by Editor | Apr 1, 2009 | Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tulum
On our last trip to Mexico, we decided to expand our travels and enjoy not only the beach, comfortable hotel and fabulous food but also some of the lesser known architectural sites located in the Yucatan Peninsula. Mayan culture is all pervasive in this region. In the local villages, many villagers still dress in traditional clothing: embroidered blouses and colorful woven skirts. Dating back as far as 3,000 years, the flat countryside has been dotted with Mayan ruins that are not necessarily visible to the naked eye. Most are covered by jungle vegetation and it was only recently that excavations began to uncover some of these architectural wonders. Coba and Ek Balam are two of the locations that are still relatively unknown. When we travel, we always enjoy experiencing unusual, or less well frequented, places and so we were pleasantly surprised that there were so few people when we visited these two sites.
by Editor | Apr 1, 2009 | Mexico, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Tulum
We spent a relaxing week at the Sun Palace Couples-only Resort, an all inclusive resort where pampering was the order of the day. This resort is located only 10 minutes from Cancun Airport near the end of the beach. This was fortunate as Hurricane Wilma, in 2005, wiped out most of the beach along this beautiful stretch of land. The beach in front of the Sun Palace and the Club Med Cancun were spared being washed out as they are located in the arch of the cove. We were met at the airport by the hotel limousine, which we requested when we made our hotel reservation. From the moment we registered there was no waiting and we were greeted at the door with flowers and champagne. We were also offered a cool damp cloth to refresh ourselves from the heat of the day.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2009 | Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Passione Rossa, a small family owned restaurant set in a former potato storage shed within the Romantik Hotel BollAnt’s im Park near Frankfurt, was a gourmet surprise. The first hint of the pleasant and tasty meal that awaited us was the friendly welcome we received on our arrival at the restaurant on a quiet winter Sunday.
The refined and delicate dishes we were served contrasted with the old farm setting.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2009 | Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Simon and Baker Travel Review
After driving for several hours through rain and some snow covered roads hoping to find sunny shores, we arrived at the Residenz am See, a small family owned and run hotel facing Lake Constance. It was a gray and rainy Friday afternoon and our spirits drooped when we discovered the sunshine we had hoped would arrive was absent. During our stay we caught brief glimpses of blue skies and the sun and thanks to our pleasant accommodations and welcoming staff made the best of the winter weather. As part of our check in process two of the hotel staff explained our options, answered questions and accompanied us to our penthouse suite.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2009 | Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Simon and Baker Travel Review
A two and a half hour drive from Meersburg found us at the reception desk of the Hotel Sackmann. A friendly young lady responded kindly to my greeting. When I asked in my broken German if she spoke English she smiled and helped us complete the check in process in English. During our self drive German trip and while at the Hotel Sackmann we encountered that attitude many times. It made us feel welcome.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2009 | Europe, Frankfurt, Germany, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Named Tschifflik, meaning small palace in Turkish, for the former property built on the grounds by the Polish king who had it constructed it, this small restaurant was the most sophisticated of several attractive places to entertain the palate at the Romantik Hotel Landschloss Fasanerie. Everywhere we ate during our two-night stay at this woodside hotel was a delight. From the breakfast buffet to the hotels’ Mediterranean (Restaurant Orangerie) and regional (Restaurant Landhaus) restaurants every meal was a success.
