Pelican Hill | escape winter in Southern California

While much of the nation was suffering below-freezing temperatures, we spent last weekend enjoying the warmth and sunshine of Southern California. Pelican Hill is a luxurious Tuscan-styled resort perched on the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Newport Beach. We spent two nights in a 4BR Villa, along with colleagues from Brownell. Our villa was spacious, over 3500 square feet in area, with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen with marble counters, Wolf range, and Sub Zero refrigerator. The living room featured a gas fireplace and 60" flatscreen television, but the views were the real highlight with sights of the golf course and the ocean beyond.

The villas at Pelican Hill are an ideal home away from home for snowbirds from the Upper Midwest looking to escape winter. This Mercedes from Minnesota, parked in the garage of a villa just down the street from ours, belonged to a family doing just that. The villas at Pelican Hill provide their lucky guests the comforts and privacy of a small and exquisitely maintained gated suburban community.

What to do at Pelican Hill? Here are some ideas:

1. Play golf on one of the two 18-hole Tom Fazio courses on the resort.
2. Swim in one of two large infinity pools.
3. Take a walk down the beach.
4. Pamper yourself in the spa.
5. Enjoy fine dining at Pelican Hill's "Top 50" Italian restaurant, Andrea.
6. Cruise Newport Beach Harbour in a Duffy Boat.
7. Shop at Fashion Island.
8. Visit Disneyland, just a 20 minute drive away.

Virtuoso guests enjoy complimentary breakfast each day of their stay as well as a $100 credit towards golf or spa services. Special rates are available for long-term stays. Email me to enquire about availability and to manage your arrangements.

Pelican Hill (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

tropical winter escape | Hawaii, anyone?

a cold, damp winter's day in the upper midwest

When we flew from San Francisco to Bloomington, IL yesterday, we were spared the disruptions so many endured on Thursday. The winter storms had moved east by Friday morning, and both of our flights left on time and landed early. But the winter weather that greeted us? Not so welcoming! Temperatures were in the 20's — with 40 mph gale force winds — not quite what this northern California resident is accustomed to!

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, you'll get your wish this year ... but after New Years, take the chance to escape the dreary cold and damp of winter for a week in the tropics: white sand beaches, blue skies, bright sunshine, dressed in shorts and t-shirts.

So where do you want to travel this winter? Hawaii is convenient to west coast residents. Florida and the Caribbean are convenient if you live in the midwest or on the east coast. Mexico is an affordable destination easily reached from all over the country. Call your travel consultant to put together a complete vacation package for your tropical winter escape!

travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.