"Can I make you some eggs?" I tell her I'm fine, but she insists I try her eggs. I couldn't resist - they were excellent. She's charming. She tells me that this house - as she calls it, feels like home to her - that it has a spirit. Not type of spirit that wanders halls to scare guests, but sort of supernatural entity that desires guests to stay and keep it company; a giving, friendly, good spirit. I don't believe in ghosts, but for some reason I understand what she was talking about by end of my stay. I truly did not want to leave. The Drisco feels more homey than my apartment in San Diego.

The most eyebrow-raising characteristic of Drisco is location. Face South and you teeter on steep Broderick Street, peering out to hills of twin peaks and all compacted houses in between. Face North and you stand with a bird's eye view down road to gorgeous blue marina beckoning below. On a clear day you can see Golden Gate Bridge and island of Alcatraz. Other days tips of bridge supports peek out over a blanket of cottony clouds and fog.

One thing is certain - there isn't a better area for exercise. A block and a half down Pacific Avenue gigantic houses end and nature begins. There are various parks throughout Pacific Heights area, including Alta Plaza Park. This small hilltop park to west of Fillmore Street, offers tennis courts, a playground, and panoramic city views. On other end is Lafayette Park, with grass filling its two-square-blocks, and on warm days filled with sunbathers and dog walkers. It's common to see locals taking an afternoon jog, or checking out tradesman architecture of gigantic mansions in this area.

Most visitors tend to stay along Pacific Avenue, but for a heart race, jog along one of north/south streets. Some of them are so steep and so long, you could bowl down into heart of city. Of course if it's raining, as it unpredictably does in San Francisco, hop on an exercise machine in Drisco basement or at Presidio YMCA fitness center, compliments of hotel.

Is there anything Drisco doesn't have? I don't think so. The staff is final touch, making historic hotel feel like you're truly at home. Gerard, French-descent manager, is a pleasant conversationalist; especially for hotel and neighborhood information. For example: one of rooms is dubbed Eisenhower Suite after one of Drisco's more distinguished guests. He tells me about how Hotel Drisco combines traditional elegance and style with convenience and comfort of a world-class hotel.

The resourceful staff plans daytrips, such as "The Joy Of San Francisco In Four Days," detailing areas like Fillmore Street, a popular tourist destination. Fillmore Street has historically been a bastion of unique establishments. Store owners promote a sense of community with friendly touches, such as setting out bowls of water on sidewalk for thirsty pups. On back of city tour page is a map of city - you won't get lost - staff won't let you. To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/hotels/sfo/drisco/drisco.html

Josh Edelson, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

After exploring some shops, we returned to hotel to find hotel's turndown service had left chocolates and robes on bed. A rainbow of colors played over water and mist as we opened an unscreened window to provide an unobstructed view of scene.

The next morning we discovered Niagara Falls area with help of Niagara Falls Scenic Tours. The tour operator's coaches offered a soft seat and a fast way to take in all Canadian side has to offer. George, our tour guide, filled ride with facts, figures and interesting stories, like one about boy who went over falls and lived to tell about it. We were accompanied by couples from England and States.

The tour took us to Mount Carmel Monastery and then a cruise on Maid of Mist. From May to late October, tourists don plastic ponchos and crowd onto four double-decker boats from both Canadian and American sides for a 30-minute cruise below American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls.

Along way, we saw visitors in much heavier rain gear navigating trails, bridges, stairs and platforms near base of Bridal Veil Falls. Accessible from American side, "The Cave of Winds" walk takes visitors on an elevator down a 175-foot shaft to bulwark of trails . From highest platform, Hurricane Deck, tour appeared to offer heart-stopping thrills as tourists hung on as water rushed around them.

Soon it was our turn for a close dose of Mother Nature's fury and water as captain steered boat close to cascade.

If Maid of Mist didn't get us wet enough, George sent us on a walk through damp tunnels and onto an observation deck at foot of Horseshoe Falls in something called "Journey Behind Falls." Despite a descent through thick stone, noise of falls is thunderous and vibration of water pounding rock is ever present.

After drying off, we were escorted a few miles downstream to an overlook above river's famous whirlpool and great gorge. We watched as adventurous tourists screamed over swirling water in jet-powered boats. The so-called Spanish Aero Car also moves people on a suspended cable car system above treacherous waters.

We took a diversion to a nearby floral clock and provincial park, before enjoying a ride back to falls for a delightful lunch in rotating restaurant at Skylon Tower. Along with a good meal, tower offers spectacular views and chance for camera buffs to get some

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/canada02/Niagara/Niagara.html

Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com