SAN FRANCISCO - FOR A WONDERFUL CITY HOLIDAY
San Francisco has been voted the best city in the world to visit. San Francisco’s restaurants and museums are world class and the mild climate make touring a pleasure at any time of the year. It is a fantastic place to take a mini break or to have a change and enjoy a city holiday.
Built on more than 40 hills, every other street points the way to a spectacular view of the Bay.
There is just so much to see and do there but among the places not to miss are the Golden Gate Bridge, a tour to Alcatraz Island, a ride on a cable car of course, an afternoon in the alleys of San Francisco’s Chinatown (the largest outside Asia) and a meal in one of it’s many lovely restaurants, an evening in North Beach - the Italian District, again the food is wonderful and so is the atmosphere, check out the neighborhoods - Chinatown, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, Nob Hill, Marina, Mission, Castro and Russian Hill.
For a day out try a visit to the Coast Redwoods of Muir Woods National Monument where you’ll see some of the tallest trees in the world. This is a great day out for all the family. Another family favourite is the wildlife theme park featuring shows with whales, dolphins, sea lions, tigers, chimps and exotic birds.
San Francisco is a very cosmopolitan city it has something to offer every visitor. Whether you are a young couple looking for entertainment, bars, theatres, chic restaurants and romantic views or a family with children who would prefer casual restaurants, child friendly entertainment, beaches and parks, you are sure to find it all in beautiful San Francisco for a wonderful city holiday.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIO TOURS
Have you ever wondered how your favourite movies or TV shows are actually made? The exciting solution for the film buffs and the “star struck” amongst you is a visit to Hollywood’s famous movie and TV studios. Fortunately, a few of the most famous and historic studios still offer guided tours. We have listed these for your information.
Universal Studios has much of a theme park flavour and is based upon a tram ride which tours Universal’s back lot. The tram journey takes you past authentic movie locations and areas where TV shows were shot. The kids will love this one as you are “attacked” by Jaws and experience an earthquake along the route. You will see how the studio simulates rain storms, snow and fog.
Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank has been making movies on this site for over 75 years. This tour is less formal and unlike Universal is not scripted specially for visitors. The one exception being the set of “Friends” retained for the enjoyment of its many fans.
Every tour is different depending on what is being shot at the time. Riding in an open tram you will tour the 20 acres of exterior sets and the various production departments. Photography is only permitted in certain areas of the external lots. Before leaving you can see historic costumes, scripts and memorabilia in the Studio Museum.
Paramount Pictures, perhaps the most famous in the world, is the only major studio still located in Hollywood. The 2-hour walking tour provides historical information on the movie industry and a look at a real-life, working movie and TV studio. No two tours are alike and you may well spot a celebrity. Unfortunately you need to be 12 or over to take the tour. As you would expect, cameras and recording equipment are not allowed. We understand that the Paramount Studio’s commissary is a must for lunch.
Sony Picture Studio in Culver City is the former home of the great MGM, where the “Wizard of Oz” was filmed. As in Paramount this is a walking tour of the back lot, through sound stages, sets and historic scenery. This is a working studio and it is likely that live shooting will be taking place. There is also a mini museum and snack area. Again it is unfortunate that there is a lower age limit of 12 years.
Finally, KCET Studio on Sunset Boulevard was the former home of Monogram Pictures and the famous Allied Artists. In its 90 years existence it saw names such as Errol Flynn, Audrey Hepburn and Steve McQueen working here. Since 1965 it has been a TV facility and since 1970 home of the TV station KCET. The free tour takes you through old movie studios and the current TV production facilities. Advance telephone bookings are necessary.
We understand that the famous NBC Studio, where the TV show “Tonight” is taped is currently re-locating. Hopefully it will soon be back to provide yet another fascinating tour for the family and all the film buffs.
NAPA VALLEY - CHRISTMAS WINE TRAIL
Posted by Roy
For all you wine buffs and adventurous tourists alike why not visit the famous Napa Valley to the north of San Francisco this Christmas and hit the Wine Trail. The Valley is home to over 200 wine estates and produces varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot. The Napa Valley is visited by over 5,000,000 tourists a year and is the second most popular attraction in California after Disneyland. Its wines are considered the equal of many of the classic French and Australian vintages.
To see the wonderful scenery and arouse your taste buds there are several interesting ways to see the wineries, taste the wine and see the area.
For the first wine tasting adventure, join friends in a classic vintage limousine with a personal guide and visit several wineries. Meet the wine makers, visit the vineyards and cellars and of course taste the great wines.
If this method of travel is not relaxing enough for you, ride the Napa Valley Wine Train on a tour of the valley. Relax in the comfort of the restored and elegant Pullman coaches, eat in the dining car or Silverado Grill and watch the glorious scenery glide by from the glass-domed observation car after visiting the best coach on the train, the wine-tasting bar! There is another version of the Wine Train for the kids, which has Santa and his Elves on board. Take your pick!
If you want to be more hands on, then how about being your own wine maker for the day. At a famous winery you will blend your own wine from barrel samples such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. You can create your personal “special”. You may have to be the judge of whether or not it is actually drinkable but you should have a lot of fun sampling your mistakes! A gourmet lunch should round off a very pleasant and interesting day.
In December the weather is pleasant in the Napa Valley. So with sunshine, lovely Inns and Hotels, good food and unforgetable wines you should have an equally unforgetable Christmas in the Napa Valley following the Wine Trail. A very “Merry” Christmas to you all.
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