Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Inn at OccidentalI love the fall and winter in Northern California, particularly the wine country. The out-of-state visitors have returned home, the crowds have thinned and the package deals begin to appear. I wrote about my winter trip to Sonoma's Inn at Occidental on the Uptake Lodging blog. If you are looking for a place to re-charge your batteries, even for twenty four hours, this is a great place to visit. Of course, I recommend several days in this area, as it is so close to the beach, Sebastopol and wineries in the Russian River Valley.

When I arrived on a misty February Monday, I was surprised to see adults and school children sitting on the curb in the village of Occidental. Cyclists in bright logo gear began to trickle in. I checked into the Inn at Occidental and asked owner Jerry Wolsborn what the fuss was about. Turns out the 2008 Amgen Tour of California was about to wiz by. While the exact route has yet to be posted on the Amgen website, I do know that Santa Rosa will be a staging area for Lance Armstrong and his fellow cycling team in February of 2009.

Located off the Bohemian Highway, the Inn at Occidental doesn’t have cell phonetowers. In fact, the only thing towering overheadare redwood trees. “Having lived in Marin for 10 years, I’d never been to Armstong,” said Wolsborn. The 805 acre State Reserve is “under utilized,”added Wolsborn. From horseback riding, to wine tasting or relaxing at the nearby Oasis Day Spa, the Inn is an ideal launch pad for a wide array of activities.

Osmosis Meditation Garden

Ten minutes away, in the blink-and-you’ll miss-it town of Freestone, I was treated to an Osmosis Cedar Enzyme Bath and a 75 minute Swedish Esalen massage. Before my treatments I was invited to stroll the Japanese meditation garden and sip herbal tea in the sitting room over looking the bonsai garden. I have to say, this was one of the best massages of my life, and I’ve had my share of massages.

Another high point of Freestone is Wild Flour Bread Bakery. Be warned, the organic bakery is only open four days a week, Friday through Monday, including holiday weekends, except Christmas day. The scones are delicious.

Sonoma Lodge Room

Before you arrive, you’ll want to check out the rooms on-line. Each room or suite, offers a distinct personality. All rooms feature overstuffed down beds and fireplacesand include hors d’oeuvres in the evening and a Sonoma Harvest Breakfast in the Wine Cellar dining room.

Room prices range from $259 for traditional rooms, to $359 for suites with hot tubs, to $679 for the two bedroom Sonoma Vacation Cottage. Check on-line for Internet and Mid-Week specials. The Inn at Occidental is a member of Unique Inns. 

Cell phone update: Owner Jerry Wolsborn sent me an e-mail to say that Verizon cell service has arrived in the village of Occidental.  For those visitors wanting to stay connected, this is a good thing.  For the rest of us, hit the "mute" button on your cell phone and have another glass on wine.  Cheers.

Budget-friendly bicycles for rent in Sevilla, Spain

Budget Friendly, Green European Travel Options

“Are you looking for budget friendly ways to travel in Europe without harming the environment? I wrote this post for the Uptake blog and outlined some alternative forms of transportation.  While Americans like to travel by automobile, in some parts of the world, cars are a luxury and in other places they are a nuisance.

“Bicycles are sacred in Amsterdam,” said Michiel Laterveer, director of sales and marketing at the Amsterdam Renaissance Hotel.  “Like cows are to India.”

On a recent trip to Europe, I was struck by the green transportation efficiencies that were created out of necessity.

“You don’t want a car in Amsterdam,” added Brigitta Kroon-Fiorita of the Netherlands Board of Tourism.  “Everyone rides a bicycle.”

In fact, I spotted several business men and women talking on their cell phones as they peddled to work.  The Amsterdam train station had a three level parking garage specifically designed for bicycles.  With its cobblestone streets and numerous canals, Amsterdam is a city to be enjoyed on foot.

Scooters and motorcycles are popular transportation in the narrow streets of Cadiz, Spain

Scooters and Motorcycles Preferred in Spain and Portugal

Scooters were the preferred mode of transportation in the narrow streets of Madrid and Seville, Spain, as well as Lisbon, Portugal.  While there isn’t a helmet law, most riders sported helmets in the heavily congested city of Madrid.  The upscale city also offers an easily accessible underground and affordable subway system.  The Sunday that I visited Madrid, thousands of bicyclists swarmed the Paseo de la Castellana that had been closed to cars for the event.  I watched from my club room at the Intercontinental as the bicyclists demonstrated their solidarity in demanding bike lanes for riders.  Unfortunately, there is not much room to expand for bicycle lanes in downtown Madrid.

Budget friendly, green European travel by train with Eurail

Eurail Offers Transportation From Train to Boat

For the green traveler looking to cover a lot of Europe, Eurail offers many alternatives from train to boat.  I selected the 10 day, first class Global Pass, which is valid within a two month period.  For Lisbon, Portugal I took a day trip to the charming city of Sintra.  After several days in Lisbon, I boarded the overnight train, #385, to Seville, staying at NH Plaza de Armas.  The hotel was a 10 minute cab ride from the train station.  For a lovely day excursion, I recommend a train ride to the waterfront town of Cadiz.

Horse and carriage in Seville, Spain

Smart Car – Smart Mode of Transportation

Finally, a common mode of transportation spotted throughout my 10 day tour of Europe was the adorable Smart Car.  Squeezed between bicycles and barges in Amsterdam or cozied up next to horsedrawn carriages in Seville, the Smart Car is slowly making its debut in the United States.

While I drive the fuel-efficient and sporty BMW Mini Cooper, I would happily convert to a Smart Car if I didn’t have to contend with SUV’s, Humvee’s and tanker trucks sharing California’s highways.  Our gas guzzling USA would benefit greatly if we were to implement many of the green transportation alternatives offered in Europe.

Is green travel important to you?  Do you find that you travel differently abroad than when traveling in the United States?  For more information on this topic check out the Go Green Travel Green blog.  I look forward to hearing about your travels.

Seville bicycle photo, Cadiz scooters, Eurail train and horse and carriage photos by Nancy D. Brown

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New York's Broadway Hotel and Hostel

Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Where in New York can you find a hotel room, located on Manhattan's Upper West Side, for $38 a night?  For a limited time, the Broadway Hotel and Hostel, located at 101st and Broadway, will offer this rate to those who book their reservations directly on the website.

What's the catch, you ask?  The hotel is also a youth hostel and the rooms offered are one of four bedded dorm rooms.  But this isn't your ordinary cheap New York hostel.  In fact, the website bills itself as New York's first and only boutique hostel. 

Guests have the run of the recently renovated 2,500 square foot recreational common area, complete with surround-sound theater room, a fireplace, plasma screen TVs and free wireless internet access.

For travelers not willing to re-visit their college dorm days, private rooms, ranging from $219-$229, are also available at the Broadway.  The rooms feature plasma screen TVs, down comforters and pillows, Ecco natural bath products and Asian-influenced furniture.

The online only $38 promotional rate is available from September 22 to October 1, 2008  and can be used for reservations through the end of 2008.  As an added bonus, the hotel will offer a complimentary drink at the Kazbar, a bar located in the Marrakech Hotel, the Broadway's sister property located two block from the hotel. 

While the hotel/hostel offers complimentary newspaper to each of their 400 beds, this is a cash and carry operation.  Sorry folks, this joint doesn't accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard or Discovercard.  How refreshing to learn of a clean, comfortable and affordable New York City discount hotel.