Life is good when we can find comfort in things that are not so familiar.  Have you ever made a trip to a place where you fell into the groove of the locals, or even better, met a local or guide who showed you around town?  Sometimes the best trips are those that don’t take you on a beaten up tour bus to famous landmarks that everyone has a postcard of.

San Diego is one of those surf towns with sunny beaches and a college problem right? Well not really.  Though this may be true to a degree, every neighborhood has its own charms.  To really know, you’ve got to listen to the locals.

One of the most sought after places in America’s finest city is the Little Italy neighborhood.  With a quaint European flair, this neighborhood has so much to offer.  If you are planning on visiting San Diego anytime, it’s a must stop for a delicious meal, drinks, night life, the views, or to indulge in the simple elegance of an independent boutique hotel.

Some fascinating places to visit in this great little neighborhood that all the locals love are:

The Embarcadero
A walk along the San Diego harbor on the east side of San Diego Bay will take you to the Embarcadero, which is Spanish for “landing place”. The Embarcadero sits on property between Little Italy and Downtown San Diego. 

Little Italy One-Mile Walk 
 The One-Mile Walk was created to give Little Italy neighbors and guests an opportunity that does not cross any major intersections or stop lights.

Little Italy Mercato
If you are more into fresh fare, be sure to visit this famous farmer market full of delights for the senses.  A wonderful place to go for the freshest produce, flowers, herbs and samples from local establishments.

The Glass Door Restaurant & Lounge
This 4th floor hip restaurant and bar with an amazing bay view that will light up your taste buds and surely impress your dinner date. A fantastic and unique weekend brunch will leave your mouth watering for more. Or check it out on Friday or Saturday for live DJ music spinning house beats with no cover.  This place is a local love nest.

Caffe Italia
A perfect cup of coffee or tea or more perfectly, a double soy sugar free vanilla latte with a dash of cinnamon. 
This is more than your average coffee shop, with a quaint atmosphere, friendly staff and a comfortable place to meet friends or enjoy your free time while catching a caffeinated buzz.

Extraordinary Desserts
If the name fits wear it.  Decadent, smooth, creamy mouth watering chocolate that will send you into 7th heaven.  Whether it is the cheesecake, gourmet beer, holiday specials or a special occasion that you consider a desserts, stopping at this place makes it worth your while.

Anthology
Shine on crazy diamond. This unique live music venue always seems to be poppin.  With live music nearly every night of the week and house bands every Tuesday, the great venue space is only half the fun.  Quality music and a classy establishment make for a great night of entertainment, drinks and only a short walk to the best Little Italy Hotel.

Carol Gardyne Boutique & Bella Stanza Boutique 
If unique is your middle name and you’re into shopping, these local Little Italy boutiques are a wonderful stop on your adventure for something you’ll cherish forever.  From art pieces to clothing to one of a kind jewelry, it’s likely you will find something in one of these shops that you just can’t live without. 

In addition to these lovely places, the Little Italy area has a variety of places where public art is displayed, or engrained into the sidewalks or buildings.  Here is a complete list of Public Art

Now is the chance to make your next trip an experience through a local set of eyes.   Do things the locals do and get a taste of the real place you are visiting.  Be advised that if San Diego is on your destination list, you may never want to leave.

For more information or to book a hotel at great rates within walking distance of all the local Little Italy spots, please visit www.portovistasd.com or contact us directly at (619) 544-0164.

By Angela Bratrud

It started 2,000 years ago with a group of Celtic ghouls, spirits and goblins from a far away land, who were looking for love in all the wrong places.  Ok maybe that wasn’t part of the real story, but it doesn’t matter.  Halloween is a perfect excuse to dress up in freakish costumes and celebrate, and this year San Diego is the place to be.

It’s such a popular holiday that many local businesses celebrate the entire month of October with festive décor and scary deals.  Many events are also happening around town almost every night.  As featured on the travel channel, one of the favorite local places to be is the famous Haunted Hotel.

Watch The Video on the Travel Channel Here

For those who just want to add a little fright to the mix, San Diego has several local events that are sure to scare the heebee geebees out of you.

Best Spots to get Spooked:

Haunted Hotel (Gaslamp District, Market Street): San Diego’s hottest downtown district where Horror Movies come to Life. A thrilling way to get spooked and have fun with friends.  Through Oct. 31

The Haunted Trail: A haunted adventure in Balboa Park that takes you on a journey into a fairy tale nightmare you are sure to come screaming back for. San Diego’s only all-outdoor haunted attraction. It is a stroll through the park, that you will never forget. Through Oct. 31

The Scream Zone: Let out your inner ghoul at the Del Mar Fairgrounds annual attraction featuring blood-curdling scenes in the House of Horror, the Haunted Hayride and The Chamber twisted maze of fright. Through Oct. 31

Mira Mesa Monster Manor: A 4,000 square ft haunted house sponsored by the community, offers a drug-free, alcohol free, all-ages, entertainment experience for the family. Through Oct. 31

National Comedy Theatre Halloween Spooktacular: The National Comedy Theatre’s annual event with creepy themes, including death defying sketches and never seen before scenes that are sure to spook the humor into all. Days/Times Vary.

Haunted Ghost Tours in Old Town: Haunted San Diego is a History Tour loosely based on documented ghost stories. See the fascinating places where the stories took place and hear the tales of who lived there, died there and still haunts to this day. Ongoing.

The Whaley House: This is the real deal. Ac actual “haunted” house registered in California. From swinging cleavers hanging on the kitchen wall to the scent of lavender perfume, documented ghost sightings at the Old Town property are a great piece of history. Ongoing.

El Campo Santo Cemetery: Located blocks from the Whaley House, the cemetery’s 477 gravesites include hanged thief Yankee Jim Robinson, as well as the founder of Tanner Theatrical Troupe, another Whaley House “resident.”  Ongoing.

Haunted Birch Aquarium: A less spooky option featuring strange encounters with mad scientists and slime, Halloween treats, spooky activities and scary music under the sea. Oct. 22-23

The Pumpkin Station at the Del Mar Fairgrounds: An event for the younger people. The Pumpkin Station features a Halloween pumpkin patch, a train ride, children’s activities, kids’ rides, a petting zoo and even an antique carousel. Daily.

Balboa Park-Wide Halloween Family Day: More than a dozen museums will open their doors and offer fun  and FREE Halloween activities including a costume contest for dogs and a children’s costume parade. Oct. 30. For more Information, visit the Balboa Park website.

Trick or Treat on India Street: Little Italy transforms its streets into a safe haven for Trick-or-Treaters as businesses open their doors to make Halloween a special night for the children.

If you have outgrown trick or treating, you might want to check out the hippest Halloween dance party at the ever popular downtown 10th Annual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash on Oct. 30. You just never know when the right ghoul will come along and spook you off your feet.  To enhance your possibilities, the Porto Vista Hotel located within minutes of the downtown festivities wants you to have a great time.  Offering a host of scary deals, including overnight stays at 40% off room rates, complimentary shuttle transportation and breakfast at the award winning Glass Door restaurant.

With seasonal offerings across the board, the Pre-Fixxe Menu is also on the list of scary deals. It includes three courses for only $25 and special wine pairing for $10. Or just come in to the Glass Door anytime this season for the delicious fall-inspired Pumpkin tart.

Now it’s time to get into the spirit.  If you are going to pick out a costume, visit one of San Diego’s famous Costume Shops so you can be the freakiest kid in the neighborhood.  Trust me, this is the one time of year where that is a good thing.  Just don’t’ drink and drive and whatever you decide on this Halloween, be safe!

 
It’s time for that long awaited trip and the excitement sets in. What essentials to take, what to leave behind. One rule of thumb is to first lay out all your clothes and money. Then pack half the clothes and twice the money. It serves anyone well to travel lightly, and it spells for a safer trip wherever you are headed.
Safety Tips for Packing and Planning Watch the Video Now

Safety is by far the most important function of travel, and if you don’t think about this ahead of time it might already be too late. People in foreign places can and will take advantage if they suspect a tourist in town. If you’ve never been there before, or if you’d like to be more experienced in the art of travel, here are a few tips to help guide and protect you along the way.

Safe Travel Tip #1: Know where you are going

Research a place ahead of time and plan your journey. Understanding the seasons, the social scene and local attractions ahead of time will make a world of difference. For basic weather service, maps and other preliminary safety tips within the U.S. Click Here.

Safe Travel Tip #2: Appear to look like a Local.

This means you may have to ditch the fanny pack and put your Nikon in your backpack unless you are using it. If you have designer goods, such as watches, sunglasses, or your high dollar platform shoes, it’s best to leave the bulk at home. The key here is to blend in as much as possible with the culture. And please, I repeat please, wear your sandals without socks.

Safe Travel Tip #3:  Use guidebooks and maps to navigate and don’t appear lost .

A good travel guidebook contains an endless supply of information, which generally includes maps, restaurants, lodging recommendations, the transportation system and points of interest. The last thing you want is to be spotted as the clueless outsider the moment you arrive, and appearing lost is a sure way to be caught in a trap. If you need directions don’t be afraid to step aside and read your map out of plain sight. It’s best to have this ahead of time and know where you want to go. Strange men leading you into unmarked vehicles are not the best tour guides.

Safe Travel Tip #4: Stay at safe clean hotels in reputable neighborhoods  

If you are in it for familiarity, stay in a mainstream hotel. For a more exciting and unique experience, try a boutique hotel or bed and breakfast in a notable neighborhood. Check online for reviews – anything out there worth trying has been written about. Finding a place with a good location is key. Call ahead and make sure the staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Check to see if they offer complimentary transportation to or from terminals. Whenever possible, book a hotel in advance and make sure they have a real address and web site.

San Diego Boutique Hotel in Great Location

Safe Travel Tip #5:  Use the Buddy System

Wherever you roam, use the buddy system. Stick close to your friends or family and always know where they are. Plan a meeting place and check in with each other every hour or so if you are separated. Use discretion if you decide to wander off on your own and don’t go off with a stray. If you meet locals or other travelers be sure to keep a close eye on your food and drinks at all times, and if it didn’t sink in as a child, don’t take candy from strangers.

Safe Travel Tip #6: Take a Taxi Whenever Possible

A Taxi Cab is usually your safest bet (beware it may feel more like a roller coaster if you are in a border town in Central America). Slightly pricy, but cabs are a great way to navigate through a city. This is less time consuming than other public methods and drivers typically know all the city walls and are usually good tour guides. Do make sure the meter is set to zero when you get in though. And be sure the cab fares are posted somewhere inside the car and that you are in a legitimate taxi – from a central pickup zone.

Safe Travel Tip #7: Know the Laws, Customs and Rules

This travel tip applies to anyone travelling out of state or abroad. More than 2,500 Americans are arrested each year in relation to differing laws among states, provinces or countries. Prevent trouble before it happens by registering with the U.S. State Dept. before your trip. Understand that laws are different almost everywhere, and what is legal in one place could warrant a death sentence in another. If you are stuck in a foreign land, know how to find the U.S. Embassy. For more tips, including maintaining safety while overseas, read Tips for Traveling Abroad.

Safe Travel Tip #8: Purchase Travel Insurance

What-if is not a good game for safe travel. Travel insurance companies are skilled and ready to assist with a host of needs. Prevent canceled flight drama to sudden natural disasters. Travel insurance is something people don’t want to use, but it will be relief if you need to. You never know when lightening could strike, so it’s a good idea to ensure you are covered on the financial front.

Following a few simple guidelines can turn a tourist into a good traveler in no time. Not only will this deem you more respect with the locals on your adventure, but it also provides you with some key ways to ensure safe travel and a great adventure ahead.

Vacations are supposed to be fun and by keeping these few safe travel tips in mind, you can make sure that they remain that way. Consider planning a trip to San Diego today.
An exciting landing place for travelers from all over the world, the Porto Vista Hotel offers a host of amenities and special offers for the business traveler, vacationer and those seeking an experience to remember.

Call us directly at (610) 544-0164 for more information
or to book your reservation today.

by Angela Bratrud

The long awaited summer vacation just wasn’t long enough, and you somehow missed the wine adventure on your To Do list. As fall approaches, it’s time to cover the bbq, pack up the beach gear, get the kids ready for school, and get back to the dreadful daily grind. Well at least for some.

It’s true, day by day activities can put us into a state of complacency. But who says we can’t live a little? Something inside you wants to take that weekend getaway, or an extended business trip you’ve been dreaming of.  Who is to say we can’t live by our own rules – do what we want when we want.

I know, I know, such is life. But it’s true, sometimes we just need to give a little more to ourselves.

How enticing it is to have a chauffeured limousine for the day, with a tour through scenic wine country.  A place where you can relax, sit back, be yourself and indulge in your greatest pleasures with the one you love or your favorite partner in crime.

Just imagine the possibility.  You could call the sitter for the weekend and catch the next flight or drive out to gorgeous San Diego, where a wine lovers paradise awaits.  Through the end of September, the Porto Vista Hotel is offering an inclusive package that will delight the soul and tread lightly on the pocketbook.

There’s no need for serious plans either. Just book your trip and leave the rest to the professionals.  First stop, the Eurostyle boutique Porto Vista Hotel, where you will check in for a two-night stay that includes complimentary daily breakfast, Internet access and valet parking.

Next, settle in at the hotel’s Glass Door Restaurant, where you can relax and admire the downtown landscape and views of the San Diego Bay, over a flight of three of Fallbrook’s best wines accompanied with various cheeses, Temecula honey and local fruit compote to match each pour.

The next day, a four hour limo excursion will take you through scenic wine country and deliver you to the Fallbrook winery for a private tour and tasting of some of California’s finest wine.  A bottle of award-winning Fallbrook wine and two commemorative wine glasses are yours to keep, or enjoy on the way back as your chauffer delivers you back to the hotel in style.

The night will be young and the rest of the weekend is yours. Nestled in the historic Little Italy neighborhood and near downtown, beaches and many other San Diego attractions, you have access to countless avenues of live music, performing arts, entertainment, and within walking distance of many romantic spots where you can further de-stress the soul and enjoy the simple things in life.

Priced for two, the wine package is a steal at $435 (valued at more than $740).  Just think of it as a chance to live by your own rules. Even if just this once, you deserve it.

For more information or to make a reservation, Click Here or call (619) 544-0164.

by Angela Bratrud

It’s back to the dating game. You’re newly single and ready for the marketplace and that exciting but dreadful first date. Or maybe you’ve been seeing someone for a little while and ready to take it to another level.  An intimate one.

Either way you’re going to have to impress the person if you want a second date or if you’re simply looking for a happy ending to this one.  If you would like a guaranteed return on your luck – just be yourself and make it enjoyable for your partner-to-be. It’s also a good idea to involve some good quality food. Everyone loves food so you can’t go wrong there.

It’s that simple. No really. It is. But there are a few things you can do to ensure that things run smoothly.

First and foremost, Be Ready! If you jump into something you’re not ready for it’s a spell for disaster.  So if it’s your first or fifth date, make sure you look and feel your best, be relaxed and not rushed, and choose a special spot to wine and dine and enjoy the company.  Well, if you want to keep it around longer than that first drink.

There are also a few secret foods that will enhance the mood.  What you choose on the menu could very well increase your luck!

Try strawberries – they are succulent and passionate red little berries, which improve circulation and provide anti-oxidants for a hot love affair.   Oranges also do the trick. Yep, that’s right! The vitamin C increases levels of oxycotin, a hormone that induces human bonding and might just bring your date a sudden urge to get a little closer.

Don’t be too shy! Try some walnuts as they increase sex hormones with an abundance of essential fatty acids. Or ginger – it is known for revving up the metabolism which can rejuvenate and bring sexy back.

To really arouse the mood, you could add honey as a sweetener. If offers the mineral boron, a testosterone booster for an increased sexual appetite.

Other foods that send subliminal sensations to the nether regions are eggs, oatmeal, oysters, and garlic.  But the best food to fulfill your desires is chocolate.  It’s definitely the drug of choice for women. Methylxanthine, the active ingredient, causes the body to release dopamine.  Put simply, it’s a mind spell for pure pleasure.

So the moral of the story is that choosing the right foods can lead you to a happy ending.  It also helps to be cool, calm and collected. And fun! Everyone loves someone they can have a good time with. Even if you end up as friends, it’s always best to enjoy the time you do have together no matter how long it lasts.

When you’re ready for that hot date, be sure to set the mood straight.  Pick a dim lit romantic place with a nice atmosphere like the award winning Glass Door restaurant, located at the Porto Vista Hotel.

With a selection if items that contain ingredients listed above (wink-wink), the Glass Door also offers the best bay views in San Diego.

It’s always a good idea to call ahead for reservations – not only does it guarantee you a table but it will ring in as bonus points by showing your date how well prepared and thoughtful you are. So get out there and try these methods and you’ll be on your way to a happy ending, or quite possibly – a happily ever after.

For dinner reservations, call (619) 564-3755.

by Angela Bratrud

Color can bring happiness to an otherwise ordinary world.  And get ready because this weekend San Diego will see myriads of prisms in every shape and form.  It’s a time when streets close down and crowds of supporters dedicate one weekend a year to a celebration of vibrant colors, wild and freaky costumes and high energy dance parties that parade the streets and local establishments in full force.

A traditional symbol of gay and lesbian identity and solidarity all over the world, the rainbow flag, also known as the Gay Pride flag, unites a cultural tradition and represents a sign of hope and yearning, diversity and openmindedness.  Still a long way to go, acceptance is gaining momentum.
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