Review: Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo, CA

Have you ever been somewhere that you thought only existed in dreams or in other peoples worlds?
Santorini was a moment for us, we were in the pictures we had seen and it as a dream come true. But before Santorini there was Madonna Inn (http://www.madonnainn.com/).

A recent Buzzfeed video reminded me of our visit.

Madonna Inn was like nothing we had ever seen or will be likely to see again. This hotel is like every kids fantasy except it's for adults and it's not fantasy. With 110 rooms and each room individually decorated with a different theme this place is special. Add on the bright pink tennis and basketball courts and the amazing pool complete with jacuzzi area's, oh and horse trails and this place is out of this world.

Check it out here:

We spent the night at the Madonna Inn on our California Road Trip after driving Highway 1.

Our room of choice was the pink glitter room - that's right a room covered in pink glitter wallpaper, with pink door frames, pink bedding, pink robes, a very pink bathroom and pink accessories. It was delightful. The room itself was called the 'Merry' room and was part of the Merry Go Round set.

After checking in and getting over the excitement our first stop was the pool, we had it to ourselves and it was the perfect way to wind down from our Highway 1 drive.

Our romantic swim was briefly interrupted by a couple with a boom box but we took that as our cue to head for dinner. Everything at the Madonna Inn is opulent. The rooms, the doorways, the public areas, the restaurant, even the goblets they serve dessert in. You can't fail to feel special here. It's like a fairy tale.

After dinner we danced, the in house band was playing a mix of swing and slow dances and the other hotel guests were already getting down. We ballroom danced (kinda) and then sat and people watched. With the grand chandeliers and dance floor we were transported back in time. 

There are actually four different restaurants at the hotel each offering something different but don't leave without checking out the bakery! The cakes are famous and delicious - although we had to share a slice.

Madonna Inn has been open for over 50 years and is described as a resort-like retreat. With an onsite spa as well as the facilities mentioned before you can see why it would be easy to escape here for longer than a night. You can eve hike, bike (yes the bikes are pink) or do onsite wine tasting! We were sad to leave. 

madonnainn.com

Add in the amazing service and this place will provide you with memories however short your visit. 

You can check out all the rooms here or see a few in the Buzzfeed video shared on our Facebook page. Here's some to get you started:

And in case you are wondering this place has nothing to do with 'Madonna', it is named after Mr Alex Madonna the guy who built and designed the hotel. A brief history can be found here but the bits I found most interesting were that it sits on over 1,000 acres and the surrounding rocks were used in the construction. It started as a much smaller hotel and the rooms have been added over time but the original suites were actually destroyed in a fire in 1966.  

Alex Madonna was quoted as saying "Anybody can build one room and a thousand like it. It's more economical. Most places try to give you as little as possible. I try to give people a decent place to stay where they receive more than they are entitled to for what they're paying. I want people to come in with a smile and leave with a smile. It's fun'

In case you needed any more reasons to visit San Luis Obispo was also voted as the happiest town in the USA. Buzzfeed checked it out here! The article also looks at tips to keep you happy so it's worth read. 

So if you are ever planning to do Highway 1 and fancy spending an unforgettable night in an amazing place check out Madonna Inn. Even if you just stop by for dinner, a game of tennis or to admire the stunning location.

Review: The other sides of Liverpool, UK

While a visit to Liverpool City is well worth it there are other sides to Liverpool.

For our guide to the city centre check out our post here.

One of other sides I am referring to is the other side of the Mersey. Technically called Wallasey this area sits directly opposite the main water front part of Liverpool, if it wasn't for the river you'd be able to walk between the two in minutes.

The reason for bringing up Wallasey is because it's where we stayed and we would recommend getting the train, car, ferry over from the city to take a look.

When the Mersey tides sinks and flows out to sea what is left behind is a river bank beach - it was a new one on us too. Unlike beaches at seasides this beach never fully dries out as it only exposed for a small part of the day. It's fine to walk on though, as long as you watch out for the sink holes! The way the tides worked when we were there meant the beach appeared at about 7pm. As novices we didn't realise this was the case until we invited friends over for a beach walk in the afternoon only to find the beach was still a river!

Even when the river is at high tide the New Brighton promenade is worth a stroll. As our Airbnb host put it 'you could stroll your legs off' as the promenade is endless. At one end you are overlooking the city skyscape, at the other you looking out over the Irish Sea.

Our Airbnb had the promenade at the end of the road so we could stroll down and see the city as the lights came on and the sunset. It was a great view. 

As the river beach was dog friendly it also made it easy to wear out the puppy who was content running up and down and occasionally face planting the sand or scaling rocks.

The black pearl driftwood sculpture is also worth checking out:

Can you spot the dog?

Made from driftwood and debris washed ashore this is actually the third reiteration. The first was torched by youths, the second floated out to sea and so here stands the third and most successful version. Climb aboard and enjoy the view!

Continue up the promenade and you will find plenty of historic references to the great port this area once supported. At the very end you will see a slightly run down Fort Perch Rock that was built in case of French invasion and is now a tourist attraction. Across the road are the usual arcades, fun fair and sweet shops synonymous with a seaside.

We would recommend a stop in the Driftwood Cafe, it's dog friendly, does delicious cream teas - as well as other things - and is super friendly. Although worth booking ahead!

If you prefer pub style food then the Pilot Boat, named as it is where they launch pilot boats from, or The Magazine (Mags) where they used to keep gunpowder, are both good options. We opted for the Pilot Boat to spend our Sunday evening in their dog friendly snug. We competed in their pub quiz and played Pirate Bingo. We also got a round of sandwiches courtesy of the landlady - I only wish we lived closer so this could be our every Sunday evening.

Pirate Bingo - first one to turn over all the cards wins!

If the beach is not your thing then the other side to Liverpool is the green leafy suburbs on the same side as the city where you can go on a Beatles tour - self guided or paid for. As I have Laura ours was self guided and free. The National Trust has purchased John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhood homes so we included them on our list to see (paid for tours can go in).

Strawberry Fields gate, involves stopping and pulling in on a fairly busy road. It was originally an orphanage that John Lennon attended garden parties at. It is now an overgrown field but the gate remains.

Penny Lane, this road has a number of road signs you can stop by, some have more graffiti than others. Our stop was by the Dovedale Towers where Freddie Mercury may have lived or stayed (guidebooks can't decide). Either way the building is impressive and worth checking out if you have time.

Had time allowed we also planned to check out Speke Hall that is also in the area but alas not this time. It'll have to be a reason we go back :)

pic courtesy of www.horseradish-hospitality.com

Have you got any other tips for visiting Liverpool and its surrounding area?

Review: Liverpool City, UK

Liverpool, a North West City best known for Liverpool FC and The Beatles was our destination for the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Located on the banks of the Mersey River with views over the Irish sea this city doesn't appear on many peoples to do lists unless they are die-hard Beatles fans or visting for a football match but our trip has given us plenty to rave about and we highly recommend a weekend visit or day trip. It's even a UNESCO world heritage site like the Great Wall of China!

There are many books dedicated to the 'must see' things to see and do in Liverpool and tripadvisor has it's own top rated ideas but looking at the top recommendations failed to inspire us - cathedrals, maritime buildings and a football stadium are rarely on our must-see list. It wasn't until we got to Liverpool that we started putting together our must see list from some local books and tour guides that the city came alive. That and our wonderful Airbnb hosts advice.

Firstly we stayed at New Brighton, a seaside resort that forms part of Wallasey and sitting on the direct opposite bank to the city on the Mersey. As we were taking Bisbee we didn't want to be too central and the offer of a dog friendly beach while having easy access to the centre made it a winning combination.

To get to the centre from New Brighton you can travel by train (6 - 10 minutes depending on what station you get on at and £2.70 single), car via the Queensway or Kingsway tunnel (£1.70 each way) or by Mersey Ferry (£5.50 one way or £10 return). We used all forms of transport. Each had it's own merit.

Our to do list was as follows:
Mersey Ferry - worth doing for the views and the audio tour. If you can, get the Dazzle Ferry because it looks like this:

You can get it from Liverpool and do the full 50 minute tour or get off or on at any of it's stops.

Check out the Beatles statue there to welcome you to Liverpool by the Ferry Landing.

The Albert Docks: Liverpool's existence started as a maritime hub and major commercial port and these docks were at the very heart. This area is now a rejuvenated shopping and dining area with the odd attraction thrown in. Like the 1940's Piermasters house that allows you to see how it would have looked during the war. Keep your eyes peeled for the jelly bean homage to The Beatles too.

From the docks you can stroll the 20 mins towards Nelson street and the smallest China Town with the oldest European Chinese community with the largest arch of its kind outside of China. 

A short walk up Upper Duke street brings you to the Oratory, a sculpture gallery, and more impressively The Liverpool Cathedral. The largest Anglican Church in the world with the highest Gothic arches and biggest bells. While cathedrals are not really our thing this cathedral brought back feelings of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The scale, the beauty, the attention to detail - it was breathtaking. To think this was designed by a 22 year old is impressive - the same guy also designed the red telephone box and you can see an original in the the cathedral. It doesn't take you long to stroll around the church and it is well worth doing - especially the Lady Chapel.

(first pic courtesy of Liverpool Tourism)

From this high point in the city - you can get higher by heading up the tower for a fee or you can stand and enjoy the view back to the city and across the Mersey. On a clear day make sure you do.

After a quick lunch stop at the Old Blind School where everything we had was delicious, we headed past St Luke's bombed out church. It is currently closed for renovations but is still worth seeing. As the light shines through the empty building it is eerie and beautiful. Renovations are to strengthen the structure, the church itself will be left empty to show the impact of war.

From St Lukes to a new age style Metropolitan Cathedral. Like something out of a space movie this Cathedral looks impressive for its design but inside we were less than impressed. It was a mix between a theatre venue and museum/gallery. The size was impressive, the atmosphere void. Other than the friezes depicting the death of Christ and the odd sculpture this could have been venue for anything. Worth seeing to say you've done it but if you are there for a day don't bother.

As we were to the East of the centre we headed back towards the centre via Bold Street. Keep your eyes peeled for some interesting art work and the city's oldest bookshop - News from Nowhere. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants to pick up a snack on this road. In this area you can also find Almost Famous if you want to indulge in ridiculously good burgers.

Once you hit the centre of Liverpool you'll know. While the outskirts are relatively quiet the centre is buzzing. Wherever you look you'll see buildings with history. The beautiful town hall, the Hard Days night hotel, Stanley Street gay area. There are also sculptures that seem to appear at random. Make a stop in Stanley Street to see the Eleanor Rigby statue behind The Beatles store.

Sculptures of Lambanana's are also dotted across the city. The SuperLambanana is on Tithebarn street but you can see other versions by the docks and in any gift shop. A combination of a lamb and a banana they are a nod to common cargo that appeared in the docks way back when.

Mathew Street should be on everyone's must do. By day it's full of people taking pictures outside The Cavern Club and admiring all The Beatles references. At night it is a central point for bars - think Irish bars, cheap drinks, loud music and lots of people.

If you are staying to party enjoy!

Our city tour ended by the waterfront with the Three Graces. Pier Head is home to the famous Liver Building with Liverpool's famous Liver Birds (they have never met so they will be the only Liver birds, oh and the Liver bird is a mythical creature. The story being that King John had an eagle on his crest but someone lost the visual way back when so the crest was redrawn with what looked more like a cormorant, over time the bird has taken a merged form). Rumour has it the one looking out over the port is the female checking sailors arrived home safely, the other looking over the city is male and is checking the pubs are open! There is also a myth that is one was to fall then so would the city of Liverpool.

Two of the three Graces (Port of Liverpool building on the left and Liver building on the right)

The other two graces are the Port of Liverpool building and the Cunard building that has Greek and Italian influenced design. Historically both buildings played a major part in the running of the port.

We headed home before it got too late, plus the 12 miles of walking was taking it's toll.

Things to note though:

• Liverpool is super walk-able
• If you don't fancy the walk there are hop on tour buses
• There is a lot to see and do and most of it is free
• Plan your route as there is a circular route that allows you to see the highlights without doubling back on yourself.
• Look up - seriously the architecture, some of the roofs, the paintings - there are plenty of reasons
• The new museum is worth checking out, we only skipped it as we had the dog
• Don't rush, stop in a pub and enjoy a drink - Liverpudlians are super friendly
• There is something for everyone - even if you have never heard of The Beatles
• There are quite a few green spaces / gardens so in summer enjoy the chance to rest your legs

Next post coming soon - the other sides of Liverpool!

Travel Round Up

Happy Tuesday!

Having caught up with colleagues today about holiday plans for the rest of the year I realised that I naturally head to Facebook to show photos of where we have been if anyone is looking for suggestions. It was halfway through a Facebook search that I realised our blog is actually a way better source of information. So excuse the link heavy post but I thought I would share our travel stories with you too.

This is a quick round up of some of our travel posts in case you are looking for your next travel destination......

Europe

Naples: This southern Italian city is famous for pizza but it's location on the Bay of Naples overlooking Pompeii makes it an ideal location for a mini break or as stop off when exploring the Amalfi coast.

Here is our list of things you need to know before going: blog post

Paris: normally a weekend destination this is what happened when we spent a whole week exploring the city, and the extra days meant we discovered a whole new part of the city. And when we went back for a spring weekend, here.

Santorini: The picturesque Greek island that is built on the ridge of an active volcano makes for a wonderful holiday destination if you like sun, sea and stunning views. Famous for it white houses and wonderful sunsets this is everything a romantic destination should be.
Here's where we suggest you stay, click here.
And our top 10 tips for your visit.

Barcelona: This European won us over, not on my first trip but our third. You have to check out Sagrada Familia, it is wonder to behold. It's the only city that i've been to that has a beach a short walk from the hustle and bustle of the main shopping streets. Plus the Tapas is delicious!

Stuttgart: If you want a great mini break, you like beer, cars or you just want to discover somewhere new then this German city is worth checking out - it's architecture is beautiful.

Iceland: It's cold, it's like no-where else and if you are lucky enough you may spot the Northern Lights here. Even if you aren't lucky you can make your own luck by visiting the natural hot springs or checking out the geysers.

Jerusalem: Not top of everyone's to do list but with the right tour guide this place is incredible and jammed with history. The beach is nice too :)

Javia: This coastal spot on the Costa Blanca is driving distance to Valencia but offers the perfect beach getaway.

Rest of the world

Sydney: There is a reason this city is loved by everyone that visits. We stayed on the Manly side of the harbour while visiting friends but made sure we spent at least a day in the city as well visiting the surrounding areas.

Koh Samui, Thailand: This beach paradise was the destination of one of our friends weddings and allowed us to spend us week in paradise. That was until Laura got bitten by a dog.

The Great Californian Road Trip including LA,  Yosemite, Death Valley, Disneyland, Vegas, Highway 1 and San Francisco Part 1, San Francisco part 2 and San Francisco part 3. We even put together a highlight video: here

Egypt: We spent less than a day in Egypt but managed to see the pyramids, float on the Nile, check out a mosque, learn how to make paper and see the Sphinx.

Canada: It is possible to get to Canada for a fairly reasonable price right now and we seriously recommend you check it out. We loved Toronto and Niagara Falls was breathtaking, and deserving of it's wonder status.

Boise, Idaho: Potato capital of the US, Rocky mountain region and all round beautiful place. This state experiences all 4 four season so whatever time of year you visit you can expect something different.

New York: We loved New York and going at Christmas time was extra special. Although take our advice and don't spend New Year in Times Square here's why.

Moscow: The most unique travel experience we have ever had. The language was a challenge but the trip was worth it and the memories we made will last a live time.

UK Based Trips

Birmingham: Our home city but before we moved here we fell in love with it's mixture of old and new buildings, city and country. Great for a day trip - even better to live in.

The Great Northern Road Trip: From Manchester to Falkirk to Aberdeen we managed 277 miles in a day. Then to the top of Scotland and Loch Ness before reaching the stunning Isle of Skye.

Here's why Manchester is worth a visit.

And if you are up north Liverpool, home of the Beatles and so much more should be on your to do list, here's why.

Stratford-Upon Avon: Shakespeare's birth place it is quintessentially British, packed with history and a great place to spend the day.

Hebden Bridge: A beautiful, Yorkshire village that is dog and LGBT friendly. A perfect place to appreciate the beauty of Britain.

Wollaton Hall: This Nottingham country house is famous for featuring as Wayne Manor in Batman films but we discovered the grounds are filled with deer and the house has it's own museum. Worth a day trip.

Stone Henge and Glastonbury: A wonder of the world and a world famous festival within miles of each other make this an area to check out. Add in rolling countryside and hills that allow you to see for miles and this is a great place to visit with dogs and friends.

The Cotswolds: Perfect for wandering around beautiful villages, getting fresh air and feeling British this area of the country has so much to offer. Time it just right and you see fields of lavender or stroll up Broadway Tower for wonderful views.

Cambridge: A city full of history, magnificent buildings and the River Cam where you can punt and admire a different view. If you have a day and can make it to college city do it. This posts lists why!

Loch Lomond: Driving distance from Glasgow this area is so pretty they wrote a song about it, we even finished our wedding with the line 'on the bonny bony banks of Loch Lomond'.

 Happy Travels