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Travel Story

Take a chance on Seattle

Did you know that only 7 per cent of Americans travel abroad? This may come as a surprise given the affluence of the country, but America is so diverse geographically that there is enough to see within its borders. Seattle is just one unique city that is close enough to Whistler and Vancouver, (within approximately 500 kilometres) that one can get to it in half a day’s drive.

For a "girls’ weekend get away" it is perfect, but guys pay attention too! Because we had an early start on Saturday morning, we had to stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun south of the border. The Old Fairhaven district of Bellingham is an easy exit off the I-5, and five minutes down the road toward Bellingham Bay you find yourself in the historic district of Bellingham, where the atmosphere is of Whistler circa the early ’70s, with many funky coffee shops to choose from in brick buildings with old plank floors. This blending of old brick buildings with lattes is just a warm-up for what to expect in Seattle.

Once in Seattle, you must really pamper yourself. Forget about the exchange rate, (although it is looking better these days) and just spend how you desire. The service and friendliness of Americans more than makes up for the inconvenience of the exchange rate.

First check into your hotel. The Monaco boutique hotel in Seattle is my recommendation. You want a hotel room to be equal to or greater than your own bedroom. Request the divided room with king-size bed. Some of them are canopy beds and some rooms are partitioned with richly textured curtains. The bed linens are tapestries rich in design and colour. And, to make you feel very much like you are a guest of the Queen Mother, a gold fish in a big glass bowl is brought to your room to keep you company. It comes with a name. Our lovely pet was named "Bliss". He even wagged his tail.

And furthermore, nothing can be more fun than wearing the leopard print terry bathrobe! This weekend get away is all about you.

The Monaco also offers a complimentary wine reception from 5 to 6 p.m. every night of the week, in the beautiful and intimate lobby. However, I am getting ahead of myself here, because it is really only 1 in the afternoon and we haven’t explored the neighbourhood yet.

Step outside the Monaco and to your right is the makings of the new Seattle Library. The architect is the famous Rem Koolhaas of the Netherlands, and the steel framing will later be filled in with glass, which will create a very uplifting building and will make an exciting place to visit when it’s done. The criss-cross of steel girders creates a diamond pattern over the whole building which, interestingly enough, matches the pattern of the bar in the hotel restaurant.

Next, you head up the street directly to Nordstrom’s for lunch. This is a good place to start because the restaurant will give you the much needed energy and nutrition for the shopping ahead. The food is delicious, tomato soup is highly recommended and splitting the chicken salad is a good idea, because American portions are huge!

Even if you don’t particularly enjoy looking at shoes, someone is playing the grand piano, so there is entertainment while you browse.

Back outside, the streets are lively and clean. More shops, still more shops: Banana Republic, Barney’s of New York, more coffee shops, and bistros!

Plan to do something in the evening, such as a long leisurely dinner at the Palomino or at the Monaco’s restaurant/bar, Sazerac. Both restaurants are very trendy, cosmopolitan, and full of art and blown glass. The Palomino has light fixtures by the famous Dale Chihuly; more on him later. Or combine a drink and something light to eat with a major evening event, followed by another light meal or snack.

We went to see the Broadway musical, Mama Mia – so much fun for ABBA fans. The audience was standing, armpits showing, as they cheered and sang to the finale, Waterloo, and a few more. Only one person I spoke with said that ABBA was "sappy" and that he preferred opera and heavy metal for the crescendo effect they both had on him, which was to knock him on his back. I like opera too, but ABBA had the audience on their feet.

Seattle does have an opera company, and a symphony, whose seasons run from the fall through the winter months.

A baseball game would be another option for a Saturday night out at this time of year.

The locals also go out to Pioneer Square at night. For $10 you can buy a bar/club pass that enables you to bar hop to 10 different bars. The 22-year-old young ladies we met in the hotel lobby were doing that for their night out, but the 50-something doctor we met at Mama Mia also highly recommended the bar/club pass.

If you are not too tired in the morning, if indeed you are Sleepless in Seattle, you may want to go to Pike’s Place Market on Sunday morning. This is something the locals do, and the fresh flower markets with their colour and smell will chase away any feelings of numbness left over from the night before.

But not before you head into Sazerac one more time to breakfast on what I would consider the best pancakes I have ever eaten. Three buttermilk pancakes, just light and pillowy enough to support the heaping of fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries that come with them, followed by real‚ maple syrup.

There is enough to do to stay in Seattle for the day, but we headed south, an easy 40-minute drive down the I-5, to Tacoma to see the new Museum of Glass designed by Arthur Erickson and housing Dale Chihuly’s glasswork. This is an exhilarating display, if you hold a fascination for glass or the architecture of Arthur Erickson. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

The drive back is simple. Head north on the I-5 until you hit the border. If time permits, and you are so inclined, there is the possibility of more shopping at the outlet mall just past Mount Vernon. But if not, do not stop until your cell phone displays the word "HOME", then you know you will be beyond temptation.

Take a chance on Seattle. It will not disappoint.