by Editor | Apr 1, 2010 | Campania, Europe, Italy, Rome, Simon and Baker Travel Review
The departure point to Ischia was so close to our Naples hotel that we walked there with our luggage. We arrived on the northwestern corner of the island of Ischia on a cool and sunny spring day following an hour long ride in an air conditioned and comfortable hydrofoil boat that departed from the port in Naples. As soon as we descended from the boat in Ischia we saw a representative from our hotel holding a sign with our names. With his help we wheeled our luggage to his air conditioned van for the five-minute drive to our home of the next three nights, L’Albergo della Regina Isabella.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2010 | Montreal, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Montreal is the second largest city in Canada (after Toronto) and the largest city in the Province of Quebec. Located on the Island of Montreal, the city center revolves around the three peaks of Mount Royal, a 200 hectare park that was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead (also known for designing Central Park in New York). The city is easy to get around, be it on foot, by car or by bus, as the mountain acts as a compass. I am north, south, east or west of Mount Royal! Old Montreal, the historic part of the city, is located on the south end of the city near the Port of Montreal. Founded in 1642 by trench settlers, the narrow winding streets are frequently used for Old Europe in many Hollywood film productions. Visiting this part of town takes me a full day.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2010 | Montreal, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Founded in 1860 as the Art Association of Montreal, the main building opened in 1912 and was designed by architects Edward and William S. Maxwell in the Beaux Arts style. Among the oldest art institutions in Canada, the museum is composed of three pavilions, with a fourth pavilion under construction. The original building is known as the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion. Annexed to the back of this building is the Liliane and David M. Stewart Pavillion and across the street is the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion designed by Moshe Safdie and built in 1991. Permanent and temporary exhibitions are located in all three pavilions.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2010 | Simon and Baker Travel Review, St Lucia
We arrived at The Jalousie Plantation, a four star family friendly property nestled amid 100 acres of pristine rainforest in the valley between Saint Lucia’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed twin volcanic peaks commonly known as the Pitons, after driving from the northern tip of the island in search of the hotel’s gourmet fare, in the afternoon. After parking our rental car near reception, we boarded one of the property’s shuttle vans which dropped us off at the round point of our cluster of eight villas. From there we walked a short distance slightly down hill to suite 503.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2010 | Europe, Italy, Rome, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Il Comandante (The Commander) was named in honor of Achille Lauro, a Neapolitan shipowner and past mayor of Naples who was a previous owner of the building where the hotel restaurant is housed. Dinner at Il Comandante was a delightful surprise. The staff were polite and thoughtful and the service was punctilious.
Although we dined in a temporary venue (the restaurant’s space was being renovated) the dinner service was fine including lovely plates, silverware, glassware and perfectly ironed linen napkins.
