Mackinac Island

If you live near the Great Lakes area, you’ve no doubt heard of Mackinac Island in Michigan.  If you live farther away, you might not know anything about this American beauty.  A visit to the dreamy isle of Mackinac is like a trip back in time to another century.

 

What makes this tiny island worth visiting?  The beauty!  The history!  The fun!  There is so much to do and so much to see there.

 

Mackinac sits on Lake Huron, right where it borders Lake Michigan.  There are no bridges from the mainland to the island.  Most people arrive via boat and that boat is usually one of the large commercial ferries that travel in and out of the Mackinac harbor from early morning until sunset.  There is a very small airstrip there but it is used mainly by the locals.

 

Let’s start with the natural beauty of the place.  Every inch of the 3.8 square mile island is now a National Historic Landmark and approximately 80% of the island is now a Michigan state park.  Trees and flowers blanket the isle, as do surprises like this natural rock formation.

 

 

 

As if the natural beauty wasn’t enough, mankind has added a few wonderful touches to compliment nature's striking background.  The most notable site when approaching the island is the Grand Hotel.  Once you disembark, you will come across a darling village full of charming Victorian bed and breakfasts, wonderful restaurants and small shops.

 

 

 

There are no cars on the island.  Only emergency vehicles are allowed and a tour guide told us that there are only three of those.  There are only three ways to get around the island, those being by foot, by bicycle or by horse.  Over 500 horses are kept on the island.  Even the UPS deliveryman uses a horse-driven wagon.

 

 

 

Bikes are absolutely everywhere, too.  Not only do the locals use them for their daily transportation but thousands of tourists rent the two-wheelers every day.

 

WHEN TO GO

 

The tourist season is short, running from late spring through early fall.  Spring temps remain cool well into July.  We went in June, just after the Lilac Festival.  It was a lovely time to go because the lilacs were still in full bloom.  The air was fragrant with the pleasant combination of lilacs and fudge with only an occasional whiff of horse poop marring the experience.

 

WHAT TO WEAR

 

Mackinac Island is all about tourism and traditional tourist gear is what most folks wear.  Most people wear casual shirts and pants.  If you dress up for a day on Mackinac, you’ll be out of place.

 

You can even visit Grand Hotel dressed casually.  While the hotel dictates dressier clothing for dinner, most people wear casual clothing during the day.

 

HOW TO GET THERE

 

If you don’t have your own small plane or a boat, you’ll have to take a ferry to reach the island.  There are several in the area and they run all day long.  The prices and times are similar.  The two main companies are Sheplers and Star Line.

 

WHERE TO STAY

 

If you are a boater, you can sail there and dock at the harbor pretty reasonably, which is what we did.  We stayed for three nights.  Staying on our own boat in the harbor was considerably cheaper than staying at one of the local inns.  The harbor is well equipped with a bathhouse, large restrooms and even boasts a small but excellent coffee shop right at the end of the dock.

 

 

 

If you prefer more glamorous accommodations go for Grand Hotel.  Many of American presidents and celebrities have visited this historic landmark.  Two movies were made on the hotel grounds.  However, it is not for the budget-minded.  Just walking into the hotel will cost you $10.00 per person if you aren’t checking in.

 

It is cheaper to stay on the mainland and ferry over for the day.  However, if you intend to stay on the island for two days or more, staying on the island will be more cost effective.  There are several nice ones to choose from.  I have yet to read a bad review about any of the facilities there.

 

WHERE TO EAT

 

There is no shortage of good places to eat on the island.  Don’t miss the Grand Hotel lunch buffet.  The cost is $40.00 but the $10 hotel admission that you paid is deducted from the price of your lunch.  It is pricey but the food was very good.  The cocktails are just as pricey but they were among the best I’ve had anywhere in the world.  Lunch at Grand Hotel is worth the price.

 

 

 

There are a lot of good restaurants right on the main street of Mackinaw.  We enjoyed several.  Just ask one of the tour guides or follow the crowds and you’ll find the best ones.  Honestly, we did not have a bad meal during our three day stay on the island.

 

WHAT TO DO

 

First and foremost, take a horse and carriage tour.  You’ll quickly learn the layout of the island along with its interesting history.  Can take a group tour for $24.50.  Private tours also available at a slightly higher cost.  The tours take you all around the island and the guides are very informative.

 

Another fun little activity you can do is tour Fort Mackinac.  It’s not hard to find because it sits on the highest point on the island.  At $11.00 per adult, the self-guided tour is affordable and it is interesting.  The best views of the town can be experienced from the Fort.

 

Shopping is a popular activity on the island.  Like with most tourist areas, you will find cheap hats and tee shirts.  If cheap is what you seek, look for the shop with the yellow bags.  I can’t remember the name of the shop but nearly every tourist in town can be seen carrying those yellow.  That particular shop sells a lot of Kitschy souvenirs there.  If your tastes run are a little more sophisticated, there are plenty of local higher ends shops to sell artwork, clothing and nautical souvenirs.

 

Another popular activity is bike riding.  Bike rental stands are plentiful.  The bikes all have baskets for your gear.  Some rental places even provide you with bottled water to take along on the ride.

 

If bikes aren’t your thing you can go horseback riding.  If you prefer not to straddle a horse, you can rent a horse-driven carriage.

 

If you prefer to get around on your own two feet, there are plenty of places to hike, both on the village streets and on wooded paths.  While you’re out walking, stop in at the tiny public library.  It is just the cutest library I’ve ever visited.  They also offer Wi-Fi and a daily used book sale.  Visitors can also walk the Grand Hotel gardens without paying the entrance fee.  Just enter from the lower end of the gardens where they border a public park.

 

Mackinac Island is a beautiful, fun, safe place to visit.  It is a great place to go whether you are seeking fun activities for your family or a romantic getaway for you and your sweetie.  It really should be on everyone’s bucket list.

 

Oh, and whether you go to Mackinac Island or Mackinaw City, it is always pronounced Mackinaw.

Packing Tips: Part 2, Air Travel & One Personal Item

They say that necessity is the mother of invention.  Checked bag fees are inspiring a lot of us to become inventive with how we pack our carry-ons in order to avoid those extra fees.

Some creative solutions include wearing multiple layers of clothing or donning outfits with multiple pockets.  Some people tempt fate and simply overstep the size limitations regarding carry-on luggage.

What few travelers stop to consider are the possibilities of that one personal item allowed in addition to a carry-on bag.  The guidelines for that item are rather loosely defined.  The United Airlines policy states, “In addition to one carry-on item, you may bring one personal item such as a shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag or an item of similar size.”  The rules also state that coats, reading material, cameras and things purchased in the airport (in limited amounts) can be carried on board in addition to that personal item.

Don’t overlook just how much stuff you can pack in that often overlooked but precious extra bag.  Carrying a large purse or tote might make the difference between being able to travel strictly carry-on vs. having to check a bag and pay for the privilege.

I normally carry a fairly small purse.  However, when I board a plane, I take a large purse in addition to my carry-on bag.  I put things that I might want during the flight into my big purse and make sure that it is small enough to slide underneath the seat in front of me. 

Here’s what goes into that bag:

• A small purse.  On board the plane, I use it as a billfold for my credit cards and cash.  Once I reach my destination, it becomes my daily purse while the large purse stays stashed with my luggage.
• The TSA dictated Ziplock bag with my cosmetics
• My electronics (Kindle, phone, camera, etc.) and charging cords
• A small brush & a comb
• Gum, mints, snacks
• Reading glasses
• Tissues
• Travel umbrella.  (Caveat – Pull your umbrella out and put it in plain sight when you go through security.  I once got pulled aside for an extra search due to an umbrella in my bag resembling a club.)
• Baby wipes to clean your seat tray and armrests.  The airlines rarely clean those things between flights. 
• Pashmina.  Pashminas can keep you warm on a cold flight, serve as a headscarf should you need to walk out on the tarmac or cover up any drink stains that you might pick up during the flight.

This strategy frees up a lot of room in my suitcase allowing me to travel strictly carry-on and avoid checked bag fees.  It also makes it easier to access the things I might need on a long flight

Visit this site again in a few days and I’ll share a few tips for making the most of your little Ziplock bag.

How to Get the Best Hotel Rates

$883 or $580 - which price would you rather pay?
 
These are the two different rates that I was quoted for the same Chicago hotel, on the same nights, for the same type of room.  So what made the big difference?  On the first reservation request, I did not use a promotional code and the price I was quoted was $883.  When I made the same request using the promotion code “NAVY”, the quote fell to $580.

I am planning a short stay near Navy Pier in August, so I checked to see if Navy Pier offers any special deals, such as hotel & dinner or hotel & theater packages.  While there were no specific packages offered, the promotional code for the nearby hotel was posted on the pier website.  Using it will save me about $330.  I believe that nice little savings more than justifies the five extra minutes I spent looking for a bargain.

There are several ways to find codes.  You can simple Google it.  Let’s say you want to stay at the Chicago Hilton.  In the Google search field, just type in “Chicago Hilton + promotional code”.  If that fails, look at websites for attractions located near your destination to see if they sponsor package deals or promo codes.

Oftentimes, hotels offer special rates to corporate or government employees.  Check with your employer’s H.R. department to see if any such travel benefits are available to you.  AARP and AAA offer travel discounts, as well.   Travel websites such as Orbitz or Expedia can also help you find great deals on great rooms at the last minute. 

Just be sure to check out all of your options before you book.  Taking a few minutes to do a little research can, and often will, result in big savings.  Why pay $883 when you can pay $580? 

Travel Essentials

Good travel gear can make a big difference between a difficult journey and a pleasant one.  I have four tried-and-true favorites that go on every trip with me:

1. American Tourister Atmosphera luggage;
2. Lands’ End driving moccasins;
3. A Michael Kors trench coat; and
4. A black pashmina.

I bought my Atmosphera at Walmart; proof that smart doesn’t have to be expensive.  Atmosphera is, by far, the best luggage I’ve ever owned.  The smallest bag, pictured here, is a tiny wonder. 

 

 

 

 

It measures just 14.0 x 8.5 x 15.0, which is smaller than a standard carry-on, but it's roomy enough for everything I need for a casual five day trip.  Because of the size and shape, this tote slides perfectly under an airplane seat, a real bonus when the overhead bins are full. The bag itself weighs practically nothing. 

 

You can buy this luggage by the piece, which allows you to pick and choose the pieces that suit your needs.  I started with the tote and the largest bag but bought the standard size carry-on bag after using the rolling tote a couple of times.  The tote and the carry-on are all I need even for a long trip.   Prices, range from $39 to $69, depending on the size of the bag. 

 

These bags are available in rose and black. I bought mine in black and then realized that most people carry black bags.   To set mine apart on the luggage carousel, I put bright pink duct tape across the bottom of each bag.   Since it is on the bottom, the tape doesn’t ruin the appearance of my bags as they roll along but it makes it easier to pick mine out in a sea of similar bags at the airport.  I also put bright pink luggage tags for the handles.   

 

Lands’ End driving moccasins are another essential item for me.  My black suede mocs have carried me over countless miles through the streets of New York, London and Rome.  I find them more comfortable and a bit more stylish than sneakers.   They are also lighter than sneakers and take up less space in my suitcase.  I use them as slippers, too, because they are so soft and comfortable.  The style that I bought a couple of years ago is no longer available but they still offer a similar version at Landsend.com.

 

The latest addition to my travel essentials is a Michael Kors trench coat that I ordered from Macys, on $99.   It is wonderfully comfortable and durable.  

 

 

The liner does not zip out but the coat is so lightweight that you wouldn’t want to remove it anyway. The hood provides good coverage when the rains come.  The pockets don’t zip as the store website says they do but they are big and deep.  You can stash your gloves in the pockets without worrying that they will fall out and be lost. 

 

Alone, this trench is good for slightly cool temps. Top it with a wool pashmina and you will stay warm even if the temperature drops several degrees.

 

My fourth travel essential is a nice wool pashmina. They roll up small enough to stash in a purse, so my pashminas always go with me. I’ve bought some while traveling but mostly order them from Amazon.  They come in a wide range of colors and prices.   I have at least a dozen, but my favorite is a plain black one.   Pashminas keep me warm during cold flights, add an elegant to touch to casual outfits and have even covered up an unfortunate coffee stain on white blouse.   A pashmina can also be used a head scarf or lap robe. There are as many uses for pashminas as there are pashminas.

 

None of these essentials was expensive but each one has proved to be truly priceless no matter where I have traveled.
 

Stuck at the San Francisco Airport

My brother dropped me off at the San Francisco airport around 8:00 a.m. on a lovely Monday morning. The security line was the longest I have ever seen but it moved quickly. I passed through security in a reasonable amount of time and was even able grab a cup of coffee before I boarded my flight. Once on board, I settled into my seat and thought about how well things were going. Jinx!

We waited. And waited. Everyone began shifting impatiently in their seats and looking to the flight attendants for some explanation as to why we weren’t backing away from the gate.

Finally, the pilot announced that we were waiting for the FAA to make a determination as to whether the flight should take off because there were mechanical difficulties. I will spare you the rest of the details of eventually deplaning and then enduring a grouchy gate attendant (who refused to help anyone because, as he so charmingly announced, his shift was ending). He directed everyone with a connecting flight to the United Airlines customer service desk.

After a nice long walk to customer service and an hour-long wait in line there, I was given the good news that they could put me on a different flight that day. I was given this news at approximately 3:00 p.m. The first available flight they could get me a seat on was due to depart just before midnight. I was given two vouchers for food and sent on my way.

Nine hours. How the heck do you kill nine hours in an airport? I thought about going into the city but decided that it wouldn’t be worth the effort. Surely I could fill the time without having to leave the building.

So there I stood, with a rolling suitcase at my feet and food vouchers in my hand. What to do, what to do?

I turned and it beckoned to me like a ray of light from heaven – the Xpres Spa. I think I actually heard the angels sing. Suddenly, being stuck in Terminal F at SFO didn’t seem so awful.

Xpres Spa offers a full range of services at very affordable prices. The technicians are as well-trained and professional as in any spa that I have visited and the products are excellent. I indulged in a full spa manicure and a shoulder massage. That certainly took the edge off of having too much time on my hands. I explained to the staff that I had several hours to spare, so they invited me to relax in one of their lounge chairs while my nails dried. I was a happy camper.

Once I was completely pampered and relaxed, I wandered off in search of some decent airport food. I didn’t have to search for long. Just across the hall from Xpres was the Firewood Café. As I recall, I had a yummy slice of pizza and a very nice little glass of wine, using the vouchers I’d been given. Once again, being stuck in the airport wasn’t all that bad.

After dinner, I took a stroll through an interesting exhibit of antique sewing machines, before going off in search of my gate. Once there, in addition to standard airport seating, I found desks with electrical outlets where I could recharge my phone, laptop and Kindle. I was able to set up my computer and write comfortably. SFO also offers free Wi-Fi and I took full advantage of that amenity, reading my email and researching my family history on Ancestry.com.

I made a few phone calls and then took another walk to stretch my legs. There are some nice, reasonably priced stores in the terminal and they offer just about anything you might want, so I shopped for a while. I played with and nearly bought a new tablet but thought that perhaps the manicure and massage were self-indulgence enough for one day. I took another spin through the sewing machine exhibit just to see if I’d missed anything interesting on the first trip through.

Around 9:00 that evening, I went into the nearest restroom to wash my face, redo my make-up and comb my hair. After that, I went back to the desks and checked my email one last time. Before long, it was time to board my flight home.

All-in-all, if you have to be stuck in an airport, SFO is not a bad place to be.

London Travel Tips

When I travel, I don’t want to waste one precious minute of my vacation time. The problem is, how do you make the most of those precious vacation hours when you’re touring a town that you’ve never before set foot in? As always, organization is the key. A little preplanning can make the difference between a so-so vacation and a great vacation.

First, do some research on a travel site such as http://www.tripadvisor.com/to see exactly what unique treasures your destination has to offer. Next, make a list of all of those places that seem to be calling your name, including museums, amusement parks, zoos, restaurants and shopping areas. Group those sites by location within the city, then pick a different area to visit each day.

When planning an upcoming trip to London, I structured our itinerary around Tube (subway) stops, picking one station per day and planning our activities accordingly. For example, Holburn Station is within walking distance of Covent Garden, the Charles Dickens Museum and the British Museum. We will take one short Tube ride on that day and then enjoy all three of those sites. Planning our trip in this way saves us transportation time and money. One Tube ride everyday is obviously less expensive and time-consuming than multiple rides.

The Tube is the most economical and easiest mode of travel. Get an Oyster card on-line before you leave home and you’ll be all set for the ride from the airport to your hotel when you arrive. The Oyster card site is: https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster/entry.do. In order to master the Tube in advance, visit http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/user/XSLT_TRIP_REQUEST2?language=en, and use the Journey Planner to determine your routes. Print out your routes and take them with you so you won’t have to wander around lost in the London underground.

The itinerary below concentrates solely on London. Many Americans who travel to London try to spend just a couple of days there and then spend time running all about the U.K. and other nearby European countries. However, if you want to really get the feel of London, I suggest staying there for several days and soaking up the culture.

SEVEN DAYS IN LONDON

Day 1
You’re going to have jetlag when you arrive. Rest and take it easy on your arrival day. Concentrate on staying awake until bedtime in London in order to get acclimated to the time zone. Get your bearings. Talk to the staff at your hotel and ask about nearby restaurants, Tube stations and shopping.

Day 2
On this day, you are going to learn the lay of the land. Start your day with a tour of The London Eye and get a bird’s eye view of the city. You can order tickets on-line at http://www.londoneye.com/. Ordering your tickets on-line is not only cheaper than paying at the door but it also allows you to skip the long lines at the ticket counter. When you disembark from The Eye, take a walking tour of the city. You can hire a touring company to give you a guided tour or you can download several free self-guided walking tours from http://www.londontoolkit.com/. This site details several self-guided walks that will lead you to all of the major sites, including some of the royal palaces.

Day 3
Today, go check out the Tower of London. Order your tickets on-line for this attraction by visiting http://www.blogger.com/www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/planyourvisit/default.aspx. While you’re on that website, read up on the Ceremony of the Keys and learn how to order free tickets for that nightly event. Plan on spending your afternoon touring the Tower and seeing the Crown Jewels. Once the Tower closes, head out to a nearby pub for a leisurely dinner and then return later in the evening for the Key Ceremony.

Day 4
You should have fully adjusted to the time zone by now. Hire a coach from http://www.londontoolkit.com/tours/premium_windsor_stonehenge_bath.htmand take a day trip to Windsor, Bath and Stonehenge. They will pick you up from a local hotel, drive you to the sites and feed you lunch at a local pub. You will be deposited back at your hotel later in the evening.

Day 5
Start your day at Leicester Square where you can visit the TKTS booth and pick up deeply discounted theatre tickets for a show that evening. Once you’ve secured your tickets, wander over to Harrods and spend the afternoon bumping about that iconic department. Late in the afternoon, enjoy a late tea in the elegant Georgian Restaurant on Harrods fourth floor. The sandwiches and desserts they serve are generous enough to constitute dinner for the evening. Afternoon tea at Harrods is quite popular, so make your reservations on-line well in advance of your visit by applying at http://www.blogger.com/www.harrods.com/content/visiting-the-store/restaurants/georgian-restaurant. It is my understanding that Harrods has several restaurants but that The Georgian on the Fourth Floor is the best. After enjoying your tea, then take a stroll to the theatre for your evening entertainment.

Day 6
This is a museum day. The charming Charles Dickens Museum and the impressive British Museum are both within a short walk of the Holburn Tube station. As of this writing, the admission for the Dickens Museum is £8 per person, but the British Museum is free. For a lovely website offering all of the information you need to know regarding London’s Museum Mille, visit http://www.museum-mile.org.uk/. Covent Garden, with its abundance of shops and restaurants, is the perfect place to wrap up your day with shopping and dining.

Day 7
Today’s destination in the Notting Hill Tube station. From there you can visit the area made famous by the movie of the same name. Wander the Portobello Road Market and then explore the Natural History Museum. In the evening, indulge in the fun and surprisingly informative Jack the Ripper tour led by http://www.thejacktherippertour.com, the top rated tour of its kind by http://www.tripadvisor.com/.

If you are fortunate enough to have more than seven days in London, you should be able to fill the rest of your days with visits to the London Zoo, the many palaces and more free museums. You will never run out of fun and interest things to do during your visit to London. As Samuel Johnson said, "When a man is tired of London he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford." As a matter of fact, there is a fun little website by the same name that provides information on daily activities on London. You can reach that site at http://www.tiredoflondontiredoflife.com/.
For other helpful travel tips, download a copy my book, Simply Wonderful Travels, at http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Wonderful-Travels-ebook/dp/B003T9UXDS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318847972&sr=8-1.

Nest week on this blog, I’ll post an organized itinerary for short trip to New York City.