http://www.conwayconfidential.com Your travel gateway to secret spots and hidden gems...with membership perks and presents Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:41:02 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en By Paula Conway and John Conway After seeing the new Pixar film “Brave,” you may wish to follow your own will-o’-the-wisp to Scotland and experience this Celtic kingdom first-hand. A great place to start your Scottish adventure is the capital city of Edinburgh. This vibrant and culture-rich metropolis will provide you with just the right quirky [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/uncategorized/visit-scotland-be-brave/ An arid, mostly undeveloped island sat in the backyard of one of America’s most famous entrepreneurs for years, but not until 2009 did William Wrigley Jr.’s great-granddaughter plant a vineyard on Santa Catalina Island. The result: the first bottles of chardonnay, zinfandel and pinot noir from Rusack Vineyards. These flavorful white wines are found only [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-buythis/catalina-wine-mixer/ Scaling a cliff, looking up, and peering out over the Pacific Ocean is a rock climber’s dream. Kids 40 pounds and up can share in the thrill at the Rock Climbing Wall on Santa Catalina Island. Eight different walls, with varying degrees of difficulty, make it a do-able activity for all ages. The view from [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-littleones/top-of-the-ocean/ Here’s one luxury that isn’t reserved for the one percent: Taking your kids into the ocean, rather than to an aquarium, to learn about marine life. For $24, the Undersea Expedition tour off the coast of Los Angeles offers an up-close view of Pacific fish and plants in their natural habitat. Each 45-minute tour comes [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-littleones/living-aquarium/ In 1925, producers of “The Vanishing American” needed an open prairie full of buffalo for their Native American-themed film. They chose the rugged, scenic hills of Santa Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, and you can see why with a Hummer Tour. Bring out your cameras for the two residents of the island’s [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-littleones/where-the-buffalo-roam/ The price of admission to one of California’s best sports museums is a haircut. The walls of Lolo’s Plaza Barber Shop are covered in rare photos of athletes, jerseys, historic pennants, and autographs – the best of which originate from Lolo Saldaña’s beloved Los Angeles Dodgers. Each artifact comes with the story of how it [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-funstuff/sport-clips/ Much like in Venice — Italy, not California — one of the most romantic and delicious restaurants on the West Coast is best accessed by boat. The Avalon Grille comes with a view of the Pacific Ocean upon your request of an outdoor table. The general manager, Ricardo Cubias, is a certified sommelier. He pointed us [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-dish/venice-on-the-pacific/ The Chinese and Egyptian theaters in Hollywood are more famous, but the Avalon Casino on nearby Santa Catalina Island is the hidden jewel in the crown of early 20th-century theater design. Don’t be fooled by the name: There’s no gambling here, just a massive ballroom upstairs, a historic movie theater downstairs, and the artwork of [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-funstuff/keys-to-the-crown/ From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. every day, the Pavilion Hotel transforms from a quaint, family-friendly island hotel into a sophisticated garden party replete with wine and cheese. There were no repeat selections during our three-day stay, and the wine never ran dry. It’s arguably the best perk (complimentary, too!) at this boutique hotel sitting across [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/losangeles-bed/the-good-life-family-style/ By Paula Conway Originally printed in the New York Daily News hoseasons.co.uk New York small business owner Bradley Bailyn, a partner in Good Media Company, and his wife were able to enjoy their first family vacation in two years when Bradley cleverly decided to rent an apartment in the Dolphin House in Westminster, London, for a recent business [...]]]> http://www.conwayconfidential.com/features/money-saving-business-travel-allows-for-family-time-savings-and-more/