Blue Lantern Hotel

While waiting in line, however, you get an excellent view of the architecture including the thousands of holes from the iron clamps that used to hold the stones together. The iron clamps are long gone, but the holes are a testament to the Roman’s superior building skills. Once inside, there are numerous plaques that explain the history of the Colosseum as well as models that give you a better idea of what it looked like during its glory days. There are some artifacts exhibited as well as Latin inscriptions. The highlight of the visit is when you enter the arena where mighty Gladiators fought to the death and Christians were slaughtered. It is hard to believe that the Colosseum could once seat 50,000 to 80,000 people and supposedly had a retractable roof. In fact, the arena was often filled with water for reenactments of certain sea battles. So much of the interior has been preserved that you can almost hear the roar of the ancient crowds as Caesar held a warrior’s life literally in his hands as decided whether or not to hold his thumb up or down. The construction and architecture are so interesting that you can get lost in looking at all the fine details of how this site was constructed. Below the subfloor, one can catch a glimpse of the secret passageways that were used to lead animals and gladiators into the arena. What looks like a large stone structure from the outside holds an enormous wealth of history and memorabilia of the glory days of Rome inside.

Despite the long lines, the Vatican Museums and Colosseum are definitely two must sees in Rome. These structures have been there for centuries and will continue to delight future tourists. Thus, this is why Rome is and always will be the Eternal City.

AN AFORDABLE LUXURY BEACH HOTEL By Deanna Bates

Photos courtesy of Deanna Bates

After months of covid induced hibernation and numerous trip cancellations, my husband and I were desperate to experience a safe weekend away from home for our wedding anniversary. We immediately thought of the Blue Lantern hotel in Dana Point, California. A Four Sisters hotel, this Inn is part of a small grouping of hotels along the California Coast, (as well as Hawaii and Mexico). Less than two hours away from San Diego, this Inn blends modern luxuries and the services of a small, boutique hotel with the traditional amenities of a Bed and Breakfast.

Tucked into a small culde-sac on a side street in Dana Point, it offers stunning harbor views and a casually elegant atmosphere for its guests.

From the moment you enter the lobby with the gas fireplace flickering, you feel the stress of the outside world melt away. The beautiful guest rooms feature luxurious mattresses you can sink into, cozy reading chairs and gas fireplaces. The large spa like bathrooms have jetted tubs where you can soak away the outside world. Be sure and request a balcony room so you can relax and gaze at the harbor dotted with sailboats against the horizon. Guests are treated to a delicious breakfast delivered to their room and an afternoon wine and cheese box that can be savored in your room or taken out to enjoy in the Dana Point area beach or park areas. For those that want to venture away from this little slice of heaven, the nearby harbor shops and restaurants offer a great destination for an afternoon of wandering or an evening meal. The front office staff has menus available and recommendations for anything you want to do in the area during your stay. If you choose, as we did, to enjoy this romantic destination by staying mostly at the hotel, the other amenities available include onsite spa treatments, a fitness center, and bicycles for exploring the beautiful coastline. Blue Lantern Inn was featured on The Today Show as one of the most affordable beach resorts. If you can get away during the week you will get the best prices, but be sure and ask for any special rates or packages that are being offered on your dates.

Blue Lantern Inn turned out to be the perfect getaway for us. We were impressed by the safety and sanitation procedures that were in place to both protect and to provide a luxurious experience for their guests. This romantic southern California destination is a perfect antidote for pandemic fatigue. Book your stay with the friendly and knowledgeable staff, and be prepared for the relaxation to commence!

BLUE LANTERN INN 34343 Street of the Blue Lantern Dana Point, California 949-661-1304, bluelanterninn@foursisters.com

Great Nearby Getaways

One of the great advantages of living in San Diego is the ability to get away to the mountains or the desert in a mere two hours.

If you want a desert retreat check out 2 Bunch Palms https://twobunchpalms.com/ For the Idyllwild area, check out Idyllwild Inn-in the heart of downtown Idyllwild where you have a choice of rooms or cabins https://idyllwildinn.com/ or the Creekstone Inn with charming private rooms in a hotel setting with great communal areas to gather by the fireplace. http://www.creekstoneinn.com/