Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014 - 32

traveling
with jordan
Ready to plan your next vacation?
Try one of our favorite overseas destinations or local hang-outs.

Berlin, Germany
John Jordan

Alsace, France
Mrs. Jordan

My favorite hotel in the world is the Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. This legendary, five-star
property encapsulates 19th-century European grandeur while pampering guests with 21stcentury amenities. It also happens to be located in my favorite city in Europe: Berlin. Berlin
represents the nexus of old and modern Europe. So much of the history of the 19th and
20th centuries happened in this capital city, from the Thirty Years' War and the heart of
the Cold War to the rise of the Federal Republic of Germany we know today. I'm somewhat
of a history buff and I speak German, so I'm very comfortable just walking around the city,
taking in all the architecture and culture. Berlin is one of the cities where you can really get
lost in 200 years of history within a mile and a half of the Adlon. That's my kind of vacation.
kempinski.com/en/berlin/hotel-adlon
visitberlin.de

I had one of the most memorable meals of my life in Alsace. With its three stars, Auberge de l'Ill is well worth the
pilgrimage. It is located about an hour south of Strasbourg, Alsace's capital, and is one of only 26 restaurants in
all of France to earn this coveted, highest Michelin Guide ranking. Nestled in a Monet-like garden with weeping
willows billowing over a lily pond, Auberge de l'Ill is an idyllic home for its preening swans, which provide guests
with live entertainment. After a three-hour lunch, Tom and I drove around Alsace wine country reminiscing about
every detail of the meal-the luscious clouds of quenelles de brochet, incomparable poisson aux truffes and the final
flourish of the crêpe soufflé. We had driven about forty miles when we pulled to the side of the road and called the
Auberge pathetically begging for a dinner reservation. Only the early seating was available, so we raced back to this
gastronomic paradise.
auberge-de-l-ill.com

South Kona, Hawaii
Todd Knoll

Moorea, French Polynesia
Lisa Mattson

This South Pacific island is heaven on Earth for snorkelers. My husband and I love going on an island
vacation every winter, and Moorea tops our list of all-time favorite destinations. The turquoise waters are
shallow, calm and filled with colorful fish. Small clusters of coral just offshore are fun to explore and easy to
navigate for swimmers, canoers and snorkelers alike. Snorkeling in Moorea is better than Bora Bora, Belize,
Aruba, the Bahamas, Hawaii or Florida, in my opinion. Splurge for the overwater bungalows at the Hilton
and relax on your private dock, watching spotted puffer fish swimming around with yellow tangs, parrotfish
and other tropical beauties. With the convenience of a snorkeling mecca at our feet (literally), we couldn't
help exploring the underwater world of Moorea four times a day. The Hilton's tiki restaurant on the beach
also serves excellent poisson cru (Tahitian-style ceviche) during lunch. Use Hilton points to redeem a garden
bungalow-no point redemptions allowed for overwater rooms-then request the upgrade to overwater for
a fee (about $200 per night).
hilton.com
tahiti-tourisme.com

Every year in late winter, my family vacations on a Hawaiian island to warm our spirits.
The Big Island of Hawaii is a haven for foodies. Kona is well-known for the excellent coffee,
cultivated high on the slopes of the Hualalai Volcano. This fertile volcanic soil and ideal
growing conditions are also home to exotic fruits, vegetables, native botanicals and even
world-class cacao. Surrounding all these epicurean indulgences is the deep blue Pacific and
sunny weather. Far south of the Big Island's luxurious Kohala coast, the Keauhou farmer's
market, located at the end of Kailua Kona's historic Ali'i Drive, is well worth seeking out.
It is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is my family's first stop when visiting
the Big Island. I have found that shopping like a local, which naturally leads to exchanging
ideas with fellow gardeners, hunters, gatherers and cooks, is the fastest path to immersing
myself into a culture. Other south Kona gems on my must-visit list: a mid-day refreshment at
Scandinavian Shave Ice, an early lunch at Da Poke Shack, pupus with an amazing view at
Sam Choy's Kai Lani, Fair Wind-guided night diving with the Manta Rays, and of course, the
world-famous Donkey Balls chocolates. VRBO is indispensable for narrowing our search for
a vacation rental home with a functional kitchen. Schedule ample time when selecting your
property and be sure to ask any questions of the property owner prior to travel.
gohawaii.com/big-island
keauhoufarmersmarket.com
dapokeshack.com
samchoy.com
fair-wind.com

http://www.kempinski.com/en/berlin/hotel-adlon http://www.visitberlin.de http://www.auberge-de-l-ill.com http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island http://www.keauhoufarmersmarket.com http://www.dapokeshack.com http://www.hilton.com http://www.samchoy.com http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com http://www.fair-wind.com

Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Jordan Estate Tales - Volume 9, 2014