Epinions Recent Reviews for annalin

Norwegian Gem: A Western Mediterranean Dream Come True

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:29:24 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - To celebrate getting my Master’s of Science degree (which I earned summa cum laude while working full time, no less), hubby and I spent a week aboard the Norwegian Gem as it sailed through the Western Mediterranean Sea. I had been eyeing this...

Viva a Vegas Classic: The Hilton Las Vegas Hotel

Thu, 1 Jan 2009 21:53:20 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Ah…the Las Vegas Hilton (“LVH”)…fro
m
housing Elvis Presley’s long running concerts in the 1970’s…to offering a glimpse into the “future” via the now closed Star Trek exhibit… is now a nic...

Don’t Mess with Texas, but do Visit the Texas State History Museum

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:16:21 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Austin, Texas is known as the live music capital of the world. It is also home to the Texas State Capitol and the University of Texas – Austin campus (where the highly rated NCAA football team the Longhorns reside). If you are searching...

The Westin Ft. Lauderdale Hotel: Not the Most Precious Jewel in Westin’s Crown

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:04:00 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - For business, I was ordered to stay at The Westin Ft. Lauderdale due to our corporate rate. Actually, it didn’t sound too bad as I do love Westins and an upper midscale property would certainly be better than a Courtyard by Marriott or Hampton Inn...

Circa 39 Hotel: An Affordable Attempt at Chic on Miami Beach

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:23:12 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - On a long weekend getaway, my husband and I spent four days and three nights at a super affordable, yet somewhat interesting boutique hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. History: The hotel was originally built in 1939 as the Copley Plaza. It is...

How uncoordinated are you?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:28:57 GMT

rating: 2/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - In order to cut back on unnecessary expenses, I canceled my gym membership. After all, in my high-rise condominium building for which I pay a hefty monthly homeowners association fee, we have a beautiful 3 room fitness center. However, with close to...

Home of the Gays and Grays

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:04:17 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - The Colonnade is an Atlanta institution. Opened in 1927, this Southern meat and vegetable restaurant is still going strong. Even on weeknights, there is a crowd and you will have to wait to be seated. Location and Parking The building is...

Smells like Spring: Cheery Cherry Blossom

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:02:50 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Wanting a change from my normal warm weather scent – DKNY
Be Delicious - I happily stumbled across a new offering from L’Occitane...

Cancun International Airport: Gateway to the Mexican Caribbean

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:51:01 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - If you are heading to Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel or the Mayan Riviera, you will be likely be flying into Cancun International Airport (abbreviation: CUN). CUN is Mexico’s second busiest airport (Mexico City’s is number one), and is the...

Rolling the Dice

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:30:05 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Mexicana is a well-known Mexican airline that was established by two US expatriates in Mexico as the first national air carrier in 1924. Interestingly, it is the world’s fourth oldest airline (KLM, Avianca, and Qantas flew first). It flies within...

Isla Mujeres, Mexico: Is this island really for women?

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:55:15 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Isla Mujeres can be described as a quaint little island with a population of around 13,000 people just north of Cancun. Historically, the Mayan women would visit the island while pregnant and give birth, as the island is dedicated to Ixchel, the Mayan...

Holy Toledo, Batman! What a city!

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:12:30 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Toledo, Spain is a beautiful old city picturesquely situated on the north bank of the Tagus River, about 44 miles south of Madrid. This UNESCO World Heritage City served as the capital of Spain as early as the 4th century BC and most recently from 1085...

Fly Me to the Moon… Moon Palace, That Is

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:02:28 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Contrary to the name, Moon Palace is not located in outer space but is located here on earth. It is technically in Cancun, Mexico, but it is on the mainland proper – not on the crowded hotel zone of the Cancun strip. This sprawling, upscale...

Fistfights, Adultery, Suicide Attempts, Family Rifts, Power-grabbing: The Story of Mondavi Wines?

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 01:14:06 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - For my recent trip to California wine country, I chose an appropriate book for in-flight reading: The House of Mondavi: The Rise and Fall of an American Wine Dynasty. The inclusion of the word Dynasty is right; the saga told in the book is that...

Get Goosed with Guenoc

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 00:20:03 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - A nice, affordable Sauvignon Blanc is a good option to have for lighter foods consumed in warmer months. With a recent meal of pecan crusted trout, I found 2006 Guenoc Lake County Sauvignon Blanc to be a good pairing. Appellation Lake...

Bring Northern California to Your Table with The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market Cookbook

Mon, 26 May 2008 23:08:27 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Arguably, northern California is home to the finest food in the country. The abundance of farming and excellent chefs combine to create a foodie culture. After all, The French Laundry, perhaps the best restaurant in the US, is located north of San...

Tasty Chardonnay for this Infrequent Chardonnay Drinker

Mon, 26 May 2008 18:24:58 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Far Niente is a delightful Napa Valley winery from the 1800’s that was dormant until its rediscovery in the mid-1980’s by the Nickel family. The Nickels have turned Far Niente into a producer of delicious white, red, and dessert wines. While in...

Floris Suite Hotel: A Modern, Upscale Hotel in Curacao

Mon, 26 May 2008 16:16:27 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - The Floris Suite Hotel is a lovely, small hotel located in Piscadera Bay, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles. Curacao is a Caribbean Island east of Aruba and just north of Venezuela that is a former Dutch colony. The Floris Suite Hotel is 71 suite, four...

Old San Juan: A Condensed Tour of New World History

Mon, 26 May 2008 15:28:52 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Old San Juan - the original, historical city of San Juan - is probably one of the most photographed and most visited areas of Puerto Rico. Since the US gained the island of Puerto Rico in 1898 after the Spanish American war, technically we can say that...

Napa River Diggs: The River Terrace Inn

Sat, 24 May 2008 15:37:33 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - I recently had trade related business in Napa, and stayed at the river Terrace Inn for the good part of a week. The River Terrace Inn is billed as a 4 star hotel in downtown Napa on the Napa River. In reality, it is a nice 3.5 star hotel,...

Marinus 2002 Wine, Thanks for Coming Home with Me

Sat, 24 May 2008 01:18:47 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - If you’ve read my reviews of late, you know that I visited the California wine country, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The first leg of my trip was spent in Carmel Valley, CA – just east of Monterey – at the Bernardus Lodge. Bernardus Lodge is...

Bernardus Lodge: Delighting Overnight in Monterey County’s Wine Country

Fri, 23 May 2008 19:59:38 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Bernardus Lodge is an upscale winery and boutique hotel located in Carmel Valley, just a few minutes drive east of Monterey, in California’s central coast. How lucky was I to be hosted all expenses paid as part of a trade conference, as the...

Quintessa: The Quintessential Eco-friendly Balanced Red Wine

Tue, 20 May 2008 22:35:21 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - Recently I toured and tasted at a unique vineyard and winery amongst those in Napa: Quintessa. The "qui" in the name refers to the 5 growing areas with distinctly different microclimates. The grounds are extremely beautiful, and farming practices are...

Good Morning, Dog Breath

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 00:56:43 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - My dog has got to be one of the luckiest pooches around. He is so spoiled that sometimes I am envious of his life. All he does is eat, sleep and play all day. He has trained me to give him a treat every time I come inside the front door (even...

How do you like them[sic] apples?

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:12:35 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author annalin - APPLES to APPLES® is a fun group game by Out of the Box. It was all the rage over the past holiday season, with family gatherings which we know can get boring after the meal. After I heard how great it was, I just had to get it for myself...