KRIS PICKS:
Mel’s Diner
For the baby boomer rock lover, Mel’s Drive in will conger up memories of high school, soda jerks serving vanillas malts and teenagers hanging out in a booth. Nothing has changed at mel’s Doner, the inspiration for George Lucas’s “American Graffiniti”. The popular chain dried up in the 60s and 70s, making a huge comeback when the movie opened, Today, visitors can enjoy a simply menu at reasonable prices, commensurate to today’s inflation. . And did we mention the individual jukeboxes at each booth?
Sushi Groove
If you’re looking for a hipper than hip, sushi joint, this is definitely it. The food is great- the DJ is amazing too. Young beautiful, and edgy San Franciscans crowd the tiny space on weekends. If you're bringing mom and dad, or like it a bit sedate yourself, with come early, or skip it altogether.
Ace Wasabi's Rock-n-Roll Sushi:
Ace's is very much like Sushi Groove, except this is the place I might bring the folks. Its a bit less of everything than Sushi Groove: less crowded, less noise, and in some opinions (not mine BTW), less tasty. The pluses? Its location is not as scary as Sushi Groove can be (South of Market in an old warehouse), but in the Marina, so your mom won't be clutching her purse and looking over her shoulder as you walk from the car to the restaurant! Oh yes, and beautiful people are found dining here too- just fewer piercings!
Honorable mention:
Rassela's Jazz Club & Restaurant:
Interesting mix of Ethopian food, a bar, and live jazz.
Favorite Ghostly Getaway
Savannah: said to be the most haunted city in the US. KRIS PICKS for this family vacation spot coming shortly.
Family Friendly Spot: Club Med, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
This from a reader:
Hi, got any feedback on the Club Med in Punta Cana? I have heard that the childrens [sic] clubs are great but the food isn't brilliant and it is expensive. We like the fact that it is a relatively short flight from BWI. Any advice would be appreciated or if you have any other ideas for family vacation resorts requiring only 1 flight.
Many Thanks, Lucy
=====
Hi Lucy,
While Punta Cana is still on my "must go" list, I'm getting great feedback from families (and personal friends) who have been. Some like to stay at the all-inclusive resorts- the most popular one there being Club Med while I have also heard good things about the Ocean Blue Golf and Beach Resort.
Friends have really enjoyed it and said it was great for their kids (aged 6-14). Don't forget the kiddie passports! You'll need them, and if you plan on stepping off the resort premises, you might want to brush up on your Spanish.
Hi, got any feedback on the Club Med in Punta Cana? I have heard that the childrens [sic] clubs are great but the food isn't brilliant and it is expensive. We like the fact that it is a relatively short flight from BWI. Any advice would be appreciated or if you have any other ideas for family vacation resorts requiring only 1 flight.
Many Thanks, Lucy
=====
Hi Lucy,
While Punta Cana is still on my "must go" list, I'm getting great feedback from families (and personal friends) who have been. Some like to stay at the all-inclusive resorts- the most popular one there being Club Med while I have also heard good things about the Ocean Blue Golf and Beach Resort.
Friends have really enjoyed it and said it was great for their kids (aged 6-14). Don't forget the kiddie passports! You'll need them, and if you plan on stepping off the resort premises, you might want to brush up on your Spanish.
You Can't Take it with You
Well, OK, maybe that's a misleading title for this post, because you can take it with you, but its going to be a huge hassle! That goes for car seats, full sized strollers, cribs and play yards. Why take it when you can just pick it up on the other end?
TRAVEL TIP:
Rent the larger items you will likely need for baby, including all of the above and much more. Baby gear and toy rental companies, like those below, are a huge success, because they're such a convenience. The costs range from item to item and location to location, naturally. Still, the last time I price checked (recently) you could get items like a car seat for just $6 per day.
KRIS PICKS:
National companies:
www.thetravelingbabyco.com
www.babysaway.com
www.baby-equipment-rental.com
Regional companies:
www.breezybaby.com
www.babygearrental.com
http://www.baby-equipment-rentals.com/
http://www.baby-equipment-rentals.com/
http://babytravelpros.com/
http://www.babysmarttravel.com/
http://www.babiesneedgear.com/
http://www.babyandbeach.com/
TRAVEL TIP:
Rent the larger items you will likely need for baby, including all of the above and much more. Baby gear and toy rental companies, like those below, are a huge success, because they're such a convenience. The costs range from item to item and location to location, naturally. Still, the last time I price checked (recently) you could get items like a car seat for just $6 per day.
KRIS PICKS:
National companies:
www.thetravelingbabyco.com
www.babysaway.com
www.baby-equipment-rental.com
Regional companies:
www.breezybaby.com
www.babygearrental.com
http://www.baby-equipment-rentals.com/
http://www.baby-equipment-rentals.com/
http://babytravelpros.com/
http://www.babysmarttravel.com/
http://www.babiesneedgear.com/
http://www.babyandbeach.com/
To Lock, or Not to Lock?
To lock, or not to lock?
Many travel advice columns advise people to lock their suitcase before checking bags in.
Unless care is taken, this act will -more often than not- get you a broken lock and a note from TSA indicating that they had to break into your bag for security reasons. Why?
The rules of travel have changed drastically since 9/11 and baggage handlers must be able to inspect any suspicious bags (locked equals suspicious, according to the TSA representative I spoke with).
So what can you do? Most airport shops and travel retailers now sell TSA sanctioned locks for your bags. These locks can only be opened by you, the bag’s owner, or with a master key in possession of official TSA agents. And no worries, the TSA Master Key is government issued and cannot be purchased over the counter by thieves.
Many travel advice columns advise people to lock their suitcase before checking bags in.
Unless care is taken, this act will -more often than not- get you a broken lock and a note from TSA indicating that they had to break into your bag for security reasons. Why?
The rules of travel have changed drastically since 9/11 and baggage handlers must be able to inspect any suspicious bags (locked equals suspicious, according to the TSA representative I spoke with).
So what can you do? Most airport shops and travel retailers now sell TSA sanctioned locks for your bags. These locks can only be opened by you, the bag’s owner, or with a master key in possession of official TSA agents. And no worries, the TSA Master Key is government issued and cannot be purchased over the counter by thieves.
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