Cape May, NJ - Recipe for Stress Relief

Cape May, NJ is known as the nation’s oldest seashore resort. This charming town transports the visitor to a simpler, more peaceful time and place.

For lovers of history, this quaint Victorian village at the extreme southern tip of NJ, also known as Exit Zero off the Garden State Parkway, exudes enchantment at every corner.

Be aware, however, this is not a rockin’ party town. If that is the venue you seek, you will want to look elsewhere. Cape May is for families--from doting grandmas and grandpas to the cuddly tiny babies and everyone in between.

My affinity for Cape May comes from over twenty years of vacationing for one week each summer with a great group of girlfriends at this therapeutic location. We have rented either a cottage or house on this same property for all of these years, and as soon as we walk through the door, we feel a warm, comforting sense of calm that says we are “home.”

What does one do for summer fun in Cape May? In a nutshell, folks relax on the pristine beaches (beach tags required, but are easily obtainable), take a boat tour, para-sail, pedal around town with the family in a surrey, rent bicycles and ride to the famous lighthouse to view the surrounding land and seascapes, commune with the animals at the Cape May County Zoo, partake of historical and ghost tours, wander through unique shops that offer items not typically found in your local mall, hop aboard the Cape May Ferry for a scenic ride across the Delaware Bay for outlet shopping in Lewes, Delaware, dinner theatre, mini-golf, golf, bird watching, taste wine at the local winery, or catch up on your reading as you kick back on a large veranda or porch.

One of the benefits of a stay in Cape May is that you can basically park your car and walk to many destinations. A few restaurant locations will require crawling back into your vehicle, but much can be accomplished on foot.

Atlantic City is just a short drive from town in case you hear the slots calling your name. And one would never know that there is an adorable shopping venue near that location. 

The Historic Smithville Shopping Village, with approximately 60 boutiques, 7 eateries, paddle boats, 26 weekend events and on site theme lodging, is a viable option for a day of retreating from overexposure to the Cape May sun. See http://www.historicsmithvillenj.com and http://www.colonialinnsmithville.com for more information.

A visit to Cape May would never be complete without a dinner at The Lobster House. Prepare for a period of hanging around if you are trying to eat there during the busy summer season, but you can be sure that the wait is well worth it!

In memory-This post is dedicated to Mary Ann Murray, one of our original Cape May vacation ladies, who went to heaven on June 21, 2013. There is not a day that you won’t be missed--forever.

Mary Ann Murray-Always in Our Hearts

City of Savannah Exudes Southern Charm!

Whether you are staying in a quaint bed and breakfast in one of the four Historic Districts or living it up at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, Savannah greets you with a sunny smile and the enchantment of a lazy downtown Savannah River setting.

Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, I think he would be proud to see that his plans for a town designed in a grid style with a variety of deliberately established park squares had not, for the most part, been disturbed by modern construction and city development.

With very little time to explore during our visit, we managed to squeeze in an overview of what this town has to offer. Walking on the more than 200 year old cobblestones by River Street, we were glad that we were all wearing sensible shoes, or danger could have been lurking in the form of a twisted ankle or two.

Savannah’s average low temperatures are in the forties during January through March and November through December, with their average high being 92 in June and July. If you love to walk, you’ll be thrilled with the Downtown Historic District where you can pick up a sightseeing tour through http://www.oldsavannahtours.com or other choices including The Savannah River Boat, The Owens Thomas House Tour, The Isaiah Davenport House Tour, The Juliette Gordon Low House Tour, Plantation Carriage Tours, Dolphin Magic, Old Fort Jackson and the Tybee Island Light House. You can visit http://www.officialsavannahguide.com/ for details!

The dot shuttle connects Savannah’s visitor centers, shops, restaurants and parking facilities throughout the Historic District. Visit http://www.connectonthedot.com. There are also easily obtainable taxis, carriage rides and efficient Pedi-Cabs that can transport you to your downtown destination in a heartbeat.

Speaking of Pedi-Cabs, when we were returning from dinner, my husband Fred told our driver (pedaler?) that there was an extra tip for him if he beat the other Pedi-Cab that carried our friends, Larry and Sharon DeCosmo. So they raced all the way back to our hotel, and we could hardly stop laughing as they pedaled as fast as their calf muscles could possibly pump. It’s never dull in my world.  

Along River Street, you can shop, dine, relax, be entertained, absorb the art and history, people watch and imagine the past generations who walked these same cobblestones and viewed the same Victorian architecture in the distinctly unique Victorian District.

As previously mentioned, Savannah is designed with twenty-two park-like squares, each with its own individual appeal. Most are named after notable individuals. This is a town that represents magnificent colors, bountiful gardens, a palpable sense of history and an undeniable presence of the old south.

Ask anyone who has visited Savannah, and they will tell you about the amazing food. Good restaurants abound, and one of our favorites was Vic’s on the River with flavorful choices and impeccable service.

As we strolled along the river, we saw a sizable ship that was docked. It was an American Cruise Lines ship that takes in the Historic South and Golden Isles for seven days. A few of their ports include Amelia Island, FL; Savannah, GA; Hilton Head, SC; Beaufort, SC; Jekyll Island, GA; and Charleston, SC. Would I ever love to take that cruise! See http://www.americancruiselines.com for updated information and additional destinations.

I hope to return to Savannah soon and plan to book as many local tours as I can possibly pinch into my narrow window of time. If that works out according to plan, I’ll be sure to tell you all about it!

Wishing you the best in your search for remarkable travel destinations!

Savannah's River View at Night

By the way, have you ever thought about venturing to Italy? You can travel there directly from your beach chair or sofa when you read From Italy with Love & Limoncello! This is the true story of four non-Italian speaking women who set out on an unguided tour of three regions of Italy. You will walk in their shoes as they share their experiences during this fabulous fifteen day trip. Check it out at http://bit.ly/OiDxsk
today!

Legends of Golf in Savannah, Georgia

View of the Savannah River from the Westin

Historic Savannah, Georgia combines the past and present in ways that will even charm the toughest northerner! Until experiencing a visit there in April, 2013, I had only flown in and out of the Savannah Airport in transit to Hilton Head. I had always said that I’d love to spend a little bit of time exploring, and my April visit was far too brief an exposure. That introduction to this small city, with southern charm as sweet as their tea, left me hoping to return in the near future to experience some of its many tour offerings.

We were in town with friends to attend the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf event at the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. It was amazing to see some of the famous players who are now missing the swing fluidity that once made them champions, but guess what? They’ve still got game. They may grunt and groan a bit when they swing or when they bend down to tee up the ball or retrieve a successful putt, but with all of that said, they are still impressive.

Whether one walked the course and followed a favorite player, or chose to sit in one spot and watch every group play one particular hole, it was a thrill to see these true legends. Some seemed very focused and serious, while others made it a point to banter with each other and with the small group of spectators who were present during the early part of the week.

Gary Player made huge points with us when he marched over to adorable, 91 year old Mary Pedigo following one of his tee shots and asked her, “So what was your lowest handicap when you were playing golf?” This sweet little lady was so thrilled, and I just happened to be standing right there to capture the moment of this touching gesture!

Gary Player chatting with Mary Pedigo

According to Mary’s granddaughter, Jessica Pedigo,“Grandmom played golf until she was 82 and still loves the game…especially the Legends players, as that is who she always watched play. Growing up, she taught my brother and me to play. We called it the ‘Rabbit Run’ because we would get on the course at 6 a.m. so we weren’t in anyone’s way, and we would always see rabbits out since it was so early.”

At one point during the tournament, Gary Player drove by in the cart, but he stopped and waved at Mary Pedigo and said, “Hey, pretty lady!” to which she responded without missing a beat, “Hey Gary, how are you?” as though they were old friends and she frequently ran into him.

It is awesome how fit and trim some of these older players are, and Gary is certainly one of those who falls into that category. Kudos to Gary Player for being personable as well!

Doug Sanders charming Mary Pedigo

Then there was Doug Sanders, who wowed the crowd with his colorful golf attire, right down to his purple golf shoes. He also chatted with Mary Pedigo, who was having quite a day out there at the tournament!

Then there was the 80ish player, who will remain nameless because I don’t want to get into trouble for ratting on him, but after his tee shot on one hole, he marched over to me as I observed from the opposite side of the ropes and began telling little jokes. He also said, “This is a tough way to make a living, but I have so many ex-wives that I have to pay alimony to!” Then after two or three more little remarks about his former mates, he looked me right in the eye and said, “So, if you get too tired, you can come to my room and rest!” Then he just marched over and climbed into his golf cart, and away he went. I know it was just part of his comedy routine, and it was rather comical given his age. Perhaps his sense of playfulness is why this anonymous player has so many ex-wives!

We enjoyed the time spent with our friends, Larry and Sharon DeCosmo, as well as Joe Daley, who was caddying for Ed Fiori. It was nice to see Ed and also Blaine McCallister, whom we remember from many years of charity golf events in the Albany, NY area. FYI--Blaine qualifies for that "fit and trim" category that I was mentioning earlier. Just sayin'.

We had the opportunity to watch Tom Watson, Ian Woosnam, Lee Elder, Lee Trevino and the venerable Jack Nicklaus--The Golden Bear in action on a course that was so lush it looked like a flawless grass carpet. One evening at dinner, Roger Maltbie was seated directly across from us and was extremely congenial to us and to fans who asked for a photo with him before he exited the restaurant.

A huge thank you to Mary and Jessica Pedigo for joining us on the blog today! It was a spectacular April day at the Savannah Legends of Golf, and one that will always remain memorable. 

In the next post I’ll fill you in on our mini-visit to the amazing city of Savannah!

Mary Anne Benedetto
Author/Speaker
http://www.awriterspresence.com

Naples = Paradise

Naples, Florida--What’s not to love? Imagine massive green palm trees, spectacular white sandy beaches that reach out to meet the warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico and plentiful upscale restaurants, shops and communities.

 Named by developers after the lovely Italian city of Naples, this area seriously has it all. With average January and February temperatures reaching the mid-seventies and the average lows only dipping to the mid-fifties, it is a temporary home to snow birds from Chicago and the mid-west, as well as Canadians and northeasterners.

Tourism is their industry, and the traffic during January through March proves it. I have to admit that when I visited Naples in March, 2013, an unusual cold front had crept in, and one full-time resident announced, “I don’t even have clothes for this kind of cold weather!” The chilly spell didn’t last long, however, and life was soon back to perfectly normal in sunny Naples.

Visitors and residents are blessed with a multitude of options for filling their time. There are an infinite number of tours, attractions and activities. Naples has a Hop-on/Hop-off narrated trolley tour, Everglades excursions, nature preserves, casino cruises, a Murder Mystery Dinner Train, water sports of any type that you could hope for, express boats to Key West, para-sailing, wine vineyards, Jet Pack Adventures, riverboat cruises, fishing expeditions, a pirate cruise, ample opportunities for golf and mini-golf and close proximity to peaceful Sanibel and Captiva Islands, known for the best shelling around and sunsets so moving that they will seem almost like a spiritual experience.

 If all of that doesn’t get your vacationer’s heart pumping, consider that the Naples vicinity is a mecca for showcasing the arts. Offering opera, a regional orchestra, Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts, art and craft shows, dinner theatre and much more, there is no need for arts withdrawal while staying in this community. The shopping barometer represents high levels of fabulous shopping to satisfy the tastes of even the most discriminating. From the Miromar Outlets to the Village on Venetian Bay, the Waterside Shops, Mercato, downtown Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South stores and boutiques, charm is exuded from every corner.

Warning*Warning*Warning--shopping is not for the faint of wallet unless you happen to be here in the summertime off-season.

Florida is Florida, but there is something special about Naples that will keep pulling you back year after year as long as your budget enjoys ample cash flow. It is about as close to being in paradise as one can find on this earth.

The Village on Venetian Bay

Venetian Bay

Tampa is Hopping

Tampa, Florida is a coastal city with much to offer in every season. I was recently there for a few days and discovered a fascinating downtown area.

The 2010 census reports a population of 335,709 for Tampa, but other sources which include the entire Tampa Bay area state that there are 2.7 million residents.

During a visit to the nearby downtown library, I came across a book entitled Tampa on My Mind by Kimberly Williams, Greg Thomas, Ronald Williams and Cheryl Borman. With accompanying photos, I discovered some interesting facts about Tampa. It was originally a remote military outpost called Fort Brooke, cleared from a dense jungle in 1824. That’s difficult to imagine today with its tall buildings which house offices, restaurants, museums, theaters, courthouses and residences.

One fascinating structure is the Sykes Building, one of the tallest limestone buildings in the world. My research revealed that its cylindrical design was intended to symbolize a lighthouse. This building is home to a wonderfully classy restaurant called Malio’s Prime Steakhouse at 400 N. Ashley Drive. See http://www.maliosprime.com. With a lovely view of the Hillsborough River, the Riverwalk and the University of Tampa’s 105 acre campus, the Sykes Building and Malio’s are in a fabulous location.

What does the Tampa area have to offer? Let me count the venues. No, that is totally impossible. Just trust me when I tell you that there are numerous choices including, but not limited to: Busch Gardens, beaches, canoe and kayak excursions, helicopter tours, boat rentals, fishing charters, golf, dining cruises, museums, zoos, an aquarium, pro sports, baseball’s spring training events, Big Cat Rescue, performing arts activities, art and craft fairs, and the largest port in Florida with a multitude of cruise options. No one could be bored in Tampa unless they are glued to their sofas.

While the downtown area has seen amazing revitalization, one interesting aspect that I discovered was that there is virtually no shopping there. One must travel away from the downtown in order to locate department stores, shops and boutiques. That was the only treasured activity that seemed to be oddly missing.

Tampa Bay area's got it all going on, and a visit during the winter months can be a welcome break from the snow or frigid temperatures of the north. With bright, blue skies and occasional puffy, white clouds northerners think it's a mighty fine place to be--even if a cold front makes the Floridians shudder. While the typical pleasant temperatures entice a large population of snow birds, Tampa is an ideal location for many to call home from January through December.