Introduction:
Arbuckles: This small and friendly restaurant is famous for chicken and vegetarian burgers. Booking is required.Portsmouth is also called the Waterfront city. It has a fantastic range of restaurants, bars and caf�s to soothe your thirst and satisfy your taste buds. Of course, it will suit your budget too. As far as shops are concerned, the choice is huge.Hotels and Accomodation:The site has this awe-inspiring, sprawling news section, where I discovered some great restaurants and hotels. I used their weather page to check the forecast just before I left on this really sunny weekend in February - and just like one of their stories about "winter weather secrets" said it would be - it was exceptionally warm in February. See their news section at www.beachconnection/news.The Spinnaker Tower: This is one wonder which is absolutely breath-taking.You can experience the stunning views from this unique 170m tower, visible from miles around. This is the newest landmark which is change the skyline of Portsmouth!I shyly asked about meatballs on my pie, and he not only said "yes" but eventually brought me a masterpiece with various kinds of cheeses, a delicious marinara sauce drizzled on the meatballs and some kind of garden of vegetables which I can't even remember. This place also had an outstanding view of the bay. 675 Hwy 101, Wheeler. (503) 368-7778.In the morning, we scarf down a combo of leftovers from Guido's and Fultano's, and slowly make our way north towards home. We stop at a castle-looking bed & breakfast called Arch Cape House and take a look around, completely awe-struck. Antiques filled these rooms, and the place looks like something between a castle and a ski lodge. We make a vow to the owners to be back and stay here next time. East Ocean Rd. - S. of Cannon Beach. www.archcapehouse.com. 800-436-2848.It begins with this site Oregon Coast Beach Connection: rather new, but already huge and all-encompassing in its coverage of the upper half of the coast. I started by goofing around the virtual tours (not all of them are completed), which have on average 60 different stops along various areas of the coast. I found some interesting hidden beaches near Cannon Beach, down in Newport and near Manzanita.Practically next door, it's pure pizza heaven at a fairly new eatery called Guido's Ristorante. The staff here was constantly hilarious - a little like watching the cast of "Seinfeld" interacting. But it's the grub that was the real star of the show, with a thick, even juicy crust beneath a forest-like covering of innovative ingredients. The main chef there (he called himself Guido, but I think that was part of the gags of the evening) said he'd help me decide on my pizza selection and just make something up for me.A fistful of Tacos: This place at South Sea serves authentic sea food and vegeterian dishes as well.Caf� Citrus is a popular caf� bar in Albert Road, Southsea. It is perfect for a romantic rendevous or a friendly get-together.I came back here for dinner too, having this seriously delectable pizza with a sauce made from mashed grapes. This was fabulous, and I must say I've never had anything like it. 200 N. Hemlock and Second Street. (503) 436-9717.When giving away favours at your wedding, you�re automatically going to lean towards the item that is cute, pretty, and goes with the theme of everything you�ve already paid for. It�s a fun and unique idea to lean towards the �functional� aspect of the item rather than the visual. Does it do something? Do you need batteries for it? Is someone going to put it in their purse, take it home, and have a place for it on their shelf? Maybe it�s a paperweight and can be used in an office. Maybe it�s a decorative soap in a functional color that would match almost any bathroom.They have a large selection of movies, as well as other unique things I've never seen at a motel, like bikes for use of guests, volleyball gear, beach balls and other beachy equipment. Wow. We had a blast biking down to the beach (only a few blocks) and laughing as we got stuck in the sand. That night, after drinks at Guido's beautifully hip little retro bar (just a few miles away), we dragged the bikes out again - although I'm not sure if this what the owners had in mind for these. 428 Dorcas Lane. www.sandune-inn-manzanita.com. 888-368-5163.Portsmouth is located on the south coast of the scenic county of Hampshire. The city has a long established historic naval presence. The city of Portsmouth was established in the year 1623, being a community that swears by its influence to world history. As well as being an important naval town, Portsmouth has a nostalgic feel with it�s cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, museums and famous historic buildings. Boasting over one hundred restaurants, antique shops and a huge music hall called the Portsmouth Music Hall. You will fall in love with the ambience that this historic city offers as well as the coastal aspect of the place.The area is a geologist's wonderland too - but that's another story.A place of historic significance, you can explore Lord Nelson�s flagship, HMS Victory and visit Queen Victoria�s battleship, HMS Warrior 1860. You could also have a look at Henry Vlll�s Mary Rose and retrace the history of the Royal Navy at the Royal Naval Museum. Other attractions include Charles Dickens� birthplace, the D-Day Museum featuring the Overlord Embroidery, Southsea Castle, the Royal Marines Museum, and Portsmouth Cathedral.Next up, I wander Cannon Beach and wind up in this tiny little wonder called Fultano's Pizza. I ordered the penne pasta with meat sauce - and meatballs, of course. These meatballs are exceptional, with a marvelously multi-layered taste to them, like the subtleties you find in fine wine. The meat sauce is partially responsible for this, also with a few layers of goodness all its own. This place is a truly gourmet discovery, yet not only is it totally kid friendly but thoroughly has a romance element as well.Natural History Museum: In this museum you can see the geology of the Portsmouth area and a full-size reconstruction of Dinosaur �Iguanodon� and other fossil remains. You can enter here through the Riverbank scene with a fresh water aquarium and have a look at the different kinds of fish on display. You can also see the �Ice Age� displays and early mammals and birds here.So I head out for the coast, first gobbling up insane seafood on the scenic, pristine Tillamook Bay at Pacific Oyster. They have this cioppino to die for. It's thick, hearty and so stocked full of a variety of fish it puts a hatchery to shame. The oysters are like tender little chunks of beef: extremely rich and flavorful, quite powerful for their miniscule size. The smoked salmon burger was wonderful as well, and the view of the bay was magnificent. 5150 Oyster Drive. (503) 377-2323.For more information on the Oregon coast, make sure you go to www.beachconnection.net. You'll find virtual tours, weather, lodging, dining, and as they claim, loads of "beach secrets."Eastney Beam Engine House Industrial Archaeology: This museum contains a pair of magnificent James Watt beam engines, stationed in their original high Victorian engine house of 1887. There are also a variety of other pumping engines on display here.Whether you are looking for a short stay or a longer holiday, Portsmouth offers a comprehensive range of accommodation from small, private bed and breakfasts to the plusher four-star hotels. It is always better if you reserve your accommodation in advance. The tarrif�s for hotels, accomodations and guest houses are generally quoted as per person, based on a couple sharing, and include VAT (17.5%). All prices for self-catering units are quoted as per unit per week inclusive of VAT (17.5%).Transport: Portsmouth has regular bus routes connecting the main visitor areas. In fact, a new pilot bus service for all you night owls has been inaugurated and is operational on Friday and Saturday nights. The Nightrunner will start services from South Parade Pier at 1.25am and 2.25 am and at Winston Churchill Avenue at 1.30am and 2.30am. There are currently 234 licensed taxis working in the city providing 24-hour service.Shopping: The Southsea, this major shopping complex has two department stores as well as a range of boutique shops. There are florists, diamond merchants and antique dealers; even interior decorators to cater to your every shopping need. Of course, the cafes, restaurants and bars are numerous too. There is Gunwharf Quays with 80 outlets that sell big brand names for a discount prices. It is open seven days a week. The City Centre is famous for it�s branded and trendy stores. The shopping precinct on Commercial Road, the indoor mall at Cascades, and the street markets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday are very popular and well worth a visit.
All in all, Portsmouth is a city on the sea packed with a beautiful mix of history and heritage. Add to it the variety on offer with it�s bars and restaurants as well as a comprehensive program of events, you know that you have discovered the right city to spend your holiday or short stay. Being situated on the coast is a huge bonus too!.
Author: Ms Maria Williams
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