The exchange rate is horrible, but you can visit Ireland and Scotland without ever leaving town August 6-7 at the 44th Annual Monterey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival at Toro Park between Monterey and Salinas on Highway 68.
Watch kilt-clad hunks throw trees (the “Caber Toss”) and heave 20 lb. boulders (the “Stone Put”). Then stroll through the “Avenue of Clans” to trace your ancestry – and invite your new found relatives to join you for food and drink from over 50 vendors.
The festival will feature live entertainment by Irish singer Seamus Kennedy, Celtic rock band “Brother,” Sligo Rags, and harpist Amy Krupski.
From 9am to 5pm both days there will be activities for everyone:
- Massed Pipe bands
- Drum Major and Pipe band competitions
- Highland and Irish step dancing
- Sheepdog Herding demonstrations
- Athletic Events & Scottish games for the kids
- Historical Re-enactments
Then Have Yourself a Highland Fling:
In a newly remodeled two bedroom/1.5 bath ocean view condo at Lover’s Point.
Enjoy the many moods of Monterey Bay from the living room, patio or master bedroom, head out on the coastal trail, or explore charming Pacific Grove, just three blocks away.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
Put some sparks in your relationship with a romantic bonfire on the beach!
Here’s how it works: you casually stroll down Carmel Beach at a pre-appointed time and voila!: surprise someone special with a pre-lit, blazing bonfire in the sand.
Romantic Room Designs also supplies the beach blanket, extra wood, roasting sticks, and all the fixin’s for s’mores: marshmallows, Hershey bars and graham crackers.
You can even have a message written in rose petals on the sand http://st..emale-cialis/. Prices start at $139 with various options and upgrades for different occasions. (They’ll do everything but propose for you.)
Relax in this Bubbling Beauty
And what could be better than soaking in a bubbling hot tub after that bonfire? Listen to the sounds of the surf while relaxing in the tub in this secluded courtyard – or check out the stars from the huge roof top deck.
With breathtaking views of Carmel Bay and the Pebble Beach Golf Course, this four bedroom 2200 sq. ft. retreat is just a short walk from the beach and the heart of downtown Carmel.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
Wonder who makes the best burger on the Monterey Peninsula? I asked the staff at Monterey Rentals – and they must’ve been hungry – because I was inundated with responses.
A sampling:
Ashley: R.G. Burgers in Monterey and Carmel has the BEST burgers.
Frank: R.G. Burgers, Monterey and Carmel!
Jo: R.G. Burgers. I like the way they taste.
Michelle: Sorry, I went to R.G.’s about a month ago and my burger was supposed to be turkey but they gave me beef that was red in the middle. I like the one in the mall way better… Islands Burger?
Frank: Sacrilegious!!! Scandalous!!! Do NOT listen to Michelle. She must have gotten Mad Cow disease at the “other” place.
Michelle: Ha, ha… probably!
Patricia: Edgar’s Restaurant at Quail Lodge: ½ pound char-grilled beef patty with hickory-smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, red onions, tomato, lettuce, and pickles on a brioche bun…. well, yum!
Rhiannon: Wow, 11 emails about burgers?
• Quail Lodge Golf Club: 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel
• Islands Restaurant: 300 Del Monte Center, Monterey
• R.G. Burgers: 570 Munras Ave. #30, Monterey, and 201 Carmel Crossroads Shopping Center
And head out on the highway – the Monterey/Salinas Highway, that is – for the 2011 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 22-24 at Laguna Seca.
The highlight: the MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycling championship – combining the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers – like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati and Kawasaki – with an elite list of riders from every corner of the globe.
And no other U.S. road course challenges these world champion riders with such a heart pounding combination: 11 turns, dramatic elevation changes of up to 300 feet, and the plunging blind Corkscrew turn that drops an equivalent of 5-1/2 stories.
There’s non-stop action all weekend for the whole family, both on and off the track: stunt riding exhibitions, rider talks, “learn to ride” programs, and a children’s play area. Saturday night features a live performance by The Dirty Heads, named one of 2010’s Top Bands by Rolling Stone.
For more information or tickets, go to www.MazdaRaceway.com or call (800) 327-7322.
Beat the Heat with Our 10% off MotoGP Vacation Specials:
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
You probably don’t expect to hear compositions by John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie at a Bach music festival. But then again, this isn’t just any music festival – this is the Bach Festival in Carmel.
Carmel. A town founded by artists, poets, and writers who preferred to name their houses rather than give them numerical addresses (a tradition that continues today, much to the consternation of FedEx).
A town that allows dogs almost everywhere, but prohibits high heels without a permit. And a town that every summer celebrates the power of music with performances that run the gamut from “pastoral to exuberant, classical to jazz, and traditional to avant-garde.”
From intimate Bach sonatas at the Church in the Forest, to the festive opening night gala at the Sunset Center, this year’s schedule includes full orchestral and choral works, individual vocal and chamber ensemble concerts, recitals, master classes, films, lectures, informal talks, social and family events.
The Carmel Bach Festival runs from July 16-30 at venues around the Peninsula. Tickets are available now, and some events are free.
A “Note” Worthy Vacation Rental
Indulge yourself – and your interest in the arts – in one of our many Carmel vacation rentals. Like this 1,600 square foot beauty nestled in a pine forest, just blocks from downtown.
With an enchanted backyard garden, two private decks, three bedrooms and three baths, it sleeps six (plus your dog) comfortably.
Contact:
Reservations@MontereyRentals.com
Many, many thanks to our home owner of vacation rental code 9V for allowing us to use the fabulous and totally functional kitchen to prep our food!
Your home is very beautifully furnished and I have to say, I was tempted to crawl into one of those heavenly beds!
It was a great time!
We caught our very own Jan Leasure, managing broker and Lucinda Bliss, of Monterey Bay Commercial Real Estate monkeying around at the party!
It was so wonderful to see all the children 
having so much fun on the beach.
And the winner of our sandcastle contest…….. Our Top to Bottom Housekeeping family!
by Rhonda Navarro
