Category Archives: travel

December 31, 2013 · 5:00 am

One Bucket List Item for 2014

The travel blogging world lost one of its own this past year. To remember Anita Mac, who took her own life, those of us involved in this post want to pick up the torch where Anita left off (her blog focused on bucket list travel) and pledge to accomplish one item from our own bucket lists during 2014.

BUCKET LIST Items:

Lola’s Bucket List Wish

Although I’m a list maker, I’m not a bucket list maker. Having said that, my yearly goals often include going somewhere I’ve never been before. I almost love everywhere I travel and since I’m never anywhere for long, I always want to return. That can make it difficult to squeeze in a new destination or two every year if I’m spending my time repeating. But I’ve made it a priority of mine now to always go somewhere new too. 2013 saw me spending time in Switzerland, Copenhagen, Canada, Seattle and Amsterdam – all firsts for Lola. Both of my trips to Montreal were with my dear friend Anita. The first, in the winter (my birthday) and the second, in the summer (her birthday). I really love Montreal and it will always be dear to me beyond the fact that it’s an amazing city because of my time there with Anita. On my radar for a few years now is Croatia – a place that Anita really loved and definitely inspired me to want to visit even more. I hope to go to Croatia on a luxury 7 day yachting trip this summer with SailingHR. I think Anita would approve and be happy I made this bucket list dream come true in style.

Craig Zabransky of Stay Adventurous

I receive quite a few inquiries about Mexico including a few from Anita when we talked travel destinations. Many people tell me they’d only go to Mexico if they travel with me. Well this year, they can. I am deciding to fulfill a dream and tackle a bucket list item by leading a tour to Mexico and offer people the chance to visit the country with me.
Yes, friends, readers, sunset lovers prepare for the chance to see Mexico the way I see the country. In 2014 prepare for StayAdvenTours’ first trip to Mexico.

Mary Anne Been of Jetset Extra

Having a bucket list has never been my thing. I want to go and do everything, everywhere so why make a list? But in honor of my friend Anita and her dream of completing her list, I have chosen hiking in the outback of Australia for my bucket list item of 2014. Not only has it been a dream of mine since I can remember, but Anita loved Australia and lived there for many years. She and I talked at length about how she thought she might move back someday. This is my tribute to her and her list. Love and light to a dear friend, of whom we miss very much.

Francesca Mazurkiewicz of The Working Mom’s Travels

I wrote my first bucket list a few years back and revised it once or twice. But since having my second child earlier this year, I’ve been thinking a lot about my bucket list and thought it more appropriate to consider it a list of “travel priorities”: still including things I want to do, places I want to see, but without the sense of finality of it all – more like a list of ongoing experiences. My children are still young (4 ½ years and 5 months) and we have some travel plans for 2014. Instead of focusing on exact things and locations, my priority is to travel as much with my family as possible, whether we’re flying to Europe or spending a weekend in Wisconsin. My priority is to teach my children about this wonderful world and to let them know just how much they are loved, and for that, there is no end.

Lance Wiedower of Trips By Lance

I’m a big list maker, but I’ve never written out a travel bucket list. I’m just not a fan of this all-powerful list of places I want to see before I kick the bucket. Anita and I discussed many times why I should create a list. She was very passionate about it. True to my own form, I’m still not creating a bucket list, but in Anita’s honor I’m happy to share a dream destination that I hope to make a reality in 2014. I want to eventually visit all 50 U.S. states, with Alaska at the top of my most-desired list. I always thought an Alaskan cruise would be the best way to see the state, but a coworker who formerly lived there has convinced me how easy it is to see much of Alaska’s greatness if you’re willing to drive. So I’m thinking a summer solstice visit would be fantastic. Gazing at Mount McKinley in the evening sun, checking out glaciers, fishing for salmon, enjoying lots of great Alaskan beer, hiking the beautiful landscape and so much more. I’m also tempted to train for the Anchorage marathon June 21. I retired from competitive running a couple of years ago, but I think it would be fun to run a race in beautiful Alaska.

The Romantic & The Wino of The Lazy Travelers

As two girls with an extreme case of never-ending wanderlust, we’re constantly revising and adding on to our bucket lists. Though we could name an infinite amount of places and destinations we wish to travel to in 2014, our newest bucket list item is a bit more personal. Now that we live on separate continents, our number one bucket item in 2014 is to simply spend more time together. In spite of all the obstacles in our way—budgets, limited vacation time, and the mere logistics of landing somewhere on the same continent at the same time—we’re determined to spend as much time together as we can manage, which hopefully means a longer trip than we’ve ever been able to take in the past. If there’s one thing Anita’s passing has taught us, it’s that our love of travel is not only a result of the destination, but of the people we share the experience with.

Erin Marie of The World Wanderer

This year is all about big adventures and pushing myself to any limit to make my dreams come true; I think living this way would make Anita proud. One country that has been on my list of places to visit for sometime now has been India, and in 2014, I vow to make this happen. Between culture and food, India is a place I have been intrigued with for as long as I can remember. I know that visiting will push me to my limits in certain areas, especially because I will most likely be taking the trip solo, but I am hoping to experience similar feelings to the ones I had in Africa. Anita was always one for traveling solo, and not letting anything or anyone get in the way of her dreams; I’d like to think of my trip to India as a tribute to her in that way.

Chris and Tawny of Captain and Clark

Chris and I have both kept respective bucket lists since the time we could write. One of our favorite past times is to talk about our love of travel and what beautiful adventure we want to take next. We appreciate that Anita’s blog inspired others to go after their own hopes and dreams. Not only did Anita make it seem attainable, but she encouraged everyone that she came across. We want to honor Anita by ticking off one of our travel bucket list items this year. Here is our vow, to our readers and to beautiful Anita, that we will venture to Iceland in 2014 and, God willing, see the mystifying and majestic Northern Lights.

Gerard and Kieu of GQ trippin

Kieu & I have a never ending bucket list when it comes to travel. Seeing and experiencing the awesomeness that the world has to offer is something that we deeply shared with Anita. Even though we are back home with ‘regular jobs’, travel has remained a big priority to us. Our tribute to Anita in 2014 is to check off her #1 bucket list item and head to Kenya to go on an African Safari.

Join Us and Also Reach Out to People to Share Some Love

We encourage you to join us in this quest and take on at least one bucket list item in 2014, but more importantly, we also hope you take the opportunity to (re)connect with friends and loved ones during this holiday season.

The purpose for writing this post is not only to inspire others to travel the world and explore, but as a way for us to remind all of you who are reading this post to look around you, see who you can reach out to and possibly help. Our friend and fellow traveler, Anita took her life because she didn’t see any other options. We don’t want anyone else to feel that way. Please share the momentum.

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Filed under bucket list, croatia, travel

December 29, 2013 · 2:53 pm

My Year in Travel – 2013

This year was a great year of travel for me, hitting some brand new destinations and revisiting some of my old favorites. BUT, for me, the VERY BEST thing about this year in travel are all the wonderful people who I met or was reunited with in various locations around the world. My travels wouldn’t be anything without the people on my journey.

January saw me in NYC and meeting friends old and new – who knew how important they’d all become in my life over the course of this year. I count my blessings for you.

In January I also skied in Verbier, Switzerland and absolutely loved my time with the legendary Warren Smith. I truly hope to see him again in 2014.

Rounding out January, I went to Copenhagen for the very first time and got to reconnect with a travel friend, Christoffer. I loved the cool capital city of Denmark.

February saw me catching up with a dear travel buddy, Anita, in Montreal, Canada for the very first time. We had a ball doing all kinds of wintery fun things like staying in an Ice Hotel and going to Igloofest.

March was my month for Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain. I was thrilled to meet up with a fellow traveler, Brian, in Barcelona and was lucky enough to see him again in London in November.

Going to Costa Brava was an incredible experience. I love that area of Spain and really cannot get enough, especially of the coast. But, the people on this trip really made it the very best. I can’t imagine a more fun press trip.

April found me in back in NYC. I always love my NYC trips because I get to catch up with very special friends like Jeff & Craig – 2 of my favorites!!

May saw me in my favorite, Miami. I cannot get enough of this city. While I had my usual fun of beach, pool, dinner, drinks and dancing, I particularly enjoyed working with the fantastic luxe swimwear company, Orchid Boutique, during this trip. Talk about a great collection as well as a staff of kindred spirits!

June was an incredible month chalked full of fun things. Kicking off in Toronto for a conference with so many of my favorite fellow travelers, I actually wonder if we’ll ever be able to beat our #RWTBEX time here. I love you all so much!

I also got to spend a bit of time with one of my most lovely traveling partners, Mrs. O, Ana. I was able to show her a bit of Americana in the amazing seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island. We had a ball doing Newport the luxe way.

Wrapping up my June, I had an incredible visit to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. What a great girls weekend we had there and our host, the Bahia Hotel and Carlos, made my trip 100% amazing. Cannot wait to return.

July found me back in Euroland – one of Lola’s favorites. Although, this was a “repeat” journey of sorts, I did manage to do a few new things. One of which was going to the Henley Royal Regatta.

Post-UK was a return visit to Prague and Budapest. Two of my favorites that I’ve never visited in the summertime. Absolutely stunning! So was hanging out with friends made on a previous trip. Always nice to share a beer with good people.

August took me back to Montreal once again and NYC. This trip was extra special because of the time well spent with lifelong friends and a last visit with a friend that would soon depart. Anita, Montreal will always make me think of you fondly. I love you and that city so much.

September took me to two cities I wanted to know better. First was Seattle with my newly found soul mate, Erin. There is nowhere I wouldn’t go with this girl. And we both wanted to celebrate happy moments, like our dear friends, Captain & Clark’s wedding!

Toward the end of September, Erin and I were reunited again in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I like to think of it as the city of sisterly love! We had a blast discovering different neighborhoods of Philly & laughing with each other all the while.

October I was lucky enough to be reunited with 2 of my favorite traveling partners again, Ana & Mary Anne along with Mary Anne’s BFF Maxine, for a GLAM LA girls weekend.

November was a busy fun month with a visit back to the UK for a conference and reconnecting with so many fun friends from around the world. I’m so glad our paths cross from time to time.

Followed up by a quick jaunt to France and Amsterdam for more girlfriend fun. I wouldn’t choose to travel any other way. Traveling with Ashley, Ana & Mary Anne was the very best.

And I managed to squeeze in a last minute trip back to NYC with my girlfriends and once again be reunited with some of my favorite people.

In December I finished off my year of travel back in Miami to celebrate Erin’s birthday. I cannot think of a better place to end my year. It is my happy spot and it was made so much better being there, laughing and enjoying life, with two of my travel besties, Erin & Esther.

Maybe you see some common themes in my travels. Repeat places, repeat friends, repeated silliness and smiles. Traveling is my lifeline and a huge part of my heart as are all the people I meet along the way. My world is better for all of you. Here’s to many more reunions on the road and good times ahead in 2014! Happy travels…

XO – Lola

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Filed under amsterdam, barcelona, budapest, cabo san lucas, copenhagen, costa brava, henley-on-thames, london, los angeles, miami, montreal, new york, newport, philadelphia, prague, seattle, toronto, travel, verbier

Tagged as friendship, places to go in 2013, year in travel

December 26, 2013 · 3:41 pm

An Amsterdam Virgin

It’s true that I’m a pretty well traveled person but I still haven’t been MANY places. Amsterdam was one of them, with the exception of flying through its airport to connect to somewhere else in Europe probably twice a year. It has been on my short list for some time and I decided I really wanted to make it there in 2013. Fortunately, I had some traveling companions in my friends, Ana, Mary Anne and Ashley, all frequent travelers and travel writers. Mary Anne was also an Amsterdam virgin and we were both super excited to see what all the hubbub was about with this city.

Ana, an Amsterdam veteran, suggested we take a private walking tour to better understand an overview of the capital city of the Netherlands. Tim, with Context Travel, was beyond brilliant. I tell you what, I’m a fan of walking tours and I really love the concept behind Context Travel arranging scholars & experts to lead “walking seminars”. In fact, they offer them in over 23 cultural capitals around the world! Tim explained various historical moments and social changes that have occurred over time that have shaped Amsterdam into what it is today. Some of the details he explained many Amsterdam virgins would be most curious about, like legal marijuana use and legal prostitution. I found it all very fascinating. Amsterdam is a stunning city. I bet is sparkles in the summertime because it was so colorful in the fall, even with the slight hint of occasional rain. As we traveled through the city, crossing bridges over beautiful canals, Tim shared photos and stories about Amsterdam that I would not have otherwise known. Ashley, also a veteran of Amsterdam, relayed funny tales from her previous visits. We walked through the Red Light District, the gay district, past hash coffeehouses and through Saturday markets. Although, I was nearly taken out by a bicyclist or two, it was all just as I hoped and it was fantastic.

As four ladies do on a Saturday, next we were off for a “High Wine” experience at The Dylan Amsterdam hotel. Because, you know, you don’t have tea in Amsterdam in the afternoon, you have wine! The Dylan is known for its classic meets contemporary simple design and the High Wine experience fit right in with this concept. The pairing of 4 wines with 4 small bites was a truly lovely experience and one I’ve certainly not had before. I was a fan of this luxury boutique hotel, BIG TIME.

All poshness aside, and don’t get me wrong, you can stay, eat and drink like a queen in this proper city, what I wanted to see and enjoy most of all was the grittier side of Amsterdam. NO, I didn’t go into any coffeehouses but they weren’t too hard to sniff out with the scent of ganja wafting through the streets. I wanted to go hang out in the Red Light District. We learned on the train to Amsterdam, that it’s a popular destination for stag parties or what some call “SDF” weekends. (I’ll let you guess what that means) So, once in the Red Light District, I was kind of surprised it wasn’t shadier in the evening. There were bars where you can grab a drink next to a string of windows where girls were offering up their various services next to pubs with some of the most delicious beers on draft.

My favorite ironies of the bar scene in the Red Light District were they close at 2am – WHAT?! and that you can smoke pot inside but you cannot smoke cigarettes. This all tickled me so! I also quite enjoyed the laid back spirit of the people on the streets. I’m not sure if it was the residual effects of the reefer scent carrying out on to the street or what but as we made our way through the Red Light District we were quite giddy and decided to pretend like we were riding an invisible bicycle. No one, I mean NO ONE, found this behavior odd at all. They did, however, find it odd that I went up to one of the windows in the Red Light District to ask a question to one of the ladies. That practically stopped traffic in the street! No, I wasn’t soliciting any business. I wanted to know what the rent rates were for the windows is all. She referred me to the phone number on an ad and said to call. I took a pass. I just wanted to jump in the window for a minute and get my photo snapped with a mustache on. Are you really surprised? My takeaway…this Amsterdam virgin loved the city and definitely plans to return again.

I was the lucky guest of Context Travel and The Dylan Amsterdam. 2 hour long tours with Context Travel start at $300 and the High Wine experience at The Dylan is €39.50. Both a tremendous value.

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Filed under amsterdam, netherlands, travel

December 20, 2013 · 2:30 pm

New York City – One of My Favorite City Breaks

I’m super fortunate to live close enough to New York City to dash off for a quick overnight or two and get my fill of a BIG city break. I love Boston but there’s nothing like New York. A few weeks ago, mid-week, I popped down there with a couple of my girlfriends. We had a great time be-bopping around the city and catching up with a few Big Apple friends.

Some highlights were getting into the holiday spirit by watching people ice skate at the Bryant Park rink and grabbing a cocktail and some laughs at Celsius, the pop up bar located right off the rink! I can’t even remember the last time I watched people ice skate and outside in the crisp air to boot! Celsius is heated, of course, and if this place can’t get you toasting to the holidays, I’m not sure what would!

The girls and I also enjoyed touring a bit around the Lower East Side. It was fun to learn more about this once “better stay away” hood and discover a few other famous places in that neighborhood besides Katz’s Deli. My favorites were the Doughnut Plant and The Pickle Guys. I tried a seasonal special at Doughnut Plant, the pumpkin doughnut, and a VERY delicious pickled okra at The Pickle Guys. Seriously, listen to me now, BOTH of these places are not to be missed. Get down to the LES and take some of both to go!

But one of my favorite things to do whenever I have a New York city break is to go out dancing. It’s a fun way to blow off steam and meet new people. There are tons of spots in the city to go, but somehow, we always seem to end up down in the Meatpacking District. Gaslight, repeatedly, is one of our favorite “get down on it” spots. Again, meeting up with NYC pals, we had a blast shaking our groove thang. Naturally, Lola, found herself a dancing sandwich, because, why not?! 😉

But in all seriousness, I love NYC. You just never what zany thing is going to happen in that city! I know it’s a big destination for a lot of people but I really think it’s also the perfect place for a quick getaway too. New York City break with Thomas Cook is a great way to find your next city break deal for NYC, whether it’s a hotel or flights or both. Go get yourself a bite of the BIG APPLE soon.

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Filed under new york, travel

Tagged as New York, New York city breaks, NYC

December 12, 2013 · 10:32 am

#VisitPhilly – Beyond the Liberty Bell

Philadelphia was the original capital of the United States and home to many historically significant things to the country, like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were both born. BUT there is so much more to this great city than the reminders of Democracy’s birth. Philadelphia is a melting pot of people living side by side from Italians & Irish to Eastern Europeans to African-Americans and Asians. It is, in fact, one of the most ethnically mixed cities in the United States. Philadelphia literally means “City of Brotherly Love” in Greek and really couldn’t be a more fitting name.

While I do enjoy the charm of the cobblestone streets and red brick row houses of Society Hill, this visit to Philadelphia I was determined to discover more of Philly’s neighborhoods that their diverse community calls home. Although I visited several neighborhoods and found lots of interesting things in all of them, my three favorite were Graduate Hospital, Bella Vista and Queen Village. And these three can literally be walked going through one to next. Each neighborhood begins south of South Street and each has its own unique flavor and special finds. I particularly enjoyed strolling through them on a Saturday when the rest of Philadelphia is out and about.

My neighborhood stroll started with Graduate Hospital – a cool family friendly yet hipster-esque scene. An eclectic blend of people are this neighborhood’s community and the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well here.

It was Saturday, late morning, and what better way to start your day than with a big ole Saturday Brunch. Let me tell you Honey’s Sit ‘N Eat delivered up the perfect start to my Saturday. A bacon, egg and cheese sandwich is always a good call but Honey’s serves it on a homemade biscuit and that makes ALL the difference. This local hotspot is BYOB and open for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Walking down South Street, popping in and out of local indie boutiques, my next stop was Magpie also in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. Magpie is an artisan pie boutique. I love pie more than cake or cookies but Magpie has something else that I’ve never heard of before, let alone dreamt of having. PIE SHAKES!! Something so unique and made with pie, well, I just had to try it. I went with the Apple Pie Shake and shared it with my friend Erin because we were saving room for local beer tasting and Italian Market sampling.

Moving on into the Bella Vista neighborhood, I was in search local Pennsylvania beers and the famous Italian Market here. Bella Vista is where the Italian immigrants came to settle in Philadelphia and ties still remain here today. PLUS I firmly feel nothing gives you a local perspective like food, drinks & markets!

Percy Street Barbecue is one of several Cook + Solo restaurants known for its BBQ and over 145 varieties of canned beer at any given time. It was my mission to try as many local beers as I could since craft brews are such a big deal in Philadelphia and figured they’d have PLENTY to choose from. Boy was that ever true.

After the beer tasting it was time to do a bit of touring the Italian Market – a proud Philly mainstay since the 19th Century and one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in America. Not to be missed here besides the sidewalk stalls are the storefronts where you can find olive oil & balsamic vinegar tastings as well as cheese and cured meats samplings. MMMM.

A stop not to just pass by in Bella Vista is Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens – artist Isaiah Zagar’s mosaicked visionary art environment and gallery. The 3,000 square foot space is incredible and definitely inspiring, at least it was to me. I could have spent hours there looking at the vivid colored tiles and hidden messages. Really a unique spot in Philly.

My final stop of the day was in Queen Village for a cocktail. Queen Village is Philly’s oldest residential district and is the scene of many up and coming restos and bars. The ever lively South Street is nearby to add color to any day or night and definitely something a visitor has to experience to understand.

I bellied up to Southwark’s bar, a retro feeling neighborhood bistro. It’s said they make the city’s best Manhattan but I just went for my standard vodka soda (I know…boooooring). After a day of delicious food sampling and beer tasting that was all I could manage.

I was sponsored by Visit Philly to come discover the multiple neighborhoods beyond Center City – why not go just one more block? I had a jam-packed delicious day exploring 3 fantastic neighborhoods and look forward to returning to Philadelphia to see more.

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Filed under philadelphia, travel