Thursday, December 29, 2005

Plan and Book Spring Break Now

Planning to go away for spring break (or February Vacation, or Easter break, or just to get away from snow, slush, wind, and rain? Do it now!
Though you may be just recovering from the holidays, and the kids may be busy with projects, vocabulary lists, and papers, NOW is the time to book your getaway.
May I personally recommend:

The American Southwest: from Arizona (Phoenix and Tuscon are especially nice), to New Mexico (Santa Fe isn't warm, but it sure is pretty), to the beaches or deserts of Southern California, there is something for everyone.

The Colorado Rockies: Out of the mountains you will find the weather to be milder, and the days sunnier. If you are only skiing part of the time stay down in Boulder or go all the way up to Silverthorn or Frisco if you want to do a lot of skiing at Copper, Breckenridge, or Keystone. Don't miss the Denver Zoo, the Celestial Seasonings tour in Boulder, and the Coors Factory Tour in Golden.

Reliable Florida: Skip the mouse and try something different. You will find you and your family better rested when you are done. We especially enjoyed a stay on Anna Maria island and were blessed with warm weather and gulf water. There you can swim, beach snorkel (no coral), explore Tampa Bay(and the Devil Rays if you are late enough, and go south to the manatee rescue center.

For more information and other ideas check out the article at about.comhttp://travelwithkids.about.com/od/holidays/a/springbreakbook.htm

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Robinhood Free Meetinghouse in Georgetown Maine Freezes!


Imagine my surprise this morning when my Google Alerts showed up in my inbox with something about Robinhood Free Meetinghouse restaurant in Georgetown Maine. For anyone who has never been to midcoast Maine, never mind Georgetown ME, this little restaurant in a historic meeting house, on a little island (connected by bridges), is a bit obscure - but highly praised by food critics and guests alike. Apparently, they have started selling a "famous" item - frozen. Check it out at boston.com . Want to taste these pastries in person and experience traditional Maine? Plan your stay for this summer now at Mussel Cove vacation rental in Georgetown.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Copper Mountain Skiing and Lodging, Colorado

I've been skiing at Copper Mountain in Colorado for 19 years (exactly on 12/26) - even met my husband there on that date. Last week, however, was the first time I've actually stayed in any on mountain lodging. It'll be the last as well!

We keep going back to Copper for many reasons:
-it's near my brother's home in Frisco
-it is a big mountain with lots of terrain at all levels
-we can ski cheaper there than anywhere in California if we plan ahead

I rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo from
Copper Mountain Lodging, "silver level" at Union Creek (the west side of the resort). It was a little over $2000 for 6 nights of lodging, and 7 days of "free" Beeline lift tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids. Copper only guarantees the level (silver) of lodging, and supposedly the general location. Now I know why...

After arriving several hours late on a packed United flight from Orange County to Denver, getting a Cadillac that was supposed to be a SUV (without ski racks) from Budget for $100 more than we were supposed to pay, driving through horizontal snow for 2 hours, picking up skis at Virgin Island Rentals($128 for 5 days boots & skis for 2 kids & 1 adult), stopping for dinner at my sister-in-law's, we finally arrived at the Copper lodging desk around 10:30pm.


Apparently there was just one "silver" unit left open just for us, and it couldn't have been in a worse location! The only set of condos across the main street at Copper was supposedly only 3 minutes form Union Creek lifts, and 5 minutes (walking in ski gear of course) from the American Flyer lift. They must have measured their time in running gear in the summer, without skis or kids! The shuttle no longer stops anywhere but the shuttle stops, which were nearly as far as the lifts...We complained, but the only alternatives were further away from the beginner slopes we needed for my youngest, and $100 more, and a "bronze" instead of silver level of quality. Sometimes the known evil is better than the unknown?!

Gripe #1: bad location
Gripe #2: garage door broken, no opener
Gripe #3: stained carpets, stained furniture, broken furniture
Bonus #1: spacious 3 level condo, with bonus den in the kids suite
Bonus #2: awesome mountain views
Gripe #4: broken blinds, broken security lock, funky heat, no wood, no matches

Did I mention that this turned out to be a privately owned vacation rental, operated by Copper Mountain lodging / Club Intrawest? No? I didn't know it was privately owned when I rented it...why is this important? I own 3
vacation rentals myself, and know what to look for and what to ask. I would have stayed in Frisco only a 5-10 minute drive away had I understood what was happening - classic bait and switch in the usually honest property management and vacation rental business. One of the first things that a traveler should look for in a condo or vacation rental is that they are guaranteed a specific unit. A company's failure to do so is either an indication that all units are identical (which is fine and what we thought we were getting) or that the units vary considerably and they are just guaranteeing you a place to stay...Privately owned vacation rentals are often the best places you could ever ask to stay, but shame on me for not asking if these were company owned or privately owned! This particular unit was showing some serious wear & tear. Learn from my mistake :)

We spent nearly a week skiing at Copper with the best early season skiing we've experienced in nearly 20 years. We even had the pleasure of 12 fresh inches of snow and fantastic ski lessons for our youngest. The view from our unit "Beeler Place Townhomes" was breathtaking.

If your vacation travel plans include Copper Mountain, Colorado, VacationMamma says:

  1. rent a home or condo in Frisco or Silverthorne (try Great Rentals or Value Vacation Rentals, instead of on the mountain. The shuttle service comes every 30 minutes, or you can park and take the Copper shuttles. The accomodations are likely to be more affordable, and the location more reliable.
  2. If you insist on staying at Copper: book early (September for December), book a "gold" level condo, book in Center Village.
  3. Four Passes, inexpensive season passes, and ski/stay combos are plentiful for skiing before Christmas - just start visiting their site in September. Four days of great skiing can be had for less than $100.
  4. Make sure your car rental paperwork says "ski racks guaranteed".
  5. Stop in at Virgin Island Ski Rentals (800) 525-9186, 241 Summit Pl, Silverthorne, CO 80498, for great ski and board rentals.

Welcome to Real Vacations and Travel with VacationMamma

Welcome to the vacation and travel blog that has been long in coming, and even longer in my brain. I've wanted to share/write travel tips and stories since 1989 and now is finally the time. Buckle up, hop in, and enjoy the ride, or flight as it may be!