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Traveling With Your Pet - From AAA Books

From The Publisher: “Updated annually, the AAA PetBookr features more than 13,000 hotels and campgrounds in the United States and Canada that accept pets. This comprehensive guide also includes more than 400 pet-friendly private campgrounds, dog parks and pet-friendly attractions. Practical tips on border crossing procedures, what to pack, who to call, and details on traveling with your pet by car or by air make this a truly invaluable travel companion.”

For more information see the reviews visit Amazon.com:

Your Purchases Help Support the MurrayOnTravel.com Website.

“When you are at sea you know you must reach harbor, to restock and hope, rest in a warm caress.  You need ports and often can’t wait to get to the next.  Then when you are in port, you can’t wait to get back to sea again. . .  You need mother earth, but you love the sea.”

- Steven Callahan - American Writer

The Best Things to Do in New York City: 1001 Ideas

From The Publisher: “What are 1001 things you should treat yourself and your guests to in New York City? Be serenaded by Cole Porter’s piano at the Waldorf, or hear Woody Allen play clarinet at the Carlyle. Drink champagne on the roof of the Metropolitan Museum, or discover the abandoned subway station at City Hall. Eat at America’s very first pizzeria, or enjoy the most expensive cocktail in the country at the World Bar. Ride the Staten Island Ferry, or ride a bike through Central Park. Go surfing out at Rockaway Beach, or relax in a Russian bath in the East Village . . . . Organized by theme—including Eating and Drinking, 24-hour New York, Shopping and Spending, Arts and Culture, Views and Sites, the Great Outdoors, and Classic New York—and packed with detailed, helpful indexes organized by neighborhood and by category, this is simply the most fun and comprehensive guidebook to New York City ever. New York Unlimited crosses genres and boroughs to explore every aspect of the most diverse and exciting city in the world. Written from experience by two people who love the city, and featuring priceless tips from expert contributors—from authors on their favorite bookstores to architects on the city’s best buildings—New York Unlimited is much more than just a guide.”

For more information see the reviews visit Amazon.com:

Your Purchases Help Support the MurrayOnTravel.com Website.

“A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.”

- Lin Yutang 1895-1976 / Chinese Writer

Hearst Castle at San Simenon State Historical Monument

Hearst Castle and it’s California Ranchlands

Art Deco Clock | Reading Room

Hearst Castle Guest House Bedroom

Hearst Castle San Simenon State Historical Monument

Dinning Room | Indoor Pool

Hearst Castle Neptuen Pool

Ocean View from Balcony | Hearst Castle Sculpture Garden

Hearst Castle Interior Sitting Room

Visit the castles website: www.hearstcastle.com

Recently while lounging in the lobby of the Ahwahnee HotelI watched the Concierge desk and was surprised at how few guests asked the gentleman behind the desk any questions….  Plenty of folks walked by, could all of them know exactly what they were doing?   Some of them looked kinda lost, and in need of some assistance.  Maybe they don’t know what a Concierge is for.

The Concierge can make reservations for you, give you suggestions and reccomendations for restauarnts, shows and other activities.  They can help you plan special events, make travel plans, and help you with about anything a guest might need.  Need a babysitter?  Did you leave something at home?  Ask your hotels Concierge for assistance.

Now they can’t do everything for you.  They can’t help you with anything that might be considered immoral or illegal. 

Don’t for get to tip your Concierge!  If they helped you, or tried to help you, they should be rewarded.

Concierges have their own professional association the Le Clefs d’Or, aka “The Golden Keys”.  Members wear gold keys on their lapels.  In order to become a member the applicant must take verbal and written tests, have five years of hotel experience, three years as a front desk concierge, and get two active members to sponsor them.

Quiet Corners of Paris

From The Publisher: “More than eighty of the loveliest,  most tranquil, and sometimes hidden places in Paris are described and photographed in this charming guidebook. Quiet Corners of Paris is a beautifully illustrated peek into often overlooked, always beautiful, locales: hidden villas, winding lanes, little-known 19th-century passages, serene gardens, and cobblestone courtyards. Some of the places have breathtaking views, others are filled with historic and architectural details, from stone archways, garden follies, boxwood mazes, ornamental statuary, stained glass, and Renaissance fountains. Follow a stone path under a trellis of blossoms or wander through a gate to discover…”

For more information see the reviews visit Amazon.com:

Your Purchases Help Support the MurrayOnTravel.com Website.

“. . . once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers . . . the mind can never break off from the journey.”

- Pat Conroy 1945- / American Writer

The Center For Architecture in NYC has put out a list of the cities best and most overlooked buildings / architectural structures.

Yes, I know, it doesn’t include the Empire State Building, but you already knew about that one didn’t you. These are some structures you might not suspect….

• Hearst Tower - 951-969 8th Ave
• Chrysler Building - 405 Lexington Ave
• Grand Central Terminal - 42nd St and Park Avenue
• Conde Nast Building - 4 Times Square
• Prada New York - 575 Broadway
• Rose Center For Earth And Space - Am Museum of Natural History, Central Park West @ 79th ST
• Brooklyn Museum - 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn
• Apple Store Soho - 103 Prince St
• Morgan Library Expansion - 33 E 36th St @ Fifth Avenue

Kelea’s is a women-only retreat on the North Shore of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands.

In addition to hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkeling they also offer surfing classes. After a day in the sun enjoy a relaxing yoga class followed by a message and facial. Kelea Surf Spa’s guests are located in a beautiful Hawaiian Villa on the North Shore of Oahu.

NOTE: Due to the high surf conditions found along the North Shore during the winter months, and the lack of surf during the summers. Kalea’s only operates during the months of February, March, and April. Visit his website at www.hyattsurfacademy.com.

For more details visit www.keleasurfspa.com/Hawaii/. They also offer a Costa Rica location, details at www.keleasurfspa.com/CostaRica/

If your staying on Waikiki Beach get in touch with Dane Kealoha, based out of the Hayatt Reegency Waikiki Resort and Spa. Dane is a pro Hawaiian surfer and grew up in Waikiki and learned to surf here. For more details visit his website: www.hyattsurfacademy.com.

Photo By: Bruce Murray

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