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Demand for travel to Europe remains strong, and AAA summer travel bookings show that Rome and London are at the top of many international travelers’ itineraries this summer.
Americans are also flocking to warm-weather destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean, and increasingly traveling to Canada to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.
The top international summer destinations, based on AAA bookings for travel June 1 through Aug. 15, are:
· Rome.
· London.
· Cancun, Mexico.
· Vancouver, Canada.
· Paris.
· Dublin.
· Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
· Montego Bay, Jamaica.
· Calgary, Canada.
· Amsterdam.
“Europe remains very popular with American travelers despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Rene Schneeberger, travel agency manager, AAA Northern California. “A strong dollar, discounted pricing and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year.”
On May 31, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe, citing the risk of potential terror attacks.
Travel alerts are issued for short-term events that travelers should be aware of when planning to visit a country.
This differs from a travel warning in which the State Department urges travelers to consider carefully whether to visit a country or region at all.
“AAA urges travelers to exercise vigilance when traveling and be aware of their immediate surroundings. Determining when and where to travel is very personal,” continued Schneeberger. “The strong interest in Europe and even Paris shows that many Americans are undeterred by recent global events.”
Domestically, the great American road trip is back, with nearly 56 percent of Americans planning a drive vacation this summer, according to a recent AAA survey.
AAA’s top domestic summer travel destinations include:
· Orlando.
· Seattle.
· Los Angeles/Anaheim.
· Honolulu.
· Las Vegas.
· Anchorage.
· New York.
· Maui.
· San Francisco.
· Denver.
State Department recommendations for summer travelers:
· Exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowed places.
· Follow the instructions of local authorities, especially in an emergency.
· Monitor media and local event information sources and factor updated information your travel plans.
· Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions.
· Stay in touch with your family, have a plan if you are separated and ensure thy know how to reach you in the event of an emergency.
· Enroll in the State Departments Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy or consulate to contact them in case of an emergency.
· Make extra copies of all travel documents, including passports, itineraries and contact information. Leave an extra set in your luggage should you lose the original copies.
Before setting out on a summer vacation, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more.
For in-person travel planning, seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation.
For more information and to begin planning a trip, visit www.AAA.com/Travel .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission has given unanimous approval to a plan to convert an existing retail space in the city's downtown to a new pub and grill slated to open later this summer.
Carrie Caron and Carma Jordan of Twisted Sisters Eatery and Events LLC went before the commission last Wednesday to ask for approval of their project, located at 350 N. Main St.
The commission considered a minor architectural and design review, and zoning permit for outdoor dining and live entertainment at the rear of the property.
The building, which the sisters have purchased, has housed retail shops. The conversion they're planning – turning it into the Twisted Sisters Pub and Grill – includes remodeling of the exterior and interior, a new entry, new signage and the outdoor dining area.
Associate Planner Dan Chance presented the report to the commission, explaining that the restaurant would include a bar, banquet room, new kitchen and bathrooms, plus the outdoor dining area and deck at the building's rear.
The remodel will include removing some interior walls, and a glass sculpture of a tree will grace the new entry way, with a metal awning along 46 feet of the front of the property and galvanized metal lettering, according to Chance.
Chance said the exterior colors will be gray and black. “We did look at the colors. They were kind of a surprise to us.”
Originally barn wood siding had been suggested, however Chance said city planning staff had concerns it would impact the historical integrity of the building.
With regard to the colors, Chance said staff visited downtowns around the region – St. Helena, Napa and Petaluma – and found buildings with colors similar to those Caron and Jordan are proposing to use.
Staff offered support of the project, with Chance noting that they felt it would improve the building and clean up the back of the property.
As for live entertainment, Chance said the city has developed criteria for implementing rules for that activity, and added that it would have to cease by 10 p.m.
Questions from commissioners included whether there would be enough parking. Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said he didn't necessarily agree that there is a parking problem in downtown Lakeport, although he acknowledged that a lack of parking is perceived to be an issue. He added that, at some point, he would like to do a full audit of the city's downtown parking.
Caron and Jordan were on hand to give additional details on their project and to answer questions from commissioners.
Caron said they are excited to come to Lakeport and are having fun. “We purchased the building so we are definitely here. We want to be here, we're not renting.”
Jordan added that they want to make their new venture the best they possibly can for Lake County.
They explained that the building occupancy will be about 100 customers, with room for overflow in the banquet room. The bar itself will have 20 seats.
Caron said their venue is a beautiful building. Now in the remodeling stage, she said they've removed layers of linoleum and tile and are now down to the original wood floors, which they're restoring.
Commissioner Tom Gayner asked about the theme and what bands they would host. Jordan said they would offer a variety of performers, and that they plan to stage them in the banquet room so people can either sit there and listen to the music or can sit elsewhere in the restaurant without music.
The women also explained that they are running a family business that is meant to be comfortable and inviting to a wide range of customers, and won't be stuffy or high priced.
They are working with a chef from Napa who is acting as their advisor as they create a menu that will use local produce to create what Caron called “comfort food with a twist” and flavor.
Commissioner Suzanne Russell said she didn't like the color scheme of dark gray and black, finding it too jarring. Caron and Jordan maintained that the coloring was part of their theme.
This is their first restaurant. They said they are incorporating into their plan ideas they've gathered during extensive travels.
“This is a good project,” and Lakeport needs it, said Commission Chair Ken Wicks Jr. “This is a step in the right direction.”
He said he hoped to see more such projects coming to the city, and called it an exciting adventure. “I'm very pleased that it showed up.”
The commission unanimously passed three separate motions – giving a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act, and approving the architectural and design review and zoning permit.
Caron and Jordan they are hoping to open at the start of August.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rain is back in the forecast as a storm system arrives over Northern California in the middle of the week.
The National Weather Service said the winter-like system is expected to reach Northern California on Wednesday and will remain over the region until Thursday.
The system is anticipated to bring with it showers, isolated thunderstorms and snow in high elevations, the National Weather Service reported.
Lake County's specific forecast calls for a 30- to 40-percent chance of showers beginning after 11 p.m Wednesday, with less than a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
On Thursday, there is a 50-percent chance of rain during the daytime, tapering off to 20 percent on Thursday night before 11 p.m., based on the forecast.
Along with the rain, the forecast calls for winds. Winds ranging up to 17 miles per hour with gusts of up to 24 miles per hour are forecast on Wednesday, but much lighter winds of up to 8 miles per hour are predicted for Thursday.
Temperatures both days are forecast for the low 60s, dropping into the high 40s at night.
From Friday through the weekend and into early next week, conditions are expected to clear, with warming, sunnier conditions and temperatures in the high 80s over the weekend and into the low 90s during daytime hours Monday and Tuesday, according to the forecast.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library’s free lecture series “Know Lake County” will feature the Lake County Fair on Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m.
The presentation will take place at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library, 1425 N. High St.
Debbie Strickler, the chief executive officer of the Lake County Fair will be the guest speaker.
Strickler’s program will cover a brief history of fairs in Lake County, and she will discuss opportunities to enter exhibits in the fair, how to enter exhibits, and will distribute contest premium handbooks.
The 2016 Lake County Fair will take place Sept. 1 to 4. The Web site for the fair is www.lakecountyfair.com .
Fairs in Lake County go back to 1880 when the first was held in Grantsville, now known as Lower Lake.
Fairs were held sporadically over the years until the 49th District Agricultural Association was formed in 1938.
The locations have varied over the years before getting the Martin Street location in 1947.
The fairgrounds expanded several times during the 1950s and 1960s until reaching the current configuration.
Fairs have happened almost every year, except during World War II, when no fair was held.
Lake County PEG TV records the Know Lake County presentations for re-broadcast on PEG TV Channel 8 and on www.lakecountypegtv.org . The presentations are also available on DVD to check out from the Lake County Library.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
For more information about Know Lake County and other library programs call 707-263-8817.
Jan Cook works for the Lake County Library.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man was arrested over the weekend after police said he broke into a woman's home and tried to touch her.
Nathaniel Fulton Hendrickson, 44, was taken into custody early on Saturday morning, shortly after the incident occurred, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
Around midnight on Saturday Lakeport Police officers – assisted by Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies – responded to the report of a burglary to an occupied residence in the city, police said.
The lone 22-year-old female occupant of the home reported that a male subject who she didn't know entered her residence and approached her, stating he wanted to touch her. Police said the woman armed herself with a knife and the man fled the residence.
Officers canvassed the area and quickly got information which led to the positive identification of Hendrickson as the suspect, according to police.
Police reported that Hendrickson was located by officers at his residence several blocks from the victim's home. Further investigation determined that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and on probation.
Hendrickson was arrested for first-degree burglary, being under the influence of methamphetamine, a probation violation and attempted sexual battery, according to the police report.
On Tuesday, the Lake County District Attorney's Office formally charged Hendrickson with residential burglary and being under the influence of methamphetamine, police reported.
Hendrickson remained in custody on Wednesday at the Lake County jail and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Jail records indicated that bail for Hendrickson – whose booking sheet lists him as a bartender – is set at $50,000.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Home winemakers and brewers have only until this Friday, June 17, to sign up to show off their talents at this year’s Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival.
The festival takes place Saturday, June 18, at Lakeport’s Library Park.
The Winefest – its abbreviated name – is now in its 15th year. It is sponsored as a major fundraiser by the Lake County Symphony Association, with all proceeds going to support the Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestra.
Amateur winemakers wishing to pour tastes of their beverages to attendees may call 707-569-6880 for a space reservation.
There is no fee, but if they want any of their wines judged by a panel of professionals, there is a fee of $7 per bottle.
Samples must be submitted to the judge’s station at the Lakeport Yacht Club, adjacent to the park, by 8:30 a.m. the day of the event.
Home brewers should call 707-279-1280 for both space reservations and also to learn how their beers and ales can be entered in the popular “Peoples’ Choice’ awards.
This year for the first time the Winefest will share the park with the Lakeport Camp n’ Shine Chapter of the Norcal Aircooled Group Car Club, with some three dozen vintage collectible cars on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As always, many of Lake County’s premium commercial wineries will be pouring tastes, and there also will be a major silent auction and the traditional “Barrel of Wine” raffle, as well as a host of vendors of arts, crafts and foods.
There is no charge for entry to the event and children and leashed pets are welcome, but a fee is charged for those 21 and older wishing to taste the adult beverages.
Tasting tickets are $20 in advance or $25 per person at the gate and include a commemorative wine glass.
Almost all local winery tasting rooms offer tickets for sale, as well as the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Connel Murray is a member of the Lake County Symphony Association.