Happy Travels

Traveling can be hectic, confusing, and tiring. But it can also take you to beautiful, relaxing and interesting places. People travel for weddings, for work, for fun, for family, and there are a few essentials that we think everyone should have, no matter where they’re going.

The Kindle Fire, Amazon’s newest tablet, is perfect for reading, watching TV and movies, and playing games. The touch screen is non-reflective and easy to use, and the colors are vibrant. And if you thought it couldn’t get any more perfect, brace yourself. It’s small (7.5 X 4.7) and lightweight enough to slip in your bag (or briefcase) to take with you anywhere. ($199 on www.amazon.com)

If you constantly find yourself in airports that you don’t know very well, this may be the app for you. Flysmart (Free, from www.apple.com) can download and tell you almost anything you need to know about the airport. The app can download flight numbers and their gates, terminal maps, and lists of all of the stores and restaurants. This app helps you stop getting lost in, say, Atlanta, (what a way to start your honeymoon, searching for your flight!) and find your gate quickly and without stress.

Once you reach that honeymoon, or destination wedding, what do you want to do? Take pictures. Beaches in Hawaii, Cancun, the Caribbean…who wouldn’t want pictures of those? But unfortunately, getting married on the beach at sunset can make for bad lighting. This little camera, the Lytro, ($399-$499 at www.lytro.com/camera) can take pictures in low light, as well as extremely fast, and you can focus after you take them. This means that the slight fuzziness of the picture of sunlight hitting a wave behind the happy bride and groom is no longer a problem. Not to mention all of those pictures of everyone having a good time at the beach party (which just happens to be lit only by tiki torches).

And if you travel for business more than for pleasure, but you still have to share documents with people on the opposite side of the country, then maybe you need this item. The iTwin ($99 on www.itwin.com) is a USB drive in two parts. You just have to plug it in to one computer and then take off the other half and give it to someone else. They can plug it into their computer (or you can plug it in to your laptop) and then you can access all of the files through the Internet. Traveling for work just got a little less stressful.

Becoming a Social Traveler

The Honeymoon: Your chance to exhale.  A well-deserved vacation giving both of you the chance to finally take a deep breath, relax and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter together.  But one last question: how do we choose the perfect destination and are we getting a good deal?  

The first thought is to lean on the trusty Tour Guide Book or an online resource like TripAdvisor, but with the age of Social Media comes some game-changing websites for the helpless honeymooners or even the seasoned world travelers.  Instead of relying on the written word of strangers, social media websites like Gogobot.com  and Gtrot.com have revolutionized the way spouses are writing their next chapters.  These websites allow you to be your own tour guide and they utilize social media to give honeymooners the opportunity to share hotel, restaurant and other travel recommendations with their friends and followers.  
Gogobot gives you the tools to create a digital travel scrapbook via FourSquare and Facebook check-in’s and was created on the theory that travelers trust their friends’ recommendations and photos over out-dated guide books and online travel sites.  
On the other hand, Gtrot is taking the social media concept one step further and incorporating the Groupon’s and Living Social’s of the world to pool together daily deals for your preferred destinations.  This gives honeymooners the chance to create their dream vacation but at the same time saving a few bucks.  While these are only two of the options available to honeymoon planners, it is important for you to remember that you no longer have to stress about the planning or the cost of kicking off your next chapter together.  You can now rest assured that you are one click, ‘Like’ or ‘Follow’ away from your happily ever after...

London For Less

London has an incredible reputation.  From it's history to the lovely people who reside there, London is a wonderful place to visit.  There is however one thing that this fabulous city can't live down.  It can be incredibly expensive.  The exchange rate between the US and UK is exorbitantly high.  The value of one pound is nearly double that of the American dollar.  Needless to say finding an affordable place to stay can be quite difficult.  Elle UK recently put together a great list of relatively affordable and fun hotels.  This could come in handy while planning your honeymoon.  The hotels are listed below in no chronological order.  You can click through the names to reach each hotels appropriate website.

• Z Hotel Soho
  
• Church Street Hotel
  
• Aloft London Excel
  
• B&B Belgravia
• Myhotel Bloomsbury

Go Eco Part 2

5 more Eco Friendly Resorts

Amanpulo, The Philippines

"Amanpulo is part of the lush Amanresorts group, a pioneer in promoting environmental responsibility since its first resort, Amanpuri, opened in Phuket, Thailand, in 1988. The company's properties are typically located in secluded island paradises where guest activities are focused on the natural world, and Amanpulo is no exception. But its environmental commitment is wide-reaching, especially within the local community. The kitchen sends food waste to local pig farmers, and the resort buys back the ensuing pork for staff meals. Amanpulo also offers the services of its staff physician to locals free of charge in case of medical emergencies, and awards two full, four-year Filipino college scholarships each year to local students who can't afford to continue their studies."

Jardim Atlantico, Portugal

"The Jardim Atlantico hotel on the island of Madeira has been eco-friendly since it first opened in 1993; the 30 environmental awards it's won since are a testament to its dedication. Conservation programs include super-energy efficient systems, constant monitoring of the hotel's impact on the surrounding landscape and a reforestation initiative.

There's also an 8,000-meter "Barefoot Walk," essentially a reflexology massage with every footstep. Guests walk along a path strewn with pinecones, mud, sand, pebbles and the leaves of laurel and eucalyptus trees; each element possesses unique healing properties. At the end of the path is a traditional Madeiran irrigation channel to refresh your feet after the walk."

Palm Key, Ridgeland South Carolina

"Palm Key is a low-impact marshland resort in South Carolina's Lowcountry that's perfect for nature lovers. Guests can wander through 3-1/2 miles of nature trails in the resort's maritime forest, where thousands of birds congregate at a time. The resort refrains from using chemicals on the lawns or landscape and has designed inverted crown roads throughout the property to protect the run-off into the marshlands."

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur California

"This 100-acre nature preserve is home to a number of indigenous species, including several that are rare and endangered, including the California condor, wood stork and Western Pond Turtle. Guests can hike, bird watch and play amateur astronomer, but that's just the starting point. At Post Ranch Inn, bed sheets in the 40 rooms are made from 100 percent organic cotton, and the resort vehicles are all hybrids. The inn also provides on-property housing to 90 of its employees in an effort to reduce traffic and carbon emissions."

Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Costa Rica

"Spa treatments at Tabacon use materials, such as coffee and coconut body scrubs and volcanic stone massage, which have been revered by local Mayan and native peoples for millennia. But the resort's practices behind the scenes are just as environmentally sound. Tabacon has pledged to become 100 percent carbon neutral in 2009, and is well on its way towards that goal. It has cut electricity consumption at the resort by 35 percent in just two years and has launched an ambitious tree-replanting program to offset the carbon generated by guests' transportation to the resort."






text and images from fineliving.com

Go Eco Part 1

Whether you're looking for your honeymoon or just a great trip for 2009 - here are some suggestions for resorts that are Eco-Friendly.

Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba

"Environmentally aware couples who want a healthy dose of green with their luxury should head to Bucuti, an upscale couples resort where a dedicated employee Green Team encourages guests to participate in beach cleanups and recycling contests. All of the water used in showers, sinks and baths is collected in a grey-water recycling system, treated and then used to irrigate the grounds.
Bucuti is held up as an eco-friendly example in the travel industry, and managers from other resorts often visit to learn how to implement cutting-edge environmental practices at their own destinations."

Machaca Hill Lodge, Belize

"Machaca Hill Lodge at the Laughing Falcon Reserve is an 11,000-acre private nature reserve with plenty of opportunities for eco-tourists: miles of marked nature trails to explore; bird and wildlife watching; and kayaking and canoeing on the Rio Grande. The Lodge's environmental practices include composting, recycling and using non-toxic cleaners and pest control. Machaca Hill also has its own organic farm to supply vegetables, herbs and Valencia oranges to its restaurant."

Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida

"The Bonaventure was the first property in its county to earn certification from Florida's Green Lodging Program for its eco-friendly initiatives. Within a month of replacing the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs in all 501 guest rooms and common areas, the resort's energy bill was cut by more than $30,000. The hotel uses Smart Cars to ferry guests around, and the kitchen staff recruited a local elementary school to plant an organic herb garden."

Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club, Hawaii

"The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club has tackled a massive energy drain common to resorts: It heats a 26,000 square-foot swimming pool solely via renewable energy. A power plant that consists of two propane-fueled Caterpillar engines produces 30 percent of the resort's power. The cast-off heat generated by the engines warms the 850,000-gallon swimming pool year-round. And at the Aupaka Terrace restaurant, guests use biodegradable, potato-based plastic flatware at the beachfront dining patio and tote take-out orders in containers made out of 100 percent biodegradable corn-based plastic."

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Michigin

"A year-round resort often presents more environmental challenges than one that opens seasonally, due to extreme changes in temperatures and diversity of activities. Resorts with a golf course and downhill skiing can consume an inordinate amount of energy to maintain the trails and greens. Crystal Mountain Resort buys enough wind credits to power their high-speed chairlift entirely with wind power, which keeps 174,000 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution out of the atmosphere. The resort's golf courses have been certified by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, a statewide program with environmental guidelines that exceed state requirements."

Stop back tomorrow for 5 more resorts!

text and images from fineliving.com

3 Inns in 3 Months: Inn at Perry Cabin

This is the third in a series of three posts about visits to local Inns.

Elizabeth writes: It was November and I was packing my bags again this time for a trip to The Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s Maryland.

This was a birthday trip for me and I had spent hours on the internet searching for the perfect retreat for the get away. It is comical that after months of researching where I would go, I actually ended up reserving my room (whispering on the phone during a wedding) less than 18 hours before check-in. The Inn met all my requirements: comfortable, private, a spa, a waterview, and within driving distance. Best of all, they were having a wonderful Fall promotion with discounted room rates. It was all I needed.

I had THE BEST time ever! Each day was filled with shopping at boutiques and antique stores in the quaint towns of Easton, St. Michaels and Oxford, eating fabulous food and just plain relaxing. The Inn also offers an afternoon tea each day but I was never back in time to experience the tea.

My sleeping room was in the historic part of the manor house and was furnished with American antiques and lovely accessories. The bathroom was tiled with Italian marble and all the linens were Frette! The view was amazing as the room’s large windows faced directly on The Miles River. Each morning the lawn and the water would be filled with geese as they paused on the river during their migration south.

The staff at The Inn were kind, professional, friendly and accommodating. The small touches like filling the ice bucket in the room twice a day, bringing warm, homemade cookies to the room before bedtime during turn-down service and supplying Molton and Brown (delish) oatmeal bath soap did not go unnoticed. The housekeeping staff even noticed that I was drinking all the bottled (free!) water they supplied in the room and left me extra the next day. I love that kind of attention to detail.

The weather had turned very cold while I was there and it was so comforting to be at a place with a fireplace at every turn. One of my favorite things to do there was sitting in the Pub at The Inn in front of the roaring fireplace with a cocktail. I really could live there.

The Linden Spa is located at The Inn and was very nice. I have been to many spas over the years and I really felt this one was superior to some of the more expensive and well-known spas I have visited. The spa flip flops they provided were so great that I purchased a new pair before leaving.

This trip was so perfect that I honestly had to pinch myself. I did not want to leave and can’t wait to return for another St. Michael’s get-away. This Inn gets my highest recommendation and more information can be found on www.perrycabin.com.

The Inn at Perry Cabin is part of the fine Orient-Express hotel group and has 78 sleeping rooms. Some of their accolades:

Conde Nast Traveler “The World’s Best Places To Stay” – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008
AAA Four Diamond 1994 - 2004
Travel + Leisure "T+L 500 - The World's Best Hotels" - 2007
"Top 100 Hotels: Continental US and Canada" - 2007
Zagat’s“Travel Top Hotel in the State of Maryland” - 1997, 2003, 2004
Mobil Awards 1992 - 2005
Wine Spectator“Award of Excellence” - 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006
The Food Network"Best of Water Front Tables" – 2004
AAA Four Diamond Award
Mobil Four Star
The Baltimore Sun"Four Stars for Food and Beverages"

3 Inns in 3 Months: Inn at Little Washington

This is the second in a series of three posts about visits to local Inns.

Elizabeth writes: Grab a cup of coffee because this is a lengthy post.

Going to The Inn at Little Washington has been a life long dream. As someone in the hospitality industry and as a bit of a foodie, I have listened longingly to those who have gone there and come back with stories of life altering food and wonderful hospitality. Some will never experience the incredible phenomenon of this culinary legend and others (as I found out recently) make an annual pilgrimage to The Inn for their fix of owner/chef Patrick O’Connell’s culinary genius.

For those of you not familiar with The Inn at Little Washington, here are a few accolades:

· The Inn at Little Washington, and Chef Patrick O’Connell, has received 5 James Beard Awards including: Best Service, Best Wine List, Restaurant of the Year, Best Chef in the Mid–Atlantic and Chef of the Year.
· The Inn has been rated one of the Top 10 Best Restaurants in the World by The International Herald Tribune.
· The Inn at Little Washington dining room is rated number 1 in America by the Zagat U.S. Hotel Survey. The Inn has been rated number one in all categories (food, dècor and service) of Zagat’s Washington DC restaurant survey for the past 14 years.
· The Inn’s dining room has been rated #1 in North America, and #2 in the World, by Travel + Leisure Magazine’s ‘World’s Best Awards’.
· The Inn has been awarded Wine Spectator magazine’s “Grand Award” for its wine list every year since 1995.
· The Inn received the “Readers Top Table” award in Gourmet’s Restaurant Issue.
· The Inn was the first establishment ever to receive AAA’s highest accolade, the 5 Diamond Award, for both food and accommodation.
· The Inn was the first establishment in the Mobil Travel Guide’s history ever to receive 5 stars for its restaurant and 5 stars for its accommodation.

We made reservations far in advance and on a lovely October afternoon, took off for the drive to Virginia. Since I considered the trip likely the only one I would ever take to the Inn, I soaked in the details the moment we drove into the small historic town of Washington, Virginia. No small detail was left unnoticed and taking notes (I know – how touristy) helped me to remember each gracious touch.

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a valet who welcomed us and asked our names. From that moment on, no other staff member would ask because by some feat of communication, our names were conveyed to every staff member we would encounter.

The front desk manager welcomed us (by name of course) as we stepped into the lobby and let us know there would be no “check-in” paperwork so instead “Let’s toast your arrival as I give you a brief tour of The Inn”. Goosebumps. He poured a cocktail of fresh passion fruit puree and champagne into two gorgeous crystal flutes, handed it to us and off we went for a tour.

Minutes later when we entered our sleeping room, our luggage was already there along with a handwritten welcome note from Patrick O’Connell. Our room was an eclectic mix of fine European antiques, some with a chinosserie feel and others very traditional. They succeeded in furnishing the room with such a warm combination of furniture and linens, curtains and accessories with such panache and sophistication. The second floor room had a charming balcony with comfortable furniture which looked directly over the front entrance of The Inn. It was an absolutely beautiful Fall day and we enjoyed sitting on the balcony reading and people watching as new guests arrived for their fantasy stay.

In order to prepare for dinner, I poured over one of Patrick’s cookbooks because as everyone knows, reading well written cookbooks with mouth watering photos makes one ravenous. The writing at the beginning of the cookbook tells the story of his fascinating journey to becoming an innkeeper. It is filled with great glimpse of how the greatness came to be although his tone is still very humble.

Next on the schedule was a walk through the shops of the little town which featured a few gift shops and art galleries. Since we live in an old farmhouse, it was especially interesting to look at the historic houses and churches along the small roads in this quaint town. We also walked the grounds of The Inn and found the herb and flower cutting garden just outside the kitchen door.

Back at The Inn, it was time for afternoon tea. The tearoom was busy with many couples but we were quickly greeted and offered a dizzying array of teas which was promptly followed by a delightful platter of cucumber sandwiches, Virginia ham biscuits, raspberry tarts and lemon scones all served on Wedgwood china.

A couple of hours later, anticipation was building for dinner and after a cocktail, we were seated for dinner. By the way, my cocktail was the usual: a vodka martini with three olives and it was fabulous but the little bit of heaven were the unusually crisp olives. After later investigation, a caterer friend is guessing the olives were “raw”. If anyone knows where to get these gems, please let me know. I must have them.

Dinner options were presented on a personalized menu and we opted for the four course dinner. We dined on Chilled Maine Lobster in Sherry Vinaigrette with Avocado and Grapefruit, Crispy Maryland Crabcakes on Marinated Cabbage Slaw with a Trio of Sauces, Pepper Crusted Tuna Capped with Seared Duck Foie Gras, and Beef Two Ways: Pecan Crusted Barbequed Short Ribs Paired with Filet Mignon wrapped in Swiss Chard. My favorite course was Porcini Dusted Maine Diver Scallop on Cauliflower Puree. I swear I would have licked the plate if I wasn’t in public. Dessert was a Homemade Southern Pecan Ice Cream Sandwich with Hot Caramel Sauce served tableside.

It was nice after wine and a fabulous meal to just walk up the steps to our room. Waiting there were cookies and a printed “Tomorrow’s Forecast” with weather information.
The sleeping room was so comfortable and private we felt like we were the only ones at The Inn that night.

Breakfast was another culinary dream and when we were reluctantly ready to leave, our car appeared like magic with the luggage inside and we were sent off with a cute bag of clementines for the ride home. What a nice “last impression”.

If you decide to make the trip to The Inn at Little Washington (and I strongly recommend that you do), be prepared for two reality checks: First, it is expensive to go to The Inn. The room rates range from $ 400.00 - 2150. per night. Weekend rates are higher as are May and October stays. To have dinner there is about $ 250.00 per person for a four course meal and a glass of wine. Second reality check: there is no cell phone or internet service in the town. I know, I know, it’s a little scary but I promise that within an hour of your arrival, you’ll be glad you are unreachable. A little fantasy and relaxation is good for the soul.

3 Inns in 3 Months: Gramercy Mansion

This Fall Elizabeth was fortunate enough to be able to visit three of the areas finest Inns. In this first of three posts: Gramercy Mansion. In September she combined a wonderful Wine Dinner with an overnight stay at Gramery in lovely Green Spring Valley.

The Wine Dinners held often at Gramercy are hosted by Jerry Edwards of Chef's Expressions. Jerry is a well known chef and wine connoisseur. Jerry and his staff prepared a delicious meal at which each course was accompanied by a fabulous wine. Jerry would speak to the diners (about 100) between each course to get feedback on the previous course and introduce the wine and food for the next course. There were new people to meet and old friends to greet and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Instead of taking to the road after so much wine, Elizabeth and Mr. B reserved a room at the Inn which is decorated with eclectic furnishings. The most impressive thing at this B and B is all the small comforts offered to their guests. The rooms are stocked with cold bottled drinks, a microwave and of course microwave popcorn. There is an entire library of DVDs and books at the ready for an evening of relaxing. For those staying at Gramercy during the warmer months of the year, there is an outdoor swimming pool, walking trails, and lots of gardens in which to wander. What a nice get away right in the middle of where we live and work. It was surprising private and the staff was accommodating and kind.

Breakfast was an amazing offering of fresh baked goodies along with hot traditional-with-a-twist food too.

Gramercy Mansion is a wonderful place for a wedding, a rehearsal dinner, a bridal shower or just a relaxing weekend away. For more photos and information, visit www.gramercymansion.com.

Have You Been To...

Budget Travel.com recently published a Top 15 List of Places Every Kid Should See.

Have you seen them all yet?

Ellis Island Museum and The Statue of Liberty

Ground Zero, New York City

Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor

Grand Canyon, Arizona

National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis Tennessee

Redwood National Park, California

Monticello, Virginia

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Alamo, Texas

Niagara Falls, New York

Freedom Trail, Boston

Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Walt Disney World, Orlando Florida