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When looking for a great restaurant in Sacramento, California, look no further than “Fat City”. This turn of the century bar and cafe serves some patrons on the Legendary Pioneer Bar from 1876 in use in Leadville, Colorado.

This Famous Purple Lady, from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair took first prize in the stained glass category. Now it graces one wall. Tiffany chandeliers hang over each table, leaded glass windows provide views of the streets and boardwalk, and ornate wood and beveled glass doors beckon you inside.

The Fat City Building was originally built around 1849 as a general merchandise store. Today it has been rebuilt to its original 1849 appearance.

Don’t pass up a chance to try their food. It is not your typical bar and cafe food. The chef does an amazing job with everything we have tried. Enjoy.

My friends at Budget Travel offer some tips for taking better sunset photos. Sometimes I remember to do what they told me…other times I get so into the sunset and snapping photos, that I forget. See if these tips help you.

1. Turn off your flash, allowing the warm natural light to dominate the picture. If you can’t turn it off, turn to the “night photo” setting.

2. Fill the camera frame with the sky. Point the center of the frame above the horizon line and fill the frame with as much of the color and light you want captured.

3. Try pressing the shutter button half way down to lock in the exposure and focus. When you’re ready, press the shutter all the way to take the picture.

4. Be prepared. Take your camera with you. And pack an extra battery.

5. Set your own film speed. A faster speed like 400 or 800 ASA/ISO is designed to be used at sunset.

6.If using a digital camera, choose the highest resolution your camera will allow.

7. Try composing off center. Use objects to give your picture some depth.

8. Early riser? These tips will work for sunrise as well. Just don’t shoot into the sun!!

If you don’t have time to learn the language when traveling, take a look at this cool piece of equipment. Ecataco iTravl can translate and speak more than 70,000 phrases in eight languages, including Chinese.
It comes with Fodor’s travel guide and a language tutor to help you master the basics. Use it during your flight and be ready to say “good morning”, “please” and “thank you” when you land.
This handy piece is around $600.00 US. Look for it at www.ectaco.com.

Renting a car on your next trip? Sign up in advance for the rewards or loyalty program of the company you are going to use. Most programs are free. Some offer discounts for your first rental and many offer on-going discounts or frequent user promos. Almost all will offer members-only lines with shorter or no wait times, allowing you to start your vacation quicker!

Next time you pack for a trip of any length, throw in some zip-loc bags of different sizes. They take up almost no room and have endless uses…
-toiletries that are prone to oozing
-cell phones at the beach or on amusement park water rides
-umbrellas that are too wet for your purse or back pack
-emergency laundry kit
-perfume
-sea shells
-souvenir collection of post cards, brochures or menus
-nuts or snacks
-wet swimsuits
-keeping your book dry at the beach or pool
-wash cloth
-napkins for a picnic
the list goes on and on…

A flight attendant once told me to carry some strong peppermints with me when I fly. That way if the flight gets bumpy or my stomach gets upset, I can use them.

Another flight attendant told me to order Ginger Ale instead of water, juice or soda.

Both have natural ingredients that help with upset stomachs.

What says romantic Valentine’s Day getaway spots more than Italy?

Albergo California hotel in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, houses 15 guest rooms. Six of these are in the original 1777 Palazzo Bruno. Each spacious room provides guests access to the terrace where you can sip wine, plan the next day and watch the sun sink down. www.hotelcaliforniapositano.com

Head to Sicily for the best combination of style and value at Hotel Gutkowski in Siracusa. All 25 rooms in this hotel overlook the Mediterranean, with the best views on the second floor. Breakfast is an experience not to be missed. www.gulhotel.it

Last but not least, Castello di Gargonza in Monte San Savino, Tuscany sits like a fairy tale castle, complete with a crenellated tower. Gargonza, the hilltop village, fought over for centuries by Florentines and Sienese has even been a host to an exiled Dante in the early 1300’s. Their 35 houses serve as apartments with 17th century style furnishings, working fireplaces and a pool surrounded by fragrant rosemary and olive trees. www.gargonza.it

Pick one and enjoy.

Looking for Caribbean destinations? Try Villa Beach Cottages on St. Lucia. Most rentals have a private patio with ocean views (on a clear day you can spot Martinique). Or just relax in a hammock along the water’s edge and drift off to the sounds of crashing waves. www.villabeachcottages.com

If it’s seclusion you are after…the Santa Teresa Hotel Milarepa in Costa Rica offers just that. Only four rooms in this hotel so your privacy is almost guaranteed. Warm breezes soothe your room all night while howler monkeys in the trees provide your wake-up call. Don’t forget to enjoy the shower…it’s open to the sky. www.milarepahotel.com

Head to the Bahamas and explore the third largest barrier reef in the world. Seascape Inn on Andros Island is just minutes from Mangrove Cay where you can spend your day exploring the reef by kayak. Or practice up on your bonefishing skills from the flats in front of your bungalow (catch and release, however). www.seascapeinn.com

It’s never too early to start planning a Valentine’s Day getaway. Budget Travel has suggested some of the most romantic hotels around the world for a perfect secluded experience.

Today I will list a few and follow up with the rest tomorrow.

Wander around Sonoma Valley Beltane Ranch’s 105 acres of fruit trees, vegetable and flower gardens, olive orchard, and of course a vineyard. This gingerbread trimmed lodge and surroundings have been featured in L.L. Bean and Victoria’s Secret catalogs. Book your stay today at www.beltaneranch.com

Also in Northern California, check out Hideaway Cottages in Calistoga. Natural hot springs and mineral rich waters soothe almost any care right out of your body. Need exercise after soaking? Go for a swim, get a mineral mud bath, a lavender mineral whirlpool bath, a 30 minute almond oil massage or take a walk to view the oldest cork oak tree in the Napa Valley. Check out the cottages at www.hideawaycottages.com

Heading to Mexico? Tulum’s Amansala’a Casa Magna was actually two 14,000 square foot concrete houses once owned by a Columbian drug kingpin. Now transformed into 22 enormous guest rooms many people come here to relax by the Caribbean turquoise waters. Others prefer to participate in Bikini Boot Camp, a combination of exercise, yoga, and massage. Either way you won’t want to leave. www.amansala.com to check this one out.

Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Bernkastel, Germany

Before heading out for a whirlwind tour of eight countries in six days, make sure that is what you and your travel buddies want. It might not be the best experience if all you do is “run, run run”. On the other hand if you want that type of trip…go for it.

Decide in advance and your trip will be much better for all travelers. It seems like such a simple step. But it will make for a much better experience and more delightful memories.