you choose to kayak, you do so at your own risk. Check with a park authorized guide or outfitter before you plan your trip.
Not for the faint of heart, this part of California can offer you the adventure of a lifetime. Sealand Travel Club invites you to explore this and other stunning National Parks as a way to experience the best the U.S. has to offer. Travel smart, be prepared and limit your impact on the world around you on a vacation into the wilderness. Enjoy the vacation of a lifetime in America’s National Parks with Sealand Travel Club, a great way to explore our world.
Sealand Travel Club Invites You To Myrtle Beach A Great Family Vacation Destination
August 20, 2010
Finding the perfect location for you and your family to vacation is as simple as finding a destination that has plenty of activities for the entire family. South Carolina is ranked as one of the top destinations for travel in the U.S. today. Its large number of activities and destinations for all interests makes it a draw for families from a variety of backgrounds with a variety of interests.
Sealand Travel Club would like to offer you some suggestions on the best places for you and your family to enjoy a vacation together. Make the most of your time together with Sealand Travel Club and travel to Myrtle Beach, a great family friendly vacation destination.
Welcome to Myrtle Beach from Sealand Travel Club
Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand has come to be known as one of the premier family vacation destinations in recent years. Offering a variety of lodging, attractions and activities, Myrtle Beach has something for all interests.
What makes Myrtle Beach such a great destination for travel is not only it’s variety, but also its mild weather. With temperatures ranging from the low 60’s in the winter to the high 80’s in summer, vacationers are not limited to one time of year for travel.This gives you the option of visiting virtually any time of the year and still enjoying the sites.
Destinations of interest range from amusement parks, to beaches, festivals, scheduled events, fishing, entertainment, shopping, state parks, watersports, and more. Sealand Travel Club invites you to explore some of the top locations for you and your family to enjoy on a vacation to Myrtle Beach.
Amusement Parks and Entertainment
- · Family Kingdom
- · Magiquest
- · Ripley’s Aquarium
- · Wild water and Wheels
- · Children’s Museum of South Carolina
Beach Activities
- · Boating
- · Fishing
- · Surfing
- · Kayaking
- · Scuba Diving
- · Parasailing
- · Windsurfing
Festivals and Events
- · Grand Strand Fishing
- · Rodeo Sun Fun Festival
- · Beach Boogie and BBQ Festival
- · Canadian-American Days Festival
- · Arts and Crafts Festivals and Shows
- · Music and Cultural Celebrations
State Parks
- · Myrtle Beach State Park
- · Huntington Beach State Park
Sealand Travel Club Encourages You To Explore The U.S.
The United States offers a huge number of destinations that can provide you and your family the ultimate family friendly vacation. Myrtle Beach offers something for everyone, many of which are relatively inexpensive. In a time when money can be tight, great destinations such as Myrtle Beach can provide some much needed time off to relax and do so on a budget. Enjoy your next visit to Myrtle Beach with your family and Sealand Travel Club.
Travel With Sealand Travel Club To The Village Inn & Spa St. Lucia
January 9, 2010
St. Lucia
Sealand Travel Club Welcomes You St. Lucia
St. Lucia, a small island in the Caribbean. Though becoming more popular in the tourism industry, it is as of yet, less known than many other of the Caribbean Islands. A windward island in the Lesser Antilles, it is found between the island of Martinique and St. Vincent. Just 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, this small island is one of the most beautifully green in the Caribbean.
Standing 2,000 feet above sea level, the dominant features of the island are two mountains called the Pitons which serve to protect the lush green rainforests laying below in their shadows. Much of these rainforests are home to rare plants, birds and animals found very few other places in the world. The people on the island of St. Lucia have a reputation of being friendly and helpful and certainly like to have fun. You may find yourself becoming a part of the culture as you are enveloped by tradition in one of the many festivals on the island celebrating its rich history.
Many exciting adventures await you on this tropical paradise including excellent snorkeling and scuba diving on one of the many coral reefs around St. Lucia. Sealand Travel Club also recommends the great wildlife viewing and adventures available to you in it’s beautiful and protected forests. There is also wonderful golfing, tennis and sailing available to tourists on the lookout for great things to do on their St. Lucia Vacation.
Come To The Village Inn And Spa With Sealand Travel Club
Sealand Travel Club invites you to spend 7 days at the lovely Village Inn and Spa for only $295.00 on your St. Lucia vacation. With deluxe accommodations and amenities, this resort is one of the best on the island of St. Lucia. You will experience great service and accommodations on your stay with Sealand Travel Club.
Located in Rodney Bay Village, guests will enjoy cable TV, private baths, coffee makers, air conditioning and ceiling fans and the famous Sea Shells Spa as well. Enjoy a facial, massage, body treatment and more at this luxurious spa. Relax in a room either indoor or outdoor, your choice while you wind down from a day of wonderful activities. Eat at one of three restaurants available to you as well in the resort. Enjoy first class golf at the St. Lucia Golf Resort and Country Club or just relax on the beach.
Whatever you choose for your St. Lucia Vacation you are sure to have a great time. Sealand Travel Club offers its members only the best. Experience St. Lucia with Sealand Travel Club on your next vacation.
You must book this trip by January 9, 2010 with Sealand Travel Club.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, Price shown after rebate, price not guaranteed until booked, does not include taxes and fees, subject to availability. For special prices, dates and restrictions must be adhered to. Prices listed may not reflect the discounted club prices.
Sealand Travel Club Welcomes You To A Villa Vacation On St. Barthelemy
December 27, 2009
St. Barthelemy
Welcome To St. Barthelemy with Sealand Travel Club
Sealand Travel Club would like to introduce you to the island of St. Barthelemy, otherwise known as St. Barts. Located in the Caribbean, it is one of four islands which makes up the French West Indies. The other islands of the collective include Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Martin.
Once a Swedish Colony, the influence can still be seen on the island today from street names to architecture. Now as it is a part of France, the French influence is the dominant influence on the island and French is the main language of the island as well.
History of St. Barts with Sealand Travel Club
The history of St. Barts, as far as written record, begins in 1648 when France claimed it as their own. In 1784, France gave the island to Sweden in exchange for trade rights, but it was sold back to France in 1878, where it has remained since. The main city on the island of St. Barts is the city of Gustavia, named after King Gustav III of Sweden, but the oldest is the village of Lorient. Swedish grave markers can still be found today in this small village, another remnant of the Swedish history of the island of St. Barts.
Beaches of St. Barts with Sealand Travel Club
Sealand Travel Club welcomes you to the beaches of St. Barts on your vacation to the French West Indies. There are 21 beaches on this small island, but there are only a few that stand out as the best beaches to visit while vacationing on the island of St. Barts. The beaches in St. Barts are popular for several reasons.
Shell Beach is popular for its in town location and cliff diving, Grand Cul de Sac is popular for its calm waters, making it family friendly and St. Jean Beach is located near the accommodations on the island. If you are searching for the best beaches for other reasons, perhaps these other beaches will be of interest to you as well.
Flamands Beach has shade, rolling surf, and is the largest beach on the island. If you body surf, then this may be the beach for you. Gouveneur Beach is known for its ideal snorkeling and swimming opportunities. If you yearn for solace, check out Colombier Beach. One of the most difficult to reach, it offers you calm water, peace and solace on your St. Barts Vacation.
Villas On St. Barts with Sealand Travel Club
While there are traditional accommodations including hotels and motels on the island of St. Barts, Sealand Travel Club encourages you to try something new. Villas are easy to find and located frequently near some of the finest beaches on the island. Wake up to the sound of the waves and the beauty of the sun reflecting of the clear blue waters of the Caribbean. Hundreds of villas are found on the island from small and quaint to large and luxurious, the choice is up to you.
For between $400-$6,000 a night, you can spend the night in an oasis on the beach. Small one bedrooms with air conditioning and pools can be a little as $300 to $400 a night, the price of a nice hotel, and for this, you can have your own space, a kitchen, bath and a beach view. Many offer jacuzzis and private beaches as well. All the comforts of home, peace and quiet and an escape from everyday life. Villa vacations on St. Barts are a great way to vacation in this tropical paradise. Sealand Travel Club invites you to live the good life on St. Barts and a Villa vacation.
The Great Theater Arts of Japan
July 1, 2009
Japanese Temple in Tokyo
Japanese performance art is some of the most remarkable, contemplative and innovative in the world’s history.
Going to Japan means great food, amazing culture, thriving energy and unique performance. Second to Kyoto’s temples, the great artforms of Japan have transformed how the rest of the world views theater.
When in Tokyo, begin with the highly popular Kabuki-Za Theater in the Ginza prefecture.
What one notices immediately is the vibrancy in the crowd. Westerners are accustomed to a quiet, passive audience. With Kabuki, the audience is more chatty and alive. You can eat during the performance, for example. Kabuki performance would be the ‘coarsest’ of artforms in Japan, but more accessible. So, be sure to arrive early and get a good seat. Kabuki is very special, and definitely not to be missed.
The most refined artform in Japan is the ancient “No” Drama.
Normally, one performance lasts for 7 hours so be prepared for a long afternoon. The movement within the No Drama is languid, slow and meditative. The music is in rhythm (usually) with the movement, and can be very different for the western ear. Having an open mind is required for the No Drama. Be prepared to be dazzled at the stability and stillness, with some extraordinary dance mixed in. With no Japanese artform should you expect to follow the story, along the lines of American Theater. Rather, you should view it as an experience unlike any other.
The Bunraku puppets are best viewed in Osaka, which is a quick train ride from Kyoto.
The National Bunraku Theater might be the finest facility to view any performance in Japan. It is a short ride from the train station, and well worth the visit. The ticket prices for Japanese Theater can be rather high so expect to pay Broadway prices. What one notices right away is the puppeteers. The men, dressed in black, are in full view along with the amazing puppets. Their skill is nothing short of remarkable. The puppets spring to life with a skill unseen in the west. Also, be prepared for some spectacular effects. Bunraku is known for building remarkable scenic effects to close out the various acts within the show. So, be sure to pay attention, as you won’t want to miss these very special moments.
Ultimately, your goal is not to understand ‘what happens’.
The Japanese theater forces you to leave your western-cultural biases behind. Instead, view these forms as something new to experience and feel your way through. After viewing, you will be out and about in busy Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto…likely thirsting for the quiet serenity experienced within the theater.
Brought to you by: Sealand Travel.
Last Minute Deals for Sealand Travel Club Members
June 30, 2009
Island Walk
Sea land Travel Club is offering some fantastic deals on travel this month, but they are ending soon so they can be replaced by new fantastic travel deals.
If you are looking for a new travel destination, here are some great options, but remember you have to book soon and you can only take advantage of these offers if you are a member of Sealand Travel Club, so join today!
How about Belair Beach Hotel in Philipsburg, St. Maarten?
If you have always thought about traveling to St. Maarten, but thought it would cost to much, now is your chance to experience this island paradise.
If 7 days at the Belair Beach Hotel with 2 bedrooms for only $350.00 sounds good to you, then book your vacation now with Sealand Travel Club or forever hold your peace as this offer expires on July 4th 2009.
The Belair Beach Hotel is located on Little Bay Beach and offers wonderful views of the Caribbean. Featuring wonderful amenities such as air conditioning,, kitchen and two bedrooms. Only 3 minutes away from Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch Sint Maarten and only 20 minutes away from the French capital. Wonderful people, great views, fantastic service and many great activities abound for the island traveler.
Don’t forget, all US Citizen need a passport if traveling out of the country.
If island life is not what you are looking for, this next deal may be for you. Again, time is short to book this trip, but Sealand Travel Club is here for you no matter what your perfect vacation is.
Maybe 7 days in Greenlinks Golf Resort in Naples Florida is just what you are looking for, and for $250.00 how could you go wrong?
If you book this trip by July 11th 2009 you could be golfing in style in no time at all.
Featuring 2 bedrooms and a fully appointed kitchen with microwave, living room, dining area, 2 cable tvs, and many other great options available to you. Situated within Lely Resort Golf and Country Club, be prepared for a golf outing that will be hard to match. You will also enjoy the heated pool, outdoor jacuzzi, tennis courts, and fitness room.
With 36 holes of championship golf designed by some of the best golf course designers in the world such as Trent Jones Sr., you can be sure that this golf outing will be one for the books! Of course you will be in Florida, and you certainly will not be lacking in a life outside the course. Gorgeous beaches, museums, galleries, and hundreds of restaurants are all nearby and just waiting to cater to you.
Sealand Travel Club only offers the best and these trips are just a taste of what you could be a part of if you join Sealand Travel Club today.
Remember, these great vacations end soon, and you may lose your chance to take advantage of what Sealand Travel Club is offering.
Please call our office for exact pricing on your specific case. CALL 877-572-0204 All hot weeks are very limited & subject to availability. If you are interested in something listed or unlisted, please call as soon as possible. At these low prices they will not last long! Price may not include sales taxes, if applicable.
Top Ten U.S. Amusement Parks
June 26, 2009
Couple driving a bumper car
Everyone loves amusement parks, but with hundreds to choose from, which one do you visit this year?
This is a countdown of the top ten amusement parks in the U.S. with highlights from each one. Choose your own adventure this year and have a family vacation you will never forget!
10. Sea World, California
Located in San Diego California, Sea World is your adventure under the sea. With a focus on all things water, if the ocean is what you crave, Sea World California is the place to be. This year take time to see the Summer Nights show. Instead of closing down at dark, things heat up here in the summer. Imagine a 320 foot tower shining red white and blue lights down on the water below on various acts performed by some of the oceans most amazing creatures. New this year is the “Sea Lions LIVE” a comedy show featuring sea lions. Dolphins doing amazing acrobatics and Shamu surrounded with LED screens and much more await at Sea World, California.
9. Great Adventure, New Jersey
Found in Jackson, New Jersey, the largest Six Flags in the country offers a water park, roller coasters, and your very own wild safari! Here you will find 13 amazing roller coasters including the new Bizarro, a multi-sensory ride experience. Hurricane Harbor, part of six flags is located next door and is a 45 acre tropical themed water park including a million gallon wave pool, and last but not least a 350 acre safari with over 1,200 animals roaming outside in an African like setting waiting for you to cruise through.
8. Busch Gardens, Florida
Located in Tampa Bay, Florida, Busch Gardens offers a variety of attractions including wild animal shows, Broadway style shows, a world class zoo with more than 2,500 exotic and endangered animals and huge, amazing roller coasters including the SheiKra, a floorless super fast roller coaster in the middle of the park. Climb 200 feet up and drop 90 degrees straight down!
7. Sea World, Florida
Sea World Orlando, Florida offers a journey to the bottom of the sea with live shows, wild sealife exhibits and special events throughout the summer. Be sure to check out the many amazing exhibits filled with live creatures both endangered and just amazing including: Shark Encounter, Wild Arctic, Dolphin Cove, Manatee Rescue, Turtle Point and much more.
6. Universal Studios, California
Located in Hollywood, California, step into the movies you love! Here is your chance to get a behind the scenes look at how they make all those amazing movies that keep us all entertained throughout the year. The rides change to fit the times, you used to be able to ride in the sky like Elliot from ET, now you can get cursed on the new Revenge of the Mummy ride, or take an 84 foot plunge through Jurassic Park. Whatever you choose to do, there is always more to look forward to.
5. Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida
Similar to the California location get into the movies we all love and remember. Rides always change and there is always something new for returning visitors to do or see.
4. Disney MGM Studios Theme Park, Florida
One of four theme parks in Walt Disney World Resort here you are offered a chance to get behind the scenes of everything Disney. Including live shows, backstage tours and magic that can only be Walt Disney. Experience the past and the present Walt Disney from the heyday in the 30’s and 40’s to now, including the American Idol Experience, one of the newer attractions.
3. Epcot, Disney World, Florida
Another theme park located within Walt Disney World Resort, the future is wild here. Dealing with technological advancements and innovation, learning can be fun at Epcot. The best part of the Disney theme parks is that they are ever-changing to keep up with the newest trends and are always looking to the next and newest thing to amaze and inspire you.
2. Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida
Definitely a family experience you and your family will never forget. Disney is part of all of us, young and old. Travel through seven different lands all starting at Cinderella’s Castle in the center of the park. Pay tribute to Walt Disney and enjoy everything Disney has to offer. Parades, fireworks, Disney characters and great rides await at Magic Kingdom, Disney World.
1. Disneyland, California
Of course, Disneyland is number one. There are some must sees at this, the top amusement park in the U.S. Hit the Indiana Jones adventure and travel deep into the secret chambers in the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, or meet and greet your favorite characters. Celebrate every night with a breathtaking fireworks display and visual effects all to Disney music both you and your family can all relate to. Free fall in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, or if Monsters INC is more your style then jump on and race with them through Monstropolis to save Boo. Disneyland really does make dreams come true.
Fire up for Fireworks at Mt. Rushmore
June 18, 2009
Mt. Rushmore Fireworks
What better way to celebrate our country’s freedom than by a spectacular fireworks display on the fourth of July?
You see them in your hometown but I am sure that most of you like me are ready to see something new and better. Most people think Washington when they think patriot fireworks shows, but what about Mt. Rushmore, one of the wonders of the world?
Mt. Rushmore is a tribute to four of the finest Americans in history, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.
Each face is 60 feet high and 500 feet up overlooking the Black Hills in South Dakota. They were constructed between 1927 - 1941 by Butzon Borglum to commemorate our four fathers in history.
Leading to the Grandview Terrace, walk through 56 flags representing the states and territories. A truly spectacular sight to behold on any day, but imagine what it would be like to sit below these flags, look up at these amazing sculptures commemorating our freedom and see fireworks exploding in the background highlighting every feature you may not even notice in the light.
“A monument’s dimensions should be determined by the importance to civilization of the events commemorated…Let us place there, carved high, as close to heaven as we can, the words of our leaders, their faces, to show posterity what manner of men they were. Then breathe a prayer that these records will endure until the wind and rain alone shall wear them away.” Butzon Borglum
In 1923 state historian Doane Robinson suggested carving giant statues in the Black Hills. Mt. Rushmore was chosen by Butzon Borglum himself. The faces chosen were based on our history and its battles. George Washington, commander of the Revolutionary army and our first President. Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and our third President. Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President and the man who restored the Union and ended slavery in the U.S. Finally, Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President who encouraged progressive movements in the U.S. in conservation and business, and also happened to be a hero to Butzon Borglum.
Coined the Shrine of Democracy at its 1930 dedication, Butzon Borglum was hired to create a monument, but he created more than that, he created a shrine to our freedom, our independence, and our country. On the weekend that you will be celebrating our countries freedom, why not celebrate at Mount Rushmore.
The celebration at Mount Rushmore begins on the third of July and ends on the 4th with a Memorial Lighting ceremony and the United States Air Force Heartland Band Brass Ensemble.
Fireworks are on the third of July and are preempted by B-1 flyovers and patriot music sung by Robert Moore and also played by the Air Force Brass Ensemble. There are events scheduled all day. So when choosing a place to celebrate our independence this year, why not choose a memorial that exemplifies the U.S. and head to Mount Rushmore for a display you are not soon to forget.
San Francisco For The “Foodie” In You
June 17, 2009
The Height at Night
Everyone knows about the Golden Gate Bridge, Height-Asbury (”The Height”, as the locals call it), the Transamerica building, and the wondrous Cable Cars. But, when I think of San Francisco, I think FOOD. You’ll have to travel a little to get the best, but it’s worth it.
“Greens” restaurant is Annie Somerville’s glorious contribution to the epicurean scene on the waterfront of San Francisco.
All of the food is grown locally, and “Greens” was one of the country’s first vegetarian restaurant. It set the trend for working with locally grown, organic foods which when combined with a bit of imagination and ingenuity, could become as tasty a dish as you could find at other ‘normal’ restaurants. My experience there was amazing. We sat on the left-side of the dining room, and watched the sun set over the marina, with the Golden Gate Bridge perched in the background.
Be sure to call ahead and reserve. “Greens” fills every night. Also, you want to insure your seat by the window. It makes for an idyllic and healthy night out.
Take an evening and travel to Berkeley, where you must experience Alice Waters’ “Chez Panisse”.
When you arrive, you will instantly feel how special this restaurant is. First of all, there is the wooden exterior which allows you to enter into the ‘natural’ environment right from the start. When inside, you can immediately sense the quality of “Chez Panisse”. Everything is immaculate, clean and professional. Like “Greens”, it opened in the early 1970s, and became a flagship for the growing organic revolution.
The menus are all 4-course meals, with a fixed price. Every menu is conceived as a total experience. For this, you pay a bit more than other restaurants, but it’s worth it. Very rarely can you digest an entire meal which works together so well. And the staff is mostly friendly and highly knowledgeable about the food combinations. This is a refreshing change for those of us visiting from the east coast!
Finally, if your plans take you through the Napa Valley (and they certainly should), then carve out an evening for one of the nation’s true culinary jewels, “The French Laundry”.
Opened in 1994, this French-style country restaurant is Thomas Keller’s masterpiece. The food is American, but with a French flair. Everything on the menu is superb, but the environment and energy of the building, décor and staff is what sets this place apart.
Each meal consists of 9 courses (yes, nine). Before you rule it out as being ‘too much’, consider that each course is a ‘tasting’. They are rather small, but exquisite. Incredibly, not one ingredient is repeated throughout the meal, and yet every dish builds on the previous. It’s the finest blend of culinary mastery and creativity in the US today (in my view). The grounds are wondrous, and one feels transported to Provence or the outskirts of Normandy. No trip to the San Francisco area is complete without a day spent in the Napa Valley. And no trip to the Napa Valley is worth it without dinner at “The French Laundry”.