Somewhere over the rainbow
It’s been an exciting year of travel! From vacations south of the border to trips across the pond, 2009 brought me closer to more destinations, more people and more life lessons. I learned that all whiskey is not created equal (especially in Ireland) and that camels really do exist… in Mexico. I tripped back to my 20s in Amsterdam and reunited with my first love in Paris. I reconnected with some of the most fantastic cities in the states and I had the time of my life on fantasy island. Most importantly, I shared these travels with you, and I learned a lot along the way. Here are a few of my favorite things from my 2009 travels:
Key West: There are few things as simplistic as a mojito on Hemingway’s island, but I’ll always remember Key West as the trip that introduced me to the Palm Reader. I’m not sure his predictions will come true, but he did inspire me to believe.
Amsterdam: Reconnecting with your youth is always a powerful experience, with or without space cakes (link courtesy of my fav travel friend).
Bruges: When I dream of white horses and dark castles I’m taken back to Bruges, where I was captivated by the magic, mystery and romance of this little city.
Paris: The City of Light was my first European love, and it still holds my heart. On my second trip to Paris, I rediscovered the tastes of warm baquettes and fresh cheese, the smell of eclairs and the deep colors of French red wine. Continue Reading…
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 11:35 pm. 7 comments
We learned about octaves with do-re-mi and fought our fears with a few of our favorite things, but the most important lesson taught by Captain Georg von Trapp and the Baroness Maria von Trapp was the importance of family. The lesson lives on through generations and no where is it more prominent than at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont.
Trapp Family Lodge, Dec. 2009
The 1965 movie, “The Sound of Music,” was made famous by Christopher Plummer and Julie Andrews and recounted the voyage of the von Trapp family as they sang their way through Austria to escape Nazi rule. A favorite family film, images of Maria running through the Salzburg hills during the opening credits will forever be burned in our memory. But when the von Trapps moved to America in the 1950s, the hills in Stowe, Vermont, really started to sing.
Read more on SingleMindedWomen.com
Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 2:00 am. 2 comments
For travelers, 2009 was the year of the deal — and if you play your cards right, you can still get some great deals.
In addition to the holiday surcharges, airlines attempted to recoup their costs in other creative ways, including baggage fees, check-ins and inflight service. Here are few tips to keeping your money in your pocket when flying this holiday season:
Read more from my article in the New York Daily News
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 9:18 pm. Add a comment
One of the perks of being single is also being flexible and when it comes to travel, there’s nothing like last-minute plans to soothe the single gal’s soul (especially over the holidays). Nothing says love like cramming into the middle seat on a last-minute flight to see family and friends for the holiday season.
If you get struck by the travel bug this holiday season, or you succumbed to the guilt of family members and agreed to go home for the holidays, don’t forget to pack these essential travel items in your carry-on…
Read my entire column on the Jane Air Crew blog with Wyndam Worldwide
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:00 am. Add a comment
November 23, 2009
It’s fascinating to be part of Sir Richard Branson’s world. The uber-entrepreneur turns dust into gold, and rarely comes across a challenge he can’t solve. When Richard Branson puts his mind to something, creativity knows no boundaries (don’t believe me? see: Virgin Galactic). So what does this man do when he’s just being Branson? You might be surprised…
I’ve had the privilege to talk to Branson on a few occasions. The topics usually involve the airline industry, his newest adventure or invention, or a quick chat about upcoming trips, and they usually take place as we’re running through an airport. But our latest conversation was a little more intimate. I had the unique opportunity to join Branson at the dinner table on Necker Island (Branson’s own private island in the British Virgin Islands). There was dining, drinking, dancing (yes, all on the dinner table), and conversation on one of the most private islands in the world. Simply put, my one night on Necker Island was a travel writer’s dream come true…
It all started with a little invitation to attend the kick off to the first annual Kite Jam in the British Virgin Islands, a kite surfing extravaganza set to launch in March 2010.
I hopped a flight to San Juan and weighed in for the Cessna flight to Tortola, where the festivities were set to begin. The first night was at Maria’s By The Sea, a helpful little hotel located right in the center of town. The hotel is perfect for business travelers needing quick access to everything, but if you’re staying for a few nights be sure to request a room overlooking the water (otherwise you’ll have a great view of the parking lot). I met my fellow press trip reporters for dinner and tucked myself in for a good night’s sleep after a long day of travel.
The next day we set sail for Norman’s Island, courtesy of Sunsail fleets. The catamarans took us to the island said to harbor the treasure chest of Blackbeard. Sadly, I didn’t find the loot, but I did leave the island with a hat that reads, “Where’s your booty?” After a nice dinner at the hotel restaurant, I packed my bags and set up a wake-up call for 6 a.m. the next morning. Destination: Virgin Gorda.
Sailing the BVIs
On our way to VG, we detoured at the undiscovered and beautifully unspoilt island of Anegada. Continue Reading…
Posted 3 months ago at 12:13 am. 8 comments
