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Summer Hotspots: 8 Cool Vacation Retreats
by Jan Gerner
Chateau Victoria is a deluxe hotel offering guests an ideal location, superior accommodations, free parking, an indoor pool, martini and wine bar, and the Vista 18 rooftop restaurant. Magnificent views are served along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This independently owned hotel is close and convenient to the landmarks and places you will want to go —
Inner Harbor, Parliament House, Craigdarroch Castle, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Royal British Columbia Museum, and numerous shops, restaurants, pubs, and night spots.
A great way to get the "lay of the land"is by a horse-drawn carriage ride. Be sure to bring your camera. Photo ops are everywhere in this city filled with European ambiance. You may start to feel as though you'
ve been transported back to Merry Ol'England, especially if you attend one of the city's many high teas.
 After you get the "lay of the land,"try a walking tour with an English "Bobby,"who will fill you in on Victoria's fascinating past, from trading post to gold rush town to capital of British Columbia. Then stroll along the waterfront and be entertained by Buskers (street performers)
who will be vying for your attention.
As dusk starts to settle over the city, keep your eyes on the Parliament Building. Thousands of white lights outline this historic building, creating oohs and aaahs from onlookers. Have your cameras ready; this is possibly the most photographed building in the city.
For those looking for something out of the ordinary, there's the Victoria Bug Zoo. If you've ever wanted to hold a hairy tarantula, this mini-
zoo is for you. And if you happen to get hungry during your visit, edible insect munchies are available.
If bugs aren't appealing, take a scenic ride out of the city to tour the world famous Butchart Gardens. It's hard to imagine this was once an abandoned limestone quarry, but it's not hard to see that the residents of Vancouver Island have a passion for flowers.
 Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
If you're looking for a hot destination catering to families, try the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This sprawling resort—once a Playboy Club—has undergone extensive renovations and includes the Timber Ridge Lodge and Waterpark.
Guests can fly into the resort's Grand Geneva Resort Airport (CO2), a private FAA-approved airport. In addition to free shuttle service, you will have complimentary tie-downs during your visit.
Choose a room at Grand Geneva or a suite at the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark and you will find yourself in the beautiful Wisconsin countryside of rolling hills and valleys, just a few minutes from Geneva Lake. You will also find a wide range of recreational activities to keep you and the kids occupied and happy.
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