by Editor | Apr 1, 2005 | California, North America, Simon and Baker Travel Review, United States
This lovely bed & breakfast in a renovated historic home near downtown Napa offered many of the advantages of a B & B home and those of a larger property with luxury amenities. We enjoyed activity filled days, gourmet bites, early morning pampering (massage and in-room breakfast), excellent recommendations and assistance with sightseeing opportunities and fine dining. We were fortunate to find marvelous sunny and cool weather during our spring stay. At that time, the temperature at 1801 was comfortable without air conditioning and required mild heat (we only turned the fire place on briefly) in the evenings.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2005 | Books, Products, Simon and Baker Travel Review, Travel Books
We found Africa’s Top Wildlife Countries to be a useful reference source, especially for travelers booking an organized tour. This makes sense since the author heads up Africa Adventure Company, a Florida based travel agency specializing in African safari trips. W e have referred to this book when planning an independent game viewing trip. It offers insights on weather conditions at different times of the year, a “What Wildlife is Best Seen Where” chart, destination highlights, facilities descriptions (without contact information), a glossary of safari terms, a list of shopping suggestions for various countries and plenty of useful maps. We would have especially appreciated tourism and facilities websites and email information. Perhaps there will be some of those in the next edition.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2005 | Products, Safari Gear, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We have tried a number of digital cameras and none of them met our standards for use on one of our trips. Our standards have been based on using Canon 35mm SLRs . We were looking for a digital camera, which would address our complaints thus far. The Canon Digital Rebel met this bill and exceeded our expectations in several areas.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2005 | Fun Gadgets, Products, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We chose I/O Magic’s Digital Photo Library to backup our digital camera pictures on location while traveling. When our digital camera flash memory cards filled up, we made backups (copies) of our photos with the Digital Photo Library. When we cleared our flash memory cards (deleted all the pictures on them) we were able to take additional pictures.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2005 | Communications, Products, Simon and Baker Travel Review
The stylish Jawbone made by Aliph, a noise reduction headset for mobile phones, relies on the kind of technology pilots use to help them hear over plane engine noise (at much higher cost). This ergonomically designed headset with a cheek sensor employs electronics that actively listen to the background noise and reduce it by subtracting it out of the microphone signals, adjusting to ambient noise at a rate of 500 times per second. The Jawbone model we tested made it easier to hear and to be heard in noisy environments than would be possible with traditional microphones, headsets and speakers. One of the reasons this was possible is that the Jawbone we tried had two microphones (most headsets have one), including a jaw sensor for speech vibrations.
by Editor | Mar 1, 2005 | Products, Safari Gear, Simon and Baker Travel Review
There are times in a traveler’s life when disposable underwear can be heaven sent. For many, the concept is appealing for everyday use, hospital visits, unexpected situations, gym and spa visits, camping, and medical conditions to name a few. The OneDerWear was perfect for many of our travel needs. Laundry and dry cleaning can be a challenge during a trip; even luxury hotel s encounter problems and deliver damaged, stretched, faded, torn, shrunk or otherwise unusable clothes to guests. This is especially likely traveling internationally and in remote areas where washers and dryers may not be available. We have encountered eco friendly properties in isolated places where there is no running water or electricity. We think the 100 percent cotton OneDerWear ideal for these situations.
